For those of you who don't know, I've also been doing some writing for the Bleacher Report. Things have been going very well! Recently, one of my articles got posted on the home page of NHL.com, so here are a few examples of the things we've been writing about over on the Bleacher Report!
Also, The Sin Bin is part of a grassroots fan movement for the Colorado Avalanche! Check us out on twitter @BurgundyBrigade, and check out our page on facebook!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/640774-nhl-power-rankings-the-20-most-clutch-players-among-playoff-hopeful-teams This Article was featured on NHL.com
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/642924-colorado-avalanche-celebrate-milan-hejduks-900th-game-with-a-win
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/641893-martin-st-louis-and-the-best-waterbug-on-each-nhl-team
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/644436-colorado-avalanche-assuming-adam-foote-retires-who-will-be-the-next-captain
Hope you enjoy!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Golf Journal: Valley-Hi
Now that we are back into Spring, almost, I'm looking to get my golf journal going again! I went out today, for the first time this year, thanks to the fact that I'm currently on spring break.
I was very uncertain about how things would go, first time playing since about August, but was also kind of excited. I was getting to try out my brand new set of golf clubs that my wife allowed me to buy myself for Christmas. I got a set of Taylor Made Burner irons, and added a 3 wood burner to my collection, so I'm completely burnered up!
At first, I wasn't too happy with things because of the driving range. This particular course has mats set out to hit off of right now, and I HATE hitting on mats. They don't give you really accurate feedback on how you're hitting the ball, unless you absolutely catch it clean. My swing still felt a bit rusty, but after the about 30 minutes of hitting off of the mat, I felt okay about things. Still unsure, because it was a mat, but good enough to give a round a go.
I had been kicked out of the apartment by my wife while she cleaned so I had all the time I wanted to burn, essentially. So I went and signed up for 18 holes and got out. I was joined by a couple other gentleman, and I'm glad I was. They were very fun, laid back, and I really enjoyed the front 9 we all played.
Front 9 started off a bit rough, topped my first tee shot, which happens when it's your first time out for the season, but managed to have an okay next couple of shots. Ended the first hole, a par 5, with a 7. Meh, but I'll take it for now.
As the front 9 kept going, I got into a pretty good rhythm, and I was LOVING the way my new irons were striking the ball. I hit about 3 regulation greens in a row, which NEVER happens, and ended up with a couple good pars on the front 9. Ended with a 44 going out.
Then started the back 9. Something crazy happened to me on the back 9, I was playing really well. First 2 holes were both four pars and I scored a 5 on both of them. On the 12th hole, the shortest hole on the course, I absolutely destroyed my drive and put it to about 65 yards from the green. I've seen this book before, great tee shot, now I have a really short approach which I will no doubt duff off to the right and start swearing for a bit. Nope, caught it clean, with my new approach wedge (Taylor Made, did I mention that?) and landed it about five feet from the cup. Naturally, now I would do my usual 3 putt from 5 feet, right? No. Center of the cup, and a birdie. I'm usually good for a couple birdies every few rounds or so, but on my first time out? Pumped my fist, pulled the ball out, and quickly wrote down my 3 on my score card.
Moving forward, I expected to fold like a cheap suit, because that's what I do. NOPE. Holes 13 - 17 I parred all the way. Making a few pretty solid up and downs along the way. 17 was a short of short par 5 with a water hazard right in front of the green. I was feeling very peckish after a really good drive, and pulled out my 5 wood. I wasn't terribly concerned with hitting the green, just wanted to try and muscle it over the water, which I did! The stars were aligning, or something, because everything was going right.
18 had just an evil green. I was on in 2, and had a downhill putt from about 15 feet. I gave it a pretty gentle stroke and it went by the hole about 25 feet. 2 putted back for a 5 to close out my round. A back 9 38. That's right, 38 on 9 holes of golf. That is something that I have NEVER done. Gave me a grand total of 82 for the round. I was stunned! 82 is my all-time low round. Allow me to say it again, I LOVE my new golf clubs.
There were a couple negatives on the day. First, the driving range mats. Second, I couldn't find my sunhat before I went, so my neck is now totally red (curse you Irish skin!). Third, I lost a few balls along the way, only one into a hazard, but the others because this course was so poorly maintained that the majority of the course was dead grass. As many of you are aware, sometimes when you hit the ball into large areas of dead grass, and don't see EXACTLY where it landed, it is like searching for a needle in a hay stack trying to find your ball. I don't count myself for penalties on that, just drop another one by where I figure it went out, and go from there. Last, first time out, and I walked 18 the whole way. My legs are still yelling for this. Oh, well, I'm joining a roller hockey league that starts in like two weeks, they'll just have to get used to the abuse.
