Jock Jerseys’ Flash

So your team just came off of one of the worst seasons in franchise history.  Ticket sales are projected at an all time low for the upcoming season.  The team’s superstars are grumbling and upper management is enforcing strict parking space rules at the practice field.  What can the franchise do? How do they erase the sting of a horrible season in the player’s and fan’s eyes alike?  Simple…You change your logo.

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the Detroit Lions unveiled their super amazing stimulus plan for their follow up to a disastrous 0-16 season and along with overpaying for Matthew Stafford, a quarterback who has never taken an NFL snap, they redesigned their football jerseys and logo.

So this led me to think - what is the actual effectiveness of changing the team’s logo’s, color schemes, and uniforms after a dismal season.

We will take a look at the last 2 uniform changes in each of the 3 major sports, and the impact it had following their prior season.

Major League Baseball

The Team: Tampa Bay Rays

The Year: 2007

The Record: 66-96 (.407)

What they Changed:  The Tampa Bay Devil Rays decided to see if they could get God on their side and removed the word “Devil” from their official name.

The Result: It appears that God was pleased as he beamed down a 97-65 record on them, leading them towards the promised land of the World Series.  They eventually lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, but recorded the highest win total in franchise history.

The Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Year: 2006

The Record: 76-86 (.469)

What they Changed:  The D-Backs finally joined the 20^th century and got rid of the Teal and Purple that had been their main color scheme since inception.  They went with what is described as “Sedona” red and black as their main colors.  Even if it didn’t mean more wins on the field, the color change definitely meant that less Diamondback’s fans got beat up for wearing their team’s colors.

The Result:  Diamondbacks fans had something to cheer at as their team went 90-72 and took first place in the National League West.  They swept the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS, but eventually ran into a buzz saw called the Colorado Rockies…who ironically have purple uniforms.

National Basketball Association

The Team: Atlanta Hawks

The Year: 2006-2007

The Record: 30-52 (.366)

What they Changed:  The Atlanta Hawks have had countless uniform changes over the years, but have predominantly displayed a bright red and horrible yellow look prior to their most recent change.  Their new basketball jerseys incorporate Navy Blue, Red, and Silver as well as a more menacing image of a hawk.

The Result:  While not as positive as the changes for the D-Backs and the Rays, Atlanta did improve their record in the 2007-2008 season, squeaking their way in to a playoff berth and promptly getting eliminated by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

The Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

The Year: 2002-2003

The Record: 17-65 (.207)

What they Changed:  After coming off, arguably one of the worst seasons in the history of organized, professional sports, Cleveland needed a face lift.  They decided to ditch their clip art style basketball logo with a more accurate representation of their mascot.

The Result:  The 2003-2004 season showed almost a complete turnaround for the Cavaliers as they were able to pull out 18 more wins than their previous season.  While we would like to attribute this to their uniform changes, I think that the 2003-2004 season for the Cavs will be remembered more for the addition of Lebron James rather than some much needed color changes.

National Football League

The Team: Atlanta Falcons

The Year: 2002

The Record: 9-6-1

What they Changed:  Despite a very successful season which included a playoff win over the Green Bay Packers before eventually losing to the Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles, the Falcons decided to change their logo and represent a fiercer, bolder bird of prey on the side of their helmet.

The Result:  The uniform change turned out to be all for show as the Falcons proceeded to go 5-11 the following year, finishing last in their division.

The Team: Denver Broncos

The Year: 1996

The Record: 13-3

What they Changed:  The Broncos decided to ditch the royal blue and pale orange look for a fiercer, more defiant color scheme of navy blue and dark orange.  Despite, their stellar record in 1996, they felt they needed a little push to get them that playoff win and a uniform change was just the boost they needed.

The Result: It turns out that this insane thinking in the Mile High City turned out to be ok as John Elway and his Broncos eventually won the Super Bowl over the Green Bay Packers, despite finishing with one less win than the previous year.

So what can the Lions hope to expect with this brash new uniform change?  Well, unless Matthew Stafford turns out to be the Lebron James of the NFL, I don’t see this team crawling out of the NFC North Cellar any time soon.

We’ve all played sports video games before.  From the original sports games like RBI Baseball, where you could bunt for a homerun, to Tecmo Bowl where you could literally kill a quarter with a single running play.  The question still remains…Will they ever be able to create a sports video game that gets everything right?  Let’s face it, no matter how advanced the computer’s AI gets, it’s still a computer with a finite amount of movements and reactions to your input on the controller.  Don’t get me wrong, video games have come a long long way in the past few years, not only graphically, but with advanced controls.

