Statistics: Not just for Math Majors

For those as obsessed as I am, you would know that Tom Brady, quarterback for my team, is the front runner for Most Valuable Player (MVP). This is decided by looking at the statistics of a player. Players can be the most valuable even if the team they play for does not win the Superbowl. Sure I can see how you ladies would get frustrated, believing that the best players would just be decided in the final showdown at the Superbowl, but that's not the case. The Superbowl is a team effort, where as the MVP award is on an individual level. These players are the best of the best. This can be related to the Academy Awards, or better known as the Oscars. This includes the best of the best actors. The names on the list are among the most elite in Hollywood, including Denzel Washington, Sean Penn, Tom Hanks, Marlon Brando, and Sidney Poitier. (For a complete list of winning actors look at this blog: http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/academy-awards/best-actor-oscar-winners/) These men were awarded for their performances regardless of how the movie did, or if the movie they had starred in won Best Picture. The MVP award is similar. The stars of the NFL have been acknowledge for their work on the field as an individual. These football stars include big names such as Peyton Manning, Jim Brown, Kurt Warner, and Joe Montana. In conclusion, ladies, these players standings are what Denzel Washington's acting is to you. So when your man is looking up statistics for a player don't criticize him unless you plan on missing the Oscar nominations and then the Academy Awards ceremony.

Madden: Why is he so Important?

John Madden is, in my opinion a really annoying commentator for football that has finally retired. In his last couple of seasons he really did not make much sense. But the man does know his football. So why did he have such credibility in the NFL? Well, he was coach for the Oakland Raiders, then in 1979 until 2008 he was a spots commentator, and one of the most widely known faces of the NFL, especially with the video game his name is on: maddennfl.easports.com. So why would sports fan listen to this crazy man? (Check out this NY Jet's fans site about things Madden has said: nyjetsfan.com/forum2/index.php?showtopic=13864) Well, ladies if you think about it... why would we listen to fashion advice from the fashion world? Take a look at Donatella Versace. Thousands admire the Versace fashion line and spend hundreds and even thousands to wear the clothes, but she looks like she could be a Muppet. Now matter how big her lips get she still designs wonderful dresses. Madden, similarly, may say really stupid thing, and not look like he could tell the difference between a football and a honey baked ham, but this man really knows his stuff. We are all taught to not judge a book by its cover, and if we can make exceptions for the Versace family we can make exceptions for Madden as well.

Coach's Challenge

The referees in a game sometimes make calls that penalize a team when the team and coach believe nothing wrong has happened. In this case a coach throws out the red coach's challenge flag. This will put the play that was penalized under review until the referees can come to a mutual decision on reversing the call or not. So, why would coaches not challenge every call made against their team? It is because each game a team only gets two challenges for the whole game, and a third will be awarded to a coach who is able to get a call overturned. The challenge cannot be used during the last two minutes of each half. This can be related to an evil mother of a guy you either have dated or still date (which I feel bad for you in that case). She criticized most things you do, but do you make a witty comeback? No, you couldn't because then what would your guy think of you, talking to his mother like that? So you listen to her snippy digs at you: "You're hair looks better down, so it'll cover your big ears," or "I like my other son's girlfriend much better" etc. There is a time though, that you can challenge what she says, like the time she told you she prefers her cookies over yours, and you smile and say, "Really? Well, that's funny considering I borrowed your recipe." That challenged was awarded to you as she shut right up. Now you have earned the right to stand up for yourself another time. But if she made a comment right back... Run. Obviously, like football's two minute rule, there are times you cannot say anything, such as holidays, family reunions, and birthdays. This is the reason you see coaches going only with the challenges they absolutely know they can get overturned. Otherwise that evil mother will attack. this is an example of a challenge that could have overturned, impacting the score in a Steelers vs. Saints game: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81bd1187/article/no-replay-feed-influenced-steelers-failure-to-challenge-td-call

