I hate cliches. I've always thought for one to use them really took a lack of originality and overall laziness. But they seriously never die.
And you know who I have to blame for that? Sports. Mark Saturday May 19, 2012 as a date that will forever now be known as the Day of Resilience; a day that will always echo the sentiment of a very famous cliche:
"It's not how you start. It's how you finish."
Take a look at today's UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea. The final took place in Munich, giving the German club Bayern a rare home field advantage in what is designed to be a neutral site event. The visiting Blues of Chelsea were going to truly have to be road warriors to slow down the speed and pace of a club whose foot never comes off of the gas pedal with men like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at the helm.
Before this match even began, the legion of Bayern fans unveiled a banner that, in German, said "The cup is ours." This was their turf hosting the biggest stage with their most prestigious club as the favorite; they had already claimed it.
Besides, Chelsea had been lucky enough to make it this far. Their luck was bound to run out much like in 2008, when the club fell to Manchester United on penalty kicks.
For a majority of the game, it looked like just that. Chelsea was constantly on the defensive, as Bayern controlled possession and had numerous chances to bury opportunities. But the men of Munich could not convert. Mario Gomez had perhaps one of his worst matches ever in terms of finishing touch, and those speedy wingers I mentioned seemed to not be able to find the net. Bayern could not do it.
That is, until the 83rd minute.
On an arching cross from Ribery, Thomas Muller thwarted the ball with his head, sending it straight into the ground to give it a high bounce over a reaching Petr Cech to give Bayern a 1-0 advantage. The crowd and team celebrated as if the trophy was certainly going to stay in Germany.
One man in the arena had a qualm with that though, but just calling him a man really is not fair. The Legend of Chelsea would not have his career end this way. That icon was none other than Didier Drogba.
On a desperation corner in the 88th minute, Juan Mata crossed one into the box, hoping for a spark. Drogba, flying backwards, leaped over a defender, and perfectly struck the ball with his forehead into the very upper right hand corner of the goal. The Chelsea destiny was alive.
Fast forward now to extra time, when Drogba seemed to, in the great Martin Tyler's words, "go from hero to zero." An errant challenge made by him on Robben in the penalty box gave the brilliant Dutchman a penalty kick. Surely he would finish his chance, and give Bayern a one goal lead in extra time.
The man in headgear, Petr Cech, had other ideas. He denied Robben and kept Chelsea at a tie. The rest of extra time would not provide a goal, and the biggest game of them all would come down to penalties. And again, Bayern would start strong.
The club buried their first three chances, including a strike from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Before he tested his goal-getting ability, Neuer displayed his superb goal-preventing ability, saving the first shot from Juan Mata. Chelsea was down 2-0 in penalties after Mario Gomez converted on his kick, and 3-1 soon enough. They needed Cech to make a stop.
Surely enough, the man in a black helmet pulled out another save, denying Ivica Olic. After Ashley Cole tied it at 3, Bastian Schweinsteiger barely missed with a shot off the post. A stroke of luck had given Chelsea a chance to win their first UEFA title. And guess who stepped up and finished that chance?
You got it. The distinct, delightful, and dominant Didier Drogba. Chelsea had done it and did what Bayern couldn't; finish.
Flash over to North America, specifically Los Angeles. The Clippers, down 2-0 in their series against the San Antonio Spurs, had raced out to a 24 point lead in the first half. Those boring, tired, and old Spurs had finally shown their true colors. The sexy, young, and athletic Clippers had finally found the formula for victory.
The Spurs, in typical San Antonio fashion, did not start to come back with much loudness. Slowly but surely, they cut the lead to 10 points before halftime. A bit more manageable I'd say.
Before the 2nd half began, the cameras at ABC caught Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, and Tim Duncan casually laughing at the bench. They must have thought this comeback would be a piece of cake. I mean, they had been here before, but this was ridiculous, right?
The only thing ridiculous would be the ferocity and pure speed the Spurs came back with. What we thought they lacked, they had in droves. They raced out of the 2nd half on a 23-0 run, taking the lead and silencing the Staples Center. Championship experience and veteran presence was proving to be too much for a cursed franchise who was now having success after some flashy transactions. Once the Spurs grabbed the lead, there was no doubt.
They led by 11 points in the fourth quarter when the Clippers clipped it to 7. But after the Spurs claimed that same lead amount again with 3 minutes left, the game was over. They had claimed a 3-0 series lead and the old guys had done something they had known for years that the new guys still need to learn; finished.
Finally, we go to Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes in Maryland. After a gut-wrenching, heart-stopping comeback by I'll Have Another to win the Kentucky Derby, the horse was still not the favorite to take the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. That favorite was the horse he had overtaken in the Derby; Bodemeister.
Bodemeister was favored again due to the track for the Preakness being a bit shorter than the track at Churchill Downs. If he got that big of a lead again, there would not be enough distance for I'll Have Another to catch him again.
For a majority of the race, it looked that way. Bodemeister had a commanding lead with only 300 yards to go, coming down the final straight away. The problem is that the Derby champion surely wanted another round.
In truly heroic stride, I'll Have Another barreled down the back stretch to give Bodemeister another run. This effort was surely greater than his Derby performance, as the horse somehow came up with the win again. He got his nose in front right before the finish, and he had snatched the taste of victory from Bodemeister once again. The horse now has two jewels for the Triple Crown, and both times, did something Bodemeister failed to do; finish.
Sports provide us with the ultimate examples of famous cliches. They're the sole reason these expressions stay alive. To believe in yourself for an entire journey, no matter if it is measured in minutes, months, or years, is something truly remarkable. And when you finally have the chance to achieve the climax of that journey, after all of your obstacles, simply remember to do one thing; finish.
May 19, 2012. The day where we learned to do just that.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Some Miami Advice
There are some pretty annoying trends currently taking hold of the American sports world today. Ones that come to mind are the Tebow craze, significance of the QUARTERBACK POSITION (Trent Dilfer voice), and the continuing notion that one player has to take every final shot.
