Dr. Z and the racism

So here's what's fun about Dr. Z's recent NFL commentator evaluation. Like so much modern sports writing, it has just a hint of racism. A dash, if you will. Let's show some evidence.

First, here's some praise for FOX NFL commentator Tim Ryan:

How good is Ryan? Well, how many analysts will tell you who the good BLOCKERS are on kickoff returns? Arizona-Washington -- "Watch Lorenzo Alexander reject Jerheme Urban out of the wedge ..." Kaboom! A former superstar is slipping, he'll tell you about it. The Seahawks' Walter Jones gets stuffed by Cleveland's Robaire Smith on a running play: "You wonder about Walter Jones," says Ryan, who, unlike most of his brethren, does not blindly plug the stars. The Browns' line goes unbalanced on a play, he catches it immediately. He and Rosen routinely will call penalties before the flags are dropped. Rosen is meticulous about telling you who's on the field, when a team goes into a different personnel grouping. There are snappers, too. The Saints' Reggie Bush loses ground, trying to put on a fancy move. "Think four and you'll get more," Ryan mutters. In his and Sam's case, four and a half.

Not so bad, right? Here's some more, now commenting on the NBC team of Madden and Michaels:

The only thing I ever had against this team was that their attention span would occasionally flag if a game were dull, and they'd get away from it and onto topics of the day. Someone must have had a talk with them at NBC because that hasn't seemed to be a problem anymore. And as I've written before about Sunday night's increased technical equipment, it makes for more comfortable watching, all around. John still has the pipelines to feed him the cogent observation, such as noting that "the Patriots' defense is set up not to let you complete passes outside ... you have to go inside." And he can still bring it when the mood seizes him. On the running style of the Jaguars' tiny Maurice Jones-Drew -- "He can run straight up and still get low."

Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe loses some points for the brushing over of Michaels' lame-duck style and some old-hat statements about Madden, but still innocuous for the most part.

Here's where it gets interesting. When talking about the team of Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders (the bolds are mine):

When Deion and Faulk did Cincinnati-San Francisco in Week 15, I was stunned by their insight. I mean, they were giving us stuff such as: Deion on Chad Johnson -- "Any time Chad's in the slot, he's not going deep." Faulk on Johnson vs. T.O. -- "T.O.'s always looking to score, Chad's looking to fall down, after he runs a slant." I mean it was a clinic, a scouting report. Then I thought it through. This is the league's network. It's in its best interest if its broadcast team remained informed. Either Cincy coach Marvin Lewis briefed the boys on the ins and outs of his personnel, or some scout did, because I just don't believe these two announcers would figure this stuff out on their own. Their stuff only served to render more inane Steve Mariucci's comments that followed, during the break. But if they can provide enlightenment, why knock it, no matter where it comes from.

Now, it is immediately followed by a dig at a white guy, to be sure. But looking at the other analysis by Dr. Z on this page, two things become clear:

1. The white guys don't get criticized.
2. The white guys definitely don't get called boys.

Also dangerous here is the insinuation that Sanders and Faulk get all their information from either scouting reports or talking to coaches. While this may be true, this very well could be true for everyone, white or black. However, Tim Ryan and Tony Boselli get nothing but praise for their keen awareness and analysis, with nary a thought to the preparation they might have gone through. Look at this section about Boselli:

Wow, what a terrific rookie season for big Tony. First look -- that's when he'll see the play in its entirety, before he has the luxury of the replay. This, of course, is the test. He'll diagram the line play, as well, swiftly and accurately. Coverages, too. Nothing like young eyes, folks. He'll pick up blitz schemes, he'll rip the stars as well as the ordinary Joes, which is unusual: "Edgerrin James got off the line too quickly," which was why he was stopped. "Ernie Sims came in high on that one," which was why Marcel Shipp got a touchdown over him. "Frank Gore missed the pick-up," which was why the rush forced an incomplete. Seems trivial, but there are guys who will never criticize a big name player.

