Another Chance To Prove Themselves

Back on October 15th, I blogged about how disappointing the Dallas Cowboys had been this season. From committing untimely turn overs, to sitting atop the NFL as the most penalized team in the league, the Cowboys have had a knack for driving their fans to the brink of insanity. Since then, Dallas have found a way to cut down on mistakes, get their act together, and start winning in heroic fashion. All this has culminated into another week 17 shot at the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Let's start with the changes. September and October yielded the result of a whopping 13 interceptions with only 9 touchdowns for Tony Romo. Since then, he has thrown for 17 touchdowns while limiting his interceptions to just 3; two of those three interceptions coming in a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys have managed to win 5 of their last 7 games putting them in a position to win the NFC East and wrap up a spot in the playoffs. Who stands in their way? Who other than those Washington Redskins and red hot rookie Robert Griffen III. The cowboys have been here before. Last year, a week 17 matchup between the Cowboys and the Giants determined which of the two teams would make it to the playoffs. We all know how that story ended as the Giants went on to win the Superbowl. However, there are a  number of notable difference between the two Dallas teams.

For one, winning a multitude of close games this year has created a distinct mental toughness in the locker room. Romo even went as far as saying "I believe when I step on the field in the fourth quarter, if we're within 10 to 14 points, we're going to find a way to win the ballgame." I'm sure when making such a bold statement, he did not expect to have to prove it so quickly, but as fate would have it, the Cowboys were down 14 points going into the forth quarter last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Despite the announcers poking some fun at his statement, Romo managed to bring his team back to tie the game up and send it to overtime. The Cowboys went on to lose in OT, but the message was loud and clear. There truly is a mental toughness that has been lacking in year's past.

But will it be enough to carry the team into the playoffs? There are certainly a lot of doubters out there along with even more skeptics. I fall into the latter category, but am hopeful none-the-less. With a defense finally forcing timely turnovers, and a multidimensional offense due to the return of powerhouse RB Demarco Murray, I think Dallas has what it takes to win. It all comes down to putting the pieces together and playing smart football. Big game Sunday night with a lot of implications so make sure you don't miss it and have a Happy New Year!

P.S. If the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lose to the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers respectively this Sunday, which could very well occur, then the NFC East is still a three way affair. Assuming the Giants are capable of knocking off an abysmal Philadelphia Eagles squad, all other scenarios will be decided going into the Sunday night game. Granted there are a lot of ifs involved, but if things play out like this, then Giants fans will have a lot of interest in the outcome of the Dallas/Washington game as a Washington win will earn New York a spot in the playoffs. Just something interesting to watch for. Enjoy.

UnCertainty at UConn

As a life-long UConn basketball fan, I am saddened by the current circumstance of the program. Uncertainty has become a word that is strongly associated with the Huskies of late. The effect of such uncertainty is still undetermined, but one would naturally assume that negative consequences are sure to follow. Between the conference realignments, a coaching change, and NCAA violations, it is safe to say that UConn has seen better days. Perhaps there is a silver lining. With all the turmoil and chaos, UConn is left with a team of 'loyalists' for lack of a better word, and through the cancellation of the post season a new goal has risen from the ashes of a fallen team.

The conference realignments over the past couple of years have been nothing short of pitiful. The illusion that college sports are about pride, sportsmanship and teamwork has been wiped away as this endless paper chase has torn rivalries apart and left fan bases with a combination of whiplash and PTSD. In my opinion, the Big East has been the most dominating conference in the history of NCAA athletics. By the same token, UConn embodies all that the Big East represents. Coming from humble beginnings and rising to become a national powerhouse, UConn, one of the founding members of the conference, has used the Big East as a tool for recruiting and exposure alike. It seems, however, that those days are behind us. The Big East has been completely decimated by other conferences, especially the ACC, who have seemingly picked off teams at will. The only real option for UConn is to jump ship; a fact recognized by President Susan Herbst who has called the most recent passing over by the ACC "a difficult day." The unfortunate truth of it all, is that basketball simply doesn't dictate conference change. The much more powerful football programs are responsible for bringing in the big bucks and, therefore, are the ones who dictate realignment. With the loss of Notre Dame, Syracuse, Pittsburgh  West Virginia, Louisville, etc. the Big East is a sinking ship and if they don't do something quick, UConn is doomed to go down with it.

