NHL: Geographic Division Realignment that almost works

Note: I'll be adding some hockey commentary to my blog, more on that later this week. 

Last year, I wrote about geographic misalignment of teams. Often, teams in the major sports are put in divisions with geographic names that have nothing to do with their geographic positions. One of the most egregious examples of the misalignment in any sport was the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets, the third northernmost  in the NHL, was in the Southeast division, along with teams from Florida, North Carolina and Washington D.C. This made absolutely no sense. (Tidbit: The Jets used to be the Atlanta Thrashers until they moved to Canada). The general problem with using geography to define conferences is that most of the places we consider to be the west are large areas but with low populations and therefore no professional teams in the 4 major sports. (Hi, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas and Nebraska). This leads to an uneven split among "west" teams and "east teams" and things that initially sound weird but don't look as terrible on a map. For example, the state of Tennessee is one state away from the Atlantic Ocean, but has two sports teams in the Western Conference of their respective leagues (Memphis Grizzlies [NBA] and Nashville Predators [NHL]).

Starting this season, the NHL realigned their teams and changed the divisions from six to four. Happily, the divisions (mostly) make sense. All of the teams that are in the Western Conference are to the west of the teams in the Eastern conference. Most of the division splits look clean on a map.  

There's one small problem. Florida. On paper, it would appear that Florida shouldn't have hockey. Ice is a major part of the sport, and Florida is far from a cold weather state. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning were 8th overall in home attendance and the Florida Panthers were a respectable 22nd. The Florida teams are also in the Atlantic conference where the closest team is Detroit. Yep. Detroit and Tampa Bay will be geographic division rivals. They split the East Coast and put the northernmost teams in the Atlantic conference, the mid-Atlantic teams in the Metropolitan Conference and the Florida teams in Atlantic Conference. The NHL came so close to having a great system and unless they know that both teams are moving, north, it appears that there will be a gaping hole in the conference system for the years to come (although at least hearing Florida in the Atlantic conference doesn't grate my ears). On the other hand, it might be the best thing that the NHL could do because the Florida teams aren't particularly close to any other teams (the Seattle [NFL] problem) and it's not as bad as it could be. It's by far the best conference alignment of the four major sports

The other major change is the playoff setup. Each conference has 8 teams that make it out of the conference. The top 3 teams from each division will make the playoffs. Out of the teams that are left, the two teams with the most points from each conference will also make the playoffs. The divisional teams will play each other to determine a divisional champion, and then the two divisional champions play each other to determine a conference champion. As per the usual, the two conference champions will play each other for the Stanley Cup. 

The NHL is the only sport that will use divisions for any reason other than determining seeding. This should make for some interesting debate concerning how playoff seeding is done. 

Fourth week of football

Week 4

This week begins the bye weeks in football. Still, there's 15 games worthy of your attention.

Early games

Arizona @ Tampa bay

Over the week, Tampa has fired their quarterback and more rumblings have come out that the players and coach aren't exactly buddies. The death March continues...

Also, the Cards continue playing NFC south teams.

Chicago @Detroit

This divisional matchup should be the best of the week. Unfortunately, the focus Will be on the wife received who broke his arm trying to save a pizza.

Cincinnati @ Cleveland

Hoyer, a former backup to Tom Brady, started for Cleveland to much fanfare, more he goes against the Bengals who will likely be a tougher matchup

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

This game is the first "winnable" game on the schedule for the jaguars. Division matchup against a team winning a tough match last week. Statistically, they have to win one game this year right ?

Kansas city @ New York
The chiefs and giants are coming into the game as mirror images of each other. More importantly, Andy Reid is continuing his domination of the NFC east. The chiefs have had 10 days to prep for this one.

Pittsburgh @ Minnesota

Why do we always have terrible matches for the London game? Both teams have no wins. I feel bad that they have to be subjected to this game.

Seattle @ Houston

Whatever, Texans. If we are supposed to take you seriously this year, winning this game will help. Otherwise, you see just another squad.

Jets @ Tennessee

Titans vs. Titans. I love it. Also, one of these two teams will have three wins. Scary.

Late Games

Dallas @ San Diego

Yep. Good teams win on the road. Now to find out whether the perennially overrated Cowboys are actually good.

