Trying To Understand People Who Don’t Like Sports

Okay, so I am starting this off by saying that this isn’t a shot at anyone who does not embrace in the world of sports in any kind, but it is just trying to get and understand of what are you doing if they aren’t in your life.

Listen up people, sports make the world go round. I truly feel that way. Every single day, there is some sport going on that thousands, probably millions are witnessing live on TV, streaming, or in person. Every day there can be a unique storyline that involves your favorite sport. Look at the NBA recently, Anthony Davis going from being apart of the Pelicans future plans to wanting to be traded has been in the news for days it feels. And that isn’t even the game part, that is the front office aspect. There is so many layers in sports to appreciate, which is why I just want to understand.

“I don’t like sports.” A definition – Sports: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. So you are trying to tell me, there isn’t one single form of a sport that you enjoy? It literally can be a game of hockey, a swimming meet, a car driving around the track, a dance competition, a wrestling match, or a simple baseball game. If you like none of these, good on you I guess.

I feel bad really, I do. Think of the best moments in sports. I know from experience that they can give you the absolute best emotions in the world – where you jump up, hug everyone in the room, scream from the rooftops – and the worst – where you’re angry, sad, miserable, collapse onto the floor. Those emotions can all be reached within seconds when it comes to the sports world. Look back at the Patriots-Chiefs AFC Conference Championship Game. When CB Jonathan Jones almost picked of Patrick Mahomes, I rose to my feet and collapsed within a second span. It all hits you, the stress, the sadness, the hopelessness, the excitement, and the pure happiness.

So really, if you hate sports, how do you not experience a reaction when you see this:

In these five videos, I can tell you first hand I felt both excitement and pain. When Malcolm Butler picked the ball off on the one yard line, I can’t say I had ever been happier in a single moment in my life to truly be honest. The Sale strikeout, just absolutely awesome. Another jump to your feet after your heart was pounding even though there should have been doubt at that point. Michael Phelps breaking a world record? Witnessing that? He is the greatest Olympian of all time, and in cheering for him, you may have been jumping up and down as the record was in sight. Ronda Rousey losing for the first time and getting knocked out to do so. Devastation. Heart sinking defeat for me personally and I can’t even explain why. It’s just tough. The Blackhawks coming back and winning in game six of the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 in 17 seconds. That feeling will never be topped because it is the weirdest of them all. Your heart drops when they tie it up with a minute to go, and somehow they score again and you can’t accept or stomach the fact that the Bruins just lost the Stanley Cup because it all happened faster than you could say “At least there may be overtime.”

Yes, I had all these emotions. Because Sports are beautiful people. Sure, maybe someone doesn’t want to work in sports and just keep them in your heart somewhere special, I totally get that. But not having this excitement for any sport in the world ever in your life? I just don’t get it.

What I’m asking for is for this to be shared, get the question out there and give me an answer how people go on in their lives without sports. Please, there are people truly missing out and lying to themselves.

And for the people who understand the feelings that I have, the Super Bowl is Sunday. Here goes another live changing experience of fear, anger, (hopefully) happiness, and more.

– Scott Edwards, Creator

 

Patriots drop the ball (multiple times) versus Steelers

              Nothing hurts worse than losing a game you feel like should have resulted in a win. That is exactly what I would say happened Sunday afternoon against the Steelers in what was a playoff atmosphere. Patriots vs Steelers has the “these teams don’t like each other” feel as the two sides have clashed in some huge games over the years. When these team’s matchup the game always seems to go down to the wire. This game was no different, though this time the Steelers came out on top.

              What made this loss so difficult, beyond the playoff implications, was that it felt like a winnable game. I hate to be generic, but the Patriots really did shoot themselves in the foot and played like a losing football team. They had four dropped passes, three of which were uncontested passes right on the numbers. To add to that they committed 14 penalties, the most by the Patriots since 2014. Also, Tom Brady throw a horrible pass on an extremely uncharacteristic play that was picked off by Joe Haden.

