Stanzi is a KC Chief...

I'm pretty happy with the Chiefs selection of Ricky Stanzi.  If I liked tatoos, I'd probably get one like Stanzi that his him Born in the U.S.A. but my birthyear would replace his.  Not all people like Stanzi, I personally do.  He has his issues, but he's a guy that lives and dies by the American Dream.  The "Love it or Leave it" attitude.  I respect that from the young quarterback. 

I also am fortunate to live close by to the Chiefs Training Camp and hope the lockout ends so Stanzi comes to St. Joseph, Missouri and I get to see the sight of Moeaki and Stanzi together again but this time in Chiefs gear.  It's a great day for Hawkeyes and Chiefs fans. 

Great article on Espn on Stanzi, I've included it below.  GO CHIEFS!

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post?id=27042

Tornado in Alabama...have you seen this video?

To all those that were affected by this massive tornado I can only think and pray for you.  This video that was captured is a little shaky but is still good, show the massive tornado pretty close... 

http://youtu.be/5ohIVzIZLuQ

A 1 year old with soccer skills...

I grew up playing soccer, so did my at least two of my older brothers.  Not sure on my oldest brother if he ever played or not, I actually can't recall him playing the game of soccer, his dream I believe was to be a baseball player, jacking homeruns for the Cubs.  Most of my friends, classmates played soccer since we were young and did throughout high shool.  As we grew older, our teams were usually good, probably because we played together all the time. 

But it's kids like the kid in the video below that probably start at such a young age that truly turn kids into future stars and champions.  It usually starts with a parents dreams wanting so "much" for their kids that they mold these kids from day 1 into fierce competitors.  Is it right for a parent to do that?  It's not really for me to judge others parenting skills, as you should really only focus on what's best for you and your kids.  There are times, where you may need to speak up when you see something that shouldn't be happening like abuse, etc.  But parents molding a kid at a young age usually in the sports world is sometimes looked down upon by other parents who think they are pressuring their kid too much.  Maybe they are, but maybe they are just wanting more for their kids in life too, its not a fact, just a matter of opinion. 

Athletes many times are more popular or have a higher social status with other kids in school.  Athletes who are succesful(which is rare in most cases) receive college scholarships and if they are fortunate to become a pro athlete, make much more than the average salary of the working-class.  Athletes gain fame locally and regionally by peers, adults, or anyone that takes interest in sports.  Seldom does a person get published in the paper for being ordinary, but many high school athletes make the paper nightly for the stats in the sports world.  It doesn't make it right, but its something to ponder on.  It's okay to want more for your children, but they may not turn out to be what you hoped they would be.  If they aren't the athlete that you had hoped or strived for, it doesn't mean you failed or the kids a failure, it just wasn't in their genes to be what you thought they should be.  It doesn't mean you shouldn't love them as much or any differently than you would if they were the kid in the band, the unpopular kid, or any other sorts. 

But don't blame a parent for trying to help their kid to become more as well.  If they are being pushed beyond their means or it's not something they want to do, hopefully the parent will be able to see it or the kids lets them know. 

Here's a kid on video that seems to enjoy his skills at such a young age, he may have future talent, but it doesn't appear as if a parent is doing anything wrong, just teaching this kids had to score...... and it looks fun.  I definitely get it.

http://youtu.be/31pxEs64z9s

A political thought on choices...

We are taught from childhood to make wise, independent choices and decisions that are the best and smartest for each of us.  But why do republicans and democrats only want you to choose one side all the time?

-Nickolas L Auge April 27, 2011


Your thoughts?

Playoff Tickets or A McDonald's Value Meal?

And they say the economy is getting better...

