NFL Preview 2013

Before I highlight each team's changes and give my predictions for the coming season, let me be more serious. Two people I graduated college with, one of whom was in a college choir with me and the other I participated in several other extra curricular activities with were killed in an automobile accident in which another person died and several more were hurt. They are now glorified. I am confident they are in Heaven. Bear with me, this may sound unfortunate, but all the things that bugged me about them are gone. They are perfect. I pray God gives abundant Grace to their families and their close friends. I pray they too see that God has not given them death but instead Life everlasting. I pray their son grows up to know the same God his parents knew. I pray their deaths inspire worship and service from those around them. I praise God for their lives and their desire to serve Him. I praise God for plucking them from the flames and choosing them for His own. I praise God we can be so positive in light of something so horrible. And finally I hope that God's light will shine through my life and clearly as it shined through theirs.

                                                                            ------

I am going to focus on offense, partly because it's what I know and partly because my focus in fantasy football.

Injured

New Acquisition

Rookie

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Key Losses: DE Elvis Dumervil, CB Tracy Porter

Key Additions: CB Rogers-Cromartie, WR Wes Welker

Offense:

QB Peyton Manning

RB Ronnie Hilliman, Montee Ball, Knowshon Moreno

WR Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker, Trindon Holliday, Andre Caldwell

TE Joel Dreessen, Jacob Tamme

KR Trindon Holliday

K Matt Prater

P Britton Colquitt

Analysis:

Watch out league. If Manning is healthier, as everyone keeps saying, this is going to be one of the best teams in football again. Everyone is excited to see what the Manning-Welker combo is capable of, and honestly all I have to do is remember how effective Manning's old slot buddy Brandon Stokley was and how much better Welker is than Stokley. I think 130 catches is within reach. The West is not particularly strong so I see them finishing first fairly easily. 

Prediction: 11-5, lose in Round 2 of playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs

Key Losses: DE Glenn Dorsey, RB Peyton Hillis

Key Additions: QB Alex Smith, TE Anthony Fasano, WR Donnie Avery

Offense:

QB Alex Smith

RB Jamaal Charles

WR Dwayne Bowe, Jon Baldwin, Dexter McCluster, Donnie Avery

TE Tony Moeaki, Anthony Fasano 

KR Dexter McCluster

K Ryan Succop

P Dustin Colquitt

Analysis: All the eggs are in Alex Smith's basket. I don't see it happening, too much of the offensive load will be on Charles again, despite his awesomeness, the Chiefs will wallow in mediocrity and have no good options behind Smith when the fan base grows tired of wobbly throws and 15 pass attempt games. 

Prediction: 8-8, Andy Reid immediately on hot seat for not benching Alex Smith halfway through season, but for who? Chase Daniel?

San Diego Chargers

Key Losses: LB Shaun Phillips

Key Additions: DE Dwight Freeney, RB Danny Woodhead

Offense:

QB Philip Rivers

RB Ryan Matthews, Danny Woodhead, Ronnie Brown

WR Malcolm Floyd, Danario Alexander, Vincent Brown, Eddie Royal

TE Antonio Gates

KR Eddie Royal

K Nick Novak

P Mike Scifres

Analysis: New coach, but same old team. Will put up numbers but make key mistakes and lose key ballgames. If Gates stays healthy, Woodhead provides the change-of-pace they missed when Sproles left and Danario Alexander has another big year, maybe, just maybe, they get to the playoffs

Prediction: 10-6, Miss out on the Wild Card barely, loss to Cincinnati and the Ghost of Norv haunts Rivers and McCoy

Oakland Raiders 

Key Losses: TE Brandon Myers, RB Mike Goodson, DT Richard Seymour

Key Additions: CB Tracy Porter, CB Charles Woodson, WR Josh Cribbs

Offense:

QB Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor, Tyler Wilson

RB Darren McFadden, Rashad Jennings

WR Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford, Rod Streater, Javon Criner, Josh Cribbs

TE Richard Gordon

KR Josh Cribbs

K Sebastian Janikowski

P Chris Kluwe

Analysis: They're gonna be bad, real real bad. McFadden can't stay healthy without a passing game to take the pressure off. He's a top-level talent and it would be nice to see him in real offense. I think Flynn will win the job out of camp, be average and either carry the Raiders to a surprising 7-9 or give way to Pryor and a full sale collapse will ensue. Lots needs to change. 

Prediction: 5-11, possible spoilers late in season playing KC, San Diego and Denver last 3 weeks consecutively

AFC South

Houston Texans

Key Losses: FB/TE James Casey

Key Additions: S Ed Reed

Offense:

QB Matt Schaub 

RB Arian Foster, Ben Tate

WR Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, DeVier Posey, Lestan Jean, Keshawn Martin

TE Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham

KR Keshawn Martin

K Randy Bulloch

P Shane Lechler

Analysis: Should be very tough. Love the addition of Clemson Tiger DeAndre Hopkins, should add a freakish weapon opposite Andre Johnson's unfaltering consistency. Foster will again be top 5 in value in the league and Schaub should bounce back from a season which he was uncharacteristically inconsistent, I think he was hurt. 

Prediction: 11-5, disappoint yet again and lose in the AFC title game.

Indianapolis Colts

Key Losses: DE Dwight Freeney

Key Additions: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, S LaRon Landry, QB Matt Hasselbeck

Offense:

QB Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Vick Ballard, Donald Brown

WR Reggie Wayne, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Nathan Palmer, TY Hilton

TE Colby Fleener, Dwayne Allen

KR TY Hilton

K Adam Vinatieri

P Pat McAfee

Analysis: Luck's success will no longer be surprising, but it will be interesting to see how the departure of Bruce Arians for Arizona will affect this offense. Bradshaw, if healthy, will be a much needed boost to an otherwise non-existent ground game. Should win some key games, make a bid for a Wild Card again.

Prediction: 10-6, edge out San Diego to make the playoffs and then lose in the WC round for the 2nd year in a row

Jacksonville Jaguars

Key Losses: CB Derek Cox

Key Additions: WR Denard Robinson

Offense:

QB Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Forsett

WR Cecil Shorts, Justin Blackmon, Mohammed Massaquoi, Jordan Shipley, Denard Robinson

TE Marcedes Lewis

KR Ace Sanders

K Josh Scobee

P Bryan Anger

Analysis: I'm not sure why they insist on starting Gabbert over Henne. Neither can win 10 games, but at least Henne can throw it down the field. Gabbert's injury is minor and will most likely be "the guy" and if Jones-Drew produces the offense will have enough balance to keep Gabbert from getting ultra-blitzed every play. The receiving core is tantalizing, lots of potential, but Gabbert (or Henne) would need to preform way above expectation to make any of it reality. Silver lining? Bryan Anger could be the most valuable punter in the history of the NFL, fantasy wise.

Prediction: 4-12, maybe its time to draft another QB?

