Tebow to the Jets

The sports talk guys all say Tebow is a polarizing figure.  That you either love him or hate (hate may be a bit strong its more of a disdain) him.  They say he will never be a NFL quarterback because he can't make the throws.  But if you owned a team that isn't winning anyway, what difference does it make.  Sure you want your team to win, it makes you feel successful, it can lead to post season appearances, which leads to more exposure and more money.  But if you don't have the ability to win anytime soon.  Getting Tebow on your team still gives most of the above things.  It puts people in the seats, it gets people watching the games on TV, it's really a great bang for the buck.  Whether he is great or terrible, people will be beating down your doors to watch.  Does he bring division and possibly break up your locker room... Maybe, but losing in front of half-full stadiums breaks up a locker room a lot faster.  These guys are professionals, not kids.  They are cashing checks either way.

Bottom line.  He makes you money and he is a good guy.  Will he be a hall of fame quarterback, no.  Does that matter, no.  There are 26 other QB's in the league who aren't going to the hall either.  Who knows, maybe he plays another 3 seasons, gets a job in the front office, and marries your granddaughter.  Sounds like a win, win, win to me.

cool, no worries, it is what it is
-G-

FOOTBALL is now!

Just finished up work and turned on NFL FOOTBALL!  That's right it's back.  So, I decided to blog during the game about fantasy football while I watch.  There will probably be breaks in between if something awesome happens live.  Like the flag the Green Bay fans made holding up colored cards, turning the whole stadium into a red, white, and blue circle of glory.

I am not a pro fantasy footballer.  This is only my 4th season, and I play in a 8 person league.  But, I really enjoy analyzing my team week to week, and I have placed 1st, 2nd, and 1st in the last 3 years, which means I have been lucky a lot.  It also means I will probably finish last this year since I maybe giving away my strategy.

First, I really like my team this year and I will underline a player if I drafted them.  Second, I have a very basic strategy: draft value, play based on match ups, don't fall in love with anybody.  I usually have 2-3 times the amount of swaps off the waivers as anyone else in my league.  So here we go... wait turn over, first one of the year, Packers should go up 14-0, just hope its a run, Tyler has A Rod and we are matched up this week.... here we go.

QB's
There are only 3 qb's that I think are great pickups:
Rodgers
Breese
Rivers
Not that Brady and P. Manning (out for the first time ever) aren't the best, but they usually have their divisions and games wrapped up, which means lots of runs and being benched late in the year when it really hurts you.  I like my qb's to play all year.  I had Vick last year, but he has injury written all over him this year.  The rest of the league is serviceable, with Matt Ryan being the best of the rest.

RB's
There are 2 backs above the rest:
Foster
Peterson
Then take the next 6 and put them in a hat and mix it up.  They are all good backs and can have huge weeks, but its more situational.  Any back that doesn't have a solid back up, and his team is good enough not to get blown out can be really good.

WR's
This year we are playing with 4 wrs, which means we will be drafting deep into the ranks and who knows  about your 3-4 wr each week.  Wow! A Rod has 3 TD passes in the 1st quarter, I may be done... anyway.  I have 4 at the top:
A. Johnson
C. Johnson
Fitzgerald
R. White
Then there are about a dozen great wide outs.  WR is a great place to pick up "cheap" points.  If you can get a Ochocinco as your 3 or 4 do it, I like "washed up" wide outs that go to teams with above average QB's.  I also like young guys in the 3-4 slots if they have a legit star to pull the best DB's off of them.  I drop and pick up WR's almost every week.  I don't keep them if they get cold, too many available, not that much difference between them.

TE's
They are all the same, all of them.  If they start they get 60 yds and a touchdown every other game.  Good luck figuring out which game.  Just pick one and move on.

