Man Vs Sports...Movies

Any Given Sunday Review

2011-08-05T15:10:00.002-05:00

“On any given Sunday you're gonna win or you're gonna lose. The point is - can you win or lose like a man?

The point of this movie is to entertain both the average and rabid football fan. It certainly achieves that, but anyone looking for more may find disappointment equal to a Super Bowl losing football team.

The cast and crew of this movie reads like the roster of an All-Star game at the end of a sports season. There is no doubt the term “ensemble cast” is in full-effect here. With superstar names like Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, and Dennis Quaid being directed by Oliver Stone, one would expect a touchdown of a movie. The movie seems to settle for a field goal though.

The mass of recognizable actors gets in the way too many times. This movie’s concept would have made a phenomenal TV series, but trying to accomplish everything it intended in the two and half hour runtime is too bold an undertaking.

Too often in this movie we get underdeveloped characters. It isn’t to say the characters aren’t inspiring. Dennis Quaid’s scenes as the aging quarterback who has been hurt are good, but too many times we have questions about his character when he is quickly moved from the spotlight for another character.

The two best developed characters and best acted parts are Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx. Pacino plays the head coach of the Miami Sharks Tony D’Amato. The character is well written. We can see the wear and tear the football games have had on the coach. We can see his disgust with an owner who pressures him to win more. His lines are well written and superbly delivered. Few people can act this role like Pacino. In private D’Amato is a mess, he drinks and hires prostitutes as his only company, but in public he tries to stay strong.

The real treat is the development of Jamie Foxx’s character Willie Beamen. The focus paid attention to Beamen helps develop his character the most. We get to see his family life. He gives a passionate speech about why he was a third string quarterback. We see his transformation into a cocky and arrogant player who loses his team and his journey to retrieve their respect.

Football fans will enjoy the on-field action. The off the field interactions in the football facilities are excellent too. Pacino delivers a spine tingling and pride inducing speech rarely matched in cinema before the Sharks’ last big game. The lesser underdeveloped plotline where the young offensive coordinator, played by an equally young looking Aaron Eckhart, would have been a treat to see expanded.

The movie falls short in just the character development. It is a disappointment that so many good characters do not have their stories given the proper screen time. Superstar linebacker Shark Lavay, played appropriately by football great Lawrence Taylor, plays with a concussion in an attempt to earn his bonus check. Cameron Diaz’s character is obviously living in her father’s shadow, but we rarely hear how great her father was except for that the teams he owned won more games.

The movie is not ruined by the underdeveloped plotlines and characters, but sometimes you will be left wanting more from some of the more interesting characters. As a football movie with a behind the scenes look, the movie succeeds. As a movie hoping to show the range of emotions and duties people in a football organization deal with, well, let’s call that incomplete.

Vision Quest Review

2011-08-05T04:06:00.003-05:00

“My name's Louden, Louden Swain. Last week I turned 18. I wasn't ready for it. I haven't done anything yet. So I made this deal with myself. This is the year I make my mark.”

With those words we are delved into the small town life of Louden Swain. Louden is a high school wrestler, and the mark he speaks of is wrestling the unbeaten Brian Shute from rival Hoover High. The only problem is Louden is 190 pounds and Shute wrestles in the 168 pound weight class.

The story is as much about Louden as it is about what he hopes to achieve. His character is focused on getting to wrestle Shute. He is obsessive, even to an unhealthy level. Louden runs everywhere he goes. He eats 600 calories a day. All he talks about to friends and family is Shute.

Louden’s arrogance that he can achieve his goal causes friction in all facets of his life. His interaction with everyone is based around his goal to wrestle Shute. His friend Kuch is the third person to know his intentions, and the following day tells Louden wrestling Shute is his Vision Quest. And there is where the name of our movie comes into effect.

Some of the dialogue of the movie is wonky and forced. Louden’s proclamation that he plans to be a doctor in outer space seems like it was an outtake that missed a cut. The teenagers in the movie, even a young Forrest Whitaker, seem to curse just for the sake of cursing.

The dialogue may fail at times, but Louden does keep things interesting with each character he interacts. When he is with his co-worker Elmo the shift is usually on school and Louden’s doctor dreams. When he is with Kuch, Louden is always focused on Shute.

The important interaction is between Carla and Louden. It is clear from the start that young Louden is infatuated with Carla. He is chatty about her past, but stumbles for words when she is around wearing more revealing clothing. Louden’s infatuation with Carla slowly shifts his goals from wrestling. The feelings between Louden and Carla ultimately lead to tough decisions for each character. Sometimes the Carla- Louden scenes have some drag to them.

The shooting of this movie is better than expected for its low budget 80’s origin. There are plenty of varied shots of Louden running so that it doesn’t become a tiresome exercise. When Louden is working out for Shute, the lighting around him is well shot and matched. It seems he is almost spotlighted sometimes.

Then there is Shute. We hear all these things about hot nasty and monstrous he is, but we don’t see the man till almost exactly 30 minutes into the movie. This is the second best shot scene of the movie. Louden and Kuch walk into a football stadium to see the mountain of a man Shute carrying a giant log on his back as he walks stadium stairs. The legends seem almost true when the beast finally appears on screen.