            The defense got carved up yardage wise but came through in the clutch. Duran Harmon caught two interceptions off two poor choices by Ben Roethlisberger, as the team held the Steelers dynamic offense to only 17 points. The Patriots defense played good enough to win this game and clinch the AFC East despite looking lost at times.

              The killer is that the Steelers kept hurting themselves too. Pittsburg was unable to put points on the board despite moving the ball downfield consistently. A large part of that was aided by Harmon and the previously mentioned interceptions. They also missed a chip shot field-goal as Chris Boswell is known to do. The only time the Patriots were able to make plays was when the Steelers had massive blown coverages in the secondary. Chris Hogan will never be more open in his life than he was on that touchdown. The other notable pass was when Edelman caught a big chunk play where two defenders ran into each other and knocked themselves down.

              The Patriots did not play like a Super Bowl contenders and more than likely just lost the a chance for a first-round bye week in the playoffs. The good news is that the Patriots still have the tie-breaker over the Texans and could sneak into the second seed if things start to go wrong in Houston. Regardless of what happened tonight, they will have another shot at a championship this season, and the Patriots still have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. That means anything can happen.

Scott Neville – Co-Owner – WTF Sports

WEEK 12 SMART STARTS & PINE RIDERS

Better late than never, am I right? Hello Fantasy enthusiasts. I hope everyone’s season is going well as we are in the closing weeks of the fantasy regular season. In this article i’ll be letting you know who I think should easily have a spot in your lineup and who should take a seat this week. Hopefully I can be of some assistance in a very crucial part of the season and help everyone catch that W this week. Also, Happy Turkey Day to everyone! Eat up and watch some football! Hope y’all enjoy 🙂

 

SMART STARTS

QB

JAMEIS WINSTON, TB

The magic is gone down in Tampa and Jameis has a very easy matchup against a San Fran Defense who has allowed 2+ passing touchdowns in all but two games this year. Also, 7 out of 10 opposing QBs have scored at least 19 fantasy points against the Niners. Jameis should help you steal that win like the crab legs he stole back in 2014.

 

MITCH TRUBISKY, CHI

Just two weeks ago, Trubisky balled out against the Lions for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns and also scrambling for 18 yards and a score. And, it has been back to back weeks where the Lions have allowed 350+ yards and 3 touchdowns through the air as SuperCam did it last week as well. I expect Mitch to carve up the Lions D, just like a turkey on Thanksgiving.

 

RB

NICK CHUBB, CLE

Since week 6, the Bengals have allowed 8 rushing touchdowns. So Chubb has a very high chance of finding the End Zone at least once this week, especially because he has back to back weeks with a rushing touchdown. Not only this, but Cincinnati has allowed at least 86 rushing yards to opposing RBs since week 3, including 360 yards combined in the past to weeks. With Chubb’s high volume in a run heavy offense, I expect a great week.  

 

MARLON MACK, IND

Mack has a very favorable matchup this week against the Dolphins. 7 out of 10 games this year Miami has allowed 100 yards rushing to opponents. In the 5 games Mack has played since returning from an ankle injury, he has 5 total touchdowns and three games with at least 80 rushing yards, including two games with over 120 yards. Mack should continue his success this week.

 

WR

JULIAN EDELMAN, NE

Since returning from a four game suspension, Edelman has scored under 16 fantasy points only twice in PPR leagues and has 24 catches in the past three games. As Brady’s number one target he should be started most weeks, but especially this week against a weak Jets secondary who just allowed 41 points to the Bills before there bye week.

 

DOUG BALDWIN, SEA

Baldwin told the media last Thursday that he woke up for the first time all season without pain in his right knee, and it showed. He caught 7 of a team high 10 targets for 1 touchdown, but could have had another if Wilson didn’t overthrow him while wide open in the endzone. And this week he is going against a Carolina defense who has allowed 5 TDs and 563 yards receiving in the past three weeks. Baldwin is flirting with becoming a WR2 once again.

