Sorry I've been less than verbose considering the excitement from the weekend but certain other topics have dominated my thoughts of late.
One quick note on BC this weekend. Another dismal performance from the passing game (best pass of the day was dropped by Momah and thrown by Dominique Davis), but Montel Harris has shown something special out there. He hits the holes and has enough power to get that extra half yard. If there is something that might get them to 7 wins it just might be Montel Harris. That being said, if Crane and Davis can't get the passing game going, the better teams on the remaining schedule will eat them alive.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
A Dream Dies in Corvallis
Welcome to the NCAA 2008 football season. Suddenly, its starting to look a bit like the 2007 season. Last year the #1 and #2 teams in the nation lost several times to unranked opponents and chaos ruled the rankings. South Florida, BC, Kansas and others all were in the limelight briefly with hopes of playing for a national title just to watch those dreams die. Last night USC found out that the upset was not restricted to last year.
Normally I watch the ESPN Thursday night game. It's usually a decent contest between two middle ranked opponents. Last night when I saw it was USC versus Oregon State, I turned to Mrs. Pike and said, "I'm not watching that. If it's not 35-0 USC at halftime I'll be surprised." The Beavers had looked lost early in the season and looked like a team searching for an identity and some sense of a real future. The Trojans looked like they were ready to roll the nation aside on their way to the national title game. They were very impressive against Ohio State, and some said this might be Pete Carroll's best team since he took over at USC.
Ever since the Demolition in Pasadena, all people have been talking about it is how USC would walk through the rest of its schedule because the Pac-10 was terrible this year (especially after getting manhandled by the Mountain West in recent weeks). There was talk that no one in that entire conference had what it would take to challenge this team. The only real question was if there was going to be an undefeated SEC team and undefeated Big 12 team and which one was going to get the snub and not face USC for the title.
The boys from Corvallis weren't listening. As with every season of college football, the surprises are what make it worth watching. All the premature talk last week about ECU running the table and now USC, it just proves that you need to take every week one game at a time. The Beavers knew this and they took it to heart.
I began watching on the Beavers second possession of the first half and watching little Jacquizz Rodgers carve up the vaunted USC defense. For all the talk about Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, neither was able to stop Rodgers in the first half from averaging 5+ yards a carry. For those of you scoring at home, that's a first down every 2 runs. Lyle Moevao didn't even have to throw the ball in the first half so the pass rush became no concern. When all you do it throw quick screens & running plays pass rush blitzs aren't going to help you.
Defensively, Oregon State was everywhere in the first half. They were chasing Mark Sanchez out of the pocket and making him throw on the run and inaccurately. Joe McKnight couldn't get out of his own way no matter how many moves he tried to put on. As the half wore on and the lead increased you could see USC getting more frustrated (punctuated by silly personal foul penalties) and dejected while the Beavers were flying around the field and seemed to know what USC was throwing at them before the plays even started.
I give Pete Carroll credit. He made some fine halftime adjustments and USC game out looking like the team they should be. The dominated OSU defensively and Sanchez was finding open receivers for touchdowns. But a funny thing happened. After the counter-punch was thrown in the third quarter, like Kelly Pavlik in Pavlik-Taylor I, Oregon State got back up, dusted themselves off, and put the game away. They started running again, though not scoring they gave USC abysmal field position which ended up leading to the interception (bye-bye Heisman for Mr. Sanchez) that sealed the game.
This is what college football is all about. The unexpected. This is the second time in three years that a USC team has come to Corvallis with dreams of a national title in their heads and once again they go home with the "L".
Where does this leave the college football landscape. Well for coaches in the Big 12 and the SEC this means that going undefeated probably guarantees you a shot at the national title now that USC has been removed from the equation. But there could be a wrinkle in the system. If only one of those conference produces an undefeated team (and with the level of talent in those conferences and the games they have to play against each other this is highly probable) then the door opens for someone else like a South Florida or maybe even BYU if the stars were to align just right.
