Hot Coffee, cold takes: A.M. headlines for Tuesday, 9/1

Running down the morning headlines for the first day in September.

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Yesterday while walking to the train, a thick stench hung in the air. I curled my nose and my wife half-questioned, “Forest fire?”. It did smell a lot like when fires nearly wrecked our entire county back home in Florida in 1998. How odd.

After hopping off the “L” at the Western stop, there was a huge plume of smoke billowing off in the distance. As I crossed past McDonald’s, about two block from the office, there it was: the second-story bowling alley across the street had gone up like a tinder box.

Apparently it was the oldest operating bowling alley in Chicago. The fire had started shortly after the kitchen closed up, sometime between 12:30 and 1 a.m. Luckily, no patrons, workers, or nearby residents were hurt. Outside of some relatively minor burns, neither were any firefighters.

Considering the place sat atop an Ace Hardware store – lumber, paints, oils. Things could’ve been much, much worse. Eerily, the two signs remaining in the Ace’s windows are that for a Webber grill and Blue Rhino propane swap.

On to the headlines.

May 26, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Trent Richardson (33) carries the ball under the supervision of running backs coach Bernie Parmalee at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders Cut Trent Richardson

Story: Trent Richardson has been cut by the Oakland Raiders. Despite promises by the back that he’d prove doubters wrong this season, the third pick in the 2012 NFL Draft is now without a job.

Cold Take: Cue up the Doors, because it’s over, Johnny.

Richardson couldn’t hack it on the Browns, never made a dent with the Colts and flamed out with the Raiders. For those keeping track, that’s two bottom-feeders and a perennial Super Bowl contender. Couldn’t help a team get over the championship hump; couldn’t stick around of teams who harbor minimal talent. We’re about nine weeks from the T-Rich sex tape talk to fire back up – the final seconds of his 15 minutes.

Apr 11, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher during the spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

FSU Names Everett Golson Starting QB

Story: Jimbo Fisher officially named Everett Golson the starting quarterback for his Florida State Seminoles. The Notre Dame transfer beat out incumbent Sean Maguire for the job.

Cold Take: This wasn’t a given, considering Blake Sims beat out hot-shot transfer, and presumed starter Jacob (now: Jake) Coker at Alabama last season – in other words, everything is earned in college football (or we’re to believe). Then again: Everett Golson has taken a team to a BCS Championship Game; Maguire needed a Clemsoning for the ages to scrape victory during his one start last season. Bully for the ‘Noles; their “down season” constitutes replacing a title winner with a near-title winner. High times in Tally.

November 13, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; WWE professional wrestler Hulk Hogan before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nets 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Hulk Hogan Offers Tearful Apology

Story: Hulk Hogan went on Good Morning America to offer a tearful apology for racial statements that had been recorded and leaked to the public. Hogan admitted that he shouldn’t have used the foul language that he did, but maintained he’s not a racist.

Cold Take: Hogan really missed a big opportunity by not having Michael Strahan or Robin Roberts interview him. After all, both are black and have been associated with sports during their careers (NFL HOFer/ESPN anchor). Talking to a blonde, white interviewer doesn’t strike the same chord.

Also: How will this generation of kids remember Hogan? I’m guessing like my generation will remember Jim Brown or O.J. Simpson – we know they were the best at what they did during a certain era, but all we’ve ever seen are the public missteps.

Mar 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (right) and athletic director Pat Haden at spring practice at Cromwell Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Haden Stands Behind His Decision

Story: Pat Haden spoke openly for the first time regarding his punishment of Steve Sarkisian. USC’s AD stands behind his decision and how everything was handled, claiming what he did is best for the program.

Cold Take: What, exactly, was the punishment here? A stern talking to and recommending that Sark seek treatment. That sounds right about down the middle for any alcohol-related incident at work. Sark was lubed up and got a little loose. Haden acted on it. Everything seems in order. Considering the haven of sin that L.A. can present for some folks, things could’ve been much worse.

Jan 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and wife Shelley Meyer at the national championship celebration at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Urban Meyer Motivational Guru Pt. 394

Story: Urban Meyer made Ohio State students wearing blue do push-ups.

Cold Take: Urb gon’ Urb, yall. At this point, what’s next? Does he go to the Blue Man Group just to heckle? Does he refer to wins as victories, because a W is just an upside down M? Does the Meyer household only recognize four Great Lakes? Give us more, Urb. Give the people what they want.