 

TE

VANCE Mcdonald, PIt

With the tight end position being so slim this year, McDonald has turned into a possible viable starter, accumulating 10 targets and two touchdowns in the past two weeks. And going against the Broncos who have allowed a touchdown to tight ends in three straight games makes him a great start this week.

 

PINE RIDERS

QB

PHILIP RIVERS, LAC

Rivers now has 3 weeks in a row with less than 20 fantasy points and 3 interceptions in those three games. And going up against the Cardinals who have not gave up more than two passing touchdowns all year long, Rivers could easily struggle. Especially because of all the pressure he will face as Arizona has at least 4 sacks in three straight games.

 

DESHAUN WATSON, HOU

It is now five consecutive weeks where Watson has failed to break 240 passing yards and he has 5 games this year with only one passing touchdown. Even if you put aside his struggles, he has a tough matchup against the Titans who have allowed only 4 Qbs to score more than 20 fantasy points against them this year. Watson should be placed on the bench easily this week.

 

RB

LeSEAN McCoy, BUF

Despite McCoy going off two weeks ago against the Jets rushing for 113 yards and two scores, it has been an underwhelming season for the veteran back. And his troubles should continue this week against the Jags who have allowed only 4 rushing touchdowns all year and only 110 rushing yards in the past two weeks. Plus, it’s hard to trust any Bills player this year.

 

TEVIN COLEMAN, ATL

Coleman has struggled the past two weeks gathering just 19 carries for 102 yards rushing. And his slump very much could continue against the Saints this week. The most rushing yards the Saints have allowed a team to get in a game this year is 76 and that was week one against the Bucs. They have only allowed 6 scores on the ground as well. Tevin should have a quiet game this week.

 

WR

DEVIN FUNCHESS, CAR

In the past four weeks, Funchess only has caught 12 passes for 142 yards and no touchdowns. Yikes. This offense is truly McCaffrey’s with a sprinkle of Greg Olsen now that he is healthy. And if that isn’t bad enough, Seattle hasn’t allowed a receiving touchdown in two straight weeks and that was against Green Bay and the Rams. Funchess’ quietness should continue this week.

 

COREY DAVIS, TEN

Davis has been very up and down this year. For example, two weeks ago he goes 7 for 125 and a score, but comes back last week with only 2 catches for 30 yards. Very annoying. But I am predicting another down game for the second year wideout. Houston has not allowed a receiving score in four straight weeks and only six all year. Davis should easily be placed on the bench this week.

 

TE

ROB GRONKOWSKI, NE

The elite tight end has struggled to stay on the field yet again this year. But even when he was healthy he wasn’t the Gronk everyone was used to seeing, scoring only once back in week one. Plus, the Jets have allowed only 5 catches to tight ends in the past four games they have played. Look for another quiet one from Gronk.

 

– Tate Kennedy, WTF Sports Fantasy Writer

 

Edited by Scott Edwards

 

Breaking: Josh Gordon heading to New England

Breaking: Josh Gordon heading to New England

The #Patriots have agreed to trade for #Browns WR Josh Gordon, I’m told. Done deal. IT’s for a conditional 5th round pick.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2018

 

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, WR Josh Gordon has been traded to the New England Patriots. The Browns will receive a conditional 5^th round draft pick. And there’s a catch. If Gordon plays less than ten games, the Patriots get the draft pick back.

 

The New England Patriots lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday and the sky was falling. People began to question the Patriots once again and it just brings a smile to my face. They are fine people. Just get over a simple L like they always have early on. This offense is a few weeks away from being back to normal. Now you add Josh Gordon? Electric factory.

