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The Stage is Set
Although it may seem like common sense that the two top seeds should meet in the penultimate game of the NFL season, it is actually a rare occurrence that hasn’t happened in over a decade. That being said, the Colt and the Saints dominated during the regular season, both building unprecedented 14-0 records before suffering their first loss. The Super Bowl game should be an offensive showcase, as two of the league’s premier offenses and signal callers square off.
Now that the two teams who will be vying for the Super Bowl championship have been decided, fans have two weeks to decide where to place their allegiances for the big game. For natives of Indianapolis and New Orleans, however, the decision is quite simple. Both of the cities devoutly follow their home town team—with Colts fans enthralled with the history of their squad and Saints faithful donning custom NFL jerseys with their catchphrase “Who Dat?”
Building for the Future
As the 2009 NFL regular season comes to a close, it is time for teams to start prepping for the playoffs, while the less fortunate will begin rebuilding for next year. While most teams who missed the playoffs will be looking to rebuild and start from scratch, others have more reason to be optimistic for the future. One of these teams that may be poised to make a run next season is the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have already made several moves throughout the course of the year, including trading Braylon Edwards and hiring Mike Holgrem as the President of Football Operations, in an effort to prep for next season. Despite their mediocre record, the Browns showed signs of life at the end of the season, reeling off a string of wins to closeout the season. There are ample reasons for Cleveland fans to begin investing in Browns jerseys for next season, including a top five pick.
Buccaneers Struggling to Stay Afloat
I have always agreed with the famous Herm Edwards quote “you play to win the game,” but when your team is 1-10, it is difficult not to be eyeing the number one pick in next year’s draft. It is hard to believe that just last season the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a legitimate playoff contender before they tanked it in the final month and a half. After some house cleaning, the Bucs are an aberration of their old self.
Although some fair-weather fans have hung up their Buccaneers jerseys for the year, I am staying loyal to the team. Since Josh Freeman began starting a few weeks ago, the Bucs have had some signs of life. Building towards the future, they also have a solid o-line and a hard-running tailback in Cadillac Williams. With a potential number one pick, the Bucs could be a contender again in a couple of seasons.
Hop on the Bandwagon
Everyone has heard the stories about fair-weather and bandwagon fans, but there are a few teams that boast faithful fans throughout the country. Some teams even have monikers for their coast-to-coast fan base, such as “Raider Nation” and “Red Sox Nation”—they aren’t too original. Although these fans label themselves as “loyal,” I have a hard time buying into the steadfastness of their commitment.
One of the newest editions to his fraternity of professional organizations with a widespread fan base is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now I know, the Steelers are one of the oldest teams and people have nostalgic memories of the classic teams from the 70’s, but there seems to be a lost of people jumping on the bandwagon in recent years. Turn on any Steelers road game and you are sure to see a high density of Steelers jerseys in the crowd. I’m sure this trend won’t last long though, as it appears there will be a new Superbowl Champion this year and a new bandwagon for people to chase.
At Long Last, the Streak Is Over
December 23, 2007. Up until last week’s victory over Washington, that was the last time my Detroit Lions won a football game. Lions fans are used to the tortuous experience of watching their favorite team, but the past few years have been especially bleak. It seemed that every week the boys would find a new way to break my heart. Now that they’ve gotten off the snide by beating the Redskins, things are finally looking up in the Motor City.
About midway through last season, I had placed a ban on all Lions gear in my household. My wife has never shown any interest in the team anyway, and my son is just starting to get into football. But as long as the team was fielding an inferior product, I didn’t want to donate any of my hard-earned cash to the cause. This recent win has convinced me to repeal my personal embargo on Lions apparel, and I’ve already been online searching for youth NFL jerseys for my son
NFL Crackdown on Failure to Comply
In what appears to be an effort to lay the hammer down on anything the league can catch up with the NFL has finally decided to fine the Jets $75,000 for not disclosing Brett Favre’s shoulder injury late in the season.
“We have been fully cooperative with the league throughout this investigation and respect their decision,” the team said in a statement.
The head coach at the time, Eric Mangini, however has obviously placed the situation behind him as he has since moved on.
“I have worked with the league on this matter and now consider it closed,” he said in a statement. “My focus is on our preparations for the Broncos.”
Not to mention Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum whom both were been assessed individually as well in the amount of $25,000 dollars each for their direct roles in not adding Favre to the injury report due to a torn biceps tendon, bringing the incident cost to a total of $125,000.
First Active NFL players to Join the CTE Study
In the latest of 3 NFL players whom join the more the 150 former athletes on the Brain Donation Registry for the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine. Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals have become the first active NFL players to join the study and will be interviewed on an annual basis throughout their lives and have opted to donate their brain for examination once they have passed on.
“These active NFL players have admirably ignored concerns held by many athletes that by participating in this research, they could be perceived as having a concussion history that could negatively affect their career and contract negotiations,” Chris Nowinski, co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, said.
Repeated brain trauma has been shown to cause everything from early memory impairment to depression and eventually can progress into full blown dementia according the the university. The progressive disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
Madden is Back Advising in These Dire Times
John Madden now filling the void that once was managing this NFL seasons’ chaos as a volunteer adviser to commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell has to be looking forward to the insight as he has many things unfolding all at once including blackout games and the ever present threat of a player lockout.
“John Madden still has tremendous passion for the game and offered to continue to play a constructive role for the league,” Goodell said in a statement. “It was an offer we couldn’t refuse. His experience, deep knowledge and unique perspective will be a major asset to our game.”
Working along side commissioner Goodell, Madden will chair the Coaches Subcommittee to the Competition Committee as well as work along side the NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Ray Anderson, and and participate in the General Managers Advisory Committee in a continued attempt dedicate involvement with his beloved sport.
Seahawks Lawyer Milloy Learning Curve
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For the time being Jordan Babineaux remains the starting free safety, all while newly signed Lawyer Milloy scurries to learn the Seahawks way behind head coach Jim Mora.
“Believe me, I tried to hit the alarm clock like 10 times,” Milloyjokes about his 6 AM wakeup. “I had to get up because I have a job now.”
“I’m trying to get in and fit in,” Milloy said. “Get friendships and learn the playbook. Everything else will take care of itself. If I have to be a backup, that’s what I have to do. I’ll accept that role.”
Exactly how Milloy will fit into the equation has yet to be determined since signing with the Seattle Seahawks, but it is doubtful that he filled the role of Brian Russel to become a backup – which he has not been in 13 years, since his rookie year with New England. But as Seattle looks to regain its composure after allowing the most passing yards over any other team in the league, the latest changes to the secondary begin to shed light on just how different things can be.
Perpetuating Ochocinco’s Social Revolt
So Chad Ochocinco has a suprise in recourse to the NFL’s ban on social networks during games. More importantly why is this a newsworthy topic?
“The Twitter world, they don’t need a signal,” he said Wednesday. “They’ll know. It’s the quiet before the storm. Just watch.”
Perhaps Ochocinco can be compensated for his contribution to the negative publicity stemming from his insistent twitter activity during NFL games.
Specifics of the social ban prohibit from the first 90 minutes before kickoff until after teh media interviews proceeding games. However Ochocinco trying to take credit some sort of ‘revolutionary’ idea thinks he has a way around this issue?
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