A Pointless Lance

     Cancer. We have all been affected by it in some way, shape, or form. Whether it be through the loss of a loved one as I have, or through the suffering of those inflicted by it, cancer is by far the most researched and prominent disease in our world today. Because of the press and the stories about our own unbearable pain, organizations like the Susan G. Komen and others have poured billions of dollars into research for cures. Celebrities aren't afraid to voice their support either, as stars ranging from actress Christina Applegate to Sharon Osbourne have supported cancer organizations. None the stars however, are as active in campaigning or as polarizing as cyclist Lance Armstrong.

     Armstrong has been the guiding light for cycling for years. Who would be a better representative than a man who only has one testicle? While I say that in jest, Armstrong's story was the perfect one for his sport. The man had testicular cancer that spread to his brain and lungs and still won seven Tours de France. He was Tim Tebow, at least in a come-backy way, before Tebow was even a time of day. The man even appeared on popular children's show Arthur as a character named Vance Legstrong, inspiring a young child to do his best and to have confidence. The man is a good person. At least I hope he is.

     Armstrong has been a leading supporter of cancer research, as was stated above, and has even considered a career in politics to support his cause,, though he ultimately sided against it, fearing, and rightly so, that if he campaigned and was elected as a member of a certain party, he would alienate members of the other, effectively slashing support he would have had as a lobbyist, which he and his Livestrong organization act as. He helped with a proposal, which the state of California is in the process of approving, that would put a $1 tax on tobacco products, the proceeds going towards cancer research, effectively cutting risks for lung cancer while helping find ways to cure the others. His impact on cancer is not what has been questioned as of late, as his record of charitable actions is undeniable. The issue, at least to most of the mainstream media, is that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

     I really don't know if Armstrong did performance-enhancing drugs, nor do I care. All I know is that he never failed a test, and that the allegations against him are from disgruntled teammates and very elaborate as well. That's all that anyone can prove beyond a reasonable doubt as of now. I know what Livestrong has done for the world, and I would still support him if he was proven to to use drugs. What Lance Armstrong has done for cancer patients and the entire world far outweighs any sort of bad. He instilled hope into the hearts of millions. He took cancer, looked it straight in the eye, and gave it a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the groin. The greatness he achieved made me believe I could do anything if I put my mind to it, just like Armstrong did. I looked to him for inspiration when I tore my labrums in both of my hips. Well, ripped is an understatement...think shredded, as I couldn't kick a soccer ball without screaming, but I digress. Armstrong's contributions to the medical field and to cycling are undeniable. Hell, if he asked me ten years ago to help him dope to win,  I probably would have done so for the sake of those bed-ridden through the atrocities of cancer like my uncle was. That's not being selfish, that's being selfless. If Armstrong saved one life a day juicing, the whole universe would support him. He has.

Image retrieved from: www.wjla.com

Love of Country?

     The Olympics have always taken my breath away. I remember watching US swimmer Michael Phelps win a record eight gold medals in one year. I remember watching Jamaica's Usain Bolt utterly destroy the competition, winning the race in style while beating his chest, though it cost him an even lower world-record time. I remember watching dreams come true, and I fear all of that may be coming to an end.  I am worried that the Olympics, arguably the one pure form of competition left and where athletes compete for love of country, not for money, will become akin to what people are trying to make college athletics-a moneygrab for it's competitors and nothing more. I fear that those who do compete for the love of the game are few and far between, and most likely do not come from the United States of America.

     When Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat came out and said that he wants to be paid for his time on the Olympic Basketball team, I immediately asked myself, "Why?". Wade already has his millions, and I assume he loves his country, so why would he want to demand payment for something millions of people would do for free? He's greedy. It's a natural instinct to want to be fairly compensated, I get that, and I understand where Wade is coming from in regards to his desire to receive payments, or at least a percentage of the profits from every jersey bearing his name, but why? Because the Olympics are becoming the world's biggest advertisement for an athlete's talents and endorsement opportunities. Get on the podium, get your millions in watch deals. It's simple really. I'm fine with that. Companies need a face to be competitive, whether it be a gorgeous supermodel  or a talented athlete, and the Olympics give an athlete a stage to audition on. But in their heart, the Olympians know that the hopes of a nation rest on their shoulders. They compete for the love of the game, not for money. At least they're supposed to. Wade's comment sounded eerily similar to the argument made by proponents of paying college athletes. People go to college to prepare themselves for the rest of their lives, and play sports because they can, not to play sports then drop in on a few classes. Collegiate athletes will tell you that they play to win a championship, not for payment. The same goes for some professionals, who stay with one team their entire careers for the love of the game, even though they could move to more marketable teams. Therefore, if one college can offer more money to a player than another university could, the player would almost always go to the school offering more money. The same concept applies to the Olympics. If John Doe is theoretically able to compete for three different countries, then he will most likely compete for the nation offering the most money to compete, not necessarily for medals as is custom now, putting smaller, less developed nations at a disadvantage, sucking the soul out of the games in a ruthless monetization of citizenship.

     The real issue, at least for me, is where is the love of the country? The Olympics are the embodiment of nationalism, or heroism, of athletic immortality. There is no drive to compete if one knows they will get paid regardless. The only incentive someone should need for competing in the Olympics is knowing they are going to battle for their country in a (mostly) bloodless war for dominance. Do you think the Miracle on Ice would have happened if there was no drive to compete? The ragtag team beat the Soviet Union for a reason--that they were representing the free world-- and they knew it. They accomplished the impossible, but they had to continue competing. Would there have been a drive in the gold medal match against Finland if they received their compensation beforehand? I'm not sure, but it's a valid question. The true beauty of the Olympics lies in an athlete's desire to perform for his country without getting paid for simply showing up.  Why even have a competition between nations if it is simply another way for athletes to make money, not to represent their love of their country? The moment Olympians start getting paid will be the moment it will lose it's soul.

Images Retrieved From: www.geotravellers.com

Brain Drain: The Concussion Problem in the NFL

      February 17, 2011, April 19, 2012, May 2, 2012, are all dates that will live on forever. Why? They are all the dates of NFL player suicides. Dave Duerson, a safety for the infamous Chicago Bears defense of the 1980s commit suicide on February 17 of last year. Ray Easterling, also a safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left us on April 19th, and yesterday, legendary linebacker Junior Seau died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. All of them played in the NFL, all of them were reported to suffer concussions, but that was before anyone really knew what a concussion actually was or what the terrifying repercussions may be. Now, we know that a concussion occurs when the brain itself slams into the skull, often causing severe headaches and nausea. However, when concussions go unnoticed and continue to occur, life-threatening damage can result. Players, especially at high-impact positions like corner, running back, linebacker, defensive and offensive line, and wide receiver, have complained of bodily harm after retiring since the game's conception. Football is a violent game, as we all know. However, they didn't realize that their brains were slowly being destroyed. NFL players have higher rates of suicide--six times the national average to be specific--Alzheimers, and even depression. Some have lost complete bodily function, like Eric LeGrand, a defensive lineman who, in symbolic gesture, was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After suffering a debilitating spinal chord injury, many doctors said he would be forced to live off a respirator and be paralyzed for the rest of his life. This is just the beginning of an issue that is just now coming to life. 