You can debate the 100 different reasons why there is more parity in college football. The fact is that it makes for great drama over the next few months and leads to more upsets and more exciting stories. Just like last year. The coaches may not like the uncertainty but for those of us who watch we want every year to be just like last year.
Normally I watch the ESPN Thursday night game. It's usually a decent contest between two middle ranked opponents. Last night when I saw it was USC versus Oregon State, I turned to Mrs. Pike and said, "I'm not watching that. If it's not 35-0 USC at halftime I'll be surprised." The Beavers had looked lost early in the season and looked like a team searching for an identity and some sense of a real future. The Trojans looked like they were ready to roll the nation aside on their way to the national title game. They were very impressive against Ohio State, and some said this might be Pete Carroll's best team since he took over at USC.
Ever since the Demolition in Pasadena, all people have been talking about it is how USC would walk through the rest of its schedule because the Pac-10 was terrible this year (especially after getting manhandled by the Mountain West in recent weeks). There was talk that no one in that entire conference had what it would take to challenge this team. The only real question was if there was going to be an undefeated SEC team and undefeated Big 12 team and which one was going to get the snub and not face USC for the title.
The boys from Corvallis weren't listening. As with every season of college football, the surprises are what make it worth watching. All the premature talk last week about ECU running the table and now USC, it just proves that you need to take every week one game at a time. The Beavers knew this and they took it to heart.
I began watching on the Beavers second possession of the first half and watching little Jacquizz Rodgers carve up the vaunted USC defense. For all the talk about Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, neither was able to stop Rodgers in the first half from averaging 5+ yards a carry. For those of you scoring at home, that's a first down every 2 runs. Lyle Moevao didn't even have to throw the ball in the first half so the pass rush became no concern. When all you do it throw quick screens & running plays pass rush blitzs aren't going to help you.
Defensively, Oregon State was everywhere in the first half. They were chasing Mark Sanchez out of the pocket and making him throw on the run and inaccurately. Joe McKnight couldn't get out of his own way no matter how many moves he tried to put on. As the half wore on and the lead increased you could see USC getting more frustrated (punctuated by silly personal foul penalties) and dejected while the Beavers were flying around the field and seemed to know what USC was throwing at them before the plays even started.
I give Pete Carroll credit. He made some fine halftime adjustments and USC game out looking like the team they should be. The dominated OSU defensively and Sanchez was finding open receivers for touchdowns. But a funny thing happened. After the counter-punch was thrown in the third quarter, like Kelly Pavlik in Pavlik-Taylor I, Oregon State got back up, dusted themselves off, and put the game away. They started running again, though not scoring they gave USC abysmal field position which ended up leading to the interception (bye-bye Heisman for Mr. Sanchez) that sealed the game.
This is what college football is all about. The unexpected. This is the second time in three years that a USC team has come to Corvallis with dreams of a national title in their heads and once again they go home with the "L".
Where does this leave the college football landscape. Well for coaches in the Big 12 and the SEC this means that going undefeated probably guarantees you a shot at the national title now that USC has been removed from the equation. But there could be a wrinkle in the system. If only one of those conference produces an undefeated team (and with the level of talent in those conferences and the games they have to play against each other this is highly probable) then the door opens for someone else like a South Florida or maybe even BYU if the stars were to align just right.
You can debate the 100 different reasons why there is more parity in college football. The fact is that it makes for great drama over the next few months and leads to more upsets and more exciting stories. Just like last year. The coaches may not like the uncertainty but for those of us who watch we want every year to be just like last year.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Season begins!
Tonight is the first pre-season game for the Boston Bruins. NHL pre-season officially started on Saturday and the NCAA has their first D-I exhibition game on Thursday.
HOCKEY IS HERE!!!
(and after watching the Pats this weekend - not a moment too soon)
HOCKEY IS HERE!!!
(and after watching the Pats this weekend - not a moment too soon)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
History repeats itself
I don't think Pittsburgh was paying attention to Craig Hansen's earlier outings for the Red Sox. After being relegated to Triple-A for a while, the Pirates brought Hansen back with the September call-ups. Today they brought him in, in the 12th inning, of a tie game, against the Dodgers.
