Archive for the ‘General’ Category
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29
Jan
2012
Did you know the New York Giants made a music video back in 1986? (VIDEO)
Paula Abdul reportedly did the choreography for this video (Image via Youtube.com)
Wow. I’ve been a Giants fan for as long as I can remember, but I don’t ever recall seeing this video before yesterday … and it’s absolutely, awesomely & hilariously awful.
Back in the ’80s – fresh on the heels of the Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle” sensation – getting sports teams to sing terrible songs and make even worse music videos became the cool thing to do. And during their own run toward Super Bowl XXI in 1986, some members of the New York Giants apparently couldn’t resist the seductive allure of the music biz either.
This video for the creatively titled “We’re the New York Giants” was shot in the old Giants Stadium on a budget of approximately $42, featuring a random collection of just eight Giants players with stars in their eyes, dancing (awkwardly) and lip synching in street clothes to a super-sweet electro/pop synth beat. And holding a deflated football.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
24
Nov
2011
How the 49ers Got Their Groove Back (INFOGRAPHIC & VIDEO)
On this Thanksgiving Day, the San Francisco 49ers and their fans have a lot to be thankful for after starting the season 9-1 under rookie Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
In case you were wondering exactly how Harbaugh has managed such a fast turnaround, we bring you this handy-dandy infographic drom reddit/r/nfl. In it, you’ll see how the Niners’ defense – led by all-everything LB Patrick Willis - has really been the biggest factor, leading the league with 26 takeaways and zero rushing touchdowns surrendered. And as we know, football is a game of field position, and San Francisco’s special teams have also contributed hugely to their success in that department.
(Image via reddit/r/nfl)
One could also argue that the 49ers schedule has played a big role in their success, and many are predicting an early playoff exit for Jim Harbaugh’s club. But they’ll have a chance to prove their critics wrong tonight when San Francisco plays the Baltimore Ravens and John Harbaugh in this brother-versus-brother head coaching matchup.
In the mean time, Harbaugh has his club feeling confident and as relaxed as can be in San Francisco, as evidenced by this clip of OT Joe Staley and TE Vernon Davis singing Adele’s “Someone Like You” from Staley’s “The Joe Show”. These gridiron crooners definitely struggle with the lyrics, and they’re both terrible singers, but they earn points for enthusiasm … especially Davis while butchering the chorus.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
23
Oct
2011
NFL WEEK SEVEN “LOCKS” by Librarian/ Receptionist Jenny Silver
If there’s one thing I don’t have time for, it’s sitting here on the computer at 6 a.m. PT on Sunday typing out predictions for football games that in the end are meaningless.
I have a packed day ahead of me. Rest assured I won’t watch a second of sports, as I’m in the middle of writing a vicious term paper for my Women’s Studies major at The New School. I’ve titled it “The Growing Femininity In Office Men During The Chalskian Era (1990-Present): And Why The Female Worker Continues To Be Pushed To The Side.“
My first draft, about 90 pages typed, is in a state of utter disarray — and I’m not making progress mainly because I continue to be distracted by OUTSIDE FORCES. Section 2 is a shambles and I am committed to spending this Sunday line-editing this thing down to its britches. That means no more people calling me with FALSELY URGENT, nonsensical personal dramas (you know who you are, Tamara and Bellsy). I am EXHAUSTED with playing counselor on the phone when I have a MASSIVE term paper due. Apparently, I’m the only person committed to growing intellectually on this campus. (Sound about right, Tamara? Open a book for once.)
Some clown from my Post-Trotsky World-View class asked me if I wanted “to go watch Raiders-Chiefs and drink PBRs.” WHY WOULD I DO THAT? This is someone I immediately crossed off my list — he’s a loafer. I’m not: I’m balancing my studies with two part-time jobs M-F: (1) as a receptionist at a mid-sized PI firm in West Los Angeles (some ancient notes on that here); (2) as a librarian at a middle school I will not name for the sake of the youth. NO, I DON’T HAVE TIME TO SIT AROUND WATCHING SPORTS.
Predictably, as I walk across campus to the (empty) library, all the bars will be filled by 10 a.m. with dull men waiting for their football teams to play. While they waste inordinate amounts of time drinking 32 oz glasses of draft beer and eating spiced bird wings, I will be HAMMERING OUT A TERM PAPER that *might* have a tangible impact on the field of women’s studies — not to mention my GPA, which currently sits at 3.17.
That’s how serious and committed students do it at The New School.