DEF
Defenses that cause turn overs are more valuable than "solid" defenses that keep the score low.  You don't care if they lose by 10 if they get 3 Ints.  There are just too many points in sacks and turn overs.  Points don't matter.  A team can have a "average" D that will score you more points than a really good one.  This is really.... wow Darren Sproles, TD punt return.  Good time to mention that some leagues let you count return TD's in your total which makes a team with a great returner worth a look.  Don't draft a DEF till your last 2 picks.  I also don't usually like having a back-up D since there is always a good one in FA.

K
If your league values field goal distance, you may want to make this your third to last pic, if not, this should be your last pick.  Just get an old faithful, or someone who has home games in a dome.

Well, that's about everything, please excuse any player name mis-spells, I'm not that much of a nerd to know how to spell all their names.  I'll keep everyone posted on how I'm doing this year.  Also, heading into fall, so I may have more time to post.  Thanks for the read.

How I would fix it - the NHL

How I would fix it is a series of post on how I would make something better.  I am starting with different sports teams/leagues but it could be about anything.  So without keeping you waiting.... here it goes.

How I would fix the NHL.  If I woke up tomorrow and I was the commissioner, these are the changes I would make.

1.  Move half of the teams to Canada.  The sport needs to focus on the markets that care about hockey.  Right now there are 30 teams, only 6 of them are in Canada.  Which is crazy since every game in Canada would sell out and be watched by a much larger % of Canadians than Americans.  Keep the traditional teams in the North East and the Great Lakes regions along with a few teams in the largest US markets like LA, Dallas, Denver, etc.

2. Divide the divisions along national lines so that every Stanley Cup would be USA vs Canada.  Which would probably triple the Stanley Cup ratings overnight.  Plus the All-Star game would be must watch since it would be like 2010 Olympic championship game.

3. Put your best Hockey game of the week on a Sunday afternoon and show it nationally.  Other than that focus on regional broadcasts and selling pay per view / NHL TV channel for the games to hockey fanatics.

4. Find a new camera angle so that viewers don't lose the puck along the boards for 25% of every game.  Hockey is the only sport where a wall blocks the viewer from the action.

5. People go bonkers for the 1 outdoor game a year.  Bump it up by 3 games a year and see if it is still successful.  Or try the All-Star game outdoors.

6. Bring back the Whalers, the logos are just too awesome not to exist.

Hartford Whalers 1972? Logo

That is what I've got.  Next "how I'd fix it" will be about MLB, hopefully I can get it out soon.  Thanks for the read.

All eyes on Texas

"The eyes of Texas are upon you" is how the song goes.  But for now its the other way around.  All eyes are on Texas.  The major players in college sports are all making their case for the Texas Longhorns.  The Big 10, the SEC, and the PAC 10 are all trying like mad to bring in what would be a crown jewel to their conferences.
Why Texas?  Its all about the Benjamen's baby.
Texas is the largest university in the nation's second largest state and commands eyeballs in 4 of the top 15 most populous cities.  UT is a powerhouse of revenue and expects to be in the top 25 in every sport.  Not only that, but Texas is a world class university in education as well (read that as, a large and generous alumni base).
Its not the Big 12 fault really,  its just that UT has outgrown the conference.  The haves and the have-nots are further apart in sports than they have ever been.  Texas is making money on its athletic program, the rest of the Big 12..... not so much.  Texas A&M athletics lost $16 mil last year.
If it were up to me I would go to the PAC 10.  Orangebloods has a good story on all this.  Basically, Texas, A&M, TTech, Colorado, OU, and OK St. Would join the existing PAC 10 schools.  With the 6 already mentioned joining Arizona and ASU to form a South West division and the other 8 (USC, UCLA, CAL, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon St, Washington, and Washington St) forming a Pacific region.  That's a lot of eyeballs and a lot of dollars (somewhere in the $20 mil to each school range).  Not to mention how great its going to be for the fans.
The other options just don't make a lot of sense for UT.  The SEC doesn't offer much in the way of TV sets.  Where as the Big 10 has the major metro areas, but why give the Big 10 a southern foothold in recruiting?
The fact is that Texas could just go independent if it really wanted to.  There is already some serious talks going on about a UT sports network and Texas had $138 mil in sports revenue last year.  But, I really like the PAC 10 fit.  It seems like 4, 16 team super-conferences are the logical end to all this.  An East Coast(ACC- some Big East), a Midwest (Big 10- some Big 12- Notre Dame), a South East(SEC- some Big East) and a West(PAC 10 - some Big 12).  Sounds like this would simplify the BCS system as well ;) yeah right!
Until it all shakes out Texas will be strutting its stuff and the rumors will be flying in every paper and blog.  I don't think UT is in any rush,  they hold all the cards, and they will make the decision that makes the most sense for them.  I'll still watch the games no matter where they end up.

