2012 Dry'sMan

Manti Te'O or Johnny "Football"Manziel?

Someone has to win it so I'll reluctantly select Manziel. Why? Because he's the best option in a bad situation.  The Heisman race has been dry this year.

Johnny Manziel

Manziel is poised to become the first Freshman to EVER win the Heisman and I sit back and wonder, 'Did he really blow me away?' (That's what she said).

He was great, no doubt but when I harken back to days of awesome Freshmen that have played college football yesteryear, I instantly think of a Herschel Walker or Michael Vick.

Walker ran for 1600+ yards in his rookie season in Athens while leading the Bulldogs to the 1980 National Championship while Vick led the Hokies of Va. Tech in a memorable championship game loss against FSU in the '99 season.  

Manziel upsetting an undefeated Alabama at Alabama was impressive but he's not even going to the Title game.  If you watch Manziels and Vicks highlights their freshman year respectively, you can not honestly say Manziel is on Vick's level. So if Vick didn't win it then, Manziel shouldnt win it now!

Manti Te'O

Michigan Wolverines fans, are you noticing the way the media is trying to play Charles Woodson indirectly by directly slurping up to Manti Te'O?  

The slurping usually sounds like this:  "Manti Te'O is vying to be the first player to primarily play defense and win the Heisman."

In my Ocho voice I say "Child Please." The only reason Woodson played offense occasionally was to appeal to Heisman voters and show his versatility. Nothing more, nothing less.  Charles Woodson won the '97 Heisman (over Peyton Manning) based off of his tremendous performance as a physical and game changing,shut down corner.

When Woodson played defense, he stood out (Think about the play where he blows up a screen and delivers a vicious blow to the receiver, or the leaping, one handed "Michael Jordan'esque" interception against Michigan State).  And not only did Woodson stand out, he made big time plays at big times in meaningful games. You need those signature plays I believe to stamp your Heisman campaign. Like his Wolverine Heisman brethren before him (Desmond Howard) Woodsons' signature play came against arch rival Ohio State Buckeyes. And Like Howard, that signature play was a touchdown via a punt return.

What was Te'O's signature play this year? What dramatic touchdown did he score or game winning play did he make that's burned into your memory? Nothing.  The only thing Woodson and Te'O have in common is that their teams were undefeated and on the brink of a National Title. 

Unlike Michigan, Notre Dame is NOT winning the title this year. When Michigan played Ryan Leaf and Wa State for the title, UM were heavily favored to win and were stockpiled with future NFL picks, highlighted by the aforementioned Charles Woodson.  Alabama is going to be on Notre Dames ass like moss on a Mississippi tree trunk!

If Te'O jumped off the screen to me like Woodson did, then I would go with Te'O as Heisman and ND as National Champs.  The Fighting Irish have a Hollywood scripted season and even Te'O's personal story makes you a believer.  You want to believe it but that script is too good to be true.

Te'O is a 3rd round pick to me at best, and Alabama is going to convincingly handle Notre Dame.  Upsets are possible (Mauriece Clarett BuckEyes over The "U"), but not probable.  

So again, what's the best option of a bad situation?  If you have to pick between two underwhelming players with no national championship to their credit, you have to go with the player that scores points, right?

Congratulations Johnny Manziel, you win this years award in honor of Herschel Walker and Michael Vick.  It would be cool if you acknowledged them and their Freshman seasons tonight.

Much Ado About Nothing

All of the hoopla surrounding the alleged "quarterback controversy" involving Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco is much to do about nothing if you ask me.

With that comment you may assume Im totally won over either way from Smith or Kaepernick, but the truth of the matter is Im not.

In the old school professional sports world, a starting player didn't lose his job to injury.  In the modern NFL, the climate is heated with a 'win now' attitude and I get it.  Winning and employment ($) is intertwined like the thread and needle, and that intense pressure is the common denominator that is shared amongst ownership, coaching staff and players.

But is head coach Jim Harbaugh really under that pressure to make such a rash decision?  Turning around a losing culture that has plagued the 9ers in recent years and winning Coach of the Year in his rookie year earned him some leeway, I would think.

