Wednesday, May 2, 2018

It's been 5 years!

I've shared my story about my weight struggles before. I haven't told the whole story though. Those who've known me for more than 5 years know I used to be 251 lbs (at 5'6). I struggled with my weight most of my adult life. I tried a bunch of different fad diets, I've tried different types of pills (prescription and non). I've had some success. The most I lost was about 30 lbs during a dieting phase. In Sept 2012 I had been working on my latest diet/exercise phase. I was down about 25 lbs since May of that year. I went out to the basketball court to get in some exercise and POP! I ended up with a full tear of my Achilles. It was the worst pain in my life! I remember sitting in the doctor's office when he finished putting the cast on. He told me the cast would be on for 6 weeks, then I'd get it removed and have to do rehab for the leg. He said at least a 6 month recovery time and closer to a year before I get back to 100%. I didn't show it at the office but in that moment I died inside! I was thinking 'those 20+ lbs I lost over the last 4-5 months will all come back! What am I gonna do?!"

6 weeks later, I got the cast off and realized I still had to use crutches for weeks because my leg was so weak. Daily "wins" were being able to put pressure on the leg for more than 5 seconds. I didn't have the money to go to rehab so I only went to a couple of sessions. I looked up the exercises on line and did them at home on my own. My leg started to get stronger and yes, I did pick up all the weight I lost plus another 5-10 lbs.

December 2012 was the 2nd domino to fall that really changed my life. A good friend of mine (and at that time I didn't have a lot of "good friends") died of a heart attack. Rocked my world. A guy only a couple years older than me--died suddenly of a heart attack! I couldn't believe it. I had to lose weight again! I couldn't let that be me! February 2013 the next domino fell--probably the one that was the most significant. My oldest daughter told me she was pregnant. World rocked again! I'm going to be a grandfather! I had to get myself together! I went back to my doctor for the prescription pills I had found some success with. Surely that would help! Not this time. I don't know if my body had gotten used to it, but now I could barely lose 5lbs on the pills.  I went into a depression for several months. I didn't tell my family about it. I felt lost. I honestly did not think I would live another 5 years. I was back to over 245 lbs. I was coming off an Achilles tear--still not 100%. The weight loss I tried wasn't working. I was doomed!

July 6, 2013 my oldest grandson Caden was born. He was the last domino to fall for me. Holding that precious baby in my arms got me out of my depression and got me motivated.  I knew if I was going to live long enough to see this child grow up, start school I had to do something. A friend of mine had researched gastric by pass surgery. I always thought that was for people with money--not us "common folk." I never thought it was an option. I didn't realize that it had been around so long that it was now an accepted practice that most insurances will cover a significant portion of it. At this point, cost didn't matter to me. If I had to go into debt the rest of my life, at least I'd have a "life" to do that for! I scheduled myself for a meeting in September 2013 and got the ball rolling.

January 2014 I got the surgery! It saved my life. I followed the regiment, dropped 90 lbs in a year and got into running as a hobby/addiction. As I was sitting in a tub soaking my sore body from running my second marathon, it had just dawned upon--it's been 5 years! It's been 5 years since I sat in depression thinking I was not going to live another 5 years if I stayed on the course I was on. To God be the glory!!! In these last 5 years I've been blessed to see my grandson grow up, start pre school. I even have a 2nd grandson Cole. I've had the pleasure of watching him grow and we just celebrated his 3rd birthday. I've watched my oldest daughter graduate college. My son graduate high school and attend college. This Sunday (May 6th) I will have the honor of walking my oldest daughter down the aisle as she gets married.

God has richly blessed my life. While I say the surgery changed my life I know that all this time God was directing my steps. He needed me to see the despair I was in to know what He had planned for my life. I feel reborn out of the ashes. As I reflect on this gift of life He's given me I can't help but think about what God wants me to do with this life He's given back to me. I need to do some more soul searching on this. In the meantime, I'm going to try and be the best version of myself I can--so that it honors Him!

