While the title of this blog may seem to be a bit deep for a sports writer, these human values are, in fact, essential to the sports world.
A player must be able to trust his teammates and his team, but he must also be loyal to both of those entities.
In today's sports climate, the loyalty of a Chipper Jones, who has more than once taken less money to not only remain an Atlanta Brave but to also free up room for the salaries of other players, is rare.
More common is the "loyal to the highest bidder" mentality of a C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett.
We can also see this in football, where Anquan Boldin has talked of wanting to play for someone else other than the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.
Never mind the fact that playing with ace reciever capabilities in a system where every defense will be focused on the actual ace of the team, Larry Fitzgerald, should make any reciever drool.
That's a topic for another post.
This mindset of most athletes has forced teams to be, truthfully, untrustworthy to their players.
Why would a general manager, owner, or coach stick by a player when that same player is likely to skip town to a richer market after playing like an All Star in his contract year?
It is that attitude that, in my opinion, has created the Denver Broncos vs. Jay Cutler saga.
You see, Denver isn't stupid.
They've seen how players can treat a team, and they don't want to be the next victim.
While this attitude may be justified, that doesn't make it right.
Jay Cutler has been the franchise quarterback for the Broncos since before he was even drafted, but the lure of this year's "it" free agent Matt Cassel was just too much.
Rather than coming out from the start that Jay Cutler was the team's signal caller and nothing could change that, the Broncos entertained the idea of trading Cutler for Cassel.
Never mind the fact that Matt Cassel, before last year, was the guy wearing the cap and carrying the clip board for the Patriots.
Never mind the fact that Cassel was 11-5 with essentially the same offense that went 18-1 the year before.
Never mind the fact that the Patriots missed the playoffs for seemingly the first time this millenium.
The football world was talking about Matt Cassel as possibly even a better idea than Tom Brady, and the Broncos listened, especially once former Pats coordinator Josh McDaniel came on board as head coach.
Then, when Cassel ended up elsewhere, McDaniel and friends blew the trade talk off as no different than a water-cooler chat.
Like "Hey Josh, if you were to trade for Matt Cassel, would you trade Jay Cutler in a three-team deal that would involve the Buccaneers and players x, y, and z? I'm not saying, but I'm just sayin'..."
Totally casual, and they approached you, right?
So that makes you innocent in the whole thing, right?
Wrong.
See, what the Broncos were forgetting is that Jay Cutler has never been that guy shopping himself around.
He's established friendships and connections with his recievers.
He's never put himself out there as anything other than the Denver Broncos' quarterback, which is what McDaniel and company called him only after they didn't get Matt Cassel and they had to make nice with the guy they were willing to trade for someone else's second-stringer.
Notice who actually traded for Cassel: The Chiefs, who haven't been a relevant team in years.
Notice who didn't show up in the conversation: the Steelers, the Giants, the Ravens, the Titans.
Those are the winning franchises, who stick with their guns until their guns NEED replacing.
Those are the franchises who don't go out after the "next big thing" unless they need that position.
Those are franchises that have been to the playoffs repeatedly and even won titles this decade.
Notice a trend?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Surprise Surprise
I'm about to do something I very rarely do.
I'm going to write, at length, about the NBA.
I know it sounds so unlike me to concern myself with the Association, a league I've pretty much given up on since the retirement of Michael Jordan, Round 3.
Lately, though, the newest class of NBA superstars like Dwight Howard, Dewayne Wade, King Lebron James, Chris Paul, and the new Kobe Bryant have made me love the game again.
Shaq's resurgence as a dominant figure has also played a big part in my growing interest in the league.
Thus, I'm going to layout the stretch run in the form of my playoff predictions.
