There are many things that can be said about Tom O'Brien's tenure as the head football coach for Boston College but and inability to recruit should not be one of them. Before O'Brien, the BC program had not had many first round draft picks in the NFL draft. However, a first or early second-rounder seems to be getting more and more common for the Eagles.
Last year Matt Ryan was selected third overall in the NFL Draft, the highest ever by a BC player. This year, B.J. Raji was selected 9th overall and Ron Brace went to the Pats early in the second round. Today, while looking for some wayyyyy to early predictions for the 2010 NFL draft I find that SI.com is predicting Mark Herzlich to be selected #7 overall (which would be tied with Mike Mamula as second-highest BC selection in draft history).
One has to wonder what will happen for the players that were drafted by Jagodzinski over the past two years and if any of them have first or second round potential. O'Brien truly raised the level of talent as well as the expectations for the school. I hope that Spaziani can carry on that proud tradition and build on the solid foundation that O'Brien laid.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
NHL playoff musings
- Anything sweeter than watching the absolute silence that encompassed the Bell Centre on Wednesday night as the Bruins completed only the third sweep of the Canadiens in team history (1929, 1992, and 2009 - something about the 2 & the 9 I guess - but I leave that kind of thinking to the show "Numbers"). For a series that was filled with emotion and energy that had to be one of the most boring and lifeless third periods in Bruins/Canadiens history. Not just the crowd but even the teams. It was as if once the third period started both sides knew what the outcome was going to be and simply resigned themselves to that fact.
- Am I the only one who doesn't really miss Joe Thornton? Don't get me wrong. He is a tremendous player and there is a #19 Bruins sweater hanging in my closet but when it comes to crunch time he simply does not show up. Brian Engblom last night was trying to make excuses for him and saying that the defense was playing him tougher but I thought Keith Jones counter-point was more on target. Everyone is supposed to play harder in the playoffs. Everyone raises their game. But...the truly great players find a way to get it down and make a difference. Joe does not elevate his play in the postseason. It was obvious in Boston and it has become even more so in San Jose. This will more than likely be another early exit for the Sharks unless Jumbo Joe can find a way to discover that next gear and take his game to the level he is capable of otherwise he will forever be seem as a failure.
- I chuckle every time I watch a game in Philly and the crowd uses the classic "Lets go Flyers" chant and changes it to daaa-daaa-da-da-da "Crosby Sucks". He He.
- I haven't had a chance to watch as many playoff games this season as I normally do but the Calgary/Chicago series has been one of the more exciting. Some overtime, a lot of back and forth between two great skating clubs. It's nice to see the Hawks back in the playoffs. If only the Maple Leafs could get their sinking ship righted then the entire Original Six might finally all get back in the playoffs at the same time.
- Looking forward to the Bruins-Rangers series but a little scared about how well Henrik Lundqvist is playing right now. The Caps are outshooting the Rangers in the series and yet have only managed to win one game. Sometimes a hot goaltender is all you need to make it all the way.
- Am I the only one who doesn't really miss Joe Thornton? Don't get me wrong. He is a tremendous player and there is a #19 Bruins sweater hanging in my closet but when it comes to crunch time he simply does not show up. Brian Engblom last night was trying to make excuses for him and saying that the defense was playing him tougher but I thought Keith Jones counter-point was more on target. Everyone is supposed to play harder in the playoffs. Everyone raises their game. But...the truly great players find a way to get it down and make a difference. Joe does not elevate his play in the postseason. It was obvious in Boston and it has become even more so in San Jose. This will more than likely be another early exit for the Sharks unless Jumbo Joe can find a way to discover that next gear and take his game to the level he is capable of otherwise he will forever be seem as a failure.
- I chuckle every time I watch a game in Philly and the crowd uses the classic "Lets go Flyers" chant and changes it to daaa-daaa-da-da-da "Crosby Sucks". He He.
