Football is back!!!!

Rejoice dear brethren! Football is back in full effect! Last Thursday, I was so happy, I burst into a full-on dance of joy. That was until Sunday came and my Panthers got molly-wopped by those dreadful New York Giants. *sigh*

I had high hopes for Matt Moore. I mean, he was the anti-Jake Delhomme, right? Apparently not. He channeled Mr. Bojangles on Sunday afternoon by throwing three interceptions in the end zone. Who does that? Then, we went from bad to worse putting in the rookie, Jimmy Clausen.

Dude, I get that you're green. A lil' wet behind the ears, even. You should know by now that playing scared ain't never won anybody a football game. It's up to you to step up and take this spot now. John Fox can not afford to ride the same failing quarterback. If Matt Moore has another Sunday like he had yesterday, I guarantee YOU will be starting. #stepitup

Thank GOD the Falcons and the Cowboys lost and the WNBA finals started yesterday or I would have been totally pissed off about my whole Sunday. I feel like every time the Falcons and Cowboys lose, an angel gets wings. *shrug*

Sidenote: The first game of the WNBA finals was thebomb.com. I am SO excited about this series, it's not even funny. Both Seattle and Atlanta brought it in Game 1. Game 2 is tomorrow night on ESPN 2. Watch, I know I will be!

Jimmy Clausen, c'mon down!!!

Words can not describe the amount of happiness running through my veins as the announcement came through that my Carolina Panthers had picked up Jimmy Clausen.
For the past three years, the Cats have been struggling with inconsistency at the QB position. Jakey D was effin' up royally and it seemed that nobody in the entire organization gave a crap.
But this year will be different. This year, we've got (we hope) at least two solid QBs. They're young and they'll make mistakes, but I'd rather have them than some old guy making mistakes. #shotsfired #poorcleveland
This year will be one of rebuilding and restructuring. While we do have a pair of running backs in D'Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, we can't just fun the ball every down. We've got an awesome receiver in Steve Smith and picked up two receivers with a lot of potential in drafting Brandon LaFell and QB/receiver Armanti Edwards.
Nobody has even mentioned re-signing Mushin Muhammad and that's unfortunate. I think he was solid in that No. 2 position. I must say though, with Edwards coming in as a QB/receiver, a part of me hopes he turns into another Hines Ward. Ward has been so effective as a receiver, folks forgot he was a QB in college.
Even if Edwards turns into another Ward, what good will it do if we don't have anyone who can get him the ball? My hope is that Clausen, Edwards and LaFell are able to bring with them the tenacity needed to get us to the post season. They'd better hope so, anyway, or Foxy will be looking for a job come mid-season.
I hope that the offensive coordinator won't be too scared to put the ball in the air. Right now, we've got a rep for ALWAYS running the ball. I hoping that with Clausen's arrival and Matt Moore already being in the groove, we'll be able to shed that and Carolina can become the team to beat in the NFC South. Lord knows nobody wants to deal with the mouths of Eb the Celeb and 12 Kyle if my boys fall to theirs. *shudders*
All in all, I'm happy with the way we came out in the draft. Now let's get to training camp! I might even be tempted to head down I-85 South to Spartanburg to see what the fellas are up to. I might even stop being so cheap and spring for some Panthers tickets this year. Who knows?

Doggone Good Year

12Kyle's Favorite sports moment from 2009?

Was it seeing my Yankees win the championship? No...but it was a close second

Was it seeing the Flakers win the NBA Title? Um...NOT!

My favorite moment happened over an entire football season. It was a season that started in the brutal heat of the summer of 2009. While I sat at my desk under the cool air conditioning, this team sweat and pushed their bodies to the limit during "unsupervised team workouts. " While I sat on the couch and watched ESPN, this team pushed themselves through their summer school classes.

I got a chance to see them play their first game. The game was played in the Citrus Bowl before a nationally televised audience on ESPN. It was 95 degrees that day in Orlando. I know...because I was there! I had to see for myself if this team was as good as people said they were. And they were.

The team that I came to see was the South Carolina State University Bulldogs.

My alma mater.

