Everyone has been talking about the Mike Gundy/Jenni Carlson fiasco of the past weekend. Now it's my turn.
This morning, there is a post on ESPN.com claiming that there is no winner from what happened. I highly disagree.
Mike Gundy's antics at his press conference this past weekend got our attention. Attention that probably wouldn't have been caused even if Oklahoma State beat their instate arch rivals. What does the attention do? Because let me tell you, Mike Gundy doesn't care what you think about him. He cares about what his players think about him. When his players, most notably Bobby Reid, found out about the incident, they couldn't be more proud to have a coach that is going to go to bat for them. Who doesn't want a coach like that?
We will see how Mike Gundy has done in about March when he has all of his new commits in. This was a recruiting tool for him. An 18 year old kid is going to see this guy and as a player think, "This coach has my back. I want to play for a guy like that." Interest is going to generate around players about Gundy's program. With that, we will see the reaction.
But the most important thing you can do as a coach or any leader for that matter, is have the people you lead believe in you. Today, those players believe in their coach and will play inspired for the rest of the season. If that gets them anywhere, we will see.
Jenni Carlson couldn't be happier. People in the media and entertainment world have one job...make people talk. As long as people are talking about something that the media is putting out there, the public is going to read/watch whatever they can about the subject. I would like to see the sales of the Daily Oklahoman since Gundy's tirade the other day. I bet they're up. Presently, if you Google Jenni Carlson, you get over nineteen pages of material about her, bio information as well as past articles she's written. Today, she is the most famous columnist in America. That's a pretty good title to have.
People in the media don't care about your emotions as long as they spark them in some way. I was the campaign manager for a student government campaign in college with a very good friend of my running for President. He didn't win, and when he lost, there was a picture of him on the front page of The Daily Beacon making a pose that wasn't the most flattering. I walked down to their office on campus the following day and asked the receptionist, "Can I please speak with the person who is in charge of putting the pictures on the front page?"
Two people came out, one of which was notorious on campus as being a relatively difficult person to deal with, especially given my political affiliation. As politely as I could, I told them how disrespectful the picture was and how my buddy didn't deserve it, all he wanted was the best for UT, blah blah. Then it hit me..."You're not going to say anything, are you." They didn't respond. "You don't care what I think, you're just glad that you made someone want to come down here, for whatever reason it was." That girl gave a little grin, I nodded my head and walked out.
Good or bad, people in the media want to be noticed. As long as they're being noticed, they're doing their job. They are drawing attention to their paper/show/magazine etc. Jenni spells her name with an "i" opposed to the usual "y" meaning she wants to stand out somehow. I gave in and learned the hard way. That day against me, they won.
So who wins? I'd call it a draw if Oklahoma State has a good season and gets quality play out of their players while bringing in solid freshman. Other than that, Jenni Carlson is getting the exposure of a lifetime. She better ride it while she can. I read her article; trust me, it won't last forever.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Roll Out the Red Carpet...Let's Talk About the Heisman...4 Weeks In
In case you were looking for another reason to exemplify why college football is in fact the greatest sport in the universe, I have another for you: it possesses the single greatest award of personal achievement surpassing the Nobel Peace Prize. Yes, it's the Heisman Trophy.
What's great about the award is that it has more mystique than any another award. Only the Heisman can promote someone of such athletic prowess to see them disappear in 6 months. Jason White, where are you? Troy Smith, where are you? Rashaan Salaam, where are you?
It can also catapult careers to the next level: Carson Palmer, Paul Hornung, Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen. It can also be sold to pay off your debt from a Civil Case: OJ Simpson.
And again with the Heisman, we can talk about it, beat it to death, and still, it never gets old. Better start somewhere.
I consider the Heisman to go to the best player in the country. That's the definition and we've been through this before. Right now, as we speak, who is the best player in the country?
That's a good question. Let's start with the quarterbacks. Right now, the Tim Tebow stock is on the rise. Here's my problem with Tebow and the award. If you can't give the award to Colt Brennan, you can't give it to Tebow. Why? People talk about how Hawaii is a gimmick system and how the system is designed for the quarterback to put up numbers. What exactly is the difference between that concept and that of Florida? Last I looked, both Hawaii and Florida put their quarterback in the shotgun about 99% of the time...and much of that time all by themselves. Tebow splits his numbers between running and passing where Brennan does it all through the air. Ok, so Tebow is more versatile, but Brennan's numbers are superior. The argument then falls to...Hawaii doesn't play anyone. Well, if you balance out the talent level of Hawaii's team, it matches that of it's opponents. Florida has more talent than their opponents. So, is Tebow the better player right now? Probably. But if you want to compare numbers, and call the Hawaii system a gimmick, you best understand that Tebow's numbers are just as "inflated" by his system and athletes as Brennan's are by THE JUNE JONES.
Matt Ryan is putting together a nice season. Boston College has the chance to win the ACC; a conference with The U, Florida State and Virginia Tech. Who thought that was supposed to happen? I think if Ryan can continue to put up numbers and carry his team...win a big game or two he will be right there. Only if the guy who I think is the second best player in the country falls off.
That man is Steve Slaton. I love Steve Slaton. He is the best running back in the game today. He is almost as perfect of a fit for his offense as true freshman Noel Devine is (Devine might be the front runner next year) and brings a speed that is un-matched at the running back position. He also can square his shoulders and take someone on if need be. He's a dynamic back. Don't fumble and win out. See you against the Sooners in New Orleans. Yeah, I'm sticking with the pick.
Right now, there is no question as to who the best player in the country is. It's Percy Harvin from Florida. Again, the guy doesn't have a position and won't translate well to the NFL other than at kick returner. This has nothing to do with the NFL. The guy creates matchup issues for every team he faces, has an exciting highlight reel and has the ability to take it to the HOUSE every time he touches the ball. The fact that he doesn't have a position makes him so valuable as you can play him as a running back, as a receiver, and he can take a snap. It is without any doubt that he is the best player in college football right now. The knock on Harvin? He's injury prone. If he can stay healthy, someone other than the coahces and myself should notice that he is the reason that Florida's offense is so dynamic.
Harvin won't win though. It just won't happen. Slaton and Ryan will split too many of the northeast votes. Tebow will carry the southeast, but who really wants to give the award to a sophomore? Oregon has a good team. They have a very good team. I've said it once and I'll say it again...I think USC will lose. USC has a track record against big, talented, dual threat quarterbacks wearing #10? I like Dennis Dixon to win the award if, and this is a big if, he can play well enough not to lose the award this weekend against Cal, and beat USC. Oregon can afford to lose to Cal this week, but I like them to beat USC and Dixon to be right there for the Heisman if they can go through the year with one loss. If they do, he would be the best player in the nation and should win the Heisman.
There's a long way to go in this season. Many things can happen...Kyle Wright could start throwing for 400 yards a game. Ok, that might be a little much. But most certainly we have a long way to go. That's the slate right now, No Owens style. More on this subject matter to come.
What's great about the award is that it has more mystique than any another award. Only the Heisman can promote someone of such athletic prowess to see them disappear in 6 months. Jason White, where are you? Troy Smith, where are you? Rashaan Salaam, where are you?
It can also catapult careers to the next level: Carson Palmer, Paul Hornung, Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen. It can also be sold to pay off your debt from a Civil Case: OJ Simpson.
And again with the Heisman, we can talk about it, beat it to death, and still, it never gets old. Better start somewhere.
I consider the Heisman to go to the best player in the country. That's the definition and we've been through this before. Right now, as we speak, who is the best player in the country?
That's a good question. Let's start with the quarterbacks. Right now, the Tim Tebow stock is on the rise. Here's my problem with Tebow and the award. If you can't give the award to Colt Brennan, you can't give it to Tebow. Why? People talk about how Hawaii is a gimmick system and how the system is designed for the quarterback to put up numbers. What exactly is the difference between that concept and that of Florida? Last I looked, both Hawaii and Florida put their quarterback in the shotgun about 99% of the time...and much of that time all by themselves. Tebow splits his numbers between running and passing where Brennan does it all through the air. Ok, so Tebow is more versatile, but Brennan's numbers are superior. The argument then falls to...Hawaii doesn't play anyone. Well, if you balance out the talent level of Hawaii's team, it matches that of it's opponents. Florida has more talent than their opponents. So, is Tebow the better player right now? Probably. But if you want to compare numbers, and call the Hawaii system a gimmick, you best understand that Tebow's numbers are just as "inflated" by his system and athletes as Brennan's are by THE JUNE JONES.
Matt Ryan is putting together a nice season. Boston College has the chance to win the ACC; a conference with The U, Florida State and Virginia Tech. Who thought that was supposed to happen? I think if Ryan can continue to put up numbers and carry his team...win a big game or two he will be right there. Only if the guy who I think is the second best player in the country falls off.
That man is Steve Slaton. I love Steve Slaton. He is the best running back in the game today. He is almost as perfect of a fit for his offense as true freshman Noel Devine is (Devine might be the front runner next year) and brings a speed that is un-matched at the running back position. He also can square his shoulders and take someone on if need be. He's a dynamic back. Don't fumble and win out. See you against the Sooners in New Orleans. Yeah, I'm sticking with the pick.
Right now, there is no question as to who the best player in the country is. It's Percy Harvin from Florida. Again, the guy doesn't have a position and won't translate well to the NFL other than at kick returner. This has nothing to do with the NFL. The guy creates matchup issues for every team he faces, has an exciting highlight reel and has the ability to take it to the HOUSE every time he touches the ball. The fact that he doesn't have a position makes him so valuable as you can play him as a running back, as a receiver, and he can take a snap. It is without any doubt that he is the best player in college football right now. The knock on Harvin? He's injury prone. If he can stay healthy, someone other than the coahces and myself should notice that he is the reason that Florida's offense is so dynamic.
Harvin won't win though. It just won't happen. Slaton and Ryan will split too many of the northeast votes. Tebow will carry the southeast, but who really wants to give the award to a sophomore? Oregon has a good team. They have a very good team. I've said it once and I'll say it again...I think USC will lose. USC has a track record against big, talented, dual threat quarterbacks wearing #10? I like Dennis Dixon to win the award if, and this is a big if, he can play well enough not to lose the award this weekend against Cal, and beat USC. Oregon can afford to lose to Cal this week, but I like them to beat USC and Dixon to be right there for the Heisman if they can go through the year with one loss. If they do, he would be the best player in the nation and should win the Heisman.
There's a long way to go in this season. Many things can happen...Kyle Wright could start throwing for 400 yards a game. Ok, that might be a little much. But most certainly we have a long way to go. That's the slate right now, No Owens style. More on this subject matter to come.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Response to "James"
I was listening to sports talk radio yesterday and someone named James called in. In his spot on the air, he discussed his lack of pleasure with Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young.
I want to first go on record that I think I was the only person in America who said Young should have won the Heisman in '05. Unfortunately, I didn't have a blog then so I can't go back and tell you to bring up the page to prove I was right.
When I knew I was moving to Nashville, having to deal with the Titans was going to be an issue. Then, it hit me that they had the chance to draft Vince Young. I have been intrigued by Young ever since he had the article about him in the Sporting News when he was a senior still going by Vincent. I also got in a number of heated discussions with Titan fans who thought the draft's third pick should be used on USC quarterback Matt Leinart as he his more of a "pro-style" quarterback and that his relationship with offensive coordinator Norm Chow fits too well. I think the discussions went on for a while, but the only comeback needed to these people was "Rose Bowl."
Vince Young was the best college football player I have ever seen. I didn't see Archie Griffin or Marcus Allen. I didn't see Eric Dickerson or Bo Jackson. But I saw one man beat a team that was arguably the most dominant dynasty in college football. With the help of his teammates Young pulled off what was an upset to everyone other than me, but it was Young who played in a Jordan-like manner against Bush, Leinart, Jarrett, and his new teammate White.
