College Football Weekend Predictions

I've decided i'm going to start a weekly college football prediction blog.

Just picking out 5 of the most important (to me) games of the week.

1) Michigan vs. Ohio State

I believe RICH ROD has something up his sleeve, and in my opinion, a win here means a salvaged season in ann arbor.  The boys in blue will find a way to get it done in the cold...

MICH 27 OSU 24

2) Michigan State vs. Penn State

As much as i'd love to pick against Joe Paterno in possibly his last game ever and give MSU their first outright BIG 10 championship since the Paleolithic Era, i simply cannot pick against Evan Royster and Darrel Clark.  Javon Ringer will battle, and be an awesome pro, but a team needs more than a running back to survive when it gets to be late November in BIG 10 country.  (That was for you SLIZ)  Brian Hoyer shows his true colors when Ringer gets stopped by Linebacker U

Penn State 31 MSU 14

3) Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma

One of the most anticipated match ups of the past decade, the BIG 12 South Championship is on the line, as well as overall BIG 12 Championship and National Championship implications.  There will be less defense played in this game than when GR played Shrine my senior year.  Be prepared for a shootout in Norman.  The Red Raiders have one of the best QB-WR combos in history with Graham Harrel and Micheal Crabtree, but Oklahoma has a stud QB of their own in Sam Bradford.  Yellowcard's "Light Up the Sky" should be played over the loudspeakers at the stadium because that's what these two rocketarms will be doing.

Texas Tech 51 Oklahoma 45

4) Washington vs. Washington State

Similar to the GR vs. Urban Lutheran game of my senior year, this game matches two of the worst programs in the nation with Washington coming in at 0-10 (the Lion's should hire their head coach!) and Washington State at 1-10.  Washington's star QB is gone for the season, and that's about the extent of their offense.  Both teams rank in the bottom 10 of the nation (thats out of 119 teams) in Yards per game, yards allowed per game, points per game, points allowed per game, and turnover ratio.  This should be one for the ages.

Washington State 14 Washington 7

5) Florida vs. The Citadel

Really?   Really Urban Meyer?  Really?     You schedule the Citadel on your way to the SEC championship.  This is worse than Grass Lake getting the luxury of playing GR this year the week before the state playoffs.  Biggest concern in this game is Tim Tebow dropping back in the pocket and fumbling the ball because he's laughing so hard at how many recievers are open downfield.

Florida 63 The Citadel 10

Thanks for reading and remeber..."If you don't root for Michigan, you are going to hell"

THANKSGIVING!!!!

When i think of Thanksgiving, i think of 4 things...1)My Mommy's delicious top-of-the-world pumpkin pie, 2) Day-after thanksgiving toast-kielbasa-saurkraut-turkey-stuffing-horseradish sandwiches (a sakowski tradition), 3) seeing all of my Polish relatives that insist on pinching my cheeks even though i am a full foot taller than most of them and am legally an adult, and finally, 4) watching my ever-so abysmal Lion's lose on national TV.  

Due to a comment i received on a previous blog, i will now give you my thoughts on this year's (and the game in general) Thanksgiving Day Game between the Tennessee Titans (10-0) and our beloved Detroit Lion's (0-10).  It has been a tradition ever since i was born to go to my Ciocie (polish for Aunt) Helen's house on Thanksgiving Day and sit in her living room (the kids on the floor) and watch the Lion's play.  Every year, just like clockwork, as soon as the final whistle would sound, and the depression in the house was raised to an all-time high, my aunt's voice could be heard announcing dinner.  This was my childhood, something I'm very proud of, and now here are my feelings on a key component of these memories, the Lion's.

As i before stated, the Lion's are going to play the Titans on thanksgiving day in the annual "Turkey Bowl".  The winner receives the "Turkey Trophy" which is simply a bronze plated miniature statue of a turkey.  The Lion's will be embarrassed on national TV again, and here's why.  

