Bad Calls or Bad Teams

Welcome to Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World.  I’m William “Mad Dawg” Berry and I’m your host on this wonderful thrill ride called my opinion.  So let’s jump into action.

First off, I wanna give a shout out to Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagliano as he deals with his newly diagnosed leukemia.  We’re all praying for a speedy recovery.

Now that four weeks are in the books in the NFL season, save for the Monday night game, it’s time for a little bit of self realization from coaches, players, and fans.  The first three weeks of the season we saw replacement referees handling the duties of calling the game.  This past week, the regular refs came back, largely in part for the fiasco that was Monday night’s contest between Seattle and Green Bay.

If you haven’t seen the play, here it is:

Now people have been going back and forth about the call itself.  “It was an interception!”  “It was the right call!”  “The Seahawks cheated!”  “Packers’ fans need to get over it!”

I’m not here to discuss the call itself because the call doesn’t matter, it was in the past.  I’m here to discuss where to place blame when it comes to a loss.

Disclaimer: I am a true Seahawk fan to my heart.  However, what I might say may offend other Seahawk fans.  For that I apologize.  I don’t care, but I still apologize.

A lot of people blamed the refs for Green Bay’s loss in that game, when in all actuality; the only ones responsible for the loss are the Packers themselves.  Now I know what you’re thinking, “This is coming from a Seattle fan so why should I care what you think?”  I answer you with this…ANY team that loses has no one to blame but THEMSELVES.  That includes the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.  The refs should never be blamed for the outcome of a game because any team can win a game IN SPITE of the refs.

Look people, calls are blown all the time.  None more evident than the calls in Super Bowl XL or last Monday’s game.  However, let’s take a look at the facts of both of those games.  Let’s start with Super Bowl XL.

FACT: Josh Brown missed three field goals in that game.  FACT: Matt Hasselbeck threw two interceptions in that game.  FACT:  Seattle receivers drop too many passes that would have either converted first downs or been touchdowns.  FACT: Seattle’s inability to stop Pittsburg on third down help to set up the game changing score of the Super Bowl.  FACT:  Seattle’s inability to score in the red zone, or even convert red zone opportunities to points doomed the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

Now let’s look at last Monday’s game.

FACT: Green Bay got in to the red zone only twice in the game.  FACT: The Packers allowed Aaron Rodgers to get sacked 9 times, 8 of which came in the first half…four came from one player while two more came from a rookie.  FACT: The Packers only scored one touchdown, even though they had possession of the ball almost the entire second half.  FACT: Green Bay was unable to get a first down on their final drive, which would have allowed them to run out the clock.

The point that I’m making is that the only people who complain about the refs are the teams that lose.  Why don’t the winners complain?  Because even with their mistakes, or the refs mistakes, they are still in a position to decide their own fate.  Despite what you think about the final call last Monday, had Green Bay fixed the mistakes I pointed out, the refs would be a non-issue.  Just like in Super Bowl XL.  Players need to quit complaining about things that are out of their control and take responsibility for things that are in their control.  And we as fans need to stop harping on things that COMPLETELY out of our control.  The team that won the game deserved to win the game.  The Seahawks deserved to win on Monday and (I really can’t believe I’m about to say this…) the Steelers deserved to win Super Bowl XL.

It’s time to start taking responsibility for our favorite team’s shortcomings, such as Seattle’s anemic offense, Green Bay’s inability to keep Rodgers upright.  On any given Sunday, any team can beat any team.  Hell, who would have guessed that the Vikings would be 3-1 after four weeks, or the Saints would be 0-4?

Thanks for reading, and as always, love, peace, and chicken grease.

Marvel vs. DC: Fight of the Year Main Event

Welcome one and all to another installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World. Let’s just go ahead and jump right into the action.

Disclaimer: The following blog features an overload of nerdom for some. Read at your own risk.

Today is part five of our Marvel vs. DC smackdown. Yesterday, Green Arrow out shot, outdueled, and outmatched Hawkeye to prove he was the best archer around.  But today is the main event.  Today is the battle to end all battles.  Only one hero can be left standing, and this hero will take home the crown for their team.  Peter Parker vs. Bruce Wayne.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s Spider-Man vs. Batman!

