34 Comments
Nov 19, 2022·edited Nov 19, 2022

Re: Why doesn't everyone fake injuries

Well, I'd hope that maybe we could at least attempt to have some modicum of ethics and integrity being coached. I realize in the shuffle of all the money going around (particularly in a place like Eugene), nobody seems to care about a single thing besides the playoff and "winning at all costs".

Call me old fashioned (happy to accept that), but these are still mostly all just student athletes, most of whom won't ever sniff a pro football career and it'd be nice if we could not "gameplan to cheat". What are we teaching kids when that's an acceptable part of "the plan"?

That's mostly a rhetorical question and the answers aren't positive.

I'm very happy that many, if not most, coaching staffs still have some integrity and care for instilling some correct values -- none of which involve cheating.

As an aside -- if I were Oregon, I'd can Lupoi. That guy is a POS, a cheater and frankly not a good DC either. Surely they can find a better person for that role.

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John - given the PAC12 turmoil I thought you’d find this excerpt from Bruce Jenkins SF Chronicle column today of interest……..

These are depressing times for the Cal and Stanford football teams. Even worse than the won-lost records is an unavoidably bleak future with football-obsessed rivals gaining a massive edge in high-profile player transfers and lavish NIL deals. That’s just not how the Bay Area schools operate, which brings to mind a suggestion from Gary Cavalli, now retired after a long career in the Stanford athletic department. “I would consider forming a league of programs that still value academics,” he wrote on his Inside Track blog, “perhaps including the likes of Stanford, Cal, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt, Boston College, Syracuse, Duke, Virginia, Tulane, Army, Navy, Air Force, and others who feel that the current descent into professionalism has gotten out of hand. Rather than try to keep up with the Joneses, why not form a league that actually stands for something? A league that gives priority to education. Whose players fill out the same applications and meet the same admissions standards as the rest of the campus. Whose players actually go to class. A league where ‘student-athlete’ would actually mean something. Andrew Luck might call it ‘The Nerd League.’”

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Good Luck with the puppy!

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John. I grew up in Oregon and eventually moved my law practice to Utah closer to my wife’s childhood home as we raised the last few kids.

I’ve been reading you for years. Your research and writing has always been…well, award winning. Of course, working in print for an employer, you probably had to be more provocative at times to get eye balls. Being bold and telling it like it is (at least from your perspective) can also be confused for being contrarian.

I sense a more relaxed, joyful vibe in your prose, as if this is what you wanted to do and were probably meant to do. Your insider connections are prolific. I have thoroughly enjoyed your new format and the unique content you’re bringing to the table. It’s becoming a must read. I wish you much success.

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GREAT MAILBAG! Thank you.

Vodka and coke - NYET!

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Awesome stuff, John. Others pick a few questions in these Q&As. You take a lot of them and give heartfelt, thorough responses. Well done.

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The puppy will alter the course of Casa Canzano for the forseeable future. Your family just grew. Big reponsibility - and so much joy. Woof!

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Congratulations on the new puppy. She probably has you wrapped around her little paw already!

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No questions, just appreciation for what you do

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Oh my what a spot on “puppy” story. When our first 2 were little my husband’s friend had a liter of kittens to move so my husband decided to pick out a male and surprise the kids. He brought home 2 females. Our kids names them Dixie and Peaches. They made it through 3 more kids and two moves before they left this world after 18 years. They are still referred to after 55 years.

The next Christmas my husband KNEW our young son would love a puppy so he researched breeds and finally couldn’t pass on the Springer Spaniel because he got lost. in the sweet face and eyes. My husband was over the moon with excitement knowing Christmas morning was going to be the best ever for our young son. Christmas morning dawned and the “special surprise” was in a box under the tree with our son’s name on it. He ran to it, opened it then proceeded to open and play with the brand new Tonka truck he wanted, for the rest of the day. “Jesse” was now my husband’s. He ended up sleeping in the garage; a couple years later; when she delivered her first liter. She was his’s through and through. The “eyes” make the difference whether they belong to the kids, the puppy or a besotted Dad. Love your column. Your sports stories are good too…….XXXOOO

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Nov 20, 2022·edited Nov 20, 2022

Request John...can you continue to call the Ducks and Beavers game "The Civil War". It is not illegal. I have never been one who is much for political correctness. The term "civil war" can be generic. It is defined as "a "war" or conflict between factions or regions of the same country or state". No one really means it in the sense of the war between north and south in the 1860s. Obviously, no one means it in the sense of deadly violence when used in football. It is just wrong to limit our national vocabulary because of some long ago event where the term had some other social meaning. If we continue this process, eventually no words will be left to us. I love the passion around "The Civil War" between two instate college football programs 40 miles apart. No other term describes it as effectively, certainly no "The Rivalry Game" (which someday will be offensive to someone as well). Thanks! Brian

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A Christmas Story

Christmas Vacation

…mic drop

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You only talk about grown men playing with their balls but the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is this weekend. Do you think Max Verstappen is the GOAT?

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It wouldn’t be that hard to prevent injury faking. All the officials have to do is hurry up the medical staffs to get them off the field via stretcher if necessary, rather than just letting them take as much time as they want in the middle of the field.

On a more permanent basis, pass a rule that if your injury results in a game stoppage, you have to sit out the rest of that possession, plus give the refs the discretion to use delay of game, unsportsmanlike conduct, and too many players on the field penalties.

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I thought 'fake' questions were part of the game plan...

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Nov 19, 2022·edited Nov 19, 2022

Thank you for sharing the story of your new dog! That's one of the many things I like about your newsletter on Substack. It's more than a sports column. The postings are sometimes personal and sometimes random and they often tug at our hearts.

How did you come up with the name 'Chili'?

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