MIZ-DGB: Commentary for the Tigers' New Star

It's official--Springfield, Mo native Dorial Green-Beckham has decided to "continue his education" at the University of Missouri. Green-Beckham, a 6'6, 220 pound wide receiver from Hillcrest High School, is the consensus number one recruit in the nation as well as the U.S. Today Offensive Player of the Year. He decided on Mizzou this morning after considering other college football giants such as Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. "DGB" is probably the greatest recruit ever brought in by the Tigers, but what lured this sure-fire NFL first rounder to Mizzou?

National top football recruit, Dorial Green-Beckham, at a University 

of Missouri basketball game with MU offensive football coordinator, David 

Yost. During his signing interview, DGB joked that he wants to convince 

Yost to cut his hair, revealing some sort of early personal connection

 between the star and his future coach. 

It's obvious that there are school's with greater prestige and talent than MU right now, particularly at the QB position, so why did DGB choose us? Well a for sure reason is that it is close to home, DGB has a brother battling cancer and wants to stay close by to support him (a noble cause). Another reason is the allure of Mizzou to SEC and the Tiger community. DGB took a recent trip to an MU basketball game where students and fans made his presence felt, cheering MIZ-DGB and creating signs specially for him. This type of support let DGB know as soon as he steps onto this campus that he is going to be a focal point and star player on the team. Mizzou making the move to arguably the best football conference in the nation probably didn't hurt either, and going into the weaker, east-side of the conference gives Mizzou tremendous upside heading into the SEC with DGB.

I really like this signing decision by the young star, not only because I study at Mizzou (obviously), but because it shows tremendous self-confidence in his own ability. He could have easily taken the easier road and gone to a better overall team with more supportive talent around him, but this signing shows he wants and will demand the ball all the time. He is going to be the best player on the team as soon as he steps on the field, and I love the swagger he has to be the go-to-guy right away. He has a tall order ahead of him, however, as Mizzou will have a tough schedule next season--taking on powerhouses Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Moving onto DGB the player, I believe his athleticism and skill set are most comparable to that of Detroit star receiver, Calvin Johnson ("Megatron"). Tall, fast, and extremely physical--they are both the type of player where a QB could just lob the ball in their general vicinity and have confidence they will raise up and snatch it every time. These types of plays will be key to Mizzou's success with DGB, considering they do not have the most pass-savvy or accurate QB (unless Franklin vastly improved in the offseason). His ability, along with fellow receiver T.J. Moe, to catch mid-range passes will be crucial to opening up the part of the field where DGB truly shines--deep, down-field passes. No matter what happens, it is obvious that DGB will have a great career where-ever he decided to go to school, but I'm more than ecstatic to have him in a Missouri Tiger uniform.

What's your take on the DGB signing--good or bad decision? Can he make an instant impact? Where will Mizzou end up in the SEC now that they have him? Be sure to comment below and let's get a discussion going!

-John Jr.
follow on twitter @JJ_OConnor

NOT a State of the Union Post

Disappointed? Get over it, I have really nothing I want to discuss about the State of the Union address except that it was beautifully written (I just read the transcript). I wouldn't know anything about how it was delivered because I was too busy watching perhaps the greatest show on television. That's right I'm talking about FX's hit comedy, The League. After a test first-season of only six episodes, The League has really hit it's open-field stride in the second and third seasons. This semi-scripted blend of crazy antics and adult-rated humor spells for television greatness for the likes of men (and women) everywhere, but what makes such a simple idea so great?

The League - The Return of Rafi

 Scene from the premiere episode of Season 3: The Lockout

The League is built upon the premise of a group of friends participating together in a Fantasy Football league. Basic enough, but there is some unseen beauty behind such a simple male activity, an essence that is captured perfectly in this show. Every guy has that tight group of friends that just like to hang out and talk shit on each other the whole time, and that is exactly what this show captures with perfect technique. 

The on screen chemistry and humor produced by this group of actors is unlike anything I have ever seen from a television series before. Every line--every joke--every plot keeps me hooked and hanging on every word. It's a television experience unlike anything I have ever experienced before. It's rude, crude, and classless--which only makes it that more fresh and real; it's a real breathe of fresh air from your standard television sitcom.  

The Cast of FX's hit show The League

I absolutely love this show. I mean, I love this show so much that I was watching re-runs on Netflix as opposed to the State of the Union Address! Call me crazy, but that is the level of entertain this show can provide. An entertainment so great that I completely disregard all the problems and tribulations of our country's crumbling greatness (sounds bad when I put it that way). This might perhaps be my favorite television show right now, and that is a bold statement for someone of such high standards for acting and production as myself. 

