- 05:40 PM
- 04/19/24
posted by phaedon at 03:38 PM on February 02, 2015
Eli Manning's Footballs Are Months in Making [nyt]
posted by phaedon at 11:33 PM on January 22, 2015
if this ends up being true, I'm fucking done as a Pats fan.
5 bucks says if they beat Seattle in February, you're back on board.
posted by phaedon at 11:31 PM on January 22, 2015
It really doesn't sound like there's a statement on earth that is going to make you believe anything other than what you already do.
It's unclear what position you are trying to carve out. Sorry if you already did. Would you have me believe that this was accidental? A coincidence?
Because you're making it out to sound like I'm unreasonable.
An account of why 11 of the 12 balls were underinflated would suffice.
posted by phaedon at 06:26 PM on January 22, 2015
Towards the end, Brady also talked about playing the game with integrity, and yet, what's interesting is the Patriots have shown a pattern of creating the illusion that they are playing the game with integrity, meanwhile behind the scenes they are pushing the limits and occasionally breaking the rules.
Say what you will about sports in general, but this is a big difference.
posted by phaedon at 05:26 PM on January 22, 2015
He said specifically he was comfortable saying nobody in the organization did anything to the balls.
That's not true, he later qualified that by saying "to his knowledge." Look, I'm not trying to crucify Brady in particular. The guy can play the, "I just throw the ball" card. But Patriots, come up with an organizational response.
Truth is not an opinion. It is fact.
"Whatever." The point I'm making is that by intentionally obfuscating the details, he is portraying journalistic inquiries as "crazy" and "you can't listen to everybody." The point is there's one accurate version of the what happened that is actually true, and he's not providing it.
posted by phaedon at 05:21 PM on January 22, 2015
How can you say that you jokingly "prefer" a ball being inflated a certain amount, and then not realize mid-game there was something wrong with the balls? How do such preferences exist if there isn't some acknowledgment?
He's also saying he didn't alter the balls, but he's not coming out and saying nobody in his organization did.
He's also saying Belicheck things like "you know there are a lot of opinions out there and we have to focus." But yeah, there's also the one opinion that matters, the fucking truth. And you guys have a limited roster. And the ability to hold a meeting, and publicly report with certainty whether or not this was intentional. So figure it out.
You'd have to be an idiot to think this wasn't intentional. To me, it's very disingenuous.
posted by phaedon at 04:49 PM on January 22, 2015
It's fucking nuts how disingenuous Tom Brady is in this interview.
posted by phaedon at 04:31 PM on January 22, 2015
First timer.
Seattle by 21
New England by 9
Seattle
Wilson
Lynch
Amendola
posted by phaedon at 12:21 AM on January 18, 2015
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP IN SAN FRANCISCO
posted by phaedon at 04:21 PM on January 16, 2015
Remember when Ohio State and Michigan was a rivalry lol
posted by phaedon at 03:16 PM on January 13, 2015
Dez Bryant running onto field without helmet a worse no-call
posted by phaedon at 08:28 PM on January 05, 2015
Did you just seriously quote Dean Blandino?
posted by phaedon at 03:46 PM on January 05, 2015
First round exit.
posted by phaedon at 12:54 PM on October 13, 2014
Ray Rice suspended indefinitely by the NFL
posted by phaedon at 02:51 PM on September 08, 2014
I'm not sure how this will play out in the media but apparently Stewart caused a 15-car pileup at Canandaigua just last year. Stewart took responsibility for going 3-wide and his car making contact with another and triggering the accident, leaving fellow racer Alysha Ruggles, a friend of Kevin Ward's, with a compression fracture in her back.
posted by phaedon at 12:38 AM on August 12, 2014
I agree this was as far as I know a complete accident, but you can tell in the video that Stewart's line was too high, he was going too fast, and he saw Ward and revved it either to kick up dirt in Ward's face or create the illusion of coming really close to him without hitting him.
This is in no way a total indictment of Stewart, as Ward was out of his car.
posted by phaedon at 12:25 PM on August 11, 2014
Also, think what would happen to NASCAR on the off chance Tony Stewart did something like this again. You don't just let a guy like this back on the track.
posted by phaedon at 02:09 PM on August 10, 2014
It's like Tony Stewart killed his brother.
The fact that Kevin Ward was out of his car and relatively defenseless, and 20 years old, and Tony Stewart is both a legend, and a legendary hothead, obviously makes things a lot worse from a publicity standpoint and it will take some time to parse who is to blame for what happened.
It does matter if it's an accident or not, it does matter whether he lost his cool, but it also doesn't matter. He killed his brother.
