The Machine Is Perfect No More!!

Former No. 1 college football team the Alabama Crimson Tide fell last week to Texas A&M. The Aggies were newly aquired to the SEC this season. With an 8-2 record, not to many people expected them to beat the Tide, but they succeeded with a 29-24 victory. It appears that they have lost their “invincibility”, or are losing their “aura”. The bully has finally been brought down to size and is now just another team. They not only lost the game, but they may have also lost their chance at a national title.
The game was another nail biter, with Alabama almost making a final surge in the final minutes as they did with LSU the week before. Saban was quoted in Alabama loses invincibility label, control of BCS with loss to say, “I was really concerned about this week," and,  "We seemed like we were a little bit out of gas, and Texas A&M is a really good team and they played really, really well.” It’s hard to keep gas in the tank as you expect Alabama to do week in and week out. I believe that the pressure has added up until they finally cracked. However a loss is a loss and all they can do is get back on track this week against Western Carolina.

With the loss, Alabama fell to No.4 in the standings behind the three remaining unbeaten teams, Kansas State, Oregon, and Notre Dame. With just two weeks left in the season, there seems to be little hope left for the tide. In a Sports World Report, it states, “Following the shocking upset of the Alabama Crimson Tide by the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, the BCS standings have a fresh new look after being released on Sunday night.” And also, Jerry palm of CBS Sports said, “ These teams are in their order and the only way that order changes is if somebody gets beat.” Which you can agree is very true after seeing what happened in the polls this week.

In conclusion, as i stated earlier, Alabama is no longer invincible or unbeaten. They are no longer the bullies of college football. I believe that this is exactly what they needed, it is going to make them even hungrier for victory. I believe that this week, The Crimson Tide is going to show no mercy on WCU and will get back on the right track with a huge victory. ROLL TIDE!!!

Is the Desire to Play Becoming a Death Sentence?

Throughout history, there have been instances where athletes have collapsed and died from medical issues that have gone undetected. According to hughston.com, athletes dying after sporting events have been documented for centuries. In 490 B.C. Phidippides, an athlete from Greece, ran 26 miles to deliver a message of Greek victory in a war and then collapsed and died. While that first account happened many, many years ago, before medical advancement, it was the start of a trend of many young, relatively healthy athletes dying in the course of or after a sporting event. Granted, there are many, many sporting events each day around the world where athletes compete and are fine physically afterwards. However, any case of an athlete dying, especially if he/she is competing with a medical condition, is unacceptable. So, that raises the question, should athletes undergo more extensive and more frequent physical exams? And, should there be regulations on the number and extent of rest and hydration breaks during practices and games? Research and data shows that the answer is obvious. Athletes exert energy that common people do not; therefore, they are subject to more strain on the body. That, I believe, is why athletes should be held to a higher physical exam regiment than other people and why they need to monitored more extensively during physical exertion.

Hughston.com states that two-thirds of all sudden deaths in football and basketball athletes occur due to heart conditions, followed by soccer. Annually, that accounts for 1 to 2 sudden athlete deaths in every 200,000 athletes. An article from the Huffington Post states that many of these sudden deaths are attributed to a condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition, which causes the heart to be irregularly or asymmetrically sized, can often go undetected and lead to a lack of blood being pumped, especially during physical activity like sporting events. This article suggests that frequent ECG tests could detect such abnormalities of the heart and could possibly prevent sudden deaths of athletes during and after sporting events. It is also important to understand that improper hydration and overexertion can also cause sudden deaths in athletes, especially when compounded with medical problems.

While doctors and coaches know the dangers of sudden deaths, it is only when another young person dies that the need for more extensive physical exams become a topic of conversation. To indicate just how big of a problem sudden deaths in athletes are in this country, Joel Siegel of ABC World News, wrote an article devoted to discussing six high school football players who died suddenly either during or after a summer football workout or practice. While Siegel states that some of these players died of irregular heart conditions, he also stresses the danger of having young people in the sun exerting themselves for an extended period of time. Heat stroke is also a common form of athlete death and should be addressed by coaches. Siegel states that young men, often who are larger than normal people their age, should frequently be given breaks and take in larger than normal amounts of fluid during practices. Also, coaches should be aware that wearing helmets and football equipment for long periods of time in the heat should be avoided and frequent breaks should be given.