The Tennessee Titans have been successful in the NFL this season for two key reasons.  1) Their ability to run the football.  The Titan's lead the NFL in RYPG (Rush Yards per game).  This is because of their use of a platoon running game, using two backs, Chris Johnson and Lendale White.  Chris Johnson is the starter, combining a lightning fast 4.29 40 yard dash time with elusiveness, patience, and a quick cut.  Lendale White, who leads the team in touchdowns, is an excellent compliment to Johnson because White, at 6'1, 245 lbs, weighs about 20-30 lbs. more than the average running back, and this confuses defenses.  The defenses have just gotten used to stopping Johnson's outside runs, designed to get him loose in space where he can use his speed and agility.  Now the Titan's bring in White, who is fast for his size, but has nowhere near the breakaway speed of Johnson, nor the speedy move Johnson has.  White's running style is straight-ahead (north and south, as some NFL announcers call it) and he makes his living running defenders over and breaking tackles.  While you won't see very many long runs (20+ yards) by White, you will probably see a consistent 3-7 YPC (yards per carry) from him.  Where as Johnson will have nowhere near the same consistency, as his smaller size makes it difficult for him to run between the tackles, but you will see a cornucopia (it's thanksgiving after all) of long runs and dazzling moves.

2) Their defense.  The Titans bring in one of the best defenses in the NFL, which stands as testament to their perfect 10-0 record.  The Titans have held opponents to an NFL best 13.1 points per game, while allowing only 281.8 total yards per game (good for 6th in the NFL).  The Titans boast one of the best defensive line's in football with Javon "The Freak" Kearse, Kyle VandonBosch, Albert "Fat Albert" Haynesworth, and Tony Brown.  These 4 have combined for 16 sacks, good enough for top 10 in the NFL for starting defensive lines.  Along with strongside linebacker Keith Bullock, the Titan's defense strikes fear in MY heart, and i'm not even playing.

These two particulars will lead to the Lion's demise for several reasons.  The Lions have 2 MAJOR issues that have haunted them all season.  1)- stopping the run and 2) protecting the quarterback.  Well, son of a bitch, because that's the 2 area's i just highlighted as being the Titan's strengths.  Chris Johnson and Lendale White will tear the Lion's to shreds in much the same way as my incisors will tear the Thanksgiving meal to shreds.  And when their legs finally get tired, the veteran QB Kerry Collins will be there to be "adequate" as he usually is, and toss a couple TD passes to old-timer Alge Crumpler.

I predict a Thanksgiving Day Massacre the likes of which we have never seen.

Final Score-

Detroit Lions 17

Tennessee Titans 46

Lion's Blog pt. 2

Continuing in the theme of "why the Lion's suck", I'm going to delve a little deeper into moves that directly affected THIS YEAR's team.

1) The firing of Mike Martz.  While i said before i agreed with now-offensive coordinator Jim Colleto's scheme (very similar to Lloyd Carr's if you ask me), i believe that the firing of Mike Martz was a stupid move.  Mike Martz was fired prior to the drafting of Kevin Smith, so no one knew that the Lion's would have a competent running back in 2008.  At the time of Martz's firing, Kevin Jones was hurt and the only running backs on the roster were Tatum Bell and Aveion Cason (who?) so it would be intelligent in my opinion to STAY WITH the pass-happy offensive scheme that Martz runs rather than heading into the season with an offensive coordinator hell-bent on establishing the run with an uncertain running game.  Now that we can see that Kevin Smith is an above-average to good running back that will only get better, naturally the Jim Colleto's scheme looks genius.

2) Dan Orlovsky?  Jon Kitna, the man who has started every single game for the Lions for 2+ years, was essentially benched only a few weeks into the season.  His "heir apparent" was Dan Orlovsky, a 4 year veteran who has never seen the field before this year, and was drafted in the 5th round out of Connecticut.  While I agree with starting Orlovsky over Drew Stanton (2007, 2nd Rd., Michigan State) right away, at the first sign that Orlovsky was incompetent (oh, say when he stepped out of the back of the end zone, causing a safety) they should have immediately gave the ball to Stanton.  By this point they were already 0-6, had nothing to lose, so why not see what the young hometown kid can do?