     Before one can fully understand the problem concussions actually are, it is necessary for a brief overview of what being concussed actually means. The simple definition mentioned above is sufficient for a non-football concussion. In the NFL, a defensive back like Duerson or Easterling can tackle a player with over 1,600lbs. of force, and a linebacker like Seau could hit even harder. Keep in mind a Smart Car weights 1,609lbs. These guys hit each other with the force of a small car, yet the NFL doesn't think concussions could cause dangerous side-effects. An insurance company pays better than the NFL. That's saying something. A concussion occurs much more often then players themselves think. Let's assume a 6'3, 250lb linebacker who runs a 4.6 forty yard dash hits a player with the force of 2,000lbs. The running back, like the linebacker, is running at full speed. A collision occurs. The both players go from full-speed to full-stop. Their helmets protect their skulls, but it only hurts their brains, as the brain continues moving even after the head stops, causing a concussion. The force necessary to cause a concussion gets progressively less as each one occurs, though the severity of the consequences increase exponentially. The linebacker walks off the field for a few plays, while the running back only feels dazed and gets back in the huddle. The running back knows his time in the league will most likely end by his thirtieth birthday, and he needs to support his family. He has to go back in the game, thus he puts his career, and his life on the line. There's clearly a problem, and only recently has the NFL decided to make a change for the better.

     Dave Duerson was a safety and defensive back for the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. He was an All-American at Notre Dame, and a Super Bowl champion with the Bears. He had the record for most sacks by a defensive back with seven until it was broken by the Cardinals' Adrian Wilson. As a pass-rusher along with being a defensive enforcer in the secondary, he supposedly had multiple concussions in his career, though they were, at the time, considered "getting your bell rung" and nothing more. At the time, a player would have his teammates help him up and stagger back to the huddle. Duerson was one of those players. He loved the game. He was a warrior. He got back into the huddle...a lot. After retiring in 1993, his condition quickly deteriorated. According to his son and ex-wife, he had trouble spelling words, suffered from Alzheimers, dementia, and had a terrible short-term memory. In the years leading up to his death, he was accused of many "spur of the moment" crimes, such as battery or domestic abuse, most likely because he could no longer make decisions without seriously contemplating his options for a substantial amout of time. One doctor who analyzed his brain was surprised Duerson was even capable of WALKING. In his final act, he shot himself in the chest to save his brain and left the note shown above. He knew something was wrong, and he decided to make a change for the better by donating his brain to science. Duerson's brain was shown to have a protein deficiency known as CTE caused by significant, and most importantly repeated, brain trauma. His brain was literally being destroyed bit by bit. His family has received nothing. All because the NFL refused to acknowledge football played a factor.

     Ray Easterling, also a safety, was a player for the Atlanta Falcons. A defensive captain, he was a key player for a team that had arguably the best defensive season of all time. With a tough defense, players get competitive. There's nothing worse for a man's brain than to put him in front of millions of people and surround him with twenty-one other testosterone-fueled men. He tries to get the knockout, the highlight hit, the devastating tackle that knocks out the star offensive player. That's exactly what happened with the Falcons. After retiring, his body was destroyed. He had over twenty orthopedic surgeries, and was, like Duerson, was diagnosed with dementia. In an interview with Fox Sports Network, his wife Mary Ann, said:

“He had been feeling more and more pain. He felt like his brain was falling off. He was losing control. He couldn’t remember things from five minutes ago. It was frightening, especially somebody who had all the plays memorized as a player when he stepped on the field.”

     Easterling commit suicide, like Duerson, by shooting himself in the chest to preserve his brain for study. His brain was also found to contain tau, a key sign for the existence of CTE. Easterling, like Duerson, was a part of a lawsuit suing the NFL over, according to Easterling's lawyer:

"Continuously and vehemently denied that it knew, should have known or believed that there is any relationship between NFL players suffering concussions while playing . . . and long-term problems such as headaches, dizziness, dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease that many retired players have experienced."

     Junior Seau was a Hall of Fame linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots. He hit with a ferocity only seen in gladiatorial death matches. He was a warrior. He never went on the disabled list for a concussion, though, according to his ex-wife, he suffered many of the symptoms. He was depressed, hard to believe for such an upbeat man, and had the symptoms of CTE that afflicted Duerson and Easterling. He was accused of battery, a sign of a heightened sense of aggression that has been linked to brain damage and a possible lack of decision making ability.  He too shot himself in the chest to save his brain for testing. It doesn't do Seau justice to simply say he played with the joy of a boy but the intensity and heart of a man, it doesn't do him justice to write a few paragraphs, let alone a few sentences. It doesn't do Junior Seau justice to leave his family unpaid for something football caused.

     Only recently has the National Football League taken a stand against concussions and overly violent play. Commissioner Roger Goodell has become one of, if not the most, controversial commissioners in all of professional sports. He made it clear in late 2010 that concussions were a problem and harsh penalties would be brought upon those who refused to follow the new, safer rules. Some have lauded this stance, while others claim this is just the beginning of a gradual shift to the NFFL, the National Flag-Football League, where nobody can tackle anyone. They fear the "Glory Days" in which the Bears could literally break the backs of their opponents and the Purple People Eaters could probably get away with actually eating their offensive victims. These people fail to realize the days of vicious defense and ruthless hits are over. The very hits we used to celebrate are now the same hits we fear may contribute to an terrible, life-threatening injury and eventually a violence-filled life after football riddled with bouts of depression, dementia, and possibly suicide. A change has to be made. Now.

Images Retrieved From: www.wallsnimages.blogspot.com, www.buscoscience.wikispaces.com, www.nytimes.com, www.tributes.com, and www.boltsfromtheblue.com

Stoopidity: The Redskins

     As evidenced by the title, this is yet another addition to the unending Stoopidity series. This time, however, it is perpetrator is NOT a member of the Miami Dolphins organization. Can you believe it? I sure can't! The organization committing the unforgivable crime this time is from the the......Washington Redskins. The Redskins made waves by trading up in the NFL Draft with the St. Louis Rams in order to draft Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick. That's all well and good, and I still think that RG3 may end up having the better career than the first overall pick and fellow quarterback Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts. Griffin, as of now, has the better supporting cast of the two, and Mike Shanahan has a history of developing legendary quarterbacks like Steve Young and Joe Montana. Again, that's not the problem.

