Questions - Adam

Everything is temporary. Childhood is over, school is over. No matter how I chose to live those milestones in my life I cannot undo what I have done. I will never be the same as I was and am right now. In three weeks I will never be 23 again. The paths I took at 23 can never be undone and the paths that opened along with those that closed cannot be undone.

Back in school they never taught us what we needed to know, like how to deal with despair, or someone breaking your heart. No one ever told me the effect of sharing myself with someone. No one told me the risk or the power that I hand over. I'd seen painful breakups on TV or heard about it from other people as they experienced it. I even dished it out more than I could have ever imagined. But no one told me the power I had been given and the responsibility that comes with it. No one told me how my choices and my words could actually physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually affect someone. How it could alter them for the rest of their life. We end up hurting the worst, the only ones we really love.

I was raised by television. I saw how Zack “loved” Kelly or how Aladdin “loved” Jasmine. To tell someone I love them is to tell them from here on out my well being is, to a degree, determined by what you say and do henceforth. And if that love is returned the same effect is applied to you. The degree is determined by the amount of love I give to that person. Once this exchange takes place (which can happen without my knowing) my selfishness negatively affects the person who loves me. My decision to stop loving that person doesn't just affect me. It affects the loved one, depending on the degree given out. Love is sacrificing independence.

Are humans suppose to date? What about other cultures? Are they wrong for having arranged marriages force two people into a relationship? Who's right? Which way is the way we are suppose to live? And if our way is wrong then it's already too late because I've already dated. I cannot undo what I have done and I cannot take back the things I've said or the feelings I've felt.

Am I suppose to be content moving on? Is it wrong for someone to not want to “move on”? To not want to date? The idea of forcing myself to “move on” and find someone else doesn't sound appealing. Am I suppose find another woman who also is trying to “move on”? Are we together suppose to ignore and suppress the memories and thoughts of our first loves out of loneliness and desperation for companionship? Are we to try and recreate the feelings we first felt with other people? Is the difference between a good life and a bad whether or not I get married? Is marriage the main goal in life? Do we put too much stock in marriage?

If everything is temporary and my relationship ended am I suppose to “move on” or was that how my relationship went and now it is over? Whether a relationship ends in a break up or ends with death the result is the same. At what point is it acceptable to say, “that was the person I loved and now they are gone.” Do you have to have been married? How long? Twenty five years, fifty years? Does time determine love? What if a mother loses her child within the first year of life? Before he was even given an opportunity to fully develop is that mother expected to “move on” and be content with the next child? The next child will NEVER be the first. If a husband of 50 years loses his wife and decides not to move on is that acceptable? If a young man loses his first love because he was ignorant after only a few years and decides not to move on why wouldn't that suffice? Where is the line? How many years or what percentage of life does someone have to spend with another person?

Clive Lewis said “We are half-hearted creatures,...We are far too easily pleased.” Should I settle? Should I follow suit with everyone in my culture? Are we too easily pleased that we simply meet someone else and try to ignore the past? Is it fair to the next person I encounter for me to have said the things I said, give the time that I gave, and feel the things I've felt, with another person? I'll never be able to tell the next person you are the only woman I love.

How do you love someone? Is it determined by how physically attracted you are? How many interests you have in common? The character of the person? People change. Does that mean that love changes? Does that mean that love is conditional based on how the other person grows or changes? Can someone fall out of love? How is it possible for arranged marriage cultures to have a lower divorce rate than dating cultures? Is love a feeling or is it a commitment? Is it possible to unlove someone? If it is possible then was it really love? If love is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude, doesn't demand its own way, is not irritable, keeps no record of being wronged, never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance can you unlove someone? If you manage to unlove doesn't that prove you never loved them at all? Is it even possible for humans to love?

If I'm suppose to unlove someone because they have used their free will to choose to not be with me then doesn't that put conditions on my love? I'll love you as long as you love me?! What if God did that? Aren't we suppose to love our wives like Christ loved the church? Didn't Hosea love Gomer like God loves us? Isn't love suppose to be unconditional? And if so, doesn't that include rejection? Can love be one sided?

Am I not allowed to think these thoughts? Who determines how people are allowed to think and feel? Just because the majority went through this and ended up the way they did then I suppose I'm suppose to just follow. And if I'm not satisfied with that then does that mean I need some pill or therapy so that I can think and feel like everyone else? What if everyone is wrong? This wouldn't be the first time the majority scoffed at the minority only to later discover they were the ones who were wrong. What if every relationship and person is different? What if every person's reactions are different? Does time heal all? Or do we just learn to live with the brokenness? Married or single, divorced or arranged in the end the person(s) you gave your ἔρως to doesn't belong to you and once you finish the race you have to give them back to the Christ.

Phoneyball - Brian

Recently a movie came out called "Moneyball" which told the story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane.

It tells how Beane "transformed" baseball by using advanced statistics (sabermetrics) to build a baseball team, essentially defying the norms and standards of creating a title contender.

The movie leads you to believe that Beane is a great manager who revolutionized the game and changed baseball forever. While this makes a nice movie, it's not entirely true.

Sabermetrics were around and used before Beane fully implemented them within his club.

Sabermetrics also are not the main way in which teams build a roster. They are more used by baseball experts and fantasy junkies.

Unfortunately for the writers of "Moneyball," cash still rules the league and whoever has the deepest pockets typically comes out on top.

The last ten World Series champions with their payroll rank in parenthesis:

San Fransisco Giants (9th)
New York Yankees (1st)
Philadelphia Phillies (12th)
Boston Red Sox (2nd)
St. Louis Cardinals (11th)
Chicago White Sox (13th)
Boston Red Sox (2nd)
Florida Marlins (25th)
Anaheim Angels (15th)
Arizona Diamondbacks (8th)

For the most part, you have to at least be in the top half of the league in terms of payroll to have a shot.

The one anomaly would be the 2003 Florida Marlins. The Marlins were lead by a core of players (Miguel Cabrera/Ivan Rodriguez/Dontrelle Willis/Josh Beckett) who either were traded or left via free agency because the Marlins couldn't afford them. Now the Marlins sit at the bottom of the standings because they were unable to retain star players or pay for new ones.

Teams (like the Tampa Bay Rays) can catch lighting in a bottle by building from within, but that usually has more to do with scouting/drafting than it does with finding sabermetric gems. Then they lose their core because they can't afford them (Tampa lost Garza/Jackson/Crawford/etc.).

So while sabermetrics play some role on some teams, the name of the game still continues to be money, money, and money.

The A's are a perfect example, sitting in the bottom quarter of payroll year in and year out and having made the playoffs once in the past eight years.

I guess there is a reason it's called "Moneyball."

Friend Championship – Adam

First off, Over 10,000 views BOOM.
Second on, my Fever are in the playoffs!
Now: Second Cousin Brian and I enjoy sports. We enjoy sports banter even more! One way we can compare and contrast previous, current, and future athletes is by their hardware. The accolades they collect throughout their careers. Whether that is Championships, MVPs, First Team All Whatever, Medals, or whatever else they could obtain the point is athletes get noticed and rewarded for superior performances rising above the rest. But what about the other 99% of the world? We certainly don't get any MVPs or Championships for just being normal everyday people. Or do we? Hmmm.......

