Instant Replay: The Death of Sports As We Know

            Last night I watched one of the best games I have ever watched as a sports fan. The box score was less than desirable for most casual watchers, but not to true fans. Did I witness a touchdown? Nope. But I did watch two team beat the hell out of each other for four quarters of defensive based football. However, it seemed that on cue every third play was brutally interrupted with fourty five seconds of referee huddles and reviews. This evening, after a long day at work I sit down to watch an NFL battle that could briefly be described as blood vs. guts. And again, seven and a half hours later I am falling asleep to the half time show (slight exaggeration about the time frame but barely). How have we gotten to the point where sixty minutes on the clock stretches FOUR HOURS?? At this point calling it ridiculous doesn't seem to due justice. Calling it a normal growth to the modernization of the game does though. Rewriting the rules to make sure that every scoring play is reviewed, re-reviewed and sent to a jury of my peers is just unnecessary. Maybe, and this is a huge maybe, if they got the play calling right every time after three minutes of deliberation, you could justify stopping the game constantly. I myself am a fan of the human error factor. Striving for perfection will lead to sensors on the sidelines and red lights on the end zones (sorry NHL, but it is a little odd). There are many a flaws with major league baseball, but the one issue they stand firm on is instant replay. Umpires aren't afraid to call a strike or a double play because they are the authority, 'nuff said. In football the scrutiny is so swollen that missing a call, or incorrectly calling a play mean you aren't voted to ref in a playoff game, or viewed as a sham. The referees are just as good at their jobs as the athletes they officiate, so why do we put next to no faith in them? The rules are what they are (I think they are soft and getting even softer) but interpreting said rules lies in the discretion of the men and women we put on the field, and that's where it should stay. Give the refs their field, and give me my game back.

The Sad, Sad Sad Numbers of the NBA Lockout

            In previous articles I have smeared Derek Fisher as an over the hill, under efficient player not capable of representing the players union. And until today, I stood by that statement fully. Okay, honestly I still stick by the first half of that statement, but maybe he is better for the players and I originally thought. Plus, when the other option is Billy Hunter, Derek Fisher looks like the next coming of Jimmy Hoffa. Here are the top ten reasons Billy Hunter will be fired as soon as (if not before) the NBA shuts this season down. Reason # 10.... He has put the players in a position reminiscent of an innocent prisoner staring up at a sadomasochist guard. Reasons #9-#1....Despite him pissing away ALL leverage the players may have had, all Mr.Hunter seems to be concerned with is self preservation. How terribly ironic, a man with thousands of greedy millionaires futures at stake is only concerned with his cut. Alright in all honesty I do not know what irony really means, it just sounds fancy.

          When I did some quick mental math on some of the labor disagreements, it blew my mind to discover how small of numbers they were actually fighting about (considering the million dollar contracts they own already). If the NBA were to split their revenue with the player at a 52% rate that would be roughly 5,700  dollars a game, per player, PER GAME. If my math is incorrect, check me on it but here is my numbers. A 4.1 billion dollar revenue divided by 30 teams, divided by 15 players per team, divided by 82 games a season would equal upwards of 57 hundred per game. It is sickening, I know. But here is the kicker my friends. The difference between 52 percent and 51 percent is around one hundred dollars per game, or roughly the price it costs per person to go to an NBA game. When it is broken down to a per game basis, it is ridiculous to think that these boys would not be willing to play for maybe two hundred dollars less, per game! Oh, just for the record, this is not contingent on their salary....this is revenue sharing. I wish the Clippers would hold open tryouts tomorrow because not only could I make the scab team with my no experience, but I would gladly take a quarter of the revenue sharing alone.

          I HATE what the NBA is doing right now, but I am appalled with the numbers. Maybe more appalling however is my lockout, the NBA fan lockout. No longer will I watch the NBA. I am taking a stand as a human being who works 60+ hours a week for peanuts. Until they publicly apologize to the fans for being arrogant asses that deserve to have to schlep boxes and answer phones, the NCAA has my full attention, and not just in March. And because of my inherent math skills due to not being a part of the NBAPU, losing me as a fan means there are only about 34 left. Good luck Billy Hunter/Derek Fisher/David Stern/Memphis/Charlotte/Sacramento/Utah/where does this back slash end?.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

