Until last year, there was no greater lightning rod for Dolfan debate than whether Jeff Ireland deserved his job or not. Want to relive the case for firing Ireland? I assure you it will make your butt hurt.
We start in 2008 when the Ireland/Parcells duo selected Jake Long with the first overall pick. Jake Long was one of the best Left Tackles in the game for some time. But should the Dolphins have taken Matt Ryan? Long is basically out of the NFL now and Ryan is going strong, albeit the Falcons aren’t winning like they were early in his career.
But its not the selection of Long that should have Dolfans scratching their heads. Its the 2nd round selections of Philip Merling and Chad Henne. Now your butt hurts doesn’t it.
This is the Ireland curse. The curse of the 2nd round. Its probably worth while to include the 3rd round in the Ireland curse as well. During the Ireland era, we rarely brought in good football players in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. And he had a lot of them to play with. Take 2009 as an example.
After the Dolphins parted ways with Brian Hartline this year, there are no more players from the 2009 draft on the roster. Our first pick that year, Vontae Davis was shipped to Indianapolis to find his way around the urinals there. Davis has excelled with the Colts. We took a 2nd cornerback in that draft named Sean Smith. While Sean Smith was a whipping boy for Dolfans during his time in Miami, he hasn’t been half bad in Kansas City. There is a possibility that Sean Smith is Ireland’s best 2nd round pick. While you are finishing puking in your mouth, remember the real failure of the 2009 draft. The two Pats! YUK!!!!
2010 brought a few Dolphins who have been productive for the Dolphins. The Dolphins traded back in 2010 to take Jared Odrick who also left this offseason. In the 2nd round the Dolphins took Koa Misi, who started at MLB in 2014. The Dolphins actually selected 4 linebackers in that draft to help Mike Nolan run his defense. The biggest bust of the 2010 draft was probably John Jerry who may have eaten his way out of Miami.
So Ireland is back on track right? 2011 should be great right? No Dolfans, No! Butt hurt is a mysterious thing. In 2011 the Dolphins traded up from the 3rd round into the 2nd round for Daniel Thomas.
Thomas had some moments as a Dolphin. He blocked well and scored a few TDs. He also blew out Darell Revis’ knee on a little cut which earns him a place in my little hamster heart. But the trade up and the fact that DeMarco Murray was available in the 3rd round gets him on this list. I bet you are accusing of me of hindsight right now. You are right! I am looking at your ass! But you should be aware that most experts had Murray rated higher than Thomas in 2011…except Ireland.
Oh Yeah, the Dolphins selected Clyde Gates in 2011 in the 4th round. And a lot of us celebrated the Glide pick in the 4th round…oops.
In 2012 the Dolphins selected Ryan Tannehill with their first round pick, a selection I greeted with cheers and shots. In the next round the Dolphins would get a steal. An anchor to protect Ryan Tannehill and his name was Jonathan Martin. The Great Martin would become known to Dolfans for his toughness. Not a bad 2nd round pick right?
In the next round Ireland would continue to help Tannehill by bringing in a reliable weapon, tight end, Michael Egnew. What a pair of great picks by Ireland right? Does your butt hurt? I bet it does. Well, here is the good news, while Martin and Egnew aren’t very good football players, they make one hell of a dessert.
Those 2012 players quick exits are easy to evaluate as busts, but players like Dion Jordan and Jamar Taylor are still a mystery. So I will keep my hamster trap shut about those guys. After the 2013 season, Jeff Ireland was fired to the delight of many Dolfans. The evidence above points to the obvious fact that Dawn Aponte got a quality GM fired based on a play for power and the dysfunction in the Dolphins’ front office…right? Right? RIGHT?
I hope I made it difficult to sit for the rest of your day. Next week, we take a look at the Shula years. Even icons have bad moments.
This post is Pokey endorsed. Don’t ever accept a Pokey Post without the seal of Pokey!
*************************************************************************
The Mock Poll Draft Goes On!!!
Even though the Dolphins have picked. I am still nevous. Who will fall? Who will go early?
The Eagles are on the clock
What will Chip Kelley do?
Don’t know what other team’s needs are? Here is some mocks by the experts at NFL.com to give you an idea
Finsmob Unleashed 
first—-did the dolphin/ny jets game go into OT.
Lol! Nice job Piggy!
