Tired of Soccer, Anyone?

OK, now I promise I'm not trying to be funny, but I seriously don't understand why soccer, or futbol, if you will, is on my television so much nowadays.

Although it probably sounds like I'm trying to be an ass, I'm genuinely trying to find out what's going on around here.

It seems like we went from not having any soccer on our sports news programs, to having 5-to-10 minutes of Sportscenter spent on it.

Has the United States started to care about soccer overnight, or is ESPN trying to force-feed us on soccer for some "$trange" reason?

What gives?

I mean, seriously?

Somebody please" leave a comment below, or hit me up on Twitter, to put me up on what's going on.

Later.

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts: Life After Football – Secrets to Making A Smooth Transition – Part Three

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Life After Football – Secrets to Making A Smooth Transition – Part Two

POWER Football: How to Increase Energy Levels Naturally – Part One

Why NFL Team Physicals Can KILL Your Dreams

I was checking out this article from Cincyjungle.com about o-lineman Chris Riley out of Illinois State, who was put on waivers by the Bengals after failing his physical, and thought it was a good opportunity to remind guys that you can get cut for not passing your physical when an NFL team signs you.

So if you're blessed to get an undrafted free agent offer or something in the future, don't celebrate too much, because you still have to pass that physical.

That's all I wanted to say.  Have a good one.

Related Get2TheLeague.com post: The Truth on How NFL Teams Will Look at Your Injuries

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts: The Making of the Book, “Move the Chains” – Part Three

NFL Contracts: What the Heck is a “Voidable Year?”

New Ezine article: How to Run a Fast 40 Yard Dash 

How Alcohol Affects Your Athletic Abilities

With it being Cinco De Mayo, I know a lot of you guys are going to be sippin' a "lil' somethin'-somethin'" today, so I just wanted to remind you of the ways alcohol can affect your athletic performance.

That's all. 

Enjoy, fellas, and don't drink and drive.

> Move the Chains press release: New book for football players teaches how to be a professional athlete

Apologies on Comments I Made About Junior Seau’s Death

Even though there's evidence that Junior Seau's death had something to do with injuries sustained from playing football, I just wanted to apologize for some statements I made in response to his death a few days ago on Twitter.

In a nutshell, I said that I felt that he shot himself in the chest to preserve his brain for research, similar to Dave Duerson.  

Even though Mr. Seau's family has agreed to allow his brain to be examined, I wanted to apologize, because the fact is that his brain hasn't been examined yet, and it's just way too soon to jump to conclusions about what happened.

I'm a big proponent for people speaking only when they know what they're talking about, and this time I went against my own standards.

And for that, I apologize.

Mr. Seau, rest in peace.

Latest Get2TheLeague.com post: Football and Yoga – Why More and More NFL Players Are Turning to Yoga – Part 2

Links to some football-related Ezinearticles I've written:

10 Tips to Choose Between Sports Agent Firms

What Every Player Should Add to Their Off-Season Football Fitness Program 

Football and Yoga – What Every Football Player Should Know About the Benefits of Yoga

Why I Think the SEC Will Continue to Dominate

This morning, while reading about the SEC dominating the 2012 NFL draft with 42 players drafted (Big Ten was second with 41) in the 2012 draft, I couldn't help but wonder if this domination will ever stop.

In my opinion, the answer is no.

The national champion of college football has came from the SEC, in each of the last six years.

Yeah, you read that right.

Below, you'll find my personal explanation as to why the SEC's dominance will continue.  I'm not saying they're going to win all of the upcoming national championships, but I don't think that the SEC will never ever completely "fall off."

The southeast is a hotbed for football talent.  Football is serious down south.  States like Texas, Georgia, and Florida produce boat loads of talent.  

Combine that with the fact that guys from the region get to bptj play for big time programs, and stay relatively close to home, where more of their family and friends can make it to their games, and it's a no brainer for most of these guys to go to SEC schools.

Plus, if you go to school close to home, it's wayyyy easier (and cheaper) to get home during the few breaks you get as a student-athlete.

On top of that, people "love" to be a part of something special, it's just human nature.  Because of the SEC's dominance on the field as well as well as in the draft, they're going to continue to attract the top players, which is the biggest reason why I don't think the SEC's success on the field and in the draft won't stop anytime soon.

What do you agree?  Let me know.  Leave a comment below, or catch me on Twitter @alvingrier 

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts: 

Football and Yoga – Why More and More NFL Players Are Turning to Yoga – Part 1

Football Offseason Workout Program – Strength Training Fundamentals Every Player Should Know – Part Two

I've been writing articles at ezinearticles.com to help athletes with some common issues/questions, links to a few of them are below:

What It Takes to Earn Football Scholarships in America

Why Core Training for Football Is a Must If You Want to Dominate

My Excuse for Being Terrible in Madden

I know it's only Tuesday, but this has been a loooong week for me, so I thought I'd be a little light hearted on this one.

I was reading this article about Cam Newton being the perfect choice to break the Madden curse, and it dawned on me just how long it's been since I stopped playing Madden on a regular basis.

Every now and then (like twice a year), I'll begrudgingly agree to a game or two of Madden at one of my friend's cribs, and to be honest, I usually do ok.

The big deal with me is I'm intimidated by all the doggone buttons on the joysticks nowadays!  

Add to that, all the special moves and adjustments and crap you can make, and it's downright intimidating to play somebody that plays all the time.

What was my point?  I don't know.  Just needed something to bitch about, I guess.  