            October means World Series baseball, mid-season NFL football, the tip off of NCAA basketball and the NBA season (normally). There is a plethora of things that I would be upset to talk about this week, however the NBA is the top of my list. Having that said I will only dedicate one paragraph (and tomorrows blog) to the ever sickening situation that is the NBA lockout.
            Oh where, oh where has the NBA gone? I'm right here behind this lockout! I am giving this cluster fruck ten more minutes before I stop caring. And by publishing this, I will have you know that I am one of six people that actually care about the upcoming season. The other five you ask...Derick Fisher, the most irrelevant starter in the league (Oh, did I mention he is the PLAYER REPRESENTATIVE. Stand up guy, and a great person. His off-court reputation is immaculate. All of that is totally irrelevant to the NBA, but what a nice guy.) David Stern...my instinct says he is the answer but my gut says he is also the problem. Kobe Bryant/Kevin Garnett/Dwayne Wade/every super star not named Lebron James or Derrick Rose....I'm counting that group as one to make a point. Lebron/Rose has more pull in this than players B(ryant)-W(ade). Why oh why, do you ask my friend? Star power made this league insanely unsustainable. And only the messiah can save it. I will explain more, but not here, not now. My next article is all about the King James Theory. Trust me, keep reading. The fourth finger points at the agents. Let me offer a scenario... go to Europe guys, make a million in 2 months and sell some jerseys. Gain some fans if you can because God knows your egotistical fight for .05 million as opposed to .04 million is creating a lot of appeal in the States. Bottom line is ANY publicity is good publicity, for agents and attorneys. The fifth on my list is the most beautiful and the most forgotten. The cheerleaders and mascots that rely on employment via NBA games. I know that right now you are saying 'If you picked to be a monkey/hootchie/any other animal/hot dog salesman or other silly icon were you really thinking about the long term?'. An honest living is an honest living. I work two jobs and write for free. Sixty hours a week I spend trying to make money for me and my loving girlfriend. I am not fortunate to be 6 foot 8. I can dunk, if nobody else in on the court. My life is lived paycheck to paycheck, like the NBA boys. The difference is square footage, Maybachs vs. stressed backs. I am the last of a dying breed....the remaining NBA fans.

A State Divided

           Some articles seem to write themselves. The flowing words leap from a place unbeknownst to the author. All of the passion, emotion and dire need to impress upon the reader a sense of urgency for their cause is reminiscent of frantic scratches on the sheet music of Motzart.Wars are waged, empires toppled and constitutions are born on the back of such adamant distrust and hatred for the ever present arch enemy. The man who was once your neighbor, kin or loved one is now on the other side of lines drawn in the sand. All hope of reconciliation is lost in the slur of insultive anger.  The American colonist cried 'No taxation without representation'. During the civil war Abraham Lincoln famously stated that "A country divided cannot stand.". The land of the free and the home of the brave has seen its share of dividing causes, and is still in the grip of a ongoing struggle against itself, pitting brother against brother on the battlefield. Once a year in a grueling war, everyone in the state of Michigan is forced to decide, Go Green, or Go Blue. I ask you my friends, can't we all just get along? (And if not can't we all agree U of M is better??)

           When the annual Michigan vs. Michigan State game appeared on my blogging radar, I knew that somehow I had to do it justice. But how could I possibly deliver a story unbiasedly when I live in Ann Arbor, bleed maize and blue and been diagnosed with Hokemania (the cure is more cowbell)? And there I was, sitting in front of my laptop staring at a blank page with one fragment of a sentence jotted in the title line. U of M V. MSU. And it hit me like a ton of bricks, or like the MSU players hit their girlfriends books. The best part about this game is the intensity and passion. The love/hate relationship that permeates for 364 days a year. Your best friend, girlfriend, neighbors, bosses and subordinates may be fans, or even worse, alums of the other side. All that aside, for 11 out of 12 weeks we are blessed with collegiate football, this is merely a friendly point at which to joust and roues. That one week, however, when the Wolverines due battle with the Spartans, the gloves are off (Unless you go to State, then you weren't smart enough to have gloves on in the first place). To say that this game is merely a rivalry clash between competing powerhouses that reside about an hour apart from each other doesn't quite do it justice. This my friend, is a civil war.

