Friday, November 13, 2009

bits & pieces

After a bizarre few weeks ... Here are some bits and pieces of thought and commentary:

Spikes vs. Georgia
I didn't want to post anything during the week of hoopla, because it was just all so chaotic. But I read a lot. And I watched the clip(s) circulating the internet. The one game suspension was a perfectly acceptable punishment - especially since there's no telling what else went on that the general public does not know about. Yes, it was a stupid move. But it wasn't successful or Ealley would've raised Cain - as fiercely and yes, "dirty" as the game was being played, do you honestly think Georgia would've passed up the chance that penalty would've provided them if there had been anything of substance that happened? Nope. Not even a little chance. So in the end, it was simply a moment of non-thinking on the part of a player whom everyone credits as passionate, enthusiastic, and protective of his teammates. Honorable characteristics when channeled properly. Of course, if anything else happens during the last 5 games of Spikes' career, then we can open up a more intense discussion.

Tebow vs. Georgia
Superman still lives. And busted Herschel Walker's record with ease and exuberance. That's the kind of football I love watching.

He15man Watching
Nissan has their public-vote website up and running, and over the weekend I was working to recruit and convince people to vote for Tebow (my football champion of choice), and wrote this "campaign speech" as one of the appeals [posted at the request of Meg]:



In a world and society that places so much emphasis on doing what feels good in the moment, that rewards people for their sexuality - never thinking about what consequences (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) it will have - there are few pro-Waiting voices to be heard above the noise. And if a voice does manage to be heard, all too often it is ridiculed and mocked.

One voice, however, actually earned attention and even respect for publicly declaring they were waiting until marriage. That voice belongs to Tim Tebow, senior starting Quarterback for the Florida Gators. On and off the field, Tebow is a role model for all ages - demonstrating character and class, dedication and passion. Including his public answering of the question - that YES, he IS saving himself for marriage. That's rare, and that is special.

Let's have our collective voice heard through the voice that the media seems to adore: lets support Tim Tebow. Nissan, as a primary sponsor of the Heisman Award, is given a vote. And they are using their vote to let the People speak - they have set up a website where people can vote DAILY for their Heisman candidate. The winner will receive Nissan's vote. In a contest where every vote/point counts, this has enormous ramifications.

When asked by a friend whether there were any football-oriented reasons to vote for Tebow as Heisman winner (again), I first wondered to myself if he'd been living under a rock and managed to somehow miss all the news and clips. After recovering sufficiently, I did present a list of football reasons Tebow deserves a second Heisman. The short-version being: he busted Herschel Walker's SEC-TD record - as a QUARTERBACK; he now owns the SEC record for rushing yards by a QB; he's leading his team in what appears to be their first-ever undefeated season - standing 9-0 right now, and holding the nation's longest win streak at 19-0. In addition, his prowess on the field is almost eclipsed by his leadership and inspiration, the exuberance and passion that motivates teammates and fans alike to believe in the team and the game. He embodies the tangible and intangibles that create a Heisman winner. He's done it once, he received more first place votes than anyone else last year, let's put a shining seal on the senior season with one of college football's finest honors.

The Potential Disappearance of the NFL in 2011
I had somehow missed this discussion until stumbling across a one-line mention yesterday in the paper. I suppose there is some economic/business theory behind the idea, but seriously? Do they really think that taking football away from America for a year is a good idea? Think about it ... The idea of an entire season without football is agonizing. Yes, there'd be college ball still. But college ball begins later and ends sooner than professional! There will be much gnashing of teeth if this does occur (in my house anyway).

Florida vs. South Carolina
I am so super excited about this game ... Florida will win, by -- at least 14. I haven't seen South Carolina play enough this year to give a really good number, but from everything I've read - and heard from the USC fan in my department - you never know which team will appear. One thing that is definite is that the QB is shakey and not dependable - in that he doesn't handle pressure well. The Florida D is all about applying pressure and keeping points from being scored. I predict a nasty showdown.

Here's to football!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Introductory Thoughts

As a former English major, I appreciate properly-used introductions. Preliminary writings that have little or nothing to do with helping the reader understand what they are fixing to read are annoying. However, an introduction that gives some taste, some glimmering hint of understanding what is to come? Now those are worth reading. To that end, I'm going to give the briefest of introductions - basically explaining who I am, what this is, and why on earth I am qualified to write a sportsblog. Particularly one titled "Football & Etc. Girl-style".

When asked to point out a "football fan," most people would not pick me. But I am. A football fan, I mean. Intensely. Normally, when people stumble across that nugget of truth, their jaw drops and it's a full 2 minutes and 19 seconds before they can sputter "I did not see that one coming". (It takes longer for speech to return if they actually witness the football fanaticism rather than just having it come up in conversation). Ten years ago, I wouldn't have considered myself a football girl either - I sort of cheered for the Panthers or whatever team I randomly selected during SuperBowl season, but I definitely didn't watch the *game* or know who anybody was player/coach-wise. That all changed senior year of high school.

My dad had just started teaching at the local high school (gotta love small towns in the South!), and had a lot of football players in his classes. So the family went en masse to support Dad's students. It didn't take long for me to realize that I had two choices: figure out what the heck is going on, or be incredibly bored every Friday night. I opted to learn ... and in learning, I fell in love. Seriously. Football is simply *amazing,* and I don't know how I made it so long without discovering this fact! Once I figured out what was going on, the fascination spread from the high school field to professional and college, and I've never looked back.

Over the past year or so, I've started reading sportsblogs and paying more attention to news articles and etc. pertaining to football in general and "my teams" in particular. I want to get even better acquainted with the minute details of the game - and fully admit there are areas where I'm not nearly as 'educated' as I'd prefer. Thus the ongoing education and self-imposed reading regimen. The commentary I've been reading has been fairly in-line with the conclusions and such that I make (made?) on my own ... The "trivia" and stuff, I simply love. I'm all about stats and records and random bits of knowledge that most people would never dream about knowing. And so ... Since I learn best by writing, and am wanting to get into writing again in general, I decided to create a sportsblog as an exercise in focused writing. (Not to mention: it's just plain FUN. And I think my friends are slightly over-footballed by this point).

And that, is the brief background of Football & Etc. Girl-style.