In a sense, it would have been quite symbolic in some weird, perverse way had Touchdown Jesus on the Notre Dame campus been destroyed by a lightning bolt. Given that Notre Dame football has essentially died as major power, the destruction of that statue would have been the symbolic end to their football dominance, even if the actual end came roughly 15 years ago.
But the Touchdown Jesus in South Bend still stands, even as Notre Dame football goes the way of Army football and Navy football, once relevant but now completely irrelevant (actually, I take that back--Army and Navy both remain relevant in football one day a year, when they play each other). The same cannot be said of the "Touchdown Jesus" in Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.
Nicknamed as such because the Jesus statue's arms are raised like a referee signaling a touchdown, the 60-foot tall statue lasted just six years before being taken down by a lightning bolt and burning to the ground. "Burning to the ground" is probably an accurate metaphoric way for describing the state of Notre Dame football.
Showing posts with label College Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College Football. Show all posts
June 16, 2010
Chip Brown gets the last word
Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com was the person all over the college realignment story that ended up being for naught. His reporting first got the story into the public eye and he was always the first to break the big news, culminating with Monday when he and ESPN's Joe Schad had contradicting reports but his was right.
So it's probably worth reading Brown's recap and analysis of all that went down (which wasn't much, other than Texas gaining even more control in a smaller conference). Brown didn't include himself in the list of winners but he probably should have. No one outside of Austin, Texas had ever heard of him before a couple weeks ago and now everyone knows who he is. One figures it to only be a matter of time before ESPN hires him.
So it's probably worth reading Brown's recap and analysis of all that went down (which wasn't much, other than Texas gaining even more control in a smaller conference). Brown didn't include himself in the list of winners but he probably should have. No one outside of Austin, Texas had ever heard of him before a couple weeks ago and now everyone knows who he is. One figures it to only be a matter of time before ESPN hires him.
June 15, 2010
Just call it the Texas Rules Conference
Here's what it took to get Texas to stay in the Big 12:
Chase off Nebraska and Colorado, the two strongest teams in the north.
Essentially eliminate the conference championship game.
Strike a new television deal that gives Texas more than an equal share of the revenue.
Allow Texas to start their own television network.
When it comes time to negotiate my contracts going forward, I really wish I could hire DeLoss Dodds to do it for me. The Big 12 now is essentially a 10-team Texas invitational when it comes to football. The annual Texas-Oklahoma Red River Shootout game in early October is now essentially the conference championship with the game's winner needing only to beat a bunch of significantly weaker opponents to win the crown.
Texas essentially put themselves at a greatest competitive advantage than its nine league partners but gaining even more money while weakening their competition and making it easier for them to win the conference. I can't see the other schools happily living under these rules for long. If I'm Missouri and Kansas, I'm making sure the Big 10 and Big East know that I'm still available.
Chase off Nebraska and Colorado, the two strongest teams in the north.
Essentially eliminate the conference championship game.
Strike a new television deal that gives Texas more than an equal share of the revenue.
Allow Texas to start their own television network.
When it comes time to negotiate my contracts going forward, I really wish I could hire DeLoss Dodds to do it for me. The Big 12 now is essentially a 10-team Texas invitational when it comes to football. The annual Texas-Oklahoma Red River Shootout game in early October is now essentially the conference championship with the game's winner needing only to beat a bunch of significantly weaker opponents to win the crown.
Texas essentially put themselves at a greatest competitive advantage than its nine league partners but gaining even more money while weakening their competition and making it easier for them to win the conference. I can't see the other schools happily living under these rules for long. If I'm Missouri and Kansas, I'm making sure the Big 10 and Big East know that I'm still available.
June 14, 2010
Brown vs. Schad: Who do you believe?
As the Big 12 world turns continues today with conflicting reports! Oh happy day! Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, who has been ahead of everyone else in this entire conference realignment story, is reporting that conference commissioner Dan Beebe has somehow convinced Texas to stay, saving a 10-team conference that is now minus Nebraska and Colorado.
Contradicting this report is ESPN's Joe Schad, who reports that the move of Texas to the Pac-10 or Pac-16 or whatever it's supposed to be called is imminent. All sources agree that Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech will stick with Texas, so if Schad is right, those four will all go to the Pac-10 and if Brown is right, those four will stay in the Big 12.
But wither Texas A&M? It appears that they are still considering all options, including joining Texas in the Pac-16, sticking with Texas in the 10-team Big 12 and venturing out on their own to the SEC.
Brown's report contradicts all of his other reports that indicated Texas was as good as gone to the Pac-10, which is fantastic irony in and of itself. Skeptics among us believe that both Brown and Schad are correct in their latest scoops. Brown would be right that Texas would in fact be willing to stay in a 10-team Big 12 (Beebe, presumably, has guaranteed big dollars in a new television deal while also allowing Texas to start their own network). Schad would be right that Texas and the others are gone because Texas A&M is gone (most believe A&M is as good as gone to the SEC). If there's no Texas A&M, there's no 10-team conference, paving the way for Texas (and the others) to leave.
This sounds like the dream scenario for Texas, which can then leave and publicly place the blame for the death of the conference on Texas A&M, Nebraska and Colorado for jumping ship, even though all three (well, maybe not Colorado) jumped ship because Texas' indecisiveness put the conference on shaky ground in the first place.
