Flowing Locks, Bruising Hits

Even with the long hair covering the name on the back of their jerseys, you know who the players are making the bone crunching hits or game changing interceptions. Steelers stud Troy Polamalu and Packers star Clay Matthews were locked in a season long battle for NFL defensive player of the year. Both had stellar years but in the end Polamalu came out on top winning the defensive player of the year award by only two votes.
Polamalu is my favorite NFL player by far. The guy is a manimal as I like to call him. Half man, half animal. Polamalu is a game changer. He proves this everytime he hits the field. The energy and grit he plays with usually ends up with pick sixes, crucial tackles, or forced fumbles like when he flattened Joe Flacco an the Steelers went on to win that important game. Often times when Polamalu is injured the Steelers are not the same team on defense. The guy makes that much of a difference on Dick LaBeau's defensive scheme. One of Polamalu's finest moments in the 2010 season was his interception returned for a TD vs the Bengals. The play was something of a manimal, not a human. After that play, the Steelers cruised to victory on Polamalu's momentum.
Now despite Polamalu's amazing season, you could argue that Matthews should have edged him for the award. Polamalu suffered an injury and failed to play in all 16 games this season, while Matthews started in every game. Matthews recorded a stunning 60 tackles and is also a game changer on defense making 13.5 sacks and several picks. Matthews has the same effect on his team that Polamalu does in terms of helping the Packers pick up major momentum when he's out on the field. The younger player Matthews is also only in his second season and is putting up numbers like this. His future in this league is going to be unreal as long as he stays healthy.
In the end though, Polamalu was deserving of the defensive player of the year honors and there hasn't been a safety in the NFL like him maybe ever. A future hall of famer, Polamalu has elevated the position of safety to something greater and that in itself is an amazing accomplishment. Polamalu and Matthews may have hair that many women would envy but there is nothing feminine about their grit and determination on the football field.

Copyright Marisa Ross
@TheDivineMsRoss

Down with the BCS

I may offend some people with this blog. Big corporations and people trying to make money off of college athletes mostly.

In a nutshell, the BCS system is the biggest crock of shit in athletics period. Period.

In what other venue does the championship system give absolutely no hope to any program who does not happen to be in the conferences of the chosen few? None, that's what. In figure skating for God's sake everyone has the opportunity to make it to the national championships. The Bowl Championship Series discriminates against any small time Cinderellas or dark horses fighting for a chance at a title. There will be no 2010 Butler Bulldogs in Division 1 college football. The BCS would never allow such a thing. They only reserve those championships spots for the likes of Ohio State, USC, Florida and Texas. All small time conference powerhouses (*cough* Boise State & TCU) will never get a crack at the top as long as the powers that be can help it.

What makes the BCS system disgusting is the lack of a playoff. A team just has to win 6 games to be eligible for a trip to a bowl game. 6 games out a 12 game season. Who wants to see a .500 team playing another .500 team in the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl? Not I, said the cat. The sheer lack of regard for honoring solid teams in this present system is utterly ridiculous. If NCAA football had a playoff situation similar to that of NCAA basketball, it would be the biggest ticket in sports. March Madness would pale in comparison to the Rumble in December.

"Oh, but the student-athletes have finals in December", the fat pocketed administrations say. First of all, what "student-athletes" (especially ones at major programs) really care about finals? And which ones aren't all but hand-fed their work up until they sit down to take the test? Spare me the phony "the student comes before the athlete" propaganda. Second, the whole test dilemma doesnt hold any water because all NCAA college basketball players are taking mid-terms during March Madness. And your point is, Mr. BCS president?

King's Ransom

Since the decision heard around the world back in July, the main story surrounding LeBron James has been what will happened when he makes his return to the shunned city of Cleveland and his old stomping ground of Quicken Loans Arena.

James' return has garnered more attention than even the Heat's lowly 12-8 record. The anger of the Cleveland fans and how LeBron would react grasped everyone's attention. ESPN dedicated hours of coverage to the story and almost salivated at the amount of boos James received as he took the court last night. James is the most hated player in the NBA and the media is eating up every last drop of hatred people have for this man.

