Joe T. did not steal Tom Brady’s jersey.
By Joe Torosian
“Okay, so your heart is broken
You sit around mopin’
Cryin’ and cryin’
You say you’re even thinking about dying?
Well, before you do anything rash—like hiring Steve Sarkisian—dig this!
Everybody plays the fool…sometimes…There’s no exception to the rule.”
—The Main Ingredient (adjusted)
Kick it!
Right off the Top: My advice to new San Francisco 49ers GM, John Lynch is…don’t trade six draft choices for a quarterback unless you know for sure he’s Tom Brady, Joe Montana, John Elway or Dan Marino…
***
If there is any school that has mastered the art of the head coaching transition it is Burbank.
They went from Ted Amorosi who led the Bulldogs to their first playoff victory in 80 years…To Hector Valencia who led them to the semifinals…To Richard Broussard who took them to the CIF Finals…and now to homegrown, on campus teacher, Adam Colman.
Anxious to see what the next few years bring for The Bank.
***
There was a time when I thought coaching changes and players transferring in local football was exciting…interesting…now…well, now it just sort of bums me out.
If the moves were truly an upgrade, then sweet…but most feel like moves of desperation. Desperate to get out of a bad situation…school in desperate need of a change…so desperate that anything will suffice…
***
Los Angeles Rams are going back to blue and white…I like it…Of course, I’d like an upgrade on the offensive line a lot better.
***
If you’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time watching Cactus League action during Spring Training…can I ask if you’ve been to Camelback Ranch and what you think?
I’ve been there a few times…I think it’s overrated. It’s not bad…but the place I’ve seen—by far—is Talking Stick (where the Diamondbacks & Rockies).
I’m sure the Trib’s Stevie R. has a different opinion…Do you?
Joe T.’s High School football novel is available through Amazon.com
“I read the book and loved the finality that came with the San Dimas game.”–Former Temple City HC & DC Randy Backus
“If you love high school football then Tangent Dreams is a must read…”–Longtime SGV HC & Assistant Coach Greg Vaniman
“Joe captures the essence of high school football and does it with a local flavor that makes this book especially interesting.”–Mike Maggiore, HC West Covina Bulldogs
“A literary snapshot of what goes on over the course of a high school football season…an awesome read and a story that truly will transcend time.”—Jim Singiser, AD/HC Arroyo Knights Football
“Thrill, dread, anxiety, love, agony, success, and failure; basically all the emotions you feel as a football player/coach as you do in life, all wrapped up in a single book.”—Marc Paramo, HC Rosemead Panthers Football
“I read the book and really enjoyed it a great deal. I would think coaches and parents could Learn a lot.”—John “Coach” Kentera, former sports talk host at Mighty 690 & Mighty 1090
***
New England Patriots players are boycotting the traditional trip to the White House because of President Donald Trump…Hilarious…No one should criticize these players…They shouldn’t have to go and can protest all they want…
However, the thing that most protesters (paid & unpaid) are missing is that Trump is not a Republican…A real-Republican would have surrendered months ago…Trump’s energized by this stuff…So knock yourself out, it’s fun to watch.
White House press briefings should be moved to prime time.
So Trump serves all four years (if the Republicans don’t impeach him)…Does this mean no championship team will go to the White House again?
Awesome.
What if he serves eight years? What if Mike Pence, runs and is elected in 2024? Eight to twelve years with no sports teams visiting the White House? What if Pence is re-elected, sixteen years with no sports teams visiting the White House…You mean, no more stupid pics with stupid smiles and stupid jersey exchanges?
(Please don’t leave a comment saying sixteen years won’t happen…11/8/2016 happened…Winning the Super Bowl after being down 28-3 happened…We live in a day and age where anything is possible.)
Awesome.
Super Bowl Visit to White House Final Add: The 0nly great moment of any visit was Ronald Reagan saying; “Where’s Ricky Sanders!”
Reagan completes the pass to Sanders and Sanders celebrates…The only thing missing was Denver Broncos’ safety Tony Lily chasing after him.
***
Question for High School Baseball & Softball Coaches: What determines the size of your roster? Is it the number of uniforms available? Is it a reasonable number the individual coach feels he can carry and use? I’ve always been curious about this…Nothing snarky…I’m really asking…
***
“Joe, if you don’t know how to laugh and laugh hard at yourself…You’ll never be a true winner.”—Anonymous Head Coach.
(I was told I could use his name, but since I agree with the sentiment I didn’t want the controversy of his reputation to take away from it from what he said.)
***
Midbits (same as ‘Tidbits’)
Midbits: I’m tired of people saying the Falcons gave away the Super Bowl…If they ran the ball in the fourth the “wise guys” would have said, “They got away from what they do…” So, of course, they kept passing and the “wise guys” said, “They should have run the ball.”
The Patriots took the Super Bowl from them…Matt Ryan got smacked, coughed up the ball and the world changed.
Midbits: Even as my MLB baseball renaissance continues…I’m still not interested in the World Baseball Classic.
Midbits: I always liked former Green Bay running back James Starks…Seeing him cut is a reminder of how tough/cruel it can be to play in the NFL.
Midbits: Is it just me or did John Olerud retire a little too early?
Midbits: Good move by the Yankees…$3.5-million for Chris Carter, I didn’t know he was a two-sport star. Is he going to give up his ESPN gig to do this?
The Dude abides…
659
2 Chronicles 30:18-20
Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com
Author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” available through amazon.com …and “The Dead Bug Tales” available this fall.
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
In 2013 I carried 11 for most of the year. 12 the last 5 games (brought up a freshman). Last season I started with 17, finished with 14.
The number of athletes you have play a huge role. At El Monte we usually have 40 players in the program. Other places could have up to 60. Another factor is talent and who is ready for varsity. I would rather have a sophomore or freshman play everyday on the lower levels than ride the pine on varsity.
As far as a certain number goes…if you have the pitching the number isn’t as important. Again the number of pitchers you need vary depending on what league you’re in. At El Monte I’m comfortable with 4 guys that pound the zone and compete. And 1 or 2 up by 10 or down by 10 guys. Other schools may need more arms.
Camelback Ranch is just really far away from anything and everything. Not worth your time at all. I do prefer fall league though.
From Joe T.: In the scheme of things none of the Cactus stadiums are that far from each other…but traffic can make them feel a million miles away…Someone the other day was telling me about Fall ball…They say its great.