           From the day you are born a Michigander, your fate is more than likely decided. There may be a warm blue blanket draped around your newborn body. There may be a pig nicknamed Sparty in the stall next to you. Whichever your fate, it is one worn proudly by all native to our fine state. I myself, was born in New York and had no direct ties to either side. The choice was mine, or so I thought. Upon arrival, we settled about twenty mile outside of Ann Arbor so naturally the air was thick with tradition and a spirit of winning. However, to my memory I first sported a green sweatsuit with Sparty on the back. Later, I found out that the matching sweatsuit I once wore is actually called a Lansing tuxedo. I knew no better, I was an innocent youth. It did not take long before decency and common sense caused me to shed my green outerwear and let my blue shine through.
          For those of you who attended MSU and may be upset by me making fun of your kind, first let me say congratulations for making it this far into the article, the odds were not in your favor. Secondly, it is all in good fun. I cheer for wins for our little brother every week, minus the week you have to chase winged helmets around the field. And just to be fair, the last three seasons the neighbors to the north (not you Canada, but keep reading and someday I will mention hockey) have had our number*. -The asterisk is part of my "Erase The Rich Rod Years From Memory" campaign. Starts with an *, ends with the lasers from Men In Black, even if I have to do it to myself. The Hoke era starts this week, and as much as I love to watch OSU tank, that pushes this years big win to Saturday. A must win at a bad time. Michigan is full of confidence and is simply over rated. If I have to explain myself then you are not a Michigan fan, you are in denial. There have been improvements in every facet of the game. That is great, but in the top 15 in the country for beating Eastern, Western, SDSU and Minnesota, egh. And as for our rivals, they were lucky enough to get an extra week off to game plan against our offense, a.k.a Shoelaces.
             In all honesty this is shaping up to be a great game, which is exactly what we are all hoping for, Green or Blue. And just to even the score for all the shots I have thrown at MSU fans throughout this blog, I am willing to make a bet with Sparty nation. If Michigan loses I will flip over a cop car, light it on fire and start a drunken riot filled with hill folk and unsuspecting passers by, continuing into the morning hours until the S.W.A.T. team is called in....oh wait, you guys do that win or lose. GO BLUE!!

Welcome To The Jungle

            As the sun rose across the country this morning, 99% of the land was in a state of normalcy. Back to the grind, back to school and back to the routine for Americana. As dogs were being walked and kids were shuffling onto buses, one city was finally opening their eyes. A new life, the likes of which was unseen to the vast majority of its inhabitants. The air was permeating with a sense of renewal. The morning dew was greeted by sneakers walking with an inspired stride. While the smokestacks plumed, the people basked in the electricity. Timeclocks were punched, phones were answered, offices filled. There was an unspoken unity, a bond that all shared. But today this city was alive in a new way. Although I live miles away from the city limits, this city is my city, one I am proud to embrace and call my own. Normally the vast problems stretch far beyond any jurisdiction, seeping into the surrounding communities. What makes today so special is that for the first time in nearly a decade, the achievements of that city encompass us all. Today, I am a Detroiter, and today I never been as proud to say so.
           So what then, you ask, could this city and state possibly find to be so incredibly positive about?The Detroit Lions. Soak it in, laugh a little. When you are finished, continue reading. The presidential primary doesn't start for another month. Ford Motor Company has found itself in a lockout that makes me (A HUGE NBA supporter and fan) chuckle at the notion of sports lockouts. The crime rate, exponential. The former mayor of Detroit was just released from prison and owes our city over a million dollars. Roads are falling apart, public schools are failing and the future economic plan is dreary with a chance of thunderstorms. To say that Michigan has some issues is an understatement. During the worst recessional period in the US since the great depression, Michigan is damn near bottom of the barrel. But who am I telling, the majority of my readers live/have family here. 
             When I awoke this morning, no economic development plan had been passed for our down trotten state. No job/works bills were being pushed into the house of legislation. The school attendance numbers did not jump over night and retirees were still going to be taxed on their pensions. From Sunday night to Monday morning there was little to no economical development in the state of Michigan as a whole. There was however, a new sun on the horizon. A sun that showed us that after years of embarrassment, underachievement and downright failure on a national level, we can compete. For all the industial departure, political promises and governmental failure, the fire we were trapped in burnt long and hot.  We have survived, barely. We will live to see another day, and that day is ours. There is no sudden fix for what our state/city has went through over the last decade except for perception and attitude adjustment. Some may think it is silly or ignorant to think that a sports team could instill a new direction into a much maligned area, but look around my doubting Thomas', it is happening.
           A team that literally went win less over the course of an entire season, only for the second time in NFL history, is now undefeated. And stretching into last season, they have recorded 9 straight wins, 13 counting preseason victories as well. So what is it that brought the laughing stock of all sports franchises out of the depths of hell, and into the rights of glory? Did they flip their team from head to toe and go a completely different direction, scraping everything from the previous two decades? In part, yes. The firings started from the top down, and the emergence of many young super stars were all part of the new face. But you cannot put on a new face without changing the thought in that mind, and we have. For the first time in maybe 30 years, these guys believe they can win. And maybe, just maybe this morning was the first time that Detroit thought it could win as well. To say that the Lions have erased 30 years of woes in five weeks is insane, and the same point has to be made about the city they reside in. But to say that both are turning the corner in not just optimistic, it is a bet I would gladly take.
          The Motor City is a rough place, not known as a place for venture capitalists or millionaire retreats. So how fitting is it that the team pulling our spirits out of the gutter holds the same mantra. If you look at some great teams, particularly the Steelers, they fit the attitude of the city. Finally our team fits the city on its shoulders. The chip we carry would have made most call off, go on injured reserve, or just plain quit. But not here, not in Detroit. The pride of Detroit has to be the 'phoenix' mentality. The flames may have left scars, but simply to remind us where we have been. Fight on Lions, fight on Detroit.

