The NFL offseason has been in full swing for a while now so I am going to take a look back on what has already happened and a look ahead to the Draft.
During the Free Agency Period there were clear winners and losers. A big winner was the Baltimore Ravens who got Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth to pair with Derek Mason to form a top 10 Wide Receiving Corps to help the development of 3rd year star QB Joe Flacco and to take the load of off Pro Bowl Running Back Ray Rice. Another Winner was the Chicago Bears who signed Julius Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna, and Chester Taylor which was a must considering they dont draft until the 3rd round. One Loser was the Arizona Cardinals who not only saw Kurt Warner retire but also lost Boldin, Safety Antrelle Rolle and LB Karlos Dansby. Another loser is the San Diego Chargers who saw Nosetackle Jamal Williams, RB LT, and CB Antonio Cromartie all depart for other teams.
The NFL owners meetings also produced some major changes most notably Overtime changing for the playoffs. Now if the team who wins the coin toss kicks a FG then the other team gets a chance to match it (which leads to sudden death) or score a TD to win it but if the 1st team scores a TD or the defense scores the game is over. I like the change and see it as an improvement but in my opinion they did not go far enough I would either ensure both teams at least one possession before sudden death begins or play a regular 10 to 12 minute extra period. It also needs to apply to the regular season. Other changes include making it a penalty to hit any offensive player who is defensless in the head, moving the Umpire to the offensive backfield, and blowing a play dead when a ball carrier loses their helmet. The last rule I have a slight issue with as there are times when a players helmet accidentally comes off which would end the play but also the issue is now players may rip at the helmet to get it off as out to end the play.
As for the Draft the players I like are Ndomakung Suh, Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry, Golden Tate, Rolando McClain, Sergio Kindle, and Kyle Wilson. While all the QB's are good I dont think we have any true franchise QBs in the bunch since Bradford has shown to be fragile and with a true top 5 NFL quarterback in Washington's Jake Locker coming out next year I would Pass. The Ravens need to address the following needs DE, CB, WR, K in a somewhat similar order in the First round I would go after Brandon Graham DE/LB from Michigan or Kareem Jackson CB from Alabama if Boise State CB Kyle Wilson is gone.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Miami Review (Tuesday onward)
On Tuesday we went to the park and painted four square and hop scotch near the playground, I painted a four square court with Scott and Amanda and it turned out great. Then we went to the school and had a really fun field day with our kids and Blake and Ben got kicked out of a game for trying to cheat (No joke) we also bonded with our kids and learned a lot more about them. Even though 15 people said they were going to the Heat game six backed out due to concerns over the kosher food options available (or lack there of), which I completly understand. So after an interesting trip there the 9 of us really enjoyed the game including the seniors dancing, I got a picture with the NBA championship trophy and the Spurs won. Then we went to TGIF and faked Alison's birthday which was priceless.
Wednesday started early as we made lunch for the whole group and left for the park where we painted silohuettes in the fitness center and I got a work out at the same time. We also learned a lot about the City Year staff. At the school we helped our kids write both silly and serious poems, which was made difficult by the fact that my kid said he did not have feelings. They performed them and some of us including myself perfomed poems of our own. After a rather dull speaker we got back to the Hotel and I swam in the pool at 930 PM which I loved before playing a violent game of Egyptian Rat Screw.
Thursday, was a bittersweet day, as we were finishing our work at the park and the school. At the park, I became the 1st and only student to lead PT, before we painted the entire gym including on top of a 20 ft ladder. Then we had a great speaker tell us we are religious just for being there. After that we went to the school for an amazing game of Kick ball with our kids, My team won and before we departed Me and some of my tripmates gave our kids gifts. I gave my kid a foam finger from the heat game before saying a sad goodbye to the kids, the city year staff, there, and the school. Thursday night we hung out at Coconut Grove, an outdoor shopping area, and I enjoyed some more Ice cream.
Friday began with a scenic trip to a senior center where we met seniors from all over the world, including one who was 104 years old and still going strong. Then we had a fun workout and sung Kareoke with the seniors (I sang both YMCA and Viva Las Vegas). Next we went to the beach where we said goodbye to the City Year workers who we worked with at Gould's Park. After that I played in the Ocean, played a violent game of Lap tag, hung out with friends on the beach, and reflected on the trip. Then shabbat came and I went to the Orthodox service so they could have a minion and then we had a real fun shabbat dinner. Following Shabbat me and a few of my friends went to get some more Frozen Yogurt and I ate a STORE RECORD 19.1 oz of frozen yogurt before heading back to the hotel where my friends and I hung out in an fun way.
