The NFL FINALLY Got The Memo!

Ladies, it has been a very long time coming, but the NFL finally heard our plea – WE DON’T NEED PINK JERSEYS!  For years I could not figure out why sports leagues thought that I would spend my money on a big square cut jersey just because it was pink.  What organization tries to attract a specific audience by manufacturing something that they do not want and does not fit?  Furthermore, why would a business push something that is not truly their brand?  (Forgive me my background is in marketing, so I question these things.)  In a meeting about the Detroit Lions Team store, The Director of Retail Sales walked me through the layout of the store and explained the positioning of the ladies apparel to attract women.  The positioning was not the problem; the product was. 

Women never needed pink jerseys or hats.  We just needed them in our sizes and in styles that were flattering.  If you like the Cowboys, you never wanted to rock the star in pink, you wanted it in blue.  If you are like me, you probably had some tricks to represent your team and still look fly.  Mine was going to the little boys’ section.  While it was not a perfect fit, it was not down to my knees and gave me a closer resemblance of a lady. 

I’m happy to say that those days are over!  There is a NFL clothing line with items that actually fit us!  Not sure if it was because the NFL learned that we (ladies) now control 73% of household spending and own 2 out 3 new business.  Maybe it was the 18 million cracks Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential candidacy put in the glass ceiling of the White House.  I don’t know, but I am glad that they FINALLY got the memo!  Check out the NFL’s new clothing line at www.nfl.com/women and tell them that we sent you.  I’m sure you’ll be just as excited as I am!  While you are shopping, I found the hottest boots from Bebe to go with your new swag.  (Oh, they are giving cash back on your purchases.)   Let me know what you get.

College Weekend

The first BCS standing of the season is out.  Who is at the top?  Not a team from the SEC or the Big Ten.  Oklahoma (Big 12) and Oregon (PAC-10) are #1 and #2 respectively.  The Sooners and Ducks can’t get comfortable.  Auburn #4 and LSU #6 are not far behind.  They play each other this weekend.  The winner will be the last undefeated team in the competitive SEC. 

So where are the Ohio State Buckeyes?  After a disappointing loss to Wisconsin, they are at #10 behind Michigan State #7 the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten.  This was a huge loss for the Buckeyes because it gives the advantage to Michigan State.  Ohio State will not play Michigan State this season and the Spartans beat Wisconsin a few weeks ago.  So, if both teams have the same record at the end of the season and tie for the Big Ten title, the edge goes to MSU.  Iowa may disrupt all of that.  They play Ohio State and Michigan State and are undefeated in the conference.

We have to send prayers and well wished to Rutgers defensive tackle, Eric LeGrand.  He suffered a spinal-cord injury in the last quarter of Rutgers win over Army that left him paralyzed below the neck.

NFL Week 6

It was a weekend of returns in the NFL. 

Ben Roethlisberger returned to the game after a 4 game suspension.  The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns, 28 – 10.  The Steelers won without Big Ben and you can expect that they will be even better with him back on the field.

Deion Branch returned to his old team, the New England Patriots, and had his best game since his rookie year as a Patriot in 2002.  His nine catches helped New England win in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens 23 – 20.

Kevin Kolb returned as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, playing for injured Michael Vick .  He looked strong in the Eagles impressive 31 – 17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.  Coach Andy Reid said that Vick was still his starting quarterback and that there was not a QB controversy in Philadelphia, but we have heard that before.

LaDainian Tomlinson continues to return his passes for touchdowns.  (San Diego must be sick seeing his stats.)  LT scored two touchdowns late in the game that pushed the New Yorks Jets on top of the Denver Broncos, 24 -20.  Broncos led most of the game, so some will say that Denver played better.  I picked the Jets to go to the Super Bowl this year, so I say comebacks and clutch time victories are what great teams do.  Let’s Go J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, Jets!

Are you ready for some football?

Monday Night Football goes to Jacksonville tonight.  The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Tennessee Titans.  Both teams have some fast running backs, Titan Chris Johnson and Jaguar Maurice Jones-Drew.  They are tied at 3-2 in the close AFC South.  The winner will join Houston and Indiana at 4 – 2.  I am going with Tennessee.  Jacksonville’s defense has allowed over 27 points per game.  I don’t think that this defense will stop Chris Johnson.

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets

A.D. the best in the NFL, but not in fantasy football

The key to drafting running backs and wide receivers for your fantasy football team is not how good they are as individual players.  This is important, but the most essential component is the type of offense they are in.  Does the offense have a stronger running game or passing game?  It will not suit your fantasy team well if you draft the strongest running back in the league who racked up the most rushing yards, if he now has an offensive coordinator who wants to pass more.

Today let’s look at some options at the running back position.

2011 Super Bowl players - Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints); Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) and Joseph Addai (Indianapolis Colts) are all good running backs in the middle of their careers.  Bush has been average because of knee injuries the last couple of seasons, but it appears as if he has completely rehabilitated his knee and will show "Who Dat" fans just how good he is.  Addai on the other hand, suffered a concussion during preseason.  It is not certain whether or not he will be ready for the start of the season.  All of these players are on “pass happy” teams.  But with Drew Brees and Peyton Manning as QBs any team would be.

Newbies – C.J. Spiller out of Clemson was selected #9 (the first running back) by the Buffalo Bills.  The other rookie running backs drafted in the first round were Ryan Matthews (#12 to San Diego Chargers) and Jahvid Best (#30 to Detroit Lions). 

Matthews has ran the ball (carries) most of the time for the Chargers during the preseason and reminds people of his great predecessor, LaDainian Tomlinson.  One problem is that he does not have much experience catching short passes which the Chargers use often.

Best is fast.  I’m just curious about his durability.  He only carried the ball one time last Saturday against Cleveland because he felt “tight.”  Time will tell if this actually means that he has a minor injury.  The Lions have not had a solid consistent performer in the backfield (behind the quarterback) since Barry Sanders left.  If Best remains healthy, he could be the starting running back in Motown. 

So far in the preseason, C.J. has lived up to the hype about the speed he displayed in college and at this year’s combine.  The down side for C.J. is his small stature.  In college a running back can get away with being quick and small.  Not in the NFL.  The defense is comprised of BIG, grown men.  They will catch him.  And, it will hurt. 

Seniors – LaDainian Tomlinson (New York Jets) and Ricky Williams (Miami Dolphins) are both in their early thirties.  This gives their respective offenses experience.  L.T. is getting settled with his new team.  During the preseason he has had long carries of 40 plus yards demonstrating that he still has the ability to be a weapon on offense. 

Ricky is risky.  At 34, his body is not as worn out as other 34 year olds.  Between retirement and suspensions, he has not played as much as his counterparts who have been in the NFL for 10 seasons.  He rushed for over 1,000 yards last season.  You just don’t know if Ricky will abruptly retire and start a holistic medicine practice.

Great Ones - Chris Johnson (Tennesse Titans) and Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) are the leagues best at the moment.  They both are good runners, can catch short passes and understand their offenses.  Johnson had the most rushing yards last season.  He beat A.D. by almost 700 yards.  This isn’t solely because of A.D.’s production and fumbles.  The Titans ran the ball a lot.  It is Johnson’s offense.  A.D. is on Brett Favre’s offense.   No one expected Favre or the Viking’s to have the passing game that they had last year.   With Favre returning to Minnesota, I expect that the Vikings will continue to go to the air.  As a result, I am putting Chris above A.D.

Tomorrow we will look at wide receivers.

Heels & Helmets Fantasy Football League Draft on September 6 online at noon!  Who will you pick?

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets