Deconstruction!

Well my Denver Broncos are officially self-destructing. It doesn't matter who you blame; players, management, or coaching, the fact is it is getting bad. I will be a Bronco fan and I will root for them this year but it is going to be rough.



I was sure that something bad was in store when the Broncos fired long time coach Mike Shannahan. The owner, Pat Bowlen, felt that the organization was stagnant and needed a boost. Shannahan was an offensive coach and the defense was horrible. But then the management mistakes started. Instead of going out and getting an established defensive minded coach, Bowlen hired a young offensive coordinator from New England named Josh McDaniel. We will get to him in the next paragraph. Pat Bowlen then agreed to give in to Jay Cutler's trade demands. The organization also seems to be mishandling troubled wide receiver, Brandon Marshall. Marshall, who has had his share of off the field problems, has been demanding a trade or contract re-negotiating. The team further frustrated Marshall after discouraging teammates from congratulating Marshall on his acquittal of battery. Now Marshall is indefinitely suspended for his conduct on the practice field.



The new coach has made some mistakes as well. He seems to have lobbied for and tried for, a trade to get New England back-up quarterback, Matt Cassell. After this information emerged publicly Josh McDaniel first denied, then later confirmed the rumors. He said the logic was to bring in someone who knew his system so that player could teach the rest of the team. But every knew that after his breakout season last year and taking the franchise tag from New England, Matt Cassell was going to get starter money, and be a starter this year in the NFL. On the face it looks like McDaniels has lost big in this situation. He didn't get Cassell and he lost pro-bowl quarterback Jay Cutler to a trade with the Bears.



But I think the most notable mistakes have been made by the players. I can fully understand both Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall's beefs. Jay Cutler has done a ton of good in Denver. The offense has been spectacular and he has won some games for the team after the defense seemed to have lost them late. But Jay Cutler needed to just suck this one up and play. He is a better quarterback than Cassell and would have easily won that job. Now he comes off looking like a baby, and lacking mental toughness. Brandon Marshall is following in the diva footsteps of other wide receivers. After not getting the trade or contract restructuring he wanted he has just been acting like an ass. Half-assing in practice, punting balls, and not playing in the pre-season. He claims to have a lack of trust with management after they mis-handled his acquittal, and haven't traded him, which he claims they said they would.



The Broncos are in a weak division, and I think they will be fine. I don't think that they will make the playoffs, but maybe they will get through this season and all get on the same page. Live like no one is watching and GO Broncos!

PS. It is a big weekend for my hometown in sports. The Lovington Wildcats will be hosting longtime rivals Artesia tonight. Go Big Blue. Kickoff is 7pm local time. Also, my high school teammate Josh Faith, will be coaching this weekend for ENMU against CSU Pueblo, game time is 7 pm Saturday. So if you know him wish him luck!

The BUS preseason top 25

Well the time is here! We all know that I love me some college football! In one more week I will be looking a the NFL as an after thought of a great Saturday. So keeping with tradition here is my top 25!

1.) Florida- They are returning a ton of starters and are the reigning National Champs, any questions!

2.) Texas- We all know I hate the Longhorns. But Colt McCoy is amazing, and born in New Mexico! They lost a ot on defense but they play in the Big 12 where no one needs defense!

3.) Oklahoma- I think that, despite the worries about the offensive line, the Sooners will be good. This is another team I hate, but they have a ton of offensive weapons including Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford!

4.) Oklahoma State- This is a talented team. They will have some big tests this season, but they might find themselves in a BCS bowl game. Their triplets, QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant, RB Kendall Hunter are the most talented in the nation.

5.) USC- They just named a freshman to the starting QB role. But Carroll is a helluva a coach and he always has talent. Be aware Trojan fans, you goofs, that USC may lose 3 games this year.

6.)Virginia Tech- I am not sure why I have VT here I am just buying what they are selling!

7.) TCU- That's right a non BCS team in the top 10. I am convinced that this team was on the verge of being great last year! They have a sound defense and are hungry.

8.) Oregon- Two Pac-10 teams in the top 10 is almost ludicrous. But I think that this team has the opportunity to be really good. Just google Jeremiah Masoli.

9.) Ole Miss- Remember this is the only team to beat the defending national champions! Jevan Snead is the real deal at quarterback, and Coach Houston Nutt has a good thing going there!

10.) Penn State- Joe Paterno is poised to have another great season. He will be assisted by a weak schedule but the Nittany Lions look to have a good season again this year.

