I realize that I haven't written anything here in over two months. To be quite honest, nothing has really jumped out at me in the sports world. However, I can't let this one go. These opinions are mine. Don't like them? Oh. Okay. I'll love you anyway.
Since the 1890's, one sport has been deemed one of the most violent and most unique sports to ever exist. Long before martial arts left the particular regions of Asia, everyone settled an altercation in one way: their fists.
Boxing was a common sight in North America, even before professional wrestling became more mainstream among the people. Shoot, men did it outside of the ring for money and for show. Early boxing matches didn't even have gloves, for cripes' sake. For the next century, boxing went from being extremely popular, to a thing of the past that may come on at 2AM for willing viewers. Mixed Martial Arts is becoming the more popular sport in North America, and boxing is not a much-talked about phenomenon, unless if you're an avid watcher of NBC Sports' Boxing Night in America or ESPN's Friday Night Fights. However, this slightly changed when a dream fight originally concocted in 2009 came to fruition Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are arguably the two biggest names in boxing world today. Mayweather's undefeated record and Pacquiao's multiple title wins have been huge stories all throughout the 2000's and 2010's. These clash of boxing titans were sure to bring the house down since Mayweather was pinned down for it after six longs years of waiting. But was it worth the hype and would it make boxing a topic at the dinner table and bars again?
Before this fight, there was a heaping metric ton of controversy all around the bout. For those who aren't familiar with Mayweather, he's had quite a history of domestic violence cases against him, and none of his cases led to any specific resolution to them. Allegedly, he had barred three journalists--one of which was ESPN's Michelle Beadle--who had covered his cases and were against him. The public relations representative (who cracks me up, by the way) did a terrible job of trying to clear that fact up. Not only that, the money value of the fight and the winnings that he and Pacquiao were going to receive (on top of the whopping $100 pay-per-view price) was deemed as preposterous. Plus, the Internet community likes to jump on the fact that Floyd Mayweather is somewhat illiterate. I could go on and on about the controversies, but then this would turn into an ethics post that would not be worth reading unless you were totally into politics and morality and such.
I digress.
After the fight, I'd read a lot of reactions over social media--believe me, there was a lot, and reactions weren't that hard to find--and those who are involved with either mixed martial arts or boxing praised Mayweather for his boxing "art" of evasion and how he made every punch count [according to statistics, his punch accuracy was higher than Pacquiao's]. The huge point of this is simply: there is strategy in boxing, but this was never meant to be a form of martial arts. Sure, you can evade, you can strategize, but the original point of the sport was to make sure your skill, speed, endurance, and accuracy of punches was so great, that you either knock out your opponent, or had enough credibility to be deemed the winner of the fight by decision. Taking all of 12 rounds to do something that could have lasted eight or nine (especially with Pacquiao's alleged nagging shoulder) was the problem that most "outsiders" to any sort of involvement in organized fights had with Saturday night.
But, all things considered, this is the main argument for the sport now: the game has changed. Because of the risks and spoils, the sport has become a lot more strategic and counter-heavy than it once was. Defense has taken more of a front seat, and leaving the slugfest era in the dust. Why is that? It's not just for the money, but it's also for "the art," as some people call it. They would much rather show a display of evasion and "smarts" than more offensive pushes. Thanks to YouTube, I (along with thousands of other people, it seems) did a little digging to find classic matches to see the overall differences between Saturday night's fight and ones from long before. I found a gem from 40 years ago between an undefeated George Foreman [Grill] and an older Muhammad Ali--that's right, I'm talking about "The Rumble in the Jungle."
Considering Ali's age--he was 32 at the time, which was considered older in that age--and the fact that Foreman took down the two guys who had defeated Ali (the lates Joe Frazier and Ken Norton), this fight seemed like it was not only one of redemption, but of: "Oh man, how great is he if he took down the two men that took me down in two rounds?"
You're going to notice something very interesting here--Ali is evading and moving around and stalling the same way Mayweather did in his fight with Pacquiao. However, the major difference is that Ali still took the opportunity to wear down Foreman through any kind of punch (regardless of accuracy) instead of having Foreman wear himself out. It proved to be a good strategy. [I'm not spoiling this fight for you if you've never seen it before.] What Mayweather did was bide energy and punch sparingly, and take advantage of his wider reach over Pacquiao. This ultimately led to the fight going to the decision of the judges.
Now... I present to you this little gem. Not a lot of you may know this, but Mayweather was also an Olympic fighter as well...
At this level of boxing--one that Mayweather actually specializes--punch accuracy actually counts here in a point-based system. While there was a lot of controversy surrounding this bout, you can tell that the only kind of defense that exists here is parrying and dodging. No stall bait here, my friends.
Because of the kind of fight that occurred, a lot of people were disappointed. In fact, a lot of people were expecting an amateur-style fight where both men would go out punching like in the Foreman/Ali fight; instead, it was the total opposite. People on Facebook and Twitter were saying things such as: "When's the next time Ronda Rousey fights? I bet she could put Mayweather in an armbar and make things right. Yeah, MMA is better." The type of match left a bad taste in people's mouths, and because of the numerous opinions of so many, this may not look good for the future of boxing in the United States. It doesn't matter that the film Creed (a.k.a. the next Rocky movie) is coming out in the Fall, or that we have boxers going to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics. What matters the most is that the sport has fallen by the wayside in favor of the more physical, less dancing-filled MMA giants like UFC. These two big names failed to deliver what the lesser-informed masses wanted, and what the people are talking about now are the controversies surrounding the match instead of the match itself.
I won't go so far as to say that "boxing is dead," but the changes it has undergone over the past ten years and the situations surrounding the sport, the judging, and the spoils of it haven't meshed well at all with viewers in North America. Boxing is trying to reestablish itself as a separate entity to MMA, and still try to be a big draw at the same time, but unfortunately, it seemed like a way more glitzy Oscar-styled Super Bowl that I was watching. It certainly wasn't the stuff I watched with my father on Friday nights 10-15 years ago. The game has definitely changed, whether it's for the better or not remains to be seen. It was never meant to be an art in the category of MMA; it was meant to be a sport of wit and power, with minor focuses in evasion and defense, because the main point was to knock your opponent down in any way possible. It's certainly an awkward time for boxing in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and it could be costly.
The aftermath of the fight seems to be a massive cleanup, and when we least expect it, we're going to hear about the domestic violence cases again and allegations that the fight was fixed. Because that's the way the sports world works today. The only thing that could really bring the masses back into boxing again is to see younger guys come in and take out these titans. That's what guys like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield did in the late 1980's and most of the 1990's. It's time for a new breed, and more faces to make things interesting again.
Well, that's the way I see it, at least.
-- Stephanie
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Five.
I don't like to think that I'm an emotional person with things like this, but I can guarantee you that I cried a little bit when I typed this out. People feel accomplished when they travel or they get a job that they've worked very hard to achieve. For something like this, I feel like I've made a personal accomplishment.
I remember exactly what was going on when I created this blog. It is as vivid as a sweet childhood memory, or a horrible event like a death in the family. I remember the way my bedroom was situated. I remember the purple walls (good feng shui, my friends), the shelves, the television playing an Olympic hockey game. I didn't think that five years later, I would be using this same exact site, doing the things I had intended to do here.
After five years of memories outside of the blog and within this blog, I've learned a lot about the journey of life. I read the first 15-20 posts on this blog, and I can laugh hysterically, because I had no idea what I was doing, but I had a dream, and I wanted to fulfill it. It wasn't the exact thing, but there's a major plan for everyone. You're following a path that you can't create an ending for, because you can't build something at Stage 20 when you haven't even stepped on Stage 1 first.
