Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Editorial Final Draft
For me, there is nothing better on a Saturday in the fall than watching the Wisconsin Badgers play a game at Camp Randall Stadium. For many college football fans, this same mentality is shared for their favorite team. Like many sports, there are many hot button issues in the game and in college football, no topic heats up more argument than the BCS bowl system. For those who don’t know, the BCS stands for the Bowl Championship Series. The reason is because in the past couple of years, schools from smaller conferences have been going undefeated and not played in the National Championship game when they and others feel like they deserve it. Look, the BCS is not perfect and yes some teams get the short end of the stick, but like it or not, historically the BCS has been fair and it works.
People first talk about how unfair the BCS is and how it is near impossible for small schools to even be considered to play for the title. But it is possible for them; they just need to be able to beat high profile schools like USC and Texas. A high school football team could probably go undefeated in college football if they play some of these teams that schools like TCU and Boise State play. Not to mention that there are dozens of polls, like the coaches and media polls that go into consideration to calculate a BCS average. Also, teams are graded by numerous factors in determining how good teams match up with each other, including strength of schedule, conference strength, road wins, not just your record.
Another thing that has pissed me off is when people say that the BCS has never worked because the wrong teams have been chosen to play for the National Championship. Just look back at the past national title games and see who has played. I can only think of maybe one or two times, with Ohio State in 2007 and LSU in 2003, where it was somewhat questionable that a team was playing for the title. And for the fact that teams in the non-automatic qualifying conferences have a completely “impossible” journey to even be considered for a national title, which is very untrue. If those teams want to throw their names into the hat, then I have one suggestion for them, BEAT THE BEST TEAMS. Boise State is taking that chance in going in extremely hostile Oregon next year and if they win that game, they will definitely be look at on a much higher level because they beat a tough team on the road.
Like I said before, though it is not perfect, it is working. If teams perform highly during the season by playing against tough competition, then the BCS will reward you over other teams. Hopefully the whole get rid of the BCS madness will end soon so then we can stick to just watching our favorite teams and cheering them on to victory.
People first talk about how unfair the BCS is and how it is near impossible for small schools to even be considered to play for the title. But it is possible for them; they just need to be able to beat high profile schools like USC and Texas. A high school football team could probably go undefeated in college football if they play some of these teams that schools like TCU and Boise State play. Not to mention that there are dozens of polls, like the coaches and media polls that go into consideration to calculate a BCS average. Also, teams are graded by numerous factors in determining how good teams match up with each other, including strength of schedule, conference strength, road wins, not just your record.
Another thing that has pissed me off is when people say that the BCS has never worked because the wrong teams have been chosen to play for the National Championship. Just look back at the past national title games and see who has played. I can only think of maybe one or two times, with Ohio State in 2007 and LSU in 2003, where it was somewhat questionable that a team was playing for the title. And for the fact that teams in the non-automatic qualifying conferences have a completely “impossible” journey to even be considered for a national title, which is very untrue. If those teams want to throw their names into the hat, then I have one suggestion for them, BEAT THE BEST TEAMS. Boise State is taking that chance in going in extremely hostile Oregon next year and if they win that game, they will definitely be look at on a much higher level because they beat a tough team on the road.
Like I said before, though it is not perfect, it is working. If teams perform highly during the season by playing against tough competition, then the BCS will reward you over other teams. Hopefully the whole get rid of the BCS madness will end soon so then we can stick to just watching our favorite teams and cheering them on to victory.
Editorial Edits for Chris Tep
1. Is there a clear point of view? (position)
-Yes, job market sucks, need to fight for your job
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
-Yes it does
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
-No, it is a drawing
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
-Yes, and funny
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
-No, it's a drawing
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
-No, it's a drawing
7. Is the writing clear?
-Yes
-Yes, job market sucks, need to fight for your job
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
-Yes it does
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
-No, it is a drawing
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
-Yes, and funny
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
-No, it's a drawing
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
-No, it's a drawing
7. Is the writing clear?
-Yes
Editorial Edits for James Webb
1. Is there a clear point of view? (position)
-Yes, Favre should come back.