3) Daunte Culpepper?  Culpepper, who was a 3 time pro bowler during the early 2000's with the Minnesota Vikings, was signed to a 2 year contract after Jon Kitna was placed on injured reserve and Dan Orlovsky injured his thumb, leaving Drew Stanton as the only healthy quarterback on the roster.  I'm actually OK with the signing, i believe Culpepper could be a quality QB again in the future, and even possibly with the Lion's.  But here's my issue....why would the Lions, namely Rod Marinelli, not give Drew Stanton a chance to show what he can do?  He's young, mobile, rocket-arm, and came from Michigan State.  The Lion's say that Stanton hasn't proven himself in practice yet, but if you remember correctly, John L. Smith (former coach of Michigan State) said on numerous occasions that Drew Stanton did not preform admirably in practice, but come Gameday, Stanton always preformed.  This is something that should be taken into consideration by the Lion's staff.  In limited time a few weeks ago, Stanton was 6-8 for 96 yds with 1 TD.  Those stats are very legitimate when compared to Culpepper's 5-10 for 104 yds with one INT.  Yet, sure enough, the following week, Culpepper was the starting QB instead of Stanton.  Why would the Lion's use a high 2nd round draft choice on a quarterback whom they obviously thought was worthy of such a high pick.....and not use him?    Doesn't make sense to me!

more to come....comment please!  

Athletic Training Class Reflection paper on movie "Glory Road"

I feel as though Athletic Trainer’s need to be culturally competent in today’s society for several reasons.  First, there is no such thing anymore as segregation, so treating any player(s) any different because of race, culture, religion, etc , is not only unethical and unmoral, it’s also illegal.  Second, to be a truly competent and effective Athletic Trainer, one must treat all athletes equally and with the same care and diligence every time.  If not, then one is NOT being a true and effective Athletic Trainer.  I feel that it is both easier and harder in today’s society to be culturally competent as an Athletic Trainer for a couple reasons.  It is easier today because racism, while still very much alive, unfortunately, is not nearly as strong or as all encompassing as it was 40-50+ years ago.  This means that modern Athletic Trainers can practice their trade on every athlete of every culture, and not worry about what society has to say about it, as it is illegal for society to object.  While it is true society might object of look down upon certain Athletic Trainers for caring for athletes of a certain culture, it is in fact illegal for them to do anything about.  Therefore, the Athletic Trainer need not worry about facing social persecution for simply doing his/her job.  However, I also believe it can be harder to be culturally competent in today’s society as well.  Nowadays, every, single, little word that could possibly be construed as racist or chauvinistic IS construed as such, and this makes it hard not only for Athletic Trainers to be “culturally competent” but for people in all walks of life to be “culturally competent as well.”  Back 50+ years ago, understandably during a different day and age, one could call a person on African-American descent a ni***r and there would not be a word said about it.  Today, however, if one calls a person of African-American descent anything but an African-American, all hell breaks loose and the person saying it is considered a vile and disgusting racist, and could possibly be sued or out casted.  This mean’s that Athletic Trainers have to be particularly careful about what they say and who they say it around.  If they are not careful, they could lose their jobs/certification.

            Through my studies of American History I have been made aware of the atrocities of racism that spread through our country, particularly in the south, where this movie was based.  However, never have I actually SEEN a more graphic example than when Nevil Shed was attacked in the bathroom at a local restaurant simply for being black.  I was intensely disgusted with how simply racist and bigoted those people were back then (and how some are today) because of someone else’s skin color.  This movie, while probably not intending to do so, actually made me look around and realize that racism is still a problem, while not nearly as big a problem as it was 50 or so years ago, it is still indeed a cancer to our society.

            When the movie portrayed Adolph Rupp in the interviews and during the game, he made me think of a few things: Arrogance, Racist, and Hate.  He was arrogant in the sense that he believed he and his team couldn’t lose, especially not to a bunch of African-Americans.  Basketball was a game for white people, and any invasion of that color barrier he took as a personal affront.  He was racist for the simple fact that he was wary to even take Texas-Western seriously, and it proved to be his undoing.  He was hateful for rather obvious reason that he didn’t feel comfortable in the same room as African-Americans, let alone the same basketball court.  I felt watching those few scenes that he personified racism perfectly: Too cocky to change, and filled with undying hate for no reason.  As soon as he was introduced in the movie, I was praying for him to lose.  My “I finally get it now” moment would have to be simply that I recognized Adolph Rupp as the epitome of racists in America.  No, he didn’t light crosses on fire or take part in lynching’s or spray fire hoses on protesters, but what he did do was tell Texas-Western that they didn’t belong, and that’s worse than any physical injury one can sustain. 

            After watching this movie I can proudly say about myself that I AM NOT a racist, and this pleases me greatly.  I believe 100% that I can work with athletes of any class/culture/race/religion/creed/etc.  I have no problem saying that I will be an athletic trainer when I grow up (haha, that’s only in a few years) and that I will be the very best I can be and ZERO racist or bigoted feelings will hold me back.  

