The REAL. BIG. Blog

By John Fontana

Pigs are flying! Well, pigskins to be more accurate. At Dove Valley, the heart of Denver Broncos Country, preparation for the season is underway and, as always, the talk isn’t just about the playoffs it’s about the Super Bowl. Despite last season’s record (7-9), expectations are high.

This year, Jay Cutler enters his third go-round as starting QB. This is the magic year coach Mike Shanahan marks as the time his quarterbacks bloom. Cutler seems poised to breakout and join the ranks of the NFL’s elite young quarterbacks. He’s also the only other Bronco’s quarterback - besides the legendary John Elway - to be available as a Fathead. Cutler has a new focus brought on by the fact that he must balance football and his diabetes that was uncovered in the off-season. I don’t see it as a distraction; it is the kind of challenge that should keep his head in the game on many different levels.

The Broncos also have no less than five running backs in camp with Shanahan looking for any combination of a star or a platoon to scratch out an average of 5 yards per carry. Given the long list of 1,000-yard carriers in Denver, following the running back derby is always interesting. The starter so far? Selvin Young (140 carries, 729 yards and a 5.2 yard per carry average in 2007), but look for veterans Michael Pittman and Andre Hall or rookies Ryan Torain and Anthony Alridge to impress Shanahan and get game day reps. If wide-out Brandon Marshall manages to dodge trouble with the league office, he should be a potent weapon for Cutler.
The Broncos need to improve the defensive line after a terrible year that saw the team 30th against the run. Help will hopefully come from the return of Ebenezer Ekuban, free agent Dewayne Robertson and two-sophomore defensive ends with something to prove, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder. And the Bailey brothers, Boss and Champ, will hopefully find a rhythm and spark the defense.

On special teams, Jason Elam will be sorely missed, especially at the end of games - where he was consistent for years.

All in all, it’s a great time of year to be a Broncos fan (but maybe not so good a time to be a pig!).

By: Adam Van Dyke

This was supposed to be the season the Seattle Mariners turned it around. The addition of Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva to the pitching rotation seemed to be the only thing missing from a squad that was only one solid starting pitcher away from the post season last year. But as most of us know, sometimes things don’t always work out as you plan. There has been one bright spot on the Mariners roster this season. Just as he has done since he arrived in the big leagues, Ichiro continues to hit and display howitzer-type arm-strength in the outfield.

Considering what the Mariner’s brass shelled out for some players (who will go unmentioned) during the last few years in Seattle, Ichiro’s 17 million dollar a year salary seems like a bargain. All the guy does is hit over .300, win gold gloves, and scare opposing base runners whenever they are fortunate enough to reach base against the Mariner’s pitching staff (which has been often this year). To date, Ichiro has won an AL MVP, was named the AL Rookie of the Year, picked up a Silver Slugger award, and oh yeah, toss in a Gold Glove every year since 2001, his first in the Bigs. He also broke George Sisler’s “untouchable” single-season hit record in 2004 on his way to batting .372.

Many people don’t pay a lot of attention to Ichiro because he plays in Seattle and the Mariners have only been to the post season once since his first year with the team. But don’t overlook what he does in the field. He may only stand 5’11” and weigh 172 pounds, but he stands toe-to-toe with the best defensive outfielders of the past decade. Playing both right and center field, Ichiro has compiled a .996 fielding percentage while piling up 72 outfield assists and only 16 errors since 2001.

His accomplishments are nothing short of amazing and he should be given great credit for his focus on doing everything he can to help his team win despite its struggles this season. When things go as awry as they have for the Mariners this season, it isn’t uncommon for players to point fingers and lose sight of the ultimate goal: respecting the game and winning ballgames. Ichiro has demonstrated true professionalism during this season and don’t be surprised if this career .331 hitter raises his average even more before the season is done and adds his consecutive years with 200 or more hits to eight. Throw in another Gold Glove at the end of the season and what do you get? Just another typical year for Ichiro.

