Lewis started showing off his skills the last two seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars, putting up the best numbers of his four year career. Most people around the NFL would add a "finally" into that previous sentence, but I tend to think a wretched franchise such as the Jaguars is most likely to blame for his stalled progression. Too many players get thrown into game plans that just don't allow them to thrive until the team acknowledges it and makes changes, or moves on from the player. The Jaguars were able to make the right moves in Marcedes Lewis' case, because he showed his potential last year and earned himself a spot in my NFL "Young Studs Preview." You certainly won't be seeing any Dallas Clark-type numbers in TD's for this guy, but he has definitely proved to be a consistent spark of life for a Jacksonville offense that can be quite inconsistent. Over the last few years, the Jags have been an easy opponent to those that game plan for them correctly. They show a presence of explosiveness only when facing a defense unprepared to stop the sideline swing pass to Maurice Jones-Drew, basically their only real threat. However, if they are able to find a quarterback that can consistently give the receivers opportunity, the increased production of Marcedes Lewis could prove to make them a respected offense. Standing in at a hefty 6 foot 6 inch, 275 pound frame, Lewis certainly provides that physical presence needed to set Jones-Drew free on the outside. When Jones-Drew springs for an easy-looking 15 yards, don't be surprised to see Lewis entertaining a key block. What really opens my eyes when I research what this guy's done as of late, is the increase he's made in some key numerical statistics for a tight end. He really seems to be hitting his stride, making a push to become a top NFL player; something that appears more difficult for a tight end to achieve. Last season, Marcedes Lewis was able to reel in 32 receptions for 518 yards and 2 touchdowns. Like I said, no Dallas Clark-like stuff here, but for the struggling Jags, this is a good line. When you dig a little deeper into the data, Lewis certified his effectiveness game to game, rather than just the big play every couple Sundays. His 16.2 yards per catch average was good enough for best in the entire league. The numbers basically show that at least two times per game the Jaguars could count on Lewis to haul down a nice 16 yard grab. Add to that the 5.3 yards he averaged after the catch (up from 3.9yrds after the catch in '08), you have a player making the always-important 20yrd play twice every game. That, to me, is impressive. Even more impressive, Lewis already leads his franchise in receptions of 25+ yards, with 14 in his career, and 8 just last year (4th best in NFL). A guy with the capability of making just a few important plays in the NFL is usually attributed to being a monster in the NCAA. This couldn't be more accurate in Marcedes Lewis' case. Throughout four years as a UCLA Bruin, Lewis was able to cement his place in school history with the achievement of numerous honorary accolades. Arguably the most encouraging, the 28th overall pick for the Jags was awarded the Mackey Award in 2005; an award given to the nation's top tight end. He set school records in many tight end receiving statistics, ending his college career with 126 receptions for 1,571yrds and 21 TD's. His senior year, Lewis was able to pull down 59 of those receptions, taking them for 741yrds and an eye-opening 10 TD's. This was more than enough to earn him a unanimous vote as an All-America and All-Pac 10 Tight End. Possibly the best part about this player's story, beyond his settling in as a top NFL tight end, would have to be how hard Lewis works to give back to the community. NFL stars, especially those who are paid to catch the ball, tend to be seen with dollar signs in their eyes and excuses up their sleeves, but Lewis shows that there's an exception to every case. This guy does more than the average athlete in charitable contributions. Off the field, Lewis is known to be an active supporter of his team and teammates' charitable efforts. In 2008, Lewis was honored with the Morgan Stanley Barney Community Leader of the Year Award for his outstanding work in the community. He's been know to frequently visit the Jacksonville Jaguars Humane Society, even serving as a guest at Camp Kindness in 2009. Hailing out of Long Beach, CA, he has hosted a youth football camp for his hometown the last two years. He even established the Marcedes Lewis foundation last year in order to support the youth by awarding scholarships to those that wouldn't be able to participate in their school's programs without financial assistance. He hopes to send "one Long Beach High School athlete to college on a full scholarship once a year."
By: RJ Hadley
September 9, 2010
Marcedes Lewis: Stepping into Stardom
If you've heard the name Marcedes Lewis before, it's undoubtedly from his college years as an ultra-effective tight end. If you haven't heard the name before, well thank you for being interested in learning just how productive Marcedes Lewis was and most recently has been. For you fantasy freaks, this just may be the guy that could slip through the draft, only to earn high points. But, if your a fantasy freak, you most certainly already know that.