The music in the movie is so typical of the eighties decade. It never trips over the on-screen offerings, but more than one occasion the music fits so right. John Waite’s “Change” is a gem in the movie that is probably not widely heard.

More often than once we hear Red Rider’s “Lunatic Fringe” creeps into the ears as Louden works out. The full effect of the song doesn’t hit till we see Louden warm up for his match with Shute. The intensity of the music combined with Louden’s preparation nearly rivals Rocky and “Gonna Fly Now.”

The movie may drag at some points, but the pay-off is worth the wait. As Elmo tells Louden in a emotional speech, it isn’t just six minutes on the mat, but what happens in those six minutes.

Well ladies a gentlemen the final 30 minutes is where it all happens for this movie.

Big Fan Review

2011-08-03T20:41:00.004-05:00

This movie starts and ends with Patton Oswalt.

It is tough to get past the staple of Oswalt as a comedian, but this movie tosses the preconceived notion out the window. Oswalt’s performance is such a far removed performance from anything he has done before, it shocks in how well he performed away from a purely comedic role.

Within the first fifteen minutes Oswalt has built a fantastic base of his character Paul Aufiero. Aufiero is a middle-aged night-time toll booth employee who lives with his mother and is obsessed with his favorite football team, the New York Giants.

He calls into a nighttime sports radio show almost nightly from his room. His room is adorned with Giants memorabilia, Giants bed sheets, and a poster of his favorite player Quantrell Bishop.

Aufiero’s child-like innocence and indifference to everything not football is the true heart of this character. He is always listening to his sports radio program. He and his friend Sal attend Giant games where they tailgate with other fans. They take their “seats” in the parking lot in front of a TV.

Aufiero is always fighting with his mother. His late night calls to the radio interrupt her sleep and she attacks most everything about Paul on a car ride back from a birthday party. She berates his lack of dating and said she notices his tissue balls and knows he has “had a cold” for fifteen years.

The movie showcases every aspect of Paul’s life in a dreary way. There never seems to be a real sign of sunshine. Paul rarely smiles when not with his Giants football team. The camera work is truly superb. There are plenty of close-ups of the disgruntled and disappointed Paul.

The conflict of the movie appears when Paul and his friend Sal happen upon Quantrell Bishop and follow him from Staten Island into Manhattan. Bishop and company make a stop in an unsavory neighborhood to buy drugs. The innocence of Paul is shown when he assumes Bishop might live there.

After following Bishop into a strip club, Paul and Sal observe the superstar from afar. Paul and Sal even ignore a dancer as they continue to observe Bishop.
Paul approaches his idol and a misunderstanding of Paul’s attempt at admiration leads to Bishop attacking the naïve fan.

Paul wakes up three days later from a coma in the hospital. The first thing he does is look to his friend Sal to see if the Giants won.
This is where Paul’s character really takes off.

Paul knows his testimony would put his favorite player behind bars and his team in a position where they wouldn’t be as competitive. He rebuffs Detective Velarde’s attempts to get Paul’s side of the story. He spends days lying around the house and at one point happens upon his Bishop jersey. The next scene is of Paul crying on his bed wearing his Bishop jersey.

He even calls into the sports show to defend Bishop. Paul also becomes furious when he learns his brother, a personal injury lawyer, is suing Bishop on Paul’s behalf. Paul is nearly in tears when he sees the case against Bishop has been dropped and the superstar will start Sunday.

As the movie concludes we see the best of Oswalt in his role. The well written part is performed to perfection and accomplishes the goal of showcasing how rabid fans can act. The finals scenes cement how far removed from reality Paul is and how much he truly loves his New York Giants.

Although I don’t share the same admiration for this movie as Paul does for the G-Men, it is safe to say I am a big fan of Oswalt and the story he tells in this movie.

Two for the Money Review

2011-08-02T21:05:00.004-05:00

Kenny Rodgers immortal song the gambler laments that those who wager need to “know when to hold them, and know when to fold them, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”

Don’t run or walk away from Two for the Money. This movie is a safe bet for entertainment.

The movie starts with a look into Brandon Lang, played by Matthew McConaughey, playing in a bowl game as a college football quarterback. He scrambles for a game winning touchdown while incurring a life changing injury.

The movie soon kicks into gear as our fallen football star is working in a 900 number center. This is a funny an interesting scene, because it would never occur to me that someone who looks like McConaughey is sitting at the end of a 900 number. One day the sports betting person no-shows and Lang is given his job.

Lang’s prowess as a gambling advice giver soon attracts the attention of New York big shot Walter Abrams, played by Al Pacino. Walter brings Lang to the Big Apple to have him work for his gambling advice business.

Lang’s first test is a rocky one. Walter sends his new protégé to Toni for a manicure. After hitting on Toni, played wonderfully by Rene Russo, it is revealed that Toni is Walter’s wife, and judges the character of each hire.

This is where the movie kicks into high gear. Walter continually evolves Lang from the ex-football playing Lang into the hot shot “Million Dollar Man” John Anthony. Much to the chagrin of the other handicappers, including a surprise appearance by Jeremy Piven playing a rival to McConaughey, Lang moves up.