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
-Yes
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
-Yes
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
-Somewhat
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
-No, all one paragraph
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
-Not in paragraphs
7. Is the writing clear?
-Yes
-Yes, Favre should come back.
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
-Yes
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
-Yes
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
-Somewhat
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
-No, all one paragraph
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
-Not in paragraphs
7. Is the writing clear?
-Yes
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Editorial Rough Draft
For me, there is nothing better on a Saturday in the fall than watching the Wisconsin Badgers play a game at Camp Randall Stadium. For many college football fans, this same mentality is shared for their favorite team. Like many sports, there are many hot button issues in the game and in college football, no topic heats up more argument than the BCS bowl system. The reason is because in the past couple of years, schools from smaller conferences have been going undefeated and not played in the National Championship game when they and others feel like they deserve it. Look, the BCS is not perfect and yes some teams get the short end of the stick, but like it or not, historically the BCS has been fair and it works.
People first talk about how unfair the BCS is and how it is near impossible for small schools to even be considered to play for the title. But it is possible for them; they just need to be able to beat high profile schools. A high school football team could probably go undefeated in college football if they play some of these teams that schools like TCU and Boise State play. Not to mention that there are dozens of polls, like the coaches and media polls that go into consideration to calculate a BCS average. Also, teams are graded by numerous factors in determining how good teams match up with each other, including strength of schedule, conference strength, road wins, and your record.
Another thing that has pissed me off is when people say that the BCS has never worked because the wrong teams have been chosen to play for the National Championship. Just look back at the past national title games and see who has played. I can only think of maybe one or two times where it was somewhat questionable that a team was playing for the title. And for the fact that teams in the non-automatic qualifying conferences have a completely “impossible” journey to even be considered for a national title, which is very untrue. If those teams want to throw their names into the hat, then I have one suggestion for them, BEAT THE BEST TEAMS. Boise State is taking that chance in going in extremely hostile Oregon next year and if they win that game, they will definitely be look at on a much higher level.
Like I said before, though it is not perfect, it is working. If teams perform highly during the season by playing against tough competition, then the BCS will reward you over other teams. Hopefully the whole get rid of the BCS madness will end soon so then we can stick to just watching our favorite teams and cheering them on to victory.
People first talk about how unfair the BCS is and how it is near impossible for small schools to even be considered to play for the title. But it is possible for them; they just need to be able to beat high profile schools. A high school football team could probably go undefeated in college football if they play some of these teams that schools like TCU and Boise State play. Not to mention that there are dozens of polls, like the coaches and media polls that go into consideration to calculate a BCS average. Also, teams are graded by numerous factors in determining how good teams match up with each other, including strength of schedule, conference strength, road wins, and your record.
Another thing that has pissed me off is when people say that the BCS has never worked because the wrong teams have been chosen to play for the National Championship. Just look back at the past national title games and see who has played. I can only think of maybe one or two times where it was somewhat questionable that a team was playing for the title. And for the fact that teams in the non-automatic qualifying conferences have a completely “impossible” journey to even be considered for a national title, which is very untrue. If those teams want to throw their names into the hat, then I have one suggestion for them, BEAT THE BEST TEAMS. Boise State is taking that chance in going in extremely hostile Oregon next year and if they win that game, they will definitely be look at on a much higher level.
Like I said before, though it is not perfect, it is working. If teams perform highly during the season by playing against tough competition, then the BCS will reward you over other teams. Hopefully the whole get rid of the BCS madness will end soon so then we can stick to just watching our favorite teams and cheering them on to victory.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Editorial Prewrite
1. An argument that has been going on for years has been whether to rid college football of the BCS computer system or to keep it.
2. I believe that we should keep the current BCS system.
3. What I hope to accomplish with this editorial is educating the public that though the BCS is not a perfect system, it is working.