There are many things wrong with this idea. Hansen pitching in a tie ballgame. Hansen pitching in extra innings. Hansen pitching against a good line-up. Let's face it, Hansen being allowed to pitch in a major league ballgame period is a bad idea.
Naturally, Hansen walked the first batter he faced. Struck out the next, but the first guy stole second so the Pirates had to intentionally walk the next batter. He then walked the fourth batter he faced to load the bases with one out. He was promptly pulled from the game but his relief allowed a single and the Pirates are behind 4-3. It doesn't even matter if they come back in the bottom of the 12th and win. Craig Hansen is terrible and cannot handle the big leagues. Boston fans have known this for three years. Pittsburgh should have watched some tape.
There are many things wrong with this idea. Hansen pitching in a tie ballgame. Hansen pitching in extra innings. Hansen pitching against a good line-up. Let's face it, Hansen being allowed to pitch in a major league ballgame period is a bad idea.
Naturally, Hansen walked the first batter he faced. Struck out the next, but the first guy stole second so the Pirates had to intentionally walk the next batter. He then walked the fourth batter he faced to load the bases with one out. He was promptly pulled from the game but his relief allowed a single and the Pirates are behind 4-3. It doesn't even matter if they come back in the bottom of the 12th and win. Craig Hansen is terrible and cannot handle the big leagues. Boston fans have known this for three years. Pittsburgh should have watched some tape.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Making the Grade
My good friend, the Pobble, mentioned that she was wondering my take on how the Pats would fare without Mr. Brady. I've kept silent this week because I decided that with every other person in the known sports universe chatting about Tom Brady there was no reason to add my voice to the din. Those ladies and gentlemen are all paid good money to dissect every angle and every twist and turn to the point where you just don't want to hear it anymore.
For myself I spent the week in the wait and see world. Though I was skeptical about Cassel's ability to win and there were concerns of Randy Moss getting ornery without his favorite signal caller in the huddle, the fact was that Cassel had led the Pats to victory against Kansas City and the Jets didn't exactly look like world beaters against the lowly Dolphins so it was just time to wait and see.
Turns out that Cassel again acquitted himself quite well. He kept the team in check, kept turnovers to a minimum and helped his team start the season 2-0. After all, that's all that counts. The Patriots have once again started the season 2-0 and have won arguably the toughest division game on their schedule by winning in the Meadowlands. There is not a team in the AFC East that despises the Pats more that the J-E-T-S Jets and the Meadowlands was ready for them with all the swagger and insults as if the Jets had won the Super Bowl last year instead of the Giants. Cassel came in (his first start since high school in case you hadn't heard) and calmly helped his team to victory.
That being said, there is a long way to go. You will note that I did not say that Cassel led the Pats to victory yesterday. He threw no touchdowns (no interceptions either by the way), he did not light up the scoreboard in Eff-You touchdown fashion. There were no long 50-yard bombs (the one he could have had was thrown too short and the defender caught up to Moss to break up the pass). He was a part of the team. Lamont Jordan was a key component with his hard-nosed second half runs. The defense was stout, highlighted by Adalius Thomas sacking not only Brett Farve but the running back who came to help him as well and the interception by Brandon "Cleat-Stomper" Merriweather. It's been said by others and I agree that this team will have to win as a team this year. Just like in 2001. Brady was not a superstar then. No one thought he was Hall of Famer but he did what needed to be done to succeed. Cassel showed on Sunday that he can do that as well. You passed your first test Matt, only 14 more to go.
For myself I spent the week in the wait and see world. Though I was skeptical about Cassel's ability to win and there were concerns of Randy Moss getting ornery without his favorite signal caller in the huddle, the fact was that Cassel had led the Pats to victory against Kansas City and the Jets didn't exactly look like world beaters against the lowly Dolphins so it was just time to wait and see.