Looks Amazing, But Something Doesnt Feel Right

There are so many things  you can do now with the controllers that just weren’t possible with the old NES and SEGA Controllers, but despite the spin moves, jukes, alley oops and curveballs can a sports video game ever make you feel like you are there?

Is there ever a real “Home Field Advantage” when playing these games? I have yet to see home field really make that much of a difference; in fact, if you took my combined stats of every sports game I’ve played at home and on the road, it would probably be statistically even.  In my opinion, the lack of arena influence on the game is one of the biggest reasons why sports video games have not progressed to their fullest potential yet.  Sure, the controller vibrates in a tough situation but is that really a substitute for the Cameron Crazies yelling obscenities at you and jumping around as you shoot free throws with the game on the line?

You Cant Match This Intensity Without Help from Your Drunk Roommates

Is there any way to match what you are feeling during game 7 of the World Series? What it feels like to have millions watching you as you kick the winning field goal of the super bowl? And the answer is simply no…Video games have their place, don’t get me wrong, I love playing them almost as much as anyone but they are no substitute for the real thing.  Playing Mario Baseball with your roommates can be fun for a while, but is there any question that if you leave one out over the plate that Bowser is putting it in the upper deck, much to the chagrin of Waluigi. 

This is not a knock on sports video games; I own lots of them and like playing them.  I just wonder if there is more that developers can do to make you feel like you are there.  Get the crowd involved, let the good coaches make the right decisions when the game is on the line instead of having the players do what they have done since the first quarter.  Kids can play all the video games they want, but it is no match for the character they build by being out on the court or field, depending on teammates, persevering through pressure and much more.

Every year or so, a sports movie comes out that is supposed to make you feel good, tell a captivating tale, break your heart, or keep you on the edge of your seat.  Unfortunately, I always walk away disappointed which is why from this day forward - with the exception of The Sandlot - I will never watch another sports movie. 

I hesitate to even put The Sandlot in the “sports movie” category because it is really more of a story about growing up, getting into trouble, facing your adversity, and learning the hard way that sometimes a knock on your neighbor’s door is the best way to handle things.  The grab bag of crazy characters take turns talking trash, kissing lifeguards, chewing tobacco, and playing ball under the fireworks.  They even come together and beat an organized team that had their own baseball jerseys.  Yes, this movie is a classic and one of my personal, all-time favorites. 

But the other sports movies out there are what really grind my gears.   I don’t want to take anything away from the talented actors, they are fine at what they do, but let me say this…with very few exceptions you had two choices growing up. Your first option was to play sports which many of us did.  Your second option was to take drama or theater classes which some of us did.  Those that excelled in drama classes, probably weren’t so hot on the basketball court or the baseball and football fields.  So why is it that I am forced to watch actors look like uncoordinated 6^th graders out on the court or field every time I watch a sports movie?  Oh, and have you ever seen Tom Cruise throw a ball? Good form there.  You really put the Short in Shortstop by the way. 

Anybody who has ever watched an actual sporting event knows that there is enough drama in the game to make it exciting without having to add players breaking their leg but triumphantly returning to the court for the game winning shot.  Real sports fans know that it takes talent and chemistry all year long to win a championship, you can’t start liking and trusting each other in the huddle on the last play of the game and expect to get anything done. 

Also, do they ever lose?  Is there any doubt as to the outcome of a sports movie?  Did you watch Mr. 3,000 and really think that Bernie Mac wasn’t going to get his 3,000 hits and get into the Hall of Fame? If a team ever does lose the championship, do they ever show it? No they end on a good note and run the story of how they lost just before the closing credits. 

To me, sports movies are a horrible rendition of what actual sports are like.  Horrible acting, horrible drama, predictable endings.  I would love to hear of any sports movies you’ve seen that break this mold.  The challenge is out!

Football News from NFL.com

Ed Hochuli and other NFL referees can rest easier after team owners passed a rule Wednesday allowing video replays on a loose ball that could be either a fumble or an incomplete pass.   Continue reading on NFL.com

This new rule is years past due… too many poor calls have been made in the NFL recently regarding fumbles and incomplete passes.  Often, the play is not reviewable, based solely by the call on the field.  If the ref rules it a certain way, the play became un-reviewable.  This was a stupid rule, however, since it depended on the referee to have called the play “to leave it open for review”; this didn’t happen often enough unfortunately.

Football News from NFL.com

A Minnesota judge has extended his preliminary injunction against the NFL’s suspension of five players for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.   Continue reading on NFL.com

Football News from NFL.com

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on Tuesday challenging the suspension and fine handed Plaxico Burress by the New York Giants after the receiver accidentally shot himself in a nightclub more than a week ago.   Continue reading on NFL.com

Yet another instance where a union or players association is a bad thing IMHO.  A guy shoots himself and is facing criminal charges - the NFL has every right to suspend the player based on the behavioral guidelines set forth by Roger Goodell.

