April 19, 2004
Is Disappointment our Destiny?
By: Marty Coultas
Milwaukeeworld.com
Welcome back Milwaukeeworlders. What a crummy week of sporting news throughout the state of Wisconsin. I have to first start off with an apology to all of you. I am taking full responsibility for jinxing our Milwaukee Bucks who one week ago had secured home court advantage in round one of the NBA playoffs, but after a three game breakdown where they needed to win ONE of the games, they were officially bounced to sixth by a crappy Toronto team who embarrassed our team on our turf.
Please readers, accept my heartfelt apology. Apparently I had too much confidence and belief in our team when I should have had been a bit more reluctant and averse.
But, in a week where the Milwaukee Bucks fell two positions in the standings, the Milwaukee Brewers played sub-par baseball, and the Green Bay Packers, although noone will talk about it, have more trouble brewing in the front office than anyone knows.
Sunday afternoon your Milwaukee Bucks will play the number three-ranked Detroit Pistons who have won 20 of their last 24 games. So, instead of holding the home court edge over an over-rated Miami Heat team, the Bucks will travel to Michigan with a huge wall to climb.
Coach Terry Porter said it best after the debacle against the Raptors on Wednesday night. “Detroit is a very good team and we have to come ready.” Uh, yeah Terry, I think that may be a slight understatement. The Bucks have to not only come ready to play; they have to come ready to kick ass.
The Bucks of the past week are very comparable to a team that was in a similar situation just two seasons ago. Remember that Milwaukeeworlders? And, that was a team that had superstars named Allen and Cassel. Same situation. Different year.
So, why you ask do we have this disappointment every dang season Marty?
Well, it’s a tough thing to realize. But as many of us tend to forget, the Milwaukee Bucks are under construction. They have a new coach, a new general manager, and almost a whole new group of players. We are a team in the “rebuilding process,” but we are also a team with more talent than most of the teams in the Eastern Conference. Its seems to be a fact that, when the odds are on their side, they intentionally let that change.
When, you say, Marty, are we going to stop being disappointed and begin to feel like we have a team with a real shot? Well, my answer may be surprising, but I do believe that WECAN believe in OUR team right now. The Bucks have the ability to knock out the Pistons in round one. The Bucks are statistically a better team in most areas. But, with Redd’sbad thinking of late and Toni’s lack of leadership, there will be no celebration one week from now unless those two guys step it up and play the game the way they can.
We need leadership and guts in this series. If they can produce those two major assets, your Milwaukee Bucks will still be playing ball in two weeks. If not, your Milwaukee Bucks will be cleaning out their lockers on Lake Drive and jetting off to loserville after a pretty impressive season.
Period. Nothing more to say.
What the Hell is Happening Up North?
Am I the only sports fan that thinks there may some trouble brewing in Good ole Green Bay this week? No one from the team is talking but anyone who follows the team knows exactly what I am referring to.
After a great season, where stat wise, he was one of the top backs in the NFL, Mike Mackenzie has decided that he is worth more than the $17 million he is currently being paid. And, Milwaukeeworlders, I cannot say that I disagree with him. He may be worth more than the petty $17 mil he is currently banking, but that is not the end of the story.
Not only does Mack have an issue with his paycheck. He has an issue with his coach. Although the news of this has been hush hush in sports media, Mack has a huge bone to pick with Sherman and come two weeks from now when the players are mandated to attend a mini-camp, we may be missing someone named Mike. It will not be the coach.
What in the earth are talking about Marty? Did you make this up in your head?
Unfortunately I have not. Mack is pissed off at Sherman because of little coaching calumny kept under the rug until a few days ago. We all know that Sherman fired Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell at the end of last season. Donatell, who was with the Packers for four seasons, was let go by Sherman who then promoted Bob Slowik to the position.
To make a long story short, the position left open by the promotion of Slowik was filled by 17-year NFL coaching veteran Kurt Schottenheimer, who left his job with the Detroit Lions to join the Pack after three season in Michigan.
This my friends, is where the upheaval begins. According to Mack, Sherman made a big mistake by hiring Schottenheimer and not promoting Assistant DB coach, Lionel Washington, who by the way just happens to be one of Mack’s best buddies.
So, you say, Marty what is the issue here? Why does it matter if a player disagrees with the decision of the Head Coach and General Manger? Isn’t that how it works in professional football? Don’t the head coaches and GM’s always do the hiring and firing of the coaching staff?
Why yes, in fact they do. That is why they are called Head Coach and General Manager. I don’t recall any player ever; who for example was the Quarterback- Offensive Line coach.
Can you? No is the correct answer. No player in the NFL has that title. Maybe there are a few players who have more influence on coaching decisions but none that have an official title.
Mack is miffed that Sherman did not hire his buddy and has requested to be traded to another team. Sherman, who had been mum on this topic finally shed a little light early on Sunday.
According to JSOnline, Sherman said, “ This is a process. I talked to Mike and I told him what I wanted to say and he talked to me and said what he wanted to say.”
Wow, Mike thanks for that insight. Who knows how serious this is going to affect the Green Bay Packers, but in my opinion, if this issue is not wrapped up and taken care of before the mandatory camp later this month, we may have a major issue on our hands, and that my friends will be trying to find a replacement for one of the best DB’s in the game.
Despite the evasiveness coming from the team as well as the lack of media knowledge, the Pack needs to settle with Mack and do what they must to keep him in Green and Gold. But on the other hand, Mack needs to step up and be a man who honors the obligations and contracts he has agreed to. He has the talent to take this team to the next level, but does he have the dignity to honor it.
Guess we will know in a few short weeks.
Until then milwuakeeworlders, keep your ears open and your noses clean and we will meet again next Monday.
Marty the Sports Chick
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