THE NFL IS HERE!

Take a break from your fantasy football drafts and look at the week that was in the NFL. Advice from Outsidetheinsideofsports: if you ever decide to start a sports blog, do not do it in June or July with 2 leagues in lockouts and your favorite team in a downward spiral…it is not fun. On that note, if you decide to start a sports blog, a great way to start is becoming a contributor to Outsidetheinsideofsports (just email outsidetheinsideofsports@gmail.com or hit up the email off of facebook), with that, here are 3 stories from the recently reunited National Football League…

BAD NEWS FOR CAROLINA TATTOO PARLORS

Number one draft pick Cam Newton had an interesting interaction with his new boss this week. Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson, a 75 year old former pro football player, asked his promising new talent if he had any piercings or tattoos. When the young quarterback replied that he did not, the owner simply stated, “Good. We want to keep it that way. We want to keep no tattoos, no piercings and I think you’ve got a very nice haircut.”
(paraphrasing from http://www.thenation.com/blog/163011/jerry-richardson-cam-newton-and-color-control)

The reaction on national and local broadcasts all week have ranged from accusing Richardson of “being too old school” to comparisons of racism. Now, everyone take a deep breath and remember – Jerry Richardson owns the Carolina Panthers. He is paying for Cam Newton’s services as a quarterback. One time I worked for Pizza Hut, and they had a policy that no one could have facial hair other than a mustache. (Which resulted in my attempt to grow upper lip hair called an “invisistache”) More to the point, however, is that I simply did not have facial hair while I was delivering delicious Pizza Hut pizza Back to our young quarterback, I’m not saying Cam did anything wrong. From everything I’ve read or heard, his reaction has basically been “ok, boss I will do my best”- and good for him. This story has received a lot of attention, and likely because there is not a whole lot else out there and writers are looking for something to write about. Thank goodness the NFL season kicks off soon. I don’t know if I can watch Herm Edwards break down pre-season Cowboys games anymore.


TIM TEBOW TALK

Outsidetheinsideofsports has decided to put it’s 2 cents in on the Tim Tebow quarterback debate simply because it is currently based out of Colorado, and that is all of the local talk right now. For your pleasure, more talk about a 3 string quarterback who loves Jesus!

Recently, members of the media have decided to distinguish themselves by reporting that they do not think Tim Tebow is going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL any time soon. Certain members of the media have found much less pleasant ways to make their point such as Merryl Hodge via Twitter: “Sitting watching tape off bronco offense from last year! Orton or Tebow? It's embarrassing to think the broncos could win with tebow!!”. That was just one of many posts he made in regards to the low opinion he has for Tim Tebow. He poured so much salt in the wound that even LeBron James defended Tim Tebow stating (again via Twitter) “Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!”

Tebow continues to be criticized for his play on the field, and that is fair. He is a second year NFL player, and he has potential to be more than a third string quarterback. If anything, he is a God-loving, positive individual with a smoking hot girlfriend (google it!) who may or may not be in the league in the next 3 years. The bigger question is, after his time in the NFL is up…will The Bachelor still be on, and how fantastic will that be? Move over Jesse Palmer, here is a snip it from Tebow-style Bachelor:

HOST: Welcome to the Bachelor. We are joined by former Denver Bronco Tim Tebow, who many consider one of the best college football players to ever play the game. While he may have enjoyed wearing a Bronco jersey for a brief amount of time, he has not enjoyed finding a suitable life partner and so we here at The Bachelor have arranged for 15 girls to win your heart through a series of challenges and awkward dates…are you ready?

TIM: Oh, thanks I really want to thank God for the opportunity to be here today. I’m not sure if I will find love, but I would love the opportunity to share my beliefs with the young women who are participating in this contest.


HOST: Great! First up we have Vanessa. Vanessa is a pre-med student who hopes to become a pediatrician and help children.

TIM: Nice to meet you, I have done a lot of work with my church to help children. Where do you plan to go to medical school?

VANESSA: As soon as I can raise the money to get into school. Right now I work nights at the Slippery Pole to raise money before I can go to school.

TIM: That’s great. I’m glad to see you are a hard worker and are working whatever hours you can to achieve your dreams. What is your favorite scripture?

Although Tebow has his “haters”, he also has a large following that is rooting for him to win the starting job. The casual football fans in the Denver area for the most part unanimously call for Tim to be starting under center, while those who follow the Broncos a little closer know that he is not ready for now. Personally, I think they should take the Peyton Manning approach where they know for the first few years he is going to stink, but might develop into someone to build around. That is just my opinion, Woody Paige has an entertaining opinion as well. Let’s just give you the link and let Woody work his magic… http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_18721489?obref=obinsite




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THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR THE COLTS?

The Colts shocked many this week by signing veteran quarterback Kerry Collins to a deal as Peyton Manning is recovering from neck surgery. There are quite a few things in play here. First of all, the Colts franchise is unique in the fact that they are one of the only franchises in professional sports that have built around a singular player. Even when Jordan left the Bulls, they still made the playoffs. The Colts without Manning might be competing with the Panthers for the top overall draft pick next year. Secondly, Manning prides himself on his consecutive start streak. Tony Dungy earlier this week said (don’t quote me on accuracy) something to the effect of “if he has a pulse, he will play”. And that has been Manning’s attitude throughout his career.

