Starting from scratch...
This weekend has been awesome. The temperature has been in the 80's with it dropping into the 70's at night (instead of 30's). I took the opportunity to stretch my legs and headed to the track. I was suprised and a bit perplexed at what happened.
Since last fall I have gained a little over twenty pounds of muscle. I've been stuck on a treadmill since last October. Whenever the temperature looked like it would allow me to get outside it would rain or the wind would blow 40 miles per hour. I didn't realize that I would have so much strenght and power in my legs and it made things awkward.
The only way I can describe it is if you know how to drive a stick shift car and you haven't done it in 10 years. Suddenly you get behind the wheel and start grinding gears and revving RPM's.
I'm excited because I have power. That is something that has been lacking for a number of years. Whenever I sprinted it felt like I was moving but going nowhere. Now I'm going somewhere and I'm not accustomed to it.
So now it's time to sit down and come up with sprint workouts to get my body accustomed to sprinting again. A lot of form drills and short sprints. Not as much endurance runs. I plan on sticking with the 400m since that is my natural event.
Why am I sprinting again you ask? I have always enjoyed and I'm healthy and strong enough to do it. Plus I want to get my body fat percentage down and training for a 400m dash will definitely do that. Who knows....maybe I will compete somewhere.
I went to the track before the NFL Draft and then spent the rest of the day relaxing. I'm not sore thankfully. Had a leg day workout at the gym today. It will be interesting to see how I feel tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Bob's NFL Draft Analysis
My Take On The Draft!!!
As most of you know, I consider the NFL Draft a national holiday. I watch all seven rounds. I follow my hometown team the Cleveland Browns and the other teams in their division and here is how I think they did.
The Browns had the number five pick in the draft and wound up trading that to the New York Jets for their first rounder (17), their second rounder and three players from the Jets. The Defensive End and Safety they got will start immediately and the quarterback they got should be a solid backup. The Browns then traded two more times to pick up two sixth rounders and draft at 21.
1 - Alex Mack - Center - California
- At 300 he is a beast. Was projected to go to the Steelers (ha ha!).
- Should anchor the line for the next ten years. Will start immediately.
2 - Brian Robiske - WR - The Ohio State University
- Polished receiver
- Most NFL ready receiver in the draft
2 - Mohamed Massaquoi - WR - Georgia
- Big, Fast but questionable hands.
2 - David Veikune - DE/OLB - Hawaii
- Will probably play OLB
- Knows how to get to the quarterback
4 - Kaluka Maiaua - LB - USC
- Athletic but small at 225 lbs.
- must bulk up to at least 245 to stay injury free.
Overall - No other team left the first round with three (two from Jets) immediate starters. The Browns found the center they wanted to anchor a line designed for the run. Robiske and Massaquoi fill the holes left by Stallworth and Jurevicious. The other defensive players will fill needs and probably see action on third down and special teams.
This draft didn't have a lot of high impact players so by the time the Steelers were able to select there wasn't a lot left.
1 - Ziggy Hood - DT - Missouri
- Young guy to plug into an aging defensive front
- More a 4-3 system guy than a 3-4
3 - Kraig Urbik - OL - Wisconsin
- Strong and powerful guy to compliment the running game
- knock on him is he has bad footwork
3 - Mike Wallace - WR - Mississippi
- Should be a good replacement for Nate Washington
- Wouldn't be surprised to see him higher than Limas Sweed on the depth chart.
3 - Keenan Lewis - CB - Oregon St.
- Tall, long arms - what they need to stop tall receivers
Overall - The Steelers consistently win nine or more games a year. This allows them the luxury to pick guys they can keep as depth and develop into starters later. The Steelers went with guys they can use in situational roles and can contribute immediately. The Steeler machine continues to run smoothly.
The Bengals continue to be the Bengals. They went for underachievers, head cases and slackers. I'll be surprised if Pac Man Jones isn't a Bengal by week 1 of the season.
1 - Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
- Showed up at the combine overweight and left early
- This one is the under-achiever
2 - Rey Maualuga - LB - USC
- Got a 12 on the wonderlick test. That meas he's stupid.
- Complete head case off the field
- The Ravens and Steelers passed on him. That should tell you something.
3 - Michael Johnson - DE - Georgia Tech
- This one is the slacker
- How he went this high is beyond me
3 - Chase Coffman - TE - Missouri
- Decent hands and good work ethic. How's he a Bengal?
Overall - I'll be surprised if the first three picks are on the team in three years.
The Ravens are in a similar situation as the Steelers. They are a playoff team looking for some guys that they can groom into starters and role players.
1 - Michael Oher - OT - Mississippi
- Tremendous amount of character
- Some say better RT than LT. Has big shoes to fill to replace Ogden.
2 - Paul Kruger - DE - Utah
- Good motor, will play 110% every down
- Will play in the system but not natural athlete
3 - Lardarius Webb - CB - Nicholls St.
- Where the heck is Nicholls St.????
- Undersized. Definitely a project.
Overall - They didn't address WR which Flacco needs. I don't find any of these players intimidating.
AFC NORTH - OVERALL - I think each team addressed some needs. I think the Browns and Steelers improved themselves. The Ravens maintained the status quo and the Bengals took some major gambles on the bad news bears of the draft. It will be interesting to see who holds out and who is in camp.
I only discussed rounds 1-4 because the lower rounders are projects, role players or practice squad guys. If they make the roster as starters or contribute then be happy.
As most of you know, I consider the NFL Draft a national holiday. I watch all seven rounds. I follow my hometown team the Cleveland Browns and the other teams in their division and here is how I think they did.
