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.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Inspired, Briefly at Least
It's been a while...a long while. I know. Believe it or not, I in fact don't have enough time, or at least haven't, to put the time needed into No Owens. I hate it, and I know like five people hate it too.
So now that I've told you, or someone who I told told you that there's something up, you're probably wondering why?
Yesterday, a friend of mine asked me "Who was the QB at FSU before Charlie Ward?" So we were discussing Casey Weldon with regards to Tennessee not needing some hotshot quarterback but a guy that just simply puts the ball in the hands of his playmakers. Nothing fancy, no NFL experience necessary down the road. Just be the man on campus, win games, become a university legend and get a solid gig selling insurance in Knoxville.
We then started discussing quarterbacks, especially Florida State guys and this morning I just wanted to know what Thad Busby was up to these days. I went to Wikipedia, and alas, no one has created a page. And then it happened.
I Googled "Thad Busby" and what was the first hit? The 9/6/07 No Owens post titled "Thad Busby?"
I reminisced for a moment and then it really hit me. That is the legacy of No Owens. Semi-in depth analysis of college football, mostly of the quarterback position, and me bragging about knowing more about lesser known players than you. Then, I had to ask...is a No Owens post being the #1 hit on a Google Search of Thad Busby really what I want this blog's legacy to be?
Absolutely.
So let's get into this, briefly. College football, quarterbacks. Who do I want to talk about?
Steve Spurrier has admitted that it was him, the Ol' Ball Coach who didn't vote Tim Tebow to the SEC Coaches Pre-Season All Conference team. In case you live in Albania, Tim Tebow is the quarterback of the Florida Gators, entering his third year as the starting quarterback for the club and won the Heisman during his sophomore campaign. He led the Gators to the national championship last year as a junior and is a heavy favorite to not only win another Heisman but win his third BCS National Championship. (He was a member of the Gators team led by Chris Leak that won the title when Tebow was a freshman)
Again, I'll try to come of as unbiased as possible, but this Tebow thing is out of control. Yeah, he's a great kid and does great thing for others. But his leadership as I have observed, is not what the media wants it to be. Just because he does jumping jacks and yells "let's go" all the time, doesn't mean he's a great leader. I'm not in the locker room, but I know that 99% of the guys in the Gators locker room aren't hanging out with Tebow outside the facility and don't relate to him whatsoever. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but it's impossible for him to lead if he can't relate to his guys. I just don't see it. Talking tough in a presser doesn't mean you're a great leader. Remember after Florida scored in the SEC title game last year towards the end of the game and Tebow ran into the kickoff team huddle and yelled? Remember the guys in the huddle looking around like, "what is this guy doing?" Because that was Tebow showing great leadership.
But this is about him as a player. He's a great player, but it's well documented that on this site, Tebow went as Percy Harvin went. We hear all the time about "Florida has all the atheltes" blah blah blah. What are their names? Demps and Rainey are running backs with great speed but for them to be successful, they better not have anyone within an arm's length. They don't have any real game changers at receiver coming back except TE Aaron Hernandez and the guy who I guess they are counting on the most is true freshman Andre DuBose.
So my question is, again, what is Tebow going to do, and what is Florida for that matter, going to do when they need to get first downs and getting the ball to Percy Harvin who's matched up against someone inferior in the slot isn't an option? Because I don't know. I hope Coach Meyer does...actually, I hope he's as clueless as me.
If I had a vote, yeah, I would have voted for Tebow in the pres-season vote. But, I have a feeling he's going to have his least productive year this year, because I just don't see Florida being as effective early in the year without Harvin. That being said, I could see voting for Jevan Snead pre-season. Why? Well, Ole Miss is the hot team (but we'll see how they do losing their first round OT) and Snead is arguably the best QB prospect in the upcoming draft. But, lest we forget, Snead is the last QB to beat Tebow...and he did it in the Swamp. One could make the argument, unfortunately, Spurrier apologized for doing it and didn't defend himself. Too bad.
Tim Tebow's a great kid and has had a great career. But to me, I don't see things the "experts" choose to see. If he takes care of business this year like everyone thinks he's going to, I'll put him in the VY/Charlie Ward/Tommie Frazier category. That being said, Texas/USC BCS title game. It's coming. Sorry Tim, McCoy wins the Heisman too.
So now that I've told you, or someone who I told told you that there's something up, you're probably wondering why?