So, what can be done to help young athletes avoid life-threatening situations or even death while competing or practicing for sporting events? First, more frequent and more vigorous medical exams should be done on athletes in generally, and especially those who are adolescents and young adults. Also, an article Nola.com the “Times Picayune Greater New Orleans,” states that the problem is so large that the NCAA is looking into ways to evaluate athletes and practice conditions before problems occur. This is on the heels of over 20 college football players suddenly dying since 2000. The article also stresses that coaches, on top of monitoring the health of athletes, should focus on proper conditioning and practice breaks. It is crucial that these coaches be vigilant of changes in the behavior and appearance of their athletes while practicing and during competitions.

          It is true that all deaths in athletes can not be avoided. However, with the advances in medical sciences and the diligence and awareness of coaches, many deaths can be prevented. It is a fact that many athletes will push themselves past their limits just to play football, basketball, etc. But, they should be aware ,and so should the adults who supervise them, that there are times when pushing too hard can be dangerous. With the data, it is obvious that new technologies and awareness can help solve this problem. Athletes and coaches need to work together and lessen the number of deaths of athletes. Young people will always want to participate in sporting events, but it is the adults around them: coaches, parents, doctors, etc. who have to notice problems and have the athletes examined before something serious occurs. With the help of everyone involved, athletes can be healthy and still enjoy their sports.

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Reggie Bush is a Draft Bust

Is Reggie Bush a Draft BUST?

“Is Reggie Bush a Draft bust?” is the question that is floating around the media and the NFL. I think Reggie Bush is a draft bust because he hasn’t done anything like he had done back in college. Reginald Alfred Bush II, the two time All-American running back for the Miami Dolphins played college football for University of South California (USC). Bush won multiple college football awards while being apart of USC’s football program one in particular is the heisman, which he had to end up giving back due to him receiving improper benefits from an unknown agent. When bush played in college he was known for his great running back skills and speed. People expected when he got ready to go to the league that he was going to be drafted high which he was. Bush ended up being drafted first round second pick to the New Orleans Saints where he claimed the number 25.

Reggie was the best running back I had ever seen play for the saints, but after awhile my view changed on him, and I felt that he wasn’t the same as he once was when he played for USC. While playing for the Saints for 5 years, Reggie had an average of 2000 plus yards, something a good running back like Ray Rice could get in 2 and half of years of playing. Reggie just seemed like a different person from what he was in college. According to Ty Duffy, “Reggie Bush was the most explosive player in college football. Everyone thought the Texans were crazy for taking Mario Williams ahead of him. Not so much. Bush never became more than a marginal contributor on offense. He had one decent year as a punt returner. The Saints just drafted Mark Ingram to replace him. He did win a Super Bowl, but his only noteworthy individual accomplishments have been pointing at Brian Urlacher, losing his Heisman trophy and infiltrating the Kardashian family.” The Saints apparently thought the same and let Reggie sign to play for the Miami Dolphins.

Reggie hasn’t done anything after leaving the Saint to show the world that he is suppose starting type for the Dolphins, especially not in the game when Miami played Tennessee the game that led to his benching. Bush screwed up in the first quarter of the game which led to the defending teams score. According to Connor Mcknight, “In Miami's crushing defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans, Bush was exposed for his lack of production. A costly fumble in the first quarter that turned into a 9-yard touchdown by Kendall Wright led to his benching, something Bush later reported that he "deserved." Bush is on a thin line and his contract might not be renewed. According to Conner Mcknight again, “At this point, if Bush does not start producing along the line of what he was able to do last season, he will not see his contract renewed by the Miami Dolphins, and his free agent stock will drastically plummet.” Bush has a limited amount of time, he has no choice but to use.