When James called in yesterday, he wanted to make reference to Young "not knowing the system." At this point in time, I was assuming that James was really an alias for Kerry Collins.
Good coordinators, like Norm Chow, build systems around their best players. There isn't anything complex to what the Titans do on offense, and in fact, most teams don't do many complex things. People in Tennessee are so enamored by Peyton Manning that anyone who doesn't go through 6 checks at the line of scrimmage is seen as inadequate. Favre does a whole bunch of stuff at the line of scrimmage...most of which he admits doesn't mean anything, but he has also been in the same offense for what...15 years? I think he knows what he's doing, and I'd say he's been alright 420 touchdowns later. How often does Carson Palmer check off? Brady?
Young knows his system. His system is not based on brain power, it's based on instinct, vision and skill. He's not going to out think anyone out there, he's going to beat them with his superior athletic ability. Which he does more often than not. Grant, Young fell off a little bit towards the end of last night's game with his passing, but in the beginning, he couldn't have been more on. His poise in the pocket is tremendous in comparison with last year and even at Texas. He has learned that he can't always just run away from linebackers in this league. Always is the key word there. When he needs to and has the opening, he tucks it and runs...and gets out of bounds past the sticks. But he's "playing quarterback first," and it's becoming very, very, dangerous.
Vince Young is the most talented football player I have ever seen. Is he the best? He was in college. How is his game going to translate over a career in the NFL? We will see. But I haven't yet touched on Young's strongest trait: his competitiveness. You can say what you want, but players that get so wound up on the field are doing it because they play the game with a passion. They want to win more than anything, and they hate losing. I believe that Favre and Young hate losing more than anyone other than Michael Jordan and Paul O'Neil. You can see it in their eyes on the field, and with the intensity that they bring. There's a reason that Young is the offensive captain after only one year in the league...his intensity stirs his teammates. Intensity wins ballgames. If you are a Vince Young hater...I don't really know what to say. Get it together.
I want to first go on record that I think I was the only person in America who said Young should have won the Heisman in '05. Unfortunately, I didn't have a blog then so I can't go back and tell you to bring up the page to prove I was right.
When I knew I was moving to Nashville, having to deal with the Titans was going to be an issue. Then, it hit me that they had the chance to draft Vince Young. I have been intrigued by Young ever since he had the article about him in the Sporting News when he was a senior still going by Vincent. I also got in a number of heated discussions with Titan fans who thought the draft's third pick should be used on USC quarterback Matt Leinart as he his more of a "pro-style" quarterback and that his relationship with offensive coordinator Norm Chow fits too well. I think the discussions went on for a while, but the only comeback needed to these people was "Rose Bowl."
Vince Young was the best college football player I have ever seen. I didn't see Archie Griffin or Marcus Allen. I didn't see Eric Dickerson or Bo Jackson. But I saw one man beat a team that was arguably the most dominant dynasty in college football. With the help of his teammates Young pulled off what was an upset to everyone other than me, but it was Young who played in a Jordan-like manner against Bush, Leinart, Jarrett, and his new teammate White.
When James called in yesterday, he wanted to make reference to Young "not knowing the system." At this point in time, I was assuming that James was really an alias for Kerry Collins.
Good coordinators, like Norm Chow, build systems around their best players. There isn't anything complex to what the Titans do on offense, and in fact, most teams don't do many complex things. People in Tennessee are so enamored by Peyton Manning that anyone who doesn't go through 6 checks at the line of scrimmage is seen as inadequate. Favre does a whole bunch of stuff at the line of scrimmage...most of which he admits doesn't mean anything, but he has also been in the same offense for what...15 years? I think he knows what he's doing, and I'd say he's been alright 420 touchdowns later. How often does Carson Palmer check off? Brady?
Young knows his system. His system is not based on brain power, it's based on instinct, vision and skill. He's not going to out think anyone out there, he's going to beat them with his superior athletic ability. Which he does more often than not. Grant, Young fell off a little bit towards the end of last night's game with his passing, but in the beginning, he couldn't have been more on. His poise in the pocket is tremendous in comparison with last year and even at Texas. He has learned that he can't always just run away from linebackers in this league. Always is the key word there. When he needs to and has the opening, he tucks it and runs...and gets out of bounds past the sticks. But he's "playing quarterback first," and it's becoming very, very, dangerous.
Vince Young is the most talented football player I have ever seen. Is he the best? He was in college. How is his game going to translate over a career in the NFL? We will see. But I haven't yet touched on Young's strongest trait: his competitiveness. You can say what you want, but players that get so wound up on the field are doing it because they play the game with a passion. They want to win more than anything, and they hate losing. I believe that Favre and Young hate losing more than anyone other than Michael Jordan and Paul O'Neil. You can see it in their eyes on the field, and with the intensity that they bring. There's a reason that Young is the offensive captain after only one year in the league...his intensity stirs his teammates. Intensity wins ballgames. If you are a Vince Young hater...I don't really know what to say. Get it together.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Weekend Roundup
I have to say, it was a strong weekend in the sporting world. Good games in college football and the pros. Congrats to Favre for tying the record...I won't bore any of you with the Favre Shrine post until he actually breaks it. If you aren't into the "Brett Favre is the Greatest Person Ever" stuff, I would recommend not reading next Monday.
FYI...the...ROCKIES...have won eight in a row and are only 1.5 games out of the NL Wild Card. Being that the only team in the NL playing as good as the...ROCKIES...right now is the Chicago Cubs, and how awful the Padres look, this really might be legit. The Phillies aren't going to catch the Mets...if it comes down to a one game playoff for the Wild Card...Phillies/ROCKIES...you heard it hear first.
The college game was pretty boring this weekend. I'd like to congratulate Randy Shannon for winning a big game with the U on Thursday. They looked like the U of Ken Dorsey. Oh wait, Syracuse beat Louisville...away from the Carrier Dome. First of all, the Carrier Dome is sweet. Secondly, Louisville has to have the worst defense in the history of sports. Like, a worse defense than every team that played the Bulls in 1996. As in, Antwaan Stewart plays every position for the Cardinals. Brian Brohm is the only thing close to Colt Brennan (who didn't play this weekend and Hawaii still won) in terms of numbers and they are supposed to be an elite program? Elite programs don't lose to Syracuse without Donovan McNabb. We will get to McNabb in a minute.
LSU proved how good they were this past weekend. ESPN, surprise, said that USC has the hardest schedule in the land. They didn't play a Spurrier coached team this past weekend. LSU just looks like a professional team with size and speed. The clash between LSU and Florida is going to be the game of the season...especially after Florida learned how to get by in a close game this weekend.
Notre Dame is terrible.
I find this interesting...in the always popular "Others Receiving Votes" category of the polls, the following teams are listed: The U, Michigan, Florida State, Tennessee. Since 1997, on paper, that's four national titles and six trips to national championship games (Not including Michigan playing in the Rose Bowl against Ryan Leaf. That wasn't a clear "National Title Game." If it was, we could also count Tennessee from that year when they played co-champ Nebraska.). That's is what I would call...sad.
As mentioned...McNabb. This will be the last time we talk about his situation. If he wants to know why people get after him about poor play, maybe he should look at his stat line from yesterday:
21-26, 381 Yards, 4 TD's, 0 INT.
When you are capable of putting numbers like that up on the board, you deserve an earful when you play horribly. Any questions?
FYI...the...ROCKIES...have won eight in a row and are only 1.5 games out of the NL Wild Card. Being that the only team in the NL playing as good as the...ROCKIES...right now is the Chicago Cubs, and how awful the Padres look, this really might be legit. The Phillies aren't going to catch the Mets...if it comes down to a one game playoff for the Wild Card...Phillies/ROCKIES...you heard it hear first.
The college game was pretty boring this weekend. I'd like to congratulate Randy Shannon for winning a big game with the U on Thursday. They looked like the U of Ken Dorsey. Oh wait, Syracuse beat Louisville...away from the Carrier Dome. First of all, the Carrier Dome is sweet. Secondly, Louisville has to have the worst defense in the history of sports. Like, a worse defense than every team that played the Bulls in 1996. As in, Antwaan Stewart plays every position for the Cardinals. Brian Brohm is the only thing close to Colt Brennan (who didn't play this weekend and Hawaii still won) in terms of numbers and they are supposed to be an elite program? Elite programs don't lose to Syracuse without Donovan McNabb. We will get to McNabb in a minute.
LSU proved how good they were this past weekend. ESPN, surprise, said that USC has the hardest schedule in the land. They didn't play a Spurrier coached team this past weekend. LSU just looks like a professional team with size and speed. The clash between LSU and Florida is going to be the game of the season...especially after Florida learned how to get by in a close game this weekend.
Notre Dame is terrible.
I find this interesting...in the always popular "Others Receiving Votes" category of the polls, the following teams are listed: The U, Michigan, Florida State, Tennessee. Since 1997, on paper, that's four national titles and six trips to national championship games (Not including Michigan playing in the Rose Bowl against Ryan Leaf. That wasn't a clear "National Title Game." If it was, we could also count Tennessee from that year when they played co-champ Nebraska.). That's is what I would call...sad.
As mentioned...McNabb. This will be the last time we talk about his situation. If he wants to know why people get after him about poor play, maybe he should look at his stat line from yesterday:
21-26, 381 Yards, 4 TD's, 0 INT.
When you are capable of putting numbers like that up on the board, you deserve an earful when you play horribly. Any questions?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Baseball Notes
OJ Simpson has accumulated a lot of the media craze over the past few days. Why anyone cares...I couldn't really tell you. The guy is whacked.
What The Juice has done is take away the attention of the heated baseball races going on. With every NL race kept tight and the AL East now seemingly up for grabs, we are looking at a pretty solid ending to the season.
The AL East/Wildcard is going to come down to the end. You look at the Red Sox who are struggling to stay alive and you ask the question...is Manny being Manny? Ramirez hasn't seen the field in an extended period of time and his right handed bat is crucial...in any lineup. Manny is the most clutch player I have ever seen over the course of a career (Ortiz started hitting for the first time about 3-4 years ago). They need his bat.
My favorite pitcher representing the islands that American troops fought on during WWII, the aforementioned Hideka "Okinawa Iwo Jima" Okajima has a tired arm. He has been crucial for a bullpen that has been very strong throughout the year. At this stage of the season, the bullpen is what really holds a team together. Between Okajima and Gagne deciding that he didn't want to get people out anymore, the Red Sox are in a world of hurt. Okajima is tired...does this mean that DICE-K might be struggling a little too with fatigue? The Yankees are playing well...and they are getting their pitching figured out...for now. In the playoffs, they need to be careful of putting their hopes in the arms of guys who are closer to collecting social security than the peaks of their careers. Oh, and A-Rod doesn't hit in the post season.
In the NL, the other New York team is just as disgruntled as the Red Sox. After winning a game last night where their best player (Carlos Beltran) went 0-5, the Mets showed signs of life for the first time in a week. The problem for the Mets is that the Phillies are one good, and fun baseball team. They are gritty, talented, and motivated to get to the playoffs. Now, the Phillies have that mentality of "Hey, we can win any game at any time." The problem is, what happens if they get into a pitching duel? A big time ace, down the stretch, can match up against the Phillies and if Cole Hamels isn't pitching, the Phillies are in a lot of trouble if they catch that ace on his game. Lest we forget, the Mets forgot how to play baseball for an extended period of time. Everyone says, "The Mets go where Jose Reyes takes them." The sad thing is that is a true statement. With a team of so many great players, it's hard to believe that an axiom like that can actually be the case.
