I've always been of the opinion that support should be earned, not expected. In the case of a university football team and its fans, there is a certain return that every fan expects out of their team every year, something to make it all worth it.
It has been no secret that the Chips have struggled recently, I myself have watched them reach the pinnacle of success just 3 years ago as a freshman and have seen the team plummet to two straight 3-9 seasons since. However, this latest offseason brought about a new sense of hope in the program and fan base. The team was blessed with a very favorable schedule, seven home games at Kelly/Shorts and the chance to upset Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State in front of thousands of loyal fans just dying to see things as they once were. Then the university ponied up money for brand new uniforms to further excite players and fans about what this season held in store.
Indeed, with all this excitement in the air, as well as returning many players from last years team,and with the State game looming so close, everyone viewed last nights' game against FCS school Southeast Missouri State as an easy tune up game for the Spartans.
This one got messy.
In front of a mass of excited students and alumni, the Chips came out very flat and quickly got behind early. Students stood open mouthed in disbelief as the Redhawks dominated early on the ground, running up a 24 point lead on the Chips with 7 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. The Chips had no real trouble moving the ball on the ground, with running backs Zurlon Tipton and Anthony Garland running wild through the Redhawks early. However, a fumble and a bad interception by three year starter Ryan Radcliffe killed two promising Central drives and gave the Redhawks momentum heading into half.
Fortunately for the Chippewa's, the offense seemed to gain new life after the Redhawks stretched the lead to 14, and with less than seven minutes to go they were able to put two quick touchdowns on the board, using the run game almost exclusively and with a little help from the CMU defense in forcing a three and out.
Watching attentively from the stands, my main concern coming out from half was that the team might squander the momentum and come out flat out of the locker room, but in the third quarter the Chips started to really tighten up the defense and shrink the field for Redhawks freshman quarterback Scott Lathrop. After dominating possession in the first half, the Redhawks only managed a field goal after the break, and CMU scored twice more, once a Tipton scoring run and the other a wide open touchdown pass from Radcliffe to seal the win in the season opener.
While certainly not the easy game that many expected it to be, there were some good things to take away from the game as well as some bad things. Lets break down each part of the team and their performance yesterday.
Offense: A-
While the offense wasn't able to get CMU a lead early, they had a field day with the Redhawks defense, especially on the ground, where the Chips racked up 324 yards with a 7.2 YPC average and several scores. Senior quarterback Ryan Radcliffe was admittedly shakier than I had hoped he would be, and the early interception had many fans thinking back to last season all over again. He made some good plays under pressure and avoiding sacks, yet also missed easy plays where he had plenty of time to get off a good throw.
Defense: B+
Arguably the Chippewa's biggest weakness on paper, the defense had some bright spots yesterday, but overall gave up too many points to a weak football program and also struggled to stop 3rd down conversions. Additionally, the Chips continue to struggle to get ample pressure on the opposing quarterback, as Lathrop had a pretty easy time in the pocket on the night. The tackling looks solid, and the defense is far form porous, but they might have a tough time with some of the bigger schools on the schedule.
Special Teams: B+
Didn't we have an issue with field goals once? Well, whatever that was, it seems to be gone, as David Harman knocked in a short field goal early and was perfect on his extra point attempts on the night. Going back to last season, Harman provides the Chippewas with a suitable kicker who can be relied upon in clutch situations. Our kick return team struggled to give the offense decent field position all night, as we would've been better off kneeling almost every return considering where we ended up. The blocking needs to improve in this unit.
Play Calling: B+
I'm not going to pretend I'm a coach. I'm not going to pretend I know more than Dan Enos. In my opinion he picked a safe, solid strategy last night, exploited the opponents weakness on the ground and it worked for us. Some would say we were to predictable, and that this might hurt us later in the season. While that is hard to say, I definitely feel like Radcliffe needs to take the reins and do something with this team for his final season, and Enos should have the confidence in his quarterback to air out the football and spread the defense.
Concessions: A+
Facing an increased amount of student attendance, the concessions crew seemed to really step up their game early and often, giving a promising image of what we should be able to expect this season.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Safety and Discipline in the National Football League
How much longer is this league even going to be watchable?
Seriously though, with the way the league has tightened its grip on the game over the past few years I know I'm not alone in wondering that. We might be one or two seasons away from just dressing up all the players in those fat sumo suits and just playing that way. Better yet, lets take out the artificial turf and just have those guys play in giant ass ball pits.
Fans of this game have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of safety oriented rules and policies in the NFL as part of a push by the governing body to reduce injuries to players. These actions come on the heels of the puzzling early deaths of several former players through self inflicted wounds. These deaths, as well as an all around general increase in nasty injuries, has got the league in panic mode, and so the commissioner turned to the one true friend he could count on; more rules.
Now I'm not saying I'm a fan on terrible injuries, and I certainly don't support the suicides of former players. It is very unfortunate that they passed and further still that people must, in a way, argue against these new rules and, in a way, against these fallen players.
However, the integrity of the game DOES NOT need to suffer simply because of these recent deaths and injuries. Recent rule changes have directly changed how players hit, how they play the game, and even what they wear. And we are still not done, as leg and knee pads appear to be on the way as well. (Insert my earlier proposition about the sumo suits)
So how can the game be made safer? Players are getting stronger, bigger and faster every year and we keep pushing the limits of what is "typical" size in all levels of football. You can't keep them from getting faster, thats something that most players are born with. You could theoretically try and control the amount of lifting and other training that players do, but that is also pretty flimsy at best. No, I would say the best bet is looking to restrict player size in the NFL, dependent on position.
