The Train Daddy is back and it’s that time of year where I show the world my fingering abilities, FaaaaaNG Fingers! It’s an exciting time in the world of sports, the NFL draft, the race to the Stanley Cup and the NBA battles it out for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The NBA needs to change their trophy name desperately. It was once named the Walter A. Brown Trophy, still an awful name for your sports glory trophy. Everyone knows the NFL has the Lombardi trophy, the NHL has the Stanley Cup, baseball has the Commissioners Trophy, and the NBA has the Mr. Larry O’Brien Trophy.
I am just pointing out the obvious here to my loyal sport readers and fans, that’s what the Train Daddy does, and that’s why many love me and many hate me. I guess my article on comparing Black history month to the Chicago Cubs made a lot of people talk; many loved it and agreed, and some despised it and hated it. If you missed that article, check it out here.
I am the most passionate sports fan in the country, and I love to share my passion to my readers in a real way that is only the Train Daddy’s way. I only speak from the heart, and anything I print on paper is my 100 percent belief and my brain’s thoughts put to ink. My articles make people laugh and blush, they make people mad, they spark conversation and debate on what really is right or wrong on topics of sports and real life. It’s all from my heart; hate it or love it, it’s real!
Looking at the Titans’ Draft Class
So let’s actually talk about sports here. The Tennessee Titans were busy in the war room deciding what pieces would fit and what players would make a difference fresh off the boards. I was a skeptic and excited all at the same time with the Titans first-round pick, Kendall Wright, a 5′ 10″ receiver out of Baylor. Two receivers were taken prior to Wright at the 5 and 13 spot. Many experts and myself agree that Wright is as talented as both, if not faster and a better route runner. It all comes down to his little size that was the difference. I believe that Wright is a reliable route runner and return threat, he is explosive and can be groomed to become part of the dual threat at receiver opposite Kenny Britt. If anyone argues that the kid will be a bust because of his size, remind them of these elite receivers, all of which are Wright’s exact size: Steve Smith, Greg Jennings, DeSean Jackson and Wes Welker. There is also one guy named Derrick Mason, and if you bleed Code Blue like I do, Wright and Mason look identical size-wise, both very quick and great route runners. It’s a new age and size isn’t always what people make it to be at the receiver position. It’s about being at the right place at the right time.
The Titans second round pick was also a shock for me; they did take a linebacker, just not the one I thought they would take. The Titans took Zach Brown, the fastest linebacker in the draft out of UNC. He is almost identical to Will Witherspoon, just much faster. The kid has track-star speed, but many say he lacks strength and power when it comes to tackling. I am split with this decision; I am excited to see how it pans out. I was interested in Lavonte David who went a few picks after Zach and was ranked higher on the mocks. I am not a scout for the Titans; I just express my thoughts.
With their third pick, the Titans took DT Mike Martin, a bowling ball to block, and with Karl Klug already on the squad, this was a great third-round pick. The Titans will get great push up the middle with these two.
The fifth-round pick, Taylor Thompson out of SMU, was the weirdest pick for me; it’s a gamble that could pay off. Thompson was a DE in college and was drafted as a tight end. He never caught a single pass in his college career. He decided to change positions prior to the draft and has been working on catching balls and running routes. He had seven teams interested in drafting him and converting him into a tight end. At 6′ 6″ and 259 pounds, he is athletic enough and fast enough to be special.
If we learned one thing about this year’s draft, the Titans drafted all speed. Every player drafted was undersized and super fast. Five out of seven were defensive players, all with impressive 40-yard dashes. I bleed a sexy shade of Code Blue, and I ride with the Tennessee Titans. It’s fans like myself that will see this team to the Promised Land soon!
Bring the Cup to Nashville!
As of press time, the Nashville Predators were down 0-2 in their second-round matchup with the Phoenix Coyotes. All I know is, down 0-2, I still feel great about the chances. I am looking to the future, but I know the Predators will take care of business at home.
It was a pleasure watching the Predators destroy the Red Wings. Everything about Detroit is just dirty, and the show Hardcore Pawn just describes the filth of the city. I will say that the Red Wings have a rich winning tradition in place and plenty of good history. It was a pleasure watching this rivalry between the Wings and Preds grow over the years, and even more pleasurable watching the beatdown given to the Wings in the first round courtesy of Pekke Rinne. The Phoenix vs. Predators matchup looks to be a seven-game series, and I am excited. These teams mirror each other. Overall, the Predators have way more talent from top to bottom, but the Coyotes are young and very talented. The Predators have been growing over the past few years and have reached a level of play good enough to compete for the Stanley Cup. Players like Pekke Rinne (an elite goalie in the game), players like Shea Webber, Ryan Sutter, Martin Erat, David Legwand, Kevin Klein, Patrick Hornqvist and the Tootoo. Where is the Tootoo? Jordin had one of the best regular seasons of his career and has recently been scratched from games while healthy. He is not taking it lying down and has been very vocal about his anger towards not playing. In his last 15 games, his production has been way down with one assist and a -7 production rating; the coach has been rolling with the hot players. I hope to hear the whistles blowing soon before the playoffs wrap up; I love the toot of the whistle. A player will never get out of a slump unless he gets playing time.
I know the Predators have what it takes, and I will ride with that long-fanged cat-looking beast all the way to the Stanley Cup. The excitement would be second to none in Nashville. Thanks to fans like Cell Block 303 and the Corn Bread Killas, fans like you create a franchise. No band-wagon fans here baby!
The Train Daddy is out. Remember if you see a hater in the street, do the Albert Head Stomp on that fool’s head. Peace and Love my People, I am thy Great Korn-Holio!