Again, let’s recap the rules. These are chance meetings. No planning and no strategizing. They meet, they fight, one wins, and they all walk away. Now that we got that out of the way, it’s your Neighborhood Friendly Wall Crawler going up against the Dark Knight himself!  Let’s get it on with the FINAL BATTLE!!!

If there was ever two superheroes that people debated about the most, it would be Spider-Man and Batman.  Like other superheroes, these two were tortured souls.  Both lost their parents young.  Spider-Man’s parents were murdered in an attempt to frame them for treason.  Batman witnessed the murder of his parents as they were robbed.  Peter was raised by his Aunt May and Uncle Ben (no, not the rice guy), while Bruce was raised by physician and social worker Leslie Thompkins and his butler, Alfred.

Spider-Man struggled financially while Batman lives in the lap of luxury.  Spider-Man chooses to try and maintain a positive attitude about life, while Batman revels in his role as protector of the night.  Two evenly matched opponents are about to do battle, so let’s take a look at the tale of the tape.

Spider-Man (Marvel)

Batman (DC)

Intelligence	Genius level intellect	Genius level intellect
Strength	Can lift upwards of 75 tons	Can bench at least 1000lbs
Powers and Abilities	Spider-Sense, enhanced agility and reflexes, can stick to walls and ceilings, healing factor, superhuman speed for short distances, can jump high	Indomitable will, peak human conditioning, master acrobat, master martial artist, weapons master, master tactician, master detective, escapologist
Weakness	Sill vulnerable to illness	Still vulnerable to illness

The day that Peter Parker was bit by that radioactive spider changed his life forever.  But it wasn’t until his Uncle Ben was killed by a guy he could have stopped that Peter really understood what it meant to be a hero.

The day Bruce Wayne watched his parents murdered changed his life forever.  He vowed to take down all crime in Gotham City, and trained himself over the years to do just that.  His mind, body, and soul are in peak conditioning due to his many years of training.

Spider-Man has developed his own fighting style throughout the years based on his speed and agility.  He also pulls his punches in most cases because if he used his full power, he could crush a human skull.  Spider-Man can maintain his equilibrium on any surface he can stick to, and can contort in ways no normal human could.  His webbing, which he makes himself, is strong enough to hold beings with superhuman strength.  It can also be used to bind, blind, or make a getaway if need be.

Batman is a master of weapons and martial arts.  He has an unrelenting spirit and can even wield a Green Lantern ring if necessary.  Batman is an expert tactician and strategist, and a master detective.   He is the second best escape artist in his universe, and master acrobat.  His batsuit is comprised of Kevlar with a little titanium, making him bulletproof and resistant to falls, impacts, and explosions, while also being flame retardant.  He carries an array of weapons in his utility belt that can help him blind or capture opponents, as well as escape sticky situations.

While Spider-Man has the advantage in pure strength, Batman equals that out with his martial arts ability.  Both are master acrobats, and Spider-Man’s healing factor is matched by Batman’s peak physical conditioning.  But there is one x-factor that stands out that may tip the scales; Spider-Man’s Spidey Sense.

Spidey’s sixth sense triggers whenever danger is present; and it is also directional.  It also gives him a psychic awareness around him, which allows him to still navigate even if he is temporarily blinded.  This sense is also linked to his reflexes, which allows Spidey to dodge attacks, even at point blank range.  It is so in-tuned with his reflexes that it triggers them automatically if he is asleep or stunned.  The only drawback with his Spidey Sense is that it can become unreliable if he is distracted or fatigued.

So who can take home the title for their team in this main event matchup?

Batman is a formidable foe.  If he has time to game plan for Spider-Man, then Batman wins hands down.  However, since this is a chance meeting, Spider-Man’s Spidey Sense gives him the advantage.  Couple that his enhanced agility and superhuman strength, and Spider-Man takes down the Dark Knight in a very close battle.

Well, there you have it folks.  With Spider-Man’s victory, Marvel takes home the victory 3-1-1.  I hope you all have enjoyed this series as much as I have enjoyed presenting it to you.  I welcome any disagreements with any of the matchups and would love to debate them with you.  You can always email me at MadDawgsMadMadWorld@hotmail.com.  And as always, love, peace, and chicken grease.

Marvel vs. DC: Fight of the Year Part 4

Welcome one and all to another installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World. Let’s just go ahead and jump right into the action.