Think about it for a second. Do we really need linemen to be pushing 350, 400? If a lineman ends up being smaller, then would we NEED a 215 pound quarterback? How about a 200 pound "jackhammer" back? Guys did not weight this much in the NFL of the olden days, and they got along just fine. Also, they were some of the toughest sons a bitches you would've known. There were hard hits, little to no pads or protection and it was, by all accounts, entertaining. Slowly but surely the weights of players has grown across the board and it is what I would say is the first and foremost reason for increased injuries.
Football can be played perfectly fine by 200 pound linemen, 180 pound backs and with a scrawny little guy with a big arm under center. With more room on the field not occupied by big bodies, it would force players to rely on their general athleticism more than cutoff angles. The game would focus less on pure power and more on agility, quickness and decision making. I, for one, think it would be highly entertaining.
So lets shift our focus to the other half of this equation. If players continue to play aggressively and hit in ways the league frowns upon, they will get fined. Probably a good $5,000-$75,000, for a first time offense, and the sky is the limit after that. Wear the wrong color helmet strap, per league rules? $5,000. Wear different shoes than the NFL rules mandate (even if they match team colors impeccably) $10,000.
And last but not least, if you are accused of putting bounties on other players during games, how about you sit the whole season. Think these punishments are fair? Maybe, maybe not. But if you would see this list, know that it stretches out in other equally ridiculous places and have an issue with that, then let me buy you a beer, we're gonna be friends.
The NFL has made it clear that the current focus of the league is player safety, and as such, they are penalizing what they call "dangerous" plays, which in turn has greatly enraged some defensive players (I'm speaking about you, James Harrison) and has got them up in arms about how they are able to play in the current NFL. Frankly, I'm tempted to agree with them, given the current rules. The NFL has instituted what is sometimes referred to as a "hotfix" in the video game world and I'm gonna apply it here. It is a small, quick fix but not a long term solution. The league champions player safety yet the current safety rules protect only offensive players such as the quarterback, defenseless receivers and returners. Meanwhile, instead of determining how to make things even, they have instead focused on penalizing fashion, social media use and attendance at nightclubs.
Which brings me to my next point. Who here knows Dez Bryant? Are you raising your hand? You shouldn't be, because you probably look weird raising your hand at a computer for no reason. For anyone who doesn't know my man Dez, they should know that he is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, one of the more wealthy, symbolic and, as of late, carnival like teams in the NFL.
Well, suffice it to say, Dez didn't have a wonderful childhood. This has in turn led him to engage in some questionable behaviors since joining the NFL, and that has got the Cowboys worried. So they did what any sports parent organization would do, and they grounded Dez Bryant. Well, they didn't use that term exactly, but they did release a list of rules that Dez must follow while he is a member of the organization. While on the proverbial "leash", Dez cannot drink alcohol, attend strip clubs and essentially walks around with at least one babysitting security guard at all times. I'm gonna be honest, that sounds like probation.
In addition to be hilariously funny to me, it also got me thinking about where the line is drawn on team discipline. Now, word is, Dez is intent on following the rules, but if he weren't, then what? He is getting paid well and the team has obviously invested heavily in him, but this raises a clear question of how much are NFL teams willing to take from their players before its so long sucka, have fun in the Canadian Sumo Football League.
Seriously though, with the way the league has tightened its grip on the game over the past few years I know I'm not alone in wondering that. We might be one or two seasons away from just dressing up all the players in those fat sumo suits and just playing that way. Better yet, lets take out the artificial turf and just have those guys play in giant ass ball pits.
Fans of this game have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of safety oriented rules and policies in the NFL as part of a push by the governing body to reduce injuries to players. These actions come on the heels of the puzzling early deaths of several former players through self inflicted wounds. These deaths, as well as an all around general increase in nasty injuries, has got the league in panic mode, and so the commissioner turned to the one true friend he could count on; more rules.
Now I'm not saying I'm a fan on terrible injuries, and I certainly don't support the suicides of former players. It is very unfortunate that they passed and further still that people must, in a way, argue against these new rules and, in a way, against these fallen players.
However, the integrity of the game DOES NOT need to suffer simply because of these recent deaths and injuries. Recent rule changes have directly changed how players hit, how they play the game, and even what they wear. And we are still not done, as leg and knee pads appear to be on the way as well. (Insert my earlier proposition about the sumo suits)
So how can the game be made safer? Players are getting stronger, bigger and faster every year and we keep pushing the limits of what is "typical" size in all levels of football. You can't keep them from getting faster, thats something that most players are born with. You could theoretically try and control the amount of lifting and other training that players do, but that is also pretty flimsy at best. No, I would say the best bet is looking to restrict player size in the NFL, dependent on position.
Think about it for a second. Do we really need linemen to be pushing 350, 400? If a lineman ends up being smaller, then would we NEED a 215 pound quarterback? How about a 200 pound "jackhammer" back? Guys did not weight this much in the NFL of the olden days, and they got along just fine. Also, they were some of the toughest sons a bitches you would've known. There were hard hits, little to no pads or protection and it was, by all accounts, entertaining. Slowly but surely the weights of players has grown across the board and it is what I would say is the first and foremost reason for increased injuries.
