Best and Worst of 2010

Much like last year, as the year wound down, I began to think about the things - good and bad - that happened this year. This year was hectic for me with tons of travelling, many early am drives into the sunrise and thousands of laughs shared (and volumes of alcohol consumed). I can honestly say that, by far, I travelled more this year than any one year in my life. But I'm happy to say I've met so many wonderful and equally entertaining people hopping all over this country and I have memories that I wont soon forget.

Last years edition of this now annual post, I gave my outlook for this year. It was more centered on the companionship that sometimes was lacking in my life. I remarked, "Not that there is an active search for love, there is always a willingness for opportunity." I think the year I had provided me with a willingness, but not necessarily a commitment to opportunities; with perhaps one situation which went terribly wrong - we'll discuss later.

So here I am looking forward to 2011. What's my outlook? Mostly I see more time spent at home. I spent a lot of time away from home and therefore didn't do the things I love to do with any regularity and consistency; such as cooking, housework and spending time with some of my closest friends and my family. I also see me looking towards my future; whether it be relationships I have now that either need to be removed or solidified, investments I have or need to make, or better decision making I need to have. My motto for 2011 is going to be: "Work Hard. Play Harder. Live Smarter". As "The Year of Jabaar" (my 33rd birthday) approaches, I feel that I need to get more mature in certain parts of my life - Develop the sky hook. Don't always take the easy and comfortable path and simply dunk the ball. One thing for certain, 2011 is going to be another fun year and I'm looking forward to all it has to offer!

Without any further delay, my best and worst moments of 2010!

Top 4 Worst Moments of 2010

4. All Good Things...
The final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation was named "All Good Things"; symbolic of the the end of another Star Trek series. For almost a decade, through my adolescence, millions of fans tuned in to watch Captain Picard, Ryker, Worf, Data and others travel the galaxy seeking out "new life and new civilizations", each week. "The Trusty Grill" reminds me of that series. Every tailgate for almost a decade the "Grill-to-Go" grill packed up in the trunk of my car and make tailgating memories that many will never forget. From ice cold cooking in Pittsburgh, to sizzling in the rain at Penn State, to a parking lot in St. Louis and finally the last grill 15 minutes away at the Linc in Philly, the grill has never failed to lite, and remains one of the most durable and rewarding purchases of my life. Next year I'm upgrading to a new grill; it's time. But the next grill has a long, long time and a lot to prove before it will ever be considered truly an upgrade.

3. The hardest hit is the one you don't see coming
I have, unfortunately, had the unpleasant pleasure of living through many disappointments in my life. If you've known me long enough and have gotten to know the core of who I am, and more importantly, why I am who I am today, you've heard the story of one or many of those disappointments. This year I would experience another disappointment in the form of losing someone I once considered my best friend, confidant, and even my future. Whether due to my lack of proper communication or their misinterpretation (one would say that the only words misunderstood are the ones not properly communicated) a conversation where I intended to open myself up to the possibilities of a future turned into a misunderstanding. Following that unfortunate conversation true feelings would be revealed causing my switch to be flipped - if you know about my switch, you understand it triggers a very sharp cut away from my life. A disappointing end to something that at one point was a great thing.

2. All Alone
During the time I lived with my Dad, I lived in a house full of men with varying personalities. When I say that I've absorbed some of the traits from that house would be an understatement. From learning how to talk to women, to how to drink liquor, to living a humble, respectful life, the lessons I learned in that house are deeply within me. Over the years the men in that house have passed on, one by one. They were all my great uncles; my fathers uncles from a litter of 13 brothers and sisters. This year, a different house because my dad had moved, left just my dad and my great uncle Johnny. I could see that Johnny was there more every time I visited my dad. He was a walker and loved his "handle" of liquor, so he would walk from south Philly to center city almost daily to go to his favorite liquor store - as store where he made friends over the years. But over the course of about a month leg pains led to blood clots which led to hospitalization. At first there was treatment and the hope that he was going to be fine. Then I spoke to my dad and I could hear Johnny in the background sounding normal-ish (he was sober which sounded slightly off from his normal self lol). That very next day he would pass. It would be then that my dad would tell me the reason he was up and talking is because the doctors had decided there was nothing more they could do and they gave him weeks to live. He lasted one day. When I visit my dad, he is definitely missed.

