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.