7 Signs Sports Culture Has Changed

The following 7 signs indicate a changing of the sports landscape. Some changes are more significant than others, but all serve as reminders that the good ol' days can’t last forever. Let's get started.

1) Athlete's Personal Lives Are Big News
Social media has provided the opportunity for fans to be up-close and personal (maybe a little too close) to their favorite sports stars. Two months ago, ESPN showed a segment on Amar'e Stoudemire's wine bath. To take things a bit further, the ESPN correspondent jumped into the tub with Stoudemire to give his personal take on the wine bath. Too much.
It's a good idea to connect athletes to the fans, but this goes a little too far. Such as "reporting" LeBron James' visit to the dentist.

2) No More Bo Jacksons

Bo Jackson

Due to the demand of keeping athletes in a designated sport, this atmosphere makes it hard for athletes to transition and even excel in different sports simultaneously. Players are able to accomplish this in college such as, Jameis Winston (baseball/football at Florida State), but to perform at a high-level in the professional field is not an easy task today.

Deion Sanders

Many people may have forgotten, but Deion Sanders is the only person to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, while also running track. That's a true multi-sport athlete.
Multi-talented athletes could realistically play multiple sports at a high level. However, the specialization and time commitment required to have success in just one professional sport all but eliminates the possibility of anyone playing two.

3) Digital Trash Talk
If you're familiar with ESPN's 30-for-30 series, you may have watched Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks (A film that explores the rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks). This episode is most likely in my top 5 for the "30-for-30" series. The film shows how Reggie Miller did not back down to John Starks, Anthony Mason, or even Spike Lee on the sideline.

Reggie Miller and Spike Lee (wearing the orange longsleeve and Knicks jersey)

If any player today re-enacted the verbal performance Reggie Miller put on display during the New York series in the 90's, I would be very surprised. Today, most athletes take their beef to Twitter instead of doing their talking on-the-field. After all, athletes are often penalized for their conduct on the field.
The great thing about trash-talking in the days before social media was it generally had to be done in the flesh. Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali—their in-person big talk helped define each of them. For players today, it's just not the same.
4) Baseball Cards Are Irrelevant


Remember when you used to brag about having a player's rookie card? Those days are long gone. The disinterest with collecting cards has greatly declined, as well as its value. With the vast array of video game selections, younger sports fans have a reason to turn a blind eye to the thrill of trading sports cards.

5) Memes Are The New Blooper Reels



Since the Internet is a thing, and since Photoshop is a thing, no longer can a player trip on a basketball court without the world mercilessly making fun of him.

Baylor Football LB Shawn Oakman

The sports world is definitely not immune from the meme craze. We've seen players such as Shawn Oakman, Brandon Knight, and recently Tony Parker, become victims to the meme-driven social media culture.
I have to admit, most of these memes are pretty entertaining.

6) Unproven Rookies Lead Jersey Sales

Shortly after he was drafted in 2014, Johnny Manziel’s Cleveland Browns jersey led the NFL in sales for a time. When an unproven rookie can generate that level of popularity without having taken one snap in a professional game, you know times are changing.

Johnny Manziel

Manziel was a star in college, but people who bought his pro jersey did it largely for one reason: hype. We now live in a world where hype can, and often does, trump actual performance.

7) Selfies Are The New Autographs



An autograph from your favorite player used to be the Holy Grail in sports. Now, it seems physical access to players is more limited, plus memorabilia dealers have left a sour taste in some athletes’ mouths. With autographs losing their luster, selfies have swooped in to pick up the slack.
Case in point: Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens recently posed for a selfie with a young fan during a stoppage in play. Instead of a signed puck in a glass case, the fan will likely preserve that selfie for years to come.

You Live to Fight Another Day (Dallas Mavericks)

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks were on the brink of getting swept by the Houston Rockets. Thank goodness J.J. Barea kept the Mavs' energy level up the entire night to move on to Game 5.
You would think the Mavericks would shut it down after being down 3 games, riddled with the injury of Chandler Parsons, and the sudden absence of Rajon Rondo from the Mavericks lineup. However, Dallas put all the pressure on their back and rose to the challenge.

