Regular Segments Starting on "The Sports Buffet Podcast"

I have really felt energized since I have been able to restart "The Sports Buffet Podcast". But, I decided on one thing that I thought would be better, and even make me more accountable (and Lord knows I need that). Starting in January, "The Sports Buffet Podcast" will start having certain segments that will either air weekly, every other week or once a month. Now, some interviews will still be done on a regular basis (like game recaps, previews, interviews that a team's coach is just being interviewed to talk about current things going on with the team), but there will be some segments that will follow a pattern (weekly, every other week, or monthly).

Here is the schedule of planned segments for "The Sports Buffet Podcast" beginning in January.
WEEKLY
* "Chew on This" is a segment that will feature four people (counting yours truly as the moderator) in a weekly discussion about sports. Not only, will there be talk about the current events in the sports world, but also some debatable topics in sports such as "Top 10 NFL quarterbacks of all time" or "Biggest chokes of all time". If you would like to be a panelist (or suggest some topics) on "Chew on This" at some point, contact me through Facebook (You can join "The Sports Buffet Podcast" facebook page by clicking here, or you can e-mail me at TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net.

* "Bob and Dad" is a segment that features my dad and I just arguing about sports. You can ask my mom or my wife, nobody can argue about sports like me and my dad. We will not only debate current topics, but like in "Chew on This", we may discuss debatable sports topics as well that aren't currently relevant in the news. Check out "Bob and Dad" by clicking here.

* "Teammates" is a segment that will test how well two teammates know each other. Each teammate will be given five questions, with the other teammate having to guess the answer that the teammate gave (think of the Newlywed Game). Most likely this will be a contest between teams (i.e. three sets of teammates from the Brookville football team will participate against each other). Check out an episode of "Teammates" with former Amherst Golfers Marshall Tinsley & Robert Martin.

* "Know Your Coach" is a segment that is similar to "Teammates", where a player instead of being matched up with a teammate will either be matched up with a coach or this will be a competition between 3 teammates to see which one knows their coach the best. Stay tuned to see how the segment develops.

* "One On One with Bob Alvis" is an interview with someone to where they are asked 11 questions that have absolutely nothing at all to do with their sport. This segment is designed to get to know the athletes (media members, officials or whomever) better away from their sport. Check out this episode of "One On One with Bob Alvis" where my guest was E.C. Glass Girls Soccer Head Coach, Darien McClurg. Sometmes I even do "One On One with Bob Alvis" with more then one person as in this case when I took on a trio of William Campbell football players, Antwain Hubbard, Drew Davis and K.B. Younger

* "Inside the Game" will be a segment of quick hit soundbites and such that will encompass multiple sports into one segment (if you ever heard "Quick Hits" back in the day on
"Talking High School Sports", that is how the segment is being designed. Here is an example of Quick Hits featuring Jefferson Forest Volleyball & Cross Country, as well as former Nelson County football coach Tim Crawford.

* "The Sports Buffet Profiles....." will be a segment to where we will profile someone who is currently involved in the sports world, and will just let you learn a little bit more about the individual. It will be similar to "Checking In" and "Where are They Now" which will be heard every other week.

The daily debut schedule for "The Sports Buffet Podcast" is as follows (new segments will debut on the listed day at 10 A.M.)
Monday-One On One with Bob Alvis
Tuesday-Teammates
Wednesday-Know Your Coach
Thursday-The Sports Buffet Profiles...
Friday-Chew on This
Saturday-Bob and Dad
Sunday-Inside the Game

EVERY OTHER WEEK
* "Checking In" is a segment that catches up with an athlete from the area who is now continuing their career in college. Not only will you hear from the athlete, but also from their high school coach, college coach and others from their past team and their current team. Here is an episode of "Checking In" from 2006 with Chris Rocco, former football player (and other sports) at LCA.

