The Titans Fan Base Must Evolve

The front office and head coach have made moves to make this franchise relevant again.  The Titans 2015 draft class has the most upside in the history of the team.  They have a potential star quarterback, a new WR that could be the next Calvin Johnson if he has put his past in the past, and they drafted some of the biggest steals in the draft.

In free agency, they came to terms with one of the most well respected defensive coaches ever in Dick Lebeau, signed two major defensive players and Harry Douglas, who will be a very solid second wide receiver.   They made major moves this off-season.  It's time for us to get excited, and get different.

LP Field Needs a Nickname

LP Field is the worst name in the history of football stadiums.  The good thing is, as a fan base, we can change the name of our stadium without changing the name of it. We need suggestions and we need to pick one to stick with.  I recently heard "The Woodshed" on reddit and love it.  We need something.  I really don't care what it is, but no one is scared of "LP field", and I'm sure the players aren't too proud to call it home.

High Class People Who Don't Care About Football, Give Your Tickets to Someone Else

Look, I understand that going to an NFL game is a fun event for everyone and it's something fun to talk about, but if your not gonna scream, give your seat to someone that will.  I'm tired of see rich people showing up to games late and talking on their cell phones or to their significant other the entire time.  You can do that at home.  Don't bring to our stadium anymore.

Stop Being Negative

This is probably the most difficult thing for our fan base at the moment.  Everything on social media is negative and everything on the radio is negative.  Believe it or not, that attitude is contagious.  It trickles from the ones who say it first to the rest of the fan base and then to national media and other fan bases.  It's one of the main reasons our team is viewed as such a joke in the national media right now.  Other teams have sucked for a lot longer than we have and haven't been this irrelevant.  It's our fault.

Embrace Mariota

Some of you may not agree with the decision to take him in the first round of the draft, but you need to support him, and embrace him.  Go all in on this kid.  He has the potential to make us more than relevant in the NFL.  He's the most famous player we've drafter since Vince Young and he has way more potential.  Buy his jersey, talk about him, and root for him.  He's not going to have a perfect year.  Don't start calling for Mettenburger after he throws a few picks or even has a disappointing season.  It may take some time, but let him know that you believe in him.  He's going to be fine.

It's time for this fan base to make a change.  Stop being fair weather pansies and root for your team with all your heart.  The time to turn this thing around is now.

TITAN UP

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
Twitter: @t_frisbeysports

The Monday Massacre: Sammy Watkins

I need only massacre one football player this week.  His infamous decision to begin his celebration of a long touchdown pass with a defender directly on his heels was possibly the worst decision of the year, in any sport.

If this wasn't his first offense, there's a good chance the punishment for that crime would go far beyond public humiliation.  He made himself look like a dumb ass.  Sammy Watkins, ladies and gentlemen, is the victim of my Monday Massacre.


Nothing irritates me more than show boaters that perform their show boating before they reach their goal.  Boasters have the worst karma in the world.  Everyone wants them to get what is coming to them, and they usually do. It's no different with athletes.  If you're going to celebrate scoring a touchdown, wait until you actually score a touchdown.  Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. The NFL is neither one of those.

Sammy Watkins, you have been massacred.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
@t_frisbeysports

The Best of Titans Talk Back: Week 8

"Titans Talk Back" is a post game show on 104.5 the zone that takes place every week after Titans games and is driven by fans.  It has become very entertaining this season.  Since the season has gone downhill, crazy, drunk fans love to call in and give Kevin, Mark, and Blaine their best stuff.  Their best is not very good, but it's ridiculously entertaining.

Here are some of the notes taken from Titans Talk Back after the loss to the Texans Sunday.  Read them as though your listening to the drunkest, most southern person you know.  Enjoy.