The development of Lang’s character is beautifully crafted. He is still very much the ex-athlete who makes 900 number picks when he arrives to New York. There is a montage of Lang attempting to record his first call for Walter’s phone service that very much shows what Walter requires and how Lang gets to the next level.

The dynamic is ever-changing between the characters. Lang is Walter’s new play toy, then his most trusted confidant, and quickly becomes his cash cow as the suave John Anthony. Lang is slowly replaced by his bet winning alter ego.

The movie on the outside may be about sports gambling, but its heart is the relationships between the well acted roles. McConaughey is spot on as an ex-athlete and even scarier when he trades in his weights and athletic shorts for tailored suits and sports cars. Pacino plays the different levels of his characters with ease. It was clear he had fun playing this role as he seamlessly transitions from a frail recovering addict to a cut-throat business man and all back to caring father figure in mere moments.

The foil to these two is Russo. Her first scene is such a powerful one, in mere seconds her demeanor and poise extract all we need to know about McConaughey’s character.

The emotional pulls in this movie are the real winning bets. McConaughey’s line when Russo asks him if he gambles, “Well I did once, I wagered everything I had, and I lost,” flakes the levels away on the Lang character and we can see his heart on his sleeve.

Pacino’s character often shows his true colors, once when he attends a gamblers anonymous meeting and berates a fellow attendee and then as he is asked to leave passes out his handicapping advice business card.

The climax of the film shows some of the most powerful writing and delivery of lines. Lang’s rise to the top is fun to watch and even more heartbreaking as he falls from grace. Few movies with sports as a topic showcase the level of acting Pacino and McConaughey show without being cheesy.

This movie is such a sure bet to entertain; John Anthony would make it his pick of the decade.

Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot Review

2011-07-30T03:57:00.005-05:00

This is the true story, of eight basketball players, picked to play in an All-Star game, and have their lives taped.

Kidding aside, Gunnin’ is a fun documentary for the casual sports fan and a great find for anyone who follows basketball closely.

The documentary follows eight high school basketball stand-outs as they prepare for the Elite 24 basketball game which will be played at historic Rucker Park in New York. The strength of this documentary comes from the players. They are a solid foundation, and seem to have given the filmmakers a great deal to work with in filming.

The documentary starts out shaky. It starts out with the history of Rucker Park and how the Elite 24 game came into existence. The history lesson on the famous court and new venture is interesting, but drags a little bit. Then we get our introduction into our first player.

The introduction of the players on screen is phenomenal. Each player is introduced with his own trading card depicting him. Then when the highlights and introduction of the player begins, it appears on screen like the viewer is surfing the web. It is such a unique experience and is well used throughout the first half of the documentary.

The player introductions are unique and really well establish each player. Each player gets his due justice with where they live, introduction of their family lives, and their basketball highlights. The highlights are some of the best parts. Someone who closely follows high school basketball recognizes the grainy almost home-movie like videos. Each player has a unique feature about them, keeping them from running together.

Donte Greene spends some of his time chatting to the cameras from a barbershop. Jerryd Bayless talks about the lack of respect for Arizona athletes and shows off his yoga skills. Kevin Love and Kyle Singler show off their strong family lives, while Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings explain how family life drives them.

The players shine in the first half of the movie off the court, but they really shine in the second half. At the mid-way point, almost like an athlete preparing for game time, the movie shifts to a more serious note as the players get ready for the game.

The movie appears to stumble when they interrupt the game to talk about other facets of athletes’ lives. It appears to stumble, but then you realize what each interruption means. The short time spent on shoes, girls, and agents help further what these young men go through.

The amount of time put into the production of the actual game is phenomenal. There sometimes seem to be an unlimited amount of angles for each play. The way the game is portrayed it seems like the eight players followed are always on the court, even though that isn’t the case.

Michael Beasley really shines when he is spotlighted on the court. He is easily the most developed personality through the game. Earlier in the movie his mother characterizes him as a troublemaker, and we see just that when he tells Donte Greene “you ugly as [expletive] Dante.”

Though the documentary loses speed towards the end, much like a bad basketball blowout, it doesn’t ruin what the good will the documentary builds up. The addition of popular hip-hop and R&B to the soundtrack also assists in lending to the documentary’s credibility. The player’s portrayal as athletes is bold, but the film never lets us forget these superstars are teenagers.

2010 Baseball Predictions

2010-04-05T15:50:00.000-05:00

My predictions for this year

AL East
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox (Wild Card)
3. Rays
4. Orioles
5. Jays
I like the Yankees over the course of the entire season. The Red Sox lineup doesn’t scare me anymore. The Rays are young and could surprise people when they challenge for the second spot in the division. The Orioles and Jays just don’t have enough pieces to compete now.

AL Central
1. Tigers
2. White Sox
3. Twins
4. Royals
5. Indians
I like the Tigers offense and their ace Justin Verlander more than any other combo in the division. I am not sold on the White Sox holding it together. The Twins will have to adjust to a new park. The Royals should trade Zach Greinke now while he has value. The Indians young guys get much needed experience.

