Kobe Bryant deserves the most valuable player award not because of his accomplishments through out his career, it’s not a life time achievement award, but he deserves it because of how he led his team the entire 2007-08 NBA season.
Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James are all great players and make for good MVP arguments, but Bryant sits one step above.
Bryant averaged 28 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, and about 2 steals during the regular season and during the playoffs so far, which his Lakers have yet to lose a game, he is averaging 34 points, about 6 boards, 6 assists, a steal and a block.
In an earlier blog, I supported Bryant to win the MVP and I just wanted to remind every one of that blog.
I believe Stephen A. Smith said it best, “There are no weaknesses in his game.”
Congratulations Kobe!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The Hunger is Back!
All right, here’s the truth: The Bears drafted hunger, and it's going to show with their success in the 2008-09 season. The Bears are a running team and will most likely never have an aerial assault, so the Bears beefing up their weak offensive line and adding a proven, talented running back in the back field should be no surprise.
Former Illinois running back, Rashard Mendenhall, and former Virginia guard, Branden Albert, are the two players that every Chicago reporter and columnist talked about on the days preceding and proceeding the draft.
The Tribune’s Steve Rosenbloom said, “First round, right position, wrong player. Second round, right position, wrong player.”
The infamously pessimistic Sun-Times columnist, Jay Mariotti, said, “Wake up, Bears: Target Mendenhall, not OT. Forget safe play at tackle; local kid's the back to make offense go.”
That’s a good game plan: draft Mendenhall (when the Bears are all ready paying through the roof with Benson) and let him try to break four, five, or six tackles because there isn’t going to be any blocking. Why do you think Adrian Peterson had such an amazing year? Yes, he is a one-in-a-million talent, but he wouldn’t have mounted up the ridiculous rookie numbers with out one of the NFL’s best offensive lines in Minnesota, which is headed by All-Pro center Matt Birk. And Albert is a good offensive lineman and will emerge in a couple of season as a top offensive guard, but the Bears had a hole the size of Keith Traylor on the left side and they filled it with a true left side tackle in Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams. Sorry, but the game is won and lost in the trenches, and that is what the Bears addressed in Williams and in Arkansas defensive tackle Marcus Harrison.
In the second round, the Bears drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte who will push Benson to the maximum of his game or push him right out of Chicago, and in today’s NFL, a running back duo provides a change of pace and boosts the offensive energy.
As for the critics who cry about the Bears not drafting a quarterback, shhh, please, just shhh. Where is this great savior of a quarterback that is going to move the Bears offense? Tell me, where? Is it Louisville’s Brian Brohm? Or Michigan’s Chad Henne? Or how bout USC’s John David Booty? Give me a break. These guys might develop into decent quarterbacks down the road, but they are not going to fix the offensive woes of the Bears. Even if the Bears could have traded up to draft Boston College’s Matt Ryan, it wouldn’t have helped because they don’t have the other pieces in place. But, they do, however, have the pieces in place to be a ground and pound team with stellar defense that brought them a birth in the Super Bowl a couple of seasons ago.
As Sun-Times reporter, Brad Biggs titled one of his pieces, “A weekend to pass on passers.”
And look at the other players that Bears General Manager drafted: Vanderbilt possession receiver Earl Bennett, who will start at the slot position; LSU safety Craig Steltz, who will take over the starting job around week five due to his run support and ability to blitz off the corner; and Nebraska corner back Zack Bowman, who dropped in the draft because of knee injuries, but if he can stay healthy, he will be a huge support in the secondary, possibly at the nickel position.
The Bears later picks were decent and all fill a whole, including Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis, who the Bears will turn into a beast of a blocker. And forget all the commentary about character. These players will perform with a hunger and swagger that is motivated by their draft-day drop. If you look at it, every single one of the players the Bears drafted have something to prove, and they will do just that: prove the doubters wrong. The Bears drafted hunger.
All in all, the Bears draft day was bland, but absolutely necessary because they filled key positions with talented players that will help the Bears improve from a 7-9 record last year. Overall, Bears draft grade is a solid B+.
Former Illinois running back, Rashard Mendenhall, and former Virginia guard, Branden Albert, are the two players that every Chicago reporter and columnist talked about on the days preceding and proceeding the draft.
The Tribune’s Steve Rosenbloom said, “First round, right position, wrong player. Second round, right position, wrong player.”
The infamously pessimistic Sun-Times columnist, Jay Mariotti, said, “Wake up, Bears: Target Mendenhall, not OT. Forget safe play at tackle; local kid's the back to make offense go.”
That’s a good game plan: draft Mendenhall (when the Bears are all ready paying through the roof with Benson) and let him try to break four, five, or six tackles because there isn’t going to be any blocking. Why do you think Adrian Peterson had such an amazing year? Yes, he is a one-in-a-million talent, but he wouldn’t have mounted up the ridiculous rookie numbers with out one of the NFL’s best offensive lines in Minnesota, which is headed by All-Pro center Matt Birk. And Albert is a good offensive lineman and will emerge in a couple of season as a top offensive guard, but the Bears had a hole the size of Keith Traylor on the left side and they filled it with a true left side tackle in Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams. Sorry, but the game is won and lost in the trenches, and that is what the Bears addressed in Williams and in Arkansas defensive tackle Marcus Harrison.
In the second round, the Bears drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte who will push Benson to the maximum of his game or push him right out of Chicago, and in today’s NFL, a running back duo provides a change of pace and boosts the offensive energy.