MikeTim,
Mejia had tightness in his elbow while wasming up yesterday (gulp!)
Nice article! Colonpokey, my butt is now hurting. I’m glad that guy is in NO now instead of anywhere near our team. Dion may not have been a bust but his contributions have not mirrored his spot in the draft. Hoping for a diamond in the rough though.
Uncle – Uncle – Uncle
Stop! I can’t take it anymore, leave my butt alone Pokey
And please don’t make us look at the Shula years. John Bosa (ouch that hurt my butt) don’t do it…
Let’s also pay homage to Shawn Murphy, John Nalbone, Lionel Dotson and the great JD Folsom. Ireland on Folsom: “We have a role for him”
LOL @ the Ireland quote
Great job Piggy! You have exposed Ireland’s butt. There were some seriously awful early picks. He seemed to hit more picks in the later RD’s, for whatever reason, which is very unusual.
Yes, guys like Keeston Randall, Chris McCoy and Frank Kearse?
Well, not exactly those guys, butt, Reshad Jones, Charles Clay, Rishard Matthews, Jimmy Wilson, Chris Clemons.
You could Donal Thomas to that list, he’s still playing, although he’s on his 4th team and I think he’s injured, again.
Along with some cabbage and unchewed corn…
This would make more sense if it posted right under Mike E’s “You have exposed Ireland’s butt..”…
LOL, nasty
Looks like the Chargers have drafted Gurley
Son is now a Chargers fan. Catch ya on the Bolt Blog Sonny! lol
Ah, LOL @ Try. I had no idea what you meant.
Forgive me- I’m on Central time- a little off my game, such as it is…
The Chiefs are on the clock
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/mock-drafts
Most of the experts at NFL.com have the chiefs selecting OL
Andrus Peat fits a WCO style blockign scheme
Piggy prediction of the next 3 picks base don what’s left on the board
KC – Andrus Peat
Clev – Malcom Brown
Phi – Arik Armstead (and Oregon guy)
I have the Chiefs taking Jaelen Strong
If andy Reid takes a Wr it will be a speedy one
He likes speed in the WCP
So Perriman is more likely
One of the experts at NFL.com (the only one having them take a WR) has Kansas City taking Devin Smith
There recieving group sucked last year
but the consesus seems to beleive they are taking OL
They got Maclin in the offseason. You might be right about wanting a speedy receiver.
That just the Andy Reid offense Mike E
its a WCO with a lot of speed at the skill positions
In Philly it was Maclin, Jackson and McCoy
He has a good RB to start with
But Bowe was not for Reid
and likewise I do not think Strong is
They need their DeSean Jackson
but maybe they go OL int he 1st round and WR (devin smith) in he 2nd
Defensively they are in good shape
BTW – Running a 4.44 is not exactly a slow receiver either (Jaelen Strong)
Yeah I know
Strong is fast
I’m just saying Andy Reid’s offense might be looking more for a Doresett or Devin Smith type
Or Perriman
No way am I a Charger fan. If Suh didn’t make me Lion fan or Cam a Panther fan then Gurley has no shot.
The Chiefs lost one Safety in FA and Berry is out sick and Landon Collins is still there, this is obvious and a steal for the Queefs.
Good point
I saw some funny stuff there Piggy but I do not want to revisit the past and bad draft picks etc.
Yeah
I figured
Its a pokey comical look at the past
At some level you have to be able to laugh about it
it helps the pain…like liquor
I don’t wanna! LOL
Andrus Peat with 3 votes leads the way
Strong, Perriman and Collins each with one vote
I usually close the voting at about 10 votes
Should be fast and furious today like it was, last Thursday
Sonny
OK, good to have you back. lol
Brian, what is with these pitchers’ arms these days? I don’t remember this being an issue back in the day. 10-15 day disable list was about it. Now everyone’s elbow or shoulder explodes.
I was watching Mejia warm up, and as he threw his last pitch, he kinda of jumped up. I thought it was just because he was done, I didn’t realize he was in pain. Now it makes sense. Has there been any further news on Mejia yet?
MRI today or tomorrow
I have to get work done today
But I leave you with a tweet I sent last night
Check back later today to put the next team on the clock
Hopefully one of the next coupel of votes are either Collins or Peat to break the tie between the 2
I can just vote again!
you can vote on each deviceTim,
I read a article last year about how the pitchers are being pushed so hard through little league and high school now, and they aren’t given the proper amount of rest. Whatever the case, it is alarming, particularly for the Mets.
