A True Sportsman

In my 20 years of life I have been watching sports and understanding what was happening for probably 18 years of my life. I started out watching boxing matches on my fathers lap and scoring rounds with him. (probably declaring the right winner) One of my first words was touchdown. So luckily being brought up like that I was lucky enough to watch athletes like Michael Jordan, Barry Sanders, Steve Young, Brett Favre, and so many others.
But in my 20 years of life I have never watched someone play sports like this guy. Nobody plays with the same passion or dedication. Nobody strives to be great as much as this guy. This guy would be my brother Kyle Adams. As kyle started playing biddy basketball he had to wear a different shirt because the team didnt have a jersey that fit him. He started playing little league football at the same time I did. He was in kindergarten and played both flag football and tackle(which was not allowed but my dad was president). He would finish his flag football game and run over to mom put on his pads and start playing our tackle game. And I will admit he was a lot better than me. I remember one saturday before pee wee games he woke up with a fever of 102, of course mom wanted him to sit out and stay home but he would have none of it. Kyle went on to play that game and probably played one of the best pee wee games ever, this is when the dedication started. When middle school came around kyle was playing tailback and when Coach Price decided to move him to a little bit of tight end kyle went along with it. Most kids would have fought and argued or even quit but not kyle. When kyle got to high school he was once again in my shadows, he was known as cody's little brother. But not for long. Kyle's determination on the field earned himself respect. As a freshman kyle earned his varsity letter in basketball and went on to letter 4 years in basketball and track. But football is where he excelled. After I graduated kyle got a new coach and once again was forced to change positions to tight end again. And once again he didn't complain he just went to work. His junior year he led the team with recieving tds with 6 and went on to be honorable mention. His senior year he was a team voted captain and was arguably the most talented player on the team. When the team decided to be a running team kyle didn't complain to the coaches or to the team he just learned to block better. His senior year kyle went on to be named all conference, all walbash valley and got the one heart beat award. But more important than the awards and the honors is the fact that he always strived to get better. In 4 years of varsity football he never missed one workout whether it was voluntary or mandatory. Even if it created an arguement at home he still did not miss. And even beyond all of his athletic achievement he never let it get to his head. He always gave the credit to someone else. Kyle I'm proud of you, the family is proud of you, and I'm lucky to have you as my brother. No matter what comes next in life for you I know you will strive to be better. I love you bro.

This is our year!!!!

Unfortunately college basketball is over and football is over 4 months away from starting. But opening day for major league baseball was sunday night. The Chicago Cubs opened on Monday. And they opened with a bang. The Cubs opened with a 16-5 loss, but it is ok because according to Cubs fans this is their year. So here is my top ten things said by a Cubs fan prior to opening day.

1. This is our year.
2. We were so close last year, I guarantee we are better this year.
3. We added so much talent.
4. There is no way we can go 100 more years without winning.
5. Zambrano is an absolute beast (era of 54 after day one)
6. We have this kid in triple A, he is the future of baseball. (tyler colvin)
7. It is a down year in the rest of the league, there is no way we can lose.
8. It is that dang Goats fault.
9. At least we are not the pirates.
10. We would already have a world series if Steve Bartman had not caught that ball.

So there it is the top 10... Hey its ok, there is always next year. ;)

march MADness!!!!

I think most people would agree that the first two rounds of this years NCAA tournament has been the most surprising in a long time. Who would have that that the Gaels of Saint Marys or the Braniacs of Cornell ( not really their mascot) would be in the sweet sixteen. And nobody would have thought that the number one overall seed of kansas would have been beat by the likes of Ali Farokhmanesh (say that 10 times fast) and Northern Iowa.

This is why it is called march madness, because people are mad. Because of these three teams peoples brackets are completely done. I'm guessing that most of the country selected kansas to win the national title. Sorry to those of you who did.

But it's ok because people love the underdogs, they want the cinderella continue to play till the clock strikes midnight. America loves to see all these upsets, right?.... WRONG!