You don't see the small steps in life. Why? Because you're in the moment; you're enjoying the ride. You might be looking at another staircase, thinking that this is going to lead you somewhere else. I will admit this: I thought this was going to lead me to getting a job with ESPN. If you told me that I was going to go back to acting after college and begin screenwriting within three years of writing in this blog when I started, I'd have laughed at you and asked where you happened to buy some decent weed. No, I'm not working for ESPN, and I'm not working for the Phillies like I had so hoped, but I gained a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience elsewhere. Because of my writing, I've met a lot of very close friends. I've learned enough about sports and people that helped toward my own self-enrichment, because I'll be honest, I wasn't in the best of places at the time in which I started The Sports Nut Blogs. I've gained strength as a writer, so much so that I have written sketch comedy, a piece that gained the attention of The American Outlaws (imagine sitting at a tavern for dinner with your best friend, and seeing your site blow up...that'll make you have a beer or two), a number of pieces for another sports website, a piece that was performed by my alma mater's theater group in their Fall show, and a number of other works itching to be brought to life.
The Sports Nut Blogs gave me confidence in the abilities that I have.
I never wanted to monetize this site. Why? This is a tool. This is my dojo. Even when I was nowhere near a computer or laptop or tablet, I was writing down ideas on paper, or I was pounding out an entire MLB midseason slant on my iPhone. I take this seriously. This is a job, and I even declare it to be so on my LinkedIn profile. Some of the greatest jobs (even careers) are things that you do not get paid for. This is a service to myself, and it might be a good laugh or insight for anyone else who reads it.
The feeling I have in my stomach right now? I don't know if I can put it into words. But you know what? I'm going to do the best I can to describe it, because finally, after five whole years, I can call myself a writer.
This is the feeling that you get when you find out that you got a really good grade on a test that you studied hard for but you thought you had screwed up. Mix that feeling with finding out that a person that you were madly in love with--yet you were afraid to tell them--that they've had a lover of their own for quite a while. Mix those two feelings with the feeling of when you're standing on the edge of a somewhere while on vacation, feeling every breeze and sound and sight, and you're at total peace. It truly is a mix of emotions, but it hits every single level, takes you out of your comfort zone, and it takes you for a ride that you are ever so thankful for.
I've learned a lot about a soul's purpose, and how people are considered "late bloomers," and how many of my friends still consider me a "baby" when I feel like I'm a 45-year-old in a 24-year-old body. I feel like I've run out of time about 90% of the time, because it seems like the world around me is accomplishing their goals much faster than I am. But you look at people like Julia Child, who didn't become as renowned as she did until she was 40. Then you truly ask yourself this question: "When do you really know when you've 'made it?'" I might not be a famous sports broadcaster or Oscar winner or a superhero in a known business field, but you know what? I've made it. I've finally figured out who I am. I've figured out what makes me happy, and what I should do with my life in order to keep creating happiness for myself. It's been here all along, and I've been manifesting it in this blog.
The Sports Nut Blogs helped me find myself.
People will sometimes journal in order to help get their feelings out. Not only did this get my feelings out, I found a new side to myself that was informative, but also "stupid funny" to the point where I didn't believe the kind of humor I'd throw out there, regardless of how bad it was. I wasn't afraid of that, and I started taking that outside of the Internet, and if I didn't, I wouldn't have networked with and met the people that I have over the past five years.
Because of this blog, I have also branched out into screenwriting too. The ability to tell a story and to convey a message has bled into this blog as well, so my style of journalism is certainly...awkward to say the least. However, that doesn't matter. What matters the most is that I am doing something that makes me incredibly happy, and I have gotten much stronger with it. Regardless of who reads this blog, I hope that they are entertained and impressed with what I have talked about, and that they have seen that I have a deep love for sports, as well as a deep love for writing these things.
I'm a writer.
I've decided that after today, my "AZ" signature will be retired. Heck, my name is even in the "About the Author" section. If I want people to know who I am, I shouldn't hide behind a username anymore. I've hid long enough. It's time to write even more.
I'm here to stay, and the world of sports will be rocked even more.
-- Stephanie
(I made it, Mom and Dad.)
I remember exactly what was going on when I created this blog. It is as vivid as a sweet childhood memory, or a horrible event like a death in the family. I remember the way my bedroom was situated. I remember the purple walls (good feng shui, my friends), the shelves, the television playing an Olympic hockey game. I didn't think that five years later, I would be using this same exact site, doing the things I had intended to do here.
After five years of memories outside of the blog and within this blog, I've learned a lot about the journey of life. I read the first 15-20 posts on this blog, and I can laugh hysterically, because I had no idea what I was doing, but I had a dream, and I wanted to fulfill it. It wasn't the exact thing, but there's a major plan for everyone. You're following a path that you can't create an ending for, because you can't build something at Stage 20 when you haven't even stepped on Stage 1 first.
You don't see the small steps in life. Why? Because you're in the moment; you're enjoying the ride. You might be looking at another staircase, thinking that this is going to lead you somewhere else. I will admit this: I thought this was going to lead me to getting a job with ESPN. If you told me that I was going to go back to acting after college and begin screenwriting within three years of writing in this blog when I started, I'd have laughed at you and asked where you happened to buy some decent weed. No, I'm not working for ESPN, and I'm not working for the Phillies like I had so hoped, but I gained a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience elsewhere. Because of my writing, I've met a lot of very close friends. I've learned enough about sports and people that helped toward my own self-enrichment, because I'll be honest, I wasn't in the best of places at the time in which I started The Sports Nut Blogs. I've gained strength as a writer, so much so that I have written sketch comedy, a piece that gained the attention of The American Outlaws (imagine sitting at a tavern for dinner with your best friend, and seeing your site blow up...that'll make you have a beer or two), a number of pieces for another sports website, a piece that was performed by my alma mater's theater group in their Fall show, and a number of other works itching to be brought to life.
The Sports Nut Blogs gave me confidence in the abilities that I have.
I never wanted to monetize this site. Why? This is a tool. This is my dojo. Even when I was nowhere near a computer or laptop or tablet, I was writing down ideas on paper, or I was pounding out an entire MLB midseason slant on my iPhone. I take this seriously. This is a job, and I even declare it to be so on my LinkedIn profile. Some of the greatest jobs (even careers) are things that you do not get paid for. This is a service to myself, and it might be a good laugh or insight for anyone else who reads it.
The feeling I have in my stomach right now? I don't know if I can put it into words. But you know what? I'm going to do the best I can to describe it, because finally, after five whole years, I can call myself a writer.
This is the feeling that you get when you find out that you got a really good grade on a test that you studied hard for but you thought you had screwed up. Mix that feeling with finding out that a person that you were madly in love with--yet you were afraid to tell them--that they've had a lover of their own for quite a while. Mix those two feelings with the feeling of when you're standing on the edge of a somewhere while on vacation, feeling every breeze and sound and sight, and you're at total peace. It truly is a mix of emotions, but it hits every single level, takes you out of your comfort zone, and it takes you for a ride that you are ever so thankful for.
I've learned a lot about a soul's purpose, and how people are considered "late bloomers," and how many of my friends still consider me a "baby" when I feel like I'm a 45-year-old in a 24-year-old body. I feel like I've run out of time about 90% of the time, because it seems like the world around me is accomplishing their goals much faster than I am. But you look at people like Julia Child, who didn't become as renowned as she did until she was 40. Then you truly ask yourself this question: "When do you really know when you've 'made it?'" I might not be a famous sports broadcaster or Oscar winner or a superhero in a known business field, but you know what? I've made it. I've finally figured out who I am. I've figured out what makes me happy, and what I should do with my life in order to keep creating happiness for myself. It's been here all along, and I've been manifesting it in this blog.
The Sports Nut Blogs helped me find myself.
People will sometimes journal in order to help get their feelings out. Not only did this get my feelings out, I found a new side to myself that was informative, but also "stupid funny" to the point where I didn't believe the kind of humor I'd throw out there, regardless of how bad it was. I wasn't afraid of that, and I started taking that outside of the Internet, and if I didn't, I wouldn't have networked with and met the people that I have over the past five years.
Because of this blog, I have also branched out into screenwriting too. The ability to tell a story and to convey a message has bled into this blog as well, so my style of journalism is certainly...awkward to say the least. However, that doesn't matter. What matters the most is that I am doing something that makes me incredibly happy, and I have gotten much stronger with it. Regardless of who reads this blog, I hope that they are entertained and impressed with what I have talked about, and that they have seen that I have a deep love for sports, as well as a deep love for writing these things.