Thanks for the read.

The Dukies!!!!

So I ranted a few weeks ago about how the teams in the NCAA tourney were better in the past than the present.  Just in case you doubted, check out Dan Patrick's interview with Grant Hill on April the 1st.  Here is the important part.
GH: Exactly. I was down there this summer at Coach K's fantasy camp. True story. Me, Laettner, Jay Williams, who played at Duke and had the motorcycle accident, and a couple other guys played against the current guys in pick-up ball. And we kind of had our way with them. This is in June when none of us are really in shape. Laettner is 40 years old. These guys are half our age, and we're actually beating them. In all honesty, I was a little worried about this year's team. But they've certainly come together. They play well together.
DP: Wait a minute, give me the lineup. It's [Bobby] Hurley and Jay Williams, it's you, Laettner, and who else is in the starting five?GH: And David McClure.
DP: OK, so you've got your big guy in there with Laettner and you guys are roughing up this team that's in the Final Four.GH: Well, Jay Williams who, God bless him, can only play on one leg ... he's killing John Scheyer. Laettner's killing the Plumlee brothers. I'm to the point where I was like, you should still play [to Laettner.] He said the problem is I can't play 82 games. I can play once every two weeks.

As if that wasn't enough check out what Coach K said today.

You may have to listen to the podcast until they post the transcript.  

But Coach K said that Grant Hill's team mentioned above would walk away with this years NCAA title.  Not just compete but dominate.  Go back and read that team. A 40 year old Laettner and an injured Jay Williams would own this tourney.

So go ahead and add 32 more pathetic teams that don't have a prayer of winning, and are even worse than the Duke team that was dominated by over-the-hill players.  If you think it will make this tournament better, then think again.  CBS is just thanking their lucky stars Duke made the Final.  And basketball fans should thank their lucky stars that Duke won.  If they hadn't ....... I don't even want to think about it.

Thanks for the read

Dazed and Confused, the new NFL overtime rules

The NFL owners passed new overtime rules this week, and I get it.  Why have the outcomes of a multi-billion a year business decided by a coin flip.  But if you are going to change something shouldn’t you change it for the better.

Let me run this past you.  The old NFL overtime was sudden death and the ball was first given to the team that won a coin toss.  In the new system whoever wins the coin flip can still receive the ball and if they score a touchdown they still win as if it was sudden death.  If team 1 kicks a field goal, then they get the points but still have to kick off to team 2 to see if they can score a touchdown.  If 2 scores a touchdown after 1 scores a field goal then 2 wins.  If 2 kicks a field goal after 1 has a field goal then 2 kicks off to 1 and 1 can win with any score.  If 1 doesn’t score on its first possession then 2 can win with any score. Safety is an automatic win.  After a turn over or a successful onside kick rules return to normal sudden death.  Oh yeah, if you aren’t confused enough already, the new rule only applies to the playoffs not the regular season.

 Say What????

So in summary, 2 points = win, 6 points = win, 3 points = it depends.