EAST
First Round
1 Boston v. 8 Chicago
The Celtics currently trail the Cavaliers for the number 1 spot, but with more than 20 games left, I think "The Big Ticket" can lead the green machine back to the top. I also think that Jordan himself has one more return coming that will lead the Bulls to overtake the mighty Bucks. Just joking, I think a Michael Redd-less Bucks team is sure to collapse. BOS 4-2
2 Cleveland v. 7 Philadelphia
This, in my opinion would be an incredibly lopsided series. Basically, I have zero faith in the Sixers. CLE 4-0
3 Orlando v. 6 Detroit
I think moving Iverson to the bench will serve to spark enough of a spurt for the Pistons to jump Philly, but that's about it. If Iverson and Rip can play nice enough to work some magic of their own (sorry for the pun), this seems to be the most likely upset chance of the East side. ORL 4-3
4 Miami v. 5 Atlanta
Atlanta has seemed shaky this year, but who knows what could happen. I expect this to be the most closely contested series, as a 4-5 should be. MIA 4-3
Second Round
Boston v. Miami
I'm not actually going to predict any upsets in the Eastern first round, but I recognize the potential. This series will be a classic, as I expect big things from D-Wade. BOS 4-3
Cleveland v. Orlando
Don't expect as much of a close series as one might expect. King James and friends really make their system work, and I really don't like the way Orlando is coached. Mr. Howard will help keep the series from being a sweep. CLE 4-2
Championship
Boston v. Cleveland
I really like both of these teams. That's all i can say, other than that I can't wait for this series. CLE 4-3
WEST
First Round
1 LA Lakers v. 8 Phoenix
This one was just too easy, and will be a nightmare for those of us who hate cliche broadcasting. "Shaq vs. Kobe...too bad it's not Christmas day... blah blah blah." Expect brilliant quotes from the big fella and prolific non-answers from Kobe to follow such original inquiries as "are there any hard feelings from that trade that happened five years ago?" LAL 4-2
2 San Antonio v. 7 Utah
This is the only upset I'll actually predict. Partially because I think Utah is better than their record might indicate and partially because I flat don't like the flopaholic, complaining Spurs, I'll take Boozer and the Jazz. UTA 4-2
3 Denver v. 6 Houston
I'll just take the Nuggets and be done. Houston is the most gloriously mediocre team in sports history. You can never pick against their being in the playoff hunt, nor their ability to make absolutely no headway once they get there. DEN 4-1
4 Portland v. 5 New Orleans
The Hornets are another one of my favorite franchises, and this, like the East 4-5, will be a battle. I expect the Hornets will win, but the Blazers are slowly developing into what could be a scary good franchise in the near future. NO 4-3
Second Round
LA Lakers v. New Orleans
I wish I could say that the Hornets could pull off the upset against Kobe and friends, but I just don't think David West's 65-year-old back and Tyson Chandler can handle Pau and Drew. Also, I don't see anyone in N'Awlins stopping the Dobermamba. LAL 4-2
Denver v. Utah
Big game Chauncey and 'Melo are going to be a dream together in the postseason, and this will probably be their masterpiece series. Expect lots of highlights. DEN 4-2
Championship
LA Lakers v. Denver
I would love to be different and pick a team other than the Lakers out of the West, but that just doesn't seem realistic. LAL 4-2
NBA FINALS
LA Lakers v. Cleveland
If you bought stock in the company that produces all the "Next Michael Jordan" statements, this series will set you up for an early retirement. Also looking to profit are the "King's first crown" people and the folks who brought you "Can Kobe finally win a ring without Shaq?" CLE 4-3
Honestly I don't know who would win that last series.
I just wanted to pick a team that wasn't Lakers or the Celtics, and the Bulls and Heat seemed too unlikely.
Basic synopsis is that there are 4-5 teams with a legitimate shot at winning the East, but the Lakers are the cream of a surprisingly weak crop of Western playoff teams.
The records out West are better overall, but, for once, the Eastern teams are better, in my opinion.
By the way, I'm glad those pre-season Clipper picks went so well for everyone.
I'm going to write, at length, about the NBA.
I know it sounds so unlike me to concern myself with the Association, a league I've pretty much given up on since the retirement of Michael Jordan, Round 3.
Lately, though, the newest class of NBA superstars like Dwight Howard, Dewayne Wade, King Lebron James, Chris Paul, and the new Kobe Bryant have made me love the game again.
Shaq's resurgence as a dominant figure has also played a big part in my growing interest in the league.
Thus, I'm going to layout the stretch run in the form of my playoff predictions.