The dismantling of the Big East is only part of UConn's problems this year. NCAA violations relating to academic matters have led to the Huskies being banned from the post season. This means no Big East tournament, which is disappointing since this will, in fact, be the last tournament with all the perennial powerhouses still in-conference. This also means no NCAA tournament. I will not dive into my feelings about the NCAA as that will take far too long and I simply don't have the time tonight. It is important to note that not a single player on this team is responsible for the academic problems leading to this year's penalty. It is also important to note that due to this fact, the NCAA has allowed an exception to the normal sit-a-year-out rule that applies to all transfers. Since no one on the current roster is responsible for the program's problems, the NCAA allowed players to transfer and immediately play at another school the same year. This allowance claimed Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith as well as leading to a possible-early goodbye for Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond who declared for the NBA after the 2011-2012 season.

Perhaps all is not bad in Connecticut this year. Due to the departure of so much of the original team, the players who chose to stick it out as well as the recruits who chose not to attend other schools have proven themselves loyal to the program. Last year's season was plagued with lack of heart and lack of leadership. Perhaps a gutting of the team is exactly what UConn needed to get it together. A talented back court coupled with a plethora of solid small forwards, this year's roster certainly has talent. The only real gaping hole is lack of height and, as a result, lack of a presence down low; a sort of signature for UConn in past years. Another silver lining for the Huskies comes with their new coach. A transition from the hall of famer, Jim Calhoun is no doubt going to be difficult, but Kevin Ollie may be the perfect fit for such a situation. A former UConn player who went on to have a long NBA career, Ollie provides a perfect example of the target goal for a player's career path. All of a sudden, in a year without a post-season, the players have something to play for. Ollie's contract is only good for this season; not even a full year. The players and fans have gotten behind the former UConn alum, and now have a new cause to root for: a contract extension for Kevin Ollie. The passion is as strong as ever. Perseverance has been a word representative of UConn during the Calhoun years. Can Ollie carry on the tradition? He certainly has a lot working against him in his first season as head coach. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

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Top Five Super Bowl Contenders

With the NFL season a little more than half over, the playoff picture is becoming more and more clear. This week's Real Sports will feature a list of the top five super bowl contenders for the '12-'13 season. Without further adieu, here are my picks. Disagree? Add your own list in the comments section.

5. New England Patriots

The Patriots finally look to be clicking as they've won five out of their last six games. Four out of their next seven games should be easy wins, which would give the Patriots a 10-6 record worst case scenario. As far as making it to the super bowl, the Patriots have a nose for the big game, and quite frankly, Brady and Belichick are winners, and it's only a matter of time before they win again.

4. New Orleans Saints

What would a list be without a sleeper? The saints got off to a rough start this year losing their first four games, but have since gone 4-1 including a victory over the former undefeated Falcons. With a pending rematch with Atlanta lurching in the future, along with two NFC East opponents and the 49ers, the Saints, no doubt, have a tough road ahead, however Drew Brees is too good to let this momentum die without a fight. Look for them to make a deep run in the playoffs and possibly make it to Super Bowl, which, by the way, is set to take place in the Super Dome this year.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were my preseason pick to win it all this year. Joe Flacco has spent his career as a much more reliable Tony Romo; full of talent but never quite getting the respect he deserves. With an explosive defense and the little engine that could, Ray Rice, this team is still super bowl bound in my eyes.

2.  Atlanta Falcons

The number 1 and 2 spots aren't exactly going to be mind blowing predictions. The two 8-1 teams simply have to be considered in the discussion for super bowl contenders. For me, the deciding factor between who was placed in which spot came down to their history. Any 8-1 start is impressive, but the Falcons was less so. The toughest team they have beaten so far is the Broncos, a truth shared by both of the top teams, followed by the Dallas Cowboys who have been less than dominate this year.