Disclaimer: The following blog features an overload of nerdom for some. Read at your own risk.

Today is part four of our Marvel vs. DC smackdown.  Yesterday, Silver Surfer took home the title of “King of the Cosmos” by defeating the Green Lantern.  Today is a battle of the archers as Clint Barton takes on Oliver McQueen.  That’s right folks; it’s Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow. Just to recap, here is how the rest of the week is going to go:

Today: Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow

Friday: Spider-Man vs. Batman

Again, let’s recap the rules. These are chance meetings. No planning and no strategizing. They meet, they fight, one wins, and they all walk away. It’s archer vs. archer today as we start Round 4!

Neither man have any real superpowers.  Both Hawkeye and Green Arrow lost their parents when they were young.  Hawkeye ended up in the circus, while Green Arrow was raised by his uncle in the lap of luxury.  It was at the circus where Hawkeye began his training as an archer and a fighter, whereas Green Arrow was always fascinated with archery, idolizing Robin Hood.  We once again take a look at the tale of the tape.

Hawkeye (Marvel)

Green Arrow (DC)

Arrow Assortment	Uses an array of arrows that he fashions himself.	Used trick arrows, but decided to return to the basics.
Fighting Skill	Trained by Trick Short and Swordsman.  Later trained by Captain America.	Trained in several forms of martial arts.  Trained by the same person who trained Deathstroke.
Additional Info	Broke in to Avengers’ Manor to prove his worth.	Marooned on an island where he honed his archer and survival skills.

The tale of the tape pretty much has these two evenly matched.  At one point, Hawkeye was in command of some Pym particles, and he could make himself grow.  For this fight, however, these will not come into play.  Green Arrow has boasted that he can fire up to 29 arrows a minute.  Hawkeye has not made any such claims.  Both are skilled fighters, and both are master archers.  So who takes this one home?

This battle will start out as a range war, with both men firing a barrage of arrows.  The fight will have to, at some point, become a close quarters combat.  Green Arrow has the edge here because of his training.  While Captain America is an exceptional fighter and strategist, the man who trained Deathstroke is a fighting genius.  Give the win to Green Arrow here.

Fight four is in the books ladies and gentlemen, and DC has gotten on the board.  Tomorrow is the main event; the coup de gras; the battle to end all battles.  Tomorrow pits your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man against the Dark Knight himself, Batman in a winner take all battle!

Who will win for their team in the battle for the most popular characters?  Find out tomorrow.  Hope you enjoyed, and as always, love, peace, and chicken grease.

Marvel vs. DC: Fight of the Year Part 3

Welcome one and all to another installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World. Let’s just go ahead and jump right into the action.

Disclaimer: The following blog features an overload of nerdom for some. Read at your own risk.

Here we are with part three of our Marvel vs. DC battle. Yesterday, we saw Deathstroke realize that he couldn’t beat Deadpool to a fight to the death, so he convinced the Merc with the Mouth to join him, resulting in a tie. Today, we find Silver Surfer going up against Green Lantern for the title of “King of the Cosmos.”  Just to recap, here is how the rest of the week is going to go:

Today: Silver Surfer vs. Green Lantern

Thursday: Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow

Friday: Spider-Man vs. Batman

Again, let’s recap the rules. These are chance meetings. No planning and no strategizing. They meet, they fight, one wins, and they all walk away.  For this fight, we first have to choose a Green Lantern.  With so many to choose from, we’ll go with the most well known GL: Hal Jordan So let’s get on with Round 3!

These two powerful beings both possess cosmic level powers.  The Silver Surfer is one of Galactus’ heralds.  Hal Jordan is a part of the Green Lantern Corps., an intergalactic space force.  Once more, let’s look at the tale of the tape.

