Super Bowl = Super Hungover

For as long as there has been Super Bowls (at least in my 28 years on this earth) the Super Bowl has been played on a Sunday, the traditional day of football, the end of the week (or beginning of a new depending how you look at it), but why for the Grand Daddy of them all would you make it a Sunday???!!!  All across North America there will be Super Bowl parties galore.  Bars stools will have big fat American's asses firmly planted in them from 11 a.m. until close and I'm sure there are some establishments that will open a little early so that any patrons who wish to partake in pregame banter and watch the know it all's talk about each teams journey to this point.  What I don't understand though is why is HAS to be Sunday?  This is a one day, winner take all show, so why does the day have to be Sunday?  People want to drink and enjoy themselves and they do!  The fact that the biggest sporting event of the year is on a Sunday, when most of the world has to get up and work the next day, doesn't seem to stop people from fully involving themselves in the festivities.  On average 6% of people (American Statistic Only) call in sick on the Monday following the Super Bowl.  That's over 18,000 people, approximately 350 per state!  Some states in American would shut down with that many people home sick for the day!  Other sports do not limit their grand prize being handed out to just one day, granted not all sports are a one game winner take all; most are your traditional 7 games series.  TV contracts and other things come into the equation as well and in a 7 game series you never know how many games it might go or when the prize will be won.  This past summer the World Cup was played and the final match was on a Sunday.  Why??!!  Why must the sporting world do this to the public.  All we want to do is enjoy watching our favorite sports team, or sport, enjoy the company we are in, maybe a few cocktails and not have to worry about going to work the next day!  If you are reading this and you say "Well Angry Sports Fan, how about you just not drink?"  Then I say to you, don't be ridiculous you killjoy!  Learn to have some fun, enjoy life, get tanked during the Super Bowl!  I'm not suggesting much, I'm just simply saying why not make the Super Bowl on a Thursday (as 7.5% of people call in sick on a Friday anyways, even when they are not sick) or even better a Friday or a Saturday.  I can understand viewership overall for tv drops significantly on a Friday or Saturday, but it's the FREAK'N Super Bowl!!!!  I am pretty sure you could host the Super Bowl in Alaska at 3 a.m. and it would still sell out, the ratings would still be astronomical and you'd still get the Black Eye'd Peas to play the half time show, but that's another Angry Rant...stupid Black Eye'd Peas.

  Dear NFL,
    Consider my argument I have made above.  Traditions are made to be broken or adjusted.  Throw this one in the trash like the Patriots threw their Super Bowl hopes in the trash.  People love the Super Bowl, but I know that every year there are thousands of people standing around the water cooler saying "I really wish the game was on Saturday, I'm going to be sooooo hung over on Monday.", while others will just simply say "I'm not coming to work on Monday, I'll be tooooo hung over."  If you listen to me and move the game I guarantee you will still get the same ratings, make the same in revenue (if not more) and the economy will benefit with the reduced number of employees sick on the Monday following.  This isn't just a blog NFL, this is a revolution, I'm helping to stimulate the economy and keep America Productive.  Suck it Barack!