How Alabama Lost

The big question in college football is how could a big powerhouse like Alabama lose to Texas A&M even though they are a pretty good team themselves, I honestly think that Alabama had gotten to contribute with everything the world was putting in their head and telling them. The game was one of Alabama’s worst starts ever by far, but as everyone thought Alabama was going to come back and win like always. This was not the case on Nov 10, 2012. The Texas A&M Aggies came out on fire they start the game off with a 20 to nothing lead in the first half. It looked as if Alabama had no chance of coming back, slowly but surely they began to slowly come back. The game game was stolen by the texas A&M redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel. Manziel picked the crimson tide defense apart, throwing for 253 yards and rushed for another 92 yards.  

This is more than likely a game that will go down in history. Despite on how Alabama's quarterback made a great comeback, it would not matter because they were not able to win the game due to the lack of play in the first half. This is something that happens to some of the best teams in college football, and it should be a wake up call for Alabama because, everybody who knows college football makes it seem as if it is impossible for them to lose. Hopefully it has Alabama teams with the mind set that they have to play to their full ability every Saturday to come out on top. According to Rod Gilmore : McCarron completed 21-of-34 passes for 309 yard but also was intercepted twice, ending his streak without getting picked off at 291 passes.


Lastly,  According to  Swope Texas A&M player :"We played with a chip on our shoulder," Swope said. "We were just trying to make a statement that we could compete with anybody in this league." This just prove that you can’t wait to late in a game to play your hardest. You have to start the game off with a bang, and go hard no matter who you are playing. On even given Saturday anything could happen so you have to come out and perform. This honestly makes me question the rest of the crimson tides schedule with team like Alabama A&m, and Auburn left to play. One game I know that should be good is the Iron bowl. Paper and BCS standings do not matter in that game at all. The Iron bowl is a game played on an atmosphere and who wants the game the most. With that being said, hopefully Alabama gets back on the right path and finish off the season strong.

The Mad Hatter

For some, football is merely just a game.  A game played between two different teams on a grassy field with four fifteen minute quarters.  However, for others football is more than just x’s and o’s, it is a way of life.  The athletes that play the game give their blood and sweat every week to be the best they can possibly be.  Not only do the players give their all, but the coaches play a vital role in molding the young men not only into exceptional athletes but men of character.  A coach in college football that meets and upholds the criteria of an outstanding mentor is Les Miles.

Born and raised in the buckeye state of Ohio, Les Miles lived and breathed the game of football.  He played on the offensive line at Elyria High School in which he received all-state honors.  After graduating high school, Les crossed state lines to attended the University of Michigan and was a very successful player also earning a two-year letterman in 1974 and 1975.  After graduating from Michigan, Miles decided to stay put and began his coaching career as an assistant.  Miles left Michigan after two years to coach the offensive line at the University of Colorado.  After numerous job landings at Colorado, then back as assistant coach at Michigan to Oklahoma State, to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Les would finally get his shot as head coach.

Given the title “head coach” is something of prestige in itself.  Being able to call a team your very own and give the final word is a huge responsibility.  Coach Miles has worked incredibly hard and valiantly as an assistant and his first ever coaching job started in Stillwater, Oklahoma on the campus of Oklahoma State University.  Miles was hired in 2001 and quickly hit the ground running.  The first year was tough, with a season ending record of 4-7, however, every coach and team faces adversity and Les Miles would so change the challenge into success.  The next season OSU finished 8-5 with a bowl game victory.  The momentum carried into the next fall season, with the Cowboys finishing the season 9-4 with a Cotton Bowl appearance.  The following season was tough after numerous starters left the team leaving the coaches to make rebuilding decisions, though the Cowboys finished 7-5 with a trip to the Alamo Bowl.  After the 2004 season Les Miles would receive a call that would eventually change his life for ever.

Great leaders make decisions in times of hardships and uncertainty that construct the framework of success.  Coach Miles knew the time was right and knew the decision was to be promptly made take the head coaching vacancy at Louisiana State University.  After becoming head coach on January 3, 2005, Les has revitalized, and also made LSU a powerhouse football program known around the country and especially felt in the Southeastern Conference.  Since, being hired in 2005, coach and his teams have accumulated eighty-two wins and only twenty losses.  Including a National Championship in 2007, numerous top ten recruiting classes, seven bowl appearances, clinching three Southeastern Conference Western Division Titles, and two Southeastern Conference Championships.  Coach Miles has only been at LSU for eight years and in that small length of time has shattered school records and does not seem to be going anywhere any time soon.