As all 100,000 of you are well aware my best friend Jake Richards got married this past June 3rd (Brian's 23rd Birthday). But what some of you may not know is that I was the best man in that wedding. Yes that is correct, of all the men Jake knows he selected me as the best. This got me thinking and it finally hit me: Being the Best Man in someones wedding is the equivalent of a friend MVP. To take it one step further Being in the wedding party of your friend is the honorable mention or first team all friends of regular life. And finally getting married is the friend championship.

You see not just anyone can become the Best Man at a wedding, likewise not just anyone gets the MVP award in sports. It takes dedication, practice, commitment, hard work, and sacrifice. It takes a lot to win multiple MVPs because of all the work that goes into it. Usually one can only dedicate themselves to one very deep and strong friendship ending in a Best Man nod. And not everyone has a friend MVP award. Now this doesn't mean that they aren't a good friend sometimes life just deals you some bad cards or you were around during the “Jordan 90's” where one dominate friend ruled the marriage era of your circle of friends. Needless to say your friend life isn't defined by a Best Man award but like any trophy it is a public acknowledgment of your hard work and success.

Being in someone's wedding party is still not necessarily the most common thing but it certainly isn't as exclusive as the MVP award. Groomsmen are like the 'first team all friend' guys. Since there can only be one BEST man but you still have some awesome dudes in your crew this lets them know they aren't just anybody to you. Like in sports this helps weed out the Pros from the Joes. Sure you may be a professional athlete but are you in the All-Star game? This is where friends will probably win multiple awards throughout their life and it is a huge honor. Again not every athlete is an All-Star.

Lastly the friend championship. Just like in any professional sport the champion is awarded with a ring. Or in golf it's a jacket...(either way you're getting both for the wedding) Marriage is your friend championship. You wear that ring with pride to let everyone know you are a champion and you've found a friend who you want to spend the rest of your life with and don't want to be away from. Again not everyone gets the friend championship. And on the other end some even win multiple rings. But just like in sports once you are a champion it is forever (or till death do you part).

To put this theory to the test I give you exhibit A: Travis Smith

Travis has won multiple MVPs and even more Honorable Mentions. He has yet to win a ring although annalists predict he will get one before retirement. As I look at his very impressive hardware and all before the age of 24 I reflect on his friendship with me and I have to admit he has made a very good case for honorable mention. Who's my MVP? Psh hands down it's Jake, It's his to lose and I just don't see it happening.

As for myself I have a single MVP which I am very grateful for. But I am projected to have multiple All-Star appearances before I retire. In fact I've been informed by my brother that I've clinched an All-Star appearance.

Just like in any award ceremony the champion (bride) gets the gold medal (ring) and stands on the highest podium then followed by the MVP (best man) and then the first team (groomsmen).

so... what's your trophy case look like?

Prediction Frenzy - Brian

Here are some predictions to munch on during the season....

Super Bowl Prediction
Houston Texans vs. Green Bay Packers

MVP Prediction
Calvin Johnson

National Championship Prediction
Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State

Heisman Prediction
Justin Blackmon

BOOM.

Take It To The Bank - Adam

Banks are places where people put their money when they aren't spending it right? A Bank is a service. So Let me ask you a question then...why are the hours of operation for a bank from 9-5?

9:00am to 5:00pm are you kidding me?! those are the exact same hours everyone works...what does this mean to us? it means that we can't get at our own money!

Solution: I believe banks should be open from 5:00pm to 1:00am.

Think about it shouldn't they adjust for us? Banks are closed for every holiday, they are only open till noon on Saturdays and not even open at all on Sundays... The weekend is the only time America isn't working 9 to 5 and that is the only time the banks are closed.

Let's face it banks are becoming more and more obsolete with online banking, direct deposit, 24/7 ATM and now ATMs are smart enough to take deposits and give you a picture of the check. But I like going to the bank I like talking to humans I don't want banks to go away. But they are shooting themselves in the foot just like the newspaper industry. If you don't wake up and try to make life easier for your clients then we'll find an easier way around you. This isn't Earth shattering change I'm talking about people. I'm merely asking that the banks work around our schedules instead of everyone having to work around theirs.

Speaking of terrible schedules don't EVEN get me started on Doctors, Dentists, and Optometrists. All of these service industry businesses should be open on the weekends its a must. Along with Auto Mechanics.

I'll be honest I'd gladly pay slightly more money and/or drive slightly further to go to a service place that's open on the weekends or evenings instead of having to take time out of my work day and inconvenience myself so that they get to leave at 2pm and only work 3 days a week.

I can't believe a 24/7 bank hasn't been put in wal-mart yet. Why is wal-mart pwning America? Convenience. I can drive there and pick up everything I want in one stop. Anytime any day. Not my fault. I'd like to support the mom and pop shops in the area but hate to break it to you mom and pop are usually in bed by 10pm and they like to have their weekends open to hang with the family. Nothing wrong with that. Can't blame them.

But I'll be at wal-mart while you take a half day off to wait at their door for Monday 9am.

Total QBR - Brian

ESPN has dedicated this year as the Year of the Quarterback, taking a deeper look at the most important position in football - the quarterback.

Along with their deeper analysis of this position, ESPN created the Total Quarterback Rating, or QBR, which throws out the Passer Rating and ushers in a new formula that takes into consideration more factors than just visual stats.

My only question - what took so long?

I have always had a problem with passer rating, as it only takes into consideration yards, completions, attempts, touchdowns, and interceptions. How does that tell the whole story of a QB's success?

If you have ever had the pleasure of listening to me talk endlessly about sports, then you have probably heard me argue for a stat that tracks wide receiver interceptions. I always hated that if a WR dropped a pass or it went through his hands and was intercepted, it still counted against the QB. How does that make sense?

Well now the QBR takes that into account. Thank goodness.

It also analyzes a QB's performance in certain situations. Did the QB throw a touchdown during garbage time, or was it a game winning or game sealing throw? Passer rating just counted a TD as a TD, regardless of how or when it happened. QBR gives more credit to clutch QB's stats than to a QB getting stats during a blowout.

As a stat nerd like myself, I find this all really exciting and much more useful. Interestingly enough, apparently an elite QB in an elite QB regardless of the rating system, as stalwarts such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady remain at the top of the QBR, just as they did with passer rating.

Kudos to ESPN for spending the time and effort to create a more effective rating, and you can bet I will be using this stat a lot in blogs to come.

Casey Anthony Trial – Adam

First off Brian did an awful job posting for the month of July...
Secondly, yes I am going to post about Casey, Caylee, Cindy and Carmelo Anthony.

Everyone hates Casey Anthony. I think it is a safe to assume if I were to poll the country the results wouldn't come back in her favor. But why? What's the big deal?
Casey was found not guilty of murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Why should she be found guilty?
For murdering her child?
But child murder is legal in the United State of America.

In fact the same day that Caylee Anthony died approximately 3,700 other children were killed by their mothers. That same year (2008) 1.21 million children were murdered by their mothers. So where is all the hatred and aggression toward these mothers? Where is all the press coverage and smear campaigns for these women? Why do people only care that Casey Anthony MIGHT have murdered her child when everyday women are blatantly ending the lives of their children for a FACT?

