Video commentary
Here is my video commentary on fishing being a great pastime. I had to shoot it with my digital camera and it can only take short videos so I was cut off with 9 seconds left. I don’t have an app to put the two together on my computer, so here is the two separate videos.
Cowboys mock draft
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I have an obsession with the Dallas Cowboys. I check more than a few websites day reading all of the latest news about the ‘Boys and have their roster pretty much memorized every year. So to go along with my NFL draft 1st round mock draft I am going to do a full mock draft for Cowboys.
1st – Tyron Smith, OT USC. At this point Smith is considered the top OT prospect in the draft by nearly everyone. Dallas selects him and makes him the starter at RT from day one.
2. Kendrick Ellis, DL Hampton. At 6’5 and 346 lbs Ellis has the size and the talent to play anywhere on the defensive line for the ‘Boys. Pair him with pro bowl NT Jay Ratliff and the Dallas’ D-Line becomes a strength for the team.
3. Ras I-Dowling, CB Virginia. I-Dowling was considered a 1st round talent by some heading into the start of the college football season. However he played only 5 games after injuring his hamstring, knee, and ankle. At 6’2″ and 205 lbs I-Dowling has the size and speed to play CB and safety in the NFL.
4. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB LSU. The last time the Cowboys drafted a ILB from LSU in round 4 they got Bradie James, the team leader in tackles the past few seasons. Sheppard becomes him eventual replacement.
5. Demarcus Love, OG Arkansas. Love played tackle for the Razorbacks in Arkansas but projects to make the move inside to guard at the next level. At 6’5″ and 315 lbs he possesses the size the Cowboys look for in their guards and he is also athletic enough to be effective as a pulling lead blocker.
6. David Mims, OT Virgina Union. The Cowboys continue to add youth to their offensive line with the selection of the small school prospect David Mims. At 6’8″ and 348 lbs Mims is mountain of a man with a great deal of potential.
7. James Rodgers, WR Oregon State. The Boys select the 5’9″ and 188 lbs Rodgers in hopes that he can develop into a solid slot WR. Rodgers was extremely effective in his Junior year at Oregon State catching 91 passes for 1034 yards and 9 TDs. But injuries during his senior season lead to him playing in just 4 games. The Cowboys will hope he can return to the form of his Junior year and possibly help out on special teams as a return man as well.
7. Allen Bradford, RB USC. At 6’0 and 235 lbs. Bradford has the size to be the 3rd RB for the Cowboys while also manning the FB spot.
Mock draft with explanations
1. Carolina Panthers – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
I’m not buying the Cam Newton talk. After taking Jimmy Clausen in the 2nd round last year the Panthers can use this pick to get one of the safest and most athletic prospects
in the draft.
2. Denver Broncos – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
New head coach John Fox is a defensively minded coach and will make the change to a 4-3 defense this year. Marcell Dareus will give him a talented DT to build that defense around.
3. Buffalo Bills – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Head coach Chan Gailey is a quarterback guy and needs a franchise quarterback if he’s going to turn this team around. He’ll hope Newton is that QB.
4. Cincinnati Bengals – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
With starting QB Carson Palmer threatening to retire if he isn’t trading, QB could be the pick here. But with both Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco likely leaving the team, the Bengals take a big play WR here and a QB later in the draft.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Since Kurt Warner retired no one has been able to get Larry Fitzgerald the ball. This pick solves that problem
6. Cleveland Browns – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
If Colt McCoy is going to be the guy at QB he needs a go to WR. Enter Julio Jones.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
With the top quarterbacks and Peterson gone the 49ers pick up possibly the best pass rusher in the draft. Miller teamed with Patrick Willis will be a scary thought to all 49ers
opponents for years to come.
8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairly, DT, Auburn
Ever since Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch left town the Titans have been looking to rebuild their defensive line. Fairly is a big step in the right direction.
9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith, OT, USC
If new head coach is going to turn this team around he’ll need a healthy Tony Romo. Teaming Smith with Doug Free and the ‘Boys starting tackles will do just that.
10. Washington Redskins – Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
With the top 2 QBs gone the Redskins take one of the top pass rushers of the draft and team him with young star Brian Orakpo to form a deadly OLB combo.
11. Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
The Texans pass defense was the worst in the league last year and will look to change that next year. Prince will be a solid helping hand.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
With starting DE Ray Edwards likely leaving the team the Vikings will be looking for his replacement. Bowers was considered a possible top pick until a knee injury so the Vikings don’t hesitate on his value at the 12th pick.
13. Detroit Lions – Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
With the top 2 CBs gone the Lions look to address the O-Line in hopes it will help keep Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best healthy.
14. St. Louis Rams – Cameron Jordan, DL, California
The Rams need a go to WR and D-Line help. With the top 2 WRs gone, Jordan is the pick.
