Friday, August 28, 2009

Welcome Back Mike


Last night was the return of something good: Michael Vick on the football field. It was great to see Vick in a helmet and pads. Though it was brief, I think Vick did better then people might had expected. There was a warm exceptance of Vick last night. Vick said in the post game press conference that he missed one of his reads because he was distracted by the sight of all the Phila Vick jerseys.

My favorite part was when Vick lined up at QB and McNabb was lined up at wideout. Vick took the snap and ran it only for a few yards. The cool part is that there are so many options now for the Eagles with Vick.

I'm glad Vick is back. Not everyone shares that view but that's okay. The NFL might have lost fans because of Vick's return. However, Vick in Philadelphia might earn new fans for the league.

I hope that Vick has much success this season. I believe he deserves that chance.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Problems Seem to Follow Thomas


NBA great Isiah Thomas has again found a way to get himself in the news under negative circumstances. In the past it was how he was ruining the New York Knicks as general manager and head coach. Followed by a sexual harassment suite filed by a Knicks employee. His departure from the NBA was not a pretty one.

Now Thomas is the men's head basketball coach at Florida International. A controversial hire because of the past that preceded his hire. Also the fact that  Thomas has a weak coaching record. His return to the attention of the news again is not a positive one as his team refuses to play in a pre-season tournament, Coaches Against Cancer. 

The story goes that FIU originally agreed to a contract with the Gazelle Group (the organizer for the tourney) that let Gazelle Group decide whether FIU will  play Ohio State or North Carolina, the defending national champions.  FIU had agreed to play Ohio State earlier in the off season for the start of the tourney and that is where FIU is upset. So upset, they are threatening to pull-out of the tournament.

Here is my issue, Isiah Thomas and FIU need to just play! Shut up and play! I don't see the reason why would skip out on a rare chance to play UNC and skip it for OSU or the whole tourney altogether. FIU needs to get noticed, they need to be put on the map. A televised game versus the national champs would be a great opportunity. People aren't going to watch because of FIU. Instead they'll be watching UNC. However, to watch UNC you have to watch FIU. 

If FIU pulls out of the Coaches Against Cancer it will be a bad start to Thomas' college coaching career. If Thomas wants to build a successful team, you have to play the ones who have success. There is not more success then playing North Carolina. 

I think this could be the start of a rough, and possibly short tenure at FIU for Thomas is his team decides to pull out of the tournament.

Just sack up and play them already. Who knows what will happen.