As 2011 seamlessly transitions into 2012, here are a few things I would like to see in our final year on earth according to the Mayan calendar:
A Stanley Cup in D.C.
As of right now, I realize that this is an incredible long shot. In the current standings, the Capitals aren't even in the playoffs. They have won two straight and hopefully they are starting to understand Dale Hunter's style of play. Listen, a Stanley Cup is long overdue though. The Caps have won four straight division titles, won the President's Trophy in 2009, and have had several 100 point scorers over the course of the last few seasons. The playoffs are constantly a huge letdown. Losing to an 8 seed or going 0-for against a division rival is baffling. It's like they recoil when the light is shining brightest. The Caps resolution this year should be to put it all together late in the season, and bring home the Cup that the city has expected for the last few seasons.
Smart Decisions and Decent Football Play in Ashburn
Look, I'm not delusional, though sometimes it seems like it. I expect very little from the Redskins in 2012. The issue is that after starting 3-1, the 2011 season was over by Week 8. The team went from
6-10 to what looks like 5-11 with a better roster than they had in 2010. All I ask is that they continue to draft well. They did great with Ryan Kerrigan, and almost all of their draft picks have played at some point this season. That's positive. Now you have to get a quarterback. As much as I love tons of draft picks, you have to do what you have to do to get a legit quarterback. Grossman is gross, and Beck is some sauce. You have no choice. The Shanahans have painted themselves into a corner. They say all the right things like the politicians running in the 2012 elections. Now you have to get it done on the field. Let's at least make an attempt to keep improving. Approach .500. The Redskins' New Year's resolution should be to not be last in the NFC East in 2012. Or at least compete for third.
Another #1 Pick for the Wiz
The Wizards are still amidst a huge rebuild, so they aren't going to win many games in this shortened season. John Wall is the cornerstone for this franchise and they need to surround him with talent. Chris Singleton was a nice pickup last year in the draft, and Jan Vesely's impact remains to be seen. At this point, the best thing would be for the Wizards to not win very many games and improve their chances at another #1 pick to pair with John Wall. That sort of talent makes a huge difference, especially in basketball. The Wizards resolution should be to get the fans in D.C. jazzed up for a new season after acquiring game-changing talent.
A Surge for Turge
Everyone expected a step back for the Maryland basketball team with the sudden retirement of legend Gary Williams. At the same time, everyone is excited about what Mark Turgeon brings to the table. He has hired serious local recruiters and already has a top-20 recruiting class coming in next year. Not only that, but he and his staff found the 7'1" Ukrainian Alex Len who finally became eligible part-way through this season. He adds much needed size to the current team. Combine his growth in year two with the solid prospects coming in next year, and this team should be much improved. Maryland is also in on some serious prospects for 2013. If he can lockdown some of this high-end talent, Maryland's future looks bright. Credit Turgeon for his solid coaching and knowing what he needs to win. Maryland's basketball resolution should be to keep pressing for top-flight talent and hoping to land a few.
Put Up or Shut Up
Perhaps the polar opposite of the above wish for 2012, the Maryland football team is going in the opposite direction. Randy Edsall took a 9-4 team and turned it into a 2-10 team. He has said all the wrong things and mishandled every situation so far. The claim is he is a good recruiter. Now is the time. You want to do things your way, then prove to the fans that you're way is working. The university had to cut seven sports because fans don't enjoy going to football games. It might have something to do with the product. Edsall's resolution is simple: win and prove people wrong.
Premium Channel Programming Continues its Dominance
The best shows on TV are on the premium pay channels bar none. Between True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Shameless and even the 24/7 HBO series, they are the most compelling, sexy, well-done shows on the tube. Here's to those networks bringing in new programming that matches the quality of what they already air. In 2012, HBO and Showtime should provide a resolution for what happened in the latest season finales of their current lineup.
3D Movies Don't Continue to Dominate Theaters
I understand that if anything there will be an increase in 3D movies. I just really think that most movies that have been converted to 3D didn't really need to be. Let's not use 3D for the sake of 3D. Use it the way Avatar used it. It's part of the story, and was the huge draw to that film in the first place. Let's not make a movie 3D just because there is a few minutes of action in the script. I can enjoy the action just as easily without an overdone gimmick. I enjoy special effects as much as anyone. I just prefer it when it serves a purpose other than to overcharge for ticket sales. The movie studios should maintain a resolution to not overthink the movies they are making. If it's filmed in 3D, great. If not, leave it alone.
A New Job For Me
This won't happen until at least the spring, but at some point its gotta change. Maybe this is the year.
Here's to a prosperous and healthy 2012. Happy New Year all.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Bogus Corrupt Selections
The BCS is a joke. It's like anything else in college sports. It's all about the bottom dollar. Yet the BCS isn't run by the NCAA. It just operates the exact same way the NCAA does. The "computers" determine rankings based on a whole set of factors that apparently objectively rate each team each week. So at the end of the season, where teams are rated in the BCS standings determines which schools go to the Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, Rose, and championship bowl games. So in this particular year it would be pretty hard for anyone to argue that LSU and Alabama shouldn't play each other for the championship. They have certainly looked like the two best teams on the field this year. It's the other BCS bowls that are totalling baffling.
