Here is a funny article from a recent visit to the Minneapolis Star Tribune website. It’s actually a quite harmless article, but the first sentence struck me as hilarious.

“With the NFL draft behind them, the next item of business for the Minnesota Vikings is selecting the team’s cheerleading squad for the 2008 season.”

Well, I’m sure Vikings fans every where are relieved that the next item of business will not be signing free agents, undrafted rookies, or the players they picked in the draft. No, the next thing to tackle will not be organizing spring practice or re-examining the playbook. Nor will the next important item be going over the off season training program or evaluating player performance from last season. No, all that stuff can wait. Right now, cheerleader selection takes the front and center spotlight for the Minnesota Vikings organization.

Why Treat LSU Like A Stepping Stone?

It seems almost a yearly occurrence, people speculating where the Louisiana State University football coach will move on to next. Will he jump to the pros? Will he jump to a “big name” school? Maybe he’ll take a job coaching his alma mater.

Nick Saban left LSU shortly after winning a National Championship in 2003 to become head coach of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Shortly thereafter, he left the NFL to return to the college ranks as head coach of the University of Alabama.

Fast forward a mere four years later and the LSU Tigers are National Champions again after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes. And, what controversy surrounded the LSU program shortly before the game? Would Tigers’ head coach Les Miles leave Louisiana to take the head coaching job at the University of Michigan that was being vacated by Lloyd Carr.

Two National Championships in four years, in addition to regularly appearing in and finishing the season in the top 20… and people continue to talk of LSU as a stepping stone to better opportunities? Show me a college program, with the exceptions of Southern California that has comparable accomplishments recently.

NFL Improved By Rival Leagues

As much as I love the National Football League, there are always improvements that could be made. Throughout its history, the NFL has usually performed as a stagnant organization, only making changes and improvements when forced to by competition.

The AFL of the 1960’s was a very successful league on it’s own, even before the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. After the merger the NFL was an improved product, thanks in part to improvements inspired by or directly taken from the AFL. The AFL brought about more colorful jerseys and logos on helmets. The bulk of the AFL teams used a more wide open offense highlighted by deep passing attacks. Before the AFL started using a scoreboard clock to track the game time the NFL had kept time solely on a wristwatch of the head official, so the fans had no idea how much time was left in the game. Perhaps the idea put forth by the AFL that had the biggest impact on the NFL was revenue sharing; it was an AFL idea to have all team share equally their gate receipts and television money, thus establishing a more competitive field. Without the AFL coming along the NFL may not have improved in these or other ways.

When the USFL came forward in the mid 1980s, most people scoffed at the idea of another professional football league. While the USFL was not a success like the AFL over twenty years before, the NFL (although they’d never admit it) ended up improving its game by using ideas put out there by the USFL. The USFL used the two point conversion as an option after touchdowns were scored, much like the CFL, AFL, and college football; the NFL would take a few years to see the light but would eventually adopt the two point conversion. The USFL, like the World Football League of the 1970s, also showed that professional football could succeed in places like Tennessee and Jacksonville, Florida; the NFL would later expand to Jacksonville and allow the Oilers to relocate to Tennessee. The USFL also proved that Baltimore was hungry for a pro football team when the Baltimore Stars won the USFL championship in the league’s final year; this was the first pro football Baltimore had after losing their beloved Colts to Indianapolis in 1984, the NFL would later allow the Browns to relocate to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Ravens. One controversial rule that the USFL introduced, and one that was criticized heavily by both sports reporters and the NFL itself at the time, was the Instant Replay rule for reviewing controversial plays. The NFL resisted for a long time in adopting Instant Replay, many people say part of their issue was that the league didn’t want to give credibility to the USFL for anything; the rule was later added to the NFL and is now used in an almost identical way as it was used in the USFL.

Throughout history, whenever the NFL has been challenged by a rival league, almost always the end result has been a better National Football League. If you don’t count the poorly conceived XFL, it’s been a long time since the last viable football competition has stepped up against the NFL… maybe it’s time again.

Few things are as emotional as having your favorite college football team in a BCS game, and scammer (online and off) love taking advantage of people that have their judgement impaired because they are letting emotions rule their thoughts.

Here is an article regarding getting scammed with bogus BCS tickets this year that is well worth the read.

Before their home football game on Saturday, November 17th, Virginia Tech students, faculty, and fans took an opportunity to say thank you for all the support they received following the school shooting that happened there last April.

Situations like what happened at Virginia Tech last spring usually bring out the best in people. When we as humans see other humans suffering because of no fault of their own, it should bring us to want to give them support. Virginia Tech students, faculty, fans, and families affected… I believe the entire country says to you: “you are welcome”.