Coaches are father figures both on the sidelines and after the clock reaches zero.  Sure their job is mainly to recruit players to build teams and win games, but being a leader is more than just winning.  A leader is one who inspires others to be the best at what they do.  Coaches are mentor and heroes to many players and also the men and women they surround themselves by.  Having the integrity and strength to be able to stand up for what is right shows true character.  Les Miles is a coach that will always be remembered not only for what he has accomplished on the field but also what he has shaped the men and women into off the field.



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Why You Scared?

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     In 2009 two of the biggest boxers of our time were scheduled to fight. Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is predicted to be the most watched sporting event ever. The fight was arranged for the boxers to fight 12 rounds in a boxing ring. However, the Worlds 12 rounds of intensive entertainment has yet to happen. What was once the most anticipated fight has been postponed on more than one occasion and counting. The list of excuses about each of the postponed fights are as long as a rope and growing by the day.

One of the excuses from Pacquiao’s side of the ring is that he is afraid of needles. In 2010 Pacquiao was asked by Mayweather to agree to an Olympic-style random drug testing. According to BoxingNews24.com , Pacquaio’s manger Bob Arum responded by saying, “My fighter is afraid of needles, so there will be no drug-testing.” He also said that Pacquiao felt weak when he gets blood drawn and didn’t want to have that feeling before the fight. Pacquiao’s manager also postponed the fight due to the fact that the outside stadium where the fight was to be held was not going to be finish on the date scheduled for the fight.

On the other hand, Mayweather has come up with his share of excuses also. In 2011 Mayweather told the media that he was skeptical about the fight because he thinks Pacquiao was using PEDs (performance enhancing drugs), which are illegal. Another excuse that Mayweather made was about his health. In 2010 Mayweather declared that he was reconsidering the fight due to his health being at risk. These are just a few of the excuses made by the two boxing athletes.

I don’t know if being afraid plays a part on both fighters behalf or that they just don’t want the fight to happen. But what I do know is that it would be a hell-of-a fight. According to statisticbrain.com, Manny Pacquiao is 54-4-2, which means that he has won 54 of his fights and only lost 4 with 2 draws. For those who don’t know what draw means, it’s when both fighters receive the same amount of scores from the judges. Over the length of his career Pacquiao has managed to round up a total of 1429 jab throwing points as a professional boxer. Pacquiao has an arm that reaches a max of 67’’ against all of his opponents and stands 5’6.5 from the ground. Pacquiao is in the welterweight division which consists of fighters who weigh more than 140 pounds, but no more than 147 pounds.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an undisputed fighter which means he has yet to lose a fight. Mayweather’s record currently stands at 43-0-0 with an high number of 26 K.O.s (Knock Outs). Mayweather is now in the light middleweight division which consists of fighter who weigh more than 140 pounds, but no more than 154 pounds. Mayweather has accumulated a total of 1392 points over his entire boxing career. A 72” reach makes it hard to dodge the quick jabs thrown from the undisputed boxer, and standing at 5’8 makes it easy for him to see what's coming at him. Although both Pacquiao and Mayweather are said to be the greatest fighters of our decade seem like we’ll never know who’s the best of the two.The World and both fighters knows It can only be one number one.  

Doping For Success?

    In sports, we have athletes that are extremely good or that comes out of nowhere and take people by surprise with their performances. Well, in a lot of cases, athletes take illegal drugs that help with their performance in whatever sport they play. It’s usually the well-known athlete that is caught doing the crime. There is always an athlete that comes out of nowhere and that make huge accomplishments. This is mainly for sports like, track, swimming, and baseball. These sports see more crimes committed by athletes because the athletes want to win and win now. So, why are there still players that take illegal drugs and know its wrong?

    I feel that players will continue to do this because they think its ways around getting caught. There are probably a number of athletes that didn’t get caught. Yes, when players take steroids it enhances their play but it takes away from the value of sportsmanship. Michael Scott shared in his article from Delta Winds, “The Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports,” It has gotten to the point where athletes from other countries are coming to the United States to buy performance- enhancing drugs that are illegal in their home countries.” Some of these cases have led to deaths from overdosing or taking the drugs with other medication. The suppliers who have the supplements in their store should publicize the risky effects. People should be allowed to see what happens once they put these drugs in their body. Of course, its not going to affect you now but later on when your body is older, it starts to feel the effect. People have received cancer and strokes. It can cause stunt bone growth and can lead to aggression.

