NFL Divisional Round Picks & Rule Changes

NFL Divisional Round Playoffs this weekend.  Here are the picks:

Saturday
New Orleans at San Francisco
This is a tough pick for me.  I do think NO will struggle to move the ball like they normally do, on the road, outdoors, and against a good defense.  But I can't pick Alex Smith over Drew Brees.  Saints
Denver at New England
The Tebow 3:16 run ends here.  Although I will say this, the NE defense isn't very good, and if Tebow and the Broncos can run the ball and keep the Pats Offense off the field, it could be interesting.  Still, common sense says Patriots.

Sunday
Houston at Baltimore
This is probably the hardest pick for me.  Usually for playoff games, I go by the best team, then by best quarterback, then by the Home Field advantage.  I'm going to have to go with Home Field in this one.  I don't trust Joe Flacco, although I think he's better than TJ Yates.  And as much press as Baltimore's D gets, Houston's defense is actually better.  I'm taking the Ravens based on experience, and home field.
NY Giants at Green Bay
These two played not that long ago, and it was a close game.  One of the tougher match ups Green Bay had all season was the Giants.  The reason is this, the Giants can generate pressure on the quarterback with just their front four, and drop 7 into coverage.  Green Bay is not a good running team, and the cold weather won't bother the Giants.  Eli Manning has played well in this season, and looked good last week.  But I can't pick him against Aaron Rodgers.  Green Bay to win a close one.

So yeah, I'm pretty much picking all the favorites.  (Sorry Corey.  They are favorites for a reason.)

Which leads me to today's subject:  Rule Changes.  Every year we see rules changed in our favorite sports.  For example this year the NFL moved the kickoff line to the 35 yard from the 30. 
Monday night I was sitting and watching Alabama beat up LSU to win the BCS Championship, and I wasn't liking it.  We need new system for deciding the national championship in college football.  Whether that be 4 Ginormous conferences with 64 teams, maybe it could be my 8 team playoff plan, maybe it's something else.  But there needs to be a rule change.


This got me thinking about rule changes.  If I was made "Galatic President Superstar McAwesomeness of Sports" for a day, what are the rule changes I would make.

Football Section - Things to improve America's favorite game.

NFL Overtime-  OK, this subject has been beaten to death because of Peter King and his whining about the Colts losing in overtime.  That's where it started, don't fool yourself.  Which led to this year's overtime rule change in the playoffs.  (an aside:  How do you have different rules for the play of the game in the playoffs, than you do in the regular season?  That's just silly).  So basically, now the rule is, if the first team scores a FG, the second team has a chance to have the ball.  (Which by the way, wouldn't have mattered in the Peyton Manning game, because Darren Sproles scored on a touchdown run, but I digress)

Rule Change:  Let's take a page from basketball.  Overtime is set for a certain amount of time.  You play til the clock runs out.  The only discussion is the length of time.  Basketball goes with 5 minutes, and they have 12 minute quarters.  But football is different, possession of the ball last about 24 seconds in basketball, much longer in football.  So, let's set it at 10 minutes.  10 Minute overtime.  Done.  Game still tied?  Double Overtime in the playoffs.  Much better than the sudden death rule.  Much better than the college rule.  Continue to play the game, for a shortened overtime period.

NFL Hash marks-  Ever notice how good NFL kickers are, and how rarely they miss any field goal under 40 yards?  Then have you ever watched a college game and wondered why these less talented kickers, have to deal with wider hash marks, and more difficult angles on Field Goals?  It doesn't make sense to me.  Here is the rule with NFL hash marks:  "Hash marks in the NFL are lined up with the goal posts. They are 18 feet 6 inches apart and are located 23 7/12 yards from each sideline."  Why are better kickers, playing on a higher level, given an easier opportunity to make a field goal?  This is like having the Junior High play on regulation hoops, but when the Varsity High School team comes out, lowering it to 9 feet so more people can dunk.  It makes no sense.

Rule Change:  The NFL hash marks will be widened to the college football standard, 40 feet wide and 60 feet in from the sideline.  It will make Field Goals more difficult.  It will make what plays you run in the Red Zone more selective.  Plus, who cares if the offenses don't want to line up wider on the field?  The league is all offense now!  Make the offense work a little harder, they already have every advantage.  Let's give the defense something, here.

Basketball Section - I thought up a few good basketball rules too.

Trapezoidal lane- Anyone who has ever seen international basketball has seen the "Trapezoid" Lane.  American players in High School, College, and Pro have played with the "Rectangular Lane" that most are familiar with.  Pictured here(from the diagram of drill):

Traditional Basketball Lane

Here is my problem with the traditional lane.  It's too small.  Players are always "jammed up" in the paint.  And thanks to the "Bad Boy" Pistons of the early 80's the game has become entirely too physical on the inside.  So, why not take the lane, and expand it out.  Don't allow the offensive players to set up so close to the basket without a 3 second violation.

