On Wednesday, the National Baseball Hall Of Fame, dedicated to presumably honor the greats in Major League Baseball and American Baseball at the highest levels, announced the results of the vote taken late last year by the BBWAA. The BBWAA are the organization of sports writers devoted to covering MLB and making their slack-jawed opinions known whether we want them or not. Every year, a select number of recently retired ballplayers who have been inactive for at least five years are voted by these writers to receive this prestigious honor. And in most cases, ballplayers that deserve the honor are routinely denied the honor of having a day devoted to them and a permanent plaque in Cooperstown, NY.
For 2016, only 2 ballplayers will receive a plaque. These players are Ken Griffey Jr., one of the better center fielders of the 1990s and early 2000s who totaled more than 620 home runs and a slew of personal records; and Mike Piazza, perhaps the best hitting catcher of his era with over 420 home runs and 2600 hits. Being from New York, most of the attention is on Piazza getting in; more so now since he will go in as a Met. By the way, Junior Griffey is going in as a Mariner, but that was a given. It is all well and good, until you realize the amount of ballplayers and off-the-field leaders who are not in the Hall of Fame, either still alive or since passed away.
I was going to provide a list of these oversights, yet that will be for another time. Suffice to say, these oversights, brought forth by a collection of sportswriters and self-proclaimed moralists who think only the purest of pure shall be granted induction, have greatly delineated most people's interest in the Hall of Fame beyond a regional level. I will have more to say about this one day. It might though be a multi-part examination of the Hall of Fame which I know few of you have interest in reading about now, so perhaps in the summer this will suffice.
Now, onto a more lively and exciting Hall of Fame discussion. One day after the Baseball Hall of Fame announced their inductees, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame announced the 18 finalists for their Class of 2016. The 8 inductees will be revealed at the NFL Honors one day before Super Bowl 50, February 6, 2016. Now right then and there, the reveal carries a lot more weight in the NFL than MLB cares to be involved with. As well, the 18 finalists are of such great importance that any of these finalists could be inducted this year and no problems would be had for who went in and who did not. The 18 finalists are:
Morten Andersen
Steve Atwater
Don Coryell (1924-2010)
Terrell Davis
Edward DeBartolo Jr.
Tony Dungy
Alan Faneca
Brett Favre
Kevin Greene
Marvin Harrison
Joe Jacoby
Edgerrin James
John Lynch
Terrell Owens
Orlando Pace
Ken Stabler (1945-2015)
Dick Stanfel (1927-2015)
Kurt Warner
With that in mind, discussion these next few weeks will turn to who gets inducted, when we are not following the playoffs and being armchair quarterbacks. As I mentioned before, 8 of the 18 finalists are likely to be inducted. 4 of them are certain locks. These would be Brett Favre, Ken Stabler, Dick Stanfel and Edward DeBartolo Jr. Stabler and Stanfel made it to be Senior Committee nominees, and Debartolo Jr. is the Contributor nominee; that means three of the eight slots are to be reserved for these specialized candidates. I am certain all three will go in. It also goes without saying that Brett Favre is a certain lock, and I need not explain why.
So that leaves 4 finalists to be inducted. Here is how I see the direction this will go. From what I gather, the four I would choose to go along with the obvious locks are as follows:
Kurt Warner: I do realize we are talking about inducting three quaterbacks getting in one year. However, there have been no quatrerbacks inducted since 2006; so the Hall of Fame is in need of ending the quarterback drought. Warner's backstory and accomplishments speak for themselves I believe.
Kevin Greene: when Kevin Greene retired after 15 years following the 1999 season, Mr. Greene amassed 160 quarterback sacks. Not only was it the third best total of that era; it was and still is the most sacks by a linebacker. Only Lawrence Taylor came closest with 142 sacks. Nine times during his career, Kevin Greene led his team in sacks, and had been a pivotal component in being a defensive leader for playoff teams. It is often hard to pick which team Greene made the most impact for, though I think it was the LA Rams. None the less, Kevin Greene was clearly one of the more consistent linebackers and defensive play makers of his time, and should finally get the long sought induction this year.
Tony Dungy: starting as an effective assistant coach, and then becoming a most impressive head coach with the Bucs and Colts; Tony Dungy had an impressive track record in turning around piss-poor teams and making them playoff contenders. The results are impressive: 148 wins, 10 seasons of 10 or more wins, only one losing season, only two seasons not making the playoffs, three conference championship games, and in 2007 winning Super Bowl 41. With that, Dungy became the first African-American head coach of a Super-Bowl winning team. Not only that, Tony Dungy was and still is an important mentor and role model to his players and active in numerous charitable activities; not to mention his impressive transition to NBC's football coverage and analysis.
