I love having a great player on my teams. I hate when they have a poor attitude. I hate it even more when it's my own flesh and blood with that attitude.
I love football when it is played with passion, pride, and selflessness. I love it even more when the players have nothing to gain by doing so. I hate it when the NFL takes the field because of the lack of passion, pride and selflessness.
I love golf above all other sports for what it gave an awkward, uncoordinated kid a chance to improvise in life. I love the history, the personal challenge, and the lessons learned in golf that can be learned no other way. I love even more the way it can exalt you one day, and humble you the next, sometimes shot to shot!
I hate undisciplined, trash talking basketball. I hate where the fundamentals have gone, as they seem to be non existent from high school on up. I absolutely hate what the NBA has become, especially compared to the Johnson/Bird era.
I love baseball and the multiple things that can happen from one pitch to the next, because the game changed based on the last pitch. I love the total team atmosphere of the game. I hate what MLB has done to market it's game right out of the American consciousness.
I love softball and it's speed, entertainment value, and the way the players play the game. I love the way it values hard work and discipline. I hate that softball gets pushed aside because the boys come first.
I love hockey and the hard working nature of the players. Gotta love a players whose heart stops on the bench and wants to go back into the game! I hate that Americans seem to only love the fights.
I love soccer, the world's game. I love the combination of disciplined effort and improvisation. I hate that people think watching paint dry is more exciting.
So...am I off base?
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Thanksgivings Thoughts
Thanksgiving has died. Halloween and Christmas have killed it for the sake of retail dollars.
Willing accomplices are the generalized discontent of the American people and a changing view of life as a selfish venture instead of community experience. We have become me. I want it all, and I want it now. If I have it and you don't, I'm better than you and don't you forget it. Let me text it to you from my iPhone 6 to your iPhone 5.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that I love and appreciate. The origins of the holiday lie in the gratefulness of Pilgrims surviving in a New World. They were grateful to be alive and have clothing, food, and shelter. Let's be honest: what else do you need?
Yeah, I'm not that spartan either.
As an underemployed holder of two college degrees, I went through a long period of time wondering why I hadn't been blessed like I should be. Didn't I work for those degrees? I am underemployed, but very good at my job. I've grasped the technology and worked to change the position to match the need. I handle large numbers of requests and help doctors save lives. And without my wife's income, we are below poverty level.
I played golf at a high level: isn't it time I cashed in on that work and experiences? Heck, I've played golf around people who won Major Championships and played in the Ryder Cup. Isn't that worth something?
Those things are in the past. Gone. Like last night's pasta dinner. All I have to show for it is the body that was there, occasionally feeling crippled from the effort involved. The hip injury that ended dreams of baseball or football renders me lame for brief periods of time. Won't be too much longer until I am no longer all original equipment: the hip replacement cometh.
The last three paragraphs have been written from the perspective of most of the changed world. My perspective follows:
I have a job that I have performed well for most of the last 15 years. While I have been under appreciated, I have kept roof overhead and food on the table. We have always had clothing, maybe not the latest, but clean and modest. I get to work around people who save lives, and I help them get the information to make that happen. How blessed I am.
It has even allowed me to give back to my community, not only as a health care worker, but as a baseball/softball coach and even a Little League Board Member. I even volunteer at school, providing a voice for our athletic events for the middle school and high school. How blessed I am.
The experiences on the golf course have taught me all I need to know about being successful and provide perspective for the things I see at work every day. The life-or-death golf shot does not exist. Must-win games are just better if you win. A life-or-death decision usually involves treatment options and quality of life, not anything involving a coach's decision. Pray you never have to make a true life-or-death decision. How blessed I am.
I live in a country that allows me the opportunity to do these things. They are bought and paid for me by American soldiers over the last 238 years. They are protected by first responders around the country. I am in the top 5% of wage earners in the world: so are newspaper delivery personnel. How blessed I am.
Contentment is a matter of choice. I am content, not totally happy. I still strive to get the best out of myself. Bringing your best every day gets you the opportunity, and the government can only give the opportunity, not guarantee it. Pursue the best and you have an opportunity to get the best. It's an opportunity most of the world doesn't have. How blessed I am.
So...am I off base?
Willing accomplices are the generalized discontent of the American people and a changing view of life as a selfish venture instead of community experience. We have become me. I want it all, and I want it now. If I have it and you don't, I'm better than you and don't you forget it. Let me text it to you from my iPhone 6 to your iPhone 5.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that I love and appreciate. The origins of the holiday lie in the gratefulness of Pilgrims surviving in a New World. They were grateful to be alive and have clothing, food, and shelter. Let's be honest: what else do you need?
