* Not long ago the NFC was considered the better conference. Sure the AFC has dominated the Super Bowl over the last decade but most observers felt the NFC had more quality teams than the AFC. This is not the case this season. If you were making a Top 10 list of NFL teams other than the Giants and Falcons I don't see another NFC squad in the mix from a what have you done standpoint. Most preseason prognostications had Cowboys, Vikings, 49ers and Saints as division winners. Through week 7 only the Saints have a winning record but they have suffered losses to the Browns at home and the Cardinals on the road. The remaining teams are a combined 4-15. The NFC has only four teams with a winning percentage over .600 while the AFC features eight teams over the mark. The highest Net Point total in the NFC is 36 produced by the Falcons. In the AFC six teams have a total above the NFC high. The NFC still has some hope surely at some point the Saints and Vikings will begin to somewhat resemble the 2009 clubs but when will the turnaround begin? For the well being of the entire conference it better be soon.
* The fallout from the Vikings loss to the Packers on Sunday continues. As if throwing your QB under a steamroller in the postgame news conference wasn't enough. How about calling the officiating the worst you have ever witnessed. That little soundbite will cost Childress 35K. Childress has passed enough blame to go around but I have yet to hear him say some self evaluation may be in order. Adrian Peterson is the best player on the field about 95% of the time in any NFL game. So why is he removed on most 3rd down situations. No Peterson shouldn't be confused with Marshall Faulk with his pass catching abilities but he also isn't exactly Michael Turner. Besides it's not as if you are replacing him with a Darren Sproles type in Toby Gerhart. It's as if you have a 3rd down back because it's a requirement. Not only that but in the winding moments of Sunday's game as the Vikings were driving, Peterson was on the sideline for about 7 of the final 10 plays of the game. So Childress this isn't Pop Warner it's not required that Gerhart gets 15 touches per game you won't have any postgame parent conferences regarding playing time. It's about winning the game and your chances of that are at their best win Peterson is in the game.
* ESPN.com's Joe Shadd has reported that the NCAA, NFL and the NFLPA are in talks to toughen their stance on NCAA athletes who put into question their amateur status. Players such as Dez Bryant who were found guilty of NCAA violations, would not only lose their amateur status but after being drafted they would be subject to a lengthy suspension in their rookie season up to 8 games including pay. I still have to believe that this is far from becoming finalized. I have a feeling the NFLPA will not be fond of penalizing a client for something that was done on the amateur level. However if any rules can be created it would certainly assist in the ever growing occurrences. I still believe the best way to attack the issue would be to crack down on the agents. Impose high dollar fines and the loss of agent license for those who violate the rules as defined by the NCAA.
* The NBA season kicked off on Tuesday. As most of you know I am not a big supporter of the big round ball in general but especially the NBA. However even I have been intrigued by the Heat storyline and even went as far as tuning into TNT to watch it for myself. Each analyst has their opinion on how good the Heat will be. Some have suggested the 72 win mark is a realistic goal while others have projected for a 50 win season. I tend to think that basketball more than any other sport is won on talent and athletic ability more than chemistry or strategy. I could be dead wrong but that's my opinion. I do believe the Heat will get stronger as they become familiar with each other style but I do believe they have enough talent to win 80% of the time anyway.
* It's going to be really hard for Boise to impress enough people to make the title game. As I am typing this Boise State has a 15 point lead against La. Tech and I feel pretty confident they will win this game comfortably. However they likely aren't going to role by 50 and even if they do many will reflect on the first 40 minutes and see a team that honestly wasn't that impressive. Regardless of who you are there will be games throughout a season where you are struggling to execute. Unfortunately for Boise their struggles will occur to the likes of La Tech, Idaho or Utah State. If your Alabama or Auburn you can get a Hall Pass for a narrow win at Vanderbilt, fair or not that's just the way it goes. Now I have called for a Title game that features Boise State but in order for this to be true Boise will need to be one of only two undefeateds and no lower than 2 in both human polls and for that to be accomplished they have the least room for error in the country which makes their easy schedule not that easy. To bad they don't have a mathematical formula for that.
* Watched the new LeBron commercial for the first time. Got to say I really liked it. I felt the whole Decision special was a little over the top and I would have preferred for him to stay in Clevland but the backlash against James has been laughable. In one of those marketing related polls James was the 4th most popular athlete prior to the announcement. Afterwards he has dropped to 78th just below Ben Roethlisberger. Which should be a lesson to all you jocks out their. If you want to get your name in the headlines and become your sports most hated player you don't have to play Frat boy in the bathroom with a coed. Just shun a entire fanbase on national TV. That should do the trick.
* The World Series started yesterday and regardless of the outcome of game one I like the Giants to win the title. The offense isn't nearly as bad as people make it out to be and although Wilson and Lewis have pitched well this season both have had their moments. Tommy Hunter shouldn't be in a postseason rotation but that's a whole other story. The Giants depth of Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez can not only give you a quality outing but they all have the ability to shut you down. Assuming Sanchez can find the strikezone. Bumgarner certainly doesn't come without questions but facing Hunter the edge goes to the rookie. Offensively another role player will step up huge perhaps a Cody Ross, Freddy Sanchez or Edgar Renteria will play the role of Billy Hatcher and earn series MVP honors and provide a little needed spark to make the Giants offense good enough.
