The Main Disch

The Eyes of Texas

2011-11-24T23:59:00.001-06:00

Kyle Field seated the second-most fans in school history on Thanksgiving night, and all 88,645 attendants got to see the Texas Longhorns beat the Texas A&M Aggies in what could be the last-ever Lone Star Showdown. Texas trailed early in the game, but eventually came back and won on a 40-yard field goal by Justin Tucker in the final seconds of the game.

The only thing Texas seemed to do right was play defense. Carrington Bydom, Kenny Vaccaro and Quandre Diggs all had interceptions while the Longhorn defensive line consistently applied pressure on quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Offensively, the burnt orange and white couldn't convert a third down for anything, but thanks to a Bryan Harsin trick play and a power run by running back Cody Johnson, the Texas offense was able to produce two touchdowns. The defense took the reigns from there, scoring a touchdown and limiting the Aggie offense to 25 points - a performance that wasn't perfect, but just enough to get out of College Station with a W.

It was the same story for A&M. Off to a hot start, but in the third quarter the Aggies allowed 17 straight points and lost all momentum. Ryan Tannehill looked confused and nervous and the Texas defense was able to capitalize on the senior quarterback's uncertainty.

The Aggies will now head to the SEC with a bad taste in their mouths. They'll be losing a lot of their star players, and I don't think Alabama or LSU will welcome the A&M players to the SEC by going easy on them.

Just as the Longhorns have always remembered the score 13-0, the Aggies will now forever remember 27-25.

Tim Tebow is the Real Deal

2011-11-18T01:31:00.001-06:00

Skeptics, beware! I have been on the Tim Tebow bandwagon since his sophomore year of college, and Thursday night's comeback victory over a very tough New York Jets team only solidified my support for the former Gator. As far as throwing is considered, well, Tebow might be one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. However, the last time I checked, the teams that make the playoffs are the ones with the most wins. And you know what? Tim Tebow is 4-1 as a starter this season, and that's more than most other quarterbacks can say right now.

What seperates Tebow from other quarterbacks in this league? His running ability. He's not the fastest guy on the field by any means, but he has enough power to shed tackles and muscle his way to a first down. It's not pretty, but the results are the only things that count. He's already rushed for 320 yards (6.7 yards per carry!) and two touchdowns this season.

As far as passing is considered, he's no Tom Brady, but look at the stats. 12 touchdowns, 4 interceptions. The coaches will take that ratio every day of the week. His completion percentage is obviously sub-par, but if you're not turning the ball over, you're giving the team a chance to win.

To all the people upset about commentators saying "Tebow won the game" when he under-performs in a Broncos victory, listen closely: If you've ever played sports in your life, you know that it only takes one guy to fire up the rest of the team. Tebow instills a high level of confidence in each and every one of his teammates, and that's all it takes for one player to make that tackle, or the kicker to hit that 50-yarder, or that running back to break that extra tackle and pick up the first down. It's the intangibles that make the greats, and Tebow has them.

Leave Joe Paterno Alone

2011-11-09T18:25:00.000-06:00

I've heard too many people wrongfully criticizing Joe Paterno and affiliating him far too deeply with this whole issue who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. So let me break it down for everyone so we can stop blindly pointing fingers and accusing the innocent. Here are the facts:

1. Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant coach who retired in 1999, has been accused for 40 counts of child abuse.

2. On March 2, 2002, a graduate assistant told Paterno that he has witnessed Sandusky violating a 10 year old boy in the showers.

3. On March 3, 2002, Paterno calls Tim Curley, the Penn State athletic director, to his home the next day and reports what the graduate assistant had said.

4. Later that month, Curley and the vice president for finance and business Gary Schultz called the graduate assistant into a meeting and discussed the situation.

5. Curley and Schultz confiscated Sandusky's locker room keys and reported the incident to "The Second Mile", an organization founded by Sandusky that began as a group foster home dedicated to helping troubled boys and grows into a charity dedicated to helping children with absent or dysfunctional families.

6. No police question the graduate assistant until he testifies in December 2010.

7. On November 7, 2011, the Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly said that Paterno is not a target of the investigation into how the school handled the accusations.

Did Paterno cover up the incident? No. Did he report the incident as soon as he heard it? Yes. Could Paterno have done more to make this known? Maybe. The man did what he thought was best at the time. He even said,

"With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more," Paterno said.

Paterno realizes now the actions he should have taken, but during that time frame he did what was appropriate and called attention to the matter.

I think that Sandusky should spend the rest of his pathetic life behind bars with an easily-annoyed body builder named Hank, but the foul words and hatred shown towards Joe is just not fair. If you're going to be furious, focus your rage on Sandusky, not every single person affiliated with Penn State.

Mid-term Report Card

2011-10-29T20:46:00.001-05:00

Now entering November, most of us college students are starting to get into the depth of our classes, meaning longer hours in the library and less time for recreation. This may not be true for everyone, but it certainly is for me. That's why you haven't seen a post from me in a few weeks. Don't fret, though, friends, for I have come up with a wonderful idea to combine school and sports for an awesome story.

I am going to give out letter grades to certain teams based on their performance compared to their expectations. Hope you enjoy! And remember, Professor DiSchiano doesn't give grades, teams earn them.

St. Louis Cardinals - A+

Not only did the Cards win the World Series, they won when the Rangers were just an out away from the title - twice! St. Louis conveyed the meaning of resilience, winning with class and heart. A great World Series with two great teams; certainly a treat for all sports fans alike.

Clemson Tigers - A-

Starting out the college football season 8-0 with wins over the defending-champion Auburn Tigers, Florida State, and Virginia Tech, the Tigers established themsevles as national title contenders. Will they make an appearance in the BCS National Championship? Probably not. Even if they win out, they're still in a weak conference in the ACC, so the BCS isn't likely to recognize their strength. Good team, but not A+ caliber.

The Big 12 Conference - B

You can wave goodbye to Texas A&M (which may not be such a bad thing after all) and Missouri looks to be parting ways (be careful what you wish for, Tigers), but the Big 12 has made up for its future losses by adding some very solid schools with TCU and West Virginia, and there's still rumor that Louisville will be on board as well. When you add Kansas into that mix, you're getting closer and closer to a powerhouse basketball conference.

Kansas Jayhawks (Basketball) - C+

The preseason AP Poll has come out, and the Jayhawks are feeling no love from the voters. Ranked 13th, this Kansas team has something to prove coming out of the gates, and we'll just have to wait and see if they were placed accordingly.

Philadelphia Eagles - D

They're 2-4, Michael Vick is playing like he did in his rookie year, and the defense is handing out points like candy. If they don't shape up now, the players of this proclaimed "Dream Team" will only be playing in the Super Bowl in their dreams.

Texas A&M - F

Is there a grade lower than "F" that I can give? How about "H" for "helpless"? "I" for "inconsistent"? "Z" for "Zach thinks that you are all incompetent football players who can't hold on to a lead to save your lives, and for some reason you think that you will fare better against SEC teams when you can't even leave the middle of the Big 12 standings"? Pitiful. I really do want to see the Aggies succeed - they're a talented team with a great coaching staff and excellent fan base - it's just so frustrating when they continue to underachieve yet act as if they are number one in the polls.

With all that said, I'm naming the Cardinals my teacher's pet and sending the Aggies to detention. Any questions?

Shadow of Death - Marshawn Lynch

2011-10-19T22:52:00.001-05:00

I spent a solid four hours or so teaching myself the complexities of this wonderfully frustrating program called Adobe After Effects. The details put forth into this video are countless, and I must say I have so much more respect for the people who do this every day for a living. Those guys are geniuses. Hopefully I'll get there one day - but for now, baby steps. Remember, whether you think you can or can't, you're usually right.

The Top 5 Most Overrated Players in the NFL

2011-10-11T17:53:00.001-05:00

Is there a reason the cover of Madden is a Browns running back that averages 65 yards a game?

One of my favorite pastimes is giving credit to those who deserve it and discrediting those who don't. In today's article, we get to focus on those who don't. We're now entering our sixth week of the NFL season, and I think I've got a pretty good idea on which players are performing well and which players are just selling jerseys.

The Top 5 Most Overrated Players in the NFL

5. Joe Flacco - QB - Ravens

The Ravens are winning games...but is it really because of Joe? He's the second-worst quarterback as far as completion percentage goes, and he's turned the ball over as many times as he's thrown for touchdowns this season.

4. Josh Freeman - QB - Buccaneers

In the preseason, all we heard were talks of the resurgence of this Tampa Bay offense, and instead we get twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. If it weren't for that running game, the Bucs might be in the same position as the Colts - last.

3. Peyton Hillis - RB - Browns

You can call it the Madden Curse, but I never had faith in Peyton to begin with. He's missed a game because he was "sick", and in his other three games he's average a measly 3.6 yards a carry with two touchdowns and a fumble.

2. Tony Romo - QB - Dallas

One week he's a top five quarterback, the next he's no better than Jon Kitna. He's thrown for seven touchdowns, but also five interceptions - two of which were returned for touchdowns and eventually lost the Cowboys a game.

1. Reggie Bush - RB - Dolphins

He's the worst running back as far as yards per carry goes (3.0), he averages just 29.8 yards a game, and he has still yet to score a touchdown on the ground, and he's already lost his starting job to Daniel Thomas. He may have won the Heisman a few years ago (which was revoked) but because this was probably his last chance to make a name for himself, Reggie Bush will never reach the stardom that appeared to be inevitable when he left USC.

Game of the Week

2011-10-04T19:11:00.002-05:00

Yes, the Patriots have the most high-powered offense in the league. But Rex Ryan does something to these Jets, I don't know if it's some sort of legendary motivational speech or just an intricate, well thought-out game plan, but the guy wins games under pressure. And after that loss to the Ravens, it's safe to say the Jets are at a pivotal point in the season. This is the most heated rivalry in the NFL today, and this will be an ugly game. There's going to be pushing and shoving after every first down, there's going to be injuries and turnovers, and there's going to be big hits and big plays. The thing about this New York team, though, is that they usually win ugly games.

27-24 Jets.

NFL Power Rankings

2011-10-03T17:25:00.003-05:00

It's been an exciting season already, filled with surprise success stories and disappointing failures - here are the power rankings for the season up through Week 4.

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0)

The defending champs are as good as they've ever been, thanks to phenomenal play from my top MVP candidate, Aaron Rodgers.

2. New England Patriots (3-1)

They let one game slip from them, but this offense is just too high-powered to leave out of the top 2.

3. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

Defense wins championships, they just happen to have a really good running back, quarterback, and set of receivers.

4. Detroit Lions (4-0)

They're undefeated, but not quite there yet. The offense looks great, but the defense worries me.

5. New York Giants (3-1)

Strong running game, tough defensive line, and playmaking receivers make the G-Men legitimate contenders.

6. Houston Texans (3-1)

People are underestimating Matt Schuab and the Texans, who beat Indy and Pittsburgh already.

7. New Orleans Saints (3-1)

The Saints are quietly asserting themselves as playoff contenders, thanks to the departure of Reggie Bush and the addition of home-run hitter Darren Sproles.

8. San Diego Chargers (3-1)

I'm not quite sold on the Bolts just yet, but Ryan Matthews seems to have a good hold on the running game and Phillip Rivers is an elite QB.

9. Tampa Bay Bucaneers (2-1)

This position depends on whether or not they beat the Colts tonight, but Josh Freeman and the Bucs have put together a strong start thus far.

10. New York Jets (2-2)

If they can get back to the running game, they'll get back to winning.

11. Tennessee Titans (3-1)

Give Matt Hasselbeck credit - he's old, but he's throwing like he's 21 again.

12. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

Matt Ryan is finally getting used to his new receivers, and once this offense gels, the Falcons will be on their way to another playoff appearance.

13. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

Ryan Fitzpatrick has surprised a lot of folks, but we'll see if he can keep this dream season alive.

14. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)

The 9ers success depends on Frank Gore and the running game, which finally took off against the Eagles.

15. Washington Redskins (3-1)

Rex Grossman has impressed, and the Redskins defense has held up nicely.

16. Chicago Bears (2-2)

The offensive line needs to protect Cutler better if the Bears want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

I don't know what's wrong with Big Ben, but he's gonna be in Big Trouble if he can't find his groove.

18. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

Colt McCoy is getting better and better each week, while their running game is getting worse and worse. #MaddenCurse

19. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

You gotta love the intensity Andy Dalton plays with.

20. Oakland Raiders (2-2)

Darren McFadden quietly leads the league in rushing yards.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)

The "Dream Team" is looking more and more like a nightmare.

22. Carolina Panthers (1-3)

Cam Newton is establishing himself as a future NFL star.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)

Without Jamaal Charles, it's going to be a long season.

24. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

Tony Romo is as reliable as flat tire.

25. Denver Broncos (1-3)

We want Tebow, we want Tebow!

26. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)

This offense has dangerous weapons, they just don't work very well.

27. Minnesota Vikings (0-4)

Adrian Peterson is doing all that he can, but the poor guy gets no help.

28. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)

There's been a nice connection between Larry Fitzgerald and Kevin Kolb, we'll see if this turns into anything.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)

The Jags are a decent team, but until Blaine Gabbert develops into a better QB, they'll stay at just decent.

30. St. Louis Rams (0-4)

The Rams need Steven Jackson healthy and Sam Bradford accurate.

31. Miami Dolphins (0-4)

Reggie Bush sucks at football.

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-3)

We have now verified that the Colts are, in fact, nothing without Peyton Manning.

Texas Pitcher Nathan Thornhill Looks Toward Omaha

2011-09-26T22:33:00.002-05:00

“Pitching in the college world series was a dream cometrue,” Nathan Thornhill, right-handed pitcher for the Texas Longhorns, said. "Ican remember watching those games as a kid, hoping I would be there on day. Soactually being there was amazing.”

Thornhill finished his freshman year with an outstanding1.89 ERA in 38 innings pitched, winning three games with no losses. Such strongplay from a freshman pitcher comes to Texas just about as often as snow does,but if you can throw heat like Thornhill can, you’re bound to make batters icecold on the plate.

“My freshman year was more than anyone could ask for,”Thornhill said. “I made a lot of great friends, plus I had a blast playingbaseball.”

Fresh out of Cedar Park High School, Thornhill joined theLonghorns as an All-State batter and pitcher, as well as the District 14-5AMost Valuable Player in both baseball and as a quarterback in football. Withall of these accolades, its safe to say the expectations placed on Thornhillwere high, but his poise in pressure situations helped him maintain composurethroughout his first year in Division I baseball.

