The Furious Fist

Fighting the Good Fight, and Fighting to Fight the Good Fight

2010-10-19T17:28:00.002-04:00

Everyone who has watched an NFL game during the month of October knows that NFL players, coaches, and staff have included pink to various aspects of their uniforms such as hats, gloves, sweatbands, and cleats. The NFL has joined in the fight to raise breast cancer awareness by having its players participate in breast cancer awareness month during October. But as the month of October slowly winds down, NFL fans are beginning to wonder if the players, coaches, and staff will participate in breast cancer awareness month next year. It would not be because the NFL will choose not to participate next year, it would be because there may not be a season.

With the league's collective bargaining agreement set to expire in March, negotiations (although the term peace talks may be more appropriate) between Roger Goodell's NFL and DeMaurice Smith's NFLPA have barely begun. The lack of progress and initiative by both sides has practically signaled that a work stoppage is imminent and the cancellation of the 2011 NFL season is an unfortunate possibility. And as the lack of negotiations continue, the more issues pile up on the table. Amongst the original issues are retirement benefits and continued player health care. But now two new issues have arisen: hard hits and the potential of an eighteen game season.

This past weekend, the likes of Patriots DB Brandon Meriweather and Falcons CB Dunta Robinson have been fined for extreme and flagrant hits on Ravens TE Todd Heap and Eagles WR Desean Jackson respectively. Robinson in particular had the finger pointed at him by the media due to his use of a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jackson, who remained motionless on the ground for minutes following the hit. Steelers LB and former Defensive MVP James Harrison faces discipline for a flagrant hit on Browns WR Mohammed Massoquoi. On Monday the league office announced that effective this Sunday, players who commit helmet-to-helmet or devastating hits will face suspension. This includes first offenders. The growing amount of brain damage in the NFL is expected to be halted with the new CBA because it is 1) bad for the NFL's business if their workforce is, to quote Michael Wilbon, "literally killed off," and 2) because the NFLPA want their players protected. If their is anything the two sides should agree on it's this.

Sadly, it's not that simple. During the off-season, talks began of increasing the games in a season to eighteen, but cutting two preseason games. The league's justification is that the fans have grown tired of the preseason's four game length. Almost immediately, star players such as Patriots QB Tom Brady and Ravens LB Ray Lewis spoke out against the idea of an eighteen game season, on the grounds that it opens up the door for more injury to players.

This is where Roger Goodell needs to open his mind and listen. When you have players like Ray Lewis and Tom Brady speaking out against the notion of an eighteen game season, and you are the Commissioner, then you need to pay attention, especially since players like Brady and Lewis have made the league billions of dollars. They made the money for the league, and now Goodell should return their request.

I hope that a new CBA is resolved and I can have something other than hockey to look forward to in the fall. But if the corporate suits in the NFL decide that making money is more important than protecting the people who make them money, then it could be a long summer for football fans.

Top 5 Upsets of All Time

2010-02-22T19:45:00.003-05:00

It has been 30 years to the day since the Miracle on Ice. I figured why not celebrate by counting down the top 5 biggest upsets in sports history.

5.) 1913 Francis Ouimet vs. Harry Vardon and Ted Ray
In the 1913 U.S. Open in golf, an amateur golfer took on the two heavily favored Britons in a stunning upset against the two favored Harry Vardon and Ted Ray.

4.) 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
The Rams had been dominating the NFL for the past couple of years. They were led by a fierce offense commanded by two-time MVP Kurt Warner. For the Patriots, their Super Bowl hopes were almost non-existent as the season had barely begun. Starting Quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered a sheared blood vessel after a hit by New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis. In comes Tom Brady, a back up QB who had been in that position essentially his whole life as a football player, and tested poorly at the combine. Stunning football critics, Brady led the season to a 11-5 record and to the Super Bowl, where Brady led the Patriots to on a final drive to keep the game from going into overtime. Patriots kicker Adam Vinateri's kick went right where it was supposed to go, directly through the uprights generating a 20-17 victory. The victory at Super Bowl XXXVI marked the beginning of a great career for Tom Brady, one which still goes strong today.

