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Do You Suffer From Giver's Remorse?

Have you ever given a gift that was a stretch for you and afterwards thought "I'm feeling that one. I could have and maybe should have leveraged those resources somewhere else?" I've been there. I echo the words of King David when he said "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." There is a cost to being generous. There is sacrifice. As we wrestle with these feelings the question we sometimes arrive at is the following - Is being generous worth it?

The skitsophrenia that goes through our mind and soul during these times is a very good thing. Because wrestling with the question brings us to this ultimate conclusion and declaration - YES! There are very few things in this world as satisfying and meaningful as being generous.

This wrestling process always takes me back to a place of remembering the fundamentals in my own life. The following are just some of the basic truths I've learned regarding a generous lifestyle. I encourage you to make your own list.

1. Jesus made an impact with His generosity. "For God so loved the world that He gave." "Every good and perfect gift comes from above." Jesus is a generous God who gives in an abundant and exceeding fashion. As a Christ follower, I must reflect the spirit and actions of the one who gave His life for me. It is a privilege to reflect the heart of God.
2. Generous people impact the lives of others. Centuries ago, farmers left portions of their field unharvested so the poor could glean from it. What I take from this is it was assumed you met the needs of your family. A farmer's ultimate value was found in how his life overflowed to serve others. I love that picture. Is there anything better than being involved in someone else's answered prayer.
3. Generous people impact their own quality of life. Not only do I feel better about myself when I give, but whether its money, gifts, or time, every time I give something away, I always receive far more blessings in return. That's just how God works. You can't out give God.
4. Generous people impact the next generation. What parents do in moderation, children will do in excess. My daughter mimics everything I do. Like all of us, this is good and bad. Fortunately, she is an extraordinarily generous young lady. Now there's also those other things if you know what I mean.
5. Generous people will experience their impact for eternity. As a Christian, when you are generous, not only do you receive the aforementioned benefits, but you are definitely sending it ahead for a time you cannot see. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I was reminded of these five things as recently as today. Make your list and please, be an answer to someone's prayer tomorrow. You'll be glad you did.

What Parents Should Teach Their Oldest Child About Generosity

I am a 44 year old man who growing up was the oldest of five children. Through a series of events that requires its own post, I have become reunited with my youngest step-sister after twenty years. We were not estranged but due to the divorce of my dad and step-mom (her mom), we became scattered for lack of a better word.

What amazed me was she had some extremely nice things to say about my role in her life during our childhood that I truly did not deserve. I was basically a good kid but was focused on school, work, hanging out with my friends, sports, girls...you know, things a 15-20 year old focuses on. I never knew the lasting influence I would have as the eldest brother.

As I thought about this, most kids are not taught to be good stewards of their influence, much less generous with it. Frankly, it never occurred me as a teenager that I even had influence. Based upon my own experience, the following are thoughts I feel that every parent should share with their oldest son or daughter about generosity and influence. If I knew then what I know now, I could have made an even larger, more strategic impact in the lives of those around me, especially my brothers and sisters.

• Enjoy Their Lives. I should played more ball with my brothers and taken my sisters to McDonald's or the mall. God was (and continues) shaping them to uniquely have His story told through their lives. All older siblings should leverage their influence and be a part of that story. I should have just enjoyed them more and watched God work.


• Understand Their Lives. Men are fixers, even at an early age, and we struggle with developing listening skills. Older brothers should say "Tell me about your day" and listen to their struggles in relationships, academics, getting along with parents, and household chores. Older siblings, in general, should view their relationships as not one of competing but rather one involved in completing their development.


• Be A Model For Their Lives. Once investment has taken place, the younger children are more likely to listen to the older ones. I knew how to calm dad down and please my parents. I knew how to stay out of trouble and what to say...and not say. The eldest brother or sister needs to place an emphasis on coaching their younger siblings through this process and helping them navigate life's struggles.


• Protect Their Lives. This one actually comes easy as especially older brothers do a very good job of not approving of any of their sisters' boyfriends. What doesn't come easy though is understanding we actually have to protect their hearts as well. I am constantly amazed at what people remember I did 25 years ago that I had long forgotten.