I “hope” that the judge who reviews this tells the NFL Players Association to go stick a fork in their a** and get out of the damn courtroom.  The whole appeal is a waste of time and money - perhaps that $$ could be used to help save some of the 10% of NFL staff being laid off by the end of the Super Bowl.

Plaxico Burress isn’t playing the rest of the season, so why should he get paid?  If I don’t show up for work, I don’t get paid.

Too much money and too many lawyers…

Football News from NFL.com

A federal judge has blocked the NFL from suspending five players for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.   Continue reading on NFL.com

Football News from NFL.com

DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys tied the NFL record with a sack in his 10th straight game on Sunday.  Continue reading on NFL.com

Despite tying the sack record, the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware was unable to save the team from an embarrassing defeat to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.  After opening the game 7-0, Dallas simply faded away, allowing 34 straight points to the Rams before scoring again w/ just a few minutes left. 

The Cowboys certainly felt the loss of quarterback Tony Romo (broken pinkie), but the TEAM lost the game - not Brad Johnson (Romo’s replacement).  Jerry Jones apparently was furious after the game and had a pretty serious bitch-fest w/ the entire team in the locker room.

Dallas has lost 3 of it’s last 4, but has a BYE next week to recover and figure out what’s wrong.  Following their loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys simply overlooked the suddenly red-hot Rams, who have won 2 straight after starting the season 0-4

Top-selling NFL jerseys on NFLshop.com from April 1-July 31:

1. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (Favre Jets jersey)
2. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
4. Eli Manning, New York Giants
5. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
6. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
7. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
8. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
9. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
10. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
12. Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
13. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
14. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Michael Strahan, New York Giants
16. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
17. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
18. Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
19. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
20. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
21. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
22. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
23. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
24. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders
25. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks

Source

A couple strange notables… The Top 5 selling player jerseys are all quarterbacks, followed directly by 4 running backs. Overall, 9 of the Top 25 selling NFL jerseys are quarterbacks; 6 of the Top 25 jerseys are running backs; 7 of the Top 25 are defensive players (or special teams); only 2 are wide receivers and 1 tight end.

Football News from NFL.com

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to have Brett Favre’s standoff with the Green Bay Packers resolved by Monday — even if he has to force the issue.

Continue reading on NFL.com

The Packers continue to lose leverage as more time passes and the pressure mounts to trade Brett Favre.  It’s clear that they are not willing to release him, so trading him is the lone solution, since they are also working to keep him from attending training camp & disrupting the entire team.

Several teams have been rumored as trade destinations, but nothing has developed as of yet.  The potential trade partners include: Bucs, Jets, Vikings & Bears.  Considering that it’s Brett Favre, I think just about any team would be willing to get him (e.g. Dolphins, Cardinals, Ravens, etc.).

If the Packers are unable to reach a trade or other solution by Monday, Goodell will get involved and force the issue even further.  At this point, I think that the Packers coming out of this w/ 2 draft picks (4th round or better) would be considered an adequate deal.

The ongoing saga of Brett Favre’s return to the NFL continues on Tuesday, after Favre faxed reinstatement papers to the NFL office.  The paperwork sets the groundwork for Brett Favre to return to the NFL - whether that’s with the Green Bay Packers or with another NFL team.  The Packers are addressing all questions about the issue to the commissioner’s office.  They also continue to insist that Aaron Rodgers is the future and Favre is the past.  A senior Packers’ official is planning to visit w/ Favre in Mississippi to discuss the team’s plans for him.

Brett Favre’s decision to file for reinstatement will force the Green Bay Packers to do one of three things: release him, trade him, or allow him to report to camp. If he reports, it potentially could cause a major distraction for a team that committed to moving on after he retired in March. NFL spokesman Randall Liu confirmed that Favre sent his reinstatement paperwork to the NFL offices Tuesday.

Continue reading on Yahoo Sports

As I’ve stated previously, I hope Favre does end up w/ another team so that we can continue to watch him play.  I do not feel that Green Bay is the right place for him, so I hope he ends up in New York w/ the Jets or in Tampa w/ the Bucs.  Brett is still an asset, so it would be stupid of of the Packers to release him - if he doesn’t play, they must trade him ASAP.

Fantasy team owners will have a bugger of a draft if this issue isn’t worked out soon.  Favre is easily one of the Top 5 fantasy quarterbacks - if he is a starter in the NFL.  If he doesn’t get signed soon, however, chances are that Brett Favre will be picked in the later fantasy draft rounds as a “hopeful” contributor to a fantasy team.

Stay tuned to JockJerseys.com for the latest on Brett Favre’s situation…

The Chicago Bears and kick returner Devin Hester have agreed to a new 4-yr contract; amending an existing football contract w/ 2 years remaining. If you’ve read this blog before, you know that this process of contract re-negotiating pisses me off. Hester was under contract for 2 more years; he was not a free agent, he was not in the last year of his deal - he had 2 YEARS left.

Kick returner Devin Hester has signed a new four-year contract with the Chicago Bears. The team announced the deal Sunday. Hester skipped the first two days of training camp because he wanted to renegotiate his contract, which had two years left. Hester returned to camp Friday, saying there was progress in the negotiations.

Continue reading on Yahoo Sports

Devin Hester had only missed 2 days of camp, but the message was pretty clear… pay up, or I’ll sit out. It’s really too bad that the Bears would not call his bluff and make him sit. Hester’s situation is not new; many high profile NFL players have used their status as leverage against their teams.

With this issue now resolved, we can once again focus on the circus that is Brett Favre & the Green Bay Packers.

View all Devin Hester jerseys
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Former LSU football standout Glenn Dorsey, a 1st round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs has agreed to a 5-yr, $51 million contract. Dorsey had some injury issues coming into the draft and slipped a few spots down to Kansas City, but it appears that the team is confident that Dorsey is their guy.

Glenn Dorsey walked up and shook hands with the man who’d just made him rich. “I promise I’ll work hard,” said the big defensive tackle, towering over Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. “I know you will,” Hunt said. “It’s great to have you with us.” After a brief contract holdout that essentially cost him only one practice, Dorsey signed a five-year, million deal Saturday morning that includes…

Continue reading on Yahoo Sports

From all accounts, Glenn Dorsey is a quality guy and a tough football player, so he should be a tremendous asset to the Chiefs organization. It is good to see the two sides come to an agreement before too many official practices had been completed at the Chiefs training camp, otherwise, half the season would’ve been lost for Dorsey (figuratively).

View all Glenn Dorsey jerseys
View all Kansas City Chiefs jerseys

As NFL training camps get ready to open up (some already have), prognosticators are plentiful, but no one will really know with absolute certainty who this year’s Super Bowl champion will be.  There are many possibilities, including 3-4 “pencil them in” candidates, as well as 3-4 other teams who could pull off a stunning playoff run (e.g. 2000’s St. Louis Rams).  Last year provided some intense moments, record breaking performances and an unlikely NFL champion in the New York Giants.  With several teams fielding almost identical rosters from last year, it will be interesting to see how this year’s NFL season develops.

NFC Contenders

New York Giants
You can’t write a list of contenders without including last year’s Super Bowl champs.  They lost Michael Strahan to retirement, but Eli Manning’s confidence should be through the roof and the offense is virtually the same as last year.  If the running backs can stay healthy and the defense can survive (mentally) without Strahan, the Giants will be in the mix late in the season. [New York Giants jersey]

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have beefed up their payroll (and problem child’s) this year, but there’s hope in Big D.  Tony Romo has another year of experience and is primed for a better season.  Terrell Owens is a monster receiver, but could be  the cause of more headaches that he’s worth.  The recent signing of Adam “Pacman” Jones is risky as well, considering he’s not been reinstated to play this season, but if he is allowed to play, the defense should be outstanding.  There are only 2 threats for the Cowboys: the Giants and themselves. [Dallas Cowboys jersey]

Philadelphia Eagles
Another NFC East team - another contender.  The Eagles have a strong offense and defense; much like the Giants.  When healthy, they can compete with anyone.  If Donovan McNabb can stay on the field all season, Philadelphia will make the playoffs and be in good position for the playoffs. [Philadelphia Eagles jersey]

Nobody
Yes, these above are the only 3 serious contenders in the NFC from my perspective.  Carolina, New Orleans, Washington, Minnesota and Green Bay round out the “maybe’s”, but they all have issues that could keep them from winning a title.

