There's that number again

My pick for the best value in this years draft: Shonn Green
He impressed me more than anyone else all year. I believe he will be great. The Bears could take him and trade Matt Forte for a great receiver. Improbable, but smart if he's still available at 49.

UPDATE: The Bears did me one better by trading this pick for 2 later picks, scoring a badass receiver Juaquin Iglesias, (ordinarily I wouldn't rave about a Sooner, but he punked the Horns last year and he's from Central Texas-all their good players are from Texas.) and Henry Melton a project who had a fantastic learning curve with the Horns.

The First Jordyn

My personal definition of greatness is when they change the rules to stifle a star. Tiger-proofing of golf courses and the no dunking era in NCAA basketball are two of the best examples. Further, Michael Jordan's greatness is paramount in that the kids who were named after him are beginning to emerge in the press. I'm sure the name Jordan and it's derivatives have climbed the name popularity charts throughout the nineties and aughts. The following story is fun for what it says about cheerleading and "spirit" organizations. The image of Jordyn Brown shotputting cheerleaders is one for the ages. More so, I think perhaps she is so great she has forced me to expand the definition:

From pom-poms to shot put
Brown planned on cheering in college but has found place on team

Chris Tavarez
Daily Texan Staff
Published: Friday, April 10, 2009

Unconventional. Unorthodox. Weird.

In the words of head track coach Beverly Kearney, “she came in unusual to begin with.”
These are just a few of the many statements used to describe junior thrower Jordyn Brown’s rise to All-American status.
Of all the athletes competing in the NCAA, only a select few are fortunate enough to become All-Americans, though most enter with attaining the status as one of their main goals. Unless that athlete is Brown.
Her unusual rise to the top of track and field almost never happened
When she was growing up, her first love was cheerleading. Instead of throwing the shot put, she grew up throwing other girls in cheer routines.
rest of story

I think Jordyn Brown will be great. They may not change the rules in the putter's circle, but the rules about the way women's shotput is covered by the media can't help but change after the first time she does a celebrarory backflip after a record throw. Youtubers be ready!

Bear Down!

I know I was pushing for Michael Vick. He's going to be better than ever after he shakes off the rust and settles in Oakland. That was before I knew Jay Cutler would be available.
This deal is the greatest score for the Bears. Ever.
Cutler is being painted by Bronco management as a Ryan Leaf style malcontent. I was skeptical at first too, but this quote from a Bronco fan says it all to me:
“I don’t understand why he’d go to a press conference wearing a hoodie,” Mendelsberg said of McDaniels. “Jay Cutler showed up at his press conference (in Chicago) looking nice. He looked like he had a makeover—nice suit, nice tie, nice haircut. He even laughed. I’d never seen him laugh. It’s like he had a new lease on life.”
The Broncos have an effing ass for a coach. Immature would be the word they'd use if he was a player. (read worker)
This is the corporate world moronified. Managers are almost always failures who have ascended because as T.L. used to say, "it's not who you know, it's who you blow."
Chicago is lucky to have the quarterback they have never had in our lifetime.
To top it off they got the left tackle to go with him, Orlando Pace. Am I dreaming? Smart moves to give the defense, which is in its prime, a shot at the ring.
Now stand back managers, and let the workers work.

Phelpsian

A new word. A new hero to alt-sports-fans.
I am going to have to be the one to break this news. Michael Phelps is lying. The reason he admitted to hitting the bong is that it is much more acceptable than the real truth.
The photo in question actually is of Phelps drinking the bong water!
Could you imagine if Phelps was exposed as "that guy?"
It is much safer for his career, and for society to be Spicoli than the guy from WIU we used to call "Dynamo."
Phelps should be a hero to a lot of us that feel the drug war is a hypocritical waste of our tax dollars.
If one can smoke weed and become the greatest, or the president, then someday it will be normal.
Because of Phelps, maybe that someday will be in our lifetime.
Long live Dock Ellis!

Wore My 44 So Long

Been thinking about 44 a lot of late.
Everyone seems to be saying this 44th president is history. I concur.
I credit Bush for me even knowing what number we're on, with him and his son's 41-43 banter. I sure didn't know what number Clinton was. I know he has a curved dick.
So as the week's festivities reminded me of 44, my ponderance turned to what every sports fan does - who wore 44?
Hank Aaron and Pistol Pete. Any others were lower tier who I'd have to double check to make sure.
Pistol Pete and Barry O'Bomber with the smokes and everything is curious, but I think it's Hammerin' Hank who offers an interesting sports context for our new prez.
Humble and soft spoken describe both and steady determination would probably also synopsize their styles.
I also truly believe that the two have similar racial awarenesses that prescribe critic silencing production combined with unwavering pride.
At Obama's relative young age it will be interesting to see if he replicates Henry Aaron's undeniable longevity.
I think what hits me the most though is that unforgettable picture of the two Disco-era white boys who ran the bases with Aaron when he hit 715. A timeless slice of Americana and more importantly a poignant statement about how greatness renders most of us colorblind.
It was in the end a meaningless stunt, but it will always be imprinted in our brains and in a way paved the road for Obama's unlikely ascension.