What is the point of a sideline reporter you ask. I'm not sure. So most of the time the network puts a really good looking female down there and they ask dumb questions to the coaches before and after halftime. So to be a good sideline reporter in my mind just don't ask for the mic unless you've got an injury to report or you're going to ask good questions to the coaches.
THE BEST
Lynn Swann - I guess you could say Lynn Swann pioneered the idea of the sideline reporter. Despite his annoying lisp, he always did a great job and asked the coaches relevant questions. He should be the model for how to be a sideline reporter.
Erin Andrews - Erin Andrews is without a doubt the most famous sideline reporter, maybe the most famous in history. I remember when she was on TBS as the studio host during Braves games, she botched everything she said and Skip Carey would give her back-handed compliments and tease her. She's definitely come a long way since then, transcending sports to become a pop icon. We all know she looks good, but I'll put her under the best because she actually knows something about sports and the majority of the time she won't come on just to say something stupid.
Craig Sager - Sager has the most flamboyant jackets of any person who isn't a nutcase. He obviously would like to get noticed, but he hasn't really made it past TNT & TBS sports. But he's pretty good if you can look past the jackets.
Jill Arrington - What happened to Jill Arrington. She used to be on the CBS SEC college football game of the week. She came before Erin Andrews and was much better. She was better looking than Andrews and knew more about sports...maybe because her daddy played in the NFL. But I guess she didn't want to do it anymore because she is no longer around.
Andrea Kramer - Andrea Kramer is pretty good, she actually knows a thing or two about football. I don't think anyone has every really had a problem with her sideline reporting...she just does her job and stays in the background.
Pam Oliver - She is on the "A-team" at FOX because everyone else sucks...and she's a black woman so it makes them look good. She's does a pretty good job. Sometimes I wish she would go up in the booth and relieve us from the misery that is Joe Buck.
Melissa Stark - She burst onto the scene doing stories for Sportscenter, the next thing you know she's on Monday Night Football for a couple years, then she's went into oblivion at NBC. She was famous for being good looking, that is about all I remember...not much substance but nothing bad so I'll put here up here.
Bonnie Bernstein - Sometimes Bonnie Bernstein can be the female version of Michele Tafoya but most of the time she is pretty forgettable, but that is a compliment for sideline reporters. She typically doesn't say anything annoying or ask for the mike to tell us it looks like Tom Brady has a headache but he may just be scratching his forehead.
THE WORST
Holly Rowe - "Mike, I think Nick Saban is really mad right now. He's yelling at the players and his face is red... it almost matches his shirt, back up to you." That is the kind of compelling reporting you get from her. Dubbed 'Miss Piggy' by Will Duckworth, she is quite possibly the ugliest sideline reporter in the business.
Jim Grey - Mr. arrogant, he thinks he can be a hard-hitting reporter from the sidelines. Then perfect timing he threatens Corey Pavin on Wednesday. This guy is super-serious about sports and defensive to everyone. I thought it was hilarious when the Yankees refused to speak with him after winning Game 3 of the 1999 World Series because of how he berated Pete Rose during a pregame ceremony before Game 2. Who can stand this guy? He is terrible.
Rachael Nichols - I don't know if she has ever been on the sidelines during a game, but I had to include her so I could say she sucks. She looks like a rebellious teenager who dyed her hair red, then is trying to be serious while reporting the fluff that is Brett Favre in July. Has she ever come up with anything good after all that reporting?
Suzy Kolber - "And so I asked Drew, how have you been able to cope with the fans reaction to the news you had a cliffhanger on your nose in the 3rd quarter? His response was astonishing... he didn't even care! Wow, Mike, Brees really puts it all into perspective. He just gets it." Perhaps most famous for Joe Namath hitting on her, she is apart of the worthless entity that is Monday Night Football on ESPN.
Michele Tafoya - She wants so bad to be a respected sideline reporter. I don't know if she tries to make her voice lower or if that is just how she talks. She can come up with some real dumb stuff while on the sidelines, especially at basketball games.
