Why NFL Preseason 100% Does Matter

NFL Preseason.

I’m not going to lie, I do go back and forth on whether or not it really matters. I mean, the Seahawks lost to the Broncos two weeks ago and then to the CHIEFS. BY A POINT… Yeah, that hurt. And when games like that happens it makes me want to be like oh whatever, it’s just preseason. BUT at the end of the day, let me put it this way: Preseason absolutely does matter, 110%. Here’s why.

It not only gives coaching staff the opportunity to look at how their second and third string players play in a real life game situation as opposed to practice walk-throughs, but it in turn gives second and third string players a chance to prove what they’ve got.

Obviously each player is on the team for a reason. Each player works their butt off to get where they are. But nothing is ever handed to you, as it shouldn’t be. And preseason is the perfect time to give it all you got.

Off the field, key players also play an important role.

Photo: Richard Sherman Instagram

Take Richard Sherman for example, during the Hawks game against the Broncos.

Did you see him sitting around on the side lines cracking jokes? No sir! He was out getting into it (in a playful, supportive manner, of course) with his teammates. He was pumping them up and talking to them, just as he would if he was in the game.

Just because he was not able to be on that field and playing, he was still making an impact. And that’s exactly what coaches are looking for. No coach wants a kick a$$ player who’s lazy AF!

And let’s not forget about another main reason preseason is CRUCIAL. For those of you who watched the Packers vs. Steelers game Sunday or made the horrific mistake of drafting Jordy Nelson to your fantasy team this season, then you already know.

INJURIES.

Uhm, HELLO! Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in the game against the Steelers Sunday and will now most likely be out the entire season for the Packers. That’s not chill and I don’t even like the Packers. An injury like that has the capability to make or break your team’s season. Like that really SUCKS.

So yes, at the end of the day, preseason is preseason. You win some, you lose some. The outcome of the game doesn’t necessarily matter. But from kick off to the final whistle, that’s where all the important stuff goes down. The score may be just a score, but what happens during the game can determine the rest of the season.

– Alexa

#99 Problems & Drinking is One

Aldon Smith has been released by the 49ers due to his most recent hit and run DUI arrest.

Smith, the former number seven overall pick in the 2011 draft certainly has talent, but legal issues have derailed his career.

Smith’s arrest last Friday was his third on suspicion of drinking and driving since entering the league in 2011 as a first round draft pick out of Missouri. Smith has accrued four seasons in the NFL-meaning he played in at least six games a season and is now automatically a free agent after the 49er’s released him.

Former 49er and now Hall of Fame inductee Charles Haley, told ESPN’s Jim Trotter,

“He needs help and I am not going to give up on him.”

 

At one point Smith was averaging nearly one sack per game. He totaled 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons with the 49ers, but just 10.5 over the past two years as he battled off field issues that limited him to just 18 total games.

Now will any other team give him a second chance? (Third, fourth or fifth, if you’re accounting arrest 😬).

Accounts against Smith include vandalism, hit and run and DUI, raising issues under both the substance abuse policy and the personal conduct policy. Given that Smith was suspended nine games last year under both policies, it makes more sense for teams to wait and see what happens with the league before making him an offer. 

Intriguing spots that Smith may end up are other teams in the NFC West like the Seahawks and Cardinals. After all we all know Pete Carroll loves a little controversy. 😉

But is Smith really worth the risk? Tweet us your thoughts @coachsdaughters !

-Morgan

10 Best Cities to Live in if You’re Single

So you’re single and well, yeah, you’re OVER it.

Sitting on the couch watching Netflix with a bottle of wine to yourself just isn’t how it used to be and you need to get out there and meet people. Start fresh.

So ladies and gentlemen, I give you the 10 best cities to live in if you’re single!

10. Baltimore, MD

Talk about a city full of singles! According to Forbes, there are 124.7 unmarried women per 100 unmarried men. Lucky men! This is on the up and attracting more singles who love a city atmosphere and East Coast lifestyle. Good morning Baltimore!

9. Cleveland, OH

Cleveland is booming with fun and festive singles, especially if you’re a sports fan! These local singles live and breathe their sports teams so embrace the culture and meet a single cutie at a local sports pub and grab a beer!

8. Portland, OR

This city is trending by the minute! Sure, plenty of hipsters are maing their way to Oregon, but Portland is great if you like some aspects of city life but still want to get away and enjoy nature! So get out there for a hike and meet your future granola crunching bae.