     They did the unspeakable, the horrible, the most mindless and brainless thing any team can do besides trading for Tim Tebow. In short, they drafted a second quarterback...early. The unfortunate victims of this crime against the Church of Common Sense are the two quarterbacks drafted, the aforementioned Robert Griffin III, and the other guy, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins. Cousins was rated by many experts a second round pick, some even going as far as saying a team could pick him late in the first. He fell to the fourth round, as many of the teams needing a quarterback or at least wanting one, like the Dolphins, Browns, and Broncos (Peyton Manning is the ultimate tutor for his own successor) addressed the issue early. This is where the headscratching begins. Why would the Redskins even think of drafting another quarterback when they already locked up the position for the next five to ten years? To make matters worse, why would Mike Shanahan even think about drafting another signal caller, even if he was supposedly "too good to pass up," as Shanahan supposedly said. If Cousins was really that good, the Redskins could have traded the pick to an interested party and focus on getting some help for that God-forsaken defense! In the end, this only damages the careers of both players involved, for Griffin has to deal with the threat of a very talented backup, and if he so much as blows a few games we know the impatient home crowd will cry for Cousins, and Cousins, will waste away as a backup and occasional starter when he could be setting the league on fire. If this is some sick and twisted way to light a fire under the already driven and determined Griffin, it clearly has backfired.

     This move does absolutely nothing for the Washington Redskins. Nothing. The only thing they accomplished with their picking of Kirk Cousins was show that they lack the faith, and frankly the guts, to get behind the man charged with saving the franchise. There's clearly a problem with whoever is running the show in Washington. I mean, they threw $100,000,000 at Albert Haynseworth, so that in of itself tells you the front office brass isn't that smart to begin with. Now, we know they aren't even brave or faithful in their own decisions.

Image retrieved from: www.koehlerlaw.net

Who Cares?

     Every once in a while, someone, or something, does something so stupid and inconvenient that you cannot even dream up half an idea that could explain why. I have done posts defending such acts, such as the post covering marines overseas, and spoke out against them in a post about the Miami Dolphins. Today, it is much to my chagrin that I have to tell you that it has happened once again. Not surprisingly, the government is to blame. No, this is not a botched military attack or a foreign relations meltdown. This directly affects YOU. That's right...you. The government is taking your hard earned money and using it to prosecute legendary pitcher Roger Clemens.

     Clemens, 49, was the most prominent and unexpected players named in the infamous steroid expose known as the Mitchell Report. Inside the four hundred nine pages were the names of eighty nine players ranging from baseball heavyweights like Barry Bonds and the aforementioned Clemens, to forgotten players like Paul Lo Duca and Mike Stanton (the pitcher, not the Marlins outfielder). Many of the players mentioned have vehemently denied their supposed using of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), while others have agreed with the findings. However, when called to the stand to testify in a court case, both Bonds and Clemens were asked if they had ever used PEDs, they both responded with a "No." Red flags couldn't have gone up faster. Bonds was widely believed to be doping, as his body, along with his head, kept getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger, and bigger, while certain parts of his body, according to his girlfriend, kept getting smaller and smaller-all symptoms of anabolic steroid use. Clemens, however, had no real evidence supporting the Mitchell Report's claims, except for his trainer and alleged steroid dealer Brian McNamee's word. McNamee had a book coming out, and has recently been accused by Clemens' lawyer of fabricating claims to boost book sales. (Other evidence consisted of a needle and syringe stored and preserved in the sanitary confines of an empty beer can.) If Ryan Braun can get off the hook with a urine sample being held in a refrigerator too long, why didn't Clemens get the same treatment?

     Clemens is being charged in federal court with perjury for stating what I believe is the truth. During his remarkable career, his average fastball velocity never jumped suddenly, nor did his foulball rate, strikeout rate, or walk rate. He was just unhittable. In fact, all of them went down with age. He followed a natural career statistical slide as he aged, his just took a whole lot longer, a fact pointed to many of his accuser. Plus, he never grew bulkier or more muscular as he aged, never needed any bigger helmets or shoes, or smaller....you know.....

     The worst part here is that the government is using YOUR tax money to help finance this trial. It is unfortunate, because, honestly, nobody was physically harmed by Clemens' use or non-use of anabolic steroids. There's nothing at stake besides his legacy as a baseball player. If the United States of America is this worried about whether or not someone used steroids, I can only imagine how much more absurd a larger, and frankly relevant, case would be. In all honesty, I do not think Roger Clemens used PEDs, nor do I care. I care about the useless spending that has now become second nature to our government. I care about the use of our tax dollars to continually charge a man who may not even be guilty in the first place. I care about the degradation of the United States of America.

Images From: www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com

My NFL Mock Draft

     With the NFL Draft fast approaching, I have decided to design a mock draft of my own. However, I'll only focus on the first round, but I'll also add a small bit of commentary to each pick. Despite the popularity of trading down in the first round for more draft picks later on, there will be no trades.

1. Indianapolis Colts- QB, Andrew Luck, Stanford
     Luck could have been the first overall pick last year rather than Cam Newton,  yet he decided to return to Stanford for his senior year. Luck has been compared to another Stanford legend, John Elway, along with the man he is going to replace-Peyton Manning.

2. Washington Redskins- QB, Robert Griffin III, Baylor
     Griffin burst onto the college football scene early in the year, and with good reason. Griffin can make every throw and had a 72% completion rate last season. He's a great leader and seems to be content and/or relaxed with himself and the attention that comes with being the savior of a moribund franchise. He ran a 4.3 40 yard dash, one of the fastest times ever for a quarterback. I honestly think that RG3 will eventually be recognized as the best QB in the 2012 draft, due to the fact that his pure athleticism and strong pocket presence will take over the league.

3. Minnesota Vikings- T, Matt Kalil, USC
     Tough pick between the talented Justin Blackmon and corner Morris Claiborne, but I have a feeling that they will try to get some cover for second year quarterback Christian Ponder and running back Adrian Peterson.

4. Cleveland Browns- RB, Trent Richardson, Alabama
     Richardson may be the most talented non-quarterback in the draft, and after the loss of hardnosed runner Peyton Hillis, he fills an obvious hole in the backfield. He's the ultimate combination of speed and strength, and literally knocked the Browns off the their feet during a strength drill in his pro day.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- CB, Morris Claiborne, LSU
      The Buccaneers have always been a defensively oriented team, and they need to fix a secondary with many holes and stopgap players. Plus, the Bucs play in a division with franchise quarterbacks such as Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and Matt Ryan. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon is a possiblity, but unlikely after the signing of the speedy Vincent Jackson. Watch for them to take Richardson if he falls to them.

6. St. Louis Rams- WR, Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
     Sam Bradford needs actual weapons to succeed.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars- CB, Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
     Guard David DeCastro is a better pick, but the Jaguars were terrible against the pass last season. I expect them to reach for a player marginally better than any other corner they could get in the second round.

8. Miami Dolphins- QB, Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
     The Dolphins went hard after Manning and Matt Flynn, AND the Dolphins front office isn't very smart. I expect them to reach for the most divisive player in the draft, as Tannehill played wide receiver before converting to his current position, starting only 19 games at the helm of his team's offense.

