Bet your ass I was bumping Coolio's debut album at the ripe age of nine. I wasn't raised in a gangsta's paradise, I didn't grow seeing myself inside the pistol smoke. That's not the point. I probably didn't understand half the song titles on that album, but I was still able to enjoy it. I didn't question it, my parents didn't question it, I still turned out all right. Maybe stop instilling such a sense of curiosity in your child if you don't want to answer questions. It's not the teachers fault your kid can't relate to a genre of music that happens to be very popular among kids his age. You can't just throw out a "Billy paints a house in 3 hours, Mary paints it in two, how long will it take them to do it together?" anymore. A classroom of kids has the attention span of a school of goldfish these days. Shit, 90% of the population under the age of 14 has ADHD. I would think a teacher relating to their students' interests would be a positive way to offset their inability to pay attention. I would be fucking psyched if my teacher was talking about the disloyalty of hoes and making it rain.

For someone who seems very concerned about his child's education, he is certainly pretty involved in reading over every single word of his homework assignment for him.` How about you let your 4th grader do his own damn homework. He seems to be doing a good enough job on his own. As outlandish an example as a Twista song from 1996 is, he still got the question right. Seems to me that's a positive reflection on the same teacher that you are criticizing. I don't know what Dad thinks kids these days are talking about at school, but I think he would be pretty surprised to learn it's not Tonka trucks and Barbie dolls. With the way society is trending I would think that a little pimp and hoe dialogue is pretty mild.

P.S. Should we really be questioning the educational relevance of Twista's music? Can you solve a rubix cube? That's what I thought.  A rubix cube chain is an undeniable sign of intelligence.

SB Nation- The rumors out of Auburn were that Williams was "being a distraction" and "disrupting the weekend," but we are hearing that Williams was actually asked to leave by Auburn staff members because he showed up wearing nothing but Tennessee apparel and was actively recruiting other visitors to join him at Tennessee.

Couldn't possibly love this move more. How often do universities take advantage of college athletes? How often do recruits gets offers pulled, or end up getting promised more than they actually receive? Hell, the entire process of recruiting is based on glorifying your school and campus. To say that the truth is a requirement of recruitment is like saying that a solid education is a requirement to a successful NFL career. So, what do you do when you are offered a trip to sell you on the benefits of a university, even after you have committed to a conference rival? You go and try to purge them of all their talent. Maybe not the best idea to show up dressed in Volunteer orange. A move that outrageous, that lacks any ounce of subtlety whatsoever, will get you sent packing before the trip has reached it's conclusion. Not the best way to leave town with a couple of 4 or 5 stars following your lead, but it certainly shows his dedication to his team. 

I wonder what kind of looks he got walking around campus. As someone that attended many games dressed in my team's colors in enemy territory, I know it can be difficult to hold your tongue. Generally I try to keep walking and not engage the less than inviting portion of the home fan base. Meanwhile, this kid is walking around enemy territory in bright orange, and trying to pilfer players from right under everyone's nose. Just sneaking around campus with Tennessee pamphlets and Volunteer hats. Eating their food, fucking their women, and propositioning their football players.  

True be told, this guy would make a great NBA player. The reason these kids go on all these visits is to have a bunch of people suck their dicks, both literally and metaphorically speaking, and tell them how amazing they are. Regardless if they have any interest in the school or not. It's the same reason Carmelo spent a month traveling to half the arenas in the league only to end up in NBA purgatory. This kid was doing exactly what Dwyane Wade was doing when he premeditated the completion of the Big 3 far before it became a reality. Tampering with other team's players in order to benefit his future team. 

What's the difference between this kid trying to recruit kids that have committed to Auburn, and Auburn trying to recruit this kid that has committed to Tennessee? I suppose he didn't have to accept the invitation, but what fun is that? The only downside is you get kicked off campus before the official visit is over, but think about how much respect he just got in his own locker room? Already trying to make the team better without playing a single snap. They should just give him the captaincy upon arrival. 

P.S. Would you expect any less from this guy? He is basically a doppleganger of Jamie Foxx in 'Booty Call' with the same deceitful personality. If there is one guy that has the charisma to sneak on campus and steal recruits it is the guy with the twitter name 'PrestonTV'.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/01/marshawn-lynch-finally-participates-in-press-conference-for-skittles

USA Today- Breaking: Marshawn Lynch finally talked to the media. FINALLY.

But why now?

Because it was a Skittles press conference, of course. And we all know how much the Seahawks running back loves Skittles.

In terms of finding a spokesperson, I legitimately don't think you can do a better job for your company than Skittles has enlisting Beast Mode. Let's look at the famous spokespeople of years past. Tiger Woods for Nike. Bill Cosby for Jell-O. Lance Armstrong for LiveStrong. Chris Brown for milk. O.J. Simpson for Hertz. It's difficult to find a celebrity to be the face of your brand. In this day in age, every single athlete and public figure is prone to controversy. What's the best way to avoid that? Hire someone that refuses to talk when there is a camera on him. Sure, Lynch might grab his junk one or twice more than a company may like, but a he's a man, and sometimes a man has just got to be a man. However, Lynch literally refuses to open his mouth and give an actual answer unless he is talking about Skittles, or talking in front of a backdrop of hundreds of tasty rainbows. There's nothing that Lynch loves more, other the scoring touchdowns and grabbing his crotch, than the bite size multi-colored candies he eats on a daily basis. I am not even sure I have seen him flash a authentic smile without the help of a handful of Skittles. If a millionaire athlete who is starring in his second straight SuperBowl literally can't find genuine happiness without the help of your product, you may just be doing something right.

I have always maintained that I am a Marshawn Lynch fan, but I think it's based purely on nostalgia at this point. I still find his premeditated responses during interviews to be funny, but I think it's just because of how hilarious he used to be. When Lynch broke into the NFL as a bright eyed, bushy tailed young kid, he was an electric interview. You couldn't last 30 seconds watching any of the countless Lynch YouTube videos without breaking into full on hysteria. At this point Lynch is like the war veteran with PTSD that has had an awful time being able to adapt back into society. Yet he has no distinct traumatic experience which can account for his change in personality. His hatred of people, words, and all things social is genuinely head scratching given his past. He just can't possibly be the same person that challenged Kyle Williams to a swimming contest on camera, or whipped a golf cart around the football field after a big victory. He is like your college buddy that would do anything for a laugh that has let a decade's worth of sitting behind a desk for 50 hours a week kill his charisma. Far more concerned about spouting his company line (safe to say he doesn't consider the NFL his company) than uplifting those around him. Very bizarre given his career path.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2015/01/27/martin-brodeur-retire-st-louis-blues-new-jersey-devils/22413675/

USA Today- Martin Brodeur will retire as a St. Louis Blues player and join their management team Thursday, but he will always be a New Jersey Devil.

He will be a Devil like Steve Yzerman was a Detroit Red Wing and Rocket Richard was a Montreal Canadien. When you remember the Devils' three Stanley Cup titles, you recall the contributions of Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer and others, but you see Brodeur as the face of the franchise.



