Jeannette thinks that I am a freak. We avoid going to dinner anywhere that  televisions in sight because I end up not paying attention to her and watching the Top 10 plays on Sportscenter…after I had already seen at least 4 times earlier in the day.

Me, at a bar..or any restaurant with TV's

What can I say? Is it something that I do on purpose? No way.  I just can’t help it.  She is convinced that my fascination with football and just sports in general is not natural and which is why a lot of guys have a hard time figuring me out (this is a different issue in itself).  Even with this in mind, she still continues to hang out with me and often texts or calls me when she sees a player on television that she finds attractive.  This often leads to her describing the colors of the uniform and what marking is on the helmet so I can attempt to name the player.

I’d like to think of her as a true friend.

On a random afternoon, Jeannette and I found ourselves discussing her favorite sporting event EVER, the wonder that is WrestleMania.

I’ve never gotten into wrestling.  Perhaps it had to do with my mom being against violent games/shows.  Power Rangers and Sailor Moon apparently did not fit into this category because I was all about those shows.  Often, I tried to figure out what the appeal was of wrestling.  I enjoyed the flair and showiness of it all.  I also liked the clever names they had.  The Undertaker, Triple H, and The Rock.  Diamond Dallas Page was always a good one.  I knew the Hova hand gesture looked familiar… And 3Oh!3, please, get over yourselves.

Come on guys, let's try to be creative here...

So here is where the conversation begins to get interesting.  She states that Wrestlemania is like the Super Bowl of wrestling.  It’s where the matches are just mind blowing and the whole event is a week-long extravaganza.  There are meet and greets along with the ability to even enjoy a meal with your favorite wrestler.  For some reason, I just wasn’t sold on why people would invest $450 for a 3-day event package.

Then, my moment of clarity came.  Jeannette explained that the matches usually consists of the “good” and “bad” wrestlers. Kinda like a good vs evil, Megatron vs Optimus Prime, Tom Brady vs Seyton Manning (thanks Fitzy for this!)  type of battle. As a fan, you pick a side. Epic idea.  Here’s the kicker, you NEVER know who is going to show up! Like a cage match between John Cena and Sheamus and then out of nowhere, Rick Flair shows up!

Sheamus and John Cena, just in case you didn't know..

Ok, here’s where my brain starts churning ideas. Crazy ideas.  Since the majority of my life relates to football, I thought about how this could be translated to the world of the National Football League.

What if during one game every season, a team has the option of bringing in a veteran/retired/hall of fame player for two minutes?

I know this sounds crazy..and highly improbable, but the mere thought of this happening can’t even process in my brain.

So let’s say it’s a season-changing regular season game for, oh I don’t know, the San Francisco 49′ers against the randomly decent Oakland Raiders.  In the 4th quarter, struggling (been struggling) quarterback Alex Smith can’t seem to complete passes to any of his receivers. The pass rush is impeccable and Michael Crabtree is getting more coverage than the Grammys.  How does an offense pull through?  Then all of a sudden, almost with dramatic, slow clap initiating  entrance from the tunnel, JERRY RICE APPEARS! The recent Football Hall of Fame inductee, the 1985 16th overall pick, 22,895 total receiving yards and 197 touchdowns…yeah, that Jerry Rice.  Then, he runs whatever route Jerry Rice feels like and scores the winning touchdown to beat the Raiders!!

Can you imagine how crazy the games would would be?!!?

Incredible.

Is this logical? Hell no. But think of the possibilities! Warren Moon coming in for Vince Young. Sam Cunningham coming to play running back for the Patriots because they’ve needed a great running back since he left -_- .  Of course there would be setbacks.

Ryan Leaf anyone?

So give me your thoughts, am I completely ridiculous for thinking like this?

Or is this one of the coolest things to fantasize about in professional football?

I say the latter.

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 never “hung with best college football players in the land” or even stepped foot on Notre Dame’s campus. I am 5 foot nothing and 100 and nothin’ (on good days).  Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!  I want to apologize to all my friends who I barraged with texts on how awesome the movie was (Patrick, Bill and Brian).