To me though, there is one trend that trumps all of those: the over-criticism of the Miami Heat.
When LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all agreed to join forces, most casual fans immediately hung up a minimum of three future championship banners for the franchise. How could a basketball team possibly lose with three of the NBA's top 30 players?
Well, that's the problem. Everything in the Heat's future is invested in the production of three players. There is literally nobody else on that entire team who can score consistently enough to be considered a key contributor. If one of those three goes down, as Bosh did, then the whole championship possibility for Miami just took a huge hit.
If you don't believe me, I invite you to take a look at the roster. Well, we have two average point guards in Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers. We have big men who could not score a basketball if you put the hoop at five feet in Joel Anthony, Juwan Howard, Eddy Curry, and Dexter Pittman. Better yet, we can put in Mike Miller or James Jones to maybe hit a three.
Nobody on that list of names fulfills the distinction of being a role player. The only two I didn't name, Shane Battier and Udonis Haslem, could actually give you enough to be a role player. And here's a little tip on basketball if you didn't know; role players will win you championships.
Take a look at the greatest NBA teams to ever step on a court. The Bulls dynasty saw greats like Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, and Steve Kerr make key contributions at multiple points to help Jordan and Pippen win all of those titles. Shaq and Kobe knew they could dish the ball to Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, or Robert Horry to hit a key shot in a key moment. Bruce Bowen was a key cog in the Spurs dynasty. John Havlicek, believe it or not, was a sixth man for his first four titles with those great Celtic teams.
If the Heat had three or four players that could live up to those role-playing capabilities, they could win an NBA title. But at the moment, they just don't. It's all about the Big Three. The spotlight never leaves them, which is not helpful.
Go back to my point about "the last shot" or "the clutch gene" being an annoying trend in sports. The situation with the Heat is the perfect example of how this is ruining the game of basketball and truly driving a team like this insane.
Nowadays, everybody thinks there has to be one designated guy to take the final shot in a basketball game. If he's double-teamed, it doesn't matter. You're the star; you have to shoot it. This "hero ball" is not the answer to winning basketball games. You win close games by drawing clutch plays, but there's even a slight catch to that: you have to have guys who can execute those last plays.
The Heat are an enigma with this phenomenon. They have two NBA stars who are looked at to close games; James and Wade. Tonight, both of these men failed in the final minutes with missed free throws and opportunities to give their team the win. Unlike the rest of America, I'm not going to sit here and place heaps of blame on them solely for that. Let's consider the circumstance of tonight's last play.
Down by three, Erik Spoelsta decided to draw the final play for Mario Chalmers. First, I give him a great deal of credit for coming up with a set play to win. Excellent move. But where was he wrong? Well, he picked Mario Chalmers to take the shot. The only meaningful moment Chalmers has ever provided was a last-second three to give Kansas a national title, truly memorable. But that was college. This is the NBA.
Spoelstra put the game on the shoulders of a player is simply not capable of hitting a shot like that. The Lakers knew "Big Shot Rob" (Robert Horry) and Derek Fisher could hit shots like that. The Bulls knew Steve Kerr could nail a buzzer beater. Last year's Mavericks never worried about Jason Terry having the ball in his hands in the final seconds.
Miami does not have this luxury. They have no choice but to give the ball to James or Wade and hope they can create something. So, in actuality, I will criticize the Heat any time one of these two does not take the shot because there is simply nobody else capable of making it. Who else are you giving it to?
People need to remember that fact. The third leading scorer on the Heat tonight, without Bosh, had five points....in four quarters of basketball. Criticize Bosh all you want, but without him, this team has nobody to replace him. No depth will lose you championships every single time, which is why I believe the absence of everybody's favorite human velociraptor will do just that to Miami.
The bottom line is I am actually quite surprised by the Heat's rapid success. This is a team that has no point guard or center and absolutely nobody on the bench who can come in and be a force. They should not be contending for a title already. Combine that aspect with the pressure of every loss exceeding everybody else's losses, then you have a pretty tough predicament on your hands.
So, next time the Heat lose, don't just look at The Big Three's stats. Take a look at everybody else's. Then, you might calm your outrage a little bit.
To me though, there is one trend that trumps all of those: the over-criticism of the Miami Heat.
When LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all agreed to join forces, most casual fans immediately hung up a minimum of three future championship banners for the franchise. How could a basketball team possibly lose with three of the NBA's top 30 players?
Well, that's the problem. Everything in the Heat's future is invested in the production of three players. There is literally nobody else on that entire team who can score consistently enough to be considered a key contributor. If one of those three goes down, as Bosh did, then the whole championship possibility for Miami just took a huge hit.
If you don't believe me, I invite you to take a look at the roster. Well, we have two average point guards in Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers. We have big men who could not score a basketball if you put the hoop at five feet in Joel Anthony, Juwan Howard, Eddy Curry, and Dexter Pittman. Better yet, we can put in Mike Miller or James Jones to maybe hit a three.
Nobody on that list of names fulfills the distinction of being a role player. The only two I didn't name, Shane Battier and Udonis Haslem, could actually give you enough to be a role player. And here's a little tip on basketball if you didn't know; role players will win you championships.
Take a look at the greatest NBA teams to ever step on a court. The Bulls dynasty saw greats like Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, and Steve Kerr make key contributions at multiple points to help Jordan and Pippen win all of those titles. Shaq and Kobe knew they could dish the ball to Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, or Robert Horry to hit a key shot in a key moment. Bruce Bowen was a key cog in the Spurs dynasty. John Havlicek, believe it or not, was a sixth man for his first four titles with those great Celtic teams.
If the Heat had three or four players that could live up to those role-playing capabilities, they could win an NBA title. But at the moment, they just don't. It's all about the Big Three. The spotlight never leaves them, which is not helpful.
Go back to my point about "the last shot" or "the clutch gene" being an annoying trend in sports. The situation with the Heat is the perfect example of how this is ruining the game of basketball and truly driving a team like this insane.
