Joe Spread the Wealth

Denver Broncos safety, Rahim Moore makes a habitual play instead of what is known as one of the most bone headed defensive play in NFL postseason history and the Ravens don’t even make it past the first round. Take away one spectacular catch from Anquan Boldin on third down and the Ravens don’t win the Super Bowl. All admit that Flacco made some gutsy throws over the course of this post season but as great as some passes looked, wide receivers catches were even more spectaular. If we take Anquan Boldin out of the playoffs, the Ravens lose and Joe doesn’t look like he is worth even $10 million a year.

            But Joe is getting paid as if his throwing arm were made of pure gold. Does $120.6 million really make Joe that much better of a quarterback? Is the team going to be that much better next year?

Yet Joe Flacco has always complained that he doesn’t feel respected by the Ravens organization. This complaint isn’t based off of mutual respect from teammates or owners, media, or winning percentage, but it is based off his individual contract value. Well we at least won’t be hearing any more from the winning quarterback. Joe is now satisfied because of his lucrative contract. Who cares that he just lost his main target from the playoffs in Anquan Boldin? Who cares that the Ravens Super Bowl team has just been gutted and remains only a hallow shell of what it was last season because Joe Flacco feels respected.

            The Ravens had to cut back some of their current players’ salaries in order to budget their salary under the salary cap for the next year. All Anquan asked was to keep his $6 million a year contract. Instead some of that went to Joe’s $29 million sign on bonus. But hey, Joe proves that ignorance is bliss as he supported Anquan asking and negotiating for even more money before he was recently let go. All in all the Ravens have lost Bernard Pollard, last season’s leading tackler, Bobbie Williams, Anquan Boldin, Dannell Ellerbe, and Paul Kruger all to either free agency or lack of funding to keep them with the Ravens.

            Did the Ravens make a mistake by giving Joe Flacco that much money? But again, at least he will no longer be winning to the media about his lack of respect. Does $120.6 million make Denver's Rahim make another terrible play during the playoffs or enhance Anquan Boldin's terrific playoff play, or the tough bone crunching defense that Baltimore is known for? No but  apparently $120.6 million makes Joe feel respected and that's all that matters.  

Dwight, Grow up

Dwight Howard needs to grow up! He leaves Orlando after putting himself in the limelight, making as much publicity as possible while distracting and taking away from his team. Now he is in Los Angeles doing the same thing.

            Dwight was ranked as the most well liked player in the NBA. How many fans would even consider him in the top 10 now? After making noise and complaining about his contract, his physical condition, his lack of effort, or his teammates, he is now badmouthing his previous team, stating, "My team in Orlando was a team full of people who nobody wanted, and I was the leader, and I led that team with a smile on my face."

            He claims the recognition when they went to the finals and how well they played to get there, but when they lost he blamed his three point shooters for shooting poorly. He is now competing with the Lakers and has so far been one of the biggest bust trades of the season. But one thing we can count on from Dwight Howard, is that he will unfailingly put himself in the light of the media to make some noise.

            Some words of advice Dwight, just because you are naturally athletic and have great potential doesn't mean you can just roll through the game and be great. You still have to put in the hours and the time, and most importantly you have to start accepting responsibility for your own actions and stop blaming others for your failure. You could be great but you take too many outs, play like you can, stay out of the media and be great. Otherwise you will simply be Terrell Owens version of a basketball player. In the end no teams or players wanted to play with him because of his selfish attitude and playing style. 

Blue on Blue

The NCAA playing rules oversight panel denied the NCAA Rules Committee proposal to require college football teams from wearing contrasting uniforms with their football fields. This proposal was in large known as the “Boise State Proposal,” although it would affect many other college football teams in the nation.

            Previously the Mountain West Conference proposed and made a ban on Boise State wearing all blue uniforms on their blue turn when Boise entered the MWC years back. However when Boise decided to stay in the MWC instead of joining the Big East Conference, the MWC relented their ban and then went to bat for Boise when the Rules Committee had proposed that ban on all football teams.

            Boise State, with the support from the MWC along with other members of the NCAA were able to help repeal the ban and all college football teams are now allowed to wear uniforms that do not contrast with their football field. The Panel said this proposed ban would not enhance the game of football. On the contrary it would only take away from what is known as the most winningest team in the last decade and one of their trademark looks, blue jerseys on a blue football field. Along with Boise, other teams are currently satisfied that they will not have to adapt their uniforms accordingly to the proposed ban either. 

Changing the Game

College football is renowned for its passionate play, even more so than is known among the professional athletes in the NFL. For college athletes, they compete because of the pure love of the game as compared to NFL players playing to fill their bank account. College football is loved because of the pure passion and intensity viewers can sense and feel from the players.

            Weeks ago I wrote about the changes in the NFL to make the game safer, but are those changes actually damaging the integrity and purity of the game?