3.) 2007 Stanford vs. University of Southern California
Pete Carroll's USC Trojans were ranked #2 by the AP in NCAA football with a 4-0 record. Stanford was 1-3 and operating on back up Quarterback Tavita Pritchard, who had never started a game and only thrown three passes. Stanford upset the elite Trojans in a stunning 24-23 victory.

2.) 2008 Super Bowl XLII New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
Just weeks prior to the Super Bowl the Patriots came from behind to beat the Giants, giving the Patriots a perfect 16-0 regular season. The Giants were the Wild card team from the NFC with a record of 10-6. Just to get to the Super Bowl the Giants had to beat Brett Favre in his last game as a Packer in arctic conditions at Lambeau Field. The Patriots stepped over Jacksonville and San Diego to make it to the Super Bowl, and to close out a perfect season they would have to beat the team that gave them the perfect regular season, the Giants. The Patriots had Tom Brady at QB, commanding an unstoppable offense comprised of receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, TE Kyle Brady, and running backs Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, and FB Heath Evans. Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi headlined a defense of big names such as Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ellis Hobbs, Adalius Thomas, and Rodney Harrison The Giants had Eli Manning as QB, the younger brother of the still great Peyton Manning. Giants RB Tiki Barber retired the year before, and TE Jeremy Shockey was injured. When the game was all but over, Eli Manning broke a tackle and sent a 32 yard pass to receiver David Tyree, a WR who normally is on the bench. This catch gave the Giants ground in the redzone where just a few plays later, Manning sent a game winning touchdown pass to WR Plaxico Burress. Tom Brady was unable to make progress downfield on the following drive, ending the Patriots perfect season attempt.

1.) 1980 USA vs. USSR
"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"

Celebrities That Look Alike

2010-01-10T20:02:00.004-05:00

How many celebrities are there that look similar to one another? I picked out a few noticeable ones that could be twins for all I know.

Our first pair of doppelgangers are two people who have occasionally acknowledged their potential of having the same DNA. On the left is Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. On the right is comedian Will Ferrell, on occasion, Smith has been known to wear a shirt stating, "I am not Will Ferrell."

Here's another pair of celebrity twins. On the left is Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. On the right is actor Omar Epps, known best for his roles as Dr. Eric Forman in the popular T. V. Series House M.D. The show made reference to their similar appearance in a recent episode.

Speaking of football, Kyle Orton, quarterback of the Denver Broncos bears a similar resemblance to that of a younger Dave Grohl, the front man for the Foo Fighters. Orton on the let, Grohl on the right.

Lastly, we have two musicians from the 70s who bear a resemblance that only a mother could tell apart. First is Geddy Lee, the front man from Rush. Second is Ozzy Osbourne

I can only assume that the only difference between the two is that Geddy didn't try to bite the head off of a bat.

Mike Leach Scandal

2010-01-06T20:21:00.003-05:00

I'm sure by now many sports fans have heard about the firing of Texas Tech Red Raiders Football Head Coach Mike Leach. Leach was fired for insubordination amidst an investigation involving Leach's handling of a situation with wide receiver Adam James. After James acquired a concussion and was unfit to play, he showed up at practice where Leach allegedly sent him into a tool shed and had him lock in. Texas Tech ordered Leach to write a written apology to James and refused, resulting in his firing. Oh, and I almost forgot, Adam James is the son of ESPN analyst Craig James.

Ok, I HATE Mike Leach, but I am questioning the facts and ethics surrounding these allegations. First off we have the son of an ESPN analyst as the "victim" in question. That gives off the vibe that Craig James could be exerting some sort of force in the situation in regards to Leach's firing. I don't know if that is the case and I'm not accusing him of it, but I am definitely getting that vibe.

