Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Let's Not Lose Our Heads Over JR's Wacky Comments


(photoshop credit, now and forever, goes to Aaron of BWA)

So Jeremy Roenick said something incendiary about the Atlanta Thrashers, according to Chris Vivlamore:

“That might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. Dustin Byfuglien as a defenseman. I would love to play against Dustin Byfuglien as a defenseman. I would turn him inside out, left, right and center every single time. This kid, he made his living in front of the net scoring goals during the playoffs for the Chicago Blackhawks. Why on earth would you put him back as a defenseman? This kid is strong, he’s powerful, he’s a great skater. Put him in front of the net as a forward. That’s where you want him to do all his damage. Playing him as a defenseman? Maybe that’s why the Thrashers are 0-3 in preseason. Maybe that’s why nobody comes to watch their games. It’s crazy. What are they thinking? They already have a GM that doesn’t know the game whatsoever. But, hey, that’s just my opinion. Like me or hate me if you don’t [agree]. I’m not a big fan of Atlanta for a lot of reasons but the fact that they’re going to play Dustin Byfuglien [as a defenseman], my goodness gracious.”

It's not a secret that Jeremy Roenick has disliked Don Waddell for some time now because he left JR off of Team USA in 2006. For all we know, he STILL thinks Waddell is GM and doesn't even know Rick Dudley exists.

This is what JR does. He's theatrical, he's opinionated, he's a show-off. A very entertaining show-off at that. It wouldn't be terribly becoming of Thrashers fans to get ultra-outraged and play the "I'M OFFENDED, I'M VERY OFFENDED" game of hysteria and special pleading.

I beg the Thrashers fan base (not that I have any influence): Don't act like this is some epically big deal. You'll come off to everyone as thin-skinned and resentful. Just laugh it off or say "Ah, JR, what a doofus."

Oh, and Dustin Byfuglien shouldn't play defense.

OH, AND ALSO: I've read more than a few people weeping into their Haagen-Dazs because JR allegedly "hates Atlanta" or somehow dissed the entire city in his comments. He did no such thing. When he says, "I’m not a big fan of Atlanta for a lot of reasons..." he's CLEARLY using "Atlanta" as shorthand for the Atlanta Thrashers. First rule of grown-up reading: don't take everything literally.

7 comments:

Big Shooter said...

Why is everyone so protecting of Rick Dudley? Multiple people are even making up Stanley Cup rings that he has won. Everyone in the comment section on the AJC thinks JR is talking about Waddell as well.

I could be wrong, but I find it very hard to believe JR doesn't know who the GM of the Thrashers is...

Mortimer Peacock said...

Maybe. I actually don't care WHO he's talking about. I don't identify with the team GM like he's some kind of Buddy on Fire, for goodnesssakes.

Big Shooter said...

I also find it entertaining that nearly everyone says they can't stand JR, talk about how annoying he is and is nothing but a loud mouth... then end up saying they agree with him.

aaron said...

Roenick runs his mouth for a living - what comes out, comes out. My problem is the usage of "my goodness gracious." It seems like JR may have retired his manhood along with his hockey career.

Sounds like my frickin grandmother.

Mortimer Peacock said...

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Ah, the man's going soft in his post-NHL dotage.

Big Shooter said...

Soft my ass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YwLTvBOqSI

aaron said...

Obligatory Rebuttal