15. Miami Dolphins – Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are likely gone so the Dolphins replace them with the best back in the draft.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue
The Jaguars defensive needs help everywhere. Kerrigan and his pass rushing skills are step one.
17. New England Patriots – J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Watt fits a need and fits the mold of Patriots players, a high motor, hard working, and relentless competitor.
18. San Diego Chargers – Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
With the top DEs Jordan and Watt gone the Chargers look for a pass rusher to replace the void left by Shawn Merriman’s falloff.
19. New York Giants – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
The Giants O-Line is aging and Solder is a major talent to bring youth to that line.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The Buccaneers are a young team turning the corner to greatness. Clayborn will team with last year’s 1st round pick Gerald McCoy to help push the defense closer to greatness.
21. Kansas City Chiefs – Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor
It’s either O-Line or Taylor here. Taylor is an absolute monster who can still move. The Chiefs make him the pick and start him at NT from day one.
22. Indianapolis Colts – Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
It’s well known that Peyton Manning isn’t an agile QB for protecting him is a must. Sherrod is althletic and talented enough to do that.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
The Eagles lost a starter to retirement due to a neck injury last year so replacing him is a must. Especially when the division rival Dallas Cowboys will be lining up with Miles Austin and Dez Bryant at WR next year.
24. New Orleans Saints – Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
The Saints signed DT Shaun Rogers in free agency but they will still look to add youth to the position.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
Head coach Pete Carroll is trying to build a high power offensive but needs a high power QB to do so. Mallet is that QB.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The Ravens defense has always been its strength but their secondary as struggled lately with Ed Reed’s injuries. Smith will add youth and a lot of talent to that secondary.
27. Atlanta Falcons – Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Starting DE John Abraham is aging and Heyward will look to replace him soon.
28. New England Patriots – Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
After addressing the D-Line with their first pick the Patriots jump to the other side of the ball and take Pouncey who can play any position on the O-Line.
29. Chicago Bears – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
The Bears O-Line was awful last year and Carimi will add some much needed nastiness and skill to for the Bears.
30. New York Jets – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
After cutting Kris Jenkins and Jason Taylor the Jets need a NT and a pass rusher. With Phil Taylor gone the Jets go with the pass rusher from UCLA Ayers. They may surprise though and go with Kendrick Ellis so keep an eye on him.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
The Steelers need O-Line help and Watkins is a prototype for Steelers players, a tough and hard worker.
32. Green Bay Packers – Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
The defending Champs kept most of their team intact this offseason but did lose a starting DE. Wilkerson will step right in and make it so no one notices any change.
1st Round Mock Draft
With the NFL draft coming up next week I figured I’d do a first round mock draft since they are all over the internet around this time. I know its unlikely anyone in my JMC 406 class is as obsessed with the NFL and its draft as I am, so this post might be found uninteresting by most, but I enjoyed doing it. I’ll post one sometime later with explanations for each pick but for now here’s my first round mock draft picks without the explanations.
1. Carolina Panthers – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2. Denver Broncos – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
4. Cincinnati Bengals – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
5. Arizona Cardinals – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
6. Cleveland Browns – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
7. San Francisco 49ers – Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairly, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith, OT, USC
10. Washington Redskins – Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
11. Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
12. Minnesota Vikings – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
13. Detroit Lions – Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
14. St. Louis Rams – Cameron Jordan, DE, California
15. Miami Dolphins – Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue
17. New England Patriots – J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers – Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
19. New York Giants – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
21. Kansas City Chiefs – Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor
22. Indianapolis Colts – Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
24. New Orleans Saints – Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
25. Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
27. Atlanta Falcons – Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
28. New England Patriots – Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
29. Chicago Bears – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
30. New York Jets – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
32. Green Bay Packers – Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
Bucket List final draft
If you were informed that you were going to die sometime in the near future, would you be happy with the life you have lived and the things you have done? Or would you feel as if you’ve lived an unsatisfying life and scramble to fulfill a few last wishes or lifelong desires?
A bucket list is a list of things to do before you die. It can include things you wish to accomplish, experience, do, try, or anything else that you think would make your life more fulfilling and satisfying before death comes knocking. MTV has aired a television show about it entitled “The Buried Life” and Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson starred in a 2007 movie about it titled “The Bucket List.”
What should go on a bucket list? Should it be fun, exciting, and adventurous activities to help catch some thrills before death? Should you include some charitable acts to help others before your judgment day? What about family or friend orientated activities that would give your loved ones have something to remember you by? Or maybe a little bit of
everything?
When trying to think of what I would put on my bucket list, I was limited in the thrill seeking department due to physical limitations. I was born with only one carotid artery instead of two. The doctors have informed me that because of this, any activity that runs a high risk of a very sudden and extreme deceleration could possibly kill me. There goes skiing down a mountain, sky diving, and bungee jumping. I have also had multiple ear surgeries that prevent me from doing any deep-sea scuba diving.
