The NFL has gone ahead and done it again. That "It" you ask, is make every football fan in the world scratch their heads in disgust. In a move almost as exciting as the recent Cleveland Browns logo change, the NFL has decided to move forward in changing the "process of the catch" rule that all Football fans know and love.
The change is more of a change in wording than actually changing the rule. The new wording states that the catcher has to make a move that considers them a runner. This is instead of the rule stating that the catcher must make a "football move" in order to be considered down upon hitting the ground. All this says to me is that the NFL is more concerned in making the rule foggier than making the rule clear. Does this now make red-zone targets that are falling to the ground with the ball void? Does this now mean that if you catch the ball and switch it to your left hand and reach for the end zone, it's still not a catch? Or maybe this just means the NFL is the NFL and are continuing to do what they always do which is ruin the game that we will continue to love and watch no matter what (admit it).
So with more questions we still have one answer from the NFL. The Dez Bryant catch is still not a catch. The reasoning behind the change is to clarify the rule so it can be more consistent. Dean Blandino the NFL's Vice President of officiating has said just that by stating, "What is, what isn't a football move. We're not talking about a lot
of plays over the course of the five seasons since the Calvin Johnson play.
This allows us to consistently officiate the rule." Basically saying that somehow this change makes the rule less confusing. In my mind it has changed confusion for dizziness or maybe a concussion or two! Jeff Fisher the St. Louis Rams Head Coach as well as co-chairman of the competition committee has chimed in as well saying "If
you're going to the ground, hang on to the ball. It's really pretty
simple," Fisher said. "To include if you become a runner, I think it
really cleans things up for us. If you start talking about reaching the ball
out, you invite a lot of gray area back into the interpretation."
At the end of the day the NFL is still the NFL and the rule is still the rule. If you ask ten officials you will get ten different answers and it still seems like Dez Bryant never caught a ball that was clearly caught.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Lets Talk Defense!
The Super Bowl is a week away and arguably the best secondaries in the league (honorary mention to Arizona) will be going head to head. The ball deflating Patriots are going up against the 12th man Seahawks (even if their amazing fan base leaves games early). Both teams have the right to say that they have lock down defenses. The Patriots took a team in the Indianapolis Colts and made them look completely out of their realm by beating them 45-7. Indianapolis was the third best offense in the league for the 2014 regular season as well as the number one offense in the postseason, by over a hundred yards. Then the Patriots showed them how a championship team plays. The Seahawks on the other hand didn't necessarily stop the packers from scoring until they absolutely had to. The Seahawks respectively took a Green bay Packers team that ranked 6th in overall offense for the regular season and held them to one touchdown for the entire game. Green Bay did score five field goals as well as take a 16 point lead into the locker room at halftime but how you finish means everything. In this manner everything came down to which corners stopped two of the best QB's in the league from continuing their onslaught of offense that happened throughout the 2014 season. Leaving the question to be answered, who has the best defense and I specifically want to zone in on who has the best secondary. The Pats or the Hawks?
Seattle comes into the postseason with the number one ranked defense. The Patriots come in with the 13th. Now both teams came out of the gate slumping but got it together when push came to shove. Seattle has a game plan that has yet to fail them. That game plan is letting strong safety Kam Chancellor cover between the numbers while Richard Sherman covers the left side of the field and the right side of the field is left to Byron Maxwell. All I have to say is Gronkowski! This game is strongly based on the play of Gronkowski and if Seattle's cover-3 scheme can stop him. If theres anyone that can match up with Gronkowski I would put my money on Chancellor. Although with that said, I think Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are up to the
task to make Chancellor run if not sprint for his money. The Chargers did it in week 3 when Antonio Gates ended the game with 96 yards and 3 TD's in a 21-30 victory. That entire game they attacked the middle of the field and left Seattle to make the decision between letting Chancellor do his thing or abandon their scheme. They did the latter and ended up losing. This leads me to saying how will Sherman contribute. The receiving core of the Patriots isn't the best. I mean Amendola is always a threat but has yet to bust out like he has in the past. Then theres Edelman who seems like he is always a threat (did you see that 51 YD TD pass he threw to Amendola), but everyone knows Gronkowski is their bread and butter and Brady and Gronk are going to attack the middle of the field all game I already put my money on it! So Sherman can cover whoever ends up on his side of the field but it won't be Gronk so I am left to wonder how much he will impact the game. In my eyes if Sherman wants to be considered the best CB in the league he needs to cover the best receivers on the opposing team. Regardless to say Seattle has a respectable defense and they are as good as they look on paper but I think if there is an offense that can put that to the test its the stout O line of the Patriots followed up by Brady and Gronk.
