Random Sports Reflections

Reflections during the middle of summer...

*Didn't write about it last week but briefly wanted to address the Robinson Cano/Home Run Derby event.  (Full disclosure, I'm a Royals fan).  A lot was made of the booing (especially by the national media) for Cano and personally I think it was okay.  Ultimately, Cano should understand that words matter.  When he said a month before that he would pick a hometown guy for the Home Run derby, that people held him to that.  If he had never said that, I don't believe that he would've been booed as loud or even at all.  Words are important and what you say matters.

*Speaking of words and actions, Dwight Howard.  I don't think I've seen an athlete go from being so well liked to being so disliked over the course of a year like him.  I'm kind of dumbfounded how a seemingly bright and talented young man has made that transition to being a guy that people want on their team to a guy that they don't.  The way he has conducted himself the past year in Orlando is a great example of how not to act.  I definitely think he needs a good, mature mentor to speak into his life.  I believe that he's a talented player and can be a part of a championship team.  But his attitude definitely needs working on for sure.

*The Linsanity is gone in New York.  Jeremy Lin is going back to Houston.  Couple of things on this development.  One, it is interesting that Tebow comes to NY and then Lin leaves (just a funny coincidence).  Second, I think this was a bad play for the Knicks.  They could've had Lin back if they wanted him.  And to be honest, they should've.  He's a young, up and coming player who energized a city like no Knicks player in a decade or more.  I think they will be hard pressed to capture that magic again with this squad.  As for the Rockets, it'll be interesting how they will go.  But if he can energize that team and fan base, it will make for an interesting situation in the Lone Star State.

Back at LP Field after a Hiatus....Tennessee Titans Game in Review

I'm back after a short hiatus and the first entry back talks about a return from another hiatus....attending a Tennessee Titans game.  I was at the Titans/Texans game on Sunday.  I went with my girlfriend Casey and it was my first Titans game I've attended since December 2007.

It was cold game but not too bad.  Our seats were in the lower level in the north end zone right next to the Titans tunnel.  The sun was shining on us for pregame through essentially the first half which made it feel kinda warm.  The sun kind of hid behind the stadium for the second half and it cooled down.

The Titans, who had been cooled down for weeks, finally warmed up and essentially laid the smackdown against the Texans.  They jumped up early on the Texans in the first quarter and rolled to a victory 31-17.  Here were some observations from me:

*I liked the aggressive nature by the team.  They went for it on 4th down twice and converted both times.  They probably should have done that the week before but at least they did it this week.
*I didn't notice it was Vince Young on the sidelines until he was leaving.  I saw a guy jogging to the tunnel and he waived.  While he was doing this I turned to Casey and said "I think that's Vince Young."
*All the scoring except for the field goal at the end of the 1st half was on the other end of the field.  I was disappointed that the refs called an offsides on the Titans negating a Pick 6 where McCourty ran towards our end.

After this win, the Titans are 5-1 in games I attend (the lone loss was in a preseason game).  It's a slim chance that they can make the playoffs but with the way this season is going I wouldn't be too shocked.