1989NDN

The NFL decided to forego almost $400,000,000 for 8 games from a current and widely distributed cable network (both Versus and TNT had bids that neared $400M) and put games instead on its own nascent network that has terrible programming other than the 8 games on the schedule. Then, because the NFL needed to "recoup" the $400,000,000 that it left on the table, it "told" cable operators that they would need to pay $.70 per subscriber per month for the privilege of carrying its network. The NFL "demanded" that the carriage be on a basic tier channel and not a digital or premium channel. Now mind you this is the same NFL that gave the middle finger to the same cable companies when it came time to renegotiate the Sunday Ticket package and kept an exclusive deal with DirecTV rather than opening up negotiations between DirecTV and the networks. The cable operators tried to put it on a premium package, but the NFL has won that legal fight against every operator other than Comcast -- and the NFL is appealing the ruling in favor of Comcast. So the next time Jerry Jones and his greedy friends, i.e., other NFL owners, try to make you believe that it's the cable company keeping the game from you, ask them why they gave up $400,000,000, which would have let you, me and everyone else watch the games now being shown on the NFL Network. Anyone think that NBC, CBS, FOX or ESPN are even remotely coming close to making money off their NFL deals? NO WAY. Check the numbers. But, they make sports programming available because they provide as reliable a ratings source as exists in the 21st century media landscape. I believe the term for their NFL contracts is "loss leaders." That is, they're money losing contracts, but the programming provides additional eyeballs to the respective networks, which can then promote their other programming and perhaps get a bump on that. The NFL doesn't understand the concept of a "loss leader" because since the advent of FOX, there has been one more major network than there has been TV packages. The NFL has seen rights fees escalate to unprecedented heights paid by networks that are starving for some semblance of past dominance. The NFL could have chosen to make another tidy profit off these 8 games by selling to the highest bidder such as TNT, ESPN, or maybe ABC (since they lost MNF). Instead, the NFL gambled that it was the bigger of the 800 pound gorillas. So far it has been proved wrong. But, it sure is heartening to see multibillionaires like Jerry Jones whining to the media and Congress and the FCC and whoever else unquestioningly reports his bitching and moaning. In this instance, the NFL made its bed. Now it should have to lie in it until the next contract renegotiations. And maybe next time, it won't look the gift horse of someone else's loss leader in the mouth. I'm not a cable subscriber, but, in this showdown, the cable company is less a pile of s#%! than the NFL and its greedy owners. Perhaps in 5 or 10 years all sports programming will be pay-per-view, and the price will be variable depending upon the game/match-up. That way, both the NFL and the cable/satellite provider can make a tidy profit. You'll be able to thank the NFL for that development. Peace.

LUFan - you're being short sighted and a tad harsh on the Cards. LU does not suck. You have new talent that is learning to play D-I basketball. It takes time. The coaches will blend the talent and find out who wants to play both ends of the court when the popcorn is popping and the fans pay money to watch the game. You can't replicate the speed and play of D-I basketball in practice or against DII, DIII, or NAIA schools. LU will be fine in the long run. Just roll with the ups and downs of the non-conference schedule. Get them ready to play the SLC league schedule. Just need to find kids who will be committed to playing defense, rebounding, and playing scrappy. Hang in there. Peace.

Now that LU is 4 games into the season, do you still think 19-11 is a biased prediction against LU? The Cards will get it together --- eventually. It will take some time for the LU coaching staff to figure out rotations for offense/defense, blend the chemistry, and find kids who will play fearless when the lights are bright. LU fans were optimistic and excited about their team (rightfully so), but this is D-I basketball, not HS. Other teams have good athletes and playmakers. Predictions of LU beating Wyoming and ORU were optimistic, but a little much of a tall order. LU has new talent to blend, it will take time and patience. For all the offense that fans want to see, it is defense and rebounding that will be most important for LU this season. The Cards will be fine when SLC play rolls around ... and that is when it matters most. LU fans should not go crazy after the Cards take their show on the road to UNO and Northern Illinois. LU fans just need to roll with the ups and downs of the non-conferenece schedule and be ready to fight it out in the SLC. I'll stick with 19-11. Good Luck LU. Peace.

In defense of the Lady Cougars from The University of Houston, our Women's HC -- Coach Joe Curl -- suffered a heart attack 2 weeks ago and he recently underwent successful triple bypass surgery. The Lady Cougars have not had much practice time over the past 2 weeks, and their minds have not been on basketball. No excuse, and I'm not taking away what the Houston Jags did ... they beat my Lady Coogs. Hopefully, the Lady Cougars will compete this season, but I foresee a 5-20 season. The Lady Cougars are in shock right now. I think they'll be in a funk for a while. I hope the Lady Cardinals play well ... get a win vs the Houston Jags ... and have a great season. Go Coogs -- Go Cards -- Peace.