If any of you are avid golfers, and you're in the market for a new set of clubs, get yourself some burners. Those things are amazing. I've never hit so many clean shots before. I'm totally sold on the Taylor Made brand. If they let me do commercials, I would. I have never driven a ball farther or straighter, I've never hit so many greens in regulation. I've never played golf this well, until I got some Taylor Made Burners. Everything I get, from now on, will be Taylor Made, and I will continue to sing their praises.
Thanks for reading. Tell me some of your low golf scores so we can all compare!
I was very uncertain about how things would go, first time playing since about August, but was also kind of excited. I was getting to try out my brand new set of golf clubs that my wife allowed me to buy myself for Christmas. I got a set of Taylor Made Burner irons, and added a 3 wood burner to my collection, so I'm completely burnered up!
At first, I wasn't too happy with things because of the driving range. This particular course has mats set out to hit off of right now, and I HATE hitting on mats. They don't give you really accurate feedback on how you're hitting the ball, unless you absolutely catch it clean. My swing still felt a bit rusty, but after the about 30 minutes of hitting off of the mat, I felt okay about things. Still unsure, because it was a mat, but good enough to give a round a go.
I had been kicked out of the apartment by my wife while she cleaned so I had all the time I wanted to burn, essentially. So I went and signed up for 18 holes and got out. I was joined by a couple other gentleman, and I'm glad I was. They were very fun, laid back, and I really enjoyed the front 9 we all played.
Front 9 started off a bit rough, topped my first tee shot, which happens when it's your first time out for the season, but managed to have an okay next couple of shots. Ended the first hole, a par 5, with a 7. Meh, but I'll take it for now.
As the front 9 kept going, I got into a pretty good rhythm, and I was LOVING the way my new irons were striking the ball. I hit about 3 regulation greens in a row, which NEVER happens, and ended up with a couple good pars on the front 9. Ended with a 44 going out.
Then started the back 9. Something crazy happened to me on the back 9, I was playing really well. First 2 holes were both four pars and I scored a 5 on both of them. On the 12th hole, the shortest hole on the course, I absolutely destroyed my drive and put it to about 65 yards from the green. I've seen this book before, great tee shot, now I have a really short approach which I will no doubt duff off to the right and start swearing for a bit. Nope, caught it clean, with my new approach wedge (Taylor Made, did I mention that?) and landed it about five feet from the cup. Naturally, now I would do my usual 3 putt from 5 feet, right? No. Center of the cup, and a birdie. I'm usually good for a couple birdies every few rounds or so, but on my first time out? Pumped my fist, pulled the ball out, and quickly wrote down my 3 on my score card.
Moving forward, I expected to fold like a cheap suit, because that's what I do. NOPE. Holes 13 - 17 I parred all the way. Making a few pretty solid up and downs along the way. 17 was a short of short par 5 with a water hazard right in front of the green. I was feeling very peckish after a really good drive, and pulled out my 5 wood. I wasn't terribly concerned with hitting the green, just wanted to try and muscle it over the water, which I did! The stars were aligning, or something, because everything was going right.
18 had just an evil green. I was on in 2, and had a downhill putt from about 15 feet. I gave it a pretty gentle stroke and it went by the hole about 25 feet. 2 putted back for a 5 to close out my round. A back 9 38. That's right, 38 on 9 holes of golf. That is something that I have NEVER done. Gave me a grand total of 82 for the round. I was stunned! 82 is my all-time low round. Allow me to say it again, I LOVE my new golf clubs.
There were a couple negatives on the day. First, the driving range mats. Second, I couldn't find my sunhat before I went, so my neck is now totally red (curse you Irish skin!). Third, I lost a few balls along the way, only one into a hazard, but the others because this course was so poorly maintained that the majority of the course was dead grass. As many of you are aware, sometimes when you hit the ball into large areas of dead grass, and don't see EXACTLY where it landed, it is like searching for a needle in a hay stack trying to find your ball. I don't count myself for penalties on that, just drop another one by where I figure it went out, and go from there. Last, first time out, and I walked 18 the whole way. My legs are still yelling for this. Oh, well, I'm joining a roller hockey league that starts in like two weeks, they'll just have to get used to the abuse.
