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When a Taco Isn't Just a Taco

Bob GrieseDuring ESPN's broadcast of the Minnesota-Ohio State game on Saturday, the network cross-promoted a NASCAR race by showing a graphic listing the top five drivers. Chris Spielman, Bob Griese's partner, asked where Juan Pablo Montoya was. Griese responded that Montoya was "out having a taco."

Montoya, who is Colombian, has declined comment, saying he has no idea who Griese is, but unfortunately for its announcer, ESPN has not remained silent. Despite twice publicly apologizing Saturday, ESPN has suspended Griese for this week's telecast. In a statement released Tuesday, ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz says the network has spoken to Griese and "he understands the comment was inappropriate."

In fact, contrary to lazy stereotypical belief, tacos are not a popular cuisine in Colombia. And everyone with a Spanish surname is not, you know, from Mexico. Now Griese will have a weekend outside the broadcast booth to think about the error of his ways. Question for you, would Griese have even gotten in trouble if he'd said that Montoya was "out having an arepa" or "out having a sancocho?"

Bob Griese Apologizes for Comment About NASCAR's Juan Pablo Montoya

ESPN broadcaster Bob Griese apologized for his comment about NASCAR star Juan Pablo Montoya at the end of Saturday's Ohio State-Minnesota game.


Earlier in the game, as a promotional preview of ABC's coverage of the NASCAR Chase for championship aired, a graphic listed the top five drivers in the Chase standings. When analyst Chris Spielman asked where the Colombian driver was, Griese quipped: "He's out having a taco."

As the broadcast came to a close, Griese apologized for the remark, saying "You know, he's one of the best drivers in NASCAR."

Griese Apologizes for 'Taco' Joke

Bob GrieseESPN football analyst Bob Griese apologized twice Saturday for a comment he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya during ESPN's telecast of Ohio State and Minnesota.

To promote Sunday's NASCAR race in Martinsville, ESPN displayed a graphic with the top five drivers in the points race. Color commentator Chris Spielman asked "Where's Montoya?"

"Out eating a taco," Griese responded.

If there was anything more remarkable than the tone-deaf nature of Griese's comments about the Colombian driver, it was that the remark was so audible, given how far Griese had just wedged his foot into his mouth.

QB Robert Marve Chooses Purdue for Some Reason

Okay, so Danny Hope isn't the only hope in West Lafayette, Ind., this spring. Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Robert Marve (pictured at right) ended the speculation about his next address Thursday, confirming that he will transfer to Purdue for his final two seasons of eligibility. Marve will have to sit out this coming season but will be eligible in 2010 and 2011.

Marve was Florida's Mr. Football in 2006 but missed all of his freshman season due to a car accident. His numbers from 2008 were not stunning, and when Jacory Harris was named the starter, Marve decided he wanted out.

There's nothing wrong with that, of course. Football players play football, and if Marve didn't want to stand around holding a clipboard, it's his right to walk away. Your head knows this and agrees with it. Your heart, however, is saying something like "Yeah, but ... Purdue?" O ye of little knowledge.

Stacey Dales Quit ESPN Over Airline Tix

Stacey Dales left ESPN a few months ago on a "matter of principle," when the two sides could not meet in the middle on a certain portion of her contract. At the time, this was alleged to be some sort of "travel provision." We heard about it and we all moved on.


Then the rumor surfaced that Dales backed out of the contract because ESPN refused to pay for her not to fly coach when she traveled around the country. This rumor was, purportedly, confirmed by an ESPN source recently.

Don't Call JaMarcus Russell a Bust Just Yet

Calling a second-year quarterback a bust after just eight starts would be more than a little short-sighted. But, as sports fans, we demand instant results, and when a No. 1 overall pick is pulling in millions of bills before he's really "earned" it, well, 2-6 records just aren't going to cut it. That's when the four letter B-word tends to get thrown around. Unfair as that may be, that's current sports world we live in.

This of course brings us to Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, and an article in today's Sacramento Bee by Paul Gutierrez, asking fans to please show a little patience in their 23-year old quarterback.
Since the draft began in 1936, 27 quarterbacks have been taken No. 1 overall and just three are in the Hall of Fame: Terry Bradshaw (1970), John Elway (1983) and Troy Aikman (1989). Russell, who has completed 53.5 percent of his 228 attempts for 1,482 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions in his first eight career starts, has better numbers than them through the same time frame. Bradshaw's passer rating was a miserable 28.8 through his first eight starts. Elway's initial eight-start rating of 48.8 belied his future success, and Aikman was winless in his first eight starts. That holy trinity went on to win a combined nine Super Bowls.

Well, That Was Close/Disappointing: ECU, Georgia and Oregon Keep BCS Hopes Alive

ECU Will. Not. Go. Away.

After a fairly unpalatable morning set of games, we had some intriguing matchups this afternoon; Georgia, East Carolina, Oregon, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech -- the latter by default because the ACC is horrible -- all had BCS aspirations heading into the third week of college football.

Four of those teams still do, but it wasn't for a lack of trying to fail.

Georgia needed a last second interception by Chris Smelley (Dugout Name and license plate: SMLLYCOX) to overcome what really is looking like a disturbingly stout South Carolina defense (it wasn't just NC State, we swear!). The 'Cocks held Knoshown Moreno to just 79 yards on 20 carries even though he punched one in, and Matthew Stafford was hardly effective. But the Dogs held on and their BCS chances prevail.

Exciting recap I know, but that's because I spent most of the afternoon watching a shoddy YouTube-like feed of East Carolina squaring off against Tulane. ECU AD Terry Holland had oh-so-generously offered to play the game in Greenville as Ike, et al approached the coast (what a guy, huh?) and Tulane oh-so-obviously declined the invite.

'72 Dolphins Offer Congratulations to the '07 Patriots for Perfect Season

We're still trying to track down Mercury Morris, but many of the '72 Dolphins offered their congratulations to the New England Patriots, the only other NFL team to navigate the regular season without a loss.

Former Dolphins tight end Jim Mandich even released a statement: "My sincerest congratulations go out to the Patriots. ... They are a remarkable team. If somebody was going to tie the Miami Dolphins record in the regular season of going unbeaten, it's appropriate that it would be the Patriots because they are a class act."

And former Miami quarterback Bob Griese also had some kind words:
"I want to congratulate the Patriots on going undefeated during the regular season," added quarterback Bob Griese. "I know Tom Brady well because he played at Michigan with my son, Brian. I've followed his career ever since then and have the greatest respect for him as a player. He is having one of the greatest seasons ever by an NFL quarterback, and his outstanding performance has been a major factor in the Patriots' success this year."
Guard Bob Kuechenberg wasn't as effusive in his praise. In fact, he admits he wants the Patriots to lose:

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