• Kevin Dyson starts the show by comparing Zach Mettenberger to a brand new Bently that breaks down driving off the lot.
• After Kevin's Bently comments, callers run with the metaphor and we begin to wonder if the show is about the Tennessee Titans or cars.
• Caller talks about his morning trips to the grocery store, convenient store on Sunday and how positive those trips were this morning. Now blames Mark Howard for bringing negative vibe to Zach Mettenberger's first start (and his sunny day).  Says the Titans aren't trying save the game, or season, they're trying to save the "DECADE" with Mett. I believe the caller was the famous "Phillip", who is also accused of having two identities by Chad Withrow.
• Caller blames Titans for passing on Colin Kaepernick, Teddy Bridgewater, and Johnny Manziel in the draft.  I wish this guy was in my fantasy league.
• *Token Dexter McCluster call*. Every week.
• Caller makes a reasonable and intelligent call.  Fun sucker.
• Tons of other calls that transcripts wouldn't do justice for because of how hammered they were. 
• Caller claims that Florida State quarterback Jamious Winston will be the Titans savior next season.
• Fan calls and begs other fans not to sell their tickets and allow other teams fans to come in and take over the stadium.  It's too late for that, buddy.  Steelers will be playing a home game.
• Caller contrasts Titans ownership to Muhamad Ali.  Seriously.
• Caller drunkenly bashes food at LP field.  Mark explains that it was a point of interest in the offseason and the team tried to make it better.  I've had the Chilli Pesto or whatever it's called.  It was cold an awful.

That will do it for this week's "Titans Talk Back".  The callers brought the heat today.  We'll do another edition in two weeks.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
@t_frisbeysports

Here Comes the Mett show

The Titans have a new starting quarterback on Sunday.  Here are the best plays of his career at LSU.

 You're an absolute clown, Mett, but please bring some of this to Tennessee with you.  We need a leader, and we need one now.  It's time to show these NFL clowns what the real clown is made of.  You're a diva, we know, but show us that the NFL quarterback can be a diva.  Show us what you have.  You have nine games.  Ready, set, go.

Titans: 22 Positions in 22 Days: QB

Over the next 22 days, I'll be doing a series covering the Tennessee Titans roster by doing an in depth write up of each position.  Each day I'll address the position that is being covered, the depth chart (and predict how the depth chart will look on September 7th), the money spent at the position, and give the position a grade of A,B,C,D, or F plus (+) or minus (-).  Today is the beginning of 22 positions in 22 days.

Position 1:  Quarterback

Depth Chart:  

1. Jake Locker
2. Charlie Whitehurst 
3. Tyler Wilson 

Average Salary

• Locker: $3,146,501
• WhiteHurst: $2,250,000
• Wilson: $495,000
• TOTAL: $5,891,501

The quarterback position has not been stable for this organization since 2004, which was Steve McNair's last season.  The team has gone from Kerry Collins to Vince Young, back to Kerry Collins to Vince Young, to Matt Hasselbeck to Jake Locker, back to Matt Hasselbeck to Jake Locker, then to Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Throw Rusty Smith in there for a few games, and you have the quarterback carousel of the Tennessee Titans.

This year promises no difference than what we've seen over the past ten years.  The season will start with a 4th year unproven starter and backup that no-one has ever seen play over a significant amount of time.  Locker is going to be given one final chance.  What he does with that chance could possibly make or break this season for the Titans.  I'm a believer in Jake Locker, but his time is running short.  He's easy to root for and seems very genuine.  He's a guy that people want to see succeed.  It's on him, though.  This season will be his last shot.

The Titans are expected to take a quarterback somewhere in the draft this May.  Jim Wyatt says that there is a greater than 50/50 shot that they'll take one in the second round.  Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel are both two possible quarterbacks that could fall into round 2.  That said, this year's quarterback class has been one of the most fluid I've seen in some time.  Any of the top six could fall into round two and could be wearing two toned blue next season.  Rustin Webster probably has three out of those six guys in mind.  If neither of those three are there in the second round, look for the Titans to wait until a later round to draft a QB.  It wouldn't hurt them to take a running back in the second round, anyway.

Final Grade: D

The state of the quarterback position is in limbo.  It is the most important position on the field and the Titans don't quite know what they have.  That should send up red flags to the organization and the team.