By Apryl DeLancey

I came home today to find my Dodgers Logo Fathead had finally arrived. Talk about excited, I couldn’t wait to open it up and see what it looked like! Out of the box, it came in a tube that protected it from getting damaged. Nice. I took it out and unrolled it on the floor. I was pretty happy since it looked just as I had pictured – real, big, and…well…it’s very cool. Okay, now what? Where was I going to put the new “toy?” Well, I decided to put it on the wall in my “office” area of the house near my computer desk since most of my other Dodgers memorabilia was already there. Yeah, it would work well there.

I found the “how to” video online at the Fathead website and simply followed the instructions. Really. It isn’t that difficult. The instructions come with it as well; I just wanted to see how it worked visually. I wiped down the wall it was going to be on, got someone to help me put it up in place, and smoothed it out. Simple. The whole operation took under about 15 minutes from start to finish. The result looks great if I do say so myself. Everyone who has seen it has also told me that it looks really cool on the wall. Not too gaudy, just the right amount of fandom for my office area. It’s a great addition to my collection for sure.

In fact, it looks better than the team does right now. Sure, the Dodgers are back and forth behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West. However, it seems like they do this every single year. One day they are in first place and the next they’re two games back! When will the Dodgers make it to the World Series again? Los Angeles fans deserve it. We’ll see how this year pans out. At least my new Fathead looks good!

By Apryl DeLancey

Baseball is finally getting back into the “swing” of things after the All-Star Break. Yeah, that was one loooooong game! The historic match was the last to be played in the old Yankee Stadium and lasted a whopping four hours and fifty minutes. The American League eventually pulled it out with a 4-3 victory.

Fathead favorites in the All-Star Game included Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Chipper Jones, David Ortiz, Grady Sizemore, Ichiro Suzuki, and Manny Ramirez. The temperature at the start of the game was a summertime 82 degrees and, for a while there, it looked like the Fathead crew was ready to heat things up even more. Sizemore managed a single and then stole second base (he was also in that exciting Home Run Derby).

The first four innings of the game were scoreless and the National League drew first blood with one run in the 5th and another in the 6th. The AL put up two runs in the 7th and each side scored one in the 9th. The game remained deadlocked until the 14th inning, when the AL was able to close out the contest. Overall, it was a contest that brought out the best in pitching and kept fans interested…if they liked long baseball games!

There was much chatter during the week about the relevance of the All-Star game. On one hand, the winner of the game gets home field advantage in the World Series for their division. Some don’t think this is very meaningful, especially since players run the risk of an injury in a game that does not directly affect their team outcome. Is the game worth it? Many enjoy the break but others find it to be a waste of time. What do you think? Is the All-Star Game really necessary?

BY JD BUTTERS

Well, the Oscars of the sporting world, the Espys, came off last Friday night in LA. In the galaxy of the Espys, the worlds of entertainment and sports collide in a manner that isn’t duplicated at any other event. For us residents of LA, it brings in athletes from all corners of the sports world. In fact, I ran into Greg Oden at the mall on Saturday! Of course, for once in my life, I didn’t have my camera on me. But I digress. Like many of the Oscar pundits and analysts who watch with pen and pad in hand, I thought I would do the same, and give my analysis of this year’s broadcast. Check it out - be sure to write in and let me know what YOUR favorite moments of this year’s excellent show were!

9:05 – Already, I can tell Justin Timberlake is going to do an excellent job. JT is the entertainment equivalent of a five-tool player, and he handled his opening remarks with aplomb, showing excellent comedic timing. And for all you chumps who’ll say some junk like “you lose your man privileges for fawning over JT like that,” I will simply say, game recognizes game.

9:10 – OK, what in tarnation is Danica Patrick WEARING?? I don’t even know what to describe it as! Is it a onesy? Is it a pantsuit with shorts? Beach wear?

