The Buckeyes are LEGIT!!

Ohio State needs to get some respect. They don’t get enough credit for their success. They have a perfect record of 10-0. The schedule they play isn’t that tough but they are good enough to play any team and win. They played a great Wisconsin team and beat them by a good margin. OSU also beat Penn State which is a good team. The only quality opponent they play in the future is Michigan. Ohio State is projected to go into their second BCS title game and get killed. Ohio State beats anyone they play. Ohio State just lines up their opponent and beats them. They have won a “remarkable 28 consecutive regular season games and 20 in a row in conference, a Big Ten record.” http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AtUp4ZcehemMgDMsPHZ5_z8cvrYF?slug=dw-ohiostate110607&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
LSU, Oregon and West Virginia are talked about as one of the best teams in college football right now but they all lost to an average team who was an underdog. OSU backs up and puts a W on their record for every team they’ve played. Although OSU gets criticized for having an easy schedule because the helmets of its “four opponents spelled Y-A-W-N (Youngstown, Akron, Washington and Northwestern),” the buckeyes have backed up their play. http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/27986 Ohio State is a great football team and after they play against Michigan and get the W, all the critics will change their mind for disagreeing. It’s extremely hard to argue with facts and having a 28 regular season wins in a row is unreal. OSU, we will see you in the BCS title game!

Oh Kitna.. The Media Can Bash You Again!!

The quarterback for the Detroit Lions, Jon Kitna, decided it would be funny if he dressed up as defensive line coach Joe Cullen. Coach Cullen pleaded “no contest to disorderly conduct to impaired driving” twice last year when he was driving. The catch was that he was driving naked. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/31/bc.fbn.lions.kitna.scos.ap/index.html Kitna dressed up as a naked man with a Detroit visor on imitating his coach. Kitna regrets what he dressed up as and didn’t mean it to be insulting. The media is arguing against Kitna and saying that it was a poor choice on dressing up as a coach and mocking him. Kitna wasn’t trying to “demean Joe,” he was just trying to have fun. Coach Joe Cullen had to comment when the media asked about his thoughts. Even though the quarterback claims that he wasn’t trying to bring attention to Joe or that it wasn’t supposed to be mean I feel that there was a fine line and Kitna definitely crossed it! It’s Halloween and there are a million costumes Joe could’ve been, he didn’t have to mock a coach. Coach Cullen didn’t seem to have a problem with it but it’s the wrong thing to do. I don’t understand what’s funny to Jon when Cullen was sent to two years or probation and mandatory meetings of alcohol anonymous. http://www.newzfire.com/sports/kitna-dressed-up-as-naked-lions-coach-ap.html Jon Kitna has so much class and just showed the media that he can back up what he says. He promised Detroit ten wins and was starting to show that they have hope reaching it. The media was talking about how he was a bad quarterback and couldn’t back up what he said. He finally proved to the media do they stopped bashing him. Now they can bash him again. Kitna brought this on himself and deserves what he gets!

Goodell: Oh How Little You Really Know

Roger Goodell isn’t happy with the cable network that broadcast’s the National Football League games. The National Football League had a deal with Comcast Corporation to broadcast the games. Comcast corp. decided to make the games a package deal and the fans have to buy the package in order to see the games. Nine million people could see the games before this move was made. Now only one million can view the games. http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/25171 This isn’t the first time the NFL has had problems with a cable company. The NFL had issue with Time Warner Cable as well. Fans usually have Time Warner because they can offer more services to their home just by using one company. If they get Directv then the fans have to pay someone else more money for their internet service if they don't carry their cable service. The NFL are the greedy ones that came up with their own channel and then tried to make as much money as they could off of it. It’s the NFL’s fault. If they were really concerned about how many homes they reach and if the fans are getting what they want then they should have made it more reasonable for all companies to handle broadcasting their station instead of trying to strong arm people with their childish advertising bashing of companies that refuse to pay millions to put in on the airwaves. So, fans miss maybe a dozen games a year or so that they televise on the NFL network. Half of those fans wouldn't have watched even if they weren't on the NFL network so as far as I'm concerned the NFL can take their special little channel and keep moving. Goodell is making an issue out of something that the NFL created. He shouldn’t be able to point the finger at someone unless it’s pointing back at him.

