Well, John-O decided to give a little nod to the upcoming football season, and sense I have some free time, I will as well. While not as desperate as some people are, seeing as how the Cub are about to make things interesting (Yes, I am serious), football is still king, so lets dance, shall we?
First some general comments, thoughts, and such. Let's first tackle the "surprise" category. I have a few. Two of them are last years Super Bowl teams. Now, I am not too worried about the Bears. They are still stout defensively, and should be at least as good on offense. However, as many people have stated, we need to see what Rexy does before we get too excited. Another thing working in their favor is the weakest division in major league sports.
Then there are the Colts. I am a bit concerned with them. In fact, I think it is going to be quite the struggle to win the division. First off, I think the division as a whole will be better. I think both Jacksonville and Tennessee are legit threats and I think Houston will be improved, if not good. Then there is the defense. This was THE problem for the Colts last year. Now yes, they turned it around in the playoffs, but which D is for real? The one that was there for 4 weeks or the one that was there for 16? Also, they not only added next to nothing, but they lost no less than 4 starters, including 3 of their 4 opening day starters in the secondary. I just am concerned when you lose key players to your biggest question area. We'll see though.
I am also not totally sold on the Chargers. I need to see this again for me to really believe it. I am not doubting that they are a talented team, but they had a dream season from "the other LT" last year, and it always seems that there is a playoff team from the previous season that struggles the next one. They have a new coaching staff, and they are in a very good division. I am not saying they will miss the playoffs, or even not win their division, I am just saying I am not sold.
Lastly, in the negative, are the Cowboys. I just don't get it. Yes they are in a weak division, and yes they made the playoffs last year, but why are people so in love with this team? They have the single biggest distraction in sports, a quarterback that had a terrible end to a surprisingly successful season, they have an iffy defense, and a new coach who has never been successful as the head guy. So why all the love? I just don't get it.
As for surprisingly successful teams, it seems everyone is going with the 49ers, so I will stay away from them and go with Arizona, for what is possibly the third of forth season in a row. Their is a ton of talent and they are no longer being held back by the ineptitude of their head coach. Their offense should be as good as anyone, and their D has too many Pro Bowlers to not be decent.
Now, for predicitions:
AFC East: Patriots - can't see how you can make a case for anyone else. Buffalo is improved and the Jets are solid, but still.
AFC North: Steelers - I think they turn things around this year. They had some injuries last year, and that hurt. Plus, I think Baltimore is too old.
AFC South: Colts - I'll take them, but I think it is a dog fight, especially with them visiting all 3 opponents early on.
AFC West: Chargers - Again, I'll take them, but it is not an easy choice.
Wild Cards: Broncos and Bengals - Cincy is so talented and, theoretically, should have fewer off field issues. I think Jay Cutler will be a star, NOW!
NFC East: Redskins - I know what you're thinking, and yes, this is a bit of a stretch, but they played very well at the end of the season last year, Jason Campbell will start from day 1, and Clinton Portis should be healthy. Plus, i think Dallas, the Giants, and the Eagles are all junk.
NFC North: Bears - this is the biggest lock in football. Terrible division and the best D in the conference.
NFC South: Panthers - Most talented team in the conference. They could easily be the best. If healthy, Steve Smith is the best player in the NFC.
NFC West: Seahawks - This is their last year in the catbird seat. '9ers and Cardinals are coming.
Wild Cards: Saints and 49ers - Saints could easily win their division and the '9ers are the best of whats left.
AFC Playoffs:
Round 1 - Colts over Bengals, and Steelers over Broncos
Round 2 - Chargers over Colts, and Pats over Steelers
Championship - Pats over Chargers
NFC Playoffs:
Round 1 - Saints over Seahawks, and 49ers over Redskins
Round 2 - Bears over 49ers, and Panthers over Saints
Championship - Panthers over Bears
Super Bowl - Panthers over Patriots. That's right, I said it. Partially wishful thinking but also partially due to the fact that the odds on favorite never seems to win.