EAST
First Round
1 Boston v. 8 Chicago
The Celtics currently trail the Cavaliers for the number 1 spot, but with more than 20 games left, I think "The Big Ticket" can lead the green machine back to the top. I also think that Jordan himself has one more return coming that will lead the Bulls to overtake the mighty Bucks. Just joking, I think a Michael Redd-less Bucks team is sure to collapse. BOS 4-2
2 Cleveland v. 7 Philadelphia
This, in my opinion would be an incredibly lopsided series. Basically, I have zero faith in the Sixers. CLE 4-0
3 Orlando v. 6 Detroit
I think moving Iverson to the bench will serve to spark enough of a spurt for the Pistons to jump Philly, but that's about it. If Iverson and Rip can play nice enough to work some magic of their own (sorry for the pun), this seems to be the most likely upset chance of the East side. ORL 4-3
4 Miami v. 5 Atlanta
Atlanta has seemed shaky this year, but who knows what could happen. I expect this to be the most closely contested series, as a 4-5 should be. MIA 4-3
Second Round
Boston v. Miami
I'm not actually going to predict any upsets in the Eastern first round, but I recognize the potential. This series will be a classic, as I expect big things from D-Wade. BOS 4-3
Cleveland v. Orlando
Don't expect as much of a close series as one might expect. King James and friends really make their system work, and I really don't like the way Orlando is coached. Mr. Howard will help keep the series from being a sweep. CLE 4-2
Championship
Boston v. Cleveland
I really like both of these teams. That's all i can say, other than that I can't wait for this series. CLE 4-3
WEST
First Round
1 LA Lakers v. 8 Phoenix
This one was just too easy, and will be a nightmare for those of us who hate cliche broadcasting. "Shaq vs. Kobe...too bad it's not Christmas day... blah blah blah." Expect brilliant quotes from the big fella and prolific non-answers from Kobe to follow such original inquiries as "are there any hard feelings from that trade that happened five years ago?" LAL 4-2
2 San Antonio v. 7 Utah
This is the only upset I'll actually predict. Partially because I think Utah is better than their record might indicate and partially because I flat don't like the flopaholic, complaining Spurs, I'll take Boozer and the Jazz. UTA 4-2
3 Denver v. 6 Houston
I'll just take the Nuggets and be done. Houston is the most gloriously mediocre team in sports history. You can never pick against their being in the playoff hunt, nor their ability to make absolutely no headway once they get there. DEN 4-1
4 Portland v. 5 New Orleans
The Hornets are another one of my favorite franchises, and this, like the East 4-5, will be a battle. I expect the Hornets will win, but the Blazers are slowly developing into what could be a scary good franchise in the near future. NO 4-3
Second Round
LA Lakers v. New Orleans
I wish I could say that the Hornets could pull off the upset against Kobe and friends, but I just don't think David West's 65-year-old back and Tyson Chandler can handle Pau and Drew. Also, I don't see anyone in N'Awlins stopping the Dobermamba. LAL 4-2
Denver v. Utah
Big game Chauncey and 'Melo are going to be a dream together in the postseason, and this will probably be their masterpiece series. Expect lots of highlights. DEN 4-2
Championship
LA Lakers v. Denver
I would love to be different and pick a team other than the Lakers out of the West, but that just doesn't seem realistic. LAL 4-2
NBA FINALS
LA Lakers v. Cleveland
If you bought stock in the company that produces all the "Next Michael Jordan" statements, this series will set you up for an early retirement. Also looking to profit are the "King's first crown" people and the folks who brought you "Can Kobe finally win a ring without Shaq?" CLE 4-3
Honestly I don't know who would win that last series.
I just wanted to pick a team that wasn't Lakers or the Celtics, and the Bulls and Heat seemed too unlikely.
Basic synopsis is that there are 4-5 teams with a legitimate shot at winning the East, but the Lakers are the cream of a surprisingly weak crop of Western playoff teams.
The records out West are better overall, but, for once, the Eastern teams are better, in my opinion.
By the way, I'm glad those pre-season Clipper picks went so well for everyone.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
No more...
I move that we, as a body of sports fans, issue a "cease and desist" letter to all those who are witch-hunting for steroid users.
I just don't want to know anymore.
There is a policy in place to help prevent future use, and necessary investigations against those who have committed perjury have taken place.
Just stop.
Why can't media members see that stories like "Oh yeah, A-Rod was using in 2003" and "Hey my brother, Big Mac, was using" only hurt the game further?
First of all, everyone knew the "Great Home Run Chase" was fueled almost exclusively by 'roids, at least in retrospect.
Sammy and Mark were literally larger than life, and there's nothing we can do about it now.
Furthermore, baseball fans everywhere took solace in the fact that Barry Bonds' records would not stand long because Alex Rodriguez, who surely was not a steroid user, would eventually save the day by crushing 800 or so home runs.
Alas, the national sports media can never really tell when enough is enough.
So, when four sources revealed that A-Rod had tested positive in a supposedly sealed survey test in 2003, before steroids were banned, of course Sports Illustrated ran the story.
As Kenny Chesney said, "Never sure when the truth won't do."
What I have realized is that baseball was way more fun when we didn't really know what the ugly truth was.
