Brandon Banks: If you don't know, SMH.

Brandon Banks ring a bell? Well it should. He is the best player in college football that no one is talking about outside of the state of Kansas and the Big 12 conference. The 5'7" 142 pound senior wide receiver out of Kansas State will be a household name this year, watch.

Have you heard of Percy Harvin and Jeff Demps, the two wideouts that left dead grass streaks all of the SEC last year? I'm sure you have, Harvin was a first round draft pick last year, and Demp is one of Florida's top returning players. Banks is considerably smaller than both, although they all three have the same playing style, but Banks is better than both of the Florida standouts. Yes, I said it. He is just as quick, a better route runner, has better hands, and for as small as he is he goes over the middle fearlessly. If he Banks was 5'10 175 and not 5'7 142 he would have been a 5 star recruit coming out of Bakersfield Junior College.

Look at last year's number for the KSU wideout. He posted 67 grabs for 1049 yards and 9 tds, added one more with a 93 yard touchdown run against Mizzou, and a 98 yard kick off return against Nebraska. I can't wait to see what he does in 2009. Whatever it is, it will be monumental and this kid will play in the NFL. Once he gets there, he needs to buy Roscoe Parrish, Santana Moss, and Sinorice Moss all nice watches for bringing the extremely small wideouts back into style. I can go on forever about this kid, but I'll let his highlight tape do the talking.

That's all I got,

Ricky Writer

What about the good things?

I got home late last night from being back home in the great state of Oklahoma. It was very nice to get out of Longhorn country and actually see the Longhorn sign turned the right way, upside down that is. The sight of crimson and cream everywhere was pleasant as well as opposed to the burnt orange I am forced to deal with in Austin. As I ate my P.Terry's burger you already know what channel I turned to, ESPN, my love for the channel is endless.

My football withdrawals will begin to increase once the NBA playoffs are over in about 7-10 days. The burger tasted so good, but what I saw on television disturbed me. Sportscenter ran an entire Outside The Lines story on Denver Broncos wideout, Brandon Marshall, and his domestic abuse history with his ex-girlfriend.

The story featured his ex-girlfriend, Rasheeda Watley's accounts of the domestic abuse from Marshall, and interviews with her parents. The story also featured 911 calls by Watley and her friend while being involved in incidents with Marshall. There's always two sides to a story and Marshall declined to share his side for the Outside The Lines piece, but talked with Bob Ley about the incidents after the piece. He denied that he ever physically abused his former girlfriend.

My opinion on whether or not he is lying doesn't matter. The truth will come out sooner or later and I hope for his sake he is telling the truth. If he is lying, I hope he gets counseling and is able to put this behind him.

My concern is the purpose of the story. Who approached who? Did ESPN contact Rasheeda Watley or did she contact them? What was the true purpose of this story? To make Brandon Marshall look bad? Highlight domestic abuse in the NFL? Show that according to the Watley's, the NFL condones domestic abuse?

I have a huge problem with ESPN especially with stories like this. It's a love hate thing. I love the channel, but to be honest do I have an alternative, Fox Sports? Nope, I'm right, I don't have an alternative. I love ESPN for all that they do, but why do I hear about the negative sports news 51 weeks out of the year and they only feature the "Make a Wish" foundation segment one week out of the year?

The only time they talk about the good things an athlete does is during their "Make A Wish" segment or when they are glorifying Tim Tebow.

I just want the station to even it out a little bit. For every bad story about Pac-Man, Plax, Mike Vick, and now B-Marshall, I want a story about an athlete who has done some exceptional for his/her community. I mean there are 1,696 NFL players in the league. One of them has to be doing something great for his community that is worth reporting.


ESPN do better please,


Riverboat Ricky

49er WR Brandon Jones visits with Richard Boadu

Richard Boadu of 6Magazine stopped on the internet superhighway to have a conversation with San Francisco 49er WR, Brandon Jones. Take a look and enjoy.

Trendsetter

There is a difference between LaDainian Tomlinson and Marvin Harrison. Beside position, height, weight, favorite color, favorite food etc. Those are besides the point, the difference I want to point out is their pride.

Marvin Harrison was asked to take a pay cut by the Indianapolis Colts a few weeks back, which he did not want to do. He asked for his release and the team gave it to him. Understandable. No, I take that back, not understandable. Before I get into my rant, I feel that the Colts should have done everything in their power to keep Marvin. I know that Marvin was not 100% last season, and I know his skills have not diminished and that he is still a #1 receiver. But Marvin could have given in a little as well. Why not restructure your deal to help your team bring in a few more pieces to the puzzle to win another championship, why not end your career as a Colt, and you have to realize that although your skills have not eroded just yet that they soon will and you will not be worth the money you signed for several years ago.

LT on the other hand by all accounts is aware of these facts. Set to make 24 milli over the next three years, the Chargers felt LT wasn't worth it. They can say cap space, smap space, but in the end that is what it comes down to. They feel he isn't worth it. Are they correct? I'm not sure. I mean LT was injured last year and his offensive line didn't help him all that much. For those so quick to jump on the Darren Sproles band wagon and annoint him the starter, he only had one rushing td all last year. Whether LT was worth the 24 million or not, he knew he wasn't getting any younger, he wants to help his team win a championship, and he wants to stay loyal to his team and fans. Now, I commend that.

I feel Marvin's stance, and like I said, he is still a #1 receiver in this league in my eyes as LT is a #1 back. The sooner big salary aging veterans realize their skills are deteriorating the better. If you are over the age of 32 you need to be playing at a Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner, Terrell Owens, and Donovan McNabb level to be making A+ money. If not, swallow your pride, take the paycut, stay on your winning team, and bow out gracefully especially if the only team you've ever known still wants as a member of their team.


That's all I've got to type,



Ricky Writer