Yesterday, a friend of mine asked me "Who was the QB at FSU before Charlie Ward?" So we were discussing Casey Weldon with regards to Tennessee not needing some hotshot quarterback but a guy that just simply puts the ball in the hands of his playmakers. Nothing fancy, no NFL experience necessary down the road. Just be the man on campus, win games, become a university legend and get a solid gig selling insurance in Knoxville.
We then started discussing quarterbacks, especially Florida State guys and this morning I just wanted to know what Thad Busby was up to these days. I went to Wikipedia, and alas, no one has created a page. And then it happened.
I Googled "Thad Busby" and what was the first hit? The 9/6/07 No Owens post titled "Thad Busby?"
I reminisced for a moment and then it really hit me. That is the legacy of No Owens. Semi-in depth analysis of college football, mostly of the quarterback position, and me bragging about knowing more about lesser known players than you. Then, I had to ask...is a No Owens post being the #1 hit on a Google Search of Thad Busby really what I want this blog's legacy to be?
Absolutely.
So let's get into this, briefly. College football, quarterbacks. Who do I want to talk about?
Steve Spurrier has admitted that it was him, the Ol' Ball Coach who didn't vote Tim Tebow to the SEC Coaches Pre-Season All Conference team. In case you live in Albania, Tim Tebow is the quarterback of the Florida Gators, entering his third year as the starting quarterback for the club and won the Heisman during his sophomore campaign. He led the Gators to the national championship last year as a junior and is a heavy favorite to not only win another Heisman but win his third BCS National Championship. (He was a member of the Gators team led by Chris Leak that won the title when Tebow was a freshman)
Again, I'll try to come of as unbiased as possible, but this Tebow thing is out of control. Yeah, he's a great kid and does great thing for others. But his leadership as I have observed, is not what the media wants it to be. Just because he does jumping jacks and yells "let's go" all the time, doesn't mean he's a great leader. I'm not in the locker room, but I know that 99% of the guys in the Gators locker room aren't hanging out with Tebow outside the facility and don't relate to him whatsoever. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but it's impossible for him to lead if he can't relate to his guys. I just don't see it. Talking tough in a presser doesn't mean you're a great leader. Remember after Florida scored in the SEC title game last year towards the end of the game and Tebow ran into the kickoff team huddle and yelled? Remember the guys in the huddle looking around like, "what is this guy doing?" Because that was Tebow showing great leadership.
But this is about him as a player. He's a great player, but it's well documented that on this site, Tebow went as Percy Harvin went. We hear all the time about "Florida has all the atheltes" blah blah blah. What are their names? Demps and Rainey are running backs with great speed but for them to be successful, they better not have anyone within an arm's length. They don't have any real game changers at receiver coming back except TE Aaron Hernandez and the guy who I guess they are counting on the most is true freshman Andre DuBose.
So my question is, again, what is Tebow going to do, and what is Florida for that matter, going to do when they need to get first downs and getting the ball to Percy Harvin who's matched up against someone inferior in the slot isn't an option? Because I don't know. I hope Coach Meyer does...actually, I hope he's as clueless as me.
If I had a vote, yeah, I would have voted for Tebow in the pres-season vote. But, I have a feeling he's going to have his least productive year this year, because I just don't see Florida being as effective early in the year without Harvin. That being said, I could see voting for Jevan Snead pre-season. Why? Well, Ole Miss is the hot team (but we'll see how they do losing their first round OT) and Snead is arguably the best QB prospect in the upcoming draft. But, lest we forget, Snead is the last QB to beat Tebow...and he did it in the Swamp. One could make the argument, unfortunately, Spurrier apologized for doing it and didn't defend himself. Too bad.
Tim Tebow's a great kid and has had a great career. But to me, I don't see things the "experts" choose to see. If he takes care of business this year like everyone thinks he's going to, I'll put him in the VY/Charlie Ward/Tommie Frazier category. That being said, Texas/USC BCS title game. It's coming. Sorry Tim, McCoy wins the Heisman too.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Nashville....Updating a Previous Story
The question arose a month of so back about Nashville and how it ranks as a true sports town. My reaction was...it's too young to be a "great" sports town. The history just isn't here. Now that's not a good or a bad thing, but something that simply can't be helped. So you know, whatever.
However, Nashville's professional football team isn't making strides.
