Hey NFL, What Is A Catch?

I never cared much about offensive rules in the NFL. Growing up, the league was favoring Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in every way imaginable, so I always assumed that any rule that favored defenses was good for the league. Two things changed that — Manning signed with my Denver Broncos, and I started playing fantasy football. Now I’m all about extra yardage for receivers, so I have just one question for the NFL rules committee. What is a catch?

The rule has been vague at best for quite some time. The committee finally removed the phrase “make a football move” from the equation, because nobody could agree upon what constituted a “football move.” Unfortunately, that common sense move actually made the rule harder to understand.

The ruling on the field often seems counter-intuitive to the eye test, and common sense has all but gone out the window. If you watch the game from your living room with your roommates, you will all agree that the previous play was a catch, and Ed Hochuli will invariably tell you that the pass was incomplete, and you are therefore a moron who does not understand the basics of football.

The Dallas Cowboys got the short end of the stick during a playoff game last year. Dez Bryant made a phenomenal play to jump over Sam Shields and catch a deep ball inside the 5-yard line. He then tripped over Shields and went to the ground. When his ball-carrying arm hit the ground, the ball came loose. Everyone in America thought it was a completion, including the official who was less than two yards away from the play when it occurred. Only after what felt like hours of booth review was the call overturned. Ten months later, we are all still confused.

There are multiple examples from this season that have kept everyone perplexed about the rule. Tyler Eifert, Golden Tate and Devonta Freeman have been at the center of plays that were prime examples that the NFL does not know what the rule means. Eifert and Freeman’s plays looked like clear touchdowns to me, but were eventually overturned. Tate’s was an obvious incompletion in my mind, but the booth called it a touchdown.

Calvin Johnson, who the rule was literally made for, says that even he doesn’t know how the officials call that rule anymore. I, as usual, have a proposal to fix all of our problems and bring back the game we all love. The NFL would never adopt it, because they would have to admit that they were wrong. How DARE we question the authority of the league?

The new rule would be simple. If the receiver has control of the ball and two feet down, it is a catch, and anything that happens after that is fair game. If the receiver does not demonstrate control or does not get both feet down, it is an incompletion.

The biggest complaint that I’ve received about this proposal is that it would force a lot more turnovers, to which I say — big deal. That’s a good thing. As I said before, anything that helps the defense, especially in a league where Tom Brady can be considered an all-time great, is good for the game.

—Tristan Boyce would like Legos for Christmas. Or video games. Or cookies. Also, he would like the NFL to make sure that the Patriots don't win another Super Bowl. Tell him why that makes him a bad on Twitter @Tristan_Boyce1.

Mutual Exclusivity is Ruining America

MUTUAL EXCLUSIVITY IS RUINING AMERICA

The concept that multiple things cannot exist together in the same environment has caused an enormous divide between the American people.

Stop me if you have heard any of this before: if you support #BlackLivesMatter, you must be anti-law enforcement. If you support any conservative policies, you cannot support other liberal policies. If you love America, you cannot be a soccer fan.

People believe that opposing viewpoints should not exist in the same sphere. Moreover, many believe that people who hold those opposing viewpoints should not be allowed to state them, because they are either insensitive or overly politically correct. This concept is a problem.

Opposing viewpoints are a good thing for this country. They are what help to keep our democracy functioning. If we all had the same points of view, any system of government would be pointless because we would all agree on everything. Life would be boring. 

The latest example of this problem is all over your Facebook feed. "As Obama Touts Refugee Resettlement, Many Veterans Go Homeless." Of course veteran homelessness is a problem. Of course we should be doing everything that we can to make sure that those who served our country have their basic human needs met. But that does not mean that we cannot also help refugees who are fleeing the same problems that we are afraid to face. Those two things do not need to be exclusive of each other.

Another topic of discussion that often comes up is that we must have all guns or no guns. Every time there is a school shooting_ — which is almost weekly lately — the first thing that comes up is not mourning or sorrow for the victims and their families. The first thing that people bring up is that the shooting happened because guns are too readily available. The next order of business is to ridicule those who say this because "criminals will get their hands on guns anyway. We should not penalize those who want to obey the law because of the actions of those who will not obey it regardless." Lost in all of this is the fact that real human lives have been lost and that real suffering is still happening.

