What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
Upon further review …
Put yourself in the shoes of Wayne Elliott as he peered under the hood at CenturyLink Field Monday night. If you were Elliott, could you concentrate on reviewing Golden Tate’s wonderful bit of thievery in the end zone?
Or, would you be busy explaining to the replay official upstairs that there is no way you are going to tell 68,000 Seahawks’ fans that the call on the field is reversed and the home team lost?
Us too.
2
As loud as CenturyLink was when Tate’s play was ruled a touchdown, we’re betting there were louder shouts of glee from regular NFL officials everywhere.
But those shouts aren’t likely to echo around the negotiating table.
Oh, NFL owners might be feeling a bit of heat given the controversy and confusion that dominated the discussion of NFL Week 3.
But that’s the point. The NFL’s popularity isn’t at risk. Replacement refs are just one more subject its legions of fans can debate.
3
It was announced Monday that the Huskies and Ducks will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 in Eugene. Within minutes of the announcement, Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens sent an email to season ticket holders explaining that he has no control over what time the game is played.
The Washington-Oregon game will be the Ducks fourth 7:30 p.m. kickoff this season, and the third at home. Apparently some Ducks fans are tired of getting home at 2 a.m. or later from games.
We share their aggravation. With a 7:30 kickoff, there’s a risk that the game won’t end in time for our deadlines — a real inconvenience for editors and readers alike.
But it’s been at least a generation since fans on site were more important to a college football program than TV dollars. You know, back when the Ducks were happy to win three games a year.
Longtime Ducks fans would be thrilled to show up at 3 a.m. to watch Oregon beat Washington for a ninth consecutive time.
If Ducks fans are really tired of going to Autzen, we’re guessing there are plenty of Dawgs fans who will gladly take their place on Oct. 6.
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