I'm a writer.
I've decided that after today, my "AZ" signature will be retired. Heck, my name is even in the "About the Author" section. If I want people to know who I am, I shouldn't hide behind a username anymore. I've hid long enough. It's time to write even more.
I'm here to stay, and the world of sports will be rocked even more.
-- Stephanie
(I made it, Mom and Dad.)
Friday, February 20, 2015
Go! And Make It Snappy!
The concept of time is a strange one, as those who consider themselves "conscious" believe that time is an illusion. Well, it can be depending on how you're spending it.
Let's be honest... How long does a sporting event usually last? About three hours or so, right? But, of course, athletes aren't playing for three hours straight. Heck, their breaks between gameplay aren't even all that long. Are we wasting time? Well, we very well could be, and it looks like baseball is going to make a change to that.
As announced to the mainstream media Friday morning, new rules in Major League Baseball will be incorporated this season. While they aren't as exponentially large as say, instant replay, they will not only adjust the way we watch the game, but see how teams adjust to the lesser amount of "freedom" they can have when it comes to movements and warming up. Two rules that were incorporated include: adjustments to the instant replay rule (shocker), and a rule that was tested in the Fall Leagues--the batter's box rule. The third rule, which the post is ultimately about, has to do with time management in the game.
The rule states as follows:
Is it a good move? It's way more of a yes than a no here. Why? I can't begin to tell you how many people I have spoken to in my 7+ years of willingly talking shop with people that I have been told that baseball is the slowest and least exciting sport because of the long pauses between each pitch and play. Due to a lot of the fast-pacing of its other Big Four brethren, it does contain more pauses and more monotony than, say, hockey. Before you go asking: "But what about the pauses between each play in an NFL game," note how I said the word "monotony" above. Different plays can occur in that time clock period in football, while the same event is almost always occurring in baseball. Why prolong the same action with a variant flair on it?
Despite that point, a type of rule like this could be a blessing in disguise for the NFL, considering games are nearly three hours in length, and only an average of eleven minutes are dedicated to play execution.
I remember going to the Army/Navy football game a few years ago, and how I would dread each time I heard a referee proclaim, "Media timeout." It was cold, and I sat up in the higher levels of Lincoln Financial Field with my family. This was me by the end of the game, even though I was bundled up:
In this world of funding, sponsoring, and advertising, you can't really stop the plethora of commercials pertaining to beer, local stores, movie previews, and insurance companies. However, those can be curbed so that you're not watching only five minutes of game before commercials, or seeing a kickoff return and then another minute of that same guy at a bar being suave with the glass of beer he can't drink on-screen due to media regulations. When you're at home, that's an opportunity for you to get food or go to the bathroom. When you're at an outdoor game, a venue where you run the risk of facing the elements, you will be sarcastic in saying: "I'm dying of suspense out here." Come on--this rule is great for not having to sit out in the rain in a poncho that you had a total ball in opening while waiting for the next pitch in total dread. Sure, the overall atmosphere may make a difference, which makes it seem like the pace of the game isn't as big of a deal during a football game. But what if you're losing by a lot and the weather is beyond lousy? Game, set, and match, naysayer.
The change in pace is going to be a test for production crews--both the television crews and the stadium crews. Veterans who have been working games for years are going to feel quite a difference in pacing, but if they're that professional, the change will be a smooth and welcoming one. However, there is a question and concern for this rule: Who takes the hit (as receiving a fine for a rule break) if the pace of the game is affected, the stadium crew, or the television crew? I guess we could find that one out sooner than later.
These kinds of changes aren't going to be overly noticeable, but they will guarantee that we're not having long pauses between the actions occurring on the field. Honestly, the only group that will likely take any kind of hit from this rule to shorten time is the sponsors. They pay good money for :30 spots, and if they're not all in within a time frame, they could certainly pull out or downsize on a deal. Of course, that would be a bigger deal in a national telecast, but when it comes to local telecasts, the deals aren't as immense or as crucial. Larger networks that show more than sports do exist, like WGN. However, those guys may broadcast more than one team as well, and advertising costs will work in their favor since they have more programming to give spots to. See? The rule change looks more reasonable than not.
Would this rule benefit other leagues? It could. In regards to other sports like soccer, the halftime break is necessary, as the coverage for each half is nonstop. In hockey and basketball, breaks between each period or quarter are usually very rare, and are very short when they do occur. For sports like football and baseball, the pacing is extremely inconsistent, and it got out of hand in baseball. Because the NFL is already having a lot of issues in other regions of the game, a pacing regulation may not ever occur, and even if a rule does come to pass, it could face a huge backlash with the defense claiming: "These men need longer breaks between each play to prevent further injury." I feel like I can see the future with things like this, and it's rather sad.
In conclusion, this rule is definitely going to help Major League Baseball with pacing, and consistency in play. A watched pot never boils, so continually waiting for something to happen isn't going to be much fun anymore. Sports are supposed to be well-paced and full of some sort of action. It isn't supposed to be chess. Watching games this year might be a little different, as there won't be as many ear-grating diatribes from commentary on television, and you're not going to sit for a longer stretch at the ballpark. I say it's a win for the good guys here.
Slow and steady doesn't mean you'll win the race--efficient and steady means you will, especially if you're watching a game.
--AZ
All sources of rules came from the MLB Public Relations Twitter page (@MLB_PR).
Let's be honest... How long does a sporting event usually last? About three hours or so, right? But, of course, athletes aren't playing for three hours straight. Heck, their breaks between gameplay aren't even all that long. Are we wasting time? Well, we very well could be, and it looks like baseball is going to make a change to that.
As announced to the mainstream media Friday morning, new rules in Major League Baseball will be incorporated this season. While they aren't as exponentially large as say, instant replay, they will not only adjust the way we watch the game, but see how teams adjust to the lesser amount of "freedom" they can have when it comes to movements and warming up. Two rules that were incorporated include: adjustments to the instant replay rule (shocker), and a rule that was tested in the Fall Leagues--the batter's box rule. The third rule, which the post is ultimately about, has to do with time management in the game.
The rule states as follows:
MLB & MLBPA announce additions to the pace of game program, effective this season. Details: pic.twitter.com/qr0KBcPLA9
— MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) February 20, 2015
In truth, this rule has been enforced slowly but surely over the past several years. The time for pitchers to transition from pitch-to-pitch on the mound has been closely watched for a while, and it has become a problem for both the pitching, and the fluff between.Is it a good move? It's way more of a yes than a no here. Why? I can't begin to tell you how many people I have spoken to in my 7+ years of willingly talking shop with people that I have been told that baseball is the slowest and least exciting sport because of the long pauses between each pitch and play. Due to a lot of the fast-pacing of its other Big Four brethren, it does contain more pauses and more monotony than, say, hockey. Before you go asking: "But what about the pauses between each play in an NFL game," note how I said the word "monotony" above. Different plays can occur in that time clock period in football, while the same event is almost always occurring in baseball. Why prolong the same action with a variant flair on it?
Despite that point, a type of rule like this could be a blessing in disguise for the NFL, considering games are nearly three hours in length, and only an average of eleven minutes are dedicated to play execution.
I remember going to the Army/Navy football game a few years ago, and how I would dread each time I heard a referee proclaim, "Media timeout." It was cold, and I sat up in the higher levels of Lincoln Financial Field with my family. This was me by the end of the game, even though I was bundled up:
In this world of funding, sponsoring, and advertising, you can't really stop the plethora of commercials pertaining to beer, local stores, movie previews, and insurance companies. However, those can be curbed so that you're not watching only five minutes of game before commercials, or seeing a kickoff return and then another minute of that same guy at a bar being suave with the glass of beer he can't drink on-screen due to media regulations. When you're at home, that's an opportunity for you to get food or go to the bathroom. When you're at an outdoor game, a venue where you run the risk of facing the elements, you will be sarcastic in saying: "I'm dying of suspense out here." Come on--this rule is great for not having to sit out in the rain in a poncho that you had a total ball in opening while waiting for the next pitch in total dread. Sure, the overall atmosphere may make a difference, which makes it seem like the pace of the game isn't as big of a deal during a football game. But what if you're losing by a lot and the weather is beyond lousy? Game, set, and match, naysayer.
