tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61787043305542460722024-03-08T07:11:40.755-08:00Glen's MusingsGlenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571719564814833586noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178704330554246072.post-41882531681289167492011-05-09T15:37:00.000-07:002011-05-13T12:35:05.514-07:00A PROPOSAL TO REORGANIZE THE NFL ACCORDING TO NICKNAMES<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now that the NFL draft is over, football season is right around the corner (if the minor details of the labor dispute can be reconciled). Time to root for your home team! In my case, that would be my beloved Cleveland Browns, having been born and having spent my formative years in Cleveland, with a lifelong, and somewhat soul-crushing, allegiance to all the Cleveland teams. Go Browns! Go Indians! Go Cavaliers! Sigh!</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The National Football League does so many things well, all of which you probably know, being a true fan. But the current placement of teams in their respective divisions is not one of the success stories of the NFL. I will admit I do like the symmetry of the league, with 32 teams, divided into 2 conferences, with 4 divisions in each conference of 4 teams each. That is geometrically aesthetic, as opposed to the asymmetrical mess of baseball, for example, where there are 30 teams, unevenly separated into two conferences of 14 and 16 teams with divisions ranging from 4 to 6 teams each. “Bud, do you know basic arithmetic?”</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now, when the NFL went to the 8 division arrangement a few years ago, part of the placement was based on historical rivalries, such as the Cowboys and the Redskins. But we'll ignore that and focus on the main rationale for the divisions: <u>geographical placement</u>. The divisions are neatly labeled "East," "North," "South," and "West," – reflecting what are, the last time I looked, the four directions on a compass. And some of the teams are rightly placed – certainly, generally speaking, New York is usually thought of as "East," Minnesota as "North," New Orleans as "South," and Arizona as "West." But Indianapolis in the AFC "South"!! I have lived in Florida and Texas, and currently live in Indiana, and believe me, by no stretch of the imagination is Indianapolis "South." One winter in Indiana will dissuade anybody of such misguided thinking. In fact, the whole AFC South division is a hodge-podge; one would think that if the teams are geographically determined, they should be somewhat close to each other. Arguably, Nashville, Jacksonville, and Houston are all "South," but each is at least 500 miles from any of the others, hardly fostering neighborly rivalries. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The divisions offer many other examples of irrational geographical placement. What in the world is Miami doing in the AFC East division with cities such as New York, Buffalo, and Boston, all of whom are over 1000 miles to the North? Wouldn't it make more sense to have Miami in the same "South" division with Jacksonville, for example? I understand Miami is on the East coast, strictly speaking, but most reasonable people think "South" rather than "East" when Miami comes to mind. Similarly, how is Dallas in the "East" and St. Louis in the "West?" St. Louis may be the “Gateway to the West,” but it is hardly adjacent to Arizona, California, or Washington.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time, therefore, to scratch the current nonsensical set-up which is decidedly not based on geography. I propose a new and exciting model – one based on team nicknames!! Yes, nicknames. All teams have one or they couldn't compete. Fans identify with nicknames (sometimes choosing them in contests), and even dressing up like their namesake to attend games. Teams often have really cool visuals on their helmets reflecting for whom (or what) they are named (see the Cleveland Browns for a notable exception). Sportswriters use nicknames to inspire the headlines of their stories, after a team win or loss, such as: "Bears maul Packers" or "Broncos stampede Titans” or “Saints venerate Bills.” And, while a team may move from city to city, they often will maintain the same nickname (see Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts or Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams) thereby maintaining identity continuity during geographic change (see Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans for a notable exception). </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is the nicknames by which fans identify with their teams and it is nicknames by which the teams should identify with each other in their respective divisions and conferences. Here, therefore, is my new set of divisions, within two new conferences, all based on team nicknames:</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">ANIMAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (AFC)</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><u>BIRD</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"><u> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">DIVISION</span></span></u> </span><u>CAT</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"><u> D<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">IVISION</span></span></u> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Arizona Cardinals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Carolina Panthers<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Atlanta Falcons<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cincinnati Bengals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Philadelphia Eagles<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Detroit Lions<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Seattle Seahawks<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jacksonville Jaguars<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><u>MAMMAL</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><u> DIVISION</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><u>HUMAN DIVISION</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Chicago Bears<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Baltimore Ravens</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Denver Broncos<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Buffalo Bills</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Indianapolis Colts<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cleveland Browns</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">St. Louis Rams<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Miami Dolphins</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">GROUP FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (GFC)</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><u>FRONTIER</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><u> </u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><u>DIVISION </u> </span> </span><u>VILLAIN </u><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"><u> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">DIVISION</span></u></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Dallas Cowboys<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Minnesota Vikings<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Houston Texans<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>New York Giants<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Kansas City Chiefs<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oakland Raiders<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Washington