​At this point, I have said all I have to say about Martin Brodeur. A 3 time Stanley Cup winner. A 4 time Vezina Trophy winner. The most winningest goalie of all time, and it's not close. It would a tragic understatement to say that he only set the record for most shutouts, he demolished it. A man that revolutionized his position. A goaltender that was the closet thing to a 3rd defenseman that the sport has ever seen. A goalie whose passing ability changed the way teams had to play against them and was the main motivation behind one of the stupidest rule changes in sports history (the trapezoid). A man that had no other records left to break but his own.

Does his official retirement make me emotional? Not in the slightest. Seeing that update scroll across my computer screen evoked an apathetic reaction, if any at all. As soon as he pulled that vintage red, black, and white sweater over his head for the final time he was essentially retired in my eyes. I still rooted for him during his limited starts in St. Louis. I still enjoyed watching him play. But all things considered, the Marty Brodeur that turned a franchise that experienced limited success since it's outset into one of the most winningest franchises of the last 20 years was no more. 

An athlete playing out his entire career with one team is an ideal that is as unattainable as it is rare. Don't get me wrong. I would have loved for Brodeur to have gone from Devils goaltender directly to a member of the Devils front office. I would also love a million dollars, and a threesome with Ariana Grande (is she legal yet?) and Scarlett Johansson. I know this may come as a shock to some people, but life isn't perfect. Relationships, especially of the professional variety, aren't perfect. Fact is Marty wanted to keep playing, and the Devils needed to move on and make Cory Schneider their starting goaltender. It was the right thing to do. He needed to know his future as the Devils main backstop was concrete before signing long term. Quite frankly, the frustration both goaltenders experienced sharing time last year was not good for the team dynamic. It only made sense to let Marty explore other options, as painful as it may have been for fans and franchise members alike.

Marty leaving the Devils is essentially breaking up with your high school sweetheart to see what else is out there. You still love each other, but after so much time, experiencing a little strange isn't the worst thing in the world. Is it weird to hear that he'll be joining the front office of the Blues to finish out this season? Yeah, absolutely. But that's all it is. Though it may feel like a slap in the face to the Devils' faithful, it is better that Marty gains experience as an executive before joining the shit show that currently is your New Jersey Devils. Regardless of how long the breakup lasts, everyone knows a marriage between himself and the Devils is imminent. At the end of the day, Marty will end up exactly where he belongs; Raising his jersey to the rafters in the state he has called home nearly half his life, and helping to run the franchise that he helped to resurrect. Through the eyes of someone that has laid witness to his career from start number one, I can say that Brodeur's legacy has not been tainted in the slightest. When the time comes, I can't wait to welcome him back.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12226738/josh-gordon-cleveland-browns-facing-one-year-suspension-failing-another-drug-test

ESPN- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has failed another drug test and now will be subject to a one-year suspension, according to league sources.

Gordon tested positive for alcohol, a source said, confirming a report by Pro Football Talk. The failed test is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Gordon, whose future in Cleveland and the NFL now will be in question.

People are so quick to call Josh Gordon an idiot. A moron. An asshole. While I don't necessarily disagree, why are we so quick to judgement? What happened to the days when we used to praise people for following their passion instead of the endless pursuit of wealth? It's very clear, to me anyway, that Josh Gordon just likes smoking weed more than he likes playing football. Is that a crime? According to half the states across this fair nation of ours, it is not. I think people are just mad that they will never find anything they love as much as Josh Gordon likes pot. You might feel the same way if your future was heavily reliant on the right arm of Johnny Football.


Wait, what was that? Josh Gordon's failed 'drug test' had nothing to do with the use of marijuana? He failed a drug test for ALCOHOL? Nice spin job NFL. No one in the history of history has failed a drug test for alcohol. Why didn't the headline just read "Josh Gordon Got Drunk", or "Rich 23 Year Old Football Player Likes Weed And Booze"? While I wasn't aware that there was a clause in Gordon's contract prohibiting him from taking a drink, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. However, no one should be surprised that he had a drink...or twelve, and that includes the NFL. The league clearly wants nothing to do with him being on the field and playing on Sundays. Did they think there was even a microscopic chance that he was going to stop drinking completely? He signed that contract just to get on the field, chances are he didn't even read it. Granted, I have never lost my job for drinking (probably could have with some of the 9-5 haunting hangovers I have experienced), but I couldn't go two weeks without a drink. The NFL inserting a 'no drinking' clause is like betting against your friend and his team. You take advantage of the fact that he is betting with his heart and not his head. Maybe Josh Gordon really did want to stop drinking, but guess what. He's 23. Anything short of locking himself in a cage wasn't going to keep him from the bottom of the bottle. 

Can we take a step back and realize for a second that we are about to completely ruin the career of one of the most promising young football players in the country? And for what? Weed and booze? Things that 97% of people in his age demographic do on a bi-weekly basis. I'm not saying the kid is bright. I'm not saying he's innocent. I am just saying the punishment doesn't fit the crime. Obviously Josh Gordon is suspect number one when it comes to giving drug tests, but do they administer them to the whole league? There is no chance that players are regularly tested and we don't see at least 100 suspensions per week. Josh Gordon obviously made a mistake by breaking his contract, but there is no way it is an uncommon mistake. Show me a player that doesn't engage in herbal remedies from time to time, and I'll show you his counterpart waiting in line at Taco Bell at 3AM. The fact that NFL players can't smoke a little weed, a substance that falls about 8 field lengths short of being performance enhancing, really shows the disconnect between the rich conservative turds that run the league and the rest of society.

Goddamn it NHL. I praise you for the all the good you did with the incredible GoPro video and you show me your appreciation by giving me another underwhelming year of the trick shot shootout. While that video showcased all aspects of what make NHL players phenomenal athletes, this snooze worthy portion of the skills competition was such an obviously attempt at pandering to a wider audience. An absolutely awful attempt might I add. You could have basically put any old schmuck who has every played hockey in his life and he would have had a chance at winning. Alexander Ovechkin was three sheets to the wind (I'm pretty sure he used the fourth sheet to clean up his puke in the locker room) and didn't look out of place while wildly swinging his stick at an airborne puck and missing by about 10 feet. Let's put it in perspective. The most impressive shot taken during the event came at the hands of a 7 year old and only entertaining portion was Johnny Gaudreau giving his best impersonation of a 7 year old. I was watching some of the most talented players the NHL has to offer and the only thing I was in awe of was the absurdity and pointlessness of it all. Show me NHL players doing NHL player things. I don't need trick shots to enjoy the vast amount of skills that these athletes possess. Especially when they overdo it and rarely complete the move to begin with. 

God, I still can't get the bad taste out of my mouth. I feel like a drank a vat of moonshine. That put the 'icky' in gimmicky. You can't take a skills competition, where players are hardly trying as is, and devote an entire event to them trying less. In the official description of the Honda Shootout Challenge it says that style, creativity, and flair are encouraged. It's All-Star weekend. Shouldn't style, creativity, and flair be encouraged and embraced in the regular breakaway competition? The trick shot challenge is basically the NHL's version of the dunk contest, and it's no coincidence that the NBA's biggest stars no longer compete in it. At least in the dunk contest, the players are required to complete the dunk to win. At least that is a real competition. At least dunks are part of the job description of a professional basketball player. I know it was just for fun and to get a laugh or two, but it really just felt like a waste of time and talent. Being billed and branded as the most scintillating portion of the skills comperetion, it has fallen about 1,000 yards short of that on an annual basis. Much like prop comedy, prop shootouts feel more forced and unnecessary than blood and gore in a Tarantino film.