I honestly can't believe Stewart almost raced today. I think NASCAR should and will suspend him pending a thorough investigation.
posted by phaedon at 01:55 PM on August 10, 2014
Tony Stewart has apparently killed another driver that was on-foot at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.
On preview: Whoops, sorry about that.
posted by phaedon at 03:18 AM on August 10, 2014
So the working theory here is that if Ray Rice smoked a joint or did a line and chilled out instead of beating his wife, he'd be in more trouble. Amen, NFL!
posted by phaedon at 12:09 PM on July 25, 2014
LeBron is bulletproof while he stays in Cleveland trying to bring a ring to the ringless.
Cleveland's going to destroy LeBron.
I don't understand why it's always been beyond him to sit down in front of a camera, surrounded by friends, teammates and/or family, with a team logo behind him, and announce his intentions. And to inform these people ahead of time.
Instead you have "internet silence" in the playoffs followed by a "penned letter" in Sports Illustrated. The guy's never been able to handle his own greatness. Sad. Honestly, maybe the game's changed and it's just not going to be as pretty as it used to be (CBA). You look at a well-informed individual like Phil Jackson talking about Melo, and you're like, are you serious? Do you even have a clue what's going on?
posted by phaedon at 06:03 PM on July 11, 2014
tale of rebirth and redemption
LeBron is and always has been bigger than the Cavs organization, so let's just be clear, LeBron is not really even the prodigal son, this is more like the redemption of a deadbeat father coming back home to the ugly wife and kids, right? After spending a not even remotely regrettable couple of years snorting coke and banging strippers down in the Magic City? As in, maybe not all of us are so comfortable that daddy's back in the picture? I mean, that's the "narrative" I see.
I'm not trying to paint anyone in a corner, I'm just a little surprised all these sports analysts so eager to do right by him. I don't remember this story really developing during the season. Didn't the Cavs take LeBron to the Finals? Didn't he then leave for Miami to win two titles only to flatline a year later? The missing piece for "the greatest player of all time" is to "play for the right team?" And he figured this out when and how? Did the two titles in Miami make this really clear to him? At the very least, there should be a lot of trepidation about him coming back. There's going to be a ton of coverage and scrutiny. Such a strange decision. I'm actually talking myself into feeling bad for him for the ass-handing he'll get should things go sideways.
posted by phaedon at 04:19 PM on July 11, 2014
Has this ever happened in a major American sport? I just don't understand why this resonates with so many people. I still think LeBron is a bitch. And Cleveland still sucks, and Gilbert is still there.
I'm absolutely certain there is a behind the scenes play that will lead to conflict or disappointment down the road. This seems to be LeBron's legacy. Surprising people. Having enough individual leverage to leave a trail of destroyed teams in his wake. He just quit a team that went to the NBA Finals to "go home," whatever the fuck that populist drivel means. Oh my, I am so touched that the LeBron product has changed jerseys. The LeBron product is maturing. I am touched by the meaning it infuses in my otherwise meaningless life.
I really don't enjoy watching players orchestrate championships with off-the-court schemes. You just got owned by the Spurs, on the court. You're a loser. Go back home and cramp up there, you bitch. The Cleveland Cramp. Running around in circles. I assume at the very least he'll make a killing in endorsements. Good for him.
posted by phaedon at 02:55 PM on July 11, 2014
No comment on why Beckerman wasn't in that game. I think he helps build the offense and should've been put in. And at this point you can count on Bradley not making the play. Also Jermaine Jones was totally out of gas for much of the game. He's got the touch, though.
posted by phaedon at 06:39 PM on July 01, 2014
Agreed on the former - Liverpool doesn't stand to gain anything via international play, so why should teams take on the risk of injury AND suspension if there's no reward?
That's an interesting point. Newbie questions, could Liverpool keep Suarez from playing in the World Cup? How can FIFA suspend Suarez from playing in the Premier League? What's the relationship between UEFA/FIFA?
posted by phaedon at 03:21 PM on June 26, 2014
I had mixed feelings about that Marchisio red card but after watching it a million times on replay I think it was a good call. He lost his dribble and planted his spikes right into Arevalo's leg.
If the ref wasn't standing right there, that might've been a common foul.
posted by phaedon at 04:45 PM on June 24, 2014
Definitely not a bite.
posted by phaedon at 04:39 PM on June 24, 2014
Phillies' Marlon Byrd Breaks Bat Despite Not Touching Ball
posted by phaedon at 03:48 PM on June 02, 2014
You really have to hand it to the Cleveland front office. Talk about picking a fall guy.
posted by phaedon at 12:45 AM on May 09, 2014
Go Bruins! Wait..
posted by phaedon at 09:21 PM on May 02, 2014
Joey Crawford for the win!
posted by phaedon at 12:09 AM on April 30, 2014
I'm all for discussing contrarian viewpoints, but I'm not sure if I'm buying the slippery slope argument.
