Tennessee Titans: The Rise Back To Greatness

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Long before the wide receiver divas, the police arrests, and terrible attitudes surrounding the organization, the Tennessee Titans used to be one of the best and toughest teams in the NFL.  We seem to forget the glory years.  They were like gladiator warriors on the grid iron.  After hearing about the Eddie George exclusive coming on the Showtime about life after football and rehashing some of the great memories from those late 90's and early 2000's teams, my brain has been playing a constant highlight reel of those glory years. When asked what those teams were like, George responded "We were meat-eaters.  We gnawed on the bone.  We were Titans".

Those words struck me like a strong bolt of lightning on a warm Summer's eve.  I thirst for those years to be back in Nashville.  I truly remember those teams.  Eddie George and Steve McNair may have made up the toughest running back and quarterback tandem to ever graze and NFL field.  Those teams went to war for their teammates, coaches, and for the city of Nashville.  They represented the city like no other athletes had done before, and still haven't to this day. In order for those players to come off the field, they would have had to have a limb torn off. Not even a cracked sternum could keep them from playing.  Frank Wycheck suffered so many concussions, I wouldn't be shocked if his brain looked like yesterday morning oatmeal.  That didn't matter to them, though, they had passion.  They wanted to win and that's all they wanted. Anything less was like a shot to the throat.

When I look at the team we have in Nashville now compared to those teams, I feel disgusted.  Winning football games in this league takes passion and is a representation of a culture that is created within a locker room among a group of grown men.  A group that would literally die on the football field for their team.  Later, George said that had he died on the field against the Baltimore Ravens in those AFC showdowns, he wouldn't regret it.  That kind of passion is missing from the Titans locker room today.

You have talent? So what? Talent without production is called potential. Winning is all that matters.  Kendall Wright, Jurrell Casey, Jason McCourty, Jake Locker, do you have that same burning fire inside of you that those players had? Are you willing to go to war for your teammates? If not, then the culture of this locker room will never change.  We need someone to step up and say "losing is no longer an option". We need that, and we need it soon.  Two toned blue has been too irrelevant for too many years.  It's time to rise back to the top, because we, as fans, have been there.  We know what it feels like.  We're tired of losing.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
1/31/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

The Six Cancerous Players In The Titans Locker Room

Most Titans fans have heard TE Delanie Walker's comments about the "cancerous" players in the Titans locker room last season.  Walker mentioned the cancer earlier in the year after a crucial loss.  Many of us are pretty sure of two players that may have been unhappy with the organization and ready to get out of Tennessee, but who are the other four?  It's hard to speculate, but I'm going to because it makes for interesting content.

http://www.examiner.com/article/titans-2010-preview-receivers

1. Kenny Britt- Britt is the most obvious player on the 53 man roster that was completely out of it last year.  His lack of work and concentration sent his career into a downward spiral.  He believes he's better than he is and never quite figured out how to separate his personal life from his football career.  It's sad because his potential was sky high.  Potential only gets a try-out, though.

2. Chris Johnson- CJ is never slow to point the finger at other players.  Like Britt, he thinks he's better than he actually is.  I could have hit some of the holes he's missed the past few years.  He's fast, but guess what? Everyone in the NFL is fast.  He's said he won't take a pay-cut to stay in Tennessee.  See ya!

3. Akeem Ayers-  Ayers hasn't lived up to the hype coming out of college, and claims he played through a key injury all of last season.  When I see a guy talking about his college team on twitter more than the team he plays on to make money, a red flag goes up.  That's the basis for a few of the players I've chosen.  You're in the NFL now. Take pride in your team.

4. Tommy Campbell- A guy that's not heard from much in the media, mostly because he's never lived up to his "athletic" expectations.  He was given every opportunity to beat out Alterraun Verner at the CB position this year and he couldn't do it.  He's a hell of an athlete, but he doesn't have the mental capacity to be a star. He may not have the will either.

5. Kevin Matthews- Not too sure if the guys attitude was a cancer to the team, but the fact that he kept resigning with the squad after a number of cuts seems a bit off.  His dad was the offensive line after all.  He may or may not be a good guy, but I don't know how well the whole deal sat with the players.

6. Jerry Gray- May not have been a direct cancer to the players, but the way he coached the latter part of the season brought a lot of people down with him.  There were rumblings of him changing the defensive plan midway through the season.  I wonder if it was out of spite? He knew Gregg Williams was going to be the defensive coordinator regardless.  Did he want to prove that his way was the right way? My guess is yes.