    Michael Ormsbee listed these health consequences in his article, “Performance Enhancing Drugs,” “Health consequences that are alarming may include: Hair loss, rage, breast development, sever acne, enlarge prostate, and infertility.” Now, looking at all of those consequences, what would make a person want to take those drugs. We all want to look and feel great but why have it come at the cost of losing your life? People shouldn’t take performance-enhancing drugs because they are more bad than good. If people do decide to use steroids, then they should be careful but I advised thats not a good ideal. In the article, “The Wrong Way to Win,” “Athletes want to achieve the following by using steroids: build mass and strength of muscles and/or bones, increase delivery of oxygen to exercising tissues, mask pain, stimulate the body, and hid the use of other drugs.” There still shouldn’t be a need to take these drugs and it have a negative on the body. “Doping in Sport” is when athletes use banned performance-enhancing in human “sport.” They should start when the athletes are young and make sure that they are informed and to stay away from steroids. Mainly, at the high school because they are more easily influenced. College has probably a better control on the drug-system. Its more out of hand when it comes to the professionals. Professionals athletes know that they have to try to do whatever it takes to be the best and will use any advantage. If they start testing kids while they are young then maybe we wouldn’t see some many cases on the news about players getting caught taking illegal drugs.


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BCS v NFL

How would you feel as an NFL coach and someone tells you they believe a college team would beat your team? Believe it or not, many people believe that a college football powerhouse would beat a team at the professional level for example, Alabama, who is ranked at the top nationally at the collegiate rank, being able to defeat a team like the Kansas City, who is already picked to have the number one overall pick in next years draft, a situation which is usually given to the worst team in the league.

According to ESPN: "I don't know if they could compete with an NFL team, but they're more disciplined than most NFL football teams, they'd stick in a game with a few teams. They're just coached real well." I understand the reasons for the assumptions; however, at the professional level you are considered the best in the world. I do not believe an amatuer collegiate athlete could compete with an NFL superstar who has been coached by some of the best in the world. I will agree that most college players are far more disciplined than any professional due to the fact that a lot of NFL players take their opportunities for granted and seem selfish, and rather than the unselfishness that may be all that a college team would have over an NFL team if they were to compete.

A lot of other former college football players who are currently in the NFL, such as former Alabama and now Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Darrus who claims "I don't know if they could compete with an NFL team, but they're more disciplined than most NFL football teams," Dareus told the Buffalo News. "They'd stick in a game with a few teams. They're just coached real well."

When you are being evaluated by NFL scouts, no one knows whether or not you will be successful at the next level necessarily, it is assumed because of your physical measurements, speed, and what they see on tape. Just because you shine in college does not mean you will at the next level. The NFL is a whole different game and it is much faster and physical than you can imagine.

There are many great college programs to this day, you could argue that college football is way more fun than the professional football games but, from a sports fanatic standpoint, I know that a college team will never beat an NFL team. Football is all about matchups and any profession will out duel a collegiate amatuer any day.

Should Michael Vick get benched?

Michael Vick the first African American quarterback to be an overall pick was drafted first round. Vick was the San Diego Chargers first overall pick until they traded him to the Atlanta Falcons before the big draft day. The decision that was made about Vick between San Diego and Atlanta was only the worst decision they would have ever made in their whole careers,because little did San Diego know Vick was going to be best dual threat quarterback they would have ever had.

When Vick played for the Falcons, his stats were outstanding. Vick’s 2001-05 year, he had a little over 10,000 yards passing and 3000 yards rushing. Michael Vick was doing all well until December  2007 when he was arrested and and sentenced to 22 months in prison for dog fighting. All hope was gone for Vick, it seemed like that was it for him and that he wasn’t going to ever play in the NFL again. When Vick got out he quickly brought interest to many NFL teams including the Rams and the Eagles. No one expects a quarterback to go to jail and come back as good a he did. Michael did amazingly well when he got back in the league and had a good season playing the Philadelphia Eagles.