Lion's Blog

Well, as i before stated, i am a huge Detroit sports fan, and yes, this included the Detroit Dyin'....sorry i meant Lion's.

Obviously the Lion's have been the laughingstock of the NFL (National Football League) for more than a decade now, and i'd like to voice my opinions as to why.

We'll start with this year...this "year" started in late April during the NFL Draft.  For those football illeterates among you the NFL Draft is a massive "team expander" of sorts in which each team has a base of 7 "picks" in which to use on college football players to add, of "Draft" to their respective team.  There are 7 rounds, with each team receiving a pick in each round, hence the 7 picks.  Teams can trade their picks with other teams, adding or losing them in the process, and there are also several dozen "supplementary" picks added into the process.  These supplementary picks are given by the NFL to teams who had a poor season before to help add talent to those particular team.  The goal of these picks is to constantly swing the talent of teams in a sort of bell-shaped curve so that there are no dynasty's or constant bottom dwellers in the league.  The draft order is determined by the final standings as far as wins/losses from the previous season, meaning the worse teams get the first picks in each round where the better teams get that later picks.

I believe the Lion's main problem have started each and every year at this weekend in April at the NFL Draft.  We'll go in depth with this past year's.  In the first round, the Lion's held the 15th overall pick in the first round, based on thier not good, not bad record of 7-9 in 2007.  They traded this pick to gain an extra 3rd round choice, and henceforth moved their draft position to number 17.  With this pick, the Lion's chose Gosder Cherilus, a massive RIGHT Tackle from Boston College.  I disagree with this pick for a couple reasons.  1) The Lions were and still are in need of a LEFT tackle, the most important position in football because he protects the quarterbacks blind side in passing situations.  People will argue that Jeff Backus (drafted in 2001 out of Michigan) is a competant left tackle, but i disagree.  Backus is slow, has a short arm reach, and has injured feet, 3 qualities that are very, very detrimental to a quality left tackle.  I know these things first hand because i played left tackle for two consecutive seasons (18 games) in high school.  Backus, who i believe is an above average offensive lineman on the whole, would be much better suited on the right side, where he would be protecting the qaurterbacks front side, putting less pressure on him in passing situations.  Also, defenses regularly put their best defensive end on the right side of the defense (the offenses left side) putting even more pressure on the left tackle.  Why would the Lion's draft an established right tackle, when the need is on the left side?  2) Jeff Otah, an excellent LEFT tackle out of Pittsburgh, was still available, and was of course drafted by the Carolina Panthers 2 spots later at number 19.  The Lion should have drafted Otah, moved Backus to the right side, and henceforth have 2 of the better tackles in football at the CORRECT spots on the line.  

Second Round-The lions have one of the best wekside linebackers in football in Ernie Sims, and a decent Strongside linebacker in Ryan Nece.  So that leaves the middle linebacker spot as a pressing need, with Paris Lenon playing there.  Lenon is quick and has football intelligence, but once again, is better suited to play either the weak or strong side, rather than the middle.  So the Lion's, rather than drafting a middle linebacker, draft a WEAKSIDE linebacker in Jordan Dizon out of Colorado, with the hopes of converting him to the middle.  I played middle linebacker in high school, starting all 9 games there senior year, so i understand on a smaller level what it entails to play the three respective linebacker spots.  I'm not saying i was exceptional in either spot, but i was the best available because of the weak turnout my high school had when it came to football.  

I do, however, believe that the Lion's are moving in a positive direction.  I REALLY like Rod Marinelli, and i also like Jim Colleto's offensive scheme.  And the firing of Matt Millen, the former GM (General Manager), the man who approved these horrendous draft selections, certainly puts the Lion's in a better position for the comind draft.  Just an example of Millen's idiocy...he started in 2000 drafting for the Lions.  His first round picks since then go like this-2000-Stockar McDougle, OT, Texas.  2001-Jeff Backus, OT, Michigan.  2002-Joey Harrington, QB, Oregon. 2003-Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State. 2004-Roy Williams, WR, Texas AND Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech. 2005-Mike Williams, WR, USC. 2006-Ernie Sims, WLB, Florida State. 2007-Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech. 

Only Jeff Backus, Ernie Sims, and Calvin Johnson remain with the team.  McDougle, Harrington, and Kevin Jones are still in the league, playing as reserves on different teams.  Charles Rogers and Mike Williams are no longer in the NFL.  Roy Williams starts on the Dalls Cowboys...