All the Big Six conference champions earn a bid. Then the remaining four teams are chosen at-large. Ok, well the issue is that Virginia Tech and Michigan were invited to the Sugar Bowl. These two teams won 10 games and had really good years. But Virginia Tech lost twice to Clemson, including a loss in the conference championship game. Late losses generally work against a team. Michigan, after a wonderfully resurgent year, did not even compete for a conference title! How on earth do both of these teams get a bid to the Sugar Bowl?? Boise State, everyone's favorite underdog small school, lost one game this year in the middle of the season to a decent TCU team. What are they thinking?
The whole thing is so ridiculous. Virginia Tech and Michigan were chosen because their fans travel well and can be found everywhere. They are two of college footballs best brands. The amount of fans heading to New Orleans on January 3rd will be a boon for that area. Not only does the city make money, but the bowl itself makes money and the schools make money to continue their dominance of college football media publicity year after year. These schools don't deserve to play in the Sugar Bowl. Why are computers determining the best teams in Div.-I football? It's the most assbackwards thing I've ever heard of.
This has obviously been going on for years, but this year with this Sugar Bowl matchup, I think people are realizing there is no equity in the BCS. One or two loss teams are at the mercy of selection committees. In every other level of college football and every other sport, there is a tournament/playoff. Everyone knows whether professional or amateur, playoffs are exciting, nerve-wracking and dramatic. Where is the drama in computer rankings? There are none. Behind the computers are guys that are determining which games will bank the most money for the respective BCS games. These teams aren't going to play until one team stands alone. They are going to play one game and have to ask "what-if".
I'm as big a fan of more college games as anyone. I'm going to watch a lot of the bowl games. Of course, I can't watch them all since there are nearly 40 of them. (Seriously, like half of all FBS teams make a bowl game. 6-6 teams are getting into bowls. Aren't you supposed to be good to play in the post season?) That's only because I'm a football fan. I'm not watching because of the merit of a championship. Lord only knows which team is actually the champion. Hopefully, we won't need many more seasons like this for something to change. As far as I'm concerned, until the results are truly determined on the field, all national champions are only champs on paper. Let them play it out. Sports is all about the rise of a champion. The only way to witness that ascent is let the best play the best. Keep the decision-makers (and the money) out of it.
All the Big Six conference champions earn a bid. Then the remaining four teams are chosen at-large. Ok, well the issue is that Virginia Tech and Michigan were invited to the Sugar Bowl. These two teams won 10 games and had really good years. But Virginia Tech lost twice to Clemson, including a loss in the conference championship game. Late losses generally work against a team. Michigan, after a wonderfully resurgent year, did not even compete for a conference title! How on earth do both of these teams get a bid to the Sugar Bowl?? Boise State, everyone's favorite underdog small school, lost one game this year in the middle of the season to a decent TCU team. What are they thinking?
The whole thing is so ridiculous. Virginia Tech and Michigan were chosen because their fans travel well and can be found everywhere. They are two of college footballs best brands. The amount of fans heading to New Orleans on January 3rd will be a boon for that area. Not only does the city make money, but the bowl itself makes money and the schools make money to continue their dominance of college football media publicity year after year. These schools don't deserve to play in the Sugar Bowl. Why are computers determining the best teams in Div.-I football? It's the most assbackwards thing I've ever heard of.
This has obviously been going on for years, but this year with this Sugar Bowl matchup, I think people are realizing there is no equity in the BCS. One or two loss teams are at the mercy of selection committees. In every other level of college football and every other sport, there is a tournament/playoff. Everyone knows whether professional or amateur, playoffs are exciting, nerve-wracking and dramatic. Where is the drama in computer rankings? There are none. Behind the computers are guys that are determining which games will bank the most money for the respective BCS games. These teams aren't going to play until one team stands alone. They are going to play one game and have to ask "what-if".
I'm as big a fan of more college games as anyone. I'm going to watch a lot of the bowl games. Of course, I can't watch them all since there are nearly 40 of them. (Seriously, like half of all FBS teams make a bowl game. 6-6 teams are getting into bowls. Aren't you supposed to be good to play in the post season?) That's only because I'm a football fan. I'm not watching because of the merit of a championship. Lord only knows which team is actually the champion. Hopefully, we won't need many more seasons like this for something to change. As far as I'm concerned, until the results are truly determined on the field, all national champions are only champs on paper. Let them play it out. Sports is all about the rise of a champion. The only way to witness that ascent is let the best play the best. Keep the decision-makers (and the money) out of it.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Randy Edsall's Bogus Journey
Talk to any true, young Maryland fan and they will tell you they were less than enthusiastic about the hiring of Randy Edsall. Not everyone was totally against it, but no one was particularly excited either. He seemed like a run-of-the-mill, moderately successful coach that would hopefully inject a youthful exuberance. Nothing about him really stood out as "This guy is excellent."