I just went to http://www.ticketsnow.com/ and was checking prices on NBA playoffs tickets, not that I am going or anything but does San Antonio really not care that Spurs are playing in the playoffs or do they just despise the Memphis Grizzlies that much.  Spurs might have trouble winning because the lack of fan support they are getting in these playoffs.  A ticket to tonights game, actually several tickets are available for $6.00, with several others costing $7, $8, $9 and lots more under $15.00/each.

http://www.ticketsnow.com/InventoryBrowse/San-Antonio-Spurs-Tickets-at-AT-T-Center-in-San-Antonio?PID=1106304

By the time you click on the link above, they could vary depending on the start of the game or the link may be acutally gone, but yes, there was plenty of tickets for about the same price as a value meal at McDonald's.  Actually going thru the drive-thru at Wendy's fast food would cost more than a single ticket to the Spurs playoff game.  How is that?  Maybe its just the state of the NBA.  There's plenty of basketball fans out there but I can tell you that there are many others that just don't care for the NBA game.  I prefer the NBA much better during the playoffs, as the season sometimes just seems like a drag unless there is a major hype on a game.  Sometimes watching the highlights on http://www.espn.com/ just seems more interesting than sitting on the couch watching a regular season NBA game of two of the "lesser" winning teams in the NBA.  Some games I do enjoy, but I feel that sometimes there is not much "team" or "coaching" aspect to the NBA game.  I prefer college basketball as it just seems that the passion by the players is there all season long, while the NBA players appear to get up for only "big-time" matchups or when the playoffs come, occasionally maybe when there is a battle for a last playoff spot.  The regular season, sometimes feels like the NFL's Pro-Bowl, where the game doesn't matter so much, but seeing the stars of the sports world matters most.

The Chicago Bulls matchup against the Indiana Pacers had a $67.00 price tag for a stading-room only ticket for game 1 in Chicago.  Thats $61.00 more than watching a playoff game in San Antonio, quite a jump.  I ventured over to http://www.stubhub.com/ and saw only 6 tickets left at $20.00 for the Spurs game and the Bulls cheapest ticket was again standing room only for $63.99.  Man how times have changed.  I can't remember the last time I could see any live professional major sporting event for the price of a value meal.

Has San Antonio just seen so much success in recent years of the Spurs, that this season isn't that special?  Wal-Mart today announced that their core-shoppers are becoming broke.  Maybe we should just realize that the economy isn't better, its that the majority of people are paying bills and living on less or paying higher insurance costs.  That's less disposable income to around for NBA playoff tickets, even if they are $6.00.  You have to include parking, gas, and food and drinks and the night goes from the price of a value meal to a sit-down meal at the Cheesecake Factory with getting cheesecake for dessert and having a specialty drink or two.  More people are passing on free tickets from give-aways, promotions, or friends because they figure the travel costs into their decision as well. 

While the NFL players and its owners bicker on the millions they want or aren't getting, the "average joe" is cooking smaller meals and budgeting their normal expenses and wondering if there will be anything left over at the end of the week for a "Netflix rental".  Maybe that's exaggerating a little, but for some its not.  While $6.00 may seem cheap for a playoff ticket, others may need that $6.00 to get by until their next paycheck.  It's different times, but its the world we live in right now, whether you like it or not, its becoming fairly common.  Unemployment rate may go down, but alot of peoples savings accounts need to get built back up before some will splurge, even if it's just for a $6.00 playoff ticket.  Times are tight, I definitely get it.

Where will Stanzi go?

Ricky Stanzi, the quarteback from Iowa has been projected all over-the-board in various mock drafts.  Some predict he's capable of being a first round draft pick all the way to mid to late end-of-the-draft type of quarterback.  I've seen some latest drafts having Seattle or Minnesota taking him in the second round a few picks before another fellow Hawkeye Tyler Sash.  Personally, I believe he will be one of the better future NFL quarterbacks in the league.  His comparisons to Tom Brady can be linked but nobody is like that of Tom Brady.  But Stanzi does have statistics that can be compared to at the collegiate level of Tom Brady. 

Stanzi may end up in the second round to one of those teams that need a quarterback.  The Chiefs may end up picking Stanzi in the 3rd round as well.  The Seahawks are interested as well.  One of these teams will choose Stanzi and may get the QB of the draft.  He's been under the radar before and performed with poise and passion for the game and his play.  He may not be everyone's perfect quarterback or on everyone's draft want lists.  But if your wanting a quarterback who's willing to wait in the shadows, who will try his best and perform, there's a guy named Ricky Stanzi.  Cam Newton may have the sportlight, and other quarterbacks may get picked before Stanzi.  But for the team that drafts Ricky Stanzi, they definitely get it.

Did you see this Hockey Fight?

I get it. Hard check leads to big fight.  Did you happen to see this Russia vs Finland Hockey fight?

http://youtu.be/ANWOzCDZTUo