Starting Five

Now usurped by CNN!

1. Project Runway

The target speed for a Boeing 777 upon final approach to a runway is 137 knots, or 158 m.p.h.

Yesterday NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman stated that the speed just before impact of Asiana Flight 214 was 103 knots, or 122 m.p.h.

That’s knot-good.

“We’re not talking about a few knots,” said Hersman, who was not using a double negative.

Hersman: kind of a babe, no? Has Today already approached her about becoming one of their “Today’s Professionals?”

 

Finally, I used to think that Airplane! was a spoof of all those “Airport” films from the mid-1970s. Come to learn that there was a 1957 film entitled “Zero Hour” in which the main character was named Ted Stryker and there’s a little boy named Joey. No, George Mikan was not a co-pilot, but thank you for asking.

2. “Scotch is a drink; Scots are a people. But we’re both quite tasty.”

So I wasn’t the only one all “a-Twitter” when sportswriters and others hailed Wimbledon champion Andy Murray as “English” on Sunday.

It’s amazing how testy people become when you invade their sovereign nation.

“Heed! Move! Now!”

3. Sailing Solo

So the America’s Cup Regatta got off to a less than rousing start on Sunday in San Francisco Bay as only one yacht, Emirates New Zealand, actually raced. See, the other boats are disputing a judges’ decision for heavier rudders for safety reasons, changes that came about after a British sailor died during a practice run in May. Emirates will “race” again today in the round-robin section of the regatta, which will continue through early September, but will sail solo once again.

 

4. Neigh Means Neigh

A man in Hidalgo County, Texas, is a repeat sexual offender against…horses.

A police spokesman: “The guy is practically harmless, except for the horse.”

I’m no journalism school grad, by the way, but when did it become okay to name the victim (Nadia)?

5. Igniting a Fuhrer

 

In Bangkok, “Hitler Fried Chicken” (HFC) is a thing. I’m not getting within five miles of a joke here. Just thought I’d inform you.

Reserves

What Are You Waiting For?

Infamous secret-leaker Edward Snowden has been offered asylum in Venezuela, which is the world’s leading exporter of Miss Universe winners. We think this one is a no-brainer. Aaaaand, the coffee is excellent!

*****

This probably will not make “Media Circus”, but SI.com has a column this morning headlined “Wimbledon Grades: Andy Murray and Marion Bartoli score high.” I wonder why.

Also, SI.com states “This Won’t Be Fun” as it pertains to the 2013-14 Los Angeles Lakers. I beg to differ. Will the Lakers go far in the playoffs? Probably not. But I have yet to come across an NBA franchise whose priniciple players are foreigners that did not play well together and or have decent team chemistry (then again, I never really watch the Toronto Raptors). Consider that next season will begin with Canadian Steve Nash unburdened by the egos of Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace (yes, the Lakers did not give Peace a chance). He and Spaniard Pau Gasol, while both past their primes, will get along fine. And while he is an American, newly acquired center Chris Kaman is going to love all of the easy pick-and-roll baskets that Nash gets him.

When Kobe Bryant –who spent part of his youth in Italy –returns from Achilles surgery rehab, he will discover a cohesive, if not overly athletic, unit. I don’t love the Lakers to advance much beyond the first or second round next season.

But I do think that they will be a happy –as opposed to “miserable” — group. They’ll be the “Reds 2” of the NBA.

***

It’s a day later and I’m still wowed by the tale of Jason Everman, former Nirvana guitarist and U.S. Army Special Forces operative who now, at the age of 45, is an Ivy League undergrad at Columbia (just a few subway stops on the 1 train north of me). First, I’m astounded that I did not think of the headline “Guitar Hero.” So. Obvious.

 

Also, I love this line from Everman, who is studying philosophy, that I should have included:
“The way I look at it, life is meaningless. The meaningfulness is what you impart to it.”

*****

George Clooney and Stacy Keibler move from Lake Como to Splitsville. She wanted to focus more on her career, while he wanted to focus more on his crossover dribble on asphalt. We can respect that.

****

 

FS1, Fox Sports’ new cable channel, hires Clay Travis of “Outclick the Coverage” as its college football analyst, as Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead first reported yesterday. It’s similar to the deal that NBC Sports pulled with Mike Florio, purchasing his site (Pro Football Talk) and then adding Florio as a talking head. A few years ago Clay wrote of his now studio partner, Erin Andrews, “ESPN put her on television for one reason, because viewers, mostly male, are sexually attracted to her.”

So that should be a fun time when the Fox on-air talent convenes for its annual weekend retreat next month in Westchester.

Also, I disagree with a point that Clay–who humblebraggedly points out that he married a Tennessee Titans cheerleader — makes in this piece. He writes, “Erin Andrews is smart.” I don’t necessarily believe that’s true at all.

***

Happy 40th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denver Bronco director of player personnel Matt Russell (college football fans may remember him as a stud linebacker with the Colorado Buffs in the mid-1990s) turned 40 on Friday, and apparently the festivities carried on to the following day. On Saturday evening he struck a car in Frisco, Colo., in the Rocky Mountains, and fled the scene. A few minutes later as he was approaching the lovely ski resort haven of Breckenridge, Russell rear-ended a police car. He was booked on a DUI charge. The Broncos have yet to announce if you may turn in your Matt Russell jersey and exchange it for another front-office exec’s jersey.