You've read the rhetoric by now. "Kudos to the NFL for trying to cut down on all the head shots." Well if you think you've clicked on that type story, sorry. I'm sick of the rhetoric. I'm sick of all the public relation moves that the league has made under commissioner Roger Goodell. This may be the most egregious one.
This cat Goodell first came in as commissioner and laid down the law on players about their off the field antics. The new sheriff in town thought he needed to protect the players from themselves and be the morality police. We've sat and watched Goodell serve uneven punishment for players over the last several years. Goodell dished out fines and suspensions for any action he felt was not good for the league. I'm not getting into Mike Vick or Pac-Man's punishments vs. how Brett Favre is still playing despite his crude behavior, because if Goodell wanted to make his name on what goes on off of the field that was fine. Now he and his henchmen are effecting the game that you and I love on the field.
The NFL announced that it's going to be more harsh in enforcing it's rules about helmet-to-helmet hits. This is football people. Repeat this is football people! Goodell is once again trying to protect the players from themselves, but this is going to end badly.
No one makes anyone play professional football. These guys know the risks before they strap on the pads every week. The vocal minority wants more protection for the players, but if you survey an NFL locker room you will find that these guys know violent hits are apart of the game. Defensive guys pride themselves on the big hit and offensive guys pride themselves on being able to avoid it or in certain situations being able to absorb it.
Have you ever watched football? Going over the middle and complaining about the inflicted carnage is like running into oncoming traffic and complaining about how a car is supposed to hit you. Defensive players are taught how to hit and tackle and you know what, sometimes in the midst of trying to tackle someone you're going to get helmet-to-helmet contact. You know why? Because the offensive player is trying not to get hit! Think of it like this, would Ray Lewis rather take a fine/suspension and deliver a kill-shot or would he rather the offensive players think that they can come over the middle without the threat of getting punished? This is what these guys sign up for. You're trying to turn pro football into two-hand touch.
The other problem that no one seems to be addressing is what happens when a key player gets suspended for what amounts to doing his job? Do you think it will be fair if James Harrison has to miss games because he was out there being intimidating. Being a physical and intimidating force is what has made Harrison a rich man. It's what a great defender does. When the playoffs start and a team is without it's star defender because of a b.s. rule to make football "safer" will that be fair? And what about a guy who makes a big time hit and is not flagged but it's clearly helmet-to-helmet? What will the NFL do? This new emphasis on helmet-to helmet hits is going to open up the door for more subjective discipline. Is Goodell going to sit as the executioner on this board as well? He seems to get satisfaction in doling out punishment.
Another guy who's got the grill burning hot is Rodney Harrison. This was one of the dirtiest s.o.b's to play the game. He made his living playing right up to the edge of the rules and now he wants to run his mouth on Sunday Night Football how to fix the game after his skills have diminished and made him a talking head. He would have despised the emphasizing of this rule and now he's the one who's got a large hand in making the game soft? Well good job Rodney. I'm glad to see being away from the game hasn't made you any more likable.
The old guard is mostly against making the game Charmin soft because it's not the game they played. Fans who pay their money every week are against this because the big hit is equivalent to everyone digging the long ball in baseball. Players are against it because they have to reprogram everything they've ever been taught about how to play the game. Most of the people pushing for these changes are people who never played the game and can't possibly appreciate the controlled violence that happens every week. So commish put your helmet-to-helmet around this. You're going to be remembered as the guy who was holding the ball when football ceased to be America's favorite sport, but hey at least it was safer.
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10/19/10
10/13/10
Should T.O. and Chad be wearing black?
On Chapelle’s Show they had the true Hollywood Stories with Charlie Murphy. In the all-time funniest story Rick James referred to the Murphy brothers as “Twin Brother Darknesses” Well ladies and gents we have a new twin brother darknesses! Chad and T.O. Now there is nothing wrong with a chocolate man, but why did the Bengals have to put them in that black uniform? And do they have to put on the black stuff under their eyes. My husband told me what it is called and I forgot. They need to paint white lines under their eyes. And I heard that their first game was a night game! I think that’s an unfair advantage for the Bengals. How is their opponent supposed to find those two and tackle them? Bring back the orange jerseys! Give the other NFL teams a fighting chance! Stop playing games at night! Spray all of the grass white! Make people in the stands where white! This is outrageous.
