Tretakoff Musings
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Big Tuna: The Drama Continues
The Bill Parcells soap opera continues this week, and not for the reasons you might expect. Sure, three coaches in the NFL have just been axed, and more are likely to follow, and normally when you hear about coaching opportunities, a huge shadow looms over each: Parcells (although the other Bill, Cowher, is starting to compete). The latest drama is on his success with the Miami Dolphins as the head of football operations. Turns out, his contract is unique in that if the owner sells the team, he can walk away, and be fully paid for his whole contract. So, the hand wringing begins: will he stay or won't he?
This is a guy who twice put his hall of fame election on hold by refusing to stay unretired and come out to restore respectability to a franchise, so who's to say he won't again? He's had the magic touch, both as a coach and an executive, for now five major NFL franchises. He brought the New York Giants two Superbowl rings. He brought the Patriots to a Superbowl. He brought the Jets to the AFC Championship. He restored a winning tradition in Dallas, and brought them back to the playoffs. And now, in Miami, he has completed a 1-season turnaround that is unheard of, going from worst team to the playoffs in a single season.
And yet, every one of those teams he brought success to lived with the drama of Parcells. He accepted the job with the Jets the day before he coached their arch-enemy,the Patriots, in the Superbowl...and let the media know. Think that was a distraction? He jilted the Buccaneers so many times in the 90's while with the Giants, they had to enlist in self-help programs. He flirted so blatantly with the Cowboys, it made reality TV look tame by comparison.
Y'know, I've actually accidentally become a Parcells observer. I attended Superbowl XXV, where Parcells won his Superbowl ring. I lived in New England in the early '90's, watching him take over the local Patriots and change them from a laughingstock to the building blocks of the dynasty they became. I watched him ressurect Vinny Testaverde with the Jets. And suffered horribly when he came to put his stamp on my beloved Cowboys. What he has accomplished in Miami, though, is truly amazing: taking over a historically bad team, hiring a first-time head coach (his line coach from the Cowboys), changing 2/3 of the team to "Parcells guys," and then just going and playing in one of the most competitive divisions in football (the Pats went 11-5, playing in the same division, and couldn't make the playoffs it was so tough), only to win it?
Most people eat crow in this situation. I may be heading for a Tuna sandwich.
So, saddle up and ride: we're in a for a long offseason of "what will he do?" Will Parcells grab the reigns of the legendary Silver and Black to finally return them to their commitment to excellence? Or will he stay in South Florida, to continue his ressurection? Or will he be the prodigal son, returning to the Big Apple to take over Gang Green?
Stay tuned...
The Bill Parcells soap opera continues this week, and not for the reasons you might expect. Sure, three coaches in the NFL have just been axed, and more are likely to follow, and normally when you hear about coaching opportunities, a huge shadow looms over each: Parcells (although the other Bill, Cowher, is starting to compete). The latest drama is on his success with the Miami Dolphins as the head of football operations. Turns out, his contract is unique in that if the owner sells the team, he can walk away, and be fully paid for his whole contract. So, the hand wringing begins: will he stay or won't he?This is a guy who twice put his hall of fame election on hold by refusing to stay unretired and come out to restore respectability to a franchise, so who's to say he won't again? He's had the magic touch, both as a coach and an executive, for now five major NFL franchises. He brought the New York Giants two Superbowl rings. He brought the Patriots to a Superbowl. He brought the Jets to the AFC Championship. He restored a winning tradition in Dallas, and brought them back to the playoffs. And now, in Miami, he has completed a 1-season turnaround that is unheard of, going from worst team to the playoffs in a single season.
And yet, every one of those teams he brought success to lived with the drama of Parcells. He accepted the job with the Jets the day before he coached their arch-enemy,the Patriots, in the Superbowl...and let the media know. Think that was a distraction? He jilted the Buccaneers so many times in the 90's while with the Giants, they had to enlist in self-help programs. He flirted so blatantly with the Cowboys, it made reality TV look tame by comparison.
Y'know, I've actually accidentally become a Parcells observer. I attended Superbowl XXV, where Parcells won his Superbowl ring. I lived in New England in the early '90's, watching him take over the local Patriots and change them from a laughingstock to the building blocks of the dynasty they became. I watched him ressurect Vinny Testaverde with the Jets. And suffered horribly when he came to put his stamp on my beloved Cowboys. What he has accomplished in Miami, though, is truly amazing: taking over a historically bad team, hiring a first-time head coach (his line coach from the Cowboys), changing 2/3 of the team to "Parcells guys," and then just going and playing in one of the most competitive divisions in football (the Pats went 11-5, playing in the same division, and couldn't make the playoffs it was so tough), only to win it?
Most people eat crow in this situation. I may be heading for a Tuna sandwich.
So, saddle up and ride: we're in a for a long offseason of "what will he do?" Will Parcells grab the reigns of the legendary Silver and Black to finally return them to their commitment to excellence? Or will he stay in South Florida, to continue his ressurection? Or will he be the prodigal son, returning to the Big Apple to take over Gang Green?
Stay tuned...
Labels: Dallas Cowboys, football, news, sports
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
NBA Championship Joy: courtesy of JetBlue
Tonight, the Boston Celtics won their 17th championship, after 22 years since the last time a banner was hoisted to the Garden rafters. And, for the first time in about 17 of those years, I actually watched it happen, and it's all thanks to JetBlue.
Let me explain. First, some history: I grew up in Boston. The Celtics were my first sports love. I had (and still have) no interest in baseball, so the Red Sox were worthless to me. The Bruins were fun, but only in person, and it was clear after Bobby Orr retired, there was hardly any joy in the game. The Patriots? Well, they were always bums (except for Steve Grogan), so not much joy there. But like so many sons, it was my father that brought me the joy of the first team to follow. He huddled around a 9" black and white TV, every game, screaming at the Celtics like a coach. As a young boy, he taught me what to look for, what to watch. In short, I was hooked.
Later, as a young man, I watched the great Larry Bird era start. As I grew, divine convergence occurred, and the Celtics general manager became a customer of mine. I gave him heads-up on the newest and greatest gadgets; he rewarded me with tickets. In three seasons, I lived two blocks from the venerable Garden, and saw maybe 10 games a month, thanks to this, many behind the Celtics bench. I was there for the classic "Pigeon Game," where the bird inexplicably landed at halfcourt, urging the team to victory. I saw Laimbeer and Parish tangle, and Rambis and McHale battle on the boards. I saw David Thirdkill, Conner Henry, and Bill Walton. And, in 1986, I saw what is arguably the greatest NBA team of all time dominate the season and win the Sweet 16th banner.
