uniform czar « the G sides

Bama, Broncos, and BCS – November 15th

Alabama
Mississippi State has had a great year in terms of football, a horrific year in terms of personal loss. Having to bury a teammate during your bye week isn’t on any list and they don’t teach coaches or players how to deal with it either. So kudos to MSU for coming out to the field and showing up.

That’s about all they did as Alabama just cruised to a very lopsided win. And for those who think football is football, see if you can track down a YouTube clip of Nick Saban chewing out the backup QB in the 4th quarter. Nick goes insane on him because of a stupid play of just throwing the football up in the air in the red zone. Later in the game, when AJ made a poor throw, Nick was a cool as a cucumber. Difference? Saban can handle hustle mistakes and poor execution BETTER than poor decision making.

My take on CamGate
I hope the guy is innocent. I hope it’s just sour grapes from MSU or Florida or whoever. I really do. And I don’t think a kid should be repunished for sins of the past.

But I think we’ve seen enough to know that the odds are against him. Should Auburn sit him? What would be the point? The damage is done if he’s guilty. And for those claiming he should for the integrity of game – wake up. The integrity of the game has been gone for a long, long, long time. When billions of dollars a year are earned by an elite few on the backs of college athletes who have so many rules on them, when the bowl system is favored over a playoff because of the money – the integrity of the game is shot already.

BCS
Hard to argue with polls again this week with Oregon, Auburn, Boise State, TCU. TCU is going to fall out of the race. Utah getting beat by a bad ND team kills their strength of schedule. What will be interesting to watch is this – if Auburn drops a game and Oregon drops a game, does that open up the door for LSU to get into the game without winning its league championship? Talk about a firestorm.

Broncos
John Elway talked to the team this past week. First time since 1997. He needs to talk every week. Denver destroyed KC. KC fans have to be hitting the panic button after the last two games. KC looks…like Denver. Horrific, mistakes, poor coaching – basically the opposite of what they were the first 5 games of the season.

After the game, Todd Haley made a complete jerk of himself by not shaking the hand of McDaniels (hey, I don’t like him either but I’d shake his hand) then pointing his finger at him giving him a lecture. What??? Neither side is talking about the exchange at midfield but it’s bizarre seeing how KC came into Denver last year and threw a beat down on the Broncos and he was perfectly willing to shake hands then. Just doesn’t make sense at all. We are all supposed to be big boys so when you get your rear end handed to you, sit up and take it like a man. Give a beating, take a beating. Be interesting to see how chippy the teams are in 3 weeks.

I could shoot off a bunch of interesting stats but I just don’t trust the Broncos at this point. It was a great win but how much of that was coaching and how much of that was the complete meltdown of the Chiefs? San Diego next week will prove a lot as SD is playing great football and as much as I think Philip Rivers is a big crybaby, he’s having a MVP year.

Uniform Czar Moment
The orange jerseys are absolutely the most gorgeous unis the Broncos have and should be their standard home jersey. I’ve slacked on my uniform commenting this year… a serious let down in my duty to humanity on this issue. I will have a Christmas special or end of year ranking again at some point.

Monday, November 15th, 2010 at 9:58 am

Alabama Football, Denver Broncos, sports ramblings, uniform czar

Alabama, Texas and the BCS Championship Game

I’ve waited long enough. I can’t keep my mouth shut anymore. Alabama with ROLLLLLL tonight against Texas…hopefully.

There probably hasn’t been a closer match-up in the title game since the last time Texas was here against USC. In that game, Texas was considered an underdog, the pundits underestimated the impact the Texas QB would have. I think there are a lot of parallels in this game as well.

As a Tide fan – nothing was more satisfying than the dominant performance over the Gators in the SEC Championship game. Alabama dominated in every phase of the game, played their most complete game ever. It was a welcome site after eeking out a win against Auburn, needing 3 block kicks against Tennessee, and a Herculean effort from Ingram to beat South Carolina. In other words, Alabama has played close, tight games this season and their defense, special teams and Ingram has bailed them out.

