It's been a while, I've been kind of busy.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Twelve hundred years ago, Baghdad was the center of knowledge...today, it's the center of despair. Learn more about historical Baghdad.
This week, there has been a big to-do about comments made by Jeremiah Wright, retired pastor at the Trinity United Church for Christ in Chicago. Wright also happened to be an advisor to Senator Barak Obama. Wright had made comments about the attacks on September 11th, 2001, saying "the chickens have come home to roost." Now I am not an apologist, "Loose Change" freak, or anything like that, but I don't think what Pastor Wright said was completely off base. What is the alternative? The hijackers flew the planes because they hated America's freedom? No dice, Mr. Bush, but thanks for dumbing it down for the simpletons. I digress. The uproar over Pastor Wright's comments has thrust religion to a more prominent role in the presidential campaign. Coincidentally (or not?), Senator McCain is in Israel, trying to court Jewish favor and kowtowing to the evangelicals in the Republican party. Senator Obama gave a speech yesterday talking about how race has become an issue, and although he touched on religion, he left quite a bit unsaid. Now I'm NOT going to pull an Umar Lee and make up some speech that I wish Senator Obama said. What I do know is that multiple efforts have been made by various Muslim organizations to contact the Senator through his campaign, but he has yet to respond. This leads to a potentially scary scenario for American Muslims. Senator McCain is going out of his way to impress Evangelicals, which by definition means he will go out of his way to avoid Muslims. Senator Obama, who is rumored to be a "secret Muslim", will do everything to prove to people he is NOT Muslim, meaning he won't meet with or even take any calls from leaders like Dr. Ingrid Matson, Hamza Yusuf, or even Keith Ellison. The prospects for the 2008 election seem to getting bleaker by the day.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Detroit Lions Trade Shaun Rogers
Today's post will be under Sports
The Detroit Lions traded Shaun Rogers yesterday. Initially, they traded him to Cincinnati for a 3rd and 5th round pick, which seemed pretty cheap. For (currently) unknown reasons, this trade didn't go through, but the Cleveland stepped up and offered Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round pick. I think the Lions got a decent deal for a player they no longer wanted. Shaun Rogers has immense talent, but he has always had issues with his weight and motivation. One could argue these problems are one and the same. If he couldn't respond to Rod Marinelli, who is apparently a master motivator, then Rogers is doomed to stay what he is, an overweight, overpaid whiner who shows just enough flashes of brilliance to tease fans and keep us interested.
Thankfully, the Lions get only one draft pick in this deal, which means less chance for Matt Millen to screw up. His draft record is spotty at best. Everyone knows about all the wide receivers the Lions have drafted in the first round over the last few years, but I would argue that the later rounds of the draft are more important (rounds 3-7). These are the rounds in which teams are able to fill their rosters with capable back-ups, special teamers, and occasional starters. The Lions have had trouble getting starters with their early picks, let alone finding any serviceable players in later rounds.
Lions Draft History
The Lions have had problems with people named Rogers over the last 20 years:
Darryl - head coach 1985 - 1988. Won 18 games in 3-plus seasons. Fired after a home-loss to Tampa Bay and replaced by Wayne Fontes. Famous quote - "What does a head coach have to do to get fired around here."
Reggie - First round draft pick (7th overall) in 1987. A standout defensive end at the University of Washington, he plays in six games in his rookie season. During his second season, on October 20, 1988, Rogers is driving drunk, runs a red light, and hits a car, killing three teens in Pontiac. He served a little over a year before being released. He later played for Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Career Sacks: 2 (which is one less than the number of people he killed).
Charles - One of the most publicized recruits from Saginaw, he went to Michigan State where he wowed people with his speed. He won the Biletnikoff award as the top college receiver in 2002. He ran a 4.28 40 at the combine! He was selected second overall by the Lions and had a good start to his rookie campaign catching 22 passes and 3 TDs. He broke his collarbone in practice and was out after the 5th game of the year. In 2004, he broke his collarbone (again) on the third play from scrimmage. In 2005, he served a 4 game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Although the identity of the substance was never revealed, it was believed to be marijuana. He played sparingly upon his return and was cut before the 2006 season. He has not played a down of pro football since.
Shaun - Had a solid career at the University of Texas, drafted int he second round in 2001. He was tabbed higher but slipped because of injury issues. He played well at times for the Lions and even made it to two pro bowls (2004, 2005). His weight has always been an issue. He was listed at 340 last season but is reportedly closer to 390. He served a four-game suspension in 2006 for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy. He took an illegal stimulant/appetite-suppressant. His weight has resulted in knee injuries and problems with endurance. He can make spectacular plays, such as intercepting a pass and returning it 66 yards (against the Broncos last season) punctuated with a somersault in the end zone.
Rogers Touchdown
The youtube hilite I couldn't find was Shaun Rodgers sitting on the sideline on the second play of the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, when Marion Barber scored on 4th and goal from the 1.
