With the release of Hank Haney's book coinciding with the Masters early next month, it's easy to conclude that Tiger Woods' chances of overtaking Jack Nicklaus are now the equal of his chances of becoming a Navy SEAL.
AP fileWhether or not Hank Haney's close observations of Tiger Woods during their coach-player relationship equals accurate psychoanalysis, Haney's book is going to be a hot topic next month in Augusta, says Bud Shaw. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tiger Woods is a book, just not an open one ...
War games are hell?
Two people, one a close friend of Woods, told swing coach Hank Haney that Woods suffered a serious knee injury in 2007 while training with Navy SEALs in a California Kill House that simulated urban combat.
At least that's what Haney recounts in his book, "The Big Miss," coming out just in time for Woods to stare down anyone who asks about it at the Masters.
After his last full eye-roll combat at Doral aimed at a Golf Channel reporter, it's fair to wonder if Woods believes he is practicing some kind of mind control when he locks gazes with non-Navy SEAL candidates in the sporting media. But the questions aren't likely to go away. If the book told of more trysts, suggesting the title referred instead to a particularly tall Las Vegas escort, the curiosity would not be as great.
Since the title refers to the derailing of the most impregnable sports figure of our time, Haney's take on his six years as Woods' swing coach would be interesting if it never went further than Woods' incessant need to change his swing.
The fact that it goes much, much further -- to Woods' fascination with Navy SEAL training and his need to be considered an athlete the equal of those playing other sports -- just adds more intrigue. Was it just an extension of a childhood fantasy? While Michael Jordan dreamed of hitting a major-league curve, Woods wanted to be like Earl, his dad, a Green Beret in two tours of Vietnam?
Haney says Woods participated in several parachute drops each day while training in California. Haney contends Woods told him the SEALs would make an exception for him since the maximum age is 28 (there's still time for Peyton Hillis) and he was already older than that.
"What about [Jack] Nicklaus' record? Don't you care about that?" Haney recalls asking Woods.
"No," Woods replied. "I'm satisfied with what I've done in my career."
As he approaches the first major of the season, Woods might face a question or 10 when he arrives at Augusta National.
The injuries are relevant since his left knee has required four surgeries. In his last tournament, he withdrew with tightness in his left Achilles yet played early this week in the Tavistock Cup, a glorified club championship and charity fund raiser.
Haney's take can't be accepted as gospel since there's some psychoanalysis going on. While quoting Woods saying he didn't care about catching Nicklaus, Haney also says this: "There was more urgency and less fun. He never mentioned Nicklaus' record, but it started to weigh more heavily at every major."
How can that be?
Woods' reaction to Haney's book was about what you'd expect.
"I think it's unprofessional and very disappointing, especially because it's someone I worked with and trusted as a friend," Woods said in January.
It might be all that. But if the world's greatest golfer really did jeopardize golf's greatest record while playing Army, or in this case, Navy, that's going to carry the conversation. At least until Woods wins another major.
And only as long as he doesn't depart via a dropped ladder from a hovering helicopter after accepting the trophy.
Jim Hudelson, Shreveport TimesSean Payton will have plenty of time over the next 12 months to determine how to stay far away from NFL bounty pools. SPINOFFS
The NFL's sledgehammer drop on the New Orleans Saints is an overreaction. But if there's such a thing as an understandable overreaction, it's a league being sued by former players over concussions using the Saints to show they couldn't be more serious about player safety.
Ten years ago the Saints are fined and told to knock it off. But in the current climate they had to see this one coming.
At least that's more than Brett Favre could say ...
Tim Tebow to the Jets supposedly was done in part to improve the culture in the locker room. If everybody involved loves a circus, it'll do just that ...
Maker's Mark will release the 16th edition of its signature charitable bottle series to raise money for charity. This year's bottle will feature the likeness of University of Kentucky football great and Cleveland Browns' quarterback Tim Couch.
If Maker's Mark handles the goods the way the Browns protected Couch, 19,999 of the 20,000 limited edition bottles are in jeopardy ...
Former Cavs' coach Mike Brown was upset with Lakers' center Andrew Bynum for getting ejected Tuesday night. "I was irritated,"said Brown, criticizing the on-court behavior of a star player one more time than he did in five seasons coaching LeBron James ...
Did Lakers players feel the same way? Hard to say. One of the Lakers asked about Bynum losing his cool and hurting his team was Metta World Peace, which is like asking Rex Ryan if he has a problem with braggarts ...
AP photoHe's helped keep his team's wits about them when all others go mad in March. John Elway called Tebow a "great kid"and said, "If I want somebody to marry my daughter it's him."
Just before ensuring it would have to be a long-distance relationship ...
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers and Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden -- Brian Newbacher
Ohio Bobcats' coach John Groce and Jim Furyk -- Gary, Wickliffe
Matt Flynn and Matt Damon -- Al Dadas, Garfield Heights
HE SAID IT
AP fileHe's one of the most consistent, and quietest, of golf's champions. "I want my legacy here to say, "You know what, he was one hell of a football player who gave it his all. I'm truly blessed. I played in three Super Bowls, won two Super Bowls, was Super Bowl MVP. ... What more could a player want out of his entire football career?" -- retiring Steelers' wide receiver Hines Ward.
I guess if you don't get a chance to play in the Browns' version of the West Coast offense, that other stuff will have to do.
HE TWEETED IT
"I get all the breaks. Coming to a dustbin near you my Tebow book on his magical 2011 season: 'Will to Win.'" -- Denver Post writer Mike Klis after the Broncos signed Peyton Manning.
Same thing happened with my Andre Rison book: "Winning the Hearts of Browns' Fans."
YOU SAID IT
(The Expanded Mid-Week Edition)
"Bud:
"Browns' Mike Holmgren says the team will 'stay the course.' What exactly is the course?" -- Tom Hoffner
Given the proficiency on display in 2011, I'd say Advanced String Theory or Abstract Algebra.
"Hey Bud:
"My fortune cookie said, 'You are naive and gullible. You will believe any inane drivel that you read.' Should I believe it? P.S. I LOVE reading your column." -- Neil, Sagamore Hillis
Why do I think your propensity to believe inane drivel and your appreciation for Spin are somehow related?
"Hi Bud:
"The Browns' approach to free agency is like having a car with a blown engine and transmission and deciding to change the tires and wiper blades. Just curious, if you read the Book of Job, does that sound like the life of a Browns fan?" -- Dave Sharron
It's been a while. Refresh my memory. Does Job hear the voice of God on a Seattle radio show?
"Hey Bud:
"If you want to get even more depressed than you already are in reading 'You Said It,' compare Peyton Manning's record his first 13 years with the Browns' 13 years as an expansion team. If the Browns had drafted Peyton, would everyone be asking whatever became of Eli's older brother?" -- Russ
No way. That I could be more depressed than reading "You Said It," I mean.
"Bud:
"Holy cow. Frostee Rucker! Are there any season tickets left?" -- Dan Coughlin
First-time "You Said It" winners do not get playoff tickets from Holmgren, but they do receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.
"Hi Bud:
"When you do writing skill workouts for potential newspaper employers, do you visit their locations or just pick neutral sites?" -- Thomas Jezeski
Repeat winners get nothing, and that's no typo.
"Bud:
"Is the basketball team ruining Ohio's reputation?" -- Joe S
Some repeat winners receive a Breathalyzer.
On Twitter: @budshaw