It hasn't even been two weeks and I'm back! I have to admit that I'm a bit shocked myself. As I said before, I was too focused on making everything perfect and just right. In turn, it took me way too long to post, I wasn't enjoying it as much, and I wasn't really getting enough of my sporting opinions across. So it seems I've found a good balance based on the last post and the fact that I'm back again. Anyway, let's get on with it...
Congrats to the United States Men's National Soccer Team on their CONCACAF Gold Cup title. It was the Americans' fifth Gold Cup title but their first since 2007. The USMNT now sees their record winning streak standing at eleven and they also have a great chance to leapfrog Mexico and be the number one ranked CONCACAF team in the next set of FIFA world rankings. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann had a hard time when first hired but he seems to have found his groove, particularly with his substitution strategies. Even though Klinsmann was suspended for the Gold Cup Final, the US didn't miss a beat. And how about Landon Donovan! Five goals, seven assists, and the tournament MVP. With that line, it's hard to believe that he took a four-month sabbatical and lost his spot on the national team. I'm excited and curious to see if the Americans can continue their winning ways once World Cup qualifying continues in September.
Am I the only one who is tired of the Johnny Manziel nonsense? He's a heck of a football player. There's no arguing that but something just doesn't sit right with me between the fiasco at the Manning Passing Academy and his latest frat party escapade. I understand the idea of "boys will be boys" or "college kids will do what they always do" and Manziel himself has said that despite his elite athlete status he will still live his life "to the fullest." I also know there are many people out there who support this and believe that college kids should be just that and that "Johnny Football" is no exception. And to those people, I simply say, that's a load of crap. Whether you like it or not, Manziel is not a typical college student. He represents Texas A&M across the country and is a symbol just as easily associated with the Aggies as legendary mascot Reveille. The things he does make him look like a fool (to put it very politely) and because of his position, he is not (and should not) be afforded the same leeway that other kids his age are given. It's always a fine line with athletes. People want them to speak more, then less. People want them to act out, then walk the straight & narrow. I think there's room for all types of athletes. I thoroughly enjoy Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and he talks plenty of trash. However, it's no secret that I enjoy athletes who walk the straight & narrow, lead by example, and conduct themselves in a professional manner putting team above all else. And let's not forget that Manziel has tweeted before that he wants out of College Station. If you're an Aggie fan, student, or alum it must be pretty hard to support someone who doesn't want to be there. I can't wait to see what Alabama has in store for the Aggies, perhaps a bit of payback?
Kudos to Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer for suspending running back Carlos Hyde from the program. Meyer's discipline (or lack thereof) during his Florida tenure has been the subject of much discussion. I am pleased to see that it appears Meyer is taking team discipline a bit more seriously in Columbus. I'm not going to sit here and criticize his time in Gainesville. Meyer is a phenomenal football coach and wins wherever he goes. It's also no secret there was quite a police blotter following some of his Gator players around and the perception is that discipline policy was loose at best. He seems to be acting far more swiftly and decisively in Columbus which will help him unite the team, win games, and mold youngsters into men of good character.
Has anyone been paying attention to what's going on with the Philadelphia Phillies lately? This team doesn't just go up and down. Their season can only be defined in peaks and valleys. The Phillies were irrelevant for most of the 90s and 2000s, until finally breaking through with a World Series title in 2008. They have been mainstays atop the NL East since but their grip seems to be coming undone. After missing the postseason last year and currently sitting seven games under .500, there has been much talk about being sellers at the trade deadline. Chase Utley's contract is up and Ryan Howard has been MIA. Then comes the latest news that closer Jonathan Papelbon wants out if the Phillies keep losing, saying this "isn't what he signed up for." Papelbon even went as far to suggest the Phillies mirror the Boston Red Sox, blowing things up to rebuild quickly as the Red Sox currently have the best record in baseball. Perhaps the only thing keeping the national focus off the Phillies is another NL East disappointment, the Washington Nationals. Predicted by many to be in the World Series this year, the Nats are struggling to get above .500 and currently trail the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves by eight and a half games. And how about some love for the Oakland Athletics? They just keep winning games while retooling on the fly. Perhaps this is the year that the A's can finally get out of the Divisional Series round.