Image Credit:  http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6bBkLbkpN2pAZfqSZeEp0iRT6ntPuPsGAfPSwxnbpLbEBQtqY:farm7.staticflickr.com/6226/6348930967_373fcb37a9_o.jpg

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
4/23/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports 

 

 

Titans Schedule to be Released Tomorrow

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They've announced the announcement, and finally the announcement announced the time when the 2014 NFL schedule will be released.  We don't know much about it yet, but we do know which teams will be facing the Titans in the upcoming season.

Home Opponents:
Browns
Cowboys
Giants
Jets
Steelers
Texans
Jaguars
Colts

Away Opponents:
Ravens
Bengals
Chiefs
Eagles
Redskins
Texans
Jaguars
Colts

The question every year is how many games will we have that aren't played at 12:00 p.m. central time? Judging from the opponents that aren't in the division, there won't be many (maybe 0) games played at 3:05 or 3:15 this season.  they aren't playing any west coast teams (home or away) and should stay at the 12:00 time-slot unless they get flexed late in the season.

Another question asked is when the BYE week will be.  I always thought there was a formula to figure out when a team's bye week will be.  I've done some research, and I can't find anything to support this theory.  A good bye week for NFL teams is somewhere in between weeks 6 and 8. That gives them a good midway point break from the start of the preseason to the end of the season.  The bye week will be unveiled tomorrow.

The ultimate question everyone has about the NFL schedule is when their team will be playing in prime time.  The Titans had a 7-9 record last season and are a small market team, which doesn't fare well with the league in terms of highlight games.  They are playing some well-recognized teams such as the Ravens, Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, Jets, Steelers, and Giants which will give them a better chance of playing under the lights more than once in 2014.  Expect no more than two games in prime time, though.  Don't be surprised if both of them are away games.

We are all excited about tomorrow night's big announcements.  Titans fans, don't get too excited.  Like every other mediocre year, expect mediocre to bad scheduled games.  Don't expect to be respected by the league in a small market.  Not to mentioned, the Titans lost any star power they held when they released Chris Johnson earlier this month.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
4/22/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Be Careful in the Locker Room: My Staph Infection Story

MRSA infections are becoming a big issue in locker rooms.  From the NBA to little league baseball, nobody is safe from this horrible infection.  It is mostly antibiotic resistant and can lead to serious injury or even death.  I almost lost my leg to this infection.  Here is my story as told by me on my reddit account.

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"Sure. It happened during the summer between my sophomore and junior year in high school. I played a lot of basketball and was attending a camp over the summer at a local college in the Nashville area. The day after the last day of camp, I noticed what looked like a pimple on my right knee. I squeezed, puss came out, but nothing out of the ordinary.

The next day I woke up and my leg was swollen (around the pimple that I squeezed the day before). My mom and I decided to go to the doctor because it was a bit painful. They told me it was a spider bite, gave me a shot, and I was on my way.

The next day, I woke up and my leg had gotten worse. It was painful to walk and it was swollen up to mid-thigh. Puss was oozing out every time I touched the area. We met up with my doctor outside of his office (I believe it was a Sunday), and he said that I should go straight to the hospital. 

As soon as I arrived at the hospital, a doctor (ended up being my surgeon) drew a line around the swelled area with a pen so they could monitor it. Five hours later, the infection had spread up my leg about an inch or two past the line that was drawn. They put me on antibiotics to try to stop the swelling before they operated (the operation consisted of several incisions to give the excess puss and gunk a way to travel out of my body other than the small pimple hole). The infection wasn't responding to any of the treatment, and the doctors were getting worried. Talk about a terrible feeling. Finally, my body responded to the last strain of antibiotics the hospital had. 

I went under the knife a day later and still have a few pretty big (wide) scars on my leg because part of the healing process consisted of letting the incision grow together naturally so all of the infection would leave my body. Because of this, I didn't receive stitches. The scars look like shark bites.