* "Where Are They Now" will feature a person from the high school (or maybe college or pro or media member, the possibilities are endless) sports world and will examine, where they are now. Like "Checking In", it will feature people from their past when they were coaching or playing in the sports world. Here is an example of "Where Are They Now" with Mark Hanks, former head boys basketball coach at Liberty, and at the time of the interview, Pulaski County head coach.

* "Coach's Corner" is a segment where a coach will talk about a nuisance of their game. It can be simple as something of proper free throw shooting to something as complex as when to execute a suicide squeeze. Here is an example of Coach's Corner featuring E.C. Glass Head Coach, Roy Roberson talking about use of a full court press.

New segments will debut every other week at 10 A.M.
Where Are They Now-Monday
Coach's Corner-Wednesday
Checking In-Friday

MONTHLY
* "The Roundtable" will be designed to feature 3 coaches (or maybe players) but the segment will feature more on philosophies or issues in the sport as opposed to current events. Here is an example of The Roundtable with three football coaches, Don Rice (Jefferson Forest), Jeff Woody (Brookville) and former Amherst head coach, Scott Abell.

* "Bumps and Bruises" will feature an athletic trainer discussing something that will either maybe prevent an injury, how to rehab an injury, or something related to the athletic training field. On this edition, Tony Tucker (Athletic Trainer at Heritage High School) talked about heat illnesses.

* "Away from the Game" is designed to tell you about an athlete (or other figure) and what they are contributing away from their sport of play. Whether it be involvement in a church or community endeavor, you will hear about an athlete's contribution away from the game.

* "Rules of the Game" will be an official from a certain sport describing a rule of the game. For those fans back in the '80s of college basketball, I believe Hank Nichols used to have a segment that would air (I think it was sponsored by State Farm" and it was called "Rules of the Game"). We may not have Hank Nichols but we will have one of our officials in sports in the area explaining a rule of the game.

* "The Sports Buffet Feature" will be a feature that we do each month. It will be a 4 part series where each week a new segment will debut. For example, Febuary is Valentine's Day, so we may do a feature on being the spouse of a coach. How tough is it? How much understanding involved? Then one month, we may take a look at something serious such as leadership. How do you develop leadership amongst your team? It promises to be interesting, informative and entertaining.

Here is the debut schedule for the monthly features.
Bumps and Bruises will air the 1st week of each month
Rules of the Game will air the 2nd week of each month
Away from the Game will air the 3rd week of each month
The Roundtable will air the 4th week of each month

The Sports Buffet Feature is to be determined on debut dates.

I for one am looking forward to all these segments. Tell your friends and neighbors about our Facebook page and more. "The Sports Buffet Podcast" is always looking for active participation from our fans (or even our non fans) so let us hear your suggestions by e-mailing TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net or become a fan of "The Sports Buffet Podcast" on Facebook. You can also check us out on Twitter.

Important Information about "The Sports Buffet Podcast"

For those of you diligent followers of "The Sports Buffet Podcast", you may have seen this on my other blog that is dedicated to High School Sports. Check out the announcement and information by going to that post by clicking here.

The Sports Buffet Podcast....One More Try

Okay, "The Sports Buffet Podcast" is going to make one last try of it. Basically, when I was doing "Talking High School Sports", that was in my BK (Before Kids) era, and I had tons of time to dedicate. Now, I have two kids and a full time job that has me working abnormal hours, so basically I don't have the time that I'd like to dedicate to my podcast. So, I am going to bring back the 'Buffet. The interviews/segments may not be as plentiful as they once were, but it's a labor of love, and I need my hobby back, so the 'Buffet is back in town!

More updates and developments hopefully to come. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, please don't hesitate to e-mail them to me at TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net

Thoughts on the ALCS

Being the devout Yankees fan that I am, I thought I would offer a few thoughts on the ALCS against Texas.

- Joe Girardi has been outmanaged and has looked like a total fool. If the Rangers bullpen doesn't blow up in Game 1, then this series is already over and they are awaiting the winner of the Phillies-Giants in the Fall Classic.