9. Carolina Panthers- DT, Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State,
     Combine legend Dontari Poe is a possibility, but he wasn't very productive in college (5 sacks in 3 years). Regardless, the Panthers need a penetrating force on the defensive line, and Cox has the potential to be that force.

10. Buffalo Bills- WR, Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
     Floyd is arguably the most pro ready wide receiver in the draft, and has shot up the draft boards as of late. The Bills have sorta-kinda-not really committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick, and need a second option for him to throw to opposite of Steve Johnson.

11. Kansas City Chiefs- LB, Luke Kuechly, Boston College
     Kuechly went to my high school, and I have had the privilege of watching him fly around the field and tackle everything that moves. He has had the benefit of a St. X education and has been taught to be a "Man for others" (Our school motto). I wish he would fall to Cincinnati, but he's too good for that to happen. As his high school coach Steve Specht states in an interview with our school newspaper, "Talent and work ethic was never a question with Lucke. h was always the first in and one of the last to leave. He wanted to get better and studied the game as much, if not more, than anyone I've ever coached." 
 12. Seattle Seahawks- OLB/DE, Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

     Seahawks need someone to fix a broken pass rush, but also linebacker. Ingram fills both holes.





13. Arizona Cardinals- T, Riley Reiff, Iowa
     The Cardinals could pick guard David DeCastro, but they need a guard to protect the overpaid Kevin Kolb's blindside.

14. Dallas Cowboys- S, Mark Barron, Alabama
     It is a distinct possibility that the Cowboys could trade up to guarantee getting Barron, but no teams in the top fifteen have as dire a need for a safety than Dallas does. They just traded away Terrence Newman, so they are essentially without an identity. Barron rejuvenates an entire unit with his play. He'll be the best safety Dallas has had in a long time.

15. Philadelphia Eagles- OLB/DE, Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
     The man with the girly name but manly game adds another threat to an already loaded Eagles front seven. This reminds me of the Lions picking defensive tackle Nick Fairley to combine with Ndamakong Suh. North Carolina's Quinton Coples is a possibility, but scouts have questioned his commitment.


16. New York Jets- DE, Quinton Coples, North Carolina
     Talented but inconsistent. Rex Ryan may take a risk by taking fellow fatty Dontari Poe, but that may mean fewer donuts for him at team meetings, and we all know that's not going to happen.

17. Cincinnati Bengals- G, David DeCastro, Stanford
     Andrew Luck's best friend on the offensive line will serve the same purpose in Cincinnati. He'll protect Cincinnati's second year quarterback, the Red Rifle, Andy Dalton.

18. San Diego Chargers- OL, Cordy Glen, Georgia
     Marcus McNeill left, and someone needs to replace him. Glen can play both guard and tackle, so his versatility will allow the Chargers to move him around in order to protect signal caller Phillip Rivers.

19. Chicago Bears- T, Jonathan Martin, Stanford
     The line of solid Stanford lineman continues. Part of the reason people question Jay Cutler's ability and toughness is because he can't stay upright. He was getting pressured on every play. Forget about a receiver, your quarterback actually has to have time to get the damn ball in his hands without worrying about getting drilled before he can even focus on throwing downfield.

20. Tennessee Titans- OLB, Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
    Another feminine name with manly game! Mercilus has the potential to be legendary, though raw.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- DT, Dontari Poe, Memphis
     This pick could easily be Dre Kirkpatrick, but anchoring the defensive line is a much more pressing matter considering all the talent at corner in the second round.

22. Cleveland Browns- WR, Kendall Wright, Baylor
     The Brownies get cute and try to get as many weapons for Colt McCoy as possible. Wright has below average speed but is a good route runner. This may be the "We tried to get him help, but he just wasn't good enough" pick in the draft. If McCoy fails this season, expect a new face at quarterback.

23. Detroit Lions- T, Mike Adams, Ohio State
     The offensive line needs to get younger, and needs has a reason to protect 5,000 yd. passer Matthew Stafford from any harm whatsoever.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- LB, Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
     With salary cap-cutting moves costing the Steelers linebacker James Farrior, and with the always possible James Harrison getting suspended for an illegal hit, Hightower makes sense here.

25. Denver Broncos- DE, Michael Brockers, LSU
     Could also go to the Bengals at 21, or the Steelers. He has fallen from the top 15 for no apparent reason, and on potential alone, should be a top 10 pick. Brockers fills the gap created by the departure of Broderick Bunkley.

26. Houston Texans- WR, Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech
     Houston picks the speedy but inexperienced receiver to pair with perennial Pro Bowler Andre Johnson. This pick also gives the Texans two wide receivers taller than 6'3- a nightmare for defensive coordinators everywhere.

27. New England Patriots-CB, Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama State
     Risky pick, and I think I'm the only one who has this happening. On talent alone, Jenkins is a top 15 pick, with all the baggage, (criminal record, multiple children) he's a second rounder at best. New England has a way of taking risks on players with character issues and turning them into valuable  players on championship teams.

28. Green Bay Packers-DT, Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
     Last year's defense was anemic. With the departure of defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins, the Packers need a big man to fill a gigantic hole.

29. Baltimore Ravens-C, Peter Konz, Wisconsin
    Matt Birk, the NFL's reigning Man of the Year, is old and contemplated retirement. He may be playing on borrowed time as it is, and Konz will be the perfect replacement. He can sit behind the Harvard educated Birk for this season and learn from him.

30. San Francisco 49ers-TE, Coby Fleener, Stanford
     49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh coached Fleener for four years at Stanford, so no coach knows him better. Plus, two tight end attacks are all the rage in the NFL, and pairing Vernon Davis with Fleener is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

31. New England Patriots- OLB/DE, Nick Perry, USC
     The Patriots have to put together a defensive line. They have to. Perry is a great value at 31 and can start immediately due to injuries.

32. New York Giants- S, Harrison Smith, Notre Dame
     The reigning Super Bowl winners have a strong defense, but Smith will put them over the top with his ability to play both safety positions, for he has the speed to play free safety and the tackling ability and strength to play strong safety.

Images retrieved from: www.vikingsfootballhome.blogspot.com, www.thexlog.com,www.giantsgab.com, www.sportstalk.triblive.com, www.sports.yahoo.com, chicagonow.com, and www.nflmocks.com

And These Two Belong To The Reds!

     Today is a good day to be a Reds fan! The Cincinnati Reds, one of baseball's most storied franchises, have finally committed themselves to long term success. They have torn down the Berlin-esque wall that has separated high-rollers like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and the Philidelphia Phillies, from the small market teams like themselves and has prevented them from becoming annual contenders. By committing to winning now through big trades and free agent signings, general manager Walt Jocketty finally got Reds owner Bob Castellini to open up his checkbook. He made waves by signing star first baseman and former MVP Joey Votto to one of the biggest contracts in baseball history. This is just another move made by the front office to keep a young, and most importantly productive, core together, as slugging right fielder Jay Bruce was signed to a deal worth over $60 million a year ago.