He did take Connecticut from an FCS (as it's now known) school to an FBS school, and he ended up over time winning a Big East title. Ok, fine. At the time though, the Big East's best teams had no less than four losses. UCONN got lucky enough to win a tie breaker. Anyway, I suppose that should still be considered an accomplishment.
His foray into the Maryland football coaching lexicon has led to no such accomplishments. After his disastrous 2-10 year, he now has a coaching record with more losses than wins. In nearly 20 games, he has beaten a top-20 team once. ONCE. If you're moving from Connecticut to Maryland you should probably have more than one victory over a top-20 team. Even in crappy years Ralph Friedgen beat ranked opponents. On his watch, the Terps beat Florida State a couple of times. That alone should be cause to celebrate.
Let's talk about that. The 2010 ACC Coach of the Year was fired after leading a team to a 9-4 season after having a disastrous 2-10 season of his own the year before. He did it with a redshirt freshman at quarterback. Yet new dipshit AD Kevin Anderson decided nine wins wasn't good enough to extend the portly coach. Nine wins at Maryland! That should be praised around these parts. Outside of Fridge's early dream seasons, that is the apex of a program like Maryland. It should be celebrated, not dismantled. Then he goes and gets a guy who is not a sexy hire at all compared to Mike Leach. Leach is a colorful personality with a prolific offense. For whatever reason, U-Md. was just too good for him (best sarcastic tone).
So enter the young gun who would rather worry about earrings and facial hair than not getting into the end zone. Hey guys, here's your new coach, Joseph Stalin. Enjoy being tortured by a man that thinks he's too good for any of year and doesn't care about wins. He cares about the Edsall Way. Which seems to be the way down.
There is about a .5% chance Edsall is relieved of his duties following this season. His exorbitant contract is prohibitive in that regard. (By the way, $10 million? Unearned. What were they thinking?) So we will sit back and give him another year to get his guys in here and play the Edsall Way. My question is, who the hell wants to play for this guy who never ever takes any blame for anything? Not the five-star recruits, I can tell you that.
Thanks, Edsall for making my alma mater the laughing stock of the conference. I hope you find a way to make this work because you're driving this whole thing off a cliff. No one is going to come watch games next year because of you. You're window is closing. Miami must be kicking themselves right now wondering how on earth they lost to the Terps in 2011. Oh, and if Mike Leach all of a sudden makes Washington State good, I'm going to have a shit-fit.
He did take Connecticut from an FCS (as it's now known) school to an FBS school, and he ended up over time winning a Big East title. Ok, fine. At the time though, the Big East's best teams had no less than four losses. UCONN got lucky enough to win a tie breaker. Anyway, I suppose that should still be considered an accomplishment.
His foray into the Maryland football coaching lexicon has led to no such accomplishments. After his disastrous 2-10 year, he now has a coaching record with more losses than wins. In nearly 20 games, he has beaten a top-20 team once. ONCE. If you're moving from Connecticut to Maryland you should probably have more than one victory over a top-20 team. Even in crappy years Ralph Friedgen beat ranked opponents. On his watch, the Terps beat Florida State a couple of times. That alone should be cause to celebrate.
Let's talk about that. The 2010 ACC Coach of the Year was fired after leading a team to a 9-4 season after having a disastrous 2-10 season of his own the year before. He did it with a redshirt freshman at quarterback. Yet new dipshit AD Kevin Anderson decided nine wins wasn't good enough to extend the portly coach. Nine wins at Maryland! That should be praised around these parts. Outside of Fridge's early dream seasons, that is the apex of a program like Maryland. It should be celebrated, not dismantled. Then he goes and gets a guy who is not a sexy hire at all compared to Mike Leach. Leach is a colorful personality with a prolific offense. For whatever reason, U-Md. was just too good for him (best sarcastic tone).
So enter the young gun who would rather worry about earrings and facial hair than not getting into the end zone. Hey guys, here's your new coach, Joseph Stalin. Enjoy being tortured by a man that thinks he's too good for any of year and doesn't care about wins. He cares about the Edsall Way. Which seems to be the way down.
There is about a .5% chance Edsall is relieved of his duties following this season. His exorbitant contract is prohibitive in that regard. (By the way, $10 million? Unearned. What were they thinking?) So we will sit back and give him another year to get his guys in here and play the Edsall Way. My question is, who the hell wants to play for this guy who never ever takes any blame for anything? Not the five-star recruits, I can tell you that.
Thanks, Edsall for making my alma mater the laughing stock of the conference. I hope you find a way to make this work because you're driving this whole thing off a cliff. No one is going to come watch games next year because of you. You're window is closing. Miami must be kicking themselves right now wondering how on earth they lost to the Terps in 2011. Oh, and if Mike Leach all of a sudden makes Washington State good, I'm going to have a shit-fit.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Part II: A Fan Study: Attending A Big Game - Football School
(Part two of a two part series)
After attending a disappointing game during a disappointing season for Maryland, I was excited to get out to the West Coast to see a "real" game. I attended the Oregon-USC game in Eugene, OR in a game that featured not one but two legitimate, big-time football programs. USC has a few national titles over the last decade. Oregon has been ranked in the top-10 in the BCS for the last few years with a national title appearance last year. Really, could a football fan ask for anything more?
