Is History "Classless"?

For weeks, the possibility of a broken record in the NFL has been on the minds of many. Dan Marino's record for most passing yards in a season was in reach of a few quarterbacks, but none more than Saint's quarterback, Drew Brees. On Monday night, Brees only did what he always does, play like one of the best in the game.

He weaved, side-stepped, and danced around in the pocket all night long. He threw with an accuracy that would frighten a military trained sniper. The sound from the pounding linemen could scarcely be heard before the ball had already hit one of his receivers. All this was just a typical night for Drew Brees.

Brees continues to be one of the best around.
(AP-Bill Feig)

Even with his impressive abilities and already a Super Bowl ring on his finger, Brees has been nothing if not humble throughout his career. His quick to give credit where credit is due, or to put blame on his own failure. He has long been considered a "classy" guy.

This especially irked some people on the conclusion of his final drive of Monday night's game. With 5:08 remaining in the game and the Saints already up 38-16 on rival Atlanta Falcons, Brees marched once more. The defense had turned the Falcons over on downs on their own 33-yard line. That distance is easily within striking distance of Drew Bress, but that isn't the point.

Some felt that the Saints should have tried to run out the clock. Let's start there. There's five minutes left in the game. Yes, many teams might decide to coast in that situation and let the running backs take over. Of course, most teams don't have one of the best quarterbacks in the game who is only 30 yards away from breaking a legend's record set in 1984.

Now the issue of the score. Yes, the Saints were up 22 points, and often, in any sport, it's thought of as unsportsmanlike to run-up a score on a blowout late in a game. However, that's not the point here, and shouldn't be. Drew Brees is shooting for history. Does it really matter whether the Saints won by 22 or 29? Either way it's a blowout. The Falcons got embarrassed either way, and can use it for motivation when the two teams likely meet in the playoffs.

Drew Brees and the Saints had every reason to push for history.
(AP-Rusty Costanza)

The final touchdown actually had no true relevance to record at all, it was merely icing on the cake. If Brees started on his own 1-yard line. I would have loved for him to just get the 30 yards and then he could hand it off the rest of the night. However, he has handed a circumstance that put both him and his coach in a tough position.

Instead, he was able to cap off a very short drive that put his name in the record books and, because of the touchdown, was able to enjoy the moment. He stood there smiling and acknowledging his teammates who helped him and the fans that supported him.

Anyone who thinks that this was a classless move, such as members of the Atlanta Falcons, is probably looking at this out of frustrated emotion. They're going to look back on this and think of how stupid that statement sounds. One of the classiest men in sports was given one of the best opportunities that he could ask for, and we're supposed to care what the score was? The score will be the furthest afterthought in the future. The National Football League and its fans will remember a talented, humble, and "classy" man who simply did his best and joined history.

Why Are We So Far Behind?

Concussions are certainly nothing new in sports. They've been one of those unfortunate issues that has hovered over everyone's heads. They can diminish a players ability at the very least, if not lead to them giving up the game entirely. Unfortunately, the initiative to remedy this problem has only just begun in a number of sports where it should have started decades ago.

Many have questioned the new kickoff rule,
but not the thought behind it.

Of course, sports are dangerous. I don't think their is anyone that could argue that point, but how dangerous they have to be is something else entirely. Every sport has begun to develop safer helmets every year, and they may even force players to begin wearing the helmets, even if they don't like them. I have no problem with that at all. Who care if it looks stupid or feels a little different from what you're used to? The benefits greatly outweigh those points. Another move has been to change rules in the game. The NFL has done that by moving the kickoff 10 more yards so that players can't get up to full speed.

However, I've got a little issue with that idea. I understand changing the rules for safety, but not when it changes the complexion of the game, which this rule did. The first half of this season was all boots into the back of the endzone with no returns. This took away a big part of the game. Now it seems that teams have begun to try and drop the kick as close to the one as they can, but that often just leaves the receiver with maybe a few seconds to move before the kicking team is all over them. The problem is that the guy becomes defenseless and we're back at square one. I could go on, but I'll digress.

This is an image we all hate to see.

While I do applaud some rule changes and improved equipment, I have to wonder why it's only happening now. My concern comes from one story in particular. Sydney Crosby, the star of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been suffering through a concussion since last season. This is one of the NHL's biggest stars and he's young.

There's my biggest fear right there. No one likes to see a veteran have to go out on anything but their own terms, but if a veteran has to quit because of a concussion then I think the general populace can cope. A real tragedy is when the younger stars have to go through it. These guys are young and healthy and usually go all out all the time. That's begging for a concussion, but we love them for their tenacity.