The hope from assembling this large message made up of people was that it could be seen by a satellite passing overhead, there was a cloud cover so there is no news yet as to whether the satellite was able to capture the event as well.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins and their perfect record are definitely a team for the ages.  Going the entire regular season without losing a gain, then winning their playoff games and the Super Bowl is a pretty incredible accomplishment.  The mere existence of the 1972 Dolphins’ perfect season makes it highly ironic when you hear all the talk about how this year’s Miami Dolphins might go winless.  It’s a long time between now and the end of the season, and many football people say that it is even harder to go winless than it is to go undefeated during a regular NFL season.

But, what if it happens?

Can you see that group picture?  The ‘72 team and the ‘07 team together, that would be classic.

Would the ‘07 Dolphins hold a party and open champagne every year when the last winless team wins their first game?

How ironic it would be for the same franchise to accomplish both feats.

Trends affect many things in life and sports is no different. Most uniform design can be labeled in one of three categories: 1. Old School (think Penn State football), 2. Modern/Edgy (think Atlanta Falcons football), and 3. Ridiculous. But, what are some examples of that third category, ridiculous?

Here’s a great article on the six ugliest uniforms ever in sports. Some may say that there is a fine line between being fashionable and being unfashionable, but this article shows that the line has been crossed on numerous occasions.

Of the six they list, I actually don’t mind the second one as it has a modern look to it and I think qualifies itself as edgy. The third one listed is the old Houston Astros baseball uniforms, you know the ones with the horizontal shades of orange going across the player’s midsection. This happens to be a favorite uniform of mine, I think it might be more for nostalgic reasons, as there is part of my brain that does say “yep, that was pretty ugly”.

The remaining four ugly uniforms on this list brought to us by Cisco Athletic… I don’t think anyone can argue with… and some just have to be seen to believed.

Our vote for uniforms left off the list?

First - The original Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform:

Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely something nostalgic about that uniform, but there is equally something wrong with making large, aggressive, grown men dress up like orange creamsicles.

Second – The Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football

Based on this uniform alone, the city of Orlando may never see professional football come to their town again.

It is a credit to both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning that there continues to be debate over which player is better than the other. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either player and both have enjoyed incredibly successful careers. Fans and supporters of both players are very passionate and as long as they admit that the other one is pretty darn good too, then they are reasonable and knowledgeable too.

Let’s not talk about which is better right now, but let’s talk about what type of fan thinks each one is better. For the sake of this argument we’ll not count the opinions of Colts or Patriots fans, eliminating that bias.

Tom Brady
Generally speaking, the fans that think Brady is the better of the two say that he is the more intelligent and cool-under-pressure quarterback. They liken him to Joe Montana and often speak of his ability to be almost like another coach out on the field.

Peyton Manning
Oftentimes fans that chalk up Manning as the better of the two quarterbacks speak of his ability to improvise, his stronger arm, and the amazing numbers he puts up. Manning fans mention that he is like a Dan Marino, or even a Steve Young, who can take over a game based on his athletic ability alone if need be.

Next time you see this debated on TV, pay attention to the backgrounds of the commentators debating the issue. Usually if the TV commentator is a former head coach then he prefers Tom Brady. What coach wouldn’t want to give direction to this guy? Likewise, if the commentator is a former player (and especially if he’s a former quarterback) then he tends to favor Peyton Manning. Former players admire Manning for his athletic ability, kind of a “what could I have done with that kind of talent” mind set.

Either way, a well run team is going to be successful with Tom Brady or Peyton Manning at the helm…

Who do you prefer?

The Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots are both 3-0, undefeated in this young season.  That is not much of an eyebrow raiser at all, but there are three other 3-0 teams:

The Dallas Cowboys

For a team that was thought to be in the middle of the pack by a lot of people after Bill Parcells departed and was replaced by the controversial selection of Wade Phillips, the Cowboys are firing on all cylinders.  The defense appears to have not lost a step on what they’ve been building the last couple of years and the offense is shockingly reminding people of the St. Louis Rams of 6-8 years ago.

The Pittsburgh Steelers

It is true that the Steelers lost Head Coach Bill Cowher, Running Back Jerome Bettis, and more this past off season… but it hasn’t seemed to slow down this perennial AFC power.  Ben Roethlisberger is back after his injury plagued 2006 season and looks better than ever.  New Head Coach Mike Tomlin appears to have the Steelers right where they left off under the old coaching regime.  The last Pittsburgh Head Coach to go 3-0 in his first season with the team?  Bill Cowher.

The Green Bay Packers 

When it comes to teams that everyone had given up on, the Packers top the list.  It seemed like every preseason article chalked the Packers (and Brett Favre in particular) up to being over-the-hill and on the bottom of the league.  Well, put down the cheese and check out the standings… Green Bay is 3-0!  Not only is Green Bay 3-0 but Favre seems to be putting on quite a show having just tied Dan Marino’s record for most career touchdown passes.  The three teams that the Pack has defeated so far this season (the Giants, the Eagles, & the Chargers) are all respectable teams too.  The season is still young but the news looks good in Green Bay.