If I did any of the above, it was merely by accident. Sometimes you actually do find something good stumbling around in the dark. But now that we are all grown, here's what I know.

1. I never knew how connected my heart would be towards my nieces and nephews when I became an adult. They are all just great kids and I love them dearly. We all know that how the parents turn out will greatly impact the quality of the lives of the children. I wish I could have had someone tell me that when I was younger so I could have been far more strategic in my influence over my younger brothers and sisters.


2. I never knew how proud I would be of them when they grow up to love the Lord, serve Him, and have quality home lives.


3. I never knew how much I would hurt over them as well as how much I would celebrate with them as they live out their lives.

Generosity starts when you're young and it starts with those you love most.

Parents, teach your oldest children that the greatest gifts received in this life come from what you generously give away. And teach them that they are establishing influence for a time in which they cannot see. I wish someone would have taught me that.

Getting Through Tough Times

There is a great article today on www.si.com discussing why Joe Girardi is a great fit for the New York Yankees. In essence, he can handle the pressure of the New York spotlight because he is unflappable, all business and has a calm demeanor. That got me to thinking...

We all face high pressure situations in our life, particularly in a team environment. To better assist you in navigating these potential treacherous waters, the following key success links should ease the pain of your journey and get you to brighter days more quickly.

1. Yield To Authority. Rebellion is one of the natural default modes of the human experience. However, during tough times, there is no safer place to be that under the umbrella of protection of those in authority. Make a particular effort to make those above you successful and be proactive in seeing their vision become reality. You will be viewed as part of the solution, not part of the problem.
2. Play To Your Strengths. Do what you do well. This will make the tough time as enjoyable as possible. It will also position you to achieve success that is measurable.
3. Declare Victory. Momentum is generated by getting a series of wins under your belt. Find any reason to declare victory. Set daily goals that are achievable and start to advance the organizational agenda. Just do something that you can celebrate and generate positive momentum.
4. Become Others Focused. When a basketball player is not shooting well, he can always play defense, rebound or cheer on his teammates. If you are "others focused", there will always be a place for you because you are multiplying your influence and impact by serving the team.
5. Positive Attitude. Leaders are dealers in hope. Always be optimistic and don't walk around with slumped shoulders or a bad countenance. This is not a "pollyantic" approach but rather one that identifies the organization's positives and builds on those strengths.
6. Remember. We often lack perspective. When tough times arise, there is a tendency to focus on that which appears hopeless, get frustrated and lose composure. This is the importance of journaling. It provides a framework of previous experience that gives us confidence and solutions moving forward.
7. Tithe. I am apologetically a Christian. God has proved himself faithful in the area of my finances. Malachi 3:11 states "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field." My friend Joe Sangl, owner of I Was Broke. Now I'm Not (http://www.josephsangl.com/) has counseled thousands of individuals in the area of their personal finances. He states he has never counseled a family who faithfully tithed. You truly cannot out give Jesus Christ. There is nothing else left to say.

Therefore, if you are having a tough week at work, or in athletics, or with your parents, apply these seven principles and you will find stability in the present and hope for the future.

Adding Leaders: Insights from the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Draft

On Monday, April 26th in Peter King's great column Monday Morning QB (http://rss.cnn.com/rss/si_peter_king.rss) he noted that five of the seven Kansas City Chief 2010 draft picks were captains of the college teams. They were:

1. Eric Berry of the Tennessee Volunteers who was also the best defensive player in the draft not named Suh.
2. Dexter McCluster of the Ole Miss Rebels who can play multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball.
3. Javier Arenas of the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide who was also the best return man in the draft.
4. Jon Asamoah of Illinois who provides depth on the offensive line and an eventual starter.
5. Tony Moeaki of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

In this Scott Pioli's second draft, I like what the Chiefs did and the type of organization they are building. Because of their player acquisition strategy, I think you will see them in the playoffs in 2011. Why? Because when you add leaders to your team, you will receive the following benefits:

