Showing posts with label Roger Goodell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roger Goodell. Show all posts

Thursday, December 13, 2012

STOP EXPANDING FOOTBALL!!!

You know what I hate the most about Hockey and Basketball? The fact that just over half of the teams in each sport manage to get into the playoffs. It rewards teams that haven't earned it and diminishes the regular season so much that it's basically meaningless. Apparently the NFL is intrigued by how the NBA and the NHL do business.

Roger Goodell mentioned that at the owner's meeting the idea of expanding the playoffs came up. It might've been tossed around a little bit but to the extent that the NFL is considering expanding the playoffs to 14 teams and even possibly 16 teams which would be half of the league. More teams in the playoffs would mean more teams that wouldn't belong instead of the occasional team that doesn't belong (like the New York Giants last year).

Why does the league and the owners want to risk ruining the most popular league in the country? The answer is of course money. Every business always wants to expand and while that isn't a bad thing, you can expand too fast or simply too much. This is one of those things that takes away from the game while trying to add to it. The season would mean less, especially for the better NFL clubs, and teams that are just average (not good teams) will be able to play spoiler especially if they are on a hot streak.

I do not blame the owners for exploring new options of revenue but adding more playoff teams or even games just cheapens the sport and hurts it's popularity. Keep the game the way it is because it is already perfect.

P.S. Also, why are you looking at lesser leagues as an example to strive for?

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Tagliablue Overturns Bountygate Suspensions

How does the knife feel in the back, Goodell?

The former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliablue was appointed to hear the 2nd round of appeals from the suspended Saints players. Despite the players initially opposing the appointment, it turned out to work for them. While Tagliablue said that the players participated in the performance pool and should be fined for those actions, he overturned the suspensions putting the blame on the coaching staff with part of the release saying "My affirmation of Commissioner Goodell's findings could certainly justify the issuance of fines. However, this entire case has been contaminated by the coaches and others in the Saints' organization."

It looks like the iron fist of Roger Goodell has been stopped in this case which was perhaps the most unlikely thing to happen. The players, especially Jonathan Vilma, score a huge victory. The league is left looking vulnerable and NFL players might be able to challenge the league on several other issues going forward.

P.S. I guess there is fairness in the NFL... under the old commissioner.

Friday, December 7, 2012

End to Kickoffs in the NFL?

While in many ways football is too barbaric and needs to be done with, I find myself among those that are screaming back at the gladiator "No, I'm not yet entertained. Now do a flip."

While I do continuously ponder this hypocrisy of mine and of the country's, the NFL seeks to change the game again in the name of safety. A couple of years ago, they changed the kickoff line from the 30 to the 35 to make it so that there were a lot more touch backs. Now the league is considering getting rid of kickoffs altogether. Apparently they are not happy with barely any of the remaining kickoffs actually returned.

The proposal calls for the ball to be put on the 30 and for it to be 4th and 15 for the team that just scored or that is starting off a half. The team would have the option of punting the ball or simply going for it on 4th down to replace the onside kick.

Let's cut the PR for a second and just admit that football is a dangerous sport. It's in the same category as boxing in that the players suffer a lot both physically and mentally in their post football lives. Maybe the pain isn't as bad as boxing but it's obviously still there.

That being said, this proposal doesn't change a thing about the brutality of the sport. You are still knocking heads together (mostly with players who don't get the ratings) and there will still be devastating injuries. All this change does is just take away from the game's entertainment as a kickoff returned for a TD is the most exciting thing to watch.

While I sort out my hypocrisy and further my interest into "actual football," I don't think this is a good thing for the sport as it would make the game less exciting.

P.S. Pick up the slack, Chelsea. We need a win against Sunderland damn it.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Ed Reed Suspended for 1 Game

In the win over the Steelers, Ravens safety Ed Reed has gotten into trouble with the league. Reed was penalized for unnecessary roughness when he had a helmet-to-helmet hit with Emmanuel Sanders of the Steelers. That wasn't the only punishment that he got. As a result of that and a couple of hits to the head he made over the last couple of seasons, Ed Reed has been suspended for one game. It will cost him $423,529 and he will miss the game vs. the Chargers this weekend.

I thought improving things in the name of player safety in the NFL was a good thing but I believe it has gone a bit too far. I started to think this way when Bounty Gate started to drag on and on but this just seems to make me think the oversight on this issue is a joke. Ed Reed did not mean to make this kind of hit on Sanders if you bother to analyze the reply. The intent is just not there. The NFL just wants to make an example out of a high profile player to legitimize the league's authority. I'm not certain that this is the case in Bounty Gate but I'm starting to believe it is.

No matter how much we moan and groan about how unfair this the Ed Reed suspension is, Roger Goodell will not undo the suspension and he will not stop making unjust suspensions or fines. He will just escalate punishments further and make new rules all in the name of safety. That's what all tyrants and dictators do.

