Wrestling with life, after death

FEATURE ASSIGNMENT:


This story from ESPN is about A.J and Brittany Detwiler, and their struggle with life after the death of their parents, Andrew and Suzanne. The story focuses on the children, specifically A.J who is an aspiring wrestler from Pennsylvania. The feature is categorized as a profile of A.J, because of his athletic background and because the feature is from ESPN. The conflict is that of the Detwiler's family life and how Andrew, who suffered from Bipolar Disorder, killed his wife Suzzane, and then was killed by his son Corey our of self defense. The story is told in third person, and it is effective because it concentrates on the children's points of view. The author has a solemn yet overcoming vibe, and the point of view he depicts is that of pride and respect towards the children overcoming the traumatizing death of their parents. The story made me feel extreme sympathy for the children, who now have to live a life without parents. I also now hope for A.J's athletic success, and his well being dealing with such a devastating loss.

Reyes wins batting title

In a feature article by The Washington Post, the story analyzes Jose Reyes becoming the first player in the New York Mets' half-century history to win a National League batting title, edging Milwaukee's Ryan Braun by five percentage points in a controversial finish Wednesday. The story describes the struggle and endurance Reyes needed to pursue a batting title, that is to finish the Major League Baseball season with the highest batting average. The feature is a profile but it is geared more as a trend/issue, due to the controversy of how Reyes won the title. The article is sympathetic to Reyes, who let his manager take him out of the game after one at bat, to preserve his advantage of his average against Ryan Braun's. The author claims that Reyes earned the batting title, throughout the entire 128 game season, and just because he was pulled in one game, which just so happened to be the last, is irrelevant. The story makes me feel skeptical, because Braun had more at bats than Reyes and was on a more competitive team the entirety of the season. Reyes, was on a sub-500 Mets team, and was out for a large portion of the season with injuries. This story will be more feature worthy in the next couple of days as well, seeing as that Reyes was just awarded the title as of last night. After perusing multiple sites I found a poll at BaseballNation connected with another article analyzing the story. The poll question, "Do you think any less of Jose Reyes for exiting Wednesday's game after just one at-bat to protect his batting average?" had a suprising %41 percent 'yes' answer of the three options.

Week 5: News Round-up

Shanghai Subway Accident Injures Hundreds

 271 of people were reported injured Tuesday, Sept. 27 in Shanghai, when two trains collided. For the entire article on The New York Times, click here.

 

 

Charlie Sheen, Warner Bros. settle lawsuit

Charlie Sheen, former actor of "Two and a Half Men" and his lawsuit with his former employer has ended. Sheen had filed a $100 million lawsuit for wrongful termination after he was fired in March. For more information on the USA Today article, click here. 

 

 

Fast-food deals go into overdrive as economy sputters

 As the economy continues to regress, and unemployment in the ages 18-24 is approaching %20, fast food chains are revving the deals into fifth gear, for more information click here.

 

Source: Marlins to hire Ozzie Guillen

 

Ozzie Guillen walked away from the Chicago White Sox on Monday after being unable to secure a contract extension, and he apparently is walking into a new job managing the Florida Marlins. For more on this breaking news, click here.

 

 

Texas A&M welcomed to SEC

 The South-Eastern Conference has officially welcomed Texas A&M as the 13th member of the league on Monday. The SEC announced Sunday that Texas A&M would leave the Big 12 to join the conference next July and will compete in all sports for the 2012-13 academic year. The Aggies are the first newcomers since South Carolina and Arkansas joined the conference in 1992. For more information on the ESPN article, click here.

 

 

Top 5 Fantasy Sleeper Running Backs: Week 3

As the season progresses, many running backs have dissapointed, been injured, and pleasently suprised fantasy owners. Based on how the season's outcomes thus far, lets see which backs can surpass expectations this week based on particular matchups.


Daniel Thomas Projection: 14, RT Projection: 17
Thomas is facing up against a Cleveland Browns team that has let over 100 yards on the ground the last two weeks, after Thomas' 107 yard performance last week against Houston, I can see him running for 100 again with a score. Thomas isn't a burner or a bruiser as far as standards, but he has the speed to make some miss, and the size to break tackles. As Reggie Bush's further regression takes place, lets watch the rookie become studly as the season progresses.





 Shonn Greene Projection: 12, RT Projection 14
This is tough, because Greene is a perennial fantasy disappointment, but if he's on your bench and you have a flex play option open, start him. The Raiders defense gave up 180 yards and 2 Touchdowns last week against the Bills, and Fred Jackson is comparable to Shonn Greene as far as running style and speed. I expect Greene to get in the 15-20 carry range, and that bodes well as the Jets are the clear favorite in this match up.






Marshawn Lynch Projection 8, RT Projection 13
Marshawn, Marshawn, Marshawn, how you and your team has been annoyingly disappointing thus far. The only reason I have Lynch here was because of how putrid the Cardinals defense was last week against the Washington Redskins (31 attempts, 177 yards). Sure Lynch hasn't produced a solid fantasy score this season, but against the 49ers week one, a comparable opponent to the Cardinals, he had 13 carries. I expect this game to be ugly and close, but that bodes well for Lynch who I expect to score a touchdown. If you have few options as a flex and he's on your bench, I'd start him.




Brandon Jacobs Projection 3, RT Projection 12
Jocobs make the list again, as he disappointed week one, but blew up for 13 points in week 2 against St. Louis. He head to Philadelphia this week against the 31st worst run defense of the Eagles. The Eagles have given up 30 plus points on the ground each game this season, both by bruisers in Michael Turner, and Steven Jackson. Jacobs is still in a time-share, but he will not disappoint, he may even win you your match up if you start him as your flex.










DeMarco Murray Projection 2, RT Projection 10
DeMarco is better than Tashard Choice, period. With Felix Jone's doubtful after missing practice this week, and Tony Romo, Miles Austin, and Dez Bryant banged up, Murray is the lead candidate to step up and beat a skaky 2-0 Redskins team. If your team is depleted and in need of life-support, start him as your flex, if not, hold off until he proves himself.

Tucson Sentinal

Dylan Smith, editor of the Tucson Sentinal, was a guest speaker of my JRN 186 writing for the web class, Thrusday September 15th. Smith was very enlightening, giving my fellow classmates and I information about the Sentinal, a non-profit organization, that relies on its views for success. He delved into the nuances of the online newspaper industry and how, the Sentinel being a non-profit organization, relies on adverstising to maintain the site. I enoyed learning that the designer of the site, is a man who lives in Hong Kong, whom Smith has never met in person.

The Sentinel is primarily written by locals of Tucson, and has been the beaker of many local news stories, such as the Gabriel Gifford shooting, and news associated with that story.

Scam Newton, or Glam Newton?



Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers' Quarterback.

Cam Newton, high profile number 1 overall draft pick of this years draft for the Carolina Panthers, has been over-hyped and under-hyped by many critics over the last five months. He put some of the doubters to rest, opening NFL kickoff weekend against the Arizona Cardinals with a spectacular game of three total touchdowns, a rapport with his top receiver Steve Smith, and surmounting the NFL record for passing yards as a rookie in his NFL debut with 422 yards.

But skeptics will always be skeptics. In an article posted the day following Cam's record breaking day, Christopher Harris of ESPN had some very bold doubts about the rookie. "There's no question he made throws I didn't think he could make, and the chemistry he has already with Steve Smith is palpable. But please, please, please don't get too carried away... And more importantly, the Arizona Cardinals' defense is putrid. I mean, putrid. CB Patrick Peterson, the No. 5 overall pick in April's draft, was thrown at more than a dunking-booth attendant."

This scrutiny is understandable, especially from a fantasy football perspective where your quarterback is arguably is the need of consistant play more than any other position for success.
 I'm a firm believer in potential, but I am also very critical of young inexperienced quarterbacks as they have not proven any substantial performances

Until Cam Newton wins games single-handedly for a sub-par Panthers team and he doesn't lose his team games, I still believe he is unproven. It was one game. It just so happened to be his first.