Turns out that Cassel again acquitted himself quite well. He kept the team in check, kept turnovers to a minimum and helped his team start the season 2-0. After all, that's all that counts. The Patriots have once again started the season 2-0 and have won arguably the toughest division game on their schedule by winning in the Meadowlands. There is not a team in the AFC East that despises the Pats more that the J-E-T-S Jets and the Meadowlands was ready for them with all the swagger and insults as if the Jets had won the Super Bowl last year instead of the Giants. Cassel came in (his first start since high school in case you hadn't heard) and calmly helped his team to victory.
That being said, there is a long way to go. You will note that I did not say that Cassel led the Pats to victory yesterday. He threw no touchdowns (no interceptions either by the way), he did not light up the scoreboard in Eff-You touchdown fashion. There were no long 50-yard bombs (the one he could have had was thrown too short and the defender caught up to Moss to break up the pass). He was a part of the team. Lamont Jordan was a key component with his hard-nosed second half runs. The defense was stout, highlighted by Adalius Thomas sacking not only Brett Farve but the running back who came to help him as well and the interception by Brandon "Cleat-Stomper" Merriweather. It's been said by others and I agree that this team will have to win as a team this year. Just like in 2001. Brady was not a superstar then. No one thought he was Hall of Famer but he did what needed to be done to succeed. Cassel showed on Sunday that he can do that as well. You passed your first test Matt, only 14 more to go.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Brady, Crane, Jericho - what's going on?
Some thoughts on the weekend:
- So the Tom Brady era is on hiatus for at least this season (torn ACL is the word). Long live... who? Matt Cassel has the inside track having been with the team for the last few years and serving as backup to some greats in his football career (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Tom Brady) but is he ready to lead? He gets a passing grade this week for coming in when he had no indication he would have to and leading his team to victory (with a little help for Mr. Moss). I wouldn't say he made any extreme mistakes but there was a little something missing from the Pats offense without Brady back there. There have been many names circulated as people the Pats are looking at for a new starter/depth player. Chris Simms, Tim Rattay, and even Daunte Culpepper have all been mentioned. Stay tuned as this one could get interesting in the next few weeks especially is Cassel does not perform well next week.
- Speaking of passable, after one week where he did enough to get his team a victory, Chris Crane did enough to get his team a loss this week. The defense help Georgia Tech to only 19 points and yet still BC came away with a loss. Crane looked lost. Early on when they were running a modified option he kept things running smoothly. As the coaching staff attempt to get more passing going (Coach Jags mentioned the need for better execution in the passing game just before halftime) Crane looked exceedingly lost. His passes we wobbly, he hit his own offensive linemen in the head with passes twice, and almost every completion (including the touchdown pass) looked like it had as much chance of being an interception than a completion. For a quarterback who is supposed to have decent legs he showed a stiffness in the pocket and a surprising lack of maneuverability to avoid pressure (as shown by the safety). For the sake of the Eagles I hope that Coach Jags has some solutions up his sleeve to improve Chris Crane or it is going to be a very long season.
- (Warning WWE talk!) One thing that has me excited is the recent fresh blood that has been introduced to the WWE and the storyline they seem to have centering around the second generation stars (DiBiase Jr, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and now Afa Anoai Jr.). The little I was able to see from various Unforgiven feeds last night seems to have Randy being taking the lead of this band and really pulling them together. I've always thought that WWE has worked best when there are factions around (Corporation, Ministry, D-X, Nation of Domination, Evolution, etc.) or when there are two great headliners to feud (Rock v. Austin, Triple H v. Rock, Edge v. Undertaker). There has not been a successful faction for a while and this Orton led group might be ready to fill that void. With Randy not 100% to wrestle this is just what they need to get him back involved and get serious promo time without actually being in the ring. I see a bright future in this group and with people like D.H. Smith & Jimmy Snuka, Jr. around there are others to possibly add as future talent to this group. Now they just need someone to take their heat out on. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks of Raw leading up to No Mercy more than I have in quite some time. Now there just have to be no more injuries to key players and we might have something.
That's all I have for now kiddies. Stay tuned to these developing stories.
(P.S. one month & two days until the title defense begins!)
