Flag On The Play—Excessive Flags in the NFL

There used to be a day when the players were the most important guys on the field, or so I’ve heard. They dominated the landscape with their jukes, stiff arms, leaping, and incredible playmaking abilities. Those are the days of the past.

Now there is a new guy in town and he’s wearing stripes—okay, maybe he’s not new—but we sure see a lot more of him these days. It seems as though he’s in on most plays of today’s game, strutting his stuff like some crazed ostrich protecting it’s nest.

He runs up and down the field, keeping an eye out for any funny stuff like holding, pass interference, roughing the passer, or non-matching socks. Yes, it’s the referees.

I’m not sure what’s happened to the game of old, but it’s sure taken a turn for the worse. Watching this year’s preseason games, the refs seem more strict than ever.

The wide receiver and defensive backs just seem to be going through the motions of running routes and sticking to their man while avoiding contact at all cost. It seems as though any contact on the receiver while running his route is now off-limits, (even when the ball is uncatchable). Yes, I saw it happen in preseason play.

It also seems that it is now a penalty to sack the quarterback. Watching one of the games this year, I was shocked (well not really as I’ve come to expect it) that a “roughing the passer” call was made on a totally legal hit on the quarterback.

If I could remember which game it was I would say, but I can’t recall at this point.

What is our game coming to when the players aren’t the most important guys on the field anymore. Your guy gets beat by a DB on an all-or-nothing jump ball on third down, don’t sweat it because it was most likely pass interference. Ya refs.

Your defense is dominant and has got to the quarterback all day, but late in the fourth quarter your team gets a “roughing the passer” call that keeps the opponents drive alive. Ya refs.

You know it’s gotten crazy when teams have plays that’s designed to draw a pass inteference call. Yes they have them.

When will we get back to letting the players play the game? How long do we have to wait for some football not dominated by flags and penalties and crazed ostriches? I say let them play, and let the best man win.

Oops, flag on the play…excessive rambling.

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How Hines Ward Changed Football

Last year, Hines Ward threw a block on a Bengals player that broke his jaw. The hit was brutal enough to call for a new rule being put into play. It was what is now referred to as a “decleater.” Many commentators can still be heard talking about it a year later and quite frankly, I’m sick of it.

The difference in the hit that Hines threw and what the new rule states as a legal block is about two inches. That’s it, two inches from being a legal block or one that could result in suspension and/or a fine.

During the Patriots/Eagles game there was a block that took one of the Patriots players off his feet. The block was as legal as they come, yet it drew a flag. The flag was later picked up, but it just goes to show how the game has changed.

What are they doing to the game I loved watching so much growing up? They seem to be slowly but surely taking more and more of the physical contact (the main reason I love football) out of the sport.

As you may have heard there is also a new rule that states that, no more than two players can join together on kick returns in order to form a wedge, because it’s too dangerous. You may recall certain rules that have been put into place in order to protect the players as well. No running into the kicker, or no helmet to helmet, etc.

The list is endless. At what point does the game go from being football, to something more like flag football.

Players now seem to pull up from their blocks, sacks, or blocked punts for fear of a penalty. One block that is “iffy” can now be the determining factor of winning or losing a game if penalized.

We already have to deal with this on pass interference calls, running into the kicker, late quarterback hits, and holding. Now we have an “illegal block” to contend with.

I for one can not blame Hines for what he did; He threw a block, simple as that. Anyone who has ever played football knows how hard it is to determine where your going to hit your opponent. There is no doubt that Hine’s block had a hand in changing the rule of blocking, but I think it’s time the commentators let it go. We’ve heard enough already.

Ball Boys and Girls: Unsung Heroes of The NFL

It’s fourth and goal. Your team has the ball. They need a touchdown to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The quarterback comes to the line. His wide receivers stare back at him with anticipation. He looks over the defense and then at his favorite target. It’s all or nothing.

The defense shifts into position. The linebackers’ eyes glare at the quarterback. Smoke exudes out their noses from the cold. Rain and sweat drip from their faces. The center grasps the ball. The quarterback takes position under center and calls for the ball. The center snaps the ball and the play is underway.