Tony Siragosa - "Yeah guys, I love the way he attacks the quarterback, it's like I used to do! Say, you guys think there will be a buffet after the game, I'm hungry?". Why do you need an analyst on the field level? The fans now get to watch the cheerleaders and this fatso picking his butt during the timeout. I guess it's good he knows football, but when you spend more than 50% of your mic time talking about stupid stuff like how sweaty you are it get you into this category. When it comes to interviewing the coaches at halftime, most of the time he just can't get enough energy to catch up to the head coach.
3 down, one to go....the best and worst sports personalities.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Chipper Jones
It looks as though Chipper Jones has ended his baseball career. He's torn his ACL and is out for the season. Two months ago he was unsure if this would be his last season or not, so with this news things don't look good for him ever coming back. If this is it, that is too bad because he's been the heart and soul of the Braves for 16 seasons.
Chipper Jones was selected as the #1 overall draft pick in the 1990 draft. Bobby Cox was responsible for drafting him, as he was the general manager of the Braves in 1990. He spent the next few years in the minor leagues and was scheduled for his rookie year to be in 1994 but he tore his ACL in spring training. His rookie year was 1995 and he was a major contributor to the Braves World Series Championship. Over the next 8 years he hit at least 25 HR and 100 RBI with a .300 average (except 21 HR and .295 in '97). He won the MVP award with a huge 1999 season.
After playing 8 All-Star caliber seasons at 3rd base, Chipper moved to left field in 2003 to allow for the Braves to sign Vinny Castilla which demonstrated his commitment to the team. In 2005, he moved back to 3rd base once Castilla had left the team. Since this time Jones has struggled with nagging injuries, however he has maintained his excellent hitting when he was in the lineup. After age 34, he hit .324, .337, and .364 in consecutive seasons. That last season, 2008, he won the National League batting title. Over the last two seasons age has taken its toll and he's fallen back to the pack as an average player.
For his career, Jones has 436 HR, 1,491 RBI, and a .306 average. He has the 3rd most homeruns all-time for a switch hitter behind Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murrey. He has never been linked to steroids even though the majority of his career was played during the steroid era in baseball. What none of these statistics show is the great leader he is, and how he has carried the Braves on his back for the majority of his career...and that includes unprecedented winning. Most baseball writers agree that Chipper Jones will be in the baseball Hall of Fame, and I believe he should be because of reasons listed above.
One of the amazing things about his career is that he was drafted by Bobby Cox and has played for Cox during his entire 16 year career. Managers just don't make it that long, and players usually don't stay with a team that long. The Braves record is 1,454 - 1,069 in the regular season and 47 - 44 in the postseason since Chipper began. Chipper Jones is the ultimate Atlanta Braves player, him and Cox are the Atlanta Braves.
It would be really sad to see his career end on an injury. Hopefully the injury can be rehabilitated quickly enough for him to at least play half of a season next year. But my gut feeling is that it will be too much work to try to play again since he was contemplating retirement anyway, and with Bobby Cox retiring Chipper's career is probably over. What makes it worse is that the Braves are in first place and they making one last run for him and Bobby. While his on-field production can be made up for with Omar Infante and Brooks Conrad, his leadership and experience will be missed down the stretch. It's too bad he went down like this.
JB
Chipper Jones was selected as the #1 overall draft pick in the 1990 draft. Bobby Cox was responsible for drafting him, as he was the general manager of the Braves in 1990. He spent the next few years in the minor leagues and was scheduled for his rookie year to be in 1994 but he tore his ACL in spring training. His rookie year was 1995 and he was a major contributor to the Braves World Series Championship. Over the next 8 years he hit at least 25 HR and 100 RBI with a .300 average (except 21 HR and .295 in '97). He won the MVP award with a huge 1999 season.
After playing 8 All-Star caliber seasons at 3rd base, Chipper moved to left field in 2003 to allow for the Braves to sign Vinny Castilla which demonstrated his commitment to the team. In 2005, he moved back to 3rd base once Castilla had left the team. Since this time Jones has struggled with nagging injuries, however he has maintained his excellent hitting when he was in the lineup. After age 34, he hit .324, .337, and .364 in consecutive seasons. That last season, 2008, he won the National League batting title. Over the last two seasons age has taken its toll and he's fallen back to the pack as an average player.