Texas had a great season then laid an egg in the national spotlight against Nebraska in the Big 12 game. What was forgotten was the way they had dominated every one else the rest of the year. While Nebraska’s offense was hideous that night (and for most of the season as well) part of the reason was because of Texas’ defense.

So what to expect tonight? Expect to see Alabama’s defense do what they’ve done all year – roll up on 1st and 2nd down, putting the offense in 3rd and long so they can unleash the Frankenstein of Saban. 3rd and long is never fun for an offense but Alabama’s defense takes it to an art form. They were #3 in the nation in forcing 3 and outs. It’s just about impossible to convert 3rd down against Alabama.

Having said that if any team is equipped to battle this it is Texas. Colt McCoy may not have the urban legendness of Tebow but he is every bit as good as him. A fact I’m sure Saban has hammered into his defense. If Texas can’t get the rushing game going, it will be a long night for them.

On offense – Texas will stack the box and put the game in McElroy’s hand. Can the 1st year QB handle it? Will he perform ala Auburn/Florida game or South Carolina/Tennessee game? I’m guessing Texas will man to man in the secondary. Alabama’s WR Maze and Jones should be able to take advantage of this and they should have plenty of open looks and opportunities. The question is can McElroy get them the ball accurately, on time before getting hit?

Interesting Tidbit of Game #1 – take a look at how many Mac’s are in this game? McElroy, McCoy, McElwain, Mack Brown, McClain. What does it mean? Not sure…

Interesting Tidbit of Game #2 – I made this comment in passing, was about to blog on it, decided to google it first – found out someone had beat me to the punch. The Curse of the White Helmet. The article is worth reading but here is the short version…

Teams that have wore the white helmets this post-season have by and large gotten their clocks cleaned. Florida Gators rocked the white helmet in the SEC championship game – blown out. Oregon wore white vs. Ohio State, making OSU look dominant. Arizona changed to a white helmet for their bowl game against Nebraska. Result: Nebraska looked like Florida. Florida went back to orange helmets while Cincy rocked out new white helmets. Result: Florida beat Cincy worse than they got beat when they last wore white helmets.

Other notable white helmets:
Auburn wore white helmets and escaped with a W somehow against Northwestern.
Penn State needed a monsoon and game winning field goal to beat LSU.

Roll Tide.

Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 7:49 am

sports ramblings, uniform czar | Alabama, BCS, college football, Texas, uniform czar

Ridonkilous!!

The Broncs are 5-0 and have already exceeded what I thought they would do. Now all of a sudden the schedule doesn’t look as horrendous as it once did. Washington has turned into a horrible team, Dallas – not good. San Diego – absolutely beatable. Philadelphia and New York are still Super Bowl contenders and will definitely test the mettle of this team.

New England may be down this year, may not be the team we all thought they were, but it’s still New England. I thought our special teams were going to give the game right back to the Patsies. This is still a glaring weakness of the Broncos. A fair catch inside the ten, allowing Pats to down punts inside the 5. A running into the kicker penalty and two offsides penalties…not good.

Moreno looks great when he runs but he is fumbling to much. If he continues, his career will be short. Had Buckhalter been healthy, it’s doubtful we’d seen much of Knowshon in the second half. Eddie Royal had his breakout game. Love this guy. Great player, great competitor. Marshall proved once again why he is one of the NFL’s elite receivers when his head is on straight.

But once again, the defense takes the center stage. They are the leaders of this team so far. Doom is beast.

Hats off to McDaniels. First, you can tell the guys are better prepared than they have been in a long time. No knock on Shanny – he’s a great coach and all-time favorite. However, it’s apparent now that his voice had lost the touch, the relevance with the team. Second, his honesty is refreshing. “I lied” was how he responded to a reporter who asked him if this was just another game. It was and he said it and somehow he was able to win and still show his respect to Bill Belicheck and a team he loves.

The Unis
I have no words. Hideous. I actually liked the helmets…being an Alabama guy and all. But the baby poo colored look plus the vertical stripes on the socks… Hands down this is the ugliest throwback unis of all time. Not even close. The Pats on the other hand – great throwback look. I love the patriot hiking the football, the white look, it’s all just slick looking and quite honestly, they never should have changed their look.

AFC West Update

Jokeland – hide all sharp metal objects from the Kitchens family and other Raider fans. JaMarcus is regressing. They are in roll over and die mode.

KC – You can see what Haley is trying to do. He just doesn’t have the players to pull it off. This is just like the Herm Edwards version of the Chiefs. Can’t close a game. If Haley really is an upgrade over Herm Edwards, he’s got to start winning these close games. Pioli can help him by getting players in KC that are better than the ones he has…even if it’s a temporary fix. That alone would send a message to the clubhouse. Real test will be next year.

SD – Norv Turner has got to be feeling the heat. They are 2-2 and all of a sudden 3 games behind Denver. Yes, they are injured but this is the third year SD has come out of the gate slow, cold, and despondent. I don’t think Turner keeps his job after this season if Chargers don’t make playoffs.

Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 9:48 am

sports ramblings, uniform czar | AFC West, Denver Broncos, NFL, uniform czar

Tide Stays At 2

Cooper and I were talking about what would happen this weekend after Texas beat Oklahoma. (We had to talk about something other than his Auburn Kitty Cats getting it handed to them by the Hogs.) We both thought if LSU took care of business, they would leap-frog Alabama in the polls.

Then Florida went out and demolished LSU. Coop thought Alabama would get the 1. I didn’t. Nor did I want them to.

First of all, whatever the rankings are now – it doesn’t matter. Texas has to play Missouri (potentially twice) and Texas Tech. Alabama has to play LSU, Auburn, and either Florida or Georgia (again).

The winners in all of this – Penn State and USC. Both have much easier conference schedules. Neither will face the gauntlet that awaits Texas and Alabama over the next few weeks. Neither will play in a conference championship game and even if they had one, it would be against a much weaker opponent. They wouldn’t have to play a team that could have played for the national championship as Texas and Alabama will surely face (if they make it that far).

So I’m reluctantly pulling for Texas because I’d be sick at my stomach to see PSU and USC sneak back into one of those top two spots.

Although it would be awesome to see Penn State and Alabama play each other again for the national championship. Two of the best uni’s in college sports.

Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

sports ramblings, uniform czar | Alabama Football, college football

Tide vs. Dogs

Number 3 vs. Number 8

Black vs. White – jerseys that is.

East vs. West

It’s a big game…arguably the biggest so far in the SEC season. (Stow it, Auburn fans. LSU vs. Auburn was sooooo last week.)

Let get all the variables out of the way…

Georgia will be at home, between the hedges with the new UGA sporting those incredibly awesome looking black jerseys. In spite of myself – I love the unis. My only prayer is that it is 110 degrees on Saturday night for all of these are hugely in the favor of the Dawgs.

Alabama will be in the all white unis, highest they’ve been ranked in years with the best team they’ve had in years. None of that really matters except I’m hoping they’ll be sporting the black shoes with the white unis.

But I digress…what this game will ultimately come down to is this – can the Alabama front 7 stop the running game of Georgia. Moreno is a beast and if the Tide have to roll a safety in the box to stop him, the corners will have a long night trying to stop the passing game. It’s not that Georgia’s passing game is awesome. It’s not. It’s lethal and opportunistic. They may only get 150 to 200 yards passing, but it’s when they get those yards that just kills a team.

Alabama’s offense is serviceable and opportunistic as well. They’ll take advantage of field position and turnovers. They’ll grind it out with their backs but it’s not built to run a track meet. Defense has got to show up and play big…

And despite what Clay thinks (ha ha), I think they will.

I originally had ‘Bama dropping this game but that was before what they did to Clemson and Arkansas. Georgia still has the edge on offense and a huge home field advantage. Whatever chance Alabama had to slip in under the radar was gone when this week’s poll was released. Georgia will be UP for this game. Georgia showed up in Tuscaloosa last year and won in overtime.

Here’s hoping ‘Bama can return the favor this year.

Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 7:28 am

sports ramblings, uniform czar | Alabama Football, Georgia Football, SEC

The Bowl Unis Fiasco

I love watching college football games, especially during the Bowl season. Well most years I do. This year was a struggle. There was honestly only a couple of games worth watching…most of them ended up as blowouts.

But there is something that is going on in increasing measure that needs to stop…the special “bowl uni.”

There were some teams that had perfectly great looking uniforms all year long only to bust out a hideous version for the bowl game. It should be noted that none of these teams contacted the Uniform Czar for approval.

Exhibit 1: Arkansas Razorbacks
They went all red. Red pants – granted with a little cool hog on the hip – but they jettisoned their traditional (and sharp looking) white pants with red striping and red jersey. Very disappointing look and was probably the reason they got blown out. Or it could have been that Missouri was that much better.

Exhibit 2: Oregon Ducks
We should be gentle with the Ducks. They don’t really have a ‘good’ uni. The colors are there – yellow…green…black. I mean, the Green Bay Packers make it work…why can’t Oregon?

But this one was…it made the game painful to watch. What’s with the diamond plates on the shoulders and knees? Why three different shades of green? I get the yellow shoes – ducks, webbed feet…I get it. It’s just not working with the rest of the get up. Every version they come out inevitably ends up being worse than the one before it. It’s just terrible looking.

Special Exemption: Georgia Bulldogs
This is the only special uni that they should think about wearing all the time. Love the black jerseys with red helmets. Just looks freakin’ awesome. I think I actually like this better than their red jerseys.

What I’m not a huge fan of are the patches. The SEC wore their 75th Anniversary patch all year. It looked…well…ridiculous. It was huge. Someone sitting on the upper deck could read those patches. Add to this the special BOWL patch…it starts looking like a Girl Scout Merit Vest.

Why do teams have to put the patch on their jersey anyway? In case we forget what bowl is playing? I mean – give the patch to the team, let them put it on whatever they want – but does the rest of the country have to look at this?

Alas another College Football season is over…only a few more weeks of football.

Thursday, January 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am

ECFC Uni/Logo Rankings, 2007

Last year’s ratings revealed both the lack of creativity and honesty of the East Coast Football Club. After the initial ratings were released it was revealed that some of the owners (cough – Memphis Mojo, Da Bears) had STOLEN their logo from other professional sports teams, others had LAZILY (cough – Your Mama) lazily grabbed a suggested picture from the CBS Sportsline file, while others just used Sunday School clip art material.

The embarrassment and cover up that followed led to a re-ranking and questions whether or not this would ever happen again.

Being the Uniform Czar, I took my share of the responsibility for not doing enough research on the designs as well as having a very poorly designed logo and color scheme myself. However, it is hard to design for a team called the Hairballs. This year, I hope to do better in both areas.

So for the next 7 days, we will have a vote on the logos of the ECFC. Make your rankings, 1-10, 1 being the best, 10 being “I can’t believe they even tried.” We will have TWO special category awards as well.

Most Improved (as compared to last years logo)
Most Likely to Found on a Kids Cereal Box (aka Most Ridiculous)

Here are the teams, owners, and logos. The first logo is the current look, the second one is the look from last year. Those teams with only one logo – you guessed it – there was no change from last year.

Vote early and often. I do reserve the right to completely ignore the results.

Budapest Brawlers, Tom Seely
Tom had no change in logo this year.

Cincinnati Blue Darters, Matt Ely
The Blue Darters had no logo change this year. We’re still not sure what a blue darter is but we kinda like the upside down lightning.

Da Bears, Richard Coy
Coy made a change. After a barrage of insults, he went with the blue-tongued Bear. We think it’s a message. What makes a bear’s tongue blue? The Blue Darters? Mojo?
versus

Memphis Mojo, Brian McCurry
No change from last year. He probably isn’t going to change it since he’s winning hardware with it.

Parker Highlanders, Grant English
Name change and logo change. Both needed.
versus

Pyroclastic, Rob Williams
Name change and logo change. Rob went with only one name because…well…he thinks it makes his team sound scary. Like Prince, right?
versus

Psycho Dirt Zombies, Paul Oyler
Name change and logo change. Although we loved the Freak Dawgs last year.
versus

Raleigh Ronions, Brian Fields
No change..still looks like that character from Bob the Builder.

Swamp Fox, Right Reverend Bill Hayes
No change but the guy can preach.

Thuderbirds, Mike Powers
New name, new logo…shame it looks like a turkey.
versus

Waterford Wombats, Luke Turner
New name, new logo
versus

Your Mama, Kurt Kerin
same old, same old…You just got beat by Your Mama…still funny. Logo is another story.

Friday, September 14th, 2007 at 10:47 am

6 Comments »

Weekly Bronco Rant

Broncos 13, Raiders 3.

I’m supposed to be happy, right? Bronco-land is supposed to be thrilled to be 4-1, right?

I’m not…here’s why…

1. The Raiders are terrible. They are without a doubt the worse organization in pro football – possibly all of professional sports. They are below pond scum. And they could have beat the Broncos last night.

2. Broncos look like they are trying to NOT LOSE games instead of lining up and trying to kill the other teams. It’s like somebody stole Mike Shanahan’s brain and replaced it with Dave Wannstedt’s.

3. The Broncos are playing to the level of the team they play – which in the long run catches up with you. Just ask the Alabama Crimson Tide.

4. The all blue uni’s the Broncos have sported the last couple of weeks are hideous. I feel like the Solid Gold dancers should trot out beside them. Either wear white pants with the blue jersey OR white pants with the orange jersey (that would be a sweet look) OR blue pants and white jerseys – ala Penn State.

[tags]Denver Broncos, NFL, Raiders, uniforms[/tags]

Monday, October 16th, 2006 at 11:01 am

Major Olympic Uniform Foul

Tonight are the opening ceremonies from Torino of the Winter Olympics. I love the Winter Olympics. All the fam is addicted to TV for two weeks watching sports we only care about every 3 years and 50 weeks.

But this is atrocious. Team USA is wearing a BERET in the opening ceremonies?? Forget blood doping, buying off figure skating judges, or security. This is a major slap in the face of Americans everywhere. A FRENCH BERET????? I’m astounded, appalled, and need a valium.

Somebody explain to me what the French have contributed to society in the last 300 years that is worth writing about? Statute of Liberty…

Okay – name another? I wouldn’t want to wear that ridiculous headpiece. And while you’ve got all the French ‘athletes’ over there – tell them the next world war they find themselves in, they’re on their own.

In fact, when we win it – we’re giving them back to the Germans this time.

Cowboy hats – via the 1980 olympics – are acceptable. Baseball caps, those crazy ‘jester’ looking hats on ski slopes all over America I’d be okay with. I’d even settle for a beanie.

But a freakin’ beret???? I’m going to be sick.

Viva le’ toilet.

[tags]Torino, Team USA, Winter Olympics[/tags]

Friday, February 10th, 2006 at 11:51 am

9 Comments »

Mick Was Stiffed

Here’s the full story but the general idea is this – the NFL ‘censored’ the Stones performance at halftime of the Super Bowl.

Couple of questions…

1. Would anybody have really heard what they were saying anyway? The sound was terrible.

2. Did they have a plan if one of the Stones keeled over and died in the middle of the performance? That by the way would have been a great halftime commercial. “Don’t jump to conclusions. We don’t.”

3. What would you have rather scene – Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction or Mick Jagger’s grandpa flaps? I know my answer.

4. Why doesn’t the FCC find the Seattle Seahawks home uniforms offensive? Please, think of the children and get those things off the air…please.

[tags]Rolling Stones, Super Bowl Halftime Show, Seattle Seahawks, Janet Jackson, FCC[/tags]

Thursday, February 9th, 2006 at 2:37 pm

humorous ramblings, sports ramblings, uniform czar

AFC Championship Game

The Real Super Bowl.

I absolutely loved the Steelers and the Broncos growing up. Two of the hardest hitting teams in the NFL right now. Somebody is going to get carried off the field on Sunday afternoon between Troy Polamalu and John Lynch. I’d like to see a cage match between those two.

Now for the game…it isn’t a secret who I’m going to pick. Let me tell you why.

1. Unis – barely. Steelers have such a sweet look, it’s a shame to root against them.

2. The Smith Factor – Rod Smith is the greatest guy in the league. He is the ultimate team guy…Troy Brown is in the same league.

3. Coaches – Both guys will straight up tell you like it is. If their team looked ridiculous on that day – they’ll say it first. However…Cowher didn’t draft Maurice Clarrett BUT he doesn’t have any rings either. Toss-up.

4. Weather – it doesn’t matter. These teams rely on the other team making mistakes, getting intimidated, or loosing their nerve as a result of the serious slobber knocking they do.

5. Home Field Advantage is a very real thing in Denver. I can remember sitting in the South Stands feeling the stadium move underneath my feet. It is loud. And it is a mile high.

It is going to be a brutal, close game. Can Jake Plummer continue to play with his helmet out of his tailbone pad? I hope so. I’m stickin’ with my Broncs…

DEN_462
[tags] Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, AFC Championship[/tags]

Saturday, January 21st, 2006 at 6:39 pm

NFC Championship Game

Now for something important…

NFC Championship Game…Seattle vs. Carolina….couple of things to consider while picking this game..

1. Warm weather team in a cold, wet weather locale…advantage = Seahawks

2. Mascot matchup…Panthers win in a landslide. (ever see what a cat does to a bird?)

3. Coaching….Both are very intelligent, both are incredibly annoying. Fox dancing around the sidelines being the rah-rah guy. Holmgren “I Must Have GM Control” until of course I can’t make the playoffs with the team I accrued…so just let me go back to coaching. Advantage – push…who really cares anyway.

4. The Smith Factor – Steve Smith is pound for pound the best WR in the NFL. Don’t even leave a comment here saying otherwise. It will be deleted. On second thought, it won’t be deleted…it will be highlighted to show your ignorance.

5. Choke Factor – there were so many games this year that the Seahawks were just trying to give away. The problem was they were playing choke fest teams like the NY Giants, the Redskins, and any other team in the NFC besides Carolina.

6. Unis – Seahawks advantage.

GE’s pick….I’d love to see the Seahawks and the Broncos in the Super Bowl. It would be a great day for AFC West fans everywhere. But alas…I think Carolina will win.

NFL_Panthers

[tags] Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, NFC Championship[/tags]

Saturday, January 21st, 2006 at 6:29 pm

Need: 2 Tickets to AFC Championship Game

I am grovelling for anyone who has a heart for a pastor who is addicted to Bronco football. I check ebay last night to see what tickets would cost for the AFC Championship game. I figured that I could talk my dad into going with me.

Holy FREAK!!! Could be expensive…around $300 a ticket right now. If I can stumble on some about half that…I’d go in a heartbeat. I’d just drag my dad with me…mom would get over it…eventually. I mean, I’m her son…she’d have to forgive me, right?

To further prove my dependancy on all things Broncos and all things uniforms…I give you the logo history of the Denver Broncos.

WARNING: It isn’t pretty.

First: 1960-1964. Pretty ridiculous. As a matter of fact…it’s horrible. What can you do with mustard yellow and dookie brown? 459

Next: 1965-1967. A logo so bad, it only lasted two years. The Broncos dusted off this version for their throwback uni’s a few years ago. Looks like a man trying to strangle a goat.
460

Next: 1968-1996. I loved this logo for the most part. It was such a massive improvement that they didn’t change it for close to 30 years. However, after 4 incredibly lopsided Super Bowl losses, the logo had come under suspect. Then after that home playoff loss to Jacksonville in 1996, it was proven. The logo had turned. It could no longer be trusted. A new logo was called for.
461

Finally: 1997-Present. The truth will set you free. And so ended the Bronco Super Bowl curse. For 2 years, the Logo didn’t know what life was like without a Lombardi Trophy. In fact, the Broncos have never lost a Super Bowl wearing this logo. Hopefully, we’ll get to test that theory again this year.
457

The current logo is absolutely the best logo they have ever had.

