tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323009072024-03-07T19:57:25.342-05:00.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.comBlogger464125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-37266260186909984082010-04-16T13:50:00.004-04:002010-04-16T14:26:22.862-04:00Sam Bradford- Am I Taking Crazy Pills?It seems destined that Sam Bradford is going to be the top pick in next weeks NFL draft. This is how David Carr happens, or Tim Couch, or Alex Smith. These are quarterbacks taken #1 because the team with the pick felt like their hands were tied.<br /><br />People realize that Bradford only played college football for 2 years, right?<br /><br />People understand that he never won a Bowl game? That he only beat Texas his FRESHMAN year? That his worst game in the last two years was the only one that truly mattered (title game against Florida). That he played in a conference where nobody played defense? Here are the pertinent numbers for 2008 (the one year where he did anything).<br /><br />Sam Bradford: 68% passing, 4720 yards, 50 TD, 8 INT<br />Chase Daniel: 73% passing, 4335 yards, 39 TD, 18 INT<br />Graham Harrell: 71% passing, 5111 yards, 45 TD, 9 INT<br />Todd Reesing: 66% passing, 3888 yards, 32 TD, 13 INT<br />Joe Ganz: 68% passing, 3568 yards, 25 TD, 11 INT<br />Zac Robinson: 65% passing, 3064 yards, 25 TD, 10 INT (562 yards rushing, 8 TD)<br />Colt McCoy: 77% passing, 3859 yards, 34 TD, 8 INT (561 yards rushing, 11 TD)<br /><br />All these quarterbacks were in the SAME CONFERENCE!<br /><br />Then Bradford played a very good Florida D, had his worst game of the year, and lost. The only other team to play any defense that year was Texas, and Bradford lost to them as well. Don't say I didn't warn you, St. Louis.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-37846520790084541162009-10-22T21:15:00.003-04:002009-10-22T21:55:11.324-04:00The Case Against Tebow1: We're back? Not sure. Just had something to say, and a blog.<br /><br />2: Tim Tebow should not be anywhere near the top of the Heisman list. The argument in his favor is that he's the quarterback for the #1 team in the country. Now, let's compare his stats to another, less mentioned quarterback.<br /><br /> Total Yards:<br /><br />Quarterback A: 1410<br />Quarterback B: 1352<br /><br />Total TD's: <br /><br />Quarterback A: 13 <br />Quarterback B: 9<br /><br />Total Turnovers: <br /><br />Quarterback A: 6 <br />Quarterback B: 6<br /><br />Sacks: <br /><br />Quarterback A: 12 <br />Quarterback B: 8<br /><br />Wins Against Ranked:<br /><br />Quarterback A: 1 <br />Quarterback B: 3<br /><br />Margin over Ark: <br /><br />Quarterback A: 3 <br />Quarterback B: 28<br /><br />Losses: <br /><br />Quarterback A: 0 <br />Quarterback B: 0<br /><br />Team Ranking: <br /><br />Quarterback A: 1 <br />Quarterback B: 1<br /><br />That's right, Quarterback A is Tebow, but Quarterback B is the immortal Greg McElroy.<br /><br />Now, no sane person would ever argue that McElroy should be anywhere NEAR the Heisman race. And yet his numbers stack up pretty favorably with Tebow. Now, spare me the argument that he's played one more game, or that Tebow was hurt. The point remains that Tebow's numbers are pedestrian at best. If I wanted to embarrass him I'd just compare him to Tony Pike.<br /><br />Don't make me tell you that Terrelle Pryor has more passing yards, total yards, touchdowns, and yards/carry than Tebow.<br /><br />Now compare Tebow's projected season another successful season by a top QB:<br /><br />Pass Yards:<br /><br />Tebow Projected: 2064 <br />Quarterback B: 3286<br /><br />Completion %: <br /><br />Tebow Projected: 65.5 <br />Quarterback B: 66.9<br /><br />Pass TD's: <br /><br />Tebow Projected: 16 <br />Quarterback B: 32<br /><br />Rush Yards: <br /><br />Tebow Projected: 720 <br />Quarterback B: 895<br /><br />Rush TD's: <br /><br />Tebow Projected: 10 <br />Quarterback B: 23<br /><br />Interceptions: <br /><br />Tebow Projected: 4 <br />Quarterback B: 6<br /><br />Sacks: <br /><br />Tebow Projected: 24 <br />Quarterback B: 13<br /><br />That's right, Quarterback B is Tebow in 2007. So he's on pace for half the season as his first Heisman but he could still win another? He's getting WORSE. Alternatively, he's the same but pretty average when not surrounded by tons of talent and a line that doesn't let him get touched. Or, he's making poor decisions and taking too many sacks. Either way, he does not deserve to be in the Heisman chase right now. That could change, but it won't matter, because he'll be on the short list as long as he's being held to a different standard.<br /><br />But if McElroy keeps up in the stats, and he just might, voters should think long and hard before anointing their king.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-27023689366406907042009-05-15T13:49:00.002-04:002009-05-15T14:08:00.778-04:00More quick hittersWell, we're not being terribly reliable here in 323 land. I blame two things:<br /><br />1: The law. As in either the study, or practice of it.<br /><br />2: The offseason. Kind of hard to get excited to write articles about spring practices that we can't attend, or spring games that we generally can't watch.<br /><br />Anyways, here are some quick college football thoughts to tide you over.<br /><br />- Apparently Mitch Mustain was not familiar with how it works in Trojan land. He was anointed the starter at Arkansas after being named the national high school player of the year. Then he got pissy because Houston Nutt thought it was better for his team to run the offense through Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, a pair of first-round picks, than a freshman quarterback. So he transferred to USC for fame and glory. He rode the pine last year and now he's THIRD on the depth chart behind two other high school superstars (Aaron Corp and Matt Barkley). Nothing is handed to you at USC, you have to win it over some kid who was at least as highly recruited as you coming out of high school. I'd say at least the women are hotter, but I'm not sure if the 3d stringer gets a lot of that action. Maybe Mitch was better off being a big fish in a small pond.<br /><br />- Looks like Greg Paulus is doing what I told him to do and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4166034">returning</a> to Syracuse. This makes the most sense for him. He only has one year of eligibility so he needs to start immediately, and the Orange are so bad that he may actually get that chance. If he plays well enough maybe he can get drafted as a project quarterback. I mean, that's his best-case scenario and going home to upstate NY gives him a better chance of pulling it off than he'd have battling some encumbant, or a top recruit at a more functional program. It certainly makes more sense than trying to win the job running whatever Rich Rod is dreaming up in Michigan. I think it's an interesting story, and I like the fact that the kid seems to have no regrets about his decision. So good luck to him. If he plays well there he'll cement his status as local legend and give that program a glimmer of hope.<br /><br />- Mark Schlabach has a top 25 that's worth <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4166221">looking</a> at. It's not actually worth commenting about because it's still way too early. Furthermore, since we haven't been able to watch practices and talk to people like Mark has, we don't have anything to add beyond pure conjecture. We like to save that sort of thing until the season is a little closer.<br /><br />- Finally, a really sad note. It looks like one of the 323's absolutely favorite players is battling <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4166736">cancer</a>. Herzlich is a warrior on the field and makes the big man smile from his season tickets seats at BC when he lights someone up. As much as we were looking forward to watching him on the field this year, we're even more looking forward to him just being healthy again. Great kid, great leader. Our thoughts are certainly with him, and we know that he'll fight it until he wins.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-55929270671962234032009-04-16T12:27:00.002-04:002009-04-16T12:44:31.906-04:00Really, Michigan?So it looks like Greg Paulus wants to play quarterback.<br /><br />Good for him. I always wondered why he chose to play PG at Duke anyways. I understand the kid was passionate about basketball, but his absolute best case scenario was to be one of those irritating white Duke PG's like Wojo. Maybe he wins a title and then gets to be an assistant college basketball coach.<br /><br />That sounds pretty decent to me, I just like the alternative better.<br /><br />He plays QB at Notre Dame, gets drafted into the NFL and makes millions of dollars.<br /><br />I'm just saying. If you're a successful Notre Dame QB, someone is going to draft you. And I know he lacks ideal size, but 6ft 210lb (presuming he'd bulk up playing football) quarterbacks can get drafted and play in the NFL.<br /><br />6ft 180lb white PG's don't exactly stand the same chance in the NBA.<br /><br />So I always thought the Duke decision was odd, but it's his life, not mine. But now he wants to play football, and he should. I mean, live your dream kid, maybe, just maybe, it's not too late (it's almost certainly too late). First, I think he should have 4 years of eligibility left. I mean, why not? Does the NCAA think there's going to be a widespread problem of dual-sport athletes excelling so much that they get scholarships in both sports. What, exactly, is the downside? Some kid manages to get a masters, or start work on a PhD while playing high level sports? Hell, good for him (or her).