There has been some pretty big developments over the past few weeks that I really haven't touched on.
We will soon have a new President in the Oval Office. Barack Obama will become the 44th, and only colored, President of these United States of America...and it looks like it was a failed attempt by many to "cancel out" my vote.
When I look back on it, I was one of the few people, in my group of friends, that actually voted for Obama. I know Jenny, Knapik...and a few others, went with McCain...but the people have spoke.
Everyone is going to point to the fact that the largest number of black voters ever came out for this and voted in this election...well if you're going to point that number out, just realize that if you desperately wanted McCain to win, you should've went out and voted yourself. There will be a lot of people at their homes complaining about having a black guy for Pres...he's really only about 9% African American, somewhere in that neighborhood...but a lot of those people probably stayed at home, for better or for worse. The lot of them now thinking they should have got off there asses and voted for the woman on that side of the ballot when the primaries came about...but they probably were at home, again...when that time rolled around.
What's done is done...and I am happy about it. I saw Obama the day after the release of his victory talking on TV and that guy, he just has a presence about him. The way he looks, the way he speaks, just the way he controls the stage and the audience...we don't have anything close to that right now in the White House, and it is time for that to change.
Even if there are spots in his Presidency that come up where he has no idea what to do, no plan of attack, he will at least sound intelligent throwing a little BS at us...and not like a kid bumbling about why he didn't turn his HW in. And don't think I expect Mr. Obama to throw BS around, I truly believe that he will be the guy to stand up for his mistakes and have a strong demeanor when tough decisions need to be made. He just seems like a guy a lot of people, myself included, can get behind and feel huge support for. I'm sure the racist people, which there will be plenty when he makes his first mistake or does something a few people don't agree with, will come out of the woodwork and complain about him being black or Muslim or whatever...but he's going to do a great job, it's just something he puts off. To be honest, his face should be on a stamp and some kind of currency as well...just a thought.
----------
Trent Dilfer is an idiot. There. I said it.
After the Browns have recently decided to play Brady Quinn at QB, for the rest of the year hopefully, he decided to state that the Browns are a "dysfunctional organization" that runs their team to put "butts in seats" and does things based on "what the fans want."
Hey Trent? How did your stat line look when you played for Cleveland? Oh that's right, you threw 12 picks and were then trader for KEN DORSEY and a draft pick. Maybe you're a little bitter about the fact? Listen, your an analyst now for ESPN so you are supposed to speak your mind. But that was ridiculous. Just because you got into a heated battle with then offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon (remember him Browns fans?) and were then traded from Cleveland because you wanted out, doesn't give you the right to jump up to the podium and bash them for making Brady Quinn the new QB. It's the right move. It's the right time. And the Browns will be better for it. Sure they lost the Thursday game against the Broncos...but that was only after the D, which had been pretty solid up to these past 2 weeks, gave up their second double-digit lead in two games...and if Kellen Winslow doesn't drop that pass (or we actually try to give the ball to Jamal Lewis, who had been hammering the Broncos all night on 3rd or 4th down), Winslow had been pretty good most of the night, catching 2 TD's (but also fumbling at a bad time), the Browns may have come up with a win. Tonight's game against the Bills will be a better test of BQ's ability. He'll have a full week of practice under his belt, his first with the first teamers, and hopefully everyone comes to play.
I can't think of what else I wanted to gripe about. But I'll come back soon.
Promise.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Just To Get You to Come Back Later...
I just realized a thing or two after coming home from a Miami of Ohio trip to visit Jeremy this past weekend.
1. You cant run in DC shoes. Well you can, if you actually have them laced up. But if you have your DC shoelaces tied up, or untied up like you should...then its really damn hard to move at a pace faster than a walk. Doin it in the rain none the less, just intensifies the difficulty.
2. The people from The Hills Have Eyes are real. Ask Chad.
3. You can take Cedar road the whole way (but not really).
4. I got some pretty cool people around me right now.
A weekend trip to visit someone more than an hour away is something I really don't do. I really haven't done that much, come to think of it, ever.
I know I'm 23, I know I pretty much wasted my first few years of college not doing much and not having the best time I could. Sure I thought I was having a good time at the time...follow?...but now I realize that I could've been having a better time...maybe.
Who I hang out with now is completely different from those who I hung out with when I was a freshman and sophomore in college. Pretty much everyone I hang out with is different. I was really around older people when I first came into school at NDC. I was the only freshman cross country runner of my grade, and one of 10 or so freshman athletes...there weren't many people my age around when I first came to NDC. So I hung around some older kids, and of course a handful of student athletes my age...none of whom, I really talk to all that much now. The older generation has moved on, moved away...and I started new friendships my junior, senior, and after years now.
A lot of the people I'm friends with now I think really can relate to me and just seem to have the ability to relate more to me and my interests. A lot of my years as a freshman and sophomore in college were spent in my room, or just hanging out with one or two other people at a time. Now, its hard to find a time where its just me and one other person...unless that person is Jenny, which is then understandable. But the relationships I have developed now, seem like ones that could last longer than a few years. I'm hoping they can last past the college life and onto the next.
Ive been having a pretty good time the last few months, hanging out and having fun. Ive gotten closer to some people who I really never got the chance to be really close to, and I think its mainly in part of where Jenny is living this year. At her old house, i was still friends with everyone she lived with...I just feel more comfortable in this new house and just how I get along with everyone in it. Its been a good transition for me and I'm really enjoying it.
So here's to more good times. I'm happy to have a great bunch of people around me, you all know who you are...I'm hanging out with you on a constant basis. But this weekend was a good time for me, I don't do that too often, just hoping there are more memories to come. I don't think I'm making up for lost time, I'm still a young guy, I'm just having the best time that I can and the people around me are who makes that possible.
"Ar-ugula"
"I crack myself up on that one"
1. You cant run in DC shoes. Well you can, if you actually have them laced up. But if you have your DC shoelaces tied up, or untied up like you should...then its really damn hard to move at a pace faster than a walk. Doin it in the rain none the less, just intensifies the difficulty.
2. The people from The Hills Have Eyes are real. Ask Chad.
3. You can take Cedar road the whole way (but not really).
4. I got some pretty cool people around me right now.
A weekend trip to visit someone more than an hour away is something I really don't do. I really haven't done that much, come to think of it, ever.
I know I'm 23, I know I pretty much wasted my first few years of college not doing much and not having the best time I could. Sure I thought I was having a good time at the time...follow?...but now I realize that I could've been having a better time...maybe.
Who I hang out with now is completely different from those who I hung out with when I was a freshman and sophomore in college. Pretty much everyone I hang out with is different. I was really around older people when I first came into school at NDC. I was the only freshman cross country runner of my grade, and one of 10 or so freshman athletes...there weren't many people my age around when I first came to NDC. So I hung around some older kids, and of course a handful of student athletes my age...none of whom, I really talk to all that much now. The older generation has moved on, moved away...and I started new friendships my junior, senior, and after years now.
A lot of the people I'm friends with now I think really can relate to me and just seem to have the ability to relate more to me and my interests. A lot of my years as a freshman and sophomore in college were spent in my room, or just hanging out with one or two other people at a time. Now, its hard to find a time where its just me and one other person...unless that person is Jenny, which is then understandable. But the relationships I have developed now, seem like ones that could last longer than a few years. I'm hoping they can last past the college life and onto the next.
