James Sheldon
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2010 College Bowl Preview
Outside of the NFL playoffs, it may be the greatest multi-week sports season of the year–in fact it is the harbinger of the playoffs for the pros. It surrounds the Christmas and New Year holidays, and it even spurs annual debate through crowning a Champion without a playoff system. Oh yeah. It’s time to go bowling!
If you feel there are too many bowl games, get over yourself! Why? Is it too much football for you? Are you paying taxes for these games? C’mon! Get in the holiday spirit, Scrooge.
I don’t care who the bowl sponsor is, or who’s playing in it…I’ll watch it and enjoy it. At first glance a couple weeks ago, I thought the match-ups looked pretty uninteresting, yet after careful consideration, the potential for some great football games is undeniable.
Let’s break ‘em down in play order:
12/18 – New Mexico Bowl: BYU vs. UTEP
BYU is a pretty easy favorite in this match-up. UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe is a difference maker, yet his ankle is busted up, and he’s less than four days from having to put it to the test. If he’s somehow able to play through the pain, the Miners could make it interesting.
12/18 – Humanitarian Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Northern Illinois put up an impressive 10-3 season, losing a heart breaker in the MAC Championship. Now they’re meeting a Fresno team led by veteran coach Pat Hill who has been given multiple weeks of preparation. This promises to be a battle, and picking either team would be a logical decision. The vast majority of the nation is going with the bulldogs, but I’m taking the Huskies.
12/18 – New Orleans Bowl: Ohio University vs. Troy
Ohio QB, Franshaw “Boo” Jackson. He can be exciting when he’s hitting on all cylinders, yet I was unimpressed with the MAC this season. I’m going against the populous once again on this one, and sticking with the team from the south. I see another battle, and Troy coming out on top.
12/21 – St. Petersburg Bowl: Southern Miss. vs. Louisville
Didn’t ya hear? Brett Favre found a game of NCAA eligibility and is coming out of collegiate retirement. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use the image. Look at the young gun slinger… Call me insane, but I’m going against the majority again with this pick. I feel like Louisville has the slight edge. It has the potential to be another close one.
12/22 – Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Boise State
Aside from a couple missteps vs. TCU and Notre Dame, Utah put together an impressive season. They won close games down the stretch and earned this match-up vs. powerhouse, Boise State. The Broncos BCS dreams were crushed in the NCAA game of the year vs. Nevada, yet a week later they went back to work and took care of business. I have a feeling that Kellen Moore is going to go off in Vegas like a 21 year old with their multi-millionaire father’s credit card. …that Kellen Moore is going to go off in Vegas like a fat dude at the Circus Circus buffet. He may opt for both options–I know I would. BSU is the team that I would never bet against. You shouldn’t either.
12/23 – Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. San Diego State
Navy is impressive… but San Diego State is possibly the best 8-4 team in the country. They have played everyone close. Everyone. Their 4 losses were by a combined 15 points. I think the Navy option attack might give them headaches, and I’m rolling with the Midshipmen…as of now. I reserve the right to change my mind due to the factual evidence listed above. It’s worth noting, this is the final game for Navy QB Ricky Dobbs–the kid is a stud. He has always played well in big games, and probably loves the thought of being the underdog.
12/24 – Hawai’i Bowl: Hawaii vs. Tulsa
Hawaii at home? Check. Hawaii with a devastating passing attack? Check. Tulsa with a suspect secondary? Check. Tulsa with the ability to score a lot of points? Check. Could be a shoot out, but this one is going to the Warriors of Hawaii.
Dec 15th
Patriots Smack the Jets Silly
Silly!
You enjoy this beat-down? I just love the way our good friend Chris Stout put it this morning: “Belichick’s not evil; he’s strategic.” If strategy is sending a message to a division rival in the form of an absolute and embarrassing drubbing, then yep, he once again proved he was a master strategist. Throwing in the 4th quarter, going for it on 4th down? I suppose they were just working on certain aspects of their game that needed improvement.