We all know that Alex Smith mightily underachieved until Harbaugh arrived, but it's also well documented that Smith took the 9ers to the Championship game last year and if you recall, botched plays on Special Teams primarily cost them that loss.

When I think of recent qb's who usurped the starting position from injured qbs, these are the scenarios that come to mind: Steve Young for Joe Montana, Philip Rivers for Drew Brees, Michael Vick for Kevin Kolb and a guy name Tom Brady for Drew Bledsoe.  In the last two games, has Kaepernick resembled Young, Rivers, Vick, or Brady? Granted Smith isnt Joe Montana either, but that reinforces my point: theyre equal...and if theyre equal, then Alex Smith should keep his position!

In two games as a starter, Kaepernick has averaged 237.5 yards passing, completed 66% of his attempts, has an overall 102.3 rating and has a 3:1 TD to Int ratio.  For the season Alex Smith is 5th in the NFL with a 104 rating, LEADS the league in completion percentage (70), averaged 217 pass ypg, and had a 2.6 TD to Int ratio.  So whats the difference?

I thought maybe it was the rushing dimension that Kaepernick brings to the game. But is he really that electrifying?  Is he a RG3, Vick, what Mc Nabb or Cunningham was?  At most he's probably a lil better (athletically) then Tebow.  And if memory serves me correct, Smith was mobile enough to trot 30 yards for a big TD in the playoffs against the Saints last year.  So again, whats the difference?

I will say this, the greatest indictment against Alex Smith was when I saw Harbaugh call a running play for Smith on a long third down conversion attempt (I want to say against Seattle but don't quote me).  To me that showed the lack of confidence Harbaugh had in Smith as a playmaker and winner.

Clearly HC Jim Harbaugh is being a prisoner of the moment and going with "Kaep." But what Harbaugh has to realize is that you leave the party with who you came with.  This is twice now that Harbaugh tried to ditch Smith during the dance (remember he tried to court Manning during the offseason then acted as if he really wasnt).  But we all know the old adage, "when you have two qb's, you have none." 

But the end we know if this teams win the Super Bowl, it will be remembered for and defined by its defense, a la the '85 Bears or 2000 Ravens; hence the controversy is much ado about nothing.

*Am I reading in too much by assuming Rice preferred Montana over Young with his advocation of Smith? (Kaep the perceived rushing qb in the vein of SY and Smith more of a drop back passer i.e. JM?)

Week 2 NFL Picks

NYG 31             Clev 10
TBB  20             Cincy 24


Oak 24                N.O.S 31
Mia  13                Car     34

Hou 29                 StL  23
Jax   16                 Wash 17

KC  23                  Tenn 9
Buf  20                  SD 24

Phi 19                   Pitt 20
Bal 17                   NYJ 16

Az  14                   Dal 17
N.E.33                  Sea 20

Min 17
Indy 21

Sunday Night
Detroit    27
SF9ers    23

Monday Night
Den   27
Atl     21

2012 NFL Picks

Playoffs

NFC                                                                      AFC

North                                                                     North
Detroit                                                                   Pitt

West                                                                      West
Seattle                                                                    KC

South                                                                     South
Carolina                                                                 Houston

East                                                                        East
Dal                                                                         N.E.

Wild Card:                                                             Wild Card:
Phi/GB                                                                   Indy/Den

2 potential p'off teams
N.O./Chi                                                                Balt/Oak


NFC Chip:
Detroit 34 Philly 31

AFC Chip:
Hou 27 NE 22

SuperBowl:

Detroit 31 Hou 22

MVP: Matt Stafford or Calvin Johnson
League rushing leader: Darren Mc Fadden or De Marco Murray
Rookie of the Year: Andrew Luck

Peak of Interest (Volume 3): HipHop/Rap Music

MUSIC

This is for Hip Hop primarily.  Question: What were your parents listening to growing up? You'd probably say some old Motown, or that 70s disco/soul stuff.  And your grandparents were probably rocking out to some "Rocking Robin."

My point is this: your parents weren't listening to the same music that their parents listened to, and so on and so on.  When I went to St. Mary's in the D as a 5th grader, I know Sister Jean wasn't knocking "Fuck the Police." I know Ms. Bivins wasn't playing "We got the Jazz" at Chicago's Ray School.  But don't be surprised if you hop into any random middle school in America where both the teacher and student are in class rapping, "...I'm ridin' round with that Nina."