Yeah kids sports are insane these days with over zealous parents and coaches living vicariously through children. Not that there wasn’t some of that when I played, but it’s even more insane today.
Look at the salaries it beats growing up to be an insurance salesman
Thanks Bri
Hope Mejia is OK. It would be crazy if it’s something serious.
Son, no doubt about the money. But I have some friends who have and still are going through sports with their kids and some of the stuff that goes on is insane.
My son started lacrosse this spring. he is in a learn to play league that practices in an indoor bubble with four shortened fields where soccer and lacrosse on various levels take place. On the next field I heard this father screaming instructions to his son (about 10-12 years old). I’m thinking to myself “WTF? Please don’t ever let that be me>”
Please don’t let that be you, you’re better than that
Son, it was appaling.
I’m fine with signing him as long as it doesn’t affect what we plan to do at 14.
He would be a solid signing.
I’d love to have him on our team. I wanted him more than Wallace a couple of years ago. I don’t believe getting Jennings would alter our plans to get a WR in this draft at all.
Mike E, I agree that Jennings doesn’t change any plans on the future. He helps us now though.
I also wanted Jennings over Wallace but days before FA I knew Wallace was going to be our target so I just accepted it.
View from balcony: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B19IVvZEPrKUS0lYTk85dkZCX3M/edit?usp=docslist_api
You can kick a FG. LOL
LOL! Where is that?
Somebody put those buildings in the way of my view- bastards.
Nice Trypod. Enjoy!
Oriole Beach, Portofino Towers, Pensacola.
Oh one of those American league destinations
Where are you staying Try?
Pensacola.
I like Jennings and hope we pick him up. We could use a few more pieces.
He’s reliable.
When I was a kid, my little league was nowhere near the best around. There was one elite little league (Gil Hodges), and one very good one (Kings Bay), but (West Brighton) my little league did one thing right, that I don’t see the little leagues around here in NJ doing. When we were 6 and 7 years old, we were put into waht was called “The Association”. In the Association, all we did was do drills learning how to throw, how to catch, how to field ground balls, and how to field fly balls. Then we learned how to hit, but never, NEVER, did we play a game of T-ball, or any other baseball game until you were done with the year of association. I hate that they throw kids on the field in t-ball without having any idea as to whether they can catch a ball properly, or how to throw. I think they’re so worried about keeping kids “entertained”, rather than teaching them the necessary skills to play well.
Hmmm, we Italians have an “Association” too
Seriously though that is really a good idea
LOL – I’ve heard about that. 😉
Yep, we also went to the field ourselves to hone our skills so when we did join a league we already had the basics and then coaches could teach us the finer points. Now some kids don’t even know how to put the glove on.
LOL @ can’t put the glove on, so true
Neither can their old man
Enjoy Try! – How long you there, a week?
Yep. It’s touristy, but not as bad as Myrtle Beach.
Try, that’s just slightly better the the place I usually stay at.
LOL! Nice!
Lol.
LOL, does that window open?
Yeah, once. lol
5 stars on Hotels.com
And the Cheifs select landon collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c_onhzgvcY
There it is most Little Leagues in middle America, lol
LMAO! !
Good morning…
Good points above but my final assessment of Ireland was disappointment but not necessarily ‘terrible’. His biggest failure was on offensive linemen (and offense in general).
He had a tough time picking up anybody who wasn’t the best rated at their position (wiffed on Jerry, Murphy, in medium range of draft among others). He was ok on defense but below average on offense.
Early on he had Parcells over his shoulder so its tough to tell who called what on draft day. I’m pretty sure Long was Parcells decision all the way. Pat White was also Parcells decision (stated publicly). The trade up for Daniel Thomas was necessary because neither Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams were re-signed and the Fins had only Lex Hilliard on the roster to start. The team didn’t acquire Reggie Bush until after the draft so you can see why Ireland was forced to trade up to get a RB though we can discuss that he took the wrong one (Dallas took Murray before Miami’s spot in RD 3).
But enough about Ireland who’s on to other places :P.
In the same way Ireland was handicapped by Parcells, I hope Hickey is not by Tannebaum. Ross says publically that it isn’t so but Ross has been proven wrong with his public statements in the past -> 1) Said Carl Peterson would not be involved in football matters of the Miami Dolphins; strictly a football stadium technology venture but then Carl is seen with Jeff Fisher during an official team interview visit.