Nowadays, everybody thinks there has to be one designated guy to take the final shot in a basketball game. If he's double-teamed, it doesn't matter. You're the star; you have to shoot it. This "hero ball" is not the answer to winning basketball games. You win close games by drawing clutch plays, but there's even a slight catch to that: you have to have guys who can execute those last plays.
The Heat are an enigma with this phenomenon. They have two NBA stars who are looked at to close games; James and Wade. Tonight, both of these men failed in the final minutes with missed free throws and opportunities to give their team the win. Unlike the rest of America, I'm not going to sit here and place heaps of blame on them solely for that. Let's consider the circumstance of tonight's last play.
Down by three, Erik Spoelsta decided to draw the final play for Mario Chalmers. First, I give him a great deal of credit for coming up with a set play to win. Excellent move. But where was he wrong? Well, he picked Mario Chalmers to take the shot. The only meaningful moment Chalmers has ever provided was a last-second three to give Kansas a national title, truly memorable. But that was college. This is the NBA.
Spoelstra put the game on the shoulders of a player is simply not capable of hitting a shot like that. The Lakers knew "Big Shot Rob" (Robert Horry) and Derek Fisher could hit shots like that. The Bulls knew Steve Kerr could nail a buzzer beater. Last year's Mavericks never worried about Jason Terry having the ball in his hands in the final seconds.
Miami does not have this luxury. They have no choice but to give the ball to James or Wade and hope they can create something. So, in actuality, I will criticize the Heat any time one of these two does not take the shot because there is simply nobody else capable of making it. Who else are you giving it to?
People need to remember that fact. The third leading scorer on the Heat tonight, without Bosh, had five points....in four quarters of basketball. Criticize Bosh all you want, but without him, this team has nobody to replace him. No depth will lose you championships every single time, which is why I believe the absence of everybody's favorite human velociraptor will do just that to Miami.
The bottom line is I am actually quite surprised by the Heat's rapid success. This is a team that has no point guard or center and absolutely nobody on the bench who can come in and be a force. They should not be contending for a title already. Combine that aspect with the pressure of every loss exceeding everybody else's losses, then you have a pretty tough predicament on your hands.
So, next time the Heat lose, don't just look at The Big Three's stats. Take a look at everybody else's. Then, you might calm your outrage a little bit.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Free Chris Paul: Why The NBA Is Making A Huge Mistake
As a superstar athlete, you have a cycle you go through with your respective franchise. Most of the time, you come in through the draft, when the team is somewhat down. The losses are a little heavy that first year, but you definitely see the star shine through, as the team has fed off his talent and energy enough to truly develop. Sophomore season rolls along, and the team makes a breakthrough, making the playoffs. An early exit occurs, and the team promises to get the star some help. So when the team promises to get you help over these next years, but the same result keeps happening, your star reaches a breaking point. This is where Chris Paul is at.
You saw the same type of cycle with LeBron James, but the King got to be a free agent. CP3 does not have such a luxury; he has to request a trade from a team currently owned by the commissioner and the other 29 NBA owners. As anyone can see from David Stern's blockage of the trade to the Lakers and overwhelming asking price for Paul to go to the Clippers, this is quite a feat to pull off. Chris Paul is a prisoner with David Stern as his warden; and it is an injustice that he is not in a Laker or even Clipper uniform.
First, look at the trades from a basketball standpoint. The Lakers dealt Lamar Odom (the reigning 6th man of the year) to the Hornets, while New Orleans also gained Luis Scola (One of the up and coming power forwards), Kevin Martin (one of the best scoring guards), and Goran Dragic (a solid backup point guard). Los Angeles would of course get Chris Paul, while Houston gained forward Pau Gasol from the Lakers. Basically, the Hornets, while losing their best player, gained four good ones, and also snagged a first round pick. This was the best kind of trade NOLA could have asked for; but not according to David Stern.
Maybe the Clippers' offer would be better? Let's give the Hornets one of the rising guards in the league in Eric Gordon, a solid 6th man with Chris Kaman, and a talented young forward in Al-Farouq Aminu, along with a 1st round pick for the coveted Paul. Once again, the Hornets are gaining players that can help now and possibly even more for the future. But for Stern and his gang, this was still not enough. They wanted young guard Eric Bledsoe too. I mean, why not just ask for Blake Griffin too?
The main question on everybody's mind is this: Why is David Stern and the other owners making a deal for Chris Paul seem impossible? There is the argument that the owners have been pushing Stern to prevent another player leaving a small market team to go to a larger market like LeBron and Carmelo did. The small market owners believe nobody will ever want to come play for them or stay with them, so they're putting their foot down. While I see their point here, I think this has been taken a bit too far. Preventing some stars from playing together is not going to change anything. To prevent it is actually hypocritical to the history of the NBA.
Think about the great NBA teams that were essentially superteams. The Lakers had Kareem Abdul-Jabar, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson on one team at a point, and even Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor back in time. The Celtics had their trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. There have been countless power duos, from Jordan and Pippen, to Stockton and Malone, to Kobe and Shaq, and even Penny and Shaq. I could go on and on here, but the point is that this concept is nothing new. It actually provided the NBA with its most glorious years.
But the real motive behind Stern's actions has nothing to do with the concept of superior teams. He knows that the NBA is still the owner of the Hornets, and there must be someone to buy the franchise. His method of thinking is that he needs Chris Paul to sell the franchise, a face to advertise to a bidder. So if he's going to give up the main selling point of the franchise, he wants everything and Tim Tebow in exchange. So it's not Chris Paul holding back the franchise; it's the franchise holding back Chris Paul.
Paul deserves to be able to do what every basketball player dreams of doing; playing under the biggest lights as one of biggest names. He tried to make it happen in New Orleans, giving his heart and soul to bring New Orleans to the playoffs. His performance last year against the Lakers in the playoffs was nothing short of remarkable. The most gifted point guard in the league did everything in his power to win, and it still was not enough. New Orleans was not going to do anything to help Paul's chances at a title or any further success, so he decided he wanted to leave, which he has every right to do.