As for the critics who cry about the Bears not drafting a quarterback, shhh, please, just shhh. Where is this great savior of a quarterback that is going to move the Bears offense? Tell me, where? Is it Louisville’s Brian Brohm? Or Michigan’s Chad Henne? Or how bout USC’s John David Booty? Give me a break. These guys might develop into decent quarterbacks down the road, but they are not going to fix the offensive woes of the Bears. Even if the Bears could have traded up to draft Boston College’s Matt Ryan, it wouldn’t have helped because they don’t have the other pieces in place. But, they do, however, have the pieces in place to be a ground and pound team with stellar defense that brought them a birth in the Super Bowl a couple of seasons ago.
As Sun-Times reporter, Brad Biggs titled one of his pieces, “A weekend to pass on passers.”
And look at the other players that Bears General Manager drafted: Vanderbilt possession receiver Earl Bennett, who will start at the slot position; LSU safety Craig Steltz, who will take over the starting job around week five due to his run support and ability to blitz off the corner; and Nebraska corner back Zack Bowman, who dropped in the draft because of knee injuries, but if he can stay healthy, he will be a huge support in the secondary, possibly at the nickel position.
The Bears later picks were decent and all fill a whole, including Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis, who the Bears will turn into a beast of a blocker. And forget all the commentary about character. These players will perform with a hunger and swagger that is motivated by their draft-day drop. If you look at it, every single one of the players the Bears drafted have something to prove, and they will do just that: prove the doubters wrong. The Bears drafted hunger.
All in all, the Bears draft day was bland, but absolutely necessary because they filled key positions with talented players that will help the Bears improve from a 7-9 record last year. Overall, Bears draft grade is a solid B+.
My literary world and sports world collide
All right, I had to share this with as many people as possible. I was reading ESPN the magazine about a month ago, a March edition, and to my surprise, and enjoyment, I found an opinion piece by Junot Diaz, the celebrated author of "Drown." I was overwhelmed that my literary world and my sports world had finally collided. So, in my Fiction Writing II course I was assigned to write a parody of Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis" and I wrote it with sports on the mind. I wanted to share a few excerpts from my parody with you, enjoy, and remember, this is FICTIONAL.
Samuel Sosuh awoke one beautiful sunny summer day in Chicago from pleasant dreams of another White Sox World Series victory and an explosion that incinerated Wrigley Field to find himself transformed into a diehard Cubs fan. No f-ing way, he thought as he searched his room walls for the poster of Paul Konerko.
As his eyes came into focus he saw Konerko’s aged facial features including his signature graying-goatee staring directly at him from his bedroom door. A fierce jealousy rushed through him and out of instinct he attempted to pounce on the poster but tripped on the side edge of his mattress and rolled into the door with a loud boom. He was about to stand up when an incredible, overpowering, lazy, ah-f-it force strangled him and kept him seated with his back resting upon the door. Not looking, he slothfully reached up behind him with his left hand and felt around for the poster material and eventually removed it from the door. The poster fell and wrapped over his head. A disgusting feeling curled his stomach as if someone had just thrown A.J Pierzysnki’s post game jock strap upon his head. He pinched the poster’s sides between the index finger and thumb from each hand as if it were contagious, brought it down to his lap and motioned to tear it in half. After one half-ass attempt, he realized he no longer possessed the physical strength to complete the task so he sighed deeply, put the poster face-down on the floor beside him and began to weep …
(Later on in the story)
Samuel’s roommates couldn’t understand what he was saying for he sounded like a guy who had been pounding back Old Style for the past six hours.
(Later on in the story)
Crap! Samuel thought, forgetting the game today was the first of the Cross-Town Classic at the Cell. How am I going to work today? I can’t sell beer today. There’s no way I’ll make it up and down the stairs. Plus, the Sox fans will see right through me. They’ll see the jealousy in my eyes, see my lazy, depressed motions, hear the drunken slur in my voice and they’ll KNOW. Even without seeing THE MARK, they’ll know. They’ll know that I’ve converted into a Northside, true-blue, ass-grabbing Cubbie lover! Samuel’s mind was racing.
(Remember that Samuel's speech is not understandable at this point in the story.)
A series of quick, softer knocks sounded on the door. Samuel figured it was his other roommate, Oswalt Geeyin. Samuel’s guess was verified when he heard Oz’s quick, barely understandable English laced with Spanish words: “Aye mane, whatchewdoing? Thaygom baygeens enunahora.”
“What did you say OZ?” Samuel responded.
“Whot?” Oz asked.
“What the hell did you just say?” Samuel asked.
“WHOT?” Oz asked again, this time louder.
(I have more, but will save the rest for a later time.)
Samuel Sosuh awoke one beautiful sunny summer day in Chicago from pleasant dreams of another White Sox World Series victory and an explosion that incinerated Wrigley Field to find himself transformed into a diehard Cubs fan. No f-ing way, he thought as he searched his room walls for the poster of Paul Konerko.
As his eyes came into focus he saw Konerko’s aged facial features including his signature graying-goatee staring directly at him from his bedroom door. A fierce jealousy rushed through him and out of instinct he attempted to pounce on the poster but tripped on the side edge of his mattress and rolled into the door with a loud boom. He was about to stand up when an incredible, overpowering, lazy, ah-f-it force strangled him and kept him seated with his back resting upon the door. Not looking, he slothfully reached up behind him with his left hand and felt around for the poster material and eventually removed it from the door. The poster fell and wrapped over his head. A disgusting feeling curled his stomach as if someone had just thrown A.J Pierzysnki’s post game jock strap upon his head. He pinched the poster’s sides between the index finger and thumb from each hand as if it were contagious, brought it down to his lap and motioned to tear it in half. After one half-ass attempt, he realized he no longer possessed the physical strength to complete the task so he sighed deeply, put the poster face-down on the floor beside him and began to weep …
(Later on in the story)
Samuel’s roommates couldn’t understand what he was saying for he sounded like a guy who had been pounding back Old Style for the past six hours.