Why? That's because creatively, music has topped off or reached it's limits in the Hip Hop/Rap genre.  Ok screw it, I'll make examples for Hip Hop like I did for the other categories.

Wayne, Drake, Ross,ASAP Rocky, and the million other popular/contemporary artists are cool, but there will NEVER be another "Illmatic", "Reasonable Doubt," "36 Chambers," "OB4CL", "Ready2Die," "Life After Death," "Amerikkkas Most," "Chronic," "Aquemeni/SPlayalistic", "Straight Outta Compton," "The Infamous," "IronMan," "Paid In Full" "Its A Big Daddy Thing" "Supreme Clientele," "Resurrection," "Low End Theory," "Midnight Mirauders" "BluePrint," "The Sun Rises in The East," "Hard to Earn" "What Thee Album" "We Come Strapped". 

What's really popping or are the tenements of contemporary hip hop? Drug Dealing, "p" popping music, flossing, dancing music seem to be the most popular.

Ok with the drug dealing/street music/flossing, what more do you need to learn or hear that Big, Hov, or Illmatic didn't explain? With the "p" popping music, cant we just throw on some Luke? "Shake ya what ya momma gave ya" and "I wanna rock" can do the trick.  Holla at Hammer and Diddy for the dancing music.

The sad thing about it is the one major phase that Hip Hop endured, political/conscious rap, has yet to recycle.  I used to hear boasts of afrocentric reaffirmations permeating in the lyrics of Quest, Public Enemy and X-Clan.  That doesnt seem to fly nowadays or even 10 years ago.  Even when Hov questioned Nas' propensity to kick knowledge, Nas flipped it with this retort: "Naw Im just tryna kick that ish you need to learn tho." Kick that knowledge Esco!

Obviously that proud state of hip hop wont resurface because hip hop is global and a lot of big time checks are being signed by hands that usually dont have melanin.  And the consumers dictate what's popping, and I dont think the consumers (who are 80% non black) are trying to hear that. That 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' mentality has got us in a rut and I'm looking at these suckers like sell outs.

Overall, cats nowadays are just copycats.  Wayne self-admittedly studied and emulated the G.O.A.T Hov, and these young dudes rocking all the 80s styles (snapbacks, high top fades, hair designs, retro shoes,etc)  are copy-catting the best this hip hop genre has to offer.  Yes you could say 'Things happen in cycles" but when I was starter jacket fresh with my Jordans on in the years of 1988-1991 I wasnt trying to copy nothing from the 70s. No one in my generation did. We were too busy inventing new styles.

There are some cats out there making substantive and quality music, unfortunately the problem is they're being drowned out by an over saturation of wackness.  Hip Hop scholar Dr. M.E. Dyson once  said "The wrong niggas are holding the mic."  

Contemporary rap is like Mc Donalds, and these rappers are the drive thru clerks or managers of said Mc Donalds. We need those Rakims, Krs Ones, Mos Defs back in the forefront playing the role of "Big Momma" to serve that substantive soul food.

Until then, billions will continue to be served and you rap consumers are going to end up like buddy from "Super Size Me."

Peak of Interest (Volume 2: Movies/Literature/Public Figures)

When it comes to popular culture, sports and entertainment (specifically football, basketball, baseball, music, literature, movies, public figures/role models), we have already seen the best of what that category has to offer already.  As a creative and original society, I think our talents have reached a limit.  There's nothing new underneath the sun. No one is creating anything new, people are just customizing styles/ideas that have been proven before and at best signifying or expanding those styles/ideas.

(*Just because something is new or different doesnt make it of quality, either).  

MOVIES

Will there ever be another movie with the impact of the GodFather trilogy?  I doubt we'll see another flick that changes the game visually via special effects as we did when "The Matrix" came out.  Those are just two examples of an infinite amount of classics that came out in the 80s-90s and could take big dumps on these crappy modern movies!

And umm, in terms of quality, cinematography, message and content, are Tyler Perry movies better than Spike Lee movies?

