Time For HBCU Athletic Departments To Demand Assistance

In this current climate of #BlackLivesMatter expanding beyond criminal justice and into every fabric of our society of systemic racism the timing is now for HBCUs to demand assistance from the NCAA, federal and local governments, and corporate partners to assist their athletic departments. Early in the morning of July 3, 2020 Five-Star basketball recruit Makur Maker announced he will be attending Howard University in the fall. This is a huge announcement, but it does come with some concerns that will get lost in the excitement.

Makur Maker
Photo Credit; The Undefeated 

Coming from a family rich in HBCU tradition and have attended one myself it is refreshing to see high level high school prospects considering attending an HBCU. But there is concern on whether they are prepared to adequately provide the level of resources to support high end talent. According to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2018, there were 101 HBCUs located in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the 101 HBCUs, 51 were public institutions and 50 were private nonprofit institutions with a approximately 293,00 total students. That’s an average of 2,900 students per institution.

HBCUs are small, meaning they have very limited resources to support athletic departments. Two conferences, the MEAC (Mid Eastern Athletic Conference) and SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) compete in Division I basketball and other sports and FBS in football. HBCUs face challenges recruiting and maintaining quality coaches and support staffs. 

HBCUs facilities and support staffs are not on par with mid level Division II programs. Men’s and women’s basketball are tasked with playing a gauntlet schedule in “guarantee” games against schools in major conferences to generate revenue for the entire athletic department. Even with that revenue many are fortunate to break even and most are at a deficit at the end of an academic year.

The time is for leadership from HBCUs to put a comprehensive plan together to present to their partners for certain baseline items so their programs can succeed such as:

• Facilities Improvements
• Support Staff (trainers, academic advisors, coaches salaries)
• Travel Expenses 

If Makur Maker starts a trend by attending an HBCU they need to be better prepared to take on a player of his caliber and support the student-athletes in general. The issue is not going to fix itself. The gap between the haves and have nots has widen. It will take being intentional for that to change. 

Jamaal Piper

Prominent Players Spoke Up Too Late in NFL's CBA Talks

The sports world has been on pause with the coronavirus outbreak. The NFL still had business to tend to regarding their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). For several years the NFL’s owners have been pushing for additional regular season games. The players have been adamant that they did not want to play any additional regular season games. But here we are by a small margin after the players voted with potentially a 17 game regular season and expanded playoffs.

Photo: CLUCTHPOINTS

Many current and retired players have voiced their concerns over the CBA. This is what can happen when prominent players are not at the negotiating table from the beginning. The owners successfully used a divide and conquer strategy. They appealed to the short term needs by NFL standards of the middle and lower class knowing they were the majority, 1,019 yes-959 no final vote. Unfortunately in most instances the NFL has had to be forced to do what is right by their players by lawsuits or threats of a lawsuit.

-The late Reggie White led a class action suit in 1992 to get unrestricted free agency that we see today.

-The late Johnnie Cochran threatened to sue the NFL over its lack of hiring of Black Coaches with a 15 year report that chronicled hiring and firing practices. In 2003 the Rooney Rule was instituted making it mandatory that minority candidates are interviewed for head coaching positions. Its 2020 and issue has gotten worse, not better.

`-In 2013 ex-players agreed to a $765 million settlement over concussion-related brain injuries among its 18,000 retired players. But there is a lot of red tape and interpretation regarding who gets money and how much.

-Commissioner Roger Goodell has disciplinary power over players with many instances ending up in court and decisions being reversed or reduced.

The NBA last CBA both parties walked away pleased. Partly because prominent players like Chris Paul and LeBron James were involved in the negotiating. Reduced preseason, extended All-Star Break, less three games and four night stretches. And they play a game with less injury concerns than football. It helps when the commissioner is a listener and negotiator not a pawn. 

NBA Midseason Review

It has been a entertaining first half of the season. Time to compare my preseason predictions at the midway point of the season.

Preseason Finals Pick: Boston vs. Golden State
Mid season: Sticking with these two teams. Boston is still adjusting to having its full compliment of players. Milwaukee, Toronto and Philadelphia will be tough outs. They’ll most likely face one or two of them to come out of the East. Golden State has a fantasy team with Boogie Cousins back, enough said.

Preseason MVP: LeBron James
Mid season: With his injury it will hurt his LeBron’s chances. He’ll have to go in a tear the second half of the season. Harden and Giannis are front runners now.

Preseason Rookie of the Year: Luka Doncic
Mid season: Luka is running away with this so far. He may not end up being the best player out of his draft class which was loaded with talent. But he was best prepared to have immediate impact with his experience overseas.

When it comes to the hometown team Washington Wizards. They’re not better without John Wall, they seem to be better off without him. They’re still not out of the eighth spot. They play small entirely too much for my liking and it hurts them defensively. But they have been competing and playing hard. As tough of a season as it’s been they’re still not far from being in the playoffs. BradyBeal should be an All-Star.

Hampton Joins The Big South: It Was Time To Move On

Yesterday it was announced that my beloved alma mater Hampton University was leaving the MEAC and will be joining the Big South conference beginning July 1, 2018. It was not surprising that the announcement was met with mixed emotions. My freshman year at Hampton in 1995 was Hampton’s first season in the MEAC. President Dr. William Harvey made it known then and repeated yesterday that Hampton’s goal was to be the best midsize athletic program in the country. In order to reach that goal it was inevitable that leaving the MEAC was necessary to achieve it.

It wasn’t a matter IF Hampton would leave the MEAC, just when would they be presented with the opportunity. There are mixed emotions from excitement to asking why, tradition, sellouts, it won’t be the same, etc. This is about growth. It may sound harsh and bias, but Hampton’s overall profile had overgrown the MEAC.

Hampton upsets Iowa State in 2001 NCAA Basketball Tourmanet

Hampton shares common goals in other areas with other MEAC institutions. But in terms of the direction of their athletic departments it’s different. Other HBCUs 'are in a similar position and could follow in the coming years. A move under these circumstances has never happened for a HBCU.

