Let me start out this article by saying that I am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan and I will be for life.
Just to give you an idea of this fandom I have for my team, here’s a quick story about the photo above. I went out and bought that jersey in Times Square in NYC on my first payday Friday at my first job post grad. I changed in the bathroom and wore it around work all day because it was “casual Friday.”
I grew up cheering for the Brownies and even “attended” many games in the DAWG POUND via my mother’s womb. So you can say we go back pretty FARR 😉
As a team, we have gone through 23 quarterbacks in my 23 years of life.
The most recent? Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.
Here’s my case for why Manziel deserves to be the starter, after just two preseason games:
1. Josh McCowan is downright awful. Sorry, but someone has to say it. Literally terrible. Old. He threw two interceptions in his dismal preseason performance.
2. Johnny Manziel has matured. He has learned from his lessons, and is continually learning.
3. He brings a competitive fire, an ability to scramble and excitement to the fans and the front office.
4. Cleveland had a solid run game last season and adds upon it this season with Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson (*great under the radar fantasy RB pick up*) and Terrance West. Johnny is a running QB, and one of the best of ’em.
5. Throughout the preseason, Manziel has gone 17 for 20 for 160 passing yards and a touchdown.
6. Most importantly, the game has appeared to slow down for him. He’s making better decisions on and off the field. He looks more poised in the pocket. And he wants towin.
The issue may be that his temporary long term elbow soreness may be caused from his throwing motion and could result in longer term issues.
“He does change his arm angle a lot, and quarterbacks that tend to drop their elbow on some throws will have a tendency for this to happen,” Pettine said earlier Monday during an interview with ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike.
The team believes that rest and maintenance can take care of the issue and the Browns expect Johnny Manziel to play on Saturday in the third preseason game in Tampa.
Now it’s time for the Browns to make the right decision and start their first round draft pick, now and for the rest of the season. It’s what the people want.
It all started with Baylor University’s chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma (Shout out to the KKG’s!) that created a kick ass recruitment video, circa 2011. Since then, the recruitment game has forever been changed.
Before I begin here’s some terms for you non sorority and fraternity folk, a glossary if you will so you can keep up… Rush/Recruitment- The process of pledging a sorority/fraternity Chapters- Sororities PNM’s- Potential New Members Panhellenic Day/Pan Day- The first day of formal Sorority Recruitment when all the PNM’s meet women from each chapter PC- Pledge Class Greek Life- Part of a Sorority/Fraternity
Great, now where was I… Ah, yes- the game has been FOREVER changed.
I remember going through recruitment my freshman year and my mom made an excellent point. She said to make sure that I wear something each day that makes me stand out (as if that was hard 😉 ). And it’s the exact same thing for each chapter as well.
Every day of rush, each chapter wants to do something or wear something that makes them stand out from all the other chapters, like banging on the walls while yelling Hottie Tottie at the top of their lungs before the doors open or wearing white pumps on Pan Day. Recruitment videos are the exact same in this sense. They are typically going to consist of women prancing around in slow motion, hugging each other and laughing, showing off their beautful homes, wearing school apparel, sunglasses are probably involved, some way somehow sports teams will be incorporated, there will be glitter, and heaven forbid these women will be hot?! With these common denominators for each chapter, you must do something to make your chapter stand out!
Yet here we are, bashing on a completely innocent recruitment video (compared to ALL the other things on the internet? Really?).
A bunch of hot, mostly blonde, collegiate women proudly promoting their chapter of their sorority in hopes of recruiting a bomb a$$ new PC should be the LEAST of our worries. Yet there is story, after story, after story, after story, after story, after story, after story about it. And yes, each link is to a DIFFERENT news source discriminating against this particular chapter of Alpha Phi (and that’s not even all of them).
As Elle Woods would say, “Why now? Why this [sorority recruitment video]?” 💁🏼🙋🏼 Heaven forbid anything like this happen to Delta Nu; you already know Elle would be addressing the public about their lack of intelligence when it comes to things they don’t know anything about. But I digress. 💁🏼
The point of a recruitment video is not necessarily to promote the chapter’s scholarly successes, or philanthropic triumphs. Sure, maybe they should be, but let’s be real here- they don’t. Chances are, if you’re rushing and came across this video, you’ve been doing your homework on this sorority! Thus you already know about the chapter’s required GPA, the fact that they were one of the top chapters in the Greek System last spring, their symbol is the Phi Bear, their colors are silver and bordeaux, and their flowers are Ivy leaves, Lily of the Valley and Forget-Me-Nots. And if you didn’t know these things, chances are you didn’t really care to know them.
Still following? Here’s the point of a recruitment video.
The point of a recruitment video is to get 18-year-old women excited about sorority recruitment and the entire run process in hopes that they will end up in the sorority that is the best fit for them.
Some chapters have recruitment videos of just their members doing different activies (ie. getting ready for sports games, dancing with the school mascot, showing off old cheerleading skills, laying out by the pool/lake/at the beach, etc.), while others have the same or similar ideas but also include member dialogue talking about their experiences with their chapter.