Football can be played perfectly fine by 200 pound linemen, 180 pound backs and with a scrawny little guy with a big arm under center. With more room on the field not occupied by big bodies, it would force players to rely on their general athleticism more than cutoff angles. The game would focus less on pure power and more on agility, quickness and decision making. I, for one, think it would be highly entertaining.
So lets shift our focus to the other half of this equation. If players continue to play aggressively and hit in ways the league frowns upon, they will get fined. Probably a good $5,000-$75,000, for a first time offense, and the sky is the limit after that. Wear the wrong color helmet strap, per league rules? $5,000. Wear different shoes than the NFL rules mandate (even if they match team colors impeccably) $10,000.
And last but not least, if you are accused of putting bounties on other players during games, how about you sit the whole season. Think these punishments are fair? Maybe, maybe not. But if you would see this list, know that it stretches out in other equally ridiculous places and have an issue with that, then let me buy you a beer, we're gonna be friends.
The NFL has made it clear that the current focus of the league is player safety, and as such, they are penalizing what they call "dangerous" plays, which in turn has greatly enraged some defensive players (I'm speaking about you, James Harrison) and has got them up in arms about how they are able to play in the current NFL. Frankly, I'm tempted to agree with them, given the current rules. The NFL has instituted what is sometimes referred to as a "hotfix" in the video game world and I'm gonna apply it here. It is a small, quick fix but not a long term solution. The league champions player safety yet the current safety rules protect only offensive players such as the quarterback, defenseless receivers and returners. Meanwhile, instead of determining how to make things even, they have instead focused on penalizing fashion, social media use and attendance at nightclubs.
Which brings me to my next point. Who here knows Dez Bryant? Are you raising your hand? You shouldn't be, because you probably look weird raising your hand at a computer for no reason. For anyone who doesn't know my man Dez, they should know that he is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, one of the more wealthy, symbolic and, as of late, carnival like teams in the NFL.
Well, suffice it to say, Dez didn't have a wonderful childhood. This has in turn led him to engage in some questionable behaviors since joining the NFL, and that has got the Cowboys worried. So they did what any sports parent organization would do, and they grounded Dez Bryant. Well, they didn't use that term exactly, but they did release a list of rules that Dez must follow while he is a member of the organization. While on the proverbial "leash", Dez cannot drink alcohol, attend strip clubs and essentially walks around with at least one babysitting security guard at all times. I'm gonna be honest, that sounds like probation.
In addition to be hilariously funny to me, it also got me thinking about where the line is drawn on team discipline. Now, word is, Dez is intent on following the rules, but if he weren't, then what? He is getting paid well and the team has obviously invested heavily in him, but this raises a clear question of how much are NFL teams willing to take from their players before its so long sucka, have fun in the Canadian Sumo Football League.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Why It's Now Time for the LeBron Hate to Stop
Sports fans have always polarized on big issues in sport, and so it comes as no surprise that when the topic is LeBron James, it basically stands that you either love him or you hate him. On polls of the public's least favorite athletes, he is a guaranteed lock in the top 10, and normally is in the top 5 as well. Is this okay? Has LeBron James really done that much bad that people have a valid reason to hate him after 9 seasons in the league?
No. He hasn't.
Think about the top reasons LeBron James is hated. "The Decision" is probably atop most people's lists of reasons he is hated. They say that by announcing his move to Miami he came off as arrogant, immature and self-absorbed in betraying the city of Cleveland. I can agree with some of those points, and I think later on down the road, he will agree that "The Decision" was not a good idea, and he *gasp! might even apologize for it. Regardless of whether he feels about it years from now, the point I'm trying to make is that it is no longer reasonable to hold that against him. Basketball fans in Cleveland, of all places, have even begun to forgive him because, guess what, they understand the concept of forgiving others for their mistakes. Here's a city that became the epicenter of hate for LeBron James. A city that took down, bowed up or threw out every reference to "the King" within a matter of weeks, and where citizens cursed his name in everyday conversation. I truly understood and sympathized with the way those fans lost their luster that day, but I could not fault LeBron, as some did, for wanting to leave.
It wasn't a matter of "they didn't try to help him" in Cleveland, because they did. He essentially had the run of the front office, had a suitable, not great, but suitable coach, and had an empire built on legions of inspired fans.
But it wasn't going to happen there.
LeBron saw it.
So he left. He announced his decision to leave Miami, and the sports world polarized in an instant, either you hated him or you didn't.
So why do you hate LeBron? You might say he's a bit cocky, or arrogant. Sure, I'll give you that. He's the best player in the league, you can't hate him for knowing that in his head. He still isn't the cockiest player in the league, he doesn't taunt his opponents (KG), or talk trash on the court. Do you hate him because you think he took a backseat in the Finals last year? It isn't behavior you want to see out of your star player, but it's not something you can hate somebody for. Do you hate him for assembling a super team in free agency to wipe the floor with everyone else and go undefeated like the media says they will?! Did that pan out how it sounded like it would?
Why is it still okay to hate a man who has done so little wrong? Are we as fans truly going to condemn him for "The Decision" but forgive and forget the countless players in all professional sports who have been found guilty of DUI's, gun charges, assaults and even rape?