Most HBCUs' (Historically Black College and Universities) don’t share the same aspirations for their athletic departments. The focus is on academics and finances. President Harvey’s approach has been to achieve success academically, financially, and athletically. In 2001 #15 seed Hampton upset #2 Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The image of head coach Steve Merfeld being lifted in the air after the victory is the moment that has been played over and over again the last 16 plus years. The following season Hampton returned to the to the tournament and battled a very talented Connecticut team. The men’s and women’s basketball teams have made a combined 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament since 1999. Those moments were not fleeting for the university. They were used as momentum to build the national profile of Hampton and improve the other sports but in the athletic department.

The last few years there has been a lot of movement within college athletics of conference realignment. The trickle-down has finally impacted HBCUs’. Initially they will be some bumps with an increase in the level of competition. Hampton will be positioned to recruit better athletes, be a member of a conference with a television deal, visiting teams will bring more fans to games. I have confidence Hampton will adjust and be successful.

NFL, What's Next?

As a big sports fan the NFL the past year has become exhausting. Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling to bring attention to police brutality against black men and women and the continuous racial inequities has gotten further away from that. It started soon after his protest. It became about the military, the anthem, patriotism, respect for the country , the flag and other talking points.

Photo Credit; Getty Images

He is still without a team. Ratings are reportedly down. There are opposing boycotts with each side wanting to take credit for the ratings decline. When the drop in ratings is a combination of many factors which include the opposing protests/boycotts. Then there was Donald Trump’s comments at a Alabama rally last Friday that led to the “Unity” moments throughout the NFL this past weekend. That was the tipping point for me to be exhausted with how all of this has played out.

Most of the NFL’s key sponsors have been quiet. “I’d expect most sponsors to stay quiet, at the risk of alienating a significant percentage of their customers,” said Bob Dorfman, executive vice president of Baker Street Advertising in San Francisco.

The owners had their business attacked, sent statements and joined players in an attempt for feel good unified moments. The players, coaches, and owners taking a knee, staying in the locker room and/or locking arms were more in protest of Trump and an attack on their right to protest rather than what started the kneeling in the first place. From a political standpoint this was a trick play by Trump straight out of the Nixon Southern Strategy playbook. It shift focus from health care, North Korea, Russia, Puerto Rico and the other long list of issues. Now that the photo ops from this past weekend

are over, what’s next?

This is an opportunity the NFL can take advantage of, but it must be organized and clearly communicated between NFL owners and players. The league does plenty of charity work. Players volunteer their time and resources to worthy causes. For a league that 70% of their players are black it is time to include causes that are a reflection of the concerns that affect them and the communities they came from which Kaepernick has been doing the last year. 

Where was the NFL during the water crisis that is still a problem in Flint, MI? Where was the unity when Michael Bennett had a gun to his head in Las Vegas? JJ Watt of the Houston Texans used his platform to raise over $37 million after Hurricane Harvey with support from other athletes, celebrities, and over 200,000 donors. The NFL didn’t have a league wide coming together to address that on a game day. 

The NFL is an over a $13 billion industry. Visiting their foundations website there isn’t a person of color on their board. Their grants appear to be focused on youth football and physical activity. Both are worthy causes, but how about causes and programs that could impact the conditions in the cities of these teams such as Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit. 

In February 2016 the NFLPA launched a new resource program for player members called Foundation Fundamentals. Foundation Fundamentals works in partnership with The Giving Back Fund, a national nonprofit organization that encourages and facilitates charitable giving by professional athletes, celebrities, high-net worth individuals, existing nonprofit organizations, corporations and others who truly desire to “give back.”  

There is a clearly a disconnect. The NFL has an agenda about their causes which is different from their players. This is an opportunity for both sides to come together organize, plan, invest and implement resources and programs that can have a profound impact on communities.

The NFL is always reactive instead of proactive. Recent examples are Ray Rice with domestic violence because of a video and player safety because of lawsuits.

Since law enforcement is a hot topic and local police forces do not invest in mental health, physical health, cultural awareness and education for officers like they should the NFL could create or give funding to existing programs. 

It will take leadership within the league to get things moving past symbolic gestures. Protest are meant for discomfort and create discussion then they need to transition to action.  It’s time for the NFL to start that process.

Why I Started Running

Over the course of my fitness journey I have been sporadic doing cardio. I have been active my entire life. Playing sports and exercising since I can remember. During college and into my early twenties I started lifting weights and continued to play pickup basketball. As I got more serious into my lifting and played basketball less I would use machines such as the elliptical and the stairmaster.  Recently I realized it has been many years since I did cardio consistently. I would do circuits with my weight training and attempt new sequences that would get my heart up, but still wasn’t doing traditional cardio. 

I’m blessed with good genetics. My metabolism is very fast and I’m naturally very lean. My concern was to maintain size and strength that took a long time to put on through trial and error. From a health standpoint I realized it was time to increase my cardiovascular training. The best way to do it was to incorporate something I have never been a fan of and that is running!

For the first time in many years I wasn’t concerned about how much I weighed or size. This time it was to improve my endurance. The only sport I still play consistently is softball and that is three months out of the year and only one day/week. I was going to do other forms of cardio besides running. I knew this would a mental challenge as much as physical because it was something I did not care to do.

I train six days/week. I started with running two days, stairmaster two days, elliptical and row machine two days after lifting. The first day I got on the treadmill  I looked down and it was only a quarter of a mile and it felt like my heart was coming out of my chest. I had to keep pushing. I started with a mile. After a few weeks of two days I decided to keep doing the stairmaster on my two legs days and add one day of running. After a week of that I could feel myself turning the corner. I was increasing the speed and mentally I knew when the fatigue would first hit me that I would get a second wind.

It has been almost two months of running and doing cardiovascular exercises consistently. I can see that I’m leaner with more definition and my body fat as decreased. I haven’t stepped on a scale since I started because I don’t care what my weight is right now. During my lifting session my recovery is faster and I’ve maintained my strength. My appetite has been the same, I eat 4-5 medium to large meals/day and 1-2 snacks. 

To preserve muscles I have increased my protein and carbohydrate intake and increased the volume of my strength training. Post workout I consume BCAAs, proteins, and carbohydrates, that hasn’t changed with the increase in cardio.

I’ve increased my running to four days/week for a one mile to 1 1/2 each time. Occasionally I have run for two miles. That has been a good balance because even though I know the weight I will lose is mostly fat I want to maintain muscle and strength. So far I have been pleased with the results. I’m getting more acclimated to running and will continue. I'm still not crazy about it, but the challenge of doing something different is what is driving me so I'll keep running.