The change in pace is going to be a test for production crews--both the television crews and the stadium crews. Veterans who have been working games for years are going to feel quite a difference in pacing, but if they're that professional, the change will be a smooth and welcoming one. However, there is a question and concern for this rule: Who takes the hit (as receiving a fine for a rule break) if the pace of the game is affected, the stadium crew, or the television crew? I guess we could find that one out sooner than later.
These kinds of changes aren't going to be overly noticeable, but they will guarantee that we're not having long pauses between the actions occurring on the field. Honestly, the only group that will likely take any kind of hit from this rule to shorten time is the sponsors. They pay good money for :30 spots, and if they're not all in within a time frame, they could certainly pull out or downsize on a deal. Of course, that would be a bigger deal in a national telecast, but when it comes to local telecasts, the deals aren't as immense or as crucial. Larger networks that show more than sports do exist, like WGN. However, those guys may broadcast more than one team as well, and advertising costs will work in their favor since they have more programming to give spots to. See? The rule change looks more reasonable than not.
Would this rule benefit other leagues? It could. In regards to other sports like soccer, the halftime break is necessary, as the coverage for each half is nonstop. In hockey and basketball, breaks between each period or quarter are usually very rare, and are very short when they do occur. For sports like football and baseball, the pacing is extremely inconsistent, and it got out of hand in baseball. Because the NFL is already having a lot of issues in other regions of the game, a pacing regulation may not ever occur, and even if a rule does come to pass, it could face a huge backlash with the defense claiming: "These men need longer breaks between each play to prevent further injury." I feel like I can see the future with things like this, and it's rather sad.
In conclusion, this rule is definitely going to help Major League Baseball with pacing, and consistency in play. A watched pot never boils, so continually waiting for something to happen isn't going to be much fun anymore. Sports are supposed to be well-paced and full of some sort of action. It isn't supposed to be chess. Watching games this year might be a little different, as there won't be as many ear-grating diatribes from commentary on television, and you're not going to sit for a longer stretch at the ballpark. I say it's a win for the good guys here.
Slow and steady doesn't mean you'll win the race--efficient and steady means you will, especially if you're watching a game.
--AZ
All sources of rules came from the MLB Public Relations Twitter page (@MLB_PR).
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Mad Skillz
And now, for my next trick, I'm going to make mention of things that show off some "mad skills, yo." One of which had disappeared many years ago, but due to the magic of writing, I'm bringing it back. You're welcome.
Hey now, you're an All-Star.
As that right hook from the 90's sent you flying, I took the time to do a little bit of research.
We all know how All-Star Games function. There's one for each of the Big Four (and one for MLS, but some people don't think it counts), and they're often made to be a huge weekend spectacle--unless you're Major League Baseball, when you think Tuesday is the most brilliant day of the week to broadcast a game like this. In any case, there are usually events that precede each All-Star game, and there is a load of pomp and circumstance flying all around the area for them. Some of them involve sporting legends and celebrities (even veterans of the American military), and some involve conventions and meet and greets. However, I'm not going to be getting into that crazy business. I'm going to talk about the realm of talent. That's right--I'm talking about skills competitions.
The first instance of a skills competition occurred in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1976 with the Slam Dunk Contest, which was won by "Dr. J" Julius Erving. Other skills competitions came about much later on; the NBA began a Three-Point Contest in their 1985 season (won by Larry Bird), with Major League Baseball beginning their annual Home Run Derby in the same year (won by Cal Ripken Jr.). Each league has grown in hosting celebrity events and other assorted skills competitions except for the NFL, which had stopped their Pro Bowl Skills Competition after 2007. That said, I guess you could really call them the No Fun League, eh?
(Fun Fact: The ABA merged into the NBA after the 1976 season.)
[Side Note: I just named three legends in the paragraph above. I'm pretty sure this means that these events aren't a load of garbage. But let's move forward, shall we?]
During my Valentine's evening of eating pizza, playing Injustice: Ultimate Edition, and watching Alfred Hitchcock, I got to thinking... Why do these events even exist? What in the world are they proving? These guys make enough money as it is--why do they have to show off?
If you peel away at the concept like an onion, these skill competitions actually break the sport down even further. Simply put, these events are even more difficult variations of practice drills or endurance sessions. For example, during the skills competition before the NHL All-Star Game, a lot of it relies on speed, agility, and handling. For many, the grace of ice skating does not come easy at all. To see these men display their speed while handling their stick and a puck speaks volumes on how skillful these athletes are. In basketball, focus is key, especially in the area of shooting. In baseball, it is about timing and efficient movement (strength is a gimme).
Skill competitions add more dimensions to a player who can only show just a limited amount of skill in-game. For example, you're not going to be able to see Steph Curry nailing three-pointer after three-pointer due to the fact that he's going to have really tall guys attempting to block him. Shooting from the arc isn't the easiest thing in the world to begin with, and to be consistent and accurate at that is a talent whether you like it or not. Also, you wouldn't be able to see a guy like Josh Hamilton hammer 28 home runs in a short amount of time [and later blow it to Justin Morneau in the end] in a regular game, because it would break the rules of the game. You have a time and a place to express yourself.
Is it really showing off? It comes down to perception. It shows that abilities of athletes may know no bounds, that is for certain; however, it could be seen as an "I'm better than you, and I'm going to rub it in your face for the next two hours plus advertising space." Events like this are entertaining spectacles, sure, and some of these guys are extremely humble in these competitions. They're seen as events where "rookies and sophomores" can look ahead to veterans and pick their brains if they aren't on the same team. It's an effective brain-stew convention of sorts, don't you see? It isn't about the showing-off, it's the humility and the learning experiences that one can gain from watching athletes display their talent in a particular spot of the sport.
--
I'd like to bring up an interesting question: Do the skills competitions help or hinder the All-Star Game that succeeds it on the following day?
I hate to do this, but in my own opinion, the answer is yes and no. Yes, because when the skills competition actually existed for the NFL, people tended to watch (and frankly, care more about) the Pro Bowl the following day. No, because sometimes people don't truly care about who is playing in the game, and might just care about the competitions themselves. An example of this is the Home Run Derby; people might pay more attention to who is in the competition, and totally not care about the other guys playing in the game the following night. The gray area falls upon the NBA and NHL, where fans are more likely to watch both. Then again, it also helps that these events take place on weekends, where Major League Baseball chooses the middle of the mother-flipping week to do this stuff. I digress.
--
In conclusion, skill competitions are a good breakdown of the sport, and you get to see the very best surgically dissect each aspect of a trait and add more passion and flair to it. Those who are bound for greatness should be able to set a high bar, and that bar will empower boys, girls, men, and women to kick that bar off of the rungs and place it even higher. Sure, it could be a bit much at times, but this could also be a way for them to unwind and have even more fun outside of the game itself.
If you're playing a professional sport, you already have "mad skills" to begin with. Share it.
--AZ
Hey now, you're an All-Star.
As that right hook from the 90's sent you flying, I took the time to do a little bit of research.
We all know how All-Star Games function. There's one for each of the Big Four (and one for MLS, but some people don't think it counts), and they're often made to be a huge weekend spectacle--unless you're Major League Baseball, when you think Tuesday is the most brilliant day of the week to broadcast a game like this. In any case, there are usually events that precede each All-Star game, and there is a load of pomp and circumstance flying all around the area for them. Some of them involve sporting legends and celebrities (even veterans of the American military), and some involve conventions and meet and greets. However, I'm not going to be getting into that crazy business. I'm going to talk about the realm of talent. That's right--I'm talking about skills competitions.