- So the Tom Brady era is on hiatus for at least this season (torn ACL is the word). Long live... who? Matt Cassel has the inside track having been with the team for the last few years and serving as backup to some greats in his football career (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Tom Brady) but is he ready to lead? He gets a passing grade this week for coming in when he had no indication he would have to and leading his team to victory (with a little help for Mr. Moss). I wouldn't say he made any extreme mistakes but there was a little something missing from the Pats offense without Brady back there. There have been many names circulated as people the Pats are looking at for a new starter/depth player. Chris Simms, Tim Rattay, and even Daunte Culpepper have all been mentioned. Stay tuned as this one could get interesting in the next few weeks especially is Cassel does not perform well next week.
- Speaking of passable, after one week where he did enough to get his team a victory, Chris Crane did enough to get his team a loss this week. The defense help Georgia Tech to only 19 points and yet still BC came away with a loss. Crane looked lost. Early on when they were running a modified option he kept things running smoothly. As the coaching staff attempt to get more passing going (Coach Jags mentioned the need for better execution in the passing game just before halftime) Crane looked exceedingly lost. His passes we wobbly, he hit his own offensive linemen in the head with passes twice, and almost every completion (including the touchdown pass) looked like it had as much chance of being an interception than a completion. For a quarterback who is supposed to have decent legs he showed a stiffness in the pocket and a surprising lack of maneuverability to avoid pressure (as shown by the safety). For the sake of the Eagles I hope that Coach Jags has some solutions up his sleeve to improve Chris Crane or it is going to be a very long season.
- (Warning WWE talk!) One thing that has me excited is the recent fresh blood that has been introduced to the WWE and the storyline they seem to have centering around the second generation stars (DiBiase Jr, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and now Afa Anoai Jr.). The little I was able to see from various Unforgiven feeds last night seems to have Randy being taking the lead of this band and really pulling them together. I've always thought that WWE has worked best when there are factions around (Corporation, Ministry, D-X, Nation of Domination, Evolution, etc.) or when there are two great headliners to feud (Rock v. Austin, Triple H v. Rock, Edge v. Undertaker). There has not been a successful faction for a while and this Orton led group might be ready to fill that void. With Randy not 100% to wrestle this is just what they need to get him back involved and get serious promo time without actually being in the ring. I see a bright future in this group and with people like D.H. Smith & Jimmy Snuka, Jr. around there are others to possibly add as future talent to this group. Now they just need someone to take their heat out on. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks of Raw leading up to No Mercy more than I have in quite some time. Now there just have to be no more injuries to key players and we might have something.
That's all I have for now kiddies. Stay tuned to these developing stories.
(P.S. one month & two days until the title defense begins!)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Robbery - Referee Style
Losing is one thing (as BC did today because of poor offensive play all around), but losing because the refs can't make correct calls in key situations is quite another. In the span of about 30 minutes I have seen three teams fortunes changes due to poor officiating.
Wake Forest had a 27-21 lead against Ole Miss late in the game with Ole Miss driving. On third down, Jevan Snead attempts to throw to the back of the end zone and gets drilled. His arm is hit as he threw (not the ball exactly because that would count as a tip) and it lands toward the front of the end zone. A receiver in the back of the end zone is hit to the ground and a flag is thrown...pass interference. The receiver could not have caught the ball even if he had arms and hands as big as The Great Khali. Yet it was pass interference. Ole Miss goes on to score a touchdown on that drive and take the 28-27 lead with only 1:01 left to play. Luckily for Wake Forest they were able to hit a 41-yard field goal to win the game 30-28.
Midway through the 4th quarter in South Bend, San Diego State was knocking on the door step, as an Aztec is entering the end zone he is hit by a Notre Dame defender and the ball comes loose and lands outside the end zone, is picked up by a Notre Dame player and once he is tackled the ref signals a touchback. The replay suggested that the SDSU player may have actually broken the plane but what it also showed was that the ball landed in the field of play. It never got into the end zone. As such, it never should have been a touchback. It was picked up in the field of play and the Irish player was tackled. They should have at best had the ball at the one yard line and at worst it should have been a touchdown for SDSU. Instead Notre Dame got the ball at the 20 and promptly went down and scored a touchdown to take the 14-13 lead which would be all they would need to win. But make no mistake, the refs call changed the course of that game.
