SB Nation User Blog: EminenceFront

OTTOTD 12/14/09: With the first pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...

EminenceFront — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:56:21 -0000

Rhode Island State Police said they’ve arrested 14 people for prostitution-related crimes since a new law went into effect that banned indoor prostitution, including a man who plays the New England Patriots’ mascot. State police said Friday that since last month, they have arrested eight men, five women and one 17-year-old girl for prostitution or for procurement of sexual conduct for a fee.

Law enforcement sources told NBC 10 one of the johns who tried to pay for sex with a prostitute was 47-year-old Robert Sormanti of Warwick. He is one of several people who plays the Pat the Patriot mascot. “The Pat Patriot mascot costume is worn by multiple people, each of whom are held responsible and accountable for their actions. The individual in question has been suspended. The mascot responsibilities will continue to be fulfilled by others,“ said a statement from the team.

These are the first arrests since the governor signed a new law that closed a loophole that made indoor prostitution legal. Eight men and six women were arrested.

ABC Coalition to Vote on Draft Report Today.

EminenceFront — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:18:27 -0000

ABC Coalition to Vote on Draft Report Today.

The ABC Coalition, which has suggested that the Rays need a new, retractable roof stadium, is scheduled to vote on the draft report today, after a year of meetings and analysis of five areas

OTTOTD 11/13: Early Dose of Awful.

EminenceFront — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:08:20 -0000

I'm up and came across another winner essay from my literature class. Hooray!

Beat! Beat! Drums!

What Whitman is trying to say in this poem is beat the drums and blow the bugles as loud as you can. So loud that that you can here them through the windows, and doors. So loud that it sounds ruthless. Loud enough that it penetrates through the church and disrupt the congregation, disrupt the school kids while their trying to study, and the bride groom also. Make so much noise that the bride and groom are no longer happy. Even to the farmer make so much noise that the farmer can’t concentrate enough to plow his fields and gathers his grains. Play the drums as hard as you can and blow the bugles as hard as you can. Beat the drums and blow the bugles! So loud that you cant here the traffic or the rustle of the wheels. So loud that those who own beds and are trying to sleep cant sleep. No one shall do nothing. Disrupt everything and everyone; the bargainers, brokers, speculators, talkers, singers, lawyers, and the judge. Beat the drums quicker, blow the bugle wilder. Beat the drums and blow the bugle. Do not stop to converse with the enemy not even to reason earnestly with a person for purposes of dissuasion or remonstrance. Don’t pay any attention to the timid, weepers or those that pray. Don’t pay any attention to the old man who is begging the young man. Do not let the child’s voice be heard or the mother’s earnest request through the beating of the drums and the blowing of the bugle. Make even the braced frame serving as a support shake the dead while they are waiting for a vehicle to convey the dead to their respective places. So strong that you thump the drums and blow the bugles loud.

I believe this says no matter who you are make your voice heard. Yell and scream to the top of your lungs if you have too but make it happen. Let no one hold you back. Be so loud that you overplay any and everything. Play your drums and blow your bugle.

I am truly inspired!

Rays Team Awards Announced

EminenceFront — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:20:47 -0000

Rays Team Awards Announced

Team MVP (Zobrist), the annual Paul C. Smith Champion Award (Pena) and Outstanding Rookie of the Year (Niemann) announced.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 1st Round Draft Preview: First Half Edition.

EminenceFront — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:45:00 -0000

If the season were to end today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would have the first overall pick for the first time since taking Vinny Testaverde out of the University of Miami in 1987. Needless to say, having the first overall pick is a blessing and a burden. The blessing is (depending on your selection) the Bucs will have an immediate impact player on either side of the ball. The burden is the financial obligations that come into play with the first overall pick (not to mention the agony of being the worst team in the NFL) as well as the high risk for making an unwise selection.

More than any other sport, the first overall pick in the NFL draft is the most risk/reward decision a franchise can make. Teams can either be propelled into success like the New York Jets, who selected Keyshawn Johnson out of USC number one overall after going 1-15. The next year, they were 9-7 and the year after 12-4. Or your team can sink lower like the Cleveland Browns after selecting Tim Couch number one overall over Donovan McNabb (for the record that Cleveland Browns team would go from 2-14 to 3-13 and 7-9 afterwards). Note: Obviously neither Couch or Johnson alone made either of these teams win I'm just trying to prove a point that first overall selections can make an impact.

In this post I'm going to take a look at three possible targets for the Buccaneers in the number one spot. Naturally, every player is available at number one so I'm going to try to limit the possible selections to three in order to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome. With the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (could) select....

Target #1) Eric Berry* - S - Tennessee - Running a 4.40 40, Berry is listed at around 5-11, 203 lbs. Eric Berry is a Ed Reed 2.0. With 215 career tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 13 career interceptions, Eric Berry is the top defensive back in this years draft and will be a premier player in the NFL. Playing under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin for one season, the Bucs should be able to get good information from former defensive guru Kiffin about Berry. Berry most likely will not be available past the 5th spot.

