Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Letter to Big Brother

October 18, 2011

Dear Big Brother,

What up Big Bro, how are you? Just wanted to check in and make sure you're ok since I last saw you at my house on Saturday. You've been saying a lot of stuff about me since then, and I want to address those real quick so we can both move on.

You came to my house real confident and arrogant a few days ago. You were undefeated, riding high, and just knew you were going to put me in what you feel is my place. Not only were you unsuccessful in that effort, I turned the tables on you, and punked you out. In case you forgot, here's some video to remind you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD-BgLk_fKs.

Even though Edwin Baker ran for 174 yards on 26 carries, you still don't want to give me the respect I earned. Even though our defense held your hero Denard Robinson to passing numbers of 9/24 and 123 yards. Held him to 42 yards on 18 carries, and had 8 total sacks you still don't want to give me the respect I earned. According to you, it wasn't what I did, it was what you didn't do that caused you to lose. That's not real Big Brother of you.

I'll admit, I let my emotions get the best of me on numerous occasions. I had 13 penalties for 124 yards, including some egregious, borderline dirty personal fouls. However, we were there for a fight. Its not like we were playing Connect Four, or Uno, we were there to fight. You're Big Brother, so you should have handled it then, instead of sitting back and crying over spilled milk afterwards. That's not real Big Brother of you.

You're claiming the refs cheated you. May I ask, would the backward pass that YOU didn't pick up which caused to play to be called dead, the "taunting" after the pick six, and William Gholston not getting ejected for punching dude AFTER he put his hands in Gholston's helmet have changed the outcome? I think if we are both honest, the answer is no. Yet, you're still clinging to that in defense of the loss. That's not real Big Brother of you.

Now, you call yourself having a couple of your associates coming to take care of me since you couldn't do it yourself. That's the biggest punk move that you can pull. You're counting on Wisconsin and Nebraska to beat me?? That's not real Big Brother of you. Nothing that I do from here on should matter to you, because when we went head to head, I won. So, you're only focus and concern should be working on yourself, and continuing to improve.

Finally, I just want you to learn how to take the L and move on Big Bro. I know its hard because you're so used to dominating me, but times have changed. So, I ask that you just enjoy the rest of your season. You still have a lot you can play for, you are definitely improving, and hey you're already bowl eligible. Worry about taking care of your business, and I'll do the same. See you again October 20, 2012 in Ann Arbor.

Yours Truly,
Little Brother.

p.s. This will be the last time I address you until next season. Good luck, and have fun until then.

I'm Jimmy L.Wilson,Jr. and I approve this message.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Balancing Act

"Better learn balance. Balance is key".- Mr.Miyagi 

The above quote is simple in its delivery, but profound in its meaning(Plus it came from the Karate Kid, how can you hate on that???). Balance is a basic principle that is needed in all walks of life. From the moment you begin crawling, until the time you die, we are striving to find/maintain balance. The same can be said for football teams. Balance is VERY key on the football field.

The first four weeks of the football season has produced some preposterous passing yardage by quarterbacks. According to NFL.com, Tom Brady has thrown for 1553 yards, Drew Bress has 1410, and Cam Newton has thrown for 1386. Those numbers are outrageous and they are happening all around the league. Watching a team throw the ball all over the field is cool, but in the long run it can cause you to take an L. Once you build a lead, you need to be able to run the ball, burn some time, and close the game out.

Most of us saw the Lions-Cowboys game this past Sunday. The Cowboys were dominating the game, but it never seemed like the Lions were completely out of the game. Even though Dallas had a 27-3 lead, they never tried to establish the run game. Then in the third quarter, Tony Romo started handing out "pick sixes" like his name was Brett Favre. Romo threw interceptions for touchdowns on back to back possessions. That was exactly what the Lions needed to begin the comeback that they eventually completed. Since Dallas didn't have any semblance of a running game, they left the door open for Detroit, which the Lions kicked in, and won the game.

That was a prime example of why balance is very much needed. It is good to throw the ball around to build a lead, or exploit mismatches in the secondary. Yet, you have to be able to run the ball once the lead is built. Now, I'm not saying to just run the ball, and completely abandon the passing game, but you have to be able to run some time off the clock. The only time the clock stops other than a timeout, is after an incomplete pass. So, if you come out and throw three straight incomplete passes you are giving a team the ball back, and a chance to cut into your lead. Your defense begins to tire because they are on the field so much. Then teams with playmakers like Calvin Johnson will take advantage and send you home with an L you really shouldn't have taken.

Moreover, the weather is going to continue to get worse as the season progresses. By playoff time, it is a lot tougher to throw the ball around. Throughout my years of watching football, most playoff games come down to who can run the ball. You may see a few big passing plays, but it mostly comes down to having a balanced attack, and being able to run. So, teams such as the Patriots, Saints, and Lions need to find a reliable running game quick. They all have pieces to go far in the playoffs, but they will need to be able to run to close teams out.

I know that the NFL is experiencing a changing in philosophy where passing is king, but I feel that teams that have the most balance will be the ones standing in the end. You have to maintain balance in order to win the championship. So, head coaches and offensive coordinatiors better heed the words of Mr.Miyagi and "learn balance", or they will go home sad, and a lot earlier than they expect.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Michael Vick:The Shaquille O'Neal of the NFL

Michael Vick is the Shaquille O'Neal of the NFL. I know you want to ask me how in the world can I say that? The differences between the two are mighty, and I acknowledge that. Instead of wasting our time on that, let me tell you why I feel they are the same.

When Shaq came into the NBA he was a force of nature not seen since Wilt Chamberlain. He was an athletic monster, unguardable due to his size and stature. He bulled through opposing centers and made it difficult for referees to officiate him. It seemed like because he was so big, defenders would grab, punch, and slap Shaq hard as they possibly could. They would be flagrant fouls, but the refs wouldn't call it for Shaq.

Fouls that if they would have happened to David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, or Hakeem Olajuwon may have been called a flagrant. He would respond by putting his shoulder into the defenders chest and refs would call offensive fouls. He tried to respond, but due to his size and the way he played he was unfairly punished by the officials.

Michael Vick came into the NFL as a force of nature not seen maybe ever. He had all-world speed with a cannon for an arm. He came into the league as a run first, pass second quarterback. He spent the early part of his career with the Atlanta Falcons running, a lot more than he did passing. So, defenses felt they needed to take harder shots at him than they would any other QB. He opened himself up to that threat every time he ran.

Now, that he is a Philadelphia Eagle, he has begun to spend more time in the pocket. He is playing more like a "traditional" QB, than he did in Atlanta. However, due to his penchant for running early in his career, refs are having a difficult time officiating him. When asked after the game against the Giants if he was taking shots that would draw flags against any other QB, Vick said "absolutely". I agree with that completely. He is taking shots in the pocket, after throwing. that would get a player fined and possibly suspended if they hit Tom Brady. Due to his speed and the way he plays he is being punished by the refs.

So, there you have it! Due to their freakish gifts, Shaq's being size and Vick's being speed, they are same guy. I don't think we will see two guys come into the respective leagues and referees have such a difficult time officiating their games. Here's hoping that the refs start making calls, and giving defenses the same pause that they have when they are attacking Tom Brady.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.