I can’t believe I have not written anything about Kliff Kingsbury. I am trying to get back into writing more, but it’s probably going to be a gradual process. As y’all probably already know, Kliff Kingsbury has come back to Lubbock, Texas, to lead the Red Raiders (hopefully to victory) as their new head coach. This video illustrates why so many Tech fans were eager to welcome back Kingsbury to West Texas.
(Source: http)
Cooperstown will always be missing something until Barry Bonds is inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is not the only extraordinary player absent from the Hall, but perhaps he is the most polarizing.
Bonds might not be a consensus choice anymore because of the choices he has made in his career. But, Cooperstown is not simply a collection of the greatest names in baseball. Cooperstown is a museum of baseball history. And there is no way baseball history can be told without mentioning the name Barry Bonds. Bonds represents all the excitement and wonder the Steroid Era brought, but also highlights the deceit and lies that seem to have corrupted the game of baseball.
Bonds’ story relates to so many others of the era. Players with the ability to play the game perfectly fine without any assistance, however the bulk of the notice goes to a couple of guys on the juice. So, to be noticed Bonds and others went to steroids.
Still, Bonds is different from the rest of those average players turned demigods. He was a first-ballot inductee before the steroids. When he was leadoff hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was a two-time MVP and the best player in the game. He stole 32 bases or more six times while leading the league in walks, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS+ in 1992. Plus, he finished with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 1990 and 1992.
Bonds then left for the Golden Gate Bridge where he won his third overall MVP and became the second player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases. He led the league in walks four times from 1994 to 1997. Not to mention, he hit more than 34 home runs in seven straight seasons despite blowing out his elbow in 1999.
Bonds accomplished all this before he allegedly began taking steroids in 2000. Most baseball players would be content with their careers if they had Bonds’ numbers in that 14-year span.
While Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were mediocre players at best before the steroids, McGwire was only good for home runs, and had no business being called a superstar without his steroids.
At least, Sosa was just as spectacular as Bonds when he was on steroids. However, without the steroids he did not play much better than a role player. Plus, this role player was a glaring defensive liability in right field.
So, if Barry Bonds cannot be in the Hall of Fame, then those in the Hall of Fame that took amphetamines, greenies, and other secret injections should be in Hall of Fame purgatory as well.
(Source: bleacherreport.com)
The 2012 Heisman race will be upperclassman-laded. This will not be year where a superstar will burst on to the scene as did Robert Griffin III. Instead, it will be a long marathon featuring the bluebloods of college football with its many ups and downs. I cannot wait for it all to unfold before us. But if I have anything to say about the Heisman race, these are the top three candidates and their journey for trophy:
Matt Barkley, QB, USC: Matt Barkley will become the Andrew Luck of the upcoming college football season. He might not be the can’t-miss prospect that will no matter be picked with the number one pick that Andrew Luck. But I am almost positive, like Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley will be in the top two of Heisman contention throughout the course of the season. Unlike Andrew Luck, Barkley will win the Heisman trophy. He is a smart, talented player that has all the skill to produce at an elite-level. But what pushes him the top of the list is that Matt Barkley has the fortune to throw to possibly the best collection of receivers in the nation headed by Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. Plus, USC will have a solid defense to allow Barkley a chance to win every game while also putting up good numbers. His entire run for the Heisman could be determined by his performances in the November 3rd showdown with the Oregon Ducks and in the Pac 12 championship game. If Matt Barkley performs as he is capable of doing as while winning, he should be the one hoisting the trophy up before they probably play in the national championship game.
Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin: There is virtually no way Montee Ball will match the record-tying season he just had. In the 2011 season he tied Barry Sanders’s record of 39 total touchdowns with 33 rushing touchdowns and 6 receiving touchdowns. Ball should have probably left for the NFL this season because he has accomplished pretty much all he could. If Montee Ball wishes to accomplish new feats for the Wisconsin Badgers he will have to pile on the beating has already taken, since there will be a new quarterback. So this could do nothing, but hurt his draft stock for the 2013 NFL Draft. However, despite all that I still believe he will have an extremely successful season. Montee Ball’s Heisman odds with take the same trajectory of outstanding candidates that have consistent production. So if several Heisman candidates falter he run away with the Heisman. But I predict Montee Ball to finish second or third in the Heisman voting.
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: The past couple of seasons Landry Jones has come out on fire just to fizzle out somewhere in the second half of the season. This upcoming season though, I expect Landry Jones to be steady with his statistics at the beginning. Just to then really bring it during the home stretch, much like Brandon Weeden did this past season. However, it is a flip of the coin to whether or not him and the Oklahoma Sooners get tripped up by a ridiculous team. It would not be too surprising though with how Oklahoma fell to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State without warning loss to Iowa State. So I only see two outcomes for Landry Jones in this upcoming Heisman, and those are he either wins or he is completely out of contention. Ultimately though, I do not see Landry Jones triumphantly hoisting up the coveted Heisman trophy in front of all of America.
(Source: tumblr.com)
How does Bryce Brown get drafted? I know he was only selected with the 229th overall pick in the seventh round. And can easily be cut if he does not show up to compete in training camp. Still, getting picked in the draft is an honor that he did not deserve.
Brown displayed no evidence of mental toughness, competitiveness, or work ethic in college. This is a player that at one time in his football career was considered by some better than Trent Richardson coming out of high school. This is the same Trent Richardson that was seen as being the best pure football player before the the NFL Draft by many.
Bryce Brown might have had a tumultuous college career, but that does not excuse him from being a complete no show. The only understandable portion of his bumpy career was his need to transfer to Kansas State University, in order, to take care of family problems in his hometown of Wichta, Kansas. However, he never showed the nation the player he was said to be. Instead, Bryce showed no fight or want to earn any amount of significant playing time. And if Bill Snyder, head coach of the Kansas State football team, believes you have nothing to give his team that highlights lack of intangibles needed to be a great player.
