In what is surely the most desperate of sports weekends, that is, the Saturday and Sunday leading up to the Super Bowl we had 2...count 'em 2 league all-star games: The NHL and NFL put their best on the field and ice in a showcase designed to highlight the league's stars. The Hockey Gods convened in Raleigh, North Carolina, home of the Hurricanes and by all accounts the hospitality of the Carolinians was the highlight of the weekend- because the game certainly was not. Powered by a new concept of choosing sides, that is, a live fantasy draft where player captains picked their rosters regardless of team, division or conference, All Star Game #58 took to the ice pitting teammates against teammates and brother against brother, literally in the persona of Vancouver's Sedin twins. With a Saturday skills competition that provided few highlight moments, Sunday's game actually showed some promise when the players ratcheted up the intensity even a hint. However, the spectre of injury always looms and the participants come to play the game as a wide open version of pond hockey filling the net with goals in an offensive showcase. The Pro Bowl, set against the warm breezes in Hawaii is always a stiff and this year proved no exception, blocking, tackling, defense, all lost arts as a buffet of aerial and ground assault led to a combined explosion of over 90 points and a final 2 minutes that seemed to stretch longer than some regular season games. The premise of highlighting the league's stars in an all-star format is understandable- a marketing and p.r. bonanza that puts fans and players in an environment that is looser, more intimate and celebratory. But the games .....suck. The NBA as well, they must join the list of loser all-star contests. Only baseball, perhaps because of the mano a mano nature of the pitcher vs. batter dynamic seems to instill any sense of competition or interest. For hockey, the Winter Classic has eclipsed all-star weekend and captured the greater imagination of the fans, interrupted every 4 years by professional involvement in the Olympic games. Perhaps its best to let the all-star game die, like the dodo, a creature who's time has simply come and gone. The NFL is now a 4 season sport- draft, pre-season, regular season and 5 weeks of post season so the Pro Bowl seems diminished and unnecessary. The possibility of an 18 game regular season only adds to the 52 week nature of the league so the howdown in Honolulu becomes even more of a distraction to what fans are really craving. I would seem to be among many who love the sports and hate the all-star games but we tolerate them and pay meagre attention with a jaundiced eye. It's like having that one annoying relative at the Christmas dinner, you have to invite them and then 5 minutes in you can't remember why. Here's hoping the leagues look for alternatives, the current versions are tired and seem to be capturing more cynicism than imagination.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Jay Cutler and our Knee Jerk Reactions
I get that Jay Cutler is not the most well liked dude in the NFL. I get that everyone says he needs a strong dose of Dale Carnegie to shore up his people skills, that a trapped animal is not as surly and that his work habits always belie his God given skills and that is a tragedy. But, I am going to take the unpopular position of defending the guy based on the notion that we as sports and NFL fans have our sensibilities all F***** up.
Item- Michael Vick- killed and tortured dogs, did prison time, found a mentor in Tony Dungy, came back this year and excelled on the field and what do you know? He became the poster child for the healing power and redemptive quality of sports and a gleaming example of how the U.S. penal system can turn young, successful multimillionaires around. Vick did his time, I have no quarrel with that and I sincerely hope he has a long, prosperous career but he still committed the crimes for which he was incarcerated.
Item- Ben Roethlisberger- no one is sure what, but something criminal or damn close to it happened in that bar in Georgia. Was it lack of witnesses or local authorities who thought it best that the whole thing go away? We may never know how close Big Ben likely came to watching his team behind bars. NFL boss Goodell originally thought 6 games, then 4 on the sidelines for violating personal conduct rules was suitable even though no criminal charges were laid, an open admission that Roethlisberger did something he shouldn't have. And now? Deification of the highest degree after his performance Sunday, praise and plaudits for this unique and truly gifted gridiron God.
Item- Jay Cutler led his team to the second seed in the NFC and a trip to the Conference finals. Never killed a dog this year to my knowledge, never sexually assaulted a girl to my knowledge but wait...that yellow son of a bitch tore his MCL Sunday and had the stones not to appear in pain on the sidelines, wouldn't even help poor Caleb Hanie look at the polaroids. Wow, if ever a guy deserved the vicious tweets of his NFL brethren past and present its this guy...Can you imagine? Dogs and chicks be damned, this is serious.... grab the pitchforks and torches, monster of the midway indeed!