Tennessee Titans

Key Losses: TE Jared Cook 

Key Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Shonn Greene, S George Wilson, TE Delanie Walker

Offense:

QB Jake Locker, Ryan Fitzpatrick

RB Chris Johnson, Shonn Greene

WR Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter

TE Delanie Walker

KR Marc Mariani

K Rob Bironas

P Brett Kern

Analysis: The additions here are not impressive. If Locker takes a big, and I mean really big, step forward, Britt stays healthy and Greene provides a smash mouth goal-line option opposite CJ2K, they might compete. If Locker's play keeps Fitzpatrick in the conversation at QB and Britt spends time on the DL, they gonna be bad.

Prediction: 6-10, Chris Johnson asks out by the end of the year

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Key Losses: S George Wilson, LB Nick Barnett

Key Additions: QB Kevin Kolb, QB EJ Manuel, 

Offense:

QB Kevin Kolb, EJ Manuel

RB CJ Spiller, Fred Jackson, Tashard Choice

WR Steve Johnson, TJ Graham, Robert Woods

TE Scott Chandler, Lee Smith

KR Leodis McKelvin

K Rian Lindell

P Shawn Powell

Analysis: I feel really bad for CJ Spiller. At least with Kolb he'll get loads of check downs. I don't see how this team moves the ball outside of Spiller and he will miss games, gonna be rough year. 

Prediction: 5-11, neither Kolb or Manuel prove to NFL worthy, fans fondly remember Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins

Key Losses: T Jake Long, RB Reggie Bush, TE Anthony Fasano

Key Additions: WR Mike Wallace, TE Dustin Keller, LB Dannelle Ellerbe

Offense:

QB Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore

RB Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas

WR Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson

TE Dustin Keller

KR Marcus Thigpen

K Dan Carpenter

P Brandon Fields

Analysis: Looks exciting, Wallace-Hartline-Gibson-Keller should give Tannehill all the options he needs to look good or reveal how bad he really is. I think he'll look good, I'm not as optimistic as some pundits I've read, but they should be infinitely more competitive than the last few years. Much of it hangs on whether or not Lamar Miller can take a man's load at RB, if so, they should bring a strong offensive punch to the less-than-stellar AFC East. Could've been even better if another WR addition, Armon Binns, hadn't blown his ACL and MCL in camp just a few days ago. 

Prediction: 10-6 just miss the WC along with San Diego, Tannehill takes the next step and the Dolphins look primed to be an annual power in the future

New England Patriots

Key Losses: WR Wes Welker, TE Aaron Hernandez

Key Additions: WR Danny Amendola, S Adrian Wilson, RB Leon Washington, RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Michael Jenkins

Offense:

QB Tom Brady, Tim Tebow

RB Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Leon Washington, LeGarrette Blount

WR Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Michael Jenkins

TE Rob Gronkowksi, Jake Ballard, Michael Hoomanawanui

KR Leon Washington

K Stephen Gostkowksi

P Zoltan Mesko

Analysis: Reloaded, recharged and ready to roll. The new-look Pats still have one old piece, Brady is the key. 5 guys off the street with Brady would win a playoff game. Amendola, Jenkins, Ballard, Washington will all produce above their career norms with Brady at the helm, which is to say, this offense will be beast again. Everybody keeps talking about the losses of Welker and Hernandez, and don't get me wrong, those are big losses. But once again, Belichek and co have quietly assembled an extremely talented group of support cast members which will allow Ultrastar, 1st ballot HOFer, Thomas Q Brady, to shine. PS, they resigned each key defensive free agent and added pro bowler Adrian Wilson, so their defense should be better. 

Prediction: 12-4, with the mid-season addition of a fresh and a little angry Gronk, another Super Bowl trip for Brady and co is in the cards, probably the last of an unequaled era of domination

New York Jets

Key Losses: S LeRon Landry, RB Shonn Greene, TE Dustin Keller

Key Additions: RB Mike Goodson, QB Geno Smith, RB Chris Ivory

Offense:

QB Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith

RB Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell,  

WR Santonio Holmes, Shaun Hill, Jeremy Kerley, Clyde Gates

TE Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Winslow

KR Joe McKnight

K Nick Folk, Billy Cundiff

P Robert Malone

Analysis: Oh, how I hope Cundiff win the K job. He would be a perfect final piece of what really is a pathetic assembly of players. Sanchez has lost all of the shimmer he had as a rookie, Geno Smith doesn't have any of that shimmer so what does that say for him? Ivory is a solid back but got 3rd in the rotation carries for New Orleans last year, not exactly a power house running team. The defense and receiving core are solid, but wins will be ugly and hard to come by. 

Prediction: 5-11, both Sanchez and Smith flop, Rex is beheaded and his head is paraded around New York on a pole all off-season.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Key Losses: S Ed Reed, LB Ryan Kruger, LB Dannelle Ellerbe, LB Ray Lewis, CB Cary Williams, WR Anquan Boldin

Key Additions: LB Daryl Smith, DE Elvis Dumervil, TE  Visanthe Shiancoe

Offense:

QB Joe Flacco

RB Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce

WR Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, David Reed, Tandon Doss

TE Ed Dickson, Visanthe Shiancoe

KR Jacoby Jones

K Justin Tucker

P Sam Koch

Analysis: The defense will not be the same. The offense will not be the same. A repeat is virtually out of the question, the loss of Dennis Pitta makes it even less likely. Between Boldin and Pitta you've got nearly 80% of Flacco's Super Bowl production gone. However, Ray Rice is the real deal and Harbough will not field a bad defense despite losing a ridiculous number of last year's tackles. With all the upheaval and seeming downgrade, still the favorites to win the North.

Prediction: 10-6, week 15 against New England the make or break game, they win and they go a round deep in the playoffs, they lose and they possibly miss out altogether

Cleveland Browns

Key Losses: WR Josh Cribbs

Key Additions: LB Paul Kruger, WR Davonn Bess

Offense:

QB Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell

RB Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty

WR Josh Gordon, Greg Little, Davonn Bess, Travis Benjamin

TE Jordan Cameron, Kellen Davis

KR Travis Benjamin

K Shayne Graham

P Spencer Lanning

Analysis: Weak, but getting stronger. Still not going to move the ball through the air well but Trent Richardson is legit and barring injury should be top 5 in yardage at the end of the season. I'm not a believer in Weeden at all, but others have proven me wrong so good luck to him. Possibly a distant light at the end of the tunnel in Cleveland, but its still a long way off.

Prediction: 5-11, Richardson and Weeden improve and the faithful try to find some joy in hope

Cincinnati Bengals

Key Losses: WR Mohammad Massaquoi

Key Additions: LB James Harrison, RB Giovanni Bernard

Offense:

QB Andy Dalton, Josh Johnson

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Giovanni Bernard

WR AJ Green, Mohamed Sanu, Andrew Hawkins, Marvin Jones 

TE Jermaine Gresham

KR Brandon Tate

K Mike Nugent

P Kevin Huber

Analysis: Where were these guys during the offseason? Dalton-BJGE-AJ Green is a nice foundation, but sitting on it doesn't build a championship. Should be competitive but still just not good enough. A healthy Andrew Hawkins potentially a breakout star.