Over the next few years, the Big Three retired. Lenny Bias overdosed, Reggie Lewis had a heart attack, and Red Auerbach faded away. And the game changed: Michael Jordan created the individual highlight player and the team game went out of style. The game became a preening, thug-like mockery of itself. By the time Jordan won his last title, I was done with the NBA. And so it remained, for many years. I tried from time to time to get into it, but the game was simply not the same. I had moved on to my beloved Cowboys and football, and forgot all about the Celtics.
In the last month, I have been traveling quite a bit. I fly JetBlue whenever I can, for reasons I have blogged about repeatedly. About a month ago, I had a cross-country flight. I considered catching up on email, or firing up the iPhone for a video, but I flipped through JetBlue's DirecTV connection, and saw a Celtics playoff game was about to start. What the hell, I thought. After all, I had a 6+ hour flight; why not? I had heard the Celtics had imported a whole new team of all stars this season, so it might be interesting. I tuned in, and was pleasantly surprised: this was a team game again! Even better, the game had changed: big men were shooting three pointers; superstars were more interested in passing that highlight reel shots; rookies playing like veterans. It was a delight, and the game was close, as the Celtics won a Game 5 after an incredible deficit. I was hooked.
As the Finals began, I convinced myself that this was a JetBlue phenomenon. I knew, as the made-for-TV rematch of the Celtics and Lakers began, that the Celtics were destined for a loss. They were a new team, with a bad coach, and that they would quickly revert when faced with the modern day solo acts of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Word came that Game 1 was the Celtics', and I began to hope again. Game 2, I was transfixed: facing the largest playoff deficit in history, just as I flicked on the TV, the Celtics came back to win back to back in Boston. Could it be? Did I dare to hope?
Tonight's Game 6 win culminated the rediscovered love of basketball for me. After tonight's win, capping their championship, the babbling sideline reporter went to the emotional heart of the team, Kevin Garnett, and attempted to stick a microphone in his face. Instead of the usual blather about thanking his teammates, and the other team, he cried. He struggled to find the words. Finally, without warning, he raised up, spread his arms wide, and screamed an unbridled expression of satisfaction and joy. And I was brought to tears by a sport in a way I had not been for nearly two decades.
These were men who had all been superstars on teams that had never seen success, brought together in a last chance for greatness. They were warriors who played not for the shoe contracts, or the commercials, but for the game. They were men who all took a chance: they joined a team that was absolutely the league-worst last year, and all joined for a desperate grasp at greatness...and did just that.
So tonight, I smoke a celebratory Red Auerbach cigar, not for the Celtics, not for JetBlue, but for the rekindling of a joy I had long forgot...and for the players who reminded me that there is still greatness in competition, faith, teamwork, and joy. No, it's not the Big Three; no, the Garden is no longer standing; no, this is not always going to be the case. But for tonight, the Celtics have won a championship again...and won my basketball heart once again.
Tonight, the Boston Celtics won their 17th championship, after 22 years since the last time a banner was hoisted to the Garden rafters. And, for the first time in about 17 of those years, I actually watched it happen, and it's all thanks to JetBlue. Let me explain. First, some history: I grew up in Boston. The Celtics were my first sports love. I had (and still have) no interest in baseball, so the Red Sox were worthless to me. The Bruins were fun, but only in person, and it was clear after Bobby Orr retired, there was hardly any joy in the game. The Patriots? Well, they were always bums (except for Steve Grogan), so not much joy there. But like so many sons, it was my father that brought me the joy of the first team to follow. He huddled around a 9" black and white TV, every game, screaming at the Celtics like a coach. As a young boy, he taught me what to look for, what to watch. In short, I was hooked.
Later, as a young man, I watched the great Larry Bird era start. As I grew, divine convergence occurred, and the Celtics general manager became a customer of mine. I gave him heads-up on the newest and greatest gadgets; he rewarded me with tickets. In three seasons, I lived two blocks from the venerable Garden, and saw maybe 10 games a month, thanks to this, many behind the Celtics bench. I was there for the classic "Pigeon Game," where the bird inexplicably landed at halfcourt, urging the team to victory. I saw Laimbeer and Parish tangle, and Rambis and McHale battle on the boards. I saw David Thirdkill, Conner Henry, and Bill Walton. And, in 1986, I saw what is arguably the greatest NBA team of all time dominate the season and win the Sweet 16th banner.
Over the next few years, the Big Three retired. Lenny Bias overdosed, Reggie Lewis had a heart attack, and Red Auerbach faded away. And the game changed: Michael Jordan created the individual highlight player and the team game went out of style. The game became a preening, thug-like mockery of itself. By the time Jordan won his last title, I was done with the NBA. And so it remained, for many years. I tried from time to time to get into it, but the game was simply not the same. I had moved on to my beloved Cowboys and football, and forgot all about the Celtics.
In the last month, I have been traveling quite a bit. I fly JetBlue whenever I can, for reasons I have blogged about repeatedly. About a month ago, I had a cross-country flight. I considered catching up on email, or firing up the iPhone for a video, but I flipped through JetBlue's DirecTV connection, and saw a Celtics playoff game was about to start. What the hell, I thought. After all, I had a 6+ hour flight; why not? I had heard the Celtics had imported a whole new team of all stars this season, so it might be interesting. I tuned in, and was pleasantly surprised: this was a team game again! Even better, the game had changed: big men were shooting three pointers; superstars were more interested in passing that highlight reel shots; rookies playing like veterans. It was a delight, and the game was close, as the Celtics won a Game 5 after an incredible deficit. I was hooked.
As the Finals began, I convinced myself that this was a JetBlue phenomenon. I knew, as the made-for-TV rematch of the Celtics and Lakers began, that the Celtics were destined for a loss. They were a new team, with a bad coach, and that they would quickly revert when faced with the modern day solo acts of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Word came that Game 1 was the Celtics', and I began to hope again. Game 2, I was transfixed: facing the largest playoff deficit in history, just as I flicked on the TV, the Celtics came back to win back to back in Boston. Could it be? Did I dare to hope?
Tonight's Game 6 win culminated the rediscovered love of basketball for me. After tonight's win, capping their championship, the babbling sideline reporter went to the emotional heart of the team, Kevin Garnett, and attempted to stick a microphone in his face. Instead of the usual blather about thanking his teammates, and the other team, he cried. He struggled to find the words. Finally, without warning, he raised up, spread his arms wide, and screamed an unbridled expression of satisfaction and joy. And I was brought to tears by a sport in a way I had not been for nearly two decades. These were men who had all been superstars on teams that had never seen success, brought together in a last chance for greatness. They were warriors who played not for the shoe contracts, or the commercials, but for the game. They were men who all took a chance: they joined a team that was absolutely the league-worst last year, and all joined for a desperate grasp at greatness...and did just that.