Secondly, I keep hearing that what Leach did endangered the safety of Adam James. For goodness sakes HE LOCKED THE KID IN A SHED. The kid is in as much danger in that shed as I am here at my computer desk typing (unless I get carpal tunnel but I digress.) If anything, what Leach did was to protect James. If you have a concussion you stay out of the light, which is what Leach was trying to for James' safety (even though this decision was rather idiotic on Leach's part.) Leach claims that he had an athletic trainer check on James every fifteen minutes, although this fact is still up for debate.

Lastly, Leach was fired for insubordination because he refused to write and send a written apology to the Adam James. The thing Texas Tech needs to remember about Mike Leach is:
1. He is a very unusual person, and additionally rather stubborn. Who remembers the fat little girlfriends press conference rant? Or the Sportscenter interview afterwards? You have to remember that he is not going to take the logical approach to a situation.

2. He has put the Red Raiders football team on the map. Leach has done nothing but good for this team. He is considered one of the most innovative minds in football today with an offensive scheme like none other. He runs the football team with a budget a fraction of what most schools have for their football teams So don't be surprised with what he does because he could possibly have a sort of "troubled genius" personality.

Maybe all of the facts will come to light with this fiasco, only time will tell. Leach plans to file suit against Texas Tech, and it will be interesting to see what his next coaching job is, whether it's at the college or pro level.

The Decade's Most Influential

2010-01-05T17:26:00.000-05:00

The past decade is finally over. Would it be a cliche if I talked about some of the most influential people over the past decade? Of course it would. But I'm doing it anyway. At first I thought of doing it as a top 5 most influential thing, but I decided that you can't measure a persons influence and inspiration without breaking it down into categories. I'm going to talk about three people in particular, one in politics, one in sports, and one in music.

In politics:
Obviously no one has been more influential in terms of political favor over the last decade than President Barack Obama. Sure, he's been in office for less than a year, but let's be honest he has more in fluence over us than Bush ever did. We saw him on the campaign trail, he coaxed us with his calm and even voice and demeanor. He raised how he planned to handle the mess that was left in the oval office, defeated John McCain in a fair election by the people of the U.S. and became the first African American president without ever pulling the race card. Even though his success in the White House has yielded very little, I feel that in the coming times he will solve the issues that plague our country.

In Sports:
We have heard many stories over the last decade in sports about Cinderella teams that have risen from the bottom to the top and did the unthinkable, such as the Giants beating the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl 42. But to me there is one person who continues to inspire people to become better, and he does so both on and off the field. Pete Carroll, the head coach of the University of Southern California (USC) football team has created a dynasty and probably one of the most consistent winning college football teams reaching 2 national championships and multiple bowl games over the last decade. He was fired from his two previous coaching jobs in the 90s, coaching first the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. Carroll's coaching style personality is different from most others. He is always optimistic and never uses the tough coach approach when dealing with a poor performance (which he rarely sees now a days) and is always encouraging his players instead of breaking them down. But his work on the field extends off the field as well. Recently Carroll has been working to help reduce and erradicate gang violence in Los Angeles in order to create a better LA. Pete Carroll truely inspires the best in people.

In Music:
Undoubtedly one of the hardest working musicians in order to erradicate poverty is the one and only Paul Hewson. You might better know him as Bono. Bono has spent much of the last decade doing humanitarian work in Africa in order to end the poverty there. Bono has worked with as well as enlisted the help of leaders to reach his goals regarding Africa. In addition, Bono has worked towards creating a more peaceful world. He personified himself in the movie Across the Universe by playing the anti war Dr. Roberts. He has played several benefit concerts, was named Time Magazine Person of the Year, and has been granted knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II for his actions.

I'm going to try to be more frequent with my posts, as you can see there was a large gap between my most recent post before this.

Tiger

2009-12-14T20:23:00.000-05:00

To be honest, I'm sick of the media circus surrounding Tiger Woods. What is going on here? He went from being a well respected golfer to the worst person in the world suddenly.

Ok, what he did was wrong, I don't condone cheating on your spouse. But the media needs to BACK OFF. I'm sick and tired of hearing about Tiger Woods this and Tiger Woods that. Don't you have anything better to report on, like starving children in Africa? Seriously, back down and give the man his privacy. He is taking an indefinite break from golf, the story has been reported. Move on.

