We All Make Mistakes

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.

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

                                                            Matthew 18:21-22

6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;

through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

                                                            Proverbs 16:6

Now that the NFL draft is over, all the picks have been scrutinized, and we have seen or heard reports of the rookies in mini-camp, I have a confession to make. I was obsessed about the draft. Not only did I record and watch the draft, it had my complete attention. I had to work late the first night and when I got home I barely said hello to my wife before running to the television to see what I had missed. Of course I was taping it, so after it was over the first night I watched from the beginning to see what I had missed.  The next night I told my daughters they had to be asleep by the time the draft comes on.  That went over well with a 4 and 2 year old.  At this point in our marriage my wife just shakes her head and thinks I am crazy. I do have to admit that it is a mistake to spend so much time dedicated to something like the draft. (Did I mention all the time I spent reading draft magazines?) But that is why I write this blog to help me correct my sports obsessed mistakes.  There are many times in life we make mistakes.   I am glad my wife can be amused by my current mistake. How different it is when we make mistakes that cannot be dismissed with a headshake. We can make mistakes that will harm our loved ones, friends and ourselves.  Some mistakes have longstanding consequences. If you have made this type of mistake (and many people have, myself included), remember there is hope with Jesus Christ.  If you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that he died on the cross for your sins, then you have reason for hope.  All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you and repent (turn away from that mistake) then the Lord will forgive you. Does this mean you will never make the same mistake again? No, of course not. Many of us struggle with the same mistake (sin) over and over again. God knows we will do this that is why he told Peter we must forgive each other 70 times (and he meant daily). If he expects us to forgive each other 70 times daily, the number of times He forgives us is unfathomable. You will still have to deal with the consequences of your mistake (sin) but you will be able to do it with God’s help.  With God’s help you will be able to deal with ANY mistake you may have made- no matter how many times you make it.

Of course there were many draft “experts” who claimed the New York Jets made many mistakes in this years draft. I am not one of them. I think the New York Jets got seven quality picks in this draft. However, I cannot argue with anyone who criticized the New York Jets for not picking ANY offensive playmakers in this draft.  They made a mistake there. But, a close look at the New York Jets draft reveals they drafted the highest rated cornerback (Dee Milner) on many draft boards. They selected the second highest rated defensive tackle on many boards, (Sheldon Richardson).  Interesting they passed on Star Lotulelei. I believe Richardson can be a force for the New York Jets- but they made a mistake not signing Jarvis Jones. That guy will terrorize quarterbacks for years to come. The New York Jets also selected the highest rated quarterback on many boards (Geno Smith) in the second round. In a lot of ways that pick was a no brainer. Who complains when you get the highest rated quarterback in the second round? Of course, The ESPN and NFL Network “experts” ridiculed the New York Jets because that gave then 6 quarterbacks at that time. Well, the team has just four now and only two with a real shot at even starting. Did anyone notice how the Philadelphia Eagles were not ridiculed for taking Matt Barkley- even though that gave them 5 quarterbacks? The New York Jets essentially had the same number because they knew they were going to cut Tim Tebow.  The Philadelphia Eagles still have 5 quarterbacks. It is a mistake to mock the New York Jets for that pick. If the truth were told I was very upset that the Buffalo Bills drafted E. J. Manuel in the 1^st round. I expected Smith to be gone and the wanted the New York Jets to draft Manuel in the 2^nd round. However, he was gone and Geno Smith was the correct move. The team drafted Brian Winters in the 3^rd round. He received a 3^rd round grade on many boards. When is solidifying your offensive line a mistake? In fact, they made a great under the radar signing of guard Stephen Peterman. This allows Winters some time to make the switch from tackle to guard. Most fans love the 5^th round pick of Oday Aboushi, a big masher who can play left and right tackle. Again, after the pick was made the “experts” said it was a mistake because he never played guard and therefore could not be used if a guard went down with an injury. Ridiculous!  The problem is when you take a college guard and ask him to play tackle, not vice versa. Anybody remember the New York Jets seventh round pick last year Robert Griffin from Baylor (no relation to RGIII)? Of course not- a college guard moved to tackle and never heard from again. Aboushi can push Austin Howard or back up both tackles. Okay the team did made a mistake drafting William Cambell in the 6^th round; a defensive tackle from Michigan who will be moved to guard. The team seriously could have got this guy as an undrafted free agent. That may have been a wasted draft pick. I am not saying he will not be good, but they could have got him and not used a draft pick.  The 7^th round pick of Tommy Bohanon could work really well. I have visions of Mark Sanchez dumping a ball off on third and five and actually picking up a first down-instead of throwing a pick six or fumbling. Or even dumping a ball off on third and long and giving the defense a chance. Bohanon can probably play tight end as well.

Last year I wrote about how much I like Damon “Snacks” Harrison to make the team as an undrafted free agent. This year I am looking at two guys who need to make the team, safety Rontez Miles, California (Pa.) who may be better than Josh Bush and Antonio Allen and center Dalton Freeman Clemson. I just think back to that game when Nick Mangold went down with an injury and the New York Jets had NO back-up center. Freeman was a four-year starter at Clemson, enough said.

Speaking of mistakes the New York Jets made a mistake not cutting Mike Goodson. As a new GM John Idzik has got to understand the importance of public relations. When you are perceived as a circus and the butt of every NFL joke you have to make serious efforts to reverse that line of thinking. The San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and New York Giants can get away with players like Goodson. The New York Jets cannot. 

I originally thought New York Yankee GM Brain Cashman was making a mistake with his lack of major moves after the rash of injuries to the New York Yankees. I was wrong. The team did a wonderful job with a bunch of third stringers and older “professional” hitters. However, after watching the sweep at the hands of the New York Mets, I am thinking this run is over. The starters had better come back now or Cashman will need to make a move. The lack of offense is becoming alarming. With Curtis Granderson going down again, I repeat the time is now. The job these guys did was tremendous, but I cannot take another at bat from Jason Nix. That guy is an automatic out who is exposed. He really is a late inning defensive replacement at best. Ichiro and Vernon Wells are good but they are old. They need someone who can spell them regularly. Cashman, I made a mistake initially thinking you should have made a move earlier. You will be making a mistake if you wait any longer. 

I am a Phil Hughes fan but that guy is a 4^th starter at best. Cashman should offer him a 3-year contract extension at 4^th or 5^th starter money now. Waiting might back fire if injuries or just bad pitching by some of our younger guys lead to overpaying him down the road.

Now that I got that off my chest, time for a devotional and prayer before bed.