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10/6/10
Moss and Favre....Together For A Minnesota Moment
It's funny that two of the most important Minnesota Vikings had little or no training camp with the team. Brett Favre talked into coming back at age 40 halfway through camp and Randy Moss traded for after week 4 of the NFL season. You have to be in shape to play in the league, but why is Minnesota banking all of it's season around a pair of Hall of Famers in the twilight of their careers? Because they're Hall of Famers! Would you rather have Tavaris Jackson and Bernard Berrian and the full compliment of camp or Favre and Moss together for the final 13 weeks of the season? I mean is that even a question?
Favre has admired Moss's talents for years. Everyone remembers how he openly campaigned for Green Bay to bring Moss in when his talents were wasting away with the Raiders. Instead the Patriots picked Moss up for the price of a 4th round pick and watched Tom Brady have his most explosive season as the team started the season 18-0 before losing in the Super Bowl to the Giants. Favre may rub some the wrong way, and so does Moss for that matter, but Favre knows just how dangerous a combination Moss can be with a quarterback who just puts it up for him. Favre sat on the sidelines for years in GB watching Moss catch bomb after bomb from Dante Culpepper twice a year when the two were the elite tandem in Minnesota. He longed for somebody so special that not even his cannon could overthrow. Now, years later, Moss and Favre get a chance to show what a couple of guys with Hall passes can do with more yesterdays than tomorrows together.
Does anyone really expect this not to work? Moss may have been a petulant ass during his first go around in Minnesota, but does anyone expect a motivated Moss and Favre to not be successful? To add Moss to a squad that has Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and fellow wideouts Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice (once he gets back from a hip injury in about a month) seems unfair. The price for Minnesota was a 3rd-round pick. How many times do teams miss on third round picks? There are some great guys selected in the 3rd round true, but how many surely pan out? The Vikings had to make this deal. After getting off to an 0-2 start and watching their 16-million dollar investment on Favre start to spiral down the drain, they HAD to make the move. The Vikings were talking to San Diego about Vincent Jackson, but ended up getting a much better receiver for a less expensive price tag. You know the adage, sometimes the best move is the move you don't make.
For Moss this trade is a slap in the face. He proved when the Patriots brought him in that he can indeed perform in an environment that's conducive to winning. Was he problematic in combustible (losing) situations? Absolutely. That being said, I don't remember any negative reports about Moss when the Patriots were putting together their near perfect run to the Super Bowl. This offseason when Moss watched Tom Brady get a contract extension, he wondered aloud "what about me?" You can't blame him. Moss is in the final year of his deal. He watched the Patriots trade defensive lineman Richard Seymour (ironically to the Raiders) in the final year of his contract rather than pay him. Moss wants another big pay day, so expect to see Moss look over to Favre at some point realize he's single covered, take a step off the line and throw his hand up to show he's open and make catches like this.
In a season where there is not a dominant team to be found, the Vikings just became must see television.
For the next few weeks at least we will watch to see how Favre and Moss is working. We'll watch to see if the Vikings can indeed rebound to put themselves in contention for a playoff spot after starting 0-2. We want to know if a guy who turns 41 in a matter of days can turn back the clock and can be a money combo with the guy who's "straight cash homie" .
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Favre has admired Moss's talents for years. Everyone remembers how he openly campaigned for Green Bay to bring Moss in when his talents were wasting away with the Raiders. Instead the Patriots picked Moss up for the price of a 4th round pick and watched Tom Brady have his most explosive season as the team started the season 18-0 before losing in the Super Bowl to the Giants. Favre may rub some the wrong way, and so does Moss for that matter, but Favre knows just how dangerous a combination Moss can be with a quarterback who just puts it up for him. Favre sat on the sidelines for years in GB watching Moss catch bomb after bomb from Dante Culpepper twice a year when the two were the elite tandem in Minnesota. He longed for somebody so special that not even his cannon could overthrow. Now, years later, Moss and Favre get a chance to show what a couple of guys with Hall passes can do with more yesterdays than tomorrows together.