Let's take a look at a trapezoid lane.

Trapezoid Lane

If you are a post player setting up on the block, you are several feet farther out than you are in the traditional lane.  And your teammate on the other side of the lane is farther away too.  And so is their defender, in theory.  This would open the game up!  Less pushing, fighting, grabbing, double teaming, clutching... less ugly basketball.

I've heard arguments that this would "take away" from the impact of big men, and make the game all about the perimeter players.  I could not disagree more.  If the lane is wider, it becomes tougher to double team.  It puts more of a premium on being able to defend one on one in the post, without help.  On offense, your big man is going to have to become a better shooter, ball handler, and especially a better passer.  So while it may marginalize the impact of lesser big men, the truly dominant big man would become more important than ever.

Rule Change:  Basketball, at all levels should implement a trapezoid lane.  Yes, all levels.  We want the high school kids, and traveling teams and AAU sponsored clubs to be learning this style of play from an early age.  (Youth BB... meaning pre-High School, could use a "shortened down" smaller version of the trapezoid, but it should still be there.)
NOTE:  FIBA changed their rules in 2010 to go to a rectangular lane.  They went from 6 meters wide at the baseline and narrowed it to a rectangular lane at 4.9 meters wide.  Leave it to FIBA.  They did ONE thing better than American style of basketball, and then they get rid of that one thing. 

NBA Playoffs-  Every year we see it in the NBA.  Various teams who have no chance of making the playoffs, putting every dude who can play on the injured reserve, so they can effectively "tank" the season, and get better odds in the NBA draft lottery.  Now, I won't go off on the draft lottery here, other than to see that a lottery is a terrible way to set draft positioning.   Every team that doesn't make the playoffs is in the lottery, and the worse your record is, the greater your odds are of getting a high pick.  All the teams in the playoffs are held out of the lottery, and their draft position is decided by record.
Another thing I dislike about the NBA playoffs is the 7 game format in every series.  It used to be a 5 game series in the first round, and I liked that much better.  It shortens up the playoffs, it makes the games more important, and it increases (slightly) the chance of an upset in the first round. 
Lastly, the 2-3-2 format  for the NBA finals stinks.  If this is the best format, why don't they use it for every round?  The team with the better record hosts two home games, goes on the road for 3, and then goes home for the final two.  I don't like this.  In the early 80's the format was 2-2-1-1-1 with alternating locations, and I preferred that much better. 
So, with my list of grievances fully explained, let's get to the changes.

Rule Change(s):  First off, we need to do something about the "tanking" that is going on at the end of every single NBA season.  So, here is what we do.
The Play-In Tournament
1.  Only 14 teams ( top 7 from each conference) qualify for the playoffs. 
2.  The last 16 teams are placed into a single elimination tournament for the final two playoff spots.
3.  The tournament would be seeded out 1-16.  With the best record facing the worst record, etc...  The Higher Seeded team would be the host team for the first two rounds (This is assuming you have a "central location" for the final four... maybe you don't do that, and you continue to have home teams host). 
4.  The tournament would take place in one week.  First round Monday and Tuesday( 4 games each night)... Second Round Wednesday/Thursday...Third Round Saturday... Final Round last game before the official playoffs on Sunday.  (If you wanted to hold it Final Four style in a central location that would be great...)
5.  Each winning team would get paid, standard playoff victory salary, for each victory.  Losers will take home bupkiss.  This will motivate them to play.
6.  The top two teams, who make the finals will quality to enter the NBA playoffs and play the top two seeds.  (The Winner will face the #1 seed with the worse record, the loser will face the #1 seed with the best record in the league.)
7.  This is Critical:  The winning team of the "play in" tournament will receive the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, the second place team will have the #2 pick.  Following on down, the 3 and 4 picks would be decided by the other two semifinalists, based on record(lower record/higher seed) format.
-This would eliminate teams "tanking" and placing players on IR just to improve lottery odds.  Oh, you want to field the worst team in the league?  How's the 16th draft pick grab you?

Also, this would prevent things happening like we have seen time and time again with perennial losers.  Who draft a good player, have him build up a decent reputation, and then leave town for greener pastures as soon as his rookie contract is up.  You know those teams who are on the verge of being good, but never get over the hump, and then their star leaves and they are left rebuilding.  No longer.

In addition, for anyone who thinks this would prevent the truly bad from improving, I disagree.  The NBA is still a salary cap league, there is still free agency, you can still spend money and make trades however you want.  Key players will still get injured.  Bad coaches will destroy a locker room, etc...  The key thing is, if you hire a good coach, and make good decisions on personnel, you can improve much more quickly.