Eventually, Brown just completely quit on his team. Leaving his brother, Arthur Brown, and his quarterback, Colin Klein, to lead the team. Without Brown, they did just that. In their 2011-2012 season, the little-known Wildcats became a team to watch out for through the course of the season. Bill Snyder, Colin Klein, and Arthur Brown led the team all the way to an appearance in the Cotton Bowl against the Razorbacks of Arkansas.
There were so many other guys that deserved the joy of having their names called at Radio City Music Hall. Undrafted running backs like Marc Tyler, Tauren Poole, and Chris Polk. Luckily, Bryce Brown has the pleasure of having to compete with Chris Polk, a guy that should have easily been picked somewhere in the first four rounds. Now he will probably get to learn that this game called football cannot be played without some sort of hunger or dedication.
If he does not learn that lesson, it could be him at home eating potato chips watching NFL games thinking about what could have been if he had put in a little more effort. While, Chris Polk enjoys the feeling of earning his place on a NFL 52-man roster.
Happy 70th Birthday, Champ! And that is how we should always remember him. Not as a frail old man destroyed by the horrors of Parkinson. But as a Champ. Muhammad Ali personified the meaning of strength. A poignant young man that challenged the world. Being a voice for those who could not speak. Forcing us to take a deep and clear look at ourselves. Eventually, enacting tremendous change on us, our world, and ultimately life. But it cannot be forgotten that all these qualities would be for not if had not also been a great champion inside the ring. There is few people like him. But still there is only one Muhammad Ali, a champion inside and out.
If all men were compared to the standard that is Martin Luther King Jr. we would all fail. There has never been a man with such strength, love, and integrity to be an advocate for humanity. His selfless actions are what made America a place of Family, Fairness, and Freedom. A family that allows all of its children to come together and prosper. A fairness that provides the opportunity to all no matter their color, gender, age, or socioeconomic background to accomplish all of their dreams. And a freedom that no longer makes you a prisoner of what other people say you are and can do.
Many people, including me, cannot thank this man enough because if it were not for him thousands would not have the audacity to go for their dreams. But with the principles of family, fairness, and freedom Martin Luther King Jr. established millions have the audacity to reach for the stars and accomplished things they never wished of. So with family, fairness, and freedom I will continue to strive to accomplish my dreams. Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. by treating everyone I come across on my journey with dignity and respect. Hopefully, one day achieving my dream of becoming a journalist. But it will not stop. I will continue to push myself as a person inside and out.
If there is anybody on our planet that could beat Father Time I would bet that it is the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. At the beginning of the season, Kobe tore a ligament in his wrist. So many people, including myself, prepared themselves for the sharp decline of the great and often feared Kobe Bryant. But Kobe Bryant simply says, “Ligament, Shmigament,” to the torn ligament in his wrist. Bryant has started this season absolutely on fire. Right now he is on a streak of four forty point games, and I do not believe he has any plans on slowing down anytime soon. All I can do to describe what he is doing at this stage is use the word, “Unbelievable.” If Kobe is able to keep this up I completely expect him to win the scoring title and the MVP. However, if he is able to win his sixth NBA championship it will probably his greatest feat. And there will be serious argument to whether or not the Black Mamba is the greatest Laker ever. Perhaps he should also be proclaimed the NBA’s Chuck Norris.
C’mon Dallas Mavericks! You’re the 2011 NBA Champs and you cannot afford some security. Mark Cuban is a billionaire. I am pretty sure he has more than enough money to pay for a douchebag deterrent. It makes absolutely no sense. How can you let two douchebags disrespect Vince Carter? Do I have to remind the Dallas Mavericks who Vince Carter? Vince Carter at one point in his career he was considered to be one of the best players in the NBA. Carter had such talent many said that he could become one of the greatest players that the NBA has ever witnessed. And even though he did not realize most of that potential a guy with an overpriced Supreme beanie should not get in his way. But still I have to admit it is funny that this could possibly happen to an NBA team.
(Source: tumblr.com)
Darron Thomas took flight for the last time when he and his fellow ducks beat the Wisconsin Badgers in an Instant Classic at the Rose Bowl. Many did not predict that game to be Thomas’s last. But it indeed is with Darron Thomas declaring Saturday that he will skip his senior season to have his name submitted into the 2012 NFL Draft.
At first thought, this declaration did not seem so wise. Thomas could have enjoyed his last year of eligibility continuing the Duck tradition of winning that him and his teammates started. As well as, strengthening those special bonds Darron has made as an Oregon Duck all while improving various mechanical errors in his throwing motion and etc.
But Thomas may have, in fact, had a stroke of genius with the decisions of notable quarterbacks, such as Matt Barkley and Landry Jones, to stay a their respective schools. Since it is basically a shot in the dark to who will be picked after Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III in this year’s draft. Not to mention Darron Thomas is coming into the league when the quarterback with dual threat capabilities has become en vogue with the likes of Cam Newton, Michael Vick, and even Aaron Rodgers.
So all I can really say is congratulation to you, Darron Thomas, and your confidence in your decision. Hopefully, your confidence in your decision stays strong through the crazy process you are about to go through to become an NFL quarterback.
Tim Tebow please beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, tonight. Imagine all the craziness you would cause if you do. Bostonians everywhere would be on suicide watch. Tom Brady would lose Gisele Bundchen, and even worse he would lose his Uggs endorsement. Not to mention my beloved four letter network, ESPN, would have a meltdown. Just because you, Timothy Richard Tebow, do everything in your power to do two things, be a great human being and win. There is nothing better than seeing people freak out trying to explain something that cannot be explained.
(Source: tumblr.com)
