A Different Draft Day Strategy

Finally, today is the day of the annual National Football League's Draft Day from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. For some football fanatics, this day is more exciting than the Super Bowl. Why? It affords hope to all 32 teams that their future fortunes will be better by what they do today. If not, it will also spell doom for those who chose the wrong players and send the fans to the turnstiles or the remotes.

There are alot of different strategies employed by the General Managers and their staff on how to stock their roster with stallions and not donkeys. If you have been following this nonstop media love fest on the draft since the Super Bowl, I'll spare you what you already know. What you don't know is what my strategy would be if I were in command of one of those draft day war rooms. Are you ready for some The Write Way football draft day strategy? Here you go.

First Round.
Bonafide Star. Draft the best athlete on the board category. Has to be at least a three year starter and superb performer in a major college conference with an excellent coach. Identify the position(s) on your roster in need and get the best athlete for that position. Intelligence, speed, size, love of the game, versatility, and leadership qualities have to be in the highest range. Avoid problem children. Avoid overfed, spoiled, inconsistent, injury-prone and dumb players regardless of their individual accomplishments on the field (ie., Cam Newton). My pick, if available: Patrick Peterson, LSU.

Second Round.
Quarterback. This is a quarterback dominated league without a brilliant starter, smart back up and an above-average third stringer you will lose. Each year draft a quarterback in the second-fourth rounds. This is a violent league and qbs are endangered species. One must stock this position with big game experienced, able-bodied and mentally prepared athletes. Plus an abundance of talent in this position may help with trades down the road. My QB Pick: Greg McElroy, Alabama.

Third Round.
Defensive Lineman. A collegiate lineman player who is from island descent in the archipelago in the South Pacific, ie, Samoa, Tonga, etc.. These players are immovable objects on the line. With a redwood tree core and I-beam legs, they clog up running lanes like grease in the kitchen drain or open them like Draino. They stop runners and defenders period. Strength? Stephen Paea, lineman from Oregon State in this year's draft, bench pressed 225LBS 49 times at the combine. My Island Pick: Sione Fua, OT, Stanford.

Fourth to Six Rounds.
Small School Star. Search Division II talent and select a player from one of the perennial small school powerhouses in the Midwest. In 2008, Indianapolis Colts selected Pierre Garcon, wide receiver, from Mount Union in the sixth round. By 2010, Garcon was the Colts starting wide receiver and scored 6TDs with 67 receptions. My pick: Cecil Shorts, III, WR, Mt. Union.

Who to Avoid.
Any player who was coached by the feckless Rich Rodriguez. Some of Rich's players of the past who flamed out royally and tragically in the NFL: Pacman Jones and Chris Henry.

Who to Pick Regardless of Immediate Need After the First Round.
Greg McElroy. See above. Greg scored a 43 correct out of 50 questions on the NFL administered Wonderlich intelligence test that measures an athlete's aptitude and problem solving. The NFL average is 20. Literate level is 10. Only two players in the history of the NFL have scored perfect Wonderlich scores: Pat McInally and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Both educated at Harvard. Conversely, Vince Young scored a 16 and this year's phenom, Cam Newton, scored 21. McElroy not only has the intelligence but reads defenses well and throws accurately with a 70% completion rate. He may not possess the arm of the 1st rounders nor the feet but this kid is a winner in every way. Played for the best coach in the USA, Nick Saban at Alabama, in the best conference, SEC, and under the most pressure every week. He led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship in 2009. He is a 10 year wise investment for any team as an able back-up or starter. And none of the experts, Mel,Todd or Mike are talking about this kid. Unbelievable.

Well , that's it from my perch. Let the picks begin.

Enjoy the show tonite. Especially the antics of those crazy Jets fans in the house.

Postscript: How weird will this draft be with the NFL lock-out and the jockeying going on in the courts as a backdrop of such an wonderful evening? As Rodney King would say, "why can't we all just get along?"

The Risen Lord

Every Easter morning I recall this beautiful painting by Fra Angelico in the Convent of San Marco in Florence. The first time I saw this was in 1976 as I was traveling through Europe as a young man seeing the world. I was stunned by its beauty, brilliant colors, agelessness and its message in such a simple humble setting.

This exquisite painting on the wall of a monastic cell depicts The Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Women at the Tomb. The grieving women including, his mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene, looking puzzled at the empty tomb. They ache for some explanation of what happened to Jesus from the Lord's angel. The angel trys to console the women with the words, "Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus who was nailed to a cross. He isn't here. God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would." Matthew 28:5-6.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the Risen Lord who died for us so that we may have eternal life. As revealed in this beautiful painting above, Jesus is not only watching over His mother and the other women but He watches endlessly and cares deeply about all humanity. And how fortunate we are to be in His love.

Happy Easter.

President Ryan

President Paul Ryan. Has a nice ring doesn't it? Will it happen in 2012? Probably not, sad to report. Congressman Paul Ryan, R-Wi., doesn't want it. He knows his national presence and expertise is better served trying to tame the spiraling out of control budget fiasco. That is, if the "other side of the aisle" cares to listen seriously and without malice aforethought. However, if they remain tone deaf to his message, Ryan may feel compelled to enter the race if for no other reason than to amplify his argument for immediate budget responsibility.