“Going from high school baseball to college baseball wasdifficult in some areas but simple in others,” Thornhill said. “One difficulty I found was thateveryone is good and the hitters will make you pay for your mistakes. One thingthat remained the same was you still have to throw strikes and you will be effective.”

In his first start, Thornhill faced and retired 15 batters,pitching five perfect innings and striking out four batters. As the seasonprogressed, he continued dominating anyone who stepped up to the plate.Thornhill went on to strike out 38 batters, while walking just six in a dreamseason for any freshman. Even with all of his accomplishments, Thornhill stillbelieves he’s got a lot to work on.

“Things I need to do in order to improve are holdingrunners, and to work on making good pitches with my off speed,” Thornhill said.

In order to make the right adjustments, you need the rightcoaching. With over 1,800 wins and five College World Series Championships,it’s safe to say Augie Garrido is the right guy.

“Playing under Coach Garrido is a treat,” Thornhill said.“He is a legend and knows so much about the game of baseball. Whenever he isspeaking, you want to listen because you know what he is saying is valuable.”

Garrido teaches a lot of things and a lot of things verywell, and aside from the art of pitching and batting (and what the prestigiousteachers of the University of Texas taught) Thornhill has discovered a fewthings on his own.

“I learned not to take anything for granted,” Thornhillsaid. “ Last year went by so fast and I only have so many more years of collegebaseball.”

Time does indeed fly – especially when you’re winning – so senioryear may be here in a flash for Thornhill and the Texas Longhorns. However,that’s a ways down the road, and the kid from Cedar Park has his eyes fixed onhis one and only goal for the next season.

“Get back to Omaha and come home with the big trophy.”

Top 25 College Football Rankings

2011-09-25T09:52:00.001-05:00

My Top 25 after yesterday's games:

1. Oklahoma 3-0

2. LSU 4-0

3. Alabama 4-0

4. Wisconsin 4-0

5. Boise State 3-0

6. Oklahoma State 4-0

7. Oregon 3-1

8. Stanford 3-0

9. Nebraska 4-0

10. Florida 4-0

11. South Carolina 4-0

12. Virginia Tech 4-0

13. Clemson 4-0

14. Texas 3-0

15. Baylor 3-0

16. Georgia Tech 4-0

17. TCU 3-1

18. Michigan 4-0

19. Florida State 2-2

20. South Florida 4-0

21. Texas A&M 2-1

22. Kansas State 3-0

23. Arkansas 3-1

24. Arizona State 3-1

25. Notre Dame 2-2

TMD's Top Players of the Day

2011-09-25T01:15:00.002-05:00

Missed today's games? These three guys out-shined their competition. Broyles led the Sooners to a 38-28 victory after trailing Mizzou early, Weeden completed an astounding 47 passes to lift the Cowboys over the Aggies, and Robert Griffin III completed 88% of his passes while totaling six touchdowns in a rout of Rice.

NFL Week 2: The Sunday of Underacheiving (Except Tom Brady)

2011-09-21T00:50:00.002-05:00

Week 2 of the 2011 NFL season has come and gone, and boy was it fun. The Bills and Lions asserted themselves as decent teams, winning both of their games to move their records to 2-0. Tom Brady threw for 500 again, and Cam Newton proved to fans everywhere that Week One was no fluke. Check out the recap below for more stunning headlines.

Giants 28, Rams 16

Although they got the win, the Giants played awfully and if Vick is ready to play next week, we might see a demolition of New York's finest out in Philly.

Falcons 35, Eagles 31

In his emotional return to Atlanta, Michael Vick played extremely well-until he was rammed into his own offensive lineman, spat up blood, and received his first concussion of the year. On the flipside, Matt Ryan showed that he has poise in pressure situations with his excellent fourth quarter play.

Patriots 35, Chargers 21

Well, we all knew Tom Brady was the best quarterback in the NFL. So... it didn't make sense for him to go out and throw for another 500 yards. We get it, Tom. You're really good. You don't have to keep proving yourself by picking apart defenses and looking bored doing it.

Texans 23, Dolphins 13

Guess what? The Texans are going to win the AFC South this season. Guess what else? Reggie Bush is just as likely to throw for 100 yards in a single game as he is to rush for 100 yards.

Broncos 24, Bengals 22

Andy Dalton played better than Kyle Orton, but Denver was able to get the W.

Cowboys 27, 49ers, 24

The 'Boys were trailing the whole game to one of the worst teams in the league, but pathetic secondary play from San Fran literally handed Dallas a much needed victory.

Redskins 22, Cardinals 21

Both Kevin Kolb and Rex Grossman have quietly put up some solid numbers - maybe these teams won't be as bad as everyone thinks they'll be this year.

Steelers 24, Seahawks 0

Under no circumstance should any team go scoreless. Pete Carroll may have been a legend in Southern Cal, but he's going to need to step his game up if he wants to keep his job in Seattle.

Jets 32, Jaguars 3

You know you have QB issues when Mark Sanchez throws for more than three times what your quarterback did. Maybe its time for Jacksonville to give Gabbert the nod. 59 yards through the air is NOT acceptable, Luke McCown.

Saints 30, Bears 13

Drew Brees made it look easy, Jay Cutler made it look like rocket science. Any questions?

Buccaneers 24, Vikings 20

Donvan McNabb isn't doing much for the Vikes. Adrian Peterson had a great game, but Josh Freeman took care of business in a late comeback win.

Browns 27, Colts 19

The only colt that played well was McCoy. The former Texas QB threw for over 200 yards and a touchdown, giving Cleveland a boost in this surprising victory. P.S. As long as Kerry Collins is under center, Indy will play like a high school girls flag football team.

Lions 48, Chiefs 3

The only playmaker for KC is out for the season, so that leaves an overrated quarterback and slightly below average running backs. The result? A beatdown from one of the more impressive teams of the season thus far.

Bills 38, Raiders 35

You may look at this score and think, "It's just like a Wyoming vs UNC Greensboro. Both teams are wretched but since they are playing each other they can score a lot." Well, in part, that's true, but the Bills are 2-0 and that was the Raiders first lost. Don't overlook them just yet.

Packers 30, Panthers 23

Cam had a nice game, but it doesn't really matter when your opponent has Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Ryan Grant, James Starks, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley, James Jones, Randall Cobb...ect., on the offensive side of the ball.

Titans 26, Ravens 13

This is the conversation between Joe Flacco and Ray Rice prior to the start of this game.

Joe: Man, I'm so glad we have a bye this week.
Ray: I thought we're playing Tennessee?
Joe: Hahaha, no. All we have to do is get the ball in field goal range one time, and then we can chill the rest of the game.
Ray: Okay, I guess I can give 5% effort today.
Joe: WHOA calm down! That seems a little high! Try 0.5% - trust me, we're fine.
Ray: Sounds good bro.

And THAT's why the Titans won this game.

Thanks for reading everyone, and remember, whether you think you can or can't, you're usually right. Until next time!

NFL Week One Recap

2011-09-13T01:08:00.002-05:00

After all of the anticpiation and hype, we've finally finished week one of the 2011-2012 NFL season. In case you missed anything, here's a quick recap of the week's results.

Jets 27, Cowboys 24

The 'Boys were in control throughout, but late mistakes from Tony Romo proved detrimental as Rex Ryan's Jets stole a victory in NYC.

Redskins 28, Giants 14

Rex Grossman played surprisingly well, but then again the Giants are missing almost half of their starters on defense.

49ers 33, Seahawks 17

Neither Alex Smith nor Frank Gore had a touchdown in this matchup, but the 9ers found a way to put up 33 points in an impressive victory in the Bay.

Chargers 24, Vikings 17

When your starting quarterback throws for just 39 yards, you're probably going to lose the game. This was the case for Minnesota, as Donovan McNabb completed just seven passes in a poor effort.

Cardinals 28, Panthers 21

I don't know what's harder to believe - that Cam Newton threw for 422 yards in his rookie debut, or that the Panthers lost despite his performance.

Texans 34, Colts 7

Indy's worst loss since 2007 was caused by the absence of Peyton Manning. Kerry Collins didn't seem to have a handle on the offense, and the Texans, without Arian Foster playing, won big.

Ravens 35, Steelers 7

It's rare that either of these two teams wins big, but Joe Flacco and the Ravens steamrolled the Steelers defense in a shocking victory.

Lions 27, Buccaneers 20

The Bucs running game, or lack thereof, was the catalyst of the game. Was it a lack of talent at running back, or Detroit's new "Steel Curtain" defensive line?

Eagles 31, Rams 13

An awful day for St. Louis, and not just because they lost to Michael Vick's high powered offense. Both Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson were injured in the game, which is a scary thought for the Rams offense.

Bengals 27, Browns 17

Cedric Benson went off for 121 yards and a TD, while the star on the cover of Madden 12 ran for just 57 yards and no scores. Is the Curse in effect?

Bills 41, Cheifs 7

Show me someone who called this, and I'll show you a compulsive liar. Ryan Fitzpatrick exploded for 4 touchdowns while the KC running game was nowhere to be found.

Bears 30, Falcons 12

It's tough to win at Soldier Field, even with one of the most talented offenses in the league. Jay Cutler had a nice game and Chicago is pleased with the way things are looking.

Jaguars 16, Titans 14

Luke McCown was 17-24 with 175 yards and no touchdowns. Hey Jags fans, don't be worried. He's been nothing if not consistent, and if he can keep up that average play, MJD should take you to the Wild Card round.

Packers 42, Saints 34

It was an electrifying game with both quarterbacks playing up to their full potential. All eyes were on GB rookie receiver/kick returner Randall Cobb, who caught a touchdown pass and also returned a kick 108 yards for a TD.

Patriots 38, Dolphins 24

Tom Brady threw for a career-high 517 yards, but the Dolphins kept this one close for a while. Chad Henne looked good, passing for over 400 yards, so Miami isn't in too much trouble.

Raiders 23, Broncos 20

Darren McFadden had a strong performance and Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 63 yard field goal. Other than that, not much excitement as the Raiders pick up their first win of the season.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget, whether you think you can or can't, you're usually right. Until next time!

Jags Release Veteran QB David Garrard

2011-09-07T12:12:00.002-05:00

TMD's Top 5 Plays of the College Football Opening Weekend

2011-09-06T02:03:00.001-05:00

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 6: The Pitiful NFC West + Super Bowl Prediction!

2011-08-25T00:08:00.001-05:00

I know, my title is harsh. But there's good reasoning.

1. No team from this division has won a Super Bowl in over a decade.

2. There hasn't been a wild card qualifier from this division since 2004.

3. Last year, the NFC West housed the worst and second worst rushing teams in the entire NFL.

4. The Seahawks won the divisional title last season with a 7-9 record.

5. Can you name more than three players on more than one of these teams? Probably not.

Therefore, my title is justified. Deal with it, west-coasters. And Missourians.

1. St. Louis Rams 8-8

It came down to who has a better defense in determining this division's winner, and the Lou has the advantage. Teams won't be terrified to face them, but the Rams will definitely be able to shut down some of the more average teams this year. That's all QB Sam Bradford will need, depending on whether or not he avoids the sophomore slump. Stephen Jackson defines the word "workhorse" and although he's take a load of hits in his career, he's just too strong to slow down yet. Additionally, Jackson will have the new support of Jerious Norwood and Cadillac Williams to take some of the load off of his shoulders. He's been carrying the team on his back for too long, and its time he gets some help. The receiving corps is still below average, but with the addition of Mike Sims-Walker and signings of rookies Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, St. Louis is taking small steps of improvement. The Rams have the ability to make some noise this season, but we'll see whether or not they can live up to the hype.

Final Prediction: Loss in Wild Card Round

2. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle made some noise last season, and it wasn't just the "12th man". After making the playoffs with an unheard of 7-9 record, the 'Hawks took down the defending champion New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the playoffs. All eyes are on newly acquired Tavaris Jackson, who never developed to the QB that Minnesota was hoping for. Now he's got a chance to prove himself, and he's got the talent around him to do it. Marshawn Lynch is deadly at running back, and he'll be sharing carries with Leon Washington and possibly Michael Robinson. At receiver, the Seahawks somehow managed to acquire Sidney Rice, which will provide a HUGE lift in the passing game (if Jackson can find him) and push the ball downfield for once. Golden Tate has the athleticism and ability to be an outstanding receiver, we're just waiting on the correct coaching to fully develop him. With Jackson at the helm, this will be a good but not great team, strictly because of the lack of ability in arm accuracy and decision making. Jackson can make some plays with his feet, but Seattle desperately needs success through the air, so unless the former Viking can download information from Michael Vick's brain, I don't see a playoff appearance for the 'Hawks.

Final Prediciton: Miss Playoffs

3. San Francisco 49ers 7-9

Aside from the quarterback position, the 49ers have some legit talent on offense. A machine at running back with Frank Gore, two wide receivers that have gifted abilities with Braylon Edwards and Ted Ginn, Jr. The offensive line is average, so the only thing holding these guys back is quarterback play. Alex Smith has thrown more touchdowns in his career, and hasn't come close to living up to his potential at all. Luckily for him, he's only 27 and has another year or two to step his game up and keep his job as a starter locked up. As for the San Francisco defense, you can't demand too much improvement at the linebacker position with Patrick Willis running the show, but that secondary is extremely weak. If the 9ers can continue stopping the run, and Alex Smith can learn how to play consistently, the Bay could finally reach the playoffs again. Do I think it'll happen...

Final Prediction: No

4. Arizona Cardinals 3-13

Ever since Kurt Warner left, this place has been a disaster. But with the addition of Kevin Kolb, the Cards are hoping to revitalize their glory days. They had a decent draft, acquiring a talented running back in Ryan Williams, plus an intimidating linebacker in Sam Acho, and, oh yeah, the best cornerback in the entire draft-Patrick Peterson. Mix in Peterson with Abdullah, Rhodes, and Wilson, and you've got quite an impressive secondary. But, everything else on the defense is wretched. It's not going to be a pretty year out in the desert, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Cards stole a few upsets against some playoff-caliber teams.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

And that wraps up my NFL Preseason Predictions series! All 32 teams analyzed forward and back, and although I won't be dead-on, at least I gave you all some valuable information about your teams. And now, for the grand finale. . .

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

I think ultimately, defense wins championships. That's what New York has. A punishing, relentless defense that will ultimately get to Aaron Rodgers and force turnovers. The Jets will run the ball early and often, and by the time the 4th quarter rolls around, the Pack will be exhausted, and that's when the Jets will score the winning touchdown, a pass from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes. Green Bay may lead early, but the green and gold just aren't tough enough to handle Rex Ryan and his malicious defense.

