Watch Out Dan Snyder, The NFL Wants To Penalize Offensive Names

The idea of referees penalizing a player or team 15 yards for the “N” word is stupid. And not for the reason you may think. Actually, there are several. But lets start with this one.

The rule is way to specific. It’s borderline offensive, in it’s own way, almost profiling or targeting certain individuals, or teams. People should be worried, including Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins and while we are at it how about any other professional sports team with a potentially offensive or derogatory name. This new rule is catering to a certain population and singling out a specific word. Yes, Roger Goodell will now be able to say, “look, we are taking action against politically incorrect and derogatory and offensive actions and words”. “We are a more carrying and inclusive organization”. But because of its specificity, it opens the door for future action against even more specific terms, and names. There is a reason behind all this as to why the rule is so specific and what ever it may be, whether it is to pressure others to change their team names or just more “PR” to avoid more law suites, it is just plain dumb and stupid.

Want another reason?

Here’s a hint Roger, you already have this rule. You just have to expand upon it a little bit. It’s called unsportsmanlike conduct. The ruling should include any offensive or derogatory word. If any such word is said, a 15 yard penalty will be made against the offending players team as unsportsmanlike conduct.

Yes, I did say ANY. And yes that is way to subjective. But don’t worry, it will not be abused in anyway, honestly. After all, it’s not like referees see or catch every hold or illegal hit that is made in plain sight in every game. They are not going to catch or hear every curse or derogatory word spoken. Instead, they will pick an opportune time to make up for a blown call they made, or missed, earlier in the game – just to even everything out – just like they do now.

Expanding the unsportsmanlike conduct rule would be the best of both worlds.   Roger would get the “PR” he desires by saying they expanded the ruling to “clean up” the game and protect people’s feelings while at the same time preserve the game, as much as possible, as it is currently played. This is how the ruling should be made and interpreted, but for some reason it will not be enacted as unsportsmanlike conduct. It will be enacted with a long term goal of catering to special interest groups and their lawyers. And that is a shame.

I Feel Sorry For Jim Caldwell And The Detroit Lions Fans

Seriously, here is a guy (Jim Caldwell) who has helped coach one of the best QB’s in all of NFL history (Peyton Manning); led the Colts to a Superbowl; and helped turn around a Baltimore season slipping away into another Superbowl appearance AND ultimate victory.

He has also led the Peytonless Colts to a dismal record immediately after going to the Superbowl AND coordinated the Superbowl Ravens to a less than average ranked offense and no playoff appearance.

The question Detroit Lions fans are asking is: which Jim Caldwell are we going to get?

And yet the answer to that question really does not matter.

He will be damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t – and in the case of many Detroit Lion fans; he is already damned before he does anything at all.

If he turns the Lions around and takes that team and organization to the next level, they will say “see I told you so – the QB is great” all his success will be because the talent was “already there”. Just like in Indy.

If he fails, they will say “see I told you so” he can’t lead. Just like in Indy.

But Caldwell now has the chance to do what many have failed to do in the past and that is not only take the Lions to a Superbowl but to take three different teams to the Superbowl.

To bad many Lions fans will never see, or realize, that Jim Caldwell had the talent all along.

Did The Internet Just Break Christmas?

Hundreds and possibly thousands of presents did not get delivered on time and did not get placed under the tree for friends, family and children to open on Christmas morning. This act, or lack there-of, potentially killed the spirit of giving, Christmas and not to mention Santa’s reputation.

Hundreds and possibly thousands of businesses lowered prices, advertised new deals, and promised last minute, just in time, delivery of what everybody wanted to buy for Christmas.

Hundreds and possibly thousands of people bought into this hype and helped enable this online Internet retail thing to break Christmas.

Of course the Internet was not the real culprit, people were – and still are. Greed, instant gratification, broken promises, lack of planning, lack of resources, and the easy click of a mouse button all contributed to the breaking of Christmas. The Internet was just the latest delivery mechanism.

In my real job, I work with technology – and people – every day. I understand how technology can and often does make things better for people and businesses alike. I also work and deal with the risks involved with using this technology. But the ironic thing is, I spend most of my time, not dealing with the technology, but with the people.

And that is what is really important, not the technology, not the money, but the people and the relationships we build together.

Eventually retailers, vendors, logistic companies, technology geeks such as myself, and consumers will figure out what went wrong, make improvements and enable the system to work even better to deliver even more, even faster and – hopefully – time.

