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Anthony’s Articulated Arguments: 30 Years Doesn’t Serve the Victims Justice!

Anthony Sellers — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:41:56 +0000

“Jerry Sandusky is a GREAT man,” said absolutely no one following his sentencing Tuesday. For those that don’t remember, Sandusky is the Penn State assistant coach who was charged with 45 counts of child sexual abuse. Yes, that does bear repeating, Jerry Sandusky was charged with forty-five counts of child sexual abuse. Mr. Sandusky spent his glorious day of reckoning, where he learned he was sentenced to “no less than 30 years and more than 60 years” behind bars; pleading innocence, according to multiple articles.

Sandusky, 68-years-old, will hopefully take his last breath in a penal colony, especially after being ignorant to his own actions by 1) Denying doing anything wrong, and 2) Asking for an appeal. The latter of the two is most appalling to me. Sandusky’s attorneys claim they didn’t have enough time to prepare a defense. Really? Are you serious? I mean, realllly?!

That’s complete asininity; you had 15 years to compile a defense!! Fifteen years! A decade and a half! From your 53rd year of life until last year when you was caught, you had time to prepare a still-not-so-semi-viable-defense. Did I say last year, I’m sorry, fourteen years to prepare the same still-not-so-semi-viable-defense.

I just don’t understand how 30 years is justifiable. So what if it’s “essentially” a life sentence for him? He ruined ten now young men’s lives; he deserves the same as ten life sentences. That’s not counting the careers of fellow former Penn State employees. Although, that can be questioned if it was ruined by Sandusky or the other employees themselves for helping Sandusky cover up the scandal. I vote for the latter on that one as well. For their parts in covering up the scandals, 30 years would be justifiable, in my opinion.

Yes, that is directed at you Tim Curley and Gary Schultz. These two apparently knew Sandusky was having “shower play time” with these minors, most of which were athletes for the very university they worked for, yet they didn’t alert any authority whatsoever! Really! Looks like that bit them in the ass. Oh wait, sorry, that was Jerry!!

Perhaps the worst part of the whole situation is the repercussions that the University itself has taken. The NCAA fined Penn State $60 million, vacated 111 wins from 1998-2011 and banned the football team from bowl games for the next four years. In essence, the kids that would be getting sexually abused by Sandusky if the scandal hadn’t been unfolded are being punished by the NCAA because of the negligence of their administrators and coaches. That makes a lot of sense.

I understand that the university deserves to receive some form of corollary. That’s inevitable, however, I don’t see how banning them from bowl games for the next four years for something that happened under a previous regime is beneficial. Vacate the 111 wins; fine the university the $60 million, even more. I just think four years is too many. I just feel like it’s too much. It’ll take twice that long as it is for the program to rebuild anyways.

I applaud the victims that stood up and finally spoke out against Sandusky. That’s something that I not only can’t imagine ever having to do, but it also lets others who do know what it’s like and have lived with similar circumstances know that it’s great to speak out.

All child abuser’s/molesters/predators, whatever you want to call them, do not deserve the same freedoms as everybody else in this world, but deserve lives of futility and depravity.

Anthony’s Articulated Arguments: Best of the Worst: Ranking the NFL Teams That Never Won A Super Bowl

Anthony Sellers — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:20:38 +0000

I’ve been lollygagging around trying to come up with some sort of decent article idea to write about. I’ve finally come up with an article (although “decent” can be debated) thanks in part to me going to Sears to get my car inspected (3 months after the inspection went dead I might add. Like I said, I’ve been slacking!).

While I was waiting in the Sears Auto Center, NFL Live was on in their waiting area. Me, being a sports junkie,albeit one that likes teams that aren’t quite up to par, was watching rather attentively. At the end of their broadcast, they showed that 14 NFL teams have yet embraced the Vince Lombardi Trophy. For those that may not know, that is the trophy the teams hoist when they win the Super Bowl. Ten of those teams have played in a Super Bowl (or four…in a row, as is the case for the Buffalo Bills), but were not victorious.

What is about to follow is a feeble attempt to rank these 14 teams as the best of the worst. These rankings will have taken into account what the teams have done recently to be successful in getting a ring as well as their entire history. With that being said, however, I am inclined to caution you as this is by no means scientific. These ranking are merely one man’s opinion. Feel free to agree or disagree.

