-how to play the game the right way

-how to play fair, with rules

-how to interact with others and be a helping hand towards a greater cause

-how to grow as a person

-how to deal with the situation your forced with

-how to make your teammates that much better

-and lastly, MOST importantly, when to be loyal to your team and your hometown, the team that watched you grow up from a young phenom to a freak of nature athletically on the court.

I’m not a Cavs fan. But I feel like he ripped the hearts out of all Cleveland sports fans.

I feel for the city because every time I talk to a Cleveland fan about sports, it’s almost painful no matter what. They don’t get hopeful anymore. And they have every right to feel that way. They are like the girl that gets her heart broken every time she “falls in love”. Well this city has fallen in love enough. LeBron was the perfect guy for the town. He’s been around here all his life, and they let his problems go. Yankees hat? “Eh, who cares, just bring us a title, King.” Cowboys gear? “No biggie, just win it when it matters in June, ‘Bron.” I’m not from Cleveland, but boy I sure feel the pain. I don’t even like Cleveland sports teams but I’m hurt. Because I watched him grow up from a strong freshman that came into the state tournament with a team that was ready. LeBron, you didn’t show weakness and try to sprint to the locker room when you got pummeled physically by Cincinnati Roger Bacon your junior year. Your teammate did though. But I don’t get you LeBron. How can you hurt your city like that? The town you grew up in, lived in. But hey, the Browns and Indians we’re never good enough for you anyways. Now, your saying the Cavs aren’t either. Go ahead and be the guy that breaks the girl’s heart for no reason. Just remember, they won’t call the day after looking to be just friends.

Last but certainly not least, here is Zach with his definition for “Sports are…”

Sports are about a city that has gone through all sorts of depression, whether it be economic or sports related, get a breath of fresh air from the home grown. Watching that potential grow to great proportions, it seemed that the city of Cleveland was on the way to reversing the “curse” that they so desperately hold. Behind the dominance of LeBron James, the Cavaliers had to many, the best team chemistry in the NBA. But in reality, this was the complete opposite. When one person on a successful team gets all the attention and credit, it seems that that ship will finally sink, and this is what happened in Cleveland. LeBron, who is revered as the ultimate team player by many, is the direct descendent of selfishness. For seven years, the “ooh” and “ahh” we’re what kept bringing fans to the Quicken Loans Arena. LeBron did some things on the court, that have never been done by any other player to wear a Cavaliers jersey. The Hollywood type antics, from the pregame dance routines, to the chalk throwing before tip-off, everything about LeBron was a show. But this is not what team players do. In sports, talent is crucial, but when it comes down to it, team chemistry is what breeds champions. To attain success in a team sport, every single member on a team must be on the same page, and each player must work together to achieve the ultimate goal. We have seen this accomplished the previous two seasons from the Los Angeles Lakers. Each game, a new teammate stepped up. Whether it was Ron Artest, Derek Fisher or Pau Gasol, the crucial moments were shared with the entire team. For Cleveland, this was not the case. When the Cavaliers would be the topic of discussion, it was always, “LeBron and the Cavaliers,” not just the team, but LeBron first. And LeBron First was the motto for seven disappointing seasons in Cleveland. When Larry Hughes wasn’t the right fit for the “King,” what was the end result? When Mike Brown couldn’t bow down to James, where did he go? When Danny Ferry couldn’t assemble a team where LeBron didn’t have to take responsibility for the early playoff exits, what happened to him? Each one of these men were run out of town due to the inability of the “Chosen One,” to win when it mattered most. For LeBron, he has always been known to make his teammates better. But where was this improved production in the playoffs? It remains to be seen, because on a team, equal distribution of success needs to be evident, and for Cleveland this wasn’t true. Every accomplishment from 2003-10 will fall on the shoulders of LeBron. Last time I checked, there are five players on the court at one time, but to LeBron, there’s one and one only. And in sports, divas don’t win championships, ask Terrell Owens how his selfishness has added to his trophy case. For Cleveland this only adds to the sad story of sports in the city. At one point in 2007, it seemed that the city was finally going to reverse the curse. The Cavs had reached the NBA Finals, the Indians were a 90 win ball club behind CC Sabathia and the Browns we’re winning again. But piece by piece, this illumination faded. From the departure of back to back Cy Young winners, and the complete disassembeling of a football team, Cleveland fans still in their minds, had LeBron and the Cavaliers. But when a phantom elbow injury was the reason for the Cavaliers departure, it was evident that LeBron didn’t want to belong in Cleveland. It was clear to see the way he walked off the court at the Boston Garden, that LeBron knew in his mind that he would not be returning, because the 60 win team he had wasn’t good enough for his egotistical mentality. And after being the most talked about figure in sports for the past two months, LeBron aggravated the nagging injury that comes with Cleveland sports, by severing the pain of the people althroughout Ohio. Needing a way to create the stage for himself, LeBron had the sports world in his hands. “The Decision,” which will live in infamy for Cleveland fans for as long as they live, is the epitome of LeBron James and what his legacy will become. Offering no remorse for his former teammates and his own hometown, LeBron made himself into the selfish man that we are becoming to annoit him as. To athletes, winning is what counts, and I respect LeBron’s decision to win, but after what he did to the place that he called home, I don’t think I can respect the man.

