One of my favorite movies from my teenage years was always "The Girl Next Door" and delivering the title of this post was none other than Timothy Olyphant when referencing the risks and pain associated with the decisions the lead actor was making (his name irrelevant). A few years ago we gave up similar assets for Randy Moss which led to the unfortunate 18-1 season and several years of amazing football in New England. Now, on this day, we celebrate another pair of wonder deals that have led us to the acquisition of Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth.
Chad Johnson, as he was formerly known, was the class clown of the NFL. One of my favorite seasons I can remember was highlighted by his series of new and original ways to celebrate touchdowns, and in some occasions get fined. Loud, obnoxious, and always hilarious, Chad Ochocinco has pissed off his fair share of opposing fans and defensive coordinators. Now with a truly elite quarterback (Carson Palmer was never truly "elite") we could be looking at the second coming of that magical season that brought us within minutes of a super bowl ring just a few years ago. Adding a valid vertical threat to an offense that is dangerous regardless of the situation (see the year of Matt Cassel). Personally I though Burress was the logical redemption project for Belichick and Company, but this is way better than that ever would have been.
The first acquired and the second most significant of the day, Albert Haynesworth, is going to wish he had Shannahan barking at him if he fails to be in shape. He won't have to play a true 3-4 and he will have an actual opportunity to compete for a championship. To say the Redskins were title contenders would be to say that Lebron had the best performance in this year's finals, not true at all. I probably would have had a hard time getting motivated too if I were playing in DC.
All in all, the Patriots yet again are going to prove that the right people can handle players no one else could. If we can avoid any major injuries to the core players, this season will surely be one to remember.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The NFL and NBA Labor Disputes, Inside the Numbers
Lets face the facts the NBA is messed up, to put it lightly. The average player salary last season was around $4.8 million. So if the entire league were to pay their players equally after taxes, based on the highest 35% tax bracket, they would make 3.11 million each, or slightly less than 60k each week. Can anyone tell me why this model is failing? I'm having a hard time seeing the error in their ways...
The median income for an American household is around 65k which is only 5k more per year than NBA players get paid weekly. That doesn't even seem right. For players like Kobe and Lebron it seems fair for them to make substantially more based on their abilities that 99.999999999% of normal human beings do not posses, but even if they were making the league average they could afford a car twice as nice as probably 80% of Americans will ever drive... weekly.
For the NFL the numbers are more reasonable. The average salary is consistently around 1.5 million and the median is about 750k. Still in the 35% tax bracket with those numbers, a salary of 750k becomes about 500k forcing the ordinary NFL player to live on around 9k a week. These poor, poor souls.
Now to put them in slightly less evil perspective... The average career of an NFL player lasts 3.5 years and the NBA is around 4.5 years. So total earnings for your average career in the NFL is around 1.75 million at the median salary, and in the NBA it is 21.55 million using the average salary and length.
So given these numbers, and the average total earnings of your high school graduate(1.2 million), an NFL player squeaks out with less than half a million more while the NBA player is close to 20 times either of them.
Both leagues should be able to set up retirement accounts, profit sharing, and above all else charitable minimums for players. This salary info alone proves how stingy the NFL is and how careless the NBA has been especially when you compare the profitability of each league's franchises. If the NBA were to institute minimum percentages that each player and team was to give to charity, retirement, and profit sharing then you could very easily improve the cities they are in and eliminate bankruptcy cases such as that of Antoine Walker.
In the NFL if they were to do the same but have the owner's absorbing most of the burden percentage wise they could very easily set up the systems needed to combat the affect of concussions in later life along with the unfortunate conditions some players end up in.
Still unaccounted for is the earning potential for retired players in each league. Old players never die, they just become analysts, coaches, or run their own foundations. But that's a different discussion for a different day... that always ends with my hatred for Tim Hasselbeck.
5 Good Reasons the NBA needs to change:
Rashard Lewis - 19.5m
Michael Redd - 18.3m
Gilbert Arenas - 17.7m
Yao Ming - 17.6m (If he ever played a full season maybe he's worth it)
Vince Carter - 17.5m
The median income for an American household is around 65k which is only 5k more per year than NBA players get paid weekly. That doesn't even seem right. For players like Kobe and Lebron it seems fair for them to make substantially more based on their abilities that 99.999999999% of normal human beings do not posses, but even if they were making the league average they could afford a car twice as nice as probably 80% of Americans will ever drive... weekly.
