Last Stop on the Tebow Train

As most people know - I am a New Englander that doesn't typically root for the Patriots. I know, blasphemy - I get it. In all honesty, I'm just not a Brady fan. I give the guy major props for being a great quarterback - but there's just something about him that irks me. Maybe it's because I hold grudges like it's my job and I was a huge Bledsoe fan. Who knows? Regardless....when Brady took the starting QB position about a decade ago (give or take a few years), I lost all interest in the Patriots.

With the threat of there being no NBA this season, I needed something to entertain me this winter - so, I decided to give Fantasy Football a go. It's been freaking amazing. I've learned so much about the sport and a lot more about most of the players in the league that I never really acknowledge before. Including, Patriots players. And I must say, little by little, I've been feeling my Patriots Pride returning. Most people will probably say it's because my beloved Colts are having a craptastic season (totally pumped they pulled off a win today!!). But, I still love my Colts through and through. And Cam Newton has me rooting on the Panthers. But I can't help but root for Welker, Hernandez, Gronkowski, Arrington and Wilfork (just to name a few). I really am trying to hate the team. But I can't.

So, as I watched the Pats play in Denver today I was having a war with myself. I wanted so badly to see Brady fail, because I take ridiculous joy in seeing it. But, I just couldn't cheer against the rest of the team. It was a weird experience.

What irritated me even more than cheering for the Patriots, was signing onto facebook after the game and my facebook being blown up by anti-Tebow statuses.

Now, I'm the first to admit - I don't understand the Tebow hype. I get the amazing comebacks he's had and the fact that going into the game against the Patriots he was 6-1 since he became the starting QB. But I just don't get the pop culture phenomenon he's created. I'm not the most religious person but it's like all of America has been mocking the poor dude for God being his BFF. Not cool, America.

Week after week, I've been reading facebook statuses from my (New England) facebook friends praising Tebow and celebrating Tebow Time and uploading their very own photos of them Tebowing.  And now, that the New England Patriots beat the Broncos those same people have jumped off the Tebow Train and are gloating about the win.

Pick a side people. If you want to be a fan of "God's nephew" and the Patriots - all the power to you. There is no reason not to be. If you want to be a fan of Jesus' Homeboy and the Broncos - that's also your prerogative. Tebow is an exciting player to watch.  But for the love of God, do not act like the Patriots own the world and make it seem like hell has frozen over and Tebow now sucks because the Patriots won. Newsflash - I'm no psychic but I would have put money on a Patriots win today. Brady did not part the Red Sea with this win. Although, he did kind of part a blue and orange sea with that rushing TD, but that's beside the point.

I should add, to the one Patriots fan that noted he's never been this sad after a Patriots win. Thank you for keeping it real. At least someone didn't jump off the Tebow Train Bandwagon with the loss.

PS - If anyone can explain the Tebow phenomenon to me or the reason the Pats beating the Broncos is such a huge deal (besides the obvious clinching of the AFC East) I'd love to hear it.

Does temper tantrum equal leadership?

Yesterday, I had two topics I wanted to write about. But when my husband picked me up from work and asked if I had heard about the Rondo drama rumors going on, I decided I should probably acknowledge this first so no one claims I overlook the ridiculousness that can be a Boston sports athlete.

In summary, the Boston Herald reported that last year, between games 2-3 of the Miami Heat Playoff Series (which ended up eliminating Boston from the playoffs), there was discussion about all of Rondo's errors. Mr. Rondo, apparently, does not take constructive criticism well and he began to rip apart his teammates flaws. 

Doc Rivers then tells Rondo to simmer down (I'm sure I'm making the entire altercation sound much more fairy tale than it really was), Rondo threw something at the TV, shattering it before leaving the facility and not being allowed back in later.

I was PISSED when I heard all of this information from Mr. Sabe. Rondo, you're 25 freaking years old - grow up. No one plays a perfect game, there is always room for improvement. I get it, we're all human, we don't like being told that we suck - but man up dude and take responsibilties for your actions.

