The Best:
Though it moved slow and did not include all teams this was still a great game. Included both offensive and defensive plays. The "Super" version which came out for the SNES was sadly dated though.
Showing posts with label nfl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nfl. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Best Football Video Games
I am placing these games in the context of time. Otherwise the best games would be the most recent NFL and NCAA games from EA.
The Best:
Madden '99- For the first time ever EA included a decent AI. This meant no longer could you run the same play over and over again for a big gain. The D would adjust. For a true football fan this game is a dream come true.
Tecmo Super Bowl- The original "Tecmo Bowl" was amazing. This game though was down right addictive. It came out for the NES and was so good they basically copied it over (with updated rosters) to the SNES. With this game you could play a real season, look at stats, sub some positions, have players get better or worse and so much more. I think I must have played through an NFL season with every team at least once.
NES Play Action Football:
Though it moved slow and did not include all teams this was still a great game. Included both offensive and defensive plays. The "Super" version which came out for the SNES was sadly dated though.
John Madden Football -- This is the original. No year after the title. This is the industry changer. If you are old enough to have played this game when it came out then I am sure you were as blown away as I was.
The Best:
Though it moved slow and did not include all teams this was still a great game. Included both offensive and defensive plays. The "Super" version which came out for the SNES was sadly dated though.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Who Benefits The Most From A Long NFL Lockout
Autumn is America is dominated by football. Between the NCAA and NFL football dominates the sports scene throughout the autumn. There are other sports going on but the best they can hope for is to be second fiddle to football. So which sports organization stands to gain the most should the NFL lockout extend well into the autumn.
The obvious answer would seem to be the NCAA. The schools and conferences (who do the actual scheduling) are smart enough to set start times to TBA. Which means it would be easy for a few schools to move some games to Sunday to capitalize on the lack of NFL games. Still though, NCAA football is already close to its saturation point. While they will benefit there are those who can benefit more.
The NHL will get some traction with the NFL lockout. Their regular season starts in October. Lack of NFL games will give them more attention from the national and various local sports media outlets. I think though the NHL has more to gain from the inevitable NBA lockout. The NHL is a 30 team league that plays 80 regular season games and lets 16 teams (over half) into the playoffs. Early season games are hard to get up for unless you are a hardcore obsessed hockey fan.
There are touring sports like PGA golf and NASCAR which can benefit. The big golf tournaments are pretty much done by autumn which will make it hard for them to get a lot more attention. NASCAR should do pretty good with an NFL lockout. The "Chase For the Cup" will be going on in NASCAR during the autumn. Still though, there is one organization which can benefit more.
For year the MLB (Major League Baseball) playoffs have been overshadowed by early regular season NFL. Unless you live in New York or a city with a team in the MLB playoffs there is very little interest. Even in many cities the NFL gets more attention than a local baseball team in the playoffs. Without the NFL to compete with the 2011 MLB playoffs could be the most watched in a generation.
The obvious answer would seem to be the NCAA. The schools and conferences (who do the actual scheduling) are smart enough to set start times to TBA. Which means it would be easy for a few schools to move some games to Sunday to capitalize on the lack of NFL games. Still though, NCAA football is already close to its saturation point. While they will benefit there are those who can benefit more.
The NHL will get some traction with the NFL lockout. Their regular season starts in October. Lack of NFL games will give them more attention from the national and various local sports media outlets. I think though the NHL has more to gain from the inevitable NBA lockout. The NHL is a 30 team league that plays 80 regular season games and lets 16 teams (over half) into the playoffs. Early season games are hard to get up for unless you are a hardcore obsessed hockey fan.
There are touring sports like PGA golf and NASCAR which can benefit. The big golf tournaments are pretty much done by autumn which will make it hard for them to get a lot more attention. NASCAR should do pretty good with an NFL lockout. The "Chase For the Cup" will be going on in NASCAR during the autumn. Still though, there is one organization which can benefit more.
