Funny thing about outside influences, they can get in the way of trying to move forward, accomplishing goals, and just flat out make you unproductive.  That’s been me for the last few weeks.  I have had money issues, car issues, work issues (offline job) and have just plain let this site go to shit because I was too caught up with other outside things to post on a regular basis.  Hopefully I can re-focus and get back to doing what I love to do.  Create content, make you think, laugh, and most of all, create interest in this blog again.

My last post to this blog was on June 15, and I pretty much said the same thing in that post that I have already said in this one.  However, the difference is that the NFL and College football seasons are starting soon, and if I want to be relevant I need to provide some content so I don’t lose my edge.  My thoughts need to be put out there on a regular basis so that you, my audience can know that I am on top of things, somewhat know what I am talking about, and for those that care, confirm that I am still breathing. 

So…  Since my last post, we have three Golf majors in the books, including a multiple winner in Rory McElroy with his win at the British and PGA Championship, The Sprint Cup Chase is getting more clear, the Race is on for the Baseball playoffs, NFL Preseason is two weeks old now, there have been some off the field issues that have come up not just in football but in other sports as well, and I have not posted a “Thursday Throwback” In about 2 or 3 months.

So with that being said, lets get this going….

First…  Rory McElroy, back to back majors, and not since Tiger has anyone tore up the PGA field like this kid has done the last few months.  He is on a roll, and he is now just one major shy of the career Grand Slam.  He has already stated that he is going to be focused on winning The Masters come April, and I for one will be on the edge of my seat to see if he can do it.  Honorable mentions in this “Rory Fever” has been the play of both Sergio Garcia and Ricky Fowler.  Sergio is playing some of the best golf of his career, and he seems to be in the thick of it week after week, making things very interesting.  I haven’t seen Sergio smile so much since he bolted on he scene 15 years ago.  He looks like he is having fun on the course again and anytime Sergio is playing good it is good for golf.  He is one of the games most charismatic and talented players and golf needs him since Tiger has faded and seems to be on a “long-term” route to healing and making a comeback.  Ricky Fowler has also had a great year, finishing in the top 5 in all 4 majors this year.  He is close to getting over the top and becoming a breakout star on the PGA tour,and it won’t be long before we will se the words “Major Champion” on his resume.  I like Ricky’s approach to the game, he is humble, well liked on tour, and from what I have seen, um, the ladies really like him…lol  The thing about both Sergio and Ricky that has me excited for the game is that in both the PGA and the Open they were right on the coat tails of Rory in the last round, and neither one of them had a bad final round I the tournament, Rory was just that good.  It is going to be an exciting 2015 if this keeps up, whether or not Tiger is in the mix.  In my opinion tiger has had so many injuries and so many off the field issues, he may never again be the dominant player he once was.  No, scratch that..  remove the “may” from that.. Tiger will NEVER be the dominant player he once was, and I am going to go out on a limb and say he doesn’t reach 18 majors, not only will he not beat Jacks record, he wont even tie jacks record.  there is just too much going on between his ears right now, and the hardest obstacles to overcome are always the mental ones, so no, he wont do it. 

NASCAR…

The race for the chase is heating up, and only a few slots are up for grabs as of the start of the Michigan race today.  With that being said, the only thing on my mind is the tragedy of last weekend and the death of Kevin Ward Jr.  To this day I haven’t watched the video of it, and probably never will watch.  Tony has decided that he still isn’t ready to get behind the wheel of a race car yet, and I can’t say I blame him.  It’s a sad situation, and I really feel like Tony wont race the remainder of this season,  I don’t think he can get in a car without thinking about what happened, and as I mentioned above, the hardest obstacles to overcome are always the mental ones, and this is a serious mental issue that tony will have to over come and only he can decide when or if he I ready to race again.  Jeff Burton will be driving the 14 at Michigan today, and Tony has yet to rejoin the team since the accident.  I hope he can get through it, I hope he can over come it, cause NASCAR without “Smoke” in it is boring.

MLB Baseball…

Well, My Rays finally did it, they traded David Price, they really didn’t get anyone for him, and they Gave the Tigers probably the best Pitching staff in the major’s.  I am pissed about it, I am hurt, and not just cause Price isn’t a ember of the Rays any longer, its because to add fuel to the fire, they traded him to Detroit, a major rival to the Indians, so I lost on many levels in t hat trade.  Now as of today the Indians don’t have much of a shot at the WC as they are about 5 games out and have to leapfrog teams like the Angels and Mariners to get there, don’t know if there is enough magic or time left in the season to even accomplish that feat, but I guess that’s why they play the games,  so we’ll see.  There were a few major trades at the deadline, too many to list here, but lets just say that the A’s have put themselves in place for a run at the pennant, and rival Detroit in their starting pitching.  Surprises to me are the Brewers the Orioles and the ROYALS!! Their hold on first place in their respective divisions is amazing.  if you would have told me in April that all THREE of those teams would be in first place in August I would have asked for whatever it was you were smoking at the time.  The most intriguing race in those three divisions is between KC and Detroit.  that’s a race that could come down to the final weekend and with the Royals not being in the playoffs for better than 20 years, it is exciting to watch.