Coach Rick Carlisle and Rajon Rondo

I, personally, believe the Rockets took it easy on the Mavericks in order to close out the series in their hometown of Houston this Tuesday. One thing for certain is that Mavs fans can breathe a sigh of relief after avoiding being a victim of the dreaded, playoff series sweep.
A major part of the Mavericks' new energy level can be attributed to the dismissal of Rajon Rondo. Bad blood between Coach Rick Carlisle and Rondo has affected the chemistry of the Mavericks' success. Due to both individuals possessing an NBA championship, this most likely created a "proud" energy among the two. Although Rondo is a champion on the player level, he has found it very difficult to buy into Carlisle's "championship-formula" on the coaching level.

"Mavs fans can breathe a sigh of relief..."

From the outside-looking-in, the Mavericks still have a chance with Rondo out of the picture. The only problem is our matchups. Dwight Howard has outplayed Tyson Chandler every night of this series. James Harden will always be an issue against our guards; although, Al-Farouq Aminu did a great job on defense last night. Lastly, Corey Brewer and Josh Smith are willing to be the X-factor in this series.

Al-Farouq Aminu

Dallas has met a Houston team that can go toe-to-toe with them in every position. If this series extends to Game 6 or 7, Houston may need to close this out as soon as possible. Dallas is playing desperate, which is bad news for the Rockets.
Go Mavs!
Follow this blog on Twitter: @214_Manuscript

Chris Paul: The Time is Now (NBA)

The 2015 NBA Playoffs will be one of the most defining postseason years for Chris Paul. He's probably the only player with more to gain and even more to lose. Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Kobe Bryant missed the playoffs, but their absence doesn't take away from what they've contributed to the game. Although Wade and Bryant have rings, Carmelo is still in his grace period with New York as he returns from his surgery.

"Clippers basketball is at a level many people my age have never seen. Seriously, never."

As for Chris Paul, the time is now to distinguish himself among the greats who win, instead of those who don’t. Paul’s legacy hangs before his eyes as he presses toward the NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Clippers. His singular, extraordinary career offers no protection from a legacy of "what-ifs". Only what he does from this point forward will matter. From the nature of Paul's mature, "floor general" attitude, it seems his interest in individual awards has long dissipated.

 

The pain from 2014’s untimely playoff exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder still burns. This year’s Clippers team has a decidedly more serious edge. The team has been successful in allowing the title of "Lob City" to slowly wither away. Also, this season has been free of last year’s Donald Sterling drama.

Clippers basketball is at a level many people my age have never seen. Seriously, never. The focus of the 2015 Clippers can mainly be attributed to the intensity and drive of Chris Paul. We are all too familiar with the rage of Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant, but Chris Paul's rage is somewhat different.
aul is one of the few players in the game who can offer empathy, as well as ferocity on the court. In order to win championships, you need players like this. Especially players who hold the position of the floor general.

This past March, Paul’s fire scorched Deandre Jordan several minutes later in a moment that will live in Vine forever. With the score tied at 87 (against the Portland Trailblazers) and 1.7 seconds remaining on the shot clock—2.8 on the game clock—Paul got off a shot, and Jordan grabbed the rebound under the basket with a second to spare. Jordan thought the game buzzer had sounded, sending the teams to overtime, so he didn’t shoot the ball.



He was wrong. Paul was livid.

"Shoot the ------- ball!" Paul screamed, flailing as he jumped up and down. On the way back to the huddle, Paul shouted at Jordan, who had no response. After the game, Paul clarified that he was angered about the situation, not towards Deandre Jordan.

"The crowd roared, but come on, Chris Paul has always performed on this level."

With a captain such as Paul on your team, there is no excuse but to enjoy playing with this guy. I am a Chris Paul fan and will gladly say he's been my favorite player since his rookie year in the NBA. If he ever wins a championship, his ring will be the most deserved for a player of his skill and character. Chris Paul had an admirable season, but it was overshadowed by Curry, Harden, and Westbrook (which is understandable).

I can also point out that Chris Paul's elite play has become the norm for spectators everywhere. Recently, Paul performed a dribble move—a one-handed fake bounce pass tossed several feet in front that spins back to him. The crowd roared, but come on, Chris Paul has always performed on this level.

I'm sure Paul doesn't fret over the MVP Award noise. His eyes are focused on something greater. Something which people will always remember when they bring up the Los Angeles Clippers during Paul's era. A championship.

The time is now for Chris Paul and the Clippers. They'll have their hands full against the seasoned, San Antonio Spurs.

'Til next time.

ATTENTION READERS

I have officially moved my blog over to: twoonefourmanuscript.wordpress.com

The same content will be there, and I will continually update the blog on a regular basis.

