Play defense. Don't have 12 men in the huddle. To a certain extent, I can understand why a lot of fans want the overtime rules to be changed, but don't complain just because your team got knocked out of the playoffs without a chance to even score on offense. Even though I do think that the overtime rule is fair, I have heard some interesting new theories.
What I think would be the best alternative plan would be to just play a full extra 15 minute quarter. Mainly because it is real football. The problem that I have with the college rule, is that you're not playing a true football game. Having to start playing at the 25 yard line? How many times in a game does either team start at the opponents 25? Not only that, after a few possessions if the game is still tied, you have to go for the 2-point conversion. Maybe it's alright for college, but not for the NFL.
Instead of the first one to score, make it, the first team to score 4 points. This means, a team that wins a coin flip, can't just win by moving up the field 30 yards to kick a 45 yard field goal. And if they do, there defense has to stop the other team from scoring a touchdown, and have to be able to do it again.
Either way, the only reason why Vikings' fans are upset over the overtime rule, is because they lost. Sometimes the game doesn't seem fair, but would that have anything to do outcome?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thank You Fergie Jenkins, But Not For Your Steroid Comments
It has been awhile since my last post, and I apologize, I have been busy with another writing project. But I would like to talk to you today about the Mark McGwire apology that happened last week. It has taken me some time to make a conclusion about what McGwire had said. First I thought that it was heartfelt apology, but then he said that he only used it to heal quicker from his injuries. He talked about how much of a relief for him to get this off his back and how bad he felt, but he never apologized to anyone it affected other than himself. Then I read an interview with former Cub pitcher, Fergie Jenkins, and it got me thinking, but about something else.
Jenkins came out this week calling out McGwire on what he did to those pitchers who gave up those home runs. He mentioned about pitchers who might have lost confidence in themselves, or maybe a manager or GM that lost confidence in them.
I agree with Jenkins, to a certain point. Singling out McGwire for causing the problems for a pitcher's confidence is I think is ridiculous. The problem is really about ALL the players who were taking steroids. Of course it is easy to target someone who broke single-season records of Roger Marris and Babe Ruth, but it's not all on him.
Then Jenkins did make a great point, but it wasn't even directly about steroids. Jenkins said, "in my era, Seaver, Gibson, Drysdale, Carlton, there were so many guys that would have probably knocked him on his butt. He wouldn't have hit home runs the way he did in that era". I guess I might be considered old school in my mentality, but I do think a pitcher should be allowed to go inside on batters, even if that means the batter gets hit every now and then. These days, if a batter gets hit, the umpires are giving warnings to both benches way too quickly. Jenkins mentioned that McGwire wouldn't have been able to hit like he did if he was playing in Jenkins' era. But pitchers like Gibson wouldn't be able to pitch like they wanted to if they were playing today.
In the NHL, the league leaves it up to the teams to "warn the other bench". All of the four major American sports used to be like that, but not anymore. I mentioned baseball earlier, but the NBA was at one point the same way. Try telling someone like Jerry Sloan that basketball is a non contact sport. Or try telling quarterbacks that had to face Dick Butkus or Ray Nitschke if they got protected like Tom Brady does, and they'll just laugh in your face.
It sometimes is odd, when someone says some criticism, but makes a more valid point in a seamlessly more innocent comment. So I say thank you Mr. Jenkins for opening my eyes, even if you opened my eyes for something completely different.
Jenkins came out this week calling out McGwire on what he did to those pitchers who gave up those home runs. He mentioned about pitchers who might have lost confidence in themselves, or maybe a manager or GM that lost confidence in them.
I agree with Jenkins, to a certain point. Singling out McGwire for causing the problems for a pitcher's confidence is I think is ridiculous. The problem is really about ALL the players who were taking steroids. Of course it is easy to target someone who broke single-season records of Roger Marris and Babe Ruth, but it's not all on him.