• You will see an increase in skill. In athletics and life, people naturally follow people more gifted than themselves. As Chris Carter told us on draft day when evaluating Tim Tebow's leadership, players don't listen to you if you aren't on the field. If you have been singled out by your teammates as a leader, they are also acknowledging your level of skill.
• You will see an increase in work ethic. One of the costs of leadership is an investment of sweat equity. Not only do successful leaders work harder than others, they also are very strategic on how they leverage their time. Leaders are laser-focused and work on the right things while influencing others to do the same.
• You will see an increase in passion. Leaders own the results. The five players drafted will help create a culture of winning in Kansas City. By raising the bar, leaders will help filter out players who merely want to collect a paycheck and one day draw a pension.
• You will see an increase in talent. Because the skill, work ethic, and passion will increase with the Chiefs, other top players will want to be part of that. Talent attracts talent.
• You will see an increase in wins in close games. In 2009, the Chiefs went 4-12 losing six of those games by seven points or less. By adding leaders, you will see over the next two years the Chiefs begin to win those close games. As John Maxwell (http://www.johnmaxwell.com/) tells us with The Law of the Edge, the difference between two evenly matched teams is leadership.

For my theory to prove true, QB Matt Cassell must fulfill his role as the primary field leader and perform at a higher level. I trust Scott Pioli and if he has confidence in Cassell, so do I. Look for the Chiefs to have 7 to 9 wins in 2010 and be in the playoffs in 2011 - assuming we have a season.

Leadership Lessons from Iron Man 2

My wife and I saw Iron Man 2 today. First, it is so great to have a wife who will put up with popcorn movies! Second, you need to know that I am a typical MAN! I like sports, red meat, and lots of action. Therefore, when I go to a movie, I'm looking for two hours of fun, a lot of special effects, and mass destruction and carnage.

With that as a backdrop, here are several thoughts about my movie experience today.

• Without a father in the home, there is rudderless thinking. The turning point of the movie was a message posthumously given to Tony Stark by his late father. It is a reminder that the fundamental role of leadership in a church, organization, or the home is to provide direction and intent. For fathers, this movie provides a tangible demonstration that we are daily setting precedent for a time we cannot see.
• We paid $10 each for an IMAX experience and the movie was 80% full for a 10:30 AM showing. There are economic issues in this country but people have money to apply it to where their heart is. In this case, it's entertainment. Pastors, don't hold off on building projects or capital campaigns because "you're people are struggling". They have the resources. You just need to let them know the compelling nature of your project.
• I have been to probably hundreds of movies in my lifetime. This was the first time that producers of the movie surveyed the attendees. There was solid, probing questions. Furthermore, they thanked me for my time and thoughts and stated that several Marvel Comics movies were forthcoming (Thor, Captain America, The Avengers) and our comments would greatly impact those productions. If a movie that will generate over $400 million is interested in the thoughts of the attendees, how important are tools like the Reveal study for church leaders?
• There are only two action sequences. Granted both are exciting, but I wanted more action and felt a little unfulfilled because there was too much story. However, the first encounter between Tony Stark/Iron Man and Ivan Vanko is as tense an action sequence as I've seen in a long time. You must give the audience what they're looking for. If I want to see a movie about relationships, I would have seen the excellent Mylie Cyrus movie The Last Song again.
• The quality of an action movie is always determined by the antagonist. In IM2, Mickey Rourke was spectacular and the best part of the movie. Your joy of victory will never exceed the level of what it takes to overcome your opposition in movies or real life. Tony Stark had to overcome a lot in this movie.
• The Law of the Inner Circle taught by John Maxwell (http://www.johnmaxwell.com/) tells us that those closest to you will determine your level of success. Lt. Col. Rhodey Rhodes (played by Don Cheadle) and Natalie (Scarlett Johansson) played key roles in Stark's ultimate success. Any level of success achieved by you will never be attained without the help of many. As the old saying goes, if you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know it didn't get there without help.

On the Brian Dodd scale of grading (one to five football helmets), I give IM2 2.5 helmets. Great special effects and two fantastic action sequences. It's worth a watch but I just wanted more action and stuff blown up. Just call me a typical guy.