Ive been having a pretty good time the last few months, hanging out and having fun. Ive gotten closer to some people who I really never got the chance to be really close to, and I think its mainly in part of where Jenny is living this year. At her old house, i was still friends with everyone she lived with...I just feel more comfortable in this new house and just how I get along with everyone in it. Its been a good transition for me and I'm really enjoying it.
So here's to more good times. I'm happy to have a great bunch of people around me, you all know who you are...I'm hanging out with you on a constant basis. But this weekend was a good time for me, I don't do that too often, just hoping there are more memories to come. I don't think I'm making up for lost time, I'm still a young guy, I'm just having the best time that I can and the people around me are who makes that possible.
"Ar-ugula"
"I crack myself up on that one"
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Day 4
Alright this is getting re-Goddamn-diculous.
The Cleveland Browns have become a laughing stock...they fit in (but not really) with the Lions and the Bengals right now near the bottom of the NFL and it is making my stomach hurt just thinking about watching them play what they call "football."
The Kellen Winslow ordeal just adds another delectable layer to this already crumbly cake (mmmm cake).
So after a week or so of speculation about Winslow's injury, it turns out he had a staph infection...again.
I'm not sure what he was more upset about:
1) the fact he had staph infection...again
2) phil savage decided not to give him a phone call to say "buck up big guy, we miss you"
3) he wasn't on the field during the drubbing of the Giants
or 4) rumors were running rampant that his testicles were swollen/there was a lump down there and that it was an infection/STD
I think I'd go with 4, but I'm not a betting man.
Winslow isn't either, because he took a chance by speaking out about Savage and the entire Browns management team...which led to his one game suspension.
Now I'm with Winlow 100% of the way here. He talked about wanting to ask for a trade and yadda yadda I know, but that was out of frustration for how he is being treated, "like a piece of meat." How on Earth do the Browns first let rumors of Winslows condition get so out of control, mak him keep the story a secret, make sure everyone BUT Phil Savage give Winslow a call, and finally actually let another staph infection set back another injury to this team?
Staph infections are bad, real bad, they can kill you. LeCharles Bentley's career is over likely to one...Joe Jurivicious might be next. Reports say that there have been at least 6, if not 7, cases of staph running through the Brown's IR in the past 4 or so years...that ridiculous. I havent heard of any other team having this many problems with staph in the NFL...ever. They talk about how they had a team meeting at the beginning of the year and let everyone know how they are making usre the scalpals are clean and all that jazz...but me letting everyone know that those forks in the sink are clean dont worry...and then having crusted fish sticks (mmm fish sticks) on them is not even close to understandable. I can see why he's upset.
I read a couple things in the Plain Dealer about how this is about his contract and people are getting all ticked off at Winslow for speaking out...cmon. He told reporters at the end of the interview he wanted to be a Brown and that he loved the fans and the city. He probably plays the hardest out of anyone on that team and does so with two bum knees (even though they are his fault) and a bad shoulder. He doesnt complain about not getting the ball or give excuses about his injuries. He shuts up, catches everything thrown in his vicinity, and goes to the Pro Bowl. Yea he can be an ass, he can be a "solider!!", but he's the best receiver on this team, and I think (before Shaun Rogers got here) he is the best/co-best player on the team. Why would you bash a guy for speaking out? Because he wants a new contract? Give me a break. Why don't you all go contract staph...twice...then see how much complaining you'd want to do to the Cleveland Clinic. You'll feel like they did your surgeries in a back alley with a garden hose and some loose metal shavings.
Cut Winslow a break. Yea he wants a new contract...and he may not be deserving of one, yet. He has the argument against him that the wear and tear on his body, caused by his own actions, is running him down and he will be hurt more than he plays over the next few years...an investment on him might be a bit risky. But think about this. He plays injured now. Why wouldnt he play injured in 2 years? I read in the paper that Dallas Clark, the Colts tight end, signed a new contract this year for 6 years at $36 million with a $5 million also available through incentives. Well according to those numbers, thats a little over a cool $6 mil a year...Winslow? He makes about $4-4.5 through the next 3 years. The NFL is a business, no contract is guarenteed and this is how the system works: You do work son, you get paid. Winslow was an ACTUAL Pro Bowl player last year (not a fill in like DA) and he did so playing on 2 bad knees (still his fault) and bum shoulder all year. If the guy says he wants to be a Brown, he wants to be a Brown..i think its put up or shut up time for Phil Savage. Maybe if you had made a 2 minute phone call to see how your recently infcted, Pro Bowl. team superstar, tight end was doing, this may have never happened. He deserves his money...he messed up in the past, messed up real bad...but he's been playing like that "soldier" from Miami ever since.
Because you know how it goes in Cleveland...you let this guy go in a trade and he will come back and kill us.
Out
The Cleveland Browns have become a laughing stock...they fit in (but not really) with the Lions and the Bengals right now near the bottom of the NFL and it is making my stomach hurt just thinking about watching them play what they call "football."
The Kellen Winslow ordeal just adds another delectable layer to this already crumbly cake (mmmm cake).
So after a week or so of speculation about Winslow's injury, it turns out he had a staph infection...again.
I'm not sure what he was more upset about:
1) the fact he had staph infection...again
2) phil savage decided not to give him a phone call to say "buck up big guy, we miss you"
3) he wasn't on the field during the drubbing of the Giants
or 4) rumors were running rampant that his testicles were swollen/there was a lump down there and that it was an infection/STD
I think I'd go with 4, but I'm not a betting man.
Winslow isn't either, because he took a chance by speaking out about Savage and the entire Browns management team...which led to his one game suspension.
Now I'm with Winlow 100% of the way here. He talked about wanting to ask for a trade and yadda yadda I know, but that was out of frustration for how he is being treated, "like a piece of meat." How on Earth do the Browns first let rumors of Winslows condition get so out of control, mak him keep the story a secret, make sure everyone BUT Phil Savage give Winslow a call, and finally actually let another staph infection set back another injury to this team?
Staph infections are bad, real bad, they can kill you. LeCharles Bentley's career is over likely to one...Joe Jurivicious might be next. Reports say that there have been at least 6, if not 7, cases of staph running through the Brown's IR in the past 4 or so years...that ridiculous. I havent heard of any other team having this many problems with staph in the NFL...ever. They talk about how they had a team meeting at the beginning of the year and let everyone know how they are making usre the scalpals are clean and all that jazz...but me letting everyone know that those forks in the sink are clean dont worry...and then having crusted fish sticks (mmm fish sticks) on them is not even close to understandable. I can see why he's upset.
I read a couple things in the Plain Dealer about how this is about his contract and people are getting all ticked off at Winslow for speaking out...cmon. He told reporters at the end of the interview he wanted to be a Brown and that he loved the fans and the city. He probably plays the hardest out of anyone on that team and does so with two bum knees (even though they are his fault) and a bad shoulder. He doesnt complain about not getting the ball or give excuses about his injuries. He shuts up, catches everything thrown in his vicinity, and goes to the Pro Bowl. Yea he can be an ass, he can be a "solider!!", but he's the best receiver on this team, and I think (before Shaun Rogers got here) he is the best/co-best player on the team. Why would you bash a guy for speaking out? Because he wants a new contract? Give me a break. Why don't you all go contract staph...twice...then see how much complaining you'd want to do to the Cleveland Clinic. You'll feel like they did your surgeries in a back alley with a garden hose and some loose metal shavings.