(Later on in the story)
Crap! Samuel thought, forgetting the game today was the first of the Cross-Town Classic at the Cell. How am I going to work today? I can’t sell beer today. There’s no way I’ll make it up and down the stairs. Plus, the Sox fans will see right through me. They’ll see the jealousy in my eyes, see my lazy, depressed motions, hear the drunken slur in my voice and they’ll KNOW. Even without seeing THE MARK, they’ll know. They’ll know that I’ve converted into a Northside, true-blue, ass-grabbing Cubbie lover! Samuel’s mind was racing.
(Remember that Samuel's speech is not understandable at this point in the story.)
A series of quick, softer knocks sounded on the door. Samuel figured it was his other roommate, Oswalt Geeyin. Samuel’s guess was verified when he heard Oz’s quick, barely understandable English laced with Spanish words: “Aye mane, whatchewdoing? Thaygom baygeens enunahora.”
“What did you say OZ?” Samuel responded.
“Whot?” Oz asked.
“What the hell did you just say?” Samuel asked.
“WHOT?” Oz asked again, this time louder.
(I have more, but will save the rest for a later time.)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Welcome Back Golden Age of NBA
If you haven’t noticed, the golden age of men’s professional basketball is beginning anew.
It started way back in history, when the color barrier in the NBA was snapped in-half over the knee of a man named Earl Lloyd and tossed to the trash by a man named Sweetwater Clifton during the 1950-51 season. Then came Paul Arizin (“Pitchin’ Paul”), who managed to become a two-time scoring champ and win a championship as well as fit in two years of military service during his 10-year career. Bob Cousy came next followed by guys like Elgin Baylor, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Bill Russell, “Hondo” Havlicek, Willis Reed, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, “Pistol Pete”, George “The Iceman” Gervin, and a Doctor known simply as J. (I left many names off of this list due to time and page restraints, no disrespect.)
The guys listed above, and many not mentioned, paved the road for what happened next, the rivalries. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson … words can’t describe it. Then a man, at least I think he was man, named Michael Jordan came along and ruined the potential championship runs of guys like Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter; Isaiah “Zeke” Thomas and Lambeer; Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson and “Thunder” Dan; the entire city of Cleveland; Reggie Miller; Patrick Ewing and the brawlers in knickerbockers; and Malone, Stockton and Hornacek.
After an absence of legends and a disheartening strike year the glory days are back. We have the ring-less trio (The PGA Tour) in Bean town; a guy in San Antonio who simply refuses to lose; the behemoth and the captain paired up in Phoenix; the “king” in Cleveland; the pound-for-pound greatest and the mellow in Denver; the scrappers from Detroit; the fighter from L.A.; the young and the restless from Atlanta; the mirror of a past legendary couple in Utah; a superman in Orlando; and the “Have to see it to believe it” green hornet from New Orleans. (Again, a few have been left out, no disrespect.)
With a possible matchup of such rival magnitude and breathtaking talent between the Lakers and Celtics, there is no question that the golden years of the NBA are back. Sit back, enjoy and have plenty of paper towels to clean up the spills from mind-blowing performances.
It started way back in history, when the color barrier in the NBA was snapped in-half over the knee of a man named Earl Lloyd and tossed to the trash by a man named Sweetwater Clifton during the 1950-51 season. Then came Paul Arizin (“Pitchin’ Paul”), who managed to become a two-time scoring champ and win a championship as well as fit in two years of military service during his 10-year career. Bob Cousy came next followed by guys like Elgin Baylor, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Bill Russell, “Hondo” Havlicek, Willis Reed, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, “Pistol Pete”, George “The Iceman” Gervin, and a Doctor known simply as J. (I left many names off of this list due to time and page restraints, no disrespect.)
The guys listed above, and many not mentioned, paved the road for what happened next, the rivalries. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson … words can’t describe it. Then a man, at least I think he was man, named Michael Jordan came along and ruined the potential championship runs of guys like Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter; Isaiah “Zeke” Thomas and Lambeer; Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson and “Thunder” Dan; the entire city of Cleveland; Reggie Miller; Patrick Ewing and the brawlers in knickerbockers; and Malone, Stockton and Hornacek.
After an absence of legends and a disheartening strike year the glory days are back. We have the ring-less trio (The PGA Tour) in Bean town; a guy in San Antonio who simply refuses to lose; the behemoth and the captain paired up in Phoenix; the “king” in Cleveland; the pound-for-pound greatest and the mellow in Denver; the scrappers from Detroit; the fighter from L.A.; the young and the restless from Atlanta; the mirror of a past legendary couple in Utah; a superman in Orlando; and the “Have to see it to believe it” green hornet from New Orleans. (Again, a few have been left out, no disrespect.)
With a possible matchup of such rival magnitude and breathtaking talent between the Lakers and Celtics, there is no question that the golden years of the NBA are back. Sit back, enjoy and have plenty of paper towels to clean up the spills from mind-blowing performances.
She got game
Whether it’s a champagne bottle that she picked out of the garbage because Paul Konerko had taken a swig from it or if she’s simply having a conversation with a class, Melissa Isaacson is always a treat and full of handy tips for aspiring sports journalists.
Despite her composure and all of her wisdom, Isaacson can’t hide the fact that she is a female in a sports journalism world that is dominated by males. Isaacson admitted that it wasn’t easy for her to break into the profession, and that, at times, it still isn’t easy for a woman sports journalist.
Well, guys, unless you have been hibernating for the past few years you have noticed the increase in females in the realm of sports journalism and they’re here to stay, I mean, hey, they got game.
I was watching Isaacson on Wednesday night (April 23) on channel 37 or Comcast Sports Net and I was so excited to see her on television that I called my father and told him, “Dad, turn on 37. That’s the female sports writer that I met, that’s Isaacson.” Whether or not he was excited as I was, I don’t know, but I do know that there are females in this male dominated profession that can write it and say it better than most of the guys and Isaacson is one of them. If you ever want proof of this, watch Isaacson on Comcast Sports Net when she is the only woman on an all-male panel. She brings up some points that are …well…you have to watch to understand.