During this process, I had one of the biggest needles I've ever seen stuck into the inside part of my knee/thigh (it had to be big enough to draw the infection out so they could test it). Oh and I watched a lot of Boy Meets World in the hospital. I like to think it helped. Ha! (about the only non-medical event that I remember about that six day hospital visit)."

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
4/22/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Ripple Effect of Dexter McCluster's Signing

No one expected the Titans to make a big splash in free agency this year.  Still, I was anxiously awaiting three o'clock to hit and see what news the NFL had to bring on their equivalent of college football's signing day.  Sure enough, the clock hit three, like it always does, and the Titans surprised us, like they always do.  They signed former Chiefs WR and PR Dexter McCluster.  The reaction to the signing has been mixed, but mostly positive.  It's a high middle class free agency signing, but it seems like a big splash.  He's going to provide diversity to a good group of receivers. Along with the positives of the signing, though, there will be a fallout.

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Pump the Breaks, Leon

Along with the signing of McCluster this afternoon, the Titans also signed KR/PR Leon Washington.  He did a solid job for the Titans at the end of the season last year being a reliable return man and even breaking loose a few times.  I wouldn't call the veteran Washington explosive, though.  He was just solid, and McCluster brings another dynamic to the return game.  Teams are afraid to kick to McCluster.  That can be a huge advantage for the Titans.  Washington may have just been given false hope from the Titans.  His job is not secure.

Goodbye, Marc Mariani?

I put a question mark there because I'm not sure I believe this statement just quite yet.  Is the writing on the wall for the beloved Titans WR? Yes. I'm just not sure if he'll be cut.  He's found a way to survive the cuts before, mostly due to injury.  The fans love him though, and he's a hard worker.  I can see the Titans keeping him if they cut Nate Washington, Damian Williams, and Leon Washington due to McCluster's signing. Mariani is a cheap, reliable (if healthy) alternative to the receivers and returns.  Don't count him out just yet.

We Still Love You Nate

Nate Washington, you've been nothing but great for the Titans, and don't forget that.  We here at Boy Meets Sports want you to stay in Tennnessee, I just don't know if it's going to happen.  The signing of McCluster may be the writing on the wall.  I'm not sure if this helps, but I am of the opinion that Washington, McCluster, Hunter, and Wright could make up one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the league. I'm on your side, Nate.  I just don't know if the Titans can make it happen.

Goodbye, For Sure, Chris Johnson

Sorry CJ, you're out.


Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
3/11/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports 

Pay That Man: Alteraaun Verner

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With free agency beginning soon and the draft just around the corner, the 53 man roster for the 2014 football season will begin to be molded in the next few months.  The current status of the Titans organization is largely unknown.  There is a new coach,  a new staff, and new players that may be coming soon.  We are all anxiously waiting to see how the roster will shake out.  There are a number of players who will either be cut or their contracts will run out this off season.  These players will hit the unknown world of free agency.  Players like Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt will quickly find out their worth on the open market.  It won't be much.  Some players, however, will find a flowing waterfall of cash being thrown at their doorstep.

Alterraun Verner, corner back for the Titans, is one player that will be making a large sum of money somewhere next season.  It's been well documented that the Titans are expected to allow him to test the waters of free agency.  That's a mistake.  Verner was arguably the Titans best defensive player 2013.  He was the lone Titan on the pro bowl roster.  He's also a good teammate and well liked by the community (an underrated quality in today's NFL).  The defense last year wasn't great.  Verner and Bernard Pollard (another free agent) are two of the few bright spots in the defense last year. 

Akeem Ayers, Zach Brown, and Moise Fokou underperformed for a large portion of the season.  They were part of a line backing corp that was supposed to work magic for the Titans last season. It was the secondary, though, that surprised us.  They played outstanding ball all season.  Bernard Pollard was a leader, Michael Griffin played how he was expected to play after the new contract, and Verner and Jason McCourty became one of the best corner back duos in the league.  Taking that tandem away would set the defense back.  This defense doesn't have room to go backwards.  It needs to go forwards.