I think Dr. Z has wood. Later in that same paragraph, about Boselli's (black) partner, Ron Pitts:

Pittsie, once a five-star Z announcer, has been bouncing around for a while, but he's latched onto a good partner here.

Which, of course, does a good bit to make Pitts sounds like a parasite. Pleasant.

I understand how nitpicky this all is. Also, I understand that Dr. Z is more than likely not a huge hood-wearing racist. However, it's very clear that there's a lack of equal ground being portrayed here. This almost certainly was not a conscious decision by Dr. Z to take some black guys down a peg. This is simply another example to add to the pile of subtly inequitable language used between whites and blacks in sports journalism.

People have no idea how to read, or, Don Shula gets no resepct

Before we start asking questions like: "did Don Shula throw fuel on the Patriots' fire?" or "is Don Shula an old buffoon?" it might just be more helpful to ask: Did Don Shula say anything about the Patriots deserving an asterisk?

Let's peek at the quote:

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished," Shula said in an interview with the New York Daily News. "You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it."

Belichick was fined $500,000 and the Patriots were fined $250,000 and lost a first-round draft pick for videotaping the Jets' opposing sideline during the teams' season-opening game.

"That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found," Shula said, according to the Daily News. "I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record.<

"I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Now, let's break down everything Shula says:

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished," Shula said in an interview with the New York Daily News. "You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it."

Here, Shula starts by what seems to be a statement of opinion. However, he follows that immediately with a universal statement about not wanting something negative (being caught videotaping other teams) connected to something positive (beating the hell out of the rest of the NFL). He is not saying anything implicitly negative about anyone at this moment.

About the fine and the draft pick:

"That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found," Shula said, according to the Daily News. "I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record.

Now I understand this is difficult to do, but if you read the quote, you'll realize that he still isn't saying anything about what he thinks the Patriots deserve. He is simply saying what will be there. He doesn't say "I guess you've got to put an asterisk next to the Patriots like Barry Bonds" or anything else that implies doing something negative to the Patriots. He is saying that there will be a mark on the Patriots season - and there will be. Anytime something negative happens to your team (and losing a first round draft pick is sort of negative), it will not be remembered fondly. It might not be as big as the mark on Bonds, but he it sure seems like he was relating this event to current events rather than calling the Patriots a bunch of cheaters.

Finally:

"I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Once again, he is not saying anything attacking the Pats or recommending a punishment. He is saying that people will remember that they had these negative things happen to them during this amazing season - and people more than likely will. Not out of spite or hatred, but out of simple memory. You will think back on this season and say "Yeah that was a great season. Didn't they have some kind of controversy that season too?" He even goes so far as praising Tom Terrific.

Furthermore, it's Don Shula. Dude beat my Vikings in the Super Bowl the year after that season, and even I can realize that he's to be respected.

Or at least respected enough to read his damn quote.

(P.S. Some more evidence that there was no implication of the Patriots from Shula: when the story first went on ESPN.com, the title said something to the tune of "Shula: Patriots deserve asterisk". The headline now? "Shula: If Pats go 16-0, spying spoils feat"- and that's still too harsh.)

Sports Weekend - 10/21

Things that will happen as a result of this weekend:

1. Bill Simmons will continue his madcap asshole streak.

2. ESPN, FOX, CBS and everyone else will continue to overlook the difference between dominating and pouring salt in the wounds.

3. Kenny Lofton will never win a World Series

4. Kenny Lofton will be blamed for Game 7.

5. Every commentator everywhere will crack out some undoubtedly hilarious jokes about Colorado Rockies fans.

6. I will continue to look at myself as a sports fan and just wonder why.

7. People will call for the head of Tim Brewster and Brad Childress. They will do nothing.

8. There will be way too much publicity given to who the Yankees will hire as their new skipper.

9. North Dakotans will not shut up for at least five years. Neither will Wisconsinites for that matter.

10. Everything will continue to be fucked.