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

2009-12-06T18:01:00.000-05:00

I LOVE the winter holiday time period. It's the biggest feelgood time during the year, ....unless you were at Wal-Mart on black Friday. But besides that everyone is enjoying the up coming, and even if you don't celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa you can still cash in on all the good deals that the stores have.

But, the over commercialization of just Christmas is backfiring on itself. The people who want to enjoy what normally occurs everyday on, for example television, is being blocked out by Christmas specials. Additionally, we don't see gigantic Menorahs at Rockefeller Center, nor do we see "Chanukah lights" out on people's front lawns.

Granted a majority of the people celebrate this holiday, but honestly there are a lot of people who feel left out in all of this excitement, namely the people who don't celebrate Christmas. And, people have taken the commercialization of Christmas to ridiculous levels, I spotted a Christmas commercial this year as early as the day before Halloween. But regardless of the fact that sometimes the winter holidays can be an over commercialized excuse for people to make money, it still is the most wonderful time of the year.

I'm sorry I haven't updated my blog in the past couple of days. I'm still thinking of a time structure that I can base my entries off of, such as daily, every other day etc. A lot has happened since my last post, so some topics you can expect in the future are: Tebow crying, Tiger Woods, the Grammy nominations, and the BCS selections.

Bowden, McDaniels, and Ovechkin

2009-12-02T19:21:00.000-05:00

Before I get angry about stuff that's been going on, I wish to extend a hats off to Bobby Bowden, one of college footballs greatest coaches, who recently announced his retirement from the Head coach of Florida State. Among the highlights of Bowden's career are two national titles, twelve ACC championships, twenty one total bowl wins, and an overall record of 399-141-4, the second most in college football history behind Joe Paterno. Bowden, who is 80 years old, has been the head coach of Florida State for 34 years, since 1976. He will coach the FSU Seminoles in the upcoming bowl game.

Now here's where I get mad, Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels is the hot topic after an incident last Thursday, here's what happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubgGON_9TFE&feature=related

The NFL network apologized for McDaniel's ability to speak French, but McDaniels isn't the one to blame. If he apologizes at all for this, then that's just plain rediculous. First off it's the NFL Network's fault for not checking then censoring the clip. Secondly it's no secret that when you read the lips of most NFL coaches, you can see multiple expletives emitted from their mouths. Sometimes there is even audio to go with it, such as in the case of McDaniels. Several weeks back when the Baltimore Ravens played the New England Patriots, John Harbaugh got furious with the officials ater a questionable pass interference call against the Ravens. Well, the camera next to him was turned on, and it caught the audio of Harbaugh screaming "...BULLSHIT CALL." (Harbaugh then got unsportsmanlike conduct called on him because the pass interference call had been two plays ago.)

McDaniels, of course, did win the motherfucking game in question.

Finally I go to a topic that has people shocked, when they really shouldn't be. Washington Capitals forwar Alexandr Ovechkin has been suspended for two games for his knee to Carolina's Tim Gleason. Ovechkin was injured during the hit. Here's the hit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FfxSWmgRvI

It's about time that Ovechkin got a suspension for his aggressive/dirty tactics. He's been ejected from games before, such as this hit on Patrick Kaleta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x3-dufZHg4

and this ugly hit on Daniel Briere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxMJrQhGoSg

Newsflash hockey fans, just because you're one of the leagues biggest players does not grant you immunity. It may take time to get a suspension called on a player with tactics similar to Ovechkin, and sometimes the suspension may not be for something they actually deserved (think about Sean Avery.)

Obama's Progress

2009-12-01T18:34:00.000-05:00

President Barack Obama is expected to make a speech tonight at 8 in regards to the situation in Afghanistan. I read in the paper this morning that he's basically pulling the Afghanistan version of the surge. What does he hope to accomplish?

