On January 1st, there is more to watch on the tube than parades and college football. One of the newest, and best, New Year's Day traditions is the NHL Winter Classic. Take a great outdoor setting, two of the best clubs in the league, and the possibility of watching the puck change direction in mid-air due to the Chicago wind, and you have all the makings of a fantastic sporting event.
There are not very many sports venues that are better that Wrigley Field. Whether you take the history of Yankee Stadium, the tradition of the Boston Gardens, or the importance of Madison Square Garden, the home of the Chicago Cubs ranks right up there. I would pay for bleacher seats and a beer in Wrigley before I took free tickets to sit in a luxury box almost anywhere else. Where else can you have this unique event surrounded by the famous ivy and being watched by people on the roof just as if it were baseball season? I would much rather be there, but on watching it on TV will still be fun.
This match-up is much better than recent history would lead you to believe. Let's start with the home team, the Chicago Blackhawks. This is a team that up until last year were just plain terrible. If it had not been for expansion teams, the 'Hawks would be almost the worst team in the last 7 years from the Western Conference. But now there is a great mix of players that make the present and future look really good. They have great young talent (Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews) that just keep getting better every time out, guys in the prime of their career (Martin Havlat and Brian Campbell) that give this team proven star power, and some veterans (Craig Adams and Nikolai Khabibulin) that give this team the experience and leadership needed to keep the ship sailing in the right directions. All of this has the former laughing stock only 4 points out of first place in the division (as of the time of this post) and gives this Original Six franchise some of its luster back. And speaking of Original Six teams with luster, no one currently shines as brightly as Chicago's opponent on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings. This is a team whose list of what is wrong always seems to fit on a postage stamp. And when it comes to what is right, it is easy to talk about the number of Stanley Cups the Wings of won (that would be 11, including 4 in the last twelve years), the number of Hall of Fame inductees which is too numerous to count (59, by the way), and the fact that Detroit is called Hockeytown USA when trying to describe how good this team is. But if you just look at this year's team, it is very close to a work of art. There are, by my count, between 9-12 future HOF'ers, three of the best young scorers in the league (Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Marian Hossa), solid goal tending, and just about the best blue liner to ever lace up a pair of skates in Nicklas Lidstrom. If it was not for the torrid start by the San Jose Sharks, the team from the Motor City would be odds on favorites to lift the Cup again this year. Add up all of this and you have the makings of a great game and the renewal of a great rivalry.
And if all that wasn't enough, let's throw in the unpredictable weather of the Windy City on January. The forecast for the game is a high of 21 with winds at 19 mph. Now imagine some untimely gusts blowing out to left field while the puck is 15 feet in the air on a clearance from the zone and watch the goalies and coach squirm with anticipation of what will happen next. And remember last year's game was played in a snow storm. If the weather conditions get bad enough, even the person that has never seen a game of hockey will have to watch this as if it was a train wreck waiting to happen.
So the final equation looks like this : One of the best stadiums in all of sports + two Original Six teams, one the defending champs and the other the up and coming home team + the chance of the Windy City living up to its name and wreaking havoc with the playing conditions = a new January 1st tradition that is not to be missed!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Detroit Lions 0-16
Well, going into last year's NFL season, no one thought we would see a 16-0 team until the Patriots rolled through the league. Granted they did lose in the Super Bowl, but they did not lose a regular season game. Now the very next year, we have the opposite happen with the Lions going 0-16. As hard as it was to watch, it was something that was inevitable based on the way the franchise has been run. But fear not Detroit, there is hope and I am here to tell you why.
First is that Matt Millen is no longer you General Manager. I foresee the Lions NOT drafting a wide receiver in the first round, if at all, this year. Hopefully whoever will have the final say in personnel will look at the success that both Miami and Atlanta had this year and use that as a blueprint to rebuild this team. As bad as both for those teams were last year, they both had promising running backs (and I know the Falcons got Michael Turner in free agency, but he was signed before the draft) and potential big play wide receivers to build the offense around. Detroit has Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson to give the offense some life. What they don't have is the same thing both the Dolphins and Falcons got in the off season last year, a quarterback to lead the team and manage the game in a way that works with the strengths of the current roster. Chad Pennington and Matt Ryan were not brought into their respective teams to win games, they were brought in to not lose games. Now I am not suggesting that the Lions have to draft a QB in the first round, but if they don't get a good free agent like Matt Cassel, the draft is the best way to build, if you have someone controlling your picks that knows what they are doing.
Second is William Ford Jr. Now that the owner's son seems to have more say, that can only mean good things for the Lions. As long as there is a fossil making the decisions, there is no room for the franchise to grow and catch up with the teams that understand the current state of the league (and yes I am also talking to you Al Davis). Some owners have a passion for and an understanding of the game and can make good choices, and some just think they know. The owners like Ford and Davis, and others that run their respective organizations like thse two guys, think that whatever they do will work for their team and make them more money. Yet teams like the Patriots and the Colts hire the right people in the front office in order to build a successful product on the field. If Junior can have more of a say and bring in the right pieces in the office, which it looks like he is already starting to do by canning Millen, it should translate to W's in a few years.
And third is Rod Marinelli. Now I realize that there is no way that he keeps his job after and 0-16 campaign, but hear me out. This is a guy that, despite the dismal events of this season, never gave up on his guys and never backed down from this challenge. Since a good portion of the team will be back next year, they will hopefully carry over some of Coach Rod's passion. This is a guy that answered every question after every loss with no regard for what he might be asked. I cannot think of another coach that would have stayed as poised as Marinelli did with the nature of the questions. Most people would have just walked out on the interview and not responded. If his players did not see that and feel something, ANYTHING, that would want to make them play harder for this guy then there is a bigger problem then just bad football. Even though Coach Rod may not be on the sidelines next year, the pride he has installed in the team that remains should pay dividends in the long run.
So fear not Lions faithful, even the 0-14 Bucs turned it around to win a Super Bowl (even if it took around 30 years to do it). With a new voice in ownership, and decent draft, some key free agent signings, and a chip on your shoulder to make sure this never happens again, it will not be a surprise to see a Detroit Lions team with a winning record.....sometime in the next 20 years.
First is that Matt Millen is no longer you General Manager. I foresee the Lions NOT drafting a wide receiver in the first round, if at all, this year. Hopefully whoever will have the final say in personnel will look at the success that both Miami and Atlanta had this year and use that as a blueprint to rebuild this team. As bad as both for those teams were last year, they both had promising running backs (and I know the Falcons got Michael Turner in free agency, but he was signed before the draft) and potential big play wide receivers to build the offense around. Detroit has Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson to give the offense some life. What they don't have is the same thing both the Dolphins and Falcons got in the off season last year, a quarterback to lead the team and manage the game in a way that works with the strengths of the current roster. Chad Pennington and Matt Ryan were not brought into their respective teams to win games, they were brought in to not lose games. Now I am not suggesting that the Lions have to draft a QB in the first round, but if they don't get a good free agent like Matt Cassel, the draft is the best way to build, if you have someone controlling your picks that knows what they are doing.
Second is William Ford Jr. Now that the owner's son seems to have more say, that can only mean good things for the Lions. As long as there is a fossil making the decisions, there is no room for the franchise to grow and catch up with the teams that understand the current state of the league (and yes I am also talking to you Al Davis). Some owners have a passion for and an understanding of the game and can make good choices, and some just think they know. The owners like Ford and Davis, and others that run their respective organizations like thse two guys, think that whatever they do will work for their team and make them more money. Yet teams like the Patriots and the Colts hire the right people in the front office in order to build a successful product on the field. If Junior can have more of a say and bring in the right pieces in the office, which it looks like he is already starting to do by canning Millen, it should translate to W's in a few years.
And third is Rod Marinelli. Now I realize that there is no way that he keeps his job after and 0-16 campaign, but hear me out. This is a guy that, despite the dismal events of this season, never gave up on his guys and never backed down from this challenge. Since a good portion of the team will be back next year, they will hopefully carry over some of Coach Rod's passion. This is a guy that answered every question after every loss with no regard for what he might be asked. I cannot think of another coach that would have stayed as poised as Marinelli did with the nature of the questions. Most people would have just walked out on the interview and not responded. If his players did not see that and feel something, ANYTHING, that would want to make them play harder for this guy then there is a bigger problem then just bad football. Even though Coach Rod may not be on the sidelines next year, the pride he has installed in the team that remains should pay dividends in the long run.
So fear not Lions faithful, even the 0-14 Bucs turned it around to win a Super Bowl (even if it took around 30 years to do it). With a new voice in ownership, and decent draft, some key free agent signings, and a chip on your shoulder to make sure this never happens again, it will not be a surprise to see a Detroit Lions team with a winning record.....sometime in the next 20 years.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Welcome to my Rants/College football playoffs
Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts. I am a fan of almost every sport available. Whether it is baseball or basketball, football or soccer, hockey or MMA, I cannot get enough of sports. As many of you will find out, I am not an English or journalism major nor do I own a dictionary or thesaurus, I am just a regular guy that happens to be a big fan of all athletic competition. I will use this forum to spell out what I like and don't like, what works and what needs to be fixed, as well as predictions and my analysis on what has already happened. I welcome your comments and emails. I will try to comment back and respond to as many emails as I can based on the volume and what free time I have. My goal is to post 2-3 blogs per week, time permitting. There is my pitiful attempt at an introduction, so lets get started.
For my first rant, lets talk about the debate over college football having a playoff system or staying with the current bowl system.