For year the MLB (Major League Baseball) playoffs have been overshadowed by early regular season NFL. Unless you live in New York or a city with a team in the MLB playoffs there is very little interest. Even in many cities the NFL gets more attention than a local baseball team in the playoffs. Without the NFL to compete with the 2011 MLB playoffs could be the most watched in a generation.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Jake Locker And Other Rookie QBs
First off I have to tell you all that I am a huge Titan/Oilers fan. Have been since Warren Moon joined the team.
When Jake Locker was chosen by the Titans this year it came as a shock to many of the so-called experts covering the draft. After all, he was not supposed to go so high. They told us he is way too inaccurate to be a good NFL QB. The so-called experts also told us the Titans could have traded down to get him. After all, the mock drafts had Locker going in the late first round.
The so-called experts got it wrong. First off, the Titans could not have traded down to get him. The Vikings would have taken him with the 12th pick. Second, if Locker turns out to be good then he was worth the 8th pick. If Locker turns out not to be good then he would not be worth a late first round pick.
Now, when they tell you Locker is inaccurate they are not exactly right either. Jake Locker had a low completion percentage in college. Which is not the same as accuracy. Had the so-called experts bothered to watch Locker play, instead of just look at his stats, they would see the two main contributors to his low completion percentage were receivers who could not get open and poor protection. You could be the second coming of Dan Marino or Peyton Manning and you would not have a good completion percentage without protection and receivers who get open.
What Locker does have is the talent, skills, athletic ability and most importantly the leadership ability to be a franchise QB. I see Locker as another Steve McNair or Mark Brunelle. Someone who will never be the number one fantasy QB but a guy who will find ways to win you games, one way or another. That being said, .let us take a look at some other rookie QBs.
Cam Newton -- Almost everything about Cam Newton says "Vince Young" to me. Actually, I think he will be worse than Young. Newton has a better throwing motion than Young but that is really the only area he is better. Young was far more polished coming out college. He played in an offense that was closer to the NFL. An offense where he had to make multiple reads. Newton played in an offense where he was asked to make one read then run. Newton is coming off as a bit of a diva who wants to be a celebrity. At the very least he probably will not be another JaMarcus Russell.
Blaine Gabbert -- Played in a real easy offense that made him look good. Still though, I think he will be okay. At the very least he should be able to rise to the level of Alex Smith. He possibly could be another Philip Rivers with a lot of work. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to making NFL throws. For those of you who do not follow college ball, Gabbert played in an offense that almost always was run out of the shotgun and asked him to make short throws while playing in sets with multiple wide receivers.
Christian Ponder -- I really like Ponder. He is probably the safest of all the rookie QBs. He has experience, played in a pro-style offense, is very accurate, good character and is a good leader. For all these reasons he moved to the mid-first round when he was thought to be a second round talent. So why was he the fourth QB taken. Two answers: limited upside and injury history. While his has an accurate arm it is not a strong arm. His athletic ability is nothing special either. The injury history speaks for itself. He missed a lot of time in college. Expect Ponder to be another Chad Pennington. A solid QB who is accurate with below average arm strength and misses time.
We are moving into the mid-round QBs. To avoid repeating myself I encourage you all to read my post on first round QBs vs. mid round QBs.
Andy Dalton: Boy were some NFL writers in love with this guy. That big goofy smile, always says the right thing, good leader, decent accuracy. Trouble is he is another one of those spread QB wonders, has a weak arm and lead feet. Andy Dalton has the makings of a solid career backup.
Colin Kapernick: Oh wow, did someone really take him this high? Another RB/WR who played QB. Do yourself a favor kid and switch positions.
Ryan Mallett: If he was in a draft 15 to 20 years ago he would be the first guy taken. So tall, so strong, great arm, played in a pro-style offense in the ultra-competitive SEC. Still though, he reminds me a lot of that sharp looking sports car, with low mileage and a big engine you see at an unbelievably low price sitting on some small corner used car lot. Your heart wants it so bad but your head tells you it will probably be nothing but trouble. Mallett's character issues are what drove him to the third round. That and the fact he is about as slow and nimble as a house boat. He is a wigger (look it up if you do not know what a wigger is) which will not help him gain respect in an NFL locker room. Still, if he can get his head on strait, smarten up and apply himself then he could become another Drew Bledsoe or Kerry Collins.