The question “ Should Michael Vick get benched” has been going around for at least three games. It is said that Vick isn’t the same as he once was when he played for the Atlanta Falcons.Vick is actually better in a number of ways, but when it comes down to running like he use to it is different. According to Zach Berman, “ Vick is not the same quarterback who starred for the Falcons a decade ago. He is a better passer, which could be attributed to superior skill-position players and an offense that focuses on passing. But Vick is not the running threat that he once was, a notion backed up by looking at his numbers and simply watching him play.”

This 2012 season has been hard to Vick he has everyone criticizing him and coaches trying to bench him.Vick is trying his best to do better, but its not getting better because of what people think he did Monday against the Saints to blow the game. According to Doug Farrar, “This may be the single-worst play by a quarterback in NFL history, because we're pretty sure no quarterback has ever set his team back 114 yards. With 2:51 left in the first quarter and the ball at the New Orleans Saints' 6-yard line, Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Michael Vick blew it in more ways than we thought possible for any quarterback to do.” People think the reason why the Eagles are doing the way they are is because of Vick, but if you set down and really studied the film and watch the the offense, that is far from the from the reson. The Eagles entire offense is the cause of the record and the way that they perform on the field, so me personally I think that Michael should stay on the field.

Cam Newton

Many question why is Cam Newton having a bad sophomore season, and the question still remains. Many were so shocked by his performances this year because of in the past years he has been racking up stats and has been known as a winner no matter what time he has been on. His past include many accomplishments say for instance in 2008, he was a member of the Florida Gators National Championship team, the following year in 2009, he won a Jucco National Championship with a Community College in Texas. The year he really became known was in 2010 when he became an Auburn Tiger and lead them to Not only the SEC Championship, but to the National Championship and won it all.

My question is why is everybody on him this year? If people were not so into seeing a show and actually into seeing a really quarterback they would have notice that he Panthers last year in 2011 were not a good team however, they just had an athletic quarterback who made plays. They were still losing even though Newton was doing what he was suppose to be doing as a starting quarterback. I find it sad that fans and sports analyst are criticizing him for something called a “sophomore slump”. This is a problem that every quarterback goes through. Keep in mind he did not win the Rookie of the year award for no reason.

Honestly, Cam has not had a good season but give him credit where it is due. He is an NFL ready quarterback He just needs some work and more experience and he will be one of the best in the league. According: To Cam Newton and Cbss sports.com Sophomore slump ‘humbling’ to Newton: Panthers quarterback Cam Newton set the NFL world on fire as a rookie, so his subpar play as a second-year pro continues to be a source of frustration for the former No. 1 overall pick. "I've learned so much about myself," Newton told WJFK-FM.


Lastly, I feel like even though the media is hounding Cam he should not say some of the stuff he said. Which wasn’t anything bad he just was not taking responsibility for what is going on this season. Which he should by being the starting quarterback which is basically the leader of the team. According to: Jason Cole Newton complaining about his postgame behavior in the face of some narrow losses misses the point. Fact is, anybody who saw the pre-Newton Panthers go 2-14 in 2010 will tell you just how much Newton helped changed the culture of the team in addition to helping boost its record to 6-10. Hopefully this all blows over and Cam gets back on his A game and gets some help and Show the NFL what type of quarterback he really is.

Giants Sweep the Tigers!!!

In the beginning of the playoffs, it looked like the Giants should’ve never made it to the World Series. They should have been swept in the Division Series with the Reds, and they went down to the wire in the Championship Series. All i can say is that the Giants know how to win when it counts, with brilliant pitching, clutch hitting, and great hitting.They are just a team of clutch players that just know the game of baseball. If you don’t believe me just remember, this is their 2nd championship in three years.
Pablo Sandoval was named the MVP of the series, he is a soft spoken big man that can hit when he has to and play a mean third base. He shouted to a wall of camera men,  "This is my second championship in three years but I earned this one more." He was clutch several times throughout the postseason, keeping them alive in deciding games and hitting big time hits when it mattered the most. Just to throw a couple of numbers in there, he hit three home runs in his first three at-bats and finished with a .500 average. If those aren’t convincing numbers i don’t know what is.
A lot of things went right for them in this series, but probably the best was when Marco Scutaro hit the go ahead double in the top of the 10th inning to seal the victory for them. Another thing that fell into the Giants favor was the All-Star slugger for the Tigers Prince Fielder going cold in the series. Everything just fell right in the Giants lap and they just attacked and kept playing hard nosed baseball and it all paid off in the end. Bruce Bochy says to the Washington Post, “These guys made it easy”,   “They never complained. They just wanted to win.”