Albert Haynesworth, the NFL's premier defensive tackle, will test the free-agent market. Haynesworth, a free-agent this year, has been the centerpiece of one of the NFL's nastiest defenses, especially the past two years for the Titans. The man is absolutely amazing. He's virtually unblockable, can stuff the run, and rush the passer. He's a freak; an absolute manchild.
But the Titans, as we've talked about before, don't invest in premier players like this. They don't get into the business of paying the type of money that top 5 players in the NFL demand. So...they had their chance to come at Haynesworth, privately, and they couldn't get a deal done. Now, should they want him back, they have to deal with his price being inflated by the open market.
Maybe, and just maybe, the Titans are hoping the economy plays a roll into the offers made to Haynesworth. That being said, there's a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR going on sale this month that's going to fetch somewhere around $10-15 million. People who own teams have the cash to buy cars like that, anytime they want...football players are no different. So what are the chances of Haynesworth being back in Nashville? I"d say slim to none...the only thing that can help Tennessee is if somehow, the economy does play a hand in his fate, but for a guy like that, don't count on it.
Even if the Titans go out of their comfort zone for a guy like Haynesworth, think about what they are getting. They are getting a guy who not only can rush the passer and stuff the run (better than anyone in the NFL) but draws constant doubleteams. All you can do is put more people on this guy to try to block him. That being said, he creates matchup nightmares and the Titans exploited that this year especially with average talent at linebacker and at the other defensive line positions. When this guy is on the field, you can get away with having adequate players around him because they're jobs are that much easier. So, and I haven't looked at the numbers, but I'd bet you could get pretty close to balanced in salaries if you kept Haynesworth and didn't by any chance, over pay the players around him.
But what this means, really, is this. The Titans aren't committed to taking it to the next level. This is the best player on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL and he wears your jersey. There's no excuse to not get him back in that jersey, a guy who owns a house outside of Knoxville and went to school at UT. This is the ultimate guy for Nashville to build their franchise around, and it doesn't look like they Titans want to do it.
So if you're a Titan fan, how are you feeling about your team's front office not being committed to excellence? And you wonder why people like me acknowledge that Nashville isn't a great sports town? Your marquis franchise sure isn't helping you out.
However, Nashville's professional football team isn't making strides.
Albert Haynesworth, the NFL's premier defensive tackle, will test the free-agent market. Haynesworth, a free-agent this year, has been the centerpiece of one of the NFL's nastiest defenses, especially the past two years for the Titans. The man is absolutely amazing. He's virtually unblockable, can stuff the run, and rush the passer. He's a freak; an absolute manchild.
But the Titans, as we've talked about before, don't invest in premier players like this. They don't get into the business of paying the type of money that top 5 players in the NFL demand. So...they had their chance to come at Haynesworth, privately, and they couldn't get a deal done. Now, should they want him back, they have to deal with his price being inflated by the open market.
Maybe, and just maybe, the Titans are hoping the economy plays a roll into the offers made to Haynesworth. That being said, there's a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR going on sale this month that's going to fetch somewhere around $10-15 million. People who own teams have the cash to buy cars like that, anytime they want...football players are no different. So what are the chances of Haynesworth being back in Nashville? I"d say slim to none...the only thing that can help Tennessee is if somehow, the economy does play a hand in his fate, but for a guy like that, don't count on it.
Even if the Titans go out of their comfort zone for a guy like Haynesworth, think about what they are getting. They are getting a guy who not only can rush the passer and stuff the run (better than anyone in the NFL) but draws constant doubleteams. All you can do is put more people on this guy to try to block him. That being said, he creates matchup nightmares and the Titans exploited that this year especially with average talent at linebacker and at the other defensive line positions. When this guy is on the field, you can get away with having adequate players around him because they're jobs are that much easier. So, and I haven't looked at the numbers, but I'd bet you could get pretty close to balanced in salaries if you kept Haynesworth and didn't by any chance, over pay the players around him.
But what this means, really, is this. The Titans aren't committed to taking it to the next level. This is the best player on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL and he wears your jersey. There's no excuse to not get him back in that jersey, a guy who owns a house outside of Knoxville and went to school at UT. This is the ultimate guy for Nashville to build their franchise around, and it doesn't look like they Titans want to do it.
So if you're a Titan fan, how are you feeling about your team's front office not being committed to excellence? And you wonder why people like me acknowledge that Nashville isn't a great sports town? Your marquis franchise sure isn't helping you out.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Dearest A-Rod,
Thank you so much for your time spent as a legitimate home run hitter. In those days, everyone, besides us, thought of you as a great, pure player who could simply crush baseballs and would eventually put away any thoughts of a steroid using home run king.