Technically, I was rooting for Oregon. My brother is a junior there. The best part about a game like this though, is that you can enjoy the game for the game itself. I wasn't overly nervous about the execution, defensive lapses, or lack of effort by any one team. Sure, I got a little distraught when Oregon fell behind early. I definitely got excited when they made a furious comeback at the end of the game. Overall, it was just great to watch great teams play football. It was different to see a team like the Ducks not buckle when down by 17 points. They know they have a unique offense that can score a ton of points. They were undaunted by their deficit.
Conversely, it was unbelievable to watch a real quarterback like Matt Barkley play live. A top NFL prospect for next year's draft - should he choose to come out - Barkley was disecting the Duck's young defense. He threw for 4 touchdowns. Receiver Robert Woods, another stud, couldn't be stopped either. As much air as the USC offense took out of Autzen Stadium, you could tell you were watching a competitive game between two really good teams. They both have only lost two games on the season.
The atmosphere there is incredible. In a state like Oregon, there aren't any pro teams to take the spotlight away from the college scene. The state is split - you're either a Duck or a Beaver (Oregon State). Hell, the OU-OSU game is called the Civil War. Autzen Stadium is truly a great stadium. When the Ducks were making their way back into the game, it was deafening. The student section had creative cheers. Chip Kelly is already a legend there. The PA announcer was as enthusiastic as the fanbase. It was freezing that night, and it was a packed house. No one left early. It was the most exciting game I've ever seen live.
The pregame was just as big. It featured a huge school-sponsored tailgate in the beautiful indoor practice facility right next to Autzen. There were huge inflatables with interactive games for kids to play. Food and beer vendors waved green and gold pom-poms to lure you to their station. Puddles, the mascot, was walking around high-fiving people. There was a band in the middle of the facility to serenade people as they wandered around. And this was totally seperate from the parking lot tailgating! It was clear that Nike has just about everything to do with such a display. I would say Oregon is glad that Nike is on their side. It was a great time.
The Ducks did end up losing 38-35. It was disappointing considering Oregon hadn't lost a home game in two seasons. Afterwards, the fans weren't super upset. They knew they still had the Rose Bowl in their sights if they beat their rivals in the final game of the regular season. The fans took it in stride. They know their team is good. LaMichael James is one of the best running backs in the country. They feel confident. It was refreshing to see a fanbase not fall apart after a loss. It must be nice to know you are always in contention.
Watching two winners go head-to-head is something all football fans should try and do. It is a lot easier if one of those teams isn't your favorite team. You can just enjoy the product. There is a clear difference in the attitude and aura of a town that houses a football school. Everything is ramped up a notch...and it's awesome. I will always love Maryland, and I will always enjoy the tailgates. But now I want to head to other places, like maybe the Southeast, to see how they do things on Saturday afternoons. I would imagine its a lot like Eugene, if not bigger. Every game of every week is an event. That's what it means to be a football school.
After attending a disappointing game during a disappointing season for Maryland, I was excited to get out to the West Coast to see a "real" game. I attended the Oregon-USC game in Eugene, OR in a game that featured not one but two legitimate, big-time football programs. USC has a few national titles over the last decade. Oregon has been ranked in the top-10 in the BCS for the last few years with a national title appearance last year. Really, could a football fan ask for anything more?
Technically, I was rooting for Oregon. My brother is a junior there. The best part about a game like this though, is that you can enjoy the game for the game itself. I wasn't overly nervous about the execution, defensive lapses, or lack of effort by any one team. Sure, I got a little distraught when Oregon fell behind early. I definitely got excited when they made a furious comeback at the end of the game. Overall, it was just great to watch great teams play football. It was different to see a team like the Ducks not buckle when down by 17 points. They know they have a unique offense that can score a ton of points. They were undaunted by their deficit.
Conversely, it was unbelievable to watch a real quarterback like Matt Barkley play live. A top NFL prospect for next year's draft - should he choose to come out - Barkley was disecting the Duck's young defense. He threw for 4 touchdowns. Receiver Robert Woods, another stud, couldn't be stopped either. As much air as the USC offense took out of Autzen Stadium, you could tell you were watching a competitive game between two really good teams. They both have only lost two games on the season.
The atmosphere there is incredible. In a state like Oregon, there aren't any pro teams to take the spotlight away from the college scene. The state is split - you're either a Duck or a Beaver (Oregon State). Hell, the OU-OSU game is called the Civil War. Autzen Stadium is truly a great stadium. When the Ducks were making their way back into the game, it was deafening. The student section had creative cheers. Chip Kelly is already a legend there. The PA announcer was as enthusiastic as the fanbase. It was freezing that night, and it was a packed house. No one left early. It was the most exciting game I've ever seen live.
