Nothing Cheap Here

     Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants organization need to relax. The 66 year old head coach, who was backed by several of his players in agreement, publicly complained to the media about the last play of the game following his team's 41-34 thrilling victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. While planning to take a knee and run out the clock nearing the game's close, Eli Manning and the Giants offensive line were caught by surprise. The defensive linemen of Tampa Bay dove at the feet of both Eli and his wall of an offensive line in a desperate attempt to knock the ball loose and cause a fumble to extend the game a few seconds longer and earn a chance at a hail marry attempt. Though the Bucs did not succeed, New York took offense.

     "I don't think you do that at this level," Coughlin said after the game. "You don't do that in this league. You don't jeopardize the offensive line, you (don't) jeopardize the quarterback. Thank goodness we didn't get anybody hurt," he said (Jane McManus). Coughlin, like many of his players, was not in the greatest of moods following the game despite pulling out the hard fought victory. Eli Manning, who fell on his back side as a result of the play, was in the same boat.

     "That was a first," Manning said. "Obviously I think it is a little bit of a cheap shot. Going down, we are taking a knee, in a friendly way. They are firing off, and it's a way to get someone hurt" (Jane McManus).
 
     While Giants players and coaches made a big deal out of the play, they forgot one thing: it's football. There's no room for softness. If you can't take a hit, then don't play the game. The clock had not struck zeros, so anything was fair play. In fact, what first year coach Greg Schiano did was honorable. He never gave up. He was teaching his team a valuable lesson - to play until the final whistle blows. If NFL egos can handle such a message, then more power to them.

     "I don't know if that's not something that's not done in the National Football League, but what I do with our football team is we fight until they tell us game over," Schiano said. "There's nothing dirty about it and there's nothing illegal about it," he added (Jane McManus).

     The Buccaneers were playing til the end, and that should be applauded, not frowned upon. New York: man up and worry about your own team. Tampa: keep doing what you do, and play til the fat lady sings.

Jason Otter: A Man Among Boys

Jason Otter is the greatest teacher of the game of basketball on this planet. The 40 year old basketball guru from Saginaw, Michigan has produced more division one basketball players than any other player developmental program in the United States. He pays attention to details most players don't even know exist. Coach Otter breaks down the mechanics of a player's shot, foundational stance, ball handling, triple threat, and movement with and without the ball (which a number of trainers fail to cover). He excels in teaching efficiency of movement and can teach players how to eliminate their wasted motion and score on faster and quicker opponents. Furthermore, what separates him from the other basketball minds of the world is undoubtedly his work ethic.
     Sure, it's a safe bet every basketball trainer out there works or has worked hard over his or her career. But Coach Otter takes hard work to a whole new level. The man missed only eight workouts from the ages of 11 to 24. He does not settle for pushing his body five or six times a week. He has the everyday mentality which has molded his incredible work ethic (which is second to none) into his way of life. He goes hard on Christmas, his birthday, Thanksgiving, and every other holiday in between. By going hard, I mean it is not uncommon to see Jason in the gym for 10 to 14 hours a day running camps. While running camps, he goes through the vigorous workouts along with his campers. He doesn't have time for breaks. He works out all day, and does it everyday. It's truly an inspirational thing to see.
      His work ethic coupled with his remarkable knowledge of the game separate him from the pack. If your goal is to play college basketball, go pro, make your team, or even just learn things about the great sport that most people won't know, you should get yourself to a Jason Otter basketball camp!