M. Sam

Once a beacon of social change, sports are now just struggling to catch up.

On February 9 Missouri Football All-American Michael Sam announced to the world that he was gay. As it now stands, Sam is on the brink of becoming the first openly gay NFL player, draft pending. The sporting world, which was responsible for being ahead of the curve when it comes breaking racial barriers, has come to a standstill.

As support for gay marriage and gay rights have picked up steam in society, the sporting world seems intent on keeping things business as usual. Homophobia and intolerance runs rampant throughout locker rooms and some players have no problem making their views known to the media. “We don’t want no gay people on the team; they gotta get up outta here if they are” said Chris Culliver, a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers.

The sentiments shared in the sporting world about the new hot button social issue, don’t seem to match up when juxtaposed with the social issues of the past. At a time when racism was rampant and segregation was in its prime, sports served as a symbol of unity of all men. When Jackie Robinson won the Rookie of the Year and MVP award, men and women of all color cheered for him.

Sports are supposed to bring together all people in a common cause, but with Sam’s announcement a rift has been created among sports fans and personalities alike. Many high-ranking NFL officials have already stated that Sam’s announcement will affect his draft stock severely citing that a gay player would not be welcome in an NFL locker room.

These locker rooms and sports personalities are the same ones that welcome and promote drug users, players convicted of DUI manslaughter, players accused of murder and players accused of rape. When you love another man however you have crossed the line and are not welcome into the community. In an age of anti-bullying, why are the leagues that have been most vocal about teaching kids respect the one’s who lack it the most.

The time prior to the NFL draft is a time when players are supposed to be judged on statistics, bodies of work, and highlight films, but Sam seems to be the exception to the rule. The decision to disclose his sexuality was not a publicity stunt for Sam, it was revealing to the world that which his college teammates already knew.

Despite the revelation, Sam is still a football player and should be judged accordingly to his skills, but it seems as if that bridge is burned. As the best defensive player in college footballs best conference, logic should tell you that his draft stock should be a lot higher than the third round projection he has.

The team that eventually does roll the dice on Sam has a chance to make history and be placed in the history books along side Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson. Sam is exactly what the gay rights movement needs right now. If he can produce in the NFL successfully, even the staunchest of homophobes will rally behind him and cheer.

 In a world of athletic specimens, Sam has the opportunity to stand amongst them all and show the world that whom you love doesn’t define you, but what you accomplish does.

Path to the Combine: Jarvis Jones

            Just a few short months ago Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o was perhaps the most highly touted linebacker of the 2013 draft class. Following the “Catfish” scandal Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones has moved into the spotlight. Over these past few months Jones has moved from one of the top linebacking prospects to one of the top prospects in the whole draft.

Standing 6’3, 241 pounds, Jones is nearly a clone of Von Miller with respect to build. Jones is a natural pass rusher, similar to San Francisco’s Aldon Smith. With a quick first step and tremendous agility, Jones is a terror to opposing Quarterbacks. Combined with a quick step are a wide variety of rip and swim moves and incredible body control. His spin move brings back memories of Dwight Freeney, a scary thought for opposing lineman. The attributes are nice, but the numbers speak for themselves and in just 2 years Jones recorded 28 sacks and 45 tackles for a loss.

Jones also possesses surprisingly solid coverage skills, due mainly to the fact he has sideline to sideline speed. A solid wrap up tackler, Jones sometimes gets in to trouble when he attempts to lay the wood on a ball carrier. Often times on run plays Jones will rely too heavily on his speed, completely taking himself out of a play by over pursuing. With that said, Jones does have good gap control and closing speed when he reads a play.

Perhaps the biggest negative facing Jones is his weight. At 241 pounds Jones has had trouble when going against the big boys on the line. I’d recommend he put on at least 5-10 extra pounds between now and training camp to fully utilize his potential. Another concern facing Jones is his health. While at USC, Jones was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and was not medically cleared by doctors. Many believe this could possibly lead to a slide in the draft, like Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson a few years ago.