The pregame was just as big. It featured a huge school-sponsored tailgate in the beautiful indoor practice facility right next to Autzen. There were huge inflatables with interactive games for kids to play. Food and beer vendors waved green and gold pom-poms to lure you to their station. Puddles, the mascot, was walking around high-fiving people. There was a band in the middle of the facility to serenade people as they wandered around. And this was totally seperate from the parking lot tailgating! It was clear that Nike has just about everything to do with such a display. I would say Oregon is glad that Nike is on their side. It was a great time.
The Ducks did end up losing 38-35. It was disappointing considering Oregon hadn't lost a home game in two seasons. Afterwards, the fans weren't super upset. They knew they still had the Rose Bowl in their sights if they beat their rivals in the final game of the regular season. The fans took it in stride. They know their team is good. LaMichael James is one of the best running backs in the country. They feel confident. It was refreshing to see a fanbase not fall apart after a loss. It must be nice to know you are always in contention.
Watching two winners go head-to-head is something all football fans should try and do. It is a lot easier if one of those teams isn't your favorite team. You can just enjoy the product. There is a clear difference in the attitude and aura of a town that houses a football school. Everything is ramped up a notch...and it's awesome. I will always love Maryland, and I will always enjoy the tailgates. But now I want to head to other places, like maybe the Southeast, to see how they do things on Saturday afternoons. I would imagine its a lot like Eugene, if not bigger. Every game of every week is an event. That's what it means to be a football school.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Part I: A Fan Study: Attending A Big Game - Non-Football School
(The first in a two part series)
Finally, after years of trying so hard to convince myself, I truly realize Maryland is not a football school. I just got lucky that when I attended school there, the program had a lot of success. Several high-profile bowl games (including the Orange Bowl), an ACC championship, and a couple of 10-win seasons. Since I've graduated there has even been some success. But football success was never sustained over, say, a five-year period at one time. And while Maryland being good in football is great, it is not a big, sexy program. It is a basketball school -- like most ACC schools. This is just the nature of the university.
Ok, so with that said, I have seen Maryland compete in and win big football games. The Terps are in a Big Six conference so they tend to play legitimate programs throughout the season. However, maybe once a year or every other year, Maryland plays a serious national powerhouse. That was the case last Saturday when they faced Notre Dame at FedEx Field -- a local NFL stadium for Maryland fans. Yet it was a Notre Dame home game. How does that even make sense? Well, when you've won as much as Notre Dame has and have as much history as they do, you can have a home game anywhere in the country. Programs like Notre Dame have fans all over the country and they travel well. They have all sorts of fans too, including the ones that have no affiliation with the university whatsoever. But that's the benefit to constantly being good and recognizable. The noterity brings the bandwagoners, and so the fan base grows.
So as one could imagine, the stadium was catered to Notre Dame fans. Maryland fans were outnumbered, outcheered, and outenthused. I would venture to say if Maryland's record was better, the crowd would have been a little more even. Still, I think the Irish would have had the better showing as spectators. Maryland just cannot generate a consistent fan base. Byrd Stadium only holds about 55,000 people. Notre Dame's holds nearly 81,000. Movies have been made about Notre Dame football. None about Maryland. So nothing should be surprising about what happened Saturday. The product wasn't great, and Maryland got stomped.
Notre Dame has more talented players, more efficient coaches, and a rich history of winning. Despite Maryland's national title in the 1950's, no one involved in the Maryland football program is accustomed to winning. At the end it was 45-21 in favor of Notre Dame. Had the Terps won, it would have been a signature win for a Maryland program that would have reminisced about for several years running.
They could not outduel the Irish, however. They could not pull off the ultimate upset. Half of the stadium was empty by halftime (I would guess most were Terps fans). Perhaps that's part of the difference. Maryland can't sell out home games when they are successful. Schools like Notre Dame sell out every game and can charge high prices. Maryland, due to lack of ticket sales (apathy?), is nearly forced to shut down other sports programs to cut costs. Quite frankly, it is just a fast difference in football culture.
So what do we know about non-football school's game experiences? The tailgates are still fun, though I would imagine average on a national scale. The football talent comes and goes much quicker than established programs. Fans enthusiasm amounts to as much as a "meh. whatever." Fans tend to leave early to avoid the traffic. Generally, the fans also don't expect to win big games on a regular basis. When nonpowerhouses do win, it is the event of the decade. It is not typical to get so overexcited at school's like Notre Dame. Yes, football fans will have fun, but it would appear that somewhere else, spectators are having more fun. South Bend is probably one of those places.
I was totally expecting to lose, but still made my own fun. I am interested to see what my next reaction will be. This weekend I will be attending the Oregon-USC game in Eugene. The contrast will probably be astonishing. Until next time, for Part II...
Finally, after years of trying so hard to convince myself, I truly realize Maryland is not a football school. I just got lucky that when I attended school there, the program had a lot of success. Several high-profile bowl games (including the Orange Bowl), an ACC championship, and a couple of 10-win seasons. Since I've graduated there has even been some success. But football success was never sustained over, say, a five-year period at one time. And while Maryland being good in football is great, it is not a big, sexy program. It is a basketball school -- like most ACC schools. This is just the nature of the university.