Saturday was a rather relaxed day as I closed out my shopping, getting a Miami Hurricanes football jersey, and went to lunch. Before hanging out with other tripmates and swimming in the pool which was followed by the close of shabbat and a reflection on the trip and how we can impact our communities at home. Lastly we headed to Coconut Grove again and went to Hooters where we faked another birthday (our 3rd of the trip) before going to an 18+ club for a great close to a fun trip. We left Sunday and I said a sad goodbye to all of my new friends from other schools.
Wednesday started early as we made lunch for the whole group and left for the park where we painted silohuettes in the fitness center and I got a work out at the same time. We also learned a lot about the City Year staff. At the school we helped our kids write both silly and serious poems, which was made difficult by the fact that my kid said he did not have feelings. They performed them and some of us including myself perfomed poems of our own. After a rather dull speaker we got back to the Hotel and I swam in the pool at 930 PM which I loved before playing a violent game of Egyptian Rat Screw.
Thursday, was a bittersweet day, as we were finishing our work at the park and the school. At the park, I became the 1st and only student to lead PT, before we painted the entire gym including on top of a 20 ft ladder. Then we had a great speaker tell us we are religious just for being there. After that we went to the school for an amazing game of Kick ball with our kids, My team won and before we departed Me and some of my tripmates gave our kids gifts. I gave my kid a foam finger from the heat game before saying a sad goodbye to the kids, the city year staff, there, and the school. Thursday night we hung out at Coconut Grove, an outdoor shopping area, and I enjoyed some more Ice cream.
Friday began with a scenic trip to a senior center where we met seniors from all over the world, including one who was 104 years old and still going strong. Then we had a fun workout and sung Kareoke with the seniors (I sang both YMCA and Viva Las Vegas). Next we went to the beach where we said goodbye to the City Year workers who we worked with at Gould's Park. After that I played in the Ocean, played a violent game of Lap tag, hung out with friends on the beach, and reflected on the trip. Then shabbat came and I went to the Orthodox service so they could have a minion and then we had a real fun shabbat dinner. Following Shabbat me and a few of my friends went to get some more Frozen Yogurt and I ate a STORE RECORD 19.1 oz of frozen yogurt before heading back to the hotel where my friends and I hung out in an fun way.
Saturday was a rather relaxed day as I closed out my shopping, getting a Miami Hurricanes football jersey, and went to lunch. Before hanging out with other tripmates and swimming in the pool which was followed by the close of shabbat and a reflection on the trip and how we can impact our communities at home. Lastly we headed to Coconut Grove again and went to Hooters where we faked another birthday (our 3rd of the trip) before going to an 18+ club for a great close to a fun trip. We left Sunday and I said a sad goodbye to all of my new friends from other schools.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Miami update #1
Well we are done two days for our Alternative Spring Break Trip to miami and they are some great moments to share with all of you. It started with me basically zooming through security to make our flight, blake creepily introducing himself to a guy in his row, and one of my dad's friends creeping my friends out and us landing in Miami in a timely manner. Sadly this was not the case for all of our trip mates as 4 of them got delayed for long periods of time (3 for 6 hours). While we were waiting for the bus Ben ended up learning Cribbage from an old lady (it was hilarious to watch) and we toured the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Then we met up with the rest of our group and were off to the hotel when we got there I was originally rooming with my old roomate from last year and another kid while one of my male friends, who has a girlfriend, was placed in a room with 3 girls so he moved in to our 4th spot in my room. The night was pretty uneventful except for faking a friends birthday at TGIF.
Then as Monday came around I worked on booking the Miami Heat tickets for tomorrow (15 people are going). Next we went to our community service project at a local park where towson built benches, which was mine and many of my tripmates first experience building anything. After Lunch and a quick game of soccer we were split off into our campuses to go different After care programs. Towson went to an arts magnet elementary school where we were paired off with different kid and I got paired with probably the most rambunctious yet awesome kid in the group. Following this time with our kids where we painted flower pots with them we were off to dinner and a panel discussion involving 3 people very closely tied to homlessness, which touched of all of us on the trip. On the way back to the hotel I found out that everyone is being giving $10 for tomorrow, which is the exact price of the ticket for tomorrows basketball game that I had to pay for upfront (FML). Lastly after a short discussion we went to a frozen yogurt place and for the second consecutive Alternative Spring Break I ate a whole pound of Ice Cream by myself and I feel fine.
This trip is awesome, glad I went, and I really looking forward to the next 6 days, I will try to keep you updated, but tomorrow is the highlight of the trip my first NBA game where I get to see Dwayne Wade play Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs , who are my favorite team.