On the court, Lebron is a leader and a team player. He gets teammates involved and many teammates have come out in support of him as a player and a leader. Off the court, he is unselfish as well, evidenced by his willingness to take a pay cut to make the Big Three happen in Miami.
So what possible reason could you have to hate LeBron?
He's a father of two young boys, married to his high school sweetheart. He was raised by his mother after his father walked out, and his success after a childhood like that is normally something society praises. He doesn't mess around at nightclubs or with other vices, and remains of the more well behaved high profile athletes in professional sports.
Whether you love him or hate him, I can't make you do anything. I can only encourage you to look at the reasons why you hate him and decide whether the energy you devote to hating him is really that deserved. The truth is, LeBron is not a bad individual, on or off the court, and the time for hating him for his past transgressions is over. Forgive his "Decision" and make your own.
No. He hasn't.
Think about the top reasons LeBron James is hated. "The Decision" is probably atop most people's lists of reasons he is hated. They say that by announcing his move to Miami he came off as arrogant, immature and self-absorbed in betraying the city of Cleveland. I can agree with some of those points, and I think later on down the road, he will agree that "The Decision" was not a good idea, and he *gasp! might even apologize for it. Regardless of whether he feels about it years from now, the point I'm trying to make is that it is no longer reasonable to hold that against him. Basketball fans in Cleveland, of all places, have even begun to forgive him because, guess what, they understand the concept of forgiving others for their mistakes. Here's a city that became the epicenter of hate for LeBron James. A city that took down, bowed up or threw out every reference to "the King" within a matter of weeks, and where citizens cursed his name in everyday conversation. I truly understood and sympathized with the way those fans lost their luster that day, but I could not fault LeBron, as some did, for wanting to leave.
It wasn't a matter of "they didn't try to help him" in Cleveland, because they did. He essentially had the run of the front office, had a suitable, not great, but suitable coach, and had an empire built on legions of inspired fans.
But it wasn't going to happen there.
LeBron saw it.
So he left. He announced his decision to leave Miami, and the sports world polarized in an instant, either you hated him or you didn't.
So why do you hate LeBron? You might say he's a bit cocky, or arrogant. Sure, I'll give you that. He's the best player in the league, you can't hate him for knowing that in his head. He still isn't the cockiest player in the league, he doesn't taunt his opponents (KG), or talk trash on the court. Do you hate him because you think he took a backseat in the Finals last year? It isn't behavior you want to see out of your star player, but it's not something you can hate somebody for. Do you hate him for assembling a super team in free agency to wipe the floor with everyone else and go undefeated like the media says they will?! Did that pan out how it sounded like it would?
Why is it still okay to hate a man who has done so little wrong? Are we as fans truly going to condemn him for "The Decision" but forgive and forget the countless players in all professional sports who have been found guilty of DUI's, gun charges, assaults and even rape?
On the court, Lebron is a leader and a team player. He gets teammates involved and many teammates have come out in support of him as a player and a leader. Off the court, he is unselfish as well, evidenced by his willingness to take a pay cut to make the Big Three happen in Miami.
So what possible reason could you have to hate LeBron?
He's a father of two young boys, married to his high school sweetheart. He was raised by his mother after his father walked out, and his success after a childhood like that is normally something society praises. He doesn't mess around at nightclubs or with other vices, and remains of the more well behaved high profile athletes in professional sports.
Whether you love him or hate him, I can't make you do anything. I can only encourage you to look at the reasons why you hate him and decide whether the energy you devote to hating him is really that deserved. The truth is, LeBron is not a bad individual, on or off the court, and the time for hating him for his past transgressions is over. Forgive his "Decision" and make your own.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Tim Tebow: The Unintended Cancer
Terrell Owens. Adam "Pacman" Jones. Chad Ochocinco .
These players are just a sample of a select group of NFL players that have at one point been referred to as a cancer to their team. These "cancers" are players that hold a team down through one or more factors such as an attitude problem, poor work ethic or a negative public image.
So how could Tim Tebow possibly be grouped in with these players? He has a stellar attitude and work ethic, and he couldn't be more well liked by the media and fans. He is a proven winner and leader, and is a pure and chaste individual who is very proud of his Christianity.
So what is wrong with Tim Tebow?
I don't want Tim Tebow on my team. Even as a GM or coach, I would still feel this way about him, and its for a very specific reason. Tim Tebow, for all his popularity and glamor, has found a way to be a monumental distraction in what has been a relatively short NFL career. It is unfortunate, because for the most part, it's not his fault. He can't control the media, what they say about him or what they write. Every statement he makes is scrutinized by thousands of fans, analysts and players, and that sort of exposure can be dangerous. His career in Denver quickly became a media circus, resulting in him basically leapfrogging Brady Quinn on the depth chart and then winning him the starting job over Kyle Orton, a proven capable quarterback, without ever having earned the role based on performance.
Tim Tebow gained a lot of respect in the league for his morals and his devotion to the fundamental details of football. His poor statistical performances, even in games that Denver won, were overshadowed by the pure media hype that TIM TEBOW won again, and that the kid was a winner, a saint, a Pro Bowler and just about everything else but a decent quarterback. John Elway repeatedly stood behind Tebow and praised his ability to lead the team. Confident as they seemed that they had found their franchise quarterback, Denver nonetheless won the Peyton Manning sweepstakes and Tim Tebow's time in the Mile High was done.