Anyway, things are looking up at least on the talent acquisition side. Time will tell but Hickey and Tannenbaum both at least come from organizations that place a premium on both OL & DL talent and the moves so far in just a little over a year seem to reflect that.
After we signed Suh, Tannebaum said he won’t be seeing much of Dennis and Dawn which told me that Hickey is the personnel GM and Aponte oversees the cap. Mr. T oversees the overall football operations and specifically is involved with implementing sports science and trying to make the org 1st in class. That’s why he was hired, it was too much for Hickey to oversee all of that and focus on personnel.
Al, I thought the revelation of the business venture came AFTER the Fisher deal. I think everyone knew that Ross’ ONLY football minded friend was Karl Peterson. It took public campaigns from a few fans and troop rallying for Peterson ever to become a pr issue.
Besides, nobody freakin knows what Karl said, I can’t believe I even engaged this conversation it’s so stupid that Karl Peterson gets so much airtime with this crowd. Amazing what the constant repetition of a pejorative nickname can accomplish. LOL…
Honestly, I don’t care a damn bit about what Karl’s role was or what Ross said Karl’s role was.
I’m glad you like the way you did it Mike, but I don’t know that not letting “kids” actually “play” the “game” for an entire year is the right way to go either. Too many LL parents think their kids are going to the Big Leagues as it is. I wish they’d just let their kids be kids.
JMHO, but I have seen the really ugly side of little league parenting first hand. Folks forget who it’s about too easily.
I respect your opinion on that, but thoroughly disagree. They will have plenty of time to “play” ball, but it’s best to understand how to do the sport before you play it. It’s like taking kid to a mountain, putting them on a ski lift and putting their skis on telling them to ski. You teach them on the bunny hill first, how to hold ski poles, how to put on their skis etc. etc.
You have kids out there that have never played before and have no idea how to field a ball properly, let alone protect themselves, and just for the sake of “not boring them” with teaching, we throw them on the field and let them play.
I get ya, but in your analogy I don’t let the kid slide on snow for an entire season. That’s not how teaching kids works. Games is part of the curriculum. If I thought there was a rash of little league injuries threatening our kids I might feel different, but obviously, allowing a kid to swing at a ball on a tee doesn’t preclude them from learning to protect themselves.
WTF
Andrew Abramson @AbramsonPBP · 3m3 minutes ago
Played for Dolphins from 06-11 MT @BenVolin Former NFL CB Will Allen has been charged by SEC in a ponzi scheme http://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2015/comp-pr2015-58.pdf … …
BrianCat @BrianCat13 · 20m20 minutes ago
There isn’t a Crabtree/Jennings caliber player available in FA at LB, G, or CB.
Jennings should have rapport with Freeman, FWIW
I’m sure he told Freeman to cup the clipboard from the bottom
🙂
The Browns are on the clock!
Who’s career do hey ruin now?
See edited post today for some facts about Browns
LOL, Hundley is there for the destroying
I just voted for Hundley before I read your post
Seriously I’m dying for some one to reach for those QBs so they come off my board
With the Browns on the board, is there a better shot?
The term reach is reaching “bust” like proportions.
LOL
I voted Dupree. He’ll be off the board by pick #15 for sure, no way he lasts this long.
I feel like he has been on the board a long time
and he gets vote every poll
But he is actually the 16th ranked prospect on CBS
Malcolm brown is the highest rated propsect still ont he board (15th)
We have actually been pretty conistent with their big board
with the exception of Kendricks who is ranked lower by CBS
but Kendricks is higher on other sites – so its not crazy
He should have been the Texans pick.
Jahn and Mike, the difference when we were kids was we played pickup games and practiced every day because we loved to play so when we joined league we already knew how to play baseball. Some kids today don’t know WTF they’re doing and should not play until they do or they could get hurt.
The biggest difference is the passion to play. If the kid isn’t into it he’s not going to get much out of it.
^
Seems like if we learned it organically, “kids these days” could do the same with a supervised and controlled t-ball game isn’t it? Are kids less capable of learning through play than we were?
I don’t really think we were more “passionate” as kids than any of our modern day kids are. How old are you guys getting. LOL. (JK/BB!!!) 🙂
It was way different when I grew up. We played everyday because we wanted to, not because our parents signed us up for a league.
