Jock-osphere 5-12

REPORTING FROM THE JOCK-OSPHERE

by Ryan Corazza

Getty Images

"Actually, the scuba dives are a part of the search for the underwater fountain of youthful appearance. So … you seen my flippers?"

[Ed's Note: In the long view of the sports media industry, it's still a relatively new concept that athletes, agents, executives and yes, mascots, could circumvent us and tell their own stories…instantly, on blogs. We say, fantastic—but we're going to cover what they're writing.]

Marques Douglas: Athletes Need to Change

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Marques Douglas is tired of seeing athletes in the headlines for off the field problems. To wit:

"I look back at some of the all-time greats who played the game, like Deacon Jones and John Randle, and wondered how would they would have dealt with the problems facing the game and communities," he writes. "I wonder how the social issues that face our communities would be different if, we as professional athletes, would take a stand. … Change in a way that would allow others to come in and play the game the right way and function in their lives as productive members of society. Athletes used to be revered in the communities and across the world for how the lived their lives, not only during the hours of "the game" but also after the game."

Greg Oden: Back on the Mainland

Greg Oden is back from a ten day stint in Hawaii.

"I worked out everyday but my workouts were split between riding the bike for 13 miles and having a basketball workout for an hour," he writes. "I also got to go enjoy the island of Kona. I went on a helicopter ride of the island. I never been snorkeling before but by the time I left I went 5 times and felt like I've been doing it for years. I also went to some really good restaurants. "Tommy Bahamas" became my favorite spot."

Since it's clearly too late to write an Oden cameo into Forgetting Sarah Marshall, we're only asking for a possible spot in the next Magnum PI run. Come on Selleck, don't fight it anymore.

Detroit Tigers: Time to Ship Out the Slogan?

The Detroit Tigers are looking for a new slogan. Maybe.

"Internally we have been debating for the last two years if it's time for 'Who's Your Tiger?' to be retired as our slogan. There has been a lot of discussions (both for and against) on our message boards as well. On the one hand, there's a lot of 'equity' in the slogan—meaning that most of Detroit is familiar with the slogan and many people often refer to players as 'their Tiger.' We've even been selling WYT T-shirts for the past few years. Hitting the right note with a marketing slogan is extremely hard to do (we've had quite a few slogans that were 'one and done' —anyone remember 'Earning Our Stripes' or 'We Come to Play'?"

A suggestion for this year's squad: "Where'd our pitching go?" Hey-oh!

Rajon Rondo: Hard Rock Life

Where do you go after a rough loss in Game 3 in Cleveland? The Hard Rock Café? Somebody get Rondo in touch with the concierge. Oh well. At least he's a huge fan of the spinach dip. He also clears the air on the flagrant foul by Marvin Williams from the Atlanta series.

He and Marvin are still boys.

Paulie D

Paul DePodesta, an exec for the San Diego Padres, just stepped into the blog game over the weekend. Check him out HERE.

Evan Bartsch contributed to this report

[Origin of the Species]

Marques Douglas has it right.

Marques Douglas posted this on his Yardbarker blog- a little 'Food for Thought'

Why not us!

submitted by MarquesDouglas

I remember being at the training facility in Owings Mills, my rookie year, and feeling as if I were really blessed to have the honor of sharing a my NFL experience with the best athletes in the world. I also remember having the feeling of wanting show my teammates, coaches, and prove to myself that I was supposed to be there.

You have to understand, I came from a small school, Howard University. Well known in academics, but small in respects of being an athletic powerhouse. I believe that it is not a right to play professional sports, but it is an honor. A honor that seems to have slipped the minds of some.

I look back at some of the all-time greats who played the game, like Deacon Jones and John Randle, and wondered how would they would have dealt with the problems facing the game and communities. I wonder how the social issues that face our communities would be different if, we as professional athletes, would take a stand. A stance that would allow us to lead by example.

But currently the example that we have been setting is a disturbing one. I don't know sometimes if I am looking at Sports show, or the Criminal Report of the Day. This is not the example that others have set for us to follow. Sure I can tell you about my day and what I did, but I would much rather share with you some "Food for Thought."

And the thought of the day or the week is that we have to change. Change in a way that would allow others to come in and play the game the right way and function in their lives as productive members of society.

Athletes used to be revered in the communities and across the world for how the lived their lives, not only during the hours of "the game" but also after the game. If there is one thing I love the most, it is Fall Afternoons playing 60 minutes against an opposing team. But I also love giving back to those same communities where our stadiums are located and residents can't even afford a ticket. What as athletes do we need to do to give back? And what rights do we have? And what as fans are you going to do to give back also.