The Patriots! I don't care if they are blamed for deflating balls. Beating the Colts to the tune of 45-7 is a feat in its own, even if the balls weren't standard. Holding that offense to 209 yards goes to show the kind of defense that the Patriots can put on the field. Then there's Revis! With the Seattle receiving core not being able to make the big play unless the game is on the line against Green Bay - I still have no idea how they did that by the way - New England might be able to beat the Hawks by the tune of 45-7 just like they did the Colts. Thats not my prediction but if it happened I wouldn't be surprised. You can put Revis on any receiver you want anywhere on the field. Then theres Browner who if he can stop getting penalties 3-4 times a game is a pretty damn good back. There is no doubt in my mind that Revis can lock down Doug Baldwin and Im almost positive Browner can put in some work on Jermaine Kearse. Leaving the Seattle offense in the hands of the rush attack from Lynch and Wilson. Those aren't bad hands to leave your fate in though. Overall based from Seattle's options I see the Patriots defense looking better than Seattle's. If the Patriots can and did stop Andrew Luck, by stop I mean completely knock him over, then I see them having no trouble stopping Seattle's mediocre offense from moving the ball. Darrelle Revis is a force to be reckoned with and Sherman can mouth off all he wants. I can't wait for the question of who is the better CB is answered. The Super Bowl is that answer and it will appear clear as day when Seattle struggles to be super at all. Maybe a little beastly but very rarely do you win a game let alone the Super Bowl off of a single performer. Pats 38 Hawks 17 call me crazy!
Seattle comes into the postseason with the number one ranked defense. The Patriots come in with the 13th. Now both teams came out of the gate slumping but got it together when push came to shove. Seattle has a game plan that has yet to fail them. That game plan is letting strong safety Kam Chancellor cover between the numbers while Richard Sherman covers the left side of the field and the right side of the field is left to Byron Maxwell. All I have to say is Gronkowski! This game is strongly based on the play of Gronkowski and if Seattle's cover-3 scheme can stop him. If theres anyone that can match up with Gronkowski I would put my money on Chancellor. Although with that said, I think Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are up to the
task to make Chancellor run if not sprint for his money. The Chargers did it in week 3 when Antonio Gates ended the game with 96 yards and 3 TD's in a 21-30 victory. That entire game they attacked the middle of the field and left Seattle to make the decision between letting Chancellor do his thing or abandon their scheme. They did the latter and ended up losing. This leads me to saying how will Sherman contribute. The receiving core of the Patriots isn't the best. I mean Amendola is always a threat but has yet to bust out like he has in the past. Then theres Edelman who seems like he is always a threat (did you see that 51 YD TD pass he threw to Amendola), but everyone knows Gronkowski is their bread and butter and Brady and Gronk are going to attack the middle of the field all game I already put my money on it! So Sherman can cover whoever ends up on his side of the field but it won't be Gronk so I am left to wonder how much he will impact the game. In my eyes if Sherman wants to be considered the best CB in the league he needs to cover the best receivers on the opposing team. Regardless to say Seattle has a respectable defense and they are as good as they look on paper but I think if there is an offense that can put that to the test its the stout O line of the Patriots followed up by Brady and Gronk.
