Tiger Woods – Making it thru the cut

Fact: In golf a cut is made after two days of play, those who make the cut still have a chance to win the tournament.

Fact: Since the beginning of time every powerful man who has ever fallen has succumb to one of two things; money or women. When you mix the two usually trouble ensues.

Fact: contrary to my stunning good looks and my charming persona, … I’m really not perfect.

While it would be easy to just berate Tiger for his alleged indiscretion I want to offer a different prospective on the situation. To those who know me know that I am huge fan of tigers athletic and mental abilities however I am in no ways a “tiger apologist”. I am not saying he is 100% innocent because I believe that where there is smoke
there’s fire.

At last count there was 11 women claiming that they have “tamed” the tiger. Tigers camp has been quiet (probably been too busy writing checks for hush money) but whatever the case that brotha has gone underground. Now chances are infidelity is involved, I mean let’s not be blind here.

I believe Tiger fell into a trap that most Americans fall into and
that is the “idea” or “expectation” of marriage. I’m working on my 5th
year of marriage and it takes a lot of work. If it where easy then more
people would be successful at it. Think about this, the small amount of time he spent at Stanford and during his 20′s Tiger was preparing for greatness on the golf course while his buddies were partying and hanging with all sorts of different women. He never really got to be a college kid. Tiger couldn’t hang out on Saturday nights because most
likely he had to have his butt up at the crack of dawn on Sundays hitting golf balls. At the age of 21 when most guys are figuring out what they want to become in life Tiger was winning his 1st major.

Excuses? No .. Reality? Likely

Tiger you’re black.

For years tiger was accepted by our caucasian brethren and was in a realm no black man had entered since the likes of Micheal Jordan. Tiger you are the top dog and these guys that shook your hand and laughed at your corny jokes..they wanted you to fall. That’s why nobody has come to your defense except Jack. And all he said was that
it was none of his business. Whatever man just know that “WE” got your back and respect your privacy.

Tigers business is his business. We don’t know what was going on in his household or even how his wife was treating him. We simply don’t know.

Well Tiger here’s what I have to say: ” I have no stone to throw at you my brother. I hope you can save your marriage and I hope your kids will be able to grow up in a loving household.” There, I said it feel free to quote me on that.

Oh, you want my advice? .. .. .. .. Ok, well since you asked.

Move to Europe and join the European tour. Listen closely, this will stick it to the US media and not allow them to make money off you and invade your privacy. The PGA, their sponsors and even tabloids would take a hit financially from your absence. I wouldn’t step foot on US soil for a very long time. You need 5 more majors victories to be #1 all time. If you’re on the European tour you can still play(win) the British Open each year as well any major of your choice. It just makes sense.

Stick to your guns, handle your family business then get back on the course and kick everyone’s butt.

If you ever wanna play 18 ..I’ll clear my schedule, Hit me up on Facebook.

Peace

“Easy”

The Rebirth

I haven’t blogged in 4 months. The reason is because everytime I opened my mind to write the one constant was death. I needed time to grieve, I needed time to heal and I needed to just step back and live alittle. Make no mistake about it I still grieve for my father everyday but the legacy most go on.

Well I’m back.

Welcome to the “rebirth”. I will now blog more consistantly on a array of topics from politics, sports, religion and even fatherhood.

This is My spot .. This is my grind ..These are my thoughts, unfiltered and in living color. Interact with me don’t just be a voyeur but if all you want to do is watch/read I guess that’s cool too. Next blog post will be up by the end of the day.

Stay tuned.

Can I get a witness?

They call him “King James”. Never before has there been so much hype, so much pressure and so much placed on the shoulders of a 19 yr old young man. It was only fitting that the one known as “King James ” should begin his NBA career against the Sacramento Kings. Nobody remembers that the Kings won the ball game, rather everyone was focused on James 25 points and 9 assists he dished out. From day one it was clear that Lebron was gonna be special. He wasn’t like a lot of other number one picks he was … different.

He said the right things.

He dressed the right way.

He was the consumate team player.

Oh and it doesn’t hurt when you’re 6’8, 260 can run like a gazelle and jump like another player that used to wear 23. He was it, the NBA’s saviour had come to set the marketing executives free from having to market subpar ball players with lackluster skills. A guy that could hit the winning shot, be graceful to the media and have your daughter home by eleven. This man was just too good to be true. After walking on water he later turned that water into Gatorade for his teamates to hydrate. NBA commissioner David Stern made law that everyone entering into the Cavs arena must first take off their shoes. ..”It just shows respect to the King”.

Of course all these reports aren’t varified.

For the first 5 years of his career Lebron hadn’t recieved any bad press … until now. Let me preface my statement by saying this, Lebron is what the NBA needs and I admire everything he stands for. However, when Lebron walked off the court and didn’t congratulate the other team and later failed to answer questions to reporters I was as dissappointed as those that had “witnessed” his greatness. To me this showed a lack of charachter, maturity and integrity.

