"It's been a long time; I shouldn't have left you"

Hey what's up everybody? I'm just realizing it's the 5th week of the NFL season, and I didn't give you any predictions.

I've just been on my 313 ish….you know, the ALCS and Central Division Champs Tigers, undefeated UM Wolverines and Lions have been on my mind hard.

Anyway, here are a few thoughts that I had in the beginning of the season that I didn't get a chance to post. Remember, some of these picks/predictions look crazy, but I have to stay true to my pre-season predictions. Enjoy.

Division Champs

NFC North: AFC North:

GB Packers/Lions Steelers/Ravens

NFC East: AFC East:

Eagles Pats

NFC South: AFC South:

Saints Texans

NFC West: AFC West:

49ers Raiders

NFC Wildcards: Falcons, Packers/Lions

AFC Wildcards: San Diego, Steelers/Ravens

Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton

MVP: Mike Vick

Bold Predictions:

The Lions will win b/w 12-14 games…I had them going undefeated before Mike Leshoure and Nick Fairley were injured….Matt Stafford will pass for more than 4000 yards, 25 TD's, will make ProBowl and be an MVP candidate.

As of 10/10/11

Cam Newton is still going to be ROY, but Andy Daulton of the Bengals is having a sensational year. My bold prediction for Cam is that he will pass for 4000 yards, will have 20 td passes and 10 td's rushing.

Megatron (Calvin Johnson) will break Randy Moss' td receiving record and challenge the 30 mark.

Mike Vick is putting up great numbers, but the "DreamTeam" is off to a "Nightmare on Elm Street" start. Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Matt Stafford (in that order) are now MVP frontrunners.

I had the Texans winning the division even before I knew Peyton was done for the year. The wheels are falling off in Indy.

I had the Falcons as my wild card team, but an opening day loss to the Bears may mess that up. Could it be the NFC North will send 3 teams to the Playoffs?

My Raiders/Chargers prediction may flip flop, so who will give way to the Buffalo Bills? They look playoff bound. Hell, they may legitimately contend for the AFC East.

I'll be back to revisit this debate in a few months. "The Mighty Dice-A-Damus"

2/1 (World Series Predictions)

StoryLines I'm Seeing: Tigers/Cards 06 World Series rematch….Cards looking are hot and looking like team of destiny (Braves Collapse, beating Phils). Tigers still have Verlander, Valverde and Cabrera. Im going with Tigers in that vision.

StoryLine #2: Tigers/Brewers: Tale of the Prodigal Son. Detroits former hero, Cecil Fielder, has a son (Prince) to return to the city where he hit rooftop homers as a 12 year old in old Tigers Stadium.

Prince and Cecil have a Floyd Mayweather Jr/Sr relationship, and I can see Prince being motivated to make it personal and beat his dad's old squad. That type of pressure is too emotional. Tigers in that vision also.

So basically ladies and gents, the Tigers will win the 2011 World Series.

Talk to the Fist(er)

July 7, 2011. That date was this year's MLB trading deadline. At the time, three teams were embroiled in a tight race for the AL's Central division title.

My hometeam, the Detroit Tigers were allegedly in talks with acquiring Rockies ace and 2010 stud, Ubaldo Jimenez, and I crossed my fingers we could pull it off.

Fate had the upstart Cleveland Indians landing him and I could already see the storyline of how the Tigers could've gotten the complimentary ace to Verlander that could eventually put us over the top.

Instead of Jimenez, the Tigers quietly and humbly took in a relatively unknown pitcher from the lowly and cellar dwelling Seattle Mariners named Doug Fister.

At first glance, Fister's name/stats/reputation is unassuming and to me the whole move was a kin to Danny Glover receiving Celie instead of Celie's sister in "The Color Purple."

Well we all know how well Celie turned out, and Fister had a Celie-esque type year for the Tigers.

His 3-12 record was the equivalent of Celie not being able to read but since his Tiger acquirement, Fister has read opposing batters very well, posting a resurrecting 8-1 record in Detroit to improve to 11-13.

What seemed as just a novelty and vain move to pacify Tigers fans (i.e. management making an effort) has materialized into the trade deadline move of the year.

I've seen the tall (6'8") pitcher's stats improve as the proof is in the boxscore pudding. He's consistently put up high strikeout to walk numbers, and if you get 4-6 hits off of him, you had a good day. His m.o. coming to Detroit wasn't that of a power pitcher, but he's rallied several 7, or 8 punchout games.