By: RJ Hadley
September 6, 2010
Patrick Chung: Time to Shine
In the spirit of the upcoming NFL season, I've decided to spotlight a few "young studs" that are just about starting their ripening period. Just about everyone can get into the spirit of football Sundays, but whether your the religiously addicted fan or just a fan because you can't escape it (which you can't), it's nice to root for the younger talents yet to get much of the public eye. Most of these players to be mentioned were mainstays of their alma mater's formations, and most likely were honored with multiple awards at the collegiate level. As all football fans (and sports fans in general) know, college stars don't always transfer easily into the pros...(Cough) JaMarcus Russel, Ryan Leaf, Ron Dayne (Cough)...just a few I like to drop off the top of my head. Oh yeah, Joey Harrington's a classic chuckle too, poor, poor Lions fans.
Anyways, on to my first young stud, Patrick Chung, who indeed plays for your New England Patriots. This Duck was drafted 34th overall in the '09 draft, and was said to be the heart of the Oregon defense. Chung was a huge part of the program's success during the four years he maintained the defensive backfield. Standing at 5'11", Chung has a low center of gravity, and explosive power capable of making the big tackle. During 2008 winter testing at Oregon, he put up a ridiculous 345lb bench press mark that earned second best for the program. He showed this strength throughout all four years at Oregon, consistently churning out high numbers of tackles, especially in big games. His 384 career tackles as a duck is good for fourth all-time in the program and the best among non-linebackers.
Chung no doubt has the strength, but he also has endurance. He has participated in over 100 plays in a single game on four different occasions, including his involvement in 118 snaps each against Arizona and Purdue. In the 51 games Chung started, which is out of 51 appearances, he recorded 9 career interceptions including one returned for six points. If it is starting to sound like Chung is basically an all around exceptional athlete, it's because he is. Even his mental abilities were noted to be superior, with his capabilities evolving into a mastered understanding of the defensive objectives his team faced. These talents certainly created an attraction for the scouts of the NFL and eventually landed him in a high slated draft selection. To date, it is yet to be seen if Chung can carry his successes into the professional league, but it is clear that the Patriots may need him more than ever this year and his abilities may be put to the test.
It is assumed that Chung will be right along side Meriweather in the backfield position for week one. This has been almost placed in concrete after I learned last night that Brandon McGowan is out for the year with a torn pectoral. Ouch. Names continue to fall off of what is already an incredibly thin defensive back depth chart. This will only put more emphasis on the urge for Pat Chung to succeed this year. No pressure or anything. All of the comparisons of Chung to Rodney Harrison may make fans expect a little too much, I mean, he is still young and will make mistakes resulting in the (hopefully) rare 60 yard bomb. But, this kid seems to be up to the task and has already done a great job in proving himself worthy of being present for in-game snaps. Let's see what he can do with those snaps.
By: RJ Hadley
Leigh Bodden: Tackling Life
September 5, 2010
When I first started thinking about an article on the New England Patriots defensive back Leigh Bodden, a few focal points came into mind. One of those being the fact that Bodden would have to serve as a kingpin in what seems to be a very questionable, young secondary for the Patriots this year. Well, we can go ahead and shoot that topic right out of the water, as it was reported last week that Bodden would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. That leaves me to discuss what Bodden has achieved in the past as an athlete in the NFL, and also a very motivational aspect to his life that not many people would easily know about.
Surprisingly, Leigh Edmond Bodden wasn’t selected in the NFL draft after being a consecutive First Team All-American and Defensive Player of the Year at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Bodden put up some beastly numbers at Duquesne, including breaking the school’s single season interception record in only his sophomore year. His junior year, he even tied that same single season interception record and proceeded to break Duquesne’s all time interception record. After going undrafted, it was only inevitable that he be signed to a team as an Undrafted Free Agent.
Sure enough, the Cleveland Browns quickly scooped up the nifty corner. In only his second season, Bodden found himself sidelined with a torn pectoral injury. Despite only participating in eight games that year, he still managed to find himself leading the special teams in tackles at the end of the season.
In the middle of the 2005 season, Leigh was handed the opportunity to start at the right cornerback position after the original starter went down due to injury. He quite literally took the opportunity and ran with it. Bodden excelled that year at the corner position and ended the season with three interceptions.