Cut Winslow a break. Yea he wants a new contract...and he may not be deserving of one, yet. He has the argument against him that the wear and tear on his body, caused by his own actions, is running him down and he will be hurt more than he plays over the next few years...an investment on him might be a bit risky. But think about this. He plays injured now. Why wouldnt he play injured in 2 years? I read in the paper that Dallas Clark, the Colts tight end, signed a new contract this year for 6 years at $36 million with a $5 million also available through incentives. Well according to those numbers, thats a little over a cool $6 mil a year...Winslow? He makes about $4-4.5 through the next 3 years. The NFL is a business, no contract is guarenteed and this is how the system works: You do work son, you get paid. Winslow was an ACTUAL Pro Bowl player last year (not a fill in like DA) and he did so playing on 2 bad knees (still his fault) and bum shoulder all year. If the guy says he wants to be a Brown, he wants to be a Brown..i think its put up or shut up time for Phil Savage. Maybe if you had made a 2 minute phone call to see how your recently infcted, Pro Bowl. team superstar, tight end was doing, this may have never happened. He deserves his money...he messed up in the past, messed up real bad...but he's been playing like that "soldier" from Miami ever since.
Because you know how it goes in Cleveland...you let this guy go in a trade and he will come back and kill us.
Out
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lives to See Another D.A.y
Well, in case you missed it...the Browns won this past Monday against the undefeated, and reigning NFL Champs, the New York Giants.
And after all that talk about losing DA and giving up on him for Quinn, it seems like everyone has forgotten tha whole concept.
Well DA, and everyone else, finally stepped to the plate and played well...played like they should be playing, and showed off on a national stage.
It was good to see the Browns win, not only because I have a $5 bet that they will make the playoffs, but just because I am a Browns fan...and I'm tired of losing, especially after the great showing the Tribe had this year...don't get me started.
Butit was great to see everything clicking for the offense for once. The defense has been playing tough and tired all year because of the offenses inability to produce touchdowns or first downs...but the offense decided to do a complete 180 and get first down after first down, never punt, and not turn the ball over.
Giving the defense an actual rest between drives showed. 3 picks, one for a TD, a lot of pressure, and just an overall good game. Brandon Jacobs were running rampant on us...but that will happen with a guy his size, you aren't going to stop every running back every night, just ask Mike Adams. Did anyone peel him off the goal line yet? He got owned...and it sucks because it gave up a TD, but its Mike Adams...and he's not that great...but man, you gotta get lower than that when trying to tackle a guy who weighs 100+ pounds more than you.
Shaun Rogers is a beast. There was speculation that he would be lazy and not play to his potential. But he is taking on 2 offensive lineman each play and still is second on our team with sacks...plus he literally flattened Eli with a couple of hard rushes and then laying his 350+ pound frame onto his (Eli's) side. He helped him up afterwards...but that was the least he could do after that.
But back to DA...it was good to see him have some consistency and find guys who actually caught the ball. Braylon had a career high in yards, up over 150 i believe...and Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins (who?) made up for Kellen Winslow's abscene by catching everything thrown their way and scoring. After DA threw his one pass in the first quarter well behind, and over the head of newly activated Dante Stallworth, i thought we were in for another beat/let down...but DA calmy found his grove by throwing short passes, then caught fire with a couple of deep balls to Edwards, and then one to Dinkins across the middle. It was nice to see them spreading the field...especially on such a good team.
Now we just have to keep the mometum...we're at a good place at 2-3 after the extremely slow start, but the road doesnt get easy. The Redskins next week are going to be a challenge and they just lost to the unwinnable Rams...which is both good and bad news as they will be looking to make someone pay because of that slip-up.
The real controversy will be next year it seems, in what to do with Quinn if Anderson plays well through the rest of this year. If DA can play just as well as last year, or even improve, there might be a decent draft pick in it for us to trade BQ. But I ay if Quinn has no problems with the backup role for another year, then theres no reason to let him loose. I woud hate to have him come back and kill us...but i would also hate to miss the opportunity to find some personnel in the draft. We will see how Sunday, and the following weeks go...but if DA can perform at the same level and lead the Browns to an above .500 year and a possible playoff berth...he'll be the QB of the future...not BQ.
Lets go Browns.
Eli Manning, tell me how my 350+ pound ass tastes
Sincerely, Big Ole Shaun Rogers
Out
And after all that talk about losing DA and giving up on him for Quinn, it seems like everyone has forgotten tha whole concept.
Well DA, and everyone else, finally stepped to the plate and played well...played like they should be playing, and showed off on a national stage.
It was good to see the Browns win, not only because I have a $5 bet that they will make the playoffs, but just because I am a Browns fan...and I'm tired of losing, especially after the great showing the Tribe had this year...don't get me started.
Butit was great to see everything clicking for the offense for once. The defense has been playing tough and tired all year because of the offenses inability to produce touchdowns or first downs...but the offense decided to do a complete 180 and get first down after first down, never punt, and not turn the ball over.
Giving the defense an actual rest between drives showed. 3 picks, one for a TD, a lot of pressure, and just an overall good game. Brandon Jacobs were running rampant on us...but that will happen with a guy his size, you aren't going to stop every running back every night, just ask Mike Adams. Did anyone peel him off the goal line yet? He got owned...and it sucks because it gave up a TD, but its Mike Adams...and he's not that great...but man, you gotta get lower than that when trying to tackle a guy who weighs 100+ pounds more than you.
Shaun Rogers is a beast. There was speculation that he would be lazy and not play to his potential. But he is taking on 2 offensive lineman each play and still is second on our team with sacks...plus he literally flattened Eli with a couple of hard rushes and then laying his 350+ pound frame onto his (Eli's) side. He helped him up afterwards...but that was the least he could do after that.
But back to DA...it was good to see him have some consistency and find guys who actually caught the ball. Braylon had a career high in yards, up over 150 i believe...and Steve Heiden and Darnell Dinkins (who?) made up for Kellen Winslow's abscene by catching everything thrown their way and scoring. After DA threw his one pass in the first quarter well behind, and over the head of newly activated Dante Stallworth, i thought we were in for another beat/let down...but DA calmy found his grove by throwing short passes, then caught fire with a couple of deep balls to Edwards, and then one to Dinkins across the middle. It was nice to see them spreading the field...especially on such a good team.
Now we just have to keep the mometum...we're at a good place at 2-3 after the extremely slow start, but the road doesnt get easy. The Redskins next week are going to be a challenge and they just lost to the unwinnable Rams...which is both good and bad news as they will be looking to make someone pay because of that slip-up.
The real controversy will be next year it seems, in what to do with Quinn if Anderson plays well through the rest of this year. If DA can play just as well as last year, or even improve, there might be a decent draft pick in it for us to trade BQ. But I ay if Quinn has no problems with the backup role for another year, then theres no reason to let him loose. I woud hate to have him come back and kill us...but i would also hate to miss the opportunity to find some personnel in the draft. We will see how Sunday, and the following weeks go...but if DA can perform at the same level and lead the Browns to an above .500 year and a possible playoff berth...he'll be the QB of the future...not BQ.
Lets go Browns.
Eli Manning, tell me how my 350+ pound ass tastes
Sincerely, Big Ole Shaun Rogers
Out
Thursday, October 2, 2008
DA > BQ??
If you have been paying attention to the Browns this year...you can tell that they really haven't lived up to the hype the media threw at them.
But they deserved it. Going 10-6 last year and suprising everyone, probably even themselves a little bit...they should have high hopes for the next season. See: Cleveland Indians.
But after a "slow" start at 1-3...there seems to be a lot missing from last year. Actually, just the offense.
The defense was not that great last year and has actually improved a bit as the weeks have gone on. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are not starting corners however...and not having Brodney Pool and Sean Jones healthy in the same game doesn't help matters at all. But adding Sean Rodgers in the middle has helped with the run stopping. The LB's still aren't great, but they are young...so maybe they'll keep improving as well. Alex Hall showed flashes the last 2 games taking over the starting OLB job. So we'll see how the defense keeps up, especially if they are on the field for long periods of time...since the offense has numerous 3-and-outs.
So the offense...Braylon Edwards will not get to his 16 or 17 touchdown mark that he told Michael Phelps he would get...does he even have 16 catches this year? He doesn't (thanks yahoo sports). So with those 11 catches, he almost has as many drops as receptions....if you didn't know, that's not good.
The offensive line has been bad as well, a near 180 degree turnaround from last year. Injuries have been a big part and not having Eric Steinbach out there ruins some chemistry...Ryan Tucker has also been absent. But that doesn't excuse Joe Thomas for missing his assignments...they need to get it together.
Kellen Winslow has been the only good thing on offense so far. Jamal Lewis has run decent, but he needs the ball more and needs bigger holes up front. But Winslow has quietly caught pass after pass across the middle and gets laid out time after time. Who knows how long he'll last if the team keeps losing however...and him getting drilled everytime the ball comes his way won't help his torn up motorcycle knees either. If the Browns start to slide...and slide and slide...look for Winslow and Edwards to not be happy and to start talking out. They'll want out of town if we don't change things around.
So that leaves us with possibly the most important position on the offense and possibly the entire team...the QB. QB DA has been poor to say the least...and that's the least we can say about him. He has more picks than TD's and has a terrible completion percentage. I think I saw somewhere that his average yards per pass is also way down, from a little over 7 to just a hair over 4. He's looked awful under pressure and has under and over thrown a ton of receivers this year already. He's still young and it could still be growing pains...but if you make it to the Pro Bowl, even if its because of injuries to other people, you dont have growing pains the next year.
With all that being said, the BQ debate has already sprung and people were looking to have DA replaced against the Bengals last week...coach Crennel eluded to the fact it might happen, but Phil Savage said that there was no discussion about ever using Quinn.
The Browns did win last week. They beat the Bengals, and their backup Harvard graduate quaterback who obviously was not facing the likes of Brown and Dartmouth University. If Carson Palmer had started, you cant say that the Bengals would have won...but I will. There is no way he throws 2 picks or fumbles the ball like Fitzgerald did...our defense played well, but there were a lot of mistakes on the other side.
DA was average at best...he was playing against an injury riddled Bengals secondary, and he threw 2 picks...yet one was taken away because of penalty. But he didnt throw for over 200 yards and still looked undecisive and not the quarterback we need to win.
The Browns are headed into a bye week and maybe they are thinking the time off, especially after a win, even a sub par one, will have the team on a high and maybe get some much needed momentum. If the Browns were going to make a QB change and didn't want to make one last game, now would be a time to do so. With an extra week of practice BQ could easily make the transition. We do face the defending Super Bowl champs in the Giants...so the transition may not come as easy. But if DA can average less than 5 yards a pass...theres no reason why BQ couldnt.
Quinn knows the offense, he sat and read the playbook all of last year and should be watching and learning what not to do out there. He also gives the position a little mobility...which our starter has none. So even if the O-line continues to break down...Quinn could outrun a blitz or broken assignment and buy some time.
Now I'm not for just switching the two from backup to starter and vise versa...but I would be all for trading DA to someone who might need a QB. The Patriots are not going to be happy having Matt Cassel lead their team, especially if they lose again this week...they could be potentially looking for someone to get the ball downfield to Randy Moss...and Anderson has that kind of arm. The Cheifs also need a QB...but they might not be willing to part with as much because they are pretty poor themselves. But if New England comes to you with a 3rd round draft choice...I think I'd jump on it.
There are a limited number of backup QBs available...but enough. Once you put in Quinn however, there is no going back...just having Dorsey there would almost suffice. The Browns did well in their draft this year and adding another draft pick by way of trade would be a great thing, as well as getting rid of the huge contract that you just gave to Anderson.
Now will the Browns do this? Extremely slim I am sure. Now if they fade again after their bye week, look for Quinn to be put in and to be the QB of the future. But by that time, that brand new contract you just gave to Anderson was for not. It really doesn't bother me who is receiving the snaps, as long as they can win, but its looking less and less likely that Anderson is the QB of the future.
Lets just hope DA finds some kind of rythm, Edwards starts catching everything thrown his way, and hopefully get Stallworth off the bench.
If not, it's going to be another long dissapointing season for Cleveland sports fans.
Out
But they deserved it. Going 10-6 last year and suprising everyone, probably even themselves a little bit...they should have high hopes for the next season. See: Cleveland Indians.
But after a "slow" start at 1-3...there seems to be a lot missing from last year. Actually, just the offense.
The defense was not that great last year and has actually improved a bit as the weeks have gone on. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are not starting corners however...and not having Brodney Pool and Sean Jones healthy in the same game doesn't help matters at all. But adding Sean Rodgers in the middle has helped with the run stopping. The LB's still aren't great, but they are young...so maybe they'll keep improving as well. Alex Hall showed flashes the last 2 games taking over the starting OLB job. So we'll see how the defense keeps up, especially if they are on the field for long periods of time...since the offense has numerous 3-and-outs.
So the offense...Braylon Edwards will not get to his 16 or 17 touchdown mark that he told Michael Phelps he would get...does he even have 16 catches this year? He doesn't (thanks yahoo sports). So with those 11 catches, he almost has as many drops as receptions....if you didn't know, that's not good.
The offensive line has been bad as well, a near 180 degree turnaround from last year. Injuries have been a big part and not having Eric Steinbach out there ruins some chemistry...Ryan Tucker has also been absent. But that doesn't excuse Joe Thomas for missing his assignments...they need to get it together.
Kellen Winslow has been the only good thing on offense so far. Jamal Lewis has run decent, but he needs the ball more and needs bigger holes up front. But Winslow has quietly caught pass after pass across the middle and gets laid out time after time. Who knows how long he'll last if the team keeps losing however...and him getting drilled everytime the ball comes his way won't help his torn up motorcycle knees either. If the Browns start to slide...and slide and slide...look for Winslow and Edwards to not be happy and to start talking out. They'll want out of town if we don't change things around.