Consistency Is What You Make It

For a couple of years now the NHL has been all about protecting players and trying to remove hits to the head from the game which is a worthy endeavor as it's a dangerous aspect of the game.  They have increased fines, suspensions and Colin Campbell spends more time in player meetings that he does at home it would seem.  I do not have any dispute with the NHL cracking down on head shots, it's dangerous and can cause serious harm, but what I do have an issue with is the inconsistency of the NHL's punishments from incident to incident.  This week Mike Brown of the Toronto Maple Leafs was suspended three games for his hit on Ed Jovanovski in a game in Phoenix.  There was contact to the head, but the contact was not intentional, as Brown was following through on a hit and Jovanovski put himself in a vulnerable position.  These are situations that I can understand must be difficult for the NHL to asses, as it's a fast game and from watching the game live and seeing highlights, if Jovanovski had not have reached for the puck (bent over) as he did, there would have been no contact to the head, just a standard shoulder to shoulder check; there was no penalty on the play  You review this suspension and then you look at recent incidents in the NHL that have lead to injuries that have gone without any NHL involvement, be it suspension or fines.  Most recently you look at the Winter Classic, the great idea of the NHL, where Sidney Crosby was blindsided without the puck and the play up ice, which has now lead to a concussion and Crosby to miss the last 5 games.  There was no penalty on the play and no suspension or fine.  I guess the NHL didn't want to draw negative attention to their spectacular idea.  Another example would be last year when Marc Savard was hit by Matt Cooke which put Savard out from the middle of last season until this past November, again, no penalty or suspension.  A week ago Friday, Ben Eager of the Atlanta Thrashers sucker punched Colby Armstrong of the Toronto Maple Leafs, not a clean play, but he was given six games!!! Six!!!  The NHL is handing out suspensions and fines like a blind referee.  It's often been a theory from minor hockey to professional that when a blatant call is missed during a game, that at some point after that in the game a really bad call will be made to put the referee's mind at ease that he has even up the game.  It appears that Colin Campbell and his disciplinary committee do the same when it comes to handing down fines or suspensions.  He misses one such as the Crosby hit so he feels he needs to come down hard on a play like Ben Eager, or Mike Brown when they certainly don't warrant such punishment.  If the NHL wants to keep head shots out of the game, which in my opinion you'll never fully get rid of them, the game is too fast, players react at the last seconds putting themselves in harms way *Cough Jovanovski Cough*, then you have to take the first steps and have a more consistent manner of punishments.  I understand there are reoccurring offenders and punishments are harsher for them as they would be for a first time offender, but be more consistent.  Swallow your pride and call a guy down for a meeting at Principal Campbell's Office even if it's a week after the hit.  Take your time review the play, determine if it needs a suspension.  The NHL is reacting to rash with some of these decisions and it's creating a credibility issue in the eyes of the public and I'm sure in the eyes of teams, management and players.

Dear Colin Campbell,
    How about you spend less time being a hockey dad and protecting your baby boy (who is a pro hockey player and should be subject to discipline as well) and focus on your job and doing it right.  You are an advocate for cleaning up head shots and being diligent in player accountability, but when you let the best player in the league take a cheap shot and you don't hold the player who hit him accountable, you are just continuing your inconsistent ways.  Use some common sense you tit mouse! 

Sports Casters, More like Sports Assholes

On the heels of the disappointing loss in the Gold Medal game of the IIHF U20 World Hockey Championship, Canadians all across the country were left dejected and with an empty feeling, just not quite able to explain what we had all just witnessed. We then awoke to newspaper articles, highlights and still images of those young men after the final horn had sounded. This game was difficult to watch as the outcome unfolded, but what I found harder to accept was the criticism and out right assault sportscasters and sports writers in this country unleashed on these young men. These are just kids, young men going into an international tournament to represent their country, which only a few understand that pressure. These are not professional players, they are the most talented this country has to offer in junior hockey. These boys play because they love the game and they all have just one dream, represent their country and make the NHL. I hope that they all avoided reading newspapers or watching highlights because if they weren't crushed by the loss, some of the harsh things that were said certainly would have broken their spirits , what spirits they have left. Mike Babcock, coach of our Canadian men's Olympic Gold medalists said it best, that this country should be proud of what those young men did. They are just that, young, mistakes will be made. If people want a place to place blame, look no further than TSN's James Duthie, he jinxed the Canadians. Just before the camera panned away from him to end the 2nd intermission he made the snide comment "The Russians came back from against Finland, down 3-1 and against Sweden when down 2-0, can they do it again, well Canada isn't Finland or Sweden.". This comment may not seem like much, but like similar comments made many times before it came back to loom large at the end of the third. Talk to any athlete or sports fan and we're are very superstitious and a comment like that just put a jinx over the heads of our juniors. It's like a commentator stating during the 7th game of the world series, two out and winning run at bat, "all he has to do is hit a home run and his team wins the world series!!!". Thanks asshole I know how the game works, next thing you know "bam!!!" home run. Or when sports casters keep count of home many outs until a no hitter. I understand that dialogue is a must during televised sportscasts, but sometimes sports casters need to just shut the he'll up!! Part of the greatness of sport is that no game is over until it's over, until the fat lady has sung (speaking of Gary Bettman's wife), but it is just extra frustration when a guy who is painted up to look pretty for tv makes stupid comments like James Duthie did last night and then a result like last night follows. I understand that the game is played on the field or ice or court, but JINX, JINX, JINX!!!!