For his career, Jones has 436 HR, 1,491 RBI, and a .306 average. He has the 3rd most homeruns all-time for a switch hitter behind Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murrey. He has never been linked to steroids even though the majority of his career was played during the steroid era in baseball. What none of these statistics show is the great leader he is, and how he has carried the Braves on his back for the majority of his career...and that includes unprecedented winning. Most baseball writers agree that Chipper Jones will be in the baseball Hall of Fame, and I believe he should be because of reasons listed above.
One of the amazing things about his career is that he was drafted by Bobby Cox and has played for Cox during his entire 16 year career. Managers just don't make it that long, and players usually don't stay with a team that long. The Braves record is 1,454 - 1,069 in the regular season and 47 - 44 in the postseason since Chipper began. Chipper Jones is the ultimate Atlanta Braves player, him and Cox are the Atlanta Braves.
It would be really sad to see his career end on an injury. Hopefully the injury can be rehabilitated quickly enough for him to at least play half of a season next year. But my gut feeling is that it will be too much work to try to play again since he was contemplating retirement anyway, and with Bobby Cox retiring Chipper's career is probably over. What makes it worse is that the Braves are in first place and they making one last run for him and Bobby. While his on-field production can be made up for with Omar Infante and Brooks Conrad, his leadership and experience will be missed down the stretch. It's too bad he went down like this.
JB
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Is Golf a Sport?
With the PGA Championship coming up I thought I'd revisit the question: Is Golf a sport? Yes, they show it on Sportcenter. No, they wear dockers to play. Yes, it's competition. No, a 60 year old can win a tournament! I've heard the arguments time and time again. Is golf a sport --I vouch that it is a sport.
Who cares if it is on Sportscenter, that does not make it a sport. Competition does not make it a sport because there is competition in checkers. It doesn't matter that golf is a refined game where you have to wear certain clothes to play, or that diminished athletic skills can still allow you to be competitive. The bottom line is golf is a difficult game which requires skills on a variety of mental and physical levels.
True, you just stand there and hit the ball, but it is so hard to hit a golf ball in the direction you want it to go. Your hips, arms, legs, hands, eyes, and feet all have to be in sync when you hit the ball or else it won't go 10 feet. This is a quality involved in most every sport...using your entire body to execute a play. You need strength, good hand/eye coordination, and a mental focus and patience to excel at golf.
The one problem with golf, which makes it like a game, is that you can't play defense. In most other sports you can play defense, however, the athletic skill needed to perform well in golf overrides this argument. The simple fact that so much is required of the physical body to play is why it's not a game.
Chess is a game, so is Monopoly and Risk. NASCAR is racing, neither a game nor a sport. Gymnastics is a sport, curling is a sport. Anything that requires your body to be the overwhelming force used to play is a sport. So golf is a sport, and anyone who says otherwise probably has never played.
JB
Who cares if it is on Sportscenter, that does not make it a sport. Competition does not make it a sport because there is competition in checkers. It doesn't matter that golf is a refined game where you have to wear certain clothes to play, or that diminished athletic skills can still allow you to be competitive. The bottom line is golf is a difficult game which requires skills on a variety of mental and physical levels.
True, you just stand there and hit the ball, but it is so hard to hit a golf ball in the direction you want it to go. Your hips, arms, legs, hands, eyes, and feet all have to be in sync when you hit the ball or else it won't go 10 feet. This is a quality involved in most every sport...using your entire body to execute a play. You need strength, good hand/eye coordination, and a mental focus and patience to excel at golf.
The one problem with golf, which makes it like a game, is that you can't play defense. In most other sports you can play defense, however, the athletic skill needed to perform well in golf overrides this argument. The simple fact that so much is required of the physical body to play is why it's not a game.
Chess is a game, so is Monopoly and Risk. NASCAR is racing, neither a game nor a sport. Gymnastics is a sport, curling is a sport. Anything that requires your body to be the overwhelming force used to play is a sport. So golf is a sport, and anyone who says otherwise probably has never played.
JB
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Year-Round School
It seems like every year school starts earlier. Where I live it started on August 5th, and that was only because they moved it back from August 2nd to save on the air conditioning bill. Well, if they wanted to save on the bill why don't they just move it to September 1st like it used to be, and have the kids get out in early June, give them 3 full months off? But that isn't about to happen, actually there is talk of making federal laws for year-round school.
