March 5th is coming up as opening day for the non salary capped season. Will this be the undoing of football? Not likely. Sports fans are notoriously forgiving when it's convenient for them - just ask the Philadelphia Beagles. The changes will include dropping the maximum and minimum spending guidelines. This could be bad news for small market teams such as Jacksonville and Cinncinati if they aren't willing to spend the money.
The other big change is that players who used to be unrestricted free agents after four years become restricted free agents until their sixth season. Basically this means as a restricted free agent the player first receives a starting bid from his current team. He then has a limited time to shop himself around and collect offer sheets. The offer sheets tell what the salary offer is and what the team is willing to trade, usually draft picks, in exchange for the player. The current team then has a "first right of refusal," meaning they pay the higher amount but don't let the other team have him, or they agree to the offer sheet and the player walks away. All in all this change is slapping the restricted tag on 212 players who would have otherwise been restricted.
The constraint that I like is that the eight teams to make the divisional playoffs cannot add any free agents unless they lose them. It's one-in-one-out. And....it must be a relatively equal money deal. A punter can't leave as a free agent for minimum salary and be replaced with Julius Peppers. The rules are a little less stringent on the teams who didn't go to the championships, but they are still restrictive and that makes me glad. Who wants to see the same teams win year after year? (I, for one, look forward to seeing New Orleans become the .500 team they are again next year)
In the end, the younger players are getting jipped out of controlling their own destiny. Certainly teams with big ego owners will go after a few glitzy players just so they can see their faces on summer's monotonous 24 hour news. These acquisitions don't usually pan out anyway. (Sorry Jason Taylor) I'm sure if there's some way to take advantage of it Jerry Jones will try.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Can Mike Shanahan Save the Washington Redskins?
Never has the adage been more poignant that "money can't buy you love" than with the Washington Redskins. Though wealthy and well connected, the Redskins are neither respected nor powerful. ESPN jokes that the owner thinks he is assembling a fantasy football team, and it's almost so true as not to be funny.
Can Mike Shanahan save the Washington Redskins? Short answer: "yes" with an if; long answer "no" with a but. It won't be hard to improve on last season's dismal 4-12 record. The formula seems so simple. In a division with two teams who live and die by airing out the ball (Cowboys and Eagles) Mike Shanahan's coaching style seems a perfect countermeasure. Running the ball will keep time of possession away from the big armed quarterbacks. Shanahan has also been promoted to Vice President of Operations, which gives him control of personnel. If he can assemble a good defense - not Albert Haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall, and nine guys who don't play as a unit- then he can force the turnovers necessary for clock domination to create wins.
In the last five years Washington's best record has been a 10-6 finish in 2005. The Redskins shouldn't hope to finish any higher. They aren't Superbowl material because they can't build up the confidence to go on a "hot streak" and their wins seem coincidental at best. They have serious issues at quarterback. The best running teams in the league right now are going to a tandem back system and Clinton Portis simply isn't explosive enough to build a running team around. The defense collapsed in game after game this year and the secondary fell apart in a big way. These changes will take time to correct, and I'm talking years, not months.
That said, Washington's best chance for a playoff berth is this year. The newness of the superstar coach may elevate the players to play beyond themselves and create a little swagger. Dallas, Philadelphia, and the Giants are not infallible teams and a few strong defensive plays early in the games could certainly allow Washington to walk away with several wins.
I hope they capitalize on the opportunity to buoy themselves this year. For in the end this is still Washington and the emperor is wearing no clothes.
Can Mike Shanahan save the Washington Redskins? Short answer: "yes" with an if; long answer "no" with a but. It won't be hard to improve on last season's dismal 4-12 record. The formula seems so simple. In a division with two teams who live and die by airing out the ball (Cowboys and Eagles) Mike Shanahan's coaching style seems a perfect countermeasure. Running the ball will keep time of possession away from the big armed quarterbacks. Shanahan has also been promoted to Vice President of Operations, which gives him control of personnel. If he can assemble a good defense - not Albert Haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall, and nine guys who don't play as a unit- then he can force the turnovers necessary for clock domination to create wins.
In the last five years Washington's best record has been a 10-6 finish in 2005. The Redskins shouldn't hope to finish any higher. They aren't Superbowl material because they can't build up the confidence to go on a "hot streak" and their wins seem coincidental at best. They have serious issues at quarterback. The best running teams in the league right now are going to a tandem back system and Clinton Portis simply isn't explosive enough to build a running team around. The defense collapsed in game after game this year and the secondary fell apart in a big way. These changes will take time to correct, and I'm talking years, not months.
That said, Washington's best chance for a playoff berth is this year. The newness of the superstar coach may elevate the players to play beyond themselves and create a little swagger. Dallas, Philadelphia, and the Giants are not infallible teams and a few strong defensive plays early in the games could certainly allow Washington to walk away with several wins.
I hope they capitalize on the opportunity to buoy themselves this year. For in the end this is still Washington and the emperor is wearing no clothes.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Ups and Downs
I'd like to take a moment for self-reflection on the night of the Superbowl. The events of the 2009 season have caused several changes in my heart that I would like to address.