Commence ranking now:

14. Cleveland Browns – The worst of the worst. From last to, well, last. The chances they have to win the Super Bowl this year, or in the next five years, is less than zero percent. Now, a Browns fan can always hold out hope that this season will be the year where they are actually competitive and that a 7-9 or 8-8 record will somehow be mustered together. But it’s exactly that thought process that poses some of the problems. Until that is changed and stability is brought within the organization, Cleveland fans will be left with “Remember the 50’s and 60’s when we won NFL Championships before they called it the Super Bowl?! Man, those were the days!”

13. Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals have some players on offense, but I don’t think they utilize the weapons that they have effectively. Fitzgerald is a future Hall-of-Famer, but he doesn’t really have another wide receiver to help him out. Again, this is just my opinion, and I honestly don’t know too much about the Cardinals, this is my shot in the dark assessment. With a standout wide receiver, average quarterback, average running back, and overall an average team, I am confident in saying that the Cardinals are the epitome of mediocrity in the NFL. They may contend for a playoff spot in the upcoming years, but my crystal ball doesn’t show the Cardinals flying away with a ring.

12. Buffalo Bills – Ahh, the Bills. Let’s take a moment to remember the early 1990’s, also known as the glory days of failure to Bills fans. Four Super Bowls in a row, and four Super Bowl losses in a row. They had a good team, but they just couldn’t pull out a win. Enough living in the past though, let’s focus on the present and future. The Bills are a team like the Cardinals, they are mediocre at best and may contend for a playoff spot in the next few years, if they ever learn how to win close games, but I don’t see them being able to scratch their name off the list of teams to never win a Super Bowl anytime soon.

11. Seattle Seahawks – Seattle is probably a little high on this list, but they are a team, much like the Cardinals, that I don’t really pay attention or try to find information on. I’ll just leave it at that. They have more of a chance than my beloved Browns, but they are probably around the same chance as Arizona and Buffalo.

10. Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings do have things going for them, like having Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin. They also have a defense that boasts Jared Allen and E.J. Henderson, both of whom I think are top notch players for their respective positions. They do lack, though, as I feel Christian Ponder is not the answer for them at quarterback. The Vikings also don’t have much depth on their roster. Aside from Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, there isn’t anyone that can scare opposing defenses when Ponder gets in predicaments where he is forced to throw the ball.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Originally, Jacksonville was ranked #8 and the Titans were #9, solely because of the Jaguars having Maurice Jones-Drew. However, with that being said, the Jaguars have (on paper) Maurice Jones-Drew. If his holdout continues into preseason games, then I think his production will be similar to the likes of Titans RB Chris Johnson’s last season. Jones-Drew was the NFL’s leading rusher last season, though, and has been productive for the Jaguars his entire career. The Jaguars should recognize that, as well as the fact that he’s been a focal point of the offense during his entire tenure with the Jaguars and renegotiate his contract.

8. Tennessee Titans – As stated, I originally had Tennessee at #9 and Jacksonville at #8 on this list. However, due to changes in circumstances for Jacksonville, Tennessee moves ahead of them. While Chris Johnson had a horrible season last year due to his holdout, he was able to put together a few stellar performances to finish the year. I see him being able to continue where he left off, especially since he’s been in camp for the duration this season. With Nate Washington and rookie Kendall Wright at WR, as well as an above average defense, the Titans will at least contend for a playoff spot in my mind. Whether they make the playoffs or not, however, is another story not yet written.

7. Carolina Panthers – With Cam Newton behind center, the Panthers can strike at any time offensively, whether it’s with his arm or his legs. My questions come from the defensive side of the ball, as well as, okay, well, the rest of the team. The Panthers always seem to have an average defense, but I wonder if they can execute as well as they did last year and make a playoff push.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Cincy has drafted well the last few years in my opinion. I personally like the Dalton to Green connection, however, I am reserved on saying that they will be able to improve upon last year because they both will be fighting “the Sophomore Slump” in my opinion. The Bengals also have a stellar defense that can keep them in the game if the offense does happen to falter any.

