Month: February 2016

One Lovely Blog Award

Awards, Chicago, Personal, Sports

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I really appreciate DialougeFromTheDepths for nominating us for this One Lovely Blog Award.  Their post has always been interesting and made my days that much better after reading a post.

This is my first time being nominated for a blog award so this is pretty special to me. I’m just writing about what I love without hesitation. I appreciate the people who read and enjoy my blog posts as much as I love reading others.

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  1. Thank the person that nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
  2. List the rules.
  3. Display the award on your post of the award.
  4. List seven facts about yourself.
  5. Nominate 15 bloggers for this award and comment on one of their posts to let them know you have nominated them.

Seven facts About Me:

  1. I have a part time job where at times I get paid to play different sports.
  2. When I used to work in downtown Chicago, I got most of my blogging done riding the train.
  3. ESPN is one of my dream jobs.
  4. “Deadpool” was by far the best movie I’ve seen at the show in months. Also, the “Divergent” series is my current favorite movie series out.
  5. I’ve done quite of bit of traveling, but I never been west of the Mississippi River.
  6. I’m a fan of all Chicago sports teams.
  7. I am #TeamCap when “Captain America: Civil War” comes out later this year.

My nominations are:

  1. Write Light
  2. Dr Meg Sorick
  3. PHDinMeBlog
  4. Random Ramblings
  5. The Good Greatsby
  6. pennyforyourthotsblog
  7. TSMP
  8. In the Zone
  9. CHAMPION’S INSIGHT
  10. The Incomplete Pass
  11. BECOMING CREATIONS BY JAY
  12. Raines Journal
  13. Atomic Words
  14. spiritualjourney17
  15. Dr Rex

JGOOD

NFL Careers Decreasing?

Football, Health, Media, NFL, Sports

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Over the years, we have discovered the short and long term health issues with players who played in the NFL. I haven’t seen the movie “Concussion” yet starring Will Smith (it’s on my “to-do” list) but one of my good friends has. In a nut shell, he decided that his son won’t be playing football. Since the new year, we found out Calvin Johnson plans to retire, Marshawn Lynch put a picture of his cleats hanging on a telephone wire on Instagram, and Jerod Mayo became the latest to announce his retirement. Not only are these big name stars that’s retiring, but they’re retiring at a young age.

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Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson is 30. Marshawn Lynch and Jerod Mayo are 29 years old. 2 of the 3 have won the Superbowl and all of them have been Pro Bowlers. All 3 of them are in the prime of their careers, even though all of them have been dealing with injuries. The fact is each one of them can compete at an elite level, but they are choosing to leave on their own terms. Barry Sanders retired at 30 and he wanted to leave before his body got taken apart (and that’s before we found out about the multiple health issues with football nowadays).

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Marshawn Lynch

After hearing about Junior Seau’s unfortunate death, I believe current NFL players are starting to pay attention to their long term health. Seau died to a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the chest in 2012. However, it was discovered that he had suffered brain damage from playing football. I’m not saying that was the cause of his death but you never know if it played any part of it.

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Junior Seau

When you see plays like this (click here), you start to wonder how much of an impact is that really having on a human. Adrian Coxson, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver, retired last summer. He was carted off on an ambulance due to a severe concussion. He said his next hit could be his last and therefore retired. He’s 23 years old. At this rate, the only positions with longevity is going to be quarterbacks (because of the rules), kickers, and punters.

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Adrian Coxson

If I were the NFL, I would be concerned with the early retirements that has occurred within the past month. I know Roger Goodell has attempted to make the game safer by adjusting the rules but there’s only so much you can to make a physical sport “safe”. Only time will tell what’s going to happen next, but I expect this trend of early retirements to grow.

JGOOD

Bigger Canadian Impact, Eh?

Basketball, Canada, NBA, Sports

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Steve Nash and Vince Carter have had amazing careers in the NBA. One is known for this mystic passing ability with a lethal jump shot, and the other is known for his polarizing dunks over any and everything. They have many differences in their games, but they’re a few similarities. They both have had multiple NBA All-star appearances, and have represented their countries in the Olympics. Also, their influence on the game has impacted the whole country of Canada.