In his 2 years at Georgia, Jones improved in every statistical category. As the best pass rusher in this draft, he can instantly fill in and be a teams DeMarcus Ware or Dwight Freeney depending on where he is lined up. If by some miracle he does slide to the Buffalo Bills, Nix and company will have a very tough decision ahead of them. Do they take the best pass rusher or the best Quarterback, two positions of dire need. Jones has a lot riding on the combine, if he impresses he will solidify his spot in the top 5. If he disappoints, let the slide begin…

Grammy Predictions

  

So we are just a few hours away from the 55^th annual Grammy Awards. Tonight’s Grammy’s are going to be unlike no other. We will experience a more edgy and younger feel; this year seems to be the year of the “Indie Invasion”

There are a lot of great artist up in the running tonight so let’s maybe try and predict some of the big winners tonight. Some big people to watch out for tonight are Fun, Jay-z, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, and Mr. West all receiving six nods this year, also followed by Miguel and the Black Keys with five.

As far as Album of the year, the nominees are The Black Keys -El Camino, Fun. - Some Nights, Mumford & Sons – Babel, Frank Ocean - Channel Orange, Jack White – Blunderbuss . This category will be a difficult and close category, but I would have to say that the album of the year will either go to Mumford & Sons or Frank Ocean.

Record of the year will be taken by Taylor Swift for  her breakup anthem “We are Never Ever Getting Back Together” just for the sheer fact that she is in a completely different category of her own. Swift is up against, the Black keys, Kelly Clarkson, Fun ft. Janelle Monae, Frank Ocean and Gotye ft. Kimbra.

The Best New Artist Category is quite different this year and taken over by the indie invasion. It was interesting to see that The Alabama Shakes had actually made it into this category up against Fun, country star Hunter Hayes, The Lumineers and Frank Ocean. I feel that this category tonight will be snagged by Hunter Hayes because he is one of country music’s heart throbs  and is someone to watch out for.

Going into some other categories such as Best Pop Solo Performance Adele will probably take that one home tonight for her live performance of “Set Fire to the Rain.” Up against Kelly Clarkson, Carly Rae Jepsen , Katy Perry, and Rhianna.    When it comes to the Rap Categories I feel that we will be “Watching the Throne” seeing Jay-Z and Kanye steal the show when it comes to those categories.

It shall be an interesting night tonight to see the blooming of the indie music scene and see some of the artist who wins. It will not be a boring show tonight there is a big variety of different performers taking the stage. Elton John and Ed Sheeran performing together live for the first time, and Justin Timberlake after seven years is making his first TV Music Performance.  Watch tonight at 8/7c and watch and see who takes the show. 

Music Icons snubbed from a Grammy

Tomorrow, February 10, 2013, Music’s biggest night returns to the Los Angeles Staples Center for the 55^th annual Grammy Awards at 8/7c.

Some of Music’s greatest will be awarded a Grammy tomorrow night, but there are many music legends that never got the chance to hold one of these awards in their hands.

Music legends from Buddy Holly to Diana Ross to the Beach Boys have never snagged a Grammy. These are some of the best ever in the music business whom have inspired many artists of today.  

Some of music’s most inspiring artists have not received a Grammy Award. However, all of these icons have ironically received a lifetime achievement award for their work and contribution.

Diana Ross, whether it be solo, collaboration, or with the Supremes, has been up for multiple Grammy nominations including 1969 with the Supremes for “Baby Love”. Two more times after that with one being the biggest possible nomination, that being Record of the Year. Ross finally took home her first Grammy for the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

The most notable reggae artist of all time and international icon Bob Marley was never nominated for a Grammy in his lifetime, but his Legend album is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It was not until 2001 when Marley finally received recognition for his work.

Rock icons Janis Joplin and Led Zepplin, both rock and heavy metals biggest icons have had multiple top hits but it wasn’t until 2005 when both took home a Lifetime achievement award. Although Zepplin did not win as a band, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page won for collaboration in 1998 and Plant took home an astonishing 6 in 2007.

The King of Rock n’ Roll, Buddy Holly has had a multiple #1 hits with the Crickets including “That’ll Be the Day”. A mere 3 months later his solo song “Peggy Sue” achieved the honor as well. The rock legend died 54 years ago this month in a plane crash. 