     However, this is not the first time Cincinnati has made history with a large contract.  They were the first team to sign a player to a $100,000 contract, that player being the legendary Pete Rose. Times have since changed, and only recently have the Reds been taken as serious contenders in a parity filled NL Central division. No one expected a deal like this to happen, and even the most hopeful Reds fans were crying out to trade Votto before he left in free agency. Deals like Votto for Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista were supposedly discussed, but no. Votto embodies Cincinnati and symbolizes the rebirth of the Reds. His value to the city was just too much to let go.

     As the iconic Billy Mays said, "But wait, there's more!" The Reds have just resigned second baseman Brandon Phillips to a six year deal. Phillips, a former NL All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner, has been a staple in the lineup due to his skill at the plate and his ablility to hit anywhere in the order. However, the $71,000,000 price tag is a reason for pause. Second baseman don't age well, and at 31 years old, Phillips can only get worse. Say hello to $15 beers at Great American Ball Park, my friends.

     In conclusion, I believe that the moves the Reds made over the last few months have set the foundation for a dynasty. I predict that, provided they win the division this season, that they will reach the NLCS, but lose, though the team's outlook is much brighter for the upcoming seasons.

Image retrieved from: www.fleetwoodsounds.com, www.blog.newsock.com, and www.baseballsblackheritage.com

40 Yards and a Whole Bunch of Nothing

     I love NFL Draft Combine. I really do. It's a time for players you've watch for years in college make a name for themselves and become first round studs. However, the whole process the NFL scouts go through to pick their players is exhausting and could be made dramatically easier. Look, you may sit and read the paper or ESPN about how wonderful a particular player is or how well he'd fit into your team's offensive or defensive scheme, but in reality, no one has any idea what their talking about. They're analysts, not experts. They're the guys who thought JaMarcus Russell would be throwing for 4,000 yards every year rather than dropping codeine and getting accused of a felony, though he was not convicted. The combine, which I may or may not begin to refer to as the Underwear Olympics, has a trademark "activity," the 40 yard dash.

     To many scouts, it is the all-powerful measurement of talent, brains, fitness, and whatever else you can get from twenty somethings running around in their underwear. The late Al Davis (At Left) had a proven track record of always picking the fastest player, based on their official 40 time, in the draft, which is odd, mainly because Al Davis looked like a zombie, and zombies usually want to hang out (can zombies even do that???) with their slow moving brethren. As anyone would predict, this soon became a problem, so much so that Raiders scouts would add on time to the faster but less talented athletes and make the more talented but slower players look faster. The Al Davis scenario, though extreme, is not uncommon in the NFL. I've seen so many talented players get knocked down into the second and third rounds simply because they were a few hundredths of a second behind what was expected.
   For a modern example, Alabama running back Trent Richardson was supposedly thrown from the lofty mountaintop that is the top five picks of the draft to the murky depths of the top ten, just because he ran a forty yard dash at a speed any weekend warrior would kill to have. The problem, obviously, was that he was too slow. Richardson is undoubtedly one of the best running back prospects in years, so much so that I would venture to guess that if this draft was held in 1990, he would have a shot to be the first overall pick. But, because he was a few hundredths of a second off the expected, he has seen his stock drop a tad. There's not even proof he was slower. The forty is about as inexact as a congress economic plan, as the scouts test a runner by hand with a stopwatch, and then they all group together to find an average, which will become the "official" time.

     In reality, the forty is almost useless. Nobody really cares how fast a 400 lb. lineman can run forty yards, yet we still have to watch him try to survive without getting a hernia. It is very rare for a player, regardless of position, to run in a straight line for one hundred twenty feet, yet we still test it. A better measure of true speed is the shuttle run or the agility cone drills, not the forty. If scouts put less stock into how fast a player can run and more into his character, strength, talent and overall how well the player would fit into a give team, then maybe sports writers can start calling themselves experts again and the teams could actually get some picks right. 

Images from: www.blog.stack.com, www.score670.com, and www.whodeyfans.com

Forever A Colt

     March 7, 2012, a day that will live in infamy throughout the sports world. It signifies the death of a legend and the beginning of something foreign and incomprehensible. Peyton Manning was released on March 7, 2012, and parted ways with the Indianapolis Colts after over a decade of providing stability and prosperity. Colts owner Bill Polian and Manning staged a press conference, and each of them realized that this was an unfortunate necessity, and that they must move on. Manning gave a moving speech, in which he stated that, "I've been a Colt for almost all my adult life. But I guess in life and in sports, we all know that nothing lasts forever. Times change, circumstances change, and that's the reality of playing in the NFL....I haven't thought yet about where I'll play, but I have thought a lot about where I've been. And I've truly been blessed. I've been blessed to play here. I've been blessed to be in the NFL. "And as I go, I go with just a few words left to say, a few words I want to address to Colts fans everywhere. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I truly have enjoyed being your quarterback. Thank you."

     His being cut leaves the Colts with one option-to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, (At Left) who, ironically, has been compared to Manning for many years. He's the Colts only hope. They have gone into full-on rebuilding mode by cutting former All-Star tight end Dallas Clark, and the perennial disappointment we call Joseph Addai. Let's hope Irsay didn't screw this one up. His father is forever infamous as the guy who moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis overnight without so much as a goodbye. I can only imagine how bad the backlash would become if Manning wins a Super Bowl with the Broncos...or five.

     Manning has since moved on now. He signed a deal with the Denver Broncos worth $96,000,000. But why? Well, as I stated in the last post, the Miami Dolphins were to dumb to even concoct a vaguely intelligent plan, and I instantly ruled them out. The Redskins were out early by essentially trading for Robert Griffin III. The Arizona Cardinals commit to their quarterback, Kevin Kolb, by giving him a huge roster bonus. The slimming of the field left only the Tennessee Titans, whose head coach blocked for Manning's father Archie, The Denver Broncos, and the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are undoubtedly the best team out of the three, but Manning didn't chose them. Why? Manning has always stated that it would be his dream to play against his brother, Eli Manning, in the Super Bowl. The 49ers are in the same conference as the Giants, so signing with them would permanently eliminate any chance of that dream becoming reality. I was really pulling for the Titans to swoop in and grab Manning. What would be better than seeing him and dynamic running back Chris Johnson playing against the Colts in a divisional game? But the Titans had a weakness, and that may have been their strength-that they were in the same division as the Indianapolis Colts. Manning seems too nice and not bitter enough to torment his former employer.