NBA (YES!! the NBA!!!!)

So the hometown boy has come home to Cleveland…  Welcome home LeBron, Cleveland has missed you, and yes we are a forgiving city, we will welcome you home with open arms, forgive the whole fiasco of “The Decision” forgive the fact that you bailed on us for a couple of rings, forgive that you decided that $$$ was more important than loyalty, and yes we will cheer you when you hoist an NBA championship banner in Cleveland, something the city hasn’t seen I 50 years.  Just remember that as we forgive you, we wont forget, nor will we trust you until you in fact do what you say you are going to do.  Finish your career in Cleveland. 

NFL – Best For Last….. (with some NCAA thrown in)

Where to start, cause there is so much.  Ray Rice, Hall of Fame, Josh Gordon, Johnny Manziel, Roger Goodell, New rules, Buffalo and the ownership, NCAA Playoff, Notre Dame, The Big five Conferences,   Oh hell…  Maybe I will just hit the highlights and leave other subjects for stand alone posts for later. 

Ray Rice needs to be suspended for 6-8 games.  He punched his woman, he dragged her out of an elevator.  That’s all that needs to be said about that.  You don’t get a pass from me or anyone else.  That’s criminal, he should really be in jail, but if I say that people will think I am biased against the Ravens.  Great class of inductees to the HOF this year, my favs are Derrick Brooks and Ray Guy, having watched Brooks since his rookie year and seeing Guy play  in his prime, it was great to see them get in to the HOF.  Ray Guy should have been in the HOF years ago, but because he is a punter, well, some say he isn’t a “real” football player, but Guy invented the word “Hang Time” and was a big reason the Raiders were so good in the 70’s and 80’s.  Ray Guy was a FIRST ROUND draft pick… as a punter…  first round…  think about that…  DB was the reason the Bucs D was as goo as they were in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.  he was the leader o that defense and the major reason they were so dominant.  Say what you will about the rest o the players, Sapp, Lynch, Barber, Rice (Simeon, not Ray), all should be in the hall, but sadly I think that the only sure fire player that is going to go is Rhonde, Lynch maybe one day, and Rice being the long shot.  Josh Gordon got to state his case to the NFLPA over the course of two days last week, with a decision not coming down til later this week, which is in and of itself stupid.  either they are going to suspend him or they wont, they need to make up their minds so Cleveland can move on towards the first game against the Steelers and get ready with the players that will be there.  this is the first year for the NCAA four team playoff.  All I can say is it is about time, but there are still NOT ENOUGH teams involved, and with the announcement that the Big five conferences can now pretty much do what they want when it comes to compensating their players (Big 10, SEC, Pac 12, Big 12, & ACC) the playing field is no longer level and the smaller conferences have no chance at all in participating in the playoffs.  This puts the little guy in the ranks of the Div II colleges and just isnt fair.

I will save the other topics for stand alone posts at a later time, but I do want to end on a non-sports related topic..  One of my favorite people in the whole world passed away this week, and I have been severely affected by it.  Whether you loved his acting, his stand up, or just how much joy he brought to the world, Robin Williams was a giant.  Academy Award Winner, Philanthropist, TV Star, Supporter of the troops, Golden Globe Winner, his resume was wide, his list of accolades was long, but yet we never knew how deep his pain was.  Until this week, none of those outside his immediate circle knew just how deep his depression was.  I was shocked, saddened, and felt a part of my youth was stolen away from me when I heard the news that he had passed.  I grew up on Mork N Mindy, Loved ALL of his movies, his stand up was second to none, except maybe Carlin, and we are all better for have seen and experienced his talent.  If you, or someone you know is dealing with depression, know this, it is serious, it is a disease, and it is fatal if not treated.  It may not be a viral or bacterial disease, but it is a disease nonetheless, and as someone that has dealt with it all of my life, I know that friendships and family are the keys to dealing with it, along with treatment, whether through drugs or counseling.  If you are depressed, get help, and if you know someone that is depressed, make sure you tell them you love them, give them a hug, and always be there for them.  With that, I will leave you with this…

Mork Calling Orson…  Mork Calling Orson..  Na Nu Na Nu….

 

Get in the game, or ride the bench….. the choice is yours

Scott “The Sports Nerd” Wright