The Patriots! I don't care if they are blamed for deflating balls. Beating the Colts to the tune of 45-7 is a feat in its own, even if the balls weren't standard. Holding that offense to 209 yards goes to show the kind of defense that the Patriots can put on the field. Then there's Revis! With the Seattle receiving core not being able to make the big play unless the game is on the line against Green Bay - I still have no idea how they did that by the way - New England might be able to beat the Hawks by the tune of 45-7 just like they did the Colts. Thats not my prediction but if it happened I wouldn't be surprised. You can put Revis on any receiver you want anywhere on the field. Then theres Browner who if he can stop getting penalties 3-4 times a game is a pretty damn good back. There is no doubt in my mind that Revis can lock down Doug Baldwin and Im almost positive Browner can put in some work on Jermaine Kearse. Leaving the Seattle offense in the hands of the rush attack from Lynch and Wilson. Those aren't bad hands to leave your fate in though. Overall based from Seattle's options I see the Patriots defense looking better than Seattle's. If the Patriots can and did stop Andrew Luck, by stop I mean completely knock him over, then I see them having no trouble stopping Seattle's mediocre offense from moving the ball. Darrelle Revis is a force to be reckoned with and Sherman can mouth off all he wants. I can't wait for the question of who is the better CB is answered. The Super Bowl is that answer and it will appear clear as day when Seattle struggles to be super at all. Maybe a little beastly but very rarely do you win a game let alone the Super Bowl off of a single performer. Pats 38 Hawks 17 call me crazy!
Monday, January 12, 2015
The Natty!
There is a lot to be said about the first inaugural four team college football playoff. Pinning number 2 Oregon against number 4 Ohio state in the national title game, was a good way to start. Respectively both teams earned their spot. Ohio state took down number 1 ranked Alabama while Oregon took down number 3 ranked Florida state, last years national title winners. The old system used statistics and schedule voting with computers to decide the national title game. Which because Florida state was undefeated (even with an easy schedule), they would have most likely been the number one seed. Leaving Alabama at number two. So the fact that what the computers would have chosen would have been wrong makes me feel like the playoffs are nothing less than a success.
We all know that the playoffs were just another run at ratings. I mean that is what college football seems to be about. Case in point that there are dozens of pointless championship bowl games that no team really deserves to be in. With that said the semifinals which were played on new years eve set some records with their ratings. More than 28 million viewers tuned in to watch the games leaving the imprint that ESPN was looking for when they invested in the idea of a playoff system. The national title game could break those records as well. Adding onto the many successes that the playoffs have already shown.
Oregon managed to beat Florida state 59-20 thanks to five second half turnovers, all leading to points on the board for Oregon. The Ohio state Alabama game was a little closer but no less entertaining with a final score of 42-35. Marcus Mariota is the player to watch going into this game. The current Heisman winner for the Ducks has quacked up quite a few stats that bolster his resume as one of if not the best players in college football. Stacking up 55 total TDs with only 3 interceptions on the year is definitely a way to make a name for yourself. Ohio state is on their 3rd string QB but Cardale Jones has looked poised and has played efficiently in the past couple of games. Also with the help of his team, Ohio state definitely looks like a well oiled machine that has the speed and arm to match Oregons style of big or go home play.
The final score will come down to how well the defensive lines get pressure on the opposing QB. Although I have yet to see Mariota get flustered, since Oregons one defeat on the year against Arizona, that will and should be the point of emphases for the Buckeyes defense. I think Oregon will take the game but it should be a classic. Going with a final score of Oregon 45 Ohio 34. With Marcus Mariota leading the way for National title game MVP honors.
We all know that the playoffs were just another run at ratings. I mean that is what college football seems to be about. Case in point that there are dozens of pointless championship bowl games that no team really deserves to be in. With that said the semifinals which were played on new years eve set some records with their ratings. More than 28 million viewers tuned in to watch the games leaving the imprint that ESPN was looking for when they invested in the idea of a playoff system. The national title game could break those records as well. Adding onto the many successes that the playoffs have already shown.