People I used to love and now can't stand:
1. Tony Dungy: Dungy preaches redemption in one breath and becomes a mouthy tv commentator in the next. Truthfully, what I don't like is that Dungy uses his ethos to elevate Michael Vick and make me seem un-Christian for saying he's a serial killer who deserves no second chance. (Actually it would be the 152nd chance if you want to count each murdered puppy as a chance) Dungy isn't Jesus and I'm right about Vick.
2. Troy Aikman: Aikman is not the least attractive of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. His allegiance, however, has made him blind to his duties as an announcer. I used to like Aikman as a nicer and more masculine foil to Joe Buck, but he doesn't seem to notice when the other team is playing in the game. If you just want to go to the games and cheer, buy a ticket, Troy.
3. Roger Goodell: Lifting Michael Vick's suspension early was in bad taste. His punishments are inconsistent and he's backed off of being the strong hand the league really needed to turn around.
People I used to hate and now like ok (Love is such a strong word)
1. Ray Lewis: I always thought he was scary and a bit evil. Then I watched the ESPN documentary "It's all about the U" and I realized this was merely the physical representation of that thing called "swagger." I also like that as a de facto coach Lewis seems to really care about his team.
2. Jon Gruden: I thought he was foul tempered and obnoxious as the coach of Tampa Bay. It's no coincidence that my softening toward him came on the wake of the probowl announcements when Gruden called Deangelo Williams "one of the best players he's ever seen." Gruden has also become a soft spoken, intelligent anchor of Monday Night Football. Lastly, Gruden's firing left Tampa Bay with a 3-13 record that could tickle any rival fan pink.
3. Bill Parcels: He has been silent during his tenure in Miami and brought in Tony Sparano, who has a ties-to-the-mob thing going on.
People I was always right about:
1. Steve Young - powered on the sound of his own voice, Steve Young is over caffeinated and overbearing.
People I was wrong about:
1. Unfortunately, Jason Campbell. I really wanted you to be good, sweetheart.
People I used to love and now can't stand:
1. Tony Dungy: Dungy preaches redemption in one breath and becomes a mouthy tv commentator in the next. Truthfully, what I don't like is that Dungy uses his ethos to elevate Michael Vick and make me seem un-Christian for saying he's a serial killer who deserves no second chance. (Actually it would be the 152nd chance if you want to count each murdered puppy as a chance) Dungy isn't Jesus and I'm right about Vick.
2. Troy Aikman: Aikman is not the least attractive of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. His allegiance, however, has made him blind to his duties as an announcer. I used to like Aikman as a nicer and more masculine foil to Joe Buck, but he doesn't seem to notice when the other team is playing in the game. If you just want to go to the games and cheer, buy a ticket, Troy.
3. Roger Goodell: Lifting Michael Vick's suspension early was in bad taste. His punishments are inconsistent and he's backed off of being the strong hand the league really needed to turn around.
People I used to hate and now like ok (Love is such a strong word)
1. Ray Lewis: I always thought he was scary and a bit evil. Then I watched the ESPN documentary "It's all about the U" and I realized this was merely the physical representation of that thing called "swagger." I also like that as a de facto coach Lewis seems to really care about his team.
2. Jon Gruden: I thought he was foul tempered and obnoxious as the coach of Tampa Bay. It's no coincidence that my softening toward him came on the wake of the probowl announcements when Gruden called Deangelo Williams "one of the best players he's ever seen." Gruden has also become a soft spoken, intelligent anchor of Monday Night Football. Lastly, Gruden's firing left Tampa Bay with a 3-13 record that could tickle any rival fan pink.
3. Bill Parcels: He has been silent during his tenure in Miami and brought in Tony Sparano, who has a ties-to-the-mob thing going on.
People I was always right about:
1. Steve Young - powered on the sound of his own voice, Steve Young is over caffeinated and overbearing.
People I was wrong about:
1. Unfortunately, Jason Campbell. I really wanted you to be good, sweetheart.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Adieu Joey Porter?
The blogosphere hive is swarming with the 99.9 % (according to the Florida Sun-Sentinel) chance that Joey Porter will be cut before the March 4th deadline. Is Miami in danger of losing the baddest, loudest mouth on the east coast since T.O. fell into the abyss that is Buffalo?
Now that several seasons have passed since Joey was a Steeler, the prevailing opinion is that Mike Tomlin cut him due to his attitude and not because of concerns about his injuries. He came to Miami to become an anchor to a team in desperate need of some attitude and spunk. Sometimes he was fun. Calling the Patriots cheaters and promising to decapitate Brady made football fun and gave the Fins much needed airtime. Sometimes it was humiliating....such as when he called out the Pats and then failed to register a single tackle all afternoon.
Mostly this past year he has just been silent. Blame the defensive scheme if you want, but Mr. Porter has been more of an honorary captain this year than a football player. He is angry about losing his double locker and locker room dominoes game. I'm sure Parcells is angry that Porter refused to come off the field on third down situations and had to be benched for making the team look foolish due to his aforementioned boasts in the direction of AFC rivals.
