Yesterday, news broke that the Philadelphia Phillies signed their first baseman Ryan Howard to a five-year contract extension worth $125 million.
That is serious, serious coin to dish out. Everyone is talking about this deal…at the age of 37, Howard is going to be pulling in $25 million in perhaps the last year of his career, not DHing. This is a really, really interesting story for many reasons.
The biggest free-agent story going for the past two years has been the LeBron James saga. Cleveland not being big enough for him and not giving him what he wants, going to New York, Chicago or New Jersey to potentially play with Coach K. But, there is a story rapidly approaching just as big.
Albert Pujols is as good at baseball as James is at basketball. He’s not just as self absorbing. Pujols’ stats are frankly, second to none at his age and he has done, without any complaining at all, what James has been unable to do: win a ring.
Pujols, is set to hit free agency in 2011 and don’t think that he won’t test the waters. He will be the highest paid player in baseball, and rightfully so. Who are the buyers? Well, the Red Sox would bite, perhaps the Cubs as well. The Yankees are set at first base with Mark Teixiera and the Phillies did what they had to do.
But assuming Pujols leaves St. Louis, it was a foregone conclusion that Howard would go back to his home town of St. Louis to finish his career and my guess is that Philly wouldn’t be in the Pujols sweepstakes. Logic would say that the Phillies inked Howard early to lock him up for good, right?
I’m not so sure…
A couple of months ago, the Philadelphia Eagles made a huge splash, and probable mistake, when they traded their best player, possibly ever. Mount Carmel all-star Donovan McNabb lead the Eagles to incredible successes but only one Super Bowl appearance with a record of 0-1. Eagles fans will point the finger at McNabb as the reason the Eagles haven’t won a title. Most of the rest of us would think otherwise, but that’s that town. It’s a hard town, you win, or you go, no matter who you are.
The “Look at David Ortiz” comparisons come to mind immediately given Ortiz’s drop off. Albeit that Howard has never been linked to any of the roiders, Howard does have an MVP to his credit, something that Ortiz can’t say he has. And, during Howards prime, he’s protecting Chase Utley, unlike Ortiz who during his prime was being protected by Manny Ramirez.
I think Howard got paid because he earned it. He brought the Phillies a title, he put them in the Series last year, and will probably do it again this year. He’s a great guy in the clubhouse and the community. When you ink the contract the Phillies did, you think about the investment over time, but to me, I see the Phillies as a different organization. Philly wasn’t always a baseball town, but now it is, they have a new park and it’s full every night and Howard is the biggest component to the financial successes of the team.
So much time and effort is spent on how Philly is a tough place to be as a player. The blue collar fans are brutal who expect nothing less than winning and doing it with hard work. Howard, is in the best shape of his life, and he’s won. Don’t you think that maybe a town that is so hard on its athletes, like McNabb, might just be loving to the ones that give them what they want like Howard?
Howard’s contract is a reward, a deserved reward for what he’s done as a player and ambassador for the city. Not to mention the guy can hit a little bit and by the end of his career, he will have done much more for the Phillies and the city that even $125 million will do for him. Brotherly love folks, brotherly love.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Crying and the NFL
The NFL draft looms. Fans have become more and more enamored with the draft especially since all the video games allow you to draft. Fans think they’re experts.
There are some certainties to this year. Well, not really. The tackles will go in the top three but it’s unclear where. Sam Braford might be the first overall pick, but if he’s not, he may not be the first quarterback selected.
Eric Berry will be the first defensive back taken.
But the biggest question mark has been circling around the kid who’s been college football’s most talked about player for the past four years. The question has finally come: what will happen to Tim Tebow.
First, let’s get some things straight. Tebow was a fantastic college football player and a good kid. He loves the spotlight. He won one national championship as a starting quarterback, not two. 2009 was the first year that he was the best offensive player on his team. Urban Meyer’s job is to win football games, not to put players in the NFL. That’s a bonus.
What does all this mean? Don’t draft him. Here’s why.
First, we haven’t seen a spread quarterback succeed in the NFL yet. Sam Bradford may, but the OU version is much more pro-style than Florida’s. The spread offense isn’t a condusive offense for an NFL quarterback. Not because the NFL is a drop-back quarterback league opposed to a runner’s league, but because it isn’t complex. Yeah, that’s right, I said the spread IS NOT complex.
There’s a reason why you see so many high school football teams run veer option. It’s easy. Understand a few different blocking schemes, establish blocking angles, run the plays away from the strength of your opponent, make a couple of reads, and execute the hell out of it. Ask Tom Osbourne about it.
Urban Meyer’s offense is no different other than they do it a few yards further down the field. Florida confuses the normal fan with all these receivers (remember the coaches on the Gilroy sidelines when West Caanan went to the Oopty oop?) but they basically run three different plays with two different reads. Quarterbacks are told, “If you see that guy go that way, throw there. If he goes that way, throw it there. If there’s a problem, tuck it and run.” Maybe there’s a little more terminology. But that’s the gist of it.