More of this…..

Less of this….

And for the love of God, will someone get this guy a hair piece? He's one eating disorder away from looking like the crypt keeper.

http://www.si.com/nhl/2015/01/25/chris-sutter-darryl-son-team-foligno-coach-all-star-game

Sports Illustrated- Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter may soon have to cede the bench to his son, Chris, who stole the show during the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus.

The Sutter duo teamed up to coach Team Foligno, who lost 17-12 to Team Toews.

So, are we going to discuss the elephant in the room? The fact that Chris Sutter is absolutely adopted? There is just simply no way a coaching performance that electric is biologically indebted to the most bland, monotonous coach in all of sports. I refuse to believe it. Chris Sutter shared more laughs, smiles, and well…words with his players in 6 seconds than Daryl Sutter has in his entire illustrious career. Real talk. Looks aside, you would think that Daryl Sutter is the one that battles a mental handicap, not his son. The guy has a personality drier than left over turkey. I actually think that Chris Sutter's biggest accomplishment isn't laying the smack on Down's Syndrome, but conquering his genetic proclivity to banality. 

I am fairly green in terms of dealing with those that face mental limitations, but I would imagine that those that parent them dream they live a lifetime of happiness. Well, there's certainly no downs in this syndrome. Chris Sutter has experienced more highs than Josh Gordon on an airplane. He basically maintains permanent real estate on cloud 9. Obviously there are trials and tribulations that the Sutter family faces on a daily basis. Despite those, it's safe to say that he remains the envy of every single Rangers and Flyers fan. Probably get 75% of them to straight up trade lives upon request. Can't imagine it would be much to their cerebral detriment anyway. For that reason alone I would love to share a beer with him and discuss Stanley Cup glory. 

I also think that parents of those affected by handicaps hope they develop the ability to adapt to society. Chris hasn't had a single problem doing that. All due respect to John MacLean, but the Devils would have been better off with Chris running the ship the first half of the 2010-2011 season. I would be quicker to piss down my leg and develop a stutter than to logically talk strategy with Patty Kane and Alexander Ovechkin on national television. I probably would have been falling in love with the wall, and muttering "put-puh-puh-please don't do this to me". Easily would have shown more symptoms of mental inhibition had I been sharing the bench with Chris Sutter. Meanwhile, he is chirping refs and dapping up Bobby Ryan as if they were life long friends. The kid has shown victorious over more obstacles in one day of his life than I can even begin to comprehend. His ability to overcome adversity puts us all to shame while simultaneously bringing a smile to our collective face. 

During a game that lacked any enthusiasm whatsoever, Chris Sutter reminded us why we love this sport. The down-to-earth nature of the players. The ability to touch us emotionally. A community whose passion for the sport, more often than not, is too grandiose for words. Chris Sutter was able to tug on the heart strings and make us feel some type of way, even at the most unexpected of times. That in itself was a gift large enough to make All Star weekend worth every second. 

P.S. Not for nothing, scintillating Cup raise game.

Jesus Christ lady, it's a dating site/casual fucking app, not auditions for 'Orange Is The New Black'. I always wondered what happened to Mysterious from 'Making The Band'. Diddy wouldn't let her get his cheesecake anymore so she resorted to haunting the dreams of unsuspecting strangers who are looking for a quick nut. I'm only two weeks away from moving to the opposite coast, but I think I might move up the date and enter the witness protection program. I would rather get matched with 90's Tyson. This picture might as well have a caption that says "swipe left motherfucker". Can I get a heads up Jessica, from smiling in a dress in one picture to staring directly into my soul. Now I have to explain the small pee stain on my pants when I go out later. It took two seconds of looking at this picture to make me feel like less of a man. My dick literally shrank two inches and ran backwards when I saw this pic. It's safe to say you aren't getting it in on the first day with this one. If were being honest, it looks like your best shot is showing up in a dress with your best mangina. You have a better chance of becoming Jessica's Tinderella than satisfying your endless craving for meaningless sex. I'm not saying she's munching rug, but there's no doubt you would be the proverbial girl in the relationship. Rule #1 to "online dating" (for lack of a better term); Don't post a picture that you took moments after you killed your parole officer.

Is posting this picture and a degrading description the best way to get killed by a stranger?  Without a doubt, yes. But funny is funny, so if even a slight smile crept across your face, don't say I never did anything for you. I'm just out here risking my life by running off at the yapper for your entertainment, no biggie. Seriously though, if I stop responding to texts, don't call the cops. She will find you too. I won't need my own episode of 'The First 48'. I'll be long gone by the time you even suspect anything. 

http://bustedcoverage.com/2015/01/23/crappy-knicks-lakers-game-pulled-for-chris-pauls-bowling-tournament/

Busted Coverage- A matinee clash with the Lakers Super Bowl Sunday on ESPN was pulled by the network — not for another NBA showdown — but for a celebrity bowling event, an NBA source told The Post.

The game being yanked from the network was announced Wednesday night — marking the seventh ESPN/ABC game that has been yanked from the 7-36 Knicks.



​Let me ask you a question. When is the last time you saw bowling on television? Not the last time you watched it, I already know the answer to that. The last time you were scrolling through your TV guide listings and actually saw the word "bowling". I, for one, can't remember. Now two the most prestigious, big market NBA franchises are getting a regular season game, that actual counts in the standings (technically), pulled to watch a couple celebrities bowl. To watch Nick Cannon 'Wildin' Out' after knocking down a couple of pins during a game that is usually saved for drunk 20-somethings that have are tired of going to the same bar every weekend.  Absolute preposterous. The saddest part about this? As absurd as it may sound, it is absolutely the right decision. Save a for a few Knicks diehards that are a glutton for self inflicted misery, no one wants to watch this game. I would be willing to bet that the amount of Lakers fans that tune in to watch a Kobe-less team won't even reach triple digits. They probably had to move this game from national television when every NBA personality refused to call the game. Wouldn't surprise me. You don't get called up to the big leagues then willingly accept a demotion to the D-league. Make no mistake, trying to bring excitement to a game that features a combined record of 20-68 and doesn't feature Kobe Bryant is a fool's errand. It's may be a move on the vertical career path, but it's certainly trending the wrong way. 

The biggest loser here? Phil Jackson? Nope. Derek Fisher? Nope. The nameless, talentless hodgepodge of handicapable ingrates on the Lakers roster? Nope. The biggest loser here is Carmelo Anthony. You think this game gets pulled if Kobe Bryant has a healthy right shoulder? No chance. Now granted, that's probably because as bad as the Lakers are, watching Kobe try go more than one possession without considering mass homicide is good old fashioned entertainment. Nonetheless. The NBA is a star driven league. Whether your team is good, bad, or mediocre, the most talented players in the league shouldn't have any problem getting air time. Most people don't tune in to watch solid, fundamentally sound basketball. They want to see Klay Thompson score 37 in 12 minutes. They want to see Steph Curry nail threes from the parking lot. They want to see Blake Griffin throw down thunderous alley oops from the foul line. Now, one of their stars, a guy who is annually is one of the highest scoring players in the league, can't even get on television. We are merely halfway through the season and the Knicks have had SEVEN games pulled from a national audience. How many pulled games do you think it took before Melo realized he made the wrong decision signing long term? He definitely didn't take championships into account, but if there is one thing that New York all but certainly brings it is national exposure. Until now anyway. 

The NBA is treating the Knicks like an ugly piece of art that your mother buys for you. You hang it up in fear she might go looking for it, but you take it down and hide it in the closet when your friends come over. They aren't completely throwing the Knicks out as a franchise, but they certainly are doing their best to hide their existence for the time being. No matter how big the New York and Los Angeles markets are, The NBA has got to put their best foot forward, and as crazy as it seems, right now that involves televising it's athletes playing a game for unathletic white men and children. Strike that game from the record, and spare us our vision. Knicks versus Lakers has officially become unwatchable basketball, who would have thunk it?

Wow. Just wow. As a hockey fan, sometimes you think you have seen it all. You can't fully appreciate  the skill level of professional hockey players when you are 6 beers deep in the nosebleed section. You gain a whole new appreciation for them when you sit closer to the ice. Now that NHL and GoPro have teamed up, you can literally get into the heads of these players, and I am not going to lie, even I was taken a back by some of the video. I can only imagine what the casual fan thinks when watching this. Hockey is sometimes the forgotten sport. Whether that be because most kids don't grow up playing it or because people don't necessarily understand the intricacies is up for debate. I think sometimes it's easy for the average sports fan to relate to how great NBA players are when they see LeBron James eye to eye with the rim and they can barely touch the net in their driveway. It's easy to tell that Adrian Petersen is an otherworldly talent when he is stiff arming 300 pound men that could bench press your car and still manage to beat you in the 40 yard dash. Almost all kids grew up playing baseball, but how many can blast a 100 MPH fastball 500 feet over a fence. You can't really appreciate what hockey players do, or are capable of doing until you pick up a stick and try it for yourself. For the most part, If a hockey player walked past you down the street you would have no idea. They aren't the strongest, or tallest, or quickest of athletes, and I think a lot of that is lost on some people. However, these guys are every bit as athletically gifted as an Aaron Rodgers, or a Kobe Bryant, or a Clayton Kershaw, it's just not in the traditional sense.

That couldn't be more clear when watching Tyler Seguin seamlessly weave three pucks around each other with ease. It couldn't be more clear when watching P.K. Subban's acceleration and skating ability. It couldn't be more clear when Sidney Crosby and Patty Kane stickhandle through the smallest of spaces at about a zillion miles per hour hour like the puck is actually on a string. It couldn't be more clear when T.J. Oshie is pulling off breakaway moves that most of us wouldn't even dare to dream of. While hockey isn't the most popular of sport, it's impossible to finish watching this video without a new found appreciation for their talent. The hand eye. The creativity. The control. Whether you've spent a lifetime watching hockey, or five minutes in passing, the supernatural nature of their abilities is undeniable. 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/cops-seahawks-fan-threatened-to-stab-man-leaving-game-early/ar-AA8vABN

MSN.com- According to KOMO News, the incident occurred at 2:53 p.m. outside the stadium, which is right around the time Wilson threw his fourth interception of the day and the Seahawks were trailing the Green Bay Packers 19-7. The fan was walking away from the stadium when the suspect approached him and asked him why he was leaving early, the police report states.

The “excited” and “very intoxicated” man then pulled out a knife and held it to the man’s stomach, threatening him to go back inside. The victim was able to get away and notify police officers, who then tracked down the suspect.

There are quite a few phenomenons at play here. First is that you should never try to be a hero, because inevitably it's not going to work out for you in the end. Someone puts a knife to your stomach, you say "yes sir" and march back down to your seat. Sure, the guy was able to get away this time, but ultimately, he ended up losing anyway.  Someone could put a plastic gun to my back in an alley and I'm giving them all my credit cards and an entire book of blank checks. Probably give them my phone and write out a list of every single password I have ever used for anything. Life just isn't worth whatever crap is in my pockets. So yeah, if someone was threatening my life and all I had to do to avoid it was watch the end of a football game I would be as obedient as Lassie after getting neutered. Hell, if some drunk asshole came up to me and said "you might miss history" I would probably stay out of FOMO, never mind having a switchblade to my kidney.

I'm not a religion man, and I don't know where the guy who avoided a stabbing stands on religion either. I'll tell you one thing though. When a fellow fan of your team pulls a knife on you just to get you to stay it's a sign. If I were that guy I couldn't possibly have more belief in a higher power. What are the odds you end up in that situation? That the one guy with a switchblade runs into you on your way out of a game that your team miraculously wins? That one of your own was so sure that you should stay that he risked prison time? That's like running into traffic and missing your flight that eventually ends up resting next to Atlantis. It's like the complete inverse plot of 'Final Destination'. When something that crazy happens to you, you have to start changing the way you live. In this guy's case it means don't leave games early. This wasn't just a football game, it was a metaphor for life. I bet it felt like the belligerent stranger actually did gut him when he had to listen to his team go to the Super Bowl from the parking lot. 

P.S. Who looks like the dickhead now? It's not the moron who is carrying at a professional football game. To get a knife pulled on you in front of 67,000 people and still end up the proverbial loser is possibly the most remarkable aspect of this story. The drunk lunatic who could barely speak English was a hero all along. It's straight out of a Joan Osborne song….

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/01/kobe-bryant-injury-twitter

USAToday- In his first tweet since injuring his rotator cuff, Kobe Bryant did two important things: He joked that he should probably cut back on passing, because really life was better when he was just scoring all of the points himself.

Hey, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Not without some consequences anyway. You either get "put the team on his back, 40 shots a night" Kobe, or you get "ironically pass to my teammates that I know can't score to prove that I don't shoot too much" Kobe. It appears the latter may cost the Lakers, well….nothing. Let's be real, their season is over. Doesn't matter if Kobe in his prime took steroids and marched back onto that court. No superhuman performance is putting out the dumpster fire that is the 2014-2015 Los Angeles Lakers. The fact that Kobe was out there with a bad right shoulder playing with only his left hand is a testament to how little the games matter for this team down the stretch. 

Anyway, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Kobe Bryant is one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. Can't turn him into a passer at the ripe age of 36. Should have tried to work that into his repertoire years ago. It's like when an athletic kid goes to the gym for the first time and has no idea what he's doing. Sure, he might have the ability to do some of the motions, but if he does them too much without supervision he's going to end up hurt. It's like moving a wide receiver to corner back. Yeah, it's the same sport, but their body isn't used to what the position entails. Kobe's position is shooting guard, and he takes that title quite literally. Plus, no one that is still paying to watch Laker basketball wants to watch Kobe pass to an asian dude, Iggy Azalea's boyfriend, and a bunch of glorified bench players. At this point there is only 5 guys on the floor at one time for the Lakers because that's what the rulebook states. 17 assists? How about you attempt to coach for me one time Byron Scott? Any pass over the double digit mark is pure recklessness. Might as well put Alexander Ovechkin on the penalty kill to block shots, have RGIII run the option, or try to have Derrick Rose play basketball for an entire season without missing a game. All will end very similarly. 

