Ohio State Buckeyes, punishment and no bowl game

I usually cover the Chicago Bears in my blog, but I'm also interested in other teams. Ohio State is one that I want to talk about. You might ask why, to me that is a simple question I can answer. But I shall delve into detail about why. But to answer it simply is because I think their punishment is complete and total bull shit.

How is their punishment so? Simple, there were other teams wo have commuted the same crimes as they did, USC is one offender. Remember the Reggie Bush saga? I do. Georgia is another one, remember Cam Newton's father? I do. I could go on with other offenders. Did Georgia get a bowl game suspension? No. Did USC? No. In fact, USC was allowed to keep theory accolades except for the Heisman Trophy that Reggie Bush won. So, why do I think the one game bowl suspension is bull shit? It's because the NCAA has laid down an unjust punishment considering the same punishment should've been laid out for them. Then and only then will I agree the punishment is just.

Not just that but I also didn't see how what those players did was wrong. I wouldn't sell one of my basketball accolades from high school, but they aren't me. If I needed the money and my awards were worth something, I'd probably sell them too. I'm glad Jim Tressel is out as the Buckeyes coach but not because he was a cheater or did something wrong. It's simply because be couldn't win big games, like Urban can. And now, before you go off half cocked and say I say this because I'm a Buckeyes fan, you're wrong, I'm a Gators fan.

I just see an injustice and figured I'd talk about it even if nobody will listen. If you would like to leave me feedback or your own comments, please do so.

Green Bay, loss...

Now that Bears fan are feeling the grief of four straight losses, it looks like my assumptions on my team were right. We need an offensive line to win. Cutler is good, running backs are good; Forte and Bush are a great tandem and don't forget Armando Allen, he's a little bolt. Our wide recievers, Marshall is a grown man. He makes grown man plays constantly. Earl Bennett, my favorite player in the NFL is also good. This guy if he can stay healthy will be a 1000 yard reciever next to Marshall. Hester, good in the return game still. Jeffry, good but needs to stop pushing off.

We took it to Green Bay more so than I had thought we would. If we had just a little bit of line blocking, we might have won. It all comes back to and hinges on our offensive and defensive lines.

Our coaching staff, consistently losing football games. Lovie Smith, what can be said about him? Other than he is a poor coach and consistently makes poor decisions. Tice, a poor Lovie Smith decision is not great but is it him or the fact our line is so woeful? Some would blame him though. Marinelli, as many if you know, I'm high on this, I generally like him. He is a good defensive coach. Special Teams, still the best there is despite NFL rules preventing it.

In the end, we will miss the playoffs, I don't see us making it because of the reasons above.

Chicago Bears, can they win out? Get in the playoffs? Win in the playoffs?

Can the Chicago Bears win out? Sure, they can. Jay Cutler has a lot of moxie. He has the will to win. Also, Matt Forte is a winner and is a tough guy who has the will to win. Another reason we can win out, Brandon Marshall! This guy makes the best defense look awful. Green Bay got lucky the first time. They won't fare so well this time. They may win but they won't win in the same manner they did earlier in the year. Another reason we can win out, our defense. The key here lies in the fact that they need to play top notch or this could mean we lose.

Can we get into the playoffs? Yes, if we win out. That is the only way we can. And for the same exact reasons for why we win out. This team has a lot of talent and whatever happens in winning is in spite of Lovie "Can't Ya See Me Smile" Smith. Thanks Wardi, wherever you are. It is also in spite of Mike Tice, who is an absolute joke. Instead of the Randy Ratio, we have the Brandon Ratio. This is Tice's offensive plan, throw as many times to Marshall ad you can. A bad plan? No. A good one? Maybe. The only coach I do like is Rod Marinelli. I think the guy is a good defensive coach.

