NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

How many of you were ever told “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”? Apparently, out of the many of you that raised your hand I’m willing to bet one of those were not Rodger Godell.  We all knew there were going to be some changes going into this offseason but I think that the newest rule changes are CRAZY.  These are the new rules (coming from meetings today)

• All scoring plays will now be reviewed by the booth
• Kickoffs are moved up to the 35-yard line,  but will keep touchbacks at the 20-yard line

Seriously?! WHY? I’m all for player safety and trying to make the game better for both the players and fans alike but let me keep it “funky” with you I think that this is a bit overkill. Let’s not forget that this is FOOTBALL. You signed up for this. I bet these players are not thinking about busting a wedge while they are cashing their multi-million dollar check but all of the sudden because a few players get hurt playing the game they love and signed up for all “hell” is breaking loose and it’s now an issue? Give me a break. This is the second off season where the league has put in IDIOT rules to either protect an elite player or give someone an advantage. Don’t believe me check this out (just to name a few)

• The new OT rule (for playoff games) call me crazy if you want but that was clearly put in because Brett Farve CHOKED the NFC championship game way last season.
• Defenders are penalized for being blocked to the ground and still continuing to go after the QB. So now the defender has to ATTEMPT to stand back up and start again. AKA known as the Tom Brady rule.
• Hand to helmet on QB’s? Really?! Defenders have to also think before they raise their hands to knock down a pass from the QB

The owners and league personal are slowly killing the game we’ve all fell in love with and calling it “Player Safety” . If we’re not careful we’re going to have to put flags and dresses on these players and start calling ourselves the Powder-puff league.

Big East Conference

After the 1st weekend of the 2011 NCAA tourney one thing is pretty clear, the once mighty “Big East” has only 2 school remaining after sending 11 to the dance. Which leaves me wondering,  is the “Big East” really the best conference in college basketball?

For those of you that know me know that I’m a stat guy so let me throw this at you. The last time a “Big East” squad cut down the nets at the final four was 2004 when UConn did it.  We also see teams like Kansas, UNC, Duke & Florida that  are able to win the tournament on a consistent  basis. Why is that? Some would say “because the Big East teams beat up on each other during the season that by the time they get to March they are too beat up to compete at a high level” For those of you that say that I have one thing to say to that “THAT’S BOLOGNA” Your job as a basketball program is to win national championships PERIOD. Wining the Big East should be a side note that you pick up on your way to the bigger goal and so often we have sports writers, sport casters, and various fans that often loose focus of that.  I want to urge everyone the next time we’re ready to name a conference, school, or program the best in all the land look at how they have done in getting the goal accomplished. If they haven’t than possibly you’re sadly mistaken and need to rethink your selection.

Kansas Jayhawks

As the 2011 NCAA Tournament approaches we all have our favorite to cut down the nets in Houston.  As I sit down to fill out my brackets (yea I fill out about 2-5 every year)  I find it very difficult to not select Kansas to win the tourney. With all due respect to Ohio State (the overall #1 seed) and a few others that are hot going into the “Madness”  Kansas has really impressed me this season. The Morris brothers (Marcus & Markieff) have really been playing “light’s out” down the stretch of this season and I seriously feel that they WILL be the deciding factor to them cutting down the nets. Having said that I do expect KU to have some serious battles on their way to the final 4. They are in a tough  bracket and may have to play the likes of Louisville, Purdue, and Wisconsin, and ultimately Ohio state to win the championship, but I like where Bill Self has his guys at going into the dance.