Caylee Anthony was almost three years old when her life ended. Would the media and public have been equally as outraged if Caylee was only two? What about if the same circumstances occurred but Caylee was only one...or not even? What if Caylee Anthony wasn't quite out of the womb yet and her mother decided to end her life?

My question is, if we get so angry and hateful toward Casey because her 3 year old was found dead why don't we feel equally toward mothers who don't even give their children a chance to get to 3?
If the idea of Casey Anthony walking freely around Ohio State's campus makes you sick to your stomach I want to know why you feel that way.
Justice? Is it because you demand justice? If that's the case then you are arguing for the wrong case. Caylee was .00027% of that day's child death toll in America. Justice was tossed out the window awhile ago.

Bottom line is all I'm asking is for some consistency. If you are going to hate moms that kill their children then don't pick and choose which lives you think are more important than others. If you are a murdering mom hater then hate all murdering moms. If you are going to support "choice" then don't pick and choose which moms should and shouldn't get to murder their children. If you are going to be a murdering mom supporter then support all murdering moms.

The Philadelphia Heat? - Brian

Have the Miami Heat invaded the NFL?

Some are suggesting that the Philadelphia Eagles are the Miami Heat of the NFL.

How ridiculous.

People are suggesting this because the Eagles have gathered an impressive group of talent through trades and free agency. They have signed the best corner in the NFL in Nnamdi Asomugha, traded for a top 5 corner in Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, and signed a pair of top end defensive linemen in Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins. Not to mention they picked up Vince Young as a backup QB.

That is a pretty impressive crop of free agents and acquisitions. No doubt the best group of players added by any team in the NFL. But the Miami Heat?

The Heat added arguably two of the top three players in the NBA, plus a pretty good third wheel in Chris Bosh. That would be the NFL equivalent of getting Tom Brady, Chris Johnson, and a pretty good wide receiver (say, DeSean Jackson). Then you might start having an argument, especially if you couple that with some really good defensive players.

Instead you added a few solid pieces and made yourself a contender, but by no means did you potentially set yourself up for a dynasty.

Nor have the Eagles guaranteed championships or broken a cities hearts.

So no, they are not the Miami Heat.

But they just might be Super Bowl favorites for 2011-12.

And that should be good enough.

facebook login – Adam

I know I have already mentioned that the Internet is the greatest invention of people, that must make faceSchuch the cherry on top. As I think back to all the stages the Internet has gone through from aol, ebay, instant messaging, youtube, craigslist, google, faceSchuch seems to be the king (at least right now)

faceSchuch has changed the world.
It has eliminated the need for photo albums. Why print your pictures and set them in a book in your house for no one to see when you can post them on your faceSchuch for all your friends and family to see?
It has eliminated the need for reunions, this last June marked the 5 year anniversary of graduation for the class of 2006. As vice president of my class in high school a few officers attempted to organize a reunion. We exchanged pleasantries then the reunion that was to be never happened. Why? Because why would anyone want to go to a class reunion when they can simply look on your faceSchuch page and get all the information about your life they could possibly want? It has killed electronic mail, instant messenger programs, myspace, and many more to come.
It has eliminated the 'blind date' anytime a friend has a friend they want you to meet the very first thing you ask is “let me see their faceSchuch page” (which reminds me of how less and less creepy Internet dating is being perceived in society)

faceSchuch is eternal.

Obviously there are two sides to every coin so this is both a good and a bad thing.
If you think short term faceSchuch being eternal probably isn't the best thing since employers can look on there and slightly further down the road (depending how far on the road you are) your children may see/read somethings that could compromise your authority in the household.
But if you think long term faceSchuch will be a HUGE resource for generations to come. Archaeologists will have their work cut out for them. (which could be another thing to add to the faceSchuch killed list) faceSchuch will be a window into the past people from the future will be able to see everything about our culture since everyone posts everything. In the past only the powerful were remembered but now everyone has the opportunity to leave their mark on earth. Think about how faceSchuch has the ability to link your relatives. If we continue that thinking everyone will be able to trace their family trees back to at the very least 2004! how incredible would that be to not just see the name of your ancestor but also what their favorite TV shows were and all of their worthless status updates! Or read the very first wall post your great grandfather sent hitting on your great grandmother?

I don't think we realize exactly what we are doing every time we post something on faceSchuch. Sure we know that everyone can see it and to think twice before pressing send but can you honestly say that you know how your page will affect/effect the world 500 years from now? (granted the world doesn't end in October)

One Last Step - Brian

The NFL lockout is on the verge of ending. For the most part, the players and owners have figured out how they want to split up the vast amounts of revenue that the NFL brings in. There are only a few more sticking points that need to be ironed out.

The main issue? The owners desire to have the right of first refusal - also known as some serious restricted free agency.

The basics behind the right to first refusal? Basically, the owners want to have up to three players that they can essentially turn into restricted free agents by matching any offer that another team offers one of their free agents. So if Tom Brady becomes a free agent and receives an offer from the Houston Texans, the Patriots would have the option to match that offer and keep Tom Brady.

In that scenario, Brady wouldn't truly be a free agent because he can't go to where he wants. He essentially has no control over where he can sign because the Patriots would be crazy to let him go to another team.

This would also make teams not want to bid on certain players if they knew they had no chance at getting them. Would any team think they had a legitimate shot at Brady? Of course not. So why waste your time offering him a contract? This could drive down the market value of Brady and the Patriots could potentially get him for a cheaper price because there would be less offers for him.

This would be an awful thing for the players to agree to. The best players in the league could never become true free agents because they would have no control over where they can go. I don't blame the players for holding out on signing until this gets changed.

I want the lockout to end as much as anyone, but not under those terms. The owners already have the transition tag and franchise tag, and that should be enough.

We are almost there, we just have to get past this one last step.

Patriotic Faith – Adam

There are two topics that are cultural faux pas: politics and religion. Here is a post about both:

With the 4th of July coming up in 5 days I've started to notice how tightly knit some people have associated God with government confusing patriotic pledges with prayers. Some citizens have gotten the line so blurred that characteristics from one are spilling into the other. People start mixing religion and politics more and more until eventually they can't tell them apart.

If I asked you to rank the importance of your faith, and your country how would they stack up?

Allow me to make some statements:
Jesus isn't Caucasian
Jesus didn't speak English during His first visit
The Bible wasn't originally written in English
The national anthem isn't a prayer
God isn't obligated to bless America/ America isn't guaranteed God's blessing

I know to some of you this is pretty obvious but believe it or not there are Americans out there who have either never considered this or don't believe it. Let me clear some stuff up right now before people start to get angry at me. I am thankful for the freedom of this country. I am grateful that I don't have to fear a lot of the same things the rest of the world has to fear on a daily basis. But having said that I am a follower of Jesus first and foremost. I have a hard time with pledging my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America when I have already been bought by the blood of Christ.

Christianity isn't American and America isn't Christian. It is troubling to see missionaries go to other countries and try to turn them into Americans rather than followers of Christ. Jesus has been rejected by people because they were being sold American culture in a Christian wrapping. Don't think it's just over seas... it happens here everyday.

A sincere Christian + false beliefs = a derailed (or disillusioned) Christian

Let me ask you this simple question: How do you feel about illegal aliens? Let me rephrase that: How do you feel about God's Children (your brothers and sisters) sharing some of God's Earth with you? Depending on how mixed religion and politics are for you will determine how difficult the question is. We start to confuse our passion and loyalty to God for our passion and loyalty to a political party or a country. Jesus isn't republican, Jesus isn't Democrat, and Jesus isn't American. If America was founded on Christianity I think we would be communist or socialist. At least closer on the spectrum than capitalism.
This 4th of July celebrate the blessing of America's freedom. Remember it is possible to be both Christian and live in America but recognize the difference.

Professional Actor - Brian

I recently encountered a question that I found pretty interesting, and am going to briefly address it here. Why? Because I can.

The question asked what professional sport you would be able to play for the longest before people realized that you were not a professional athlete.

I am spilt between two sports/positions. The first is a kicker on a NFL team. The second is a left fielder for a MLB team.

As a kicker, you will only have to go out a few times to kick (and virtually never if you play for the Browns). PATs are only about 20 yards, and that really isn't that far of a kick if you think about it. I have made those before, so I think I could be passable in that capacity.

As far as actual field goals, you would most likely shank it or kick it into the line. But in a reality, that happens quite often with professional kickers, so people would just think you had a bad kick. You could probably get away with a few PATs and a FG before everyone realized that you have no business being a kicker in the NFL. I say you might even be able to pull off an entire game.

The other position, a left fielder, could be easier or harder depending on how the game plays out. If you are playing and Justin Verlander is pitching for your team, he always has a chance at a no hitter. Why does this matter? Because if he pitches a one or no hitter, not too many balls will be put into play your way. It is a lot harder to catch a fly ball than you think, plus you would need the arm strength to throw it in for outs. But outfield is a lot easier than infield, so that is a bonus.

When you get up to bat is when you might be exposed. As long as you don't jump out of the batters box, and trust that the pitcher won't hit you, you will be fine. Plenty of people strike out so there is no risk is swinging and missing. I think you can definitely last an entire game as long as you don't have to make any serious defensive play.

I would go with baseball as the sport I think that I could last the longest in.

What are your thoughts?

Men's Wrongs – Adam

Why don't people watch women's sports? Why don't women's sports air during prime time on networks?

Inferior product?

But have you ever wondered why it is an inferior product? I know sports are Brian's area of expertize and I know Brian just did a blog on the WNBA vs High School Boys however I'd like to step out and ask this question...about women's sports...why not?

I've scratched my head over this for a while now and one main theme keeps coming up...loyalty. I truly believe that loyalty is the one and only reason the majority of America doesn't watch women's sports. Since the WNBA seems to be the most successful of the female sports I will choose to focus on it. I know there are many others but if women want their sports to get a foothold into mainstream media they'll have to break the ice somewhere and the WNBA is their best shot right now.

This season marks the 15th year of the WNBA. The NBA began in 1946 (thankfully for me the math is simple, 50 years). Men had a 50 year head start on women in the game of basketball. When sports fans talk about who the greatest basketball player of all time is Wilt is automatically not allowed to be in the discussion...why is this? Because Wilt played from 1959 to 1973 against no competition or as Cody would say “a bunch of 5 foot white guys.” This would mean that the NBA was still an inferior product after 15 seasons. So should we expect the WNBA to be as elite as the NBA or should we expect sub par athletes at this stage? “But women's sports are purely fundamental” wasn't the NBA the same way when it first started?

“But men's sports are more aggressive/competitive” This falls back on loyalty. Why are these games more competitive? Because as generations pass their passion to the next they also pass along rivalries and bias towards their team. Do you think the Red Sox look at the Yankees on their schedule and think “hmm just another game” or do you think they are going to play competitive because of all that is at stake for their fans and their team. The same goes for Ohio State v Michigan (the greatest sports rivalry) what do all high stakes competitive games have in common? Loyalty. WNBA hasn't even been around for one generation how can we expect them to be competitive when they have no 3rd generation fans painting their faces and screaming at the top of their lungs?

If people only watched sports because they are competitive and more than fundamentals then why are there clippers fans in L.A.? Wouldn't everyone be Lakers fans? So what separates a clipper from a laker? Loyalty. “But men are better than women at sports” if your argument is that you want to watch only the best of the best then why do the Cavaliers exist? Why do the Browns exist? Why do the Indians exist? If we only watch men's sports over women's because they are 'better' then shouldn't there only be two teams for every sport? The best of the AFC v the best of the NFC and the same goes for the NL and the AL or the West v East. Why are their more than just two teams in professional sports? Loyalty. Fans will go to Cavs games even though they suck...why? Because they are loyal. Every Saturday in the fall the Hiram bleachers have people in them....why? Loyalty.

If we paid the same money and respect to women would their skill increase also? What incentive do women have to become athletes? Nothing in comparison to men.

Are women's sports not on the front page of ESPN because they aren't as popular? Or Are they not as popular because they aren't on the front page of ESPN? Do women not care about sports because it isn't interesting? Or Because they can't relate because they see none of their gender in sports?

People don't follow women's sports because they haven't been around long enough to have loyal fans. And men have already been dominating the sport for half a century before women even entered. To help put into perspective how far behind women are in comparison to men: Billy Graham was two years old when the nineteenth amendment was ratified and it was 6 years before Joe Paterno was born. In other words there are still people alive on earth who were around before women could even vote!

I believe that future generations will look back at the early years of the WNBA and they will think of it the same way our generation thinks of Jackie Robinson. A lot of people were against Jackie playing pro ball but now it is laughable to think of excluding Jackie. Don't you think there will come a time in the future when our grandchildren will think it laughable to not have women's sports? You have a choice right now you can either continue to mock the WNBA or you can help a group of people continue to progress and strive for equality in this country. And that starts with a loyal fan base. I don't know about you guys but I'm going to give the WNBA a fair show this season. As I have mentioned before the period of time between the NBA finals and College Football kick off is the worst time of the year for sports. So consider this my official announcement that I will follow and become a fan of a WNBA team.

Now since the Columbus Quest no longer exists nor do the Cleveland Rockers I guess that leaves me no choice but to become an Indiana Fever fan.So starting from this post on I am officially a Fever fan.I hope Brian decides to follow also and picks a team from the west so that we can begin to debate and hopefully help this sport in its early stages take flight and be among the ranks of men's sports.



Besides lets face it during the summer months we all know any sport is better than baseball.

GOAT - Brian

Everyone wants to see the GOAT. Trust me. I watch for the GOAT in every sport I follow. I'm sure you do too. It's what we do as sports fans.

I'm talking, of course, about the greatest of all time.

We all want to say we lived through the prime of the greatest player in their respective sport. That's why everyone was so captivated by Rory McIlroy at the US Open this weekend, even if you don't really follow golf (like myself).

It's why we are so quick to anoint the LeBron James' and the Dwayne Wades of the world as "the next Jordan."

It's why we are so quick to claim that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are perhaps the greatest QB's of all time, brushing aside Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and John Elway among others.

I don't really remember Jordan's prime, wasn't old enough for Bird and Magic, wasn't born for Wilt and Russell. I wasn't around to watch Jack Nicklaus win 80 majors. I can't claim to remember Elway, Marino, or Montana. I wasn't there for Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and the like.