Prediction: 9-7, loss to Minnesota late in the season breaks the camel's back and pundits start calling for changes to be made.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Losses: RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB James Harrison

Key Additions: RB Le'Veon Bell

Offense:

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski

RB Le'Veon Bell, Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman

WR Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, Plaxico Burress

TE Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth

KR Antonio Brown

K Shaun Suisham

P Drew Butler

Analysis: Injuries aside, the 2013 Steelers should be much better than 2012's version. However, unless Roethlisberger is 100% they could struggle mightily. I think he will be, they wouldn't have put their season on Gradkowski. 

Prediction: 10-6, steal the last WC spot yet lose to their arch nemesis Ravens round 1

AFC Playoffs:

Broncos Bye

Pats Bye

Texans over Colts

Ravens over Steelers

Texans over Broncos

Pats over Ravens

Pats over Texans

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Key Losses: ---

Key Additions: RB Joseph Randle

Offense:

QB Tony Romo, Kyle Orton

RB DeMarco Murray, Joseph Randle

WR Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Terrence Williams, Dwayne Harris

TE Jason Witten

KR Dwayne Harris

K Dan Bailey

P Chis Jones

Analysis: Not sure what they're expecting in Dallas, but if an 8-8 team makes no changes, it should expect to be no better than 8-8. Romo will be his typical infuriating self, becoming unstoppable in the last 2 minutes of blowouts and every 3rd game. Dez Bryant will probably continue the antics, and if he doesn't pick up his game, will be out by the beginning of next year. Hate to see a HOFer like Witten wasted on this circus.

Prediction: 4-12, end of Garrett, possibly end of Romo era in Dallas

New York Giants

Key Losses: RB Ahmad  Bradshaw, TE Martellus Bennett, DE Osi Umenyiora

Key Additions: TE Brandon Myers

Offense:

QB Eli Manning

RB David WIlson, Andre Brown

WR Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, Louis Murphy

TE Brandon Myers, Bear Pascoe

KR David Wilson

K Josh Brown

P Steve Weatherford

Analysis: Should be good. Wilson and Brown are both primed to have big seasons, if they avoid putting the ball on the ground Eli will move the ball with ease. My pick to win what will be a tough East.

Prediction: 11-5, last game against Washington will be very meaningful, a loss in the NFC championship game will prevent an all too familiar Super Bowl, and probably prevent Coughlin's retirement

Philadelphia Eagles

Key Losses: CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

Key Additions: CB Cary Williams, FB/TE James Casey, QB Matt Barkley

Offense:

QB Michael Vick, Nick Foles, Matt Barkley

RB LeSean McCoy, Bryce Brown

WR DeSean Jackson, Arrelious Benn, Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin

TE Brent Celek

KR Brandon Boykin

K Alex Henery

P Donnie Jones

Analysis: With all the press and excitement around Eagles camp you'd think they signed some huge-name free agent or overhauled half their roster...nope, same group that went 4-12 last year, missing key cog Jeremy Maclin no less. However, maybe wonderboy Chip Kelly will unlock Michael Vick and actually utilize LeSean McCoy to his full potential. If so, this could be a scary good team, but likely they will still be extremely mistake prone and lose interest midway through a mind-numbingly bad season

Prediction: 4-12 again, Vick gone, D Jackson gone, Kelly begins building his own team around next year's first round pick.

Washington Redskins

Key Losses: TE Chris Cooley

Key Additions: CB EJ Biggers

Offense:

QB Robert Grffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman

RB Alfred Morris, Evan Royster, Roy Helu

WR Josh Morgan, Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Leonard Hanerkson, Donte' Stallworth

TE Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen

KR Niles Paul

K Kai Forbath

P Sav Rocca

Analysis: I ripped on the 8-8 team for not changing, but the 12-4 team? They did it right. If RG3 is healthy, and by week 3 he should be, knowing Shanahan, Griffin will play all 4 quarters of every preseason game, because "he looks fine." In any case, this will be an awesome team to watch and should challenge the Giants and grab a WC.

Prediction: 11-5, that loss to the Giants week 16 will cost them the division but they'll win a playoff game before getting bounced. Major success all around.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Key Losses: S Adrian Wilson, QB Kevin Kolb, RB Beanie Wells

Key Additions: RB Rashard Mendenhall, DE John Abraham, QB Carson Palmer

Offense:

QB Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton

RB Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Williams

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Roberts, Micheal Floyd

TE Jeff King

KR Patrick Patterson

K Jay Feely

P Dave Zastudil

Analysis: Adrian Wilson will be a huge loss, the offense will be better but the defense will be hard pressed to repeat last year's effort, especially against the revamped, extremely dangerous other Western teams. I don't understand why Beanie Wells did't get resigned, the man is a beast (and why he hasn't signed anywhere else yet?) Even with a massive upgrade at QB, a possible upgrade at RB (though I don't buy it) and a big name FA in John Abraham, the Cardinals just don't have what it takes to challenge the big boys in the NFC.

Prediction: 6-10, Bruce Arians will have to preach baby steps to keep key free agents from walking after a difficult season

San Francisco 49ers

Key Losses: S Dashon Goldson, QB Alex Smith, WR Ted Ginn Jr, WR Randy Moss

Key Additions: DE Glenn Dorsey, CB/S Nnamdi Asomugha, WR Anquan Boldin

Offense:

QB Colin Kaepernick, Colt McCoy

RB Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMicheal James

WR Anquan Boldin, Mario Manningham, AJ Jenkings, Kyle Williams, Michael Crabtree

TE Vernon Davis
KR LaMichael James
K Phil Dawson

P Andy Lee

Analysis: Even with the addition of Super Bowl hero Anquan Boldin, the 49ers will be shallow at WR, the departures of Ted Ginn and Randy Moss and the injury to Michael Crabtree make 2nd year player AJ Jenkins a huge cog in what should be a dynamic offense. I don't think Asomugha can replace Goldson, but that D is still the scariest in the league. Their schedule is absolutely brutal with 7 games against last year's playoff teams and a game in New Orleans. 

Prediction: 10-6, Kaepernick and Jack will them to the playoffs only to be upset in the WC round

St Louis Rams

Key Losses: WR Danny Amendola, RB Steven Jackson, 

Key Additions: T Jake Long, TE Jared Cook, WR Tavon Austin

Offense:

QB Sam Bradford

RB Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead

WR Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Brian Quick, Austin Pettis

TE Jared Cook

KR Chris Givens

K Greg Zuerlein

P Johnny Hekker

Analysis: These poor guys try so hard. They've built a very solid, balanced club, that would compete nicely in the FBS. The Bradford-Tebow-McCoy QB class has really been a bummer. They might win some games because Fisher is a great coach and they have a really tough D line, but more than 5 wins will be virtually unattainable.

Prediction: 4-12, Possibly time to draft another QB

Seattle Seahawks

Key Losses: RB Leon Washington

Key Additions: WR Percy Harvin, DE Cliff Avril, DE Michael Bennett

Offense:

QB Russell Wilson, Brady Quinn

RB Marshawn Lynch, Ryan Turbin

WR Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, David Bladwin, Golden Tate

TE Zach Miller

KR Golden Tate
K Steven Hauschka

P Jon Ryan

Analysis: This is going to be fun to watch. How did one of the best defenses in the league lose nothing and gain Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett? And one of the most potent offenses lose nothing (Washington was a very small part) and gain Percy Harvin? They got way better, which is scary cuz they were really good. (Added after news of Harvin's surgery broke) Not changing my prediction per se, will still be good, how good they look early will be a harbinger of the dominance Percy will facilitate upon his insertion into the lineup, being predicted to be December.