There is not another player in the NBA as worthy as Chris Paul of having a shot somewhere else. He has been nothing short of sensational on the court, but he has also been one of the game's most cordial and giving ambassadors. You would think such actions would eventually be rewarded, let the good guy have his day. But all that really matters is the Hornets need to be sold, which mans Paul is its best shot. Stern is requiring Paul to give even more to a franchise he's already laid it all out for, and it's simply not right. The commissioner is slowly ruining his once pristine reputation with this whole situation, but he can save it with one action; let CP3 be free. Whether that's to New York, Boston, or Los Angeles, it's time to let the best point guard in the league shine somewhere else.
You saw the same type of cycle with LeBron James, but the King got to be a free agent. CP3 does not have such a luxury; he has to request a trade from a team currently owned by the commissioner and the other 29 NBA owners. As anyone can see from David Stern's blockage of the trade to the Lakers and overwhelming asking price for Paul to go to the Clippers, this is quite a feat to pull off. Chris Paul is a prisoner with David Stern as his warden; and it is an injustice that he is not in a Laker or even Clipper uniform.
First, look at the trades from a basketball standpoint. The Lakers dealt Lamar Odom (the reigning 6th man of the year) to the Hornets, while New Orleans also gained Luis Scola (One of the up and coming power forwards), Kevin Martin (one of the best scoring guards), and Goran Dragic (a solid backup point guard). Los Angeles would of course get Chris Paul, while Houston gained forward Pau Gasol from the Lakers. Basically, the Hornets, while losing their best player, gained four good ones, and also snagged a first round pick. This was the best kind of trade NOLA could have asked for; but not according to David Stern.
Maybe the Clippers' offer would be better? Let's give the Hornets one of the rising guards in the league in Eric Gordon, a solid 6th man with Chris Kaman, and a talented young forward in Al-Farouq Aminu, along with a 1st round pick for the coveted Paul. Once again, the Hornets are gaining players that can help now and possibly even more for the future. But for Stern and his gang, this was still not enough. They wanted young guard Eric Bledsoe too. I mean, why not just ask for Blake Griffin too?
The main question on everybody's mind is this: Why is David Stern and the other owners making a deal for Chris Paul seem impossible? There is the argument that the owners have been pushing Stern to prevent another player leaving a small market team to go to a larger market like LeBron and Carmelo did. The small market owners believe nobody will ever want to come play for them or stay with them, so they're putting their foot down. While I see their point here, I think this has been taken a bit too far. Preventing some stars from playing together is not going to change anything. To prevent it is actually hypocritical to the history of the NBA.
Think about the great NBA teams that were essentially superteams. The Lakers had Kareem Abdul-Jabar, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson on one team at a point, and even Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor back in time. The Celtics had their trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. There have been countless power duos, from Jordan and Pippen, to Stockton and Malone, to Kobe and Shaq, and even Penny and Shaq. I could go on and on here, but the point is that this concept is nothing new. It actually provided the NBA with its most glorious years.
But the real motive behind Stern's actions has nothing to do with the concept of superior teams. He knows that the NBA is still the owner of the Hornets, and there must be someone to buy the franchise. His method of thinking is that he needs Chris Paul to sell the franchise, a face to advertise to a bidder. So if he's going to give up the main selling point of the franchise, he wants everything and Tim Tebow in exchange. So it's not Chris Paul holding back the franchise; it's the franchise holding back Chris Paul.
Paul deserves to be able to do what every basketball player dreams of doing; playing under the biggest lights as one of biggest names. He tried to make it happen in New Orleans, giving his heart and soul to bring New Orleans to the playoffs. His performance last year against the Lakers in the playoffs was nothing short of remarkable. The most gifted point guard in the league did everything in his power to win, and it still was not enough. New Orleans was not going to do anything to help Paul's chances at a title or any further success, so he decided he wanted to leave, which he has every right to do.
There is not another player in the NBA as worthy as Chris Paul of having a shot somewhere else. He has been nothing short of sensational on the court, but he has also been one of the game's most cordial and giving ambassadors. You would think such actions would eventually be rewarded, let the good guy have his day. But all that really matters is the Hornets need to be sold, which mans Paul is its best shot. Stern is requiring Paul to give even more to a franchise he's already laid it all out for, and it's simply not right. The commissioner is slowly ruining his once pristine reputation with this whole situation, but he can save it with one action; let CP3 be free. Whether that's to New York, Boston, or Los Angeles, it's time to let the best point guard in the league shine somewhere else.
I'm Back And More Tebowed Than Ever
First off, let me just say that I apologize to anybody who has come back to this blog for frequent posts. The first semester of college got the best of me, as I was a bit too busy to continue to write often. But I'm going to try and write more next semester and stay current. I love writing about sports too much to stay away from it for too long. On that note, on to one of many topics I plan on addressing this week: Tim Tebow.
On Sunday, the fabulous Florida man led another terrific game-tying drive to send the Denver Broncos' game against the Chicago Bears into overtime. Even before that, Tebow went 7-7 on a drive to bring the Broncos within three, hitting Demaryius Thomas on a touchdown pass, after not completing a pass in the second and third quarter. He would eventually lead Denver down the field in overtime to put them in position for the game-winning field goal, sending Bronco nation into what seems to be their umpteenth frenzy after another exasperating comeback by their team.
Now I just told you everything Tim Tebow did at his position of quarterback to help the Broncos win that game. But what I left out were the vital contributions that everybody else on Denver made to bring home the victory, most notably the Bronco defense and Matt Prater. The Bronco's defense has been resembling the old Orange Crush glory days of Tom Jackson, consistently stifling teams every week, and the Bears offense faced the same treatment. And when it finally seemed like they were going to be broken in overtime, they pulled out another clutch play, stripping Marion Barber right before he was going to take off and score.
It's about time this defense got the credit it deserved. They have one of the most formidable pass rushes in the league, with imminent Rookie of the Year Von Miller and stud Elvis Dumervil. They are led by veterans like Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, and most of all? They have bought into their play and truly believe.
