Ball or Nuthin' » Buccaneers

‘Hard Knocks’ is a Hard Sell for NFL Teams

T Lamont — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:31:29 +0000

How about those Jets from last year?

As the New York Jets played each regular season game, I felt like I knew more about them than the average team.

The perception that I had was based on New York’s appearance on the HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ series that chronicled the Jets’ camp and preseason games.

Equipped with eccentric personalities, as well as being led by the outspoken Rex Ryan, the Jets seemed to be a perfect match as the team pitted in the weekly drama. But the public also got to hear the stories of little known talents like Danny Woodhead and John Conner, and follow their paths to contributing on an NFL roster.

As an NFL fan, I thought it was great to know the behind-the-scenes team drama. At times, it’s quite compelling and interesting to witness players not getting along with their coaches and/or teammates. While we could certainly make it without focusing on the players’ personal lives, watching last season’s Antonio Cromartie feature was one of the funniest moments that I can recall in a serious, brutal sport.

But if I’m an owner, do I want to have my organization involved in such a media circus?

The filming, interviews, etc. could become a major distraction for those who are unable to maintain a sharp focus.

So far this year, two teams have turned a cold shoulder to the program, expressing their lack of interest in being considered for the series. As far as their possible participation, both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos have said ‘no, thanks’ through the media.

In addition, with this whole lockout thing going on, things would get very tricky between organizations, their owners, coaches and players. If HBO attempts to stick to its candid approach of team coverage, the potential would loom for football players to get caught up in some compromising situations.

Freeman and the Bucs should continue their improvement and stay away from the spotlight.

On the flip side, HBO may not be able to get any good footage at all. Given the situation at hand, teams are so disjointed that it may become difficult for the network to cover a full spectrum of issues within an organization.

Either way, it’s easy to understand a team’s penchant to stay away from airing its dirty laundry. Last year’s New York Jets, for the most part, were a team of high-profile stars who easily absorbed the media attention bestowed upon them. More importantly, they were eventually able to channel it into the motivation required to put them into the AFC Championship Game.

However, the average team would not be capable of this sort of concentration under the spotlight. Denver is a team that is trying to return to the upper echelon of its division, while Tampa Bay just missed out on a playoff berth last season, finishing at 10-6. Filled with young, untapped talent, both organizations are looking to take the next steps towards being legitimate contenders in their conferences.

But, hopefully, there’s at least one organization that will accept and be on the show.

With the NBA season begrudgingly coming to an end, there’ll be plenty of TV time that needs to be occupied.

Colts, Saints Remain Undefeated

T Lamont — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:28:03 +0000

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The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints continued their runs toward perfection – albeit in different fashions.

The Colts (10-0) got a fourth-quarter field goal from Matt Stover which provided them with the final points in a 17-15 victory over the Baltimore Ravens (5-5).

Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett staved off a Baltimore drive in the final minutes by intercepting a pass deep in Colts’ territory. With under three minutes on the clock, the Colts ran most of the remaining time off of the clock – punting the ball with about 20 seconds left in the game (and the Ravens’ Ed Reed fumbled the attempted return).

Baltimore wasted a huge opportunity when they had a first-and-goal at the Indianapolis 1 yard line – and they had to settle for a field goal. The difference in points would have given the Ravens what they needed to win the game. The Ravens were unable to get the ball into the endzone against the Colts. Their 15 points came on 5 field goals.

Colts' linebacker Gary Brackett made the game's decisive play.

Peyton Manning (22-31, 299 yards) moved the ball, but threw two interceptions in the game. The inefficient Baltimore offense allowed Indy to overcome a total of three turnovers.

To the contrary, ’inefficient’ is a word that could also be used to describe most teams’ defensive efforts against the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints smashed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 38-7, on Sunday afternoon.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees:

”I feel like we haven’t peaked yet. … I feel like the sky’s the limit for this team,”

MVP frontrunner Drew Bress only had 19 completions and 187 yards passing, but he did connect on 3 touchdown passes. Running backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell combined for 167 yards rushing, and Bell scored two rushing touchdowns.

Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman threw three interceptions on Sunday. He only passed for 126 yards.

”We knew how potent their offense was, and we knew that really the best defense was our offense being able to sustain drives. ‘The tough thing is that only lasted our first drive.”

Next week, the Saints face the New England Patriots in the Superdome.

Brees: ”It only gets harder. By no means can we sit back on what we’ve accomplished thus far. Every team we face would love to give us that first loss.”

New Orleans will have to do their thing against a New England team that is now hungry to prove that they belong among the league’s elite.

Unbelievable Hit By Panthers’ Wesley

T Lamont — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:22:15 +0000

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I’ve never seen anything like this in the 20-plus years that I have been watching football. Carolina Panthers’ gunner Dante Wesley simply launches into Clifton Smith as he was setting up to make a fair catch on a punt.

This was just an ignorant play by Wesley. Regardless of whether Smith signaled for a fair catch or not, he has to be given time to receive the ball before he can be contacted. Wesley had to know that he was early, but he made the hit anyway.

Wesley has been suspended for one game due to his lack of proper judgment.