Millions of men and women love sports. In fact, many are obsessed with their favorite sports teams. I understand this because I am the same way. I am obsessed with my favorite sports team (the New York Yankees and New York Jets). Unfortunately, many times in our love of our sports teams, we forget the importance of loving God. So I write this blog as a reminder to focus first on loving God, before we love our sports team.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
Last Monday was the holiday in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As I reflect back on what I learned about Dr. King one thing always stands out to me the most. This man appeared unafraid. I am so in awe of someone who knew that he would be killed, but continued to stand up so the world would be a better place. The man had a wife and children, I cannot imagine how he must have felt. That would take a tremendous amount of resolve and courage to continue knowing he would probably be taken away from them. However, when the time came for me to sit my four year old daughter down, to explain to her why the nation celebrates Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. I chose not to talk about my bias regarding his courage to continue in the face of an imminent assassination. I told my daughter that there was a time when people were hated and looked down upon because of the color of their skin. There was a time when people could not get along based on the color of their skin. I told my four year old daughter that because of Dr.King people people who are black and white can now get along. I told her Dr. King helped people to get along and to love one another. Without him her mommy and daddy would probably not have been able to get married. I explained how African-Americans had to ride in the back of the bus and that schools were separated based on skin color. I had the pleasure of telling her that he had a dream where black children and white children could work and play side by side. She understood that that dream had come true in her very own class, where there are children of African, European and Asian descent. Of course as adults we know the world is far from perfect, there is no racial utopia, but my daughter is four years old. One of the most important things I was able to tell my daughter was that Dr. King loved Jesus Christ. He was a Christian man and a pastor just like the one in our very own church. At that point I smiled and thought to my self- and that is why he was not afraid.
The New York Jets have a new general manager. I am happy the old one is gone. In sports, the general manger procures the players, the coaches coach the players. That is the order of things. I am sure every coach tells the general manager who they would like on their team. Ultimately, it is the general manger who is responsible for personnel. It does not matter if the general manger is a "cap guy" or a "football man", he has to be a good leader. A leader is not going to be an expert on every facet of a business he oversees. A good leader should surround himself with good people, be able to listen to various points of views and make a good decision. They should also have the conviction to follow their "gut". During the Eric Mangini- Mike Tannenbaum regime a lot of quality players were drafted/acquired via trade. D'brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, David Harris and Darrelle Revis were drafted, Kris Jenkins was acquired via trade. In fact, Eric Mangini had a philosophy regarding drafting players with certain core values. It is probably safe to say that Mike Tannenbaum trusted Mangini as they were close friends. However, ultimately it was the general mangers job to sign off on those players. For some reason New York media and New York Jets fans seem to believe that Rex Ryan is coach and GM of the New York Jets. Rex Ryan has a big mouth and if you listen to him over the past few years, he has a way of telling you the truth. He said during Hard Knocks that he got one pick in each draft and that particular year he picked John Connor in the 5th round. Ryan was clear he did not want to pick Stephen Hill with the New York Jets 2nd round pick. If Rex Ryan has been vocal regarding players he wanted, then good for him. He should be vocal. I would hope that the New York Jets top personnel men Terry Bradway and Scott Cohen would also be vocal. It was also clear that Ryan wanted Santonio Holmes. If Bill Polian can be fired for not having a back up for Peyton Manning, Mike Tannenbaum can be fired for not having a back up wide receiver, tight end, and giving out bad extensions. John Idzik is the new general manager of the New York Jets. It is clear that one of the things he will have to do is surround himself with people who have a good eye for talent. Maybe that person already works for the New York Jets, if not he should go out and hire that individual. The bottom line is John Idzik needs to decide on personnel for the New York Jets. If Rex Ryan advocates for a good player that will help the New York Jets win football games, Idzik should acquire him via draft or trade. If Rex Ryan wants another player like Santonio Holmes- John Idzik must have the courage to say no.
Another issue that will require courage is the Darrelle Revis situation. There is certainly no easy solution to that one. I love Darrelle Revis, I wish he could stay a Jet for life. However, if given the right deal, I would trade him. If the Jets could get a top 10 pick and a #2nd round pick or a #1 and multiple other picks from anyone not named Bill Belichick they should make the deal. This is coming from someone who is a huge fan of Revis. The reasoning behind this is only quarterbacks and great running backs can make or break your franchise. I look no further than the Arizona Cardinals to prove this point. The Cardinals have a wide receiver named Larry Fitzgerald who is not only one of the best wide receivers in football, he is one of the games best players. The Cardinals also have one of the best young cornerbacks in football, Patrick Peterson, he will be great for years. However, this team not only lost to the New York Jets this year, they had a worse record than the Jets. However, when they had Kurt Warner they went to the Super Bowl. I love Revis, but if the price is right he should be gone.
There are a lot of New York Yankee fans who seem a little concerned about Hal Steinbrenner trying to establish a 189 million dollar payroll. I think any team that cannot win with a payroll of that magnitude has lots of issues. A lot of fans seemed concerned that until today the Yankees had not signed a right handed hitting outfielder(Juan Rivera just signed). There also seemed to be a lot of concern regarding our current catching situation with Cervelli and Stewart. However, if there is one guy who deserves a benefit of the doubt regarding hitters it is Brian Cashman. I would not give him the benefit of the doubt on pitching. This guy would not have signed Rafael Soriano, thankfully Hal stepped in and signed him. The Yankees would have been in serious trouble after Mariano went down last year if not for Soriano. However, I must give him his due when it comes to hitters. I was not happy when the Yankees signed Raul Ibanez last year over Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui, boy was I wrong. So I will trust him with the Rivera signing (or any other hitter he brings in). I do think Cashman may have missed the boat on the 27 year old Delmond Young. He just signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $750,000 plus incentives- that is Hal Steinbrenner type dollars. The New York Yankees should have signed him. I will have nightmares if the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series and I have to watch Delmond Young put on another post-season hitting clinic against C.C and the gang. As for now he gets the benefit of the doubt regarding Juan Rivera. Regarding the combination of Cervelli and Stewart at catcher, please note Brian Cashman is well known for saying he has no problem starting the year with a neophyte or journeyman player and then bringing in an excellent player. Cashman once signed Nick Swisher coming off a year where he batted a little over .200 and told everyone Swisher would be the Yankees starting 1st baseman. Mark Teixeria was then signed for 180 million. He may have no intention of starting those two. I would like to see Austine Romine as the New York Yankees starting catcher. The reason the Yankees were able to trade Jesus Montero was because Romine and Sanchez were supposed to be the future at catcher. Well for Romine the future should be now. However, that is a move that would require some courage.
Now that I got that off of my chest it is time for a prayer and devotional before bed.
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