Fourth and Blog

RT @buzzbissinger: What America wants from Obama—break into O’Reilly’s house, grab...

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:48:31 -0700

RT @buzzbissinger: What America wants from Obama—break into O’Reilly’s house, grab him by his lips, break his legs. Shoot him as he beg …

Aaand, Spencer Hall for the win! http://bit.ly/9Q4J4y #lebron #espn

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:37:09 -0700

Aaand, Spencer Hall for the win! http://bit.ly/9Q4J4y #lebron #espn

Great SI article on Masoli. Not troubled, just quiet- http://bit.ly/bp25Fe

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:37:09 -0700

Great SI article on Masoli. Not troubled, just quiet- http://bit.ly/bp25Fe

ESPN Officially Kills Lebron James Vegas Story, Claims Reporter Didn't Identify Himself

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:40:38 -0700

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.

Story on LeBron that ESPN pulled by Arash Markazi - simply stunning how childish and unaware LeBron...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:12:58 -0700

Story on LeBron that ESPN pulled by Arash Markazi - simply stunning how childish and unaware LeBron is. http://bit.ly/bKxN8d #espn #lebron

RT @williamfleitch: The Arash Markazi piece about LeBron ESPN pulled: http://bit.ly/d7pt1K Unless he...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:12:58 -0700

RT @williamfleitch: The Arash Markazi piece about LeBron ESPN pulled: http://bit.ly/d7pt1K Unless he made something up, why is it down? …

Fixing Football

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:06:42 -0700

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.

Less Pads - I know that this sounds crazy, but hear me out. If you lessen the effectiveness of necessary pads such as shoulder pads and helmets, players will be less likely to make themselves into projectiles. Hitting someone hard should hurt both players involved. Increasing penalties for illegal hits would help, too.
Make Ironman Football a Part of the Game - Have a quota as to how many players have to play both ways. Limit substitutions. Cap rosters. Kickers have to play another position. Teams would be more athletic, players more capable of playing multiple positions. Offenses and defenses might have to be simplified a bit.
Shorten the Play Clock - This would speed up the game and make for more action. Combined with the other two fixes, it would effectively mean that football players would by and large have to be more trim and conditioned athletes. This would lower the average weight of players, which would reduce the violence of 325lb defensive linemen tackling a 200lb running back. The game would be more populated with big, fast, agile athletes at all positions.

Implementing rules like these would make the game faster, more exciting and more diverse. Not that teams and players aren’t spectacular now, but wouldn’t it be amazing if the WR-CB matchup flipped at each possession, so that the same players were lining up against each other for most of the game, on both sides of the ball?

Instead of 300-350lb behemoths pushing against each other in the trenches, we’d have 250-300lb fast, athletic players navigating the line of scrimmage at a quicker pace.

When a kicker is lining up to take a game-winning kick, he’s going to have more bumps and bruises because he was also the WR or RB or even OL for most of the game. It would push the drama through the roof. The kicker has to overcome a sprained ankle ro twisted knee to kick the gamewinner. Amazing.

No longer would rugby and soccer fans the world over bemoan the slowness of American football, the lack of constant action, or the fact that players hide behind mounds of pads upon pads when delivering devastating hits. This might spark a spread in the popularity of American football the world over.

Or, I might be talking out of my ass, without a clue as to what I’m trying to get across.

“Been about be big money, get money, bleed money Flip money, see money..”—John...

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:59:06 -0700

“Been about be big money, get money, bleed money
Flip money, see money..”—John Berryman, The Dream Songs (via @edsbs) Tehe, Lit nerds.

RT @jdubs88: I’ve always found that giving teens ridiculous amounts of cash, toys, b4 they...

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:42:48 -0700

RT @jdubs88: I’ve always found that giving teens ridiculous amounts of cash, toys, b4 they learn value of it, is what builds character, …

RT @ESPNCFBLive: 43 days ‘til kickoff! 43 days ‘til kickoff! So nice we said it twice!...

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:42:48 -0700

RT @ESPNCFBLive: 43 days ‘til kickoff! 43 days ‘til kickoff! So nice we said it twice! PACKED show today…lots of news! Don’t miss it! …

Fourth And Blog 2010 College Football Preview

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:12:50 -0700

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

Noel Devine, West Virginia - Waterbug-fast and stronger than most think. He’ll have a banner Senior campaign for the Mountaineers
LaMichael James, Oregon - Another small, quick and deadly back in a system that takes full advantage of his traits
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.
Robert Griffin, Baylor - Back from a season-ending knee injury last year, he’ll be looking to prove something on every down.
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?

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

TOP FIVE OVERHYPED PLAYERS

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State - One good game to cap the season after a year of ups and downs does not a Heisman winner make.
Jake Locker, Washington - Looked decent last year, but still not very accurate. 36/26 TD to INT isn’t super-hot, either.
Colin Kapernick, Nevada - Piles up yards in bunches, but hasn’t developed as a passer in his three years.
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.
Matt Barkley, USC - Unless he can cut down on his INTs, he’s going to struggle.

PRESEASON TOP 25

Alabama
Boise State
Ohio State
Florida
Texas
Oregon
TCU
Nebraska
Iowa
Virginia Tech
Pittsburgh
Georgia Tech
Wisconsin
Miami
Cincinnati
Penn State
Oregon State
Arkansas
Miami
LSU
USC
Utah
North Carolina
Auburn
West Virginia

All of above. RT @schadjoe: Dillon Baxter scenarios 1)USC’s director of compliance...

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:48:54 -0700

All of above. RT @schadjoe: Dillon Baxter scenarios 1)USC’s director of compliance “misunderstood” him 2)The director lied or 3)Baxter lied

Louis C.K. on Fresh Air. Worth a Listen-...

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:48:54 -0700

Louis C.K. on Fresh Air. Worth a Listen- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128343426 #louisck #npr

RT @Nastinchka: To avoid hurt feelings, all World Cup nat’l anthems should be played...

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:51:00 -0700

RT @Nastinchka: To avoid hurt feelings, all World Cup nat’l anthems should be played simultaneously as a mashup. #reeeeeemiiiiix

It's Official: Colorado Buffaloes To the Pac-10! - The Ralphie Report

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:21:25 -0700

It's Official: Colorado Buffaloes To the Pac-10! - The Ralphie Report:

Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to your next Pac-10 Champion.

(convulses on the floor with laughter)

RT @BFeldmanESPN: USC has been hit with a two-year post-season ban in addition to the loss of...

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:40:30 -0700

RT @BFeldmanESPN: USC has been hit with a two-year post-season ban in addition to the loss of scholarships, among other penalties from t …

What an idiot… RT @SPORTSbyBROOKS: Masoli officially kicked off Oregon football team following...

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:20:26 -0700

What an idiot… RT @SPORTSbyBROOKS: Masoli officially kicked off Oregon football team following pot arrest. http://bit.ly/a8ULda

Bill Plaschke: Wooden's lasting lesson is one of simple devotion | - NJ.com

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:39:13 -0700

Bill Plaschke: Wooden's lasting lesson is one of simple devotion | - NJ.com:

Well shit, now I’m crying.

RT @Dameshek: Cynics of Celts’ win will cite Kobe being on the bench & some dicey calls,...

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:34:59 -0700

RT @Dameshek: Cynics of Celts’ win will cite Kobe being on the bench & some dicey calls, but Lakers have nobody to stop Rondo… & still …

RT @jdubs88: “Happiness begins when selfishness ends.” —Jon Wooden

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:32:10 -0700

RT @jdubs88: “Happiness begins when selfishness ends.” —Jon Wooden