Yes, if you ask people if they love the upset and the underdog they will say yes but ratings say otherwise. People may love the upset but they certainly dont watch them. Second round tv ratings dropped from the first round... Why you ask??? Well look at it this way... how many people do think were waiting for the clock to strike 9 so they could watch ohio play tennessee. Exactly none.... Other than the students at Northern Iowa nobody cares to see them play Mich St. in the sweet sixteen. People want to see the best against the best. And on top of that a lot of these cinderellas aren;t really cinderellas... Cornell was snubbed in seeding, they are easily a 9 or 10 seed and UNI prob should have been a 7 after winning 30 games. But because they were seeded where they were they messed up a lot of brackets and a lot of people are upset about it (president obama selected kansas to win it all).

Now while most people are upset about their brackets, I am pretty excited. I selected cornell to make it to the sweet sixteen and did not have kansas in the final four... im not trying to brag but I'm doing pretty well. So I'm pretty much enjoying watching the cinderellas because its not affecting my bracket at all. And just so everyone knows I picked Ohio St., Syracuse, Kentucky, and Duke for my final four. Syracuse and Kentucky in my chamionship with Syracuse winning it all (which I picked at the beginning of the year). So when I'm right at the end of the tournament you can all pat me on the back.... ;)

Girl Scouts VS. Cheerleaders

Nobody pushed the advancement of the sport of football more thank President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During WWII President Franklin encouraged men to play the sport of football in hopes of it making men more masculine and more eager to fight in the war.

I think it is time for something like this to happen again.

Football has slowly started to turn in to a 2 hand touch game. So many rule changes have happend in the game that it has taken away from aggresiveness of the game. People watch the sport for the big hits.

In the 70's players like jack tatum and deacon jones roamed the field looking for an opportunity to take someones head off. It was a time when people were allowed to lead with their head and they were allowed to hit people low. It was a time when the sport of football was played the way it was suppose to be. Now, we are forced to watch a sport where you can get flagged for hitting someone to hard... REALLY? HITTING SOMEONE TO HARD!!! And they mask it by calling it unneccisary roughness.... the sport is a rough sport... you are suppose to hit people hard.

So due to that fact that the defense is not allowed to hit hard, the scoring in football has gone up. Running backs are not affraid to run outside. Recievers are not affraid to run a route across the middle. Instead of games ending in a 7 to 10 score, games now end 35 to 42. I'll admit I love to see 80 yard bombs to the endzone for a touchdown but the reason I loved it was so that I could see players celebrate. So what does the league do? They make celebrating illegal too.. at this point I'm starting to think the league wants me to suffer. I loved the celebrations like the Atlanta Falcons Dirty bird dance, or Terrell Owens pulling out a sharpie to autograph the ball after he scores. I even liked seeing Chad Ochocinco use an endzone marker as a putter and putting the football like it was golf... it got to a point where I was so excited to see touchdowns because I wanted to see what celebration they could come up with. So basically, if for some crazy reason the comissioner of the nfl roger goodell were to read this I'm asking you please make the league the way it use to be when men got knocked out cold and the defense dance around the player laying on the ground. Thanks.

The never ending story....

Unfortunately the month of April is approaching which means that Baseball is beginning. And for me this is very sad. See to me baseball is a lot like the never ending story. Baseball will start in april and it wont be over until October. Why? Why does baseball have to be played 8 out of the 12 months. Why do they have to play 14 billion games in a year( its really only 162 but close enough). Now don't get me wrong, I love all sports. But at times I disagree with sports. This is where football has it all figured out. Once you reach the playoffs you get one shot to win and this adds something to every game. Not in baseball though, in baseball you get 7 games to prove you should move on. And the thing that bothers me most of all is that it is the only sport that supports mediocrity. I had never really thought about it until I was watching the movie Martian Child. In the movie the main character is teaching his adopted son how to play baseball and he says the line, "if you hit 3 out of every 10 balls you are a star, but if you do just a little bit better than that just a little bit... than you are a superstar." REALLY????? Why in the world would that make you a superstar and why should you get a million dollars to do so. If you are good 30% of the time you are great. REALLY? I wish it was that way in school. If I got a 30% on a test I would be on the verge of failing a class. But not in baseball. I understand that to many people baseball is still americas sport but I would much rather watch a sport where being mediocre is not the goal.

THE DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard to believe but it's that time of year again. It's that time where the experts begin to make their predictions of who is going to draft who, and I figured I could do the same. I'm going to release my first mock draft and then in a week or so I'll do it again and so on till the draft. So here it goes.