Why the Bucs should target him: With Jermaine Phillips' glass-like forearms and his impending free agency this year, the Bucs are going to have a spot open at starting safety alongside Tanard Jackson. Assuming the oft-injured Phillips is gone, the Bucs could turn to Sabby Piscatelli or Will Allen to fill the void. But with a future pro-bowler on the board, Berry could be too tempting.

Target #2) Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska - Running a 5.02 40, Suh is listed at around 6-4, 302 lbs. Ndamukong Suh is a big boy in the middle. With 16 career sacks and 169 career tackles, Suh is the top defensive tackle in this years draft. Suh can be a run-stuffer as well as a sack finder. He's not quite the sacking ghost of Warren Sapp but the quarterback isn't the foreign object that Chris Hovan seems to think it is. Suh could be available within the top 15 spots.

Why the Bucs should target him: Can anyone disagree that we need defensive line help? Chris Hovan is 31 and not getting any better and Ryan Sims isn't as good as Hovan. Dre Moore and Roy Miller are young and should be cycled at best for the time being. As of the half way point, the Bucs rank 29th in rushing yards allowed. Suh would provide an almost immediate impact against the run as well as the pass.

Target #3) Carlos Dunlap* - DE - Florida - Running a 4.78 40, Dunlap is a listed at around 6-6, 290 lbs. Carlos Dunlap is a linebacker stuck in a lineman's body. With 65 career tackes and 16 career sacks, Dunlap can be a game changer. Dunlap is, however somewhat of a mystery. He has all the potential to become an elite playmaker on defense but seems to take plays off at times. He'll be a monster one game and invisible the next. Still, Dunlap could be an interesting selection if taken. Possibly more suited for the 3-4 scheme, Dunlap could be more of a product of his surroundings (most notably fellow Gator DE Jermaine Cunningham) than an individual playmaker. Dunlap should be available in the top 10 picks.

Why the Bucs should target him: Again, defensive line help is a must in this draft. The Buccaneers simply must get to the quarterback and stop the run to be successful in 2010. Selecting Dunlap could help solve this problem. Again, personally I believe that Dunlap is more of a risk than a reward at this point. But we need DL help and we need it bad enough to take a chance. Drafting Dunlap number one overall isn't ideal. In fact, it's downright dumb. If Dunlap holds the red and pewter on draft day it will be after a trade-down or if the Bucs somehow end up with a 5-15th pick.

Outside of those three players, I would be hard pressed to believe the Bucs would take anyone else without trading down. Let's not kid ourselves, the Bucs have absolutely been pitiful on draft days under Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden and we need picks to make up for it. Poor drafting is why we are in the position we are. Since 2002, how many players that the Bucs have drafted have made a significant impact? How many if you take away day one picks where you're supposed to draft an impact player? Exactly. Trading down makes the most sense and it's what I see happening in April. Somebody (Cleveland, St. Louis, Seattle....) is going to want Sam Bradford or Eric Berry more than fat kids want cake and they will overpay to move up. We get extra picks and hopefully an impact player outside of the 1-5 range (where the money is too rich for the Glazers blood if you believe in that sort of thing). Now the following targets I'm going to assume the Bucs look at after a trade-down in position. Potentially, depending on the trade-down, the players listed above may still be available to which the Bucs would strongly consider them as well.

Target #4) Taylor Mays - S - USC

Why the Bucs should target him: For the same reasons as Eric Berry. Jermaine Phillips has the forearms of a 4 year old girl and is going to hit the free agent market. Mays is a big safety at 6-3, 235 lbs with a 4.47 40. Not the ball-hawk like Berry, Mays is a good cover safety with great tackle ability.

Target #5) Terrence Cody - DT - Alabama

Why the Bucs should target him: Defensive line help is a must. Terrence Cody is more of a safe pick over Ndamukong Suh. Slower but bigger, Cody is a mountain on the inside. May not get after the quarterback as much but he will instantly help the run defense. Hovan and Sims are average at best. Depth is questionable.

Target #6) Brandon Spikes - LB - Florida

Why the Bucs should target him: With Ruud in the center Spikes could be moved to the outside but not without some question. His 4.76 40 time may hinder his ability to move to OLB. If for some reason Ruud is no longer a Buccaneer, Spikes would be a great fit for Jim Bates system. Regardless of his position, Spikes is a very good tackler against the run and decent in coverage against the pass. With unproven linebackers in Quincy Black and Geno Hayes refusing to claim a stronghold a starting position, linebacker is stil a possibilty.

Of course there are a million different outcomes for draft day and you and I know about as much as anybody right now. In my opinion, if the Bucs aren't blown away by a trade-down offer they should take Eric Berry first overall. If the Bucs are able to trade down, either Suh or Cody would be optimal along with another defensive pick in the second round.

*Players in their Junior Year

# Bill from Brandon Sep 24th, 2009 8:47 am Upton is so lazy, I'm sure if that ball was 5 or 6 rows...

EminenceFront — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:42:34 -0000

#
Bill from Brandon
Sep 24th, 2009 8:47 am

Upton is so lazy, I'm sure if that ball was 5 or 6 rows into the stands, he doesn't catch it.

Wade Davis and His Attempt at History.