The question is now...where are you going to go from here? You aren't going to say anything remotely educated to the media about this and because you have the largest contract in sports history, this whole thing isn't going to go away. And since you're such a jackass who can never say the right thing, your ability to be hated by everyone is just going to increase, when you thought it couldn't get any worse.
What, is the excuse now that you weren't on the juice in the post season? That's why you couldn't produce at crunch time? See, the thing is you're so stupid that you'd probably come out and say that yourself.
What kills us, A-Rod, about this whole thing is that No Owens has talked before about how you were a great hitter before home runs mattered to you. When you were a skinny shortstop with range who competed for batting titles...remember those days? You could have gone down as one of the greatest players ever, without the jacks. Now, you're going to go down as the biggest joke and phony in the history of America's greatest game.
You know what? We're not sorry. Sure, you were on the juice at a time when players weren't getting suspended...at least that's when you tested positive or at least the only time we know about. I hope Madonna has a spiritual answer to your problems.
Sincerely,
Everyone
The question is now...where are you going to go from here? You aren't going to say anything remotely educated to the media about this and because you have the largest contract in sports history, this whole thing isn't going to go away. And since you're such a jackass who can never say the right thing, your ability to be hated by everyone is just going to increase, when you thought it couldn't get any worse.
What, is the excuse now that you weren't on the juice in the post season? That's why you couldn't produce at crunch time? See, the thing is you're so stupid that you'd probably come out and say that yourself.
What kills us, A-Rod, about this whole thing is that No Owens has talked before about how you were a great hitter before home runs mattered to you. When you were a skinny shortstop with range who competed for batting titles...remember those days? You could have gone down as one of the greatest players ever, without the jacks. Now, you're going to go down as the biggest joke and phony in the history of America's greatest game.
You know what? We're not sorry. Sure, you were on the juice at a time when players weren't getting suspended...at least that's when you tested positive or at least the only time we know about. I hope Madonna has a spiritual answer to your problems.
Sincerely,
Everyone
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The New Year Wouldn't Be Complete...
without a token Roger Federer post. I don't know if you watched his five setter over this past weekend, but it was unreal. He played, horribly. And by horribly, I mean he was a disaster.
The first two and even three sets, he looked like a girl who takes tennis class in college just to get a tan and exercise going up against the retired high school tennis player dude, who's frosted tips and tremendous ego got him playing about 4th singles on his team, but he was all state once he stepped foot on the college intramural hard court.
Federer was just flat struggling. He couldn't connect on his forehand to save his life. But the biggest thing with Federer is when he let's his opponent dictate the match. Federer spent so much time dominating, winning with intimidation alone, that when someone actually mans up to him, it throws him off. Players, like Nadal, have realized that the only way to compete with Federer is to take whatever he gives you and throw it back in his face. Make Federer prepare for you, play your own game, and do what you do best, not try to get in the way of Federer's strength. At this point, you might be able to sneak by him before he wakes up.
Unfortunately, for Tomas Berdych, he didn't get lucky. After dominating Federer for two and a half sets, that whole, "Hey, I'm Roger Federer. What the hell am I doing thing..." happened and though it took a few games, after Federer won the third, anyone who thought that Berdych had a chance was smoking fine Australian grass. Though Federer struggled a little to hold serve in the fourth, it was over. You knew he would hold enough with the amount of breaks he was getting.
So Federer after a long, grueling five setter moves on to play the eighth seeded Juan Martin Del Porto and you'd think that a young player could capitalize on the five sets needed to dismiss Berdych? An hour and twenty minutes later, Federer was walking off the court with the scoreboard reading 6-3,6-0,6-0 and already thinking about his upcoming match with Andy Roddick (who's actually playing quite well from what I've seen).
Usually I root for America but Roddick acts like he's more French than anything. But if he can be aggressive with Federer, because he's going to win enough points off his serve, he might be successful. But don't get your hopes up.
Hopefully, Federer has realized his need to dictate play again and it's importance to his success. At this point, his 19 straight major semi-finals record is pretty indicative of his dominance, but to seal the deal, he needs to continue to take his play to his opponents, at all costs. I hope he can.
The first two and even three sets, he looked like a girl who takes tennis class in college just to get a tan and exercise going up against the retired high school tennis player dude, who's frosted tips and tremendous ego got him playing about 4th singles on his team, but he was all state once he stepped foot on the college intramural hard court.