I don't foresee Texas successfully escaping blame for the collapse of the conference under this scenario because, you know, most people have a brain and know that all of this talk would have ended months ago if Texas had just stated they had no intention of leaving.
Contradicting this report is ESPN's Joe Schad, who reports that the move of Texas to the Pac-10 or Pac-16 or whatever it's supposed to be called is imminent. All sources agree that Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech will stick with Texas, so if Schad is right, those four will all go to the Pac-10 and if Brown is right, those four will stay in the Big 12.
But wither Texas A&M? It appears that they are still considering all options, including joining Texas in the Pac-16, sticking with Texas in the 10-team Big 12 and venturing out on their own to the SEC.
Brown's report contradicts all of his other reports that indicated Texas was as good as gone to the Pac-10, which is fantastic irony in and of itself. Skeptics among us believe that both Brown and Schad are correct in their latest scoops. Brown would be right that Texas would in fact be willing to stay in a 10-team Big 12 (Beebe, presumably, has guaranteed big dollars in a new television deal while also allowing Texas to start their own network). Schad would be right that Texas and the others are gone because Texas A&M is gone (most believe A&M is as good as gone to the SEC). If there's no Texas A&M, there's no 10-team conference, paving the way for Texas (and the others) to leave.
This sounds like the dream scenario for Texas, which can then leave and publicly place the blame for the death of the conference on Texas A&M, Nebraska and Colorado for jumping ship, even though all three (well, maybe not Colorado) jumped ship because Texas' indecisiveness put the conference on shaky ground in the first place.
I don't foresee Texas successfully escaping blame for the collapse of the conference under this scenario because, you know, most people have a brain and know that all of this talk would have ended months ago if Texas had just stated they had no intention of leaving.
June 11, 2010
USC Trojans: 2-time AP National Champions!
With the sanctions leveled against the University of Southern California football program yesterday, they had to forfeit their win in the 2005 Orange Bowl, a 55-19 shellacking of Oklahoma in what was the BCS national championship game. The BCS is likely to strip USC of their championship.
Auburn, which finished undefeated that season (and should have been in the championship ahead of both USC and Oklahoma but that's another argument for another day) has begun stumping for that season's crown. Tommy Tuberville, their former head coached who was almost replaced by Bobby Petrino prior to the 2004 season and was fired after the 2008 season, is now saying there should be a re-vote and Auburn should be declared the champion. It must be noted that Auburn would owe Tuberville a $300,000 bonus for winning the crown, 300 grand that I'm sure would go a long way toward improving his quality of life in Lubbock, where he is beginning his first season as Texas Tech's head coach.
More likely, the title will left vacat and there will be no official 2004 BCS national champion. There will, however, be an Associated Press champion and that will remain USC. The AP confirmed today that USC will hold on to their championship, one that was rendered irrelevant in 1998 when the BCS was born.
With that, USC is now the 2003 and 2004 AP national champion but not the 2003 BCS national champion (LSU holds that crown) and most likely not the 2004 BCS national champion either.
Auburn, which finished undefeated that season (and should have been in the championship ahead of both USC and Oklahoma but that's another argument for another day) has begun stumping for that season's crown. Tommy Tuberville, their former head coached who was almost replaced by Bobby Petrino prior to the 2004 season and was fired after the 2008 season, is now saying there should be a re-vote and Auburn should be declared the champion. It must be noted that Auburn would owe Tuberville a $300,000 bonus for winning the crown, 300 grand that I'm sure would go a long way toward improving his quality of life in Lubbock, where he is beginning his first season as Texas Tech's head coach.
More likely, the title will left vacat and there will be no official 2004 BCS national champion. There will, however, be an Associated Press champion and that will remain USC. The AP confirmed today that USC will hold on to their championship, one that was rendered irrelevant in 1998 when the BCS was born.
With that, USC is now the 2003 and 2004 AP national champion but not the 2003 BCS national champion (LSU holds that crown) and most likely not the 2004 BCS national champion either.
No one cares about or wants Missouri
Sounds like the Big 10 has no interest in Missouri so that pretty much eliminates Mizzou as a major conference sports program. Their only hope is to beg the Big East to take them but I would think the Big East would be more interested in protecting their current schools (Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse and Notre Dame in sports other than football) and then going after Kansas.
In 2007, Missouri and Kansas played each other in late November with the No. 1 ranking on the line. In football. Next week, both will essentially be small conference teams, in all likelihood. No one really cares all that much about Missouri but given the historic nature of the Kansas basketball program, that's quite a drop.
Say, with Tom Izzo supposedly set to join the Cleveland Cavaliers as their new head coach tomorrow, maybe Michigan State can go out and get Bill Self. Why would Self want to stay at Kansas if they are headed to the Mountain West or Conference USA?
In 2007, Missouri and Kansas played each other in late November with the No. 1 ranking on the line. In football. Next week, both will essentially be small conference teams, in all likelihood. No one really cares all that much about Missouri but given the historic nature of the Kansas basketball program, that's quite a drop.
Say, with Tom Izzo supposedly set to join the Cleveland Cavaliers as their new head coach tomorrow, maybe Michigan State can go out and get Bill Self. Why would Self want to stay at Kansas if they are headed to the Mountain West or Conference USA?
