Sports

Commentary

The Buzz

Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published November 20, 2005

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THUMBS UP

Major League Baseball. Coming down hard against users of steroids and amphetamines was the absolute right thing to do. Just one question: What the heck took so long?

THUMBS DOWN

Missouri basketball coach Quin Snyder, who got angry after a reporter called him by his first name during a recent question-and-answer session. Snyder replied, "Coach Snyder. I've been in the league seven years now, can I be Coach Snyder?" Hey, Quin, do us all a favor and get over yourself. Good news for the reporter: Given Snyder's record - on and off the court - he probably won't be around too much longer.

WEEKLY MEMO

To Bobby Bowden and Urban Meyer: Yeah, yeah, we get it ... you've both had lots of injuries. The question is, what happened to all those, ahem, highly touted prep All-Americans?

VOICES CARRY

"Gaaaaaaacccckk!

"What a revolting development this is. How do you score 35 points and lose? The last time it happened to the Redskins wasn't even in this century!

"Just last week I wrote one of these columnettes predicting that the Redskins would run the table. How stupid am I? I didn't even get through the first week!

"What a galling defeat, especially after Mark Brunell was so terrific in the second half, converting on every important third (and fourth) down. And of all the people to lose to: First, there's Chris Simms. The past two games Simms was so terrible that everyone in Tampa was screaming for his blond head on a stick. Now all of a sudden he's Phil Simms? Exactly what kind of defense did Gregg Williams call for in the fourth quarter? The "Swiss Cheese' defense? I've seen smaller gaps between Michael Strahan's front teeth.

"And to get beat by geriatrics like Simeon Rice, Joey Galloway and Mike Alstott. Those guys are so old, they played against Gibbs the last time. Seriously, I thought Alstott retired three years ago with a broken neck. He's had his bell rung so many times you can play Jingle Bell Rock on his chin strap. Imagine my surprise to see him score two TDs and that two-point conversion. Now that call took onions. It's the dumbest call in history if Alstott doesn't make it. Oh, silly me, his elbow didn't.

"Worst of all is to lose to Gruden, who was dropping f-bombs on the sideline like he was Denis Leary. Did you see Gruden in his long sleeve red silk T-shirt and that gold chain? He looked like Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice. Will somebody please tell Gruden that the '80s are over?"

Tony Kornheiser, Washington Post

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hey Urban, do yourself a favor, pick up the phone and get some play-calling advice from somebody who knows a thing or two about offense. And don't worry, I'm sure Galen Hall would be glad to help.

- Compiled by KEITH NIEBUHR, Times staff writer

[Last modified November 20, 2005, 00:55:14]