AL West
1. Angels
2. Rangers
3. Mariners
4. Athletics
The Angels have been there done that. The Rangers just don’t have the arms for it. The Mariners are overrated and I don’t think the addition of Cliff Lee will help. The Athletics are the biggest jokes in baseball right now.

NL West
1. Giants
2. Diamondbacks (Wild Card)
3. Rockies
4. Dodgers
5. Padres
I really liked the Giants last year and I am taking them and Tim “Bong Hit” Lincecum again. The Diamondbacks should surprise some people, maybe even challenge for the division. I think the Rockies will be in it too, but I am not sold on their pitching. The Dodgers are headed for a collapse. The Padres need to deal Bell and Gonzales now to get better later.

NL Central
1. Cardinals
2. Cubs
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Pirates
6. Astros
The Cardinals should run away with this division due to superior hitting and pitching. The Cubs can and should bounce back, but it wouldn’t shock me if they had another collapse. The Brewers have some suspect pitching but I like their core offense. The Reds should be nice this year on offense, the pitching is very bad though. The Pirates and the Astros should battle each other for the worst spot, but the Pirates sadly have better upside.

NL East
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Mets
4. Marlins
5. Nationals
It should be very easy for the Phillies to repeat. The Braves have second place locked up. The Mets don’t have the lineup to hit well in their park. The Marlins spent no money improving their team from last year. Stephen Strasburg aside, the Nationals still finish last.

The Playoffs
American League
Yankees over Angels
Tigers over Red Sox
Yankees over Tigers

National League
Giants over Phillies
Cards over Diamondbacks
Cardinals over Giants

World Series
Cardinals over Yankees

This March Not Unusually Mad

2010-03-20T05:01:00.000-05:00

After day one of this NCAA tournament the phrase I heard the most was “my bracket was busted.” Ohio took down a Georgetown team that wouldn’t have won a rec center basketball tournament. Media darling Richmond was trumped by St. Mary’s. Murray St. took down Vandy and Washington beat a favorite of mine the Marquette Golden Eagles.

Anything can happen in the first round (except a one seed losing) and the Ivy Leaguers took down another favorite of mine in Temple. This seems like one of the more Cinderella heavy fields right? This year is going to chalk one up for the little guys right? Not so fast people. Go look at your bracket, go on, I’ll wait.

Now tell me what you saw. If you looked hard enough you would notice that 19 of the 24 top teams still remain in the tournament. All of the one and two seeds are still alive. As many big numbers as you see in the second round, take note of all the smaller numbers. The upset heavy 12-5 match-up only produced one upset. Georgetown was the lone team seeded in the top 12 to fall. Cinderella has more than just three ugly sisters to deal with right now.

With the 11 of the top 12 seeds still in play, it will not be easy for Cinderella to take the prince home. After watching these games, it is clear there are chances to see lower seeds in the Sweet 16, I don’t doubt that. Cornell has the best shot at advancement for a lower seed because Wisconsin plays basketball like I eat a buffet, slow and sloppy.

As far as the other underdogs in the tourney, well I don’t expect any surprises. They don’t call it Madness for nothing though, so expect anything. These guys in the second round earned and played their way there so if someone comes out flat, expect to see the little guy take a big guy down to the wire. Good luck to everyone’s bracket.

The Most Unlucky People in the World of Sports

2010-03-17T13:46:00.000-05:00

Ron Washington

The Texas Rangers manager sometimes makes suspect moves, and is often criticized for “over-managing.” MLB managers stay up late at night analyzing hours of data to help make their decisions. Those nights must be long, because today a report came out that the manager had tested positive for cocaine use in 2009. Save the Josh Hamilton jokes please.

Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben has some awful troubling things to deal with. Rumors abound that the alleged victim urinated on the Superbowl winning quarterback. This makes the situation all the more sticky. This could allow for different explanations, such as why she fell down (Ben’s story) or why he assaulted her (her story) all of these alleged. Good thing Big Ben didn’t play for the Browns.

Everyone associated with the PGA not-named Tiger Woods

This one is an easy call. If you have to play against Tiger he is one of the greatest golfers ever and playing against him will not be fun. If you work for the public relations of the Masters, good luck with all the new interest from people like TMZ and National Enquirer in the world of golf.

Former NFL Superstars Who Are Past Their Prime

Terrell Owens, Brian Westbrook, Joey Porter, Kevin Mawae, and Darren Sharper are all still currently unemployed. At one point or another each of these guys were a top five player at their position. Mawae may be holding out for a starting job, and Darren Sharper just knee surgery which may provide his un-signed status. Tough for these former stars to still not be signed.

Darko Cohadarevic

The Texas Tech forward was punched in the junk last night by Seton Hall’s Herb Pope. Do I need to say more? Getting punched in your unit always ruins your day, and usually the next. Here is the video.

The Luckiest People in Sports

2010-03-17T06:23:00.000-05:00

In honor of St Patrick’s Day I figured I would put a little entry down on who the luckiest people in sports are today. I toast a green beer to these lucky people who reside in the world of sports.

Everyone associated with the PGA not-named Tiger Woods

Now people will finally pay attention to golf. Just look at the ratings if you don’t believe me. Golf scores higher and the average person watches if Tiger plays. Tiger announcing that he is returning at the Masters should have everyone else in golf praying in Amen Corner.