What I’ve noticed the most about all the scrutiny with Alabama’s Beta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi recruitment video, is that people are down right PISSED that it only features hot, white, blonde (for the most part) women. First of all, I want you to take a step back and think about your own personal group of friends. Think about the people you spend the most time with. Think of their morals, what their beliefs are, what they like to do in their free time, how they dress, etc. Chances are you all have plenty of things in common and that’s why you all get along so well! But that’s not to say you are different in many different ways as well! That’s the exact same way that each chapter feels, and I can only imagine that’s how Beta Mu feels as well. The reason they have such great chemisty and get along so well is, because they all have so many things in common, and I’m not talking about their hair color and race.
Second, just because you don’t have something in common with this particular chapter does NOT give you the right to judge them for what they enjoy. That being said, before you try to fight me, ask yourself these questions: Are you a recent high school graduate about to enter sorority recruitment? If no, case closed. THESE VIDEOS AREN’T FOR YOU. What about the video is offensive? Are you really only offended because the women are beautiful and having fun?
I can’t emphasize this enough, since these videos aren’t for you why do you care?! Literally, all these people arguing and fighting and saying how this Alpha Phi rush video is “tasteless”, and “classless”, and someone even stooped so low as to issue a backhanded apology?! I mean, really? Who’s the tasteless party involved?
If something wasn’t created with you in mind, it is not aimed as pleasing you, and it’s purpose is NOT to make you want to rush, why do you care? Shouldn’t we, as women, build each other up instead of tearing each other down? Society is already awful enough, shouldn’t we stick together?
I know the “right” (and I use this term lightly because I know I’m going to offend someone no matter what) thing to do would be to be politically correct, but honestly, think of it this way. I could be the most delicious peach in the world, yet there would still be someone who doesn’t like peaches. At the end of the day, people are jealous, whether they want to admit it or not because that video was harmless. Just like Keri Hilson says in Pretty Girl Rock (yes, I’m quoting Pretty Girl Rock), “Jealousy’s the ugliest trait.” Don’t hate these girls because they’re BEAUTIFUL! Not to mention there’s probably 500+ Marilyn Monroe quotes I could insert here.
I think it’s important to realize the impact that one individual’s opinion is making on not only the women of Beta Mu, but all potential sorority women. By ridiculing and verbally harassing these women all over the Internet, news and social media, we’re making Greek Life look worse than it is.
Greeks out-graduate non-Greeks 8 to 2. Since 1825, all but three U.S. presidents have been members of a fraternity. The first female senator was Greek. And while we hear, on average, of one hazing-related death story a year, we typically do not hear about the philanthropic work and community service Greeks participate in over non-Greeks, donating over 10 million hours of service and over $7M each year. Greeks also give around 75% of the money donated to universities. So don’t tell me Greek life is just binge drinking and partying. That’s a college association, not a Greek life association. Like many like to say, “Work Hard, Play Harder.”
And while we’re talking controversy, our editor always reminds us there will be haters, “and if they hate then let ‘em hate and watch the money pile up!”… Oh, What? That was Kanye West that said that? Whatever, same difference, you get the point.
There will always be haters and disbelievers. At the end of the day, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t, so you might as well do whatever the hell you want. For starters though, let’s try and build eachother up instead of tearing eachother down. And ya know, maybe not spend so much time arguing over hair flips and slow motion skipping.
After the embarrassment of the FIFA scandal, Sepp Blatter’s resignation and the largest soccer drama of the summer, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Warner Brothers have acquired the rights to go Hollywood and bring the downfall of the group to the big screen.
Photo: NESN
The dynamic duo will produce the film and Gavin O’Connor will direct. Buzzfeed investigative reporter, Ken Bensinger, bases the movie off the book “Houses of Deceit.” The FIFA organization released a film of their own, “United Passions” which is now the lowest grossing film in U.S. history. Ouch.
The sleazy story that will be told will include bribery, corruption and the rise and popularity of American soccer. Chuck Blazer, a higher level FIFA executive, admitted to multiple charges of tax evasion and money laundering in 2013 and then went to work undercover for the FBI.
This great news, however, comes at a bad time for Affleck, who has just announced a day after his tenth wedding anniversary with Jennifer Garner that the two will be splitting up and getting a divorce.
“After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” the couple told People in a joint statement. “We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time. This will be our only comment on this private, family matter. Thank you for understanding.”
Sorry to hear about the split Ben and Jenn, but on another note, TCD is looking forward to this FIFA drama to hit the big screen!
Diddy (aka Sean Combs), father of Justin Combs, was arrested today on UCLA’s campus at the Acosta Athletic Training Complex on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon (a felony charge 😳). The weapon being… a kettle bell?
Wait, what?
So what the hell happened?