1998 was magical.
We all watched while McGwire, Sosa, and Griffey dueled it out for Maris' home run record.
Everyone had their favorite, and so many of my generation were sad when Griffey, ironically the only seemingly clean contender in that race, was knocked out of contention by injuries.
Then we started caring.
We wanted baseball to be clean again.
Now, the game is arguably cleaner, or we at least know who the cheaters were/are, but we can't enjoy it.
The man who was supposed to clean the home run king's crown off will only further tarnish it, and who will save us then?
Even feel-good story Josh Hamilton has shown up on HGH lists.
I hope there is someone out there who can do so, a superhero with a 'roid-free record who can challenge the marks set by the steroid-era's inflated superstars.
There's only one problem with that hope.
The bars may be set too high for a natural human to reach.
Let's hope our own curiosity didn't kill what was once our national pastime.
I just don't want to know anymore.
There is a policy in place to help prevent future use, and necessary investigations against those who have committed perjury have taken place.
Just stop.
Why can't media members see that stories like "Oh yeah, A-Rod was using in 2003" and "Hey my brother, Big Mac, was using" only hurt the game further?
First of all, everyone knew the "Great Home Run Chase" was fueled almost exclusively by 'roids, at least in retrospect.
Sammy and Mark were literally larger than life, and there's nothing we can do about it now.
Furthermore, baseball fans everywhere took solace in the fact that Barry Bonds' records would not stand long because Alex Rodriguez, who surely was not a steroid user, would eventually save the day by crushing 800 or so home runs.
Alas, the national sports media can never really tell when enough is enough.
So, when four sources revealed that A-Rod had tested positive in a supposedly sealed survey test in 2003, before steroids were banned, of course Sports Illustrated ran the story.
As Kenny Chesney said, "Never sure when the truth won't do."
What I have realized is that baseball was way more fun when we didn't really know what the ugly truth was.
1998 was magical.
We all watched while McGwire, Sosa, and Griffey dueled it out for Maris' home run record.
Everyone had their favorite, and so many of my generation were sad when Griffey, ironically the only seemingly clean contender in that race, was knocked out of contention by injuries.
Then we started caring.
We wanted baseball to be clean again.
Now, the game is arguably cleaner, or we at least know who the cheaters were/are, but we can't enjoy it.
The man who was supposed to clean the home run king's crown off will only further tarnish it, and who will save us then?
Even feel-good story Josh Hamilton has shown up on HGH lists.
I hope there is someone out there who can do so, a superhero with a 'roid-free record who can challenge the marks set by the steroid-era's inflated superstars.
There's only one problem with that hope.
The bars may be set too high for a natural human to reach.
Let's hope our own curiosity didn't kill what was once our national pastime.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Super Bowl?
I hate being wrong.
Unfortunately, I have grown far too accustomed to the state of being incorrect over the course of my life.
Don't believe me?
Here, let me list a few sports and non-sports related falsities I've uttered in the past.
"Dude, this is Clemson's year." (spoken a record 10 times, possibly more.)
"I'll never work in another retail store again. This sucks."
"Sam Bradford is terrible. He'll probably end up transferring."
"Boy, this journalism degree is really going to come in handy."
"John Smoltz is a Braves lifer. He'd never sell out to one of those big markets." (I still don't believe that happened.)
Just when I thought that I had a handle on my rampant verbal miscues, the Arizona Cardinals began to make fun of my wrongness.
I don't think I've ever been proven wrong on two consecutive "there's no way in" burning anti-paradise statements in one post-season, by the same team.
I was all over the anti-Cardinals bandwagon as the Warner-led Redbirds hosted the Falcons, even with the Cardinals home-field advantage.
Then, as the Fitzgerald show hit the road for Charlotte, I just knew the Panthers were going to put the wood to the desert-dwelling road team.
Luckily, I knew when to stop myself, and I refused to pick a winner in the NFC championship game.
I would've picked the Eagles, by the way.
Now, I'm left with what would seem like a sure choice.
The Steelers and my favorite quarterback, Big Ben Rothlisberger, are facing the lowly Cardinals.
The same Steelers that were the only team that I really had no beef with in my "Powder Rankings" post several weeks ago, are facing my "slumlords" from the same column.
In other news, this post-season does not change that assessment, as the Cardinals did win a terrible division.
One right statement in a snowstorm of terrible ideas.
What we may be seeing is the first team to successfully turn the juice off after clinching a horrible division early and then turn it right back on during the post-season.