Then Jenkins did make a great point, but it wasn't even directly about steroids. Jenkins said, "in my era, Seaver, Gibson, Drysdale, Carlton, there were so many guys that would have probably knocked him on his butt. He wouldn't have hit home runs the way he did in that era". I guess I might be considered old school in my mentality, but I do think a pitcher should be allowed to go inside on batters, even if that means the batter gets hit every now and then. These days, if a batter gets hit, the umpires are giving warnings to both benches way too quickly. Jenkins mentioned that McGwire wouldn't have been able to hit like he did if he was playing in Jenkins' era. But pitchers like Gibson wouldn't be able to pitch like they wanted to if they were playing today.
In the NHL, the league leaves it up to the teams to "warn the other bench". All of the four major American sports used to be like that, but not anymore. I mentioned baseball earlier, but the NBA was at one point the same way. Try telling someone like Jerry Sloan that basketball is a non contact sport. Or try telling quarterbacks that had to face Dick Butkus or Ray Nitschke if they got protected like Tom Brady does, and they'll just laugh in your face.
It sometimes is odd, when someone says some criticism, but makes a more valid point in a seamlessly more innocent comment. So I say thank you Mr. Jenkins for opening my eyes, even if you opened my eyes for something completely different.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A Few Things On My Mind
Mark Cuban: Please keep your mouth shut. For those who have not heard, Cuban, who is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was upset with the NFL because they scheduled an Eagles - Cowboys game at the same time as a Mavericks game. He is concerned that there will be no-shows for his basketball game that night. I don't think that the NFL have to be too concerned with a meaningless January NBA game.
Gilbert Arenas and the rest of the Washington Wizards: What are you thinking? Gilbert Arenas earlier this year got into a little bit of a tiff with fellow teammate Javaris Crittenton, the tiff then escalated into pulling firearms on each other. Pretty stupid you say? It gets worse. Arenas has been suspended indefinitely by NBA commissioner David Stern, because he was joking about the whole situation and not understanding that this is a very serious offense. Pretty stupid you say? Seriously, it gets even worse. Before the game on Tuesday where the Wizards played against the 76ers, he was pointing at his teammates with his hand in the form of a gun, and his teammates were LAUGHING! I'm glad they find pulling guns out at a fight is hilarious. And I thought there couldn't be anything worse in D.C. than the Redskins.
Lovie Smith: So most of your coaching staff got canned, but you didn't. I can understand the decision (money), but there is only one thing I am going to ask of you, please hire someone that can tell you when to properly throw a challenge flag.
The Blackhawks: Just keep on doing what you're doing. Tonight they were down by two goals early in the game, and came back with four unanswered goals to win. There's absolutely no question that they have loads of talent, but what Joel Quenneville has done with this young Hawk team is just fabulous. What he has done with the goalie situation (last year too), the come-from-behind victories, changing the lines, and managing a team that has only a few players over the age of thirty has to put him in leading contention for the Jack Adams trophy. It hasn't been just the players and coaches, it's also been the management and owners. Rocky Wertz and the two GM's he's had have also done as good of a job with an organization as you can do. They have allowed us to watch every game of the year, brought in some fantastic young talent, and the young talent that they have brought in, for the most part have been signed for years to come. The other sports teams in Chicago can learn a lot from the guys on the ice.
Gilbert Arenas and the rest of the Washington Wizards: What are you thinking? Gilbert Arenas earlier this year got into a little bit of a tiff with fellow teammate Javaris Crittenton, the tiff then escalated into pulling firearms on each other. Pretty stupid you say? It gets worse. Arenas has been suspended indefinitely by NBA commissioner David Stern, because he was joking about the whole situation and not understanding that this is a very serious offense. Pretty stupid you say? Seriously, it gets even worse. Before the game on Tuesday where the Wizards played against the 76ers, he was pointing at his teammates with his hand in the form of a gun, and his teammates were LAUGHING! I'm glad they find pulling guns out at a fight is hilarious. And I thought there couldn't be anything worse in D.C. than the Redskins.
