Dab vs Omaha! Super Bowl 50: The Matchup for the Ages

#1 Seed vs #1 Seed

I'll admit I haven't been this excited about a Super Bowl since the Bucs played the Raiders. Let's hope we get a better game then that one. OT maybe? Hasn't happened yet in the Super Bowl. But, Super Bowl 50 IS the matchup for the ages, and truly worthy of this milestone championship. Why? I'll explain.

Two GREAT quarterbacks are obviously the main attraction. Cam Newton turned in an MVP performance this year, while Peyton Manning is a future first ballot hall of famer. But, their journeys to this point couldn't be more different. Not a lot of people realize this, but Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers completed their amazing season without the team's #1 wide receiver. That's right, folks..Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season ending injury during the preseason, so no matter what the outcome of the Super Bowl, the Panthers will be an even better team next year when he returns. Chew on that for a while. But the Denver Broncos are staring change in the face. Peyton Manning missed the majority of the season, while backup QB and heir apparent, Brock Osweiler got the team into the playoffs, with the AFC's #1 seed. Peyton Manning came back during the final game of the regular season. This is reminiscent of Earl Morall leading the 72 Dolphins to the Super Bowl and Bob Griese coming back. This (hasn't been confirmed, but I'm calling it) will be Manning's last game, while Cam Newton and the Panthers have the makings of a dynasty. And, of course, this is the largest age difference between starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl history. 13 years difference between Manning and Newton.  

Ya'll forgot about me didn't ya?

I mentioned the Super Bowl between the Bucs and Raiders...That was the #1 offense vs the #1 defense, and the #1 defense won big time. Now, the Broncos have the 3 defense, and the and the Panthers have the #6 defense. But, guess who has the #1 defense? The Arizona Cardinals, and we all know what the Panthers did to them. The Panthers have the #1 offense, and the Broncos have the #9 offense. The point of all this? We should be in for a great game. 

Regardless of the Super Bowl outcome, it was
an honor to watch your entire career, Sir.

So, whether you're a Broncos fan or a Panthers fan, or a fan of neither team, this game should draw the largest audience in Super Bowl history. Other drawing factors is the old school/new school approach to playing the position. Manning being the drop back pocket passer who will slice and dice defenses. Newton however is very good in the pocket, but he's also big and strong enough to run right over you with a smile on his face. Both QBs are polarizing. You have people who love and hate both of them, but regardless of the outcome, most people I think will be satisfied with the game as a whole.

Personally, I'm stoked by this matchup. And, I'm going to make a prediction. Panthers by 5. So, enjoy this milestone Super Bowl. I know I will, and if you need some ideas for a Super Bowl menu, click here.

The ONLY thing that sucks about this Super Bowl? The half time show. Coldplay and Beyonce. <gag!> But, that will give me plenty of time to grab a beer, or go to the bathroom. Maybe I'll watch Puppy Bowl instead!

But there is something we can do about it. Click here, and read the article attached. We have a LONG way to go, so share it with all your friends.

Seattle Seahawks Fans: Butthurt Dynasty

"The World Is Yours!"

(That quote was for Cam Newton... 

Not Seattle)

When Pete Carroll took over as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, everyone wondered if he could be successful. He had lackluster stints as the Patriots and Jets coach, (Although most Seahawks fans probably don't even know this) and a great stint at USC. But, was he good enough to build an NFL team from the ground up, and take them to the top? Obviously, yes. They destroyed the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, and went to a second one. They were actually favored to beat the Carolina Panthers in the regular season meeting this year. But, the Panthers after a 14 point comeback in the 4th quarter showed that they were the better team. They met again in the NFC Divisional Playoff game, and although the Seahawks did make a game out of it, the Panthers had the game too far out of reach at halftime. For you Seahawks fans, thats not one, but TWO losses to the Panthers this year, one in your impenetrable Century Link Field.

Every team loses. This is a fact. Just ask the loyal fans of teams like the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and even my beloved Miami Dolphins. We lose all the damn time. But when we lose, we don't throw hissy fits and blame everyone not wearing a Dolphins jersey. We blame the Dolphins because they suck. Plain and simple. But, Dolphins fans, and fans of every other bad team still support the teams 100%. 

But, the Seahawks fans don't see it that way. Most don't even remember when the Seahawks were a bad team because they either weren't born yet, or they were Cowboys or Patriots fans at the time. Most don't even know that the Seahawks were once an AFC team. I once got into an argument with one of the 12th man's finest because I made the comment that Dan Marino's last playoff win was against Seattle in the Wild Card Playoff game in 2000. He called me a complete idiot, saying that the Seahawks could never play the Dolphins in the playoffs because the Seahawks are NFC, and Miami is AFC. They get downright hostile when things don't go their way. 