Federer was just flat struggling. He couldn't connect on his forehand to save his life. But the biggest thing with Federer is when he let's his opponent dictate the match. Federer spent so much time dominating, winning with intimidation alone, that when someone actually mans up to him, it throws him off. Players, like Nadal, have realized that the only way to compete with Federer is to take whatever he gives you and throw it back in his face. Make Federer prepare for you, play your own game, and do what you do best, not try to get in the way of Federer's strength. At this point, you might be able to sneak by him before he wakes up.
Unfortunately, for Tomas Berdych, he didn't get lucky. After dominating Federer for two and a half sets, that whole, "Hey, I'm Roger Federer. What the hell am I doing thing..." happened and though it took a few games, after Federer won the third, anyone who thought that Berdych had a chance was smoking fine Australian grass. Though Federer struggled a little to hold serve in the fourth, it was over. You knew he would hold enough with the amount of breaks he was getting.
So Federer after a long, grueling five setter moves on to play the eighth seeded Juan Martin Del Porto and you'd think that a young player could capitalize on the five sets needed to dismiss Berdych? An hour and twenty minutes later, Federer was walking off the court with the scoreboard reading 6-3,6-0,6-0 and already thinking about his upcoming match with Andy Roddick (who's actually playing quite well from what I've seen).
Usually I root for America but Roddick acts like he's more French than anything. But if he can be aggressive with Federer, because he's going to win enough points off his serve, he might be successful. But don't get your hopes up.
Hopefully, Federer has realized his need to dictate play again and it's importance to his success. At this point, his 19 straight major semi-finals record is pretty indicative of his dominance, but to seal the deal, he needs to continue to take his play to his opponents, at all costs. I hope he can.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Nashville, The Sports Town
While I was getting married, the 13-3 and top seeded Tennessee Titans were choking away their divisional round playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens. Obviously, I didn't see the game, but from what I have gathered, it was a game the Titans could have and should have won.
As one can imagine, the talk radio shows were all about these Titan fans calling in, blaming coaches, players, and fans for the loss. Since then, the national scene has started to get a hold of Nashville's ranking as a sports town, much of which has taken fans here off guard and made them, well, very upset.
But I sit there in my car and listen to these people banter, and it really makes me think...is Nashville a good sports town?
The answer is simple. No. No it's not. It's not even close. It's very average at best.
So why would I say this, especially coming from someone who lives here? Well, as you know I don't really have any true allegiance to the teams here, so I can kind of play a bi-partisan role in the judging, but using other past experiences will in fact be helpful in proving my point.
Let's get this out of the way first. People in the south, in general, don't get hockey. Hockey is a great sport, but unfortunately, kids don't want to play it like they want to play basketball and football. Therefore, without the need to get their kids in the seats because they won't shut up otherwise, parents, in general, aren't going to the games. It's hard to sell hockey in Nashville, and it's not going well. Sorry, but it's the truth.
But let's get to football, the sport that defines this town as a sports town and how it does that. The Titans moved here from Houston. They have no history. The majority of Titans fans are first generation Titans fans. Now, this is by default of course, other than the folks here that were once in Houston and transferred here for various reasons and love talking about Earl Campbell, Billy White Shoes Johnson, and Haywood Jefferies. But in general there isn't much of a blood line. There isn't the bond that I have with my uncle who taught me to be a Packer fan, the memories we have shared from my childhood, his childhood, and talking about almost 90 years of Packer football.
Sure, Nashville can't help that...but maybe that means they don't qualify as a great sports town, and they can't do anything about it. Have you seen the movie "Invincible?" There aren't fans in Nashville like Marky-Mark's fans at the bar in Philly. There just aren't. There aren't people who give their lives, everything they have to get to the football games. I mean, I'm sure there are but not in the same way. And it goes back to the tradition, and family tradition, that I talked about earlier. The Titans are a team, they aren't a way of life like the Cubs, or Vikings, or the Jets, or the Red Sox. They are a team that has a lot of good fans and sells out their stadium every week. They also are a team that exists in a great destination city for travellers which in turn brings a large following of the opposite colors each weekend. This is also fine. Mind you, there are people with Titans tickets ready and willing to sell...