Ryan deals with the facts. His opponents deal in slick acting, empty claptrap and demagoguery. Congressman Ryan is a realist and an economic wonk whiz kid. On the other hand, President Obama is an uninformed and disassociated elitist playing games with the future of the United States of America. And for what reason would Obama do this? For votes and power in a nutshell at the expense of America's well being. Ryan projects hope. Obama spews hopelessness.

But, in the remotest chance that Ryan runs in 2012, can you imagine a Ryan v. Obama sober debate on the subject of the most pressing issue of our country, the national debt? It would be worth a pay-per-view on HBO to witness that meeting. To give it a prime time feel, the debate would be moderated by HBO's very own Jim Lampley and judged by Howard Lederman. Think of the number of body blows and power punches Ryan could land on an imperious Obama. KO after the fourth interrogatory. Ryan hoisted on the shoulders of Speaker Boehner. Obama, though knocked out, blames his defeat on George Bush and Dick Cheney as he is toweled off by Reverend Wright.

Seriously, in a civilized debate on the issue of the debt there is not a man in Washington comparable to understanding and articulating the budget mess like Congressman Paul Ryan. Studying the debt problem and solving it is Ryan's life's work. His kids and our kids are depending on his work to be fruitful. Sure, it's not perfect, yet, but his plan is a plan worthy of debate.

Obama seems annoyed by Ryan and the budget issue because he hasn't studied it, doesn't understand it, can't control it or his party and doesn't own it like Ryan. He'd rather make smoozing house calls with the billionaire campaign donors at Facebook and Google in the soviet coastal enclave of San Francisco. But in a debate setting on this issue, Obama sans teleprompter, Paul Krugman and his enraptured army of toadies, would be exposed for what he truly is, a voluble barker espousing bromides and generalities flashing that always-ready camera smile and cocksure gait.

Continuing on with the theme of a HBO event, maybe the proceeds from such an outstanding televised show could go towards the paying off some of the $14TRILLIONplus national debt. Now that would be a truly positive bipartisan effort. But that will never happen. President Obama doesn't like to lose, particularly in front of the on-air red light. It wouldn't be prudent for him and he knows it.

Brian Stow, a family man and a fan

It happened on opening day at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles this past March 31. 56,000 fans, a sellout, leaving the stadium after another rivalry game against the visiting World Champion San Francisco Giants and the home Los Angeles Dodgers. Departing Dodger fans were happy they beat their division rival 2-1. Giants fans just wanted to get home...safely and that is not a given in hostile Dodger country.

Lately, Dodger Stadium and Chavez Ravine parking lot is about as safe as South Central LA. For reference, see the movie Training Day and you'll get my drift. Now the rest of this tragic story.

Longtime Giant fan, paramedic, and divorced father of two small kids, Brian Stow, 42, was leaving the stadium that night, dejectedly. His beloved Giants lost to the Dodgers in a close game. Brian was heading for his parked car when he was attacked viciously by two drunk "Dodger fans." Brian's offense. He was wearing Giant colors.

Brian was blindsided from behind, body-slammed to the ground and stomped on the head repeatedly in the parking lot. His skull cracked like a coconut. No one came to his aid. No fans. No police. Nobody. Alone. Ambushed by hate. He was left for dead with his skull in pieces and bleeding to death in a parking lot. The thugs vanished. The ambulance finally arrived and took Brian to the nearest emergency hospital.

For the last two plus weeks, Brian has been in a medically-induced coma to reduce seizures. Half of his skull was removed to allow the injured brain to swell. His grieving family remains at his bedside as Brian fights for his life. His prognosis is not good.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Dodgers, the hapless and near bankrupt Frank McCourt, said after the "incident" in the parking lot, "I'm very satisfied with the security at Dodger Stadium. You could have 2,000 policemen there and it's not going to change random acts of violence." His perceived callousness of this tragedy is mind-blowing. But this guy is no Walter O'Malley. He's a fool. Rumor has it, he's borrowing from Fox, the previous owner, to meet monthly payroll. His ongoing sordid drama with his wife of 30 years, Jamie, is daily fodder for TMZ. What was at one time the National League's most venerable franchise, the Dodgers, is now the laughingstock of baseball. Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully, two holdovers from the revered past of Dodger blue yesteryear, must be writhing quietly in revulsion.

I don't know if any of you have been in Dodger Stadium in the last few years but it's not Disneyland. Profanity, vulgarity, and now violence dominates. I think it's the only Stadium in the country that has an unofficial "Gang Nite" sponsored by Smith and Wesson. For the first 10,000 gangbangers, you either get a free sleeve of hollow point bullets or a new tattoo. You see, South Central is not too far from Chavez Ravine. An easy low-ride up the freeway. "Bring mace" is the battle cry from those crazy enough to brave the new Dodger fan base.