MVP - Tom Brady
Coach of the Year - Mike Nolan (49ers)
Offensive ROY - Adrian Peterson (Vikings)
Defensive ROY - Laron Landry (Skins)
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
A New Arena for a New Era
Tonight, I received some interesting, at least to me, information. Apparently, over the past few days, the board of trustees at Indiana University were meeting, in relative secrecy at IPFW, one of their satellite campuses in Gary, Indiana. The meeting was held here, most likely, as to not sound any alarms or draw any attention to the meeting. So what was discussed at this "secret meeting"? The decision to build a new basketball arena at Indiana University, to replace Assembly Hall.
Upon first hearing about this, I was a little surprised, a little disappointed, and a little angry. Assembly Hall is a place that means a lot to me. It is where I saw my first live sporting event. It is the home of my favorite sports team, and where I saw so many games as a student on campus. It had become synonymous with Indiana hoops. In the '70's, '80's, and '90's is was considered one of the loudest, and most difficult places to play in the country. It just seemed wrong, and a little unnecessary to knock it down.
However, upon further thought, I realized that this was not only ok, it was actually a good (not to mention inevitable) turn of events. Assembly Hall, once a jewel of the Big 10, has become one of it's older and smaller venues. It only holds 17 thousand people (compared to the 26 and 24 thousand held by the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin and the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio respectively). It is slowly beginning to show its age, and it can no longer hide the fact that of those 17 thousand seats, about 4 thousand of them are terrible places to watch a game.
The arena is, for all intents and purposes, a square and there are about 60 seats in each "corner" where you are literally up against the upper level. The angle of the seats coupled with the closeness to the bottom of the upper level make it nearly impossible to see the entire court. I vividly remember watching a game against Michigan State my last year in which my roommate and I had to move to the tunnel to see because we were almost completely unable to see the game at our end of the floor.
Then there are the seats at the top of the upper level. Rarely, unless it is Purdue, Michigan State, or a team that is contending for the conference title, are many of these seats filled. They are always sold, which allows IU to call the game a "sell out", but you can almost always have your pick of seats up there. The reason? A. the angle is so steep that you often feel like you might fall forward onto the floor. And B. you feel like you are miles away. In this day and age of arenas with "not a bad seat in the house", this is unacceptable. Especially if you want to view yourself as one of the 3 or 4 top programs in college hoops.
Now, weren't all these issues there back in the '80's? Yes, they were. So why not the outcry then? Two words: Bob Knight. Not only would he not allow any changes to the arena, but there was no need. All those seats were filled just by him. For one reason, the product was great. Also, there was always the chance you might see him throw a chair, or break a phone, or something like that. Knight was such a draw that it didn't matter where you played your games. He would've sold out a barn with holes in the roof during a rain storm. However, add together the fact that Coach Knight is gone to the recent struggles the Hoosiers have had, and it is not surprising that attendance has dropped each year since Coach left.
Now, with a new coach and a new athletic director, the Hoosiers are re-building the program. In fact, they are re-building the entire sports program. They are building new baseball and softball fields. They are closing in one end of Memorial Stadium, creating a smaller version of the horseshoe in Ohio State. They are building a brand new basketball practice facility as well as installing new weight equipment throughout the campus. With all these changes, it seems only right that the new Hoosiers hoops team has a new place to play.
The arena will not be finished until at the earliest 2009, and most likely well after that. It should have 20+ thousand seats, and should have far fewer bad tickets. I have little doubt that they will be able to carry over the "old time gym" feel that helps make Assembly Hall so special. After all, one of the single best indoor sports facilities in the country is just up the road in Indianapolis at Conseco Fieldhouse.
I know there will be some closed minded people that will think that this is a travesty, and just helps show everything that is wrong with the world, and all that. To that I say simply this: I would wager that you are the same people that are bitching about how bad the seats are when you are banished to the upper level, or are unfortunate enough to get one of the corner seats. Look, buildings get old. What was good 30 years ago, is not necessarily good today. Look at what is happening in baseball. They recently built a new Busch Stadium in St. Louis, will soon be building a new Fenway Park and a new Yankee Stadium, and I promise (sorry my fellow Cub fans) a new Wrigley Field is on the way. Teams/schools are losing too much money by not having the capacities they should, and many of these older stadiums and parks are just plain un-safe.