If we love them so much and want them to actually stick around then maybe it's about time we kick things up a notch and protect the future of our sports. That's all I'm sayin'.

Have We Really Moved On?

Unfortunately, steroids could be rearing their ugly head once more in baseball. Recent reports are that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has test positive for PEDs. I personally hope it's a false-positive. Despite playing in the same division of my hometown Cardinals, and playing with one of the most ridiculous players in baseball, Nyjer Morgan, I actually respect Ryan Braun. I hate what he does to my team every year, but if that's the only thing I hate about him then he's probably alright.

Everyone is hoping that this is a mistake, and we can truly
move on from the Steroid Era.

However, that's not the only reason that I hope he's clean. I'm quite frankly sick and tired of hearing about the failure that was the steroid era. It's not just because it was a black spot on the history of the MLB, but it's just one of those things where you're waiting for the next at-one-time big star to fall due. It's almost to the point of "Oh really? I guess I'm not surprised." when it comes to these announcements. Except, Braun seems to be a little different case.

He's not a particularly big guy, and there don't really seem to be any of those obvious signs that seem to scream "Steroids!" Despite being one of the games best sluggers, I don't think there are many who would honestly have thought Braun would use steroids. If he is, then it shows that the part of the steroid era has crept into some of this era's younger stars, and that's something that no one wants to see.

Here's an interesting piece from the New York Times that puts a little bit of all this into perspective.

Brawling Embarrassment

Anyone who followed college basketball on Saturday probably saw some upsets and good games, but they all will be overshadowed by what happened on the court of the Cintas Center and not for good reasons. A fight at a bar or party is one thing, still not good but certainly different. However, when you are on national television, in front of thousands of fans, and carry the name of your school on your chest then there's no excuse.

Whether this were in a game or not, it would be a bad thing, but the situation has only compounded the issue. When it came to the players, no side one. Cincinnati got things started by calling out Xavier player Tu Holloway before the game. While that can be good fun at times, don't do something like that and expect the other side to sit quietly and take it. They should, but don't expect it.

Both teams got down and dirtied their own reputations.
Al Behrman-Associated Press

Unfortunately, Holloway didn't as he was instigating the entire Cincy bench near the end of the game, and then things got way out of control. Yancy Gates blindsided Kenny Frease with a punch and Cheikh Mbodj literally tried to kick him while he was down. Then Gates looked to try and go on a rampage against the entire Xavier team.

Of course, Xavier is almost just as guilty given their taunts at the end, and, quite frankly, some poor words after the game by Holloway. "That's what you're going to see from Xavier and Cincinnati... We're a tougher team. We're grown men over here. We've got a whole bunch of gangstas in the locker room. Not thugs, but tough guys on the court."

So, not only is Holloway showing no remorse for his own lack of dignity on the court, but he's got the guts to continue to talk trash about the other team after the scuffle. I understand a heated rivalry, I've been a part of the Missouri and Kanasa rivalry, but that's not an excuse. Some jostling, a hard fought game, and the cheers and jeers of fans make a good rivalry. Holloway does mention letting your play do the talking, but he clearly had some extra words to go along with his play.

The only bright spot has come from the coaches thus far. This may seem like a "duh" kind of thing, but Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin's sincere frustration over the whole thing is good to see. Throughout his entire interview you can see the anger he has with his players and himself.

Coach Cronin won't take this lying down, and that's good
for everyone.

"I have never been this embarrassed in my entire career. It's a complete embarrassment. Toughness is doing the right thing. ... If my players don't act the right way, they will never play another game at Cincinnati."

He also mentioned how every player lost there jersey until this gets sorted out. That's a blow right there. Those players have lost a symbol of their identity. That's a very good demonstration by Coach Cronin that he won't take this from any of his players. His words were very strong after the game, and very nice to hear.

What will happen to the players on both teams remains to be seen, but both institutions should be outraged and the players ashamed. There's no place for this on any level, and if they are the "grown men" that Holloway claims, they have a strange way of showing it.

In Control?

Wait, What?

In a week of deals in the MLB, the NBA decided to weigh in, and the NBA did so directly. The league shut down a deal to send Chris Paul to the Lakers in what would have been a three team deal that would have spread many on the Laker roster around.

Instead, the NBA, which now owns the New Orleans Hornets, nixed the deal that the Hornets organization had been piecing together. Almost as quickly as word got out that the trade would happen, the announcement came that it was actually not going to happen.

Does David Stern even realized what just happened?

I understand that the NBA has obvious stake in what goes on in New Orleans, but does that mean it should shut down a deal by the people that are involved in its day-to-day operations?

