Bill Self Remains at KU

Hardly a year goes by when the Kansas Jayhawks win less than 25 games and fail to reach a top 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Given their reputation as one of the elite and storied programs in college basketball, the Jayhawks will continue their winning ways in the future regardless of their head coach. The head coach, however, will ultimately play a significant role in just how far the team goes, and because of this Kansas made a good move in keeping Bill Self. He brought out something in the Jayhawks that allowed them to write a different ending to a season that came down to a stretch eerily similar to that of 2003, when Kansas fell to Syracuse in the national title game. The Jayhawks fell behind their opponent in both games at the start of the second half, and as the final buzzer approached, it appeared Kansas was destined to come out on the losing end. They trailed by 7 against the Orangemen with 2:04 to go and trailed by 9 against the Tigers with 2:12 to go, and after impressive runs both games came down to a last second shot for the tie. Both Michael Lee and Kirk Hinrich had a chance to push the 2003 game into overtime, yet failed to convert on their 3s, whereas Mario Chalmers made his to force overtime in 2008, at which point the Jayhawks never looked back, winning their first national title since 1988. Whether or not that difference of one shot can be attributed to Self, the bottom line is that his team accomplished a goal in 5 seasons that future hall-of-famer Roy Williams failed to accomplish in 15 seasons. He coached one of the most balanced and talented teams in NCAA history all the way to a national title 20 years in the making, and by choosing to stay Self has settled in at Lawrence. Up unitl last Monday, Kansas fans had been puzzling over why the Jayhawks kept falling short of an NCAA title despite playing some of the best basketball in the nation. This was a riddle that Bill Self had the answer to, and the Rock Chalk faithful can now sit content knowing that the future of Kansas basketball is in good hands. Should Self continue to coach the team as he did this season, there will be more championships where that came from.

Broncos Sign Marlon McCree

I am going to think about the McCree signing this way, John Lynch is coming back and I believe that he will more than likely have to miss time because of injury. That likely yields Hamza Abdullah and Nick Ferguson as the starting safeties. Abdullah is young, and he did very well last season when he got playing time. Ferguson is a solid vet and Denver should be able to count on quality play from him. But after that, its down to a group of young and inexpereinced guys like Steve Cargile, and given a choice between one of that bunch and McCree, I'd take McCree any day given that he has been around for a while, has played for several teams so he has experienced playing against a number of different players, is used to winning, and now has playoff experience. Think of him as a faster John Lynch with better cover skills, and I bet the refs are less trigger happy with big hits for McCree. With that signing the Broncos have depth in the safety spot (4 players capable of starting), which might free Lynch to become a nickel back on passing downs and blitz like a madman, which he loves to do, and he definitely has a knack for causing fumbles that way.

But not every situation is perfect. I have premonitions about McCree and the effect playing on the chargers had on him. Once he arrives in Denver, he better get the memo quickly that egocentric players who celebrate too much have no place on this team. With Mike Shanahan at the helm and the respectability and professionalism of the franchise, I think it will soon become clear to McCree how things are done in Denver. Three particulars come to mind: 1. Consistent solid tackling is preferred over big hits, and I hope he will be able to decipher between the two, because not every play calls for a big hit, again, this is an issue that arises from signing a former charger. 2. Blatant helmet to helmet contact and head hunting in general is unacceptable. There better not be anything remotely close to the hit he put on Donald Driver this past season. 3. Make the intelligent decision, which brings me back to the Divisional Playoff game against the Patriots 2 years ago, when his fumble of an interception turned the game around and cost the chargers a spot in the AFC Title Game.

Overall, I'm confident that once McCree becomes acclimated with the Bronco culture he will prove a valuable asset to the team.

O'Neal to Suns, Marion to Heat

Shaq heads back to the West, and Marion gets his wish to leave Phoenix. How does this trade look for both teams?
Phoenix should still have no trouble making the playoffs and getting a top four seed. Given the multitude of scorers and the passing ability of Steve Nash, losing Marion will unlikely affect point totals or offensive effectiveness very much during the year. The Suns have performed exceptionally in the past few regular seasons, yet have fallen short of making the NBA Finals in all three years. They typically lose in the playoffs because of their lack of ability to control the frontcourt against a team like Dallas or San Antonio. Paired with Amare Stoudamire, Shaq brings that dominant low post presence to Phoenix that they did not previously have with Marion. If healthy, Shaq will provide an offensive presence that allows the Suns to run set offense as well as they run the fast break, and a defensive presence that will allow the Suns to effectively cover two opposing post players. This looks like a move that will prove most beneficial in May and June, when Phoenix will have to play solid defense and slow down their offense. The obvious potential problems with the trade are that Shaq moves slowly in transition and is prone to injury. This move will most likely be highly scrutinized for a long time because it will appear Shaq is lagging behind the rest of the team, but the real effect of the trade will be evident during the playoffs. How good a move it is will depend on if Shaq can stay healthy and contribute in the aforementioned areas.
Miami does not look anything like the NBA Champion of two years past, and it is about time they made a change. Their success that season was the result of a dominant guard in Dwayne Wade, a dominant post player in Shaq, and steady play from others such as Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, and Alonzo Mourning. Since that season, injuries have limited playing time for the stars, and the rest of the team has been much less productive. The Heat suffered a first round sweep at the hands of Chicago last season, and have started an atrocious 9-38 this season, the worst record in the league. It was time for a change, and because of Shaq's lack of contribution this season, Miami utilized his iconic status to shop around for a talented player like Marion. With Marion and Wade, the Heat now have a dynamic offensive duo as they did two years ago, and with an upcoming draft pick likely in the top five, Miami may soon return to contention as one of the best teams in the league.
This trade looks as if it may be monumentally beneficial for both Phoenix and Miami in the long run.