Fister and the Tigers overall have a tough test against the Yankees. Everybody who knows me knows I love the Tigers and Yankees, and the Yanks lineup is nothing to sneeze at.

Yet I still have faith in the Tigers with that said, and Doug Fister will be a big part of that. He's a legitimate #1 starter in a #2 role. At the end of this series however, Detroit will be in on the winning podium like the '68 Olympics throwing up their Fists, Tiger style, no panther.

What does MVP mean? (Mostly Verlander, Player)

Detroit fans, is this a dream? Are we in heaven? Can you remember the last time you woke up on a Monday feeling good because both the Wolverines and Lions won, let alone undefeated?

Right now it's cool to be from the Motor City. You know it's good times in "The D" when the Tigers are somewhat on the back-burner, and they're fresh off their first division title since 1987.

And speaking of the Tigers, at this point, the most obvious prediction and worst kept secret in Major League Baseball is that Tigers starting ace Justin Verlander will win the 2011 AL Cy Young Award. But my question is, does he belong to be MVP?

To respond to this question objectively, this is where I'll remove my Detroit based/biased lens (wood-grained Cartiers, of course) and examine the facts carefully, which should effectively render a fair and honest answer.

THE FACTS:

-Verlander is 14-0 this year following a Tigers loss. (Loss prevention).

-Verlander has won 12 games in a row, longest streak in club history since 1946; longest AL streak since 2004

-24 wins are the most in MLB since '02, a 25th win would equal most wins since 1990 (Bob Welch was 27-6)

-Has the "Triple Crown" in MLB (Wins title/Strike out title/E.R.A title)

-Threw his second career no-hitter

THE COMPETITION

I'm hearing the argument that Verlander doesn't belong to win the MVP this year because he doesn't play everyday.

That maybe true, but Verlander has the "it" factor and has been the most DOMINANT player by far this year, position players included. Look across the board this year of his MVP competition and analyze or compare the stats.

As we enter a pitcher-friendly stage in baseball, in an alleged "steroid free" era, Verlander's stats are equivalent to a 70 home-run season for a positional player. Contrastly, the everyday player's stats are borderline vanilla.

I give credit to Joey Bautista. He's proving that his breakout season last year wasn't a one hit wonder, but when the current HR leader faced Justin Verlander on my mom's birthday, April 22, he was a part of a no-hitter. So how can Bautista be awarded the MVP when he can't get one hit off of my candidate?

Adrian Gonzales is simmering down and his power number aren't there, Jacoby Ellsbury is having a breakout season but shouldn't be awarded the MVP for having an improved year, and the same thing can be said for former Tiger Curtis Granderson.

If anything I believe Miguel Cabrera should be garnering more consideration. He's two points away from winning the AL batting title, he always hits for power, and he's on a team that won it's division before any team in baseball with the biggest lead. But I digress on Miggy, this is for Verlander.

The last pitcher to win MVP in the AL was Dennis Eckersley, a relief pitcher, in 1992. The last pitcher to win the Cy Young Award was Eric Gagne in 2002. With that logic, I say award Justin Verlander the MVP and give Jose Valverde the Cy Young (leads the league in saves with 46, with 0 blown). But then again, my Cartiers were on for that vision.

Get off the Rod, Man! (Who's Dennis is he?)

When the tears ran rampantly down the cheeks of Dennis Rodman during his Hall of Fame Speech last weekend, the Detroit/Chicago side in me figuratively produced enough water to fill up both Lakes, Erie and Michigan.

I was torn and at a crossroads! The situation was inevitable yet I hadn't come to grips with the decision. The Hall of Fame caught me off guard. Which city should I pledge my allegiance, highlights and identity for Dennis Rodman? Detroit or Chicago? I'm one of the few people in the world who can say he lived in Detroit and Chicago during the years Rodman played for those teams. Rats!!!! Or in this case, Worms!!!!!!!!

It seems like it was yesterday I was on Steel and Puritan on a cold December night, watching channel 50 and hearing the voice of the Pistons George Blaha, commenstrate: "Worm cleans the glass and dishes off to the Captain (Isiah Thomas).

Make no mistake Dennis Rodman, the NBA player, was born in Detroit, MI on October 31, 1986. He was raised by his father Chuck Daly, and groomed by his brothers Zeke, Joe, Spider, Buddha, Microwave, Lamb, and Dantley. Collectively they became the "Bad Boys."