So after the Play In Tournament we start the "Official NBA Playoffs"
Round 1 - Back to the Best of Five Format (this will gain back the week from the play in tournament)
Rest of the Rounds remain at 7 games.
-All best of seven Rounds, including the finals will revert back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format.

In my opinion, these tweaks to the playoff format would make a huge difference in the shape of the league, and make it more competitive from start to finish.  The regular season would mean more to every team.  The "non" playoff teams have something to play for, the tournament.  If you are on a team that is "almost" a contending team...one of those teams that is battling on that 8/9 seed range (in the current format), you wouldn't kill yourself to win that tournament and secure the top pick in the draft for your team that next season? 

Best Things of 2011 and Wildcard predictions

One of my multitudinous followers, requested something from the Doofus, and he threw out there playoff predictions.

This weekend is the NFL Wild card round.   I'll list the games, and bold the teams that I think will win.
Saturday
Detroit at New Orleans  - don't see anyone beating the Saints in the Super Dome.
Cincinnati at Houston - Houston is better everywhere but QB, the most important position on the field.  I'm still picking them.
Sunday
Falcons at Giants - I can't pick Matt Ryan on the road in the playoffs.  Of course that means I'm picking Eli Manning, at home, as a favorite.
Steelers at Broncos - A decisive road win for the Steelers.  Did you know the Steelers are playing without their leading rusher, a starting safety, and their quarterback is banged up?  And you'd still be crazy to pick the Broncos to win this game.  Viva La Tebow!

Here are some thoughts on some of my favorites things from 2011.  And yes, I know it's Jan. 6th. 

Top Album:  Foster the People "Torches"
If you can't tap your toes to "Torches", you should have your head examined.  Yes, I am being serious.

Best new TV Comedy "New Girl"
I've blogged about this before, so I'm not going to do so again.  However Zooey Deschanel is brilliant, and if you haven't seen the show, you should.

Best new TV Show "Louie"
Technically, this show isn't new, but I didn't start watching it until this year.  Part Comedy/Part Drama/Completely Original = 100% Brilliant.

Best live performance on Letterman "The Twilight Singers"
Stayed up late one night this summer, and was watching a little Letterman, and The Twilight Singers came on.  I was spellbound.  As soon as the song ended I was googling them.  Can't say that I am their biggest fan, or that I even like much of their other stuff (It's OK).  But I was blown away this particular night.

Those old dudes can rock!

Best Team of 2011:  Green Bay Packers
Aside from the fact that they won the Superbowl, and every other game in 2011, except one.  No actually....that's why they only lost one game in a calendar year, and won the Super Bowl.

Best Play by Play announcer:  Gus Johnson
Gus is the best.  In fact I'd take Gus and a box of crackers as the color analyst over just about any other announcing team.

Gus:  Did you SEE what just HAPPENED?

Crackers:  rattle, rattle, rattle (or whatever sound crumbled crackers make when shook in a box)

Gus:  I KNOW!  UNBELIEVABLE!

Best Book I read:  Unbroken

I've talked about Unbroken before as well.  It's awesome.  You should read it.  You like sports stories?  read it.  You like War stories?  read it.  You like overcoming the odds stories?  read it.  You like redemption stories?  read it.

Best Movie I saw:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
-must have been an "off year" in Hollywood.  I'll be honest, I had to look at a couple of critics top ten lists to even see something that I watched, or wanted to watch.

Best Christmas gift I got: Friday Night Lights Season One on DVD
My wonderful daughter bought me this gift.  Still haven't watched any of the episodes yet, no one will watch them with me!  Why don't people want to watch a show that's good, but they will spend hours watching repeats of shows they've seen before?  Unreal.

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

Best new companies/products:  Altra and Stem
Kudos to these two companies for coming up with shoes that embrace the "barefoot" philosophy, but don't make us wear shoes that look like mutated feet (Vibrams Five Fingers).  At this point Altra is really working towards gearing their footwear towards the runner and outdoor enthusiast.  Stem just makes minimalist shoes that look great and feel amazing.  I hope both these companies make it.

Best "Guilty Pleasure": Beavis and Butthead
I would have probably put Tosh.0 on here, but he's too popular now, although that show is still funny it's not something you are embarrassed to admit to watching.  South Park has long moved off of any "guilty pleasure" list, because those guys are smart and their show is brilliant.  And possibly, I could put "Louie" on this list, but what's guilty about watching a show that is television brilliance?  Beavis and Butthead, you know what you're getting.  Juvenile? yep.  Predictable? for sure.  Hilarious?  always.