Prediction: 12-4, Playoff success

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Key Losses: RB Michael Turner, DE John Abraham, 

Key Additions: DE Osi Umenyiora, RB Steven Jackson

Offense:

QB Matt Ryan

RB Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rogers

WR Roddy White, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas

TE Tony Gonzalez

KR Jacquizz Rogers

K Matt Bryant

P Matt Bosher

Analysis: This team should've won a Super Bowl already, something just won't click in for Matty Ice. I don't think Steven Jackson is the answer, he's a beast, they'll be real good, but not good enough, the NFC is too tough and they'll miss the playoffs for the first time in Ryan's career.

Prediction: 8-8, Mike Smith is fired, Gonzalez retires week 10 and the wheels begin to fall off

Carolina Panthers

Key Losses: 

Key Additions: WR Ted Ginn Jr, WR Domenik Hixon

Offense:

QB Cam Newton, Derek Anderson

RB DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert

WR Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn, Domenik Hixon

TE Greg Olsen

KR Ted Ginn

K Graham Gano

P Brad Northman

Analysis: Little or no activity of any value here. Newton is special, if DeAngelo and Stewart get healthy the skill positions on this team rival any in the league. But this should be the last year those names are on the same depth chart. 

Prediction: 4-12, Williams and Stewart are traded, Steve Smith retires

New Orleans Saints

Key Losses: RB Chris Ivory

Key Additions: TE Ben Watson

Offense:

QB Drew Brees, Luke McCown

RB Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram

WR Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Courtney Roby, Joe Morgan

TE Jimmy Graham, Ben Watson

KR Darren Sproles
K Garrett Hartley

P Thomas Morstead

Analysis: This team was weak last year, they added virtually nothing and lost in Ivory a solid back. However, they will be back. Drew Brees is just too good, these guys will compete and cause some serious issues for the Falcons' plans to get back to the playoffs. NFL Coaches are always the reason things go wrong and never the reason they go right, EXCEPT SEAN PAYTON. Not sure why, it just is.

Prediction: 12-4, two 4 game winning streaks and a reinvigorated Brees, the Saints "Breeze" through the regular season just to hit a buzz saw in the first round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Losses: DE Michael Bennett,

Key Additions: RB Peyton Hillis, S Dashon Goldson

Offense:

QB Josh Freeman

RB Doug Martin, Mike James, Peyton Hillis

WR Mike Williams, Vincent Jackson, Kevin Ogeltree, Tiquan Underwood

TE Tom Crabtree, Luke Stocker, Zach Miller

KR Tiquan Underwood

K Lawrence Tynes

P Michael Koenen

Analysis: Interesting team, but Josh Freeman keeps "taking the next step" only to have a streak of multi-interception games to end seasons. Its possible they'll string together something and threaten the Saints, but very unlikely.

Prediction: 9-7, hope will linger and Tampa will hang on to this cast of characters one more year.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Key Losses: DE Israel Idonije,

Key Additions: TE Martellus Bennett

Offense:

QB Jay Cutler, Josh McCown

RB Matt Forte, Michael Bush

WR Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, Earl Bennett, Eric Weems

TE Martellus Bennett

KR Dustin Hester

K Robbie Gould

P Adam Podlesh

Analysis: Nope, the D is good, really good and Cutler will have a couple games where he looks like he's Dan Freakin Marino, but then most of the time he's really bad. Nothing has changed to increase their chances of winning, so I don't see how they do much better.

Prediction: 7-9, talk of Cutler moving on and Dustin Hester's retirement add intrigue to an otherwise lackluster season for da Bears

Detroit Lions

Key Losses: DE Cliff Avril, DE Lawrence Jackson,

Key Additions: RB Reggie Bush, DE Israel Idonije, K David Akers

Offense:

QB Matt Stafford, Shaun Hill

RB Reggie Bush, Mikel Leshoure, Joique Bell

WR Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Mike Thomas, Chaz Schilens

TE Brandon Pettigrew

KR Mike Thomas

K David Akers

P Sam Martin

Analysis: These guys could make some noise, but I highly doubt it. Stafford will inevitably get hurt, the defense will inevitably make mistakes. The Lions will be fun to watch, but I don't see Reggie Bush coming in and changing the culture.

Prediction: 4-12, Schwatz gone, can a new head coach turn things around?

Green Bay Packers

Key Losses: WR Donald Driver, WR Greg Jennings, CB Charles Woodson, TE Tom Crabtree

Key Additions: RB Eddie Lacy, RB Jonathan Franklin

Offense:

QB Aaron Rodgers

RB Eddie Lacy, Jonathan Franklin, DuJuan Harris
WR Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Jeremy Ross

TE Jermichael Finley

KR Randall Cobb
K Mason Crosby

P Tim Masthay

Analysis: Obviously the preseason favorites, and any team with Aaron Rodgers and only losing two pieces of one of the best offenses over the past 3 seasons. However, I don't think Lacy is ready, and Jordy Nelson had a really rough year last year. Can James Jones and Randall Cobb be what Jennings/Nelson were the last 2 seasons? No. I don't think so. Rodgers will win games on his own, but not enough, not this year.

Prediction:

Minnesota Vikings

Key Losses: WR Percy Harvin

Key Additions: WR Greg Jennings, DE Lawrence Jackson, QB Matt Cassel

Offense:

QB Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel

RB Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart

WR Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jerome Simpson, Jarius Wright

TE Kyle Rudolph, John Carlson

KR Marcus Sherels

K Blair Walsh

P Jeff Locke

Analysis: HOMER ALERT HOMER ALERT, however, in the NFL anything can happen. Adrian Peterson is the indisputably best RB in the league, and arguably the best player. If Christian Ponder is any better, a 10 win team can win 12. Add in an improved defense and some weapons to make Ponder's improvement more plausible, this isn't as laughable as you probably think. If you're responding with "How can Ponder be better without Harvin?" Remember, the Vikes made their stretch run, including Ponder's best 2 games, without Harvin, and Corderrelle Patterson is probably the closest thing the team could've gotten. True story.

Prediction: 11-5. Peterson runs for 2000 again, Ponder is above-average (I described it as Dalton-level earlier today to someone) and the Vikings pull off a miracle in round one of the playoffs.

NFC Playoffs

Seahawks Bye

Giants Bye

Redskins over Saints

Vikings over 49ers

Seahawks over Vikings

Giants over Redskins

Seahawks over Giants

This leaves the Patriots against the Seahawks. If you know me, you'd expect me to pick Brady but the Seahawks defense is just way way way too good. Add in a fresh Harvin and these Hawks are fo' real.

Seahawks over Patriots 30-20 "...you mad bro?"