How many of these teams will be 4-0 next week?

Indianapolis hosts a tough Denver Broncos team.

New England plays on the road at Cincinnati.

Dallas welcomes in 0-3 St. Louis.

Pittsburgh travels to Arizona.

and, Green Bay plays at Minnesota.

We’ve just finished week two of the 2007 season, let’s look at a few misconceptions, or just interesting facts, regarding the NFL.

Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints have a dynamic offense that can score at will. Really? Through the first two games, the Saints have two offensive touchdowns. In fact, stretching back to last year the Saints have lost five of their last seven games.

The New York Giants are contenders. Really? Including the end of last season, Eli Manning and his Giants pals have lost nine of their last eleven games.

Brett Favre is done. Really? In the first two games of the season Brett Favre has more touchdown passes than interceptions, he has a combined 492 passing yards, and the Packers are 2-0. In fact, going back to the 2006 season, the Packers have won six consecutive games.

No Jerome Bettis and no Bill Cowher, the Steelers are primed for a decline. Really? Through the first two games of the year the Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0, have given up only 10 points, and Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has five touchdown passes and only one interception. Not to mention that in game one the Steelers gave up only seven points to the Cleveland Browns, the same Cleveland Browns who scored 51 points this week against the Bengals who were picked by most teams to win that division.

Sometimes all is not what it seems in professional sports, and sometimes those talking heads just plain don’t get it… then again, it is only week two.

Giving Arena Football A Chance

Since it’s inception over twenty years ago, the Arena Football League has survived criticism from a great number of football fans. The most common negative remark made referring to the Arena Football League is that it’s “not real football”. The problem with this statement is that the person thinking this is under the assumption that Arena Football is trying to be like the NFL, it is a whole different game.

The Arena Football League has had it’s growing pains, years of poor performance and teams folding, but has lived through it’s toddler and teenage years and is now a young adult ready to take on the world. First, it is possible to be both a fan of the NFL and of Arena Football, just don’t think of them as the same product. Arena Football may not be as technically complex or as filled with tactical decision making as the NFL, but the arena league is filled with just as many hard hits and is at times incredibly more action packed.

In the Arena Football League, much like the Canadian Football League, one player is allowed to be in motion and moving towards the line of scrimmage. This part of the game, essentially allowing one player to be at full speed the minute the ball is snapped, alters how the defense plays. It also allows for monster collisions when a receiver at full speed comes across the middle in front of a hungry linebacker waiting to make a play. Another key difference that adds to the game is the walls that line the field. There is nothing quite like a running back or wide receiver turning the corner to head up field but instead getting smacked into the stationary wall. The shortness of the field also lends to the game’s excitement. Scoring opportunities, both for the offense and the defense, are more plentiful on a shorter field. The nets hanging beside the goal posts also offer a nice chance for more exciting plays as kickoffs and missed field goals that are deflected by the nets are live balls and can be returned by the receiving team.

While the Arena Football League doesn’t possess the talent that the NFL has, although it has contributed a number of players to NFL rosters, a unique thing has happened in arena football due to it having been around for over twenty years now. In its early days, arena league teams sought out players with NFL experience. While they still do that to a certain extent, teams in the Arena Football League now also look for the types of players who may not be an NFL-type player, but are built specifically for the arena football game. This means more players in the league are there because they have the skills needed to excel in this specific type of football game.

So, for those out there that complain that the Arena Football League is not “real football”, if your definition of real football is the NFL then you’re right… but the Arena Football League can be very exciting just the same.

Lowering the Risk of High School Football Injuries
By Jonathon Hardcastle

Football is a dangerous sport. Players endure bruising contact, long practices in hot weather and all sorts of unusual stresses and strains on their muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is not possible to prevent injuries in the game of football and for this reason many parents are hesitant to allow their children to participate. But the risk of injury can be minimized with cooperation between parents, doctors and coaches.

When your child comes to you and asks to try out for football, your answer should always be contingent on the results of a full medical checkup. Be sure that the doctor knows that it is a sports physical so that he or she can check for the appropriate things like joint flexibility and heart health. After your child is cleared medically, then you can move on to investigating the program and learning what safety measures are provided.

One of the most important facets of avoiding injury in any sport is maintaining proper conditioning through exercise and good nutrition. Ask your child’s potential coach how conditioning is handled. Year-round conditioning is ideal, but barring that, children should participate in appropriate conditioning programs for at least six weeks prior to the beginning of regular practices. Ask whether the coach is responsible for conditioning or if the program has a trainer that works with children.