For the NFL the numbers are more reasonable. The average salary is consistently around 1.5 million and the median is about 750k. Still in the 35% tax bracket with those numbers, a salary of 750k becomes about 500k forcing the ordinary NFL player to live on around 9k a week. These poor, poor souls.
Now to put them in slightly less evil perspective... The average career of an NFL player lasts 3.5 years and the NBA is around 4.5 years. So total earnings for your average career in the NFL is around 1.75 million at the median salary, and in the NBA it is 21.55 million using the average salary and length.
So given these numbers, and the average total earnings of your high school graduate(1.2 million), an NFL player squeaks out with less than half a million more while the NBA player is close to 20 times either of them.
Both leagues should be able to set up retirement accounts, profit sharing, and above all else charitable minimums for players. This salary info alone proves how stingy the NFL is and how careless the NBA has been especially when you compare the profitability of each league's franchises. If the NBA were to institute minimum percentages that each player and team was to give to charity, retirement, and profit sharing then you could very easily improve the cities they are in and eliminate bankruptcy cases such as that of Antoine Walker.
In the NFL if they were to do the same but have the owner's absorbing most of the burden percentage wise they could very easily set up the systems needed to combat the affect of concussions in later life along with the unfortunate conditions some players end up in.
Still unaccounted for is the earning potential for retired players in each league. Old players never die, they just become analysts, coaches, or run their own foundations. But that's a different discussion for a different day... that always ends with my hatred for Tim Hasselbeck.
5 Good Reasons the NBA needs to change:
Rashard Lewis - 19.5m
Michael Redd - 18.3m
Gilbert Arenas - 17.7m
Yao Ming - 17.6m (If he ever played a full season maybe he's worth it)
Vince Carter - 17.5m
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Just a few recent thoughts...
Given the labor situation in two of four major American sports its hard to be hopeful for anything. The Bruins still have me giddy and the Sox are either cause for celebration or a cause for irritation. In the NBA the players need to give up money so that small market teams can survive, seriously Eddy Curry makes more money in a season than he should have in his career. In the NFL the owners are getting rich and honestly the younger players and those injured need some financial relief. There are no measures in place to help those who need it.
Speaking of overpaid, Vernon Wells comes to mind. So does about 100 other players in the major sports leagues, but I digress. Back to my rant:
In other crap, ESPN put the stupid Auburn tree story on their front page along with "Charlie Sheen did 'roids during the filming of Major League". Seriously?!? These are related to sports... very distantly. ESPN should be informing me of trades, scores, and things related to the actual playing of sports not movies and trees on a campus that people celebrate under. Give me a break, and some trade speculation please.
Comment, let me know what you think needs to be getting attention, whats getting too much attention, and what you think should happen in the labor disputes or who you think is overpaid.
Speaking of overpaid, Vernon Wells comes to mind. So does about 100 other players in the major sports leagues, but I digress. Back to my rant:
In other crap, ESPN put the stupid Auburn tree story on their front page along with "Charlie Sheen did 'roids during the filming of Major League". Seriously?!? These are related to sports... very distantly. ESPN should be informing me of trades, scores, and things related to the actual playing of sports not movies and trees on a campus that people celebrate under. Give me a break, and some trade speculation please.
Comment, let me know what you think needs to be getting attention, whats getting too much attention, and what you think should happen in the labor disputes or who you think is overpaid.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bruins
So it feels good. I just got back from a hard weekend at Cigarfest in the Poconos and on top of everything the Bruins were up 1-0, the Sox won last night on my way home, and I was looking forward to watching the game. Tim Thomas gave up a couple quick goals and then had another called back. Then the Bruins came back and the third period was filled with action and no scoring. The Bruins have pulled off another overtime win to put themselves in control of this series. Barry Melrose picked the Flyers to win this series hands down... sorry Barry we got some fight in us and we're headed home with a 2-0 lead in the series.
Boston Sports... making a resurgence.
