The NFL and NBA thread

[qwerty007]

For those of you who follow the Steelers - it is being reported that Bill Cowhers wife passed away last night. Here is the story on PFT:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...es-away-at-54/

I guess that's why he was so reluctant to sign on with another team...

[grossnex]

Damn . That was a surprise for me. I hadn't heard anything about her being ill at all. It does make a lot more sense why he hasn't coached. These former coaches don't usually lose that fire & passion overnight.

[qwerty007]

Originally Posted by grossnex

Damn . That was a surprise for me. I hadn't heard anything about her being ill at all. It does make a lot more sense why he hasn't coached. These former coaches don't usually lose that fire & passion overnight.

If that's how it went down, then he's an even classier guy than I thought;

Didn't mention a thing.

Left a SB Champ. They won another title with essentially his team.

Kept to himself and stayed with his family. Didn't run around looking for sympathy or attention...(like a certain unnamed golfer)

...not something you see everyday.

[keefriff]

That's too bad about Kaye Cowher.I hadn't heard that she was even sick. Sad situation. I remember when the Steelers lost to the Cowboys in the SB a few years back and Cowhers' daughters and wife came on to the field after the game and gave him big hugs. I remember his daughter saying something like "we love you whether you win or not." Cowher was wired for NFL films for the game and it was a really touching moment. Very sad to hear this. I hope he can keep his life going and I hope his three daughters can do the same.

[tygrkhat40]

Now the questions remain: Will Cowher be on an NFL sideline next year, and where?

[qwerty007]

Originally Posted by keefriff

That's too bad about Kaye Cowher.I hadn't heard that she was even sick. Sad situation. I remember when the Steelers lost to the Cowboys in the SB a few years back and Cowhers' daughters and wife came on to the field after the game and gave him big hugs. I remember his daughter saying something like "we love you whether you win or not." Cowher was wired for NFL films for the game and it was a really touching moment. Very sad to hear this. I hope he can keep his life going and I hope his three daughters can do the same.

From what I've read so far, Kaye pulled him away from the game and probably had him stick around as the kids were going through school, knowing that she might not be around. I'm guessing that he has a stronger bond with them now, that had he still been in charge of the Steelers...

TICAT: I seem him sitting out the 2010-11 season and probably staying in the booth. Nothing until 2011-12...(didn't Tomlin just sign for another 2 years?)

[tygrkhat40]

If Cowher returns to the sidelines, I don't see a return to Pittsburgh. The Rooneys don't like to change coaches too much (3 coaches since 1969, the Bills have had 3 in the past 12 months) and Tomlin did sign a extension. If he returns, I could see the most likely candidates being Cleveland and Carolina. The Mangenius is on thin ice regardless of what the perception is now and Cowher played and coached in Cleveland. But would Cowher want to work with Holmgren? Would loyalty to the Steelers prevent him from going to a divisional rival?

Carolina seems more likely as he lives in the area, played at NC State and John Fox is on a one-year deal, so with the Chin now possibly available, the engine on Fox's getaway car is revving up.

Now if the impossible happens and the Browns and Panthers make the Super Bowl, all previous statements are void.

[Ghaleon]

If Cower's smart he'll stay on the broadcasting side of the game for at least another season. I say this for two reasons:

1) His stock can only go up if he waits out another year and there might be a jucier team to pick from.

2) With a possible lockout looming for the 2011 season, Cower can pretty much ride out that storm.

Finally, my deepest sympathies to him and his daughters at the sudden and tragic loss of Kaye.

[grossnex]

Just wondering what you guys thought about Micheal Vick being cleared of any wrong doing by the NFL. It looks like he won't be reprimanded by the Eagles either.

Just my 2 cents, but shouldn't he be trimming the fat regarding his circle of friends? As a guy who knows 1st hand about getting arrested for hanging out with the wrong crowd, I had to do exactly that about a decade ago. Some of my former friends are never getting out of prison.

[clonevs]

Originally Posted by grossnex

Just wondering what you guys thought about Micheal Vick being cleared of any wrong doing by the NFL. It looks like he won't be reprimanded by the Eagles either.

Just my 2 cents, but shouldn't he be trimming the fat regarding his circle of friends? As a guy who knows 1st hand about getting arrested for hanging out with the wrong crowd, I had to do exactly that about a decade ago. Some of my former friends are never getting out of prison.

No, not surprised. I think Goodell's modus operation is a heavy hammer. He used it on Vick, Pacman and Roethlisberger. I think he punishes harshly and tries to send a message and get the players themselves as well as the organization to deal with the players and try and curb that type of behavior.

The interesting thing with Vick is that the Eagles didn't just dump him, which leads me (at least) to believe he really was innocent of wrongdoing. Bad judgement notwithstanding.

I think the NFL basically has this mindset in a nutshell;
they are clearly far and away the number one sport in the country if not the world (yes soccer is big...but the Super Bowl destroys World Cup)
that being said the fanbase is so, so tolerant...it almost comes down to a mindset of ....as long you don't murder, or attempt murder (Ray Lewis, Pacman)...or rape (Roeberger)....or torture animals (Vick).......as long as you don't do that stuff which REALLY rocks the boat.....then, ehhhh you know it all works out. But because of baseball and Bonds/McGwire demolishing records....clearly using PED's......in the NFL if you test positive you will get disciplined.

The NFL is so vast an empire today...they can take alot and still shine on Sundays. They could have a huge scandal this week and opening wknd in September would still dwarf all other sports. And they'll likely have a strike next spring...then comeback and have less than 1/4 of the damage baseball had.


My opinion