In the classic movie Bull Durham, there's a scene where Crash Davis teaches Ebby Calvin LaLoosh about interview cliches. I think that advice has never been more valuable than it is these days. In this age of accessibility, athletes need to watch what they say because there's always the possibility for it to be taken out of context and misconstrued. The media will do whatever it takes to get a story, and spin things however they want to.
Yesterday Terrell Owens said he's not going to be as open to the media.
"Over the years I've always kind of spoken openly about whatever is being asked with my answers, so the last four or five years I've kind of noticed that and tried taking some steps to prevent some of those things from happening."
Though I have not appreciated his craving for attention, I have always appreciated T.O.'s honesty and I do believe he gets mistreated in the media. The fact of the matter is that athletes get belted for hours by questions left and right, and the thing is most of the questions are the same. Every person has a breaking point, and if you have the slightest bit of desire to go into any detail and say what's on your mind, you are screwed.
T.O. and other athletes and coaches who seem to be vulnerable to this kind of quote manipulation are not without fault. I do understand that there is a fine line to be walked between giving insightful answers and setting yourself up to be misrepresented. The problem is that most people don't know how to walk that line, yet we expect them to.
The biggest problem in all of this is that for the sake of being provocative, and for the sake of reading ease, interview quotes are printed without the questions being asked. Therefore, you have no context, and you're left to your own imagination to fill in the blanks. A perfect case was during T.O.'s interview on Sunday.
ESPN reported:
"Just going with the plays that are called," Owens replied repeatedly to those questions. "Whether I like them or don't, I'm just going with the plays that are called."
The problem I have is that if you read, "Whether I like them or don't, I'm just going with the plays that are called." It makes it sound like he is frustrated and perhaps truly doesn't like the play selection. In actuality, he was asked, "Do you like the plays that are called?" In light of the question being asked, I think this is a more than acceptable answer that implies no frustration on his part. If you lose a football game and are asked that question, what the heck are you supposed to say?
This environment of journalists trying to goad athletes into saying things that can be spun around is a shame. It's a shame because it's given birth to absolutely insipid interview responses.
How many times do you hear a player say, "It is what it is." That phrase is the interviewee's best friend. For one, words come out of your mouth, giving the illusion of a response. Secondly, you don't actually say anything. You don't give any insight and you can't be misquoted. There is an inherent negative judgement given to the speaker when he responds, "No comment." On the other hand, "It is what it is" says effectively the same thing, but has a more positive connotation, which means everything in the forum of public perception. If I was an athlete, I would be really relaxed, which projects an image of honesty, and give the first sentence of what I would really like to say. Then I would pause and say, "but you know what, it is what it is."
Earlier this year, when asked about new teammate Owens, Trent Edwards pointed out that he won't make any judgements on Owens because he knows the media takes things that Owens says out of context, and that he can be misrepresented.
I think that's the thing that gets lost on us all. We can't take anything for face value, and the minute we make a judgement about something that is reported without doing some investigation about the context, we are also to blame.
A good case is that of Raul Ibanez. Earlier this year Ibanez was furious because there was reportedly a blogger who had suggested Ibanez's spike in power numbers suggest he is on performance enhancing drugs.
"Make them accountable. There should be more credibility than some 42-year-old blogger typing in his mother's basement. It demeans everything you've done with one stroke of the pen," said Ibanez.
However, if Ibanez had actually read the article, which I can't seem to find the link to, he would have known that the "blogger typing in his mother's basement" was responding to an email asking if Ibanez was on steroids, and that the blogger actually defended his spike in power, citing changes in factors such as ballparks played in and pitchers faced. The blogger does an excellent job forming a statistical basis for an explanation that says Ibanez is not juicing. When I read the article a few months back, I had no idea why it had created such a firestorm.
Now I know. It's because nobody bothers to check what was actually said, and just likes to go off and make things as crazy and sensational as possible. If we want to believe anything that is said in the media, this all needs to stop. Journalists and media outlets need to stop trying to make money at the expense of the reputations of others.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lookalike Friday 17
Hey everybody! Time for Lookalike Friday. This one comes courtesy of my friend and fan of the Toni Broxton Blog, Andrew.
Andrew said to me one day, "Hey I got a good lookalike for you. I was watching gamecast for the Dodgers game and I thought to myself, boy...doesn't Jon Garland look a lot like...
Professional choreographer Wade Robson?"
I didn't know who Robson was, but when I looked up his picture online, I knew it was legit. Thanks Andrew!
Remember, if you have questions, comments, suggestions or anything at all email me at tonibroxton@gmail.com
Andrew said to me one day, "Hey I got a good lookalike for you. I was watching gamecast for the Dodgers game and I thought to myself, boy...doesn't Jon Garland look a lot like...
