Why the NL East will be the Best Division in the National League

   With the MLB's spring training in full swing, the regular season is only a few short weeks away and I for one am getting excited for another season of mediocre New York Mets baseball. However, my boss (I really don't want to call Zach my boss but I can't think of anything else to call him in this context. I'll hit up thesaurus.com later) is not so excited about the idea of having two writers talk solely about the Mets so I'm going to justify why they play in the best division in the NL.


1st place: Atlanta Braves

A First Person View: "Cameron Crazie at Duke-UNC"

            The funny part is that I don’t even know if this was my favorite time spent in Cameron. Georgia State was my first real experience. Ohio State, while maybe not as loud, was my first introduction to the insanity of the Cameron Crazies- including the two nights of tenting. Maryland had more creative chants.- “McDonald’s” for their god-awful warm-ups, “USA” for Alex Len, and of course, the classic, “Not Our Rivals.”* And I had way better seats at NC State game.* From the second row, I was close enough to get Rodney Purvis’ attention with a little “You nervous, Purvis?” yell.

But none of that is quite Duke vs. UNC. Imagine being so squished that the two people next to you could literally just hold you up. Personal space? It’s not a thing when you’re a Cameron Crazy at a UNC game. And it’s loud. Imagine being able to yell and not hear yourself. It’s you and your group of friends, surrounded by this girl who was in your Econ class, and her group of friends, and then that kid you met during O-Week and his group of friends. But at that point it doesn’t even matter if you know them. You’re all part of the same initiative. The same goal. Nobody wants anything more than a Duke win at that moment in time. Cameron Crazies are a collection of individuals made one.

College Sports Traditions

     What most separates college sports from the pros (besides the actual defensive effort on the hardwood and the lack of financial compensation for the players ) is the students.  Whether it's the "Rowdy Reptiles" in Gainesville, the "Izzone" in East Lansing, the "Oakland Zoo" at Pitt or the "Cameron Crazies" in Krzyzewskiville, the energy and dedication of the student sections really define college basketball.  College football, however, is more defined by pre-game tailgates, post-game victory parties, and some pretty gnarly sayings (often accompanied by some pretty awesome gestures).  In this piece, I present the best of the best.

Top 10 Sayings/Gestures of College sports

It's Mike Vick in a Box

After the firing of 14 year head coach and mustache enthusiast Andy Reid, most Philadelphia Eagles fan's had assumed that the reign of terror was over. The Eagles would no longer throw 50 times a game; they would no longer waste the talents of LeSean McCoy. The stubbornness and egotism that had haunted the team for years would dissipate. With that, disgruntled Quarterback Michael Vick could follow the lead of Jason Babin and his not-so-secret admirer, defensive line coach Jim Washburn, and make sure the door didn't hit him on the way out.

Under the guidance of new head coach Charles "Chip" Kelly the Eagles would become innovative, exciting,



and above all like-able. The Eagles would turn over a new leaf with Chip Kelly and either Nick Foles or a rookie to be named later under center. So, when the news broke on Monday that the Eagles had re-signed Vick, it seemed that the franchise was simply running in circles. However, when this issue is examined deeper it is obvious that there as many pros as cons.

Tuesday Night Gripe

     The common room is the most controversial room of any college dorm.  You got couches, causing the social type to view it as a "hangout" room.  You got a table, causing the studious type to view it as a "study" room.  You also have a sink, causing the barbaric type to view it as their own personal water-fountain which is disgusting because that means they're sticking their face in the faucet.  Whatever the case, it's definitely an under-appreciated, oft-forgotten about room.  I use it all the time though.  When I wanna hit the books, I go there.  When I wanna crush some oreos and crank some music, I go there.  When I wanna chill with my African-French bros and Gen/Filip, I go there.  Now because the common room is a space of multiple purposes, differences in theory, need, and culture can cause arguments between floor dwellers.  The classic battle: I-should-be-using-headphones guy vs I-have-a-test-tomorrow guy.  Often a toss-up because it is the common room but I usually side with I-have-a-test-tomorrow guy.  Usually these conflicts are subjective; I can see the argument from both sides.  But what happened tonight is not even an argument.  No other side.  I'm right.

Tumultuous Tuesday

    As March Madness approaches, the upsets, injuries and great games continue to roll in.  Tonight's contests featured two battles of ranked opponents as well as some bubble breaking games.  The first game of the evening was Florida versus Kentucky.  The newly ranked Kentucky Wildcats had been rolling in SEC play at 8-2 until they rolled into the swamp.  The gators came out swishing and dishing as they swarmed the Wildcats with gator chomps and their experience.  A scary moment occurred with 8 minutes left in the second half as the nations leading shot blocker and potential number one pick, Nerlens Noel, came down hard on his left knee after a fast break block.   The Wildcats training staff is yet to officially announce the extent of the injury but it looked ugly.  Hopefully Noel will be able to recover and become a great defensive presence in the NBA.  Expect Willie Cauley-Stein to step in and do big things in Noels absence.  I look for Cauley-Stein to rise amongst scouts draft boards.  Florida on the other hand played an outstanding all around game with 6 players scoring 9 points or higher.  A highlight for Florida was the outstanding defense of Patric Young (12 pts, 11 reb, 4 blks).  Look for Florida to continue rolling due to its outstanding size, defense and shooting ability.