The dominoes are falling
And they're off! As expected, Nebraska has announced that they will seek membership in the Big 10. And so dies the Big 12, although I suppose now the Big 10, which previously had 11 teams, can takeover the Big 12 moniker (and for the time being, the Big 12 can call itself the Big 10 since Nebraska and Colorado have left, even though they have 10 and not 11 teams).
Orangebloods.com, which has been all over this and ahead of this story, is reporting that four Big 12 teams are essentially signed, sealed and delivered for the Pac-10 (presumably Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State) with Texas A&M still doing a dalliance with the SEC. Should A&M opt for the SEC, it would essentially kill off its rivalry with Texas and probably leave the Pac-10 looking for another team, since they would be at 15. Possible targets? Kansas would love to go and it would be a major score for the basketball landscape of the conference.
Speaking of Kansas, they may be on their way to a newly constructed Mountain West, unless they can go to a surviving Big East. The Mountain West today landed Boise State which, from a football standpoint, gives the conference three of the four so-called mid-majors that have received bids to BCS bowls (Utah and Boise State twice each, plus TCU), plus a fourth mid-major power (BYU). The WAC is thus left to die, at least in terms of national importance. Would Kansas be willing to go to the Mountain West? It may be fine for football but it would be a major step back for the basketball program, which is only one of the four or five most important basketball programs in America.
What Kansas should do is try to get the Big East interested. Aside from the fluke 2008 season, Kansas football has pretty much been lousy for a long time and the quality in the Big East would be more on par with their level. As for basketball, Kansas would greatly increase its level of competition, pending what schools the Big 10 tries to poach (Rutgers? Pittsburgh? Notre Dame--which is in the Big East in everything but football?).
Let's say the Big 10 somehow ends up adding Rutgers, Maryland and Notre Dame with a 16th school still to be determined (Missouri is dying to go there, so let's assume it's Missouri for the purposes of this discussion). The Big East, which already has schools as far west as Chicago and Milwaukee, could look to replace Rutgers and Notre Dame with Kansas and Kansas State. From a football standpoint, it would be a one-school expansion that would probably be about equal to what they would be losing in Rutgers. From a basketball standpoint, it would be a major upgrade, sacrificing a decent program and a lousy one in a league that includes major powers in Syracuse, Connecticut and Georgetown, aspiring powers in Pittsburgh and West Virginia, and former powers like St. John's. Kansas should jump at that.
Of course, does the Big 10 want Missouri? People at Mizzou want you to believe they do and even consider themselves well-positioned, even though to date the Big 10 has made no offer, the Pac-10 doesn't want them as part of this basic merger with the Big 12 and hasn't heard anything from the Big East. Now that they have Nebraska, the Big 10 is more concerned right now about possibly tapping into large eastern markets (hence the interest in Maryland, Rutgers and possibly even Syracuse) and in trying to force Notre Dame to join. Missouri is really just a leftover that they'll take if they have to which means Mizzou really needs to hope the Big East stays as is and is interested. Otherwise, it's Mountain West time for Missouri and, really, the programs at Boise State, Utah, BYU and TCU are more on par with what Missouri really is from a football standpoint (save for the surprising 2008 season). Then again, maybe the Mountain West won't want Missouri either in which case I'll remind them that the WAC now has an opening.
June 10, 2010
Jeremiah Masoli picks a good day to get thrown off the team
Fight on for Old SC
They have no wins since 2003!
Quite a day in college football yesterday but the big news comes from Los Angeles where it appears that the salad days of Southern California will be rendered moot, declared to have never happened. Tomorrow, the NCAA will announce its findings and the penalties it will impose upon the USC football and basketball programs as a result of a four-year investigation into the two programs based on allegations made for the school's handling of former stars Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo.
The school put sanctions on their own basketball program last year, perhaps in an event to have the NCAA go easy on the glamorous football program. Seems like the basketball penalties, which included a ban from the NCAA Tournament and forfeiture of all of their wins in the 2007-2008 season, had no affect on the football penalties as it is being reported by the Los Angeles Times that the football program will lose more than 20 scholarships and receive a two-year ban from bowl games. ESPN.com is reporting that they will also have to forfeit games from at least the 2004 season, the only year that USC won a BCS national championship.
Meanwhile, the vultures of out. Cal's only loss of the 2004 season was a memorable one in Los Angeles to USC. Aaron Rodgers, their quarterback that season, wrote on Twitter: "Looking forward to getting my PAC-10 championship ring from the '04 season."
Somewhere, Charlie Weis can be updating his resume: "As Notre Dame head coach, didn't lose to Notre Dame in 2005." And you know the Auburn crowd will soon be trying to get their 2004 national championship.
The official word from the NCAA will come down at 3 pm EST today but that right there is a good start. A championship vacated, scholarships thrown away, bowl games left on the table. This already is sounding like sanctions more severe than those handed down to Alabama in 2002, the ones that caused Dennis Franchione to get out of dodge. Pete Carroll apparently did the same. If the University of Southern California has any bit of integrity left, they will fire athletic director Mike Garrett after the penalties are announced. Keep in mind that these penalties being reported are only the ones against their football program. We haven't even heard about what the basketball penalties will be, if indeed there are any beyond the self-imposed ones.