What does this say about our sensibilities as fans and the hero culture we create when criminals, convicted and otherwise earn our fawning praise and a guy who rips apart his knee our bitter contempt? Yes, Cutler is a jerk- likely. Never met the man but the NFL media tells me so, and God knows they are never wrong. So, because of that he deserves the venom poured all over him Sunday. I feel for this guy and know enough about sports to realize this: If he was faking, his career is over. Not a locker room in the land that would have him. So grow up...lets keep some perspective and recognize Cutler's only crime was possibly, possibly violating the code of "playing through it". Think the media, the tweeters and the fans who are enraged look downright juvenile on this one. It won't change anything, its a cultural thing and in this case, the culture is dead wrong.
Monday, January 24, 2011
And Then There were 2...
Fans of the NFL, we got a rare treat yesterday, 4 football games rolled into 2 in the Conference Championships. Divided by halfs, both Chicago/Green Bay and Pittsburgh/New York were a tale of two games in one and a reminder that it's a 60 minute enterprise, leads at halftime in this league are never safe and to win you have to play it out until the final gun goes. Credit due to the champions of both conferences who will meet in Dallas February 6th for as eagerly anticipated a game as I can remember. Compared to last year's games, the 2011 version of the Conference finals were sloppy, at times boring and wanting for some real tension and drama. The hopes that we would have the entire day salvaged by a kid named Caleb and the Jets completing a comeback of huge proportions were dashed by an interception, shoddy play calling and poor clock management.
The way the NFC game began, I had edge of the seat excitement about the possibility of a good old fashioned shoot-out to start the day. That quickly diminished with a defensive brawl that resulted in injury to Jay Cutler, Todd Collins and a massive hit to Aaron Rodgers compliments of Julius Peppers that is still resonating around Soldier Field. Had Caleb Hanie been able to bring the Bears a victory, what that would have meant in NFL lore- A Star is Born. I will not speculate on Cutler's injury only to say I am stunned at the venom this guy elicits from fans, media, players alike. Green Bay gave the Bears way to much oxygen all game long, unable to put the boot on their neck and finish the task. The 7-0 halftime lead felt like a blowout but as Hanie and the Bears showed, the scoreboard tells the tale.The Steelers will feast on that if the similar circumstance presents itself in Texas. For Green Bay, different players rose to their circumstance as Rodgers floundered, displaying that there are many ways to win. When a punter is one of your keys to victory, you know you have something special.
The way the NFC game began, I had edge of the seat excitement about the possibility of a good old fashioned shoot-out to start the day. That quickly diminished with a defensive brawl that resulted in injury to Jay Cutler, Todd Collins and a massive hit to Aaron Rodgers compliments of Julius Peppers that is still resonating around Soldier Field. Had Caleb Hanie been able to bring the Bears a victory, what that would have meant in NFL lore- A Star is Born. I will not speculate on Cutler's injury only to say I am stunned at the venom this guy elicits from fans, media, players alike. Green Bay gave the Bears way to much oxygen all game long, unable to put the boot on their neck and finish the task. The 7-0 halftime lead felt like a blowout but as Hanie and the Bears showed, the scoreboard tells the tale.The Steelers will feast on that if the similar circumstance presents itself in Texas. For Green Bay, different players rose to their circumstance as Rodgers floundered, displaying that there are many ways to win. When a punter is one of your keys to victory, you know you have something special.
It looked like the Jets had left it all in Foxboro, a lack of maturity, resolve and intensity that manifest itself with a resounding Steeler performance and a death grip after 30 minutes- So long Rex and crew, been nice. And....then the second half. I am one who believes that the Jets should have won this game. The Steelers goal line stand was aided and abetted by a Jets Offensive coaching staff that could not get plays in quickly, had no sense of urgency and played as if goal line situations had never been contemplated, let alone practised. Are you kidding me? Could Sanchez not have called 2 plays in the huddle, could you not get Tomlinson up over the pile, could you not go at a winded Steeler D? The Steelers do one thing when necessary- make plays. The Jets did not. That's the ballgame. You have to love how battle hardened and tough this group from PA is, led by that defense and a quarterback that knows no surrender. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, the saying goes- The Jets should be the strongest kids in the AFC. Lesson learned: 60 minute game and the "steel" required to win.