The following season would prove to be tough for the young corner, as he found himself yet again battling his own body in order to get on the field. Bodden scratched off 2006 and was motivated enough to come back stronger than ever for the Browns in 2007. He put up considerable statistics in ’07, including 88 tackles (75+ solo), 6 interceptions, and a forced fumble.
It was evident the defensive back was well on his way to establishing himself as an above average cornerback in a league chock full of deadly weapon wide-outs.
Despite playing his best season of his career in 2007, the Browns ended up trading him to the lowly-ranked Detroit Lions before the start of the 2008 season. This wasn’t anything new for Leigh Bodden, as I’m sure he was very well accustomed to providing shine in a lowly dimmed environment by then. The oft-injured, constantly diminishing roster of the Detroit Lions does not make it easy for any NFL player to perform consistently, but Bodden had certainly proved that he is able to perform under many circumstances. Bodden put up fine numbers with the troubled Lions, ending ’08 with 73 tackles, 1 pick, 2 forced fumbles, and the eye of the Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick.
It’s at this point where many New England Patriot followers may have started to learn about Leigh Bodden. The Pats ended up signing him on for the 2009 season, adding him to the already lengthy list of newly acquired defensive backs on the roster. By the end of the season, Bodden had proved to be a stable defensive presence with numbers of 48 solo tackles, 5 interceptions (including 3 in one game versus the Jets, 1 for a TD) and a forced fumble. For Belichick, this was enough evidence to bring him back for 2010.
Unfortunately, due to a shoulder injury, this is as far as the story goes on Leigh Bodden; on the field and right now.
Off the field, Leigh Bodden has done superbly in acknowledging his blessings, and using them to help others. Unlike many other NFL stars that just say it, Bodden succeeds in actually doing it. If you’ve noticed throughout this article, there is definitely a theme found in the past endeavors of this man. When one looks into his achievements, it is clear that many boundaries have been placed directly in front of his path at different times of his career. Every single time, it seems as though this just motivates Bodden to push harder, prove himself, and earn respect. During this process, it is easy for one to get discouraged and make a poor decision in life.
Bodden doesn’t ever seem to do so.
He uses this as fuel for motivation in himself, and providing inspiration in others. Leigh Bodden has dedicated his off-the-field goals in focusing on improving the futures and lives of others. In the past, Bodden has held instructional and motivational seminars for high school athletes facing the trials and tribulations of pre-adulthood. He’s shown himself to be committed in directing young athletes in the direction of pursuing their goals through education and positivity.
These days, athletes seem to be role models only when the cameras are on. The year of 2010 has proved to be a very revealing time in sports as we know it. Many of these so-called “role models” have been exposed to the public, showing sides that are far too often covered up by the great plays they make in our sports leagues. Leigh Bodden is a good sign that not all of our athletes hang on the strings of their publicists, but some actually do acknowledge their benefits and use them to help others not so blessed.
Find much more information on Patriots Cornerback Leigh Bodden at Leighbodden.com.
“When no one else believes, you must believe in you.
But, recognize that belief without action, belief without taking risks is worthless.
Never forget the past, or the roads through which you traveled, for they hold lessons that will serve you well.
And, when you receive a blessing, willingly reach out and return the favor!”
- Leigh Bodden
Jessica A. Botelho September 6, 2010
Federal Hill: The True Gem of Providence
Primarily known for it’s Italian community, Federal Hill is a historical hot spot located in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Atwell’s Avenue is a cornucopia of cultural cuisine, lined with top-notch restaurants and upscale lounges, plus pizzerias, eclectic sandwich shops, Chinese eateries, and even tattoo parlors and convenience stores. With the summer months upon us, “the Hill” is a prime location to enjoy savory meals while sitting at tables set up on outdoor patios. If you’re looking to spend a relaxing evening indoors sipping on a cocktail or you just want to treat yourself to a delicious dessert, these exquisite establishments will be sure to satisfy your appetite.
Constantino’s Venda Ravioli - While Constantino’s has a formal sit down restaurant, Warwick resident Alan Ferla said he also likes to visit the deli section in DePasquale Plaza for lunch. “I have been going there for seven years and the Chicken a la Venda is the best,” he said. “It’s basically spicy chicken with hot peppers. You can have it as a meal at the restaurant or you can make it a sandwich. It’s good on a hard Italian roll with some extra sharp provolone cheese and roasted red peppers.” They also offer several desserts, including cannolis and gelato, among others. “Everything there is fresh and they get their meats right from Italy,” Ferla said. “You’re not getting processed trash. You’re getting fresh food. All the sandwiches are inexpensive, too.”
Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen - “I’ve been going there for 30 years,” said Rhode Island native Gary Caligiuri, who grew up in Cranston and now lives in Florida. “It’s a nice restaurant. It’s old school Italian and it’s really authentic. I really like the Veal Saltimbocca and the Chicken Scallopini.” Caligiuri said he has had the pleasure of introducing many people from out of state to the Old Canteen and the restaurant never fails to impress. “I’ve taken a lot of business associates there over the years,” Caligiuri said. “They always like the ambiance and the food is always a hit. I’m sure I’ll visit the Old Canteen the next time I’m in Rhode Island.”
Siena - Born and raised in Cranston, Alisha Procaccini said not only is the food excellent at Siena, the service is stellar, too. “The staff really knows the menu there,” she said. “They are on top of things and that’s something I like when I go out to eat.” Procaccini said she is partial to the calamari appetizer and she has often ordered the tortellini entrée they serve. “I usually get wine with my food and the sangria is great,” she said. “If I go with a group of my friends, I usually like to sit outside so I can people watch. If I’m out to dinner with my boyfriend, I’d rather sit inside so we can talk.”
Café Dolce Vita - While Procaccini prefers Siena’s sangria, Ferla said the sangria is a mandatory part of his experience at Café Dolce Vita. “There are a lot of awesome restaurants on the Hill but Dolce Vita is my favorite of all,” he said. “My mother is the best cook ever and she makes authentic Italian dinners. Café Dolce Vita is just as good as her food, but don’t tell her I said that,” he laughed. Ferla said he particularly enjoys dining on the gnocchi’s stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese and he likes to sit outside. “You’re right in De Pasquale Square near the water fountain,” he said. “You’re off the busy street so you’re not listening to loud music when people drive by. It’s a really good atmosphere.”
Oyster Bar - I usually don’t speak in first person when I write unless it’s a blog, but I just want to break the rules and take this rare opportunity to let everyone know I actually think about French kissing the oysters at Oyster Bar before I eat them. The award-winning restaurant has a killer raw bar, complete with oysters from various locations, scrumptious jumbo shrimp, crab legs, little necks, even sushi and caviar. With that said, I know raw oysters aren’t exactly appealing to everyone. “The Oyster Bar is definitely bomb, but I don’t eat oysters,” said Procaccini. If you still want to try oysters but you don’t want to eat them raw and on the half- shell, you can order them fried as an appetizer with tartar sauce on the side. If raw seafood isn’t your thing altogether, rest assured they have plenty of delicious cooked meals as well.
Pastiche Fine Desserts & Café - If you want to splurge on a decadent dessert after dinner on Federal Hill, Warwick resident Mike Masse said Pastiche is the place to be. “It’s arguably one of the best places in Rhode Island to get dessert,” said Masse. “All the desserts are amazing.” From cakes to pies, éclairs to tarts, and cookies to brownies, Pastiche has everything it takes to make any sweet tooth drool. I personally favor their key lime pie while Masse likes the éclairs. “When I was in high school 10 years ago, I used to take girls to Caserta's Pizza and then to Pastiche for dessert,” he laughed. “I still like to go there with my girlfriend.”
Sona Lounge - Despite rumors that Sona had closed, the owners simply decided to temporarily shut their doors in order to do some remodeling and they will be reopening this summer. Ferla said it is the perfect spot to go for a nightcap after dinner. “I can’t wait until it reopens,” he said. With a dance floor and live Dj beats pumped through the room five nights a week, Sona Lounge gives their patrons the opportunity to mingle in a classy environment. “I’ll definitely go there this summer to see how they’ve changed it. I bet it’s incredible.”
295 Ultra Lounge- located in the middle of Atwells Ave recently 295 doubled in size occupying the space next to them. 295 is a great place to pre-game or go for a drink in a relaxed atmosphere. Club promoter Matt Migliore said “I always like to start my night at 295 around beautiful people and see where the night takes me”
Smoke Lounge- Smoke Lounge has a beautiful patio and European feel throughout the establishment. There is a lot of history in this building and it is definitely a fun place to hang out. Smoke all different types of cigars and enjoy a beer to live music. There is also a stripper pole down stairs so you never know where the night is going to take you. In front of SMOKE is Hotel Dolce VILLA a great boutique hotel owned by the same owners. If you do not feel like driving home grab a room from $129 and up.
