by naternet July 30, 2010
by naternet July 29, 2010
by naternet July 29, 2010
by naternet July 29, 2010
ESPN Officially Kills Lebron James Vegas Story, Claims Reporter Didn't Identify Himself

ESPN is losing credibility as an objective news source by the day. Sure, they’ve been bleeding credibility for most of the last decade, but now it’s a full-on hemorrhage, for crying out loud. They might as well just put LeBron on the payroll and hire Maverick Carter to do all of their publicity, because that’s essentially what “The Decision” and this latest little dust-up have accomplished. 

sbnation:

This has bullshit written all over it. Apparently ESPN doesn’t realize that once you post something to the Internet, there is no turning back. They can’t kill the story, it’s already out there.

This just goes to further prove that ESPN is taking orders from Lebron’s camp, which we already knew after “The Decision” aired. While their “30 for 30” series is incredible, they’ve crossed the line from journalism to public relations hacks. Some would say they did that a long time ago, and this is just the latest and most glaring example.

--Tagged under: lebron--

--Tagged under: basketball--

--Tagged under: espn--

by naternet July 28, 2010
by naternet July 28, 2010
by naternet July 27, 2010
Fixing Football

In the wake of the spectacle that is the World Cup, new revelations about brain injuries from concussions, the revelation that over the course of a 3-hour game, only 11 minutes of actual action take place and studies that show that some helmets are, at best, inadequate, American football could use a little facelift.

Players are bigger, stronger and faster than they have ever been. Concussions are happening more and more frequently, as players are using themselves as flying missiles instead of using proper form tackling. Numerous rules have been implemented, more and better-designed pads are being used, but essentially to no avail.

Having grown up in a small town, where our high school football team had only 39 players from Freshman to Senior and our regular rotation went between 12 players, on offense and defense and special teams, I have always been a fan of ironman football players. The guys with enough talent and skill and endurance to play on both sides of the ball. In rugby, football’s tougher cousin, there are limited substitutions and players play both sides of the ball. 

Those type of players no longer exist, by and large, in the game of modern football. You will see them occasionally in college, but in the pros, they are all but extinct. Players are more specialized to their positions and, often, to the style of offense that their team runs. (see: every Texas Tech QB under Mike Leach) Compare this with soccer, where the only real specialized player is the goalkeeper. 

So, how do we combat the problems (or perceived problems) in the game today? It’s pretty simple, really. At least I think so.

Read More

--Tagged under: football--

--Tagged under: soccer--

--Tagged under: rugby--

by naternet July 25, 2010
by naternet July 21, 2010
by naternet July 21, 2010
by naternet July 21, 2010
Fourth And Blog 2010 College Football Preview

We’re closing in on my favorite time of the year- college football season. The fact that it happens to coincide with my favorite season- fall, makes it a glorious world of bemusement and wonder for me. Every September, I know that I can look forward to the crisp autumn air and the spectacle and pageantry of college football. It’s like my Christmas, Halloween, Easter and Birthday all rolled into one.

I may just skip around our living room all day on the first Saturday of the season. But probably not.

Anyway, I figured that now would be as good a time as any to kick off my college football coverage here on the blog. So, I’m going to count down my Top 5 Playmakers, Storylines and Overhyped, not to mention a quickie Preseason Top 25. I know that sounds like a lot to pack into one blog post, especially for a guy that mostly just posts pictures and links to Youtube videos, but bear with me. I can do this.

TOP FIVE PLAYMAKERS - guys who can turn a game around in an instant

  1. Noel Devine, West Virginia - Waterbug-fast and stronger than most think. He’ll have a banner Senior campaign for the Mountaineers
  2. LaMichael James, Oregon - Another small, quick and deadly back in a system that takes full advantage of his traits
  3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame - If he can stay healthy, he’s one of the best deep threats in the game today. Big, strong, fast and chock-full of talent and playing in an offense that made lesser receivers look all-world.
  4. Robert Griffin, Baylor - Back from a season-ending knee injury last year, he’ll be looking to prove something on every down.
  5. Ricky Dobbs, Navy - 27 rushing TDs last year and he can throw, too.

TOP FIVE STORYLINES - what are we going to get sick of talking about all season?

  1. Brian Kelly’s first year at Notre Dame. Expect every single decision he makes to be scrutinized by haters and Domers alike.
  2. A Masoli-less Oregon Ducks offense. Can Nate Costa or Darren Thomas step in and lead this uber-talented team to the Rose Bowl?
  3. Anything surrounding USC. Seriously, anything. 
  4. John Brantley replacing the Tebow in Florida. Can he be 1/2 as loved as the Tebow? 
  5. NCAA investigations. They’re everywhere!!!

TOP FIVE OVERHYPED PLAYERS

  1. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State - One good game to cap the season after a year of ups and downs does not a Heisman winner make.
  2. Jake Locker, Washington - Looked decent last year, but still not very accurate. 36/26 TD to INT isn’t super-hot, either.
  3. Colin Kapernick, Nevada - Piles up yards in bunches, but hasn’t developed as a passer in his three years.
  4. Andrew Luck, Stanford - No Gerhart to bail him out. If the running game isn’t stellar, he’s going to shoulder too much of the load.
  5. Matt Barkley, USC - Unless he can cut down on his INTs, he’s going to struggle.

PRESEASON TOP 25

  1. Alabama
  2. Boise State
  3. Ohio State
  4. Florida
  5. Texas
  6. Oregon
  7. TCU
  8. Nebraska
  9. Iowa
  10. Virginia Tech
  11. Pittsburgh
  12. Georgia Tech
  13. Wisconsin
  14. Miami
  15. Cincinnati
  16. Penn State
  17. Oregon State
  18. Arkansas
  19. Miami
  20. LSU
  21. USC
  22. Utah
  23. North Carolina
  24. Auburn
  25. West Virginia

--Tagged under: college football--

--Tagged under: preview--

--Tagged under: lists--

by naternet July 7, 2010
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