But, what is the underlying factor of all this? I've talked about it before...and that's this simple fact. By and by, the Nashville sports teams aren't most Nashville sports fans' priorities. Nashville, sits 3 hours from Knoxville, 5 hours from Tuscaloosa and Auburn, 6-7 or so from Oxford, 3 from Louisville, and 4 from Lexington. People's passion, especially in the south, is at their college of choice, not in the NFL. Mostly I'm sure because the tradition goes back a lot further with the college team where family ties are stronger and more meaningful. And let's face it Nashville, Vanderbilt doesn't matter.
There are lots of great fans here in Nashville, that's for certain. I hang out with a lot of them. But there's a lot more to a sports town than great fans. There's tradition and passion that simply can't exist here. So don't take it personally Titan fan, you just don't have what other places have. You don't have the tradition, the stories, the legends. The ring of honor at LP Field has names like McNair, George, and Wycheck. Go to Green Bay and you'll see names like Starr, Lombardi and Canadeo, and in Chicago names like, Halas, Payton and Sayres. Don't take it personally there aren't many great sports towns and Nashville could be one someday. But it's at least two generations of stories and history removed.
As one can imagine, the talk radio shows were all about these Titan fans calling in, blaming coaches, players, and fans for the loss. Since then, the national scene has started to get a hold of Nashville's ranking as a sports town, much of which has taken fans here off guard and made them, well, very upset.
But I sit there in my car and listen to these people banter, and it really makes me think...is Nashville a good sports town?
The answer is simple. No. No it's not. It's not even close. It's very average at best.
So why would I say this, especially coming from someone who lives here? Well, as you know I don't really have any true allegiance to the teams here, so I can kind of play a bi-partisan role in the judging, but using other past experiences will in fact be helpful in proving my point.
Let's get this out of the way first. People in the south, in general, don't get hockey. Hockey is a great sport, but unfortunately, kids don't want to play it like they want to play basketball and football. Therefore, without the need to get their kids in the seats because they won't shut up otherwise, parents, in general, aren't going to the games. It's hard to sell hockey in Nashville, and it's not going well. Sorry, but it's the truth.
But let's get to football, the sport that defines this town as a sports town and how it does that. The Titans moved here from Houston. They have no history. The majority of Titans fans are first generation Titans fans. Now, this is by default of course, other than the folks here that were once in Houston and transferred here for various reasons and love talking about Earl Campbell, Billy White Shoes Johnson, and Haywood Jefferies. But in general there isn't much of a blood line. There isn't the bond that I have with my uncle who taught me to be a Packer fan, the memories we have shared from my childhood, his childhood, and talking about almost 90 years of Packer football.
Sure, Nashville can't help that...but maybe that means they don't qualify as a great sports town, and they can't do anything about it. Have you seen the movie "Invincible?" There aren't fans in Nashville like Marky-Mark's fans at the bar in Philly. There just aren't. There aren't people who give their lives, everything they have to get to the football games. I mean, I'm sure there are but not in the same way. And it goes back to the tradition, and family tradition, that I talked about earlier. The Titans are a team, they aren't a way of life like the Cubs, or Vikings, or the Jets, or the Red Sox. They are a team that has a lot of good fans and sells out their stadium every week. They also are a team that exists in a great destination city for travellers which in turn brings a large following of the opposite colors each weekend. This is also fine. Mind you, there are people with Titans tickets ready and willing to sell...
But, what is the underlying factor of all this? I've talked about it before...and that's this simple fact. By and by, the Nashville sports teams aren't most Nashville sports fans' priorities. Nashville, sits 3 hours from Knoxville, 5 hours from Tuscaloosa and Auburn, 6-7 or so from Oxford, 3 from Louisville, and 4 from Lexington. People's passion, especially in the south, is at their college of choice, not in the NFL. Mostly I'm sure because the tradition goes back a lot further with the college team where family ties are stronger and more meaningful. And let's face it Nashville, Vanderbilt doesn't matter.
There are lots of great fans here in Nashville, that's for certain. I hang out with a lot of them. But there's a lot more to a sports town than great fans. There's tradition and passion that simply can't exist here. So don't take it personally Titan fan, you just don't have what other places have. You don't have the tradition, the stories, the legends. The ring of honor at LP Field has names like McNair, George, and Wycheck. Go to Green Bay and you'll see names like Starr, Lombardi and Canadeo, and in Chicago names like, Halas, Payton and Sayres. Don't take it personally there aren't many great sports towns and Nashville could be one someday. But it's at least two generations of stories and history removed.
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