The other hero of the day was obviously Matt Prater. After being set up by his quarterback, Prater still had a pretty tough kick to drill, even in the thin Rocky Mountain air of Denver. But from 59 yards, with the division lead on his foot, Prater rocketed the ball through the uprights with as much poise as a Jordan jumper. You didn't even need to watch him attempt the 51 yard game winner in overtime; it was through before he kicked it.
So how does this all tie back to Tebow? Well it shows that obviously, Denver's renaissance is a complete team effort. The credit cannot go solely to Tebow. But I will give the man all the credit in the world for contributions to that team that go further than any stat; he's gotten them to believe. Tebow is easily one of the best leaders I have ever seen. His positivity, constant faith, endless drive, and never-say-die mentality are qualities that every coach dies to have in their quarterback. I believe those behavioral traits of him has truly infected the entire team with the same ideas and thoughts. After they've seen him escape more pass rushes and come up big at the end, how could they not buy into it?
As any player would tell you, football is a game where your mental stability and determination has to be at 100% the entire time to be successful. If you're not motivated or let your guard down for one second, you will lose. Letting your guard down does not include making a few negative plays; it comes down if you let those plays tear your confidence down. That's what Tebow has exemplified this season; keeping your confidence for four quarters of football. As long as you have confidence in yourself and others, you will come through when it matters.
That mindset is now the staple of this Denver Bronco team, and head coach John Fox has done a beautiful job of continuing to preach it after seeing his quarterback show why it can be successful. I know so many people who wake up every Monday, see that the Broncos pulled it out somehow, and go on a ridiculous rant about how they are not a good team and that this will die soon. They pull out every excuse in the book to make their case against Tebow. My question to the hater nation is simple; why can't you just enjoy?
I've never been a Bronco fan in my life, but I have had an absolute blast watching this team continuously find a way to win. It can be the ugliest style of football ever played, but the plays these guys are making in clutch-time can be nothing but admired. I cannot recall another team that has recorded so many wins of this kind, and if it continues somehow into playoff success, then you will have the best NFL story in a long time. They are the definition of a true team, and I think can respect that more than simply throwing for 400 yards and putting up 40 points every week. I enjoy watching Denver football more.
Will this dream eventually end? I do think so. There comes a point where a complete game must be played, and you can't just wait until the fourth quarter. But this is all part of a developmental process. Teams start out doing this, and eventually, they figure out how to have the same intensity throughout the entire game. The Broncos have the toughest quarter down to a science; they just need the other three.
At the end of the day, after all of the heated arguments and continuous bashing, all the Broncos need to do is point to their record with Tebow as a starter: 7-1. The guy is winning and has turned the belief of an entire organization around with his demeanor, work ethic, and belief in his teammates. When you can be an inspiration point to other grown men, some who have been in the league for much longer than you, and encourage them to play to their potential, you have done something more worthy than any award. I applaud the Denver Broncos for bringing back something to football that many people always forget; it's a team sport that needs leaders and examples. Keep your eyes on them, because there is one fact I don't think any hater can try and preach; they're the most exciting story in the league until their run ends.
On Sunday, the fabulous Florida man led another terrific game-tying drive to send the Denver Broncos' game against the Chicago Bears into overtime. Even before that, Tebow went 7-7 on a drive to bring the Broncos within three, hitting Demaryius Thomas on a touchdown pass, after not completing a pass in the second and third quarter. He would eventually lead Denver down the field in overtime to put them in position for the game-winning field goal, sending Bronco nation into what seems to be their umpteenth frenzy after another exasperating comeback by their team.
Now I just told you everything Tim Tebow did at his position of quarterback to help the Broncos win that game. But what I left out were the vital contributions that everybody else on Denver made to bring home the victory, most notably the Bronco defense and Matt Prater. The Bronco's defense has been resembling the old Orange Crush glory days of Tom Jackson, consistently stifling teams every week, and the Bears offense faced the same treatment. And when it finally seemed like they were going to be broken in overtime, they pulled out another clutch play, stripping Marion Barber right before he was going to take off and score.
It's about time this defense got the credit it deserved. They have one of the most formidable pass rushes in the league, with imminent Rookie of the Year Von Miller and stud Elvis Dumervil. They are led by veterans like Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, and most of all? They have bought into their play and truly believe.
The other hero of the day was obviously Matt Prater. After being set up by his quarterback, Prater still had a pretty tough kick to drill, even in the thin Rocky Mountain air of Denver. But from 59 yards, with the division lead on his foot, Prater rocketed the ball through the uprights with as much poise as a Jordan jumper. You didn't even need to watch him attempt the 51 yard game winner in overtime; it was through before he kicked it.
So how does this all tie back to Tebow? Well it shows that obviously, Denver's renaissance is a complete team effort. The credit cannot go solely to Tebow. But I will give the man all the credit in the world for contributions to that team that go further than any stat; he's gotten them to believe. Tebow is easily one of the best leaders I have ever seen. His positivity, constant faith, endless drive, and never-say-die mentality are qualities that every coach dies to have in their quarterback. I believe those behavioral traits of him has truly infected the entire team with the same ideas and thoughts. After they've seen him escape more pass rushes and come up big at the end, how could they not buy into it?
As any player would tell you, football is a game where your mental stability and determination has to be at 100% the entire time to be successful. If you're not motivated or let your guard down for one second, you will lose. Letting your guard down does not include making a few negative plays; it comes down if you let those plays tear your confidence down. That's what Tebow has exemplified this season; keeping your confidence for four quarters of football. As long as you have confidence in yourself and others, you will come through when it matters.
That mindset is now the staple of this Denver Bronco team, and head coach John Fox has done a beautiful job of continuing to preach it after seeing his quarterback show why it can be successful. I know so many people who wake up every Monday, see that the Broncos pulled it out somehow, and go on a ridiculous rant about how they are not a good team and that this will die soon. They pull out every excuse in the book to make their case against Tebow. My question to the hater nation is simple; why can't you just enjoy?