And so we begin the march to Dallas. This game should be a monstrous success for FOX. These teams have legions of fans well beyond their markets and that bodes well for TV. The story lines will be fleshed out the next 13 days, with new nicknames like "Hittsburgh" and "The Freezer" becoming part of our Super Bowl lexicon. Let's hope these 2 legendary programs leave it all on the field in Texas, 60 minutes, hard fought. The league and its fans are entitled to just that.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Compliments of FOX Sports
Back to the Future- Conference Championship Style
Nostalgia reigns supreme as we decide the teams meeting in Dallas for Super Bowl XLV
this weekend. Historic rivalries renewed and legendary franchises taking the field to determine who will play for the Lombardi Trophy. The fact that both AFC and NFC Championships take place outside in wintry January climes only ensures a sense of yesterday to the proceedings as cold, snow and less than ideal field conditions provide a backdrop of a time gone by. Even the Jets seem like a team with significant history, their own legend cemented in football lore forever by the brash prediction of their hero, Joe Namath, who guaranteed victory prior to Super Bowl III and then went out and delivered just that. So with the atmosphere guaranteed, time to raise the curtain:
this weekend. Historic rivalries renewed and legendary franchises taking the field to determine who will play for the Lombardi Trophy. The fact that both AFC and NFC Championships take place outside in wintry January climes only ensures a sense of yesterday to the proceedings as cold, snow and less than ideal field conditions provide a backdrop of a time gone by. Even the Jets seem like a team with significant history, their own legend cemented in football lore forever by the brash prediction of their hero, Joe Namath, who guaranteed victory prior to Super Bowl III and then went out and delivered just that. So with the atmosphere guaranteed, time to raise the curtain:
1. Green Bay vs Chicago- This one just screams history, and the fact that long term divisional rivals meet for the Conference title only adds to the drama and intensity. There has been no better story than Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and as Brees was to 2010, perhaps Rodgers will be to 2011, a player in the perfect place and time. Doesn't hurt to have a defense peaking and the sudden discovery of a running game either. In fact both teams have discovered the simplicity of 3 yards and a cloud of dust over the last half of the season. They will need it- the team that can grind out first downs tomorrow in poor conditions at Soldier Field likely takes the game. Don't expect the Bears to go quietly, Jay Cutler and the rest of the Monsters of the Midway have been amongst the best teams in the NFC in the final part of the season and they did beat the Pack early in this campaign. Bears offensive mastermind Mike Martz is capable of creating a game plan that will test the abilities of Green Bay's surging defense and it is only a few years since this Bears team was in the show, so a knowledge of how to win big still permeates the culture of Bear land. A Bears upset is certainly possible but Rodgers seems like a player imbued with a sense of destiny this year and to that end, make it Packers by 3.
2. New York vs. Pittsburgh- Remember at the beginning of the year when everyone thought the Steelers were done as Ben Roethlisberger sat idle for 4 weeks? Fast forward and, SURPRISE!! Here we are yet again at Heinz Field for a conference championship game. The Steel Curtain defense under the wizardry of Dick LeBeau has, time and again this year been the difference maker and tomorrow's game could be the latest of superb defensive efforts by the Steelers D, Harrison and Polamalu the iconic standard bearers of defense's past. From Hard Knocks to winning lucky to foot fetish's to striking down Darth Vader last week in Foxboro, the Jets season has been a season unparalleled. The simple truth behind all the media hype is that these guys can flat out play and as all champions do are coming together at the right time. Coached by a guy who never met a headline he didn't like, these Jets seem to have found common purpose in winning for Coach Ryan and themselves behind a steadily improving Mark Sanchez, who this year only goes out and wins . There is some urgency for New York- LaDainian Tomlinson, so long looking to achieve the big game in San Diego and the faithful Jason Taylor, who gave so much to Miami and Washington now are on the brink or realizing a career's work. Alas, I don't feel it's meant to be....going against that little voice screaming: J-E-T-S and taking Steeler black and gold by 4.