But that has nothing to do with Christmas.

Time To Get Off The Total Drama Island

Why do I live in a NFL sports town that seems to crave, and even thrive on, drama? Honestly, sometimes I wish I lived in a more boring, yet equally, losing NFL market. OK, let me clarify that. A NFL team with a losing record market. The Washington Redskins are far from a losing franchise when it comes to NFL standards. They make more money than most every other franchise out there. Unfortunately, that is one of the problems with this franchise. As long as they continue to be financially successful, there is little reason to truly change.

Are all losing NFL teams drama queens?

Are there actually losing teams out there that somehow seem to avoid the drama?

Are there teams that crave normal life and interactions?

 

Lets take a look.

 

Minnesota Vikings: Record 3 – 9 – 1 :

A quick search finds the following news items and topicality:

• Talk about AP , his injury, and prospects for suiting up for this weeks game.
  • Oh wait, here is an article about shutting down AP to play it safe. Hmmm seems strangely familiar . . .
• Talk about Jared Allen’s future.
• Talk about Cordarrelle Patterson’s and not making rookie of the year prospects.
• And here is a really cool video about how AP sucks at giving presents this year.

 

Does it come with Miley Cyrus?

So, except for the shutting down for his own and franchise protection, everyone seems to be taking the season in stride and even making funny videos with each other instead of trash talking and saying they suck at passing or running or special teams or even coaching. I think I will put an asterisk next to them as a possible landing spot for enjoying more football with less drama.

 

But there are plenty more losing teams and markets to check out before I make a final decision.

 

Atlanta Falcons: Record 3 – 10 – 0 :

A Google search pulls up the expected articles about a team decimated by injuries and needing to rebuild their offensive line.

• There is also the added discussion threads about support or lack thereof for some of the coaching staff.
• Again, understandable but perhaps more of the same that I am looking to avoid.
• The one good thing about the Falcons is that they do have a better receiving corps, when healthy, and in fact could have a much brighter future than my dramaskins.

 

But we have in-laws that we would like to avoid at all costs so we can scratch Atlanta off the list.

 

Next up:

 

St. Louis Rams: Record 5 – 8 – 0

Just the fact that they have all the Redskins draft picks makes them a definite front runner in my book. But lets see what the news and video feeds have to say.

 

• There is considerable chatter about Rob Ryan not staying with the Rams and whether or not there are any hard feelings. – Stupid and slightly annoying but basically Boring…
• Considerable talk about the draft picks and how good that trade is suddenly looking. IF it did not remind me so much about my dreadskins, I might not think this a bad thing.

 

They seem to have some questionable drama with coaching decisions and all the Redskins draft picks (which in my mind could be a plus) so the Rams just might be worth considering.

 

Next. . .

 

Buffalo Bills: Record 4 – 9 – 0

• An article about Arthur Moats receiving the Ed Block Courage Award which is presented to the player who exemplifies professionalism, courage and good sportsmanship.
• Dan Carpenter is the most accurate single season kicker in Buffalo history and will be a free agent.
• They have a number of potential pro-bowl players on the team.
• They have a great relationship with the community and claim to have some of the best wings in the country.

 

That, and I tend to like almost anybody from NY, including my wife, puts an asterisk next to Da Bills.

 

Next:

 

Cleveland Browns: Record 4 – 9 – 0 :

• Sorry Cleveland. I know you have a storied history in the NFL but I’ve traveled there and nope. I can’t say I would want to live there.
• And don’t worry, your arch rivals Cincinnati isn’t any further up my cities I’d want to live in either. The one time I was in Cincinnati, we all went across the river to Kentucky to watch the races and have some great country and steak dinners.

 

Next:

 

Houston Oilers Texans: Record 2 – 11 – 0 :

A long time ago, in a job far far away, I almost moved to Houston.

In fact we traveled there . . .

picked out a house (which was totally awesome)

and missed our chance to be official Houstonites for life.

• They too are in the midst of a coaching and QB carousel. Apparently Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler are two popular topics in the rumor mill.
• Actually, toss any name – Pro or College – out there and chances are somebody in the Houston area is talking about it.
• This has drama written all over it.
• But my wife and I really do like the people of Texas and it is NOT Dallas so I’m actually leaving this on the short list.

