Count 'Em Up

Canada's Olympic curling trials are nearly done.  The Ron Burgundy appearance went better than I expected.  My apologies to Will Ferrell; I'll go see Anchorman 2 as soon as it comes out.  Well, let's say when it gets to on-demand.  Anyway, watching the curling this week has made me think of the odd aspects of the sport that other sports could benefit from.  So here's my list of "Things other sports should borrow from curling."

More than one game going on at a time. 

If you get stuck watching a meaningless game between incompetent teams, just cast your eyes to the next field over.

Players make up their own teams.

Don't fight with teammates subtly passive-agressive quotes in media. Instead, start your own team and get some real revenge.

Coaches only get involved when they're asked for their input.

Some coaches are entertaining, but most are micromanager control freaks.  It would be better if they were forced to watch from the stands and only intervene when the players are totally perplexed.

Everyone is miked up all the time.

They often have microphones on some of the players in, say, football.  But that's just so they can play sound bites as a montage leading in to a commercial break, but it's usually just inane chatter. I want to hear them argue strategy, so we can finally find out who doesn't really know what they're doing.

Middle-aged super stars.

I find it's easier to cheer for someone when you don't have to resent their youth.

Vic Rauter. 

Lots of commentators know less about the sport than the audience, but only he has the courage to be open about it.

Clock limits time between action, not the action itself.

Think how much better sports would be if there was some limited amount of time for mound visits, soccer throw-ins, etc.

Name the teams after the star players. 

Let's drop the pretence and rename the Denver Broncos as the Peyton Manning Team.