If you haven't watched The League yet, than you are missing out on television genius. Season three wrapped up not too long ago, but you can be sure I am ready for the next season of this witty and hysterical mastermind of a show. You can catch it only on FX (or Netflix, or any other place you can "download" it off the internet). 

Slightly buzzin,

-John Jr. 

Joe Paterno: A Heartbreaking Farewell

Legendary Penn St. football coach, Joe Paterno, passed
away early this morning at the age of 85. 

This is not easy--the scandal that occurred at Penn St. will always blemish the legacy of this great football coach. It is not easy to see what happened to Joe Paterno and Penn St. University, and it's evener harder to understand why it had to be this way. I believe that Joe Paterno was a great man, and it is just my hope that he will be remembered for the lives he impacted positively, but it simply is not that easy.

I'm not going to delve deeply into presenting the news or life of Joe Paterno, it is all over ESPN and other media outlets right now, and I have posted a link below. This commentary is designed to present my opinion of Joe Paterno's life-long dedication to his passion, and also the heartbreaking issues that possibly contributed to his death. I realize I am just a college student, but I really was deeply saddened by Joe Paterno's faltering state, and I awoke at the crack of dawn today just to see if he had survived the night. So while I may not have expert opinion or knowledge, this is clearly an issue that means something to me. This has been a long time coming for me to share my honest opinion about this, and with that being said, here is my insight...

I believe, despite all the negative questions about the character of Joe Paterno, that he was a man of great moral integrity, and I believe he was wrongfully terminated. Attack my character if you want, but if you saw Paterno's interview about how he wished he had done more, than you would also have seen the expression of a man with a truly broken heart. A broken heart that I undoubtedly believe contributed to the set of complications Paterno was already dealing with from his ongoing battle with lung cancer.

Coaching was his life, and that life was ripped from him by the despicable actions and mistakes of others. Sure, Paterno's actions involving the scandal might have been considered naive, but many people criticizing fail to place themselves in the context of the situation. At an institution such as Penn St., one cannot just assume that because someone tells you they saw something that you can report it to the police. How many times do we see in the sports and pop culture that someone is falsely accused for an action they simply did not do. Sure, Paterno could have further investigated the situation, but making a call to the police based on the word of one person would be an extremely foolish move.

I believe the blame for the lack of action from the university falls solely on assistant coach Mike McQueary. When you actually witness a crime being committed, you are obligated as a citizen of the United States to take action and report such crime. If anyone should have called the police, it undoubtedly should have been McQueary because he was a first-hand witness. Paterno was placed between a rock and a hard-place when McQueary reported to him what he had seen. If Paterno got the police involved and the allegations were false, he would have destroyed the life of one of his colleagues and friends, and would have done so based on the word of someone else.

The problem with the action that Paterno took is the allegations look overwhelming true, and so now his image is tarnished because of something almost completely out of his control. It's obvious in that situation that Paterno handled the situation with the utmost professionalism and class while abiding to all of Penn St.'s legal procedures, but anyone would wish they could do more to help protect innocent children.

All of this is hard to deal with because it destroyed the lives of so many, including irreversible pain to the lives of innocent children. I needed to express my dismay for how the situation was handled in regards to Joe Paterno, however. It's not about him losing his job, it's about a man who for 85 years prided himself on his character and class, and was then stripped of those titles that he so deserved. One action (or lack of action) cannot undo 45 years of previous greatness. I am not wavering, Joe Paterno's legacy of character and class will live on my heart as well as the heart of countless others.

I will always look up to Joe Paterno as a role model for his pride, character, passion, and professionalism. This is a heartbreaking farewell for a truly great man who deserved nothing but our respect and admiration. Paterno's football legacy may or may not be tarnished by this scandal, but his legacy of character remains pure and eternal in the hearts of us all.

Click here for all the details about Paterno's death and legacy via ESPN

-John Jr.

Is Tebow's Performance Finally Good Enough?

It was said to be improbable... unfathomable... impossible. All the Tebow critics and even non-critics said, "There is not a shot in hell that Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers." They reiterated, "The Broncos are going to get demolished, and Tebow is but one bad snap away from losing his starting job and NFL career. Tebow can't throw, he can't make quick decisions, he just isn't good enough."

Last night the impossible happened--Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in overtime. The question is though, is this finally good enough? Call it crazy, call it lucky, call it stupid, call it cliche--whatever you want to call it, I absolutely love it. I have the ultimate "Tebowner" right now, and so should you. I am absolutely mystified by what this guy has been able to do despite such adversity and such hardship. No young player in any sport has had to deal with more issues and negative publicity than Tim Tebow, and for what? Why do people hate such a positive role-model in an NFL league full of gangsters and thugs?