Thanks to all of you for your support in this series! It was fun for me, and I hope it was the same for you. And remember, whether you think you can or can't, you're probably right. Until next time!

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 6: The NFC South

2011-08-23T23:26:00.000-05:00

It's going to be a very, very tight race in the NFC South. You've got three teams that can really play some good football, all with very good offenses and loaded with playmakers. The winner of this division will come down to who can stop the run. All of these teams will throw for over 300 yards a game, but rushing...that's a different story. If one of these teams can maintain a good balance of passing and running plays at a successful rate, they will be the team that comes out of this division alive.

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons/New Orleans Saints 12-5

It was very, very difficult deciding who I thought would win this division in 2011. Both the Falcons and the Saints have stellar offenses, with defenses that are good but not great. The winner of this division will come down to who wins between the Falcons and the Saints, and I think Atlanta has the edge with its powerful running game and consistent passing. New Orleans, right now, is too one-dimensional, but I think Mark Ingram has the tools to explode for a huge rookie year. Drew Brees is still the prototype passer and he's got plenty of wideouts to throw to, while Matt Ryan is becoming an elite quarterback with one fantastic receiver and that's about it. Ryan will need Julio Jones to step up and take some of the pressure off of Roddy White, and that's asking a lot out of a rookie receiver. However, I think the Falcons moved up in the draft to get Jones for a reason, and this Alabama product will have a huge impact in the NFL. Atlanta needs consistent production from RB Michael Turner, which shouldn't be a problem. But, with injuries and inconsistent blocking, you just never can tell. While I believe the Saints will have a better offense through the air, I've always been a firm believer that success on the ground means success in the playoffs. Both teams will make the postseason, but I think the Falcons will make it one round further than New Orleans.

Final Predictions: Saints - Loss in Divisional Round
Falcons- NFC Championship Appearance

3. Tampa Bay Bucaneers 10-6

Josh Freeman is expected to have a huge season, but let's not get our hopes up too much. After all, his career touchdown-to-interception ration is 1.5:1, which isn't all that impressive. The Bucs saw a breakthrough year for rookie RB LeGarrette Blount last season, but he's going to have to really put in work to avoid the infamous sophomore slump. Tampa's defense isn't anything to write home about, but they have potential to give their offense just enough breathing room to win 10 or so games. This is a talented young group of guys, and I think Josh Freeman will improve this season, but not enough to give the Bucs that deep playoff run.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

4. Carolina Panthers 5-11

This is an interesting group. Offensively, the Panthers have some intriguing talent. This year's first overall draft pick, Cam Newton, is a versatile player with a strong arm, quick legs, and some questionable decision-making. He'll get better with experience, but this will not be a 30 touchdown season for the former Heisman Trophy winner. He'll have some help on offense, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield, so that should take some of the workload off of Cam. However, in today's NFL, you need to be able to get the ball downfield and quickly if you want a shot at the title. Defensively, the Panthers will struggle. What a surprise. But there is seriously something wrong with that run defense, and the talent in the secondary is quite underwhelming. I don't think Carolina will be as bad as everyone says, but they definitely have some room for improvement.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

My last predictions, the NFC West, will be out shortly. Thanks for taking the time to read! And remember, whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Until next time!

Malcolm Brown: The Revival of the Texas Running Game

2011-08-18T23:45:00.000-05:00

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 5: The Terribly Awesome NFC East

2011-08-18T20:46:00.009-05:00

Ah, my favorite and least favorite division in the NFL. If you know me, you know I'm a HUGE Giants fan, as well as a HUGE Cowboys skeptic. So, you can understand that it was very tough staying objective on this post, but I was able to persevere. Enjoy!

Philadelphia Eagles 11-5

First of all, let me make this point clear. The Eagles are in NO WAY a "dream team". It's just not true. There are holes in the defense and there are holes in the offensive line. Vick will do some serious damage offensively this season, and you can't doubt the rushing attack with LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown. But the Eagles will struggle to win this division. They have a tough schedule in an already competitive division, so look for somewhere around 10 or 11 wins this season. They will make the playoffs because I don't think the Giants are at their best and the Cowboys always have and always will under perform. Expect a solid year in Philly, but don't start packing for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Final Prediction: Loss NFC Chanpionship

New York Giants 10-6
Mediocrity is the best way I can describe the G-Men this year. Eli Manning will never be his brother, Ahmad Bradshaw will never be Steven Jackson, and Steve Smith, New York's best wide receiver, left the team. That leaves Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham to handle the bulk of the catches, and hopefully it won't be too big of a burden on them. Osi Umenyiora is back, but we don't know how happy he'll be and if he'll give his 100% after his failed attempt at a holdout/trade request. If he plays up to his potential, the Giants defensive line will be just as strong as it normally is. The secondary is solid, of course it will hurt a little at the cornerback position with Prince Amukamara out for the next couple of months. New York will have it's ups and downs this season, but unfortunately I don't see another championship in the making.

Final Prediction: Loss in Divisional Round

Dallas Cowboys 8-8

It's the SAME thing EVERY year with Dallas. Loads of talent, no results. It's like Jerry Jones just sits there and says, "Hmm...how many Pro Bowlers can I fit on one team without making the playoffs?" Well, Jerry, if it makes you happy, that's cool, but there's a huge metropolitan area that desperately want to duplicate its success in the '90s. I don't think it'll happen as long as Tony Romo is quarterback. He is hands down the most overrated in the league. Backup QB Steven McGee has more upside. It won't be a season to remember in Dallas.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

Washington Redskins 4-12

Final Prediction : Miss Playoffs

Just kidding.

But seriously, they aren't very good. No McNabb, no Haynesworth, no running backs, no receivers other than the ancient Santana Moss and underachieving Donte Stallworth. Ad please don't make me go into what they lack on defense. They have a couple solid starters, and I'm very excited to see how they can implement rookie RB Roy Helu, but this is not a playoff roster.

Final Prediction: ....Still Miss the Playoffs

NFC West, coming up next! Thanks for reading everyone! Don't forget, whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you're usually right. Until next time!

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 4: The Red-Hot NFC North

2011-08-15T21:20:00.002-05:00

I don't normally associate the NFC North with anything warm, but these four teams have some serious momentum going for them. If you missed the AFC predictions, you can check them out here for the AFC East, here for the AFC West, and here for the North and South divisions.

1. Green Bay Packers 12-4

The Pack is back, this time with more options at running back. The Green and Gold have Ryan Grant, James Starks, and a guy I think has the tools to develop into a Michael Turner in a short amount of time - 3rd round pick Alex Green. Green is a big back with explosive speed, weighing in at 6'0 225 lbs and recording a 4.45 second 40 yard dash. If the Packers can get him involved early, they'll add yet another weapon to their deadly offensive arselnal. Jermichael Finley is back from injury, Greg Jennings remains a top-tier receiver, and Aaron Rodgers is the prototype NFL quarterback. Look for the Pack to establish a running game this season, but don't be surprised if Aaron throws for 4,000 yards again. Defensively, Green Bay looks to be very sharp this year. A solid but not amazing defensive line, very good linebackers led by Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk, and an outstanding secondary which includes Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, Sam Shields and Tramon Williams. This makes for a very impressive season for Green Bay.

Final Prediction: Super Bowl Appearance

2. Chicago Bears 11-5

"Da Bears" added a much needed offensive lineman with Gabe Carimi in the draft, which will help protect Jay Cutler and open up so more lanes for Matt Forte. The Bears have a very easy schedule laid out, so a playoff appearance looks probably for Chi-town. The Bears defense is a good as ever, so it's all in the hands (or arm) of Cutler not to screw up this sesaon.

Final Prediction: Loss in Divisional Round

3. Detroit Lions 8-8

Um, the Lion's defense is border-line stacked. Yeah, I said it. Just hear me out. You have quite possibly the best defensive line in the NFL with Suh, Fairley (whom Mel Kiper had as the #1 draft prospect for quite some time), Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Avril and Corey Williams. The "Silver Crush" will be joined by Justin Durant, Chris Houston, and other young talents looking to prove themselves in a very intimidating defensive lineup. Matt Stafford is an elite QB in the making, and the Detroit running game is improving with Jahvid Best gaining more experience. Calvin Johnson leads the way for the wideouts, but look for recently-signed Maurice Stovall to put in work. If the Bears didn't have such a cake-walk schedule, I think the Lions would contend for a Wild Card spot.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs (But Improve Drastically)

4. Minnesota Vikings 6-10

We don't know what's going on in Minnesota. Is McNabb too old to start or is Christian Ponder too inexperienced to produce? Is Percy Harvin able to stay healthy? The only thing holding this Viking offense together is Adrian Peterson, and every opposing defense knows it. He'll still get his numbers but, this will not be a great year for the Vikes. At least Minnesota's defense functions properly. Maybe we'll see a heroic effort from Donvan McNabb and a trip to the Super Bowl, and maybe they won't even come close to making the playoffs.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

More NFC predictions coming your way soon! Thanks for reading! And remember, whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Until next time!

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 3: The Monotonous AFC West

2011-08-14T19:16:00.000-05:00

They're not that good...but they're also not that bad. Meet the 2011 AFC West Division.

1. Kansas City Chiefs 10-6

Just look at their options in the running game. Jamaal Charles, a speedy back who can score at any point in time, Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster, and recently added power back Le'Ron McClain. That's ridiculous. Matt Cassel has a few more options at receiver other than Dwyane Bowe, with the talented Steve Breaston and rookie Jonathan Baldwin. Eric Berry, Javier Arenas, and Brandon Flowers lead the young but gifted secondary, which should show an improvement with some more experience under its belt. Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson will provide the pressure up front, and the linebacking core, while below average, has some potential as well. A much better team all around, which could mean a big year in KC.

Final Prediction: Loss in Divisional Round

2. San Diego Chargers 6-10

Now that Darren Sproles is gone, it's completely up to Ryan Matthews to keep the running game alive. This is finally a chance for Matthews to live up to his hype and produce some offense for the Chargers on the ground. Phillip Rivers will continue to play well with Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Antonio Gates catching the ball. The Bolts defense aren't as good talent-wise as they normally are, so don't expect many forced turnovers or sacks this year. Overall, San Diego is solid team with a lot of work left to do. We'll see what Norv Turner can put together this year but I think it'll be a tough road to the playoffs.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

3. Denver Broncos 6-10

There are so many different scenarios that could happen in Denver, I just don't know where to start. The Broncos' identity rests with its quarterback, who's yet to be named. Kyle Orton is the front runner for now, but Tim Tebow is quickly gaining attention from both the media and the fans. He's got the intangibles to be an elite quarterback, but the arm accuracy and decision making needs work. With experience, he'll acquire both. Orton, on the other hand, will give Denver a better chance to make the playoffs this year as a guy who's started plenty of games and possesses the skills (just barely) to take the Broncos to the postseason. He's not a playmaker, he's not a home-run threat, and he's not going to sell stadium tickets, but he can get the job done. Tebow's upside far outweighs Orton's, but if John Fox is looking for consistency, he'll take Orton as the starter. Whoever does get the job will have plenty of targets to throw to with Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal, plus a solid backfield with Knowshon Moreno, Willis McGahee, and LenDale White. The Broncos took a big step forward at the linebacker position when they drafted Von Miller with the second overall pick, and he'll work well alongside Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey as the leaders of this defense. It won't be an amazing year for the Broncos, but you may see flashes of brilliance periodically.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

4. Oakland Raiders 4-12

Jason Campbell at QB. Eh. Darren McFadden at RB. Okay. Darius Heyward-Bey at receiver. Blah. Another poor year is in the mix for Oakland, who made zero good picks in the draft and didn't do much in free agency. Every team's success starts with solid ownership and management, two things the poor Raiders lack. The defense has some young talent, but it won't be able to handle the Patriots, Packers, or Jets this season. Until Oakland makes some changes at corporate, they won't see any changes on the field.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

Alas, we are DONE with the AFC. Next up, the notorious NFC, which consists of the reigning Super Bowl Champions, what some have been calling a "dream team", and rising clubs determined to make names of themselves.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote on the poll!

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 2: The Intense AFC East

2011-08-12T12:32:00.001-05:00

I was going to include the AFC West in this analysis, but I really wanted to focus on the Jets-Patriots rivalry because this will be a huge year for both teams.

1. New England Patriots 13-3

They're looking good. Very good. Tom Brady is showing no signs of slowing down, BenJarvus Green-Ellis is making a name for himself, and the Pats made a good acquisition with the signing of Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco, with always good Wes Welker, and young talent with Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman will really open up the pass game for New England this year. Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes combine for some of the best two young linebackers in the league, and adding Albert Haynesworth at DT will compliment Vince Wilfork very well. Once Shaun Ellis is nursed back to health, this defensive line will have the potential to be the best in the NFL. While the Jets will be competitive, this division is New England's to lose.

Final Result: AFC Championship appearance

2. New York Jets 12-4

The Jets don't have as much talent as the Patriots, but every single player performs to their absolute maximum ability under the motivational techniques implored by Rex Ryan. He can make Miley Cyrus think she's a 6'4, 350 lb Pro Bowl defensive end. That's why the Jets will make a Super Bowl appearance this year. Mark Sanchez took a while to develop, but this is going to be his breakout hear. He's got Super Bowl champion Plaxico Burress, Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes, and Baltimore Ravens all-time leading receiver Derrick Mason to throw to. He'll be protected by one of the best lines in the league, and backed up by one of the most intimidating defenses in the league, led by Bart Scott. The Jets secondary will be outstanding this year, with the best cornerback in the NFL Darelle Revis, Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie, former Boise State standout Kyle Wilson, and an underrate safety in Jim Leonhard. The Patriots will win the division, but the raw determination the Jets possess will eventually outlast New England when it counts - the playoffs.

Final Prediction: Super Bowl Appearance

3. Miami Dolphins 7-9

Reggie Bush, it's your time to shine. You haven't done much to prove yourself yet, but now you have your opportunity. Chad Henne should show some improvement this year, with Brandon Marshall in his prime and some young talent surrounding him. The rest of the Miami lineup is as average as it gets, with no real playmakers or defensive enforcers. Until the Phins can get some Pro Bowl talent at more than one or two positions, they will continue to be a slightly below average team.