Oregon managed to beat Florida state 59-20 thanks to five second half turnovers, all leading to points on the board for Oregon. The Ohio state Alabama game was a little closer but no less entertaining with a final score of 42-35. Marcus Mariota is the player to watch going into this game. The current Heisman winner for the Ducks has quacked up quite a few stats that bolster his resume as one of if not the best players in college football. Stacking up 55 total TDs with only 3 interceptions on the year is definitely a way to make a name for yourself. Ohio state is on their 3rd string QB but Cardale Jones has looked poised and has played efficiently in the past couple of games. Also with the help of his team, Ohio state definitely looks like a well oiled machine that has the speed and arm to match Oregons style of big or go home play.
The final score will come down to how well the defensive lines get pressure on the opposing QB. Although I have yet to see Mariota get flustered, since Oregons one defeat on the year against Arizona, that will and should be the point of emphases for the Buckeyes defense. I think Oregon will take the game but it should be a classic. Going with a final score of Oregon 45 Ohio 34. With Marcus Mariota leading the way for National title game MVP honors.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
To vote or not to vote!
Allstar weekend is coming up and if you love basketball and not Kobe Bryant then you might not like this time of year. All star weekend is about getting the best five players in each conference from, THAT YEAR, and plotting them against one another. The fans get to vote in the starting five which consists of two guards, and three front court players. While the coaches vote in another seven players, two more guards, three more front court players and two more players from any position. I think the part that has been lost in translation is the reason fans are voting. If I had it my way the starters would be voted on by their peers in the NBA while fans got to vote in the reserves, but we all know that won't happen!
I have my teams and I have my favorite players but I am willing to admit when I'm not going to vote in a player I like just because he plays for my team. All star weekend has been famous for snubs for the last five years or so because fans get to vote in the starters. Such examples like Yao Ming getting voted in for the 2011 game, after playing no more than five games that year, comes to mind. How about Kobe Bryant getting the same treatment last year after only playing a handful of games. Don't get me wrong when Kobe is healthy he's a threat from anywhere on the floor and when Yao Ming was healthy he seemed unstoppable unless 5'9 Nate Robinson was there to block his shot. But with all that said All star weekend is about the best players that season.
The idea has been tossed around about how the voting for all-star weekend should be dealt with but I personally don't see the NBA taking the privilege of naming favorite players to an all-star team away from the fans. Charles Barkley thinks fans shouldn't get to vote at all! Now I think thats a little too far but if ridiculous snubs keep happening like they have in recent history then something will need to change. If Steph Curry misses another all-star game while David Lee makes it then I might lose my mind. Luckily Steph Curry is leading guards in voting as of right now and looks like a shoe in for the starting PG position, but after him the votes get a little muddled. You have Kobe Bryant leading ahead of Harden, Paul, Rondo (who has no business being in this list), Thompson, Westbrook and Lillard. Most of those players with the exception of rondo are posting better stats in almost every category including having major rolls in their teams successes unlike the 12-25 Lakers. I mean at this rate just make Trevor Booker an all-star. I would pay to see that shot again and again. Plus it looks better than any shot Kobe has taken this season!
The idea has been tossed around about how the voting for all-star weekend should be dealt with but I personally don't see the NBA taking the privilege of naming favorite players to an all-star team away from the fans. Charles Barkley thinks fans shouldn't get to vote at all! Now I think thats a little too far but if ridiculous snubs keep happening like they have in recent history then something will need to change. If Steph Curry misses another all-star game while David Lee makes it then I might lose my mind. Luckily Steph Curry is leading guards in voting as of right now and looks like a shoe in for the starting PG position, but after him the votes get a little muddled. You have Kobe Bryant leading ahead of Harden, Paul, Rondo (who has no business being in this list), Thompson, Westbrook and Lillard. Most of those players with the exception of rondo are posting better stats in almost every category including having major rolls in their teams successes unlike the 12-25 Lakers. I mean at this rate just make Trevor Booker an all-star. I would pay to see that shot again and again. Plus it looks better than any shot Kobe has taken this season!
All in all I just want everyone to have the awareness to vote players that deserve it into the all-star game. If you truly think Kobe deserves it this year then more power to ya. But if you need a little convincing watch this and tell me Lillard doesn't deserve to play in the all star game. Lillard for all-star weekend! ( FYI Trailblazers are my favorite team).
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