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Now, you see number one overall picks being from Canada (Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins). My question is who had the greater Canadian impact?

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Steve Nash, Canadian, is a 2-time MVP, 8-time All-star, led the league in assist 5 times. (WATCH HERE).

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Vince Carter, who was born in the United States, spent his first 7 seasons playing for the Toronto Raptors and is an 8-time All-star. (WATCH HERE).

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What do you think?

JGOOD

Hall Of Fame Debate: Terrell Owens

Fantasy Football, Football, Media, NFL, Sports

This shouldn’t even be a debate. The fact that he’s not a first ballot hall of famer is blasphemy. This is a case where everyone wants to remember the negative aspects of a person instead of his contributions.

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He’s sixth all time in receptions, third in receiving touchdowns, and second in receiving yards. Terrell Owens broke the record for most receptions (20) in one game against the Chicago Bears (sad face) while being a member of the San Francisco 49’ers (until Brandon Marshall set the record in 2009). Let’s not forget about his star stellar performance in the Superbowl on a severely sprained ankle. Besides the above-average drops, he was everything you wanted in a wide receiver. His work ethic is off the charts. He’s ambitious and always motivated. He could probably still play in the NFL today, truthfully speaking.

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I’m not here to defend his antics because what he has done in the past was inexcusable at times. Bashing your quarterbacks and making demands doesn’t equal a good teammate. However, what I am aiming at is that what does any other that has to do with his productivity on the field? The media and journalists are the ones in charge of who enters the hall. I know T.O. wasn’t their favorite person by any means, but to deny him a ticket into Canton on his first try because he rubbed you the wrong way or to “humble him” instead of his resume is unacceptable.

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The guy came to play football and he was definitely one of the best to ever do it. What’s your opinion?

JGOOD

Coming Soon

Baseball, Basketball, College, Football, Media, NBA, NCAA, NFL, Sports

Since there’s no more football until August, we have to move away and embrace other sports during the NFL off season. Here’s a quick preview of what you can look forward to!

NBA All-star Weekend

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Feb 12-Feb 14
Includes:
Celebrity All-star Game
Rising Stars Game
3 Point Contest
Dunk Contest
NBA All-star Game

March Madness (NCAA Tournament)
Starts Tuesday, March 15th

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I will be hosting a contest with a prize to the winner! Stay tuned for details to enter. Entry is FREE!!

Opening Day (MLB)

April 3rd

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Spring Training starts within the next couple of weeks

My Favorite Superbowls

Football, Hurricane Katrina, NFL, Sports

This list isn’t me ranking the all time Superbowl games but just me pointing out my favorites that I’ve witnessed over the years.

Superbowl XXXII Denver Broncos vs Green Bay Packers

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Even though I grew up to become a die hard Chicago Bears fan, Steve Young and Brett Favre were my quarterbacks growing up. Seeing Favre and John Elway go at it made the first Superbowl I remember special. Even though the Packers had weapons on offense (Antonio Freeman and Dorsey Levens), but nobody was touching Terrell Davis that year. I remember that game came down to the wire with a Broncos win.

Superbowl XXXIV St Louis Rams vs Tennessee Titans

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The “Greatest Show On Turf” is arguably the greatest offense in NFL history. Engineered by Kurt Warner, him, Issac Bruce, Marshall Faulk, and Torry Holt set were bobbing and weaving while setting NFL records. The Titans came up a yard short in the final seconds of sending the game into over

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*ALL OF THE SUPERBOWLS INVOLVING THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AND TOM BRADY HAVE BEEN GOOD. ALSO I WOULD MENTION LAST YEAR’S SUPERBOWL BUT PETE CARROLL MESSED THAT UP*

Superbowl XLI Indianapolis Colts vs Chicago Bears

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Even though my favorite team lost, just the fact they I’ve witnessed them being there (and Devin Hester run the opening kick off back for a touchdown) made it a special. My dad recorded and kept showing me the 85′ Bears Superbowl XX when they dismantled the New England Patriots. Hopefully one day they will win one in my lifetime.

Superbowl XLIII Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals

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This game was very exciting. Kurt Warner revived his career in Arizona after disappearing when he left St Louis. Him and arguably the most underrated wide receiver tandem in NFL history (Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin) didn’t disappoint on the big stage. However, Santonio Holmes didn’t disappoint either with one of the best game winning touchdown catches in Superbowl history.

