http://www.yardbarker.com/users/bran2win Recent Yardbarker Articles: bran2win en-us This article gives an overview of the various situations that Vick has been a part of over the past couple of years. Some of them are the more public ones, but you also get an idea of the extremes that the Falcon brass have done to keep him out of trouble, even offering to "pay-off" people. Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:43:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/20703 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/20703 For the funniest, most irreverent recap of the Michael Vick situation, read this. It is quite humorous, and no I do not think killing dogs is humorous, but this author's take on it, as told through the voice of Vick Brother #3 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:43:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/20169 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/20169 Regardless of your personal thoughts on Barry Bonds, the fact remains he will bypass Hank Aaron's HR record in a few games! Regardless of his innocence or his guilt, you can't erase his past successes with innuendo. Maybe if he is convicted, yes, but till then the record remains his! Regardless of Selig's attendance or Aaron's attendance, you can however, expect a boastful self-appreciation from him. We've all heard his arrogance at some time or another! This is all part of the Bonds mystique, notice I didn't say charm or charisma!! I really do not care if Selig is there or Aaron is there when it does happen. Barry Bonds will never be the man Hank Aaron became. I venture to say that Hank Aaron finds more, fulfilling satisfaction with his life now, than when he achieved his 755th HR. He was even quoted at the time as saying he was "glad it was over" or something to that effect. Certainly, Hank Aaron recognized his own accomplishments and achievements, but he went on to prove there is more to life than a Home Run record. He became a successful businessman and philanthropist. We should applaud him for that. Regardless of Barry Bonds breaking his record, Hank Aaron has my respect. In later years, we may look back and be able to proclaim that Barry Bonds made something in his life besides a Home Run record. So till then, let the substance of Hank Aaron be a lesson for Bonds. Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:57:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19601 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19601 As much as I dislike Eli Manning for all the pouting he and his NFL-history-rich family did on draft day in 2004, I really want to see Eli step up his game this year so we can begin to see a great rivalry between the two Manning brothers, Eli and Peyton. I can't think of another time when two brothers played QB at the same time in the NFL, not to mention that both were great players. I think it would make Sundays and the NFL more fun if there was a great sibling rivalry in the league. But before that day comes, Eli needs to improve a lot. Peyton is light years ahead of his little brother, but justifiably so. Peyton has been in the league much longer and was a better QB coming out of college. Peyton has been tagged as a workaholic, always studying film and plays to help him better understand the game. Hell, sometimes it even looks as he could coach the entire Indianapolis Colts team on Sundays. But still, Eli seems to have gone in reverse last year, stumbling on big plays at untimely situations. He always has the same hopeless look on his face when he misses a pass or makes a mistake. Unlike Peyton, Eli doesn't seem to get in the faces of his players when he knows they could do better. Eli doesn't have the reputation of working hard in the offseasons like Peyton does either. Eli has a ton of skills, but he gets rattled on Sundays too easily. So I implore you Eli, step it up a bit bud. Even though the Colts and Giants are not in the same division or even the same conference, a heated rivalry between two brothers at the QB position would be awesome. The NFL could easily schedule a game every year between the Colts and Giants. I know I would definitely watch. Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:49:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19600 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19600 There goes another one. In addition to sophomore Jonathan Garner, who transferred to Marshall in the spring, quarterback Steven Threet has decided to leave Georgia Tech and head home to Michigan to join the Wolverines. He says his decision had nothing to do with being homesick, the difficulty of classes at Tech (he had a 3.76 GPA after one semester), or the competition at the QB position. He cited the absence of Offensive Coordinator Patrick Nix (now at Miami) and former director of football operations Geoff Collins (now at Alabama). Those were two of the men that heavily recruited him initially, and now they're gone. Threet says he has nothing against the new coaches, but that "it's just a different situation." Threet was released from his scholarship at Tech which allowed Lloyd Carr to offer him one at Michigan. Because of NCAA rules, he will not be able to compete this season but will still have 4 years of eligibility left. Losing Threet hurts Tech from the standpoint that he was a big boy...6 foot 5, 220 pounds. He played in the Spring Game earlier this year and looked great. But from the standpoint of depth on the roster, he makes little impact. Georgia Tech still has 5 QB's on the enrolled. Junior starter Taylor Bennett will be backed up by either Auburn transfer Calvin Booker or freshman Josh Nesbitt. Junior Kyle Manley and redshirt freshman Byron Ingram also are on the roster. In addition to those 5, Sean Renfrees of Scottsdale, Arizona, one of the nation's top quarterback prospects, committed to Tech on July 2. It was a busy week in which Tech doubled their commitments to eight. These are the opinion questions associated with two articles on ajc.com about Threet's departure... Does the news of QB Steven Threet's departure from Georgia Tech make you worry about depth at that position? Yes. 31.46% 1363 No. 68.54% 2970 Do you believe QB Steven Threet's reasons for leaving Tech? Sure. It seems sincere. 51.53% 152 Are you kidding me? 48.47% 143 All this talk about quarterbacks gets me SO excited for the season! I can't wait to see Bennett play, Tashard Choice, Durrant Brooks, Pat Clark, Mike Cox, Rashaun Grant, James Johnson, Adamm Oliver, Greg Smith, Phillip Wheeler, Jahi Word-Daniels...all those boys!!! My predictions for 2007...10-2 and ACC Champs!! Bold, I know but check back with me in December and eat your words :-D Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:47:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19599 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19599 Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has reportedly put his name into the mix of potential buyers for the Chicago Cubs. I am not a fan of the Cubs nor pretend to be, but like any other storied franchise in Major League Baseball, a.k.a the Red Sox and Yankees, the Cubs draw interest from me and all types of fans no matter where one lives or whom one cheers for. Growing up in the South, the Braves were always the team to watch. And who wouldn't want to watch them? Winning fourteen straight division titles is something anyone can get used to. But the legends of Fenway Park and Wrigley Field get instilled into young kids as places Hall of Famers would always play. The Cubs have been terribly disappointing the last couple of years, even after Sports Illustrated picked them to win the World Series a couple of seasons back. Mark Cuban is the man to turn them around though. Who cares if he doesn't have the greatest knowledge of professional baseball, he is a dedicated owner who will put together a winning team no matter what it takes. When he took over the Mavericks in 2000, they were one of the worst franchises in the NBA. That very year during the 2000-2001 season, the Mavs went 53-29 and went to the playoffs for the first time in 11YEARS!! He has revolutionized the way an owner interacts with his or her team and the fans. He set up a personal email account on his personal computer that all fans could submit messages to about anything they wanted to do to improve the team. He even came up with the idea of a 3 sided shot clock so it can be seen from anywhere in the entire stadium. His dedication to the fans is relentless. Sometimes he lets his emotions get the best of him and even seems arrogant at times, running out on the floor or saying trashy things to the commissioner or the refs and simply paying a fine. If I were a Mavs fans though, I would love it!! He cares about his team and his players and will do almost anything to win. He almost led the Mavs to the NBA title two seasons ago and can do the same with the Cubs I think. I am all for him buying the Cubs as he would bring publicity and winning back to Wrigley Field and hopefully finally break the curse. Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:42:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19597 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/19597