So that's a really long one. Just found out this afternoon that I'm on light duty and off for a week, however still planning on posting Sunday's SS lesson tomorrow.

Braves on a 5 game winning streak, have scored 9 or more runs 3 games in a row, stand 10 games up in the NL East, and added a great lefty reliever in Scott Downs. Things are looking very up.

SS Lesson: 7-28-13 "Prov. 8"

     My dad is in Argentine for the next two weeks teaching a class. He is currently working through the book of Proverbs for one of the adult Sunday School classes at our church. He asked me to cover for him the next two weeks while he's gone, but in order to maintain the flow of the series he gave he his Proverbs notes. He teaches a 2 hour elective on the book at MBBC and has 3-5 page lectures already prepared. He has trimmed them to fit the Sunday School format and is 7 chapters in. He also missed the two weeks prior to last week while in VA but I was also in VA so our Pastor covered them.

     I get Proverbs chapters 8 and 9. I'm pretty excited and, as usual, irrationally nervous. For some reason that I can't seem to put a finger on, I have a completely biological, and to this point unavoidable, physical reaction to speaking in front of people. Not just speaking, also singing, playing the piano and competing in an individual sports event/act. I shake, hands sweat, yawn uncontrollably, sick feeling in stomach, nothing particularly startling but definitely annoying. I've tried several things to alleviate said response but yet to no avail. Writing about it seems to cause it so I'll move on.

     I'm going to try blogging a transcript of sorts for my lesson to see if that helps me organize my thoughts better. If you're going to be their Sunday and want to be surprised, skip this post. If you're going to be their Sunday and want to go to Mr.'s Blevins' or Moores' lessons, you get two for the price of one! If you're not going to be there, hopefully you'll enjoy.

(Outline is essentially stolen from my dad, seeing as he gave it to me)

Proverbs 8:1-36

Dad's Title: Wisdom's Extraordinary Value

1. Wisdom's Invitation (vs 1-3)
    A. An open, free offer
What immediately jumps out is the contrast between the adulteress and Wisdom. "She standeth in the high places" "She crieth...at the coming in at the doors" Wisdom isn't hiding out to catch anybody. Nothing sneaky, no hidden agenda. The adulteress waited till the dark of night before pouncing, Wisdom shouts from the mountain.
She cries out from: a) The hilltops - where everyone can see ("top of high places")
                             b) The crossroads - where everyone will pass ("places of the paths")
                             c) The gates - where decisions are rendered
Wisdom wants everyone to see her, everyone to go with her, and everyone to use her help in their decisions. She's an obvious choice, the transparent option.
We can draw application to what Wisdom is like to how we should be - not only should we desire the Wisdom that is out in the open, we should live out in the open. We should be willing to "shout" our lives from the hilltop, or more directly, we should be able to shout our lives from the hilltop without shame. Folly, adulteress, has to hide or we'd see her true colors, Wisdom shines out brightly.
    B. A practical offer
     Someone wrote: "I would like a job as tutor, teacher, and adviser to your family. I will never take a vacation. I will never be out of humor. I don't drink or smoke. I won't borrow your clothes or raid your refrigerator. I will be up in the morning as early as anyone in the household and will stay up as late as anyone wishes. I will help solve any problems your children might have. I will give you the satisfaction of knowing that no questions your children ask will go unanswered. For that matter, I will answer any of your own questions on subjects that range from 'How did we get here?' to 'Where are we headed?' I will help settle differences of opinion. I will give you information that will help you with your job, you family, and all of your other interests. In short, I will give you the knowledge that will insure the continued success of your family. I am God's Word. Do I get the job?" -- Pastor David Whitcomb, our family's Pastor in South Carolina.

When I say Wisdom, when Solomon says Wisdom, he's not referring to an ethereal force which can be tapped into, or some sort of magical recipe for happiness. The Wisdom described here is God's Word. You're holding it and most of you have owned it nearly all your life. This is not an unattainable secret protected by some mysterious monks. It is the book you're reading out of right now.

We talk about the leading of the Holy Spirit. In this dispensation, the primary way to experience this leading is through the Word of God. Wisdom's call to "Hear" her voice is obeyed when we spend time reading, applying and living the Scriptures. This is not "esoteric and mystical but rather very practical for the believer" as my dad says.

II. Motivation to Accept Her Invitation (vs 4-21)
    A. Wisdom cries out to all (vs 4-5)
Immediacy, A point of decision ("ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart")
The past several chapters, the same concepts, the value of Wisdom and the danger of Folly, have been reiterated again and again. Now is the time to respond. After a lecture like chapters 1-7, the only way to choose Folly would be unbelief, the information is all there. It's not a difficult decision, all things being equal. However, if we lack faith, if we don't believe that God and His way are best for us, if we listen to the flesh, world and Devil, we will choose Folly. Every act lacking Wisdom, is an act devoid of Faith. The Faith that says, God knows what is best, God knows what will be most effective, efficient and edifying, I need to trust Him.
    B. Wisdom has excellent characteristics (vs 6-9)
Once again, almost casually, we are given a list of Wisdom's benefits.
       1. Excellent - princely, above the wisdom of the world
       2. Truth - correct, precise, not deceiving (unlike the adulteress)
       3. Right - straight, the standard, contrasted to the twisted perversions of Folly
       4. Plain - not difficult to understand
            a. Dad describes verse 9 as a tautology, a phrase which describes itself. Understandable things are                   understandable to the understanding. Why does Solomon say this?
            b. 1 Cor. 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
        c. Notice the contrast between the "natural man" and "him that understandeth" God's Wisdom is only understood through the lens of the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is the pair of glasses we are to see world through.
            d. I would like to explain this further, but to do so, we need to talk about Immanuel Kant. It is extremely important to understand how we apply Wisdom to our lives and Kant describes it in a fascinating way. He was a very important philosopher in Germany, writing primarily in the mid to late 1700s. He has been called the "central figure of modern philosophy." He wrote several books, one of which discussed the ways and reasons people react to each other. In this book he describes "duty" or what we would call morality. The knowledge of what is the right thing to do. Prior to Kant's work, it was suggested morality was a result of experience. I see the man kill the other man. I see one man is dead, so not happy, other man is guilty, so not happy. Killing = bad. My experience informs my morality. This fails, mainly because sinful people find joy in sin, but also because no two people experience anything exactly the same way. Kant argued "duty" is a priori or without any prior cause. It is a part of us, a thing which makes us human. Boy he's close. The way he illustrated it, is with the rose colored glasses.

Have you ever been wearing you sun glasses so long you forgot you had them on? After awhile, you don't notice the darker shade which descended on the world when you put them on. Imagine for a minute you're in that situation and somebody asks you to describe a color. If you don't remember you're wearing your sunglasses, you will inevitably describe it to be a darker shade/version of the color the other person sees. Not only that, but if you're stubborn, and still forget you're wearing the sunglasses, you'll be inclined to argue your view. Only after you've remembered you've got the glasses on, or have removed them, you'll see they were changing your whole view of the world and the people in it. Not only do we see things differently, we expect everyone else to as well.

