When most Americans are subject to an average of 3000 brushes with advertising per day it’s no wonder companies are trying alternative and ethically questionable marketing strategies.  In what is one ballsy and sneaky move, Captain Morgan attempted to launch a guerrilla marketing campaign in football stadiums across the country.  As seen to the left, players were quietly approached and asked to do the trademark Captain Morgan pose in exchange for a donation of $10,000 to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund–an organization that caters to the various needs of retired football players.  And when you consider that the average life span of NFL players is 55, it comes as a surprise that the NFL would squash the marketing campaign shortly after Brent Celek (a Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end) raised his knee in front of the Sunday Night Football cameras.

The NFL has banned the pose as a preemptive strike against any other players attempting to prepare for their retirement.  During the playoffs, Captain Morgan was willing to pay $25,000 per instance ($100,000 in the Super Bowl), but it only took one play and pose for the NFL to shut down Captain Morgan.  Fines for doing the pose will likely be high, given the fact that Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for wearing a Vitamin Water hat during a pre-Super Bowl media day.

Maybe the NFL will try and pass off the situation as the morally correct decision, justifying it with the logic that repeated instances would subconsciously drive child fans to consume fatal amounts of Captain Morgan.  However, if they take that route then they have to somehow convince the public that all the Budweiser advertisements, which have been a part of Sundays for decades, do not subtly encourage kids to drink.  But they probably will just handle this situation as quietly as possible, like all effective and working socialist institutions tend to do.  The NFL either wants a cut or they are insulted that Captain Morgan went behind their backs and straight to the players.  Either way, the Captain is a sly son-of-a-bitch.  Personally, I never liked the guy–it’s because of him that I slept in a driveway after evacuating the contents of my stomach (multiple times).  Serves him right, but you gotta give credit where credit is due, and this may have failed, but it was a solid idea that was going towards a worthwhile cause.

(via Yahoo)

Discussion Starters:

Is the NFL making the right decision? And should the NFL be more lenient in regards to touchdown celebrations?

More Info:

Sports: A Huge Problem

There is honestly nothing better as a Dolphins’ fan than watching the Jets get beat by Miami twice in one season.  For a dark period of time, it was the other way around.  The Jets would win, and being from New Jersey, all my Jets’ fan friends would run their mouths, somehow tying the Dolphins defeat into sexual references about my mother.  But now, it’s the Dolphins who have slapped the Jets in the mouth like my balls across Steve’s mom’s face.

Obviously, the most impressive part of this game was Ted Ginn Jr.  Criticized since he was drafted, as a result of struggling to find his place, Ginn finally showed why the hell Cam Cameron was so hot on the speedster.  Face it, Dolphin fans, Ginn is no Larry Fitzgerald.  However, what he brings is an incredible vision and agility that is combined with ridiculous speed.  And I’m glad Sparano and company finally realized he’s not a #1 receiver.  In fact, Miami would be hard-pressed to find themselves in possession of a number one.  While they have a talented batch of receivers, they do not have a player like Randy Moss, who when double-covered can still make defenses sore–like Steve’s mom after a long weekend.

So, it pleases me that the Dolphins’ coaching staff is continuing to realize diversity and playing to each player’s strengths is how they will win–you know, don’t try and force a cat to be a dog.  I think we’ll see more big play reverses and bubble screens from Ginn on offense while the rest of the offensive specialty players do what they’ve been relatively good at doing, which is draining clock yard-by-yard.  And if defenses key in on the zone between the line of scrimmage and the first down marker then fake a quick screen to one side and send Ginn deep down the opposite sideline.  Again, Miami’s struggles are not the result of a lack of talent or coaching.  It’s the result of a difficult schedule and spurts of absentmindedness.

Fortunately, they kept their heads and managed to hold off the Jets to remain undefeated in the AFC East.  Granted, they’re still ranked 3rd in the division, but a win against the Patriots next week will be a much needed boost–especially if Miami wants to repeat as division champs.  Hopefully, I swipe 20 bucks from my roommate this upcoming Sunday when his beloved Patriots face a Dolphins’ defense that is starting to look like it did when Zach Thomas wasn’t damaged goods thanks to concussions, or when Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison were interception machines, or when Jason Taylor made Tom Brady’s life a living hell.  And I lied earlier: There’s nothing better than Miami beating the Patriots in New England as a result of heavy and constant pressure on Tom Brady.  Ok, I lied again.  There’s nothing better than the day I get to shave this goddamn mustache, but it’s baby steps for now.

Poll Question (post your answers as comments):

Should Chad Pennington stay on as a coach rather than player next season?

Yes

No

Talk about coming through when necessary.  Not only does the win against the Jets keep Miami’s future solely in their hands, but it leaves them 2-0 in the AFC East, which is looking like a division that won’t be decided until Week 17.  Chad Henne and his performance on Monday was somewhat unexpected, but more than welcomed.  Ronnie Brown is still awesome, and Ricky Williams showed that, even though he took a few years off over his love of the ganj, he can still play football. Continue Reading