So that leaves us with possibly the most important position on the offense and possibly the entire team...the QB. QB DA has been poor to say the least...and that's the least we can say about him. He has more picks than TD's and has a terrible completion percentage. I think I saw somewhere that his average yards per pass is also way down, from a little over 7 to just a hair over 4. He's looked awful under pressure and has under and over thrown a ton of receivers this year already. He's still young and it could still be growing pains...but if you make it to the Pro Bowl, even if its because of injuries to other people, you dont have growing pains the next year.
With all that being said, the BQ debate has already sprung and people were looking to have DA replaced against the Bengals last week...coach Crennel eluded to the fact it might happen, but Phil Savage said that there was no discussion about ever using Quinn.
The Browns did win last week. They beat the Bengals, and their backup Harvard graduate quaterback who obviously was not facing the likes of Brown and Dartmouth University. If Carson Palmer had started, you cant say that the Bengals would have won...but I will. There is no way he throws 2 picks or fumbles the ball like Fitzgerald did...our defense played well, but there were a lot of mistakes on the other side.
DA was average at best...he was playing against an injury riddled Bengals secondary, and he threw 2 picks...yet one was taken away because of penalty. But he didnt throw for over 200 yards and still looked undecisive and not the quarterback we need to win.
The Browns are headed into a bye week and maybe they are thinking the time off, especially after a win, even a sub par one, will have the team on a high and maybe get some much needed momentum. If the Browns were going to make a QB change and didn't want to make one last game, now would be a time to do so. With an extra week of practice BQ could easily make the transition. We do face the defending Super Bowl champs in the Giants...so the transition may not come as easy. But if DA can average less than 5 yards a pass...theres no reason why BQ couldnt.
Quinn knows the offense, he sat and read the playbook all of last year and should be watching and learning what not to do out there. He also gives the position a little mobility...which our starter has none. So even if the O-line continues to break down...Quinn could outrun a blitz or broken assignment and buy some time.
Now I'm not for just switching the two from backup to starter and vise versa...but I would be all for trading DA to someone who might need a QB. The Patriots are not going to be happy having Matt Cassel lead their team, especially if they lose again this week...they could be potentially looking for someone to get the ball downfield to Randy Moss...and Anderson has that kind of arm. The Cheifs also need a QB...but they might not be willing to part with as much because they are pretty poor themselves. But if New England comes to you with a 3rd round draft choice...I think I'd jump on it.
There are a limited number of backup QBs available...but enough. Once you put in Quinn however, there is no going back...just having Dorsey there would almost suffice. The Browns did well in their draft this year and adding another draft pick by way of trade would be a great thing, as well as getting rid of the huge contract that you just gave to Anderson.
Now will the Browns do this? Extremely slim I am sure. Now if they fade again after their bye week, look for Quinn to be put in and to be the QB of the future. But by that time, that brand new contract you just gave to Anderson was for not. It really doesn't bother me who is receiving the snaps, as long as they can win, but its looking less and less likely that Anderson is the QB of the future.
Lets just hope DA finds some kind of rythm, Edwards starts catching everything thrown his way, and hopefully get Stallworth off the bench.
If not, it's going to be another long dissapointing season for Cleveland sports fans.
Out
Monday, September 29, 2008
It's Been Awhile...
Once again...i apologize for being tardy on not creating any new blogs for quite some time. Its difficult at times because I am not always around my computer and dont have the 30 minutes or so that I need/want so I can sit down and write something interesting for everyone to read.
Luckily for everyone out there, since it has been awhile, I've been thinking of a couple new things that I can write about.
The Browns QB situation, being a significant other, and Halloween have recently come to mind...but since Halloween is on the brain right now, I will dive into that area right now.
Now I really haven't had a great Halloween experience since I've been in school, at least one that I can remember being awesome. When me and Knapik went as Double Dragon, spur of the moment...that was pretty cool, but no one really knew who we were and we didn't exactly go to a place where a lot of people knew us personally, so you can only have so much fun. Last year, we again had sweet costumes...but a "parental" emergency came up with Knapik and he couldn't come. Then me and Jenny kinda had a not so good night and we once again found ourselves amongst people that we normally don't hang out with. My evil Spiderman costume was still pretty bad ass though...I got a lot of compliments...i think.
But this year I would like everything to go well. I've actually started thinking about what I want to be now, instead of waiting until a couple of days before to decide. I also would like to be around people I know, not saying that my gf isn't wonderful company, which she is!..but just having more people you like hanging around with makes that experience so much more enjoyable to everyone around.
Now I'm not really sure what everyone's plans are or what everyone is planning on going as...but I threw out the idea of being characters from Batman since the movie was such a big hit and there are enough characters to go around for everyone to have a choice.
So now I will go through a list of characters and describe who they are and what they do...then afterwards I will say who I think could be this character on Halloween...and this is just in my own opinion.
Batman: Everyone knows this guy. The hero. The star. The muscular figure who is the face of the entire Batman character...obviously. But there is more to the character than just his physique and his ability to save people...there's a dark side to this man. Sure he's calm and collected when peoples lives are on the line, but Batman has a troubled past. He's seemed to take on more of a badass persona in rcent movies, which I've enjoyed...but really it comes down to who would look the best in a Batman outfit. The thing is, I'm sure, just like my puffed up Spiderman costume, you could find one that does justice to anyone pulling on the Bat mask...but it makes it better if you just have a huge guy to begin with.
Fits - Marco - he's been him in the past, and have you seen this guy? He's HUGE
Second place is any other guy since you could find a ripped suit anyway
Robin: The unherald sidekick of Batman. Pretty much thats it, I mean he has a troubled past as well...but once again, the personality doesn't really fit into this guys demeanor anyway. So basically you have to be a "poor man" Batman...smaller, less ripped...you know how it goes. No one really likes Robin.
Fits - Chad - just because he's dressed as him before
Komer - he's pretty much a shorter, skinier Batman...which is Robin, dunno if he'd like to play the sidekick role however...
Knapik - blonde hair kinda throws him out
Batgirl: Batmans female sidekick. I really only have a few people who fit the description of "female" that will possibly go out with me on Halloween...so the results are limited.
Fits - Annie - shes taller, probably more "super heroine esk" and has blonde hair
Allie - blonde hair and a gymnist...so she moves ahead of the next two
Kathy - an edge over Jenny because she normally has blonde hair, which Batgirl does
Jenny Rohn - can, and has, dyed her hair blonde
Alfred: The dude is old, I mean he's smart,damn smart...but he's old and he wears glasses.
Fits - Me - I'm old and I wear corrective lenses
Knapik - he's smart, and he wears glasses
Two-Face: Or Harvey Dent, for you DC Comic nerds. The dude has a good side (sorta) and a bad side (really), because of either an acid accident or fire accident...depending on what Batman movie you would rather take the character from. But he's more so a bad guy with a somewhat kind heart...leaving everything he does in the hands of his two-sided coin.
Fits - Knapik - I mean he has fits of rage, then is as kind as a bunny rabbit
Marco - Two-face is a bigger, meaner, guy...and he could do that well I think
Riddler: Dude is just crazy...crazy, funny, creepy...but can be real sinister. He's a lanky guy however and has red hair, which may pose some problems...
