What's giving you a rash this week?
The out-of-control arrogance in professional sports today? The latest in labor? The price of a lousy stadium hotdog?
An overpaid player? An underhanded agent? An owner who would sell the carpet from underneath his own mother's feet for the right amount of PSLs and luxury boxes?
Where can you get off your chest something boiling inside your belly?
Right here. Right now. Buckshots, a weekly dish-it-out-and-duck feature, is designed to give you, the subscriber, a chance to take your best shot at Ray Buck, national columnist for SportsLine USA.
Agree or disagree, let 'er rip. Sign your name -- if you dare -- and tell us a little about yourself: age, city, state, occupation/student. Just remember, Buck has the last word.
E-mail your comments to buckshots@sportsline.com
should be on the USA relay team," writes Scott Segrin. "The only reason this was even an issue is that the record for gold medals HAPPENS to be NINE.
"If the record were eight or 10, this would not be an issue."
BUCKSHOT: And if Carl Lewis were Carol Lewis ... uh, he isn't -- is he? (Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen them in the same room at the same time?)
"Carl should be thanking the track coach (Erv Hunt) who told him to cool his heels and watch from the sidelines."
BUCKSHOT: We understand Carl couldn't bare to watch. And when will our American sprinters realize they have bigger things to worry about than the size of Carl Lewis' ego?
"I believe it is more accurate to restate Mr. Buck's above quoted proposition: 'The U.S. sprint team was NOT going to win the gold with or without Carl Lewis,' because to try and suggest otherwise is not accurate. "Besides, it detracts from the accomplishments of five sprinters from Canada who won a well-deserved gold medal."
BUCKSHOT: Agree. Although Buck was last seen getting out of Atlanta nearly that fast.
"Frazier would have never been a champion in the first place had they not stripped Ali of his title for standing up for his beliefs. Frazier should have went back to school and got some kind of an education, then maybe he could have encouraged his son to take up a career.
"I saw his son fight, and he fights like his daddy. He leads with his face. What a joke!"
BUCKSHOT: I always respected Frazier, but there have been a few Joe Fraziers over the years. Only one Ali.
BUCKSHOT: I see that Joe isn't the only one Smokin', James.
"Getting to the point, I thought it was nothing but sad to see a crippled and hopeless Ali quivering like a dry leaf as 'the symbol of the Olympics' ... or anything else to do with boxing. (Whatever happened to Ali's first medal?)
"The least they could've done is offer that George Foreman and Joe Frazier or at least Sugar Ray Leonard join him out there. Anyone that didn't look so grim from boxing's past.
"It was nothing but another media tear-jerker that earned the Atlanta Olympics the gold medal in cheeeeeeeeezzzzzzzz."
BUCKSHOT: Sorry you were so offended by reality, Dan. I do agree that it would've taken no fewer than three all-time greats to replace Ali.
"It's been over 20 years since they last fought. Get over it, Joe! Ali made you a lot of money!
"By the way, who has done more for boxing than Ali. Mike Tyson???"
BUCKSHOT: The only thing that could possibly save boxing today would be a small head-on collision -- Don King in one car, Rock Newman in the other. Nothing personal.
"David Stern has turned into a puppet for these three markets. As the old saying goes: money talks, honesty walks in the NBA."
BUCKSHOT: Michael Jordan walks in the NBA.
everyone else loses," proclaims Tom "Texkan" Sargent of Northern Virginia. "Once more, see how the riches of success have spoiled the pro sports world. And sports owners wonder why fans are caring less and less each season?
"Hey, ain't it about time for some TV network to broadcast the Little League World Series. Now that's something I'll be watching!"
BUCKSHOT: You mean rather than watch Juwan count all his money, while everyone swoons over how model a citizen he is?
"We then snag Pat Riley, snag Alonzo Mourning, snag Tim Hardaway, snag Juwan Howard ... oops! Well, we did seem on the verge of greatness for about two weeks.
"Then pocket-sized dictator David Stern (affectionately known here in Miami as Li'l Adolf) decided to screw Miami and save Washington. I demand that the NBA reveal every team's incentive clauses. How did Jerry West sign Sean Rooks, Shaquille O'Neal, Elden Campbell, Rumeal Robinson, Kobe Bryant and Travis Knight? Gimme a break people!"
BUCKSHOT: If free agents keep pulling out of deals, Riles might have to suit up his proctologist.
"And like my mother would always say: 'If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all!'"
BUCKSHOT: Mum's the word.
"Let's face it. If he was on a team that was worth a damn, he would be one of the most dominating pitchers in the National League. It's easy for someone like John Smoltz, who knows damn well that his team will score for him virtually every time he starts. He has that mental edge in the fact that he can be a little more aggressive with his pitches.
"Kevin Brown, on the other hand, is on such a pathetic team that he must make every pitch perfect."
BUCKSHOT: Kevin Brown gets the sympathy vote. Unfortunately, Smoltz gets all the rest and should win in a landslide.
"This man has lied to the fans of the Browns so many times that it's not even funny. I do agree with Mr. Modell about how he was treated by the city of Cleveland, but did Art forget that he was asked to move to the new Gateway complex -- and flatly refused?
"(In Baltimore), they should never complain about the Irsays again, because the state of Maryland and city of Baltimore are now the newest team stealers. Enjoy Art Modell for all he is worth ... which in Cleveland is not squat!"
BUCKSHOT: Modell has no pretensions about where his worth is located -- Baltimore, not Cleveland.
reminds Don Hitch, a 41-year-old 49ers fan and jet pilot for a petroleum company.
"I watched Monday as the Cowboys lost 31-7 to New England and saw the Nike logo on the shirts of the players. I forget what soft drink they drink at Texas Stadium.
"Mr. Jones brings a bad name to the NFL. I can only suggest that he take some lessons from Eddie DeBartolo in SF. Oh yes, Mr. Haley and Mr. Jones belong together."
BUCKSHOT: To add Jerry Jones' name to such a dubious list, first you have to say please ... mister.