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View Full Version : Chuck Klosterman Article on Steroids

Desnudo
03-22-2007, 01:27 PM
Interesting article from Page 2. More of a discourse than an op-ed. Long.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=klosterman/070319&sportCat=nfl

"Shawne Merriman weighs 272 pounds.

This is six pounds less than Anthony Muņoz, probably the most dominating left tackle of all time. Shawne Merriman also runs the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds. When Jerry Rice attended the NFL draft combine in 1985, he reportedly ran a 4.60; Rice would go on to gain more than 23,000 all-purpose yards while scoring 207 career touchdowns.

You do not need Mel Kiper's hard drive to deduce what these numbers mean: As an outside linebacker, Shawne Merriman is almost as big as the best offensive tackle who ever played and almost as fast as the best wide receiver who ever played. He is a rhinoceros who moves like a deer. Common sense suggests this combination should not be possible. It isn't."
bulletsponge
03-22-2007, 01:41 PM
WOW! how was he not drafted 1st?
Crapshoot
03-22-2007, 01:46 PM
I've always found it fascinating how baseball is held to this ridiculous standard while the NFL, whose pretense is impressive, gets away with absolutely no recrimination whatsoever.
Passacaglia
03-22-2007, 01:52 PM
What a fun way to warp statistics!
Franklinnoble
03-22-2007, 02:09 PM
Good article... thanks for sharing.
LloydLungs
03-22-2007, 02:12 PM
I've always found it fascinating how baseball is held to this ridiculous standard while the NFL, whose pretense is impressive, gets away with absolutely no recrimination whatsoever.

Same reason why the NBA gets hammered for being a "thug" league and the NFL gets off scot free. Most people don't like pro baseball or basketball, but lots and lots of people do like pro football, so they happily look the other way with football.
Surtt
03-22-2007, 02:21 PM
I think it is pretty universally acknowledged that steroids were commonly used in the NFL during the 80s. Chuck seems to think steroids are something new.
NoMyths
03-22-2007, 02:30 PM
I think it is pretty universally acknowledged that steroids were commonly used in the NFL during the 80s. Chuck seems to think steroids are something new.
Except where he points out the use/abuse of drugs over the past 40 years. RTFA. ;)
Surtt
03-22-2007, 02:46 PM
Except where he points out the use/abuse of drugs over the past 40 years. RTFA. ;)

I did read it


because we will have to publicly acknowledge that the most popular sport in the country has been kinetically altered by drugs, probably for the past 25 years.


He implies that players are so much bigger and faster now (compared to th 80s) the only explanation has to be steroids.
My response is: since steroids were widely used back then too, there is probably other factors involved.
Shkspr
03-22-2007, 02:51 PM
My response is: since steroids were widely used back then too, there is probably other factors involved.

You mean like...better steroids?
dawgfan
03-22-2007, 03:20 PM
You mean like...better steroids?
Also, more widespread use and much more informed pushers and users.
QuikSand
03-22-2007, 03:28 PM
I found this article pretty well thought out.