It is guilty until proven innocent in the NFL, esptcially when a player adds pressure on himself such as Newton. Cam stated in an interview with Sports Illustrated, ""I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon.”

So is he Glam Newton now that he had one above-average game? Or Scam Newton becasue of the media giving him pre-mature aknowledgment as the next great quarterback. Time will tell, but I'm leaning on Scam.

For a Cam Newton fantasy analysis video click, here.

Week 3: I Did This And so Should You

                Picture me, a frightened 21 year old young man, parking his girlfriend’s red Volkswagen Beetle into an animal shelter on a stormy Friday afternoon. I just sit in the car, debating if making the decision of adopting an animal is feasible with my lifestyle. Would a dog be too much work? Did I have enough time? Enough money? Enough space, to own a dog? I wasn’t comfortable, but I did know, however, that this stormy Friday afternoon would change my life. 

Among the first 21 years of my life I have done very few things worth mentioning to a general audience let alone getting recognition. Sure, I have a few personal triumphs such as athletic notoriety and scholastic achievement, but when I was asked to write an assignment with the premise “I did this and so should you,” I couldn’t think of anything until this previous weekend. This past weekend, I visited an animal shelter, Pima Animal Care Center, and after a nerve-wracking couple of minutes I adopted a dog.

                I am by no means a humanitarian or animal rights activist. I was simply interested in getting my girlfriend a gift for her 21^st birthday. But when browsing this beautiful animal shelter I simply couldn’t withhold my emotion any longer. When I saw this gorgeous border-collie lab mix stare at me with a particular purpose, with those sparkling amber eyes, fluffy fur, and shaggy black tail with the slightest bit of white at the tip, I simply just knew. I knew that I was going to adopt a dog that Friday, September 9^th, 2011. I knew that I was unbelievably underprepared; I was then certain that my life was going to change forever.

                   I am also not encouraging those of you who are as incredibly impulsive and as underprepared as I was to adopt a dog. This paper is not intentionally to guilt trip you into adopting a dog, like watching a painful Sarah McLaughlin animal donation commercial. I am just writing this to document that Miley, my new puppy of 7 months, has changed my life. Words cannot describe the emotion a dog or pet of any kind brings to a person. I, myself didn’t even know what that meant until four days ago.

                I presume that most students around my age had similar emotions that I had before adopting Miley that day. Most of my peers fall into a habitual routine of predictability. A mundane wake up, go to school or work, then sleep schedule. It seems that we are sucked into a concept where life is about getting over the dreading upcoming event and letting it pass, and looking forward to an event or day that seems like an eternity away that lasts for a fraction of a second. This concept, which is true for many people, is just not a positive way of living.

                Maybe I’m again being presumptuous, but I believe the fun from life comes from spontaneity and unpredictability. People, in my opinion, have the best time when a great thing happens to them unknowingly. Take a surprise party for example. You think the day is going to be normal, just like any other day. Your friend or family member calls and says he or she is picking you up. Then out of nowhere, a party! A day that you will remember forever, where all of the people you love are and set up for just for you. And the key to that happiness was that you didn’t know it was coming.

                A dog, for all intents and purposes is like having surprise party every day. Every day since picking up Miley, I wake up to a kiss on the cheek; I get showered with love all morning, and every night when I come home from school. When I’m away from her I miss her, and when I return to her, she is always excited.  With Miley, every day is not mundane, every day is not normal, and everyday will not be memorable, but I will remember her, forever. 

                Another disclaimer, I am not a philosopher, or a “deep” person as far as those standards go. I do know that people get scared of trying to achieve happiness, in fear of being irresponsible and something bad happening as a result. A dog is one of those fears. I am now a firm believer that love, of any kind, is what augments happiness. Miley, and other dogs and animals alike, are easy to love creatures. In fact, all they need is love. They don’t have the baggage that human happiness has. They don’t have anxiety, they don’t fall into a depressing routine, and they don’t care about anything but the attention of their owners. They just get love and give love.

                I am not the kind of person to say “I did this, so you should do this.” I am not saying that my opinion, judgment, or beliefs regarding animal adoption should be accepted and applied just from reading this paper. I am just recording my emotions so that if a person needs love, and is afraid of it then they can be confident in adopting an animal. Miley, in the short 96 hour period where she has been mine, has surprisingly lit up my life. From the moment we drove off from the care center to the moment I woke up next to her this morning, I now know that a dog is a precious commodity. Their love is truly unconditional, something that is both rare and valuable. If you need some affection and have enough time on your hands, I would strongly suggest giving an animal a home. So if you’re asking, “should I do this, if you did this?” Yes you should.

 ctivity of any kind.

Top 5 Fantasy Sleepers: Week 1 Running Backs

These are Running Backs that are currently projected outside the top 25 in their position for Week 1 of the season that I believe can safely surmount their projections.

1.LeGarrette Blount vs. Det

Projected: 14, RT Projection: 18

All but one game in which Blount received 15 carries or more last year that he did not trump 16 points. And last season against the Lions? 15 carries, 110 yards and 1 TD giving him 17 fantasy points. With the Bucs going into the season very comfortable with the second year man out of Oregon, they will more than likely give him 15-plus carries each game. He could blow up against an inconsistent Detroit defense that is on the road, but I'm confident in projecting 18.

2.Ryan Mathews vs. Min

Projected 7, RT Projection: 14

Matthews has all of the intangibles of a star running back in the NFL that gave him such hype last year as the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson, who coincidentally is on this list as well. After a disappointing rookie season that lead to Mike Tolbert getting the lion share of the carries, I expect Matthews to be more of the feature back this season with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. If the Chargers give him at least 20 touches on the ground and through the air combined, he will easily match if not surpass my 14 point projection, and with Darren Sproles darting off to New Orleans, I can foresee that as a likely possibility. If he's on your bench, start him as your flex play.

3.Brandon Jacobs @ Was

Projected 4, RT Projection 13

I love Ahmad Bradshaw, BUT I also love Brandon Jacobs against a very weak Redskins team in week 1. Sure the Redskins had a moderately good defense last year, and Big Blue's offense this preseason has been shaky, but the Giants are a much better team than the Skins. Period. I expect Bradshaw to have more touches, but I also expect Jacobs as a bruiser to have more goal-line carries and at least 10 for the game. He will get a TD in this match-up, so if it's between Jacobs and that iffy wide receiver as your flex, start Jacobs, he won't disappoint.

4.LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Dal

Projected 5, RT Projection 10

Yeah Yeah, I'm a Jets fan, but I also know that LT, when fresh, put up numbers (he averaged 14.12) through the first six weeks of last season. I also do not believe the Shonn Greene post-hype, hype. When Greene falters, and even if he doesn't, expect LT to get a minimum of 10 carries (he had 0 below 10 last season). He may not be the goal line stud he once was, or put up spectacular numbers, but he's got the best opportunity to put up sturdy fantasy points this week. Last time I checked he was on the Jets, they've ran the ball the most out of any other team under Rex Ryan the past three seasons.

5.Mark Ingram @ GB

Projected 3, RT Projection 8

Usually when I make my selections in my fantasy drafts, I always jump and select rookie RB's thinking that they will perform right away. But with Ingram, he's in an advantageous fantasy situation. If your going, "But what about Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sprolles?" relax, for God's sake. The Saints have not taken a running back in the first round since Reggie Bush in 2006, when Sean Peyton was not the coach. Since Peyton is now the coach and at the helm of personnel decisions, I trust his judgement of Ingram, the best running back in college the last two years. There is a lot of doubt surrounding where Ingram will get carries, I expect a 10 a game average over the course of the season. I also project one TD against a tough Packers defense in week 1. I like, but don't love Ingram this week, but again if he's your flex, he's more likely to score than your third receiver.

Top 5 Fantasy Must Starts Week 1: Quarterback

1. Michael Vick 25pts. @ ST. Louis Rams.

Vick was the number one fantasy player last year after only starting 12 games. Sure, the risk involving Vick is that he is injury prone. I think that will be more of an issue as the season progresses as defenses wear him down as he gets hit more often. The Rams defense has been rebuilding with second year coach, Steve Spagnuolo finishing 12th in defense this past season, along with adding much needed safety help with Quintin Mikell and prospect defensive lineman Robert Quinn. Vick will still have his way with the Rams, playing in a dome where he can air it out all day putting the defense on its heals which will lead him to being successful running as well.