That's why I root so hard for LeBron James. Do I care that he screwed over Cleveland? No. I want to say that I was in my prime during the prime of the GOAT in basketball. How great is it for all of the Jordan fans to say they watched every game of his? To remember "The Flu Game," "The Shrug Game," and "The Shot?"

I have the "48 Special" for LeBron so far. I want more. I want to watch the greatest players of all time. If not LeBron, then the next guy. Maybe Derrick Rose. Maybe Kevin Durant. Either way, I'll be rooting for both.

McIlroy is already being compared to Tiger and Nicklaus. You can bet that I am hoping he passes them both.

I want Pujols to keep putting up these monster numbers.

I want Manning to win a few more rings.

I want to see the GOAT.

Cinnamon Synonym - Adam

Cinnamon... what is it? Many a night I have stayed up tossing and turning over this question...

when someone says something tastes like cinnamon do you really know what taste they are referring to?
Allow me to explain my extreme frustration and confusion with this strange substance known as "Cinnamon"
There are two types of cinnamon...yes that is right it actually has two tastes and it isn't like they taste somewhat similar, oh no, the two tastes of cinnamon are about as similar as LeBron and Jordan (one sucks the other is amazing)

1. Cinnamon #1: or as I will refer to it henceforth to eliminate confusion "CinnaBron" cinnaBron is the cinnamon used in things like Big Red Gum, Hot Tamales, and Crest Cinnamon Rush. notice something about all of those product's packaging? they all have some sort of reference to fire in them. Why because cinnaBron is a hot spicy cinnamon it doesn't taste good and if you are expecting the other cinnamon you will be unbelievably disappointed (much like how LeBron leaves you feeling when you were expecting Michael)
   
2. Cinnamon #2: Now this is what I'm talking about this is the cinnamon we all know and love. this cinnamon is used in delicious foods such as cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast crunch, and Cinnamelt. This cinnamon is tasty and when ever I ask for something cinnamon flavored this is the cinnamon I am referring to. It is superior in every way.
   

Do I think it is a cruel joke for the high ups in the food industry to name two contradicting flavors the same thing? yes. Is there anything I can do about it? no. Well not exactly I do have one of the top 10 most viewed blogs on the internet at my finger tips (its actually the most viewed) and with it a chance to change and fix the world to exactly the way it should be (the way I see it). I will use the media outlet to express my interest in changing the name of the hot spicy overrated cinnamon to cinnaBron while leaving the other to keep the name cinnamon.

These two tastes should have never been named the same thing the world has messed it all up and once again I am left to clean up the mistakes of our forefathers. It is a dirty job but someone has to do it.

I would say I'm open to other name suggestions for the two cinnami but this looks like a pretty open and closed case.

You're Welcome

Jordan Fades Back - Brian

This season I have been lauding quite a bit of praise on LeBron James. I have argued that Cleveland fans need to get over losing him and move on. I have argued that James was the leader of the Heat. I have argued that James was the MVP of the NBA regular season.

I don't take any of those back. But one thing that I will never argue, and no one should ever even suggest anymore, is that LeBron can be as good as Jordan.

I really only need one number to prove that, and here they are:

LeBron - Game 5 2011 NBA finals: 9 points

Would Jordan ever have submitted a game like that? Absolutely not. LeBron also looked lethargic defensively during that game too. No weak side blocks. No quick rotation on defense. Just a lot of standing around.

Jordan would have been in LeBron's face if they had played together, making sure there was no standing around. And if that wasn't bad enough, LeBron made almost no effort to make sure the Heat didn't lose the next game at home.

Jordan would have done everything possible to make sure his team won in that situation. He would have taken over that game and if his team lost, it wouldn't have been because of Jordan.

LeBron has nothing on Jordan.

And after these finals, I should never hear an argument to the contrary.

Urine Yield – Adam

Alright so I know every dude has used a urinal thus I know ever dude has had the extremely disgusting side effect of urinal use...
the splash back.

Yes it is up there as one of the most disgusting things known to an America man. Even more so is the neighbor splash where the bro next to you gives you a little treat on the feet.

I know a few dudes who have put their wet foot down and refuse to use urinals because of splash back. Well the other day as I was experiencing the unavoidable slash back on my legs and feet holding back my urge to barf I started thinking... its 2011 and porcine is the best we can come up with for a urinal? It's basically a force field reflecting right back onto you... so I started to consider other possible urinal material then it hit me like a splash of urine to the toes...

what if instead of changing up the material we simply change the design... Ladies and mainly gentlemen I give you one of my top 100 best ideas ever “The Urine Yield Shield” The UYS is a simple modification of the classical urinal. The only thing you have to change is simply make the urinal opening a long narrow gateway much like the trench on the death star.

The current “satellite dish style” actually encourages splash back. The side walls that are intended for privacy end up becoming urine navigators that help make sure ever drop of urine is returned to sender. I know I'm not a scientist but a simple trip to the bathroom and anyone can figure out there is a flaw to the design of the urinals.


So you might be thinking “Adam why hasn't someone solved this problem before?” Well folks it is because I believe that the shoe industry is also connected to the urinal industry you see if we solve this problem then shoes won't be covered in strangers urine thus people won't buy shoes as often. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if Nike has this blog taken down minutes after the posting of this article. In fact I would be surprised if it stays up all day today!

If anyone has any tips that you've mastered on how to prevent slash back I'm all ears.

A Buck or Two - Brian

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney recently proposed and increase in scholarship money that schools would be allowed to give to student athletes to help cover the "cost of attendance."

Delaney argues that the current scholarships, which cover tuition, room and board, and books, do not cover the true cost that athletes face when going to school. The proposed increase would be roughly $2500-$5000 more per year per athlete. This would also cover all sports within a school, not just football.

What are some of these extra costs of attendance that Delaney is talking about? Laundry, clothes, transportation, and even pizza. Unfortunately these are some things that college students have to pay for while at college. So why give athletes the money to cover such things?

So many people have rejected this proposal before actually realizing how this is actually more fair to athletes than the current system. Student athletes generate millions and billions of dollars for thier respective universities each year. Why shouldn't the university put a little bit of that money back into the scholarships to help said athletes?

They make so much money for their schools, why shouldn't the schools help the students buy clothes and bus passes during the year? A lot of athletes wouldn't be able to afford school without athletics. If they generate the money, the deserve a little of it back.

I am not arguing for student athletes to get actual paychecks. But to add $3000 a year to a student athletes scholarship really isn't that extreme. $1500 a semester isn't going to buy anyone a super nice car or allow a student to buy a house. It's enough to pay for a cell phone, maybe grab some new clothes, and get some fast food whenever they are feeling like it.

I am all for this addition. If you make millions for your school, you should get a little back.

Besides, Ohio State has been doing it for years and they are pretty damn good. I call that a win win.

Judgment is Nigh – Adam

So what’s all this talk about tomorrow being the end of the world May 21 2011? Well let’s take a look.