Monday, January 16th, 2006 at 4:28 pm

10 Comments »

Steelers and Bears…which means…

My dear friend Robert thinks I ought to pick games in Vegas based on the uniforms. If it was only that easy. The truth of the matter is that uniform rank will only help in a close game winner.

NFL_Steelers NFL_Bears1

If we were picking today’s game upon uni’s…The Bears and Steelers…hands down. BUT…couple of other factors here.

1. Never pick a warm city team to be a cold city team at the cold city team’s stadium. NEVER. See Jacksonville in New England. See Tampa Bay anywhere north of I-20. Edge: Bears

2. Grass teams shouldn’t be picked over Turf teams on turf. Edge: Colts

3. Outdoor teams normally don’t play well in domes. Edge: Colts

4. In the playoffs – experience matters. Edge: Panthers, even in AFT

So, having said all of that. I’m pulling for the Steelers…I think they’d like Denver this time of the year. And the Bears. So it will be the Colts and the Panthers playing next week.

[tags]Colts, Steelers, NFL Uniforms, Bears, Panthers[/tags]

Sunday, January 15th, 2006 at 2:17 am

5 Comments »

Broncos Will Dominate

Just about everyone is saying that New England will come in to Denver and win a close, hard fought game. (Tonight at 7 central, on CBS.)

That makes sense…except for these facts.

1. Mile High. Broncos are unbeaten at home this year.

2. Running game. Patriots can’t stop it. Broncos have two backs that could start for any team in the NFL other than San Diego and Seattle.

3. “Patriots are on a streak, don’t bet against the streak.” Exhibit A: the Colts. Exhibit B: the Republican Party.

4. Shannahan has had 2 weeks to get ready for the Patsies.

And the most important fact…

5. Uniform ranks. Denver is here. And the Pats are here. ‘Nuff said.

NFL_Broncos

Saturday, January 14th, 2006 at 2:38 pm

The Best College Football Looks

I need to set some ground rules for this discussion. In fact, just read here first before you comment.

There is only one minor rule change when evaluating a college uniform versus a professional one. In college, tradition is hands down the most important factor. Having said that, let me roll out the best looks of the Bowl season.

The Elite
These looks can not, will not, should not ever be changed. EVER. And God smite the coach who does.

Alabama â€“ The simplicity. Both road and home unis are impeccable.

Penn State â€“ The home blue uni might just be the best in college football.

Colorado â€“ horrible program, great uni

Other Great Looks

Notre Dame â€“ I canâ€™t stand ND. I think they are the most overrated program in college football history. I think Rudy was a big pile of sentimental horse poo-poo. But they have a great, classic football uni.

Virginia â€“ great uni, not so great team. Although this year they got a W in a bowl.

Michigan â€“ Can you really argue about the maize and blue?

Washington – Another program that is getting a great big do-over but leave their unis alone.

Florida State â€“ Great lookâ€¦now if they can just stay out of jail.

Honorable Mentions:
(This one hurts me to sayâ€¦) Auburn, Texas, Iowa, and Vanderbilt

Best Field Art: LSU, Florida State

Monday, January 2nd, 2006 at 11:00 am

The Worst Bowl Uni’s…So Far

I’m watching the second half of the Holiday Bowl and I see Oregon trot out and I about puked. Downright ugly unis. Then I was in a quandry. Do I pull for Oregon because I can’t stand Oklahoma OR do I pull for Oklahoma because they are definitely sporting the better look of the two?

I get an email from Mike. He said Ted Nugent had been arrrested trying to get his pajamas back from the Oregon locker room. I pulled for Oregon anyway.

Their uniform isn’t completely ridiculous. The helmet is redeemable. And…that’s about it. White dots on knee pads? Note to coaching staff – most schools put reward stickers on their helmets. The name of the school running down the leg and on the shoulder? Some kind of square pattern on jersey? Hideous.

