I'm not a Twitter guy. I have an account and I throw out a tweet once in a while just to keep it active. I usually forget I have it and I only really use it to gain access to sports tweets.
So I'm not really into all these Twitter wars or controversies or any of that. Conversely, I'm not offended to see athletes running the Twitter and telling their business. Most athletes are 20-somethings ... and anyone under 30 knows nothing more than putting every though on the Internet as if people care.
Stuffy people hate this. "That's not how our sports legends would have acted!" Bullcrap!
Imagine if Twitter had been around for quite a while. Imagine if the 1985 Chicago Bears had access to Twitter. This was a team that recorded a celebratory song about winning the championship before the season even ended. They had a quarterback who used his headband as a sort-of Twitter account by writing jabs on it. Imagine what The Fridge might have said.
Imagine if we had Twitter 100 years ago. What might Babe Ruth say? What about Muhammad Ali? He may have had the greatest Twitter account in history. So could Mike Tyson, who still has some of the oddest quotes an athlete has ever had.
What would Reggie Jackson say? Rickey Henderson? Joe Namath? You don't think Mickey Mantle wouldn't have rattled off some drunken tweets, eh?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
45 Stops to Super Bowl XLV: #31-#35
The "45 Stops to Super Bowl XLV" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLV. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL, XLI, XLIII, XLIV and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#31-JUST ANOTHER NFC TEAM: There are only 16 teams in the NFC. Yet, the conference has produced 10 different NFC champions in the last 10 years.
The Packers join the Saints, Cardinals, Giants, Bears, Seahawks, Eagles, Panthers, Buccaneers and Rams as NFC champs in the last decade. In that time, only the Vikings, Lions, Redskins, Falcons, Niners and Cowboys haven't been to the big show. That's a bit odd since in the span from 1987-1995, the Cowboys, Redskins and Niners went to and won 8 of the 9 Super Bowls.
#32-THE CHAMPION'S CHAMPIONS: No one has won more Super Bowls than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their 6 Super Bowl titles thus far bests the Cowboys and Niners by one.
But they still only have half the titles that Green Bay has. The Packers have won 12 NFL Championships in their history, with 9 of them coming in the pre-Super Bowl era. If you count just the last 50 years of NFL play, both franchises have six NFL titles.
#33-WIN A FREE PIZZA!: If Super Bowl XLV goes into overtime ... which would be a first in the game's history ... then everyone in America could win a free Papa John's pizza. Just go to papajohns.com and register for an online customer loyalty program. If the game goes into OT, Papa John's will add 25 "Papa points" to your account. That's the exact amount of points needed to cash in for a free large, three-topping pizza.
#34-ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Packers became just the fourth team to win three road games en route to a Super Bowl. Green Bay won in Philadelphia, in Atlanta and in Chicago (the NFC's No. 3, 1 and 2 seeds, respectively).
The only other teams to do so were the 1985 New England Patriots, the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2007 New York Giants. Only the '85 Patriots lost in the Super Bowl.
#35-SIXTH SEEDED: The Green Bay Packers became just the second 6th-seeded team to make the Super Bowl. The other? The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers. Those Steelers would beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
#31-JUST ANOTHER NFC TEAM: There are only 16 teams in the NFC. Yet, the conference has produced 10 different NFC champions in the last 10 years.
The Packers join the Saints, Cardinals, Giants, Bears, Seahawks, Eagles, Panthers, Buccaneers and Rams as NFC champs in the last decade. In that time, only the Vikings, Lions, Redskins, Falcons, Niners and Cowboys haven't been to the big show. That's a bit odd since in the span from 1987-1995, the Cowboys, Redskins and Niners went to and won 8 of the 9 Super Bowls.
#32-THE CHAMPION'S CHAMPIONS: No one has won more Super Bowls than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their 6 Super Bowl titles thus far bests the Cowboys and Niners by one.
But they still only have half the titles that Green Bay has. The Packers have won 12 NFL Championships in their history, with 9 of them coming in the pre-Super Bowl era. If you count just the last 50 years of NFL play, both franchises have six NFL titles.
#33-WIN A FREE PIZZA!: If Super Bowl XLV goes into overtime ... which would be a first in the game's history ... then everyone in America could win a free Papa John's pizza. Just go to papajohns.com and register for an online customer loyalty program. If the game goes into OT, Papa John's will add 25 "Papa points" to your account. That's the exact amount of points needed to cash in for a free large, three-topping pizza.
#34-ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Packers became just the fourth team to win three road games en route to a Super Bowl. Green Bay won in Philadelphia, in Atlanta and in Chicago (the NFC's No. 3, 1 and 2 seeds, respectively).
The only other teams to do so were the 1985 New England Patriots, the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2007 New York Giants. Only the '85 Patriots lost in the Super Bowl.
#35-SIXTH SEEDED: The Green Bay Packers became just the second 6th-seeded team to make the Super Bowl. The other? The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers. Those Steelers would beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Texas Should Think About Going Independent
A couple things have merged together to form this post for me. One, I just had surgery so I'm laid up at home with nothing to do ... so I've been really studying this college conference shuffling that went on last summer.
The second is this article from ESPN. It talks about why it could be smart for Texas to go independent.
Maybe not right now. Texas has a great opportunity laid out in front of them. They have a very favorable deal with the Big XII that allows them to build their own television network and a bigger share of the pie. The know they hold all the cards for the future of that conference (if Texas moved to the Pac-10 ... 12 ... 16 ... during the summer, the Big XII would've probably collapsed. They can milk this thing.
They also can look at the BYU experiment. BYU, as you may know, dropped out of the Mountain West Conference in all sports and becoming an Independent in football (they are joining the West Coast Conference in all other sports). BYU has their own network. While Texas' earnings should be much greater than BYU's, seeing whatever struggles the Cougars go through as they get their Independent status up and running will help them down the road.
It isn't like the Longhorns need to do this. Like I said, Texas runs the Big XII right now and gets to build their own network and have built in rivalries and games and all of that. They also rid themselves of that pesky conference championship game now that Nebraska and Colorado left the league with 10 members.
But there could be the issue. Due to the 10-team conference set up, each Big XII team must play 9 conference games. That means Texas only gets to have three non-conference foes. Follow me on this.
The BCS Championship has been won by the SEC the last, what, five times? Why? Because they play one hell of a schedule. SEC schools have 8 games in league ... with about 6 of them really tough contests. Most SEC schools also have a built in rivalry with another BCS school (Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, etc). Auburn's non-con schedule featured Chattanooga, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe (they also played Clemson). No matter, since they had to play Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina (twice), Kentucky and Georgia.
Texas will have to play Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State every year. Sure, the Oklahoma game is always a national eye-opener, there isn't as much there year-in-year-out to scare anyone. Sure, Oklahoma State or Missouri or A&M could have a big year ... but it isn't like the elite schools that the SEC runs through.
If Texas went independent, they could schedule whom they want. They can keep their rivalries with Oklahoma, A&M and Texas Tech. They could also go across the country to create new ones. They could go and play all kinds of top teams. Maybe have something with USC (probably not now that USC is locked in to nine Pac-12 games and Notre Dame). Maybe Ohio State? Maybe the soon-to-be-Big East's TCU? Maybe BYU and Notre Dame?
People didn't really understand why Notre Dame refuses to join a conference in the current climate. Why would they? They have a TV contract, a BCS invite and all the flexibility in their scheduling. Sure, they haven't won a title since 1988 and have fallen on some hard times ... but that isn't because they are Independent. You can't tell me that Texas couldn't bring in the same types of recruits if it wasn't bound to a conference. You can't tell me that Texas ... and college football as a whole ... wouldn't benefit from setting up big games during the season.
If Texas did do that, it could lead to a very interesting reversal of the conference shifting that's been going on. Especially if a playoff comes in to play. Sure, I can't see an SEC team bolting that lifestyle or even a Big Ten team (though Ohio State could be tempted). But could Miami? Florida State? USC? West Virginia?