Everyone Has Tape On You and Other Leadership Lessons from Adalius Thomas

Recently I read on http://www.profootballtalk..com/ that the two-time Pro Bowl selection and current free agent Adalius Thomas was having difficulty locating a new team after being cut by the New England Patriots. The reason we are told for this is that every NFL (http://www.nfl.com/) team has tape on him from last year and are not impressed.

This is alarming because after the 2006 season, Thomas signed a 5-year, $35 million contract after being the most sought after free agent on the market that summer.

As a leader, here are five takeaways I get from this story.

1. Everyone has tape on you. People, especially those you lead, are always watching you. They have a mental tape on you and reflect your character and behavior. You are always setting precedent as a leader. People will do what people see.
2. Most of us are "system players". In the Baltimore Ravens defense, Thomas was involved in more blitz schemes and allowed to often roam. The Patriots' defense focused on assignments and decisions. While the money was good, the fit was not. You must determine which system you fit best in. Unless you fit well, you may never see all the money.
3. Great organizations never pay for average. When you're highly paid and highly visible, you must produce. The reason sports teaches such good leadership principles is because everything is measurable. Someone wins. Someone loses. Production shows up in the box score. Personnel decisions are then made.
4. Rebelling against authority never has positive results. Twice during the 2009 season, Thomas accused Head Coach Bill Belichick of treating him like a "kindergartner". Pride proceeds destruction and a haughty spirit proceeds your fall. Quality organizations deal with insubordination in a swift and decisive fashion.
5. Failure is not final. Someone will eventually pick Thomas up during training camp or when someone gets injured. There is too much talent there. Thomas, like Cedric Benson last year, has the opportunity to redeem himself. Let's hope he lands in a good system that allows him to achieve his maximum potential.

In three years, Thomas went from being the most sought after free agent in football to not being sought out at all. As a leader, we walk with one foot on the mountain top and one on the banana peel. As a result, we will all eventually sit down to a banquet of consequences of our actions and decisions. Make good ones.

Leadership Lessons from Crawford Loritts

Dr. Crawford Loritts (http://www.fbconline.org/) has been my Pastor for the last four years. He is a great man! When I think of what makes him unique it is the fact that he has more moral authority than anyone I have ever met.

Many of you know Crawford from Promise Keepers and Campus Crusade For Christ (http://www.campuscrusade.com/), but I get to hear him on weekly basis. The more I thought about it, I felt it was just not right for me not to share just some of his insights. As a gift to you, attached are 10 of my favorite "Crawford quotes" on leadership.

Enjoy..and if you're free this weekend, visit us at Fellowship Bible Church on Hwy 92 in Roswell, GA.

1. "You can always tell the nature of a person by what makes them walk away from commitments."
2. "My most challenging responsibility is husband and father. Each day I set precedent and equip my children for a time we cannot see."
3. "I have come to realize that leadership is fundamentally about direction and intent."
4. "Confidence is determined by our memory, not the current scoreboard of our life. Remember what God has done for you in the past."
5. "Have you ever met someone famous who then surprised you by being so disarming, warm, and interested in you? You'll find that with Jesus." - my personal favorite
6. "A real test of leadership is how you handle privilege. Do you use it to help others or help yourself?"
7. "True greatness, and I emphasize the word 'True', is not achieved. It only finds noble people."
8. "A fool is one who refuses to live and behave in light of what he knows is right and becomes a willing slave of his impulses."
9. "Maturity is appreciating a diet that doesn't always taste good."
10. "There is nothing worse than visionless Christianity. We must overcome the struggles that take place in valleys in monotony."

OK, I got to give you an 11th - "Without a father in the home, there is rudderless thinking."

Bad News Is Received Best.....

I received some great news from my doctor today. Two weeks ago I had surgery and was blessed to receive a good report. Since positive news was being shared, there was also some quality humor as well. He said many things but one was "I'm just the messenger!"