The Colt’s have experienced a lot of changes this year. Perhaps the biggest changes have come from the coaching staff. Jim Caldwell hasn’t been overly impressive after taking over for Tony Dungy, and there has been shake ups beyond that. Tom Moore, who spent 12 years as the Colts offensive coordinator (3 rings, 2 with the Steelers and 1 with the Colts) has been replaced by Clyde Christenson. Christenson was with the 2001 Tampa Bay Bucs, but is familiar with the organization and has worked with Manning for a long time. Howard Mudd, now former offensive line coach has departed from the franchise making way for Pete Metzelaars. Metzelaars has been part of the Colts family for 8 years. Defensive coordinator Ron Meeks is no longer with the Colts after a resignation and appointed Larry Coyer as a replacement. Coyer was with the Broncos formally (2003-2006). Although the Colt’s on field roster hasn’t changed all that much, their staff has experienced a major make-over.

All of this being said, I wouldn’t count the Colts out just yet. My prediction, is that this NFL season is going to have a lot of 8-8 teams, with a few 10-6 and 12-4 franchises. Teams like, the Steelers, Colts, and Patriots who did not make huge dramatic changes will fare well against teams who decided to sign big free agents and fit them into their team’s philosophies. Signing Collins seems to be an insurance policy, as the proven veteran could come into say the first 2-4 weeks of the season and bang out a couple wins to give them a better chance than back-up Curtis Painter. (side note: it seems like the biggest joke of a quarterback in the NFL is whoever backs up Peyton Manning. Curtis Painter isn’t great, but try following up Jerry Seinfeld as a comedian...give the dude time!, at least that’s what Reggie Wayne and I think) Manning will return, and the Colts should be in the hunt. This year is going to be one of the craziest NFL years we have seen, and the Colts should be able to use that to their advantage.

What the H happened to the NL Central?

NL CENTRAL RECAP

Remember a week ago, the fun of the trade deadline. We were able to watch the Pirates actually acquiring players. A time so strange that Jim Rome invited Andrew McCutchen on his show to enlighten his “clones” on the phenomenon. We watched the Cubs keep promising young talent, and build for the future. We watched Astros giving players away and paying teams to do so…you are welcome, Philly. We watched the Cardinals turn into Sybil and go from “you will obey the all knowing Tony La Russa” (the Rasmus trade), to “our starting pitching needs an upgrade, we need an inconsistent Edwin Jackson who’s contract is up at the end of the year”, to “let’s play Ryan Theriot /Brendon Ryan musical chairs”, to crying “we need another bat and will reach for anyone (Rafael Furcal)”. Seriously, the Cardinals took a page from the prom playbook and put on as many moves as they could possible to land the big score. We watched the Reds sit on their thumbs, and move only struggling fan favorite, inexpensive Johnny Gomes for prospects (potentially to make room for Michael Bourn, but the deal fell through …your welcome, Atlanta), and the Reds went on a downward spiral. Finally, we watched the Brew Crew executives taping their fingers on their desks like a Bond villain after changing the KROD contract giving them two amazing closers.

FLASH FORWARD ONE WEEK…

The Brewers are on top of the division, the St. Lunitics are trailing by 3 games, then the once hopeful Pirates are 8 back and the underperforming Red Legs are 9 games back after dropping the previous series to the depleted Astros (25.5 games behind), and losing the second in a row to the confused Cubbies (14.5 games back). The cream is rising to the top and the moves made at the deadline make more sense. The Brew Crew made one major move to bring in KROD, which was a bit puzzling because they had good talent in Axford but it appears it is a case of the rich getting richer and the young closer having a support system for a playoff run.

It appears the Cardinals freaked out that someone other than the Mighty La Russa could possibly be on top of the NL Central and went anti-Jockety (former Cards GM who finds and grows talent rather than making drastic short-term moves) and acquired anyone who knew where St. Louis was on a map. That is, unless your name was Colby Rasmus. I happened to be driving through St. Louis the day that Edwin Jackson made his premier in a Cards uniform and caught the pre-game radio call-in show. The fans were panicked, drunk, and acted like the world was ending. Even though that is the job of a sports fan, it seemed odd that a town so rich in baseball fortitude would be screaming “the sky is falling, the sky is falling!” At any rate, the broadcast also offered an interview with Colby Rasmus’s father, who was accused of coaching his son and offending baseball legend and completely arrogant (I bat pitchers in the 8 spot and somehow everyone is ok with it) Tony LaRussa, who shipped him out for a bag of baseballs and 15% off of a Moon’s Over My Hammy at any Toronto area Denny’s…and Edwin Jackson. Senior Rasmus pled his case that he was in fact encouraging his son, who hit a slump at the end of last year, during batting practices, but offered nothing in the way of correcting mechanics. The Cards also picked up outfielder Corey Patterson in the deal, for the potential of that working out for them you can call the Chicago Cubs or Cincinnati Reds. Is it just me or has Patterson just taken the Jim Edmond’s title of NL Central town bicycle?


Then there is the rest of the pack. Are they out of it? Not mathematically, but we have reached the part of the season where teams either lustfully chase after the top of the division like Ducky in ‘Pretty in Pink’ or their own reality comes crashing down and they shut it down for this year and prepare for next season. The Pirates went all out so they are going to make a likely embarrassing “the little engine that could” effort to overtake both the Cards and Brewers. The Reds are only a game behind the Pirates, but are in 4th in the division and have played with as much emotion this season as Ben Affleck in Gilgi. The Red Legs are also bringing up AAA players to fill in for injuries/get experience for the future. I believe that is the white flag. The Cubs are seemingly lost, but playing good baseball at the moment. Finally, the most exciting thing in Houston may be the prospect of being moved to the AL in baseballs potential re-alignment that seems to be on the horizon. At least these clubs can find peace in at least one regard made famous by the Chicago-land area, “there’s always next year”.