Nothing like some Dead Schembechlers on Thanksgiving to get you primed for Ohio State vs Michigan.
Read MoreI'm Riding Shotgun on the CD1025 Morning Show This Friday - Colin Gawel
I'll be Brian Phillips' co-pilot for the CD1025 Morning Show Friday May 25th as we fly you into Memorial Day weekend. Tune in or stream the show from 7-11 am at www.cd1025.com. Brian was recently voted 3rd most popular radio voice in Columbus by 614 magazine, which is pretty amazing considering that includes every Clear Channel / Sports Radio / AM Rush Limbaugh type show in this huge, sprawling radio market.
A reminder, WWCD in Columbus Ohio is one of the last independent alternative rock n roll stations left on the planet. It plays amazing music and supports the community. Get on board and spread the word. - Colin
How cool is CD1025? They have been dropping in this little nugget on occasion.
# Save the Crew and Playoff Preview with Brian Phillips and Greg Bartram
- Where are we with #savethecrew situation? What is best case, worst case and most likely case?
Greg B. - First off, there was no way that the mayor and Columbus Partnership folks were going to come home from NYC with an agreement. THere are just too many moving parts to something like this, and it doesn't happen all at once.
I would have preferred a bit more positivity in the statements, but I'm not terribly surprised. I'm not sure this can be saved, as there surely does seem to have been a longterm plan in place by PSV, but the #SaveTheCrew movement is absolutely setting the right tone. Positivity, activity...I'm REALLY impressed with them. Morgan Hughes' catchphrase, "If there's gonna be a funeral, we'll be too exhausted to attend" is gold, and really does seem to be the mantra
I think there are two critical parts to this...if the other owners are pressured enough, I don't think they'll vote to approve in order to keep the black eye offa their own faces. Secondly, the lawsuit by San Antonio has some real intrigue to it, and that isn't to be discounted.
I'm not giving up until there are trucks being packed.
Brian P. - I really struggle with this one. The efforts from the grassroots organization Save The Crew have truly been remarkable. They've essentially served as the club's marketing arm the past month. My heart wonders how the league could do this after the display of love for Crew SC here, and the amazing support from fans all over not only MLS, but clubs in lower levels, teams over seas etc.
Meanwhile I can see and I can read. The league seems to be backing ownership on this one, and seem determined to walk away from this city forever. This is bizarre to me.
Not ready to give up yet... The Columbus Foundation floated a proposal for a new facility between 5th and 6th near Mount Vernon Avenue. It's far from a done deal, but it's a proposal and that's something ownership contends has been lacking.
There's a very real posibility MLS Cup returns to Columbus. If the Crew get through we get the game here. Can you imagine! It's the movie Major League.
Meanwhile the actual Crew are back in the final four. What should we expect from this series? Who needs to step up?
Greg B. - This is gonna be a tough series. Lets not forget that Toronto ate our lunch in a 5-0 match earlier this season, and did so without Altidore or Giovinco. Having said that, Crew SC have been a totally different team the second half of the season. Hottest team in the league going into the playoffs, and I don't put a lot of stock in the 2-0 loss to a desperate NYCFC team. Keys? The back four have to be the wall that they have been at the top of the team's form this season. We have to contain and control Ricketts, who is all kinds of dangerous. Crew SC has to take advantage of their opportunities when presented with them, and make opportunities when not presented.
This team can definitely advance, but none of the soccer illuminati in the US expect it. They also didn't expect the team to advance past Atlanta. Or NYCFC. Crew SC in a close one. I sincerely believe we can host MLS Cup again, and the players deeply want to give that to the fans. This one's gonna be a monster atmosphere.
Brian P. - Such a great opportunity in game one. Toronto are missing Sebastian Giovinco (yellow card accumulation) and Jozy Altadore (sent off against Red Bulls, must sit out game as result). That's a ton of goal scoring power watching from the press box.
Columbus needs to play their game. Come out attack minded and keep the foot on the gas. They'll be getting a ton of energy from what will be a raucous crowd. One thing I will be watching is the center defense. Josh Williams and Jonthan Mensah need to do a much better job taking care of the ball. Way too many unforced turnovers of late. If we do that goalie Zack Steffen is more than capable of making the saves necessary.
Bottom line... Columbus will look to go into leg two in Canada with a big lead.
Brian Phillips hosts the CD1025 Morning Show and you have seen Greg Bartram's photos everywhere. They are both fans of the Columbus Crew.
Big $ Talks to Brian Phillips About the Kyrie Trade on CD1025. Listen Here.
The Pencilstorm offices descended in chaos early Tuesday evening as news of the big Cavs / Celtic trade hit the interwebs. The North Coast Posse's Big $ was none too pleased and CD1025 Morning show host Brian Phillips invited him to the studio the following day to vent his frustrations on air.
Big $ and Brian Phillips Talk Browns v Seahawks - by Jeff Hassler
Hey guys! Hassler here. It's sort of a touchy week around the Pencilstorm offices, because not only is the spiked eggnog flowing, but we got an NFL Civil War happening this Sunday. Big $ and K-Dubs the Soldier from the North Coast Posse will be cheering on their beloved Brownies while Brian Phillips will be rooting on his Seattle Seahawks. Personally I have no dog in this fight, as my favorite teams are the Patriots and Packers. I'm also a big Tony Romo fan so when he plays I pull for the Cowboys. Anyway, I thought it would be fun if I asked Big $ and Brian about this week's games and maybe see if we could all meet up to watch somewhere. I'm totally free. Let's get this party started!