Julius Peppers

The uncapped NFL off-season has allowed the former Panthers defensive end to sign for big bucks. 91.5 million dollars with 42 million in guaranteed money. Far be it for me, the lowly Texans fan whose team passed on Peppers, to say he isn’t worth it. It seems like he may have had a lesser contract if the cap was active.

Jake Delhomme

It is a miracle that Delhomme has a job in the NFL, much less football. Then Mike Holmgren and the Cleveland Browns swoop in, guarantee 7 million dollars, and make him the only quarterback on the roster with any extensive NFL experience as a starter. I raise a glass of green beer to Mike Holmgren, but I have a feeling his Delhomme hangover will a rough experience.

Scottie Reynolds

The guards from Villanova and his teammates have had a rough go the past couple of weeks. Many people have lost faith in Nova and Reynolds. This allows for tourney mode Scottie to sneak under the radar and surprise some people. Reynolds could have left last year and made himself some money, he has the lucky chance to sneak under the radar (not mine though) and make himself some more money.

Baseball Fans

Baseball is almost like a booty call. Baseball is there from March to October. Baseball doesn’t want all of your attention. Baseball is ok with your stint with the NBA playoffs. Baseball is ok that you talk about how much you want that hottie College Football this fall. Baseball just wants you to drop by every now and then at night, and a few times during the day in the summer. Ahh Baseball, how I have missed you.

The Stoots Sunday Sports Sixer

2010-03-14T08:03:00.000-05:00

In a return to the blog world, I offer up a Sunday Sixer of topics to dwell upon.

The best dessert in sports, March Madness

March Madness is without a question the best post season in sports. People squeak in (see, University of Houston), Stumble in (Syracuse) and blaze a trail into the big dance (see Virginia, West). I think it is better to equate the NCAA Tournament to dessert at the end of a forgettable meal.

In a few weeks when some team (Not Kentucky, probably Kansas) cuts down the nets, people will reminisce about just how good the tournament was. Little mention of the regular season will be had. NCAA March Madness is the delicious end to a tasteless regular season.

Manny Pacquiao

He beat someone by decision. That sentence sums up what is wrong with boxing. Someone is not Mayweather and a decision is not a knockout. Boxing is avoiding the mega fights, and missing casual excitement. That is what is killing it.

No one goes to baseball games to watch bloop singles and bunts. No one goes to football games to watch three yards and a cloud of dust. No one goes to basketball games to watch pull up jumpers from 12 feet out. The casual fan doesn’t want the “sweet science” displayed over 12 rounds, they want the knockout.

MMA is popular because of the threat of it ending at any second. Tyson could KO anyone at anytime. Mayweather and Pacquiao can’t keep grinding out 12 round decisions against other guys. The mega-fight needs to happen for them, and for boxing.

Oregon Stars Can’t Duck the Law

The former Oregon Ducks quarterback pleaded guilty to second degree burglary on Friday. I say former because after being slapped with one year of probation and a whopping amount of community service, Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly suspended the QB for 2010.

In other Duck Defendant hearings, running back LaMichael James will miss at minimum one game after pleading guilty to misdemeanor physical assault. Oregon is now irrelevant in the Pac-10 football conference as their two best players will not be suited up in any of the 1,000 uniform combinations.

Somewhere Lane Kiffin is smiling (and recruiting illegally no doubt).

Cleveland Signs Jake Delhomme

Cleveland’s new anointed savior Mike Holmgren signed himself a new quarterback this past week. Well new in the sense that Delhomme is on a different team, because Delhomme is more beat up than Italian American’s images after Jersey Shore.

Rumors are that this may lead to Brady Quinn being traded and Delhomme starting. It looks like some team is in danger of adding a workout warrior to their QB depth chart, and no, workout warrior is not a compliment. Do either Delhomme or Quinn ever succeed in the NFL again?

Is Dirk Playing too much?

Dirk Nowitzki is the leader of the hottest team in the NBA, even with the loss to the Knicks. He is the key to the Mavericks success. I understand Dallas is in a playoff battle, but Dirk has only managed to be less than 36 minutes played twice since the All-Star break.

By no means am I saying that the Mavs should sacrifice trying to achieve the two or three seed, but Dirk will need fresh legs in the playoffs. There are no first round byes or gimmie games, especially when potential match-ups include the Spurs, Suns, and Thunder. Should Dirk’s minutes be monitored?

Value to Still Be Had in NFL Free Agency?

Two future hall of fame players are still free agents. Ladainian Tomlinson seems to have narrowed down his choices (options?) to the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings. Either place should allow him to share carries, catch passes, succeed, and play for a winner.

The flip side is after Cincinnati passed on him, Terrell Owens is a man without a team. I think he still has something left in the tank as a number two receiver, but the list of teams left on the market for him is short. I think that another stop in California is his destination. The 49ers, Chargers, and Raiders should each look into him.

The Masterpiece That is Tim Tebow, but is it a Comedy or a Tragedy?