7. Washington D.C.

Searching for your future politician partner? LOL. But seriously, this isn’t a bad place to start. Take in the scenery and head to the great outdoors for some fun, or take a stroll through the city! This big city holds plenty of potential for fun-loving singles who have a greater appreciation for history and the outdoors. Plus, every Friday during summer, National Gallery of Art has “Jazz in the Garden” which is a great spot to bring out those dance moves and find other single men who have a great taste in music and appreciation for art.

6. Boston, Massachusetts

It’s no wonder Legally Blonde was filmed in this college town! All the top universities are located here, so there is a high likelihood you will find a smart and sexy collegiate man here! And talk about another booming sports town! Whether you’re on the outskirts searching for your sexy grad or in the city arguing sports over a beer, this is a great town to meet singles!

5. Houston, TX

There’s a reason Drake loves it here! Houston has just the right amount of southern mixed with business professional to make any single find their perfect match! Embrace the BBQ and sweet tea lover inside of you and get yourself a southern gentlemen or lady!

4. Seattle, WA

This is headquarters for some of the most prominent Fortune 500 companies. Can you say CEO’s?! There’s plenty of successful businessman here that you can swing and at least find meaningful conversation with when you’re out and about!

3. San Francisco, CA

If you’re a successful, single female San Francisco is the place for you. San Fran has the biggest support system for women startups, so the men here like seeing a girl who can hold her own! Not to mention GOOGLE offices are here for those of you searching for a sexy nerd!

2. Nashville, TN

The home of country music and country cuties! If you’re a single guy, this is the place to be. According to Forbes, for every 100 unmarried men  there are 122.2 women. Be on the lookout for some seriously cute hipsters and up and coming music stars in this star-studded town full of big dreams!

1. New York, NY

You had to see this one coming! Not only is this city HUGE, so there are plenty of opportunities to meet someone, but also you practically have to walk everywhere, thus more opportunities to bump into a future someone! From endless amounts of bars to Central Park, there’s plenty of places to roam as a single, no matter what atmosphere you fancy!

– Taylor

 

Russell Wilson… A Freak on the Field, but Not in the Sheets

I Just Had Se-… Oh Wait…

Cue The Lonely Island’s “I Just Had Sex”… Or don’t…

Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, a man of God, is not engaging in physical actions with now-girlfriend Ciara (still bitter, WHAT ABOUT ME, RUSSELL?!).

Anyone who knows anything about Russell Wilson knows how strong his faith is. So this news should not come as a shocker to anyone.

Ciara, just know that when Russell invites you over to “watch Netflix and chill,” that’s literally all he wants to do. So you stay at that other end of the couch.

So, I mean, enjoy the celibacy you two! I’ll be waiting Russ!

– Alexa

Sherminator Looks to Destroy Some Celebs in Softball

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, Richard Sherman will host the third annual Richard Sherman Celebrity Softball Game.

More than 22,000 people attended the event last year, with proceeds of over $62,000 going to Sherman’s Blanket Coverage Family Foundation alone, which was then distributed in $2,500 increments to other local charities.

With Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor, Doug Baldwin, Brandon Browner, Jermaine Kearse, Jamal Crawford and Cary Williams scheduled to attend, this event is sure to be a success!

In fact, people are being added every day! Rumor has it this year’s event is going to be bigger and better than last year’s! You can buy your tickets here!

Let’s go Hawks! And more importantly, let’s go Sherm!

– Alexa

Exclusive! MCM: Will Blackmon

Ugh, we just love Mondays over here at TCD. I mean how could we complain when we get to man crush each week on some of the hottest stars in the game!

Meet Will Blackmon.

Sound familiar? Yeah, we thought you might say that, only because not only does this guy ball out in the NFL, he’s probably played for your team. And now that we’ve got the boys attention…

Blackmon played CB at Boston College where he then moved on to play in the pros and was drafted in the fourth round by the Green Bay Packers in 2006. With the Packers he scored his first two NFL TDs in the same game on punt returns, one being a recovered fumble- BADASS. In 2008, Blackmon became only the fourth player in team history to return multiple punts for TDs in the same season. Furthermore, he is tied with Desmond Howard for the franchise record for Green Bay Packers with three career punt returns for TDs. But wait there’s more…

After the Packers, Blackmon played for the New York Giants where in 2011, oh yes, he ended the season as a Super Bowl XLVI Champion. But wait, there’s more!

After the Giants, Blackmon played on the Arizona Rattlers (Arena Football), the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars. While on the Jags during a game against the Tennessee Titans, he even caused (and recovered!) a Ryan Fitzpatrick fumble, returning it 21 yards for a touchdown, helping the Jags get their first Dubyah of the season.

And guess what Seahawks fans? As of this year, he’s back in Seattle.