This being said, who is going to win the MVP? Sadly enough, and I hate this, but it is going to have to come down to the teams that make the playoffs. Statistically, Matt Holliday of the...ROCKIES...ranks first, third and first in the triple crown categories. In my opinion, with a team like the...ROCKIES...playing this well into September with a legit shot, there is no reason whatsoever for Holliday not to win the award. But let's put together a scenario:
The experts are for Jimmy Rollins. He held the Phillies together when Chase Utley was out. What we do forget is that Pat Burrell also decided to crush the baseball while Utley was gone...for the first time since he was at the U. Needless to say, he has leveled off some. And Utley, if he hadn't gotten hurt, would probably be the NL leader in RBI. Maybe. If the Phillies do in fact make the playoffs, it seems that Utley and Rollins would cancel each other out...a la the Kerry Collins-Ki Jana Carter syndrome of good ole 1994. What's up Rashaan Salam. If the Brewers make the playoffs, home run leader Prince Fielder will most likely win the award. But if the...ROCKIES...and the Brewers both make the post season, for some unknown reason Fielder would probably win over Holliday, though going by the numbers and the fact that the Brewers should have ran away with the division a month ago, Fielder is inferior. Did I mention that Holliday has a .402 OBP? That's convenient.
Now that the Yankees are going to make the playoffs, A-Rod will win the MVP. You can talk about the homers and RBI but he also has scored 19 more runs than the next closest players (Grady Sizemore and your very own Curtis Granderson). Though, I will lobby hard that in fact Ichiro is the most valuable to his team and that he is a leadoff man doing things that no one else, even Reyes is, it won't matter. A-Rod, followed by Vlad I guess, then, hopefully Ichiro. Too bad the rest of the M's forgot how to hit. Wait, Raul Ibanez, Rickie Sexson and Adrian Beltre never knew how to hit anyway. Sexson should have stuck to basketball. He would have been a solid 4 in college. You know he can step out and hit the 15 footer.
Finally, David Ortiz is quietly having a very productive year. Without Manny in the lineup he isn't getting pitched to. He still has 31 homers and 107 RBI to go with his .435 OBP. And you know what, he's stolen three bases without being caught. Casey Blake has four in both categories. Yeah, I went there.
What The Juice has done is take away the attention of the heated baseball races going on. With every NL race kept tight and the AL East now seemingly up for grabs, we are looking at a pretty solid ending to the season.
The AL East/Wildcard is going to come down to the end. You look at the Red Sox who are struggling to stay alive and you ask the question...is Manny being Manny? Ramirez hasn't seen the field in an extended period of time and his right handed bat is crucial...in any lineup. Manny is the most clutch player I have ever seen over the course of a career (Ortiz started hitting for the first time about 3-4 years ago). They need his bat.
My favorite pitcher representing the islands that American troops fought on during WWII, the aforementioned Hideka "Okinawa Iwo Jima" Okajima has a tired arm. He has been crucial for a bullpen that has been very strong throughout the year. At this stage of the season, the bullpen is what really holds a team together. Between Okajima and Gagne deciding that he didn't want to get people out anymore, the Red Sox are in a world of hurt. Okajima is tired...does this mean that DICE-K might be struggling a little too with fatigue? The Yankees are playing well...and they are getting their pitching figured out...for now. In the playoffs, they need to be careful of putting their hopes in the arms of guys who are closer to collecting social security than the peaks of their careers. Oh, and A-Rod doesn't hit in the post season.
In the NL, the other New York team is just as disgruntled as the Red Sox. After winning a game last night where their best player (Carlos Beltran) went 0-5, the Mets showed signs of life for the first time in a week. The problem for the Mets is that the Phillies are one good, and fun baseball team. They are gritty, talented, and motivated to get to the playoffs. Now, the Phillies have that mentality of "Hey, we can win any game at any time." The problem is, what happens if they get into a pitching duel? A big time ace, down the stretch, can match up against the Phillies and if Cole Hamels isn't pitching, the Phillies are in a lot of trouble if they catch that ace on his game. Lest we forget, the Mets forgot how to play baseball for an extended period of time. Everyone says, "The Mets go where Jose Reyes takes them." The sad thing is that is a true statement. With a team of so many great players, it's hard to believe that an axiom like that can actually be the case.
This being said, who is going to win the MVP? Sadly enough, and I hate this, but it is going to have to come down to the teams that make the playoffs. Statistically, Matt Holliday of the...ROCKIES...ranks first, third and first in the triple crown categories. In my opinion, with a team like the...ROCKIES...playing this well into September with a legit shot, there is no reason whatsoever for Holliday not to win the award. But let's put together a scenario:
The experts are for Jimmy Rollins. He held the Phillies together when Chase Utley was out. What we do forget is that Pat Burrell also decided to crush the baseball while Utley was gone...for the first time since he was at the U. Needless to say, he has leveled off some. And Utley, if he hadn't gotten hurt, would probably be the NL leader in RBI. Maybe. If the Phillies do in fact make the playoffs, it seems that Utley and Rollins would cancel each other out...a la the Kerry Collins-Ki Jana Carter syndrome of good ole 1994. What's up Rashaan Salam. If the Brewers make the playoffs, home run leader Prince Fielder will most likely win the award. But if the...ROCKIES...and the Brewers both make the post season, for some unknown reason Fielder would probably win over Holliday, though going by the numbers and the fact that the Brewers should have ran away with the division a month ago, Fielder is inferior. Did I mention that Holliday has a .402 OBP? That's convenient.
Now that the Yankees are going to make the playoffs, A-Rod will win the MVP. You can talk about the homers and RBI but he also has scored 19 more runs than the next closest players (Grady Sizemore and your very own Curtis Granderson). Though, I will lobby hard that in fact Ichiro is the most valuable to his team and that he is a leadoff man doing things that no one else, even Reyes is, it won't matter. A-Rod, followed by Vlad I guess, then, hopefully Ichiro. Too bad the rest of the M's forgot how to hit. Wait, Raul Ibanez, Rickie Sexson and Adrian Beltre never knew how to hit anyway. Sexson should have stuck to basketball. He would have been a solid 4 in college. You know he can step out and hit the 15 footer.
Finally, David Ortiz is quietly having a very productive year. Without Manny in the lineup he isn't getting pitched to. He still has 31 homers and 107 RBI to go with his .435 OBP. And you know what, he's stolen three bases without being caught. Casey Blake has four in both categories. Yeah, I went there.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Compare...
The Donovan McNabb discussion is still going on. For those of you who missed it, I'm not going to post the interview on here...just my reaction.
First, the sporting world has been the leader in breaking the race barrier. Going all the way back to Jackie Robinson, he played in his first Major League Baseball game seven years before Brown v. The Board. Last year, it could not be stressed enough that the first African American coaching square off would take place in the Super Bowl. Professional sports world has been a major, if not the major player in breaking any race barrier. If African American quarterbacks were "not wanted" would a VA Tech QB be selected first in his draft year, Vince Young third in his, and McNabb himself third as well?
McNabb is not playing well. He has had a great career. McNabb also plays in one of the best football towns in America. In the best football towns comes unforgiving fans. When you don't perform, you get bashed. That's the way it is. McNabb is being hit hard by the media because of his play and nothing else.
Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning are not getting bashed simply because they play well. Palmer is in a tough spot where he can put up 35+ and lose. Palmer isn't playing free safety on the side. Manning doesn't do anything wrong ever. They perform, they get praise. Go figure.
Finally. There are two quarterbacks whose performance gets scrutinized more than anyone: Tony Romo and Eli Manning. When they don't produce, everyone gets on them, coast to coast. New York and Dallas are unforgiving football towns with high expectations. Eli just can't get anything right, and in my opinion, only went to New York because his daddy wanted his two boys to play each other in the Super Bowl. Philip Rivers couldn't be happier. The shot of Romo on the one yard line with his hands on his facemask has become about as famous as the shirtless Brandi Chastain.
If Donovan McNabb wants to do anything, he needs to focus on his performance and winning football games. That's how you get rid of media attention. Right now, he's only bringing it upon himself.
First, the sporting world has been the leader in breaking the race barrier. Going all the way back to Jackie Robinson, he played in his first Major League Baseball game seven years before Brown v. The Board. Last year, it could not be stressed enough that the first African American coaching square off would take place in the Super Bowl. Professional sports world has been a major, if not the major player in breaking any race barrier. If African American quarterbacks were "not wanted" would a VA Tech QB be selected first in his draft year, Vince Young third in his, and McNabb himself third as well?
McNabb is not playing well. He has had a great career. McNabb also plays in one of the best football towns in America. In the best football towns comes unforgiving fans. When you don't perform, you get bashed. That's the way it is. McNabb is being hit hard by the media because of his play and nothing else.
Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning are not getting bashed simply because they play well. Palmer is in a tough spot where he can put up 35+ and lose. Palmer isn't playing free safety on the side. Manning doesn't do anything wrong ever. They perform, they get praise. Go figure.
Finally. There are two quarterbacks whose performance gets scrutinized more than anyone: Tony Romo and Eli Manning. When they don't produce, everyone gets on them, coast to coast. New York and Dallas are unforgiving football towns with high expectations. Eli just can't get anything right, and in my opinion, only went to New York because his daddy wanted his two boys to play each other in the Super Bowl. Philip Rivers couldn't be happier. The shot of Romo on the one yard line with his hands on his facemask has become about as famous as the shirtless Brandi Chastain.
If Donovan McNabb wants to do anything, he needs to focus on his performance and winning football games. That's how you get rid of media attention. Right now, he's only bringing it upon himself.
Monday, September 17, 2007
What Were You Expecting?
For anyone who reads on a semi-regular basis, you would think stopping in at No Owens today you would get a dosage of one of two things: Tennessee Vols football or Brett Favre. Because I need closure, we are going to go with the Vols.
Before we do, back to Favre. The first record of many is one that truly tells us how great he is. More wins than any other starter is proven longevity and consistent success. A commitment to excellence from Favre, which seemingly isn't coming from today's main event.
I can sit here and complain all I want. I can tell you how awful of a place Gainesville is. I can tell you about the people there and their commitment to wearing jerseys and cargo or jeans shorts. I can tell you what I think about the level of class the head football coach brings to the field.
Right now, I'm going to tell you how good the Florida Gators are. That is an unbelievable football program that Urban Meyer has put together in terms of putting a team on the field with speed, intensity, and talent. The team that I saw in person this past weekend...I don't know who's going to beat them. I mean, USC can't beat them. The LSU/Florida matchup is without a doubt the best game of the year. They are without any doubt the two best teams around. And Florida is only going to get better as the season goes on. Oklahoma might be able to make a shot at them, but if that team that played the Vols Saturday shows up every week, this is going to be a miserable season for just about anyone out there.
I talked about this a few posts ago...that Meyer is great because he finds ways to get his players on the field. Trust me, I watched these plays develop. His offense is not complicated. If it was, they would have all these check-down calls going on at the line, and freshman QB's would never see the light of the field. Their plays do the following: isolate one defensive player and if he does one thing you throw the ball one way...if he does another, throw it to the other guy. Because it isn't as complicated as one would think, Meyer can get his players to learn the system quickly and it puts the pressure on the quarterback to make the right decision. This is why you see an influx of you kids playing...they don't need to be rocket scientists...the quarterback has the responsibility to make a read and deliver the ball, that's it.
This being said, Meyer can easily get his playmakers on the field. It creates matchup problems. I remember seeing a play develop coming right at us in the corner of the endzone with Vol OLB Ryan Karl trying to cover Percy Harvin. If Webster was going to rewrite his book of words, he would choose that to define mismatch. Put your best players on the field, don't ask much out of them until they get the ball...then ask them to do what they were put on this earth to do. It's a winning combination. Can't you tell?
Aside from Emmitt Smith, Fred Taylor is the next greatest offensive player to come out of Florida and be successful in the NFL in the past 15-20 years. I don't think anyone in Gainesville is complaining. They aren't in the business of getting kids ready to play at the next level. They are in the business of winning collegiate championships. That's the correct focus.
Now, how does one learn from this? Mike Hamilton has been a solid Athletic Director for Tennessee. He's made Tennessee's basketball team into what everyone will see this year as an elite team. He's committed to putting winners out there to "Give their all for Tennessee." I'm sick of hearing the coaches talk about so and so "playing hard," or he "left it out there today." I'll tell you what they left out there: missed third down opportunities, they left a lot of tackles out there, along with blown coverages. One thing they didn't leave? Heart. There was no passion left on that field, at least from what I could see. There was no intensity, no leadership. No fire. There was one white guy on the Florida kickoff team that came out every time and I felt like he looked me in the eye and gave me the Gator Chomp. Where is that from our players?
They are poorly motivated. They are poorly disciplined. They have no respect for their program because they can walk their way through classes and know coach is going to take care of them. The upper classmen can just hold onto their jobs because they know if they start one game, they are shoe in's until the end of their career. If they carried the intensity that their fans bring to the stadium to pay their money to watch them play, they would be better off. I looked a whole lot more dejected after that game than Arian Foster. I didn't fumble away our chance at getting into that game with a shot to win. He should be so devastated that he should be embarrassed to show his face. And he should be so motivated to never let it happen again that when he coughed up the bowl game last year, he should have vowed that with the game on the line, that wouldn't happen in Gainesville. Irony.
You know, I can talk about the athletes that aren't seeing the field. UT goes out and gets Junior College players as they are supposed to be ready to make an immediate impact. But the head football coach is too loyal to his players, even if they can't get it done. Forget all of that. The key to being a leader is having people believe in you. That comes with respect and respect comes from setting an example. What example is the head football coach at the University of Tennessee setting by conceding the game in the 4th quarter and letting that scumbag of a coach showboat around already up 20+ points? He's setting a perfect example...the example for the guy who's leading the Tennessee program in 2008 of what NOT to do.
Before we do, back to Favre. The first record of many is one that truly tells us how great he is. More wins than any other starter is proven longevity and consistent success. A commitment to excellence from Favre, which seemingly isn't coming from today's main event.
I can sit here and complain all I want. I can tell you how awful of a place Gainesville is. I can tell you about the people there and their commitment to wearing jerseys and cargo or jeans shorts. I can tell you what I think about the level of class the head football coach brings to the field.
Right now, I'm going to tell you how good the Florida Gators are. That is an unbelievable football program that Urban Meyer has put together in terms of putting a team on the field with speed, intensity, and talent. The team that I saw in person this past weekend...I don't know who's going to beat them. I mean, USC can't beat them. The LSU/Florida matchup is without a doubt the best game of the year. They are without any doubt the two best teams around. And Florida is only going to get better as the season goes on. Oklahoma might be able to make a shot at them, but if that team that played the Vols Saturday shows up every week, this is going to be a miserable season for just about anyone out there.
I talked about this a few posts ago...that Meyer is great because he finds ways to get his players on the field. Trust me, I watched these plays develop. His offense is not complicated. If it was, they would have all these check-down calls going on at the line, and freshman QB's would never see the light of the field. Their plays do the following: isolate one defensive player and if he does one thing you throw the ball one way...if he does another, throw it to the other guy. Because it isn't as complicated as one would think, Meyer can get his players to learn the system quickly and it puts the pressure on the quarterback to make the right decision. This is why you see an influx of you kids playing...they don't need to be rocket scientists...the quarterback has the responsibility to make a read and deliver the ball, that's it.
This being said, Meyer can easily get his playmakers on the field. It creates matchup problems. I remember seeing a play develop coming right at us in the corner of the endzone with Vol OLB Ryan Karl trying to cover Percy Harvin. If Webster was going to rewrite his book of words, he would choose that to define mismatch. Put your best players on the field, don't ask much out of them until they get the ball...then ask them to do what they were put on this earth to do. It's a winning combination. Can't you tell?
Aside from Emmitt Smith, Fred Taylor is the next greatest offensive player to come out of Florida and be successful in the NFL in the past 15-20 years. I don't think anyone in Gainesville is complaining. They aren't in the business of getting kids ready to play at the next level. They are in the business of winning collegiate championships. That's the correct focus.
Now, how does one learn from this? Mike Hamilton has been a solid Athletic Director for Tennessee. He's made Tennessee's basketball team into what everyone will see this year as an elite team. He's committed to putting winners out there to "Give their all for Tennessee." I'm sick of hearing the coaches talk about so and so "playing hard," or he "left it out there today." I'll tell you what they left out there: missed third down opportunities, they left a lot of tackles out there, along with blown coverages. One thing they didn't leave? Heart. There was no passion left on that field, at least from what I could see. There was no intensity, no leadership. No fire. There was one white guy on the Florida kickoff team that came out every time and I felt like he looked me in the eye and gave me the Gator Chomp. Where is that from our players?
They are poorly motivated. They are poorly disciplined. They have no respect for their program because they can walk their way through classes and know coach is going to take care of them. The upper classmen can just hold onto their jobs because they know if they start one game, they are shoe in's until the end of their career. If they carried the intensity that their fans bring to the stadium to pay their money to watch them play, they would be better off. I looked a whole lot more dejected after that game than Arian Foster. I didn't fumble away our chance at getting into that game with a shot to win. He should be so devastated that he should be embarrassed to show his face. And he should be so motivated to never let it happen again that when he coughed up the bowl game last year, he should have vowed that with the game on the line, that wouldn't happen in Gainesville. Irony.
You know, I can talk about the athletes that aren't seeing the field. UT goes out and gets Junior College players as they are supposed to be ready to make an immediate impact. But the head football coach is too loyal to his players, even if they can't get it done. Forget all of that. The key to being a leader is having people believe in you. That comes with respect and respect comes from setting an example. What example is the head football coach at the University of Tennessee setting by conceding the game in the 4th quarter and letting that scumbag of a coach showboat around already up 20+ points? He's setting a perfect example...the example for the guy who's leading the Tennessee program in 2008 of what NOT to do.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Friday News and Notes
First and foremost, I want to mention a few previous topics to generate legitimacy for No Owens. First...I am sure you noticed that Greg Oden is out for the season. Last I looked, Kevin Durant isn't. Oden has been injury prone since high school and the No Owens team cited that taking anyone besides Durant with the first pick was a mistake. Guys who are injury prone, stay injury prone. Need proof? Ask Fred Taylor how many Pro Bowls he's been to. Durant was the pick...I predict that Oden will never play an entire season in the NBA.
Also, remember the post concerning Denver and the upstart Rockies? Those same Rockies are right there in the Wild Card chase in the National League. It was also confirmed by No Owens that Troy Tulowitski would be an NL Rookie of the Year candidate. He's made it a tight race.
Enough gloating...this is all you are going to hear about the next topic. A source close to No Owens has confirmed that No Owens' least favorite sporting institution was spotted out of town away from his family last weekend. That is all that will be said in the confidence of the source and their well being. But for him and his people...I know if you want to talk about it.
Bill Belicheck should be suspended from coaching. This is what happens to players for cheating and it should happen to him. I can live with him not getting suspended as I really like the non-financial repercussions. The draft picks are a nice touch for punishment as it wasn't just one person committing the acts of videotaping signals...it was that of an entire organization. I hope that somehow, Roger Goodell gets the Republican nomination for the Presidency. The man rocks.
Big weekend in college football. First, this USC/Nebraska thing. Everyone wants to talk about how this is USC's first big test...blah blah. I don't believe Nebraska is there yet. They are still transitioning to a new offense after 80 years of an old one. I think they are a year away. I hope I'm wrong and they take it to John David Booty...but I don't think so. People are going to praise USC for putting up a two touchdown victory in Lincoln. They shouldn't be praised for doing what they should do to a team that can't hang with them at a neutral field. USC will lose at least once this season, but it won't be tomorrow.
The biggest game tomorrow is obviously Tennessee at Florida. Though USC is going to get the hype, the implications of this game every year are astounding. There is no argument that the SEC is the strongest conference in football. If you want to argue, you're simply wrong. Ask Ohio State. The early meeting by the two SEC East perennial contenders is the most important game in the East all year, and because it is so early, possibly in the entire SEC. This games gives one team a clear shot at heading to the SEC Championship game and a chance to control its own destiny. These implications aren't happening in Lincoln no matter what Herbstreit says.
All things considered, you can understand why this writer is so involved with this game. (I thought about putting inVOLved. That's bad.) Breaking down this game for about the past 3 days straight I was struggling to figure it out. Then it finally hit me. These teams both only have one PROVEN national spotlight level playmaker on offense: Erik Ainge for UT and Percy Harvin for UF (Tim Tebow is still not proven as he hasn't made a start versus anyone that he couldn't have beaten with his Neese High team...even though he was home schooled.) The defenses are both huge question marks. Florida has more athleticism at the skill positions, where UT is more powerful. The weather is going to be a factor and a wet field doesn't fair well with Florida's spread offense or Ainge's broken finger. Harvin, who makes his name making full speed cuts, has a bad knee so we will see how long that holds up. I think this game is a lot closer than the experts think...and aside from the fact that I'm never going to pick UT to lose...here is my prediction. Florida's offense challenges defenses giving defenders a greater chance to make plays. Everyone wants to make a big deal about UF's big play potential on offense. UT can make big plays in the secondary if they are challenged in coverage, which they haven't been; they've been hurt in space and schemed against. This being said, you have heard of the era of Eric Berry at UT thanks to No Owens. I predict a 38-31 Tennessee victory in The Swamp with the legend of Eric Berry growing on a national level. I think this true freshman will have the big play that's a difference maker. Watch for 14.
Finally. I was being warned last night about going to Gainesville this weekend...hearing the stories that we all know about with the Super Soakers filled with urine being shot at UT fans, and band members getting kicked by Gator fans as they enter the field. We're rolling about 16 deep, I'm not too worried about it. But then there are the stories about the Georgia fans throwing beer on people and the LSU fans throwing batteries at people and the Sooner fan doing what he did to the Texas fan in the bar just recently. How many people who act so ridiculously at college games actually graduated from the school they're rooting for? Or graduated at all? The people who give schools, especially in the southeast, a bad name are not alumni, often times of anywhere. I'll have a report on Monday. Lesson for the kids? Stay in school and you won't throw batteries.
Also, remember the post concerning Denver and the upstart Rockies? Those same Rockies are right there in the Wild Card chase in the National League. It was also confirmed by No Owens that Troy Tulowitski would be an NL Rookie of the Year candidate. He's made it a tight race.
Enough gloating...this is all you are going to hear about the next topic. A source close to No Owens has confirmed that No Owens' least favorite sporting institution was spotted out of town away from his family last weekend. That is all that will be said in the confidence of the source and their well being. But for him and his people...I know if you want to talk about it.
Bill Belicheck should be suspended from coaching. This is what happens to players for cheating and it should happen to him. I can live with him not getting suspended as I really like the non-financial repercussions. The draft picks are a nice touch for punishment as it wasn't just one person committing the acts of videotaping signals...it was that of an entire organization. I hope that somehow, Roger Goodell gets the Republican nomination for the Presidency. The man rocks.
Big weekend in college football. First, this USC/Nebraska thing. Everyone wants to talk about how this is USC's first big test...blah blah. I don't believe Nebraska is there yet. They are still transitioning to a new offense after 80 years of an old one. I think they are a year away. I hope I'm wrong and they take it to John David Booty...but I don't think so. People are going to praise USC for putting up a two touchdown victory in Lincoln. They shouldn't be praised for doing what they should do to a team that can't hang with them at a neutral field. USC will lose at least once this season, but it won't be tomorrow.
The biggest game tomorrow is obviously Tennessee at Florida. Though USC is going to get the hype, the implications of this game every year are astounding. There is no argument that the SEC is the strongest conference in football. If you want to argue, you're simply wrong. Ask Ohio State. The early meeting by the two SEC East perennial contenders is the most important game in the East all year, and because it is so early, possibly in the entire SEC. This games gives one team a clear shot at heading to the SEC Championship game and a chance to control its own destiny. These implications aren't happening in Lincoln no matter what Herbstreit says.
All things considered, you can understand why this writer is so involved with this game. (I thought about putting inVOLved. That's bad.) Breaking down this game for about the past 3 days straight I was struggling to figure it out. Then it finally hit me. These teams both only have one PROVEN national spotlight level playmaker on offense: Erik Ainge for UT and Percy Harvin for UF (Tim Tebow is still not proven as he hasn't made a start versus anyone that he couldn't have beaten with his Neese High team...even though he was home schooled.) The defenses are both huge question marks. Florida has more athleticism at the skill positions, where UT is more powerful. The weather is going to be a factor and a wet field doesn't fair well with Florida's spread offense or Ainge's broken finger. Harvin, who makes his name making full speed cuts, has a bad knee so we will see how long that holds up. I think this game is a lot closer than the experts think...and aside from the fact that I'm never going to pick UT to lose...here is my prediction. Florida's offense challenges defenses giving defenders a greater chance to make plays. Everyone wants to make a big deal about UF's big play potential on offense. UT can make big plays in the secondary if they are challenged in coverage, which they haven't been; they've been hurt in space and schemed against. This being said, you have heard of the era of Eric Berry at UT thanks to No Owens. I predict a 38-31 Tennessee victory in The Swamp with the legend of Eric Berry growing on a national level. I think this true freshman will have the big play that's a difference maker. Watch for 14.
Finally. I was being warned last night about going to Gainesville this weekend...hearing the stories that we all know about with the Super Soakers filled with urine being shot at UT fans, and band members getting kicked by Gator fans as they enter the field. We're rolling about 16 deep, I'm not too worried about it. But then there are the stories about the Georgia fans throwing beer on people and the LSU fans throwing batteries at people and the Sooner fan doing what he did to the Texas fan in the bar just recently. How many people who act so ridiculously at college games actually graduated from the school they're rooting for? Or graduated at all? The people who give schools, especially in the southeast, a bad name are not alumni, often times of anywhere. I'll have a report on Monday. Lesson for the kids? Stay in school and you won't throw batteries.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Speaking of Being Scared of OU
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/09/11/oklahoma.texas.fight.ap/index.html?cnn=yes
Moral of this story? Don't roll into enemy territory without a crew.
Moral of this story? Don't roll into enemy territory without a crew.
Women's Soccer
Guess what?
I was flipping through the channels this morning and stumbled across ESPN. I have become used to watching HBO in the morning, but they weren't offering me anything today. Something with Bruce Willis post '97 which isn't doing much for anyone. Including Demi Moore. Not like Ashton rocked it in hard "Guess Who" or anything...that's an assumption by the way.
This morning, ESPN and ESPN2 were rockin' the FIFA Women's World Cup. Apparently, this is going on right now because it said LIVE in the corner. Frankly, I didn't look at the screen and say, "Oh, it's LIVE, that means I better watch it. It won't be the same tonight!"
Yes it will, it's soccer.
ESPN is sure pushing soccer for some reason. David Beckham followed by this? Are we serious? I didn't see the end of the Cubs game last night. But I did see Li Ji score this morning for China. It was awesome.
There are major races going on in baseball right now. At least give us a full morning of Baseball Tonight or College Football Live. ESPN used to be a network whose purpose was to serve men and their needs. Women's soccer isn't exactly something that you call up your buddies and say, "Hey, Norway's playing North Korea today...Corner Pub has a special for the game, let's head down there!"
Men like college football.
I believe No Owens said something about the Oklahoma last month and how they are quietly going to scare people. I don't think there's anything quiet about how they destroyed Miami last weekend. Texas isn't looking like a team that should compete for a National Title. OU is downright terrifying at this point and a team that is as well coached as them who looks this good this early is a not a good sign for the likes of West Virginia in the BCS Championship.
So everyone is talking about the 0-2 Notre Dame vs. 0-2 Michigan match up this weekend. With Chad Henne out, Michigan is playing a freshman who many called the second best quarterback in the country last year named Ryan Mallett. So, we have Mallett vs. Clausen Round One this weekend. Being that this is the most hyped match up of 0-2's in history, one would assume that the network would do everything in it's power to find yet another story line. Try this: Ryan Mallett and Jimmy Clausen are two of the most difficult people to look at of all time. What is Mallett had a mullet? Works can't describe.
Speaking of these two national powers...what if Hawaii traveled to the Big House this weekend? How funny would it be to see Colt Brennan dominate Michigan? Lloyd Carr wants nothing to do with June Jones.
Speaking of Miami, Kyle Wright has been named the starting quarterback for this weekend's game. Wright, formerly the #1 quarterback in the 2003 class and #5 prospect overall as rated by Rivals has been (I'm trying to find another word than bust but can't find one) a bust. Quickly, let's talk about the rest of the top 10 from '03
#1 Ernie Sims, FSU - Starting in the NFL.
#2 Reggie Bush, USC - being Reggie Bush.
#3 Whitney Lewis, USC - Hanging around with Kurt Warner at Northern Iowa.
#4 Andre Caldwell, Florida - Still at UF, had a good career with plenty of injuries.
#5 Wright
#6 Prescott Burgess, Michigan - Selected with the 207th overall pick in this year's draft.
#7 Tony Hills, Jr. Texas - No current info came up on the first two pages of his Google search.
#8 Jorrie Adams, Texas A&M - Referred to as "The Definition of a Bust."
#9 Paul Oliver, Georgia - Built the reputation as the only DB to shut down Calvin Johnson.
#10 Greg Olsen, Miami - Chicago Bears starter.
Wright is in some elite, in many ways, company. Oh, the next #2 ranked QB? Chris Leak.
Moral of the story? College football is a lot cooler than soccer.
I was flipping through the channels this morning and stumbled across ESPN. I have become used to watching HBO in the morning, but they weren't offering me anything today. Something with Bruce Willis post '97 which isn't doing much for anyone. Including Demi Moore. Not like Ashton rocked it in hard "Guess Who" or anything...that's an assumption by the way.
This morning, ESPN and ESPN2 were rockin' the FIFA Women's World Cup. Apparently, this is going on right now because it said LIVE in the corner. Frankly, I didn't look at the screen and say, "Oh, it's LIVE, that means I better watch it. It won't be the same tonight!"
Yes it will, it's soccer.
ESPN is sure pushing soccer for some reason. David Beckham followed by this? Are we serious? I didn't see the end of the Cubs game last night. But I did see Li Ji score this morning for China. It was awesome.
There are major races going on in baseball right now. At least give us a full morning of Baseball Tonight or College Football Live. ESPN used to be a network whose purpose was to serve men and their needs. Women's soccer isn't exactly something that you call up your buddies and say, "Hey, Norway's playing North Korea today...Corner Pub has a special for the game, let's head down there!"
Men like college football.
I believe No Owens said something about the Oklahoma last month and how they are quietly going to scare people. I don't think there's anything quiet about how they destroyed Miami last weekend. Texas isn't looking like a team that should compete for a National Title. OU is downright terrifying at this point and a team that is as well coached as them who looks this good this early is a not a good sign for the likes of West Virginia in the BCS Championship.
So everyone is talking about the 0-2 Notre Dame vs. 0-2 Michigan match up this weekend. With Chad Henne out, Michigan is playing a freshman who many called the second best quarterback in the country last year named Ryan Mallett. So, we have Mallett vs. Clausen Round One this weekend. Being that this is the most hyped match up of 0-2's in history, one would assume that the network would do everything in it's power to find yet another story line. Try this: Ryan Mallett and Jimmy Clausen are two of the most difficult people to look at of all time. What is Mallett had a mullet? Works can't describe.
Speaking of these two national powers...what if Hawaii traveled to the Big House this weekend? How funny would it be to see Colt Brennan dominate Michigan? Lloyd Carr wants nothing to do with June Jones.
Speaking of Miami, Kyle Wright has been named the starting quarterback for this weekend's game. Wright, formerly the #1 quarterback in the 2003 class and #5 prospect overall as rated by Rivals has been (I'm trying to find another word than bust but can't find one) a bust. Quickly, let's talk about the rest of the top 10 from '03
#1 Ernie Sims, FSU - Starting in the NFL.
#2 Reggie Bush, USC - being Reggie Bush.
#3 Whitney Lewis, USC - Hanging around with Kurt Warner at Northern Iowa.
#4 Andre Caldwell, Florida - Still at UF, had a good career with plenty of injuries.
#5 Wright
#6 Prescott Burgess, Michigan - Selected with the 207th overall pick in this year's draft.
#7 Tony Hills, Jr. Texas - No current info came up on the first two pages of his Google search.
#8 Jorrie Adams, Texas A&M - Referred to as "The Definition of a Bust."
#9 Paul Oliver, Georgia - Built the reputation as the only DB to shut down Calvin Johnson.
#10 Greg Olsen, Miami - Chicago Bears starter.
Wright is in some elite, in many ways, company. Oh, the next #2 ranked QB? Chris Leak.
Moral of the story? College football is a lot cooler than soccer.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
First Day of Work
No, not for me. But I certainly would take a different job if I was getting $31 million guaranteed.
JaMarcus Russell is going to be at work today. Coming to the office to learn some of the playbook, meet his co-workers, and not start a game for at least another year or so.
Russell, who was by far the best quarterback available this year, has agreed to terms on a contract that will make him the richest rookie in NFL history. Last year's #1 pick, Mario Williams, played his first game of note this past weekend. Congratulations to Mario.
Russell, who looks like either a linebacker, or a 40 year old Mr. Mom, might be the luckiest person outside of Tom Brady. He gets to sit around for a year, collect a lot of money and not get hurt by the abysmal offense front of the Raiders while not putting up horrible numbers with the lack of weapons that they have to support him. Leave that to Daunte Culpepper whose career is seemingly over anyway.
I don't think Russell was holding out for money entirely. Russell, and Russell's agent didn't want him to play this year. What's the rush? The Raiders are a pathetic ball club. They're fans know it. They basically have the talent of the Kansas City Royals which by the transitive property means that they're terrible. Why subject yourself to the beat down?
I'll tell you why. Because you play football and you get paid a lot of money to do it. I'm not going to get into this again like I did the other week about Mickelson, but it's the same concept.
Russell, in my opinion, is going to be a very fine NFL player. He has in fact made the two best throws that I have ever seen in my life. He's huge, has a rocket arm, and he mastered a complex system at LSU. He's not going to have anyone around him for at least a year and I don't think he's too happy about it. At least he didn't demand a trade like Eli and his separated shoulder did.
JaMarcus Russell is going to be at work today. Coming to the office to learn some of the playbook, meet his co-workers, and not start a game for at least another year or so.
Russell, who was by far the best quarterback available this year, has agreed to terms on a contract that will make him the richest rookie in NFL history. Last year's #1 pick, Mario Williams, played his first game of note this past weekend. Congratulations to Mario.
Russell, who looks like either a linebacker, or a 40 year old Mr. Mom, might be the luckiest person outside of Tom Brady. He gets to sit around for a year, collect a lot of money and not get hurt by the abysmal offense front of the Raiders while not putting up horrible numbers with the lack of weapons that they have to support him. Leave that to Daunte Culpepper whose career is seemingly over anyway.
I don't think Russell was holding out for money entirely. Russell, and Russell's agent didn't want him to play this year. What's the rush? The Raiders are a pathetic ball club. They're fans know it. They basically have the talent of the Kansas City Royals which by the transitive property means that they're terrible. Why subject yourself to the beat down?