This is a bad thing, unless the glasses we are wearing are perfect. vs 8-9 "All the words of my mouth...are all plain to him that understandeth" could read "My instructions are obvious to the person with his glasses on." So what are a Christian's glasses?

The blood of Christ, the person of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. We see the world though those lenses and we'll experience all the benefits Wisdom describes in the next few verses.

    C. Wisdom is More Valuable than Riches (vs 10-11)
Dad says "What good is stuff when you don't understand how to use the stuff or what its real value is?"
    D. Wisdom is Godliness (vs 12-13)
         vs 12 - Prudence - discerning, carefully making the right choice
                  - Knowledge of witty inventions - resourceful, crafty
         vs 13 But not "Yankee ingenuity"
                      We've seen before (You've seen before) Wisdom = The Fear of the Lord and here is more equation. Wisdom = The Fear of the Lord = Hating evil, pride, arrogance, the evil way and a froward mouth

Wisdom is loving right and hating wrong. Having the same view of sin as God does. (Wearing our glasses)

   E. Wisdom is Rewarding (vs 14-21)
More reiteration. The rewards of living wise.
vs 14-16 Wise counsel - answers questions
vs 17-21 Blessings - fulfills needs and desires

III. Description of the Wisdom That Is Offered (vs 22-31)
In Chapter 4 Dad briefly addressed Wisdom's role in Creation. This section hits that again with more detail. Consider that for a second. The same Wisdom that created the Universe is offering itself to you!
   
   A. God's Eternal Wisdom
"The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way" This Wisdom in an eternal attribute of God, His Omniscience.

Over the last 2000 years, Theologians have suggested this Wisdom is the 2nd person of the Trinity: Christ, the Logos. (The female pronouns and descriptions do not matter, the Hebrew word is feminine)
Very popular in the early church. Based on John's use of Logos describing Christ in John 1 and Paul's statement in 1 Cor 1 that Jesus is made Wisdom for believers.
Dad disagrees. I don't speak Greek or Hebrew, so I'm going to disagree too. :)

This interpretation allows for bad Theology. The word possessed was translated created in the Septuagint, though it was a bad translation, and also vs 23 "set up" and vs 24 "brought forth" seem to suggest a cause-effect relationship between God and Wisdom. Deniers of the Eternality of Christ have used this passage to argue God "brought forth" the Son. Therefore, the Son would not be coequal and coeternal with God. The Arians, and their modern versions such as Mormons or JW's, used this argument.

This is not a passage about Christology, as my dad says, and the Wisdom here, as in the rest of the book, is a personification of God's attribute of Wisdom.

    B. God's Creative Wisdom (vs 24-31)
This shows as dad says, "God's Wisdom is awesome"

IV. Wisdom's Final Appeal (vs 32-36)
    A. Final Request (vs 32-34)
Once again, "Listen Up!" Dad may have addressed this already, but I think part of Solomon's repetition is due to his own hardheadedness. Solomon made many of the same mistakes he's going to warn against in the book, so he knows constant reminders are necessary.  vs 33 "refuse it not"
    B. Final Results (vs 35-36)
Fittingly, chapter ends on a direct contrast: Finding Wisdom is finding Life, losing Wisdom is losing Life. Life here is not just Heaven, death not just Hell. Those are the points of no return, instead the Life we find though Wisdom is the "blessed Life" the day-day relationship with  God. The death, a life of disappointment, judgement and failure.

Seems like an easy choice! Next week, chapter 9, even more evidence to help with the decision.


Sorry about the length. Last time I taught SS I finished just 15 min through the 50 min time block. Hoping to get at least 30 min deep this time.



Well, listening to the Braves-Mets game on the radio so gotta go. Pray for me on Sunday if you would please, I'd appreciate it.

Trayvon: Why I don't care

The title is a little harsh. A person was killed, this is both sad and something we should all want to prevent from ever happening. However, in contrast with the DOMA case, the Trayvon case has little or no bearing on the operation of this country or even the history of it. Simply, a white man, with neighborhood watch responsibilities, believed a young black man to be suspicious. The white guy confronted the black kid, a struggle ensued, and the white guy shot and killed the black kid. This probably happens 200 times a year, maybe more. Does that make it ok? No. Does it prevent it from being national news? I would think so. Not only was this national news, but Pres Obama used it to both enhance his candidacy during the election and to further his agenda once in office.

First of all, was Zimmerman right to shoot Trayvon? According to a Jury of his peers, yes. According to common sense, I don't know I wasn't in that position. Does he have the right to protect himself? Yes. Should he? Yes. Should Trayvon have had the right to protect himself too? Of course. Protection is inherently defensive. The bloodthirsty and expansionist try to soothe their consciences by declaring offensive provocations are "protection." That being said, the potential for offensive military action, from the national to the personal, does not preclude or exclude the use of that potential for defensive action. In other words, just because Z had a gun doesn't mean he confronted T with the intention of shooting him. But enough about the actual case, as I said, I don't care.

What I do care about, is the message being sent. I tweeted a week or so ago that I was getting mixed signals. The media was pushing three separate, and non-congruent narratives each with their own nasty little agendas. The first was GUN CONTROL. If he hadn't had a gun, they might have beat each other up but then we could ask them both how it started, we could sort it out, and nobody would have died! Maybe, or quite possibly, the suspicious person could've been illegally carrying a weapon and the citizen who had signed up for protective responsibility would've been helpless. We probably would've missed that court case.

The second was RACE. Obama fueled this, I can't decide if it was intentional, but it hardly matters now. Look, if a white guy accosts me, and I feel threatened, I'm going to protect myself to the same degree I would if an Asian, black man, Arab or Canadian was accosting me. This is/should be true for anyone. However, maybe Z is a racist. Maybe Z was singling out T because he was black. THIS IS NOT A CRIME. This cannot be a crime. Crimes of the mind are 1) impossible to prove 2) impossible to enforce and 3) impossible to define. Hatred cannot be contested with more hatred. Some really intelligent men gave some great speeches on this topic about 60 years ago. They happened to be black.

The third was CORRUPT/INEPT JUSTICE SYSTEM. Really? This made me chuckle. The media, who was literally leading the anti-Z rallies and calling for his head on a platter, made sure the public would be devoid of any moral dilemma when the jury "got it wrong." Of course they'll get it wrong. They're primarily white, they're primarily in favor of guns, they're primarily X, Y, Z. The jury is handcuffed by bad laws. The jury is desensitized to violence. Blah blah blah. If you don't like it, move to a country where a cop decides he wants your car so he pulls you over and impounds it. Move to a country where the primary income for law enforcement is bribery from organized crime. Move to a country that is dependent on traveling judges, thinking more about their chances to gain political power than anything resembling justice. The jury system is obviously flawed, anything that relies on human reasoning will be. However, until we create the positronic (really Internet? this is a word) brain we have to rely on our own. The jury system is the most advanced and the most successful justice system humanity has ever seen. Stop whining that you didn't get your way.

In conclusion. I don't care, and neither should you.