Excuses, explanations and group hugs singing Kumbaya on Monday.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
For the faithful of Leaf Nation, its almost that very special time of the year- the time when pundits, closet GM's and fans alike assess what is best for the hockey team going forward for the remainder of this season and into next. After a sweet little run in early January, the team lost twice- not only against the Rangers earlier this week 7-0 but last Saturday to Calgary in what was one of the dullest games ever staged on Toronto ice. Routs are something that every team endures. Champions, as well as the ordinary among us can go flat on any given night regardless of talent and record- Hello, New England Patriots? But the shootout loss to the Flames should have been an easy 2 points, at home against a team struggling in its own right, there is less explanation for that effort and result than the thrashing in NY. Redemption last night with a sound game against the Ducks, but now a stretch of games largely against Eastern Conference foes, many of which are in the hunt for the playoffs themselves. The Leafs' next 12 games, starting tomorrow night are all against East opponents, 7 of which are currently playoff seeds or could be. The road ahead being challenging at best as the team approaches the trade deadline late next month. So, what to do? Showcase the best trade possibilities like Giguere, Bozak, Kaberle regardless of clauses and commitments? Bring up the Marlies roster en masse and let the kids play for jobs down the road? The future of the top of this organization is murky at best, Ron Wilson's future come spring a likely topic of debate as well. An abysmal finish means the Bruins get yet another high draft pick compliments of the deal that wouldn't die- the Phil Kessel trade and ongoing embarrassment for Brian Burke. The simplest of truths is there are no easy answers. We all know the team needs to develop the bright lights like Shenn and Reimer, keep their picks and nurture those assets and lose the losers- the top of that list looking now like it could be the future of goalie Jonas Gustavsson. Beyond that, it takes an acumen that admittedly I don't possess and a hell of a lot of luck. But while it feels like there are better pieces in place, the results are not showing the lift that Burke's significant changes should have made...81 points in 08-09, 74 to close last year and 43 with 36 games to play this campaign, not exactly dramatic progress. Earlier this week a friend said to me, "I am done with the Leafs, what a huge waste of time and energy." While I believe that he, like millions of others was just articulating out loud what a 7-0 drubbing feels like it is easy to believe that many are again losing patience with this latest incarnation of NHL hockey in Toronto. There are no easy answers, but for the money we all contribute through our loyalty to the Buds - there damn well had soon better be.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Wha Happend?
And just like that you are 1-3....what the hell happened? The Fowl were Foul, The Brady Bunch got GangGreen and Da Bears may have finally found the QB they have pined after for a generation. Kudos to the Steelers, Packers, Jets and Bears who by every measure of the word deserved their victories. As for the teams on the losing end, where to begin? The Ravens collapse was beyond comprehension, high powered and overpaid WR's dropping balls, sure handed RB's fumbling and Joe Flacco glassy eyed as he watched the quarterback he hopes one day to be, Ben Roethlisberger make yet another trip to the AFC Championship. Abysmal effort by the Ravens, soul searching time in Maryland, their fans and D deserved a better fate.
In Dixie, I am sure the Falcons are still reeling from what hit them. A virtuoso performance from Aaron Rodgers, exploited the NFC's number 1 seed and left them looking stunned, without hope and caught flatfooted by a Packers juggernaut. Matt Ryan no doubt learns from this, his one interception likely cementing the Pack victory and opening the floodgates. Mike Smith and his troops deserved a better fate, but Green Bay has it all together at JUST the right time- BEWARE.
Windy City and a Seahawks team that was really never in this thing despite the final score. What about Mr. Cutler, Chicago? Could it be that a player almost completely devoid of charm,leaves you rooting against his side 9 out of 10 time is exactly what the Football Doctor ordered? Yeah, maybe the big arm has arrived at just the right time. This NFC Championship, made even more intense because they are division rivals could be really entertaining- and don't rule the Bears out.
Anyone who finds the Patriots balls and bravado, just drop it off at Gillette Stadium. Wow- all Rex and the J-E-T-S did was yap and yap and yap until game time but when it was time to back it up- They DID. Full marks for the Jets win in this and a serious head scratching in New England this morning as to where the team that I and others expected to run the table went to. It was just beyond flat for the Pats: Brady, Branch, the Defense, bobbled special teams- it was as if the Patriots were, somehow-GULP, mortal!! The Jets and the Pack look like teams of destiny and all 4 of these groups are likable in their own way. Without the Patriots and the Falcons here, this year's tournament just got even more compelling.
Conference Championship picks Saturday...
In Dixie, I am sure the Falcons are still reeling from what hit them. A virtuoso performance from Aaron Rodgers, exploited the NFC's number 1 seed and left them looking stunned, without hope and caught flatfooted by a Packers juggernaut. Matt Ryan no doubt learns from this, his one interception likely cementing the Pack victory and opening the floodgates. Mike Smith and his troops deserved a better fate, but Green Bay has it all together at JUST the right time- BEWARE.
Windy City and a Seahawks team that was really never in this thing despite the final score. What about Mr. Cutler, Chicago? Could it be that a player almost completely devoid of charm,leaves you rooting against his side 9 out of 10 time is exactly what the Football Doctor ordered? Yeah, maybe the big arm has arrived at just the right time. This NFC Championship, made even more intense because they are division rivals could be really entertaining- and don't rule the Bears out.
Anyone who finds the Patriots balls and bravado, just drop it off at Gillette Stadium. Wow- all Rex and the J-E-T-S did was yap and yap and yap until game time but when it was time to back it up- They DID. Full marks for the Jets win in this and a serious head scratching in New England this morning as to where the team that I and others expected to run the table went to. It was just beyond flat for the Pats: Brady, Branch, the Defense, bobbled special teams- it was as if the Patriots were, somehow-GULP, mortal!! The Jets and the Pack look like teams of destiny and all 4 of these groups are likable in their own way. Without the Patriots and the Falcons here, this year's tournament just got even more compelling.
Conference Championship picks Saturday...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Round 2 Sure Things...Right Here for the Taking
Debate amongst yourselves which weekend features better football, Wildcard or Divisional Round. I would usually pick the round of 8, but 3 of last weekend's 4 games threw down the gauntlet for this round to match or surpass the excitement. Regardless, we see the 4 teams that enjoyed first round buys today and tomorrow and the story lines get richer and more intense as we continue the journey to Dallas. So.......
1. Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh- Round III of the Battle of the AFC North. Anyone who thinks Troy Polamalu is not the single most important player on the Steelers roster, even more so than Big Ben need only to look at one of the plays of the year when number 43 stripped Joe Flacco of the ball and gave the Steelers and emotionally charged win over their Charm City rivals. I find the Ravens offense the most frustrating to watch but last week a key piece emerged, TE Todd Heap. If Ray Rice does what he does and Heap can be the "go to" weapon he was last week, I like a Ravens upset. Regardless, it should be a dandy as these 2 behemoths go at it again in Pennsylvania.
2. Green Bay vs. Atlanta- Throw out 13-3, the Pack is now everyone's playoff darlings and the superb regular season record of Atlanta's Birds doesn't matter. 'Tis true, everyone starts the playoff 0-0 but where is the love for this team from Dixie? You would think it almost not worth playing today the way the media has scrambled for space on the GB bandwagon. Defensively, Green Bay is peaking at an opportune moment, last week's game evidence that they are getting key contributions from all 3 parts of their defense. They also found a running game, but I have a feeling about Atlanta. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and perhaps an inspirational leader in Tony Gonzalez. They are the NFC leaders and I like them by a field goal to host the Championship game next Sunday.
3. Seattle vs. Chicago- Does lightning strike twice? Cinderella one step closer to the ball? Ahhhh....nope, methinks it all dies here at Soldier Field tomorrow. The Bears are so easy to be critical of largely because their leader and QB, Jay Cutler, by design or circumstance seems to be one of the most unlikable guys in the game. But this is a team with some strength and despite Cutler's propensity to kill success with his decisions, I like their defensive pieces and enough Matt Forte and Devin Hester to make it a safe bet plane tickets can be booked for Georgia next Sunday- Count me in on Da Bears, by 7 at least.