We know the history and feats that notorious unit contributed to the NBA: designing a defensive blue-print that serves as precedence for winning teams to this day, implementing the "Jordan Rules", and representing the only team in the play-offs that ever gave Michael Jordan problems.

After the "Bad Boy" era surpassed it's prime and ultimately concluded it's run, it was off to San Antonio. This marked a pivotal point in the Worm's career. SA is where Dennis began to develop, well enhance, his off the court persona.

Donning a new blonde salad, it was clear this was a different Rodman. It was as if Dennis left "home" (Detroit) for the first time and begin to explore and experiment with different things in "college" (San Antonio).

Like most people, you know when your welcome is over, and so did Dennis. His antics proved to be too much for San Antonio, so the Spurs shipped him to Chicago in 1995, and the rest is history.

With a brand new number that would make a defensive lineman proud and the same production on the court, the Bulls went on to win 3 straight titles from '96-'98. For what they each brought to the table, Jordan/Pippen/Rodman may have been the greatest trio to ever play. Initially, when they assembled, I was taken aback.

How dare Dennis sign with the Bulls? I'm a man that needs to have a strong, contextual analogy, and to me, Rodman going to the Bulls was a NY born Tupac leaving jail screaming "WestSide!" or a brother switching sides during the Civil War to fight his own brother.

Thankfully the Worm brought it all together during his induction and made it make sense. Clad in a tux jacket that had both Pistons and Bulls colors, as well as the numbers he wore fore each respective team, Dennis diffused any and all confusion.

Standing on the stage cracking jokes with Scottie Pippen, a man he once slammed to the floor and constantly abused, I was reminded that it usually takes a traumatic experience or adversity until we really know someone and gain respect for them.

After years of battling, I'm sure there is an implicit, mutual understanding and respect Chicago and Detroit has for one another. And when it comes to Dennis, I'll just treat him like a step-child.

When he's in Detroit, he is ours. When he's in Chicago with his step-family, he's one of theirs, or vice-versa depending on your perspective. In any case, when he played in those cities, he represented the characteristics of those cities to the fullest!

*Quick "Worm" Stats

*Dennis averaged a "double-double" his first four years in the league, including 16.0 ppg and 12.0 reb in 1987-88.

Miami Vices (Shapiro Scandal)

At this point in NCAA Athletics, any news of illegal activity or monetary scandal is a bit desensitizing.

It's like hearing a new name pop up in MLB with connections to steroids. We all know it's going on.

Aren't we all numb from the allegations, investigations, indictments, and convictions from the Fab Five's, UNLVs, USC's, and Miami's of yesteryear?

Well the Miami's of today is the current headliner in sports controversy. Recently, convicted felon and super-booster Nevin Shapiro dropped an atomic bomb worth of accusations on the University's football program that he insists will lead to an inevitable "Death Penalty."

And according to what's being reported, Shapiro's claims of excessive cash and gift giving to players appear to be totally plausible.

The whole operation has been described as "the passing of the baton from Uncle Luke" regarding rapper Luke and his transgressions from the early 80's.

This is where I have a problem with the story. Luke illegally rewarded players with money, but it came from a space of love and support. Luke, for most accounts, genuinely cared for the kids because a lot of them emerged from the same dire background in which he did.

Shapiro on the other hand is an outsider "wannabe" who wanted to buy his props instead of earning it.

He was that guy who wanted to be included in the cool guy circle and be a "Big Man On Campus." Once he accrued enough money through his ponzy schemes, he did just that.

But now that he's doing 20 years in prison for a crime that's unrelated to the University of Miami, he wants to get his Magic Johnson on and drop dimes?

I guess there isn't honor amongst thieves. A lot of people want to point fingers and blame each other, but the bottom line, the system is flawed. What's happening in Miami is an isolated story that is being perpetuated across the country, just maybe not to the same debaucherous and disregarding degree.

Until as a whole figure out a way to pay these athletes and monitor the money exchange themselves, big time NCAA sports programs will continue to be a sunny place for shady boosters and agents.

Who U Calling A B@#$%? (Prt 2)

Just to follow up on the previous blog, I wasn't advocating for the liberty to use the word "Bitch."

If you parallel the ascension/status of the "n" word to that of the "b" word, then you can observe similar symptoms.