Super Bowl XLII

You have to be happy for Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin.

After Manning snubbed san diego (great career move), he got no love for anything he did, few individuals showed this guy any respect, and he is only in his 4th year in the league. He could have folded, and let the media and the fans get to him, but he kept a cool head and brought this team from out of nowhere to being atop the greatest arena in pro football. What an impressive feat; I for one never thought he would get there, but he not only got there, he did it in impressive time and against a stacked group of opponents. I remember Keith Oberman (NBC-Football Night In America) saying earlier in the year that there were 5 really good teams, 5 really bad teams, and the rest of the league was just watching. Manning and the Giants upset Tampa Bay in round one gunned down three of those teams on the road (granted the Super Bowl was a neutral sight, bottom line is that they were away from the Meadowlands, and they were playing the best team in the history of football). That road warrior mentality is another aspect makes him and the Giants such a special team, it's one thing to have a dominant home-field advantage, but it's much more special to go on road winning streaks like they did this year.

After Tom Coughlin and the Jacksonville "Jagwads" (Thanks Woody Paige, you are the man, but you didn't need to do that, never underestimate your opponent) took down the Broncos in that monumental 1996 Divisional Playoff game, they suffered an unfortunate letdown the following week against none other than the New England Patriots. It must have been a great feeling to finally win a Super Bowl over the team that ended an impressive playoff run for such a head coach in only his second year and a franchise in only its second year. Following that was even more heartbreak, getting paid back next year 42-17 when they came into Denver, and then for the next 2 years having one of football's elite teams and never getting to the Super Bowl, and then 3 straight sub-.500 seasons. Then he came to New York and missed the playoffs in his first season, and was ousted in the Wild Card round for two consecutive seasons. Then came the epiphany that all legends have at some point that allows them to turn the corner. He shrugged his strict disciplinary attitude, proved to the critics that a man believed to be set in his ways could change, and formed a bond with his players that led the Giants to one of the most impressive season-ending tears in sports history, which concluded with tonight's epic upset over the Patriots.

These two great stories of struggle, overcoming the odds, and triumph are what make professional sports great. I do not mean to subtract from the rest of team whatsoever, it was undoubtedly a team effort that carried New York through, these simply stand as shining examples of how perseverance and quality performance culminate into what is the beauty of the game.

Last year at the conclusion of Super Bowl XLI, I said, "Let's hope Super Bowl XLII is at least a good game or the NFL officially sucks." This game gave me some hope again as an NFL fan, because I truly believe what my brother Anthony said, "If New England goes undefeated, winning the Super Bowl from here on out will never be good enough if the team does not go undefeated." This is very true because if the Patriots won tonight the pursuit of perfection in the modern era would have been reached. So for at least one more year, the 1972 Dolphins can celebrate with their champagne party being the only team in NFL history having achieved perfection, and I sure hope that holds true forever.

Denver Broncos Week In Review (WIRe): Week 10

Anytime a team accomplishes something meaningful for the first time in 5 years, it results in a huge morale boost. Denver's first win in Kansas City since 2002 could not have come at a better time, as the Broncos were in need of some momentum after a 44-7 thumping at the hands of Detroit last week. This win stands out for Denver because it was one in which they played a complete game from start to finish on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, the Broncos got into rhythm early, with an opening drive highlighted by Selvin Young's 34 yard run. Young did not slow up the rest of the game, finishing with 109 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. The passing game also performed well, as Cutler had a steady day with 192 yards and a mostly mistake-free game. Their success is reflected by the overall efficiency of Denver's offense, only had 2 3-and-outs on 11 drives. The Broncos capitalized on opportunities, scoring 2 quick touchdowns off Kansas City turnovers early in the second half. For an offense that has been unpredictable week to week this year, a 27 point performance on the road against the Chiefs may be that start of something good.