Here are the worst college uni’s in a bowl this year:

Oregon – obviously.
Virginia Tech – I’ve said all I’ve need to say here.
Memphis – not a terriblle uni but jersey and pants same metallic color is a disaster.
Houston – same reason…might be reason they got mopped off field as well.

Short List:
Miami – depends on which jerseys they trot out in. The white ones with the sash around it gets them on the list. Will update tomorrow on this.

Coming up – Top 10 College football unis

Friday, December 30th, 2005 at 12:28 am

Cranky Uniform Czar Emerges

I will now put on my uniform czar title and hat. Mainly because the update on the NFL uniform ranks is coming…it is a playoff tradition on G’s Rants.

But first – a litte warm up for us all.

This junk here on the right. This photo shows 2 of the most hideous football uniform mistakes of the 2005 season.

First, Virginia Tech. Don’t jack with a different color on the sleeve. What is that all about? Then to only do it on ONE sleeve? What drugs are you taking from Marcus Vick? Looks like something Paula Abdul would wear.

Miami – do they have a decent uniform other than the classice orange jersey they used to wear? The green uni with the green helmets? Major suckage there. Then there are these unis. They are bearable…but they are not good.

What is with the green stripe that wraps around the ENTIRE jersey…for no apparent reason. Kinda like evacuation plans in Miami…why do we have them?

The Detriot Lions…specifically Matt Millen. Fire Marriucci on Thanksgiving weekend because of your draft picks. That makes complete sense. Plus your uniforms are quite honestly just as offensive as the product on the field.

Then to elevate Jauron – who could not win in Chicago? You are telling me that Jauron is a better option than Marriucci? My only hesitation in telling Matt Millen to resign is that then I would have to listen to him even more because he’d go back to the TV Booth.

Which would be bad for us all…not just Detriot.

Wednesday, November 30th, 2005 at 2:32 am

In an article that I don’t think could have been better written, the man-ability of handwarmers are discussed.

I emailed Paul Lukas – as it appears that we have a kindred spirit.

Other questions that I feel need to be addressed:

1. towels for anyone other than the center.
2. hand whistles for the refs…what the heck? it’s like they are covering a burp or a yawn every play.
3. red flags for coaches – where should they be stored? hanging out of the pocket looks complete ridiculous, stuffed in pants…well, that looks ridiculous as well.
4. big collars on linebackers.

My opinion on the handwarmers…

First of all – I prefer the in-line pockets on the jersey.

Second of all – if a quarterback is going to wear a gay handwarmer…
1. It should be the same color as the jersey.
2. It should NEVER be turned around to look like a fanny pack.

I think that’s all I got on this one.

Monday, November 21st, 2005 at 4:39 pm

The Super Bowl

Everybody from Sports Illustrated is picking the Pats.

Everyone from ESPN is picking the Pats.

Celebrities are picking New England.

CBS is picking New England.

Heck, if you were to check the Philly papers – they aren’t even picking the game.

So – let’s see. New England has a better O, a better D, and a better special teams. Quarterbacks are a push – they both can demolish a team. Coaches – everyone is going to say Belichick is the Genius, but Andy Reid isn’t exactly stupid.

On top of this info, the Eagles’ uniform is significantly better than the Patsy’s. In the history of the Super Bowl, the team with the better uniform wins only about 30% of the time. That, to me is a huge edge for New England.

However, as Uniform Czar, I must pick the Eagles. It is in in bad form to have the 2nd worse looking uniform in the NFL to win the Super Bowl.

Heaven help us all if Cincinnati ever gets good.

Sunday, February 6th, 2005 at 3:02 pm

NFL Unis Special Awards

The NFL Unis Special Awards Blog is complete. And of course now the countdown starts for next year’s awards.

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005 at 9:45 am

uniform czar

BREAKING NFL NEWS!!!

Cardinals unveil new logo!

Here is the complete article.

The coming uniform changes are said to be “revolutionary.” The helmet doesn’t look promising to that end.

No rank change planned for the Cards.

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005 at 9:30 am