I hope that I don't have to see the Cards win the Big Game, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Thus, I will not pick a winner.
I refuse to say that there is no way in (burning anti-paradise) that Kurt Warner could throw to Larry Fitzgerald enough times to beat the Steelers defense.
I refuse to say that Big Ben is going to make the Cardinals defense look like a bunch of middle-schoolers.
I refuse to say that Santonio Holmes and the best celebration in the NFL will score at least once with two long kick/punt returns.
I refuse to say that Troy Polomalu and his modified "Power of the Dreads" will pick Kurt Warner twice, in all likelihood.
I'll just say that it's going to be a great time, with both teams playing competitively, and that I hope the best team wins.
Unfortunately, I have grown far too accustomed to the state of being incorrect over the course of my life.
Don't believe me?
Here, let me list a few sports and non-sports related falsities I've uttered in the past.
"Dude, this is Clemson's year." (spoken a record 10 times, possibly more.)
"I'll never work in another retail store again. This sucks."
"Sam Bradford is terrible. He'll probably end up transferring."
"Boy, this journalism degree is really going to come in handy."
"John Smoltz is a Braves lifer. He'd never sell out to one of those big markets." (I still don't believe that happened.)
Just when I thought that I had a handle on my rampant verbal miscues, the Arizona Cardinals began to make fun of my wrongness.
I don't think I've ever been proven wrong on two consecutive "there's no way in" burning anti-paradise statements in one post-season, by the same team.
I was all over the anti-Cardinals bandwagon as the Warner-led Redbirds hosted the Falcons, even with the Cardinals home-field advantage.
Then, as the Fitzgerald show hit the road for Charlotte, I just knew the Panthers were going to put the wood to the desert-dwelling road team.
Luckily, I knew when to stop myself, and I refused to pick a winner in the NFC championship game.
I would've picked the Eagles, by the way.
Now, I'm left with what would seem like a sure choice.
The Steelers and my favorite quarterback, Big Ben Rothlisberger, are facing the lowly Cardinals.
The same Steelers that were the only team that I really had no beef with in my "Powder Rankings" post several weeks ago, are facing my "slumlords" from the same column.
In other news, this post-season does not change that assessment, as the Cardinals did win a terrible division.
One right statement in a snowstorm of terrible ideas.
What we may be seeing is the first team to successfully turn the juice off after clinching a horrible division early and then turn it right back on during the post-season.
I hope that I don't have to see the Cards win the Big Game, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Thus, I will not pick a winner.
I refuse to say that there is no way in (burning anti-paradise) that Kurt Warner could throw to Larry Fitzgerald enough times to beat the Steelers defense.
I refuse to say that Big Ben is going to make the Cardinals defense look like a bunch of middle-schoolers.
I refuse to say that Santonio Holmes and the best celebration in the NFL will score at least once with two long kick/punt returns.
I refuse to say that Troy Polomalu and his modified "Power of the Dreads" will pick Kurt Warner twice, in all likelihood.
I'll just say that it's going to be a great time, with both teams playing competitively, and that I hope the best team wins.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Well, merry Christmas everybody!
I'm feeling a bit more in the spirit now that I'm here in the old homestead, so I figured I would give out a few Christmas gifts to members of the sports world.
So imagine me gracefully bounding from a fireplace as we take a peek into my giant present bag...
-Rob Parker, Detroit News columnist. Gift: Swift Kick with a Santa boot. If you haven't seen the Rod Marinelli press conference, just know that the question "Do you wish your daughter had married a better defensive coordinator?" was involved. This guy gets a 9 out of 10 on the douche-o-meter, and is on my list of guys that shouldn't get paid to do the job I wish I had.
-New York Yankees. Gift: A Giving Christmas Spirit. I don't necessarily feel bad for the other teams in the Major Leagues or even the AL East, I just hate to see Mark Texiera and CC Sabathia end up as the same type of washed-up has-beens that Johnny Damon became and Jason Giambi has barely survived. I really think the Yankees would offer $100 million if I could get the Red Sox to pretend they were interested in signing me.
-The NFL. Gift: A sense of humor. Wes Welker was fined this week for making a snow angel. Shaun Ellis was fined for throwing a snowball at fans who had just thrown snowballs at him. Frosty the Snowman was suspended because he wouldn't take off his hat, which obviously didn't meet league uniform regulations.
-The NBA. Gift: A soup kitchen. With all the coaches that have been laid off this year, I figure there may be some hard times a-comin'. I also thought about giving league general managers the gift of patience, but maybe that's too much to ask.