The first instance of a skills competition occurred in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1976 with the Slam Dunk Contest, which was won by "Dr. J" Julius Erving. Other skills competitions came about much later on; the NBA began a Three-Point Contest in their 1985 season (won by Larry Bird), with Major League Baseball beginning their annual Home Run Derby in the same year (won by Cal Ripken Jr.). Each league has grown in hosting celebrity events and other assorted skills competitions except for the NFL, which had stopped their Pro Bowl Skills Competition after 2007. That said, I guess you could really call them the No Fun League, eh?
(Fun Fact: The ABA merged into the NBA after the 1976 season.)
[Side Note: I just named three legends in the paragraph above. I'm pretty sure this means that these events aren't a load of garbage. But let's move forward, shall we?]
During my Valentine's evening of eating pizza, playing Injustice: Ultimate Edition, and watching Alfred Hitchcock, I got to thinking... Why do these events even exist? What in the world are they proving? These guys make enough money as it is--why do they have to show off?
If you peel away at the concept like an onion, these skill competitions actually break the sport down even further. Simply put, these events are even more difficult variations of practice drills or endurance sessions. For example, during the skills competition before the NHL All-Star Game, a lot of it relies on speed, agility, and handling. For many, the grace of ice skating does not come easy at all. To see these men display their speed while handling their stick and a puck speaks volumes on how skillful these athletes are. In basketball, focus is key, especially in the area of shooting. In baseball, it is about timing and efficient movement (strength is a gimme).
Skill competitions add more dimensions to a player who can only show just a limited amount of skill in-game. For example, you're not going to be able to see Steph Curry nailing three-pointer after three-pointer due to the fact that he's going to have really tall guys attempting to block him. Shooting from the arc isn't the easiest thing in the world to begin with, and to be consistent and accurate at that is a talent whether you like it or not. Also, you wouldn't be able to see a guy like Josh Hamilton hammer 28 home runs in a short amount of time [and later blow it to Justin Morneau in the end] in a regular game, because it would break the rules of the game. You have a time and a place to express yourself.
Is it really showing off? It comes down to perception. It shows that abilities of athletes may know no bounds, that is for certain; however, it could be seen as an "I'm better than you, and I'm going to rub it in your face for the next two hours plus advertising space." Events like this are entertaining spectacles, sure, and some of these guys are extremely humble in these competitions. They're seen as events where "rookies and sophomores" can look ahead to veterans and pick their brains if they aren't on the same team. It's an effective brain-stew convention of sorts, don't you see? It isn't about the showing-off, it's the humility and the learning experiences that one can gain from watching athletes display their talent in a particular spot of the sport.
--
I'd like to bring up an interesting question: Do the skills competitions help or hinder the All-Star Game that succeeds it on the following day?
I hate to do this, but in my own opinion, the answer is yes and no. Yes, because when the skills competition actually existed for the NFL, people tended to watch (and frankly, care more about) the Pro Bowl the following day. No, because sometimes people don't truly care about who is playing in the game, and might just care about the competitions themselves. An example of this is the Home Run Derby; people might pay more attention to who is in the competition, and totally not care about the other guys playing in the game the following night. The gray area falls upon the NBA and NHL, where fans are more likely to watch both. Then again, it also helps that these events take place on weekends, where Major League Baseball chooses the middle of the mother-flipping week to do this stuff. I digress.
--
In conclusion, skill competitions are a good breakdown of the sport, and you get to see the very best surgically dissect each aspect of a trait and add more passion and flair to it. Those who are bound for greatness should be able to set a high bar, and that bar will empower boys, girls, men, and women to kick that bar off of the rungs and place it even higher. Sure, it could be a bit much at times, but this could also be a way for them to unwind and have even more fun outside of the game itself.
If you're playing a professional sport, you already have "mad skills" to begin with. Share it.
--AZ
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Deflated Egos
Now, now. I had to come up with a creative title for this
one, and I came up with this. It isn’t great, but what I’ve got below should
make up for it. Hopefully.
We know who is playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday. We have
the Seattle Seahawks, who are looking for a repeat in Super Bowl wins, and the
New England Patriots, who have had their noses in the playoffs for more than a
decade. Here’s the kicker: I’m not writing about the game. I’m writing about
everything BUT the game. You should have expected this by now.
We seriously haven’t been able to enjoy the pomp and
circumstance of the biggest American football game of the year. Why is that,
you ask? Because we need stupid stuff to talk about before the game actually
happens, and we also need ridiculous accusations for us to sit on that will
probably ruin the whole idea of us enjoying the game on Sunday. During the AFC Championship slaughter between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts two weeks ago, everyone seemed to scratch their heads as to why Tom Brady was getting all of the breaks, while Colts' QB Andrew Luck wasn't getting any...luck. Yeah. I walked into that. Anyway, The game went off without a sore hitch, and within 48 hours of the completion of the game, reports came out that Colts players were suspicious about the overall air pressure of the footballs. Allegedly, 11 of the 12 game balls used during the AFC Championship were not inflated to regulation levels, and it was noticed by D'Qwell Jackson after intercepting one of Brady's passes in the second quarter of the game.
(Charlton Heston not included.)
Did they have this up their sleeves the whole time? Did they do this against Baltimore too? Remember how I said 11 of the 12 balls above? That might not even be the correct amount. With every ounce of research I've done, numbers have changed, science was tampered with--not everyone should be allowed to "science," because it's dangerous work--and opinions have been thrown in left and right. Maybe people have been using excerpts of head coach Bill Belichick's press conference held earlier in the week. What my favorite part about that is that journalists are analyzing every sentence of his like it's the Bible. Because we need three more weeks of stories following the Super Bowl...am I right?
Because I am a child of the 90's, and I feel like it's quite appropriate, Bill Nye has to really break down this science for you. I'm more than certain that you'll be singing the theme song from his show after this. Check this out.
Many people have held press conferences and members of the Patriots' staff have been interrogated; however, the biggest surprise is that Tom Brady has not yet sat down to be formally interrogated. In fact, he won't have to deal with it until Monday morning at the earliest. That alone has gotten fans upset, feeling as if the NFL is going about this unfairly. However, in his defense, they probably don't want to affect him in any way before "The Big Game."
(If I were him, I'd actually want to get that done before the game. But I'm not him, so there.)
I seriously feel like this is some kind of serial drama, and
that there is a dark room where there are a bunch of dark-suited misers writing
scripts and fixing this stuff up. It's like a WWE Creative staff virus or something. I'm waiting for Vince McMahon to come flopping out and fire somebody.
I’m going to bring up an example of this "serial drama," being that it is Oscar
season, and my example was a nominee for Best Picture. The film “Quiz Show” was
based on the controversies surrounding the game show “Twenty One” in the mid-1950’s,
and how most game shows at the time were accused of rigging the results of the
show to prevent loss of viewership, among other things. This isn't the first time the Patriots have been accused of shady things. Ten years ago, during their Super Bowl XXXIX game (and eventual win) against the Philadelphia Eagles, they were accused of cheating via "Spygate," where they had allegedly videotaped the Eagles' defensive calls. Now, ten years later, we're dealing with another issue, and if that's going to make an impact on Sunday's game remains to be seen. Whether these things are rigged for the sake of betting, none of us know, and it isn't the best idea to get ourselves into it. People have died over betting.
Because this is being treated as a serious offense, strict sanctions may be placed on the team in ways of fines, suspensions, and probable bans. But the thing is, with a situation like this, you can't point a finger at one particular thing. This isn't like Bounty Gate, where there were specific players involved and the coach was in on it. It's not like you can slap a staff member on the wrist, or put the footballs in Pigskin Court and sentence them to the chain gang. Punishments are going to be awkward, and they have to be handled properly. The Patriots won't get out of this with a simple shake of the finger, that is for certain by now.
Whether we like it or not, we're going to be hearing about this for a very long time. The game literally means nothing right now, and only the stories behind the game are getting weight. So now...prepare for the ultimate hair-pulling when any mentions of footballs and air pressure come up. Then again, we could always quote Mr. Beast Mode with "I'm just here so I won't get fined," and talk about how they're bringing up supposed uses of Adderall on the Seahawks team. We always need crap to fill the spaces, don't we?
Be responsible out there.