Some others who have been snubbed of the Grand awards include the British band The Who, The Doors, the Beach Boys, The Grateful Dead and country music’s first chart topper Patsy Cline.

            Tomorrow night the 55^th Grammy Awards will be awarding Glenn Gould and Lang Lang, both notable pianists, the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Path to the Combine: Ryan Nassib

            Love and marriage, love and marriage, goes together like a horse and carriage. Some may say the Bills have married Syracuse University with the recent hires of head coach Doug Marrone and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Some may also says it’s inevitable that the Buffalo Bills will select Ryan Nassib with their first pick of the 2013 draft. Although widely considered a reach, that connotation does not necessarily denote a bad pick.

            Nassib is an interesting pick to say the least. It’s hard to get a full gauge on Nassib and his ability due to a sub-par supporting cast. What we do know is that Nassib is a knuckleballer. Like Jay Cutler before him, Nassib can drive a bullet like it’s nobodies business. Many of Nassibs throws are timing routes in which he throws his receiver open rather than waiting on a route to develop. His biggest attribute may also be his biggest downfall. He can be very impatient in the pocket and try to force a window open, rather than using touch to drop it in.

            Nassibs pocket presence also leaves something to be desired, not to say he doesn’t have a feel for the surroundings. Like Cutler, Nassibs fundamentals and mechanics may break down when pressured causing throws from awkward arm angles. When the pressure does barrel down on Nassib, he uses his deceptively elusive and strong physique to escape arm tackles and move out of the pocket. Nassib is a great thrower on the run, losing virtually no velocity on his balls when rolling out. Nassib, like current quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has ultimate trust in his arm, but unlike Fitzpatrick Nassib has the ability to back up the trust.

            Nassib, like Tyler Wilson whom I already broke down, is a very tough and hard-nosed player. Nassib has taken his fair share of bumps and bruises and continually popped back up. Nassib and Wilson are very similar players, but when it comes down to system Nassib perhaps makes the most sense in the Marrone era. Both possess toughness and leadership, with Nassib being extremely competitive and assuming the role of director well. Depending on his combine performance, Ryan Nassib may shoot up many teams’ boards. 

Path to the Combine: Tyler Wilson

            Standing 6’3, 220 pounds Tyler Wilson isn’t exactly the prototypical build of an NFL Quarterback. What Wilson lacks in size however, he makes up for in elusiveness and velocity. Wilson moves very well in the pocket as well as out. Wilson also possesses the type of arm strength and velocity dearly missed from the QB position in Buffalo. Far too often fans have been subjected to dead duck throws or one hoppers from the likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards before him. Wilson has the arm strength to stick a ball in the breadbasket on the comeback routes or sideline routes, a skill that can dynamically change an offense’s game plan.

            With this strength comes an effortless throwing motion, nearly a flick of the wrist. This same throwing style can be found in quarterbacks such as Michael Vick and Robert Griffin. This style leads to quick and deadly passes that can completely destroy any blitz a defense tries to run. Wilson also throws a beautiful arcing deep ball that always seems to find his intended mans area.

            With these qualities in mind, Wilson seems to look for deep to intermediate throws more often than the short ones. This is not to say Wilson will not check down, but usually does so after making his down the field reads. This is in contrast to Ryan Fitzpatrick who’s primary reads seemed to always be short, quick passes.

            In addition to the flashy skills Wilson possesses, he also has a blue-collar toughness to him. Playing in the toughest conference in football has offered plenty of big hits and bumps. Wilson has proven time and time again to be able and willing to take the hits and pop right back up. Wilson has also been praised as a film-junkie and a lunch-pail worker. These qualities should quickly endear him to not only the coaching staff, but also his fellow veteran teammates. It is also worth noting that although the 2012 season was a disappointing one for the Razorbacks, Wilson was still able to throw for over 3,000 yards and 21 TD’s in a tough SEC with a new coach and system.