P.S. Kobe posting up in an NBA game with a shooting hand that doesn't work, and taking offhanded fadeaways…and making them…is one of the more ludicrous/impressive things I have ever seen.

It's easy to forget sometimes. The NFL and NCAA are such wealthy, prestigious entities that occasionally we inflate their legislative abilities. While both are governing bodies, the ability to uphold justice is way outside of their jurisdiction. Does it seem right that former Heisman winner Reggie Bush had his trophy taken away while Joe Paterno, a man that oversaw a university that fostered pedophilia and child molestation, gets to sit atop the record books with the most wins ever? Not really. However, last time I checked there was no child rape clause in the NCAA rule book. So technically, they made the right decision, despite how grimy and hypocritical that decision seems.

Comparing Reggie Bush and Joe Paterno's transgressions isn't really fair. It's much like those that compared Ray Rice's two game original two game suspension for hitting his wife to the season long ban that Josh Gordon faced for smoking some weed. Obviously, clearer heads prevailed (no pun intended) and those suspensions were altered, but it's hard to fault the NFL when it's a matter that should be left out of their hands. Josh Gordon broke a steadfast rule. Granted, a completely moronic rule, but a rule none-the-less. Ray Rice, while breaking about 6,000 laws, didn't necessarily do anything prohibited by an NFL contract. The NCAA and the NFL "employ" people of questionable character every day, whether it be through scholarship or contract. They are business men, not law enforcement officials. Their goal is to make money and win, not be an authority on what is right and wrong. 

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter that Bush is left trophy less while Paterno becomes the winningest coach of all time. As an athletic figure, the main goal is leave a legacy. When Reggie Bush's career is but a distant memory people will remember him as a a Super Bowl champion, a Heisman winner, and one of the best college athletes of all time. Paterno's legacy, despite what the members of the 'Happy Valley' cult have to say, will be one of scandal and cover-up. Whether he 'officially' has 298 wins, or 409 wins, or 10,000 wins, the first thing people will remember about him is that he supported a known child molester for over a decade. In fact, Joe Pa's place atop the wins list will only shed more light upon his demise. Never will that list be flashed upon a television screen without the proverbial asterisk being discussed. 

While Joe Paterno was able to walk away with a slap on the wrist in terms of a punishment relative to his crime, Reggie Bush is able to walk away with his reputation in tact. So laugh it off Reg, because everyone with a functioning brain knows that money changes hands frequently during the recruiting process, despite the moral ambiguity of the practice. Reggie's biggest crime was being so talented and celebrated that he forced the NCAA's hand to make an example out of him, but his loss of a trophy can't take away the fact that he earned it in the first place. Much like no amount of wins, despite how impressive a number it may be, will clear the name Joe Paterno.

P.S. Never change Penn State, Never change...

You know as a kid when you hang out with your best buddies all the time, and not by choice but mere familiarity, you begin to act and talk like them? Start using the same nicknames and having similar opinions. Your personalities become near carbon copies of one another. I think that's what is happening here. Stephen A. Smith has been spending far too much time around Skip Bayless and his nitwitted, controversial opinions are starting to wear off on him. Either that or he just has a bold, moronic take on a topic that is receiving far too much attention.

As a Saints fan, I have strong feelings about BountyGate. I think most would agree that the penalties the Saints and their staff had to endure were far too extensive. Especially given the evidence, which was circumstantial at best. Sean Payton sitting out an entire season was the most drastic penalty a head coach has ever received. It would be very difficult to prove that monetary motivation caused the Saints to play any differently on the field. They finished amongst the middle of the pack in personal foul penalties that year. Football is a sport that is animalistic in nature. When a player tackles another player he does not do it with good intentions. Encouraging aggressiveness does not necessarily mean promoting injury, especially given the violent nature of the sport. Far be for me to say that a small sum of cash, that pales in comparison to a player's actual salary, would be enough for them to risk their reputation and livelihood to intentionally cut another player's career short. The actual play of the Saints was not what was punished. There are many other factors that went into Roger Goodell's decision.

There are very few similarities between DeflateGate and BountyGate. Neither coach supposedly knew what was going on, even though both should have. Also, neither situation was unheard of, by any stretch. Brad Johnson admitted this morning that he paid $7,500 for an NFL employee to scuff up game balls to his liking prior to Super Bowl 37. Aaron Rodgers is widely known for his preference for over inflated balls. Both quarterbacks validate my previous opinion that teams have absolutely done this before, without it becoming anywhere near this big of an issue. The supposed bounties that were being administered behind closed doors were not some unprecedented circumstance either. In fact, many NFL players, past and present, argued that almost all teams had some form of bounty system.  Whether either situation is right and/or good for the sport is debatable, but their unpunished existence in NFL history is not. 

The major difference, that is seemingly flying directly over the head of Mr. Smith, is that BountyGate could have directly affected the health of NFL players. BountyGate came at the ass end of dozens of lawsuits claiming negligence of the NFL in regard to the head injuries and health of current and former players. It came during the heart of the CTE craze, a degenerative disease most commonly associated with football. BountyGate wasn't a big deal because it involved money exchanging hands under the table. BountyGate was a big deal because the league was trying to take a hard stance against life altering injuries. It was more about protecting the shield than protecting the actual players. The Saints were far more guilty of bad timing than of any on field transgressions. Far more guilty of the theory of bounties than the actual practice of bounties.

The suspension of Sean Payton was meant to set an example, and it clearly did. However, in no way does it relate to the inflation of a football. Evidence presented shows that 11 of the Patriots 12 footballs were "significantly" under inflated, and I honestly have no ides what that means. In my eyes, any football that was SIGNIFICANTLY altered would be visible by anyone that owns an HD television, never mind the officials that spot on the ball on a play by play basis. A football is a football is a motherfucking football. As long as there are two teams, 100 yards of gridiron, and a ball of any size, shape, or inflation level, wrapped in pigskin there are no excuses when the clock hits zero. While the sizable nature of the BountyGate consequences still bothers me, I would be duplicitous to say the situations were equivalent in any way.

Today in "Absurdly Idiodic Takes From The Media"….

Californiaaa Lovvvvvve! It's a good thing I am not a betting man. For I would easily be without a left nut and the entirety of my bank account had I bet on my predictions for the last three games. The Devils took to the left coast and somehow, some way, stole two out of three on possibly the most difficult of road trip that currently exists in the NHL. Not only did they win, they did it in impressive fashion. Three goals in a minute against Los Angeles? Two goals in 30 seconds against San Jose? How many suicides do you think those teams had to do in the dark after those performances? Daryl Sutter probably had them skating until they spit up blood. Can't give up three goals to the Devils in a little over 60 seconds and not face drastic consequences. Hell, after watching the Devils practice live on Thanksgiving I would be surprised if they have scored 3 goals in one minute of a 2-on-1 drill all season. Probably started using the smelling salts on the bench to see if they had to be woken up from a dream. 