Meanwhile, Orangebloods.com has been all over the conference realignment shakeup and they reported earlier in the day the end of the Big 12, with Nebraska informally agreeing to join the Big 10. The same report says Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds and president William Powers told their staff that they attempted to save the Big 12 but failed, meaning Texas is likely on its way to an expanded Pac-10. Reports this morning are flying about the departure of other schools to the Pac-10. The San Jose Mercury News reports this morning that Colorado will formally accept an invite to the conference today. They also report that Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are committed to joining the Pac-10 once Nebraska leaves the Big 12 (which could become official as early as today) and may join anyway. The Oklahohoman got the following quote from an unnamed but high-ranking Oklahoma official regarding the school's potential jump to the Pac-10: "Load up on your sunscreen."
So goodbye to the Big 12, goodbye to the USC dynasty, goodbye to Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy (most likely) and goodbye to Jeremiah Masoli's college career.
What's that? Oh yes, upstaged by all of this news was word that Oregon has thrown the suspended star quarterback off the team after being cited of being in possession of marijuana. Fortunately for him and for an Oregon program that seems out of control right now, all the other stuff completely overshadowed this news.
June 4, 2010
To-be-canceled Big 12 championships awarded to Dallas and KC
The Big 12 today announced future sites of conference championship games and events. The football championship games be played at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas through 2013. Kansas City's Sprint Center will host the men's basketball tournaments through 2014.
The awkward elephant in the room? The fact that the Big 12 may not even be around past 2011. With the Big 10 and Pac-10 desperately wanting to add Texas to their conferences, and the apparent willingness to take other Big 12 teams with the Hook 'Em Horns, the Big 12 conference is on the verge of going the way of the old Southwest Conference.
Let's just say that Cowboys Stadium and the Sprint Center would be wise to book backup events as contingency plans and would be smart to demand a refund from the conferences if when the Big 12 goes the way of the dodo bird.
April 22, 2010
Pick-by-pick reactions to Round 1
1. Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Did you know the last time the Rams drafted a quarterback in the first round the common draft hadn't even begun yet? Good luck to Bradford, who joins a team with no receivers and a porous offensive line. Jason Smith (last year's No. 1) had better turn into a damn good left tackle and now. At least Bradford gets to play indoors. If the Rams ever get any skill players, that could be fun for him. That all being said, I still think Colt McCoy is going to be better. Call me crazy.
2. Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Best player in the draft. The only way he would fail would be if Matt Millen was the guy making this pick. Still, I can't shake the feeling that the Lions would have been better off with a left tackle to protect Matthew Stafford and a trade for Albert Haynesworth to play Suh's position.
3. Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Need pick. The Bucs haven't had a disruptive defensive tackle since Warren Sapp last played hard for them in 2000.
4. Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
If you're Bob Stoops, this draft is the best recruiting tool you have: three of the top four picks in the NFL draft played for Oklahoma. The Redskins have had a rather strong offseason for once. The wonders of what can happen with Dan Snyder isn't making the decisions.
5. Chiefs: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Pretty close to a sure thing, I think, and he gets the Monte Kiffin seal of approval. If only the Chiefs played Cover Two.
6. Seahawks: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
So much for SEC domination in college football: five of the top six picks are from the Big 12. Hope a playmaker falls to Seattle at 14 because they have absolutely none of those. Okung gets to try and fill Walter Jones' enormous shoes.
7. Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
ESPN had a great shot of Haden in tears while on the phone with the Browns. He was in tears. Not sure if that's because he has to go to the Browns (fulfills his NFL dream) or if it's because he has to go to the Browns (the NFL's worst franchise since they re-joined the league in 1999). Never realized he had such big ears before. I guess Mike Holmgren doesn't believe Jimmy Clausen is his long-term quarterback.
8. Raiders: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
He must have run a 4.3 40, right? Was he arrested recently? Was he somehow belatedly awarded the Heisman Trophy? Those are the only logical explanations I have for Al Davis doing something completely illogical by Raiders standards and drafting someone completely logical for their team. I bet McClain has better hands that last year's No. 1, receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
9. Bills: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
No Jimmy Clausen here either. I like Spiller but I see him more as a Reggie Bush type and I think you can find those guys in the second round.
10. Jaguars: Tyson Alualu, DT, California
Sorry for the long delay; I was left speechless with my jaw on the floor with this pick. Seriously, the Jaguars could have traded down 15 spots and still been guaranteed this guy. They probably could have traded out of the first round and still gotten him. Instead, they'll pay him first-round money. And you wonder why the James Harris/Jack Del Rio hasn't succeeeded?
11. 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Not sure the 49ers needed to move up from 13 to get Davis but he's a need-pick to play right tackle. Their offensive line has been terrible so addressing it to improve both the pass-protection and the run-blocking makes sense.
12. Chargers: Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
A.J. Smith must really love this kid and as much as I think Smith has an ego run amok, I can't question his eye for talent. I'll be my HD television that Mathews has a greater yards per carry this season than LaDainian Tomlinson. Surprised the Chargers had to trade this far up to get Mathews.
13. Eagles: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
My favorite moment of the draft so far: the Eagles acquiring this pick from Denver (who had previously acquired this pick from San Francisco) and Adam Schefter going on ESPN to boldly declare Philadelphia did so to take Earl Thomas. Oops. Everyone should know by now that Andy Reid almost always uses the first round to build up his lines. Graham's demolition of Bryan Bulaga in the Michigan-Iowa game no doubt aided in this draft position.
Speaking of which, Bulaga is falling and anyone saw what Graham did to him isn't surprised by that. So is Clausen.
14. Seahawks: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Maybe Schefter meant the Eagles traded up so the Seahawks could take Thomas one pick behind them?
Clausen was seen as a possible Seahawk and they passed on him. Maybe the Broncos will take him.
15. Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
My guess is everyone now assumes the Giants will deal Osi Umenyiora. Not me. I'd be shocked if they traded him. Everyone who has followed the Giants the last four years should know that they invest everything they can in having a deep, productive defensive line. I say Pierre-Paul joins Osi, Justin Tuck and the rest in an effort to recreate the 2007 defensive line rotation.
16. Titans: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Predictable with Pierre-Paul off the board.
17. 49ers: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
No surprise that the 49ers didn't have any use for Clausen. Two offensive linemen in the first round says what they felt was their greatest weakness. I would have loved to see them take Dez Bryant; imagine him joining Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Josh Morgan and Frank Gore?
18. Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
Really fortunate that a Make-A-Wish kid was on the stage to make this pick for the Steelers because it stopped the fans chants of "She Said No!" I hope Ben Roethlisberger is ready for chants like that all season after he returns from his suspension.
19. Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Any help in the back-seven was badly needed. Sort of surprised he went ahead of Sergio Kindle.
20. Texans: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Surprised they didn't take Kyle Wilson at this spot. This should close the book on Dunta Robinson's Houston career.
21. Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
That's four Sooners taken in the first round. I hope Stoops recorded this draft so he can take it on recruiting trips.
22. Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Figured New England would take Dez Bryant once they were on the clock. Instead, in Belichickian fashion, they traded down. Denver took Thomas instead of Bryant even though Thomas played in an option offense against defenses geared to stop the run and doesn't know how to run routes.
By the way, the Broncos are another quarterback-needy team that passed on Clausen. The Vikings look like his last hope to stay in the first round. He better be hoping teams are trying to move up for him.
23. Packers: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Great pick for the Packers. Green Bay has a pair of tackles who combine for an age of about 146 so Bulaga is a nice fit, especially for them getting a guy who a few days ago was seen as a top-10 pick.
24. Cowboys: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Patriots trade down again, even though I again figured they'd use this pick on Bryant. Jerry Jones gets him instead, a tacit admission that his idiotic trade for Roy Williams failed miserably.
25. Broncos: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Sorry, yet another moment that I'm left speechless. The Broncos trade up, into the latter part of the first round, and give the Ravens second-, third- and fourth-round choices to do it. For a quarterback who can't throw the ball correctly. I guess it's par for the course: Denver has drafted a receiver who doesn't know how to run good routes and a quarterback with poor passing mechanics. And this trade was highway robbery for the Ravens, getting that king's ransom all so Denver could take a guy who is an incredible project and really just a developmental quarterback for the next couple of years.
And how angry is Clausen right about now? And you just know Todd McShay has fumes coming out of his ears given the way he has lambasted Tebow since the Senior Bowl.
26. Cardinals: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Great pick for Arizona wich needs defensive help. Williams was thought to possibly go as high as ninth in the days leading up to the draft.
27. Patriots: Devin McCourty, CB, Fresno State
The Patriots finally make a pick. They needed a corner although I sort of think Kyle Wilson would have been a better pick. Belichick needs to keep rebuilding that defense.
28. Dolphins: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Whoever could have guessed that Bill Parcells would take a run-stuffing defensive lineman? He's only done that, what, 20 times in the first round before?
29. Jets: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson. Wow. Pretty loaded at the cornerback position. The Jets have so many good cornerbacks that Cromartie may feel the need to get a few girls pregnant just so that his child-count can keep up. I think the Jets could take a step back offensively next season (Thomas Jones to LaDainian Tomlinson is a downgrade and I still have doubts about Mark Sanchez, in spite of his mistake-free postseason) but that defense is loaded.
30. Lions: Jahvid Best, RB, California
The Vikings trade out of the first round so, Jimmy Clausen, we'll see you tomorrow at round two. On the bright side, you've got Erin Andrews at your house to console you. Life could be worse. What does it say about the Lions that the Vikings are happily trading down with a division rival?
31. Colts: Jerry Hughes, DE, Texas Christian
If the most recent playoffs taught the Colts anything, it's that they probably can't count on Dwight Freeney, entering his 10th season, to continue to stay healthy going forward.
It's up to the Saints to keep Clausen in the first round. It's also up to them to keep USC's streak of No. 1 picks alive.
32. Saints: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
No Jimmy Clausen! No Southern California Trojans! No Sergio Kindle! Lots of exclamation points from me!
Did you know the last time the Rams drafted a quarterback in the first round the common draft hadn't even begun yet? Good luck to Bradford, who joins a team with no receivers and a porous offensive line. Jason Smith (last year's No. 1) had better turn into a damn good left tackle and now. At least Bradford gets to play indoors. If the Rams ever get any skill players, that could be fun for him. That all being said, I still think Colt McCoy is going to be better. Call me crazy.
2. Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Best player in the draft. The only way he would fail would be if Matt Millen was the guy making this pick. Still, I can't shake the feeling that the Lions would have been better off with a left tackle to protect Matthew Stafford and a trade for Albert Haynesworth to play Suh's position.
3. Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Need pick. The Bucs haven't had a disruptive defensive tackle since Warren Sapp last played hard for them in 2000.
4. Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
If you're Bob Stoops, this draft is the best recruiting tool you have: three of the top four picks in the NFL draft played for Oklahoma. The Redskins have had a rather strong offseason for once. The wonders of what can happen with Dan Snyder isn't making the decisions.
5. Chiefs: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Pretty close to a sure thing, I think, and he gets the Monte Kiffin seal of approval. If only the Chiefs played Cover Two.
6. Seahawks: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
So much for SEC domination in college football: five of the top six picks are from the Big 12. Hope a playmaker falls to Seattle at 14 because they have absolutely none of those. Okung gets to try and fill Walter Jones' enormous shoes.
7. Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
ESPN had a great shot of Haden in tears while on the phone with the Browns. He was in tears. Not sure if that's because he has to go to the Browns (fulfills his NFL dream) or if it's because he has to go to the Browns (the NFL's worst franchise since they re-joined the league in 1999). Never realized he had such big ears before. I guess Mike Holmgren doesn't believe Jimmy Clausen is his long-term quarterback.
8. Raiders: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
He must have run a 4.3 40, right? Was he arrested recently? Was he somehow belatedly awarded the Heisman Trophy? Those are the only logical explanations I have for Al Davis doing something completely illogical by Raiders standards and drafting someone completely logical for their team. I bet McClain has better hands that last year's No. 1, receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
9. Bills: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
No Jimmy Clausen here either. I like Spiller but I see him more as a Reggie Bush type and I think you can find those guys in the second round.
10. Jaguars: Tyson Alualu, DT, California
Sorry for the long delay; I was left speechless with my jaw on the floor with this pick. Seriously, the Jaguars could have traded down 15 spots and still been guaranteed this guy. They probably could have traded out of the first round and still gotten him. Instead, they'll pay him first-round money. And you wonder why the James Harris/Jack Del Rio hasn't succeeeded?
11. 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Not sure the 49ers needed to move up from 13 to get Davis but he's a need-pick to play right tackle. Their offensive line has been terrible so addressing it to improve both the pass-protection and the run-blocking makes sense.
12. Chargers: Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
A.J. Smith must really love this kid and as much as I think Smith has an ego run amok, I can't question his eye for talent. I'll be my HD television that Mathews has a greater yards per carry this season than LaDainian Tomlinson. Surprised the Chargers had to trade this far up to get Mathews.
13. Eagles: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
My favorite moment of the draft so far: the Eagles acquiring this pick from Denver (who had previously acquired this pick from San Francisco) and Adam Schefter going on ESPN to boldly declare Philadelphia did so to take Earl Thomas. Oops. Everyone should know by now that Andy Reid almost always uses the first round to build up his lines. Graham's demolition of Bryan Bulaga in the Michigan-Iowa game no doubt aided in this draft position.
Speaking of which, Bulaga is falling and anyone saw what Graham did to him isn't surprised by that. So is Clausen.
14. Seahawks: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Maybe Schefter meant the Eagles traded up so the Seahawks could take Thomas one pick behind them?
Clausen was seen as a possible Seahawk and they passed on him. Maybe the Broncos will take him.
15. Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
My guess is everyone now assumes the Giants will deal Osi Umenyiora. Not me. I'd be shocked if they traded him. Everyone who has followed the Giants the last four years should know that they invest everything they can in having a deep, productive defensive line. I say Pierre-Paul joins Osi, Justin Tuck and the rest in an effort to recreate the 2007 defensive line rotation.
16. Titans: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Predictable with Pierre-Paul off the board.
17. 49ers: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
No surprise that the 49ers didn't have any use for Clausen. Two offensive linemen in the first round says what they felt was their greatest weakness. I would have loved to see them take Dez Bryant; imagine him joining Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Josh Morgan and Frank Gore?
18. Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
Really fortunate that a Make-A-Wish kid was on the stage to make this pick for the Steelers because it stopped the fans chants of "She Said No!" I hope Ben Roethlisberger is ready for chants like that all season after he returns from his suspension.
19. Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Any help in the back-seven was badly needed. Sort of surprised he went ahead of Sergio Kindle.
20. Texans: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Surprised they didn't take Kyle Wilson at this spot. This should close the book on Dunta Robinson's Houston career.
21. Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
That's four Sooners taken in the first round. I hope Stoops recorded this draft so he can take it on recruiting trips.
22. Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Figured New England would take Dez Bryant once they were on the clock. Instead, in Belichickian fashion, they traded down. Denver took Thomas instead of Bryant even though Thomas played in an option offense against defenses geared to stop the run and doesn't know how to run routes.
By the way, the Broncos are another quarterback-needy team that passed on Clausen. The Vikings look like his last hope to stay in the first round. He better be hoping teams are trying to move up for him.
23. Packers: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Great pick for the Packers. Green Bay has a pair of tackles who combine for an age of about 146 so Bulaga is a nice fit, especially for them getting a guy who a few days ago was seen as a top-10 pick.
24. Cowboys: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Patriots trade down again, even though I again figured they'd use this pick on Bryant. Jerry Jones gets him instead, a tacit admission that his idiotic trade for Roy Williams failed miserably.
