"My Students Are Creating Blogs"

My sweet Broadcast Journalism students are making blogs for their six weeks projects!

I decided that maybe I should update mine in order for them to have an example! I hope this one helps.

-Talton

Basketball Should No Longer be an Option for Lamar Odom

The mere thought that Lamar Odom will find work 'After Dallas' is unsettling...

Most real jobs in this country are performance-based. Bonuses, promotions, reputations are typically the result of effective performance.

Lawyers, doctors, educators, etc. are all advanced in their respective fields as the result of their RESULTS.

Despite the fact that NONE OF THE ATHLETES in this country are truly worth the millions they are paid in this country, Dirk Nowitzki is a great player and he puts forth tremendous effort.

Kobe Bryant is a great player and his consistent effort proves that he wants to win.

As much as I don't care for LeBron James - I will never question his effort.

Several months ago the Lakers ushered Lamar Odom out of Los Angeles. He could've easily ended up on a bad team, with a laxed manager, and in a city NOT ready for Kardashian-hype. The fact that he was brought in by the reigning champions of the league should have been an honor for him.

I remember the initial press conference. I remember the first photo shoot when he was positioned next to a beaming Dirk and Vince Carter. Something about Odom's expression made me turn to whomever was sitting next to me at the time and utter: "He doesn't want to be here."

Yes, I am a Dallas resident... Yes, I am a lover of most things Los Angeles. At that very moment that I saw Odom standing next to my favorite German with almost a grimace on his face - I saw the writings on the wall. But like most Maverick fans - I tried to brush off my intuition.

For years I'd watched Odom excel in Miami and in Los Angeles, with both the Clippers and the Lakers, so I thought for sure he'd try to rid his face of the sadness and replace it with his game face.

I was certain that this GROWN MAN would not take our court every night with that cry-baby demeanor of his. I was absolutely positive that a former NBA champion would conduct himself as such. Boy was I wrong...

Many of us are comfortable with our city of residence after we've lived there for a certain time. But I don't know too many people that would refuse a salary in excess of $8 million to go somewhere else for some months. I would leave in a heartbeat...

Most people will NEVER be afforded the opportunities that Odom was given. He was welcomed by a team, welcomed by the owner, welcomed by the city. All he needed to do was play the way the league was accustomed to seeing him play. He could've easily returned to Los Angeles after this abbreviated NBA season.

Instead of sucking it up; instead of "playing" the game he's supposed to love and reaping the financial gains of the sport - Odom sulked on the bench. He rarely hustled while on the court.

I applaud Coach Carlisle. It was obvious that he made valiant efforts to incorporate Odom into the offense, but to no avail. The other Mavericks looked for Odom. They would pat him on the back. They were rooting for him. The fans would cheer extra loud in support of Odom on the rare occasions that he would make a basket.

Dallas tried. Odom did not.

This week, both my Facebook and Twitter timelines have been full of anti - Odom posts.

"He's a true Kardashian now - getting paid to do nothing."

It's sad, but very true.

At some point in late March I carried on for about an hour with Khloe Kardashian. It all started when I tweeted: "It seems like Khloe is trying harder to fit in with Lamar."

Being the idiot that she is - Khloe immediately took offense and went on ranting "just because have money, that doesn't mean they don't go through things..." blah, blah, blah!

I suppose the world should feel sorry for Lamar. He had to come to lowly Dallas and live in the rat infested penthouse of the W Hotel... O_o

Poor Lamar. Now he's listed as inactive for the remainder of the season and only gets a measly salary.

And how about the fact that there will most definitely be life for Lamar "After Dallas?"

It's sickening. He disrespected the game, the owner, the team and the fans. His basketball career should be OVER.

“Fire the Man that Never Touched the Field”

While some teams are ready to dance in the NFL playoffs, others are headed home to watch. So in essence, it’s time for the finger pointing to begin.

Some of this season’s hopefuls had multiple chances to earn spots in the playoffs, but the likes of Dallas, Oakland, New York (Jets), Chicago, amongst others find themselves on the outside looking in. Other teams just had dismal seasons from the start. Losing star players and team chemistry (or the lack thereof) eliminated them from contention from the jump.