The original intent of giving kids the summer off of school was so they could help out on the farm during the summer. Now-a-days there are a lot less farms, and many kids don't have anything to do so they are getting into trouble. So due to these factors, many think it would be a good idea to have year-round school...maybe just have more breaks; go to school for 6 weeks then off for a week. I don't like this because what about the high school kids who are getting jobs during the summer and gaining work experience. To me, that is much more valuable than what you can learn in school. If they want to make requirements, have the kids 16 and up work at least 15-20 hours a week during the summer whether it's paid or they have to do it for free just to fulfill the requirement. And pick up all the younger kids whose parents work on the school bus and take them to school and let them play all day....government paid baby-sitting.
And there are many others who suggest the United States is falling behind other countries because we let our kids off for almost 3 months a year and they aren't learning while other countries go year-round. Well first off, who cares what other countries are doing, we are America! We are #1, and we do our own thing! Secondly, all the smartest people in the world come to the U.S. and we reap the benefits. So since they come here, why do we need to create more mathematicians and scientists on our soil, let's just relax and let them come to us! The foreigners who come to America do so for one reason: money. They know America is a Capitalist nation where they can make tons of money since they are at the top of their field. Instead of being the best surgeon in India and just getting by, go to America to be the 100th best surgeon and get rich!
So why would we want to stop this? It doesn't make sense to discontinue the way we have always done things. The United States is the most powerful country in the world and it has been that way for a long time...why should we want to be like other countries who aren't as successful? Perhaps the people in the second group would like to create a year-round school because they know that the more America's Capitalist foundation is uprooted, the less foreigners will want to come here. They believe if we are going to adopt a socialistic model, we need to change the way we teach our own citizens. I believe this is the motive behind year-round school.
While the people in the first group may have honest intentions, the folks from the second group put their intentions under the guise of keeping kids out of trouble. Then sometimes they are so bold as to say we need to catch up to other countries. These people don't like the structure of America and they would like to create an economy based on the Socialist model. There is no doubt this has entered into American politics, and year-round school is part of the plan for maintaining Socialism once it arrives. Well, I hope it never arrives! We all need to fight back to protect our abilities to create our own wealth and livelihood within the Capitalist system we have.
JB
The original intent of giving kids the summer off of school was so they could help out on the farm during the summer. Now-a-days there are a lot less farms, and many kids don't have anything to do so they are getting into trouble. So due to these factors, many think it would be a good idea to have year-round school...maybe just have more breaks; go to school for 6 weeks then off for a week. I don't like this because what about the high school kids who are getting jobs during the summer and gaining work experience. To me, that is much more valuable than what you can learn in school. If they want to make requirements, have the kids 16 and up work at least 15-20 hours a week during the summer whether it's paid or they have to do it for free just to fulfill the requirement. And pick up all the younger kids whose parents work on the school bus and take them to school and let them play all day....government paid baby-sitting.
And there are many others who suggest the United States is falling behind other countries because we let our kids off for almost 3 months a year and they aren't learning while other countries go year-round. Well first off, who cares what other countries are doing, we are America! We are #1, and we do our own thing! Secondly, all the smartest people in the world come to the U.S. and we reap the benefits. So since they come here, why do we need to create more mathematicians and scientists on our soil, let's just relax and let them come to us! The foreigners who come to America do so for one reason: money. They know America is a Capitalist nation where they can make tons of money since they are at the top of their field. Instead of being the best surgeon in India and just getting by, go to America to be the 100th best surgeon and get rich!
So why would we want to stop this? It doesn't make sense to discontinue the way we have always done things. The United States is the most powerful country in the world and it has been that way for a long time...why should we want to be like other countries who aren't as successful? Perhaps the people in the second group would like to create a year-round school because they know that the more America's Capitalist foundation is uprooted, the less foreigners will want to come here. They believe if we are going to adopt a socialistic model, we need to change the way we teach our own citizens. I believe this is the motive behind year-round school.
While the people in the first group may have honest intentions, the folks from the second group put their intentions under the guise of keeping kids out of trouble. Then sometimes they are so bold as to say we need to catch up to other countries. These people don't like the structure of America and they would like to create an economy based on the Socialist model. There is no doubt this has entered into American politics, and year-round school is part of the plan for maintaining Socialism once it arrives. Well, I hope it never arrives! We all need to fight back to protect our abilities to create our own wealth and livelihood within the Capitalist system we have.