Giving credit where it’s due, this was one of the prettiest game-plans I’ve seen all season long. Knowing that the Jets defense was lacking its heart and soul, Belichick and Brady decided they’d go ahead and dismember the body as well. Cromartie and Revis? Non-factors. Isolate them, spread the field, and check down to the space where pass catchers can run. With everyone going fast and hard, from Welker to Woodhead, there were just too many weapons on the field for the Jets defense to deal with. Especially considering Mark Sanchez and the offense couldn’t sustain a drive, and once they were able to run, they had too little time to pursue it. They had to pass, and that led to one of the biggest surprises of the night–the Patriots defense.
I’ve definitely warmed to Belichick in the past couple of seasons. Maybe something about coaching youth sports led me to a deeper understanding; however, I thought the dude was crazy for not hiring a defensive coordinator in 2010. Bottom line, the Patriots defense is pretty bad, but last night they showed up in full force. They stuffed the run early, and picked off the passes late.
In a word, they “exposed” Mark Sanchez for still being slightly under-ripe. When a similar “exposure” took place last season, Rex Ryan reinforced the necessity of being able to run the ball. I suppose we’ll see the same sense of focus from the Jets moving forward in response to this, New England’s declaration for the AFC East.
The mystique that the Jets carried through the past several weeks of winning game after game is clearly no more–perhaps it was more of a magic act than a mystique, based on winning several games that they just as easily could have lost vs. inferior opponents.
Considering the Patriots, it would make sense to refer to them as the best team in the AFC. While they’re certainly not the most talented, and the defense is incredibly suspect, they possess an offense that can put up points against anybody, and how flippin’ tough are they at home? The only two teams that I see potentially giving the Patriots fits in the AFC are the Steelers and… …the Chiefs. We fans of the NFC are going to find out how good the Bears are come Sunday when the Pats head to Chicago.
Dec 7th
Vikings Fire Brad Childress
Brad Childress now commands the same respect of the Minnesota Vikings that I do. That makes me feel pretty solid this morning. Write it down Vikings fans. The Brad Childress era ended in Minnesota on 11/22/2010.
When morning reports were released in Minneapolis, Brad Childress was scheduled for his regular Monday interview. I’m confident that every reporter was licking their lips to pose a few queries after yesterday’s home debacle to division rival Green Bay. And beyond the division rivalry, this game was, for all intents and purposes, the hope of saving the season. Saving it. Well, saving it for “Chilly.” A couple of hours later, it was everywhere–Brad Childress was out, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was in as interim head coach.
If there was one thing that was absolutely certain in the Minnesota Vikings organization before yesterday’s beat down: The professional football players in purple, signed to big money contracts, did not want Brad Childress as their head coach.
I have never been a fan of Childress. I wish I could say that “he seems like a nice enough guy,” but he doesn’t. He comes across as pompous and arrogant in every interview I have ever seen. Even in last season’s NFC Championship game, he offered a pre-game interview making himself look and sound like an ego-maniacal ass. No grace. No credit to the Saints. Just a guy who looked like he was reciting a script that he wrote and rehearsed, ready to spout toward the first person who put a microphone in front of his face.
Fans have been calling for the canning of Childress since Week 3, but I must say that I was shocked that Childress was ever part of the Vikings equation for 2010. I was just shocked that Zygi Wilf really thought that Childress was the man who would lead this franchise to the NFL’s promised land. Clearly it became obvious to Wilf when Childress continued to grow in his arrogance, continued to grow in cynicism, and within all of it, he failed to lead the team to strong performances on both sides of the ball.
People want to point at Brett Favre for the downfall of last season’s NFC powerhouse Vikings. While Favre has had his issues this season, quite honestly, what would you expect? No, it’s not because he’s older. The dude has looked sharp at the right times. No reason to believe he couldn’t perform to task. But who would he throw to? It’s not just Favre.