2010-02-03T04:57:00.000-06:00

In case you live under a rock and haven’t heard, Tim Tebow had a tough week last week. Tebow, one of the greatest college football players ever, had a tough week of Senior Bowl activities. Throughout the week he struggled with snaps under center. He struggled with pocket presence and his slow throwing motion. During the actual game he fumbled and under-threw his receivers. The real question is how much does any of this matter in his NFL future?

Tebow was successful at Florida taking snaps out of the shotgun and using the same throwing motion that has been deemed “too slow” by scouts. The Senior Bowl allowed for his weaknesses to be on display on a much more scrutinized stage then before. Yes Tim Tebow has mechanical deficiencies, but do any of those things offset the fact he was successful?

The draft process has been transformed in recent years. Players are scrutinized to a whole new level now. The time between the end of college football and the end of April allow for every aspect of a player to be under the microscope. Percy Harvin’s questionable company allowed him to slide to the late part of the first round last year. Eye popping combine numbers moved Tyson Jackson and Darrius Heyward-Bey up draft boards. The real question here is why did Tebow expose himself in this way?

Tebow should have never been in Alabama for the Senior Bowl. Rather it was his pride or his advisor telling him to be there, it was a foolish decision. People like to point to Vince Young and hark on the fact that Vince had some of the same problems, there is a difference though. No one really knew if Vince would have problems with the basics on the next level. He stayed hidden. He only performed on his pro day, he skipped the combine. Tebow should have done the same.

Position Change??????

If Tebow can’t make it as a quarterback, why wouldn’t a team look to draft him for another position? That is an absurd statement. The first question is has this ever worked for a quarterback? Can someone tell me what Eric Crouch is doing these days? It is unbelievable people think that Tebow can just move to another position.
Tim Tebow isn’t very athletic. He doesn’t have top end speed of a running back so the best case scenario is a cloud of dust and three yards. Sure he is a big guy, maybe he can play fullback or tight end? I have never seen Tebow catch a pass and how can anyone be sure that a lifetime quarterback has the toughness and stamina to play such physical positions? Tebow is a quarterback, for better or worse.

Tim Tebow may have a great college career behind him, but the days in professional football are anything from clear. As the draft processes goes forward teams will get to analyze Tebow more. They will see him thrill on his college tape, fumble snaps and make bad throws, and most importantly they will talk to Tebow. As teams talk to Tebow he will pitch his image, his talent, and his future in professional football. Regardless of what commercial he is pitching, Tebow will be an expert in pitching his place in professional football.

The Two Teams Almost in The Superbowl are Drastically Different

2010-02-01T06:46:00.000-06:00

With the Superbowl a week away, taking a look at the two teams that came up just short is an important aspect. The way the two teams made it to the big game is an important aspect of the journey. How the Saints went from an undefeated team to a struggling team down the stretch, and how the Colts backed away from the allure of a perfect season is just as important as 17-30 and 28-31. Ok, I really just want to talk about Brett Favre.

The Vikings are in Up a Creek Without a Brett Favre

The Vikings had their chances to get to the big game. It was going to be Brett Favre’s swan song. He would ride off into the sunset with the last big game as a win, but it was not meant to be. Brett took the Vikings to a new level. His love for Sidney Rice transformed his receiver. He made Adrian Peterson irrelevant with his dazzling passing game, Childress didn’t need to call Adrian Peterson’s number, he had Favre.

The Vikings offensive line as a whole is on the decline. Bryant Mckinnie is a step slower at the left tackle spot and the right side is young. Peterson suffered from the lack of good offensive line play and the elevated amount of passing attempts. The addition of Favre led to one hundred more passing attempts between the 2008 and 2009 Vikings. There are certain players who need to have decisions made before too long.

Brett Favre needs to let the Vikings know as soon as possible. If the Vikings know early then the free agent and draft plan can be geared toward winning immediately. If Favre does take too long, the Vikings should look for value at quarterback in the draft and worry about future problems. Pat Williams should be encouraged to retire. A friend brought to my attention that the Vikings have two big fat run stoppers on the defensive line. Yes the Williams wall stops the run well, but they often don’t get great penetration, making the ends jobs tougher. A compliment to Kevin Williams, and not a copy, would make the Vikings line that much better.

The Jets are the Fat Girl who Lost Weight

Just a year removed from being a mediocre team who Brett Favre used, to being the new hottest thing in town. The Jets have made a seemingly good hire in Rex Ryan. Their franchise quarterback has embraced New York and showed signs of improvement. The running back situation seems to be clearing up with the emergence of Shonn Greene.

The Jets are not perfect. They aren’t the hottest girl in school, but they look good now. A young running game and quarterback is paired with one of the best offensive lines in football. The Jets record showed no change under the improvements, but a strong showing in the playoffs they had no business attending proved the Jets can be reckoned with. Rex Ryan has set lofty expectations for his team going forward.

The Jets need help on the outside of the offense and the defense. Revis island is more like Revis straight jacket. He can only lock down one receiver at a time. The rest of the secondary is far below average. The Jets will need to make a choice on Free-Agent to be Braylon Edwards and his unreliable hands. The Jets should lose Leon Washington to free agency, and should look to add depth at either corner or receiver in the draft. The Jets are on the upswing in a division on its way down.