As usual, we got in touch with this week’s lovely MCM, Will Blackmon to get all the inside know on the easiest little details of his life including what show he’s a TRUE FAN of! (You won’t ever guess it!)

And hate to break it to you ladies, this lucky fella is already taken by his wife Shauna! But hey, there’s no harm in dreaming! 😉

See what this week’s tall, dark and handsome man had to say to TCD!

MCM: WILL BLACKMON!

Thanks for giving TCD all the deets Beamin & telling us whiskey kids what to order at the bar this week (Angel’s Envy for sure)!

Until Next Time,

In Russ We Trust! Russell Wilson Contract Negotiations

As a devoted Seahawks fan, I could not have been happier when Russell Wilson came to the Seattle Seahawks as the twelfth pick during the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Yet, as a devoted Seattle Seahawks fan, when I heard rumors of Wilson leaving the Seahawks, I was almost devastated (key words being: rumors and almost).

People like to talk, that’s a fact. And when teams are incredibly successful, there are people out there who want to find any reason they can to tear them apart and pray that they don’t succeed (and those kind of people suck, by the way).

This season is Wilson’s fourth and final year of his rookie contact, and he is supposed to make $1.54 million (the remaining of the original $2.99 million deal). Sources have confirmed that Mark Rogers, Wilson’s agent, sent the Seattle Seahawks a 16-page letter stating his independent position on the current contract negotiations going on. And boy, are we all curious as to what these 16 pages entail. While we do not currently know what the letter involves, we do know that there is no rush to come to an agreement right away.

In an interview on ESPN, Wilson claims “I want to be [in Seattle] for a long time…I love the game, and I love being out here with my guys. Ultimately, I just take it one day at a time and see where it takes me.”

If you follow Russell Wilson on Twitter (or keep up with him during any regular or pre/post-game interviews), you’re aware of his strong faith.

Although this Tweet does not directly address the contract situation at hand, we can only accurately assume exactly what he’s referring to. Unless it’s about him dating Ciara, in which case I’m kind of bitter because this crush isn’t going away by itself. Sorry I’m not sorry.

Fingers crossed that Wilson and the Seahawks reach an agreement by the end of the upcoming season. However, if they don’t, the Seahawks have the option of placing a franchise tag on him, however that would cost between $21 million and $24 million for the 2016 season.

Either way, in Russ we trust!

– Alexa

Tips for Finding the Best Apartment for YOU!

Finding a perfect apartment in your city is just like finding the perfect outfit to wear on a Friday night out with the girls.

Well, maybe not. Because let’s just say, the commitment of a crop top for a couple hours doesn’t quite compare to picking your new home for the year or years to come.

If you’re like me and like to live a plethoric amount of “mini” lives in your lifetime, then you’ll be packing up and moving out every twelfth month of that lease. But with every move comes the heavy weight of a big commitment decision (yikes.)

So how have I managed to do it these past years, you ask?

I’ll let you in on my dirty, but sensible, secrets on how to find the PERFECT apartment to make all of your friends wonder what you’re doing, how you got it and who your interior decorator is!

1. Find your SOCIAL AREA and focus in on local apartments— Where do you like to go out?
   Save yourself some money in Ubers on Friday nights and Saturday day drinking and drive
   the extra ten minutes to work instead. Because who doesn’t want to wake up and walk of shame to Sunday brunch in your makeup from last night?
2. Know the right TIME— A lot of people don’t realize the amount of money you can save on apartments just by the month you start your lease. A $1,400/month apartment can easily go down to $1,100/month in the “off-season.” Try to start your search around October with a lease-start around November-January (Think: no one wants to apartment hunt during holiday season, so snag a deal!) Months to AVOID: May, June, July, August and September.
3. Do your RESEARCH— Hire an apartment locator. They can lay out all of the options available in your area and price range and, in most cases, it won’t cost you any money because the apartment you sign a lease with will usually foot the bill. An apartment locator will help you seal the deal on getting that perfect apartment (with the tanning pool!)
4. STYLE it up— Even the nicest apartment can look like a frat house with the wrong furniture, so don’t do that to yourself! Tap into some discounts and look on websites like: houzz.com, www.jossandmain.com, and www.wayfair.com and get some design on a dime!

Even though apartment hunting can seem like a huge responsibility, take it with a grain of salt (or a splash of sugar) and realize that it can be fun and easy! Plus, if clothing trends change by the year, doesn’t that mean that housing trends change too? So stay on top of what’s hot and realize that a new apartment is also just a really good excuse to redecorate.

Good luck on your search my friends, but I think it’s time for me to put on some shades and go walk to the nearest bottomless mimosa bar!

Cheers!

– Adrienne