For more updates, subscribe to the blog at twoonefourmanuscript.wordpress.com and/or follow the blog at twitter.com/214_Manuscript

Thanks in advance!

Brian

And Then There Were None (NCAA)

Day one of March Madness is in the books. Upsets, upsets, upsets! These three words pretty much sum up what transpired on yesterday for Texas teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Click to enlarge

If you weren't aware, there are actually 0 teams representing the state of Texas in March Madness right now. I anticipated the losses of Texas Southern and Stephen F. Austin (mainly because SFA is my alum's rival). Oh, and Texas since I predicted UT getting sent home in the 3rd round. However,  I cannot say the same for Baylor and SMU.

Judging from my bracket below, you can see I was a victim of "Texas bias". Baylor AND SMU making it to the Elite Eight?! Yea, I guess you can say I had high hopes.

It was unfortunate that both teams fell to underdog opponents. I can only imagine how long the bus/airplane ride back home feels. However, these teams should be back in the tourney next year. SMU lost a few starters and managed to win their conference this past year. I look forward to the Mustangs readjusting and making a lengthier run in the 2016 tourney.

Click to enlarge

Fans of the Bears have a lot of positives going into next season, mainly because they're only losing two seniors. Baylor has always been a tough competitor. Plus, there will be a chip on their shoulder as they look for redemption in 2016.

Let's just be thankful I didn't predict one of those Texas teams to win it all.

So far, I have four brackets in total (three on ESPN Tourney Challenge; one on CBS Sports that you see below).

Surprisingly, I was sold on the idea of Kentucky (and even Duke) winning the championship. But I have a good feeling that Wisconsin may be the team to surprise everyone.

At the end of the day, it's March Madness. Anything can happen (like the goal-tending call on SMU) 

Follow this blog on Twitter: @214_Manuscript

QTNA: The Status of Dez and DeMarco?

In a post from last month, I received a question regarding the Cowboys (specifically the status of Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray). I'll try my best to answer as thorough as possible without too much fluff.

 "Who can we expect to replace Demarco Murray in the backfield, and what will come of Dez Bryant?"

- Alex A.

The noise of the NFL post-season has gradually withered away, gearing fans up for another off-season of trades, contract extensions, and filled coaching positions. As for the Dallas Cowboys, there are many fans (such as myself) who have high expectations for the 'Boys in the future.

Recently, the organization has placed a franchise tag on Dez Bryant. This means: Bryant will receive a one-year contract with the Cowboys in order to prevent him from signing with another team as an unrestricted free agent.

Bryant put on a great performance this past season with the Cowboys (arguably one of his best). The new energy and young receiving core of the Cowboys really put Bryant in a position to either "put up or shut up." The leadership and numbers of Mr. Bryant spoke volumes to the offensive performance. I applaud the Cowboys for placing the tag on Bryant; although, this only solves half the issue.

On the other side of the spectrum, DeMarco Murray will test free agency this off-season. I'm pretty sure the other 31 NFL teams are getting their offers ready for Murray. Again, the Cowboys have placed themselves in an undesirable contract situation. This stems from the big payday Tony Romo received two off-seasons ago. If the Front Office expected Murray to have a breakout season, maybe Romo wouldn't have been provided with his "Super-Bowl quarterback" salary (just a thought).


Murray is arguably the best thing running for the Cowboys since Emmitt Smith. DeMarco's field vision, use of the offensive line, and ability to pass block rank him in close proximity to Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. If Murray performs another great season such as 2014-2015, I wouldn't be surprised if the media places him in the elite RB category.

Speaking of Adrian Peterson, Vikings and Cowboys fans should keep their eyes and ears peeled back this off-season. Peterson has voiced his dissent with Minnesota and has expressed to Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones his desire to play in Dallas. To be honest, I don't think Peterson is coming to town.

An excerpt from Washington Post regarding Adrian Peterson

Two things can come from this situation:

1) Cowboys let Murray sign with another team; Gamble by pursuing Adrian Peterson (who may be rusty since his league suspension); find themselves in another hole when Dez Bryant needs new contract.

2) Keep Murray by any means necessary; Possibly negotiate a pay cut for Romo, if possible.

Both scenarios are risky, but I believe pursuing Peterson is the greater risk versus scenario #2. Adrian Peterson has been away from the game for an amount of time. He also has the reputation for being one of the highest paid running backs in the league. I believe the Cowboys would be shooting themselves in the foot for AP; but, I also understand it's all business at the end of the day. I look forward to seeing how this running back fiasco will turn out.

