Necessary Roughness with Kisha is a sports blog that focuses on football, both college and professional. However, no topic is off limits.

When the news first broke that the NFL had plans of moving the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl, I was less than excited.  Actually, more confused than anything.  Not that I had a countdown to the Pro Bowl every year, but I just thought that the idea behind moving the event was absurd.  Given, that this break between football games sucked, I still think that having an NFL game in Hawaii was pretty awesome.  If they were going to move the game up, great…just make sure you keep in Hawaii.  If I was a football player and was violently injured during my season and then found out I HAD to play another game and it was in a place like Hawaii?

Hawaii – Gorgeous

Miami – At least there’s water..kind of.

Hell yes. I’ll even show up early to “practice”.

This wasn’t the case. Instead, the Pro Bowl got moved up early and was relocated to Dolphins Stadium..I mean, Landshark Stadium.  Actually, I’m not even sure what it’s called anymore. Either way, it just wasn’t an even exchange.

Miami is fun and all but I feel like that they host way too many big games. I feel like the Super Bowl was JUST there like 4 years ago. Now the Pro Bowl? What about the Buccaneers stadium? They have a boat in the endzone! Come on.  How many teams can even get away with having a vehicle on their field?

So here’s the real point of this, why exactly did I watch the Pro Bowl? Especially since the Grammys and Rudy was playing.  I didn’t watch the Grammys because after U2 won Best Album for 3 years in a row, I was all set.  I watched Rudy because, honestly, that movie gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Here’s my favorite line in the movie because it’s pretty much the story of my life:

You’re 5 foot nothin’, 100 and nothin’, and you have barely a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football players in the land for 2 years. And you’re gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself. And after what you’ve gone through, if you haven’t done that by now, it ain’t gonna never happen. Now go on back.

Except for the not having athletic ability part.  And, I’ve…

This season wasn’t a complete waste. For the New England Patriots, I think, it was a pretty humbling experience. For the fans, I think it was a very violent, rough and painful wake up call.  Having the ability to follow the team the entire season and being able to go to all home games this season, I saw first hand how unsatisfied fans were this time around. Fans were yelling, crying and leaving before the end of the game.  This actually happened more than once in the 2009 season.  What happened to the New England Patriots?

We drafted well for the most part. Picked up an offensive sleeper in the 7th round (Julian Edelman) and a handful of pretty useful defensive weapons as well (Darius Butler, Patrick Chung). We had Tom Brady back, healthy, kinda. Defense seemed hopeful just no Bruschi, Harrison or Seymour.  Hell, who am I kidding. The team suffered a lot without these three players. Call it a rebuilding year or whatever, there was a spirit that was missing with the New England Patriots that newly acquired players just couldn’t put back.

So what does this even leave up for discussion? With an uncapped season coming, there is no doubt that the Patriots are going to do what they’ve done before: keep everyone guessing.  I have a few ideas on who would be a great fit.

Idea #1: Brandon Marshall, WR Denver Broncos
Well this needs very little explaining.  Wes Welker is out for the next year or so and there is no guarantee that when he does return, he’ll be at 100%.  Brandon Marshall is a hell of a receiver, especially when he feels like doing his job.
Marshall finished the season with 1,120 yards and 10 touchdown catches. This is him at like 60%..40% of the time. Read that again, I promise it makes sense.  He’d be a great addition to the Patriots even if just for the fact of giving Randy Moss some breathing room.  I’m pretty sure that BB can get Marshall to play 100% without having to hug during a press conference to prove that they don’t hate each other.

Idea #2: Julius Peppers, DE Carolina Panthers
Before the season began last year, I had many discussions with people about the idea of picking up Julius Peppers.  I even threw some headline ideas with my little brother about it.
- Fresh Peppers? Yes, Please
- Peppers adds Spice to Defense
You know, all…

I couldn’t hear enough of it! Everyone seemed to be asking about my thoughts on the return of Michael Vick.  It’s really difficult to convey my ideas on this topic because, I am a huge dog person and think that any human who does anything close to what he did should be severely punished. Secondly, I’m also not blind to the impact a player has on a sport.  It was very difficult to ignore what Michael Vick did for the Falcon’s franchise and the type of excitement he brought back to the game.

Presenting #7 for the Philadelphia Eagles, Michael Vick

So which side to really go by? The side that judges a player based on his performance on the field? Or off?  I’ll do a bit of both.  I feel like he’s a great fit for Philadelphia (Joe, your thoughts?) Perhaps it wouldn’t for Donovan McNabb to actually have to compete for his job, sorry A.J Feeley but you were never really in the running.  Don’t worry, apparently there are rumors that my Patriots are interested in you (This is another post in itself). McNabb is already unhappy with this situation and had actually been reported to call this signing a “gimmick”.

On the Field:
Let’s just get through the obvious benefits of Vick playing football again.  He epitomized the term “running quarterback.” I can confidently say that he has helped teams take a second a look at quarterbacks with a 40 time that is less than 6 seconds.  Here are the facts, Vick is currently ranked 3rd in career rushing yards for a quarterback in the NFL, 21 rushing TD’s, 11,505 passing yards 3,859 rushing yards.  Not to mention, he was the number one pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. I realize that there have been draft picks that have ranked pretty high who are nowhere to be found in the NFL today, but Vick was around and was pretty damn good.
Philly has got some great talent in their backfield that could benefit from a QB that not only can scramble, but even outrun some of the best defensive backs.  Do I think he’ll do well after he shakes off the rust? Yes, oh yes.

Still angry, still unsure

Off the Field:
During the opening night of the Tennis US Open in New York last night, they dedicated the entire opening ceremony to athletes who excelled in service for the community. Among those honored were Mia…

I’d like to re-introduce myself.  I’m Kisha and I am a sports fan, I love the Patriots and the majority of other New England Teams.  I love football.  This may seem odd to have to go through formalities again, but I feel as though I have been neglecting this project of mine and I feel like I’ve let you everyone who (still) reads this down.  I’m certain though to win you folks back, I’m much too stubborn of a fan to just let you down and walk away.  So here it is, the rebirth of Kisha’s sports blog.  Get ready, it’s going to blow your mind.

Topics up for discussion:

1. The Pre-Season
2. Patriots Training Camp
3. My Hot Fantasy

The PreSeason

The New England Patriots’ preseason looks something like this:

Eagles – Joe, I’m not sure if you still read this but expect some trash talk texts from me for this game.  Preseason, I know, but my Eagles smack talk is getting a little rusty.

Bengals – I was an OchoCinco fan, and then he’s off field antics just got old.  Chad, already starting the trash talk to Shawn Merriman? Tisk Tisk.  Ochocino, you have so much more to prove on the field this season than ever before.  You’re quarterback is healthy, you got your name change and your jerseys. Now, please play well and prove that you are still a legitimate wide receiver who has more than just clever endzone celebrations to give to fans.

Redskins – Clinton Portis is still there? Right? haha

Giants – I really don’t think I could dislike a team more than the New York Giants.  I’ll admit, it might have something to do with them beating us in the Super Bowl.  Regardless, this team might actually be a threat this coming season and not that preseason will show anything, but please Patriots let’s not lose (although New England seems to like losing all preseason games)

****PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP****

Folks, being a Texas native, I have never had to opportunity to view a team’s training camp.  I must say, after attending 2 of them at Gillette Stadium, I feel like I was deprived as a football fan.  Mom and Dad, I’m very disappointed in you. Haha actually, you both have been pretty awesome, it’s not your fault that we live 20 mins from Mexico and 6 hours from the nearest professional football team.

Best sister ever.

The first session I attended was with my little brother who was visiting for…