Lovie Smith: So most of your coaching staff got canned, but you didn't. I can understand the decision (money), but there is only one thing I am going to ask of you, please hire someone that can tell you when to properly throw a challenge flag.
The Blackhawks: Just keep on doing what you're doing. Tonight they were down by two goals early in the game, and came back with four unanswered goals to win. There's absolutely no question that they have loads of talent, but what Joel Quenneville has done with this young Hawk team is just fabulous. What he has done with the goalie situation (last year too), the come-from-behind victories, changing the lines, and managing a team that has only a few players over the age of thirty has to put him in leading contention for the Jack Adams trophy. It hasn't been just the players and coaches, it's also been the management and owners. Rocky Wertz and the two GM's he's had have also done as good of a job with an organization as you can do. They have allowed us to watch every game of the year, brought in some fantastic young talent, and the young talent that they have brought in, for the most part have been signed for years to come. The other sports teams in Chicago can learn a lot from the guys on the ice.
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Best New Years Day Tradition: The Winter Classic
Once again I set my alarm to Noon this morning so I can struggle to wake up and watch the annual NHL outdoor game. So far, the three games that have been dubbed "The Winter Classic" have been great games to watch.
The first year allowed us to watch Buffalo's Ryan Miller (who was just named the starting goalie for the U.S. Olympic team) losing in a shootout battle with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, arguable the most talented player in hockey. Last year we saw what I believe to be the best rivalry in hockey, in the Blackhawks and Red Wings, play in historic Wrigley Field. In today's game, Boston had a come from behind overtime victory over foe Philadelphia in another historic stadium, Fenway Park. So far the NHL is three-for-three in entertaining and memorable Winter Classic games.
It's fun to watch, even if you are not as avid of a hockey fan as I am. Seeing grown men playing a game that they love, in an environment like what they were used to playing in as a kid, is always enjoyable. For a lot of the players, especially in Canada, playing pond hockey is a major part of their childhood. And like when they were growing up, they were wearing their long-johns and hand warmers. Even a few of the players had put on some eye black to remove the glare from the lights.
There are plenty of reasons for the success of the Winter Classic, I think the main one is that the teams they have facing each other are not just good rivals, but are geographically close. That allows the fans of the visiting team to be able represent in large numbers. It also helps that all the games have been close too.
The only thing about this event that scares me, is that the NHL is pondering having a second outdoor game on New Years. Part of what makes this so special, is the hype that gets built around that ONE city. It's like the allstar game, everyone will have a shot at it at some point (even the warmer weather cities).
I believe when hockey starts becoming a more popular sport, the Winter Classic is going to be as a big of a deal as the Bowl games that it is competing against. That may take awhile, but I'll be there watching all of them.
The first year allowed us to watch Buffalo's Ryan Miller (who was just named the starting goalie for the U.S. Olympic team) losing in a shootout battle with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, arguable the most talented player in hockey. Last year we saw what I believe to be the best rivalry in hockey, in the Blackhawks and Red Wings, play in historic Wrigley Field. In today's game, Boston had a come from behind overtime victory over foe Philadelphia in another historic stadium, Fenway Park. So far the NHL is three-for-three in entertaining and memorable Winter Classic games.
It's fun to watch, even if you are not as avid of a hockey fan as I am. Seeing grown men playing a game that they love, in an environment like what they were used to playing in as a kid, is always enjoyable. For a lot of the players, especially in Canada, playing pond hockey is a major part of their childhood. And like when they were growing up, they were wearing their long-johns and hand warmers. Even a few of the players had put on some eye black to remove the glare from the lights.
There are plenty of reasons for the success of the Winter Classic, I think the main one is that the teams they have facing each other are not just good rivals, but are geographically close. That allows the fans of the visiting team to be able represent in large numbers. It also helps that all the games have been close too.
The only thing about this event that scares me, is that the NHL is pondering having a second outdoor game on New Years. Part of what makes this so special, is the hype that gets built around that ONE city. It's like the allstar game, everyone will have a shot at it at some point (even the warmer weather cities).