So tonight, I smoke a celebratory Red Auerbach cigar, not for the Celtics, not for JetBlue, but for the rekindling of a joy I had long forgot...and for the players who reminded me that there is still greatness in competition, faith, teamwork, and joy. No, it's not the Big Three; no, the Garden is no longer standing; no, this is not always going to be the case. But for tonight, the Celtics have won a championship again...and won my basketball heart once again.
Labels: sports
Monday, March 03, 2008
Finally, A Sports Guy Rival
I have no idea who MJD is, but I gotta love his short takes on the NFL in the surprisingly funny Yahoo Sports Blog, Shutdown Corner. Some absolute gems:
- "I think the only appropriate conclusion to be drawn here is that Tom Brady, all season long, had been molesting Randy Moss. Nothing else make sense. The only way any receiver, let alone an elite one like Moss, would want to leave his current quarterback for Daunte Culpepper is if his current quarterback was touching him in inappropriate places."
- "And as soon as I hit "publish" on this post, the Browns signed Derek Anderson [you're a damn liar, Phil Savage]. Please disregard everything you've just read. You may still continue to enjoy the photo, though.)"
- "The only way I'd understand was if the Cowboys were afraid that Barber's body would break down early because of the punishing, skull-bashing, child-frightening, wild mongoose running style Barber uses."
High comedy indeed. ;-) Enjoy!
I have no idea who MJD is, but I gotta love his short takes on the NFL in the surprisingly funny Yahoo Sports Blog, Shutdown Corner. Some absolute gems:- "I think the only appropriate conclusion to be drawn here is that Tom Brady, all season long, had been molesting Randy Moss. Nothing else make sense. The only way any receiver, let alone an elite one like Moss, would want to leave his current quarterback for Daunte Culpepper is if his current quarterback was touching him in inappropriate places."
- "And as soon as I hit "publish" on this post, the Browns signed Derek Anderson [you're a damn liar, Phil Savage]. Please disregard everything you've just read. You may still continue to enjoy the photo, though.)"
- "The only way I'd understand was if the Cowboys were afraid that Barber's body would break down early because of the punishing, skull-bashing, child-frightening, wild mongoose running style Barber uses."
High comedy indeed. ;-) Enjoy!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Andre Tippett, Hall of Famer
I was surprised and pleased when watching the Patriots accept their sixth AFC Championship trophy two weeks ago that the presenters were none other than John "Hog" Hannah and Andre Tippett, two former Patriot stars of the 1980's. I've always been a football fan, and growing up in New England, was exposed as much to the Pats as possible, even though I always rooted for my Dallas Cowboys. See, back then the Patriots were an afterthought; in Boston, you had, in order:
- The Red Sox. This was not a team, it was a religion, based on tradition and misery. They crushed the souls of all who dared to root for them, but since it had happened every year for generations, it was practically required.
- The Celtics. Ah, a team I was lucky enough to see in its heyday, in a sport I actually played and loved to watch. The C's had dominated the sport for so long, they made the Yankees look like rookies in baseball. And the 1986 Celtics were the culmination of the greatest team, of any sport, of all time. This was a team that was so powerful, so dominant, so full of fire and heart, you instantly knew you were watching greatness.
- The Bruins. Boston's one of the great hockey towns, and, even though Bobby Orr had retired, and Ray Bourque and Brad Park were not quite there, the allure of the Boston Garden echoed with the excitement from the great 1970's Bruins teams.
And then there were the Patriots. They were the last major professional sports team to make Boston home, and, truth to tell, they weren't all that welcome. See, Boston fans had enough to watch back then that the Pats were never really embraced. Hell, even playing in hallowed Fenway Park wasn't enough to draw crowds to the Boston Patriots, so they headed to the hinterlands of Foxboro and changed their name to the New England Patriots, hoping to draw a larger fan base. Shafer Stadium, that cement and aluminum bench hole, was horrible: you had to drive 45 minutes out of civilization, then sit on the freezing metal, while the snow, wind, and bad food/beer worked you into a stupor, all to watch a bunch of bums get their heads handed to them by Marino and the Dolphins.
But, like this year in Boston sports, in 1985-6, something happened. The Celtics were at the peak of their greatness, battling the Lakers every year for the title. The Red Sox were one out away from Bill Buckner's knees from breaking the curse. The Bruins were handling the Canadiens like an expansion team. And, of all things, the Patriots started to win. Their players were, for a change, personalities. Steve Grogan, one of the gutsiest players I've ever seen, was in his quarterback sunset; the young Tony Eason, a first round pick, was slinging balls like a first-rounder should. Irving Fryar, when not catching knife wounds from his wife, was hauling in deep balls that would make Randy Moss smile. And the Pats had a real rarity: a white running back who could actually run, in Craig James, and even a great thrid down back, Mosi Tatupu (father of today's NFL'er, Lofa Tatupu).
But the soul of this team was the defense, and Andre Tippett led the way, with a challenge he placed with the team after an early season loss to the Browns. All class, and all performance, he helped those Pats get to their first Superbowl with grit, determination, and grace. They won a wild card berth to get them into the elusive playoffs, when no wild card team had ever gone to the Superbowl before. They grounded the Jets, and the fans started to notice. They ransacked the Raiders, and the excitement grew, with signs springing up in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. They Squished the Fish, crushing the Dolphins in the AFC Championship game, and New England started to get football fever. Andre Tippett was there the whole time, smiling gently, showing that fire in his eyes, as he laid out yet another quarterback, while Ronnie Lippett laid out the theatrics, and Nellie held the running backs in check. Fred Marion and Raymond Clayborn knocked down passes.
Alas, Andre and the Patriots were not rewarded with a Superbowl win on their first visit, as they fell to what was considered the most dominant NFL team ever, the 1985 Chicago Bears, in Superbowl XX; that dominance has finally been eclipsed by this year's undefeated Patriots team. But today, on the eve of an amazing sixth Superbowl appearance by the Patriots, and a possibility of a 4th championship in 7 years, Andre Tippett was surprisingly elected to the Hall of Fame. This is an organization that kept Art Monk out for a decade, only to finally correct it this ear, and John Madden out for a quarter century. Yet today, finally, one of those great Patriots who did all the hard work to make it easy for those crusty New Englanders to root for Brady, Belichick, and Bruschi, was recognized for the great champion he was, and is. Congratulations, Andre: you deserve it.
Good luck to the Pats tomorrow! As I felt in 1986 when the Celtics played the Knicks, or the Bruins squared off against the Rangers, and especially when I sat in upstate New York with my fellow Boston transplants watching the Red Sox among rabid Mets fans: please, Please, PLEASE...make New York lose. :-)
Sorry, Steff!