The incredible excitement that surrounds the opening of NFL training camp has been muted somewhat by a rash of season-ending injuries. Baltimore tight end Dennis Pitta, Philadelphia wideout Jeremy Maclin, and Denver center Dan Koppen are just a few of the names that will find themselves on the sidelines for the 2013 season. Last year, people attributed the rash of knee and Achilles' injuries to the lockout-shortened camp, what is the excuse this year? Regardless, it looks like Chip Kelly's "next man in" philosophy will be the working around the rest of the NFL as well, not just Philadelphia.
The WWE Championship match has been set for Summerslam with WWE Champion John Cena picking Daniel Bryan as his challenger. I'm glad that Bryan is getting his due as he is an incredible wrestler but you can't help but think that Cena's choice is somewhat related to the promoting of "Total Divas," the new E! reality show featuring WWE Divas, most notably the Bella Twins who happen to be dating John Cena and Daniel Bryan respectively. What's happened with Bryan seems similar to what happened with CM Punk. The first few pushes Punk received always seemed a bit off, jaded by either involvement from outside forces or a lack of established legitimacy to his championship campaign. Punk was able to rise above and his 400+ day reign as WWE Champion simply confirmed as status as "The Best In The World." Bryan is just as talented and all of his pushes to this point seem a bit off as well. There was the illusion of him as a coward or paper champion and now the timing of this push. I do believe the WWE crowd values Bryan and sees him for the strong talent that he is but with the involvement of the entire McMahon family in his angle you have to wonder whether or not the company sees it as well. Then again, maybe their involvement is the official seal of McMahon approval.
There has been a lot of local outrage of the signing of Jaromir Jagr by the New Jersey Devils. I'm not on the Jagr bandwagon but I'm not going to lambast this move either. I believe that Jagr can contribute positively to Jersey's Team and as long as fans understand that Jagr, while still an effective player at 41 years old isn't the Jagr of old, then expectations can be tempered and perhaps people will actually enjoy his stint in a Devils uniform. I believe any sports fan would love to see an icon of sport play for his/her team and that's how I'm going to look at this. Jagr is an NHL icon (like it or not) and it will be interesting to see him in a Devils jersey. Plus, unlike many stars at the twilight of their careers, Jagr still has some talent left to be a positive addition.
I'm not going to really delve into all the talk that there will be a massive shift in the college football landscape. We are all still recovering from conference realignment and now there's talk about the Big Ten, Big XII, ACC, and SEC leaving the NCAA and forming their own super division. I agree that the NCAA needs to make some changes but there also has to be realism and compromise on both sides. The NCAA has to understand that football and those four conferences in particular make a large chunk of the organization's money while those power conferences have to respect the balancing act that the NCAA pulls off, trying to look out for the best interests of all schools whether their athletic budget or $5 million or $105 million.
That'll cover it for now. Until next time.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Welcome Back??? - 7/18/13
It's been quite a while since I've taken the time to add to "Coach Meech's Highlight Reel." Besides time constraints and other commitments, my blogging pursuit of relentless perfection has greatly prevented me from putting my thoughts on athletics down in this blog. For quick hits, you can still check Twitter (@TheMeech), but every now and again you just have to ramble. So without any further ado.....
I'll start with the MLB All-Star Game. I read yesterday that the ratings for the game were rather high but I still just don't get it. What draws the fans in to watch what amounts to nothing more than a glorified exhibition game? Then there's the idea that homefield advantage in the World Series is on the line in the All-Star Game. Commissioner Bud Selig believes that this will add intrigue to the game and maybe for some that aren't more than casual fans, it does. For this rest of us, this is absolutely ridiculous. Homefield advantage is important in the postseason. I can't imagine how angry I would be if I had worked my tail off for 162 games and finished with the best record. Then in Game 7 of the World Series, my team has to go on the road and into a hostile environment because the other league won the All-Star Game. It totally takes a big piece of the reward for pushing so hard in the regular season out of the equation. So basically, you're going to punish your teams for playing hard all season so you can get a few extra ratings points for a meaningless July exhibition? Great job devaluing the game, Commish.
