You definitely have to question the source as Donaghy is not the most honest man. However, I do believe a lot of what he is describing is true. [
I wonder if the grudges and trends he talks about still occur and if we can use this to get an advantage on a game today.
Sure they do. They'll low-key it for a few months, then when this blows over it'll go right back to same engineering.
It's not just the NBA either, the NBA is just the most obvious sports example.
Did you see the tripping in the Min game last week, negating a td? Before I joined, but my money was on Pit (ML, not side) in part because I knew the refs would help out. The phantom tripping was one of about three dubious calls that had the effect of helping Pittsburgh substantially - exactly like what the NBA does to extend series or punish some team one of their execs doesn't like.
<i>Vikings coaches and players are just a wee bit upset about the fourth-quarter tripping penalty on tight end Jeff Dugan; it wiped out a touchdown reception by Sidney Rice. Coach Brad Childress said Sunday that Dugan executed a legal and textbook cut block, and on Monday, Childress spoke with NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira. Childress’ opinion was unchanged afterward but he said: “I’m satisfied that I was able to tell my side of it and he could see my side of it.” I’ll have more on this play Wednesday in our Dirty Laundry feature, but for now I’ll say I don’t think Dugan intended to trip linebacker James Harrison in the true sense of the rule. But you also have to consider the way the play happened at full speed: Dugan’s feet were in the air when Harrison fell down. Discuss among yourselves and we’ll meet back here Wednesday.</i>