Yeah, I'm not that spartan either.
As an underemployed holder of two college degrees, I went through a long period of time wondering why I hadn't been blessed like I should be. Didn't I work for those degrees? I am underemployed, but very good at my job. I've grasped the technology and worked to change the position to match the need. I handle large numbers of requests and help doctors save lives. And without my wife's income, we are below poverty level.
I played golf at a high level: isn't it time I cashed in on that work and experiences? Heck, I've played golf around people who won Major Championships and played in the Ryder Cup. Isn't that worth something?
Those things are in the past. Gone. Like last night's pasta dinner. All I have to show for it is the body that was there, occasionally feeling crippled from the effort involved. The hip injury that ended dreams of baseball or football renders me lame for brief periods of time. Won't be too much longer until I am no longer all original equipment: the hip replacement cometh.
The last three paragraphs have been written from the perspective of most of the changed world. My perspective follows:
I have a job that I have performed well for most of the last 15 years. While I have been under appreciated, I have kept roof overhead and food on the table. We have always had clothing, maybe not the latest, but clean and modest. I get to work around people who save lives, and I help them get the information to make that happen. How blessed I am.
It has even allowed me to give back to my community, not only as a health care worker, but as a baseball/softball coach and even a Little League Board Member. I even volunteer at school, providing a voice for our athletic events for the middle school and high school. How blessed I am.
The experiences on the golf course have taught me all I need to know about being successful and provide perspective for the things I see at work every day. The life-or-death golf shot does not exist. Must-win games are just better if you win. A life-or-death decision usually involves treatment options and quality of life, not anything involving a coach's decision. Pray you never have to make a true life-or-death decision. How blessed I am.
I live in a country that allows me the opportunity to do these things. They are bought and paid for me by American soldiers over the last 238 years. They are protected by first responders around the country. I am in the top 5% of wage earners in the world: so are newspaper delivery personnel. How blessed I am.
Contentment is a matter of choice. I am content, not totally happy. I still strive to get the best out of myself. Bringing your best every day gets you the opportunity, and the government can only give the opportunity, not guarantee it. Pursue the best and you have an opportunity to get the best. It's an opportunity most of the world doesn't have. How blessed I am.
So...am I off base?
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Coaches and Winning
I have written that I love College Football. I might need to amend that statement. I love College Football as long as students are playing it. Maybe it's not the freakish level of football now exhibited, but I might stick with Service Academies and Division III football.
My blog post from Sept 13, 2013 titled "Do it the Right Way" centers around the growing scandal at the University of North Carolina. Shameful, but not surprising.
Today, Will Muschamp has been dismissed as the football coach at the University of Florida. It is not unusual for a successful program to dismiss a coach with a mediocre record. The Gators have had a run of success that has ground to slow halt under Muschamp's guidance. His record at Florida is 27-20, losing 6 of their last 8 at home.
The school's statement contained an interesting paragraph:
"Upon evaluation of our football program, we are not where the program needs to be and should be," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "I've always said that our goal at the University of Florida is to compete for championships on a regular basis. Coach Muschamp was dedicated to developing young men both on and off the field. Our student athletes showed tremendous growth socially and academically under his leadership. His players were involved in campus activities, engaged with the local community and represented the University of Florida with pride."" -Yahoo Sports
But it wasn't good enough? Isn't a coach's job to develop young people on and off the field? Seems to me that is great praise, but it wasn't good enough. Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this picture?
We have heard this before. Tyrone Willingham was praised similarly upon his dismissal from the University of Notre Dame du Lac. I remember words similar to "The program was excellent Monday through Friday, but Saturday afternoons weren't good enough."
The amount of money generated by College Football killed the purpose of College Football. The purpose of college football was to give individuals with athletic talent, but not the money to attend college an opportunity to attend college and earn a degree. It was supposed to be a life changing experience. College is a time to grow socially and academically. Professionals should be under pressure to win Football games. When did college football players cross the line?
Maybe the NCAA should stop the lie. Pay the athletes more than just the tuition. They are pressured like professionals, they should get a cut of what they earn for their athletic programs. A court might having a hard time upholding a monopoly built on slave labor, especially when we frown on the players "growing socially and academically" if they don't win enough games.
So...am I off base?
My blog post from Sept 13, 2013 titled "Do it the Right Way" centers around the growing scandal at the University of North Carolina. Shameful, but not surprising.
