Replacement Refs; New NCAA Helmet rule; The NFL and DNC

This new helmet rule by the NCAA has its good and bad sides. The good side is that it promotes safety for the players and actually forces them to properly fasten a helmet. The bad side is, it can now be used as a strategy to knock the helmet off of players, even impact players, for one play. Tajh Boyd had his helmet come loose 3 times in the Auburn game. It really didn't factor into the game by any means, but on a game changing drive it could. My point is, I understand the rule, but it can easily be exploited, and anyone would be smart to do so.

I find all of the conversations about the NFL referee situation kind of comical. Are the replacement referees bad? Yes. However, aren't we still going to complain about missed or blown calls with the good refs? I understand the players concerns about someone could get hurt in regards to missed penalty calls. Nevertheless, we still need referees to have a game. Eventually a deal is going to be done, Roger Goodell holds all the cards.

The National Democratic party is not as confident as Courage Wolf when it comes to President Obama making his acceptance speech at Bank of America stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. Due to strong weather coming in Thursday, they moved it back to the Time Warner Arena, home of the Charlotte Bobcats. Rush Limbaugh said on his radio program that it maybe a ploy because they may not be able to pack out the 73,000 seat stadium. As easy as it is to come to that conclusion, I'll keep watch with an open eye. Watching the Convention has actually been comical. 

Exhibit A:;

You might be asking, why are you talking politics on a sports blog? Bear with me, watching this video reminded me of NFL referees. As much as we complain about the replacements, the professionals had their moments and this one reminded me of the platform vote:

The Time Warner Arena is the home of the Democratic National Convention, and giving the track record of the Charlotte Bobcats, the home team hasn't won that much lately. Democrats, I keed! But if you're bent out of shape over this paragraph send me your hate mail to onthemarksradio@gmail.com

Patience is a virtue for the Washington Nationals

Okay, I was wrong about the Washington Nationals, they stuck around to have one of the best records in the National League. With the conversations going on about a Stephen Strasburg shutdown, in order to protect his arm due to Tommy John surgery, I don't think the Nationals thought they would be in the hunt either.

I think it is a wise move. The Nationals do have depth in their rotation. They can compete in the playoffs with or without him. Why risk doing further injury to your golden child's arm for the sake of one season when the Nationals, who've drafted well and made some good off-season moves, can work on competing in the long road. If Strasburg gets hurts and the Nationals don't get a ring, then it was all for nothing, right?

With all of the money they're paying Strasburg, I think they'd like to have him around for more games in 2013 and years to come. Davey Johnson is making the right move.

What if they shut him down and Nationals miss the playoffs? 1) That probably won't happen 2) If they do, the only people that are going to be upset are the radicals fans in DC.

We expected Washington to be a better team this year, but some may have not expected them to be running away with the NL East.

Keep the arm healthy and strengthen it up more in the offseason and he'll be better than ever in 2013. No need to risk a career for the sake of one playoff run.

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OTM College Football Review: Week 1

After 8 months of off the field drama, playoff debate, and a sprinkle of conference realignment, football was actually played on the field last night, and it didn't disappoint, unless you're a Big Ten fan not rooting for a team called Nebraska.

The fall of Penn State continues and this time it begins on the field. Happy Valley is no longer a happy valley and probably won't be for a very long time. I admire what Bill O'Brien is trying to do to shake the ghost of Joe Paterno and the shadow of the Jerry Sandusky trial. However, it's going to be a steep uphill climb. The Big Ten, for the most part was an embarassment. Penn St falling to Ohio, Iowa escaping Northern Illinois, Wisconsin squeaking by Northern Iowa, Indiana barely pulling away from Indiana State, and Michigan getting dismantled by Alabama. Unless you root for Purdue, Michigan St, or Nebraska, you should be embarassed.

The Big XII for the most part beat the teams they were suppose to. West Virginia and Oklahoma St put on great performances, Texas and Oklahoma's were very lackluster. Right now my pick for West Virginia winning the Big XII is looking really good.

Pitt really embarassed The Big East by losing to Youngstown St. by double-digits. Syracuse were so close, yet so far away, against Syracuse. Louisville looks to be the cream of the crop in the Big East. Watch out for Rutgers this season.

The Pac-12 did nothing to really wow me. Oregon dropped 50 on Arkansas St in the 1st half, but only scored 7 in garbage time (2nd half) and still gave up 34 points. USC did look pretty good...but it was against Hawai'i. Mike Leach got embarassed in his debut, Colorado fell in Jim McElwain's Colorado St debut. Washington, Arizona, and Stanford escaped sub-par opponents. My theory on the Pac-12 is beginning to play out nicely.

With the exception of Clemson and Florida St, the ACC is beginning to look like the other Big East. If Florida St is back, this is the year they should show it. Clemson looked very good on offense vs. Auburn. Unless Virginia Tech can do something jawdropping, I see this as a 2 team race. With most likely Florida St coming out on top.

Finally, the SEC. Alabama looked very impressive. LSU looked like a better team on offense with Zach Mettenberger (when he was in). Kiehl Frazier showed me some potential Saturday, just has to eliminate mistakes. Florida's offense is....GOD AWFUL. Like I said, with that play, they're lucky to win 7 or 8 games. Tennessee was very impressive against NC State. This is a win that could set a great tone for the Vols, they've needed it. They're probably, after week 1, the best looking team in the East.

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