The Crystal Ball Final Tune Up

In our ever revolving attempts here at TCB to deliver better product, we’d like to introduce some changes for the upcoming season. In hopes of producing something more interesting, we are adding more structure and some regular features. So hopefully, it will be a more enjoyable read as opposed to lengthy ramblings with the consistency of a person with ADD in a store selling shiny objects.

So as promised and hinted at, we now present our coming attractions for the upcoming season. Please take a look at the following, as I introduce our new starting line up and throw an example of each for your reading pleasure.

Recap - Here, we will take a look at relevant or interesting items from the previous week’s games. As usual, since I write it, it will feature the usual long winded diatribe on last week’s Steelers game and some review of other contests I was able to watch. The tone of the other contests will probably be influenced whether Pittsburgh won or lost. Of course, the tone of the entire column will be based upon that.

Examples:

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Sunday night, boy was there a lot of hard hitting and I loved it. Both teams seemed salty and ready for the season to begin. After watching, though I have come to the conclusion that the Steelers are their own worst enemy. If they can eliminate the mistakes, they will be unstoppable. With the mistakes, they could easily blow winnable games. Stupid interceptions and ill timed fumbles killed them in the first half, luckily not to the point where the game got out of hand. But still, when the games matter it and the opposing team presses an advantage, it could be disastrous. This is not a hard equation for anyone to figure out, but the Steelers better find a way to get on correct side of it.

Roethlisberger looked much better, but still showed his ability to make a stupid decision now and again. Seriously, it’s ok to take the sack. Parker needs to get some hand work in before the season starts, as does Willie Reid. But they looked much better overall. Except for their punt and kickoff return, I am certainly not impressed with that aspect of the game.

The Eagles looked ok, but they should have had a huge lead capitalizing on Pittsburgh’s miscues. To only have three points after two turnovers and a botched punt does not make me feel as though they have a great chance this season, despite what everyone is saying. I wonder if there is a sudden leadership, both physical and emotional, void on the team now with Trotter’s departure.

Andrea Kremer interviewed both starting quarterbacks during the game, and I had very different impressions of each. McNabb talked a lot during his interview, but said absolutely nothing. He never once answered any question she had directly. She had excellent questions too, very pointed and looking for information, but McNabb seemed to not want to really say anything. I can understand there is a certain level of PR involved, and no one wants to rock the boat, but if I want to see non-answers, I’ll watch a politician or Bill Belichick speak, thank you.

One additional note on the game was that for a small period, the play by play was cut. This was fantastic! Mind you, the Sunday Night crew is one of the better ones out there, but just not hearing constant blather and getting to concentrate on the action happening on the field was like a dream. Such a shame more games could not have this feature, even if it was merely accidental.

Stephen Gostkowski has missed three field goals in three games so far this preseason for the Patriots. Sure, it’s just preseason, but could it be a sign of things to come? The curse of Vinatieri is revealing itself.

NFL, the alternative Universe – This section will feature league news that does not focus on the games and occasionally strange stories that seem extra weird because they occur in the NFL Universe. You know, stories about offensive line coaches forwarding porn to the league offices, or coaches getting fast food with no pants or wide receivers pushing law enforcement officials down the street with their car. Things of that nature, and your regular old league related news as well.

Examples:

Bill Cowher has packed up his chin and moved it to the CBS pregame show. Wow, that was a quick retirement. So, was it really about family, or money? I got a ten spot says he took this job to keep his face out there and remind teams with shaky coaches he is available. Tracking for 2008 off season.

Ok, it seems I may have been wrong about Strahan, as he has still yet to make a decision or report. Shame to see it really is nothing more than a money squabble.

Upon Further Review – A new section that will feature 1 to 3 stories, depending on length and what is happening that week that stick out. Here we will take a closer look at these happenings and delve into them. It could be a rant, or explanation, talking strategy or just rehashing something that has already been beaten into the ground. Or example will fall into the last category.