I don't think the debate should be there is only one or the other, I think there should be both. I think the first think that needs to be done is reduce the number of bowl games by making it a requirement that at team must have a winning record. There is no reason to subject the TV audience to a bad game by two 6-6 teams from conferences that no one has heard of. If you are not 7-5 or better, enjoy your holidays with your family and watch some teams the deserve to play an extra game.
Second, use the bowl games as your playoff opening round games. I think 8 teams in the playoff is more than enough. No matter how may teams you take, someone is always going to be left out. This way, you can use your four major bowl games that are now called the BCS games (Orange, Rose, Fiesta, and Sugar Bowls) as your national quarterfinal games. These should be played January 1st or 2nd, two each day would allow for maximum viewership. All other bowls must be played on or before December 31 so as not to take away from the "importance" of the playoffs. Play the semifinals the following week at neutral NFL stadiums of teams that have been elimination from there playoffs to make sure it is an equal playing field for both teams in each game to have a shot to make it to the finals. I say this specifically due to the lack of a neutral field that seems to happen in the Rose, Sugar, and Orange Bowls. USC plays selected home games at the Rose Bowl, so how is it a neutral field from them to play Penn State. Same goes for LSU and the Sugar Bowl and either Miami, FL or Florida State at the Orange Bowl. Playing this game a week later should not be any problem since all Division I-AA (I refuse to call it FCS), II, and III all have one week to make new travel arrangements for the next game when their team wins so the Division I-A teams should be able to do the same.
And last, work with the NFL to make a Championship Weekend. Have the NCAA National Championship game the Friday night before the Super Bowl. The game should be held in the major bowl game stadium closest to where the Super Bowl is being help. So as an example, the NFL is playing at Arizona this year, so the National Champs will be crowned at the Fiesta Bowl. This gives the kids a few weeks to heal and prepare for the title game, not a month and a half. Also, they will be close to home for the beginning of the spring semester. Also, this gives the media plenty of time to hype the game. The real winners are the fans. A true champion is crowned on the field, plus there is enough time and a small enough travel distance for the diehards to still try to find a ticket to the Super Bowl too.
So all and all, the bowls stay relevant, the student-athletes don't suffer on the student part, the schools presidents still get the extra money they are afraid to lose by going to just a playoff system, the media can still hype the championships until they are blue in the face, and most importantly the fans get what they want, a true National Champion decided on the field and not by a computer.
For my first rant, lets talk about the debate over college football having a playoff system or staying with the current bowl system.
I don't think the debate should be there is only one or the other, I think there should be both. I think the first think that needs to be done is reduce the number of bowl games by making it a requirement that at team must have a winning record. There is no reason to subject the TV audience to a bad game by two 6-6 teams from conferences that no one has heard of. If you are not 7-5 or better, enjoy your holidays with your family and watch some teams the deserve to play an extra game.
Second, use the bowl games as your playoff opening round games. I think 8 teams in the playoff is more than enough. No matter how may teams you take, someone is always going to be left out. This way, you can use your four major bowl games that are now called the BCS games (Orange, Rose, Fiesta, and Sugar Bowls) as your national quarterfinal games. These should be played January 1st or 2nd, two each day would allow for maximum viewership. All other bowls must be played on or before December 31 so as not to take away from the "importance" of the playoffs. Play the semifinals the following week at neutral NFL stadiums of teams that have been elimination from there playoffs to make sure it is an equal playing field for both teams in each game to have a shot to make it to the finals. I say this specifically due to the lack of a neutral field that seems to happen in the Rose, Sugar, and Orange Bowls. USC plays selected home games at the Rose Bowl, so how is it a neutral field from them to play Penn State. Same goes for LSU and the Sugar Bowl and either Miami, FL or Florida State at the Orange Bowl. Playing this game a week later should not be any problem since all Division I-AA (I refuse to call it FCS), II, and III all have one week to make new travel arrangements for the next game when their team wins so the Division I-A teams should be able to do the same.
And last, work with the NFL to make a Championship Weekend. Have the NCAA National Championship game the Friday night before the Super Bowl. The game should be held in the major bowl game stadium closest to where the Super Bowl is being help. So as an example, the NFL is playing at Arizona this year, so the National Champs will be crowned at the Fiesta Bowl. This gives the kids a few weeks to heal and prepare for the title game, not a month and a half. Also, they will be close to home for the beginning of the spring semester. Also, this gives the media plenty of time to hype the game. The real winners are the fans. A true champion is crowned on the field, plus there is enough time and a small enough travel distance for the diehards to still try to find a ticket to the Super Bowl too.
So all and all, the bowls stay relevant, the student-athletes don't suffer on the student part, the schools presidents still get the extra money they are afraid to lose by going to just a playoff system, the media can still hype the championships until they are blue in the face, and most importantly the fans get what they want, a true National Champion decided on the field and not by a computer.
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