Long Passes are Just that: Long Shots

When ever you are watching football with your man and you see how he gets frustrated because his team's offense is doing what's called "running" the ball instead of "passing" do not get too confused. Believe me, it makes me insane as well, especially with an awesome passing quarterback like Tom Brady on my team, but I do understand why it must be done. Ladies, think of it as going out to the club. You do not walk in and head straight up to the hottie that looks like Sam Worthington, you have to mess with his mind, and get a few free drinks while you are at it. Let the guys that are desperate buy you mojitos as you take a couple of those cute over the shoulder looks and smiles at Sam. Once you have had a few drinks in your system and you can tell Sam is looking back with his own smile you can stop "running" the ball and go in for the long "pass". Sam is interested, walks up to you, and offers to buy you a drink. In football the quarterback will hand off the ball instead of throwing just to pick up a few yards. This is the equivalent to you and your girls accepting drinks from guys you are positive you would never give your number to in a million years, but hey, free drinks! The long pass is for when the quarterback believes the throw will result in either a touchdown or a large gain in yards. The passes are not done often because this could risk an interception or a fumble, which is the same as if you had gone straight for Sam just to find out he does not think you are cute or you are too sober for that moment. You have to work your way up to Sam, just as small yards have to be gained before a major, game changing play with a 50 or more yard throw. This is a list of the top 10 passing touchdowns: http://sportige.com/top-10-qbs-tds-all-time/

What's So Special About Special Teams?

Every team has an offense and a defense, but every wonder what the commentators mean when they say "Special Teams"? Well, just like a team has an offense and a defense, girls have their set group of their closest friends. Let's say that your best friends are Kelly, Courtney, and Amber. These are you Sex in the City girls; the girls you do absolutely everything with. Your man calls you and tells you that he is inviting you to his sister's wedding, and this will be the first time you meet his family. You have got to look amazing, right? The catch is you have just paid off your credit card bill and are waiting for your next paycheck, and the wedding is this weekend. Unfortunately, Kelly is out of town and Amber cannot do make-up to save her life. This is where you special girl team comes in. You bring in Jamie to do your hair, an you are going to borrow your coworker, Alyssa's vintage Dior dress, and Courtney is going to do your make-up. Just like football teams the special teams are there to serve a specific function. These are uses such as punt returns and field goals. One thing to keep in mind is that Courtney is one of your best friends and she is on your special girls team. In football players from the regular positions can play on the special teams. The special teams can really turn the game around. Here is a link to a video of the top ten special team plays of the 2007 season: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d806b5bc6/Top-10-special-teams-plays-of-2007. Long story short, your Sex in The City may be too busy or unable to help you out, but your special girl team is there to make you look awesome, and impress his mom.

The Very Basics

This is my first post, so this will be just the basics and will be a little more informational. I am a girl in my twenties and I have something about me most girls do not... I know and love football. I am that girl at the bar with my jersey, and will most likely be screaming at the TV when there was a bad call or a crappy pass. I regularly check such sites as nfl.com and espn.com where I can look at the highlights and major events in the football world. I can argue with statistics defending and challenging that drunk asshole who believes that just because I am a girl the only think I must know is "I like am totally in love with Tom Brady, because he is like totally hot." I am here to help my fellow women understand football so that we will stop being stuck in a stereotype of making cookies on Sunday while the guys watch the game in the man cave. Do not get me wrong though, I have girly interests as well. I love fashion, shopping, and Enrique Iglesias. My mission is to get all you ladies to be able to relate what happens in football to what happens in the lives of women. This post will be dedicated to the very basic rules in football and relating it to a shopping trip with your man. Imagine, making a deal with your man in order to get him to come out shopping with you. This deal would include going into different stores. Each store will represent a first down in a football. The deal means that in each store you may only look at four items and purchase one. If you do not make a purchase then the next store is his choice, but if you make a purchase after looking at four items or less then the next store is your choice. Your ultimate goal is to get to the end-zone, which will be Michael Kors and the touchdown will be you man's obligation to buy you that new bag from the spring 2010 preview line. In football the plays are run by getting first downs of 10 yards to get across the 100 yards to get the touchdown. Each down has four attempts to get the next first down. If after four downs your team has not made it the full 10 yards (or in lady speak the checkout counter) then the ball is then in possession of the other team. So, ladies, in our deal if you make purchases with only looking at one item at Express, three items at Sephora, and two items at JCrew then you are well on your way getting that touchdown of that super cute Michael Kors bag. But remember, after you get him to get you the bag, it's his turn, and his touchdown is a brand new lithium power drill at the Home Depot. If you do not want to get him this drill, use your defense to get him to look at more than four items. Those are the very basics, so remember first downs mean stores, and touchdowns mean a Michael Kors bag.