This is an article I originally wrote for Florida A&M University's campus paper. It appears in the 11/24/03 edition of The FAMUAN
Questions From Today's Sports World
-by Hakimu Davidson
Since I started writing for The Famuan, I've received a lot of positive feedback and occasionally some questions. Here are some of the more interesting ones:
Young Hakimu, what do you think about Jay-Z trying to buy the New Jersey Nets and P. Diddy trying to buy the New York Knicks? Holla! - S. Carter, Brooklyn, NY
It's great as long as Jay-Z doesn't move the Nets to Marcy Projects in Brooklyn. Perhaps they will do an MTV special called "Making the Team" so we can watch Diddy make his players run 26.2 miles to get him cheesecake when they lose a game. The most important question is: will the Roc-A-Wear or Sean John jerseys look better?
Will Eli Manning win the Heisman? I hope he doesn't get screwed like his brother did back at Tennessee. - P. Manning, Indianapolis, IN
Eli Manning is the MVP of college football, with or without Ole Miss winning the SEC Title. He has good competition in Phillip Rivers at N.C. State and Larry Fitzgerald at Pittsburgh, but Eli's got my (fantasy) vote. Given the nasty habits of Heisman voters, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White might steal it, at which point we should invade Oklahoma.
What's up with this zone defense thing? It's ruining the NBA! - T. McGrady, Orlando, FL
Bad shooters and children who turn professional too early are ruining the NBA, not zone defense. Who came up with "illegal defense" anyway? That sounds like something a weapons dealer should be charged with, not a basketball term. Go practice your shooting!
How could they give the National League MVP to Barry Bonds? I think Albert Pujols should have won! - S. Sosa, Chicago, IL
It doesn't matter what you think! Barry Bonds is the man. Everyone knows it. Pujols will win many MVP awards - as soon as Bonds retires.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't win another game without their best receiver. They should've just thrown him the ball and they wouldn't have a losing record. - K. Johnson, Los Angeles, CA.
That's not true. No one player is bigger than the team. Keyshawn Johnson may be a good receiver, but he's better at being a selfish idiot and disappearing in big games.
What is this I hear about FAMU being in a contest for ugliest uniform at ESPN.com's Page 2? This is unacceptable. - F. Gainous, Tallahassee, FL
What's unacceptable is that our uniforms look like we raided Miami and Florida's equipment rooms for jerseys and helmets. I like the Orange Blossom Classic throwbacks the old school players wore for the 25th Anniversary of the 1-AA Championship myself. In defense of Page 2, they are the same people who wrote an article about FAMU having "The Best Band in the Land. The good news is that we are supposed to be getting a new logo and uniforms next year.
How 'bout them Sooners? No one can stop them! - B. Stoops, Norman, Okla.
I can see them winning the Sugar Bowl, which is cool because when FAMU beats them next year we'd be ranked #1. Just remember, no team is unbeatable. For proof, I refer you to Miami's loss in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Go Rattlers!
Monday, November 24, 2003
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Death by Fantasy Football
This is an article I originally wrote for Florida A&M University's campus paper. It appears in the 11/19/03 edition of The FAMUAN
Reality Meets Fantasy Football
-By Hakimu Davidson
I used to like NFL football. There was nothing better than sitting down in front of the TV on a Sunday afternoon and watching the gridiron battles.
As long as the games were entertaining, it didn't really matter who won or lost - except when the Washington Redskins were playing.
Well, those days are over.
Now, thanks to fantasy football, Sunday is a work day and I have a job - a frustrating and emotionally draining job with no vacation, holidays, or weekends off.
I signed up for fantasy football for the first time last year. It seemed like fun, but I probably should've known something was wrong when I found myself screaming things like "throw it to Peerless Price!" at my television screen.
Regardless, beginner's luck propelled me to the playoffs in all 3 of my leagues and championships in 2 of them.
This year is different.
I am playing against my friends in a Yahoo! League, making the stakes extra high. My team, "Simply the Best," is 8-2 and in first place. It's still good, clean fun, but scoreboard watching is starting to wear me out - it's too much of an emotional rollercoaster.