The Titans 2013 season was a huge disappointment.  Training camp was filled with so much hope and promise.  The talent was there but something was just off.  Speculation will continue into the 2014 season. We'll see if the new regime can turn things around.  I'm tired of watching scrubs in Tennessee on Saturdays and Sundays.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
1/30/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Boy Meets World Starting Five

This blog was inspired by one of the most enjoyable TV shows in the 90's, "Boy Meets World".  I thought it might be fun to pick a starting five from the show.  Each basketball position will get one character.  An "all first team" if you will.  We will explain why that character deserves the position. We welcome your mean, hateful (maybe nice?) comments as always! We'll start from the inside out.

At Center: Lonnie Boden

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You remember Lonnie, right? The back woods chick that had Eric flustered for a while? She's tough as nails. She may not be the biggest center in the league, which is a huge negative, but I wouldn't mind her in the middle at all.  She'll dish out some lumps and bruises and maybe get out of some foul trouble with her looks.

At Power Forward: Alan Matthews

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Alan was an all around great dad.  He had the love, he had the toughness, and was willing to do whatever he needed to do to support his family.  That's similar to a power forwards job (minus the love).  He flies under the radar, but he does does the dirty work that a lot of other people don't want to do for the better of the team. 

At Small Forward: Cory Matthews

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This may be disappointing to some of you.  Most might see Cory as a point guard or shooting guard.  I had that same thought until I really thought about the position.  The small forward (the third and middle postion in the lineup) is the most versitile position on the floor.  He does a little bit of everything.  That's exactly what Cory did. He was a little bad, a little good, a little sad, a little happy, a good boyfriend, a bad boyfriend. Cory did it all and he experienced it all. He could play any position, and that's why he's our small forward.

At Shooting Guard: Shawn Hunter

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Shawn is the flashy, good looking guy who gets all the girls.  That's very similar to the shooting guard.  Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James (Considered a small forward, but is similar to a shooting guard) are all shooting guards and they usually get all the glory.  They specialize in scoring offense and are always at the top of the highlight real.

At Point Guard: George Feeny

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Feeny is the brains of the operation.  He's the facilitator, the mastermind of the offense and a smart player. The seasoned point guard is wise. That's exactly what the point guard's job is.  Congratulations Fa ha ha ha heeeeeeny.

Any objections? Feel free to comment below! 

Trey Frisbey

Boy Meets Sports

1/23/2014

Twitter: @boymeetsports

Best Guide To American Football Ever

Thank you, Fraser Davidson, whoever you may be...

Trey Fribey
Boy Meets Sports
1/23/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

On This Day in Sports History: 1985

OJ Simpson became the first Heisman trophy winner to be elected into the professional football hall of fame in Canton, Ohio.  Simpson has one of the best resume's in football history.  Often, winners and finalists of the Heisman trophy come into the NFL and fizzle out.  Vince Young, Maurice Clarett, and Matt Leinart are a few recent winners and finalists that never panned out.  What Simpson did in his career really was amazing. That's part of the reason his alleged crime was so well-known.

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While his fame was only heightened by the incident, OJ was very well-known before it ever occured.  Many people forget he had a role in the "Naked Gun" movie series and had a short broadcasting career as well. OJ never went to prison for on his murder charges, but he did end up in the pin.  In 2007, he lead a group of men into a casino in Las Vegas and took various sports memorabilia at gun point.  He was granted parole in 2013 from the charges, but he is currently being held for four more years on multiple other charges.

OJ was one of the best athletes to ever touch a pigskin.  His career was fascinating and his life after football is even more interesting.  He had it all, he lost it all, he got it all back, then he lost it all again.  After he lost it all the last time, he tried to take it all back at gun point.  OJ's troublesome life is fascinating, but what he did on the field was undeniably great.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
1/23/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Super Bowl Media Coverage

Let me preface this article by saying that I would love nothing more than to be involved at media day during Super Bowl week.  Especially this year, given the location.  However, I'm still of the opinion that media members who have no business covering the teams in the Super Bowl shouldn't be at the Super Bowl!  Media attention at the big game should, and always will be, bigger than any game of the season, but that doesn't entitle everyone and their mother to get media passes and interview hundreds of people with zero relevance to the game itself.  There are other ways to do that.

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I listen to 104.5 The Zone in Nashville daily and they're going to be on radio row next week at the Super Bowl. WHY? They have nothing to do with the city of New York, The Denver Broncos, or the Seattle Seahawks.  They don't deserve a ticket.  It can be entertaining to hear some of their interviews with washed up quarterbacks or celebrity pop stars, but it's way over done.  The circus that surrounds the big game can be a bit ridiculous.