The quarterback drops back and looks to his first wide out but he is covered. He then looks to his second option but he too is covered. He looks for the tight end just in time to see the defender slip and fall. He rares back and lets it go. The tight end looks the ball into his hands and makes the game winning catch. The game is over.

Your team has won and secured the last spot in the playoffs. Everyone celebrates and the crowd goes wild.

In the concluding interview the quarterback talks about the miraculous drive and the last minute score. He thanks his teammates, his coach, his mother, and the ball boys and girls. The ball was nice and dry he explains, “If not for that, I would not have been able to make that throw.”

Who are the ball boys and girls you ask? The ball boys and girls are the unsung heroes of the NFL. They make sure the balls are clean and dry for play. They also make sure that the quarterbacks get the passing balls and the kickers get the kicking balls. If not for them your team might have missed out on that playoff spot.

You won’t see them doing a touchdown celebration or making that last minute catch, but they may be just as important. So the next time you’re watching your favorite team, make sure to thank the ball boys and girls for helping your team to the playoffs. For if not for them your favorite team would just be out there playing with their cold, wet, dirty balls.

*Note to self* (Some people may find the last line offensive) *Must Re-word*

Does Brandon Marshall Suffer from PMSS?

The Denver Broncos have gone through some serious changes this offseason. From trading away their so-called Franchise quarterback, to the firing of their long time Head Coach, Mike Shanahan. Now Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver.

It’s what can only be described as PMSS, or Post-Mike Shanahan Syndrome.

Whether or not losing your head coach and starting quarterback warrants this attitude may be up for debate. My question however is, what ever happened to the days when players played just for the love of the game?

Now it seems as though money and stardom are all that matters. Marshall may be selfish, but he’s no idiot. He realizes that without Cutler to throw him the ball, and Shanahan to call over 600 pass plays a year, his stats will take a hit.

This, in the long run, could cost the player some money. However, you could also say that showing your not a team player and that your only out to help yourself may cost him the green. If no one bites on the talk of Marshall asking out of Denver, he could be stuck there for the 2009-2010 season.

What happens next will be up to one person and one person only—Brandon Marshall. He has two possible routes he could take in this upcoming season. He can pout, much the same way that T.O. did in Philly when he and McNabb had differences.

Or, he can take the mans way out and play to the highest of his ability. There is something to say about a player that plays up to his ability no matter what.

I have yet to see Steve Smith or Andre Johnson complain about their quarterbacks’ ability. They simply go out and perform game in and game out. They’re competitors, and in today’s game that can be the hardest thing to find.

So, my advice to Brandon would be to go out there and do what your paid to do, and hopefully, what you still love to do. Don’t let all those days of practice go to waste. All the days of waking up early, running, sweating, cramping, and bleeding. All your high school days and college days with dreams to make it to the NFL.

You made it happen, but the work is not over. There is still football to be played and hardships to overcome. So, it’s time to get over your PMSS, and choose the route that you want to take. Hopefully it’s the mans route, the route of a competitor.

Top Five Overvalued Fantasy Quarterbacks

As you prepare yourself for another fantasy season, it’s time to start getting your players in order. Don’t make the mistake of judging a fantasy QB by how good he or the team is, but how the numbers will look in a fantasy perspective. Remember that you don’t get extra points for wins or for spectacular plays. There will be some great QBs on this list, but for the value are being drafted a little high. I couldn’t really figure out a way to put them in order except for least to most surprising. And with that I give you my number five.

Top Fantasy QB’S of 2009 Without Bias

With fantasy football heating up and edging closer it’s never too early to prepare for your draft. Many websites are popping up all over the internet offering free mock drafts and each have their own pre-rankings of where they think players should go. Some you may agree with, others you may not. I have come across more that I disagree with than agree and some have just left me scratching my head. Here is a list of the top 20 qb’s in my opinion of what order they should be drafted and by the points they will put up. Feel free to comment on any changes you would have made. I look forward to reading all of them.

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