Fantasy football is the stock market of the sports world, and I feel like a day trader. One minute we're up, the next we are getting blown out, and then we make a dramatic comeback for the win.
Stop the madness.
My priorities as a fan are all out of whack. I wasn't nearly as upset about the Redskins losing this week than I was about Daunte Culpepper committing five turnovers.
No longer do I cheer solely based on likes and dislikes. This is a business and I need wins.
It wasn't that long ago that fantasy owners were just a small number of sports stat geeks, now it's gone so far that ESPN, CBS and FOX have changed the way they present game info, focusing more on individual player stats and producing segments shelling out fantasy advice, which is usually wrong. It's come a long way since the first fantasy draft in an Oakland bar in 1963.
The natural appeal of running your own team means fantasy football is here to stay, but I am giving you fair warning - its not for the weak of heart or noncommittal.
You can do all the research in the world, start all the best players the NFL has to offer, and still lose because you didn't start the right players.
Like baseball guru Yogi Berra said, "It's hard making predictions, especially about the future."
I'd write more except I have to conduct research for my lineup this week. This job never ends.
Reality Meets Fantasy Football
-By Hakimu Davidson
I used to like NFL football. There was nothing better than sitting down in front of the TV on a Sunday afternoon and watching the gridiron battles.
As long as the games were entertaining, it didn't really matter who won or lost - except when the Washington Redskins were playing.
Well, those days are over.
Now, thanks to fantasy football, Sunday is a work day and I have a job - a frustrating and emotionally draining job with no vacation, holidays, or weekends off.
I signed up for fantasy football for the first time last year. It seemed like fun, but I probably should've known something was wrong when I found myself screaming things like "throw it to Peerless Price!" at my television screen.
Regardless, beginner's luck propelled me to the playoffs in all 3 of my leagues and championships in 2 of them.
This year is different.
I am playing against my friends in a Yahoo! League, making the stakes extra high. My team, "Simply the Best," is 8-2 and in first place. It's still good, clean fun, but scoreboard watching is starting to wear me out - it's too much of an emotional rollercoaster.
Fantasy football is the stock market of the sports world, and I feel like a day trader. One minute we're up, the next we are getting blown out, and then we make a dramatic comeback for the win.
Stop the madness.
My priorities as a fan are all out of whack. I wasn't nearly as upset about the Redskins losing this week than I was about Daunte Culpepper committing five turnovers.
No longer do I cheer solely based on likes and dislikes. This is a business and I need wins.
It wasn't that long ago that fantasy owners were just a small number of sports stat geeks, now it's gone so far that ESPN, CBS and FOX have changed the way they present game info, focusing more on individual player stats and producing segments shelling out fantasy advice, which is usually wrong. It's come a long way since the first fantasy draft in an Oakland bar in 1963.
The natural appeal of running your own team means fantasy football is here to stay, but I am giving you fair warning - its not for the weak of heart or noncommittal.
You can do all the research in the world, start all the best players the NFL has to offer, and still lose because you didn't start the right players.
Like baseball guru Yogi Berra said, "It's hard making predictions, especially about the future."
I'd write more except I have to conduct research for my lineup this week. This job never ends.
Monday, November 3, 2003
NFL Replay Needs Review
This is an article I originally wrote for the Florida A&M University campus paper. It appears in the 11/3/03 edition of The FAMUAN.
Three years ago when the NFL adopted the instant replay system, fans cheered. It was to be the end of all bad calls and no blind referee would ever cost his or her team a victory again.Well, at least in theory.
In practice, the system is fatally flawed and it takes professional training to understand the rules on what can and cannot be reviewed.
A fumble can't be looked at if the whistle had already blown. Subjective calls such as pass interference and holding can't be reviewed at all.
Even NFL coaches have a hard time remembering the nuisances of the system. It is now a common occurrence to see an enraged head coach toss his red challenge flag onto the field, only to have the referee return it to him.
In all fairness, the league office determined that only plays involving field position and possession could be reviewed in order to avoid chaos and challenges on every play. In general that would be fine but they can't even get that right.