5. Houston Texans – Arian Foster is a beast! Andre Johnson is as well. Matt Schaub is spoiled to have them on his team. The defense was also stellar last season. Add an underrated tight end in Owen Daniels and the Texans, at least in my mind, have a decent shot to get to the conference championship, but not too sure about the Super Bowl yet.

4. Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons always seem to fly under the radar, yet they are still always in the playoff hunt. It’s only a matter of time before Matt Ryan and Julio Jones place the team on their backs with Michael Turner and get to the Super Bowl. Then again, maybe I’m a little more biased because of the great southern hospitality I received for the 45 minutes I was in Atlanta (and it was only the airport.).

3. San Diego Chargers – Philip Rivers needs to step up as a QB and leader in order for the Chargers to remove themselves from this list. It also doesn’t really help when the workhorse running back (Ryan Matthews) gets injured, which will probably be around game 7 of this year if they’re lucky. Nonetheless, San Diego has enough offensive weapons and a defense that can stop opposing teams when they please, so they are never out of the picture.

2. Philadelphia Eagles – The dream team turned nightmare from last season. So far this preseason it’s seem as if Philly has a renewed focus, but they still raise questions for me. Can Mike Vick return to pre-dog fighting form? Can he improve in the pocket? Will DeSean Jackson disappear for half a season again? Only time will tell. They do seem to be more focused this year compared to last year, where I felt like they were overvaluing their own talent. I’m talking about the players in that last statement.

1. Detroit Lions – I know most “expert analysts” are saying Philadelphia is the best bet to win their first Super Bowl. Guess what? I’m not an “expert analyst”. Well, I like to think I’m an expert in a lot of areas, including football, but will not claim to be. Plus, I just like the Lions better. They’ve gone from nothing to something in a year or two. They’re defense has improved tenfold, along with their offense. Both sides of the ball have talented young players that are going to be around for awhile. And they have Megatron saying, “Decepticons, begin our assault.” Also just a side note, does anyone else think Stafford should be nicknamed Starscream?

2012 Summer Olympics: Men’s USA Basketball Team Roster Set

Anthony Sellers — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:45:05 +0000

By Anthony Sellers

When I woke up this morning, it dawned on me (and yes, I did wake up at dawn!) that the 2012 Summer Olympics are fast approaching. What made it evident was a picture of the Men’s USA Olympic Basketball Team that showed up on my Facebook newsfeed.

The thought of being able to watch basketball right before football season starts initially aroused me (See #5 on my all-time quote list here). I must admit that I am also somewhat surprised at a couple of the players that were added to this year’s team. Perhaps the most surprising beard, err I mean face, to see was James Harden. Watching him disappear against fellow USA teammate LeBron James and the Miami Heat during the NBA Finals may have me more ill-willed about him being part of the Olympic team. I hope he proves me wrong and provides the offensive spark off the bench in London that he couldn’t provide the Thunder in the Finals.

Also joining Harden on the team for the first time are Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the latter of which I was also a little surprised to see on the team. I know many Westbrook “detractors” so to speak. I, overall, am not one of them, but he’s also not who I think of when I think of athletes to represent Team USA. With that being said, I think Westbrook will bring a different aspect and fire to the team. I also think his time on the team will make him an overall better player.

Keep in mind both Derrick Rose and Dwayne Wade are not playing due to injuries. Harden would not be on the team if Wade wasn’t injured and I think, but not completely certain, Westbrook would have been the odd man out if Rose hadn’t torn his ACL in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Another surprise to me was seeing Kevin Love in the picture. I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve to be on the team, because I think he is more than deserving to be on the roster. I just didn’t expect it. I was surprised, but also excited to see Love on the team, because he is the consummate American to represent the country, in my opinion.

Enough with the surprises! Who likes surprises? It’s time for the excitement! Who doesn’t want excitement? Blake Griffin is full of excitement! Nothing is going to be more exciting than seeing Griffin and his monstrous dunks tear the arena down. I’m looking forward to reading the headline “Lob City Flies to London” or something of the sort. If I knew I could watch every game in its entirety, I would try to keep track of how many opponents would become part of a poster with Griffin for all the wrong reasons. I’m honestly hoping Griffin can one up Vince Carter’s dunk over the 7’2” French center Frederic Weiss in the 2000 Sydney Olympic games. If you don’t remember what I’m talking about, click here and refresh your memory.

