Top Five Sports Blogs

1. Bleacher Report - Bleacher Report is a website that cover various topics in almost every sport. Also, anyone can write for them; all you have to do is apply. I write for this site and you can find my articles by searching my name.

2. AZ Snake Pit - The AZ Snake Pit is an unofficial blog for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I like it because it gives me a fans' take and analysis.

3. MLB Rumors - MLB Rumors pertains to projected trades mostly. Anything that is heard through the grape vine is mentioned in this blog. I love this blog because baseball is my favorite sport and I keep up with it all season long.

4. Outta Town Clowns - OTC is a blog that covers the opinions on sports by Patrick McWeeny. I also wrote for this blog and it was started by one of my friends. It is now kept up by his buddy from Marquette University and provides great information on soccer and football.

5. True Hoop - True Hoop is an affiliate blog with ESPN. It covers the NBA and keeps you up to date with what is going on in basketball. I have played basketball and followed the NBA for my entire life, so this is a great blog if you are interested.

Feature Story Post: Michael Vick

The story I chose was about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Michael Vick. This feature article comes from Sports Illustrated written by S.L. Price on November 29, 2010, and is titled, "Is It O.K. To Cheer?" The article goes on to talk about Vick's crime and punishment for the abuse of dogs and being affiliated with the dog fights. Also, it talks about his redemption and second chance he received with the Philadelphia Eagles.

I would say this feature falls under profile and issue/idea. Not only do you get a sense of who Michael Vick is as a person, but it mainly deals with a snippet of his life. It does not fall under a typical profile feature which generally talks about someone's full life.

The conflict and tension in the story is Vick's time in jail and how he used it to turn around his life. It is resolved with a positive ending and shows that even in the worst of times, you always can improve and be given a second chance. This feature's theme, in my opinion, is discover. Vick was heralded as such a high-prized commodity in college and early on in his NFL career. But due to the crime he committed, he then reevaluated his life and turned it in a complete 180.

It is told in the third person view and the writer's voice is very professional. He tells you the facts, but also wants to portray Vick as a good guy. Mistakes are a part of life and it's unfortunate that Vick had to go through this, but ultimately it made him who he is today.

Having already heard parts of this story, it was nice to finally fill in the missing parts. I have always been a big fan of Vick and still am to this day. I think it is unfair for him to have been punished the way he was compared to other NFL players who have gotten away with murder and rape, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes. Overall I really liked this piece and it was nice to see that a role model I had as a kid was able to turn a bad situation into a life-altering style change.

News Round-Up: 9/26

Ozzie Guillen to accept managerial job with Florida Marlins: According to ESPN, Chicago White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, walked away from his job to accept a job in South Beach. The Florida Marlins will be happy to receive Guillen and his eccentric personality. The contract is yet to be determined and more details will surely be available in the next couple days.

Tampa Bay Rays tie Red Sox for Wild Card: The Red Sox were shoe-ins for the playoffs, right? Well not if you have one of the worst collapses in the month of September like the Sox are having. They lost again to the Baltimore Orioles and the Rays defeated the Yankees. Now both the Rays and Sox are tied with two games remaining and if both teams end tied, the Rays have the edge due to a better head-to-head record against Boston.

Braves drop another game, lead over Cardinals is one: The Atlanta Braves lost 4-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies but hold on to the wild card lead by one game because of a St. Louis loss as well. If the Braves can get victories in the next two games against the Phillies, they will have held on to their lead and barely squeaked into the playoffs.

Cowboys edge past Redskins by 2 thanks to six field goals: America's team defeated the Washington Redskins by the score of 18-16. Kicker Dan Bailey booted six field goals for the Cowboys  including a go-ahead 40-yarder with 1:42 left to seal the deal. Quarterback Tony Romo played even though he had a broken rib. Romo was 22-36 for 255 yards and threw an interception.

Tennessee's Kenny Britt out for season with torn ACL and MCL: Kenny Britt was carted off the field in Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos and was even see limping into the locker room."He was off to a great start this year as we all know, and he's a special player," head coach Mike Munchak said. "He's got a lot of work ahead of him. But he's young. We know that he'll be back next year."

Could Manny Ramirez Return to MLB?

Manny Ramirez was entering his 18th season, playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, then decided to retire due to the 100-game suspension he would have to serve for a second violation of MLB's drug policy.


Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday that he wants to be reinstated upon formal request.

"I would comply with my pending sanction and I would be available for any major league team," Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas via telephone from Miami. "I already informed (agent) Scott Boras of my decision to return and begin the process.

"If any team wants to sign me, I would play. If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement."

I really hope Ramirez does not come back and play in the majors. He left on bad terms and should not be reinstated. Also, I don't think he would help any team. He is already 39 years old and is way past his peak. 

Just stay out of the country, Manny! No one wants your shenanigans on or off the field anymore. 

Tucson Sentinel: Dylan Smith

Dylan Smith, editor and publisher of the Tucson Sentinel, was a great speaker and gave a lot of information about his job and experience with the website. He came to our class on Thursday, September 15.

The Tucson Sentinel is a " mix of online news and civic dialogue on a website dedicated to bringing you the best in reporting, analysis and debate" in Tucson. The most interesting thing he talked about was how everyone who writes for the website primarily does not get paid. He basically funds the entire website and takes it out of his savings account. That is a very daring feat to set out and accomplish, but Smith said that someone needs to do it.

Also, it was interesting to hear that most of the viewers who read and browse the site are in the Tucson area. I expected that for the answer, but was hoping he would say that others from around the United States would visit just to see what is going on in another part of the country. The followers also comment on many of the stories and Smith tries to keep in contact with them through the Tucson Sentinel website.

Brian Urlacher Questionable for Bears' Game (Update)

Brian Urlacher returned to practice on Thursday, says ESPN.

It is still unclear whether he will play on Sunday.

Brian Urlacher Questionable for Bears' Game

According to Sports Illustrated, Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher left the team to return to Texas to be with his family due to the death of his mother.

Lavoyda Urlacher died unexpectedly in her home and was only 51 years old.
"My first priority right now is to be with my family as we mourn her loss and make the arrangements to lay her to rest," Urlacher said. "This is a very difficult and emotional time for us and I sincerely ask that you respect our privacy."

The timetable for Urlacher's return is unknown and if he is to miss Sunday's game the Bears defense will surely be hit with a blow.

Chicago takes on New Orleans, who has a very explosive offense, and the Bears will need to be in full force if they want to stop Drew Brees and company.

Urlacher cannot be replaced and only time will tell if he is present or not in the game.