--AZ
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
"I'm Your Biggest Fan! And You Are Mine!"
Believe it or not, I didn't get the idea for this piece because of New Jersey governor Chris Christie and his obvious love for the Dallas Cowboys. These are one of those kinds of pieces where it got stuck in my head for three months and swam around in a corner. It's a blessing in disguise. I think it's time to fry this fish of an idea.
Jack Nicholson. George W. Bush. Steve Perry. Paul Rudd. Bradley Cooper. The list of celebrities (a term which I will use very loosely throughout this piece) and big-named figures can go on and on. Just because these guys call either the stage or the movie screen their home, they're still human. And because they're human, they must have some sort of interests, right? Some people are a lot more louder than others, of course, but I digress. But lately, you're seeing a lot more focus on some of the star power that have local roots and a giant love for their hometown teams.
Some of those guys have been around for a very long time, such as Jack Nicholson, who practically has his own seat in the front row at the Staples Center. Guys like him are such a staple (no pun intended) that they're hardly given much notice because of their infamous love for the team. The same would apply to George W. Bush, who has a near-permanent seat along the backstop for the Texas Rangers' games in Arlington. [FYI: The baseball stadium is now known as Globe Life Park in Arlington. They've changed their stadium name almost as much as where the Miami Dolphins play, which has been Sun Life Stadium since 2010.]
Outside of these notables, you don't get to see the big names on screen until a team makes the playoffs, or has a really good run and may do so. During the 2014 MLB Postseason, the country saw a celebrity face of the Kansas City Royals in actor Paul Rudd. Opposing him? Only the former (and best known) frontman of the rock band Journey, Steve Perry, who is a huge fan of the San Francisco Giants. In fact, he actually came out of the shadows during the Giants' World Series run in 2010 after hearing everyone sing "Lights" and "Don't Stop Believin'" and he hasn't left their lights ever since.
Recently, we saw a new, and somewhat controversial fan revelation. During the Sunday afternoon flag pickup spectacular between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, America saw New Jersey governor Chris Christie rooting for the Cowboys and later hugging owner Jerry Jones after the Cowboys win (picture above). It wasn't exactly the first time we saw this, as Christie was rooting for them during a Monday night game in nearby Philadelphia where the Cowboys faced the Eagles two weeks prior. Granted, to someone like me, it isn't a big deal on who he roots for, but it is a big problem for other people when the state he govern hosts two teams in the Giants and Jets, and he's right next door to Eagles fans (although, technically, there are some regions of South Jersey that can count as Philly Part 2). It's also an even bigger problem when his brother also goes on Facebook and mocks Eagles fans, but this post isn't about that guy. Who is he, anyway? Never mind.
Why do we obsess and gloat over these things? Granted, it was super attractive to see Bradley Cooper wear his hometown team's colors in the 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook, but why else do we get overly excited when we see a celebrity rooting for a team? To be honest, there are times in which I absolutely cannot stand seeing the cameras cut to an actor or a singer watching/enjoying a game. For now, they are among us. Yes, they're titans in whatever they do, but this is a form of them unwinding. Good Lord. They don't want to be on camera for a little while. Chillax, yo. But this is something we can definitely ask ourselves. Why? Does it give us more of a reason to stick with our teams through thick and thin because they are? Possibly. What a better cheerleader than someone who we may look up to and admire to tell us to keep going? Sometimes, it'll make you feel like somebody, like the city has a spokesperson that delivers some outside-of-sports credibility.
On the other hand, some people just might not care. It's just like: "Oh, there's so-and-so sitting there in their expensive seats. Who cares?" It could just be publicity that is the furthest thing from necessary. Like I mentioned above, some celebrities aren't even given a gander anymore because of their frequent sightings at games and their inability to "go away," as it were. That, or the common fan says: "Okay, that's enough of you. Shut up and sit down." It's like the more that apathy exists, the more these instances of celebrity sightings at games gets increasingly annoying, because people don't ask why they're shown constantly on our televisions.
It isn't a terrible thing to see big names cheer on equally as big names. Why? It shows a different dimension to people we're used to seeing perform another job or another task. It shows how multidimensional we can be. It's like knowing that professional athletes might play Dungeons & Dragons and be really good at it. It's knowing little things like that that doesn't make us seem so weird anymore. It's okay to like sports and do something completely different on the side. Like I've said before, sports brings everyone together. It might show a side that we're not used to or not ready for, but it's still a great start, right?
--AZ
(So, since I mentioned Bradley Cooper in this piece, I'm doing this. We're both Phillies fans. Who wears the Phillies shirt better? Me? Or him? That's okay...you can say that he wears it best. I wouldn't be mad.)
Jack Nicholson. George W. Bush. Steve Perry. Paul Rudd. Bradley Cooper. The list of celebrities (a term which I will use very loosely throughout this piece) and big-named figures can go on and on. Just because these guys call either the stage or the movie screen their home, they're still human. And because they're human, they must have some sort of interests, right? Some people are a lot more louder than others, of course, but I digress. But lately, you're seeing a lot more focus on some of the star power that have local roots and a giant love for their hometown teams.
Some of those guys have been around for a very long time, such as Jack Nicholson, who practically has his own seat in the front row at the Staples Center. Guys like him are such a staple (no pun intended) that they're hardly given much notice because of their infamous love for the team. The same would apply to George W. Bush, who has a near-permanent seat along the backstop for the Texas Rangers' games in Arlington. [FYI: The baseball stadium is now known as Globe Life Park in Arlington. They've changed their stadium name almost as much as where the Miami Dolphins play, which has been Sun Life Stadium since 2010.]
Outside of these notables, you don't get to see the big names on screen until a team makes the playoffs, or has a really good run and may do so. During the 2014 MLB Postseason, the country saw a celebrity face of the Kansas City Royals in actor Paul Rudd. Opposing him? Only the former (and best known) frontman of the rock band Journey, Steve Perry, who is a huge fan of the San Francisco Giants. In fact, he actually came out of the shadows during the Giants' World Series run in 2010 after hearing everyone sing "Lights" and "Don't Stop Believin'" and he hasn't left their lights ever since.
 |
| The hug shown 'round the country. (Photo from CBSSports.com) |
Recently, we saw a new, and somewhat controversial fan revelation. During the Sunday afternoon flag pickup spectacular between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, America saw New Jersey governor Chris Christie rooting for the Cowboys and later hugging owner Jerry Jones after the Cowboys win (picture above). It wasn't exactly the first time we saw this, as Christie was rooting for them during a Monday night game in nearby Philadelphia where the Cowboys faced the Eagles two weeks prior. Granted, to someone like me, it isn't a big deal on who he roots for, but it is a big problem for other people when the state he govern hosts two teams in the Giants and Jets, and he's right next door to Eagles fans (although, technically, there are some regions of South Jersey that can count as Philly Part 2). It's also an even bigger problem when his brother also goes on Facebook and mocks Eagles fans, but this post isn't about that guy. Who is he, anyway? Never mind.
Why do we obsess and gloat over these things? Granted, it was super attractive to see Bradley Cooper wear his hometown team's colors in the 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook, but why else do we get overly excited when we see a celebrity rooting for a team? To be honest, there are times in which I absolutely cannot stand seeing the cameras cut to an actor or a singer watching/enjoying a game. For now, they are among us. Yes, they're titans in whatever they do, but this is a form of them unwinding. Good Lord. They don't want to be on camera for a little while. Chillax, yo. But this is something we can definitely ask ourselves. Why? Does it give us more of a reason to stick with our teams through thick and thin because they are? Possibly. What a better cheerleader than someone who we may look up to and admire to tell us to keep going? Sometimes, it'll make you feel like somebody, like the city has a spokesperson that delivers some outside-of-sports credibility.
On the other hand, some people just might not care. It's just like: "Oh, there's so-and-so sitting there in their expensive seats. Who cares?" It could just be publicity that is the furthest thing from necessary. Like I mentioned above, some celebrities aren't even given a gander anymore because of their frequent sightings at games and their inability to "go away," as it were. That, or the common fan says: "Okay, that's enough of you. Shut up and sit down." It's like the more that apathy exists, the more these instances of celebrity sightings at games gets increasingly annoying, because people don't ask why they're shown constantly on our televisions.
