Americans surpassing Europeans as Sporting Event Hooligans?

by | Jan 24, 2014 | NFL Random Thoughts

In November 2013, The Guardian in the United Kingdom carried a story discussing the 30-year anniversary of a soccer game during which 150 England fans were arrested for vandalism, fighting and theft in Luxembourg.

The incident resulted in sports ministers from the Council of Europe convening to stop what they called “soccer terrorism.”

Nearly three decades later, the English football season of 2011-12 had the lowest arrest count on record.

In 2012-13, the count increased 4 percent, to 2,456 football-related arrests, according to the paper, but that was still a small number compared with the old days.

Now this isn’t to say jackassery isn’t still taking place at soccer games. There are still plenty of reports of issues, both in Europe and across the world, in which fans of their teams take things way too seriously and end up injured or dead from incidents.

But it does seem clear after a season’s worth of media reports that some of the “football hooliganism” has migrated to the United States. (more…)

Playoff expansion money grab rewards mediocrity

by | Jan 4, 2014 | NFL Playoffs, NFL Random Thoughts

Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager/president/player personnel (snicker) guru Jerry Jones Friday, on 105.3 The Fan ESPN radio in Dallas/Fort Worth, revived one of my least favorite ideas regarding the NFL: Expanding the playoffs.

Jones argues that giving teams that were .500 an opportunity to reach the postseason and, possibly, the Super Bowl creates excitement.

“From the standpoint of looking at how exciting it is for a city or a community to be involved in the playoffs and the fact that you can have a team that might have literally operated at .500 or in that area … you can have that team win the Super Bowl,” Jones said. “That makes a big case for adding a couple of more cities or communities that have NFL teams to make the playoffs.”

This argument may be a bit self-serving from Jones. I was in attendance at the last playoff game the Dallas Cowboys actually participated in, a 34-3 whipping at the Metrodome at the hands of Minnesota in 2009. Under Jones’ lead as, cough, cough, general manager of the Cowboys, an expanded playoff may be the only way his team qualifies in the near future (though a two team expansion would not have helped him in any of the last four seasons).

But as Jones was finishing his speech on the radio, Vince Lombardi, who actually stood for excellence, just rolled over in his grave. Back in his day, the championship was decided by pitting the best team in the Western Conference against the best team in the Eastern Conference. Don’t win your conference? Don’t play for the championship.

That is pushing for greatness. That is requiring a team to accomplish something before they get to play for the big prize. (more…)

2013 Playoff Previews: Wild Card Weekend

by | Jan 4, 2014 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

So, yeah. Playoffs start today. You’ll be inundated with info on the games, so we’ll keep it brief. Here’s what we think.

Saturday, January 4

Kansas City at Indianapolis
3:35 central, NBC
Line: Kansas City by 1.5
Over/Under: 46.5

Earlier in the week I picked Kansas City. Then I had a chance to watch some of the NFL Network replay of the game these two teams played two weeks ago in Kansas City and I feel much less confident. The Colts went through a rough stretch after losing Reggie Wayne. But Andrew Luck in the last month has pulled a Peyton Manning and started finding unsung receivers with whom he can distribute the ball. Meanwhile the Chiefs finished 2-5 after a 9-0 start and blew an opportunity to capitalize on Denver’s sloppy play toward the end of the season. I’ll stick with Kansas City because Jamaal Charles should have a solid day and the defense is legitimately one of the league’s toughest. But I don’t feel as good about this as I did at the beginning of the week.

Picks: Kansas City -1.5, Under 46.5

New Orleans at Philadelphia
7:10 central, NBC
Line: Philadelphia by 3
Over/Under: 53.5 (more…)

Reviewing our Playoff Preview

by | Jan 3, 2014 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

As the playoffs begin I thought it would be a good idea to provide some accountability for our preseason selections by taking a look back at our playoff previews to see where we hit and what we missed.

You can find the playoff preview by clicking here. And at the bottom of that page, you can click on each of our individual division previews, should you desire.

I was surprised to see that I hit six of the eight division champions, including nailing all four in the AFC. Just as anyone does when making preseason projections, I also had a couple humbling picks, as well. I failed miserably, as did the rest of us at ZoneBlitz, in predicting the ascensions of Carolina in the NFC South and Philadelphia in the NFC East.

Tony hit five of eight division champs. His biggest miss was Houston – a reasonably excusable oversight, I think, since most thought the team would be pretty good and it’s hard to predict injuries. If you predicted a 2-14 season for the Texans heading into the season, I tip my cap.

Fantasy editor Anthony Maggio hit half of his predictions on division champs while contributing writers Tim Madsen and Rich Larson each hit three.

Again, the biggest misses across the board seemed to be not predicting that Philadelphia and Carolina would rise from the ashes to division titles and not seeing the falloffs in Houston, Washington and Atlanta. (more…)

2013’s new coaches fare pretty well in first years

by | Dec 30, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

It’s Black Monday. Early indications are that Mike Shanahan, Leslie Frazier and, surprisingly, first year Browns coach Rob Chudzinski are among those packing their bags and moving on.

Overall, however, the crop of new coaches in 2013 did quite well in their first seasons. Three led their teams to the playoffs and two more led near misses. And those who were leading the worst of the 2012 squads almost all gave their players and fans reason for hope.

Here’s a synopsis:

Team New coach 2013 record Old coach 2012 record
Arizona Bruce Arians 10-6 Ken Whisenhunt 5-11
Buffalo Doug Marrone 6-10 Chan Gailey 6-10
Chicago Marc Trestman 8-8 Lovie Smith 10-6
Cleveland Rob Chudzinski 4-12 Pat Shurmur 5-11
Jacksonville Gus Bradley 4-12 Mike Mularkey 2-14
Kansas City Andy Reid 11-5 Romeo Crennel 2-14
Philadelphia Chip Kelly 10-6 Andy Reid 4-12
San Diego Mike McCoy 9-7 Norv Turner 7-9

(more…)

Metrodome memories – Vikes prepare to close the building for good

by | Dec 29, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

I’m semi-glued this afternoon to the Minnesota-Detroit game. It’s a pretty

Photo credit: Bobak Ha'Eri via Wikipedia

Photo credit: Bobak Ha’Eri via Wikipedia

meaningless game being played by two teams who, for the most part, look like they’d just like to get on with their off-seasons.

Today’s versions of the Vikings and the Lions are pretty much playing out the string. Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson are sitting while Matt Asiata and … Kris Durham? … attempt to replicate their results while playing for coaches who are likely to be fired tomorrow.

This is a pretty dull affair, bringing with it a similar amount of emotion that seems to be felt among the citizenry, who don’t seem terribly broken up that this domed stadium will soon be a part of the state’s ancient history.

I’ve been a Vikings fan since 1981, though at six-years-old, my understanding back in the early days was at a bit of a lower level. Still, as I prepare to see the Vikings close down a second stadium in my lifetime, I’m surprised at how little emotion I feel about this. I actually vaguely remember being more bummed that old Metropolitan Stadium, where my Dad took me at least a couple times, was closing than I am that the Metrodome’s days are coming to an end. I have vague recollections of a Vikings/Bucs game at the Met in 1981 and even more vague memories of a Packers game that I think was a year earlier. And I remember watching the last game – a 10-6 loss to Kansas City that sent the team and the stadium out on a whimper – on television in our living room.

That said, I have been present for a number of memorable moments at the Dome. This list is not meant to be a top five all-time list – it’s just a few of my own personal favorites. (more…)