Redskins<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tampa Bay Buccaneers<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><u>HERO </u><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><u>DIVISION </u></span></span> </span><u>WORKER<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">DIVISION </span></span></u></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">New England Patriots Green Bay Packers</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">New Orleans Saints<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>New York Jets</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">San Diego Chargers<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pittsburgh Steelers</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Tennessee Titans<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>San Francisco 49ers</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The Animal Football Conference consists of three divisions of strictly non-human</span> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">animals and one division of (mostly) human animals. We start with the "Bird" division, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">consisting of the "Cardinals," "Falcons," "Eagles," and "Seahawks." A delightful division of avian artistry! Now, fans can see, twice a season, whether a Cardinal can consistently beat an Eagle, or who would win between a Falcon and a Seahawk. One would surmise that the flocks in this division would have devastating "air" attacks, and their division games would be high scoring affairs. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We move to the "Cat" division, filled with feline fortitude with the "Panthers," "Jaguars," "Lions," and "Bengals." As natural hunters and predatory animals, each team in this division can be expected to try to "claw" their way to the top by preying on their division rivals. We will finally find out, on a seasonal basis, which is superior – a “pride of lions” or a “streak of (bengal) tigers.” These games will also be marked by stealth and cunning, though there may be excessive time-outs for grooming and coughing up hair balls. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next is the "Mammal" division (or the "non-cat" and "non-human" mammal division) </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">with the "Bears," "Broncos," "Colts," and "Rams." These are all rather large and swift land </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">animals; as a result, the division games are likely to have a fair share of fast, powerful running </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">backs with the Bears and the Rams more likely to feature power rushing fullbacks and the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Broncos and Colts more nimble halfbacks who can also catch the ball with their hooves. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, our (mostly) "Human" division comprised of highly advanced humans and one highly intelligent non-human. The human teams are the “Browns," (named after Paul Brown), the "Bills" (named after the historical Buffalo Bill Cody), the "Ravens" (a bird, in name, but a tribute to Edgar Allen Poe, who died in Baltimore and penned the poem, "The Raven"), and the “Dolphins” (technically a non-human mammal, but smarter than most humans, and therefore, richly deserving of inclusion). What a division! A coach, a showman, a poet, and the smartest creature in the sea! These division games will be intellectual chess matches, pitting cognitively advanced animals against one another in exciting and unpredictable affairs. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">So that is the Animal Football Conference, comprised of birds, cats, mammals, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">humans. We now turn to our other conference, the Group Football Conference. Each of these divisions are groups of real, or mythical, people or creatures, who share common traits with each other. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The "Cowboys," "Texans," "Redskins," and "Chiefs" make up the "Frontier" division. This division is nicely divided into the Native American Chiefs and Redskins, along with the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Wild West settlers of Cowboys and Texans. These teams all reflect the proud, independent, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">and high-spirited attitude of the Western Frontier. The division maintains the on-going rivalry of the Cowboys and Redskins, while adding the natural "State of Texas" rivalry between the Texans and Cowboys, as well as the new and natural rivalry between the Redskins and the Chiefs. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The next division is comprised of groups of people or entities commonly thought of as H</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">eroes." This includes the heroes of the American Revolution, the "Patriots," as well as the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">holy helpers from New Orleans, the "Saints." Also included in the Hero division are the "Titans" and the "Chargers." The Titans, of course, are Gods from Greek mythology, who routinely did heroic deeds; given the ambiguous origins or meaning of the nickname Chargers, hero status here is based on the natural attribute of a Charger, as someone who rushes in to help another in need. At any rate, the teams in this division can be expected to compete honestly and valiantly, respecting their foes, and doing what is necessary for the common good of all. Excelsior!</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">If there is a division of "Heroes," there needs to be a division of "Villains." And so there </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">is with the "Buccaneers," "Raiders," "Vikings," and "Giants." Glorious villains all! A Buccaneer is a dastardly pirate on the high seas, while a Raider takes that which is not </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">theirs, causing mayhem in their wake. The Vikings were Norse explorers; while not pirates, per se, they were certainly seen as villains to those they encountered due to their brutal fighting ability and tendency for territorial expansion. Giants are almost always villains, whether in "Jack and the Beanstalk" or Greek mythology. We can expect ferocious battles within this division of villains, with each team attempting to achieve victory by any means necessary, using subterfuge, deception, or general chicanery. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Finally, we come to our "Worker" division comprised of teams doing an honest season's work for an honest season's pay (if, by honest season, most of us are earning over a million dollars a year.). There are those teams named after workers in Packing companies ("Packers"), the Steel Industry ("Steelers"), and pioneers who worked their way out west in search of gold ("49ers"). Also in this division are the "Jets," named after all the hardworking planes that toil while transporting us from place to place. While the games between these divisional rivals won't be glamorous, you can expect 60 minutes of honest effort during each and every football game. And, even more hard work should the game go into overtime!</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">There are many advantages to this new system; rather than the best teams emerging from arbitrarily placed divisions, loosely based on geography, at the end of the regular season, the best teams will now be those who are victorious over truly similar divisional opponents. And, two teams will then proudly represent their respective conferences, as the best Animal and the best Group in the Super Bowl. I look forward to the NFL reviewing, and implementing, this change for the 2011-2012 season. Please write to the NFL representative in your district. And Go Go Go advanced Human, majestic Animal, Browns!</span></div></div>Glenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571719564814833586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178704330554246072.post-18841234107362781432011-04-28T13:25:00.000-07:002011-05-11T06:21:19.725-07:00DRAFT DAY 2011<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">DRAFT DAY 2011</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">DAFT DAY IN THE NFL: THE FORCED ROUND</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Loaner, Coax, and Genial Maneuver of an NFL team are in their main office complex during the NFL daft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are disgusting the pretentious strayers they might take with their daft picks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are on the clock in the forced round. </span><br />
<br />
Loaner: "Well, toys, here we are. How deriding! Who we choose today could reject our <br />
team for fears to come."<br />
<br />
Coax: "Yes. We greed to make sure we make the right derisions. We don't<br />
want to make a mystique and choose the wrong strayer."<br />
<br />
General Maneuver: "What's our daft philosoply? Should we daft for greed or take the <br />
boast assailable strayer?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">C: </span>“Hmmm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a crude g</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">uess dumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stink we should do both.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I decree.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forced round is our most impotent round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s where you find your blue-chip strayers, the strayers that can totally derange your team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my oppression, we despicably greed a quarrelback!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I decree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about him? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Points to a name on sheet). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strayers like that don’t glum around very awful.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Danks for digressing your oppugnion but I don’t stink so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His altitude is a guess dumb mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I wander if he has a leave of the game.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I decree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wander about him too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about him? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Points to another name). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a fizzle specimen with a leave of the game. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stink he’s a blue-chip suspect.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Does he have a strong harm?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can sass the ball seventy lards.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Crude. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What perplexity of his sasses does he covert?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“In collage, he coverted 60 perplex.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s amusing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was he a crude student in collage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of greens did he yearn?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He was a crass act at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He yearned crude greens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his juncture year, he had street heys and one breeze!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Accident!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accident!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was his mojo in collage?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“His mojo was hysteria.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mere icon hysteria or weird hysteria?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I stink weird.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Okay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are his sassing mess antics?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Party crude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Party crude.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How is his fretwork?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Accident!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fretwork is accident!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And his pocket pretense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can he sway in the pocket?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“His pocket pretense is crude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Starts a video and excitedly points to it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here he is taking a blonde-sized hit from a muddle goldbricker.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pounced right back up after that blonde-side hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what a quirk relapse he has. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very repressive.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, toys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stink I have most of my guess dumbs lancered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there any sting else?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can he stray through perjury?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s a crude guess dumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In collage, he never got perjured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we’re not pure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, he’s a beg toy.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GM:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, I’m convulsed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stink he’s a furor hall of fumer!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Excitedly). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Me too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strayers like him don’t glum around very awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toys, I stink we frowned our fun sized quarrelback!!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">C:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then we’re all in appeasement; he’s our buy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How deriding!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Loaner informs the league of their pick. There are high fives and hand shaking all around.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alright, shallows, let’s groove on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the sickened round, where should we turn our attrition?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></div>Glenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16571719564814833586noreply@blogger.com0