Despite looking like a scared puppy during warmups and shaking a bit as he did his "trademark" powder toss (shoutout to MJ), James made the most of the game earning a season high 38 points as the Heat trounced the Cavs 118-90. Perhaps the highlights of the game for me came from the fan chants and signs. "LeBum" and "The Lyin' King" practically put me in stitches.

I can't say I'm not sitting back and laughing at LeBron turning into Public Enemy #1. James "Decision" special followed by his contrived "What Should I Do" commercial practically made me lose my lunch. How dare James, who has 0 championships to his name, let's not forget, take shots at Jordan who is, without a doubt, the G.O.A.T. This showcased James' arrogance and mentality that he really thinks he's above all other players and above being a classy individual and respecting the dignity of the game.

It wasn't the fact that James left his home state team after seven years, but the arrogant, attention-getting way in which he did it. If he would have held a simple press conference and said "look, I want to win a championship and things just aren't working out here in Cleveland" and quietly journeyed to Miami, people would have had a lot less anger toward him. This is exactly why former Cavs C Zydrunas Illgauskas was cheered as he took the floor in a Heat uniform.

It wasn't what he did, but how he did it, and this is why, LeBron, "Akron hates you."

Copyright @TheDivineMsRoss

Vick for MVP? Not So Fast

After the Massacre at FedEx Field, overzealous Eagles fans are starting to scream "VICK FOR MVP!" from the rooftops of every cheesesteak joint in Philly. Not so fast, young grasshoppers.

Sure, Michael Vick did dominate in the Eagles 59-28 rout of the Redskins and that may very well be the understatement of 2010. The scene was something out of a film: Michael Vick coming back from years in prison to lead the Eagles to an NFL record breaking smackdown of his former commrade Donovan McNabb and company...in the rain, no less.

Vick connected with superb young wideouts Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin as the Eagles ran up the score faster than Kat Stacks runs up miles on her body. He ran himself into the endzone as well, proving once again he's one of the best running QBs ever. Vick is now only second in rushing yards for a QB behind all time great Randall Cunningham. Former 49ers QB Steve Young loved it and all but wet himself singing Vick's praises during the postgame anaylsis saying Vick was the best to do it since, well...him.

It's no doubt that Vick's performance last night was one of the best of a QB in recent memory. It was electric. Vick, however, just isn't an MVP. The MVP award means much more than just being a great player. The team has to completely be centered around you and if you're not around, the team will subsequently crumble. Vick has a fantastic supporting cast on offense in WRs Maclin and Jackson as well as future star RB Shady McCoy. He isn't in a situation such as Tom Brady where his #1 target in the endzone left midseason. Brady is throwing to second time Patriot Deion Branch and handing off to virtual nobody Benjarvus Green-Ellis and still may lead his team deep into the playoffs.

If Vick really was doing it all by himself, I would say he is definitely a great candidate for MVP. However, because he has so many solid targets for TDs (aside from himself) he just can't possibly be looked at as the sole main contributer to that team. When Vick went down earlier this season with a rib and sternum injury, the Eagles continued to win when former starter Kevin Kolb had to step in. The fate of their winning did not rest on Vick's shoulders alone and it still doesn't now.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross
@TheDivineMsRoss

The Ballad of the Everywoman

This is a mantra for all the women who question their worth daily. For all the women who have had their hearts ripped to shreds by men who hardly even think of them. For women who look in the mirror and are greeted by cheerful dimples of cellulite. For the women whose supposed best friend drove a knife straight through their backs. And most importantly for the women who are down on themselves in some facet of life and desperately need uplifting.

Now repeat after me:

"I may not be the most beautiful or the sexiest, nor do I have the perfect body. I might not be everyone's first choice, but I'm a great choice. I don't pretend to be someone I'm not, because I'm too good at being me. I might not be proud of some of the things I've done in the past, but I'm proud of who I am today. Take me as I am or watch me as I walk away!"

As soon as I read this I had a bit of a spiritual awakening in terms of my womanhood. A warm glow appeared in my heart and I felt stronger about myself than I had five minutes ago. I read it again and smiled. After a third time I wanted to jump up and exclaim "I am woman! Hear me roar!".