Jamaal Piper

Health and Wellness Consultant/Personal Trainer

www.piperfitness.com

What’s Stopping You From A Healthy Lifestyle?

With the responsibilities that we have finding the time and energy to exercise and prepare healthy meals can appear to be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. I have had experiences working with clients of all ages with various responsibilities on their plate. Those that are determined that their health is a priority will find a way without compromising professional and personal responsibilities. Your focus on taking care of everyone and everything else and not yourself can interfere with your health. What happens is everything suffers because you don’t have the stamina to address it all. Your day is not planned including meals and exercise. The slightest obstacle will throw you off track. In my years in the health and wellness industry here are a few examples of what I’ve observed that are a hinderance to being consistent with healthy habits.

FEELINGS

One of the common excuses why people don’t take care of themselves is their feelings. They like a certain food of drink too much or exercise is too hard. Your feelings should have nothing to do with how you approach your health. Life will constantly throw obstacles and stress our way. View prioritizing your health as a way to prepare you for what inevitably will lie ahead.

Find activities that you enjoy such as walking, hiking, cycling, yoga, and sports. Face head on the things you don't like if there aren't any physical limitations from you doing them. You’re not always going to feel like training and eating healthy meals, but if there’s nothing actually wrong, then you need to make yourself do it anyway. Practicing good habits when do don’t feel like it helps build inner strength, and afterwards you will also feel the benefits of a boost of positive endorphins. 

Exercise has been shown in countless studies to effectively treat stress, depression, anxiety and even the common cold. It's one of the best remedies out there. A study conducted at the Eastern Ontario Research Institute found that people who exercised twice a week for 10 weeks felt more competent socially, academically, and athletically. A second study conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol found that people who exercised daily had more energy and a more positive outlook, which are both critical for getting things done.

EASILY DISTRACTED

You lookup one, two, three weeks have gone by and you haven’t been consistent with your regiment. With all that is going on in your life it has become challenging. For some, they’re looking for a reason to stop exercising and eat what they want. It was easy to grab something to eat that wasn’t healthy because you didn’t meal prep or you just had the taste for something. You were too tired to go to the gym and the days added up.

In order to maximize your health you can’t be easily distracted. Set time aside to exercise with the time you have available. Prepare your meals or have knowledge of the places you’re going to purchase prepared food. The distractions can’t have more power than your desire for a healthy lifestyle. It’s one thing to have a bad day, don’t let it turned into weeks, months, and years.

SHORT TERM GOALS, NOT LONG TERM

Short term goals such as the summer is approaching, a vacation, wedding, etc. are good motivators to make lifestyle changes. But what happens when the event or trip is over? Was the motivation temporary or was it a springboard to being consistent? 

A challenge with long-term goals is that they are far off in the future and it will take a long time before they are achieved. As a result, staying focused on long-term goals can be challenging. You must trust the process. If you have a plan or consulted a professional that designed one stick to it. You will hit fitness plateaus and have to make adjustments. But what can’t change is your effort to press forward. Sometimes it is trial and error as you’re learning your body and how it responds. 

American Psychological Association’s most recent “Stress In America” survey revealed that not having enough willpower was the top reason people cited for being unable to make healthy lifestyle changes. Develop the willpower to delay gratification, resisting short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals.

You Can't Afford To Stop

Starting and keeping up a healthy lifestyle can be challenging.  In some instances the goals can be superficial.  Other times it is health related.  Layoffs can happen due to injury/illness, stress, and/or being overwhelmed with responsibilities.   But you have the opportunity to get back on track.  Don’t deceive yourself, it will be challenging.  You must have the perseverance and consistency to press through.  Strength and conditioning will not maintain on its own.  There is never room to be complacent.

If you have taken a long layoff from exercising how did it feel once you started back?  Did it feel like the first day?   The time invested in being active was building a foundation of strength and conditioning.  Time off will impact both.   Many studies have been done to track what happens to the body once a person stops training. 

Intensity plays a major role in how much our exercise induced adaptations are reversed over time, both in terms of strength and endurance.  The more intense your workouts were, the more you retain when you stop training, even for prolonged periods of time.

As we age continuing to stay active becomes imperative to function at a maximum capacity.   “We lose so much muscle as we age that by the time we’re 70, we only have about 50 to 55 percent of our muscle mass left,” says Beatrice Edwards, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of medicine and director of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “That explains why we feel weak and tired as we age, and we can prevent some of that with weight training.”

Cardiovascular fitness is related to age, gender, exercise habits, heredity and cardiovascular clinical status. Maximum values occur between ages 15 to 30 years, decreasing with age. At the age of 60, the mean maximal aerobic power in men is approximately three fourths of that at the age of 20. With sedentary lifestyle, there is a 10 % reduction in the mean maximal aerobic power per decade, the reduction with an active lifestyle being less than 5 %.

Studies have shown that weight lifting can prevent bone loss and may even help build new bone. In one study, postmenopausal women who participated in a strength-training program for a year saw significant increases in their bone density of the spine and hip, two areas affected most by osteoporosis in older women. Developing a strength and balance/stability program, especially targeting the hips and core, can help prevent falls with these women.

Continuing strength training with age will assist in performing your daily tasks and enjoy recreational activities.  Strength can serve as the fountain of youth.  It is combats the age-related declines in muscle mass, bone density and metabolism. It is an effective way to increase muscle strength and to shed unwanted inches. Strength training also helps to decrease back pain, reduce arthritic discomfort, and help prevent or manage some diabetic symptoms.

Frequent physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.   Physical activity lowers risk of serious conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis and colon cancer, to name a few. It also helps in the management of high cholesterol and arthritis pain.

Remind yourself why you are staying active.  Besides all the aesthetic benefits it is more important to keep going for overall health.  The quality of your life depends on it.

Tomorrow the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump will be sworn in.  Needless the say this past election has stimulated a wide range of emotions.  I attended the inauguration eight years ago when President Barack Obama was elected.  It was a very cold day, but I could feel the excitement and optimism.  My thoughts at the time that his presidency would stoke the best and worst of the country simultaneously.

The fact that he was elected and excitement surrounded it represented the best.  The clear resentment from some and how that would play out were my concerns.  It was later reported that on the night of Barack Obama’s inauguration, a group of top GOP luminaries quietly gathered to create the outline of a plan for how to deal with the incoming administration.  After three hours of strategizing, they decided they needed to fight Obama on everything. Obama had no idea what the Republicans were planning.