When the white boys listened to hip hop (80% of retail rap consumers), they were conditioned and became numb to the word in regards to engaging that word with black people and it's application.

So when I say '...I want to be allotted the freedom to do so if that's what it is in 2011!" , I'm foreshadowing the next progression of mentality for male's if not echoing their current sentiment. I'm sure that was the mentality for non-blacks after years of hearing the "n-word" (If they say it, call themselves that, why can't I?")

Also, My main point was NOT to focus on deterring from women degradation. That's implicit.

I'm focusing on the usage of that word being shared between women, women claiming that word as a source of empowerment/identification, and the acceptance of that whole phenomenon.

I contest that at this rate, the application of the word "bitch" will be on par to that of the word "nigger."

Some people may say that it's already on par, but I don't think government officials, corporate America workers and preachers are calling their colleagues "bitch" behind closed doors.

But keep it real, how many government officials, corporate America workers and preaches call their colleagues "nigga" behind closed doors? A lot would be an understatement.

I'll put it in another perspective. If a black guy came to a group of black females and one of the females said a funny joke, it wouldn't be out of bounds for the guy to tell the females: "Ya'll niggas are crazy."

Now take that same scenario and change the words of the guy's reply to the joke. In a pleasant and non-threatening tone, if he would've said "Ya'll bitches are crazy", it would've been received in a negative way.

My friend asked me earlier why I don't devote as much energy into the "n" word as I do the "b" word. That's because, at this point, the "n" word is in it's terminal stages of cancer. It's a wrap for the "n" word. We can only hope that a non-black doesn't step out of bounds and says "nigga" in your presence,regardless any connotation, and in that same breathe that non-black should implicitly know the punitive ramifications of making that mistake.

There's still a chance we can prevent this "bitch" phenomenon from entering said "terminal" stages of the word 'nigga.' I believe the situation is only benign, but we've got to stop the "bitch on bitch crime." (Said in a provocative, harmless, bust your balls, ironic, intended to be sarcastic tone)

I have a little princess of a niece. I cringe to think of a world where females feel empowered by claiming to be anything bitch.

The same friend I mentioned previously told me the only way or only answer to this crisis is in the word, so with that said I'll leave you with "The Wife of Noble Character" (Proverbs 31:26):

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

I Wonder Why They Call You…..

Bitch. In 2011, the usage and semantics of the historically insulting word, "bitch" has morphed into a new stratosphere and overall connotation.

Of course we're well beyond using it to refer to a female dog. In my era and time coming up, it was reserved for rancid, vile, nefarious, unpleasant attitude having women.

Nowadays, it seems to be un par with the other taboo and hot-button word, "nigger." Only trickier.

Don't judge me, but I recently saw a Season 3 re-union special for VH1's "Basketball Wives", and in a scene Tami Roman proudly claimed to be a "real bitch." I mean she really sold it and owned it.

Now I'm NOT foolish enough to believe that a show ironically called "Basketball Wives" (a show that entails a 2% cast of wives; and these grown women,for the most part,are acting a hot,childish,ignorant mess) is hardly the template for how mature women should conduct themselves. But the truth of the matter is, it's highly viewed and sub/consciously affects a lot of people.

So that train of thought had me thinking about other media/entertainment references where the word "bitch" was condoned.

I'm knocking KanJay's album "Watch The Throne", and I'm noticing how Jay-Z continues to reference his wife, Beyonce, on his hip-hop records.

There's a song on the album entitled 'That's my Bitch', and on 'Niggas In Paris', Jay says "I got that hot bitch in my home…" And of course, there's the classic "Me and my beautiful bitch, in the back of the back" on 'Brush Your Shoulders.'

By no means am I trying to attack Jay, as the aforementioned rhymes were for the most part received in good will. I'm just tripping and confused with the appropriation of the word.

Where's my "wigger" at or 'white-person using the "n-word" apologist' at to deconstruct bitch for me like they do 'nigger.'

My internal ethics, principals and upbringing will prevent me from ever being comfortable to call a young lady "bitch" off GP, but dammit I want to be allotted the freedom to do so if that's what it is in 2011!

It appears when black people call each other "nigger", it's a term of endearment or a way of combatting centuries of oppression and hate bottled in that word (the black people in the know, not the one's who use it absent-mindedly).

When women call each other "bitch", it seems like their using it as an "empowering" word. But how can you be 'empowered' using that word?