I was surprised and pleased when watching the Patriots accept their sixth AFC Championship trophy two weeks ago that the presenters were none other than John "Hog" Hannah and Andre Tippett, two former Patriot stars of the 1980's. I've always been a football fan, and growing up in New England, was exposed as much to the Pats as possible, even though I always rooted for my Dallas Cowboys. See, back then the Patriots were an afterthought; in Boston, you had, in order:- The Red Sox. This was not a team, it was a religion, based on tradition and misery. They crushed the souls of all who dared to root for them, but since it had happened every year for generations, it was practically required.
- The Celtics. Ah, a team I was lucky enough to see in its heyday, in a sport I actually played and loved to watch. The C's had dominated the sport for so long, they made the Yankees look like rookies in baseball. And the 1986 Celtics were the culmination of the greatest team, of any sport, of all time. This was a team that was so powerful, so dominant, so full of fire and heart, you instantly knew you were watching greatness.
- The Bruins. Boston's one of the great hockey towns, and, even though Bobby Orr had retired, and Ray Bourque and Brad Park were not quite there, the allure of the Boston Garden echoed with the excitement from the great 1970's Bruins teams.
And then there were the Patriots. They were the last major professional sports team to make Boston home, and, truth to tell, they weren't all that welcome. See, Boston fans had enough to watch back then that the Pats were never really embraced. Hell, even playing in hallowed Fenway Park wasn't enough to draw crowds to the Boston Patriots, so they headed to the hinterlands of Foxboro and changed their name to the New England Patriots, hoping to draw a larger fan base. Shafer Stadium, that cement and aluminum bench hole, was horrible: you had to drive 45 minutes out of civilization, then sit on the freezing metal, while the snow, wind, and bad food/beer worked you into a stupor, all to watch a bunch of bums get their heads handed to them by Marino and the Dolphins.
But, like this year in Boston sports, in 1985-6, something happened. The Celtics were at the peak of their greatness, battling the Lakers every year for the title. The Red Sox were one out away from Bill Buckner's knees from breaking the curse. The Bruins were handling the Canadiens like an expansion team. And, of all things, the Patriots started to win. Their players were, for a change, personalities. Steve Grogan, one of the gutsiest players I've ever seen, was in his quarterback sunset; the young Tony Eason, a first round pick, was slinging balls like a first-rounder should. Irving Fryar, when not catching knife wounds from his wife, was hauling in deep balls that would make Randy Moss smile. And the Pats had a real rarity: a white running back who could actually run, in Craig James, and even a great thrid down back, Mosi Tatupu (father of today's NFL'er, Lofa Tatupu).But the soul of this team was the defense, and Andre Tippett led the way, with a challenge he placed with the team after an early season loss to the Browns. All class, and all performance, he helped those Pats get to their first Superbowl with grit, determination, and grace. They won a wild card berth to get them into the elusive playoffs, when no wild card team had ever gone to the Superbowl before. They grounded the Jets, and the fans started to notice. They ransacked the Raiders, and the excitement grew, with signs springing up in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. They Squished the Fish, crushing the Dolphins in the AFC Championship game, and New England started to get football fever. Andre Tippett was there the whole time, smiling gently, showing that fire in his eyes, as he laid out yet another quarterback, while Ronnie Lippett laid out the theatrics, and Nellie held the running backs in check. Fred Marion and Raymond Clayborn knocked down passes. Alas, Andre and the Patriots were not rewarded with a Superbowl win on their first visit, as they fell to what was considered the most dominant NFL team ever, the 1985 Chicago Bears, in Superbowl XX; that dominance has finally been eclipsed by this year's undefeated Patriots team. But today, on the eve of an amazing sixth Superbowl appearance by the Patriots, and a possibility of a 4th championship in 7 years, Andre Tippett was surprisingly elected to the Hall of Fame. This is an organization that kept Art Monk out for a decade, only to finally correct it this ear, and John Madden out for a quarter century. Yet today, finally, one of those great Patriots who did all the hard work to make it easy for those crusty New Englanders to root for Brady, Belichick, and Bruschi, was recognized for the great champion he was, and is. Congratulations, Andre: you deserve it.
Good luck to the Pats tomorrow! As I felt in 1986 when the Celtics played the Knicks, or the Bruins squared off against the Rangers, and especially when I sat in upstate New York with my fellow Boston transplants watching the Red Sox among rabid Mets fans: please, Please, PLEASE...make New York lose. :-)
Sorry, Steff!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
The Image of America's Team
I have written several times about sports uniforms, and in particular, football uniforms. However, no one holds a candle to the UniWatch blog for the obsessive detail of this esoteric subject, but if you are the kind of person who wants to know what is up with the Redskins having a different helmet for home games, or why do some baseball teams wear vests, while others seem to have completely different outfits, UniWatch is for you.
Now, Paul Lukas, Mr. UniWatch himself, has turned his full attention on my beloved Cowboys, and the results are not pretty. From exposing the three shades of silver, as well as the two shades of blue, America's Team goes under the UniWatch microscope, warts and all. There are some fascinating tidbits, including the reason the Cowboys wear white at home (most teams wear colors at home), the strange alterations the Cowboys uniforms have uniquely had (tie down panels? wraparound collars?), and even the time the Cowboys altered their uniforms for the Bicentennial.
Even if you are not a 'Boys fan, it's a fascinating read, if only to see what OCD looks like in print. :-) I'll be rooting for them against Philly, mismatched silver and blues and all.
Now, Paul Lukas, Mr. UniWatch himself, has turned his full attention on my beloved Cowboys, and the results are not pretty. From exposing the three shades of silver, as well as the two shades of blue, America's Team goes under the UniWatch microscope, warts and all. There are some fascinating tidbits, including the reason the Cowboys wear white at home (most teams wear colors at home), the strange alterations the Cowboys uniforms have uniquely had (tie down panels? wraparound collars?), and even the time the Cowboys altered their uniforms for the Bicentennial. Even if you are not a 'Boys fan, it's a fascinating read, if only to see what OCD looks like in print. :-) I'll be rooting for them against Philly, mismatched silver and blues and all.
Labels: blogs, Dallas Cowboys, sports
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Hope...and professional football...Springs Eternal
Here we go again: a group of frustrated billionaires who are anxious to own a professional football team, propose to start a new league to challenge the NFL. Called the United Football League (the logo here is from an old defunct league), they think they have the tools and the talent to succeed where so many have failed before. And they actually might be right.