I have grown increasingly frustrated with partisan politics.   I’m displeased at both major parties throwing labels at each other.  The left this and the right that.  Our society has evolved and people do not care to be put in a box regarding how they view issues.  The Republicans have become nauseating.  As a black man living in this country the lack of acceptance and understanding of issues pertaining to minorities is plainly obvious.  It’s so sad that I can listen to a politician holding office, surrogate, or political commentator speak on any issue and know their political affiliation before a "D "or "R" appears on the screen next to their name.

When the water crisis made news in Flint, MI I assumed the governor was a Republican, it was.  When the continued issue of voter id in the south, Alabama for example, I assumed the governor was Republican, it was.  There was Republican pressure on President Obama to approve the Dakota pipeline affecting Native American sacred burial grounds.

The Republican party would be the party that would have a Donald Trump win their nomination and the appointments he has made such as Jeff Sessions as Attorney General with his track record on civil rights issues, Dr. Harry Carson for HUD with no experience in housing, or Betsy Devos for Secretary of Education with no experience in public education. 

For Donald Trump to have a campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” and that not be offensive to all Americans with our history was very disappointing.  Again means we want to go back to something.   What is that?   

“I’m actually old enough to remember the good old days, and they weren’t all that good in many ways,” he said at a rally in Orlando. “That message where ‘I’ll give you America great again’ is if you’re a white Southerner, you know exactly what it means, don’t you?”

Karen Tumulty of the The Washington Post reminded us how Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush had used “Let’s Make America Great Again” in their 1980 campaign.

I was frustrated with the Democratic Party with its insistence that Hillary Clinton be the nominee.  As it became apparent with the email hacking to suppress Bernie Sanders that they didn’t want her to have strong opposition.  After winning the nomination her complacency in not visiting a state such as Wisconsin on the campaign trails was costly.  I was concerned about Clinton fatigue since her and husband former President Bill Clinton have been in the public eye for so long that voters were just tired of them.

The Democratic party’s lack of identity and leadership is evident.  I’m more confident that they are the party that is more reasonably minded and acknowledge the issues that face this country.  They are more inclusive with diversity in leadership.  If the midterm elections during President Obama’s two terms were not a wake up call, Trump’s election better be.

The last eight years I have paid closer attention to local elections.  I’ve always voted when a local offices were at stake, but with many of the events that transpired across the country I’ve gained more understanding of how important those officials are.  Many of the issues that we are not pleased with start at the local level.  

Donald Trump ran a divisive campaign and it worked!  Hillary Clinton did secure three million more votes than Trump, but if you remove California and New York Trump secured three million more votes than Clinton and won 30 out of 50 states.

Donald Trump is a win at all cost person.  Over the years there have been stories on his business dealings and the damage he has left behind.  He saw an opportunity to tap into those that never wanted President Obama to be elected and those that did vote for him who were not pleased with their circumstances after his two terms.

Alexandra Pelosi did a documentary during the 2008 campaign, “Right America:  Feeling Wrong”.   Pelosi visited 28 states and spoke about the fight for the soul of the country with mostly conservative Americans, who feel underrepresented by the mainstream media.  

"The way the press handles the election, we feel like our side's never being really represented, never really given a fair shake," says one man. "It's almost like they think of us as a bunch of hicks, a bunch of idiots. And they don't even wanna hear our side or understand us."

With the growth of social media we have a platform to express our feelings on anything we choose.  It has exposed issues such as police conduct with killings and incidents being filmed and posted.  At times I’ve read comments from articles and post and it is clear we are a divided country.

The division in the United States provides an opportunity.   Whether a person chooses to share their feelings on social media is a personal choice.  But what can’t be avoided is acknowledging the current climate.  We all must take a position.  I’ve heard stories and witnessed of how Trump’s campaign and election has caused strain in relationships between friends and families.  What has been internalized in the past is now more openly communicated.

It is not fair to paint all Trump supporters with a broad brush.  But his bigoted, sexist, and xenophobic rhetoric was not a deal breaker.   If Trump was a minority or woman he would not have gotten pass the first primary with his comments and tweets of all those he offended.

I’m past getting upset with politicians, celebrities and entertainers who reveal their position on a multitude of issues.  Thanks for letting me know.  We need to be the change we want to see and continue to fight for what is right and just for all.   It is time to take a stand.  I’m seeing the signs and hope it will continue while he is in office.

Why New Year’s Fitness Resolution Goals Are Difficult

It is a new year, 2017 is here.  A popular resolution is to lose weight, get healthier, take it to another level, etc etc.  The New Year provides an opportunity to reset and start all over again.  The change in the calendar does not change the ingrained habits that leave many us unhappy.  How did you get there?  When did it start?  How can you get back on track or on track period?

Timothy Pychyl, a professor of psychology at Carleton University in Canada, says that resolutions are a form of "cultural procrastination," an effort to reinvent oneself. People make resolutions as a way of motivating themselves, he says. Pychyl argues that people aren't ready to change their habits, particularly bad habits, and that accounts for the high failure rate. Another reason, says Dr. Avya Sharma of the Canadian Obesity Network, is that people set unrealistic goals and expectations in their resolutions.

As a fitness professional it is discouraging to see the amount of quick fixes and products advertised as if there is a shortcut.  All of them are not bad, but feed on unrealistic expectations.  

Most people view lack of exercise as a motivational problem, therefore the issue needs to addressed is to create and facilitate that ‘missing’ motivation.  However, research has shown that it is not the lack of motivation that acts as a deterrent to exercise, but rather counter-motivations that prevent an individual from exercise participation (Richetin, Conner & Perugini, 2011).  “Life” gets in the way.  Many of us struggle with work/life/family balance.  In order to be better equipped to deal with stress and responsibility taking care of yourself should be on the top of your priority list.

I recently read an article “13 Things You Should Give Up If You Want To Be Successful”.  The first item on the list, “Give Up An Unhealthy Lifestyle”.  Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress.  You don’t have to train like a professional athlete to experience the benefit.

Our bodies were meant to move.  A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases. It can improve your appearance and delay the aging process.   If you desire to be healthier or more consistent with healthy habits I challenge you to list of your obstacles and then a solution to each of them.  Feel free to contact me for assistance.