In conclusion, this was indeed the second title for the Giants in three years. They are a balanced baseball team with consistent hitting, pitching, and coaching. They might have started the season but all that matters is they got hot at the end when it’s all that matters. That just goes to show you that it’s not about how you start, but how you finish.

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The UnderDog

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Does Vick deserve a second chance?

Star Quarterback Michael Vick has been through the worst of the worst and still manages to play the sport that he has loved throughout his lifetime. In 2007 quarterback Michael Vick was indicted for illegal activities that involved animal cruelty on the property that he owned in Surry County, Virginia. In April 2007 Vick’s cousin was arrested on drug related charges while staying with Vick. This led authorities to search Vick’s house for other drug activities. While under a search warrant police found what seemed to appear as a training camp for dogs and a fighting ring designed for dogs.

Turns out Vick was more involved with this program other than it being his property. By this program being on Vick’s property he was charged with animal cruelty. According to USA Today, after being charged Vick admitted to funding the illegal dog-fighting operation and was sentenced to 23 months in a federal prison. So as an act of accepting responsibility for his actions Vick agreed to start his sentencing early according to ESPN. Although the court system states that we are innocent until proven guilty, the World had already turned their back on Vick long before his conviction. After his conviction Vick was released from the Atlanta Falcons team and also released from his 10-year, $130 million contract.

Vick was placed in a federal prison in Kansas where he started serving his time. While in prison Vick played on the yard football (prison football) with other inmates to make time pass by and for his own physical reasons. It’s somewhat an advantage over the other team to have a star NFL QB on your side so he played QB for both teams. Vick also played prison football in hopes of getting better for another chance to return to the sport that he onced loved.

After just serving 19 months in a federal prison Vick got the opportunity to finish the rest of his time on house arrest. While placed on three years probation the unemployed quarterback planned his comeback. Vick’s first step on his road to redemption was to prove to the World that he was sorry for his actions and that he was a changed person. By doing so Vick donated $1 million to the animal hospital for hurt dogs including the ones he hurt. Vick also started traveling the U.S. speaking to schools about animal cruelty and asking forgiveness.

In June 2009 Mike Vick was enlisted back in the NFL by the commissioner Roger Goodell and a month later signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick signed a first year $1.6 million contract with the Eagles and a option for a second season and has been there since. In 2010 Vick released his first book titled, Finally Free. According to NFL.com the book goes into specific details about his life before, during, and after the detour from his career in the NFL. Michael vick has done wrong in the eyes the world, but making his wrong right is what makes him human.

Role Models With Rap Sheets?

           College athletes are some of the highest praised students on college campuses. For most, this is a title that is well deserved. However, some of the athletes should really not be put on pedestals. Why? Because many of these athletes have had legal problems off the field and even before recruitment from high school. Granted, many of these legal problems are minor offenses or one time instances and these should be allowed to continue in collegiate sports . But, some bring to the college a long and more serious list of criminal activities. Should these serious criminal offenders be allowed to participate in college sports? I think the answer is no.
   
           According to the article from Reuters, “College Football players' Criminal Backgrounds Probed” 7 percent or 1 in every 14 college athletes in a study of over 2,000 athletes had some sort of criminal background, either while in college or before they entered their perspective university. It was estimated that nearly 40 percent of these were serious crimes including 56 violent crimes from top 25 ranked college football teams alone. These statistics are overwhelming to the writers from Reuters. But, it was also mentioned that only 2 of the top 25 ranked teams actually conducted background checks on athletes. Just imagine how high the numbers would be if all of the top teams actually followed the lead of conducting criminal background checks on their athletes. The study showed that Pittsburgh University, alone, had over 20 athletes with some sort of criminal record. That number is definitely too high.
    