Final Prediction: Miss Playoffs

4. Buffalo Bills 5-11

You know, the Bill have some talent this year. It's in random areas, but there are signs of talent. They've had some nice acquisitions with home-run threat Brad Smith, hard hitting Shawn Merriman, and third overall draft pick Marcell Dareus. Buffalo's depth at receiver has increased drastically, and the Bills have high hopes for the speedy running back CJ Spiller. This won't be a big year for the Bills, but expect slow steps of progression.

Final Prediction: Better, but Miss Playoffs

AFC West Predictions coming very soon. Thanks for reading!

NFL Preseason Predictions! Part 1: AFC North & South

2011-08-11T12:35:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year for season predictions! The lockout is finished, the season is starting, and all sports writers now have something to do. With that, I give you part one of my four-part series of my predictions, the AFC North and South.

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore Ravens 13-3

They're a solid team with an easy schedule. A playoff lock with Flacco behind center, Ray Rice at tailback, and the most intimidating defense in the league led by the great Ray Lewis. It didn't hurt to sign former Heisman trophy winnner Ricky Williams, and Anquan Boldin will carry the load at the receiver position. Derrick Mason will be missed, but the Ravens offense will work just fine with that talented o-line. As always, Baltimore's defense is stacked at nearly every position, so expect a deep run into the playoffs.

Final Estimate: Loss in Divisional Round

2. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5

A couple of tough games including trips out to Indy, Kansas City and Baltimore, plus a home game against New England's finest. Big Ben will need to bring his A game this season and not any distractions. Pitt's defense looks as strong as ever after resigning Ike Taylor and drafting some solid prospects in Cam Heyward and Curtis Brown. Rashard Mendenhall is a rising star, the offensive line is strong, and defensivvely the Steelers have some of the best talent.

Final Estimate: Loss in Divisional Round

3. Cincinnati Bengals 5-11

Drafting AJ Green and Andy Dalton was just enough to keep this team from being the bottom of the barrel in the AFC. Dalton got the nod to start at QB in the preseason, and Green can make an impact immediately on any offense. Jordan Shipley will give Dalton another reliable target, but other than that, expect your typical below average football out in Cincy.

Final Estimate: Miss Playoffs

4. Cleveland Browns 4-12

Colt McCoy's intangibles are no joke, but his lack of elite arm strength has fans in Cleveland questioning his ability to throw the ball downfield. He's only got eight starts under his belt, but this should be a season for him to grow. The Browns didn't have an amazing draft, so expect a last place finish in the AFC north for Cleveland.

Final Estimate: Miss Playoffs

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts 11-5

The Colts are still looking for a reliable run game, and Peyton Manning isn't getting any younger. However, the Colts are still the Colts; Manning is a born winner, and the blue and white will clinch a playoff berth early with its below average competition.

Final Estimate: Loss in Wild Card Round

2. Texans 9-7

With Schaub, Foster, and Johnson leading the offensive attack, the Texans finally seem to have a system working that will generate points on the board. However, Houston's defense needs a lot of work and we all know offense doesn't win championships. They've got a good shot at the postseason this year, but they're not quite there yet.

Final Estimate: Loss in Wild Card Round

3. Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9

They had one of the worst pass offenses in the league last season, and it doesn't look any better with Mike Sims-Walker off of the roster. MJD can only do so much work when all opposing defenses know he's the only legitimate threat to score. Oh, and Blaine Gabbert does not want to play a Jim Sorgi role, so look for him to get some action at the first sight of a Garrard slip-up. The Jags have enough talent to compete for a wild card spot, but I don't think this will be a very successful year out in Jacksonville.

Final Estimate: Miss Playoffs

4. Tennessee Titans 5-11

Well, Vince Young is gone. Kerry Collins is gone. That leaves who, Matt Hasselbeck? Brett Ratliff? Rusty Smith? Jake Locker? The Titans pass game looks as appealing as a buffet the day after Thanksgiving. Yuck. Tennessee will pick up a few wins behind the legs of Chris Johnson, but other than that it'll be a sloppy year for the Titans. No playoff appearance and a last place finish in the division.

Final Estimate: Miss Playoffs

Thanks for reading. Part 2 tomorrow!

Stop Whining, Texas A&M

2011-07-21T23:25:00.001-05:00

In case you've missed it, Texas A&M did a lot of whining today about the upcoming Longhorn Network, resulting in the NCAA forcing the Big 12 to limit what can be shown on ESPN's new affiliate in Austin. Texas A&M is crying because it thinks that somehow the release of this network will give Texas an "unfair advantage" in recruiting. The Aggies also believe that the Longhorn Network will destroy what's left of the Big 12.

Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin used the term “uncertainty” time and again Thursday in describing the state of the league, thanks to the start of the ESPN-owned Longhorn Network in Austin next month.

“The (recent) announcement by ESPN that the Longhorn Network might carry a conference (football) game in addition to a nonconference game was troubling, and then following right after that was ESPN’s announcement regarding high school games would be televised as well,” Loftin said. “Both of those we believe provide a great deal of uncertainty right now for us and the conference."

Loftin said the LHN has no business showing Big 12 football games, and especially high school games that might target top recruits.

“If (they show) one conference game, then maybe we have two or three,” Loftin said. “High school games are very problematic. … If we have an unequal playing field for various schools (concerning recruiting), we think that is a problem. That creates uncertainty.”

Where do I start? These claims are so far-fetched and ridiculous, I don't even know if they deserve to be addressed.

Let me just point this out to you, A&M, before you go on tearing down something that Texas has worked for. You can create your own Aggie Network. Just like any team can start their own network. If you think that the Longhorn Network is giving Texas an advantage, then start your own network and give yourself an advantage. No one is stopping you.

ESPN is putting a lot on the table for this Longhorn Network. To let the NCAA force them to put restrictions on what viewers can see on the network is absurd. Remember, ESPN is not employed by the NCAA. In fact, the only reason the NCAA makes millions and millions of dollars in annual revenue is because of ESPN. So why ESPN is adhering to the NCAA and Texas A&M's lucrative complaints is beyond me.

A&M is blaming the fall of the Big 12 on Texas for its new network, yet the Aggies have been strongly considering switching to the SEC. How does that make sense? Practice what you preach, Aggie Nation.

Listen, I have no problem with A&M moving from the Big 12 to the SEC. If that's what they want, then awesome. But do not talk about the success you would have if you did join the SEC, and then stay in the Big 12. If you truly think that you can beat up on the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and LSU, then by all means do it. I support you. But don't just sit there and talk about all that you could do if you switched conferences. Just do it.

Do I think that you have a legitimate chance in the SEC, absolutely not. Don't forget that the last Big 12 title you won was over a decade ago. If you can't win in the Big 12, how is moving to the SEC going to be any better? You have one of the worst defenses in the country, especially with the departure of Von Miller, and your offensive players are not nearly on the same plane as any competition in the SEC. I think that Vanderbilt and Kentucky would finish above the you in the conference standings. But if you think that it would help you get some more attraction from recruits and maybe down the road you would become an elite football program, then by all means go ahead and do it. But do not walk around proclaiming yourselves as a top tier football program when you've lost 12 out of your last 15 bowl games. Oh, and three of those bowl games were against SEC opponents, in which you lost by a combined 72 points. And the last bowl game you've actually won was the Galleryfurniture.com Bowl against TCU in 2001.

I'm not trying to rag on Texas A&M here. They have excellent academics, some of the best fans in the country, great facilities and good athletic programs.

But they are not title contenders, and they don't need to act like they are. The Aggies need to either move to the SEC, or shut up. It's that simple. Stop talking about Texas because the more you do that, the more you look like Texas' little sister begging for attention from Mom. If you feel like the SEC is realistic and that you can do well in that conference, then move. If not, stop telling everybody you can, and go about your business.

The Dream Shake's Take

2011-07-20T12:03:00.001-05:00

Today we sit down with Tom Martin, editor of Houston Rockets blog, The Dream Shake, to discuss Houston's recent draft picks, Yao Ming's retirement, and where the Rockets should go from here.

How do you feel about the Rockets' selections in last month's draft?

Depends who you ask, but for me it was a typical Rockets draft. Good value, good players, but nothing special. Marcus Morris convinced Houston he can play small forward and then likened himself to Carmelo Anthony in his introductory press conference. I don’t think he’s that good, but people underestimate his quickness – there’s a chance he could be a steal at fourteen.

Snagging Donatas Motiejunas at twenty must have made Daryl Morey’s night. There are a lot of questions to be leveled Motiejunas’ way (“Can you play defense, can you rebound, or do you care about either of those things?”), but thankfully, there are guarantees. The dude can shoot and score, plain and simple. He’s no Dirk – you’d think after fifty failed comparisons that people would stop trying – but he has a chance to be of the Andrea Bargnani mold: a talented scorer who plays below his height. In no way does he fill Houston’s gap at center, but he’ll be a nice addition to the roster.

Problem is, where does Donatas go? Houston is stacked with power forwards and literally can’t keep all of its current four-men on the roster. I smell a trade a-brewin’.

Does Jonny Flynn have the potential to be an elite point guard?

Jonny Flynn will never be an elite point guard. Elite is a strong word. That’s Derrick Rose/Chris Paul/Deron Williams company. If Jonny Flynn ever becomes an above-average point guard (think Ty Lawson as he is now, before he gets even better), it’ll be a success story. He’s not an “answer” or any sorts for Houston – just another asset for Morey to get his hands on. I’d expect him to be moved at some point, but with Kyle Lowry currently owning the most expensive contract of the current PG crop, he could be on the move as well.

Was Yao Ming's retirement ultimately good or bad for Houston?

Houston needed Yao to retire. They had to move on. Despite all of the rumors, Houston never made significant amounts of money off Yao Ming. He helped, sure, but it was nothing worth drooling over. His career ended roughly two years ago if you care to be realistic. It was about time both sides moved on.

If you were Houston's GM Daryl Morey, what moves would you try to make in order to make the Rockets a championship-contenting squad?

If I was Morey, I'd go out and get a big man, but there aren’t many available, at least not for the right price. That’s the thing with Morey, though: the price. For all of the good, cost-efficient moves he has made, how many potentially ballsy/risky trades has he passed over that could have perhaps worked in Houston’s favor?

The Rockets don’t need the elite scorer or “closer” that everyone thinks they need: they’ve got plenty of offensive firepower. What they do need is rim protection and a tall, defensive presence inside. Sure, the Rockets’ offense wasn’t great during the fourth quarter last season – thus prompting the “closer” requests from fans – but it was very good at times. The real problem? Houston gave up the most fourth-quarter points per game in the league. The. Most. And it’s all because Chuck Hayes wasn’t about to scare anyone from taking the ball to the hole with the game on the line.

How far do you see Houston going next season?

Next year needs to be a losing season. It needs to see lots of youth and lots of mistakes. For the past two years, the Rockets have straddled the fence between winning ballgames and attempting to rebuild. They’ve been ignoring the youth movement that the roster has experienced, and it led to Rick Adelman’s departure. Now, with Kevin McHale at the helm, Houston’s got a new mentality. While winning is nice – and while one can and should try to win games while developing young players – it’s time Houston stopped benching its youngsters. I want to know if Terrence Williams or Hasheem Thabeet is worth a contract. So do Rockets fans.

Thanks, Tom, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how Houston's future pans out.

Heisman Trophy Vote!

2011-07-13T11:40:00.001-05:00

College football season is just around the corner, and what better way to prepare for it than with your predictions on who will win next season's Heisman trophy? There are several choices to select from, including Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who passed up on being taken first overall in this year's draft to finish out his senior year of college. Oklahoma's Landry Jones has a great chance to win the award as the starting quarterback for the number one ranked team in the nation. Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina and LaMichael James of Oregon headline this year's top running backs, and Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon is regarded as the best wideout in college football. Ah, so many decisions. So, with that, I present to you . . .

Here's how the vote will work: To the right of the page you will see a poll with several different options to choose from. If you don't see anyone you would vote for, just comment on this story with the name of the player you wish to select. You only get one vote, so make it count. Make sure you get all of your friends to vote so your player can win! The poll will be open for two weeks, so get started now!

Summer Tradischions

2011-07-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

Face it - Summer HATES professional sports. Basketball is done. Football is indefinitely missing. All we are left with is the Women's World Cup and the middle of baseball season. Not the most exciting time in an avid sports fan's life. But hey, summer has it's positive side too. Barbecues, lakes, vacations, and so much more. So for the sake of saving my readers from boredom, I've decided to incorporate the monotonous subject of sports with the exciting pastimes of summer. Dig in!

Neighborhood cookouts, national lockouts

Who doesn't like to hang out in the backyard with friends and family, grilling burgers, hot dogs, and the owners of the NFL and NBA for taking away our favorite games. "They're so greedy! Why can't they just agree to terms so we have something to do on Sundays?!" Well, fans, whether I have an answer for you or not, the case is: we will not have football or basketball for some time. There are several stories on different websites claiming progress is being made, but the fact is, we are well over 100 days into the NFL lockout and they've been "making progress" since Day 1. The NBA lockout is just getting underway and its already been projected to carry over into next year's season.

So, if you find yourself thinking that the NFL and NBA are certainly having seasons next year, consider this: You have a better chance of getting fatal food poisoning from that questionably dark red inside of your hamburger than seeing Tom Brady or Chris Paul on ESPN anytime soon. That's right, just throw it away.

Vacation Overseas!

Ideally, most of us like to take a summer trip out the the Caribbean. But there are those who prefer historic sites, like Rome, or Paris, or, if you're Deron Williams, Turkey! It's a beautiful land with subpar basketball (relatively), but what else can he do? He's locked out of the NBA, so he might as well stay active and improve his game while experiencing an entirely different and exciting culture. Good move, Deron.

Yao Ming has a different itinerary. It reportedly involves retirement and returning to his native home in the Far East. We are all thrown off by reports of his decision to retire, but I can't say I was shocked. The guy played just five games last season, averaging a little over 10 points and five boards. Yao is holding a press conference July 20 to announce his plans for the future, but most are expecting him to announce his retirement from the NBA.

Summer Blockbusters

Movie producers save their best work for the summer. Everyone was anticipating the release of "The Hangover II" and "Thor". Whether they were disappointments or not is up to the reader's discretion, but there is absolutely no denying the exceeding of the expectations by Derek Jeter. On July 9th, in front of his home fans, Jeter went 5-5. The sold out crowd came to watch Jeter attempt to join the 3,000 hit club, and they were not disappointed. In his second at-bat, Jeter cranked out a home run for the 3,000th hit of his career. And he wasn't even done. Later on, the future Hall of Famer knocked in the game-winning run to lift the Yankees past the Rays in an epic fashion.