JB
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
One Year Contracts
I think there is a solution to some of the wasted money on free agents, holdouts in training camps, over-priced NFL rookies, and all the other problems that occur when professional athletes are over-paid or under-paid for their on-field performance. My solution is that everyone gets one year contracts. Of course, it isn't just that simple so I elaborate.
This sequence of events can work for any sports league. Once a player is drafted, they must sign with the team who drafted him for the predetermined amount on the rookie scale. In baseball this works like a signing bonus, there is a predetermined signing bonus and once you get to the major leagues then you follow the rules I'm about to lay out. So each drafted rookie gets a 1-year contract for the predetermined amount, then they are a restricted free agent after their first year.
With the 1-year contract the NFL 1st round bust hasn't been paid tons of money and the 5th round superstar can get paid like he should without having to hold out. Since they are restricted free agents after their rookie year the team that drafted the player can keep the player as long as they are willing to match the highest offer they get from any other team.
In the NFL, a player has to sign 1-year contracts as a restricted free agent until they have played 5 years. In the NBA - 7 years, and in MLB - 8 years. After that time is up the player becomes an unrestricted free agent and can go wherever they want...but they can still only get 1-year contracts for another 3 years; once you've passed that amount of time you can sign 2-year contracts.
The main point of the one year contracts is so that players get paid based on their performance. If they perform well one year, they will get paid the next year. If they have a bad season that next year, their contract will suffer the subsequent year. Every year is a contract year so there is no relaxing and letting the money flow in...and no more mythical NFL contracts.
It's probably a good idea to have a salary cap in every league, but baseball may never get one. It may be hard to stay under the salary cap in a effort retain all of a team's restricted free agents but a team could go over the cap to keep their own players, however, they would have to pay a luxury tax. And once a player reaches the ability to become an unrestricted free agent then the team they were on the previous year an offer 10% more than any other team. So there are maximum contracts like the NBA has now. If baseball isn't going to do a salary cap they certainly need to have maximum contracts and base it on how long a player has been in the league.
That is my idea. It would never happen, but if it did I think it would be better for professional sports. I get tired of baseball players putting in the extra effort before their contract years but not having the desire in other years. Then all the holdouts in the NFL get annoying. Don't forget over-paid NBA players who hog tons of cap space year after year because a team can get out from under their contract.
JB
This sequence of events can work for any sports league. Once a player is drafted, they must sign with the team who drafted him for the predetermined amount on the rookie scale. In baseball this works like a signing bonus, there is a predetermined signing bonus and once you get to the major leagues then you follow the rules I'm about to lay out. So each drafted rookie gets a 1-year contract for the predetermined amount, then they are a restricted free agent after their first year.
With the 1-year contract the NFL 1st round bust hasn't been paid tons of money and the 5th round superstar can get paid like he should without having to hold out. Since they are restricted free agents after their rookie year the team that drafted the player can keep the player as long as they are willing to match the highest offer they get from any other team.
In the NFL, a player has to sign 1-year contracts as a restricted free agent until they have played 5 years. In the NBA - 7 years, and in MLB - 8 years. After that time is up the player becomes an unrestricted free agent and can go wherever they want...but they can still only get 1-year contracts for another 3 years; once you've passed that amount of time you can sign 2-year contracts.
The main point of the one year contracts is so that players get paid based on their performance. If they perform well one year, they will get paid the next year. If they have a bad season that next year, their contract will suffer the subsequent year. Every year is a contract year so there is no relaxing and letting the money flow in...and no more mythical NFL contracts.
It's probably a good idea to have a salary cap in every league, but baseball may never get one. It may be hard to stay under the salary cap in a effort retain all of a team's restricted free agents but a team could go over the cap to keep their own players, however, they would have to pay a luxury tax. And once a player reaches the ability to become an unrestricted free agent then the team they were on the previous year an offer 10% more than any other team. So there are maximum contracts like the NBA has now. If baseball isn't going to do a salary cap they certainly need to have maximum contracts and base it on how long a player has been in the league.