At the beginning of training camp, Verner was battling with Tommie Campbell for the cornerback slot opposite of McCourty.  Verner earned that spot.  He earned it for last year and many years to come.  The Titans finally have a position on the roster that is taken care of.  They have two corner backs.  Don't take that step back.  Sign Verner and work on other areas.  McCourty and Verner will be fine.  The Titans need to work on their defensive line and line backing corp.  If they can keep the secondary the same, that would be considered a win for the organization.  Pay that man:  Alterraun Verner.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/13/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Make Me Want to Buy A Ticket, LP Field

Much has been made of LP field and the Titans tickets prices rising next year.  It seems weird, to most of us, that prices are rising given the product that has been put on the field in the past few years.  In reality, though, the tickets have been very reasonable considering comparable markets like Charlotte and Indianapolis.  In return of rising ticket prices, fans want to see improvement.  Improvement of the game day experience and improvement in the win/loss record.  The stadium recently received a jumbo tron upgrade, but many of us would gladly trade that for better convenience and a better overall atmosphere.  here are five simple, but effective ways to provide a better game-day atmosphere in Nashville.

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Cheaper Food

The subtitle speaks for itself.  I can't find one person who is excited about going to a football game and spending eight dollars on a hot dog.  We're attending football games in the south, not a five star restaurant in Belize.  I'm pretty sure you would still make money on a ballpark frank charging three bucks a pop.

Better Parking

Quite frankly, I'm sick of paying 20 bucks to park across the river and have to walk a mile and half over a bridge to get to the stadium's campus (yes I know that there are other places to park, but not everyone reading this does).  There is plenty of room around LP Field.  If they can't make the parking work how it is now, then change it!  There is plenty of space. Buy more space if you need to.  Traffic and parking is a huge issue on game-day. There is no reason not to make this a priority.

Better Cell Phone Service

You know, sometimes at half time and TV breaks I don't want to watch Kia give away a car or root for the bunny bread bunny to win a race that's going to get me a free loaf of bread.  I want to check twitter! I want to look at my phone and see what Jim Wyatt has to say about injuries. I want to see what kind of negative spin Paul Kuharsky can put on the game even if we're up 30 to 0.  I want to see scores around the league and how my fantasy team is doing.  You know what I can't do at LP Field?  Any of those things.  Make cell phones work in your stadium, LP.

Redefine the Pro Shop
 
The first three were fairly obvious ways to improve the game-day experience, but this one isn't spouted off too much.  The jersey and gear prices are ridiculously expensive.  I can go to Ross or TJ Maxx and get Titans gear for a quarter of the pro shop asks.  I know it's not reasonable to ask for a huge price drop, but they're selling to a market that is incredibly small.  The high class and first-time game goers are the target group of people who buy gear from the pro shop.  With a reasonable price drop, and some marketing, they could sell a lot of gear.  I'd buy a hat at the game for 15 dollars, not for 30, though.

Just Win

The message of this subtitle goes out to the Titans organization.  If you really want to put butts in the seats, win games.  What we really want is to see a higher number in the left column of the win/loss chart.  Make me want to buy seats, Titans.  Win some games and see Nashville rock like it did in 1999 and the early 2000's.  Go Titans!

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/6/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

5 NFL Teams Who Need a Little 'Johnny Me'

The most polarizing figure in college sports will have a new place to call home in May. He's exciting, he's lucky, and he's a little bit bad.  Johnny Manziel would electrify any NFL stadium with his on and off the field antics. He's not afraid to ruffle the feathers.  Some organizations need that fire.  Some need an athlete that will put butts in the seats.  Here are five (pretty bad) teams that could use a little Johnny Football under center.

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5. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags passed up on a golden opportunity to fill up their stadium when they passed on Tim Tebow.  They could have saved that franchise for Florida, instead they're likely to be the first one's to bolt when LA opens their new stadium.  Manziel could change that, though. Come on Kahn, make a move that someone will actually care about.  Unless, of course, you want out of Jacksonville.

