What is Football?

Football like any other sport is just a game. Sometimes people forget that. Perhaps that's because of what the NFL has become. A monopoly that's constantly expanding, a world of politics with commisioners, players associations and contract holdouts. In this age where fans are blatantly taken advantage of with inflation of merchandise, ticket prices, and game coverage it's very easy to be bitter.

But for the fans that tune out the advertising and the greed, what is football really? A game where violence is encouraged. Broken bones, torn ACL's, and concussions are a social norm. What could inspire an individual to partake in such a game, or even play it for a living?

Parents will encourage their children as young as ages 4 or 5 to strap on a helmet and "hit the kid with the ball." High school athletes will voluntarily get up during their summer vacation to practice football twice a day to the point of exhaustion. Universities will give out full ride scholarships for student athletes to play football. College football players can have the option to leave college early without a degree to play in the NFL for a living. NFL players are some of the most overpaid people in the world, and fans will arrive at games hours in advance in any weather conditions and give away their hard earned money to see them play. There is undeniable evidence that football is a priority to a lot of people in this country.

Football is primative. Strategies and complexities of the sport aside, at the end of the day it's about getting a ball past a white line. How could something where competition and violence are the motives be justified in this day and age?

When competition and violence correlate there's no question that bad, even evil things have resulted in the history of mankind. But the means and the cause of the violence are what determines if it's justified. Football is violent but it's not like cavemen hitting each other with sticks, it's a game that has matured and developed over a centuries time. Football takes the deep destruction tendencies in men, the id, the uncontrollable urges of violence in the brain, and turns it into something constructive.

A large group of individuals striving for a single cause: winning. To sacrifice individual succcess for a greater good, that's football. To voluntarily put every ounce of strength one may have into a game is a commitment that doesn't come without struggle. To harness mankinds dark temptation of violence and devote it to teamwork, that's the deeper analysis of football.

The game of football today has come through a long process of evolution. Mankind has gone from gladiators in ancient Rome to the Super Bowl. To the fans, viewing football games has become an addictive drug. And that's why no matter how high the level of greed, fans will devote their hard earned money to the game. Fans will buy jerseys, pay parking fees, walk through the pepsi gate at Metlife Stadium and buy a thirteen dollar beer. All to view a game that the fan has absolutely no individual impact on.

Despite the obvious violence, politics, and greed in football, at the end of the day the game of football is healthy. Obviously not physically when players are carted off the field, but emotionally. Devotion to the game creates moments that are undescribable. After long hours of windsprints, lifting weights, and self-denial, there are single moments that bring satisfaction. That catch, throw, block, or tackle that causes 70,000 fans to cheer and talk about it for years to come is a feeling that must be surreal.

Frankly, football like anything else, is what someone makes of it. It's anywhere from savages running all over the field like lunatics to a brilliant display of strategy and execution. Loyalty to the players, fans, and tradition of the game. That's what's healthy. The believe that a team can overcome insurmountable odds to win.

Football provides belief for players, coaches, and fans on any level. That belief is a philosophy that's good for the heart. It's a simple message that hard work and belief can leave someone at peace. That realization is present, not always knowingly, with every football fan.

Football is good for the soul.

New York Giants Offseason Report

Due to the fact that the NFL draft has come and gone, the Giants received their championship rings two nights ago, and that the Giants rookie mini camp is currently going on, it can only mean one thing: Time for a Giants offseason report.

New York Giants 2012 Draft Results:

-David Wilson, RB, 1st round, 32nd overall. 5'10", 205lbs, Virginia Tech.
- Rueben Randle, WR, 2nd round, 63rd overall. 6'4" 208lbs, LSU.
-Jayron Hosley, CB, 3rd round, 94 overall. 5'10" 171lbs, Virginia Tech.
-Adrien Robinson, TE, 4th round, 127 overall. 6'4" 264lbs, Temple.
-Brandon Mosley, T, 4th round, 131 overall. 6'6" 305lbs, Auburn.
-Matt McCants, T, 6th round, 201 overall. 6'7" 295lbs, UAB.
-Markus Kuhn, DT, 7th round, 239 overall, 6'4" 303 lbs, NC State.

The Giants acted quickly upon the departures and injuries of the 2011 season. Brandon Jacobs was let go by the Giants so in the first round. David Wilson was selected as a result.(Highlights- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OCng8f1Zig) Wilson is an explosive runner from a Virginia Tech offense with lots of draws and options. He seems to have more success getting to the sideline rather than running out of the power I up the middle. It's probable that if he sees time he may have some snaps as a third down back to start.

Upon Mario Manningham's free agency and his signing with the 49ers, the Giants drafted LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle. (Highlights- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdZ-SEnx0xU) LSU was ranked number one in the nation last year but their offense struggled. Most of there games were won by a dominant defense. But don't let that fool you, Randle's instincts on getting open are very good. He should be able to have a positive impact on the offense, and perhaps has a shot at making an early impact if he can beat out competition from Jerrel Jernigan. He is also the perfect size to play wide receiver in the NFL.

Jayron Hosley was drafted after Aaron Ross signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars to add depth to the cornerback position. But a pick that's exciting is that of tight end Adrien Robinson out of Temple. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZozJi2anMc) He doesn't have stats that are mind blowing but he is a physical specimen. He weighs 264lbs and can run a 4.5 40 time. That is an incrompehendable balance of strength and speed. He was drafted in the 4th round because he statistically haven't proven that he can be a dominant tight end. But with an NFL coaching staff, within time Giants fans may be hearing Robinson's name more often.

With Kareem Mckenzie leaving and Giants offensive line depth being a bit of an issue last year, the Giants drafted two tackles Brandon Mosley and Matt McCants. Mosley played on Auburn when they won the national title two years ago with Cam Newton at quarterback. Both picks are wise choices for the Giants, considering their offensive line may be there biggest concern heading into the 2012 season.

The Giants have not only been making noise through the draft, they've made some other offseason moves as well. CB Terrel Thomas, WR Dominek Hixon, DT Marvin Austin, and LB Clint Sintim are a handful of Giants players that are returning from season ending injuries. Thomas was one of the best defensive backs in football a couple years ago, and Hixon will add depth to the WR position, and he already knows the offense. The Giants also resigned LB Mathias Kiwaunka, and traded for Cincinatti linebacker Keith Rivers. Rivers hasn't entirely lived up to hype when in Cincinatti, but he had a season ending injury last year and is in need of a second chance.

To address the injuries to tight ends Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum, the Giants not only drafted Adrien Robinson but also signed Martellus Bennet. Most fans have not heard of Bennet because he was backing up Jason Witten in Dallas, but Bennet may have been a good find. Another guy looking for a chance, Bennet is 6'6" and may have an opportunity to see some more snaps.

If there's anything to conclude from this Giants offseason it's that coming off of a Super Bowl victory they have a lot of added depth. Injuries will happen, and the Giants are familiar with that. That fact aside, it's conclusive that the Giants may have improved the amount of talent on their roster.

The Giants have the target on their back. That's the fun of being defending champions. As usual the division will be tough, and the Eagles, the Cowboys, and the Redskins all have the potential to be good and compete. Not to mention the Giants have the toughest schedule in the NFL, and on two occasions they have to play three consecutive playoff teams from last year. It is time for a new year with new challenged and to seize the moment.

Because the Super Bowl, like all others that have come and gone, is officially is irrelevant. The Giants are ready to embark on a new quest that is the 2012 NFL season. It is May 18th but the season will be here before you know it. And the only thing to be thinking about is one word:

Repeat.