P.S. Be sure to follow me on twitter @TheSportsKhanSF

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

BRING THE REGULAR REFS BACK NOW!!!

The worst case scenario when the NFL decided to lockout the referees (because their dicks) was that an error made by the replacement refs would ultimately decide the fate of a game. That scenario came to life earlier tonight.

The Packers and the Seahawks played in CenturyLink Field in Seattle for some Monday Night Football action and there wa... FINE!!! Let's cut to the chase and just say that the game came down to a 4th and basically-have-to-win-it for the Seahawks at the GB 24 with 8 seconds left and the Packers leading by 5. After scrambling for a few seconds, Seahawks Rookie QB Russell Wilson throws a pass in the endzone with a bunch of players from both teams awaiting the ball to arrive. M.D. Jennings of the Packers appeared to come down with the ball with Seahawk Receiver Golden Tate's hands on it as well trying to wrestle it away. Anybody who has seen the instant replay of the throw can tell that Jennings had possession of the ball first with it against his chest with Tate still trying to wrestle it away.

Then the mistakes come. The refs don't know what to call and initially stand there paralyzed as to what just happened. Then one of them rules TD a split second before another makes a motion indicating that the ball has changed hands on an interception. The official call is a TD and the Seattle crowd goes nuts. The refs are asked to go to instant replay and they look at it and confirm the call afterwards. The Seahawks then eventually make the extra point with some of the disgusted Packers coming back onto the field from the dressing room. The Seahawks wi... NO... the refs GIVE the game to the Seahawks 14-12.

Right now the league is in trouble. Everyone in the league and the media was afraid that this kind of scenario would happen and it has. It was a gamble by the league in the first place to lockout the refs and bring in these replacements. The league apparently doesn't know what happens when you gamble and they now lost.

The league will now hear from everyone who has a voice (even priests who have taken a vow of silence) yell at the top of their lungs that the regular refs have to come back and that the league has to budge considerably on their demands. As for me, the league has to bring the regular officials back ASAP. The integrity of any sport cannot be in jeopardy at any time. This incident automatically calls the league's integrity into question rather than simple speculation when the lockout began. The league's image is now being affected negatively.

The lockout of the officials is now in the forefront of every fan's mind thinking what will the officials screw up in their games this week. Surely the regular officials do make mistakes but not like this one.

P.S. Also, Golden Tate should've been called for Offensive Pass Interference on the play. Two reasons the Packers should've won.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Emotional Win for Torrey Smith and the Ravens

The Sunday Night Game between the Patriots and the Ravens was intense and not just because of the players arguing half the time on the field while the refs did nothing.

Torrey Smith, a WR for the Ravens, lost his 19 year old brother Tevin Jones who died in a motorcycle accident not 24 hours before kickoff. Torrey Smith made the decision to play the game at around 4 PM despite what had happened. A moment of silence was observed for Smith's brother before the game started.

Torrey Smith and the Ravens then went out and played a rough and tough football game against the Pats. New England would take an early lead but the Ravens fought back and by the third quarter, it had become a back and forth game. Torrey Smith rose above it all to play a career game catching 6 balls for 127 yards and 2 TDs. He played sensationally for his teammates and his brother.

The Ravens would then drive down field one last time and set themselves up for a 27 yard FG to win it as time expired. The FG by Justin Tucker was ruled good despite it going directly over the right crossbar. Bill Belichick would protest but the refs wouldn't listen. Ravens win an emotional game 31-30.

The game was exciting to watch whether you were a Ravens fan or not. Though Smith was the story to talk about, the replacement refs had there share of the news. Bad calls plagued the entire game with it mostly being missed calls in the passing defense. At  one point, the crowd started to chant BS over national TV. Not like Roger Goodell cares at all.

Despite the bad calls that agitated the fans, Torrey Smith and the Ravens rose through it all. It is at these times that the word "team" means so much more.

Our thoughts and prayers to Torrey and his family.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Falcons Beat Manning and Broncos on MNF

Peyton Manning had a fine week 1 performance and so did the replacement refs for the most part. Both sucked this week.

Yesterday had the Broncos and Manning going into Atlanta to face the Falcons. Manning threw for 253 yards and 2 TDs last week vs. the Steelers defense so it should stand to reason he should do better against the Falcons D. However, Atlanta was ready for him, especially in the 1st quarter. Peyton Manning threw 3 picks and all in the 1st quarter and all in the first three drives of the Broncos. Now the Broncos managed to cut the lead down to 6 late in the 4th quarter but the Falcons got it back and managed to convert for 1st downs to win the game. Falcons win 27-21.

The other story of the week were the replacement refs and their mistakes. They didn't really have an overall effect on the outcome but with time. The game took forever to complete because of the officiating mistakes and delays. They couldn't even manage to separate players after a fumble. It wasn't just this game but all over the NFL this last week. Fumble call on a throw in the Eagles win, a play that shouldn't have happened in the 49ers win, ruling that Roger Goodell's Toupee looks real.

