If you thought you understood courage, you ain't seen nothing yet

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Kenechi Udeze. Kenechi's experience in the NFL -- entering as an all-American from USC -- has been extremely different than most. 

That is a complete understatement.

Kenechi Udeze was a 1st round draft pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, by the Minnesota Vikings. He had an extremely successful first few years in the league, as a full time starter beginning his rookie year. He was every Vikings fan's favorite and was productive on the field -- and a star off the field. Everything had been going great for him.

Until February 11, 2008.

 

   *Udeze has been through a lot*

That date -- close to a year ago -- Udeze's life changed forever. He was diagnosed with a rare form of "acute leukemia" requiring a lot of treatment, including a bone marrow transplant from his brother. 

After working on regaining his health last offseason, he was put on Injured Reserve for this past season. 

He knew he wouldn't be playing in 2008, but hoped -- and vowed -- he'd be back in the Metrodome again. 

Now, after losing 50 pounds in the past year, January 26, has become another day Udeze and his loved ones will remember forever. Yesterday, he came out publicly by saying he hopes to --and plans -- on returning and playing football once again.                                                  

"My goal is when the team gets back together, I'll be in my jersey and on the sideline with them." 

Unbelievable. 

He has a few months before offseason training begins to make sure his health is in perfect condition for football, and I know you're with me when I say I can't wait until September 6, 2009 -- opening weekend of the NFL. 

After getting back on the practice field and playing in the preseason, that date will be the next to have major significance for Kenechi Udeze -- and for anyone who has hope. 

Kenechi Udeze is a true hero for all. What he is in the process of doing gives hope and courage too all. He's just another example of someone who is "never giving up"; he is a strong believer in "getting anything he puts his heart into."

When this news came out, I was so excited for him. As a Vikings fan, I was ecstatic that he will play for us again. 

As a sports fan, I was happy that he was getting back to doing what he loved.

But as a person, I was truly touched with his story, admired with what he went through, and encouraged to do anything I wanted.

I think it's safe to say that I can comfortably announce Kenechi Udeze as the best representer of being the "Purple Trojan" -- truly a hero in all of our books.

             *He will play again!*

Today's 5 most dynamic athletes

From time to time, I will now post galleries of some interesting topic. Today, I will start with a few of the greatest sports icons in today's world. These are younger (and newer) athletes who will one day (and already have) become the premier athlete in his sport. Enjoy:

LeBron James - One of the game's most exciting and productive players

Tiger Woods - On track to becoming the greatest golfer in history

Adrian Peterson - Changing the definition of running back: fast AND powerful

Michael Phelps - Enough said: 8 Golds

Usain Bolt - Fastest man alive

Brett Favre...another prolonged offseason of wonder and the reason no one cares about it

With the football offseason looming, one of the bigger offseason stories will once again revolve around Brett Favre.

**And by the way, I am sorry but his name should be spelled FARVE. The difference of the spelling and the pronunciation of his name has bothered me since I could remember. Just a pitiful display of incompetence.**

We have seen it in the past few years now. The anxious wait until Brett Favre retires. Starting in the summer of 2006, Favre has toyed with the option of retiring from the NFL. Hard to believe when someone thought it about the decision years ago is still playing -- and could return for a 2009 season. 

Being the all-time great and future Hall of Famer he is, #4 will bring about all the media surrounding his decision -- guaranteed. I'll be honest. I am getting sick of it. 

Last offseason was the worst. 

On March 6, Brett Favre (finally) retired from the NFL. In an emotional press conference, he called off the dogs. I still believe he was tearing up for the same reason I was. 

That the retirement saga had come to a close. 

However, after months with no media attention surrounding Favre, he appeared back in the national spotlight with a bang. He publicly debated the possible decisions -- of staying retired or coming back -- publicly for weeks, keeping many Favre -- and Packer fans -- glued to the television and computers, hoping for his return.

After months of deliberations, he actually wanted back in. But since there had been a four month period with no attention (aside from the deliberation process), he needed a tactic to bring the media on to him with full-throttle.