Ladies, will it ever get to the point where you feel comfortable if your man, friend that's a male, male family member, or a guy period ever says any of the following in the UPMOST, pleasant and endearing scenarios?

"Hey fellas, I want you to meet my bitch so and so…."

"You know you my favorite bitch, but I'll call you later b/c the game is on."

"You're the baddest bitch I ever had."

"I love my bitch."

"Dang bitch, it's 4am, could you turn the music down?"

If the answer is no, you may want to reassess your complicity of the perpetuation of the word Bitch. Be a smart B.I., truly yours, D.I.

*Ladies, don't get it twisted. The more you publicly address yourselves in such a manner, you're going to find yourself being called that, a la the "n-word." Do you really think only black people are calling each other 'nigga' ? So I don't want to hear all that "we just say it to each other."

DETROIT SPORTS OF MIND

It may sound like I'm the guy who gets the downloaded message tardily in those phone commercials currently airing on television, but I need to vent about what has recently transpired in the sports world of Detroit.

PISTONS

First of all, who is Lawrence Frank? Oh yes, he's the guy that was last seen leading, or misleading New Jersey to an 0-16 record before the Nets inevitably fired him.

I don't know what kind of "brotherly rivalry" that was forged between the players of the 'Bad Boys' era, but clearly Joe Dumars is set and content with one-upping or competing with his former teammates, because there is NO reason Isiah Thomas or Bill Laimbeer shouldn't be coaching the home town!

A marriage between the lowly, cellar dwelling Pistons, and one of their heroes of yesteryear as their coach is just the thing that would breathe life and revive the city as a whole with anticipation and optimism.

LIONS

Unfortunately, the injuries sustained to top draft rookies Nick Fairley (DT) and Mikel Leshoure don't come as a surprise.

Not to say the Lions organization is "snake-bitten", but when it comes to bad breaks for the Lions, I've become numb to bad news.

We all know the chronic issues of injury concerning Matt Stafford, now Fairley has broken his foot and Leshoure tore his ACL.

Fairley should be back before the season starts, but the most devastating blow will be losing Leshoure for the season. The big, bruising back was just the dynamic the Lions offense needed to move the chains, and get those tough yards in the trenches and between the tackles.

Not to discount the contributions of second year back Jahvid Best, but in today's NFL you definitely need a 1-2 punch at the RB position. Out of those two backs, you need to have that one back who's willing to carry the majority of the rushing load. Best is best-suited as a 'specialist', a la "Reggie Bush."

TIGERS

It appears the one consistent bright spot in the Detroit sports scene is illuminating from the Tigers.

But before you drink the Kool-Aid or buy the car, buyer beware!

Ever since Detroit has been under the watch of veteran and league respected skipper Jim Leyland, the Tigers have shown hints of imploding and melting down.

I won't even mention the loss in the 2006 World Series, but in that same year we squandered the Central Division title to the Minnesota Twins on the last day, and in 2009 Detroit relinquished a 10 game lead in the last month of the season, and lost to the same Minnesota Twins team in a one game playoff that decided who would win the division.

Yes that's all in the past and the team that is presently constituted is that much experienced, better, and hopefully wiser, BUT. There's always a "but" with the Tigers, just because.

Justin Verlander should be the Cy Young Award Winner and Miguel Cabrera is a perennial MVP candidate, and yet I'm still nervous. I predict a Tigers/Braves or Tigers/Phillies World Series right now, but in the meantime, I won't hold my breathe.

Politics As Usual?

President O'bama turns the big 5-0 today and as he changes age in the 2011 calendar, the change we've been waiting for and were promised has yet to come.

"Yes we can" and "Change" were the popular mantras that the O'bama administration adopted in 2008 that implicitly suggested imminent radical change in the government, economy and society contingent on election (at least I thought).

But in 2011 "Yes We Can" and "Change" simply means this: Yes We Did change history by electing a black president.

The great political commentator and HBO show host Bill Maher recently said on MSNBC: "Wouldn't it be a shame if four years of democratic rule came to an end, without ever trying democratic policies?"

If the majority of bills are under a Republican policy, including the Stimulus, does this imply that President O'bama is NOT manifesting radical change? If there is NO tangible evidence of significant Democratic policies implemented, then yes, it's fair to draw that conclusion.

Yes, it was radical milestone that a black man was elected as President, and it was radical that he captured Bin Laden, but the radical change this country needs the most concerns the economy.