Not only did I go to school there, I played football there from 1991-1995. In 1994, we won our conference title (10-2; undefeated in conference play)...the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and were crowned the Black College National Champions. This year's team was trying to do something that teams that I played on could do...repeat as conference champions. SC State had won the MEAC title last season and was picked to win it again. People said that we had the talent to do it. I had to see the team for myself. Could they achieve greatness???

The season began on that hot day in Florida on Sept 5. We were facing the Grambling Tigers. Grambling had won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) the previous year. Both teams were squaring off in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Both teams were ranked nationally and were #1 (SC State) and #2 (Grambling) in the black college polls.

SC State beat Grambling that day in a close game 38-35. It was the beginning of a record breaking season for SC State. The Bulldogs went on to win the MEAC conference title again by going undefeated. SC State has a record 19 consecutive victories versus conference opponents. SC State's only regular season loss came at the hands of the University of South Carolina in a hard fought loss.

If you went to an HBCU (historically black college and university), you know about the PRIDE that we have in our schools. The pride runs very deep. To say that I am proud of my alma mater would be an understatement. I love South Carolina State University. I'm a Bulldog for life. I will always be a Bulldog. So, my allegiance to my school is deeper than pride.

SC State finished the season by advancing to the FCS Championship Playoffs (formerly Division I-AA) for the second straight year. And for the second straight year we played Appalachian State. And for the second straight year, we lost to them. This year we lost a heartbreaker 20-13.

Nevertheless, I am happy as well as proud of my alma mater. They have done things that many people didn't believe that they could do. We are slowly becoming a dynasty.

If you don't think we'll be champions again next year...bet against us!


Kyle Dowling

12kyle@gmail.com
http://the12planet.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/@12kyle
12kyle@sistasports.com

Joy & Pain...

The Thrill of Victory


The Agony of Defeat


If you didn't have the pleasure of watching a great SEC Championship game, these two images should be enough to tell you who won. Mark Ingram continued his quest for the Heisman trophy but putting on one hell of a running exhibit vs a great Florida defense. QB Greg McElroy picked the Gators apart and the Crimson Tide defense stepped up big time. Now as you can see in the first GIF, Ingram is celebrating with his teammates. They're going to the National Championship game to play Texas, so they're excited and rightfully so.

However, if you take a close look at the second GIF with Tim Tebow, well.... ummmm... yeah, aint really too much I can say on that one. In actuality there is, but I'll reserve judgment. I can understand the tears and all. Tim Tebow has had a great college career and is an incredible competitor. I can accept that. But why are your teammates consoling you on some Brokeback Mountain type foolishness. You got one cat stroking Tim's hair as he bites his trembling lip in sadness. Then to add to the madness, another cat comes over and puts his hand on Tim's shoulder. I'm not calling any of the participants out aiiiight, but the entire scene screams (((Wild Mango))). What happened to cats dapping each other up, hard punches on shoulder pads, quick 'manly' hugs between teammates or 'atta boy' smacks on the rear??? Now jokers are waiting to exhale??? *shakes head* That's all I gotta say on the matter.

Jan 7. Alabama vs Texas for the BCS Championship. That should be one hell of a game. Oh yeah, Mark Ingram better win the Heisman. If the panel gives it to Colt McCoy, they each need to have their future voting rights revoked.

Peace & Love...

G. Mo

Youth Sports

Youth sports are a lot of fun.

Kids really enjoy playing.

Sometimes it's the ADULTS who get in the way.

Case in point, as many of you know...I am an assistant coach for my son Kameron's 6 and under football team. This season was his 2nd season playing football and my first as a coach. We had a great season. The kids learned a lot and I really enjoyed being around them. We finished our regular season with a 9-1 record. Not only was it a great season but I watched Kameron become a good football player. He started at offensive guard and defensive guard. He also was the backup quarterback. More importantly, I enjoyed being involved with the game of football. I enjoyed being a positive role model to the kids on our team.

