Homecoming "Expectations"

As times change so do school dances. This year Kennedy High School has come up with some guidelines for this year’s homecoming dance. The list of expectations states:

“1. It is expected that all students will wear clothing appropriate for a school event.

2. It is expected that clothing will be worn as intended at all times. Boys are expected to keep their shirts on. Girls are expected to keep their dresses and skirts at the intended length. Pulling skirts/dresses up is unacceptable.

3. It is expected that all students will dance appropriately. Simulating sex acts, dancing with hands on the ground, etc. are inappropriate.”

Personally, I think these are rather pointless. I’m sorry, but I have no intention of showing up naked, and I won’t be dancing with my hands on the ground…just saying. These rules or expectations rather, seem to be directed to those who show up and seem to have left their common sense at home. Homecoming is a school event and I don’t know why you would why you would want to portray yourself poorly by disregarding these rules.

Grinding is something that’s going to happen, there isn’t anything anyone can put in a rule book that will stop it completely. It is just what today’s teenagers do. I’m not trying to make stereotypes, but about 80% of the people dancing are grinding. However, is that disobeying one of the expectations? We are still clothed, the dress is still at normal length, hands aren’t on the ground, and it isn’t technically simulating sex acts…is it?

Now as stupid or obvious these rules sound, it is still an issue that needs to be addressed, I guess. Having gone to both a Kennedy and a Jefferson homecoming I find it fascinating the difference between the two. At Jefferson it could best be described as Grind Fest 2012. Everybody, in one huge mob, for three hours, that’s all that goes on. It makes me wonder, do they have expectations? I’m going to guess not because if they got a nice little piece of paper with rules stated on it, I’m SURE everyone would stop what they were doing and obey them. NOT. I mean c’mon, the majority of everyone at the homecoming dance will be grinding. Better not, because if you do the little piece of paper says “Students who do not follow the expectations will be asked to leave the dance.” I guess the dance will be rather small this year…

(WC 413)

Fantasy Frenzy

One aspect of the NFL is fantasy football. It is pretty much a game within a game. People draft players and get points based on how well that player does on a given week. After every week team "owners" go looking for better players to create the best, highest scoring, roster possible. What makes fantasy football hard, is that you never really know what a player will do each game, and how many or how few points a player will score.

For me fantasy football is a battle I face. I want to cheer for my favorite team, yet for fantasy football I have to cheer for the players on my team. It makes it difficult for me to pick my battles. It is even more difficult when players on my fantasy team are on my favorite team as well and I start cheering for a rushing touchdown rather than a passing one. It is always complicated and I have come to realize that I can't always win, some weeks I just have to accept defeat.

Fantasy football can be very frustrated, especially when players that are projected to score a lot of points do very poorly, or sometimes don't even play! For example, this week Aaron Rodgers was projected to get 31 points, he ended up only earning me 12 points. That creates a huge set back for me because the bulk of my roster is reliant on players, such as Rodgers, doing very well. However, there are also weeks when players that are project to earn rather low points, have breakout games, which is a great surprise! Having players like that can always help balance out the players that don't do so well.

The nice thing about fantasy football is that at any point in time I can pick up another player (free agent) if I choose to drop a player on my current roster. However, trying to find decent players that haven't been picked up by other owners yet is very tricky. I have some less than desirable running backs on my team but there aren't any better ones that are free agents. This leads me to my next point; trading. Teams within the league can trade players if they choose. Not everyone is willing to trade, you have to be willing to give up one of your decent players in order to make a trade with another owner. Although fantasy football can be tough, stressful, and hard to cheer for, it is a lot of fun and very exciting.(WC 421)

Packers-Bears

Tonight one of the oldest rivalriesin football is renewed. The Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears in aclassic showdown at historic Lambeau field. With the Packers coming off of atough loss they will be fired up and ready to begin their attack on the Bears. However,the Bears have a very tough defense that the Pack will with have to surpassfirst.

Being a Thursday night game, itbrings a new audience; it is the only game on Thursday so many more people arewatching the game tonight than the normal amount that would watch this game onany given Sunday. This always brings a little more hype and excitement to thegame. The Packers haven’t lost to the Bears in two years, so it will beinteresting to see who pulls ahead tonight.

I believe in order for Green Bay tobeat the Bears a few things need to improve. First quarterback Aaron Rodgersneeds to have a better day passing. I say four hundred yards passing and fourtouchdowns will give the Pack the win. However they can’t rely solely on Rodgers.With a weak defense in the past, the Pack needs to change that tonight and showthat they can hold a team to minimal yards as well as do it without getting penalized.Along with that, the Packer’s defense needs to bring the blitz and jump onBears quarterback Jay Cutler quickly. That will then force the bears to go withtheir running game which the Packers have a better chance of stopping. If the Packerscan do that then I say they pull out the win thirty one to twenty seven.

For the Bears to beat the Packersthey need to contain Aaron Rodgers. Because Rodgers is fantastic at getting outof the pocket and extending plays it is crucial for the Bears to contain himand apply as much pressure as possible. Besides that, if the Bears receivers canget just a few steps on the Packer defense they have a great e a greatopportunity to score a lot of points in the air. If all of these things happenfor the bears I say they pull out the win against the Packers twenty four totwenty.

Expect to see a very back and forthgame, with a lot of yards gained. Both teams have dominant offenses and bothhave the potential to score a large sum of points. With an interesting matchupbetween Rodgers and Cutler I wouldn’t want to miss this game; the oldestrivalry in football.(WC 431)

Lots of Work Ahead for the Pack

Today the Packers go back to work after a tough first game loss against the San Francisco 49ers. The Packers will be working at correcting their defense as well as some of the route communication. With Aaron Rodgers being an elite quarterback in the NFL he didn’t look the part yesterday. Going 30/44 with only 303 yards passing, an interception, and 3 sacks is less than desirable for Rodgers. Pocket awareness and accuracy are two areas where Rodgers can improve this upcoming week.

                With the Chicago Bears coming to town this week the Packers have a huge load on their hands. Considering the Packers pass defense was falling apart in the first game, it will be very easy for Jay Cutler to jump on the Pack early unless something is corrected. However, if the Packers’ offense can be more efficient I do not believe the Bears can stop Aaron Rodgers. To add some complication to the preparation for the game, the game is three days earlier than usual. With a Thursday game, teams often have a rough time getting the proper amount of reps in at practice, and also lack time in the film room. Beyond that, the Packers’ running game needs a massive amount of help. With a team total of 45 yards rushing, the Packers need to address that immediately. When your quarterback has more rushing yards than your actual running back you know there is a serious issue.

                To beat the Bears I think Rodgers needs to pass for over 400 yards with 3 touchdowns. They need to establish the run as a dominant force and then open up the passing game. It is very important that Cedric Benson is improved for the game or it will be tough for the Packers to win. Green Bay is relying way too much on Rodgers’ arm to win games rather than running the ball. Although Rodgers is a phenomenal quarterback, he can’t be the sole scorer of points every game.

                With a tough Bear’s defense on the field, running will be difficult, but the Packer’s offensive line must create holes for Benson. With 18 yards on the ground for Benson, he needs to improve by more than double that. I would expect to see 75+ yards out of him coming up in this next tough match-up. If the Packers show up with better pass coverage, an improved running game, and an excellent passing game, I say the Packers get the win easily, under one circumstance-they eliminate the penalty yards.

                Against the 49ers the Packers committed 10 penalties for 77 yards. With replacement referees this season, the Packers, as well as any other team, have to play cleaner and reduce the amount of penalty yards. Committing half as many penalties could have very likely changed the outcome of the game; considering at least three of those penalties where on failed 3^rd down attempts by San Francisco. Four days from now we will see if the Packers have improved, the Bears will be a tough opponent, but with a few adjustments, the Packers can record their first win this season. (WC 517)

NFL Week One Surprises

Part of the excitement of football is that on any given game day, any team could pull off the win. This was very relevant this Sunday as many teams that were projected to win, fell short of starting their season with a win. One of the biggest surprises today was seeing Robert Griffin III lead the underdog Washington Redskins to a big 40-32 win against the favored New Orleans Saints. With a solid performance on the ground, as well as in the air, Griffin proved that he can be a very dangerous rookie in the NFL this season.

Another game that was a bit of a shock was the Green Bay Packers vs. the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers jumped on the Packers early and never let up. It was very apparent that the Packers defense was struggling on pass coverage, as well as with the penalties. The Packers’ defense often got called for pass interference, or they gave up plays that should have been stopped. After such a great season last year, it was surprising to see the Packers come out as flat as they did. However, I’m not trying to take away from the San Francisco 49ers. Last year the 49ers were ranked as the 2^nd seed in the NFC playoffs. They have a very stout defense as well as a great quarterback in Alex Smith. Smith began picking away at the Packers defense and did a very fine job of it. Smith was 20/26 with 200 yards passing, which was enough to top the packers by a score of 30-22.

As of now, I am intrigued in the Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburg Steelers game. With Peyton Manning playing with a new team for the first time in 13 years it is interesting to see what he can do after his season ending neck injury that he suffered last year. Currently it looks as if Manning is still fully capable of putting together magical drives with little time left. Meanwhile his former team (Indianapolis Colts) suffered a 41-21 lost today against the Chicago Bears. It will be interesting to see what turns up after next weekend full of NFL games. (WC 363)

The Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy

Its game day here in Iowa City and is it ever lively! With about three hours until kickoff many tailgaters are really starting to arrive. Today’s matchup will feature the 1-0 Iowa Hawkeyes taking on the 1-0 Iowa state Cyclones. With both teams fighting for a win, the Hawkeyes have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. The Hawkeyes lost the CY-Hawk trophy last year in a 44-41 overtime loss to the Cyclones. This year, they want the trophy back, it belongs in Iowa City. After squeaking out a victory last week against Northern Illinois, the Hawkeyes have a lot to improve on.

                I expect to see a stronger performance by the Iowa offensive line as well as better game management by senior quarterback James Vandenberg.  Last week the Hawks were heavily relying on the running game, it would be nice to see offensive coordinator Greg Davis open up are passing game, establish the run, and see a bit more play action. With a sharper performance by Vandenberg, Iowa can really open up the pass game and maybe we will see a long ball or two.

                With Sreele Jantz commanding the Cyclone offensive, it is important that the Hawkeye defense brings their A-game. Containing Jantz is easier said than done, but if the Hawkeyes can do that, they have a better chance of bringing home the Cy-Hawk trophy. With this game being the Hawkeyes home opener, we can expect an overwhelming amount of excitement as well as a very hostile crowd. Fans expect to see a dominant Hawkeye squad on the field today, as well as a “W” on the Scoreboard for the Hawks.

                I would expect to see a high scoring game, with Steele Jantz being a dual threat quarterback; it will take a lot of scoring by the Hawkeyes to surpass the Clones’. If the Iowa offensive line can give a good push and running back Damon Bullock as another dominant performance, I say the Hawkeyes roll over the Cyclones 38-35, and the Cy-Hawk Trophy comes back to Iowa City. (WC 344)

The NFL Season Finally Begins

Today begins the Nation Football League regular season play. The five month time period between now and the Super Bowl are always very exciting. We can always try to predict how a team will be, but we truly don’t have any idea what a team will do this season.  The teams we expect to do poorly could very possibly end up in the plays-offs and surprise all of us.  With 32 teams, 17 regular season weeks, the paly-offs, and the Super Bowl it is hard not to be pumped about what is in store for us.

                I believe this year the Green Bay Packers will show up just like they did last year. They have a lot of the same weapons in Aaron Rodgers and his receiving corps, as well as an improved defense. Even though I believe they have a great team this year, I predict that Packers lose a game early on. That loss could very likely be in week two against the rival Chicago Bears. Although the Bears may not be as equipped as the Packers, it is very possible they show up and upset the Packers early on. After that I see the Packers rolling into the play-offs with only a few losses. The Packers are my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

                A team I am excited to watch this season is the Detroit Lions. With a history that is less than desirable, they have a lot to prove. Last year we saw a Detroit Lion team that was not only putting up a fight, but winning games. After Years of horrible seasons, the Lions are back and more dangerous than ever. With finally healthy quarterback Matthew Stafford at the helm, I wouldn’t doubt the Lions anymore.

                On the AFC side of things I am watching the Indianapolis Colts. For the first time in 13 seasons they are playing a game without Peyton Manning on the roster. With rookie Andrew Luck leading the team it will be interesting to see what the Colts are able to do. Last year with quarterback Curtis painter the colts embarrassed themselves. Winning just two games, the Colts front office knew some decisions had to be made. Getting rid of Manning was the most controversial of them all. It will be interesting to see how the Colts respond with a new coach, new quarterback, and new outlook on the season.

                The Baltimore Ravens are a team I always think could make a run at the Super Bowl. With veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, I think they could do some serious damage this season. With a tough defense and aggressive offense the Baltimore Ravens are my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

                Tonight marks the beginning of a new season, new records being made, new teams emerging as dominant forces, and new expectations.  So many emotions are expressed in just one single game, let alone the whole season. Starting today many lives of millions of Americans are sucked into NFL frenzy. Will you be one of those? Enjoy.(WC 512)