4. I will talk about the number of polls that go into the entire BCS system. How many different factors are calculated by the computers. Name who was chosen to play for the title game and how it should be those teams. And finally, how the small schools need to start playing legitimate teams to get the recognition they may deserve.
5. I will tell them that human polls are going to just as inaccurate as the BCS polls and how almost all the time, the BCS is right.
6. It will try to end this debate once and for all.
2. I believe that we should keep the current BCS system.
3. What I hope to accomplish with this editorial is educating the public that though the BCS is not a perfect system, it is working.
4. I will talk about the number of polls that go into the entire BCS system. How many different factors are calculated by the computers. Name who was chosen to play for the title game and how it should be those teams. And finally, how the small schools need to start playing legitimate teams to get the recognition they may deserve.
5. I will tell them that human polls are going to just as inaccurate as the BCS polls and how almost all the time, the BCS is right.
6. It will try to end this debate once and for all.
Feature Story Final Draft
It is hard to deny that Brett Favre is one of the best quarterbacks, and players in the history of the game. I have seen it over and over again with his rocket arm and his gutsy mentality of playing the game. But, in case you don’t remember, Brett Favre has had a hard time dealing with the time that his career is coming to an end. For the past four to five years, Favre has jockeyed around with the decision of continue to play another season or to ride off into the sunset as the icon that he became for the National Football League. Easier said than done, if you have ever seen Brett play, you would understand why it is a hard decision for him. He truly loves the game and he has showed it with each one of his 497 touchdown passes, with each 181 games he has won, and with each time he pumps up his team up, whichever one it may be.
My family definitely has our opinions about Brett Favre and his indecisiveness on his future. Almost each one of my family members is a diehard Green Bay Packer fans. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a story bashing Favre, well, at least not entirely, that’s all I can promise. When I heard that Favre was retiring after the 2007-2008 season where he led the Packers to the NFC Championship game then threw that interception that cost us the game (sound familiar Viking fans) I was shocked. I didn’t think that Brett would leave a team who was so close to the Super Bowl and favorites to make it back. Many members of the Patten clan were even more stunned than me; my uncle Bob remembers watching that press conference. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it, when he started breaking down, you knew it was truly over.” Packer fans later became at peace with the decision because we had confidence in Aaron Rodgers could keep the Packer tradition strong. Then we all started to hear rumbles about how Brett never filed his retirement papers and was considering coming back and playing one more year. This was shocking, exciting, and puzzling all at the same time for me. I had assumed that it was truly over. Then he announced that it was official and he was not going to retire. Packer fans became ecstatic; we were going to the Super Bowl with Brett at the helm. Surely the team would love to have him back and we could claim what we almost had the year before, or at least that’s what I thought would happen. Reports started to surface on ESPN that the Packers want Favre to stay retired so they can move forward with the franchise. I will never forget what went through my mind when I heard that, “What the %#@$ is going on?” It seemed like all of Packer Nation was thinking something similar to this, why wouldn’t they want him back; he gives us the best chance to win a Super Bowl. When this stalemate with Favre and the Packers continued on for months it started to get really annoying, and believe it or not, more and more people were beginning to side with the organization on this. Hard to believe, but I began to understand why they didn’t want Favre back. For years, it seemed like Brett ran the team. For years, it was always make Brett happy, if Brett wanted something, the Packers would do everything possible to get Brett what he wanted. Not only did Brett seem like the General Manager of the team, he seemed to be the coach as well. Some former players of Favre said that he would change the plays in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. And with a no nonsense coach like Mike McCarthy, that wasn’t about to go down smoothly. When training camp approached Brett Favre showed up, it seemed like Favre would have to compete for the job, but in reality they were just shopping him around. Weeks later, the hardest thing for Packer fans to hear came upon us; Brett Favre was traded from the Packers to the New York Jets.