I'll tell you why. Because you play football and you get paid a lot of money to do it. I'm not going to get into this again like I did the other week about Mickelson, but it's the same concept.
Russell, in my opinion, is going to be a very fine NFL player. He has in fact made the two best throws that I have ever seen in my life. He's huge, has a rocket arm, and he mastered a complex system at LSU. He's not going to have anyone around him for at least a year and I don't think he's too happy about it. At least he didn't demand a trade like Eli and his separated shoulder did.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Weekend Roundup
Lot's happened in sports this past weekend. Most of which you probably didn't notice because ESPN found out the NFL was officially going to be in full swing. When this happened, you saw lots of Michael Irvin. No one wants that.
Let's briefly talk about the NFL. It seems to me, from what little research that I've done, that no one pays too much attention to the league outside of their own team. I couldn't tell you about any of the teams that won last week except my team and the team that beat our biggest rival. I would assume the Patriots won. Interest of the NFL as a league is dying, whether or not Walt Disney Corporation wants to admit it or not. The only thing saving the league is...Fantasy Football.
Speaking of them and my least favorite football player Tom Brady; he threw a touchdown pass to Randy Moss yesterday. Long pass play, 50 yards I'd say, and the announcer doing the replay talked about how great of a throw it is. Well, when you're standing in the pocket for as long as you want, you have Randy Moss on your team and he's beaten his man by three steps, any professional quarterback should be able to hit the open receiver. Unless his name is Chad Pennington. Drew Bledsoe would have made that throw off his back foot, in a Cougar uniform.
Outside football, you can't get away from Tiger winning. As predicted by the experts of No Owens Sports, he's currently leading the FedEx Cup Points standings, and will most likely decide to win it next weekend. Thus, giving a player who didn't play in one of these playoff tournaments the victory, giving the point system a serious BCS feel. In depth coverage from the BMW Championship to follow.
You knew you couldn't get away from reading today without a shout out to Roger Federer. This straight set victory (7-6,7-6,6-4) wasn't his most impressive but he continues to scrap. Those who find ways to win even when they aren't playing their best prove to be great players and in Federer's case, the greatest of players. Also, he's won four straight US Opens. He's now won 12 of the last 18 Slams. Tiger hasn't done that. He also walks. And Federer carries his own equipment and switches rackets himself. I hope Phil had a nice time at home watching on TV.
Finally, college football. Briefly, run away from LSU. USC had the weekend off to prepare, I guess, for some grueling schedule that only the computers say exists. So did LSU, but they had a nationally televised walk through session against Virginia Tech.
Injuries are starting to plague the biggest game of next week, regardless of what ESPN says, #22 Tennessee at #5 Florida as Antonio Gaines of UT's secondary and a number of skill players (including Andre Caldwell) from Florida continue to potentially drop from the respective starting lineups. At least it evens out I suppose. Keep in mind also that Tennessee has a knack for knocking Gators out of the game. As Percy Harvin continues to have problems with his knee, watch out for this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62JbiKNc_Uc
Notice what happens to the pitch man...
Also, did you hear there's a new fastest man in the world? Yeah, he's Jamaican.
Let's briefly talk about the NFL. It seems to me, from what little research that I've done, that no one pays too much attention to the league outside of their own team. I couldn't tell you about any of the teams that won last week except my team and the team that beat our biggest rival. I would assume the Patriots won. Interest of the NFL as a league is dying, whether or not Walt Disney Corporation wants to admit it or not. The only thing saving the league is...Fantasy Football.
Speaking of them and my least favorite football player Tom Brady; he threw a touchdown pass to Randy Moss yesterday. Long pass play, 50 yards I'd say, and the announcer doing the replay talked about how great of a throw it is. Well, when you're standing in the pocket for as long as you want, you have Randy Moss on your team and he's beaten his man by three steps, any professional quarterback should be able to hit the open receiver. Unless his name is Chad Pennington. Drew Bledsoe would have made that throw off his back foot, in a Cougar uniform.
Outside football, you can't get away from Tiger winning. As predicted by the experts of No Owens Sports, he's currently leading the FedEx Cup Points standings, and will most likely decide to win it next weekend. Thus, giving a player who didn't play in one of these playoff tournaments the victory, giving the point system a serious BCS feel. In depth coverage from the BMW Championship to follow.
You knew you couldn't get away from reading today without a shout out to Roger Federer. This straight set victory (7-6,7-6,6-4) wasn't his most impressive but he continues to scrap. Those who find ways to win even when they aren't playing their best prove to be great players and in Federer's case, the greatest of players. Also, he's won four straight US Opens. He's now won 12 of the last 18 Slams. Tiger hasn't done that. He also walks. And Federer carries his own equipment and switches rackets himself. I hope Phil had a nice time at home watching on TV.
Finally, college football. Briefly, run away from LSU. USC had the weekend off to prepare, I guess, for some grueling schedule that only the computers say exists. So did LSU, but they had a nationally televised walk through session against Virginia Tech.
Injuries are starting to plague the biggest game of next week, regardless of what ESPN says, #22 Tennessee at #5 Florida as Antonio Gaines of UT's secondary and a number of skill players (including Andre Caldwell) from Florida continue to potentially drop from the respective starting lineups. At least it evens out I suppose. Keep in mind also that Tennessee has a knack for knocking Gators out of the game. As Percy Harvin continues to have problems with his knee, watch out for this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62JbiKNc_Uc
Notice what happens to the pitch man...
Also, did you hear there's a new fastest man in the world? Yeah, he's Jamaican.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Guest Spot - Dave Rivelli
Notre Dame and Michigan are no longer even mediocre.
Notre Dame…. Drubbed at home by an average (Calvin Johnson-less) Georgia Tech team.
Michigan…. their is not anyone in the college football world that has any respect for a team that pays $400 thousand dollars to a 1AA football team to come play and then lose at home to that team.
Michigan was given break after break by Appalachian State (App St.): including a dropped touchdown pass, three turnovers and a missed field goal by App St.
Still despite these opportunities Michigan did the unthinkable. They were outplayed, they were out coached and they lost to a team that isn’t bowl eligible.
App. St. plays in the same league as teams that supposedly are second-class. Well the fact is the both Michigan and Notre Dame are second-class. If you have been watching college football, since the immaculate conception of the BCS, you would know that Michigan and Notre Dame are a combined 1-6 in BCS Bowls.
With the exception of a win by Michigan in the 2000 Orange Bowl and one of the greatest Rose Bowls in recent memory, in which Texas beat the Maize and Blue on a last second field goal, Michigan and Notre dame were not even in the games. In fact they were outscored 214–112 in those six loses. That is over 100 points!!
People talk about the tradition of both schools as the two pillars of college football, but the fact is since the BCS began, neither team has done anything remotely of value.
Michigan and Notre Dame are a combined 5-19 since 2001 in their final two games of the season and with the way their seasons have started you can probably expect more of the same. The fact is after they meet Saturday September 15, one team will have two loses and be on their way to another mediocre season at best and the other most likely the same.
Notre Dame…. Drubbed at home by an average (Calvin Johnson-less) Georgia Tech team.
Michigan…. their is not anyone in the college football world that has any respect for a team that pays $400 thousand dollars to a 1AA football team to come play and then lose at home to that team.
Michigan was given break after break by Appalachian State (App St.): including a dropped touchdown pass, three turnovers and a missed field goal by App St.
Still despite these opportunities Michigan did the unthinkable. They were outplayed, they were out coached and they lost to a team that isn’t bowl eligible.
App. St. plays in the same league as teams that supposedly are second-class. Well the fact is the both Michigan and Notre Dame are second-class. If you have been watching college football, since the immaculate conception of the BCS, you would know that Michigan and Notre Dame are a combined 1-6 in BCS Bowls.
With the exception of a win by Michigan in the 2000 Orange Bowl and one of the greatest Rose Bowls in recent memory, in which Texas beat the Maize and Blue on a last second field goal, Michigan and Notre dame were not even in the games. In fact they were outscored 214–112 in those six loses. That is over 100 points!!
People talk about the tradition of both schools as the two pillars of college football, but the fact is since the BCS began, neither team has done anything remotely of value.
Michigan and Notre Dame are a combined 5-19 since 2001 in their final two games of the season and with the way their seasons have started you can probably expect more of the same. The fact is after they meet Saturday September 15, one team will have two loses and be on their way to another mediocre season at best and the other most likely the same.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Thad Busby?
Before we get started. Roger Federer quote of the day.
In reference to playing his next opponent in the US Open, Nikolay Davydenko, Federer said this last night after beating Andy Roddick:
"I've got a pretty good record against him. Never lost. But let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Before I went to UT, I was a Florida State fan. All of my friends had their own teams: Florida, Miami, Michigan, etc. I took Florida State as I was fascinated by this guy called Prime Time who played two ways.
I am very open about admitting that I rooted for FSU in '98. I don't claim the Vols title that year as I didn't root for them. That was before my time. I also freely admit that had anyone been playing quarterback for FSU that wasn't Marcus "The Rooster" Outzen, the outcome would have been different.
That year, Florida State's starting quarterback was a 45 year old sophomore by the name of Chris Weinke. Florida State lost Weinke for the season and luckily slipped into the championship game behind losses on the last week of the season by UCLA (what's Cade McNown doing these days?) and Kansas State (Michael Bishop where are you?). In the inaugural BCS Fiesta Bowl, Tennessee's defense was seemingly too fast and too good for the weak armed Rooster.
The following year, Florida State won the national title; running the table amidst a Dillard's incident, a blown Heisman Trophy and a dog murdering freshman quarterback in the Sugar Bowl. The next year, Florida State again played in the BCS Championship game at the Orange Bowl (I was there). Their Heisman winning quarterback, now a 58 year old senior Chris Weinke couldn't get anything done against the Oklahoma defense without Snoop Minnis, who was academically ineligible.
It's been all uphill from there for the Seminoles. It's really been unbelievable to see a program drop off so quickly. I quickly pointed my finger at Mark Richt's departure as the reason. Richt, who left the Noles for the head coaching position at Georgia, was the Noles offensive coordinator for many years during their great run. His schemes always found ways to get the Peter Warricks, EG Greens, and Ron Dugans' open. Wide open. Florida State was always just so much faster than anyone else, even their in state rivals.
With Richt's departure and the promotion of Jeff Bowden to his spot, it was easy to put the blame on the lack of strength in the offensive coordinating spot. Then Monday night, it hit me.
As predicted, Florida State dominated the second half against Clemson. They had the ball, fourth down on the Clemson side of the field. Quarterback Drew Weatherford was sacked. Game over. They showed Bobby Bowden after the play but what was most interesting was the chord man standing behind who said the following, "You've got to throw the @%$&*#$ ball," in a calm and collected manner.
After Chris Weinke left for the NFL and started collecting social security, Florida State began a new era with red shirt freshman quarterback: Chris Rix. Rix was more mobile than any of the Florida State quarterbacks before him besides Charlie Ward. He also was the most trigger happy. Rix had an unbelievable arm but thought it was even better than that. I've never seen a guy make poorer decisions than Chris Rix. Four years of Chris Rix later, no BCS title games.
After Rix's departure, Florida State had another quarterback issue. This time, two highly tauted competing freshmen: top 15 recruit Xavier Lee and somewhere in the top 100 recruit Drew Weatherford. Weatherford, the less mobile and weaker armed of the two won the job. He's been so bad that he has been in and out of games since his freshman year, splitting time with Lee with neither getting the job done. Weatherford seems to be the exact opposite of Rix. Though his numbers are just as bad, he is so afraid of throwing interceptions that in crucial times, he just doesn't get rid of the ball, best shown on Monday night. Most notably is the frustration shown by the FSU receivers for Weatherford's troubles. Weatherford, I believe, is a junior, so Florida State has about two full season left of him.