4. NY Jets vs. New England- Forget the football, lets just go to Sound Byte Bowl 2011. Ok... Rex Ryan is a fat ass windbag and he empowers his players to be as well. But admit it, his flapping gums have give this game some extra jam- even though it did not need it. Bill Belichick, known to all as the NFL version of the Galactic Emperor no doubt has been quietly savouring this one since the Jets slipped by the Colts last week. Now its game time, and I just don't see Gang Green spending a weekend in New England and not getting thumped. I like Brady, Belichick, and a cast of real nobodies in this game, maybe not 45-3 like the Monday night pasting of last month but still a New England "V" and a chance to say, "Look who's talking now". Pats by 4
Explanations, self congratulations and everything else in between as we diagnose Monday.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Weekend that Was...
2-2 and the first playoff weekend is in the books in the NFL. Friday I promised the explanations and excuses for the games I picked wrong and I will admit I thought it would be mea culpa for Phil/GB and Indy/Jets as those seemed like the games with the greatest potential to go either way. Well........who knew that the ghost of the New Orleans Saints circa 1977 would show up and cough up a huge loss to Seattle? Inspired play by the Hawks and a Saint defense that seemed to get stuck in neutral with no passion, intensity or hunger (see Marshawn Lynch TD run for evident) led to one of the biggest upsets in Wild Card history. Good on Pete Carroll and his Birds, they deserved it.
All season long I have been bitching about the Jets winning lucky and arguably it happened again Saturday night. The best game of the four played, Indy did nothing to help their cause, taking bad penalties, ill advised time outs and shoddy play calling that played into the hands of the Jets defense. Mark Sanchez will never be confused with Joe Montana,but he did make the throw when it counted and the Jets played well enough to win.At the final whistle, the scoreboard is the only judge and jury that matter.
Baltimore- ugly win. KC- ugly loss. This thing was painful to watch. I am stretching to try and find something, anything to say about this thing.....not worth the effort, we'll just look forward to the Steelers/Ravens III this weekend.
Finally, the Year of the Vick comes to a crashing halt with a pick in the endzone during a last minute drive. Kudos, major kudos to the Green Bay defense,.Despite the score, it never seemed to me that the outcome was ever in doubt after the half. Philly was banged up and bruised, that much was evident and the pounding continued throughout the afternoon.The sure footed David Akers cost his team 6 points, an early omen to the Eagles that this might not be their afternoon but the Pack played like a team emboldened with a sense of some destiny yesterday, led by an offensive attack that this year has always seemed to find the players to get it done, like the proverbial rabbit in the hat. Yesterday's rabbit? An unheard of rookie named James Starks who banged off 123 yards(Hands up if you had even heard of this guy before yesterday?) in the victory, out gaining all Philadelphia rushers by over 50 yards.
And so...Wild Card Weekend in the books and an entertaining one it was. Let's get ready because the drama only ratchets up this weekend as old rivalries are revisited and new ones possibly created. The promise of another superb weekend of football looms large. In the immortal words of TO: "Get your popcorn ready"
Saturday, January 8, 2011
NFL Wildcard Weekend....yeah Baby
Lets make this short and sweet and in no particular order.....
1. New Orleans vs. Seattle- While I think this is going to be closer than the 11.5 points that Vegas has given the Saints, it still is a New Orleans victory. If I am Pete Carroll, i just throw out the playbook and let 'er rip, nothing to lose...no pressure...but Saints still gonna go marching into the northwest and come out with the "W"
2. New York vs. Indianapolis- After the season that Indy had, I think its a minor miracle they are even here, but they are and I like them today. At the end of the day, Jets defense aside, I'll still take No. 18 in a one game street fight almost 100% of the time and today no exception- Jets have won lucky all year, ride stops today- Colts in a tight one.
3. Baltimore vs. Kansas City- This is a quirky game in my mind and could be one of those 13-10 games or a no holes barred 40-38 fiesta. I give the Ravens the nod because their defense is so tough and Ray Rice I think can pound the rock and wear out the KC defense, but Charm City has made me nuts all year and the Chiefs didn't get here on good looks, so it could be close- I will take the Ravens as a road winner.
