Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The U being, well, The U
I went with a WSJ link this morning to give this blog a more 'serious' tone to it. With that out of the way, what the hell is going on in Miami? Nevin Shapiro, some ponzi schemer that is (was?) a Miami booster, is blowing the whistle on Miami and it's looking kinda bad for the Canes. In interviews with Yahoo! Sports, Shapiro claims some of the benefits he provided to players "included but were not limited to cash, prostitutes, entertainment in his multimillion-dollar homes and yacht, paid trips to high-end restaurants and nightclubs, jewelry, bounties for on-field play (including bounties for injuring opposing players), travel and, on one occasion, an abortion".
The depth of Shapiro's alleged illegal activity with the Hurricanes has people talking about the Death Penalty; something we have only seen once in NCAA football - SMU got sanctioned with it in 1987. In fact, this sanction has only been doled out by the NCAA five times in history across all sports. The Death Penalty prevents a school from competing in a sport for a year. End of discussion. It is the steepest penalty that the NCAA can hand out and you have to be in some deep shit for them to play the card.
That said, I can see where The U is worried about receiving the Death Penalty. SMU had a slush fund set up and was literally paying players while they were playing football. Not to mention that players were being given money to sign with SMU to begin with. When you look at some of Miami's alleged violations, they look pretty similar. Funny thing is, this is only a big deal because the people involved are scholarship athletes. You know what you call cash, prostitutes, and entertainment in mutimillion dollar homes/yachts otherwise in Miami? A typical weekend.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Today was pretty solid, IMO
I woke up this morning a little after 6:40 am to help Lizette go through the emotional event of dropping off AJ for his first day of daycare. I played it off like I wasn't overly bothered by it, but it saddened me a lot more than I led on. I'd like to think that the bond that I have with the boys are pretty strong but they will never be as strong as the bond they share with their Mom. And rightfully so, may I add. Our moms do one of the most selfless things on the face of this earth - give birth to all of us.
Lizette hurried off to work and I headed back home so I could get ready for work myself. I was feeling under the weather but it wasn't anything a little ibuprofen wouldn't cure. I took a pair of advil along with the rest of my morning meds, finished my morning routine, and headed to work hoping the meds would kick in sooner than later.
I walked into the office still feel crappy but with the usual game face on. I may be having a shitty morning but hey, I'm walking into a job that I love to make a decent wage to help support a family that loves me. Around 8:45 or so it felt like the heater was turned on and I knew that salvation was soon at hand - my feverish symptoms would soon give way.
Fast forward through the day. I took a late lunch because I was swamped at work and it was 4 pm before I knew it. I started to feel a little icky again and I should have heeded the warning signs. I didn't take my second dose of ibuprofen for some stupid reason and soon it was too late. I felt chills coming on and my hands felt like freaking ice cubes. I took some more ibuprofen and kept plugging away.
I may clock out around ~5 pm during the work week but my day doesn't stop there. I like to spend time with the family when I get home, especially now that I have a day job after working graveyard shift for 5 years. I headed home to pick up Julian because he wanted to come with me to pick up his little brother. Poor Julez is as emotional as anyone through this transition. In fact, when we picked up AJ, Julian bolted over to him, picked him up, and gave him a huge hug. I couldn't help but smile.
When we got home and settled, I made an executive decision. I bought this sweet book for Jim knowing that it'd be right up his alley. It was on how to survive out in the wilderness. The original plan was to keep it under wraps until Christmas. We're going camping in two weeks, though, and what better time to give him the present? I hope it made his day as much as it made mine.
So here I am at 6:30 waiting for my fever to break. I still feel crummy but it's going to be time to get dinner ready soon. My beef stew is being requested by both Lizette and Julez so I can't let them down! Maybe I'll take a quick power nap until 7:30 so I have ample time to do the prep work. I want to have dinner ready by the time Lizette gets off her 12 hour hospital shift.
tl;dr version - see the title.
Lizette hurried off to work and I headed back home so I could get ready for work myself. I was feeling under the weather but it wasn't anything a little ibuprofen wouldn't cure. I took a pair of advil along with the rest of my morning meds, finished my morning routine, and headed to work hoping the meds would kick in sooner than later.
I walked into the office still feel crappy but with the usual game face on. I may be having a shitty morning but hey, I'm walking into a job that I love to make a decent wage to help support a family that loves me. Around 8:45 or so it felt like the heater was turned on and I knew that salvation was soon at hand - my feverish symptoms would soon give way.
Fast forward through the day. I took a late lunch because I was swamped at work and it was 4 pm before I knew it. I started to feel a little icky again and I should have heeded the warning signs. I didn't take my second dose of ibuprofen for some stupid reason and soon it was too late. I felt chills coming on and my hands felt like freaking ice cubes. I took some more ibuprofen and kept plugging away.
I may clock out around ~5 pm during the work week but my day doesn't stop there. I like to spend time with the family when I get home, especially now that I have a day job after working graveyard shift for 5 years. I headed home to pick up Julian because he wanted to come with me to pick up his little brother. Poor Julez is as emotional as anyone through this transition. In fact, when we picked up AJ, Julian bolted over to him, picked him up, and gave him a huge hug. I couldn't help but smile.