Then as Monday came around I worked on booking the Miami Heat tickets for tomorrow (15 people are going). Next we went to our community service project at a local park where towson built benches, which was mine and many of my tripmates first experience building anything. After Lunch and a quick game of soccer we were split off into our campuses to go different After care programs. Towson went to an arts magnet elementary school where we were paired off with different kid and I got paired with probably the most rambunctious yet awesome kid in the group. Following this time with our kids where we painted flower pots with them we were off to dinner and a panel discussion involving 3 people very closely tied to homlessness, which touched of all of us on the trip. On the way back to the hotel I found out that everyone is being giving $10 for tomorrow, which is the exact price of the ticket for tomorrows basketball game that I had to pay for upfront (FML). Lastly after a short discussion we went to a frozen yogurt place and for the second consecutive Alternative Spring Break I ate a whole pound of Ice Cream by myself and I feel fine.
This trip is awesome, glad I went, and I really looking forward to the next 6 days, I will try to keep you updated, but tomorrow is the highlight of the trip my first NBA game where I get to see Dwayne Wade play Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs , who are my favorite team.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Life Update/Random Stuff
Well it has been nearly two weeks since I last blogged so I decided to give you guys an update on my life as well as my thoughts on a couple of recent events in the world of sports. First of all I am currently on Spring Break and am heading to Miami in less then 12 hours for a Hillel sponsored community service trip and am really looking forward to hanging out with friends, meeting new friends and making a difference in the Miami community. School has been going well, classes are good, and I am having a lot of fun being involved in Hillel and AEPI and have made a lot of great friends who I hope I have for life. Also last week I went to Koach Kallah in Reisterstown where I met a lot of cool people and learned of new ways to improve Jewish life at Towson. I am really excited about the next two months of school but I realize I am going to have to work hard to keep my grades up to where they have been in the past.
Since I have last blogged a lot of newsworthy events have taken place in the world of sports. First of all my favorite football team, the Baltimore Ravens, finally have a receiving core as they stole Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals along with a 5th rounder for a 3rd and 4th rounder. This is on top of the fact that we signed Dante Stallworth and re-signed Derrick Mason. So now we have a first rounder and a 2nd rounder to spend on other needs such as Corner (Kyle Wilson, Kareem Jackson, Devin McCoutry) a Pass-Rusher (Jared Odrick and Everson Griffin). If we fill one or both of those needs we will be the favorite to make it to and hopefully win Super Bowl 45.
Also there have been a lot of reports regarding Tiger Woods and his return i say if he returns at the Masters ratings will be amazing but his play won't be because he will be rusty. That is why he should return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill to shake the rust off. In any scenario golf needs him to return because the sport is irrelevant without him.
In college basketball the story should be the dominance of the UCONN women's team who makes top 10 and top 5 teams look like high school teams on their way to 72 straight wins and counting (all by double digits). On the Men's side of things without seeing the brackets, which come out tomorrow, I would have to make Kansas the clear cut favorite and my sleeper is Butler
In other sports both the NHL and NASCAR are dealing with safety issues that they must address. In NASCAR's case they did not punish Carl Edwards enough for his intentional wrecking of Brad Keslowski when he was 150 laps down last week. He should have been suspended at least 1 week and placed on a season long probation but their weak punishment and their let them police themselves will lead to either a driver or spectators either seriously injured or dying. The NHL needs to ban hits to the head like the one Matt Cooke delivered last sunday and should ban fighting in order to capitalize off the momentum they built at the Olympics.
Since I have last blogged a lot of newsworthy events have taken place in the world of sports. First of all my favorite football team, the Baltimore Ravens, finally have a receiving core as they stole Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals along with a 5th rounder for a 3rd and 4th rounder. This is on top of the fact that we signed Dante Stallworth and re-signed Derrick Mason. So now we have a first rounder and a 2nd rounder to spend on other needs such as Corner (Kyle Wilson, Kareem Jackson, Devin McCoutry) a Pass-Rusher (Jared Odrick and Everson Griffin). If we fill one or both of those needs we will be the favorite to make it to and hopefully win Super Bowl 45.
Also there have been a lot of reports regarding Tiger Woods and his return i say if he returns at the Masters ratings will be amazing but his play won't be because he will be rusty. That is why he should return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill to shake the rust off. In any scenario golf needs him to return because the sport is irrelevant without him.