Fits - Chad - he's crazy, funny, creepy...but can be real sinister
Knapik - he's crazy, funny, creepy...but can be real sinister
Ross - he has red hair
Scarecrow: Pretty much a normal looking guy. Not real skinny, not huge either...average Joe with a taste for making people freak the hell out.
Fits - Me - I mean, I'm good with being that creepy guy with a camera, and I'm as average Joe as you can get.
Chad - that face he made this past weekend during the Cedarville trip locks this up
Knapik - he gets that look in is eye sometimes...
Any other normal human being who wants to put on a Scarecrow mask
Mr. Freeze: Pretty much the biggest bad guy in Batman, I think. Don't yell at me if I got this wrong DC Comic fans...Freeze is played by Arnold Schawzegebaregakher in the movies, you know...the governor or whatever of California. The "I'll be back" guy...now you got it...
Fits - Marco - once again, he's HUGE. And can probably handle the incredible amount of one-liners said by Freeze in that movie. They were TURRIBLE!
Poison Ivy: Once again, a female...and I only know so many of those. But once again, has red hair. Someone is going to have to step up if they want this part.
Fits - Jenny - has been a red head in the past, and she could kiss me...because that's what Poison Ivy does.
Any other girl who will dye their hair red
Penguin: A big ole fat guy with a point nose...and I don't know many of them at all really
Fits - Knapik - he wears glasses, but the Penguin wears a monical I believe. A couple of well placed pillows could solve the fat problem
Me - I'm the fatest guy I hang out with, and Hot Rod is Mexican
A big ole round ball
Joker: There will be plenty of Jokers running around his Halloween, just because the character was made to be a costume and the hit he made on the big screen. But you have to have some certain physical features (not the lip scars, but I guess that would make you perfect for the rold if you had those...and I'm sorry if you do) that will put you over the edge...having a wig of long hair wont be the same.
Fits - Me - I'm hoping by the end of October my hair will be long enough to suffice, and I can be a pretty creppy guy if I want to be. Have you seen me taking those pictures???....exactly
Now I know there are lesser characters people could be, including Bane (Posion Ivys big ass bodyguard dude,) Cat Woman (who I dislike by all means as a super villan), and even Comissioner Gordon...but if you go out as a bunch of characters from Batman...you want people to recognize who you are. Unlike Double Dragon...which was by far the best costume I've ever been a part of while deciding to be it the night of Halloween...ever.
So we will see how it goes. I dont even know what everyone wants to do for Halloween, so this whole blog may be moot. But if it does happen, I hang out with a cast of characters who would fill all these roles quite nicely.
Out
Luckily for everyone out there, since it has been awhile, I've been thinking of a couple new things that I can write about.
The Browns QB situation, being a significant other, and Halloween have recently come to mind...but since Halloween is on the brain right now, I will dive into that area right now.
Now I really haven't had a great Halloween experience since I've been in school, at least one that I can remember being awesome. When me and Knapik went as Double Dragon, spur of the moment...that was pretty cool, but no one really knew who we were and we didn't exactly go to a place where a lot of people knew us personally, so you can only have so much fun. Last year, we again had sweet costumes...but a "parental" emergency came up with Knapik and he couldn't come. Then me and Jenny kinda had a not so good night and we once again found ourselves amongst people that we normally don't hang out with. My evil Spiderman costume was still pretty bad ass though...I got a lot of compliments...i think.
But this year I would like everything to go well. I've actually started thinking about what I want to be now, instead of waiting until a couple of days before to decide. I also would like to be around people I know, not saying that my gf isn't wonderful company, which she is!..but just having more people you like hanging around with makes that experience so much more enjoyable to everyone around.
Now I'm not really sure what everyone's plans are or what everyone is planning on going as...but I threw out the idea of being characters from Batman since the movie was such a big hit and there are enough characters to go around for everyone to have a choice.
So now I will go through a list of characters and describe who they are and what they do...then afterwards I will say who I think could be this character on Halloween...and this is just in my own opinion.
Batman: Everyone knows this guy. The hero. The star. The muscular figure who is the face of the entire Batman character...obviously. But there is more to the character than just his physique and his ability to save people...there's a dark side to this man. Sure he's calm and collected when peoples lives are on the line, but Batman has a troubled past. He's seemed to take on more of a badass persona in rcent movies, which I've enjoyed...but really it comes down to who would look the best in a Batman outfit. The thing is, I'm sure, just like my puffed up Spiderman costume, you could find one that does justice to anyone pulling on the Bat mask...but it makes it better if you just have a huge guy to begin with.
Fits - Marco - he's been him in the past, and have you seen this guy? He's HUGE
Second place is any other guy since you could find a ripped suit anyway
Robin: The unherald sidekick of Batman. Pretty much thats it, I mean he has a troubled past as well...but once again, the personality doesn't really fit into this guys demeanor anyway. So basically you have to be a "poor man" Batman...smaller, less ripped...you know how it goes. No one really likes Robin.
Fits - Chad - just because he's dressed as him before
Komer - he's pretty much a shorter, skinier Batman...which is Robin, dunno if he'd like to play the sidekick role however...
Knapik - blonde hair kinda throws him out
Batgirl: Batmans female sidekick. I really only have a few people who fit the description of "female" that will possibly go out with me on Halloween...so the results are limited.
Fits - Annie - shes taller, probably more "super heroine esk" and has blonde hair
Allie - blonde hair and a gymnist...so she moves ahead of the next two
Kathy - an edge over Jenny because she normally has blonde hair, which Batgirl does
Jenny Rohn - can, and has, dyed her hair blonde
Alfred: The dude is old, I mean he's smart,damn smart...but he's old and he wears glasses.
Fits - Me - I'm old and I wear corrective lenses
Knapik - he's smart, and he wears glasses
Two-Face: Or Harvey Dent, for you DC Comic nerds. The dude has a good side (sorta) and a bad side (really), because of either an acid accident or fire accident...depending on what Batman movie you would rather take the character from. But he's more so a bad guy with a somewhat kind heart...leaving everything he does in the hands of his two-sided coin.
Fits - Knapik - I mean he has fits of rage, then is as kind as a bunny rabbit
Marco - Two-face is a bigger, meaner, guy...and he could do that well I think
Riddler: Dude is just crazy...crazy, funny, creepy...but can be real sinister. He's a lanky guy however and has red hair, which may pose some problems...
Fits - Chad - he's crazy, funny, creepy...but can be real sinister
Knapik - he's crazy, funny, creepy...but can be real sinister
Ross - he has red hair
Scarecrow: Pretty much a normal looking guy. Not real skinny, not huge either...average Joe with a taste for making people freak the hell out.
Fits - Me - I mean, I'm good with being that creepy guy with a camera, and I'm as average Joe as you can get.
Chad - that face he made this past weekend during the Cedarville trip locks this up
Knapik - he gets that look in is eye sometimes...
Any other normal human being who wants to put on a Scarecrow mask
Mr. Freeze: Pretty much the biggest bad guy in Batman, I think. Don't yell at me if I got this wrong DC Comic fans...Freeze is played by Arnold Schawzegebaregakher in the movies, you know...the governor or whatever of California. The "I'll be back" guy...now you got it...
Fits - Marco - once again, he's HUGE. And can probably handle the incredible amount of one-liners said by Freeze in that movie. They were TURRIBLE!