The solution to every problem is not right in the middle. However, it is not generally on the far right or far left. Compromise is a better solution than obstinate refusal to negotiate. 

Or we could all just stay firm and resolute in our hatred for each other and watch our country as we know it dissolve and disappear.

The Importance of Kindness

The Importance of Kindness

November 11, 2015

By Tristan Boyce

            In today’s fast-paced, egocentric world, being right or knowing all the answers can seem like the most important aspect of our lives. I’m not here to say that being right is bad, or that having all the answers makes someone a bad person. I’m here to say that, all too often, we do those things at the expense of expressing kindness towards one another.

            The age of social media allows us to learn a lot more than in times past. It also allows us to know everyone’s opinions about everything, while giving us the opportunity to share our own opinions. This is a great thing! Learning is awesome! If we didn’t believe that on some level, we wouldn’t be in school right now. Unfortunately, a lot of people (myself included) often utilize our social-media platforms in order to exercise their intelligence, maturity, or perceived moral superiority over our peers. How we act on social-media reflects how we act in our everyday lives. Maybe it’s time for a change.

            An old adage says, “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” One of our basic needs as human beings is that of feeling love. When we don’t feel that love, problems arise within us. I don’t believe that we necessarily need to show “love” to everyone in the context that many of you are thinking of; I do, however, think we need to be kind to everyone, even those who don’t show us the same kindness or respect.

            The world is full of greed and violence. The statistics for rapes, murders, assaults, and other acts of violence get worse every year. I’m not saying that kindness will eliminate these problems, but I think it would definitely help. Jesus told the scribe that the second commandment is to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Some of you who read this will not be Christian, but the principle still applies in our lives. If we loved those around us as much as we love ourselves, if we showed that kindness, the world would be a better place.

            An important part of the previous quote, one that often gets overlooked, is the phrase “as thyself.” Many people will be kind to others, but they really struggle with the “love thyself” part. I personally suffer from clinical depression. Some days, I find it very hard to love myself or be kind to myself. I can readily criticize myself for the many flaws that I have. Many of you might be the same way. I’ve recently met many people who suffer from other mental illnesses. One thing that we all seem to have in common is that we sometimes find it very hard to be kind to ourselves. The other thing we have in common is that when we are kind to ourselves and those around us, our illnesses are much less debilitating. Kindness is key.

            I urge everyone who reads this to show a little more kindness to themselves, to their family and friends, to their acquaintances, and to those people around them (both in real life and on social-media) that they don’t really know. If we’re all just a little bit kinder, the world will be just a little bit better.

(Tristan Boyce is a senior majoring in Spanish that has no idea what he wants to do for the rest of his life. Send him suggestions on twitter @Tristan_Boyce1 )

           

MLB Has A Chance To Show Other Leagues How To Deal With Domestic Violence

MLB Has A Chance To Show Other Leagues How To Deal With Domestic Violence

November 11, 2015

By Tristan Boyce

            The last two years have not been positive for athletes or professional leagues with domestic violence issues. Ray Rice, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, has not played a single down of football since he knocked his wife out in a casino elevator. People have criticized the NFL for the bungling manner in which it dealt with Rice’s case. The league seemed more concerned with making money than it did with sending the right message to its membership and its fans about domestic violence.

            Now, less than two years after Rice’s incident, pictures have come out allegedly showing the marks left on the body of Greg Hardy’s former girlfriend. Hardy, of the Dallas Cowboys, has denied any wrongdoing. The court threw the case out after his accuser refused to show up to a hearing. It appears that the accuser was paid off to skip court so that Hardy could leave his legal troubles behind him.

            U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team Goalkeeper Hope Solo also faced domestic violence charges after slamming her nephew’s head against the concrete and attacking her half-sister. The case was dropped due to procedural problems.

            All three cases have one thing in common. A professional athlete was charged with domestic violence. There was enough evidence in all three cases to take the athletes to court. The NFL and U.S. Soccer both had a chance to take a stand against domestic violence, and both failed miserably. The Ravens released Rice, but his initial suspension from the NFL looked like community service in comparison to other suspensions that the league regularly doles out for things like using banned substances and wearing unsanctioned apparel. Hardy’s suspension was reduced from ten games to four, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was all too eager to add the troubled player to his roster. U.S. Soccer, showing us all that they placed more emphasis on winning than on doing the right thing, allowed Solo to play the entire Women’s World Cup.