1. 4 days and 4 nights
It's a bit of a running joke now; "I heard you lost 15 pounds?". It's true. This year I lost 15 pounds....in 4 days. I've gotten strep throat before; many times in fact. But never strep and another virus at the same time. For 4 horrible, and secretly scary days (I'm not one to ask for help or go to the hospital for that matter unless forced) my body fought off arguable the worst sickness I've ever had in my life. I sweat profusely in my sleep and could only eat yogurt and apple sauce and could barely get any liquids down my throat. When it was all said and done I had shed 15 pounds and was back down to my college football playing weight days. If there is a positive, I lost virtually all fat from my abdomen - great for a 6-pack. However, I would not recommend this as a diet for anyone.

Top 5 Best Moments of 2010 (and 2 honorable mentions)

Honorable Mention #2: Boston Trip
Two of my best friends, Don & Julie, and I went up to Boston to attend a Sports Analytics conference. From the never ending alarm clock, to strip blackjack (not with my best friends lol) there were many laughs and memories from that weekend.

Honorable Mention #1: We call it, "The Speedo"
If you know anything about me, you know that you won't find my picture anywhere near the word "embarrass" in the dictionary. Agreeing each year to do something(s) for my best friend Julie's birthday, I agreed to wear a speedo. Little did they (or I) know that I would enjoy it so much. Yes, it felt unexpectedly good. Yes I got to walk around Aruba with basically underwear on. But the best thing about wearing them was the reaction of the people as I walked around the resort or floated around the lazy river. It may just become a sunny beach weather normal for me ;-)

5. Window Seat
I've been to a few concerts in my life, and want to get to more. I heard that Erykah Badu was going to be at the Tower earlier this year and marked the date tickets were going on sale. I stalked a computer and bought tickets as soon as they went on sale, scoring 2nd row tickets. My best friend Darren and I went to the concert (He loves her so much he would probably kill someone if she asked him too lol). The concert and opening acts were amazing! Towards the end of the concert Badu came down off of the stage and walked around and danced mere feet from us in our section. I definitely will be going to her concerts in the future.

4. If I Have My Way
My sister and I have been very close since we were conscious of each other. I love my sister more than anything. She's my motivation to do good in this life. But despite the fact that we live 10 minutes from each other, we can go stretches where we don't see each other; and we hardly hang out, socially, together. So when I had an extra ticket for the Chrisette Michele concert, she was the first person I thought of. Despite spending so much time talking and laughing at dinner and missing the opening of the concert, we had one of those great brother-sister moments that I cherish. I look forward to more in 2011.

3a & 3b. THIS is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I love football - love it and miss playing it. I also love watching it live. With all of the trips I had this year for football games, two stood out as at the top of the list not only for the games, but also the fun and memories I have.
3a - #1 Ohio State @ Wisconsin and Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers: This Saturday, Sunday combo of games featured a game where #1 OSU lost to Wisconsin after one of the best pre-game experiences of my life and a visit to Lambeau field in Green Bay. Even though the Packers lost, this was a great weekend of fun!
3b - Georgia - Florida Game -aka- "The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party": I could end this by stating that I, with very little help, went through half a bottle of 1800 Tequila (about 325ml) in about 3 hours lol. It is truly one of the most amazing college football sites to see. It truly is a ginormous cocktail party with some of the funniest and craziest people I have ever had the pleasure of being around. A ridiculously good time.