If you are reading and can relate to the depression, pain and suffering know that God is real. Know that He loves you and He has a plan for you. What may seem difficult or impossible CAN be overcome! Remember God is in the miracle business! "I can do all things through Him that gives me strength!" Phil 4:13 NIV

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Promote The Positive

A couple of years ago I started using the hastag #PromoteThePositive.  I was just thinking the other day, why did I start doing that? Then it hit me! (pretty proud of myself for remembering that circumstance since my brain is pretty much mush these days), but I was on Twitter and it just seemed like every story that came out was about something negative! Shootings, rapes, crime, violence, athletes being arrested for one reason or another...on and on--all negative things.  Then I saw a small article about something positive an athlete did. They either gave back to their hometown or helped with Make A Wish but it was something that was pretty cool yet it only got a small heading. I posed the question to that article "why are only the negative things these days highlighted? Where are the articles trumpeting the positive?" Someone who was following the article (that I did not know) replied to me with something like "Negativity sells! If it bleeds it leads! you can't be that naive". Well, you can imagine my first reaction as pride was swelling in my blood--BUT I didn't bite. Instead of coming with vitriol and malice I simply asked the question "why not?! Why can't we promote what is positive in society?" From there I decided I was going to be the one to get that train moving if nobody else did. Now I know I'm CLEARLY not the first or only one to promote the positivity--I'm forwarding/tagging these articles.  But I want to do my part to show that there are good people in this world. There are positive things going on. Not every person is out to do you harm.  If you lose hope/faith then we are truly lost.

So, I challenge every person who reads this article find something you can point to that's positive and share it with others. Use the hashtag #PromoteThePositive maybe it'll catch on. "If it bleeds it leads" will still have a dominant place in our culture unfortunately, but we can also give voice to those things and those people doing positive in our communities, lives, world.

...maybe it's just me :)

God bless!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Why I run

People often ask me, "Why do you run?" I guess the reason they ask is most of my social media posts are about runs I've been on, articles I've read and thought were interesting and re posted were about running.  My love of sports has evolved to a love/loathe relationship with running.  As I was getting up this morning, I had contemplated going out for a run before work.  Sleep was feeling real good. I knew today would be another long day because of commitments I've made so it was real easy to say 'naw, don't need to run today. I got too much to do. Need to save the energy.' So I started checking email then checking Facebook.  BAM!  About 2-3 post I saw were guys in my run group BMR (Black Men Run).  They showed themselves putting in work.  Well if they got out, I got no excuse. I need to get out too! As I was out running it occurred to me there are so many reasons why I run. To narrow it down to just one or two wouldn't be doing it any justice. So, I wanted to write this piece on "Why I run."

God
He is the most important person in my life. I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't list the many blessings God has given as one of the reasons I run.  God has given me His grace.  Grace has been defined as "not getting what you deserve and getting what you don't deserve." This is certainly true in my case. I ballooned up to 251 pounds at my highest weight. I'm only 5'6" so I was a bowling ball! Unhealthy. No exercising habits to speak of. Poor eater in terms of healthy eating. I was a borderline diabetic. Has some heart issues. I did all of this to myself. No one held a gun to my head and forced me into this lifestyle. I DID IT! I certainly didn't deserve a second chance at health, but He gave it to me! I got on a program to get gastric by pass surgery January of 2014 and as of this morning I've dropped over 90 lbs! Sure I celebrate the weight loss and being able to keep it off going on 2 years but I KNOW without God I'm not here or successful.  More about that later too

Social Media
This on the surface may seem vain to you, but let me explain something.  When people (like myself) post runs or workouts on social media it's directed at 2 specific people/groups:
1. The little voice that tells you 'don't go out. you don't need to run/work out today. Stay home where it's comfortable. You've done enough'
2. It's directed at the person who reads the post and NEEDS that post.  Just like I mentioned this morning, I was battling the little voice in my head who said stay in bed.  I saw some of my brothers who beat that little voice and their post ENCOURAGED me. It got me going.  Many, many times I see people posting runs, walks, work outs whatever and I get encouraged! I'm happy for them! I see people who run faster and longer than me and their posts push me! They give me the goal to set before myself!  So, when you're on Facebook or Twitter or any other social media and you see my post or anyone else's know WHY they're posting. It's to brag--to that little voice that says stop and its to encourage that person who otherwise may not have started