Once the movie ended though, I switched to the Pro Bowl and was waiting to get into football mode. It wasn’t happening at all. I think at some point, I was delusional because Aaron Rodgers and Vince Young were acting like quarterbacks.  Oh wait, they were.  Aaron Rodgers actually played pretty well [ 15/19, 197 yards and 2 TD's]  Vince Young was sub par.  The worst part was listening to the commentators make up things to talk about.  Honestly, this game has no importance. It wasn’t like baseball’s All-Star Game where their playing for home field advantage for the World Series, or in the NBA where it’s just pretty freakin’ cool.  The Pro Bowl is kind of just there. Hanging out. It was like just something to do before the real off-season started.  There wasn’t anything that the commentators can really say, they couldn’t talk about playoff implications or the last time these teams played.  It was a game of two-hand touch and Ochocinco’s sideline commentary.  This was my mindset until I saw how well the Houston Texans’ selections were playing.

If you didn’t already know, the Houston Texans are my ultimate underdog team. I cheer for them when it is appropriate, which is usually when they aren’t playing the New England Patriots.  This season was especially awesome because it was the frist time my Texans finished over .500.  On top of that, Matt Shaub, Andre Johnson, DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing and Mario Williams all made it to the Pro Bowl. Even bigger surprise? QB Matt Schaub won the Pro Bowl MVP Award for winning AFC team.

So that’s what it is: I watched for the Houston Texans.

H-Town!

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 that fun stuff. Eventually the Patriots didn’t pick up Peppers and he signed a one-year contract with the Panthers where he was guaranteed $16.7 million in 2009.  Obviously the Patriots were not flirting with the idea of paying the 2nd overall pick of the 2002 Draft that kind of money.  Peppers, I think is the riskiest pick that the Patriots would make as it would be very uncharacteristic of them to invest that much a big name player.  42 tackles and five forced fumbles in 2009-2010.  Not exceptional numbers but his biggest contribution to the Patriots would be much more.  He’ll bring to the team what was left vacant after Rodney Harrison left.  The defensive leader. The one that rookies feared.  The one that made sure that mistakes, if they were EVER made, were addressed and disciplined right on the sidelines.  This wasn’t evident this season and I think Julius Peppers can definitely do the job.  Plus he would give Randy Moss’s burly beard some competition. That would be amazing.

Those are my ideas so far. Not original, I know but I think they would prove to add some moral and competitive depth to the struggling Patriots.  It’s not longer the Tom Brady show anymore and the 2010 season was the harsh proof.

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 Hamm, Andre Agassi and one of my favorites, Doug Flutie.  Not to say that every athlete should be the messiah of community service, but it is difficult to not hold them responsible for portraying a positive public image.  Michael Vick, I suppose, never got this memo.  I can’t seem to find his apologies to be sincere.  It seems like, he’s doing what everyone wants him to do.  I really want to know if he firmly believes in what he did was wrong, it’s just a scenario where you have to think, if he found that his actions weren’t wrong until someone caught him, is he only saying sorry because someone told him to? I think its great that Tony Dungy is his mentor and I believe that he will eventually grasp onto the magnitude of his actions..but am I still disgusted by what he did. Yes. Definitely.

Tom Brady and his sore shoulder is FINE..I hope.

Haynesworth, off of Brady! Now.

If you watched that game against the Redskins and saw the mammoth that is Albert Haynesworth lay all of his 350lbs defensive tackle self on our precious Tom Brady. I’m glad I didn’t actually witness this happen, I probably would’ve had a heart attack.  People, it’s going to be ok.  He may have gotten a little banged up but he will be ok.  I refuse to think otherwise.  Our back up quarterback situation sucks badly, maybe that’s why I don’t want to think that Brady will not play.  As mentioned earlier, if we do pick up a guy like A.J. Feeley from the Eagles, then we might be ok.  At least he has some sort of experience playing a game and not just wearing a red jersey, throwing passes at practice and holding a clipboard.

Brady has stated that he wants to play against the Giants in the Pats’ last preseason game.  Probably won’t happen and I’m VERY happy about that.