Porter is 33 and not really doing his job. As a captain, he presided over a defense with abyssmal records against tight ends and did not lend much support to a young and untested secondary. His refusal to come off the field cost Jason Taylor his chance at a great homecoming. So what's the debate?
The players love Joey. His fire and bravado have inspired them in times of uncertainty. Weak coaching in the past and the loss of confidence after a 1-16 season were supplemented by the strength and confidence of number 55. The fans love Joey. He is the big, mean, dangerous beast we are enthralled by as couch potato fans. Adding Joey to the equation gives it a heightened element of danger. Does Parcells think these intangibles are worth the 1.5 million dollar roster bonus he's due in March? Probably not.
Now that several seasons have passed since Joey was a Steeler, the prevailing opinion is that Mike Tomlin cut him due to his attitude and not because of concerns about his injuries. He came to Miami to become an anchor to a team in desperate need of some attitude and spunk. Sometimes he was fun. Calling the Patriots cheaters and promising to decapitate Brady made football fun and gave the Fins much needed airtime. Sometimes it was humiliating....such as when he called out the Pats and then failed to register a single tackle all afternoon.
Mostly this past year he has just been silent. Blame the defensive scheme if you want, but Mr. Porter has been more of an honorary captain this year than a football player. He is angry about losing his double locker and locker room dominoes game. I'm sure Parcells is angry that Porter refused to come off the field on third down situations and had to be benched for making the team look foolish due to his aforementioned boasts in the direction of AFC rivals.
Porter is 33 and not really doing his job. As a captain, he presided over a defense with abyssmal records against tight ends and did not lend much support to a young and untested secondary. His refusal to come off the field cost Jason Taylor his chance at a great homecoming. So what's the debate?
The players love Joey. His fire and bravado have inspired them in times of uncertainty. Weak coaching in the past and the loss of confidence after a 1-16 season were supplemented by the strength and confidence of number 55. The fans love Joey. He is the big, mean, dangerous beast we are enthralled by as couch potato fans. Adding Joey to the equation gives it a heightened element of danger. Does Parcells think these intangibles are worth the 1.5 million dollar roster bonus he's due in March? Probably not.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys
DGPCEN6AMT6N For most of my life it seemed as though the whole world were full of Dallas Cowboys fans. They multiplied like cells and formed tumors of swaggering navy blue cancer that could be seen from space. That all changed Sunday night at the Probowl. Though it was arguably a "home game" for the Miami Dolphins, represented by a kicker and a safety, fans were out in every color of the rainbow. When the delegates from the Dallas Cowboys came out the entire stadium erupted into thunderous boos. Granted, that may have been due to the predominance of Eagles and Steelers fans in the building - each person has the volume of five regular fans - but the enemy of my enemy is my friend and I will take what I can get. The night was rainy, the festivities were lackluster, and the beer price was jacked up three dollars....but seeing America's team booed by the rest of the country made me feel like a citizen again.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Are fantasy players technofiles or gambling addicts?
Fantasy sports have weathered the courtroom and lived to see another day. According to the North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology, the case of Humphrey v Viacom went to federal court in New Jersey to determine whether fantasy sports constitute gambling. The defendents sought to recover their entry fees as "gambling losses." The court ruled that participants paid an entry fee in exchange for goods and services and were therefore not recoverable as gambling losses.
Fantasy football began in 1962 when men associated with the Oakland Raiders were looking for something to pass the time on long road trips. It quickly spread to the bars in Oakland where it remained a localized phenomenon until it was picked up in the internet craze. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, between fifteen and eighteen million people had a fantasy team last year. The number of players increases roughly seven to ten percent each year.
This is the question I pose today: Are fantasy sports gambling? The criteria courts have used in the past to determine gambling is to apply a standard of whether the activity is "skilled" or "unskilled." (meaning is this truly a game of chance?) There is an argument to be made that research and time commitments are rewarded with a prize. I have also lost in a league to a ten year old who never changed his team and who lost interest half way through the draft. To fill his team, we gave him every fifth player on the list and he wiped the floor with us all season. Though people can lose or win money, they do not seem to view fantasy sports through the seedy lens of other forms of gambling. Is it less of a sin because it occurs through the "clean" medium of a laptop instead of through a bookie's soiled hands?
Fantasy football began in 1962 when men associated with the Oakland Raiders were looking for something to pass the time on long road trips. It quickly spread to the bars in Oakland where it remained a localized phenomenon until it was picked up in the internet craze. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, between fifteen and eighteen million people had a fantasy team last year. The number of players increases roughly seven to ten percent each year.
This is the question I pose today: Are fantasy sports gambling? The criteria courts have used in the past to determine gambling is to apply a standard of whether the activity is "skilled" or "unskilled." (meaning is this truly a game of chance?) There is an argument to be made that research and time commitments are rewarded with a prize. I have also lost in a league to a ten year old who never changed his team and who lost interest half way through the draft. To fill his team, we gave him every fifth player on the list and he wiped the floor with us all season. Though people can lose or win money, they do not seem to view fantasy sports through the seedy lens of other forms of gambling. Is it less of a sin because it occurs through the "clean" medium of a laptop instead of through a bookie's soiled hands?
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