LITERATURE

With the exception of Pablo Coehlo, occasional Cornel West and my old man, I don't read too many contemporary authors but I know there aren't too many new classics added to the vintage and illustrious literary cannon.  Where are the "Black Boys", "There Eyes Were Watching God", "Talented Tenths" or "Souls of Black Folk?"

You know what books are generating the most impact on society? Freaking "Twilight" or "Harry Potter!"

I know there are brilliant writers out there but my point is, no one has written "that book" since yesteryear.

PUBLIC FIGURES (heroes/role models)

If it wasn't for Barack O'bama, there would be no clear cut rock star, "it factor" public figures. Where are the JFKs, Bill Clintons, Dr Kings, or Malcolm Xs?  

PEAK of Interest (Volume 1: Sports)

When it comes to popular culture, sports and entertainment (specifically football, basketball, baseball, music, literature, movies, public figures/role models), we have already seen the best of what that category has to offer already.  As a creative and original society, I think our talents have reached a limit.  There's nothing new underneath the sun. No one is creating anything new, people are just customizing styles/ideas that have been proven before and at best signifying or expanding those styles/ideas.

(*Just because something is new or different doesnt make it of quality, either).  

SPORTS

As good as Kobe, Lebron, and Durant are, will there ever be another Michael Jordan?  Will another athlete present the multitude of dynamics that Mike brought? Dynamics meaning mastering the sense of theatre, drama, physical/mental dominance, ability to ALWAYS come in the clutch when it most mattered. Dynamics meaning possessing the power to effect/dictate the compass of the sport, on the court and transgressing it off (economically, spiritually---yes, spiritually) the court.

Just like Michael Jordan was a PERFECT 6-0 in the Finals, as good as Tom Brady is, his SuperBowl record isn't 4-0 like Joe Montana or Terry Bradshaw for that matter.  There will never be another better combination of athleticism and personality like Deion Sanders, a pure runner with the catlike escapability skills of Barry Sanders, the intangibles of Jerry Rice or Hall of Fame units like the Cowboys.

Was it worth it?

Roughly 8 years ago former Eagles WR Terrell Owens forever engrained a vision in our mind when he did sit ups in his home's driveway, entangled in a bitter contract dispute with the Eagles organization.

To say the least, it got messy and somehow he not only through the organization under the bus, but teammates as well, most notably qb Dononvan Mc Nabb, at the time the franchises leader and perennial pro bowl qb.

Before the contract hold out, and for roughly 20 games, the duo of Mc Nabb to Owens was the best in the league and you can argue were the best 20 games of football either player had in his respective career.

Now it's 2012 and both players are on the outside of the league looking in, and they're both healthy.  Theres no reason these two players should be in that precarious position, especially with their resumes.

This blog isnt about the numbers but what couldve been.  Kobe and Shaq didn't like each other but they stuck around long enough to realize its about winning, and like it or not they made history and won titles together.

Because of that, Shaq never had to worry about playing or signing for a team and Kobe is who Kobe is.  The point is, winning gives you stats, money and leverage.  If the McNabb/Owens couldve stayed intact for another 3 or 4 years, we'd probably be talking about two Champion players with sure shot Hall Of Fame careers.

Now, the image that comes to my head when thinking of T.O. and Mc Nabb are "Will play for peanuts."

The Secret of Chi Success

When Lebron finally earned his highly coveted first ring this past summer, it was as if it was finally the coronation for one man, "King" James.  But let's not forget that Dwyane Wade is on that throne as well, so that means so is Chicago indirectly.

Wade winning the title this year is symbolic for the city of Chicago reigning superior as the best city for hoops right now.  I have a bevy of reasons to support that claim.

Let's start with the recent surge of NBA lottery picks, #1 picks and incoming College freshmen.  For starters, last years MVP and former #1 pick Derrick "Pooh" Rose is from Chicago and went to Simeon High School. This year's #1 pick, Anthony Davis is from the Chi and next year's top high school baller, Jabari Parker also hails from the aforementioned Simeon Academy.

Secondly, you can't discount the effect of Michael Jordan.  Most of these kids grew up absorbing and subconsciously learned the ways of dominance by witnessing first hand the legacy of Michael Jordan.  If Mike exposed a superior brand of hooping to the world via the Dream Team and influenced foreign greats such as Dirk, Tony Parker, Manu and Kobe in the US, then imagine what his impact was in the backyard of where he played professionally.

