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.