Does anyone really expect this not to work? Moss may have been a petulant ass during his first go around in Minnesota, but does anyone expect a motivated Moss and Favre to not be successful? To add Moss to a squad that has Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and fellow wideouts Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice (once he gets back from a hip injury in about a month) seems unfair. The price for Minnesota was a 3rd-round pick. How many times do teams miss on third round picks? There are some great guys selected in the 3rd round true, but how many surely pan out? The Vikings had to make this deal. After getting off to an 0-2 start and watching their 16-million dollar investment on Favre start to spiral down the drain, they HAD to make the move. The Vikings were talking to San Diego about Vincent Jackson, but ended up getting a much better receiver for a less expensive price tag. You know the adage, sometimes the best move is the move you don't make.
For Moss this trade is a slap in the face. He proved when the Patriots brought him in that he can indeed perform in an environment that's conducive to winning. Was he problematic in combustible (losing) situations? Absolutely. That being said, I don't remember any negative reports about Moss when the Patriots were putting together their near perfect run to the Super Bowl. This offseason when Moss watched Tom Brady get a contract extension, he wondered aloud "what about me?" You can't blame him. Moss is in the final year of his deal. He watched the Patriots trade defensive lineman Richard Seymour (ironically to the Raiders) in the final year of his contract rather than pay him. Moss wants another big pay day, so expect to see Moss look over to Favre at some point realize he's single covered, take a step off the line and throw his hand up to show he's open and make catches like this.
In a season where there is not a dominant team to be found, the Vikings just became must see television.
For the next few weeks at least we will watch to see how Favre and Moss is working. We'll watch to see if the Vikings can indeed rebound to put themselves in contention for a playoff spot after starting 0-2. We want to know if a guy who turns 41 in a matter of days can turn back the clock and can be a money combo with the guy who's "straight cash homie" .
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
10/1/10
October College Football and Heisman Talk
September college football is all about wetting the palette. The first month of the season gives us some real insight of what to expect vs. the blind preseason rankings based on how a team looks on paper. With that, here's who has impressed as the calendar flips to October.
Alabama. The defending national champs with the defending Heisman trophy winner continue to look like the elite program in the country. Playing in the SEC guarantees you'll face a team capable of beating you week to week. Six SEC schools are ranked as we head into the first weekend of October. (Alabama #1, Florida #7, Auburn #10, LSU #12, Arkansas #15, and South Carolina #20) 'Bama's already survived a major test on the road against Arkansas. The return of running back Mark Ingram, and the return of his back to back Heisman campaign, after two weeks with a knee injury has to scare the bejesus out of teams left on Alabama's schedule. The Tide may not cruise to the national title game, but it's going to take a major effort to knock off Nick Saban's squad. (By the way, how is the balding Saban continuing to grow hair? Just for Men? Plugs? Can someone ask, it's killing me!!)
Ohio State. The Buckeyes have played in more BCS games than any team and look like they could be in the title game for the 4th time under Jim Tressel. Quarterback Terrell Pryor is lighting up teams as a dual threat. The Bucks have crushed the weak competition on their schedule and convincingly beat Miami in their early season showdown. No one in the Big Ten should stay on the field with this team, unless Michigan continues to grow with quarterback Denard Robinson. 'Tress the vest has his team playing as tight as his favorite piece of clothing apparel.
Oregon. Even with the deflection of quarterback Jeremiah Moseli the Ducks are tearing it up. By laying the worst defeat in Neyland Stadium history on Tennessee in week two, Oregon let everyone know this team is just as talented as last year's squad that went to the Rose Bowl. Saturday night's game vs. Stanford will determine PAC-10 supremacy.
Also after a month of football we can give some determination to legitimate Heisman favorites. If the balloting were done today here's who would be invited to New York and how they would finish. (We will monitor this list week to week.)
1. Terrelle Pryor-Ohio State
2. Andrew Luck-Stanford
3. Mark Ingram-Alabama
Pryor's numbers are video game worthy. 6 touchdowns alone against Eastern Michigan. (I know Eastern Michigan's bad, but do you know how hard it is to get to the paint SIX TIMES?!?!) This kid has grown into a quarterback and a leader. He will always be expected to do great things with his legs because of his athleticism, but his awareness in the pocket and willingness to make plays with his arm is why he's my pick to win the Heisman as of today.