Ok, so with that said, I have seen Maryland compete in and win big football games. The Terps are in a Big Six conference so they tend to play legitimate programs throughout the season. However, maybe once a year or every other year, Maryland plays a serious national powerhouse. That was the case last Saturday when they faced Notre Dame at FedEx Field -- a local NFL stadium for Maryland fans. Yet it was a Notre Dame home game. How does that even make sense? Well, when you've won as much as Notre Dame has and have as much history as they do, you can have a home game anywhere in the country. Programs like Notre Dame have fans all over the country and they travel well. They have all sorts of fans too, including the ones that have no affiliation with the university whatsoever. But that's the benefit to constantly being good and recognizable. The noterity brings the bandwagoners, and so the fan base grows.
So as one could imagine, the stadium was catered to Notre Dame fans. Maryland fans were outnumbered, outcheered, and outenthused. I would venture to say if Maryland's record was better, the crowd would have been a little more even. Still, I think the Irish would have had the better showing as spectators. Maryland just cannot generate a consistent fan base. Byrd Stadium only holds about 55,000 people. Notre Dame's holds nearly 81,000. Movies have been made about Notre Dame football. None about Maryland. So nothing should be surprising about what happened Saturday. The product wasn't great, and Maryland got stomped.
Notre Dame has more talented players, more efficient coaches, and a rich history of winning. Despite Maryland's national title in the 1950's, no one involved in the Maryland football program is accustomed to winning. At the end it was 45-21 in favor of Notre Dame. Had the Terps won, it would have been a signature win for a Maryland program that would have reminisced about for several years running.
They could not outduel the Irish, however. They could not pull off the ultimate upset. Half of the stadium was empty by halftime (I would guess most were Terps fans). Perhaps that's part of the difference. Maryland can't sell out home games when they are successful. Schools like Notre Dame sell out every game and can charge high prices. Maryland, due to lack of ticket sales (apathy?), is nearly forced to shut down other sports programs to cut costs. Quite frankly, it is just a fast difference in football culture.
So what do we know about non-football school's game experiences? The tailgates are still fun, though I would imagine average on a national scale. The football talent comes and goes much quicker than established programs. Fans enthusiasm amounts to as much as a "meh. whatever." Fans tend to leave early to avoid the traffic. Generally, the fans also don't expect to win big games on a regular basis. When nonpowerhouses do win, it is the event of the decade. It is not typical to get so overexcited at school's like Notre Dame. Yes, football fans will have fun, but it would appear that somewhere else, spectators are having more fun. South Bend is probably one of those places.
I was totally expecting to lose, but still made my own fun. I am interested to see what my next reaction will be. This weekend I will be attending the Oregon-USC game in Eugene. The contrast will probably be astonishing. Until next time, for Part II...
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The State of Penn
There really isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said about the horror happening up at Penn State right now. No matter how you slice it, the whole thing is other-wordly in its severity.
Regardless of who I think should shoulder the blame (in terms of the "cover up"), let us not forget that the true, legitimate, bona fide monster is Jerry Sandusky. This guy couldn't be a worse human being. In fact, I heard someone say on the radio that it wasn't right to refer to him as a monster because it seems to absolve him of any humanity or human traits. No, he's human. He's just pure evil.
Anyone who rapes little children -- and repeatedly -- has more than a screw loose. I don't exactly know what it is that compels people to prey on children. Whatever the condition is should have some sort of antidote developed for it. There are clearly a lot of crazy, unstable people in the world. Not all of them commit acts like this. The Grand Jury report is enough to make you cringe. Sandusky seemed of sound mind during these instances of abuse. How can you be so present and not think you are doing anything wrong?
In terms of the university, they are like every other major football power. They are working in the best interest of themselves. Whatever they can do to not have a bad light shed on them and their football program they will do. I'm glad the President, AD and Vice President of whatever stepped down. The severity of these assaults were de-emphasized according to all of them. At least that's how I read it. That grad student could have done more, yes. JoPa could have done more, yes. I will not excuse anyone for their involvement, but I can see where sympathizers would ask for some consideration for the legendary coach.
Apparently, Paterno did all the right things legally. It seems to me like he just wanted it out of his hair. On some level though, this guy has to step up and so something. He is the King around there. There are strings he could have pulled and people he could have called to solve this thing instantly instead of having it all come out at least 9 years later. The problem with situations like this is that everyone has to take the fall. Since he is the King, his reign must come to an end. Look, no one has done what he has done in college football history. Part of me also thinks finishing the season is ok for him. But the reality is that this thing has shocked the world, and people need to be held accountable. The severity of the crimes means that there needs to be a total housecleaning. Sadly, that includes Paterno. He is in his 80's though. I'd say he put his time in.