If you think tennis is boring, you may not find this next part entertaining.

Fantasy Football Time!

Well, with the football season brings another one of my favorite pastimes, Fantasy Football.  Last year, I was undefeated..until the championship game and I forgot to switch out my running backs because Frank Gore decided not to play.  I lost by 3 points and it was utterly terrible.  I plan on redeeming myself this year and I refuse to let a simple mistake be my demise.

So here are the teams and their managers who have decided to TRY and beat me. haha
Good luck guys.

League: AWESOME
12 Total Teams

WildWildWes – Me!
Marion the Barbarian – Ben H. (another crazy sports fan)
Money – Derek M. (Last year’s champion..VOMIT)
Former Soviet Union – Niko T. (my brother)
Hookem – Brandon F. (my best friend)
Gmen Rock – Santos M. (One of the few Giants fans that I associate with)
FlyEaglesFly – Joe M. (my dependable Eagles fan)
Super Mario Brothers – Rolando Z. (High school friend, frequent random sport conversation)
Ding! – Sean M. (tennis buddy)
GETTHESEBALLS – Ryan B. (confident in beating me? We’ll see)
Niner Nation - Pat H. (My only friend who is STILL a Niners fan)
Intimidation Nation – Robert G. (Talks a lot of trash but has yet to perform..haha)

So there it is folks, get familiar with each other as you all be comforting each other when I beat you all.

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 the week before heading back to the Rio Grande Valley.  During the early morning session, the fans came out in great numbers.  Surprising, especially since it was a random Tuesday.  Not gonna lie, the person I was most psyched to see was the long snapper #47 Jake Ingram.  He was doing anything spectacular, nothing truly out of the ordinary but I have a great fascination with his position now and am excited to see how he works with the team.  Other than Ingram, there were some great catches from Wes Welker and Randy Moss, 2 offensive weapons that are always fan favorites.  I even got a little giddy seeing them running routes!

The defense was working harder than ever.  Something tells me that they are playing with something to prove.  The majority of the draft picks were practicing with a little bit of a spark and it was evident.  There were so many fans having to look at their roster again and again trying to figure out what new player just pulled a nice move.  Oh boy did the veterans look good.  Joey Galloway, Fred Taylor and Tedy did spectacular.  I feel a little safer that they are on the field, kinda like the grown-ups are around.

Photo Courtesy of Kristyn Galante

One person who really caught my eye in not just the first, but also the 2nd training camp that I attended was Kent State alum #11 Julian Edelman.  When I say he caught my eye, I mean, he was breaking through clusters of defenders like Adrian Peterson does in Madden, or in real life for that matter.  He’s 6′0 and fast.  I mean this kid does not slow down in turns and jukes better than some of the running backs at practice.  I don’t want to jinx this guy’s season but it would be hard for me not say he has the potential to become an incredible punt returner, wide reciever and whatever else he feels like playing.  Hell, he used to be a quarterback at Kent State so why not.  Watch #11 this season. Seriously.

MY HOT FANTASY..rawwwr

Yeah, ok.  Sorry about that.  This isn’t anything nasty or perverted..it’s about FANTASY FOOTBALL, I mean I guess it could be right? haha  I have officically started up my league on Yahoo! (Nothing fancy I know, but it’s the easierst to use and some of my people are doing this for the first time.)

So as we know, my dear friend Derek, the Canadian mind you, beat me in the championship game and ultimately raising the importance of my undefeated regular season (sound familiar?)  This is not going to happen again.  I will not lose because a team decided to not play their top RB and an experienced kicker just happens to miss field goals (Thanks Frank Gore and Mason Crosby :/)

This is an open invitation to anyone that would like to join my fanasty league.  The more the merrier and also, the more there are of you i can beat.  I can teach you how to play.  It’s so much fun.

Derek, you’re going down. Literally.  I mean, they don’t even have serious football in Canada right? Oh wait, Graham Harrell plays in the CFL..good one.

