The 3 Guys Oklahoma Needs to look at to be the next DC.

Let’s face it, Oklahoma’s D is terrible. After giving up 40 to Kansas, it is obvious that there needs to be a an overhaul in staff. I think Ruffin is a nice enough guy, but I think there should be a complete overhaul in regards to staff. That starts with a defensive coordinator who will lead and recruit guys who will make tackles. I honestly would love to see Jerry Montgomery, d line coach for the Packers and former OU D line coach, come back but it’s hard to pull coaches back in to college ball after being in the NFL.

1) David Reaves, DC at UAB

UAB ranks 3rd in total defense, 1st in 3rd down defense, 4th in passing yards allowed, and 15th in Red Zone D where as OU ranks 80th, 83rd, 116th, and 128th respectively in those categories. Sure, they play in a conference that doesn’t have the volatile offenses the Big 12 has, but his squad is strong in some areas where the Sooners are weak. 

2) Marcus Freeman DC at Cincinnati 

Freeman’s bunch is 6th in total D, 2nd in 3rd down D, 14th in passing D, and 30th in Red Zone D. Again, give him the type of athletes OU can draw and I think he could bring improvement. 

3) Clint Bowen DC at Kansas(for the moment)

Those guys proved a lot last night and kept OU at bay fairly well for the mediocre athletes they have on field. With the exception of the OSU and the Nichols State games, they weren’t too bad. I think he understands the conference and with the athletes he could have at OU, he could do well and with Les Miles being hired at Kansas this morning, he may need a gig. 

I stand by my picks and feel that a complete overhaul is what Riley is going to need to get the defense at a level that will let Sooners be truly competitive at the national level. 

#NCAA #BIGXII #OKLAHOMA #COLLEGEFOOTBALL #UAB #CINCINNATI #KANSAS

Anyone else with me in the middle?

So you look around and it’s extreme everything. It’s also became a societal belief that if you agree with one party on a political issue, then you are a hardcore whichever side you are on for that issue. This belief has been a big part of what has caused the animosity in our country. 

So what about us here in the middle? I’m a teacher and I’m for public education so most people associate that with Democrats and everything liberal. In today’s society, they would also believe that I agree with everything was the party stands for, which isn’t true. In fact, virtually every time I take a test to figure out my “political compass,” I score in the middle or centrist. I have a feeling there’s more out there like me, they may not be an exact centrist, but they are a lot closer to middle that what most people assume. 

One of my favorite comedians, William Lee Martin, formerly known as Cowboy Bill Martin, just started a new segment called “Living in the Middle.” This resonates with me immensely. 

I just hope we can think about this and realize that we all don’t necessarily agree with one another, that we also realize that we all different opinions on different things and those opinions may not all align with one political party or the other.

It might bring us back together, but these are really just my random thoughts. 

#blog #opinion #politics #humanbeings 

I really shouldn't need to say this....

But you've got to know when to shut your mouth. Miguel Montero, now formerly of the Chicago Cubs, called out pitcher Jake Arrieta in the media for a recent loss. Well, this morning the Cubs DFA'd Montero and that's all she wrote. 

This is a great example of how not to handle difficulties at work. Use your chain of command, vent to a trusted friend, something just don't blast them on social media where it can come back to bite you in the butt. This should be a given, but obviously it isn't. 

I hope everyone can take a lesson and just kno when you are made to just shut up. You don't think straight and can say stuff that can get you  in trouble or fired. Who knows why folks do this but these are really just my random thoughts. 

#baseball #blog #Cubs #commonsense #worketiquette #fired #dumbmistake 

I'm back

Hey y'all, I'm back with some more of my random thoughts. If you are leaving a voice mail dealing with a business matter, leave your number at least twice. My seasonal temp job is in sales and the amount of people that don't leave a number is astonishing. Also, if you are filling out an online request for information that requires your phone number, make sure your voice mail is set and/or not full. That's not a great impression and you are losing the opportunity to do business that will benefit you. This should be common sense, but it is really just my random thoughts.  #business #success #voicemail #phone #blog #random 

Anybody else where I am at?