Marvin Harrison: never the flashiest player, Marvin Harrison went on to become one of the better wide receivers in the game. Along with perhaps the best wide receiver in Colts history. To this day, Harrison holds the record for the most receptions in one season, set in 2002 with 143. He also had nine seasons of 10 or more touchdowns and 1000 receiving yards, 4 seasons of 100 receptions, only one season in playing less than 10 games, 188 starts out of 190 games played, 1,102 receptions, 128 touchdowns and 14,580 yards. Harrison is also part of the most accomplished quarterback to wide receiver tandem in NFL history along side Peyton Manning. And yes, he did win a Super Bowl as well.
Once again, I presume these will be the eight inductees announced next month. I do think there will be five finalists that could also get selected this year which would not surprise me.
Terrell Owens: though having never won a Super Bowl, and not as consistent in his later years than his 49ers tenure; Terrell Owens was quite the good wide receiver. Owens was also one of the best characters in the game as well, complimenting his 153 touchdowns and numerous records of importance.
Terrell Davis: he only played 7 seasons, and then only the first four were fantastic. Yet I keep mentioning this opinion: the Denver Broncos do not win back to back Super Bowls without Terrell Davis, who came and went as if he were a bright comet. Very comparable to the shortened career of Gale Sayers, whom by the way went in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot though never appearing in the playoffs. If Sayers is in, Davis should go in one day.
Alan Faneca: a great Steelers offensive lineman similar to Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson. Faneca also had 11 fumble recoveries and started 201 out of 206 games played. As well, for a retired player, Alan Faneca looks much better today than in his playing years.
Orlando Pace: Pace was the leading fulcrum in guiding the greatest show on turf during the halcyon era of the Rams. He started 165 out of 169 games played and recovered 9 fumbles along the way.
Morten Andersen: the all time leader in games played, points, field goals, points after touchdowns, field goals of at least 50 yards, and holds the team records for kicking in both the Saints and the Falcons. Andersen became the prototype for the idea of the kicker to be the deciding factor in not only a win for a team, but also an identity.
I think Steve Atwater may be waiting at least another year. Don Coryell might get a posthumous induction, though Coryell not having been to a Super Bowl is a bit of a damper. John Lynch will get inducted one day, though it may take a few years. Edgerrin James will likely go in one or two years from now. And Joe Jacoby is a candidate that could be a surprise inductee, though I am just not seeing it this year.
Well, those are my thoughts on the two different Halls of Fame. Truthfully it is really only the Pro Football Hall of Fame that my focus was on; not a surprise since I am more interested in football than baseball.
I have also been informed that this marks one year since I started this weblog page. To all that are continuing on this journey with me; I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. 2016 is promising to be a very intriguing year and one full of newer possibilities and avenues to show my opinions. I hope you will like what is coming next.
More coming; stay tuned,
Robert
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Sunday, November 8, 2015
An update on last week's elections
Well, I would have posted this earlier, yet other matters came to the forefront. Since then, while most in the US and the world were focused on the 2016 Presidential Race, in particular the Republican candidates Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson; actual elections took place.
As expected, Gov. Phil Bryant (R-MS) was re-elected: Mayor James Kenney (D-Philadelphia, PA) was officially elected: and possible Gov. John Bel Edwards (D-LA) won the Jungle Primary with 39% of the vote. I should point out that the Jungle Primary had actually took place on October 24; I mistakenly thought it was Election Day itself. None the less, it looks like Bel Edwards will win the runoff on November 21, albeit the race is now tightening a bit. What will happen to Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) afterwards remains to be seen. I do think Sen. Vitter will remain in the Senate.
Although not a surprise, Gov. Matt Bevin was elected the Republican Governor of Kentucky. Thus, Kentucky state politics is now mostly led by Republicans in a rather conservative state.
What I do want to focus on are the local elections that took place where I live in the Town of Oyster Bay, New York. A fair deal of the incumbents running for a re-election bid were indeed re-elected. It was not all bad; in Suffolk County, Steve Bellone, a Democrat, was re-elected County Executive. however, Oyster Bay Republican Council members were all re-elected, and Republican operative Angie Carpenter managed to get elected Town of Islip Supervisor. Yet, I had mentioned two important elections that were to take place last Tuesday, and did occur.
First and foremost, Madeline Singas, a Democrat, was fully elected Nassau County District Attorney against her Republican opponent, Kate Murray. It was not even a close race; Singas won with some 54% of the vote! It was obviously clear to a majority of voters that Kate Murray was uniquely unqualified to be District Attorney; and I could go on and name countless reasons why Ms. Murray had no reason to run. Indeed, I am absolutely most ashamed at the endorsements from the leadership of Nassau University Medical Center, along with the policemen's unions in the region, that were full fledged in supporting Ms. Murray. I can somewhat understand Rudy Giuliani's endorsement, as a statement of decreased relevance.
Fortunately, the voting public, and much of the New York papers, saw right through this flim-flam and voted for Ms. Singas. This is a very pleasing vote.