1. Houston Texans

No surprise here. The Texans are, in my opinion, the number 1 pick for the Super Bowl this year. Sharing an 8-1 record with the Falcons, Houston has been dominate all season. Losing only to the Packers, their resume speaks for itself with wins over Chicago, Baltimore, and Denver with teams totaling two, two, and three losses respectively. Home to one of the best defenses in the league, 3rd in opponents passing and rushing yards allowed, hardly anyone can figure out how to beat these guys. Oh and did I mention Arian Foster? Texans for the franchise's first super bowl appearance. 

A N.on B.iased A.pproach to the NBA

The NBA season has just begun and I still can't decide if I care. It seems like half the people I know are NBA fanatics and the other half couldn't care less. It's hard to deny the fact that the NFL is the superior product this time of year. Then again, it is far from a fair fight. Comparing a 16 game season to an 82 game season is like comparing a slice of pizza to a hot dog eating contest. Sure, pizza and hot dogs are delicious but after the 3rd hot dog, it becomes a bit of a chore. I'll half heartedly watch the playoffs and catch a couple big matchups here and there and part of my lackluster enthusiasm for the NBA certainly stems off the fact that my favorite team, the Sacramento Kings, haven't had a good year since the Chris Webber era and, therefore, hardly receive any television coverage here on the east coast. There is something inherently unexciting about waiting for your computer screen to refresh with a score update. Admittedly, I am a much bigger fan of college basketball, which leads me to my next point.

The age old question of NBA versus NCAA has remained answerless since it was first asked. Which is better? Obviously, as expected, this is not a simple question and therefore requires a complex answer. There are a few key compliments and complaints concerning both leagues. Starting with college basketball, the main complaint is the talent level. This is clearly unavoidable. On one hand, the players are still kids. This fact carries with it a lack of talent, discipline, and overall maturity. On the other hand, in comparison to the NBA which takes only the best of the college pool of players, the talent level can not and will not ever be on par with its professional counterpart. Any given game will be sure to contain far fewer fast breaks, alley oops, and made baskets. This lack of individual talent leads to a more team oriented style of play. One of the main knocks on professional basketball is that it lacks this aspect.

Granted, the NBA game is more fast paced and exciting, but the emphasis on individualism leads to an overall lack of flow. The other complaint about the NBA revolves around the business of it all. While the NCAA is a business as well, with power hungry coaches and administrators as well as countless licensing and marketing ventures, the players themselves are largely unaffected by the money. In the NBA, however, the players are at their jobs every time the step on the court. This rubs off on the passion they have for their team as well as their teammates, because when it comes down to it, every individual is competing for their own best interests. Unlike football, for example, where most players are judged as a unit, i.e. the offensive line, basketball players are mostly judged comparatively to other players at their same position or the other players on their team. Plus, as we've seen time and time again, one or two superstars can completely change a bad team to a great one. This is not the case with most other sports.

This also has its upside, as a team who is down in the pits, will likely not remain there for long. College, on the other hand, has its prestigious teams that more or less keep that title year after year as good recruiting leads to winning which leads to good recruiting and so on. The most interesting question hidden among this whole mess is how can someone be a fan of both? They are opposites in so many ways and yet so many people love both professional and college basketball. I guess the truth is hidden among the many wonders of the sport. James Naismith created one of the most exciting, suspenseful, and spectacular games in existence today. Professional, college, who cares? Let's just enjoy the fantastic show that is basketball.

(Let me just clarify that all of the generalizations that I made for the sake of argument in this post are, by the very definition of the word, general assumptions and do not apply to every player or team in the league. There are plenty of passionate NBA players just as there are plenty of underdog stories and superstars in the NCAA. As the title implies, I tried to look at the differences in as non biased of a light as possible. If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, I encourage you to comment on this post and voice it. This is intended to be a discussion, not a lecture.)

The Death of Traditional Football Fandom

Fantasy Football, a game that has been around since the 1960s, has taken America by storm. It grew slowly until 1997, when its budding romance with the internet finally began. Alas, fantasy football was made available to the common man. Before this time, the draft, league rules, and all of the stats would have to be calculated by hand for every player involved in the league. This limited the game's popularity to only the most dedicated of football stat junkies, leaving the average football fans to simply root on their favorite teams. Now that the wonderful world wide web does all the hard work for you, Americans have rushed to their computers to join this fast growing sensation, totaling over 19 million users, ultimately culminating in an FX series and countless football analysis shows dedicated simply to fantasy advice.

