A couple weeks ago I was listening to the NFL network while driving home. It was a Thursday night so they were airing that night’s game. I happened to catch the singing of the National Anthem which is one of my favorite parts when viewing sporting events. The National Anthem was over so I’m pretty amped up at this point and then someone else started to sing. I couldn’t understand what the song was or why it was even being sung. Then the light bulb went off; the game was being played in Canada. The second song was their countries anthem, O’ Canada. Am I the only one who sees the wrong in this?
For a long time now the owner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, has been slowly pushing the NFL internationally by holding a couple games per season in other countries. I find this very contradicting. I am not saying I am against other countries; however, NFL is a National Football League. I don’t think its fair to the players and the teams to have to travel to another country and miss out on having a home field advantage. I don’t believe its fair for these players to go to London for a couple days and have to deal with the time change and jetlag. All these factors can affect the outcome of a game which can affect the outcome of the season.
I haven’t found any positive reasoning for the NFL to go international other than involving more people. Since other countries don’t participate in the sport, many of the fans aren’t as energetic about the teams as Americans are. Sports are a big deal in some people’s lives and people can get very passionate about the teams they support. Professional athletes feed of the support of fans and build their confidence. If the fans aren’t into it, the emotional level of the players is affected. This also leaves one less game for American fans to go to which could cause a deficit in profit from ticket and merchandise sales. It seems like a waste of a game and a day. Unfortunately, Goodell isn’t taking away international games anytime soon. I believe he should start listening to what the fans want.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Hail to the Redskins?
New Orleans almost had their first upset if the season to an unexpected team: the Washington Redskins. The Skins have had it rough lately and going against an undefeated team with a 3-9 record, no one thought it would be pretty. Having home field advantage was probably the only positive outlook of the fans.
The first quarter started out hot as the Skins put up 10 points making the score 10-0. But don’t let that score fool you. New Orleans was able to tie it up before the half. From here on in, the game was a battle to the end. The Skins put up a good fight by not allowing the Saints to get ahead the entire game. New Orleans fans around the nation were running out of nails to bite. By the end of the game, the Skins are up 30-23 with only 1:52 remaining and on their way to pulling one of the biggest upsets of the season. Washington lines up to score another field goal to widen range from 23 yards out. Unfortunately, Shaun Suisham, the kicker for the Redskins, missed the short field goal giving the Saints some hope. Drew Brees was able to move down the field and meet the hands of Robert Meachem with a 54-yard touchdown pass sending the game into overtime.
The Saints must have the luck on their side. Either that or someone must really have it out for the Redskins. A 23-yard field goal is something NFL kickers should be able to do in their sleep. In true Redskin fashion, they were unable to stop New Orleans one final time allowing for their game winning field goal making them 12-0.
The first quarter started out hot as the Skins put up 10 points making the score 10-0. But don’t let that score fool you. New Orleans was able to tie it up before the half. From here on in, the game was a battle to the end. The Skins put up a good fight by not allowing the Saints to get ahead the entire game. New Orleans fans around the nation were running out of nails to bite. By the end of the game, the Skins are up 30-23 with only 1:52 remaining and on their way to pulling one of the biggest upsets of the season. Washington lines up to score another field goal to widen range from 23 yards out. Unfortunately, Shaun Suisham, the kicker for the Redskins, missed the short field goal giving the Saints some hope. Drew Brees was able to move down the field and meet the hands of Robert Meachem with a 54-yard touchdown pass sending the game into overtime.
The Saints must have the luck on their side. Either that or someone must really have it out for the Redskins. A 23-yard field goal is something NFL kickers should be able to do in their sleep. In true Redskin fashion, they were unable to stop New Orleans one final time allowing for their game winning field goal making them 12-0.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Analysis Resources
Throughout the semester I have been having a hard time finding football blogs that keep my interest. I have mainly been using blogs from NFL.com and ESPN.com. Those always have the latest in the news. I found one last week while searching for the Madden Curse and I have been keeping an eye on it. Its from maddencurse.com. This blog contains information about the "drama" aspect of the game but more along the lines of Tony Romo's relationship with Jessica Simpson and the Michael Vick controversy. I guess it can be best described as Perez Hilton meets the NFL. I'm not 100% on using it for my analysis paper but I have found some of the topics interesting. Another reason why I am debating on using it is its not updated very often. The blog is unorganized.
I have recently been googling football blogs but I haven't come across any others yet that I can use for my analysis paper. I am definitely going to stick with the stories found on the main sites like NFL.com. Those blogs are from actual, paid reporters. I would like to find one from the average Joe like myself.
I have recently been googling football blogs but I haven't come across any others yet that I can use for my analysis paper. I am definitely going to stick with the stories found on the main sites like NFL.com. Those blogs are from actual, paid reporters. I would like to find one from the average Joe like myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