It isn't a terrible thing to see big names cheer on equally as big names. Why? It shows a different dimension to people we're used to seeing perform another job or another task. It shows how multidimensional we can be. It's like knowing that professional athletes might play Dungeons & Dragons and be really good at it. It's knowing little things like that that doesn't make us seem so weird anymore. It's okay to like sports and do something completely different on the side. Like I've said before, sports brings everyone together. It might show a side that we're not used to or not ready for, but it's still a great start, right?
--AZ
(So, since I mentioned Bradley Cooper in this piece, I'm doing this. We're both Phillies fans. Who wears the Phillies shirt better? Me? Or him? That's okay...you can say that he wears it best. I wouldn't be mad.)
Saturday, January 3, 2015
The NFL Postseason Slant for 2014-2015 - Destination: Immortal
I realize that the month of December was dead here. Don't worry, I still have material left to write. And I bet the players still have material left to play it all out. Plus, I deserve an award for pumping this piece out in about an hour. This usually takes me three because I watch a lot of YouTube. I'm getting better at this stuff, you guys. I'm prioritizing.
After what was one of the most controversial seasons yet, the NFL is finally entering the playoffs, and we're seeing a lot of familiar faces once again.
Grant it, we saw a lot of suspensions, people "partying a bit too hard," and the inevitable "Black Monday" when your smartphone blows up about coaches and other front office personnel getting fired--or in one case, going back to college. Some of these things are what we have come to expect year in and year out; however, the players in which these circumstances have affected is what makes it even more shocking.
Are we ready to go? Let's check out who we're going to be seeing this January in the NFL Playoffs on the road to Super Bowl XLIX.
Admittedly, I've been on the biggest Keith Mansfield kick as of late. His NFL Films stuff is top-notch, and you can see season highlights in your head from the 70's mixing in with today with it. Take it and use it as you would desire.
______
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
East Division - New England Patriots (12-4) - Been there a million times, done that a million times. It goes without saying that the Patriots are always bound to be a threat in the AFC. The Brady-Gronk one-two punch is an infamous offensive force, and the defense has been as strong as ever. It's going to start getting colder at Gillette, so hits will be harder. The best thing to do is protect Brady, and we could see these guys in the Super Bowl once again.
(Destination: Naptime - First Round Bye with Home Advantage)
North Division - Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) - You know, I honestly didn't think they'd have it in them this year. A team that was once infamous for the run about ten years ago, you're seeing much more action coming from the pocket by Ben Roethlisberger, who is having the season of his career. A James Harrison-led defense is also seeing an awakening as well. While they aren't as consistent, it's still enough to hold off the opposition. Where the team will go will depend on the defense showing up or not.
(Destination: Baltimore Ravens, Saturday 8:15 EST) (Uh Oh...)
South Division - Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - In case you didn't know this by now, Andrew Luck is awesome, and almost everything he touches turns to gold and says: "We don't love Manning here anymore." I know I constantly bring up Peyton here, but knowing that there is another guy with another squad who is playing some absolutely scrappy ball here is a great sign. Plus, the defense and special teams are holding up their end of the bargain here too. Again, the biggest issue here this time around is going to be health and nerves. Now is not the time to choke and go home after one game, you guys.
(Destination: Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 1:05 EST)
West Division - Denver Broncos (12-4) - Peyton didn't exactly end the season the way he liked--in fact, he was taking a shellacking for a while there. However, the team is still strong enough on all ends to deliver a shellacking of their own. This alone is a sign; it doesn't take one guy to win games, there is no "I" in team. Because of that formula, we're going to see other people come in, especially on the defense, that will step up and surprise the heck out of audiences. The road will be a rocky one, but this isn't anything Denver hasn't seen before.
(Destination: Siesta - First Round Bye)
AFC Wild Card
Oh look... The AFC North is having a huge party and didn't think to invite Johnny Manziel and the Browns. RIMSHOT!
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) - This team may be the biggest worry in the case of a one-and-out in the playoffs. A lot of players are hurt, and most of them are key players on offense. Sure, Jeremy Hill has been a one-man-mafia for the past several weeks and is really making the rush offense look superb, but the rest of the team doesn't look too hot. The defense can hold up the run for the most part, but let's not set the expectations too high here.
(Destination: Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 1:05 EST)
Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - It's funny, but with all of the hubbub going on about other quarterbacks in the NFL, it's almost as if Joe Flacco is flying under the radar and being a silent killer of sorts. He's been strong, the run has been really strong too, and the defense has been really great too, despite all of the controversy that has been surrounding the team and its players since the very beginning of the NFL season. It's like they're being avoided on TV at all costs just to make them look bad. Well, they know about that, and they're out for attention.
(Destination: Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday 8:15 EST) (Yikes)
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
East Division - Dallas Cowboys (12-4) - This year, the Cowboys are the epitome of the term "taking the ball and running with it." This doesn't mean I'm taking away from the likes of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten, who have all been fantastic in their own right this year. The undisputed star of the team this year has been DeMarco Murray, who has been running all over defenses without much of a problem. Knowing that you have an all-out offensive threat from what people still consider to be "America's Team" means that your defense better be healthy for your hot date.
(Destination: Detroit Lions, Sunday 4:40 EST)
North Division - Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Okay, how many of you screamed bloody murder when Rodgers went down in Week 17 prior to a touchdown pass? If you were a Packers fan, you may have done just that. He may be the strongest name and possibly the biggest threat on the team, but don't discount the fact that the defense can pick up the slack and stop the pass when need be. It's almost like the whole entire team gets overshadowed, especially when you're an outsider to it all. Don't let the Aaron Rodgers hype fool you; we have a lot of wolves in sheep's clothing in this town.
(Destination: Couch - First Round Bye)
South Division - Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) - Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the "WTF Division," where it is perfectly fine to go to the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. This isn't to say that the Panthers didn't earn their spot, per se. They had a really shaky season in the realm of injury and the like, but former 1st round pick Cam Newton hasn't really lost his touch. Actually, it gets quite annoying when he's referred to as the "next Michael Vick," because he's his own guy. I digress. They will certainly have to play to their strengths from here on out and prove that regular season records mean nothing in the playoffs.
(Destination: Arizona Cardinals, Saturday 4:35 EST)
West Division - Seattle Seahawks (12-4) - People were rather scared about this team at first. You'd hear: "Oh, these guys are returning champs! Things don't look too good for them," throughout the first half of the season. However, with a second half surge and a wake-up from The 12th Man, the boys are back, and they look like just as much of a threat as they have been for the past several years. Wilson and Skittles Lynch are continuing strong, and the defense says there is no such thing as the pass. No, really. This team is disgusting.
(Destination: Pillow and Blanky - First Round Bye with Home Advantage)
NFC Wild Card
Detroit Lions (11-5) - For the past several seasons, the biggest strength of the Lions has been in the defense. However, a thorn in that side of the strength has been health and, well... temper. A previous story stated that Ndamukong Suh was nearly suspended from play after "deliberately" stepping on Aaron Rodgers' leg during a recent game, but Suh's appeal was won. So there... The defense is set. Is the offense? Surprisingly enough, they've been able to hold their own. Shock and momentum and atmosphere is going to be a key for them. Stafford has to stay calm and steady.
(Destination: Dallas Cowboys, Sunday 4:40 EST)
Arizona Cardinals (11-5) - Arizona had a crazy first half run. The defense was nearly unstoppable, and Carson Palmer was working magic wherever he threw. However, the team started to deal with excessive injury, and the wheels nearly fell off. Oh, who am I kidding? They did, but with the way the Division looked, they could easily hobble up to the finish line without looking back for people catching up. There are a lot of questionable players going into their game on Saturday, so expect a kitchen sink thrown from all participants.