I believe when hockey starts becoming a more popular sport, the Winter Classic is going to be as a big of a deal as the Bowl games that it is competing against. That may take awhile, but I'll be there watching all of them.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Why is Lovie Smith driving me nuts?
How come Lovie Smith does not know how to challenge? Lovie Smith has been the head coach for five and a half seasons with the Bears, and still does not know how to throw a red flag. Most recently, when the Bears hosted the over-achieving Packers, Lovie spent a timeout to have his coordinators review a possible Greg Olsen catch. Unfortunately for the Bears, Lovie decided to throw the challenge flag right after the timeout was over, and risk losing another timeout to challenge the incomplete pass. In doing so, which was obvious to I think most fans watching the game (including Thom Brenhaman and Brian Billick, the two annoucers) that it was indeed an incomplete pass.
If I were the head coach, which won't happen in the near future, I would have thrown the red flag too. The difference would be that I would have thrown it right away. I can understand when coaches throw the challenge flag knowing full well that it will probably get denied, but in the small chance that it goes your way, it pays off well.
Although, when you have already spent a timeout, and then are willing to risk another within seconds, you're playing with some fire. For those who did not see the game, (whether it was out of pure disguest for watching our "B" football team, or you found something better to do, like watching a Paully Shore movie), you're lucky.
As a lifelong Bear fan, it drove me absolutely insane. As a head coach, along with your coordinaters in the box, you're expected to know the rules. When a player makes a catch but loses the ball before he hits the ground, it's an incomplete pass! I still can't figure out why the Bears coaching staff cannot figure this out. Two weeks ago, Johnny Know fumbled a ball on a kick-off return. Everyone who saw the fumble knew that it was a fumble, yet Lovie still decided to throw a red flag. Even a novice football fan knew that it was a ligitamate fumble, yet the flag was still thrown.
I think that Sunday's game might have been the final dagger for Lovie. If it isn't, we are going to have to go through a tough lame duck season of bad play-calling, bad challenges, and a gross mismanagement of player personnel. Bear Down!
If I were the head coach, which won't happen in the near future, I would have thrown the red flag too. The difference would be that I would have thrown it right away. I can understand when coaches throw the challenge flag knowing full well that it will probably get denied, but in the small chance that it goes your way, it pays off well.
Although, when you have already spent a timeout, and then are willing to risk another within seconds, you're playing with some fire. For those who did not see the game, (whether it was out of pure disguest for watching our "B" football team, or you found something better to do, like watching a Paully Shore movie), you're lucky.
As a lifelong Bear fan, it drove me absolutely insane. As a head coach, along with your coordinaters in the box, you're expected to know the rules. When a player makes a catch but loses the ball before he hits the ground, it's an incomplete pass! I still can't figure out why the Bears coaching staff cannot figure this out. Two weeks ago, Johnny Know fumbled a ball on a kick-off return. Everyone who saw the fumble knew that it was a fumble, yet Lovie still decided to throw a red flag. Even a novice football fan knew that it was a ligitamate fumble, yet the flag was still thrown.
I think that Sunday's game might have been the final dagger for Lovie. If it isn't, we are going to have to go through a tough lame duck season of bad play-calling, bad challenges, and a gross mismanagement of player personnel. Bear Down!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Notre Dame refusing to go to a bowl game?
I have just recently read an article in the Chicago Tribune about how Notre Dame is essentially refusing to play in a bowl game. Since the departure of coach Charlie Wies, the players have had the choice of playing in a minor bowl game, or not playing at all. Apparently, playing in the Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit or the Jan. 6 GMAC Bowl in Mobile is not good enough for Notre Dame standards.
I am not a Notre Dame fan, but I do enjoy when they put up a good record. I also like watching players like Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen. It makes it fun to root against them, even though I respect their program.
I did though have a problem with the players coming to an agreement that they are going to refuse to go to a bowl game. Who do these players think they are? They are not in a position to be denying a bowl game that they think they are too good for.