The NHL offseason has been absolutely refreshing after last summer's (and fall/winter) non-stop lockout discussion. From Roberto Luongo staying put to Daniel Alfredsson leaving Ottawa after nearly two decades in Canada's capital, it's been nonstop excitement. Despite the surprise retirement of Ilya Kovalchuk, I'm still pretty excited about the offseason for Jersey's Team. Trading for the goalie of the future (Cory Schneider), signing two solid wingers (Ryane Clowe & Michael Ryder), and bringing back a few of the youngsters for one more chance at the big club (Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby) have all been solid Lou Lamoriello moves. I still don't understand why people keep questioning Lou every offseason. He is the steward of the Devils' ship and he regularly makes moves and wins games, defying the odds on a regular basis. When will people just trust in Lou and let the offseason run its course in Newark? I'm not thrilled about losing David Clarkson & Kovalchuk but that's just the way it goes. Clarkson went home to Toronto and it hurts but nowhere near as much as losing Zach Parise to Minnesota last offseason. As for Kovalchuk, I can't say I'm completely surprised. He didn't even want to come back this year after spending the lockout playing for SKA St. Petersburg in his native Russia. Lamoriello had to practically convince him to come back. As the Kovy retirement continues to sink in, I keep thinking more and more that Lamoriello never really wanted to sign Kovalchuk to a monster 15-year contract. It seemed counter to anything the Devils have ever done and had the handprints of a desperate ownership all over it. I'm really just angry with myself. From the moment it became clear that we were going to sign him to such a large contract, I was angry. I didn't want us to break the bank for Kovalchuk, no matter many goals he could score for us. After the first year, I started to soften up only because the reality was setting in, that we were building the future of the organization around this one player. I still didn't think it was the right move but I didn't question Lou. But what did it get us? A massive departure from the Devils' way and in the end, we got three seasons, 89 goals, one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, two years without postseason play, lost a first-round draft pick, and lost Parise & Clarkson. On the plus side, the Devils avoid having to pay out $56 million of real money over the next five seasons and only take an annual $250,000 salary cap hit through the 2024-2025 season. I bet the Los Angeles Kings and their fans are smiling, thrilled that Kovy didn't take their 15-year offer and run off to Russia after just three seasons.
This is always the most frustrating time period for me as a sports fan. The dog days of summer roll along with no football, no hockey, and only midsummer baseball games to pass the time. Every once in a while, an event occurs that rescues me from the doldrums like the Olympics or the World Cup or the Women's World Cup (Can't get enough of Alex Morgan & company). NFL training camps start next week though and most major college football conferences held their media days this week so hope is on the horizon. Soon enough, sports will be back in full swing and business will pick up once more.
I'll always be a big wrestling fan but the WWE has had lots of trouble holding my regular attention for quite some time. I always think back to growing up during the Attitude Era in which there was WWE(F), WCW, and ECW are fighting for your television time on a weekly basis. Everybody outdid each other and the wrestling was top-notch. Things went downhill for a bit after WWE overtook WCW and ECW went under. But after the beginnings of the "brand extension," WWE came back with a vengeance in 2006. Things have been pretty up and down since then as the company continues to work on its national sponsorship appeal with a TV-PG rating. I always wonder when the WWE will up the blood and violence after they cultivate the next generation of fans. I try to cling to that hope but I eventually arrive at the conclusion that the company is a publicly-traded commodity that needs national sponsorship and appeal to sustain itself. I fear that the Attitude Era is truly a by-gone time. I don't need all the blood and swearing back but it would really be nice to see good wrestling come back. I always think that gets lost when people look back on the Attitude Era. For as charismatic as those stars were and for all the stunts that were pulled, there was always high-quality wrestling on each of the weekly shows. WWE teases me every once in a while with this. There was the rise of CM Punk over 2011-2012. There were the two phenomenal Shawn Michaels/Undertaker matches at WrestleMania XXV & XXVI. Then there were two Triple H/Undertaker classics at the next two 'Manias. There was the push of The Miz and a nice time where John Cena was actually nowhere near the WWE Title picture. Things have been pretty down for most of 2013 with the exception of WrestleMania but here they go again, trying to bring me back. Rob Van Dam has returned to WWE, and as one of my all-time favorites this has intrigued me greatly. His match with Chris Jericho this past Monday night was simply a great wrestling match. Then, there was the announcement that Daniel Bryan will receive the opportunity to challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship at Summerslam. I have no doubt that Bryan Danielson (I mean, Daniel Bryan) will wrestle circles around Cena, but will the company actually let him beat the bellcow on a big pay-per-view stage and win the title? Furthermore, will the company let Bryan win and then piss all over it by having Money in the Bank winner Randy Orton run out and cash in the briefcase?
Finally got around to seeing Man of Steel. I think Zach Snyder & Christopher Nolan did Superman justice with this reboot but it still wasn't on the same level as the Dark Knight/Batman trilogy. I thought they did a great job examining the psychology of Superman as an outsider and what came of Krypton. But the fight scenes were a little too over the top with effects (way too sci-fi, I think) and the idea that Superman killed Zodd was interesting. Overall, a pretty solid reboot (infinitely better than the ill-fated Superman Returns in 2006) but certainly no Batman.