If any of you are avid golfers, and you're in the market for a new set of clubs, get yourself some burners. Those things are amazing. I've never hit so many clean shots before. I'm totally sold on the Taylor Made brand. If they let me do commercials, I would. I have never driven a ball farther or straighter, I've never hit so many greens in regulation. I've never played golf this well, until I got some Taylor Made Burners. Everything I get, from now on, will be Taylor Made, and I will continue to sing their praises.
Thanks for reading. Tell me some of your low golf scores so we can all compare!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
MLS Season Begins - Rapids Show Colorado Sports How to do it!
I had a brand new experience, tonight. Those of you who know me know that I am pretty much a follower of two sports, hockey and football, usually in that order. Recently, however, I have discovered the world's game. Soccer.
It all started when one of my friends in Colorado Springs told me that their Rapids support group, most specifically the Bulldog Support Group, check out their facebook page on that link, was going to go an Avalanche game.
Those of you who follow me on twitter, @TheSinBin, remember how much fun that was. The group was loud, on their feet the whole game, making noise, even when the Avs were down 5-1 and the rest of the building was busy knitting or something. After that event, I decided I had to check them out in their element.
Tonight I went to my first ever Colorado Rapids game as a member of the BSG, and let me tell you something. The rest of Colorado sports fans can learn a thing or two about how to support your team from the Rapids fans. Opening night, PACKED HOUSE. It was also banner night, as the Rapids celebrated their 2010 MLS Cup Victory at the start of the game. Then the game began, and what action it was!
Soccer, coming from a guy who has never really cared for the sport, is exciting as all hell to watch in person. Especially when you are in a group that is standing the whole game, chanting and singing to support the team or dog the visitors, telling the referees what they can do with their whistle, and jumping up and down during every chant and after every goal. There is a lot that goes on! Even the visiting team brought their own supporters who had their own chants. It was an amazing atmosphere.
One thing that people have been complaining about a lot in Colorado Sports this past year is the lack of fan support. Broncos complaining about having more Steelers fans than Broncos fans in the stands, Avalanche fans not filling the Pepsi Center (or playing video games on a tablet throughout the whole game. That's right kid in front of the BSG in 374, we saw you), Rockies never really filling the house, etc... Rapids fans were out in full scale tonight. Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium was filled. Rapids flags waved all game long. Support groups drove the Portland supporters into silence for most of the game. And the Rapids came out with a 3-1 victory.
Seriously, Denver sports fans need to remember what it is like to be rowdy and noisy and to make the team want to put hide under their benches because we're so loud. If you want a reminder of what that feels like, as I was given tonight, you need to go and check out the Colorado Rapids. It is MORE than worth the price of admission. Once Denver fans get the spirit back like the Rapids fans have, people will remember what a great sports town Denver really is.
GO RAPIDS!
It all started when one of my friends in Colorado Springs told me that their Rapids support group, most specifically the Bulldog Support Group, check out their facebook page on that link, was going to go an Avalanche game.
Those of you who follow me on twitter, @TheSinBin, remember how much fun that was. The group was loud, on their feet the whole game, making noise, even when the Avs were down 5-1 and the rest of the building was busy knitting or something. After that event, I decided I had to check them out in their element.
Tonight I went to my first ever Colorado Rapids game as a member of the BSG, and let me tell you something. The rest of Colorado sports fans can learn a thing or two about how to support your team from the Rapids fans. Opening night, PACKED HOUSE. It was also banner night, as the Rapids celebrated their 2010 MLS Cup Victory at the start of the game. Then the game began, and what action it was!
Soccer, coming from a guy who has never really cared for the sport, is exciting as all hell to watch in person. Especially when you are in a group that is standing the whole game, chanting and singing to support the team or dog the visitors, telling the referees what they can do with their whistle, and jumping up and down during every chant and after every goal. There is a lot that goes on! Even the visiting team brought their own supporters who had their own chants. It was an amazing atmosphere.
One thing that people have been complaining about a lot in Colorado Sports this past year is the lack of fan support. Broncos complaining about having more Steelers fans than Broncos fans in the stands, Avalanche fans not filling the Pepsi Center (or playing video games on a tablet throughout the whole game. That's right kid in front of the BSG in 374, we saw you), Rockies never really filling the house, etc... Rapids fans were out in full scale tonight. Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium was filled. Rapids flags waved all game long. Support groups drove the Portland supporters into silence for most of the game. And the Rapids came out with a 3-1 victory.