But oh, James, all the interceptions!? How many of those picks have been off people’s hands, because receivers “fell down,” or tried to catch the ball with their body instead of their hands? Case in point, two of them yesterday–two of them the week prior. Where has the offensive line been? Where’s the defense? This team has been a direct reflection of the leadership of Brad Childress.
I believe you’ll see a very different team take the field next week vs. the Washington Redskins. And now that Chilly is gone, I’m not so sure that Brett Favre is “done” after this season.
Nov 22nd
Top 10 College Football Scandals
(And/Or Travesties)
Oh, what a tough pill to swallow. When your boy, or group of boys wearing your favorite team colors are deemed ineligible, and are subsequently suspended from particular bodies of competition due to…duh, duh, duh…SCANDAL.
It’s hot again. Reggie Bush gave back his Heisman trophy, and now some fella named Kenny Rogers has opened a can of night crawlers and dumped them on Auburn quarterback and Heisman Award hopeful, Cameron “Cam” Newton.
I had to roll with the parenthetical based solely on the fact that the BCS is to me, a scandalous organization, as is the NCAA. Case in point–the F.B.I. is involved in this latest Cam Newton saga? The F.B.I. Really? MmmMmm. Let’s dive right in!
10. Cam Newton – Auburn University
It has potential to be huge, but it’s still too fresh. He could be clean; his pops could be dirty. Either way, it’s looking like Cam Newton might find himself suspended down the line for his dad soliciting funds from Mississippi State University–a team Newton was considering coming out of Jr. College. You are more than likely aware that Newton was once a student athlete at Florida, playing behind Tim Tebow. Yes. In all of this, his less than squeaky clean record has also shown its teeth. Whether any money was exchanged at Auburn…? We won’t find out for quite some time.
9. Rich Rodriguez – University of Michigan
It’s easier to miss the scandalous when a team sucks, or is in a period of “rebuilding.” Rich-Rod bailed on West Virginia, and came to Michigan to get the show turned around in the Big House. Apparently, as part of the rebuilding process, he required overtime…of everyone. Working them beyond what is legal according to the NCAA. The university slapped itself on the wrist.
8. 2004 Auburn Tigers – Shafted!
You probably don’t remember this one, do ya? The Auburn Tigers went undefeated in SEC play and in their regular season, won the SEC Championship Game vs. Tennessee, and was shafted into a Sugar Bowl match-up vs. a potent Virginia Tech squad. Yep. Oklahoma and USC battled it out for the “National Championship.” Heck yes, I’m a biased SEC fan, but this was criminal. Especially considering that USC thrashed OU in the title game, and that win has been vacated due to USC’s own scandal. Stupid Coaches Poll. Stupid AP Poll. Stupid NCAA. Scandalous.
7. Scooter McDougle – University of Toledo
This one can just be filed into the category of strange. Toledo running back, Scooter McDougle was somehow at the center of a point-shaving scheme that involved several other University of Toledo players. Players would not play in games due to mysterious injuries, or would play poorly to ensure spreads. The final note has yet to be played in this fiasco.
6. Bogus Music Class – Florida State University
When people said Bobby Bowden was “out of touch,” perhaps this is what they were eluding to. This happened in 2007, and included 25 student-athletes who admitted to having “assistance” on tests and quizzes for a music class. When I say assistance, I mean somebody took the tests for them. I can’t imagine why anyone got suspicious with so many players taking the same class and scoring similarly? This cost the squad the last really good season that Bobby, and the university, have enjoyed.
5. Lawrence Phillips – University of Nebraska
This dude. Geez. A guy who had it. That thing. Jaw-dropping skills. Unfortunately, he also had some jaw popping skills. After running for 206 yards on 22 carries for 4 touchdowns vs. Michigan State, Phillips returned to Lincoln, NE, with the team and was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. After being suspended, Phillips played out the season, winning a national championship, then declared for the NFL draft. He had a few NFL highlights, but more problems. In 2009 he was sentenced to 31 years in prison for multiple violent outbreaks, including an incident in which he hit three teenagers with his car after a disagreement in a pick-up football game.