When I got home, I decided to do some more research on this topic. I was shocked to see that most articles were giving Rondo a pat on the back and saying he was showing signs of great leadership abilities? Uh....what? Did I miss something?  I mean, maybe it's the lack of testosterone running through my veins but I don't see the leadership abilities in a temper tantrum. 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I love Rondo. I do, but I don't see him as a leader. He has a few redeeming qualities that allows me to see that there is potential for him to become a leader, but I think he has a few years before I trust him to take over as the Celtics number one guy. 

His leadership potential qualities include (without doing tons of research to get stats and using my own personal opinions):

• The ridiculous amount of assists he has,
• The steals he has,
• Playing with a dislocated elbow (I should note, that this happened during game 3 of the Heat Series), and
• just being Rondo.

The reasons I don't think he has the ability to take over the team:

• his decrease in numbers after the Kendrick Perkins trade (I get it, it sucks, but you're getting paid big bucks to play a game, play the damn game!),
• pulling a temper tantrum when your coach tells you you need to work on something,
• not only pulling that temper tantrum but picking apart your teammates flaws when the topic of discussion was your flaws,
• lack of points (granted, he's a point guard, his main goal is to find the play and to get the ball to the appropriate player for the points, but once our shooters are gone, we need him to take the reins), and
• just being Rondo.

Putting "just being Rondo" in both categories reminds me of Manny Ramierez and "Manny being Manny". Seriously, people? These players need to act like adults. If I my boss was to hand me a document that I  worked hard on with red marks all over it and I started pointing out the awful work my co-workers did -- my boss would tell me it was time to look for a new job.

However, people seem to think Rondo's temper tantrum shows his "heart" and "how much he cares." The Bleacher Report said, "you have to love the fire from Rondo. You have to love that he cared that much." 

I don't agree. A true leader looks over the footage and says "yeah, I have some work to do. I'll correct it for the next game, Coach." A true leader does not throw his teammates under the bus. A true leader understand that unfortunately, this isn't a church basketball league and sometimes your best friend will be traded and you'll have to play against him, not with him.

I love you, Rondo, but c'mon, guy. Prove to me that you can take over this team.

What do you think? Do you think Rondo shows leadership potential? What do you consider a leader on the court/field/ice?

Haters Gon' Hate

I've been an Auburn fan since as far back as I can remember. My Gramps bought me an Auburn t-shirt once, when I was about 5, it was orange and had a tiger on it - and I was obsessed with Tigers and the color orange.  I knew absolutely nothing about sports at that time - but the Auburn Tigers became my favorite team. Years later, my cousins all attended Auburn which added to my love for the University.

Last year, was Auburn's year with Cam Newton. Despite all the controversy, Cam was able to bring his team to the BCS Championship game and win it all.  Throughout the season, I relentlessly bragged to anyone who would listen that Cam was freaking Superman, and he would win the Heisman and later be drafted number one overall.  My brother-in-law fought me on it, through and through. I'm pretty sure he made comments about me being a "chick that doesn't know anything." Well, BOOYAH, D-Sabe. Cam showed you!

D-Sabe, and multiple others, told me to stop bragging because Cam wouldn't amount to anything in the NFL. Again, my fierce loyalties had me fired up and I promised Cam would be unstoppable in the NFL.  Maybe I was a little bold with that statement considering Carolina's record is just 4-9, but the truth is, Cam has been pretty damn near amazing.  For those of you on the hater wagon, let's just recap Cam Newton's season thus far:

• Most passing yards by a quarterback in debut game (422),
• Most passing yards by a quarterback in first two games (854),
• Most passing yards by a rookie in a game (432),
• First quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in first career start,
• First quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in first two career starts,
• Fastest player to throw for 1,000 yards,
• First player in NFL history with at least five rushing touchdowns and five passing touchdowns in his first five games,
• First rookie in NFL history to throw for 10 touchdowns and run for 10 touchdowns in a season,
• Most rushing touchdowns in single season by a quarterback (13).

Granted, I'll give the haters the fact that Cam has 14 interceptions. But right now, that averages out to 1.07 a game.  Not bad for a Rookie!!! PS, if anyone is wondering who holds the title for most interceptions thrown in a rookie season, it's the future Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning, with 28.