Credit to Adam Oates and Scott Stevens. This team has clearly played better hockey under their watchful eye. Is it the system? Maybe. It probably has a lot to do with the change in culture behind the bench. Can't just gleefully coast around while the man responsible for your NHL livelihood looks on directly over your shoulder. Either way, it has been a positive change offensively and defensively.  Cory Schneider, a man that has taken far too much blame for this team's struggles, has remained as steady as ever in leading this team to two wins out on the west coast. As good as Kinkaid has been, the difference was notable when Schneider was forced out of the Anaheim game after taking a shot to the head. If successful teams are built from the goaltender out then this team could be in worse shape. The long term nature of Cory's contract, the rising promise of Keith Kinkaid, and the wealth of potential on the blue line all bode all for a stellar team on the back end for years to come. 

If there is one thing that Pete Deboer can be criticized for it is doing all he could to castrate Adam Larsson. The kid, who is still shy of 23 years of age, is quickly shedding the 'bust' label so many were quick to tag him with. He began his transformation solidifying, the once atrocious, penalty kill for Deboer and has only flourished more under the thumb of Scott Stevens. I don't know if Adam fucked Pete's daughter or made a pass at his wife, but one thing is for sure. It would be difficult to argue that the player we are watching today wasn't capable of maintaining a top  6 role in terms of defenseman either this year or last year.
 
Well, I guess we can call the tank off. Not to say that this team has enough talent to come anywhere within 6 miles of a playoff spot, but they also have too much heart to lie down and die for a draft pick. While that may not be the best thing for the future of the franchise, it certainly makes watching them more enjoyable. At the very least they aren't giving away leads on a bi-nightly basis. In fact, under the new coaches you can pretty much tell when the Devils have it and when they don't. They have reached some level of bi-polarity where they either lose by 3-5 and only manage 10 shots on goal or they pull out a win. I guess i can accept those results over losing two thirds of the games in a shootout. Hopefully they can keep up the mediocrity through April and end the season on a high note. I would hate for two hard fought victories over the likes of Los Angeles and San Jose to just be an anomaly that worsens our draft position.

Bi-Annual Michael Ryder Rant: How is this guy not waived yet? How has Lou not given him the Salvador "IR forever" treatment? Honestly. He should be at the bottom of the Hudson with bricks tied around his ankles. Yet, somehow, I'm positive he would still find a way to float aimlessly around all three zones. I legit think he wouldn't stand out if you had him play open hockey with a bunch of drunk 20-something's on a Saturday afternoon. he is basically the hock version of Charles Barkley in 'Space Jam'. Just eyes glazed, ambiguously gliding around the ice with no distance destination. Only the Devils could sign a guy as a 'scorer' that would get to New Jersey and swear off shooting. It's a miracle this guy has turned his mediocrity (if were being nice) into nearly a decade long NHL career. I guess I have to give him credit for that. Although he basically the Grim Reaper of line combinations. Just killing the production of anyone and anything he comes in contact with. It is truly baffling how amongst a team of slow forwards, Ryder so easily stands out at the slowest. I have never made anything look as hard as Ryder makes clearing the puck past the blue line look.

I will be the first person to criticize the Patriots. I will be the first person to bring up SpyGate when talking to delusional Patriots' fans. However, I simply do not give a fuck that they potentially deflated their footballs this past Sunday. That last sentence is the problem in itself. "Their footballs"? How goddamn preposterous is that? How is this the first time I am learning that teams submit their own balls to use on offense each game? Multi billion dollar industry can't even make sure that it's participants are competing on an even playing field. Absolutely unreal. When you leave the discretion of something as trivial as the weight of a football up to teams who are in the business of winning you are going to see some foul play. These teams employ men of question character every year in hope of hoisting the ultimate prize. It's not their job to have morals. It's not their job to make sure every football is appropriately measured to the ounce. If the NFL were mildly concerned about it they have should have an agreed upon set of balls that both teams use. Christ, I am giving myself a headache. I can't even believe this is an issue in 2015. It's called gamesmanship. Do anything you can to win. If it takes leaking a little extra air out of the football then so be it. It's not the Patriots fault the NFL couldn't hire some dude that makes minimum wage to weigh a few footballs pre-game. It's not like SpyGate where the Patriots were blatantly cheating. This was completely out in the open. The actual fabric of the sport is dependent upon using the ball. The entire country focuses on the ball every single play. If no one could tell that it was modified then it's far more the fault of the officials and the other team than the fault of the Patriots staff. If teams are forced to submit their own balls every game there is a 0.00% chance that this is the first time a ball had failed to meet weight requirements. That's the NFL's fault for leaving it up to chance.

Furthermore, I only like to concentrate on things that effect the outcome of games. I can say with absolute certainty that a semi-deflated ball wasn't responsible for the Colts losing by about 8 touchdowns. Hell, they scored 7 points. Seven points, and even that drive was heavily aided by some questionable yards obtained by penalty. The Patriots could have been using a bowling ball or a NERF ball on offense and they still would have won the game. I honestly believe that. That's how outclassed Indianapolis was from the onset of the game. They didn't even have to play offense in the second half and they would have won. As it turns out, the Patriots were found out by a Colts' equipment manager in the 2nd quarter, following a D'Qwell Jackson interception. Seeing as the Colts went on to get outscored by 28 in the second half, I put very little stock in the weight of a fucking football. As much as it pains me to say it, the Patriots belong in the Super Bowl this year, whether they deflated balls or not. That's really all that matters, especially given the negligence of NFL officials that touch the ball when spotting it every single play. 

At this point I'm not mad that the Patriots have controversy surrounding seemingly every one of their playoffs wins. I'm more mad that they are clearly in the heads of everyone else in the league. First it was Harbaugh complaining about a deceptive alignment that led to a few productive plays in the Patriots win over the Ravens, and now it is the entire league in an uproar over a couple of balls not filled to capacity. If anyone should be upset it should be the rest of the head coaches in the NFL that they didn't think of these things first. The Patriots are winning a mental battle over their opponents right now, and everyone that has played sports knows that sometimes that is half the battle. With Seattle's inferiority complex, which is blatantly presented every time they open their mouth, it leaves me very concerned leading up to the Super Bowl. If there is any team that can get in the heads of the brash, arrogant Seahawks it is the team that has been doing it all postseason. 

Unbelievable that such a petty accusation could cause so much confusion.

I watched the NFC championship game strongly rooting for Seattle to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl for the second straight year. In part because Aaron Rodgers personality, or lack thereof, strikes a nerve, and in part because I thought that they posed a greater threat to yet another Patriots Super Bowl victory. For about 55 minutes and change of gameplay that seemed to be for naught. You simply are not supposed to have five turnovers and win a conference championship game. Whoever you make the scapegoat, one thing is clear. The Packers did a far better job of losing the game than the Seahawks did of winning the game. So I was happy that Seattle pulled out the victory, that mindset was quickly questioned by a variety of post game actions.