Something to think about.
The second is this article from ESPN. It talks about why it could be smart for Texas to go independent.
Maybe not right now. Texas has a great opportunity laid out in front of them. They have a very favorable deal with the Big XII that allows them to build their own television network and a bigger share of the pie. The know they hold all the cards for the future of that conference (if Texas moved to the Pac-10 ... 12 ... 16 ... during the summer, the Big XII would've probably collapsed. They can milk this thing.
They also can look at the BYU experiment. BYU, as you may know, dropped out of the Mountain West Conference in all sports and becoming an Independent in football (they are joining the West Coast Conference in all other sports). BYU has their own network. While Texas' earnings should be much greater than BYU's, seeing whatever struggles the Cougars go through as they get their Independent status up and running will help them down the road.
It isn't like the Longhorns need to do this. Like I said, Texas runs the Big XII right now and gets to build their own network and have built in rivalries and games and all of that. They also rid themselves of that pesky conference championship game now that Nebraska and Colorado left the league with 10 members.
But there could be the issue. Due to the 10-team conference set up, each Big XII team must play 9 conference games. That means Texas only gets to have three non-conference foes. Follow me on this.
The BCS Championship has been won by the SEC the last, what, five times? Why? Because they play one hell of a schedule. SEC schools have 8 games in league ... with about 6 of them really tough contests. Most SEC schools also have a built in rivalry with another BCS school (Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, etc). Auburn's non-con schedule featured Chattanooga, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe (they also played Clemson). No matter, since they had to play Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina (twice), Kentucky and Georgia.
Texas will have to play Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State every year. Sure, the Oklahoma game is always a national eye-opener, there isn't as much there year-in-year-out to scare anyone. Sure, Oklahoma State or Missouri or A&M could have a big year ... but it isn't like the elite schools that the SEC runs through.
If Texas went independent, they could schedule whom they want. They can keep their rivalries with Oklahoma, A&M and Texas Tech. They could also go across the country to create new ones. They could go and play all kinds of top teams. Maybe have something with USC (probably not now that USC is locked in to nine Pac-12 games and Notre Dame). Maybe Ohio State? Maybe the soon-to-be-Big East's TCU? Maybe BYU and Notre Dame?
People didn't really understand why Notre Dame refuses to join a conference in the current climate. Why would they? They have a TV contract, a BCS invite and all the flexibility in their scheduling. Sure, they haven't won a title since 1988 and have fallen on some hard times ... but that isn't because they are Independent. You can't tell me that Texas couldn't bring in the same types of recruits if it wasn't bound to a conference. You can't tell me that Texas ... and college football as a whole ... wouldn't benefit from setting up big games during the season.
If Texas did do that, it could lead to a very interesting reversal of the conference shifting that's been going on. Especially if a playoff comes in to play. Sure, I can't see an SEC team bolting that lifestyle or even a Big Ten team (though Ohio State could be tempted). But could Miami? Florida State? USC? West Virginia?
Something to think about.
45 Stops to Super Bowl XLV: #36-#40
The "45 Stops to Super Bowl XLV" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLV. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL, XLI, XLIII, XLIV and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#36-THERE IS AN EXTRA VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY OUT THERE: Excuse this one taken from my FanHouse post but it is rather interesting:
There have been 43 Super Bowls to date ... yet there are 44 Vince Lombardi Trophies (given to the Super Bowl winning team) out and about. How is that?
Well, that little ditty comes to light after the recent passing of Rams owner Georgia Frontiere. Frontiere's husband, former-Colts and Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom, is the reason behind the story:
However, when Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom, Frontiere's late husband, traded the Colts for the Rams in a franchise swap in 1972, he decided he wanted to keep the Lombardi Trophy the Colts won in Super Bowl V. When Super Bowl VII took place in Los Angeles, Rosenbloom told the Colts he was going to put on a display of Super Bowl trophies and asked them to bring it to the West Coast. They did. There was no display, and Rosenbloom never returned the trophy. After the Colts complained to the league office, former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle had a duplicate made for the Colts, which remains in Baltimore (it was originally shipped to Indianapolis when the team moved but a deal was struck and it was returned to Maryland). The original Super Bowl V trophy? It presumably was in Frontiere's possession and now belongs to her heirs.
So, there are two Vince Lombardi trophies awarded for Super Bowl V ... yet neither are with the franchise that won it. The original was in St. Louis with Frontiere with the other in Baltimore, the Colts old digs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis can only show off the trophy they won two years ago.
#36-THERE IS AN EXTRA VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY OUT THERE: Excuse this one taken from my FanHouse post but it is rather interesting:
There have been 43 Super Bowls to date ... yet there are 44 Vince Lombardi Trophies (given to the Super Bowl winning team) out and about. How is that?
Well, that little ditty comes to light after the recent passing of Rams owner Georgia Frontiere. Frontiere's husband, former-Colts and Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom, is the reason behind the story:
However, when Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom, Frontiere's late husband, traded the Colts for the Rams in a franchise swap in 1972, he decided he wanted to keep the Lombardi Trophy the Colts won in Super Bowl V. When Super Bowl VII took place in Los Angeles, Rosenbloom told the Colts he was going to put on a display of Super Bowl trophies and asked them to bring it to the West Coast. They did. There was no display, and Rosenbloom never returned the trophy. After the Colts complained to the league office, former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle had a duplicate made for the Colts, which remains in Baltimore (it was originally shipped to Indianapolis when the team moved but a deal was struck and it was returned to Maryland). The original Super Bowl V trophy? It presumably was in Frontiere's possession and now belongs to her heirs.
So, there are two Vince Lombardi trophies awarded for Super Bowl V ... yet neither are with the franchise that won it. The original was in St. Louis with Frontiere with the other in Baltimore, the Colts old digs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis can only show off the trophy they won two years ago.
#37-NFC EAST TOPS THEM ALL: The NFC East easily has the most Super Bowl champions than any other division. The 11 titles won bests the AFC North for the top honors.
The NFC East dominated from 1986-1995. In that span, the Giants ('86, '90), Redskins ('87, '91) and Cowboys ('92, '93, '95) went to and won 7 of 10 Super Bowls during that decade. The only other Super Bowl champ was San Francisco ('88, '89, '94).
Here's a rundown of the divisions:
11-NFC EAST (Cowboys-5, Redskins-3, Giants-3)
7-AFC NORTH (Steelers-6, Ravens-1)
6-NFC WEST (Niners-5, Rams-1)
6-AFC EAST (Patriots-3, Dolphins-2, Jets-1)
6-AFC WEST (Raiders-3, Broncos-2, Chiefs-1)
4-NFC NORTH (Packers-3, Bears-1)
2-AFC SOUTH (Colts-2)
2-NFC SOUTH (Buccaneers-1, Saints-1)
As for Super Bowl appearances, the NFC East wins this title again:
19-NFC EAST (Cowboys-8, Redskins-5, Giants-4, Eagles-2)
16-AFC EAST (Patriots-6, Dolphins-5, Bills-4, Jets-1)
14-AFC WEST (Broncos-6, Raiders-5, Chiefs-2, Chargers-1)
11-NFC NORTH (Packers-5, Vikings-4, Bears-2)
11-AFC NORTH (Steelers-8, Bengals-2, Ravens-1)
10-NFC WEST (Niners-5, Rams-3, Seahawks-1, Cardinals-1)
5-AFC SOUTH (Colts-4, Titans-1)
4-NFC SOUTH (Panthers-1, Bucs-1, Falcons-1, Saints-1)
#38-DIVISION ALL IN: The only divisions that don't have all of their members with appearances in a Super Bowl are the AFC North (Browns), AFC South (Titans, Jaguars) and NFC North (Lions).
No division has all their members with Super Bowl championships. The NFC East (Eagles didn't win), AFC West (Chargers) and AFC East (Bills) have seen three of their four members win a title. The NFC East is the only division to have each of their members in multiple Super Bowls. The Cowboys have been to eight, the Redskins have been to five, the Giants have been to four and the Eagles have been to two.
