January 22nd: Deflated Egos

Sunday featured one of the most exciting, engaging NFL games in recent memory. Waking up Monday morning, most expected to hear discussion on the Packers’ epic overtime loss to the Seahawks, expected to hear hours and hours of commentary about the defending champs doing everything it took to win, expected to hear a shower of praise for a defense that kept their team in the game, even when all looked lost.

Instead, news quickly shifted to Sunday’s OTHER game, one that everyone expected to get ugly and did, quickly. After a 45-7 drubbing of the Colts, the Patriots came under fire for an NFL investigation, questioning whether or not the footballs used by the Patriots offense met regulatory standards. After a few days of investigation, it was discovered that 11 of the 12 game balls were deflated to up to 2 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) under regulation.

Now, it was easy for “haters” to immediately begin calling out the cheating Patriots, crying for anything and everything: a fine, a rematch, a forfeit. Most, though, had never heard enough about the PSI of a football to make an educated argument as to the context of it.

Here are some of the details that are important to keep in mind:

• The standard PSI of a game-used NFL football are between 12.5 and 13.5 PSI. These balls are evaluated 2 hours before the start of the game, approved by the referees, and then given to the quarterbacks for use during warm-ups.
• PSI can fluctuate during a game. Air pressure generally goes down in cold weather environments, which a game in New England one would expect to be very cold.
• An under-inflated football is generally easier to throw, especially in cold or wet conditions, because it is easier to grip.
• The PSI is not re-evaluated during the game. This means that, when they were under investigation by the league, the balls had not only been out in the cold, but the passage of time could have an impact on the PSI.
• The Colts had 12 offensive balls of their own, and none of them violated the league’s regulations.

Overall, there are plenty of questions, many either too complicated or too long since passed to get a real understanding. The Patriots could have had balls at the low end of regulation, and thus dropped below protocol only after weather and time impact. The Colts could have preferred more inflated game balls, and thus remained above standards longer. The balls, through the investigative process, could have lost pressure from repeated evaluation, causing an inaccurate reading. From any angle, there are simply too many questions to lead to any real punishment.

In his statement to the media, Patriots Head Coach BIll Belichick gave a fairly detailed description of his involvement (which is next to none), and the information he has on the matter (also nearly none). He repeatedly answered questions by simply announcing that he had explained everything he knew. For all we can determine, he truly wasn’t involved in any form of tampering.

This is, of course, not the first time the Patriots have come under fire under cheating allegations. The 2007 accusations and ultimate fines for video recording Jets game and practice signal calling left an enormous shadow over the team that has had the most substantial claim at dynasty status over the past 15 years in football. Similar accusations arose on two other occasions, including for videotaping Rams practices in lead-up to Super Bowl XXXVI.

In any case, the Patriots would be well-suited to let their play on the field do their talking for them. Some argue that, with a score of 45-7, things were clearly way too far out of hand for the ball factors to have impacted the bottom line. That doesn’t really matter, though, as an unfair advantage would drastically change even the smallest details of a game. Even for a team that may not have broken the rules, too many allegations generally means that something fishy is happening.

As the Patriots prepare for their showdown with the Seahawks on February 1st in Arizona, there will be swirling accusations, questions, and doubts as to just what this team is made of. While these questions are valid, there is required a certain dose of curiosity, so that fans will ultimately come to an accurate understanding of not only WHAT happened, but how and why it impacted the game.

January 10th: Deck the Hall

On Tuesday, four baseball players were inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Pitchers Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, and Pedro Martinez, along with second baseman Craig Biggio, joined the ranks of the games best, cementing their legacies in Cooperstown forever.

It took a little while, but Biggio eventually
punched his ticket for the Hall of Fame

Once again, the likes of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire all missed the Hall, receiving less than 35% of the ballot each, far south of the 75% necessary for induction. This means that the home run king, the most decorated Cy Young Award winner, and the two most exciting players of the turn of the century are all on the outside looking in.

This has sparked serious unrest among voters, many of whom argue that there needs to be a change in perspective as we evaluate the worth of these players.

The old-fashioned idea is that cheaters have no place in baseball’s hallowed halls. This is, of course, an understandable approach, considering these individuals violated the very rules of the game they claimed to cherish, and shouldn’t reap rewards for being better than their clean peers if it was done through an unfair advantage.

The new argument is that the statistics and records they own belong in the hall, if nothing else, and that each of these players should be placed in the Hall of Fame, while their connection to steroids should be displayed prominently on their plaques.

Things get even murkier for players who have been discussed in the steroid conversation, but who haven’t ever been found to be nearly as guilty as the likes of Bonds or Clemens. Jeff Bagwell is an excellent example. Bagwell has the stats to get in. Tim Kurkjian referred to him Tuesday as quite possibly one of the top 5 first basemen of all time.  Yet his connection to steroids has kept him out of the hall, with very little evidence to his guilt.

The reality is that there are cheaters already in the Hall of Fame. We don’t know who they are, or else they probably wouldn’t have gotten in. But they are there, and it is incredibly ignorant to assume that the Baseball Writers of America have properly kept out all of the steroid users. They are, then, faced with the challenge of figuring out where to go from there.

One of the other issues with the Hall of Fame voting was brought up by Curt Schilling the day of the announcement. Schilling was on the ballot for the third time. This year, he received 39.2% of the vote, which was up from his first year. His comment was that he hasn’t thrown a pitch in the past year. What makes him one, two, five percent more qualified for the Hall of Fame this year than last? Why make people wait to be in the Hall if they are eventually deserving?

As a whole, the Hall of Fame process is quickly becoming a problem that could drastically belittle the greatness of baseball. As an avid fan, it would be a travesty to see the beautiful game tarnished even further by those who chose to forsake the rules, instead choosing personal advancement over the integrity of the game. That being said, we have reached the Catch-22 where baseball is only doing itself a disservice by continuing to prevent entry for those who hold the greatest achievements in the baseball world. To continue to bar them from the Hall does no further damage to their image, and only works to dilute the value of those already in the Hall.

The door needs to be widened to give entry to all who statistically are among the best in the game. As much as it saddens true baseball lovers, it is important that even the cheaters be granted entry, so that their statistics can give the proper context for all that makes baseball so great. If possible, we need to identify the cheaters and make sure that they’re legacies are known to be tainted, but we cannot take away the fact that the Hall of Fame is meant for the players who performed at the highest level, regardless of the means used to accomplish their feats.

January 6th: In Like a Playoff Team, Out Like the Lions

If controversy is the way we gauge how much fun we had during NFL Wild Card Weekend, then the Lions, Cowboys game was clearly the highlight!

After having led for most of the game, the Lions squandered a 20-17 lead, giving up a bullet passed by Tony Romo to the back of the end zone with 2:30 left to go. With the Cowboys now up 24-20, Matthew Stafford attempted to run a last-chance offensive stand, Alas, a forced fumble ended it, sending the Lions home, and the Cowboys to Green Bay to take on the Packers in the divisional round.

Sounds simple enough. Except, there was a play with over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter that has NFL fans in Detroit and beyond up in arms.

With the lead, the Lions were stringing a drive together. On 3rd and 1 in plus-territory, Stafford dropped back to pass, finding Brandon Pettigrew a good 20 yards downfield. Except, Pettigrew, tangled up in Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, doesn’t catch the ball. The flag is thrown. Defensive pass interference is called. The first down is given. Again, fairly simple. Except that the officials later took the penalty back.

Out of nowhere, after the penalty had already been announced, the officiating crew decided that no pass interference had happened after all, and that it was 4th down.

Cue the panic. When Detroit eventually lost the game (c’mon, it was Detroit, we saw that coming), players and fans alike pointed at that play as the reason the Lions were headed home. ESPN commentators tore the play to shreds. Fans shamed the NFL for allowing such a thing to happen. Even Dean Blandino, the NFL Head of Officiating, came forward and acknowledged the blown call. Or, rather, the correct call that was taken back.

At the end of the day, though, the Lions lost. Fans want to believe that it was the fault of that one play. All of a sudden, everyone is looking back at the game for every possible penalty. Dez Bryant coming out onto the field without a helmet. Ndamukong Suh being held on a critical 4th down opportunity. Anything that could be found WAS found.

The only thing that couldn’t be found, though, was the Lions clutch factor. It is absolutely understandable, as a fan, to be furious that the officiating played a role in such a pivotal moment. But that was one minute of play. What is the excuse for the other 59 minutes? What’s the excuse for the fact that the Lions had over two minutes left on the clock at the end of the game with the chance to win, and didn’t? Where is the argument that the Lions could have had their foot more firmly on the gas and been winning by 14, rather than three, in the fourth quarter? Where is the second-ranked Lions defense, who gave the Cowboys the ball in a home-field advantage situation late in the game, allowing them to march down the field in 11 plays for the game-winning score?

The bottom line is this: the officiating team screwed up. The call should have favored the Lions. They should have had excellent field position, and held onto the ball a little longer, burning more time off the clock. The Cowboys should have had a harder time stealing the victory late in the game like that. But, when all was said and done, the Lions let one minute be the excuse for 59 other minutes of football.

A team that allows a play midway through the fourth quarter to be their excuse for relinquishing the lead and eventually losing the game lacks the winning pedigree necessary to make a championship run. THAT is why Detroit will be watching next week’s games from the couch.

January 3rd: NFL Playoff Preview

After 256 games, the NFL Playoffs are set to kick off this Saturday. Something things went exactly as planned. The Seahawks and Broncos both won their divisions and won first round byes. Some things went as expected, but in a very different way.  The Patriots won their division, but in much grander fasion than I predicted. Some things were downright unexpected. The ZP: Left Fielder predicted a Bears division win. Need we say more?

But, now that the chips have fallen where they will, it is time for the real hard work. The Left Fielder tackles the playoffs, from Wild Card Weekend to Super Bowl Sunday.

Wild Card:

Cardinals at Panthers

The Panthers are trending up at exactly the right time, while the Cardinals are limping at best. Arizona has been the season’s feel-good story, but that can only go so far, as a fourth string quarterback won’t be enough to cut it. I’m a big Cam Newton fan, and he will put this team on his back.

Ravens at Steelers

If Le’Veon Bell is out, it may change the result of the game. But a Ravens team that loses in Houston and is tied with the Browns at half-time isn’t one destined for a long playoff run, and I think the days of the Steel Curtain are beginning to look more familiar in Pittsburgh. A rivarly match-up in the playoffs is always a treat, though.

Lions at Cowboys

The Lions were a lot of fun to watch this year, and often won in resilient fashion. That being said, nobody can match the flash of the Cowboys this year, who have found a three-headed dragon on offense in the form of Romo, Murray, and Bryant. Even the Lions’ dominant defense won’t be able to slow ‘dem Boys.

Bengals at Colts

I’ve gone back and forth a lot on this one. I love both teams, as I now have educational roots in each place. I think Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in the NFL’s future. I think Andy Dalton is one of the least appreciated players in the game. That being said, I was all ready to give a slight edge to the Bengals, but without AJ Green, I don't think that's possible. Colts win by default.

Divisional Round:

Panthers at Seahawks

Does anybody remember the matchup for the Seahawks and Panthers in the middle of the year? Well, it was the beginning of a bad slide for Carolina and the last straw for a Seahawks team that was about to turn on the jets. This is going to be another turning point, except the Panthers will be going home embarressed, and the Seahawks will be tuning up for a long run. Will Marshawn Lynch lead this team back to the promised land? “Thanks for asking.”

Colts at Patriots

The Patriots were not kind to the Colts in Week 11. This won't be any different. The Patriots are showing just how dominant they are as a franchise, and the Colts look like they don't want to succeed. This won't be close, and it probably won't even be fun to watch.

Cowboys at Packers

The Packers appear unbeatable at home. The Cowboys are absolutely dominant on the road. Who wins out? I’m probably making a heart pick, rather than a head pick here, but Big D can ball, and I want to see the Packers go down at Lambeau. Aaron Rogers will have an unstopable day, but so will Romo, as the Cowboys win a high-scoring shootout.

Steelers at Broncos

Everyone has jumped off the Broncos bandwagon in the last few weeks. Yet, the team’s defense is playing better than ever before, and the running game is clicking in a way that should scare, well, everybody. Peyton will be Peyton, and will force Big Ben to play at a high level, which he has proven incabable of doing four quarters in a row this year, let alone four weeks.

AFC Championship Game:

Broncos at Patriots

We’ve been biding our time for this game. This is, really, what everyone wants, and will be the talk of Sportscenter all week. It will be unbearable.

The Patriots were embarressed on the road last year. The Broncos were embarressed at home this year. The slate should be clean for the Manning-Brady Bowl.

I think these teams are as evenly matched as theyve ever been before, and it will make for a thriller. Two Hall of Fame Quarterbacks. Two much-improved secondaries. Two running games with no name recognition but gritt.

That being said, we will return to what I’ve said every week for much of the year: Never, EVER bet against Peyton. I don’t care how many picks he threw against the Bengals in Week 16. Don’t. Bet. Against. Peyton.

NFC Championship Game:

Cowboys at Seahawks

This year’s most intriguing team against the defending Super Bowl champs. That’s what football is all about.

The Seahawks defense will slow Romo and Co. down a little, and the Cowboys defense will be able to manage against a Seahawks offense that is efficient at best. This will be a chess match, and is, for all intents and purposes, a hard one to call.

The cards will fall in favor of the Seahawks, though, based on playoff experience, toughness, and overall a will to win.

Super Bowl:

Broncos vs. Seahawks

A Super Bowl rematch is what many expected heading into this year, although it is impossible to anticipate how we got here. The Broncos have planned all offseason and all regular season for this matchup, and you can bet they will come out angry, looking for a revenge. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have proven that, despite some early season hiccups, they are not going to succomb to the post-championship hangover.

This will be a much better game to watch, and will come down to the wire. The Broncos proved in the regular season that they can play with this team.

I’m going with the Broncos for two reasons. Reason #1: If they got here, they will have had to beat the Patriots, who I think are their biggest test. Once they’ve done that, they will be raring to go. Reason #2: I don’t see this squad allowing themselves to watch Seattle hoist the trophy against the again. This will a revenge grudge-match, and Peyton will get his second ring.

Now comes the fun part. Grab some friends and the remote. It’s almost Game Day.