Apparently Diddy got into it with the UCLA Strength and Conditioning coach, Sal Alosi because he was riding his son too hard in practice. Diddy had come to confront the coach, when things got pretty fuzzy, as this is where the story starts to change as to what happened.
According to TMZ, Diddy sources say Diddy held the kettle bell up as defense against Alosi, while UCLA sources say Diddy was impatient and swung the kettle bell at the coach, just missing him.
And get this- both this feisty sports dad and aggressive coach have a bit of a reputation that comes along with. Alosi can be remembered as the NY Jets coach who was suspended by the NFL in 201o for tripping a Miami Dolphins player who was covering a punt. And Diddy? Well, he’s just known as a “helicopter dad” for hovering practices.
Fortunately no one was seriously injured during the confrontation. However, I do wonder if Diddy was caught saying “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” when he was arrested. (Too soon?)
Photo: Twitter
“I’m thankful that our staff showed the level of professionalism that they did in handling this situation.” UCLA head coach Jim Mora said. “This is an unfortunate incident for all parties involved. While UCPD continues to review this matter, we will let the legal process run its course and refrain from further comment at this time.”
Combs is to be transported to the LA Sheriff’s Department Inmate Reception Center tonight, which doesn’t sound like a Victory in my book. It’s not always the players that ruin sports, it can be the parents too… Or the coaches. But remember, there are always two sides to every story!
Gosh, we just love a good scandal, especially when it involves heavy weights. 😉
So who do you believe?! Tweet to TCD what you think and who should actually be trusted!
Scandal or talent? Let those two words resonate with you and decide which one has a more profound mental, emotional, and moral effect.
This is the situation many NFL owners and GMs were in when considering Adrian Peterson as an option for the 2015 season after his reinstatement. Yes, he may have a less than “clean” record, but those statistics are off the charts.
So is the right choice to be morally correct or is the right choice to do what you need to do to get the most wins? While it’s controversial, I agree with the Vikings choice to let Adrian Peterson back on their team.
For those of you who don’t know, Adrian Peterson was indicted for reckless or negligent injury of a child for spanking his son with a switch (similar to a stick from a plant or tree). Being from the South, I grew up with physical parent-child punishment being somewhat societally accepted. Let’s just say eyebrows wouldn’t raise if you overheard a pissed off mother say she wasn’t afraid to bend her kid over her knee for a spanking. I, myself, have had a few handprints/welts left on my ass and not in the S&M 50 Shades of Grey kind of way. And yes, I deserved them.
Also, so cliche, but everyone deserves a second chance. Even, and especially, all-star running back AP. The NFL Player’s Association (NFLPA) try to use people in the public eye as examples of what not to do, and Peterson drew the short straw in this circumstance. Now, while I’m in no way an advocate for violence, I think that AP paid the price and should be allowed to return to the game.
I mean if Ray Rice is allowed to return after a two-game suspension after dragging his unconscious girlfriend by her hair out of an elevator after slapping her so hard her caked on makeup probably flew right off her face, why did Peterson get hit with almost a full season? And for those sports “fans” that try to get involved in this debate without having any analytic knowledge besides what they accidentally heard on SportsCenter while waiting for The Bachelorette to start, shut up.
Punishment in the NFL can be so contradictory and bias. Think of the Tom Brady and deflategate. Overall, it’s an unfair system that needs to be neutralized and corrected. But all in all, growing up as an AP fan, I’m glad to see him back in the purple and yellow! Now let’s talk about what he’s going to do for the Vikings this season.
In his 2012 season with the Vikings, he had a total of 2,097 rushing yards, which is 252 more than the leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, had in the 2014 season. Controversial or not, you can’t argue that the 6’1 running back from Texas has talent and lightning bolts for legs. He could be exactly what they doctor ordered after the Vikes struggling, pretty brutally I might add, offensively last season.
On top of that, Peterson has the opportunity to break Emmet Smith’s all-time rushing record of 18,355 yards. He is at 10,190 yards but believes he has seven or eight more seasons left in him according to NFL.com. SEVEN or EIGHT more seasons?! Damn. AP also said he thinks he has the opportunity to break Eric Dickerson’s single game rushing record of 2,105 yards every year. Keep in mind Peterson almost broke this record during 2012 AFTER he tore his ACL.
Although Minnesota’s season prognosis is looking pretty promising, Adrian Peterson still has to fight the uphill battle of getting himself back into prime condition after being out of the game for so long. But hey, let’s be real. We have no doubt that there is nothing a fine athletic specimen such as AP and a good attitude can’t do! So while the Vikes may have had it pretty rough last season, I’d say their dark days are over. AP, time to shine some light and steal some yards, baby!
Oh and heads up to this new information: Adrian Peterson’s wife told ESPN that she is pregnant with her and AP’s 2nd child (AP’s eighth child). Wonder if it’s going to be another star running back in the making?
The most recent? Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.
Here’s my case for why Manziel deserves to be the starter, after just two preseason games:
The Coaches' Daughters 