Happy anniversary to my parents. Yesterday they celebrated 29 years. I hope to do that, though I'd hate to be that old. :)

Thursday I'll preview the SS lessons my dad has asked my to cover the following 2 Sundays. I find if I write about something I'll be more comfortable talking about it.

Braves have been as inconsistent as ever, dropping 2 of 3 from the White Sox and losing Maholm to the DL in the process. We did get the Mets last night though with 2 in the 9th to win 2-1. We called up Kameron Loe as well. I hate Kameron Loe, so I'm rooting for him to change my mind, but he's going to have to do pretty well to have a chance. Also. Braun has been suspended 100 games. If Selig is really all about ending steroid use, Braun's massive contract should be voided and the Brewers should either be given salary relief from the league for cutting him or be charged double for keeping him. The league needs to make the organizations who continue to hire the cheaters pay too. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm already thickening my skin for the first Brave to get caught. Some minor leaguers have but no pros as of yet. 3 more against the Mets and then a killer series against the All-World St Louis Cardinals. NLCS preview?

DOMA: Why I care

The Defense of Marriage Act was struck down in part just a few short weeks ago by the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Anytime SCOTUS makes a decision its historical, but this one in particular marks a shift in the official stance of the government towards various non-traditional civil unions. While I believe erroneously, many people believe America to be a country founded directly on Christian values. An overwhelming majority of the Christian communities are not in favor of anything other than Heterosexual and indivisible unions. DOMA stated that the Federal Government did not have to recognize same-sex spouses as such and also allowed states which did not recognize "alternative" unions within their borders to also not recognize unions established within the borders of a different, pro-alternative union, state. Clinton signed this bill after it cruised through Congress in '96. If there's anything he's not shaky on its heterosexuality.

The part of DOMA that was declared unconstitutional is the 3rd part which reads,

"In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife."

The argument that is was unconstitutional stemmed from the "due process" clause of the 5th amendment. In essence, the highlighted text restricted the application of American laws which provide benefits to married people. This law, as was argued, places same-sex "spouses" in a category below opp-sex spouses in reference to the Federal Government which is not constitutional. This is a sound argument.

However, the discussion should not be about how the Federal Government views these civil unions. I could care less if a guy is taking out social security as a "married man" because he "married" his car, as long as it means he also has to demonstrate in good faith the union was mutual (which is of course impossible). The benefits the Government provides to the spouse of a married person should be provided to the "other half" of an alternative union. However, that doesn't mean its a marriage.

As I've eloquently, or not so much, demonstrated in earlier posts, way way back, words and their meanings are completely subjective. This is also the case with the word marriage.Webster-Merriam holds the following definition:

     a (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a             consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a     person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage

I wonder when (2) was added. The first country to ever legalize same-sex marriage with The Netherlands in 2000, so the Earth had been around for approx. 6000 years before we got that "right".

So what is a marriage? It is a socio-economic union meant to provide the following things:

1. Procreation
2. Continuation of Lineage
3. Differentiation of the Sexes
4. Instruction and Care of the Young
5. Satisfaction of Needs for Companionship and Status           derived from the concise Webster-Merriam

Does same-sex marriage satisfy these criteria?
#5 works, there's nothing saying two men or two women can't experience companionship. In the current society their status is less favorable than that of a traditional union but with time that will even out.
#4 works as well, though many traditionalists shudder at the thought, two men and/or two women can raise a child.
#3 not even close. With the progress of Liberalism and Feminism the differentiation of the sexes has become virtually taboo (not surprising the definition of marriage followed suit) and same-sex unions are part-and-parcel with the spectrum-style approach to sexuality.
#2 nope. This goes hand-in-hand with 1.
#1 is the primary reason I will always say "gay marriage" or "same-sex marriage" when referring to alternative unions. It cannot physically, scientifically etc, participate in marriage's first cause, procreation. Artificial insemination, surrogate carriers and adoption are NOT natural procreation through marriage. With the development of genetic science and "sex-change" therapies one day we may have a man with all, and I mean a l l, of the biological distinctions of a woman. At that point, I don't understand the problem...obviously the individual performing a wholesale switch may have some issues (understated) but as far as the marriage is concerned its a man and a man who has completely changed into a woman, making it relatively traditional.

Still haven't said why I care about DOMA though. Justice Antonin Scalia, who is usually pretty much the bomb, had a vicious dissenting opinion regarding the DOMA case. If you don't know how SCOTUS works go retake High School Government. In his dissent, he states that upholding DOMA was not about attacking the alternative marriage styles but instead about confirming what the various laws and statutes that are already on the books mean when they use the term "marriage." He suggests that SCOTUS has now made anyone in support of DOMA, or any traditional definition of the term marriage, an "enemy of the state." And he is 100% correct. This is a direct violation of those individuals' constitutional rights. The simpler, more constitutional way of solving this is for each state, municipality and board to alter the reading of their laws to include "same-sex." In doing so, you protect the meaning of marriage while allowing for everyone to enjoy the political freedom to be wrong. This is a very important freedom, something that is often overlooked in the march of Liberalism.

So that's why I care. I have a right to be wrong. Whether or not I think I'm wrong, and I don't, it would be the very definition of insanity to believe something I thought was wrong, I have a protected, God-given right, to disagree. SCOTUS took away a tiny piece of that right in the DOMA decision. I fear it won't be the last.



All-Star game was fun as usual. Not as pleased with the result but Cliff Lee gave me a few more reasons to hate him. Now if he ends up a Cardinal like SI says he might, he will slide down to "least likable athlete ever" range, with the Reggie Millers and A-Rods of the world. Kimbrel had a rough outing too, good thing his two worst outings of the year have been in exhibition play and otherwise he's as dominant as ever.

Also, as a Braves fan I hate everything Yankee. Everything except Mariano Rivera. I hated when he came into the game, cuz it meant it was over, but the man, the player, the professional, the pitcher was everything any fan could hope to experience. He is the greatest reliever ever and possibly the greater Yankee pitcher ever. So I say #HailSandman

Home Sweet Home, VA trip '13

     It's always good to be home even when you've had a great vacation. 10 days is way to short a time to spend with close family, but it was time well spent. Primary highlights included my Uncle and I getting a "Boston" against our wives in Spades (where you win all 13 tricks and automatically win the game), introducing my son to the beach, walking down the "Bloody Lane" at Antietam, standing in the game room at "Games and Stuff" in Glen Burnie, MD basking in the furious tempest of "nerd" in the air, and of course seeing my grandparents. My little man gained at least 2 lbs and discovered he could play with toys. It was fascinating how tangible the change was. One day he would stare blankly at the wall while waving around the little ball and the next he was studying it and trying to shove it in his mouth.

     Our little family set out intending the trip to be a cursory exploration of the possibility of exchanging WI for VA as our place of residence. Anytime you can exchange WI for VA you have to do it. We came away with a renewed desire to get the thing done, however challenges still loom. The primary questions center around employment which is no surprise given the economic climate which has beset our fair country the past decade or so. However, while finding work in a county like Dodge, in which the largest cities barely touch 30,000, is always a miracle, the Tidewater area is both teeming with humanity and commercialism. People go where the stuff is and there is loads of stuff in the quasi-metropolis of the Hampton Roads-VA Beach-Norfolk-Portsmouth-Suffolk-Newport News-Chesapeake urban sprawl. That being said its still whole lot a divine intervention to make a massive life-altering relocation, so here's to that.

