Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: NFL Meets TMZ

Today’s Calls: Tom Brady vs. TMZ, Tom Coughlin vs. Reality, Tony Dungy vs. Retirement, Doc Rivers vs. Expectations, Dwight Howard vs. The Fans, Kentucky vs. Oblivion, Troy Tulowitzki vs. Hedge Funds, Will Leitch vs. the Reading Public and More!
The Opening Pitch: NFL meets TMZ. Did you hear the latest?!?! Tom Brady was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot!!! OMG!!!
And with that breathless observation (along with the exclusive video footage and some paparazzi photos), the NFL entered the “TMZ Age.”
Usually, TMZ sticks to dirt on your usual Hollywood celebs: But this is TMZ entering new territory. This was SPORTS gossip, and actually relevant on the field in two weeks.
It was the perfectly appropriate kick-off (with video and photo evidence!) to the two weeks of Super-hype, ironically generated not by sports media, but by celebrity media.
Now, Brady will probably be just fine -- the empty breathlessness of the sports-media coverage was enough to put “Access Hollywood” or “Inside Edition” to shame -- but the league, sports media and sports fans are on notice:
It doesn’t matter whether you are Tom Brady or Tom Cruise: TMZ is watching.
Sports Media: Giants-Pack ratings boom. The NFC title game generated the highest TV rating for an NFL conference-championship game since 1996 -- and the highest TV rating for ANY show since last year’s Super Bowl. Who needs the Pats?
Tom Coughlin says it’s time to stop ripping Eli Manning: He’s a day too late; after Sunday’s game, capping the playoff run that Manning is on, Manning has entered a Zone of Respect with fans nationally. No prodding needed to stop mocking him.
Tony Dungy returns to the Colts for one more year: I’m not sure about these “lame-duck” coaching years. Will the team rally or flake? At least they won’t have to go through the pain of a coaching search, as Jim Caldwell is ready to take over. (Unlike the Falcons, who have to wait at least 2 more weeks, if they want Giants D.C. Steve Spagnuolo.)
Controversy of the moment: What the heck happened to LaDainian Tomlinson? In the team injury report (mis-)leading into the game ... in the game after those first few carries ... on the sideline (with those TV camera shots) ...
It is a question that will linger bitterly with Chargers fans for an offseason and beyond. You can dislike Philip Rivers personally, but at least the guy played an entire game with an obliterated ACL.
(Biggest question: Will it impact LaDainian’s standing as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy football for the 2008 season?)
NBA Notes from MLK Day: Magic FTW! Proof the Magic have arrived? After watching Detroit’s Chauncey Billups hit a game-tying shot with seconds to play, Rashard Lewis nailed a buzzer-beater for the win ... LeBron’s first W in Miami was the Heat’s 14th straight loss. Why is there no talk of Pat Riley firing himself? ... Well, at least the Knicks only lost to the Celtics by 16 this time; I guess the Garden was worth 29 points ... Don’t sleep on the Wizards: A week after sweeping the Celtics in back-to-back games, the Wiz swept the season series with the Mavs for the first time since the 1996-97 season ... Injury to Watch: Carmelo’s ankle, after he hurt it in a Nuggets loss to the Lakers ... One year removed from calls to “Fire Rivers!” Doc will be coaching the East in the All-Star Game. Doc is still the same mediocre coach; that is the Big 3’s biggest accomplishment.
NBA Dunk Contest: Dwight vs. the Fans. I don’t know what I’m more excited about -- that Dwight Howard is in the ASG dunk contest or the fans will decide the winner of the final round.
It’s another example of the NBA’s admirably progressive attitude about online technology and its impact on empowering fans. (Prediction: Howard wins fan vote, dunk title.)
CBB Last Night: G’town survives ‘Cuse in OT. In one of the great rivalries in college hoops, the Hoyas came back from 7 down with 5 minutes to go to beat the Orange in OT.
For Georgetown, it’s one step closer to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament; for the Orange, a 7th loss (4th in last 5) puts them one step closer to the NIT.
CBB Tonight: Tennessee at Kentucky. Sorry: “7-9 Kentucky.” Soon to be “7-10 Kentucky.” If UK fans thought losing in OT at Florida was depressing, wait until they lose by 20 at home to the awesome Vols.
CBB Top 25: The state of Tennessee rules. Memphis is No. 1, and Tennessee isn’t far behind. Meanwhile, what a symbolism-heavy moment for new No. 25 Baylor, left for obliterated a half-decade ago.
Women’s Hoops: Huge 11-point win for No. 1 UConn over No. 3 UNC, in a victory that affirms the unbeaten Huskies as THE team to beat in women’s college basketball this season.
MLB: “Jeter of the Rockies” gets paid. The Rockies continue to spend big to keep their core, reportedly giving Rookie of the Year runner-up Troy Tulowitzki a 6Y/$30M deal, which feels like a bargain.
(I spend a fair amount of time in Denver and went to a ton of Rockies games this past season, including the pennant-clinching Game 4 of the NLCS. I am not ashamed to say I own a Tulo No. 2 T-shirt jersey.)
Hat-Tip: Reader “Ed” for pointing out that there’s a scene in “I Am Legend” that actually predicts a Pats-Giants Super Bowl. Here’s a screenshot. Thanks, Ed.
Must-Read: “God Save The Fan.” Out today, an original new book by Will Leitch, editor of the sports uber-blog Deadspin. It’s very good. But don’t let that convince you: Read my thumbs-up review.
The Last Word: Selig’s chutzpah. “I am satisfied and I believe our fans are satisfied that we’re doing everything and have done everything we can possibly do.” (Bud Selig, on MLB’s ‘roid testing program. He’s kidding, right?)
Dan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.
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