<br /><br />All that said, he has one year of eligibility. And apparently Michigan is willing to let him use it as their signal-caller. This makes absolutely no sense. Someone described it as "desperate" which might be a little strong, but only a little. Maybe there's a low-risk, high-reward thing going on. But unless you think Paulus can lead you to a title in one year (seems unlikely) aren't you better off having someone else win the battle so they get a full year running the system under their belts. And maybe that's how Rich Rod will play it. But in that case, it seems pretty unfair to Paulus. He'd be much better off going to a school who isn't shooting for a title, but would be stoked to get a winning season. I'm sure there are some nice options out there.<br /><br />Syracuse seems natural, because any success there would be a big deal. But I understand if Paulus thinks the surrounding talent won't be able to help him. I mean, that's a dysfunctional system. I would have said Duke, but Cutcliffe is too sensible to open that can of worms. Iowa or Iowa St. might take a flyer on a kid like that. I bet Indiana would be happy to. Those lesser Florida schools are always looking to get some exposure, and have produced some good NFL talent (FIU, UCF, etc). Cincy played like a dozen QB's last year. Vandy is always happy to win some games, has some decent talent, and had serious QB issues, give them a call.<br /><br />Or maybe that's exactly where Michigan is right now. There a team with serious issues, but some talent, who would be happy to get themselves a winning season.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-59321962391148020802009-03-05T15:12:00.003-05:002009-03-05T15:21:04.895-05:00More on BC?I thought I'd moved past this BC debacle. I was pretty sure it was all out of my system. Then I read <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=3954152">this</a> article on ESPN, and it all comes back.<br /><br />No one is saying the Coach Spaz isn't a good guy. Hell, no one is saying that he's not a great d-coordinator. The issue is that now he's a head coach, for absolutely no good reason. It's downright disturbing to read DeFilippo talking about how close he and Spaz are. It almost seems like he fired Jagz because they weren't good buddies. I mean, that's what all the bitching and moaning about "loyalty" was really all about. It was a giant "you hurt me, man" from someone who is supposed to have BOSTON COLLEGE'S best interests in mind. Not his own.<br /><br />So now the AD has his best buddy coaching the team. Spaz hasn't changed in the two years since he lost out to Jagz, but BC's priorities apparently have. Now they'd rather have a lesser coach, who is more "loyal" and also friendlier with the AD than necessarily win football games.<br /><br />It's also a sort of insult to the current crop of BC students. The article talks about BC's blue-collar roots, but it's changed a lot in the last couple of decades. I'm not sure Spaz necessarily represents the realities of the university. Tons of rich kids from the Boston and New York suburbs populate the campus. And those Irish and Italian blue collar families are another generation removed from the tennaments. They're more likely to be your podiatrist than your butcher.<br /><br />Spaz is a throwback in another sense as well. He's a throwback to when mediocrity in college football was the accepted practice at BC. I'm sure this generation of students, and fans, will be thrilled to know that they can be part of that rich tradition.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-10786863509356885782009-03-03T21:42:00.002-05:002009-03-03T21:59:52.498-05:00Josh Freeman, Money for NothingSomeone is going to select Josh Freeman fairly early in the NFL draft. I've heard late first round. And I just don't know why.<br /><br />He has measurables. Which is wonderful. But has anyone been watching him play in college?<br /><br />He certainly had some great games. But he had some embarrassing clunkers. I mean like his second to last game in college. 7-18 for 114 yards while getting blown out by the not so fearsome Nebraska defense. Or the fact that he threw for fewer yards and a lower percentage this year. Who the hell tracks downward in their junior year?!<br /><br />Completing fewer than 60% of your passes in the defense-allergic Big 12?!<br /><br />The man finished TENTH in quarterback rating in the Big 12. Austen Arnaud (ISU) and Cody Hawkins (CU) were the only ones to finish worse. Talk about illustrious company. He had the fourth fewest touchdown passes. And the second worst completion percentage.<br /><br />Once again, this is in the completely defenseless Big 12. And the quarterbacks he's being compared to faced similar defenses all season.<br /><br />So what we know is that he's big and strong and can throw the football well. He's like an erratic Jamarcus Russell. Also, name a successful NFL quarterback who was a "project" coming out of school. Like a totally unproven guy who simply had physical tools and turned into an elite pro? It's not like he's some gutsy winner. And, he's a junior. Underclassmen quarterbacks traditionally struggle to begin with. I will be shocked if Freeman turns into a good pro.<br /><br />All that said, I'd be more than happy if someone picking before the Pats wants to blow a first round selection on him.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-81607419624210636742009-02-23T15:09:00.005-05:002009-02-23T15:18:46.478-05:00The trouble with the spreadInteresting article on SI.com today by Don Banks discussing how the proliferation of the spread offense in college has made evaluating college prospects for the NFL draft extremely difficult. In the article Banks quoted NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock who deftly observed:<br /><br />"It's the running backs, with their first step being lateral, crossing the quarterback's face instead of running downhill....It's the tight end that's never in line as a blocker. It's the wide receiver who doesn't run a route tree. It's every position. It's the left tackle, like (Baylor's) Jason Smith, who's in a two-point stance 98 percent of the time."<br /><br />I think Banks and Mayock have hit the nail right on the head. The NFL draft was always a crap shoot, even when the scouts had a chance to watch college players playing in NFL style offenses during college games. With the advent and subsequent explosion of spread offenses in college football, scouts no longer have the opportunity to watch a particular player operate under circumstances they will encounter in an NFL offense. This will lead to the evaluation process becoming even more erratic, which will almost certainly result in more and more first round draft busts, which will ultimately lead to NFL teams having more and more dead money tied up in wasted talent. <br /><br />This is not good for the game. Think about all the teams that have been set back years (and in some cases decades) by a couple of bad draft picks. The harder it becomes to evaluate players, the more this will happen, and the more franchises will be harmed. Moreover, the teams picking at the top of the draft, who are more susceptible to that type of franchise crippling draft miss, are forced to have more money tied up in potential young busts because of rookie salary demands. This will hamstring those teams in the free agent market, and prevent them from ever righting the ship. <br /><br />This growing trend is not going to stop, and offers yet another reason that the NFL needs to adopt a MLB slotting process for rookie salaries.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-63269181799636815042009-02-20T19:12:00.002-05:002009-02-20T19:18:12.750-05:00Sanity ReturnsSo it looks like the Red Raiders came to their senses and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3919674">signed</a> Mike Leach to an extension.<br /><br />Apparently the Texas Tech Chancellor, Hance sat down and worked out a deal with Leach IN FIFTEEN MINUTES!<br /><br />Literally, that's how long the negotiations took. I've negotiated longer to purchase a burrito.<br /><br />It turns out that they agreed that Leach would simply have to provide information in writing if he was planning on interviewing with another school. I'm pretty sure that's what Leach offered earlier, and the AD rejected because he simply can't get over himself.<br /><br />Anyways, Leach got a fair deal, Tech got themselves a good coach, and the AD made himself look like a buffoon. Now all Tech has to do is hope that their ridiculous negotiating practices and hardballing of their soon-to-be all time winningest coach didn't sour the relationship.<br /><br />Tech fans can breathe easy again, although they may want to consider getting another AD.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-58188448937305770442009-02-17T20:21:00.003-05:002009-02-17T20:34:19.433-05:00Don't Do it Texas Tech!It looks like <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3914101">another</a> team is dangerously close to losing a great coach because the AD can't get passed his own ego.<br /><br />Texas Tech is playing hardball with Mike Leach for no apparent reason. Leach interviewed for a single position this year (UW) despite being one of the hottest names in the game. He is certainly not the kind of guy who has been constantly trying to get another job.<br /><br />Also, Tech, you're probably the third biggest football school in your own state (Texas and A&M are bigger, and TCU is no slouch for that matter). So get over yourself. You're fortunate to have a great, exciting coach who wins ballgames and puts asses in seats. Leach is certainly being fairly compensated, so that isn't the issue. Furthermore, Leach seems to genuinely enjoy coaching there, and building up that program.