I didn't write a post over the holidays so there are a lot of potential things to cover, but I settled on the MLB Hall of Fame, Arkansas State Red Wolves (yes that is not a typo), and the Vikings.
MLB Hall of Fame:
First and foremost the rule of only being able to vote for ten players needs to removed; even if it is only temporary. There were over ten hall of fame worthy candidates and the only reason there is a back log is because of this steroid controversy. Speaking of that, I am starting to not understand the mission of the hall of fame. Is it to honor the best players that have ever played the game of baseball? The best players that were also good people? The best players that didn't break any MLB rules? Because not voting for someone because there is suspicion of steroid use goes against all three of these proposed missions. The beginning of the "steroid era" there was no testing and it wasn't technically against the rules. Do I think taking banned substances is wrong? Of course, and players that want to stay clean should be able to do that and earn a living. But how you could not vote for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens? Both of them are terrible people, but were arguably two of the greatest players of all time. I think the Hall of Fame needs to stop trying to be the Temple of Fame and honor great players.
Arkansas State:
The reason I bring up this Sun Belt football program is because this coming season they will have their 5th coach in the last 5 years. This is crazy to me, their AD is the John Calipari of college football. After firing a coach they had for 9 years after going 4-8 they hired Hugh Freeze (recruiting like a champ at Ole Miss), Gus Malzahn (offensive wizard that brought Auburn to the national championship), Bryan Harsin (taking over for Chris Petersen at Boise State). And get this, they have been 20-3 in conference play over the last 3 years. They have built a program they can sell to coaches and recruits where it is a place to be successful. It is obvious that coaches come and go, but building an environment of success can be a stabilizing force.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings are going to draft a quarterback good or bad with their first pick. They reached for Christian Ponder and there could be a possibility that Manziel, Bortles, and Bridgewater are gone by the time the Vikings draft at 8 and I beg them to look at their defense. It was atrocious this past year. It is easy to place blame on our quarterbacks and deserved but the defense was just as bad. The offense will be better next year with a rookie or Cassel with a healthy AP and an emerging Cordarrelle Patterson. They just need consistency and not a coaching firing hanging over the entire teams head. But I would like to propose an idea, let's say that the top 3 QB's are gone by the time we draft; why don't we sign Mike Vick? He would be an upgrade over Cassel and we could draft an Aaron Murray or Bret Smith in the later rounds. I know Norv Turner hasn't been known for mobile quarterbacks but honestly what he as done lately hasn't been very good. And at Vick's age he doesn't need any designed runs, he can just use his speed when the play breaks down. One could only dream of a video game backfield of Vick and Peterson with Patterson and Jennings on the outside.