Now, onto the Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor election. It appears that Republican John Venditto, who also happens to be a medical doctor, was defeated for re-election by Democrat John Mangelli. I say appears to be due to the fact that both Venditto and Mangelli received 50% of the vote, and Mr. Mangelli held a 68 vote lead. This race, though, is likely to be protracted beyond reproach and might not be decided on until well after Thanksgiving. That would be enough time for Mr. Venditto to bring forth absentee ballots showing a lead in votes for the incumbent. However, I have been hearing that the absentee ballots came from within the town, thus Mr. Mangelli could also have his votes increase. I am not surprised this came to be a close race; a changing of leadership usually does not involve a more clear-cut outcome.
In short, it appears that in some instances, voters in Nassau County, even in a record of low voter turnout, are welcoming a change in their leadership offices by electing Democrats to replace long standing and complacent Republicans. For much of the rest of the country, not much has changed in the elections last Tuesday. I would be rather shocked and stunned if the Louisiana Gubernatorial Runoff is won by Sen. Vitter, although I am not expecting that to happen. I will have a lot more to say on the Town of Oyster Bay situations soon enough.
In a related note, I am watching Sunday Night Football, and it is the Cowboys vs. the Eagles. Cowboys Defensive player Greg Hardy is playing; a fairly alright player though like most athletes not a decent man. I am seeing NBC Sports people condemn Mr. Hardy's abuse of a white female last year under a psychotic episode. And yet, with one month to go until the NFL's day of reckoning (the release of the Will Smith-Sir Ridley Scott movie Concussion), NBC Sports is whitewashing the situation. So has much of the NFL and its media people. Dollars before people, bros before women, violence before reason, patriotism before intellectualism, and ratings before innovation.
But that's none of my business.
I do wonder what Jim Henson would think of this image popping up.
Talk to you all sooner rather than later,
Robert
As expected, Gov. Phil Bryant (R-MS) was re-elected: Mayor James Kenney (D-Philadelphia, PA) was officially elected: and possible Gov. John Bel Edwards (D-LA) won the Jungle Primary with 39% of the vote. I should point out that the Jungle Primary had actually took place on October 24; I mistakenly thought it was Election Day itself. None the less, it looks like Bel Edwards will win the runoff on November 21, albeit the race is now tightening a bit. What will happen to Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) afterwards remains to be seen. I do think Sen. Vitter will remain in the Senate.
Although not a surprise, Gov. Matt Bevin was elected the Republican Governor of Kentucky. Thus, Kentucky state politics is now mostly led by Republicans in a rather conservative state.
What I do want to focus on are the local elections that took place where I live in the Town of Oyster Bay, New York. A fair deal of the incumbents running for a re-election bid were indeed re-elected. It was not all bad; in Suffolk County, Steve Bellone, a Democrat, was re-elected County Executive. however, Oyster Bay Republican Council members were all re-elected, and Republican operative Angie Carpenter managed to get elected Town of Islip Supervisor. Yet, I had mentioned two important elections that were to take place last Tuesday, and did occur.
First and foremost, Madeline Singas, a Democrat, was fully elected Nassau County District Attorney against her Republican opponent, Kate Murray. It was not even a close race; Singas won with some 54% of the vote! It was obviously clear to a majority of voters that Kate Murray was uniquely unqualified to be District Attorney; and I could go on and name countless reasons why Ms. Murray had no reason to run. Indeed, I am absolutely most ashamed at the endorsements from the leadership of Nassau University Medical Center, along with the policemen's unions in the region, that were full fledged in supporting Ms. Murray. I can somewhat understand Rudy Giuliani's endorsement, as a statement of decreased relevance.
Fortunately, the voting public, and much of the New York papers, saw right through this flim-flam and voted for Ms. Singas. This is a very pleasing vote.
Now, onto the Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor election. It appears that Republican John Venditto, who also happens to be a medical doctor, was defeated for re-election by Democrat John Mangelli. I say appears to be due to the fact that both Venditto and Mangelli received 50% of the vote, and Mr. Mangelli held a 68 vote lead. This race, though, is likely to be protracted beyond reproach and might not be decided on until well after Thanksgiving. That would be enough time for Mr. Venditto to bring forth absentee ballots showing a lead in votes for the incumbent. However, I have been hearing that the absentee ballots came from within the town, thus Mr. Mangelli could also have his votes increase. I am not surprised this came to be a close race; a changing of leadership usually does not involve a more clear-cut outcome.
In short, it appears that in some instances, voters in Nassau County, even in a record of low voter turnout, are welcoming a change in their leadership offices by electing Democrats to replace long standing and complacent Republicans. For much of the rest of the country, not much has changed in the elections last Tuesday. I would be rather shocked and stunned if the Louisiana Gubernatorial Runoff is won by Sen. Vitter, although I am not expecting that to happen. I will have a lot more to say on the Town of Oyster Bay situations soon enough.
In a related note, I am watching Sunday Night Football, and it is the Cowboys vs. the Eagles. Cowboys Defensive player Greg Hardy is playing; a fairly alright player though like most athletes not a decent man. I am seeing NBC Sports people condemn Mr. Hardy's abuse of a white female last year under a psychotic episode. And yet, with one month to go until the NFL's day of reckoning (the release of the Will Smith-Sir Ridley Scott movie Concussion), NBC Sports is whitewashing the situation. So has much of the NFL and its media people. Dollars before people, bros before women, violence before reason, patriotism before intellectualism, and ratings before innovation.
