Radio Tonight

Making another radio appearance tonight (Thursday 10/2) on WUCZ 104.1 FM in Carthage, Tennessee. Scheduled to be on SportsNuts from 7:30 to 8:00 pm eastern time, and you can listen online.

Update: Sorry for those of you who missed me. I didn't realize Carthage was on Central time. My appearance was at 8:30 eastern time. Thanks to John and Jim for a great conversation.

On Wearing Suits

Do you wear a suit to work? I don't, and neither does NBA owner and business maverick Mark Cuban. The business suit use to be a universal requirement, but it's becoming much less common. Cuban talked about his own decision to opt for casual wear in his blog.

Why am I such a suit hater ? I'm not a suit hater, I just could never think of any good reason for any sane person to wear a suit in the first place.

Exactly what purpose does a suit serve ? Why in the world are so many people required to wear a suit to work ? Do the clothes make the man or woman in the western world today ? Does wearing a tie make us work harder or smarter ? Is this a conspiracy by the clothing, fabric or dry cleaning industry to take our money ?

Or are we all just lemmings following a standard we all know makes zero sense, but we follow because we are afraid not to ?

If you are a CEO, are there not better things your employees could spend money on than multiple suits, ties, dress shirts, dress shoes, dress socks, dry cleaning, and all the other associated costs ? Gee, no suits would be the same as giving your employees a tax free raise. Think that might make them happy ? Or do employees consider having to spend money on suits a perk ?

Suits used to be standard attire for NFL coaches on the sidelines, until the league signed a $250 million contract with Reebok mandating that coaches as well as players wear Reebok sportswear exclusively during games. Niners head coach Mike Nolan had to petition the league for the right to wear a suit during games, and it took almost two years to get their permission.

Upcoming Appearances

On Tuesday, I'll be talking about my book and signing copies at the Barnes and Noble on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology. I'll be there from 6:00 to 7:00. if you're in the area, stop by and say hello.

Later that night I'll be making a radio appearance with Papa Joe Chevalier on KLAV 1230 AM out of Las Vegas. You can also listen online. I'll be on around 7:40 eastern time.

Fred Taylor Knocks My Book

My new book has been out for about a month. Yes, I know I'm lousy when it comes to self promotion, but the sales have been strong and the reviews have been very good.

Of all the press I've received, my favorite piece comes from an NFL player who took umbrage at where I had ranked him. Fred Taylor of the Jacksonville Jaguars told a Florida Times-Union reporter that I was crazy for ranking him as only the 35th best running back of all-time.

"Tell that dude I'm one of the top five running backs of all time," Taylor said. "Looking at the caliber of running backs that have played the game, I'm definitely in the top 10. I've got to prove him wrong and make the top 10 before it's all said and done."

USA Today and Gannett have both had good reviews, and the Library Journal -- which reviews new books for librarians to consider purchasing -- gave it a starred review. More details at my website.

The Sun Also Sets

Got word late Wednesday night that the New York Sun will likely cease publication at the end of September. Editor Seth Lipsky explained to staff that despite the critical success the paper has received, the financial challenges appear to be too much to overcome. The newspaper business is suffering a slow death, and the goal of launching a new broadsheet in a city already served by six daily papers was an audacious one. Lipsky's letter to readers offers more details.

I've written hundreds of colums for the Sun since they launched, mostly covering the Jets and Giants. It's been a great experience. I've worked with some great editors, covered a game I love, and had a chance to meet some of the great players and coaches of this generation. I hope to continue writing for the Sun right up until the final edition.