Tuesdays with Smitty: Mailbag Edition

It’s back folks!! After much convincing by Pickin’ Splinters Commissioner Casey – Smitty’s mailbag edition is back for another round of questions from our audience. So let’s start this out with a bang – oops sorry Plaxico.  Let’s try giving it a big Texas welcome – oops sorry Pacman. Let’s just sit back and enjoy the ride. Here we go:

Q. What is bling?  And why does having bling require someone to carry a gun? – Opey Taylor

A. Good question. I can’t quite figure it out. If you really feel like you need protection when do you go out to a place A).  that might automatically provoke trouble or B). Why go out at all?  Part of being a professional athlete is being a public figure – and football players stick out like a sore thumb. These guys make a ton of money – they can’t afford security? Or better yet, you just got done re-negotiating your contract. Couldn’t you have included a clause that during the season, the Giants are to provide security for you?  Not only that – 2 other Giant players were with you and neither carried a gun. Hmmmm.

Also, is there an over/under on the year in which Plaxico plays his next game – as a member of the Raiders? C’mon you can’t tell me he didn’t jump to the top of Al Davis’ board. Roger Goodell has to be consistent and after the likes of Pacman Jones, Chris Henry and Michael Vick – is going to be 2010 before he has a CHANCE of playing again in the NFL.

Q. Is there any way for the Bills to get a re-do on this whole Toronto thing?  How could they NOT include in the negotiations a waiver about keeping the roof open? – Rodger the Dodger

A. Let’s hope so. I don’t care about attendance numbers – when the Miami Dolphins come up North to play in December – it had better be freakin’ cold. And it was cold on Sunday – but a SIGNIFICANT advantage was taken away from the Bills when the roof on the Rodgers Centre was shut.  And you can’t tell me that didn’t feel like a road game for the Bills too. Plus, why is watching a game in Canada boring? Honestly, outside of hockey, what do they do to sports? Squeeze the life out of it?

Q. Two minutes left in the game, down by six – who do you want as your quarterback? Peyton, Brett or Eli? – JDawgggg

A. HOMER ALERT!! I am taking Tom Brady any day of the week!  Even with one knee that is completely ripped to shreds and infected. Give me Brady or give me death! Okay, he wasn’t one of the choices. Right now, I take Peyton. I am not sold on Eli being able to win a game by himself. His success is predicated on the G-men being able to run the ball – plus no more velcro on helmets and no more Plaxico. Brett, while he is willing to take chances, he also throws the ball into places he shouldn’t. The odds aren’t with him. But Peyton.. Take away the running game and he kills you. With the running game, he play actions and kills you. His control over the Colts’ offense is immeasurable and I am not sure there is another quarterback as dangerous as Peyton Manning. Then again he could pull a Tony Romo and throw the ball to the wrong team, on his own 20… Oops, he wasn’t one of the choices.

Q. If you lose a game and there are fewer people in the stands than for basketball game – does it really count as a loss? – Greg Robinson

A. And Greg, my friend, you are wondering why you are not coaching next year at SU.. Then again I bet Charlie Weis wishes it was the same scenario when he lost to your Orangemen. Ouch!! Zing! Somewhere in Alaska, a glass just shattered and flames flew out of Wally’s ears. By the way, Greg – no hard feelings okay? It wasn’t personal when I started the quest on Pickin’ Splinters to have you fired. You and your family are going to live nicely for a long time. In fact, I am sure Mike Shanahan will probably re-hire you since his defense has sucked since you left.  But Orangemen football is one of the few things we have this side of Albany and you making a mess of it couldn’t be tolerated anymore. Bring on Skip Holtz!!

Q. Where did I go wrong? – Jerry Jones

A. First off – it started with hiring a guy named Wade.  I am not kidding.. Any coach that allowed the Music City Miracle is not going to win a Super Bowl. Just a simple fact. Your second mistake was becoming the 2000s version of the Oakland Raiders, by taking every bad boy/reclamation project in the NFL. And then you expect them to listen to Wade – right. I almost guarantee that before one of these next games,  you are going to run out of the tunnel and your jerseys are going to miraculously change to silver and black. Then again, your Head Coach isn’t exactly new to miracles is he now.

Q. Yo Smitty – Is it just me, or is Jim Valvano’s speech at the ESPY awards the greatest speech in the history of sports? – The Slammer

A. I gotta admit – I gave this one some thought. And after Lou Gehrig’s speech, I put Jimmy V’s speech right there. I watch it everytime it comes on ESPN. Still gives me chills and still brings me to tears. Probably one of the most powerful speeches ever given towards fighting a terrible disease. The man was truly special – it is a shame that we only found out how special after his death.  Any guy that can render Dick Vitale speechless and bring him to tears, has to not only be an incredible leader, but an inspiration to all. I urge all to watch that speech at some point – if you haven’t already. Maybe I can get the editors to post a video of the speech on here (Casey?) ??  If you haven’t already and if you can, I urge you to support the JimmyV foundation. For you never know which one of us, it is going to strike next.

*** If you have a question, feel free to e-mail it to ask.smitty@hotmail.com