But that's none of my business.
I do wonder what Jim Henson would think of this image popping up.
Talk to you all sooner rather than later,
Robert
Friday, July 31, 2015
Goodell Must Go!
One week or so from now, something really special happens every time in early August. The National Football League starts its season, unofficially mind you, with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. August 8 will see an induction ceremony honoring 8 important people whose life and works regarding American Football are well known to all those that follow the sport. The elite 8, as it were, are:
Junior Seau (1969-2012): Linebacker 1990-2009 (San Diego Chargers 90-02)
Jerome Bettis: Running Back 1993-2005 (Pittsburgh Steelers 96-05)
Charles Haley: Linebacker/Defensive End Dallas Cowboys/San Francisco 49ers 1986-1999
Tim Brown: Wide Receiver 1988-2004 (Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders 88-03)
Bill Polian: General Manager/Front Office 1978-2011 (Buffalo Bills/NFL 84-94, Indianapolis Colts 98-11)
Mick Tinglehoff: Center Minnesota Vikings 1962-1978
Will Sheilds: Guard Kansas City Chiefs 1993-2006
Ron Wolf: Director of Player Personnel/General Manager 1963-2001 (Oakland/LA Raiders 63-74, 79-89, Green Bay Packers 91-01)
In addition, ESPN football analyst Tom Jackson and AP lead football writer Dave Goldberg (1941-2015) will receive the media awards during the August 6 Gold Jacket Dinner.
Now, in most circumstances I will not feel the need to address NFL issues. This is different however. Of the 8 inductees receiving head busts, one of them is not alive to see it. Junior Seau, arguably the most durable linebacker to play football in his lifetime, died in 2012 at the age of 43. Seau killed himself as a result of depression and neurological problems relating to a diagnosis of concussion syndromes. Upon his death, Junior Seau was diagnosed as having Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease effecting the brain and other motor neuron functions as a result of multiple concussions. Side effects, unfortunately, do include depression and lack of direction. Indeed, Seau was in danger of losing his restaurant business at the time of his death, and despite 20 seasons in the league and his number 55 retired by the Chargers; Junior Seau was not a wealthy man. In point of fact, a great deal of money was poured into his restaurant business just to keep it afloat. The results of the autopsy on Seau prompted his surviving family to seek compensatory damages by the NFL over injuries and neurological problems obtained during the course of his 20 season career, and most importantly the last 2 years of his life. The Seau family has even opted to forego cashing in on the class action lawsuit settlement by retired NFL players seeking compensation for concussion syndromes. As of this writing, the lawsuit is still ongoing. This has effected a moment next week when Junior Seau will be forever honored as a football great; induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While Bettis, Haley, Brown, Polian, Tinglehoff, Shields and Wolf will be able to give their acceptance speeches, Seau's daughter, who is presenting her father, will not be allowed to give a speech. This was revealed After she gave her remarks on the customary video summary on Junior Seau's life. I find this to be insulting. There are those that will defend the policy put into place by the Hall of Fame in not allowing presenters of posthumous inductees give their speeches. I am not one of them. Do any of you know why this policy was enacted 4 years ago? Well, it was in that year the Hall of Fame, and with that the NFL, made a boneheaded move. Les Richter (1930-2010) was inducted posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame based on 9 seasons (1954-1962) as a linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams. Here is the kicker; at no point in time during those 9 seasons was Richter given the proper monetary compensation that an All-Pro linebacker was deserving of being awarded to. In point of fact, after Les Richter retired, he spent the remainder of his life involved with auto racing. He was not a driver or car owner; yet Richter owned several racetracks and venues for NASCAR, Indycar, USAC, IROC and other leagues. Surprisingly, in his lifetime Les Richter was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and gladly accepted the honor. Yet, honoring an NFL great just after he died was not the real boneheaded move. That occurred, in the midst of a lockout of players which was resolved before the 2011 Induction Ceremony, with not allowing Les Richter's son John to give an acceptance and memorial speech on the night of induction. Because you see, the NFL just could not have John Richter mentioning to fans and players alike that the NFL does not pay fairly, and perhaps the best part of one's life in football is after the playing career is finished; possibly including walking away from the game entirely. In the same manner, the NFL just cannot have Junior Seau's daughter give a speech decrying the NFL in their manners of tossing players aside when they are out of the league and not looking into not only their post football lives yet also the amount of pain and suffering they endure so that we fans are entertained. You may have already guessed who is behind this malarkey, at least on a PR manner. That would be the current NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Roger Goodell, son of Sen. Charles Goodell (R-NY) has been commissioner since 2006. Each year that passes by sees Goodell arbitararly handing out edicts and punishments when sought fit; along with a general disregard for player relations on an overall matter. As is often the case, the true NFL leader is found with the Executive Director of the Players Union, DeMaurice Smith. The NFLPA usually has isues correctly assessed than does the front office. Heck, most of the owners whom Goodell is beholden to; to say nothing of corporate sponsors, have more fortitude and reason than Roger Goodell has. This Hall of Fame issue, along with some other concurrent issues of matters trivial yet expanded upon, leads me to believe that Roger Goodell must be ousted as soon as can be. The National Football League cannot become a laughingstock even more so than it already is. I will have more to say on why Goodell Must Go in an essay to be published momentarily. Suffice to say, protecting the image of a brand may end up hurting the brand long term. More coming; stay tuned, Robert