When Jake Locker was chosen by the Titans this year it came as a shock to many of the so-called experts covering the draft. After all, he was not supposed to go so high. They told us he is way too inaccurate to be a good NFL QB. The so-called experts also told us the Titans could have traded down to get him. After all, the mock drafts had Locker going in the late first round.
The so-called experts got it wrong. First off, the Titans could not have traded down to get him. The Vikings would have taken him with the 12th pick. Second, if Locker turns out to be good then he was worth the 8th pick. If Locker turns out not to be good then he would not be worth a late first round pick.
Now, when they tell you Locker is inaccurate they are not exactly right either. Jake Locker had a low completion percentage in college. Which is not the same as accuracy. Had the so-called experts bothered to watch Locker play, instead of just look at his stats, they would see the two main contributors to his low completion percentage were receivers who could not get open and poor protection. You could be the second coming of Dan Marino or Peyton Manning and you would not have a good completion percentage without protection and receivers who get open.
What Locker does have is the talent, skills, athletic ability and most importantly the leadership ability to be a franchise QB. I see Locker as another Steve McNair or Mark Brunelle. Someone who will never be the number one fantasy QB but a guy who will find ways to win you games, one way or another. That being said, .let us take a look at some other rookie QBs.
Cam Newton -- Almost everything about Cam Newton says "Vince Young" to me. Actually, I think he will be worse than Young. Newton has a better throwing motion than Young but that is really the only area he is better. Young was far more polished coming out college. He played in an offense that was closer to the NFL. An offense where he had to make multiple reads. Newton played in an offense where he was asked to make one read then run. Newton is coming off as a bit of a diva who wants to be a celebrity. At the very least he probably will not be another JaMarcus Russell.
Blaine Gabbert -- Played in a real easy offense that made him look good. Still though, I think he will be okay. At the very least he should be able to rise to the level of Alex Smith. He possibly could be another Philip Rivers with a lot of work. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to making NFL throws. For those of you who do not follow college ball, Gabbert played in an offense that almost always was run out of the shotgun and asked him to make short throws while playing in sets with multiple wide receivers.
Christian Ponder -- I really like Ponder. He is probably the safest of all the rookie QBs. He has experience, played in a pro-style offense, is very accurate, good character and is a good leader. For all these reasons he moved to the mid-first round when he was thought to be a second round talent. So why was he the fourth QB taken. Two answers: limited upside and injury history. While his has an accurate arm it is not a strong arm. His athletic ability is nothing special either. The injury history speaks for itself. He missed a lot of time in college. Expect Ponder to be another Chad Pennington. A solid QB who is accurate with below average arm strength and misses time.
We are moving into the mid-round QBs. To avoid repeating myself I encourage you all to read my post on first round QBs vs. mid round QBs.
Andy Dalton: Boy were some NFL writers in love with this guy. That big goofy smile, always says the right thing, good leader, decent accuracy. Trouble is he is another one of those spread QB wonders, has a weak arm and lead feet. Andy Dalton has the makings of a solid career backup.
Colin Kapernick: Oh wow, did someone really take him this high? Another RB/WR who played QB. Do yourself a favor kid and switch positions.
Ryan Mallett: If he was in a draft 15 to 20 years ago he would be the first guy taken. So tall, so strong, great arm, played in a pro-style offense in the ultra-competitive SEC. Still though, he reminds me a lot of that sharp looking sports car, with low mileage and a big engine you see at an unbelievably low price sitting on some small corner used car lot. Your heart wants it so bad but your head tells you it will probably be nothing but trouble. Mallett's character issues are what drove him to the third round. That and the fact he is about as slow and nimble as a house boat. He is a wigger (look it up if you do not know what a wigger is) which will not help him gain respect in an NFL locker room. Still, if he can get his head on strait, smarten up and apply himself then he could become another Drew Bledsoe or Kerry Collins.