Tips For Surviving The Holiday Season

It is the holiday season.  Which means there are plenty of friends and family gatherings to enjoy each other’s company and most importantly enjoy our favorite foods and beverages.  It is also a time to easily get sidetracked regarding your health and fitness.  Here are tips on how you can enjoy the festivities and not put on the extra pounds in the process.

Photo www.eatwell.com

Moderation:  Most of the traditional holiday foods are high in fat, sodium, and sugar.  We tend to eat the foods simply because it is there and fits our cravings.  One easy way to learn when your body has had enough food is to use a smaller plate. This will automatically decrease your food intake. Chew your food slowly, paying attention to the taste and texture. Unless it’s a fruit or a vegetable, don’t make the assumption that the healthy foods you’re eating are low calories.

Also, start by filling your plate with vegetables and salad before going to the entrees and desserts. Eating a salad before your meal can help you eat fewer calories overall.

Drink Plenty of Water:  The health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.  I would recommend to anyone that is active to drink a gallon day.  Instances where you’re consuming alcohol can increase your chances of being dehydrated the following day.

Drink 12 glasses of water following a night of consuming alcohol. Do not drink them all at once. Space the glasses out over a 12-hour period. Be careful not to drink too much water because that can cause other serious problems, such as water intoxication.  

Consume a sports drink that contains electrolytes. Too much water when you are dehydrated can cause you to lose valuable electrolytes. Drinking sports drinks can help replace those electrolytes while hydrating your body.

Be Mindful of Calories:   If you’re like most people, you will indulge in high-calorie foods more so this time of year. But you need to keep in mind that calories add up fast.  It’s easy to say, “I’ll just burn these extra calories off at the gym.”  When you consume the donuts at breakfast or the slice of cake at the company holiday party how much extra work will you have to do?

The amount of time it takes to burn off a certain number of calories changes depending on your current weight and the type of exercise you choose. For example, someone who weighs 150 pounds burns:

• Approximately 300 calories per half hour of swimming.
• Almost 200 calories per half hour of walking
• More than 180 calories per half hour of yoga.

People who weigh more will burn a greater number of calories doing these activities because their bodies are heavier. On the other hand, lighter people burn fewer calories doing the same activities.

Just Say No:  Just because the food is there doesn’t mean you need partake in EVERYTHING that is at your disposal.  Attending multiple events the eating can get out of hand and so will the fat and pounds.  Pick and choose which events you will eat at.  Be more discipline with your meal prep and exercise routines.  

“Mindless eating has always been an issue,” said Riska Platt, M.S., a registered dietitian and certified nutritionist for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York. “The key to mindful eating is awareness. Just by paying more attention to what you eat, you’re more likely to make beneficial changes.”

Why I'm Watching Less Of The NFL

Photo:  Jim Rogash/Getty Images

NFL ratings are down and it has been attributed to things such as the strong MLB postseason, Presidential election and Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest.  I find myself not watching as much NFL football as I did in the past and I had to pause and ask myself why?  I was very engaged in the political climate this year more than year’s past.  But I don’t think that was the main reason.  The over saturation of the product is why I am watching less.

Don’t get me wrong, I still follow the NFL very closely.  I watch my favorite NFL team the Washington Redskins on a regular basis.  I no longer watch NFL games simply because they are on.  I don't have the desire to watch daily programming of NFL news or 2-4 hour pregame shows.  I'm not staying up late on a Sunday, Monday, or Thursday for games that are not competitive.  If I want an update I can go to my phone and check.  It is what Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban mentioned in March 2014 and was criticized for.  

"Just watch. Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. When you try to take it too far, people turn the other way. I'm just telling you, when you've got a good thing and you get greedy, it always, always, always, always, always turns on you. That's rule No. 1 of business."

"They're trying to take over every night of TV," Cuban said. "Initially, it'll be, 'Yeah, they're the biggest-rating thing that there is.' OK, Thursday, that's great, regardless of whether it impacts [the NBA] during that period when we cross over. Then if it gets Saturday, now you're impacting colleges. Now it's on four days a week.

"It's all football. At some point, the people get sick of it."

There can be too much of a good thing.  It is not only that games are on three days a week, there is literally coverage of the league 24 hours/day.  Thursday night games are bad because they usually are between division opponents to minimize travel, but many times the matchups are not good which lead to poor games.  They have adjusted the offseason calendar to be in the news all year.

The league’s poor handling of player discipline has become increasingly frustrating from Tom Brady's "Deflategate" to the mishandling of Giants kicker Josh Brown's domestic violence.  The reaction of owners and other players in response to Kaepernick’s protest was also disappointing.  

When Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was asked about the protest his response was, "It hasn't been a positive thing...What we all have to be aware of as players, owners, PR people, equipment managers, is when the lights go on we are entertainment. We are being paid to put on a show. There are other places to express yourself."

This is the same league that for the entire month of October promotes breast cancer and November the military.  Questions have been raised regarding whether it is more of a marketing ploy than raising funds and awareness.  

In 2013 it was revealed only 8.01% of merchandise for breast cancer goes toward cancer research.

Photo:  Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports

In May it was announced that the NFL returned more than $700,000 of taxpayers' money that was paid to teams for sponsored military tributes after being criticized for "paid patriotism," in which money came out of the armed forces budget for various measures of public recognition during games, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that the league would pay that money back.

These are causes that have impacted most of us in some form or another and are safe.   It will be difficult to find someone offended by these.  But when it comes to social issues too many of those around the league wanted to players to be quiet and just play.

This past Thursday the Cowboys/Redskins game was watched by a record 35.1 million people on Fox which has aired games for 22 1/2 years.  This is the last quarter of the season and games will have more meaning heading into the playoffs so I’m predicting ratings will increase and if two marquee teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots go deep into the playoffs ratings will be through the roof.

The NFL takes its players’ and fans for granted and appears to attempt to insult our intelligence.  But what I am guilty of and most fans is that we can compartmentalize those issues when it is game time.  The only way the NFL will make changes is when it affects their bottom line.  Simply doing the right thing doesn’t appear to be a good enough reason.

Inconsistencies In Grocery Store Quality By Neighborhood

Being a fitness professional in the Washington, D.C. area I’m in different communities and have made observations regarding the variation in food quality.  It is very disturbing to that major chain grocery stores do not have consistency in the quality of their buildings, food, and customer service.