According to the first site in a google search here is what we know:
11,013 BC Creation (how we know this, no clue)
4990 BC The Flood or 6023 years since creation (If Adam was born/created on year Zero then the flood actually happened 1656 years since creation not 6023 do the math!)
1988 The year the church age ended and the great tribulation of 23 years began 13,000 years since creation (first of all how do we know it was 13,000 years since creation? second of all who says the church age ended? Lastly the great tribulation of 23 years began or as I like to call it the great Adam era of 23 years began)
2011 the end of the 23 years which means Judgment Day will begin and the rapture 7000 years from the flood 13,023 years from creation (We certainly are making quite the bold calculations with how old the earth is and exactly how long it has been since the flood aren’t we?)

They go on to say that in 2 Peter 3:6-8 “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Now according to Genesis 7:4 when God told Noah the flood would occur in 7 days He also meant in 7,000 years (which apparently, according this fancy website, is tomorrow)

It goes on to explain how they got the exact date I wonder if back in Noah’s day they counted leap year… the Hebrew Calendar adds a 13th lunar month seven times every 19 years (what?!).
Upon further investigation I found that Harold Camping is predicting tomorrow because: the world will end on 21 May, that will be 722,500 days from 1 April AD33, which he believes was the day of the Crucifixion. The figure of 722,500 is important because you get it by multiplying three holy numbers (five, 10 and 17) together twice. And He’s even calling for 6pm… Is that Eastern Time? Camping is 0-1 so far in predicted the second coming. The first was 6 September 1994.

Then again Maybe these guys are on to something:
Tsunami in Japan
Earthquake in Haiti
Levees in New Orleans
Record amounts of MLB rain delays
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers at all time highs
Sumatra-Andaman earthquake
Cyclone Nargis
Tornados in the South

So the question is this: “Are more natural disasters happening on the Earth or have they been happening the whole time it’s just now because of technology and fast pace information distribution are we more informed?”

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24) “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5)

In the words of Paul Harvey here’s “the rest of the story”:

“As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24) “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5)

So I guess the question is …what do you think?
Ready or not Tomorrow will come and 6pm (not sure what time zone) will occur.

Billboard Justice - Brian

Recently, the LA Police Department put up around 300 billboards across the city in order to help find the attackers of Brian Shaw. They also have a team of 17 detective working not stop to solve the case, even offering a $200,000 reward for tips that lead to the capture of the two people responsible for this senseless crime.

In case you have been living under a rock recently and have no idea who Brian Shaw is, check out Adam's recent post.

When you read about all that the LAPD is doing to catch these attackers, you might think it's noble and warms your heart to know they are trying so hard to catch them.

My opinion? It's absolutely ridiculous.

Why does Brian Shaw deserve all of this money and man power to find his attackers? There were 7,973 violent crimes in LA during 2010. Where are those victims billboards? Where are their 17 detective?

It usuallly works out that a detective has 17 cases, not 17 detective for one case. But because Brian Shaw's attack was so public and plastered on ESPN, he deserves more attention than anyone else?

Where are the thousands of murder victims billboards?

Where are the victims of gang violence's 17 detective per crime?

The LAPD has been forced to cut police manpower because of budget cuts. But they can use all of these detectives and money in one case? Who is losing out because of this? The family in the ghetto who is just become a footnote in the LAPD?

I am all for being proactive with finding criminals, but no one should be put above another because ESPN covered the story extensively.

I'm sorry to say it, but solving Brian Shaw's crime is NOT more important than solving Jane Smith's rape case. It's not more important that solving Joe Schmoe's murder case.

If Brian Shaw deserves a billboard, that so does every other victim in LA.

Sports shouldn't trump equality in the judicial system.

Five Star Life - Adam

Are you tired of seeing all the stats on drop outs, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, youth violence, etc. Five Star is fed up with poverty and hopelessness! They know that programs don't change people! People change People! Five Star is building a massive team of people (currently around 300 volunteers) to inspire and transform the next generation. You can join in the fun on May 12th - 13th! In fact, you can spread the word for them between now and then as well:

Jordan Ford Volvo Toyota Presents "Five Star Life....Changing a Generation" Radio-A-Thon hosted by NewsTalk 95.3 Michiana's News Channel. Call in on May 12th -13th to become a Five Star Hero! 574.255.STAR (7827), or visit www.fivestarlife.org to learn more.

Tune in during Matt Patricks morning show from 5am-9am to see why he's so passionate about helping the next generation. Hear from volunteer Five Star Coaches, parents and students about the impact Five Star is having across Michiana! They have turned away more than 400 students this school year that wanted to participate in Five Star! This event will help them raise money to reach more students and grow into more schools.

Become a Five Star Hero

Questions: Call Justin Maust / 574.266.4038

If you are like me and you are thinking "...I don't live anywhere near that area nor am I exactly sure where that is how am I suppose to listen on the radio?" then do I have the link for you just click right HERE Thursday and Friday mornings from 5:00am ET till 9:00am ET to get a good ear full.

now you might also be thinking "hmm did Adam just sell out/pull a shameless plug?" the answer my friends depends on what you consider selling out... if selling out means me simply asking people to tell their friends and family and themselves to give out of your abundant riches (If you live in America you are in the top 5% wealthiest people) to help some people help people who need help. then yes this is a shameless plug and Adam has sold out. But if you think hmmm maybe my dog could go a few more days without that convertible so that I can give some coin to a cause that will bring a slice of the kingdom to this world then you and I my friend are on the same page.

Lastly some of you might be thinking to yourselves "of all the stations in America and all the times to pick something to plug, why would Adam pick this?" well my friends lets just say that if you happen to be tuned into that station this Thursday May 12th at 8:30am ET you might just catch a delightful treat for the ears.

But seriously brothers and sisters PLEASE tell people you know to tune in and listen and if you feel a nudge to give then let nothing stop you.

Dice not Thrice - Brian

I am sick of everyone talking about "The Big Three" in Miami. They aren't the "Big Three." They are more like the "Big Two and Half."

This team has two superstars - LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.

Then they have another good player in Chris Bosh.

So for all of you saying that the Heat teamed up three superstars, just stop. Chris Bosh is not a superstar and never will be. Is he a good NBA player? Absolutely. But a star? Not even close.

Bosh is barely a top 10 power forward. How can he be a superstar? You probably don't believe that there are 9 other PF's who are better, so let me name them: Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Lamarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol, Carlos Boozer, and David West.

Could it be argued that he is better than a few of those guys (Boozer, West, and maybe Aldridge)? Yes. Can it be argued that he is the best at his position? You would be laughed out of the room.

Why does this matter? Because it means that LeBron and Dwayne are carrying perhaps the worst team in the NBA outside of their top two. I have always been a huge proponent that you need two superstars to win an NBA title. That is exactly what the Heat have. They also have a pretty good player (Bosh) and the worst bench in the NBA.

The other top teams in the NBA have the same blueprint as the Heat - two superstars, a pretty good player, and the rest of the team. The Lakers (Kobe, Pau, Bynum and everyone else), Chicago (Rose, Boozer, Noah and everyone esle), OKC (Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and everyone else) and so on and so forth.

So for those of you saying that the Heat "should" win because they somehow "cheated" and got three superstars, you are wrong. They paid for three superstars but only got two. Just like the other top teams in the league.

So stop whining about it and just enjoy some damn basketball.

