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.

Show me the Money !!!

They all want him,

Stock values are going up, commercials, MTV videos, New York City Billboards...

but where is he going?

#23 LeBron James

The king? (of basketball that is)

Sometimes we leave our heart behind in search of a happier home.

Maybe that's what he'll do.

He'll leave his hometown and start again - not with different hopes and dreams

because he IS a dreamer and always has been.

He is about something.

But he needs the team, the franchise and fans around him to be about something too.

I can't wait to hear how it all works out ~

I just hope that he can keep a level head and stay focused.

I got the Power ....

I'm sure that's what LeBron James, Wade, Pierce are all going to say in about ten minutes when 'fee agent' starts to ring nicely in their ears.

I understand Doc Rivers is going to give it 'One more try with this team.'
They are free from July 1 - July 7th.

A week from now I'm sure the million $$ calls will come in.

They Don't Complain

It's the season for some record-setting sports!!!

Who would have thought that we all would be glued to our TV sets and ESPN sites like we are this week...

The US football (soccer) team has overcome so many obstacles to still be in the World Games.

#10Landon Donovan has made us all proud in the 91st minute.

After two goals taken away.... We needed this.

ESPN is now saying, "This is why we love America - they didn't complain, they just went out to win"

Donovan's answer was, "If you control the things that you can control good things will come your way and there was no time to complain. We chose to just get on with it."

We have a big game on Saturday against Ghana !!

We need a win to take us to the quarterfinals..

It still amazes me to know that every second of the game can be watched on so many different venues - Facebook, twitter, Blackberries, and many offices now have TV sets.

We all want to stay connected in some way.

We have a Tennis Match going on since Tuesday - Isner has no skin on two of his toes. What would keep a player going for three days ?

Determination !!

People are skipping work to start the day watching the World Cup (and spending the evenings in D.C. watching Strasburg on the mound for the Nats)

...and Donovan had this to say,

"People want to be inspired and need a break away from daily activities." Donovon added.

I heard another good quote today from a

US Supreme Court Justice - "The sports page records people's accomplishments. The front page records nothing but man's failures and today we needed the sports page."

Nothing!

What stands between you and your biggest dream ? Nothing. Not a thing - maybe just you and your thinking patterns ~

The inside flap of Michael Phelps' book 'No Limits' says ...

When I'm focused, there is not one single thing, person, anything that can stand in the way of my doing something. There is not. If I want something bad enough. I feel I'm going to get there.

Talk about determination !!

How determined are you as a person, an athlete to strive for what you want?

Your daily choices today can elevate you to the next level or you can force the wrong choice and start all over again.

Notice I said 'force'

Can you tell the difference between a smooth play, one executed with a fluid motion and it just 'happens' ..... and then there is a play that is 'forced' ... the player may get the same results, but the play has been forced and may cause the follow-up play or a rebound or reflect play to be just a bit 'off' and un-playable. You can see this very clearly in figure skating.

If a figure skater comes out of a triple-axel off balance, she/he can't go into the next move with ease.

How many times have we maybe attempted a sport that we really weren't suited for. I never competed in a swim event. I like to swim, I enjoy watching folks that are great at it. The meets are exciting - because its something I haven't mastered but have always wanted to learn. I'm just not a great swimmer. I can pitch a softball about 62 mph still, but I know I can't swim. Should I let my lack of confidence stop me?

or should I start at square one ? It's never too late to start, or change your plans, regroup with a new agenda.

Many times after an athlete has been injured they will try another sport that is a little easier on the body or they will become an expert announcer for that particular sport.

This past weekend the nation set aside a weekend for Relay for Life.

If it is Cancer that has kept you back from getting back into the game I hope that you would re-evaluate and surround yourself with a core group of people that are like-minded that recharge you. Whichever the case, I hope that nothing keeps you from your destiny. Don't force it, just let it happen!