Professional choreographer Wade Robson?"
I didn't know who Robson was, but when I looked up his picture online, I knew it was legit. Thanks Andrew!
Remember, if you have questions, comments, suggestions or anything at all email me at tonibroxton@gmail.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday Picks
Slight modification to Thursday Picks. I won't keep track of how I did, nor will I analyze matchups I don't like. The post was getting too long.
Here we go:
Tennessee Titans +3 vs New York Jets
This game should be close and low scoring. Both teams would rather run and not pass unless forced to. I think mentally it's got to be tough for the Jets to keep up their pace and for the Titans to go 0-3. The Jets might win, but it'll be by less than 3. More likely I think Mark Sanchez has his first bad game as a pro and the Titans will pick up their first win.
Houston Texans -4 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
This Jaguars defense is going to give up big points to the Texans. It's going to be playing from behind all day, and though both teams will score a bunch, the Texans will dominate the entire game.
Detroit Lions +6.5 vs Washington Redskins
The Redskins are playing very poorly. Though the Lions aren't doing much better themselves, I think Detroit is going to be able to squeak out a win (or at least keep it close).
Indianapolis Colts +2.5 vs Arizona Cardinals
The Colts +anything and I'm taking it. I think the Colts will win this one easily. Peyton will get more help from his running game this week, be it Addai or Donald Brown.
Carolina Panthers +9 vs Dallas Cowboys
This is tricky because Tony Romo came off a rough week and should probably have extra motivation to play well. Also, the Panthers are absolutely awful when they play from behind. However, I think the Panthers will score early and run the ball into the ground. They may get beat at the end, but they will at least beat the spread.
Atlanta Falcons +4 vs New England Patriots
I probably wouldn't bet for the Falcons. Tom Brady will probably be able to pick apart the secondary, but I just have this feeling that the Patriots defense is not going to be able to stop Burner Turner. He's going to burn his way to 2 scores and 100+ yards. The only thing that keeps me from betting this one is that the Patriots might be able to outscore the Falcons.
Here we go:
Tennessee Titans +3 vs New York Jets
This game should be close and low scoring. Both teams would rather run and not pass unless forced to. I think mentally it's got to be tough for the Jets to keep up their pace and for the Titans to go 0-3. The Jets might win, but it'll be by less than 3. More likely I think Mark Sanchez has his first bad game as a pro and the Titans will pick up their first win.
Houston Texans -4 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
This Jaguars defense is going to give up big points to the Texans. It's going to be playing from behind all day, and though both teams will score a bunch, the Texans will dominate the entire game.
Detroit Lions +6.5 vs Washington Redskins
The Redskins are playing very poorly. Though the Lions aren't doing much better themselves, I think Detroit is going to be able to squeak out a win (or at least keep it close).
Indianapolis Colts +2.5 vs Arizona Cardinals
The Colts +anything and I'm taking it. I think the Colts will win this one easily. Peyton will get more help from his running game this week, be it Addai or Donald Brown.
Carolina Panthers +9 vs Dallas Cowboys
This is tricky because Tony Romo came off a rough week and should probably have extra motivation to play well. Also, the Panthers are absolutely awful when they play from behind. However, I think the Panthers will score early and run the ball into the ground. They may get beat at the end, but they will at least beat the spread.
Atlanta Falcons +4 vs New England Patriots
I probably wouldn't bet for the Falcons. Tom Brady will probably be able to pick apart the secondary, but I just have this feeling that the Patriots defense is not going to be able to stop Burner Turner. He's going to burn his way to 2 scores and 100+ yards. The only thing that keeps me from betting this one is that the Patriots might be able to outscore the Falcons.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
NFL Power Rankings Week 2
I thought it would be fun to do NFL Power Rankings, so here it is:
Toni Broxton Week 2 Power Rankings
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-0): Peyton Manning's ability to make receivers play above their normal ability is truly a gift to behold. This running game will come along soon, and the defense showed two weeks now it can get it done when the time comes.
2. Minnesota Vikings (2-0): As much as I dislike Brett Favre, this team is playing really well, and Brett Favre knows his role - behind Adrian Peterson, who is absolutely electric. Have yet to be tested, though.
3. New York Giants (2-0): Will Mario Manningham rise up to claim the throne of New York star wide receiver vacated by Plaxico Burress? We shall see soon, but he's off to a great start.
4. New Orleans Saints (2-0): Defense? Who cares! Drew Brees tore apart what was supposed to be one of the better defenses of the league. It remains to be seen if this Saints team will be able to sustain their pace the whole season and win a game where they turn the ball over a couple of times.
5. Atlanta Falcons (2-0): Giving Matty Ice a big time tight end has so far proven to be an amazing move.
6. New York Jets (2-0): This Jets defense is legit. Mark Sanchez has to be the 09 Joe Flacco and just not screw up.
7. Baltimore Ravens (2-0): Speaking of Joe Flacco, the Ravens offense is getting better each week. Ray Rice, Le'Ron McClain, and Willis McGahee provide the backfield depth and Todd Heap fell back on the face of the earth after having fallen off of it last year.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1): Titans and Bears the first two weeks? The defensive matchups have to get easier from this point on.
9. Dallas Cowboys (1-1): This team is one less Tony Romo mistake away from being 2-0. Will the injury to MB3 hamper him all season?
10. Buffalo Bills (1-1): The Bills have a dynamic running game that will only get better when Marshawn Lynch comes back, and if T.O. can get even more involved in the offense, this team could do some damage.
11. San Diego Chargers (1-1): Tough loss last week to Baltimore at home. Though Sproles puts up good numbers in LT's absence, it is always nice to split the workload.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1): Injuries are going to bag this team all year. McNabb and his now famous McRib, Westbrook's ankle, DeSean Jackson has a groin thing, Asante Samuel has a neck issue. The Eagles are lucky to have an early bye in week 4, but can't look past the Chiefs, awful as they are.
13. San Francisco 49ers (2-0): Usually great players don't make great coaches, but Mike Singletary is proving people wrong. This team will definitely put up a good fight for the NFC West. They were lucky to catch Arizona still on the Super Bowl hangover and Seattle with an injury to Hasselbeck.
14. Houston Texans (1-1): If Schaub and Andre Johnson can stay healthy, that's all this team needs. Steve Slaton has yet to show up, but will eventually.
15. Tennessee Titans (0-2): How can an 0-2 team be ranked so high? Bad matchups for the first couple of weeks. Plus they don't feed the LenWhale enough. Food and the ball. The dude needs his girth!
16. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1): This team is one fluke play away from being 2-0.
17. Green Bay Packers (1-1): This team has issues on the O-Line, can't run the ball for crap, and the defense is still trying to figure out how to play like it's 2007. That having been said, Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings will never EVER again have a game together where Jennings doesn't catch at least one ball.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-1): The faster they can shake off the Super Bowl hangover, the better. They showed signs against Jacksonville this week.
19. New England Patriots (1-1): The fact of the matter is that this team is one Leodis McKelvin fumble away from being 0-2. Patriots teams of old would have torn the Jets apart for not worshipping the ground on which they stood. This Patriots team has no running game, critical injuries on defense, and their average age is higher than that of a community center bingo game.
20. Oakland Raiders (1-1): This team showed a lot of character coming back to beat the Chiefs in Kansas City. Why they would run Darren McFadden 12 times and throw 24 times with JaMarcus Russell is beyond me. It should have been the other way around, especially in a game the Raiders led most of the time.
21. Miami Dolphins (0-2): Had a rough first couple of weeks, but the running game looks good. The schedule can only get easier for them.
22. Chicago Bears (1-1): Cutler has nobody really to throw to outside of Greg Olsen and the defense lost their heart and brain. Not to mention Matt Forte hasn't showed up for the season yet.
23. Denver Broncos (2-0): They flat out got lucky vs the Bengals and they played the Browns. I'll rank this team higher when they impress me.
24. Seattle Seahwaks (1-1): Hasselbeck injury really hurts, as this team was looking alright. Surprised to see Edgerrin James not mixed into the play more. Maybe he will be going forward.
25. Washington Redskins (1-1): What an average team. There's nothing to say about them.
26. Carolina Panthers (0-2): You have to think this team will snap out of it eventually. Despite Jake Delhomme's ineptitude, this team is way too talented at other skill positions.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2): Maybe whatever Fred Taylor provided for this team was the difference?
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2): At least the offensive side can put up numbers. Defense has been terrible so far.
29. St. Louis Rams (0-2): I just don't get why this team is so awful. Bulger and Steven Jackson are legitmately good players. Spagnuolo should have improved the defense, but maybe they need a couple of years to get the right personnel.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2): It's going to be tough for this team not to finish last in the AFC West.
31. Detroit Lions (0-2): The Browns and Lions are both pretty awful, but it came down to who is better at major positions: Stafford vs Quinn, Calvin Johnson vs Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis vs Kevin Jones. Lions win. Something they haven't done in a while.
32. Cleveland Browns (0-2): Mangini has his work cut out for him.
Toni Broxton Week 2 Power Rankings
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-0): Peyton Manning's ability to make receivers play above their normal ability is truly a gift to behold. This running game will come along soon, and the defense showed two weeks now it can get it done when the time comes.
2. Minnesota Vikings (2-0): As much as I dislike Brett Favre, this team is playing really well, and Brett Favre knows his role - behind Adrian Peterson, who is absolutely electric. Have yet to be tested, though.
3. New York Giants (2-0): Will Mario Manningham rise up to claim the throne of New York star wide receiver vacated by Plaxico Burress? We shall see soon, but he's off to a great start.
4. New Orleans Saints (2-0): Defense? Who cares! Drew Brees tore apart what was supposed to be one of the better defenses of the league. It remains to be seen if this Saints team will be able to sustain their pace the whole season and win a game where they turn the ball over a couple of times.
5. Atlanta Falcons (2-0): Giving Matty Ice a big time tight end has so far proven to be an amazing move.
6. New York Jets (2-0): This Jets defense is legit. Mark Sanchez has to be the 09 Joe Flacco and just not screw up.
7. Baltimore Ravens (2-0): Speaking of Joe Flacco, the Ravens offense is getting better each week. Ray Rice, Le'Ron McClain, and Willis McGahee provide the backfield depth and Todd Heap fell back on the face of the earth after having fallen off of it last year.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1): Titans and Bears the first two weeks? The defensive matchups have to get easier from this point on.
9. Dallas Cowboys (1-1): This team is one less Tony Romo mistake away from being 2-0. Will the injury to MB3 hamper him all season?
10. Buffalo Bills (1-1): The Bills have a dynamic running game that will only get better when Marshawn Lynch comes back, and if T.O. can get even more involved in the offense, this team could do some damage.
11. San Diego Chargers (1-1): Tough loss last week to Baltimore at home. Though Sproles puts up good numbers in LT's absence, it is always nice to split the workload.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1): Injuries are going to bag this team all year. McNabb and his now famous McRib, Westbrook's ankle, DeSean Jackson has a groin thing, Asante Samuel has a neck issue. The Eagles are lucky to have an early bye in week 4, but can't look past the Chiefs, awful as they are.
13. San Francisco 49ers (2-0): Usually great players don't make great coaches, but Mike Singletary is proving people wrong. This team will definitely put up a good fight for the NFC West. They were lucky to catch Arizona still on the Super Bowl hangover and Seattle with an injury to Hasselbeck.
14. Houston Texans (1-1): If Schaub and Andre Johnson can stay healthy, that's all this team needs. Steve Slaton has yet to show up, but will eventually.
15. Tennessee Titans (0-2): How can an 0-2 team be ranked so high? Bad matchups for the first couple of weeks. Plus they don't feed the LenWhale enough. Food and the ball. The dude needs his girth!
16. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1): This team is one fluke play away from being 2-0.
17. Green Bay Packers (1-1): This team has issues on the O-Line, can't run the ball for crap, and the defense is still trying to figure out how to play like it's 2007. That having been said, Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings will never EVER again have a game together where Jennings doesn't catch at least one ball.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-1): The faster they can shake off the Super Bowl hangover, the better. They showed signs against Jacksonville this week.
19. New England Patriots (1-1): The fact of the matter is that this team is one Leodis McKelvin fumble away from being 0-2. Patriots teams of old would have torn the Jets apart for not worshipping the ground on which they stood. This Patriots team has no running game, critical injuries on defense, and their average age is higher than that of a community center bingo game.
20. Oakland Raiders (1-1): This team showed a lot of character coming back to beat the Chiefs in Kansas City. Why they would run Darren McFadden 12 times and throw 24 times with JaMarcus Russell is beyond me. It should have been the other way around, especially in a game the Raiders led most of the time.
21. Miami Dolphins (0-2): Had a rough first couple of weeks, but the running game looks good. The schedule can only get easier for them.
22. Chicago Bears (1-1): Cutler has nobody really to throw to outside of Greg Olsen and the defense lost their heart and brain. Not to mention Matt Forte hasn't showed up for the season yet.
23. Denver Broncos (2-0): They flat out got lucky vs the Bengals and they played the Browns. I'll rank this team higher when they impress me.
24. Seattle Seahwaks (1-1): Hasselbeck injury really hurts, as this team was looking alright. Surprised to see Edgerrin James not mixed into the play more. Maybe he will be going forward.
25. Washington Redskins (1-1): What an average team. There's nothing to say about them.
26. Carolina Panthers (0-2): You have to think this team will snap out of it eventually. Despite Jake Delhomme's ineptitude, this team is way too talented at other skill positions.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2): Maybe whatever Fred Taylor provided for this team was the difference?