Finally, the worst play happened to Washington. They played a tight back and forth game with BYU and were trailing 28-21 with little time left on the clock. Jake Locker engineered a terrific drive which culminated in his touchdown run with only 2 seconds to play. Then the laundry came on the field. In his excitement from driving the length of the field and scoring the game tying touchdown as time expired, Jake Locker threw his hands in the air and in doing so tossed the ball toward the back of the end zone. Excessive celebration. 15-yard penalty making them kick the extra point from the 18, and it was blocked. BYU wins 28-27. As one announcer said, "This loss rests squarely on the shoulders of the referees."
The NCAA has tried to cut down on celebrations for the past few years. You can't spike the ball. You can't do pre-planned celebration. You can't do anything that would single you out and draw attention to you as an individual. You can get excited as long as you don't get too excited.
Jake Locker did not spike the ball. He did not do a pre-planned celebration. He did not try to single himself out. In fact, when he jumped up, the first thing he did was look for his fellow Huskies and start chest-bumping and helmet slapping. One could say that he did everything that the NCAA is looking for. Not rubbing it in. Not over celebrating. Yet he was flagged for excessive celebration. It was truly sad to see Washington's hard work and excellent play get penalized by flag-happy stripes.
The pattern is alarming. The amount of game changing bad calls seems to be expanding. Maybe its because of the exposure that games get now. With the introduction of things like ESPN360.com and the Big Ten Network there are record numbers of college football games on television. Refs know that everything they do is being scrutinized and diagnosed and I think sometimes they get the jitters as much as a true freshman quarterback stepping into the Big House for the first time as a visitor. Maybe more training has to be done. Maybe these guys just aren't really trying. I don't know. But when even the replay officials can't get it right (see Notre Dame), something needs to be changed. The guys in the stripes are there to make sure that the game is played within the rules so that the better team wins the game. They are referees not judges, they are not supposed to decide the outcome.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Finally the U has Come!
Ok, despite the title of the blog this has nothing to do with the University of Miami (affectionately called "The U" by its alum)...well, maybe it is slightly related. But it has more to do with a discovery that I made last night while channel surfing at home.
Being a regular Wednesday night before the fall TV season has started and the fact that the Red Sox had played a day game meant that I had nothing to watch last night. While laying in bed looking around for something worthwhile I happened upon ESPNU.
Let me let that settle in a little.
I happened upon ESPNU.
On my TV.
In my home and not at the local watering hole.
That's right boys and girls...ESPNU. The bane of my existence which has been known as RCN and their inability to provide ESPNU to me (see "Summer Musings" just a few short days ago) has been lifted.
The strange part about this is that no one seems to know that it was actually added. If you go to the ESPNU.com site and search for the local RCN channel in my area it still, as of this morning, says that RCN does not carry ESPNU at this time. I checked my past bills (where they tend to announce changes in channel line up) and there is no mention of the addition of ESPNU. There was no fan fare. It is not located anywhere near the other ESPN channels on the dial (it isn't even near to CSTV) so there was no reason for me to have noticed it where it was placed. And yet there it is all the same.
There is a happy Cam knowing there is one more channel I can flip to come Saturday. And a slightly less happy Mrs. Pike...knowing there is one more channel I can flip to come Saturday. But the best part will come next March, when I can watch the full college hockey playoffs.
Being a regular Wednesday night before the fall TV season has started and the fact that the Red Sox had played a day game meant that I had nothing to watch last night. While laying in bed looking around for something worthwhile I happened upon ESPNU.
Let me let that settle in a little.
I happened upon ESPNU.
On my TV.
In my home and not at the local watering hole.
That's right boys and girls...ESPNU. The bane of my existence which has been known as RCN and their inability to provide ESPNU to me (see "Summer Musings" just a few short days ago) has been lifted.
