Flag the NFL?
Christian Page
September 15, 2014
Robert Griffin III (RG3) has faced his fair share of criticism, while getting a lot of second helpings of flak since he was drafted second overall to the Washington Redskins in the 2012 NFL Draft. Griffin suffered a dislocated ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's game as he was scrambling out of the pocket, and as we are told, it was his fault for not being aware of how to take care of his body.
The post-game actions were interesting. As Griffin was approaching the podium, he was sporting a teal shirt that read "Know Jesus Know Peace." The next time we see him he is at the podium with his shirt turned inside out. As the story goes, an NFL representative told Griffin to do away with the shirt because it was against NFL policy.
The NFL has strict rules on wearing sporting merchandise from companies that are not league sponsors during pre-game or post-game media interviews. That's apparently why Griffin turned his religious t-shirt inside out before approaching the media.
Following the statements above, the NFL is very straight forward and clear that non-sponsors should not get the recognition of those who pay to be represented by the NFL and rightly so. The NFL has this written in its rule book: "players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or orally promoting equipment, apparel, or other items that carry commercial names or logos/identifications of companies." The interesting points that came across this topic was that Griffin's shirt did not posses a company logo, yet I guess the slogan on the shirt was the only reason that Griffin was to remove (flip) his shirt.
Last season, Griffin was fined $10,000 for wearing a different religious t-shirt before the fans and media showed up for game time.
It's interesting to see what social media attention will draw from this topic because many will argue that Griffin did not break any rules because his shirt did not bare a company logo. So what was the real reason he couldn't wear the shirt? That's for you to decide.
Christian Page
September 15, 2014
Robert Griffin III (RG3) has faced his fair share of criticism, while getting a lot of second helpings of flak since he was drafted second overall to the Washington Redskins in the 2012 NFL Draft. Griffin suffered a dislocated ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's game as he was scrambling out of the pocket, and as we are told, it was his fault for not being aware of how to take care of his body.
The post-game actions were interesting. As Griffin was approaching the podium, he was sporting a teal shirt that read "Know Jesus Know Peace." The next time we see him he is at the podium with his shirt turned inside out. As the story goes, an NFL representative told Griffin to do away with the shirt because it was against NFL policy.
The NFL has strict rules on wearing sporting merchandise from companies that are not league sponsors during pre-game or post-game media interviews. That's apparently why Griffin turned his religious t-shirt inside out before approaching the media.
Following the statements above, the NFL is very straight forward and clear that non-sponsors should not get the recognition of those who pay to be represented by the NFL and rightly so. The NFL has this written in its rule book: "players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or orally promoting equipment, apparel, or other items that carry commercial names or logos/identifications of companies." The interesting points that came across this topic was that Griffin's shirt did not posses a company logo, yet I guess the slogan on the shirt was the only reason that Griffin was to remove (flip) his shirt.
Last season, Griffin was fined $10,000 for wearing a different religious t-shirt before the fans and media showed up for game time.
It's interesting to see what social media attention will draw from this topic because many will argue that Griffin did not break any rules because his shirt did not bare a company logo. So what was the real reason he couldn't wear the shirt? That's for you to decide.
Colvin & Thomas: Potential Draft Steals Due to Injury
Christian Page
April 27, 2014
Unfortunately, injuries occur, even to those with superior talent. It is just part of sports. A bigger let down is when an injury occurs when a player is preparing for his pre-draft workouts doing so to distance, good or bad, himself from others. Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin and Clemson offensive guard Brandon Thomas both fell victim to this crime as injuries robbed them from top slots in May’s (May? Yes, May) NFL Draft.
Aaron Colvin had a very productive college career starting thirty-six games while participating in fifty! Colvin was a two-time All-Big 12 player and in 2013 was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back). Colvin racked up 234 total tackles, fifteen tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and five interceptions. Colvin tore his ACL in a Senior Bowl practice most likely eliminating any chance of him playing for any NFL team this fall.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas started thirty-six career games while playing in forty-nine. Thomas managed ninety-eight total knockdowns while participating in over 2,700 career snaps! Thomas was elected to two All-ACC teams while also placing on the All-ACC honor roll team. Thomas, like Colvin, blew his ACL during a private workout with the New Orleans Saints.
You may ask yourself why am I telling you this. I am telling you this because even though Colvin and Thomas ended all possibilities of playing this fall and making a couple of more million dollars, that’s a big deal, some team is going to get a steal with either one of these players and not just in the skill department.
