Nov 9, 2009

I have had such a good time reading basketball blogs lately that i am going to try my hand at a general sports blog. Of course, I can only write what i see, and that is not nearly as much as most bloggers. However, i believe that my general "sportiness" and knowledge will allow me to accurately give my own informed conclusions and opinions.

Opinion 1: Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are the best pass rushing duo in the NFL. Since Robert Mathis' rookie year, the two DE's have combined for 127 sacks. Thats in 6.5 years. Freeney holds a slight edge with 67 sacks over that time, while Mathis holds his own with 60 total sacks since he became a Colt. What a terrible duo to face! I will give Mathis his due however, he has 10 more solo tackles in 1 less year than Freeney, being a better run stopping defender.

Opinion 2: Peyton Manning would easily go down as the best statistical pass thrower in the history of football if Brett "my joints can do it!" Farve would ever hang up his cleats. I am biased, but every important statistic is well withing Peyton's reach.

Opinion 3: A list of the scariest looking football player With helmets on.

1. Stephen Jackson: looks as much like the Predator as is humanly possible without any makeup or computer graphics.
2. Robert Mathis: His triangular head makes him look scary as Satan.
3. Ray Lewis: Born partly from reputation, and partly from the fact that he breathes harder than a 400 pound woman climbing the Sears Tower.
4. Julius Peppers: He has such huge arms, and his teeth are closer to fangs than is appropriate for someone in this age of dental wizardry. The dark facemask makes him look more evil than he already is. (Makes 1 million per game with questionable effort = evil)

Thats my three opinions for today. I will attempt to do 3 a day, 3 days a week!

Sports

So here I am, watching the Sox-Angels game, and I am so excited for sports! On Oct. 31, there will officially be all three major American sports running at the same time. Basketball will be in its first weekend, football will be in week 7, the MLB playoffs will be in the second round...Great stuff!

However, all these sports makes me think on the nature of competition. I am aware of a local basketball league down here in Charlotte that takes itself pretty seriously. They are not above ridiculing people on public blogs, and evaluating talent based on who they like and dislike. I miss competition for the love of the game! I love just getting together in a gym with some guys. No hidden agendas or secret talent scouts, just guys playing ball. Maybe I will find a league like that someday.

Gabriel

This weekend I am up in Indiana visiting with my folks and some of Dionne's family. It is a great time, and we are really enjoying ourselves.

However! We are good friends with several of the TU women's soccer team players and we really wanted to go watch them play this weekend. Unfortunately, they play in Michigan today, so that is not going to happen. It really is interesting how much more fun it is to watch a sporting event when you know the people participating in it. You want to see specific people succeed, not because of the accrued fantasy points that they can give you, but because you love them as people. That is why, especially if you are in college, you should get to know some athletes, then follow them to their athletic contests. It is way more enjoyable than normal, and it is a great time for everyone.

Gabriel

POW 82

Written July 2009

This is part of a poem that i wrote about one of my students who killed himself. Don't be too sad, but death is a serious issue.

RIP

Oh Sir,
what had brought you to this?
What cycles of the moon and
Stars, rushing through the heavenly sky,
Aligning with the Bear and Orion
Have brought you to this place?

Were you happy when you did it?
Was there a smile of relief and a
Peaceful cast to your face as you
Swallowed the barrel? Was it a
Fulfillment of your destiny?




Thats not the whole poem, but its plenty.