Immediate regret. That's exactly what I felt when I watched Russell Wilson crying like a little boy that had to put his puppy down. Truth be told, I have never been much of  Russell Wilson fan. I don't question his talent, or his ability to win, but his entire aura seems disingenuous. The holier than thou goody two shoes act seems duplicitous for the quarterback of one of the cockiest teams in NFL history. I, unlike most, love Seattles' swagger. I love their confidence. I love their brashness. I think it translates well to the football field. It's entertaining, and for as long as they can back it up, it's impressive. That's why I don't want to see their leader crying after a game in which he threw four interceptions. I don't think athletes have to walk around with some impenetrable shell when it comes to their emotions. Sometimes it's actually refreshing to see a guy break down when he is overcome by the situation. It's a reminder that they are human too, despite their otherworldly athletic abilities. I just don't think a third year quarterback that's headed to his second straight Super Bowl, despite playing an awful football game, should be shedding any tears. This isn't John Elway finally winning the big game after an entire career of paying his dues. This isn't Peyton Manning being traded to the Broncos after being the face of the Indianapolis Colts for more than a decade. This isn't Dick Vermeil winning his first Lombardi as the oldest coach in the sport. This isn't a player that has faced a ton of adversity throughout his career, whether it be on or off the field.  Sac up Russ. There should be one, maybe two, acceptable reactions in this scenario. One would be shock and awe, an emotion that almost everyone watching the game felt whether they maintained a rooting interest or not. The second would be to laugh it off and enjoy the moment despite doing your best not to earn it. 

Nope, not this time. Sorry Doug, we don't believe you. Listen, we have seen this act before. When Richard Sherman went on a tirade insulting Michael Crabtree after making the game winning play to send his team to the Super Bowl last year it was one thing. It was in the heat of the moment. Whether it was the the classy thing to do is questionable, but it certainly didn't feel forced. It felt like it came from a place of passion in the heat of the moment. A majority of athletes can attest to that being a logical reasoning.  While Doug Baldwin losing his shit on reporters after an extensive on field celebration is ludicrous, the content of his rant gave a new meaning to the term. If you counted the Seattle Seahawks out, raise you hand…Wow, that's a desolate response. Sure, after a 3-3 start in the toughest division in football, some experts questioned whether or not the Seahawks lacked the fortitude that made them so unbeatable just a year prior. That's what analysts do. They analyze what goes on in the NFL on a weekly basis, and some weeks the Seahawks looked like a shady of their former selves. However, to say that anyone counted out a team that was coming off a Super Bowl victory and was widely accepted to have the best defense in the league, isn't debatable. It's just flat out wrong. It wasn't just 16-0 at the end of the first half that had people skeptical Doug. It was that your entire team looked like garbage, and it didn't stop after a half of football. To not admit that are lucky to be in the position you are, after the Packers delivered a victory to you on a silver platter is flat put ungrateful. I don't mind athletes 'creating' bulletin board material. It happens all the time. Whatever gets the locker room riled up to bring their best to the field is fine by me, but don't throw it in anyone's face like you proved the 'doubters' wrong when your receiving core is responsible for three turnovers and one touchdown. That's the very definition of average and mediocre. You want to talk shit, at least back it up, that's why I have far less of a problem with Richard Sherman's antics than those of Doug Baldwin.

Holy shit, it's not just the players that are delusional. The Seahawks fans and social media team are too. Sure, this post was quickly deleted, but can we get a little self awareness. Comparing a football game to the Civil Rights movement is as close to full blown retardation that you can get. Not only that, but it is relatively ironic given the reports earlier in the season that Russell Wilson's teammates didn't think he was 'black enough'. Pretty sure Martin Luther King Jr. wasn't concerned with the credibility of anyone's 'blackness', but I guess that's besides the point. Show a little respect for the man, the holiday, and it's place in history. This quote doesn't even really relate to what transpired in that game either. If you are going to over step your boundaries and border on the offensive, at least have it pertain to the situation. 

Not only that, but the use of the word 'faith' is hysterical given the the members of the '12th man' who were already in the parking lot with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Who pays the price of a ticket for an NFC championship game and leaves down 12 with five minutes remaining? Sure, it looked pretty bleak at that point, but as football fans we have all seen more miraculous finishes. Every successful team has bandwagon fans, but let's leave the word faith out of the conversation when members of supposed the most die hard of  fan bases are missing history to avoid a little traffic. 

Act like you've been there before. That's a phrase that gets thrown around a lot in sports and it holds true here as well. The Seahawks won a championship less than 365 days agp, and they are already acting like it's their first time. The "we told you so's" and their inability to be realistic is nauseating at this point. There are groups of people clamoring that the Seahawks may be one the best teams in history, and they are all crying, literally and figuratively, on the field about how they aren't receiving their due respect. Take notes from the team that you play in Arizona in two weeks. They received far more scrutiny after a dreadful four game stretch that saw them start the season 2-2. You don't see them demanding respect, or calling out the media. Act like a winner. Act like you expected to be there the whole time. The same team that refuses to give legitimate interviews to the  media is the same team that pounds their chest in front of the camera when everything is going well. Quite frankly, that act is wearing thin. Given the happenings of Sunday's games I am pretty torn on who I will rooting for in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, I think it is still the Seahawks. But just like you shouldn't expect to hear them Doug Baldwin and company run their mouth if they lose, you shouldn't expect me to watch any post game coverage if they win.

http://sportsglory.com/nhl/la-kings-twitter-makes-suicide-joke/33750

Sports Glory- During our games we make it a priority to answer questions from our fans via our Twitter feed as a means to create conversation and drive engagement with our fan base. 

Unfortunately, in the midst of answering questions during the second intermission, one of those replies was insensitive and inappropriate.  We recognize this and apologize for our reply. We have removed the comment and have taken action to make sure this does not happen moving forward.


Oh for shame, Los Angeles. Turning a socially taboo subject, such as suicide, into a mere joke. Everyone knows the funniest things are those that are based on neutral things that don't evoke an emotional reaction. Perhaps that is why this joke was so unfunny. Well, either that or it just involved no sense of wit whatsoever. Either way. 

Quick question; What is more morally reprehensible, the unquestionably selfish act of suicide, or trying to get a laugh at it's expense? I mean, who hasn't said "I would rather kill myself" at some point in their life? I am pretty sure my response to every single homework assignment in grade school was "kill me now". I wouldn't even consider this a suicide joke as much as a response that has been ingrained into our everyday life. Plus, who is offended by this response? Certainly not victims of suicide. Maybe those that have been affected by it at some point in their lives? If you are still that distraught over the mere presence of the word, perhaps you shouldn't be scouring Twitter looking for it's every mention. More mourning, less social media.

Maybe, just maybe, the LA Kings twitter account was giving an honest answer. Did we ever think of that? Being stranded on an island sucks. Think 'Cast Away', not 'Gilligan's Island'. That's a more accurate depiction of what we are discussing here, and that movie was depressing as shit. If I had to live on a deserted island I would probably last a week without a home cooked meal and a clean pair of drawers before I submerged my head in the water and slept with the fishes. Can only imagine that process being exacerbated by the presence of a Rangers fan. I'll take suicide all day over a verbal account of Stefan Matteau's goal in 1994. Rather bust my skull open on a coconut than listen to a Flyers fan tell me this is their year…again. Yeah, on the surface suicide isn't funny, but neither is being banished to an island with a person that consistently brags about attendance.

