The Hot Button: Who’s the biggest dud in local sports?
Megaton dud Eddie Haas pulls Gene Garber. (AJC photo by Calvin Cruce)
Again, I have you folks to thank — or blame, as the case may be — for this entry. This tangent arose on Saturday’s live chat off the Falcons’ defensive collapse, and I thought it would make a nice Hot Button. (Or Cold Button, as the case may be.)
The question: Who’s the biggest dud in local sports?
Parameters: It has to be someone currently employed locally. Meaning: No Len Barker, no Aundray Bruce, no Eddie Haas, no Ron Jirsa, no Bruce Pickens, no Jeff Francoeur, no J.R. Rider, no Jeff George, no Priest Lauderdale, no Ray Goff, no Corky Miller, no Marion Campbell, no Peerless Price, no Damian Rhodes, no Bill Lewis, no Albie Lopez, no Robert Fick, no Shelden Williams, no Jimmy Williams, no Bobby Petrino, no Dan Kolb, no Steve Broussard, no Adam Keefe, no Brad Komminsk, no Reggie Kelly … enough already!
I’ve taken the liberty of nominating one deserving — or undeserving, as the case may be — candidate from each local entity. (Caveat: No college players will be considered. It’d be mean to label an amateur a flop, especially with so many alleged pros from which to choose.) And here we go. Feel free to comment/disagree/amplify/moan.
Greg Norton, Braves slugger: I don’t think I need to outline the argument for/against him. And if I did, I’m not apt to do it any better than I did it in this post earlier today.
Jamaal Anderson, Falcons defensive end: First-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) has two sacks in two seasons. On the bright side, he had two more sacks in Year 2 than in Year 1, so the graph is pointing upward. Started as a rookie. Probably won’t start as a third-year man. Was drafted as a DE. Has been tried at defensive tackle. Best position would seem the bench.
Mike Woodson, Hawks coach: He makes the list because each local sporting concern must have a representative. Also because he’s still more than a hundred games under .500 as a head coach. Also because he just groused to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports about not having been offered a contract extension. But Woody did a good job last season and wouldn’t be included had not Speedy Claxton been shipped to Golden State, which was downright thoughtless of Rick Sund.
Don Waddell, Thrashers GM: Ten years on the job, two winning seasons, one playoff appearance, no playoff victories. But he has had a nice offseason, and if he persuades Ilya Kovalchuk to stay we’ll be throwing roses at the Teflon Don, as opposed to the usual rotten tomatoes.
Loading ...Willie Martinez, Georgia defensive coordinator: His players were in position; they just didn’t make the tackles. But seriously, folks … here’s the reason Unslick Willie is substandard.
Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech basketball coach: Took the Jackets to the 2004 national championship game by winning five riveting NCAA games in 17 days. Has won one NCAA game since. Has missed the Big Dance three times in the past four years. Has had a losing record three of the past four seasons. Just saw his program lose two scholarships for failure to meet NCAA academic progress standards.
Me, I’d say the overall choice comes down to expectations, meaning money. Norton is stealing earning $800,000. Martinez makes $325,000, or $1 per missed tackle. Anderson earns — wrong word, I know — $3.8 million. Which would seem to make him the winner/loser. Except:
Though Hewitt’s annual pay packet is only (only!) $1.375 million, Tech would owe him $7.175 million were it to fire him today. That makes him the biggest underachiever in local sports. But I say that knowing, seven months from now, we might well believe he’s the best bargain around. Because the Jackets should be really good next season.
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259 comments Add your comment
YESSSS
September 3rd, 2009
11:34 am
Oh, I forgot – they want to do that cute Tomahawk Chop too. Just a reminder, people. The Chop got started because Deon Sanders was from Florida State where (though I’m no fan) they do the Chop with some amount of exuberence. Deon is gone. The Braves’ fan version of the Chop these days is the lamest, most wimpy excuse of fan participation in an athletic event. It ranks up there with the Wave and the organ player playing scales to get the people to clap in time. Ugh!!!! I want to the Braves management to develop a “NON-FAMILY” section of the park. You must blow .08 or higher in order to be seated in that section. You must be screaming or you will be ushered out of the section. There is a 2 beer minimum while you’re in the section, and peanuts are complimentary as long as you’re throwing them at the players or umpires. COME ON, PEOPLE.
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
11:36 am
It’d be hard to classify Joe Johnson as a dud, BugKiller.
Larvell "SugarBear" Blanks
September 3rd, 2009
11:37 am
MB, this is a close call between Norton and Anderson. However, seeing as how Anderson was drafted as an every down player as oppossed to a utility player, i.e. third down specialist then hands down it goes to Jamal Anderson. And if Greg Norton is a Utility then I say it is time to turn the lights out on his career. Also, what about Garret Anderson? This guy has done little to nothing as well!
Ryno
September 3rd, 2009
11:39 am
It’s Woodson. He’s totally worthless and can’t develop young players to save his life. He’s Dusty Baker on the hardwood.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
September 3rd, 2009
11:41 am
Hands down J. Anderson. All the others have had some success at one time with little expectations but Anderson was a top 10 pick with 1 sack. And really, does anyone give a crap about Norton, he is just a pinch hitter. Cox is to blame for ever using the guy. Willie could end up a close 2nd with the expectations he is going to have to live up to.
