[BlackRain37]

So, I was reading an article on Foxsports.com about A.J. Hawk. The heading of that article kind of bothers me. Why is everytime analysts or writers make comparisons between players, there's an underlying fact that they fail to mention in their comparisons.

For example...In the article it says, "A.J. Hawk is cut from the same mold as Brian Urlacher..." It really bugs me when writers say that stuff. Or, when they mentioned after the draft that Pozluszney could be the next Shane Conlon in Buffalo. Do you sense what I'm getting at?

Why cant one of those guys be the next Mike Singletary? Or the next Ray Lewis? Yes, I'm talking about skin color. Its such a horrible subject to bring up because I see people for who they are..human beings. I guess that's why articles that start off like this really bug me.

Why cant they just make comparisons to other players REGARDLESS of skin color. I know they dont mean to do it intentionally (at least I hope not). But why cant Lawrence Timmons be the next Kevin Greene and not the next Derrick Thomas or Lawrence Taylor, so to speak. I dunno...maybe I'm making too much out of this. I mean cant Joe Thomas be the next Anthony Munoz and not the next Joe Jacoby? He's not hispanic, so I guess not.

Thoughts?

Anyways, on another note I hope we kick the crap out of SF because I'm already sick of that bandwagon here in the bay area! Pre-season or not.

[or24]

I feel what youre saying. I dont (at least try to) compare players by their skin color.

[JUSTautumnWINd]

That's because skin color is not all there is to the physical differences that exist between people of different ethnic backgrounds.

I HATE RACISM!!!!!!!!!

But, acknowledging physiological differences between people is not totally absurd. I mean, it's not a coincidence that almost all wide receivers and running backs in the league are african american.

Being color blind sounds great in theory, but it's really just another form of blindness. It's important not to make generalizations about people based on skin color, OF COURSE, but that doesn't mean we should ignore the obvious.

[Twin84AirRaid]

AJ Hawk is the same, probably one of the most athletic LBs to come along in a while, and he is immedediatly compared to Urlacher. What's wrong with liking him to the next Harry Carson?

[mrhill]

Originally Posted by BlackRain37

So, I was reading an article on Foxsports.com about A.J. Hawk. The heading of that article kind of bothers me. Why is everytime analysts or writers make comparisons between players, there's an underlying fact that they fail to mention in their comparisons.

For example...In the article it says, "A.J. Hawk is cut from the same mold as Brian Urlacher..." It really bugs me when writers say that stuff. Or, when they mentioned after the draft that Pozluszney could be the next Shane Conlon in Buffalo. Do you sense what I'm getting at?

Why cant one of those guys be the next Mike Singletary? Or the next Ray Lewis? Yes, I'm talking about skin color. Its such a horrible subject to bring up because I see people for who they are..human beings. I guess that's why articles that start off like this really bug me.

Why cant they just make comparisons to other players REGARDLESS of skin color. I know they dont mean to do it intentionally (at least I hope not). But why cant Lawrence Timmons be the next Kevin Greene and not the next Derrick Thomas or Lawrence Taylor, so to speak. I dunno...maybe I'm making too much out of this. I mean cant Joe Thomas be the next Anthony Munoz and not the next Joe Jacoby? He's not hispanic, so I guess not.

Thoughts?

Anyways, on another note I hope we kick the crap out of SF because I'm already sick of that bandwagon here in the bay area! Pre-season or not.

Eh, sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. You can't take every comparison and think "race." Urlacher is a much better comparison for AJ Hawk's style of play than Ray Lewis.

I think a better example would be the pre-draft postings on this very site, where a good amount of people insisted that Brady Quinn was smart and on the flipside said that JaMarcus Russell was dumb. However, no one ever actually attempted to prove the point because a lot of it had to do with skin color.

[guydon]

I love everyone but we are differant. I think each race shares attributes, abilities, and attitude. With that said it would stand to reason that players would be compared to their like race. However I did hear JR compared to elway more than anyone. Yes the media tried to compare JR to Vince Young at first, but mostly I heard Elway (horseface!). If there ever is another white halfback, who will he be copmared to? Probably riggins even though there hasn't be a white halfback in the NFL for 20 years and he would probably have more in common with someone more recent. It is just the stage we are at in our country.