Living in the city and playing in the schoolyards, we played ball constantly. It’s just very different in the suburbs, IMO. I saw a lot of parents signing their kids up for LL that have never played ball in their life, but their parents wanted them to have some activities. I see what happens in t-ball leagues, and I think the instruction is woefully inadequate. I would do it a lot differently.
What’s the highest anyone has seen Kendricks?
I think I’ve seen him top 10 before
Where on Jahn’s Super Mock Site? LOL
Highest Rated players (CBS rankings) left ont he baord
1. Malcolm Brown
2. Bud Dupree
3. Andrus Peat
4. Jaelen Strong
5. Melvin Gordon
6. Breshad Perriman
Today all these brats have to do is sit there and press buttons and the figures on the screen play like pros for them. Me and most on here pre-date even Pong. We were outside ballin’. Sun up to sun down.
Yep! Complaining all the way that we had to go home.
Mike E, I grew up in the suburbs but we had fields everywhere and if we weren’t playing baseball, we were playing stick ball or wiffle ball somewhere. We walked everywhere and gathered along the way, we didn’t do play dates.
I stand corrected. Ignorance on my part.
Random thoughts from yesterday’s posts…
Mike E,
I agree that an overall number cap number on season carries is a good guideline/policy (as with limiting pitch counts for pitchers) but when a player is hot in a game you ride them (like disregarding a 100 pitch count in a game where a guy is throwing a no hitter deep like last night with Sonny Gray of Oakland who almost did it). Having said that, Lamar needs more carries in games where he is feeling it and also where the Fins are facing an opponent with a tough D that needs to be softened up and tired out.
D,
I like Rory Anderson but he’s a TE (h-back) and perhaps what you said about Mike Davis’s success being part of Rory’s blocking ability is a good selling point to take Rory later in the draft (as a Clay type replacement).
Tim,
Regarding picks in the first 3 rounds…the odds of a pick lower than 67 overall becoming a 3 year or more starter is less than 50% (about 52% for those selected 46-67 range). However, this is an interesting analysis that you and Jahn might like.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfl-draft-is-it-really-that-simple/
We used to play “kill the man with the ball” when I was a kid
That was fun
we removed all the strategy of games and just attacked the kid with the ball
it was fun when you didn;t have the ball anyway…
My favorite game growing up!
We played that too, but that’s when we were bored. LOL
Dorial Green-Beckham – WR to the Browns
Write it down!
They already selected DeVante Parker in this draft
Do you really think they take 2 WRs?
They are the Browns!
And I forgot to check the first pick! 😦
GOOD MORNING DOLFANS!! – – Me and Mrs. OD suffering greatly from this bug. Got to sleep around 5 AM and ended up with about 3 hours sleep and 7-8 hours of, well, I’ll spare you the details. NOT going to work today; Tomorrow looks “iffy.”
—————
This morning’s TAMPA BAY TIMES has the details of kicker Lawrence Tynes getting seriously infected with MRSA at the Bucs training facility. TWO more Bucs (perhaps more) also got serious infections of this drug-resistant menace. Tynes’ infection was SO SERIOUS he had to retire from football!! – – Now he and his lawyer are suing Bucs’ ownership for over $20 Million!! –They say the Bucs former trainer has admitted to using NON-STERILE EQUIPMENT previously contaminated with MRSA in an attempt to save money!! – – If they can prove this (and the trainer IS willing to testify) the Glazer family will take yet another serious credibility hit in a community that is already estranged from the Buccaneers’ franchise. And to think that Wayne Huizenga was the ONLY PERSON that stood between the Glazers and full ownership of the Dolphins’ franchise!!! –Meanwhile the Glazers refuse to discuss this issue while telephone lines to local sports radio shows lambast the Glazers and demand that the Bucs be sold to a family with “civic responsibility.” It’s obvious to me that the Glazers are gutting their NFL franchise in an attempt to prop-up their investment in MANCHESTER UNITED. Another 3-4 win season will witness an 80 per cent empty Tampa Stadium in December home games.
————–
ANOTHER fine analysis, Piggy! – – The only thing worse than Ireland’s dismal draft day disasters is the fact that some so-called “Dolphin Fans” believe he was a good/great general manager!! — Back to bed! Out for now. (OD belches and farts).