Can we win in the playoffs? No, I don't think so. Our offensive line is too poor to do so. I'm not going to lay the entire blame on our offensive line, because our coaching staff minus Marinelli are a joke. On top of all of this, Seattle is tough. The Falcons are too, despite their blow out loss. So, in the end I don't think it truly matters what happens for us, we won't fair too well in the playoffs.

Are we doomed? Probably!

As a Bears fan, I am used to being let down and used to seeing players not okay to their potential ala David Terrell, oh so many years ago. Or seeing Rex Grossman who I was a fan of, having up and down games. What is the point of my blog this time?

It is simply that I haven't seen a team just be so terrible in my 35 years of existence. This offensive line is the worst of the worst. It's amazing that Jay Cutler and Matt Forte ever gain a yard. If it weren't for Brandon Marshall's grown self and the fact that Cutler is good, we'd be doomed. If Matt Forte wasn't a pro bowl caliber player, he probably wouldn't gain a yard. This offensive line outside of Garza hasn't been good. Our tight ends are average pass catchers but both can block pretty well. Why we ever traded off Greg Olsen is beyond my realm of comprehension.

We are deep at wide reciever and running back. Our running back corps is the deepest in the NFL, arguably. We are also deep at wide reciever. Marshall is a beast. Bennett, my favorite player in the NFL is an underrated talent. Jeffrey is big and has talent. The defense has talent but our coverage unit isn't too deep but has talent.

Feel free to leave me comments. I would love to hear from you.

Bears Offensive Line, Jared Allen, and Suspending players...

I must first status off by saying our offensive line played better but was it them? I have my doubts. Cutler makes plays. All the more reason I think Jay Cutler gets way too much crap. He is a lot better than he is given credit for. Some people call him a whiner or a complainer. Well, with the state of our offensive line, it is no wonder.

Offensive line? Yes, brings me to my next point. Jared Allen, I hope the NFL isn't serious in considering suspending him for his "hit" on Lance Louis. I'm a Bears fan, one of the biggest but that was a clean hit or block. Whether you like it or not, all Allen was doing was making a play like anyone would've in that situation.

This brings me to my final point, suspending players. Now, I'm all for suspending someone when they deserve it bit Jared Allen doesn't deserve it, Ndamukong Suh on the other hand deserves to be suspended. He has a history of dirty play, from ripping off someone's helmet, to kicking them in the nuts to stomping on them. Yet this guy hasn't been suspended? I'm not talking a game or even two, I'm talking a year suspension from the league. When the guy learns to control himself and grow up, he can be re-admitted back into the NFL.

In closing, Lovie Smith is a joke mainly for leading the charge against Jared Allen. He didn't care when Suh nearly injured Cutler or when Suh stomped on a Packer. He was mum the entire thing. Lovie, you're a joke and as Keyshawn Johnson says, come on man.

Chicago Bears Offensive Line, Lovie Smith, Mike Tice and etc.

First off, where can I start and what can I say?  We lost and we sucked doing it. Who is to blame? Simple, Lovie Smith is to blame. Defend him if you like but be is at fault here. You night ask how?

First of all, he brought in Mike Tice and then promoted him to offensive coordinator despite Tice's system being one that hasn't been used in the NFL in oh say five years or longer. But as much as I dislike Mike Tice, it isn't his fault. It's all squarely on Lovie Smith's shoulders. I don't blame Rod Marinelli at all. He has had the defense clicking all year until tonight.

Now, is Lovie fully to blame? You bet your ass he is. If it wasn't for Lovie who we should've fired five years ago, we might actually have a good team. What's sad? The fact we have top notch talent on offense; Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush, Alshon Jeffrey, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, among others. It all hinges on our offensive line and system we are running.

Without Jay Cutler, we won't win another game. Which is sad with out talent on both sides of the ball. It's a crying shame this team is so bad with so much talent. I blame the coaching staff, the offensive line as a whole and give the San Francisco 49er on the won. They are a great team and have a great coaching staff unlike us. The Bears coaching staff need fired. As much as I like Rod Marinelli, if it would get Lovie Smith and Mike Tice out, I will risk losing him too.