"Uh-huh-huh-huh, that was cool"

Best from out of nowhere to Scum of the Earth:  Kris Humphries
Who is Kris Humphries, and why does  anyone care about him beside his family or New Jersey Nets fans?  Honestly, 99% of the people who are righteously indignant about him now, didn't know who he was one year ago.  Give Kris a break.

Best re-made movie, that didn't need to be re-made. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I haven't seen the "Americanized" version yet, but I hear it's good.  And I will see it.  But here's the thing... I've seen the Swedish films, and they totally hold up.  Subtitles and everything.  Great series of films.  Glad that Hollywood actually made a decent film instead of butchering it like "La Femme Nikita", but there was really no need.  And may I also recommend the books, they are fantastic.

Best "well that was inevitable":  Lindsey Lohan

Best TV show rip off:  Ridiculousness
I've got an idea for a show, lets find a funny guy who isn't afraid to say rude things, and stand him in front of a green screen and let him make fun of people who post videos on the internet.  Hmmmm, where have I heard that idea before?

Best Robot sidekick on a talk show:  Geoff Peterson

To be honest, I could have went with Andy Richter here.  But Geoff and Craig Ferguson have a real chemistry between them.  Or circuitry.

Best Video Game:  Skyrim
I've never played this game.  But the way people talked about it when it came out, it has to be something special.  They even did an article on it on Grantland.  My teenage daughter pre-ordered a copy of it for this fall in July, I think.  And she isn't a gamer.

Best Republican Candidate:  Jon Huntsman
Let's see here, give the old "candidate checklist" a glance over
Good Speaker?  check
Intelligent?  check
Handsome?  check  (that's what I'm told)
Self Deprecating Humor on SNL?  check
What is missing here?  This guy is a sure thing!  He should run away from these other dorks.  Oh wait, I forgot...
Money?  NOPE
nevermind.

Best Reason to get rid of the BCS:  Alabama vs LSU
reasons we shouldn't need this game:
1.  They've played already this year.
2.  They're in the same conference.
3.  They're in the same division of the same conference.
4.  We really don't need another one.  These may be the two best teams, but this is dumb.

Best "Metric System" Idea :  Google+
(An idea that is actually better, but the large majority of people won't switch because we're stubborn... sometimes for no good reason.)
Google+ was released to the public this fall.  It's far superior to facebook in just about every way possible.  And there are no advertisements.  And, of course, no one is using it.  Well, comparatively speaking anyway.

Best "Good Idea, now make it cheaper"  Chromebooks
Google also released their "chromebook" this year.  Basically, all it is... is a web browser.  It's light, it has a solid state drive rather than a hard drive, it's more secure than a normal computer, it updates automatically, it turns on in a flash, etc, etc, etc...  Really cool idea and concept.

Problem:  You can buy several netbook computers already, for less money, that can operate when not online.  (Plus, they can access all the features that you'd use a chromebook for over the internet).
Basically, it's a giant web browser that costs more than a computer with more functionality.  (Yes, slower, but still more functions)

Best Tosh.0  Web Redemption:  Boom goes the Dynamite
My favorite catch phrase of the year.

Best TV Show I haven't watched yet:  Breaking Bad
I know "Breaking Bad" is phenomenal, but I just haven't had time to start it yet, and I know if I do, much like "Mad Men" I'm going to want to blow through all the seasons at once.  I'm simply waiting for you, Breaking Bad.  I'm waiting.

Welcome Back NBA

So, the NBA season has begun again, and I'm excited for it.  The NBA is coming off one of the greatest seasons in recent memory, with an abundance of young talent and many interesting story lines to keep our eyes on.

Such as:

• The continuing journey of the Miami Heat "Dream Team", who came up short in the finals last year.
• The Dallas Mavericks are the defending champions, but lost a few key pieces(JJ Barea, Tyson Chandler) from last season
• The "Lob City" tandem of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin for the LA Clippers
• The continuing maturation of the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who both had great seasons a year ago, but failed to make the finals.
• The "Up and Coming" teams like the Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
• The "Old and Grizzled" veteran teams like the Lakers and the Celtics.  Can they continue to stay competitive in a strike shortened, compressed, 66 game schedule?

I actually used to be a much bigger college basketball fan than I was of the NBA.  But that started to change a few years ago.  Having had numerous discussions with many of friends about this, I thought I'd lay down my case as to why I now prefer the professional game.

1.  The 24 second shot clock.  I know there's a shot clock in the college game, and it works fairly well, but the shorter shot clock in the NBA contributes in a couple of ways.  First, it puts a premium on offensive execution. When you only have 24 seconds per possession to get a shot up, you have to execute your options quickly and adroitly.  Secondly, it puts pressure on the defense.  You've got to be up and ready to play defense immediately, there's no backing off or dropping back into a lazy zone to take some time off.  

