Us vs. Them

Courtesy of coppercolorado.com

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a 4 pack.  I figure as the year is winding down, I’d clean up some items that I’ve been meaning to get to.

Newspapers

A couple of weeks back, I was listening to my boy Johnny Marks on 97.5 the Fanatic (how’s that for a plug?) and he was discussing reading the newspapers.  Newspaper circulation in the United States is down and I don’t get it.  Sure you can read the paper on your phone, kindle, or IPad today.  To me there is nothing like actually reading the paper.  I actually make plans around reading the newspaper.  During the week the first thing I do when I come home is read the Philadelphia Daily News.  On Sundays there’s nothing like reading the paper while eating breakfast and drinking coffee.  I know I’m in the minority with this (the numbers don’t lie) but I’d love to know what your thoughts are.  

“We” Win

When your favorite sports team does something it’s only natural that you say “we” did this or “we” did that.  My favorite team is playing yours?  “We” are playing you guys this week.  A lot of people get their panties all in a bunch when people do this.  I say “we” all the time.  Let me set the record straight.  No, I did not, have not, or will I ever take the field and play in one of these games.  I will however buy merchandise, tickets, concessions, parking passes, etc. I will watch or attend almost every game and I will be cheering.  I will live and die with the team.  Wins will make my day or week that much better while losses will put me in a foul mood.  So while I won’t actually play in the game I am just as much if not more invested in the outcome of the game.  As I’ve stated numerous times before, “we” fans were here before these athletes and will be here long after.  So if anything, “we” are more a part of the team than any player.  Thoughts?

Records vs. Health

This past Monday night, Drew “cool ocean” Brees of the New Orleans Saints surpassed Dan “laces out” Marino’s record for passing yards in a season (5,084).  Heading into games this week, Tom Brady of the Patriots is only 190 yards behind Brees.  Brady could conceivably pass Brees and thus set the record.  If Brees plays then it will be harder for Brady.  Problem is the Saints for all intents and purposes probably can’t improve their playoff seeding. (Need to win and the 49ers to lose to the lowly Rams) 

courtesy of footballbabble.com

What will Coach Sean Payton do?  Last year the Saints suffered 3 costly injuries in week 17 (Jimmy Graham, Chris Ivory, and Malcolm Jenkins) and wound up losing the following week to an inferior Seattle team.  The game against the Bucs last year was meaningless to the Saints much like this year's.  The Patriot's game means a lot to New England, so Brady will be playing.  What should Payton do?  Risk injury so his quarterback can set a “personal” record?  Or does he put the team first and not risk a repeat of last season and bench his quarterback.  To me the answer is simple.  You are in the business of winning Super Bowls.  The Saints have a pretty good shot at going and winning this year.  Sorry Mr. Brees.  The team comes first.  I definitely look forward to hearing your thoughts on this one.

Priorities

Speaking of being in the business of winning Super Bowls, Tori Gurley a receiver on the Packers practice squad turned down an opportunity to sign with the Vikings 3 weeks ago and make his NFL debut.  He said, “Their season is going to be over in 3 weeks.  We’re already locked to have a playoff spot.  I’m all about winning a Super Bowl, so it that’s me being a practice squad player to help the defense out, or me getting out there on the field and doing whatever I have to do, I just want to be a part of

courtesy of espn.com

something special.”  This guy gets it.  To me this story should’ve received more attention than what it did.  (I did read it in the newspaper…..just saying)  Gurley is playing the game for the right reasons.  Kudos to you Tori.  Thoughts?

Bonus

As the NFL season winds down and some teams are focusing on their playoff seeding, other teams are focusing on their draft position.  In the NFL if you finish in 32^nd place, you get the first pick in the following year’s draft.  For most of the season the Indianapolis Colts were the favorites to finish in 32^nd place.  Thanks to a 2 game winning the streak the Colts are in danger of finishing 31^st.  There has been talk that in a season that is wasted anyway, the Colts should “tank” games so they can guarantee the top pick.  Many people say that it’s not the right thing to do or that it’s unsportsmanlike or is bad for the integrity of the game.  I disagree.  Like I stated above, these teams are in the business of winning Super Bowls. Once this season is mathematically over, if you can make your team better for next year, I say go for it.  I know I’m in the minority on this one but if you can make your team better by losing, do it.  After all, it’s all about winning a Super Bowl anyway.  I know I’ll get some thoughts on this one.

That’s it for tonight.  Stay tuned later this week for the year in review.  Until next time this is Jimbo saying “If ‘We’ can get better by losing all of ‘our’ games, I say do it.  After all, it puts ‘us’ in a better position to win the Super Bowl”.