SLASH!!

Ok. Anyone remember Kordell Stewart? Standout QB in college and went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His nickname was SLASH. He got that because he was capable of playing several different positions on the football field.



I got a little taste of that last week in our 33-6 Flag Football Victory. I typically play on both sides of the ball (offense and defense). We play a pretty tough man to man defense, in which we have a lot of success. And we also are pretty good on the offensive side of the ball as well.

Our QB has been having some shoulder issues lately, so for a drive I stepped up and played QB. It felt pretty cool. I was Peyton Manning and Doug Williams all in one!!

I was 3-3 with a TD. Three Snaps....Three completions. It felt pretty cool. The touchdown was one of our longest plays of the year. All I had to do was throw the ball to our tailback, and then he made the highlights!!

Next week is the big week. I think our toughest opponent is who we have next week at 10am. If we win, we play again at 11 for the championship. I'm pretty excited for it. Hopefully everyone remembers to "SPRING FORWARD." We might need to give a team wakeup call!!!

#1 Seed looking for the perfect Season!
http://www.tampabayclubsport.com/Football-sun-mens-rec.htm

Streaking with Flags On!!!

Still Streaking!!

Last week we notched another W with an impressive win. We decided to continue our winning streak. Perfection is the Goal. Unfortunately it was ugly win.
There were unruly parents, ejections, tackles (a no-no in flag football), and way too much trash talk. Regardless, we got the WIN!!

I loved it, but it was definitely immature. Let me explain......
The team we played consisted of 18 year olds. We scored on our first possession and it was business as usual. Your boy (me) caught a touchdown pass. They scored from their first play from scrimmage, after we blew a handful of tackles.

They were so excited (I'm guessing because when you score against the #1 team in the league, you get pumped). That prompted some trash talk....something about "dropping bombs on us" and "That's Right." My teammates and I don't enjoy being the recipients of trash talk, so of course, being the more mature and grown up team....we start riding them back. One of them left the game with a nickname of Fred Savage, we yelled, scream, and got super excited for no reason. And it just got out of hand.

It's kind of funny when underdogs try and take down the big dogs..... but it just gets ridiculous when the big dogs are relentless. This is not an UNDERDOG story, or league. It's a "May the best team win league."

Nonetheless, at the end of the game. Players were still yelling, flipping the bird, and to make matters worse, one of the 18 year old's parents started trash talking us from across the football field as we were about to head out. There are very few sports scenarios that I can fathom, where the outcome is better when parents get involved. This was not one of them. When a 50 year old man keeps calling you tough guy from across the field, it looks foolish. But when you respond with a "You want some too old man?!?!?" comment, then you have two fools going at it.

And that is why..... ...Forget the NBA I LOVE THIS GAME.

http://www.tampabayclubsport.com/Football-sun-mens-rec.htm

Still Undefeated!!

6-0 Baby!!
The Vanilla Express pulled of a 29-20 come from behind win on Sunday to maintain their unblemished record. It's amazing...we stayed and watched some of the next game. It's clear that other teams have heard about our skills, as they have beefed up their rosters as they prepare to perhaps meet us in the playoffs.

While we boast a roster of 9 players, our last two victories have come with only 6 and 7 active players, respectively.

We are making it happen. Big Game winning drives, key intercceptions on defense, and on top of that, making sure that we finish with more points than our opponents. That's the name of the game!!!!

Flag football is going well for us!!!

Here are our most recent standings......

http://www.tampabayclubsport.com/Football-sun-mens-rec.htm

GO TEAM GO!!!

Gridiron Update!!

Vanilla Express is Dominating the League....

5-0 folks, and we have no intentions of resting our starters! Last week we actually started the game with only 6 players, and then picked up a guys sitting on the sideline. We ended up beating that team too. I hope we continue our success.... it would be nice to win a Championship, even if it is a Rec Championship. We want the #1 Spot baby!!
Fun Game......only downside, is that its COLD!!!! We have played a couple games where the temp is in the 40s or 50s, which is like playing Ohio Football. No Complaints....I love this game!!

Key to winning: TEAMWORK!!!

Gridiron Glory Days Part II

I'M BACK!!!

My skills are still sharp! Numbers don't lie! haha.

I play flag football on Sunday mornings. My squad's name: Vanilla Express

Last year, I wasn't on the team, and obviously this year, they kept the same name with the addition of a "brotha" on the team. Nevertheless, they are a great group of guys and we play like a real team. We aren't selfish, and we play hard.

Currently we are 3-0. Our first game was a close one, and the following two games we starting imposing our will. I started coming into my own this week. Caught a few passes, intercecpted two passes, socred a pair of extra points (we don't kick in this league) and we literally beat the breaks off a team. I think they were supposed to be a good team, but we had their number and made plays all game long.

This game....is fun. It's Sunday, and it is some fun exercise. My regret is that it is on Sunday and I've been re-arranging my church schedule. (Example, tonight, I went to church at 7:00pm [www.crossoverchurch.org] in Tampa. I think Cara and I might attend a church this coming Saturday evening.)

And the game is always more fun when you win, of course. In the end, I hope to write back to you to say...WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

http://www.tampabayclubsport.com/Football-sun-mens-rec.htm
follow the link to keep tabs on our record. They try and update them on a regular basis!

Gridiron Glory Days Part 1

I loved high school football. I loved it so much, I dug up a couple old VHS (yes, VHS) tapes (yes, I said tapes) this past Christmas when I was at home. I wanted to see old friends on film, and the old me (6'5'' 240).







Somehow, I got myself into a TBCS (Tampa Bay Club Sport) Flag Football League. Nothing new. I've played a few seasons of softball, basketball, and flag football previously. I figured this would be a fun time. It was. I had a blast playing defense, breaking up passes, and chasing more agile players around the field and grabbing flags, and rolling on turf. Previously, I had scored a touchdown in each of the flag football games I had previously played in (including against an OSCEOLA team in late '09), but not today. Had a big catch, and some good defensive plays.
Outcome: 20-13 Victory! Other players did better, but they will remain nameless until they join my blog!!!

Smile for the camera Martens:

Now for the downside:


1. Weather: Kickoff time. 40 degrees, and that was Farenheit. Need I say, I was chillin. Literally. Made it a little difficult to breathe. But the sun stayed out all game, and after the first few minutes, it felt about 60....doable.


2. Attire: I was dressed appropriately. My experience of playing football in Elyria, for the Pioneers (shout out to Brooke '00, and Nooriya '97) brought back memories of bundling up for the game with thin but warm insulation.


3. Hydration: Apparently, wearing layers makes you sweat. Wearing a hat, makes you sweat. Running around chasing men, makes you sweat, huh ladies? And not drinking a lot of fluids isn't wise. I took in a lot. I just lost more....I will hydrate better next time.


4. Vision: Wore the contacts. Worked like a charm. After I got home, had a bad headache. Mental note: Eye appointment may be needed.


5: Physical conditioning: hahahahahahahahaha. Course of action: Laziness is frowned upon in sports in which some form of athleticism is required. Increase physical activies...... rapid horizontal eye movement directed at tv, not included.

General Overview: Had tons of fun. Next week stretch more, drink more, wear less clothing, dominate the game more often.


Picture flashback... Seminole vs OHS circa 09 (what does circa really mean). Ham strides in for the touchdown to seal the victory