The Zoo Closes on Rainy Days

Tiger Woods is going through some tough times, financially, medically, and athletically. He's announced he will not participate in the British Open and has not set a timetable for his return to golf.

Speaking of Vacation...

The Ohio State football team has vacated all of its wins from the 2010 season. Recruits are changing commitments, Jim Tressel is gone, and the future of Ohio State football is as bright as the bottom of your local lake.

And that's about it for this fine summer. Look out for the U.S. Women's soccer team, who has a chance to do some damage in this year's World Cup in Germany. Other than that, I guess we all just wait for something crazy exciting to happen...until then...go jump in a lake.

NBA Draft Recap: Winners and Losers

2011-06-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

The 2011 NBA draft was one filled with great surprises, multiple trades, happy moms and disappointed fans. Now that the dust has cleared, let's take a look at who came out on top in the draft, and who needs to catch up in the free agency.

WINNERS

Detroit Pistons

No way Brandon Knight should have fallen this far. Selecting 8th overall, the Pistons didn't have to think twice about who to select. Knight was projected to go as highly as third in most mock drafts, yet somehow he landed in Detroit's feeble hands. The Pistons also picked up a polished, fundamental player in Kyle Signler, and had a nice selection in the second round with Vernon Macklin, a fierce rebounder out of Florida.

Charlotte Bobcats

After watching him in the Big East tournament, I thought the kid would be a top ten pick. After watching him in the NCAA Tournament, I figured he'd be the top pick in the draft. How any team could see Kemba Walker's performances in big games and still pass up on him is beyond me. His dazzling scoring ability is unstoppable and his ball handling and quickness are hazardous to all opposing defenses. The Bobcats got a steal in Walker at the 9 spot, and when you add in Tennessee's Tobias Harris in the mix, you've got two players that are going to make an impact on day one.

Boston Celtics

Everyone knows it. Boston is aging. The Celtics are aware of it, and in turn picked up two solid young players who have large amounts of potential to energize Boston off the bench and eventually start for the Celts. Oh, and they already have good chemistry, being that they both went to Purdue. JaJuan Johnson is a lean, skillful forward with shot blocking ability, and E'Twaun Moore is a smart, sharp guard who can score effectively and handle the ball well. Doc Rivers has a good group of guys to work with heading into next season.

Angel Morris

The proudest woman on the planet last night was Angel Morris, whose two sons were drafted back-to-back in the first round of the draft. The only problem she has now is deciding whose games to attend, because this is the first time Markieff and Marcus will be on different teams in their entire lives.

LOSERS

Phoenix Suns

It just doesn't get any better for Phoenix. Not only did they miss out on sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette, but they made absolutely no strides of progress in finding a replacement for aging point guard Steve Nash. Aaron Brooks is not going to cut it. There's no doubt Markieff Morris is a solid player and a good selection, but the Suns could have made efforts to sneak up higher in the draft and possibly steal Jimmer Fredette or even Brandon Knight. Looks like it could be another average year out in Phoenix next season.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers had four picks. Good, right? Not if they're all in the second round. Yep, Los Angeles missed out on all of the first rounders, and even with four picks in the second round, I don't see any of those players making a difference in L.A. in the near future. It probably won't be too big of a problem right now -- but with Phil Jackson out, Kobe getting older, and Derek Fisher nearing eligibility to collect social security, the could be the beginning of the end for Los Angeles...

Brandon Knight

Poor fellow. Not only did the point guard out of Kentucky slide to the 8th spot in the draft, the joke of a franchise Detroit Pistons snatched him up, consequently ending all of Knight's hopes of becoming an All-Star. Now, instead of having a chance to develop into a strong player, Brandon Knight will mosey around in the booming economic city of Detroit and count the days until his contract expires. All he can do is hope that management in the Motor City improves, or he'll be driving a Ford right over to the Free Agency.

And that's all for this year's draft. Congrats to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who took big steps forward in drafting Kyrie Irving with the first pick and Tristan Thompson out of Texas just three picks later. This wasn't the strongest draft ever, but I do think that we will see some of these guys have tremendous impacts in their rookie seasons.

Oh, and I'm calling it. Derrick Williams 2011-2012 Rookie of the Year.

Thanks for reading.

The Smarter Team

2011-06-22T17:45:00.000-05:00

It's pretty obvious that the Miami Heat consisted of the most talented basketball players in the NBA. But time and time again the Dallas Mavericks proved that the game of basketball is won by smart players who know their role and play it well. Miami may have had the upper hand in athleticism and talent, but Dallas had intangibles which Miami could not contain.

All great teams have a great point guard. Jason Kidd was the prototypical floor general which Dallas needed to run an effective, fluent offense. How many times did you count where Jason Kidd passed up a decent shot to give a teammate an excellent shot? Several. There were instances where Kidd would catch a pass from a teammate, and before the ball was in his hands for even half a second, he had already delivered a dime to a different teammate. That's what 17 years of experience does for a team. Smart passes, unselfish play, and using your discretion wisely to make the right play. While many people see a washed up player in a 38 year old guard, I see leadership and poise in the clutch.

J.J. Barea is the prime example of an effective role player. Most people have never heard of the guy before the Finals, but the 6 foot speed demon lit up the Miami defense with excellent slashing skills and nice dishes to open players all series long.

Shawn Marion quietly averaged almost 14 points and 6 rebounds throughout the Finals, and was the key factor in the Mavericks' Game 2 upset in Miami, scoring 20 points and pulling down 8 boards. If the Mavericks didn't have Marion's outstanding efforts in Game 2, they probably would have ended up on the wrong end of the scoreboard, and buried in an 0-2 hole.

Who could forget about the big Tyson Chandler, who was rejected by Oklahoma City because of physical health concerns, nearly averaging a double-double in the series? And what about Jason Terry, who picked up the slack when Dirk struggled in Game 6, dropping 27 points on the defenseless Heat? While Miami's stars gave it their best efforts, the Big 3 just could not come up with an answer for the multiple weapons Dallas threw at them.

Props to Pat Riley, however, for doing his best to create a strong supporting cast for James, Wade, and Bosh. Adding Mike Bibby and Mike Miller were good ideas and helped Miami in doses, but the lack of a strong presence at center and still a void at the starting point guard position, the Heat could not secure a championship in the end. Miami's GM needs to look into adding experience and better role players, just like Dallas, if they want what Dallas finally has.

The Heat Won...wait, what?

2011-06-03T00:03:00.000-05:00

The same issue Miami's had all season came back to haunt them tonight. The Heat gave up a huge 15 point lead with just over six minutes left to play, looking disoriented offensively and letting up on the defensive end.

Miami can't really blame Dirk. He didn't explode for 36 points like their own Dwyane Wade. No, Nowitzki had an average game at best, with 24 points, 11 rebounds and an ugly five turnovers. He was able to convert on the go-ahead layup with just three seconds left, but other than that, he wasn't necessarily an unstoppable force in tonight's game.

Why did Dallas win? They were poised. Most teams look at a scoreboard down 15 points with 6 minutes left and think about what's being served on the plane ride home. The Mavericks play hard every game, and they are certainly not going to give up in the NBA Finals, no matter how much they are down.

The Heat got complacent. My select basketball coach always told me to always pretend the score is 0-0. That way, you aren't too cocky, but you're also not discouraged. You're playing your hardest when the game is tied. But Miami was acting like it was up three or four hundred, and once Dallas began its comeback, the Heat began panicking.

To Dwyane Wade, Mike Bibby, Joel Anthony and Mario Chalmers: You guys deserved a win. Those four players left it all on the floor, while the rest of the Heat finished the game with a lackadaisical attitude.

Chris Bosh should have been riding the bench. He is the reason Miami struggled in the first half, shooting at an awful percentage and taking irrational shots from out of his range. Bosh was also the guy that got burned by slow, 7 foot Dirk Nowitzki in the closing seconds of the game. Sorry Chris, but you get an F- for today's performance.

The Mavericks should be throwing a party right now. They can close the series without having to go back to Miami once for the rest of the Finals. It's not going to be easy, but the light is gleaming at the end of the tunnel.

NBA Finals: Game 1 Analysis

2011-06-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

Defense wins championships.

It's an adage long embraced by coaches and players in all sports. Football, basketball, soccer - you can't go far without a strong, fine-tuned defense. In this particular series, it's the ONLY way to win. With the offensive firepower that both teams have to offer, the only way to outscore a LeBron James or Dirk Nowitzki is to not let them score at all.

Of course, if you stop LeBron, you still have to worry about Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Which is precisely why Miami is unstoppable when all three play well (see box score of last night).

Although the Big 3 had solid performances, the Mavericks did a pretty good job on the rest of the Heat. Out of Miami's starters, James, Wade and Bosh were the only ones who scored the entire game. Bibby went 0-4 and Joel Anthony was 0-1 with 3 rebounds and a turnover.

The real problem for Dallas was its efficiency on the offensive end. J.J. Barea penetrated the lane well, but was either blocked or just unable to finish in the paint. Jason Terry had a great first half, and apparently decided to take the second half off. Peja Stojakovic was brought on to the team for his sharpshooting abilities, but he went 0-3 from beyond the arc against that swarming Miami defense. Dirk played his game, but he is going to need some help from his teammates if Dallas doesn't want a repeat of the 2006 Finals.

As for Miami, there isn't really much room for improvement on the defensive end. 84 points allowed, holding the Mavs to 37% shooting - the Heat did their job defensively. The only thing I would suggest is more contribution from the rest of Miami's roster. Mike Bibby can't score 0 points again, and I'd like to see Erik Spoelstra give James Jones some minutes - the kid won the 3 point contest for crying out loud. Logic would have Jones in for at least 10 minutes so he can have a chance to knock down a few jumpers for the team. At the minimum, the Heat could use him when they are on a scoring drought, which they experienced for a period last night. Other than that, Miami just needs to keep up the defensive pressure and act like every game is their last.

I expect more out of Jason Terry and J.J. Barea in Game 2, but I don't think Miami will slow down on its defensive pressure. The Heat are too motivated to prove their doubters wrong. I don't think it's physically possible for LeBron, Wade, or Bosh to lower their levels of intensity. Miami should take Game 2 with no problem. Don't count out the Mavericks though, when they're hot they can be extremely tough to beat. Miami can't let Dallas heat up because when Dirk and Terry are locked in, it's a long night for any opponent.

Out With the Cold, In With the New

2011-02-24T01:25:00.000-06:00

After the first few months of NBA basketball, I’ve learned two things. 1. The Eastern Conference is slowly becoming stronger than the Western Conference, and 2. There’s no such thing as loyalty in basketball these days. Today I’m going to talk about #1, so save your e-mails attacking me for dissing LeBron James and Carlos Boozer.

Here are a couple of things I’ve noticed as we enter the final third of the NBA season.

In the Spring, the Garden Flourishes

Amare Stoudemire himself proclaimed that the “old Garden” is back. With the addition of Carmelo Anthony, New York is a step closer to reliving its glory days in the 90’s, except now the people of the Madison Square Garden are hoping Stoudemire can do what Patrick Ewing couldn’t-win a championship. The Knicks are surely going to miss Danillo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. I’d include Raymond Felton, but Chauncey Billups is a decent replacement despite his decrepit body. The Knicks are going to struggle with surrounding their stars with effective role players, just like the Heat did previously this season. Aside from Anthony, Stoudemire, and Billups, New York’s roster is like bringing in Justin Beiber for the Celebrity All-Star game. There’s no talent, but we all know it’s necessary. Somehow the Knicks managed to retain Landry Fields, who seems to have a bright future ahead of him. I think the Knicks will earn a decent seed in the playoffs, but I don’t see a championship in New York’s near future. If they can somehow get Chris Paul in blue and orange next summer, the Knicks will have a legit shot at success down the road.

The Heat Take No Spring Break

Whether you supported them at the beginning of the season or not, you knew-everybody knew- that the Heat were going to be a top-tier team in the East. There’s just too much talent to deny that Miami would be successful. It was only a matter of time before all of the players gelled together. Winners of 11 out of the last 12, the Heat are (cheesy alert!) “heating” up again. ESPN has reported that Miami is shopping Mike Miller, which makes me refer to the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Seriously Miami. Mike Miller is no LeBron, Wade, or Bosh. He is what we analysts define as a “role player.” Mike Miller shoots the basketball. Just because James Jones got lucky and won the 3 point contest doesn’t mean he is a consistent outside shooter. If you get rid of Miller, Jones is your only semi-reliable deep threat. It’s not like Miller’s play has been detrimental to the team. I understand that he’s getting old, but he’s got great size for a shooting guard at 6’8, he averages 12 rebounds per 48 minutes, and in the month of February he’s shooting 50% from beyond the arc. He’s only a role player. What more can you ask of him? Regardless, the Heat are a strong team and come April they’ll likely be rolling on all cylinders. Miami is the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

Closing statements:

I’ve never seen a player so glorified just because he can dunk. Blake Griffin, I will have respect for you when you hit a jump shot.

To Chris Paul – Just because you are counting down the days until your free agency doesn’t mean you have to play below your career averages. You are in your prime. Act like it. Everyone knows you can do a lot better than 16 points and 9 assists.

Gilbert Arenas is a joke.

Don’t count the Lakers out yet. Yes, they lost to the league’s worst team, but they don’t care. Wait until the playoffs start, then you will see the real Los Angeles team that you so dearly love or hate.

Watch out for Dallas, no one talks about them but they are quietly sitting at second place in the Western Conference standings with an impressive 41-16 record.

The 26-30 Pacers on pace to make the playoffs. What is wrong with this world?

I hope everyone is looking forward to the end of the season as much as I am. If not, at least enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

Texas USSSA State Championship: Player Analysis

2010-06-19T19:56:00.000-05:00

The annual Texas USSSA State Championship is an invitation-only tournament that attracts the best teams from the city of Austin and its surrounding areas. Every great team has great players, and I traveled down to Akins High School in South Austin to catch a few of the games and check out some of the talent. With so many good teams it’s hard to select only a few of them to write about, but these are the guys that stood out most.

Cameron Blue, 6’4” Senior: This guy was one of the most underrated players on the court. He wasn’t the go-to-guy for his team, but he seemed to do great things with the ball every time he touched it. His ability to change his shot while in the air and finish despite being hacked is admirable at the least. The floor was like a trampoline for him, as he sprung into the air and pulled down rebounds over some of the bigger players, including his own teammates. The only weakness I saw was his lack of discipline on defense. Any time a player pump faked, Blue was three feet in the air swatting at nothing. It’s a minor setback that should change with good coaching. What surprised me most about Blue was the fact that he could step behind the arc and knock down a three with a defender challenging his shot. His versatility and hustle made him one of the best players in the tournament.