4. New York Jets

The Jets past few quarterback experiments have been disastrous.  It may be safe to say that their best quarterback last year was Matt Simms, yes, Matt Simms.  That's pathetic.  Geno Smith is awful and is probably going to stay awful. There was nothing that made me think any positive thoughts about him last season.  Start fresh with Johnny Manziel, Rex Ryan.

3. Minnesota Vikings

I wish I could think of a Vikings quarterbacks over the last several years, but I can't.  They've all sucked.  Go get Johnny Football. Imagine the Adrian Peterson and Johnny Manziel tandem in that backfield.  That would be a force to be reckoned with.  That place can get loud, too.  The Vikings are only a quarterback away from being good.  Unless you want to see AP out the door soon, Minnesota, then go get Johnny Football.

2. Dallas Cowboys

I'm not sure if I agree with this choice, but I'm not sure I don't.  Romo has been a hell of a quarterback, like him or not, but he just can't win that game.  That game that needs to be won to get into the playoffs or advance in the playoffs.  It's fair to wonder if he has reached his ceiling.  His ceiling may be 1st round playoff out.  Jerry Jones would pull the trigger on Manziel, no doubt.  It's a long shot, and I don't think it's going to happen unless Johnny falls to a later round, but damn would it be exciting.

1. Houston Texans

This is where the real hype is.  This is where the fans want Johnny.  This is the perfect situation.  Matt Schaub is done in Houston and Case Keenum didn't necessarily light it up last year.  Johnny could bring the Texans right back to prominence in the AFC South, one of football's weakest division.  The Texans could be looking at the perfect storm, just like the Colts when they got Andrew Luck.  Do it, Houston.  Draft the biggest star in the short history of your franchise.  With all of the high picks you've had, this could be the biggest.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/5/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Titans: Welcome, 2014 Football Season

First, let us properly congratulate the Seattle Seahawks on their absolute demolishing performance against the Broncos in the big game. No, we didn't see it coming either.

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Now that we have that out of the way, let us focus of the 2014 football season that will be here in the blink of an eye.  The excitement will build slowly throughout free agency, the draft, mini camps, and training camps. Like the 31 other teams in the league, The Titans are 0-0 starting now and the anticipation and hope will rise slowly.

Here are five things the Titans need to do before they kick off their season on that hot summer day in September:

Release CJ, Britt 

I know many of you think Chris Johnson is still an "elite" running back in the NFL and that the Titans would be making a mistake by releasing him. In reality, though, CJ had three really good years that were followed by a mostly unproductive, average career.  Is he fast? Yes.  Can he be exciting? Yes. I just haven't seen much of either of those in the past three years. What once was is no more. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity. As for Kenny Britt, well.... HA.

Draft a Running Back, Quarterback

There are are going to be a few holes on this team going into the season.  If they pull the trigger, one of the biggest will be at running back.  Look for them to take a running back in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft.  Who will it be? I'm not sure, you tell me.  At the QB position, Jake Locker will get one more shot and he deserves it, but they need to start developing a young quarterback just in case.  We'll see if its Tyler Wilson or a QB from the draft.

Re-Sign Bernard Pollard

Pollard became a staple of the defense as soon as he walked into camp last year.  He's a leader that has been much needed on this team.  He brought a fire that we haven't seen in quite some time. Letting him go would be taking a huge step back.  Bring him back, make a few defensive additions (especially on the line) and strive to be like that swarming Seattle defense we saw tonight.

Pick Up A Good Cornerback

Unfortunately, it's looking like Alterann Verner will not be wearing two toned blue next season.  If they do bring him back, we should all be ecstatic, but since I don't expect it to happen, they need to bring someone in to bring the production he brought.  Please, please don't give us the Tommie Campbell treatment again.  Really... Please.