So, he said he wanted out of Green Bay. After he came out publicly by saying that, there was a month of intense deliberations on what would happen next. So, obviously, everything in sports relations had Favre as a main topic. 

Once he was traded to the Jets, played his first preseason game, and finally his first regular season game, everything seemed to calm down. 

Until a few months ago.

With what has already occurred this season/offseason, I am warning all you to be ready for the media onslaught that Favre will once again attract. 

During the season, when the Jets still had a shot to make the playoffs, he came out publicly and talked about possibly playing the last game of his career.

Now with their season in the books, I can only anticipate what will come about with his decision-making process. 

"Will he stay?" "Will he retire?" "Will he stay retired?" "Will he be traded?"

The questions can -- and will -- go on forever. It is certainly the reason why it is such an important offseason issue. 

Who knows what to expect this offseason. Well, with a QB problem brewing in Minnesota, he could be going to the Purple and Gold. 

            What? This explains Favre.

                     Photo: Cory Hollenhorst

He might as well. He already ruined his Green Bay tradition by going to New York. And the Jets, in that matter. Not even the New York Football Giants. 

Approaching the fourth consecutive offseason -- now called "Favre's Time" -- with the wonder of his decisions in football fans' mind, we have so much to be grateful for.:

Having a superstar athlete playing the media, giving us fans so much to get excited for with no football being played.

Since it has become so often he is deciding his future, people just don't care anymore. The media needs to lay off the issue. Favre and the national media are pulling a "boy who cried wolf" scenario. The longer this last, the more people will just jump off the deep end. 

It seems that it has become tradition for me to spend my summer awaiting Favre's decision. Other than the occasional baseball games, going to the beach, and being with friends/family, following Favre's topic has become one of best things to do in the summer.

Or most annoying. Why don't you make that call.

Enough is enough with sports media and their 'East Coast Bias"

Last night, I was flipping through the channels on my TV, and I came across some college basketball on ESPN - the "so-called" king of sports media. 

After watching some of the Duke/NC State game on Tuesday -- on ESPN -- I shrugged off my urge to watch the North Carolina/Clemson game last night. 

As an avid sports fan living in the heart of the west coast, I am tired of the east coast bias that ESPN -- and most major sports mediums -- surround themselves with and entail.

The examples are there. In every popular sport across this country, franchises and teams located on the eastern side of the US get more media attention than any other region by far, exlcuding maybe USC and the Dallas Cowboys. 

It seems to me that every night during the college basketball season, either UNC or Duke is playing on ESPN. Granted, I know that these are two of the premier teams and traditions in college basketball history.

But let me point something out.

UCLA may be the #1 basketball program of all time, and they are constantly in the top 10 in the rankings, including three straight Final Four bids. They will have three of their remaining games nationally televised.  Arizona State, also in the Pac-10, is a proven good squad now, thanks to the past few years. Currently ranked 17th in the nation -- and fresh off a victory at UCLA -- the Sun Devils are not perceived as a top program. And I don't believe it will ever happen for certain reasons. 

Maybe this will do the explaining. 

Notice something?  That's right. For the remainder of the season, they will have one game nationally broadcasted -- on ESPN. It's against UCLA. Outside the fans in the Pac-10, I am not sure many people even know ASU is ranked! In comparison, here is the rest of the schedule for UNC:

Yes. You are reading that correctly. That is 10 of their final 11 games will be nationally televised on a major network. And Duke's remaining games:

Oh. What a shame. Duke only has 9 of their final games nationally televised. 

College basketball is just one example of how the west coast gets the back seat in natinal attention. I mean, it makes sense when you know ESPN is centered in Bristol, CT. The New York market is less than an hour away, and it is easy to get caught up in what is around you. These TV stats reflect our current situation -- with conferences having TV deals for their games. Hopefully, the Pac-10 can get a better media deal in place in a few years. But, for now, I guess it sucks to be a west coast fan. 

Bear with me now as I flip on ESPN and catch the West Virginia/Georgetown game...nothing else is on.