4. Marcus Dupree – University of Oklahoma
Featured recently on ESPN’s 30 for 30, Marcus Dupree was considered by many, “The best who never was.” Before signing with Oklahoma, it was necessary to score some goods for the family. Dupree’s mom wanted a new double-wide mobile home. She got one. In an attempt to secure Dupree for a documentary in the early 80s, a recruiter let the funding team know it would take at least $150,000. Dupree went on to be a Freshman star at Oklahoma. Injuries hampered his sophomore season, and after a handful of games, Dupree announced that he would be leaving the university.
3. Reggie Bush – University of Southern California
Everyone is familiar with Reggie, and the USC scandal. The scandal that has the Trojans watching the big games from the sidelines every holiday season for the next several years. It all had to do with Reggie, and/or Reggie’s parents, accepting improper benefits. We have to presume that somewhere in the mix there would be some cash involved. Though the university has been punished, and they no longer “have anything to do with Bush,” it all peaked this fall when Bush returned his Heisman Trophy.
2. Katie Hnida – University of Colorado
Katie Hnida? College football scandal? Oh, how soon we forget, and how soon the University of Colorado wants us to forget. Female. Football player. Kicker. Multiple teammates took advantage of Katie, and ultimately tore their entire program apart. Hnida stated that she was harassed, assaulted and eventually raped by her male counterparts.
1. 1986 SMU Mustangs – The NCAA Death Penalty
Sweet mercy. This one still takes the cake. Everyone was seemingly involved in this mess. The Governor of Texas, local and state politicians, coaches and of course, players. At the center of the controversy was the continuation of a “slush fund” for players who required some cash, from the mid-70s to the mid-80s. After the university and so many university supporters were found to be dealing in corruption, an NCAA committee voted to cancel the entire 1987 SMU football season. The NCAA only allowed SMU to participate in away games in the 1988 season. This nearly destroyed the SMU program. It also led to the death of the Southwest Conference.
Nov 16th
What’s Really Wrong With the Dallas Cowboys
That’s not a question. That’s a statement. Something stinks in Dallas, and the stank has been festering for well over a decade.
The spotlight is fixed upon Wade Phillips. Not a broad spot, somewhat capturing the folks standing next to him, but a pin-spot, right on the head coach’s face. Man, he looks miserable. The Cowboys went to 1-7 last night vs. Green Bay, and in a manner so embarrassing, it left owner Jerry Jones stating that there would be “consequences” for the Cowboys poor play. Consequences? Like what? Being released to play for a contender? And by contender I mean a squad who might actually contend to win a single game.
As I pound the keys on the board, Phillips is still in as captain, by the time I’m done, I suspect an official announcement may be made that he’s not–all major news sources are stating that he has been canned, and Jason Garrett will serve as interim head coach.
Let’s jump back to training camp–this 2010 season, the season in which most analysts crowned the Cowboys the Champions of the NFC, destined to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium. Oh, if only they functioned half as well as that stadium. Training camp. Rookie first-rounder Dez Bryant shows up, walkin’ like a man–like a veteran, dismissing rookie hazing and refusing to play grab-ass and pad-carry for veteran Roy Williams. Backlash. Why? Because that’s what you do in the NFL. You adhere to the system in place. The status quo. The antiquated, hasn’t worked in 15 years, system that is in place. And Bryant’s reasoning? He was drafted to help the team win games, not carry pads.
It is a sad state of affairs when a rookie wide receiver comes into camp more focused to task than a “should know better” veteran such as Roy Williams–as overrated as Williams may certainly be.
Rewind a little further to the off-season. Jerry Jones, drunk in a bar, mouthing about Bill Parcells, Tim Tebow not being worth a third-round draft pick and Tony Romo being “The Miracle.” I was a little confused about “miracle”–trying to determine if Jerry used the word miracle meaning that someone who seems more interested in golf is somehow considered a prolific NFL quarterback. Or it was a “miracle” that he wasn’t drawn and quartered after fumbling “the snap” on that hold those few years ago.