It's hard not to compare the NBA to the NFL. The latter has performed very well under one central authority. I think the NBA wants to see Silver succeed; it could do great things for a brand that has lost its luster over the last few years. The Chris Paul fiasco, the Donaghy scandal, the Charlotte and Seattle moves, two lockouts, GM's talking about tanking seasons. I really don't watch any regular season games anymore.
I've also said in the past that in the NFL, if you are perceived as a "team player" on the field, the narrative regarding your off-the-field indiscretions instantly shifts in your favor. There is often a racial element to this double standard, but not always. Roethlisberger, team player. Favre, team player. Terrell Owens, Michael Vick, Randy Moss, not team players.
So having said that, probably the grossest thing Sterling did on the tape was insult Magic Johnson by name. I feel like that was a huge slap in the face to the association and its players. I don't feel like this ends up being a slippery slope where we dig up dirt on all the owners, although there may end up being one or two more casualties. But stupid owners like Jim Irsay will get to keep their jobs, as long as they keep their shit together.
So while I agree with Bomani Jones completely, I also think the NBA is to some extent off the hook for ignoring who "Donald Sterling the businessman" was for the last ten years. I think if you are going to start pointing fingers, you have to remember the fan base and the city has been supporting the Clippers knowing full well what happened. I decided to skip the game tonight, but I hope there is an outpouring of love among the fans.
posted by phaedon at 10:16 PM on April 29, 2014
Bomani Jones' take is worth a listen
posted by phaedon at 03:55 PM on April 29, 2014
Is it weird that I want to go to the Clippers game tonight?
posted by phaedon at 03:39 PM on April 29, 2014
Now release Chris Paul to the Lakers and send the rest of the organization to Seattle.
posted by phaedon at 02:27 PM on April 29, 2014
I'm of the opinion that the word "racist" is thrown around far too often and that perhaps the term has been watered down.
Because Donald Sterling is a bonafide racist. Doc Rivers, Chris Paul and the rest of the Clippers should boycott the next game. The championship is not more important than this. I don't know how you can go out on the court after a public revelation like this.
And I would actively boycott the NBA if they don't expel Sterling immediately.
posted by phaedon at 05:08 PM on April 26, 2014
He deserves to be caught in this case.
This was obviously a ploy to get "him getting caught" out of the way. Now he has a genuine opportunity to be more sneaky about it.
posted by phaedon at 02:55 AM on April 24, 2014
This rule is a disaster and is going to bite MLB in the ass during the playoffs.
posted by phaedon at 12:47 AM on April 07, 2014
I've got two words regarding Phil Jackson's move to New York: Isaiah Thomas.
posted by phaedon at 03:02 PM on March 18, 2014
Mark Cuban: "The NCAA rules are so hypocritical, there's absolutely no reason for a kid to go [to college], because he's not going to class [and] he's actually not even able to take advantage of all the fun because the first semester he starts playing basketball. So if the goal is just to graduate to the NBA or be an NBA player, go to the D-League."
posted by phaedon at 11:59 AM on March 02, 2014
I'm just saying if Joe Namath were black everybody would be up in arms today. And I'm the last person to say something like that. Up in fucking arms.
posted by phaedon at 06:38 PM on February 03, 2014
Puff Puff Interception. You're welcome.
posted by phaedon at 09:28 PM on February 02, 2014
Side bet: Denver scores 0 points.
posted by phaedon at 07:38 PM on February 02, 2014
Martin or his representatives could have corrected that. It might have calmed the situation down, and caused people to view the situation as two athletes taking the piss out of each other instead of bullying.
There may be a reason for not correcting the situation. Martin walked away from the Dolphins, his career and huge paychecks. Again, unless I'm missing something, Martin isn't making a case for anything. He hasn't filed a lawsuit. He never asked for anything from anyone.
So given how cloudy the details have been, it's entirely possible Martin may have been affected by Incognito in a way that isn't immediately apparent in the text messages (perhaps a physical altercation), and/or he may suffer from a pre-existing condition. He may also draw the line at racial epithets. Having walked away from the game, he does not have an obligation to guide the media or the public in the right direction.