This got me to thinking. When receiving bad news, is there a way to make its delivery as easy as possible. If you are one day forced into a position of being the "messenger", the following are some things to remember that will make your life (and theirs) easier:

1. Bad news is received best when delivered in the context of relationship. My doctor has been a personal friend for over 15 years. Back in the 90s, he was a mentor to me in the area of marriage. There is trust there.
2. Bad news is received best when delivered with a foundation of competence. My doctor is an expert in his field. He is highly sought after and extremely busy. Regardless of the news, there was not going to be a 2nd opinion. When you deliver a tough message, do others feel the need to get another opinion from someone else?
3. Bad news is received best when an investment has previously been made in you by the one giving the news. When deposits have continually been made by someone in my life, then there is something there for them to withdraw.
4. Bad news is received best when given in a timely fashion. My doctor didn't let me wait. When dealing with an issue, deliver it succinctly and in a straightforward manner.
5. Bad news is received best when its accompanied by its twin brother Options. If the news would have been bad, I would have asked for a treatment plan. This I know, my doctor would have had several for me to consider. Hopelessness sets in when a person feels they have no place to turn.

I'm privileged to have my doctor as a medical care professional as well as a friend. He's used to delivering messages, both good and bad. When the time comes for you to share a message that will be tough to hear (especially you fellow parents), please remember these five points. You'll be glad you did....and so will they.

California Dreaming and The Dead Sea Scrolls

The following are a list of thoughts from a Georgia boy who just spent four days in Northern California.

1. I visited the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at Bayside Church (www.baysideonline.com). Along with seeing my wife in her wedding dress and the birth of my daughter, it is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The indisputable proof that it provides to the confirmation of the Bible and the promises of God is breathtaking.
2. Tony Morgan's (www.tonymorganlive.com) book Killing Cockroaches is now the greatest leadership book I've ever read. I cannot recommend it enough. Could not put it down.
3. Every church is different and has a unique DNA. Your church is different that the church down the street...or across the country.
4. However, most churches I visit the are well lead have many similarities in the areas of vision, leadership, missional initiatives, discipleship, volunteer development and implementation, and service to the under-resourced. It is their effectiveness that can vary.
5. Lincoln Brewster (www.lincolnbrewster.com) is as amazing a Worship Leader as I've ever seen. To get a picture of how God uses him, go to the video page on this blog.
6. I topped 1,000 twitter followers on Thursday.
7. Churches east of the Mississippi build large gathering spaces in the lobbies and fellowship halls of their churches. Because the weather is so nice, West Coast churches create some of the most amazing outdoor landscaping and environments for people to connect. I really enjoyed suffering for Jesus by reading Killing Cockroaches by a waterfall in 70 degree weather.
8. I had four people make fun of my southern accent on this trip. This happens often but always in good fun and I have fun with it. However, three of the four had some venom to it this time. I'm not making any statements. It's just an observation.
9. I walked into Outback Steakhouse holding my blackberry. As I walked passed a person, I overheard them say "Look, he's still got a blackberry." I always knew I was behind the technology curve, but it is now official!
10. I was listening to a Sacramento sportstalk when the discussion came up regarding Tyreke Evans winning the NBA's Rookie of the Year. They were saying 'That was a good pick last year. That was a wise choice last year. He played well last year.' implying this was not a foundational building block but rather something to complain about.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of similarities with sportstalk channels across the country as well.

The Greatest Enemy of Future Success is Past Success

In the 2009 NFL Draft, the following are the top 5 USC selections:
Mark Sanchez – New York Jets, Round 1, No. 5 overall
Brian Cushing -Houston Texans, Round 1, No. 15 overall
Clay Matthews – Green Bay Packers, Round 1, No. 26 overall
Rey Maualuga – Cincinnati Bengals, Round 2, No. 38 overall
Fili Moala – Indianapolis Colts, Round 2, No. 56 overall

In the 2010 NFL Draft, the following are the top 5 USC selections:
Taylor Mays - San Francisco 49ers, Round 2, No. 49 overall
Charles Brown - New Orleans Saints, 2nd round, No. 64 overall
Damian Williams - Tennessee Titans, 3rd round, No. 77 overall
Kevin Thomas - Indianapolis Colts, 3rd round, No. 94 overall
Everson Griffen - Minnesota Vikings, 4th round, No. 100 overall

One huge question jumps at you - What happened? These were equally heralded recruits developed in a similar culture of success by the same head coach and many of the same positional coaches. In addition, they had the advantage of learning under that amazing 2009 draft class.