This type of offense does not prepare a quarterback for the NFL. Vince Young has struggled adjusting and Young was a superior college athlete and football player. Tebow’s throwing mechanics are marginal. He hasn’t had to make many tough throws in college…his high completion percentage comes from the system, not necessarily the arm.
But we know all that, right? Well, you know all that. The draft gurus have given into the fact that this guy is a project, that sits and learns for a year or two. But how big of a gamble is that?
Bringing Tim Tebow into an NFL locker room is borderline un-safe. Especially doing it with first round money.
There’s a pretty funny story from the combine when after a workout, Tebow tried to gather all of the players together for a prayer. From the middle of the huddle, some player said, “Man, shut the &#* up.”
There are plenty of spiritual people in the NFL. Many good Christians besides Tebow. But I don’t think Tebow knows how to handle a situation when he’s not the man.
The second he walked onto Florida’s campus, he was untouchable. Meyer’s way was to make Tebow his version of Danny Wuerfuel, but better. He played early. He was the youngest player of the “Leadership Team,” or whatever it’s called. The other Gator players had to deal with all of this, because they didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, Tebow was a great player.
But we hear about how great of a leader Tebow is. Well, what defines that? I mean, Tebow gets up, does some jumping jacks after a four yard gain, and he’s a leader? After his team scores in the 2008 National Championship game, he runs into a special teams huddle and just gets in some guys face to try to get him fired up? Does that make him a leader?
Tebow is tenacious. Not a great leader. Here’s how we know. When Tebow cries after he loses (we’ll get there) who is there to console him? Either a coach, a player down on the depth chart, or no one. If he was such a great leader of men, where are the guys he’s supposed to be motivating and leading coming to console him? Where’s Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden or a Pouncey? Not to mention, if he’s a great leader, what is he doing crying in the first place, especially after a regular season game? He should be with his teammates, his friends and buddies, not whatever we see him doing. A good leader lets you know that no matter what pain, suffering and torture you’ve been through, it’s all going to be ok.
So you’re the Jacksonville Jaguars and you don’t agree with me and with your first round pick, you take Tebow. You’ve blown a bunch of money on someone who can’t play right away in the league (if ever). Not the first time that’s happened. Here’s what concerns me the most.
He’s not in Gainesville anymore. He’s not sheltered. He’s with a bunch of men, many of whom are probably going to be severely mad that he’s making more money than them, which is a valid point.
Hazing in the NFL is worse than it is in the fraternity system, than it is in high school, than anything. Why? Because money is involved. I love the stories about rookies going out with guys on the team and getting left with a multi-thousand dollar tab. I love it. It’s hilarious. What happens when Tebow’s out at Morton’s and get’s left with a bill with a bunch of booze on it, then has to go to the strip club?
I have no problem with the morals that Tebow chooses to adhere by. He’s just going into the wrong profession. These guys in the NFL are going to have an absolute field day with this kid to the point where I think it’s almost not safe. No one in whichever locker room cares that he’s Tim Tebow. Players will see a kid who doesn’t relate to them, that thinks he can “lead,” who’s getting paid a lot of money, and they probably just won’t like. The NFL is a thug league. It just is. Ask Santonio Holmes. Ask Ben Roethilsberger. It’s not cut out for home-schooled kids who go to college with a bubble around them who don’t drink or party.
Now, the money thing could go away if he doesn’t get first round money. Then there’s someone else to get after. But my advice to Tebow at the next level? Shut up. Know you’re role. There has never been anyone to embrace being the big man on campus like Tebow did. I don’t know if he will let go of it. If he doesn’t…linebackers in the NFL are bigger than him. So are safeties.
Finally, the crying thing. He doesn’t play a game anymore. He goes to work. There’s a big difference and I don’t know if he’s going to be able to grasp that. How is he going to transition? You know it could be really great for the crying thing for him to sit. If he’s not as emotionally attached from the bench. Maybe he’ll learn something over there about controlling his emotions as well.
Who knows. I know I sound like a Tennessee homer, but I just can’t take anymore of this Tebow stuff. Nothing about him as an NFL player makes sense, but it’s so easy for the world to want it to happen. It’s a feel good story when the NFL really needs one. Just don’t get your hopes up. If there’s one thing that the NFL teaches all of us, it’s that there is reality. Tim Tebow is about to get a heavy dose of it.
There are some certainties to this year. Well, not really. The tackles will go in the top three but it’s unclear where. Sam Braford might be the first overall pick, but if he’s not, he may not be the first quarterback selected.
Eric Berry will be the first defensive back taken.
But the biggest question mark has been circling around the kid who’s been college football’s most talked about player for the past four years. The question has finally come: what will happen to Tim Tebow.
First, let’s get some things straight. Tebow was a fantastic college football player and a good kid. He loves the spotlight. He won one national championship as a starting quarterback, not two. 2009 was the first year that he was the best offensive player on his team. Urban Meyer’s job is to win football games, not to put players in the NFL. That’s a bonus.
What does all this mean? Don’t draft him. Here’s why.
First, we haven’t seen a spread quarterback succeed in the NFL yet. Sam Bradford may, but the OU version is much more pro-style than Florida’s. The spread offense isn’t a condusive offense for an NFL quarterback. Not because the NFL is a drop-back quarterback league opposed to a runner’s league, but because it isn’t complex. Yeah, that’s right, I said the spread IS NOT complex.