All that was just an introduction into what this post is all about. Seahawks fans have raised the bar for stupidity this year, and their irrational hatred is centered around one person. Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers. It all began in week 6 of the 2015 season, when the Panthers came to Seattle, and stunned the 12th man in an amazing comeback win. This was the win that started convincing people that the Panthers were for real. There were grumblings from the fans after that loss, but nothing could have prepared us for their reactions after losing in the Playoffs. 

Not so loud now, are we?

Strangely enough, the butthurt began after a WIN! In the Wild Card game at Minnesota, the Seahawks beat the Vikings in a comeback win. It was cold, and the game was the early game that day. And, that's what the Seahwks fans had a problem with. The fact that it was the early game, and the Seahawks started playing at 10AM Seattle time. But, they WON! And, they had 6 days to get ready to play the Panthers in Carolina. But, once again, it was the early game. This time, of course, they lost. But, like I mentioned earlier, they made a game out of it in the second half. That doesn't exactly fit the fans narrative that they were messed up because of the time difference. I could see if the Panthers blew them out, which they did in the first half, but the Seahawks held the Panthers to ZERO points in the second half, and only lost by a touchdown. That doesn't sound like a worn out team to me. That sounds like a team that made adjustments in the second half and came out to win. But the Seahawks fans didn't take solace in that. They took to the internet, and blamed the NFL for rigging the game against them because of the time difference. Newsflash: MANY West Coast teams have played early and won. The 49ers have done it many times. The Raiders did it to Miami a while back. The Chargers, Broncos, all of them have done it. And, in the Playoffs, no less! And the times when they lost, I didn't hear one fan complaining about the early game time. And, another newsflash...The game times for each game were set prior to the Playoff teams being known.

Memes like this popped up all
over the internet after the loss

But, that wasn't all. Fans of teams that the Panthers beat have been crying foul all year. Some wrote letters to Cam Newton because they didn't like his antics. A Packer fan tried to tell the world that he paid $500 for a banner that Cam snatched from him, and threw it away. One fan got it right though. A Seahawks fan even got in on the letter writing campaign because Cam snatched a 12th Man flag and threw it away...A flag that had been left behind by a pissed off Seahawks fan, and was handed to Cam by a Panthers fan! But where is the hate for the 12'th Man member who abandoned the flag in the first place??? Hmmm.

As a result, haters have been taking to social media blasting Cam, and coming up with punishments that they feel are appropriate for him for his antics. Fines, suspensions, firing, waterboarding, decapitation, being forced to listen to Hillary Clinton speeches for 24 hours straight...anything you can think of. But, the Seahawks fans haters are the worst by far. Click here for another letter to Cam from a Seahawks fan. She calls him classless among other things. What I love especially from Seahawks fans is that they call him classless, but support the antics of Richard Sherman, and Marshawn Lynch. Apparently acting like an idiot and saying "I'm just here so I don't get fined." is okay, but dancing after a touchdown and giving TD balls to kids is not. And, you wouldn't believe some of the hate for the recipients of the TD balls. So called adults cussing out kids online. Its disgusting. But, Cam delivered the perfect response, saying if the fans of Panthers opponents don't like what he does, maybe their team should stop him from getting into the end zone! BOOM!

You mad Bro?

But this is the worst, and most pathetically hilarious. One of the 12th Man's finest, a fan named Andrew Tilton started a Change.org petition to have Cam banned from entering CenturyLink field when the Panthers come there to play next year. Below is the text from his petition:

As of now, it has 800 signatures. But, if you read the comments, most start with "I only signed this to tell you that you're an idiot." or something similar. The best quote from  it is: "You couldn't even keep Cam out of the End Zone. How are you going to keep him out of an entire stadium?" 

So, the Seahawks fans are so butthurt that they want to win at all costs, even if it means banning their opponent's players? Why stop there? Why not have the entire game scratched from the schedule, and just giving the Seahawks the win because Cam is so eeeeevil? Can you imagine if that actually happened? Some of these same people were bitching, saying the Patriots should have an asterisk by their record because of cheating. But, they want the NFL to basically HAND them a game because they don't like the quarterback?

This just goes to show what happens when you have a fanbase that hasn't cared for a long time, and when the team finally becomes relevant, they think they deserve to have the world handed to them on a silver platter. These people actually believe that the Seahawks are a dynasty that belongs in the same conversation with the 70's Steelers, 90's Cowboys, 80's 49ers, and the 2000's Patriots. They won ONE Super Bowl. ONE. They handed another to their opponent because of a bone headed play call by their coach. They were in a Super Bowl in 2005, but some of their fans don't even know about that one. That's not a dynasty. Are they a good team? Yes. But are they a dynasty? No, and it likely won't happen, as I expect them to have free agent departures next year. If that happens, and they go 6-10, will they still play to sold out stadiums? I seriously doubt it.

