Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Problem With Lacrosse

The sport of Lacrosse received a lot of ESPN love a few weeks ago, following the national championship game. The last second and overtime heroics of Syracuse University "set the sports world on its ear." Sports reporters all over television, the Internet, and the world of sports lauded praise over the game, the 'Cuse, and the Sport. I heard too many times that Lacrosse is a lot like hockey, in the fact that u can't truly appreciate the game unless u see it live. Supposedly, Lacrosse is a beautiful game consisting of intricate set plays and athleticism. HA!!! That is a load of HOOHOCKEY and a steaming pile of HULLABALOO!! Lacrosse, other than being a sport full of guys who aren't good enough to play anything else, is missing a very vital element that might help it matter. Violent, face breakingly, hard, hitting. I always look at lacrosse players wearing these pads, and I wonder why. The only time they touch is on face-offs, and if a player runs into someone with any discernible force its a foul. WTF??!!? Rugby is a Man's sport, Football is a Man's sport, Hockey is a Man's sport. Lacrosse is a semi-man's sport. It gives off the visual effect that it is going to fast and visceral, but ends up being a mess of long, unimpeded runs, missed passes, aesthetically unpleasing stick work (as compared to hockey), and largely uneventful play. At most Lacrosse, comes off as clumsy soccer plus sticks, and minus the artistry. An anyman's game, it is not. An everyman's game is out of the question. At least with hitting, there would be the excitement of loud, teeth-clenching hits. It would also speed up the game because the threat of being laid on your ass, makes a player speed up all of his processes. Hits would capitalize on the barbaric nature of people that football and rugby stimulate. Add that to the size of the field and number of players, hitting would open up the style of plays that could be made, and add artistry to the game(similar to soccer). Finally piecing in the stick play that can now be increasingly used in the same manner as a hockey stick, and you finally have a sport to think about. Then, and only then, will I maybe listen to all they hype the New England and Mid-Atlantic states spout concerning Lacrosse

Friday, May 8, 2009

Crazy Draft Vol. 1

I know I'm late as all hell, but I have a regular job with irregular hours. So... here we go. This is a version of the first round of the NFL draft comprised solely of athletes of other sports. Will it always make sense? No. Will u agree? No. But, I don't care.

Without any further adieu, The Non-NFL, NFL Draft:

No. 1: Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
At 6'8", 250 lbs., James is the fastest, strongest, most athletically gifted person available from any other sport, period. He could excel at WR, TE, DE, CB, and/or S. Simply put, he is a beast.

No. 2: Ron Artest, Houston Rockets
Standing 6'7", 260 lbs., Ron-Ron might be in the wrong sport to begin with. His mentality perfectly fits that of a pass rusher. Placing him at either DE or OLB in a 3-4, would mean death to any opposing QB.

No. 3: Didier Drogba, Chelsea
Though we can never judge his hands, at 6'2", 185 lbs., I believe Drogba can make the transition to WR in the league. Yea, he has to put on some weight, but his footwork and stamina could make him deadly at the split end.

No. 4: Kolo Toure, Arsenal
His feet, anticipation and willingness to be physical put Toure at the top of the long list of footballers who transition to CB in the NFL. And at 6'0", 156lbs., all he needs to do is put on the weight.

No. 5: Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons
Yea, yea, this is an in-his-prime pick, but AI has all the intangibles to be what Pat White hopes to be. And, he has already played the game. Slot WR, third down RB, wildcat QB... he could do it. He could probably get some CB in, too.

No. 6: Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
Granger has the perfect size (6'8", 228) and athletic skill set to be a difference maker on the offensive side of the ball. Either at TE or WR, he would change the way defenses approached his team.

No. 7: Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Speed, defined. Bolt has the deep speed to change an entire defensive backfield's shit schedule. Also, with his height (6'5", 190), Bolt only has to work on size and strength. But, damn he is fast!!!

No. 8: Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners
Another in-his-prime pick, but his athletic ability says enough about this guy. Measuring up at 6'3", 230lbs., he transitions to WR to me, and he has the speed, hand-eye coordination, and range to be scary.

No. 9: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
I feel obligated to place a QB prospect in the top ten. Simply because of the NFL's "oral fixation" with QBs. Price has the arm (consistent 100 mph fastball) and size (6'6" 225) to get many teams interested.

No. 10: Michael Essien, Chelsea
Probably best used at RB, Essien presents a the work ethic and talent to become a force in a tandem backfield. Along with his stamina, his field vision would also make him valuable as a KR and PR.

No. 11: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
Regrettably, Hobe fits as a WR in the NFL. Though the bitch in his heart would prevent him from being the class of the WR draft, Bean Jr.'s talent would make him matter.

No. 12: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
A LB prospect, either inside or outside, Pujols has the size (6'3" 230) to play the position. The only question mark would be speed, but i think he could work it out.