So now Tebow finds himself in New York, with the Jets, of all teams. All of the leagues biggest ego's, all in one place, and they still haven't found a way to co-exist. And above all of the Jet's current issues stands one huge powder keg just waiting for Tim Tebow to land smack dab in. They have a hard knocks, no bullshit coach who likes to tell it how it is and speak plainly. They have a diva wide receiver who decides when and how much he wants to practice. They have an immensely talented D that under performs in a vast majority of their games. They are in limbo in what is quickly becoming one of the toughest divisions in the league and to top it all off, they have issues with incumbent QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez, a frequent target of criticism from fans and his coach alike during his tenure with the Jets, has been left to consider how quickly he can ( and will) lose his job to fan favorite Tim Tebow if he so much as flirts with slumping play.
This is the Tim Tebow situation. Tim is used to getting what he wants, and he gets it without begging or complaining or even earning it in some cases. His fatal flaw as an NFL player is not his statistical shortcomings, as we have seen before that stats do not always translate to wins and vice versa. His flaw is that he attracts too much attention to himself and his team, and this in turn puts pressure on the front office to make him relevant in any way possible. Even his recent placement on the punt coverage team made national news.
It is regrettable to group Tebow in with other troubled players, because he suffers from none of the transgressions of other players.However, if he is to truly succeed in the NFL, it will require him to find a balance between being the player everyone loves and the player who does right by his team.
Tebow is a rare breed in the NFL, one of the few players who work hard, pray hard, keep their vices down and cherish the game. He deserves a better legacy than a distraction and I think in time, he will see that the true road to success in the NFL is done out on the field and not on camera.
These players are just a sample of a select group of NFL players that have at one point been referred to as a cancer to their team. These "cancers" are players that hold a team down through one or more factors such as an attitude problem, poor work ethic or a negative public image.
So how could Tim Tebow possibly be grouped in with these players? He has a stellar attitude and work ethic, and he couldn't be more well liked by the media and fans. He is a proven winner and leader, and is a pure and chaste individual who is very proud of his Christianity.
So what is wrong with Tim Tebow?
I don't want Tim Tebow on my team. Even as a GM or coach, I would still feel this way about him, and its for a very specific reason. Tim Tebow, for all his popularity and glamor, has found a way to be a monumental distraction in what has been a relatively short NFL career. It is unfortunate, because for the most part, it's not his fault. He can't control the media, what they say about him or what they write. Every statement he makes is scrutinized by thousands of fans, analysts and players, and that sort of exposure can be dangerous. His career in Denver quickly became a media circus, resulting in him basically leapfrogging Brady Quinn on the depth chart and then winning him the starting job over Kyle Orton, a proven capable quarterback, without ever having earned the role based on performance.
Tim Tebow gained a lot of respect in the league for his morals and his devotion to the fundamental details of football. His poor statistical performances, even in games that Denver won, were overshadowed by the pure media hype that TIM TEBOW won again, and that the kid was a winner, a saint, a Pro Bowler and just about everything else but a decent quarterback. John Elway repeatedly stood behind Tebow and praised his ability to lead the team. Confident as they seemed that they had found their franchise quarterback, Denver nonetheless won the Peyton Manning sweepstakes and Tim Tebow's time in the Mile High was done.
So now Tebow finds himself in New York, with the Jets, of all teams. All of the leagues biggest ego's, all in one place, and they still haven't found a way to co-exist. And above all of the Jet's current issues stands one huge powder keg just waiting for Tim Tebow to land smack dab in. They have a hard knocks, no bullshit coach who likes to tell it how it is and speak plainly. They have a diva wide receiver who decides when and how much he wants to practice. They have an immensely talented D that under performs in a vast majority of their games. They are in limbo in what is quickly becoming one of the toughest divisions in the league and to top it all off, they have issues with incumbent QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez, a frequent target of criticism from fans and his coach alike during his tenure with the Jets, has been left to consider how quickly he can ( and will) lose his job to fan favorite Tim Tebow if he so much as flirts with slumping play.
This is the Tim Tebow situation. Tim is used to getting what he wants, and he gets it without begging or complaining or even earning it in some cases. His fatal flaw as an NFL player is not his statistical shortcomings, as we have seen before that stats do not always translate to wins and vice versa. His flaw is that he attracts too much attention to himself and his team, and this in turn puts pressure on the front office to make him relevant in any way possible. Even his recent placement on the punt coverage team made national news.
It is regrettable to group Tebow in with other troubled players, because he suffers from none of the transgressions of other players.However, if he is to truly succeed in the NFL, it will require him to find a balance between being the player everyone loves and the player who does right by his team.
Tebow is a rare breed in the NFL, one of the few players who work hard, pray hard, keep their vices down and cherish the game. He deserves a better legacy than a distraction and I think in time, he will see that the true road to success in the NFL is done out on the field and not on camera.
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Plunk Police
We've all seen it before, a batter hit by a pitch in baseball.