Throught the darkness, the sun shall rise

          I have chosen to spend the majority of my blogging nitpicking about what is wrong with sports today. Well let me be the first to admit that we as fans (and maybe the bash-bloggers' too) need to share in the responsibility. After all, if a home run is hit in the woods, (or maybe more accurately Tropicana Field) does it make a noise? My answer to this rhetorical question is maybe. So let us erase this current notion of athletic immorality and venture back to yester year and examine some hot button issues from that perspective.

          In today's headlines, littered amongst praise for all things Verlandian, is a snip it of the woe that is The Ohio State University. For those of you who may not be aware, after decades of domination in the Big Ten, OSU took one (or six by my count) nasty blow to the face. In a 'scandal' that cost them their starting quarterback, running back and head coach among others, they fell from top of the heap to bottom of the barrel overnight. Now, after AD Gene Smith has placed blame squarely of Jimmy Tressels' shoulders and shipped him to the Colts (tough break by the way) we find out MORE suspensions and fine are coming. This time it wasn't free tattoos, it was being paid to work, while not actually working. Something that this humble writer/waiter is guilty of at this very moment. OK Neil, reel it in now. The point of this article is not to bash OSU of the head, even though its as natural for me as a duck in water.
           The NCAA is very strict on student athletes not taking money for playing at a particular university. That means NO monetary compensation whatsoever, regardless that a high caliber recruit can bring in literally millions in revenue each year. The rule is extremely out of date and overly encompassing, to the point that in some cases players can't even keep jerseys they wore while playing. Regardless of how ignorantly structured to rule is, every team from USC to Backwoods U has to follow the same rule, thus making it appear fair. OSU has been in the wrong more times this year than most other universities have in the last decade, or so it would appear. This rule is made for little schools to hang around the neck of the proverbial Goliath they cannot compete with. I have never defended the scarlet and silver in my life and I don't like the rumbling in my gut right now, so let me cut to the chase so I can go vomit and light some incense the altar of Hoke. Teams have been doing this since the beginning of time. All that has changed is the media coverage incurred by rule breakers. Its not going to stop anyone by catching them with their pants down....repeatedly in OSU's case. The culture that has been created will not revert itself back to Dudley Doorite status anytime soon. I understand that the integrity of the game rests on the student athletes remaining amateurs, but when most every major university is guilty of violations in one context or another, shouldn't the rules be reexamined? Either return to the 'everyone look away' era, or come up with some actual penalties that will make teams fear the repercussions. The media is going to blast teams they deem are guilty, and now a days it only takes one anonymous tweet. Don't threaten the 'death sentence' and give then 3 years probation. In this instance we should take a page from the Texas State Legislature, maybe. I know the execs of the NCAA won't like the idea of getting a little blood on your hands but it may save the face you so much adore. Plus, nothing sends a message like a little hard time, just ask Roger Clemons.

A Day, A Week, A Year

            Attention all: THE WORLD OF SPORTS IS IN PERIL. OK that was a little dramatic even for me. But I am almost pressing the panic button. The last time we spoke the Boston Redsox were a lock, the Buffalo Bills were undefeated and the NBA was still a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Oh how quickly the seasons change...To say that it was a week of turmoil in professional (and collegiate) sports is to call World War II a 'minor skirmish between neighbors'.  In case you are wondering, my dramatic/artistic license was just renewed so you have two more years of bad puns and illegitimate references. But through it all there is one issue that has been nagging at me repeatedly.