            Wilson may not be an elite option for the Buffalo Bills with their first pick of the 2013 draft, but he may be a pick that needs to be made. The Bills cannot go into the 2013 season with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, and there is not a plethora of free agents that can be starters in this league. Leading up to the combine, there will be plenty of talk surrounding the quarterback class, but I believe Wilson will stand out above the bunch when February 24th rolls around.  

No Bills? No Way! A wish list for the 2013 offseason

Fresh off another disappointing season, the Buffalo Bills are finally in a position to turn the franchise in the right direction. The hiring of head coach Doug Marrone and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett signify a new era of Buffalo football: young and forward thinking. The Bills, led by Russ Brandon also stole defensive guru Mike Pettine from the rival New York Jets. The Bills seem to finally have the coaching staff in place to usher in a winning attitude and product in Buffalo, a product dearly missed.

            When you examine and breakdown the roster for the Bills, you don’t see a lack of talent. Starting on offense you have possibly the most explosive offensive weapon in the NFL with C.J. Spiller, and his backup Fred Jackson isn’t too shabby either. Going down the line you have an injury prone, yet hard-nosed stonewall in Eric Wood and his line mate Andy Levitre. Fellow lineman Cordy Glenn is coming off a rocky rookie season where when he was good he was really good, but when he was bad it got ugly.  You also have borderline superstar Stevie Johnson who despite inadequate quarterback play has posted consecutive impressive seasons.

            On the defensive side of the ball came perhaps the biggest disappointment and surprise in years. This defense was hyped up as a throwback to the 90’s Buffalo Bills, Mario leading the charge as Bruce. Mario Williams did have a pretty solid season after wrist surgery, but the defense as a collective whole faltered and failed, mainly due to poor linebacking from Kelvin Sheppard and embarrassing corner play from Aaron Williams. Jairus Byrd was back to his usual ball hawking self, but has really emerged as a complete package at safety. Hopefully with Pettine at the helm we see a new and very much improved defense.

            This is the year for changes, and there are many changes I feel need to be made. Starting on offense, we must cut Ryan Fitzpatrick or negotiate a salary cut. The reasoning for that really goes without saying. Secondly, make C.J Spiller the starting halfback and split the carries 70-30. On average I believe C.J should get around 20 runs, and about 25 touches total, with Fred mainly subbing in as a short yardage back. Onto defense, it’s time to cut Chris Kelsay; in fact it was time years ago. Not only is he a major cap hit, but he’s unproductive and a liability in most cases. Following that is benching George Wilson in favor of Da’Norris Searcy, Aaron Williams in favor of Ron Brooks and Mark Anderson in favor of Kyle Moore.

            Onto free agency, some major splashes need to be made. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly is addressing the need for a real number #2 receiver. I believe either Dwayne Bowe or Mike Wallace should fill this need. Both of these receivers bring a dimension long missed in the Bills passing game, stretching the field. Secondly, bring in Bart Scott and either Aqib Talib or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. These signings would fill major holes with veterans who can step in day 1 and assume big roles.

            Although the draft is ways away and we still have the combine to consider, I’d like to present my ideal draft choices for early rounds of the Buffalo Bills 2013 draft.

           

            Round 1: Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas/Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse

            Round 2: Cordarrelle Patterson WR Tennessee

            Round 3: Chris Gragg TE Arkansas

           

            With all this said I would like the starting line up of the 2013 Buffalo Bills to resemble this:

           

QB: Tyler Wilson

            RB: CJ Spiller
            FB: Cory McIntyre

            WR1: Stevie Johnson

            WR2: Dwayne Bowe

            WR3: Cordarrelle Patterson

            TE: Scott Chandler
            LT: Cordy Glenn

            LG: Andy Levitre

            C: Eric Wood

            RG: Craig Urbik

            RT: Chris Hairston

            DE: Kyle Moore, Mario Williams

            DT: Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus

            LOLB: Nigel Bradham

            MLB: Bart Scott

            ROLB: Nick Barnett

            CB: Stephon Gilmore, Aqib Talib, Ron Brooks

            SS: Da’Norris Searcy

            FS: Jairus Byrd

       
GO BILLS!