Defensively, the Broncos looked like they did in 2005, bringing back the bend, don't break style of play. Kansas City had 4 drives of over 50 yards on Sunday, but every time they advanced deep into Denver territory, the Broncos held up, keeping the Chiefs out of the endzone all game. Part of the reason for this was the dominance of the run defense, which held Priest Holmes to 65 yards on 20 carries. They also pressured Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle throughout the day, resulting in 4 sacks and 4 turnovers. Denver's defense came into the game in the bottom quarter of the league, and came out of the game with a stellar performance and renewed confidence.

Something worth mentioning about this game is what happened to Brandon Marshall at the end of the first half. After a short completion from Cutler, Marshall was going to stretch out for extra yardage when Kansas City's Tyron Brackenridge made his hand into a fist, swung at, and connected with Marshall's groin. For the skeptical people out there, find tape of the play, and watch it. There is no doubt that the shot was intentional. Denver had to take a timeout because of this, and it ended up killing the drive. It was one of the most bush league plays in recent memory, and it is a sad reflection on the Chiefs and on the league if they do not take action against Brackenridge.

On a positive note, this quote from Selvin Young was a memorable one. He poured his heart and soul out to the press when he said, "Before the game, if you got a close up of me, I had tears coming out of my eyes. I mean, just, so long, so much dreaming, wishing, working hard... I've got my mindset on trying to help a football team win, and take it to the next level, and I'm getting an opportunity to live my dream, so I'm really enjoying it." Here's a humble guy who loves the game of football and is a team player. Players like Selvin Young are the reason why the NFL is as great as it is.

The Football Filosopher, 11/12/2007

Today, the Football Filospher weighs in on an issue regarding physical contact, a trademark of American football, and its clash with progressive new rulings established in regards to player safety. This contorversy is a borderline one- actually more specifically a sideline one.

Almost every game, at last once there is a disputed call (or non-call) centered around a personal foul penalty for a late hit along the sideline. Often the penalty is called because a player is tackled to the ground after he has toed the sideline. But all too commonly, the culprit of the penalty is simply following through on his momentum and his attempt to force the opponent (or "victim") out of bounds, which is exactly what he is supposed to do. What is he to do? Should the tackler, as he is aptly called, refrain from tackling and risk the chance of the ball carrier tightwalking the line right by him?

Of course not. The whole purpose of a defensive player is to tackle the offensive player. Football revolves around contact. So, not being able to tackle a player near the sidelines makes absolutely no chance. Half of the time the contact isn't even classifiable as a tackle. Even more, sometimes the offensive player uses his Drama 101 acting skills to draw the flag from the zebra. And the resulting penalty of 15 yards if often big enough to cause a change in the drive, if not the game, and in a larger sense, the season.

Sure, I understand that recent amendments to the rulebook have been made in order to ensure the protection of the players. This is certainly a reasonable proposal, as, lately, reports about football-related injuries (in most cases, concussions) have indicated severe medical threats in the players' futures. Most certainly, I am in favor of any measure intended to reduce injury to players, especially if it involves unnecessary contact or exposure to danger.

However, the NFL has, in the instance of "late hits" along the sidelines, taken this way too far. Most people would agree that the largest potential injury risks for ballcarriers include head-to-head (of helmet-to-helmet) contact and blind-sided hits. Neither of these scenarios, though, ever occur along the sidelines since the ballcarrier can only be hit from one side. This allows him to put his entire focus on the opponents approaching him from that angle range (which is usually even cut in half because tackles along the sidelines rarely ever from behind the player). Because he only risks hits from players he can see, the ballcarrier will not be blindsided and can usually always avoid helmet-to-helmet contact. With those injury threats virtually impossible, the player along the sidelines actually has a lesser risk of getting hurt from a tackle or hit than if he were in the middle of the field.

Even in cases of being hit after setting foot out of bounds, the defensive player usually could not have averted contact, less he himself expose himself to injury. If the NFL is seriously worried for the safety of their players along the sidelines, they should move the players and coaches who are off the field (as well as the slippery surface they stand on) even farther back to eliminate collisions.

In all, calling 15 yard penalties for contact which is neither uncommonly dangerous or possible to avoid in a sport that thrives on contact makes absolutely no sense. The sole problem is that the NFL has become way too literal and unbending in the interpretation of their rules. This strictness of rule interpretation has continued to impair the great nature of football over the recent years, and with the enforcement of even more "by the book" regulations, the sport has become way too dependent on referees and penalties and has strayed from the straightforward physical gameplay that made it so appealing to fans.

The Worst Part of Professional Football

Once more, as has been the case week after week, I was subjected to another terrible game of charger football. After watching this team yet again, thinking that they may win a game legitimately, or play the game with some respect, I was dead wrong. The san diego chargers of the last three years are the worst thing that has ever happened to the glorious game of football.

