Trayvon

As sad as this story is, there are really only 2 things that bother me about this event. Neither of the obvious reasons: 1) A person would want to murder an innocent person they see walking down the street because the color of their skin makes them suspicious; or 2) that you can do this and not go to jail.

I expected the acquittal the day Zimmerman was charged with 2nd degree murder versus manslaughter. The evidence was too circumstantial especially considering the defense team that Zimmerman had at his disposal. The fact that the prosecution tried to offer manslaughter just prior to jury instructions is almost grounds for malpractice. In this case the prosecution played right into the hands of the defense attorneys. Selecting an all female jury expecting maternal empathy. Failing to realize people don't see Black male teenagers as children or some one's son. They see them as "THUGS." In addition, they argued semantics of the exchange between the two men, which effectively put Trayvon Martin on trial when he had done nothing wrong.

All that being said, none of that really bothers me. As one person put best on twitter, the jury in the Zimmerman case reminded Black Men of what they already knew to be true.

So.....What really bothers me is that there was such a dissenting opinion about the outcome of the trial. For some reason when I first heard the story I thought the outrage was universal. My naivety would not let me accept that people feel they have the right to just walk up and kill someone they find suspicious. When I consider the course of events, I empathize with Zimmerman, if I saw a guy walking in my neighborhood at night that I did not recognize. I would be suspicious, but its quite a leap to go from being suspicious to killing the guy.

I would call the Police like anyone else. At the end of the day no crime was being committed, and the Police even told him to stand down. His comments and reaction clearly show the intent he had when approaching Trayvon was not just a concerned neighbor.

I know many are claiming he was in his right to defend himself. I am just having a hard time determining how they arrive at that conclusion, and bypass that the person he attacked is dead, innocent, unarmed and committed no crimes and that Zimmerman pursued the victim. Not sure what type of reaction Trayvon is supposed to have when an armed man attacks him at night in the middle of the street.

Secondly, I became bothered again as I am reminded by the protests that began as a result of the verdict that there never would have been a trial had it not been for pressure through national media, social media, protests, and the DOJ. The fact that a tragedy like this can happen is chilling, the fact that this can happen and is acceptable without having to stand trial is horrifying. I am all for Zimmerman claiming he did this in self-defense. I would say the same thing if I killed someone, but I would fully expect that I would have to prove that action in court, not that an investigator is going to take my word for it. I would expect that much if I shot someone in my own house, even more so if I chased some guy down the street and killed him.

When I took my Concealed Handgun License training, one of the lasting impressions the instructor made on me is that shooting someone should be the last resort. He was simply trying to reiterate that killing someone is a BIG DEAL and to carry a gun calls for great responsibility. I guess he forgot to mention unless you are shooting a Black person, then nobody really cares.... Read more!

America's Team

As a native of Dallas, TX I am a life long Dallas Cowboys fan. The moniker America's Team was given a couple years after I was born. So I have only known them as such. Interestingly, the name comes in part by the success on the field, but it was also as Bob Ryan (Vice President and editor-in-chief of NFL Films) coined the phrase, "I noticed then, and had noticed earlier, that wherever the Cowboys played, you saw people in the stands with Cowboys jerseys and hats and pennants. Plus, they were always the national game on television." I hear people call Dallas Cowboys fans bandwagon or fair-weather fans? Can that be true in 2013 when the team has won only 1 playoff game in 17 years? As Americans there is one simple fact that substantiates a teams true value and Forbes highlights that in there latest "The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams" list. The top 3 are European Soccer Teams, and then the New York Yankees. This is not a blog post on the Yankees, but considering that MLB only has 3-4 teams on the Top 50 list compared to the NFL with 30 of 32 teams making the list the Yankees appearing so high on the list is very impressive. Or maybe the counter-argument is true? They make the list because they have little competition for revenue. The Dallas Cowboys have been NFL's most valuable team since this list began. Interestingly, this is accomplished without some of the marketing tweaks of other leagues and teams. MLB allows teams to set up their own TV Networks, like the YES Network for the Yankees. For NFL, all TV revenue is negotiated and shared by the league. European Soccer teams sell naming rights to corporations on their jerseys which is worth hundreds of millions. Most teams across all leagues sell naming rights to their stadiums which is also worth hundreds of millions. Dallas plays in a $1B stadium simply named "Cowboys Stadium." Passing up almost another possible $1B in revenue the team still finds itself valued at $2.1B. This all goes back to the fan base. People will argue the Steelers are worthy of such a title, their valuation isn't even close. They have dozens of teams to pass before making that argument. So Cowboys fans if you are talking to some one that is challenging your team as "America's Team." Find out which team they claim as a fan. If they are a Patriots or Redskins fan have a fun discussion. It it is some chump that is a Rams or Jaguars fans (the only 2 NFL teams not to make the Top 50) tell them their fan base (and subsequent value) is too minuscule to even begin the debate. Lastly, I will touch on one of the counter-arguments I hear most. Just because you produce the most revenue, have the most nationally televised games, play in the biggest stadium, and have fans all across the world doesn't mean you are the most popular team. Its about more than just money...I know, slap me if I ever make points this weak to support an argument. Its very simple, where do you think the valuation comes from? The valuation is a summation of all these things. The reason you generate the most revenue is because you are the best at doing it in every category...attendance...sales...marketing...etc. Read more!

