Note two things, though. First, what looks like a pause is really the catch - where his hand latches onto some slack water and the rest of his arm shifts upward to leverage the pull. If it were done more smoothly, he'd be pulling the turbulent water caused by his hand's entry and lead with his elbow - very inefficient. Second, his opposite hand's follow-through isn't complete when the forward hand catches, so there isn't really a pause in propulsion (plus the kick).
Funny, Ogged, I was just talking to someone about an oppressive professor I had in college. Guy thought that sports were monstrous phenomena and brought out the worst elements in people and always trashed students for attending football games. Back then I sported your line about sports being an acceptable avenue for bloodlust, but I think now it's the marvel of the body would have been a better argument. Then again, I was talking about the offensive line, so maybe not so much.
This is of a piece with your claim that the important thing is to be committed, and it matters not to what you commit. Swimming is not a sport; it is a chore and a bore. Linemen are agile for fat athletes; the only positions worth watching in football are RB, WR, QB and CB.
Seriously, though, in the Gates/Gonzales era, tight end has become worthwhile. And once you get obsessed enough to understand what linemen on each side are actually doing, that can get really interesting as well.
That is interesting -- it looks as if he's pausing at the full extension, which doesn't seem as if it would be efficient.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 11:45 AM
it looks as if he's pausing at the full extension
For a moment, yes, which is ok only if you have a big kick to keep you moving, as he does.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 11:49 AM
Note two things, though. First, what looks like a pause is really the catch - where his hand latches onto some slack water and the rest of his arm shifts upward to leverage the pull. If it were done more smoothly, he'd be pulling the turbulent water caused by his hand's entry and lead with his elbow - very inefficient. Second, his opposite hand's follow-through isn't complete when the forward hand catches, so there isn't really a pause in propulsion (plus the kick).
Posted by phred | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 12:11 PM
Good lord that's some flexible shoulders.
Posted by Cala | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 12:34 PM
I can't believe you got comments on this thread.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 1:17 PM
The joys of human excellence aren't dead to everyone, Timbot.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 1:54 PM
The joys of human excellence aren't dead to everyone
Nice phrase, ogged. I find myself torn between several possible responses:
a) That's what I really mean to say everytime I exclaim, "Titties! Hooray!"
b) We should have that engraved on a plaque and mounted over the door to the Mineshaft.
c) I'll have to remember to use that one next time my wife says she has a "headache."
Posted by My Alter Ego | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:34 PM
ogged,
Usually I've got your back but even I have to say this fascination with male swimmers is a tad, well, you know.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:40 PM
Funny, Ogged, I was just talking to someone about an oppressive professor I had in college. Guy thought that sports were monstrous phenomena and brought out the worst elements in people and always trashed students for attending football games. Back then I sported your line about sports being an acceptable avenue for bloodlust, but I think now it's the marvel of the body would have been a better argument. Then again, I was talking about the offensive line, so maybe not so much.
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:41 PM
always trashed students for attending football games
Whoa. In Texas?
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:43 PM
Hey, offensive linemen are incredibly agile!
Never trust someone who doesn't love at least one sport.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:45 PM
joys of human excellence
This is of a piece with your claim that the important thing is to be committed, and it matters not to what you commit. Swimming is not a sport; it is a chore and a bore. Linemen are agile for fat athletes; the only positions worth watching in football are RB, WR, QB and CB.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:51 PM
Is that all you've got in your bag of provocations? Come on, bring your A game.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:54 PM
Never trust someone who doesn't love at least one sport.
Sure, but swimming is pretty darn close to figure skating on the fey scale.
As noted, offensive lineman are unattractive, and they hit people. Defensive lineman hit people. Rough tough boy stuff, get me?
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:57 PM
RB, WR, QB and CB
Dude, long snappers kick ass.
Seriously, though, in the Gates/Gonzales era, tight end has become worthwhile. And once you get obsessed enough to understand what linemen on each side are actually doing, that can get really interesting as well.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:58 PM
swimming is pretty darn close to figure skating on the fey scale
Nah, there's an easily identifiable winner and loser in swimming, which confers real sport status. Diving is the >32°F equivalent of figure skating.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 2:59 PM
Okay, ogged, mention male swimmers and what comes to mind? Something that, I dunno, rhymes with Guido? Hmmmm.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 3:00 PM
Rough tough boy stuff, get me?
Adding an "at the Mineshaft" would actually make that less deviantly gay. Congrats, Tripp.
Honestly, Tripp, "fey" is not the first word that comes to mind.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 3:02 PM
Wishing can't make Gazebo rhyme with Guido, Tripp.
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 3:30 PM
Jesus H. Linebackers, dude. Blammo!
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 3:33 PM
Have you never seen a safety?
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 3:57 PM
Only Gates/ Gonzales, no Shockey?
Posted by washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 4:00 PM
Heck, Crumpler, Troupe, McMichael, Heap, Wiggins, there's more talent at the tight end position than I've ever seen in one season previously.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 7:11 PM
Heck is an interjection, not a tight end.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 7:11 PM
All NFL cool names team:
TE: Crumpler, Heap
WR: Thrash
OL: Weiner
I turn it over to the wisdom of crowds.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 7:22 PM
QB: Griese
RB: Buckhalter, Easy
WR: Battle, Thrash
TE: Crumpler, Heap
T: Slaughter, Weiner
G: Money, Jacox
C: Incognito
K: Rackers
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 7:51 PM
Defense
DT: Blade, Wilfork
DE: Awasom, Spears
LB: Offing, Poppinga, Ruff, Spikes, Slaughter
DB: Faggins, Gay, Jammer, Pile, Lynch
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 8:05 PM
DE? LB?: Stalin Colinet. (Dominican, NYC HS. )
FB: Shimange Biakabatuka.
Hockey: Miroslav Satan.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 8:12 PM
Best sports name ever.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 8:24 PM
Fennis Dembo.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 10:12 PM
Yeah, but in Canadian football the interjection functions as a tight end. Just a terminological distinction.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 10- 7-05 10:13 PM
it's pretty rich to be calling someone else gay[1] and then going "wow what a great tight end" yourself.
[1]Although swimming is obviously gay, I certainly concede the point on that one.
Posted by dsquared | Link to this comment | 10- 8-05 5:25 AM