Silver Surfer (Marvel)

Green Lantern (DC)

Strength	Superhuman strength	Average Strength
Equipment	Surfboard that is mentally linked to him.	Power Ring that allows the wearer to create through willpower
Powers	Controls the Power Cosmic. Flight.  Can survive virtually anywhere.	Can shoot lasers, create shields and other constructs.  Flight
Weakness	No known weaknesses	The color yellow.  Ring only has power for 24 hours

 Contrary to popular belief, the Silver Surfer’s board is not a source of weakness to him.  In fact, the Surfer can rebuild or recreate the board should it be damaged or destroyed.  He also doesn’t need to eat, sleep, or breathe as he converts matter into energy.  This gives him a distinct advantage over the Green Lantern, as his ring is only good for 24 hours before having to be recharged.  Surfer’s board can also imprison enemies for a short time, and Surfer can also direct the board telepathically to fight at a distance.  Green Lantern has the advantage should the fight get to be close quarters because the Silver Surfer is not a skilled fighter.

So who takes home the crown of “King of the Cosmos?”

Green Lantern may win the hand-to-hand battle, but eventually, he is going to run out of steam.  Since the Silver Surfer doesn’t fatigue, all he has to do is wait out the Green Lantern.  Silver Surfer takes home the victory and the crown.

Looks like Marvel has extended their lead to with another victory.  Tune in tomorrow to see if DC can mount any sort of comeback when we compare two archers.  It’s Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow tomorrow.

As always, love, peace, and chicken grease!

Marvel vs.DC: Fight of the Year Part 2

Welcome one and all to another installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World.  Let’s just go ahead and jump right into the action.

Disclaimer: The following blog features an overload of nerdom for some. Read at your own risk.

Here we are with part two of our Marvel vs. DC battle.  Yesterday, we saw Hulk beat Superman by a very narrow margin.  Today’s battle will pit the “Merc with a Mouth” against the “Terminator.”  Just to recap, here is how the rest of the week is going to go:

Today: Deadpool vs. Deathstroke

Wednesday: Silver Surfer vs. Green Lantern

Thursday: Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow

Friday: Spider-Man vs. Batman

Here is a recap of the rules.  These are chance meetings. No planning, no strategizing. They meet, they fight, one wins, and they all walk away, EXCEPT in today’s fight.  Today’s fight will be a fight to the death.  Maybe.  And now, ROUND 2!!!

Deadpool vs Deathstroke

For those of you that aren’t aware, Marvel’s Deadpool was created to be a parody of DC’s Deathstroke.  Each has a tremendous following, and both are probably the most skilled fighters in their brands.  Deadpool has bested Wolverine, while Deathstroke has bested Batman.  Let’s take a look at the tale of the tape.

Deadpool (Marvel)

Deathstroke (DC)

Strength	Peak physical strength.  Can lift up to 800lbs.	Peak physical strength.  Can lift up to 800lbs.
Speed	Peak conditioning.	Can run at top speeds of 30mph.  Can outperform even the best Olympian.
Additional Powers	Can teleport.  Telepathic immunity.  Insane healing factor.  Quick annoying wit.	Healing factor.  Enhanced senses.  Enhanced mind.  Master tactician.
Weaknesses	Insane.	Can die, although it takes a tremendous amount of damage

The tale of the tape has these two evenly match.  Deathstroke has the advantage in the strategy and speed, while they are both equal in terms of strength.  Both are skilled fighters and both can heal almost any wound.  However, Deadpool has three distinct advantages: his mouth, his mental instability, and his curse.

Allow me to elaborate.  Deadpool is known as the Merc with a Mouth.  He’s always talking.  Now most people feel that this is the ramblings of a crazy man.  And that is true to an extent.  But what if that is what Deadpool wants you to believe.  Besides, he usually talks people into submission or suicide.  The guy annoyed Spider-Man, who is the king of annoying wit!

Then there is his mental instability.  Because Deadpool is insane, he doesn’t use conventional methods to fight, maim, or kill.  This gave Taskmaster fits because Taskmaster couldn’t adapt to Deadpool’s fighting style.  This has a high chance to cancel out Deathstroke’s enhanced mind’s strategies and tactics.

But aside from all of that, Deadpool’s greatest advantage is the curse Thanos put on him.  Deadpool can never die!  Why?  Simple.  Deadpool established a relationship with the personification of Death, who Thanos is in love with.  As such, Thanos made it so Deadpool could never see her again.  So in a fight to the death, there is no way you’re gonna beat Deadpool because he simply cannot die!

So who wins this epic battle of two mercenaries?