Dehydration is a critical issue among football players since practices typically occur outdoors during the hottest part of the summer. Ask the coach what measures are taken to prevent dehydration. Know that fluid breaks should be taken about every 45 minutes and players should be allowed to drink all they want in order to keep properly hydrated. Also ask whether the coach, trainers or other personnel are certified in CPR.

Wearing protective equipment is a given, but you need to work with the coach to ensure that it fits properly. Whether or not the program requires it, your child should wear a mouth guard. Mouth guards are instrumental in preventing dental injuries and can protect against jaw and certain types of head injuries as well.

Ask what medical staff will be on hand during practices and games should an injury occur. To prepare for the worst-case scenario, consider giving the coach or trainer an emergency health care authorization letter. This letter will allow your child to be transported and treated at a hospital even if you are not there to give permission.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Football, Recreation, and Games

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Miami’s Lesson-Let the Super Bowl be Played Anywhere
By Jennifer Jordan

Anyone who lives in a “cold climate,” has probably wondered why the Super Bowl is never played in their city. They may have a large stadium, good transportation, great sports bars, nice hotels, and zealous fans: they may be the epitome of a sports town. No, no, the authorities say in reply to their plea, We don’t want to play anywhere there could be bad weather, unless you have a covered field. Doh!, or rather, Dome!

In keeping with the tradition of don’t play the Super Bowl in the elements that football was made for, Miami provided the NFL with a bit of irony last Sunday. It was the first rainy Super Bowl in the history of the game, played in a city known for sun. Miami was cold, dreary, and the rain came down so hard that, while bears and colts lined up eleven by eleven, other species lined up two by two. In comparison, Denver, a “cold climate” area, was nearly 50 degrees with zero precipitation; no one rained on their parade, no Denver animals anxiously waited for an Ark to arrive.

Come rain or shine, Miami is a great place to have a Super Bowl; quite frankly, it’s an ideal, exciting city with an environment conducive to the hype of a world championship. But, it’s hardly the only city with this criteria.

Limiting the Super Bowl to a handful of cities when fans from all over America dedicate half of their yearly Sundays to cheering, grunting, and rooting for the team they love isn‘t fair. It, in a word, is “Place-ism.” No city in the NFL should be kept from hosting the league’s greatest game. After all, it’s a championship game that belongs to all of us: we are the National Football League.

Some may disagree. Someone might point out that a place such as Denver will never see a Super Bowl because a blizzard could shut down the city. This argument is particularly poignant in light of recent storms; Old Man Winter has been shaking Colorado up like a snow globe whenever he gets bored. Yet, this argument can apply to any element of weather. Sure Denver has snow, but past Super Bowl destinations have weather elements even more capable of wrecking havoc: California has earthquakes, Texas has tornadoes, Florida has hurricanes (sure, not very likely in February, but with Global Warming, anything can happen). Detroit and Minneapolis, two cities that have played Super Bowl host, are even more prone to blizzards than Denver. They might have a dome, but only on the stadium; the arena roof does not protect the city from the factors of climate.

No matter where the Super Bowl is held, there is a risk that Mother Nature will swoop in and call timeout. If recent tragedies have taught us anything, it is that nature has a mind of her own; she simply can’t be controlled. Refusing to allow any NFL city to host the Super Bowl, however, can be.

It’s time to quit limiting the game to certain venues. It’s time to stop prohibiting certain cities from the economic prosperity the Super Bowl brings. It’s time to allow the game to be played in any stadium with an NFL team. It’s time for football fans to stand up and give Mother Nature their version of the giant foam finger.

Honestly, isn’t part of football bad weather? Isn’t part of the game slipping and sliding and catching a touchdown in a puddle of mud? Isn’t part of football tailgating with bowls full of chili and thermoses filled with hot chocolate? Isn’t part of football putting on a 1970’s Cleveland Brown’s hat so that your ears don’t freeze? Isn’t part of football being strong enough to stand the elements, whatever they may be? After all, we are tough, we are football fans…it’s not like we are talking about baseball here.

When it comes down to it, this year’s Super Bowl in Miami can be a turning point in professional football: it taught us that two teams can play a championship game in bad weather and the better team will still win. Sure, there were parts of the game where weather may have played a role - the best clutch kicker in NFL history missing a chip shot, receivers falling on wet grass, and both teams have more first half turnovers than a neighborhood bakery, but all that mattered was the outcome: the outcome was not dictated by the climate.

The conditions in Miami, theoretically, should have worked in Chicago’s favor. Chicago plays half its games in wind, rain, sleet, and snow; Indianapolis practically plays on carpet. But, it turns out that Mother Nature’s stint as a Super Bowl 12th man has always been overblown; her number is up and the idea of playing this game only in nice weather venues should be as well. Place-ism ends here.

Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.milleniumlimo.com. An avid sports fan, she likes the Miami Dolphins but her heart belongs to the Denver Broncos.

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