2. And Another One Bites the Dust
"The Crew" as I call us consist of 4 of my closest and best friends; TCarew, A1, Nitty and Discooooo Dave...just go with it lol. When the crew started we were all unmarried and some single. Over the years Nitty, then A1 and finally this year, TCarew tied the knot; leaving me as the sole unmarried crewman in the bunch. So with a wedding comes the Bachelor Party and the Wedding. If I have to compare how much fun I had I would rate the Bachelor Party a 9.9 and the Wedding a 10....out of 5. It's always good to see what love produces and my boy TCarew definitely deserves the beautiful and loving wife he has. Those two events were off the hook fun!

1. Say it Ain't a No-No!
My brotha from another motha Eric and I have seen some things over the year, both sports and non-sports related. We saw the Phillies win the World Series together. We saw Larry Fitzgerald play and much more. But in the playoffs this year we got to see something that only some thousands can say they saw live-in person. We saw Doc Halladay throw a playoff no-hitter! It's a moment much like watching the final strike in the World Series a few years ago, but different. The Phillies may very well win the World Series next year, but a no-no in the playoffs may never happen again; or at least wont happen for a very long time. In the list of many, many memories Eric and I have together, this one is pretty high up there.

Here's to a great 33 for me, a relaxing conclusion to 2010 and an amazing 2011, not just for me but for all my friends and family (near and far).....

Tough Love Vol. I - Issue I

This is the introductory issue of Tough Love. Periodically I'll voice my opinion on an issue as if I had a sit down with a person or a group and cleared the air about a hot and/or troubling topic. I invite comments and only ask for respectful conversation at all times. Your perception is that of a fly on the wall in the room. Agree, disagree, or simply fly away...

Today, we sit down with President Obama...

Mr. President, I'm not going to tell you how to do your job because I'm not ignorant enough to think that somehow, despite less information, I know more than you know. Howeva (channelling my inner Stephen A. Smith), I'd implore you to consider the following through the remaining 3 or 7 years you have as President of these United States:

I'm a genuinely nice guy. People tell me that I am nice and I believe that I, sometimes unfortunately, try to always consider the needs of others with and even at times ahead of my own. I get it. It's good to be the nice person, the one who has and extends the olive branch. It warms the heart and restores the beliefs of many who simply feel that humanity has lost the human side. So I say what I am about to say with hesitation and concern for the action it represents.

Screw them!

Screw the Republicans!

Screw the Democrats!

Screw the Independents!

Screw them all!!!!...

Putting myself in your shoes, I would do what I believe is right for this country. Former President Bush did it, former President Clinton did it and many before him. They all faced scrutiny, resistance - and much like today - blatant sabotage. If it were me, I'd rather be hated for standing up for my beliefs and my good heart than be loved for compromise and giving into what I believe is wrong. There are many in this country (as proved and recorded in history as votes) who believe in what you ran on - changing that district and putting faith back into the American people that their elected representatives are actually doing, without prejudice or malice, what's best for them; that their government is doing what's best for them and that their President is, most of all, doing what's best for them. There comes a time when so-called bi-partisanship needs to be called what it is and agendas made public. Enough with trying to work with people based on false assurances of support and genuine cooperation. As the old saying goes, "if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself".

Mr. President, I'd rather not one single piece of legislation gets passed during your administration if that means that every single corrupt, pocket lining snake in DC is outed for everyone to see. That, Mr. President, will change Washington. Make everyone accountable starting with you, down to the ultimate scum - the lobbyists. Expose the backhanded bargaining, the zeros in the bank accounts, the fancy dinners and other voting-inspiring-perks. I'd rather clean up Washington over the next three (or seven) years and get nothing done if it means our future, our children, will have a government that is truly "of the people by the people and for the people".

Now I know, I'm asking for not just change; but ginormous change. I'm asking you personally to make a magnitude of enemies, here and abroad. I'm asking you to do what I don't have the power to do. I would have not a moment of hesitation doing this myself, but ironically this exceeds my pay grade. I had a choice on who I thought could do this, and I chose you over "the other guy" because I shared many of your beliefs. But I have to say Mr. President, I'm disappointed in you.