I'm there. I've hit that age where going to a place full of women that cut guys' hair while wearing tight referee outfits while you watch tv isn't for me any more. I'm ready to go back to a barbershop where a man cuts my hair and shaves with a straight razor is what I want in the way of grooming. 

Don't get me wrong, the hot towel and massage and all that other jazz is nice, but it's time to move on. 

What about you? Maybe I'm crazy, but again these are really just my random thoughts. 

What's your resolution?

It's NYE and I know, I haven't wrote in a while. My question is what is your resolution? If you ask me this year, my answer is we'll see. 

My reason is that I'm wanting to this year to be one of more action and less words. I'm going to write down my goals and hope that I make an impact strong enough that folks will see something happening. Don't get me wrong, it's not for approval, but I like we as a society, myself included, talk too much anymore. Successful people write down goals and I've never taken the time to do so, so here go? 

So my question, what is your resolution? Again, these are really just my random thoughts. 

Happy 2016 everyone.

Seriously NFL?

This is the question I pose after reading that Cameron Heyward, son of NFL legend Craig "Iron Head" Heyward, has settled with the NFL on fines for having the words "Iron Head" in his eye black paying tribute to his late father. Fined for eye black honoring his father? Seriously NFL?

This is absolutely ridiculous and I can hear now "well if this is allowed others will write all kinds of stuff." If it's inappropriate, ok sure, but being fined for honoring one's father, who was a renowned player it's own league is simply asinine.

My other question is this to Roger Goodell, "doesn't the league have a lot bigger things to deal with outside of this? 

The NFL has become known as the "No Fun League" to many including me. They are more worried about business and less about football and even the players it seems. 

I don't know I could be wrong, but again these are really just my random thoughts.

Wings for breakfast anyone?

Ok, first I know it has been a while, but I'm back. Now, it's 7:50 in the morning and I'm craving wings! Some garlic parm and Asian style or my fav combo, bbq parm. 

This brings me to my thoughts, I'd rather have "lunch or dinner" foods in the morning and breakfast burritos is always an option for dinner. Brings me to say "about dang time" to McDonald's for making breakfast available all day. Now, step it up and make the whole menu available all day. How many of you have wanted chicken nuggets for breakfast or a chalupa for breakfast from Taco Bell. Yeah there are other options that do full menu all day, but sometimes there is certain things you want. 

Maybe I'm wrong, but again these are really just my random thoughts. 

What's Your Battle?

First of all, my apologies, it's been a while but I'm back! In my time away from the blog, I've been reading and I just finished former ESPN personality Stuart Scott's memoir, Every Day I Fight. It details his life and battle with cancer which he passed away from in January. Between this book and an incident that occurred on July 1, I've adopted Every Day I Fight as my new mantra. 

    I had a neighbor who's hired help had been parking on my property and I just wanted to man up and discuss it with him. Well he decided that calling me a "fat f@&$" about 23 times in a 5 minute conversation and that people like me were the problems in his life. Thankfully, I didn't stoop to his level and didn't cuss at him once. I credit my faith and strength from God himself for allowing me to stand strong and for realizing that some people are just going to be that way. 

    Anyway, while cancer isn't my battle, I have plenty in my life and I'm choosing to fight hard everyday. Whether it's my weight loss, my relationship with Jesus, my relationship with my wife, family, and friends, or to be the best teacher, every day I will fight to be that. 

There will be days I will struggle, but I will fight. To paraphrase Scott's ESPY award acceptance speech, you beat cancer(or whatever your battle is) by the way you live. And if I work hard to do my best in every aspect, then I will feel like a winner in my battles. If you want someone to pray with you through your battles, email me, ericjustinbates@gmail.com. 

But you know, these are really just my random thoughts.

Maybe we need a little more of this?

Today, our little town had Pioneer Day. I looked around and took pics(as you can see) and thought how if we had more of this going on, we'd have less crap in our world. 

Everything from a bed race, turtle races, a pizza eating contest, hot dog eating contest, and other things between. 

Simple, good clean fun for families. Who knows, maybe I'm crazy but again, these are really just my random thoughts.