11.) Georgia Tech
12.) LSU
13.) Boise State
14.) California
15.) Kansas
16.) Ohio State
17.) Georgia
18.) Utah
19.) Iowa
20.) Florida State
22.) Alabama
23.) Michigan
24.) Nebraska
25.) Notre Dame

Well there it is. If you have any issues with it email me. I am super pumped and can not wait until the college football season to start. Live like no one is watching and go back to school!

Strange fantasy...

It has long been a fall tradition for men to settle in front of their T.V.s on Sunday and dutiful waste an afternoon watching football. It doesn't matter if our teams are playing, we just have to watch. If we can't catch our teams on the local feed we file onto a bar where there is every game on. We are engulfed in our team, but our peripheral vision catches all games. We ask a thousand questions; "What is the score on the game involving the division leader?", "Is that team finally winning on the road?", and etc. But over the last decade a new reason to focus on every game has emerged, fantasy football!

It makes me angry that football purists are so anti-fantasy. You would think they would embrace it. It encourages regular fans to study stats, tendencies, and understand the game more completely. It makes the lay-fan more aware of the game. How is that a bad thing. I know that the purists believe that it takes the fan out of the game. I am huge fan of the Denver Broncos. I do not root for them less simply because they are playing a member of my fantasy team. (Unless of course they are up against my defense, then I would like them to win but not score much or have many yards.) I think that fantasy football has made me a more knowledgeable fan. And I think it would work for you too!

Please don't get me wrong, I am a fan of the fan. I would hate for the football fan to become a glorified statistician. I just think that football fans would get an added kick out of studying stats. Root for your team passionately, but be aware of the overall greatness of fantasy football!
Live like no one is watching, and fulfill your fanstasy...roster!

Oh Coach Hotz....

I want to start by saying I absolutely love Lou Holtz, and I am as equally fond of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Coach Holtz is known for his goofy antics and outrageous predictions on ESPN almost as well as he is known as a sound football coach and motivational speaker. But the greatest thing about Lou Holtz is his undying love for the University of Notre Dame. But coach said something this weekend, that although I love, I find myself struggling to believe.

Lou Holtz is quoted on Yahoo Sports as saying that Florida will play, get this, Notre Dame for the national title this year. Now before you hurl yourself into uncontrollable laughter listen to the logic. And this is from my mouth as well as Coach Holtz. The Irish have a very easy schedule this year. Possible the easiest in Division I. Also, after some of the best recruiting classes in the division for the past 3 years, they have a lot of talent on the team that fails to reach its potential. Which is usually a coaching problem, I am not saying I am just saying. If the offensive line plays consisitently like it did on occasion last year and gives quarterback Jimmy Clausen some time, they have some weapons. Wide receivers Golden Tate and Michael Floyd are phenomenal talent and Armando Allen had a decent year at tailback. They are easily the most talented team on their schedule other than USC maybe. But with the Trojans' questions at quarterback they might just be vulnerable.

Lou Holtz had better be right, because Charlie Weiss might not have a job much longer is Holtz is wrong. I love the Irish but I just can't have your back here coach. But i do think the Irish can win nine or ten games and get to a decent bowl game. Live like no one is watching and play like a champion.

Thats Usain!

I am not sure if sports fans noticed at all, but the IAAF Track and Field World Championships are going on in Berlin, Germany. There is something amazing happening in the world of track. Usain Bolt officially owns everyone. This tall, skinny, twenty-three year old kid from Jamaica has dominated the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash at these championships.

We were first introduced to the wacky Usain Bolt last year at the Beijing Olympics. Bolt shattered the world record in the 100 meter dash while show-boating across the finish line. He ran a 9.69 and we were shocked with the ease in which he won. Then came the 200 meter dash and Usain Bolt again broke a world record. He had to put in a little more work but he bested the beloved Michael Johnson's 19.32 by .02 seconds. But this week was more about what Usain Bolt would do to his own records. And he quickly showed us. In the 100 meter finals Usain Bolt turned in a ridiculous time of 9.58. He assaulted another of his world records in the 200 meter dash, running an outrageous 19.19. And the worst part is that no one else was in the frame.

Bolt is undoubtedly in a class by himself. At the age of 23 he has a few more years to get better. The only thing we can do is sit back and watch. Sprinting is not like swimming, where we can blame this on a special suit. Bolt is doing this through hard work and God-given talent. He has 3 years til the next Olympics, can he run under 9.5 in the hundred, or 19.00 flat in the 200? I, as a sports fan truly hope so. Live like no one is watching, and run like someone is chasing you.

Last Chance?