Back to Brian. The Giants have rallied around this man. And he needs rallying and prayers from all civilized people. His medical expenses will be astronomical. His family has no bread winner anymore. His kids have lost a father...for now. The Giants have staged auctions for Brian, raised almost $100,000 to date from kind and generous donors. One such donor is my orthodontist, Dr. Gary Palma, of Carmel, California. Gary, another lifelong Giant fan, bought at auction a signed and framed jersey of #55 Tim Lincecum, 2 Time Winner of the Cy Young award, to benefit Brian's cause. (See above photo of Gary.)

So, as sad and tragic as this story is, there are still decent men like Gary Palma willing to help a stranger in time of need. Bravo, Gary and to all who have helped.

For LA, this is just another confirmation from the people up north of their worst opinion of you.

Exceeding Expectations

Well the 75th Masters Tournament is in the books and the winner again is GOLF.

First and foremost, Augusta National, is the biggest winner every April while exceeding expectations every year. Is there a more stunning setting in all of sports than the holes of Augusta? I say no. Those TV yearly iconic images of Augusta fill a flat screen better than any other satellite feed on the planet including the venerable Pebble Beach. The well-documented beauty of the place is never tiresome to see either in person or on your sofa. Thank you Hi-Def.

The second biggest winner is the winner of the tournament, Charl Schwartzel, from South Africa. He flat out beat a helluva field on the back nine by birding the last four holes. Unbelievable skill and courage. Not only a humble winner but a gentleman unlike a certain overweening and peevish player in red. (By the way, isn't TW's chronic childlike behavior becoming nauseating?)

Thirdly, the patrons are huge winners. Without their roars and massive presence, the back nine drama would be lessened. They are a terrific boost to the theatre of Sunday afternoon at Augusta.

Fourthly, all of us golfers are winners. Each year Augusta inspires us all to go play this maddening and joyful game. I'm so inspired by this past week, I can't wait to tee it up. Good or bad, it will be wonderful. For that is golf.

What a beautiful month April is!

Are you ready for The Corner?

It's been a year now since pro golfer Phil Mickelson's 6 iron off the pine straw at last year's Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia but I'm still talking about it. One of the greatest pressure/crazy golf shots ever hit in professional golf. So, just in case you forgot, let me reset the stage.

Two time Master's winner, Phil, just birdies the devilish short par 3 12th hole in Amen Corner on Sunday, the final round, to take the lead for the first time all week. On the 13th tee, a sharp and short dogleg left par 5, Phil, a lefty and now leading The Masters, pulls his tee shot into the trees on the right. At first glimpse, Phil is "in jail" with his errant ball resting on loosely-packed pine straw with two large pines directly in front of him. Apparently, his path to the green is blocked and his next shot looks like an obvious lay up short of Rae's Creek and the green. But this is Phil "the thrill", he never takes his foot off the gas pedal...ever. As his caddy/best friend/alter-ego Bones Mackay says of Phil, "He plays completely without fear. He's absolutely convinced he can pull off every shot."

After conferring briefly with Bones, Phil sees the shot before he hits it kinda like Cole in the movie The Sixth Sense who "sees dead people" that nobody else can see. The media and fans are apoplectic at Phil's decision to go for it.

His Calloway Tour i(z) ball is 207 yards to the flag on the 13th green and has 187 yards to carry the fronting "heart breaker" Rae's Creek. With the ball and stance heavily influenced by pine needles and two large pines, Phil takes dead aim. Before he takes his final stance, Bones after hearing that KJ Choi, one of the leaders at the time, just bogeyed the 13th hole, Bones asks Phil, "you're now 2 up, still want to go for it?" Pure Phil responds, "I'm absolutely going for it now watch this shot." The golf world gasps.

Phil hits the shot "pure." Bones with his eyes closed heard it was "pure." His follow-through takes out a bark chunk of the pine tree in front of him. The ball rockets towards the green on a laser line. Hits the green on a fly and the ball rolls to within 4 feet of the cup...and below the hole. Incredible! Magical!! He's now putting for his third eagle of the week on one golf hole. That's exceptional.

Almost anticlimactically, Phil misses the eagle putt of 4 feet and settles for birdie. But the tournament is over because of that courageous crazy shot on #13. Phil finishes the next 5 holes with two more birdies to win the tournament by 3 shots over Englishman, Lee Westwood. Amy, Phil's cancer surviving-wife, waits and embraces her man off the 18th green and 72nd hole. They cry. We all cry watching.

Afterwards in the media tent, the omniscient media asked Phil, "why did you go for it on #13, it was such a risky shot, why not lay-up?" Without blinking Phil responded, "A great shot is when you pull it off. A smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it. I needed a great shot to win the tournament not a safe one."

Here's to you Phil, hope your psoriatic arthritis doesn't flare up and you again thrill us all. Your daring is what makes us all watch. Go get 'em Lefty.

Enjoy the greatest show on grass this week.

Postscript: By the way, Phil just finished his tune-up for The Masters by winning the Shell Open in Texas this weekend for his 39th win on Tour.