It’s proper protocol for someone to get the blame when the season and the team does not meet expectations. But, as I sit and watch ESPN on this Monday evening I’m finding it so ironic that all of the repercussions of tumultuous seasons (or just the ending) are coming down on the men that never take the field.

My primary example will be with the Dallas Cowboys. As much as I try to distance myself from this team – I simply cannot. I grew up in Dallas, and I’ve followed this team since I was a little girl. I fondly remember the days when we had a complete team.

Despite the attempt to get back into the game against the Giants, the minute the Cowboys lost last night – both my Facebook and Twitter timelines were full of such posts as: FIRE JASON GARRETT… GET A NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR… WE NEED A NEW COACHING STAFF!

Of course there were those who still found issue with Tony Romo, who despite having a hand swollen to the size of a grapefruit still managed a decent game and gave a valiant effort.

Nonetheless, my social networking friends baffled me. I wondered “Are they blind?” Is there some type of wool over their eyes, just like the wool over Jerry Jones’s eyes?

Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett has more plays on that note card than the secret service has tricks. Rob Ryan is arrogant enough to instill a cocky and confident Dallas defense that will be effective for years to come. The Dallas defensive line is a group of talented men, all of whom want to win. The linebackers have been consistent.

The problem with the Dallas Cowboys does NOT lie on offense, it’s not the defensive line, nor is it the linebackers.

THE DALLAS COWBOY’S SECONDARY IS TERRIBLE.

For several years now I’ve listened to commentator after commentator suggest that Terence Newman, “the veteran” is such a leader. I’ve often wondered what games these people are watching. The man is clearly NEVER in the right spot. He’s always chasing his man, because his man ALWAYS makes the catch. I do believe he was hurdled at least three times against the Giants because of lazy tackling. And since he’s the leader, perhaps Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh are following his example.

YES, this is the Dallas Cowboy’s secondary: Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Ball and Sensabaugh.

These six men represent everything that is not fair about professional sports in America. All of them, at any time during a Dallas game appear to not know what they’re doing. Newman, “the best” of the secondary players will always be assigned to the best receiver and that receiver is almost ALWAYS guaranteed a big game. When the Cowboys lose, Newman will be interviewed and utter something to the effect “we just have to do better as a team.”

Jenkins can accidentally knock a ball down with the back of his helmet and his cocky nature will annoy even the most faithful Cowboy fan.

Scandrick and Ball are usually guilty of holding or pass interference whenever they’re on the field, but when they see the yellow flag – the expressions on their faces are priceless.

Sensabaugh is probably the most harmless of this secondary. He usually just finds himself the victim of Terence Newman’s shrugged shoulders (as if to say “why weren’t you covering my butt – you knew I would get torched).

When I watch these guys I’m not sure if they were never taught the primary functions of a secondary, or if they simply don’t care now that Jerry Jones has made them all millionaires several times over. I do know that it’s nauseating to think that someone like Terence Newman will continue to make his $50.2 million dollars to blow the coverage. At times it looks like the character “Precious” could run a deep route on these guys with ease.

But, forget about all of the facts. Forget about the lack of performance. Forget about the lack of HEART. Just fire the coach. If the defense doesn’t respond to a new scheme – it must be Rob Ryan’s fault.

So let’s fire the man that never takes the field. Let’s fire the man that simply calls in the plays and encourages. Let’s fire the man that still pats the guys on the back when they screw up the play.

Truth be told – in a perfect sports world, the entire Dallas Secondary should have been handed pink slips this morning. Every other career in this country has somewhat of a performance stigma attached. Doctors can’t repeatedly botch surgeries and continue their practice. Teachers can’t repeatedly have failing scores without repercussions. Why is it that these men can be HORRIBLE at their jobs year in and year out, and the responsibility be the coaches alone?

The list is long and certain to be growing on ESPN. Coaches are out. Even a general manager finds himself out of job. But I’ve yet to see one of these ‘million dollar babies’ ousted. Not one! Perhaps - they will all go home for the offseason and think long and hard about the failed season. Or maybe, they’ve already forgotten about the lackluster performance and shifted focus to their fortune and the trouble they can get into for the next several months. After all – they can return next season, press REPEAT and still get the same $$ result!