The Irish are 6-6, not a good record, but technically it allows them to be eligible for a bowl game. Which in my opinion is already a sham. Other than their win against Hawaii in the Hawaii bowl last year, they had not won a bowl game since 1994 in the Cotton Bowl. Notre Dame is an elite organization, they always will be, but they are hardly an elite team now.
I do hope that when they do find a new coach, he teaches his players not to be above the game. Knowing Notre Dame, I'm sure that's not going to happen.
I am not a Notre Dame fan, but I do enjoy when they put up a good record. I also like watching players like Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen. It makes it fun to root against them, even though I respect their program.
I did though have a problem with the players coming to an agreement that they are going to refuse to go to a bowl game. Who do these players think they are? They are not in a position to be denying a bowl game that they think they are too good for.
The Irish are 6-6, not a good record, but technically it allows them to be eligible for a bowl game. Which in my opinion is already a sham. Other than their win against Hawaii in the Hawaii bowl last year, they had not won a bowl game since 1994 in the Cotton Bowl. Notre Dame is an elite organization, they always will be, but they are hardly an elite team now.
I do hope that when they do find a new coach, he teaches his players not to be above the game. Knowing Notre Dame, I'm sure that's not going to happen.
Monday, November 30, 2009
And the award for biggest idiot of 2009 is...
Keith Ballard, when he hit Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vocoun. That might not seem like such a big deal, because everyone gets hit in hockey. The main difference between this hit and others, is that Ballard plays for the Panthers too, and it was with his own stick! Check out the video.
On Monday night, the Panthers played against the Atlanta Thrashers on what I am sure was thought to have been a normal game. In a tie game Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk scored a go-ahead breakaway goal against Vocoun with Ballard trailing not too far behind Kovalchuk. In pure frustration after the goal was scored, Ballard whacked the goal post with his stick, a practice that is not exactly disciplined by the NHL, or any individual teams for that matter. In doing so, Ballard managed to clip the side of the head of his own goaltender, knocking him to the ground in obvious pain. Vocoun then left the game minutes later on a stretcher.
This play is up on the same scale as when Gus Ferotte of the Washington Redskins celebrated a touchdown by slamming his own head into the wall and injuring himself. That bonehead play essentially ended his career that had some promise.
I have wondered for a long time how incidents like these have not happened more often. When I see a football player score a touchdown, then follow it by doing a back flip, I cannot believe that their head coaches do not tell them it is a bad idea. Or when a hockey player scores a goal and celebrates by jumping into the corner board a la Alexander Ovechkin. I would think that there are less risky ways to celebrate. Maybe I'm just old skool.
The only thing that we can hope for now is that Tomas Voucoun is healthy and that he has a quick return to the ice. And that Ballard finds a better way to let out his frustration.
On Monday night, the Panthers played against the Atlanta Thrashers on what I am sure was thought to have been a normal game. In a tie game Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk scored a go-ahead breakaway goal against Vocoun with Ballard trailing not too far behind Kovalchuk. In pure frustration after the goal was scored, Ballard whacked the goal post with his stick, a practice that is not exactly disciplined by the NHL, or any individual teams for that matter. In doing so, Ballard managed to clip the side of the head of his own goaltender, knocking him to the ground in obvious pain. Vocoun then left the game minutes later on a stretcher.
This play is up on the same scale as when Gus Ferotte of the Washington Redskins celebrated a touchdown by slamming his own head into the wall and injuring himself. That bonehead play essentially ended his career that had some promise.
I have wondered for a long time how incidents like these have not happened more often. When I see a football player score a touchdown, then follow it by doing a back flip, I cannot believe that their head coaches do not tell them it is a bad idea. Or when a hockey player scores a goal and celebrates by jumping into the corner board a la Alexander Ovechkin. I would think that there are less risky ways to celebrate. Maybe I'm just old skool.
The only thing that we can hope for now is that Tomas Voucoun is healthy and that he has a quick return to the ice. And that Ballard finds a better way to let out his frustration.
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