Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Trouble with Te'o

This is meant to be the definitive word on the Manti Te'o story.  But, since lots and lots of people have pretty much said all there is to say, I have nothing really more to add.  So this is simply just a collection of some of the best, and funniest comments I have seen on television, heard on radio, or read on twitter and facebook.  Wherever possible, attribution is included (and wherever I can read the name in my notes).  After this, I swear I will not make any more comments regarding Te'o and his fake girlfriend, at least until the draft.

The Manti Te'o Story:  The first story that even Twitter couldn't keep up with. - Darren Rovell

Te'o sounds like the kind of guy who would send his life savings to a well-connected Nigerian banker in trouble. - Sam Stein

Reminding today's youth that someone who you have never met can never, ever be called your girlfriend. - Darren Rovell

Hey [to girlfriend], do you pinky promise that you're real? - Logan Morrison

These Te'o jokes are all very funny, but let's all try and remember that a person who never existed is dead. - Seth Meyers

Weird how the Notre Dame statement didn't mention the hoax of them being in the national championship game. - Name illegible in my notes

Lance Armstrong said "I've never tested positive for a fake girlfriend". - Author Unknown

This gives new meaning to the term "fantasy football". - Conan O'Brien

I don't see the big deal, pretty much every guy I know has a fake girlfriend. - Jason Dufner

According to Kevin Garnett, Manti Te'o's ex-girlfriend smells like Frosted Flakes. - Jason Whitlock

Deadspin reports that ND LB Manti Te'o's girlfriend's death was a hoax cuz she never existed!  Neither did ND's defense! - DL Hughley

Boston College is one Catholic institution whose Linebackers don't need to make up a dead girlfriend to gain sympathy. - I don't remember.

I once had a fake girlfriend.  She was really hot. - Jason Dufner

I'm pretty sure if I was a 21 year old star football player at Notre Dame I wouldn't be dating someone online.  I'd probably also have 8 kids. - Logan Morrison

A.J. McCarron's girlfriend is real and spectacular.  - Paraphrasing Brent Musberger

I wonder if Te'o's facebook relationship status is now listed as "it's complicated" - Eric Erickson

Happy Hour - Imaginary Girlfriends Drink Free #lennaykukocktails - Samantha Steele

I wish Te'o was dating Nicki Minaj and her dumbass wasn't real. - Red Forman (Twitter Handle)

Manti Te'o, thank you for taking single problems to a whole 'nother level. - Melissa Montes


And that's all folks.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Nevermore

Just to get my pics on record.

San Francisco 49ers to win.  Baltimore Ravens to cover.  Under.

Why?  Let me tell you.

First, San Francisco 49ers' vaunted defense has been relatively pedestrian lately.  Aldon Smith, he of the 19 sacks, has only had one since Justin Smith got hurt.  If Justin Smith isn't effective, San Fran might have trouble getting to the quarterback.  If Flacco has time, either Torrey Smith or Anquan Boldin could get open deep, or Dennis Pitta can run away from Willis or Bowman when they are back in coverage.

That being said, I think that San Francisco is overall too talented. and I think they will move the ball on Baltimore.  There are three reasons that Ray Lews leads the NFL in tackles this postseason:  1.  He is playing great; 2.  The Ravens defense has not gotten off the field early in drives, meaning opposing offenses have been taking a lot of snaps; and 3.  Running backs have been getting passed the Ravens defensive line and Lewis's tackles are occuring 5 to 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Given the stats above, and with all of the talk about whether or not the Ravens can contain Kapernick, I think Frank Gore could have a great game.

For San Francisco's sake, I do hope it does not come down to a late field goal for Akers.  This has not been his year.

Ruing a Raven

Let me get my Super Bowl pick out of the way.

49ers -3.5/Under 47.5

And now, the rest of this post...

So, this is a story about religion, the media and the assumption of fairness in competition. If you know me, and don't read this carefully, you might think it is about murder, cheating, and paternity and civil suits. Funny how sports can get us here, right?

Look, sports is filled with athletes we love, athletes we despise, and athletes we could care less about. And there are many reasons for why each of these is true. I point to such things as style of play, attitude during competition, or off the field topics. The athletes that I currently love include Kevin Durant, Bryce Harper, Ed Reed, Julio Jones and Derek Jeter. Athletes that I currently despise include Alex Rodriguez, Jay Cutler, Dwight Howard and Darrelle Revis. I could explain why, but it isn't important to this story.

This story is about Ray Lewis. I despise him.

I should make sure that you understand that I believe Ray Lewis is the Greatest inside linebacker that I have seen play in my lifetime. A first ballot Hall Of Famer and the poster for inside linebacker play if you are teaching. Seventeen years of brilliance at the position. And yet, I still don't care for him.

Why? The answer is simple. I don't think that he is all that great a human being and, for me, that means something. Consider the following:

1. Is Ray Lewis a murderer? Of course not. Or, at least I don't belIeve so. But his conviction for obstruction of justice can only lead one to believe that we don't know the full story of what happened in Atlanta, and that he does know significantly more than he testified to. The facts in that case are frightening given the actual punishment handed out. Don't believe me, or remember the case? Read this. Don't forget, he also settled two civil suits out of court with confidentiality agreements.

2. Is Ray Lewis a bad father? Probably not, but I don't really know. What I do know is that he has 6 children by 4 women. That's not good in any culture or religion. In 2000, while partying in Atlanta, he wasn't with his pregnant fiancé, he was escorting another woman around all week. Is that what a role model and a self professed man of God looks like to you?

3. Is Ray Lewis using PEDs? Not sure. But does this pass the smell test? At 37 years old, Ray Lewis recovered from a torn bicep muscle in approximately 2 months. In ALL of athletics, the standard for this type of injury is 6-8 months! By the way, that 37 year old man is currently the leading tackler in the playoffs. I don't care how much you believe in God, do you REALLY believe this? We now know that there are accusations, and we will likely never know what is true, but this just doesn't feel good.

None of this moves me from my position that he is a phenomenal football player. What truly bothers me with this is the self proclaimed prophet status that Lewis has bestowed on himself, and the irrational love affair people seem to have? with this "great" man. And this last ride is horrifying!

Really?

Does Ray Lewis always dance...in front of a camera?
And always mug...in front a camera?
And always caress his owner...in front of a camera?
And always manipulate scripture...in front of a camera?

The media fascination is ridiculous right now, and it is reminiscent of the coverage of Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. Of course, as far as we know, neither of them had to hastily dispose of all the clothes they were wearing after a night on the town.

I get that Lewis is a story in this, his last season. I despise him and I always have because I don't think he is real with fans. He is absolutely a leader of men and an athlete that others seek out for leadership. What he is not, is a good and honest person to those fans who look up to him and that should matter a little.