4. Green Bay vs. Philadelphia- I love this game, too bad its a first rounder. Vick is a little bruised, so is Aaron Rodgers but the Green Bay QB is to my mind the key, if he plays well, then I look for a Green Bay win. The Green Bay defense could be a difference maker as well but of all the first round match-ups this one has marquee QB's that are absolute game breakers. Feeling like it's close to the end....might as well go with my gut- Pack by under a touchdown.
apologies and explanations Monday for the games I messed up but lets get it going for another season.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
с. победа
The Blog's Title today is Russian for the word, " victory" (thanks translation/babylon.com) and beyond the obvious meaning of the word it resonates this morning with profound disappointment, shock and sadness for Canadians coast to coast. We are, if nothing else, a nation galvanized and brought together by our affinity and passion for "our game" and while we are not generally known for our arrogance, when it comes to shinny we can be grossly arrogant, trumped up and boastful. The international records speak for themselves but last night's result should likely serve as a reminder that we should never, ever, ever, ever take anything for granted, our game or not. Full marks to a Russian squad of juniors that recognized the game is 60-minutes. Their modus operandi should have been better recognized by the Canadian coaches, after all, the Russians fought back from deficits throughout the tournament, including their semi- final against Sweden that earned them a spot in last night's final. At 3-0 with 20 minutes to play it should have been over and as TSN analyst Pierre McGuire pointed out, junior hockey is rife with huge momentum and emotion swings, the 3rd period a telltale example of that insight. At 3-1, you could "feel" the wheels coming off in my livingroom, I am sure the players could too. The Russian team was fast, skilled and battle tested and deserved the gold, no help from bad penalty calls, no cheap goals, just steadfast determination to play a full game and not panic. I do think the switch of goaltenders and the over the top injury reaction by the Russian captain as he lay prone on the ice for close to 5 minutes looking like a player dealing with a life threatening injury, when replay clearly showed it wasn't much, got into the headspace of the Canadian players and subconsciously had them take their foot off the gas. That is where the coaches step in, and clearly they did not do a good enough job to change the wave of momentum that was sweeping over the HSBC ice. It will be debated and examined and a nation will diagnose its very self over the next 24 hours and then we will get back to life.....What a tournament, what a show our friends in Buffalo put on- regardless of outcome. Organizers in Edmonton/Calgary must be silently grateful because the clamor for gold will be even more intense next Boxing Day on home ice. The Canadian loss was good for this tournament and good for us.....Rest assured world, we are coming after what we view as ours in Alberta next year and that's only good for everyone involved. But, to the Russian victors, we hoist and shot of Stoli and cheer their efforts and their medals and they celebrate their с. победа
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Wetter Classic and A Rose Still Smelling as Sweet
Usually October is the best sports month on the calendar- baseball playoffs, football heating up in all leagues and the start of NHL and NBA seasons, its the only time when all 4 major sports converge for fans and casual spectators alike. January is becoming a close second, with major college bowl games, NFL playoffs and the NHL's Winter Classic taking centre stage on the 1st day of the year. The Winter Classic is like the high school prom for the NHL in the United States, lots of hoopla, everyone dressed up and smiling, "Putting on the Ritz" for the folks at NBC and around the USA. This year's game, hindered by weather that was unforgiving in terms of quality hockey was every bit the spectacle, featuring the 2 best players in the game going head to head, powered by the HBO series on their teams, rivalry and buildup to the event. The fact that the game was overtaken by role players, was sloppily played and took a back seat to the rain is really secondary, it's all about the event, and a grand event it was. Weather hardened football fans at Heinz Field certainly were able to handle the elements, strengthened, no doubt by several extra hours of tailgating and liquid courage. As I blogged on Saturday, the league needs to address sustainability for this game but overall while it would be easy to bash this year's Classic and many media types have, you cannot escape the conclusion that the NHL enjoys no bigger stage, even during the Stanley Cup finals than they do on January 1st. Travel 3 time zones and 2,100 miles to the west and you had the Rose Bowl and a defining moment for College Football and the BCS Bowl System. TCU defeated Wisconsin in an emotionally charged, highly entertaining game that earned the Rose Bowl its moniker as "The Grandaddy of them all".