Poison Ivy: Once again, a female...and I only know so many of those. But once again, has red hair. Someone is going to have to step up if they want this part.
Fits - Jenny - has been a red head in the past, and she could kiss me...because that's what Poison Ivy does.
Any other girl who will dye their hair red
Penguin: A big ole fat guy with a point nose...and I don't know many of them at all really
Fits - Knapik - he wears glasses, but the Penguin wears a monical I believe. A couple of well placed pillows could solve the fat problem
Me - I'm the fatest guy I hang out with, and Hot Rod is Mexican
A big ole round ball
Joker: There will be plenty of Jokers running around his Halloween, just because the character was made to be a costume and the hit he made on the big screen. But you have to have some certain physical features (not the lip scars, but I guess that would make you perfect for the rold if you had those...and I'm sorry if you do) that will put you over the edge...having a wig of long hair wont be the same.
Fits - Me - I'm hoping by the end of October my hair will be long enough to suffice, and I can be a pretty creppy guy if I want to be. Have you seen me taking those pictures???....exactly
Now I know there are lesser characters people could be, including Bane (Posion Ivys big ass bodyguard dude,) Cat Woman (who I dislike by all means as a super villan), and even Comissioner Gordon...but if you go out as a bunch of characters from Batman...you want people to recognize who you are. Unlike Double Dragon...which was by far the best costume I've ever been a part of while deciding to be it the night of Halloween...ever.
So we will see how it goes. I dont even know what everyone wants to do for Halloween, so this whole blog may be moot. But if it does happen, I hang out with a cast of characters who would fill all these roles quite nicely.
Out
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Public Enemy
Well for starters let me say that these past few days have been full of new knowledge to me...for the greater good I am sure.
Now let me get on to the good stuff...
OSU.
How'd that go?
After hyping up this game all week and people clamoring to see what kind of show OSU was going to put on against USC...they hopefully got their money back. Now I'm not going to say "I told you so," but I did. OSU was easily handled by their opponent in every fashion and the final score of 35-3 or 38-3 I can't remember (nor care) doesn't even begin to show what kind of whooping OSU go on both sides of the ball. This definitely takes OSU out of the championship picture...unless of course a bunch of top teams lose...twice...which will not happen. I honestly believe that they (OSU) will fall even farther in the polls about facing Wisconsin in a few weeks. The Big Ten title will fall out of their hands, the Rose Bowl will no longer be a thought...and things will need to change on that football team. It'll be interesting to see how they come out against Troy (you know, they're called "Trojans" too!!). I've heard that Troy is very fast on both offense and defense...and if OSU fails to come out with any kind of fire or a pissed off attitude...they might have their hands full. Just like they did against the powerhouse of Ohio. But by the time Wisconsin rolls around...OSU better figure something out. Terrell Pryor may be the savior, but they need to rework a lot of things.
Now as some of you may know...I recently became a part of Notre Dame's watch list. My blog, allegedly, sparked some interest around the campus higher-ups and I was called into a conference to discuss what I recently said about the financial aid staff. Now if you read the blog thoroughly, you can see that even though I made dissenting remarks about some folks...I did say not all the people had those characteristics...and that there are some new people in that office that are very helpful, very nice, and do what they can to help. But I still don't agree that it's the best situation...
I guess the thing is...it's a blog...it's just randomness and feelings that I evoke from myself and my experiences on a daily basis...and I write what I see. I'm not journalist, never said I was, not trying to be one. So the need for me to talk to people, to investigate the reason why things go down and find out all the facts, it just doesn't appeal to me or what I am trying to write about in this blog. If I wanted to get behind what I wrote and wanted to get everyone the pinpoint reasons for certain actions...I'd write for the paper, which I used to do. But this is a spot where I can come and write down what I feel about certain things and actually lay my feelings out on a line for everyone to see. If you know me, you know that I'm not one to blurt how I feel about certain issues all the time, I'm not confrontational by any means. But writing gives me that area of work where I can be confrontational and can show you what I feel about things. I've always been able to express myself with the written word better than the spoken...so you just have to understand that.
Now I thought it was exciting to hear that more than a finger-count amount of people read and have read my blog, I didn't realize I was such a HUGE deal. My ego has been soaring...but not really. But to make sure I no longer appear in NDC's search engines for "Student/Volunteer coach blog entries about Notre Dame College," I simply clicked a little box in the settings so my blog no longer is "searchable". Now that means people searching for my thoughts about Brett Favre (it still bugs me) and bank tellers ill have to either become my friend on Facebook or find a way to view my AIM profile for a link...but I'd rather not have to sit in on meetings anymore about why and what I wrote about. It was interesting to know that people took the time to read what I had to say though. Even if the higher-ups didn't agree with what had to say, maybe it'll start some conversation about certain issues at school. Like I said, I'm not one to go in an complain or throw a fit in someones face...I'd rather get someone else talking, then get the whole talking...and have everyone come to a consensus about the problem.
It was also hard to take that what I wrote about NDC has negatively influenced everything I have done for the cross country and track programs. Now I don't know how people choose or not choose to go to certain schools and institutions. But if by reading someones blog...one paragraph of a blog...changes your mind completely without ever visiting the place, I don't understand you. There are students on every campus EVERYWHERE that dislike the school they chose or certain elements of the school they are in. I can find one person a day that does not like something about NDC, but you know what, they are there...and there are plenty of things to like about Notre Dame. But you can't honestly say that people will choose to pass up NDC because I made a remark about our financial aid staff. Go in, experience it for yourself, and maybe you'll have a better experience than me. Like I said previously, my very first day here, in that office, had my entire family in fits...we couldn't believe how it went down. There was no mistake in my billing or pay, I didn't mess something up that I was supposed to do right, there were no late fee's owed...we just went in to get things set up, just like every other freshman does...and it wasn't a great situation. To think I did something wrong to be treated the way I did...that just doesn't make sense. But back to the point...even with that bad experience in the office, I didn't decide to leave or go to another school. I enrolled for a reason...and that's the reason I came. I didn't come for the personalities of the people working behind a plastic counter who figure out my bill...and I don't think other people do either. Now if you do pick schools on the basis of how welcoming and friendly 75% of the Financial Aid staff at the school is...well, then I don't know what to tell you.
But anyways, I've done a lot for the cross country and track program by being there. I don't want to feel like I'm ruining what I helped build because of what I said, so I won't. A lot of athletes have thanked me for what I have done and what I am doing, and there have been recruits that became interested in NDC just because I went on scouting trips and handed them a pamphlet of info. If my one paragraph ruins what ever future NDC has in XC and track, then I'll step away from the program today...but that's not the case.
Yea I said my brother wouldn't come here. I said nothing about the half-off pricing being crappy or that him coming to this school would be terrible for him. I just don't want him to have to deal with the things I went through, headaches that can be avoided. Aren't I supposed to look out for my little brother? I don't want to put him in a situation where he won't enjoy himself or have to deal with certain issues. But with that being said...I will talk to him when that time comes about NDC. Our XC and track programs are going in a great direction and I loved every minute of XC, there were some struggles in track, but the camaraderie alone just made it the best college experience of your life. But also, a better reason why my brother may not come here is because he is twice the runner I was at his age...and his times will enable him to choose a better school and faster program...one that will be able to offer him a full-ride perhaps, or a better price and situation because of NDC. I'm not going to tell him to not go to NDC because of a few people at the school bug me....thats selfish and dumb.
