Reading Time: < 1 minuteNow that the Super Bowl is over, we ought to pay attention to some of the football story lines on the horizon. Some “experts” are calling for Russell Wilson to take less money in his impending contract negotiation, so the Seahawks can save cap space. It’s easy to be generous with someone else’s money. If […]
Superbowl XLIX and Paying NFL Players Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn Blackjack, you’ve got the option to “double-down” on 9, 10, or 11. You receive just one additional card and double your bet, upping your reward—and risk—for that single hand. Without delving too far into the math, the double-down is an optimal play. The double down is a good metaphor for life.
Doubling Down: Not Just Good For Blackjack Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minuteSorry I have not posted in a few weeks. I’ve been working on a few projects that will hit JTTG in the coming months. To tide you over, here’s some of the better media I’ve seen this month.
Reading Time: 7 minutesNote: When I mention “college sports” in this article, I am talking about sports at major Division I programs. The Alabamas and Notre Dames of the world, not the Claremont Mckennas. The difference between the athletic-academic-financial atmosphere at major D1 schools and everywhere else is a chasm. To paraphrase Shannon Sharpe, it’s like comparing “Titanic”
Mating Calls of The Irrational Sports Fan: NCAA Edition Read More »
Reading Time: 4 minutesThere’s a growing ‘Self-Esteem’ movement in parenting circles. Advocates are pushing the idea that constant praise and minimal exposure to struggle are the keys to raising happy, productive children. We can thank them for the elimination of games of Tag in school playgrounds and youth sports leagues that forbid score-keeping. I’m not a parent, but I’m
Parenting and The Dangers Of The Self-Esteem Movement Read More »
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe NCAA Basketball Tournament is upon us again. It’s one of the few times I actually watch college basketball. It’s the start of bracket frenzy. While last year’s results were disappointing, the strategies I’ll employ in my pools haven’t changed. In bracket pools—and life—, you get the best results when you keep one eye on what everyone
NCAA Tournament 2014: Strategies For An Optimal Bracket Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minuteHow would sports greats of yesteryear fare against the stars of today?. Inspired by a sour-grapes comment from Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, Jonathan Bales explored the “Old school v. New school” argument in football:
Legends of the Past vs. The Stars of The Present Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesA (White) NFL Receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles ignited a firestorm after he was caught on tape using the ‘n-word’: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000224943/article/eagles-excuse-riley-cooper-from-all-team-activities The entire Riley Cooper situation is overblown.
Riley Cooper, Corporate America, and The “N-Word” Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesRound 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft is tomorrow. It’s something I look forward to every year. Here’s a good article on foolish draft moves from Bill Barnwell, of FootballOutsiders and Grantland fame: http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/58704/avoiding-dumb-mistakes-at-the-nfl-draft If 80 percent of success is just showing up, the other 20 percent is anticipating the game before we get there.
2013 NFL Draft and The New York Jets (Post-Revis) Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minuteEvery year professionals from a wide range of fields convene at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference to discuss all things sports. Shea Balish, a PhD candidate in the field of Psychology, had a stand-out lecture on the development of athletic talent. His presentation featured an exploration of the 10,000 hour rule, the frailty of expertise,
Sports Analytics and Talent Development in The 21st Century Read More »