     That leaves the Denver Broncos, whom I predicted to win this twisted March Madness competition at its conception. I don't know why. I just did. It seemed right.  They had the polarizing freakazoid athlete that we call Tim Tebow, who has just been traded for a 4th round pick to the New York Jets, but that didn't stop legend John Elway from getting his man. The Broncos have a suspect defense at best, and really lacked the offensive weapons to do anything. If Manning wanted offensive weapons he'd have signed with the Cardinals or 49ers. But he didn't. As mentioned above, he signed with them for $96,000,000. We saw what happened when a largely unchanged Colts team lost Manning. Now we can see what happens when a playoff team gets him. Manning will forever be an Indianapolis Colt, and we can see that even he realizes that. I mean, look at the picture at left. He doesn't look to happy. I can only wish him the best in the future. Just know, Peyton Manning, to me and all the sports world, you will always....ALWAYS...be an Indianapolis Colt.

Images from: http://nflspinzone.com/2011/10/24/miami-dolphins-indianapolis-colts-continue-to-suck-for-luck/ and www.thephinsider.com and www.content.usatoday.com

Stoopidity: A Tale of the Miami Dolphins

     One of the best players in the history of the NFL becomes available, you have the cap space, you have the offensive weapons, you have the offensive line to protect him, you have the weather, hell, the player even has a HOUSE in your city, and most importantly, you need him. But, in your infinite stupidity, you trade your best player for next to nothing, essentially taking yourself out of the bidding war. 

   In case you're wondering who this player is and what team could commit such atrocities against the Church of Common Sense, it's quarterback Peyton Manning and the team is the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins had a great wideout in Brandon Marshall, as only Wes Welker has had more catches over the last 5 years. They had a need at quarterback, as draft bust Chad Henne signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They even have former first overall draft pick Jake Long anchoring one of the league's better offensive lines. Yet, with no clear alternative, they traded the aforementioned Marshall to the Chicago Bears for two third-round picks, far below the market value for a player of his caliber. The draft picks they received in the deal won't even get them one of this year's top-tier quarterback, so they have to go for a free agent.   They had no other proven and viable option at quarterback for the 2013 season except for Manning, yet Miami's GM decided to shoot himself in the foot when he may have well had a substantial advantage. We may as well start calling them the Miami Dumbphins. The draft picks they received in the deal won't even get them one of this year's top-tier quarterback, so they have to go for a free agent.

     The Dumbphins may go and overspend for a quarterback in free agency not named Manning. Take Matt Flynn for example. The former LSU starter has only started one game this season, but in it, he set Green Bay Packers records by throwing for over 480 yards and passing touchdowns, creating speculation as to whether or not the Packers would use the franchise tag on a backup quarterback. They did not, and it is believed that he will become very rich very quickly this offseason, taking advantage of an overly eager and excited owner. But all is not lost. If the Dumbphins get smart again, they could trade down from the eighth overall pick to stockpile picks for later on in the draft. They could grab a quarterback prospect like Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, or Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, and have some more picks in the early second round or late first to grab a wide receiver. That's the ideal situation. It is more likely for Miami to overspend on Matt Flynn then to trade down in the draft and do as suggested above. The Dolphins will either have to convince Peyton Manning to sign with them based on the promise of drafting a wide receiver, or simply go for someone else. As depicted above...you wish.

Image from: http://www.johnaswinford.com
   

Big Problems

     Athletes are accused of crimes all of the time, whether it be for simple battery, tax evasion, or even drug dealing. These players are usually acting alone and their respective teams not liable However, the recent allegations of the New Orleans Saints having a bounty program, which pays defensive players for injuries they cause to offensive opponents, could have the whole organization in unparalleled legal trouble. Potential charges range from conspiracy to potential tax evasion. On  article from Sports Illustrated has stated that as many as 7 different types of crimes could be brought to court against the Saints.

      The most obvious is battery, which is the intentional and unlawful causing of physical harm to an individual. In Louisiana, it is simply the intentional causing of severe pain. One might argue that this charge is unreasonable, as players play football accepting that severe injury is a possibility, but players do not expect an injury, rather than the stopping of the ball, to be the main target of a tackle. There's a line between stopping the player, and slaughtering him, and payment for the injury of another definitely crosses that line, constituting the said charges. In the NFC Championship game a few years ago, Saints captain Johnathan Vilma supposedly offered $10,0000 to anyone whom knocked quarterback Brett Favre out of the game. He was hit late, bashed in the head, and crushed on running plays when he didn't even have the ball. Saints players as a whole were fined over $25,000 for plays made on that day. Lousiana state law states that causing intentional and severe harm to another person is classified as batter. A cart-off, where the player is so incapacitated he needs to be carted off the field, was awarded over $1,000, which, if the tackle was intended to injure, would raise the severity of the crime to second degree battery.

    Let's assume a player, John X. Doe, was found guilty of battery. The player who was battered, and his family, could press a personal injury claim against Mr. Doe, because the hit delivered was intended to be injurous, and no player expects to be the target of a hitman while on the field. It is very likely that the John Doe would have to pay for the battered player's medical bills, lost salary due to missed time, and other monetary retribution.

    If players were convicted of battery, then all the other players involved, along with then coordinator Gregg Williams, would be vunerable to a conspiracy charge. Conspiracy, by its legal definition, is the agreement between two or more separate parties to commit a crime. In this case, the crime would be battery, and it is a near guarentee that a conspiracy charge would be brought against the aforementioned parties if players were found guilty of battery.  Even if certain people, like head coach Sean Payton, did not participate in this system, they could be charged with negligence because they showed a disregard for the wellbeing and safety of others.

     Another, less obvious charge that could follow would be tax evasion. If the players accepted payments for injuries caused, they may have not paid taxes for them, even if they were "ill gotten." I wouldn't be surprised if the IRS is keeping its evil, all-seeing eye fixed right on the New Orleans Saints.

     These recent allegations have the New Orleans Saints and the other teams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has coached in hot water. It is likely that the Saints will be docked draft picks, have players involved be suspended, and monetary fines. Add in the legal ramifications and possible six month jail sentences for battery, this is truly an unprecedented case of what goes on behind the scenes in the NFL.

Images from: www.nola.com, www.msnbc.com, and www.newsrealblog.com

A Guilty Man Walks Free

     A guilty athlete walks into a courtroom, and everyone thinks, no, everyone KNOWS, he's guilty, yet he walks free. Sounds familiar, right? And the most surprising of all, this athlete isn't OJ Simpson. He's Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. He tore through the 2011 season, hitting over 30 home runs and stealing over 30 bases, eventually winning the MVP over the Dodger's Matt Kemp, whom I think was the more deserving candidate (Kemp had more hits, home runs, stolen bases, runs batted in, and walks, so pretty much every category that mattered). However, after a drug test, Braun was found to have a 20:1 testosterone ratio, a clear sign that he was doping throughout the season, and to top it all of, the testosterone was synthetic, so it was impossible for him to claim it was natural or even caused by medicine, as no prescription can exponentially increase testosterone levels as astronomically high as his were. He was sentenced to serve a 50 game suspension by Major League Baseball, and he said he would fight the suspension in court.
    