Dear James Duthie, just SHUT UP! You better hope you haven't caused a curse, that you have destined the Canadian juniors for silver finishes for years to come, or I will single handedly insure that it's known as the Dirty Duthie curse....worse than any sports curse you pretty boy douche!

Hockey on the Pond is Not for the NHL

Lacing up the skates and taking to the old pond was and is still good for amateur, no professional hockey.  There is nothing like a sunny winter day at the cottage or the community outdoor rink where you can enjoy some pick up hockey with friends, but it's not something that works for the NHL.  The atmosphere works, the idea of playing these outdoor games work, having crowds of 25, 50, or 75 thousand fans out to enjoy some old fashion hockey.  All the festivities and grandeur that go along with these events is all great for the sport, but that fact that this is an actual game, with actual points on the line blows my mind.  This years game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals was close and by all accounts a good game, but the original start time was 2 p.m., pushed back to 8 p.m. because of rain and too mild temperatures (organizers hoped by moving it to the later time it would cool down and give a better consistency to the ice).  For a regular season game that has meaning to it, two points, which could mean making or missing the playoffs, winning a division, or gaining home ice advantage for the playoffs, it make no sense to me why you would put that in the hands of unpredictable conditions is beyond me.  I am not saying that you should do away with the Winter Classic (or Canada's version Heritage Classic - because Gary "I hate Canada" Betman won't give us our own Winter Classic), I'm just saying that it should be something that is part of the All Star break or even the All Star game itself.  Granted this isn't a possibility in all climates where the NHL finds it's home, but it's a better option than awarding points.  I understand that any given night, one team is going to win and one is going to lose, but when it's not a level playing field (or soggy ice surface) then it's just not fair, nor is it logical.  I like the idea and the atmosphere of these Winter Classics, but come on NHL, get your collective heads out of your giant asses and make this an exhibition game and not something that could make or break a teams season.

  Dear NHL,
      It's a great idea and I know it makes you a shit tonne of cash, but don't make this a "real" game.
 
  Dear Gary Betman,
      You're a rat!  I don't like you!!!  You are worse than a politician when you are asked for a straight answer!  Bring hockey back to CANADA where we will make more money than any club in the US and give us our own Winter Classic, image a Maple Leafs vs. Canadians outdoors in either Montreal or Toronto...CASH COW!!!  Speaking of your wife...BAZING Gary BAZING!  

Lego My Eggo

By now whether you follow sports or not you've probably heard of the Toronto Maple Leafs fan who got busted for throwing waffles on the ice. Before I get into my rant I just want to make it clear that I do not agree with this fans method of expressing his frustration. This rant isn't going to be so much about what this fan did, as much as it's a tirade on MLSE!!!
Coles notes of what happened for those who may not know...basically a couple of weeks ago at the end of a Toronto Maple Leafs game versus the Philadelphia Flyers a fan threw a waffle onto the ice as the Leafs exited the ice. Then just last week in a 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers a fan threw waffles on the ice during play.
For his efforts this fan has been banned from the Air Canada Centre, BMO Field, the Richo Coliseum and all other MLSE affiliates for life. What really bothers me about this is that this was a victimless crime. No one was hurt in the throwing of these waffles and really it is just entertaining for other fans to see this new trend continued. So for throwing a couple soft, weightless pieces of debris on the ice this guy can no longer enjoy his favorite team live. Would the mental giants at MLSE prefer we throw beer, perhaps popcorn, maybe our jerseys? When you put a product on the ice night after night that doesn't meet or even come close to reaching expectations people are going to be frustrated. In the last few home games the Leafs have had some stiff competition playing teams ahead of them in the standings but they have also blown a lead in the last minute, only to lose in overtime, have been blown out by one of the worst teams in the NHL and have shown night in and night out they have no interest in competing. All of these events leads to fan frustration and there are many means of venting this frustration, but sometimes you can't stop a boiling pot from overflowing.
This act of this extreme punishment given to this fan is just another example of MLSE's flexing their muscle at anyone who tries to throw an egg on the face of any of their affiliates. Whether it's a calculated answer from a coach or banning a fan from future visits, the MLSE will do everything in their power to not be defeated, similar to the Evil Empire in the Star Wars movies. Lately I think a lot of Toronto sports fans look at the MLSE that way; an evil empire. They want to silence any form of criticism or negative attention. In this season of The Holiday Spirit of giving, MLSE is giving life time bans and receiving millions of dollars from the fans of Toronto teams who over the last 7 years have watched a less than favorable results come seasons ends with zero playoff appearances for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto FC.