Junior Seau (1969-2012): Linebacker 1990-2009 (San Diego Chargers 90-02)
Jerome Bettis: Running Back 1993-2005 (Pittsburgh Steelers 96-05)
Charles Haley: Linebacker/Defensive End Dallas Cowboys/San Francisco 49ers 1986-1999
Tim Brown: Wide Receiver 1988-2004 (Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders 88-03)
Bill Polian: General Manager/Front Office 1978-2011 (Buffalo Bills/NFL 84-94, Indianapolis Colts 98-11)
Mick Tinglehoff: Center Minnesota Vikings 1962-1978
Will Sheilds: Guard Kansas City Chiefs 1993-2006
Ron Wolf: Director of Player Personnel/General Manager 1963-2001 (Oakland/LA Raiders 63-74, 79-89, Green Bay Packers 91-01)
In addition, ESPN football analyst Tom Jackson and AP lead football writer Dave Goldberg (1941-2015) will receive the media awards during the August 6 Gold Jacket Dinner.
Now, in most circumstances I will not feel the need to address NFL issues. This is different however. Of the 8 inductees receiving head busts, one of them is not alive to see it. Junior Seau, arguably the most durable linebacker to play football in his lifetime, died in 2012 at the age of 43. Seau killed himself as a result of depression and neurological problems relating to a diagnosis of concussion syndromes. Upon his death, Junior Seau was diagnosed as having Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease effecting the brain and other motor neuron functions as a result of multiple concussions. Side effects, unfortunately, do include depression and lack of direction. Indeed, Seau was in danger of losing his restaurant business at the time of his death, and despite 20 seasons in the league and his number 55 retired by the Chargers; Junior Seau was not a wealthy man. In point of fact, a great deal of money was poured into his restaurant business just to keep it afloat. The results of the autopsy on Seau prompted his surviving family to seek compensatory damages by the NFL over injuries and neurological problems obtained during the course of his 20 season career, and most importantly the last 2 years of his life. The Seau family has even opted to forego cashing in on the class action lawsuit settlement by retired NFL players seeking compensation for concussion syndromes. As of this writing, the lawsuit is still ongoing. This has effected a moment next week when Junior Seau will be forever honored as a football great; induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While Bettis, Haley, Brown, Polian, Tinglehoff, Shields and Wolf will be able to give their acceptance speeches, Seau's daughter, who is presenting her father, will not be allowed to give a speech. This was revealed After she gave her remarks on the customary video summary on Junior Seau's life. I find this to be insulting. There are those that will defend the policy put into place by the Hall of Fame in not allowing presenters of posthumous inductees give their speeches. I am not one of them. Do any of you know why this policy was enacted 4 years ago? Well, it was in that year the Hall of Fame, and with that the NFL, made a boneheaded move. Les Richter (1930-2010) was inducted posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame based on 9 seasons (1954-1962) as a linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams. Here is the kicker; at no point in time during those 9 seasons was Richter given the proper monetary compensation that an All-Pro linebacker was deserving of being awarded to. In point of fact, after Les Richter retired, he spent the remainder of his life involved with auto racing. He was not a driver or car owner; yet Richter owned several racetracks and venues for NASCAR, Indycar, USAC, IROC and other leagues. Surprisingly, in his lifetime Les Richter was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and gladly accepted the honor. Yet, honoring an NFL great just after he died was not the real boneheaded move. That occurred, in the midst of a lockout of players which was resolved before the 2011 Induction Ceremony, with not allowing Les Richter's son John to give an acceptance and memorial speech on the night of induction. Because you see, the NFL just could not have John Richter mentioning to fans and players alike that the NFL does not pay fairly, and perhaps the best part of one's life in football is after the playing career is finished; possibly including walking away from the game entirely. In the same manner, the NFL just cannot have Junior Seau's daughter give a speech decrying the NFL in their manners of tossing players aside when they are out of the league and not looking into not only their post football lives yet also the amount of pain and suffering they endure so that we fans are entertained. You may have already guessed who is behind this malarkey, at least on a PR manner. That would be the current NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Roger Goodell, son of Sen. Charles Goodell (R-NY) has been commissioner since 2006. Each year that passes by sees Goodell arbitararly handing out edicts and punishments when sought fit; along with a general disregard for player relations on an overall matter. As is often the case, the true NFL leader is found with the Executive Director of the Players Union, DeMaurice Smith. The NFLPA usually has isues correctly assessed than does the front office. Heck, most of the owners whom Goodell is beholden to; to say nothing of corporate sponsors, have more fortitude and reason than Roger Goodell has. This Hall of Fame issue, along with some other concurrent issues of matters trivial yet expanded upon, leads me to believe that Roger Goodell must be ousted as soon as can be. The National Football League cannot become a laughingstock even more so than it already is. I will have more to say on why Goodell Must Go in an essay to be published momentarily. Suffice to say, protecting the image of a brand may end up hurting the brand long term. More coming; stay tuned, Robert
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Live blogging Super Bowl 49
Join me as you watch Super Bowl 49 while I every so often make comments during said game and it televised broadcast.