2.  The level of play is much higher.  How many times have we seen guys who were just dominant at the college level (Adam Morrison and Michael Beasley come to mind) who struggle to even play in the NBA.  Guys who own the court in college, just can't get their own shot off in the NBA.  You had better be able to defend one on one, and you had better be able to knock down an open jump shot (yes, even post players).

3.  The officiating is much better.  And yes, I know all about the Tim Donaghy scandal, and I know that there are quality officials working NCAA games.  I'm just saying consistently, game after game, night in and night out, the quality of the officiating is much higher in the NBA.  A personal complaint about the college game is that the coaches are the superstars.  Coach K gets upset and starts riding the refs, and Duke starts getting a bunch of calls.  And to be fair, as I'm a Carolina fan, Roy Williams gets away with the same thing.  It's common at the college level.  In the NBA there are very few officials who are swayed by coaches. 

4.  The deeper 3 point line.  It actually helps shooting.  How many times have you seen a big college post drift out and pick up a loose ball and throw up an ugly looking jump shot and knock down a 3 pointer?  In the NBA, the guys that are shooting 3's are the guys that should be shooting 3's.  It's simply better, and the college game should look into moving their line back to NBA range.  You have your better shooters shooting the tougher shot, and it spreads the floor out more leaving more space for posts and penetration.

5.  The Playoffs are better.  It's a much better way to choose your champion.  Anyone can beat anyone on a given night, especially when you are playing at a high level.  When you have to win a 7 game series, the better team is going to win a much higher percentage of the time.  One thing I would change about the NBA is to change the first series of the playoffs back to best of 5 games.  That was more efficient.

So, there are a few thoughts on why I enjoy NBA basketball more than NCAA hoops.  Not that I don't enjoy college hoops mind you, I still do, I just find the professional game more satisfying.

Back to bare(footing)

Took a week or so off, not by choice, but life got in the way.

The last few times I'd ran before my break... I went a one mile in the Altra Instincts and then ran the rest of the way in my regular shoes.

So yesterday, I took advantage of the nice weather outside and took the Altras for the first run outside.  Went 2.5 miles and it went pretty good.  Calves got a bit tired, and ran a bit of the way with more of a heel strike, but it didn't bother me too much.

Today, repeat performance.. but ran it indoors on the treadmill.  2.5 miles

Calves tightened up about 2 miles in... nothing terrible.

Feeling pretty good afterwards, I am supposed to run six miles tomorrow, it will be in my "traditional" running shoes, though.  And it will also depend on how I am feeling in the legs.  If I feel ok, I'll go the full distance, otherwise I may cut back a bit.

Chargers/Ravens Game Diary

OK, just thought I'd try this for fun.  It ended up quite long, so feel free to skim around.

Never done a game diary before, so I really don't know what I'm doing.  I sat down with a notebook and a pen and wrote down what I saw as it happened, and then typed them in after the game.

7:12 pm  Settle in on the couch, I'm ready for the kickoff.

For those that don't know, I'm kind of a die-hard Chargers fan.  So I'll probably be plenty partial as I write this, but so far it's been a good day for the Chargers.  The Denver Tebows lost at home, the Raiders lost at home, and for San Diego to make the playoffs they have to win all 3 of their remaining games.  It's just like Norv planned it!

Anyways, it's been a crazy day in the NFL.  The Packers lost to KC?, the Colts won?, the Giants lost to the Redskins?, the Eagles CRUSH the Jets?, Reggie Bush rushes for 200+ yards?  I mean, Chargers beat the Ravens could fit right in, right?

7:14 pm NBC cuts to Ray Lewis screaming "Play like dictators!" which led to my wife saying, "Who is that?  He sounds like a maniac."  I wonder if Ray ever thinks about his buddy sitting in prison for murder.

Chargers still have some (slight) playoff hopes.  Here is what we needed coming into today.
1.  Broncos have to lose 3 straight.  They lost the first one today.
2. The Raider have to lose 2 of 3, and they lost today, and play San Diego in week 17.
3.  The Chargers have to win all 3 games.  The first, and toughest task, will be Baltimore tonight.

7:19 pm Tony Dungy picks the Ravens to win.  Rodney Harrison picks.... the Chargers?  Something strange is afoot.  He NEVER picks the Chargers.  Particularly if they are playing a "physical, smashmouth" style of team like the Ravens are known for.

7:23 Faith Hill has been waiting all day for Sunday Night.
Chris Collinsworth - the Chargers could make some noise in the playoffs, but they will need help and also need to get by the Ravens tonight.

Sports Doofus - if the Chargers lose tonight Norv Turner is as good as fired.  And, it won't be easy as the as the Ravens are in a battle for the #1 seed in the AFC.