25. Broncos: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Sorry, yet another moment that I'm left speechless. The Broncos trade up, into the latter part of the first round, and give the Ravens second-, third- and fourth-round choices to do it. For a quarterback who can't throw the ball correctly. I guess it's par for the course: Denver has drafted a receiver who doesn't know how to run good routes and a quarterback with poor passing mechanics. And this trade was highway robbery for the Ravens, getting that king's ransom all so Denver could take a guy who is an incredible project and really just a developmental quarterback for the next couple of years.
And how angry is Clausen right about now? And you just know Todd McShay has fumes coming out of his ears given the way he has lambasted Tebow since the Senior Bowl.
26. Cardinals: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Great pick for Arizona wich needs defensive help. Williams was thought to possibly go as high as ninth in the days leading up to the draft.
27. Patriots: Devin McCourty, CB, Fresno State
The Patriots finally make a pick. They needed a corner although I sort of think Kyle Wilson would have been a better pick. Belichick needs to keep rebuilding that defense.
28. Dolphins: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Whoever could have guessed that Bill Parcells would take a run-stuffing defensive lineman? He's only done that, what, 20 times in the first round before?
29. Jets: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson. Wow. Pretty loaded at the cornerback position. The Jets have so many good cornerbacks that Cromartie may feel the need to get a few girls pregnant just so that his child-count can keep up. I think the Jets could take a step back offensively next season (Thomas Jones to LaDainian Tomlinson is a downgrade and I still have doubts about Mark Sanchez, in spite of his mistake-free postseason) but that defense is loaded.
30. Lions: Jahvid Best, RB, California
The Vikings trade out of the first round so, Jimmy Clausen, we'll see you tomorrow at round two. On the bright side, you've got Erin Andrews at your house to console you. Life could be worse. What does it say about the Lions that the Vikings are happily trading down with a division rival?
31. Colts: Jerry Hughes, DE, Texas Christian
If the most recent playoffs taught the Colts anything, it's that they probably can't count on Dwight Freeney, entering his 10th season, to continue to stay healthy going forward.
It's up to the Saints to keep Clausen in the first round. It's also up to them to keep USC's streak of No. 1 picks alive.
32. Saints: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
No Jimmy Clausen! No Southern California Trojans! No Sergio Kindle! Lots of exclamation points from me!
Showing off the Mel Kiper Jr. in me
I feel like my life would somehow be incomplete if I didn't present you a mock first round of the NFL draft. So here it is, complete with projected trades and everything. By the way, I prefer Kiper to McShay.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
6. Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
8. Oakland Raiders: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
9. Buffalo Bills: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
11. Denver Broncos: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
From Chicago
12. Miami Dolphins: Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
13. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
14. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
From Denver
15. New England Patriots: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Projected trade from N.Y. Giants (Giants acquire picks #22 and #53; Patriots acquire picks #15, #115 and #147)
16. Tennessee Titans: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
17. Philadelphia Eagles: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
From Carolina, projected trade through San Francisco (49ers acquire picks #24, #87 and #105; Eagles acquire picks #17 and #182)
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
19. Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Projected trade from Atlanta (Falcons acquire pick #41 and Buffalo's 2011 first-round pick; Bills acquire pick #19)
20. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
22. New York Giants: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Projected trade from New England (Giants acquire picks #22 and #53; Patriots acquire picks #15, #115 and #147)
23. Green Bay Packers: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
24. San Francisco 49ers: Charles Brown, OT, Southern California
Projected trade from Philadelphia (49ers acquire picks #24, #87 and #105; Eagles acquire picks #17 and #182)
25. Baltimore Ravens: Taylor Mays, S, Southern California
26. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Graham, DE/LB, Michigan
27. Dallas Cowboys: Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
28. Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
Projected trade from San Diego (Chargers acquire picks #38 and #85; Browns acquire pick #28)
29. New York Jets: Jerry Hughes, LB, Texas Christian
30. Minnesota Vikings: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
32. New Orleans Saints: Daryl Washington, LB, Texas Christian
BCS sees a problem, has the wrong solution
Buried within this story about the Mountain West Conference potentially getting an automatic bid to a BCS bowl in a couple of years is BCS executive director Bill Hancock's suggestion that future non-championship bowl games need to be held on weekends to avoid sparse crowds, like the paltry 28,000 or so that showed up for the Orange Bowl between Georgia Tech and Iowa this past January.
Perhaps Hancock should acknowledge the two actual problems: the BCS took away the tradition of New Year's Day bowl games and made every bowl except for the championship game irrelevant.
Why would you want to attend a bowl between Georgia Tech and Iowa if neither team is playing for anything but pride? It's like attending a Week 17 NFL game between two teams from opposite conferences that are both out of the playoff picture.
New Year's Day used to be all about college football. I remember waking up at 10 am and putting two televisions next to each other and watching bowl games all day. Now? Well, there's a couple games in the morning, the Rose Bowl in the afternoon and usually another bowl at night. And none of these bowls mean anything. And the coolness of watching all of the bowls together is gone.
Secondly, why would anyone attend, say, the Orange Bowl when the championship game is in the same location a week later? If you live in Miami and you can only go to one, which one are you going to? Of course no one is going to pick the Orange Bowl because it means nothing.
I know the BCS isn't going anywhere so I'm not going to suggest scrapping it as a solution (even though that is the real solution). What they should do is have four or five stand-alone bowls with each rotating as the championship game, as they used to do prior to the creation of the championship game being a second bowl in one location. The Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Rose would each be one and if a fifth is needed in order to make it more possible for smaller schools to qualify, add the Cotton. Two bowls are played on January 1 with a 4:30/8:30 doubleheader, the next two are played on January 2 with a 4:30/8:30 doubleheader and the championship game is played on January 3 and 8:30.
Problem solved. Spreading these bowls out over a week only kills everyone's interest because it's too many meaningless games spread out over too many days. Plus, with most people having to return to work on January 3 or 4 after their winter holiday break, getting people to travel to a bowl for a January 5 game never had a chance of succeeding.
By the way, this is how the BCS did it from the 1998 season through the 2005 season. Four stand-alone bowls spread out over three days. And people seemed fine with that, even if they didn't like the system as a whole. People actually went to the games. People actually watched on television. Maybe going back to that would solve the problem. Unfortunately, that won't be the case for the near future. According to their website, the championship games will be played on January 10, 9, 7 and 7 the next four seasons. And, of course, one site will host two games. So the problems Hancock have will remain, no matter what day of the week the non-championship games are scheduled.
As always, the BCS has the wrong solution for the problem but why should any of us expect anything different?
April 21, 2010
ESPN never learns
The Reds have hired Joe Morgan as a special adviser to baseball operations. Given his complete lack of understanding of baseball evaluation, as displayed every single Sunday night on ESPN, it would seem the smartest thing owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty could do would be to listen to what Morgan has to say and then do the complete opposite. Amazing that someone who displays such little knowledge of baseball evaluation could have been the best baseball player of the entire 1970s.
Meanwhile, Morgan will continue his role as booth nitwit on ESPN's Sunday night baseball broadcasts. Um, conflict of interest? Did ESPN not learn with the Craig James-Texas Tech fiasco? How is Morgan supposed to objectively critique and cover the Reds if he's drawing a paycheck from them? Given their decade of mediocrity, I know that the Reds aren't likely to ever be on a Sunday night telecast but that doesn't mean they won't be a discussion point. For example, this week the Sunday night guys may feel it appropriate to discuss the Edinson Volquez suspension. How can Morgan comment on it? Chances are, Castellini would prefer further comment not be made by anyone in his organization. Is Morgan supposed to just say "no comment" when Jon Miller and Orel Hershiser bring it up?
Just as Craig James shouldn't be covering college football for ESPN, Morgan should not be covering baseball for ESPN due to the conflict of interest.
(Morgan shouldn't have been covering baseball anyway, given his horrible performance in the booth, but that's another matter entirely.)
Meanwhile, Morgan will continue his role as booth nitwit on ESPN's Sunday night baseball broadcasts. Um, conflict of interest? Did ESPN not learn with the Craig James-Texas Tech fiasco? How is Morgan supposed to objectively critique and cover the Reds if he's drawing a paycheck from them? Given their decade of mediocrity, I know that the Reds aren't likely to ever be on a Sunday night telecast but that doesn't mean they won't be a discussion point. For example, this week the Sunday night guys may feel it appropriate to discuss the Edinson Volquez suspension. How can Morgan comment on it? Chances are, Castellini would prefer further comment not be made by anyone in his organization. Is Morgan supposed to just say "no comment" when Jon Miller and Orel Hershiser bring it up?
Just as Craig James shouldn't be covering college football for ESPN, Morgan should not be covering baseball for ESPN due to the conflict of interest.
(Morgan shouldn't have been covering baseball anyway, given his horrible performance in the booth, but that's another matter entirely.)
April 17, 2010
Conflict of interest
Watched a little of the Alabama spring game on ESPN. Craig James was one of the announcers. Indefensible that he’s still employed after his involvement in the Mike Leach/Texas Tech fiasco. Embarrassing.
April 13, 2010
The Ol' Ball Coach: RIP
Listened to Steve Spurrier being interviewed on the Dan Patrick radio show today. He really angered me. Whatever arrogance he had is completely gone. And as much as he angered people when he was arrogant, he’s so much less interesting now that he isn’t.
He was so humble it was sickening and, in fact, he showed so much humility that Dan Patrick actually asked him what he thought of Lane Kiffin running his mouth last year at Tennessee. No, seriously.
Really aggravating to me. Part of the fun of following sports is following the characters and I have to say, following college football as a whole and the SEC in particular isn’t as much fun without Spurrier talking a big game and backing it up. Kiffin actually had the chance to be his successor but didn’t win big at Tennessee before bolting and his big talk won’t mean anything at USC because the overall Pac-10 fan base isn’t passionate enough to get really angered by him and the Pac-10 quality by in large is mediocre.
The Ol' Ball Coach, the one we all hated yet respected, I'm afraid is no more.
He was so humble it was sickening and, in fact, he showed so much humility that Dan Patrick actually asked him what he thought of Lane Kiffin running his mouth last year at Tennessee. No, seriously.
Really aggravating to me. Part of the fun of following sports is following the characters and I have to say, following college football as a whole and the SEC in particular isn’t as much fun without Spurrier talking a big game and backing it up. Kiffin actually had the chance to be his successor but didn’t win big at Tennessee before bolting and his big talk won’t mean anything at USC because the overall Pac-10 fan base isn’t passionate enough to get really angered by him and the Pac-10 quality by in large is mediocre.
The Ol' Ball Coach, the one we all hated yet respected, I'm afraid is no more.
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