1. Rams- Sam Bradford-QB

The rams could go multiple ways here. Suh and mccoy are obviously the most talented players in the draft but i dont think the rams can afford to pass up a franchise quarterback.

2. Lions- Ndamukong Suh -DT

The lions would be beyond thrilled to have a player like Suh fall too them. Suh is by far the best player on the board and probably the most nfl ready.

3. Buccaneers- Eric Berry-S

The Bucs will definitely be tempted by Mccoy still being on the board. However this draft is so DT heavy that it would be hard to pass up a player like berry, especially when you need the DB help.

4. Redskins- Jimmy Clausen-QB

I know they signed jason campbell back and I know that shannahan says he like campbell but I still don't believe him. The drop off from Bradford to Clausen is not very far so I think it would be a logical choice to take him here.

5. Cheifs- Russel Okung- OT

With such a deep class of OT I really don't know who will be the first to go but I think Okung is the most ready to step right in and play. The Cheifs will be thrilled that they can pick Okung here.

6. Seahawks-Anthony Davis-OT

Luckily for Pete Carroll he has the luxury of taking an OT here because he has another 1st round pick. He goes OT here in hopes that C.J. Spiller is still there at 14.

7. Browns- Joe Haden-CB

In all honesty the browns need so much that I am spit balling on what they might do. Spiller had such a great combine that he might jump clear in to the top ten and the browns could definitely use him. But I think their need for defense is more important, they go with the top corner here.

8. Raiders- Brian Baluga- OT

Oh Raiders.... Who knows what Al Davis might do. He is still stuck in the 80's and believes that he can just build the fastest team and run around everyone. However, I am hoping that Davis wises up and let's some of his staff make a choice here.

9. Bills- Gerald McCoy-DT

The Bills would really like for Clausen to fall this far(which is still a possibility). But since McCoy is still here the Bills can't really pass that up.

10. Jaguars- Derrick Morgan-DE

The Jags are in sever need of a pass rush. A lot of people think they might go with Jason Pierre-Paul here but Del Rio already gambled on a pass rusher 2 years ago in Derrick Harvey.

11. Broncos- Dez Bryant-WR

This depends completely on what happens with Brandon Marshall and it seems that there are a lot of questions surrounding Bryant's maturity but you can't question his talent.

12. Dolphins- Rolando Mcclain-LB

The Dolphins get lucky with such a great prospect falling in their lap. Mcclain will fill a definite void in their defense. And you know Sparano will love him.

13. 49ers- Trent Williams-OT

The 49ers also have to 1st rounders and with the top linemen running out they won't pass up the shot at an anchor for their line.

14. Seahawks- C.J. Spiller-RB

Carroll will be more than thrilled if this scenario works out. The Seahawks are in dire need of a running game. They have been missing one since Shaun Alexander left. But don't be surprised if they go with a receiver here also.

15. Giants- Sergio Kindle-LB/DE

It turns out the Giants pass rush is not as deep as people thought. If Kindle falls this far he could be a great fit in their system.

16. Titans- Jason Pierre-Paul-DE

Who knows whether Kyle VandenBosh will stay or not but either way Pierre-Paul is a freak of nature with huge upside. He only played one year of div 1 football and he is a first round pick, that speaks a lot of his work ethic.

17. 49ers- Earl Thomas-S

The 49ers will have to choose between a freakish Taylor Mays or Earl Thomas. I think Thomas is a better defender and a safer pick.

18. Steelers- Mike Iupati-G/OT

The Steelers somehow managed to miss the playoff last year so lucky for them they get to pick here and get great value for their money. The Steelers help an offensive line that blocks for a great offense.

19. Falcons- Kyle Wilson- CB

They would love for a pass rusher to fall to them but it doesn't look like that is happening so they will fill another need. Wilson is the second best corner on the board. He also brings something to the return game.

20. Texans- Taylor Mays-S

Mays is too good of an athlete to pass up here. With the departure of Dunta Robinson they need help in the DB spot. Plus this puts Mays back with his former teammate Brian Cushing.

21. Bengals- Germain Gresham-TE

Gresham didn't play last year because of a knee injury but if you watch his junior film you know he can play. Gresham could give Palmer a nice security blanket.