7:30 Michelle Tafoya interviews Norv Turner on the field
Norv Turner - We've been playin good.  Playing a tough team tonight.  Rivers needs to play "within himself".

Thanks for the insight Norv.

Michelle - possible injury to starting Ravens CB Webb.
Thanks Michelle

7:31 pm Nick Novak kicks off to start the game.  Touchback.

First Play - Ray Rice off the left side for 21 yards.  Ouch

On a 2nd and 12, Flacco badly misses a wide open Boldin over the middle.  The Chargers and their fans need Flacco to suck tonight.

On 3rd and 12, Flacco hits Boldin for a big gain of 34 yards.  At SD 34 yard line already.  (Sigh)

Chargers Hold.  and Raven's K Billy Cundiff misses a 36 yard FG attempt.  Charger Ball.

7:40 pm Chargers first play - Phillip Rivers completes a short pass to Ryan Mathews and he turns it into a 13 yard gain.

Michaels notes that the Chargers have had 11 different starters on their Offensive line this season.  (NOT a good thing against this Ravens defense)

on 3rd and 7 Rivers hits Randy McMichael for a 1st down.

7:42 pm  A little "Trickeration" by Norv!
-A Reverse pass option given to Vincent Jackson... pulled it down and got a 9 yard gain on the run.

Mathews on a nice gain up the middle, but fumbles.  Jared Gaither starting Left Tackle for the Chargers (as of 2 weeks ago) recovers.  Whew!  Mathews needs to get over that fumbling problem.  He's really fun to watch.

7:47 pm Rivers calls a timeout with 2nd and Goal at the 2 yard line.  Nice drive so far, Norv has been mixing up the play calling on this drive.

7:49 pm Bring Mike Tolbert in to carry the ball and he's stuffed.  3rd and Goal from the 2.
-Draw play to Tolbert scores a touchdown.

-First time in 21 games that the Ravens D has given up a score on the opening drive.  Norv is a genius in December!  The "Accessory to Murder" (AtoM, for short) was blocked well by Tyronne Green on the TD run.

7:53 pm On the kick return, #37 from Baltimore played well beyond the whistle and basically tackled a Charger on kickoff coverage.  This leads to a scuffle, pushing, shoving, taunting... from both teams.

NBC come back from commercial and there are no penalties on the previous play?  And NBC doesn't discuss it, either.  Evidently, Baltimore can play beyond the whistle, jump on the pile, and pull off helmets, and this is well within the rules of the game.  Kind of like watching Duke play basketball, if it's Duke it's not a foul, because "that's how they play".

Ravens bring out the "Don't Blow This For Us, Joe" Offense.  This features lots of hand offs to Ray Rice, and short passes to Tight Ends.

8:02 pm End of 1st quarter  San Diego 7 Baltimore 0
-if San Diego can stop the run... I like their chances, Flacco has been off on a couple of throws.

8:05 pm Rice starts the second quarter like the first, with a nice run for a 1st down.  Inside the San Diego 20 yard line, now.  Short Run, then incomplete pass.  3rd and 8 on the 15 yard line.  Flacco threads the needle on a beautiful pass to Tight End Ed Dickson for a TD.  Great Throw, Flacco.  Score is tied:  7-7.

That was a nice drive by the Ravens and what they want to do.  Survived a few errant passes and pounded the ball well.  Although, the drive survived because Flacco was able to scramble for a 12 yard gain on a 3rd and 10.  I swear your local junior high quarterback could scramble for a first down against this version of the Chargers defense.  It happens every game.

8:12 pm  Rivers takes over at the 20 yard line, following the touchback.
-lets see how the Ravens defense reacts to that first drive by the Bolts.

8:14 pm Rivers gets sacked on what I call a "Norv Drive".  (The Norv Drive - short run up the middle, followed by a deep pass out of Shotgun formation.  Repeat. )
Run Mathews - Pass for a first down.
Run Mathews - Sack - BUT, a penalty on Terrell Suggs for slapping McMichael on the side of the head saves the day for the Chargers.  1st down off the penalty.

Norv Drive - continues.
-Run Mathews - Deep Pass to Gates, first down
-Run, pitch to Mathews... big loss.  2nd and long... Deep pass to Vincent Jackson...incomplete.  That was there, Rivers overthrew him.

8:21 pm 45 Yard Field Goal by Nick Novak is good.  10-7 Chargers lead.  7:44 to go in the Half.
(-Feeling good.  got points off a "Norv Drive".  Let's see if the Ravens go back to the "DBTFUJ" Offense, or if they let him wing it since that TD pass was on a rope.