- Mariano Rivera should be well rested. Why Girardi didn't throw him in Game 3 when the game was still manageable, is beyond me. This is the playoffs, you can't be resting somebody saying "Well, we want him available to throw 2 innings tomorrow." Rivera is your stud in the pen, and he should be treated as such. The Yankees haven't led much in the series, but Rivera can still be valuable to keep a game close rather then bringing in David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, or anyone else.

- The Yankees hitting has reminded me of the 2001 World Series against Arizona. They didn't hit for lick in that series either, and they aren't hitting against Texas. If it weren't for Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter, they'd be extremely dismal.

- The Yankees are down 3-1, they need to take the mindset of winning one game at a time, not winning 3 games. Win Game 5, before you worry about Game 6.

The Voice of God

I think when a lot of people hear "the voice of God" in terms of sports context, they think of John Facenda, of NFL Films fame. But, as a Yankees fan, the best set of pipes ever belongs to Mr. Bob Sheppard. Maybe, I shouldn't say best set of pipes ever, but as far as public address announcers are, he is by far and away the best there is, was and ever will be. Sheppard once said his philosophy of what a PA announcer should be is clear, concise and correct. Sheppard exemplified all three and you could probably add another "C" to it as well. In terms of class. Even though Sheppard has been retired for about 3 years now, his voice still lives on. He is featured prominently on the YES Network's bumpers ("You are watching the YES Network"), and to this day he still announces one person's name each game. Derek Jeter, made a request that a recording of Sheppard be used when Jeter comes to the plate. Jeter will also have that honor, when he steps to the plate during Tuesday's All Star Game.

Never going to the "old" Yankee Stadium is one thing I really wish I could have done. I also would have love to have heard Bob Sheppard in person. Seldom in today's day and age do I think public address announcers or regular play by play announcers get lumped into the distinction of being lumped in with a team's legacy. There are only a few exceptions, Vin Scully with the Dodgers, Chick Hearn was with the Lakers, and I'd throw Bob Sheppard into that. Sheppard may not be tied in with the Yankees as much, but no doubt he is the voice of Yankee Stadium and he always will be.

Here's more links and features on Bob Sheppard.
Buster Olney tribute
ESPN Story
YES Network Coverage
MLB Network Tribute

Lebron, Lebron, Lebron

Have you heard of this guy that plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers? Supposedly, he's pretty good. Some call him "King James", but he was born Lebron Raymone James in Akron, Ohio. Tonight, Lebron will decide his legacy when he chooses where he will play basketball for the foreseeable future.

If Lebron chooses to leave Cleveland for somewhere else, I think his legacy is destroyed. If he goes to Miami (which is the hot rumor), he can win six rings, and I don't think it rebuilds his image. Lebron is turning just the ANNOUNCEMENT of where he is going to play into a three ring circus. When Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player ever, came back from his gambling suspension, I mean retirement in 1995, he did so by issuing a statement that simply said "I'm back." Lebron James is handpicking his interviewer (Jim Gray) and holding his decision on national television (ESPN. I am surprised he didn't ask to go to the Oval Office so he could have Obama get him some network TV time from the Press Briefing room at the White House) from a secluded bunker in Greenwich, CT. He could be the biggest villain in Cleveland sports history supplanting Art Modell, who took a whole football team out of Cleveland moving it to Baltimore. I also contend if Lebron was just playing for the Cavaliers, but from Saginaw, MI or Waco, TX, it's not a big deal if he leaves, because he is not a native Ohioan. Would you rather get 1 ring for a habitually losing sports city, or 6 rings in a city to where each year you don't win the championship, it's a failure.

Now, let's look at the final choices (let's just go ahead and throw the Clippers out, because my 3 year old and 2 year old have a better chance of playing with the Dutch in Sunday's World Cup Final).