It all starts with the way this team handles itself out on the field, they simply do not. Every time the chargers have some form of success, whether it is a play in which their defense had a direct influence, or a lucky break, they seem to want to party like its 1999. This is ironic, because in 1999 they had nothing to party about. Back in 1999, I remember the Chargers as a respectable football team that did not have much success. They were a better team then than they are now because they played the game with respect, even though they did not fare well. The recent chargers have been quite the opposite, making fools of themselves week in and week out. When watching players like Chad Johnson celebrate, people will either applaud him for a creative idea or laugh at him because he is enjoying the game. Never, however, will they question his sanity, but for the chargers it is not the same. Their celebrations consist mostly of wild fist pumps, terrible dance moves, and horrifying displays of rage. They have crossed the line in a major way, and it is very difficult for any rational sports fan to admire this team. For example, an overthrow by Peyton Manning with little defensive pressure is not the type of play the requires a celebration, but eric weddle does not seem to think so. This rookie safety has already bought into the charger standard of going crazy after most plays, and will become yet another victim of the lack of self-control with which this team plays the game. There is a vast difference between a professional football player and a san diego charger. The former is a talented individual who plays to the best of his ability while exhibiting sportsmanship to the highest degree. The latter is a degenerate individual (the only exception is long snapper David Binn) playing on a team isolated from all the others in the NFL because of its commitment to celebration and ruining the game of football.

This lack of control is also evident in the people who cheer for the chargers, most of whom did not root for this team until 2 years ago. As a result of this, they do not know the game of football very well, which is reflected by their sporadic affection for the team (for more on this read the article my colleague wrote about their followers). The crowd at Qualcomm Stadium last night began booing when the chargers played conservatively on one of their many 3rd down and long plays. These people do not understand that 3rd down and 13+ yards is not converted the majority of the time, and therefore began booing when in all actuality the chargers made a good play call. They apparently forgot about last week against Minnesota, when philip rivers made many terrible passes downfield, as the chargers lost in a rout to Minnesota. This booing also took place when the chargers had a 16 point lead, probably the only time in history that a team with such a big lead had been booed. When the chargers looked to be going for the win in the third quarter, a group of their followers started singing "Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye." It turns out that this was a little premature, as the Colts had several chances to win the game at the end, and the result was them snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. About this time, I spoke to a person in attendance at the game who was seated in front of the big scoreboard near many Colts fans, and he told me that the chargers followers were trying to start a fight with them. They persisted, despite the fact that the Colts fans had kept to themselves, and did not show an interest to fight at any time in the game. This is the epitome of being degenerate, and is a sad reflection on the moral fiber of people living in "America's finest city." Every week, these people become more and more associable with the stereotype commonly held of Raiders fans, yet the majority of it goes unnoticed in the long run.

One possible cause of this celebration is that the chargers have a freak play go in their favor in the majority of their wins, especially tonight's game. First off was the opening kickoff return. It was confusing looking at the field and seeing all the smoke from the pregame fireworks, and it is hard to doubt that the Colts' special teams could not see downfield. After that was the interception in the second quarter. The ball was called dead in the endzone because of an inadvertent whistle that blew away from the play. The official closest to the play dropped the ball spot indicator, signaling that it was an interception and therefore the play should have stood as a return to the chargers 5 yard line. This kind of situation is one that sparked discussion about a rule change a few years ago in the NFL. The league decided that questionable plays should be played out so that in the event of an overturned call, the result of the play would be accurate. It should have taken care of the inadvertent whistle, but it did not, and this lucky break for the chargers changed the whole fortune of this game early on. Another unlikely occurrence was Adam Vinatieri missing a makeable field goal at the end of the first half, and then a missing a chip shot for the win. He is one of the most clutch kickers in league history, making field goals at critical moments throughout his career, including the deciding kick in all 3 of New England's World Championships. For him to miss twice was quite improbable, but then again, those kind of breaks are why the chargers win. As if that were not enough, Peyton Manning threw 6 interceptions in the game. Anytime a quarterback throws 6 INTs, it is because he is out of rhythm, and it is really not a coincidence that Manning chose to lay an egg against san diego, because every other star player in the league seems to follow suit when they play the chargers. Even when Manning made good throws, the refs kept their flags in their pockets when there was clear pass interference. Close to the game's end, Aaron Morehead dropped a pass from Manning because weddle pulled his arm back prior to the arrival of the ball. In the local newspaper North County Times, there is a great picture of weddle interefering prior to the arrival of the ball. A crew led my Mike Carey or Ed Hochuli would not have let that type of play go uncalled, and it is very suspect that in "the game of the week" there was not an experienced crew of referees. The Colts played that poorly with very few offensive players suited up, and their list of inactive players included many NFL icons. Even after all that, the chargers only won by 2 points, in a game when another team getting all those breaks would have won by at least 4 scores. It proves once and for all why this team is presently a disgrace to the NFL.