Philadelphia @ Denver

Von Miller is either smarter than we thought or dumber. He apparently tried to post off his urine collector. Didn't work. On the other hand, maybe it was to his benefit since he only got six games. Worth the risk.

Washington @ Oakland

Washington has had some difficulty finding an easy game, even this one has the team going against a west coast team in California.

Prime time

New England @ Atlanta

Too early to call this game a must win, but Atlanta would be better served to leave this game with a w. Also, breaking bad...

Miami @ New Orleans.

Miami is getting playoff buzz. This Monday night game should be interesting.

Flooded With Football Information - Week 3

Sports, for many people, is a distraction that helps keep your mind off of the more frustrating aspects of life.  There are going to be 15 games of NFL football this weekend. The point of this post is to justify watching it. 

Sunday, September 22

The Early Games (All Times Listed in EST)

Arizona at New Orleans, 1 pm  

The Return of the Honey Badger and Patrick Peterson to Louisiana. 

Arizona has drafted two amazing cornerbacks in Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson, who both played for LSU in college. They should make things difficult for Drew Brees and the currently undefeated New Orleans Saints. 

Cleveland at Minnesota, 1 pm  

The Aftermath of the Trent Richardson trade

Cleveland just traded their best running back and and 2012 3rd overall pick, Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for a 1st round pick next year. This move is widely considered to be Cleveland giving up on this season. In the short term, flashy WR Josh Gordon is returning to his team after a 2 game suspension for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. On the other side of the ball, The Vikings are also trying to win their first game of the year and keep pace in what figures to be a really tough NFC North.   

Detroit at Washington, 1 pm  

RG3 vs. Suh: Prediction PAIN!

Robert Griffin the 3rd looks sluggish and out of sorts after having ACL surgery over the off season and missing all of the preseason games. On the other side of the spectrum, Ndamukong Suh, Detroit's defensive tackle with a reputation for dirty after the whistle play, will be harassing Griffin all game.   

Green Bay at Cincinnati, 1 pm  

Hard Knock Life

After having their summer taped on the HBO series Hard Knocks, the Cincinnati Bengals will be hosting the Green Bay Packers. Look for the stellar Bengals Secondary against the Green Bay Passing Offense

Houston at Baltimore, 1 pm

It should be Us

The Texans came close to being in the position that Baltimore was in. As the 2011 season came to a close, the Texans looked as if they were poised to make serious noise in the playoffs, and many were predicting that the Texans would win the entire thing. However, the Texans quarterback, Matt Schaub got hurt and the Texans were put to rest by the Ravens. Now the Texans are healthy would be greatly assisted by beating the Ravens. However, the Super Bowl defending Ravens need a win just as badly to keep pace in their division and to show the league that they aren't planning to have a Super Bowl hangover. 

 

NY Giants at Carolina, 1 pm  

I know we haven't won, but I swear we're good

Both teams had playoff expectations and both teams have had two soul crushing defeats to begin their season. Both teams have running backs with fumble-itis and quality, but injured backups. Both teams depend on their front line to cover up for their horrid secondary.  One of these teams will be 0-3 after this game. 

San Diego at Tennessee, 1 pm  

I know you don't believe yet, but I swear we're good. 

On the other side of things, both San Diego and Tennessee are getting mild murmuring that they could be playoff teams. Both teams drafted offensive linemen in the second round. After this game one of these teams will be able to stake a claim that they are indeed playoff relevant, while not a Super Bowl caliber team. 

St. Louis at Dallas, 1 pm  

Hope you like that Cornerback!

In the 2012 Draft, the Rams traded their 6th round pick to the Cowboys for what became the 14, 50th and 51st picks in the draft. With their pick the Cowboys picked up Morris Claiborne who has been an effective, although entirely average and unspectacular cornerback for the Cowboys. The Rams used the picks for a load of depth picking up a DT, a RB and other pieces. Also, the Rams picked Janoris Jenkins, widely considered to be a better cornerback with the 38th overall pick in the same draft.  

Tampa Bay at New England, 1 pm  

Can't I just go back to Rutgers?

The longer this season goes on, the more it feels like a death march for Bucs Head Coach Greg Schiano and his team. Also, the quarterback, Josh Freeman seems to be self-destructing. Meanwhile, the injury rattled Patriots continue to run into easy opponent after easy opponent while waiting for their star tight end Rob Gronkowski to return to health.  

The Late Games

Atlanta at Miami, 4:05 pm  

Atlanta vs. the scheduling gods. 

