Controversial Calls?

Week 11 in the NFL had a couple controversial calls in crucial parts of the game. First, in the Saints and 49ers game, the refs threw a flag on Ahmad Brooks for hitting Drew Brees in the head and neck area. Drew Brees fumbled on the play too and that could have sealed a win for the 49ers. The Saints tied the game with a field goal and later hit the game winning field goal as time expired. I thought the call was accurate as it says in the rule book that they cannot hit the other player in the head or neck area. I do feel like they protect the players a little to much but you cannot go after another players head or neck. That could cause serious damage to the player and could possibly end their football career. Plus, Drew Brees was bleeding from the play so that shows Brooks hit him in the head. Second, in the Patriots and Panthers game, the ref threw a flag on the very last play of the game but picked it up and called off the penalty. Replay clearly shows that Rob Gronkowski was held by Luke Kuechly before the ball was intercepted. The ball was somewhat uncatchable by Rob but we do not what would have happened if he was not help by Luke. Rob was unable to turn around an attempt to catch the ball because Luke was holding him from coming back to the ball. Any other play this would have been called for pass interference, but since it was the last play of the game they did not call a penalty. If they want to get the right calls and not have any controversy, they should use replays more often.

New York Yankees Facial Hair Policy

Free Agent pitcher Brian Wilson will not sign with the New York Yankees because he refuses to shave his beard. This is the craziest reason i have ever seen for someone not signing with a team. The Yankees have had this policy for some time but i feel like they need to change their rule. Some players such as Brian Wilson are known for their facial hair and do not want to trim or shave it because it represents them. What happens when the Yankees can get one of the best players in the league but he refuses to shave his beard? It is not that big of a deal for someone to have a beard. The beard is not going to bring down the organization or have people think different about who the Yankees are. It might make the team look professional but its not going to make the team win the World Series.

Gerald McCoy

Greg Schiano (Tampa Bay's coach)

A couple weeks ago, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy helped a player up from the Carolina Panthers. His coaching staff did not like that he did this. McCoy said the coaching staff made comments to him about helping the other player out. McCoy responded by saying “Listen, if I want to help somebody, I’m going help somebody up. Because right on the next play I’m going to knock him down again. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. That doesn’t change how hard I play. As long as in between the whistles I’m not helping anybody up, it doesn’t matter. So what if I help them off the ground?” I agree with McCoy here. All you are doing is helping the other person off the ground, he is showing sportsmanship and what is wrong with that. I do not see what is wrong about helping another person off the ground. Colts QB Andrew Luck pats the opposing players on the back when they tackle him and you do not see his coaches yell at him for doing that. McCoy's coach is just frustrated because his team did not win yet and is probably going to get fired at the end of the year.

Harassment gone to far

Richie Incognito

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin left the team after guard Richie Incognito kept harassing Martin. Martin did whatever Incognito told him to do because he was a rookie and was scared to say something back. Their are several allegations being looked over for this case. First, Martin payed Incognito $15,000 for a trip last year that Martin did not even attend. Second, their are several text messages and voice mails from Incognito to Martin that are intimidating and unnecessary. Why would someone do something like this? you are a grown man and should not be bullying other adults. People haze rookies every year, but this has gone way too far. Someone should not fear going to their job everyday and worrying about doing something wrong and getting yelled at. Incognito deserved to get suspended and he should receive more penalties.

Brandon Meriweather

Brandon Meriweather, safety for the Washington Redskins is known for his brutal hits on the field. Meriweather was faced with a one game suspension last week for his helmet-to-helmet hits against the Chicago Bears. Meriweather responded by saying he has to take peoples knees outs now since he can no longer hit anyone high. Football is the most watched sport in the United States and no one wants to see a player suffer a major injury. Meriweather has been a dirty player since he started his career in the NFL and now he is talking about ending players careers. Some kind of big suspension needs to be placed on Meriweather before he does actually end a few players careers.

Washington Redskins name change?

A Native American tribe is campaigning to change the name of the Washington Redskins because they think the name is a racial slur towards Native Americans. Personally, I do not feel like the name is attended to be racial towards them but as a way to honor them. The Redskins have had their name for 80 years and now people are saying it is a racial slur. I know this has been going on for a couple years to change the name but it is not necessary. It is only the name for a football team and that is all. High Schools use the Redskins for their team name too but they do not make a big deal about that. If they feel like this name is racial, then why not change other teams names like the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Black-hawks, etc. These team names are a product of franchise building in the early years of the sport and that is where they get their unique character. This has grown out of proportion and they should put an end to it.

Pittsburgh Pirates NLDS

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not made the playoffs in over 21 years and have not won a postseason series since 1979. The Pirates head into the NLDS coming off a wild card game win against the Reds. The team is looking to ride the momentum from the wild card game into the NLDS against a tough match-up with the Cardinals. The Pirates need to get the bats hot early and have the bullpen do what it has been doing all year. If they can do this, they will have a great chance of winning.