But, anyways, Isaacson visited our class last week and below are a few memorable quotes, enjoy.
Melissa Isaacson said the following:
“Best interview is a great conversation.”
“Don’t be afraid to bring yourself into an interview.”
“[During an interview], you’re trying to take down a subject’s defenses.”
“You can, as a writer, always say it better than your interview subject.”
And my personal favorite, “If you can put your heart on the page…people are going to get that.”
Despite her composure and all of her wisdom, Isaacson can’t hide the fact that she is a female in a sports journalism world that is dominated by males. Isaacson admitted that it wasn’t easy for her to break into the profession, and that, at times, it still isn’t easy for a woman sports journalist.
Well, guys, unless you have been hibernating for the past few years you have noticed the increase in females in the realm of sports journalism and they’re here to stay, I mean, hey, they got game.
I was watching Isaacson on Wednesday night (April 23) on channel 37 or Comcast Sports Net and I was so excited to see her on television that I called my father and told him, “Dad, turn on 37. That’s the female sports writer that I met, that’s Isaacson.” Whether or not he was excited as I was, I don’t know, but I do know that there are females in this male dominated profession that can write it and say it better than most of the guys and Isaacson is one of them. If you ever want proof of this, watch Isaacson on Comcast Sports Net when she is the only woman on an all-male panel. She brings up some points that are …well…you have to watch to understand.
But, anyways, Isaacson visited our class last week and below are a few memorable quotes, enjoy.
Melissa Isaacson said the following:
“Best interview is a great conversation.”
“Don’t be afraid to bring yourself into an interview.”
“[During an interview], you’re trying to take down a subject’s defenses.”
“You can, as a writer, always say it better than your interview subject.”
And my personal favorite, “If you can put your heart on the page…people are going to get that.”
Thursday, March 20, 2008
March Madness, why do we love you so?
Why is March Madness so popular? I awoke this morning and came to my computer screen with my huge cup-o-coffee, like I do every morning, and clicked on the Internet Explorer icon. My homepage is Yahoo. Every morning I look at the top news headlines on the left side of the page about one-third the way down.
So, on this morning, the first crazy-exciting day of March, instead of the news headlines they had the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament scores (when I wake up it’s about noon or so). So why is March Madness so popular?
Could it be because of the teams? The dominant no.1 seeds, the overrated no.1 seeds, the sneaky no.4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 seeds, the consistently tough no. 2 and 3 seeds, the cinderellas (which according to the latest motivational bell-ringing Nike commercial, shouldn’t be labeled cinderellas because they work hard). Or is it the true grit of the entire season, the heart of each and every coach and player and fan and relative and reporter?
I think we love this madness so much because we love to consider ourselves witnesses. Do you remember where you were when George Mason exemplified the cinderella? Where were you last season when the little school that could, Virginia Common-Wealth, upset the powerhouse Duke? We love to be witnesses. We love to see a player’s and coach’s heart left on the court and a fan’s tear on the seat. We love this madness because we love to see teams die hard.
So, on this morning, the first crazy-exciting day of March, instead of the news headlines they had the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament scores (when I wake up it’s about noon or so). So why is March Madness so popular?
Could it be because of the teams? The dominant no.1 seeds, the overrated no.1 seeds, the sneaky no.4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 seeds, the consistently tough no. 2 and 3 seeds, the cinderellas (which according to the latest motivational bell-ringing Nike commercial, shouldn’t be labeled cinderellas because they work hard). Or is it the true grit of the entire season, the heart of each and every coach and player and fan and relative and reporter?
I think we love this madness so much because we love to consider ourselves witnesses. Do you remember where you were when George Mason exemplified the cinderella? Where were you last season when the little school that could, Virginia Common-Wealth, upset the powerhouse Duke? We love to be witnesses. We love to see a player’s and coach’s heart left on the court and a fan’s tear on the seat. We love this madness because we love to see teams die hard.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Decision 2008: Kobe v. LeBron
The definition of the Most Valuable Player award is, simply put, if you were to remove that player from the team, how would that team play? Well, if you were to remove Kobe Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers, they would undoubtedly drop out of first place in their division and probably not make the playoffs. Now if you were to do the same thing with LeBron James the Cleveland Cavaliers would also fall out of playoff contention. So, who should be NBA’s 2008 MVP, Kobe or LeBron? Let’s look at the stat sheet.
We’ll start with LeBron. He’s averaging 30.6 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 7.6 assists per game, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot and 40.6 minutes per game.
Kobe is averaging 28.3 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game, 2 steals, .5 blocked shot and 38.4 minutes per game.
LeBron’s numbers are better in the most prominent statistical categories. So should he be crowned the most valuable player? I don’t think so.
Under LeBron’s leadership, the Cavaliers are 35-26 and will definitely make the playoffs, most likely as a number four seed. The Cavs are second in their division trailing Detroit and have a division record of 5-3. The Cavaliers play in a weak Eastern Conference and have a conference record of 19-14. If LeBron is the MVP that many are speculating him to be, why are the Cavs not at the top of their division?
Under Kobe’s leadership, the Lakers have the league’s best record at 43-18 and are headed for the no.1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Lakers are in first place in a division that consists of a playoff-bound Phoenix, 40-21 and an eighth-seed-bubble team, Golden State, 37-23, that upset no.1 ranked Dallas in last year’s postseason. The Lakers have a division record of 7-2.
So, I ask again, who should be the NBA’s 2008 MVP? Well, it’s definitely not an easy decision, more of a Gore v. Bush decision that is too close to call, but I’d have to give the prestigious award to Kobe Bryant with a potential recount in the near future.