 

Especially if that house is on the market.

 

Last but not least:

 

Oakland Raiders: Record 4 – 9 – 0 :

Props definitely go to the fans and the awesome garb they so prominently display.

• There are, as I imagine there always is, a plethora of Darren McFadden articles and articles about the QB situation. Now throw in a couple coaching discussions and I could feel right at home here.

 

So after discussing this with the family, the first question was why a losing team?

Why not move to a winning team, like the Chiefs, or Denver or New England or Seattle?

Well, I suppose Seattle could work, and possibly the Chiefs and I love the New England area, but simply routing for and or moving to a winning team is too easy.

 

I want a losing team where the fans and the media market are still nice and have a good – albeit resigned – attitude.

 

So after much discussion, we have come up with a short list of the best losing teams and markets to either move to or route for.

 

In no particular order:

 

• Minnesota Vikings
• Houston Texans
• Buffalo Bills

 

Honorary mention goes to:

• St. Louis Rams
• Oakland Raiders

It’s Time

It’s Time. It is time the Washington Redskins get a new owner.

An owner who is more “with it”.

More in touch with social media and the internet age.

Forget Bob Costas.  Roger Goodell and the Prez are on board for “change” and “doing what is right”.

And all Dan Snyder has to say is “NEVER”.

So, as much as I hate to say it, the time is now – for change.

And that change needs to start at the top.  With a new owner.

Someone who is adaptive, internet savvy, can control the empire and of course, knows how to make a buck or two.

A new owner could then change the name of the team.

Of course this change would be a huge event. So this new owner would also need to have connections with media to manage public perception. Perhaps a major news media organization like the Washington Post.

Wait!  Yes! That’s it !!!  Jeff Bezos (the new owner of the Washington Post) should buy the Washington Redskins!

He could do this!  Roger, are you listening?  Team up with Jeff and all your problems could be solved!

As a new owner, Jeff Bezos could change the name.

To  . . .

The Washington Amazons!

That wouldn’t be the least bit controversial now would it?

Being Tebowed

The urban dictionary defines being Tebowed as:

Losing suddenly, at the last possible moment, to an inferior – yet determined – force or team.

In light of recent developments both on and off the playing field, and in our own personal lives, I would like to add or change this to . . .

You do everything you should do (do the right thing , the best you can) in good faith . . .
and still get screwed.

 

And yes, we have been Tebowed.

Prior to this years football season we knew that the games were scheduled for Sundays.
We knew that our son had Sunday School Sunday afternoons at 4 pm.
The football league posted “potential” game time slots of 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm.
Of course we looked at this and thought 4:00 pm is no good.
So we asked the league how likely and how often the 4:00 pm time slot would be for any given team.
We were told that based on enrollement, that chances were that most if not all games would be at the 1st and 2nd time slots. In other words 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm.
So we though good. We can sign him up for football this year and still keep all our commitments and everyone will be happy.
Well, they did keep all the games scheduled for the first and second time slots.
EXCEPT . . .
They changed the times to 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm!
Guess which 2 of the local teams has 4 out of 6 games scheduled at the later time slot!!!
Guess which OTHER local team has only 2 of 6 games at the later time?
Yup, We’ve been Tebowed!!!
Arrrggg!!!

Bindermania

Bindermania has taken over the web.

By now, unless if you have been hiding under a rock (or a very large binder), you have all heard and seen the viral memes, tweets,  and postings regarding Binders Full of Women Mitt Romney has made popular from the debate.

Frankly, when I heard it, I thought it was awkward, but I knew what he meant.

Mitt, like me, is part of the pre-internet generation and time period he was talking about was from 2003.  That’s before Twitter; before Facebook; before the iPad; heck, even before most highly commercialized smartphones.

In other words, a long time ago.

They used binders back then.

All of this is because of an unfortunate mix of words and terms that have changed over the years.

Of course when I first heard about the viral memes and such the first two I thought of were . . .

and

Then I got into thinking about what would have happened if some other famous books and movies had not had the good fortune of having the right words chosen.

So here is a quick list that I came up with.  Knowing the internet, I’m sure some are not original but hey, it is my blog and my imagination and you can always comment some other classics for everyone to read, watch and listen to if you feel so inclined.

 

A Hitchhiker’s Binder To The Galaxy

 

Lord of the Binders

 

Binder of a Wimpy Kid

Until next time:

Be Good, Do Well, Have Fun.