     The Brewers were fully expecting to go the aforementioned first 50 games of the season, and were prepared to do so, but Braun kept promising he'd get the suspension lifted. Nobody questioned the validity of the results, only the way they were retrieved. In the trial to get the suspension lifted, Ryan Braun never, ever, said he wasn't guilty. He even agreed that the urine had sky-high testosterone levels.

     He went to trial, and instead of arguing that there was a reasonable explanation for having more testosterone than normal, such as a side effect of prescription drugs or tainted food, he argued that the sample wasn't shipped on time. Instead of being shipped immediately after testing due to the fact the local FedEx was closed, it was stored in a refrigerator and then shipped a day later. Testing by the World Anti-Doping Association has shown that the brief time in the fridge has no effect whatsoever on increasing testosterone or even tainting the results of a urine sample test at all, so Braun's entire argument was built on a technicality. Still, the technicality was an exception, and Ryan Braun was reinstated and the penalty was removed. The MLB has released a statement claiming it "Vehemently disagrees," with the findings, but it is now out of their hands. Braun found a loophole. It doesn't matter though, his name will always be sullied as the one that got away, the OJ Simpson of baseball doping, and most importantly, the guilty man who walks away free.

Image From: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1000050/13/50/index.htm

Never the Same

     LeBron James has been permanently labeled as THE villain of not just the NBA, but the entire American sports universe...except in Miami. He is the only member of "Most Disliked Athletes in America" list to be completely scandal-free or not an ex-husband of Kim Kardashian, ranking right up there with Tiger Woods and Michael Vick, showing just how much people love to hate LeBron. It started off like a storybook, the highly touted phenom goes to play in his hometown, wins a bunch of games and gets to the championship series, albeit they lost both times they got there. During his stay in Cleveland, which is definitely not the most interesting place in world, trust me on this, I've been there, he won the MVP twice. He was the toast of the town, singlehandedly turning the moribund Cavs into perennial contenders. The key word, of course, is singlehandedly, as James never actually found a decent Scottie Pippen to play to his Jordan. This is when the story starts getting rocky, as Cavs owner Dan Gilbert tried to bring in premeir talent to appease him, knowing that if he couldn't get a suitable sidekick, James would leave. Gilbert, owner of Fathead, tried bringing in Hall of Famers, like center Shaquille O'Neal, and former stars, such as point guard Baron Davis and forward Antwan Jamison, but nothing worked.

     James was suddenly in high demand, and celebrities like rap mogul Jay-Z were courting him with their fame, most notably in the song Empire State of Mind. Ohio governors event went on to write a cover of Michael Jackson's We are the World titled Please Stay LeBron. The tension was obvious as the final season of his contract drawing to a close, and James was going to report is contract on a TV special known as "The Decision." Rumors swirled that Cleveland was the frontrunner and the Cavs even fired their coach in an effort to sign James, then New York, then New Jersey, even Dallas, but he eventually said the line that will live forever in infamy..."I'm taking my talents to South Beach." Riots ensued, James jerseys went up in flames, and the price of a LeBron James Fathead was set at $17.41, representing the year Revolutionary War turncoat Benedict Arnold was born. A book titled The Whore of Akron was written about him. For me, it didn't matter as much that he left, I mean, we all saw it coming, but how he actually did it. It was like a slap in the face for fans around the world. James and the Heat only made things worse when they set the bar for failure at winning fewer than seven championships. They came close to ring number one last season, but they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

     However, James' deal expires in potentially two years and at most four, and he has recently stated how interested he is in returning to Cleveland. However, it wouldn't be the magic cure-all he will need to save his legacy of the hometown hero. He hopes that if he returns the fans will welcome him, and even if they do, he will always be the guy who screwed his hometown over and tried to come back, kind of like that friend who goes to hangout with someone cooler, then comes back after a while and tries to be your friend again, long after you have moved on. No matter how many championships LeBron James would win if he returned to Cleveland, it would never be the same or have the same value compared to if he had never left. His legacy is forever scarred with the indelible stigma only a traitor, and to top it all of, a golddigger, can have.

Images from: www.someecards.com and www.travel-newyork.org

Just Do It

     Almost 4 years ago, right handed pitcher A.J. Burnett signed with the New York Yankees for 5 years and $82.5 million dollars. At the time it was signed, Burnett was coming off a season in which he won 18 games and struck out 231 batters, best in the American League, and the signing was deemed a very good one, albeit and an expensive one for such an injury-prone starter. In the first year of his contract, Burnett was good, not great, winning only 13 games. The following years were a nightmare for him and Yankees fans everywhere. His earned run average skyrocketed to over 5 runs a game and he hit batters and threw wild pitches at an unparalleled pace, leading the lead with 19 of the former in 2010, and 25 of the latter last year. The only thing Burnett has achieved during his stay is becoming the highest paid 5th starter the league has ever seen. The only reason I can think of for Burnett's catastrophic fall is his environment, New York City and Yankee Stadium. He has pitched in the AL East for 5 years now, first with the Blue Jays, and now the Yankees, but thrived with the Jays, so division isn't a factor. Nor is the stadium, as his ERA+, or adjusted ERA to match the stadium, was below the league average by at least 13% in the last two years. The only reasons could be a change in mechanics or just a bad environment.

      Javier Vazquez was in a similar situation. When he pitched for the Marlins, he was amazing, but after going to the Big Apple, he floundered, on one occasion hitting 3 batters IN A ROW, tying the dubious major league record. It seems that he and Burnett just can't handle pitching for the most popular, scrutinized, and iconic organization in all of professional sports.

     Luckily for everyone, Burnett is being dangled in a trade. The Pittsburgh Pirates, always the bottom dwellers, reportedly are interested if and only if the Yankees eat most of his remaining salary, reportedly worth $33 million. Burnett could possibly veto the trade due to his moderated no-trade clause in his contract, in which he has chosen 10 teams he would never, ever, EVER, want to go to. It is very likely that Pittsburgh is one of those teams, due to their overall, for lack of a better word, suckishness. However, it may be in his best interest to go to the National League and pitch where expectations are low. The only team in his new division, the NL Central, that could potentially harm him would be the Cincinnati Reds.

Image Retrieved From : itsaboutthemoney.com

A Year in Review

Before I begin, I would like to address my posting, or lack thereof. In all honety, I am losing the motivation to continue on. I am coming to the realization that the blog is dying,as viewership and interest has remained essentially static, robbing me of the motivation necessary to proceed. But do not worry! I will continue on! I have more free time now, so I will be able to post more frequently, quite possibly every day.
Many months ago, the football world was in turmoil. The prospects of a season-long NFL lockout haunted fans across the nation. Owners fought with their players, pitting billionaires against their millionaire employees. Luckily, NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith and commissioner Roger Goodell made a deal creating labor peace for a decade. Teams either hit the ground running or were left gasping for breath, many using player-organized workouts as a way to keep in shape and build a rapport. The Green Bay Packers, were not one of these teams. They went 15-1, and took the lead by storm. However, perennial bottom-dwellers like the 49ers, Lions, and Bengals, were arguably bigger stories, all making the playoffs. The traditionally strong Colts stumbled to the first overall draft choice. The playoffs themselves were VERY exciting, the Denver Tebows beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on the first play in overtime. The potential of a Harbaugh Bowl, as both of the Harbaugh brothers coached teams in conference championships.
When the dust settled all came down to the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, who were playing for the deceased Myra Kraft, wife of owner Robert Kraft. The Giants forced Brady to intentionally ground the ball in the endzone, resulting in a safety. But the Pats came back and marched down the field before halftime to score. It got interesting in the 4th quarter, where gluehanded receivers Wes Welker and Deion Branch dropped game-changing passes that may have given the Giants the win. In the end, the Giants triumphed 21-17 in breathtaking fashion, a fitting end to a truly remarkable season.