The NFL's arrogance is getting tiring to see here and everywhere else. As for Manning, too little evidence to say this is cause for concern. Probably just a fluke performance. Can't afford that vs. the Texans, though.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Bounty Gate Suspensions Overturned? For Now?

Two days after the kickoff game to the 2012 NFL season, the Bounty Gate story reemerges once more but this time in favor of the players.

An appeals panel hearing the suspended players case made a ruling in favor of the players. It ruled that Commissioner Roger Goodell overstepped his authority in hearing the appeals of the players related to Bounty Gate. They stated that Goodell doesn't have the authority for disciplining the players related to Bounty Gate and that task should be given to Special Master Stephen Burbank. They stated that Goodell does have the authority to punish the players if he can prove they intended to injure their opponents.

As for the suspensions Goodell has wrought, they were overturned by the panel. Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, and Scott Fujita (now on the Browns) can rejoin their teams and Anthony Hargrove (free agent) can sign and play with a team immediately.

This a big victory for the players. They might still get punished by Goodell later on in some way or fashion but this victory over the NFL in court just proves that players can go an alternate route in order to get leverage over the NFL. I'm sure Roger Goodell is having a tantrum to have his rule and law overturned in any way.

It makes you wonder if Coaches Sean Peyton and Joe Vitt along with GM Mickey Loomis should appeal their case seeing how this turned out. Anyway, the story isn't over as a new chapter is beginning.

The next question you have to ask is whether or not any of these players will play Sunday. They might not but their victories in court will lift the Saints morale.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Now I REALLY Hate Roger Goodell

If there is one thing that people can't stand in sports is the officials. They are susceptible to making mistakes, arrogant, obnoxious, and disliked, that cannot be denied. But they are still necessary (unless it's baseball) in order to run a sport. It wasn't until this NFL preseason that I have seen how necessary they are.

This NFL Lockout involving the referees and a few cents that the NFL wouldn't cry over losing has gone on too long. The replacement refs are sloppier, slower (to the pace of the game), and are making an abundance of mistakes. They are just not as well trained as Ed Hochuli or the other regular referees that I want to kill every Sunday. These replacement refs are tempting me to go beyond the "wanting" stage.

The NFL seems to not care enough about the NFL officials and are content with starting the replacements for the 2012 season. The league says that they will use them week 1. DeMaurice Smith of the NFLPA has shown at least a token of solidarity by showing his support for the refs. He has even said that the use of a possible strike from the players is not out of the question (ha ha ha).

Anytime I hear the demands of the referees it seems reasonable and nothing compared to when the league negotiated with the players. It, of course, means more to the officials as they don't get as much in actual cash compared to the players. I would actually like the NFLPA to threaten striking and then to strike when the NFL doesn't believe them. I hate the power the NFL has, specifically Roger Goodell, and I would love to see these two unions join together and stand up to the league (man).

The chances that the players actual strike, however, are practically zero and that's sad to me. I hope they do the next best thing, however, and bitch about the bad calls being made when week 1 starts. This is when we need TO the most.

P.S. Also whats with sending ejected fans to an online course before they are allowed back in? Can we get a fan's union started. That would be the most powerful of them all.

P.P.S. Also the strike shows that the league (Roger Goodell) doesn't care about player safety, it never did. It just cares about money. The reason that it feigns caring about safety is because the league is facing a ton of lawsuits regarding concussions.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Year Long Suspension or 8 Games: Deal or No Deal, Vilma

Man, I thought that this whole Bounty Gate issue was past for the most part but it seems to have come up again thanks to the league.

Jonathan Vilma is in the midst of suing Roger Goodell for Defamation over Bounty Gate and getting suspended for his part in it allegedly. Vilma wants to clear his name and find out what the NFL has on him when it comes to this case. The NFL (Goodell) apparently doesn't want to go this route and wants to avoid the courtroom altogether. The league has offered as part of settlement package to reduce Vilma suspension from a year long to 8 games which means Vilma could play this year for the Saints. Vilma has to drop the Defamation lawsuit in order to get this.

Interesting that the league is trying to sweep this under the rug and move on. This can be seen as a sign of weakness. Maybe the league and it's pope (Goodell) are not infallible and can be challenged by the players through an alternate route (what a radical thought). That's definitely what this offer by the league is saying. Vilma hasn't accepted the offer, that we know of, and quite frankly I hope he doesn't take it. I want to see if the league really has anything against Vilma and if the evidence is just. Now again defamation lawsuits are very hard to win and I still don't like his odds but this case could show the players and the fans just what the NFL thinks is enough for punishment.

P.S. Thoughts and prayers to Andy Reid and his family.