Introduction

   My devout readers (shout out to you three) already know me pretty well by now but ZboNfl is expanding.  Allow me to introduce RedCupSports, your cup of tea for anything sports related, funny, ridiculous or bizarre. I would also like to cordially introduce my two co-founders.  Mr. Chadwick Edelblum is a freshman at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  When Chad isn't studying, he can be found pledging for AEPi, broadcasting Cornell hoops games, interviewing famous people, talking about how he knows a lot famous people, referring to times he has met or maintained relationships with famous people, or hanging out with his girlfriend.  Not only is Mr. Edelblum a sports aficionado (interned with the Mets last summer) and comedy enthusiast (laughts at 82.6 percent of my lower-level jokes), he also is a dynamite blog technician.  He brings a lot to the table.  Mr. Jacob Shubert is a freshman at Wake Forest University located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  If Jake isn't watching Sportscenter or talking about sports, he is probably shirtless covered in yellow and black paint at a Demon-Deacon basketball game.  While currently undeclared, Shubert is strongly considering a major in Communication.  In high school, he dabbled in radio, (under the tutelage of WDOT's own Mr. Klaff) broadcasting varsity basketball and football games alongside Chad and myself.  In addition to being an under-the-radar NCAAM recruiter insider, Jake is a masterful ball-handler and well-know jump shooter at Pine Street Park.  Shubert rounds out the trifecta.  Now to the first real RedCupSports post...

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the new internet sensation the Harlem Shake.  Here is a video of TEP fraternity members at the University of Florida doing an original choreographed routine.

Gator bros rockin' out

- I show this video in particular to point out my friend Kyle.  He's at the top right wearing a beer keg suit.  Dude is absolutely killin' it.  Flailing his arms without a care in the world followed by a flawless transition into the "Bernie" for a couple seconds of pure bliss.  Keep up the good work man.

Welcome to RedCupSports

Superbaughl

Superbowl Sunday.  One of the best days of the year, definitely the #1 Sunday of the Year... Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past few months...

is today the super bowl?

Prediction:

Before the season, I predicted the Ravens to beat the Pats on the road in the AFC Championship game (nailed it) and the Falcons to lose at home in the NFC Championship game (nailed it).  I may, or may not, have had the Lions (gulp) beating Atlanta though and not Jim Harbaugh's ferocious niners.  Hey, 3/4 teams ain't too shabby, eh?

For my pre-season Superbowl Prediction, I had the Baltimore Ravens defeating the Detroit Lions.  As I sit here today, I will not flip-flop, Baltimore Ravens over the San Francisco 49ers is my pick.  Let's get it Ravens.

Baltimore 10 San Francisco 6

Stats:

Ravens Stats

BAL Flacco: 18-25, 222 yds, TD, INT
BAL Rice: 20 carries, 69 yds
BAL Pierce: 7 carries, 34 yds
BAL Ray Lewis: 42 total tackles, 41 solo, 1 combo, 3 in-game deer antler injections, 7 pre-snap hallelujah's, 28.5 post-game God references, and 1 untimely ascendence into heaven
BAL Ed Reed: great safety play, 3 shots of him looking homeless, 1 half-hearted "Ed Reed, Da U," 1 surprising retirement announcement (sad, but that's what I'm calling)
BAL Bernard Pollard: 4 knock-out shots, 2 emergency room shots, 1 attempted ACL tear, 1 ironic rant about how he thinks football is too violent
BAL Suggs: 2 sacks, 1 BSHU reference, .5 smiles
BAL Michael Oher: 0 blind-side blocks, 2 p-cakes, 1 p-cake on previous Ole-Miss teammate Patrick Willis

49ers Stats

SF Kaepernick: 21-38, 250 yds, INT, fumble, 5 carries, 32 yds
SF Gore: 26 carries, 117 yds
SF Crabtree: 7 rec, 92 yds, fumble
SF Akers 2-3 FG (make 31, 38) (missed 51)
SF Patrick Willis: 10 tackles, 9 camera shots of his biceps which make me feel bad about myself
SF Navarro Bowman: 9 tackles, 1 MMA style locker-room fight with Willis over who is the better LB
SF Smith brothers: 2 combined sacks, 1 decoy, 2 MIZZOU alumni
SF Randy Moss: 3 irrational, cocky and untrue declarations, 1 catch, 26 yds, 4 quarters used as a decoy

Prop Bets

Coin Toss: Heads (toss-up)
National Anthem: Under 2 min, 5 sec (this line is too high)
Color of Championship Gatorade: Orange (seems to be the most common color)
How many times it will be referred to as the HarBowl: Under 2.5 (too played out)
Will Beyonce have straight or Curly Hair: Straight (easy call)
Who MVP will thank first: Coach (Flacco ain't thanking God first like Ray will)
How long coaches handshake will be: Over 7.5 seconds (I'm going with the prolonged hug)
Amount of times Dad Harbaugh is show: Over 2.5 times (this guy is always killin' it)

For more analysis on these prop bets check barstool

By the way, my Chinese floormate just asked me to take a picture holding up a sign with two green Chinese characters on it... I asked him what it said and why.  He told me not to worry and that he just needs to send it to a friend...

Is it bad that I was skeptical because I didn't want to end up as the face of a fake online Chinese Athlete's lover?

Enjoy the game