General: Sterno's Talkin' Smack -- Episode #27

Sterno's Talkin' smack. No holding back here. It's all trash, all the time. Welcome to the Tuesday morning edition.

Today's topics include the absolutely ridiculous fine the NFL handed the Detroit Lions, the awful Yankee bullpen and the latest sabbatical for Jason Sehorn.

Smack This: The NFL and it's hiring process -- Anytime that a sports story involves race in some way, shape, or form, it is a difficult topic to address. The question of how to be politically correct, and fair at the same time, has no answer.

However, leave it to me, to do something most writers would not. We all understand the gripe from minorities such as African Americans, and Hispanic's as well. Heck, I agree with them. Too many of the most respected candidates for head coaching positions in the NFL, amongst other leagues, have been overlooked for one reason or another.

While nobody, and I mean nobody, can prove that these decisions have anything to do with the color of the candidate's skin, it is apparent that this may in fact be the case. When you look at Willie Randolph in Major League Baseball, and Ted Cotrell in the NFL, you see two direct cases of this argument.

However, I completely disagree with the way that the NFL has handled this entire situation. Forcing the teams to look at a certain amount of minority coaches before hiring a new one is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. You have got to be kidding me!

Imagine, if you will, that you are the candidate in question. Now, I don't care if you are white, black, Hispanic, Asian, it just doesn't matter. Put yourself in that man's shoes. You have been given an interview for a job partially because the league forced it upon the team.

In my opinion, there should be more minority coaches. However, in the end, the best coach should get the job. That's simply all there is to it. I commend what the Lions did here. In fact, if you are a minority who felt that what the Lions did was wrong, I will have you know that it showed more respect for the minority coaches than if they had obliged to the regulations.

Are you confused? Look, when Steve Mariucci was made available by parting ways with San Francisco, the Lions had a coach in Marty Mornhinweg. There was no opening. The team was so flabbergasted that "Mooch" was on the board, that they fired their current coach to hire him. The only one with a gripe in this situation is Marty. He lost his job.

Why would Matt Millen, who obviously felt that Mariucci was way too good to pass up, interview a minority coach? What point would that prove? Yes, he would be listening to the NFL. However, by interviewing a minority that he had absolutely zero intent to hire, he would be more racist than the NFL is being by doing this in the first place.

I openly applaud what Matt Millen did. He didn't want to disrespect any coach by having them get their hopes up about a job they couldn't get. Now however, the NFL is doing anything but applauding. They have fined Millen $200,000 for what he did.

Mr. Tagliabue, please sir, remove your head from the rear of the bus! What minorities all over the world have wanted, and are still unfortunately trying to gain, is equality in this world. They do not need you segregating them and giving them special treatment.

There are some great black head coaches out there who deserve their chance. However, fining Matt Millen in this situation is in no way going to get them closer to their next opportunity.

I sincerely hope that Millen appeals this decision by the NFL. Even more so, I hope that minorities everywhere speak out against this type of open discrimination. It is not a move towards equality in sports. It is a move away from it!

The NFL -- Smacked!!!

Smack This: The Yankee Bullpen -- Does any Yankee fan reading this remember these names? Jeff Nelson? Mike Stanton? These are called set-up men. The only thing the current middle relief for the Yankees sets up is disaster! That's right folks. The trio of Armando Benitez, Chris Hammond, and Jesse Orosco just isn't going to cut it this season. Oh, did I mention that I am absolutely loving this?

I told you a couple of weeks ago that if the Yankees got Armando Benitez from the Mets, that it would spell even more disaster than Juan Acevedo. This is precisely because Benitez will tease you with his great fast ball, and his meaningless one-two-three innings, so that you will believe in him when he comes up in a big spot.

I loved how Benitez pitched great in his first outing and Yankee fans were standing in acceptance of the hard throwing mental case. Then came the Boston Red Sox. Ah yes, game's that count! We know that Armando always seems to slip up in those, now don't we?

Not only was Benitez charged the run in the first game of the series, that forced Yankee heroics in the ninth inning, but Torre then tried to build his confidence the next night.

Oops! Bad idea, Joe! Benitez threw a meatball over the plate that David Ortiz just rocked off the wall for the win in game two. Benitez, was in familiar territory as talk radio that night was dedicated to finding out just how many New Yorkers hate his guts. Apparently, there are quite a few.