I'm disappointed in the fact that it appears that you want to let the process of change happen naturally instead of making change happen. You want to walk plank by newly laid plank across that bridge instead of leading America over the bridge that you built. You want help for a one man job. Let me stress that; this is a one man job. And it saddens and concerns me because I wonder if you have what it takes to make the sacrifice that's needed to pull this country out of the black hole that is that small district to the south of me.....the ultimate sacrifice I'm referring to, is you. And what I am referring to is the other you; the antithesis of your public image needs to become who you are. Compromise and blind-eyes wont work. No longer can you act on your beliefs that if you show those in D.C. that you are truly trying to do what's best, they - on both sides of the aisle - will experience an epiphany and suddenly realize what's bringing this country down; their own actions. With all due respect, that's not going to happen! What it will take is a non negotiable bull-like leader who exposes those who are deceitful, who line their pockets, who simply say "No" because they are merely cattle following the herd, who don't have the interests of the people as their #1, #2 and #3 priority in Washington. That sacrifice, Mr. President, will make enemies out of friends and bring forth even more hatred from those who already hate you. But in order to really bring about change, change you must.....

5 facts to support why the Eagles offensive philosophy needs to change if they are to ever win it all

Now to some of you, this may sound like a broken record that has been crazy-glued back together and broken again a few dozen times. It's understandable that some people believe that a pass happy offense that devalues the running game can win the super bowl; the crown jewel, and to this point the one thing that has escaped all Eagles teams to date, of the NFL. Actually, no it's not understandable. Its downright insane that with all the evidence year after year after year after year that in order to win the big game your team needs to be able to run and control the ball when it matters, people still insist that it's ok if the Eagles simply don't have one; or at least have a threatening one.

So, here are five facts, statistically backed, that support the argument that a running game is essential:

1. Last 10 Super Bowl Winners
- 2008: Steelers (9th) – Eagles 17th
- 2007: Giants (8th) – Eagles 20th
- 2006: Colts (18th) – Eagles 27th
- 2005: Steelers (1st) – Eagles 30th
- 2004: Patriots (5th) – Eagles 31st
- 2003: Patriots (12th) – Eagles 25th
- 2002: Buccs (23rd) – Eagles 5th
- 2001: Patriots (8th) – Eagles 23rd
- 2000: Ravens (5th) – Eagles 24th
- 1999: Rams (15th) – Eagles 19th

Look at the exceptions to being a top 15 rushing attempt team. In 2006 Peyton Manning chose to pass. He gets two running plays and a pass play to decide from every play. However, he used the running game in the second half of the SB to put it away. Peyton chose to pass, but the Colts could run the ball. In 2002 it didn’t matter what the offense did. All Brad Johnson was asked to do is not lose the game. The Buccs Defense was insane. Hence the reason we lost to them that year in the playoffs. Also, notice that we finished 5th that year. That was the year Donovan was hurt in the Arizona game and we were forced to go with Koy (until he broke his arm) and AJ Feeley.

2. Rushing Attempts

So lets look at the rank for the final four teams with a chance to make it to the Superbowl:

Jets (1st)

Saints (t-7th)

Vikings (9th)

Colts (31st)

EAGLES (28th)

I argue that the Colts have a system and quarterback in place that gets them wins against virtually every bad and average team and most good teams. Also they're defense gets teams off of the field. But the overriding thing (that I'll prove later) is that the Colts get more quality possessions (i.e. they run on thirds and short to get the first down) and extend drives where the Eagles don't because they pass so much. 3 of the 4 teams remaining are in the top 10 just ATTEMPTING to run the ball.