Keep DeMarco.

Follow this blog on Twitter: @214_Manuscript

(Five) Most Annoying People in Rec Sports

The (Five) Most Annoying People in Rec Sports

Recreational sports can be really enjoyable. The people? Maybe not so much.

I recently reminisced with a friend about the times in college we played intramural flag football, basketball, and softball. Of course we bragged about ourselves, whose team was better, why so-and-so shouldn't have won the championship, etc.

Then the conversation took a turn toward endless laughter as we discussed the most annoying people we played against. We continued to call out a laundry list of names and how these people affected the games (arguing, fighting, whining, etc.).

We can all relate to some annoying players, whether it's rec sports or professional leagues. The point is: these annoying people need to be stoppped.

1. The Johnny Football Wannabe

This guy gets all his moves from watching the NFL. He feels like every rec sports football game is a showcase of his talent. Somehow, this guy makes almost every play last 10 to 15 seconds.

The Wannabe's signature move is to drop back and scan the field, only to look like a pro. Do not be fooled. He has no intention of throwing the ball, and often decides to gain cheap yards because it "looks good."
 

2. The Victim (D. Wade Type)

Next, we have The Victim. This guy is primarily on the basketball court throwing himself into a pack of players looking for a foul. Come on, man. It's obvious everyone knows what he's doing. Let D. Wade and Ginobili remain as the masters of flop-ology. The Victim also overuses the "call your own foul" rule and even over-steps his bounds to serve as a psuedo-referee.

You WILL see this guy. He's the one who waits to see if his shot will go in before calling a foul. Plus, he will yell "And one!!!" so loud to make it as if he's letting you off the hook for "fouling" him. Just give it up, man.

3. The Wrecking Ball (Ron Artest Type)

They go for truck sticks on the flag football field, jab their forearms in your sides on the basketball court. These guys are just plain dirty. Like seriously, who "goes for the knees" in a flag football game?! The type of player treats every matchup as if it's a UFC fight.

Chill, bro.

4. The Complainer (Tom Brady Type)

This guy will always try to make things go his way. Whether it's the spot of the ball, the number of downs, or the exact score...this guy WILL argue you down to the wire. If you're not sure you've encountered this type of player, have you ever diffused a possible argument by saying:"It's not that serious man, ya'll can have the ball." If yes, then you've met him.

It's not that serious, Tom.
You can have the ball next season.

This guy almost always has his hands on his head  or hips with a distressed and/or confused look on his face. They are truly the worst people to play with/against.








5. The "My Bad" Guy (Russell Westbrook Type)

"The kind of guy that plays like he's in a video game. You hold turbo for the whole game, make zero passes, and shoot fast break/transition 3-pointers going 3 for 28 from the field" - my friend, Josh Pegram 

This guy plays as if he has absolutely no sports IQ at all. He tries to master ALL of the skills on video games and bring them to the court. This type of guy is a cancer to teams everywhere. They will shoot you out of a game. Look at you in the eyes when you're wide open and decide to take on a triple team. Even shoot half-court jumpers to show you his "range" on the first possession.

This guy usually will create an impromptu one-on-one matchup when there's 8 other people on the court. And most of the time when he finally feels he has messed up, you will see him tap his chest twice with the utmost sincerity saying: "My bad, bro. I got you on the next one."

Follow this blog on Twitter: @214_Manuscript

Kobe Bryant's Muse (NBA)

Watch Kobe Bryant's Muse

If you missed this weekend's premiere of Kobe's latest documentary, Kobe Bryant's Muse, I suggest basketball fans and those who enjoy sports docs (even if he's not your favorite player) to take a look at this film.

Muse does a great job in its different approach to the world of sports documentaries. Instead of interviewing people associated with Mr. Bryant, the film solely grasps its content from its most credible source, Kobe. With this approach, Kobe is able to express the raw details of his life, family, struggles, and career.

From his isolated childhood to becoming one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, Kobe opens up in this film unlike anything we've seen from him. His words paint a vivid, moving picture on a canvas, giving us insight on where his journey will take him in the future.

Something to Think About

The atmosphere surrounding Kobe following his last two season ending injuries have left his fans in a suspended state. Some fans want to embrace the new era of basketball elite, while others want to hold on to the era of Kobe, Dirk, and Kevin Garnett. Such as those summer camp days as a kid, all good things must come to an end.