      Over the next few weeks I'm going to wax political, addressing DOMA, Trayvon, the Arab Spring and maybe have a guest writer. Then I'll start a yearly tradition with a series of sports posts, the NBA summer transactions, the MLB postseason awards and predictions and an NFL primer. Stay tuned for interruptions of that schedule cuz I'm getting closer to finishing "The Fall and Decline of the Roman Empire" and it deserves a review as well as any movies my wife and I absorb that get my gears spinning. Also, I would love to get some good conversation going on any of these posts, even old ones, don't be scared just talk to me. It's ok, I sign my name with an initial meaning I'm something like a doctor.

Anyway, the greatest sporting event of the year is tonight, coming in just ahead of the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star weekend.

--- Side Note --- Sporting Event Power Ranking:

1. MLB All-Star Game
2. NBA All-Star Game
3. Super Bowl (and Playoffs)
4. World Series (and Playoffs)
5. NBA Finals (and Playoffs)
6. Braves Playoff Game
7. Summer Olympics
8. March Madness (and Tourney)
9. Vikings Playoff Game
10. Reg Braves Game
11. Clemson Bowl Game
12. Stanley Cup (and Playoffs)
13. Reg Clemson Football Game
14. NBA Regular Season
15. MLB Regular Season
16. World Cup Final (and Tourney)
17. Reg Vikings Game
18. Wimbeldon Final (and Tourney)
19. NFL Regular Season
20. Winter Olympics
21. UEFA Cup Final (and Tourney)
22. NCAAF Championship
23. College World Series
24. French Open Final (and Tourney)
25. Either Brother Football or Basketball
etc etc etc etc......in case you're wondering, any Major Golf Tourney comes in around 35 and any Major NASCAR race is down around 50, at best.

Thanks for reading.

Braves hit the break with the 9th most wins in Franchise History, that's a long time folks. However, they got super snubbed for the All-Star game with only Craig Kimbrel getting in initially, Freddie Freeman being selected on the last-spot ballot and Brian McCann replacing him during to injury. Outrageous.

Look at Chris Johnson's credentials:
.330/.470/.841 (BA/SLG/OPS)
The batting average is 4th in the NL (because of an early platoon he's still a little under the qualifying line)
1.0 War, meaning he's worth a full game more than the replacement level 3rd basemen, which was all the Diamondbacks thought he was when they threw him in the Upton-Prado deal
He's smacked 6 dingers and driven in 31 while playing 3rd, 1st and batting 3rd, 5th, 7th and 8th at different times during the year, aside from Freeman he's my first-half Braves MVP and because his production is more surprising the best story of the year so far out of Atlanta (barely edging out El Oso Blanco)
DEFINITELY BELONGS - weakness: Platooned earlier, hits a lot of singles
Now Mike Minor's
9-4 with a 3.02 in 122 innings
115 K's, 1.08 WHIP, and a most impressive 4.42 K/BB
This comes out to a whopping 2.2 WAR (which is a compiled stat, the best of the best ending up around 7)
He's also homered, driven in 4 and has pitched himself into the position of Ace of a 1st place ballclub
BELONGS - weakness: NL pitching is really strong this year
Now Evan Gattis'
One of only 7 players in MLB history whose name starts with GAT... (its true)
14 Homers in 167 ABs (1 every 12...not far from Ruth, Bonds..etc)
Has played 54 Major League games and already is the most feared pinch hitter in the last 20 years
1.7 WAR!?!?!?!?
Has a ridiculously amazing story of overcoming adversity and going from Janitor to Brave and stuff
PROBABLY BELONGS - weakness: oblique injury a week before voting started
How about Justin Upton?
16 homers (12 in May) 1.1 WAR
3 hitter for a 1st place team (I know numbers before status but its got to mean something)
Has a decent shot at a 20/20/20 2B/HR/SB and should walk more times than ever before in his career
Seamlessly shifted from RF to LF after the trade and has made some slick plays
MAYBE BELONGS - weakness:went into an icy cold slump and is on pace to K 200 times for the 1st time
I'm pretty upset, but it won't tarnish my enjoyment of the game at all. Nothing possibly could. It is the greatest few hours of athletic entertainment available. Don't even consider calling or texting me during it.

Philosophy of Vacation

There is no greater feeling than completing the last "thing" you need to do before going on vacation. I'll get that feeling at 4:30 pm tomorrow afternoon when I lock the door at the Post Office and hop in the car free until the 15th. Our little family will take our first 3 person family vacation, which is my favorite achievement yet (although first baseball game was pretty high). We'll be headed southeast to see my grandparents and a certain sandy place the locals call "beach."

There are several different philosophies of what makes a good vacation. This is something I've thought about, so I'll share said thoughts with you, the reader.


Typically, Vacations parse out to the following varieties:

1 - Event/Location

       This is Disneyland or New York City

2 - Activity

        This is camping or skiing or scuba diving

3 - People

        This is visiting family, friends etc


I very, very, very, very much prefer #3. Vacation is an ancient word for "no work" (Vaca = vacuous, or empty and tion such as automation, "self work") which can also be translated "sleep". None of that is true, but it should be. Anyone who takes "vacation" to go climb a mountain or walk 50 miles has literally lost their mind. See Jim Gaffigan on camping. He nails it. If given a choice between a tent and virtually anything else, I'll never choose the tent. The "event" oriented vacation is often more stressful than the average 60 hour workweek and therefore defeats the purpose of leaving.

Instead, a perfect vacation is as follows. Arrive at random relative/friend's house. Sleep for 10-15 hours straight. Eat. Sit and talk to relative/friend for 3-4 hours. Eat. Sleep for 10-12 hours. Go to small, simple event/location such as Church or a museum with friend/relative. Eat. Watch movie. Eat. Sleep for 10-12 hours. Wash, rinse, repeat. This is vacation as the original authors intended it.

The mountain climbing, skiing, bicycling, surfing, maniacs come home from vacation "revitalized" and "plugged-in" which are code words for tired and sweaty. I come home from vacation with sleep-surplus and a +400 on my book-page quota.

This year, however, will be an exploratory expedition into the possibility of relocation. This is a fancy name, and fancy names always mean work. So, I will probably be doubly focused on increasing my sleep-surplus and burning away skin cells and hours at the aforementioned beach to compensate for the "workation" part of our journey.

All said, I'm stoked and have been on brain vacation since last Tuesday (right AFTER the Dirk/Duncan post so Ha!). I don't know what the Internet will be like out yonder so this'll be on hiatus till we return. Probably a summation of our vacation will re-launch us on the 16th. Till then, tootles.



Braves continue to beast. Retired Chipper's #10 on Friday, the first of a 3 game sweep of Arizona. Comfortable lead in the AL East heading into the All-Star break, Gattis and Beachy both almost ready to re-join the team. Things are feeling like '95, and couldn't be better.