<br /><br />Also, Leach has two more years on his current contract. These discussions are about a possible extension. But the rhetoric from the AD's office is getting pretty tough. Leach has been mellow (there's a shocker) but the school is refusing counter-offers, and setting firm deadlines and threatening to rescind offers. It's that sort of hardballing that bites you in the ass. Maybe Leach eventually accepts, but the way Tech is handling this has GOT to put a bad taste in his mouth. I know I'd be pretty pissed if I'd been a loyal employee and got a new contract offer with all sorts of hardball lines and negotiating. What has he done to deserve this?<br /><br />Here's the most ridiculous part. Tech wants a clause that says he can be fired if he doesn't get permission to interview elsewhere. Now, the AD is claiming that he'd grant permission, and just wants to stay informed.<br /><br />Now, the firing penalty is silly (look at BC and Jags, they lost a great coach for no reason). But, the desire to not have your coach back-door you makes sense.<br /><br />So what does Leach do? He offers to put in that clause, but make it so he only has to INFORM the AD, not seek his permission to interview. Now, if the AD is all concerned about staying in the loop, then this clause squarely meets that concern. However, Tech is refusing to accept the term. Meaning they want the power to deny permission. It's that simple. So, basically the AD is lying when he says he'd grant permission, because if that were true there is no way they need that clause when Leach is offering to inform them.<br /><br />Anyways, the board of Regents is meeting Friday, and will make some sort of announcement. Unless they are brain-dead they will announce that they will accept Leach's perfectly reasonable counter-offer. Or, they may say that they will revisit the contract extension next year. They have him under contract for two more years, so they may as well get the benefit of his winning ways.<br /><br />Knowing the kinds of egos involved, they'll probably fire him. Just another team more than willing to cut off their nose to spite their face.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-38030277634841585852009-02-13T11:51:00.002-05:002009-02-13T11:59:10.594-05:005 Draft Thoughts5 throwaway draft thoughts while wondering why every draftnik is in love with Matt Stafford…….<br /><br />1) I don’t get the Stafford love. Sure he played three years in the SEC and has an absolute howitzer for an arm, but even playing with superior offensive talent he is only a career 57% passer and turned the ball over nearly 40 times in 39 games played. For all his physical tools Stafford is too erratic to be considered a Peyton Manning type prospect, and no team in the top 5 should even think about pinning their future on him.<br /><br />2) If the NFL has taught us anything, it's that teams are far better off drafting QB’s late and letting them sit and develop. In fact, of the 10 most efficient NFL passers in 2008 6 were drafted after the first round (including 3 undrafted players and 1 seventh rounder). So who in this draft could turn out to be such a late round steal? How about Mike Teel from Rutgers. Yes he turns the ball over a little too much, but Teel is a winner who has NFL size and a good enough arm for the NFL. Most importantly, though, Teel is coachable as evidenced by the fact that he improved in each of his three years as a starter for Rutgers. Teel's completion percentage went up each year, and despite a constant increase in his attempts his interceptions stayed constant. Teel isn't read for the NFL right now, but he has shown ability to be a playmaker and should make some smart NFL team very happy down the road.<br /><br />3) There seems to be a consensus that Beanie Wells is the #1 back in this draft. I simply don’t get why this is the case when Knowshon Moreno is clearly the better prospect. Beanie has far more mileage on him (nearly 100 more collegiate carries than Knowshon), plays a more punishing, and therefore career shortening, style, contributes virtually nothing to the passing game (15 career receptions as compared to 53 by Moreno), and comes from a program with a spotty recent history of sending running backs to the NFL. Am I missing something?<br /><br />4) This is just a hunch, but I have a feeling Andre Smith might show up to the combine VERY overweight. If so, look for Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher, and Jason Smith to all pass him on draft boards. And while we’re on the subject, though this is a great year for offensive tackles for my money the best offensive lineman coming out of this draft is Oklahoma guard Duke Robinson. He’s probably not nimble enough to be consistent pulling in the NFL, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more powerful drive blocker from the guard position that wasn’t named Larry Allen.<br /><br />5) Although he’s started to slip on draft boards, watch out for Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson. He won’t ever be a great run player, but in the NFL playing the 4-3 end is all about rushing the passer and I think Johnson could be the best of a shallow bunch of sack artists in this draft. All the players projected to be taken ahead of Johnson can best be best described as either “tweeners” (Orakpo, Brown) or flat out undersized (Maybin, English). Johnson, on the other hand, is a rangy 6’7’’ and 260 lbs., certainly big enough to hold the weak side edge in a 4-3. alignment). But Johnson's best attribute are his long arms which allow him to maintain sepration from offensive tackles and make him almost impossible to pass block. Johnson looks like a double digit sack guy in the mold of Simeon Rice to me.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-36325857484220420002009-02-12T13:58:00.002-05:002009-02-12T14:08:11.680-05:00Coach for Life?It appears that Iowa has <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3902684">signe</a>d Kirk Ferentz to a new 7-year extension. Not that his contract was up any time soon. In fact, they already had him booked through 2012.<br /><br />I just don't understand these deals. It seems completely unnecessary to have him on the books through 2015, especially when his teams have been inconsistent. The man is 70-53 at Iowa. That's an ok record. Not great by any means. Now he goes 9-4 and gets an additional 7 years? When he's already one of the highest paid coaches around? <br /><br />From 2002-2004 he was red hot, winning at least 10 games a year. That's when he signed his last extension, with his huge pay. I'd say at that point he'd earned it. Iowa looked like a real up and comer, and Ferentz was rumored for every opening, both pro and college.<br /><br />Then he went 7-5, 6-7, 6-6 over the next three years. Not exactly earning that huge salary. A lot of the bloom was off that rose. So this year he goes 9-4 and gets another extension? I'm sorry, at his salary, 9-4 needs to be what's expected from you. That is NOT a great season for someone that well compensated. That is an okay season. It's acceptable, but you would hope that it's not the norm. Or at least that there are as many 10-win plus seasons as nine win seasons.<br /><br />I know you don't want to let him escape, but I think it's okay to say that he has a more than fair contract that runs for a number of years. And furthermore, this past season is exactly what Iowa should be receiving for its' commitment. Give him another year, if it's good, then start talking extension so the new players know their coach is signed through their 4 years of eligibility.<br /><br />If I'm Ferentz I just have some of my NFL friends float my name for a head coaching job every year. Then Iowa will freak out and sign another extension. If he keeps this up he'll just end up with one of those coach for life deals. And he doesn't even have to be particularly good!<br /><br />Finally, if he didn't get the KC job from his buddy Pioli (which was both a good fit and a great geographical fit), after Ferentz had put together a pretty good season, I think Iowa can rest assured that NFL teams aren't knocking down Ferentz's door to get to him any more.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-80979327323578372112009-02-06T11:06:00.001-05:002009-02-06T11:06:44.353-05:00Quick HitchApropos of nothing, here are ten thoughts for a Friday afternoon…….<br /><br />1) Is Lane Kiffin nuts? Less than two months on the job and he’s already throwing barbs at Urban Meyer. Lane you seem like a nice enough guy, go ask Mark Richt if it’s a good idea to piss off Meyer. <br />2) That said, it would be nice to get the Florida-Tennessee rivalry going again. Steve Spurrier announcing that you can’t spell “Citrus” without U-T is still one of the all-time trash talking moments.<br />3) So disgraced Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin just signed up for the same job at Middle Tennessee State. Yup, after watching the Tigers in 2008 that sounds about right.<br />4) The only difference between what Jim Harbaugh is doing at Stanford and what Ed Orgeron did at Ole Miss. is expectations. Stanford’s are reasonable, Mississippi’s weren’t. <br />5) What’s up with Ohio State? Over the past few years the only thing they’ve produced more of than NFL players is fodder for the police blotter. Is “the” Ohio State University becoming the “U” of the North? And if they are, does that make Tressel Dennis Erickson? <br />6) So Kirk Ferentz interviewed for the KC Chiefs head coaching position and Iowa didn’t even fire him. You listening BC?<br />7) I’m sorry Alabama, but I have GOT to believe Nick Saban’s persuasion skills could be put to better use than convincing 18 year olds to spend the next four years of their lives in Tuscaloosa. Has the State Department looked into this? <br />8) Former BC offensive coordinator Steve Logan just landed with the Tampa Bay Bucs and old friend Jeff Jagodzinski. This lends the question, has a football coach EVER been hired on merit and not simply because his drinking buddy wanted him around again?