Another take on Mark Sanchez's early departure...

Although much of the USC fan base is still deeply disappointed and disheartened after Mark Sanchez declared for the NFL Draft just a week ago, I look at another take on the decision. 

While it has quickly become tradition for the USC quarterback to stay on campus through his senior season, Mark Sanchez made the RIGHT decision in leaving. You can argue it all you want; the facts are there and I believe he made the best decision for HIMSELF.

The most interesting facet about Sanchez's case is that he was only "The Man" for a year. For a person who lied in the wings of prior stars (like Leinart and Booty) for three years, it would be easy to stay for a second year. 

Last week, Sanchez made the harder decision. He did what Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow couldn't do: give up an amazing senior year as the top dog  on one of the best college football programs of all time, forgo receiving more individual accolades, withdrawing having the opportunity to play for a national championship,  and letting go one more year of college life to go to the NFL, where he will start all over as a lowly rookie. 

With those three aforementioned stars staying in school, it was probably very smart for Sanchez to declare NOW. Coming off the performance he had at the Rose Bowl has him almost as high as he could possibly go, and with the lack of "great" QB talent in the draft, it will be a two man race (against Matthew Stafford of Georgia) to decide who is the 1st QB taken, and likely the #1 pick overall, to the Detroit Lions. 

A number of mock drafts have Sanchez actually going in that number 1 spot, including Scout.com:

Even if he doesn't become the first player taken, it is very likely he would be in the Top 10. Financially, being the Number 1 pick would mean a $70 million contract, with at least #30 million guaranteed. A 10th pick for Sanchez would likely mean at least a $40 million contract with $20 million in guaranteed money. Although that comes out to being a large difference, when you get $40 million, you are definitely well off. Don't forget...If Stafford goes #1, there is a very large chance of Sanchez going #3 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Aside from the financial decisions, Mark Sanchez will be finishing up school this semester and obtaining his college degree in Communications -- something that heavily weighed on his decision-making. Now he can have his cake and eat it too. 

The decision has been made. Mark Sanchez is going to the NFL. Apologies to Pete Carroll, but Mark Sanchez is ready for the NFL, and the NFL is ready for Mark Sanchez. We will find out April 25 if his decision PAID off... 

In the mean time, we need to embrace our next star quarterback, whether it be Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain, Matt Barkely, or Garrett Green...

Randy Moss Sighting

With the Cardinals in the Super Bowl (whoa, that doesn't sound right -- let me say that again)

With Larry Fitzgerald in the Super Bowl this year, there has been a lot of talk about him being the best player at his position, RIGHT now. Not too many can argue that, especially if you look at his postseason numbers. (23 receptions, 419 yards, and 5 touchdowns) One word describes that feat: R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S.

There is also plenty of talk of Fitzgerald being the best WR ever! Now, we all know he is ridiculous at what he does and he is so filthy that I could play QB and lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl with him lining up at wide, but the best? With all do respect, (I do adore the talent of Larry Fitzgerald) I don't think he is at that first tier of NFL wide receivers, although he could be headed in that direction. With my doubts looming in my head, this led me to track down a video of Randy Moss. Randy Moss in his prime. Randy Moss in his prime, with the Minnesota Vikings. 

If Randy Moss stayed with the Vikings throughout his tenure in the NFL, he easily could have become the most prolific receiver in NFL history. Check out the clip and see for yourself if you can remember his greatness...in the Purple and Gold! -- at 3:17, the definition of Randy Moss' speed is exposed. 

Welcome "blog-o-sphere-ans"

Let's take a moment of silence as I have begun another journey into the world of blogging. 

As a student manager for USC Football, I encountered my first opportunity to tap into the blogging hype, with this unique perspective on the team. Take a look: 

http://uscjimokes.blogspot.com/

The Jimokes blog allowed me to share with you my experience with USC Football throughout the 2008-09 season. However, it forced me to stay on the objective side while writing. 

This new blog will reflect my feelings across all areas and levels of the sports world, sometimes leading towards a bias that includes the USC Trojans and Minnesota Vikings.