A Day In The Life Podcast by Experimental Nonsense

A Day In The Life Podcast by Experimental Nonsense

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.

Tuesday Randomness

Tuesday Randomness

Here at Experimental Nonsense, we thrive on the random.  OK, that didn't make much sense, but lets proceed...with some randomness.

So I've been thinking about Michael Phelps coming out of retirement for a swim meet next weekend.  I have to say I thought it was unusual with everything that has transpired over the last year and half.  Although, can I really be all that surprised after the back and forth he played before 2012?

After the London Olympics, I really took Phelps at his word that he was done.  He was getting into golf and it seemed like he had a plan in mind for his future.  On top of it all, he's accomplished more than anyone in the pool, has the most Olympic medals of all time, and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone.  He showed that in 2012 by owning Lochte.  What shaped up to be a rivalry didn't really pan out, did it Ryan? 

So it begs the question:  why come back now? 

Is it the potential money from endorsements or time in the spotlight?  I don't think so.  Subway will always want to be in business with Phelps.  I think he likes being the center of attention no matter how awkward he comes off in front of a camera.  But when it comes down to it, I think he was smart with his money. 

Is he just an elite athlete that thrives on competition…that needs this kind adrenaline rush?  I could believe that, but why?  Why risk diminishing your athletic reputation with a bad showing…or disappointing results.  Now I know that next week's swim meet doesn't necessarily mean Phelps is coming back for another Olympic run.  Heck, if he finishes last in all of his races, maybe he says to himself, "Wow, maybe I don't want to do this.  Maybe I should re-evaluate everything." 

But I do not think that is going to happen.  I believe this is the first step on his mission to Brazil.  He needs the next two years to train on his new events and become competitive with the younger generation of swimmers.  I think he's in for the long haul regardless of how next week turns out or any of the other world-class swim meets he enters.  This is the start.

Now, here is my theory of why he's coming back.  Yes, Phelps loves competition, he loves swimming, and most of all, he's REALLY good at it.  He's been the epitome of greatness since he started and I salute him for that.  I think the reason behind this comeback is Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman.  Bowman is an acclaimed swimming coach because of Michael Phelps.  Bowman gets world-class swimmers into his program because of Michael Phelps.  Bowman gets exposure every four years because of Michael Phelps.  Lets just come out and say it, Michael Phelps is good for Bob Bowman. 

It's no secret that swimming increases in popularity in Olympic years and swim teams benefit from that.  And credit is due to Phelps for assisting with that movement.  But Bowman is the man behind the man.  Even when it was announced Phelps was coming out of retirement, who spoke for him and explained what was going to happen…Bowman.  Bowman has been a mentor and father figure for Phelps and that obviously has been helpful.  I just have to wonder who this comeback is really intended for…Phelps or Bowman.   

Here are some other interesting tidbits for today:

More NFL Mock Drafts to review.  We're getting close to Draft Day so here are some predictions from CBS Sports.

The NBA Playoffs are set.  Now onto the Big Show.  Who are the teams that can go all the way?  Take a look.

The University of California has their new men's basketball coach.  Cuonzo Martin has accepted the job out west.  Martin was the head coach at Tennessee for three years and did a great job in leading the Vols to the tourney this year.  He had to capitalize on his marketability so this isn't a surprise.  I'm sure money had something to do with it, but remember, Martin was a finalist for the Marquette gig a couple weeks ago too.  Congratulations to him.  I wonder who Tennessee calls to replace him?

Sounds like there will be another Bowl Game this winter.

Excuse me, Mr. Bruckheimer, Kenny Loggins is on Line 1.

The act of buying a car is changing.  Is the consumer smarter than the salesman?

Speaking of which…I need to decide my next car.

Masters Update.

Bubba Watson appears to have things well in hand, but it ain't over until it's over. As a side note; any thoughts on tonight's Game of Thrones?

Masters

The Masters final round is tomorrow. It is odd to not have Tiger or Phil in the hunt, but the times are a changing. Should still be an exciting final round. As always, follow us @exp_nonsense on twitter for updates.

Randomcast by Experimental Nonsense

Randomcast by Experimental Nonsense

NCAA Men's Tournament Champion Crowned

After another amazing NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament full of upsets and shocks, UCONN ended up besting Kentucky for the National Title. We definitely did not see this one coming, but congrats to the Huskies.  Now we turn our attention to the NBA Playoffs and the NFL Draft.