The Return.....August 22, 2011

Sorry for the wait. I will rise again......August 22

My reflections on Class

After a four month journey to complete my entry on the "Beyondthegame" piece, i feel accomplished. Im satisfied with the result of my front cover story and with my departmental story on the Greatest Franchise in sports (Go Sox).

I do feel we could've did more with our time while in the classroom. I appreciate the time alloted to complete our assignments and blog entries, but didnt really care about the down time in class.

Having to listen to conversations about what people did on the weekend or who is dating who is as entertaining as cement drying.

A different class schedule being implemented could get more production out of the class. Maybe an hour and a half with reviewing our pieces, then the rest of class time used to do other projects.

In all, i feel i progressed with my writing, Though I have to improve my editing skills.The creation of my blog and the articles that we wrote have helped me take tremendous steps in reaching my goal in journalism.

The curious case of Cam Newton

And with the #1 pick the Carolina Panthers select… The remaining part to that previous sentence is confusing and well… a relative unknown. No matter what Todd McShay and Mel Kiper bicker and debate about, no one player is a consensus top pick. Though the best overall players are arguably Patrick Peterson and Cam Newton, they haven’t solidified their stance at the top of the draft mountain. Both are supreme athletes, from elite programs, with upsides that can’t be measured. This is when intangibles come in . Unfortunately for one of these players those intangibles are attributed from inside and from other sources.
Even though Auburn earned the championship trophy, solely because of Newton; his leadership, commitment, drive, personality, past experiences, decision making, integrity, family, impact have been heavily criticized from the editor of Pro Football Weekly and college football enthusiasts. These premature opinions are reminiscent to former #1 pick, big man on campus, fellow NCAA champion Jamarcus Russell.

Fresh off a successful season with LSU, Russell was tabbed to be the consensus top picks in the draft, but had the same alleged issues as Newton. Plus a history of NOT having a hard work ethic (Cam is the opposite). The 6’6 Russell carried a huge body that was legit for the NFL, perfect combination of mobility and pocket passing ability, and arguably the strongest arm in the history of the league. Impressive workouts at the NFL combine and a reported ability to throw the ball 60 yards, while kneeled, cemented Russell as the #1 pick and the face and the leader of Raider nation for the upcoming years.

Saying Russell didn’t take complete control of the reins of his career is an understatement. H e barely showed up to the racetrack.

Run ins with teammates, inability to lose weight, lack of desire to progress, and legal issues (most notably having a prescription drug without proof of prescription) caused the once messiah to Raider nation to be cut.

Anything can be the main contributor to the dismal train wreck that is called “Jamarcus Russell’s career.” Maybe it was his family upbringing. Maybe he was so dominant at football it soon grew old to him and he lost any type of desire to be successful. Maybe he couldn’t fully harness his god-given gifts. Maybe he just wasn’t a good enough player for the NFL. Maybe it was the lucrative multimillion dollar contract. Maybe it was the fact that the contract WAS GUARANTEED. Maybe all that pressure placed on his shoulders was too heavy. Maybe he didn’t receive a specific type of support needed or the support he received wasn’t enough. Maybe the environment didn’t fit his personality, or maybe he just didn’t chuck it up and perform to the best of ability.

Whatever the case maybe, Jamarcus is a 25 year old FORMER NFL player that has legal and personal issues that haven’t only affected him but also will be burdens to other African-American quarterbacks that are possible first round draft picks.

The reputation of Jamarcus Russell is what burdens Cam Newton. The Great Wall of Russell is what needs to be conquered by Newton. The bad taste that Russell left on all the minds of GMs and coach’s is what needs to be cleaned up and taken care of by the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. This is the real reason critics have been extremely harsh on Cam Newton. Its not his supposed, “fake smile” or alleged “lack of leadership.” It’s the 25 pieces of raggedy, ripped; unroll able cheap K-Mart baggage Russell has left for future African-American quarterbacks to carry.

Newton is a great talent, with a tremendous upside. Fortunately for him, he will soon receive enough money to support him and his family. Unfortunately for him, he has to prove to the football universe, past, present, and future Black quarterbacks deserve these large sums of money.

My thoughts on the old, crusty, outdated views of Harry Browne

As a former soccer player and enthusiast, I applaud Harry Browne for his judgment and criticism of flashy style of play against his want to see the beautiful style of play.

Also as a former soccer player and enthusiast, I chastise him for criticizing Brazil and their flashy play.