NBC is showing starters on both offense and defense for both Patriots and Seahawks. Also the Special Teams players, which almost never happens.
Crazy Train for the Pats; Bittersweet Symphony for the Hawks. How appropriate.
My apologies for missing most of everything before kickoff. Now, though, on to the first half.
Patriots have the ball, and may throughout much of the night.
Both teams will need to throw the ball as much as possible. Since the maxim to follow is defense wins championships, the forward pass will be needed.
First punt of the night. Let us hope this does not turn into a blowout, again.
This also should be a game with some interceptions, if needed.
Marshawn Lynch got sacked twice before a first down. Now the Seahawks punt.
And it is a fair catch.
Darn interesting BMW commercial. I had no idea this was possible for retired newspeople to make an ad this interesting.
If it's 3rd down, it is time to throw the ball. For both teams.
Except when it is 3rd and one, I suppose.
Bill Belicheik is wearing a blue hoodie. Just in case you wanted to know.
First interception of the night. And it is the Seahawks defense.
I am liking these new visors the players are wearing.
First period over. The score, as is said in association football, is nil-all. Not good. Although I have always wondered what it would be like if there is overtime in the Super Bowl.
I do not think Carnival Cruises entirely understood President John F. Kennedy's speech using the sea as a metaphor. This may not help Carnival as they attempt to end their reputation for trips gone awry.
Pete Carroll is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, in case you are wondering.
Not a great throw from Russell Wilson.
Patriots have got the ball again. Maybe these have been Inflated tonight for both teams.
What is the deal with beer commercials and dogs? And would it have killed Anheiser Busch to actually get the license to use The Proclaimers' own recording of I'm Gonna Be?
Another Terminator movie? Why?
Good 3rd down play from Tom Brady right there.
First Touchdown of the night. And it is Brady to Brandon Lavell. It is now 7-0 Patriots.
Furious 7 seems interesting. I do wonder what will become of Paul Walker's character.
First QB sack of the night against Wilson. Not a good sign.
The long throws tonight are not working as of yet.
Julian Edelman is quite a good return specialist. He reminds me of a younger Tim Brown in that respect.
Cats In The Cradle is not a heartwarming song. Nissan seems to forget the lines "my boy is just like me". Harry Chapin would not be proud.
Another punt, a result of not a good drive.
Sir Paul McCartney is in the building.
First penalty of the night. This is against the Hawks.
A good long catch for once!
Marshawn Lynch's first touchdown of the night. The score is now tied 7-all.
The first quarter is usually the fastest played. It will be the fourth quarter that will seem like an eternity.
2nd penalty on the Seahawks. Immediate first down.
First team time out of the night of 6. Believe me, both teams will use their timeouts and challenges whenever possible.
2nd Brady touchdown, this time to Rob Gronkowski. It is now Patriots 14-7.
Tom Brady now ties Joe Montana with 11 Touchdowns, tied for most in Super Bowls.
Russell Wilson cannot be stopped when he is running.
With 6 seconds to go, it will take 6 minutes to complete.
Russell Wilson touchdown to Chris Matthews, the wide receiver. It is again tied 14-all.
Thank you for watching the final run through of the dress rehearsal. Stay tuned after half time for when the Real game begins.
Thankfully, it is a close game, and will be watched to the end. At this point last year, the game was over.
And now, Pepsi presents the Pepsi Halftime Show starring Pepsi. Did we mention Pepsi sponsored this? Well, Pepsi sponsored this Pepsi event. Oh, right; here is Katy Perry.
Lenny Kravitz is making I Kissed A Girl a whole heck of a lot more interesting. I would like to hear a fuller version of that.
It must be an honor and an insult to be one of the life sized puppets on stage.
First audience participation in a Super Bowl. Why did it need to be Katy Perry starting this?
Missy Elliott is in the building. It has been a long time, has it not? Watch and learn, Katy Perry.
Please take over this halftime show, Missy. Please?
Of course the big number is Firework. It might still be Perry's most accomplished work.
Nice subtle advertising for NBC's The More You Know campaign.
Now, on to the real Super Bowl game. It is a restart, with a 14-all tie.
It is also night now in Arizona.