LeBron, you may be tired and down in this picture. But multiply that by about 500,000 , and you will find that many people that feel just the same now. Your a heck of an athlete, but don’t let the door hit you on the way out bud.

]]> http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2010/07/09/sports-are/feed/ 0 http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2010/03/23/owners-pass-new-overtime-rules-for-nfl-playoffs/ http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2010/03/23/owners-pass-new-overtime-rules-for-nfl-playoffs/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:28:10 +0000 Jason Morrow http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/?p=1613

Directly from ESPN, while watching the Scott Van Pelt Show, here are the new playoff overtime rules passed just a few minutes ago by a tally of 28-4.

1. If the first team with the ball scores a touchdown, the game is over.
2. If the first team with the ball makes a field goal, the other team now gets an oppurtunity to tie or win the game on their possession.
3. If both teams make a field goal, the next team to scores wins the game.
4. Any score by opposing defense or special teams ends the game.

On a day where Brady Quinn’s alma mater entered a new era with Brian Kelly, the trend of losing in Cleveland froze just as the weather suggested. With wind chills reaching -15 degrees, the 1-11 Cleveland Browns virtually ended any playoff reservations the defending Super Bowl champs were hoping to make.

Led surprisngly by a stout defensive assault, Rob Ryan’s bunch got pressure all night on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who continued to struggle, completing 18 passes for 201 yards, but failed to get the ball into the endzone. The Browns, on the otherhand were far from a Mistake by the Lake on Thursday night, gashing the usually tough Pittsburgh run game for 171 rushing yards and a touchdown, the first by any Browns running back in over six games. Using the wildcat extensively with five tool hybrid wideout Josh Cribbs, the Kent State alum bruised the Steelers for 191 all purpose yards and a key rush on third down which saw Cribbs break mulitple tackles for a 16 yard gain and kept the ball in the Browns’ possession.

Coming off a 30-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers last week, hopes were high for Eric Mangini’s club and the usually ill fated Cleveland fan base was sent home with a victory behind the performance of a defense that was filled with no names who have been given their chance this season. A key example is Marcus Benard, a 24 year old Jackson State grad who coming into the game had three tackles in his NFL career. Blowing past the right side of the Pittsburgh offensive line, Benard collected two sacks and lived up to his nickname, “King Kong Benard.” Also important in the constant pressure put on Roethlisberger was Corey Williams, the constantly criticized six year vet who also had two sacks and five total tackles. Along with Benard and Williams, Brian Schaefering, David Bowens, Hank Poteat and Kaluka Maiava collected sacks, who?

This has been the story all year long for this Browns team. With a roster full of fill in’s and add on’s, this group has proven to Mangini that they can play and with 11 draft picks in the next upcoming NFL Draft, the future looks bright in Cleveland. If this rag tag group of players can send the defending champs home with a loss and end their playoff hopes, imagine what this team can do when given a doze of talent.

Aside from Cribbs, Chris Jennings took a load of the carries tonight, running the ball 20 times for 73 yards and a 15 yard scamper late in the second quarter. When it seemed the wheels were reading to fall off late in the game, the defense once again stepped up for the Browns and made sure the reeling Steelers would go back to Pittsburgh with an unprecedented fifth straight loss and an invitation to the golf course this January.

How does it feel Pittsburgh?

For the Michigan game this year, you can expect something different in the look of the game. As it seems every single football team from college to the NFL has done so far in 2009, Ohio State is donning retro uni’s for the 106th installment of The Game. Ex-Buckeye Brandon Smith placed pictures on his Twitter feed of the new jerseys and helmet. The only other time that Ohio State wore throwbacks were in 1993, the 25-year anniversary of the 1968 win over Michigan 50-14. The 2003 game was the only time something a patch was sewn on the jerseys for a regular season game, for the 100th meeting between the Bucks and the maize and blue.