 

Why I Don’t Coach Youth Football

Perhaps you have seen it; fights between coaches, kids and or parents in youth football.  Recently a video out of Sacramento shows just such an incident.  It is shocking and has no place in youth football.

For those of you who think this is an isolated incident, you are wrong.

We had a similar thing happen in our county Youth Football League.

A couple games ago the team we were playing had certain players practicing dirty tactics. Things such as horse collar tackles, helmet grabs, stepping on our players as they were getting up from the pile, illegal blocks etc etc. I mention the illegal play because the crappy high school kids the league commissioners hired to officiate were not calling the penalties.

I will mention here that the team we were playing was one of the favored teams. By that I mean teams are supposed to be set up by school district. If your son goes to a certain school, he is assigned to a particular team. Well, let me just say politics are alive and well in our county league and the better kids are assigned to coaches who are buddy buddy with the commissioners regardless of school district.

Let me also mention that one of our coaches is a bit of . . . well let me just say he is highly emotional.

I have never heard him verbally abuse any of the kids nor any of the obnoxious parents who sometimes attend the games, but he is . . . highly vocal and emotional.

Well, after about a quarter of “dirty play” and “bad officiating” he went off on the other teams coach and head official. Words were said and apparently these words escalated into shoving. I did not witness the shoving part but I did see the results.

Apparently the opposing team head coach in an attempt to shut our coach up said something to the effect “N$#! (our coach is African American) I’ve got something in my truck that will take care of you” – “so you better shut the $#!@ up”. Well upon hearing this our coach went ballistic and went to his truck to get a baseball bat. Yes, I know, bad decision but as I said tempers were hot.

If it had been me, I probably would have tried to say something snarky to diffuse the situation like “leave your mother out of this”. Which in hind sight probably would not have worked any better. But it is for reasons and people like this that I do not coach.

I do not tolerate fools well.

But wait, it gets better.

Right about the time he grabbed the bat, the police showed up. They arrested our coach for disorderly conduct and other various charges.

The other coach was not arrested or charged with anything.

Our coach was suspended for the remainder of the year.

The other coach was suspended one game.

And to add insult to injury, I found out a day or two later, the league commissioners sent an email to our other coaches to “get our team in line”.

No such email was sent to the other team.

Despite all this, I still support Youth Football.

I support our coaches. I would not have my son playing if the coaches he had were not great coaches.

They teach the game as it should be played.

They (except the one arrested) handled this adversity and difficult situation with calm, cool confidence and demeanor.

It is just a shame that others could not be held to the same high standards.

If taught correctly, with good leaders, parents and role models, there are so many good life lessons that can come out of football.

It is a shame foolish egos, tempers, personalities and politics get in the way.

 

Give Them An Inch, They Take A Mile

The basic definition of the saying “give and inch and take a mile” is:

a situation where permitting some small undesirable situation will allow gradual and unavoidable worsening.

This is exactly what has happened to the NFL, the game of football, and the whole replacement referee fiasco we currently witness every Sunday.

In their never ending desire for greed and power, the NFL has inadvertently opened the flood gates of chaos.

By not coming to an agreement with the Real Referees of the NFL, the NFL itself has changed the game with installing the replacement referees.

My best analogy is to this is substitute teachers.   Think about it, you have a regular authority figure , the teacher, who controls the class, sets the example and lays down the law every day.  If the teacher is any good, the kids know who is in charge and what is expected.   Sure, you are going to have the one or two trouble makers who will always try to push the boundary but they are not the majority and they are not usually successful in their efforts to permanently disrupt the class room world.  In essence there is controlled and well organized chaos.

Then one day, the regular teacher gets sick and suddenly there is a substitute.   Suddenly the whole class is faced with a new person who is unfamiliar with the ground rules, does not have the full curriculum for others to follow, and in short – opens the door of opportunity.  More kids “test” the boundaries of play and behavior, and if they get away with even the littlest of infractions, others join in and soon you have completely changed the whole dynamic and behavior of the class room world.

This is what has happened in the NFL.

The game is slowly getting out of control.

In a way, this is a perfect antithesis or perfect storm to the leagues recent efforts to “civilize” the game.