The situation stinks. It appeared that the deal would have actually hurt the Lakers the most, giving up guys like Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and Chris Paul could get a trade. It's not clear what the NBA and David Stern's official stance is on the decision, but there's not much he could say that would make a lot of sense.

Even though the NBA owns the Hornets, they've mostly seemed distant to anything related to the Hornets but this one move is drastically different.

Funny enough, Bill Simmons and I (and probably Chris Paul) had the same reaction of "Wait, what?" to this whole scenario.

Of course, Bill Simmons can do a much better job of breaking it down and what it could mean than I can. So, I differ to him.

Money and Fame

Albert Pujols is walking away from the only team he's ever known. The name in the picture above seems to be the only one that matters to him. More than ten years of success, ten years of being competitive, ten years of praise from the games greatest fans and it all means nothing.

Pujols always said that the name on the front of the jersey was more important than the one on the back. He's mentioned taking a "home discount" in order to keep the team competitive in the past. Apparently, that's changed recently.

The Cardinals would have been ready to easily pay him more than his teammate Matt Holliday, but Albert simply wanted more. He's let his own legacy take over everything he had ever said before about the game or the team.

It started when talks ended before spring training. You could understand some gap between club and player, but it seemed more like a chasm. However, that only adds to the reason that it would have been great to see both sides come together. If taking those leaps weren't daring and impressive, why would we even care who Evel Knievel was?

Either side could have taken a leap, but neither did. Both sides have rights to blame, but most of it is on Albert because he only has to worry about his own money. The Cardinals have to look out for the organization as a whole, while trying to stay competitive year in and year out. However, something seems to have changed in Albert.

Character

Albert has always been regarded as a player of character. He's been respectful and often humble in the way he went about his business. However, last spring seemed to subtly hint at something we didn't want to believe. The subtleties continued during the season while he was struggling. He would call out reporters that questioned his abilities and was quick to point out his body of work in the past. That doesn't seem to be all that humble.

We all know what he's done, and quite frankly shouldn't have worried about him this season, but when he's almost becoming his biggest promoter it once again points to something that fans don't want to believe.

Could Albert Pujols be a sellout? It's possible. We have yet to hear from Albert since his signing, and he did supposedly turn down a $275 million deal from the Marlins, but we can't exactly say it was for chump change either.

Even Stan "The Man" wanted Albert to stay.

It's not just the money that is going to hit fans the hardest, because, let's face it, that's a LOT of money. But the other problem is how different Albert has behavedthe past year .

Spring training and his performance during the year were mild indicators, but his signing has put Albert Pujols in a terrible light.

He has talked for so long about wanting to finish his career in St. Louis, about wanting to try and be like Stan "The Man" Musial. When did that pure and goodhearted wish become overrun by a greed for money and his own fame?

He's always talked about how great the Cardinal fan base in St. Louis and beyond has been. Does he think that Angels' fans will be better?

What has changed Albert thoughts on these things? Or have they not changed at all, and Cards fans have simply been strung around for years?

Business
From a business standpoint, the only ones who completely foolish are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They're putting a ridiculous amount of money into a player that won't be worth that much come the second half of the contract. They're dollar amount only makes sense in the mind of Albert Pujols, who's the biggest winner of them all.

The Cards stood their ground. They knew how much would be too much to compromise the TEAM. They understood how much was too much, in fact they were probably the only side that did.

For Albert, he got what he wanted; a monster contract that would assure his playing into his 40's.

It's easy to call out Albert in this whole state of things, partly because the only thing to defend him is the sheer amount of money, but how he responds to the criticisms could determine who he is in the eyes of Cardinal Nation.

Many will be able to get past this day, and I'm sure many will join me as I give him his well deserved applause if he makes it to St. Louis. He's done so much good for the city and the team that he deserves at least that much, but how he handles things going forward will determine how much of that respect he'll keep.

BCS or Not?

I'll say right off the bat that I am not in favor of the BCS. It's motivated by money and that's really all. Most of the other reasons that I've seen for those that favor it are hardly believable. There still be plenty of money to be had with a playoff system because there are still games, more in fact. The extra games would be during winter break. So, what class time are the athletes missing? As for the concern of more injuries, it's football. They take the risk every time they step out onto the practice field, let alone an actual game.

The look that on the face of many college football fans after the final BCS standings.
Brett Deering/Getty Images

Regardless, here's a little something I put together on this year's BCS mishap. I disagree with the final decision this year, but I tried to stay somewhat neutral overall.

http://storify.com/JonStraub/lsu-bama-part-2