A New Look for the New NHL

As many of you know, or may not know, the NHL suffered a crippling lockout during what was supposed to be the 2004-2005 season. When the lockout was resolved, not only was there a new collective bargaining agreement between the players association and the league, but a few changes to the rules that helped hockey become a much more exciting game at the professional level. These changes brought on the need for the league to redesign itself to keep up with its improved game. Everything soon became known as the "new" NHL. Even the league's shield logo changed from the old black and orange to a sleeker black and silver version.

The idea of redesigning the league was so accepted by everyone involved in hockey that Reebok, the league's official uniform manufacturer, wanted to create a new uniform for all the teams to use. The new uniform is known as the Reebok EDGE Uniform System. The material is lighter and more form-fitting than the old synthetic blend sweaters the teams had previously used. The material used is also designed to wick sweat and melted ice away from the player and off his body.

Along with the change in uniform opened the door to all the teams to either change their colors, logo, uniform design, or any combination of the three. There were six teams (Columbus, San Jose, Washington, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, and Vancouver) that actually changed their logo. Along with those previous six teams mentioned, 12 other teams completely redesigned their uniforms. The remaining 12 teams in the league only tweaked their jerseys a little, whether it involved changing or removing a stripe or design.

This presented great opportunities for the teams' marketing departments. Teams such as San Jose held a contest where fans got to design the new uniforms. Other teams, such as Minnesota and Pittsburgh were very secretive of their new uniform design by not letting anyone see them until the day they were revealed to the public. These pictures illustrate the differences between the Minnesota Wild's old home jerseys (left) and new home jerseys (right). Quite a difference, right?

The new jerseys, logos, designs, and rules of the league may not make hockey the most popular sport in America, but they surely make it much more interesting than it was before.

When Sports Commentary Goes Too Far...

Sports commentary has become one of the most popular concepts in today's world. Whether it be on television, radio or online everybody has there opinion and wants to share it to a huge audience. The question is when does sports commentary go too far? When does is become obscene and at what point is it just for ratings?

ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports commentary. Shows such as Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption (PTI) have gained a phenomenal following. These shows are described by ESPN to "featur[e] passionate opinions on the day's hot-button issues." They battle everyday about wins and loss as well as off the field incidents. But when it comes to personal issues that many may consider unrelated to the sport sometimes these journalists go too far. One such example is the sudden passing of Washington Redskin and former University of Miami Hurricane Sean Taylor.

This was obviously the story of the day, both on the front and back pages of the paper. But the way that the personalities of ESPN's PTI handled this tragic story was horrendous. Before word of his passing came the two both stated that the worst part of it all was that they were "not surprised." Although athletes may have their dark pasts when an athlete is in a time of need and their family deserves support what right to journalists have to judge and individual in their final days. If Taylor was not an athlete and simply an "average Joe" would it be acceptable for a news commentary organization to say something of that sort.

There is a thin line that journalist walk. In this case it simply went too far.

Will history be made in the NFL this season?

As the end of the NFL regular season quickly approaches two teams are very close to making history. One of the unbelievable success, and the other of the unbelievably bad. After watching the Patriots play all season and beat quality teams like Dallas and Indianapolis easily I am very confident that the only way New England will lose is if they play the practice squad in week 17. They are very well coached, and everyone on the team plays for one goal... winning and winning big. I know some people have a problem with them running up the score but I am not one of the people. The teams they are beating are professional teams, they all play under the same salary cap and same regulations, but how can one team be so dominant? They have amazing coaching and amazing players, if they run up the score its because the other team obviously doesn't belong on the same field.

Now to the other side of history. The Dolphins are a very bad team this year, they have very little offense and never seem to get a break. After watching them lose to the Jets, another bad team in the NFL yesterday by a score of 40-13 I am almost convinced that it will take a miracle for them to win and not go winless.

So what do you think? Will history be made this season?

Which Team is Going to Come Out 10-2?

This evening at 8:30 PM on the NFL network two teams will kick off in hopes for possible home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys are two teams with a substantial history and tonight, will battle for continuing their one loss record. Both teams are currently 10-1 but tonight one NFC powerhouse will fall short.

The Packers are hoping that their star quarterback, Brett Favre, will lead them to victory. Favre, who recently turned 38 is having one of the best statistical seasons of his career. But, can't you remember how most thought he should have retired becuase he was reaching the ripe old age of...40!