- I haven't had a chance to watch as many playoff games this season as I normally do but the Calgary/Chicago series has been one of the more exciting. Some overtime, a lot of back and forth between two great skating clubs. It's nice to see the Hawks back in the playoffs. If only the Maple Leafs could get their sinking ship righted then the entire Original Six might finally all get back in the playoffs at the same time.
- Looking forward to the Bruins-Rangers series but a little scared about how well Henrik Lundqvist is playing right now. The Caps are outshooting the Rangers in the series and yet have only managed to win one game. Sometimes a hot goaltender is all you need to make it all the way.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Cure for what ails...
...the Boston Red Sox is a visit to Fenway from the Baltimore Orioles. Four wins later the Sox are over .500 and back to being relevant again. Of course for this writer the Sox aren't truly relevant again until the Bruins are eliminated from the playoffs. Game three tonight!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Capital Observations
After watching one of the most thrilling regionals in NCAA hockey tourney history, I guess it was only appropriate that the Frozen Four came down to a similar result. All three games this past weekend were well played and all four teams proved that they belonged. The glass slipper fell off for Bemidji State but not before they acquitted themselves well with a good effort and made Miami work for its victory. BU and Vermont had a classic see-saw battle with great plays made by both teams.
The final was perhaps one of the greatest tournament games in history. Even apart from the amazing comeback made by BU and the overtime, this game was a classic. BU was clearly the more talented team on paper with 13 NHL draft picks on their roster but you could not tell that by watching this game. Both teams looked evenly matched. The play was tough and physical and both teams were flying up and down the ice creating scoring chances and endless excitement for the DC crowd.
During this game, I saw the second most ridiculous save I have seen live when Keiran Millan robbed Justin Mercier on a two-on-one break. Only Scott Clemmensen's robbery on the breakaway in 2001 was better. There were two pipes hit (one for each team). There were pretty goals, ugly goals, and beautiful saves. This is the type of game that makes hockey fans.
The only downside was the outcome. Miami deserved this game. They shut down the BU offense for 59 minutes by playing good disciplined defense and good puck control. They were clearly not intimidated by a team that should have blown them off the ice. And then suddenly, they weren't focused, they were running around in their own end and unable to get a stick on the puck. After BU made it 3-2, Enrico Blasi should have called time out and settled his kids down and get them to dig deep and concentrate on the final 59 seconds. He didn't. They panicked and they paid for it. They collapsed so tight around Reichard that the BU point men were able to move all the way in tight to the circles. It was only a matter of time before BU tied the game up. I saw it coming and I felt Mrs. Pike wilt next to me. I hoped for a miracle that Miami would buck up and pull a Krys Kolanos in OT but they didn't have it in them and a bad deflection sent them home. They are young and well coached and will be great again next year.
As the first Frozen Four I have attended where BC was not there, it certainly was exciting and dramatic and everything a casual hockey fan could have wanted as a finale to a great 2009 postseason. I just wish the Redhawks could have held their cool for 59 more seconds. Congrats to all four teams for making it an exciting weekend.
The final was perhaps one of the greatest tournament games in history. Even apart from the amazing comeback made by BU and the overtime, this game was a classic. BU was clearly the more talented team on paper with 13 NHL draft picks on their roster but you could not tell that by watching this game. Both teams looked evenly matched. The play was tough and physical and both teams were flying up and down the ice creating scoring chances and endless excitement for the DC crowd.
During this game, I saw the second most ridiculous save I have seen live when Keiran Millan robbed Justin Mercier on a two-on-one break. Only Scott Clemmensen's robbery on the breakaway in 2001 was better. There were two pipes hit (one for each team). There were pretty goals, ugly goals, and beautiful saves. This is the type of game that makes hockey fans.
