FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I have stood idly by while the offseason whizzes right past me. With all the action going on, I need to get in on it. So, here goes my first offseason sportically active (1) blog. Well, partially sports related.

(1) Kp Kahder

On my last blog I said that I would be changing it up a bit and keeping things real. The end of my blogs will be a Journey to Manhood section devoted to my commitment to give my sons a sound definition of what it means to be a man. I will always put these at the end so that you can leave after the sports section. Ha! See what I did there? Sports section? HAHAHahahaha.... No? Ok, neither do I. I'll leave the comedy to the professionals.

So, let's go camping with the Cowboys.

DRAFT PICKS

I am mostly OK with their draft. I love the Jenkins and Jones picks, more on them later. But they should have kept Fasano and let someone else draft Martellus Bennett. I think he is going to be a huge bust. He might be good enough for the practice squad, but he is not a good choice for a second tight end. Living in Big 12 country I was able to watch him in a few games and he didn't impress me. When the Aggies played their doormats, sure he looked good. But against the better teams, he was mediocre at best. He had no business coming out early. But because he was a relatively high pick, he will be on the roster so Jerry can justify the money spent on him. On a side I note I feel the same way about the Jermichael Finley pick by the Packers. He is another bust waiting to happen.

Felix Jones is a great pick - just like everyone said he would be. I saw very few mock drafts which did not have him going to the Boys. I like him a lot and think he and Barber will help the offense ratchet it up a notch or two. It will definitely open up the passing game more than the other Jones ever did.

I think Jenkins will be the starter opposite Newman. In all honesty, I don't know a whole lot about him, other than the reports and grades put out pre-draft. But if the scouts are close to accurate, the secondary will be greatly improved. I don't see Pacman starting, which may cause problems, because he is nowhere near ready to play let alone start. IT might cause problems because I am sure he will think he is the starter. I've always thought he was over rated anyway. But, they got him very cheap and with the right coaching, he could be a good nickel back. I think his main contribution this year, other than to stripper's retirement funds, will be returning punts.

Tashard Choice is now my favorite football name. I hope he makes the team. But other than his name, I like the pick. I think he will be a great third down and situational back in the mold of Aveion Cason.

The rest of the picks, to me, are just camp bodies who will be fighting for a spot on the practice squad.

OFFSEASON DRAMA

Bum Jr. needs to take control of this team, and do it NOW! I'm not worried about Ellis, he's being himself. He always whines during the offseason and says he doesn't trust the organization, then when the season rolls around and he's playing as much as he always has then he shuts up. Williams worries me. He usually does not cause a scene, so I am concerned with his distractions. I used to think he was one of the best safeties and I defended him through thick and thin. But after watching him play these last couple of seasons, it is clear that he is over-rated. I agree with what Newman said, but he should have kept it in the locker room. Team leaders do not try to lead through the media. This team is severely lacking in the team leadership department. Romo is too aloof to be a leader, TO is well, he will never be accused of being a leader. I can't point my finger at a single player and say, that guy is a leader. In then end, I think it is the lack of leadership that hurts the Cowboys down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Enough about the Cowboys for now. How about following Dan TM's lead and make some absurd predictions.

ABSURD NFL PREDICTIONS

Here are 10 wacky predictions:

1. The NFC West is going to suck. Oh wait, that's not so absurd. The Bengals are going to suck and Marvin Lewis will be canned. Dang, again, not so absurd. How do you do this Dan? Let me try again.
2. The Bills will make the playoffs.
3. The Steelers will not win their division, the Browns will.
4. The Texans will not make the playoffs, dang another not so absurd call.
5. Limas Sweed will lead all rookie receivers, but it still won't help the Steelers win the division.
6. The Skins will not make the playoffs, and neither will the Eagles.
7. Jeremy Shockey will be a distraction and bad mouth the Giants organization.
8. The Cowboys will win a playoff game
9. Favre will stay retired
10. Nobody will understand anything Emmitt Smith says

That concludes my NFL talk. I will now move on to my keeping it real portion. If you want to bail out now, this is your chance.

KEEPING IT REAL

JOURNEY TO MANHOOD

I will try to keep my first installment fairly short.

I never had a positive male influence growing up. Neither my biological father nor my step dad ever explained to me what it meant to be a man. They never gave me a foundation upon which to build. They never gave me any direction or any guidance on dealing with issues that boys face as they grow and mature. Everything I learned about being a man was on my own and was basically trial-and-error. Today, I'm still not sure I am completely there yet.

I fight with demons every single day. Those demons I fight with are the "pleasures" I used to fill the void that should have been my "manhood foundation". I used alcohol, women, porn, friends, attitudes, and so on trying to figure out what made me a man. None of them worked. But now because of it I have to battle those demons. I have successfully killed some of them, but I am still fighting with some.

I don't hate the men my mother married, but I can say that I am disappointed.

I have made a commitment to my sons that they will not have to go through what I did - struggling to find their male identity. They will know what it means to be a man. They will have a solid foundation upon which to build their lives. They will be able to answer the question, "What is a man?"

The foundation that I am laying for my sons is based on the following four principles:

A real man -

1. Rejects passivity
2. Accepts responsibility
3. Leads courageously
4. Expects the greater reward

I am using these principles in conjunction with my Christian beliefs, but they can be applied to a man's life regardless of his religious affiliation.

I will end it there so that I can have more to talk about in future blogs.

My next entry will be the results of my FN poll - "What is your definition of a man?"

Thanks for reading.