Right now there is dissension within the Republican Party, with the "Neo-Republicans" in agreement with the Democrats that it was the old school Republicans that got us in this mess (recession) in the first place.

But while they don't have a clear-cut leader, they are buying time and gaining momentum for 2012 with the ever passive and "not wanting to step on toes" O'bama.

My point is this O'bama(if he were reading this): if you're going to go out, go out with your guns blazing! Don't be mad to channel your inner "mad black man" side because that's so taboo; it may be what the country needs and what may ironically win your next election.

Unconditional and staunch Afro-Am advocates of O'bama say "He's not the President of us (blacks), he's the President of America. We can't expect him to act a certain way (i.e. 'Angry Black Man').

All I know is, I'd rather have millions of people that have a job as a result of an "Angry Black Man" President opposed to a "hunky dory" pacifying President with millions of jobless Americans! (*insert applause or '2 snaps in the air in a "Z" formation').

You don't have to pass bills during a cook out while you're barbeque'ing on the front porch to prove any points, just do what you know it's right, no matter who it offends or rubs the wrong way.

Not So Average White Band

Ever since Jimmer Fredette hopped on the scene and captured the attention of hoop fans and took the sports world by storm, I've smelled an underbelly of "great white hype" wishful thinking in the bellies of the white hype (media).

The media/white sports nation have been craving for a dominant, superstar NBA player to represent them since the day Larry "Legend" Bird unlaced his all-black hi-top Con's (Converse).

Some found solace in Dirk Nowitzki raising the Larry O'Brien trophy (NBA title) over the much hated and vaunted Miami Heat, but purists were quick to point out Dirk isn't an American bred, white native.

I even hear my Sports Writing/analyst/commentator hero Skip Bayless lament to his black counterparts on ESPNs "1st and 10" about the absence of a white protagonist NBA player.

Maybe that's why America (the media at least) likes to latch onto stories like the USA Men and Women's soccer teams. We all know soccer isn't too popular in this country, but let a team competing in some world championship/Olympic format composed of a vast majority white team, then they're the greatest thing since slice bread!

Well, that's where I come in, to keep things REALISTIC (no 'prisoner of the moment views', one way or the other). There may not be that one guy in the NBA, but Americans don't need to wait every 4 years for a glimpse of promising sports talents that are Caucasians.

I've concocted a list of 20 Caucasian athletes/sports-figures in the sports-world that are widely respected/PRAISED across the board in all circles, genders and races. Here's my Average White Band. Pick up the pieces!

20 Ryan Mallet: NFL rookie, qb, nice cocky swag and confidence.

19 Tony Stewart: you don't have to be a NASCAR fan to respect his gritty/confrontational/physical style

18 Phillip Rivers: exceptional, talented qb that trash talks with the best of them. He gets creative points for refraining from vulgar language.

17 Jon Gruden: even though I felt like he got credit and took a ring off of Dungy's finger, you've got to love his intensity, as evidenced on MNF and "Gruden's Camp."

16 Matt Ryan: A natural leader who came in Day 1 of his rookie year and commanded the respect from not only his locker room, but the city of Atlanta in supplanting Mike Vick and the whole controversy.

15 Brian Wilson: he reminds of a white Deion Sanders the way he promotes himself and profits off of his alter-ego. He has swag, his mo-hawk has swag, and most importantly, his beard has swag!

14bJimmer Fredette: Dude has the name, All-American image, and illy game. People doubt that will translate in the league, but I have confidence in him. The dude practiced dribbling in dark hallways and he plays pickup ball with prisoners. Lifers. Fleece Johnson and the Booty Warriors! lol j/p ("I like ya...and I woantcha...the chauce is yurrss")

14a Dale Earnhardt Jr: The son of a legend who allowed us in his personal world of turmoil when his father died. More than anything, Jr Keeps it Real no matter what. His Step-mom, his business plans, his race team, it doesn't matter. Jr doesn't filter himself and keeps it 100. Gotta love him!

13 Tony Kornheiser: The Ying to Mike Wilbon's Yang, Kornheiser complements Wilbon perfectly (and vice versa) like the Odd Couple in their hit show and my 2nd favorite ESPN show, "Pardon The Interruption." Also, he's an English major and the vocab in his lexicon is exceptional, especially for a sports show.