Unfortunately, we had some bumps in the road. We had a game during the season vs Rock Chapel. They were just as talented as we were. The game was close throughout. We won 12-6. During the game, some parents were disgruntled that their child didn't play during the game. In our league, we are encouraged to play every child at least ONE play. Every game, most of the kids...even the ones with lesser skill sets...would play at least 4 plays in every game. Not this game, tho. As a staff, we just couldn't afford to play everybody. One parent made a comment about it after the game. She was mad because her son didn't play. When the comment was brought to me. I kindly reminded the person who told me what she said that her son did not come to practice for 2 days that week. We only practice 3 times a week. You can't miss 2 days of practice and expect to play.

We made it to the city championship game with a 9-1 record. We had to play the team from Ben Hill. They beat us during the regular season 27-0. I knew that we could play better if we faced them again. And this was our opportunity to redeem that loss. We played better...but we lost again. This time we lost 34-12. The game was closer than the score indicated. I was proud of our kids because they didn't quit. Ben Hill scored on their first play from scrimmage but we kept fighting. I think we could have beaten them if we played our "A" game. We didn't. Even in defeat, I was happy for them. However, I wasn't happy with our "team mom". She was on the sidelines with our team for the duration of the game. Her son also plays on our team. As the clock was winding down, she starts yelling (to no one in particular) about how we should have won the game. She questioned the plays that were called. She even accused our coaching staff of listening to "other coaches". She acted like a 4 yr old kid! Are you kidding me? You're gonna act like this in front of YOUR child and the rest of these kids? C'mon son! Get it together.

I rounded up the kids who were on the sidelines and I reminded them that they were all winners. We had won our division. Our team won a trophy and each kid won a medal. I reminded them that we'd be back next year. And I believe that we'll be back next year.

Hopefully, we won't have those childish adults with us.

Dear Panthers, I quit you.

This relationship has become too much for me to handle. *sniffling* I simply don't trust you anymore.
Every week, I tune into the game with the best of intentions. I sit there with my chips and Kool-Aid waiting for kick off. It always starts well. Then before I know it, it's the second half and you turn into a Pop Warner team - a bad one. I'm always so happy until the middle of the third quarter. That's when the tears start.
I can't keep going to work every Monday with puffy eyes telling my co-workers I "fell." Something tells me they've stopped believing me. I just don't see where we went wrong.
We've been together since '97. That's a long time. We've been through so much together: making the playoffs our inaugural year. The NFC Championship. The Super Bowl the same year as NippleGate. Those were fun times.
But just as there have been good times, there have been horrible ones too. The 4-12 season in the Dom Capers era. Rae Carruth's terrible game of Hide n' Seek. Losing Fred Lane to a crazy ass wife. And now, Jake "Mr. Bojangles" Delhomme's pick throwing ass and John Fox's unwillingness to bench him.
At the moment, we are currently 4-6. Delhomme has thrown 14 interceptions. Explain to me how we have a Pro Bowl wide receiver in Steve Smith and two Pro Bowl-worthy running backs in D'Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, yet, we are still 4-6.
I can't handle this abuse anymore. Every time I threaten to walk away, you always straighten up and win a game or two. And as soon as I get comfortable, something goes awry. I mean, what can I do better? Am I not cheering loud enough? Could I have said something?
This just isn't working for me anymore. Until we can get some consistency, bench Delhomme and get rid of Foxy, I'm afraid we're done. I'm tapping out for the season. I still love you, but I can't be with you anymore. I'm drained - emotionally. I'm gonna get some help. You should too. For next season, I mean. In the form of Michael Vick.
I think he (and a new offensive coordinator) could really revamp the team. But right now, we need a break. This isn't goodbye. It's just, so long. You know, for the season. It just might be really awkward if I hang around this year, y'know, since my heart's not in it. Tell the guys it's not their fault. Well, not all of 'em. I put the blame square on Mr. Bojangles and the offensive line for not protecting him better.
We'll see each other again - soon. I mean, next year's not too far away. In the mean time, you might hear something about me cheering for the Colts. Don't listen to that. It's just a rumor. You know how people "talk." I don't really love them. But I don't like you very much right now and I need a way to spend my Sundays. They seem to have room on the bandwagon and I plan to ride it all the way to the Big Game.
Don't feel bad, I simply can't watch you anymore this season. I hope you understand. I wish you well.