That is my idea. It would never happen, but if it did I think it would be better for professional sports. I get tired of baseball players putting in the extra effort before their contract years but not having the desire in other years. Then all the holdouts in the NFL get annoying. Don't forget over-paid NBA players who hog tons of cap space year after year because a team can get out from under their contract.
JB
Monday, August 9, 2010
If I Were the King of College Football
Well, if I were the King of College Football it would be quite fantastic. There's plenty I would do to improve the game. It's already the greatest sport, and my tweaks would make it just a little sweeter.
First, I'd get rid of the NCAA. After all, I'm the king and I'm running things...who needs the stupid NCAA and their authoritarian rule. I'll set up private organizations to investigate each school. Each of these organizations would be assigned to four schools, two out of one conference and two out of another within the same geographic location. They will rotate off those schools after one year's time and begin on four new schools. Any outstanding investigations will be handled by the next organization. Each school is thoroughly investigated each year, non-stop. The goal is no cheating. If you're caught I won't take away wins, I'll punish the players and coaches involved and restrict the athletic department with lack of scholarships and fines. But I won't punish innocent past players and coaches or current players with no postseason bowl games.
Second, let's streamline conference alignment. All independents must join a conference, including Notre Dame. 10 conferences with 12 teams each. Each team plays 9 conference games. There will be 5 "power conferences" and 5 "lower conferences". Each year, on the first game of the year teams from the power conferences play a team from another power conference who finished the previous season with the same conference rank. For example, if Oklahoma State finished 4th in the Big 12, then they would play California who finished 4th in the Pac 12. That game happens every year and rotates home and home every year. SEC #1 vs. Big Ten #1 happens every year. ACC #2 vs. Pac 12 #2 happens every year....that sort of thing. The conference with the worst record in these games gets substituted for the lower conference which had the best record when they played their games. That way you always have the best 5 conferences in there and there is some exciting competition. If agreed upon, the teams can play at a neutral site like the Chick-Fil-A kickoff classic in Atlanta. If you play 5 conference road games and a inter-conference road game...well, that sucks. But most likely the voters will give you some slack for a tough schedule.
So there are 9 conference games and the first game of the season is designated to be played as I stated above. The 11th game is the homecoming game which is played against whatever lower conference team you make a deal with. There are only 1-year contracts for the homecoming game as a school could go from lower to power in a year's time. And the payout is $500,000 + 10% of receipts not to exceed $800,000 to prevent the worst teams from just going to Texas to get their brains beaten in to collect $1,000,000.
The 12th game is optional. You can play a 1-AA (FCS) school before the season starts if you wish. However, if you play this game you must win 7 games to advance to a bowl game. This game would be played on one of the two weekends leading up to Labor Day weekend. This does several things: it acts as a preseason game that counts, it gives a school a chance to make a lot of money on a home game, and it is like an appetizer to the season for fans.
Each conference has to have a conference championship game. Come up with the two teams however you want to, but you have to have a championship game to be played on the first Saturday of December.
Create a 4-team playoff where the first round is played on New Year's day as whichever bowl game has bid enough to host the game. For example, #1 vs. #4 in the Fiesta Bowl and #2 vs. #3 in the Sugar Bowl. Then play the championship game on the Saturday during the weekend before the Superbowl. This way teams and fans have more than three weeks to prepare for the game. This game is simply called the National Title Game and the money from it is divided between the two schools involved. However, the money is given 25% to it's conference, 25% to athletic budgets, 25% to fund new construction on campus, and 25% going to scholarships for students of that school who qualify by getting a certain GPA. By doing this everyone is truly excited to root for their school to win the championship.
And let's move the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta, GA. No reason to have it in South Bend, Indiana where Notre Dame is located. Put it in the capital of college football, Atlanta. And of course my office would be there since I reside in the ATL. Now, I need some followers to promote be to King.
JB
First, I'd get rid of the NCAA. After all, I'm the king and I'm running things...who needs the stupid NCAA and their authoritarian rule. I'll set up private organizations to investigate each school. Each of these organizations would be assigned to four schools, two out of one conference and two out of another within the same geographic location. They will rotate off those schools after one year's time and begin on four new schools. Any outstanding investigations will be handled by the next organization. Each school is thoroughly investigated each year, non-stop. The goal is no cheating. If you're caught I won't take away wins, I'll punish the players and coaches involved and restrict the athletic department with lack of scholarships and fines. But I won't punish innocent past players and coaches or current players with no postseason bowl games.