EminenceFront — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:01:51 -0000

Since the lowly days of the Devil Rays, good starting pitching debuts have been few and miles between. As of September 6th, 2009 the Rays (and Devil Rays) have had a combined 65 different starting pitchers ever throw a baseball for the team. The numbers range from Scott Kazmir's team leading 144 starts to Juan Guzman and his 1. Using Bill James' Game Score, we can see just how ~~good~~ great Wade Davis' Ray Debut is compared to every other debut in team history.

Pitcher Name	Year	Game Score
Doug Waechter	September 3, 2003	88
Wade Davis	September 6, 2009	75
Steve Trachsel	April 3, 2000	74
Paul Wilson	August 26, 2000	71
Jason Standridge	August 9, 2001	69
Hideo Nomo	April 9, 2005	68
Geremi Gonzalez	May 17, 2003	66
Dwight Gooden	April 15, 2000	65
Tony Saunders	April 2, 1998	63
Victor Zambrano	August 5, 2002	62
Seth McClung	April 25, 2003	61
Dennis Springer	April 4, 1998	60
Jeff Niemann	April 13, 2008	60
Scott Kazmir	August 23, 2004	60
Paul Abbott	April 7, 2004	57
Casey Fossum	May 17, 2005	56
Mark Hendrickson	April 9, 2004	55
Dan Wheeler	September 1, 1999	54
David Price	September 22, 2008	54
Bryan Rekar	July 9, 1998	53
Edwin Jackson	April 22, 2006	52
Carlos Reyes	May 27, 2003	51
Mickey Callaway	June 12, 1999	51
Delvin James	April 16, 2002	51
Tim Corcoran	October 2, 2005	50
Albie Lopez	May 28, 2000	50
Joe Kennedy	June 6, 2001	50
Terrell Wade	September 21, 1998	49
Jason Johnson	April 23, 1998	49
Bobby Witt	April 8, 1999	49
John Halama	June 18, 2004	48
Rolando Arrojo	April 1, 1998	45
Tanyon Sturtze	August 5, 2000	45
Esteban Yan	May 8, 1999	43
Cory Lidle	October 3, 1999	42
Julio Santana	June 9, 1998	42
Dewon Brazelton	September 13, 2002	42
Andy Sonnanstine	June 5, 2007	42
Damian Moss	April 22, 2004	39
Steve Parris	April 4, 2003	39
Mitch Talbot	September 23, 2008	38
Jeff Wallace	August 6, 2001	38
Brian Stokes	September 3, 2006	38
Jae Seo	July 2, 2006	38
Todd Ritchie	September 18, 2004	37
Matt Garza	April 2, 2008	37
Matt Ruebel	May 25, 1998	36
Ryan Rupe	May 5, 1999	36
Chad Gaudin	August 16, 2003	34
James Shields	May 31, 2006	31
Mike Judd	April 22, 2001	28
Jorge Sosa	June 25, 2002	28
Rick White	May 31, 1998	27
Rob Bell	June 14, 2003	26
Rick Gorecki	April 3, 1998	22
Nick Bierbrodt	June 7, 2001	22
Brian Rose	May 12, 2001	21
Jim Parque	April 2, 2003	21
J.P. Howell	August 1, 2006	20
Dave Eiland	September 25, 1998	20
Jason Hammel	April 11, 2006	18
Wilson Alvarez	March 31, 1998	17
John Webb	April 20, 2005	16
Travis Harper	August 4, 2000	15
Luis De Los Santos	July 20, 2002	12
Juan Guzman	April 7, 2000	10

While not the best, Davis' debut on Sunday was second best only to Doug Waechter's CGSO in 2003 and the best since Niemann started for the first time in 2008. I cannot wait to see this man progress.

OTTOTD: 9/4 (I'm a Doctor, Jim)

EminenceFront — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:13:59 -0000

I guess I'll do it since it has not been done yet.

Possible Topics:

Student Skips School For A Whole Year

Temple is the First School to lose to a I-AA school this year.

The Beatles: Rock Band Commercial is pretty cool.

WTF Zakk Wylde...

Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,
Who after birth did'st by my side remain,
Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise than true,
Who thee abroad exposed to public view,
Made thee in rags, halting to th' press to trudge,
Where errors were not lessened (all may judge).
At thy return my blushing was not small,
My rambling brat (in print) should mother call.
I cast thee by as one unfit for light,
The visage was so irksome in my sight,
Yet being mine own, at length affection would
Thy blemishes amend, if so I could.
I washed thy face, but more defects I saw,
And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw.
I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet,
Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet.
In better dress to trim thee was my mind,
But nought save home-spun cloth, i' th' house I find.
In this array, 'mongst vulgars may'st thou roam.
In critic's hands, beware thou dost not come,
And take thy way where yet thou art not known.
If for thy father askt, say, thou hadst none;
And for thy mother, she alas is poor,
Which caused her thus to send thee out of door.

Rays Activate Chad Bradford.

EminenceFront — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:49:47 -0000

Rays Activate Chad Bradford.

EEEeeeerrrr BOOM! (again)

EminenceFront — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:18:41 -0000

EEEeeeerrrr BOOM! (again)