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2): At least the offensive side can put up numbers. Defense has been terrible so far.
29. St. Louis Rams (0-2): I just don't get why this team is so awful. Bulger and Steven Jackson are legitmately good players. Spagnuolo should have improved the defense, but maybe they need a couple of years to get the right personnel.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2): It's going to be tough for this team not to finish last in the AFC West.
31. Detroit Lions (0-2): The Browns and Lions are both pretty awful, but it came down to who is better at major positions: Stafford vs Quinn, Calvin Johnson vs Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis vs Kevin Jones. Lions win. Something they haven't done in a while.
32. Cleveland Browns (0-2): Mangini has his work cut out for him.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wildcat Dilemma
So let's say you are like Philadelphia and Miami, with 2 traditional QBs and 1 wildcat type QB. (Philadelphia - McNabb, Kolb, Vick; Miami - Pennington, Henne, Pat White)
You have a dilemma on your hands. What order do you list the QBs on the depth chart?
1. Traditional QB
2. Traditional QB2
3. Wildcat QB
If you do this, you can't use your Wildcat QB until the 4th quarter. Why? The NFL has a rule that says if you use your #3 QB before the 4th quarter, the #1 and #2 QBs on the depth chart can't play until the 4th quarter.
1. Traditional QB
2. Wildcat QB
3. Traditional QB2
If you do this and if your #1 QB gets hurt, then you HAVE to use your Wildcat QB (who is probably not better as a QB than your second best traditional QB) for the rest of the game until the 4th quarter.
So what do you do? The answer seems so simple to me:
List your wildcat QB as a wide receiver or running back. Then they can come and go as they please.
I thought maybe a player listed in the QB depth chart has to be on the field at all times for offensive plays, but that's not the case. Miami runs packages all the time without Pennington on the field.
Easy. Right?
You have a dilemma on your hands. What order do you list the QBs on the depth chart?
1. Traditional QB
2. Traditional QB2
3. Wildcat QB
If you do this, you can't use your Wildcat QB until the 4th quarter. Why? The NFL has a rule that says if you use your #3 QB before the 4th quarter, the #1 and #2 QBs on the depth chart can't play until the 4th quarter.
1. Traditional QB
2. Wildcat QB
3. Traditional QB2
If you do this and if your #1 QB gets hurt, then you HAVE to use your Wildcat QB (who is probably not better as a QB than your second best traditional QB) for the rest of the game until the 4th quarter.
So what do you do? The answer seems so simple to me:
List your wildcat QB as a wide receiver or running back. Then they can come and go as they please.
I thought maybe a player listed in the QB depth chart has to be on the field at all times for offensive plays, but that's not the case. Miami runs packages all the time without Pennington on the field.
Easy. Right?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday Picks update
Eagles, pick: $15 (wrong)
Panthers +6; $15 (wrong)
Vikings -10; $25 (correct)
Packers -9; $10 (wrong)
Raiders +3; $10 (correct)
49ers +2; $10 (correct)
Steelers -3; $15 (wrong)
Colts -3; $25 (correct)
$10 parlay to win about $900* (wrong)
$10 on a moneyline parlay on:
Vikings, Packers, Steelers, Colts (wrong)
$20 to win $70 on a 5 team teaser of 7 points on:
Patriots, Packers, Vikings, Steelers, Colts (wrong)
Risk: $165
Payout: $108.63
Net: -$56.37
It's a good thing this is all pretend haha.
Panthers +6; $15 (wrong)
Vikings -10; $25 (correct)
Packers -9; $10 (wrong)
Raiders +3; $10 (correct)
49ers +2; $10 (correct)
Steelers -3; $15 (wrong)
Colts -3; $25 (correct)
$10 parlay to win about $900* (wrong)
$10 on a moneyline parlay on:
Vikings, Packers, Steelers, Colts (wrong)
$20 to win $70 on a 5 team teaser of 7 points on:
Patriots, Packers, Vikings, Steelers, Colts (wrong)
Risk: $165
Payout: $108.63
Net: -$56.37
It's a good thing this is all pretend haha.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lookalike Friday 16
Booyeah! Time for Lookalike Friday.
This week we have Hall of Fame point guard for the Utah Jazz, John Stockton. I saw him at the ceremony and thought to myself, boy...doesn't he look a lot like...
Mr. Bean aka Rowan Atkinson?
This week we have Hall of Fame point guard for the Utah Jazz, John Stockton. I saw him at the ceremony and thought to myself, boy...doesn't he look a lot like...
Mr. Bean aka Rowan Atkinson?
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