Naturally, this gets me excited already for the James Bond followup to Skyfall. Probably won't see that until late 2014 at the earliest but still have to get fired up. If you want to see the role that many believe landed Daniel Craig the coveted James Bond role, watch 2004's Layer Cake. Interesting production.
I also keep wondering what Boston Celtics fans are thinking. It's clear that the rebuild is in full swing but it still has to hurt watching your "Big Three" of Allen, Pierce, & Garnett are exit after one championship and two Finals appearances in five years. Despite some turbulent times, those three players (along with Rajon Rondo and coach Doc Rivers) made the Celtics relevant after being an NBA punching bag for most of the 1990s. With only Rondo left, it should be interesting to watch GM Danny Ainge rebuild this ball club. I'm still really impressed that the C's managed to lure Brad Stevens from Butler to be their next head coach. I'm curious to see if Stevens's approach will work at the next level as he was nothing short of a magician at Butler. I also wonder if he and Rondo will get along or if Ainge will have to trade him too. At least Boston has the Red Sox back to playing winning baseball after the aberration that was 2012 under Bobby Valentine. I wonder things are going for Bobby V as Sacred Heart University's athletic director.
That'll cover it for now. Definitely gotta come back sooner rather than later. Let's see if I can write another post within a week. Let's get after it!
I'll start with the MLB All-Star Game. I read yesterday that the ratings for the game were rather high but I still just don't get it. What draws the fans in to watch what amounts to nothing more than a glorified exhibition game? Then there's the idea that homefield advantage in the World Series is on the line in the All-Star Game. Commissioner Bud Selig believes that this will add intrigue to the game and maybe for some that aren't more than casual fans, it does. For this rest of us, this is absolutely ridiculous. Homefield advantage is important in the postseason. I can't imagine how angry I would be if I had worked my tail off for 162 games and finished with the best record. Then in Game 7 of the World Series, my team has to go on the road and into a hostile environment because the other league won the All-Star Game. It totally takes a big piece of the reward for pushing so hard in the regular season out of the equation. So basically, you're going to punish your teams for playing hard all season so you can get a few extra ratings points for a meaningless July exhibition? Great job devaluing the game, Commish.
The NHL offseason has been absolutely refreshing after last summer's (and fall/winter) non-stop lockout discussion. From Roberto Luongo staying put to Daniel Alfredsson leaving Ottawa after nearly two decades in Canada's capital, it's been nonstop excitement. Despite the surprise retirement of Ilya Kovalchuk, I'm still pretty excited about the offseason for Jersey's Team. Trading for the goalie of the future (Cory Schneider), signing two solid wingers (Ryane Clowe & Michael Ryder), and bringing back a few of the youngsters for one more chance at the big club (Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby) have all been solid Lou Lamoriello moves. I still don't understand why people keep questioning Lou every offseason. He is the steward of the Devils' ship and he regularly makes moves and wins games, defying the odds on a regular basis. When will people just trust in Lou and let the offseason run its course in Newark? I'm not thrilled about losing David Clarkson & Kovalchuk but that's just the way it goes. Clarkson went home to Toronto and it hurts but nowhere near as much as losing Zach Parise to Minnesota last offseason. As for Kovalchuk, I can't say I'm completely surprised. He didn't even want to come back this year after spending the lockout playing for SKA St. Petersburg in his native Russia. Lamoriello had to practically convince him to come back. As the Kovy retirement continues to sink in, I keep thinking more and more that Lamoriello never really wanted to sign Kovalchuk to a monster 15-year contract. It seemed counter to anything the Devils have ever done and had the handprints of a desperate ownership all over it. I'm really just angry with myself. From the moment it became clear that we were going to sign him to such a large contract, I was angry. I didn't want us to break the bank for Kovalchuk, no matter many goals he could score for us. After the first year, I started to soften up only because the reality was setting in, that we were building the future of the organization around this one player. I still didn't think it was the right move but I didn't question Lou. But what did it get us? A massive departure from the Devils' way and in the end, we got three seasons, 89 goals, one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, two years without postseason play, lost a first-round draft pick, and lost Parise & Clarkson. On the plus side, the Devils avoid having to pay out $56 million of real money over the next five seasons and only take an annual $250,000 salary cap hit through the 2024-2025 season. I bet the Los Angeles Kings and their fans are smiling, thrilled that Kovy didn't take their 15-year offer and run off to Russia after just three seasons.
