Covering the AFC South
The AFC South is a fascinating division. It hosts two of the leagues best defenses, and perhaps the most unstable quarterback situations in football. All four teams are facing major questions marks. Whoever answers their quarterback problems first and best could be in prime position to dominate the division for years.
For a long time, Colts fans barely had to worry about the rest of the AFC South, but now more than ever they need to stay up and informed on the other teams. The time of Indianapolis chalking up 12 wins and letting the rest of the South scramble for a Wild Card slot are over. When the Colts return to prominence, they'll be competing against three other franchises that have done their part to become competitive.
This preamble is my way of announcing my new job.
I've been hired to be the AFC South Correspondent for Bleacher Report. I'll be covering the division "Kuharsky-style" beginning March 15. The new site will have an easy to remember URL: BleacherReport.com/afcsouthblog.
Bleacher Report has gone out of its way to hire some of the best writers around and has dramatically bolstered their stock of professional writers. For those who have been missing my daily missives, pine no more. I'll be posting many times each day about all four teams in the South. My goal will be spread the gospel of smart football to fans of the Titans, Jags, Texans and Colts. I'll be focusing on news and analysis as I try not only to please the fans of each team, but fans of the other teams looking for someone to give them the inside scoop on the rest of the division.
I'll be doing pieces like "The Advanced Stat of the Week", where each day I apply an advanced metric to one of the teams, explaining how an understanding of it can help you do better analysis of the team. The AFC South Blog will be a place for news, but with the same kind of higher level analysis you've been getting from 18to88.com and ColtsAuthority.com for the past 5 years.
Obviously, writing impartially about the South is very different than what I do here at Colts Authority. I don't believe there is anyone who writes 'without bias'. You all know my biases well. I believe that in journalism, announced biases are the way to go. I always seek to tell the truth, and I think fans of the other teams will come to realize that being fair-minded is my highest value as a writer.
Still, there are plenty of things that I can only say to Colts fans. Articles like the one I wrote this week, are obviously out of place in a division blog. I will always need a place to speak directly to Colts fans in an unfiltered way. My writing schedule at Colts Authority will not change. You'll still be able to find me here twice a week. You'll still get my post-game column on Monday. Eyes in the Backfield will live here on Colts Authority, though possibly as a radio show (Brett and I will keep you posted).
As a co-founder of ColtsAuthority.com, I'm invested emotionally and financially in the success of this site. Writing professionally for Bleacher Report is an incredible opportunity, and one that I think will benefit you, the reader.
Thanks for all your support for this site, and for me personally. You've made this step possible by showing up every day for a long time. I hope to repay you with all the fresh content you can handle.
See you there in two weeks!
Way to go, Nate. And I think we all appreciate your continued commitment to the Colts and their fans.
Will you be able to use this new position to further the case of 88 to the Hall? I sure hope so! Also, how is the project coming along?
Nate, I have yet to see your take on Mortensen's latest, which is that Manning is throwing very well, and coinciding with his report, Kravitz saying that he has heard from multiple sources, none from the Manning camp, that Manning is throwing "much, much, better.
@southdodger I have no take. If it's true, and can be verified, then great. I find it very hard to believe, and it's still very vague.
I said on Twitter, that if Manning is healthy they should trade the #1 pick.
@rbachman47 If you have a legitimate criticism, then bring the **criticism**. Passive/aggressive snark gets nothing accomplished. Point out what you think is wrong with what Nate writes, then hash it out via discussion. Don't just throw insults. That serves nobody well, especially you.
If you think something's wrong, then cite what's wrong. Use specifics. That's the best way to get your point of view noticed and given respect.
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Awww. Our little DZ is all growed up:)
Being serious, congratulations man. Well deserved, and I'm sure you'll do great.
But yeah, jumping on what AJ said, please no slideshows.
Good for you, Nate. You're a great writer with excellent philosophies, except when they're different than mine. Well deserved gig. I was wondering why it took so long.
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That's one small step for a Colts fan... One giant leap for Sports Journalism writing.
Congratuations.
I click the link. I see Nate's smiling face but no content. I'm messing with NoScript for like five minutes going "dammit, how many scripts do I have to allow to make this site work??" Finally I just allow everything... and there's still no content!
Nate! Make with the insightful commentary and Star Wars jokes!
@18to88 @thejoshbaker Isn't it "cross to bear", or was there a subtle joke in there that I just missed?
@18to88 Unacceptable, Nate. You're better than that ;). You ever going to fly out to BR's corp office out here in SF?
@bnickelsun @thejoshbaker Not really. I spelled it wrong, and was too lazy to go delete the tweet.
@18to88 ha...haven't read from him in awhile. When the Peyton saga started he got angry with anyone who disagreed with him #unfollowed
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a-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-d bookmarked!Seriously though, as your first move of full-bias-disclosure, I request that you have that AFC SOUTH header graphic changed from that hideous (battle?) red to more of a, oh, I don't know (speed) blue. Can I get an amen?
I'm so excited for you! This sounds like a great opportunity, I'm even more excited that we aren't losing you here at 18to... I mean ColtsAuthority :) I look forward to having a new bookmark! Congrats!
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I always knew you were a closet Jags fan! What better way to slowly make your way onto Kitty Purrs, or whatever their fan blog is named.
@ninpojames Kitty Purrs. Nice.
Do I see a fan post coming with name suggestions for a Jags blog?
@TonyFishers @matt_has @ninpojames "There can only be one" - is that a reference to the number of Jags season ticket holders?
@18to88 please please please no slide shows. Slide shows are for those less talented than you.
@CrizzleColts No worries, bro. It'll still be me. It's me they wanted, and it's me they are getting.