I recall Brett’s first game in a Jets uniform very well, because I was able to watch it. I was in Madison, Wisconsin visiting my sister at college and we stopped to get lunch at State Street Brats, a sports bar on campus. We thought we would watch the one of the football games, and then our attention was drawn to Favre wearing a different shade of green than we were used to. It was extremely difficult to watch Favre play for the Jets, but then we saw how successful Aaron Rodgers was in his debut. After that we felt like we could successfully move on from Favre and continue to be a playoff contender for years to come with Aaron. Though the Packers and Jets missed the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the reason why, and Brett once again announced his retirement and once again, none of the sportswriters or sports personalities believed him. They all thought that he would come back to the Jets because he didn’t have a very strong year and he got injured. Then it as announced that the Jets released Favre from his contract and if he was to return, he could sign with any team that he wanted. When that move was made, one team came to mind than any other team, the Vikings. This excited Minnesota fans and sent a bone chilling shiver down the spines of the Packer fans, surely Favre the Packer icon wouldn’t sign with the team’s arch rival. Many Packer fans feared that arguably the greatest Packer to ever put on the famous Green and Gold jersey would dare wear the colors of the Vikings. Then Brett Favre announced to the Vikings that he would stay retired and not play for them. As Packer Nation breathed a sigh of relief, we had no idea what would happen next.
When touring the campus of Wisconsin-Eau Claire I heard one of the parents make a remark to his son, “Hey check that out.” My head jerked around and saw a TV crew in a helicopter following a black SUV on the television. I wondered what it was until I saw a Viking logo next to Favre’s picture. “You have got to be kidding me,” I just kept thinking over and over again. He got us again, the moment we thought that he actually meant he was retired; he goes and tricks us again. The first time that I saw Favre in a Viking jersey I’ll admit, I nearly threw up. But some of my buddies saw it differently. “He has never looked better” my friend Todd Hanson kept chirping. “I’ll tell you what, now that the Vikings have Favre, we will be unstoppable!!” It seemed like they would be, the only problem the Vikings have had for the past couple of seasons is that they didn’t have a high-quality quarterback, now they did, it seemed like they were the favorites for the Super Bowl. Brett played exceptionally well this season with the Vikings, throwing for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns; also he was selected to his 11th Pro Bowl. And after going 12-4 and playing for the NFC Championship, it seemed like Favre was going to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Then out of nowhere, Favre makes one of his famous mistakes and threw an interception to eventually end up losing the game.
So the Brett Favre saga continues; will stay or will he go? Viking fans seem certain that Favre will stay because he was only one throw away from the Super Bowl. Again that is what Packer fans thought then he left us. “It is strange how similar that it is,” Todd acknowledged. No matter what happens, according to me, you are not a true Packer fan if you are not a Brett Favre fan. As much as I hate to admit it, Brett Favre was one of the best things for the game. He put the Packers back on the map and when my kids ask me who the best player ever was; I will tell them without a doubt, “Brett Favre was the greatest in history.”
My family definitely has our opinions about Brett Favre and his indecisiveness on his future. Almost each one of my family members is a diehard Green Bay Packer fans. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a story bashing Favre, well, at least not entirely, that’s all I can promise. When I heard that Favre was retiring after the 2007-2008 season where he led the Packers to the NFC Championship game then threw that interception that cost us the game (sound familiar Viking fans) I was shocked. I didn’t think that Brett would leave a team who was so close to the Super Bowl and favorites to make it back. Many members of the Patten clan were even more stunned than me; my uncle Bob remembers watching that press conference. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it, when he started breaking down, you knew it was truly over.” Packer fans later became at peace with the decision because we had confidence in Aaron Rodgers could keep the Packer tradition strong. Then we all started to hear rumbles about how Brett never filed his retirement papers and was considering coming back and playing one more year. This was shocking, exciting, and puzzling all at the same time for me. I had assumed that it was truly over. Then he announced that it was official and he was not going to retire. Packer fans became ecstatic; we were going to the Super Bowl with Brett at the helm. Surely the team would love to have him back and we could claim what we almost had the year before, or at least that’s what I thought would happen. Reports started to surface on ESPN that the Packers want Favre to stay retired so they can move forward with the franchise. I will never forget what went through my mind when I heard that, “What the %#@$ is going on?” It seemed like all of Packer Nation was thinking something similar to this, why wouldn’t they want him back; he gives us the best chance to win a Super Bowl. When this stalemate with Favre and the Packers continued on for months it started to get really annoying, and believe it or not, more and more people were beginning to side with the organization on this. Hard to believe, but I began to understand why they didn’t want Favre back. For years, it seemed like Brett ran the team. For years, it was always make Brett happy, if Brett wanted something, the Packers would do everything possible to get Brett what he wanted. Not only did Brett seem like the General Manager of the team, he seemed to be the coach as well. Some former players of Favre said that he would change the plays in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. And with a no nonsense coach like Mike McCarthy, that wasn’t about to go down smoothly. When training camp approached Brett Favre showed up, it seemed like Favre would have to compete for the job, but in reality they were just shopping him around. Weeks later, the hardest thing for Packer fans to hear came upon us; Brett Favre was traded from the Packers to the New York Jets.