The answer - The Greatest Enemy to Future Success is Past Success.

Here's why:

1. The Gift of Struggle - Have you ever noticed how few successful people have equally successful children? Now some do but most don't. The sacrifices made by the previous generation do not have to be made but the current one. It is a biblical principle that struggle is neccesary for strength.
2. Entitlement - Because struggle does not have to take place on the same level, a sense of entitlement is embedded into their DNA. I'm sure many of the players listed, whose talent and measureables are much better than those drafted before them, assumed "We're USC" and "I'm a 5-star recruit" would be enough. It wasn't.
3. Competition - When the bar of excellence is established, as it was from Carson Palmer to Mark Sanchez, others will catch up. The 1992 USA men's basketball team won each game and the Gold Medal by an average of 44 points per game. The 2004 USA team won the Bronze.
4. Leadership Transitions - Assistant Coaches have earned the right to have additional responsibility. Norm Chow, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and Nick Holt have all moved on. Those closest to leader determine that leader's success. It is easier to re-load the players than it is the coaches.

As I write this post, I am already looking ahead to next year's NFL Draft and wondering where many of the players from the Florida Gators will be landing.

Why You Choose Character Over Talent

This past NFL draft will forever be known as the "Character Draft". One of the on-going decisions leaders in sports and life make is do you take a person whose is a potential character-risk even though they have great talent? You want both but if you had to choose, would you choose talent and potential? My answer is NEVER.

Can a person change? Certainly, but when you have personnel options, let someone else take the risk. Here is the problem - any success will be short-lived because talent can take you where character cannot sustain you. This week, we were reminded of these facts: "

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20 Thoughts at the Conclusion of the NFL Draft

The following are 20 thoughts that I have at the conclusion of this year's NFL Draft.

1. GMs do not want to draft a QB for "the next guy". As a result, if they don't think the QB is ready at this moment, they will continually slide down in the draft. I am still stunned by the decision process on Tebow, Clausen, and McCoy.
2. The Cincinnati Bengals are not getting enough coverage for a great draft. Jermaine Gresham is the best TE in a strong class. 2nd round pick Carlos Dunlap was being considered at the #1 overall pick back in December. Jordan Shipley is the 2nd coming of Wes Welker. 4th round pick Muckelroy is great value. Great draft."

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20 Thoughts On Day 1 Of The NFL Draft

The following is a list of thoughts that I have after Day 1 of the NFL Draft.
1. I love the multiple day approach. The extra excitement that is created from trade opportunities and the re-setting of draft boards is palpable. Also, I am looking for a number of veteran players to be traded today.
2. The Detroit Lions scored big with Ndamuong Suh and Jahvid Best. However, I wish they would have kept the 2nd round pick and paired Suh with Terrence Cody. No one would have run on them for a decade.
3. Tampa Bay drafting Gerald McCoy and having 2 2nd rounds picks could solidify their defense for several years.
4. I heard Charlie Casserly today on the NFL Network says he did a 10-year study and discovered that only 50% of 2nd round picks are starting after 4 years.
5. I'm looking for Scott Pioli of the Kansas City Chiefs to make a big splash today with 2 2nd round picks to go with future star Eric Berry.
6. Pete Carroll knows this year's talent class. Drafting Russell Okung and Earl Thomas was genius. Also, what does this say about Pete Carroll's evaluation of Taylor Mays?
7. With their offensive line being solidified and getting a full season out of Michael Crabtree, the San Francisco 49ers are my pre-season favorite to win the NFC West.
8. I said on my Twitter account last Fall that Demaryius Thomas reminds me of a young Terrell Owens. However, the Tim Tebow selection is a major head scratcher. It only takes one or two teams to love you to make you a first round pick.
9. I believe that Tim Tebow is a great young man of character and a strong Christian. But so is Colt McCoy. Assuming both have the spiritual element, who is the better QB? Once again, I'm scratching my head.
10. Pride comes before destruction. The only reason I can see that Josh McDaniel drafted Tebow is because of his incredible confidence in himself to develop QBs. Granted, if he does develop Tebow, he will become a legend in this area. If he doesn't, this will remind Denver fans of when Dan Reeves drafted Tommy Maddox. He will not become a legend. He will become unemployed.
11. Jimmy Clausen should have been drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Minnesota needs to jump all over him with the 34th pick. He is the best QB in this draft.
12. I believe Sam Bradford will be an average NFL QB at best.
13. The NY Jets with now 3 lockdown corners are going to blitz like crazy this year and best the NFL's funnest team to watch.
14. With the addition of Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys have four quality WRs (2 who are explosive), a Pro Bowl TE, and 3 very good RBs. They will have the NFL's best offense next year.
15. With 3 2nd round picks and a 3rd, it is time for the NE Patriots to re-stock its defense and get a quality WR to one day replace Randy Moss. Look for Golden Tate or Arrelious Benn to go here.
16. If the Oakland Raiders draft McCoy/Clausen or Tate/Benn at 39, they will be putting together a solid class.
17. I watched ESPN for 90% of last night's draft. Only Mike Mayock was compelling for the NFL Network. The combination of Young, Jackson, Kiper, McShay and this year's star Jon Gruden completely compensated for the woeful Chris Berman. Also, if you missed the pre-draft comments by Trent Dilfer and Ron Jaworski on Tebow, they were scathing. "The NFL is not a developmental league."
18. I would not want to be a Jacksonville Jaguars fan.
19. The 4 undrafted Florida Gators - Carlos Dunlap, Brandon Spikes, Major Wright, and Aaron Hernandez - are all going to make some NFL team very happy one day.
20. Character matters.

Finally, I can't wait for tonight.

Frontview Mirror

I am coming off what I think may well be the greatest holiday season of my life. Great times with my family. I work for a great company, go to a great church. Life is good! Thank you Lord!

Heading into the weekend, here are some things I'm thinking:

1. The Alabama Crimson Tide reminds us that strength at the point of attack is what makes champions. Both their offensive and defensive lines are on a pro level.
2. Speaking of point of attack, the Dallas Cowboys is going to be very dangerous in the playoffs. They are now my NFC Super Bowl pick. Forget the Romo conversation, the running game and offensive and defensive lines are currently the best in the league.
3. Bama's immediate future is bright. Their best offensive weapons are returning. Also, many forgot that Dont'a Hightower was their best defensive player until he got injured earlier this year. He'll be back and they currently have commitments from 2 5-star DBs.
4. 4 SEC championships in a row. Great TV deal with ESPN. I checked Rivals.com today and they have 6 schools currently in the top 10. Tennessee, Auburn, and Arkansas are on the way up. Alabama, LSU, and Florida are already there. Georgia is solid. Great high school programs in the South. The best coaches top to bottom in college football. And the most loyal fanbase overall in all of sports. Next year they will add their 5th in a row.
5. This will be a huge NFL Draft if you are looking for defensive talent. Listen to these names - Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry, Taylor Mays, Sergio Kendle, Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden, Carlos Dunlap, Rolando McClain, Jerry Hughes, Terrence Cody, and Javier Arenas just to name a few.
6. Jimmy Clausen will be the best QB in this draft.
7. You draft a QB to hold down his spot for 10 years. Regardless of what you think of his passing ability, Tim Tebow's physical style of play is non-conducive to this pro game.
8. Colt McCoy is the next Drew Brees. He will make someone very happy in the 2nd round.
9. New England Patriots have 4 picks in the first 2 rounds. Something tells me Jordan Shipley will be joining them as Wes Welker's replacement.
10. The first two rounds of the NFL playoffs are wide open. Here's this weekend's predictions - Dallas over Philly (sadly) 34-28. NE over Baltimore 21-10. Jets over Cincy (sadly) 27-10. And Green Bay over Arizona in the best game of the weekend, 41-35.

It's cold in Georgia so I'm going to bundle up and simply enjoy a relaxing weekend.