Love,

Smarty.

Open letter to the Carolina Panthers

Dear Carolina Panthers front office,

For the love of professional football, please send Jake Delhomme, aka Mr. Bojangles, and John Fox a SitChoAssDown memo, pronto!
I mean, what the hell, man?! I've been a fan of this team since its inaugural season. I remember watching the first game with my stepfather. We had so much hope and promise for these Carolina Panthers. From Dom Capers on up to Foxy, I've been a fan. From Kerry Collins to Rodney Peete to Mr. Bojangles, I've been faithful. But this season has made me question my allegiance.
What's wrong Cats? Is somebody threatening you? Are you as tired of Jake and Fox Man as I am? Are you intentionally playing horribly so that you can get Foxy fired? If so, I understand, but if not, get yourselves together. We gotta salvage the season.
Explain to me how we have one of the best receivers and two of the best running backs in the NFL and we are still 2-4. The only explanation I have is piss poor coaching and QB still choking on whatever it was he had the night before the playoffs. What's the problem, Jake?
If this dude were a QB on anyone else's team, he would have lost that starting position after he threw half the picks he's thrown this season. Seven weeks into the season, Delhomme throws on average two interceptions per game. That wouldn't be that bad if he were throwing four touchdowns per game.
And what's with the offensive line? What happened to blocking? I understand you're probably more pissed at Mr. Bojangles than I am but dammit, he's your QB. I don't expect you to get on ESPN and cry in his defense like T.O., but dayum, take care of him so he can get a good look down the field and get the dang ball to Steve Smith and Mushin Muhammad. Gah! Just do ya freakin' job!
And let's not even get started on the D-line. Julius Peppers, my future ex-husband, what's wrong honey? Are you so focused on blowing that pop stand next year that you don't even want to play well this year? I know you have to stay healthy so you'll be a hot commodity so Jerry Jones can pay you an ungodly amount of money to go to Dallas, but Gah-lee, put in some work for the team you play for now.
If you all don't start to turn things around and soon, you may force me to forfeit my fandom for the remainder of the season and I'll be a woman without a team. You guys don't want that, do you? So you either shape up or I'm shipping out.

Reluctant Fan,

Smarty P. Jones

Celebration time, c'mon!!!

My Carolina Panthers won the first game of the season against the Washington Redskins!!!



Ya'll have NO idea how awesome it is to be a Panthers fan right now. To get our first win at home was phenomenol. It has taken five weeks for us to get our win and it is so sweet!
It wasn't pretty, but a dubya is a dubya! I'm still not totally convinced that Jakey D is the right QB for us, but he was able to pull a win outta his ass to save his and John Fox's job for another week.
So grab a glass and let's pop champagne, my boys got a win!!!

Football season, where for art thou?

This has been the longest off season in history! I swear, every since the Pro Bowl, which I don't normally watch, I have waiting for those gridiron warriors to take their various positions on their respective teams, but, it's not time.
On more Sundays than I care to count, I have turned to CBS, Fox and NBC to catch a game only to realize, it's not time. I find myself watching SportsCenter hoping to catch the highlights and scores but lately all I see is baseball, golf and tennis. Why? Because it's not time!
Well when is it time, dammit?! When will I be able to turn on SportsCenter and see highlights of my future ex-husband, Julius Peppers, knock the breaks off somebody's quarterback? When will I be able to see Steve Smith catch a short pass and run it in for a touchdown? How soon will I be able to see that dynamic duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart run all over the opponets' offensive line?
Can you tell I'm a Carolina fan?
Soon! It's coming soon! The Bills and the Titans will battle it out on Aug. 9 in this year's Hall of Fame game, but guess who has to work?! Fortunately, ESPN will air my boys' preseason game against the NY Giants on Aug. 17 and I can't wait!!!

Created by OnePlusYou

Of course these games mean nothing and they won't do anything to help my boys in our quest to win the NFC Championship and ultimately the Superbowl, but it's football! And at this point, I'll take what I can get! I need it, I don't think I'm gonna make it.
It's like football is crack, and I'm Pookie in "New Jack City." "It's just keeps calling me!"