8:26 pm  Joe Flacco is sacked...but penalty flag on the play, false start on the Ravens, back up and do it again.
3rd and 10 - 11 Yard gain.  (If you wrote this stuff, meaning the Chargers play, as fiction, no one would  believe it.... too improbable)

8:30 pm Flacco overthrows a wide open Ray Rice on 3rd and 3.  He would have gained 20 yards.  Flacco is really, really, erratic.  That TD he threw was a laser fired between two defenders, and yet, he's had a couple of BAD misfires.  I mean, just bad.
-Punt is a touchback, so SD will take over on the 20 yard line.

8:33 pm There is 3:11 to go in the half as Rivers approaches the line. (Please don't turn it over.)
-Mathews up the middle for 2
-Pass to Floyd dropped, so it's 3rd and 8.  2:21 to go in the half.

Ravens bring a ton of pressure and Rivers makes them pay.  58 yards down the left sideline to Vincent Jackson.  NBC cuts to a look of Flacco on the Baltimore sideline that is just precious.  (That's how you play QB in this league, Joe)  2 minute warning.

8:37 pm 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 20 yard line.

8:38 pm Rivers hits Malcolm Floyd and it's first and goal at the 1 yard line.  Tolbert up the middle, stuffed by AtoM.

8:40 pm Pitch to Ryan Mathews around the right side.  Touchdown.  :19 until halftime.  17-7 Chargers lead.

8:42 pm Flacco takes the field in the Shotgun from the 20 yard line following the kickoff.  Hits Rice for a nice gain out of the backfield.  Timeout Ravens with 4 seconds left until half time.  (Please no PI to set up a field goal attempt)
8:44 pm Flacco sacked by former Raven Antawn Barnes to end the half.

Norv for President!
-Seriously, the Chargers look great.  The Ravens seem caught off guard, like they expected an easy game.  Norv may or may not be back coaching this team next year.... but they never quit on him.  All that being said, it's only halftime and this Chargers team has found about a thousand different ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory over the past two seasons.

9:00 pm Ravens kickoff - Touchback
Nervous Charger fans are waiting for the sky to fall.
-Michelle Tafoya reports that the Ravens coaches are saying the officials need to call holding on the Chargers offensive line.  However, Norv Turner told her that the Chargers are simply blocking better.

Thanks Michelle, glad you cleared that up.

3rd and 8 and the Ravens Blitz, Rivers beats them deep to Malcom Floyd for 16 yards.

Ravens Blitz again... Rivers beats it again, complete pass to Vincent Brown for 15 yards and the Bolts are across midfield.

9:05 pm Nice Run by Ryan Mathews around the left side for 18 yards.

9:06 pm Philip Rivers hits Malcolm Floyd deep for a TD.  The extra point is good.
-AtoM looks absolutely pissed on the sideline.  NBC breaks out the "San Diego Super Charger" song from the early 80's as they go to commercial.  24-7 Chargers.  (Really?)

9:08 pm Ravens come out throwing, in the Shotgun.  Possibly a good sign for the Chargers?
-Tommie Harris sacks Joe Flacco... Harris has been a great addition as a mid-season pickup.  He's played well.  2nd and 18.

(As a Chargers fan, I like seeing Flacco back in the 'gun.  Less Ray Rice to worry about)
-Sack by Antawn Barnes.  Wow.
-a late flag comes out, facemask on Barnes during the sack.

9:15 Quinten Jammer drops a sure pick on a tipped ball.
-Next Play - Linebacker Takeo Spikes intercepts Flacco and rumbles to the Baltimore 25.  Replay shows that Flacco threw it right to him.  Although, to be honest, he was wide open on the play.
-Chargers are penalized 15 yards for excessive celebration after the return.  Of course.

6:23 to go in the 3rd quarter.  Rivers takes over at the Baltimore 42 yard line.
-Chargers go to "Norv Drive" mode.  run, pass.  run, pass.  Then...Pass complete to Floyd!  First and goal at the 4 yard line of the Ravens.

9:21 pm Ryan Mathews leaps over the pile (from the 4 yard line?) for a touchdown.  Novak kicks the extra point.  31-7 Chargers lead.  4:05 left in the 3rd quarter.  Norv for President!

9:27 pm Ravens take over
-NBC runs a graphic stating that the Chargers are the first team in history to score on their first five possessions against the Ravens franchise.

9:30 pm Shaun Phillips intercepts Joe Flacco on a tipped pass.  Wow.
-2 incomplete passes and a draw by Tolbert leads to a field goal attempt by Novak.
-Novak hits the right upright from 37 yards out, which leads to a scintillating conversation between Michaels and Collinsworth on how John Madden would have called that a "doink".

9:35 pm Ravens come out in a Shotgun offense, and are running no huddle.  (This does not displease me.)

9:36 pm  End of 3rd quarter.  31-7 Chargers lead the Ravens.