Feel better OD and Mrs. OD!
Ditto! It sucks being sick like that. Fingers crossed.
Al
That’s how I feel with Miller, exactly actually. When he’s going well, why pull him? It drove me crazy!
Mike E,
From my personal experience in sports in general, practice is nice but game experience matters more in development of anything. Yes, there is a tug of war as to when the training wheels should come off but I don’t think any coach in organized sports tells a kid “put on a glove and just go out there and figure it out”. The basics are taught by almost everyone and you can only do so many fundamental drills given the short time frame in which kids are participating in after school or non-school activities. There were plenty of successful kids out there given the same training. But the desire to get better should come from the player itself (as was the case with my cousin who was a multi-year MLB all-star & WS MVP; he begged his dad to practice outside of team activities for hours upon hours.)
Out of my brothers, the best one at baseball learned by trial by fire. He used to try and play with his older brothers (we had 5-6 years on him in age) and our friends; we used to pitch slow to him (fast to everyone else who was of age) but then we just started throwing heaters to him because he was making good contact from time to time on slow pitches instead of what we wanted -> automatic outs. LOL. Guess what, he picked up the fast pitches in a short amount of time and easily outshined his peers when he played with them. Same for fielding situations.
Yeah because you played on your own. We did the same thing.
If you are just checking in today
Don;t forget to vote for the poll
The Borwns are on the clock
Almost every game we played as kids was violent. Bulldog, Johnny on the Pony, Ring-o-levio, and even the games that weren’t violent, like SPUD had a violent ending for the loser. lol
Piggy,
LOL @ “kill the man with the ball”.
“Burn ball” was another fav of mine growing up 🙂
That was the other one we played
How the Dolphins see Jennings visit….
LOL
Tim, did you play little league as a kid? And if so, were ALL of the other kids like you? Organically taught baseball and ready to roll, or, perhaps, were some of them just there because their parents signed them up for a league. Old is a state of mind, and while the world is different now than it was then, I don’t think kids are all that different. Some of them teach themselves how to play and some don’t learn until they’re in T-ball.
I have no problem with either of those scenarios. But I think the kids learning in T-ball should actually learn what game play looks like too, not just drill work.
There were a few kids who sucked that didn’t know what they were doing but their parents signed them up. They got an inning in the field and one at bat and that was it. LOL
Al
I think it’s important to keep in perspective that the situation of “Association” I was talking about was for 6-7 year old kids. Once they were 8 or older, they played regular little league. It was just the younger precursor to playing ball, I think it was a very valuable program.
Mike E, nothing wrong with bumping up his attempts with 3 or 4 more PG.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/14886/lamar-miller
OK Al, now you have to reveal your cousin’s identity. You can’t get by with that lead-in and not tell us! 😛
Yeah really. We’re waiting…
Mike E did you guys wear leather chaps when playing Johnny on the Pony? LOL
LOL..we played smeer the queer. Basically it was about dogpiling anyone who held the ball. I’m certain that title went away at the same time they started calling it “criss-cross applesauce”. LOL…
that was “kill the man with the ball” in FLA
Which was only discrimintaory in terms of gender…lol
You’d probably have to walk around the playground with a red “Q” on your forehead if you played that in today’s society.
LMAO…
“Johnny on the Pony” is Colonpokey’s favorite icebreaker….
LMAO!
Mike, I signed my son up for a pre-season Box Lacrosse league, which to simplify is basically shorter fields with six kids on each side. They practice “learn to play” in grades 1 and 2, where they practice on skills, then do a 20 minute scrimmage to finish up an hour long practice. The also have a five week, two practice a day fundamentals camp where they practice ground balls, passing, shooting, proper checking technique, etc. I think this is fine for the younger kids just starting out. He wanted to play in the town league as well, which starts in three weeks. I was expecting some type of round robin league similar to the PBC soccer league I grew up with. That’s not the case. They travel to four or five different towns to play their games, some that are up to 30 minutes away. Seems a bit much to me for 1st and 2nd grade.
We used to walk or ride our bikes to the game.
As did we
I think that’s very sensible Bri. Sounds like a good program.
I think I know who Al’s cousin is.
Me too, it’s one of these:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_mvpw.shtml
I’ve narrowed it down more than that.