The odd thing is that each team in the NFC South has been exactly once to the Super Bowl. The Panthers and Falcons lost their only time there, while the Bucs and Saints won in their only appearances.
#39-TOP SEEDS NOT MEETING AGAIN: Believe it or not, but last year was the first time that the No. 1 seed in the NFC and AFC met in the Super Bowl since 1993. In each year since the Bills and Cowboys met in '93, one of the top seeds fell before getting to the big game. This year, both the Patriots and Falcons lost in their lone playoff game. For a look at what the top seeds did during the drought, check out The Tygrrrr Express.
#40-COLTS KNOW BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN: The Indianapolis Colts are the only franchise to play in a Super Bowl as an AFC and NFC team. Well, they never were an "NFC" team, but the Colts played in Super Bowl III as the NFL representative against the AFL Champ Jets. Two years later, the Colts won Super Bowl V as a member of the AFC.
When the NFL merged with the AFL in 1970, the NFL's Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns moved to the American side of things. The Steelers have won six Super Bowls (and been to another one) but all were as the AFC champ. Cleveland is still waiting for their first appearance.
The NFC East dominated from 1986-1995. In that span, the Giants ('86, '90), Redskins ('87, '91) and Cowboys ('92, '93, '95) went to and won 7 of 10 Super Bowls during that decade. The only other Super Bowl champ was San Francisco ('88, '89, '94).
Here's a rundown of the divisions:
11-NFC EAST (Cowboys-5, Redskins-3, Giants-3)
7-AFC NORTH (Steelers-6, Ravens-1)
6-NFC WEST (Niners-5, Rams-1)
6-AFC EAST (Patriots-3, Dolphins-2, Jets-1)
6-AFC WEST (Raiders-3, Broncos-2, Chiefs-1)
4-NFC NORTH (Packers-3, Bears-1)
2-AFC SOUTH (Colts-2)
2-NFC SOUTH (Buccaneers-1, Saints-1)
As for Super Bowl appearances, the NFC East wins this title again:
19-NFC EAST (Cowboys-8, Redskins-5, Giants-4, Eagles-2)
16-AFC EAST (Patriots-6, Dolphins-5, Bills-4, Jets-1)
14-AFC WEST (Broncos-6, Raiders-5, Chiefs-2, Chargers-1)
11-NFC NORTH (Packers-5, Vikings-4, Bears-2)
11-AFC NORTH (Steelers-8, Bengals-2, Ravens-1)
10-NFC WEST (Niners-5, Rams-3, Seahawks-1, Cardinals-1)
5-AFC SOUTH (Colts-4, Titans-1)
4-NFC SOUTH (Panthers-1, Bucs-1, Falcons-1, Saints-1)
#38-DIVISION ALL IN: The only divisions that don't have all of their members with appearances in a Super Bowl are the AFC North (Browns), AFC South (Titans, Jaguars) and NFC North (Lions).
No division has all their members with Super Bowl championships. The NFC East (Eagles didn't win), AFC West (Chargers) and AFC East (Bills) have seen three of their four members win a title. The NFC East is the only division to have each of their members in multiple Super Bowls. The Cowboys have been to eight, the Redskins have been to five, the Giants have been to four and the Eagles have been to two.
The odd thing is that each team in the NFC South has been exactly once to the Super Bowl. The Panthers and Falcons lost their only time there, while the Bucs and Saints won in their only appearances.
#39-TOP SEEDS NOT MEETING AGAIN: Believe it or not, but last year was the first time that the No. 1 seed in the NFC and AFC met in the Super Bowl since 1993. In each year since the Bills and Cowboys met in '93, one of the top seeds fell before getting to the big game. This year, both the Patriots and Falcons lost in their lone playoff game. For a look at what the top seeds did during the drought, check out The Tygrrrr Express.
#40-COLTS KNOW BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN: The Indianapolis Colts are the only franchise to play in a Super Bowl as an AFC and NFC team. Well, they never were an "NFC" team, but the Colts played in Super Bowl III as the NFL representative against the AFL Champ Jets. Two years later, the Colts won Super Bowl V as a member of the AFC.
When the NFL merged with the AFL in 1970, the NFL's Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns moved to the American side of things. The Steelers have won six Super Bowls (and been to another one) but all were as the AFC champ. Cleveland is still waiting for their first appearance.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Louisville TV Station: "Jew York Jets"
If you look on your computer, the "J" and "N" are pretty close on the keyboard. Still, it is someone's job to proof-read any graphics that make their way on television.
Especially when you refer to the "New York Jets" to the "Jew York Jets".
Hat tip: MoEgger
Especially when you refer to the "New York Jets" to the "Jew York Jets".
Hat tip: MoEgger
Palmer's Demand Places Spotlight On Troubled Bengals Franchise
Carson Palmer wants out of Cincinnati. The Bengals aren't going to accommodate him. And so goes this franchise.
The Cincinnati Bengals are in the Los Angeles Clippers range of horribly-run sports franchises. There are others who get that bad for a little while, but not many that state there and act like nothing is wrong at all.
This is a franchise that hasn't won a postseason game in over 20 years. Not-so-coincidentally that coincides with Mike Brown's sole ownership of the team. In that span, the franchise has had just two winning seasons and two playoff appearances. They've had 11 seasons with at least 10 losses in those 20 years. They've had numerous off-field player incidents. In Brown's reign, the Bengals needed the fewest amount of games to reach 200 losses from an owner and the most games to reach 100 wins. They are the only team over the last 20 years with three separate 9-game losing streaks.
They have a contentious relationship with Hamilton County due to the building and upkeep of Paul Brown Stadium. They have no personnell director as Brown makes all decisions. One of Brown's first "decisions" was to fire highly regarded Sam Wyche and hired Dave Shula (who would go on to lose 50 games faster than any coach in NFL history).
The team reportedly employs just one scout. The front office is made up of Brown's relatives.
But that's all just a biography of Brown and the case against him running the franchise. The fans in Cincinnati know this, have known this and have put up with this for two decades.
However, it seems the tides are changing. In a recent Cincinnati Enquirer poll of season ticket holders, 2/3 of them said they wouldn't be renewing their seats. Many said with Cincinnati's baseball team, the Reds, looking like an organization on the rise that those consumers will buy Reds season tickets.
So what was the boiling point? What makes this winter different than the 20 winters before it?
Simply, the press conference.
Bengals fans had this hope ... and I mean it was tangible in town ... that with Marvin Lewis' contract expiring and his "change things or I'm not coming back" stance, the Bengals may be finally willing to change some things up. It surprised many, then, that Lewis said he'd come back to the Bengals -- he signed a new deal. To fans, that meant that Brown was willing to do the things Lewis wanted to move the franchise forward.
Then the presser.
In the presser, Brown and Lewis sat at the table and essentially defended everything they've done over the last decade together and what Brown has done since 1991. Both were a bit confrontational to the media and refused to discuss any of the items Lewis may (or may not) have wanted from Brown.
In the weeks since, it is apparent that nothing will change. One of the most hated coaches the Bengals have ever had ... offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski ... has kept his job since 2001 despite helming an offense that has completely regressed over the past five years. With all the talented coordinators out there on the market, Bengals fans watch as Bratkowski remains with the team.
There is a perfect storm working against the Bengals right now and it could get dangerous for the future of this franchise. Most of the Bengals home games were blacked out in Cincinnati (the ones that weren't were due to opposing teams' fans buying up a lot of the tickets). You have the prices of tickets, concessions and parking rising in an economy that has hurt the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana area. You have the Reds who just won the NL Central and have one of the best young teams in Major League Baseball now in line to take on lost Bengals fans. You have one of the worst stadium experiences in the NFL at Paul Brown Stadium.
Even worse, you have a young fanbase that doesn't care about this team. With the advent of around-the-clock NFL coverage, kids are wearing more non-Bengals merchandise than ever before. You are more apt to see a kid wearing a Steelers jersey as you would a Bengals jersey.