1. Miami Heat: Some people list them as the favorite in the clubhouse. But, I think this would be one of the worst places he could go. It is a ready made championship, Lebron doesn't have to work for it as much, he just becomes another piece. Besides, Miami will never be his team. It's D-Wade's team. Imagine if Michael Jordan had gone to the Celtics or Lakers, and Bird and Magic had been a little younger. Jordan would be no where near as famous and remembered with either the Celtics or Lakers, as much as he was with the Bulls.

2. Chicago Bulls: It's Michael's team, it's Michael's town. If you win 5 rings, Michael won 6. If you make a 30 footer at the buzzer, Michael sank a 31 footer to win one. If you sneeze, Michael sneezed quieter, or louder, however you feel to put it.

3. New Jersey Nets: The Kremlin controlling Lebron? Child please. Plus, in some people's eyes, Jersey is New York's arm pit.

4. New York Knicks: The league needs the Big Apple to be important. They haven't been in the mainstream eye since Patrick Ewing was there. Plus, Lebron is buddies with guys like CC Sabathia, and those folks (it's worked out for CC so far by the way) so he's hanging with his buddies. Also, Lebron would be playing in the world's most famous arena 41 times a year.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: The hometown team. Lebron's legacy will never be as strong anywhere else. Weakness is your supporting cast is about as strong as that of Tim Lincecum's biceps. But, you have an experienced NBA coach and a winner as a player (Byron Scott). I think help would be on it's way, it may just take a year or so. There are plenty of players out there the Cavs could trade for to help in the post or on the wing (David West, PF New Orleans, Al Jefferson, PF Minnesota, Gilbert Arenas, SG Wizards, Chris Kaman, C LA Clippers, Zach Randolph, PF Memphis, Marcus Camby, C LA Clippers, Elton Brand, PF Philadelphia,). Granted, some of those players would be gambles or reaches, but the other thing is maybe you can trade for a big superstar (i.e. Chris Paul) or someone of that ilk to help. I think 1 ring in Cleveland is greater then 4 in Miami. The reason I say that is no one has won a ring in Cleveland, while Dwayne Wade took Miami's championship virginity years ago.

The one thing I do think though is Lebron James PR team has put him in such a negative light, it's going to take some time to recover from this. I think for the goodwill aspect, he must return to Cleveland. Otherwise, I think he is going to come off as a selfish, me first, childish, spoiled sports villain. The one thing I do think is worth taking note of, is TNT/NBA TV's David Aldridge stated that this media truck goes both ways. So, Lebron can think he has ESPN in his pocket and everything like that, but if it goes the other way, and Lebron has negative publicity, then he has got to take the bad with the good.

Lebron, Lebron, Lebron, he is enough to drive Jan Brady crazy.

Where, oh where will Lebron (and the others) end up?

I think in today's day and age, more people enjoy off season's as much as they do season's. I think people crave hot stove talk and player movement more now then they have in the past (although, I do think most people like superstars to stay in one place, but I'll address that in a future blog). So, I will address the top free agents, and where I think they will end up.

Lebron James
Named Possible Suitors: Bulls, Cavaliers, Clippers, Heat, Knicks, Nets
My Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
I have debated this with friends, and I think Lebron comes back to Cleveland in part to his Ohio roots. Tom Penn, on ESPN's NBA Fastbreak, brought up some good points. If you go to Chicago, you have to win 7 NBA titles, because Michael has 6. If you go to Miami, you need to win 2 without Dwayne Wade to top Wade's solo title. Now, Penn was making the case for Lebron going to New York, stating if you win just one title in New York, then you are immortalized forever. I just see Lebron returning to Cleveland, as a situation where the NBA can market a star as bringing a championship to his hometown. Does Lebron need some pieces around him in Cleveland? Sure, but I think Lebron needs some complimentary pieces not superstars. I think superstars at their superstar levels rarely co-exist and are able to win titles. I know there are examples you can point to, and say I am wrong, but I don't think it has happened lately. Even when the Celtics won their title over the Lakers, I don't think Kevin Garnett was still a superstar at this point, I think he had settled into becoming a complimentary player. I think Lebron stays in Cleveland though. But, if I had to rank them in order of where I'd see him going, I'd say Cleveland, then New York, then New Jersey, then Chicago, then Miami and I think that hell has to get a little chilly before he plays for the Clippers.