Superbowl XLIV New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Colts

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This was probably the most meaningful Superbowl win for a team in recent memory. Just about 3 years removed from Hurricane Katrina, Drew Brees and that explosive offense handed Peyton Manning his first Superbowl loss.

JGOOD

JGood’s Superbowl 50 Run Down

Football, Media, NFL, Sports

The Carolina Panthers (11 offense and 6 defense) will take on the Denver Broncos (16 offense and 1 defense) Sunday for Superbowl 50. Peyton Manning will attempt to possibly ride off into the sunset with a Superbowl win like Jerome Bettis, Ray Lewis, and even his boss John Elway. The Broncos are back in the Superbowl for their second time in the Manning era. Their last visit was a disaster, getting trampled by Seattle. This time their defense is up to the challenge, but their offense nothing similar of that Superbowl team. Can Peyton add another Superbowl Title to his legacy? Will Peyton retire after this game like so much has be speculating that he will? Only time will tell.

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The Carolina Panthers will be making their 2nd Superbowl appearance in franchise history; their first in the Cam Newton era. This team was written off on majority’s Superbowl list when Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL before the season. Newton became “Supercam”, and along with that stellar defense went on to only lose 1 game this season. The made the best of what they got and the presumed MVP of the season is looking to cap off this historic season with a Lombardi trophy.

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This will be the first time 2 number one overall picks will be playing in the Superbowl (Manning and Newton), and the first time the number one and number two overall picks from the same draft class will playing as well (Newton and Von Miller). I expect this to be a close defensive game or Carolina to blow Denver out. Denver’s offense is not what it used to be but you never know what could happen.

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Denver wins if:
They can run the ball and convert 3rd downs. To beat Carolina, you have to be able to effectively run the football. The problem is that generally the Panthers defense is dominant against opposing running backs. If you have make Peyton Manning consistently convert 3rd and longs against this elite defense, they’ll be in for a long game.

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Carolina wins if:
They can keep the Broncos defense honest and stop the pass rush. In order to keep the defense honest, Carolina will have to run the ball effectively or have a balance play call between run and pass plays. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware were playing extraordinary in their win against New England. If that can neutralize that and Cam Newton has time, the Panthers has a really good chance of winning.

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What do you think will be the x-factor? Who will shine the brightest on the big stage? Will we see a “David Tyree-type-of-play”? Will one of the coaches pull a ” Pete Carroll”? What do you think will be the outcome of this game? Tell me your thoughts of the game.

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JGOOD

Hall Of Fame Debate: Calvin “Megatron” Johnson

Fantasy Football, Football, Media, NFL, Sports

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Calvin Johnson has been a nightmare for any one to matchup against during his career. His speed, athleticism, wingspan, hands, and agility separated him from the rest. Being a Chicago Bears fan, I’ve experienced my fair share of “Megatron Moments”. The most memorable to me was the touchdown that was a catch but wasn’t a catch (WATCH IT HERE).

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I’ve seen him out run my favorite team’s secondary for a few scores, catch a touchdown over 3 St Louis Rams defenders, and catch a Hail Mary over 4 Cincinnati Bengals defenders. After striking out with first rounds wide receiver disasters (Roy Williams and Charles Rogers), the Detroit Lions found their first real franchise player since Barry Sanders. Megatron has put up monstrous numbers while wearing number 81.

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Johnson has been the only source of offense until the past 2 seasons. If Megatron had any weaknesses it would be the inability to stay on the field. He always had lingering lower body problems including ankle and knee injuries. Fantasy football wise, he was a nightmare for anyone to face as well. He once gave me 50 points in a ppr league.

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Personally, he should be a first ballot hall of famer. I think he’s a top 10 wide receiver. I have Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Michael Irvin, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, Tim Brown and Larry Fitzgerald ahead of Johnson.

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However, we’ve have never seen a player of his skill set before. I hope you didn’t take what we have seen for granted. Even though the Autobots have finally won, we’ll always remember what Calvin Johnson has done over the past 9 years. Where do you have him ranked all time?

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JGOOD