Seriously, Denver sports fans need to remember what it is like to be rowdy and noisy and to make the team want to put hide under their benches because we're so loud. If you want a reminder of what that feels like, as I was given tonight, you need to go and check out the Colorado Rapids. It is MORE than worth the price of admission. Once Denver fans get the spirit back like the Rapids fans have, people will remember what a great sports town Denver really is.
GO RAPIDS!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
NFL Owners and Players Can't Reach A Deal - Legal Battle to Ensue
Time has come, time has gone. Extension was given, extension has gone. Mediation requested, yet nothing seems to have been accomplished, and Friday the owners made it official by moving forward with locking out the players until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement can be reached.
Now, in case you're not familiar with what it is, or if you live in Wisconsin where there seem to be a lot of people who have forgotten what collective bargaining is, collective bargaining is when the group of workers in a specific field are allowed to have a say in the environment of their workplace. They are also allowed to negotiate things like health benefits, pay rates, etc... This is the whole purpose for having a union.
As with pretty much everything else in professional sports, the main issue revolving around the current work stoppage is money. The owners, claiming that they are losing money, are asking for a larger chunk of the $9 billion worth of revenue generated by the NFL. The players assert that the owners refuse to prove this, though there are many teams who have come forward ready to open their books for all to see. Many teams, however, have not offered to help prove the owner's point.
The players, however, while attempting to play the role of the victim, are doing something that isn't exactly on the up and up either. Knowing that a lockout was possible, the union threatened to decertify so that they can sue the league with an anti-trust lawsuit; claiming the owners are discriminating against a specific group of people. It's a crafty move that, frankly, made it so that they didn't have to make too much of an effort either. If you ask me, if you want to have the rights to collectively bargain, then you need to also accept the possibility of a lock out, not try to pull a little stunt like this so that you can get your way.
Bottom line here, the NFL as a whole is going to suffer from this. $9 billion of revenue, and they can't agree on a way to divide it. I have an idea. Why doesn't the NFL take that $9 billion that they are so indecisive about, and give it to public education. The state of Colorado alone is proposing to cut $300 million from the education budget, I bet that they could find a way to use it. So could the teachers in Wisconsin who now have lost their rights to collectively bargain.
All people involved in this lockout come off looking like greedy millionaires and billionaires crying about needing more money. Not good, especially in the current economy. Once again, until both of these parties can bring their big boy pants to work, both the league and the players will lose money and the fans.
Now, in case you're not familiar with what it is, or if you live in Wisconsin where there seem to be a lot of people who have forgotten what collective bargaining is, collective bargaining is when the group of workers in a specific field are allowed to have a say in the environment of their workplace. They are also allowed to negotiate things like health benefits, pay rates, etc... This is the whole purpose for having a union.
As with pretty much everything else in professional sports, the main issue revolving around the current work stoppage is money. The owners, claiming that they are losing money, are asking for a larger chunk of the $9 billion worth of revenue generated by the NFL. The players assert that the owners refuse to prove this, though there are many teams who have come forward ready to open their books for all to see. Many teams, however, have not offered to help prove the owner's point.
The players, however, while attempting to play the role of the victim, are doing something that isn't exactly on the up and up either. Knowing that a lockout was possible, the union threatened to decertify so that they can sue the league with an anti-trust lawsuit; claiming the owners are discriminating against a specific group of people. It's a crafty move that, frankly, made it so that they didn't have to make too much of an effort either. If you ask me, if you want to have the rights to collectively bargain, then you need to also accept the possibility of a lock out, not try to pull a little stunt like this so that you can get your way.
Bottom line here, the NFL as a whole is going to suffer from this. $9 billion of revenue, and they can't agree on a way to divide it. I have an idea. Why doesn't the NFL take that $9 billion that they are so indecisive about, and give it to public education. The state of Colorado alone is proposing to cut $300 million from the education budget, I bet that they could find a way to use it. So could the teachers in Wisconsin who now have lost their rights to collectively bargain.
