Thursday Random Thoughts

T.J. Ward On Bronco's Defense
While reading some news on NFL.com's Around The League webpage I stumbled across an article by Kevin Patra about T.J. Ward saying the Bronco's Defense will "make a statement" this year.  Ward was one of many free agent acquisitions made by John Elway and the Broncos this offseason.  One can only hope that this is true since the Broncos were completely manhandled in the Super Bowl.  While Denver appears to be the class of the AFC still, I am still not sure how they will stack up against the NFC powers.  We here at Experimental Nonsense have always been big Peyton Manning fans, and we would love to see him get another well deserved ring.  However, the offense played at an A+ level most of the year.  It will be hard to do that again next season.  Of course, with these defensive acquisitions(Ward, Ware and Talib) maybe they will not have to.  Manning is poised to have another great year, and hopefully the return of Ryan Clady will help him get rid of his "happy feet" tendency in the pocket.  Hopefully Ward's statements will prove prophetic and the Broncos will have another exciting season.  With the Patriots recent signings, it should be an interesting season for the NFL.

Florida State and Jameis Winston Still Making News
The NY Times had a fantastic article by Walt Bogdanich detailing many missteps in the handling of the rape allegations made by a female student against Heisman winning quarterback Jameis Winston.  Florida State has denied the validity of the reporting and any wrongdoing.  However, if even a fraction of this is true it shows an institutional flaw at not just Florida State, but every major collegiate sports program.  If police and investigators are swayed by local college stars, these stars become above the law.  One could write a 1,000 page dissertation on how athletes receive preferential treatment, but at some point Administrators, District Attorneys, Police Departments, and athletes themselves need to step up and put an end to this.  These athletes already get a free education and a better college life than most undergraduate students, now they want to get paid and never get in trouble for committing crimes?  Perhaps we need to make an example out of the athletes that step out of line.  While 18-23 year old kids will make mistakes, it is our responsibility to make sure they learn from them.  Isn't college about learning?

NBA Season Wraps Up and Playoffs Starting
The Eastern Conference seemed to be a two horse race between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, however both of those teams have struggled down the stretch.  Lebron James is capable of putting the Heat on his back to get through the Eastern playoffs, but can he do it after carrying the team much of the season?
The Western conference is much more difficult to predict.  The Spurs are great, as always, and Kevin Durant is having an MVP-caliber season leading the Thunder.  Jeff VanGundy has a different prediction in Richard Deitsch's Media Circus column.  Could this be true?
The NBA Playoffs are always exciting.  I am sure this year will be no different.
On a side note, SI's Chris Mannix has an excellent article on the Boston Celtics.

MLB
Who cares at this point...
The season is 162 games long, it is way too early to write anything of note.

Random Thoughts
I am late to the party, but I am officially hooked on Game of Thrones.
Watched the Dark Knight Rises the other day.  A perfect way to wrap up, maybe, the best trilogy ever.
Could we have an Earth like twin suitable for life?
Dr. Rhonda Patrick has some really cool information.  Follow her on twitter at @foundmyfitness
Have tried a wide variety of beers recently(Victory, Stone, Bell's, Troegs, Flying Dog, DuClaw). I have enjoyed them all immensely.  Hope to have a post devoted exclusively to beer sometime soon.

I believe that is enough random thoughts for the day.  Please follow us on twitter @exp_nonsense for updates and sarcastic comments.