Don't get wrong, I love Obama. I'm going to stick with him thorugh and thorugh, but in fairness to his critics, he hasn't done squat/he has done very little. I remember last year around this time there was so much hype about what he planned to do to fix the various messes the country is in right now. Sure, he's taking small steps to reform health care, deal with the war in Iraq, and clean up the economic mess. But I fear that the steps he is taking are to small over a long period of time, and that by the time the next election comes around, he won't have gained enough ground to be re-elected.

I hope Obama can do something that will send his popularity ratings back up. He needs to re-take control of the Senate in order to get the legislation that he wants passed, that's his biggest issue.

In the mean time, the situation in Afghanistan requires serious attention. Our progress in fixing the problems there has become a problem in of itself. We lost serious ground when we committed troops to the Iraq war, and we lost many lives over that pointless attempt for George W. Bush to finish what his father started. Thankfully Obama has oulled the troops out of the Iraq cities. Realistically it would take eighteen months to move all the soldiers and equipment back home, but the troops may be detouring to Afghanistan on the way back. Oh, that reminds me, WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE DOING IN AFGHANISTAN ANYWAY? Are we still trying to capture bin Laden? We have bigger problems domestically, and the money we're spending on these "wars" is going to waste on the false hope that we can catch a terrorist mastermind. Obama needs to get that through his head before more lives are lost over nothing.

Why Georgia Tech Lost

2009-11-30T17:07:00.000-05:00

They had a chance. They had a chance and the blew it. As a proud Georgia Tech fan nothing upsets me more than losing to the Bulldogs, and what's even more upsetting is that UGA was in control of the game the entire time.

Like I said, GT had a chance and they blew that chance. With 1:30 left to go in the 4th quarter UGA led 30-24, Tech had possession of the football. This is where they screwed up. Instead of Paul Johnson's usual running game (which they had plenty of time for) he decided to have QB Josh Nesbitt pass, on all four downs. Johnson should know better than anyone that his triple option offense is not designed for a passing game. He could have called for the hand off to Dwyer, the pitch to Anthony Allen, which would have gained some decent yardage, but instead on fourth down, he put the pressure on WR Damaruis Thomas who drops the pass for an incompletion, turning over the ball to the Bulldogs, who simpl had to take knees to end the game.

I hope, I HOPE, that Paul Johnson doesn't make the same mistakes against Clemson in the ACC championship on Saturday. If Tech wins they will be in one of the five BCS bowls, if not, they will be in a less important bowl. That poor play calling can nd should haunt Paul Johnson for atleast another year until the Yellow Jackets get the chance to beat UGA again.

Welcome/Annoying Fans

2009-11-29T16:05:00.000-05:00

Hello, I am The Fist. By viewing this blog you are subjected to my cynicism towards the world. You may choose to read my blog, but I'm sure you may or may not regret that decision. Again, its your choice.

Maybe it's just me, but for some reason whenever I go to a huge sporting/musical/entertainment event, I end up near the most talkative/annoying/drunk fan. I'm sure it has happened to you too. There's always the one person you're sitting near at a huge event that ruins the fun for you. Last night I was at the Georgia Tech/UGA football game, cheering on Georgia Tech(I'm a HUGE fan of GT football) and these loud, obnoxious, and drunk Georgia fans were sitting right behind me.

OK, I understand that they want their team to win, they have the right to cheer on their team, they have freedom of speech. But there comes a point where enough is enough is enough. I was at an Atlanta Thrashers/Philadelphia Flyers game where a Flyers fans spilled beer on me. On a separate occasion (same teams) a Thrashers fan continued talking and talking and talking. It gets to a point of sheer absurdity. Lastly (because I could go on and on with examples) I was at the Verzion Center watching the Washington Capitals play the Florida Panthers. A drunken spectator started cheering on the Buffalo Sabres, THE BUFFALO SABRES! This was completely unrelated to the game, so several fans shouted back at him to shut up. It's unbelievable.

Now I know why private boxes cost so much money, not just for getting a nice private view of the games, but for the ability to (hopefully) get away from the crazy, rude, and obnoxious fans.