All people involved in this lockout come off looking like greedy millionaires and billionaires crying about needing more money. Not good, especially in the current economy. Once again, until both of these parties can bring their big boy pants to work, both the league and the players will lose money and the fans.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Avalanche Have Hit an All-time Low
Sorry it has been a while since I've written anything on this site, folks, I've been doing a lot of writing on the Bleacher Report, and have neglected you. Thank goodness A-Mac has been here to help pick up some of my slack.
That being said, if you want a much more hopeful view of what I'm about to write, take a look at the story on Bleacher Report.
Well, the Avalanche have done it again. Now losers of seven straight games, and 17 out of their last 18 games, the Colorado Avalanche are setting a new standard for amateurism in their games. Never before have I seen members of this once proud franchise quit so often, and so fast game in and game out.
I have said to several people that this team may be the worst team in the history of the franchise, and that is worse than the one that earned us the number three overall draft pick three years ago.
This may become a bit of a rant, and I apologize for that, so I'll cut to the chase. Joe Sacco needs to be fired. This guy seems to have one way of coaching. He does not adjust, and he does not attempt to fix anything, he just keeps plugging away with the same things and the team does not improve.
Case and point, he constantly talks about needing to skate in order to play their game. You just watch teams clog up the neutral zone against the Avs and they can't do anything. They are lost, their passing is bad, they make bad plays and boom, the puck is going the other way.
Or, the way he handles his personnel. If Sacco isn't happy with how you're playing, he benches you for a period, or makes you a healthy scratch for the game as his way of "sending a message". It worked for a while last season, and even a bit at the start of this season. Now players seem to be playing scared out of fear of being a healthy scratch! That's not coaching! Part of coaching is showing faith in your players, and Sacco does not do that.
About the only person he has done that with is Matt Hunwick, who is possibly the worst trade the Avalanche have ever made. Hunwick is constantly out for goals against, avoids physical contact at all costs, makes horrible decisions in his own zone, and is frequently found just watching the play yet he is out almost every single short handed situation. It just baffles me.
Sacco did a great job in his first year, but it seems his message has been tuned out by his players. Plus, he comes out for every press conference saying the exact same things about making mental errors and not starting the game on time. All of those things, when they are problems for more than two months of a season, are the fault of a coaching staff. One or two games, those are your players and you make adjustments. No adjustments made, same mistakes night in and night out, coaches. Joe Sacco is a good AHL coach, and he has done all he can do right now. It is time to fire Joe Sacco.
That being said, if you want a much more hopeful view of what I'm about to write, take a look at the story on Bleacher Report.
Well, the Avalanche have done it again. Now losers of seven straight games, and 17 out of their last 18 games, the Colorado Avalanche are setting a new standard for amateurism in their games. Never before have I seen members of this once proud franchise quit so often, and so fast game in and game out.
I have said to several people that this team may be the worst team in the history of the franchise, and that is worse than the one that earned us the number three overall draft pick three years ago.
This may become a bit of a rant, and I apologize for that, so I'll cut to the chase. Joe Sacco needs to be fired. This guy seems to have one way of coaching. He does not adjust, and he does not attempt to fix anything, he just keeps plugging away with the same things and the team does not improve.
Case and point, he constantly talks about needing to skate in order to play their game. You just watch teams clog up the neutral zone against the Avs and they can't do anything. They are lost, their passing is bad, they make bad plays and boom, the puck is going the other way.
Or, the way he handles his personnel. If Sacco isn't happy with how you're playing, he benches you for a period, or makes you a healthy scratch for the game as his way of "sending a message". It worked for a while last season, and even a bit at the start of this season. Now players seem to be playing scared out of fear of being a healthy scratch! That's not coaching! Part of coaching is showing faith in your players, and Sacco does not do that.
About the only person he has done that with is Matt Hunwick, who is possibly the worst trade the Avalanche have ever made. Hunwick is constantly out for goals against, avoids physical contact at all costs, makes horrible decisions in his own zone, and is frequently found just watching the play yet he is out almost every single short handed situation. It just baffles me.
Sacco did a great job in his first year, but it seems his message has been tuned out by his players. Plus, he comes out for every press conference saying the exact same things about making mental errors and not starting the game on time. All of those things, when they are problems for more than two months of a season, are the fault of a coaching staff. One or two games, those are your players and you make adjustments. No adjustments made, same mistakes night in and night out, coaches. Joe Sacco is a good AHL coach, and he has done all he can do right now. It is time to fire Joe Sacco.
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