Soccer as a whole is a sport built on the backs of athletic, strong, flashy and stylish players. Players that can stretch their limit and play not just their beloved sport, but also embark on basketball, cricket, swimming, baseball, rugby, track and field, and football (only wide receiver, ask Ochocinco).

When I played I built my game around my strength, speed, quickness, and skill. These attributes separate the talented (North Korea) from the god-gifted (Brazil) and if that confuses you, it is a difference according to the undefeated Floyd “Pretty Boy/The cash cow/the cash king” Money Mayweather: “there are a lot of talented athletes out here, but in god-gifted! God gifted people beat talent any day of the week!”

So just like Floyd, the Brazil team did just what they were ordained to do and that’s use their dominant abilities to play cat and mouse with North Korea, who they saw as a practice squad.

Brazil’s arrogance and confidence not only should be showcased, but HAS to be exhibited.

For two reasons: the stage the World Cup is on and the lack of interest in the USA for the sport.

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, but inside the US, a small majority is fans. And even a smaller majority can actually tell you they have a professional team in their town and who is the starting lineup on that team. What Brazil stands for and their Deion Sanders/Mike Vick/Brett Favre/Reggie White/Dan Marino style of play has to be shown on the biggest stage this sport can be on. Every soccer game is televised due to the brilliance of satellite and web-TV, but the popularity of the sport peaks during those 4-year intervals when the World Cup is in progress. I believe they not only made their nation proud, but also anybody else who plays or has played the sport of soccer. The soccer gods smile down on teams like North Korea that play traditional soccer, but also smile and applaud for the powerhouse teams.

Brazil also helped the game of soccer by raising the interest of the USA. This is and will be the most important market for any type of financial gain by any money making business. America is the richest nation in the world and can provide any soccer team or club an abundance of financial support if they crack the code. This difficult and inevitable code is: getting Americans not only interested in soccer, but also to intrigue them into spending money on games and merchandise.

Trust me, it seems harder than it seems. Inside of cracking that code is solving a number of other problems which will lead this blog into a totally different direction.

So, I digress. Browne made valid points which keep me interested in his writing, but turned me off with his EXTREMELY-CONSERVATIVE Skip Bayless way of viewing soccer. I didn’t have the time to view an entire game in the World Cup, but did see highlights because of the ESPN. The clips of bicycle kicks, celebration dances and beloved fans fighting almost made me cry and get back involved with a soccer team.

The art of soccer isn’t missing at all. Browne’s type of soccer is missing. That’s sad because it is actually a beautiful game when you play, understand and watch it. Browne just like a number of other sports fans is suffering from “20^th century” syndrome. They are stuck in the past and not ready to move forward.

Well Mr. Browne, its 2011, times have changed and will continue to change. Get in the driver’s seat and enjoy the surroundings.

The future of attending a baseball event...from the eyes of Will Carlos Brown

"Playball," loud and eruptive is screamed into your ears while you run to your seats for the White Sox vs. Royals game. 3 minutes ago you were in a traffic jam on the Dan Ryan and almost late for Game 7 of the American League Divisional Series.

You hover your vehicle to Gate 13A and jump out the car while your keys are left in the ignition. No worries your car which only moves with your permission parks itself.

As usual you don't have to stand in a 15 minute line to gain entrance, just a simple scan of your fingerprints will suffice. "Thank you, Mrs. Brown. Welcome to the new Comiskey Park. The home of your 2020 World Series Champions, The Chicago White Sox," says the finger scanning machine.

As the PEHP (Post-elevator hover pad) raises you to your appropriate level, you look down at your cellphone just to see that you are 40 seconds away from the opening pitch.

The executive suite level is a frenzy, all the concession employees are sweating and running, while carrying loads of food, which was ordered from the digital menu tablets in each suite. "Excuse me mam."

"Sorry for the confusion."

"Pardon me!" the employees shout as they run back and forth in front of you, supplying the onlookers with their food, liquor and freshly rolled Cuban cigars.

After shuffling and walking cautiosly through the ruckus, you finally reach your destination, Suite 15.

The most expensive suite, because its dedicated to the Greatest White Sox, Dayan Viciedo.

The glass door which separates the suite room the hallway, suddenly appears with a slot where you are supposed to get finger scanned again.

"Glad you arrived safely, Ms. Brown. Enjoy the game," says the glass panel.

You are enthtralled by hugs and kisses from the numerous family members, colleagues, your husband, and high school friends that have showed up to the game to celebrate the potential 12th World Series appearance for the White Sox. After talking to everyone, you finally have a chance to rest and watch the game. The floating digital food menu goes from person to person and compiles an extremely long order list.