Now a days athletes are beginning their careers younger and surprisingly ending their careers later. How is this possible? And is it bad for the sport to have a continuous STAR on one particular team?

I think having Favre still on the field and performing the way he does is only increase fan loyalty. He might be older but he is probably not going anywhere soon.

Roger Clemens is another example of an "old" athlete. This 45 year old led the National league in era's two years ago and he is five years older than Favre.

So tonight you might want to be on the lookout for another dominating performance by Favre.

Running Back: Unwanted Fame

Stockpile running backs. That is the trend that most National Football League teams are going for these days, but why? The reason is simple, running back is the most damaging position in football. As a running back, on every down of every series of every game you expect to get hit. The nature of the sport makes it so that while you have to have a balance of passing and running the ball to be successful in the NFL. Every week it seems to be another star running back injured, every week some new and obscure players signs with a team and somehow eventually gets playing time.
But are these players being treated fairly? They are constantly being battered and bruised and not properly compensated. While the Larry Johnson’s and LT’s of the world are getting the money they deserve, plenty of other running backs today don’t get paid for their services.
They don’t call them workhorses for nothing. Truth is if I was a running back in today’s NFL I would do my best for one year, sign a big contract and just get the heck out of there. It is not worth risking your life and health to not get the proper pay, when in the end you are just bound to retire early anyways.
Maybe these NFL teams should think about making running back the highest paid position, and not quarterback, heck they only receive punishing hits at most seven times a game. A starting running back can more than triple that number.

There Is A Winning Team in Miami

The University of Miami Men's Basketball Team moves to an impressive 6-0 start with a recent home victory over Alabama State, 83-74. As a senior at UM, coming off of a horrendous four and out season from out football team, I am very pleased that I finally have something to cheer about.

The team is looking pretty good this year with their returning leading scorer, Jack McClinton. Last year he ended his season by averaging 44.0 percent from the three point line, ranked first in the ACC in three point percentage. Jack Bio. In his first four starts this season he has averaged 14.3 points per game while shotting 57.1 percent from behind the arc. Unfortunately, McClinton has been on the bench for the last two games because of an injury to his thumb.

Another exciting retuning player this season, is fifth year senior, Anthony King. King missed the last 24 games of the 2007 season with a wrist injury. He started 8-of-8 games played, averaging 7.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. King was leading the ACC in rebounding prior his season-ending injury. He scored seven or more points in five of the eight games he played and recorded double-digit rebounds in all but three of those games. Lastly, King scored a season-high 19 points with 15 rebounds and four blocks in the season-opener against Florida International (11/11).

This Miami team brings their record to 6-0 for only the fifth time in program history. It is the best start for us since the 2001-2002 season when we won 14 straight. Just recently Fox Sports ranked Miami in the top 25. Fox Sports.

The next game for the Hurricanes in on Sunday, December 2nd at 4 p.m. They are going to be playing against their former Big East rival, St. Johns. This should be an exciting game and remember the last time we went 6-0 to start a season we made it to the NCAA tournament. So come out and support!

Give me your money!

Are the possibilities of being burglarized more evident now than ever for a professional athlete? Recent history would say that the answer is yes. After the Sean Taylor “attempted” burglary earlier this week, it brought to light the fact that professional athletes live a very scared lifestyle.
Grant it, professional athletes seem to live a lifestyle full of glitz and glamour, they drive around in expensive cars and live in million dollar mansions, but they still have to pay for body guards to make sure that they won’t get mugged. The irony of it all is that these athletes are famous for being really good at what they do, and earning the pay for it, but some prominent business owners might make as much as a star athlete and will now have even half the trouble of keeping their family safe as say an Antoine Walker has. Then at the point when these athletes are getting mugged or burglarized, they really can’t say, “Hey, this guy stole my $75,000 Rolex watch.” Most people would just tell them to go and buy a new one, they can afford it. Why should they have to?
It’s unfair to ask these individuals to be a star and a role model for others, but don’t feel defenseless when you get one of your valuables stolen from you, just go out and spend more of that money. If you feel that this money was hard earned or not, regardless, it is fairly given to them through the rules of their sports governing body. It is sad to say that we have lost one of the top athletes in the history of our school, because someone needed his valuables more than he needed his life.