Rogers also has the most blocked kicks in the NFL since his rookie year (at least 10). Overall, he was a good and exciting player, and it's unfair to lump him with the other Rogers on this list, but because he didn't live up to his potential, he
One other note, coach Marinelli is a defensive-line wizard. He got rid of James Hall last year, who was just cut by the Rams. He has now gotten rid of Shaun Rogers. Perhaps the coach knows something we don't. On the flip side, coach Rod kept Kalimba Edwards and convinced Millen to overpay Cory Redding.
If we use the assumption that Shaun Rogers will play next season like he did the last, meaning he has some awesome moments and others where he is on the sideline at key moments, this is how I would rate the trade: If Bodden can start at least 10 games this year, I say the Lions break even on the trade. If they can draft a player who can actually make the roster and make a contribution, I say the Lions are out ahead.
As always, your comments and feedback are appreciated.
The Detroit Lions traded Shaun Rogers yesterday. Initially, they traded him to Cincinnati for a 3rd and 5th round pick, which seemed pretty cheap. For (currently) unknown reasons, this trade didn't go through, but the Cleveland stepped up and offered Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round pick. I think the Lions got a decent deal for a player they no longer wanted. Shaun Rogers has immense talent, but he has always had issues with his weight and motivation. One could argue these problems are one and the same. If he couldn't respond to Rod Marinelli, who is apparently a master motivator, then Rogers is doomed to stay what he is, an overweight, overpaid whiner who shows just enough flashes of brilliance to tease fans and keep us interested.
Thankfully, the Lions get only one draft pick in this deal, which means less chance for Matt Millen to screw up. His draft record is spotty at best. Everyone knows about all the wide receivers the Lions have drafted in the first round over the last few years, but I would argue that the later rounds of the draft are more important (rounds 3-7). These are the rounds in which teams are able to fill their rosters with capable back-ups, special teamers, and occasional starters. The Lions have had trouble getting starters with their early picks, let alone finding any serviceable players in later rounds.
Lions Draft History
The Lions have had problems with people named Rogers over the last 20 years:
Darryl - head coach 1985 - 1988. Won 18 games in 3-plus seasons. Fired after a home-loss to Tampa Bay and replaced by Wayne Fontes. Famous quote - "What does a head coach have to do to get fired around here."
Reggie - First round draft pick (7th overall) in 1987. A standout defensive end at the University of Washington, he plays in six games in his rookie season. During his second season, on October 20, 1988, Rogers is driving drunk, runs a red light, and hits a car, killing three teens in Pontiac. He served a little over a year before being released. He later played for Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Career Sacks: 2 (which is one less than the number of people he killed).
Charles - One of the most publicized recruits from Saginaw, he went to Michigan State where he wowed people with his speed. He won the Biletnikoff award as the top college receiver in 2002. He ran a 4.28 40 at the combine! He was selected second overall by the Lions and had a good start to his rookie campaign catching 22 passes and 3 TDs. He broke his collarbone in practice and was out after the 5th game of the year. In 2004, he broke his collarbone (again) on the third play from scrimmage. In 2005, he served a 4 game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Although the identity of the substance was never revealed, it was believed to be marijuana. He played sparingly upon his return and was cut before the 2006 season. He has not played a down of pro football since.
Shaun - Had a solid career at the University of Texas, drafted int he second round in 2001. He was tabbed higher but slipped because of injury issues. He played well at times for the Lions and even made it to two pro bowls (2004, 2005). His weight has always been an issue. He was listed at 340 last season but is reportedly closer to 390. He served a four-game suspension in 2006 for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy. He took an illegal stimulant/appetite-suppressant. His weight has resulted in knee injuries and problems with endurance. He can make spectacular plays, such as intercepting a pass and returning it 66 yards (against the Broncos last season) punctuated with a somersault in the end zone.
Rogers Touchdown
The youtube hilite I couldn't find was Shaun Rodgers sitting on the sideline on the second play of the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, when Marion Barber scored on 4th and goal from the 1.
Rogers also has the most blocked kicks in the NFL since his rookie year (at least 10). Overall, he was a good and exciting player, and it's unfair to lump him with the other Rogers on this list, but because he didn't live up to his potential, he
One other note, coach Marinelli is a defensive-line wizard. He got rid of James Hall last year, who was just cut by the Rams. He has now gotten rid of Shaun Rogers. Perhaps the coach knows something we don't. On the flip side, coach Rod kept Kalimba Edwards and convinced Millen to overpay Cory Redding.
If we use the assumption that Shaun Rogers will play next season like he did the last, meaning he has some awesome moments and others where he is on the sideline at key moments, this is how I would rate the trade: If Bodden can start at least 10 games this year, I say the Lions break even on the trade. If they can draft a player who can actually make the roster and make a contribution, I say the Lions are out ahead.
As always, your comments and feedback are appreciated.
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