The Train Daddy is back, bringing sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! As we say goodbye to summer and welcome fall, remember to follow my advice and keep life as simple as possible. Follow my motto, and live life following the 5 F’s: “Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends!
My motto is simple. It doesn’t matter what your race, your gender or your IQ may be; my motto is for all. You enjoy life and cherish the 5 F’s, and when you die the masses will say “a life well lived, a Tennessean who followed the code of the 5 F’s!”
The traditional Christian funeral is often so boring, awkward and, sadly, expensive. That’s why I prefer a pagan funeral—a simple Viking ship burial for me! I am a proud Christian who has no problem making a stop in Valhalla to feast with Odin and a bunch of hairy Norseman, as long as my final destination is Heaven.
On that note, remember there is one F that stands above all and that’s Faith. Your faith in God and your faith in the goodness of the other 4 F’s.
Life is too short, so speak your mind, enjoy everything, be honest, do what you love and better those around you, enjoy the outdoors and play ball, and do your best to ignore this growing PC culture infesting parts of America. Enough of this nonsense—let’s get into the beef of this enchilada!
What shall we discuss? We have two professional teams in Middle Tennessee to discuss, one is hot and one is not: The Nashville Predators and the Tennessee Titans. This issue’s controversial topic—continuing the discussion of transgender athletics—is crucial to the integrity of sports, so keep on reading.
Let’s start with the Titans. What’s wrong with this team, Mr. Train Daddy? It’s simple and we like simple here. The Titans offense can’t attack downfield and that blame is not just on QB Marcus Mariota. First off, let me say to the fans and critics saying the Titans should find a better signal caller in the 2019 NFL draft: “Shut your face hole.”
In the 2018 NFL draft five quarterbacks went in the first round, early mock drafts have zero quarterbacks being drafted in the first round of 2019, unless Justin Herbert declares. There’s a lack of talent at the position. Aside from the Ravens game, Marcus has been poised in the pocket. My advice for the Marcus Mariota haters is to chill out, the man is giving his all.
I won’t discuss the running backs, because if the Titans could add the long ball to their repertoire then the backs wouldn’t be as pressured. The defense gets a pass; they have been playing well and although they have given up some unfortunate long balls, they deserve praise overall. One of the most important stats in the NFL when pertaining to defenses is points allowed per game, and the Titans defense ranks in the top 3 prior to their bye week.
One big problem on the offensive line has been guard play. It will take a long time to forget the Ravens game. Their defense had 11 sacks, and Mariota had 10 completions. UGLY. The offensive line isn’t totally broken—they did rebound vs. the Chargers.
Image by Christopher Hanewinckel
Let’s wrap up this Titans talk and break down the real problems: the receivers, the lack of big plays and dropped passes! Losing my favorite player in game one, the Titans’ best weapon, Delanie Walker was horrendous and then Rishard Matthews turned traitor and walked out on his team.
I won’t name all the receivers, but Corey Davis has been a frustrating No. 1 receiver to watch. He creates separation, yet he can’t run routes well and seems incapable of being on the same page as Marcus. I assumed that after a rough rookie campaign he would blossom in his sophomore year. Nope! I hate to say this but there is a comparison: Dorial Green-Beckham. Don’t say that, Train Daddy! Corey Davis still has potential for greatness, so don’t fret yet.
I love this franchise with all my heart, it’s true! I never miss a minute and I feel I am a very fair critic with the bias of a fan’s perspective. That said, I pray Coach Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt Lafleur spray juju all over this team, because they need it. The coaches need to coach, the guards need to guard, the receivers need to receive, the running backs need to run and the tight-end needs to be tighter, dammit! That there is the solution to the 2018 Tennessee Titans’ problems!
Time for the controversy. What makes controversy? Well, I take a controversial subject, and then I state my opinion. Then, those who disagree, or agree, email me at titanman1984@gmail.com. I prefer to make my readers laugh, yet I will defend the integrity of sports even if that upsets a few.