          Why is it that the NBA cannot come to an agreement on "labor issues". The last time I checked labor issues involved labor, not the lack of. The predicament that David Stern, NBA commissioner and the players union have gotten themselves into is ugly, disgusting, and sickening. Everyone wants to dissect which party is at fault, and which needs to give way to end the stupidity. I rest blame solely on the shoulders of those most deserving, everyone involved. David Stern hasn't budged an inch in negotiations, and the players have shot themselves in the foot again and again by not budging. Lets retract four months....this is where the wavy lines and fogginess take you back to a time far gone.
          It's June and The Dream Team is playing The German National Team for the gold medal. I would change that sentence if you gave me one reason that it was incorrect. The entire nation (including a surprising majority of Cleveland) is praying for the inevitable to not be true. But wait, could it be??? Here comes a 7 foot tall foreigner with a fade-away jumper that rivals Kobe Bryants' famous closeout move (actually they proved he was innocent, the 'fade-away' was consensual) to send daggers into the hearts of few. The point is that everyone had a team, everyone was cheering for somebody finally. The NBA was at a high point unseen since Jordan v. Kemp/Malone/Thomas/Anyone.
          Now ask yourself, what would be the next logical choice for ANYONE involved in the upcoming labor negotiations. If you answered lockout, sign non-pending contracts with overseas teams and show no sign of budging on a series of incredibly out of date monetary agreements with your owners, you are incorrect. To be fair, picture your self as an NBA owner as well. What is your incorrect move? If you answered do not give into your celebrity elite that you have thrived on for a decade, claim you are losing money, get caught lying and then STILL not budge on simple things like free agency then you are 0-2, and you fail. However by failing you have also passed the test to be an NBA owner, agent or superstar.
         So where do we go from here? How did we get here? Will this happen again as soon as the next contract expires? The answers are darker and less optimistic than I would like to examine, but it makes for one hell of an article. The Jordan-era ushered in a new breed of athlete, one that came with many upsides, and downsides. Every team tried to reproduce the structure of what he was. Not as a player, not as a man, but as a commodity that could be bought and sold (and when the time granted, traded). With every organization that found a winner there was ten that bet on a losing pony. Even with such horrible odds, if your team got the Kevin Garnett or Lebron James of the draft, it was worth five Darko Milicic and Shawn Bradleys. But with 32 teams, the majority aren't getting James, Dunkin, Pierce. Add into the equation that your immaculate savior is all of eighteen years old with a couple million in his pocket and NBA< Sustainable. The answer isn't as simple as pinpointing the problem, but it may be as rational. The first among many changes needs to be the age rules. A nineteen year old is more than likely not capable of responsibly handling life, add a couple million and free airfare across the world and the numbers dip astronomically. Pressure these kids to spend a couple years in college, or at least just outside of where they grew up and get the notion of being a productive member of society in their head. Just because you are 6'8" and can dunk from the locker room doesn't mean you can make a good decision. Enough of those people in one room make a lockout (example 2011 lockout). After all is said and done I don't think this is the end of professional basketball. In fact, I think all will return to normal. Normal being the fickle two-headed beast that we the fans have created. In answer to the final question I posed, yes this will happen every time the current contract expires. It happens in every union across the country, what would make this one any different? Maybe television, marketing rights, merchandising and stadium renewals??

Probability, Inevitability, Vicotry and Defeat

            For those of you just crawling out from under your rock, welcome to the world of sports. And might I add, you picked a hell of a day to join us. Lets recap, the MLB postseason is now underway after a turmoltuos finish. The NFL and NCAA football season is in full swing and the NBA is at a breaking point that very well may cost them a season and the slimming fan base they are clutching to. With so much happening, where to begin....lets start where the only thing that is happening could be trades and firings (No not the NBA, be patient).

            Thirty days ago the Red Sox had a 99.6% chance of making the playoffs, according to SI.com. Their human calculators take into account remaining schedule, pitching production and overall record among many other things. That means that with every super computer simulation that the geeks at Sports Illustrated ran they saw almost no way the boys from Boston couldn't at least wrap up a wild card birth. So how is it that they could have missed the simulation where Boston finished 7-21 in that 30 day stretch? Maybe they overlooked one of the best closers in the game (Papelbon) pitching against a 93 loss team (Baltimore Orioles), getting down to the last out, last strike and giving up a homer to  umm....well even if I googled his name nobody would know it. Maybe they didn't figure in that the Yankees controlled the fate. It was an epic finish, the likes of I haven't seen in my lifetime. But regardless, someone forgot to carry a one, or in the Sox case, a 21 in the loss column. The collapse of the Sox was unforseeable because they have the players, they have the fan base and they have been in this position before. The Braves had an incredible chance, not an epic collapse as most will say. Thats why I will only designate five sentences talking about the Braves and their fans. The Braves are not a playoff team, and while I'm playing dream crusher, none of the professional teams in Atlanta are. I know that is a VERY broad statement, so in my defense I will list the teams and you pick the next playoff contender. Falcons, Hawks, Braves.....pick you poison.