Including "Miami Dice."

bin Laden is Alive - Adam

First off as I'm watching the NBA play offs I can't help but wonder if Phil is going to be able to pull another title off the guy already has an Adam's Dozen of rings as is. Second off if you aren't a follower of the blog on the right hand side of the page please join up we'd like to get a better idea of how many people actually read our blog and we know it's around the 100k mark.

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed how certain roads are certain numbers and think to yourself “hmm why did they pick 270 for the name of this road I keep going in circles on?” well after about the 3rd lap I too thought the same thing.

One- and two-digit highways are national routes:
Odd numbered routes run north-south, and higher numbers are farther east.
Even numbered routes run east-west, and higher numbers are farther north.

Three-digit highways, or Auxiliary Interstate Highways, run only within a single city.
An odd first digit signifies a spur route, which may begin at a large highway and terminate at a city center.
An even first digit signifies a loop route around a city or a bypass through a city.
I-270 travels the perimeter of Columbus.
I-670 serves as a bypass of downtown Columbus.
The last two digits signify the highway's origin.
I-670 in Ohio leaves I-70 to go into Columbus.
Sometimes, a three-digit highway branches off another three-digit highway; this is called a tertiary spur route of a two-digit highway. Tertiary spurs do not meet their parent highways, but are associated with them via the three-digit highways they do meet.


After learning all of this I realized this may be the dumbest possible way to name the interstates. Alright the one and two digit highways aren't that stupid but the three digit ones are for sure. So 70 runs east-west obviously because it is an even numbered road and because it seriously does (been there done that) but then 270 and 670 loop/bypass it...so which one loops and which one bypasses? We don't know because no one said all 200's loop and all 600's bypass...

Take Toledo for instance you hop of 475 ok so I'm either loopin or cutting through and I'm somehow near 75...that's all I know? Really? And where did the 400 come from? Worthless!

Plus does anyone even need to know this information anymore? I guarantee every person reading this is thinking “oh I always wondered what the road numbers meant” and still others are thinking “I still don't know what the road numbers mean” but it doesn't matter which of the two you fall into everyone eventually just says “ehh I just use my GPS” and it is so true we don't need maps and we don't need road signs anymore.

How about we melt all the road signs and the poles that come with them into the precious metal that they are and sell it to get out of national/state debt? GPS' also tell you what the speed limit is so that's more signs to melt down! And while we are at it can we melt down all those worthless telephone lines? Fiber optic is cheaper and better...

wow look out Trump someone else has ideas churning for this country.

Coach of the Year - Brian

Today the NBA announced that Tom Thibodeau won the Coach of the Year award. He certainly deserved the award, increasing the number of wins for the Bulls by 21 games and vaulting Chicago to the first place seed in the East. He also dramatically improved the Bulls defensive and offensive efficiency.

He also did it with the help of Carlos Boozer and an incredible Derrick Rose.

With that said, I have to respectfully disagree with that selection. My vote for Coach of the Year would be George Karl, hands down. And I'm not just saying that because I am a Nuggets fan. Karl had to deal with more turmoil than any other coach this season.

First and foremost, Karl had to come back from throat cancer. That alone is a feat worth honoring. Karl was forced to miss the end of last season and the playoffs, his departure hurt the Nuggets as evident by their implosion against the short-handed Jazz. This season was a struggle for him to come back, and his impact was felt immediately by the team.

The second main issue Karl had to deal with was the Carmelo Anthony drama. The fact that Anthony openly wanted to be traded could have completely ruined the Nuggets season, but Karl was able to keep the team together and competitive while dealing with all of the off the court distractions. This is usually something that can destroy a team's season, but the Nuggets were never close to losing a playoff spot.

Karl then had to deal with the trade of Anthony and the creation of basically a whole new team. After the trade, the Nuggets somehow ended up with the second best post deadline record to go along with the best offensive efficiency rating and the second best defensive efficiency rating. This is incredible in itself to be able to make a team that competitive after a huge trade.

I realize the Nuggets flamed out in the postseason, but the award is only for the regular season and Karl showed that he finally should have won the award. No coach had to go through what the Nuggets went through and still be able to maintain success at such a high level.

Karl won the whole "did more with less" and "somehow kept a team together even though their superstar wanted nothing to do with the team" concepts.

And he still managed to get the Nuggets to 50 wins. Incredible.

So while I am not upset with the Thibodeau win, I think they might have got it wrong this year.

And now George Karl's memorable season will never forgotten. That's how it goes in sports -people don't remember who got second place.

Terrelle Tressel - Adam

FIRE HIM...
AND FIRE HIM NOW!

JT has got to go. get rid of him now.
We need to drop Tressel and hire Urban Meyer.
Yeah I said it and honestly I don't regret it at all and if anyone disagrees with me it's because you are either a Fichigan fan or pulling a Tressel (lying).

Urban said he would only coach at 3 places: Notre Dame, Fichigan, or THE Ohio State University. Seeing as how the former two just reloaded with brand new coaches I don't see those opening up anytime soon and since JT is in hot water and his sTATistically best players won't be on the field for the first five games. He needs to be let go.

Urban won double the championships in half the time JT has been at OSU. And the same amount of Heisman winners.

Do you remember Tressel's 100th win? Well the NCAA won't once all of last year's season gets vacated. Hopefully Jim won't get to relive that milestone with the Buckeyes.

I've mentioned before that JT has trouble with the big wins and I don't think Urban has that same problem.

I am tired of being guilty by association with these fans.

Kirk Herbstreit probably the most famous and well respected Buckeye Alumn (next to me) even had to move because people could not leave him alone and let him do his job
You ever hear of anyone else having to move their family...not because they pulled a Steve Bartman or anything like that but for being a fan, just not a BIG enough fan... wow way to go guys.

Same thing goes for Bruce Hooley. You hire a guy for his opinions and to get listeners then he tells his opinion and gets listeners so they fire him. Why? because he dare question the almighty Jim Tressel.

Even Spielman agrees we ought to axe the cheating liar. We have to, like Brian mentioned! I don't see anyone attacking Speilman for saying these things Hooley was the scapegoat and firing a radio host doesn't make Tressel an alright guy.

“Oh Adam give him a second chance...haven't you ever made a mistake? Oh he's a good guy he just messed up one time and it was for the children...always for the children.” Save it you buckeye blinded fanatics! I would give him a second chance but I won't give him a 377th chance.

please read that entire article when you click the 377th link and honestly afterward comment on this post that you think Jimmy should stay at Ohio State. I dare you.