Amanda, this one is for you - Haters are going to hate and someone is always going to have something negative to say - but seriously, In Cam we trust. He may hesitate and he may throw interceptions, but give Carolina a year or two to build a decent defense and offensive line - and I can see a Championship ring on Cam Newton's finger.

Sources: Wikipedia (don't judge, it's the easiest way to get the stats), and Bob Edgar's facebook for the picture!

Oh, CP3...

It's been about two weeks since the Chris Paul coming to Boston for Rondo rumors surfaced. This also marks the first time I was able to put my individual loyalties aside and said "CP3 for Rondo? Let's do it!" Well, actually, if I go back to my facebook post I said "These talks of Rondo for CP3 are killing me. Statistically - gimme Chris Paul. Emotionally - you get rid of Rondo, I'll break yo' face!!"  

I often refer to Rondo as "my boyfriend" (don't judge), so, I don't appreciate the talks of getting rid of him. But let's be serious for a second, after Garnett, Allen and Pierce retire in the next couple years, I just don't see Rondo leading the team. Chris Paul could be a leader for us. And goddamnit, we'll need a scorer!

Less than 24-hours later, the rumors dwindle down to nothing and Rondo is still safe in a Celtics uniform (unless your only source of sports information is NESN -- who is STILL talking about the Red Sox Scandals of 2011, in that case, Rondo leaving Boston is still hot news).  However, the CP3 wanting to peace out of NOLA is still the talk of NBA-town. 

First its a deal to the Lakers - which, I will say this once and only once, THANK YOU DAVID STERN for not allowing that one to happen. Kobe is beast mode on his own, then you throw in Paul and the rest of the Lakers (sans Gasol and Lammy -- the Laker victims for this trade) and the potential for Howard to join? Adios to any chance of the Celtics seeing another ring anytime soon. On the flip side, those "talents" down in South Beach wouldn't be getting one either....

THEN - CP pulls the ultimate temper tantrum stating he won't go to practice because he doesn't want to play for the Hornets. Get off your goddamn high horse Big Guy. You're a damn good ball player, with iffy knees. You're not God. In fact, without bringing religion into the discussion, I'm pretty sure every person in the universe, whether they believe in God or not, knows that God doesn't leave his fans when the going gets tough. Take a bit of advice from LBJ, leaving your team to go to a better team doesn't guarantee you a championship, or 7, like LBJ promised.

Now, a deal which would send CP3 to the Clippers fell through. And I'm sure it's only a matter of time before he stamps his foot like a petulant child and refuses to play with his old friends because he wants new friends.

It's atrocious, really. I was all for CP3 coming on board two weeks ago. But now, I don't even want to see this kid in the Garden as an opponent. You have ONE FREAKING YEAR left of your contractual obligations, Buddy. Suck it up and deal with it.

There are worse things in life than playing for a team that you don't think you can win a championship with. Just ask the family of NYPD Officer, Peter Figoski, who was killed last night while responding to a robbery.  You, CP3, disgust me.

What exactly am I doing here?

I have this friend, Mary, who is probably the only chick I know that I can talk sports with. Granted, she has her faults, she's a Mavs fan and a Cardinals fan, but we all can't be perfect, can we? 

Anyway, I'd say a minimum of 3 times a week, she deals with me going off on a sports related rant. Last week, I went off on something, I can't even keep track at this point at what my tangent was about. I actually started feeling badly about it. So, I made a comment about how I should really write a blog so I can save her from needing to listen...er, read via gchat about my sports peeves. So, with her creative assistance, Jill-ted: Rantings of an Angry Female Fan was born.  THANKS, MARY!!

PS - I feel like I need to put a disclaimer on this thing before I get too involved. For starters, like I said before, I go on rants. So, try to keep up, typically, when I go on rants I just babble. If I have to proof read a rant, it totally kills my high. So, just deal with it.

Also, I'm a Boston sports fan. We're loyal, almost to a fault, I will fight you tooth and nail that our teams are the best there is (despite a complete collapse with a side of beer and fried chicken). 

So, here is my Christmas gift to Mary - an outlet for my rantings that she can read at will instead of feeling obligated to "feel my pain" and "understand" what I'm going through.