Griffin more than likely won’t be able to replicate or top Carter’s dunk, which forever lives in infamy, but I still expect him to create a plethora of highlight reel plays throughout this year’s Olympics.

I was also excited to see Andre Iguodala on the roster. I can’t lie, it wasn’t as exciting as when I saw Griffin was on the team, but for some reason I’ve always liked watching Iguodala play, but I don’t know why.

Durant, Griffin, Harden, Iguodala, Love and Westbrook join Tyson Chandler as the new members of Team USA. They will unite with retuning 2008 Olympic members Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Deron Williams in London in hopes of earning gold medals. Let’s be honest, with this lineup, anything less than gold is quite frankly a disgrace.

Anthony’s Articulated Arguments: My 5 Favorite Movie/TV Quotes

Anthony Sellers — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:59:29 +0000

Last night, while I was laying in my bed watching SportsCenter, Stuart Scott made a line reference from the HBO Series The Wire. It went something like “You come at the king, you best not miss!” He was also making reference to LeBron “King” James making a highlight play, which made me cringe because I’m a biased, bitter Cleveland Browns fan (as I will proudly state time and time again).

Despite my immediate “negative thoughts” associated with Mr. James, it was Stuart Scott’s TV reference that sent me into a cognitive state of mind trying to figure out what my favorite Movie/TV quotes to use on people are (the movie and TV requirement is loosely used in this instance). So without further ado, here are my top 5 quotes.

5. “That’s What She Said” – Michael Scott, The Office

This is a borderline #5 quote for me. Reason being is because this line is used by literally everybody I meet, which makes it wayyyyyyyy overused. But I decided to keep it in the top #5 of my favorite quotes because it is a great conversation ruiner. I love stopping my coworker’s right in the middle of their next sentence and blurt out “That’s what she said!” It’s still way overused, though.

4. “You Gonna Learn Today!” – Kevin Hart in his Laugh At My Pain Standup

If you don’t know who Kevin Hart is, you should really smack yourself, literally, like right now, IN the face! Or you could just follow this link here. Now that you’ve been introduced to the comedian, it’s time for a “mini” story.

In my current employment, I had the opportunity to use this line without even thinking twice. A new employee came to have me ring up one of her customers because she hadn’t yet learned how to run the cash registers. When she came to me, she said, “and I haven’t learned how to run the register yet!” Seeing as she had been around a couple of weeks at the time and also that I was tired of being interrupted from my projects, I blurted out, “You gonna learn today!!” in my deep Kevin Hart imitation voice. Not only did she not catch the reference, but she proceeded to tell me, “That sounds like a death wish.”

Don’t worry; the death wish part still doesn’t make any sense to me either.

3. “To Save Time, Just Assume That I’m Never Wrong” -

Okay, I must admit, I didn’t hear this in any movie or anything, but it’s on a T-shirt that I own. As I have used quote #4 at work, I have used many variations of this quote multiple times at work to my sales associates when they want to politely disagree with their boss’ (that would be me) point of view.

2. “Thank You Half a Star” – Paul Crewe, The Longest Yard

This line makes reference to Chris Rock’s character (caretaker’s) violence level in the movie. The inmates were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Caretaker had ½ star rating. Later in the movie, Crewe (played by Adam Sandler) makes reference to the ½ star rating when Caretaker leaves Crewe by himself against the “real gang” of the prison. I’ve used this line many times to many different people, hoping they’d understand the reference, to no avail.

1. “You’re Killin’ Me Smalls!” – Hamilton “Ham” Porter, The Sandlot

This is my favorite line. It’s by far a landslide on how much this line is my absolute favorite to use. Most everyone recognizes that it’s from a movie, whether they know what movie or not, and they also get the point when I decide to blurt this line out.

There you have it, my five favorite quotes to use. I’m sure some of these will rise and fall as the years pass, but for now, this is where they rank.

The following quote’s received honorable mention, but didn’t make the cut for various reasons, mostly lack of use (or lack of ease of use). Perhaps you can recognize some of these quotes and tell us what movie they are from.