The strange part about this is that no one seems to know that it was actually added. If you go to the ESPNU.com site and search for the local RCN channel in my area it still, as of this morning, says that RCN does not carry ESPNU at this time. I checked my past bills (where they tend to announce changes in channel line up) and there is no mention of the addition of ESPNU. There was no fan fare. It is not located anywhere near the other ESPN channels on the dial (it isn't even near to CSTV) so there was no reason for me to have noticed it where it was placed. And yet there it is all the same.
There is a happy Cam knowing there is one more channel I can flip to come Saturday. And a slightly less happy Mrs. Pike...knowing there is one more channel I can flip to come Saturday. But the best part will come next March, when I can watch the full college hockey playoffs.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Make up your mind (Part II)
Back in February, the Rant brought you musings no Peter Forsberg holding the league hostage while he decided what to do for the season. I knew that if the league continued to allow this type of behavior that it would set a terrible precedent for the years to come. And I was right.
After Teemu Selanne, Scott Neidermeyer, and Forsberg last year, Mats Sundin has decided to do the exact same thing this year (which is to say that he has decided on absolutely nothing). Originally he was supposed to make up his mind on whether or not he wanted to play by the end of July. Both Vancouver and Toronto were reportedly offering him contracts to come and finish is stellar career with them. But he never made up his mind. Some felt he had decided to hang it up because he was not engaging in the same per-season work out activities has he had in the past. But there was no word and his decision kept getting pushed from one week to the next.
Now, Sundin is quoted as saying that he is definitely not going to decide by the beginning of the season. He said, "Others have started playing in the middle of the season. If I would feel like retiring, I would say it." Please note that he is using the horrible tactics of Selanne, et al last year to justify this decision. A bad precedent has been set here. Mr. Bettman, time to start actually acting like a commissioner and fixing a problem brewing in your league.
Word from the Rant to those who are looking to sign Sundin, last year's late signees did not turn their teams into champions. I would not count on Sundin being able to do it either.
After Teemu Selanne, Scott Neidermeyer, and Forsberg last year, Mats Sundin has decided to do the exact same thing this year (which is to say that he has decided on absolutely nothing). Originally he was supposed to make up his mind on whether or not he wanted to play by the end of July. Both Vancouver and Toronto were reportedly offering him contracts to come and finish is stellar career with them. But he never made up his mind. Some felt he had decided to hang it up because he was not engaging in the same per-season work out activities has he had in the past. But there was no word and his decision kept getting pushed from one week to the next.
Now, Sundin is quoted as saying that he is definitely not going to decide by the beginning of the season. He said, "Others have started playing in the middle of the season. If I would feel like retiring, I would say it." Please note that he is using the horrible tactics of Selanne, et al last year to justify this decision. A bad precedent has been set here. Mr. Bettman, time to start actually acting like a commissioner and fixing a problem brewing in your league.
Word from the Rant to those who are looking to sign Sundin, last year's late signees did not turn their teams into champions. I would not count on Sundin being able to do it either.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Cuts & Eliminations
- Jo-Lon Dunbar did not make the cut with New Orleans Saints. Jamie Silva and Dejuan Tribble survived the cuts for now. Go Eagles!
- The first team to be mathematically eliminated from MLB postseason - the Seattle Mariners. Thank you Seattle for another year of dreadful baseball. Pittsburgh Pirates (the AAA club of the National League) your next.
- The first team to be mathematically eliminated from MLB postseason - the Seattle Mariners. Thank you Seattle for another year of dreadful baseball. Pittsburgh Pirates (the AAA club of the National League) your next.
Week One is Done
The first week of college football has come to a close and it was filled with excitement right to the end (thank you UCLA-Tennessee for a great finish to the first weekend).
We've learned a couple of things early. Fresno State, Utah, and East Carolina have entered themselves into the BCS-buster conversation with BYU. Big first week wins by all three have opened the door for them to be considered as this year's Hawaii. All face great tests in the near future (Wisconsin, Oregon State, & West Virginia respectively) but for now they are all 1-0 and the sky is the limit.