The RRDP
Attention! Calling all competitive parents living out their athletic-shortcomings through their children, I have solved your problem and spared not only your dignity but your child’s humiliation. I call it, Royal Rumble for Disgruntled Parents, or RRDP.
RRDP will be adopted by all sporting events, including chess, ranging from the pee-wee leagues to varsity high school athletics. At halftime, intermission, or any other midway point that allows for a break in play, unhappy parents who feel obligated to vent can do so as long as they sign a waiver. Parents who volunteer, and sign that waiver, will then be asked to come down from the stands to the center of the playing field or court or rink at which time a ring with padding and boundaries will be set up to comfort any body slams, choke slams, rock bottoms or other vicious slams.
The length of the RRDP is limited to the length of break that the individual sporting event allows and if a winner is not decided by the time provided, the match will resume play after the sporting event has reached its conclusion, which would also provide the remaining RRDP volunteers for a break, a strategy process, and add more disgruntled motivation from witnessing the second half.
The RRDP will be refereed making sure no illegal blows or moves are used. Illegal blows or moves prohibited are, biting; private-part grabbing, twisting, pulling and hitting; and no hair pulling. Also, there is no body-padding or gear allowed, just parent versus parent. Tap-outs are allowed and must be adhered to. There is no limit on the number of volunteers and no gender, race, height, or weight qualifications, if you can scream and embarrass your child you are welcome.
RRDP will be adopted by all sporting events, including chess, ranging from the pee-wee leagues to varsity high school athletics. At halftime, intermission, or any other midway point that allows for a break in play, unhappy parents who feel obligated to vent can do so as long as they sign a waiver. Parents who volunteer, and sign that waiver, will then be asked to come down from the stands to the center of the playing field or court or rink at which time a ring with padding and boundaries will be set up to comfort any body slams, choke slams, rock bottoms or other vicious slams.
The length of the RRDP is limited to the length of break that the individual sporting event allows and if a winner is not decided by the time provided, the match will resume play after the sporting event has reached its conclusion, which would also provide the remaining RRDP volunteers for a break, a strategy process, and add more disgruntled motivation from witnessing the second half.
The RRDP will be refereed making sure no illegal blows or moves are used. Illegal blows or moves prohibited are, biting; private-part grabbing, twisting, pulling and hitting; and no hair pulling. Also, there is no body-padding or gear allowed, just parent versus parent. Tap-outs are allowed and must be adhered to. There is no limit on the number of volunteers and no gender, race, height, or weight qualifications, if you can scream and embarrass your child you are welcome.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Bears must learn from past draft mistakes
With a thin Free Agent market opening on Friday and the 2008 NFL draft right around the corner, Chicago Bears fans are wondering what General Manager Jerry Angelo will address in the draft. Hopefully, Angelo has learned from his past draft mistakes.
Angelo is known for his ability to draft productive defensive players but lacks in drafting productive offensive player personnel. It is said that the best way to learn is to look at the past, so let's take a look at the Bears' previous drafts and the successes and failures of each.
Let's begin our examination of the Bears' draft history when Angelo came aboard. Angelo became General Manager of the Bears on June 12, 2001. Considering Angelo wasn't around for the 2001 draft, we'll start with the 2002 draft.
In the first round Angelo selected Marc Colombo, an offensive tackle from Boston College. At the time it appeared to be a safe move considering the Bears were in desperate need of talented offensive lineman, much like the Bears are now. Sadly enough, Colombo didn't live up to his status of a first round pick and was eventually traded. In the fourth round of the draft, Angelo selected a defensive end from Florida University named Alex Brown. Brown has been one of the Bears most consistent players and has been an alternate for the NFC Pro Bowl team the past two seasons. Brown has recently signed a two-year contract extension. The other notables of the 2002 draft that are still on the team are Adrian Peterson, second string running back, and Terrence Metcalf, second string offensive guard and tackle. So the 2002 draft didn't help the Bears offensive abilities, especially considering not one of their picks through the first three rounds are still on the team. The Bears finished second to last in the entire NFC conference with a record of 4-12. On to the 2003 draft.
Angelo and the Bears had the number four pick in the draft but traded the fourth pick to the New York Jets to get the thirteenth and twenty-second picks in order to draft more players to fulfill their needs. Then Angelo traded the thirteenth pick to the New England Patriots to get the fourteenth pick and a later pick. With the fourteenth pick of the 2003 draft, Angelo selected Michael Haynes, a defensive end from Penn State. Haynes hasn't amounted to anything close that would justify him being a former first round pick and is no longer on the Bears roster. With the twenty-second pick of the first round, Angelo drafted a young quarterback from Florida University named Rex Grossman.
In the beginning of Grossman's career he was labeled "Glassman" for his consistent injury problems. When Grossman finally played an entire season, 2006, he took the Bears to the Super Bowl, but was labeled "turnoverasaurus" by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. Grossman has received much criticism during his tenure in Chicago and despite his poor play during the 2007 season; the Bears resigned him to a one-year extension.
Two of the best players on our defense, or that were on our defense, were selected in the 2003 draft. Charles "Peanut" Tillman, named rookie of the year by Sports Illustrated in 2003, was selected in the second round and Lance Briggs, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, was selected in the third round. The Bears finished the 2003 season ranked ninth in the NFC conference with a record of 7-9. Things are beginning to improve.
In the first round of the 2004 draft, Angelo selected Tommie Harris, a defensive tackle out of Oklahoma. Harris is a two-time Pro Bowler and is still improving; possibly Angelo's best first round pick since he's been a part of the Bears' organization. Also selected in the 2004 draft was defensive tackle Terry "Tank" Johnson, a second round pick that had talent but couldn't stay out of trouble with the law and is no longer with the Bears, wide receiver Bernard Berrian, a third round pick that has plenty of talent but no quarterback to throw him the ball and is now a restricted free agent, and Nathan Vasher who is a Pro Bowl corner back and still on the team. The Bears took a step backward in the 2004 season finishing fourteenth in the NFC conference with record of 5-11. Back to the drawing board Angelo.