I'll end with that statistic, a testament to Matt Millen's ridiculous ideas of drafting.

More to come later...

Just to get to know me...

Hey everyone out there in internet land, i'm doing this for the simple fact that one of my very good friends Josh Healy (truthforyouth.blogspot.com) told me to.  I am in nowhere the same class when it comes to Josh when it comes to poitics/government/history, etc...but i'll try my best.

Just a couple things about me for starters...

I attend Central Michigan University, double majoring in Athletic Training and Health Fitness and minoring in Leadership.  I was what you might call a "jock" in high school, although my high school was so small there really was no cliques, so that title really didn't apply.  

When it comes to politics, i think i have a decent amount of knowledge and understanding, so i try occasionally to interject my opinions.  I voted for John McCain, obviously the minority choice, but whatever, i liked him better, and thanks to the 1st Amendment, i can voice that opinion.

You could call me a Republican, but i don't know if i fit the label entirely.  I am probably the most anti-abortion/Pro-choice person you will ever meet.  I believe under no circumstances whatsoever should abortion be allowed.  Yeah, yeah, i know, "what about rape and incest?"  Well, i'm also a strong believer in God.  I believe that if in either of those horrendous circumstances, if conception takes place, then God put the child there for a reason.  Call it wrong, call it right, call it bad judgement, whatever, that's my opinion.  However, i also believe i medicinal marijuana (a very liberal view) and i also believe in the death penalty.  

I am NOT a racist, a claim some people used to attribute why i voted for McCain.  My father is somewhat racist, and sure i grew up with him, yada yada, yada, so i'm sure his views somewhat were molded to me, but now that i'm an adult on my own, i voice MY OWN views, not his.  

I'm a HUGE detroit sports fan (including the lions) so don't tell me how bad the lions are, i know, i wake up hungover every sunday morning specifically to watch them.

When i grow up, i want to be a physical therapist right here in Michigan, despite everyone else wanting to bolt to Southern Cali or somewhere else because of the economic crisis Granholm's infinite wisdom put us in.  (thats another thing, i HATE granholm)  I want to be married and have 3 kids...2 boys and a girl.  Carson, Brady, and Sara.  Sorry, but i guess i put alot of thought into this at an early age.

As i said before, i'm a strong believer in God.  I may not walk the straight and narrow, because i like to have fun, and i don't go to Church every Sunday, but i think God cares more about what we've done with our lives than what we did every sunday morning.  I'm proud as hell of my high school...some people say they hated it, some people say they wish they could have went anywhere else, but i'm thankful every day that i got to go to Gabriel Richard-Riverview.  I'm also thankful everyday that i went to a catholic school...i believe i'm a million times better off in college now because of it.  

Some people hate me, some people love me, but honestly, i don't care.  People that care too much about what others think are my biggest pet peeve.  I have my friends that i would do anything for, and isn't it better to have maybe a little bit fewer friends that you are really close with, than to have a TON of friends that you are close to none of them?  I don't know, another one of my opinions.

Now.....to the good stuff.

Barack Obama...

I couldn't tell you everything about him, i can't tell you every bullet-point of his financial plan, but i believe that raising taxes AT ALL, even if it means tax breaks coming to middle-classers like me, is bad.  I believe it will mess with inflation, but i don't understand economics enough to get in a serious argument about them.  I believe that we need to STAY in Iraq until they can 100% fend for themselves, and they are not at that point yet.  I believe Obama is simply not experienced enough yet to deal with major threats on our national security, something Joe Biden (his VP) said would happen within 6 months.  I believe that every American should be able to make their own choice about healthcare/insurance (something that would have been doable with McCain) instead of having the government choose for us (Obama's plan).

Once again, these are my opinions, i'm not going to debate them with you, they are what they are.  

I believe alot of Obama's votes came from African-Americans across the nation who voted for him simply because he is black.  I think that's wrong, but hey, whatever.  You can call that racism, but it's not.

I also believe that Hilary Clinton is an idiot, but once again, my opinion.  People are probably saying that i don't like Obama, Clinton, Granholm, because they are all Democrats, well, you're wrong.  I don't like George Bush, and i also didn't like Dick DeVos.  So therefore, i vote for whom I like and agree with, rather than what party they belong to.

That's all for now....more to come later.