Sunday, December 6, 2009
A brief recap
Over the year, I put made some bold predictions, which worked out in several ways for me. First, the bad. Forcier winning the Heisman someday in his college career seems to have been a bit bold, and a little hasty on my part. Barkley also has not lived up to the hype, but a four year starter at USC would be hard to write off as a top pick, so I'll say hasty, but not bold. And, even though it is way to early to know the long-term effects of Larry Johnson playing for the Bengals, he has been running well so far, and may turn out to, not only be a talented running back, but a good player for the team as a whole. And, if we are going to get real picky, I said that the SEC championship would be an offensive sloppy game, which was a high scoring, exciting game. However, with that being said, we can get into the good. I called Alabama to upset Florida, and even though they were only a five point underdog, I was still sitting alone for the most part. Lou Holtz being insane for predicting Notre Dame to win the National Championship. Clausen did get close to being a contender for the Heisman, and has possibly become the quarterback prospect in the draft, but he will still not be invited to New York, so I was still right. And finally, my begging for Vince Young to quarterback for the Titans. Since bringing Young in, the Titans have won five straight games, and while everyone is being reluctant to give Young any credit, what he has done is simply amazing. Yes Chris Johnson has been on fire this season, but he was running the ball when Kerry Collins was in as well. Bottom line is, Young is a winner, and he always has been, and while Jeff Fisher made the move too late, Young is still giving them a longshot, but a shot at the playoffs.
Newfound love for USC
Through the years, I have found many reasons to hate USC. 1)Pete Carroll 2) Matt Leinart 3) Reggie Bush 4) Reggie Bush's heisman trophy 5) the media's constant coverage on everything USC, and all their "greatness". And the list could go on and on really. However, after watching the Gameday special on USC, and Pete Carroll's treatment of Jake Olsen. Jake was a boy who lost his eyesight to cancer when he was born. He would go on to fight, and beat, cancer eight times, before the ninth when the doctor's informed the Olsens that the only way to beat the cancer was to remove his other eye, and cause Jake to go blind forever.
The surgery was not to take place for a month, and Jake's one wish was to go see a USC football game. When Carroll found out about the story, Jake was invited to be on the field for practice, to be in the locker room with the guys before and after practice, and even lead the team on with Carroll for their game against Oregon State, leading pep talk for the team before they took the field, and celebrating with them in the locker room after the game. Jake continued to go to practices, and on his last night to ever be able to see, he only wanted to do one thing, go watch the Trojans practice. After some motivational speeches from the players and Carroll, Jake left, ready for the inevitable tomorrow. USC's center, Jake's favorite player, went with the Olsens on the day of the surgery and was there to see Jake in, and to see him come out.
The story was very moving, and inspirational, and since the surgery, Jake has come back to the field to see the guys, and give them a motivational speech since their loss to Stanford. The act of classiness from Pete Carroll, and the entire Trojan football team was simply amazing. I am not sure that I have ever seen a team, or a person go so far to assure someone of a last wish. I will always remember Carroll's "extra mile," and will always have a lot of respect for the Trojans, well atleast for the Trojans off-the-field character.
The surgery was not to take place for a month, and Jake's one wish was to go see a USC football game. When Carroll found out about the story, Jake was invited to be on the field for practice, to be in the locker room with the guys before and after practice, and even lead the team on with Carroll for their game against Oregon State, leading pep talk for the team before they took the field, and celebrating with them in the locker room after the game. Jake continued to go to practices, and on his last night to ever be able to see, he only wanted to do one thing, go watch the Trojans practice. After some motivational speeches from the players and Carroll, Jake left, ready for the inevitable tomorrow. USC's center, Jake's favorite player, went with the Olsens on the day of the surgery and was there to see Jake in, and to see him come out.
The story was very moving, and inspirational, and since the surgery, Jake has come back to the field to see the guys, and give them a motivational speech since their loss to Stanford. The act of classiness from Pete Carroll, and the entire Trojan football team was simply amazing. I am not sure that I have ever seen a team, or a person go so far to assure someone of a last wish. I will always remember Carroll's "extra mile," and will always have a lot of respect for the Trojans, well atleast for the Trojans off-the-field character.
Still has a shot at the Heisman
After being in Dallas for the Big XII championship, I still truly feel that Colt McCoy has a legitimate shot at winning the trophy next Saturday in New York. Although he did not have the game a lot of people were expecting, he still scored the only touchdown of the game, and put together big drives in the fourth quarter when UT needed it the most.
Now, I know that I am bias, but there is no way I am that bias. All Colt had to do was not give the heisman away. Granted, after seeing the stats from the Alabama game, and Ingram's stats, I figured the race would be closer than I thought, but I still figured Colt would be the frontrunner if he had a decent game. But it was clear after the first three drives (and two interceptions) that Colt was not in the mood to win it. There was only person on the field that earned a legitimate shot at the Heisman and that was Ndumakong Suh, who was a beast for four quarters. Now Greg Davis did not help UT very much by running slow developing misdirection plays which would end up going right at Suh, but that does not take away from the amazing game that he had. Suh had 12 tackles, six tackles for loss, and an amazing four and a half sacks. But more than just the numbers, the longhorns could not figure out anything that could stop Suh. He was fast, and strong, and dominating through double teams, running back chips, misdirection plays, plays that stretched the field away from him, it did not matter, Suh was in on almost every play. After watching the game, and really paying attention to Suh, if I had a vote for the Heisman, he would get mine hands down.