What has yet to be decided, however, is how the online game will affect the game on the field. Fans often find themselves torn between rooting for their favorite team and rooting for their fantasy players. With this sort of pull challenging the dedication of the fan one way or the other, it seems only natural that eventually there will be a split, but which side will win out? Or perhaps a happy medium will be reached and the two worlds can coexist. Either way, the question remains. Is fantasy good for football, or will it ultimately lead to the death of traditional football fandom as we know it. Let's weigh the pros and the cons.

First the pros:

1. Makes otherwise boring games exciting:
• Fantasy gives fans a reason to watch every single game as it is rare for a matchup to not have at least one player from your own or your opponent's team on the field. 
2. Creates a social experience missed out on in traditional fandom:
• Under 'normal' circumstances, the only true bond experienced between yourself and fellow fans occurs either when you both have the same favorite team or when your favorite team is playing against their favorite team.
• In a fantasy league, however, every participant is linked together throughout the entire season. From the draft to the playoffs and through year after year, fantasy leagues facilitate an unrivaled bond between football fans.

Now for the cons:

1. Internal conflicts galore:
• Everybody in a fantasy league has experienced some sort of internal conflict during the course of a season. Whether it is being forced to root for one of your least favorite players because he was the best running back available during your turn in the draft, or being torn between hoping your fantasy defense can put up good numbers while still losing to your favorite team, it's always tough
2. Emphasis on individual performances:
• Peewee coaches everywhere would be furious to see such an emphasis put on individual stats, as the appreciation of a solid team effort has been depleted drastically.

The one fact that can not be disputed is that this game within a game is revolutionizing the way fans view football. All of sudden, a touchdown is no longer simply a touchdown. Was it a pass or a rush? Did the quarterback toss it to a tight end or a quick slant to a receiver? Fantasy implications create unique situations that the players and coaches are completely unaware of as they play. So although the difference between a one yard sack and getting tackled at the line of scrimmage means little to the actual result of the game, it could have a heavy influence on the outcome of your fantasy matchup. It is fair to say that fantasy football isn't going anywhere any time soon. So join a league, outsmart your friends or some strangers, and bring home some trophies and cash right now. But a little word of advice... make sure your team loyalties are strong or you could find yourself a few fantasy seasons away from having no affiliation at all. Join at your own risk. 

America's (Most Disappointing) Team

This post is dedicated to fans of the most disappointing team in the National Football League. No team has broken more hearts of recent than America's team, the Dallas Cowboys. Sure, plenty of teams have more losses, less playoff appearances, etc. However, it is not about losing, but rather how they lose; in gut wrenching fashion.

Let's start with the penalties. In the past five years, the cowboys have been one of the most penalized team in the NFL, averaging 7.5 penalties per game. The cowboys are league leaders once again in 2012, averaging a remarkable 9.2 penalties per game. Granted, some degree of holding occurs on nearly every play. An argument can be made for pass interference, either offensive or defensive, almost every time the quarterback drops back. In other words, some flags are forgivable. In fact, there are plenty of cases in which the competitive advantage of cheating a bit is entirely worth the risk of getting called for it. On the other hand, some flags, like false starts, delay of game, and illegal shifts, are inexcusable. Dallas leans towards the latter. From a fans perspective, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing flag after flag as your team has to overcome 1st and 15 or 2nd and 20 situations. Perpetually playing out of a hole sets a discouraging tone on a game early on, negatively affecting the attitude of the players and fans alike. Furthermore, Dallas has created a steadfast reputation as a highly penalized team over the years. I cannot say for sure that this has resulted in the referees keeping a closer eye on the Cowboys, but then again, I cannot say otherwise with any real certainty either.

