Let the drama that happened in college pass. Whatever the reason for the character questions, Andre Smith is a man and he may not have been the culprit. Coaches aren't saints. Nick Saban used video conferencing with players when coaches weren't allowed to drive to meet with players (bending the rules a little). Nobody is perfect.
My beef with Cincinnati drafting Andre Smith is that, well, he's fat! Yes, I know every lineman in the NFL is considered obese, but he is more than the rest. At 6'4" and 332 lbs. he fits the averages of other tackles in the NFL, but he's on the short-side and the heavy-side (bad combination). Also, while watching some highlight clips during the Draft, he seemed to be a step late a few times, and seemed to only do the minimum needed. If a player is a step late in college, he'll be two or three steps late in the NFL. Maybe a better guard (possibly pro bowl caliber) than tackle.
For my fanhood I hope I'm wrong. Andre, make me the idiot please!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Measurements Can Be Deceiving
The Pittsburgh Steelers got one heck of a steal in the 7th Round of the NFL Draft! Drafted number 226 overall, A.Q. Shipley from Penn State won the Rimington Trophy (college football's best center!). There were five centers (if you include Matt Unger, C, Oregon) picked before Shipley. Why is that?
The NFL, in general, is over-obsessed with their combines. They want to know how high you can jump, how long your arms are, how dense your bones are after you eat a bowl of cereal on the Sunday that your mom is in town and wants you to take her to the grocery, the mall, then to church... OK, maybe not the last thing. I am afraid Shipley missed out on a lot of bargaining power from being drafted so late because he is "only" 6-feet and 1-inch tall and scouts say his arms aren't as long as "the prototypical center." His ability to lead won't let this draft be forgotten.
His resume shows his mettle. I already mentioned the award he received for the nation's top center in college football. But how about the stat that he anchored an offenive line that only gave up one sack per game, fourth in the nation in that category (nfl.com). They don't keep personal stats for linemen, officially, so it's hard to say what he can do one-on-one. But, centers are usually given responsibilities like identifying the defensive front, calling protections, and changing schemes. When an offensive line is fourth in the nation at protecting the quarterback, you can bet the center had a hand deep in the mix!
One day, every team in the NFL that picked a center, even some that picked any linemen, over A.Q. Shipley will be kicking themselves over the missed opportunity.
The NFL, in general, is over-obsessed with their combines. They want to know how high you can jump, how long your arms are, how dense your bones are after you eat a bowl of cereal on the Sunday that your mom is in town and wants you to take her to the grocery, the mall, then to church... OK, maybe not the last thing. I am afraid Shipley missed out on a lot of bargaining power from being drafted so late because he is "only" 6-feet and 1-inch tall and scouts say his arms aren't as long as "the prototypical center." His ability to lead won't let this draft be forgotten.
His resume shows his mettle. I already mentioned the award he received for the nation's top center in college football. But how about the stat that he anchored an offenive line that only gave up one sack per game, fourth in the nation in that category (nfl.com). They don't keep personal stats for linemen, officially, so it's hard to say what he can do one-on-one. But, centers are usually given responsibilities like identifying the defensive front, calling protections, and changing schemes. When an offensive line is fourth in the nation at protecting the quarterback, you can bet the center had a hand deep in the mix!
One day, every team in the NFL that picked a center, even some that picked any linemen, over A.Q. Shipley will be kicking themselves over the missed opportunity.
Injustice in Highlights
Most of you may be familiar with Espn's Top Ten Plays. They are a recap of highglights of the day, week, weekend, month, year, Thanksgivings, New Year's Days, bowl games, playoffs... any category they choose. Espn recently aired a Top Ten that put a diving catch in baseball number 1 over a goal in soccer that was kicked in from about 40+ meters! OK, wait! The goal wasn't just kicked in. The player was performing a slide tackle as the opposing team was attempting to make a run down the field. It was a brilliant defensive play that put a GOAL on the scoreboard! Pretty darn impressive and much more than a diving catch in baseball. Could America be so narrow-minded about their sports that they can't even admire something incredible like this goal? Even if you don't really understand soccer that much, you know they don't light up the scoreboard with goals. Appreciate the goal; click the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RSpVaL9EjE GOAL!!!
Sorry, I could not find a clip of the diving catch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RSpVaL9EjE GOAL!!!
Sorry, I could not find a clip of the diving catch...
Monday, April 27, 2009
First Round Breakdown - NFL Draft
The First Round of the NFL Draft this year showed an emphasis on the need for athletic defensive linemen. These are men that are 260 to 330 lbs., but can explode off the ball and move as quick as men that weigh 200 lbs. This is an example of the combination of strength and athleticism expected and required to perform at the professional level in football.
Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU) is big enough to play as an interior lineman, but he shows excellent body control and quickness. This will allow the Kansas City Chiefs the freedom to align him on the exterior or interior. Aaron Maybin (DE, Penn State) is athletic enough to be able to move laterally and be able to cover defenders running routes. This quality is going to give the Buffalo Bills the choice to let Maybin rush the quarterback, or drop into coverage.
Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU) is big enough to play as an interior lineman, but he shows excellent body control and quickness. This will allow the Kansas City Chiefs the freedom to align him on the exterior or interior. Aaron Maybin (DE, Penn State) is athletic enough to be able to move laterally and be able to cover defenders running routes. This quality is going to give the Buffalo Bills the choice to let Maybin rush the quarterback, or drop into coverage.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Draft Expectations
The NFL Draft is a way for franchises of the NFL to pick a young athlete out of college to play for their team. But, its not a simple process (in fact, far from simple!). Players are tested and graded and measured like they are rats in a science lab.