In college basketball the story should be the dominance of the UCONN women's team who makes top 10 and top 5 teams look like high school teams on their way to 72 straight wins and counting (all by double digits). On the Men's side of things without seeing the brackets, which come out tomorrow, I would have to make Kansas the clear cut favorite and my sleeper is Butler
In other sports both the NHL and NASCAR are dealing with safety issues that they must address. In NASCAR's case they did not punish Carl Edwards enough for his intentional wrecking of Brad Keslowski when he was 150 laps down last week. He should have been suspended at least 1 week and placed on a season long probation but their weak punishment and their let them police themselves will lead to either a driver or spectators either seriously injured or dying. The NHL needs to ban hits to the head like the one Matt Cooke delivered last sunday and should ban fighting in order to capitalize off the momentum they built at the Olympics.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Overall Awards for 2000's
Now that I have touched on every sport in the decade in the 2000's, I have decided to look at the decade in sports as a whole and hand out awards for the entire decade.
Franchise of the Decade- New England Patriots, while the 2000 Ravens was the NFL team of the decade, the Patriots were not only the NFL franchise of the decade but the overall franchise of the decade in all sports. They became the 2nd team in NFL history to win 3 super bowls in 4 years, were only the 4th NFL team to finish their regular season undefeated, and were the model for all other NFL franchises to follow. Their QB set the record for passing touchdowns in a season with 50 and their coach, although controversial, was the best coach of the entire decade. Runners Up: 2(tie). Spurs 2 (tie). Lakers 4. Red Wings 5. Colts
Team Player of the Decade- Albert Pujols 1B St. Louis Cardinals: While other guys like Kobe, Brady, Duncan, and Shaq have more rings no player has dominated his team sport more then Pujols. He won 3 MVPs and should have won more if Bonds did not inject, he also led the Majors in batting average (yes he beat Ichiro) while playing a gold glove 1st base. He is a great ambassador for the sport, as evidenced by the fact that he does not like the nickname "El Hombre" Spanish for the man because he sees it as disrespectful to Stan "the Man" Musial and he has no steroid connection. Runners Up: 2. Tim Duncan 3. Ray Lewis 4. Peyton Manning 5. Kobe Bryant
Individual Sport player of the Decade: Roger Federer Men's Tennis- A man who dominated the sport winning 16 grand slams, appearing in 23 straight grand slam semi-finals as well as 18 of the past 19 grand slam finals. Federer, who has won the career grand slam, has become a huge star in an American dominated marketplace where self-promotion runs rampant despite being a classy, humble, soft spoken, man from Switzerland. His rivalries and matches against guys Rafa Nadal and Andy Roddick are classic. Runners Up: 2. Tiger Woods 3. Jimmie Johnson 4. Serena Williams 5. Lance Armstrong
Olympic Athlete of the Decade (non-professional): Michael Phelps- A baltimore native who has dominated the past two olympics with 16 medals, 14 of those Gold including a record 8 Golds in 2008. His victories in 4x 100 freestyle relay and the 100 m butterfly in 2008 are classic. He has been the star of the past two summer games. Runners Up: 2. Usain Bolt 3. Apolo Anton Ohno 4. Bode Miller 5. Natalie Coughlin
Game of the Decade: 2001 World Series Game 7- A great game that topped off a classic series played with the backdrop of September 11th involving the Dynastic Yankees and the Upstart Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks, led by Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, won by scoring two runs off of the previously and pretty much since unhittable Mariano Rivera capped by Luis Gonzalez bloop single. Their victory and this game ended the Yankees' dyansty but more importantly brought the nation back and back together after the tragedy of 9-11. Runners Up: 2. 2003 Fiesta Bowl Ohio State vs. Miami 3. Superbowl 38 Patriots 32 Panthers 29 4. 2007 Fiesta Bowl Boise State-Oklahoma 5. 2005 NBA Finals Game 5 Spurs-Pistons
Moment of the Decade: The Saints return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina: The city and the team went through one of the greatest natural disasters of all time forcing the team to be nomadic. They returned to the Superdome, a symbol of the devestation, on Monday Night Football against the division rival Falcons. Those who were there say it is one of the most chilling and exciting moments they have ever witnessed. This victory was the spark which led the Saints to their first NFC title game that year and 3 years later their First Super Bowl Championship. Runners Up: 2. Sports helps the country heal after 9-11 3. Dale Earnhardt JR wins the 1st race at Daytona since his dad died there 4. Brett Favre dominates Oakland a day after his father's death 5. Virginia Tech Athletics rebounds and get stronger after the mass shooting on their campus.