 

This trade makes all the sense in the world for the Patriots. They take on a troubled yet game-changing WR who can become an asset so this team. Not just in the terms of being a elite receiver for this team, but being a presence that can free up Gronk, which is key to the Patriots success. This deal is an incredibly exciting one for Patriot fans, and certainly a scary one for everyone else in the league.

 

And an even better little factor here, Gordon looks to be healthy enough to play Sunday if he can lock himself in enough to learn.

 

Now from all of New England supporters:

– Scott Edwards, Creator of WTF Sports

Dez, Demaryius, Golden and Others: What will the Patriots do at WR?

One of the writers has already gave his opinion on this whole Patriots situation and how they have nothing. He gave his solution, but this was even before Eric Decker retired today, leaving the Patriots with even less than before. While many expected that Decker wouldn’t even make the regular season roster, it still doesn’t help to lose a veteran player while Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four games of the season. Now with just one week of the preseason left, the Patriots are left with a depth chart that isn’t pretty to say the least.

Current Patriots Depth Chart:

Julian Edelman
Chris Hogan
Phillip Dorsett
Cordarrelle Patterson
Braxton Berrios
Riley McCarron
Paul Turner

At this point, it looks that Turner will not be making the roster, while Berrios could be on the practice squad and McCarron may be borderline at this moment. But subtracting Edelman from this makes it a pretty ugly depth chart, and the Patriots must look into adding something, all the way from the big names to the ones from left field. Again, I bring to attention how another writer discussed a possible return of WR Brandon LaFell, which could be possible but there may be an even bigger need than that. Let us dig in.

The Popular Choice: Free Agent WR Dez Bryant

Why: The man who puts up the X has been a free agent forever now, and while he has not been the same All-Pro that he once was, Dez can still bring plenty to the table in the terms of dominating in the red zone and being a more than capable receiver for this Patriot team. If you remember, at the age of 30, a receiver by the name of Randy Moss joined the Patriots after everyone thought he was done, and the same situation could happen here. Dez Bryant wants a prove it deal, and while he may not necessarily be the top option for them if he was to sign, but this may be the best place for him to prove it. A one-year deal may be perfect for both sides, or sound insane. Just remember, people thought Randy Moss couldn’t get it done here.

The Trade Targets: Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas and Lions WR Golden Tate

Why: One of these make a lot of sense, while the other may not mesh as well with the situation the Patriots have currently. The one that makes a lot of sense is Demaryius Thomas. Makes sense because Thomas continues to be a solid contributor in the NFL despite questionable QB play for the past few seasons since Peyton Manning. Since 2012, he hasn’t missed a single game and has recorded at least 80+ catches, a streak of five seasons with over 1,000 yards that ended last season, and three seasons of 10+ TDs in that span. With statistics of 83 catches, 949 yards, and 5 TDs last year with Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, and Paxton Lynch, you can see that Thomas isn’t even close to being done. The Broncos drafted Courtland Sutton in the draft this past year, and they have been so impressed that moving on from Thomas wouldn’t sound as crazy as one would expect. This may seem a bit much, but this certainly would be the best move for New England.

However, the wrong choice would be Golden Tate. His type of play matches the likes of Edelman as a slot receiver who does a lot of screens and short routes. There have been rumors of Tate being available to the league and the Patriots being a possible home with a lot of former Patriot coaches and management. I won’t stress Golden Tate too much because this is a trade that would not be a real fit to the Patriots for the whole season.

The Other Free Agents: Jeremy Maclin, Brandon LaFell, Brandon Coleman

Why: Not much quality here, but guys that can fill in and take a roster spot, make a play or two down the line. Jeremy Maclin is not the same guy he was in Philadelphia or Kansas City, but he does still have the ability to get down field and make some plays. If you want to hear about LaFell, please feel free to head over to the other piece we had written here at WTF. And Brandon Coleman is a player who I do think has some potential after being with the Saints and never really being fully utilized. Coleman brings size like not many others, being 6’6, he could be a solid addition to the Patriots and maybe find his potential eventually here in New England.