LOL @ Tim
Thankfully, I only played Johnny on the Pony a few times, I thought the game was retarded.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_buck
That is definately Colonpokey’s favorite game
Tim Knight says:
April 7, 2015 at 11:18 am
Jahn and Mike, the difference when we were kids was we played pickup games and practiced every day because we loved to play so when we joined league we already knew how to play baseball. Some kids today don’t know WTF they’re doing and should not play until they do or they could get hurt.
*
Excellent point Tim.
I saw kids who didn’t know how to play who’s parents signed them up get hit in the face with the ball because they couldn’t catch.
LMAO @ that visual! it’s so true though, and then the parents probably yelled at them for not catching the ball!
Like hell Brian those parents would go ape shit on the kid who threw or hit the ball at their little prince.
Regarding more big injuries these days, there are too many theories out there and not enough conclusive evidence pointing to one specific thing.
Anyway this was Verlander’s opinion a month ago when asked about it last month by ESPN’s Jayson Stark:
“I think baseball coddles guys so much now that you delay the inevitable. I think the reason you see so many big leaguers blowing out at a young age is because they would have done it before. But now teams limit pitch counts so much, even at the major league level, that now a guy in his second or third year will pop, when it would have happened in the minors.
“Before,” he continued, “when there wasn’t such an emphasis on pitch counts, I think you kind of weeded that out. Then guys would have surgery [in the minor leagues]. Then they’d come back. And then they’d get to the big leagues.”
What are you guys talking about with Al’s cousin?
“But the desire to get better should come from the player itself (as was the case with my cousin who was a multi-year MLB all-star & WS MVP; he begged his dad to practice outside of team activities for hours upon hours.)”
Ah, I missed that line.
But the desire to get better should come from the player itself (as was the case with my cousin who was a multi-year MLB all-star & WS MVP; he begged his dad to practice outside of team activities for hours upon hours.
I owe you a beer Tim, if you ever make it to Slattery’s 😉
son of a son of a shula says:
April 7, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Like hell Brian those parents would go ape shit on the kid who threw or hit the ball at their little prince.
Bingo! And the Manager or asst. coach. LOL
I think I know who it is too Tim
Troy Glaus?
He was a WS MVP
The cousin that is
LOL @ Jahn “can’t leave us with that lead-in”.
Just wanted to make a point about someone who had success at a high level of competition (skills aside) by always pushing himself beyond what any coach could do or wanted to do. Usually the trait of anyone who becomes really successful in anything they set their mind to -> industry/trade/craft/service/charity etc but everyone here already knows that stuff. Soon it will be you with the beers. Anyway, player in question? Mike Lowell.
Hmmm. That wasn’t my guess. That is pretty awesome Al!
Bingo! That’s who I was going to say. I didn’t know he was Cuban until I looked it up but I remembered you mentioning him on the blogs before.
As a kid in Miami, we basically only played 2 games “organically”, football and basketball. There were occasional softball and kickball games, even rarer soccer, but the only baseball was parents signing kids up for “Khoury League”. Football ruled. Of course wyd play volley ball and tennis and other kids games (smear the queer, dodgeball/war)…
Same. My brothers and I were given tennis lessons one time but that didn’t stick with us. Baseball & Basketball were the norm for us growing up but in terms of organized sports, we only played baseball (football for 2 seasons that’s it; before HS).
We played at South Miami & Tamiami.
Right- I did 1 tour on the NJTA (tennis), and 2 on Pop Warner. Some of my friends did swimming at Sheeler-Winton, and would get up crafty early in the mornings to get their laps in before school, which started @ around 7:10 am.
Crafty= crazy
Btw, speaking of baseball, how about the extension NJ’s own, Rick Porcello of Morristown, got? 4yr / 82 mill from Boston …Craaaaaaaaazy what they pay a slightly better than average guy these days lol.
Porcello graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey in 2007
I grew up with Greg Behenna- you may know (of) him- more specifically, I grew up a block from his family home with his siblings, as he was maybe 3 years older than me.
Edgar Rentaria?
Scott Brosius?
Son,
lol, already stated above somewhere 😉
I know I’m just being an ass
I don’t practice Renteria I ain’t got no crystal ball
I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all
LOL
Al
Very cool. I was expecting a latino name, you threw me off with Mike Lowell. lol
David Freese?