Story of the Decade: Steroids and Performance Enhancing Drugs: Across all Sports this story dominated and brought down stars from Marion Jones to Barry Bonds to Floyd Landis to Roger Clemens. All sports especially Baseball have had their credibility brought into question as records have fallen at an amazing pace and has made the public suspicous of all players even the ones that are clean. This story won't die as the admitted drug users are going to be up for the Hall of Fame and as chemists keep working to beat the testing through drugs like HGH. Runners Up: 2. The explosion of the Internet 3. The Rise and Fall of Tiger Woods 4. Globalization of American Sports 5. Rise of the UFC and MMA
Franchise of the Decade- New England Patriots, while the 2000 Ravens was the NFL team of the decade, the Patriots were not only the NFL franchise of the decade but the overall franchise of the decade in all sports. They became the 2nd team in NFL history to win 3 super bowls in 4 years, were only the 4th NFL team to finish their regular season undefeated, and were the model for all other NFL franchises to follow. Their QB set the record for passing touchdowns in a season with 50 and their coach, although controversial, was the best coach of the entire decade. Runners Up: 2(tie). Spurs 2 (tie). Lakers 4. Red Wings 5. Colts
Team Player of the Decade- Albert Pujols 1B St. Louis Cardinals: While other guys like Kobe, Brady, Duncan, and Shaq have more rings no player has dominated his team sport more then Pujols. He won 3 MVPs and should have won more if Bonds did not inject, he also led the Majors in batting average (yes he beat Ichiro) while playing a gold glove 1st base. He is a great ambassador for the sport, as evidenced by the fact that he does not like the nickname "El Hombre" Spanish for the man because he sees it as disrespectful to Stan "the Man" Musial and he has no steroid connection. Runners Up: 2. Tim Duncan 3. Ray Lewis 4. Peyton Manning 5. Kobe Bryant
Individual Sport player of the Decade: Roger Federer Men's Tennis- A man who dominated the sport winning 16 grand slams, appearing in 23 straight grand slam semi-finals as well as 18 of the past 19 grand slam finals. Federer, who has won the career grand slam, has become a huge star in an American dominated marketplace where self-promotion runs rampant despite being a classy, humble, soft spoken, man from Switzerland. His rivalries and matches against guys Rafa Nadal and Andy Roddick are classic. Runners Up: 2. Tiger Woods 3. Jimmie Johnson 4. Serena Williams 5. Lance Armstrong
Olympic Athlete of the Decade (non-professional): Michael Phelps- A baltimore native who has dominated the past two olympics with 16 medals, 14 of those Gold including a record 8 Golds in 2008. His victories in 4x 100 freestyle relay and the 100 m butterfly in 2008 are classic. He has been the star of the past two summer games. Runners Up: 2. Usain Bolt 3. Apolo Anton Ohno 4. Bode Miller 5. Natalie Coughlin
Game of the Decade: 2001 World Series Game 7- A great game that topped off a classic series played with the backdrop of September 11th involving the Dynastic Yankees and the Upstart Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks, led by Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, won by scoring two runs off of the previously and pretty much since unhittable Mariano Rivera capped by Luis Gonzalez bloop single. Their victory and this game ended the Yankees' dyansty but more importantly brought the nation back and back together after the tragedy of 9-11. Runners Up: 2. 2003 Fiesta Bowl Ohio State vs. Miami 3. Superbowl 38 Patriots 32 Panthers 29 4. 2007 Fiesta Bowl Boise State-Oklahoma 5. 2005 NBA Finals Game 5 Spurs-Pistons
Moment of the Decade: The Saints return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina: The city and the team went through one of the greatest natural disasters of all time forcing the team to be nomadic. They returned to the Superdome, a symbol of the devestation, on Monday Night Football against the division rival Falcons. Those who were there say it is one of the most chilling and exciting moments they have ever witnessed. This victory was the spark which led the Saints to their first NFC title game that year and 3 years later their First Super Bowl Championship. Runners Up: 2. Sports helps the country heal after 9-11 3. Dale Earnhardt JR wins the 1st race at Daytona since his dad died there 4. Brett Favre dominates Oakland a day after his father's death 5. Virginia Tech Athletics rebounds and get stronger after the mass shooting on their campus.
Story of the Decade: Steroids and Performance Enhancing Drugs: Across all Sports this story dominated and brought down stars from Marion Jones to Barry Bonds to Floyd Landis to Roger Clemens. All sports especially Baseball have had their credibility brought into question as records have fallen at an amazing pace and has made the public suspicous of all players even the ones that are clean. This story won't die as the admitted drug users are going to be up for the Hall of Fame and as chemists keep working to beat the testing through drugs like HGH. Runners Up: 2. The explosion of the Internet 3. The Rise and Fall of Tiger Woods 4. Globalization of American Sports 5. Rise of the UFC and MMA
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