The only downside was the outcome. Miami deserved this game. They shut down the BU offense for 59 minutes by playing good disciplined defense and good puck control. They were clearly not intimidated by a team that should have blown them off the ice. And then suddenly, they weren't focused, they were running around in their own end and unable to get a stick on the puck. After BU made it 3-2, Enrico Blasi should have called time out and settled his kids down and get them to dig deep and concentrate on the final 59 seconds. He didn't. They panicked and they paid for it. They collapsed so tight around Reichard that the BU point men were able to move all the way in tight to the circles. It was only a matter of time before BU tied the game up. I saw it coming and I felt Mrs. Pike wilt next to me. I hoped for a miracle that Miami would buck up and pull a Krys Kolanos in OT but they didn't have it in them and a bad deflection sent them home. They are young and well coached and will be great again next year.
As the first Frozen Four I have attended where BC was not there, it certainly was exciting and dramatic and everything a casual hockey fan could have wanted as a finale to a great 2009 postseason. I just wish the Redhawks could have held their cool for 59 more seconds. Congrats to all four teams for making it an exciting weekend.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Not quite the same
So here I sit three days away from another Frozen Four (and the way the Final Fours of basketball have been shaping up this is the only collegiate event that actually has any surprises left in it). There is a little different feel for me this year than for the past three seasons when BC was participating in the festivities. I must say that I am a little more relaxed than I have been....the same cannot be said for Mrs. Pike.
As Miami prepares for their first Frozen Four they need to be sure of a few things. Numbers one is that they can't take Bemidji State for granted. Notre Dame and Cornell can tell you what happens if you do. This team may not have entered the tournament with any hype but the pounding they put on ND and the fantastic goaltending performance against Cornell have garnered them some respect (from the Rant at least). As Michigan State can attest, sometimes you can ride a hot goaltender all the way to the title even when you are outclassed by almost every opponent you will face.
Something else they need to remember, they have a freshman at goaltender. This is not a new occurrence (John Muse anyone?) but the fact that Cody Reichard joins Keiran Millan and Rob Madore as three freshmen goaltenders in the same Frozen Four is quite astounding. And for all intents and purposes, sophomore Matt Dalton of Bemidji is a freshman considering the heightened emotions that will be running through that team being the first non "Big Four" conference school to make the Frozen Four. So Miami is not any worse off really than any of the other teams with regards to the most important position on the ice.
Finally, they need to borrow the attitude of their CCHA brethren Michigan State and remember that even if they face BU in the final, just because the other team is supposed to win doesn't mean they always do.
I'm hoping for two days of exciting competitive hockey as there has been throughout the tourney to this point. If Miami wins, I will be very happy for Mrs. Pike. If this weekend has even half of the excitement of two weeks ago, I think hockey fans everywhere will be pretty happy.
As Miami prepares for their first Frozen Four they need to be sure of a few things. Numbers one is that they can't take Bemidji State for granted. Notre Dame and Cornell can tell you what happens if you do. This team may not have entered the tournament with any hype but the pounding they put on ND and the fantastic goaltending performance against Cornell have garnered them some respect (from the Rant at least). As Michigan State can attest, sometimes you can ride a hot goaltender all the way to the title even when you are outclassed by almost every opponent you will face.
Something else they need to remember, they have a freshman at goaltender. This is not a new occurrence (John Muse anyone?) but the fact that Cody Reichard joins Keiran Millan and Rob Madore as three freshmen goaltenders in the same Frozen Four is quite astounding. And for all intents and purposes, sophomore Matt Dalton of Bemidji is a freshman considering the heightened emotions that will be running through that team being the first non "Big Four" conference school to make the Frozen Four. So Miami is not any worse off really than any of the other teams with regards to the most important position on the ice.
Finally, they need to borrow the attitude of their CCHA brethren Michigan State and remember that even if they face BU in the final, just because the other team is supposed to win doesn't mean they always do.
I'm hoping for two days of exciting competitive hockey as there has been throughout the tourney to this point. If Miami wins, I will be very happy for Mrs. Pike. If this weekend has even half of the excitement of two weeks ago, I think hockey fans everywhere will be pretty happy.
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