5 Minutes for Blogging, Jan. 6
Thanks very much for the outstanding music suggestions. I’ve listened to quite a bit of the stuff that was touted by you all, but definitely found some new possibilities that jacked my interest. I’ll be checking it all out.
1. CHIP ROSENBLOOM IS LIVING UP TO HIS WORD: Post-Dispatch helmet head Jim Thomas reports that the Rams have added New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and NY Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to their list of coaching candidates. They weren’t on the initial list because of the cost factor. (Why do I say that? You’ll just have to trust me on this one, but my sources in the agent industry told me that the Rams were hoping to spend somewhere between $2 million and $2.5 million a year on their new coach. That price wasn’t enough for some of the hot candidates to sit at the table, especially Spagnuolo.) But Rosenbloom is indeed following through on his stated vow to spend what it takes to find the next Rams coach, and GM Billy Devaney has been able to expand his search. Both McDaniels and Spanguolo are to be considered longshots for the STL job, but at least Devaney has the go sign to make a run.
2. KEEPING AN EYE ON THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Across the state, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt reportedly has landed a sitdown with coveted GM candidate Scott Pioli, who has been Bill Belichick’s personnel go-to guy in New England. It’s going to be interesting to see if Hunt can or will hire Pioli. And it will be interesting to see the reaction in St. Louis as the Rams and Chiefs engage in an informal competition to see who can rebuild faster and better. Who would you prefer to have in charge of such a project, Devaney or Pioli?
3. OFFBEAT, HAPPY NOTE OF THE DAY: Congratulations to Cardinals pitcher Brad Thompson, who married his fiancee, Andrea, last weekend at the Missouri Athletic Club. But here’s the interesting thing about the wedding: presiding over the ceremony was none other than former Cardinals reliever Randy Flores, an ordained minister. That’s right. The Rev. Flo was in the house, to pronounce them man and wife. Flores was credited with a hold.
4. THE BEST BRIAN WILSON / BEACH BOYS SONG IS: “In My Room.” The song became incredibly poignant years later, after we learned of Wilson’s youthful torment which included his cruel battles with a domineering father, and his adolescent depression. Runner-up: “God Only Knows.” Just for the lovely musical composition. Yes, Wilson actually brought an orchestra into his living room for that one. Most underrated: “Warmth of the Sun.” I love the back story; a bummed-out Wilson drove to the studio to write the song hours after he learned of the assassination of President Kennedy. Best Beach Boys song not written by Brian Wilson? That would be “Disney Girls.”
5. WHAT UP WITH … DAN DIERDORF: We had the big fella on our Team 1380 radio show Tuesday, and here are the notes scribbled on my napkin: he’ll be doing the Baltimore-Tennessee AFC divisional playoff game Saturday on CBS … DD was thrilled by the Cardinals’ win over Atlanta in the wild-card round, and but doesn’t like their chances of winning at the next stop, Carolina… in addition to having his own restaurant, Dierdorf and Hart’s at Westport, DD recently became a partner in the J. Buck’s restaurants in Clayton and downtown STL… as for being a consultant on the Rams’ coaching search, Dierdorf said his involvement has been overblown. He’ll provide advice and share information if Devaney asks, but so far Dierdorf said his role has been minimal.
Thanks for reading, and drop in all of your thoughts… let me know about the Rams and the Chiefs and who will be first to reach the higher ground… and drop in your favorite Beach Boys song and tell us why.
-Bernie
Bernie:
Glad you’re somewhat back among the living…
I’m hoping that the Rams’ rebuilding gets finished first, but there are way too many variables in that equation, to say nothing of dumb luck. As others have mentioned, for every Atlanta & Miami, you have a Detroit. If we’re lucky, we’ll get lucky in 2009 as we did back in 1999.
And I’ll nominate Surfin’ USA for favorite Beach Boys song, ’cause only Brian Wilson could improve on a Chuck Berry melody (Sweet Little Sixteen).
Gotta love Dan Dierdorf. Don’t know him personally but he seems pretty down to earth, honest, humble, and not a lot of ego.
Favorite BB song for me is California Girls. Why? After 7th grade my buddies family took me with them on their trip to CA. Flew to Frisco, stayed at the Fairmont Hotel. Flew to LA, stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. Drove to La Jolla, then Mexico, and then over to Phoenix area. The week before I bought the album with CA Girls and played it non-stop. And for a 12-13 yr old horn-dog like myself, those girls were hot!!!
Man….tough to narrow down to one Beach Boys tune. It really depends on my mood as far as which one is my favorite. I’d have to go with a top 3 of Sloop John B, Heroes and Villians, and God Only Knows(still #1).
On another topic…honestly, there’s so many what if’s in that Chiefs scenario right now, so I’m much happier to have Billy D. in charge here. I just think that with the fact that he’s had a year within the organization already to familiarize himself with the team’s strengths(?) and weaknesses, it gives the Rams a head start on KC. Plus, with this off-season in full swing already (for most teams), it’s good to have the head of management in place and leading the search for a new HC. KC may strike gold with Pioli, but I really think that Devaney is every bit the football mind that he is. That being said, one man can’t do the whole thing, so it’s going to be interesting to see how(if) all of the other pieces fall into place for Rams this offseason to make a significant improvement for next year (i.e. 7-8 wins).
As a professional musician, I have to vote for “Good Vibrations.” Wonderful Beach Boy harmony and excellent use of transposition. Plus it was a big leap forward for the band when they progressed from simple car songs. Their successful attempt to compete with psychedelic music of the English bands.
Chiefs need to get rid of Herm Edwards. Talent wise, I think the chiefs are better mostly due to a two young talented quarterbacks. They must draft defensive but hire an offensively creative coach.
Are the cards ever going to sign another top third free agent? Their philosophy seems opposed to he idea.
Hate the idea that SHAW has any INVOLVEMENT whatsoever in picking the new Coach , more scared when I learn D.D. does NOT have much input , become terrified when I learn Marshall seemingly isn’t involved whatsoever ,seems to be ” same ole , same ole ” when you get right down to it.
Great Blog Bernie, the Ram’s might get a phone interview with Josh Mc Daniel but thats all. Haslett will be named Head Coach before Spagnuolo even gets finished with the Playoffs. It’s really to bad that Chip had to lead on the Rams fans with the money issue, he is starting to sound like Mo of the Cheap Birds, all show and NO GO! Should the Chiefs sign Scott Pioli to run their team, the Rams will have to wait until the end of the 21st century to see another Super Bowl.
Happy to hear that Chip Rosenbloom is willing to put his money where his mouth is ,quite a refreshing change from our baseball team owner.I think Chip sincerely wants a first class organization that will carry on with the winning tradition of his father and more recently in St.Louis his mother.
MMR1111
What has come out of NE and been succesful elsewhere during the Belichick era? Crennel? Weis? Mangini? Sounds like a bunch of people riding Belichick’s coattails to a fat payday.
Also, I love the Beach Boys. Such feel good music. “Wouldn’t it be nice” and “Kokomo” come to mind as my favorites. I was 5 when “Kokomo” came out, so it takes me back to my childhood.
Prefer Pioli over Devaney 100%…Not ripping on Chip, but I think this is just lip service. End result is a 2nd tier assistant (hopefully-Frazier or Ryan) or Haslett.
I would prefer Pioli over Devaney but Devaney is good so lets see what happens next year. If Rosenbloom holds to his promise, don’t be surprised if you see a “high tier” assistant get the job. We can all speculate on who it will be but the choice could surprise us all. After a horrible season such as this last one, the Rams deserve it.