Dwayne Wade
Suitors: Heat
I think there are other suitors for Dwayne Wade, but just none that are really named. I think Wade probably stays, but what if he went to his hometown team, the Bulls. Imagine the Bulls with Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Dwayne Wade, Joakim Noah and the Bulls would probably add another max player in the front court. With that being said, I think more often then not top tier superstars are better off staying put, so I think he stays in Miami.

Chris Bosh
Suitors: Chicago, Miami, NY Knicks
I am very unsure to where I see Bosh headed. I think he would like to play with Lebron James, but I don't see him traveling to Cleveland to do so. Plus, I see him going in a sign and trade wherever he goes. I am going to say he goes to Miami, and I see the Heat sending Michael Beasley, Quentin Richardson and Dorrell Wright back to Toronto. But, with Bosh I really have no solid inclination, if I had to throw down money, I'd just assume as to throw down on Pick 3 or Pick 4.

Joe Johnson
Suitors: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, LA Clippers, NY Knicks
I saw on ESPN's Bottom Line, where Johnson says he wants to stay in Atlanta. If that's the case, then he stays in Atlanta. They can offer him the most money. The only other strong contender I see is New York. Johnson played for Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix, so there is familiarity with the system. Plus, I think Johnson would put up just as big of numbers in New York, as he would in Atlanta. Now, the thing is would Johnson want to play in a big city? Some people just aren't big city guys. I definitely see Johnson playing in the Big Apple or back to Hot 'Lanta.

Dirk Nowitzki
Suitors: Dallas
I see Nowitzki playing for the German National soccer team before he leaves Dallas. I just don't see him playing for anyone other then the Mavericks. I think addressing this topic more is just a waste of finger movement.

Paul Pierce
Suitors: Boston, LA Clippers, New Jersey
I see Pierce probably staying in Boston, but I would not be 100 % (probably 88 %) shocked if he went to play for his hometown Clippers. Pierce is from So Cal, but I am a big advocate (again something that will be discussed in a future blog) of superstars leaving a place that they have had great success damages their legacy. I think Pierce is just looking to cash in a little more with a better contract, as the collective bargaining is expiring pretty soon.

Amare Stoudemire
Suitors: Miami, New Jersey, NY Knicks, Phoenix
Alright, well I got Bosh going to Miami, which means I can't have Amare to the Heat as well, but I also don't see Amare going back to Phoenix even though I have heard he doesn't want to sign with the Knicks. What about Chicago? I don't know that he would fit in with the Bulls. I think Amare is a good player in a run and gun system. Could Golden State land him in some type of trade? Maybe Dan Gadzuric, Vlaidmir Radmanovic, Charlie Bell and a 1st round pick? Now, in no way am I saying, I think that is value for Amare, but it is salary matchup.

Carlos Boozer
Suitors: Chicago, Miami, New Jersey, NY Knicks
Again, I can't place him in Miami, if I have Bosh in Miami, so under that scenario I have Boozer headed to the Bulls. I see Chicago or Miami as the likely destinations for Boozer. I think if he heads to Chicago, the Bulls become a very dangerous team. I see Boozer in Chicago as a good fit, but he's had his eye on Miami for a long time. With that being said, I am going to say Boozer ends up in Chicago.

David Lee
Suitors: New Jeresey, NY Knicks, Toronto, Utah
Put seven or eight teams on a dart board and throw a dart and you hit a team and you have David Lee's destination. ESPN pundits all have mentioned the four teams I have listed above. This one is kind of hard for me to pick, I don't know that I see Lee headed back to the Knicks, but at the same time, I don't know what new team I would see Lee headed to either. I am going to go with the Knicks, but I honestly don't know, but think he would be a good player for many teams.