Once again, transgender news has hit the sports world with new laws in Canada. U Sports is Canada’s equivalent to the NCAA; it’s the governing body of university sports there. Transgender athletes got a big win in Canada with a new national university policy opening the door for all trans athletes to compete with whatever gender suits their fancy, no hormone therapy required!
The only good here is hopefully the new policy blows up in U Sports’ face before it spreads to the United States. My focus has been and remains on biological males who identify as women competing with biological women. I am literally dumbfounded that society has allowed this to happen and attacks people like me who publicly oppose this nonsense. There have been separate gender leagues throughout history for a reason. Do I need to explain?
That brings us to part two of this subject. Last month a trans woman, born male, dominated some natural-born females in the world of cycling and many cried foul.
Rachel McKinnon, born a boy, won gold in the 35–44 age bracket at the UCI Masters Track Cycling Championship in California recently. “First transgender Woman World Champion…Ever” Rachel posted on social media.
Third place finisher Jenifer Wagner led the loud criticism against McKinnon’s participation in the Championship, saying “I was the 3rd place rider. It’s definitely not fair.” Of course it’s not fair! Imagine being the 4th place female knowing your spot was stolen by a born male. The 3rd place finisher Wagner has been applauded by some for speaking out, and attacked by others and labeled a bigot for her remarks.
This has got to be stopped. I feel obligated to bring this subject up every time a new story comes out. I feel obligated as a writer to hope some of you readers will read this and agree. We have men and women leagues for a reason; you want inclusiveness and fairness for all? I have the answer for this: we have “ONE” league in every sport. Throw gender out the window, and the best athletes take the field!
You know as well as I do there would then be a lack of women in sports. Men are built bigger, stronger and differently than women, and there is nothing wrong with admitting biology is a real thing. I enjoy both male athletics and female athletics; fair competition is crucial to the integrity of sports and allowing transgender women to compete with females destroys the integrity of sports and its history, period! I have no problems with the transgender community and believe they should definitely be treated as equals, yet I will do all I can to be a loud voice against trans athletes creating an unfair unbalance in sports.
That’s enough of that nonsense. Let’s end this article with a little Nashville Predators talk. It’s pretty early in the season to break down this team, but we have a body of work to look at.
The Predators superstars have been shining, with a phenomenal top line. This team has a balanced roster on offense and defense, and two world class goalies. Add in the experience of a team that in the past two years won a Presidents Trophy and made it to the Stanley Cup Final . . . is this the Championship year? It seems wrong to criticize a team that has started off the 2018 season on top of the standings, but I will, because there truly are some problems. The power play has been awful. The Predators’ rank is poop and that stinks. Watching the Predators on the man advantage is like watching a drill on passing—it has to be fixed, and I know it will get better, as there is too much talent on this team for it not to. The Predators need more from their other lines; the first line has been doing it all. This team won’t survive long as a top contender being a one-line team. Players like Johansen, Forsberg and Arvidsson have been phenomenal leading this starting line. It’s time for others to step up. Mattias Ekholm has stepped up as well. He looks poised for a breakout season, and that’s exciting—another defenseman with offensive instincts, scoring points.
Put a cowboy hat on PK Subban and a catfish and beer in Taylor Lewan’s hands and I can already smell a Stanley Cup victory coming to Smashville.
I am so excited about this NHL season. I watch every game. Granted, some are on DVR at 15x speed, but it’s loyalty and we only have so much time to enjoy all of life’s pleasures. For those of you who are still iffy about hockey in loyal Southern football country, give it a try. It has quickly become one of my favorite pastimes.
Time to wrap this thing up—the Train is rolling into the station. Thanks to all my loyal readers, and also to my haters. I have learned haters make very loyal readers as well. I write for the Pulse because I genuinely love it. I can’t believe it’s been a decade now writing for this great publication. My main goal has always been to make you, the reader, laugh. Life is too awesome to always be offended and whining about how unfair things seem. Grab life by the horns and make your own rules. That’s it—the Train is in the station. Choo choo!