Could Sam Presti be making his "3rd Strike" decision with Donovan?

With reports that Oklahoma City is in "serious talks" with Flordia's Billy Donovan to become the next head coach of the Thunder, one has to wonder, is Sam Presti making his 3rd big mistake as the team's GM? 

Mistake 1 was letting James Harden go to Houston. If OKC keeps him, I think last and this year's results are different. 

Mistake 2 was Kendrick Perkins' ridiculous contract that kept him on the team WAY past his productive prime. Presti got lucky in being able to trade him off to Utah this year in the big 3 team trade that brought Enes Kanter and others to OKC. 

Colleges coaches with no previous NBA experience don't have the best track record, so why would Presti hire a guy like that when there are better options out there? 

Time will tell if this makes Presti look like a genius or sends him looking for another job. But of course, these are really just my random thoughts.

Have you figured these out?

So, sitting there thinking about what is going on in our lives, I got to thinking about things that if people knew and accepted, that life would be easier. 

1. Some people just suck.

Some people just choose to be a jerk. Responding to these people just fan their flame and make you more upset in the long run. Learning to deal with them and going on about life will take you a long way.

2. Family goes beyond blood.

There are those people that may not be related to you, but they will go to bat and be there for you just like (or even better than sometimes) family will. Recognize these people and treat them the same way. 

3. High school was a big smoke screen of BS.

There were so many fake people in high school, you thought you were in a sit-com. The real world saw through it real quick, or at least that first week of college.

4. College doesn't teach you everything you needed for your job.

As a teacher, there was A LOT I didn't learn how to deal with in college, it generally only comes from experience.

5. Money changes people.

When someone gets a job (or a spouts with a job) that changes their tax bracket, don't be surprised to see them change, and not usually for the better. If they treat you different just because they have more  money now, they weren't really who you thought in the long run.

Realizing these things will help your life immensely, but again, these are really just my random thoughts.

Is there any sports journalism that isn't crap anymore?

Today, as sanctions came against Oklahoma State University's football team. A couple of years ago, Sports Illustrated's Thayer Evans released an article about "major violations" committed  by OSU's program. Today, SI commended Thayer Evans for his work, despite the fact that the penalty was nothing major as there no major infractions. 

The funny thing about this, money was supposedly given to players as reported by Evans, but did he talk to any of these players, no. This is horrid journalistic integrity by Evans and by SI allowing it. SI wouldn't even allow Evans to be interviewed, which to me says they really knew that it was pure crap. The worst part is, Evans was on record as being a Cowboy hater, how could SI allow someone with a grudge go after this? Yet today, they commend and celebrate a "victory." 

My point is, the "major" sports media outlets have mostly gone to crap. ESPN has come to the point they want to find the entertainment value and looking for the "story behind the story" in everything. Give me some highlights, stats, and maybe a key point to win and go on. Now, I do think ESPN does a good job with some of the 30 for 30 programs they've done. But in the big picture, it's became ridiculous. 

Granted these are my opinions and really just my random thoughts.

Could this really be the best 2 days in sports?

Today, in less in 1 hour begins the full fledge NCAA basketball tournament. For me, this, especially the first 2 days maybe the greatest 2 days in sports! Listening to talk radio, the topic has came up over the last couple of days. Something I learned, 9 BILLION will be wagered on this total event! That's over twice the amount wagered on the Super Bowl. 

The action, the upsets, and the fact I can see it on channels at once (great excuse to go to B Dubs!) that is why it is the greatest 2 days in sports for me! 

But again, these are really just my random thoughts!

My respect for Mike Golic just went up!

Watching Mike and Mike this morning, in light of the Chris Borland decision to retire from the 49ers fearing brain injury, Golic got an email asking him if he would tell his own son would to hide his concussion. 

Mike then said he was in this situation and said he failed. His son(who just had his pro day) was in high school and took a shot and hit the ground. He was taken to the ambulance and Golic was told the medics wanted take him in for observation. He asked his son how felt and his son said he blacked out for a second but he felt fine. He said let's take him back. Coaches asked him if he wanted his son to go back in and he said yes.