That was The Voice reminding us of the least important Mad Max movie.
Does a GEICO commercial ever emphasize their car insurance business? Is a football filled with air?
Seahawks carry the ball to start this half.
It is clear NBC wants the Seahawks to win this game.
Steven Hauscka kicks the ball for a 17-14 Seahawks lead.
Quite funny Sprint commercial, though obnoxious.
Bet you dollars to dollars Chris Mathews and Hardball will be linked at least once tonight. Think of the publicity, NBC.
Good first down from the Patriots.
Another interception for the Seahawks.
I told you Hardball would be mentioned.
Wilson touchdown to Doug Baldwin. It is Seahawks 24-14.
Well, I am calling it. To me, this game is now over. How will the Patriots be able to recover a 10 point deficit? In addition, I am also calling who will be MVP: Chris Matthews. Now to just watch a close game turn into another blowout.
This is also the biggest point deficit Brady has had in any Super Bowl.
You wonder if this is being scripted as a way to punish the Patriots for obvious cheating.
How many car commercials do you need?
Come back after the break for the interminably long fourth quarter.
Can it be any more obvious that many want the Hawks to win it all again? I'm not complaining. Yet I would be if a New York Team was being rooted against .
Hardball is mentioned again.
Here is a clear way to increase battery power on your smartphone. Keep it charged at all times.
Well, that was a premature prediction. Now a third Brady touchdown tonight, this one to Danny Amandola. Seahawks still lead 24-21. This now puts Tom Brady as the all time leader in Super Bowl touchdowns.
The Pats will need to get at least a field goal in order to tie, and preferably an interception to seal the deal.
I would be up for real live Pac-Man. Yet, I do not want a Bud Lite to get one.
These next 7 minutes will last 7 hours.
The tortoise just cheated the hare with a Mercedes. Not a fair idea.
Patriots got the ball back again for a chance to lead again.
Well, that was a good throw to erase a 10 yard penalty.
Brady's 4th touchdown to Julian Edelman. My prediction has been discredited without question. Patriots now lead 28-24.
The Patriots have now just lost the game. With Another odd catch.
Holy Shit! An interception for the Patriots with 20 seconds to go!
Now just to take a knee and it is all over.
This game is ending badly, and very unsportsmanlike.
And now the knee has taken place. The Patriots win 28-24. Tom Brady now joins Montana and Terry Bradshaw as QBs with four rings. Bill Belicheik now has four rings. Gronk, Edelman, Amandola etc. get their rings. And Brady can now go out on top if he wants to.
None the less, I expect the Seahawks to win a couple more Super Bowls in the next few years. They may be the team of this decade when all is said and done.
Well, thanks for reading this first live blog I did. Feel free to comment and/or use my statements in a sort of EDM piece. It might just rival Harlem Shake, or Selfie for most random statements without deep meaning.
Good night to all,
Robert
PS. The Patriots are going to get hit hard when the deflation penalties come.
NBC is showing starters on both offense and defense for both Patriots and Seahawks. Also the Special Teams players, which almost never happens.
Crazy Train for the Pats; Bittersweet Symphony for the Hawks. How appropriate.
My apologies for missing most of everything before kickoff. Now, though, on to the first half.
Patriots have the ball, and may throughout much of the night.
Both teams will need to throw the ball as much as possible. Since the maxim to follow is defense wins championships, the forward pass will be needed.
First punt of the night. Let us hope this does not turn into a blowout, again.
This also should be a game with some interceptions, if needed.
Marshawn Lynch got sacked twice before a first down. Now the Seahawks punt.
And it is a fair catch.
Darn interesting BMW commercial. I had no idea this was possible for retired newspeople to make an ad this interesting.
If it's 3rd down, it is time to throw the ball. For both teams.
Except when it is 3rd and one, I suppose.
Bill Belicheik is wearing a blue hoodie. Just in case you wanted to know.
First interception of the night. And it is the Seahawks defense.
I am liking these new visors the players are wearing.
First period over. The score, as is said in association football, is nil-all. Not good. Although I have always wondered what it would be like if there is overtime in the Super Bowl.
I do not think Carnival Cruises entirely understood President John F. Kennedy's speech using the sea as a metaphor. This may not help Carnival as they attempt to end their reputation for trips gone awry.
Pete Carroll is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, in case you are wondering.
Not a great throw from Russell Wilson.
Patriots have got the ball again. Maybe these have been Inflated tonight for both teams.
What is the deal with beer commercials and dogs? And would it have killed Anheiser Busch to actually get the license to use The Proclaimers' own recording of I'm Gonna Be?
Another Terminator movie? Why?
Good 3rd down play from Tom Brady right there.
First Touchdown of the night. And it is Brady to Brandon Lavell. It is now 7-0 Patriots.
Furious 7 seems interesting. I do wonder what will become of Paul Walker's character.
First QB sack of the night against Wilson. Not a good sign.
The long throws tonight are not working as of yet.
Julian Edelman is quite a good return specialist. He reminds me of a younger Tim Brown in that respect.