They want to know how fast you can run in a straight line to be able to determine how fast you will be able to run down a runningback. Teams want to know if you had any "off-the-field issues" in high school and/or college to see if you will be a problem child in the future. They want to know what kind of attitude you had in the locker room in college to see if you'll be a good teammate... and rightfully so. These franchises are putting a lot of faith into the players they are drafting, especially in the first round. The teams want the players to be responsible members of the community, be able to sell tickets with a cheerful smile, but still be able to produce on the football field (which sometimes means: hit someone so hard they don't want to get up).
The players who make it to the NFL have it good, but the expectations to be doscile off the field and a sociopath on it are too outrageous. It's not always as easy as flipping the switch...
They want to know how fast you can run in a straight line to be able to determine how fast you will be able to run down a runningback. Teams want to know if you had any "off-the-field issues" in high school and/or college to see if you will be a problem child in the future. They want to know what kind of attitude you had in the locker room in college to see if you'll be a good teammate... and rightfully so. These franchises are putting a lot of faith into the players they are drafting, especially in the first round. The teams want the players to be responsible members of the community, be able to sell tickets with a cheerful smile, but still be able to produce on the football field (which sometimes means: hit someone so hard they don't want to get up).
The players who make it to the NFL have it good, but the expectations to be doscile off the field and a sociopath on it are too outrageous. It's not always as easy as flipping the switch...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sexy Reporting
ESPN might have made the best decision in the world of sports reporting when they hired Erin Andrews. She is the most beautiful woman in reporting! Yeah that's a bold statement, and it's open to debate. Voice your opinion. Tell me she isn't, or show me someone who is more beautiful.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Alex Rodriguez
It really isn't Alex Rodriguez's fault.
How many times have you done something wrong because you knew you wouldn't get caught? Alex Rodriguez was doing just that. Major League Baseball's testing policies are just not strict enough, and Boston's David Ortiz mentioned this in an interview. I also agreed with him when he said that the penalties weren't harsh enough when someone tests positive. It is the job of the governing body of any group to enforce their rules. If the League isn't going to administer tests, the players are going to use every advantage at their disposable. And with deep pockets, the players can use a lot.
Athletes, for the most part, can take great pride in how good they are at their profession. They want to be the best, especially when being the best gets the player a bigger contract. Why shouldn't a person be able to buy a huge house, a fast car, and expensive jewelry?
How many times have you done something wrong because you knew you wouldn't get caught? Alex Rodriguez was doing just that. Major League Baseball's testing policies are just not strict enough, and Boston's David Ortiz mentioned this in an interview. I also agreed with him when he said that the penalties weren't harsh enough when someone tests positive. It is the job of the governing body of any group to enforce their rules. If the League isn't going to administer tests, the players are going to use every advantage at their disposable. And with deep pockets, the players can use a lot.
Athletes, for the most part, can take great pride in how good they are at their profession. They want to be the best, especially when being the best gets the player a bigger contract. Why shouldn't a person be able to buy a huge house, a fast car, and expensive jewelry?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Winter Coats
The purpose of a winter coat is, primarily, to keep the individual wearing it warm. The second purpose of the coat is to make the wearer look good. When a shopper finds a coat that satisfies these purposes, they look at the price tag (depending on their income). If the coat is affordable, the person purchases the coat. If the coat is not worth the price, the shopper shops on.
How often do you do this? How often do you think, "That's just too expensive. I'll look for something cheaper." The front office personnel of NFL teams shop the same way for players. If they think they can spend less for a less notable player, but still get the same performance as a more notable player, they will do it.
The problem with bargain shopping is that you don't always get the coat that keeps you warm...
How often do you do this? How often do you think, "That's just too expensive. I'll look for something cheaper." The front office personnel of NFL teams shop the same way for players. If they think they can spend less for a less notable player, but still get the same performance as a more notable player, they will do it.
The problem with bargain shopping is that you don't always get the coat that keeps you warm...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Fanhood
I love almost everything about football. But I can't understand how fans can hate a team. At work today, I heard many people say they were rooting for Arizona just because they are Cincinnati fans and hated Pittsburgh. Hatred is a strong feeling. I can't grasp how a person can hate an organization or player when they most likely have never even come into contact with them. James Harrison may have hurt your feelings when tackling a Bengal, but he never did anything to specifically target one of these haters.
I posted on my Facebook Status today something good about the Steelers, and a friend of mine told me to trade in my Bengals jersey because I'm not a true Bengals fan. If hating someone I've never met is a necessity to being a fan, I won't cheer anymore. I'll just enjoy the game, no matter who is playing.
I posted on my Facebook Status today something good about the Steelers, and a friend of mine told me to trade in my Bengals jersey because I'm not a true Bengals fan. If hating someone I've never met is a necessity to being a fan, I won't cheer anymore. I'll just enjoy the game, no matter who is playing.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Let the discussions begin
Not only across the college sports are there tournaments, but tournaments are also present at different levels of football. High school and the NFL both use tournament systems. Once again, there is not a clear winner of the "national championship" in college football. Basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, etc. all get a champion of their respected sport, but football does not. Florida gets the trophy while USC and Texas gets to wonder "what if?" and Utah asks "why not?"
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