Missed opportunities round out the perfect storm of discontent. Between untimely interceptions, not that any interceptions come at a good time, and countless mental errors, the Cowboys are masterful at the art of screwing up. From the famous botched snap back in the 2007 playoff game against the Seahawks, to simple miscommunication between quarterback and receiver, Dallas fans have seen it all. Most people are quick to blame Tony Romo for the current era of awfulness, but is this really the case? Perhaps closer attention should be paid to the offensive line that often times force Romo to run for his life from an unblocked defender. Or maybe the receivers are the problem, as the talented receivers often lack the necessary football intelligence and the smart receivers lack the explosive raw talent that would allow Romo to truly showcase his arm. Don't get the wrong idea, I am certainly not letting Romo off the hook. 'Full of talent but riddled with poor decision making' has become the unshakable label next to the captain's "C" on his jersey. The one question in the minds of fans everywhere remains a mystery: Can the Dallas Cowboys ever overcome the mistakes and win a super bowl during the Tony Romo era? Your guess is as good as mine.

The Ups and Downs of Fandom

From an emotional perspective, sports provide a unique experience unrivaled by any other in this world. There is really nothing that can inspire the masses like a buzzer beater three in overtime as the underdog triumphs over the favorite. On the other side of the coin, there is nothing that crushes the spirits of more people at a faster rate than when that same buzzer beater is scored on your favorite team. But that's why we watch, isn't it? The glory and disappointment; the victory and defeat. Well we got more than our fair share this weekend. So what would you like first, the good news or the bad?

Let's start with the bad. There were two low moments this past week that stood above the rest. The first has been covered on every television station, website, and newspaper around the country. The infamous infield fly call. For those of you who have been completely off the grid this past week, I will briefly recap the situation. So the Atlanta Braves squared off against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first ever win-or-go-home NL Wild Card Game. The Cardinals were up six to three when the Braves popped one out towards left field. A miscommunication between the short stop and the left fielder led to the ball dropping to the ground, loading the bases up with only one out in the 8th. However, stunning players and fans alike, the left field umpire ruled the play an infield fly. First of all, let me be clear when I say that this was not an infield fly. By no means was this a play that required 'ordinary effort'. Also, the umpire didn't make the call until a split second before the ball hit the ground. The rule states that an empire must make the decision at the peak of the arch to give the base runners time to adjust accordingly. This is simply indisputable. Needless to say, Atlanta fans were less then pleased. They demonstrated their discontent by littering the field with bottles and cans, effectively delaying the game for 19 minutes. This was a bad moment in sports.

This second story has been a bit overshadowed by other news stories around the sports world, but is important to touch on, nonetheless. Matt Cassel certainly hasn't had the best stint in Kansas City. Fans have been begging for Brady Quinn all year. In fact, a plane was even rented for the game carrying a sign that demanded Cassel be benched. But good spirited jeering turned into one of the most disgusting moments in all of sports. In the 4th quarter, Cassel was hit by a Baltimore defender and knocked unconscious. As he laid there on the ground, home fans proceeded to cascade the fallen quarterback with cheers. Now I would like to think that the cheers were for Brady Quinn finally getting his chance to shine rather than expressions of joy for the injury itself. However even if this is true, fans should know that cheering while someone is down is beyond disrespectful. I mean hell, we all learned in peewee sports that when somebody is injured, you take a knee and be quiet. It is important to remember that when it comes down to it, this is just a game. To cheer an injured player in general is pretty sick nevermind when the player is on the home team! Fans should be ashamed of themselves. At a certain point, the parallel needs to be drawn between athletes and fellow human beings. Teammate Eric Winston defended Matt as well as condemned the fans for their actions in a rant to the media.

So now for the good. There are few things in this world that can create the same level of inspiration as a great sports moment. Last night, as Drew Brees launched a 40 yard bomb to a wide open Devery Henderson, he passed Johnny Unitas' record of 47 consecutive games with a TD pass; a record that had gone untouched for 52 years. Records get broken all the time but this was a big one and it couldn't have happened to a better guy. Brees is one of the most likable players in the National Football League. He is the complete package as a quarterback; a natural leader, great arm, always consistent (obviously). A lot of times athletes will downplay the significance of a record. They will hold back their emotions and just shrug it off. After all, they are professionals and are in fact just doing their jobs. And there is a certain dignity that comes along with that. But last night, watching Drew Brees celebrate his 48 game streak, it was hard not to smile along with him.

