Scribbler's Highlight of the Week: Remembering Sean Taylor

Now although I am no longer a fan of Washington's NFL team, I still was when the late, great Sean Taylor was becoming one of the most dynamic defensive players not only on that team, but in the entire NFL.  Other than Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu, his athleticism was unmatched by most safeties in the NFL at the time.  His knack for finding the football was mysterious because he would seemingly appear from nowhere and pick off a pass, deflect a pass or be the first one with the ball in his hands on a fumble recovery.  More than anything, who could forget this dude's hits?!?!  Sports Illustrated named him the hardest-hitting player in the NFL before the start of the 2007 regular season.  I think most people remember the annihilation that he delivered to Brian Moorman in his first Pro Bowl game in 2006--yeah, it was on a punter, but it was still amazing nonetheless.  However, he didn't limit his punishment to punters as he lowered the boom to many wide receivers, tight ends, running backs and whoever got in his path.

Scribbler's Throwback of the Week: Billy Paul, "Let the Dollar Circulate"

You all will see many posts in the future featuring Mr. Billy Paul, the Philly soul singer known for his classic smash and creeping anthem, "Me & Mrs. Jones".  Taken from his 1975 album, When Love Is New, the late great J Dilla sampled it for Spacek's "Dollar" and so did 9th Wonder in "Dollar Circulate".  However, I first recalled hearing the sample in "Circulate" by Young Jeezy at a local community day celebration where I stopped everything I was doing--and I mean literally stopped putting ketchup and mustard on one of those good ol' burnt cookout hot dogs--to listen attentively.  Being an unofficial Philly soul aficionado, my ears perked up and recognized it as a definite brainchild of one of my biggest musical influences, Gamble & Huff.  After a while, I was less interested in what Jeezy had to say and more interested in finding the original and somehow the instrumental as well.  (I was far less successful in finding the latter...didn't quite have that inside track to Don Cannon to see if he could float me a copy.  Ah well...)

Scribbler's 'Boo This Man' Moment of the Month: The NYPD

Well, this particular 'Boo This Man' Moment will not be remotely as funny as the previous two, and it could only take the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to 1) upstage Kanye West when it comes to controversy and 2) be part of such an appalling incident that they would be the first "Boo This Man" Moment of the Month--and there are still ten days left in March.  By now, I'm sure you've heard about the March 6th killing of 16-year-old Kimani Gray in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn involving two plainclothes NYPD officers.  Here's NYPD's side: the officers spotted a group of young males and when they approached, Gray separated from the group and adjusted his waistband in a "suspicious" manner.  NYPD Chief Spokesman Paul J. Browne explained the rest of the story from the officers' perspectives:

Scribbler's Throwback of the Week: The Manhattans, "Wish That You Were Mine"

I remember first hearing this song and thinking, "Dang, are all their best songs about messing around?!?!"  (Think "Kiss and Say Goodbye".)  However, that thought was quickly erased as I pressed repeat another two times.  The ever-so-smooth Winfred "Blue" Lovett opens up as always, asking his object of affection, "Baby, can we have the same table like we had yesterday?" Complementing his deep voice as the song moves along musically are the lush and melodic sounds delivered straight from Philly--which is funny since "The Manhattans" actually formed in Jersey City, New Jersey.  Led by the equally smooth Gerald Alston, the quartet delivers beautiful four-part harmony that you don't often hear from R&B groups anymore--especially considering that there aren't many of which to speak.  Taken from their 1973 album, There's No Me Without You, those who are familiar with Bronx rapper Fat Joe's catalog may recognize this sample from one of his often slept-on singles,  "All I Need" featuring Tony Sunshine & Armageddon.  (Ironic that Fat Joe made more of a rap love song that mentions coming home and staying true to one woman, but The Manhattans' song talks about wanting someone that you know you can't have when you already have somebody at home.)  Although I don't condone infidelity, "Wish That You Were Mine" is one song that makes creeping sound oh so good...but also ultimately hopeless.

Dirk's 1st Annual NFL Free Agency Frenzy Wrap-Up



Now that's a money shot.  Amidst so much doubt as to whether you're the franchise quarterback, you go out and play nearly flawless postseason football, win a Super Bowl and put yourself in position to virtually request a blank check during contract negotiations.  However, not every player was in the same position as Joe Flacco when the free agency frenzy began last Tuesday--especially because quarterbacks always get preferential treatment when they win that Lombardi trophy.  Some players tried to gain leverage from what the market dictated combined with their productivity to either be the highest paid or just get more money for their families, fledgling businesses and/or sports car fetishes.  On the converse, many teams had to make hard decisions because they were running up against the salary cap, often letting go of some of their best players.  One thing is clear from this year's free agency frenzy: if you bank on wearing the same uniform your whole career, then plan on being broke.