(Destination: Carolina Panthers, Saturday 4:35 EST)
_____________________________________________
It looks like 2015 is already off to an insane start for everybody. We won't be out of the woods on this one for a whole month, so buckle up and get ready for some hard hits and late-game theatrics. I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of upsets along the way, because while there is a lot of star power on certain teams, the atmosphere is going to be completely different, and if you want to be engraved on the wall of immortals in the NFL, you have to throw everything you did in the season out the window. This is a new slate, and there is a new set of tasks to perform.
Because of work scheduling, there won't be any predictions this year for the playoffs except for the NFC and AFC Championships on Tumblr. I hate to say this, but time really crept up on us. Plus, Andrew works really weird hours nowadays. No offense, buddy.
Do you have your facepaint ready? Your cheese puffs? Your beer? Your jersey? Your spot on the couch? Let's play some football. It's time to be immortal.
--AZ
After what was one of the most controversial seasons yet, the NFL is finally entering the playoffs, and we're seeing a lot of familiar faces once again.
Grant it, we saw a lot of suspensions, people "partying a bit too hard," and the inevitable "Black Monday" when your smartphone blows up about coaches and other front office personnel getting fired--or in one case, going back to college. Some of these things are what we have come to expect year in and year out; however, the players in which these circumstances have affected is what makes it even more shocking.
Are we ready to go? Let's check out who we're going to be seeing this January in the NFL Playoffs on the road to Super Bowl XLIX.
______
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
East Division - New England Patriots (12-4) - Been there a million times, done that a million times. It goes without saying that the Patriots are always bound to be a threat in the AFC. The Brady-Gronk one-two punch is an infamous offensive force, and the defense has been as strong as ever. It's going to start getting colder at Gillette, so hits will be harder. The best thing to do is protect Brady, and we could see these guys in the Super Bowl once again.
(Destination: Naptime - First Round Bye with Home Advantage)
North Division - Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) - You know, I honestly didn't think they'd have it in them this year. A team that was once infamous for the run about ten years ago, you're seeing much more action coming from the pocket by Ben Roethlisberger, who is having the season of his career. A James Harrison-led defense is also seeing an awakening as well. While they aren't as consistent, it's still enough to hold off the opposition. Where the team will go will depend on the defense showing up or not.
(Destination: Baltimore Ravens, Saturday 8:15 EST) (Uh Oh...)
South Division - Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - In case you didn't know this by now, Andrew Luck is awesome, and almost everything he touches turns to gold and says: "We don't love Manning here anymore." I know I constantly bring up Peyton here, but knowing that there is another guy with another squad who is playing some absolutely scrappy ball here is a great sign. Plus, the defense and special teams are holding up their end of the bargain here too. Again, the biggest issue here this time around is going to be health and nerves. Now is not the time to choke and go home after one game, you guys.
(Destination: Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 1:05 EST)
West Division - Denver Broncos (12-4) - Peyton didn't exactly end the season the way he liked--in fact, he was taking a shellacking for a while there. However, the team is still strong enough on all ends to deliver a shellacking of their own. This alone is a sign; it doesn't take one guy to win games, there is no "I" in team. Because of that formula, we're going to see other people come in, especially on the defense, that will step up and surprise the heck out of audiences. The road will be a rocky one, but this isn't anything Denver hasn't seen before.
(Destination: Siesta - First Round Bye)
AFC Wild Card
Oh look... The AFC North is having a huge party and didn't think to invite Johnny Manziel and the Browns. RIMSHOT!
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) - This team may be the biggest worry in the case of a one-and-out in the playoffs. A lot of players are hurt, and most of them are key players on offense. Sure, Jeremy Hill has been a one-man-mafia for the past several weeks and is really making the rush offense look superb, but the rest of the team doesn't look too hot. The defense can hold up the run for the most part, but let's not set the expectations too high here.
(Destination: Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 1:05 EST)
Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - It's funny, but with all of the hubbub going on about other quarterbacks in the NFL, it's almost as if Joe Flacco is flying under the radar and being a silent killer of sorts. He's been strong, the run has been really strong too, and the defense has been really great too, despite all of the controversy that has been surrounding the team and its players since the very beginning of the NFL season. It's like they're being avoided on TV at all costs just to make them look bad. Well, they know about that, and they're out for attention.
(Destination: Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday 8:15 EST) (Yikes)
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
East Division - Dallas Cowboys (12-4) - This year, the Cowboys are the epitome of the term "taking the ball and running with it." This doesn't mean I'm taking away from the likes of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten, who have all been fantastic in their own right this year. The undisputed star of the team this year has been DeMarco Murray, who has been running all over defenses without much of a problem. Knowing that you have an all-out offensive threat from what people still consider to be "America's Team" means that your defense better be healthy for your hot date.
(Destination: Detroit Lions, Sunday 4:40 EST)
North Division - Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Okay, how many of you screamed bloody murder when Rodgers went down in Week 17 prior to a touchdown pass? If you were a Packers fan, you may have done just that. He may be the strongest name and possibly the biggest threat on the team, but don't discount the fact that the defense can pick up the slack and stop the pass when need be. It's almost like the whole entire team gets overshadowed, especially when you're an outsider to it all. Don't let the Aaron Rodgers hype fool you; we have a lot of wolves in sheep's clothing in this town.
(Destination: Couch - First Round Bye)
South Division - Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) - Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the "WTF Division," where it is perfectly fine to go to the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. This isn't to say that the Panthers didn't earn their spot, per se. They had a really shaky season in the realm of injury and the like, but former 1st round pick Cam Newton hasn't really lost his touch. Actually, it gets quite annoying when he's referred to as the "next Michael Vick," because he's his own guy. I digress. They will certainly have to play to their strengths from here on out and prove that regular season records mean nothing in the playoffs.
(Destination: Arizona Cardinals, Saturday 4:35 EST)
West Division - Seattle Seahawks (12-4) - People were rather scared about this team at first. You'd hear: "Oh, these guys are returning champs! Things don't look too good for them," throughout the first half of the season. However, with a second half surge and a wake-up from The 12th Man, the boys are back, and they look like just as much of a threat as they have been for the past several years. Wilson and Skittles Lynch are continuing strong, and the defense says there is no such thing as the pass. No, really. This team is disgusting.
(Destination: Pillow and Blanky - First Round Bye with Home Advantage)
NFC Wild Card
Detroit Lions (11-5) - For the past several seasons, the biggest strength of the Lions has been in the defense. However, a thorn in that side of the strength has been health and, well... temper. A previous story stated that Ndamukong Suh was nearly suspended from play after "deliberately" stepping on Aaron Rodgers' leg during a recent game, but Suh's appeal was won. So there... The defense is set. Is the offense? Surprisingly enough, they've been able to hold their own. Shock and momentum and atmosphere is going to be a key for them. Stafford has to stay calm and steady.
(Destination: Dallas Cowboys, Sunday 4:40 EST)
Arizona Cardinals (11-5) - Arizona had a crazy first half run. The defense was nearly unstoppable, and Carson Palmer was working magic wherever he threw. However, the team started to deal with excessive injury, and the wheels nearly fell off. Oh, who am I kidding? They did, but with the way the Division looked, they could easily hobble up to the finish line without looking back for people catching up. There are a lot of questionable players going into their game on Saturday, so expect a kitchen sink thrown from all participants.
(Destination: Carolina Panthers, Saturday 4:35 EST)
_____________________________________________
It looks like 2015 is already off to an insane start for everybody. We won't be out of the woods on this one for a whole month, so buckle up and get ready for some hard hits and late-game theatrics. I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of upsets along the way, because while there is a lot of star power on certain teams, the atmosphere is going to be completely different, and if you want to be engraved on the wall of immortals in the NFL, you have to throw everything you did in the season out the window. This is a new slate, and there is a new set of tasks to perform.
Because of work scheduling, there won't be any predictions this year for the playoffs except for the NFC and AFC Championships on Tumblr. I hate to say this, but time really crept up on us. Plus, Andrew works really weird hours nowadays. No offense, buddy.
Do you have your facepaint ready? Your cheese puffs? Your beer? Your jersey? Your spot on the couch? Let's play some football. It's time to be immortal.
--AZ
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