It finally happened... the Carolina Panthers released John Kasay, my all time favorite player for the Panthers. 
I am at the age now where i am really noticing these kinds of things. Football player careers are short, and a 16 year stint with the Panthers is very long time in the world of the NFL.And yet... i am very sad that this day has come for John Kasay. When i asked for a Carolina Panthers jersey, i was specific that i wanted the number 4, with John Kasay's name on the back. The man is simply a class act. Scott Fowler at the Charlotte Observer has done a couple of really nice articles, but i will add my agreement with his sentiments here. John Kasay was pretty consistent. With the exception of the year he tore his ACL (while making a tackle on a kick return no less), he was almost automatic. 
Whenever he made a game winning field goal he always deflected the praise to his teammates for getting him in the position to kick the score, and when he missed - and especially after the bad kickoff in the SB against the Patriots he always took it upon himself, that he was the one who let his teammates down. At the end of the day it is a team sport, and it always is a team effort. But John Kasay left his mark outside the locker room as well, being a vital part of his community, and never shied away from his faith in Christ. He will be missed, and by more than just myself. I hope the Panthers add him to their "Hall of Honor". I would love to make a trip down to the game when they do this - or even just for the ceremony if they do it in the off season. I wish more professional athletes were as humble and upright as John Kasay.With that segue, sort of, in additional to Caleb Campbell being on the Detroit Lions roster, the Lions have invited Collen Mooney to camp. Caleb Campbell is #53 and a Linebacker. 
He played safety for Army "in the day", but was moved up to be a speedy linebacker. Last year Caleb spent most of his time on the practice squad, but did make it up to the #53 man roster a time or two. Collin Mooney was a Fullback for Army and currently has the single season rushing record for them. The Lions had 2 Fullbacks on the roster, but only ever suited one - one article i said that the Lions may try and see how he does as a "Power" Running back. 
While i am still not sure of either man's chances of making the final 53 man roster, or even the practice squads this year, i am still very glad to see West Point being represented in the NFL. It doesn't hurt that both of them a Artillerymen either. 
So... i will be watching both men, and if they both make the roster... i just might have to get some kind of Lions paraphernalia. 
Go ARMY!
He played safety for Army "in the day", but was moved up to be a speedy linebacker. Last year Caleb spent most of his time on the practice squad, but did make it up to the #53 man roster a time or two. Collin Mooney was a Fullback for Army and currently has the single season rushing record for them. The Lions had 2 Fullbacks on the roster, but only ever suited one - one article i said that the Lions may try and see how he does as a "Power" Running back. While i am still not sure of either man's chances of making the final 53 man roster, or even the practice squads this year, i am still very glad to see West Point being represented in the NFL. It doesn't hurt that both of them a Artillerymen either. So... i will be watching both men, and if they both make the roster... i just might have to get some kind of Lions paraphernalia. Go ARMY!
I am going to make it official... i am aligning myself with the American National Tea Party. I have grown to despise the cross-aisle finger pointing and bickering. I am tired of the laws of the land not applying to those who are supposed to "represent" us. I am tired of the very people that are supposed to express the point of view of their constituency not "getting it", and i am especially tired of this nation getting deeper and deeper into debt every year. There are some exceptions, and i am not pointing the finger at either of the two main political parties. Over 11% of the annual budget is interest. Just interest, not principle of the load, just the interest. I have heard it put this way:"If the US Government was a family, they would be making $58,000 a year, they spend $75,000 a year, and are $327,000 in credit card debt. They are currently proposing BIG spending cuts to reduce their spending to $72,000 a year. These are the actual proportions of the federal budget and debt, reduced to a level that we can understand." ~ Dave Ramsey
It is just not sustainable. If i ran my house this way, i would be in bankruptcy and out on the street. Those who represent us need to grow a set of _____ and put on their big girl panties and make some really hard decisions. 
They need to tread carefully of course, but their eyes shouldn't wander to places like Social Security, Medicare, or the retirement "entitlement" those who have retired after 20+ years of service to this country. Those programs are people - generally - from the lower income brackets who have put their time in, who have busted their tails all their lives. There are plenty of other areas that could be scrutinized and pinched. No plan is going to make everyone happy, and every plan is going to make somebody mad, but this country is heading down into a hole that is inescapable if we are not careful. 
And before anyone goes off spouting that the Tea Party is a bunch of bigots, do some research to see just who makes up the rank and file of this political party's supporters. I think our country is past due for a couple of more political parties with influence beyond the Democrats and the Republicans. Checks and balances. Since the Tea Party is predominantly conservative, i feel that a subset of the Democratic liberal would be apropos.
They need to tread carefully of course, but their eyes shouldn't wander to places like Social Security, Medicare, or the retirement "entitlement" those who have retired after 20+ years of service to this country. Those programs are people - generally - from the lower income brackets who have put their time in, who have busted their tails all their lives. There are plenty of other areas that could be scrutinized and pinched. No plan is going to make everyone happy, and every plan is going to make somebody mad, but this country is heading down into a hole that is inescapable if we are not careful. And before anyone goes off spouting that the Tea Party is a bunch of bigots, do some research to see just who makes up the rank and file of this political party's supporters. I think our country is past due for a couple of more political parties with influence beyond the Democrats and the Republicans. Checks and balances. Since the Tea Party is predominantly conservative, i feel that a subset of the Democratic liberal would be apropos. 
When i showed the new piece to DS1 he told me, "I don't get it". *sigh* 
Well, it's a good thing i do not have illusions of grandeur. 
This has brought me up to a total of about 800 words for the month. I am still a little behind my daily goal, but at least it was some progress. I'm still disappointed that i can't count blogging into my word count totals. 