Focus, Work, And Be Consistant

Being tough and having the right mindset should be a huge focus for Ken Wisenhunt and the new coaching staff.  We saw a lot of games slip through our hands last year.  We need a team that is hungry. We need a team that will finish.  We need a team with the heart of a champion.  No more soft play or soft minds.  The eye of the tiger is what they call it, I believe.

So here's to the 2014 season.   May it bring us bountiful gifts.  It's time to see two toned blue nation rise up and bring that trophy to Nashville.  Go Titans!

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/2/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

Golden be thy Name

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The 48th playing of the Super Bowl will be played today between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. I, along with many others, are hoping for a great game. However, I am also pulling for the Seahawks to win based on the fact that I went to high school and played baseball with one of their players, Golden Tate. I am going to give an inside scoop of what it was like being in high school and being friends with an NFL superstar.

My earliest memory of Golden was in 8th grade. I was playing football for Christ the King school (I went to St. Ann's but we did not have a football team). St. Joseph's was one of the worst teams in the league and lost almost every game. The last game of the season, we heard that St. Joseph's had a new player, his mom just now letting him play. They won the first game of the playoffs, but lost to the powerhouse Holy Rosary. It was us and Holy Rosary in the finals, while St. Joseph's was in the 3rd place game which took place right before our game. I got a chance to watch some of the game and I noticed somebody who was head and shoulders above the competition. You could see the potential in this kid and you knew that he was something special.

Fast forward to basketball season when my school took on St. Joseph's. It was one of the toughest games I have ever played. Golden was incredibly quick and you had to be in great condition just to keep up with him. You could tell that he was not as polished as a basketball player, but he was still really good and you were afraid to play him. We played them in a tournament later in the year. We were relieved to know that he was not playing due to bad grades. However, we lost to them in OT. They were a pretty stacked team with Golden.

During High School, I went to Pope John Paul II High School. Me and Golden were in the same grade. Everybody knew that he was a great athlete and treated him like such. I remember having a few classes with him. He was not the smartest guy but you could tell that he tried hard. During my junior year, we had a test in Personal Finance. Golden was sitting right next to me. I noticed that he keeped looking at the teacher and when the teacher looked away, he had a note card underneath the test that he would look at with all the answers. Personally, I always liked Golden. We were never great friends, but we always talked and he took the time to get to know me. I also liked that just because he was a star athlete he did not change who he was. He was not cocky and was very friendly. He was never in over his head and think he was better than anybody. I believe he got that attitude from his mom, who was a very sweet woman, but was also very stern.

In sports, Golden played football, basketball and baseball throughout high school. You could tell that football was the number 1 sport for him and the sport he loved the most. He played QB, wide receiver, running back, punt and kick return, and cornerback all throughout his high school career. Golden was an impact player and you had to keep your eyes on the game, because if you looked away you might miss something special. His biggest moment was againgst Goodpasture one year. We were down by 14 with about 20 seconds left. Game over right? Wrong! Golden scored a TD, recovered an onside kick, then scored the game-tying touchdown dragging 2 defenders with him to send the game to OT which we wind up winning. We knew he was going to go to a big time school. he would come into the baseball locker room with letters from schools like Nebraska, Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin among others. Every now and then, he would get a letter from a school like San Jose St. He would look at it and laugh and throw it at us and said we can open it. Phillip Fulmer came to our school one day, though we never saw him. Once when I was in theology class one day, Charlie Weis, head football coach of Notre Dame at the time, walks in and talks to us. Later that day, Golden walks up to the stage and lets the school know that he decided to play football at Notre Dame.

Golden also played basketball in High School, although he did not play his Senior year. You could tell that out of all the sports, basketball was his "worst" sport which really did not mean anything because he was still great. One of my favorite memories of high school is my junior year when we played our arch-rival Father Ryan at their place. Down by 1 with 3 seconds left, we inbound just past midcourt. We throw it to Golden at the top of the key who drives to the free throw line and puts up a floating bank shot that goes in to win the game. We rushed the court and it was an epic moment.