The New York Times had a much better article on this (you have to pay $5 to read it...sigh) that outlined the case. First, the head is Bill Hambrecht, one of the most successful investment firm heads to ever walk the financial halls. He also has the bruises to prove he knows what he is up against: he's a former part owner of the Oakland Invaders of the ill-fated USFL. His argument is that the NFL is not in most of the top 25 TV markets of the US: cities like Orlando, San Antonio, and yes, Los Angeles, have no pro football. Second, he cites great GM's and coaches who point out the last 25 players on an NFL team are interchangeable with the ones they cut. Third, he points to the success of players like Tom Brady, who was not a top draft pick and is obviously a star. Finally, he indicates that there are more than enough owners who have enough money to get involved without an expectation of immediate success: the league will bleed for years before gaining success.
He's hired well, with a CEO and a COO from the NBA. He has already attracted flashy top owners, like Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks). He has a unique approach: the league will own 30% of the team, the owner another 30%, and the remainder will be offered in a public stock offering, allowing the fans to own the team and be vested in their success. It's a sound plan, with good, smart business acumen. The question remains: will the product be good enough to attract the talent needed to make this a real threat? Only the AFL was ever successful, but it's model was similar enough to the UFL to make this new league's possibilities tantalizingly appealing. Stay tuned...
Here we go again: a group of frustrated billionaires who are anxious to own a professional football team, propose to start a new league to challenge the NFL. Called the United Football League (the logo here is from an old defunct league), they think they have the tools and the talent to succeed where so many have failed before. And they actually might be right.The New York Times had a much better article on this (you have to pay $5 to read it...sigh) that outlined the case. First, the head is Bill Hambrecht, one of the most successful investment firm heads to ever walk the financial halls. He also has the bruises to prove he knows what he is up against: he's a former part owner of the Oakland Invaders of the ill-fated USFL. His argument is that the NFL is not in most of the top 25 TV markets of the US: cities like Orlando, San Antonio, and yes, Los Angeles, have no pro football. Second, he cites great GM's and coaches who point out the last 25 players on an NFL team are interchangeable with the ones they cut. Third, he points to the success of players like Tom Brady, who was not a top draft pick and is obviously a star. Finally, he indicates that there are more than enough owners who have enough money to get involved without an expectation of immediate success: the league will bleed for years before gaining success.
He's hired well, with a CEO and a COO from the NBA. He has already attracted flashy top owners, like Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks). He has a unique approach: the league will own 30% of the team, the owner another 30%, and the remainder will be offered in a public stock offering, allowing the fans to own the team and be vested in their success. It's a sound plan, with good, smart business acumen. The question remains: will the product be good enough to attract the talent needed to make this a real threat? Only the AFL was ever successful, but it's model was similar enough to the UFL to make this new league's possibilities tantalizingly appealing. Stay tuned...
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Farewell to NFL Europe
After a decade and a half, the NFL has finally given up on its minor league, NFL Europe, and pulled the plug. What started out as a spring league for those die hard football fans who wanted to see genuine professional football had morphed into a late night, low quality product that even the NFL was ashamed to show on its own network. Thus, we bid a fond farewell to NFL Europe.
It started as the WLAF: World League of American Football. A strange combination of teams: half in North America in non-NFL cities like San Antonio (Go Riders!) and Montreal (Mean Machine!), with stalwarts of spring leagues (Birmingham, Orlando). The other half were in Europe: the London Monarchs, Frankfurt Galaxy, and Barcelona Dragons, for instance. Quality was good: supplemental NFL players, all trying to make teams, with quality coaches (Jack Bicknell, former Boston College head coach, and Doug Flutie's mentor, coached the Dragons), but it was so odd to have this spread out league, it never quite caught on.
After a couple of years, the NFL retooled, and made the league the World League, and headed to Europe only. There was a bit of fan base; the Monarchs continued to thrive, for instance. And the league started to pay dividends: Kurt Warner, 2 time NFL MVP, came out of the World League, as did Brad Johnson (starting QB for so many teams), as well as Mr. Clutch himself, Adam Vinitieri - he's only got 4, yes 4, Superbowl rings, as well as being the greatest clutch kicker of all time.
After a few more years, the league was shut and relaunched as NFL Europe. The NFL really tried this time: including local players on all teams, going to cities that were sports strongholds but alien to Americans (Hamburg? Cologne?). They invested in showing the games on their fledgling TV network, and even tried current and former NFL players as announcers. Still, the detached nature of it, as well as the clearly empty stadiums and their odd effect on the game made this league's future clear.
I've been a staunch proponent of a minor league for football; using a college for this is just bizarre to me, and a crapshoot. While the rise of Warner is frequently cited as a success story, the same could be said about the Arena League (which the NFL invested in and many NFL players own teams), where Warner played (Go Barnstormers!). It's clear there is a needs and a niche for this time of the year and this product; let's hope Arena Football can continue to fill it, as the last vestiges of NFL spring football fade into memory.
After a decade and a half, the NFL has finally given up on its minor league, NFL Europe, and pulled the plug. What started out as a spring league for those die hard football fans who wanted to see genuine professional football had morphed into a late night, low quality product that even the NFL was ashamed to show on its own network. Thus, we bid a fond farewell to NFL Europe.It started as the WLAF: World League of American Football. A strange combination of teams: half in North America in non-NFL cities like San Antonio (Go Riders!) and Montreal (Mean Machine!), with stalwarts of spring leagues (Birmingham, Orlando). The other half were in Europe: the London Monarchs, Frankfurt Galaxy, and Barcelona Dragons, for instance. Quality was good: supplemental NFL players, all trying to make teams, with quality coaches (Jack Bicknell, former Boston College head coach, and Doug Flutie's mentor, coached the Dragons), but it was so odd to have this spread out league, it never quite caught on.
After a couple of years, the NFL retooled, and made the league the World League, and headed to Europe only. There was a bit of fan base; the Monarchs continued to thrive, for instance. And the league started to pay dividends: Kurt Warner, 2 time NFL MVP, came out of the World League, as did Brad Johnson (starting QB for so many teams), as well as Mr. Clutch himself, Adam Vinitieri - he's only got 4, yes 4, Superbowl rings, as well as being the greatest clutch kicker of all time.After a few more years, the league was shut and relaunched as NFL Europe. The NFL really tried this time: including local players on all teams, going to cities that were sports strongholds but alien to Americans (Hamburg? Cologne?). They invested in showing the games on their fledgling TV network, and even tried current and former NFL players as announcers. Still, the detached nature of it, as well as the clearly empty stadiums and their odd effect on the game made this league's future clear.
I've been a staunch proponent of a minor league for football; using a college for this is just bizarre to me, and a crapshoot. While the rise of Warner is frequently cited as a success story, the same could be said about the Arena League (which the NFL invested in and many NFL players own teams), where Warner played (Go Barnstormers!). It's clear there is a needs and a niche for this time of the year and this product; let's hope Arena Football can continue to fill it, as the last vestiges of NFL spring football fade into memory.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Fantasy Sports comes to the Movies
It had to happen. Fantasy Sports is an ever-increasing popular obsession among sports fans, dating back to the Rotisserie Baseball that started in the 1980's. Constructed by bored sportswriters who were looking for ways to amuse themselves, they created a game where an individual player's stats gave him "points." You could assemble a team of players, and the points they earned for their individual achievements would be your total score. Soon, the concept spread from baseball, to football, to basketball...it's now a HUGE business, and, with the arrival of the Web, it became even easier to manage a league, trade, etc.