EDIT: And then there's this...This Seahawks fan is unbelievable 

The Seattle Seahawks 12'th Man fan base however IS a dynasty. A Butthurt Dynasty.

Go Panthers!

Packer Fan Calls Police Over $500 Banner

Go Panthers!

I've been very open about the fact that I am a life long, diehard Miami Dolphins fan. (Yes, I know we suck.) But, one thing that you might not know about me is that I like the Carolina Panthers almost as much. I moved to the Carolinas in 2002, and I was in Charlotte the night before the Super Bowl featuring the Panthers and Patriots. Leading up to the game, I was amazed at the brotherhood of the Panthers fans. The night before the game, you saw strangers running up to each other on the streets hugging, yelling "GO PANTHERS!!!" The city was alive with electric excitement, and it was a very special feeling...One that I am wondering if I will EVER get to experience from my beloved Dolphins. I rooted for the Panthers against the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and was heartbroken along with all the other Panthers fans when they lost due to a last minute Patriots field goal. I've rooted for the Panthers ever since, and they have become my number 2 team, meaning that I will root for them against ANY team, unless they are playing my Dolphins.

So, that being said, you can imagine I'm pretty excited about their season this year. But, there are always poor sports in the crowd wherever you go. For example, when a team loses to the Patriots, there are fans who automatically accuse them of cheating...despite the fact that the team only had 2 wins to speak of, and were blown out. This time, we have a Panthers team that going into the game yesterday was 7-0. And, we have a Green Bay Packers team that was 6-1. The Packers were actually favored to beat Carolina. And, despite an incredible Green Bay showing in the 4th quarter, the Packer's comeback was stifled by an interception on 4th down. The Panthers held on to win 37-29.

But, we aren't talking about the actual game. We're talking about a group of Cheeseheads who brought a banner into the Panthers stadium that said "North Carolina Cheesehead" on it. Before the game, Panthers QB, Cam Newton noticed it, went up, and snatched it away from them. The fan, a disabled veteran (I bring that up because every article I've read about it mentioned that fact at least 3 times.) called the police on Newton, and is pressing charges. He also claims that the banner cost $500 to make. Yes, I said FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. 

This is the ($500) banner in question

Now, I've had banners made several times, and I know how much they cost. Judging by the picture, this one appears to be 4'x8' with brass grommets in the corners. I was thinking around $50 to make that banner. Since its been several years since I've had one made, I went to buildasign.com where I've had banners made in the past. Using Photoshop, I recreated the banner as closely as I could, (With one minor exception) including the grommets. See below:

So, I took a little creative license

It came out to $56.96. Pretty good guess on my part, huh? So my guess is this Packer fan was simply angry about losing to the Panthers, and if Green Bay had won, he wouldn't have cared. And since whenever someone gets pissed off about something, they always multiply any monetary value by a factor of 10. At least I'm hoping that's the case. If he paid $500 for that banner, he got ripped off. Plain and simple. 

$500...NOT!
Click pic to enlarge.

Now that this story has gone viral, Panther haters all over the internet have been chiming in with their brand of justice, saying that Cam Newton should be kicked off the team, thrown in jail, forced to pay back the $500 with a couple million in punitive damages, drawn and quartered, hung, shot, decapitated by guillotine, and many other punishments. The fact that this guy is a veteran isn't lost on the haters either. I've seen comments accusing Cam of being disrespectful to the troops, and nothing could be farther from the truth. He supports the troops and veterans immensely. As do I. If there's ANYONE who should be accused of disrespect for the troops or veterans, its whatever company charged him $500 for a $50 banner. And, he is also to blame for not shopping around if he actually paid that much for the damn thing. (Maybe its a local guy who charged him that much because he's a Packers fan?)

The fact of the matter is that Cam should do the right thing and either have another banner made (He can use my design if he wants) or return the banner. Nothing more. I've gone to Dolphins games in away stadiums before including in Charlotte, and I have done my fair share of trash talking. I saw the Panthers in Atlanta once too. Smack talking all comes with the territory, and I've done it, and I've never had a problem with any of the home team fans. But, I've never brought a banner into the stadium either. That's asking for trouble. Not to mention the fact that its a pain to lug a big banner around, and probably against stadium policy.

So, wrapping this up, Cam probably shouldn't have snatched the banner, and but this guy shouldn't have have gone to the media, claiming that it cost $500. That's insulting the intelligence of everyone who has ever bought one. If he did pay that much, I want to see a receipt. Personally, I don't believe it. So, Cam, just give the banner back or give him $60 and be done with it. In the end, that's what will happen in the very unlikely event this case goes to court, but you'll also be out court costs and time. It really isn't worth it. And my word to the guy...You really made yourself look silly by claiming that the banner cost $500. Not to mention how you looked when you called Cam Newton an evil asshole caveman. Not very becoming of a decent person if you ask me.

