Football season is in full swing for the pros, colleges and preps. NBA and NHL camps should begin gearing up for their seasons (well, maybe not the NHL). John will take some time with chitchatters to cover a wide variety of sports topics.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our sports chitchat with John Harris. John spent some time in Michigan over the past week. He was at Oakland Hills for the Ryder Cup matches. He was also at the Lions' opener in Chicago the previous week. We are about ready to get underway chitchatters, fire away.
Mark (Sylvania) Are there more injuries than normal in the first weeks of the NFL season this year, or does it just seem like more?
John Harris: (12:04 P.M. ET ) There have been more big-name injuries, for sure. Priest Holmes, the best running back in football, could miss this week’s game. Deuce McAlister is out for 4-5 weeks. Tommy Maddox will miss a host of games. The Lions lost Charles Rogers and Dre’ Bly. The Browns lost tough-luck Courtney Brown for the season and rookie tight end Kellen Winslow for most of the season. It’s been a bad run of injuries for a lot of teams.
Matt (Oregon) What was more humiliating: The U.S. Dream Team basketball loss in the Olympics or the U.S. Dream Team golf loss in the Ryder Cup?
John Harris: (12:10 P.M. ET ) Both losses were pretty bad. However, given the United State’s history of basketball dominance in the Olympics, I’d have to say the basketball loss was far worse. Don’t get me wrong. America’s loss in the Ryder Cup was embarrassing. But the U.S. has struggled against Europe in past Ryder Cups. This year’s loss, especially by such a wide margin, was surprising, but not totally unexpected.
DK (Toledo) What new sport should I watch this fall with the pending absence of the NHL?
John Harris: (12:16 P.M. ET ) If you’re into team sports, try the NFL. It’s the most balanced of all the professional sports leagues. Every week, there’s an upset. It’s almost uncanny how every year a team like the Detroit Lions rises from the depths of despair to become a force to be reckoned with. The Lions’ 2-0 start is their best since 2000. Last year, Carolina played in the Super Bowl after having a losing record two seasons earlier. Year after year, week after week, the NFL is full of surprises. As for the NHL, keep your fingers crossed that both the owners and players’ union will come to their senses and reach a new agreement in time to save the season.
Martin (Sylvania) John, who do you think will be in the final four (ALCS and NLCS)in baseball this season?
John Harris: (12:22 P.M. ET ) I like Atlanta and St. Louis in the National League and the Yankees and Twins in the American League. A Yankees-Cardinals World Series would be sweet and a great matchup between a team that’s used to winning it all (Yankees) and a team on the verge of winning it all (Cardinals).
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Ray (Toledo) Any more word on the Rockets' football fight fiasco? When will Amstutz get his act together?
John Harris: (12:32 P.M. ET ) As far as I know, no more players have been suspended or publicly reprimanded by UT football coach Tom Amstutz. It appears to be a dead issue right now, unless the individuals who were injured in the melee or other witnesses come forward and name names. Right now, Amstutz’s biggest concern is beating Temple this week at the Glass Bowl. Following an 0-2 start in which UT surrendered 126 points, the Rockets are clawing to get back to .500.
Chad (Fostoria) What happened to the Browns on Sunday, particularly Garcia? Browns games are usually boring to watch but this was unbearable.
John Harris: (12:38 P.M. ET ) What happened? The Browns lost a game they could have won. But where have we heard that one before? Under coach Butch Davis, the Browns have become a study in frustration to their fans and a source of puzzlement to the media. Bottom line: The Browns aren’t a very good football team. Jeff Garcia was supposed to be the answer at quarterback. Where, oh where, is Tim Couch when you need him?
Mary Ann (Toledo) Are they going to build a new arena in downtown Toledo or not?
John Harris: (12:43 P.M. ET ) By all indications, the new arena will be built in the Marina District. Some people don’t consider that to be downtown. I do. It all depends on how you look at it, I guess. The fact remains that Toledo needs a new arena. Period. Just build it!
Brian Danyi (Oregon) Which is the better football conference, the MAC or the Big East?
John Harris: (12:48 P.M. ET ) Sorry to bust your bubble, MAC fans. But the Big East is a better football conference. Even with the loss of Miami, the Big East is still pretty rugged. Besides, this isn’t the best year to compare the MAC against other conferences. This is a down year for the MAC. The bigger question, I suppose, is whether the extraordinary success enjoyed by MAC teams a year ago was the real thing or a fluke. Right now, it’s difficult to say.
John Harris: (12:52 P.M. ET ) Thanks John, and thank you chatters for all the input today. Join us on Oct. 5 to chat with Blade high school sports writer Steve Junga. Permanent Link
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Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our sports chitchat with John Harris. John spent some time in Michigan over the past week. He was at Oakland Hills for the Ryder Cup matches. He was also at the Lions' opener in Chicago the previous week. We are about ready to get underway chitchatters, fire away. 