12 Brian Cushing: former rookie of the year in the NFL is a beast on the field and talks mega junk like a "brother."

11 Tim Tebow: for Christianity reasons and morals, juxtaposed with the leadership intangibles and incredible work ethic, probably "my favorite white boy right now." *50 Cent Voice.

10 Big Ben Roethlisberger: Despite being thrown under the bus recently by his teammate James Harrison and his off-field "transgressions", what's undeniable about Big Ben is that he's a champion, leader of men and possesses the "it" factor. Also, the perennial "team/we" guy.

9 Jeff Van Gundy: the former "BeetleJuice" of NBA coaches has transitioned / parlay'd his witty East Coast sense of humor and mixed it with candid, refreshing insight and opinion. "Vannnn Gundy!" *Wild West Cowboy Voice.

8 Josh Hamilton: tatted up. used to be in the drug game. banned from the league. Now is a multiple All-Star and MVP. If anybody can relate/appreciate a 2nd (and 3rd, 4th) chance, it's black people. I hope he does well psychologically following the fan death incident and doesn't shoulder too much of the blame.

7 Jerry Jones: hasn't won a SuperBowl in a minute, but is definitely the late great Boss Steinbrenner of the NFL (respect to Al Davis, he's just in the land of la-la now). Can anyone say Cowboy swag with a billion dollar stadium?

6 Mark Cuban: the Jerry Jones of the NBA. Has been on Entourage, talks ish, kicks it at the club with rappers/athletes, and he's a Champion! Bud Selig better wisen up and invite him to the baseball owner's party.

5 Clay Matthews: He looks like the Conan the Barbarian of the NFL, but don't let the gold locks fool you. Has had 10+ sacks every year he's been in the league, is a great sound-bite, interviewer, has fun playing and talks big junk! After sacking Mike Vick and laying on top of him, Matthews was heard saying "Mike Vick, what's up Baby?" That was a great moment in showing his admiration for Vick and letting him know, 'I'm a fast, fierce dude...I'm with ya!'

4 Aaron Rodgers: on my Jerry Maguire ish, he had me ever since he handled the Favre situation in such a classy manner. The production on the field put him as a top tier qb, his swag got him on my list. *insert "People's Champ" belt.

3 Peyton/Brady: Peyton has always done things by the book and is the prototypical pocket/thinking passer. Even in a crass world like this, that has to be rewarded. Brady is a wild, crazy boy (think headbutting Bledsoe in the hallway b4 the Superbowl vs the Rams), who's chip on his shoulder (6th round pick, 199 overall) has led him to greatness. Vintage "UnderDog" tale.

2 Rex Ryan: the Frank Sinatra of the NYC sportsworld right now, Ryan can do no wrong. His brazen swag and confidence has made him an honorary New Yorker.

1 Skip Bayless: Love him or hate him, he's at the epicenter of all sportsworld. He's like the gatekeeper, all sports opinion/subject matter must go through him to be dubbed as newsworthy and important; and anybody who's anybody follows him via twitter or his show (and my favorite) "1st and 10" including Lebron "Prince" James, Terrell "Team Obliterator" Owens and Chad "OchoStinko" Johnson. You may not always agree with the man, but you have to respect that he's giving you his candid opinion based on his consistent reasons/standards, and he then explains the method to his madness.

*Michael Phelps, Bryce Harper, Phil Jackson, Bret Favre, Phil Mickelson, Brian Urlacher and Tim Lincecum, John Mc Enroe, Shawn White, Justin Verlander, and Rob Drydek are definitely in the top 50 and probably the most glaring omissions.

Top 10 Reasons We Need Football Now:

10 No rex ryan quotes

9 No SuberBowl commercials

8 Thanksgiving won't be the same

7 It's an American Tradition

6 Cam Newton anticipation

5 The fall/winter will be lame without the NFL and the NBA!

4 The summer is lame with no Training Camp to supplement baseball.

3 Lions were going deep in the playoffs this year

2 Avoiding an "increase in crime"---Ray Lewis

1 FANTASY FOOTBALL: self-explanatory.

ON ONE

Once again James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers has managed to find himself in hot water.

In a recent interview with "Men's Journal", the Pro Bowl linebacker went "Andre the Giant" on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and even got at his own teammates Rashard Mendenhall and Ben Roethlisberger.

Regarding Goodell, Harrison said he was: "stupid…a puppet…a dictator…If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn't do it. I hate him and will never respect him." He undoubtedly will catch the most heat for using anti-gay slurs in his rant against Goodell.