The examples I’m going to use are grocery stores in the D.C. area, these examples could be consistent in your respective areas.  Grocery store chains such as Giant and Safeway do not have consistency from store to store.  Communities where minorities are the majority and/or low income the quality of the store and food is not up to standard and items are not well stocked.

Plenty of research has been done to confirm these observations.  A 2009 study lead by Dr. Nicole L. Larson and other colleagues found people who live in poorer neighborhoods in the U.S. are less likely to have easy access to supermarkets carrying a wide variety of fresh produce and other healthy food.  But they probably have plenty of unhealthy fast food joints to choose from.

The studies they reviewed confirmed that minority and low-income individuals who live near supermarkets have healthier diets. For example, one investigation found that the likelihood that African-Americans would meet guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption rose by 32% with every additional supermarket located in the census tract where they lived.

Southern Prince George’s County is where I lived until eight grade and I still have family and friends who live in that area.  Regardless of income levels, the grocery store quality is not the same as bordering counties or other parts of the county.  Newer developments in the county have single family homes, townhouses, and condos and still would be located in what I could consider a food desert.

Wegmans Woodmore 

Harris Teeter and Wegmans are two chains that have expanded their presence in the area.  In 2014 Consumer Reports named Wegmans the best grocery store in America.   The Woodmore Wegmans location in Prince George’s County, MD has exceeded expectations.  

Prince George's County EDC CEO Jim Coleman credits the shopping center's success to its location, directly off I-495, as well as the surrounding area's income. The average household income within a five-mile radius was $76k when they closed the deal in 2008, and by 2013 it grew to $89k. 

What I’ve noticed with Harris Teeter and Wegmans is that they are very selective where they choose to place their respective stores.  Another grocery store the quality of Wegmans is not within close distance of the Woodmore location.  With a prime location within a reasonable distance of various income levels over 20,000 cars travel to the shopping center where Wegmans Woodmore is located.

Wegmans recently opened a store in Alexandria, VA has a planned location in Tysons and is working on opening one on the Walter Reed campus in Washington, D.C.   Anyone familiar with the D.C. area will see a pattern with these new locations.

Harris Teeter has more than 230 stores in seven states and Washington, D.C., according to its website.  Harris Teeter and Wegmans have consistency in their food quality and customer service.  They have been the anchors for new and redevelopment.  

Safeway is the second largest grocery chain in North America.   There are three Safeway’s within 10 minutes of my home.  All of them are very different.  Two are older and one is fairly new after being torn down and rebuilt as part of a redevelopment.   One store has very poor customer service, a shortage of cashiers and no self checkout.  Another is an older store, small and needs to be remodeled.  The third is large, plush, well stocked, and staffed with self checkout.  Why is this the case?

If you live in a community and are not pleased with the food quality in your community I encourage you to galvanize your neighbors and demand improvements in the stores that are convenient to you.  Government does play a role to make it attractive for a Harris Teeter or Wegmans to come, but they can’t make them.   The stores you do have access to should not take convenience for granted.  They should supply the same quality in your part of town that they do others.  It’s a conscience effort to be very concerned in some instances and dismissive in others.  They have to do better!

The Contrast in NBA and NFL Post-Election Reaction

Photo Credit Getty Images

These have been very polarizing times.  Sports figures have not been exempt from commenting before and after the recent Presidential election.  The NBA and NFL have had very different reactions from players and coaches alike.  This is not surprising to me given the nature and their respective sports. 

NBA head coaches Steve Kerr (Golden State), Greg Popovich (San Antonio), and Stan Van Gundy (Detroit) have not been hesitant to voice their displeasure of Donald Trump victory last Tuesday, the tone of his campaign, and the aftermath with the reality that he is our President-elect.   

According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, the NBA was 74.3 percent black during the 2015-16 season and 81.7 percent were people of color. The study said that the NBA was 18.3 percent white last season, which was 5 percent less than the season before. The league was also a record 22.3 percent international last season.   That 18.3 percent of whites in the NBA from TIDES also includes non-Americans such as Europeans, Canadians and Australians of white descent. Entering the 2015-16 season, the NBA had 42 white American-born players.

The NBA is a players’ league.  Meaning that they have most of the leverage in terms of impact on the game and player movement.  A basketball team is comprised of only 12-15 players.  It is a very intimate group and the head coach needs to have a relationship with all of them.  The relationship between star player and coach is paramount to the team’s success and in reality dictates a coaches' reputation for the future.  

If Phil Jackson couldn’t get buy in from Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal or Greg Popovich from Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker they would not have generated the 16 championships between the two of them.  

Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy addressed the media before a recent game vs. Phoenix.  He noticed his team was “a little quiet” entering the arena. He initially thought the silence might’ve been caused by the previous night’s blowout loss to the Clippers, but backup center Aron Baynes said team’s mood was about “last night.”

He admitted that he and his players will have trouble facing fans from a city whose voters largely supported Trump.“I’m having a hard time being with people. I’m going to walk into this arena tonight and realize that -- especially in this state -- most of these people voted for the guy,” Van Gundy said. “Like, (expletive), I don’t have any respect for that. I don’t.”

In 2015 the NFL percent of black players was 68.7% while the percent of white players was 28.6%.  Unlike the NBA, NFL players are more disposable and are treated as such.   There are multiple layers between the head coach and players with position coaches and coordinators.

The NBA is not the NFL where in 2010 then Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan benched starting quarterback Donovan McNabb with under two minutes in a six point game questioning his understanding of the offense in that situation.  With the history of black quarterbacks and the issues they have faced of having their intellect and leadership questioned to run a football team many, including myself took this as racial coding.   Shanahan had been around the NFL too long not to know that and this was his first black starting quarterback.  Shanahan made multiple appearances on the campaign trail for Donald Trump.  “We need leadership for our country,” said Shanahan. “We need leadership for our kids.”

During a speech the day before the election Donald Trump not only announced that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called him earlier in the day to say he voted for him, but also read a letter of support he received from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Current San Francisco head coach Chip Kelly faced criticism of his relationship with black players while coaching the Philadelphia Eagles.  Players made comments such as “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture.”   Philadelphia was Kelly’s first professional coaching job.  Traded cornerback Brandon Boykin said, “He can't relate and that makes him uncomfortable...He likes total control of everything, and he don't like to be uncomfortable. Players excel when you let them naturally be who they are, and in my experience that hasn't been important to him, but you guys have heard this before me.”