Projection: 300 Passing Yards, 2 TD, 50 Rushing Yards 1 Rushing TD

2. Tom Brady 24pts @Mia Dolphins.

Miami is one of the worst teams in the league this year, at least in the bottom seven projected at season's end. With the quarterback questions concerning Chad Henne, and a lack of consistant proven running game with Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas, I fail to see how the Dolphins will be able to keep Brady's offense off the field. The only reason I have Brady behind Vick, is due to the fact that it may be a blow out early, and Brady may be handing the ball off to the law firm by the third quarter to finish the game. Brady may have a perfect passer rating by this games end, but only above average fantasy stats to show for it, still he is a must start, and a safe start to get you that guaranteed 20.

Projection: 275 Passing Yards, 3 TD

3. Matt Schaub 23pts vs. Ind Colts.

The Texans Offense is the only current consistancy of the AFC South with Peyton Manning's injury. Manning has been ruled out at least week one, and the Colts live and die by Manning. The Texans should be able to run and throw all over the Colts. I expect Andre Johnson to thrive, but with that I also expect Arian Forster (if able to play) and Schaub to easily have productive safe fantasy games. Again, Although Schaub will be a safe fantasy play, he will hand the ball off to whoever the Houston running back is often and late.

Projection: 300 Passing Yards, 2 TD

4. Aaron Rodgers 22pts vs. NO Saints.

A-Rod is arguably the best quarterback in the league right now, although I don't believe that he has reached the echelon of Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. He has, however, been a fantasy stud the past three years. He is playing a hot or cold type defense in New Orleans to open the season Thursday. What scares me is whoever jumps on top of this game and scores the first couple of Touchdowns will result in the opposing quarterback to force throws in tight spaces. What entices me is that since Rodgers is elite, he is up to the challenge. Brees vs. Rodgers, we shall see who triumphs an amazing opener.

Projection: 275 Passing Yards 3 TD, 1 INT

5.Philip Rivers 20pts vs. Min Vikings

The Chargers have always notoriously started seasons slow under Norv Turner as head coach. But Phillip Rivers' emergence as a top-tier quarterback on a San Diego team that finished number one in offense and defense last year poses little loss of sleep for fantasy owners. The question of this game is not if Rivers will get his, but if Adrian Peterson and the Vikings can dominate the Time of Possession enough to slow River's potential outstanding numbers.

Projection: 200 Passing Yards 3 TD

What's 'Love' Got To Do With It?

Kevin Love is a beast on the boards, but why is he writing a blog on GQ? He begins with a painful 500 word explanation of how he wound up in the All-Star game in the 2010-2011 season, and then tells his readers, "Now let me tell you about All Star Weekend, and it'll be fast, because man, it was constant motion." To those of you reading this and want to save yourself 10 minutes of your life, Love was a replacement for Yao Ming, who was injured and could not play in the game. So, if you just happened to stay alive after reading the most bland 500 words in any athlete's blog ever, you somehow get to thanking Kevin Love for telling you that he's wrapping up. But no. He finds a way to dramatize his All-Star experience for another 500 words. I'm not here to write about how Atheletes shouldn't blog, but after reading that, I've learned why sports journalists and bloggers still have jobs.

New England Patriots Interested in Signing... Randy Moss?

An article from ESPN posted today, September 6th, hints at the New England Patriots reuniting Randy Moss to the team. The Patriots traded Moss to the Minnesotta Vikings for a fouth round draft pick last year, who was subsequently waived and awarded to the Tennesse Titans. Moss is currently retired, but has shown interesty in playing for New England coach, Bill Belichick. For more information, click here.

Week 2: First Blog Post

Hello Blogger World! Welcome to my blog for my Journalsim 186 class! I will be covering all aspects of sports from fantasy sports analysis, to NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL commentary. Stay tuned and happy reading.