* Back to the Hunter comment. If you have Cliff Lee please explain why he wouldn't pitch three times in a series? I don't know what Lee's career marks are on three days rest nor do I care. I know that as long as Lee could stand on two feet and had B to C level stuff I would feel much better about my chances than going with Hunter. He is your ace for a reason and the only reason he was obtained was to push the Rangers over the top. He has carried you farther than you have ever been before it seems to me this is a scenario were three is better than two.
* Watched my first UFC/MMA event since the video taped Gracie matches that were on repeat at the Ward household back in the Gracie Bowl days. It seems as though much has changed. Certainly the fighters in this instance were much bigger. The crowd was filled and the excitement surrounding the event was that of a Heavyweight Boxing Match in Tyson's heyday. However unlike Boxing I just don't see MMA becoming mainstream. Yes I know the clothing line is big. Yes I know that viewership continues to grow but sooner rather than later the ceiling will be reached. The violent nature of the sport instantly alienates a large portion of society and a big part of this niche is corporate America. Agree with it or not but Corporate America often dictates the likes and dislikes of many of Americans. Therefore if corporate America will not embrace MMA then a large percentage of the public will follow suit. In the premier mathcup of Saturday's card the most identifiable person in the sport, Brock Lesnar, was sponsored by Jimmy John's. Not Subway, not Quizno's but Jimmy John's. Jimmy John's may provide you with a good quality sub but it shouldn't be a premier sponsor in a mainstream sport.
Spreadology Special Thursday Edition
After last weeks poor performance(1-4). I am anxiously awaiting to get back to work and what better way than to start the week of in a positive. NC State has improved greatly this season even earning a brief appearance in the Top 25. Florida State travels this week to Raleigh and since a early 2000's run that featured NC State winning 4 of 6 the Noles have won three straight by a average margin of 9 points per game. The Noles posted over 550 yards in this contest last year and much of the offense returns this season. However it's the Noles D who allowed over 500 in this contest last year that I expect to make two or three big plays down the stretch which will provide a double digit cushion and more than enough to cover the 4.
Pick: Florida State -4
7 comments:
I think you may want to check various factors involving sponsorship value, corporate assets and the deals themselves with the proprietaries before you make such comments... And I think you need to look at some of the NFL's corporate partners that they flaunt on their practice jerseys..Bottom line is, you don't kick a gift horse in the mouth and money is money no matter if it comes from fortune 500 company or a homeless man.. And those are fighter deals...UFC itself is sponsored by Bud Light, Harley Davidson, Xience Nutrition, etc...you were too busy checking out Brock's ass to see Jimmy John's and failed to noticed the banners all over the place and in the ring/octagon itself...
"However unlike Boxing I just don't see MMA becoming mainstream."
I would venture to say that MMA is more mainstream in American than boxing.
Can I get some numbers to back this up or am I way off base?
Jess
Also, noted that you have cracked to peer pressure by adding a MMA section to your blog.
Jesse,
You are correct it would seem in your statement that MMA is as big or bigger than boxing today. What I was reffering to and did a poor job of emphasising it was the golden ages of boxing. During the 70's and 80's boxing could have well been more popular than every other sport besides baseball. Boxings biggest problem today is the same thing that I feel also hurts MMA in that no fighter has the dominance of a Ali or Tyson. Therefore it's hard for the casual sportsfan to identify with any particular fighter when Championship so often change hands. In regards to the MMA posting. Anytime you can generate some buzz I say go for it and the MMA post by Gilbert are usually the only post people are passionate about.
Gilbert,
My issue isn't that UFC sales advertisement. What business doesn't maximize all income potential. I just found it funny that the most recognizable name in the sport could only generate Jimmy Johns as a sponsor. I would equate it to Jimmy Johsnson or Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving a car sponsored by Giovanni's. As far as the Corporate America comment. I was reffering to advertisement in association with everyday items. For example you can't buy a bag of chips these days that doesn't have a NFL advertisement or some football theme to it. Those LD Cakes you are so fond of. Cereal compnaies always sponsor or promote baseball, football and basketball. I just don't know if the day will ever come when MMA can be found on like items.
with all due respect Burt, Death Clutch is Brocks primary sponsor...You arent going to see NIke Reebok Addidas or michael Jordan logos on these guys, because in their world, They don't produce and manufacture the products that MMA guys use.. To people who are into MMA, the brands are recognizable..From that standpoint it makes way more sense to use sponsorship from companies who make shit you need for competition, than go around sporting a fucking Delta Air-lines or State Farm logo on you ass...and how much do you really know about Jimmy John's bottom line? And it's all fast food, why does it matter if it is not quiznos??? Besides, Subway sponsors the WWE, so it aint like that carries alot of integrity as a major sponsor....
I like Jimmy Johns
Had a blast Saturday
Disagree with you on MMA never being main stream. Already bigger than today's boxing and still growing. The FOX News of sports ESPN reports on UFC fights like they would any other major sport. With more exposure MMA will catch on with more people and could be just as big as NASCAR. I would argue that MMA is already bigger then the NHL, INDY racing, and horse racing.
I start getting Sundays off in November so color me on your couch.
I'm getting out the colored pencils as I write this.
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