The Falcons have had a "tougher than you'd think" schedule against 7-win teams that were better than you remember (Saints, Rams, Miami). The difference in talent between the Dolphins and the Atlanta Falcons isn't as high as expected considering the injuries that the Falcons have and the offensive improvements that the Dolphins have shown. The Falcons would be happy to escape with a win. 

Buffalo at NY Jets, 4:25 pm  

Rookie QB War. 

Geno Smith thought he would be the 1st QB drafted overall. He didn't even go in the first round. Smith would have been the backup were it not for a preseason injury to the presumptive early season starter Mark Sanchez. The current QB of the Bills is also the starter due to injury, but both have shown flashes of starting-caliber talent

Indianapolis at San Fran, 4:25 pm 

Trent Richardson in the Lion's Den

Trent Richardson was traded to the Colts to provide actual skill at the Running Back position, something the Colts haven't had in a long time. Unfortunately, they get the opportunity to play against an embarrassed and seething 49ers team that just lost an important game against their hated rival in Seattle. Also, the 49ers are really good at defense. Also, Colts QB Andrew Luck will be facing his old college coach from Stanford, Jim Harbaugh.  

 

Jacksonville at Seattle, 4:25 pm  

There isn't a line high enough

Jacksonville came into this season regarded as the worst team in the entire league. They have done nothing this season, other than provide evidence that people may have been too high on them. As a reward for not even considering picking up Florida icon and Prophet Tim Tebow, the scheduling gods have given them the best team in the league. Also, they are playing in Seattle where the Seahawks enjoy the best home field advantage in the entire league. In order to bet on Seattle to win this game, you have to bet that they will win by 20. Also, the Jaguars starting RB and QB will likely be out with injury. Godspeed.   

The Prime Time Games

Chicago at Pittsburgh, 8:30 pm  

We will raise hell in September. 

Other than history, there's no reason to believe that Pitt will be good this season. In fact, there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Moreso, there is overwhelming evidence that Pitt will struggle mightily. Most importantly, Breaking Bad will be on for 75 minutes, giving you more than enough of an excuse to avoid the first half of this game. On the other hand, we are still waiting for Jay Cutler to have a "Jay Cutler implodes" game. Besides, after Breaking Bad what else are you going to watch?     

Monday, September 23

Oakland at Denver, 8:40 pm  

Just keep Manning Healthy

Denver's playoff hopes are entirely dependent on the health of their QB, Peyton Manning. In this divisional game, the Broncos will try to win and get out with their QB still intact. While Oakland has shown that they may be the 31st best team rather than last, they aren't good enough to warrant risking Manning's health more than the Broncos need to. But you're watching because it's Monday Night Football, and Terrelle Pryor will do at least one thing that will make your head spin.   

Rap Music and the evolution of Post 9/11 lyrics

September 11, 2011 was the day that my favorite rap album, The Blueprint, was released. Clearly, this is the smallest result of the day that affected so many. Thousands of people died, people’s perceptions of national security were changed forever and many troops have been sent overseas in response.  However, in a lot of ways music is the way that people cope after breakups, after loss and after tragedy. After 9/11, there were many rap songs that addressed the event but as the years go on, more lyrics use 9/11 as a punchline. 

The first effect I remember was massive censorship of lyrics with any references to explosions, hijacking and anything that sounded like a reference to the attacks.

"Now I'm in the limelight cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade" - Notorious B.I.G. (Juicy)

The Notorious B.I.G.’s song Juicy came out 7 years before the attacks, and the artist was shot and killed 4 years before the attacks.  The blow up line is a reference to the first World Trade Center attacks in 1993. The phrase “blow up” as he uses it was slang for “gaining fame/money rapidly”. However, this line was censored following the attacks.

The first references to the attacks I remember were in "Patiently Waiting" by 50 Cent and Eminem

“Shady Records was eighty seconds away from the towers
Some cowards fucked with the wrong building, they meant to hit ours” – Eminem

In the following months and years, many rap videos used American flag motifs with my favorite being Fabolous’s "Can’t Deny It" just because of how comically overdone it is.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Welcome to the Empire State

Home of the World Trade

Birthplace of Michael Jordan" - Jay-Z (Welcome to New York City)

"It's the home of 9-11, the place of the lost towers

We still bangin', we never lost power, tell em

Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City" - Juelz Santana (Welcome to New York City)

"I put dollars on mine, ask Columbine

When the Twin Towers dropped, I was the first in line

Donating proceeds off every ticket sold

When I was out on the road, that's how you judge Hov, no?