           The CBS television station also produced the article,” Pitt, PSU Top Criminal Records Athlete List” on the high rate of athletes at the University who had criminal records. The article from the affiliate in Pittsburgh stated that Pitt had the highest number of arrested athletes of all universities in Division I college football. The article stated as well that Penn State was third highest. So, two universities in one state that rank high in this category. What is that teaching future players who may choose to attend a university in the state of Pennsylvania? Apparently it shows them that what they do off the field or during high school will not affect their ability to receive a scholarship to a state sponsored university. This is absurd! There are many athletes who could play football or other sports for these two universities who have maintained a clean record. These athletes are being cheated out of a scholarship for people who can not stay out of legal trouble.

 

          To show just how big the problem is and how little emphasis is placed on background checks for student athletes, a special report by fox 59 “Criminal Records in College Football” found that only TCU, from the top 25 ranked college football teams, actually had no players on scholarship with a criminal record. The article also stresses that the number of athletes with criminal backgrounds would be higher if all schools actually conducted criminal background checks and if those who do also conducted juvenile arrest checks. According to this special report, the main cause of the failure to conduct checks was lack of funds. Most colleges do not have funds available in budgets to run checks on prospective recruits or those already on scholarship. This is a shame because again, this cheats those who stay out of trouble from getting the opportunity to compete in college sports.

           After a review of studies and articles concerning athletes with criminal backgrounds, it is clear that this is a major problem. While most of the data was obtained from college football programs, this is a true problem in all college sports. So, what can be done to keep those who can not obey the law from gaining scholarships over those who do the right thing? More money needs to be spent to conduct background checks on athletes and recruits. That is the starting point of ending this unfair situation. Granted those with minor offenses should be evaluated differently than those who have serious offenses on their records. These minor offenders need to be given the opportunity to prove they are not repeat or serious offenders. But, those with serious crimes on their records should not be allowed to compete in college sports. What kind of message is this sending to young, potential college athletes? Schools and the NCAA should hold these athletes to a higher standard. Without that, many law-abiding players are being left out and that is just not fair.

photo credit: Connor Tarter via photopin cc

Cam Newton Sophmore Plummet

Cam Jerrel newton was born May 11, 1989. He was once played for and junior college team called Blinn College. When he played for Blinn they won the national junior college championship. After a while Cam transferred to Florida (Gators) where he became the backup for the best double threat white quarterback, Tim Tebow. Newton didn't get as much play time as he wanted when he played for florida, so he transferred to Auburn University where he made history. He was the third in College football history to both rush and pass for twenty TD’s in a season.

When Cam attended Auburn year of 2010 where he did amazingly well, he broke outstanding records and pulled incredible wins over big team such as the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, South Carolina Gamecocks, and LSU. Newton led his team to a BCS National Championship where they beat Oregon 22-19, he was the leading scorer. Cam had amazing stats at his quarterback position while playing with Auburn.Cam Newton by far is the best quarterback I have ever seen in college history. According to Bryan Strickland, Newton won a junior college national championship three years ago, won the BCS national championship and the Heisman Trophy two years ago, and won NFL Rookie of the Year as well as four of his final six games during a rebuilding season a year ago. From my understand Newton was doing his thing on the field and he showed out while doing it. Newton, the all american quarterback got drafted first round by the North Carolina Panthers .

When Newton got in the NFL he broke many records some of the records he broke were set by the well known quarterback Peyton Manning. According to Dan Loumena, The rookie from Auburn eclipsed Peyton Manning's mark of 3,379 yards passing when he completed a seven-yard strike to Brandon LaFell. Newton passed for 171 yards Saturday and has 3,893 yards passing this season for the Panthers (6-9). Cam came in the league shining like a light. The media always interviewed Cam, asking him what was he expected to do his sophomore year in the league. Cam never knew his sophomore year was gone be this different. It isn’t the same to him as it use to be when he first go into the NFL. Cam isn’t getting the shine he was getting his rookie year.