This Carson Palmer saga only makes this worse. Palmer has never talked bad about this franchise despite having every reason to do so. Him stating he wants out speaks volumes about how bad things really are. The fact that the Bengals refuse to entertain trading him shows that have no touch with reality. Here is a QB whose skills have obviously declined, he doesn't want to be here and whom the fans have lost all faith in. Yet you won't even think about moving him? Not with teams like the Cardinals, Redskins, Bills, Dolphins, Titans, Vikings, Panthers and 49ers in need of quarterback help. You don't think one of those franchises wouldn't give you something of value for Palmer? It would be a seller's market.
Those things have really turned off fans here in Cincinnati. They are sick of it all and, for once, realize they don't have to take it.
*The Sportz Assassin has lived in the Cincinnati area for the last 12 years. He isn't a Bengals fan by any stretch (Redskins, baby!).
The Cincinnati Bengals are in the Los Angeles Clippers range of horribly-run sports franchises. There are others who get that bad for a little while, but not many that state there and act like nothing is wrong at all.
This is a franchise that hasn't won a postseason game in over 20 years. Not-so-coincidentally that coincides with Mike Brown's sole ownership of the team. In that span, the franchise has had just two winning seasons and two playoff appearances. They've had 11 seasons with at least 10 losses in those 20 years. They've had numerous off-field player incidents. In Brown's reign, the Bengals needed the fewest amount of games to reach 200 losses from an owner and the most games to reach 100 wins. They are the only team over the last 20 years with three separate 9-game losing streaks.
They have a contentious relationship with Hamilton County due to the building and upkeep of Paul Brown Stadium. They have no personnell director as Brown makes all decisions. One of Brown's first "decisions" was to fire highly regarded Sam Wyche and hired Dave Shula (who would go on to lose 50 games faster than any coach in NFL history).
The team reportedly employs just one scout. The front office is made up of Brown's relatives.
But that's all just a biography of Brown and the case against him running the franchise. The fans in Cincinnati know this, have known this and have put up with this for two decades.
However, it seems the tides are changing. In a recent Cincinnati Enquirer poll of season ticket holders, 2/3 of them said they wouldn't be renewing their seats. Many said with Cincinnati's baseball team, the Reds, looking like an organization on the rise that those consumers will buy Reds season tickets.
So what was the boiling point? What makes this winter different than the 20 winters before it?
Simply, the press conference.
Bengals fans had this hope ... and I mean it was tangible in town ... that with Marvin Lewis' contract expiring and his "change things or I'm not coming back" stance, the Bengals may be finally willing to change some things up. It surprised many, then, that Lewis said he'd come back to the Bengals -- he signed a new deal. To fans, that meant that Brown was willing to do the things Lewis wanted to move the franchise forward.
Then the presser.
In the presser, Brown and Lewis sat at the table and essentially defended everything they've done over the last decade together and what Brown has done since 1991. Both were a bit confrontational to the media and refused to discuss any of the items Lewis may (or may not) have wanted from Brown.
In the weeks since, it is apparent that nothing will change. One of the most hated coaches the Bengals have ever had ... offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski ... has kept his job since 2001 despite helming an offense that has completely regressed over the past five years. With all the talented coordinators out there on the market, Bengals fans watch as Bratkowski remains with the team.
There is a perfect storm working against the Bengals right now and it could get dangerous for the future of this franchise. Most of the Bengals home games were blacked out in Cincinnati (the ones that weren't were due to opposing teams' fans buying up a lot of the tickets). You have the prices of tickets, concessions and parking rising in an economy that has hurt the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana area. You have the Reds who just won the NL Central and have one of the best young teams in Major League Baseball now in line to take on lost Bengals fans. You have one of the worst stadium experiences in the NFL at Paul Brown Stadium.
Even worse, you have a young fanbase that doesn't care about this team. With the advent of around-the-clock NFL coverage, kids are wearing more non-Bengals merchandise than ever before. You are more apt to see a kid wearing a Steelers jersey as you would a Bengals jersey.
This Carson Palmer saga only makes this worse. Palmer has never talked bad about this franchise despite having every reason to do so. Him stating he wants out speaks volumes about how bad things really are. The fact that the Bengals refuse to entertain trading him shows that have no touch with reality. Here is a QB whose skills have obviously declined, he doesn't want to be here and whom the fans have lost all faith in. Yet you won't even think about moving him? Not with teams like the Cardinals, Redskins, Bills, Dolphins, Titans, Vikings, Panthers and 49ers in need of quarterback help. You don't think one of those franchises wouldn't give you something of value for Palmer? It would be a seller's market.
Those things have really turned off fans here in Cincinnati. They are sick of it all and, for once, realize they don't have to take it.
*The Sportz Assassin has lived in the Cincinnati area for the last 12 years. He isn't a Bengals fan by any stretch (Redskins, baby!).
45 Stops to Super Bowl XLV: #41-#45
The "45 Stops to Super Bowl XLV" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLV. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL, XLI, XLIII, XLIV and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#41-SUPER BOWL ON FOX: This will be the sixth time the Super Bowl has been televised by Fox. The last time was in 2008 when Joe Buck and Troy Aikman called the Giants upset of the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. This will be the third Super Bowl that Buck/Aikman have called. The first three Fox telecasts featured Pat Summerall and John Madden.
#42-AFC LOVES FEBRUARY: The Super Bowl will be held on February 6th. Since the first February Super Bowl in 2002, the AFC is 6-2 in those games held in the calendar's shortest month:
Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots beat Rams on February 3, 2002
Super Bowl XXXVIII: Patriots beat Panthers on February 1, 2004
Super Bowl XXXIX: Patriots beat Eagles on February 6, 2005
Super Bowl XL: Steelers beat Seahawks on February 5, 2006
Super Bowl XLI: Colts beat Bears on February 4, 2007
Super Bowl XLII: Giants beat Patriots on February 3, 2008
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers beat Cardinals on February 1, 2009
Super Bowl XLIV: Saints beat Colts on February 7, 2010
#43-SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN: The team who scores first in a Super Bowl is 28-16. However, the team who has scored first has lost six of the last nine Super Bowls.
*Teams who score at least 30 points are 22-1.
*Teams that score the first TD are 31-13.
*Teams leading at the half are 33-9 (there have been two ties)
#41-SUPER BOWL ON FOX: This will be the sixth time the Super Bowl has been televised by Fox. The last time was in 2008 when Joe Buck and Troy Aikman called the Giants upset of the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. This will be the third Super Bowl that Buck/Aikman have called. The first three Fox telecasts featured Pat Summerall and John Madden.
#42-AFC LOVES FEBRUARY: The Super Bowl will be held on February 6th. Since the first February Super Bowl in 2002, the AFC is 6-2 in those games held in the calendar's shortest month:
Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots beat Rams on February 3, 2002
Super Bowl XXXVIII: Patriots beat Panthers on February 1, 2004
Super Bowl XXXIX: Patriots beat Eagles on February 6, 2005
Super Bowl XL: Steelers beat Seahawks on February 5, 2006
Super Bowl XLI: Colts beat Bears on February 4, 2007
Super Bowl XLII: Giants beat Patriots on February 3, 2008
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers beat Cardinals on February 1, 2009
Super Bowl XLIV: Saints beat Colts on February 7, 2010
#43-SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN: The team who scores first in a Super Bowl is 28-16. However, the team who has scored first has lost six of the last nine Super Bowls.
*Teams who score at least 30 points are 22-1.
*Teams that score the first TD are 31-13.
*Teams leading at the half are 33-9 (there have been two ties)
#44-SUPER BOWL AND WORLD SERIES: Dallas/Ft. Worth will be just the fifth city to host both a Super Bowl and a World Series in the same "sports season". Only six cities/metro areas have hosted the World Series and Super Bowl back-to-back. Remember that the Texas Rangers made their first World Series appearance last October.