Ultimately, I would say this to anyone who wants to complain about this. Get over yourself. If they can build a new Yankee Stadium and a new Fenway Park, then they can build a new Assembly Hall, because comparatively speaking, we aren't even a blip on their radars. But of coarse, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Upon first hearing about this, I was a little surprised, a little disappointed, and a little angry. Assembly Hall is a place that means a lot to me. It is where I saw my first live sporting event. It is the home of my favorite sports team, and where I saw so many games as a student on campus. It had become synonymous with Indiana hoops. In the '70's, '80's, and '90's is was considered one of the loudest, and most difficult places to play in the country. It just seemed wrong, and a little unnecessary to knock it down.
However, upon further thought, I realized that this was not only ok, it was actually a good (not to mention inevitable) turn of events. Assembly Hall, once a jewel of the Big 10, has become one of it's older and smaller venues. It only holds 17 thousand people (compared to the 26 and 24 thousand held by the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin and the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio respectively). It is slowly beginning to show its age, and it can no longer hide the fact that of those 17 thousand seats, about 4 thousand of them are terrible places to watch a game.
The arena is, for all intents and purposes, a square and there are about 60 seats in each "corner" where you are literally up against the upper level. The angle of the seats coupled with the closeness to the bottom of the upper level make it nearly impossible to see the entire court. I vividly remember watching a game against Michigan State my last year in which my roommate and I had to move to the tunnel to see because we were almost completely unable to see the game at our end of the floor.
Then there are the seats at the top of the upper level. Rarely, unless it is Purdue, Michigan State, or a team that is contending for the conference title, are many of these seats filled. They are always sold, which allows IU to call the game a "sell out", but you can almost always have your pick of seats up there. The reason? A. the angle is so steep that you often feel like you might fall forward onto the floor. And B. you feel like you are miles away. In this day and age of arenas with "not a bad seat in the house", this is unacceptable. Especially if you want to view yourself as one of the 3 or 4 top programs in college hoops.
Now, weren't all these issues there back in the '80's? Yes, they were. So why not the outcry then? Two words: Bob Knight. Not only would he not allow any changes to the arena, but there was no need. All those seats were filled just by him. For one reason, the product was great. Also, there was always the chance you might see him throw a chair, or break a phone, or something like that. Knight was such a draw that it didn't matter where you played your games. He would've sold out a barn with holes in the roof during a rain storm. However, add together the fact that Coach Knight is gone to the recent struggles the Hoosiers have had, and it is not surprising that attendance has dropped each year since Coach left.
Now, with a new coach and a new athletic director, the Hoosiers are re-building the program. In fact, they are re-building the entire sports program. They are building new baseball and softball fields. They are closing in one end of Memorial Stadium, creating a smaller version of the horseshoe in Ohio State. They are building a brand new basketball practice facility as well as installing new weight equipment throughout the campus. With all these changes, it seems only right that the new Hoosiers hoops team has a new place to play.
The arena will not be finished until at the earliest 2009, and most likely well after that. It should have 20+ thousand seats, and should have far fewer bad tickets. I have little doubt that they will be able to carry over the "old time gym" feel that helps make Assembly Hall so special. After all, one of the single best indoor sports facilities in the country is just up the road in Indianapolis at Conseco Fieldhouse.
I know there will be some closed minded people that will think that this is a travesty, and just helps show everything that is wrong with the world, and all that. To that I say simply this: I would wager that you are the same people that are bitching about how bad the seats are when you are banished to the upper level, or are unfortunate enough to get one of the corner seats. Look, buildings get old. What was good 30 years ago, is not necessarily good today. Look at what is happening in baseball. They recently built a new Busch Stadium in St. Louis, will soon be building a new Fenway Park and a new Yankee Stadium, and I promise (sorry my fellow Cub fans) a new Wrigley Field is on the way. Teams/schools are losing too much money by not having the capacities they should, and many of these older stadiums and parks are just plain un-safe.
Ultimately, I would say this to anyone who wants to complain about this. Get over yourself. If they can build a new Yankee Stadium and a new Fenway Park, then they can build a new Assembly Hall, because comparatively speaking, we aren't even a blip on their radars. But of coarse, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
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