Personally, I don’t like these jerseys. They are just another money making venture for Nike, who probably will sell a crap load of these. Other teams in college football have worn different jerseys this year, but I never thought I’d see Ohio State give in to the big empire of Nike. The throwback idea is going to unfortunately sweep through the college football atmosphere just like it did with the NFL, wearing their original AFL teams uniforms. At least they are only wearing them once. “Again, this is a one-time opportunity to honor a great championship team,” Ohio State AD Gene Smith said. “We have no plans to make any changes to the traditional Buckeye uniform for the foreseeable future.”

Comment on this, tell me what you think of these uniforms, and if its a good idea.

This all stems from the November 2008 incident in which him and wideout Antonio Pierce were inside a nightclub, and the gun Burress had slipped down his sweatpants went off, and fired, hitting him in the right thigh. “This has been a very emotional experience for him,” Plaxico’s defense attorney Benjamin Brafman said. “He’s sad about what he’s done to his life, his career, and more importantly to his family. He’s a fundamentally good man who has used bad judgment and is going to pay a very, very severe penalty.”

Burress at first tried to convince the jury that the gun was not going to be used criminally, and he was the only victim. But he was indicated a few days later on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. “We will all get through this,” Burress said today before he apologized to family and friends, thanking them for their support.

The new Cowboys stadium held its first regular season game last night, and boy was it a great one. Just for the opposing team. Eli Manning led the Giants (2-0) on an 11 play, 56 yard drive that chewed up the final 3:40 of the fourth quarter clock, capped off by a game-winning 37 yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes, ending the game with a 33-31 Giants victory. “Those are situations you like to be in – you like to have a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter,” said Manning. “We had a feeling it was going to come down to that. We knew what we had to do. We knew we had to get in field goal range. Those are situations we practice all the time.”

With 105,121 attending the game, including ex-President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and LeBron James. the stadium set an NFL record for attendance, breaking the old record of 103,467 set on October 2nd, 2005 in Azteca Stadium. Everybody makes a big deal because we spoiled their little party,” defensive lineman Justin Tuck said about the first game in the 1.2 billion dollar stadium. “Every other game we play in the NFC East will be just as big.” The opening of the Cowboys Stadium marked the 20th stadium to open since 1992, with the home team winning 11 of those games.

The game had been hyped up as a September Super Bowl, with both teams coming in 1-0. With the win, New York gets to take the early lead in the division, ahead of the rest by one game. “For all the hoopla that was made of the game – the second game of the season Super Bowl – it’s huge. But at the end of the day the biggest thing is we’re 2-0 in our division. That’s critical. We played a very intense game on the road in front of 100,000-plus and with everybody yelling at us. We’re excited about it,” linebacker Antonio Pierce said.

Throughout ESPN and the major sports networks, the 87-yard pass that was tipped by the Bengals Leon Hall from Jay Cutler to Brandon Stokley has been shown all week. What remains to be seen is how that play will change Cincinnati’s season. The last few years have not gone well for the orange and black, and this year had a hopeful outlook, starting out with playing Denver in Week 1, looking to roll. The offense sputtered, only scored 7 points, on their final drive, amassing 2 interceptions, 3 sacks, and only 307 yards of total offense. “We had a lot of penalties that hurt us. We had some mental errors. We had some really good plays. We had certain players make really good plays. We moved the ball effectively, but just not into the end zone,” QB Carson Palmer said of the offense after the 12-7 loss.

A game like this for any team is crushing, especially for a team that is playing their first game with their starting quarterback (Palmer) back in the lineup since Week 5 of 2008. I have a hard time thinking this team will overcome something like this right away. The schedule is not easy, going to Green Bay this week, and Pittsburgh next. However, they get their first real chance to win in Week 5– against the Browns. The belief inside the clubhouse is different however. “We’re going to recover from this. It’s a long season and this is only the first one. We’ve got to learn a lesson from this and move forward,” defensive lineman Domata Peko said. Palmer also had some encouraging words. “We are 0-1, and we still have 15-plus games to play. That’s the positive. We fought, and we scored when we had to in the end.”

Last year was the third year out of 4 that the AFC South sent two teams to the playoffs, but each had troubling results once the month of January rolled on through. The Colts (12-4) lost an overtime thriller to the Chargers 23-17, and my beloved Titans (13-3), the top seed in the AFC, got upset by the born-again Baltimore Ravens 13-10. But the 2009 season looks to write a better ending to a great season than 2008, or 2007.