1966/1967-Los Angeles: The Dodgers were swept in the 1966 World Series and the LA Coliseum would host the first ever Super Bowl the next January.
1977-Los Angeles: The Rose Bowl hosted the 1977 Super Bowl and the Dodgers would play in the Fall Classic later that year.
1991/1992-Minneapolis. The Twins won the 1991 World Series and the city hosted the 1992 Super Bowl.
1998-San Diego: San Diego hosted the 1998 Super Bowl and the Padres would go on to play in the World Series that fall.
1999/2000-Atlanta: The Braves lost the 1999 World Series and Hot-lanta hosted the 2000 Super Bowl.
2008/2009-Tampa Bay: The Rays lost the 2008 World Series in St. Pete while the Buccaneers home hosted the Super Bowl.
#45-DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: This will be the first Super Bowl held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ... but it will be the third held in the state of Texas. Houston was the site for the other two Super Bowls. Rice Stadium hosted Super Bowl VIII (Miami over Minnesota) and Reliant Field hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII (New England over Carolina).
1966/1967-Los Angeles: The Dodgers were swept in the 1966 World Series and the LA Coliseum would host the first ever Super Bowl the next January.
1977-Los Angeles: The Rose Bowl hosted the 1977 Super Bowl and the Dodgers would play in the Fall Classic later that year.
1991/1992-Minneapolis. The Twins won the 1991 World Series and the city hosted the 1992 Super Bowl.
1998-San Diego: San Diego hosted the 1998 Super Bowl and the Padres would go on to play in the World Series that fall.
1999/2000-Atlanta: The Braves lost the 1999 World Series and Hot-lanta hosted the 2000 Super Bowl.
2008/2009-Tampa Bay: The Rays lost the 2008 World Series in St. Pete while the Buccaneers home hosted the Super Bowl.
#45-DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: This will be the first Super Bowl held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ... but it will be the third held in the state of Texas. Houston was the site for the other two Super Bowls. Rice Stadium hosted Super Bowl VIII (Miami over Minnesota) and Reliant Field hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII (New England over Carolina).
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tom Brady Isn't Who We Think He Is
When we talk about the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, Tom Brady will be mentioned. He came out of nowhere and won three Super Bowls in a four year period ... becoming the MVP in two. He has an NFL MVP award (may get a second one this year) and once threw a record 50 TD passes in a season.
He's legit.
But over the last several years, his postseason performances leave something to be desired.
In 2008, the undefeated Patriots beat the Jaguars and Chargers to get to the Super Bowl. Brady looked great against the Jags, but threw for just 209 yds, 2 TDs and 3 INTs against San Diego. In the Super Bowl, his Pats were upset by the Giants ... ending hopes of an undefeated season. Brady threw for 266 yds and 1 TD.
In 2009, Brady was injured and the Patriots missed the playoffs.
In 2010, his Patriots lost at home to the Ravens in the Wildcard Round. Brady had a meager 154 yds, 2 TDs and 3 INTs. All that despite throwing 42 passes.
In 2011, his Patriots lost at home to the Jets in the Divisional Round. Brady had 299 yds, 2 TDs and a pick.
If you count a loss to the Colts in the 2007 AFC Championship game, that means Tom Brady is just 2-4 in his last six postseason games. Two of those losses were at home and one in the Super Bowl.
From 2002 to 2006, Tom Brady won the first 10 playoff games he started. That included three Super Bowl wins. Since then, he's just 4-5. In those 9 games, Brady threw 19 TD passes and 13 interceptions. Brady threw 11 TDs and just 3 INTs in his first 10 postseason starts.
This isn't to say that Brady sucks. He most certainly doesn't. Joe Montana spent the years between Super Bowls XIX and XXIII losing all three playoff games he played in. Montana's stats in those games? Zero TDs and four interceptions. In those three games, Montana threw for just 503 yds ... total (a 167 yd-per-game average). It happens.
There is a happy medium. Brady is still among the greats, but he isn't perfect. And right now, he's in a bit of a playoff funk.
He's legit.
But over the last several years, his postseason performances leave something to be desired.
In 2008, the undefeated Patriots beat the Jaguars and Chargers to get to the Super Bowl. Brady looked great against the Jags, but threw for just 209 yds, 2 TDs and 3 INTs against San Diego. In the Super Bowl, his Pats were upset by the Giants ... ending hopes of an undefeated season. Brady threw for 266 yds and 1 TD.
In 2009, Brady was injured and the Patriots missed the playoffs.
In 2010, his Patriots lost at home to the Ravens in the Wildcard Round. Brady had a meager 154 yds, 2 TDs and 3 INTs. All that despite throwing 42 passes.
In 2011, his Patriots lost at home to the Jets in the Divisional Round. Brady had 299 yds, 2 TDs and a pick.
If you count a loss to the Colts in the 2007 AFC Championship game, that means Tom Brady is just 2-4 in his last six postseason games. Two of those losses were at home and one in the Super Bowl.
From 2002 to 2006, Tom Brady won the first 10 playoff games he started. That included three Super Bowl wins. Since then, he's just 4-5. In those 9 games, Brady threw 19 TD passes and 13 interceptions. Brady threw 11 TDs and just 3 INTs in his first 10 postseason starts.
This isn't to say that Brady sucks. He most certainly doesn't. Joe Montana spent the years between Super Bowls XIX and XXIII losing all three playoff games he played in. Montana's stats in those games? Zero TDs and four interceptions. In those three games, Montana threw for just 503 yds ... total (a 167 yd-per-game average). It happens.
There is a happy medium. Brady is still among the greats, but he isn't perfect. And right now, he's in a bit of a playoff funk.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Auburn-Oregon Fallout: How Threat Of Penalty Costs Ducks Title
We've all seen the play. The one where Auburn's running back bursts through the line, is seemingly tackled, gets up and runs for another 20-plus yards. It got the Tigers in field goal range immediately ... and they indeed won on a field goal as time expired.
Let me first say that it was the proper call. The runner hadn't been ruled down by contact so the play should've continued.
The problem I have is the culture foorball has created which allowed that play to happen. They always tell you to play until the whistle blows. That, my friends, is a lie.
Defenses can't catch a break. If they play until the whistle blows and hit a QB a second too late, it's a flag. If you play until the whistle bows as you are running full speed at a ball-carrier who is tip toeing along the sideline ... then steps out just before he gets hit. That's a flag.
If the Oregon defender in pretty much any circumstance jumped on the back like he didn't do in the BCS title game, it would be a flag. Defenders are now conditioned to pull up at the end of plays or risk a 15-yd penalty. Ten years ago that wasn't a problem.
Now I'm not saying late hits are cool. They aren't and all that extra crap at the end of plays needs to be penalized. But if you do that, you have to have something in there that if the runner acts like he was tackled ... blow the whistle. He may not be down by the letter of the law ... but for the defense's sake, rule him down. The only reason the runner didn't know he wasn't down was because the Auburn sideline yelled at him to keep running.
What is a Duck to do?
Let me first say that it was the proper call. The runner hadn't been ruled down by contact so the play should've continued.
The problem I have is the culture foorball has created which allowed that play to happen. They always tell you to play until the whistle blows. That, my friends, is a lie.
Defenses can't catch a break. If they play until the whistle blows and hit a QB a second too late, it's a flag. If you play until the whistle bows as you are running full speed at a ball-carrier who is tip toeing along the sideline ... then steps out just before he gets hit. That's a flag.
If the Oregon defender in pretty much any circumstance jumped on the back like he didn't do in the BCS title game, it would be a flag. Defenders are now conditioned to pull up at the end of plays or risk a 15-yd penalty. Ten years ago that wasn't a problem.
Now I'm not saying late hits are cool. They aren't and all that extra crap at the end of plays needs to be penalized. But if you do that, you have to have something in there that if the runner acts like he was tackled ... blow the whistle. He may not be down by the letter of the law ... but for the defense's sake, rule him down. The only reason the runner didn't know he wasn't down was because the Auburn sideline yelled at him to keep running.