The Browns had the number five pick in the draft and wound up trading that to the New York Jets for their first rounder (17), their second rounder and three players from the Jets. The Defensive End and Safety they got will start immediately and the quarterback they got should be a solid backup. The Browns then traded two more times to pick up two sixth rounders and draft at 21.
1 - Alex Mack - Center - California
- At 300 he is a beast. Was projected to go to the Steelers (ha ha!).
- Should anchor the line for the next ten years. Will start immediately.
2 - Brian Robiske - WR - The Ohio State University
- Polished receiver
- Most NFL ready receiver in the draft
2 - Mohamed Massaquoi - WR - Georgia
- Big, Fast but questionable hands.
2 - David Veikune - DE/OLB - Hawaii
- Will probably play OLB
- Knows how to get to the quarterback
4 - Kaluka Maiaua - LB - USC
- Athletic but small at 225 lbs.
- must bulk up to at least 245 to stay injury free.
Overall - No other team left the first round with three (two from Jets) immediate starters. The Browns found the center they wanted to anchor a line designed for the run. Robiske and Massaquoi fill the holes left by Stallworth and Jurevicious. The other defensive players will fill needs and probably see action on third down and special teams.
This draft didn't have a lot of high impact players so by the time the Steelers were able to select there wasn't a lot left.
1 - Ziggy Hood - DT - Missouri
- Young guy to plug into an aging defensive front
- More a 4-3 system guy than a 3-4
3 - Kraig Urbik - OL - Wisconsin
- Strong and powerful guy to compliment the running game
- knock on him is he has bad footwork
3 - Mike Wallace - WR - Mississippi
- Should be a good replacement for Nate Washington
- Wouldn't be surprised to see him higher than Limas Sweed on the depth chart.
3 - Keenan Lewis - CB - Oregon St.
- Tall, long arms - what they need to stop tall receivers
Overall - The Steelers consistently win nine or more games a year. This allows them the luxury to pick guys they can keep as depth and develop into starters later. The Steelers went with guys they can use in situational roles and can contribute immediately. The Steeler machine continues to run smoothly.
The Bengals continue to be the Bengals. They went for underachievers, head cases and slackers. I'll be surprised if Pac Man Jones isn't a Bengal by week 1 of the season.
1 - Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
- Showed up at the combine overweight and left early
- This one is the under-achiever
2 - Rey Maualuga - LB - USC
- Got a 12 on the wonderlick test. That meas he's stupid.
- Complete head case off the field
- The Ravens and Steelers passed on him. That should tell you something.
3 - Michael Johnson - DE - Georgia Tech
- This one is the slacker
- How he went this high is beyond me
3 - Chase Coffman - TE - Missouri
- Decent hands and good work ethic. How's he a Bengal?
Overall - I'll be surprised if the first three picks are on the team in three years.
The Ravens are in a similar situation as the Steelers. They are a playoff team looking for some guys that they can groom into starters and role players.
1 - Michael Oher - OT - Mississippi
- Tremendous amount of character
- Some say better RT than LT. Has big shoes to fill to replace Ogden.
2 - Paul Kruger - DE - Utah
- Good motor, will play 110% every down
- Will play in the system but not natural athlete
3 - Lardarius Webb - CB - Nicholls St.
- Where the heck is Nicholls St.????
- Undersized. Definitely a project.
Overall - They didn't address WR which Flacco needs. I don't find any of these players intimidating.
AFC NORTH - OVERALL - I think each team addressed some needs. I think the Browns and Steelers improved themselves. The Ravens maintained the status quo and the Bengals took some major gambles on the bad news bears of the draft. It will be interesting to see who holds out and who is in camp.
I only discussed rounds 1-4 because the lower rounders are projects, role players or practice squad guys. If they make the roster as starters or contribute then be happy.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
4-27-09
Oh My! How April has flown!!!
Wow! The month of April has gone bye so fast I didn't notice that I haven't posted in almost a month. The first week of April was hectic because I had a play performance. Monday and Tuesday were dress rehearsals. Wednesdays and Thursday were performances. By Friday I was beat. We did a good job though. The second week of April was finals. I had some final projects that were due and I had to catch up after losing an entire week due to the play. I got it done though. My last day of class was the 14th.
I went to Hilton Head, South Carolina for my break. I have a friend who lives there and I have been telling him for years that I was going to visit. I finally did. Normally when I have a break I visit family and friends in the same area. I go to the Upstate of South Carolina or Ohio. It's been a while since I have taken a vacation just to get away and relax. While I was in Hilton Head I went to the PGA Heratige Classic. It was pretty cool. That Sunday my buddy and I went out on his dad's boat and watched the 18th hole from the ocean. That was pretty cool. Sadly I had to come back and I returned to my apartment on the 20th.
Classes started back on the 23rd. I was well rested and ready for this quarter. I got some sun too.
Wow! The month of April has gone bye so fast I didn't notice that I haven't posted in almost a month. The first week of April was hectic because I had a play performance. Monday and Tuesday were dress rehearsals. Wednesdays and Thursday were performances. By Friday I was beat. We did a good job though. The second week of April was finals. I had some final projects that were due and I had to catch up after losing an entire week due to the play. I got it done though. My last day of class was the 14th.
I went to Hilton Head, South Carolina for my break. I have a friend who lives there and I have been telling him for years that I was going to visit. I finally did. Normally when I have a break I visit family and friends in the same area. I go to the Upstate of South Carolina or Ohio. It's been a while since I have taken a vacation just to get away and relax. While I was in Hilton Head I went to the PGA Heratige Classic. It was pretty cool. That Sunday my buddy and I went out on his dad's boat and watched the 18th hole from the ocean. That was pretty cool. Sadly I had to come back and I returned to my apartment on the 20th.
Classes started back on the 23rd. I was well rested and ready for this quarter. I got some sun too.
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