3. Time Of Possession

The old adage is "you can't score if you don't have the ball". This is one of the biggest areas the Eagles don't see eye to eye with facts on. They are like the one juror who insists the opposite of every other juror despite overwhelming evidence. Again, take the final four teams in the playoffs this year and look at the time of possession rankings.:

Vikings (4th)

Jets (7th)

Saints (11th)

Colts (31st)

EAGLES (28th)

Now, some may say, "Well look at the Colts. They don't need the ball much." That would be a shallow and small picture way of looking at the Colts. I looked at the two best passing defenses (yards/game) they faced this year -Tennessee (2nd), Seattle (3rd) - and the two closest games they had this year which happened to be against the 2nd and 3rd worst passing defenses they faced this year -Baltimore (24th) & New England (21st) respectively. Looking at the Seattle and Tennessee games that occurred weeks 4 and 5, respectively you will find that the Colts, against 2 of the top three passing defenses in the league won easily. If you focus on the time of possession rankings of these two teams, they finished 32nd (last) and 25th respectively. Against the Seahawks the Colts ran 22 times averaging 3.5 yards and against the Titans 21 times for 4.3 yards; losing the TOP battle both games by 3 and 7 minutes respectively. Imagine if the Colts had the Eagles philosophy and passed more? That's insane! Against the 24th and 21st passing defenses the Colts only won by 2 and 1 point respectively. Why? Look at the average rushing attempts ranking of the two teams (t-7th and 10th respectively). The Ravens attempted 31 rushes and won the TOP battle by 5 minutes, where the Patriots attempted 28 rushes and won the TOP battle by a whopping 10 minutes.

Bottom line, you can be the best passing team ever, but if you don't have the ball, you can't score.

4. Take This Away

Just because you get a lot of turnovers, it doesn't mean you do a lot with it. Of the four finalist this year, here is the turnover +/- rankings:

Saints +11 (3rd)

Vikings +6 (9th)

Colts +2 (14th)

Jets +1 (17th)

EAGLES +15 (2nd)

Yay!!! The Eagles are better than all four finalist for the Superbowl this year!! Whoo Hooo!! Oh wait, so why aren't we one of the four finalists then? Well consider this; the Eagles had more passing touchdowns than only the Jets and less rushing touchdowns than each of the four finalists. Also, only the Jets had fewer extra points made and the Eagles had more field goals made than all four teams despite leading the four in the turnover margin. So what does that mean? It equates to quality drives. You can get all the turnovers you want but the other teams scores touchdowns while if the Eagles scored at all, they were more likely to kick a field goal. 13-0 and 21-0 are completely different games. If you don't get quality drives, you aren't going to score. Quality drives start with my last point.

5. Can't stay on the field

You can argue that if a defense can't get off of the field, they aren't going to be very successful. Well the same can be said for an offense that can't stay on the field. The 3rd down conversion percentage and ranking of the final four teams is as follows:

Colts 49% (1st)

Vikings 45% (5th)

Saints 45% (6th)

Jets 37% (20th)

EAGLES 36% (23rd)

These are the teams that the Eagles are better than - Lions, Seahawks, Browns, Buccs, Rams, 49ers, Raiders, Chiefs and, dead last, the Bills. See any commonality here? Not a single playoff team below the Eagles and other than the Jets, the other three teams are in the top 6. If you are pass happy to the point where you pass more than any team on 3rd and 1 and have that horrendous conversion percentage, guess what? You're aren't going to win games that matter.

Here is my suggestion to Andy Reid. I don't care who your quarterback is (because the quarterback isn't the problem - the philosophy is) run the ball 7-9 times more a game and improve the defensive line so that you don't have to blitz to get pressure and you will win the Superbowl. The linebackers are young (once you retire Trot - sorry bro but you can't cover me right now and we need someone that can be on the field in any situation at middle linebacker) and the secondary, with the addition of a quality nickle back (please cut Hanson. Please!) the defense will return to its dominating glory.

To recap:

1. Offensive Philosophy - Run More

2. Offensive Philosophy - Run More

3. Improve the Defensive Line

4. Middle Linebacker

5. Nickle back

While it's great to be the "Gold Standard" at something, I want to remind you that the most coveted trophy in professional football is made of sterling silver; and its worth a whole heck of a lot more to the city of Philadelphia.