The interesting aspect of a record like this, as opposed to a total yardage record or something of the sort, is that everybody knew the exact night that it would be broken. The NFL used this fact to their advantage. As if scheduling this game for Sunday night at home wasn't enough, the game was scheduled against the San Diego Chargers; a team that cut Drew Brees after drafting him in 2001. This represented more than the ultimate revenge on a team that didn't believe in him. It is also a common link that he shares with Unitas as he, too, was cut from the team that originally drafted him. Johnny's son Joe was in the crowd as well, which made the night extra special. Drew received a letter from the Unitas family wishing Brees the best of luck and complimenting his accomplishment. It was evident how much the honor meant to drew as he began tearing up during the post game interview with sideline reporter, Michelle Tafoya.

Last Chance for the Red Sox

The Red Sox are terrible; plain and simple. As a lifelong Sox fan, I find it extremely difficult to watch. It's been over a year since we've seen the Red Sox succeed at the game of baseball. The problem dives much deeper than simple on-field performance issues. The clubhouse is in turmoil, running rampant with coaching and player underachievement. This team is simply unlikable; a bunch of spoiled brats who took advantage of having too much freedom and ultimately got their coach fired. The same coach that turned the franchise around, breaking an 86 year drought and leading the team to win two World Series Titles. They whine and complain, blame everyone and everything but themselves, and just flat out stink.

I haven't watched since the All-Star break. I just don't see the point. I will watch this week, however. Why? Well as the saying goes in Boston, "I have two favorite teams, the Red Sox and whoever beats the Yankees." Although Boston hasn't had a chance at making the playoffs in a while now, that doesn't mean they can't drag the Yankees down with them. New York and Baltimore are in a dead even tie for first place with only three games left in the season for each team. They have both clinched playoff spots, however with the new wildcard system in place, the difference between the division title and wildcard selection is bigger than ever. This year, two wildcard teams are going to be selected from each league, at which point they will play each other in a one game playoff before the Division Series begins. Baltimore is set to face Tampa for their three games as New York is set to face Boston.

If there is any hope of ensuring a silver lining for the season, beating the Yankees would be the way to do it. To be honest, I doubt that the Sox have it in them. In past years, the Red Sox embodied the fire and passion that makes baseball the romantic sport that it is. You don't get to be 'lovable losers' simply by losing. It's the way you lose. In the pre-2004 World Series days, the Red Sox would come so close, yet always fall short. However, it seemed as if they were as broken up about it as the fans were. This painted a picture of relatability. It created the appearance that the organization was fighting side by side with the fans. When the Red Sox win, everyone wins. When they lose, everyone faces it together as one. This team just doesn't seem to have any of that passion. Although this probably isn't the case, it appears to most fans that they simply don't care. The least they can do for Red Sox nation, who has suffered enough these past two seasons, is to muster up the energy to knock the Yankees down a peg. Is that really so much to ask?

Torrey Smith

I will not be writing about the Seahawks vs. Packers hail mary drama or the cornucopia of blown calls and sloppy officiating throughout the season so far because that story will be beat to death on every media outlet that even remotely covers sports. Instead, I will talk about a far more spectacular story. Baltimore Ravens' wide receiver Torrey Smith lit up the New England Patriots this week on Sunday Night Football. He had six receptions for a 127 yards, an average of 21.2 yards per catch, as well as reeling in two touchdowns. Smith was the difference maker for the Ravens who bested the Pats 31 to 30. However, the stats aren't the only thing that make this story remarkable. Less than 24 hours before Smith caught his second touchdown, setting Baltimore up for a game winning field goal, Smith faced unspeakable tragedy. Early Sunday morning, Smith received news that his younger brother, Tevin Jones, had lost control of his motor cycle and crashed into a utility pole. The 19 year old was pronounced dead at the scene. In addition to being a big brother, Torrey Smith acted as a father figure to Jones, as well as his five other younger siblings, assisting his single mother who was often busy working to support her family. Sports have the unique ability to provide healing in so many different ways to so many different people. It is stories like this that remind us what the game is all about. Truly inspiring.