AMERICAS DUO CLAIMS SILVER IN SOCHI, WILLIAMS WOULD OF MADE HISTORY BUT FELL SHORT BY 0.10s

                                             



      The United States finished 2nd in the medal count at the end of the winter Olympics but a great finished by the american duo of Lauryn Williams and Elana Meyers. The duo out did their american counterparts that unfortunately did not place in the medal standings of Lolo Jones and Jazmine Fenlator. Both Williams and Meyers medalist from prior Olympics where unintentionally push to the shadows by Jones and Fenlator because of Jones stardom in the summer Olympics. It was obvious the silver medalist had other plans for Sochi and they proved it by barely losing the gold by 0.10 seconds to Canada. 

    Elana Meyers spent the summer training along side Humphries the Canadian bobsledder who beat her and Williams out for gold. Meyers a Douglasville, GA. native became the first U.S. womens bobsledder to win multiple Olympic medals. Lauryn Williams from Rochester, PA. and of trinidad descent could of become the first female and the 2nd Olympic athlete ever to earn a Gold medal in two different Olympic games. Williams earned a gold medal in the summer Olympics in the 4x100m relay team and fell short by 0.10 seconds in the Sochi Olympic games in the bobsled event. Williams a strong runner and now a strong bobsledder was compared to Jesse Owens by Lolo Jones. Numerous athletes including the other american bobsledders stated that watching Williams in the bobsledding event was incredible. 

    My thoughts: This was my first time hearing and reading about Lauryn Williams, to be compared with the likes of Jesse Owens then you're a dominant and explosive athlete. As a former Professional Athlete and high school all-american track runner I respect those that have paved the way before me. I know from being a sports enthusiasts Jesse Owens is the Jim Brown of track and for Lolo to compare Lauryn Williams to Mr. Owens than she's one to watch from this point on. 

PUBLICITY STUNT OR SELF RELIEF?

      The identity of sports continues to evolve daily and yearly. From the racial equality to gender equality in sports and now with in the past few years athletes are more open and comfortable with their sexuality being exposed. The NFL will play a major role in the history of sports and also how the players will handle Sams coming out about his homosexuality. The question is the platform that Sam decided to express his sexuality is was it for publicity or was it really self relief? His coming out as open tons of doors for the talented linebacker that will be apart of the draft in April and those doors have been a media blitz of magazine covers, television exposure and more. Some may say it puts the NFL in predicament where they have to draft him because if he doesn't get picked  than it's because of his sexual status. 

       This issue is a double edged sword because of the manor that Sam chose to let everyone know of what he has been hiding and battling with. So I ask just as the title ask is this publicity or true self relief. The main focus of sports is to win and perform at your highest ability. The personal side is allotted by athletes if they want the world in their lives. I recall a segment on HBO series sports with Bryant Gumble where retired football players came out about their sexuality after their career because of fearing the potential backlash by players. The retired players feared for their safety and current players at that time stated aggressively that if it was known that a player was gay that it would be a bounty on their heads. I know that times have change since the 90's but will the NFL be ready to take on this type of situation in the league? and how will the players handle Sam especially with him being a possible draft pick that will  be playing very soon? 

I BET THE SO CALLED EXPERTS DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING.......

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     Total domination on sunday by the Seahawks on all aspects of the game. The predictions were similar to those made by analysts for the Ravens championship run last season that Manning and Brady would defeat the Ravens but low and behold it didn't happen. So will the experts change their views on teams from putting their all into one player and see the entire view or will it remain the same. Manning is a great player but hasn't had very much success in the post season since his superbowl post season victory against the bears. The opening snap of the Super Bowl set the tone for the rest of the game. Manning could not get into sync with his offense and when they did show some light of success it was to late to manage a comeback. I believe that the Broncos put a lot of their energy in beating Brady and the Patriots that they felt they could breeze through this game and probably didn't believe they needed to prep heavy for this game. 

     

     The Seattle Seahawks came to play and that they did. Russel Wilson was calm, poise and the leader of that offense as he has been all season. One of the key points to the success beside their excellent defense was their offensive line. The Seahawks offensive line made it seem easy for Wilson. He was able to operate his system perfect with minor hiccups. I believe having Percy Harvin in the mix was the ultimate steal for the Seahawks. When you have that much speed and agility from a player and especially a rested player you will get 100% effort from him. Now! the defense, you couldn't ask for more effort from a defense. The Seahawks defense held up to their talk and their ranking. They said this is what we will give you Manning and we want you to beat us and as said defense wins championships and they demolished the competition. Congrats to the Seashawks and I am looking forward to the sequel.

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO; WILL MANNING PREVAIL OR WILL WILSON SHOW WHY HE'S A GREAT PICK

    Well Well Well, a mid-west to west coast super bowl. Myself picked the Patriots vs. Seahawks and I guess Manning proved me false on my selections for the super bowl by dismantling the Patriots on both sides of the ball. The 49ers couldn't hold on to their grip to ride the train to the super bowl two years in a row by a big mistake by Kaepernick on the 49ers 4th quarter drive. I have been a Wilson fan since he came into the league and how well he dominated the preseason and through the regular season. What I see from the perspective of a former football player analyzing this game is it looks like a classic David vs. Goliath match up. ON one side you have the great Peyton Manning as Goliath vs. Russel Wilson as David across field from him. The question that will be answered on February 2nd will be does this real life David vs. Goliath battle hold true to the story. 
   February 2nd will host the greatest one day event on a out door stage in New Jersey. I know the elements will play a major factor in this game but the greater question to me is will this take away from the game because it's not in a hotter climate where people can enjoy the atmosphere how they really want. Also will the elements make this a slow pace run game and if so which team will benefit more. I know with the magnitude of this event all fans want to see a high passing and scoring game and if that doesn't happen will that leave a sour taste in the mouths of football fans for future outdoor cold weather games. One last thing to ponder about is if Manning and the Broncos win the super bowl will this be his ride into the sunset?