It's also hard to imagine Incognito not getting into trouble if Martin clarified himself. Incognito is a senior member in the locker room, a leader. We see in situations like the Richard Sherman debacle that NFL players are free to say and think whatever they please, as long as they don't do it in front of the camera.
And despite teammate sympathies, Incognito has a reputation for being a dirty and disrespectful player both on and off the field, going back as far as 2002. Even if that weren't the case, once this type of material hits the public airwaves, the NFL has to do something about it.
Do I think this latest revelation has some bearing on Incognito's career? It's hard to say, I could see myself agreeing with you that it should, but I don't think it's enough. One thing's for sure, I don't think it makes his behavior any more permissible. I'm sure "football culture" has a lot to do with Incognito's attitude, and this is how change happens - you crucify one or two people for something a lot of people are doing, and maybe down the road you proactively monitor for this type of abuse. The only thing that matters is the brand.
posted by phaedon at 06:33 PM on January 31, 2014
Maybe this is me just not knowing the entire story, I just don't understand what is so "damning" about what Martin said or did. He left the team. He didn't engage the media. He didn't defend Incognito; he didn't suspend him. Maybe he has mental problems or is under direction to take care of himself. He owes you nothing. If anything, you should be condemning the public hysteria masquerading as insight; people jumping to conclusions without knowing the full story.
Having said that I'm sure a helping hand from Martin would have gone a long way. But I'm sure these texts were previously made available to Dolphins management, and they probably didn't give a shit.
posted by phaedon at 02:54 PM on January 31, 2014
I think the black box that is mental health and the Puritanical "Let's Find Someone to Hang" sensationalism of the media just don't go well together. Which is to say something like, before we reach that point of, "Who are we to judge this situation?" the media will be like "OMG! Check out this crazy story of unresolved conflict!"
It's a little rough that Incognito's lawyer released these texts to the public. I don't know how well it will play, because it is self-serving in the sense that it shows Martin in a bad light and because I think Martin's still entitled to his feelings.
Having said that, it is scary how a private matter blows up and total strangers become really worked up and turn themselves into the arbiters of justice, as if to imply that no other mechanism is in place. Is these where we self-righteously psychoanalyze Martin? You know, really get into his head? It makes me pause to think how hard I'm trolling just by consistently contributing to message boards and sharing my thoughts online in what turns to be a horrendously conflict-focused format.
posted by phaedon at 01:40 PM on January 31, 2014
Brendan Gibbons (Youtube) has been expelled from Michigan for sexual misconduct.
posted by phaedon at 03:21 PM on January 29, 2014
Josh Brent
The slap on the wrist heard around the world.
posted by phaedon at 04:15 PM on January 24, 2014
James Gruden:
"I would be foolish to try to turn RGIII into a pocket passer. It would be foolish. The way he is as a runner, we have to take advantage of that. He strikes fear into defensive coordinators when he runs outside. I'm going to let him be himself."
Get your popcorn, the end of times are upon us!
posted by phaedon at 09:42 PM on January 23, 2014
Raiderettes make $1250 a season.
posted by phaedon at 01:07 PM on January 23, 2014
Jacoby Jones Gives Amazing, Possibly Drunk Interview at Pelicans Game
posted by phaedon at 12:14 PM on January 22, 2014
Here's a crazy idea.
Make it illegal for quarterbacks to run the football. San Francisco's offense got completely shut down tonight except for some huge runs by Colin Pumpernickel. He is an above average thrower with unbelievable foot speed, able to immobilize defenses by posing a throwing threat behind the line of scrimmage, and thus creating wide open spaces which he can then slide into for first downs and then some.
It's like watching a glitch in the game. There is literally no other position on the field that can run for 58 yards just totally uncontested like that in one single play, on what typically amounts to a broken offensive play or a quarterback run play masquerading as a passing play. I'm really sick of seeing it and it's the only way San Francisco managed to survive Green Bay (remember that last touchdown?). But at the end of the day, the football gods delivered. There is really nothing more enjoyable than watching the felonius 49ers make it so far only to get their asses beat, year in and year out. It's.. perfect.
posted by phaedon at 03:35 AM on January 20, 2014
Austrian NFL promo Opening Sequence. aka Colin Kaepernick the little gnome that could
posted by phaedon at 01:08 PM on January 19, 2014
Ladies and gentleman, Mainus vs Chavez.
posted by phaedon at 05:07 PM on January 14, 2014
Patriots Win Super Bowl 0x31 After Epic Last-Second Interception
Butler's in the game because Matthews is uncoverable and New England decided to shift its corner assignments in the second half, correct? This is my favorite Super Bowl ever.