As most you have already heard, Brett Farve is now a Viking. After spending 16 glorious seasons with the Green Bay Packers, the oft fickle Farve has now signed with the hated NFC North rivals Minnesota for two years and 25 million dollars. I am as tired as anyone about the soap opera that has become the Brett Farve saga. But if somethings fall into place this might be a chance for Farve to redeem himself and alienate himself forever from the Cheesehead Nation.

Before Farve arrived on the field in Minnesota yesterday, the Vikings' chances to win the North and make the playoffs were high. With a ferocious defense and a top notch running game the Vikes only need a quarterback that can manage a game and not screw up. I really think that I could stand back there and hand the ball of to the freak phenom, Adrian "All Day" Peterson, and toss the ball up to speedy wide outs like Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian. I think Sage Rosenfels could've have easily stepped in and managed the game and I also believe that Tavaris Jackson could've been an added weapon for the Vikes. So what is it that makes the Farve acquisition so important?

If, and it is a big one, Brett Farve can follow in the footsteps of John Elway and put his gunslinger mentality on the shelf, this team will be damn near unstoppable. See Brett's biggest knock is all the mistakes he makes while trying to make big plays. But if you give him the opportunity to mange the game and hand the ball off, he can succeed in Minnesota. Brett's leadership abilities have never been called into question and his heart is undeniable. With a great running game and a heavily controlled offensive scheme, Brett can step in and be the emotional leader on this team and the veteran presence that the offense needs to make it an elite offense in this league. But as we have seen with the vacillating, Brett seems to only think about himself. He will have to drop the concept of gunslinger and embrace the role of game manager.

It sounds simple on paper but Brett Farve usually has his own ideas about how things work. He has definitely turned a lot of sports fans off with his indecision. I don't happen to be one of them. I understand how hard it is to walk away from the game and I believe Brett when he says it doesn't matter to him what we think. But I hope that he understands the situation he has been put into and the opportunity he has to end this story on a good note, at least for him. Packers fans will see it differently I am sure. Live like no one is watching and keep playing until they don't want you anymore!

The New Eagle

I was all prepared to give you a run down of all the great pre-season games tonight. But there was some breaking news that changed the direction of this blog. Michael Vick signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Some I have talked to are in disbelief, but some are excited. Vick's second chance in the NFL has been a hot-button issue among sports fans since his release from custody on July 20th. I have been constantly in support of Vick's reinstatement, and I found myself in the minority. But let's break it down from the football point of view.

I believe the Eagles are a great fit for Mike Vick. With a strong fan base and a great ownership core, the Eagles are a great place for Vick to ease back in the NFL. The Eagles also have an established quarterback, Donovan Mcnabb, to help Vick transition back into the league without Mcnabb feeling any pressure about his job. Not to mention Mcnabb is a superior role model for Vick. Mcnabb is never in trouble and a strong voice for the African-American quarterback throughout football. Vick is also a great addition to the Eagles offense. Along with Mcnabb, Brian Westbrook, second year receiver Desean Jackson, and draft pick Jeremy Maclin, Vick adds another dimension to the Eagles offense. I promise you Andy Reid will find a way to use him.

I know all the anti-Vick forces are out there and I understand on some level. But to me beating a woman is worse than killing a dog and there are plenty of domestic abusers on NFL rosters. The kid served his time and deserves his shot. You and I will never know if Vick is truly remorseful, but all we can judge on is his actions. I wish him all the luck. I hope everyone got a chance to check out pre-season action and stay tuned all weekend. Live like no one is watching, and watch then judge!

Fan Email

Here is a little look at email from my adoring fans! One of them at least!


Nathan,

I see you wrote a blog about the weekend in sports and failed to mention UFC 101.(Yeah here we go with this non-sense!) Now I really enjoy your blog, but you cannot continue to ignore the growing popularity of Mixed Martial arts. (Watch me!) It is very disturbing that you would simply ignore a popular sport simply because you don't understand or like it. I would really enjoy your blog more if you maybe threw in at least a small paragraph about UFC. But other than that keep up the good work!

I am not sure if this email is full of sarcasm or this guy took a crash course in constructive criticism. Yes you outed me. I am so sorry for being so vague about my disdain for the mixed martial arts. I am not into to UFC and as long as I am not getting paid to write this, I will write what I want. But to keep you happy, I will do my best. Would you also like to hear about hockey, or NASCAR? Good luck pal. At least this email had no homophobic rants like my last answered email! If you want me to answer your email on the blog just send it to me and include if you want it posted with or without your name! Live like no one is watching, thank you and keep reading!