Example:

The National Football League suspended Michael Vick indefinitely without pay. This comes on the heels of Vick admitting to his role in the dog fighting operation on his property. Vick is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10th.

Sometime this fall commissioner Goodell will meet with Vick to discuss his future and the events that have transpired over the summer. In a letter to Vick announcing the suspension, Goodell stated to Vick that, "Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions".


Vick finally made a public statement about everything on Monday, apologizing to the league, the Falcons, Arthur Blank, commissioner Goodell, Falcon fans, league fans and kids everywhere for his actions and behavior. Most likely this is probably part of a long plan toward reinstatement into the league and trying to remove the tarnish from his now sullied reputation.

But part of me wants to believe he can change. Part of me wants to believe him when he says he wants to be a better person, and to change his life, and that he really does reject dog fighting and has learned why it is wrong. Is that not what we hope for with our justice system? That a man who commits a crime will be punished, learn from his mistakes, and move on with his life away from those things and become a productive member of society? That a person who does serve punishment is able to once again be the best person he or she can be? Of course it is. This is the basis of our justice system, and an ideal of our society. We want people to correct their mistakes and thrive afterwards. Mind you, I am not letting him off the hook by ANY means. A little speech does not make up for 6 years of heinous behavior by any stretch of the imagination. He still needs to be punished, and he has to do much, much more than say a few meaningful things to convince me that he really does believe what he said. First, it takes showing that what he said actually does have meaning, that the words carry real weight with him. Unless there is something behind them, they are merely words and have no meaning. And then it will take some meaningful actions and some true changes in his life. Show me you have changed, that you do care, and not just care about getting a paycheck and an NFL job again. But I want to believe he can become a better person, because if he can, then there is hope for others as well to turn their lives around. And the more who do, the better we are as a society. I hope he can change, but it is up to Michael now to fulfill that hope. You'll excuse me at this early juncture if my hope is tempered with a large amount of skepticism and doubt.


Steelers Around the World – This idea germinated from the NFL’s ever increasing efforts to expand the game to other parts of the globe. Each week we’ll pick a city it would be fun to watch the Steelers play in and why. The host city will be chosen by a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to the local fans, travel, history, food or other attraction. We’ll also pick an opponent that would match well with the city and the Steelers. This is high concept, and could be too much if the season gets crazy. I really want to do it, but it may turn into just another…..

Concepts – We introduced these last year, and they were a hit. They could be funny, interesting or even a really good idea disguised as nonsense. Some of the concepts we will be seeing this year will include:

Revelations – Good for midseason.

Thanksgiving thanks – Yes, cheesy, but I enjoyed it.

Ad Watch – An easy choice, considering how crazy the NFL sponsors can be and how grating those commercials can get once you have heard them for the 1 millionth time!

Best Names – There are some good names out there on NFL rosters, someone should highlight them.

Shocking - Painfully obvious statements and news. When you hear it, you think, well duh, are they really that dumb?

Super Bust watch - follow two teams picked throughout the season and their chances for the Super Bust. When we reveal our entrants, we will go over this again. Oh how I wish they'd play this game!

There will be others as well; this is just merely a taste.

Idiot of the week – A personal favorite I am happy to see back. Players, coaches, broadcasters, league officials and others attached to the NFL are all eligible. No idiot this week, everyone is trying too hard to keep their head down before week one.

Bye week teams – Here we’ll list the teams with the week off, and what they will do with the time and what they should do with it. We will not see this one for a few weeks, and it will be gone before the end of the season, much like Cadbury eggs.

Slate of games and picks – The section that started it all. Here we try to pick the winners and losers week in and week out in an attempt to show some football acumen. Here we look at each game, find a thread regarding each match up to explore, and then shoot in the dark to pick a winner as usual. As an added feature, this season we will add their season records as well as team records for match ups.


And that is it, ladies and gentlemen, our preview of things to come here for 2007. So now take this weekend to relax, barbeque, hit the beach, rivers and pools. Soak in the last bits of summer, because next week, it begins. See you then!