That's going to be eight years of embarrassing play from the quarterback position for Florida State following twice the years of dominance. I've said before, being a good quarterback is about being a good manager, when I talked about David Greene. Did David Greene have the talent that any of these FSU quarterbacks had? Not a chance. But he got the job done. Just like Thad Busby, Casey Weldon and Brad Johnson did for the Noles in the 90's. Guys who aren't doing anything now, but did just enough to get the ball in the right places in order to win games.
Florida State's problem is evaluation of quarterbacks. It's not the system or the play calling. I once saw an interview with coach Bowden where he was asked about recruiting. He said he leaves all that to his staff...except he takes on the quarterbacks himself. I don't know if this is still the case, but it for sure got him Rix. Rix was a good talent though, just poorly coached which could go back to the offensive coordinator. It could also go back to playing freshman too soon. The pressure at FSU seems to kill their careers. Any way you look at it, Florida State is going to have a quarterback controversy for the next 4-6 years, and it's not going to matter who's fighting for the spot. It's the evaluation of their maturity level. Joe Mauer still has an offer from Bobby to come back. That's worked out for FSU before. Unless they can figure something out at quarterback after this Weatherford era, they are going to be dormant for a long time.
Did I mention that David Greene was coached by Mark Richt?
In reference to playing his next opponent in the US Open, Nikolay Davydenko, Federer said this last night after beating Andy Roddick:
"I've got a pretty good record against him. Never lost. But let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Before I went to UT, I was a Florida State fan. All of my friends had their own teams: Florida, Miami, Michigan, etc. I took Florida State as I was fascinated by this guy called Prime Time who played two ways.
I am very open about admitting that I rooted for FSU in '98. I don't claim the Vols title that year as I didn't root for them. That was before my time. I also freely admit that had anyone been playing quarterback for FSU that wasn't Marcus "The Rooster" Outzen, the outcome would have been different.
That year, Florida State's starting quarterback was a 45 year old sophomore by the name of Chris Weinke. Florida State lost Weinke for the season and luckily slipped into the championship game behind losses on the last week of the season by UCLA (what's Cade McNown doing these days?) and Kansas State (Michael Bishop where are you?). In the inaugural BCS Fiesta Bowl, Tennessee's defense was seemingly too fast and too good for the weak armed Rooster.
The following year, Florida State won the national title; running the table amidst a Dillard's incident, a blown Heisman Trophy and a dog murdering freshman quarterback in the Sugar Bowl. The next year, Florida State again played in the BCS Championship game at the Orange Bowl (I was there). Their Heisman winning quarterback, now a 58 year old senior Chris Weinke couldn't get anything done against the Oklahoma defense without Snoop Minnis, who was academically ineligible.
It's been all uphill from there for the Seminoles. It's really been unbelievable to see a program drop off so quickly. I quickly pointed my finger at Mark Richt's departure as the reason. Richt, who left the Noles for the head coaching position at Georgia, was the Noles offensive coordinator for many years during their great run. His schemes always found ways to get the Peter Warricks, EG Greens, and Ron Dugans' open. Wide open. Florida State was always just so much faster than anyone else, even their in state rivals.
With Richt's departure and the promotion of Jeff Bowden to his spot, it was easy to put the blame on the lack of strength in the offensive coordinating spot. Then Monday night, it hit me.
As predicted, Florida State dominated the second half against Clemson. They had the ball, fourth down on the Clemson side of the field. Quarterback Drew Weatherford was sacked. Game over. They showed Bobby Bowden after the play but what was most interesting was the chord man standing behind who said the following, "You've got to throw the @%$&*#$ ball," in a calm and collected manner.
After Chris Weinke left for the NFL and started collecting social security, Florida State began a new era with red shirt freshman quarterback: Chris Rix. Rix was more mobile than any of the Florida State quarterbacks before him besides Charlie Ward. He also was the most trigger happy. Rix had an unbelievable arm but thought it was even better than that. I've never seen a guy make poorer decisions than Chris Rix. Four years of Chris Rix later, no BCS title games.
After Rix's departure, Florida State had another quarterback issue. This time, two highly tauted competing freshmen: top 15 recruit Xavier Lee and somewhere in the top 100 recruit Drew Weatherford. Weatherford, the less mobile and weaker armed of the two won the job. He's been so bad that he has been in and out of games since his freshman year, splitting time with Lee with neither getting the job done. Weatherford seems to be the exact opposite of Rix. Though his numbers are just as bad, he is so afraid of throwing interceptions that in crucial times, he just doesn't get rid of the ball, best shown on Monday night. Most notably is the frustration shown by the FSU receivers for Weatherford's troubles. Weatherford, I believe, is a junior, so Florida State has about two full season left of him.
That's going to be eight years of embarrassing play from the quarterback position for Florida State following twice the years of dominance. I've said before, being a good quarterback is about being a good manager, when I talked about David Greene. Did David Greene have the talent that any of these FSU quarterbacks had? Not a chance. But he got the job done. Just like Thad Busby, Casey Weldon and Brad Johnson did for the Noles in the 90's. Guys who aren't doing anything now, but did just enough to get the ball in the right places in order to win games.
Florida State's problem is evaluation of quarterbacks. It's not the system or the play calling. I once saw an interview with coach Bowden where he was asked about recruiting. He said he leaves all that to his staff...except he takes on the quarterbacks himself. I don't know if this is still the case, but it for sure got him Rix. Rix was a good talent though, just poorly coached which could go back to the offensive coordinator. It could also go back to playing freshman too soon. The pressure at FSU seems to kill their careers. Any way you look at it, Florida State is going to have a quarterback controversy for the next 4-6 years, and it's not going to matter who's fighting for the spot. It's the evaluation of their maturity level. Joe Mauer still has an offer from Bobby to come back. That's worked out for FSU before. Unless they can figure something out at quarterback after this Weatherford era, they are going to be dormant for a long time.
Did I mention that David Greene was coached by Mark Richt?
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
FSU Can Wait. My Favorite Major - The Mickeslam.
After Monday night's near win against Clemson, which if the quarterback could throw the ball would have gone exactly as I predicted, I had planned on writing about Florida State today. Many point their fingers at certain coaches for the Seminoles recent issues, but I can point two fingers at two people. Want to know who they are? You'll have to wait. My best friend catapulted himself into today's post.
"My frustration from this past year came from asking for a couple of things in the FedEx Cup that weren't done."
What gives Phil Mickelson the right to ask things from PGA Tour officials? Everything I suppose. He plays on the tour, they are there to promote the tour and most importantly, take care of it's players.
Phil Mickelson won the FedEx Cup Deutsche Bank Championship last week and is now the leader in the FedEx Cup Points Standings. As you can imagine, that alone is enough to get my attention...not in a good way. When he wins, I get irritated as he is my least favorite institution in sports, but when he opens his mouth, I react. When he acts like a like a spoiled brat who just isn't going to do something if he doesn't get his way, he puts me in the position to write about him and then wonder why people put up with this waste of space. Mickelson is not playing in this week's BMW Championship.
"I certainly feel the obligation to support the FedEx Cup, to support the PGA Tour, and support the game of golf. And I also want to have a balance in my life, and my family has sacrificed a lot this year because it's been a very difficult schedule.''
This season, Mickelson has played in 20 events on the PGA Tour. Vijay Singh has played in 25. Davis Love III (who you probably forgot is alive) has started in 21, the same number as Zach Johnson. Frank Lickliter has 23 starts. What does this mean exactly? Well even for Vijay who tops our charts here, with his 25 starts, that means if he made the cut and played Thursday through Sunday, and then a couple of practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, that's a six day work week, with travel on Monday. At 25 weeks, that's 150 days of work, at most, this year with two weeks left. The average person works 50 weeks per year (2 weeks vacation) at 5 days per week. That my friends is 250 days of work per year. You do the math, and I'm not playing golf everyday.
I'm sick and tired of listening to people like Mickelson talk about their schedules. This is the life that they chose. If they wanted to work more days like the rest of us, he could have thrown golf out the window and picked up some books in college. Imagine if he was a surgeon? The hours that they put in? What is he going to do...tell his chief of medicine that his hours are just too tough for poor little Phil? Doctors choose the paths of their lives just as athletes, and players of games do. When they've had enough, they retire or find a new career path. Same with any profession. Maybe if Phil can't handle the GRUELING schedule of being the #2 player in the world, he should just pack it in or start serving Starbucks. Well, Phil probably couldn't handle the hours of a retail professional. Think he wants to work until 9 on a holiday?
A lot of people out there pity these athletes, or in Mickelson's case, players of a game, who complain all the time, especially all of you who are Mickelson fans for some unknown reason. With the attention that they get these days, they seem to forget what they have; a gift. I would give anything to play baseball, or football, or golf for that matter for a living. I, like all of you, am not good enough. Some peak in high school, college, or even the playgrounds in grade school like Mike Greco. But as fans, I believe we love the game more than these athletes, or players of a game, do. The funny thing is, the one guy who is most like us, Brett Favre, gets ridiculed when he decides not to just hang it up. I wouldn't do it either! If I could play football for my job, I would play until I couldn't do it anymore. How many people in this country wake up in the morning and love going to work? Not many. Brett Favre does. And his ability to stay is a respect that he has earned from both being great, but also for his respect for the game of football. People like Phil Mickelson don't respect what they have, and they don't respect that they made a choice to live the lives that they do. Mickelson lives a life of luxury thanks to his choice, not only financially, but in the fact that he plays a game for a living and is good at it.
If you read this, you know how much I hate Phil Mickelson. Not only does he have the nerve to public admit that he and the commissioner are having problems, but he has the nerve to whine about it and not play when he doesn't get his way. Because poor Phil is tired and lonely. I don't see an injured Carlos Beltran taking off games down the stretch do you? Mickelson is the figurehead of what is wrong with sports today. You want to talk about pre-Madonna athletes in football, basketball? Look at golf. Look at the #2 player in the world to find the best example.
The funny thing is, you know those 2 weeks off we get out of the 52? A lot of us spend those two weeks playing golf.
"My frustration from this past year came from asking for a couple of things in the FedEx Cup that weren't done."
What gives Phil Mickelson the right to ask things from PGA Tour officials? Everything I suppose. He plays on the tour, they are there to promote the tour and most importantly, take care of it's players.
Phil Mickelson won the FedEx Cup Deutsche Bank Championship last week and is now the leader in the FedEx Cup Points Standings. As you can imagine, that alone is enough to get my attention...not in a good way. When he wins, I get irritated as he is my least favorite institution in sports, but when he opens his mouth, I react. When he acts like a like a spoiled brat who just isn't going to do something if he doesn't get his way, he puts me in the position to write about him and then wonder why people put up with this waste of space. Mickelson is not playing in this week's BMW Championship.
"I certainly feel the obligation to support the FedEx Cup, to support the PGA Tour, and support the game of golf. And I also want to have a balance in my life, and my family has sacrificed a lot this year because it's been a very difficult schedule.''
This season, Mickelson has played in 20 events on the PGA Tour. Vijay Singh has played in 25. Davis Love III (who you probably forgot is alive) has started in 21, the same number as Zach Johnson. Frank Lickliter has 23 starts. What does this mean exactly? Well even for Vijay who tops our charts here, with his 25 starts, that means if he made the cut and played Thursday through Sunday, and then a couple of practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, that's a six day work week, with travel on Monday. At 25 weeks, that's 150 days of work, at most, this year with two weeks left. The average person works 50 weeks per year (2 weeks vacation) at 5 days per week. That my friends is 250 days of work per year. You do the math, and I'm not playing golf everyday.