9:33 – I don’t know if it’s purposeful, but Greg Oden is really getting a lot of mileage, and some good imaging, out of what appears to be a good sense of humor and a fun-loving, self-deprecating attitude. Look for him to help fill that gap when Shaq retires. Without the rapping, hopefully.

9:49 – Wow, Posh can actually crease that dour mug of hers into a smile. FASCINATING! How did a cat that seems as cool as Becks end up with THIS Cruella DeVille?

9:52 – I don’t care if she deserves to win for Best Breakthrough Athlete, but I hope she does just so I can see more Ana Ivanovic!

9:53 – DAMN that Adrian Peterson!!!

9:54 – OK, this Host Auditions Part I with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly is one of the funniest things I’ve seen this year. Their list of demands is both ridiculous and sublime!

10:02 – Steve Nash is super dapper in his grey 3-pc. suit. He’d BETTER be dapper, with that hair.

10:12 – John Carlos and Tommie Smith winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award was one of those great moments that demonstrates how sports can transcend sport.

10:31 – I don’t know if he’s gonna win for Best Play, but Rick Nash looked like Harry Houdini on this goal. That was the hockey equivalent of breaking someone’s ankles!!

10:32 – From the look on his face, Nash was expecting to win.

10:33 – Wow, Eli Manning was actually glib during the acceptance speech. In other news, the forecast in hell is calling for heavy snow.

10:38 – OK, Host Auditions Part II are, again, HIGH-larious. I mean, who would have ever thought we would hear Joba Chamberlain sing Luther. And Greg Oden’s stone-faced “people tell me I’m hilarious. I’m like ‘yeah. . . .cool” is the comedic highlight of the entire broadcast.

11:18 – How weird. Just like the last Sopranos episode, my TV cut out right before they announced the winner of the Best Team award. Probably wasn’t anybody good anyway.

By Patrick Tucker

In life there are perfectly made moments and driving back to Chicago from my families home down in Southern Illinois was one of them. It was Monday night, 7/21, stormy, windy and fantastic for picking up Major League Baseball on the radio. I was driving up Interstate 57 between Effingham and Champaign when in between lightening strikes and knob adjustments I could go from hearing San Diego comeback in Cincinnati to Cleveland handle Anaheim to the Cubs getting shutout by Randy Johnson; and the one I could hear the best and wanted to hear the most: Milwaukee Brewers in St. Louis taking on the mighty Cardinal.

Stormy skies over the flat open fields of Illinois makes for tough driving and good listening. And when 5 Albert Pujols struck out with the winning runner at second, I swear the biggest bolt of lightening hit at that moment. I managed to slow down and fight my way back onto the road as the (new) Brew Crew came up and delivered. For me, it was a forgone conclusion the Brewers would lose when Pujols came up, but Torres shut him down and Hall, Weeks, Kendall and Hardy did the rest in the 10th. And the Brewers went on the victory.

The ironic twist in this story is that, earlier in the day, I asked my nephew what Fathead he wants and he said, “Albert Pujols.” Well, he actually said “Weird Al” (Yankovic) first. After I set him straight, he changed his tune to Pujols.

My nephew wants a Pujols Fathead. I’m pushing across a stormy road and the reception is loud and clear: Brewers Win! Now that’s good blog material! What do you think?

By Anthony Ellison

I recently ordered a life-size Peyton Manning Fathead. This is a big step for me because he is, quite simply, a hero. MY hero. Now he’s my Fathead too. There are other Fathead wall graphics of Peyton out there…but this one is mine. Not only is he the athlete of the century in my book, but also one of the most humble and hard working people in the history of the game. The question that now confronts me is where to hang Peyton to optimize his “decorative dominance” in my apartment?

On The Wall Behind My Computer:

Pros:There is a huge open space in my room and I cannot imagine a better “space filler” (for lack of an appropriately godly term). He would become the focal point of the room (as if Peyton has never been the focal point of a room). His drop back will naturally be against the wall, much like it was when he pulled off the greatest comeback in the history of the NFL playoffs, overcoming a 21-3 first quarter deficit against the Patriots two seasons back.