Now, as happy as I was for Suh, and to see a defensive lineman get some love that they deserve, I am terrified of Alabama's defensive line, and of our offensive line. All three of their down-lineman are big, strong, and physical. None of them have the speed that Suh has, but all of them are bigger and stronger, and will cause a myriad of problems for our offense. Our line better be hitting brick walls for the next month, and use a poor performance against Suh as motivation for the National Championship game. We are going to need those guys to play a lot better if we have a shot at winning two championships in one season.
Now, I know that I am bias, but there is no way I am that bias. All Colt had to do was not give the heisman away. Granted, after seeing the stats from the Alabama game, and Ingram's stats, I figured the race would be closer than I thought, but I still figured Colt would be the frontrunner if he had a decent game. But it was clear after the first three drives (and two interceptions) that Colt was not in the mood to win it. There was only person on the field that earned a legitimate shot at the Heisman and that was Ndumakong Suh, who was a beast for four quarters. Now Greg Davis did not help UT very much by running slow developing misdirection plays which would end up going right at Suh, but that does not take away from the amazing game that he had. Suh had 12 tackles, six tackles for loss, and an amazing four and a half sacks. But more than just the numbers, the longhorns could not figure out anything that could stop Suh. He was fast, and strong, and dominating through double teams, running back chips, misdirection plays, plays that stretched the field away from him, it did not matter, Suh was in on almost every play. After watching the game, and really paying attention to Suh, if I had a vote for the Heisman, he would get mine hands down.
Now, as happy as I was for Suh, and to see a defensive lineman get some love that they deserve, I am terrified of Alabama's defensive line, and of our offensive line. All three of their down-lineman are big, strong, and physical. None of them have the speed that Suh has, but all of them are bigger and stronger, and will cause a myriad of problems for our offense. Our line better be hitting brick walls for the next month, and use a poor performance against Suh as motivation for the National Championship game. We are going to need those guys to play a lot better if we have a shot at winning two championships in one season.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Florida player suspended?
It is true, after Carlos Dunlap's arrest on Tuesday for driving under the influence, Urban Meyer decided to suspend Dunlap from all special teams in the SEC championship. Later, in a courageous act, Dunlap decided to suspend himself from all of Florida's offensive series for the SEC championship.
In all seriousness, Meyer did suspend Dunlap indefinitly, and he will miss the SEC championship, which will be a much bigger blow than the Brandon Spikes "eye gouging" suspension. Dunlap, was the 2009 National Championship MVP, and is considered by many a first round draft pick if he foregoes his senior year at Florida. Dunlap was found at 2:30 in the morning stopped infront of a green light, sleeping behind the wheel.
Although Dunlap is considered a pass rusher in the Florida defense, with his 6'6", 290 pound build, he would have used effectively against Alabama to stop, heisman hopeful, Mark Ingram. And, since Florida is only a five point favorite against Alabama, this is just the kind of distraction to help Alabama get the edge they will need to win the SEC again play in the National Championship, but all all the pieces are not there yet.
Florida came into this season as possibly the greatest college football team of all time. They returned their entire defense from a year ago, their heisman trophy winner, and only lost one person in the first round of last years draft. On paper, they were one of the scariest teams in the country, and while Alabama has been a bit of a surprise to most, Florida has been the most disappointing undefeated team ever.
However, history tends to repeat itself, and just by last years post season play, Alabama went 0-2, including an embarrasing 31-17 loss to the non-BCS Utah. And Florida went 2-0, including beating Alabama, and a 24-14 beatdown against Oklahoma. Florida is the better team on paper, and Florida, historically, has prepared better for postseason games, so of course they are the favorite. But I still believe there will be an upset, and I have Alabama making it to the dance. In a offesive sloppy (SEC defensive showdown) SEC championship, Albama wins 17 - 10.
In all seriousness, Meyer did suspend Dunlap indefinitly, and he will miss the SEC championship, which will be a much bigger blow than the Brandon Spikes "eye gouging" suspension. Dunlap, was the 2009 National Championship MVP, and is considered by many a first round draft pick if he foregoes his senior year at Florida. Dunlap was found at 2:30 in the morning stopped infront of a green light, sleeping behind the wheel.
Although Dunlap is considered a pass rusher in the Florida defense, with his 6'6", 290 pound build, he would have used effectively against Alabama to stop, heisman hopeful, Mark Ingram. And, since Florida is only a five point favorite against Alabama, this is just the kind of distraction to help Alabama get the edge they will need to win the SEC again play in the National Championship, but all all the pieces are not there yet.
Florida came into this season as possibly the greatest college football team of all time. They returned their entire defense from a year ago, their heisman trophy winner, and only lost one person in the first round of last years draft. On paper, they were one of the scariest teams in the country, and while Alabama has been a bit of a surprise to most, Florida has been the most disappointing undefeated team ever.
However, history tends to repeat itself, and just by last years post season play, Alabama went 0-2, including an embarrasing 31-17 loss to the non-BCS Utah. And Florida went 2-0, including beating Alabama, and a 24-14 beatdown against Oklahoma. Florida is the better team on paper, and Florida, historically, has prepared better for postseason games, so of course they are the favorite. But I still believe there will be an upset, and I have Alabama making it to the dance. In a offesive sloppy (SEC defensive showdown) SEC championship, Albama wins 17 - 10.
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