I’m not really sure if I like how Tom Brady is evolving into Tom Brady Gisele.  Doesn’t really matter how the media covers Tom Brady, it’s hard to ignore how his return has been all the talk in all of New England.  While working at Gillette during the DC United and Revs game, some of the TeamOps staff members that I got to work with couldn’t stop gushing about Brady’s return.  The conversations didn’t stop at Tom Brady return, draft picks and predictions about being the team to beat were also main discussion points.  Some of the fans within the stadium are still talking about the (almost) perfect season.  Now I really thought that I was over it, really, really over it.  But hearing the ladies talk, I’ve come to realize that it still hurts.  Last season was a pretty heroic run but it just didn’t feel the same. Tom Brady is on the cover of a recent Sports Illustrated and after reading his article, it was hard not to get just a little more excited for the season to come.

I’ve done everything I could to push myself, sometimes too hard.  Right now, I’m doing everything. There’s nothing I can’t do. – Tom Brady

"We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

Really? Come on, how do you read that and not feel good about the New England Patriots? I felt like I right after I heard Bill Pullman’s speech as the U.S. president in Independence Day.  *sigh* That is definitely one of those movies that I can just put on when I want something to distract me from doing laundry.

I won’t sit here and preach about my favorite team, but it is nearly impossible not to understand the impact of the return of a player like Tom Brady has to the morale of the entire New England area.  This is the time of ambiance that people could only dream of in their city.  One of the first things people ask me when I tell them that the Pats are my team, is if I only started liking them after they won the Super Bowl.  What can I say? I had good taste in teams in 1998, it just so happens that my love for the Patriots is what made me relocate to the east coast.  Extreme? A bit, but doesn’t everyone tell you to follow your dreams? That’s why I’m here in Providence, Rhode Island, with its strange weather, horrible roads/pot holes and awesome food.  All of it just to be closer to my favorite team.

When football season starts in a few months, count on things to get pretty crazy on here.

# 37, We’ll Miss You.. A Lot.

As of June 3, 2009, Rodney Scott Harrison, the safety from Western Illinois announced his retirement from the National Football League.  Harrison has been called the Dirtiest Player in the NFL not just in 2004, 2006 and also in 2008. This isn’t what Patriots fans remember, we remember Harrison making the game changing sacks and playing the safety position better than most in the league.  With his 16 years of experience in the league, it’s hard to ignore the gap that will be left in the Patriots defense.

Who knew: 2 players we've had to say goodbye to in 2009

What made you, Rodney Harrison?

I found this really touching clip of Rodney Harrison talking about his mom and how much she’s impacted his career.  It’s a 5 minute piece, take the time to watch it and you’ll forget he was called a dirty player. 

Note to my mom: Please watch it, I know you tend to like players with stories like this so I’m sure you’ll love Rodney by the end of it!

Now looking at Harrison’s career, his athletic resume proves to be pretty impressive.
- Played a total of 186 games

- 1,198 total tackles
- 30.5 sacks
- 34 interceptions
* 2 time Pro Bowler
* 2 Super Bowl rings

Overall, he proved to be worth more than his 5th round (145th overall) pick in 1994.  Rodney Harrison was who I looked to when I was younger to get a better understanding of what a person in the Safety position was supposed to do.  I feel as though he had some part in making me the football fan that I am today.  Luckily this won’t be the last we see of Harrison, NBC will be using his experience to enhance their already impressive broadcasting arsenal.  Rodney Harrison was a no-nonsense player and got the job done, if he can do the same as a broadcaster, he may just make NBC a little more interesting.

Rodney Harrison has got it.

This is just a glimpse of what NBC has to be ready for. Harrison takes jabs at Deion Sanders? Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

I know this is mostly a Patriots post, I can’t help it guys..working at Gillette does this to you.

::::NOW FOR THE SPORTS NEWS::::

First things first, my little brother texted me today saying that I got “jipped” by nfl.com.  He said that they copied my headline.  See if you agree:

I appreciate my brother feeling a little cheated, but Niko, I don’t think there are regulations for headlines…I still think mine is better though.