Cuban Checked Out

Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban's financial flexibility mantra is a farce. He checked out once he accomplished his goal of winning a NBA Championship. After years of spending irresponsibly he decided it was time be more responsible. The lawsuit about his annual losses as owner probably helped lead in that direction as well. Not necessarily going to fault a guy for trying to make a profit after spending at all costs to win, but we must recognize that is the goal. It was not earnestly to sign a high-priced superstar. Oftentimes the Celtics are cited as an example of what the Mavs would like to avoid, which may seem logical in 2013, but this comparison to the Celtics is tiring. The so called Celtics demise keeping the old guys after winning a championship, is making it to the Finals the following year and 3 Conference Finals. After 5 years this year they lost in the 1st round. I think any Mavs fan would be happy with that outcome, when you look at what the Mavs will be the 5 years following their championship. Read more!

Steve and The Cat

On a conference call one weekday afternoon, members of the CRE Technical Support team were assembled to passionately discuss important business matters. Most members had joined the meeting via conference call and after a long time the team took a short break. Upon returning from break Tobey Nealy the team Director tried to bring the meeting back to order. As he was attempting to do so, over the phone you could hear a person doing what sounded like talking to a little baby saying “look at you, you are so cute, ooh aren’t you just a Lil precious” followed by what I will refer to as “gaga goo goo” noises for almost a minute. Finally, the team realizes who the person is in the room with the baby and Tobey yells out, “Steve, Steve, is that you?” You could hear all kinds of crashing and shuffling noises as Steve reacts quickly to pick up the phone. Upon answering, Steve says, “could ya’ll hear that? I thought I had my phone on mute.” Finally, at that moment the awkward silence by the folks in the meeting is replaced by an outburst of people rolling on the floor laughing out loud. One of the team members ask, “Who’s baby is that you were playing with?” Steve says, it was his little baby kitten Bitsy. The laughter in the room got louder as Tobey says, “You mean to tell me you raised all that commotion over a cat?” Read more!

How will your team do? Check the Schedule

One thing that has become obvious to me following the NFL is that it is fairly easy to determine what teams are going to be in the playoff hunt based on their schedule. There are a few elite teams like the Patriots, Steelers, Colts (with Manning), and we have to add the Packers, that can win enough games to get into the playoffs no matter their schedule. But the rest of the NFL teams success are based on their schedule. There are a lot of teams in the middle.

Scheduling explains why teams like the Chiefs and Falcons can win their division one season and barely be in contention for the playoffs the following season. On the flip side why a teams like the 49ers and Bengals can contend for the division title after being at the bottom of the league last season.

I actually wrote my Playoff Predictions a few weeks ago and even with some major injuries I post them today and not much has changed:

NFC:

Packers, 49ers, and Saints will win there divisions will be in.

The NFC East will be decided by 2 remaining games between Giants and Cowboys, if they split those games the Cowboys will get in with a better division and conference record. The Giants are a better team, but they had a much rougher schedule and will need to sweep the Cowboys to get in. Neither team has much chance for a Wild Card.

The 2 Wild Cards are between Lions, Falcons, and Bears. This is where my prediction has changed as the Bears had a soft schedule, so soft even without Cutler I would have gave them a shot to make the playoffs, but after losing Forte its pretty bleak. I am going to have to pick Falcons and Lions.

AFC

Patriots and Texans (even w/ 3rd string QB) are running away with their divisions.

Ravens have already beat the Steelers twice and have a soft schedule so they will likely win the AFC North.

Here is the other change in my original prediction. I had the Raiders winning AFC West at 9-7, which they may be, but I think the Broncos will win the AFC West at 10-6. Yes I have joined Team Tebow I will blog on that another day.

Steelers are easily a Wild Card Team, the last spot is between the Jets and Bengals who I believe will have the same record at 10-6. The Tie Breaking Procedures are way too long to analyze here, but the Bengals have a great shot at going 11-5 if they can beat the Texans (w/ a 3rd string QB) on the road and save us from that discussion. The AFC North is the best division in the AFC so lets go with the Bengals.

Playoff Predicitions

Pretty simple, in the NFC no one is going up to Green Bay to beat the Packers, so they will be in the Super Bowl, but I am looking forward to the re-match from Week 1 against the Saints. This game will be to offense what the Bama-LSU rematch will be to defense.

In the AFC, by far the best division is the AFC North, so they will produce the Super Bowl contender. Getting 3 teams from 1 division in the playoffs is exceptional!

So it will be the Ravens or Steelers going to face a Packers team that is even better than the team that won the Super Bowl last season. Read more!