Boston Sports... making a resurgence.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sox and C's
No doubt much of the weight of the Sox inability to produce or perform on the mound falls on Francona. He has proven himself to be one of the best player's managers not to lose complete control of his team by year 2 but for some reason its not working, or it wasn't. I think today's game against the Jays when considered against yesterdays represents the awakening. They finally are scoring, Jed Lowrie is leading hitting statistics, Daisuke is starting to pitch well, and Crawford got a hit... A HIT!
These two games bode well for the future if we can continue to split series at the very least or even build off from these three games we'll be back to .500 before anyone forgets about the beginning of the season. Overall I think this team will start to look like '04 when they were 0-3 facing elimination and everyone said it couldn't be done... it happened and this year is a good chance for something similar to happen again.
CELTICS
This close win with so much emotion is exactly what this team needed to start the playoffs. This is an emotional team that thrives on pressure situations and big moments to find their stride. With half the team filing for social security within the next 3 years they needed a team of younger versions of themselves to come in a challenge their authority. And then there is Jermaine O'neal, yeah him, he showed up with the talent he used to have and put up a good stat line which is a necessity in Shaq's absence. I believe this is the first time we've seen this team truly click since we sent Perk into exile (Oklahoma is about as close to exile as you can get... Texas)Just kidding.
We got quality minutes from everyone that played in the second half and came back to battle back and forth with an emerging titan in New York. Like Doc said when that final shot went up I think we all thought it was over, but it wasn't. Billups is out for Game 2 so they just lost Mr. Big Shot in a pivotal game. We're going to finish this series in 5 at most and Spike Lee can suck it.
These two games bode well for the future if we can continue to split series at the very least or even build off from these three games we'll be back to .500 before anyone forgets about the beginning of the season. Overall I think this team will start to look like '04 when they were 0-3 facing elimination and everyone said it couldn't be done... it happened and this year is a good chance for something similar to happen again.
CELTICS
This close win with so much emotion is exactly what this team needed to start the playoffs. This is an emotional team that thrives on pressure situations and big moments to find their stride. With half the team filing for social security within the next 3 years they needed a team of younger versions of themselves to come in a challenge their authority. And then there is Jermaine O'neal, yeah him, he showed up with the talent he used to have and put up a good stat line which is a necessity in Shaq's absence. I believe this is the first time we've seen this team truly click since we sent Perk into exile (Oklahoma is about as close to exile as you can get... Texas)Just kidding.
We got quality minutes from everyone that played in the second half and came back to battle back and forth with an emerging titan in New York. Like Doc said when that final shot went up I think we all thought it was over, but it wasn't. Billups is out for Game 2 so they just lost Mr. Big Shot in a pivotal game. We're going to finish this series in 5 at most and Spike Lee can suck it.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sox Talk Continued...
I agree Bam, this is an adjustment period for Crawford. Things can be ok, if we win four straight against the Blue Jays, or even three, 6-9 would places us above the Jays in the division and 5-10 is not the end of the world. The O's are facing the Yankees and have lost four straight bringing them back down to earth and turning them back into the Orioles we have come to know and love as Sox fans. The issue I want to talk about is Terry Francona.
We he has done in Boston will make him one of the greatest Red Sox mangers of all-time. We have won two championships with him at the helm and I don't think we had any business winning it in 04, but that team was special. It is almost blasphemy as a Sox fan to call out Francona, but this team was simply unprepared for the season. The sox have excelled in management throughout the recent years, and that is a big part of their success. Yet, this season, after eleven games, we have the worst record in baseball, sit at the bottom of the Al east, and as a team have the worst era in baseball. This team was not ready for the 2011 season, there is no other explanation. With a little inspiration we won 2 out of three against the Yankees but have no beat any other team in baseball. The team has no passion. They have no determination to win. Even sox dirt dog Youklis is hitting .182 after a horrible spring. Get the boys ready to go Terry!!
I really think the Sox will turn it around, I just hope that this little fiasco at the beginning of the year doesn't cost a playoff spot by a game and a half in October.