-University of Texas. Gift: Ohio State in a bowl game. I can't really claim this gift, since the BCS committee already gave the Longhorns the opportunity to play a team that has gotten smacked around in two straight national championship games and gotten worse since. I don't think beating the Buckeyes will make Mack Brown and friends feel any less jilted by their conference and the BCS, but I will enjoy watching the most overrated team in college football get lit up.
-Urban Meyer, University of Florida football coach. Gift: A soul. I don't have any real evidence for his lack of a soul, other than all the signs that suggest he traded his in. He went undefeated at Utah to help the Utes become the nation's first BCS-busters, then came to Florida to win a national title in his second season with a quarterback that no one believed in. That quarterback's back-up turned out to be possibly the best college football player of all time who is also a missionary. Oh yeah, Meyer's Gators have a shot at another national title on January 8. All that screams that Satan is the proud current owner of Urban's soul. Just kidding, but seriously...
That's all the fun I can handle for now, but I hope you all have a merry Christmas!
I'm feeling a bit more in the spirit now that I'm here in the old homestead, so I figured I would give out a few Christmas gifts to members of the sports world.
So imagine me gracefully bounding from a fireplace as we take a peek into my giant present bag...
-Rob Parker, Detroit News columnist. Gift: Swift Kick with a Santa boot. If you haven't seen the Rod Marinelli press conference, just know that the question "Do you wish your daughter had married a better defensive coordinator?" was involved. This guy gets a 9 out of 10 on the douche-o-meter, and is on my list of guys that shouldn't get paid to do the job I wish I had.
-New York Yankees. Gift: A Giving Christmas Spirit. I don't necessarily feel bad for the other teams in the Major Leagues or even the AL East, I just hate to see Mark Texiera and CC Sabathia end up as the same type of washed-up has-beens that Johnny Damon became and Jason Giambi has barely survived. I really think the Yankees would offer $100 million if I could get the Red Sox to pretend they were interested in signing me.
-The NFL. Gift: A sense of humor. Wes Welker was fined this week for making a snow angel. Shaun Ellis was fined for throwing a snowball at fans who had just thrown snowballs at him. Frosty the Snowman was suspended because he wouldn't take off his hat, which obviously didn't meet league uniform regulations.
-The NBA. Gift: A soup kitchen. With all the coaches that have been laid off this year, I figure there may be some hard times a-comin'. I also thought about giving league general managers the gift of patience, but maybe that's too much to ask.
-University of Texas. Gift: Ohio State in a bowl game. I can't really claim this gift, since the BCS committee already gave the Longhorns the opportunity to play a team that has gotten smacked around in two straight national championship games and gotten worse since. I don't think beating the Buckeyes will make Mack Brown and friends feel any less jilted by their conference and the BCS, but I will enjoy watching the most overrated team in college football get lit up.
-Urban Meyer, University of Florida football coach. Gift: A soul. I don't have any real evidence for his lack of a soul, other than all the signs that suggest he traded his in. He went undefeated at Utah to help the Utes become the nation's first BCS-busters, then came to Florida to win a national title in his second season with a quarterback that no one believed in. That quarterback's back-up turned out to be possibly the best college football player of all time who is also a missionary. Oh yeah, Meyer's Gators have a shot at another national title on January 8. All that screams that Satan is the proud current owner of Urban's soul. Just kidding, but seriously...
That's all the fun I can handle for now, but I hope you all have a merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I need a new soapbox...
I recognize that there are other sports out there, but college football is really all I can find important enough rants about.
Thus, I will take another opportunity to further denounce the BCS and, in this case ESPN.
ESPN absolutely perturbs me.
They make themselves the forum for discussion on big-time bowl snubs based on BCS rankings.
Their anchors slide in comments about the obvious need for a playoff.
They even have a simulator feature on espn.com that allows fans to use Accu-score predictions, whatever that means, to simulate what a playoff would look like using an assortment of seeding options.
I don't want to hear any of their crap anymore because they play both sides of the ball.
While they play up to the fans' desire for a playoff, they hand the BCS asinine amounts of cash for the rights to broadcast the same bowls their content would suggest the network was against.
If "the worldwide leader in sports" would have simply told the BCS big-wigs that ESPN/ABC wasn't interested in a formula-based champion, therefore they would not pay to broadcast them, who knows what could happen.
Furthermore, if they could somehow get Fox in on the boycott, where would the BCS turn?