Braves73
September 3rd, 2009
11:41 am
This arguement is a two way tie for me. I believe the biggest “dud” is Willie Martinez. Here’s why…
1.) He is consistently provided enough talent to be successful but has vastly underperformed and has yet (& probably never will) been a difference maker in his time as defensive coordinator. See his statistics from year one to current as facts.
2.) Discipline which should be # 1 for any coach (especially football) has been sorely lacking. There are a lot of exterior factors that coaches have little control over (injuries, youth), but discipline should not be one of them. This is an absolute for any “quality” coach to make the grade.
3.) Terrible in game adjustments…I have been to several UGA games and I can’t honestly say that I have EVER walked away thinking, “Wow, the defensive play calling was GREAT!”.
The second “dud” is Paul Hewitt. Here’s why…
1.) He did have his moment bringing a previious staffs’ unit together with the Final four appearance, but since then it has been a gradual downward regression.
2.) His teams rarely over achieve and he has had enought talent to AT LEAST make the Jackets respectable. I mean, they practically allow almost every team in the tournament.
3.) Consitently Inconsistent. I can’t for the life of me understand what the heck Hewitt is doing sometimes with his frentic substitution patterns. You will have a guy with “hot hand” and Paul will pull him, bury him on the bench, and then wonder why they lose/lost a game. It’s mind-numbingly STUPID!
Ok, I couldn’t resist adding a third “dud” to the list – Bobby Cox. Here’s why
1.) It’s very difficult for me to slam Bobby, but he makes it SO easy with his MORONIC moves. I will only say that he drives me to drink and I will leave it at that. The rest is pretty obvious.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
September 3rd, 2009
11:42 am
YESSSS, They started doing the chop here in ‘91, long before Deion arrived.
Eastside Jacket
September 3rd, 2009
11:44 am
How does the third paragraph not include Nick Esasky ???
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
11:45 am
Deion Sanders actually came to the Braves in 1991, Bank Walker. The chop was started as a shout-out to his FSU days.
Don
September 3rd, 2009
11:47 am
Have you thought about how amazing it is — That when we have a Pitching Staff good enough that there is a reasonable expectation of winnning every time one of our starters goes to the mound; yet we have barely won half of our games. Oh, I forgot, Bobby Cox is still the manager.
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
11:47 am
Because I invoked Esasky’s name a couple of weeks ago. Wouldn’t want to pile on.
Big Man
September 3rd, 2009
11:47 am
I cosign Willie Martinez and Paul Hewitt. I thought Caleb King would be on there. he still has time, but he’s looking kinda Danny Ware’ish(last few years) right now. Who is Greg Norton. Never heard of him before. Jamaal Anderson and Woddy are bums.
YUP!!
September 3rd, 2009
11:48 am
Mike Vick fans!!!!!!
Big Man
September 3rd, 2009
11:49 am
And ya’ll leave Bobby Cox alone
Trade School Junkie
September 3rd, 2009
11:49 am
Biggest sports “dud” in Atlanta?
Easy, the AJC Sports section.
Was this some kind of trick question?
The University of Georgia Tech
September 3rd, 2009
11:49 am
All-time…Len Barker (Braves), Bill Lewis (GT), JR Rider (Hawks), Jeff George (Falcons), Dennis Felton (UGA), and Terrance Morre (AJC).
Current….Schiffer (Braves), Hewitt(GT), Law (Hawks), J Anderson (Falcons), Martinez (UGA), and this article(AJC)
MightyQuinn
September 3rd, 2009
11:51 am
I nominate the Atlanta Spirit. Covers a multitude of sins!
Bob in SF
September 3rd, 2009
11:51 am
I have to go with Don Waddell because he has by far the largest body of incompetence with over 10 years of mind-numbingly consistent mediocrity.
Chef montuer
September 3rd, 2009
11:53 am
Mike Vicks dogs
FEAR
September 3rd, 2009
11:53 am
I’ll leave cox alone when he is no longer the braves skipper
Khao$
September 3rd, 2009
11:55 am
Woodson, hands down. He does less with more, more than anybody. He hasn’t developed anything, refuses to adjust his system to fit his personel, and whines all of the time.
uga_b
September 3rd, 2009
11:57 am
The University of GA Tech doesn’t know his own school’s name. Funny stuff.
I would throw out some owners like the Atlanta Spirit (1st IMO) and Liberty Mutual(?). I think that who owns the braves. I could also throw out the entire Atlanta DREAM.
BugKiller
September 3rd, 2009
11:58 am
Mark,
I know. Regular season, he’s an All-Star.
Playoffs he’s an All-Dud.
So, I’d be half-right? Right? Haha.
Gen Neyland
September 3rd, 2009
11:59 am
In the Catagory of Recent Past Duds : Mike Hampton. At least the rest of the duds actually played a little…
In the Catagory of Current Duds : The GT basketball team
Atticus
September 3rd, 2009
12:00 pm
I say the Atlanta Spirit Group. You notice both a GM and coach of that group are on your list. They just care about the Arena revenue.