Ownership is key in any business including sports.  In NFL culture it is front office, head coach, and quarterback focused.  If a key player or coach on a NBA team publicly acknowledged Trump in the manner Brady and Belichick did  it would cause issues within the team.  I’m sure some NBA players and coaches voted for Donald Trump, but they also would be in tune with their teammates feelings.   Trump has become a taboo topic in some NFL locker rooms as Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report has reported during this election season.

In sharp contrast, eight black players Freeman spoke with expressed the sentiment that the Trump election was one of the ugliest moments in American history and was about white America wanting to keep blacks, and other people of color, as one black player said, "in our place."

"Black players are constantly playing the race card [when it comes to Trump]," a white NFC player said. "This election had nothing to do with race."

A white NBA player and coach could not survive and be successful in the league without being conscious to some degree.  The beauty of the game is the close knit nature of the group.  The time together forces understanding from one another.  The head coach must be engaged with all of them.  With that you get what we heard from the respective NBA coaches and players who did speak out.   

One thing players can sniff quickly is a phony.  A pro basketball locker room is the toughest to win over.   They know the power they have and the coach better be able to communicate with them effectively.  Unlike college basketball where the main stars are the coaches and they have the most of the leverage.  Many of them have been quiet because they represent universities whose dynamics from the administration, student body and donors are not reflective of the athletes.  They don’t want to rock the boat.  The NBA is a workforce where there is reliance respecting and understanding it.  The NBA is and has been steps ahead of the NFL in terms of social awareness and this is no exception.

Takeaways From Ben Simmons One & Done Documentary

After watching the documentary on Ben Simmons on Showtime there were so many takeaways.  A few things stood out.

He would have been better served playing overseas for a year or going to a program such as Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, or UNC that had experience dealing with one year players.  The coaches at those respective schools would have had some boundaries in place and better prepared him and his family for what was in store.  Simmons had the attitude that he was doing LSU a favor by attending, which he was because he was their most high profile basketball player since Shaquille O’Neal.  The coaching staff couldn’t tell him anything.  The team’s struggles were concerning and his lack of competitiveness in key moments.  His teammates didn’t appear to trust him.  They go 18-13, miss the NCAA Tournament and get blown out by 23 points in their last game in the SEC Tournament.

  The one and done rule needs to go.  For an athlete of Simmons stature who has no interest in being a college student attending college for a year, especially with the attitude he had toward it makes a mockery of college.  This is not about simply being 18 and having the right to work.  Every entity makes a decision on what is the minimum requirement whether it is age, education or years of experience.  Enough players have had success entering out of high school.  With the NBA Developmental League they can continue to develop until they are ready.  I would like a rule similar to baseball, which has a three year mandatory stay if you choose to go to college and not turn pro out of high school.  Basketball would be better served with a two year rule.  But this is a NBA and union issue to resolve, not the MCAA, but they need to get involved.

Simmons had legitimate complaints regarding the NCAA, but they are not new and he is not the first. His family was very supportive, but appeared overwhelmed and when he was drafted #1 the end seem to justify the means.  Then he ill-advisedly puts on 35 lbs in the offseason and breaks his foot three weeks before the season begins.  The majority of that weight cannot be lean muscle and will have an impact on movement.  It is not shocking that he suffered an injury to a lower extremity.

That being said, he is very talented and a full recovery is expected.  A bright future is still available to him.  From my observation certain intangibles are missing and he is young and his teammate weren’t that good are irrelevant in how a player approaches the game and competes.  Time and age in most instances doesn’t change that.  It will be interesting to see how it plays out for him.  

Dear Will Cain

Dear Will Cain,

This letter is to potentially bring more perspective as to why you received so much backlash yesterday regarding your commentary as a guest host on “The Right Time” yesterday.  I must admit when I first saw you on ESPN platforms earlier in the year I was taken aback by your hire.  I can not claim to be a political junkie, but I do keep a close eye on current events and listen to political commentary.  Several of your views over the years have demonstrated a disconnect on matters of race in this country so I anticipated a moment like yesterday would come at ESPN.  

Unlike with your past political commentary experiences the audience of “The Right Time” is more diverse than your previous positions as a political commentator.  Bomani Jones offers a refreshing perspective on topics that many in the media do not provide, black, white, or any other race.  It is not about agreeing with him all the time, but it is a thoughtful perspective from a black man living in this country.  

Fair or unfairly to you, a white man whose past is considered a right wing conservative perspective is the polar opposite.  Your commentary yesterday did not change that stereotype of what is to be expected when you address racial matters.  Your constant need for details was frustrating to listen to.  Colin Kaepernick stood in front of his locker for 20 minutes discussing his position.  If you need more details on police brutality and lack of accountability then that is part of the problem.   When recent events have shown that the encounters with police should not have lead to deaths.  The details of the particular cases are different, but the common theme of white police officers interactions with blacks should be enough.  The retaliation on officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge being killed is also a tragedy.  As Kareem Abdul-Jabbar eloquently stated in the The Washington Post Kaepernick’s protest is as American as the pole vaulter Sam Kendricks stopping for the anthem during the Olympics.

I’ve heard you use terms such as cheap hashtag activism in reference to the “Bring Our Girls Back” movement of Boko Haram and question the legalities of Donald Sterling being recorded instead of what was said.  You’ve wanted to discount the racial aspects in the Trayvon Martin case.  I stand by my observation of the comments you made on “Real Time” with Bill Maher regarding our country being past racism because President Obama was elected in the first place. 

In the election four years ago Mitt Romney had 14% more votes of white educated men over President Obama.  Which demographic dominates government, business, banking, and media?  I’m in agreement with you in reference to the need to further the discussion with an action plan to address matters, but the problem is you don’t offer any.  We have to listen Donald Trump’s disingenuous plea to minorities in one breath and telling Kaepernick he should leave the country in another if he’s not happy.

I don’t know if your view on issues of race is an intentional attempt to get under people’s skin, a disconnect, or both.  But you don’t get it and the problem is you think you do.  When well versed minorities articulate the “why” you still want to question it.  My desire is that you would listen more for understanding and have more sensitivity to why black folks are fed up now to be quite frank. 