Cam Newton is a class act, and GO PANTHERS! (unless they're playing Miami)

#bannergate

Why Do I Love Football?

The Face of Boe is a Dolphins fan?

I was going to use this post as an entry into the NFL's contest to win tickets to the Super Bowl, but changed my mind after reading the contest rules. They state that I do not have permission to use my own writing for any purpose other than submitting it to the NFL. I intended to post it here, as well as submitting it to them. But, I don't want to get disqualified or sued for using my own intellectual property.

That would make me NOT love football anymore. Its sad too because this will be a great post. Its their loss though...I'd rather use this post to make my blog better than to have a one in a gazillion shot at Super Bowl tickets.

So, why do I love football? There are many reasons, but the most important reason is that I am a part of a huge family of like minded fans. Football transcends every man made barrier and prejudice.  For example, I am a metalhead, and many times, I have hung out with people who enjoy rap, country, or even Justin Beiber. I generally wouldn't be hanging out at a bar with these people or at a large event with them for the simple fact that the bars they go to would be playing music that I can't stand. But, I can go watch a game at a sports bar or in person with these same people, and have a great time. Regardless of who the other people are a fan of. Football brings people together like nothing else can.

35 years of waiting till next year

Another reason I love football is because unlike relationships with friends or girlfriends, etc, I can put 100% of my emotion into my team, and I know what the outcome will be. My team will either win, or lose. I'm going to be happy or bummed. In relationships, you never know what will happen. I've been a fan of the Miami Dolphins fan for 35 years. That's 29 years longer than my longest relationship with a woman, (my wife) and about 10 years longer than my relationship with my best friend...However, the 2 of us have lost contact for several years a couple times, so does that really count? And even though the Phins have disappointed, I stick with them. I stuck with them in 2007 when they went 1-15. I still wore my jersey with pride at sports bars, and other fans gave me major props for being the only person at the bar wearing Dolphins gear. Even though the last time they won a Super Bowl was the year I was born, I am still a fan. I know that once they do win another one, I will probably be sobbing like a baby. So, what other relationship can you give that much of yourself, and know exactly what you will be getting in return?

Another reason is because the game is more exciting than any other sport. Each play has 100 different possibilities and scenarios that could happen. Its like a chess match. Unlike baseball, where a player is either going to hit the ball or miss. Or basketball, soccer, and hockey where the rules are very similar. Just go up and down the court, and score. Nothing against the other sports at all. All I am saying is that football has much more strategy than the others.

In football, each move is carefully thought out by both teams, and the play is either successful, or it is stopped by the defense. To completely understand football is a feat that will never be accomplished by anyone, which is why the game will continue to get better and better as the years go by.

Bob Griese, Ryan Tannehill, Dan Marino.
3 generations of Dolphins Quarterbacks

Another reason I love football is that it transcends generations. The older players are still very much involved with the teams. They love their team for the most part, and will do anything for them, even if they have been retired for many years. And, the fans still remember and love the old players. Younger fans love hearing stories of great plays by the players of the past. I have told many stories of great shoot outs and comebacks byDan Marino or Joe Montana, John Elway, or punishing hits by Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor, Ronnie Lott and the late, great Derrick Thomas, the phenomenal running of Barry Sanders, and the 'sweetness' of Walter Payton. Great wide receivers like Jerry Rice and Chris Carter. The list goes on and on. The young fans I tell them to listen to me as they would their father telling them about 'back in the day.'

Still waiting for the next Barry

Yet another reason I love football is the camaraderie between players. Even the players in the most heated rivalries have a deep respect for each other. Players coming to each other's aid when they are down. If a player is badly hurt, the players from both teams will huddle up together to pray for their injured teammate/opponent. A very recent example of professional camaraderie happened today. We all know the story of Minnesota Vikings runningback, Adrian Peterson's son being tragically killed. The first game the Vikings played after this atrocity was vs the Carolina Panthers. Panthers QB, Cam Newton took a moment to console Peterson.

Cam Newton: Class act.

I could go on and on, but the last main reason I can think of about why I love football is the TAILGATE, and seeing a game live! There is no other experience like tailgating before going into a game. I have done it both in Miami, and in several other cities where I saw the Dolphins play the home team. There is also a camaraderie there with fans. Like I mentioned before, they are all there for the same reason. The tailgate in my opinion is more fun than a backyard cookout by a long shot. The smell of great food fills the air. Cheers of fans all over the place. Ice cold beer. Its a backyard cookout with 50,000 of your best friends and neighbors. Nothing beats it.

Why do I love football? Simply put, it is my passion. My blood craves it.

So, do you think I should send this to the NFL contest, and take my chances on being disqualified? Let me know. And....