Am I wrong though?  What do you think?  Are you a "beast" on Madden?  Am I making it sound harder than it is?  Leave a comment, or hit me on Twitter!  @alvingrier 

Back to work I go.  I'm out.

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts: Football Offseason Workout Program – Strength Training Fundamentals Every Player Should Know – Part One 

Core Training for Football – Why Core Training is a MUST for NFL Hopefuls – Part Two

Leadership In Football – What All Players Can Learn From Tim Tebow – Part Three

HUGE Lesson Future Pro Athletes Can Learn from Ray Allen.

While learning a few minutes ago that Ray Allen is a fellow avid book reader, (which I'm not surprised to hear, from what I've heard about Ray over the years), it kinda reminded me of the reason why I put together Get2TheLeague.com.

In the article about Ray Allen, they quote Ray Allen talking about how important it is that pro athletes make a habit out of empowering themselves and learning about the world around them.

That was my motivation to start Get2TheLeague.com.  

For some reason, it seems like most guys don't take the initiative to learn the business side of pro football.  

It's cool to rely on your agent for a lot of stuff, but when it's all said and done, it's your career on the line.

To me, if getting to the NFL means as much to you as you say it does, why aren't you trying to learn everything you can about it, from learning what scouts look for, to learning how to be smart with the money coming your way if you're lucky enough to get to the league?

There's a lot of guys that won't be drafted, that still want to know how they can take a shot at their dream, and for those guys I made "Move the Chains: Keys to Unlocking a Pro Football Career for the Undrafted Player."

You can learn more about that project here.

I don't know.  Maybe it's just me being a nerd, and expecting others to love to learn like I do.

What do you think?

Wait.  Don't answer that.  😛

Catch me on Twitter!  @alvingrier

Peace.

Latest Get2TheLeague.com post: Core Training for Football – Why Core Training is a MUST for NFL Hopefuls – Part One

Why I Think Pamphilon Was Wrong for Leaking Gregg Williams Footage

I really think Pamphilon is wrong for releasing the audio footage of Gregg Williams talking about the bounties.

By no means am I trying to defend Gregg Williams.

I'm just saying that in doing what he (Pamphilon) did, he's putting the relationship between Steve Gleason (who's already dying from Lou Gehrig's disease as it is), and the New Orleans Saints organization at jeopardy.

To me, it's baffling that he didn't think about that before leaking the footage.

From what I understand, the footage Pamphilon obtained was gathered while doing a documentary on Steve's life.

While I applaud Pamphilon's initiative to out the deplorable acts of Gregg Williams, I just don't understand what he had to gain out of doing so.

At this point, Gregg has already been suspended from the NFL indefinitely, so it's not like he's dropping some huge information that's going to add fuel to the fire of the decision Gooddell hands down on Gregg, because the ruling has already been decided, and Gregg isn't even appealing it.

I just don't get it.

What's the motive?  And whatever the motive is, I guess it's worth jeopardizing the relationships between a dying man who's documentary you're in charge of, and the organization that allowed you to sit in on their meetings and stuff, huh?

I guess…

What do you think?  Am I missing something here?  Hit me up on Twitter!  @alvingrier

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts: How Does Sleep Affect Athletic Performance on the Field? Part 2

Why Linebackers and D Linemen Should Know Their “Production Ratio”

Leadership In Football – What All Players Can Learn From Tim Tebow

This New “Review all Turnovers” Rule in the NFL is Ridiculous

Have you heard about the owners voting to review all turnovers?  It's absolutely ridiculous in my opinion.  

I could be wrong (certainly won't be the first time), but this has got to be about money.

The more pauses in play, the more commercials there are.  I could be wrong though, but this is my spot to rant, so I'm using it.

What about obvious turnovers like interceptions?  Why even waste time on a replay?

I'm sure coaches appreciate not having to use their challenges on turnovers, but why not have a referee make the judgement of whether or not a replay is necessary after a specific turnover?

OK, I'm done with my rant.

What do you think about this rule?  It's not a big deal, but for the owners, it just may be just that.

A good ($) deal.

If you want, hit me up on Twitter to rap about it.

I'm out.

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts:  Preventing Concussions in Football – What Every Football Player Should Know – Part 2

How Does Sleep Affect Athletic Performance on the Field? 

American Football as We Know It… Are we “Losing It?”

While reading about the former Australian rugby player Hayden Smith's forthcoming NFL debut, I couldn't help but wonder if the same thing is happening in football that's happened with basketball already.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there are way" more international players in the NBA than there used to be. 

And as the NFL continues it's initiative to expand to overseas, I can't help but wonder if the same thing is going to happen with NFL players.

I wonder if the already incredible odds for an American-born athlete to play in the NFL are going to diminish like they have for American-born basketball players. 

It's simple math.  The more international players on the team, the less American-born players are going to get an opportunity.  

It's that simple.

I think the already slim chances the average American-born player has of playing in the NFL are going to go down over time, as more and more countries learn and embrace American football.

I'm not saying that's a good or a bad thing, it's just merely an observation.

But what do you think about it, though?  Leave a comment below, or catch me on Twitter, and let's rap about it.  I love to talk!  

…like you didn't know that already.

Later.

Alvin

Latest Get2TheLeague.com posts: Bankrupt NFL Players – This Mistake Sets Players Up for Failure, Time and Time Again.  –   Preventing Concussions in Football – What Every Football Player Should Know – Part 1