There’s a reason why you see so many high school football teams run veer option. It’s easy. Understand a few different blocking schemes, establish blocking angles, run the plays away from the strength of your opponent, make a couple of reads, and execute the hell out of it. Ask Tom Osbourne about it.
Urban Meyer’s offense is no different other than they do it a few yards further down the field. Florida confuses the normal fan with all these receivers (remember the coaches on the Gilroy sidelines when West Caanan went to the Oopty oop?) but they basically run three different plays with two different reads. Quarterbacks are told, “If you see that guy go that way, throw there. If he goes that way, throw it there. If there’s a problem, tuck it and run.” Maybe there’s a little more terminology. But that’s the gist of it.
This type of offense does not prepare a quarterback for the NFL. Vince Young has struggled adjusting and Young was a superior college athlete and football player. Tebow’s throwing mechanics are marginal. He hasn’t had to make many tough throws in college…his high completion percentage comes from the system, not necessarily the arm.
But we know all that, right? Well, you know all that. The draft gurus have given into the fact that this guy is a project, that sits and learns for a year or two. But how big of a gamble is that?
Bringing Tim Tebow into an NFL locker room is borderline un-safe. Especially doing it with first round money.
There’s a pretty funny story from the combine when after a workout, Tebow tried to gather all of the players together for a prayer. From the middle of the huddle, some player said, “Man, shut the &#* up.”
There are plenty of spiritual people in the NFL. Many good Christians besides Tebow. But I don’t think Tebow knows how to handle a situation when he’s not the man.
The second he walked onto Florida’s campus, he was untouchable. Meyer’s way was to make Tebow his version of Danny Wuerfuel, but better. He played early. He was the youngest player of the “Leadership Team,” or whatever it’s called. The other Gator players had to deal with all of this, because they didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, Tebow was a great player.
But we hear about how great of a leader Tebow is. Well, what defines that? I mean, Tebow gets up, does some jumping jacks after a four yard gain, and he’s a leader? After his team scores in the 2008 National Championship game, he runs into a special teams huddle and just gets in some guys face to try to get him fired up? Does that make him a leader?
Tebow is tenacious. Not a great leader. Here’s how we know. When Tebow cries after he loses (we’ll get there) who is there to console him? Either a coach, a player down on the depth chart, or no one. If he was such a great leader of men, where are the guys he’s supposed to be motivating and leading coming to console him? Where’s Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden or a Pouncey? Not to mention, if he’s a great leader, what is he doing crying in the first place, especially after a regular season game? He should be with his teammates, his friends and buddies, not whatever we see him doing. A good leader lets you know that no matter what pain, suffering and torture you’ve been through, it’s all going to be ok.
So you’re the Jacksonville Jaguars and you don’t agree with me and with your first round pick, you take Tebow. You’ve blown a bunch of money on someone who can’t play right away in the league (if ever). Not the first time that’s happened. Here’s what concerns me the most.
He’s not in Gainesville anymore. He’s not sheltered. He’s with a bunch of men, many of whom are probably going to be severely mad that he’s making more money than them, which is a valid point.
Hazing in the NFL is worse than it is in the fraternity system, than it is in high school, than anything. Why? Because money is involved. I love the stories about rookies going out with guys on the team and getting left with a multi-thousand dollar tab. I love it. It’s hilarious. What happens when Tebow’s out at Morton’s and get’s left with a bill with a bunch of booze on it, then has to go to the strip club?
I have no problem with the morals that Tebow chooses to adhere by. He’s just going into the wrong profession. These guys in the NFL are going to have an absolute field day with this kid to the point where I think it’s almost not safe. No one in whichever locker room cares that he’s Tim Tebow. Players will see a kid who doesn’t relate to them, that thinks he can “lead,” who’s getting paid a lot of money, and they probably just won’t like. The NFL is a thug league. It just is. Ask Santonio Holmes. Ask Ben Roethilsberger. It’s not cut out for home-schooled kids who go to college with a bubble around them who don’t drink or party.
Now, the money thing could go away if he doesn’t get first round money. Then there’s someone else to get after. But my advice to Tebow at the next level? Shut up. Know you’re role. There has never been anyone to embrace being the big man on campus like Tebow did. I don’t know if he will let go of it. If he doesn’t…linebackers in the NFL are bigger than him. So are safeties.
Finally, the crying thing. He doesn’t play a game anymore. He goes to work. There’s a big difference and I don’t know if he’s going to be able to grasp that. How is he going to transition? You know it could be really great for the crying thing for him to sit. If he’s not as emotionally attached from the bench. Maybe he’ll learn something over there about controlling his emotions as well.
Who knows. I know I sound like a Tennessee homer, but I just can’t take anymore of this Tebow stuff. Nothing about him as an NFL player makes sense, but it’s so easy for the world to want it to happen. It’s a feel good story when the NFL really needs one. Just don’t get your hopes up. If there’s one thing that the NFL teaches all of us, it’s that there is reality. Tim Tebow is about to get a heavy dose of it.
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