Stern's New Idea

The NBA has a new idea which will increase the number of teams. The difference than any other team that has been created is these new teams will be in Europe. Six teams are being discussed on joining the NBA. The issue would be that the time zone adjustments wouldn’t be fair so teams would need enough time to adjust . The teams would be in the Euro Division and the teams would be in Italy, Spain, France, England, Turkey and Greece. The plane ride would be 8 hours so the league needs to establish a sense of fairness when taking everything into consideration. The season would be shortened to 70 games instead of 82 because of this adjustment. Stern feels that if they shortened the schedule it would be worth it because it would “add the global market to the league “.Stern’s argument is that “world has caught up” to the NBA. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Algr2H31tsf8q1ba4gF02EU5nYcB?slug=ks-europe101507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns. The NBA would spend 2 weeks before and after the all-star break to play the games. Although The NBA is already watered down in talent, these new teams would dilute the league even more. The past two MVPs came from Canada and Germany. There are so many great foreign players in the NBA that the future Dirk, Manu or Tony Parker can play with their own team and compete. Many Americans don’t think that the European teams will be able to contend. They will! They have so many good future players that will arise that the NBA will have some tough opponents. Maybe it won’t be the first couple of years but once the European league understands the style of the NBA, the game will get very appealing and it will be interesting to see which teams will be battling of the championship.

Patriots: Great Yet Classless

The Patriots are arguably the best team in the National Football League but also arguably the team that has the least amount of class. They were beating the browns by seventeen with eleven seconds left of the game. The browns were trying to spike the ball so the clock would stop. Linebacker, Mike Vrabel, dove at the knees of left tackle, Joe Thomas, because he was trying to get the ball. Vrabel should’ve let the browns spike the ball and just worry about the next play. He clearly was going for an injury because he had to reason to dive at someone’s knees, especially when there isn’t a chance that he is going to get the ball. The browns guard, Eric Steinbach called Vrabel “classless” and said there is no reason to do what he did. http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/nfl. There is no reason to dive at the guys knees and also almost take out the quarterback with eleven seconds left, especially when the game is almost over. It just shows lack of character to try to hurt someone. Steinbach thought Vrabel's move was deliberate. http://www.vindy.com/content/sports/local_regional/292649284366461.php. The debate can be that he never heard the whistle, but this isn’t the first time he’s gotten unsportsmanlike conduct against the browns. It’s a cheap shot that should’ve never been done. The Patriots get looked at as one of the best teams in sports. They don’t need someone to start a reputation that they are also the least classy. This is going to be looked upon as a team that has potential to go undefeated but also doesn’t have character. It’s a shame what players do, especially when they’re winning, to rebel. Vrabel needs to prove to fans and the NFL that he does have class and that it was a mistake because as far as I’m concerned he’s a jerk!

Respect for the Game is Hard to Find These Days

Chris Webber was offered a multimillion dollar deal to play basketball in Greece. He wants to stay in the NBA and keep playing. He has too much respect for the game to leave it just for the money. Chris feels that it’s “stupid in a way to turn down stupid money” if you just want to play in the NBA. More players should have this attitude towards the game. We see all these players who will demand a trade or not try as hard if they don’t get paid what they want. The guys who play basketball don’t realize how lucky they are. They should want to play and have fun doing it what “they love”. If it’s what they love they shouldn’t be demanding more money or complaining. They should go out and have fun. Webber thinks that he “can't just do it for the money”. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3045522)Other players should think the way that Webber does. He has a chance to make millions of dollars to go play in Greece but feels that it’s not worth it because he’d rather play the game he loves here. The Cleveland Cavaliers were talking to Carlos Boozer when he still played for them and Boozer verbally agreed to resign with them but found a better deal in Utah so he decided to take back his agreement and play with them. Guys should have fun playing and be easygoing. I understand the fans aren’t in the position they are and their lifestyle changes, but players are always saying that they will remember when they came from and just play for the love of the game. Clearly there are players that think money means more than the game. If players had the same view on the game and as Webber, they could not only have respect of the game but fans would have more respect for the players.

Media Changing Views

The media can turn a big deal that was an “accident” into a mistake. Last year Terrell Owens was rushed to the hospital for an “accidental” overdose. Police thought he was trying to commit suicide but Terrell and his agent insist it was by accident. Terrell is off to one of his best starts in his career wants the “accident” to be washed away. This is the guy who yells at his coach and teammates when he isn’t happy and appears to be a very unstable man. Last year he didn’t have the year he wished he could have and was very upset. He also broke up with his fiancé who he was dating for three years and couldn’t see his son on his birthday. (http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/nfl#) This is the man that claims that this is an accident. He feels that it’s “not something I really want to be remembered for.” (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/092607dnspocowlede.2e97d9b.html)Owens leads the team in receiving this year and is playing phenomenal. He fired his personal trainer and had many off and on field problems. I feel that Owens simply used everything going on in his life as a scapegoat. He is one of the best receivers in the NFL. I think Owens can’t be happy with himself unless he is playing like he should be. Owens did have a lot going on in his life but can’t keep his composure when necessary. He is supposed to be one of the leaders on the team. His teammates can’t rely on him if he isn’t stable. They can’t rely on him if he can’t cope with his emotions. Owens needs to keep what goes on off the field aside from what happens with football. He can’t blame his problems on an accident or his relationship with his son. He is a great player but very unstable and seems like he has trust issues with himself. The media can really changed people’s perception of what happened, People really believe that it was a mistake. The media can’t fool everyone.