<br />9) I think within three years Tommy Tubberville will be the head coach at one his old haunts (Texas A&M and Miami) or Clemson (aka Auburn lite).<br />10) I definitely want to echo Frazier’s well wishes to Hal Mumme in his upcoming fight with prostate cancer. “Quiet legend” is a great way to describe Mumme, long known as a “mad scientist” of sorts for his teams’ high octane passing attacks. However, Hal Mumme the man was as understated and unpretentious as his schemes were potent. Mumme refrained from drawing attention to himself and taking credit for his players success, as many so-called offensive geniuses tended to do (Mr. Spurrier I am looking in your direction). Mumme has been described as inconsistent (probably), unorthodox (almost certainly), and innovative (without a doubt), but I’d like to add one more: underrated…..hey the guy won at Iowa Wesleyan, Valdosta State, and Kentucky, and was even able to get All-America caliber play from Tim Couch! Good luck Coach Mumme, from all of us here at the323.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-46627212053202457022009-02-05T20:16:00.003-05:002009-02-05T20:27:30.656-05:00Quick HittersJust wanted to comment on a couple of interesting items in the world of college ball:<br /><br />- Ask Alex Boone what it feels like to be Tased. Actually, don't. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3880023">This</a> drunken tirade over the weekend probably won't help his draft chances. Not exactly sure why the 6'8 312lb lineman thought he was going to hide UNDER a patio.<br /><br />- Larry Coker has fallen a <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3884744">LONG</a> way. I mean, I know he was terrible at the U, but now he is planning his return to college ball at UT-San Antonio? The "program" is looking to begin playing in 2011! At least it won't be too depressing to play in a completely empty Alamo Dome.<br /><br />- Was bummed to hear that Hal Mumme has<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3881387"> prostate cancer</a>. It sounds like he'll be getting treatment and we look forward to seeing Hal back at work soon. He's sort of a quiet legend of college football, and we wish him a speedy recovery. I also hope his experience is a firm reminder to older men to get a prostate exam! It may be uncomfortable, but it could save your life.<br /><br />- Looks like Pat Devlin is <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3884661">attempting</a> the Joe Flacco route to the NFL. I gotta say, I always thought that should be a knock against Flacco. It sort of reeked of quitting to me. Also, Devlin was clearly going to get his shot as a Senior. I think it says something about a guy who is willing to forego a year of starting at Penn State in order to start two years at Delaware! I want players who want to test themselves at the highest level. But that's just me.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-12609718387448663632009-02-05T20:01:00.002-05:002009-02-05T20:15:15.286-05:00Recruiting Side NoteOk, so we don't talk a lot of recruiting here at the 323. Mostly because our high school football knowledge is pretty limited to Easter Massachusetts, which ain't exactly a hotbed. Additionally, we don't feel comfortable evaluating players we haven't actually had a chance to watch. The whole recruiting game is incredibly hype driven.<br /><br />That said, I wanted to address Manti Te'o's signing with Notre Dame. I just thought this was a fascinating story. It's certainly that young man's life, and I am sure there's a lot I don't know, but I just found it startling for the following reasons:<br /><br />1: USC. In terms of playing football, especially the linebacker position, that's a hard one to turn down. The Trojans are churning out another pair of first-round linebackers. They have had a fantastic recent run at the position, and Te'o had a slot waiting for him. It's basically Linebacker U West out there these days. Must have been hard to turn down. I can't remember the last legit Notre Dame defensive player (Zibs doesn't count, he sucked). It's been a long time since ND made such headlines with a defensive recruit. Especially seeing as USC just had one of the best defenses in recent memory, while the Domers defense has been abysmal for years.<br /><br />2: Weather. The kids from Hawaii, I assure you that the weather in LA will be more agreeable than the weather in South Bend. I'm a total convert. It's basically perfect out here.<br /><br />3: Community. There is a very large Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population in LA. Te'o has stated that his is close with his community, and wants to be a role model for other Hawaiian athletes. It seems that LA would be perfect for this.<br /><br />4: Faith. Te'o said that his faith is huge in his life. In fact, he claims that he plans on doing his mission work after his first season. (That will be an interesting situation in itself.) I know that Notre Dame is certainly a place of faith, but it's a Catholic school. Te'o is a Mormon. There is a HUGE Mormon population in LA. It actually has one of the largest Mormon Temples of anywhere (I ride past it on the bus). Also, apologies. I know it's the LDS church, but it's commonly referred to as "Mormon" and I'm trying to not confuse anyone. Anyways, I don't know the Mormon population in Indiana, but I'm willing to bet it's not as big or active as it is here.<br /><br />5: Education. I know that Te'o said he's excited to get a great education at ND. Which he certainly will. But USC isn't exactly a slouch when it comes to academics. Not sure that there's a clear winner there. (Not that the Trojans can hold a candle to UCLA, but that's some bias coming out).<br /><br />Anyways, I thought it was an interesting choice. Maybe ND was more flexible with the mission work. Maybe Te'o wanted a challenge of breaking a barrier at ND and actually being a good LB there. Maybe he didn't want to be overshadowed by all the other great USC defensive talent. I have no way of knowing. But seriously, who the hell wants to be a Domer? Those guys suck.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-57820781128936510802009-02-04T21:40:00.003-05:002009-02-04T22:03:41.725-05:00BC: Ever to Excel (But not too much)First, it appears that the big man is unaware that I rep the 323 in my resume. So if Mr. or Ms. interviewer is reading this, just remember, I'm the other guy on the blog, and am not responsible for however my colleague chooses to label his posts.<br /><br />That said, he's completely right.<br /><br />BC firing Jags was about the stupidest, most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I don't really need to go over all the points because that's been covered, I just thought I'd add my two cents.<br /><br />1 cent: I just discovered that the BC motto is "Ever to Excel". This move is distinctly against that lofty goal. I'm pretty sure the goal is to win football games, and to produce fine young men. It seems that Jags was doing a good job on both measures. You play for championships. You play for that one shot at glory. Teams dream of perfection. They dream of trips to the Orange Bowl, or a miraculous run to the national title. Jags was the kind of coach who gave his team a reason to dream. I think I speak for virtually every sports fan that I would prefer one magical season, one chance at glory, followed by a hunt for a new coach, over fifteen years of mediocre seasons under the same guy.<br /><br />I care about the results, not the man pacing the sidelines. If Jags gets them that Orange Bowl and moves on, I'm happy for him. He gave me an incredible season, and then he pursued the opportunity of his dreams. I'm pretty sure that's a win-win. In fact, it may be a win-win-win because some new team is getting a great coach.<br /><br />I don't really care if having to search for a new coach every couple of years is a nuisance for the AD. I'm pretty sure that's his job. I'm a fan. I want my team to WIN FOOTBALL GAMES! I'd prefer that they didn't cheat or promote thuggery to achieve that end.<br /><br />I'm sorry, but if you're an AD who believes loyalty is more important that winning, then you're in the wrong profession. Go play with basset hounds or something.<br /><br />2: It's downright fraudulent for DeFilippo to get all offended and cry and moan about "loyalty". Where, exactly was that loyalty when he bolted 'Nova to take the same job at BC? He can take pride in lasting a whole 4 seasons in Philly before bolting. Hell, Gene wasn't even loyal to THE BIG EAST! I mean, talk about loyalty. He got out of there like a rat from a sinking ship. And I've got a strange feeling that Gene wouldn't have been loyal to Jags if the team had consecutive 3-9 seasons.<br /><br />One gets the feeling that Gene has not made BC a great place to be a football coach. I mean, O'Brien made the bizarrely lateral move to NC State. I'm going to guess it's because BC has proven that it doesn't have the inclination to make themselves an elite program. I guess being the best college football team in New England is their lofty goal, and yet, I feel like UConn is hot on our heels.<br /><br />Gene, we're not children. You're a businessman. Grown ups try and do what's best for themselves and their families. It would be nice if no one ever broke their promise, or broke a contract. But contracts get broken, and the rest of the world just deals with it. So get off your high horse, and go find a winning coach. You showed you know how to get them, but you also showed you know how to lose them. Great work.