22. Patriots- Brandon Graham-LB/DE

With the release of Adalius Thomas they have a void to fill. The Pats will love to add another pass rusher to their defense. He will fit well in the 3-4.

23. Packers- Bruce Campbell-OT

The Packers had one of the worst Offensive lines last year. Campbell was such a beast at the combine that he seems like a good pick this late.

24. Eagles- Devin McCourty-CB

The Eagles would love for Mays to fall here but I don't see that happening. They definitely need help at corner and McCourty is the best corner left on the board.

25. Ravens- Golden Tate-WR

Golden Tate fits perfectly with the Ravens. With the addition of Tate it gives Flacco a deep threat finally. This makes the Ravens a very dangerous team.

26. Cardinals- Carlos Dunlap-DE

Dunlap would probably go a lot higher if it were not for his immaturity. But for the Cardinals this is a great pick. Just watching the guy on film you can see the talent and upside he has.

27. Cowboys- Maurkice Pouncey-OT

America's team definitely has to get younger at OL. Pouncey makes the most since here. Don't be surprised if they go with a DT like Brian Price or a pass rusher like Everson Griffen.

28. Chargers- Ryan Mathews-RB

Mathews is starting to establish himself as the 2nd running back on the board. The Chargers finally decided to tender RB Darren Sproles but he still is not a feature back and Mathews can definitely take that spot.

29. Jets- Everson Griffen-DE

Rex Ryan is literally salivating at the thought of this. Vernon Gholston didn't pan out the way they thought he would leaving a huge void in the pass rush game but Griffen definitely fills that void.

30. Vikings- Jared Odrick-DT

The Vikings are in great shape because they don't really need a whole lot. They could use a corner but there really is nobody on the board worth taking. They also need a quarterback but thats more of a second round pick, possibly Colt McCoy or Dan Lafevour. They get to take the best player on the board.

31. Colts- Brian Price-DT

The Colts don't really need anything except to make the inside of the d-line stronger and they accomplish that with this pick.

32. Saints- Jonathan Dwyer-RB

The world champions were missing one thing last year, a running game. With the addition of Dwyer they go back to the days of Ricky Williams and Deuce McCalister finally pairing that big back with Reggie Bush.

Guess who..?

Well the college football season has ended and I'm not gonna lie it makes me sad. Sad enough that I really almost cried, I now have to wait 8 months for the next season which will seem like an eternity. But as I think about how long I have to wait I start to think about the kids who have just played their last game and college football will not return in 8 months. I'm thinking of one athlete in particular... he was one of those guys who gradually grabbed your eye. He did things on the field that seemed impossible. He made defensive coordinators lose sleep the night before a game. He was one of those rare abilities that only comes every 30 or 40 years.

So as I continue about him, think to yourself and try to figure out who it is.

As soon as his 6'3 235 pound frame touched the field for the first time it was obvious he was something special, he was an instant hero to thousands, and instantly made an impact on a program that was in shambles.

In his freshman year he started to gather some hype. top plays on espn, and weekly awards. He finished that year with 3031 passing yards and 521 rushing yards. In 2007 the expectations were high for him but did he crumble? No. Instead he came out and had his best season and was possibly the best QB in the country. He threw for 3652 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1122 yards and 19 touchdowns making him 1 of 2 QB's to ever throw for 3000 and rush for 1000 in the same season. But he continued to stay humble and not let the publicity go to his head. After his junior season, which once again was just as good as the other two previous years, the question of whether or not he would go pro began to rise. But he decided the team meant to much to him and he decided to come back for his senior year and get his degree. In his final year his accomplishments grew and he broke more and more records. In his final college game ever it figured to be emotional and it was but he went out with as big a bang as when he came in. In his final game he threw for an amazing 395 yards and led his team to an amazing win...

Now I know who most of you think this is. You are all thinking, wow Cody that's pretty obvious, it's tim tebow. DUH!

Well sorry to burst your bubble but it's not. It's actually senior QB of the central michigan Chippewas, Dan Lefevour. Crazy right. Lefevour had a better season then tebow in 07 when tebow won the heisman and Levevour has the NCAA career record for total touchdowns with 154.

So as the NFL draft comes in April try to remember the name Lefevour because you will hear it called and you will hear for a long time on sundays. and then you can tell me how I was right and how smart I am.