I'm sick and tired of listening to people like Mickelson talk about their schedules. This is the life that they chose. If they wanted to work more days like the rest of us, he could have thrown golf out the window and picked up some books in college. Imagine if he was a surgeon? The hours that they put in? What is he going to do...tell his chief of medicine that his hours are just too tough for poor little Phil? Doctors choose the paths of their lives just as athletes, and players of games do. When they've had enough, they retire or find a new career path. Same with any profession. Maybe if Phil can't handle the GRUELING schedule of being the #2 player in the world, he should just pack it in or start serving Starbucks. Well, Phil probably couldn't handle the hours of a retail professional. Think he wants to work until 9 on a holiday?
A lot of people out there pity these athletes, or in Mickelson's case, players of a game, who complain all the time, especially all of you who are Mickelson fans for some unknown reason. With the attention that they get these days, they seem to forget what they have; a gift. I would give anything to play baseball, or football, or golf for that matter for a living. I, like all of you, am not good enough. Some peak in high school, college, or even the playgrounds in grade school like Mike Greco. But as fans, I believe we love the game more than these athletes, or players of a game, do. The funny thing is, the one guy who is most like us, Brett Favre, gets ridiculed when he decides not to just hang it up. I wouldn't do it either! If I could play football for my job, I would play until I couldn't do it anymore. How many people in this country wake up in the morning and love going to work? Not many. Brett Favre does. And his ability to stay is a respect that he has earned from both being great, but also for his respect for the game of football. People like Phil Mickelson don't respect what they have, and they don't respect that they made a choice to live the lives that they do. Mickelson lives a life of luxury thanks to his choice, not only financially, but in the fact that he plays a game for a living and is good at it.
If you read this, you know how much I hate Phil Mickelson. Not only does he have the nerve to public admit that he and the commissioner are having problems, but he has the nerve to whine about it and not play when he doesn't get his way. Because poor Phil is tired and lonely. I don't see an injured Carlos Beltran taking off games down the stretch do you? Mickelson is the figurehead of what is wrong with sports today. You want to talk about pre-Madonna athletes in football, basketball? Look at golf. Look at the #2 player in the world to find the best example.
The funny thing is, you know those 2 weeks off we get out of the 52? A lot of us spend those two weeks playing golf.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Response
After a very interesting first weekend of college football, it's time to dive in and analyze the biggest stories of the weekend, namely the two big powers that had games they should have and could have won, but let slip away.
Before we get into what went wrong for Michigan and Tennessee, I'd first like to say congratulations to both Appalachian State and Cal. App. State pulled off the biggest upset in college football history and the '07 App. State team's legacy will live forever. As for Cal; John Tedford has his signature win and the chance to show that he and his team are ready to be a big time program. The only thing missing? A state of the art practice facility...and until they get those hippies out of the trees, they still won't be in the top tier.
Michigan and Tennessee are two very similar programs. They are revered as two of the greatest in college football history. They have two of the largest stadiums. In 1997 they had players finish 1-2 in the Heisman balloting. Both schools are always near the top in recruiting wars. They won their most recent championships in back to back years. They also have teams on their schedule that their head coaches can't beat (Ohio State and Florida) and two coaches that fans and alumni consider to be on the hot seat regardless of what the administration says. Both schools are supposed to contend every year for conference titles and are expected to do so with anything less being a disappointment. This year, they both lost their opening games.
Michigan played at home, Tennessee on the road. They both had the challenge of the following: their opponents were going to be more fired up to play than they were. Anytime a smaller school gets the chance to play in a big time stadium their excitement runs high. Cal was destroyed last year playing at Tennessee and was looking for revenge. A revenge they had been waiting the entire year for. Neither team matched their opponents intesity on Saturday.
The difference is the scope of the loss. Michigan lost a game to an unranked former Division II team. Tennessee lost to a team ranked three spots higher than they did. Regardless of who it was, it's their response that matters.
Because Michigan was playing on the world renowned Big Ten Network, we didn't get to see the drama unfold. In fact, we didn't even get to see the highlights as they happened. But we did see a team that played their hearts out. This former Division II, now FCS power is a championship team. Do they have the talent of Michigan? I don't think so. But they know how to win and regardless of what level you are playing at, if you catch the right team on the right day, you have a shot. App. State played Michigan on the right day.
Tennessee scored 31 points. One would assume that a Tennessee team that scores 31 points without any big play threats on the offensive side of the ball, should win the game. With all of the talk about Tebow, Flynn and Stafford in the SEC, the veteran Erik Ainge wasn't discussed at all this off season until he broke his pinkie last week. Look around the country and with all things considered, try to find me a quarterback that played better than Ainge last week.
31 points is great. 45 is better. 14 of those points came on a punt return and a fumble recovery taken to the house. Why did Tennessee lose this game? Was Cal the better team? Saturday, yes they were. Did they have more talent? No. Did Cal have a better game plan? Of course. Did they put the right people on the field? Yes. Did they tackle? Yes. Were they ready to play? I'd say so.
There is no excuse for Lloyd Carr to have a job coaching at the University of Michigan this morning. If you don't have a .500+ record against your biggest rival, universities need to find some who does. Michigan has lost three games in a row including last seasons loss to formerly #1 Ohio State (surprise, surprise) and the thrashing in the Rose Bowl courtesy of USC. I can accept losing to those school in terms of talent level. Oh, but he's lost four straight bowl games and five of six including the '02 Citrus Bowl against Tennessee. D.II teams are unacceptable. Michigan will now always be remembered as the team that lost he biggest upset in college football history. They can win out, play for and win a National Title and still be the team that lost to App. State.
The only thing saving Phil Fulmer's career is his 1998 National Title. His record versus Florida is embarrassing. Mark Richt has a knack for throwing him around at home and Florida and Georgia are two teams that aren't rotating out of the schedule anytime soon pending a restructuring of the Southeastern Conference. When was his last SEC Title? BCS game? A buddy and I were talking about this the other day before seeing the Black Crowes. Difference between Urban Meyer and Phil Fulmer? Urban Meyer structures his playbook around his talent. Fulmer throws the playbook at his talent and says "Learn it." If they aren't ready to play according to their knowledge of the system, they don't. Meyer's system gets ready to play around his players. Last Saturday, Tennessee's two most talented offensive players sat on the bench until it was crunch time in the second half. There's a difference between being fresh and being cold and you can't expect Kenny O'Neal and Brent Vinson to get their first action in the 4th quarter and not be cold. Cold players are ineffective. So are untalented ones. Take your pick.
Michigan and Tennessee. Two teams that were out-coached this past weekend. Again, I am not comparing the devastation of the Vols loss to that of the Wolverines. Michigan's was much more embarrassing. But both teams again have a similarity. How do they respond? Michigan has Oregon this weekend. A team with more talent, size, and speed than their previous opponent. Tennessee has Southern Miss; the team picked to win their conference. Next weekend? Notre Dame and Florida. After big losses, how do these coaches who shouldn't have jobs in the first place respond? It's not on the players. There's enough talent at these schools to go around. It's how their coaches get them ready to play. How the players respond to their leaders. If the response isn't in a hurry, both of these teams will be 0-2 next Saturday. And then 0-3.
Then, maybe just then, Vol fans will see John Gruden in their orange.
Before we get into what went wrong for Michigan and Tennessee, I'd first like to say congratulations to both Appalachian State and Cal. App. State pulled off the biggest upset in college football history and the '07 App. State team's legacy will live forever. As for Cal; John Tedford has his signature win and the chance to show that he and his team are ready to be a big time program. The only thing missing? A state of the art practice facility...and until they get those hippies out of the trees, they still won't be in the top tier.
Michigan and Tennessee are two very similar programs. They are revered as two of the greatest in college football history. They have two of the largest stadiums. In 1997 they had players finish 1-2 in the Heisman balloting. Both schools are always near the top in recruiting wars. They won their most recent championships in back to back years. They also have teams on their schedule that their head coaches can't beat (Ohio State and Florida) and two coaches that fans and alumni consider to be on the hot seat regardless of what the administration says. Both schools are supposed to contend every year for conference titles and are expected to do so with anything less being a disappointment. This year, they both lost their opening games.
Michigan played at home, Tennessee on the road. They both had the challenge of the following: their opponents were going to be more fired up to play than they were. Anytime a smaller school gets the chance to play in a big time stadium their excitement runs high. Cal was destroyed last year playing at Tennessee and was looking for revenge. A revenge they had been waiting the entire year for. Neither team matched their opponents intesity on Saturday.
The difference is the scope of the loss. Michigan lost a game to an unranked former Division II team. Tennessee lost to a team ranked three spots higher than they did. Regardless of who it was, it's their response that matters.
Because Michigan was playing on the world renowned Big Ten Network, we didn't get to see the drama unfold. In fact, we didn't even get to see the highlights as they happened. But we did see a team that played their hearts out. This former Division II, now FCS power is a championship team. Do they have the talent of Michigan? I don't think so. But they know how to win and regardless of what level you are playing at, if you catch the right team on the right day, you have a shot. App. State played Michigan on the right day.
Tennessee scored 31 points. One would assume that a Tennessee team that scores 31 points without any big play threats on the offensive side of the ball, should win the game. With all of the talk about Tebow, Flynn and Stafford in the SEC, the veteran Erik Ainge wasn't discussed at all this off season until he broke his pinkie last week. Look around the country and with all things considered, try to find me a quarterback that played better than Ainge last week.
31 points is great. 45 is better. 14 of those points came on a punt return and a fumble recovery taken to the house. Why did Tennessee lose this game? Was Cal the better team? Saturday, yes they were. Did they have more talent? No. Did Cal have a better game plan? Of course. Did they put the right people on the field? Yes. Did they tackle? Yes. Were they ready to play? I'd say so.
There is no excuse for Lloyd Carr to have a job coaching at the University of Michigan this morning. If you don't have a .500+ record against your biggest rival, universities need to find some who does. Michigan has lost three games in a row including last seasons loss to formerly #1 Ohio State (surprise, surprise) and the thrashing in the Rose Bowl courtesy of USC. I can accept losing to those school in terms of talent level. Oh, but he's lost four straight bowl games and five of six including the '02 Citrus Bowl against Tennessee. D.II teams are unacceptable. Michigan will now always be remembered as the team that lost he biggest upset in college football history. They can win out, play for and win a National Title and still be the team that lost to App. State.
The only thing saving Phil Fulmer's career is his 1998 National Title. His record versus Florida is embarrassing. Mark Richt has a knack for throwing him around at home and Florida and Georgia are two teams that aren't rotating out of the schedule anytime soon pending a restructuring of the Southeastern Conference. When was his last SEC Title? BCS game? A buddy and I were talking about this the other day before seeing the Black Crowes. Difference between Urban Meyer and Phil Fulmer? Urban Meyer structures his playbook around his talent. Fulmer throws the playbook at his talent and says "Learn it." If they aren't ready to play according to their knowledge of the system, they don't. Meyer's system gets ready to play around his players. Last Saturday, Tennessee's two most talented offensive players sat on the bench until it was crunch time in the second half. There's a difference between being fresh and being cold and you can't expect Kenny O'Neal and Brent Vinson to get their first action in the 4th quarter and not be cold. Cold players are ineffective. So are untalented ones. Take your pick.
Michigan and Tennessee. Two teams that were out-coached this past weekend. Again, I am not comparing the devastation of the Vols loss to that of the Wolverines. Michigan's was much more embarrassing. But both teams again have a similarity. How do they respond? Michigan has Oregon this weekend. A team with more talent, size, and speed than their previous opponent. Tennessee has Southern Miss; the team picked to win their conference. Next weekend? Notre Dame and Florida. After big losses, how do these coaches who shouldn't have jobs in the first place respond? It's not on the players. There's enough talent at these schools to go around. It's how their coaches get them ready to play. How the players respond to their leaders. If the response isn't in a hurry, both of these teams will be 0-2 next Saturday. And then 0-3.
Then, maybe just then, Vol fans will see John Gruden in their orange.
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