Second thoughts

— Garrett was strong, also weak

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times was certainly no fan of former Southern California Athletic Director Mike Garrett, the first Heisman Trophy winner at the school in 1965.

“Seventeen years could be boiled into two moments, the complicated legacy of Mike Garrett revealed in a final burst of arrogant bluster.

“The first thing you need to know about the resume of USC’s fallen athletic director is that, at a booster club function in San Francisco this summer shortly after the football program was hit with heavy sanctions, he said, “As I read the decision by the NCAA ... I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans.”

“The second thing you need to know is that shortly after offering this fractured insight, he was givena standing ovation.

“As the brooding, bullying boss views his beloved school from the bottom of the curb, it is obvious to note that many thought he was a buffoon.

“But it is important to remember that perhaps just as many thought he was a hero.

“He was hated. He was loved. Hewas loathed. He was respected.

“Mostly, though, it seems, Mike Garrett was cursed.

“The same traits that made him such a strong university symbol also made him such a weak university representative.”

Garrett was fired Tuesday. Pat Haden, a former USC quarterback and NBC analyst, will take over for Garrett on Aug. 3.

T.O. in Silver and Black?

With NFL training camps scheduled to open soon, wide receiverTerrell Owens is still without a team.

Monte Poole of The Oakland Tribune believes the Oakland Raiders should consider the five-time All-Pro.

“If the Raiders were in the midst of a dynasty, or even coming off a winningseason, there would be no need for them to consider Owens. Their success would provide reasonable explanation for such a stance. They, like most of the NFL, could ignore T.O.,” Poole said.

“But the Raiders have slippedinto the habit of performing poorly. So poorly they have chipped away at the loyalty of one of the hardiest fan bases in sports. Frankly, they’re in no position to look down upon anyone who could help - especially if that someone is better than anyone they currently have.”

Owens caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Buffalo Bills.

They said it

Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg, on soccer withdrawal: “I miss the World Cup so much, I decided to hang out at the pier and watch the fisherman haul in their fish just so I could see something flop.”

Headline at SportsPickle.com:“Tour de France leader quits after his parents buy him a car.”

Greg Connors of the Buffalo News, on why South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen was such an unknown before winning the British Open: “He refusesto toot his own vuvuzela.”Quote of the day

“How are they better than a pimp? I have no respect for them.” Alabama Coach Nick Saban on agents who offer inducements to college players in violation of NCAA rules

Sports, Pages 20 on 07/22/2010

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