            Domestic violence is a real problem both inside the athletics world and out, but leagues so far have been lacking in their effort to curb the problem. Just this week, news broke that Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes was arrested and charged with allegedly assaulting his wife in their hotel room during a vacation to Hawaii. We have yet another incident on our hands.

            The difference between the previous issues and this one is that Major League Baseball has a chance to show the NFL, U.S. Soccer, and the other sports governing bodies across the country how to respond to domestic violence. The Rockies owe Reyes $22 Million per year over the next three years, but the organization can take a stand by suspending him and then terminating his contract if found guilty. The MLB can also do the same.

            I’m calling out Major League Baseball. Commit to showing the sporting world that you are serious about domestic violence. Suspend Jose Reyes indefinitely until his trial is concluded. If he is found guilty, ban him from the league. You banned Pete Rose from the sport for gambling because it was “bad for the image of the league and the game.” Domestic violence is worse for your image than gambling, which is at least legal in some parts of the country. Do the right thing.

- Tristan Boyce is a senior majoring in Spanish or something. He loves the Rockies, even though they continually break his heart. He is praying that they finally do something to make him proud. Contact him via twitter @Tristan_Boyce1 or at Tristan.boyce@aggiemail.usu.edu

Women's Soccer Looks To Continue Strong Start

Women’s Soccer Looks To Continue Strong Start

August 28, 2015

By Tristan Boyce

         The 2-0 Aggies will play Utah Valley University and University of Houston this weekend.

USU Women’s Soccer kept a solid core from last season’s team to start off the 2015 campaign.

         Despite the graduation of Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Taryn Rose, the Aggies retained three other defenders from a defensive line that was stellar last year, not to mention the return of team captain and senior goalkeeper Jeannie Woller. Thanks to that, the Aggies have posted shutouts in both games this year, and look to keep that streak going this weekend.

         Friday’s home game against the Central Arkansas Bears was a 1-0 victory, and a solid display of possession, especially in the first half. Jordyn Chung-Hoon, the freshman midfielder from Orem, had the key assist on a pass to Jessica Brooksby, who lobbed the keeper from 30 yards out for a beautiful goal­ ­­– by all accounts, an MWC Goal of the Year candidate. Brooksby returns to the team for her junior year after leading the Aggies in scoring with 11 goals last year.

Sunday the Aggies were home again, this time against the Missouri State Bears. This game was a much tighter affair than the previous one, right up until the 72nd minute, when things spiraled out of control for the Bears. Chung-Hoon and Brooksby swapped roles from the previous game as Brooksby assisted Chung-Hoon on her first career goal. Just eight minutes later, another USU freshman got her first goal as Sydnie Dolzine, the forward from McKinney, Texas, found the back of the net. Then, with less than two minutes to go in the game, sophomore midfielder Wesley Hamblin gave the Aggies an insurance goal to seal the deal for a 3-0 victory.

         The Aggies (2-0) now head to Orem for their first road game of the season against Utah Valley University (1-1). Chung-Hoon will look to continue her great early season against her hometown crowd, and Brooksby will look to continue her pair of solid performances.

         UVU has a common opponent with USU already, as Central Arkansas continued their road trip by losing to the Wolverines 2-0 in Orem. UVU has already faced one Mountain West opponent as they fell 6-0 in San Diego to the San Diego State Aztecs. The Aggies lead the all-time series against the Wolverines 5-1, their last appearance being a 1-0 victory for USU in 2013.

         After their short one-game road trip the Aggies return home to face the University of Houston Cougars (0-1). Houston lost their season opener 2-0 to the Texas State Bobcats. Houston will start their road trip in Salt Lake, taking on the University of Utah before coming to Logan on Sunday. UH and USU faced each other for the first time last year, playing to a 1-1 draw in double overtime.

—Tristan Boyce is a super-senior from Malad, Idaho. He loves sports, and is willing to play Madden against you. He would like you to know that opening weekend for USU Women’s soccer taught us all that there are apparently a lot of bears along US Highway 65.