It has been a tough bowl season, lots of blow-outs, games between teams that just crawled with a 6-6 record and a schedule that is exhausting, resplendent with crazy sponsorships- with sincere apologies to Beef o' Brady's and Kraft. For the Rose, TCU's victory was like that moment in the movie Hoosiers when "winning one for all the small schools" became the dramatic undercurrent to a football game played by two superb schools. TCU's victory, perhaps more than anything else illustrates that the system needs to be changed, playoff perhaps, or other means to provide the best teams in the nation, regardless of Conference the chance to play for the national title. It's true- playoffs don't guarantee the best team will win, but what they do is provide an equal playing field for every team over a short window to compete at the highest level with the ultimate prize on the line. Bully to TCU for shattering another flimsy glass ceiling with a significant Rose Bowl win. Overall January 1st is couch potato nirvana and a highly interesting and engaging way to begin 2011. With NFL playoffs starting this weekend and the BCS ramping up, the first month of the year promises mega story lines and lots to write, discuss, opine and argue about.
It has been a tough bowl season, lots of blow-outs, games between teams that just crawled with a 6-6 record and a schedule that is exhausting, resplendent with crazy sponsorships- with sincere apologies to Beef o' Brady's and Kraft. For the Rose, TCU's victory was like that moment in the movie Hoosiers when "winning one for all the small schools" became the dramatic undercurrent to a football game played by two superb schools. TCU's victory, perhaps more than anything else illustrates that the system needs to be changed, playoff perhaps, or other means to provide the best teams in the nation, regardless of Conference the chance to play for the national title. It's true- playoffs don't guarantee the best team will win, but what they do is provide an equal playing field for every team over a short window to compete at the highest level with the ultimate prize on the line. Bully to TCU for shattering another flimsy glass ceiling with a significant Rose Bowl win. Overall January 1st is couch potato nirvana and a highly interesting and engaging way to begin 2011. With NFL playoffs starting this weekend and the BCS ramping up, the first month of the year promises mega story lines and lots to write, discuss, opine and argue about.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The NHL's Job to Keep The Winter Classic, well...Classic
So, rain falls in Pittsburgh PA and hockey fans adjust their New Year's Day viewing plans to watch the face off tonight instead of this afternoon. How this revised start time impacts the channel choices of U.S. based viewers going up against some high powered college bowl games will be interesting to analyze. The NHL has, over the last 4 years, carved an interesting niche with the Outdoor Game or "Winter Classic", as its coined in NHL marketing parlance. The games, inspired originally at the pro level by the uber frigid Montreal/Edmonton match several years ago and before that the University of Michigan outdoor event has taken hockey, if ever so briefly, from the realm of second tier sport to the forefront of consciousness of many casual fans based in the U.S. I am not here to dump on the concept, love the attention, the playfulness and this year, the optics of the duel between the 2 best players in the game: The Capital's Alex Ovechkin and Pen's Sidney Crosby. The extra juice provided by the superb HBO hockey doc, "24/7 Road to the Winter Classic" has only added to the event. But where to from here? This year, Calgary is hosting a second outdoor game February 20th, and while it will no doubt capture big share in Canada, don't expect the same sizzle south of the 49th as the Flames tackle Montreal. I just see twice in one year as too difficult to sustain the momentum, besides there is something attractive about New Years Day, lots of eyeballs available and the 1 p.m. puck drop always dovetailed nicely between early College Bowl games and the Rose and Fiesta Bowls that kickoff later in the day. Would a league so U.S.-centric ever look at a Canadian site on January 1st? Doubt it- even though the winter elements make the most sense. Aside from New York, Philadelphia and maybe Minnesota, what American markets are even capable of hosting the game? It would also take a Herculean marketing effort to gin up any kind of excitement about a Wild/Blue Jackets tilt, even in the most rapid of U.S. hockey centres. So, as we approach installment 5 of the game, the league faces some interesting choices regarding sustainability and fan interest. Should Canadian markets receive the game as a thank-you for paying the freight and faithful support for generations? I mean, you cannot consider the idea done until Montreal and Toronto at least host a game, can you? Do you try and incorporate the failing All Star game into an outdoor venue? What about international events? Any value in getting behind outdoor events between national teams? It seems the NHL will need to continue to be innovative and imaginative to keep the cache of being outdoors strong among fans, particularly casual ones in the States that enjoy the "wrinkle" of playing outside as much as the game itself. Tough to market 5 years as a substantial league tradition and not a short-lived flash in the pan, and one hopes that the entire concept doesn't become watered down, bland and unappealing. The outdoor events are a novel part of the league's overall mandate to grow the game's audience and fan base overall and to that end the NHL should continue to explore ways to grow its appeal.
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