So there you have it...I could write all day on this subject and this past week, but I won't....right now. Feelings will fade in and out and certain aspects may need a little more attention than others, so you might here more about this later.
Oh and I'm real sorry if the spelling errors or grammar errors bug you. First of all the keybord on my labtop is becoming less and less effective...which explains the lack of letters at times, but you still get what I'm trying to say. I use spellcheck...sometimes....but I don't go back and read and re-read or edit my blog very much. Like I said, I'm not looking to win an award for journalism...but I do the best I can. So one more thing...gotta make sure I get this right...
"Debauchery" (spell check helped me out, hope that is suffice)
It's great to be back, and to still be here...because I'm not going anywhere
Now let me get on to the good stuff...
OSU.
How'd that go?
After hyping up this game all week and people clamoring to see what kind of show OSU was going to put on against USC...they hopefully got their money back. Now I'm not going to say "I told you so," but I did. OSU was easily handled by their opponent in every fashion and the final score of 35-3 or 38-3 I can't remember (nor care) doesn't even begin to show what kind of whooping OSU go on both sides of the ball. This definitely takes OSU out of the championship picture...unless of course a bunch of top teams lose...twice...which will not happen. I honestly believe that they (OSU) will fall even farther in the polls about facing Wisconsin in a few weeks. The Big Ten title will fall out of their hands, the Rose Bowl will no longer be a thought...and things will need to change on that football team. It'll be interesting to see how they come out against Troy (you know, they're called "Trojans" too!!). I've heard that Troy is very fast on both offense and defense...and if OSU fails to come out with any kind of fire or a pissed off attitude...they might have their hands full. Just like they did against the powerhouse of Ohio. But by the time Wisconsin rolls around...OSU better figure something out. Terrell Pryor may be the savior, but they need to rework a lot of things.
Now as some of you may know...I recently became a part of Notre Dame's watch list. My blog, allegedly, sparked some interest around the campus higher-ups and I was called into a conference to discuss what I recently said about the financial aid staff. Now if you read the blog thoroughly, you can see that even though I made dissenting remarks about some folks...I did say not all the people had those characteristics...and that there are some new people in that office that are very helpful, very nice, and do what they can to help. But I still don't agree that it's the best situation...
I guess the thing is...it's a blog...it's just randomness and feelings that I evoke from myself and my experiences on a daily basis...and I write what I see. I'm not journalist, never said I was, not trying to be one. So the need for me to talk to people, to investigate the reason why things go down and find out all the facts, it just doesn't appeal to me or what I am trying to write about in this blog. If I wanted to get behind what I wrote and wanted to get everyone the pinpoint reasons for certain actions...I'd write for the paper, which I used to do. But this is a spot where I can come and write down what I feel about certain things and actually lay my feelings out on a line for everyone to see. If you know me, you know that I'm not one to blurt how I feel about certain issues all the time, I'm not confrontational by any means. But writing gives me that area of work where I can be confrontational and can show you what I feel about things. I've always been able to express myself with the written word better than the spoken...so you just have to understand that.
Now I thought it was exciting to hear that more than a finger-count amount of people read and have read my blog, I didn't realize I was such a HUGE deal. My ego has been soaring...but not really. But to make sure I no longer appear in NDC's search engines for "Student/Volunteer coach blog entries about Notre Dame College," I simply clicked a little box in the settings so my blog no longer is "searchable". Now that means people searching for my thoughts about Brett Favre (it still bugs me) and bank tellers ill have to either become my friend on Facebook or find a way to view my AIM profile for a link...but I'd rather not have to sit in on meetings anymore about why and what I wrote about. It was interesting to know that people took the time to read what I had to say though. Even if the higher-ups didn't agree with what had to say, maybe it'll start some conversation about certain issues at school. Like I said, I'm not one to go in an complain or throw a fit in someones face...I'd rather get someone else talking, then get the whole talking...and have everyone come to a consensus about the problem.
It was also hard to take that what I wrote about NDC has negatively influenced everything I have done for the cross country and track programs. Now I don't know how people choose or not choose to go to certain schools and institutions. But if by reading someones blog...one paragraph of a blog...changes your mind completely without ever visiting the place, I don't understand you. There are students on every campus EVERYWHERE that dislike the school they chose or certain elements of the school they are in. I can find one person a day that does not like something about NDC, but you know what, they are there...and there are plenty of things to like about Notre Dame. But you can't honestly say that people will choose to pass up NDC because I made a remark about our financial aid staff. Go in, experience it for yourself, and maybe you'll have a better experience than me. Like I said previously, my very first day here, in that office, had my entire family in fits...we couldn't believe how it went down. There was no mistake in my billing or pay, I didn't mess something up that I was supposed to do right, there were no late fee's owed...we just went in to get things set up, just like every other freshman does...and it wasn't a great situation. To think I did something wrong to be treated the way I did...that just doesn't make sense. But back to the point...even with that bad experience in the office, I didn't decide to leave or go to another school. I enrolled for a reason...and that's the reason I came. I didn't come for the personalities of the people working behind a plastic counter who figure out my bill...and I don't think other people do either. Now if you do pick schools on the basis of how welcoming and friendly 75% of the Financial Aid staff at the school is...well, then I don't know what to tell you.
But anyways, I've done a lot for the cross country and track program by being there. I don't want to feel like I'm ruining what I helped build because of what I said, so I won't. A lot of athletes have thanked me for what I have done and what I am doing, and there have been recruits that became interested in NDC just because I went on scouting trips and handed them a pamphlet of info. If my one paragraph ruins what ever future NDC has in XC and track, then I'll step away from the program today...but that's not the case.
Yea I said my brother wouldn't come here. I said nothing about the half-off pricing being crappy or that him coming to this school would be terrible for him. I just don't want him to have to deal with the things I went through, headaches that can be avoided. Aren't I supposed to look out for my little brother? I don't want to put him in a situation where he won't enjoy himself or have to deal with certain issues. But with that being said...I will talk to him when that time comes about NDC. Our XC and track programs are going in a great direction and I loved every minute of XC, there were some struggles in track, but the camaraderie alone just made it the best college experience of your life. But also, a better reason why my brother may not come here is because he is twice the runner I was at his age...and his times will enable him to choose a better school and faster program...one that will be able to offer him a full-ride perhaps, or a better price and situation because of NDC. I'm not going to tell him to not go to NDC because of a few people at the school bug me....thats selfish and dumb.
So there you have it...I could write all day on this subject and this past week, but I won't....right now. Feelings will fade in and out and certain aspects may need a little more attention than others, so you might here more about this later.
Oh and I'm real sorry if the spelling errors or grammar errors bug you. First of all the keybord on my labtop is becoming less and less effective...which explains the lack of letters at times, but you still get what I'm trying to say. I use spellcheck...sometimes....but I don't go back and read and re-read or edit my blog very much. Like I said, I'm not looking to win an award for journalism...but I do the best I can. So one more thing...gotta make sure I get this right...
"Debauchery" (spell check helped me out, hope that is suffice)
It's great to be back, and to still be here...because I'm not going anywhere
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