Hassler: Both these teams are led by young, star quarterbacks in Johnny Manziel and Russell Wilson. Which team has the advantage under center or is it pretty much a wash?
Brian - Are you high, Hassler? Let's start with the fact that Wilson's only known vices are his obsessive abstinence, relentless Bible-quoting, and visiting sick kids on Tuesdays. Somehow through all that he's mastered his offense despite having a group of skill players made up mostly of guys who weren't even drafted. Two of his offensive lineman didn't even play on the line in college. His top two running backs are out now, you think he cares? Over the past three games he's hardly had to run at all. He's getting the ball out of his hands at a Tom Brady speed of somewhere around 2.2 seconds on average. Manziel, meanwhile, leads the league in apologies and regret. This clown will have to rub his fingers together a lot harder if he ever hopes to make the kind of coin Wilson is making.
Big $ - Well, since you flashed the money sign at me the last time we passed each other at Colin's Coffee, Hassler, I have a pretty good idea where you fall in this debate. However, football I.Q. , work ethic and character are three components of a successful signal caller, and Russell runs laps round Jff in those areas.
Hassler - Brian, I'm not high and just in case anybody from the agency is reading this, Brian was JUST KIDDING. So I'm not high, but the Browns remind me of the Seahawks just a couple of years ago. Sure they are struggling now, but with all these high draft picks it shouldn't be long before they end up in a Super Bowl. How long before Manziel gets a ring?
Brian - What? The Browns remind me of the Seattle Mariners, actually. A litany of poor draft picks, head scratching signings.....one manager after another. Dopey owner. Idiot GM. The Browns should be seized by the league and owner Jimmy Haslam should be thrown in prison. Did you know they're paying Dwayne Bowe $4.5 million a year? This has to be some sort of money-laundering scheme. That's the only way it makes sense. Sure the Browns have a high pick coming again but what makes you think they'll use it wisely? Not me. If Hackenburg leaves Penn State they'll probably take him. Manziel wins 3rd place in a College Station golf scramble maybe, but never a ring. Not gonna happen, pal.
Big $ - Surprisingly, I do believe Johnny will bring Cleveland a ring. Once his NFL tenure ends (sooner rather then later), the marketing guru that is Dan Gilbert will bring him to his rightful home in the Arena League. I fully expect Manziel will sling the Gladiators a ring no later then 2018.
Hassler - It would be sweet if the L.A. KISS signed Manziel. Maybe KISS could rewrite the words to.... "God of Football." Or they could just use "King of the Night Time World" as is. Just sayin'. Brian, I hate to be a pain, but you still owe me a six pack of Bud Light from the Super Bowl last year when my Patriots stuffed beast mode just like I predicted at the Pencilstorm Christmas Party. Can the Seahawks get back to the big game again this season? And can I get that beer soon? I'm sorta broke. Just sayin'.
Brian - Cripes. As I told you at the time, no one over the age of 13 should have more than one favorite team in any sport. It's embarrassing. I'll tell you what, Hassler. I'll give you 21 points Sunday and if I lose I'll buy you a whole keg of Bud Light and have it delivered draft night so you can drown your sorrows. Anyway... Sure the Hawks can get back, but it's going to be tough. Carolina and the Cards are really good this year. I'm realistic. Just enjoying the ride. Kind of like you and the Patriots.
Hassler - How do you guys see this game playing out and where are you watching it? Maybe we could all get together somewhere? My ex-Kim has the cats this weekend so I'm totally free if you want to meet up.
Brian - Watching at home. My wife hates you. I'd watch it with you but you'd just wear your Brady jersey. That's lame.
Big $ - I fully expect the Seahawks to win by 17 and I predict Ahtya Rubin will inflict some serious pain on #2. As for where I'm watching the game Jeff, I know I'm gonna regret this but the NCP will be at Patrick J's in Clintonville.
Reelin' and Rockin' @ the Gateway: "Revenge Of The Mekons" by Ricki C.
The Mekons have been around since 1977, and yet I don’t really know that much about them: which is why I’m really happy that Colin and Brian Phillips are bringing the documentary feature “Revenge of The Mekons” to the Gateway Film Center this Wednesday, April 15th at 8 pm as this month’s Reelin’ and Rockin’ @ the Gateway presentation.
I do know this much about The Mekons:
1) Their 1989 album “The Mekons Rock ‘n’ Roll” is one of the most fiercely intelligent punk-rock records of all time. For those of you scoring at home, the Ricki C. acid test for whether something is genuine punk-rock is if it makes me wanna break stuff when I listen to it real loud, and – by those standards – “The Mekons Rock ‘n’ Roll” is right up there with The Clash’s first record Elvis Costello and the Attractions’ “This Year’s Model.” (Also, I find it cool and appropriate that The Mekons fall right beside The MC5 in my vinyl collection, speaking of fiercely intelligent rock & roll.)
2) I saw The Mekons live at Stache's in 1989 when they were touring that record, and talk about packing A LOT of magic into a really small space: Langford, Timms, Greenhalgh & company blistered the paint off Dan Dougan's walls.
3) I know that The Mekons’ “Ghosts Of American Astronauts” (see video below) showcases one of the most subversive lyrics and simultaneously one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs in all of rock & roll; from a punk band. Go see the movie. Make a new friend, love an old band. – Ricki C. / April 11th, 2015
Reelin and Rockin' @ the Gateway admission is $5 (CHEAP!) and benefits CD102.5 For The Kids children's charity; happy hour begins at 7 pm in the Torpedo Room bar, "Revenge of The Mekons" follows at 8 pm.