19-11 Peace.

I've yet to see a tunal ... but, tunnel is a different story. I'm betting most posters on this message board will hype whichever tunnel his/her school uses. Just a subjective guess. Peace.

Questions for MB ... (if you're taking questions from the callers/audience): 1. How healthy are the Indians going into the homestretch of the District 22-4A race (vs. Vidor, Central, and Dayton)? 2. Are you surprised by how well QB Harrison Tatum played over the past 2 weeks (vs. Nederland and Lumberton)? Harrison managed the past 2 games very well, limited TOs, he threw the ball with confidence, and he is getting better going through progressions and hitting the 2nd or 3rd WR in the pattern. For a JR at the QB spot, are you surprised? 3. What prompted the offensive imagination over the past 2 weeks? The power run game mixed in with a flea flicker, WR reverse, throwing to the TEs, screens, crossing patterns, combination routes, getting Hemmings and Wright in the flats? The Indians are definitely improved on offense compared to weeks 1 and 2. The power run game is there, but seems like the offensive schemes have been imaginative over the past 2 weeks. True? 4. Great to have a DE (Schexnaider) at 6'4" or 6'5" coming off the end; LB Walker at 6'3" or 6'4" roaming the middle, and your son Clint Burnett at 6'2" 215 playing a hybrid DE/LB position. 2 or 3 kids rotate on the DL to stay fresh, and the secondary keeps improving week to week. Is this the best Indian defense in the past 10 years? Maybe not statistically, but at least on the field making plays? 5. Playing LaMarque and Crosby in the preseason prepared the Indians for district play? Will you continue the trend of playing a tough pre-district schedule in future seasons? Any chance WO-S returns to the pre-district schedule? PAM or West Brook? One of the Baytown schools? 6. Are you ready to break the all-time win record set by legendary PN-G Head Coach Doug Ethridge? What will that mean to MB? Are there any plans to have Doug Ethridge at the game when MB breaks the record? Have you kept in contact with Coach Ethridge? Go Indians. Peace.

Nice interview ... interesting response to the "plans after basketball" question. Accounting vs. Recruiting. I think I'd go with ACCT. If you're an accountant, you count money and make a lot of it. If you're a recruiter, you don't make much, but you hand out a lot of money to AAU coaches, prima-donnas, and parents who think their child will be the next all-world player. Emily, go with that ACCT plan. You'll be happy. Nice interview ... glad to see LU kids get some publicity ... all the media attention will increase the visibility of the university and men's and women's programs. Here's to hoping LU men's and women's BB teams have a great year. LC: What are your plans after you finish playing basketball? ES: I'm majoring in business, so maybe an accountant or a recruiter under coach Tidwell P.S. I see where the Lady Cards play Coach Joe Curl's Lady Cougars at UH. May have to go see that game. Go Coogs. Peace.

Port Neches - Groves Indians. 1. Richy Ethridge (Texas Tech) (won SC in '75; SF in '76) 2. Dustin Long (TAMU & SHSU) (played in SC '99) 3. Jeff Bergeron (UH) (unfortunately, played in Lil' Joe Washington era) 4. Gordon LeBoeuf (TAMU) (won SC in '55) TIE for 5th Ted Brack (TCU) (SF in '76; played in SC in '77) Robert Giblin (UH) 6. Matt Burnett (Lamar) (played in SF in '74) 7. Wilson Weber (UT) (SF in '74; won SC in '75) 8. Justin Eicher (unknown) (played in SC in '77) 9. Mike Simpson (UH) TIE for 10th Ron McGill (SFA, I believe) (QF in '89) Keith Waguespack (TAMU) (QF in '89) If my recollection of college choices is incorrect, one of the PN-G historians please correct. I know LeBoeuf, Simpson, Bergeron, and Giblin played in the NFL... but the teams/years will need to be looked up. Go NDNs. Peace.

BHFAN wrote: This little battle between BH and WOS is funny. No one is going to win this. it reminds me of my favorite qoute. "Winning this little battle would be like winning at the Special Olimpics, if you try real hard you might win, but your still retarded" Not really interested in the WO-S v. BH debate, but the Special Olympics quote is not funny. Not sure why that would be one of your favorite quotes? I'm involved with the Texas Special Olympics, and the participants I work with are all winners. If you would like to see first hand and experience the thrill of watching special competitors, I'll save you a spot at the next track meet, swim meet, or table tennis event here in the Greater Houston Area. We usually have over 750 participants at local events, and we could use some more volunteers. Peace.