Tie ballgame folks.  Here is the reasoning behind this.  Deathstroke has an enhanced intelligence.  At some point, he is going to figure out that Deadpool can’t be killed.  Rather than risk his own life, he is going to entice Deadpool to join his side.  Deadpool, who will work with anyone for the right price, will accept, thus ending the battle right there with both men standing.

Two battles down, three to go.  Remember to tune in tomorrow for matchup #3: Silver Surfer vs. Green Lantern.

Hope you enjoyed this latest installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World.  And as always, love, peace, and chicken grease.

Marvel vs. DC: Fight of the Year Part 1

Welcome one and all to another installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World.  I’d like to dispense with the usual pleasantries, and jump right into today’s topic.

Disclaimer: The following blog an overload of nerdom for some.  Read at your own risk.

Now that I got that out of the way…I was talking to a friend the other night, and we happened to stumble upon a set of topics that really got me thinking.  Now, these are age old questions with no clear cut answers, but it’s fun to debate.  It’s the age old, who would win in a fight.  This week, we’re gonna focus on Marvel vs. DC, because those are the two big companies in the comic world.  The matchups will go like this:

Monday: Hulk vs. Superman

Tuesday: Deadpool vs. Deathstroke

Wednesday: Silver Surfer vs. Green Lantern

Thursday: Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow

Friday: Spider-Man vs. Batman

The rules for the fights are as such:  These are chance meetings.  No planning, no strategizing.  They meet, they fight, one wins, and they all walk away.  So without further adieu, let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!!

Hulk vs. Superman

This is one of those battles where you have two relatively even matched forces that collide with each other.  In order to get a better understanding of their abilities, we need to look at the tale of the tape.

Hulk (Marvel)

Superman (DC)

Strength	Gets stronger the madder he gets. Unlimited strength and stamina.	Able to destroy planets. Has punched a hole in the space time continuum.
Speed	Can run faster than even the fastest athletes.	Second in speed only to the Flash.
Additional Powers	Can regenerate at an alarming rate. Body can adapt to any environment. Can see astral images.	Heat vision, freeze breath, flight, x-ray vision, heals at an alarming rate.
Weaknesses	Multiple personalities	Kryptonite, no yellow sun – no powers, susceptible to magic

Now as you can tell by the tale of the tape, both Hulk and Superman have their advantages and disadvantages.  Superman owns Hulk in terms of sheer speed, but Hulk’s strength has no limits.  So the question is, in a chance meeting, who would best whom?

In my opinion, Hulk takes this fight.  Here is the reason: Hulk doesn’t die.  Plain and simple.  Superman has already fought at his highest level, and “died” in the past.  Doomsday was able to best him.  Hulk, on the other hand, has never reached his highest level because he has no highest level.  Superman will dazzle Hulk with his speed, but that will only serve to anger Hulk even more, which will increase all of his stats exponentially to the point where Hulk will become impervious to ANYTHING.  Heat vision won’t work against Hulk because Hulk can withstand the sun’s core temperature.  Freeze breath won’t work because Hulk can survive sub-zero temperatures.  You can’t drown the Hulk because his body will adapt so that he can breathe underwater.  You can’t suffocate Hulk because Hulk has been known to have the ability to breathe and talk in space.  So no freezing, burning, drowning, or suffocating.  And you can forget dropping a nuke on him too.  Hulk can survive that.

Superman’s only option would be to turn Hulk back into Bruce Banner.  Now this sounds like a great plan in theory.  Here’s the problem: If Banner dies, Hulk takes over AUTOMATICALLY.  Even if Banner gets to be too old, Hulk takes over.  In essence, Hulk can’t die.  And all Hulk has to do is find some Kryptonite of the green or blue variety, and then the fight is automatically over.  Green kryptonite weakens Superman, and blue kryptonite takes his powers away.  I doubt Hulk would find this in a chance meeting, but hey, stranger things have happened.  Like this fight!  Or should Hulk REALLY want to end the fight, take Superman to a planet with no yellow sun.  No yellow sun means Superman has no powers.  No powers, no challenge.

So the winner of this fight is…

 Sorry Supes, the evidence just didn’t favor you in this fight.  Hulk truly is “strongest there is.”

Hope you enjoyed this installment of Mad Dawg’s Mad Mad World.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for matchup number 2: Deadpool vs. Deathstroke. 

As always, love, peace, and chicken grease.