Here is the deal, if a guy who has been a football fan for two decades can’t understand this rule without a legal team reading it….. then chances are you don’t get it either.  NFL, you had been doing a good job, but lately I am really confused. New rookie salary caps, possibility of an uncapped year, players union and owners disagreements, there are even rumors flying around about a potential lock out, and this seems like a good time to change the overtime rules????? Not only rework them, but require a PHD to comprehend them. Hello?  If you want me to keep watching the NFL on Sundays (you know a weekend, family time), I need to be able to explain the rules to my wife.  If she doesn’t want to watch it….. well….. lets just say chances of it being on at my house go way down.  I am not trying to be over the top, or say that the NFL is moving down my sports priority list.  But the NFL is not entitled to my fan hood.  Last year the Brady rule (no hitting the QB below the waist, during a forward throwing motion) this year the Favre rule (new overtime), what is next????  The Cutler rule(after you throw 5 pics your 6th interception will be counted in the next available game in which the player does not throw at least 5 pics)

NFL, you have a good product; don’t screw this up by over thinking everything.  If you want to make changes keep them simple.  Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Thanks for the read.

Tigers and Tournies

The NCAA tournament was full of exciting? can't miss action? this week end..... right???? Well, to be honest I haven't watched a single game.  I didn't even fill out a bracket for the first time in 10 yrs, and, well...... I don't even really care.  Seriously, the whole thing is full of mediocre and boring teams.  In what other sport do you have teams from 20 years ago better than the teams or today?

I mean it, look at Duke or Kansas, yes they are talented but would they even get within 25 points of Patrick Ewing's Hoyas or Houston's Phi Slamma Jamma?  I don't think so, and if you honestly do, well...... I'm sorry but I deal in reality.

People are wanting this thing to go from 64 to 96 teams.  Yeah, that will fix things, more average and under-achieving teams that I will want to watch even less.  Seriously, I would rather read the instructions on the back of an airline sick bag. Who do you have in the southern-mid-western-Ohio bracket??? Boll Weevil Tech as a 19 seed???? Open bag..... insert mouth..... barf freely.

Tiger Woods gave a couple of 5 minute interviews last night that to me were more compelling then anything in the NCAA tourny.

 I have to be honest and say, Tiger did a really good job yesterday.  The media is piling on and whining "he is being guarded", "he's not giving us the whole story."  I really don't care, he gave me enough, he was honest, and he did the most important thing..... he is winning me back.  I judge something like this based on the emotions I feel in the moment.  I don't try to take it apart and over analyze it.  When he said he hoped some one would clap for him and that he hoped they were clapping for birdies, I smiled.  When he talked about having to tell the truth to his mother and wife, I felt a pull at my stomach.  When asked as to why he even got married, I started willing out his answer like I was hoping a putt would go in.  When it was over, I wanted more, but felt that he gave me what was promised.

I want to be clear that in no way do I agree with anything he has done, the lies, the affairs, the transgressions.  He messed up in every way.  But, Tiger didn't let me down...... he let his wife and family down.  Tiger is a golfer, his job is to be entertaining.  He doesn't need my forgiveness or my pity, but he does need my eyeballs on the tube in April when he plays in the master's.  And as long as he stays on his current track he will have them.

Thanks for the read

The older I get, the less...... the more...... Sports

This is part 1 of ? more to come on other topics

The older I get the more my priorities seem to change. I don't know if its caring less or if it takes more to get my attention.... or impress me..... or matter to me. Before you roll your eyes too far, don't take this post as being filled with some deep, long sought-for concept. I'm just saying.....

I haven't watched ESPN in at least 2 weeks, and lately I have been trimming down my sports tree. My priority list for sports(don't hate on me just cause I'm honest) in order of how much I care.

1. Texas Football(big games are at 1, Texas vs UTEP is about 3.5)

2. Super Bowl (as long as the story line is good, if not this is about 6)

3.Winter and Summer Olympics

4. Golf Major with Tiger (no Tiger no way)

5. NFL game with VY or the Cowboys (I really tried to like the Texans, and I do, but the Boys are always such a show, Jerry roaming the side lines and calling plays, Marshmallow looking for his reading glasses....... they are on your head Mr Magoo)

6. Tennis Major with Roddick (no Andy no way)

7. Tour de France with Lance (no Lance no way)

8. NBA finals (if they have Lebron, Kobe or the Spurs(local team))

9. World Cup

10. Odd ball sports: wood chopping, dog shows, Notre Dame Football w/ Weis,.....

If it doesn't make this list well..... I'm not watching.