AND NOW THERE'S 4 TEAMS

   Yesssss sir! the AFC & NFC championship games will be the greatest games I will get the chance to watch. First you have the Seattle Seahawks vs. the San Francisco 49ers, two teams that obviously don't like one another but are similar in play. Both teams have a tremendous run game with their backs and both are similar in how they run the ball. Frank Gore runs with conviction and with aggression each play. He was able to bounce back from a slow start against Carolina and help seal the win in the 3rd and 4th quarter of sundays game. As always Lynch dominated another game. He ran through the Saints defense for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Seashawks won with no touchdown passes from Wilson. The question I ask is will Lynch, the defense and the kicking game be enough to beat the 49ers?

     Hear Ye! Hear Ye! in the orange corner hailing from Denver, Co. you have the top QB in the game and this past regular season Peyton Manningggggggggg. Fighting out of the blue corner you have another elite QB and master of the position Tom Bradddddddddyyyyyy. You couldn't write a better script/movie than this game. These two QBs have been slugging it out every chance they get in the quest to show who's at the top of the position. In fourteen previous meetings Tom is 10-4 against manning including a 2-1 record in the playoffs. The game that was the turning point for Manning was the AFC championship game against Tom when he played with the Colts in 2007 which Manning was able to pull out the victory on the road to win his 1st superbowl. The new look Patriots have added a much needed run game with Blount that takes pressure off of Brady and the passing game especially with the lost of Gronk. The positive with adding a effective run game for Brady, the Broncos now have a three headed snake to defend. The Broncos will have to try to figure out what Brady is thinking and doing, Blount and the run game and a very effective passing game. Mr. Manning, will be avenging a lost in the playoffs to the Ravens especially how he was defeated on a pair of last second plays. He also will be battling the stigma that he can't play in cold weather and he can't put the last piece together to two brilliant seasons against a dominate team in the Patriots. The Denver Broncos are a well oiled machine, excellent QB, very efficient running game in Ball and Moreno, and a very talented receiver core that's difficult to defend because Manning spreads the ball around.

  This weekend if you're a football fan will definitely wet your pallet and peek your football interest. One question that I pose is if Manning doesn't make it to the super bowl will his season be a flop?  

NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: FSU BACK TO THE OLD? OR A ONE HIT WONDER?

   The ACC is back yeaaaaaaaah baby! Excuse me as a graduate and player of the ACC University of Virginia Cavaliers it felt great to see another conference especially the ACC on top instead of the SEC a powerhouse conference. Auburn had a excellent season mark with huge highlights to catapult them to the #2 team in the country. I believe the return by Chris Davis on the missed field goal by Alabama capped the tigers season and their road to the national championship. Auburns team displayed fight, heart and resilience the entire 2013 season and made it a point to be heard in the country. Auburns running back Tre Mason a excellent runner, pounder and game changer made it difficult to tackle and deny Auburn notice on offense. 

   The Florida State Seminoles, has been a nations favorite especially in the Bobby Bowden era. They blew on the scene in the last few years by carving a road back to the top. As a fan you can't help to love the game of Jameis Winston, and to be a red shirt freshman and to have the poise at a young age to lead his team was phenomenal. The Florida State defense showed no mercy against opponents and attacked each play like it was their last play. Florida States special teams were an effective part of their game plan especially with having sub-par field goal kickers throughout the years to transform that to a legit kicker that could put points on the board when the offense couldn't pull through on drives. Their return game had an explosive returner in Kermit Whitfield which anyone that knows football know that special teams can make or break your game at times.
   The National Championship game, what a game to watch. The first half belonged to Auburn, the Tigers showed why they deserved to be there with their aggressive defense and aggressive offense. The Tiger defense line were confusing the Florida State offensive line and causing havoc on Winston making it hard for him and the offense to get started. When FSU receivers caught the ball Auburns defense were all over them leaving minimal to no space to run. However, FSU was able to put points on the board before the half and had confidence coming out the half. The second half of the game was great FSU momentum swung heavy. Their defense was able to mount stops against the Auburn offense and turnovers which the FSU offense did capitalize on. The game came down to a electric 4th quarter where we saw a 100 yard return by Kermit Whitfield only to be quieted by an Auburn score by Tre Mason. The national championship was left in the hands of Jameis Winston and the FSU offense and they proved why they deserve to be in the national championship game and the champs. The FSU offense got down inside the 5 yard line and on the last play Winston threw a lob pass to 6 ft 5 wide receiver Benjamin to seal the championship for the Noles. What a way to end the 2013 college football season.    

NFL REG. SEASON WRAP-UP

The NFL has wrapped up another exciting yet different season in 2013. There were some teams that excelled that wasn't on the radar the previous season to make some noise this season. I was impressed by the Chiefs this season but I always thought they could get over the hump and they have shown they are a force in the next seasons to come. I also admired the resilience of the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton to push through and win their division. I believe the last AFC playoff spot was the most nail biting, heart wrenching experience this season. There were four teams fighting for that 6th spot and it all came down to who wanted it most and in the end San Diego determined they wanted that spot the most or did they get a little help from the officials? The Steelers can make an argument that the Chargers did receive a little help on the field goal missed by the Chiefs kicker. I believe everyone didn't see the Ravens not making it to the playoffs after a cinderella season last season. The Ravens fate relied on their own play and offensively they could not get it done even with help from their defense in a very pivotal last game against the Bengals. In the end we have some of the same teams that have made it through out the years and some new faces that want to make a statement. The one thing that I love about the NFL and sports in general is any given sunday or any given day anything can happen.