* * *
Jenny’s Week Seven Picks:
DEN @ MIA – Denver 22, Miami 13
SD @ NYJ – San Diego 31, New York Jets 21
HOU @ TEN – Tennessee 32, Houston 31
ATL @ DET – Detroit 41, Atlanta 28
WAS @ CAR – Washington 19, Carolina 18
CHI @ TB - Tampa Bay 34, Chicago 19
SEA @ CLE – Seattle 28, Cleveland 17
PIT @ ARI – Pittsburgh 29, Arizona 23 (OT)
KC @ OAK – Kansas City 17, Oakland 16
GB @ MIN – Green Bay 51, Minnesota 10
SRL @ DAL – Dallas 33, St. Louis 7
IND @ NO – New Orleans 37, Indianapolis 16
BAL @ JAC – Baltimore 40, Jacksonville 17
7
Oct
2011
NFL 2011 Quarter-Point Jump To Conclusions Mat
Michael Bolton: That's the worst idea I've ever heard in my life, Tom (Image via blogspot.com)
Every year, we try to refrain from pulling a Tom Smykowski from Office Space, and jumping to any conclusions about the upcoming NFL season prematurely. In a sixteen-game season, it usually takes several games for teams to figure out their identity, and a lot longer than that to determine a realistic playoff picture.
So, while it’s tempting to draw knee-jerk reactions from a couple of games, we at least try to wait until the quarter-point mark to start making our hyperbolic and definitive statements about the season ahead. Even with the lockout-shortened off-season, four games is enough to get a sense of which teams are back in the driver’s seat (Packers, Patriots), and which teams are going to have trouble living up to expectations (Jets, Rams).
So without further adieu, here are our top 5 observations on the ol’ Jump To Conclusions mat:
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(Photo: Philly.com)
The “Dream Team” is actually a Nightmare: This pre-season, the Philadelphia Eagles were crowned as NFC East Champions based almost solely on the big name signings made by GM Howie Roseman, who apparently attended the Dan Snyder school of Free Agency. Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins were among the stars to join the Philadelphia roster, and Eagles fans were planning trips to the Super Bowl before a down had been played.
Well, after a 1-3 start, the Eagles are proving that it takes more than just raw talent to win in the NFL, and chemistry can be the most important thing for a team to succeed. Plus, in the age of the salary cap, spending huge money at certain positions inevitably results in deficiencies elsewhere (see the Eagles LB corps), and so far the Philly defense has been a big disappointment. It will be interesting to see how Andy Reid – and the egos in his locker room – handles their early adversity.
- The Detroit Lions will compete for the NFC crown: Yes, the Lions bandwagon is already starting to get crowded after starting the season 4-0 for the first time since 1980, and completing consecutive comebacks of 20 points or more against the Vikings and Cowboys.Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson are unquestionably young superstars in this league, and if Matt Stafford can remain healthy, they give Jim Schwartz’ team a chance to compete in any game. And first round draft pick Nick Fairley could return from injury this week, making Detroit’s defense even more imposing. Bottom line: the Lions will make playoffs this year.
- The Buffalo Bills are for real: The Bills are off to an impressive 3-1 start, and after defeating their hated rival Patriots in Week 3, they’re a fashionable pick to surprise in the AFC this year. Chan Gailey’s offense is clicking with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson off to a hot start, and the Bills defense has been opportunistic with 8 INTs. But those takeaways could be covering up for bigger problems on defense, and Buffalo faces a brutal schedule late in the season which will really test their road toughness. So while the Bills are definitely improved, and there’s reason for optimism in Buffalo, the division still goes through New England until someone proves otherwise.
(Photo: WashingtonPost.com)
1
Oct
2011
Why Sour Sweetness?
(photo courtesy of www.photobucket.com)
For anyone who watch football in the late 1970s and 1980s, Walter Payton was emblematic of all that was good in professional sports. He was graceful on the field, and gracious off of it. Soft spoken and dignified, Payton– or, perhaps more precisely, what we knew of Payton– was the kind of player– the kind of person– to emulate. The NFL calls its man of the year award the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for that very reason. I was never a Bears fans. But, like many others, I was always a fan of Walter Payton.
Twelve years after his untimely death, Sports Illustrated has excerpted a book by Jeff Pearlman alleging that Payton cheated on his wife and did drugs. Why write this book? While I don’t condone cheating on your wife or using drugs, I fundamentally do not understand why this book needs to be written, now. For starters, the guy’s dead: he can’t defend himself. Moreover, people don’t still look up to Payton (see point one, he’s dead). Instead, they admire him for what he represented and, when they see an image of him dancing between defenders, the “C” emblazoned on his helmet, they think of when they were a kid. When Sunday was spent glued to a television, watching the voracious Bears’ defense serve as the perfect compliment to Payton’s elegance. Am I supposed to revisit that? Question it? Realize that, gee, idols aren’t always what they are cracked up to be when you peal away the onion? Wow, there’s a novel and timely lesson for the 40-plus crowd that admired him. Pearlman: for an encore, how about a book on the real truth behind the VHS versus Betamax fight for market share?
28
Apr
2011
The NY Jets sure know how to draft (VIDEO)
In honor of tonight’s start to the NFL Draft, we bring you this look back on some of the more memorable draft picks in the storied history of the New York Jets franchise. From Johnny Lam Jones to Jeff Lageman and Blair Thomas, the Jets’ brain trust have consistently made a habit of going against the grain and driving their fans insane with their seemingly out-of-nowhere first round selections.