A rather inconsequential part of the game, an accidental occurrence most of the time when it happens. However, baseball has always accepted and informally protected the Hit By Pitch (HBP) as a form of self-policing in the game. For example, another unspoken offense in baseball is for the batter to make an exaggerated showing of watching a home run as it leaves the park. If a pitcher on the opposing team feels the batter made too much of a deal over the homer, he's likely to plunk the batter (or someone else on the team) with a pitch, on purpose. Of course, pitchers will always tell the media the pitch "got away from them", and they never meant to hit the batter. This is how it goes, how it's always gone, and Major League Baseball has decided to let this issue lie undisturbed. It has remained of the few unregulated forms of policing in all professional sports, and a source of some interesting debates for many years.
Last night however, one of baseball's rising stars, 19 year old Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat of the night by Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels. Harper took his base without incident, and later stole home after Hamels attempted a pick off at first base. Hamels would later incite a firestorm of criticism by saying he meant to hit Harper, as a "welcome to the big leagues" statement. The media today is abuzz with criticism of Hamels from Washington GM Mike Rizzo and former pitcher Curt Schilling, who call the plunking a "punk act" and wrong.
Hamels may likely earn a suspension from the league, not for the plunking itself, but for the confession of purposefully trying to hit Harper. This sort of occurrence begs the question; has self policing in baseball gone too far and finally outdone its usefulness? Hamels said he plunked Harper in defiance of Major League baseball's attempts to "protect" certain players and change the "old school" way of baseball. Is hitting a batter the only way to make a statement in this game anymore? Hamels was absolutely dominant in the game, going 8 full innings while giving up only one run (the Harper steal of home) and striking out 8 Phillies. Why was it not enough for Hamels to dominate the Phillies, a premier team in the NL, and if so, why is it okay to endanger another player deliberately for the sake of making a statement? In every other professional sports league, cheap shots and illegal hits often get penalized, and if they go unpunished, it should be written off as a fault of the league instead of giving the green light for some vigilante retaliation. I'm a Red Wings fan, and I was upset as anybody when Zetterberg was beaten at the end of Game 1 against the Predators in a very cheap fashion. I gave a good holler at the TV, expected a big punishment from the league the next day, but no, the offender got a $2000 fine. Yes, it sucked that justice was not served, but it doesn't merit violence in return. As soon as players start going out of their way to punish other players and cease to let the league handle punishment, the game becomes a circus.
But here is where I see a problem. the Hamels plunking last night was a perfect example of a player not doing anything illegal or taking a cheap shot yet still facing some form of "warranted" retribution? Harper gets plunked for the way he entered the league and Hamels not liking it, Yoenis Cespedes makes himself a target for watching his own homer, a monstrous blast deserving of Sportscenter? Are player supposed to apologize for hitting a ball 430 feet? If a pitcher doesn't like a batter celebrating a home run, then they should take steps to pitch better and not leave a pitch in the zone.
As a fan of baseball, I have seen countless times where a batter has been purposefully hit by a pitcher, and sometimes has suffered injury for it. This form of self-policing has gone too far, I feel, because pitchers now have this unregulated power to dole out punishment as they see fit, and possibly even injure other players. Players at every level should be content to let their play do the talking, and leave the cheap shots at home. If they can not restrain themselves, then the league should take a much closer look at this rampant practice and suspend and fine players as necessary.
A rather inconsequential part of the game, an accidental occurrence most of the time when it happens. However, baseball has always accepted and informally protected the Hit By Pitch (HBP) as a form of self-policing in the game. For example, another unspoken offense in baseball is for the batter to make an exaggerated showing of watching a home run as it leaves the park. If a pitcher on the opposing team feels the batter made too much of a deal over the homer, he's likely to plunk the batter (or someone else on the team) with a pitch, on purpose. Of course, pitchers will always tell the media the pitch "got away from them", and they never meant to hit the batter. This is how it goes, how it's always gone, and Major League Baseball has decided to let this issue lie undisturbed. It has remained of the few unregulated forms of policing in all professional sports, and a source of some interesting debates for many years.
Last night however, one of baseball's rising stars, 19 year old Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat of the night by Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels. Harper took his base without incident, and later stole home after Hamels attempted a pick off at first base. Hamels would later incite a firestorm of criticism by saying he meant to hit Harper, as a "welcome to the big leagues" statement. The media today is abuzz with criticism of Hamels from Washington GM Mike Rizzo and former pitcher Curt Schilling, who call the plunking a "punk act" and wrong.
Hamels may likely earn a suspension from the league, not for the plunking itself, but for the confession of purposefully trying to hit Harper. This sort of occurrence begs the question; has self policing in baseball gone too far and finally outdone its usefulness? Hamels said he plunked Harper in defiance of Major League baseball's attempts to "protect" certain players and change the "old school" way of baseball. Is hitting a batter the only way to make a statement in this game anymore? Hamels was absolutely dominant in the game, going 8 full innings while giving up only one run (the Harper steal of home) and striking out 8 Phillies. Why was it not enough for Hamels to dominate the Phillies, a premier team in the NL, and if so, why is it okay to endanger another player deliberately for the sake of making a statement? In every other professional sports league, cheap shots and illegal hits often get penalized, and if they go unpunished, it should be written off as a fault of the league instead of giving the green light for some vigilante retaliation. I'm a Red Wings fan, and I was upset as anybody when Zetterberg was beaten at the end of Game 1 against the Predators in a very cheap fashion. I gave a good holler at the TV, expected a big punishment from the league the next day, but no, the offender got a $2000 fine. Yes, it sucked that justice was not served, but it doesn't merit violence in return. As soon as players start going out of their way to punish other players and cease to let the league handle punishment, the game becomes a circus.