Lastly, and most importantly, Chi hoopers are the best because of the city in which they emerge.  I've played "Utah" in Harlem, "21" in Detroit and only in the City of Chicago do they call fouls and other rule violations in a game of "Varsity." 

A golden rule when you play "Varsity" is that if you shoot a shot and it comes off, you have to defend the rebounder/offensive possessor.  There's a lot of pride to say the least in playing dee after you miss a shot in a game of "Varsity", and you can see that defensive tenacity and city toughness in Chicago hoopers such as Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Evan Turner, Sean Marion, Kevin Garnett, Andre Iguodola, Quentin Richardson, Iman Shumpert and most recently Anthony Davis.

Remember, the tough city(understatement), defense and MJ are the main reasons Chicago reigns supreme in hoops.

Road to the Finals

So after the 1st Round, this is how the playoffs will transgress en route to OKC v MIA in the Finals:
*no Chicago reneg in the first round despite loss of Pooh; Would have favored Atl in this series even with Pooh because he's been hurt and out of sync the whole season.

East

2nd Round

Atl   over Chi in 6
Mia  over Indy in 4

Conf Finals

Mia over Atl in 5

West

2nd Round

LAC  over SA in 7
OKC over LA in 6

Conf Finals

OKC over LAC in 6

Finals

I wanna say Lebron shines in game 7 to solidify his legend, but MIA in 6.

Play-awwffs?

   

    Could it be that the great O'Diceeus the King's brother, Dice-A-Damus has made an unceremonious---scratch that, that's too strong of a word.  The illustrious and provocative Dice-A-Damus has returned!
     
    Albeit an unconventional, lack of fanfare return, he is back!  Initially he was going to learn from his experiences last year as the "Black Skip Bayless", but screw it! He knows what his audience wants; and that's to go balls deep in his contradicting convictions and predictions---laugh out loud.

   Without further a dew, the great Dice-A-Damus and his 2012 NBA playoff predictions ladies and gentleman:

1st Round

East

Chicago in 5
Miami    in 6
Indiana   in 6
Atl          in 7

West

OKC     in 7
SA        in 5
LAL     in 6
LAC     in 7

Finals OKC vs MIA

2012 Champs: Miami Heat


*No sweeps this year

*Sleepers: East (Bos) West (Memph)
  -I have both teams losing in the first round but those are the only teams I see disrupting the efficiency of the 1st round predictions

 *NY/MIA.  My heart is conflicted.  I know you read and know how I feel with this matchup, as it pertains to history, rivalry, and symmetry ('99 lockout season).  I will say this, if the Heat lose at any point in the playoffs, I rather it be against the Knicks.
   The Knicks are really scary to me. No they don't play dee (yes they've been conceding under 90 pts/game with Mike Woodson and have Def POY candidate Tyson Chandler, but you don't think of the Knicks as a defensive team), but they're role players are WAAAAAYYYY better to me than the Heat role players (I'll take Novak, Bibby, Baron, Jeffries, Lin, Shump, JR Smith over Jones, Miller, Battier, Joell Anthony, Haslem, Pittman, Chalmers all day), so that boils down to this question:
   Are Miami's Big 3 better than and good enough to overcome the Knicks better bench and the Knicks 'Big 3?' Even though STAT is showing signs of coming around, and Chandler has D, Melo is realistically the only superstar they have (as in having the ability to create his own offense).  That said, I do believe Miami is better than and good enough to overcome that.

See ya next round.

Signs and Symmetry

Please entertain my random thoughts for these possible playoff scenarios and occurrences!

The Lakers and the Bad Boy Pistons are the same!

   What?  What do you mean Dice? The Pistons had no Kobe/Mike type of player on their team, what are you talking about?  Follow me:

In the 1990-1991 season, the Pistons were the defending back to back champions who lost to the eventual NBA Champions, Chicago Bulls, in their third year attempting to three peat.

After the following season, they parted ways with their Hall of Fame Coach, Chuck Daly.