The Heat of Battle

     When a player makes an out of character mistake in an important moment, it is often attributed to "the heat of battle." Now, that phrase has become a talking point for the US and the world. Young Marines took pictures of themselves urinating on the dead body of Taliban militants, and now, over a year later, they have been mysteriously leaked just as these soldiers are coming home.
    
     The first thing that comes to mind is, "Not again...." as these stories, though infrequent, linger in the air and tarnish the name of the greatest fighters on the planet Earth. Many have said that this is some kind of racism, and CAIR has all but agreed with that, essentially saying that they expect the soldiers to be punished to the extent of the law and beyond, when they themselves have no authority to punish, or even the right to talk about such punishments. These Marines were younger than 25 years old, they hardly old enough to drink alcohol, let alone put their lives on the line for our country, AND they were coming directly off the field of combat, where defeat means certain death, and winning simply means to fight another day and do it all again. I don't know what that feels like, and neither does CAIR, and neither does the vast majority of the world, yet we hold them accountable for a mistake made in the heat of battle. What hypocrisy!

     These Taliban fighters aren't a nation, they are a group of terrorist extremists, therefore they DO NOT receive any protection from any war crimes, so the actions were not necessarily illegal, albeit asinine. This was a mistake, and they know it, yet we cannot even begin to comprehend what it feels like to be in their shoes and barely survive a battle. This was blown completely out of proportion. These are KIDS... let them learn, not suffer.

Seeing Red

     On Tuesday, my hometown Cincinnati Reds added a top-tier arm to their bullpen. Walt Jockety signed closer Ryan Madson, formerly of the Phillies, for one year and just over $8,000,000, a great deal that has caused much of the baseball world to predict that the Reds will win the NL Central. Madson replaces Francisco Cordero, known to Cincinnati fans as "Uh-Oh", for his ERA has gradually gone up and always seems to put the lead in jeopardy. Madson, however, is the opposite posting a 2.37 ERA and saved 32 games, making him a valuable commodity to own.
    
     The Madson signing is not even the biggest or potentially the most beneficial to the Reds' hopes of winning the division. This offseason, the Reds front office has shown that THIS is the year they contend and make a run at the National League Pennant, and this was shown by their trading for Mat Latos, a hard throwing 24 year old ace who was a contender for the Cy Young award a few years ago. And on top of that, they traded one of the then expendable starters, lefty Travis Wood, to the division rival Chicago Cubs for reliever Sean Marshall, who will now create a formidable one-two punch with Madson in the 8th and 9th innings.

     Taking all these moves into account, I predict the Reds win the NL Central by 3.5 games, finishing with a record of 94-68.

Image Retrieved From: http://dailypostal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Ryan-Madson.jpg

Becoming Brady

     He steps up into the pocket, dodging the 400lb. missiles hurtling toward him, finds an open receiver down field and fires, putting the ball where only his man could catch it. The receiver catches the ball, and rumbles forward for a first down. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots has performed this drill many times over, whether it be in practice or in front of the masses. Last year's MVP has passed for over 5,000 yards this year, making many people wonder if he was ever human. After all, he is arguably the best quarterback in history, and is married to a supermodel. He was probably one of those highly-touted, and later highly-drafted prospects who never had to work and fight for a starting job, right? Wrong.
     Brady was an average college player his first two years at Michigan and had to compete with a freak athlete, one of those aformentioned highly touted prospects, Drew Henson. Henson played baseball and football in highschool, and according to his Michigan coach, "was the most talented quarterback I've been around." Henson's father used his son's rare and outstanding ability to play the MLB against college football coaches. Henson would always compete with Brady until that one fateful day. One man compared the two to Superman and Batman, saying that, "Batman doesn't have super powers, but he still believes he can whip Superman's ass." That was how Brady treated his stay at Michigan. He never complained, he never offered any excuses. He just worked. His passes suddenly became accurate, and his reads were nearly perfect. However, nobody wanted him.

     He was slow, and scouts believed he lacked armstrength, and as  result he plummeted to the 199th pick of the draft to the New England Patriots. There, he would have to wait for an injury to even have a chance, and he took it and ran with it. He never lost faith in himself. At Michigan, the seeds of a legend were planted, and Brady is still proving he deserves to start.

The Dust Has Settled

     The Week 17 dust has settled, and the madness has ensued. Today is 'Black Monday,' the day after the regular season is over and the day where the most firings occur. As predicted, Steve Spagnuolo and Raheem Morris, coaches of the Rams and Buccaneers respectively, have been fired, and their former employers have begun looking for suitable replacements. The Colts proved their futility, losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and have 'earned' the right to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (At Left in Colts Uniform) with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft, and the St. Louis Rams will pick second. However, Week 17 was also a good week. The Bengals, behind rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green, are back in the playoffs, and the Jets aren't. The always entertaining Rex Ryan, coach of the New York Jets and America's favorite loudmouth, couldn't lead his team to another AFC Championship Game, as he has for the last two seasons, and his usually stout defensive unit stumbled to a  fifth place finish and out of the top 3 where it usually ranks.

     Now that the season is over, I think now is the time to give out some awards...
MVP: Peyton Manning, QB Colts- The MVP is for the most valuable player, and Manning proved how valuable he was to the Colts by watching them fail epically without him.

Best QB: Drew Brees, Saints- Aaron Rodgers is on everyone else's lists, but he didn't play week 17, plus Drew Brees has a limited cast and still broke the record for most passing yards in a season.

Best RB: Ray Rice, Ravens: The Swiss Army Knife of the NFL, he rushed for over 1,000 yards, and had over 600 receiving yards.

Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton, QB, Panthers: Broke too many records to be ignored.

Image from: http://www.stampedeblue.com/2011/9/12/2420360/suck-for-luck-colts-bill-polian-scouted-andrew-luck-this-past-weekend

Plays of the Year

     Happy New Year! Now that 2011 has come and gone, I have decided to post the two best plays of the year, and I encourage you to post your favorite plays as well.

Number 2. Marshawn Lynch Touchdown Run VS. Saints

Number 1. Jerome Simpson VS. Cardinals