Today, Will Muschamp has been dismissed as the football coach at the University of Florida. It is not unusual for a successful program to dismiss a coach with a mediocre record. The Gators have had a run of success that has ground to slow halt under Muschamp's guidance. His record at Florida is 27-20, losing 6 of their last 8 at home.
The school's statement contained an interesting paragraph:
"Upon evaluation of our football program, we are not where the program needs to be and should be," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "I've always said that our goal at the University of Florida is to compete for championships on a regular basis. Coach Muschamp was dedicated to developing young men both on and off the field. Our student athletes showed tremendous growth socially and academically under his leadership. His players were involved in campus activities, engaged with the local community and represented the University of Florida with pride."" -Yahoo Sports
But it wasn't good enough? Isn't a coach's job to develop young people on and off the field? Seems to me that is great praise, but it wasn't good enough. Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this picture?
We have heard this before. Tyrone Willingham was praised similarly upon his dismissal from the University of Notre Dame du Lac. I remember words similar to "The program was excellent Monday through Friday, but Saturday afternoons weren't good enough."
The amount of money generated by College Football killed the purpose of College Football. The purpose of college football was to give individuals with athletic talent, but not the money to attend college an opportunity to attend college and earn a degree. It was supposed to be a life changing experience. College is a time to grow socially and academically. Professionals should be under pressure to win Football games. When did college football players cross the line?
Maybe the NCAA should stop the lie. Pay the athletes more than just the tuition. They are pressured like professionals, they should get a cut of what they earn for their athletic programs. A court might having a hard time upholding a monopoly built on slave labor, especially when we frown on the players "growing socially and academically" if they don't win enough games.
So...am I off base?
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Irish and Bears...OUCH
They are two teams I have never liked. Notre Dame represented snobbery to me as a kid. The Bears were what I was forced to watch when the NBC 33 in Fort Wayne had the Dolphins Dynasty on continuous play. Notre Dame was a Catholic staple, and I never liked being expected to love them. I could have watched a decent football game, but my dad had to watch the Bears.
This weekend, however, I feel for fans of both teams.
Notre Dame lost a game, primarily on the efforts of one individual. Everett Golson made a great attempt at a comeback, and almost pulled it off. If he had taken care of the football, he wouldn't have needed a comeback. Five turnovers on Saturday, two leading directly to touchdowns. Three giving the Sun Devils short fields and 21 more points. That's a hole Lazarus couldn't escape with Jesus' help.
Can he make plays? Yes, exciting ones. Can he turn a broken play into points? Absolutely, and make it interesting. Can he make a decision? Not after a year off. I find his decisions making poor and showing the year away. After all, he is a sophomore on the playing field.
He needs to step back. Let Zaire play. He looked better to me in warmups at the North Carolina game I attended in person.
The Bears are just playing poor football. Considering they were a sexy pick to possibly visit the Super Bowl before training camp, the 3-5 record and the less than scintillating play during the season's first half would be disappointing. Tonight's start, a 42-0 halftime deficit to the hated Packers must feel like the bottom has fallen out.
Jay Cutler and Marc Trestman appeared to be forming a great partnership, and looked like a rocket headed to the top. Cutler got a large contract, baffling a lot of people. Matt Forte providing run offense. Alshon Jeffrey looked like a world beater.
The Bears have done nothing inspiring. The Bears have not shown great defense. The Bears are disappointing. Cutler hasn't done it, and I'm not sure the system is to blame. It may be time to change quarterbacks. The sooner may not be the better...Jimmy Clausen, from Notre Dame, is on the bench. We've seen how that decision making is working out these days.
So...am I off base?
This weekend, however, I feel for fans of both teams.
Notre Dame lost a game, primarily on the efforts of one individual. Everett Golson made a great attempt at a comeback, and almost pulled it off. If he had taken care of the football, he wouldn't have needed a comeback. Five turnovers on Saturday, two leading directly to touchdowns. Three giving the Sun Devils short fields and 21 more points. That's a hole Lazarus couldn't escape with Jesus' help.
Can he make plays? Yes, exciting ones. Can he turn a broken play into points? Absolutely, and make it interesting. Can he make a decision? Not after a year off. I find his decisions making poor and showing the year away. After all, he is a sophomore on the playing field.
He needs to step back. Let Zaire play. He looked better to me in warmups at the North Carolina game I attended in person.
The Bears are just playing poor football. Considering they were a sexy pick to possibly visit the Super Bowl before training camp, the 3-5 record and the less than scintillating play during the season's first half would be disappointing. Tonight's start, a 42-0 halftime deficit to the hated Packers must feel like the bottom has fallen out.