First Round QBs vs. Middle Round QBs
If you follow the NFL draft as I do you no doubt saw a lot of coverage on a lot of QBs. There was a lot of excitement around the mid-round QBs. A lot of commentators like to advise against taking a first round QB. They tell us teams are better off taking a "safe" pick to fill a need in the first round and go for a developmental pick in the second or third round. After all, you do not want to end up with the next Ryan Leaf or JaMarcus Russell. Are you really better off though, waiting until the second or third round to get your franchise QB?
The Dolphin's thought they were. That is why they passed up Matt Ryan for the "safe" pick of Jake Long. In the second round that year the Dolphins selected Chad Henne to be their future franchise QB. Now Jake Long is an excellent left tackle who could have a hall of fame career. But Dolphin Fan, do you really think you are better off with Long and Henne over Matt Ryan?
The reality is that 19 of 32 teams have a starting QB who was taken in the first round of the draft (I am counting Drew Brees as a first round QB. He was taken with the first pick of the second round.)
How many mid-round starters are there? Well, six. Schaub is the only real star out of the group. Orton is a solid QB. McCoy and Clausen were rookies who ended up starting. Clausen, along with Garrard are set to be replaced by incoming rookies. Henne, well, he will probably be replaced. And none of of the these players has been to a Super Bowl. The remaining teams have starting QBs who were either late picks or undrafted.
In conclusion. QB is far too important a position to pass up on a first rounder. Where would the Colts be if they passed on Peyton Manning for a "Safer" pick?
The Dolphin's thought they were. That is why they passed up Matt Ryan for the "safe" pick of Jake Long. In the second round that year the Dolphins selected Chad Henne to be their future franchise QB. Now Jake Long is an excellent left tackle who could have a hall of fame career. But Dolphin Fan, do you really think you are better off with Long and Henne over Matt Ryan?
The reality is that 19 of 32 teams have a starting QB who was taken in the first round of the draft (I am counting Drew Brees as a first round QB. He was taken with the first pick of the second round.)
How many mid-round starters are there? Well, six. Schaub is the only real star out of the group. Orton is a solid QB. McCoy and Clausen were rookies who ended up starting. Clausen, along with Garrard are set to be replaced by incoming rookies. Henne, well, he will probably be replaced. And none of of the these players has been to a Super Bowl. The remaining teams have starting QBs who were either late picks or undrafted.
In conclusion. QB is far too important a position to pass up on a first rounder. Where would the Colts be if they passed on Peyton Manning for a "Safer" pick?
Thursday, 2 June 2011
NFL Lockout Coverage -- Shows How Pathetic We Can Be
I have seen it before. Watching the Canadian sports media cover the NHL lockout. Every day for the year-long lockout they covered negotiations. Looking for something to cling to. Something to give them hope. It got really pathetic. It reminded me of the vagrents who scavenge in the ash trays behind my work. Desperately looking for good sized butts they can get a few puffs off of. I fear we can be in for the same type of coverage of the NFL lockout.
The NFL lockout probably will not be as long. NFL owners are not as desperate as the NHL owners were. Still though, barring several 'NFLPA friendly' court decisions, this lockout will not end soon. We are looking at late Auguest at the very least. Both sides have dug their heels in. There will not be any incentive to move until the scheduled start of the regular season. Even still, starts can be delayed. With a long offseason it would not hurt the NFL much to delay the season a few months and keep their 16 game schedule.
So, as hard as it is, try and resist the urge. The urge to watch lockout coverage while hoping that some sort of progress is made. Instead, we should ask them to tell us when they are ready to start playing again and ignore them until that point.
The NFL lockout probably will not be as long. NFL owners are not as desperate as the NHL owners were. Still though, barring several 'NFLPA friendly' court decisions, this lockout will not end soon. We are looking at late Auguest at the very least. Both sides have dug their heels in. There will not be any incentive to move until the scheduled start of the regular season. Even still, starts can be delayed. With a long offseason it would not hurt the NFL much to delay the season a few months and keep their 16 game schedule.
So, as hard as it is, try and resist the urge. The urge to watch lockout coverage while hoping that some sort of progress is made. Instead, we should ask them to tell us when they are ready to start playing again and ignore them until that point.
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