In the end, I'm a tired and sore Bears fan because this team sucks as a whole.

Tillman, Jennings and things left unsaid..

Sorry I missed a week for my blog. It won't happen again. I was busy with working two jobs that I couldn't write a blog. My next topic is staying the same, except it is going to be about Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings.  These two are the best tandem in the league. Seriously, I'm joking or being sarcastic. I mean every word of it. 

Never in the NFL has the feat of Charles Tillman been accomplished. It seems on every play he is looking to strip, poke, pull, prof or just steal the ball from somebody.  Now, Tim Jennings isn't any different. Granted, he is Charles Tillman, but be isn't as tall or as big as Tillman. However, be does have great speed. I witnessed him nearly run down Chris Johnson on Sunday.  That is a feat in itself. But this guy is as big of a ball hawk as Tillman. 

This tandem really came out of nowhere.  Now, who is responsible for this? I'm giving Rod Marinelli every ounce of credit. This guy is a good coach. He may have not done much in Detroit but who could with his talent, shot of Stafford who I think is a tad bit overrated and the best wide reciever in the league, arguably. 

Speaking of Calvin Johnson, Tillman shut him down. The next week, enter Steve Smith, a decent game but Jennings took control of him eventually. Now, last week. Last week was just the Bears defense bullying their opponent.

What a great tandem, the Bears need to lock up Tillman and Jennifer with career long contracts. Seriously, give them as may years as possible. This tandem is too good to break up. Things are looking up in Chicago. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall are starting to get confidence, along with Matt Forte and Michael Bush. Let's keep up the MAN games everyone.

Charles Tillman and the Pro Bowl

My next topic as you can see is Charles Tillman. What can be said about him? He rarely gets hurt, he is a good corner in zone or man. The proof of how good he really is was on Sunday when he nearly shutdown Calvin Johnson. He didn't shut him down in the conventional aspect because Johnson did have yards but he did manage to keep him at bay. That late cover job where at the last minute got his hand in and broke up at well placed pass to force an incompletion is proof.

In his career, he has appear in just one pro bowl, which is an atrocity for a corner as good as him. He should and better make it this year of this blogger will be lobbying for repicking for the Pro Bowl. We all know the Pro Bowl is a joke anyway, but you would expect the best players to truly be on there. Which is almost never the case.

So, after Tillman's performance on Sunday he gained defensive player of the week for the second straight week. If he doesn't manage to get defensive player of the month, I will be appalled and shocked. All I truly care about is that Tillman keeps playing up to par and stays healthy. This will make every Bears fan truly happy. Bear down.

False Hope

The looming football week. With one game under our belt and more to come Sunday and Monday, we all sit like children on Christmas morning to wait to open their presents to see out team play and win. Every fan knows from the start that their team can and will win. This is what I'm dubbing as false hope.

This false hope keeps all of us going through most of the football season, most of the offseason, preseason, the NFL draft and free agency.  During the season, we hope that our team can hang with the big fellas of the NFL; the Patriots, the Packers, The Steelers, and the Bears (can you see my bias). During the offseason, we just hope out team can get into the NFL draft and get good players. We also hope that they can make it through free agency with either nobody leaving or a player who is a good replacement if one does. This false hope makes us all believers in our teams.

False hope. What more can be said about it? We are all guilty of it. We all think our team is better than what it really is. Whether you are a Bears fan like me who put all of your beliefs in Jay Cutler, or if you're a Packers fan who has put all your beliefs in a banged up defense or if you're a Vikings who knows your teams sucks but cheer them on regardless because of that false hope.

So is false hope bad? Depends how you look at it. All I can say is it makes every football season interesting.

The Green Bay Packers Nightmare

The Green Bay Packers, what can be said about this team? They're a nightmare. In more than one way. The point I am going to try and raise here are not meant to anger anyone. Nor is it meant to take anything away from this team even if I am a Bears fan.