Dear Fan,
Good on you for what you did and I am truly sorry you've been banned for life. Next time someone should throw a flaming bag of shit on the ice, that'll get the point across! You put shit on the ice, so will we!

Dear MLSE,
Much darkness I see in you? Fear is the path to the dark side....and continue to treat fans this way and guess what...you won't have any left!

Rock 'Em, Stick a Sock in 'Em

My feet are still pretty wet when it comes to this whole world of blogging and I openly admit I do not have a lot of followers, but one of my friends and diligent followers of the blog has made a request.  He has asked my opinion on Don Cherry, one of Canada's National "Treasures".  I am going to give my opinion and thoughts to this topic and at the end of my rant, I will have attached a link to the Montreal Gazette which was very well written and almost made me consider not writing this blog because the composer of said article and I share very common opinions.  I highly recommend after reading my blog you read this article.

   Don Cherry....for years this man has been a thorn in my side.  There is nothing more I love to do on a Saturday than watch my boys in Blue take to the ice, but then I am subjected in the 1st period to listen to this grumpy old man rant about why he thinks the sky is blue.  When I first read that Don Cherry would be part of the inauguration of Toronto's newest mistake (thank you very much residents of suburban Metro Toronto, you freak'n morons!!!) Rob Ford aka "Chris Farley" (this is opinion 1 I share with the Gazette), I could not believe that a ceremony of this magnitude would involve such a circus act.  I am not here to talk about how much I dislike Rob Ford and how he is going to destroy a great city, but I am here to talk about how Don Cherry should keep his hideous fashion sense and 1950's opinions out of politics.  Here is a man who many people do enjoy watching, because they either respect his opinion or just like to get a laugh, but over the years it's just gotten worse and worse.  He uses his 7 minutes or so to force his opinion on those watching the CBC Hockey Night in Canada Broadcast.  Whether it is a hockey related matter where he is calling out European players for being "sissy's" or going on about politics; which includes his opinions on the Operation in Iran, Afghanistan and surrounding countries.  Poor Ron Maclean sits there and has to listen to him and try to keep him on track, which often times leads to verbal abuse from Cherry directly to Maclean.  As he gets older, Don Cherry does not get wiser, he gets more and more aggressive and inappropriate.  His rants lead to media outcries and usually leaves someone or some group offended.  Yet week after week the CBC parades their circus act out there to yell and scream his thoughts so that people might think, "Hey, he's pretty animated about this, maybe I should think like Don...he makes a good point, all Europeans are "sissy's"."  Don Cherry is the last person that anyone in this country should base their thoughts or opinions on.  He spews verbal diarrhea weekly in hopes that he gets a reaction or that he can look at something such as a mayoral election win and think "I am the reason he won, because I'm Don Cherry Canada's National Treasure."  What Don Cherry needs to realize is that the people who surround him merely agree in hopes that he shuts up!  What I am about to say next may offend people and it's not intended to, but it's how I feel.  On a very regular basis Cherry talks about the "war" and goes on about those participating in the war.  I know that the soldiers have a lot of support in Canada and I support them as well, as much as I disagree with Canada's participation, BUT this is the last thing people want to see or hear about during a hockey game!!!!  Most evenings on the news, most days in the paper we are reminded of the terrible things going on as part of this "war" and the live too soon lost because of it, BUT again, this is the last thing someone wants to see during a hockey game!!!  This is just another example of Cherry pushing his beliefs and opinions down the throats of Canadians.  If Cherry was sitting on his perch telling people to go to church or believe in the God he believes in they wouldn't stand for it.  For some people politics are as big as religion, so I ask; CBC why are you not doing anything???