Ain't I supposed to be absorbed in myself?

Every time there's a tragedy, I'm the first one to help

They call me this misogynist, but they don't call me the dude" - Jay-Z (BluePrint 2)

There were lots of lines that blame the government for the attacks or discuss related conspiracy theories

"Why do niggas push pounds and powder?

Why did Bush knock down the towers?" - Jadakiss (Why?)

"Cause nigga, I don't believe that

Like 9/11 came from Iraq" - Lupe Fiasco (SLR Super Lupe Rap)

"Ain’t forgot about the Twin Towers, I blame Bush for them

Obama can’t speak on it ‘cause the government’s shushin’ him" - Game (Heaven's Arms)

However, the further away we get from the attacks the more 9/11 is used just as a punchline.

"This beat is a disaster, 9/11 this" - Childish Gambino (Freaks and Geeks)

"Fireman to her rescue like 9-11" Lil Wayne (On Fire)

"Doing it big, it's going down, 9/11

I'm doing it big, pulling up in a 911" - Rick Ross (Super High)

“Gunfire leave brethren remains like it's 9/11” - Clipse (Chinese New Year)

"See her man face-to-face through the glass

On the phone. 10 years he got, chasin' that cash

Cocaine, he had that game in a smash

Felt like the Towers when the planes went on crash

It wasn't 9-11, but it was 9-1-1

Gave him 9 plus 1, dropped a dime on dun

I told him get his 9 and run

Turned himself in, I had to find that dumb" - Cam'ron (Lord You Know)

Considering my memories from that day, it feels bizarre that 9/11 is being used in a simile to describe how many guys someone has killed or something as frivolous as that. On the other hand part of coping, for better or worse is that the sting of the event goes away. As we go further and further from the event 9/11 becomes like any other national tragedy and will become the target of frivolous punchlines.  Rappers born after the attacks won’t remember or particularly care about the impact of the attacks, and the hijacked planes and buildings falling will just be something they saw on YouTube. 

Quick NFL Division Predictions

 

Every year I pick my divisions in an easy and obvious way. I go to every game in the schedule and then I pick who wins. It’s simple and straight forward. I see what teams I like and what teams I hate. I see what teams have a easy schedule and what teams might struggle. Normally I publish the numbers, but they are mostly useless, so I’m trying something new this year I’m just posting the order that they finish in the division.

 

AFC North

BAL
PIT
CIN
CLE

I somehow picked the Browns to win 2 games. I think the Browns are going to be good, but their schedule is murder. Pittsburgh is second place based largely on reputation and coaching. The Bengals are going to continue to be good.

AFC East

NE
MIA
BUF
NYJ

The Patriots are much better than everyone else in the East. Miami might be an 8-8 team though.

AFC West

KC
DEN
OAK
SD

I had the Chiefs and Broncos tied at the same amount of wins. The joys of being last in your division is that you get an easier schedule. Also, the Chiefs get an improvement at the offensive line positions. Oakland and San Diego could be the worst teams in the league.

AFC West

HOU
IND
TEN
JAX

Houston is decidedly better than the rest of the division. I think the Colts will regress. I’m not sure if the the Titans will be as bad as they appear to be.

NFC North

GB
CHI
MIN
DET

Another weird division. There are no bad teams here. I think that the Packers are the class of the division though.

NFC East

DAL
NYG
PHI
WAS

I have to be honest, I could imagine a scenario where any team in the division could be the champion. I’m not thrilled with the Giants offseason, but they’re still the Giants. They still have the best coach in the league. Washington has some really interesting pieces. Philadelphia could be exciting one way or another. As it happens, I’m a Cowboys fan. No surprise that I have them winning the whole thing. 

NFC West

SF
SEA
ARI
STL

I have the 49ers and Seahawks as playoff teams. Nothing special here.

 

NFC South

NO
ATL
TB
CAR

Perhaps the difference between the Saints and the Falcons is larger than I think, but why can’t the Saints win the division. The Falcons are decidedly worse on defense than they were last year. The Saints are going to be on a tear this year and I’m sure they have the talent to make things happen.