When we got home and settled, I made an executive decision. I bought this sweet book for Jim knowing that it'd be right up his alley. It was on how to survive out in the wilderness. The original plan was to keep it under wraps until Christmas. We're going camping in two weeks, though, and what better time to give him the present? I hope it made his day as much as it made mine.
So here I am at 6:30 waiting for my fever to break. I still feel crummy but it's going to be time to get dinner ready soon. My beef stew is being requested by both Lizette and Julez so I can't let them down! Maybe I'll take a quick power nap until 7:30 so I have ample time to do the prep work. I want to have dinner ready by the time Lizette gets off her 12 hour hospital shift.
tl;dr version - see the title.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tevez Watch - 8.4.11
We're about 3 weeks removed from the last big transfer news surrounding Carlos Tevez. When we last left off... Captain Carlos was going to spurn big boy football and return to his roots via transfer to Corinthians. A 40m transfer fee was agreed upon and Tevez looked like he wouldn't have to travel back to Manchester after the conclusion of the Copa America. Then at the last minute, those talks stalled because Corinthians allegedly couldn't get sufficient bank guarantees to Man City officials. I guess the old "trust me, I'm good for it" routine didn't work.
All the while, City was in the process of luring Sergio Aguero to Eastlands. To hell with Tevez, right? City turned around and reopened bidding for Tevez to other European teams at a rumored price of 50m. Inter looks to be the most interested, with a partial swap involving Samuel Eto'o coming to Eastlands being talked about again. And now, we get word that Tevez is due to report back to Man City today. He is, after all, still under contract to City; a contract that is reported to be well into the 200k p/w range.
It looks like the prospect of Tevez staying looks more reasonable than ever. And as long as City get off to a good start on the season, who's to say that he doesn't have a true change of heart and decide to stay a little longer? City will be legit contenders in all of their major competitions - the Premier League, the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. A win over United in the Community Shield to start the season could be the start that both City and Tevez need. Could you honestly imagine any player wanting to leave a team that wins two major trophies in any given season? Not only that, but a team that has all the financial backing in the world? I certainly hope not.
All the while, City was in the process of luring Sergio Aguero to Eastlands. To hell with Tevez, right? City turned around and reopened bidding for Tevez to other European teams at a rumored price of 50m. Inter looks to be the most interested, with a partial swap involving Samuel Eto'o coming to Eastlands being talked about again. And now, we get word that Tevez is due to report back to Man City today. He is, after all, still under contract to City; a contract that is reported to be well into the 200k p/w range.
It looks like the prospect of Tevez staying looks more reasonable than ever. And as long as City get off to a good start on the season, who's to say that he doesn't have a true change of heart and decide to stay a little longer? City will be legit contenders in all of their major competitions - the Premier League, the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. A win over United in the Community Shield to start the season could be the start that both City and Tevez need. Could you honestly imagine any player wanting to leave a team that wins two major trophies in any given season? Not only that, but a team that has all the financial backing in the world? I certainly hope not.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Two first round picks, two cuts
The Falcons released Jamaal Anderson and Michael Jenkins today. Forget implications this has on the salary cap and roster makeup. The first thing I thought was - these were some of the last guys drafted by Rich McKay. In fact, these guys kind of bookend McKays draft history with the Falcons, whom he GM'd from 2003 to 2008.
Michael Jenkins was drafted in the first round in 2004; McKay's second draft after assuming GM duties in 2003. Jenkins was the second of two first round draft picks for the Falcons in 2004. Deangelo Hall was drafted with the 8th overall pick and then Jenkins was drafted 29th. Jenkins never amounted to much during his seven seasons in Atlanta. He had 267 receptions for 3512 yards and 20 TDs. At best I think you could argue that Jenkins could be a below averge #2 receiver.
Jamaal Anderson was also drafted in the first round; this time in 2007 which was McKay's last draft. Anderson was handed the starting RE position and every Falcons fan had their dreams crushed when his potential was never realized. 4 seasons, 105 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. 1 big draft bust. Anderson was eventually moved to a pass-rushing DT role before he was moved to the cut list.
Michael Jenkins was drafted in the first round in 2004; McKay's second draft after assuming GM duties in 2003. Jenkins was the second of two first round draft picks for the Falcons in 2004. Deangelo Hall was drafted with the 8th overall pick and then Jenkins was drafted 29th. Jenkins never amounted to much during his seven seasons in Atlanta. He had 267 receptions for 3512 yards and 20 TDs. At best I think you could argue that Jenkins could be a below averge #2 receiver.
Jamaal Anderson was also drafted in the first round; this time in 2007 which was McKay's last draft. Anderson was handed the starting RE position and every Falcons fan had their dreams crushed when his potential was never realized. 4 seasons, 105 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. 1 big draft bust. Anderson was eventually moved to a pass-rushing DT role before he was moved to the cut list.
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