If we  go back to a few Brett Favre posts, it seems that we have already discussed his POSSIBLE return.  Now, I know he’s retired about 56 times within the last 3 years and to be honest, I really think this is the last time.  Although I do think that Minnesota could use someone like him, especially is Tavaris Jackson is only ridiculously good on Madden, but I really don’t think he’s worth the investment.  Plus, that means John David Booty would have to give up his number..not that he had to use it too often.

GET YOUR POPCORN, GET YOUR QUARTERBACK!, GET OUT OF HERE.

Terrell Owens is coming to a television near you..on VH1. What in the world does VH1 know about sports? Besides New York tackling Pumkin on the first “Flavor of Love” reunion special, I just don’ t see who would watch this show.  People, if you are a Terrell Owens fans, that does not automatically make you a football fan.  I’ll say this, TO is why everybody thinks that wide receivers are the biggest babies in the NFL.  This is not to say that there are people who play this position who aren’t good guys, Wes Welker is a good one, of course. 10 touchdowns, 69 receptions  and 1,052 yards in 2008?  Coming from a season with 15 touchdowns and 1355 yards.  I’m a not impressed with the show that Terrell Owens keeps telling us to bring the popcorn to.  When he got traded, I admit, I was a little surprised but I won’t deny the fact it made me like the Dallas Cowboys just a little bit more.

If you want to watch a sports show that’s WORTH your time, check out 4th and Long with Michael Irvin or Pros Vs. Joes.. both equally AWESOME.

Here are my predictions for TO in Buffalo:
- Marshawn Lynch will never let him live down the crying press conference.
- The Buffalo fans will know what The Eagles, The Cowboys and The 49er’s went through with buying a TO jersey, and then trying to figure out what to do with it when he gets traded in under 3 seasons.
- He’ll get cold, really cold.
- He’ll start this season, do well, give people faith, act like he’s in love with Trent Edwards, then drop passes, then cry, drop more passes, then wonder why nobody wants to play football with him.

Yeah, I think that’s pretty accurate.

]]> http://www.nrwithkisha.com/getting-jipped-by-the-nfl-according-to-my-brother-farve-and-away-get-ya-popcorn/feed/ 0 http://www.nrwithkisha.com/patriots-let-in-the-draft-michael-vick-4th-and-long-with-michael-irvin/ http://www.nrwithkisha.com/patriots-let-in-the-draft-michael-vick-4th-and-long-with-michael-irvin/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:26:39 +0000 Kisha http://www.nrwithkisha.com/?p=382 I didn’t make it to the 2009 Draft.  In fact, during the first day of the Draft I was stuck in a sound booth at Xavier Auditorium working for a JWU Players version of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, although entertaining, it just didn’t compare to being in Radio City Music Hall.  I got a total of 10 text messages and 15 people asking me how the Draft was..and I had to say that I wasn’t there. It was tough and I’m pretty sure that I would’ve been going nuts EVERY TIME the Patriots traded down. By the 3rd round, I probably would’ve had a heart attack.  So after all is said and done this is the 2009 Draft class for the New England Patriots:

1st Round
Nobody because Bill Belichick likes to drive Pats fans crazy.

2nd Round
Patrick Chung, S, Oregon
Ron Brace, NT, Boston College
Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
Sebastian Vollmer, Houston

3rd Round
Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina
Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida
Rich Ohrnberger, G, Penn State

4th Round
Yeah, nopes.

5th Round
George Bussey, OL, Louisville

6th Round
Jake Ingram, LS, Hawaii
Myron Pryor, DT, Kentucky

7th Round
Julian Edelman, WR, Kent State
Darryl Richard, DT, Georgia Tech

Honestly, I can’t complain about who we picked. I was banking on them picking up Darius Butler from Connecticut ASAP. Butler, like I mentioned in the “Cutting Corners” article in Patriots Insider, is built very similarly to Ellis Hobbs.  Unfortunately, we traded Hobbs for more picks in 2010.  This is an entirely new issue, I’ve had people in class ask me why Bill did this.  Folks, I don’t know him personally. I can’t tell you why we just busted out Hobbs card during the Draft. Honestly, I think its for the better.  The 5′9 corner is smaller than most and has had just over 162 solo tackles in 4 seasons. He was an excellent kick returner and has been a strong asset to the New England Patriots.  But maybe we just don’t need him anymore..he was sent to Philly to join former Patriot, Asante Samuel. Let’s hope this move was for the better. Butler, please don’t be a bust.

MICHAEL VICK IN ARENA FOOTBALL

According to Yahoo! Sports, the New York Firebirds have offered Michael Vick an opportunity to play some arena football.  This is a great idea.  Not only does the team guarantee that he would have to donate $100,000 to the local humane society but I think this would be great way for Vick to…

NEW ARTICLE ON PATRIOTSINSIDER.COM

Cassel’s Built on Solid Ground

******

My best friend Erica can be somewhat considered a savior, a hero even.  She confirmed with me a few days ago that she will be able to attend the 2009 NFL Draft with me. Let’s get this right:

1. I get to see some of the most potentially explosive players of the NFL future get picked.
2. I get to spend a full day sitting in Radio City Music Hall with a bunch of crazy football fans who won’t question why I’m there, but rather who I think will go first.
3. AND I get to do this with one my best friends who is from New Jersey but doesn’t like the Giants?!

This could quite possibly be the best news I’ve heard in awhile, besides of course finding out that Tom Brady is going to be ready for the 2009 season.  She isn’t even that big of a sports fan (we spent Monday nights at McFaddens so that I could tutor her on football terms/rules).  Folks, this is what true friendship is about. It’s those times when you sit thorugh events even if you could care less.  It’s sitting at an auto shop for a few hours to keep your best friend company while her car gets fixed.  It’s bringing her coffee in class because she woke up late/couldn’t find parking.

I’m looking forward to this.  If you’re going to the draft, look out for me in my Doug Flutie Pats jersey and Erica in some form of a Jets jersey.  Why a Flutie jersey? Because although there are people that hate the Patriots, NOBODY hates Doug Flutie.

There's no 'I' in TEAM

DOS ON THE MADDEN COVER?

Is this a rumor? Or is it the truth? People have been telling me that for the upcoming Madden ‘10, they are considering putting two people on the cover.  Can someone please confirm this for me?  Furthermore, everyone knows about the Madden Curse and that’s not even my concern.  First of all, if it is Larry Fitz on the cover, no curse can stop him…unless of course that curse is the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, then that might be a problem (too soon?).  I just don’t think it would be a good idea marketing wise.  I don’t know about you all, but being the sole person to grace a video game cover is a pretty epic thing to have.  It’s like that 1997 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover with Tyra Banks and Valeria Mazza (guys, you know exactly which one I’m talking about) Although it was good, it was nowhere comparable to the following year’s where it was just Tyra.  All I’m saying, like I learned in my Media Relations class, it is much easier to market a single person than it is to market a group or pair.  So make your choice EA Games, pairs are not always the way to go.

FENWAY FIRST

Thanks Jon for the awesome pic

I did it. FINALLY.  On April 8, 2009 I made my way to Fenway Park for my first EVER Red Sox game.  I can’t even describe this experience.  Be sure to check out the new photo album with all the awesome pics and all of course, all of the ridiculous food I scarfed down.  Note that I represented with my Pats scarf (it’s never too early to wear Pats gear).  I just want to say thanks to Jonathan (my web developer) for getting the tickets and making sure that I had the perfect experience. 

I know they lost 7-2 and although that’s always unfortunate, I had a pretty awesome time at the park.

Also, I want to say thank you to that sweet gentleman that bought me a large hot hazelnut Dunkin Donuts coffee just because it was my first time at Fenway.  He really made the experience better and it also helped keep my hands warm. Thanks!

Here’s the one of the more interesting things to happen in the NFL.

TO = BUFFALO BUST?