Coming Up Later This Week

Thoughts on Tim Tebow
Overrated Sports Events
Superbowl Related Posts

The Clash of The Titans Headlines Championship Weekend

2010-01-23T04:54:00.000-06:00

Could the contrast between the two mascots of the NFC Championship be more drastically different? On one had we have the Saints from New Orleans. Saints are holy men, men without fault, small in stature and not warriors ready for fighting. The team opposing them are born warriors, massive men, men with no rules who rape pillage and plunder, Vikings.

Now it is a little less lop-sided and dramatic than that, but we have two teams doing battle on a football field. The Vikings come into the Superdome one week after dismantling the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints play host one week after keeping the Cardinals high powered offense in check. Neither team has the momentum in what will be the most interesting match-up of playoff weekend.

The Vikings nor the Saints finished the season on great highs, but both teams put those fears to rest last week. This week however there are different things to talk about. Percy Harvin and The Williams Tandem are both listed as questionable, as is last week’s breakout star Ray Edwards. There is no doubt that all these players will play, but will they be at 100 percent? No way.

Both Quarterbacks will need to have their heads on a swivel. The defenses will be bringing the heat. If either Brees or Favre are given more than a few seconds to survey the defense, this will be a high scoring game. What is emerging for both teams is will the key players on offense and defense show up on Sunday.

Big Match-Up of the Day

The Underperforming Superstars of Minnesota vs Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush exploded last week. He arrived on the scene. The question is where has he been all season? If a player with his gifts is well rested of course he can take advantage of a team that has played FIFTEEN straight weeks of football. The Cardinals defense was sub-par and tired, and a well rested Bush took advantage.

Bush touched the ball 144 times in the regular season including rushes, catches, and punt returns. As a frame of reference, Adrian Peterson, on rushes alone, had 163 touches by Minnesota’s bye week in the ninth week of the season. Apples to Oranges, yes I know, because Bush isn’t a feature back on a team that runs the ball, but the workload of a “Game Changer” like his Bush is significantly lower.

Speaking of Peterson he is the first underperforming superstar on the Vikings to be called out. Taking away Peterson’s two 100 yard games, which occurred against Cleveland and Detroit, his Yard Per Carry average drops from 4.4 to 3.5. Peterson would drop from sixth in the league to TWENTY-SIXTH if Detroit and Cleveland were removed from his stats. Adrian Peterson must come alive for the Vikings to have a chance to beat the Saints and even have thoughts about a Superbowl.

The next superstar is Jared Allen. I make no secrets in saying that Jared is one of my favorite players in the NFL. His personality outside of football is one of the biggest and his star shines bright. Although he has had is troubles, an unforgivable three DUI charges, he still brings one of the best personas in football. His impact can be skewered as well though. Allen gained 7.5 sacks against just the Packers in two games. In comparison though, in the other 14 games he was held to just 7 sacks including zero sack in games against the sub-par O-lines of Cleveland, Detroit, Seattle, St. Louis, Arizona, and Chicago.

I understand he often draws double teams and Peterson is usually playing against nine men in the box and runs behind a O-Line on the decline, but no excuses. Superstars earn that name, they are not simply given them. Peterson and Allen could go a long way in earning their money on Sunday if they were to make themselves present.

Advantage: Vikings

Bush is too irregular for me to select him as a tougher match-up. When Peterson and Allen are on, they are respectively in the top three at their positions.

Sleeper That Could Change the Game: Darren Sharper

Darren Sharper is here because he is the reason the Saints defense has been able to fly around. He is a great safety net and quick to the attack on running plays. He will be the best defensive back on the field on Sunday. Sharper recently played with Favre in Green Bay and no one seems to mention that he was wearing purple and gold for the Vikings last year. Those may not be tremendous advantages, but certainly Sharper will recognize some tendencies and mannerisms of his former teammates.

Prediction

This has been the hardest game for me to choose over the course of the playoffs. The Saints were early favorites, then the Vikings, then Saints, and back again. I can finally sit and rest on this prediction. The Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre will lose to the Saints. I do not believe that the Saints are the team of destiny, but I can’t overlook what they have going for them. I like Brees under pressure more than Favre despite the playoff experience (23 games 13 wins for Favre and 4 games 2 wins for Brees). I like the size of Saints receivers and I don’t think Minnesota’s defense will be able to keep up.

Saints 31-24

The Jets Snuck Into the Playoff Party, Will the Colts Kick Them Out?

2010-01-20T07:14:00.000-06:00

This upcoming weekend is the vestiges of what has been a great football season. This is the last weekend till September with multiple games, and tears well up in my eyes thinking about it, however if you go out, you should always go out with a bang. The NFL playoffs are sitting on some dynamite.

I always love seeing the top teams from throughout the season go deep in the playoffs. The Vikings, Colts, and Saints were three of the four best when the regular season ended. The Jets were the lone team to not be in the top four records of the league and to say that they snuck into this party would not be fair.