Cons: As a writer, I’m not sure I can handle those omniscient eyes burning a hole right through my heart while I try to concentrate on my craft, my less worthy subject matter. Peyton will dwarf subject matter that I am piddling around with at any given time. Plus, I fear I will find myself asking for his advice on many of life’s obstacles, like:

“Where does the sun go when it’s dark, Peyton?”

“Hey, Peyton? How can I tell when I’m being used for my body?”

“I’m thinking about changing professions in an unstable economy - is that smart or should I wait until after the election?”

On The Wall Directly Behind My Mirror:

Pros: Every time I am prepping my hair and face to go to work, Peyton will be there to shotgun me into the new day, his “always examine the field and be ready to pull the trigger” stance behind me all the way. You see, he preps himself all year for the moment of truth and when that moment arrives, he doesn’t have to think. He simply reacts and fulfills his prior visualization. Hopefully, there will come a time when I’m nervously prepping my tuxedo to go to an awards ceremony for my next screenplay and he will be there. Behind me in the mirror, he’ll remind me, “You don’t get anywhere without dredging around for hours in the trenches. You earned this!” (I’m sure he has said that at some point.)

Cons: He might inspire in me such a level of confidence that I overshadow my superiors - causing them to feel threatened and lash out at me. The fact of the matter is, I’m just not as humble and true to the spirit of the game as Peyton.

On The Wall In The Hallway Facing The Front Door:

Pros: I will be sharing the inspiration with anyone who walks into my apartment. Visitors will subconsciously take on the “team first” mentality and do whatever it takes to make each other happy. It’s almost as if Peyton will cause everyone to check their bad attitudes at the door. That’s something I always try to remember, but frequently forget. But Peyton…he doesn’t forget. He doesn’t even have to say it. His eyes say it. And if my visitors are not willing to rise up and put their heart on the line, then they’ll just have to turn around and leave. Peyton will weed out my bad friends for me. Perfect.

Cons: Can’t think of one. We have a winner.

By Steven Haar

By the start of the 08-09 season, the Atlanta Thrashers will have undergone a transformation. The meager 07-08 blue line could be revitalized with the addition of the 2008 number 3 draft pick Zach Bogosian, the signing of UFA Ron Hainsey, big Boris Valabik coming up from Chicago and the possibility of Ilya Nikulin coming over from Russia. All 4 are solid young defensemen that could bring much needed strength and grit to the porous pairings of last season. Swedish sensation Tobias Enstrom will return along with fellow countryman Nick Havelid. The remainder of the defensive roster is currently a mystery with the futures of Garnet Exelby and Ken Klee still uncertain.

The sudden infusion of defensive talent will be a relief to resigned RFA Goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Lentonen played strong in goal after returning from another groin injury, but 40+ shot against per game and little offensive and defensive help lead to loss after loss. If the defense of the Thrashers can pull together this season and plug the holes, then they can depend on Kari to make both routine and spectacular saves every game.

On the flip side of the coin, the offense will also be seeing new, younger faces. Overpaid and overrated Bobby Holik has returned to the Devils. Mark Recchi has left to the Lightning, despite the fact that Atlanta saved his career after Pittsburgh dumped him on waivers. Fan favorite, Pascal Dupuis was hoped to return this summer, but ended up signing in Pittsburgh. Hossa is gone, of course. After nearly winning the cup in Pittsburgh, he jumped ship to the team that did win, the Red Wings. The Thrashers offense will once again be lead by Russian superstar Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovy strapped the limping Thrashers onto his back in 07-08 and carried the team as far as he could. But not even this talented winger could pull the team out of their slump. Joining Kovy in the upcoming season will be Armstrong and Christensen; whom the Thrashers acquired from Pittsburgh for Hossa and Dupuis. Center Brian Little is also expected to return to Atlanta and newcomer Jason Williams, signed from the Blackhawks will don a Thrashers uniform as well.