9:38 pm  Start of the 4th quarter.
-Flacco sacked by Barnes.  Again.  I'm not sure I'd consider my team to be a Super Bowl contender with him as my Quarterback.  Nice punt by the Ravens will pin the Chargers on their own 1 yard line.

9:41 pm Rivers gets the Ravens to jump off-sides on first down.  First and 5 at the 6 yard line.
AtoM tackles Jacob Hester by the facemask.  This leads to a penalty flag being thrown, and then picked up?  What the heck was that?  Barnes had half that amount on Flacco earlier.  Officials are probably worried about Ray and his buddies knowing where he lives, or something.

9:45 pm  Tolbert runs a draw play up the middle for 22 yards.
-Ummm... Baltimore?  Norv runs that play all the time.  But thanks, anyway.
-Chargers have now moved to the 44 yard line, all on the ground (and had an obvious facemask penalty picked up off the ground for no reason).

9:47 pm  On a 3rd and 5, Rivers hits Mike Tolbert on a screen pass and he picks up a first down by spinning away from AtoM.  However, in Ray's defense he wasn't able to reach Tolbert's facemask.

9:49 pm Ryan Mathews breaks a big run to the left.
-Chargers are at the 10 yard line of Baltimore.  This drive has taken over 9 minutes, started at the San Diego 1 yard line, and had exactly 1 pass play (a screen pass to Tolbert).  FG by Novak is good.  34-7 with 4:28 left to play in the game.

9:56 pm Flacco takes over and immediately floats one down the left sideline near no one on the field.
-NBC cuts to the Ravens sideline and shows their defensive players, they are pissed.
-Chargers are playing backup Linebackers now, as Bront Bird and Andrew Gachkar are playing for Donald Butler and Spikes.

10:01 pm Flacco is sacked for the 5th time.  Shaun Phillips was in there, and is down.  Hope he's OK.

10:02 pm Flacco throws a 36 yard TD pass to WR Torrey Smith.  1:55 to play.  34-14 Chargers lead.
-Backup safeties Oliver and Stuckey were in the game on that play, ignored by the announcers.

10:06 pm  Onside kick attempt by Baltimore.  Recovered by the Charger's Patrick Crayton.  Flag on the play.  Illegal touching by Baltimore, so it's Chargers ball at the Raven's 44 yard line.

Hester with a carry up the middle and Baltimore calls time out.  1:48 to play and down 20 points, and the Ravens are hitting after the whistle and calling timeouts.  Classy.  Both Suggs and AtoM get in late hits after every whistle.  Rivers lets the clock run down to 57 seconds and calls timeout.  Norv calls for a run on 4th and 2 instead of punting, and Mathews is just short, so the Ravens take over on downs.

10:13 pm  Ravens send out Tyrod Taylor at Quarterback?  Why were you just calling timeouts, Harbaugh?  Taylor sacked by Corey Leiget.
-3rd and 13 with 9 seconds left.  Complete to Anquan Boldin.  Tackled.  Game over.  34-14 Chargers win.

Thoughts:  I guess the Chargers players do want to keep Norv around.  That game was a clinic.  Baltimore, if I were a Ravens fan I'd officially be worried.  You just got pounded by a team that people consider to be "soft".
The Chargers, if they don't make the playoffs (and let's be honest, the odds are against them) they will have no one to blame but themselves.  They gave away 2 divisional games against Kansas City and Denver that they should have won.  You win those and you are a game up in the division.

No excuses are acceptable.  But they showed tonight what they are capable of, and that they can beat "physical, running" football teams.  Great job by the entire team tonight, and yes, great job by the coaching staff.  Norv, you did good.

Blog Update!

Did a little "remodeling" to the blog.  Changed the background, and the colors.

Just needed a new look.

Also changed the photo and quote on the right.

This will hopefully continue to be an ongoing feature, in which I will highlight people that I find to be inspirational both in life and athletics.

The legendary Coach John Wooden replaces running icon Emil Zatopek.

Hopefully the changes are a bit "easier on the eyes" than the old black background, and I've also increased the font size so it's a bit easier to read.

Other than that, I've been taking some time off to finish my semester in Grad School, had a final paper due this week and been busy working on that in my free time.

Paper will be turned in Wednesday, and I should have some time to share my "doofus" thoughts.

Peace.

Altras Day 2

Took the Altras out for another "spin" last night.

Did a 3 mile treadmill run, and did the first half mile wearing the Altras, and running barefoot style.

Definitely noticed a bit of soreness in my calves toward the end of the half mile, and after my run as well.  This is to be expected running two days in a row.

This morning... woke up with no pain, or stiffness in my calves... so I'll be going for a 3rd straight day today... short, 2 mile run with the first half mile barefoot style.

Hopefully I'll continue to improve.