The Jets are the guy who shows up to your party and brings his own beer because your beer is for sissies. They like Miller High Life, not your Heineken and Amstel Light. The Jets are loud, fat, and obnoxious. New York bring their own brand of football that is unique compared to the three other teams left. The Jets can’t pass like the Saints, they can’t rely on the smartest guy in the stadium like the Colts, and they aren’t as talented on offense or defense as the Vikings, but they are in the AFC Championship game.

The Jets have going for them what the last four teams to play in a Super Bowl had going for them, extreme momentum. The Jets were the last team into the AFC. New York has a rookie quarterback and head coach. There are tons of things that should have had the Jets golfing by now, but they are still suiting up. The Jets are buying what their egos are selling, and that makes for a scary team.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have the best quarterback in the league right now going against the team with the biggest momentum in the playoffs. The Match-Ups in this game are clear.

Receivers on Indy Not Named Wayne vs Corners on New York Not Named Revis

As with any game that involves the Jets this season, Darrelle Revis is the focal point of the defense. The stats don’t need to be mentioned but the list of names Revis has shut down are among the best players who are paid to catch footballs. Revis will shut the star receiver down, that is a sure fact.

The one thing people like to overlook with the Revis effect is that the rest of the Jets defensive backs aren’t that good and can be exploited. In week two when Randy Moss was shutdown, then unknown Julian Edelman burned them for 98 yards in place of injured Wes Welker. Against the Patriots again in week eleven Wes Welker racked up 192 yards, while Moss was shadowed by Revis all day. Week sixteen Reggie Wayne was barely noticed, but Dallas Clark and Austin Collie combined for 10 catches and 151 yards.

Indy has a clear advantage here. Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, and Dallas Clark far out match the Jets players who aren’t Revis. Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson had a huge day against Revis, but I think Vincent’s size had something to say for that. A huge day is ahead for Clark and company, but not Wayne.

Advantage: Colts

Sleeper That Could Change the Game: Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai will need to be present to keep the Colts in this game. The Colts can win without a lot of time of possession, but keeping the ball out of the Jets hands could make them press on offense and force Mark Sanchez to fling the football. If Addai can help Peyton Manning extend the Colts offensive drives, he could indeed Change the Game.

Prediction

The Colts are outmatched in some areas, but the Jets are leaps and bounds away in some areas. Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the playoffs and it should show when the Jets start trying to confuse him. I have no doubt that Rex Ryan has great defensive schemes, but Peyton is the best reader of defenses in the league. Manning and his receivers will be too much, even if the Jets start flying around on defense.

Colts 27-17

Lane Kiffin is and has been California Dreaming

2010-01-13T23:03:00.000-06:00

I find it a little hypocritical that people are so upset with Lane Kiffin. He did what any person with the opportunity to follow their dream would have done. It may not have been the best way to achieve his dream job, but people make ruthless decisions each and every day.

Henry Ford sacrificed thousands of jobs when he implemented the assembly line. JFK had affairs. Barry Bonds took steroids. Kobe Bryant raped a woman.

The point I am trying to make is these people are not the most morally sound people in history, but they did what was necessary to become the best. Lane Kiffin is making some of the same sacrifices.

Kiffin would have been a hallowed figure in Tennessee sports history had he been able to turn the team around. If he had failed he simply returns to the coordinator position to try again another day. Tennessee is not an easy place to win in college football, but Kiffin was well on his way.

Despite the pending recruiting investigation, Kiffin knew that he could get players to Tennessee. Look at his track record on short work, he landed Bryce Brown the nation’s number one running back. He had the fans in Tennessee excited about football.

He went toe to toe with the giants of SEC football and didn’t back down. He lost to Florida by ten points and Alabama by two points. The second closest game Florida played and the closest game that National Champions Alabama played. Lane Kiffin had his over-matched team ready to play.

Does he have some shortcomings as a head coach? Sure. Don’t most first year coaches though? Kiffin shot his mouth off early in the year towards Urban Meyer shortly after his tenure as head coach began. Shouldn’t the little scrappy guy always go right at the biggest guy in the room?

Lane Kiffin has learned from the Tennessee job. He knows how far he can toe the line when recruiting players. He also has the best recruiter in the nation following him to USC in Ed Orgeron. He is also taking over the best job in college football, coaching the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, California.

The Trojans are not getting the next Pete Carroll. They are however getting an up-and coming coach and part, if not all, of his stellar coaching staff. This will be Kiffin’s second foray into being a head coach in college football. I would say he would be starting over, but he is going to USC. He is familiar with the program, prestige, and presentation required by the Trojans.

The Trojans will not win the college football national championship in Kiffin’s first year. His returning starting quarterback is still young, only a sophomore, and some of the best players on his team will be heading to the NFL. Monte Kiffin can scheme around defensive deficiencies till players come into their own. The offense will need help and that is where Kiffin will earn his money.

USC will lose its leading receiver, tight end, and top two running backs. Lane Kiffin’s job is by no means easy, but Pete Carroll doesn’t recruit low grade talent. There will be players ready to step up, and I have no doubt Kiffin will get the best out of these players.

College football head coaches have to look out for themselves, and that just is what Lane Kiffin has done. I can’t sit here and say that I would pass up my dream job. I don’t think anyone would pass up their dream, even at the expense of public perception. There is a good chance that you wouldn’t either.