BIG BEE
September 3rd, 2009
12:01 pm
BILL LEWIS, no question!!!
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
12:01 pm
I thought about including the Spirit, Quinn. But I wanted to make this a fair competition.
eyeball kid
September 3rd, 2009
12:02 pm
Mark,
Charles Dudish graduated from Avondale HS in 1967 or 1968 and was considered the best HS football player in the country. He went to GA Tech and apparently did vey little while there. My oldest brother played against him. We all (3 brothers 1 sister) graduated from Southwest Dekalb HS. In 1968 there were only 2 HS stadiums in Dekalb Co. Avondale and Briarcliff.
BIG BEE
September 3rd, 2009
12:03 pm
Could be wrong about BILL LEWIS, may be RANDY JOHNSON, Falsons 1st QB.
Otto
September 3rd, 2009
12:04 pm
The hockey team is sadly the most entertaining game ITP.
Old Dawg
September 3rd, 2009
12:04 pm
I voted for Mark because he’s a man, he’s 40!
Herschel Walker
September 3rd, 2009
12:07 pm
no Andre Bruce?
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
12:09 pm
I’m actually 53, Old Dawg, and still ain’t much of a man.
ToccoaDawg
September 3rd, 2009
12:09 pm
Mark is pulling a strong third. Does this mean he should be looking for a job in the Falcons secondary?
Richard Hamilton
September 3rd, 2009
12:10 pm
It has to go to DW. Hands down. I mean 10 years and pretty much zero to show for it??? I’m not even a hockey fan and I would vote for him. Norton was pretty good last year, so I call it a wash on him. JAnderson is probably the second biggest dud at the moment. I would say Hewitt and Martinez are running neck and neck for third; lets see how the season unfolds this year.
Actually the term dufus comes to mind when I think of DW.
Black Book Betty
September 3rd, 2009
12:13 pm
The Streets of Buckhead!
Richard Hamilton
September 3rd, 2009
12:14 pm
DW kind of reminds me of that guy sloth in the goonies movie.
ToccoaDawg
September 3rd, 2009
12:14 pm
Seriously Mark. It has to be Anderson who should be cut so our beloved Falcons can save some money and keep a lineman that trys.
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
12:14 pm
I’m actually running ahead of Paul Hewitt, Toccoa. Good to know all that get-out-the-vote effort is paying off.
GT
September 3rd, 2009
12:16 pm
One thing I will give Mark Bradley he has guts. Do these guys ever back you in a corner after a blog like this? I think you are totally on the money with all you have said. Last year’s Tech team got my goat because they couldn’t shoot foul shots and could not bring a ball in, basic stuff that you start watching other teams do to make sure it is not a national epidemic. The only team I notice with this problem was Tech, and there are a lot of less talented teams playing in the NCAA. Not a priority I guess with Paul Hewitt. I think a lot of big time recruiters are easy on the players to get them to come to what is now a losing program. You might have been a little hard on Anderson, but that money talks. Norton lost that game last night with it on his bat. You could see his frustration, but you couldn’t see the frustration of the minor leaguer whose place he is taking when he plays like that. I often thought of Hanson when Glavine was here demanding some love, in affect leaving the real Tommy in the minors so he could have some unearned limelight. I agree with the Hawks coach and think if this was a richer franchise and not spending their money on lawyers they would have fired Woodson long ago. Hockey the whole sport is a dud unless you are a Canook.
TommyGator
September 3rd, 2009
12:17 pm
How can you include The Swamp Fox (that’s Marion Campbell, not Spurrier or Meyer, for you young ‘uns)? His Falcon failure was due more to the ownership (non)skills of the Rankin Smiths than his coaching ability.
eyeball kid
September 3rd, 2009
12:19 pm
Why has Jeff Francouer not been mentioned?
FEAR
September 3rd, 2009
12:22 pm
current ATL sports players
eyeball kid
September 3rd, 2009
12:23 pm
Claude Humphrey left us for Philly.
Don Waddell Fan
September 3rd, 2009
12:23 pm
Biggest DUD in ATL Sports?
Jeff Schultz!
Honorable Mention: The average “Vick Supporter” in 2009
( Hey, you ASKED. )
eyeball kid
September 3rd, 2009
12:24 pm
Where are Tommy Nobis and Greg Brezeina(sp)?
eyeball kid
September 3rd, 2009
12:26 pm
Fulton Kykundall, Lynn Cain and Alfred Jenkins where are you?
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 3rd, 2009
12:26 pm
Tommy Gator
You’re right, Marion Campbell wasn’t a bad coach, actually. For all time Atlanta Dud, you’d certainly be able to make a case for all those years the Clampetts owned the Falcons.
eyeball kid
September 3rd, 2009
12:30 pm
My all time favorite Falcon LB was the guy with the huge neck brace. #58 and I think his last name was Hansen. Oh well, you would have to ask Van Brocklin.
Ed
September 3rd, 2009
12:30 pm
Does anyone remember Walter (Socko) Stockwell?