                    A great man once said, "Are you ready for some football?". My response is yes, yes I am. After three weeks I have found myself wondering when is it coming? I love football, love, love, love, love love it. But out of 48 games I have seen maybe 7 that were worth my full attention. This leads me to believe that the shortened off season and mega contracts may be causing players to half ass. I could make a list of statistics to prove, or disprove this point. But take the 'eye' test and tell me if your team passes. With growing pressure on reaching incentives and outlasting the opponent it seems to me that we haven't seen many teams going all out to get the win. OK, before I get too far into this I have to say that this theory does not fit every team. Some teams (Bills, Panthers, Lions, I'm looking at you) have way outplayed their expectations. But take away the teams with the 'do or die' attitude and what are we left with? A compilation of players that have signed mega deals, and have produced mega headaches. It may just be me, but I have the feeling that if I paid Dick Butkis to clean my carpets, those babies would sparkle. All I'm saying is perception has changed. What was once regarded as earned is now seen as expected.


                Speaking of expected compensation without desevring it, how 'bout that NBA? If you think that the Mitchell Report was a mess for Americas' past time, you haven't read about the chaos that is the NBA lockout. Here's a recap, in case you missed it. It's June 2011 and the dream team is battling the German National team. Oops, I meant Heat v. Mavs (same difference). The popularity of watching anyone beat up on LeBron James and company is at an all-time peak. People across the nation are finding themselves watching the NBA Finals and caring about the outcome. For the first time since the golden age of basketball, (coincidentally right before the last labor dispute) there is an electricity to the game. Fast foreward three months, a couple unmomentous litiration meetings and here we are.
               Some people want to point fingers at David Stern. Others question how a millionaire could argue about minor monetary disputes. I however see it as a bigger problem than just owners vs. players. The overall social setting of the NBA is not great. There seems to be the feeling that no NBA players are actually working to solve this lockout. Countless superstars are more focused on drawing up contracts with whichever overseas team can offer the most money/not hold him to any contract, past present of future. The highly criticised 'LeBron James' rule needs to be rexamined. But in my humble opinion, lenghtened. For those of you unaware there is currently a rule that states all players entering the NBA Draft must have spent one year out of high school. The NFL has a two year rule, for different reasons though. To say that an 18 year old can play with the likes of the worst starting defense in the NFL is crazy! Can an 18 year old compete in the NBA? By all mean, but physically ready and mentally ready are two far different standards. Bottom line is that young men who spend two years on a college campus and make no monetary compensation (for the most part) versus young men who are offered millions in endorsements, signing bonuses and given no real reason to stay away from the NBA are worlds apart from each other. Don't get me wrong, if someone offered me the opportunity for syndication of my blog, after very little experience, I would not turn it down. Three years down the line if I turned into a superstar and my union wanted to hold out so the owner of my newspaper could make more money off of my skills, I would be on board. But, and this is a Jennifer Lopez sized butt, if the President threatened to lock out my newspaper and Serbia or Turkey started looking like a tempting offer, I would fold like a house of cards. Message to the NBA Players Union: Take some advice from the NFLPA, the longer you hold out and the more you think you are threatening, you are losing ground. Settle quickly before you lose more than fans. Since your loyalty lies with dollars, I think Stern is about to grab your attention.

Day Two, One Right, Lots Left Out

                 First and foremost let me say thank you for reading this far. There has yet to be much motivation to subscribe to my opinion however I got four people to read....pretty sure you were all family. None the less I feel honored that you choose to spend eight minutes of your life with me each and every day. And for those current readers, it can only get better. Actually there is no statistical evidence that proves that, but it sounds intriguingly good.