Kobe has come to grips with his awaiting lifestyle after retirement. And fans should, as well. I can admit I would like to see Kobe come back for two more years of action, but it's very unlikely. One thing for sure is that I will keep the Kobe legacy alive.

Enjoy.

Watch Kobe Bryant's Muse

Follow this blog on Twitter: @214_Manuscript 

Late Post

It's been over a month and a half. No post from the TwoOneFour Manuscript. "Why so long?", you ask. Well, the awful outcome of the Cowboys vs. Packers game is the reason.

I've disbanded from football talk and sports for over a month, due to the "non-catch".

My honest opinion: Dez caught it.

But alas, the football season is over. The Patriots have been crowned champs. And we await to hear the resulting decisions regarding Deflate-gate.

How Bout Them Cowboys?! (Dallas Cowboys)

Going into Week 17, the Dallas Cowboys are 11-4 with the NFC East title cruising to the playoffs. I have to admit, I didn't give the Cowboys a chance to perform better than the past three years. This team proved me wrong, as well as a large number of Cowboys fans, haters, and media reporters.

One article I found the most laughter over came from the USA Today in June 2014. They predicted the Cowboys to finish last in the NFC East with a record of 3-13. Over the summer, I saw this as shocking news for Cowboys fans everywhere. Cowboys fans worldwide wanted this team to succeed, but we knew what we were dealing with.

From USA Today:

NFC East
Eagles 11-5 (4): Class of weak division. But can Nick Foles reproduce 2013 magic? DeSean Jackson's speed will be missed.Redskins 7-9: If the line and RG3's knee hold up, this offense will be hard to slow, but defense may be year away.Giants 6-10: Eli Manning's supporting cast is getting younger, even if he isn't. Team speed doesn't impress. Cowboys 3-13: Tony Romo's back, defense are looking awfully frail. Dallas fans might end up pining for .500 teams.

We lost all of our preseason games and thought we were in for an 8-8 or worse season. Furthermore, the Cowboys lost the first game of the season. The whole sports atmosphere of Dallas had checked out on the Cowboys didn't have as much high expectations as before.

Now, 11 wins and 4 losses in this redemptive season have shown the Cowboys in a new light. This is definitely a new team and the energy/chemistry level is at a championship-contending level. The Cowboys are ready to move forward and put all the critics to bed. We've beat Seattle. Took care of the Eagles. Sent the Colts back up north with a beating.

In my opinion, the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals are the teams to beat in the NFC. As long as the Cowboys take care of these teams, they should do well and have a memorable comeback season.

Go Cowboys!

Does TCU Deserve to be Ranked over Baylor? (College Football)

The Horned Frogs have earned the spot as of now according to the College Football Playoff  Selection Committee, but do they really deserve to play in the semifinal with a loss to Baylor on its résumé?

I was recently posed this question following the Selection Committee's recent rankings and thought it would be a good idea to post my answer on here. Before I begin, I love Baylor and TCU but the numbers do not lie. In my opinion, rank should be based upon more than an overall record, such as strength of schedule and the way teams performed in wins and losses.

Well, let's begin:

TCU has a better record against common opponents:

The beauty of the current Big 12 setup is that each team plays every other team, so when comparing résumés between Big 12 teams, you get plenty of chances to compare performances.

Thus far, TCU and Baylor have both played Oklahoma and West Virginia. Both teams got the best of the Sooners, but in different ways. TCU played an undefeated, full-strength Sooners squad at home and held on to a small lead late at home. Baylor played Oklahoma without its best receiver, dominating the Sooners in Norman. The Bears might have the advantage there, but the games against West Virginia may be a better comparison. Both teams had to go to Morgantown, but only TCU was able to come away with a victory on the road, winning on a last-second field goal. The Bears were held from doing much against WVU in a 41-27 loss.

TCU’s loss to Baylor is better than Baylor’s loss to West Virginia:

While Baylor has the head-to-head battle on TCU, that loss is probably the best loss on any résumé in the country. If you look at it as any random opponent and not a head-to-head matchup, TCU led for the better part of three quarters over its opponent, mostly dominating while on the road. That loss was a result of one bad quarter and came against a top 10 opponent. Baylor’s loss, regardless of what TCU did against West Virginia, came to a team that has three losses this season in a game in which Baylor never seemed to have a chance to win after halftime. If you take the head-to-head element out of it, TCU’s loss is much more understandable and forgivable than Baylor’s.