Second, let's streamline conference alignment. All independents must join a conference, including Notre Dame. 10 conferences with 12 teams each. Each team plays 9 conference games. There will be 5 "power conferences" and 5 "lower conferences". Each year, on the first game of the year teams from the power conferences play a team from another power conference who finished the previous season with the same conference rank. For example, if Oklahoma State finished 4th in the Big 12, then they would play California who finished 4th in the Pac 12. That game happens every year and rotates home and home every year. SEC #1 vs. Big Ten #1 happens every year. ACC #2 vs. Pac 12 #2 happens every year....that sort of thing. The conference with the worst record in these games gets substituted for the lower conference which had the best record when they played their games. That way you always have the best 5 conferences in there and there is some exciting competition. If agreed upon, the teams can play at a neutral site like the Chick-Fil-A kickoff classic in Atlanta. If you play 5 conference road games and a inter-conference road game...well, that sucks. But most likely the voters will give you some slack for a tough schedule.
So there are 9 conference games and the first game of the season is designated to be played as I stated above. The 11th game is the homecoming game which is played against whatever lower conference team you make a deal with. There are only 1-year contracts for the homecoming game as a school could go from lower to power in a year's time. And the payout is $500,000 + 10% of receipts not to exceed $800,000 to prevent the worst teams from just going to Texas to get their brains beaten in to collect $1,000,000.
The 12th game is optional. You can play a 1-AA (FCS) school before the season starts if you wish. However, if you play this game you must win 7 games to advance to a bowl game. This game would be played on one of the two weekends leading up to Labor Day weekend. This does several things: it acts as a preseason game that counts, it gives a school a chance to make a lot of money on a home game, and it is like an appetizer to the season for fans.
Each conference has to have a conference championship game. Come up with the two teams however you want to, but you have to have a championship game to be played on the first Saturday of December.
Create a 4-team playoff where the first round is played on New Year's day as whichever bowl game has bid enough to host the game. For example, #1 vs. #4 in the Fiesta Bowl and #2 vs. #3 in the Sugar Bowl. Then play the championship game on the Saturday during the weekend before the Superbowl. This way teams and fans have more than three weeks to prepare for the game. This game is simply called the National Title Game and the money from it is divided between the two schools involved. However, the money is given 25% to it's conference, 25% to athletic budgets, 25% to fund new construction on campus, and 25% going to scholarships for students of that school who qualify by getting a certain GPA. By doing this everyone is truly excited to root for their school to win the championship.
And let's move the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta, GA. No reason to have it in South Bend, Indiana where Notre Dame is located. Put it in the capital of college football, Atlanta. And of course my office would be there since I reside in the ATL. Now, I need some followers to promote be to King.
JB
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Lists
I love lists. When I'm thinking of stuff I need to do, I make a list. When I want to rank what is the best, I make a list. I've heard that men like lists, Toby Keith even wrote a song about it.
Sometimes when I start making my lists I'll put stuff like 'eat lunch' and 'take a shower' on there, I guess I just want it to be long with easy stuff to do so I'll feel great when it's all done. A lot of times I'll make a list so long for the following day that I feel overwhelmed when I wake up that morning. Then once I get into the list I realize it's such easy stuff that I finish it quickly.
I've got 12 areas for lists on my phone. I've got one for each day, a grocery list, a business to-do list, at home to-do list, places I want to eat, and stuff I want to have for dinner. Listing things could be a pastime in and of itself.
JB
Sometimes when I start making my lists I'll put stuff like 'eat lunch' and 'take a shower' on there, I guess I just want it to be long with easy stuff to do so I'll feel great when it's all done. A lot of times I'll make a list so long for the following day that I feel overwhelmed when I wake up that morning. Then once I get into the list I realize it's such easy stuff that I finish it quickly.
I've got 12 areas for lists on my phone. I've got one for each day, a grocery list, a business to-do list, at home to-do list, places I want to eat, and stuff I want to have for dinner. Listing things could be a pastime in and of itself.
JB
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