Mike flat out said he messed up that time. Right there, my level of respect for Golic went up. He talked about how maybe the medics should have the ability to override the decision. He reiterated that he messed up in this situation. 

I wish the parent of every kid playing football would listen to what he said and take it to heart. The fact that a former NFL player said he messed up in handling his own son's situation should speak volumes to these fathers who didn't play beyond their high school years. 

That really struck a chord with me, but again, these are really just my random thoughts.

Match-ups that might give Kentucky trouble

So Kentucky moves into the NCAA tourney undefeated, having been challenged only a few times. After looking    at the season, I have come up with who I think could do it. 

1. Virginia

2. Wisconsin

3. Iowa St

The big reason, these 3 play great D. Granted, they won't have a chance to see any of these until the Final Four or Championship game.

I see the Wildcat nation being all defensive, remember, I'm just a basketball fan/blogger giving my opinion.

Seeing, Kentucky's road, I think they will probably see Notre Dame in the a Elite Eight, but that may be the biggest challenge they see until the Final Four. 

Again, these are really just my random thoughts.

Breakfast should be like this every morning.

First morning of Spring break and my wife says "let's go to Hugo's!" Well, this makes me very excited and you'll see why shortly. 

Hugo's is in Claremore, Ok and serves breakfast all day, well 6am-2pm anyway. They specialize in breakfast and big portions. First time we went, we split an omelette and got a side of bacon. I swear there was like half a pig on this plate. Well, we back this morning and each got our own plate. I got the 3 eggs and chicken fried steak which comes with a huge portion of German style hash browns and a biscuit and gravy. The biscuit is homemade by the at. 

The wife got the ham and cheese omelette with the German potatoes and she went with toast. 

Well, it was delicious as usual as you can tell from the picture. The whole bill was less than $22. Good food, good people, and good prices. If you are in NE Oklahoma, go check it out.

The Gnarley Dawg!!!

I had to grab a quick lunch Saturday and saw this place, The Gnarley Dawg, that was half of a mile away. I'm really glad I checked it out. My apologies for crappy pics, one day I'll upgrade to a phone with a better camera. 

Some great choices of quality dogs, burgers, sausages, and chili. Their sauces are fantastic as well. 

I enjoyed The Hooch which is their in-house made brat, sauerkraut, mustard, and a dash of celery salt. I also had the Frito chili pie which I thought was great. The chili has just the right amount of kick, but they provide cayenne powder on te table if you need more. 

I asked the gentleman that helped us about the restaraunt and he said they were recently under new ownership and are looking to expand the menu and new locations. 

If you want to see the full menu and get some more info, check them out at www.gnarleydawg.com

I don't care where you are a Real Housewife!

So my wife enjoys the "Real Housewives" collection of shows. I can't freaking stand them. I will sit there and watch to be spending time with her, but most of the time I leave the room.

To me, the fact that these shows about the drama of the housewives of rich men are an example of how pathetic television has become. Who gives a crap whether this woman was rude at your party? I don't understand the enjoyment of watching this. I personally like to avoid drama, much less watch it on television and far much less the level of stupidity that these people can take it to. 

The worse part is, the growing number of people watching this crap allows these people to get richer! This crap is right up there with Honey Boo Boo(talk about a show I felt dumber after seeing 10 minutes of.) 

We all have our preferences of television, but this stuff is asinine. Yes, I have the right and ability to change the channel, and you can get your butt that I do. Call me crazy, but these are really just my random thoughts.

Could McGary be the piece the Thunder really needed?

Mitch McGary was pulled up from the Thunder's D League team, the OKC Blue, and made the most of his first game back. McGary put up 19 in 23 minutes in the Thunder's 131-108 victory over the Clippers this afternoon.

This leads the question, could he be the spark? I think so as he brings an energy that OKC has missed all season. If they can continue to get solid play from him and stay healthy, they could very well climb back into the playoffs and what team will really want to see a surging Thunder team in the first round...nobody.

Time will tell whether this first game back was a fluke or the start of a run, but again, these are really just my random thoughts.