Kicking In the NFL

Recently there has been a lot of talk about eliminating the extra point because it has become almost automatic. Goodell stated "I believe we had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd [attempts]. So it's a very small fraction of the play, and you want to add excitement with every play." 

In my opinion this just goes to show how skilled NFL kickers have become. I would usually be the last one to defend NFL kickers but in this case I think the Comish has gotten it wrong. If you want to make the game more exiting why not make it harder to get the point after rather than eliminating all together. After all how exciting is it to get a point just because. 

I would rather see the NFL do something that would highlight the skill it takes to be and NFL place kicker. Perhaps they could use a different set of uprights for the extra point. Maybe the uprights could be retractable like the protective net that comes down before the kick. These post could be narrower making it harder to get that "automatic" point. Or if that seem unreasonable at least move the kicker back a few yards increasing the difficulty for the kicker. 

Or even better why not go to a Rugby style system where as the kicker has to make is conversion attempt from the spot of the score. Meaning if the player scores a touchdown by running down the middle the place kicker sets up straight out. However, if the touchdown is scored in the corner of the end zone or on the pylon the kicker would have to attempt almost a corner kick type attempt from the sideline. If you go this route you could even make the kicks uncontested in order to eliminate the injury risk. Just send out a long snapper, a holder, and the kicker. Heck if you do that you could make the long snapper have to line up in the same spot every time making him have to angle his snaps to the holder in order to get a clean kick off. That would really increase the skill. I would love to see a snap from the middle of the field to a holder on the sideline while the kicker has to put some english on the ball to curve it through the upright. That would really be something. 

 I think eliminating the point after would decrease the excitement in the game not increase it. Why not make the sport more exciting while at the same time showcasing the talents of a player(s) whom rarely gets any respect in the NFL.  I for one would love to actually see how these guys would handle the pressure of a game winning corner kick as time expires. 

Best cure for the common cold

I was feeling very sick this week. I was unable to commute this week because of various family commitments. Which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Temps in the single digits and a horrible cold would not have been fun.

However I did get about 20 or so miles in on my lunch. I figured the best way to get rid of this bug was to sweat it out. Turns out the cure for the common cold is a few miles of 32 x 16.

I also scored some hop slam on one of my lunchtime adventures so all is not lost.

Im not crazy I swear!

People keep telling me I am crazy for riding my bike to work. I think its just the opposite. If I didn't ride I would be crazy. Sure its tough sometimes to get up when its cold and hop on my rig and ride but it sure beats driving.

When I drive I arrive at work/home tired and run down. Riding wakes me up. The cold air on my face and in my lungs the buring in my legs. its better than any cup of coffee I have ever had. I think people are crazy for wanting to drive. Not really but I cant stand buying gas and I only live and hours bike ride from work so until further notice this crazy bastard is going to keep riding.

oh and enjoying nature is wonderful as well.

Lunchtime Adventure

I got bored today. Bored of sitting around on my ass and nursing this bad back. Its been killing me and no amount of whiskey has managed to make it feel any better. So screw it. I grabbed my bike last night cleaned off the salt removed the rust lubed everything and decided to ride to work today.

Not so much. about 6 am i woke up in my underwear shivering. I got some stupid furnace that when the filter is a little dirty it decides not to work. So off to Menards to replace it leaving me no time to get ready to ride. Screw it though I need to ride. I tossed my trusty Fargo on the back of my car and vowed to get some saddle time this afternoon.

Lunch finally rolls around I toss on my chain which is nice and lubed and hauled ass to the nearest forest preserve determined to get some dirt. Turns out the dirt was mud and it was no fun. But whats this. I notice some orange reflective signs and what looks like some new trail. Turns out the forest preserve cut some new trail for the snowmobiles to enjoy this winter. WTF why dont us bikes get to ride natural surface. Shit, Im riding this. I take a right and start pedaling. no mud just lots of hay and twigs. Turns out to be a good time.

Sure I didnt get my 10 -11 miles in I was shooting for but i got to enjoy my bike and went on a little adventure. I even made it back to work in time. I dont understand why they dont have more trails like this around lake county. its a shame they only open them up once a year.


Best part was the bike. The Salsa Fargo feels at home equally on the road and in the the dirt. I loved how seamlessly I transitioned from riding pavement to riding mud, to riding hay. Only thing that changed was my gear ratio. Cant wait to make a habit of this. Till next time. PEACE!

Im back

It was a long summer with now riding. I suffered a Jones Fracture on June 9th shortly after returning home from my last class of the quarter. I was excited to get a jump on the summer and my new bike that i built up over the spring. Well after a bit of a delay and a lot of sitting around i finally got back in the saddle at the end of august and start to test out the foot again.

Tried To beat the Train

Well not really. I just wanted to kill some time after school. I have been commuting by train and bringing my bike down to Evanston to try and save some money on gas. Class gets out at 9:15 and the train didnt  get there until almost 10pm. So I decided to ride as far as a could to the next train station before the train got there. I got almost 7 miles. Turns out there is a trail that parralles the train station on the UP line but it zig zags and I got "lost" a few times before deciding I better just take the train in Winettka. Next time ill plan better and perhaps get a better light. Hopefully i can get a little farther and maybe even ride back to great lakes a few times.

Happy 29er day

Happy 29er day everyone. What a great day to ride a bike. The sun was shining and it felt like spring. I ditched my San Jose and grabbed my SE Stout 29er to celebrate at lunch today. I love this bike. The only problem is the rear wheel isn't very clyde friendly. OH well I dont ride it enough to justify a new wheel set .... Yet. I was lucky enough to get just over 9 miles at lunch today lets call it 9.29 hehe. The only thing that sucked is this dam wind we are having. I burned about 1200 calories thanks to the rolling terrain in the heather/fairway ridge subdivision. If anyone is ever riding in the Gurnee area I recommend you try it.

Cant wait for the next 29 er day in 2016. Now what to drink tonight after class.