Some Pointers on Being a True Sports Fan

There is no right or wrong way to root for your team, but there are things you should take into consideration. And some things people do really annoy me.

1. When at a sporting event, don’t leave your seat more than four times, since it is very annoying and distracting to the fans who stay in their seats. Also, leave the book and computer at home. If you are at the game, watch it.
2. If you are going to jump on the bandwagon, jump on all the way. Learn as much about the team as you can. Don’t be that guy who likes a team because it is doing well, but can’t tell me anything about the team.
3. Don’t be that guy who thinks you know everything. I've had the unfortunate experience of sitting next to a few of these people who that like to talk the talk, but the only problem is, they're making multiple erroneous statements. Also, be willing to say you’re wrong. If you want to debate sports, you have to be able to admit you can’t always be right.
4. Do’s: Be passionate about the team you root for and do it shamelessly. Sure, the Padres are bad this year and have yet to win a World Series, but I still painted my room in Padres colors, I still bought a new $40 hat, I still rep my team every day. Do I get heckled for being a Padres fan? Sure, and what team do you root for?
5. You can root for any team you want, but have a good reason for it. Don’t like the Cowboys because they are “America’s Team,” and don’t like the Patriots because of their dynasty. Find something unique about the team and go with it.

Observations from the week that was August 5-11

The reason soccer isn’t very popular was on display Wednesday during the U.S. vs. Mexico friendly in Philadelphia. The game was televised on ESPN2 and the network was giving it a lot of publicity, then threw all of that out the window when it bumped the start of the game to ESPNews when a Little League game ran long. Really? It’s Little League. They won’t care they got bumped to ESPNews, but to bump out the national soccer team, that's embarrassing...

It's really not a good thing I'm up early enough in the morning to watch Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN2. But since I am, it’s a great show. If you happen to be up and semi-conscious at that hour, I would give it a look.

Fantasy corner

One sleeper and one bust for the start of the Fantasy Football season:

Sleeper:

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

It might be his first name; it might be the fact that if he does have a great season and takes the team to the playoffs, it will be a great story for a city that has been decimated. The real turning point for me was when he got injured against the Cleveland Browns during the Nov. 22, 2009, game. One second he was on the ground with a separated shoulder, the next he was on the trainer’s table, then after the Browns called a timeout, he was back on the field throwing the winning touchdown. He may be injury-prone, but he is tough, has a lot of talent and has Megatron (Calvin Johnson) to throw to.

Bust:

Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns

Apart from the feared Madden curse, the Browns running back is likely to regress from last year’s success. In his final five games last year, he failed to score a touchdown and ran for more than 100 yards only once. He is the only threat on an underwhelming Browns offense, and second-year back Montario Hardesty will push him for carries and reduce his effectiveness.

Tweet of the week

This week’s tweet is from CBS’s Eric Stangel (@EricStangel) on Pete Carroll’s look before the Seahawks pulled out the 24-17 victory over the Chargers.

“Pete Carroll spending a lot of time tonight practicing his "What?? Really????" face. http://t.co/EFWVkiB #Seahawks #Chargers”

For the record

For the first time in Norv Turner's reign as head coach of the Chargers, the team won’t suffer from a slow start.