This is always the most frustrating time period for me as a sports fan. The dog days of summer roll along with no football, no hockey, and only midsummer baseball games to pass the time. Every once in a while, an event occurs that rescues me from the doldrums like the Olympics or the World Cup or the Women's World Cup (Can't get enough of Alex Morgan & company). NFL training camps start next week though and most major college football conferences held their media days this week so hope is on the horizon. Soon enough, sports will be back in full swing and business will pick up once more.
I'll always be a big wrestling fan but the WWE has had lots of trouble holding my regular attention for quite some time. I always think back to growing up during the Attitude Era in which there was WWE(F), WCW, and ECW are fighting for your television time on a weekly basis. Everybody outdid each other and the wrestling was top-notch. Things went downhill for a bit after WWE overtook WCW and ECW went under. But after the beginnings of the "brand extension," WWE came back with a vengeance in 2006. Things have been pretty up and down since then as the company continues to work on its national sponsorship appeal with a TV-PG rating. I always wonder when the WWE will up the blood and violence after they cultivate the next generation of fans. I try to cling to that hope but I eventually arrive at the conclusion that the company is a publicly-traded commodity that needs national sponsorship and appeal to sustain itself. I fear that the Attitude Era is truly a by-gone time. I don't need all the blood and swearing back but it would really be nice to see good wrestling come back. I always think that gets lost when people look back on the Attitude Era. For as charismatic as those stars were and for all the stunts that were pulled, there was always high-quality wrestling on each of the weekly shows. WWE teases me every once in a while with this. There was the rise of CM Punk over 2011-2012. There were the two phenomenal Shawn Michaels/Undertaker matches at WrestleMania XXV & XXVI. Then there were two Triple H/Undertaker classics at the next two 'Manias. There was the push of The Miz and a nice time where John Cena was actually nowhere near the WWE Title picture. Things have been pretty down for most of 2013 with the exception of WrestleMania but here they go again, trying to bring me back. Rob Van Dam has returned to WWE, and as one of my all-time favorites this has intrigued me greatly. His match with Chris Jericho this past Monday night was simply a great wrestling match. Then, there was the announcement that Daniel Bryan will receive the opportunity to challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship at Summerslam. I have no doubt that Bryan Danielson (I mean, Daniel Bryan) will wrestle circles around Cena, but will the company actually let him beat the bellcow on a big pay-per-view stage and win the title? Furthermore, will the company let Bryan win and then piss all over it by having Money in the Bank winner Randy Orton run out and cash in the briefcase?
Finally got around to seeing Man of Steel. I think Zach Snyder & Christopher Nolan did Superman justice with this reboot but it still wasn't on the same level as the Dark Knight/Batman trilogy. I thought they did a great job examining the psychology of Superman as an outsider and what came of Krypton. But the fight scenes were a little too over the top with effects (way too sci-fi, I think) and the idea that Superman killed Zodd was interesting. Overall, a pretty solid reboot (infinitely better than the ill-fated Superman Returns in 2006) but certainly no Batman.
Naturally, this gets me excited already for the James Bond followup to Skyfall. Probably won't see that until late 2014 at the earliest but still have to get fired up. If you want to see the role that many believe landed Daniel Craig the coveted James Bond role, watch 2004's Layer Cake. Interesting production.
I also keep wondering what Boston Celtics fans are thinking. It's clear that the rebuild is in full swing but it still has to hurt watching your "Big Three" of Allen, Pierce, & Garnett are exit after one championship and two Finals appearances in five years. Despite some turbulent times, those three players (along with Rajon Rondo and coach Doc Rivers) made the Celtics relevant after being an NBA punching bag for most of the 1990s. With only Rondo left, it should be interesting to watch GM Danny Ainge rebuild this ball club. I'm still really impressed that the C's managed to lure Brad Stevens from Butler to be their next head coach. I'm curious to see if Stevens's approach will work at the next level as he was nothing short of a magician at Butler. I also wonder if he and Rondo will get along or if Ainge will have to trade him too. At least Boston has the Red Sox back to playing winning baseball after the aberration that was 2012 under Bobby Valentine. I wonder things are going for Bobby V as Sacred Heart University's athletic director.
That'll cover it for now. Definitely gotta come back sooner rather than later. Let's see if I can write another post within a week. Let's get after it!
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