We he has done in Boston will make him one of the greatest Red Sox mangers of all-time. We have won two championships with him at the helm and I don't think we had any business winning it in 04, but that team was special. It is almost blasphemy as a Sox fan to call out Francona, but this team was simply unprepared for the season. The sox have excelled in management throughout the recent years, and that is a big part of their success. Yet, this season, after eleven games, we have the worst record in baseball, sit at the bottom of the Al east, and as a team have the worst era in baseball. This team was not ready for the 2011 season, there is no other explanation. With a little inspiration we won 2 out of three against the Yankees but have no beat any other team in baseball. The team has no passion. They have no determination to win. Even sox dirt dog Youklis is hitting .182 after a horrible spring. Get the boys ready to go Terry!!
I really think the Sox will turn it around, I just hope that this little fiasco at the beginning of the year doesn't cost a playoff spot by a game and a half in October.
Sox Talk, Continued
So far the best thing to happen this season is the rain out yesterday evening. For what it's worth maybe they'll actually win that game if it comes in mid June because as of now they are doing just about everything necessary to lose. Daisuke can't pitch a good inning which isn't uncharacteristic of previous years intermittent woes but now with a high-powered offense on paper it seemed like he would at least be able to win the occasional game with a reasonable ERA. We got enough runs to take the first series from the Yankees which is a small victory but unfortunately to compliment Daisuke, we have had some run support issues in several gems thrown by Beckett, Lester, and Lachey (2 Wins). We did start the season off against two teams that were hot and have continued to perform very well so we can at least write the first two series off as bad luck. That said, hopefully, we can recover from two crippling losses at the hands of the now Crawford-less Rays led offensively in game 1 by none other than Johnny Damon (insert expletive and Benedict Arnold reference).
As Chuck pointed out, most have hit the panic button far too soon but some frustration is warranted. The panic button will still be there blinking red until we rattle off a reasonable streak and get back to .500 baseball but let's give this team some time to adjust to the pressure placed upon them. The die hard fans of Boston, well reputed drinkers I might add, are not always the most receptive group for a new acquisition yet to adjust. Imagine going from a place where you had only about 100 people regularly in attendance (and about half of them staying awake) to 35,000 people watching intently and screaming the entire time. Tropicana does not compare to the bright lights of Fenway, let's allow Crawford a small adjustment period before we condemn him. Once Crawford finds a comfort zone and this line up clicks there wont be an issue in many of these tight games. The missing piece of this puzzle is the fun and grit of Sox teams of old (i,e. the "Cowboy Up" era). Once this team finds their stride and clubhouse balance there will be no question where the power lies in the AL East.
As Chuck pointed out, most have hit the panic button far too soon but some frustration is warranted. The panic button will still be there blinking red until we rattle off a reasonable streak and get back to .500 baseball but let's give this team some time to adjust to the pressure placed upon them. The die hard fans of Boston, well reputed drinkers I might add, are not always the most receptive group for a new acquisition yet to adjust. Imagine going from a place where you had only about 100 people regularly in attendance (and about half of them staying awake) to 35,000 people watching intently and screaming the entire time. Tropicana does not compare to the bright lights of Fenway, let's allow Crawford a small adjustment period before we condemn him. Once Crawford finds a comfort zone and this line up clicks there wont be an issue in many of these tight games. The missing piece of this puzzle is the fun and grit of Sox teams of old (i,e. the "Cowboy Up" era). Once this team finds their stride and clubhouse balance there will be no question where the power lies in the AL East.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sox Talk
Red Sox fans made unofficial history by hitting the panic button sooner than anyone else in history. Yet, it was hard to blame them after ever magazine and website picked them to be World Series Champions like it was nothing. As we went down to 0-6 and watched our pitchers give up homer after homer it seemed our exciting lineup couldn't cover our inability to get people out. When Josh Beckett took the hill today he did exactly what Sox fans needed. He pitched. The Sox struggled to score with RISP, and Crawford is yet to find his stroke, but the Sox played their best game of the VERY young season. Pedroia finished the series red hot, and taking two out of three from the Yankees will give the Sox confidence moving forward. With a struggling Tampa Bay team coming to Fenway (1-8) the Sox are in perfect position to turn the season around by winning two series in a row against their most hated rivals. April is too early panic. Let's GO
The Masters
Finally Tiger got his s*** together. Finishing at -10 and being within striking distance all day was a rejuvenating masters experience. I wanted so badly for a 5 player play-off with all those stuck at the -10 mark. Watching someone I've never seen or heard of was not what I had imagined when the day started.