What is a Duck to do?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Bad Weekend For Kentucky Fans
Kentucky fans had a horrible weekend and I'm so happy about that.
Let me put it out there: I used to not care one bit about the University of Kentucky. I didn't care if they won or lost ... unless my UNC Tar Heels were playing them or in a certain East Regional Final game to Duke in 1992.
But since I moved to Kentucky over a decade ago, Wildcat fans just get on your nerves. They can normally pull that crap here because ... well, everyone is a Kentucky fan. There is no real regional rival. Louisville? There are more Wildcats fans in Louisville than Cardinal fans. Indiana? Who barks about that?
But as a Tar Heel fan, their vitrol doesn't fly with me. We are also among college basketball's elite. We are also in the 2,000 win club (with more of those won fair and square than Kentucky). Since Kentucky's last Final Four in 1998 (I moved here at Christmas 1998), Carolina has been to four Final Fours and won two National Championships.
Oh, and Carolina is 22-11 all time in head to head matchups with Kentucky. That's Kentucky's worst record against any opponent they've faced more than a handful of times. They hate when I pull that one out.
So I will admit that I do take pleasure in Kentucky's misfortune this weekend.
First off, the NCAA rules Enes Kanter ineligible. Permanently. All I heard from Kentucky fans was that Kanter was clean, the NCAA won't shut him down ... and if they do, it will just be for a couple of games. When the appeal process was going on, all I heard was that Kanter will be made eligible because of new evidence and how if the NCAA was lax on those Ohio State players and Cam Newton then they'll be a bit sympathetic towards Kanter.
Nope. He's done. Forever. Kentucky fans will still claim him as one of their own when he hits the NBA. Yeah, then I claim Dwight Howard since he was gonna come to Carolina if he wasn't going into the draft.
Then came Saturday. Kentucky played Pitt in the Compass Bowl or something. Pitt spanked them, 27-10. Not a biggie since Kentucky fans don't really care about football. Or any sport not played on a basketball court. But this did come against a team that forced one coach out and then had to fire his replacement because of a domestic assault. Not really a team with any leadership right now.
Saturday night, those hoopsters played their first SEC game of the season ... and lost to unranked Georgia, 77-70. That gets the fans' attention. Kentucky fans have said, "look, we lost to North Carolina in Chapel Hill and UConn in Hawaii ... and we are really coming together." They still can say all of that, but now this is also a team that lost to Georgia.
Today, their women's team lost ... at home ... to Georgia. Kentucky, who I haven't really heard to much about, is ranked No. 10 in the country.
Not a great week for Kentucky fans.
Let me put it out there: I used to not care one bit about the University of Kentucky. I didn't care if they won or lost ... unless my UNC Tar Heels were playing them or in a certain East Regional Final game to Duke in 1992.
But since I moved to Kentucky over a decade ago, Wildcat fans just get on your nerves. They can normally pull that crap here because ... well, everyone is a Kentucky fan. There is no real regional rival. Louisville? There are more Wildcats fans in Louisville than Cardinal fans. Indiana? Who barks about that?
But as a Tar Heel fan, their vitrol doesn't fly with me. We are also among college basketball's elite. We are also in the 2,000 win club (with more of those won fair and square than Kentucky). Since Kentucky's last Final Four in 1998 (I moved here at Christmas 1998), Carolina has been to four Final Fours and won two National Championships.
Oh, and Carolina is 22-11 all time in head to head matchups with Kentucky. That's Kentucky's worst record against any opponent they've faced more than a handful of times. They hate when I pull that one out.
So I will admit that I do take pleasure in Kentucky's misfortune this weekend.
First off, the NCAA rules Enes Kanter ineligible. Permanently. All I heard from Kentucky fans was that Kanter was clean, the NCAA won't shut him down ... and if they do, it will just be for a couple of games. When the appeal process was going on, all I heard was that Kanter will be made eligible because of new evidence and how if the NCAA was lax on those Ohio State players and Cam Newton then they'll be a bit sympathetic towards Kanter.
Nope. He's done. Forever. Kentucky fans will still claim him as one of their own when he hits the NBA. Yeah, then I claim Dwight Howard since he was gonna come to Carolina if he wasn't going into the draft.
Then came Saturday. Kentucky played Pitt in the Compass Bowl or something. Pitt spanked them, 27-10. Not a biggie since Kentucky fans don't really care about football. Or any sport not played on a basketball court. But this did come against a team that forced one coach out and then had to fire his replacement because of a domestic assault. Not really a team with any leadership right now.
Saturday night, those hoopsters played their first SEC game of the season ... and lost to unranked Georgia, 77-70. That gets the fans' attention. Kentucky fans have said, "look, we lost to North Carolina in Chapel Hill and UConn in Hawaii ... and we are really coming together." They still can say all of that, but now this is also a team that lost to Georgia.
Today, their women's team lost ... at home ... to Georgia. Kentucky, who I haven't really heard to much about, is ranked No. 10 in the country.
Not a great week for Kentucky fans.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Dolphins Are Wrong For Doing Tony Sparano Like This
I don't want to see anybody lose their job ... but I also don't like to see a guy holding a job while his employer is jet-setting across the country to land his replacement.
That's what the Miami Dolphins are doing with Tony Sparano. All Sparano has done is take a laughingstock team and made them decent. He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve his bosses flying out to Palo Alto to try to woo Jim Harbaugh.
Nothing against Harbaugh and nothing against the Dolphins if they want to work together. Miami has every right to hire whatver coach they want. But don't piss on the man that you haven't even fired yet! I mean the fact that Sparano hasn't been fired yet is because they're okay with him if they can't find anything better.
So you've undermined your coach. That will work well if the Phins stick with Sparano. It also works well that the Dolphins franchise can stab their head coach in the back.
Do everyone a favor and be up front with Tony. Ya know, the guy who made your team cool with that wacky Wildcat offense. What Miami is doing is looking for a new, hot wife when he's already married. If he can't find a hot woman to marry him, well they kinda like what they have at home.
If this was in the stretch run of the season, I'm cool with it. My Redskins did the same thing a year ago. In Jim Zorn's last 5 games, the Skins were talking with Mike Shanahan. But Zorn knew he was out at the end of the season and the Skins knew that the campaign was over and they may as well let Zorn finish out the year. Zorn then caught on to the Ravens coaching staff.
Sparano is hanging in the wind. While there are coaching changes all over the league, that means that coaching staffs are being assembled. I'm sure Sparano would be sought after.
But he can't. He's busy pulling a knife out of his back.
That's what the Miami Dolphins are doing with Tony Sparano. All Sparano has done is take a laughingstock team and made them decent. He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve his bosses flying out to Palo Alto to try to woo Jim Harbaugh.
Nothing against Harbaugh and nothing against the Dolphins if they want to work together. Miami has every right to hire whatver coach they want. But don't piss on the man that you haven't even fired yet! I mean the fact that Sparano hasn't been fired yet is because they're okay with him if they can't find anything better.
So you've undermined your coach. That will work well if the Phins stick with Sparano. It also works well that the Dolphins franchise can stab their head coach in the back.
Do everyone a favor and be up front with Tony. Ya know, the guy who made your team cool with that wacky Wildcat offense. What Miami is doing is looking for a new, hot wife when he's already married. If he can't find a hot woman to marry him, well they kinda like what they have at home.
If this was in the stretch run of the season, I'm cool with it. My Redskins did the same thing a year ago. In Jim Zorn's last 5 games, the Skins were talking with Mike Shanahan. But Zorn knew he was out at the end of the season and the Skins knew that the campaign was over and they may as well let Zorn finish out the year. Zorn then caught on to the Ravens coaching staff.
Sparano is hanging in the wind. While there are coaching changes all over the league, that means that coaching staffs are being assembled. I'm sure Sparano would be sought after.