The first way this team is a nightmare is they are like Doctor Jeckel and Mister Hyde. One week they look like a serious contender and then the next week they are squeaking and eeking by their opponent. And another week they just look like losers. We all know they are banged up and have serious problems. These problems extend from the injury bug to their night and day defense.

Another way they are a nightmare is the fact that their fans have to sit up at night and wonder how one week their team can be a serious contender and then the next week looking like the hapless Lions of old. The fans have to wonder what is going on with this team.

Clay Matthews, what can be said about this guy? He is everything the hype says he is. He is big, strong and an all out beast. However, this guy can't help but wonder how good he really is. Is he a system guy? I doubt it. This guy is good but I also think, if he was with any other team, than the Green Bay Packers, how good would he be? Would he have ever gotten his due? I tend to wonder.

Lastly, don't send me hate mail or death threats because I had the brass to criticize the golden boys, no pun intended of the NFL.

Good Night.

Bye Weeks

Bye weeks are an important part of football. Every team awaits their bye week. The main reason for this is injuries. Every team has them, some are more severe than others. In some cases a team has good depth, so they don't have to worry about their injury or injuries.

Another reason for these bye weeks is rest. If you don't rest your players, then they could get injured or just break down and their play drops off. Rest is an essential part of any sport. Why do you think a team will rest a player if they are blowing out a team or have locked up the playoffs.

Lastly, another reason for bye weeks are to gear for the second part of the reason. What do I mean by this? It's quite simple. If a team is say 6-1 when they go on their bye, after their bye, they are more likely to not take as many risks as early in the year. Example, Green Bay's fake field goal against the Bears, going for of on 4th and 2 at your own 20.

So, now that you understand bye weeks and what the point of them are, don't complain because they're are good thing for all teams and their fans.

Kneeling and Sportsmanship

This blog is about players who kneel at the one yard line instead of scoring. Sure, your team may be up by 40 points but that doesn't mean players shouldn't score. I hate to see this as a football nut. It takes away from the game. When you stop scoring, that means you're not playing the game correctly. I also hate it when a QB kneels to run time out of the game. I hate it but that's smart. Scoring 6 or 7 points is the name of the game. As Bobby Bowden once said, if you don't want me top score, stop me. That's not an exact quote but its close to what be had said.

It's not fair to those backup players who work hard in practice, who wish they had their time in the sun.  Personally, if I was paid millions there is no way I'd kneel if I could score. Not to mention the fantasy football aspect of things. That kneel could mean a loss or a win. I know because I had if happen once. I believe it was either Michael Turner or Frank Gore, who knelt and screwed me out of fantasy football. Not that, that should ever be in a coaches or players mind. But its just stupid and senseless to kneel.

This is just something that I had on my mind, so I decided to write about it. Let me know what you think. Thank you and I will be looking forward to my next blog.

Any Given Sunday

I have to say I have been nothing but shocked by the current NFL season. On many accounts actually. The fact that the Green Bay Packers are so bad. Another one is, that my Chicago Bears are tied with the Minnesota Vikings of all teams for first in the NFC North.

What do I mean? I knew the Bears would be good. I had no idea with the drafting or Alshon Jeffrey, the signing of Brandon Marshall, and most of all the re-signing of Matt Forte. Not to mention locking up Michael Bush.

Other surprises are Peyton Manning is playing well but that's not the surprise and this is, that he is wearing a Broncos jersey. The fact that Mark Sanchez is still the QB despite having Tim Tebow breathing down his neck. Other surprises are the Saints poor season thus far. The Lions are terrible, but that isn't much of a surprise to me. Their defense is woeful. Another surprise is the Cardinals.

As this season looms over us, we have had other surprises. Green Bay gets screwed over by the replacement referees. The fact that the NFL was stupid enough to not pay the real referees what they think or are worth.

In the end there have been so many surprises this year and a friend of mine always rings in my head. Any given Sunday, the title of my article.