Rory was another intriguing story considering he's only 21 and was on top of the leader board and in control. Unfortunate shots on the back 9 ended his day a bit early.
I believe golf and golf fans all want Tiger to finally win a tournament. Without him being the winner every other week I could care less. Watching today I wanted in my heart of hearts for Tiger to win. It just isn't the same without him. I like the Red shirt on Sunday and the oddly quiet confidence he exhibits. Most exciting shot of the day for me was on 15 when Tiger hit it and started walking expressionless and the ball landed within eagle distance, he would birdie the hole but it seemed like another little representation of his renewed presence.
Rory was another intriguing story considering he's only 21 and was on top of the leader board and in control. Unfortunate shots on the back 9 ended his day a bit early.
I believe golf and golf fans all want Tiger to finally win a tournament. Without him being the winner every other week I could care less. Watching today I wanted in my heart of hearts for Tiger to win. It just isn't the same without him. I like the Red shirt on Sunday and the oddly quiet confidence he exhibits. Most exciting shot of the day for me was on 15 when Tiger hit it and started walking expressionless and the ball landed within eagle distance, he would birdie the hole but it seemed like another little representation of his renewed presence.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Final Four Review
Butler vs. VCU
I don't care what your seeding is, there is no such thing as a fluke run to the final four. VCU got here by shooting three's, and against a stingy Butler defense they were held to only 36% on 8-22 shooting. You could see some shots rim in and out, but it just wasn't their night. The whole time watching that game I just had a gut feeling Butler was going to pull it out. Butler is just a good team with a great program that knows how to win tournament games. Now 14-3 under Brad Stevens in tournament play. 14-3! which makes them 10-1 in the last two years! You have to love a team that shoots free throws pretty well 20-26 (76.9%) has the winningest coach in his first four years, and is led by two senior stars in Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard. They are a gritty team, and they don't make very many mistakes.
Kentucky vs. Connecticut
The first half showing by Kentucky was disgusting. It was embarrassing to watch star Brandon Knight shoot short on shoot after shoot. They couldn't fall out of a boat and hit water. The announcer at one point even said at halftime the Huskies were twenty minutes away from playing for their third national chmapionship. Not so fast though, UK came flying out in the second half turning the game into the heavyweight battle we all anticipated. BUT, you have to make your free throws. Kentucky finished 4-12 from the line, that is pee wee basketball type percentages. You don't go to a national championship shooting like that. I don't know why Calipari teams can't shoot free throws, maybe it is because he recruits raw athletic street ballers, or because he is to busy yelling at Terrence Jones in practice to make them shoot free throws, but 33% percent from the line is the reason they lost. Everyone says they "should" have won the game, but I feel if you shoot like that from the strip you don't deserve to win.
I don't care what your seeding is, there is no such thing as a fluke run to the final four. VCU got here by shooting three's, and against a stingy Butler defense they were held to only 36% on 8-22 shooting. You could see some shots rim in and out, but it just wasn't their night. The whole time watching that game I just had a gut feeling Butler was going to pull it out. Butler is just a good team with a great program that knows how to win tournament games. Now 14-3 under Brad Stevens in tournament play. 14-3! which makes them 10-1 in the last two years! You have to love a team that shoots free throws pretty well 20-26 (76.9%) has the winningest coach in his first four years, and is led by two senior stars in Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard. They are a gritty team, and they don't make very many mistakes.
Kentucky vs. Connecticut
The first half showing by Kentucky was disgusting. It was embarrassing to watch star Brandon Knight shoot short on shoot after shoot. They couldn't fall out of a boat and hit water. The announcer at one point even said at halftime the Huskies were twenty minutes away from playing for their third national chmapionship. Not so fast though, UK came flying out in the second half turning the game into the heavyweight battle we all anticipated. BUT, you have to make your free throws. Kentucky finished 4-12 from the line, that is pee wee basketball type percentages. You don't go to a national championship shooting like that. I don't know why Calipari teams can't shoot free throws, maybe it is because he recruits raw athletic street ballers, or because he is to busy yelling at Terrence Jones in practice to make them shoot free throws, but 33% percent from the line is the reason they lost. Everyone says they "should" have won the game, but I feel if you shoot like that from the strip you don't deserve to win.
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