But he can't. He's busy pulling a knife out of his back.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The NHL Needs More "Winter Classics" ... in Canada
The Winter Classic is the crown jewel of the NHL's regular season. The Classic, as they'll tell you, puts the game back to its roots -- outdoors. It draws quite a crowd (over 60,000 attended the Capts-Pens game in Pittsburgh on Saturday) and routinely is one of the biggest TV viewing matches the NHL has.
The NHL loves it. They tell you that that's how hockey was played! Outdoors in the cold. In the elements. Where people love it.
We will never see a Winter Classic in Anaheim. Or Dallas. Or Tampa Bay. Or Phoenix. Those cities aren't majestic enough to house such a game. Not even cities like Atlanta, Raleigh or Nashville will get a shot. Of course, the NHL knows that not only would it lose its luster, but people may not show up. At least not like they'd do in Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Boston or New York.
Yet, there are NHL franchises in Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa, Phoenix, Nashville, Atlanta and Raleigh. In several of those cities, no one would really care if (a) their team played in a Winter Classic or (b) even played in their city at all.
That's not totally fair. There are some northern teams struggling for fans. The Islanders are the worst attended team in the NHL despite residing in the league's most populous market. The Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche are also in the bottom 7 in attendance.
Still, the southern towns suffer. Phoenix (29th of 30 teams), Atlanta (28th), Anaheim (25th), Dallas (23rd), Carolina (22nd), Florida (21st), Nashville (20th) and Tampa Bay (19th) are all in the bottom third in attendance. The only "southern" city in the top half of the NHL in attendance? The Los Angeles Kings at 13th.
Why do we keep up with this charade? Why? Why, in a league of 30 teams, are only SIX Canadian franchises in operation? SIX!
The Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers all have their home games at 100% capacity ... if not better (the Leafs are 102.6% capacity). The only Canadian team to not hit that mark is the relatively newer Ottawa Senators ... who still fill their arena at a 98% clip.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes are at 61%. The Thrashers are at 68%. The only "southern" cities that fill to capacity by at least 90% are the Kings (97%) and Predators (93.4%).
So why not move these teams back? Get the Coyotes out of freakin' Phoenix and move them back to Winnipeg? Bring back the Winnipeg Jets! Bring back the Winnipeg Jets! Why not move the Panthers or Lightning to Quebec and give us back our Nordiques!
I know you are saying that Winnipeg and Quebec are smaller markets. But they are rabid markets. Those citizens will flock to games.
I know you are also saying, "hey, they had their chance and couldn't hang." Fair, but remember that when the Jets left Winnipeg for Phoenix and the Nordiques left Quebec for Colorado there was no salary cap like there is today and the Canadian dollar was in shambles. Those teams, like the ones in Edmonton and Calgary, can survive in this NHL.
Remember that Minnesota lost their North Stars to Dallas yet were able to get the expansion Wild a few years later.
Heck, move the Atlanta Thrashers to Toronto! That city can house two NHL teams. I mean, if New York can do it and the Los Angeles-Anaheim area can do it ... why couldn't hockey crazed Toronto?
That would make the NHL tick again! Invest back into Canada! No new teams, just relocate the existing ones.
And while you're at it ... move the Carolina Hurricanes back to Hartford and bring back our Whalers!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Why Bengals Fans Should Be Happy Marvin Lewis Is Staying
Bengals fans here in Cincinnati are standing beside themselves today. After spending the last two months basically counting down the days of the Marvin Lewis Era, the clock was rewound.
Marvin Lewis is staying. Bengals fans are crying.
I get that. For the last eight years, Lewis' Bengals have had just two winning seasons and zero playoff victories (despite hosting two postseason games). The team has been undisciplined, moody and ... well, poorly coached. If this was any other NFL franchise (sans Jacksonville), Lewis would have been shown the door a long time ago.
I know this sounds a bit odd, but Bengals fans should actually be happy that Lewis is coming back.
The top reason is that Lewis may actually be getting some of those items he requested granted. He wants a little more power. He wants to be able to hire and fire within his coaching staff. He wants so more say in personnel moves. He wants a bubble over their practice field. These are requests that most coaches never have to ask for -- it usually comes with the job. But this is Cincinnati and things are done differently.
I know the perception is that "whoop-dee-doo! We get a practice bubble and a crummy team for several more years!" But imagine if the Bengals didn't give him anything and Lewis walked? Who would be walking through that door? It sure as heck isn't Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher or Jim Harbaugh. It will be some coordinator that will deal with the Bengals cheap ways just to get a shot at a head coaching gig.
So either keep a guy that has probably had more power than any coach the Bengals have had since Mike Brown took sole ownership of the franchise 20 years ago ... or go back to the Shula/LeBeau days of losing and regressing as a franchise. That's an easy choice.
Not to mention if there is a work stoppage next season. For example, if the players and owners agree to a new CBA just a couple of weeks before their first game, it would be nice to have the same coaching staff in place to make the learning curve quicker.
Yes, those are small victories ... but for this franchise, any victories are nice.
Marvin Lewis is staying. Bengals fans are crying.
I get that. For the last eight years, Lewis' Bengals have had just two winning seasons and zero playoff victories (despite hosting two postseason games). The team has been undisciplined, moody and ... well, poorly coached. If this was any other NFL franchise (sans Jacksonville), Lewis would have been shown the door a long time ago.
I know this sounds a bit odd, but Bengals fans should actually be happy that Lewis is coming back.
The top reason is that Lewis may actually be getting some of those items he requested granted. He wants a little more power. He wants to be able to hire and fire within his coaching staff. He wants so more say in personnel moves. He wants a bubble over their practice field. These are requests that most coaches never have to ask for -- it usually comes with the job. But this is Cincinnati and things are done differently.
I know the perception is that "whoop-dee-doo! We get a practice bubble and a crummy team for several more years!" But imagine if the Bengals didn't give him anything and Lewis walked? Who would be walking through that door? It sure as heck isn't Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher or Jim Harbaugh. It will be some coordinator that will deal with the Bengals cheap ways just to get a shot at a head coaching gig.
So either keep a guy that has probably had more power than any coach the Bengals have had since Mike Brown took sole ownership of the franchise 20 years ago ... or go back to the Shula/LeBeau days of losing and regressing as a franchise. That's an easy choice.
Not to mention if there is a work stoppage next season. For example, if the players and owners agree to a new CBA just a couple of weeks before their first game, it would be nice to have the same coaching staff in place to make the learning curve quicker.
Yes, those are small victories ... but for this franchise, any victories are nice.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2011 NFL Playoff Matchups I'd Love to See
We still don't know who will win the AFC South or NFC West. As I type this, the Buccaneers, Packers and Giants are all still alive for the final NFC Wildcard spot. Still, I am salivating over some of the possible playoff matchups we could enjoy.
We do know that this about the AFC: 1-Patriots, 2-Steelers, 3-Chiefs/Colts, 4-Jaguars/Colts/Chiefs, 5-Ravens and 6-Jets. In the NFC, it is: 1-Falcons, 2-Bears, 3-Eagles, 4-Rams/Seahawks, 5-Saints, 6-Bucs/Packers/Giants.
So what matchups ... aside from possible Super Bowl ones ... are we looking forward to?
10-Chiefs at Patriots: This starts a trend of Patriot Games. But this one is interesting because Kansas City will bring former Pats Matt Cassell, Romeo Crennell and Charlie Weis (among others) up to New England to face their old coach.
9-Packers at Eagles: A lot of people picked big things for the Packers this year and many of them are still holding on to that. An Aaron Rodgers-Michael Vick matchup would quite a site.
8-Eagles at Bears: Michael Vick against that speedy Chicago defense. Plus two of the best return men in the game -- Devin Hester and Desean Jackson -- will mean that you will have to wait for your bathroom breaks.
7-Colts at Patriots: We've seen this countless times and usually when the two meet, the games are close. Injuries to Indy pushes this game down several pegs.
6-Giants at Eagles: If New York gets in, don't you think we'd want to see them try to exact revenge for the meltdown in the Meadowlands a few weeks ago? The last time the G-men were a wildcard team they went on to win the Super Bowl.