In the first round of the 2005 draft, Angelo selected a running back from Texas University named Cedric Benson. Benson was an all-star player in college but as yet to prove his status as an elite NFL running back. Other notables from the 2005 draft were wide receiver Mark Bradley, a second round pick and currently number one receiver on the depth chart, and quarterback Kyle Orton, drafted in the fourth round and currently the number two quarterback on the depth chart. The Bears took a giant leap toward the success that the franchise had once been known for finishing second in the NFC conference with a record of 11-5. The Bears lost in the playoffs to the Carolina Panthers. A good season Angelo but the team can accomplish more.
The 2006 draft was used mostly for defensive players, most notably second round pick safety and cornerback Danieal Manning; second round pick cornerback and return man Devin Hester, a Pro Bowl return man that set a league record for most combined kick returns for touchdowns with 5; third round pick defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, a promising young player that has been plagued with injuries; and defensive end Mark Anderson, a fifth round pick that recorded the fourth-highest sack total by a rookie since 1982 with 12. The Bears topped their 2005 season with an NFC best 13-3 in 2006. The Bears success continued during the playoffs as they fought their way to the Super Bowl only to lose to future hall-of-fame quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The team was there Angelo, but something was obviously missing, perhaps a quarterback.
In the first round of the 2007 draft, Angelo selected tight end Greg Olsen from Miami (Fla.), who will be an electrifying player as soon as a quarterback can figure out how to get the ball in his hands. Other notables from last year's draft were Northern Illinois University running back Garrett Wolfe selected in the third round and hard-hitting safety Kevin Payne from Louisiana-Monroe taken in the fifth round.
So Angelo's history of drafting talented, productive offensive players especially in the first round has not by any means been successful. So with the 2008 NFL draft rapidly approaching, what should Angelo do?
According to ESPN draft analysts, this year's draft class has talent and depth in the offensive line position. Mel Kiper, ESPN's NFL draft expert, has the Bears, with the fourteenth pick, selecting Sam Baker, an offensive tackle from the University of Southern California. If this year's draft class has depth at the offensive line position, why wouldn't Angelo wait for possibly the second and third rounds to select an offensive guard and tackle, both of which the Bears are in need.
Having the fourteenth pick in the draft is a waiting game. Angelo is going to have to wait to see which prospects are taken and which ones are available. If Malcolm Kelly, wide receiver from Oklahoma, is available or wide receiver DeSean Jackson from California is available look for Angelo to snatch either one of those players because the Bears are in desperate need of a playmaking receiver considering the release of receiver Mushin Muhammed and the big-money seeking restricted free agent receiver Bernard Berrian.
We've learned that Angelo has a great eye for drafting talented and productive defensive players especially in later rounds but he has absolutely no vision, Jonathan Quinn vision, when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. Until Angelo corrects his "Jonathan Quinn vision" for drafting offensive players, and until he looks back on his drafting past and learns from it, Chicago Bears fans can be assured that the defense will soar and the offense won't score.
Angelo is known for his ability to draft productive defensive players but lacks in drafting productive offensive player personnel. It is said that the best way to learn is to look at the past, so let's take a look at the Bears' previous drafts and the successes and failures of each.
Let's begin our examination of the Bears' draft history when Angelo came aboard. Angelo became General Manager of the Bears on June 12, 2001. Considering Angelo wasn't around for the 2001 draft, we'll start with the 2002 draft.
In the first round Angelo selected Marc Colombo, an offensive tackle from Boston College. At the time it appeared to be a safe move considering the Bears were in desperate need of talented offensive lineman, much like the Bears are now. Sadly enough, Colombo didn't live up to his status of a first round pick and was eventually traded. In the fourth round of the draft, Angelo selected a defensive end from Florida University named Alex Brown. Brown has been one of the Bears most consistent players and has been an alternate for the NFC Pro Bowl team the past two seasons. Brown has recently signed a two-year contract extension. The other notables of the 2002 draft that are still on the team are Adrian Peterson, second string running back, and Terrence Metcalf, second string offensive guard and tackle. So the 2002 draft didn't help the Bears offensive abilities, especially considering not one of their picks through the first three rounds are still on the team. The Bears finished second to last in the entire NFC conference with a record of 4-12. On to the 2003 draft.
Angelo and the Bears had the number four pick in the draft but traded the fourth pick to the New York Jets to get the thirteenth and twenty-second picks in order to draft more players to fulfill their needs. Then Angelo traded the thirteenth pick to the New England Patriots to get the fourteenth pick and a later pick. With the fourteenth pick of the 2003 draft, Angelo selected Michael Haynes, a defensive end from Penn State. Haynes hasn't amounted to anything close that would justify him being a former first round pick and is no longer on the Bears roster. With the twenty-second pick of the first round, Angelo drafted a young quarterback from Florida University named Rex Grossman.
In the beginning of Grossman's career he was labeled "Glassman" for his consistent injury problems. When Grossman finally played an entire season, 2006, he took the Bears to the Super Bowl, but was labeled "turnoverasaurus" by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. Grossman has received much criticism during his tenure in Chicago and despite his poor play during the 2007 season; the Bears resigned him to a one-year extension.
Two of the best players on our defense, or that were on our defense, were selected in the 2003 draft. Charles "Peanut" Tillman, named rookie of the year by Sports Illustrated in 2003, was selected in the second round and Lance Briggs, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, was selected in the third round. The Bears finished the 2003 season ranked ninth in the NFC conference with a record of 7-9. Things are beginning to improve.