BMR/BGR
My wife Christy started running with BGR (Black Girls Run). I didn't get it. We live in a beautiful community with plenty of areas to walk/run in. Why drive somewhere else to meet other people to go walk/run? Seemed like a waste of gas to me (especially when gas was like $4/gallon). She kept encouraging me to get with BMR back in February of this year when I started to exercise again. NOPE! I didn't need to run with a group. I had all the land I needed right here!  Trained and ran my first 5K in 4 years right here too. It was the first time I ran a 5K all the way through without walking. I figured I'd run a 5K every quarter for the rest of the year. I started following BMR on Facebook. Saw some of the postings and the runs--cool, just not for me.  Then June we ran an impromtu 5k at NoDa Brewery. I met some of the fellas at the race. Took a group picture with them though I felt out of place like I didn't belong.  I mean I had never gone out on a run with them so it was kind of weird for me.  I ran that race all the way through and beat my previous time (PR--Personal Record). I decided to start meeting with BMR on their Monday and Wednesday runs. I messaged our Capt Greg and asked how long did they run? I mean to me these guys were semi pro runners! They were in a running club! I was only hoping to keep pace with them.  Greg told me "your race, your pace. We stay until the last guy comes in. We just ask whatever distance you run you finish w/in an hour."  OH COOL! I can do that. Went out with them on a Monday at the greenway and had a great run! I was so used to the hills of Highland Creek running flatlands on the greenway was a breeze! that soon became a healthy addiction. I got to know a bunch of great guys. One of the best parts is unlike a lot of "clubs" or sports you get into they ALL GENUINELY encouraged you every step! If you were running a race they came out to support you (and these races get going early). Sometimes ran along side you. They even TRICK you into running your first half marathon after only ever running a 5k! LOL.  I had knee problems no doctor was diagnosing right. I was training for my 1st half marathon and I hit a pretty big set back. I couldn't run--not a bit! I was frustrated and depressed. What I loved was being taken from me and no one could tell me why. I was about 2 weeks from the race and posted on FB that I hit a set back.  Within 5 minutes I got a call from one of my brothers John who said "hey we're getting through this half! If I got to walk you through this thing myself that's what we're gonna do!" I just met John through BMR a month or two ago when he made that call to me.  John has been battling his own challenges. This was his 1st half marathon too and I knew how hard he had been working. I told John I would not let him waste his training waiting on me to get through this. I NEEDED him to run his race. My faith in God would not allow me to give up! John's words gave me the courage and the resolve I needed.  Come hell or high water I was finishing!  And I did...

Family/Fitness
There is so much I can put here. I can add my BMR/BGR family. My church family, but for these purposes I'll say this is related to my wife, kids and grandsons.  December 2012 a very good friend of mine passed away suddenly. It shocked me. I was recovering from a torn achilles and picking up weight I had previously lost. My friend KJ dying really made me look at my life.  In early 2013 I found out I was going to be a grandfather (Pop Pop). I was out of shape. Morbidly obese and honestly didn't think I would live another 5 years at this pace.  I wanted/needed to see my grandson! I wanted my kids to have a dad. I wanted to grow old with my wife. I was not putting myself in position to do any of that. So I started on the path for getting gastric by pass surgery. They told me my max weight loss would be down to 187 lbs.  That was great!  They also told me if I didn't take care of myself I could stretch my stomach back and regain the weight. There were quite a few people at work that had gotten the surgery and had gained the weight back.  That terrified me! In order for me to lose the weight and keep it off I had to exercise! I had done too much damage to my knees and couldn't play basketball like I used to. I don't like cycling so that left golf or running. Golf is nice but expensive and weather dependent. Running/walking is FREE and available anywhere.  I started walking then running and walking and competing. It gave me a new body. It gave my kids a new dad and my wife a new husband.  Since, I've also been blessed with a second grandson as well.  My family is my world. I owed it to them to do whatever I could to get healthy.

So for those of you who are contemplating whether to run/walk/workout, I say DO IT! Don't listen to the little voices in your head or the doubters who tell you you can't. I didn't start out 2015 thinking I would run (6) 5K, (11) 10K (2) half marathons in less than 10 months, but with God's grace I did! Don't wait until the new year get out today!  Remember "it's your race and your pace!"

get it in!

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Can SOMEONE please get the Lakers organization into the year 2015??!!!