They would either have to contend with the eternal fuzziness of NBC (think about it, watching "the peacock" in HD is like watching ABC on foil-covered rabbit-ears) or possibly CBS.
One of my co-workers suggested that viewers would watch the BCS games regardless of the channel because college football is so popular, even if the games were on Versus.
I disagree, seeing as how I can tell you which channels are ABC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN in two different markets off the top of my head, and I've only heard one repeated comment about Versus.
"Anybody know what number this Versus crap is on?"
ESPN has shown it's true colors on this issue, and I just want them to stop pulling a Kerry and stick to their side.
In addition, even their Accu-score predictions are biased.
I ran the simulator ten or twelve times using the BCS rankings and substituting Virginia Tech for 16th-ranked BYU.
What I got were several upsets, usually to bump Texas out of the first round against Georgia Tech or to get Ohio State past Texas Tech.
Ohio State would not beat Texas Tech ever, nor will they come within three touchdowns of Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
What's even more interesting is that 75% of my simulations ended with the same championship game: Florida vs. USC.
How surprising, ESPN came up with "Tim Tebow, oh Tim Tebow" against the "mighty Trojans" as the most likely championship outcome of a playoff.
Give me a break.
Thus, I will take another opportunity to further denounce the BCS and, in this case ESPN.
ESPN absolutely perturbs me.
They make themselves the forum for discussion on big-time bowl snubs based on BCS rankings.
Their anchors slide in comments about the obvious need for a playoff.
They even have a simulator feature on espn.com that allows fans to use Accu-score predictions, whatever that means, to simulate what a playoff would look like using an assortment of seeding options.
I don't want to hear any of their crap anymore because they play both sides of the ball.
While they play up to the fans' desire for a playoff, they hand the BCS asinine amounts of cash for the rights to broadcast the same bowls their content would suggest the network was against.
If "the worldwide leader in sports" would have simply told the BCS big-wigs that ESPN/ABC wasn't interested in a formula-based champion, therefore they would not pay to broadcast them, who knows what could happen.
Furthermore, if they could somehow get Fox in on the boycott, where would the BCS turn?
They would either have to contend with the eternal fuzziness of NBC (think about it, watching "the peacock" in HD is like watching ABC on foil-covered rabbit-ears) or possibly CBS.
One of my co-workers suggested that viewers would watch the BCS games regardless of the channel because college football is so popular, even if the games were on Versus.
I disagree, seeing as how I can tell you which channels are ABC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN in two different markets off the top of my head, and I've only heard one repeated comment about Versus.
"Anybody know what number this Versus crap is on?"
ESPN has shown it's true colors on this issue, and I just want them to stop pulling a Kerry and stick to their side.
In addition, even their Accu-score predictions are biased.
I ran the simulator ten or twelve times using the BCS rankings and substituting Virginia Tech for 16th-ranked BYU.
What I got were several upsets, usually to bump Texas out of the first round against Georgia Tech or to get Ohio State past Texas Tech.
Ohio State would not beat Texas Tech ever, nor will they come within three touchdowns of Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
What's even more interesting is that 75% of my simulations ended with the same championship game: Florida vs. USC.
How surprising, ESPN came up with "Tim Tebow, oh Tim Tebow" against the "mighty Trojans" as the most likely championship outcome of a playoff.
Give me a break.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Bowl Crappiness Series
I, the great Jermdini, will now attempt my most dangerous trick yet: I will attempt to unravel the mysteries of the BCS.
I know what you're thinking; I shouldn't even attempt this because my head will probably explode.
It will do that, no doubt out of frustration rather than confusion.
Thus, I will outline a few foreseeable scenarios that involve the three most important games this coming weekend, being the SEC championship game, the Big 12 championship game, and USC vs. UCLA.
So the simplest scenario is that number one Alabama defeats Florida and second-ranked Oklahoma beats Missouri.
In that case, count these two games as national semi-finals and send those two teams to the national championship game.
I know the Texas fans think they should be ahead of Oklahoma simply because of a 40-35 head-to-head victory, but those same fans forget that their Longhorns lost to Texas Tech.
Thus, all three teams should be tied for second in the BCS, and should play Missouri in jamboree format circa high school ball.
Anyhoosers, the next scenario is that Florida, number four in the latest rankings, defeats Alabama, and Oklahoma also wins.
In my mind, this would send Oklahoma to the number one slot and Florida up to number two, and sets up a national championship game that no one other than Oklahoma and Florida fans really wants to see.
Face it, those are two of the most hated programs in the country.
