Shorty Got Game!!!

There is something that's been on my mind lately. The stellar play of Drew Brees!!!

The notion that certain athletes in the NFL are judge based on there physical stature rather than there skill set is beyond me. These so called "little guys" are faster, stronger and way tougher today than in years past. I say if a guy is good and he gets the job done, then there's nothing else to it. If he got game, then plain and simply put, HE GOT GAME!

This stereotype is often used when evaluating Quarterbacks, Halfbacks and Wide outs. General managers and scouts alike prefer the 6'2 and taller quarterback and the 6'5 wide receivers but more and more often, lately, shorter guys have been making their mark on the gridiron. Guys like Darren Sproles, Donnie Avery, Maurice Jones-Drew, just to name a few. They are making it harder for the decisions makers to pass up on them. Doug Flutie is probably the most famous of the "too short to perform at this position" athletes. It's safe to say that he paved the way for guys like Drew Brees. The San Diego Chargers drafted Philip Rivers to eventually replace Brees, partly because they were concerned with his height and how it would affect his effectiveness as a signal caller. He became a free agent and was courted by the Dolphins and Saints. Miami backed out and signed Daunte Culpepper (Hilarious!!!). Brees eventually signed with the Saints.


I guess the argument could be made that he's the unofficial spokesperson for quarterbacks that are judged based on their height and not on ability. Well, he used to be judged on that basis until he started proving year after year that he is definitely one of the best signal callers in the game. Today, he passed 3oo+ yards and threw for 3 touchdowns. He currently leads all QB's in total yards passed and is in the top ten in both total TD's thrown and quarterback rating.

So how come Brees almost never comes up in the debate for best QB's in the game right now? His stats prove that he definitely belongs at the top of the list. Could it be his short comings (ahem.....I couldn't help myself) in the height department that makes people to overlook his place amongst the best? I do know that some experts are catching on and finally are talking about him in that light. If I had to start a team from scratch; Drew Brees would be my starting quarterback. I'd even pick him over Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. And believe me when I say that I'm not making this statement just for shock value.

Here's my one-sentence closer on this. BREES DOES MORE WITH LESS!!!

Sportacularly yours,

The Vicarious Athlete

The Vicarious Athlete returns!!!

Alright peoples!!! It's been quite a while since I poured out my "vicariously athletic" soul on this blog. I kinda lost the passion after the "real world" insisted on taking up a lot of my time. I've been somewhat busy with my job hunting and part-time student status at Ryerson University but I recently came back to my senses and realized that there is way too much going on in the sporting world without me adding my benevolent 2cents to it.

Without further adieu.....allow me to re-introduce this blog!!! (thanks Jay-Z).....Lol

I am CRAZY! about Basketball, totally in love with Football, building a promising relationship with Baseball, going on occasional dates with Soccer and...........I only hang out with Hockey when it's convenient.

That's an honest breakdown of how I pay attention to sports. I am certain everyone's point of view would be different, so if you are expecting me to blog a lot about the "only when it's convenient" sport, then you will be disappointed. It will happen but not a whole lot of it.

So, what's been happening in Raptor-ville lately?
Jermaine O'Neal will start a new chapter in his basketball career as a Raptor on October 29th. Just like all the Raptor fans out there, I am very optimistic about this season and it all has to do with trading for J.O. After eight pre-season games, he is gradually rounding out into his expected talented form. My prediction of his stats goes something like this:

12-15ppg, 9-11rpg and 2-2.8bpg

The big question is if trading T.J Ford will end up hurting my beloved Raps? I THINK IT WILL!!!

Why? Because the diminutive Ford gave the Raps an uncanny advantage in ball control. We were the envy of the league in that category but it was took good to last (like all good things I guess) because Ford decided to summon the twisted spirit of Vince Carter Past....well in a reversed sought of way. Unlike the shameless Carter (whom, by the way I am still a fan of......yes, I can like someone and still be objective in seeing and telling the truth about them) deciding not to play hard or care about the success of the team in order to get want he wanted. Ford decided, after coming back from that freakish and unfortunate injury, to play very hard and try to score every time he touched the ball. In his mind, he must have been thinking that outscoring Jose Calderon would re-establish him as the the true starting point guard for the team. In the process, he destroyed the on and off court chemistry that the team had. I still like his game a lot and sometimes go back and forth that maybe we should have traded Calderon instead.

Before you start yelling......OFF WITH HIS HEAD!! Let me explain why. Calderon's stock was very very high and he would have gotten the Raps a lot more in a trade. Maybe a young big man and a draft pick or two. Ford was seen as a semi-headache and injury prone guard. The trade that sent him and Rasho Nesterovic to Indiana for O'Neal definitely addressed a lot of our needs but, I think it inadvertently left us vulnerable in the back court. So, we got rid of one weakness just to inherit another.

What ever happens this season is going to be exciting and positive. I truly believe that. Calderon is the better floor leader between he and Ford. O'Neal will help us TREMENDOUSLY! Bosh will be Bosh. Reliable.

My prediction: 49-33 record, finish 4th or 5th in the east and lose in the second round to...........????

Sportacularly yours,

TheVicariousAthlete