The problem? For non-sports fans, it's not only boring, it's aggravating. And, for fans of football (like me), who the heck cares about baseball, for instance? Many have tried to look at ways to make fantasy sports more universally appealing, but failed. Others, such as the Sports Guy, have made noble attempts to help, offering his legendary US Magazine Fantasy league for the Sports Gal. But nothing has really captured attention.
Until now.
Fantasy Moguls is open for business. EVERYONE loves the movies, and everyone is a critic. Now's your chance to prove you can run a major studio. Amazon just invested almost $1 million in this, to drive traffic to the IMDB. As Techcrunch had to say:
So, I'm throwing down the gauntlet. Although Lani will, most likely, clean our clock, there are still 6 other slots available in a league I have created. I am inviting readers of this blog to join. If you can't use the link for some reason, it's the Ultimate Mobile league (Lani named it). Yes, you have to sign up (it's free). Winner gets...well, I'm thinking either a bunch of movie tickets or Netflix rentals. You decide.
In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing who plays for 2nd place!
It had to happen. Fantasy Sports is an ever-increasing popular obsession among sports fans, dating back to the Rotisserie Baseball that started in the 1980's. Constructed by bored sportswriters who were looking for ways to amuse themselves, they created a game where an individual player's stats gave him "points." You could assemble a team of players, and the points they earned for their individual achievements would be your total score. Soon, the concept spread from baseball, to football, to basketball...it's now a HUGE business, and, with the arrival of the Web, it became even easier to manage a league, trade, etc.The problem? For non-sports fans, it's not only boring, it's aggravating. And, for fans of football (like me), who the heck cares about baseball, for instance? Many have tried to look at ways to make fantasy sports more universally appealing, but failed. Others, such as the Sports Guy, have made noble attempts to help, offering his legendary US Magazine Fantasy league for the Sports Gal. But nothing has really captured attention.
Until now.
Fantasy Moguls is open for business. EVERYONE loves the movies, and everyone is a critic. Now's your chance to prove you can run a major studio. Amazon just invested almost $1 million in this, to drive traffic to the IMDB. As Techcrunch had to say:You can draft movies and earn points based on how well they do at the box office, number of weeks in the top 5, per-theater average, and their IMDb review score (IMDb is Amazon.com owned). Traditional fantasy sports leagues allow you to draft players and earn points for how well they perform in games.
So, I'm throwing down the gauntlet. Although Lani will, most likely, clean our clock, there are still 6 other slots available in a league I have created. I am inviting readers of this blog to join. If you can't use the link for some reason, it's the Ultimate Mobile league (Lani named it). Yes, you have to sign up (it's free). Winner gets...well, I'm thinking either a bunch of movie tickets or Netflix rentals. You decide.
In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing who plays for 2nd place!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Speaking of Apple and Superbowl weekend...
While this year's Superbowl is not a major attraction for me (Colts vs. Bears? Yawn.), I am looking forward to the commercials. The buzz is that Apple has a special commercial planned this year, possibly Beatles-related, so that's will be the Easter egg I'm hunting for.
These commercials have become amazing, in their technical detail, their story, and their originality. For instance, I give you Michael Jordan, king of the commercial/sports pitchmen. Already a legend in basketball, sports, clothes, and commercials ("Gotta be the shoes" "Nothing but net"), Gatorade produced this stunning Superbowl commercial for his last major appearance, entitled simply 23 vs. 29:
Some commercials have used famous directors, of course, but never made it to the screen, even for the Superbowl. Take this absolutely brilliant Spike Jonze-directed Gap masterpiece:
However, this year's hype king is also the master of the Superbowl commercial. Let's not forget: it was Apple who brought the idea of the Superbowl commercial to the mainstream as a pop-culture icon, with the original, Ridley Scott's 1984. I leave you with the iconic genius of pop culture it is:
These commercials have become amazing, in their technical detail, their story, and their originality. For instance, I give you Michael Jordan, king of the commercial/sports pitchmen. Already a legend in basketball, sports, clothes, and commercials ("Gotta be the shoes" "Nothing but net"), Gatorade produced this stunning Superbowl commercial for his last major appearance, entitled simply 23 vs. 29:
Some commercials have used famous directors, of course, but never made it to the screen, even for the Superbowl. Take this absolutely brilliant Spike Jonze-directed Gap masterpiece:
However, this year's hype king is also the master of the Superbowl commercial. Let's not forget: it was Apple who brought the idea of the Superbowl commercial to the mainstream as a pop-culture icon, with the original, Ridley Scott's 1984. I leave you with the iconic genius of pop culture it is:
Monday, October 30, 2006
Farewell, Red
I grew up in Boston. As a kid, I watched my father glued to his black and white set, screaming at Havlicek and Bob McAdoo. I never liked the Red Sox (or baseball, for that matter); thought the Bruins were fine until Booby Orr and Brad Park retired, and, like most New Englanders, only cared about the Patriots when they were winning. But the Celtics? Man, my dad had me hooked.
As a younger man, I was lucky enough to see a lot of Celtics games with my dad, and, later on, I took him to a few, too. In my 20's, I got real lucky: Jan Volk, the GM of the Celtics, became one of my clients, and steered a few other Celtics folks my way. I met Parish, McHale, Ainge (no, not Bird). I was there the night the Celtics were down in a playoff game and suddenly, for no reason, a pigeon flew down from the Garden's rafters and settled at midcourt...and the other Bird came out and rallied the team back. I saw Dr. J. and Moses play Bird and McHale. I saw DJ's smile, Walton's creaky knees, and M.L. Carr's towel waving. I watched Laimbeer turn in astonishment at the ferocity of Amy's hatred of him. I sat courtside and high above the banners, and even enjoyed the rare pleasure on many a night of seeing the Celtics win, then walking through the North End home.
You know why I was able to love the Celtics so much?
Red Auerbach.
If you did not know, Red passed away this week, and there are lots of retrospectives. Mine is more personal. No, I did not know Red; I only met the man once, and he seemed to have the game passed him by, then. Of course, I was wrong, but underestimating Red is what people did. Yes, he brought racial issues to the forefront by insisting on equal treatment for black players...in Boston, of all places! He was also the primary killer of the ABA, a league I loved; today's NBA would not exist if not for the innovations of the ABA, and Red singlehandly choked it out of existence.