These next several options bring USC into the picture.
Let's say Alabama wins and Oklahoma loses.
If USC wins, I think that would bring them back into the national championship game, just like I predicted after Pete Carroll said the BCS "stinks."
Yeah, USC would jump Texas, as they should, and it pains me to say that.
If USC loses as well, there are two options left: Texas and Utah.
Oh my, talk about "pandelirium."
Of course the voters would send Texas to the title game, despite that whole "finished third in the conference" thing, but the worst part is that even that wouldn't cause the powers that be to consider a playoff.
Think about it, Utah vs. 'Bama, or anyone for that matter, for a national championship game.
Next, consider the possibilities if Florida beats Alabama, and Oklahoma loses.
If USC wins, they'll play the Gators in another "Battle of the Hated Programs," but the ESPN guys will be excited for a whole month.
Some of them would probably start working for Fox just so they could call that game.
"Tebow versus the Trojans, the Trojans versus Tebow, oh thank you, Jesus!"
The last of my scenarios is two-fold.
If Florida wins big over Alabama, and Oklahoma and USC both lose, we're looking at Florida-Texas, just as I predicted would be the result of a playoff.
That would be a great way to end the season, but not as great as the other option.
If the same thing happens, except Florida wins a nail-biter over Alabama, both teams might get enough style points to stay one and two.
The two teams could shake hands in Atlanta and say, "See you in Miami."
In all likelihood, Texas would jump over Alabama anyway, but that is not guaranteed because there is no method to the madness that is the BCS.
I would laugh endlessly if the almighty computers and voters put together their collective pea-brain and came up with an SEC championship rematch for the national title game.
It would be an SEC fan's dream, but just another episode in the fairness nightmare that is the BCS.
I know what you're thinking; I shouldn't even attempt this because my head will probably explode.
It will do that, no doubt out of frustration rather than confusion.
Thus, I will outline a few foreseeable scenarios that involve the three most important games this coming weekend, being the SEC championship game, the Big 12 championship game, and USC vs. UCLA.
So the simplest scenario is that number one Alabama defeats Florida and second-ranked Oklahoma beats Missouri.
In that case, count these two games as national semi-finals and send those two teams to the national championship game.
I know the Texas fans think they should be ahead of Oklahoma simply because of a 40-35 head-to-head victory, but those same fans forget that their Longhorns lost to Texas Tech.
Thus, all three teams should be tied for second in the BCS, and should play Missouri in jamboree format circa high school ball.
Anyhoosers, the next scenario is that Florida, number four in the latest rankings, defeats Alabama, and Oklahoma also wins.
In my mind, this would send Oklahoma to the number one slot and Florida up to number two, and sets up a national championship game that no one other than Oklahoma and Florida fans really wants to see.
Face it, those are two of the most hated programs in the country.
These next several options bring USC into the picture.
Let's say Alabama wins and Oklahoma loses.
If USC wins, I think that would bring them back into the national championship game, just like I predicted after Pete Carroll said the BCS "stinks."
Yeah, USC would jump Texas, as they should, and it pains me to say that.
If USC loses as well, there are two options left: Texas and Utah.
Oh my, talk about "pandelirium."
Of course the voters would send Texas to the title game, despite that whole "finished third in the conference" thing, but the worst part is that even that wouldn't cause the powers that be to consider a playoff.
Think about it, Utah vs. 'Bama, or anyone for that matter, for a national championship game.
Next, consider the possibilities if Florida beats Alabama, and Oklahoma loses.
If USC wins, they'll play the Gators in another "Battle of the Hated Programs," but the ESPN guys will be excited for a whole month.
Some of them would probably start working for Fox just so they could call that game.
"Tebow versus the Trojans, the Trojans versus Tebow, oh thank you, Jesus!"
The last of my scenarios is two-fold.
If Florida wins big over Alabama, and Oklahoma and USC both lose, we're looking at Florida-Texas, just as I predicted would be the result of a playoff.
That would be a great way to end the season, but not as great as the other option.
If the same thing happens, except Florida wins a nail-biter over Alabama, both teams might get enough style points to stay one and two.
The two teams could shake hands in Atlanta and say, "See you in Miami."
In all likelihood, Texas would jump over Alabama anyway, but that is not guaranteed because there is no method to the madness that is the BCS.
I would laugh endlessly if the almighty computers and voters put together their collective pea-brain and came up with an SEC championship rematch for the national title game.
It would be an SEC fan's dream, but just another episode in the fairness nightmare that is the BCS.
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