This has to be the worst collegiate sports scandal in history. Certainly in the last 20 years. Forget realignment and pay-for-play. This trounces all of that. I just wonder how long it will take for Penn State to bounce back not only as a football power, but as a school and a community. I have been referring to State College as a "black hole of humanity." How long until they climb out?
Sandusky is the scum of the earth. Even the scum of the earth think pedophiles are scum of the earth. That goes to show how heinous these crimes are. I don't think there's anyway he doesn't get convicted of most of these counts, if not all of them. I hope he's sent away for 100 lifetimes. Either way he'll probably get killed in prison. That's what happens to most child molesters.
This will be a story for a long, long time. You keep the victims in your prayers and hope they are doing ok. Perhaps this will serve as a lesson to everybody -- universities included. Don't turn your back on innocent victims. Everybody ends up losing.
Regardless of who I think should shoulder the blame (in terms of the "cover up"), let us not forget that the true, legitimate, bona fide monster is Jerry Sandusky. This guy couldn't be a worse human being. In fact, I heard someone say on the radio that it wasn't right to refer to him as a monster because it seems to absolve him of any humanity or human traits. No, he's human. He's just pure evil.
Anyone who rapes little children -- and repeatedly -- has more than a screw loose. I don't exactly know what it is that compels people to prey on children. Whatever the condition is should have some sort of antidote developed for it. There are clearly a lot of crazy, unstable people in the world. Not all of them commit acts like this. The Grand Jury report is enough to make you cringe. Sandusky seemed of sound mind during these instances of abuse. How can you be so present and not think you are doing anything wrong?
In terms of the university, they are like every other major football power. They are working in the best interest of themselves. Whatever they can do to not have a bad light shed on them and their football program they will do. I'm glad the President, AD and Vice President of whatever stepped down. The severity of these assaults were de-emphasized according to all of them. At least that's how I read it. That grad student could have done more, yes. JoPa could have done more, yes. I will not excuse anyone for their involvement, but I can see where sympathizers would ask for some consideration for the legendary coach.
Apparently, Paterno did all the right things legally. It seems to me like he just wanted it out of his hair. On some level though, this guy has to step up and so something. He is the King around there. There are strings he could have pulled and people he could have called to solve this thing instantly instead of having it all come out at least 9 years later. The problem with situations like this is that everyone has to take the fall. Since he is the King, his reign must come to an end. Look, no one has done what he has done in college football history. Part of me also thinks finishing the season is ok for him. But the reality is that this thing has shocked the world, and people need to be held accountable. The severity of the crimes means that there needs to be a total housecleaning. Sadly, that includes Paterno. He is in his 80's though. I'd say he put his time in.
This has to be the worst collegiate sports scandal in history. Certainly in the last 20 years. Forget realignment and pay-for-play. This trounces all of that. I just wonder how long it will take for Penn State to bounce back not only as a football power, but as a school and a community. I have been referring to State College as a "black hole of humanity." How long until they climb out?
Sandusky is the scum of the earth. Even the scum of the earth think pedophiles are scum of the earth. That goes to show how heinous these crimes are. I don't think there's anyway he doesn't get convicted of most of these counts, if not all of them. I hope he's sent away for 100 lifetimes. Either way he'll probably get killed in prison. That's what happens to most child molesters.
This will be a story for a long, long time. You keep the victims in your prayers and hope they are doing ok. Perhaps this will serve as a lesson to everybody -- universities included. Don't turn your back on innocent victims. Everybody ends up losing.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
A Sunday in the Life of a Redskins Fan
(1 o'clock start)
9:30 AM - Wake up to a lovely, crisp fall morning. Eat breakfast/go for a run/do some reading online.
11 AM-12 PM - Take a shower and get ready for NFL Sunday, excited for football all day. Watch pregame.
12 PM-1 PM - Last minute preparations and travel to the viewing location. Meet and greet with friends and fellow football fans. Order first beer and gush with excitement over the prospects of another winnable game.
1:15PM - After a good defensive series and holding the other team to a field goal, fans feel good, but still have trepidations about the rest of the game as the offense still needs to show what it can do.
1:18 PM - The offense has just finished its first series and already given the ball up after not gaining very many yards.
1:40 PM - The first quarter is over and the Redskins are down by 10 to a rookie quarterback/rookie coach/1-win team/poor defensive team, and fans are upset but hopeful since there are still three quarters left to play.
2:30 PM - The Redskins have scored points (one touchdown or one field goal), but they have given up more than they have scored. Things aren't quite clicking offensively either due to poor offensive line/quarterback play or unfathomable turnovers/dropped balls by receivers. Fans hope that halftime adjustments are made. After all, there is a lot of football left to be played. The game isn't over until it's over.
3:00 PM - Things are looking up. The offense is moving now and they have driven the ball down field on a methodical drive and they have scored points. There is a long way to go, but spirits have been lifted.
3:10 PM - The defense has made a big stop, and now the entire fan base is revved up. By now one beer has become 5+ and the energy is through the roof.