What Red remains is a symbol of growing up in Boston in the 1970's and 1980's. He was not the coach then, but he WAS the Celtics. He was always there, with the cigar, and he was always looking to make one more deal. He was a complete contradiction: a guy who loved the Celtics, and didn't seem to care much for Boston (he preferred Washington DC). And we all revered and loved him. When Len Bias was drafted, everyone was sure this was Red's great last deal he pulled off. When Len Bias died, there was as much concern if Red would recover as for Len's tragic death.
Point is, Red represented everything that made the Celtics beyond a team, beyond race, beyond sport, and so much more. It was Red's creation, and we were all lucky enough to see the show.
I don't watch basketball much these days; they simply don't play a team game like they did with the Celtics, Lakers, and Pistons of the 1980's. Michael Jordan changed it for everyone, and the world moved on. My Dad never stopped watching the Celtics, though: he still thinks "these kids have a hell of a lot of potential." And yes, he still sits, watching the TV, screaming at them for their latest foible.
Me, I think I'll leave the NBA with Red's memory. Thanks, Red, for making so many for me. From my father, to my wife, to my friends, to The Sports Guy, none of it was possible without Red.
I'll smoke one for you.
I grew up in Boston. As a kid, I watched my father glued to his black and white set, screaming at Havlicek and Bob McAdoo. I never liked the Red Sox (or baseball, for that matter); thought the Bruins were fine until Booby Orr and Brad Park retired, and, like most New Englanders, only cared about the Patriots when they were winning. But the Celtics? Man, my dad had me hooked. As a younger man, I was lucky enough to see a lot of Celtics games with my dad, and, later on, I took him to a few, too. In my 20's, I got real lucky: Jan Volk, the GM of the Celtics, became one of my clients, and steered a few other Celtics folks my way. I met Parish, McHale, Ainge (no, not Bird). I was there the night the Celtics were down in a playoff game and suddenly, for no reason, a pigeon flew down from the Garden's rafters and settled at midcourt...and the other Bird came out and rallied the team back. I saw Dr. J. and Moses play Bird and McHale. I saw DJ's smile, Walton's creaky knees, and M.L. Carr's towel waving. I watched Laimbeer turn in astonishment at the ferocity of Amy's hatred of him. I sat courtside and high above the banners, and even enjoyed the rare pleasure on many a night of seeing the Celtics win, then walking through the North End home.
You know why I was able to love the Celtics so much?
Red Auerbach.
If you did not know, Red passed away this week, and there are lots of retrospectives. Mine is more personal. No, I did not know Red; I only met the man once, and he seemed to have the game passed him by, then. Of course, I was wrong, but underestimating Red is what people did. Yes, he brought racial issues to the forefront by insisting on equal treatment for black players...in Boston, of all places! He was also the primary killer of the ABA, a league I loved; today's NBA would not exist if not for the innovations of the ABA, and Red singlehandly choked it out of existence.
What Red remains is a symbol of growing up in Boston in the 1970's and 1980's. He was not the coach then, but he WAS the Celtics. He was always there, with the cigar, and he was always looking to make one more deal. He was a complete contradiction: a guy who loved the Celtics, and didn't seem to care much for Boston (he preferred Washington DC). And we all revered and loved him. When Len Bias was drafted, everyone was sure this was Red's great last deal he pulled off. When Len Bias died, there was as much concern if Red would recover as for Len's tragic death.
Point is, Red represented everything that made the Celtics beyond a team, beyond race, beyond sport, and so much more. It was Red's creation, and we were all lucky enough to see the show.
I don't watch basketball much these days; they simply don't play a team game like they did with the Celtics, Lakers, and Pistons of the 1980's. Michael Jordan changed it for everyone, and the world moved on. My Dad never stopped watching the Celtics, though: he still thinks "these kids have a hell of a lot of potential." And yes, he still sits, watching the TV, screaming at them for their latest foible.
Me, I think I'll leave the NBA with Red's memory. Thanks, Red, for making so many for me. From my father, to my wife, to my friends, to The Sports Guy, none of it was possible without Red.
I'll smoke one for you.
Labels: sports
Monday, October 23, 2006
Onside kick failed
Well, so much for a Bears-like comeback. Still, I like the heart. More energy than I have seen from my 'Boys all year!
Labels: sports
...And there's the 3rd int.
Sigh. Live blogging my Cowboys. Anything is better than Bledsoe, but 3 int's is not a good way to start. Only a way up from here. :-)
Sigh. Live blogging my Cowboys. Anything is better than Bledsoe, but 3 int's is not a good way to start. Only a way up from here. :-)Labels: sports
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
A Uniform Look
No secret I'm a sports fan, especially football. One of the more interesting aspects of sports to me, however, is the uniforms. Think of the design, the attention to detail, then layer on the appeal to the crowd, and finally the creativity of the players. It's remarkable, when you think of it.
For instance, look at that picture to the right. Yes, it's LaDanian Tomlinson of the Chargers, one of the better running backs in the game. He's wearing the Chargers' "throwback" uniform, which is, to me, one of the best sports uniforms in football. The color? Powder blue, that just screams Southern California. The player's number is on the helmet, in a sleek retro font, again echoing the Chargers culture as a team that came of age in the late 60's/early '70's. Just perfect, compared to the Chargers' dramatic lighting bolt on a dark blue outfit that scream late 1980's with no pizzaz.
In baseball, think of how drab the uniforms were until the 1990's, when the teams started playing with bold colors they normally kept for spring training. Before that, there was just the Yankees' pinstripes...and everything else. I grew up watching the Boston Celtics, whose uniforms have never been the cutting edge of fashion, but in the decades they dominated (60's, 70's, 80's) they completely reflected the solid, team play and personality of the team. Contrast with the purple and gold of the Lakers and their "Showtime" style, and you had a great match.
Hockey, in the 90's, actually had some of the nicest innovations. The Washington Capitals, for instance, or the New York Rangers (with the Statue of Liberty head) were bold and innovative. And who outside of the fashion world even heard the word "teal" before the expansion teams of the 80's and 90's broke out with it? The Charlotte Hornets, the San Jose Sharks, and more.
Yes, this can also go horribly, horribly wrong. The Denver Nuggets in the 1980's, along with the Houston Astros, all made television viewers get up to adjust the color on their sets to see what was wrong. The San Diego Padres of the 80's were just WRONG. The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings only recently realized their uniforms went out of style in the 1950's and made changes in the last few years; the Los Angeles Clippers must have lost that memo. Hell, the dominant football team of the decade, the New England Patriots, went from Pat The Patriot to "jacquard" to their current version all within 10 years.