The Buffalo Bills picked up the recently dumped wide receiver Terrell Owens and people are going nuts.  Well, the people in Buffalo at least.  We’ve all seen this story before.  TO gets dropped by a team because he brews up  more drama in a single press conference than they do in an entire season of Gossip Girl. Then, the new team that acquires him has TO-A-Thon, which is what I call the marketing blitz that his new team goes through to try to show the rest of the football community that they aren’t completely out of their mind for picking up the receiver.  It usually works, until the season starts and then TO starts dropping more passes then Lindell misses kicks on quasi-windy days.

I’m not saying that he is going to be a complete bust.  In fact, I think it may be what the offense needs to get better.  Let’s not forget though that good QB’s make receivers NOT the other way around.  Buffalo still needs to find a better QB and TO needs to start investing in North Face sweaters. With Marshawn Lynch suspended for 3 games, its going to be interesting to see what TO is going to do in the spotlight again.  I think Buffalo might be able to teach TO a lesson.  Dallas was full of big name stars who didn’t know how to win.  Buffalo just wants to win. PERIOD. No celebrities, no drama.  Terrell Owens, put up or shut up.

Hope everyone has a good Easter. Eat lots of Cadbury eggs and Peeps. These are seasonal delicacies and just aren’t as delicious when consumed after Easter.

If anyone is serious about going, let me know.  I’m still willing to plan a weekend trip to the city to see some other die-hard football fans.  Plus, it’ll make it seem like the season isn’t too far away.

www.dctraveler.com

This is an event that I want to attend at some point in my life.  Here are the others that are on that list:

- A Winter Olympics
- A Summer Olympics (2008 Beijing Olympics.  The BEST experience of my life)
- The Running of the Bulls
- NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game
- Super Bowl (I’d love to go to as many as possible)
- Indy 500 (I know I know, but I heard it was “better in person”)
- The Master’s

…you know what? Pretty much any major sporting event.  I want to attend EVERY MAJOR SPORTING EVENT.

Here’s some news that I forgot to mention to you all.

I’m officially the new contributor to Patriots Insider.  I’m really excited about this and I feel like it’s really testing my ability to write adequately and sufficiently. Plus, it’s kind of cool to see my name on a site that’s dedicated to my favorite team.

My article is titled “Taylor Made For the Patriots”

Read it. Hate it or Love it, I wanna know. Give me your thoughts.

Ok, back to the news.

LONGER NFL SEASON? Yessssssss

Is it true? Can it be? Is Roger Goodell actually considering extending the season? I have to admit, I think that 17 games would be a good change to the league.  18? I think that may just be too many.  I’d love to have another week to yell at people and east massive amounts of delicious snacks, but I think I would be selfish not to think of the players having to play through two extra weeks.  Some of the biggest arguments I’ve heard consisted of the fact that a longer season would take away the “edge” of just having 16 games.  That it would affect all the records that were made, etc etc.  Truth is, they’ve increased the season before and it was for the better.  Who wouldn’t want to see another Wes Welker TD catch? or the Giants just possibly lost more games? I’d love for both of those things to happen.

SIDENOTE: This kid in my class today asked me if it hurt when I jumped the bandwagon on becoming a Patriots fan. Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know that being a Pats fan since 1998 was considered jumping the bandwagon.  He went on to tell me that I didn’t know anything about football and that the Patriots are a joke. Ok, first of all this guy was a Giants fan.  Sorry Santos, but this is why there are very few (VERY FEW) Giants fans that I like.  Note that this guy has no idea who I am or even the fact that I’m in LOVE with football.  So I asked him, “Was it always easy to admit that you’re a Giants fan? Or was that just a recent development?” This was a good guy, funny but I think he needs to pump the breaks in assuming a few things:

1. That all people that are Pats fans are bandwagon jumpers, especially when you’re team barely won the Super Bowl 2 seasons ago.
2. That girls don’t know anything about football.  It’s not rocket science people.  Not that every girl is going to know the difference between a slant route or a hook and ladder, but come on, give us a break.

MARCH MADNESS IS ALMOST OVER
Ok, so I won’t rant anymore about this.  All I have to say is that I only have one team left. UConn. That’s it. All my other Final Four picks are eliminated. I give up. If UConn can win this whole thing, then there is a slight hope for my bracket.

So I leave you with this poll.
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