Describing those comments as inflammatory would be an understatement but Harrison and Goodell have had a long-standing feud. Harrison has consistently been at the top of the leagues most fined players and believes the commissioner has personally targeted him.

I'm keenly aware that violence in football is a key to it's popularity but like Goodell I've even questioned myself internally if some of Harrison's hits crossed the line. But that's the tricky part.

In my estimation, the hits Harrison were fined for don't cross the line into a space of dirtiness or that which could be considered a "cheapshot." It's just that in real time and in game speed, the ferocity of said hits can be deemed as: excessive, exaggerated or unnecessary.

Harrison does make an undeniable point of inconsistencies from the league's office that would lead one to wonder if race plays a role in the way issues are handled, primarily fining players for illegal hits.

"I slammed Vince Young on his head and paid five grand, but just touched Drew Brees and that was 20," Harrison said in the interview. "You think black players don't see this s--- and lose all respect for Goodell?"

It's hard to place James Harrison in one lane. His actions, like snubbing to see President Obama when the Steelers visited the White House, or his constant battle with Commisioner Goodell can be revered as rebellious and anti-establishment or pegged as problematic with authority.

One thing is for certain in that it's going to be awkward in training camp. I'm curious as to see how he's going to integrate with his teammates once the lock-out is over.

"Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again," Harrison said of Roethlisberger. "Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain't that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does."

I couldn't disagree more with his sentiment. Ben Roethlisberger is a certified champion and leader of men on the football field. He deserves his paycheck in relation to the top-tier quarterbacks in the NFL.

But as soon as he threw the franchise qb under the buss, he proceeded to contradict himself by airing out another teammate, in calling the starting running Rashard Mendenhall "a fumble machine." So which one is it, try to wing in like Peyton or hand off to the fumbling machine?

At the end of the day, I have no problem with James Harrison. He's one tough dude I would love to have on my team, on the field or in a dark alley.

Some may say his cover spread may be controversial, but we're all aware of the second amendment and if he has a license for those bad boys, God bless him.

You just have to read in between the lines: 'You want to make me the outlaw or villain Goodell? Well here it is. You made me.' Of course that's the excuse more so for shock value than genuine rebelliousness.

Miami Hate

King's Speech

There's not much I can add that isn't already out there, but let's review the Lebron Fact File anyway:

1. Lebron clearly led Miami to the Finals with his play in the ECF versus the Bulls.

2. James eradicated any notion that he doesn’t possess the clutch gene. (Will it continue? I think so)

3. The king established himself as the #1 player in the NBA by exhibiting his clamp-down defensive prowess and confirming he may be just as dominant offensively. Ask the MVP D-Rose (This was the first time I saw anyone stop the MVP or slow him down).

HOLLYWOOD SWINGING

"The Miami Heat are a good team…they're still Hollywood as Hell." - Bulls C Joakim Noah.

Now that we've gotten that business out of the way, let's address another style trending: Miami hate bandwagoning.

Kobe is somewhere wondering when his "most hated" title get taken away from him, and it happened right when the Lakers were vacuumed by the Mavs and the Heat continued to advance.

I've seen people transition from Boston fans to Chicago fans, and from Bulls fans to Maverick fans all in the name of hating the Heat. Their bandwagon miles must be astronomical!

Surely this is all happening too fast for a lot of people (haters). The doubters from day 1 are saving face right now in fear of the imminent egg that will be dropped on their faces sometime in mid-June when Miami wins the championship.

But you knew something like this would happen. We were taught as kids "God don't like ugly," and surely the haters felt they were wrong deep inside and would have to eat their words, right?

They say the greatest fear in life is the anticipation of death. Miami winning the title surely isn't as severe, but surely the haters and doubters anticipate the inevitable Miami ring almost as badly (Dirk blah blah blah, veterans blah,blah,blah, the bench blah,blah,blah).

Have people truly considered how remarkable a story this will be when Miami wins? Not since Ray Lewis won the Super Bowl MVP a year after he caught a murder charge has a story's redemptive turnaround been so swift and speedy!

What's most telling is that the media was far more pleasant, patient, and understanding for Lewis than for Lebron, and the issue at hand for Lebron was something totally moral and legal. As sad as that may sound, Lebron is only four wins away from justifying his "Decision" in winning a championship or "Hollywood Swinging" if you prefer the Joakim Noah way of looking at it.