There were no jaw-dropping upsets like last year (Appy State was obliterated by LSU) but let's not downplay the Sun Belt getting a big victory as Arkansas State beat Texas A&M this weekend. I know A&M was supposed to be down a little this year but...Arkansas State? Seriously?? The Sun Belt conference hasn't even one step above I-AA (I refuse the FBS/FCS distinction....it's always been I-AA and to me it will remain I-AA), they have been I-AA teams playing division one football. Maybe this win is a sign for the future. Florida Atlantic certainly made some waves last year with their level of play.
As has been suggested by many in the past, perhaps this is a sign that reduced scholarships and stricter academic guidelines are leading to a levelly of the playing field. Athletes in the past who no one would ever classify as "students" are not allowed to get away with as much as they used to because if teams don't maintain certain academic standards they lose scholarships. The big time programs can only afford to take so many borderline "students" without doing serious damage to the program. The trickle down effect is starting to be felt. It seems to me that we will see at least one non-BCS school in the BCS every year. We have 4 teams with legitimate shots at pulling it off this year (three above and BYU, who is everyone's darling this year).
Another thing we learned this weekend, signs point to another rough season for the ACC. I'm not ready to say that the sky is falling as many have but it doesn't look good. Only BC & Wake Forest really looked like they have something to offer. It's hard to judge Miami and Georgia Tech who pounded some I-AA teams. People have made a lot of Alabama destruction of Clemson. Granted Clemson should be better than that offensively considering the amount of returning talent they have but perhaps Alabama is better than people are giving them credit for. It's only week one and if 5 weeks from now, Bama is 5-0 and Clemson is 4-1 having rolled over their next 4 opponents people may take a very different view of this game. Last season, Virginia Tech was destroyed by eventual national champion LSU very early in the season yet they still won the ACC and made it to the BCS.
Looks like another fun filled season of college football. As always I will be watching.
We've learned a couple of things early. Fresno State, Utah, and East Carolina have entered themselves into the BCS-buster conversation with BYU. Big first week wins by all three have opened the door for them to be considered as this year's Hawaii. All face great tests in the near future (Wisconsin, Oregon State, & West Virginia respectively) but for now they are all 1-0 and the sky is the limit.
There were no jaw-dropping upsets like last year (Appy State was obliterated by LSU) but let's not downplay the Sun Belt getting a big victory as Arkansas State beat Texas A&M this weekend. I know A&M was supposed to be down a little this year but...Arkansas State? Seriously?? The Sun Belt conference hasn't even one step above I-AA (I refuse the FBS/FCS distinction....it's always been I-AA and to me it will remain I-AA), they have been I-AA teams playing division one football. Maybe this win is a sign for the future. Florida Atlantic certainly made some waves last year with their level of play.
As has been suggested by many in the past, perhaps this is a sign that reduced scholarships and stricter academic guidelines are leading to a levelly of the playing field. Athletes in the past who no one would ever classify as "students" are not allowed to get away with as much as they used to because if teams don't maintain certain academic standards they lose scholarships. The big time programs can only afford to take so many borderline "students" without doing serious damage to the program. The trickle down effect is starting to be felt. It seems to me that we will see at least one non-BCS school in the BCS every year. We have 4 teams with legitimate shots at pulling it off this year (three above and BYU, who is everyone's darling this year).
Another thing we learned this weekend, signs point to another rough season for the ACC. I'm not ready to say that the sky is falling as many have but it doesn't look good. Only BC & Wake Forest really looked like they have something to offer. It's hard to judge Miami and Georgia Tech who pounded some I-AA teams. People have made a lot of Alabama destruction of Clemson. Granted Clemson should be better than that offensively considering the amount of returning talent they have but perhaps Alabama is better than people are giving them credit for. It's only week one and if 5 weeks from now, Bama is 5-0 and Clemson is 4-1 having rolled over their next 4 opponents people may take a very different view of this game. Last season, Virginia Tech was destroyed by eventual national champion LSU very early in the season yet they still won the ACC and made it to the BCS.
Looks like another fun filled season of college football. As always I will be watching.
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