Deon Mitchell, 6’0” Senior: There is no hesitation when I say that Mitchell is the best playmaker I’ve seen at his age. His ability to use his peripheral vision and fire no-look passes to open players was a joy to watch. He plays hard at the offensive end and as a coach you can trust him to protect the ball in clutch situations. Penetrating the lane was a success for Mitchell over and over as the defender had to choose whether to stop him from passing or laying it up, and either way Mitchell would make the decision that placed the ball in the basket. He does have a few negatives, however. When he gets really into the game, he starts dribbling too much and turns the ball over. He runs his mouth at some of the other players and the referee caught him doing it in one of the games, and Mitchell received a technical foul. There were also a few instances where Mitchell would have an open lane to the basket on the left side and instead of finishing with his left hand he’d use his strong hand and get his shot blocked. Although he can anticipate well on defense, he’ll overestimate his speed and end up on the losing end of a gamble. His strengths do outweigh his weaknesses, and I could see him playing at a mid-major college at the next level.

Jalen Harris, 5’10” Senior: Lights out shooter. Plain and simple. He’s not even six feet but I saw him grab rim in warm-ups pretty easily, and his vertical definitely helps him avoid shot rejection when he’s driving the lane. He is so comfortable behind that three point line that it’s basically automatic every time he chunks up a trey. Despite only shooting a few times, Harris had at least 15 points in his first game because he lit up from beyond the arc. Aside from his height, Harris’s biggest weakness is shooting off the dribble. On fast breaks he needs to set up on the wing and let another guard drive and kick it out. Every time Harris pushed the ball in transition his shots were off. He was the best spot up shooter in the tournament but he needs to work on his decision making on the offensive side of the ball. He has the range to play basketball at an elite school, but he’d have a much tougher time getting the shots he wanted against taller, quicker DI players. All in all, his scoring ability should take him to Division II basketball at the least.

DeAndre Byrd, 5’10” Senior: An animal on defense, Byrd forced more turnovers than anyone else I saw in the tournament. Quick as lightening, great anticipation and the ability to pressure even a good ball handler into making a mistake are just a few of the traits Byrd has to offer. The thing that impressed me most was his ability to recover quickly after getting beat on the first step. There were some quick guards out there that would get a step on Byrd and think they have an open jumper, only to find Byrd in their face a half second later. His hustle and determination to get possession of the ball wowed me, and when he started to score repeatedly I was even more impressed. His shooting mechanics are a bit unorthodox and I wouldn’t give him the ball to shoot a game winning three pointer, but he can find ways to the basket and rebound well on the offensive glass. He definitely needs discipline; however, as once he started missing shots and his team fell behind, he threw fits and even earned himself a technical. His height and lack of shooting ability limit his future, but if anyone out there wants a lockdown defender then Byrd would be a great selection.

Quincy Boyton, 6’5” Junior: Young, so still a lot of room for him to grow. That said, Boyton was very impressive on both sides of the ball. He’s thin as a rail and quick for his size. His lean frame is perfect for shot blocking and he displayed plenty of that in the tournament. He has good anticipation on defense; he reads the guards’ eyes well when they try to make entry passes to the post. Boyton runs the floor well, getting back on defense in a hurry and running his lanes on fast breaks. He needs to bulk up if he wants to be a post player and work on his jumper if he wants to be forward. His temper needs some attending to, as he whined when a ref called something against what he saw. Certainly prone to technicals, but hopefully with age comes maturity and he’ll be poised by the end of his high school career.

Dylan Cox, 6’4” Senior: I was able to see Cox play multiple times since he goes to my old high school, and I can already see improvement in his game since last season. Playing in District 16-5A is not much of a challenge and it’ll be even harder for him to improve more next year since he’ll be playing in 4A. Hopefully, for his sake, he’ll avoid playing down on everybody else’s level next year. Today I saw Cox do some really good things-he makes smart passes, hustles on the boards and unselfishly makes the extra pass that usually leads to easy baskets for his team. His two-handed dunk on a fast break today attests to his jumping ability and when he sees a ball on the ground he’s sacrificing his body and going after it. His work ethic should cancel out the weaknesses I saw if he continues to push himself to be a better player. Another unorthodox shooter, Cox had a fair share of wide open opportunities and he only made a couple of them. He favors his right hand heavily and when playing stingy defenders like Byrd he’s going to have a great deal of trouble protecting the ball. Cox is already talking to Davidson and Princeton, two great fits for his style of play: smart and efficient.

David Hahn, 7’1” Senior: There’s no typo here. Standing seven feet, one inch off the ground, Hahn was by far the biggest disappointment of the tournament. When I saw that walking tree my eyes lit up-is this the next Tyler Hansbrough or Cole Aldrich? Absolutely not. After airballing multiple shots in warm-ups, I kept my fingers crossed that he at least had a hook shot or some post move to rely on. Nothing. His coach didn’t even start him. The next tallest player was half a foot shorter than him and yet he still failed to put the ball in the net more than twice. He didn’t seem to take it seriously, either. Every time he missed (frequently) he would just laugh and trudge his way back on defense. Unless he develops his game over the summer, I wouldn’t go anywhere near this kid.

Mark Brown, 6’3” Junior: To end on a high note, I give you Mark Brown. After seeing his flawless shooting mechanics at the free throw line I decided to focus my attention on him. The very first series Brown played that I paid close attention to went like this: Brown hits jump shot-hustles back on defense- steals the ball-passes to open man (who misses easy lay-up)-grabs the offensive rebound-lays it up. Four points, a steal, and a rebound in a matter of seconds. He hustles on defense and constantly pressures the ball handler. He was the game high scorer in both games I saw, hitting shots inside and out. He’s much too thin right now but he’ll add muscle over the next year and likely dominate even more. No team had an answer for him and if he keeps working on his game no team will. Definitely a guy to keep an eye on next year-I can see this guy going DI with ease.

This tournament attracted a great bunch of players from the Austin area. I saw a lot of impressive athletes play some very exciting games, and the list of players I mentioned have very bright futures ahead of them. If they put all their effort into it, I have no doubt we could see some of these guys on TV one day.

Moving Kingdoms: Where will LeBron rule next?

2010-06-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

With less than a month to go before the free agent frenzy shakes up the NBA, we still have no word on where the greatest basketball player on the planet will reside come next winter. LeBron James has admitted that his home state has a slight advantage in signing him, but is Cleveland the best fit for King James? The two time MVP has stated that he will meet with other free agent stars including Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to discuss their future destinations as well. There are a lot of options for His Highness, and we’ll go ahead and break down which are the best fits for LeBron and which teams don’t meet the needs that the All Star demands.

Cleveland Cavaliers

We’ll go ahead and start with Cleveland. First of all, it’s his home state. He will always have a connection to the state of Ohio and the Cleveland fans that have supported him from the beginning. As far as talent goes, he has plenty of competent players around him, but for some reason they just can’t get back to the Finals. They traded for Shaq. They traded for Antawn Jamison. Yet the Cavaliers continue to struggle in the postseason. With the firing of head coach Mike Brown, you have to wonder if it was simply bad coaching all these years that denied the Cavs a championship. Whoever Cleveland hires as their next head coach, which WON’T be Tom Izzo, could be the determining factor on whether or not James will stay, and if a reputable coach makes his way to the Quicken Loans Arena, then we might see not only James in a Cleveland uniform but in the near future a championship ring around his finger.

So, what needs to happen for LeBron to remain a Cavalier?

1. The Cavs need to hire a prestigious coach with a history of winning in the postseason.

2. Brand new GM Chris Grant is going to have to reel in one of the big names in the offseason. Both Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh would make a great fit in the paint for Cleveland and Joe Johnson would be an excellent scorer to help out LeBron in putting points on the board. Grant needs to find a way to bring one of them to Cleveland or he might be losing the greatest player in the NBA.

3. Every man has his price. Give the guy an enormous raise and perhaps he’ll stick around for a while.

And like Jay-Z said….on to the next one!

New York Knicks

Speaking of Jay-Z, if you haven’t heard, LeBron and the east coast rapper are quite the pair of friends. Jay-Z has always said that he would love to run the streets of New York with King James by his side, and whether that’s in Brooklyn with the New Jersey Nets or at the Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z is excited at the thought. Both have talked about getting James involved in more than just basketball-business. The hip-hop legend has been doing his best to convince LeBron that there are more opportunities for success and money outside of basketball. What attracts LeBron to the Knicks is simply the exposure. Playing in front of 20,000 crazy fans at the most historic arena in the NBA gives LeBron all the attention he craves. Kobe Bryant is the King of the West Coast-he’s the greatest player in the biggest city in the West side of the United States. LeBron could be that same figure-the face of the East Coast-the greatest player in the biggest city in the United States. But there is one thing wrong with heading to the Knicks…their talent. The Knicks haven’t won a playoff series since the year 2000 and haven’t even made the playoffs in seven years. The continued struggle of New York basketball has left fans disgruntled and disappointed. Other than the hiring of head coach Mike D’Antoni, the Knicks haven’t shown many signs of improvement. Al Harrington and David Lee are the only two players with a decent amount of talent but other than that it’s either a bunch of 21 year olds or washed up has-beens. Now, LeBron did say he was going to meet with other star free agents, and if he could convince one of them to join him in NYC, then we may see LeBron wearing blue and orange.
Along with that, here’s what else needs to happen to get LeBron to the Knicks franchise.

1. GM Donnie Walsh needs to convince LeBron that the Knicks will be a championship caliber team sooner rather than later.

2. The Knicks are going to have to pay him significantly more than what any other team is offering.

3. Jay-Z better have some business propositions lined up and ready to go at James’ arrival.

Miami Heat

It’s pretty clear that Dwyane Wade wants to stay on the beach, and that leaving Miami is a last resort. Within the next couple weeks Wade plans on contacting all of the big name free agents and recruiting them to join the Heat. Miami has a lot of potential with young rising stars like Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley, and that’s something that LeBron James notices. If Wade could get an inside presence like Carlos Boozer to commit to the Heat, we could very well see LeBron James playing alongside Dwyane Wade. Yikes.

What do the Heat need to do to get LeBron James to Miami?

1. Dwyane Wade has some talking to do. He needs to put the image of winning a championship with Miami in James’ head. The two are good friends, and I’m sure LeBron wouldn’t mind playing with his fellow Olympic champion.
2. Miami is a beautiful city. Much better weather than up north in Cleveland. This is just one of the perks that Pat Riley and company need to pound into LeBron’s head.
3. LeBron may see the Heat as young and underdeveloped, and therefore not a championship-contending team. Riley and Wade need to let him know that although they are young, they actually have talent- unlike the Knicks.

New Jersey Nets

See New York Knicks but consider the Nets are even worse. On the plus side, they did recently hire former Coach of the Year Avery Johnson to try and turn things around, so at least the Nets are moving in the right direction in the coaching staff realm. The Nets will move to a $700 million arena in Brooklyn soon, so that might attract LeBron as well.

Chicago Bulls

Alright, let me make this clear. The Chicago Bulls have a better chance of getting Michael Jordan to come back and sign with them than they do signing LeBron. It’s just not going to happen. Why? Because James does not want to be in the shadow of Jordan. The comparisons would never end. “Jordan would have made that shot.” “Jordan is a better team leader.” There is no way he could avoid it. Plus his ego is bigger than the oil spill out in the gulf.

What Chicago needs to do:

1. Convince LeBron that Michael Jordan never played for Chicago, he actually played for Cleveland. That would get LeBron up and out of Cleveland in no time.

What do I think is going to happen? If James doesn’t stay in Cleveland, I think his next option is New York. But only if he can bring another talented free agent along with him. New York has some serious moves to make, and if they can’t get LeBron to the Big Apple then they have never-ending woes ahead of them. If he chooses not to go to NYC or stay in Cleveland, I could almost guarantee that he’d take the offer from Miami. There’s just too much talent out on that coast, and he and Wade could do some serious damage together.
Well, that’s my two cents. Who knows what’s going to happen one month from now? Not even the King himself. Whether he elects to remain Cleveland or decides to move his throne elsewhere, LeBron James will instantly give whatever team he plays for a legitimate shot at the title, regardless of his peasant teammates. Let the waiting begin.

Why College Stars Withdraw from the Draft

2010-05-17T21:03:00.000-05:00

1. One of the nation's best inside scorers with 22.7 points per game (2nd in NCAA) and 9.1 rebounds per game.

2. The recipient of the Lou Henson award, given to the mid-major player of the year. Averaged a double-double with 17.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, to go along with 3.3 blocks per contest.

3.The only player in his conference to lead his team in scoring (18.8 ppg), rebounding (5.4 rpg), assists (4.1 apg) and steals (1.1 spg). He was also selected to the All Big Ten Second Team.

These three players all share two things in common- they are talented players with huge potential, and all three of them entered the NBA draft only to later withdraw. So why did these decorated prospects decide to stay another year at their university when they have bright futures in the NBA?

The first player mentioned is Adnan Hodzic, a power forward for Lipscomb. It's especially shocking to see a player with his stat line withdraw his name from the draft, but his reasons are well thought-out.

"Well you have to look at the success my team had. We won the regular season championship, but we lost the first game of our conference tourney and we didn't make it to the tourney. NBA scouts look at that," Hodzic said. "I have to prove us kind of like Butler did."

Precisely. If Butler didn't make it to the Tournament, do you think Gordan Hayward would be drawing as much attention as he did when he made it to the Final Four in Indianapolis?

The second player on the "why the heck did you withdraw?" list is Keith Benson. His numbers were well-above the average player, but Benson didn't pounce on the draft the second he heard he'd get selected.

"The argument I heard to stay in the draft was to gain more experience and get stronger."

Simple as that. A little polishing never hurt anyone's stock!It's a very mature decision by Benson, and we'll see how his plan plays out in next year's draft.

Finally, the last person on the list is the lone bright spot on Penn State's team, junior guard Talor Battle. With only three conference wins, it's difficult to fathom why on Earth Battle would stay another year with the college version of the New Jersey Nets, but he showed perseverance in his decision to stay.

"I withdrew because I thought it was in my best interest to stay another year in college, to prepare myself for the tough life of being a pro athlete," Battle said.

His advisers felt that it wouldn't hurt for Battle to get some feedback and things to improve on from the NBA scouts.

"They thought it was a win-win situation to test the waters and receive feedback on both strengths and weaknesses," Battle said. "They just let me know what they think would be the best decision for me to stay in the draft or withdraw."