Jay Cutler and Marc Trestman appeared to be forming a great partnership, and looked like a rocket headed to the top. Cutler got a large contract, baffling a lot of people. Matt Forte providing run offense. Alshon Jeffrey looked like a world beater.
The Bears have done nothing inspiring. The Bears have not shown great defense. The Bears are disappointing. Cutler hasn't done it, and I'm not sure the system is to blame. It may be time to change quarterbacks. The sooner may not be the better...Jimmy Clausen, from Notre Dame, is on the bench. We've seen how that decision making is working out these days.
So...am I off base?
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Okay, Let's Talk Football
Football thoughts while wondering what is really in a Taco Bell Bean Burrito.
-I have been asked to elaborate on why I find the NFL boring. It comes down to a perceived level of effort.
I love college football because the story of the hungry young man trying to achieve the next level is much more intriguing than the perceived millionaire trying to slug his way to the next million. The play on the field shows it. The all out effort on every play, hoping to get the NFL dream, makes the play much more exciting than watching Peyton Manning (or maybe Tom Brady today) carve up a group of professionals.
I am not denigrating Manning (or Brady's) skills. The speed of decision making, the professional's knowledge gained from endless hours of preparation, and the physical skill to deliver the ball where it needs to be is highly respected. Respect is different than love. Love is an emotion that becomes a choice, and, at one time, especially when I was young and my feelings were in control, I loved the NFL. As I spent time around the game, watching it closely, and trying to emulate it, I learned to respect what they do. It gets to be a bit clinical, an interesting choice of words from someone who works in the medical field.
Clinical generally means boring. I work around doctors of all specialties on a daily basis. While the medical profession is noble, it is generally tries to avoid excitement. An unusual radiology case can turn a computer into a Radiologists Convention. I have seen surgeons almost t
The difference of someone playing all out and someone playing 90% is painfully clear at the college level, less obvious at the NFL level. The NFL spends millions of dollars to find the players who will put 100% effort instead of 90% on every play. They will spend millions on freakish athlete who gives 75% hoping something will inspire them to play at 100%. Do the words Ryan Leaf or Brian Bosworth mean anything to you?
The NFL has taken a PR beating lately for how their players behave off the field. Maybe we need to find the people who give 100% effort all the time instead of freakish athletes in the game for the money. The character required to give 100% effort all the time shows in the important areas: home, family, behavior, and respect. The play on the field might look different, but not that much. Character counts.
-College football playoff rankings caused a stir upon their release. I really don't care just yet. It will only matter on the final announcement and the playing of the actual games. It will generate huge amounts of interest and, the NCAA hopes, cash. After all, the players aren't getting any of it.
So...am I off base?
-I have been asked to elaborate on why I find the NFL boring. It comes down to a perceived level of effort.
I love college football because the story of the hungry young man trying to achieve the next level is much more intriguing than the perceived millionaire trying to slug his way to the next million. The play on the field shows it. The all out effort on every play, hoping to get the NFL dream, makes the play much more exciting than watching Peyton Manning (or maybe Tom Brady today) carve up a group of professionals.
I am not denigrating Manning (or Brady's) skills. The speed of decision making, the professional's knowledge gained from endless hours of preparation, and the physical skill to deliver the ball where it needs to be is highly respected. Respect is different than love. Love is an emotion that becomes a choice, and, at one time, especially when I was young and my feelings were in control, I loved the NFL. As I spent time around the game, watching it closely, and trying to emulate it, I learned to respect what they do. It gets to be a bit clinical, an interesting choice of words from someone who works in the medical field.
Clinical generally means boring. I work around doctors of all specialties on a daily basis. While the medical profession is noble, it is generally tries to avoid excitement. An unusual radiology case can turn a computer into a Radiologists Convention. I have seen surgeons almost t
The difference of someone playing all out and someone playing 90% is painfully clear at the college level, less obvious at the NFL level. The NFL spends millions of dollars to find the players who will put 100% effort instead of 90% on every play. They will spend millions on freakish athlete who gives 75% hoping something will inspire them to play at 100%. Do the words Ryan Leaf or Brian Bosworth mean anything to you?
The NFL has taken a PR beating lately for how their players behave off the field. Maybe we need to find the people who give 100% effort all the time instead of freakish athletes in the game for the money. The character required to give 100% effort all the time shows in the important areas: home, family, behavior, and respect. The play on the field might look different, but not that much. Character counts.
-College football playoff rankings caused a stir upon their release. I really don't care just yet. It will only matter on the final announcement and the playing of the actual games. It will generate huge amounts of interest and, the NCAA hopes, cash. After all, the players aren't getting any of it.
So...am I off base?
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