But look at what the right changes to a uniform can do for a team. The Arizona Cardinals, albeit losing a heartbreaker this week, look like a meaner team now; so do the Cincinatti Bengals. It worked for the Denver Broncos: they hadn't won a Superbowl in 4 tries until they changed to their current uniforms; they then won 2 straight. The Seattle Seahawks? A joke in the NFL, until they went to the Superbowl last year...with their new uniforms whose design and colors reflected both the Seattle area and their coach's personality. And is there any better example of change for a difference then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Before (shown left)...YIKES. After...Superbowl win.
The Miami Heat have about 5 different uniforms: sleeves, tanks, colors, and more. The Pistons and Spurs? One. All depends on your team. Can you imagine the Green Bay Packers changing? Sacrilege. Even the politically incorrect teams try to distract with uniform changes: the Washington Redskins tried going back to their old uniforms for home games to hide the Indian head on the side; the Cleveland Indians lost Chief Wahoo in favor of a more stylized approach.
Think I think about this a lot? I'm nothing, compared to this fellow, who's running blog is about all of the changes to uniforms, in all sports.
Point is, change for change's sake will never make a difference (see this year's Buffalo Bills or any of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays editions). But thinking it through can make a big difference to a team. And fans like me who like to watch the spectacle of the game. Hey, it is a show, after all!
No secret I'm a sports fan, especially football. One of the more interesting aspects of sports to me, however, is the uniforms. Think of the design, the attention to detail, then layer on the appeal to the crowd, and finally the creativity of the players. It's remarkable, when you think of it.For instance, look at that picture to the right. Yes, it's LaDanian Tomlinson of the Chargers, one of the better running backs in the game. He's wearing the Chargers' "throwback" uniform, which is, to me, one of the best sports uniforms in football. The color? Powder blue, that just screams Southern California. The player's number is on the helmet, in a sleek retro font, again echoing the Chargers culture as a team that came of age in the late 60's/early '70's. Just perfect, compared to the Chargers' dramatic lighting bolt on a dark blue outfit that scream late 1980's with no pizzaz.
In baseball, think of how drab the uniforms were until the 1990's, when the teams started playing with bold colors they normally kept for spring training. Before that, there was just the Yankees' pinstripes...and everything else. I grew up watching the Boston Celtics, whose uniforms have never been the cutting edge of fashion, but in the decades they dominated (60's, 70's, 80's) they completely reflected the solid, team play and personality of the team. Contrast with the purple and gold of the Lakers and their "Showtime" style, and you had a great match.
Hockey, in the 90's, actually had some of the nicest innovations. The Washington Capitals, for instance, or the New York Rangers (with the Statue of Liberty head) were bold and innovative. And who outside of the fashion world even heard the word "teal" before the expansion teams of the 80's and 90's broke out with it? The Charlotte Hornets, the San Jose Sharks, and more.
Yes, this can also go horribly, horribly wrong. The Denver Nuggets in the 1980's, along with the Houston Astros, all made television viewers get up to adjust the color on their sets to see what was wrong. The San Diego Padres of the 80's were just WRONG. The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings only recently realized their uniforms went out of style in the 1950's and made changes in the last few years; the Los Angeles Clippers must have lost that memo. Hell, the dominant football team of the decade, the New England Patriots, went from Pat The Patriot to "jacquard" to their current version all within 10 years.
But look at what the right changes to a uniform can do for a team. The Arizona Cardinals, albeit losing a heartbreaker this week, look like a meaner team now; so do the Cincinatti Bengals. It worked for the Denver Broncos: they hadn't won a Superbowl in 4 tries until they changed to their current uniforms; they then won 2 straight. The Seattle Seahawks? A joke in the NFL, until they went to the Superbowl last year...with their new uniforms whose design and colors reflected both the Seattle area and their coach's personality. And is there any better example of change for a difference then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Before (shown left)...YIKES. After...Superbowl win.The Miami Heat have about 5 different uniforms: sleeves, tanks, colors, and more. The Pistons and Spurs? One. All depends on your team. Can you imagine the Green Bay Packers changing? Sacrilege. Even the politically incorrect teams try to distract with uniform changes: the Washington Redskins tried going back to their old uniforms for home games to hide the Indian head on the side; the Cleveland Indians lost Chief Wahoo in favor of a more stylized approach.
Think I think about this a lot? I'm nothing, compared to this fellow, who's running blog is about all of the changes to uniforms, in all sports.
Point is, change for change's sake will never make a difference (see this year's Buffalo Bills or any of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays editions). But thinking it through can make a big difference to a team. And fans like me who like to watch the spectacle of the game. Hey, it is a show, after all!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The Madden Curse Continues
Yeah, I love Madden football, but the curse is a real thing: feature an athelete on the cover, and watch that player tank, be injured, or suffer the same season. Worse than the Sports Illustrated cover curse. Think I'm kidding? Here's the latest: it only took 3 weeks but the Madden curse strikes again this year after the Seahawks announced that Shaun Alexander is out indefinetly with a broken foot.
read more | digg story
Yeah, I love Madden football, but the curse is a real thing: feature an athelete on the cover, and watch that player tank, be injured, or suffer the same season. Worse than the Sports Illustrated cover curse. Think I'm kidding? Here's the latest: it only took 3 weeks but the Madden curse strikes again this year after the Seahawks announced that Shaun Alexander is out indefinetly with a broken foot.read more | digg story
Labels: sports
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Stephen Colbert and The Sports Guy
How did I ever miss this? Not only has The Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, acquisced to his wife (whom he calls "The Sports Gal") by making up for his complete inaccessibility in football season by having her pen part of his column (with no editing allowed), but he has also been making the rounds on his book. See, his book, Now I Can Die In Peace, about the Red Sox winning the World Series, is now in paperback, so he's out pimping it.
But even better...combining The Sports Guy and Stephen Colbert! Now that's video you have to see!
How did I ever miss this? Not only has The Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, acquisced to his wife (whom he calls "The Sports Gal") by making up for his complete inaccessibility in football season by having her pen part of his column (with no editing allowed), but he has also been making the rounds on his book. See, his book, Now I Can Die In Peace, about the Red Sox winning the World Series, is now in paperback, so he's out pimping it.
But even better...combining The Sports Guy and Stephen Colbert! Now that's video you have to see!
Labels: sports
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?
I know I am. It's been a loooong spring and summer. Technically, the season kicked off already, with the defending champion Steelers doing their best to defend their title.
Personally, I'm thinking...Dallas? ;-)
Check out this great Google Calendar of the 2006 schedule!
I know I am. It's been a loooong spring and summer. Technically, the season kicked off already, with the defending champion Steelers doing their best to defend their title. Personally, I'm thinking...Dallas? ;-)
Check out this great Google Calendar of the 2006 schedule!
Labels: sports