Black QB's have higher standards

Philadelphia Eagles QB, Donovan McNabb, feel that "black quarterbacks face greater scrutiny than their white counterparts." He was on an HBO interview on "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" In his opinion he thinks that they have to something extra because there are so little of them.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/09/18/mcnabb.ap/index.html?eref=mostpop There are 6 QB's that are black in the NFL. McNabb feels that he can throw for 300 yards and win by a touchdown and still get critiqued by analysts. McNabb compared the criticism that white QB's get and he feels it's nowhere close to what they get. I happen to disagree with Donovan. I think they he isn't having the type of year he wanted to so far and he is very frustrated. I think the media is picking on McNabb because he is an elite player and one of the best QB's in the NFL. The eagles are a very good team yet they are 0-2. I feel like the media is blaming Donovan because he is a huge part of the team and he isn't playing up to his par yet. Donovan is just making an excuse. He is a good player and can pick defenses apart. The fact that they are 0-2 really shows something. He needs to step up and admit to the fans, players, coaches and media that he isn’t playing as well as he should be and taking the blame like a leader. He is the one the team turns to when they need a big play. Big players make big plays at big times. Donovan hasn’t made any big players. He is the leader of the team and needs to lead them to a victory. Sorry Donovan but excuses aren’t going to work. Prove yourself on the football field, not on a TV show.

Patriots Cheating

Last Sunday when the New England Patriots played the New York Jets, the Patriots were caught videotaping the Jets defensive signals. The NFL security took the camera of Matt Estrella, an assistant to Bill Belicheck, and was accused of videotaping. If a team wants to win that badly, they should study film harder and prepare better, but don’t videotape opposing teams signals cross the line. Goodell is considering punishing New England by making them give up many draft picks because they violated a previous rule that he said when he became commissioner. This wasn't the first time that Matt was accused of taping opposing signals. You would think after the Packers got rid of him for doing this same illegal thing before he would get the picture. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3012989) Why should he risk the respect he gained from the fans, coaches, players, etc. to win one game. (http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spglaub125370818sep12,0,7698580.column) Belichick should be confident enough in his own abilities to go straight up against the other coaching staff. He shouldn’t look for any edge. Belicheck can be known as the most “gifted coach in the game.” He is almost guaranteed a spot in the Hall of fame. The New England Patriots are many kids favorite team. They should be setting a prime example of showing how to act and being good role models. Tom Brady is a favorite of many kids. Kids will always say he’s the best ever of they want to be like Tom. What will they do when they find out he cheats? Are kids going to apply cheating in life? Or in school? People say that football doesn’t just teach you the game and sportsmanship but about life. What can be learned about cheating?

Steroids.. Don't use them

Hey everybody!! Why do MLB players feel like they have to be on steroids? Although players try to sneak using steroids by the league, they usually get caught. Why take the risk of getting suspended to use steroids? I would like to know why Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco and other players had to go to court because they used steroids in their career before, but Jason Giambi was honest about using "roids" and the commissioner let him off easy. It was stated (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=1936592) that since Jason was being so cooperative, the commissioner will let him back into baseball and he can play. The commissioner originally punished players so he got the message across that steroids should not be allowed no matter what! What is Bud Selig thinking that he can allow one person to slide by with no punishment while everyone is getting in trouble? What does that show about his character? Bud Selig was sending a message to the fans showing that players in the MLB will get in trouble by cheating or doing something illegal. Bud was threatening the players to suspend them without pay the entire time. What message does this show little kids who enjoy the game? The USATODAY reported that "players who test positive the first time will be suspended for 10 days. Second-time offenders will be suspended for 30 days. A third positive test gets a 60-day suspension and a fourth one year." (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-01-12-steroid-policy_x.htm) Bud Selig has never made another exception, just because he cooperated is no excuse for Giambi to get off free. We'll have to see what will happen when another player gets caught

Writing.. The down side

Writing is not one if my favorite things. This may be because I am not that strong of a writer and my English teachers would always love marking my paper up with their pens because it would always need corrections. I feel that if i was strong writer that I may enjoy it but it's really not a fun thing to do. I have trouble coming up with a good topic sentence and showing strong support. I would need to be the one who goes to the library to get help. However I like to write whats on my mind even if it's different than everyone else's. I like to try and argue a point however I'm not very good at it. I tend to start sentences with the same word over and over again and I realize I do it but I feel like it's the best way to put that sentence so I usually don't change it. I also tend to shift away from the subject when I get really into the paper and when I'm finished and read it, it wasn't what I was going for in the beginning at all. When I get back papers that are always bad or have a lot of corrections, it tends to make feel like I am a horrible writer so I don't really enjoy it because I feel bad at it. I also tend to use too many pronouns and when the teacher reads my paper he/she doesn't really know what I'm trying to say. Now if you were me you couldn't be honest to yourself and say you like to write.