Narrah Hooka Lounge
For $19.95 you can enjoy a night of smoking hookah with friends. Pleasant staff, great environment Narrah Hooka Lounge is a great place to go with friends and just “chill”. Enjoy a zesty cocktail and sit back and relax.
We have only highlighted a few of the businesses on Federal Hill. We will be highlighting other Federal Hill spots in our November blog edition. We know money may be tight these days but these are the few places you may want to check out in the fall when you are enjoying a night out on the town.
Jessica A. Botelho September 3, 2010
Forbidden City Tea Room gets Mischievous on Monday Nights
Located on 224 Atwell’s Avenue of Federal Hill, Forbidden City Tea Room is the prime place to party with 4zero1 on Monday nights. Bar owner, Henry Mu, who also owns the property group ‘Lot 401,’ as well as property in Boston, Cambridge, and New York, took some time to catch up with 4zero1 and let us know more about his decadent upscale lounge and his new film, La Soga.
4zero1: “What made you ultimately decide to open Forbidden City and how long have you been in business?”
HM: “We opened about two years ago. The first year was really quiet because I was waiting on a few things, especially the entertainment license, which took a long time to get. Once I got that, I started bringing in Djs and that’s when it really started getting busy and it became the hot spot on the Hill. Now, I’m opened five days a week.”
4zero1: “What’s it like at Forbidden City on Monday nights? What can patrons expect?”
HM: “We were the first venue to start an industry night on Mondays. It was pretty much unheard of to promote a club on a Monday night and now it’s a wild night. In the beginning, we had no competition and then everybody started ‘copy-catting,’ but we still have successful Mondays at Forbidden City. People just want to come out and have fun and Forbidden City does that. Some other places might have that same exact formula but we’re the ones that are making Monday nights like a weekend night. People work hard during the week and not everyone has the weekend off. Some people want to party during the week.”
4zero1: “What’s the crowd like? Is there a dance floor?”
HM: “If you’ve been to any 4zero1 parties, it’s a young, professional crowd. We do industry night on Monday night so everyone is pretty much in the same area of business. It’s a good spot for people to come and have a drink. At night, the whole room basically becomes a dance floor. We don’t really draw a crowd during the day and we don’t serve food at the moment but we are making arrangements to do so in the future.”
4zero1: “What made you call it Forbidden City and is there an actual tea-room? Can you describe the ambiance?”
HM: “My place was inspired by Chinese history. It has Asian highlights and a cozy feel. Forbidden City is a city in China that’s basically enclosed. You actually have to unlock a door to get into the city. I’ve been to other spots in Rhode Island and I think the vibe is different and our atmosphere is a lot warmer. There are a lot of dark woods and it’s kind of a humbled building. While we have a VIP section and cozy corners in the room, but I like to treat everyone like they are a VIP.”
4zero1: “You have produced a few films. What are they about?”
HM: “It’s been 10 years since I started working in film and I’ve produced four films. They have martial arts elements to them. It’s not like Jet Li or anything like that, but there is action. We kept the movies grounded in reality. We started with a story about an underground mob. It’s not in chronological order, so as you watch the movie, you’re learning more as is goes along. I have a film coming out in August called, La Soga. It means, ‘the rope.’ It’s a thriller that was shot by Josh Crook in the Dominican Republic and voted number one at the International Film Festival. Crook does a lot of great Spanish films.”
4zero1: “You have organized concerts and shows like the Drake performance at URI last year. What other events have you planned?”
HM: “I started doing events in the rave community with Djs. I used to put a lot of Djs together for parties in Providence, New York and Miami and that’s what led me to be more interested in the nightclub area. As far as shows go, I’ve done groups like 112 at the Providence Performing Arts Center, Nina Sky, Prodigy from Mobb Deep, and The Dream. The Drake show at URI was a no-brainer.”
4zero1: “What is your favorite aspect of working in the entertainment industry, especially as the owner of Forbidden City?”
HM: “It starts with the people. If you’re around good, decent people, it will be all good. At the end of the day, it feels good to pay somebody who is going to bat for you and you know that you’re helping take care of them.”