Dear CBC,
   DO SOMETHING FOR CHRIST SAKE!!!!  Don Cherry is an angry, bitter, racist and opinionated old man who needs to be silenced.  I have never met the man, but I don't imagine he'd be easy to get along with if I did.

Dear Don Cherry,
   Just go away.  When you die, despite a lot of peoples desires you will be celebrated as a Canadian Hero.  Can't you just wait until you die to get undeserved respect??? 

Don Cherry is nothing but a phoney

www.montrealgazette.com

 

   Again, read this article...better written then mine, but he get's paid for it!

Sal Alosi, Shame on You!

Sal Alosi,
   I bet before Sunday afternoon, unless you are a die hard Jets fan, you had no clue who this guy was.  Now the whole sporting community knows who he is, but for all the wrong reasons.  Sal Alosi is the strength and conditioning coach for the New York Jets of the NFL.  On Sunday, during the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets game Alosi took it upon himself to trip a member of the Miami Dolphins as he ran down the sidelines during a kick return.   This is the video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgYXBpIYnvU.  When you see it live action it looks as though the Dolphins player just trips, but watching it again and again in slow motion I think to myself, "What the hell is this guy thinking?"  Obviously he wasn't, because it is clear in the video that this was premeditated, this wasn't something he decided to do at the last second.  You can clearly see in the video that he is in a forward stance that allowed him to just stick his knee out and trip the player.  This is just an act of complete stupidity.  There could be many reasons why he did it, the Jets were losing and had lost their last game and depending how they finish the season could miss the playoffs, frustration from all of this could have led to his decision, but I think it is just because he's an idiot!  This collision was knee on knee and the Dolphins player was running at full speed, Alosi is lucky there wasn't any injury to the player, because that would have spelled imminent trouble for Alosi.  As it is the Jets have suspended him for the remainder of the season, including playoffs as well as a $25,000 dollar fine.  The NFL plans to take no further action, which is understandable as Alosi is an employee of the Jets.  Following the game Alosi said in response to a question from the media about why he did what he did; "You're asking me to give you a logical explanation to an illogical act," he said. "I can't do that. I can't explain that."....yeah the media is going to ask you why you did it, it's what they do...be honest, say "Because I'm a god damn moron!!!".  There have been many incidents in all sports where coaches and players interact, even mascots get into it with opposing players from time to time, but nothing that I can remember like this.  This was an attack on a player without warning and really could be look at as a criminal act of abuse.  Alosi is fortunate that that Jets didn't out right release him of his duties with the team.  Perhaps Alosi should throw on some pads for the next game the Jets play and see how he likes being taken down, but in the way that a football player is supposed to be taken down and not blindsided.

Dear Sal Alosi,
    Shame on you, your mother is or would be disappointed in you (she could be dead for all I know...or maybe he never had a mother....) whoever you cherish the most is disappointed in you!!!  You are no better than Sean Avery who runs around delivering sucker punches to other players in the NHL.  You have a job that most people would love to have.  You got to go day in and day out, hang out with stars of the Jets and the entire NFL!!!  Then for one moment you decide you are going to trip a guy and why?  To get a laugh, out of frustration or just shear stupidity and now it's all gone, for this season at least.  As a sports fan, it would be a dream come true for me to work with or on a sports team in any facet and guys like you who take it for granted don't deserve your jobs.