What’s wrong with the Dallas Cowboys? Why, Jerry Jones is what’s wrong with the Dallas Cowboys.
Sure, Wade Phillips would have never won a Super Bowl as a head coach in Dallas–I say would have, because I’m pretty sure he’s gone. I don’t even think he’ll ever get to a Super Bowl as a head coach, regardless of where he is. In all fairness, I think he seems like a stellar guy–a genuinely wonderful human being, but as far as coach–never gonna happen. Yet, it is still Jerry Jones who has stuck by Phillips, even when it was obvious that this season was off to a dangerous start after two weeks. Jerry is complaining about the level of play, yet he’s the one who symbolically waved the white flag weeks ago. He’s the one who said that the franchise would stay the course.
I admire Jerry Jones’s passion for his beloved Cowboys. I love that he spares no expense to offer every opportunity to the guys wearing the stars on their hats. His stadium is without a doubt the finest sporting arena to be found in this great nation–perhaps the world. Even still. Bottom line. Jerry Jones has mismanaged his own franchise for years. Even through the glorious 90s, he couldn’t offer what was necessary to sustain dominance, because it somehow meant that he possessed less control. I’m not saying Jones has gone Al Davis, but the line he’s been dancing on over the past decade isn’t promising for the future of the organization.
The talent on this 2010 roster, and this team is 1-7? Cripes, the Browns are 3-5 with wins over New Orleans and New England. How does this happen? It happens when an owner is so certain that he knows the game better than everyone else that talent trumps heart, and potential trumps performance. At present, Jones is “analyzing” performance to make necessary changes…perhaps a glance into the mirror would assist in gathering analytical data. It trickles down, Mr. Jones.
Seems it’s official. Phillips is out, Garrett is in.
Nov 8th
Ranting on Roger Clemens
I could rant on Federer, too. I’m not the biggest fan of that smug mug, either. It’s a good thing Roger Moore is still alive and kicking–he’s a Saint.
Roger Clemens. That guy. I need to fire on all 8 cylinders for this one.
I’m a very forgiving human being. In fact, I don’t hate Roger Clemens for using PEDs, I don’t hate him for lying about it and I don’t even dislike him for the episodes–but I can’t stand the guy. I couldn’t stand him as a player, and I can’t stand him as a fellow member of society. I couldn’t stand how he wished he were the Brett Favre of the baseball world, and I wish to this day that Mike Piazza would have thrown the nub of his bat at Clemens after Clemens threw the head of the bat at Mikey.
I remember in depth conversations I had about Roger Clemens late in his career. I’ll never forget, round about 2003 or 2004, perhaps, when my brother said to me, “I can’t believe that everyone only wants to single out Barry Bonds. If there is anyone in the league that I am 100 percent certain is on steroids, it’s Roger Clemens.” And you know what, you couldn’t argue. How was the guy getting better at a power position, as his body got older. People can say what they will about his training regimen, but they showed videos of it, and it wasn’t that impressive. Yeah, it was obvious–the dude was DRANKIN’ the juice. And honestly, he always acted like such a prick–like the world owed him a huge debt for being a great pitcher.
I laugh when people mutter the words “Hall of Fame” in the same breath as “Roger Clemens.” And I also hate when people try and justify Hall of Fame inductions based solely on numbers. Halls of Fame have become jokes because bums like this are in them. They should be places of celebration, not contention. Make no mistake, there will never be another discussion about Roger Clemens, only arguments.
Whew. Cleansing breath. Now, to the serious matter at hand. An indictment that it going to put Clemens in court. And do you know what sucks? He still won’t admit that he used PEDs. If for some reason he comes out and states that he did use the drugs, I’m sure that he’ll also say it was because he loved the game soooo much, and he didn’t know how to let it go.