Yes, having media days may be good for fair-weather sports fans who don't have a dog in the hunt, but the game is played to find out who will be the champions of the world.  Throwing unnecessary media in the vicinity is disrespectful to those who have worked so hard.  Have more media than any other game, but don't have everyone and their mother covering the Super Bowl.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
1/23/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Great Sports Movies You May Have Forgotten

Sports flicks have been around forever and that's not changing.  We all know some of the best ones like "The Sandlot" and "Remember the Titans", but we also forget some solid sports movies that become forgotten as time goes on.  Here is a reminder of some good sports movies that you'll want to revisit after reading this.

5. The Little Giants

Remember "the anexation of puerto rico"? Of course you do! But I bet you don't think about it too often. Go watch the "The Little Giants" and remember your childhood.  

4. the garbage picking field goal kicking philadelphia phenomenon

That's right.  I pulled this card.  There are nine parts on YouTube which shows the entire film. You can also  Here (amazon link)

3. Angels In The Endzone

I apologize for the quality of the video, but this was an underrated sequel! Either that, or I was too young the last time I saw it.  You know, that age when you think every movie is outstanding.

2. The Rookie

No, not "Rookie of the Year". This movie isn't underrated at all.  Most that have seen it, love it.  It's not talked about much, though.  It's one of those movies that "fall through the cracks", when great sports movies are brought up. Go watch it.  You might cry.

1. Hard Ball

Not sure if it has survived the test of time or not, but I never hear much about it.  It's not bad at all! Go check it out.  "I love it when you call me big papa".

Those are just five of the movies that came to mind when I starting digging through parts of the brain that hold that library of my forgotten past.  Feel free to add more in the comments!

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
1/19/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Brady V. Manning: Where's the Edge?

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are facing off in the playoffs for the first time since 2007 today at Mile High.  The two have a storied history and will be going down as the best two quarterbacks in the current NFL era, and maybe of all time.  Who would you take in one game? Brady or Manning?  Here are a few categories and the quarterback who has the edge.

Playoff Record

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Brady: 18-7

Manning: 10-11

THE EDGE: BRADY

Peyton may go down as the best regular season quarterback of all-time, but Tom Brady may go down as "Mr. Clutch", when the stage gets big, Brady gets bigger, and so do his teammates. Well, except for Wes Welker

Playing In the Elements (BELOW FREEZING)

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Brady: 24-5 Record

Manning: 2-8 Record

THE EDGE: BRADY

Yes, Brady has had more opportunities to show off his talent in freezing cold weather, but he has a pretty damn good record in those games.  Manning's 2-8 is awful.  Playing in that dome in Indy for years hurt Peyton in this crucial playoff statistic.

All-Time Statistics

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Brady: 63.4% Completion Percentage, 359 Touchdowns, 95.7 Rating

Manning: 65.5% Completion Percentage,  491 Touchdowns, 97.2 Rating

THE EDGE: MANNING

This one is very close in every category except touchdowns.  Last time I checked, touchdowns win games.  Manning is a machine in the regular season.  Every time he plays your team, it's hard to be optimistic about a win. 

Head to Head

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Brady: 9 Wins, 23 TD's 12 INT's

Manning: 4 Wins, 27 TD's 19 INT's

THE EDGE: BRADY

Neither one of them play particularly well against each other.  The interception numbers are abnormally high for both.  I'm not sure if it's because of the stage, the expectation, or pressure, but they just don't perform extremely well against each other.  It doesn't mean the games aren't good, though. 

THE FINAL EDGE: BRADY

Take it for what it's worth. These are just numbers.  We all know that when Brady and Manning show down, anything can happen.  Comebacks, domination, and close games are never out of the realm of possibilities. Chances are, 3 hours after kickoff, you'll be mentally exhausted from the twists and turns in the Brady-Manning bowl.

Trey Frisbey

Boy Meets Sports 

1/19/2014

Twitter: @boymeetsports

Boy Meets Sports: 90's Edition

The 90's were a special time in our country's history.  The economy was good, the music was transforming, but most importantly, the sports were historic.  This post is inspired by "90's Saturday", which was created today at my work to give our thanks to the beautiful decade known as the 90's.  Disney Channel original movies like "Brink" and "Johnny Tsunami" were big, The Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC were on our radios, and our ball caps were turned backwards. The 90's consisted of so much more, though.  From The Buffalo Bills' four Super Bowl appearances to witnessing the greatest basketball player to touch the earth, the 90's were filled with awesome athletes and awesome moments.