I've never been a Bronco fan in my life, but I have had an absolute blast watching this team continuously find a way to win. It can be the ugliest style of football ever played, but the plays these guys are making in clutch-time can be nothing but admired. I cannot recall another team that has recorded so many wins of this kind, and if it continues somehow into playoff success, then you will have the best NFL story in a long time. They are the definition of a true team, and I think can respect that more than simply throwing for 400 yards and putting up 40 points every week. I enjoy watching Denver football more.
Will this dream eventually end? I do think so. There comes a point where a complete game must be played, and you can't just wait until the fourth quarter. But this is all part of a developmental process. Teams start out doing this, and eventually, they figure out how to have the same intensity throughout the entire game. The Broncos have the toughest quarter down to a science; they just need the other three.
At the end of the day, after all of the heated arguments and continuous bashing, all the Broncos need to do is point to their record with Tebow as a starter: 7-1. The guy is winning and has turned the belief of an entire organization around with his demeanor, work ethic, and belief in his teammates. When you can be an inspiration point to other grown men, some who have been in the league for much longer than you, and encourage them to play to their potential, you have done something more worthy than any award. I applaud the Denver Broncos for bringing back something to football that many people always forget; it's a team sport that needs leaders and examples. Keep your eyes on them, because there is one fact I don't think any hater can try and preach; they're the most exciting story in the league until their run ends.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Life Outweighs Football
Penn State University has been identified by one man for what seems like an eternity; head football coach Joe Paterno. The winningest coach in NCAA history has been the main icon for college athletics for years, and has always been a shining role model. There is not a more beloved figure on any college campus in this nation. But his ultimate fate was deserved.
Paterno is not a football coach first; he is a man. Any man who hears of such heinous acts by a monster like Sandusky cannot simply just report to an athletic director; they must go straight to the police. You must go directly to authorities and get an investigation launched. That is simply a natural moral instinct any human being has etched into their system. His failure to fulfill his moral duties justifies his firing.
State College, Pennsylvania does not want to believe any of this. It has always been looked at as one of the most joyous settings in the country, a college town by its very definition. Paterno has been the beloved leader of that for years, and none of the residents want to see him fall. But the town must come to grips with the fact that football is absolutely meaningless in this entire situation. A Penn State win or bowl game could never alleviate the life-damaging experiences that the poor victims of Sandusky must now live with.
And that's what the actual students at that university need to realize; stop rioting. The football program at Penn State will play more games and show up to Beaver Stadium. If those students could be handed copies of the grand jury report, which details the disturbing crimes committed by Sandusky, then maybe they would realize the severity of this situation, the disgusting nature of these acts. Why are they not questioning Paterno's decision to let Sandusky back into athletic facilities as recently as last week instead of him being fired?
They choose instead to embarrass such a proud university. The path they have taken has shown how much a football program can consume and overshadow the mission and goals of an academic institution. The actions of Paterno and the entire staff at Penn State completely failed to live up to any of those; hell they didn't even sniff them. Yet reporters at the press conference of Paterno's firing and these students chose to be overtaken by emotion and not reason.
As this night of debauchery and imminent violence continues in Happy Valley, I would like to pose one simple question to all of Nittany Lion Nation: Is football really that important? Does it really mean more than the effects of all of these heinous acts? Paterno may not have committed them himself, but he played a role in the failure to stop them. And that alone may come to define him as something more than a football coach. It may change how some view him as a man; no matter how right or wrong that may be.
Paterno is not a football coach first; he is a man. Any man who hears of such heinous acts by a monster like Sandusky cannot simply just report to an athletic director; they must go straight to the police. You must go directly to authorities and get an investigation launched. That is simply a natural moral instinct any human being has etched into their system. His failure to fulfill his moral duties justifies his firing.
State College, Pennsylvania does not want to believe any of this. It has always been looked at as one of the most joyous settings in the country, a college town by its very definition. Paterno has been the beloved leader of that for years, and none of the residents want to see him fall. But the town must come to grips with the fact that football is absolutely meaningless in this entire situation. A Penn State win or bowl game could never alleviate the life-damaging experiences that the poor victims of Sandusky must now live with.
And that's what the actual students at that university need to realize; stop rioting. The football program at Penn State will play more games and show up to Beaver Stadium. If those students could be handed copies of the grand jury report, which details the disturbing crimes committed by Sandusky, then maybe they would realize the severity of this situation, the disgusting nature of these acts. Why are they not questioning Paterno's decision to let Sandusky back into athletic facilities as recently as last week instead of him being fired?
They choose instead to embarrass such a proud university. The path they have taken has shown how much a football program can consume and overshadow the mission and goals of an academic institution. The actions of Paterno and the entire staff at Penn State completely failed to live up to any of those; hell they didn't even sniff them. Yet reporters at the press conference of Paterno's firing and these students chose to be overtaken by emotion and not reason.
As this night of debauchery and imminent violence continues in Happy Valley, I would like to pose one simple question to all of Nittany Lion Nation: Is football really that important? Does it really mean more than the effects of all of these heinous acts? Paterno may not have committed them himself, but he played a role in the failure to stop them. And that alone may come to define him as something more than a football coach. It may change how some view him as a man; no matter how right or wrong that may be.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Whistle Dixie: An Excited Mizzou Student
With conference realignment and Big 12 chaos swirling in the Midwest air, a new scent appeared in Columbia, Missouri today: the sweet scent of southern sweet tea took over, with appearances from deep fried chicken and the bite of bourbon and whiskey. The expansion craze has hit my college in full force; the Missouri Tigers and SEC have informally agreed to join.
Now many on campus are somewhat concerned about the possible move. Is Mizzou ready to compete in the best and most brutal football conference in America? Are the Tigers fast enough? Will the students here see many winning seasons or New Year's bowl games? Why would we join the Southeast when we're in the Midwest?
These concerns need to be alleviated and replaced with excitement. The past five national champions have come from the SEC, and some of the best atmospheres in football call it home. Missouri will now travel to hallowed grounds like Death Valley, Between the Hedges, the Swamp, and Bryant-Denny Stadium. Students will have the best teams in the country coming to Columbia to play every year, creating an even more hyped and insane aura than ever before.