In the first round of the 2004 draft, Angelo selected Tommie Harris, a defensive tackle out of Oklahoma. Harris is a two-time Pro Bowler and is still improving; possibly Angelo's best first round pick since he's been a part of the Bears' organization. Also selected in the 2004 draft was defensive tackle Terry "Tank" Johnson, a second round pick that had talent but couldn't stay out of trouble with the law and is no longer with the Bears, wide receiver Bernard Berrian, a third round pick that has plenty of talent but no quarterback to throw him the ball and is now a restricted free agent, and Nathan Vasher who is a Pro Bowl corner back and still on the team. The Bears took a step backward in the 2004 season finishing fourteenth in the NFC conference with record of 5-11. Back to the drawing board Angelo.
In the first round of the 2005 draft, Angelo selected a running back from Texas University named Cedric Benson. Benson was an all-star player in college but as yet to prove his status as an elite NFL running back. Other notables from the 2005 draft were wide receiver Mark Bradley, a second round pick and currently number one receiver on the depth chart, and quarterback Kyle Orton, drafted in the fourth round and currently the number two quarterback on the depth chart. The Bears took a giant leap toward the success that the franchise had once been known for finishing second in the NFC conference with a record of 11-5. The Bears lost in the playoffs to the Carolina Panthers. A good season Angelo but the team can accomplish more.
The 2006 draft was used mostly for defensive players, most notably second round pick safety and cornerback Danieal Manning; second round pick cornerback and return man Devin Hester, a Pro Bowl return man that set a league record for most combined kick returns for touchdowns with 5; third round pick defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, a promising young player that has been plagued with injuries; and defensive end Mark Anderson, a fifth round pick that recorded the fourth-highest sack total by a rookie since 1982 with 12. The Bears topped their 2005 season with an NFC best 13-3 in 2006. The Bears success continued during the playoffs as they fought their way to the Super Bowl only to lose to future hall-of-fame quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The team was there Angelo, but something was obviously missing, perhaps a quarterback.
In the first round of the 2007 draft, Angelo selected tight end Greg Olsen from Miami (Fla.), who will be an electrifying player as soon as a quarterback can figure out how to get the ball in his hands. Other notables from last year's draft were Northern Illinois University running back Garrett Wolfe selected in the third round and hard-hitting safety Kevin Payne from Louisiana-Monroe taken in the fifth round.
So Angelo's history of drafting talented, productive offensive players especially in the first round has not by any means been successful. So with the 2008 NFL draft rapidly approaching, what should Angelo do?
According to ESPN draft analysts, this year's draft class has talent and depth in the offensive line position. Mel Kiper, ESPN's NFL draft expert, has the Bears, with the fourteenth pick, selecting Sam Baker, an offensive tackle from the University of Southern California. If this year's draft class has depth at the offensive line position, why wouldn't Angelo wait for possibly the second and third rounds to select an offensive guard and tackle, both of which the Bears are in need.
Having the fourteenth pick in the draft is a waiting game. Angelo is going to have to wait to see which prospects are taken and which ones are available. If Malcolm Kelly, wide receiver from Oklahoma, is available or wide receiver DeSean Jackson from California is available look for Angelo to snatch either one of those players because the Bears are in desperate need of a playmaking receiver considering the release of receiver Mushin Muhammed and the big-money seeking restricted free agent receiver Bernard Berrian.
We've learned that Angelo has a great eye for drafting talented and productive defensive players especially in later rounds but he has absolutely no vision, Jonathan Quinn vision, when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. Until Angelo corrects his "Jonathan Quinn vision" for drafting offensive players, and until he looks back on his drafting past and learns from it, Chicago Bears fans can be assured that the defense will soar and the offense won't score.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Mike Downey you're a writer not a comedian
This is in response to Mike Downey's piece on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Mr. Downey's piece, titled: "Winding up for some chin music," beginning on the front page of the Chicago Tribune newspaper and ending on page four, is an inappropriate satirical take of a fictional testimonial transcript of Roger Clemens testimony to the congressional committee, which at the time, was yet to occur.
Through this fictional testimonial transcript, Downey poses fake questions from the congressional committee and fake responses from Roger Clemens. Downey intended on creating a satirical piece on a seriously sensitive issue.
In the beginning of his fake transcript Downey pokes fun of Mark McGwire's and Sammy Sosa's testimonies from a few years back, which also concerned performance enhancing drugs. He proceeds to insult not only Roger Clemens but the congressional committee as well.
Speaking for the committee, Downey writes, "Well, what's this balderdash about you using steroids? I can't see how a big, strong boy like you could be on steroids and not hit even hit one home run, son." And the extra word "hit" is exactly what he wrote. But that's besides the point.
Is it to be understood by readers that Downey, a representative of the Chicago Tribune newspaper, finds the steroid issue comical?
If so, why would Downey take an issue that is tainting all of the sports world and joke about it? Are young athletes to interpret steroids use or any other performance enhancing drugs comically?
If not, than why jab fun at such a sensitive issue by creating a false testimonial transcript?
Near the end of his piece, speaking for the committee and answering for Clemens, Downey writes, "Will the Houston Astros ever win the World Series?" "No." "Will the Boston Red Sox win it again this year?" "Yes." "Is there any way for the Chicago Cubs to win a World Series?" "No, there aren't enough steroids in the whole world for that."
I understand where he is coming from and how tiresome this steroid issue can get, but there is a time and place to relieve fans with comedy and that place is not the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Downey's piece belongs in the Onion newspaper rather than on the front page of a major Chicago newspaper.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
FOX wins big broadcasting Super Bowl
By Super Bowl 50 the average NFL fan will most likely not remember which station Super Bowl 42 was broadcasted on but FOX will, merely because the money they produced from the game will still be circulating through the network and its shows. FOX is the big winner with its hand held high (think "Swingers").