What do you do for a living?  Are you in Sales, medical field, or something else?  Whatever it is, imagine you are considered one of the best in your field.  Now you're thinking "I want to see what other companies are like."  Not that you're necessarily unhappy with where you are--you're respected, compensated well and you have some seniority.  You decide to send your resume out through a service and low and behold you get 6-7 companies lining up to interview you!  Great day right?! You do your research on the companies and you know their history and you see where they are in terms of stability and job security. You decide to take the interview for all the companies because you want to hear what they are all about.  You want to be a part of a winning team and know how you and your skill set fits in to that team--right? Well, while you're at company #1 they bring out local celebrity and former star of the "what's going down" episode of That's My Momma Randy Watson to sing Greatest Love of All as part of company #1 pitch to why you should join them.  Does that move you in any way? You went to an interview to see how you would fit in with this company, knowing that you have a ton of value and experience you can offer.  They bring out Randy Watson as part of their pitch to you!!!  You see where I'm going here? No? Well neither did LaMarcus Aldridge when he met with the Lakers on his first visit for free agency.  The Lakers made a movie (similar to what they pitched to Mello last year) and brought out their "a-list celebs" to pitch "basketball" to him.  When he asked about basketball questions, he got vague and incomplete answers.  After all of this the Lakers brass were reported as saying they felt the meeting went exceptionally well.  Now that this is all coming to light, the usual punching bag for the Lakers woes (Kobe Bryant) is being hung out to dry.  Here's my case why that is MOSTLY unfair:

The state of the LA Lakers​: for 2 years most of the blame/media coverage about the Lakers is that Kobe is getting a ton of money and his attitude is keeping free agents away from the Lakers. Here's why that' flawed (mostly, but not completely). Yes his salary does prevent LA from bringing in 2 max contract players. But, what team has that kind of cap room and what two max contract players are REALLY worth spending that kind of money on AND willing to go to that one team? I'll wait for the answer...So let's take that off the table for now. The 2nd issue about Kobe not being the type of player others want to play with. Who? Who are these players that don't want to ball with a top 10 all time great with 5 rings and a unanimous 1st ballot hall of famer who has the best work ethic on the court since Jordan?! Point them out, mark them with a highlighter so I can see them in fluorescent light because I DON'T WANT THEM ON MY TEAM!  The MAIN problem for the Lakers organization is THEIR approach to free agents! They're still pitching players like they did when they landed Shaq. A bunch of Hollywood types, movies about how they can market them and why "the big city" is the best place for their "brand."  This is the age of social media. No offense to my Cleveland, OH family but that is a relatively small market that houses the best player in the league--his brand is just fine! Why, because you no longer need the exposure of a big city to be a big market attraction. News and information is instantaneous. It's not dependent on a big market.  And lets be honest, "branding" is GLOBAL not just local. The Lakers need to infuse some fresh blood into the front office.  Someone who knows the pulse of the players.  They also need to point to how bringing in player _____ is going to help them get banner #17..18...and well you get it!

Now, Kobe has and still goes "on the record" with unwise comments. Most recently he was interviewed by Jemelle Hill and the quote attributed him about why he doesn't make friends in the NBA he said (paraphrasing) 'friends are temporary but banners last forever.' Two sides to this. Those who love the competitiveness of that statement laud his bravado.  Those who really pay attention to what that means are saddened by it.  A TRUE friend DOES last forever.  It seems apparent Kobe hasn't really found that TRUE friend or tried. When you retire and the bright lights are dimming and darkening who's left? Family? Sure. Friends? TRUE ones! Not just those who are there when things are good.  This is how Kobe has approached a lot of his career (based on what I've seen and read as I have never met the man personally). That's sad to me, because the end of his career is coming--a brilliant hall of fame career. He's apparently been wise with his money so he wont be going broke but the game and it's players who are carrying it on, may not be as quick to embrace a retired Kobe as they are for one who is currently playing--he may be OK with that now but later? We all want to be loved/liked on a certain level.  I think this mindset has prevented some with bonding and going all out for the Lakers. If I can make an analogy: As a supervisor, I have people who work for me. If all I ever do is treat them like employees and just show business interest in what they say and do, they will handle their jobs appropriately but when the ____ hits the fan, and I'm backed into the wall and now NEED them to step up their game, how many (if any) will be WILLING to do that on their own? What would be their motivation? I've only treated them like employees and just giving them what is fair and just; not considering them or sacrifices they've made and attributing value to that at all. Still, some may give you more, but how many? How long will that last if you stay on the same course?  Kareem was known to be a bit surly during his playing days. It cost him relationships with team mates and media. he was an all time great and first ballot hall of famer.  However at some point he wanted to be a head coach. He started off working with centers and did a great job in helping some of the games big men take their game to the next level.  However he (to this date) has never gotten the opportunity to be a head coach. Not because he couldn't handle it. There are ton of head coaches who got jobs they probably shouldn't have but did. Most attribute Kareem's past as the main reason he didn't get ground swell and support for what he wanted to do next. 
This is Kobe's 20th year in the league. Monumental accomplishments. Great career. He will be celebrated this year. I'm hoping to see him in Charlotte. I hope he takes this time to enjoy what has been accomplished, appreciate what has been earned, and enjoy the last chapter(s) of his career with his team mates and an organization who is at a cross roads betting heavily on draft picks D'Angelo Russel and Julius Randle can take them to the next great chapter in Lakers history.  Because when it's over (and the end is sooner than we want to think) it's over!  The Lakers will need to figure out life after Kobe--that train is getting retired and a new model is needed. They can't rely on the old thinking. They need to adjust to how things are done today.  Get back to basketball and winning ON the court. Let the players agent figure out how his/her client can win off the court. You can give them resources, but stick to what got you here--winning basketball games and championships.  It's what the interview is for!