Now on to the Overrated:
Terrelle, this 21 year old kid has single handedly ruined my favorite college football team and ala mater possibly forever. So you think this guy is so great I will show you what I show everyone who says this kid deserves 8 heismans (so he can sell 6 of them)
Allow me to show you his sTATistics without the garbage MAC games. Let's take a look at how TP does against only top 25 teams and then seasons without MAC games:
09/13/08 5 Ohio State 3 vs 1 USC 35
Passing: 7/9 52yrds 77% 5.8avg 0 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 11 Carries 40 yrds 3.6avg 0 TD
10/04/08 14 Ohio State 20 vs 18 Wisconsin 17
Passing: 13/19 144yrds 68% 7.6avg 0 TD 1 INT
Rushing: 15 Carries 20yrds 1.3avg 1 TD
10/18/08 12 Ohio State 45 vs 20 MSU 7
Passing: 7/11 116yrds 63% 10.5avg 1 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 12 Carries 72yrds 6.0avg 1 TD
10/25/08 9 Ohio State 6 vs 3 Penn State 13
Passing 16/25 226yrds 64% 9.0avg 0 TD 1 INT
Rushing: 9 Carries 6yrds 0.7avg 0 TD
11/08/08 11 Ohio State 45 vs 24 Northwestern 10
Passing: 9/14 197yrds 64% 14.1avg 3 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 6 Carries 33yrds 5.5avg 0 TD
01/05/09 10 Ohio State 21 vs 3 Texas 24
Passing: 5/13 66yrds 38% 5.1avg 0 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 15 Carries 78yrds 5.2avg 0 TD
Receiving: 1 Catch 5yrds 5.0avg 1 TD
09/12/09 8 Ohio State 15 vs 3 USC 18
Passing: 11/25 177yrds 44% 7.1avg 0 TD 1 INT
Rushing: 10 Carries 36yrds 3.6avg 0 TD
11/07/09 16 Ohio State 24 vs 11 Penn State 7
Passing: 8/17 125yrds 47% 7.4avg 2 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 5 Carries 50yrds 10.0avg 1 TD
11/14/09 11 Ohio State 27 vs 10 Iowa 24
Passing: 14/17 93yrds 82% 5.5avg 0 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 8 Carries 29yrds 3.6avg 0 TD
01/01/10 8 Ohio State 26 vs 7 Oregon 17
Passing: 23/37 266yrds 62% 7.2avg 2 TD 1 INT
Rushing: 20 Carries 72yrds 3.6avg 0 TD
09/11/10 2 Ohio State 36 vs 12 Miami 24
Passing: 12/27 233yrds 44% 8.6avg 1 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 20 Carries 113yrds 5.7avg 1 TD
10/16/10 1 Ohio State 18 vs 18 Wisconsin 31
Passing: 14/28 156yrds 50% 5.6avg 0 TD 1 INT
Rushing: 18 Carries 56yrds 3.1avg 0 TD
11/20/10 9 Ohio State 20 vs 20 Iowa 17
Passing: 18/33 195yrds 54% 5.9avg 1 TD 2 INT
Rushing: 15 Carries 78yrds 5.2avg 0 TD
01/04/11 6 Ohio State 31 vs 8 Arkansas 26
Passing: 14/25 221yrds 56% 8.8avg 2 TD 0 INT
Rushing: 15 Carries 115yrds 7.7avg 0 TD
2008 Season sTATistics (excluding Youngstown State, OU, Troy)
Passing: 86/140 1137yrds 61% 13.2avg 8 TD 3 INT
Rushing: 111 Carries 476yrds 4.2avg 5 TD
2009 Season sTATistics ( excluding Toledo, Indiana, NMS)
Passing: 122/216 1531yrds 56% 12.5avg 11 TD 8 INT
Rushing: 125 Carries 523yrds 4.1avg 4 TD
2010 Season sTATistics (excluding Marshall, Eastern Mich, Indiana)
Passing: 149/242 1967yrds 61% 13.2avg 17 TD 11 INT
Rushing: 117 Carries 652yrds 5.5avg 3 TD

I could live without 11 interceptions in 12 games. I can live without -19 yards rushing against Indiana or -2 against Purdue. If you are one of those guys who says “sTATs don't tell the whole story” then I would encourage you to watch TP throw a football watch Dane bail the guy out making incredible catches and getting smeared across the field for it. Watch TP run backwards 30 yards scrambling and just by lack of athletics from the defense manage to get a 5 yard gain from it. Do it give him the “eyeball test” he won't pass it. We need to drop both of them and we need to do it now. Everyone in America is looking at the buckeyes right now and they are shaking their heads.

Take off the buckeye blinders please!

Rest The Vest - Brian

Ohio State needs to make an important decision in the near future. What's more important - their integrity and pride of their school or their football record versus Michigan?

That is the decision facing AD Gene Smith as he decides what to do with Jim Tressel. As most of you have undoubtedly heard by now, The Vest is facing so very serious allegations by the NCAA. The NCAA does not take to kindly to being lied to and mislead. Just ask Dez Bryant and Bruce Pearl.

Bryant was suspended for almost his entire senior season and Pearl was suspending for numerous games and eventually fired. Both because they lied to the NCAA about violations.

Tressel lied to the NCAA about major violations.

Ohio State fans will probably want to keep Tressel, the man who has won over 80% of his games at Ohio State and is a sterling 9-1 versus hated rival Michigan. He is one of the best coaches in the game, and before this mess was considered one of the most respected men in all of college sports. He even wrote a book called "The Winner's Manual," which instructed people on how to win at life. Duly noted, Tressel.

Unfortunately for Tressel, Ohio State is more than it's football team. The school has an obligation to itself and its students and alumni to do right by the school.

That means firing Jim Tressel.

Ohio State's athletics reflect on the school as a whole, and the coaches have the obligation to living up to the schools high standards of integrity. Tressel failed dramatically in that category.

Some people might argue that this whole situation is overblown, that it's "just" football. But fans of the sport know how important football is, especially to the schools whom are represented by the team. If Ohio State is willing to let a liar and cheater lead its flagship team, what else are they willing to do to succeed?

All of these doubts can be answered by one simple action - fire The Vest.

Prove to us that your school is about more than winning football games.

Because this situation is about more than beating the Wolverines.

It's about doing what's right.

Quoth Nevermore – Adam

First and foremost I cannot begin to tell everyone who reads this how awesome comments are to Brian and I...if you read our stuff and have a thought do not hesitate to comment. along with that please real free to follow the blog on the right hand side of the page. Again you don't know how awesome that is for us. now without further adieu...

Quotes really confuse me. Now I do understand quoting scripture because that is truth and the Bible is the living word. But quoting celebrities or famous people of the past really makes me scratch my head.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

You think hmm that is an interesting little sentence. Then I lower my brow look at you and say...Abraham Lincoln said that. Suddenly the quote is really meaningful. Wow honest Abe?! That's DEEP! Is it though? Is it? and people sometimes live by stuff people just say...so my two questions are:

1) Why do we care what famous people say?
What does it matter what Marilyn Monroe said 60 years ago? Who is Marilyn Monroe? Is her life more valuable than anyone else's? I feel like to settle arguments sometimes people find a quote by a famous person that pertains to the subject and that is the final blow in their argument... oh yeah well Albert Einstein said this (insert quote) and the other person in the debate now must end all arguments because I mean let's face it if Al said it then its law. (or any other celeb)

2)What does it take to become a person whom everyone cares about what they've said?
At what point does a person become popular enough so that what they say is important? If you were in an argument and quoted me from this blog would that help your case? Of course it would instantly but if you were to quote a random person's blog people would laugh at you and say who is that why do I care what that person thinks? But then if you quoted some famous writer like Bill Shakespeare then all of the sudden you've got yourself a very interesting point. So I ask at what point does someone go from worthless blog to insightful columnist?

To me quotes are quotes whether I am reciting something from Super Bad or Hamlet, from Ben Franklin or Charlie Sheen it's all just words vomited out of some person's mouth.