While the Thrashers weren’t able to land Brian Campbell as expected by many fans, they have added several strong pieces to address the glaring holes from the dismal 07-08 season. The Blueland faithful will once again return to Philips on October 10th to begin a new season. A season full of hope. This year the fans will be expecting a return to the playoffs, and hopefully, a couple of wins once we get there.

By Drew Bufalini

Today, on Fathead.com, registered and unregistered voters alike can cast their ballot early (not often) for Barack Obama or John McCain. Not only can people vote with a mouse click, they can vote with their credit cards by purchasing life-size wall graphics of both candidates!

Just like their real-life counterparts, the Candidate Fathead wall graphics are colorful and glossy on the front with their back sides covered at all times. The advantage of a Candidate Fathead is that you can take it down, move it or stick it somewhere else whenever you please. We’ll be stuck with the winning Presidential candidate for at least four years - no matter how much we wish he’d fade away. Fatheads, incidentally, never fade, tear or flip flop.

Seeing both American icons on the wall in our office, I realized that these two men battling for the helm of our nation are both heroes. You see, to become a Fathead and have your face on thousands of walls across the country, you must be considered “Fathead-worthy.” No amount of Boy Scout merit badges can earn you this honor. You can’t buy your way into Fathead-dom – lobbying firms have tried and been summarily rejected. You must actually be a hero. Of course, there are different kinds of heroes: sports heroes like Brett Favre and Derek Jeter; super heroes like the Dark Knight and Super Man; secret heroes like Homer Simpson (who, I think, is the secret hero of every man). On this Mt. Olympus of American pride, the Presidential candidates have certainly earned their place. Alas, the vote on Fathead.com is only between the Presidential candidates. (You can’t write-in Homer. Sorry.)

The folks at Fathead and their voters will soon know which candidate will take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this January. Which means I can turn off CNN and return my attention to what really matters: the beginning of NFL training camp.

By Drew Bufalini

Start a career, find a house, get married, have kids, sock away cash for their college fund and look forward to your midlife crisis – the circle of life truly begins at graduation. That’s why parent’s should be especially thoughtful when purchasing a graduation gift. There’s plenty of time to arm your grad for the real world with a business suit, day planner, briefcase and sense of disillusionment. Instead, go with something fun that rewards their hard work at college and communicates a positive message– like a Fathead wall graphic.

A Fathead is a bold, colorful life-size wall graphic of fan-favorite athletes, entertainment icons and, of course, college logos and helmets. Whatever your graduate’s passion, there’s a Fathead. NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WWE, NASCAR – if there’s a sports acronym, chances are good there’s a Fathead. (Sorry, lawn bowling fans!) If your grad is a big kid – as so many of us still are – they might prefer a Fathead from Star Wars, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Disney or their favorite comic book super hero.

Like your brilliant college graduate, Fathead wall graphics are very smart. Constructed of hyper-durable vinyl, they won’t fade or tear. The advanced adhesive backing allows them to be moved multiple times without losing their sticking power. Unlike your graduate, Fathead wall graphics won’t damage the walls and are quite inexpensive. The fact is: a REAL. BIG. wall graphic of their university logo is a gift every grad will treasure.

Perhaps the greatest reason to give your grad a Fathead is the message it sends: follow your passion. This is the best advice a parent can give without saying a word. Fathead is about connecting people with their passions; their ambition to be the best; never giving up on a REAL. BIG. dream; and about awakening the inner champion. Even a talking briefcase couldn’t convey all that to your grad.

Fathead CEO, Brock Weatherup, weighs in, “To me, graduation is the ideal time to give a Fathead. Not only does it demonstrate your love and understanding at a critical time, it also shows you’re more than the strict parent they remember from high school. You’re someone who cares about what they want for the future.”
Ready to send a REAL. BIG message to your grad? Find their Fathead on Fathead.com…and enjoy the party!