            According to ESPN, the NCAA made an announcement Thursday that players can now be ejected from games for what they term as an illegal hit, or in other words a hit to a defenseless player above the shoulders. No doubt player safety should be a priority in college football, but at the point where it will inhibit the athletes from being able to compete? I recall years ago watching a would be quarterback sack when the defender decided better to not tackle the quarterback because he thought he had passed the ball and was afraid of repercussions from the referees and potentially his coaches. Consequentially, he didn’t tackle the quarterback and the quarterback responded by rolling out and throwing a touchdown pass.

            In a college sport where kids play for the pure love of the game, is it fair to take away their intensity on the field because they may fear suspension from half of their current game and half of the next game scheduled? With the little changes being implemented in college football, are the athletes slowly playing a different game than was played years ago?

            Protect the players by issuing safer equipment, but don’t limit the athlete’s ability to play the game they love. Allow them to compete, don’t scare them from truly playing. College football is entertaining because of the love of the game, don’t change that. 

Why Tono Romo-mania?

Tony Romo is debated every year as one of the elite quarterbacks along with the Cowboys listed as one of the top teams in the NFL.

WHY? What has Tony Romo or the Cowboys done in the past decade to deserve the amount of respect to be listed year in and year out as a contender? Since the 2000 football season, their win/loss has been 104 wins with 104 losses. That is only .500 with Tony Romo leading them to only one playoff win in his career.

Why is Tony considered as an elite quarterback being paid as much as Peyton Manning and other truly elite quarterbacks who have played in the NFL? Why is Tony holding out as a free agent asking for a large, lucrative contract when he has done nothing in his past to demonstrate his ability to deserve so much money? Actions and performance speaks volumes when words are hollow and worthless. Give credit where credit is due and Tony deserves his credit, but that credit is not that of an elite quarterback. 

Vince Young Needs to Grow up

 Vince Young is known as one of the most electrifying teams to have played and graduated from Texas football, leading the Longhorns to only their 6^th undefeated season and 4^th college football championship. While playing against the USC Trojans in the BCS championship game, Young naturally lifted his team on his shoulders and carried them past the Trojans, winning their first BCS title under the BCS era. He was highly anticipated to play in the NFL, to the extent that he was drafted as the 3^rd overall pick to the Tennessee Titans under Head Coach Jeff Fisher in 2005. Vince Young’s career did not last though.

After receiving opportunities to start for the Titans and demonstrate his ability to lead the team to victory, Vince demonstrated his leadership skills after suffering a harsh loss by yelling at Coach Fisher and stating, “I’m not running out on teammates, I’m running out on you.”

After that comment, he was quickly dismissed from the Titans. Young then tried to find a place with the Philadelphia Eagles, to play there a season. The following year he didn’t even make the roster of the Buffalo Bills.

In Young’s young and short career, he blamed his faults on his coaches, his agents, his teammates, never taking the blame himself. He now is trying out for pro football teams again claiming he has matured and grown up and he demonstrated his level of maturity just recently when he said, “I was getting taken advantage of. Basically I'm the victim of the situation.”

When is he going to learn that maturity is demonstrated by a person’s ability to take responsibility for the situation he finds himself in, instead of claiming he was the victim of said situation. How much success can a quarterback, the natural leader of football teams have when he cannot lead?

Why is Vince Young attempting to compete in the NFL again? According to folks from the Nashville area, the witnessed Young spend around $5,000 in one sitting at the Cheesecake Factory many times during his rookie season. They also witnessed him run up a tab of around $6,000 at T.G.I Fridays. Does Vince Young really have a true desire to lead teammates and a football team to success or is this just his sad attempt to refill his empty bank account? 

Is There Such a Thing as Safe Football?

The game of football is known and famous for its fast paced, explosive head jarring plays and hits. Football players know what they are signing up for and agreeing to when they sign million dollar contracts for only several years. It is a game of speed and intensity, a game in which accidents and injuries will always be present. Roger Goodell, the President of the NFL is claiming to make football safer for the players.

Football player safety should be the most important topic to discuss when talking about the individuals competing. The NFL has ensured player safety by issuing state of the art equipment and gear, rules and regulations to protect the players and rigorous training that is meant to prepare players for the physical beating from game to game. Roger Goodell has even changed some of the rules of the game, including the kickoff in an attempt to avoid high speed impact and injuries. Players and fans have complained that he is changing the game with these new rules and regulations.

Goodell said, "We know that in order to secure the future, we can and must do more to make the game safer, and in the process, we will make other sports safer as well,"

With this statement is he truly making the game safer or endangering is long term safety? By changing the rules of the game so extensively, is he damaging the game and changing the game altogether? In ten years from now will we even be able to recognize the game of football as we know it today?