I've taken this statement and embodied it. This quote raises my chin up high and puts a song in my heart. It makes me feel alive and like the queen that is inside of all of us.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross

Livin' Legend

Most athletes become legendary after they retire...or die. It's a rarity for any person to become a legend while still at work on their craft. Brett Favre is one of those rare Living Legends. The old man with salt & pepper hair, a perpetual 5 o'clock shadow, and gruff Mississippi accent has been playing in the NFL almost as long as I've been alive. I'm 25 years old.

Favre is one of, if not arguably the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. He's accomplished everything you can possibly think of in the league, yet he's still here 20 seasons later, yearning for more NFL greatness. The man has been to the Pro Bowl 11 times, 3 time First Team All Pro, 3 time NFL MVP, and the proud owner of a Superbowl ring. What is left for Favre to prove? Nothing, and that's why he's still dragging his 41 year old body out onto the gridiron week after week. Favre has nothing to prove to anyone. He simply continues to play because he loves the game and for the everlasting thrill of victory.

Yes, for the past three seasons America has had to endure Favre-gate in every offseason headlined by the constant question: "Will he or won't he reitre?" Although the media following his every move each year trying to predict whether Favre will or won't be back for another NFL season, people still cling to him and the invisible halo that practically glows around the top of his head. You see, Brett Favre is a guy's guy. An All-American cowboy type who loves football. He even slightly resembles Clint Eastwood with his reluctant smile and stoic exterior. Rough and rugged and stylin on 'em in his Wranglers, Favre is a relatable Everyman.

There is a mystique that surrounds Brett Favre just being out on the field. Having him suit up as your team's quarterback is motivation enough. Favre is the quintessential NFL Iron Man, having never missed a start since he came into the league with the Atlanta Falcons in 1992. An illness or injury has never held him down or out. In week 7, Favre suffered a fractured ankle against his old team, the Green Bay Packers, yet he is still looking towards starting against the New England Patriots this Sunday. Starting in his 20th NFL season at the age of 41 with a fractured ankle...and a granddaughter. Yes, Favre is the only true "Grandpa" in the NFL.

Even admist allegations of sending unsolicited pictures of his nether regions to former New York Jets employee, Jenn Sterger, America seems to have looked the other way because it's Brett Favre, and he's football's good guy. After all, everyone makes mistakes, right? He's a motivator on the field and a classic guy next door off of it. Whether you love Favre because he has endured 20 seasons without missing a beat or despise him because he has put your favorite team to shame year after year, you have to respect the man as the living legend that he is.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross

@ 'Em or Dap 'Em

Social networking sites have made it easier for us to communicate with friends and even meet new ones. We share jokes, news, and debate on sites like Facebook and Twitter. MySpace doesn't count anymore, sorry Tom.

Unfortunately, the myriad of social networking sites also gives us something that we may not otherwise have: passive aggressive behavior. When behind a computer screen, people tend to take on a slightly different persona. A tougher version of themselves. Since no one is in their face to confront them, people tend to talk more recklessly, often times about another person. Do they ever include this person's name in the subliminal internet shots though? Hardly.

Welcome to the wonderful world of subliminals. Twitter and Facebook statuses are notorious for these catty, shot taking messages that don't actually take direct shots at anyone. "I wish some people would STFU. You're frontin' for Twitter." Do you see a name in there? Nope. I'm sure the person who it's about knows it's referring to them, though. But when confronting the spineless subtweeter, all they can do is smirk and say "Nah, that wasn't about you, I swear."

What is the point of all this? Insulting someone without actually insulting them. The target KNOWS it's about them, but can provide no real proof. It all comes with the fact that there are no consequences for spitting a subliminal off at the mouth, or in this case, at the tips of your fingers. People can passively smack talk with no repurcussions or risk of someone giving them a right hook to the jaw.

Gone are the days when people handled their issues like men and women. Present are the days when no one wants to take  responsibility for their actions and words. We would rather hide behind a computer screen and get tough than face our problems head on.

Is this blog post referring to you? *smirks* Nah, it's not about you, I swear.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross