Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Mo'ne Davis: Game Changer

The 2014 Little League World Series is over, but something very special took place during the course of the tournament.  Mo'ne Davis made headlines for her play in the series, she became the first female to throw a complete game shut out in the Little League World Series on August 15th.  Her shutout gained national attention, as it should have because now girls can look up to her and hopefully more of them will get involved in baseball.

There have been gender roles in place since the beginning of time, Mo'ne is another role breaker, and yes a game changer.  When most people hear baseball they think of males playing the sport, and when they hear softball they think of females playing that sport.  I find that funny because I constantly see co-ed softball teams all over the place, especially for local leagues that are for fun.

Mo'ne can now help bridge the gap and perhaps more females will want to play baseball at all levels, and next year we could see even more more females in the Little League World Series.

I am glad that Mo'ne gained attention, and I think a lot of good has come from it, and more will over time.

Mo'ne is special, she is now that role model for girls to look up to and say "hey, I can play baseball too!"

In 2015 we will see what happens! 

The St. Louis Rams Quarterback Situation, Present and Future

PRESENT 
This past Saturday evening Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford went down with an injury, which was later determined to be an ACL tear in his left knee which was the same injury on the same knee from the season before. 

The Rams have decided to stick with backup Shaun Hill as their starter, he is a journeyman but I think the Rams are making the right choice with Shaun Hill.  He can manage games for the Rams, he has a running game that I feel can be a big lift to that offense this year and with the addition of Tre Mason through the draft it will only get better.  

They also have Tavon Austin at receiver along with free agent Kenny Britt who I think can turn his career around in St. Louis and you cannot forget about tight end Jared Cook.  

Shaun Hills career stats are as follows (taken from www.nfl.com):
41 Touchdowns 
23 Interceptions
Completion percentage 61.9%

Sure he does not have the best stats, but they are better off sticking with him over trading for Mark Sanchez or Ryan Mallett which will cost them a pick or a few picks to acquire. 


FUTURE 
Sam Bradford will miss all of the 2014 season, meaning that for the third time in his first five seasons that he will not play an entire season.  He started and played in all 16 games his rookie season in 2010 and again in 2012.  He started and played in 10 games in 2011 and started and played in 7 games in 2013 before tearing his ACL in his left knee.  (stats from www.nfl.com)

The Rams are going to have to make a difficult decision with him, but if I am the Rams organization I would cut him after the 2014 season is over.  He cannot stay on the field, and I know it is not his fault, but they need to figure something out soon.  They took a good look at Johnny Manziel before the draft and passed up on him, now they may have to look towards the future with another QB by drafting one in the 2015 draft.

I can never fault a player for being injured so much, but as stated the Rams are looking for a QB of the future, and it is hard to call Bradford one when if you expect him to play full seasons and he has only played two full seasons in five years.  

Sam Bradford may have a future in the NFL, but it will not be with the St. Louis Rams.