Financially, this move is pure brilliance. The SEC has a ridiculous TV contract, along with a gargantuan amount of bowl money. All of this can put our athletic facilities officially over the top. We are now sharing revenue with at least eight powerhouse programs instead of four. More seats could even be added to Faurot Field with the new profit.
From a recruiting standpoint, the Tigers are gaining a major selling point. Instead of having to keep up with the SEC in terms of conference prestige when selling the program to recruits, they can now say they are a part of the power. Kids nowadays aspire to play in Dixie Country, as it's the first conference that comes to mind when discussing college football with anybody. The Pac 12 and Big 10 boast impressive programs and venues as well, but can they really match the combined power of all the stadiums I mentioned earlier along with the out-of-this-world tailgates occurring there (or the insanely attractive southern belles that cheer wildly in them)? Players and coaches are revered in this conference, and the bottom line is that players want to become heroes in the South.
Getting better players will only build the Tiger program further. That will happen over time, which may bring me to my biggest point to any Mizzou fan or student: be patient. At first, the Tigers will most likely not be winning the SEC. Being competitive is fully possible, but they might not be quite ready for the wear and tear of an SEC schedule. Some of you are underrating the program that is currently housed here, with 42 wins over the past five years and the eleventh most wins in the country over the past decade. We're putting out NFL players every year, as Missouri has had more players picked in the NFL Draft than any other school over the past four years. This team has talent and a great coach in Gary Pinkel. Everything is honestly looking up, especially with a young and talented quarterback like James Franklin at the helm as well. (We also become one of the better basketball teams in the conference as well.)
Change is great, but it's always a little rough at first. Embrace and hope for this move because it is truly the best one for the Tigers. We'll absorb some Southern hospitality and give in return some trademarked Midwest love, along with our damn good barbecue (a huge plus for any SEC traveler). Columbia, Missouri is one of the best college towns in America, and it perfectly fits into the homey feel of Dixie. The times they are a-changin; but they sure are looking sweeter here.
Now many on campus are somewhat concerned about the possible move. Is Mizzou ready to compete in the best and most brutal football conference in America? Are the Tigers fast enough? Will the students here see many winning seasons or New Year's bowl games? Why would we join the Southeast when we're in the Midwest?
These concerns need to be alleviated and replaced with excitement. The past five national champions have come from the SEC, and some of the best atmospheres in football call it home. Missouri will now travel to hallowed grounds like Death Valley, Between the Hedges, the Swamp, and Bryant-Denny Stadium. Students will have the best teams in the country coming to Columbia to play every year, creating an even more hyped and insane aura than ever before.
Financially, this move is pure brilliance. The SEC has a ridiculous TV contract, along with a gargantuan amount of bowl money. All of this can put our athletic facilities officially over the top. We are now sharing revenue with at least eight powerhouse programs instead of four. More seats could even be added to Faurot Field with the new profit.
From a recruiting standpoint, the Tigers are gaining a major selling point. Instead of having to keep up with the SEC in terms of conference prestige when selling the program to recruits, they can now say they are a part of the power. Kids nowadays aspire to play in Dixie Country, as it's the first conference that comes to mind when discussing college football with anybody. The Pac 12 and Big 10 boast impressive programs and venues as well, but can they really match the combined power of all the stadiums I mentioned earlier along with the out-of-this-world tailgates occurring there (or the insanely attractive southern belles that cheer wildly in them)? Players and coaches are revered in this conference, and the bottom line is that players want to become heroes in the South.
Getting better players will only build the Tiger program further. That will happen over time, which may bring me to my biggest point to any Mizzou fan or student: be patient. At first, the Tigers will most likely not be winning the SEC. Being competitive is fully possible, but they might not be quite ready for the wear and tear of an SEC schedule. Some of you are underrating the program that is currently housed here, with 42 wins over the past five years and the eleventh most wins in the country over the past decade. We're putting out NFL players every year, as Missouri has had more players picked in the NFL Draft than any other school over the past four years. This team has talent and a great coach in Gary Pinkel. Everything is honestly looking up, especially with a young and talented quarterback like James Franklin at the helm as well. (We also become one of the better basketball teams in the conference as well.)
Change is great, but it's always a little rough at first. Embrace and hope for this move because it is truly the best one for the Tigers. We'll absorb some Southern hospitality and give in return some trademarked Midwest love, along with our damn good barbecue (a huge plus for any SEC traveler). Columbia, Missouri is one of the best college towns in America, and it perfectly fits into the homey feel of Dixie. The times they are a-changin; but they sure are looking sweeter here.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fading Glory: The Fall of Notre Dame
Touchdown Jesus. The Golden Domes. Rudy. Play Like a Champion Today. Knute Rockne. All of these college football icons are associated with the pride and tradition that defines Notre Dame football, the program that is tied for most national championships with eleven. They've produced more Hesiman trophy winners and All-Americans than any other school as well. The Fighting Irish have been one of the most prestigious programs in college football history; but not today.
The Notre Dame that was is no more. Gone are the days when teams feared entering South Bend. Coaches like Lou Holtz and Ara Parseghian no longer grace the sidelines to strike pride and motivation in their players. Instead, there have been four different head coaches since Holtz and teams that are simply overrated and overmatched. This Irish fall has now taken a ten year period, and it really has no signs of stopping.
Since 1997, the year Bob Davie took over the program, Notre Dame's overall record is 99-75. They have been to nine bowl games during this tenure, only winning two of them, both not being BCS games. In fact, the last BCS bowl win for Notre Dame was in 1992 against Florida. The average margin of loss in the bowl games that Notre Dame failed in? 23 points. Needless to say, they have been irrelevant in terms of postseason success in during this time.