The NFL had to issue an official apology to the New Orleans Saints for three critical calls that may have likely given them a victory over the Carolina Panthers this season. The league admitted missing a safety call, an incorrect pass interference call and then a blown defensive holding call in overtime. The Saints lost 23-20 in overtime.
The league office is also overly paranoid and incapable of handling criticism. NFL rules allow fining for direct criticism of officials, but not the replay system. So when Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick went on a rant and called for "dumping" replay in its current form, they went back and found an incident to fine him for.
That wouldn't be necessary if the NFL were more open to fixing replay instead of defending it. The NFL has a track record of weird rules affecting the outcome of games. Remember the "Tuck Rule" call that kept the New England Patriots from losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers on their way to the Super Bowl two years ago? That rule is still on the books.
What about "running into the kicker" or better yet, that "leaping" call on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that gave the Indianapolis Colts a second chance at a game winning field goal earlier this year?
Protecting vulnerable players - such as a punt returner who is focused on the ball or a kicker whose leg is extended - is good. Asinine rules that take it too far and hurt the game is unacceptable. While these issues don't seem to be causing the NFL to lose any fans, it doesn't mean they shouldn't take action. The league office must find a way to fix it and implement a more "true" replay system.
Replay is up for a renewal vote during the offseason and as more and more teams fall victim to the system, they announce intentions to vote against continuing it. That would be the ultimate bad call.
Three years ago when the NFL adopted the instant replay system, fans cheered. It was to be the end of all bad calls and no blind referee would ever cost his or her team a victory again.Well, at least in theory.
In practice, the system is fatally flawed and it takes professional training to understand the rules on what can and cannot be reviewed.
A fumble can't be looked at if the whistle had already blown. Subjective calls such as pass interference and holding can't be reviewed at all.
Even NFL coaches have a hard time remembering the nuisances of the system. It is now a common occurrence to see an enraged head coach toss his red challenge flag onto the field, only to have the referee return it to him.
In all fairness, the league office determined that only plays involving field position and possession could be reviewed in order to avoid chaos and challenges on every play. In general that would be fine but they can't even get that right.
The NFL had to issue an official apology to the New Orleans Saints for three critical calls that may have likely given them a victory over the Carolina Panthers this season. The league admitted missing a safety call, an incorrect pass interference call and then a blown defensive holding call in overtime. The Saints lost 23-20 in overtime.
The league office is also overly paranoid and incapable of handling criticism. NFL rules allow fining for direct criticism of officials, but not the replay system. So when Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick went on a rant and called for "dumping" replay in its current form, they went back and found an incident to fine him for.
That wouldn't be necessary if the NFL were more open to fixing replay instead of defending it. The NFL has a track record of weird rules affecting the outcome of games. Remember the "Tuck Rule" call that kept the New England Patriots from losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers on their way to the Super Bowl two years ago? That rule is still on the books.
What about "running into the kicker" or better yet, that "leaping" call on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that gave the Indianapolis Colts a second chance at a game winning field goal earlier this year?
Protecting vulnerable players - such as a punt returner who is focused on the ball or a kicker whose leg is extended - is good. Asinine rules that take it too far and hurt the game is unacceptable. While these issues don't seem to be causing the NFL to lose any fans, it doesn't mean they shouldn't take action. The league office must find a way to fix it and implement a more "true" replay system.
Replay is up for a renewal vote during the offseason and as more and more teams fall victim to the system, they announce intentions to vote against continuing it. That would be the ultimate bad call.
Monday, October 27, 2003
The BCS Isn't ALL Bad
This is an article I originally wrote for Florida A&M University's campus paper. It appears in the 10/27/03 edition of The FAMUAN
Today marks the second week of the 2003 Bowl Championship Series rankings. The BCS has taken a load of criticism over the years, and while some is deserved, the much maligned system is not all bad.
Yes, it would be nice to see a playoff added to Division 1-A football, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. The BCS conferences have all the power and like the bowl system and its financial benefits the way it is.Each team in last year's Orange, Rose, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls made $14.3 million. The most any non-BCS conference school saw was the $1.37 million Liberty Bowl payout.