No. 13: O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Speed, size, and change of direction ability forecast Mayo as a WR, and a lethal one at that. Along with his diva image from high school, he would slip right into this position.

No. 14: Alessandro Nesta, AC Milan
Perfect size (6'2", 185), experience, and attitude to play CB in the NFL. He has the range and the physicality to handle the larger receivers, as well as the footwork and anticipation to handle the quicker ones.

No. 15: Rick Ankiel, St. Louis Cardinals
Has the arm to play QB and the crazy to play S. From pitcher to outfielder he could be a great QB or an average S, but he would help a team with his "will."

No. 16: Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
D-Wade would be a zone killer in the slot position. As a WR, KR, and PR, Wade would show off his amazing first step and change of direction ability. Along with his willingness to take a hit, he would hurt a lot of nickel corner's feelings.

No. 17: Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets
Deep threat, he would be. But probably in the vein of Bernard Berrian, rather than Randy Moss. Not because of a lack of talent, but want to. Still, off of potential alone he would be interesting.

No. 18: Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
At 6'1", 230lbs., Wells figures to play RB in the NFL. His speed seems to be an asset and he would catch the ball well out of the backfield. Ideal team would be the Philly Eagles.

No. 19: Walter Dix, USA
Dix has alot of speed, with his burst being amazing. Best utilized at WR, he could also contribute at KR, PR, and RB on occasion. At 5'9", 190lbs., Dix is short, but explosive.

No. 20: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
Not sure why I am placing this man on the list, but I will try to rationalize. Excellent hand-eye coordination, good speed, great reaction time, measuring at 6'3", 228 lbs. He could slide in at S to shore up a teams defensive backfield.

No. 21: Thierry Henry, Barcelona
A burner in every definition of the word, his acceleration would set him apart. He has good height and great feet, but it is his ability to go from 3rd gear to 6th in the blank of an eye that makes him worth any pick at all.

No. 22: Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets
My first-round sleeper, Lowry plays at a break-neck pace and invites contact anytime he drives to the lane. His measurables (6'0", 205), excellent vision, and change of direction ability make him a great addition at RB.

No. 23: Joey Graham, Toronto Raptors
Looks like a TE prospect with good hands, good speed, and athletic ability. Needs to get a little bigger (6'7". 225) and show more tenacity, but the makeup is there.

No. 24: Andrei Orlovsky, MMA
The pitbull would have to pack on a few pounds, but I see his size and intensity serving him well at LB, most likely outside in a 4-3.

No. 25: Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
I don't know about his explosiveness, but he would be a consistent possession WR in my mind. He would also be a strong team leader.

No. 26: Mickael Pietrus, Orlando Magic
Athletic ability, hops, and being one of the stronger guards in the NBA, lean Pietrus towards being a rather threatening WR.

No. 27: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Good speed, explosive jumping ability and great vision are the traits that got Westbrook drafted into the league. Coupled with his size (6'3", 187), Westbrook would make a great CB in the League.

No. 28: Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays
Crawford stole six bases in one game earlier this season, which shows his speed and anticipation. He is a 4-time Gold Glover, which exhibits his ability to play the ball in the air. So, CB it is.

No. 29: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
Only because he is so offensive minded, he isn't higher on the list. At DB, he has the physical tools, but the mentality is what actually worries me.

No. 30: Jason Richardson, Phoenix Suns
Really? Do I have to explain myself. 2002 Slam Dunk Contest, Youtube it.

No. 31: Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

No explanation needed, period.

No. 32: Delmon Young, Minnesota Twins

A five tool guy on the baseball field, who I think could translate to the Gridiron. Largest concern is mindset. The guy has shown he isn't always, always there.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Running with the pack.

Ok. So I'm sitting in my training class for this new job and an instructor asks the class if they have a celebrity crushes. With a class with only two men in the class, u know how that went. But what I took out of it is that these women today don't have any originality. Every single one of these women found all the same dudes attractive. Only one girl stepped out of the box and she wasn't born in this country. And I'm like damn! the sensation of cult activity has taken over this nation. These women even acted hurt when I didn't agrre with them on which women were attractive. Because I didn't have Beyouncy heads and shoulders above the rest of the world, something was wrong with me. And the they started on SWAG, Maybe the worst word in the history of humanity. I FUCKING HATE THAT WORD. I hate its meanings and the way people use it all the fucking time. SHut the fuck up about swag. Style matters. Ambience matters. Essence matters. That other word is nothing more than mainstream created HOO-HOCKEY. Why the fuck can't the world think for themselves? Beauty is in the eye of the beholderis not just a cute saying. OPEN YOUR FUCKING MINDS. Sheep r saughtered by the dozens. Mindless following is not what is up.

Welcome to the IMpossibleDream.

First post. Nothing more than a welcome. This blog exists purely as a vent for the shit that goes on in my mind. No defined group of subjects, no semblance of political correctness. Just me.