There are still plenty of other activities worthy of filling my list with however. For thrill seeking I could spend some time in a shark cage surrounded by great whites. Attending a Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas Cowboys Stadium is a must, and I wouldn’t mind trying to ride a bull or go deep-sea fishing.
For family activities, at some point I want to find a girl, fall in love, get married, and have kids. I hope to teach a son or two how to play football someday. Coming from a Polish background, I would like to travel to Poland with my family. Both of my great-grandparents came to the U.S. during World War II. My grandfather grew up around them both speaking Polish, but neither mentioning what life in Poland was like. Taking my
grandfather to Poland and attempting to trace our family’s history would mean a lot to us both, so that’s on there. Matching tattoos with my older brothers is in the works and taking my parents to Vegas is on there somewhere.
The thing I would most like to do before I die however was inspired by the Will Smith movie Seven Pounds. It is to donate bone marrow. I have been told donating bone marrow is one of the most painful things a person can do, but I feel it would be worth it. I had a
girlfriend who lost her grandfather to cancer and after I told her that I would like to do this, she informed me that bone marrow transplants could have possible helped her grandfather in his fight against cancer. Hearing this only
solidified a spot on my bucket list for this one.
So, in the style of MTV’s The Buried Life, I’ll ask you, “What do you want to do before you die?”
The 12 surgeries.
While I was writing my bucket list post and explaining how my one carotid artery and multiple ear surgeries kind of limit what I can do as far as thrill seeking, I got to thinking about all the medical issues I’ve had in my life. I am 21 years old and I have had 12 surgeries.
The 1st surgery was a hernia when I still so young that I hardly remember it. So no good stories behind it. The 2nd one was from the bike accident with my brother that I blogged about a couple of times, so I don’t need to explain that one.
The 3rd and 4th were the result of a cyst that had developed in my mouth at the top right side of my gums. While having a routine dental check up my dentist noticed something strange in the x-ray. After some more x-rays he determined it was a cyst and that it could possibly be cancerous. So for surgery #3, the doctor removed a small piece of the cyst to check for cancer. The test came back negative and surgery #4 was to remove the rest of the it. As a result of the cyst and the surgeries required to remove it, my permanent teeth came in out of line. Which meant I had to wear braces for four years, complete with head-gear for one year.
From here I’m unsure on the exact order of the surgeries but from my 8th grade year to my sophomore year of high school, I spent a lot of time with doctors. Surgeries # 5,6,7, and 8 were on my left ear. After over a month of terrible ear aches and regular trips to the local clinic, my doctor got fed up with me and sent me to a specialist. The specialist decided to poke a hole in my ear drum to relief the pressure that had built up. I knew right away something was wrong when his first words were “Oh bleep.”
The earache I had been experiencing was the result of a cholesteatoma, which similar to a a tumor, in my inner ear. For surgery #5 they drilled a hole in my skull and scrapped the cholesteatoma out. With it came my eardrum and most of the inner ear bones that control hearing. #6 was the same routine as #5 because the cholesteatoma came back and #7 was to implant a prosthesis to replace my eardrum. My body rejected the prosthesis and #8 was to remove that and use a skin graft from my left bicep to realign my inner ear to help my hearing. The final result of these surgeries was a 50% loss of earing in my left ear and a hole the size of a 50 cent piece in my skull.
#9 was the surgery that should have been the most routine. But instead it was the one that almost did me in. Almost everyone gets their tonsils out and its generally no big deal. However when I got mine out I had to be given mouth to mouth from a male anesthesiologist. The surgery went fine and they even trimmed down my uvula to help out with my loud snoring problem. Where things went wrong was in the recovery room. I did not react well with the drugs I was given to wake me back up and I quit breathing and the nurse who was supposed to be watching me wasn’t. But luckily the anesthesiologist realized I wasn’t breathing and gave me mouth to mouth until someone brought one of those squeezy bag things to get me going again. Afterwards I became dehydrated and spent 2 days in the hospital.
Surgeries # 10 and 11 were the result of a broken jaw suffered playing football my sophomore year. One to wire my jaw shut and one to unwire my jaw. Waking up from #10 with my jaw wired shut was the worst moment of my life. They had to put the breathing tubes in my nose due to the fact that they were wiring my jaw shut. The problem with that was that I had broken my nose a couple of times prior to this so when they pulled the tubes out they pulled out cartilage with them. Between the nose and the jaw I felt like I had been hit in the face with a baseball bat. It would be two weeks before my nose bleeds would stop and 6 weeks and 15 pounds before I could move my jaw again.
And finally surgery #12 was the removal of all four of my wisdom teeth my freshmen year at UNK. This most recent surgery went smooth and had no complications. So there they are. The 12 surgeries I’ve had in the 21 years of my life. Now, everytime my parents express any concern about my safety I just simply tell them I’ve had 12 surgeries and nothing has been able to stop me yet! Though there was a close call or two.
