Observation plays a major role in sports writing; having an eye
for the smaller intricacies of a game, always thinking beyond the
play. Often times, however, those observations go unwritten, mainly
for the protection of my professional integrity. But, on the
weekends (loosely used because I rarely have a full weekend) when I
am not working I have a chance to watch as a fan, to formulate
opinions as a fan, and I love it. I get to vent, rant and yell at
the T.V.
Observation plays a major role in sports writing; having an eye for the smaller intricacies of a game, always thinking beyond the play. Often times, however, those observations go unwritten, mainly for the protection of my professional integrity. But, on the weekends (loosely used because I rarely have a full weekend) when I am not working I have a chance to watch as a fan, to formulate opinions as a fan, and I love it. I get to vent, rant and yell at the T.V.
What follows is the debut of “Off the Top”, a weekly column set aside for extraneous rants and observations about the world of sports.
This weekend was full of great college football games and a full slate of NFL games as the 2009 season got underway. There were plenty of storylines, but here are two in particular that caught my attention.
49ers display toughness
The San Francisco 49ers literally couldn’t have started the 2009 season off any better. Not only did they beat the defending NFC champion, and division rival, Arizona Cardinals, but they did so in such a hard-nosed, impressive way.
The defense stood stout against a potent offense led by quarterback Kurt Warner, forcing two interceptions. And, although the Niners run game was limited, the dedication to it allowed for Shaun Hill to have a respectable and efficient day passing the ball.
Although, early in the season, the win gives the Niners a much-needed leg up in the West. And with Seattle coming to San Francisco next week, the excitement of Sunday’s win should help propel them into that matchup.
SJSU students miss the point
I had the opportunity to attend the San Jose State University football game and its valiant effort against the heavily favored 17th-ranked Utah Utes.
The game was competitive into the fourth quarter, but some of the students in the stands were out of it from the beginning.
It’s a shame that a significant portion of the student section was too busy regurgitating overpriced hamburgers, fighting with each other and chanting expletives seven minutes into it.
The game attracted an announced crowd of a few hundred more than 23,000, so when you subtract the couple thousand who decided that crafting paper airplanes the entire game and hurling them at the backs of peoples’ heads, it’s a wonder that visiting teams are hesitant to make the trip into the Bay Area.
Spartan fans need a crash course in etiquette and a football-for-dummies-type lecture.
It is embarrassing.
How can you not even make it out of the first quarter without passing out, resting your head in your puke-covered hands?