After 3 Long Islands and 6 beers you realize that its the 7th inning stretch and the Sox are up 10-4 and 6 outs from the World Series. Excited from the possible historical moment, you stumble down the hallway in search of a memorabilia vendor. An Employee spots you in your drunken stance and asks if you need any assistance. You describe to him the several pieces of jewelry, hats, shirts, foam fingers and jerseys that you desire.

"Unfortunately we don't have that mam, but you can place an order and have those items by the end of the next inning." He hands you a small glass panel that brightens and suddenly gives you an endless amount of options to customize your items. Final price $3,400, the equivalent of one day's pay.

"Last Call" flashes on the digital food menu as the top of the 8th inning concludes. You see that extra strength Tylenol are available. Almost immediately you order some and wait for them to be bought to you by an usher. After a 15 minute wait the Usher brings you your medicine along with your ordered merchandise.

"Thank you for shopping with us, Ms. Brown, " says the Usher. You tip him $300 and continue to enjoy the celebration of the Sox hitting another home run. Raising the score to 14-5.

the game has concluded, people have cleared the stadium except for the suite level. Family and friends are still mingling and celebrating the World Series berth.

Your headache is gone, you are relaxed and stuffed from the steaks and liquor, and your intoxicated husband is telling baseball stories with disinterested employees.

The date is September 29, 2022, and you are a minimum wage worker at K-Mart. Today was a successful and enjoyable one, thanks in large part to technology.

Bulls vs. Hawks...who am i watching?

The end of February is here, and is the historical time when the NHL and NBA teams begin to play up to their potential and secure playoff positions. Chicago sports fans are blessed to have what a lot of cities don’t have; a decision of watching their hockey or basketball team.

The Blackhawks are a shoe string away from making the playoffs, as an 8^th seed (I could’ve sworn they are the reigning champions! Now I hardly see any Blackhawks paraphernalia being worn.). The Bulls, hot off a classic win against Lebron’s Heat, are currently seeded 3^rd in the east and riding on the coat tail of Superstar Derrick Rose.

So, what team am I going to focus all of my precious time and attention on? That’s easy, The Bulls.

Not just because Hockey is as entertaining to me as Justin Bieber. Nor that I’m just as knowledgeable about hockey as I am about the cast of Jersey Shore (what is a “Snooki?”). No, it’s not because it’s easier to keep up with the Kardashians. Honestly, I don’t really care about anything dealing with hockey. Never was a fan of what I call “padded figure skating.” I say that to say, “Come on Bulls show me what you got!”

Before I misguide you, I am NOT a Bulls’ fan. I haven’t been one since Scottie signed his name on the dotted line to play with the Houston Rockets. I am an 11-year Dallas Mavericks fan; even have a framed ticket stub with Mark Cuban’s autograph.

But I digress; I’m staying locked in on the Bulls because I want to see what all the fuss is about. News articles, sports anchors, radio programs, and numerous basketball fanatics have praised the Bulls so much, that my intrigue about this core of players has risen.

No longer are they the “Baby Bulls.” With Rose at the steering wheel this team has impressed so much they are being considered legitimate title contenders. Though they proved they were contenders in the 2009 series against the Celtics, they improved their roster by stealing major pieces of the Utah Jazz.

This current crop of Bulls has proven they aren’t playing for the future, but are dead serious about keeping Chicago celebrating championships.

With victories over the Heat, Mavericks, Lakers, Thunder, Celtics, Magic, and Spurs, they solidified themselves into the heated debate of who’s the “Best team in the league.”

This is the best Bulls team since 1998, why wouldn’t we be watching them? In a city that is under the shadow of Jordan and the 85’ Bears, it’s almost impossible to get this city this excited and anxious about the playoffs.

Joakim Noah’s wacky and energetic personality on and off the court along with the quickness and flashy play of MVP candidate, Rose, keep fans glued to TV sets and United Center seats.

With a majority of the young and most talented players taking their talents to the Eastern Conference, the 2011 NBA playoffs are poised to remind us of the classic battles in the 90s.

The closer it gets to mid-April the more fidgety I get. The Bulls are back and according to the lack of trade day moves, they will be here for a while.

Brand new batteries are in the remote, the couch is clean and ready for 8 hours of straight sitting, and I have a whole new arsenal of reasons to tell my boss I can’t make work.