To truly understand why these players are staying another year, we have to look at why other players are forgoing their remaining years in college.

A perfect example would be Ole Miss guard Terrico White. You don't see a lot of Ole Miss games on ESPN, and scoring a pedestrian 15 points per game doesn't quite jump off the stat sheet. White also only averages one assist a game, and that's an extremely low number for a guard. So, why is White entering the draft when the aforementioned players are staying another year?

"My advisers have said that I'm projected to be a 1st round pick," White said. "How high I go in the 1st round is depending on my workouts with teams and stuff. I've heard that I could possibly be a lottery pick after next season."

Draft experts and scouts say that White has the tools and athleticism to be both a great scorer and defender, but he has a long way to go before he reaches his potential. Apparently, investing in underdeveloped players with superstar potential is trending right now in the NBA. But White said if he stayed another year, he could be a lottery pick. So why leave now?

"My family and I thought that it was best for me to stay in the draft," White said.

Well, there you have it, folks. All in all, withdrawing from the draft has to deal with perfecting your game and getting NBA-ready. And for others, the talent is already there, they just need to be recognized. It's different for every specific player, but as they say, "All's well that ends well" and every one of the players on my list have stellar careers in their future. Waiting another year just adds to their maturity level. And every coach likes a poised player.

ZACHARY DISCHIANO

Minnesota Vick-ings: Could it happen?

2009-08-03T20:31:00.000-05:00

In case you're anti-televisionist or you've just been distracted by the Michael Phelps drama, I'll give you a quick rundown on a situation that's been in the NFL news. The Vikings are in need of a quarterback as Tavaris Jackson has been nothing short of disappointing. Jackson also tore his MCL, which could affect his ability although it's said he won't miss any games. Brett Favre claims to be retired, so we'll talk about him when he changes his mind again here in about six months. It's obvious that the Vikings only offense comes from running back Adrian Peterson, and 31 other teams know that. That's why the Vikings are so desperate to get a better QB than current starter Sage Rosenfels, to balance out the offense. No offense, Sage, I think everyone can agree that you have the coolest name out of all the quarterbacks. With Michael Vick eligible to play starting Week 6, he HAS to be on the radar for Minnesota.

So curious to see what fellow writers have to say, I've asked a few different bloggers what they would do if they were the Vikings GM--would they pursue Vick, risking fan support and locker room distractions to get a proven QB? Vick is likely pretty rusty, but his trainers have come up with a new system to get his arm back to full strength. Instead of throwing footballs to his receivers he's been throwing bones to his retrievers, and it seems to be generating positive results.

No, I'm kidding, but here's their answers:

Bill Williamson, ESPN.COM

It’s not about what I think the Vikings should do, it’s what I think they will do and I don’t think Vick will be signed. The Vikings may be desperate, but the Vikings want a new stadium. They will not, I don’t think, risk losing in the court of public opinion, pursuing Vick just because of a need .I really don’t see it happening.

Shakey1, STYLE POINTS

Michael Vick is an off the wall talent who can electrify an offense with just the threat of him handling the ball. Most teams would kill for a playmaker of his caliber, and now they can get their hands on the best in the game for free.

Teams need to look past his obvious shortcomings and give him a shot. If it doesn't work out, they can cut him and wash their hands of the situation. The Vikings should be jumping up and down at the thought of adding a weapon like Vick to their quarterbacking crew. But they'll probably just sign Jeff George and call it a day.

paneech1472, PANEECH
I think it might be easier to lure Favre back into football than to assimilate Vick back into a role of acceptance with any NFL team.

Vick would be helpful and would remind the Vikes faithful of a young Randall Cunningham, but from a PR standpoint, the move would be a "dog".

Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.COM

If I were the Minnesota Vikings, I would not pursue Michael Vick. He would come with distractions from the media and the protest groups. He's a wonderful athlete, but he's been out of football completely for two years. There's no way he can come in and pick up the offense fast enough to help this season. Go out and look for other available veterans and watch who comes available later when teams have to release players.

MidwayIllustrated.com, MONSTERS OF MIDWAY ILLUSTRATED

Nope I would not pursue Michael Vick. From a purely football stand point I wouldn't do it. Not for anything related to his legal troubles, just his inability to be a good solid accurate QB.
Vick can run the ball, but what the Vikings need is that other dimension of a QB who is good with his throws, accurate and can consistently move the chains to take the heat off of Adrian Peterson.
Michael Vick in my opinion does not bring that type of experience and talent to the table.

There you have it, folks. The majority say no to Vick, but only time will tell what happens to the scrambler. Feel free to tell me what you think!

Airdisch

5 Interesting Quarterbacks

2009-02-02T12:43:00.000-06:00

After announcers, emails, and conversations were pounded into my head about what a great guy Kurt Warner is, with his story about being a grocery store bagger and marrying a woman with a kid in a wheelchair, I decided to find some things about other quarterbacks.

1.Jay Cutler-On May 1, 2008, annouced he had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and needs daily insulin shots. Cutler does volunteer work for mentally challenged young people through Vanderbilt's "Best Buddies" program. He works with Dedicated to Diabetes, which is a Denver-based organization that aims to improve public knowledge about diabetes as well.

2.Tom Brady- played college football for and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan. He was a backup his first two years, the current starter was future NFL quarterback Brian Griese.When he enrolled at Michigan, Brady was seventh on the depth chart and had an intense struggle to get some playing time. At one point, Brady hired a sports psychologist to help him cope with frustration and anxiety and even considered transferring to California.

3.Chad Pennington- and his wife Robin created the 1st and 10 Foundation in 2003 with the mission to build stronger communities by funding programs and institutions that seek to improve quality of life throughout West Virginia, Tennessee and the New York Metropolitan area. Since its inception in 2003 the foundation has given gifts of over half a million dollars to various organizations.

4.David Garrard -Garrard was 14 years old when his mother died from breast cancer. When Garrard began his NFL career, he created The David Garrard Foundation to promote breast cancer awareness and research.Doctors diagnosed Garrard with Crohn's disease in 2004. Despite undergoing surgery in June 2004 to remove a nearly 12-inch portion of his intestines, Garrard played during the 2004 NFL season. Garrard now starts for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

5.Phillip Rivers - Rivers worked as a waterboy at Decatur High School, in Decatur, Alabama, where his father Steve was the head coach of the football team. As part of a fifth-grade project, he had to make a poster about his dreams and aspirations. On the poster, he pasted his face over that of a Minnesota Vikings player who had appeared on a cover of Sports Illustrated. He has worn the number 17 since ninth grade; it is in honor of his father, who wore the same number in high school. Rivers and his wife, Tiffany, began dating in the seventh grade.

aWAKEn

2009-01-17T00:50:00.000-06:00

Currently the number two team in the nation, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have bounced back from some of their worst years in history. In 20 tournament appearances, the Deacons have won 27 games, never bringing home a championship. Players like Tim Duncan, Josh Howard, and Chris Paul have done their best in their time at Wake, but none of the above players have even made it to the Final Four. In 2005, the Deacons entered the tournament as a number two seed, but failed to make it past the second round. Wake Forest basketball has struggled recently, and with the death of former head coach Skip Prosser, things did not get any easier.
This year, however, the Deacons have come out of nowhere starting the season an astounding 15-0. Wake even upset the powerhouse North Carolina Tar Heels where standout sophomore Jeff Teague dropped 34 points. Teague, who has the roll of filling the point guard role since Chris Paul left, has exploded this year averaging over 21 points per game. He has a strong shot and excellent penetrating ability, keeping defenses on their toes. His athleticism is outstanding and puts pressure on any defense. ESPN.com's Chad Ford considers Teague to be a top 2009 NBA draft point guard prospect.
Along with Teague, Wake Forest has been fortunate to have another strong young player in Al-Farouq Aminu, the freshman forward. Aminu has contributed solid play game in and game out, which is essential to any team's success.
The Deacons have proven to be one of the best teams in their history, with strong play from their younger athletes. Some believe they won't do well in the tournament due to inexperience, but within a next year the Deacons could possibly go all the way. Though the Deacons have been through tough times recently, things have started to change. The past few years they've seemed asleep, but this year, the team has truly aWAKEn.

Usain Bolt to NFL?

2008-09-22T23:18:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I've posted a blog- sorry! I've been attempting to balance work, sports, newspaper, algebra, chemistry, Spanish III and advance placement English all at once. This next blog was my contribution to "The Wolfpack" a.k.a my school paper. It may be old news, but it was for the September issue. I will try to get some more blogs in, thanks for your patience!

%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml">

It takes Olympic Champion Usain Bolt 9.69 seconds to run 100 meters. That’s 23 miles per hour on average (more than twice our school parking lot speed limit), and a 3.5 second 40 yard dash. Even though it’s impossible, if he kept that pace for a mile, he would be done in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Standing 6’5”, Usain Bolt has the height and certainly the speed to be a fantastic football player. The question is, would Bolt be able to adjust to the NFL, and is he even eligible?

The rumor of Bolt joining the NFL has been heavily discussed, the topic even reaching ESPN. Mark Schlereth, an anchor for ESPN, commented on the possibility of the world class sprinter making it in professional football.

“I think he’d be a terrible football player…it’s not just speed, its intelligence.” Schlereth also mentioned that Bolt is “not familiar with the game” and therefore would not be a successful football player.

“Which NFL team wouldn’t want a guy that could stretch the field vertically? I mean that’s what it’s all about, loosening up the defense,” said Trev Alberts of Sprint Sports.

Both sportscasters have a point. Experience is something that can’t be taught; only time could transform Bolt from a sprinter to a football player. However, the fact that Bolt is so athletic and perfectly built to be a wide receiver or kick returner means that the young man does have potential. Built like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, Bolt could become a great player with the right training, if he puts the time into it.

So let’s say Bolt decides he wants to play football. Is it even possible? He didn’t attend college, and most think that it’s required to do so to play.

Here’s your answer: yes. While the majority of the players drafted are the ones who played in college, the rule for draft eligibility has nothing to do with college. A player is eligible to sign up for the draft once three years have passed since his high school graduation. Bolt is 22 years old, and is therefore qualified to be drafted.

“The NFL is much different than running 100m or 200m races all the time,” said Junior Alex (private last name). “It requires a lot of side to side movement, especially when you have to slip tackles…I personally think that the most he could be at first would be some sort of a utility player along the lines of Devin Hester,”

“[Bolt] would be garbage cause of his weight… [football is] much different than on the track running straight,” Demarcus (private last name), senior said. Evan (private last name), junior, believes Bolt would get “slaughtered” by the defenders.

“The fact that he has to be on a team is a setback. He is a one man show and he likes it that way,” Ben Quarrels, junior, said. Celebrating before finishing many of his races, one can see by how he ran in the Olympics that he is in no way a team oriented type of guy, and that could factor in to whether or not he would even get playing time.

Back in 1984 a similar situation occurred, Olympic champion Carl Lewis was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 12^th round of the ’84 draft. Lewis ended up not playing in any games, and chose to stay in track and field.

With modern technology, however, it might be easy for Bolt to be a better player than expected. The gloves that receivers wear are extremely sticky, making it much easier to catch a football. Many quarterbacks these days have extremely strong arms, they could just heave one downfield and Bolt is fast enough and tall enough to leap over everybody on the field for a catch.

However, there are intangibles that Bolt can’t learn overnight; reading the defenses, knowing where the ball is going to be in 20mph wind, knowing his quarterback’s strengths and weaknesses, the list goes on and on. If Bolt were to join the NFL, it’s likely he wouldn’t really flourish into a great receiver until his 4^th or 5^th year in the league. Experience is Bolt’s only weakness, and if he stuck with it he would be an amazing player.

The rumor has generated much discussion, but in the end it is very unlikely that Bolt will even want to play. With incoming endorsements from his gold medals, advertisements, and other deals, Bolt is set financially and doesn’t need to risk his health for football. However, it would be an interesting transition that would bring attention and money to the NFL, gathering viewers from Jamaica and other islands. The NFL can be very persuasive, and Bolt could eventually end up in pads at the rookie combine. After all, you never know where lightning will strike.

Young Mutombo

2008-07-30T00:09:00.000-05:00

Roy Hibbert went to Georgetown. Dikembe Mutombo went to Georgetown. Hibbert wears #55, as does Mutombo. Hibbert is 7’2”, Mutombo is 7’2”, and they both play in the NBA. The only difference between the two is 21 years of age, and when listening to Roy Hibbert you actually can understand what he’s saying. Georgetown has produced good centers in its history (Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, and most recently Michael Sweetney) and Roy Hibbert could become a name on that list…here’s a look at the new Indiana Pacer, and how he compares to Mutombo’s style of play.

Since his freshman year at Georgetown, Hibbert has shown his tremendous work ethic by improving in virtually every category. His hook shot is smooth and fluent; he’s really nailed it down. For a big guy, he has soft hands and great touch around the basket. He has good ball control and can take hits in the paint and still finish. Although he’s no Shaq, he needs more training at the free throw line; he shot less than 70% in his career at Georgetown. Hibbert isn’t as strong as Mutombo, but don’t take his uncut frame for granted.

Defensively, very few even come close to the level of play produced by Dikembe Mutombo. However, since Hibbert has great length and enviable work ethic, the sky is the limit with what he could turn into. If Hibbert is fortunate enough to have a good trainer that improves defensive awareness and mentality, he could develop into a feared player. At the other end, while Hibbert has good touch around the rim, when shooting 10-15 foot jumpers Hibbert becomes inconsistent. He knocked down a game winning three vs. UConn (which was hilarious when I saw it, I couldn’t stop laughing; he looked so awkward) but behind the arc he has ways to go before he really becomes a threat.

In terms of athleticism, I previously took note of Hibbert’s length, but in all honesty that’s about all he’s got. Running the floor he seems to tire out quickly, only playing 26 minutes a game. If he is going to be a starter in the NBA he will have to be able to put in 35 minutes every game.

Sorry Roy, but I’m not quite done exploiting your weaknesses.

Hibbert has many extra hours in the gym calling his name, especially leg workouts. I could finish my chemistry homework quicker than he can shuffle ten yards, and I’m more of the English type…his jumping ability is weak although he doesn’t need more than a three or four inch vertical with his height. Hibbert and Mutombo have yet another thing in common, and that’s overall speed. I’m not saying Hibbert needs to get his 40 time up to the Devin Harris/Derrick Rose neighborhood, but somewhere in the vicinity of Amare Stoudemire or Andrew Bynum.