Do I think he’s going to jail? Nah. But I think it’s far more likely that he’ll land in the clink than he will in Cooperstown.
Aug 20th
Roy Oswalt Trade Begins to Sputter Before Deadline
Oswalt is trying to be the nice guy. You can see it. You can hear it. He hasn’t been overly demanding, but he wants the heck out of Houston. Who can blame him? It’s so freakin’ humid there. The franchise is well aware that freeing up Oswalt might also offer them a bat or two to build with, as well as a prospect or two, but where would Roy end up?
All signs have been pointing to Philadelphia. In fact, if you watched ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball, it was all the commentators were talking about after the Cardinals went on a home run barrage, tagging 4 in two innings. At present, Oswalt’s contract demands seem to be the issue in moving the deal forward between Philly and Houston, namely the 16 million dollar option he has for 2012. He wants it before he would agree to a trade. It’s one thing to ask this Roy to go play second fiddle to the other Roy (Halladay) they picked up in Philadelphia in the off-season, but I just can’t see Philly agreeing to the tie up an additional 16 mil. for the 2012 option.
I think this deal is dead in the water. Had they started negotiations earlier, or perhaps if Philly looked like they were going to compete with Atlanta in the NL East this year, it might be a different story. I think Roy will pitch out the season in Houston, and once the off-season rolls around, you might see some movement from one of the AL east coast squads with a little more money to toss around.
Other trade rumors a-flyin’? Well, not so much. A little bit of something surrounding Arizona Diamondback’s Dan Haren, but other than my own personal bias for the St. Louis Cardinals and wanting to see the kid come back to where he began his career, not a lot has been said–some potential interest from Philly. I don’t think Haren has much of a desire to pitch east of the Mississippi. I’m hopeful the Cardinals are doing things quietly, similar to their acquiring Matt Holliday around this time last year. (Yeah, I want Haren back in the STL. I’m still bitter about the Haren/Calero for Mulder trade back in ‘04. Worst deal ever.)
Someone is going to make a move before the July 31st deadline, and it will probably be a significant move–the only question: Who’s it going to be? I certainly don’t think it’ll be Roy Oswalt
(Image via: Around the Horn Baseball)
Jul 21st
The Boss: The Passing of a Bittersweet Baseball Era
When news of George Steinbrenner’s death broke, I wanted to jump on the story like a media whore outside a red carpet event. I thought about it for awhile, became fairly indignant in my thought, then moved on to sadness, confusion and ultimately this funky feeling of joy mixed with sorrow.
I love baseball. I never much cared for George Steinbrenner. I don’t think he cared one iota about baseball. I think he cared about business. No, I didn’t know the man, I knew his reputation, as did so many others. Had I ever met him, I’m sure I would have adored him. I’m weird like that.
With his passing at the age of 80 due to complications from a heart attack as well as other ailing bodily functions, I could only feel sad for his family, for the fine athletes who played for him, for the managers who fought with and still somehow loved him and the Yankees fan base who saw a “win at all costs” empire constructed under his tenure.
For the rest of the baseball world, there’s a part of me that thinks, “It’s probably best that he went before the cap came–that would have really killed the guy.” And make no mistake Yankee fans. It’s a’comin’. If the next commish doesn’t push for it off the bat, I’ll lead the charge for his removal.
Sadly, all I can think of when I think of The Boss: A monopolizer who didn’t really look beyond his own interests to consider what would be best for the game of baseball. We all know people like that in “our own lives,” and we don’t like them. Then they die, and we feel bad for not liking them. It begs the question: What is the most lasting memory of George Steinbrenner’s legacy?
I’m sure Steinbrenner will eventually be remembered as the legendary Yankees owner who took the franchise from worst to first, but you just have to think that within that conversation, there will always be at least one voice which will sound off with a completely opposing opinion.
His legacy is bittersweet–and there’s no need to sugarcoat it.
Jul 13th