Although, Met fans love Armando now, and cheer each and every time we see him approach the mound. I loved how Armando blamed the intentional walk that Joe Torre had ordered from the bench, as it had gotten him off his game. Are you kidding me?

What got you off your "game," Armando, was actually playing under pressure. What a novelty for a guy who thinks he is a top flight closer. Only, one of the most pressure filled positions to be in, in the Major Leagues!

In game three of the series, the entire trio played a part in the Yankee loss. First it was Chris Hammond. Hammond is really an enigma, as he is a lefty who actually fares better against righties. He is one of those guys who throws so slow and sloppy, it almost looks as if you and I could hit him, but he can be tough.

Too bad for Joe Torre, that he wasn't so tough the other night. Hammond gave up a three run jack to Jason Varitek, blowing a huge confidence boost opportunity for starter Jeff Weaver, who had held the Sox scoreless. Hammond then followed up the first home run, by giving up another bomb. This time, Johnny Damon was the Yankee killer.

Then, to pour salt on an open wound, and for no apparent reason, Torre brings in Benitez for the third straight day. Joe, you make me laugh, but give the guy a break. He was terrible in the first two games of the series, and you bring him in again? In a garbage spot no less?

I didn't understand what Torre was doing, because all it did was make matters worse. Benitez gave up a single, and was replaced by the ninety seven year old reliever in Jesse Orosco.

Man, how I loved Jesse. I am talking about 1986, however! Are we aware that his hay day in New York was almost twenty years ago? Regardless, Orosco who was brought in for a big spot, entered in garbage time against the Sox. He proceeded to give up an RBI triple to David Ortiz, before closing out another miserable inning from Yankee relief pitchers. Is it me, or is David Ortiz crushing the ball lately? On a side note, I don't understand why the Twins just let him go like that.

Anyway, back to the point here. The Yankees have three days and counting. George Steinbrenner better get Brian Cashman in gear, and get another reliever in here. Karsay is gone, Hammond is overrated, Orosco is ancient, and Benitez is a loser. Mariano cannot go three innings a game, so they better do something.

The Red Sox are coming, the Red Sox are coming!

Yankee Bullpen -- Smacked!!!

Smack This: Jason Sehorn -- Is it a surprise to anyone, that Jason Sehorn is injured again? Is it a surprise to anyone that Jason Sehorn will be out for a good portion of the season? Will it be a shock to anyone, when Sehorn is all over the television during his "rehab?"

I really hope not. He hasn't fooled me, and I sure hope that he hasn't fooled my loyal readers. Yes, all five of you!

In any case, Sehorn has broken his foot, and will be out until October. The same jerk who once gave up a touchdown as he pulled up his pants, and the same jerk who the Giants let go after Terrell Owens made him look like a high school athlete, is on the shelf yet again.

I'm sorry, but this guy is a bum. Sehorn has been hurt on and off ever since he was injured during his kick returning experiment a couple of years ago. Not only that, but he is known around the league for being more interested in the fame he has achieved by being married to Angie Harmon, than the fate of his team.

As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between him and Randy Moss. Okay that was harsh! Not to Sehorn, but to Moss! Randy can play when he wants to, and actually has lived up to his touting on the talent side of things. Sehorn, on the other hand, is one of the most overrated players in the league.

Mike Martz should be thrilled, because when the Rams and Niners face off for the first time, Sehorn will be on crutches, where he belongs. Some guys are injury prone and some guys are just babies. Anyone want to take a guess where I would put Jason?

Jason Sehorn -- Smacked!!!

One for the Road: Just as I was writing this, I heard about the comments that George Steinbrenner has made about the Red Sox and their series win this past weekend. Now, I have smacked big George in the past about this, as you know.

George can talk to the media all he wants about how the way the Sox played against the Yanks meant nothing, however do you think that is what he is telling Joe Torre?

Ha! I think not!

Hit me up with feedback at eSports (click the Write the Editor link) or on my homepage at http://www.suite101.com/myhome.cfm/theycallmethecloser. Come on and click that link already! You can't possibly agree with everything I say!

I'll see you all on Wednesday morning. Til' then, DON'T be the one who's smacked!