Hall of fame weekend!

It was so great to finally have some football on this weekend, but that wasn't the only thing that was taking place. I think that it says alot about me that a pre-season game was my number one sporting priority this weekend but the sad truth is that I am a football fan first and a sports fan second. But not to worry sports fans I have a full array of sports knowledge to display tonight!

The first headline of Sunday is Tiger winning again. Tiger Woods earned his 70th PGA tour title, with his seventh win at the WGC-Bridgestone. Tiger overcame a 3 stroke lead in the first four holes, then went on to cement his win with a hell of a shot on 16. Although Tiger has yet to capture a Major this year, he seems to be not only the most skilled player on the tour, but he is regaining his mental dominance over the other players. Padraig Harrington all but cried when he fell apart on the 16th hole. Tiger might be the most dominate player ever in any sport. Now, golf needs him to win a major this year.

Our next headline is the greatest rivalry in sports. Boston and New york ended a four game series tonight, that the Yankees swept. Despite the four game sweep this was one of the best series I have seen between these two games. Including a 15 inning game in which A-Rod won with a walk-off home run. This series could not even be overshadowed by the Big Papi steroid non-sense. I am not a huge fan of either one of these teams but the series is intoxicating. I am happy to say that the Rangers have now moved into a tie with Boston for a lead in the wild card.

Now for the pre-season football game that ended a great Hall of Fame weekend. There were some very emotional moments at the ceremony, as the late Derrick Thomas, and the late Bob Hayes were inducted. The game itself was like any other pre-season game. Although I couldn't help but realize how disinterested Vince Young looked while playing tonight. It is sad to see a phenomenal talent go to waste over apathy, and a lack of mental toughness. It was also good to hear Tony Dungy speaking on Michael Vick and his process to better himself. I am just really excited that the football season is finally getting started. Oh yeah and Terrell Owens was there.

Finally I have some clarifications to make on a conversation I had with another sports fan two days ago. I am taking it easier on Josh Hamilton than I am on other sports stars who put themselves in dumb situations. Hamilton is a long and admittedly tough battle with sobriety, and I will never trash a man who is attempting to better himself. The pictures that surfaced recently are to be discussed between him, his wife, and his sobriety sponsor, and are really none of our business. I hope that he wins his battle with addiction, but i refuse to challenge him to it!

Well that is what I saw this weekend. It was a full weekend of sports and I am sure I missed something. If I did call me out on it in an email and I'll try to throw it in. Live like no one is watching, and start your own Hall of Fame..

What an ego....

This story was spawned by a conversation with my father so blame the ranting on him. Michael Crabtree's people are saying that Crabtree is prepared to hold out the 2009-10 season and re-enter the draft next year. Wow! He sure does have a lot of balls for a kid who hasn't done anything in the NFL. He must have been taking notes from the Jay Cutler dumbass book of negotiating. So it basically boils down to Michael Crabtree is an idiot, and I am going to tell you why, and my idea to fix it.

Let's take a look at Mr. Crabtree. There is no doubt that he is a talented young man. He won the Biletnikoff Award, given to college football''s best wide receiver, twice. He had 3,127 career receiving yards and 41 T.D.s at Texas Tech. Now these stats are padded by a pass happy offense and bad defenses in the Big 12. Crabtree has great hands and runs flawless routes. But he is not very big and not super fast. Guys with his skill set have long, successful careers in the NFL, as reliable second or third options. But to succeed, Crabtree will need a better attitude, and maybe some work ethic. Right now he is coming off as a cry-baby diva. He wants to be paid like a top five pick because that is where he thinks he should've been taken. That is dumb! I wish I could just make stuff up to get paid better. Life doesn't work like that. Sign a contract, show up to work, and force them to pay you that way. Unfortunately the NFL does pay unproven players, but we will get to that, Crabtree needs to take his 10th pick money and play football. I hope he signs, I was a big fan of his at Tech, and I kinda want to see Coach Singletary make him cry!

So how do we fix these idiot hold outs. I will tell you, pay them a set amount. Make a pay grade like the military. Players will get paid the amount assigned for draft pick. It will be a one or two year contract and then after that, hold on for this jewel, based on your performance you will be paid accordingly. WHOA! What a crazy idea, pay someone based on what they do. That is ultimate progressive thinking. The sad truth is that a rookie in the NFL, on average, gets paid almost four times as much as a veteran. It is garbage. I think all these guys get paid plenty an arguing over a few million is trivial, but you should have to prove yourself before you get the big bucks.