3:39 PM - What has happened? The defense that has been generally stout is has given up touchdowns/huge passing plays/been gashed by running backs on the last 2-3 drives of the opposing team, a team that has up to that point not been able to score/run/pass effectively for much of the season. Still, the defense has not been the problem. The 2-3 drives the offense has had since that spark at the beginning of the half have not instilled the same amount of confidence/pride/excitement as before. The 3rd quarter has ended and now time is an issue. The beer count is now some where around 8+.
4:07 PM - With only minutes left in game, the Redskins and Redskins fans really need something similar to a miracle to win this game. The entire fourth quarter saw the Redskins score some more points, but also saw the opposition score some more points and/or extend drives to keep the ball out of the hands of the Redskins offense. With 3 minutes left to go and one time out left, the Redskins need to make this stop in order to have one last chance to score.
4:08 PM - The Redskins do not make the stop. Fans wonder how the team has won 3 games up until this point. The beer count is now 10+.
4:10 PM - As the opposing team takes the "victory formation", fans beginning spitting the most hateful/negative remarks regarding the miserable result of the game. Such comments may include, but are not limited to:
- What's wrong with the defense?
- We still can't cover one-on-one
- We don't wrap up when we tackle
- We need a quarterback. We've needed a quarterback for 20 years. When will we finally get one?
- Our offensive line is porous
- We have no depth
- The coaches called a bad game
- We can't create turnovers
- We are an embarrassment to the sport of football
- This doesn't happen to other franchises
- That's what we get for having a racist nickname (this comment is generally spoken when the anger plus the booze has boiled over into two decades of frustrated futility)
MONDAY:
Sports talk radio, all media, coworkers discuss the happenings of the previous day. Fans listen and express opinions as part of the "healing" process. It is painful, but common.
TUESDAY:
Can't wait until Sunday for the next game! Go Redskins!
9:30 AM - Wake up to a lovely, crisp fall morning. Eat breakfast/go for a run/do some reading online.
11 AM-12 PM - Take a shower and get ready for NFL Sunday, excited for football all day. Watch pregame.
12 PM-1 PM - Last minute preparations and travel to the viewing location. Meet and greet with friends and fellow football fans. Order first beer and gush with excitement over the prospects of another winnable game.
1:15PM - After a good defensive series and holding the other team to a field goal, fans feel good, but still have trepidations about the rest of the game as the offense still needs to show what it can do.
1:18 PM - The offense has just finished its first series and already given the ball up after not gaining very many yards.
1:40 PM - The first quarter is over and the Redskins are down by 10 to a rookie quarterback/rookie coach/1-win team/poor defensive team, and fans are upset but hopeful since there are still three quarters left to play.
2:30 PM - The Redskins have scored points (one touchdown or one field goal), but they have given up more than they have scored. Things aren't quite clicking offensively either due to poor offensive line/quarterback play or unfathomable turnovers/dropped balls by receivers. Fans hope that halftime adjustments are made. After all, there is a lot of football left to be played. The game isn't over until it's over.
3:00 PM - Things are looking up. The offense is moving now and they have driven the ball down field on a methodical drive and they have scored points. There is a long way to go, but spirits have been lifted.
3:10 PM - The defense has made a big stop, and now the entire fan base is revved up. By now one beer has become 5+ and the energy is through the roof.
3:39 PM - What has happened? The defense that has been generally stout is has given up touchdowns/huge passing plays/been gashed by running backs on the last 2-3 drives of the opposing team, a team that has up to that point not been able to score/run/pass effectively for much of the season. Still, the defense has not been the problem. The 2-3 drives the offense has had since that spark at the beginning of the half have not instilled the same amount of confidence/pride/excitement as before. The 3rd quarter has ended and now time is an issue. The beer count is now some where around 8+.
4:07 PM - With only minutes left in game, the Redskins and Redskins fans really need something similar to a miracle to win this game. The entire fourth quarter saw the Redskins score some more points, but also saw the opposition score some more points and/or extend drives to keep the ball out of the hands of the Redskins offense. With 3 minutes left to go and one time out left, the Redskins need to make this stop in order to have one last chance to score.
4:08 PM - The Redskins do not make the stop. Fans wonder how the team has won 3 games up until this point. The beer count is now 10+.
4:10 PM - As the opposing team takes the "victory formation", fans beginning spitting the most hateful/negative remarks regarding the miserable result of the game. Such comments may include, but are not limited to:
- What's wrong with the defense?
- We still can't cover one-on-one
- We don't wrap up when we tackle
- We need a quarterback. We've needed a quarterback for 20 years. When will we finally get one?
- Our offensive line is porous
- We have no depth
- The coaches called a bad game
- We can't create turnovers
- We are an embarrassment to the sport of football
- This doesn't happen to other franchises
- That's what we get for having a racist nickname (this comment is generally spoken when the anger plus the booze has boiled over into two decades of frustrated futility)
MONDAY:
Sports talk radio, all media, coworkers discuss the happenings of the previous day. Fans listen and express opinions as part of the "healing" process. It is painful, but common.
TUESDAY:
Can't wait until Sunday for the next game! Go Redskins!
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