The Solution: Patriots RB James White

Why: Yes, the solution is already employed by the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl LI hero has been one of the best passing backs in the NFL for a few seasons now and should see his role only grow with the problems at receiver. While Edelman is out, I feel that the use of White from the backfield and in the slot would be a smart use of what they already have. James White has always been a player that I have been a fan of, which is why the use of him more and more this season would really ease this offense, or at least be a temporary solution until Julian Edelman returns and any receiver they do sign at this point can take his time learning the playbook. White is the solution at least for now until Edelman comes back, then we may have to discuss even more on who they should go for unless they grab someone beforehand.

So what do you think? Do you think James White can be the solution? What receiver would you like to see the Patriots add prior to or during this season?

Let me know!

-Scott Edwards, Creator of WTF Sports Nation

Quick Take: NFL’s new helmet rule

One of the biggest problems in football is trying to keep the players safe in such a violent game. So, the NFL this offseason to tried to make the game safer and they came out with a new rule. The rule states that it is a penalty if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent.

Ever since this rule has been put in place it has been a disaster on the field. Tackles that look perfectly legal are being penalized, refs are throwing flags on clean hits. Every game this preseason there is a few flags thrown and it just leaves you thinking, how are you supposed to tackle? It is actually physically and anatomically impossible to tackle someone with your shoulder without lowering your head. Its ruining the game, many players have come out saying they hate the rule too. Mostly because they have made it impossible to tackle. Here are just some videos to show how bad this rule is:

https://twitter.com/TesslerSports/status/1031195458964807681

https://twitter.com/fearthe_beard11/status/1030279193471279104

If this hit by #AZCardinals S Travell Dixon is a penalty now, we are all in trouble. This is textbook. pic.twitter.com/mX06K3A6oc

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) August 12, 2018

15-yard penalty for playing football. pic.twitter.com/BOtbXmExtp

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 18, 2018

All of these hits are perfectly legal, and it just shows that the NFL needs to change this before the regular season comes. The only hope is that the refs are throwing these flags in the preseason, so they can have tape of what is illegal and legal, so they can call it right in the regular season

Dillon Stephan – Football Writer – WTF Sports

Patriots Game 2 Preseason Recap

In the second preseason game of the season, we saw a Superbowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. We got to see Tom Brady for the first time this preseason. Even though there has been a lot of drama down in Foxboro this year, with Brady and Belichick allegedly hating each other. Or Brady not going to the non-mandatory OTAs. But of course, Brady being Brady, he looked like he was in midseason form. He played the whole first half going 19-26, throwing for 172 yards, and 2 touchdowns. So of course, nothing to worry about with Brady.

The only thing to worry about is Edelman being out the first four games because some receivers looked shaky, and other than Hogan none of them have really played with Brady. Cordarrelle Patterson had a very nice touchdown though, catching a ball in the flat. He absolutely destroyed the corner’s ankles then ran into the end-zone. It would be huge if he could produce like this consistently throughout the year.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1030270026282987520

The offensive line was pretty good, I am a huge Trent Brown guy. He is at left tackle protecting Brady’s blind side and replacing Nate Solder. He is a absolute unit, standing at 6’8 and weighing 360lbs. He just mauls people, and no one can get by him. He’ll be huge for the Patriots this year. The worst part is we have lost Isaiah Wynn, the OT from Georgia who we took in the first round. He tore his Achilles in the first quarter. Big loss for the offensive line, Waddle will now probably be the front runner for right tackle. Overall though the offense looked very strong. Same with the defense, they put constant pressure on the Eagles all night. Especially the first team defense, even scoring a touchdown on strip sack by Adrian Clayborn.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1030251991476330496

Adrian is a free agent the Pats signed, if he can consistently give the pats defense a pass rush that would be huge. All in all, it was a good night for the pats a lot of things to build on and improve come the start of the season.

Dillon Stephan – Football Writer – WTF Sports