While watching the games, part of me enjoys the heightened intensity of the play and increased trash talking that has taken place.  Football is by nature a physical and violent sport filled with intense competition.  Players have always played and talked up their “game”.  But, just like with kids and substitute teachers, when a couple get away with things that normally would not be allowed, then others join in, and even escalate, and soon we no longer have controlled chaos.

In other words, give them an inch, they take a mile.

I don’t blame the Refs.

I don’t blame the players, or even the coaches – although they could and should play the role models themselves by instilling discipline in the heads of their players (AKA are you listening to this Mr. Josh Morgan? Mr. Fisher?  Mr. Shanahan?)

I blame the NFL and Roger Goodell.

Some say for real change to occur, something drastic, dramatic or life threatening has to happen.

I hope, in the case of the replacement referees, the referee union, and the NFL; that this does not happen.  If allowed to escalate, somebody could get seriously hurt or entire outcomes of championship games will be altered and fans just might push the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

What I am hoping comes out of all this is real change.

• An added talent pool of referees (male and female) to officiate the game.
• A moderation of extreme play and extreme whistle blowing.
• And at least a semblance of good old fashioned football where a strong hard hitting defense is just as good, just as important and fun to watch as a high scoring offense.

What I am hoping we do NOT get out of this is the NFL’s version of The Lord of the Flies.

Happiness Is Optional

Here is a quote from an article recently published in our local paper regarding cutting competitive team sports in the Middle Schools.

they (those on the school board who want the cuts) believe it is developmentally inappropriate for middle school students to be subjected to cuts if they lack the skills to make the team.  In contrast, intramural activities are all inclusive, allowing everyone to participate without loss of self-esteem.

Thank God we have at least some parents and students in our county with their heads screwed on correctly…To their credit; of many concerned parents and students were quoted as saying . . .

teams foster a sense of school spirit. They develop skills so that students can compete at the high school level and perhaps help them get into college and win scholarships. Teams foster a work ethic that can result in better grades, build character and make students stronger for having to deal with not making the team and inspire working harder to achieve their goals.

Without such opportunities some students would never reach their true potential and might get into trouble.

The school board members voting to cut the sports programs also hinted at fiscal responsibility and transferring the cost and liability of such programs to the private sector. However, they failed to state how much transferring to a private sector intramural program would cost or what the potential savings would be.

They also stated:

intramural programs better support the middle school philosophy that is inviting, safe, inclusive and supportive of all

 

I can not tell you how much this article pisses me off. There is something seriously wrong with society. I don’t know when or where or even exactly how this all started; but many years ago it manifested itself into trophies for everyone and a sense of entitlement in students.

Note to recent graduates:

You are not entitled to a job. You are not entitled to a high paying job. In fact, if you have learned anything at all just about the only thing you are entitled to is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Notice, you are not entitled to be happy.

Just to pursue it.

Work hard, appreciate what you earn, learn and get out of life. Which includes your successes and failures.

Eleanor Roosevelt said Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product.

And since I seem to be stuck on quotes, here is one from Vince Lombardi which is appropriate to all those wise registered voters with their heads screwed on straight about sports keeping kids out of trouble…

A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.

Organized, competitive sports build character and develop skills in all students which are necessary becoming civilized, well rounded and strong members of society.

I see too many students now-a-days who do not know how to handle failure. They do not know how to handle stress; or how to work together to achieve a common goal, or to understand that often one has to sacrifice, or at least risk, something in order to win the battle.

Not everyone can, or will, win all the time, nor will everyone lose all the time either.

How one handles defeat, challenges, and obstacles is one of the keys towards learning how to succeed.

Vince Lombardi also said Leaders are made, not born and that hard work is the price to be paid in order to achieve the goal of being a leader.

It is my firm belief that competitive sports play an integral part in the development of successful, well rounded members of society.

Again, happiness, although often felt and appreciated from achieving or even striving for a goal, is often a by-product.

Recently, my family, like many others across the county, attended at least one graduation ceremony. Graduation is a symbolic achievement often marked by the passage in life from student, or athlete, to entry into the real world.

The question is, how many will be ready? How many will feel entitled? How many will have a goal, other than to be happy?

Remember, happiness is not a goal.

With all the commencement speeches that will be and have been said, not many will say it better than this one. Perhaps you have seen it.

My hope is that everyone will. Though not directly related to sports, it says what I have been trying to knock into peoples heads for a long time; far better and much more entertainingly than I ever could.

Enjoy