TCU has a tougher out-of-conference schedule:

The schedules for these teams match up pretty well for a side-by-side comparison. Both play a full nine-game Big 12 schedule against all the same teams. They each convincingly beat an FCS opponent, with TCU beating Samford 48-14 while Baylor beat Northwestern state 70-6. Both teams had fun beating up SMU, as TCU won in Dallas 56-0 while the Bears opened McLane Stadium with a 45-0 thrashing of the Mustangs.

The difference in schedule comes in that last game. The Horned Frogs scheduled a home-and-home with Jerry Kill’s Minnesota program that started in Fort Worth this year and heads north in 2015. TCU didn’t have much trouble in that one, shutting down the Golden Gophers in a 30-7 game in which Minnesota didn’t get on the board until the fourth quarter. The Gophers have only made that TCU win look better as the season continues by contending in the Big Ten West and compiling a 7-2 record thus far. Baylor’s answer? The Bears hit the road for a Friday night matchup with Buffalo. The MAC (Mid-American Conference) team brought its best, but fell to Baylor 63-21. The Bulls are a weak 5-6 this season and will need to win its final game to become bowl eligible. These wins just don’t compare, and rewarding Baylor for scheduling cake walks is not a good precedent for the committee to set in the first year of this system.

The Phase of Inconsistency (NFL)

We often forget how the maturation of a franchise quarterback is supposed to go. Inconsistency is one of the phases in which young quarterbacks in the NFL most likely go through. Some trudge through this phase most of their NFL careers, while others encounter it for a short period of time. It seems as though Robert Griffin III and Geno Smith are still maneuvering through this phase.

Robert Griffin III

Both quarterbacks were very successful at the collegiate level; however, they have not been able to fully transfer this success to their current NFL careers.

RG3 has suffered from a recurring knee injury and Geno has simply failed to adequately study the New York Jets' playbook. These factors have served a purpose in these guys' inconsistent performances, but why are these guys being started on Sunday?!

Reasons Why RG3 and Geno are Starting QBs

Jets QBs Geno Smith (7) and Michael Vick (1)

Jersey / Ticket Sales: Robert Griffin III and Geno Smith are the face of their respective franchises for a reason. These guys may not consistently provide wins, but the front office can count on fans to attend games based on "what is expected" of their play.

Optimistic View from Owner's Perspective: We all have to agree there is a defining factor in which teams draft players. Whatever "factor" that may be can serve to explain an owner's / team's willingness in the dependency of certain players, despite their performance level.

Threat of Backup QBs: Although the Cowboys lost to the Redskins about five weeks ago, the Redskins' victory showed Washington in a competitive light. With McCoy calling the snaps, there was undoubtedly a "new" Redskins team who bought into the leadership of Colt McCoy.

After a great uproar of McCoy's surprising performance, the Redskins announced Griffin would start the following week. I couldn't believe it. The performance of Colt McCoy had shook the sports world in D.C.

Redskins QB Colt McCoy

As for the New York Jets, backup QB Mike Vick's performance has not been too threatening to Geno Smith's. After all, it seems that Vick is in New York to serve as a mentor for Geno; however, Vick's antics of not being "prepared" has influenced Geno to possibly do the same.

In their short career spans, Robert Griffin III and Geno Smith have seemed to hurt their teams more than help them. Currently, the Redskins are giving Colt McCoy a chance to lead the team in the direction for the remainder of the season. In my opinion, I think Colt is the better option. McCoy wants to win, period. No flash or flair, just a classy guy who wants to win.

As for Geno, his backup Mike Vick has been as ineffective as Smith himself. I recently joked on Twitter that Coach Rex Ryan is allowing "Geno and Vick to play rock, paper, scissors in deciding who will start each Sunday." The Jets are currently facing a terrible 2-10 season and Coach Rex Ryan may be on his way out of the door.

Eagles QB Mark Sanchez

Griffin and Geno have a chance (I'm not too sure about Geno) to successfully break out of this phase. Until these guys get a well-deserved reality check and become better leaders, they will most likely continue to hurt their teams in the long run.

Mark Sanchez is a great example of someone who recently broke out of this phase of inconsistency. Philly is having one of their best seasons in awhile and Sanchez is really thriving with Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense. The team has collectively bought into the program and Sanchez's leadership, which has placed them as a potential contender for the NFC Championship. Maybe there is hope for RG3 and Geno after all.

Should Only Conference Champions Play for the Title?

Should only conference champions qualify for the College Football Playoff?

Since its early beginnings, college football has thrived upon the aspect of regional competition. The schools in their respective regions would form a conference and compete against one another, ultimately crowning the champion of the region "Conference Champions." Following those regional championships, various polls (Associated Press and Coaches' Poll, etc.) would rank the national champion; but, there would be no doubt who was the best locally.

Winning the region mattered more than winning nationally most of the time. Longhorn fans mainly wanted to beat Texas A&M and Oklahoma every year (and vice versa), enthusiastically placing non-conference and sub-par conference teams in the losing column. Just imagine how Alabama fans in the SEC (Roll Tide!) measure the Crimson Tide's success rate, such as basing a "successful" season on if they beat Auburn or LSU. College football is serious, but conference play is even more serious.

With the conference title, your team earns bragging rights for the rest of the year...which is wayyyy more important than a national championship, right? Or, it used to be.

Well, the trend of NCAA National Champions has been very consistent in catering to SEC dominance. In the past 10 years, 9 of those championships have featured a school from the SEC (Southeastern Conference). I'm focusing on this conference because its conference champion (and even runner-up) has almost always been represented in the national championship.

This is why conference play has been so important to college fans, players, and coaches. Win the conference and you have a better shot at vying for the #1 or #2 spot. As for those 3rd place finishers, their consolation prize may be the toughest pill to swallow (playing for 3rd place)...especially those who may finish the season undefeated.

Will the College Football Playoff provide the necessary solution for the issue of "conference favoritism"?

The College Football Playoff has established a selection committee who pick the best teams fit for competition, which means the AP Top 25 Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll mean absolutely nothing.

All we can do is hope the selection committee will bring integrity and a non-bias culture to the college football postseason. Of course, this 13-member committee includes people with ties to different schools but they will not be able to vote for their respective schools in order to remove any bias.

This can be a step in the right direction for college football. Even though four teams will be selected by the committee, there will always be a team who gets the short end of the stick (5th place finisher).

The McIlroy Wager

Gerry (left) and Rory McIlroy (right)

Imagine placing a wager on your child to win a golf championship (British Open) and beating the odds, 500-1.

Gerry McIlroy's imagination became a reality this past Sunday when his son, Rory, captured the British Open for his third major golf title.

In 2004 when Rory was only 15 years of age, Gerry placed a 200-pound ($340.71, in U.S. dollars) bet at 500-1 odds on his son to win the golf tournament within ten years. In addition, family friends placed bets in 2005 at 250-1 odds.

In addition to Rory's $1.66 million in prize money for winning the British Open by two strokes, Gerry McIlroy's friends pocketed over $80,000 apiece -- with Gerry earning close to $171k.

I'm sure this has been an unforgettable weekend for the McIlroy Family.

The victory moved McIlroy three-fourths of the way to golf’s modern career Grand Slam. He won the U.S. Open in 2011 and the PGA Championship in 2012 and now needs a victory at the Masters in Augusta, Ga., to become the sixth man to complete the feat.

Farewell to the Golden Days of Boxing



Muhammad Ali defeats Sonny Liston

Long ago, there was a time when boxing was at the forefront of American sports. You had guys that brought flair and class to the sport, and many spectators would give their undivided attention to see/hear those matchups.

Names such as: Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson, and George Foreman (and the list goes on) embodied the epitome of boxing. In other words, these heavyweights (and others) were the force behind the success of boxing in its glory days.



Knockouts, illegal hits, non-stop trash talk, and intense grudge matches made boxing very engaging for boxing and non-boxing fans.

I can remember watching my first fight on PPV: Mike Tyson vs. Lou Savarese in 2000

Mike Tyson in the 90's

 The first punch that Tyson landed was a left hand that dropped Savarese to the canvas. The referee attempted to stop the fight at 26 seconds by getting in between the two, but Tyson continued to hammer away at Savarese, taking down the referee in the process. Shortly afterwards, Tyson was awarded the technical knockout (TKO) victory after only 38 seconds of action.

I also remember my dad finding it hard to believe Tyson had knocked this guy out in 38 seconds, let alone the 1st round. The scene in my house played out as:

Dad: "I'm going to get some nachos in the kitchen."
Family: "Ok, the match is just now starting."
Family: "Oh! Tyson knocked him out in the 1st round!"
Dad: "What?! I missed it! Show me the replay. Ya'll are just playing.." (Unfortunately, DVR was not available in 2000).

And at the end of the match, I became a boxing fan that night.

I continued to watch different fights over the years, and slowly adapted to the gradual decline of the Heavyweight class' notoriety - which eventually turned its main focus to the smaller weight classes.

Now, it seems that the decline of boxing can be attributed to its shift away from glorifying the Heavyweight Class. Instead of anticipating a knockout in less than 3 or 4 rounds, high-profile boxing matches are likely to endure the full length of a 12-round bout.

Could this be the primary mean of extending the viewer time (time = $$$) for designated networks, such as HBO and Showtime?

HBO-sponsored Boxing Ring

Whether or not, the main point is: boxing is not the same. Furthermore, I do not think it will ever be able to reach (or top) its golden days between the periods of Ali and Tyson. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. may be the only fighter to bring "that type" of flair to the boxing ring, but he cannot do it alone.

UFC Fighters in action

Today, the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) have caught the attention of many more fight spectators.

Plus, the disagreements between promotional giants are not helping the sport AT ALL. Fans want to see great fights. I'm sure the fighters want to be in great fights, also; but, the promoters' motives of "tagging" a fight as their own is the main obstacle in scheduling these big matchups (i.e. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao).

Maybe one day, we will be able to see a fight on the level of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Despite a number of losses by Pacquiao, he is still at the top of his game...and we all know Floyd still has some fight left in him.

In all, this can be a good change for boxing. The trash-talk, knockouts, and highly-acclaimed grudge matches may not come from the Heavyweight Class, but the "heavyweights of today" are keeping the boxing landscape entertaining. As for now, I will enjoy as much boxing entertainment as I can - slowly adapting to the future changes in this industry.

Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Jr.

The Guide to Becoming a World Cup Fan

Have you been keeping up with the World Cup in Brazil?

I've only been able to catch a few matches, but I have to admit that I am pleased with the amount of sportsmanship (and foul play) on display in the tournament.

Countries from all over the world (32, to be exact) are competing for the prized possession of the World Cup and bragging rights to hold for the next four years. And while on their way up, or kicked off, the tournament ladder, these guys do everything it takes to win in their designated groups (aka pools) - whether it's kicking a guy in the face to comical, shoving matches.

Sounds like the Olympics, but for one sport. It's that serious.

Argentina Soccer fan cheers on team.

The World Cup offers everyone the perfect excuse to root for any country based on their desired preference of culture, vacation destination, popular athletes, etc.

So what if you live in the United States and wear a jersey from Italy? Or claim to like football more than "football" (American Football). That's the beauty of the World Cup. You can cheer for whoever...and whenever - just know AT LEAST the star player's last name and number for future conversations.


WARNING: Sports fans can be harsh critics and will attack your argument when you fail to know "enough" about your team.

Well, if you happen (or anticipate) to fall subject to such criticism for insufficient knowledge of your "team" and the World Cup, here's a few guidelines for becoming a natural, World Cup fan:

• Cheer on your team with pride, but don't over-do it.

The last stigma a fan should want to be labeled is a "superfan." Seriously, it's just a game (no, it's not!).

Soccer is life.

I'm pretty sure people wouldn't want to hear about your allegiance to a certain team during every conversation.

It's good for people to know that you're a dedicated fan, but try not to ruin their "World Cup experience" based on how long you've been following a team and why they are sooooo much better than last season.

•  Stupid Unnecessary questions are not allowed.

"Why does his hair look like that?"

"Is there a coin flip for who gets the ball first?"

"Why are the penalty cards yellow and red? And why don't they have a green one?"

Instead, ask questions that relate to the substance of the game such as: "Who do you think will win the title this year?". Save questions regarding FIFA rules for later.

And if all else fails, just google your question. I'm sure Wikipedia has some vital information to keep you on top of the game conversations.

• Finally, being observant really pays off.

So you find yourself itching to ask a question about a player, but fail to know his name? No problem. 

You will easily learn during the match because their names are printed across the back of their shirts. Also, team sponsors can be found on the back of the jerseys, but you should be smart enough to know that there aren’t eleven men all called "Pepsi."

In the remaining three weeks left during the World Cup, I hope you will find this information beneficial when cheering for your team(s).

Just remember, it's not just a game...

It's the World Cup in Brazil, man.