[HITMAN]

May-be the comparison stems from the fact both are white! I think some of you need to get a grip on reality and stop reaching so damn much...

[TheWis76]

Originally Posted by JUSTautumnWINd

That's because skin color is not all there is to the physical differences that exist between people of different ethnic backgrounds.

I HATE RACISM!!!!!!!!!

But, acknowledging physiological differences between people is not totally absurd. I mean, it's not a coincidence that almost all wide receivers and running backs in the league are african american.

Being color blind sounds great in theory, but it's really just another form of blindness. It's important not to make generalizations about people based on skin color, OF COURSE, but that doesn't mean we should ignore the obvious.

I know you mean well, but that is complete BS. Black folks as a race are not athletically superior... it is a scientific fact. Typically weather a certain race excels in a certain athletic arena has to do with their culture and the emphasis that culture puts on certain athletics.

Are Europeans superior because they are totally dominating the Heavyweight division? Obviously, no. It's just that since the fall of the Soviet Union boxing has become an emphasis in their athletic society. Coupled with the fact that they have since been allowed the freedom to box against American fighters.

Are the majority of the NBA's elite athletes African American? No doubt... but it most definitely is not because they are born athletically superior.

Hell, I for one have witnessed first hand of how that line of thinking has a hand in racism. Remember when black folks were not intelligent enough to be starting QBs (according to the general consensus of the racist society of the time)? Well, the same thing is happening in todays sports. Kids are being stereotyped by the color of their skin. I've seen it all... a Mexican dude get kicked as a kicker, even though an African American kid could kick the ball with a more accuracy and about 10 yards further. I have seen a white kid try out for RB (in college) only to be told that they wanted more speed at the position even though he had the fastest 40 time out of all the backs! He was told that his skills were better equipped for FB even though he couldn't block for crap.

I just think that line of thinking is dangerous... besides it just flat out isn't true! It is just a scientific fact that people are not born athletically superior based on their race.

[Raider Ran]

Why is this in the Raiders Forum? Moved.

[elrlkrrk]

good point.

thats why i like al davis, he doesnt see black or white. he compared jamarcus russel to john elway.

[possessed]

I dunno, I've heard JaMarcus Russell called "The next John Elway". Time will tell!

[R8Rshawn]

Originally Posted by BlackRain37

So, I was reading an article on Foxsports.com about A.J. Hawk. The heading of that article kind of bothers me. Why is everytime analysts or writers make comparisons between players, there's an underlying fact that they fail to mention in their comparisons.

For example...In the article it says, "A.J. Hawk is cut from the same mold as Brian Urlacher..." It really bugs me when writers say that stuff. Or, when they mentioned after the draft that Pozluszney could be the next Shane Conlon in Buffalo. Do you sense what I'm getting at?

Why cant one of those guys be the next Mike Singletary? Or the next Ray Lewis? Yes, I'm talking about skin color. Its such a horrible subject to bring up because I see people for who they are..human beings. I guess that's why articles that start off like this really bug me.

Why cant they just make comparisons to other players REGARDLESS of skin color. I know they dont mean to do it intentionally (at least I hope not). But why cant Lawrence Timmons be the next Kevin Greene and not the next Derrick Thomas or Lawrence Taylor, so to speak. I dunno...maybe I'm making too much out of this. I mean cant Joe Thomas be the next Anthony Munoz and not the next Joe Jacoby? He's not hispanic, so I guess not.

Thoughts?

Anyways, on another note I hope we kick the crap out of SF because I'm already sick of that bandwagon here in the bay area! Pre-season or not.

I feel ya. that happens alot, and i don't think there is an end in sight. Simply because the people that write those articles are forever stuck in their thinking. I actually do compare AJ "Freakin" Hawk to Ray Lewis. the guy is a force.

[cheapshotartist]

No comment.