Golden also played baseball and boy could he play. I played with him for 3 years, but I mostly sat on the bench watching greatness. Golden is making a name for himself in the NFL but if he really wanted to he could switch over to baseball and he would do just fine. He actually got drafted right out of high school but decided to go to Notre Dame, where he played baseball as well. Golden was the perfect 5-tool player. He had it all and made everything look so easy. He was the starting Center fielder all 4 years. His range was incredible and he had a cannon of an arm. He could throw it from the fence, which was 375 feet away, all the way to home plate on just 1 hop! At the plate, he could hit for average and power. He once hit 3 homers in one day and had an inside-the-park homer as well. He had great speed on the basepath. Many times he would get picked off but he had the speed to get down to second base before the ball could get there. During his senior year, he was gone for most of the practices because he had to go to banquets and other commitments. However, his playing time was never cut, because you know it's Golden Tate. The coach would be stupid to bench him, although if anybody else did the same thing they would not have been playing. One day he even forgot his jersey and the coach gave him his. One day we were playing in a tournament when some scouts for the Yankees came to watch him play. At one point, he had to lay out for a ball. When he came back to the dugout, he asked us, "Is my thumb supposed to bend this way?" with his thumb bent in a weird direction. He wound up tearing a ligament in his thumb and that was the end of his baseball career in high school. He would run track the rest of the year.

As I watch the game today, I will be proud to know that I got to know Golden Tate. Many memories have revolved around him. The last time I saw him was 2 summers ago. I was walking around downtown Nashville when all of a sudden I saw him. Before I could say anything, he yelled my name and rans up to me and gave me a big hug. Not everyday you see an NFL star walking around downtown Nashville. I think that is what sums up Golden Tate. He is a very caring, genuine guy who never forgets the people from his past. He will never let fame get to his head and will never change who he is. That is the Golden Tate that I know and I wish all of you could know. Go Seahawks!

Until Next time,

Nathan Krispin
Boy Meets Sports

Polarizing Peyton: The Love And Hate Of The Greatest Ever

As a Tennessee Vol and Tennessee Titan fan, I have never loved and hated the same person at once in such extremes.  Peyton is a Knoxville legend. He was the hero in orange.  He never won a national championship at the University of Tennessee, but that didn't matter.  He was the best quarterback to ever touch the field at Neyland. I loved Peyton when he wore orange. As much as I loved him then, though, I hated that much in a Colts uniform.  He's one of the rare athletes that are loved and hated based on the team he plays for.  If your with him, you love him, if you're not, you hate him.  He's not a polarizing figure off the field, his presence and fame have come in between the lines, and there is a certain respect that comes with that.

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Unlike other athletes, Peyton is never questioned about his mechanics, work ethic, and "kick your butt" attitude. Everyone knows he has it all (other than the fact that he couldn't outrun my mother). That's what makes him interesting.  There are still people that hate Peyton.  People say he's too boring. He's hard to root for because he does the same thing over and over.  That's right folks, Peyton is ridiculed for being the best NFL quarterback ever and doing it every week.  He's hated because he's a legend who hasn't even retired yet. 

Unlike other athletes, there are no questions about his production or skill level.  People question LeBron James' heart, Tim Tebow's arm, and Kobe Bryant's team work. Those are all reasonable questions and great reasons to hate those players. No one hates Peyton because of reasons on the field, they hate him because he is good. Really good.  The best NFL player we've ever seen and will see for a very long time.  He has no weakness (other than his speed).
 

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As I was writing this story my younger brother saw a commercial with Manning in, and he said "you don't know nothing, Peyton".  People just hate him.  There's no reason for it.  They just hate him.  I'm sorry Peyton, you are the best.  There's no question about it.  I know you didn't get there by having thin skin.  Just remember this Sunday, while your playing on the biggest stage in the world, that you want this.  You've done almost everything you can do as professional quarterback.  Just go win one more, baby.  Do it for Knoxville, do it for Denver, but most of all, do it for yourself.  You're the best, cement it.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/2/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports

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

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

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

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