But here is where I see a problem. the Hamels plunking last night was a perfect example of a player not doing anything illegal or taking a cheap shot yet still facing some form of "warranted" retribution? Harper gets plunked for the way he entered the league and Hamels not liking it, Yoenis Cespedes makes himself a target for watching his own homer, a monstrous blast deserving of Sportscenter? Are player supposed to apologize for hitting a ball 430 feet? If a pitcher doesn't like a batter celebrating a home run, then they should take steps to pitch better and not leave a pitch in the zone.
As a fan of baseball, I have seen countless times where a batter has been purposefully hit by a pitcher, and sometimes has suffered injury for it. This form of self-policing has gone too far, I feel, because pitchers now have this unregulated power to dole out punishment as they see fit, and possibly even injure other players. Players at every level should be content to let their play do the talking, and leave the cheap shots at home. If they can not restrain themselves, then the league should take a much closer look at this rampant practice and suspend and fine players as necessary.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
How Good are These Tigers?
The 2012 baseball season is still quite young, but as always, there has been plenty of excitement to start off the new season. Since the Detroit Tiger's are the home team and have a strong following around here, I've decided to take a serious look at how good this team is and where I can see them going this season.
Now, at 3-0 and coming off the swept series against the Red Sox, a team that has been an upper echelon team for years despite their current struggles, it might be easy to predict the sky for this ball club. While I don't agree that this makes them an automatic lock for the World Series, I think it is safe to say that the team is off to a very potent offensive start and if they can keep that level of run production up, they need only for their defense and pitching to calm down and they are serious contenders. They currently sit at 2nd in the league in runs scored and OBP, and lead the league in batting average and slugging percentage. Their large offseason acquisition, first baseman Prince Fielder, along with Miguel Cabrera, arguably the most underrated hitter in baseball, have already combined for 5 home runs and eleven runs batted in. I'm not going to drool over "on-pace" numbers because they are incredibly premature at this stage, but at least to this point, the offense seems to revolve well around these two.
From a pitching standpoint, I don't think Detroit has much to worry about. Justin Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, looked great on opening day, which is no surprise, but it is certainly encouraging to see that he is picking up where he left off last season instead of dropping off. No.2 man Doug Fister has been spectacular for the Tiger's both this season and last after being traded away from the Mariners. Fister is actually a very good starter, he just never got the run support he needed in Seattle, an issue that he will not find in Detroit. And when Detroit needs to turn things over to the 'Pen, they're in good hands, as Duane Below has looked solid early this season, and the returning closer, Jose Valverde, was one of the best in baseball last season, not blowing a save all season on his way to a career high forty nine saves.
Moving on, I think a fair point to be brought up is what is to be done with Brandon Inge. A capable player for the Tiger's in years past, Inge has had a cataclysmic drop in value to this franchise, as both his defense and especially his hitting have been deplorable. Management hoped some time in the farm organization might straighten things out for him, but it doesn't seem to have worked, and on Opening Day, he received boos from his own home crowd. It's an unfortunate situation for all involved because of what he has meant to this organization, but at the end of the day, he remains more of a liability to this team than a viable piece of a contender.
As far as this season goes, it doesn't look like the Tiger's will have much of an issue taking the AL Central, they appear to be the dominant team in the division, both with pitching and hitting, and they are also very viable contenders for the World Series as well. It is possible this team could get even better with a trade, possibly to tinker with their leadoff position or maybe try and move Inge or Young. Either way, the Tiger's have assembled one of the better teams in baseball this season so far, and if they can continue this hot play, they can possible bring home a title this year. Just don't go counting on 162-0.
Now, at 3-0 and coming off the swept series against the Red Sox, a team that has been an upper echelon team for years despite their current struggles, it might be easy to predict the sky for this ball club. While I don't agree that this makes them an automatic lock for the World Series, I think it is safe to say that the team is off to a very potent offensive start and if they can keep that level of run production up, they need only for their defense and pitching to calm down and they are serious contenders. They currently sit at 2nd in the league in runs scored and OBP, and lead the league in batting average and slugging percentage. Their large offseason acquisition, first baseman Prince Fielder, along with Miguel Cabrera, arguably the most underrated hitter in baseball, have already combined for 5 home runs and eleven runs batted in. I'm not going to drool over "on-pace" numbers because they are incredibly premature at this stage, but at least to this point, the offense seems to revolve well around these two.
From a pitching standpoint, I don't think Detroit has much to worry about. Justin Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, looked great on opening day, which is no surprise, but it is certainly encouraging to see that he is picking up where he left off last season instead of dropping off. No.2 man Doug Fister has been spectacular for the Tiger's both this season and last after being traded away from the Mariners. Fister is actually a very good starter, he just never got the run support he needed in Seattle, an issue that he will not find in Detroit. And when Detroit needs to turn things over to the 'Pen, they're in good hands, as Duane Below has looked solid early this season, and the returning closer, Jose Valverde, was one of the best in baseball last season, not blowing a save all season on his way to a career high forty nine saves.
Moving on, I think a fair point to be brought up is what is to be done with Brandon Inge. A capable player for the Tiger's in years past, Inge has had a cataclysmic drop in value to this franchise, as both his defense and especially his hitting have been deplorable. Management hoped some time in the farm organization might straighten things out for him, but it doesn't seem to have worked, and on Opening Day, he received boos from his own home crowd. It's an unfortunate situation for all involved because of what he has meant to this organization, but at the end of the day, he remains more of a liability to this team than a viable piece of a contender.
As far as this season goes, it doesn't look like the Tiger's will have much of an issue taking the AL Central, they appear to be the dominant team in the division, both with pitching and hitting, and they are also very viable contenders for the World Series as well. It is possible this team could get even better with a trade, possibly to tinker with their leadoff position or maybe try and move Inge or Young. Either way, the Tiger's have assembled one of the better teams in baseball this season so far, and if they can continue this hot play, they can possible bring home a title this year. Just don't go counting on 162-0.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
We're goin to DisneyWorld!
Well folks, March Madness came to an abrupt yet long awaited end last night as bracket favorites Kentucky rolled over Kansas to secure the national title. In a gesture of celebration for the school, ESPN has been gracious enough to leave a picture of some serious man/trophy love makeout session in case we needed a reason to lose our appetite.
I say a long awaited end because this year, like always, The Committed Fan filled out a bracket. He took careful consideration and thought into his bracket. He considered coaches, eligibility, hot streaks, the wind speed inside auditoriums, and the revered science of "Bracketology" as he made his picks. This year, however, a collection of high seeds simultaneously decided they didn't belong in the tournament and went ahead and lost to some teams that no one has ever heard of. I'm pretty sure there was a high school boys team in there somewhere that advanced to the second round. It was ridiculous the amount of brackets that turned to garbage so early on, and how many people simultaneously went "aww, f*@k it", and went back to watching How I Met Your Mother.
All kidding aside, Davis joins several teammates from Kentucky that are going straight to the NBA after only one or two seasons in college, and they are not alone. Now consider what you, the fan, would view as the top 10 players in the NBA right now.
1. Lebron
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Kevin Durant
4. Dwayne Wade
5. Dwight Howard
6. Pau Gasol
7. Carmelo Anthony
8. Derrick Rose
9. Dirk Nowitzki
Now, depending on the fan and who they view as the top players in the NBA, the Committed Fan can pick 5 out of his top 10 players in the NBA right now and notice that they did not play any college ball. Three came right out of high school and two came from overseas. Now, does this undermine the belief that a college career is necessary to refine the game and will make you more successful in the pros? I think it has to call this idea into question, because you have an extremely talented group of individuals who seized their potential and jumped to the NBA and haven't looked back since. Can everybody do it? Of course not. Some players are just made for the college game and will develop, through 4 years of collegiate competition, the skills for the next level. However, as far as the notion of players needing to go through college beforehand to break into the NBA, the idea is quickly going the way of the skyhook.
I say a long awaited end because this year, like always, The Committed Fan filled out a bracket. He took careful consideration and thought into his bracket. He considered coaches, eligibility, hot streaks, the wind speed inside auditoriums, and the revered science of "Bracketology" as he made his picks. This year, however, a collection of high seeds simultaneously decided they didn't belong in the tournament and went ahead and lost to some teams that no one has ever heard of. I'm pretty sure there was a high school boys team in there somewhere that advanced to the second round. It was ridiculous the amount of brackets that turned to garbage so early on, and how many people simultaneously went "aww, f*@k it", and went back to watching How I Met Your Mother.
 |
| My best pick this year? Not filling out a damn bracket. |
Ok, I've got a group of people to give a shout out to. With how nasty the tournament got this year, I was of the belief that no one could have possibly won their bracket pool that everyone seems to have through their work (do bosses check for illegal sports gambling anymore?). However, somehow, people ended up picking some of these games correctly and won their pool. So respect to you sir, or you ma'am, for keeping your cool while others wept and pulled their hair out, for keeping that smug shit eating grin on your face because you knew you had it won. I respect you, and I will do so for the next year, but come March, watch your back.
Interestingly enough, while watching the game last night an important piece of news did come out from the announcers. While it had been previously stated that Anthony Davis was departing for the NBA draft, Kentucky will be able to count on his unibrow returning for a sophomore season to shore up what will undoubtedly be a weakened front line for the Cats.
 |
| "Ultimately, it was a very hard decision, but in the end, my eyebrow had to do what was right for its future. It will be returning to Kentucky next season for Coach Calipari" |
All kidding aside, Davis joins several teammates from Kentucky that are going straight to the NBA after only one or two seasons in college, and they are not alone. Now consider what you, the fan, would view as the top 10 players in the NBA right now.
1. Lebron
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Kevin Durant
4. Dwayne Wade
5. Dwight Howard
6. Pau Gasol
7. Carmelo Anthony
8. Derrick Rose
9. Dirk Nowitzki
Now, depending on the fan and who they view as the top players in the NBA, the Committed Fan can pick 5 out of his top 10 players in the NBA right now and notice that they did not play any college ball. Three came right out of high school and two came from overseas. Now, does this undermine the belief that a college career is necessary to refine the game and will make you more successful in the pros? I think it has to call this idea into question, because you have an extremely talented group of individuals who seized their potential and jumped to the NBA and haven't looked back since. Can everybody do it? Of course not. Some players are just made for the college game and will develop, through 4 years of collegiate competition, the skills for the next level. However, as far as the notion of players needing to go through college beforehand to break into the NBA, the idea is quickly going the way of the skyhook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)