Somehow, through all of this, Notre Dame has continued to bring in top recruiting classes. They are continuously in the top 25 in this, including a number one ranking by Rivals and Scout in 2008. With such top talent, one would think these players turn into top players in the country. Some have, but many simply have not. From 1992 to 2004, the Irish had no players finish in the top ten of Heisman voting. Their last Heisman winner in general was in 1987 with Tim Brown. The last Irish player to be an All-American at the end of the season was Jeff Samardzija in 2005, and there has only been one other All-American with Samardzija since 1997, that being Shane Walton in 2002.
This trend has carried on to the NFL as well, with only seven players during this tenure making multiple Pro Bowl appearances. Only one of those players was selected as an All Pro multiple times, that being Jerome Bettis. They have produced no MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, or Defensive Player of the Year award winners in this period. In reality, the Irish only have one current NFL player that a majority of fans and average football fans may know: Justin Tuck of the New York Giants. Since Joe Montana, there has not even been a Notre Dame quarterback who has had a great deal of success; hell, not even a little bit. Players like Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen have failed to live up to lofty expectations, as they have now become backups on their respective teams.
Another one of Notre Dame's classic stalwarts are their major rivalries against USC, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy. Recently, these have not been going in the Irish's favor, some being a bit lopsided. Since 2000, they have only beaten their most bitter rival, the USC Trojans, once in 2010. They have lost to Navy three times in the past five years (2007, 2009, 2010) and Michigan State seven times in the past ten years. Which brings me to the Michigan rivalry...
Since 1997, the two teams have played thirteen times, with Notre Dame only winning five times. It could have been six if they had not blown a four point lead in the last 30 seconds of the game. They were even leading the Wolverines by two touchdowns at one point, really controlling the game. But everything swung to Michigan, which in my opinion, was the worst thing that could've happened to the Fighting Irish. This was a game that they needed to win, one that would've actually been quite impressive. To come and play Michigan in the first night game at the Big House, with the largest college football crowd in history, and win would've been a energetic shot of life for the program. To blow the game, like they have too frequently lately, proved that nothing has changed. Many think, due to all of this, that Notre Dame is a perennial disappointment.
Here is the harsh reality: Notre Dame is no longer a disappointment. Such failure and shortcomings have become the status quo for the Golden Domers. They have gotten top recruits, apparent "offensive masterminds" (Charlie Weis, Brian Kelly), and preseason top 25 rankings; but to no avail. Irish supporters can point to the tradition and the pageantry every minute of every day and we can all be in awe for a couple of minutes. This generation has not seen the Fighting Irish that your parents watched. Rather, they have seen a program continuously tumble from the peak of the collegiate football mountain. The luck is dying, the gold is rusting, and the glory is fading. And most of all, the Fighting has transformed into Feigning.
The Notre Dame that was is no more. Gone are the days when teams feared entering South Bend. Coaches like Lou Holtz and Ara Parseghian no longer grace the sidelines to strike pride and motivation in their players. Instead, there have been four different head coaches since Holtz and teams that are simply overrated and overmatched. This Irish fall has now taken a ten year period, and it really has no signs of stopping.
Since 1997, the year Bob Davie took over the program, Notre Dame's overall record is 99-75. They have been to nine bowl games during this tenure, only winning two of them, both not being BCS games. In fact, the last BCS bowl win for Notre Dame was in 1992 against Florida. The average margin of loss in the bowl games that Notre Dame failed in? 23 points. Needless to say, they have been irrelevant in terms of postseason success in during this time.
Somehow, through all of this, Notre Dame has continued to bring in top recruiting classes. They are continuously in the top 25 in this, including a number one ranking by Rivals and Scout in 2008. With such top talent, one would think these players turn into top players in the country. Some have, but many simply have not. From 1992 to 2004, the Irish had no players finish in the top ten of Heisman voting. Their last Heisman winner in general was in 1987 with Tim Brown. The last Irish player to be an All-American at the end of the season was Jeff Samardzija in 2005, and there has only been one other All-American with Samardzija since 1997, that being Shane Walton in 2002.
This trend has carried on to the NFL as well, with only seven players during this tenure making multiple Pro Bowl appearances. Only one of those players was selected as an All Pro multiple times, that being Jerome Bettis. They have produced no MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, or Defensive Player of the Year award winners in this period. In reality, the Irish only have one current NFL player that a majority of fans and average football fans may know: Justin Tuck of the New York Giants. Since Joe Montana, there has not even been a Notre Dame quarterback who has had a great deal of success; hell, not even a little bit. Players like Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen have failed to live up to lofty expectations, as they have now become backups on their respective teams.
Another one of Notre Dame's classic stalwarts are their major rivalries against USC, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy. Recently, these have not been going in the Irish's favor, some being a bit lopsided. Since 2000, they have only beaten their most bitter rival, the USC Trojans, once in 2010. They have lost to Navy three times in the past five years (2007, 2009, 2010) and Michigan State seven times in the past ten years. Which brings me to the Michigan rivalry...
Since 1997, the two teams have played thirteen times, with Notre Dame only winning five times. It could have been six if they had not blown a four point lead in the last 30 seconds of the game. They were even leading the Wolverines by two touchdowns at one point, really controlling the game. But everything swung to Michigan, which in my opinion, was the worst thing that could've happened to the Fighting Irish. This was a game that they needed to win, one that would've actually been quite impressive. To come and play Michigan in the first night game at the Big House, with the largest college football crowd in history, and win would've been a energetic shot of life for the program. To blow the game, like they have too frequently lately, proved that nothing has changed. Many think, due to all of this, that Notre Dame is a perennial disappointment.
Here is the harsh reality: Notre Dame is no longer a disappointment. Such failure and shortcomings have become the status quo for the Golden Domers. They have gotten top recruits, apparent "offensive masterminds" (Charlie Weis, Brian Kelly), and preseason top 25 rankings; but to no avail. Irish supporters can point to the tradition and the pageantry every minute of every day and we can all be in awe for a couple of minutes. This generation has not seen the Fighting Irish that your parents watched. Rather, they have seen a program continuously tumble from the peak of the collegiate football mountain. The luck is dying, the gold is rusting, and the glory is fading. And most of all, the Fighting has transformed into Feigning.
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