By: Kevin Cottrell Jr.

Just A Thought… 

BEWARE OF THE KILLER BEE…For the past three years I’ve submitted my weekly installments of “Thoughtful Thursday”, to shed my light on the world of sports and to also use sports as a metaphor to life. The inspiration behind my weekly blog stems from the words of wisdom provided by Rev Run. So of course it was a pleasure to have an opportunity to thank him yesterday during a book signing. With that said one of my favorite Rev Run quotes came to mind for this week’s edition of TT. Since we were young we’ve been taught to never hold a grudge. Yet the older we are it seems as if we hold our grudges longer! Take the Denver Broncos, new head coach Josh McDaniels got off on a bad note with his franchise QB (Jay Cutler) words exchanged, grudges were held and it eventually led to a bad divorce. As the Coach many felt McDaniels was out of order and needed to smooth things out prior to camp. Not only did that not happen but also it seems as if Coach McDaniels has now alienated his franchise receiver (Brandon Marshall) and he too wants to part like the Red Sea. As its been proven in the past holding a grudge isn’t worth the energy exerted to do so. So, search for that inner child in you whenever you feel like you’re holding a grudge and laugh it off like any other 8-year-old with their lips poked out because its bed time. Remember in sports and in life, “To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.”- Rev Run.

NBA News & Notes

*RUBIO RANSOM…In April, the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted two point guards back-to-back. Johnny Flynn (Syracuse) & Ricky Rubio (Spain). Rubio was viewed as the second coming of Pistol Pete Mariavich and Wolves fans rejoiced that he would soon arrive to help rebuild their franchise. Then that day never came. Rubio has stated that his buyout from his Spanish team is too large for the Wolves to handle and therefore he would feel more comfortable playing in Barcelona for the next two years prior to his attempt at an NBA career. Hmmm? I know the kid is only 18 but he did enter his name in the NBA draft, correct? Rubio did compete against the likes of Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Jason Kidd in the Summer Olympics, right? Well, why is he “really” not coming to the L. Is it because a big market team didn’t draft him where he would flourish in a wide-open system (like New York Knicks)? I thought so. Look kid the NBA is a MAN’S game so if you think you’re not big enough to compete with the big dogs then say so. But to turn down the Wolves because you don’t want to buy a North Face coat just proves to us all that you’re as soft as tissue paper!

*Day 65:IVERSON ANSWERS Q&A…The past two months we’ve been weighing team options for Allen Iverson. From Memphis to Miami or L.A. (Clippers) to Charlotte one can only guess where the first ballot Hall-of-Famer will land. Well NBA-TV’s Eric Snow set down with his former backcourt mate to get the “Answers” to our questions… 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Q56tZE-Ns

NFL News & Notes

*BRADY UNVEILS LOGO: First Jordan created the Jumpan Logo. And before that Jerry West was the NBA logo. Tiger Woods as the (TW), Roger Federer has the “RF” collection and now Tom Terrific has unveiled his new likeness. Apparently the logo is a TB12, seems to be a bit much to me I mean you don’t see “Peyton Manning” with a logo! But then again you don’t see Peyton with a Brazilian model either… 

*MARSHALL LAW: By now many of you have seen the temper-tantrum video of Brandon Marshall lashing out in practice because he’s unhappy with his current contract. He’s entering the final year of a deal that would pay him $2.2Million. Marshall has caught 100+ passes the past 2 seasons so he feels as if he should be paid like the elite (Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, etc.) and many would agree…just not the Broncos. So, its been rumored that the JETS are interested in the disgruntled wideout but Denver’s asking price may be too steep. Who knows, no one expected Jay Cutler to leave the Mile High City so if you’re going to get wet, they might as well swim! Bye bye Brandon!!

*RICKY’S RETIRMENT PLAN- Since Ricky Williams returned to the Dolphins last season he has quietly performed at a high level and recently signed an extension thru the 2010 season. Shockingly he told the Miami Herald that once he contract ends he will retire. Not surprising since he already retired once (because he preferred to smoke weed) but something tells me when the Patriots come calling to sign a player away from their division rival Ricky will have a few more million reasons to chase a Lombardi Trophy…

*STAFFORD VS SANCHEZ: Last season Matt Ryan (Falcons) and Joe Flacco (Ravens) assumed the starting QB role in their rookie seasons and both led their teams to the playoffs. This year Matthew Stafford (Lions) and Mark Sanchez (Jets) hope to accomplish the same feat. But the situations are different. For the Lions they are totally in rebuilding mode. While Stafford will have a few chances to wow fans connecting with Calvin Johnson downfield, Matt will have a tougher time staying on his feet behind such a sub par “O” Line. As for Sanchez, Rex Ryan has focused on building a better defense (which always helps a young QB) and there’s already a solid running game in place with Thomas Jones & Leon Washington. However, the New England Patriots will develop various schemes with hopes of confusing the youngster while other teams will probably blitz the rookie the majority of the time. While both teams have high hopes the reality is Matty Ice & Joe Cool’s of the world don’t come around that often, so the fact that two came last season one should not expect Stafford or Sanchez to provide us with an encore.

*CAN THE PATS GO 16-0…again? By the looks of their offense one would answer YES to this question without a thought. But they’d be wrong. The Pats offensive attack will overwhelm teams through the regular season but New England’s defense is young in the secondary and prone to make big mistakes. There will be a few growing pains for the Pats “D” but their offense will help pick up the slack. I can see the Patriots winning 14 games but 16-0 seems to be farfetched.

*EAGLES GEICO POLICY…Reports out of Eagles/Vick camp is that commissioner Goodell will have a ruling on Vick’s reinstatement by Wednesday’s final cut time at 6:00 pm. It is believed that Michael Vick will be allowed to play by week 3 (meaning he’ll be suspended the first 2 weeks). If this is correct the news would be music to Andy Reid’s ears. Not only will they have clarity on Vick’s status but also it would allow the team to make the proper move with their fourth QB in A.J. Feely. Apparently, the Patriots are interested in traded for the veteran signal caller. As for Vick it will allow him a few more weeks to learn the offense and serve as McNabb’s insurance policy.

NFL Playoff Predictions: In the AFC I predicted the Steelers, Patriots, Chargers, Colts, Ravens and Bills to make the postseason. But who do I see making the AFC title game you ask…

AFC Championship

*Chargers OVER Patriots

As for the NFC my predictions included the Giants, Cardinals, Saints, Bears, Eagles and Vikings to make the postseason. But who will be standing tall late in January…

NFC Championship

*Bears OVER Eagles

III. SAY WHAT!!! (My Random Thoughts)

My World Series Prediction: Yankees over Cardinals

Usain Bolt holds the current World Record in the 100m & 200m. Does he sleep so fast that he only needs 4 hours instead of 8?

So let me get this straight Syracuse Football team needed a QB so bad that they offered a Duke PG the starting gig? I know Coach K teaches excellence buy come on!!

Wait a minute!?? Adam “Pacman” Jones got cut from the Winnipeg “whatevers’ of the CFL before he could even sign his deal. Is it safe to say his Game is officially Over???

I’m going to honestly have to revisit my predictions at the midway point because there are NO clear-cut favorites in the NFC!!!

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

@jemelehill The Detroit Lions just signed Chris Brown's bowtie! the bowtie will run the wildcat offense.

@alleniverson I'll be working out again today in ATL. Spoke w/a couple teams this week and I think we are getting real close to a deal. I hope so!

@DwightHoward Man this is crazy. I'm really in Africa! God is good.