5. Sosa and McGwire Make History

PED's or not, the home run race of the 90's took the sports world by storm.  Be forever grateful for Mcgwire and Sosa.  They changed the game forever.

4. The Detroit Bad Boys

It was Jordan vs. The Bad Boys.  Jordan's rivals came and went, but the bad boys were the baddest.

3. Steve Young and Joe Montana

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Joe Montana was first, but then came Steve Young.  The 49'rs transition from one quarterback to the other may be similar the Colts transition from Manning to Luck.  How LUCKy can you be? 

2. The Class of 1996

Ray Lewis, Derek Jeter, Kobe Bryant, and Tiger Woods.  Greatest class of all time? I'd vote for them.  The class of 1996 definitely had the "eye of the Tiger".  No pun intended.

1.  Michael Jordan

Enough Said.

Additional Sources:

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Trey Frisbey

Boy Meets Sports

1/19/2014

Twitter: @boymeetsports

LeBroning: The Next Internet Craze

Planking, Tebowing, and the Harlem Shake are some of the most well-known internet crazes that have taken social media by storm over the past few years.  They were all short lived but all had a crazy impact on the young culture in the United States.  Vine, Instagram, and YouTube are the biggest outlets for  young people to use in the 21st century.  When a craze like these storms the internet, everyone gets involved.  Is it dumb as hell? Yes.  Does it have a purpose? I'm not really sure. It does, however, seem to bring people from all over the world together.  It makes people feel like they are part of a group in society.  It gives people the sense that they can get famous by shooting a quick video and posting on the internet in a matter of seconds.

It's been awhile since we've had a sports related internet craze that required people to require action on picture or video.  For a while, Tebowing was going on everywhere.  Hell even I wanted to pose with celebs while Tebowing with them.

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Monday, a new internet craze surfaced.  It's called "LeBroning".  It consists of people slowly walking into people and hitting the ground hard.  They flop.  I want to participate in this crazy ass project at walmart this week.  We'll see how it goes, but it seems really awesome.  I can't wait to "LeBron" this weekend in Walmart or Kroger.  I can't wait to see that old ladies' face!

Keep up the good work young people.  Keep giving the internet ways to improve and entertain.  Without you, I don't know how we'd get through an entire NFL or college football offseason.  Oh, and yes, I am a young person.  I should be inventing things like this.  Instead, I'm writing about them like I'm a 70 year old journalist.  Oh well.

Trey Frisbey

Boy Meets Sports

1/15/2014

Twitter: @boymeetsports

Buy A Nerf Goal!

Buy a Nerf goal for your house.  This is how me and brother pass the time! Never gets old.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
1/15/14
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Fans, Your Attendance is Crucial

Seeing videos like this on ESPN have made me realize the changes that are coming in the sports world, and I don't like them. You shouldn't either.

HDTV's have taken over our homes and are only getting bigger and better.  Going to the fridge and getting a one dollar beer is cheaper than buying one at the game.  My couch is just so damn comfortable.  I love being able to watch the game in peace. Ticket prices are so expensive.

These are the excuses that are being heard louder and louder throughout the U.S. when people are asked why they prefer to stay at home and watch the game compared to attending it.  When I was growing up, going to a Titans game was one of the most awesome things I could attend.  Smelling the beer on the seats, hearing the cursing fans, and feeling the energy in the stadium gave me a feeling that can never be replicated. That feeling that I used to feel is beginning to die.  Not only in Nashville, but in a lot big arenas and stadiums around the country.  Even the NFL playoffs didn't sell out right away. 

 There is something special about the atmosphere that a sporting event provides.  Sure, your couch is comfy and the beer is cheaper, but what about coming together as a whole?  Even during games that were boring or when the team you love is bad, fans will do things like start the wave or yell out crazy, funny remarks.  You see crazy fans at games on the internet all the time, but not in this video.

A stadium without fans feels like the quietest thing on earth.  Being in such a big, unique structure without any people can be very peaceful or very depressing.  Immagine hearing your favorite announcer on the radio or TV perfectly clear because you can't hear fans screaming behind them.  Imagine hearing the referee talking in a normal voice so he doesn't have to scream over fans yelling.  Imagine hearing defensive players talking.  Imagine a lifeless, quiet stadium holding two teams hitting each other with no support.  The adrenaline would go down and performance would go down.  Start attending games.  Take your family.  Take your friends.  I don't want to see the games I love without the support they deserve.  Ditch the dish and go support your team.  

Trey Frisbey

Boy Meets Sports

1/13/2014

Twitter: @boymeetsports