...or is it just me?

Monday, November 24, 2014

Why keeping Sparano MAY make sense for the Raiders

OK...OK...OK...It's one win but MAN!!! that one win came a full calendar year PLUS for Raiders fans..AND at the expense of one of your rivals.  Only thing that would've made it sweeter for me was for it to be against the broncos. 
This team has a lot of bright spots on it.  There are pieces to build from.  That couldn't be said as early as 2 years ago.  We are beginning to see the development of players on the defense like:
Sio Moore, Khalil Mack, Justin Ellis, TJ Carrie and DJ Hayden
offensively has to lead off with your General: Derek Carr, Latavious Murray, Gabe Jackson, Lil Wiz, Streator, Andre Holmes, Brice Butler and James Jones. There are also other players in the mix that we hope are developing and will see some major PT soon like McGill, Dowling and Watson.

Again, all positives we couldn't point to a couple years ago.  Now, I said there's a reason why the Raiders may want to consider keeping Sparano as the head man.  Consistency. The Raiders will still likely get the first pick in the draft.  At worst a top 5 for sure.  That means there's still a lot of work to be done and still quite a few more pieces to be added.  Why not keep a guy who has the players respect?  He's been a rebuilding coach before. He's considered a top coach with the offensive line and let's face it we still have some work to do to get these guys in a better position to succeed.  The Raiders will not contend for a playoff spot next year--no shock to the realistic fan.  For some of my Raider Nation brethren I may have just put myself on the most wanted list for that statement.  Either way, I believe it to be true!  Keep Sparano around for a few more years and see what that type of consistency can do for Carr/Mack/Moore and the other foundation pieces the Raiders have.  Sparano could turn this into a playoff contender with the right pieces if GM Reggie McKenzie can get him what he needs.  The Raiders are still looking for a permanent home. No deal is forth coming. What is there to gain but hoping a marquee coach REALLY wants to come there for anything less than a Brinks truck with all the trimmings!

Give Sparano a chance to put his model in place.  We are starting to see some of the young talent Reggie brought in so let's tie the two together for a couple more years. We're out of cap hell and have a full compliment of draft picks. We have (what we believe) is our present and future signal caller, so let's keep it moving with the guys we got.  Sparano will likely make some moves with the assistant coaches in the off season--so be it.  I say consider him for the top job rather than settle/hope we find the next big thing in coaching.  Rebuilding a team doesn't occur overnight. We made the wrong choice 3 years ago in a guy w/o head coaching experience, let's roll with what/who we know.

...or is it just me?

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Future ESPN 30 for 30--Kobe Bryant--an appreciation

What if I told you a 17 year old kid from Italy, via Philadelphia would change an NBA franchise and spark a debate for years to come?  Ok, I had to start off like that!  Seriously, 17 year old Kobe Bean Bryant decides to go from high school to the pro's; gets drafted 8th by the Charlotte Hornets then traded to the LA Lakers draft day for Vlade Divac and thus began a history making career that will end with countless comparisons to Michael Jeffery Jordan--revered as THE greatest NBA player ever...or is it just me?

Let's compare (stats are through 4/2/2013)
Name (championships)
Seasons
GP
GS
PTS
ASST
REB
M Jordan (6)
15
1264
1264
32292
5633
6672
K Bryant (5)
16
1234
1086
31457
5853
6544
Difference (1)
1
30
178
835
-220
128


Jordan played 3 years at UNC before going to the NBA.  He "retired" for a season, came back and won three more NBA championships before retiring again.  He then came back for 2 more forgettable years with the Wizards.  In total Jordan played 15 seasons was a starter since being drafted.  Jordan completed his career in 2nd place in all time scoring.  Since retirement he has dropped to 3rd (behind Karl Malone and Kareem).  Jordan holds 6 scoring titles.