I’m no fortune teller, but I don’t really see Hibbert ever making anywhere near what Mutombo has raked in (114 million dollars) but he could become a great basketball player if he really, really works at it.

Sources:
http://rushthecourt.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/roy-hibbert-mm.jpg(photo)
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mutomdi01.html
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/roy-hibbert

Southeast Shaping Up

2008-07-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

Since their birth in 2004, the Southeast division hasn’t had a collective winning record. They’re a relatively young division; the average player is about 26 years old. After the draft, recent trades, and young players beginning to embrace their potential, the division is finally looking up.

Let’s start out by looking at the Atlanta Hawks. Last year, Atlanta shocked America with their play against the future champions, taking the number one seed Celtics to seven games. Al Horford had an astounding rookie season, and looks to improve his numbers as well as the Hawk’s record this year. Also, look for Mike Bibby to step up this year; he joined an unfamiliar offense last year when he was traded from the Kings. Bibby also was battling thumb, ankle, and quad injuries, but he’s healing up well and hopes to have a much better season. Joe Johnson remains a reliable scorer, and with Childress gone and the Hawks short on guards, watch for second-year player Acie Law to get in more playing time. Law has potential to be a good point guard, and this is his chance to break out and earn a starting job.

Projected 08-09 record: 44-38

The Charlotte Bobcats have never made the playoffs, and it’s likely they won’t this year either. In the scheme of things, however, they will improve their record. Rookie center Alexis Ajinca is the first step to improving the Bobcat frontcourt. It still needs work, but they won’t be as embarrassing to watch. Emeka Okafor will continue rebounding and blocking shots, however if he could improve his inside scoring ability they would have another option besides Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace. Beware of Jared Dudley this year; he will likely see more playing time. The “sophomore” out of Boston College is a great shooter, and his court vision is top-notch. Expect him to sneak in more minutes as the season progresses.

Projected 08-09 record: 37-45

Although Rose would have been a better fit, Beasley will produce big things for the Miami Heat. Don’t forget about the other rookie, Mario Chalmers, who shut down Rose in the summer league match-up. The Heat may finally be seeing the light at the end of a very dark tunnel they’ve been in. With a healthy D-Wade in the starting line-up, and a consistent forward in Shawn Marion, the Heat have much better chances at making the playoffs this year. The one thing I’m concerned with is the mix-up at the point guard position. At first, it was Chris Quinn, who is way below average for a starting NBA point guard. Some say Marcus Banks will start, and others have generated the idea that Wade might take over at the 1 spot even though he doesn’t want to. If the Heat can trade for, or sign, a solid point guard, expect an immense improvement in their record.

Projected 08-09 record: 50-32

With strictly three point shooters in the starting line-up like Rashard Lewis and Keith Bogans, the Orlando Magic are thankful they have the best rebounder in the NBA, Dwight Howard. Averaging over 14 rebounds per game and finishing with thunderous dunks, Howard is a highlight reel waiting to happen. Howard, too, is thankful that Lewis and Bogans actually make their threes; Lewis finished 3rd last year in threes made, and Bogans 22nd. Let’s not forget about last year’s Most Improved Player-Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu averaged over 19 points a game and helped the Magic win the division for the first time. Orlando recently signed Mickael Pietrus, adding depth to the small forward position.

Projected 08-09 record: 48-34

When you talk about a team plagued by injuries, the Washington Wizards are always in that conversation. Antawn Jamison was the only consistent scorer on the team who didn’t miss more than ten games. Added together, stars Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler played a total of 71 games, not even a full season. Well, Gilbert seems to be healthy and serious about winning, and Butler is also healed up and ready to go. Andray Blatche is a young player with good potential, and Washington needs help at the center position. With the big three finally re-united, and a center with potential on the roster, the Wizards are a playoff contending team, and also help the Southeast become one of the top divisions in the NBA.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Division_%28NBA%29
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3081737
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4245;_ylt=AsYF9nBeaLzIcC6RK0Os_fKkvLYF
http://www.nba.com/draft2008/profiles/AlexisAjinca.html
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/jareddudley.html
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-flspheat04sbjul04,0,7176887.story
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/07_23-15/SPO

Breaking Down Beasley

2008-07-26T14:34:00.000-05:00

When it comes to athleticism, rebounding, scoring, and overall versatility, Michael Beasley’s name goes on the list of people who can do it all. Beasley does have a few weaknesses, however, and I’m going to look into the pros and cons of the second pick of the draft.

Strengths

An amazing player athletically, he is a difficult person to guard because of his length and jumping ability. Has a soft inside touch, but his shooting range extends to the NBA three. He has a smooth release with good arc on his shot, does well getting his legs up while shooting, leading to great elevation on his shot. Beasley is deadly from the high post, if the defender lays off he’ll knock down the jumper, if the defender plays tight he has moves to get to the basket with ease. With a quick first step, his shot fakes become very efficient, if the defender goes up for a fake, Beasley will bolt around him and take it inside. When it comes to inside scoring, Beasley has improved greatly; he can knock down hook shots and convert on fadeaways. He is strong enough to get good position in the post, creates a big target for guards to feed him the ball. He crashes the offensive boards hard, his leaping ability and strength allow him to pull down lots of rebounds. Defensively, he takes away passing lanes well with his long arms, and helps well on the weak side by blocking shots. Beasley has a good personality, shows confidence and poise, and never seems to sulk in difficult situations or after he makes a bad play. He will be a good player in the NBA, no doubt.

Weaknesses

Although Beasley is a strong player, the fact that he only measured in at 6'8" with shoes makes him undersized at the power forward position. He has a good three point shot, but not well enough to be an effective scorer at the small forward postion, so there is some confusion at which spot he will play. He’s left handed, which helps him confuse defenders, but he has great trouble going right, his ball handling with his right hand is terrible. He doesn’t have a variety of default post moves, moves that he can rely on against any defender. Sometimes he gets out of control and chunks up bad shots. He tends to try to do it all himself, he never thinks pass, only shoot, and this leads him to ill-advised shots against multiple defenders when other players are open. This may have been because his teammates weren’t good scorers, but still he could have looked to the open man in those situations. Beasley only averaged 1.2 assists per game, mainly because he wanted to score most of the time, but his court vision is also questionable. He has the potential to be a great defender, but right now he could improve his lateral quickness. He doesn’t seem to play physically on defense; he shows no effort in denying the other team from scoring. His work ethic is also questionable, he is already a great player but it's possible he won’t want to try to get better. He recently signed a deal worth $3.6 million this season, $3.87 million next season and $4.14 million in 2010-11, so this may cause him to relax with his paycheck rather than improve his game. He’s only 19 years old and has some growing to do; mentally and as a player, too.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=txheatbeasley&prov=st&type=lgns

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3696

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/michaelbeasley.html

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2008/writers/grant_wahl/01/09/beasley0114/p1_beasley1.jpg

5 Bucks Says Milwaukee Makes Playoffs

2008-07-25T23:41:00.000-05:00

This may come as a surprise, but I strongly believe the Milwaukee Bucks will make the playoffs this year, and I have good reasons why.

Reason #1- The Dynamic Duo

Star shooting guard Michael Redd and newly acquired scorer Richard Jefferson could become the best scoring combo in the league next year. Redd, who is easily on the top five shooters in the NBA list, finally has help to score. Over the last three years Redd has been doing it himself, averaging roughly 25 points per game. Now, with Richard Jefferson coming in, who averaged 22.6 points per game in the 07-08 season, the two could pose a double threat to opponents, a slick shooter and a slashing forward. Jefferson commented on joining forces with Redd; “He's much more outside; he's one of the best shooters I've ever seen. Me, I'm more of a slasher," explained Jefferson. "But, we both do the other things well. With that, I think we have a chance to have a very good team, especially in this conference.”

Reason #2- Rookies

Leading the Big East in scoring, rebounding, and blocking, Joe Alexander steps into a franchise in need of help in many categories, especially the ones mentioned above. This addition to the team helps the Bucks try to complete a solid roster. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is an energetic forward who is athletic and brings down a lot of boards; however he does need to improve offensively. For a few years or so he will be a good player off the bench, he can always earn his way into a starting job.

Reason #3- Young, talented non-rookies

20 points, 8 rebounds, and 24 assists. These are the numbers of Ramon Sessions, the 22 year old out of Nevada. That was just one game he played while starting guard Mo Williams and reserve Charlie Bell were out with injuries. It didn’t earn him the starting job, but he will definitely do some damage off the bench this year. Mo Williams, 25, will remain starter, and will have no trouble getting assists thanks to former 1st pick Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva.

In the end, the Bucks are a very young team with a lot of potential. I’m not saying they will make it deep into the playoffs, I don’t think they have quite enough experience or team chemistry yet, but they will make the playoffs. In three or four years if things turn out well and they continue to grow, this is a championship contending team.

Sources:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/teamFantasyNews?statsId=15

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/buck/img/jun06/bucks.jpg (photo)

Chris Paul v.s Deron Williams

2008-07-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

If you have trouble deciding who's a better player, imagine how the Utah Jazz felt in the 2005 NBA Draft.

The Jazz ended up selecting Deron at number 3, and the Hornets jumped on the oppourtunity to draft Chris Paul at pick number 4.

Since then, both have put up solid numbers, but who is the better point guard all around?

Lets start off looking at Chris Paul's strengths.

Paul has great court vision, which is a neccessity in today's NBA. Not only can he pass, but he goes into the lane without fear of bigger defenders, he can make floaters and pull up jump shots consistently. Has quick hands and feet, which results in the ability to get steals. Paul is a good ball handler, he can shake almost any defender in the Leauge.

Weaknesses:

Although he has quick hands, Paul doesn't seem to anticipate where the ball is going to be, and while he gets 2 or 3 steals he can also let the guy he's guarding score 40. He also seems to get a bit out of control, in college he developed a reputation as a guy who is willing to throw a cheap shot, even before the incident in the last game of the regular season where he punched Juilus Hodge below the belt. *

Overall, he is a great guy with amazing talent, but needs improvement on defense and attitude.

On to Deron Williams:

First of all, he may not look like it, but Williams is strong as an ox. This strength enables him to knock down deep threes, go into the lane and finish with contact, and fire passes to other teammates that defenders can't get to. He shoots fundamentally and consistently, and has fantastic playmaker skills. He has a good basketball IQ, he makes smart decisions and handles the ball well.

Weaknesses:

Although he shoots well, he could have a quicker release on the ball, this way he won't get blocked as much. He isn't very quick, so defense becomes a major concern. He lets guys like Wade and Parker score on him pretty easily, but if he could improve his lateral quickness he would be a force to reckon with.

Overall, he is a smart point guard with good all around skills, but he needs to get faster and improve on the defensive side.

My take on who's better:

Right now, Chris Paul is the better point guard. He doesn't have a very good team but took them to the playoffs with a good record. He basically did everything himself, he played a lot of minutes but didn't seem to tire out. He is very competitive and has a winning attitude. Williams could get to Paul's level if he could just win in the playoffs and improve on defense. Paul would burn Williams in one-on-one, but Williams' passing and shooting skills are better. If i were to build a franchise around one of these players, it'd have to be Chris Paul because of his abilities, and leadership.

*http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Deron-Williams-72/

https://www.nbrpa.com/news/featurearchive/Spencer_Haywood_Blog_Archive1.aspx(photo)

Favre From Perfect

2008-07-25T14:22:00.000-05:00

January 26th, 1997. The day of Super Bowl XXXI, and the day I became a Brett Favre fanatic at age 5. Favre and the Packers won the game, and since then I have watched nearly every Green Bay game to date. I wore his jersey minimum twice a week, and now, after all that's happened as of late, I've lost all my respect for the future hall-of-famer.

When Favre "retired" at the press confrence, I was actually surprised. I knew he had been back in forth in his decision for the past couple years, but after going so far in the playoffs I thought for sure he wouldn't stop there. But, he did, and I had to deal with it.

A friend of mine that lives in Wisconsin sent me down a few notorious Wisconsin newspapers, and all had Favre on the cover. I framed the cover of "The Capital Times" which had Favre looking triumphant, and the background was inscribed with LEGEND.

Hardly. In his interview with Greta Van Susteren, Favre declared that he wanted to be released from the Packers, and went on whining about how nobody wants him in Green Bay, and after watching five minutes of it I was indignant about everything he was saying. I think he is being beyond selfish, its obvious that he's just bored at home and wants his football fix. He's throwing away his legacy, and seems to not care at all. He says he does, but if he did then he wouldn't try to play for a different team.

ESPN.com says the Jets and Bucs are interested in Favre.

I just can't picture Favre in a different uniform. Imagine him throwing to Joey Galloway in those hideous Bucaneer uniforms. It's disgusting.

ESPN also reports that the Packers are postponing retiring Favre's jersey, and I couldn't agree with the Pack any more. I think Mike McCarthy is handling the situation very well, he says that he will not release Favre, and Favre won't start if he stays in Green Bay. He couldn't have thought of a better idea, but he couldn't stop Favre from demanding a trade, so now we get to see Favre go fail at another team.

Why, Brett. Why.

Knickpicking

2008-07-25T14:02:00.000-05:00

First of all I have to give credit to the New York Knicks for drafting a virtual nobody in front of all the crazy New York fans in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Unfortunatley, I can't really agree with the pick, as they took Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari isn't a bad player, but for the oppourtunity that the Knicks had to draft an established ballplayer I can't see why they took the 6"9 forward. On the board when the Knicks were on the clock: Eric Gordon, Brandon Rush, D.J Augustin, Jerryd Bayless, and Brook Lopez- all impact players who could help turn around the once-legendary franchise. Gallinari is a consistent shooter and solid passer who has a good basketball IQ, but one has to question if he is quite ready for the NBA. He is the antisthesis of quick, and for his size he isn't very strong. He also tends to gamble on defense and overall is a risk to put on the floor in crunch minutes because of his lack of defensive awareness.

A better fit: The Knicks are an interesting franchise right now, they have a lot of average players so its hard to decide what position they need most. In the end, i believe the best pick for them would be Jerryd Bayless. Bayless has tremendous potential, he is extremly quick, strong, and is a nightmare for opponents on defense. He plays better than his 1 steal per game average, he forces turnovers on defense and is a great leader on the court. Averaging 4 assists per game, he is a good point guard, although he could improve his court vision. He shot 40% from three, which is average but he found ways to get the ball in the basket which shows in his 19.7 points per game.

The Knicks need a solid defender on the court, their defense last year was subpar. Gallinari can help them offensively, but the Knicks already have decent scorers(Marbury, Randolph, Curry) and the defense needs a lot of improvement.