Their game speaks for itself but their integrity and drive is on a whole other level. Colvin posted this the day of when he found out his devastating news: (right)
---
A list of previously highly rated draftable players that suffered injuries and their draft stock could plummet:
1. Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia
Murray went down with an ACL tear versus Kentucky on November 23rd. The SEC’s all-time leading passer has qualities that could make him a top five to six quarterback. This ACL tear hurt literally and figuratively.
2. Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, LSU
Mettenberger’s draft stock is slowing rising again but durability could be a question as Zach suffered his second knee injury (ACL) on November 29th.
3. James Hurst, Offensive Tackle, North Carolina
Hurst was having a solid year before suffering a gross leg injury as he snapped his fibula on December 28th in Carolina’s bowl victory over Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. Hurst entered the season as my third best offensive tackle.
4. Anthony Steen, Offensive Guard, Alabama
Steen underwent a quiet shoulder (labrum) surgery prior to the Sugar Bowl. Labrums or any other shoulder injury is rough for any lineman but the eam that picks up Steen will get a quality player.
Christian Page
April 27, 2014
Unfortunately, injuries occur, even to those with superior talent. It is just part of sports. A bigger let down is when an injury occurs when a player is preparing for his pre-draft workouts doing so to distance, good or bad, himself from others. Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin and Clemson offensive guard Brandon Thomas both fell victim to this crime as injuries robbed them from top slots in May’s (May? Yes, May) NFL Draft.
Aaron Colvin had a very productive college career starting thirty-six games while participating in fifty! Colvin was a two-time All-Big 12 player and in 2013 was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back). Colvin racked up 234 total tackles, fifteen tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and five interceptions. Colvin tore his ACL in a Senior Bowl practice most likely eliminating any chance of him playing for any NFL team this fall.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas started thirty-six career games while playing in forty-nine. Thomas managed ninety-eight total knockdowns while participating in over 2,700 career snaps! Thomas was elected to two All-ACC teams while also placing on the All-ACC honor roll team. Thomas, like Colvin, blew his ACL during a private workout with the New Orleans Saints.
You may ask yourself why am I telling you this. I am telling you this because even though Colvin and Thomas ended all possibilities of playing this fall and making a couple of more million dollars, that’s a big deal, some team is going to get a steal with either one of these players and not just in the skill department.
Their game speaks for itself but their integrity and drive is on a whole other level. Colvin posted this the day of when he found out his devastating news: (right)
---
A list of previously highly rated draftable players that suffered injuries and their draft stock could plummet:
1. Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia
Murray went down with an ACL tear versus Kentucky on November 23rd. The SEC’s all-time leading passer has qualities that could make him a top five to six quarterback. This ACL tear hurt literally and figuratively.
2. Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, LSU
Mettenberger’s draft stock is slowing rising again but durability could be a question as Zach suffered his second knee injury (ACL) on November 29th.
3. James Hurst, Offensive Tackle, North Carolina
Hurst was having a solid year before suffering a gross leg injury as he snapped his fibula on December 28th in Carolina’s bowl victory over Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. Hurst entered the season as my third best offensive tackle.
4. Anthony Steen, Offensive Guard, Alabama
Steen underwent a quiet shoulder (labrum) surgery prior to the Sugar Bowl. Labrums or any other shoulder injury is rough for any lineman but the eam that picks up Steen will get a quality player.
Area of Concern or Blown out of Proportion?
Christian Page
February 13, 2014
The second after the number one outside linebacker chose Alabama over his hometown Auburn, Evans was now the target of many disappointed Auburn fans and some decided to let their voices be heard. Evans has released statements that he has received from this angry mob saying some have told him to not serve him and his family at restaurants or not to be involved in Alan Evans' (the father) business. Most recently Evans was interviewed about the ongoing "abuse" and commented by saying "it's not that bad."
What many Auburn fans want to know along with many college football fans is if this occurrence really is that big of a deal? From Evans' perspective, sure. But as for fans and others that follow football it's not too much of concern. Choosing to go across the state to the rival school of your hometown will raise some new hatred and could bring a mob with torches and pitch forks but that should be expected, right?
I believe this happens with every recruit that is from a city that consists of a university but decides to go elsewhere whether it's a rival school or not. Did Landon Collins get ridiculed for choosing to play for Nick Saban at Alabama over his hometown Tigers of Baton Rouge? Probably so. Did 2014 recruit Ermon Lane get hate mail when he flipped from Florida to Florida State on National Signing Day? Duh. And surely Treon Harris got a lot of flack for switching to the Gators after being committed to Florida State for almost eight months. So why have we heard nothing from them? It's because they seemed to have let it go. Am I saying that Evans is being foolish and letting this become too much of a problem? Not at all.