The BCS was created for one reason - to see the best two teams in the nation play for the national championship. It has accomplished just that.
Last year's Ohio State - Miami contest would have been impossible without the BCS in place because as Big Ten champions, Ohio State would have been obligated to play Washington State in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes and Hurricanes could have both easily remained undefeated and split the national championship.
Split championships are un-American.
Not having a playoff and letting a computer pick title contenders is also un-American but not as reprehensible as a split title. I will not pretend the BCS hasn't produced some laughable results like Nebraska's entry into the 2001 title game against Miami, but everyone ahead of Nebraska in the polls lost late in the season.
The bottom line is this - win all of your games and you will play for the national championship . unless you play in a non-BCS conference. That is inherently unfair, and the smaller schools have taken the battle to Congress and the courts.
The conference shuffleboard that started with Miami, Virginia Tech, and now Boston College leaving the Big East and more recently saw Utah State and New Mexico State leave the Sun Belt for the Western Athletic Conference could end up leveling the competitive landscape.
As the major conferences consolidate, teams will need to look outside of the BCS to schedule opponents. There are only so many Sun Belt teams to play, so the stronger mid-major conferences like the Mid-American Conference and Conference-USA will get more chances at the big powerhouse teams that were able to avoid them before.
I suspect we will be seeing a lot more teams perform the way Northern Illinois has in the near future.
Today marks the second week of the 2003 Bowl Championship Series rankings. The BCS has taken a load of criticism over the years, and while some is deserved, the much maligned system is not all bad.
Yes, it would be nice to see a playoff added to Division 1-A football, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. The BCS conferences have all the power and like the bowl system and its financial benefits the way it is.Each team in last year's Orange, Rose, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls made $14.3 million. The most any non-BCS conference school saw was the $1.37 million Liberty Bowl payout.
The BCS was created for one reason - to see the best two teams in the nation play for the national championship. It has accomplished just that.
Last year's Ohio State - Miami contest would have been impossible without the BCS in place because as Big Ten champions, Ohio State would have been obligated to play Washington State in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes and Hurricanes could have both easily remained undefeated and split the national championship.
Split championships are un-American.
Not having a playoff and letting a computer pick title contenders is also un-American but not as reprehensible as a split title. I will not pretend the BCS hasn't produced some laughable results like Nebraska's entry into the 2001 title game against Miami, but everyone ahead of Nebraska in the polls lost late in the season.
The bottom line is this - win all of your games and you will play for the national championship . unless you play in a non-BCS conference. That is inherently unfair, and the smaller schools have taken the battle to Congress and the courts.
The conference shuffleboard that started with Miami, Virginia Tech, and now Boston College leaving the Big East and more recently saw Utah State and New Mexico State leave the Sun Belt for the Western Athletic Conference could end up leveling the competitive landscape.
As the major conferences consolidate, teams will need to look outside of the BCS to schedule opponents. There are only so many Sun Belt teams to play, so the stronger mid-major conferences like the Mid-American Conference and Conference-USA will get more chances at the big powerhouse teams that were able to avoid them before.
I suspect we will be seeing a lot more teams perform the way Northern Illinois has in the near future.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Cubs and Red Sox To The Rescue
This is an article I originally wrote for Florida A&M University's campus paper. It appears in the 10/15/03 edition of The FAMUAN
America loves a winner. So what's going on during this year's Major League Baseball playoffs is nothing short of amazing.
The Chicago Cubs, the original Lovable Losers, have awaken a nation of hibernating fans through the sheer possibility of making their first World Series since 1945. It's not just longtime fans either - the Cubs are now "America's Team."
So now that "Cubs Fever" has swept the nation, is the national pastime back?
I wouldn't be so sure.
Whether or not the Cubs win it all and end "The Curse of the Billy Goat," or if the Red Sox can beat the New York Yankees and remove "The Curse of the Bambino," the most important thing is what MLB does next. Yes, people are paying attention, attending games, and ratings are up, but we have seen all of this before.
Pure greed poisoned professional baseball from within and caused the 1994 strike and World Series cancellation. Fans have given baseball several opportunities to make amends, and MLB just keeps on spoiling the fun.