Andrew Luck's the quintessential Stanford quarterback. Smart, minimizes mistakes, great intangibles, and he has the Cardinal in the mix for the national title. (You know Stanford's the smart school right?) Luck's tossed 11 touchdowns vs. 2 picks and with a win over Oregon this weekend, Luck could position himself to make a run at the top spot.
Mark Ingram's performance after returning from knee surgery has quelled the talk about who's the best running back in Tide's backfield. Trent Richardson is great and may prove to be a better pro one day, but Ingram has put up back to back 150 yard performances since returning to the lineup. One of which was against a highly ranked Arkansas defense. Scary thing is he says he's not quite back to 100% yet. Yikes! With Alabama's remaining schedule Ingram has time to make his case to become this generation's Archie Griffin. (Look him up kids.)
After a month of getting football back in our collective systems, October adds some zest to an already flavorful season.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
Alabama. The defending national champs with the defending Heisman trophy winner continue to look like the elite program in the country. Playing in the SEC guarantees you'll face a team capable of beating you week to week. Six SEC schools are ranked as we head into the first weekend of October. (Alabama #1, Florida #7, Auburn #10, LSU #12, Arkansas #15, and South Carolina #20) 'Bama's already survived a major test on the road against Arkansas. The return of running back Mark Ingram, and the return of his back to back Heisman campaign, after two weeks with a knee injury has to scare the bejesus out of teams left on Alabama's schedule. The Tide may not cruise to the national title game, but it's going to take a major effort to knock off Nick Saban's squad. (By the way, how is the balding Saban continuing to grow hair? Just for Men? Plugs? Can someone ask, it's killing me!!)
Ohio State. The Buckeyes have played in more BCS games than any team and look like they could be in the title game for the 4th time under Jim Tressel. Quarterback Terrell Pryor is lighting up teams as a dual threat. The Bucks have crushed the weak competition on their schedule and convincingly beat Miami in their early season showdown. No one in the Big Ten should stay on the field with this team, unless Michigan continues to grow with quarterback Denard Robinson. 'Tress the vest has his team playing as tight as his favorite piece of clothing apparel.
Oregon. Even with the deflection of quarterback Jeremiah Moseli the Ducks are tearing it up. By laying the worst defeat in Neyland Stadium history on Tennessee in week two, Oregon let everyone know this team is just as talented as last year's squad that went to the Rose Bowl. Saturday night's game vs. Stanford will determine PAC-10 supremacy.
Also after a month of football we can give some determination to legitimate Heisman favorites. If the balloting were done today here's who would be invited to New York and how they would finish. (We will monitor this list week to week.)
1. Terrelle Pryor-Ohio State
2. Andrew Luck-Stanford
3. Mark Ingram-Alabama
Pryor's numbers are video game worthy. 6 touchdowns alone against Eastern Michigan. (I know Eastern Michigan's bad, but do you know how hard it is to get to the paint SIX TIMES?!?!) This kid has grown into a quarterback and a leader. He will always be expected to do great things with his legs because of his athleticism, but his awareness in the pocket and willingness to make plays with his arm is why he's my pick to win the Heisman as of today.
Andrew Luck's the quintessential Stanford quarterback. Smart, minimizes mistakes, great intangibles, and he has the Cardinal in the mix for the national title. (You know Stanford's the smart school right?) Luck's tossed 11 touchdowns vs. 2 picks and with a win over Oregon this weekend, Luck could position himself to make a run at the top spot.
Mark Ingram's performance after returning from knee surgery has quelled the talk about who's the best running back in Tide's backfield. Trent Richardson is great and may prove to be a better pro one day, but Ingram has put up back to back 150 yard performances since returning to the lineup. One of which was against a highly ranked Arkansas defense. Scary thing is he says he's not quite back to 100% yet. Yikes! With Alabama's remaining schedule Ingram has time to make his case to become this generation's Archie Griffin. (Look him up kids.)
After a month of getting football back in our collective systems, October adds some zest to an already flavorful season.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
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