Enjoy this stroll down memory lane:
Ah yes … the Jets’ draft reach is one of the game’s grandest traditions, and we look forward to it continuing tonight.
27
Mar
2011
Ben Roethlisberger Sunday Afternoon Interior Decorator Inquiry
Ben Roethlisberger's apartment was quite a challenge for Stanton and Menotti.
Nathaniel Stanton: Stanton and Menotti Contemporary Interiors, Nathaniel speaking.
Ben Roethlisberger: Hi, I’m calling to see if I could hire an interior decorator for my apartment.
NS: You have come to the right place! What is your name, sir?
BR: Ben Roethlisberger. My friends call me Big Ben.
NS: Outstanding!
BR: I play football for the Steelers.
NS: This is the game with all the men and the tight pants?
BR: Uh… yeah, I guess.
NS: What a delight! Do you have a particular look you would like for your apartment? Maybe something to design around? Art perhaps?
BR: Well, I have a Beers of the World poster and a collection of Fatheads.
NS: A Fat Head?
BR: These large, stick-on football players. You put them on your wall.
NS: So a Maximalists, perhaps. Do you have any furniture that you would like to keep? Just trying to get a sense… Would hate to give you English Chintz when you might really be looking for Neo-Bachelor Minimalism, if you know what I mean.
BR: I don’t think I have anything I need to keep. Oh that’s not true, I bought a replica of Dumbledore’s chair from the Harry Potter movies. I like to sit on that chair with a bucket of hot chicken on my lap and search for foreign nudie movies on Netflix streaming and make my way through a 12-pack.
NS: An heirloom piece… I see. We must keep it. Do you entertain?
BR: Well, sometimes Hines will come over and cook me dinner if we have had a tough practice. He likes to put on an a tiny apron and make a roast. We unwind together. He calls it, “us time.” I also will sometimes just call random numbers at the college and if a girl answers, invite her over.
Nathaniel creates an inviting, minimalist bedroom while still highlighting Big Ben's favorite Fathead from his extensive collection. (Photo: Nathaniel Stanton)
15
Mar
2011
NFL.com’s Adam Rank is serious about a Zbikowski vs. Ochocinco fight night
NFL.com's Adam Rank envisions a Tom Zbikowski vs. Ochocinco bout. (NFL.com)
NFL.com bloggers and fantasy guru Adam Rank has imagined the ultimate NFL fight card, headlined by (real fighter) Tom Zbikowski vs. (real talker) Ochocinco. Take a look! NFL.com’s illustration/design team came up with the poster, which we’d love to hang on our wall!
15
Feb
2011
INFOGRAPHIC: There’s only 11 minutes of actual action in an NFL game
(Chart via WSJ.com)
Ever feel like you spend more time on Sundays watching commercials and talking heads than you do watching football being played? Well, The Wall Street Journal Online put together this fascinating breakdown of four recent NFL broadcasts, and you might be amazed at how little of the 3-hour plus broadcast is devoted to actual gameplay.
According to the study, in an average pro football game, the ball is in play for only ELEVEN minutes. Which means that during a 60-minute game, 49 minutes are whittled away while the clock runs between plays. And since the average play only lasts around 4 seconds, that puts ratio of inaction to action during a game at approximately 10:1 … and that’s just while the clock is running!
So what do the networks do with the other 174 minutes in a typical broadcast? Not surprisingly, commercials take up about an hour. As many as 75 minutes, or about 60% of the total air time, excluding commercials, is spent on shots of players huddling, standing at the line of scrimmage or just generally milling about between snaps. In the four broadcasts The Journal studied, injured players got six more seconds of camera time than celebrating players. While the network announcers showed up on screen for just 30 seconds, shots of the head coaches and referees took up about 7% of the average show.
I guess this really shouldn’t come as a shock, should it? I mean, we already know that football has a lot of dead time in between plays, and with the added value of commercial revenue over the years, we’ve seen a gradual increase in TV time-outs to help pad the league’s bank accounts. And just because the ball hasn’t been snapped, doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on. Football is a chess match, and the adjustments & decisions that are made between plays can effect the outcome as much as the plays themselves.
But if you’re interested in a more detailed breakdown of how those precious minutes of your life (which you’ll never get back) are being wasted, go ahead and click on the banner image above.
1
Feb
2011
Cleveland’s road to redemption begins at home
Pat Shurmur has his work cut out for him. (Source: Statesmen.com)
Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur faces the same tall task that left Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini in shreds: Winning an AFC North division inhabited by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, two of football’s most consistently successful franchises.
Each new Browns regime shuffled out before a bewildered fanbase claims some deep understanding of the Pittsburgh and Baltimore rivalries, but nothing has changed. The Browns have been manhandled within the division since their return.
Baltimore is despised by Browns fans, but with Ozzie Newsome running the show, they’ve forged an identity built on bone-crushing defense and just enough offense to win. Pittsburgh — heading to its eighth Super Bowl and third since 2005 — is perhaps the most sound organization in the league, with just three coaches since 1969.
Cleveland’s had five since ’99 — and it shows.