As I sat down to watch the Cardale Jones press conference I couldn't help but feel like I was in a win-win situation. Generally speaking, there are two reasons, other their fandom, that we watch sports. They are to see the unseen and to witness greatness. Sometimes these two things are one and the same, sometimes they are not. Had Jones decided to enter the NFL draft he would have done so after starting no more than 3 games at quarterback at the college level. Three incredibly impressive games, but three games nonetheless. What Cardale did was unprecedented and without question one of the more incredible feats in sports history. If he can put on a performance like that coming off the bench cold to commence his college career as a starting quarterback, there is no doubt what lies ahead next year can only be bigger and better things.  While it would have been mind-blowing to see an underclassmen go pro after being a complete afterthought a little over a month ago, the right decision was for him to stay in school.

Will Jones' draft stock ever be higher than it is now? I would argue yes. In fact, barring any career altering injury, I would say there is only a small chance it could possibly get lower. I think the concern on the minds of most is that Cardale Jones has two proven starting quality quarterbacks to contend with. With his decision to stay in school, I wouldn't put too much stock into Braxton Miller returning to Columbus. Even so, all things being equal, Jones has the most talent of any of the three quarterbacks on Ohio State's depth chart. He's got the build and strength of a linebacker with the elusiveness and speed of a running back. He has an arm the other two couldn't even dream of. He was fitting passes into windows that made you wonder which quarterback playing in the National Championship game was set to go #1 overall in the draft. Prior to the decision to stay in school, Jones was likely slotted to go in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft. What we saw from him throughout the first three games of his college career was 1st round potential. Potential that will most likely be fulfilled given another year of starting experience in college. The difference between being a 1st round pick and a 4th round pick is far greater, both monetary and otherwise, than the difference between being a 4th round pick and a 6th round pick. What's the worst thing that happens next year? Jones loses his starting job? Regardless of what happens, NFL scouts will salivating at the chance to draft Jones, based on potential alone.

The alternative would have been to go to the NFL unprepared. As many of those who follow the sport know, that couldn't be a bigger mistake. While a quarterback with the potential of Jones may be given more leeway in terms of time to develop, the NFL certainly isn't a business built around patience. Teams that draft quarterbacks high generally draft them because they need a quarterback now, not three years down the road. The limited number of upper echelon quarterbacks in the NFL prove one thing; It is not easy to play the position at the highest level. Nobody is stepping onto that stage and succeeding after three starts at the college level. Most drafted quarterbacks have an entire year of starting, at the very least. Hell, some have an entire career's worth of footage to judge off of, and 9 times out of 10 they still don't pan out. How many times are 4th round quarterbacks selected, and no more than two years later they are out of the league? I remember a few years back, the Saints selected running back Antonio Pittman, from the very same Ohio State University, and he was cut before the season even started. 

While I believe in Jones' potential at the next level, I certainly don't think he is ready to display it now.  Yes, he was a key contributor to the Buckeyes' National Championship, but I wouldn't say he put the team on his back. Zeke Elliot put up back to back 200+ yard performances in the college football playoff. Everyone knows a quarterback's best friend is a good running game. There were times where I watched Cardale take too long to go through his progression. For as impressive as some of his runs were, you won't be seeing him bowling over defensive linemen in the NFL. The kid has a lot to learn, and that is no slight to him. Everyone that wants to play the most difficult position in professional sports has a lot to learn. As a sports fan, I want to see the best players on the biggest stage. While Cardale Jones' decision doesn't guarantee that will happen, it greatly increases his chances of having a long and prestigious career. For once it was nice to see a kid not get blinded by an immediate payday.

Best believe he'll be back with a purpose next year, and that purpose ain't to play no school...

Plus, when you rock this shirt, to your own press conference, I refuse to hate on any decision you make….. 

http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/jim-dowd-new-jersey-devils-high-school-sports-011315

FOX Sports- As a former NHL player, Jim Dowd was no stranger to penalties. Now, as a high school hockey coach he is facing time in court for allegedly kicking a 16-year-old player in the back in New Jersey.


Dowd has been removed from his position as head coach at Manasquan/Point Pleasant Beach cooperative program after a parent filed simple assault charges over the incident.

"Up until this point Jim has been a good upstanding citizen and a perfect coach for us," Kasyan added. "His reputation in the community has been great. I've been to games, I have seen him coach and he has been wonderful with the kids."



To be honest, the first emotion I experienced after reading this article was relief. Anytime I see "(Insert prominent public figure) charged with assault on (Insert much younger demographic)" my inclination is to assume it is of a sexual nature. While that may be sad, it's also quite a sign of the times. So it's good to know that former New Jersey Devil, Jim Dowd, isn't playing grab ass in the shower with his players.

Seems we are getting a bit loose with the term "assault", no? If there is one thing I know about assault it is that it doesn't often occur in a public, controlled environment with parents, members of the student body, and school officials lying witness. Another thing I know about assault is that if you see your child falling victim to it you do your damnedest to put an end to it immediately. You don't sit idly by and decide to press charges days after. Don't be the man, or woman, that cries assault. If Jim Dowd were to overstep his boundaries, it certainly wouldn't have taken this long for him to face consequences.

I reserve the right to change my stance if the investigation shows that Dowd gave a teenager a WWE style dropkick to the swell of the back. However, the term "assault" is really pretty flexible depending on the circumstances that surround each particular situation. For instance, if a teacher, or any other person of authority in the school, lay their hands (or feet) on a child in a physical manner, it is far more likely to be assault worthy. I think it's a sliding scale that can be viewed a little more leniently when we are talking about the coach of a physically demanding sport, such as hockey or football. Sometimes a high school player needs a literal or proverbial kick in the ass, which is more than likely exactly what occurred. 

I grew up playing hockey. The best coach I ever learned from had us out pushing SUV tires around the rink with our sticks at 7AM on a Sunday. One time a grandparent walked out when our coach told a player to "elbow him in the fucking head" while referring to another teammate. We used to do a drill where one person stood in the middle of a circle of twenty or so kids and the main goal was to keep that person in the circle, by any means necessary. All were far more grueling physically then punting a kick in his overly padded ass. The thing with physical sports is that sometimes you have to be a disciplinary. You should be afraid of your coach. If your child can't handle a little tough love than he chose the wrong sport. If you are more worried about a coach using a little unconventional motivation instead of a bunch of teenagers wielding sticks and attempting to put your son through the boards then it's safe to say your focus is skewed. 

This is the reason that organized athletics are a good growth mechanism for children, especially at a level as competitive as high school hockey. For the most part, coaches don't coddle players; A welcome change from the way most kids are raised these days. If were talking about hockey coaches "assaulting" their players you're going to have to do better than this story. At least have a bump or bruise to show for it. At least fake a limp for Christ sake. Jim Dowd has been around the sport of hockey, at nearly every level, for his entire life, I am pretty sure he knows what's acceptable and what's not. There is no doubt in mind that this story is a gross exaggeration and just another step into fully pussifying sports and society as we know it.

Plus, with the amount of hockey 'talent' in Manasquan and Point Pleasant, a few kicks in the ass seem pretty justified. If one or two kids have to get scoliosis for the greater good than so be it. Look at it positively, they'll probably be forced into early retirement. 

Never forget...