The division champion was Tennessee, who started last season off unbelievably hot, rolling to 10-0 record, outscoring opponents 322-121 in those games. They hammered runner-up Indianapolis in Week 8 on Monday Night, 31-21. The Colts got their stride mid-season, after starting 3-4, they won 9 straight, even with one of the victories coming over the resting Tennessee Titans in Week 17. One of the best games during the season including Indy and the Houston Texans, who broke to the .500 mark last year at 8-8. They played it close last year, going 5-4 in games decided by 7 points or less. Rounding out the division was the Jacksonville Jaguars, having a rough 4-12 season, all started by a tough loss at Tennessee in Week 1.

1. Tennessee Titans

I know that everyone is thinking one of two things when seeing this: a)I’m crazy, this is never going to happen, or b)I’m only doing this because the Titans are my favorite team. Well, they are my favorite team, but I’m not going crazy. This team has really gelled and I think is poised to prove that 2008 wasn’t just a mirage. Led by a strong duo of running backs in Chris Johnson (1228 yards, 9 touchdowns in ’08) and LenDale White (773 yards, 15 TD) they can, if I may use a UFC term, ground and pound their opponents this year.

Even with losses on the other side of the ball, the Titans look to stop opponents. The loss of Haynesworth is going to be tough to overcome, but with Vanden Bosch being in a contract year, he should step it up, hoping to be a top ten defense once again. Tied in with the defense for Tennessee is the special teams, led by kicker Rob Bironas, who just signed a 4 year deal, worth 12 million dollars. Having him back will give the Titans added weapons in a late, close type game.

The schedule is very difficult. The opening weeks of the season include going to Pittsburgh on the first Thursday night of the season, and playing Houston the next week. Before the bye week (Week 7), the Titans play the likes of New England at NE, Houston, and Indy. However, towards the end, the only major bump in the schedule is a Week 13 matchup with non other than the Indianapolis Colts. The schedule lightens up with St. Louis, and the final season of the year going out to Seattle.

2. Houston Texans

To some this would be a major surprise pick, but not to many. Sports Illustrated has them as winning the South, with Tennessee third, Indy second. The game that will be the true determining factor is a Week 2 match-up at Tennessee, with the winner trying to fight for the top of the division, along with Indianapolis. Offensively, the Texans were third in total offense last year, vastly improving from only being the 14th best offense in the NFL in 2007. One of the other major keys for Houston is at quarterback, and keeping the leader Matt Schaub healthy for an entire season, which has been hindered already by a sprained left ankle.

Defensively, the problems were one of the major reasons the Texans sunk early on last year. They gave up a troubling 24.6 points/game last year, 6th worst in the NFL. In the beginning of 2008, they dropped the first four games, giving up an average of 32.5 ppg in those games, while allowing 334.2 yards in the losses. The new defensive scheme for the Texans may take a few weeks to adjust to, being a very young defense in a new style, a more aggressive style.

(For more on the Texans, check out my other post, Texans On The Rise, Looking To Playoffs In 2009)

3. Indianapolis Colts

Looking to rebound from a crushing last year in the Divisional playoffs, the Colts look to rebound, and keep their eyes on the playoffs for 7th straight season. This year could be very difficult to keep that streak alive with the quality of teams in the South. The 2008 season included another January disappointment, losing in overtime to San Diego 23-17, after finishing the regular season 12-4, good enough for second place in the South, behind Tennessee. The 31-21 loss to the Titans on Monday night of Week 8 turned their season around, winning the last 9 of the regular season. They also scored 23 or more points 7 of the last 9 games.

However, one of the gaping holes for the Colts is the run game. Indy had a difficult time running the ball with consistency last year. “Our ability to rush the football was completely unacceptable last year. It was more of a miracle that we were able to disguise the problem so much and go so far and do so much with it being such a problem.” owner Jim Irsay said of the situation. Neither running back (Addai and Rhodes) eclipsed the 600 yard mark for the season. Compare that to Tennessee, which Johnson and White both ran for 750 yards, with Johnson going over 1,000.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

After suffering a tough 4-12 season last year, the Jaguars look to be improved and compete for the division. However, with the quality of teams in the South, the Jags are going to have to wait another year at least. Even with getting key improvements, such as Torry Holt and Tra Thomas, this is going to be a rough year. 2008 was supposed to be a great year for Jacksonville, but went downhill, starting with a tough loss at Tennessee in Week 1.

Offensively, the Jags came back to earth from a great 2007 season last year. They placed in the bottom half of the NFL in the key offensive stats overall. Jones-Drew is going to get all of the carries this year with lifelong, now ex-Jag Fred Taylor going to New England. To have success this year, Jacksonville is going to have to establish the run with Jones-Drew, and then get David Garrard to have consistency through the air. Garrard had a tough time through the air last year, throwing 15 TDs, with 13 INTs mixed in there.

