Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!!!

We had our Fall Sports Meeting today...

I sat up last night and read as much material as I could that would get me in the right frame of mind for FOOTBALL !!!

I got my preview assignments and I've now got plenty to keep my mind

busy until mid-September.

ok.... I can do this !! I need a new 'pump up' song, but I know I can do this.

If Paul can write nearly the entire New Testament, I can do this.

I'm happy with the schools I got. Both squads have been through a lot

and will have some more growing pains this year, but... they can do it ~

I just pray that I see way beyond just players on a field.

I always ask for new vision as the new season starts.

I want to see each player for their gifts and talents

but I want to see a balanced view; good and not-so-good.

I'm really looking forward to a new season!!!

You are what you open your heart up to...

I had the great honor of talking to a single mom in Borders today.

(Sometimes unexpected interruptions... are not interruptions at all)

She had her hands full with two small children. She's fresh out of grad school

and scared and alone. Her fiance had just left them two nights ago for someone else.

Someone else who was pregnant.

I pray that she find peace tonight and guidance from the Lord !

I hope that she finds something great to look forward to.

I'm very blessed to have that in my life.

For the love of the game...

Just a few tidbits of what's going on around the NFL.

Professional football is always much more exciting with the 'background noise'

I don't get too much of that in HS sports.

Let's see...

Will Favre come back? I think he and LeBron are related some how. They both love the drama of it all I guess.

The Viking QB told Sports Center that he hasn't made up his mind. Some have noticed he is favoring his ankle as of yesterday.

Plaxico is another story... he won't be around this year at all. He has another year to serve.

Peyton Manning - He is reportedly upset with the running game from last year, as he threw 571 passes last year to prove it. Let's see if the Colts can improve on that.

A new agent for Andre Johnson (Texans receiver) could land him around 5.8 million and a new contract. If he wants to be the highest paid receiever he'll have to catch up to Larry Fitgerald of the Cardinals who averages 10 million a year.

Shaun Phillips will have another date on his mind. Oct. 4, the Chargers linebacker will be in court on a charge that he punched his bodyguard, according to msnbc.com

Let's see how a few of these tidbits play out on the screen this year.

Today we are having a Fall Sports office meeting. Its time to get things moving and shaking.

All practices begin August 14th !!!

8-point Buck !!!

The best of the best is here!! It's official ~

Buck Showalter has become the Orioles new Manager

He will start in Birdland tonight when they host the Angels

He has what it takes to get the team moving

He's not going to put up with laziness ... thats for sure.

When asked (at the press conferernce) if turning around an Orioles club playing in the tough American League East was a draw given his competitive nature, Showalter admitted there was a certain satisfaction in doing what others say is impossible.

I love it!

Can't wait to see what happens from here on out ~

Small Town MAD-NESS

Put your biofreeze away. You won't be needing it to play this football game guys!

You can play any day...

You don't have to wait until Sunday!

It's going to cost a pretty penny, but its worth all the living room excitement you'll get...

(ask your wife nicely to refill the fridge with beer and salsa. I'm sure she will)

you can start the second half with an on-side kick if you'd like.

It's got a new strategy pad (for hot routes)

A new duel analog stick control (to pivot your players upper body)

MADDEN 11 hits the store on August 10, 2010 !!!

I'm not an expert on the game by any means, but the project has been fun.

Complaints...

Some folks have complained that all the interceptions are dropped...

Some say the menu is the same as 10,

Some are saying the holes aren't opening up (but pick a great running back)

The lack of halftime cut-scenes may bug ya,

but EA Sports has high-hopes and isn't concerned about the NCAA game

and ...if you don't mind Gus Johnson's voice you'll be fine.

Our local Game-Stop is going to have some Madden Monday events...stay tuned.

Have fun,.....don't get hurt. Not sure the insurance will keep paying for your deep elbow bruises.

Every women is hoping that you don't cause a permanent dip in her sofa..

and you don't suddenly quit your day job!

Let me know what you think of the game.

Enjoy!

T.O. Found some love !!!

Our 'Most Human' Athlete !!!

T.O. and Ochocinco have just made the workzone so much more fun ~ I can't wait to hear the cooler talks on these two guys- and let's not forget Cedric Benson!

I'm happy the Bengals showed him some love.

He's un-stoppable ...

I heard and interview on ESPNRadio last night and most of the questions were spun to make the duo look ....let's say unmanagable - Chad held his ground. He shot down any negative that came his way.

Why do we immediately think negative before we give the benefit of the doubt ?

Well, T.O.'s 3-year tallies aren't making him look great. He hasn't done a lot since 1999, according to NFL.com with 55 catches for a total of 829 yards and five touchdowns.

We'll have to wait and see, but...

Can we always predict someone's future based on their past ?

I don't think so....

I love ya buddy... go prove them all wrong!

Get Some GRASS!!!

I'll bring the pen to you any day!

Here it comes!

Watch out for the Victory Pie !!!

That's all I have to say today.

The Victory Pie almost got me. The kids asked me to 'pretend' I was interviewing their coach --- but they forgot to tell me that two pies were on the way!

Fun night. Great game! Really enjoyed it.

I'm totally exhausted and too tired to write anything else.

Have a great night ~ back in the saddle tomorrow!

Blessings!

Summer's coming to an end...

The summer months are coming to an end. I spent some time relaxing in the pool tonight reflecting on all that has happened in just one week.

Free-Agents not so free anymore. Steinbrenner passing, The baseball All-Star Game

(Josh Johnson will pitch this year -- he didn't get to see the mound last year)

Growing up the summer months were always spent on a softball diamond.

The fall months were spent running cross country or playing field hockey.

I spent my winter months training inside for softball season.

Every athlete knows

There is no 'off-season'

My dad took me to Catonsville Community College when I was a junior in HS so I could be exposed to the best pitching coaches on the East coast.

We knew as a family early on that softball was my strong sport.

(I think I can still pitch about 60 mph fast ball)

It's so nice to see the kids today being exposed to great softball at such an early age. I wrote a story this past week on a softball star that went on to Delaware State University and is now playing for one of the most elite National ASA softball teams.

"The Boss" in my life (dad) was like Steinbrenner -- demanding and tough, but dad knew what my strong points were and we maxed them out.

Dad had expectations and volleyball and basketball clinics would have been somewhat of a waste of money for us to invest in. I didn't have the jumping ability needed for v-ball and b-ball. I see athletes now that are very versatile.

As the fall HS season quickly approaches, the football season will be here before we know it.

10-weeks of the most exciting Friday nights. There is such an explosive environment on Friday night at the HS football game.

The energy of the fans, the mentality of the coaches. It's ALL GOOD.

I can't wait.

Summer turns into fall and fall turns into

FOOTBALL...

T.O. is still looking for a home and I'll be watching more Ravens games this season just to see Zorn and how he's doing. I'll keep my Skins in the forefront of my mind, but the Ravens will be my 2nd best squad.