In the 2010-2011 season, the Lakers were the defending back to back champions who lost to the eventual NBA Champions, the Dallas Mavs, in their third year attempting to three peat.

The following season, they parted ways with their Hall of Fame Coach, Phil Jackson.

So if you adhere to that theory, this is going to be the start of some serious mediocrity for the Lakers....

In a Possible Lakers/Heat (Delayed Puppet Finals) scenario....


    Think 1991 again.  This time, Los Angeles.  Does the story of the leagues top player being heavily maligned and pressured to win a ring sound familiar?

     It should, because that's exactly what did Michael Jordan went through 20 odd years ago.  Not only did he win his first ring against the Lakers but he snatched the torch from Magic as the best player in the league.  Please believe if Lebron beats Kobe in the Finals, he'll be referred to as the best player in the league.  (Kobe still gets the nod as of right now).

1999 Allan Houston Celebration....


   We all know the last time the league endured a lockout was during the 1999 season.  And who was the 8th seed in the East that upset the #1 seed Miami Heat? Oh yeah, the New York Knicks.

  Thankfully for my predictions, the Heat won't have the #1 seed this year but that means the unlucky team to succumb to the upset will be the Bulls.

  Melo is probably the hottest player in the league right now and the Knicks match up well against Chicago.  The playoffs are built for the superstars and can Pooh just turn it on after sustaining so many injuries?

  Don't worry, the boring ass Spurs won't win this year.  They only win rings in odd years ('99, '03, '05, '07).

The Lost (Summer) Tapes


   Remember this summer how Kevin Durant, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant drugged you with their participation in summer league games and them broadcasting it?  What did it all mean?

   Well after further review, it meant Kobe was ready to show the world he still has it and could still compete for a scoring title, and lastly it showed that KD and Lebron will square off in the Finals.

"....I saw the sign" *Ace of Base voice

    


    

The Dynamics

For much of the season, the Miami Heat and Oklahoma Thunder have emerged as popular picks to compete in this years NBA Finals.  Both teams arguably have the best collection of superstars and both seemed primed to meet head on in a Finals collision.  If they do collide, it will surely be the result of those teams taking two totally different courses.

Miami can take pride in boasting they have a "Big Three" but we all know the Heat's focal point on offense boils down to two players: Dwyane Wade and Lebron James.

In OKC, the Thunder have the best young and talented duo in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  So how do we decide which duo to favor in a potential showdown?  Here's How:

We identify Lebron James and Kevin Durant as the alpha-dogs on their respective teams or the 'go-to' players. For arguments sake, we wash that matchup as a draw and compare D Wade and Russell Westbrook.

WESTBROOK

Sure it's easy to stomp on a man when he's down (turnovers/shot selection) such as the case with Russell Westbrook. But it is what is is.

Westbrook is a young player trying to establish himself onto the league that he's as good or better than Pooh, DWill,CP3 or Rondo. I understand he may feel he has a mismatch that he can exploit each time he has the ball, but he must recognize the peking order and Durant is on top of that totem pole.

Instead of conceding to Durant in crucial moments, time and time again it has appeared that Westbrook has taken the honus to prove he's a superstar, which in turn has stifled the total success and potential of the Thunder; even of Durant to a certain degree.  In layman's terms, instead of giving it to the man in crunchtime with the hopes of winning, he wants to show the world he's the man. Is the need to be the man more important than winning?  He's going to have to decide quickly, because on this team he can't have both.

WADE            

Conversely you have the pro's pro in D Wade.  He's an NBA Champ, Finals MVP, scoring champ, Olympian, All Star Game MVP, and he's made his money. At this juncture in his life, he's not tripping off the ego.  He's established as a 'Made Man' and understands his legacy will be measured by the Championships he amasses.  The awards and stats are good, but they only complement the rings, not the other way around.

Wade at this point is willing to be the bigger man and pro-actively concede to Lebron on the floor and complement his talents. In turn, that will take a lot of stress off the team and allow them to play organically and worry free.

So if it's June and we're watching a Finals featuring these two teams, expect Lebron and Durant to show out (Yes, Lebron too).  But if your boy Westbrook is playing in his true Lunatic style (which I love most times) opposed to winning ball, you have to favor the Lebron/Wade duo.