                I suppose I should start at the beginning. And I also suppose that I should have started at the beginning, in the beginning but whats published is published. For every good story there has to be a credible basis for interest. Why should you read my article? And for that matter, why should you believe anything that I say? For every blogger that knows what he/she is talking about there is 1000 that are positive Michael Jackson is innocent (I know he can't defend himself anymore and yes, that does make me feel better about myself).
              For longer than I care to remember there has been a lingering thought of 'how can I get paid for watching Sports Center everyday?' in the front of my head. Practically every type of sporting event clogs my brain to the point of  my 7 hour phone battery dying due to statistical analysis each and every day (with the obvious exception of WNBA/MLS). It is beyond a love of sports, its a care, a respect and a feeling of place. But with every great answer, there is at least a couple questions. Why Neil? What caused this? Are you saying that you have a deeper connection with physical competition than most/every man?

              Among the earliest recollection of  'rooting for the home team' in my memory bank has to be football. I am among an elite few that will honestly admit that I grew up a Lions fan. I was not born in Michigan. Most of my extended family doesn' t have an actual alliance. I wasn't born bleeding and certain colors, but I do remember watching football with my dad (half asleep) and due to living in the general vicinity, that meant Lions v. whoever was beating them that week. My aunt is a Cowboys fan....Troy Aikman has that effect on women...cousins are Bills fans and I've ALWAYS had a hatred for the Giants. So, that meant that the Lions were MY team. The underdog,  perpetual runners-up that I could sink my teeth into and show everyone that through good and bad a fan sticks by their team. Every Sunday I knew 2 things were certain, the Lions were underdogs and me and my dad would be there watching. Thanksgiving was a double holiday. Food, family and football were all blessings in my household. Now a days rooting on my blue and silver has become easier, but as any true fan can attest, it has always been worth it.

              Although some of my fondest memories come from sleepy Sundays in front of double headers and Lions losses, baseball holds an entirely different meaning in my mind and heart. As much as the never ending comrade, love, competition and friendship that is the NFL descibes  my dads' (also my best friend) seamless relationship with me, the complexity, honesty and relentless ability to teach and learn describes the man that taught me about the MLB. My grandfather was a great man, no ifs ands or buts. However he was born and raised in one of the most tradition latent states for baseball, and never once cheered for the Yanks, Giants, Dodgers or Mets. He was a Braves fan, and every night of the cool upstate New York summers we would watch the Braves (on mute). He took the opportunity of silence to explain to me the finer points of baseball. And looking back, in my generation if you were going to learn baseball who better from than John Smoltz and Bobby Cox. Never once did I see his yell at an uncalled strike. Win or lose, he knew it was a long season and that losing your cool was a strike against your integrity.

            Some people stop at one sport, some people play a sport growing up and take a shining to it and follow every waking moment and can spit out mile of stats for days and days. I however grabbed every sport I saw, dug in to the history I missed (due to being unborn) and still wanted to know more. I never was much of a collector of cards/memorabilia, outside of a trade shows that me and my dad stood in line for hours at waiting for Gary Payton to sign my cards. But the reason that sports are so close to my heart is because the memories are ingrained with them. Fenway Park, Tiger Stadium, Wrigley Field and Camden Yard are only emblems in the hearts of millions due to the experience that they have shared there. Wins and losses, victories and defeats are all most see in competitions, and I feel fortunate to see more. For reasons embedded in my heart and soul I am a true fan.

Day One, Bet One

            Hello fellow sport addicts, gambling junkies and narcissists everywhere...my name is Neil and I am the answer. Having that said, I feel it is necessary to cover my ass by saying I do not condone gambling, and by no means am a bookie, take bets or make bets. If I did I may be a rich man, or I may have had my legs broke years ago. I focus more on theoretical gambling, the type that applies more to making your friends do stupid acts because the Pats' couldn't cover the spread. Or maybe the type that makes me a fantasy champion every year (OK maybe not every year, thank you Peyton Manning and your failing head-holder). But the basis of my writings will uncover the deeper side of sports, not just point spreads and over/unders. Lets examine the new-age that ALL sports are inevitably falling into....the Internet age. Yes, the age of technology has brought upon a new world of sporting as well, and not just online poker. Today we can not only YouTube clips of any high school sophomores, we can also examine how social networking impacts player performance/odds making. 20 years ago nobody would have seen Bret Favres' penis outside of his wife and mistresses. Arain Foster would of had to show his hammy to his family, not the world. And Chris Johnson and Frank Gore would have half their salaries. So if you think that starting line-ups and home field advantage are what wins games you are as out-of-date as the IPhone 3, as soon as it come out that is (there is no gamble about that).