I honestly don't care how much athletes get paid. If they can make 100 million then give it to them. But please for our sake in this economy, stop holding out and bitching over a couple million dollars. Take a page from Anquain Boldin. Last year he was unhappy with his contract, so he came to work every day and played his ass off. Now he may not get big time money now, but GMs and coaches remember that, and when he is a free agent he will get paid big bucks. Live like no one is watching, and be old school, not kindergarten! Thanks Pops!

Tough news for many!

It seems like there is no news out there that is good news. Even my beloved sports page is splashed with reminders of the tough economy and crazy world. So today, in a break from my general optimistic view, I have decided to throw my spin on a few of the bad stories in the sports page.

The first victim of today is Matt Leinart. Matt Leinart made news in college by being a pretty boy from southern California. He was a dominant college quarterback in a system that produces stars. His movie star good looks and laid back attitude made him a star in college. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and was poised to be their starting quarterback. But something crazy happened for this one time Heisman Trophy winner. He was indecisive and unable to lead. Since he started in the NFL he has been an utter disaster. Now today a report from Arizona quelled the fiery ego of every douche-bag Trojan fan. Matt Leinart is in a hot quaterback competition in training camp, with third string Cardinal quarterback, Brian St. Pierre. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Here is the goood news though, and unfortunately it is not for Leinart. With the brief success of Matt Cassell and the shunning of Sanchez's decision to leave early, apparently Pete Carroll knows jack squat about the potential of quaterbacks after college. This bodes well for Mark Sanchez.

Victim number two is the Arena Football League. After twenty-one years of mediocre success, the Arena Football League announced that it planned to file bankruptcy. The AFL succeeded for so long because of celebrity owners and it's difference from the NFL. The NFL crushes other leagues that it feels are a threat to it's popularity. But the AFL posed no such threat. It was a goofy little side show that kept football fans entertained until the NFL started again. It will be sad to watch the league fold, but the good news here is for the United Football League. They may be able to grab a fan base if they pick up some for the guys from the now non-existent AFL.

The last two people I wanna talk about today are Michael Vick and Allen Iverson. I can only call them victims because they are privy to their own stupidity. But the truly mystifying thing is that neither of these one time super stars can find a team. With Vick I can almost understand the desire to avoid bad press. But in a league where it seems like one out of every five guys is a felon. And I have to agree with JA. Adande on the fact that wife beaters are far worse than dog fighters in my book. SO it is time for the teams in the NFL to get over it! I would love for Vick to join my Broncos, but I think ownership has done enough to alienate the fan base this off season. Allen Iverson may be looking overseas for a job. This is sad too. He may not have the greatest attitude but he can still contribute. Not to mention he led a revolution, whether good or bad, in sports stars. As Vincent Thomas from Slam magazine put it, "He led a movement, call it the Hip-Hop movement. Iverson was the most cultural relevant athlete of my generation." He was a face for the NBA fan in the nineties whether we want to believe it or not. I am in the minority here because I am rooting for both these guys.

All I can say is the world is a tough place right now. Even the "elite" of our society are feeling the hurt, looking for jobs and loosing money. I find it hard to feel to bad for them, but it is taking over my sports shows. Live like no one is watching and keep pushing forward!

No mas tequila!

I have witnessed and tried some of the most outrageous diet plans. It is true, i will hear about something and think, "Hmm, that sounds fun!" My favorite things to try are the things that professional athletes do. And not just diet plans, workouts too. But today I heard about a weight loss plan that is not only crazy, but apparently effective!

Tennessee Titans bruising running back, Lendale White, reported to training camp this year 37 pounds lighter. Since he burst onto the scene White has had problems with controlling his weight. The guys who talk about sports have constantly speculated on his shapely form. Does he have a slow metabolism, does he eat too much, is he lazy? All of these are very logical questions, but all appear to be wrong. SO what did Lendale change about his diet? He drank less Patron! That's right he has decided to stop drinking tequila.

Now this is technically a valid approach. See alcohol has added calories that are not necessary, and God knows if you are up drinking Patron you are going to eat all kinds of cheesy goodness late at night. That is where the 37 pounds went. Lendale wasn't slamming back nachos and enchiladas after his gallon bottle of Patron he had apparently been drinking.

To tell the truth this all sounds like garbage. Lendale White is a glutton for attention. I wouldn't be surprised if he spent the off season in the gym and dieting, busting his ass trying to get in shape so that he can better what is arguably the best backfield in the NFL. But his explanation got him the attention that he craves so very much! Way to go Lendale you got us all chattering. Live like no one is watching, and to drink less tequila, you first have to drink more!