In golf after a round is played you shake hands. .. Win or Lose

In hockey after a 3 quarters of battle they shake hands. … Win or Lose

In football after beating on each other, they shake hands. … Win or Lose

It’s called sportsmanship.

To me sportsmanship is the realization that … IT’S JUST A GAME. Yes Lebron we know you were mad and we know you are competive but I have to call you on this one. After sweeping the Pistons and the Hawks you couldn’t find enough hands to shake. You got your butt whipped and I know it hurts but don’t be mad at them, use it as motivation to make you better.

And to be honest, it really bothered me because I would NEVER let my son play any game like that. I tell him you play the game as hard as you can but at the end of the day you leave it on the field or court because it’s just a game. You can’t take your ball and leave because big brother just put the beatdown on you.

Anybody can be a good winner but a true champion will shine even in defeat.

Humbly Yours,

Easy

NFL Draft – Making the grade

 

You know it’s always funny to me how immediately after the NFL draft all of the “experts” come out with all of these draft grades for players and teams who have yet to play one NFL down.  I have always asserted that you can’t fully grade a draft until at least 3 years later.  As the offseason draws near I am one of those guys that love this time. I love watching senior bowl practices, combine coverage and all the pre-draft analysis. Although I believe Mel Kiper is stealing money from ESPN for his draft predictions which never come true I thoroughly enjoy it all. So I thought it would be interesting to look at the draft 3 yrs ago and grade some of the players, teams and bust of that draft. Now there are 7 rounds in the draft and in order to keep your attention there is no way I can fully get into every detail but allow me to present some things to you which I believe are of note. 

Mario who?

Following one of the best Championship games in BCS history between Texas and USC the 2006 had can’t miss superstars like Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Matt Lienart. However after the combine and the morning of the draft many were left asking, who is Mario Williams? I among many thought that this was a ludicrous pick, how in the world can you pass on a Reggie Bush who looked like Bo Jackson in Techmo Bowl.  However, like I said in my thesis let’s wait 3 years.  Mario Williams now is transformed into a feared defender while Bush can’t play a full 16 and Vince and Lienart are warming the bench. Who would have thunk it?

Winners

First rounders are the cream of the crop but not always. We could have send all day on things like what would it have been like if the Cardinals drafted Cutler at 10 and the Broncos grab Leinart at 11 instead of vice versa.  First things first, Mario Williams is proving to be worth his weight in gold. Last two years he has 26 sacks and is becoming what I like to call “A Man”. Two running backs grabbed at the end of the first round were Deangelo Williams (28^th overall) and Joseph Addai (30^th overall). These two backs are easily top ten backs and kudos to the Panthers and Colts on grabbing these guys late in the first round. Other first round gems include;  (AJ Hawk, Jay Cutler, Antonio Cromartie, Davin Joseph, Santonio Holmes,  and Mathias Kiwanuka)

In the second round and beyond the money changes a little bit so this is where GM’s prove their worth in gold. Maurice Jones-Drew (60^th overall) is a strong, dynamic back and has given first round production for 2^nd round value.  Jeremy Trueblood (59^th overall) along with first rounder Davin Joseph will solidify the Bucs right side for the next 10 years.  Brandon Marshall (4^th round 119^th overall) has elevated his play to a top tier wide receiver. I give the Broncos a solid grade for grabbing Cutler and Marshall in the same draft.  What I consider to be probably one of the steals of the draft is Marques Colston (252th overall). If this guy can stay healthy he is one of the NFL’s best.  And to think he was 4 picks from not even being drafted.

Bustas

Although these players careers are not over I must put them on my “busta” list based on the investment the team has put on these guys and the return on the investment. Vince Young and Matt Lienart will probably be forever linked. Too bad their linked on this list also. Young got 25 million in guaranteed money.  Young has thrown 22 Touchdowns and 37 Interceptions, hardly acceptable for the 3^rd pick in the draft. Matt Lienart wasn’t chosen until the 10^th pick, but his 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions hardly scream hall of fame. What’s worst is the fact that a lot of people are questioning the toughness of these two quarterbacks who are not even starting.  Wait a minute, not so quick Vernon Davis. Although you looked like a beast in those Under Armor commercials you have not produced on the field. Oh and your coach punked you. You signed a 23 million dollar contract with 15 million guaranteed; you have to produce more than the 2 touchdowns you accounted for in 08-09.

This has been my assessment of the 06-07 NFL draft and I hope you have enjoyed. I have included a link to the complete list at NFL.com. I look forward to your comments.  As always all praises go to God for everything good in our lives. I would love for you to subscribe to the blog or just keep checking me out from time to time.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?season=2006&round=round1

Peace

Easy