Lets go Humans
2-3 more votes in for the Browns and I will close out that poll and move on
Take THAT !!! …
And now its a tie between Malcolm Brown and Brent Hundley
If one of them breaks 3 votes they win
And we will close the vote
And Brown wins it
Brown to the Browns
Nice humans…
The Ducks….I mean Eagles are on the clock
I am probably being a little too cute
But I am picking Arik Armstead, the former Duck, to the Eagles
They need Defense and Chip Kelly knows Armstead
I took Marcus Peters, but it could easily be Jalen Collins too.
Peters was my second choice
You figure Chip Kelley knows his old division rivals too
The Eagles and the Ravens need help int he secondary badly
CBS has Collins at the 72nd best prospect!
9th best CB
I don’t know why they don;t like him
most people have him top 5
Mike E,
It’s dated (from 2004) but here is a summary of Mike’s background I guess.
http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2004/m05/d11/c740839.jsp
I can’t see mlb.mlb content. Ridiclulous! I checked wiki though, he’s from Puerto Rico, but is of Cuban descent. I didn’t know that.
Tim Knight says:
April 7, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Bingo! That’s who I was going to say. I didn’t know he was Cuban until I looked it up but I remembered you mentioning him on the blogs before.
*
Oh! Wait! That’s what I was going to say too!
Joe Marino @TheJoeMarino · 2h2 hours ago
My Guard rankings & grades for the 2015 #NFLDraft. Only 1 graded in 1st 2 rounds. R3/4 is sweet spot. 16 draftable
http://draftbreakdown.com/joe-marinos-guard-rankings-for-the-2015-nfl-draft/ …
Every time Lowell went to bat
my Mom and Abeula would say “You know he’s Cuban”
So I defiantely knew
Lol!
Here is the Beer I owe everyone!
Cool!
Huh, I didn’t even know that existed!
It’s less than average, like the team! lol
LMAO!
Piggy
I think CBS is a little skewed, but so are some other sites. I think Collins is the 2nd best CB, at worst 4th.
IMO CBS is the most reliable cite
I like Rang and Bulger
No one is perfect
They may have missed the mark on Collins
In Case you were wondering
Eagles draft needs
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414672-philadelphia-eagles-top-needs-fits-for-2015-nfl-draft-to-build-for-the-future
Bengals draft needs
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/4/6/8343409/roundtable-bengals-needs-nfl-draft
Steelers draft needs
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/12/19/7382503/steelers-prospects-big-board-2015
Lions draft needs
http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/14600/five-areas-for-the-detroit-lions-to-focus-on-in-the-2015-draft
Based on this I would predict the next 4 picks to be
Eagles – Peters
Bengals – Peat
Steelers – Dupree (a perfect fit for them almost unfair)
Lions – Erving
Arizona – Gordon
Carolina – maybe a WR?
Baltimore – Kevin Johnson
Mike E,
That is just ridiculous that Mlb.com gets blocked at your work LOL.
Anyway, I just saved the article as an .xps file which I shared for you on my cloud account.
You should be able to view it.
http://1drv.ms/1Cb8ox7
Wyo,
Ali Marpet or bust for me LOL. Maybe Tomlinson as well but I like Marpet better myself.
Glowinski & Jarvis Harrison from Texas A&M intrigue as well but may need some time.
Mitch Morse, G, Missouri
Height: 6-5. Weight: 305.
Projected 40 Time: 5.14.
Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
3/21/15: Morse was a starter at tackle for the Tigers, but for the NFL, he should kick inside to guard. Especially considering Morse has very short arms (32 1/4 inches). Moving to guard would help his pass protection. Morse may not have the skill set to develop into a difference-maker, but he could turn into a quality contributor up front.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2015OG.php#Z44tERa4CM6bG6Wu.99
Shaq Mason, G, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 311.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2015OG.php#Z44tERa4CM6bG6Wu.99
Seriously, I was going to post the initials ML but didn’t want to expose it if Al didn’t want it out there. You don’t have to believe me but I knew it was him. Al has mentioned Mike Lowell in the past.
Matt Miller @nfldraftscout · 17m17 minutes ago
Damarious Randall finished his visit with the #Cowboys today. I’ve been told they love him and consider him the best safety in the class
Which means they will be trading up for Landon Collins. lol
Or targeting Holliman / Smith
Al
Thanks man, but that was also blocked. I’m going to get my phone and read it on that. As of now, they can’t block my phone! 🙂