- ”I got him right where I want him.”
“Where’s that?”
“Right behind me with my pants around my ankles but it’s a start.”

- ”60% of the time, it works every time!”

- ”Is this how you feel every time? ”
“Well, not now, of course!”

- ”I knew it was your first time”

- ”My shit always works, sometimes!”

Share your favorite quotes or lines with us on Twitter or email us at tricycleoffense@gmail.com.

Anthony’s Articulated Arguments: 2012 NFL Draft: My Almost Traumatic Relapse

Anthony Sellers — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:28:24 +0000

As a devout Cleveland Browns fan growing up, I quickly learned I will always have one thing to look forward to every year. That is, and always will be, the third weekend of April when the NFL Draft occurs. You could only imagine my joy when 8 o’clock rolled around on Thursday night, April 26th, with my cell phone glued to my hand as I was stuck at work playing the role of an “exuberant” shoe salesman.

This year, the Browns started with the 4th pick in the draft, but traded up to the 3rd pick. Immediately, being the devout Cleveland Browns fan that I am now, I flashed back to 2001, when my beloved Browns had the 3rd pick in the draft. They chose DT Gerard “Big Money” Warren. “Big Money” was an appropriate nickname for Mr. Warren as well. He weighed 330 lbs. I mean, he probably ate the Benjamin’s that the Browns were paying him by the thousands, drizzled with some chocolate syrup and sprinkles, or, more likely, doused in A-1 Steak Sauce with them in the shape of a T-Bone steak. One thing was for sure, he definitely wasn’t very good at chewing up opposing teams running backs.

Speaking of running backs, the Browns had no running backs back in the day. They had players on their roster that were listed at running back, but let’s be real, they were just horrible actors. Peter Segal laughed at the thought of using them alongside Adam Sandler and Nelly in his film The Longest Yard. Just for the record, Nelly was the running back for the cons in that movie.

Recall that 2001 was the year the San Diego Chargers chose one LaDainian Tomlinson, with the fifth pick. The Fifth Pick!!! Yes, you read that right, running back LaDainian “I’m a future NFL Hall-of-Famer” Tomlinson was taken two picks after the Browns chose Gerard “Big Waste of Money and Space” Warren. Really? Really? Reaaaaallly!!

I’m not the least bit bitter about that. I swear!! No really, I’m not bitter!! I promise!

I will admit, back in 2001, the entire team was horrible, and even I could have helped them out back then, even though I was only 14 years old. I mean, I was a brick wall standing at 5’9” and weighing 100 lbs. even.

Snap back to 2012. Let’s look at what’s changed.

Change #1: Browns had the 4th pick, but traded up to 3rd pick.
Change #2: Fifth different coach since 2001.
Change #3: My beloved Browns still suck. Oh wait….yeah, nothing’s changed!

I am proud to be able to say that they have learned from their mistakes. They traded up one spot to draft Alabama running back Trent Richardson. I was elated when I read on my cell phone that the Browns had taken Trent Richardson. I almost didn’t believe it. I was like “Seriously, what kind of sick prank are my friends trying to pull on me here?” I left work just in time to see the Browns take their second first round pick. Yes we are that bad that we need two first round picks. I was also able to see on ESPN with my own two eyes that the Browns indeed drafted Trent Richardson.

However, my euphoric high was immediately sobered when quarterback Brandon Weeden’s name came across as the Browns next pick. I’m not taking anything away from Weeden’s talent, because I do believe he is talented and may help the Browns, but he is 28 years old. Not only is he 28 years old, but he will have no wide receiver’s to catch his passes. They have players on the roster that are listed as wide receivers, but let’s be real, they are just horrible actors (aside from Joshua Cribbs). Seriously, the Browns receiving corps has an under-the-table contract with Butterfingers. Nobody lays a finger on the other team’s football.

So, my fellow Browns fans, and any NFL fan that feels pity for myself and my fellow Browns fans, let’s make a toast. Here’s to rookie Brandon Weeden becoming close friends with and giving the ball to Trent Richardson multiple times, and that this duo actually makes the Browns a semi-competitive NFL team.

Roll Tide!