Cal Ripken, Jr.'s quest to break the consecutive games played streak, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa - and later Barry Bonds - going after the single-season home run record provided a spark to fan interest, but MLB leadership failed to capitalize on any of that momentum.
Many ideas circulate about what can help baseball recapture its old glory.
Some propose an end to the designated hitter, the Questec umpire evaluation system and salary arbitration. Others call for revenue sharing, a salary cap, reformed draft, and shorter games.
In truth, it really comes down to money. The haves (Yankees, Atlanta Braves) are light years ahead of the have-nots (Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays) who cannot field a competitive team for any sustained period of time. Instead of providing a feasible financial structure for small market and big market teams to compete, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called for contraction of the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins. This was properly ridiculed by fans and media, considering Washington, DC and Portland, OR have actively sought teams for years.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has shown that getting everyone (players union, owners, league office, referees, broadcasting networks) on the same page to promote true competition results in a huge national following, and lots of revenue from attendance, merchandise and big TV contracts.
Today, football is America's passion.
Perhaps Mr. Selig should call Mr. Tagliabue and ask for an internship.
America loves a winner. So what's going on during this year's Major League Baseball playoffs is nothing short of amazing.
The Chicago Cubs, the original Lovable Losers, have awaken a nation of hibernating fans through the sheer possibility of making their first World Series since 1945. It's not just longtime fans either - the Cubs are now "America's Team."
So now that "Cubs Fever" has swept the nation, is the national pastime back?
I wouldn't be so sure.
Whether or not the Cubs win it all and end "The Curse of the Billy Goat," or if the Red Sox can beat the New York Yankees and remove "The Curse of the Bambino," the most important thing is what MLB does next. Yes, people are paying attention, attending games, and ratings are up, but we have seen all of this before.
Pure greed poisoned professional baseball from within and caused the 1994 strike and World Series cancellation. Fans have given baseball several opportunities to make amends, and MLB just keeps on spoiling the fun.
Cal Ripken, Jr.'s quest to break the consecutive games played streak, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa - and later Barry Bonds - going after the single-season home run record provided a spark to fan interest, but MLB leadership failed to capitalize on any of that momentum.
Many ideas circulate about what can help baseball recapture its old glory.
Some propose an end to the designated hitter, the Questec umpire evaluation system and salary arbitration. Others call for revenue sharing, a salary cap, reformed draft, and shorter games.
In truth, it really comes down to money. The haves (Yankees, Atlanta Braves) are light years ahead of the have-nots (Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays) who cannot field a competitive team for any sustained period of time. Instead of providing a feasible financial structure for small market and big market teams to compete, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called for contraction of the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins. This was properly ridiculed by fans and media, considering Washington, DC and Portland, OR have actively sought teams for years.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has shown that getting everyone (players union, owners, league office, referees, broadcasting networks) on the same page to promote true competition results in a huge national following, and lots of revenue from attendance, merchandise and big TV contracts.
Today, football is America's passion.
Perhaps Mr. Selig should call Mr. Tagliabue and ask for an internship.
Monday, October 6, 2003
FAMU Should Go With C-USA
This is an article I originally wrote for Florida A&M University's campus paper. It appears in the 10/6/03 edition of The FAMUAN
No Time To Wait
-By Hakimu Davidson
The shakeup of college football conferences has produced a domino effect that could help FAMU in a big way. That is, if we act quickly enough.
A big decision in our move to Division 1-A involves conference affiliation. Conference USA, the Sun Belt Conference and football independence are the three main options.
While considering this decision, it is important not to sell ourselves short. FAMU brings to the table a football program with strong tradition, a recruiting presence in Florida, our own television contract and a proven attendance draw in the Marching 100.
Conference USA is the best choice. It fits us geographically, has five financially lucrative bowl game bids and competitive teams.
It could also use our help.
C-USA may be losing Louisville and Cincinnati to the Big East. Army is also leaving the conference. Thus, C-USA will need to replace these football programs for its own survival.
FAMU will have to make a move soon.