Wreaking havoc on other teams within the AFC South for the last few years without playoff success, the Texans look to stop that trend in 2009. With the key parts from an 8-8 season returning for the new year, everything looks to be in place. A tough start to 2008 threw the plans of a playoff berth out the window, starting out 0-4. Their spotty defense was the main reason they dropped the first four, they were 22nd overall in total defense last year.

Offensively, they return the always speedy Steve Slaton, who rushed for 1,282 yards in his opening year, getting to the endzone a total of 10 times. He is a threat outside of rushing also, catching 50 passes for 377 yards in ’08. When the ball is going through the air, it is going to most likely be coming from Matt Schaub, who is coming off a decent 2008 season, in which he threw for 3,000+ yards. The only major problems lurking include the fact that he is fragile, and has had a tough time in the past trying to stay healthy for an entire 16 game season so far in his career. “We’re ready to take that next step. A lot of guys are in their 4th and 5th years in [Kubiak's] system. It’s time to make that jump,” Schaub said. The other issue that is brought up is his TD:INT ratio, last season the threw 15 TDs, but also threw 10 balls to the other team. Something to help that ratio improve is having one of the best wideouts at his disposal in Andre Johnson, catching 115 passes last year, for 8 TDs and 1,575 yards.

The one thing that may bring this team down however is the defense, having a tough time stopping opposing offenses, giving up 21 points in 12 of their 16 games last year. The 16-game total of 394 points allowed was one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 27th out of the 32 teams. Mario Williams has to hold down the fort in the trenches for the defense, having another great year in ’08, with 12 sacks, 7th most in the NFL last year. The Texans added Antonio Smith from Arizona to help Williams at the DE position. The linebacking core looks to be improving, led by DeMeco Ryans, a quick middle linebacker that recorded 112 tackles last year. “I don’t want to come off the field at any cost. This is my defense–no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Our performance reflects my leadership,” Ryans said of the defense.

The opening part of the schedule is not as brutal as it was last year, getting three of the first four games inside Reliant Stadium. Not many would be surprised by a 3-1 start for Houston, with wins most likely over the Jets, Jacksonville, and Oakland. The rest of the games in October don’t seem to be too much of a problem, minus the meeting at NFC champion Arizona on the 11th. The brutal part of the schedule doesn’t begin until Week 9, with games at Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Indy at home. The only saving grace is that in between the meetings at Indy and against the Titans is a bye week. The AFC south is a three horse race, with Jacksonville bringing up the rear. I could see any of the top three winning the divison and making a serious run in the playoffs.

Three weeks ago, NFL Drama Queen Brett Favre told everyone in the national media and the Minnesota Vikings that he was going to stay retired. Finally, most people thought, this man would go away and let Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson duke it out for the starting quarterback spot. Well, like an STD, Brett Favre is back and expected to sign with the Vikings.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has reported that the contract is worth between $10-12 million dollars for a one year. Now, two years away from telling all Packer Nation Favre would never leave them, the all time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions will be playing the Lambeau faithful twice a year. To some this may be a shocker, but to me, I saw it happening all along.

Favre is like an old hooker who no longer gets any attention on the corner and after underperforming for a few nights finally decides to call it quits. But after she realizes she has no other skills, she comes back and starts fast. Its not about how you start though, its how you finish and after charging the man too much, who would get fired from his job weeks later, she decides she will go back home and hang out with high school kids. Once again, that wasn’t enough fun and she has to come back to the streets and starts working for the Purple Pimp, the rival of the pimp she had been working for all along. She always had been known as a work horse, but now everyone hated her for her actions. What a tragedy!

That basically explains Brett Favre in a nutshell, throwing 5 more interceptions than the Minnesota QB’s last season and only having a passing rating 0.5 higher, it will be entertaining to see what Favre can do in Minnesota. With many weapons on offense including the best back in the league, Adrian Peterson, the task at hand should be much easier on Favre, whose AARP card just got recalled last night. Containing speed on the ends in Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin and a go-getter tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe, this Viking offense should roll in an NFC North that is battered with bad defense, QB drama and well, the Lions. Look for another 10 win season and quite possibly a trip to the Super Bowl on the horizon for Minnesota, but with Favre, anything can happen, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket just yet Viking fans. As a good pimp once told me, “With prostitutes, you don’t know what you’ll get. You can smack em up for leaving, but they keep coming back. Just hope for the best.” That’s what Viking fans should do this season, as Favre, who is coming off shoulder surgery will be their starting quarterback on a team with all the tools for making a run.