Early Birds

         Since we are now in week four of the NFL season, the "Early Bird" picks are out the window. However, I am still an avid MLB fan and it is starting to get interesting this year (that's right the post-steroid era does have appeal). I must admit before going any further, I am a misplaced Yanks fan (my closest home team is Detroit) and I have STILL not jumped on the Tigers slow rolling bandwagon. For those of you that have, or are rightfully bandwagon season ticket holders, let me be the first to tell you that you do have the MVP. He will not get the votes required to actually hold the title, but he does deserve it. I of course am talking about Verlander (did anyone really think Cabrera had a chance??). But I will also be the first to break the news about your championship. It ain't happenin', not now, maybe never. Lets be honest, anyone not playing for the Phillies isn't wearing a ring this year. Sure, you can beat my Yanks (if Burnett somehow eeks his way into the starting lineup) and Texas is a sinking ship. But since Leland decided celebration and routine was more important than the diamond in Detroit, you just showed everyone left that you feel lucky to get that far. Blood in the water is all the actual MVP (that you traded away) needs to send you home in 4.Oh wait, blown home field puts you at home....someone didn't book Travelosity.  

Bet The Bank Special

          
             Enough about baseball....every week I will feature one game as my Bet The Bank Special. Since I am late in this week it'll be...drum roll please.....Washington at Dallas! This is like choosing the rat or the cheese. One of em is going to win but for me it's got to be about which has more to lose. Let us break down the stakes. 2-0 Washington at 1-1 Dallas, so in my mind that equals to the cheese in the rats nest. Washington has ran their mouths, and legs to 2 wins and surprised this doubter. Dallas has lost to the Jets on Romo's arm and won in San Fran on his ribs/lung. The cheese is going to get eaten eventually, but is this the hungry rat that snacks?? Romo lasts the entire game but the lingering injury hangs a loss on the cowboys shelf. The only thing that may save the 'Boys is the fear of dropping to 1-2 with the Lions coming to town next week. Bottom line, take the line. Washington wins in a "squeaker"  but +6.5 line it's an easy W. Washington 31 Dallas 28

Hats Off

Each Monday I will feature my Hats Off section to a surprise, big win, or someone who broke my bank. Not every week will be NFL, but this weeks recipient is well deserving. I NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER thought i would say this but Hats Off to the Buffalo Bills. Not only did you improve to 3-0 on the year, but you beat a team that you dropped 15 in a row to. Clap clap. Having that said, do the Bills win the division, hell no. Do they finish .500?, egh. Have I bet against you 3 times and got lucky enough to eek out a win in your battle with the RRRaiders, yes. Will I bet against you next week at Paul Brown Stadium? Yes. The reasoning: you have it coming. I tip my hat this week, and you are playing solid ball, but I haven't forgot that you are the Bills....have you??? Give me a win next week and then face the Eagles, Giants and Skins then we will talk. But congrats for this week. But for your own good, DON'T HANG YOUR HAT ON ONE WIN A SEASON. Otherwise you'd be....well, the Bills.

Shake of the Head

Along with every good Hats Off comes a disappointing Shake of the Head. This week it pains me to announce my the bottom of my totem pole. In this section I will be analyzing a team/player/organization that hasn't lived up to my high standards. They are not necessarily the worst off, but they are not on par either.
           After opening the season with two impressive wins against the Bucs and the Chiefs (depleted as KC may be, that's a 10 win team last season), the Lions failed to dominate a much maligned team in the Minnesota Vikings. Granted, Detroit was down 20-0 at halftime and came back to win in overtime, they were down 20-0 at halftime. A franchise that is trying to overcome a lifetime of disappointment and losing needs to act like they belong in the lime-light. I may be harsh on them due to comrade/love for Honolulu blue, but there are BIG question marks on a team that most are hot on. With an offensive line that's protecting a 23 year old QB with a shoulder that's apt to fall apart (I know, I know, when he is healthy the kid is a gun-slinger) and a secondary that seems to be in constant prevent, I wish the Lions would attack these issues like their amazing D-line attacks the rusher or like Megatron attacks ANY corner near him. The upside is great, and coming from a franchise that went 0-fer so recently the word blackout carries different meaning in Detroit, it's a turnaround. But let me quote Cris Carter by saying "C'mon man!".  And although climbing up a couple rungs on the hopefulness ladder leads to a great view, if your wearing a pair of Crocs you just might slip off. Lions win in Dallas but if they can't plug some of the holes in the penalty ship, it'll sink 'em like in years past.