According to ESPN.com, C-USA is already in negotiations to bring in Southern Methodist, Rice and Tulsa. Assuming all three join, FAMU's addition would give C-USA 12 teams in 2005 and the ability to host a revenue generating conference championship game.
FAMU already exceeds the attendance requirements of 1-A, but to fill the soon-to-be expanded Bragg Stadium, it would be wise to play regional rivals. Both University of Southern Florida in Tampa and University of Alabama-Birmingham are in Conference USA.
It's conceivable that it will not work and we will be looking for other options. In that case, we must play as an independent because it must be said: FAMU is too good for the Sun Belt.
Joining them would clearly defeat the purpose of moving to 1-A. We can schedule four home games on our own. The Sun Belt desperately needs FAMU. However, we would get next-to-nothing in return.
NCAA attendance figures show Sun Belt teams averaged 13,126 fans for home games in 2002.
FAMU attracts 20,000 to home games and 70,000 to Atlanta and Orlando classics.
Furthermore, the Sun Belt is a bad fit for us geographically with teams like New Mexico State and Utah State. Competitively, they only get one bowl bid.
Conference USA actually sends its fifth place team to play the Sun Belt champion. That clearly shows the difference in level of play.
FAMU could join the Sun Belt and dominate immediately, but we'd be better off scheduling them as homecoming opponents and playing Troy State annually as a regional rival.
In my own perfect world, FAMU would be in an eight team conference with the other black schools that could conceivably make the jump to 1-A: Southern, Grambling, Jackson State, Tennessee State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, and Alabama State.
I'd call it the Big League Athletic Conference.
But as always, FAMU is the leader among HBCUs, and it is up to us to show them the way. Until that day, it's Conference USA all the way.
No Time To Wait
-By Hakimu Davidson
The shakeup of college football conferences has produced a domino effect that could help FAMU in a big way. That is, if we act quickly enough.
A big decision in our move to Division 1-A involves conference affiliation. Conference USA, the Sun Belt Conference and football independence are the three main options.
While considering this decision, it is important not to sell ourselves short. FAMU brings to the table a football program with strong tradition, a recruiting presence in Florida, our own television contract and a proven attendance draw in the Marching 100.
Conference USA is the best choice. It fits us geographically, has five financially lucrative bowl game bids and competitive teams.
It could also use our help.
C-USA may be losing Louisville and Cincinnati to the Big East. Army is also leaving the conference. Thus, C-USA will need to replace these football programs for its own survival.
FAMU will have to make a move soon.
According to ESPN.com, C-USA is already in negotiations to bring in Southern Methodist, Rice and Tulsa. Assuming all three join, FAMU's addition would give C-USA 12 teams in 2005 and the ability to host a revenue generating conference championship game.
FAMU already exceeds the attendance requirements of 1-A, but to fill the soon-to-be expanded Bragg Stadium, it would be wise to play regional rivals. Both University of Southern Florida in Tampa and University of Alabama-Birmingham are in Conference USA.
It's conceivable that it will not work and we will be looking for other options. In that case, we must play as an independent because it must be said: FAMU is too good for the Sun Belt.
Joining them would clearly defeat the purpose of moving to 1-A. We can schedule four home games on our own. The Sun Belt desperately needs FAMU. However, we would get next-to-nothing in return.
NCAA attendance figures show Sun Belt teams averaged 13,126 fans for home games in 2002.
FAMU attracts 20,000 to home games and 70,000 to Atlanta and Orlando classics.
Furthermore, the Sun Belt is a bad fit for us geographically with teams like New Mexico State and Utah State. Competitively, they only get one bowl bid.
Conference USA actually sends its fifth place team to play the Sun Belt champion. That clearly shows the difference in level of play.
FAMU could join the Sun Belt and dominate immediately, but we'd be better off scheduling them as homecoming opponents and playing Troy State annually as a regional rival.
In my own perfect world, FAMU would be in an eight team conference with the other black schools that could conceivably make the jump to 1-A: Southern, Grambling, Jackson State, Tennessee State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, and Alabama State.
I'd call it the Big League Athletic Conference.
But as always, FAMU is the leader among HBCUs, and it is up to us to show them the way. Until that day, it's Conference USA all the way.
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