Sincerly,

Jamaal Piper

Sports Fan and Concerned Citizen

The Rise of Boutique Fitness Studios

Boutique fitness studios are the fastest growing trend in the fitness industry.  As I travel throughout the Washington, DC area I see more of them from yoga, cycling, circuit training concepts, and other new innovative trends.  This is a common trend throughout the country.  These boutique fitness studios now account for 42 percent of the American health club market. That's double what it was just a year ago. The average gym membership is about $57 per month while just one class at a boutique studio can run $25 to $40.  Most boutique users were found to use more than one facility—a health club and a stand-alone cycling studio, for instance.

Photo Credit:  www.yelp.com

Boutique studios tend to be located in highly foot-trafficked locations in affluent cities.  They are a byproduct of the gentrification taking places in many of these cities.  Very few are located in suburbs.

Meredith Poppler, vice president of media communications at the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), cites dramatic growth of studios as two-fold for owners, the cost of running a small studio is less expensive compared to the overhead to maintaining a full service gym.  “These studios are centered on a particular community of people with similar passions [Pilates, yoga, Zumba, boxing], and provide a high-tough, personalized environment.”

Why have them become so popular?  They have not reinvented the wheel in terms of their concepts.  The combination of exercises and the overall experience is the draw.  Relationships are established within the class and it is a great way to train with friends, families, and co-workers.  

The challenge with group training is the lack of individual programming to address needs and goals.  Since a group workout is, by its very nature, designed for a group, it may fail to address individual differences or weaknesses.  Someone with a previous injury or weakness in a particular area performs the same workout as another participant who is strong in that area. Granted, good teachers are quick to provide progressions and regressions for individual cases, but it's often difficult to address each unique situation.

Many of these boutique studios have a singular focus.   They revel in specialized training in niches such as Pilates, barre, yoga, group cycling, boot camp, mixed martial arts and boxing.  For example a cycling studio provides an intense cardiovascular workout.  Yoga provides strength and flexibility.  More circuit training or HIIT (high intensity interval training) studios are popping up.  They incorporate high intensity cardio exercises, rowing, and resistance exercises utilizing body weight.  They have incorporated science and technology.  Some studios have participants wear heart rate monitors during the session.

With the boom it has created a more competitive market place for consumers dollars.  Working out used to be straightforward with strength training, cardio and you’re done.  In today’s market the options are plentiful.  Big box gyms are offering similar group classes to compete with boutique studios so they will not lose their members.  

To get the best of both worlds, program group fitness classes into your schedule alongside a structured individual regiment.  Your overall training should include strength training, cardio, and stretching.  That way, you'll reap the benefits of the group experience, while at the same time addressing personal needs brought by individual training.  

Jamaal Piper
Health and Wellness Consultant/Personal Trainer
www.piperpersonaltraining.com

2015 NFC East Champions: Pleasant Surprise

The Washington Redskins surprised the football world by winning the NFC East.  When the season began I made a decision to limit my social media comments and let the season play out.  Like most fans, I was frustrated with the constant drama surrounding the team.  The most exciting offseason move the team made was hiring general manager Scot McCloughan.  Fans of other teams did not understand why there was so much excitement about the hire.  

I’ve viewed the ‘Skins as an organization that would have a hard time landing a top coach or executive with options.  The only reason they were able to hire McCloughan is because he had some issues in his personal life and other teams strayed from him.  Since Dan Snyder has owned the team the checks and balances in the football operation have not been in place.  We wanted to see how football decisions were made.  The less buzz about them the better.  The decision to make Kirk Cousins the starter generated a variety of responses.   I took issue with how the organization handled and communicated the decision, but agreed it was the correct one. 

Photo Credit:  www.wavy.com

The dysfunction of the past helped the organization this season.   In the 2012 draft the ‘Skins did something which is almost unprecedented.  The quarterback position had to be addressed.  The team mortgaged future picks to draft Robert Griffin III and in the fourth round drafted Kirk Cousins.  Both of these quarterback were considered to be future starting quarterbacks.  Why would they draft two highly touted quarterbacks in the same draft? My thoughts were that former coach Mike Shanahan wasn’t crazy about Griffin, that was the owner's preference.  Cousins fit more of the mold of what he wanted in a quarterback in a rare deep draft for the position and would be a safety net if Griffin did not pan out.  Griffin did not have a playbook in college and his learning curve would be longer when there were other options.

After Griffin’s knee injury at the end of 2012 and what has took place after is well documented.  My biggest issue with Shanahan and current coach Jay Gruden’s handling of Griffin is how public they were with their frustration with him.  Their issues with him as a football player have merit.  But I can’t recall a quarterback publicly being reprimanded by a former and current coach as much as Griffin was.  As a fan there are certain things we should not know even with all the access we love to have.  A head coach is the spokesperson for the team and should keep certain things in house and protect their players.  But when an organization forces a player on a coach when they have made it clear how they feel about them, the player will get the short end regardless if the reasons are justified are not.  It usually doesn't end well, this was no exception.

Players are not easily fooled.  They're in meetings and on the practice field and witness who is playing better and have feelings of who should be on the field and who should not.  When the New England Patriots practiced with the 'Skins during the 2014 preseason many Patriots players and staff walked away more impressed with Cousins than Griffin from the perspective of running the offense, fine-tuned mechanics and how decisively the ball came out of his hand.

Griffin and Cousins were put in a difficult situation from day one.  If Griffin ever struggled there would be temptation to go to Cousins.  When Cousins played his first three years he knew he was just keeping the seat warm for Griffin.  There was probably some mutual insecurity.   With both quarterbacks entering their contract year head coach Jay Gruden made a decision to go with Cousins and demote Griffin to third string, meaning he would be inactive and not dress for games.

Cousins has improved as the season progressed.  It has been refreshing to see how the offseason acquisitions through the draft and free agency have contributed to the team.  Also, new hires on the coaching staff with a new offensive line coach, quarterback coach, and entire defensive coaching staff.  

So excuse us ‘Skins fans for our excitement.   We have witnessed foolishness for a long time.  It appears to be some order to running the team.   It is only one season and another game vs. Dallas before the playoffs.  In the the NFL things can change quickly week to week and year to year.  I just hope they stay the course through the good and bad in the future.