In the final minutes of a 24-22 loss at home to the B.C. Lions, the Toronto Argonauts ran an inside draw run on a crucial second down. Gaining merely negligible yards and the team faced a desperate third-and-ten situation that the Argos could not convert. Creativity plays a role in sport but should be limited to the proper time and place. The best time to experiment is often earlier rather than later as the breaks of the game provide several second chances. Toronto gambled was a gamble against daunting odds and lost. Perhaps if video analysis had shown a hole …
Performance Under Pressure
During Superbowl XLI, Rex Grossman performed poorly, throwing two interceptions and barely moving Chicago’s offence. According to the media, Grossman was one of the worst Superbowl quarterbacks ever – and possibly one of the worst to play that position in the history of the league. How bad was he?Breaking down the reasons for Grossman’s inauspicious performance generates a generic list: physical skill, knowledge of the game, composure under pressure, etc.. Like other major sporting events, performance under pressure on demand trumps all. During his career at Florida, Grossman demonstrated excellent physical tools at an elite collegiate program. He must still …
Sports on Television
When I watch sports on television, why must the announcers spent countless moments discussing minutiae absolutely irreverent to the game? What function do sideline reports serve? Why do commentators feel the need to speak as if the viewers are a gang of mush-heads? For example, why was Matt Leinart’s dad shown repeatedly during the 2006 Rose Bowl? It seemed as if he was on the screen more often than his son, who was quarterbacking the Trojans. Since Mr. Leinart wasn’t the player who came up inches short on fourth down nor did he score the winning touchdown with nineteen seconds …
Stream of Consciousness, Part II
Charlie Weis mishandled the closing moments of the Notre Dame – USC game. He should have used his timeouts to stop the clock once USC got in the red zone. At least Notre Dame would have had thirty seconds to drive for a game tying field goal … I’m really interested in what happens with the Astros – Cardinals series. Houston could be completely crushed as a result of that slider Albert Pujols crushed in the top of the ninth. Nevertheless, starting Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens in games six and seven and their mental toughness gives them a chip …
Team vs. Individual Discipline
The San Diego Chargers have blown it by suspending TE Antonio Gates. As Red Auerbach said, never punish the team for the sins of the individual. N.F.L. holdouts and contract renegotiations are unbecoming to the sport and out of control; the issue should be addressed in future collective bargaining to create uniform rules for all teams. Nevertheless, the Chargers painted themselves into a corner with their ultimatum that Gates sign the qualifying offer or be suspended. Therein lies the massive flaw with ultimatums – they limit your options. You should never make a threat that you aren’t willing to carry …
- Page 2 of 2
- 1
- 2