Cats In The Cradle is not a heartwarming song. Nissan seems to forget the lines "my boy is just like me". Harry Chapin would not be proud.
Another punt, a result of not a good drive.
Sir Paul McCartney is in the building.
First penalty of the night. This is against the Hawks.
A good long catch for once!
Marshawn Lynch's first touchdown of the night. The score is now tied 7-all.
The first quarter is usually the fastest played. It will be the fourth quarter that will seem like an eternity.
2nd penalty on the Seahawks. Immediate first down.
First team time out of the night of 6. Believe me, both teams will use their timeouts and challenges whenever possible.
2nd Brady touchdown, this time to Rob Gronkowski. It is now Patriots 14-7.
Tom Brady now ties Joe Montana with 11 Touchdowns, tied for most in Super Bowls.
Russell Wilson cannot be stopped when he is running.
With 6 seconds to go, it will take 6 minutes to complete.
Russell Wilson touchdown to Chris Matthews, the wide receiver. It is again tied 14-all.
Thank you for watching the final run through of the dress rehearsal. Stay tuned after half time for when the Real game begins.
Thankfully, it is a close game, and will be watched to the end. At this point last year, the game was over.
And now, Pepsi presents the Pepsi Halftime Show starring Pepsi. Did we mention Pepsi sponsored this? Well, Pepsi sponsored this Pepsi event. Oh, right; here is Katy Perry.
Lenny Kravitz is making I Kissed A Girl a whole heck of a lot more interesting. I would like to hear a fuller version of that.
It must be an honor and an insult to be one of the life sized puppets on stage.
First audience participation in a Super Bowl. Why did it need to be Katy Perry starting this?
Missy Elliott is in the building. It has been a long time, has it not? Watch and learn, Katy Perry.
Please take over this halftime show, Missy. Please?
Of course the big number is Firework. It might still be Perry's most accomplished work.
Nice subtle advertising for NBC's The More You Know campaign.
Now, on to the real Super Bowl game. It is a restart, with a 14-all tie.
It is also night now in Arizona.
That was The Voice reminding us of the least important Mad Max movie.
Does a GEICO commercial ever emphasize their car insurance business? Is a football filled with air?
Seahawks carry the ball to start this half.
It is clear NBC wants the Seahawks to win this game.
Steven Hauscka kicks the ball for a 17-14 Seahawks lead.
Quite funny Sprint commercial, though obnoxious.
Bet you dollars to dollars Chris Mathews and Hardball will be linked at least once tonight. Think of the publicity, NBC.
Good first down from the Patriots.
Another interception for the Seahawks.
I told you Hardball would be mentioned.
Wilson touchdown to Doug Baldwin. It is Seahawks 24-14.
Well, I am calling it. To me, this game is now over. How will the Patriots be able to recover a 10 point deficit? In addition, I am also calling who will be MVP: Chris Matthews. Now to just watch a close game turn into another blowout.
This is also the biggest point deficit Brady has had in any Super Bowl.
You wonder if this is being scripted as a way to punish the Patriots for obvious cheating.
How many car commercials do you need?
Come back after the break for the interminably long fourth quarter.
Can it be any more obvious that many want the Hawks to win it all again? I'm not complaining. Yet I would be if a New York Team was being rooted against .
Hardball is mentioned again.
Here is a clear way to increase battery power on your smartphone. Keep it charged at all times.
Well, that was a premature prediction. Now a third Brady touchdown tonight, this one to Danny Amandola. Seahawks still lead 24-21. This now puts Tom Brady as the all time leader in Super Bowl touchdowns.
The Pats will need to get at least a field goal in order to tie, and preferably an interception to seal the deal.
I would be up for real live Pac-Man. Yet, I do not want a Bud Lite to get one.
These next 7 minutes will last 7 hours.
The tortoise just cheated the hare with a Mercedes. Not a fair idea.
Patriots got the ball back again for a chance to lead again.
Well, that was a good throw to erase a 10 yard penalty.
Brady's 4th touchdown to Julian Edelman. My prediction has been discredited without question. Patriots now lead 28-24.
The Patriots have now just lost the game. With Another odd catch.
Holy Shit! An interception for the Patriots with 20 seconds to go!
Now just to take a knee and it is all over.
This game is ending badly, and very unsportsmanlike.
And now the knee has taken place. The Patriots win 28-24. Tom Brady now joins Montana and Terry Bradshaw as QBs with four rings. Bill Belicheik now has four rings. Gronk, Edelman, Amandola etc. get their rings. And Brady can now go out on top if he wants to.
None the less, I expect the Seahawks to win a couple more Super Bowls in the next few years. They may be the team of this decade when all is said and done.
Well, thanks for reading this first live blog I did. Feel free to comment and/or use my statements in a sort of EDM piece. It might just rival Harlem Shake, or Selfie for most random statements without deep meaning.
Good night to all,
Robert
PS. The Patriots are going to get hit hard when the deflation penalties come.
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