So the Giants from New York won the Super Bowl, which in its conclusion seduced nearly 98 million viewers being the second highest viewed television program only behind the legendary television show "MASH."
It was averaged that each 30 second commercial spot during the Super Bowl was worth roughly $2.7 million. Some advertisements worked and benefited from the pricey tag and others didn't. FOX on the other hand had 20 advertisement spots during the commercial break not to mention what they advertised during the actual game. FOX even had a quick advertisement/commercial about how special their radar and weather doppler is. No joke.
So next year when the Super Bowl comes around think about the 2008 Super Bowl and remember: Despite who ever wins the game, the station broadcasting the Super Bowl is and always will be "the big winner." Of course, if the NFL decides to go pay-per-view or on-demand advertisers are going to be killing for commercial time, literally. But that's for another time. For now, don't forget about the 97.5 million viewers and the most watched Super Bowl ever, Super Bowl 42 brought to you by FOX.
So the Giants from New York won the Super Bowl, which in its conclusion seduced nearly 98 million viewers being the second highest viewed television program only behind the legendary television show "MASH."
It was averaged that each 30 second commercial spot during the Super Bowl was worth roughly $2.7 million. Some advertisements worked and benefited from the pricey tag and others didn't. FOX on the other hand had 20 advertisement spots during the commercial break not to mention what they advertised during the actual game. FOX even had a quick advertisement/commercial about how special their radar and weather doppler is. No joke.
So next year when the Super Bowl comes around think about the 2008 Super Bowl and remember: Despite who ever wins the game, the station broadcasting the Super Bowl is and always will be "the big winner." Of course, if the NFL decides to go pay-per-view or on-demand advertisers are going to be killing for commercial time, literally. But that's for another time. For now, don't forget about the 97.5 million viewers and the most watched Super Bowl ever, Super Bowl 42 brought to you by FOX.
O'Neal for Marion...oh yeah and Banks too.
On this date 15 years ago, a 20-year-old rookie for the Orlando Magic played a basketball game at Phoenix and ended up bringing down an entire basketball hoop. That rookie was Shaquille O’Neal and as fate would have it, last night O’Neal was traded to the Phoenix Suns. It was a three player deal in which Miami sent center Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.
So, who got the better deal? And I hate to disregard Marcus Banks, but the news is O’Neal for Marion plus some other guy. So, Miami with O’Neal have been a half court team with a slower tempo. Phoenix has been a fast tempo team and that’s what Marion has been used to. For the past three seasons, Miami with O’Neal have won one NBA Championship and have been first in their division each season. Through nearly half this year’s season Miami posts a hideous record of 9-38. Phoenix for the past three years has no Championships, but has been first in their division each season winning at least 54 or more games. Despite Phoenix accomplishments in the regular season they always fall short during the post season. Something is obviously missing. As for Miami, they need to forget about who’s in whose “fav five” and just play ball.
Marion has averaged a double-double throughout his nine year career scoring 18.4 points per game and pulling down 10 rebounds per game not to mention the near 40 minutes he plays a game. But the real value for these two teams has nothing to do with statistics, despite Marion being an all around better basketball player than O’Neal. The real value is the speed of the game. Phoenix with O’Neal on the court will have to slow down the tempo. Miami has the ability to speed it up now.
So who will benefit more? Phoenix will benefit from O’Neal’s ability to pass from the low post; also O’Neal is simply a presence. Miami will benefit from Marion’s athleticism, which will allow them to run the court and get easy baskets in transition. I think slowing down the tempo for Phoenix is going to hurt them in the immediate future, but once they get into the postseason after a grueling 82 game season perhaps the best way to win is to pound a team with O’Neal and once they’re tired bench O’Neal and speed up the tempo again. But in the long run, I believe Miami got the better deal because a duo with explosive athleticism combined with experience and unlimited scoring and defensive abilities like Wade’s and Marion’s can lead a team to championships. All Pat Riley needs to do is get the role players.
So, who got the better deal? And I hate to disregard Marcus Banks, but the news is O’Neal for Marion plus some other guy. So, Miami with O’Neal have been a half court team with a slower tempo. Phoenix has been a fast tempo team and that’s what Marion has been used to. For the past three seasons, Miami with O’Neal have won one NBA Championship and have been first in their division each season. Through nearly half this year’s season Miami posts a hideous record of 9-38. Phoenix for the past three years has no Championships, but has been first in their division each season winning at least 54 or more games. Despite Phoenix accomplishments in the regular season they always fall short during the post season. Something is obviously missing. As for Miami, they need to forget about who’s in whose “fav five” and just play ball.
Marion has averaged a double-double throughout his nine year career scoring 18.4 points per game and pulling down 10 rebounds per game not to mention the near 40 minutes he plays a game. But the real value for these two teams has nothing to do with statistics, despite Marion being an all around better basketball player than O’Neal. The real value is the speed of the game. Phoenix with O’Neal on the court will have to slow down the tempo. Miami has the ability to speed it up now.
So who will benefit more? Phoenix will benefit from O’Neal’s ability to pass from the low post; also O’Neal is simply a presence. Miami will benefit from Marion’s athleticism, which will allow them to run the court and get easy baskets in transition. I think slowing down the tempo for Phoenix is going to hurt them in the immediate future, but once they get into the postseason after a grueling 82 game season perhaps the best way to win is to pound a team with O’Neal and once they’re tired bench O’Neal and speed up the tempo again. But in the long run, I believe Miami got the better deal because a duo with explosive athleticism combined with experience and unlimited scoring and defensive abilities like Wade’s and Marion’s can lead a team to championships. All Pat Riley needs to do is get the role players.
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