Rudy Gay
Suitors: LA Clippers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey, NY Knicks
I think all the suitors are strong (maybe with the exception of Minnesota), but what about Phoenix? I don't think they could do a Stoudemire swap, but I think Gay would work well in Phoenix. When it comes down to it, I see him signing with the Clippers or remaining in Memphis, but I would list New Jersey as the most likely dark horse.

Guys I look for to be traded before the seasons starts includes Al Jefferson (Minnesota). He might be some good help in Cleveland for Lebron (if he stays). I don't think Chris Paul leaves New Orleans. Carmelo Anthony is rumored to be on the block if he turns down an extension from Denver. I think Melo will go to the Northeast somewhere. I could see New Jersey or the Knicks. Also, I would put Baron Davis and Gilbert Arenas in the trade possibilities, but I think you would just need to find someone to take on those contracts, because they are owed a ton of money.

NBA free agency season, it's fantastic!

My Happiest Super Bowl

I never thought I'd have a Super Bowl to where I'd have a major rooting interest in the Super Bowl. Lions and Browns fans share my thoughts I am sure. However, being a Saints fan, I had the Super Bowl I have had the most interest in this past Sunday.

Venturing to my favorite Super Bowl watching venue (my parents house, I think I have watched almost every Super Bowl there, maybe minus a few), I travelled to the house in my Deuce McAllister jersey, and equipped my wife Suzanne in my New Orleans Saints t-shirt.

Game thoughts
One thing is for sure, the Saints were playing to win, and not just happy to be there. When Sean Payton opted to go for it on 4th and goal in the 1st half with the Colts leading 10-3. Some could argue that the smart play would have been to kick the field goal and trail 10-6 midway through the 2nd quarter. However, if you do that, then you are giving the ball to Peyton Manning on probably the 20 yard line or better. Even though it is Peyton Manning, I'd rather have him go 98-99 yards then 80 yards or less. Also, to start the 2nd half with an onside kick, if that doesn't spell gamble, I don't know what does. I think that onside kick was the turning point of the game, and gave the Saints huge momentum.

Another thing the Saints did right was to keep Peyton Manning off the field. It seemed like to me in the 2nd quarter that Peyton Manning was barely on the field. He was on the field for only 2 series

Garrett Hartley was money. The first guy ever to kick 3 field goals of 40 yards or more, didn't even play the whole season, being suspended for the first four games of the season, for violating the league's drug policy with a banned supplement. The Saints didn't start using Hartley until the game against the Redskins in Week 13. So, even though Hartley is a good kicker, for a guy who wasn't used until week 13, it's pretty good to nail 3 40 yard field goals in the biggest game of the season.

Tracy Porter's touchdown return was Reggie Wayne's fault. I heard Cris Carter say it during the postgame on ESPN, that the cardinal sin for a wide receiver is getting beat to the spot. Carter went on to say that as a receiver, you do whatever it takes to avoid getting beat to the spot. If you have to tackle the WR, then you tackle him. Porter beat Wayne to the spot and took it to the house to put the Saints up 14. I still didn't feel good until Manning's incompletion on 4th down on the following drive. If the Colts had scored, the score would have been 31-24, and the Colts could have recovered an onside. The point is, you never know what could have happened. Also, even though Manning doesn't have the best playoff record, I still don't count him out.

Questions that come from the Super Bowl in my mind (feel free to answer)
Does this move Brees up the list on best current quarterbacks? I think you still have Manning, Brady and Favre has the 3 greatest all time quarterbacks that are still playing. Is Brees 4th, 5th, Top 10? Where is he specifically ranked?

What do the Saints do in the off-season? It looks to be an uncapped year in 2010, which brings the question can the Saints afford to keep some of their better players. Darren Sharper and Scott Fujita probably go to the top of that list.

Does the lack of playoff success and only one Super Bowl ring affect the legacy of Peyton Manning?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let me hear 'ya!