5-Saints at Falcons: The defending Super Bowl champs against the NFC team with the best record. Remember that New Orleans was the only team to beat the Falcons in Atlanta this season.
4-Ravens at Patriots: If there is anyone who is not scared to go to New England to play in the postseason, it is Baltimore. They blew out the Pats there last postseason and nearly beat them there earlier this year.
3-Steelers at Patriots: The two best teams of the last decade combined for 5 Super Bowl victories in 6 appearances. These are the only two active quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl rings. Would be a great game with a Super Bowl on the line.
2-Jets at Patriots: Oh, man. Do I even need to set this one up?
1-Eagles at Falcons: This would have to be for the NFC Championship ... and that would be outstanding. Imagine Michael Vick coming back to Atlanta with a Super Bowl berth on the line! That story alone makes this a great game. Add in the offensive firepower both teams possess and the fact that many feel that these are the two best teams in the conference and a matchup between the two would be fitting.
As for possible Super Bowl matchups, here are my top six:
1-Eagles vs Patriots
2-Falcons vs Patriots
3-Eagles vs Steelers
4-Saints vs Steelers
5-Saints vs Jets
6-Giants vs Colts
We do know that this about the AFC: 1-Patriots, 2-Steelers, 3-Chiefs/Colts, 4-Jaguars/Colts/Chiefs, 5-Ravens and 6-Jets. In the NFC, it is: 1-Falcons, 2-Bears, 3-Eagles, 4-Rams/Seahawks, 5-Saints, 6-Bucs/Packers/Giants.
So what matchups ... aside from possible Super Bowl ones ... are we looking forward to?
10-Chiefs at Patriots: This starts a trend of Patriot Games. But this one is interesting because Kansas City will bring former Pats Matt Cassell, Romeo Crennell and Charlie Weis (among others) up to New England to face their old coach.
9-Packers at Eagles: A lot of people picked big things for the Packers this year and many of them are still holding on to that. An Aaron Rodgers-Michael Vick matchup would quite a site.
8-Eagles at Bears: Michael Vick against that speedy Chicago defense. Plus two of the best return men in the game -- Devin Hester and Desean Jackson -- will mean that you will have to wait for your bathroom breaks.
7-Colts at Patriots: We've seen this countless times and usually when the two meet, the games are close. Injuries to Indy pushes this game down several pegs.
6-Giants at Eagles: If New York gets in, don't you think we'd want to see them try to exact revenge for the meltdown in the Meadowlands a few weeks ago? The last time the G-men were a wildcard team they went on to win the Super Bowl.
5-Saints at Falcons: The defending Super Bowl champs against the NFC team with the best record. Remember that New Orleans was the only team to beat the Falcons in Atlanta this season.
4-Ravens at Patriots: If there is anyone who is not scared to go to New England to play in the postseason, it is Baltimore. They blew out the Pats there last postseason and nearly beat them there earlier this year.
3-Steelers at Patriots: The two best teams of the last decade combined for 5 Super Bowl victories in 6 appearances. These are the only two active quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl rings. Would be a great game with a Super Bowl on the line.
2-Jets at Patriots: Oh, man. Do I even need to set this one up?
1-Eagles at Falcons: This would have to be for the NFC Championship ... and that would be outstanding. Imagine Michael Vick coming back to Atlanta with a Super Bowl berth on the line! That story alone makes this a great game. Add in the offensive firepower both teams possess and the fact that many feel that these are the two best teams in the conference and a matchup between the two would be fitting.
As for possible Super Bowl matchups, here are my top six:
1-Eagles vs Patriots
2-Falcons vs Patriots
3-Eagles vs Steelers
4-Saints vs Steelers
5-Saints vs Jets
6-Giants vs Colts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A Bad Day For The Big Ten
Today is New Year's Day and it is usually a day filled with hopes, wishes, promises and changes. The Big Ten would love to shut their eyes and try for all those things again tomorrow.
The Big Ten went 0-5 in bowl games today. Not only did they lose every bowl on New Years, it was a collection of embarrassing results.
It all started in the TicketCity Bowl in Dallas. Not a big deal, but Northwestern lost to Texas Tech, 45-38. N'western continues their wait for another bowl victory -- they haven't won one since 1949.
The agony continued with the conferences Michigan schools getting pummelled by SEC teams simultaneously. In the Capital One Bowl, Michigan State were spanked by Alabama, 49-7. Michigan State, if you remember, was bent that Ohio State was selected for a BCS bid instead of them. Well, they sure didn't show up for this one.
A bit to the east in the Gator Bowl, Mississippi State just blew out Michigan, 52-14. If the Rich Rodriguez era does end in Ann Arbor, it sure ended on a negative note.
Move west to the Outback Bowl you'd see Penn State losing to Florida, 37-24. Of all the bowl losses today, the Big Ten can be proud of this one. This was a beauty of a game that was close down to the wire. The clincher was a Florida pick-six as Penn State was driving for a game winning TD.
And then the Rose Bowl. Look, TCU could/should be able to play for a national championship so losing to them isn't devastating. But this was a Wisconsin team that was hanging 70 points on people and they were shut down to just 19 against TCU. TCU became the first non-AQ school to win the Rose Bowl and, aside from the BCS title game, will be the most talked about bowl this season.
Even though it isn't a horrible loss, it still means that the Big Ten champion was beaten by a school from a non-BCS conference.
All the conference has left is Ohio State taking on Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas is a heck of a team, but a loss would mean the Big Ten was 0-6 in bowl games in the New Year. It would also mean the Big Ten was 0-4 against the SEC.
If you wanted to pick some more nits, let me remind you that the next member of the Big Ten ... Nebraska ... was upset by Washington in the Holiday Bowl.
Heading into the day, the Big Ten was looking pretty good. Iowa upset Missouri in the Insight Bowl and Illinois dominated Baylor in the Texas Bowl. But with the complete letdown on this New Year's Day, the Big Ten heads back north with their tails between their legs.
The Big Ten went 0-5 in bowl games today. Not only did they lose every bowl on New Years, it was a collection of embarrassing results.
It all started in the TicketCity Bowl in Dallas. Not a big deal, but Northwestern lost to Texas Tech, 45-38. N'western continues their wait for another bowl victory -- they haven't won one since 1949.
The agony continued with the conferences Michigan schools getting pummelled by SEC teams simultaneously. In the Capital One Bowl, Michigan State were spanked by Alabama, 49-7. Michigan State, if you remember, was bent that Ohio State was selected for a BCS bid instead of them. Well, they sure didn't show up for this one.
A bit to the east in the Gator Bowl, Mississippi State just blew out Michigan, 52-14. If the Rich Rodriguez era does end in Ann Arbor, it sure ended on a negative note.
Move west to the Outback Bowl you'd see Penn State losing to Florida, 37-24. Of all the bowl losses today, the Big Ten can be proud of this one. This was a beauty of a game that was close down to the wire. The clincher was a Florida pick-six as Penn State was driving for a game winning TD.
And then the Rose Bowl. Look, TCU could/should be able to play for a national championship so losing to them isn't devastating. But this was a Wisconsin team that was hanging 70 points on people and they were shut down to just 19 against TCU. TCU became the first non-AQ school to win the Rose Bowl and, aside from the BCS title game, will be the most talked about bowl this season.
Even though it isn't a horrible loss, it still means that the Big Ten champion was beaten by a school from a non-BCS conference.
All the conference has left is Ohio State taking on Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas is a heck of a team, but a loss would mean the Big Ten was 0-6 in bowl games in the New Year. It would also mean the Big Ten was 0-4 against the SEC.
If you wanted to pick some more nits, let me remind you that the next member of the Big Ten ... Nebraska ... was upset by Washington in the Holiday Bowl.
Heading into the day, the Big Ten was looking pretty good. Iowa upset Missouri in the Insight Bowl and Illinois dominated Baylor in the Texas Bowl. But with the complete letdown on this New Year's Day, the Big Ten heads back north with their tails between their legs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)