AFC Contenders

New England Patriots
After finishing the regular season undefeated and reaching the Super Bowl, only to lose to New York, the Patriots will be out for blood in 08-09.  Randy Moss is on board, Tom Brady is still there and they still have their asshole coach, so you know they will perform well all season.  Less focus will be paid this year on finishing with a “perfect record”, but they may still have one when all things are said and done. [New England Patriots jersey]

Indianapolis Colts
Another extremely strong & well-coached team, the Colts are serious contenders for the NFL championship as well.  With Peyton Manning at the helm and Tony Dungy on the sidelines, this team can beat anybody and could also challenge the Patriots for a perfect regular season record.  They will have to figure out how to beat the Patriots (again), and face extremely competitive challenges from the Jaguars, Chargers and/or Steelers if they want to try for their 2nd championship in the last 3 years. [Indianapolis Colts jersey]

San Diego Chargers
LaDainian Tomlinson… One player who could almost single-handedly put his team in the playoffs.  Add Phillip Rivers, w/ another year of experience, a decent wide receiving core and a solid defense, and you have a contender.  I’m not sure this crew has enough to get past the Colts or Patriots, but they’ll certainly give it their best shot. [San Diego Chargers jersey]

Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben and Co. will be seeking their 2nd championship this decade, featuring a lineup of Willie Parker, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu.  This team is explosive on offense, controls the clock well and punishes the opposition on defense.  To be a serious contender, the Steelers will need to average at least 20-22 points per game - their defense will handle the rest. [Pittsburgh Steelers jersey]

Others
The Jagaurs have a good shot, as do the Broncos, Browns and Bengals of making the playoffs.  They will struggle against the elite teams, but will put together strong games and be competitive until they are eliminated.

Super Bowl Preview
I see the Patriots vs. the Cowboys in the championship game, w/ the Cowboys taking it. 

I’d love to get some other predictions… leave your comments.

Updated 7/22/08

Brian Urlacher is the latest NFL player to “re-work” an existing deal before the first one is up. This new deal adds to the existing 9-yr deal he was still under (until 2011), to the tune of $18 million - $6 million signing bonus. Urlacher is now signed w/ the Chicago Bears until 2012… wow, a whole year? Thanks for the commitment.

These incidents are ridiculous - Brian cannot argue that he’s “underpaid” when he already has a $57 million contract that he’s supposed to be honoring. The timing is also key, considering the Bears reported to training camp today.

Original Story 6/17/08

Recent developments involving two Pro-Bowl receivers and their “contract disputes” have me questioning how much power athletes have been given. In today’s sporting world, it seems like a player who’s unhappy w/ his current pay, can basically force his team into renegotiating his salary and signing bonus.

The two players who have been mentioned most recently, but are certainly not the only players griping, are the New York Giants’ Plaxico Burress and the Arizona Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin. Both players are certainly worthy of their current contracts in my opinion and possibly more, but if they wanted more, they should have negotiated that amount from the get-go.

Each of these players has 3 years remaining on their current contracts - THREE YEARS - and they’re already throwing fits about how little they’re being paid. Btw… both the Cardinals and Giants are near the bottom in terms of total team salaries (for 2007); the Giants had the lowest payroll in the NFL. (Source: USAToday 2007 Team Salaries)

Here is a breakdown of how these two players stand up, in terms of base salary & signing bonuses, on their own team, as well as for their positions:

Plaxico Burress

• $3.2 mil annual (3rd on team, 9th in NFL for WR)
• $5 mil bonus (3rd on team)

Anquan Boldin

• $2 mil annual (tied 10th on team, 24th in NFL for WR)
• $5 mil bonus (tied 4th on team)

Ok, so Plaxico is paid like a Top 10 wide receiver while Boldin is certainly underpaid. Among the less quality receivers making more money than Boldin are: Chris Chambers (#1 paid receiver - are you kidding me?), Roy Williams, Deion Branch, Marty Booker, Nate Burleson, David Givens, Amani Toomer and Justin McCareins. I’m not listing all of these wide receivers to dog on them for getting a good paycheck, but give me a break… how many people would pick one of these players ahead of Anquan in a fantasy football draft?

Where I think the rub is from these players, is when they look at the NFL Draft and see how well the 1st round picks are being paid, and then compare that with their own salaries, they’re getting chump change. The NFL rookies have no experience, no accolades to speak of, etc., but they continue to receive 8-figure signing bonuses and guaranteed money. Look no further than the Atlanta Falcons recent signing of quarterback Matt Ryan - 6 yrs for $72 million - $34.75 of it guaranteed. Not only did they sign him for a huge guaranteed amount, but they also paid him more than the picks before him and more than the previous year. Most players won’t make $34.75 million in their entire career, let alone get that guaranteed without even taking a snap on the field.

Ultimately, the over-spending owners are causing these problems and forcing unnecessary grief on themselves. If I was a year-to-year Pro-Bowl caliber player and a rookie came in and made 10x what I was making, I would probably ask for a new contract as well. At the same time, an NFL contract is a contract, one that should be upheld between both parties involved.

If you have something to say, please leave a comment. We’d love to hear your opinions.