The 'Why' List

A weekly look at things that make no sense in the world of sports.

-          Why is it not a bigger deal that the NHL Executive VP, who mind you is in charge of suspensions and fines, openly blasts Bruins center Mark Savard as a faker and never punished Matt Cooke, (a repeat cheap-shot offender) when he knocked Savard out for the season last year?  Imagine if Roger Goodell had called James Harrison a no-good thug before fining the bejesus out of him for questionable hits.  It would be the lead story on SportCenter for weeks.  Where is the outrage?

-          Why are NBA players such cry-babies?  First they complain about every foul call.  Then they protest about how they aren’t allowed to get in officials faces anymore.  Then some are going to Twitter to whine about other players calling them bad names.  Just man-up and play the damn game. For a collection of enormous, athletic dudes they act like a bunch of nancies.

-          Why wouldn’t an NFL team carry two placekickers?  It is the single most specialized position on the field and has a direct impact on your game plan.  Without a kicker you can’t settle for a field goal.  It’s TD or nothing. One would think you could at least teach your punter to chip in a few extra points so a wide receiver or defensive lineman doesn't have to make a fool of himself and cost their team the game.  I’m talking to you Detroit!

-          Why are the Steelers not being criticized more for claiming Hines Ward had a “neck injury” during Sunday night’s game? The only reason they would say that is to hide a concussion and maybe get him back on the field.  That goes against everything the NFL is trying to do to protect players.  It spits right in the eye of the NFL and says “If Ward can’t play with a concussion, fine, we’ll call it something else.”   Shame on the Steelers and shame on the NFL for letting those antics go unnoticed.

-          Why doesn’t some NHL team go ‘old-time-hockey’, Slapshot  style on Sean Avery.  Bring back Olgy Oglethorpe and beat the living daylights out of him for being the cheapest player in the league.  He is an embarrassment to the game and if the league won’t step in…call Olgy! No one outside of New York will miss him.

-          Why wouldn’t the Red Sox make a ridiculous bid to sign free-agent Derek Jeter.  Offer him $30 million a year! Whatever it takes.  It’s a win-win. Either The Yankees pony up way too much in return to keep him, or the Red Sox steal the greatest Yankee since Mickey Mantle.  For Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Johnny Damon, and of course The Great Bambino you owe us this one Red Sox.