What about the World Series??? Well if you are talking about the world series of poker then throw that in with the odd ball sports, I actually watched about 45 mins of that last year. If you are talking baseball then sorry you have barked up the wrong tree. I watched 5 innings, game 3, of the 08 world series. I turned it on cause I thought "this is the world series, this is the right thing to do, it's America's past time, like apple pie and muscle cars" then my wife got home and was like "don't we have any gossip girl on the DVR?"

"yes honey we do, but this is the world series","so, how much of this are you going to watch?" well.... about 1 more catchers walk out to the mound, and a camera shot at both managers, and a 15 second camera shot at the guys SITTING in the bull pen, and the pitcher going to the rosin bag, all this so he could try a pic off move at 1st. So, what do you think we watched????

The teenage drama of course. Why??? because I want to be entertained (keeping the wife happy doesn't hurt either). And that's the thing about most sports. There are too many of them on TV and I honestly don't care about that many of them.

I don't hate baseball, seriously, my brother and I played spring and fall baseball every year till high school. And I love going to the ball park, as long as I can get a cheap ticket, and its $2 draft night, and I can leave by the 7th. The same thing goes for the other sports that didn't make the list. I think live hockey is incredible.... but its not the same on TV.

It's a simple economic equation: the more you put it on TV and the more games that you have in your season the less I care.... the less I have to care. It's supply and demand. So NHL, MLB, NBA, NCAA Basketball if you want me to watch, put it on TV less not more. With the exception of Texas football, almost everything else in the list is a once a year or once every few years event.

Think about it this way, and smelllllllelllellll what the rock is cooking. Watching sports is like going out to eat. The types of food that you can get at any street corner.... think burgers or fried chicken..... how much are you willing to pay for that.

When you want to go some place nice, something you look forward to, you go to a nice resturant where a proffesional chef prepares your meal.

My life has a lot going on, I get fewer and fewer chances to just sit and watch sports on TV. The less time you have to give to sports, the more valuable your time becomes. It's like going out to eat when you are in college, you do it all the time so who cares if you go to Burger King. But, if you only have dinner out a few times a month, I doubt you say to your date, "hey let's have a special evening, with a spicy chicken sandwich, curly fries, a cheese cake, and a jack head."

Women's Curling anyone???

Ok, I have to admit that I am borderline obsessed with the Olympics.  But today I am taking it to a new level.  Not only am I watching women's curling, I have watched enough curling today to realize what's going on.  Nothing like hearing U-S-A being yelled out at two women frantically sweeping ice.

 

The Winter Olympics have been getting huge ratings this year. They have just been doing everything right.  I can watch all the highlights when I get home from work and unlike the summer games, I fell like I can relate more to the winter athletes. They have day jobs and they look more like us.  Throw that in with the feeling that watching the Olympics makes you feel "smarter."  Yes, I have reached a sophisticated level, I watch international sports, umm yes.  (said with a terrible French accent)  It's really the only sport that makes you feel that way.  It's why I want the news to be on when I know someone is coming over to the house.  "Did you see who got kicked off the island?" or "Did you see CSI Las Vegas last night?" then I look at my TV that's tuned to the news and look back at you and say "No sorry didn't catch that" In all truth I didn't see your prime-time show because I was watching Jersey Shore episode 6 for the 3rd time.  So the real question is, would I watch the Olympics if no one else would ever know if I watched it or not?

The answer is yeah, I think so

 

If we want to get right down to it. I love the winter Olympics because I watched Cool Runnings about 60-70 times growing up(I tried to give an honest number). Huh, well, we liked it. We memorized the little songs. Idk. It was fun.