Is it blown up? Or is it just the norm? Well, that's a judgement call. Being involved in the biggest rivalry in college football brings a more publicized look to everything and maybe Evans is just caught in the moment and has been overwhelmed by the whole process. Even though this mob has downed the fan support of Auburn and many other fan bases have now taken another look towards this school support, an overwhelming majority wishes Evans the best whether being disappointed in his decision or not.
Christian Page
February 13, 2014
The second after the number one outside linebacker chose Alabama over his hometown Auburn, Evans was now the target of many disappointed Auburn fans and some decided to let their voices be heard. Evans has released statements that he has received from this angry mob saying some have told him to not serve him and his family at restaurants or not to be involved in Alan Evans' (the father) business. Most recently Evans was interviewed about the ongoing "abuse" and commented by saying "it's not that bad."
What many Auburn fans want to know along with many college football fans is if this occurrence really is that big of a deal? From Evans' perspective, sure. But as for fans and others that follow football it's not too much of concern. Choosing to go across the state to the rival school of your hometown will raise some new hatred and could bring a mob with torches and pitch forks but that should be expected, right?
I believe this happens with every recruit that is from a city that consists of a university but decides to go elsewhere whether it's a rival school or not. Did Landon Collins get ridiculed for choosing to play for Nick Saban at Alabama over his hometown Tigers of Baton Rouge? Probably so. Did 2014 recruit Ermon Lane get hate mail when he flipped from Florida to Florida State on National Signing Day? Duh. And surely Treon Harris got a lot of flack for switching to the Gators after being committed to Florida State for almost eight months. So why have we heard nothing from them? It's because they seemed to have let it go. Am I saying that Evans is being foolish and letting this become too much of a problem? Not at all.
Is it blown up? Or is it just the norm? Well, that's a judgement call. Being involved in the biggest rivalry in college football brings a more publicized look to everything and maybe Evans is just caught in the moment and has been overwhelmed by the whole process. Even though this mob has downed the fan support of Auburn and many other fan bases have now taken another look towards this school support, an overwhelming majority wishes Evans the best whether being disappointed in his decision or not.
Exactly What We Expected: The Unexpected
Christian Page
December 5, 2013
“Johnny Football will sit out for the first half against Rice,” started out our always chaotic college football season.
Miami was a top ten team? Oh yeah, and who could forget about Lane Kiffin getting literally booted off the bus. And we all called the two Tiger teams facing off in the SEC Championship game after reversing their 2-14 SEC record from 2012 to a combined 14-2 this season. And what about Northern Illinois going undefeated again? Oh wait, we actually did see that one coming with their killer 114th ranked schedule.
But this was supposed to be the year we witnessed college football history! What happened? Jameis Winston and Auburn happened. Johnny “Football” Manziel was supposed to take home his second Heisman Trophy tying Ohio State’s Archie Griffin’s amazing achievement awarded back in the mid-seventies. Jameis Winston became the new celebrity of college football, in more ways than he wanted, as he has led the heavily talented Florida State to a berth in the ACC title game against Duke. Duke? Yeah, Duke. We’ll get to that later. Manziel was the first freshman to win the award last season and Winston looks to follow his lead in 2013 after now being cleared of all sexual assault charges.
Auburn (3-9, 0-8 in 2012) hired a coach with a name with the caliber of a great philosopher. Arthur Gustav Malzahn III, the Gandalf of offense, transformed the Tiger’s 2012 offensive numbers from 305 yards per game to 491 yards per game with a road trip to Atlanta with, maybe, a national title trip to Pasadena to go with it. The Tigers are Atlanta bound after a stunning play of the ages already ranking in the top five finishes/plays of all time in all sports!
It all started when the beloved Nick Saban went Clark Griswald crazy not getting his Christmas bonus, after he could have sworn with his 20/20 peripheral vision there was one second left on the game clock after Alabama tailback TJ Yeldon stepped out. As every Saban tale goes, he got his way. The rest is history. The Tigers ruined Alabama’s shot at a three-peat, we think.
The “Wheel of Destiny” in the ACC was in full effect this season as Clemson was the preseason favorite but then the Death Valley saying “Dreams Come to Die,” awkwardly occurred when Florida State rolled in and beat the brakes off the Tigers. The Atlantic division wasn’t the surprise; the Coastal division was the one on crack this year. Duke will play Florida State in the ACC title game after defeating Miami, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina. (And before you look it up, the basketball team did beat all those teams at least once in 2012, so no cool stat here :( )
It’s never too late to start some chaos and college football answered the call by producing some. And to think we still have championship games and bowl games left, it gets that much more interesting. Is it too much to ask for the status quo to stay, um, status quo? Yes.
All rights reserved to Christian Page, CSPorts
Powered by weebly.com
Powered by weebly.com