Kobe came to the Lakers in 1995-96 seasons.  He played in 71/82 games that year, starting in only 6.  Following year he played in 79 games and started 1.  It wasn't until the strike shortened season of 1998-99 that Kobe became a full time starter. Kobe didn't become the Lakers first option until 2005-06 seasons (Shaq traded to Miami).   Kobe holds 1 scoring title. Kobe will finish his 16th season in 4th place all time on the scoring list.  At this point he trails Jordan by 835 points to move into 3rd all time with 1 more year on his contract.

I'm a big Kobe fan, but NO ONE has ever matched Jordan competitive mentality--his killer instinct.  Jordan admitted in a recent article he created a rivalry with his own brother convincing himself that his father favored his brother (Larry) more than him. This drove him to compete and dominate on the highest levels throughout his career.  Kobe is close--but I would say he's still #2 in competitive nature.  Kobe has played through numerous injuries such as broken fingers, damaged knees, back problems, sprained ankles to name a few.  He, just like Jordan wants/demands the ball when it's clutch time.  He (like Jordan) was known for delivering in the clutch as well.  Jordan would dominate on defense as well as on offense which is the difference in the two.  Kobe has always been a very good defender, but his gift to the game has been his offense.  His uncanny ability to create his own shot when there doesn't seem to be one.  He's been labeled as selfish and a ball hog, but when you're 4th in the NBA in scoring all time that comes with the territory.  Jordan/Kobe have both been described as "hard to play with" by some team mates but both have also been described as "driven" by the same.

Last night Shaquille O'Neal got his jersey retired from the Lakers (rightfully so).  Shaq and Kobe's feud was much publicized.  Both (one retired and the other on the door step) reflect back on their feud and admit they wished they were able to work things out for the betterment of their careers.  If they were, we could be talking about Shaq catching the great Bill Russell with 11 rings and Kobe would have likely surpassed Jordan's 6 at this point in his career.  Instead Kobe offers this explanation to why it didn't work out.
     "Me and Shaq are two alpha-males. We both are dominant and need to be the dominant presence on our teams.  We would eventually have to part even if it was on good terms.  It would be like Jordan (Michael) playing alongside Wilt (Chamberlain) during their careers.  Eventually they would have to part ways."

TRUE.  Kobe has been vilified in the media.  He's earned some of it.  Some of it not so much. Jordan was/is beloved.  To suggest someone in this lifetime would be close to the icon that is Jordan is uneasy for some.  That gets manifested in different ways.  it's easy to pick apart someone's flaws--especially someone you don't like.  What's difficult is to respect those accomplishments w/o bias for what they are.  Jordan was compared to NBA legend Julius "Dr J" Erving early in his career.  Sacrilegious for those of us who loved watching the Dr work.  Over time though we came to appreciate Jordan for what he was.  Kobe's career isn't over with yet.  He may/may not catch Jordan in scoring/championships.  EVERYONE who knows anything about Kobe knows that's his mark. He chooses the best at his position to emulate.  Love him or hate him, whether it's 5 rings, 6 rings or more Kobe is still in the conversation as one of the greatest to play the game of all time.  We may never see another one like Jordan, but I would venture to say we'll also never see another one like Kobe Bean Bryant either!

Friday, February 22, 2013

What happened to the middle ground?

"Best team ever!"  "This is the team to beat!"  "Long season for..."  these were the headlines after 1 week of football.  I wondered how true would people be if things were reveresed in week 2.  Sure enough the tune changed completely.  Let's look at some examples
Jets put a whoopin on the Bills week 1.  They score an NFL high of 48 points and everyone is ready to annoint them the beasts of the East.  Fast forward to Sunday and the Jets lose to a good Pittsburgh team.  Now the headlines are filled with "Calls for Tebow to start with Jets."  take the Cowboys.  They beat reigning super bowl champs the Giants in the season opener.  Sunday they get beat soundly by Seattle.  The same ones who were ready to have a part for Dallas's ceremonious return are the same ones asking if "they have the right QB for the team." 
Where is the middle?  Is there anyone who believes in a win is a win and a loss is a loss.  A win (this early) isn't the catapult to a 16-0 season and promises of future greatness.  Nor is a loss (this early) the begining of the Apocalypse for your team. No one has perspective anymore.  I guess because society is used to the sensationalism.  People want the extreme story. Nobody wants to hear the truth--really?  Truth is the vast majority of teams have work to do.  Some more than others.  For other teams (like my beloved Raiders) there's a lot that needs to be done but not much to do it with.