I recall Brett’s first game in a Jets uniform very well, because I was able to watch it. I was in Madison, Wisconsin visiting my sister at college and we stopped to get lunch at State Street Brats, a sports bar on campus. We thought we would watch the one of the football games, and then our attention was drawn to Favre wearing a different shade of green than we were used to. It was extremely difficult to watch Favre play for the Jets, but then we saw how successful Aaron Rodgers was in his debut. After that we felt like we could successfully move on from Favre and continue to be a playoff contender for years to come with Aaron. Though the Packers and Jets missed the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the reason why, and Brett once again announced his retirement and once again, none of the sportswriters or sports personalities believed him. They all thought that he would come back to the Jets because he didn’t have a very strong year and he got injured. Then it as announced that the Jets released Favre from his contract and if he was to return, he could sign with any team that he wanted. When that move was made, one team came to mind than any other team, the Vikings. This excited Minnesota fans and sent a bone chilling shiver down the spines of the Packer fans, surely Favre the Packer icon wouldn’t sign with the team’s arch rival. Many Packer fans feared that arguably the greatest Packer to ever put on the famous Green and Gold jersey would dare wear the colors of the Vikings. Then Brett Favre announced to the Vikings that he would stay retired and not play for them. As Packer Nation breathed a sigh of relief, we had no idea what would happen next.
When touring the campus of Wisconsin-Eau Claire I heard one of the parents make a remark to his son, “Hey check that out.” My head jerked around and saw a TV crew in a helicopter following a black SUV on the television. I wondered what it was until I saw a Viking logo next to Favre’s picture. “You have got to be kidding me,” I just kept thinking over and over again. He got us again, the moment we thought that he actually meant he was retired; he goes and tricks us again. The first time that I saw Favre in a Viking jersey I’ll admit, I nearly threw up. But some of my buddies saw it differently. “He has never looked better” my friend Todd Hanson kept chirping. “I’ll tell you what, now that the Vikings have Favre, we will be unstoppable!!” It seemed like they would be, the only problem the Vikings have had for the past couple of seasons is that they didn’t have a high-quality quarterback, now they did, it seemed like they were the favorites for the Super Bowl. Brett played exceptionally well this season with the Vikings, throwing for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns; also he was selected to his 11th Pro Bowl. And after going 12-4 and playing for the NFC Championship, it seemed like Favre was going to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Then out of nowhere, Favre makes one of his famous mistakes and threw an interception to eventually end up losing the game.
So the Brett Favre saga continues; will stay or will he go? Viking fans seem certain that Favre will stay because he was only one throw away from the Super Bowl. Again that is what Packer fans thought then he left us. “It is strange how similar that it is,” Todd acknowledged. No matter what happens, according to me, you are not a true Packer fan if you are not a Brett Favre fan. As much as I hate to admit it, Brett Favre was one of the best things for the game. He put the Packers back on the map and when my kids ask me who the best player ever was; I will tell them without a doubt, “Brett Favre was the greatest in history.”
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