Tim Tebow exemplifies everything we as sports fans and human beings should love. He is the ultimate underdog and produces those moments of magic that keep us hooked and flabbergasted. This Denver win is the latest in legendary moments in NFL history, and I know 30 years from now I will not have forgotten exactly where I was when Tebow threw that 80-yard TD pass on the first play of overtime.

We can't give all the credit to Tebow, however. I know that I (nor Tebow himself) would want to take anything away from the team effort that produced this win for Broncos. I can't take away any credit from the Steelers either, who made this victory remarkably easier than it should have been. I still question the decision the bring the safety up on that last play of the game. Why as a defensive coordinator would you make such an aggressive call on 1st and 10 in overtime? Who cares if they run every first down, and who cares if they get a 10 yard run on the first play. When you are in overtime in a hostile environment you had better be playing bend but don't break defense (especially with the new overtime field goal rule). For that reason alone, the Steelers deserved this loss. I don't care if it is Tim Tebow at QB, you have to play smart football and respect that big plays can occur on any down.

I'm not going to rant about the stupidity of the Steelers though, this one is all about the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. Many people are tired of hearing about the Tebow debate on ESPN (myself included), but I am enamored by the story of Tim Tebow this year. He inherits a 1-4 team, and when no one gave him a chance, he turns the table winning the next 7 out of 8 games to help the Broncos win the AFC West. Next, after playing awful and losing 3 games straight, Tebow comes out in a huge playoff game and sets 3 NFL post season passing records on the way to winning in extravagant fashion.

I love this story because Tim Tebow represents hard-work, faith, perseverance, and never giving up on a dream.  To me, he stands for everyone who has ever told anyone else they aren't good enough to achieve their dreams. He has stood up in the face of the harshest criticism and proved, "I am good enough, and I belong here." Everyone should take a page from the book of Tebow and let it be known that no one can tell you that you can't accomplish your dreams, and no one can tell you are not good enough to do what you love.

-John Jr. 

Upcoming this Weekend

Well it seems another long week has come and gone, and with the beginning of the weekend I wanted to create a list of big-time sports and show previews so you don't miss any of the action!

College GameDay Feature Game--Oregon - Stanford (coverage starting Saturday 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC): 

Power vs. Speed, Luck vs. LaMichael, is there any better way to spend your Saturday than watching this Pac-12 match-up with national title implications on the line? We didn't think so, and either should you. Assemble you football compatriots, grab a beer, and watch the fireworks fly in this GameDay offensive showcase. 

The Walking Dead (starting Sunday 9:00 p.m. EST on AMC):

After discovering the dark side or Rick in the first few episodes, Season 2 of The Walking Dead is on a roll now, leaving cliff-hanger after cliff-hanger. Be sure to check out this weekends episode to discover if the crew will find Sophia--what will happen to Daryl after he falls onto one of his arrows--and last, but certainly not least, what appears to be the return of Daryl's brother! Make sure you don't miss the next suspense-packed episode of one of AMC's greatest shows! 

Hell On Wheels  (starting Sunday 9:00 p.m. EST on AMC)

The season premiere of AMC's latest show certainly was great, and with a quick plot twist early on in the series we should expect bigger things from this week's installment. Be sure to stay-tuned to AMC right after The Walking Dead to see if Hell On Wheels can keep up its head of steam! 

Enjoy your weekend and be sure to follow and keep commenting!

-John Jr. 

Alabama vs. LSU

With all the hype surrounding this game I wouldn't be surprised that people are going to scrutinize it for its lack of "excitement."  I can just hear the complaints about how both teams lack offense and flamboyancy, most of this probably coming from the fans of the Big 12 and Pac 12, who are used to high scoring games that usually lack a true defense.  In my opinion these teams are among the best in the nation and deserved every bit of attention they got.  If you need proof just look at who has won the National Title the last few years.  Remember  offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.  The idea of low scoring games may turn people away, but I hope that the days of smash mouth and run first football start to flourish again in College Football.

Newcastle United

With the brutal stretch of games oncoming in the weeks to follow (Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea) the true test of how good this side is will be tested.  Newcastle has composed themselves, even without the help of star players, proving that the right combination can be more important than the combination of the 0's on a players contract.  I hope that the next games will only help to fuel their passion to remain one of the top clubs in the EPL this year.  As long as injuries don't plague the team and spirits remain high, Tyneside has a lot to look forward too.  C'mon Magpies!