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-61278204630297357632009-02-04T15:09:00.002-05:002009-02-04T15:16:46.453-05:00You can't spell "bitch" without B-C.........As every faithful 323 reader out in internet land knows, I am an unabashed Boston College football fan and season ticket holder…..or at least I was. The recent events surrounding Coach Jagodzinski’s removal (or should I say dismissal) has opened my eyes to futility and pointlessness of rooting for BC football, such that I will not now, or ever, renew my season tickets. When I found out that Jags had been fired for interviewing with the New York Jets I was first furious…..then puzzled……before settling on just plain embarrassed. Here is the Cliffs Notes version of my thoughts on one of the all time bitch moves in Division 1 college football:<br /><br /><strong>Furious</strong> – Jeff Jagodzinski was a fantastic coach for BC, leading the team to 2 straight 10 win seasons, and 2 straight appearances in the ACC title game. It is at least arguable that Coach Jags oversaw the best two year stretch in BC football history when a man named Flutie was not at under center. In fact, Jags’ performed so well as a head coach that he garnered consideration for one of the thirty-two most prestigious positions in that profession. However, instead of thanking Jags for his two great years and crossing his fingers that the Jets take a pass, thus sending Jags back to Chestnut Hill for at least another season, Gene Defelippo fires this man for accepting an interview, citing some sort of vague breach of loyalty as his reason (which, of course, was a ridiculous claim insofar as I doubt Defelippo would have worried at all about loyalty in firing Jags if he'd gone 4-9 the past two seasons). Of course we all know the Jets ended up choosing Rex Ryan, their number 1 choice all along, yet BC was still left with no Jags. <br /><br />So why was I so angry? Because none of this needed to happen. Jags was a great coach, a great hire by Defelippo. There was no reason to fire him and take a MAJOR step backwards in coaching talent. I shelled out $800 for 3 season tickets this past season, and was planning on doing it again. But the man in charge of taking that money decided that he didn’t want a coach who was so good at his job that professional teams came calling. He didn’t want a coach that would do so well, and give his teams’ fans so much enjoyment, that he’d be considered for one of the 32 top positions in the world. In essence, Mr. Defelippo announced to BC fans everywhere that he wanted a coach that would do well….just not so well that any other team would be interested in him. GMAC Bowl? Yes. Orange Bowl? Woah there! 9-4 seasons are nice….just not every year.<br /><br /><strong>Confused</strong> – Is BC delusional? Seriously? Do they really think they can ever get a top notch coach who considers the program a “final destination?” BC was, is, and always will be a stepping stone job. Frank Leahy did it, Tom Coughlin did it, and now Jeff Jagodzinski was doing it. You know what else those three had in common? They presided over the best teams in school history. BC is not Alabama. They aren’t Oklahoma. The school prides itself on academics and tradition. Nothing wrong with that at all. But that is what the school is. They are not going to bend the academic rules to get a five star recruit in. They don’t have a T. Boone Pickens chairing the gridiron club to provide an endless recruiting budget. The school is what it is, and there is nothing wrong with that. Heck, Miami of Ohio has made its living on being a stepping stone program for college football coaches. Coaches come and go through that school, and while it might be frustrating for the fans, the teams are always great when one of those coaches is in charge. Woody Hayes, Bo Shembechler, Bill Mallory, Sid Gillman, Ara Parseghian…the list goes on. Miami of Ohio, and BC until now, always succeeded because when their great coach left they brought in someone new to fill the void. Here’s the real question: Would you rather have three years each of great coaches like Frank Leahy, Tom Coughlin, and Jeff Jagodzinski, or twenty years of mediocrity?<br /><br />[Oh, and by the way, Mr. Defelippo, the self proclaimed eradicator of the stepping stone job, did just that when he fled Villanova to take the same post at BC. I get it, 'Nova (who actually won a major college championship at one point in time) is a stepping stone type program but BC isn't.]<br /><br /><strong>Embarrassed</strong> – Defelippo’s firing of Jags was unprecedented and cemented BC’s status as the ugly step child of the Boston sports scene. In Boston, the Sox, Pats, Celts, and B’s rule. And they rule because they have tradition and they win. In other words, those teams command respect and attention. BC was starting to get there. Two straight ACC title games will do that (anything with the phrase “title game” in it will do that). Boston College was finally starting to command respect. But Defelippo’s firing of Jags not only wreaks of sour grapes, but it showed just how insecure Boston College is. In essence, Defelippo was so insecure about his coach leaving him that he fired the guy before he got the chance. It was almost like Costanza’s pre-emptive breakup in Seinfeld….and there ain’t anyone more insecure than George Costanza. <br /><br />Worse, it was like BC was dating the hot chick and was so afraid she’d leave them for someone better, that they broke up with her and started dating someone not quite as hot (Spaziani) but who they certainly didn't have to worry about leaving. Not only is that obviously a step down in the present, but once you do that to one hot chick none of them will ever want to date you again? <br /><br />Like I said, it was the ultimate bitch move.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-60341944083006151062009-02-03T22:10:00.002-05:002009-02-03T22:29:39.514-05:00Notes on the Super Bowl?Wait, the 323 returns and now it has comments about pro football?! No. It doesn't.<br /><br />Well, not really.<br /><br />The reason I bring up the Super Bowl is actually to discuss instant replay. I will NEVER understand the NFL's ridiculous system. I guess I'll just run down some of the issues:<br /><br />1: The challenge concept, as a whole, is ridiculous. It seems insane that coaches have to challenge these things when the only information they get to go on is possibly a replay on the jumbotron, or an assistant in the booth who is subject to the whims of the director for ESPN or whoever, who is dialing up the replays. It's easy to make fun of them when they challenge an obviously correct call, but I'm not sure I could do any better if I had to rely on the evidence available to them.<br /><br />2: Limiting the number of challenges to two. This is always a favorite. There's nothing like having a coach already use his two challenges, and then being stuck living with some horrendously botched call. Even better when they used one of the earlier challenges to successfully overturn an obviously absurd call.<br /><br />3: Only allowing an extra challenge if you get both of the first two correct. Shouldn't you get an additional challenge for each one you get right? Why are you being punished by losing a challenge if the officials are the ones who screwed up, necessitating the challenge in the first place? I will never understand this. The officials only have to be right 50% of the time but coaches are required to be right every time. Seems a tad unreasonable. Especially considering the conditions under which they are being forced to issue the challenge.<br /><br />4: Only allowing the booth to review within the last two minutes. No reason on earth why you shouldn't let the coaches challenge in that situation. It's beffudling.<br /><br />5: Forcing the official on the field to scurry over and tuck his head under a friggin booth. It's ridiculous. It takes absolutely forever. One of the big NFL issues is that replay takes too much time, and yet they utilize the least efficient system imaginable.<br /><br />6: The entire argument that replay takes too much time. I mean, it's like they're trying to pretend that college football doesn't exist. Millions of people watch a replay system work pretty efficiently in college football, and not delay the game in a really noticeable way. The upstairs official usually does his job in a quick, efficient, and non-controversial manner. Not sure what the problem is exactly. Just because the networks use replay as an excuse to run more ads doesn't mean you have to let them. Force them to stick with the game, and let it run faster. I mean, if the MAC or the Mountain West can figure out how to use replay in a reasonable, fair, and efficient manner I'm not sure why the NFL couldn't do the same. Furthermore, it's not like college football is a whole lot different. It's the same sport, it's a multi-billion dollar enterprise. If anything it should be much more difficult in college because there are so many different conferences, etc.<br /><br />So, why bring this up? Basically, the last play of the Super Bowl. Look, I'm not sure it was a pass. I'm not sure it was a fumble. I AM sure that if it were a college game the officials upstairs would have taken a look at it, and decided the issue openly and explained the reasoning. It was an absolutely absurd way to end the game. I mean, is it really going to kill you to at least take a look at that thing so that Cardinals fans don't believe that the league had it out for them? In fact, the Super Bowl was incredibly poorly officiated by almost any measure. All it did was remind me how much better the college game is. Not only do I prefer the game on the field, but the way the game is run, especially the replay system, is infinitely better in the college ranks.<br /><br />Dammit, now I just have to wait until September.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-82184557072396445852009-01-27T18:21:00.002-05:002009-01-27T18:41:22.073-05:00Returning from ObscurityWow, I was trolling through Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback (always a good read in a not-college-football kind of way) when I noticed a comment about Rhett Bomar and the Senior Bowl. I guess I had forgotten that Rhett had finished his college eligibility and so was heading to the draft. It turns out that he might even be the top senior quarterback out <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/1160518.html">there</a>. (Not exactly saying a lot, but still). Let's give a quick recap:<br /><br />Rhett started 11 games at quarterback as a freshman for Oklahoma. He had a pretty successful year, and ended up being the MVP of the Holiday Bowl in a win (wait, a bowl win for Oklahoma?!) over Oregon. People were pretty excited about his prospects, and predicted that he'd be leading a potent Oklahoma attack for three more years.<br /><br />Then Rhett got caught accepting money for doing absolutely no work for a local car dealer. He was kicked off the team, and lost a year of eligibility.<br /><br />He astoundingly transferred to Sam Houston St. so he didn't have to sit out another year. It was kind of assumed that he would simply transfer to another big program, wait awhile, and become a huge star. Instead he toiled in utter obscurity, apparently having excellent statistical seasons. Still, his team went 4-6 last year.<br /><br />Basically, it's a story about a kid making exceptionally stupid decisions, and the NCAA punishing him grossly for those decisions. Taking money for not working is bad (although probably not uncommon in NCAA football circles). However, people do a lot worse things and get suspended for a game or two. Rhett never hurt anyone, threatened anyone, broke a law, got in a fight, abused a woman, or endangered others by drinking and driving.<br /><br />Of course the NCAA came down hard on him (because Oklahoma dropped him partially out of fear of sanctions) and basically wanted to force him to lose 2 years of eligibility to allow him to play at the highest level.<br /><br />Then Rhett compounded the problem by choosing to play in a college football wasteland.<br /><br />Now, the NCAA has ridiculous eligibility rules. It is incredibly unfair that kids have to sit out a year to transfer, even when all parties agree it's the best decision for everybody, but the university immediately gets to fill the scholarship with someone else. Furthermore, schools are free to poach coaches left and right, and the coach owes absolutely nothing to kids who travel across the country to play for them.<br /><br />It's absurd to hold 18 year old kids to higher standards than college presidents, and adult coaches. It's ridiculous that schools can exploit these kids for incredible financial gain, but accepting some money for a BS job basically screws you over for two years. Look, Rhett broke the rules and had to accept the consequences. I just think maybe we should re-examine some of those rules. Furthermore, Rhett did himself no favors by making a bad situation worse, not initially owning up to his responsibility, and choosing to transfer to a no name school.<br /><br />All that said, I hope he has a good combine. I hope he learns from those decisions and still has an opportunity to prove his ability in the NFL. I'm kind of excited for the redemption of Rhett Bomar. It's got kind of Disney feel to it. Maybe we should buy the movie rights. Or maybe I've just been in LA too long.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-13661470153183215162009-01-23T20:28:00.002-05:002009-01-23T21:30:56.024-05:00More on MichiganI'm not entirely sure the point that my esteemed colleague is trying to make here. I mean, I understand that he believes that Michigan should only be hiring "the best". That said, I'm pretty sure that Robinson has a sterling resume. Let's look at your points:<br /><br />1 (Overrated as NFL coach): He has coached four defenses in the top ten in the NFL (the big man has counted 3 years, I came up with 4, but whatever) and won a pair of Super Bowls. And as much as the big man may say those were offensive teams, it probably didn't hurt that they sported top ten defenses, including the 1998 squad that gave up 25 points in their 3 playoff games, and forced 13 turnovers. Not quite sure I have to argue that he was RESPONSIBLE for a pair of Super Bowls to still make the point that he was the coordinator of a very good, championship winning defense.<br /><br />2 (limited ties to the college game): He was also the coordinator at Texas, which is not exactly a joke of a job. If he doesn't leave for the 'Cuse he's the guy running the defense in the national title season instead of Chizik. I'm just saying, if he was a good fit at Texas (and I'd argue that he was) is he suddenly a bad fit at Michigan?<br /><br />If we're going to hold a guy sucking as a head coach against him after being the DC at Texas, I'm pretty sure Chizik would fail that test as well.<br /><br />The guy he coached under with the Jets? Pete Carroll, you've probably heard of him.<br /><br />I know the big man says he doesn't have deep roots for recruiting, but I'm pretty sure I'd be open to playing for a guy rocking a pair of Super Bowl rings. Especially if that guy has tons of NFL ties. Don't overlook this. Guys like Al Groh are terrible coaches, but use NFL ties to recruit very good players. Or guys like Carroll, or guys like Butch Davis or Charlie Weiss or Saban. Elite players are interested in coaches they think can help them get to the next level.<br /><br />If you can find me another college coordinator who has a pair of Super Bowl rings, and coached 4 top ten NFL defenses, then I'm all ears.<br /><br />3: (firing English was a mistake): Now, I agree 100% that firing Ron English was a colossal mistake. But, he's gone now. I guess I'd argue that Robinson might not be the sexiest name around, but he's never lost a bowl game, he's got a pair of rings, he put together an eventual national championship defense and he has strong NFL ties. But you're right, he is not, in fact, Ron English.<br /><br />4 (ten best coaches): Not quite sure what to say here. He has probably as good as resume as just about any college defensive coordinator not named Monte Kiffin. I mean, he has a lot more accomplishments than a guy like Heacock, or even Venables. Also, the only team that seems to be able to draw NFL guys back to college is USC, hiring someone like Bates. (And once again, Kiffin, who is coaching for his friggin son). As far as I can recall, Tennessee is the only other team sporting a Super Bowl winning DC as their current DC. Point is, there isn't a flood of NFL guys bolting to the college game, no matter how much money is on the table. Name another college team that has gone out there and done that.<br /><br />I think you can have issues with how Rick Rod has run things. I think you can argue that Robinson is not the best fit in the world. But I think it's a little short-sighted to say that this is a "bad" hiring in any way. I think Michigan has hired an experienced, knowledgable, successful and well-connected DC.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-70903683857959606472009-01-23T11:22:00.002-05:002009-01-23T11:51:02.625-05:00The Michigan Mess Cont'dI actually have a theory on why things have gone so sour so quickly for Michigan, but I won't bore all you readers with that right now......that's coming in a big, collaborative piece later. But I have to take issue with my faithful compatriot's take on the Greg Robinson hiring.<br /><br />In my view, Greg Robinson's hiring at Michigan is at best a step backwards but at worst its an unsightly omen of the impending doom that will continue to be wrought on that program until Rich Rod is gone. Again, I strongly believe that Rich Rod's schtick will <em>never</em>, and I mean NEVER, work at Michigan, but that argument is for another time. For right now, here is why Greg Robinson is a bad hire for the Wolverines:<br /><br />1) Frazier is right that Robinson is somewhat illustrative of the Peter principle. Nobody can doubt that he was a better DC than HC. That said, his stint at Cuse was so disastrous that this isn't anything near a compliment. In fact, I am here to make the argument that Robinson simply isn't that good of a defensive coordinator. Lets take a look at his DC resume:<br /><br />1994 - NY Jets<br />1995-2000 - Denver Broncos<br />2001-2003 - KC Chiefs<br />2004 - Texas<br /><br />Undeniably he's got some championships in there, but lets look a little deeper. In 1994 he was DC for a 6-10 Jets team. That year they gave up 320 points and finished in the middle of the pack in total defense. In his years with the Broncos, the highest a Greg Robinson coordinated defense ever finished was 6th in 1997. Twice they finished in the bottom half of the league (17th in 1995 and 23rd in 2000), but mostly they were middle of the pack. Yes he won 2 super bowls with the Broncos (1997-1998), but it is undeniable that those teams won because of OFFENSE not defense. In 1997 the Broncos finished 1st in the NFL in total offense, in 1998 they finished 2nd. In fact, if you look at the Broncos' records for the years Robinson was there, the records directly reflect how good the offense was, not the defense:<br /><br />1995: 8-8, Offense 9th, Defense 17th<br />1996: 13-3, Offense 4th, Defense 7th<br />1997: 12-4, Offense 1st, Defense 6th (Super Bowl)<br />1998: 14-2, Offense 2nd, Defense 8th (Super Bowl)<br />1999: 6-10, Offense 18th, Defense 11th<br />2000: 11-5, Offense 2nd, Defense 23rd<br /><br />There is no denying Robinson had some solid DC years in there, but to even suggest that he was the reason for the Broncos' success is laughable.<br /><br />2) Robinson has very limited ties to the college game, and no ties to the Midwest. Sure Robinson spent some years as an assistant at UCLA, and he was the DC for a single season at Texas, but for now and forever Robinson will be known in the college game for his debacle at Syracuse. His ugly tenure in upstate NY is not going to help him one bit on the recruiting trail, especially since he is completely unfamiliar with the territory. Sure he might have some good contacts in CA or TX from his time there, but outside of what he did at Cuse Robinson is a completely unknown quantity in the Midwest. Is he the guy to go into kids' houses in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and convince them to come play for his defense? I think not.<br /><br />3) Michigan has already had, and fired the guy that should be coaching their defense. Ron English was brought to Michigan to perform a miracle. He did, transforming a subpar Wolverine defense into a monster in his first season. In his second season they took a HUGE step back, during a forgettable season in Ann Arbor that ultimately led to Lloyd Carr's dismissal. Still, English deserved a better fate based on his track record, and what he had already done at Michigan. He was scapegoated, and Michigan is now left scrambling to hire retreads like Greg Robinson. As for English, I think he proved me right (and Michigan wrong) by transforming what was a TERRIBLE Louisville defense into a solid unit in his first and only season at that school. In fact, English's tenure was impressive enough to earn him the head coaching gig at Eastern Michigan. English was the guy Michigan wanted, and they fired him unfairly. Greg Robinson is not a step up.<br /><br />4) You're Michigan and Greg Robinson is a retread! I say this all the time....Schools like Michigan should not ever, EVER have to "settle" for a 2nd or 3rd tier coach. You are Michigan! The all time winningest football program. You need a defensive coordinator, fine. Here's what you do: You make a list of the 10 best defensive coordinators on the planet. You start at the top and work your way down offering each of them a ton of money to come and fix your defense. If Michigan were to make that list, Greg Robinson would be nowhere near the top ten, and would fall somewhere between Rod Marinelli and Monte Kiffin's 8 year old grandson. I just don't get it. The easiest way to fix a problem is to throw money at it. Michigan has the money, it makes no sense to settle for a Greg Robinson of the world.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-65614539879062245112009-01-22T22:13:00.003-05:002009-01-22T22:24:46.594-05:00The Michigan MessOne of the things that may have driven us back to the blog was the disaster in Ann Arbor this year. It's stories like these that we would have a ball with. The whole Rich Rod thing was going to be a fascinating experiment in trying to mess with the ingrained style of a whole conference.<br /><br />Turns out, Michigan played smashmouth, slow, grinding football forever because that's the style that allowed them to win football games. Maybe it wasn't so much a failure of imagination than playing to your strengths. Next year will be even more interesting as Rich Rod has had a full year to start getting his own recruits, and figuring out how to win with what he has.<br /><br />If the Bear could you his'n and beat yours'n and take yours'n and beat his'n, then Rod proved he could take yours'n and lose to just about ANYBODY (including, miraculously, Toledo).<br /><br />Anyone who complains that he didn't have his "personnel" is just making excuses. You play the hand you're dealt. Great coaches scheme to their strengths, and minimize their weaknesses. It was always going to be a down year, but a truly great coach would have found a way to make it work. Now you have to wonder if Rich Rod will ever figure it out up north.<br /><br />All that said, he's taken a step in the right direction. By <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3847065">hiring</a> Greg Robinson, Michigan is taking a step in the right direction. Robinson is a great example of the Peter Principle. He was a total and unmitigated disaster as a head coach. However, he's been a very good defensive coordinator for a very long time. Also, he never seemed to lose the respect of his players, who fought hard for him, even pulling the stunner against the Domers when it was clear his job was lost.<br /><br />After surrendering almost 30 points a game last year Michigan needed to mix things up defensively. That effort was abominable, and Robinson should turn things around in short order. There's no guarantee that the Rich Rod experiment will work, but it looks like the Wolverines may actually be able to stop someone next year. That'll be a step in the right direction.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-74448154556170632092009-01-22T21:57:00.002-05:002009-01-22T22:11:12.497-05:00Don't Call It A Comeback!Did you miss us?<br /><br />I can only imagine your lives haven't been the same since The 323 went into hibernation last year. Well, the long nights of crying yourself to sleep are officially over. The 323 is back.<br /><br />Why the return? Well, a couple reasons.<br /><br />1: We missed writing about this stuff. The 323 is just plain fun.<br /><br />2: We have been having the same conversations we would have had on the blog via e-mail. It's not like the big man and I stopped talking college football.<br /><br />3: Turns out we can manage doing it despite school/work. Although it will probably be slightly more sporadic. Still, it's a pretty good outlet.<br /><br />4: Projects. We have a couple of exciting ideas lined up, and we decided that this is the right forum for getting them out into the world.<br /><br />5: Because you begged.<br /><br />6: Because I found a bunch of old comments on our posts that I had failed to mediate telling us we were morons for saying the Big 12 South was far superior to the North. I miss being right about these things.<br /><br />Anyways, welcome back to faithful readers who had given up hope. And a big welcome to anyone checking in. Hopefully we won't suck.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-75229720281431598722008-03-07T14:00:00.003-05:002008-03-10T21:48:41.487-04:00Texas A & M you've got to be kidding me!Can't help but feel a little disgusted and betrayed by <a href="http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2008/03/06/News/Ams-Great.Mascot.Debate-3255468.shtml">this </a>story, especially after we named Reveille one of the top 10 mascots ever.<br /><br />Aggies, don't get cute. Reveille is, was, and always should be a Collie. Reveille is one of the greatest traditions in the history of college sports. Please don't ruin it.Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-70942268922518469492008-03-06T22:36:00.004-05:002008-03-10T21:43:45.495-04:00The Next Big Thing............<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Darren McFadden, Matt Ryan, Glen Dorsey....that's the past. Who's the future? Who's the next big thing? You got questions, I got answers.<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><div id="1eqn" class="ArwC7c ckChnd" style="font-family:times new roman;"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Dan LeFevour QB Central Michigan</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Already a 323 favorite, this kid is about to explode onto the national scene.<span> </span>Playing in a conference where quarterbacks rule (the MAC), LeFevour has</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0402/ncf_g_lefevour_195.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0402/ncf_g_lefevour_195.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> been by far the best player at the position for the past two seasons (including his true freshman year).<span> </span>Though not blessed with the same arsenal of next level skills as former, and more well known, MAC passers Ben Roethlisberger or Byron Leftwich, LeFevour is every bit as dynamic as those two and will certainly hear his name called by someone on draft day 2010.<span> </span>LeFevour certainly has the mind boggling numbers.<span> </span>In his Freshman and Sophomore seasons, LeFevour has over 6,600 passing yards, over 1,600 rushing yards, and 79 total TD(!!!).<span> </span>This includes his monstrous Sophomore campaign where he came 1 rushing TD shy of joining Tim Tebow as the only 20 passing TD/20 rushing TD players in NCAA history.<span> </span>Oh, and if you think he can't compete with the big boys, think again.<span> </span>In their bowl game against Purdue, LeFevour torched the Boilermakers to the tune of 292 passing yards and 4 TD (with 0 INT by the way), to go along with his 114 rushing yards and 2 more TD.<span> </span>With Georgia, Purdue, and Indiana all on the schedule in 2008, LeFevour will have many chances to make a name for himself.<span> </span>Here's betting he'll do just that and more, perhaps pushing Tebow to become the first ever 30/30 man!</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Josh Adams RB Wake Forest</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2004/wake/07fb/md/adams.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 253px;" src="http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2004/wake/07fb/md/adams.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A year younger than LeFevour, Adams is another kid who is ready for huge things.<span> </span>That said, unlike LeFevour</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Adams doesn't necessarily have the monstrous numbers to place him anywhere near the national radar…..so I</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> think you're just going to have to trust me on this one.<span> </span>Adams' Freshman numbers were solid enough, 953 rushing yards, 4.4 average, 11 TD, but they don't necessarily do this kid's tremendous talent justice.<span> </span>At 6'0 and 180 lbs. Adams isn't a true between the tackles runner.<span> </span>But before you decry his lack of toughness, consider that inside running is not really what Wake Forest does.<span> </span>Jim Grobe's innovative spread attack is predicated almost entirely on attacking the edges of the defense, <i>off</i> tackle.<span> </span>A slippery back with uncanny vision like Adams was practically built to play that style of football.<span> </span>After a rocky start to the 2007 season, Adams really picked up his game for the second half.<span> </span>In Wake's final eight games, Adams ripped off a total of 730 yards and 9 TD.<span> </span>Expect more of the same from this home run hitter, only this time over the course of an entire season.<span> </span>1,500 yards and 15 TD is not out of the question as Wake looks to find its new offensive focal point with the departure of all everything WR Kenneth Moore.<span> </span>They won't have to look very hard.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Tom Brandstater QB Fresno State</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Playing in the WAC it is understandable that Mr. Brandstater flew totally under the radar last year.<span> </span>With Fresno a bit down, it was easy for him to be overshadowed by bigger WAC stars like Colt Brennan and Ian Johnson.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.csufresno.edu/Collegian/archive/2006/09/22/sports/images/brandstater_andrew_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 255px;" src="http://www.csufresno.edu/Collegian/archive/2006/09/22/sports/images/brandstater_andrew_web.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span> </span>Well, expect a reversal of fortunes for the senior in 2008.<span> </span>At 6'5'' and 220 lbs., and possessing a strong arm, Brandstater is the best Fresno QB since David Carr.<span> </span>More importantly, though, is the fact that also like Carr Brandstater has shown marked improvement in his years under Pat Hill.<span> </span>While his numbers weren't exactly gaudy in 2007, his 2,600 passing yards and 15:5 TD ratio were dramatically better than his 1,500 yards and 13:14 ratio in 2006.<span> </span>If we look even deeper, we will see that Brandstater actually improved as the season went along, doing his best work at the end of the year.<span> </span>In his last five games Brandstater put up 1,143 yards and 8 TD versus only 1 INT.<span> </span>He also had his two best performances of the year in that span against BCS teams Kansas State and Georgia Tech, proving that Brandsater can play with the big boys.<span> </span>With Fresno losing one of its top offensive weapons in TB Clifton Smith, expect the Bulldogs to lean on the talented Brandstater and the passing game which also returns its top three receivers.<span> </span>While Brandstater isn't going to go number 1 overall like Carr, in a weak year for senior quarterbacks Brandstater could rise to the top with a strong senior campaign.<span> </span>With Fresno opening the year with three BCS opponents (@ UCLA, @ Kansas State, Wisconsin), expect Brandstater to come out firing and make a name for himself immediately.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Aaron Kelly WR Clemson<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Like I wasn't about to give a shout out to my boy Cullen Harper's main man!<span> </span>It's not entirely clear to me why Kelly is still flying way under the radar.<span> </span>At 6'5'' and only 180 lbs., Kelly looks more like a high school basketball</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=151&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=557964"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=151&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=557964" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> player than a division one wideout (to call him lanky would be an understatement), but he sure does play the part well.<span> </span>In fact, Kelly was the number one reason Cullen Harper turned in the season that he did, hauling in 88 balls</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> for 1,081 yards and 11 scores.<span> </span>What is even more impressive, are the numbers that Kelly put up against some of the stiffer defenses the Tigers faced.<span> </span>Against VTech, and their stable of future NFL defensive backs, Kelly ran roughshod to the tune of 11 grabs for 174 yards and a score.<span> </span>Kelly similarly torched BCS powers Florida State (5 for 98, 1 TD), <span> </span>Wake Forest (10 for 93, 2 TD), and South Carolina (9 for 134).<span> </span>With nearly the entire offense returning in 2008, and teams gearing up to stop the two headed running back monster (all American candidates James Davis and CJ Spiller), look for Harper to Kelly to become a national refrain.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">OK now we're busting out the big guns.<span> </span>Lost in the modern age where speed and 40 times are all scouts look for, are player like Gresham.<span> </span>Big, strong, nasty, throwback football players like Gresham.<span> </span>Gresham is a TE, but you'd never guess it if you compare him to some of the other so-called "elite" at the position.<span> </span>Gresham, only a</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2007/1112/ncf_a_gresham_inline_300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 176px;" src="http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2007/1112/ncf_a_gresham_inline_300.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> rising junior, stands a chiseled, 6'5'' 265 lbs.<span> </span>Stamding next to his more heralded counterparts like Wisconsin's Travis Beckum (6'4'', 220 lbs.) and Missourri's Chase Coffman (6'4'', 240 lbs.), a passerby would think Gresham was a offensive tackle.<span> </span>Well, truth be told, he actually blocks like one, something Coffman and particularly Beckum seem practically allergic to.<span> </span>But don't think Gresham is a one trick pony.<span> </span>While he may not blaze the 40 like Beckum and Coffman, the man knows how to catch the football as evidenced by his 38 catches for 518 receiving yards will attest to.<span> </span>Gresham is particularly effective in the red zone, where he uses his size and strength to impose his will.<span> </span>Of Gresham's 38 catches in 2007, a whopping 11 went for scores.<span> </span>For those scoring at home that is only two less than Coffman and Beckum had COMBINED!<span> </span>Despite Sam Bradford's return in 2008, the loss of Jr. wideout Malcolm Kelly will leave the Sooners offense a lot of yards to make up.<span> </span>Expect Coach Bob Stoops to lean heavily on Gresham as a blocker and receiver to make up those numbers.<span> </span>With Juaquin Iglesias stretching the field, Gresham should easily be able to surpass 50 catches in 2008……that is when he isn't putting some poor defensive end on his back.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Boston College Linebacking Corpse</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The talk all offseason will be how BC will cope with the loss of star QB Matt Ryan.<span> </span>While not to minimize the loss of Ryan, the transition to whatever QB Coach Jags chooses will be made a lot easier by the potentially devastating defense the Eagles will be able to put on the field in 2008.<span> </span>By my count, the Eagles have a grand total of five potential all conference linebackers on defense, and that doesn't even take into account leading sacker</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Alex Albright (DE), and potential NFL draft picks BJ Raji (DT) and Ron Brace (DT).<span> </span>In fact, with those three occupying blockers, the Eagle's stable of thoroughbred linebackers may be free to roam the</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/76961346.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193861A1C1D75ABE90B36CD782B814BBE96284831B75F48EF45"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 217px;" src="http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/76961346.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193861A1C1D75ABE90B36CD782B814BBE96284831B75F48EF45" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> sidelines.<span> </span>OK, so who, exactly, am I talking about?<span> </span>Well, most people think it begins and ends with Brian Toal.<span> </span>Not true.<span> </span>While Toal is an exciting talent, and will be a hugely stabilizing force in the middle if healthy, he is not the end all of the defense.<span> </span>Coach Jags has assembled a wonderful mix of speedy athletes and muscular thumpers in his linebacking corpse.<span> </span>First the athletes.<span> </span>Anyone who reads the323 knows that I have absolutely love the OLB tandem of Mark Herzlich and Kevin Akins, both rising Juniors.<span> </span>Herzlich is not the fastest guy on the field, but he is a 6'4'', 230 lbs. hybrid backer who always seems to make big plays.<span> </span>Akins, on the other hand, usually is one of the fastest guys on the field.<span> </span>You may remember seeing him return kicks for the Eagles (that's right, a LB returning kicks), or you may remember watching him dominate the Miami Hurricanes offensive line to the tune of 3 sacks in the fourth quarter of their '07 matchup.<span> </span>Neither Herzlich or Akins are really an every down linebacker right now, but that is OK because……the Eagles have two classic "thumpers" to trot out there on obvious running downs.<span> </span>Aside from Toal, Mike McLaughlin (6' 250) and Robert Francois (6'2'' 240) are two of the baddest guys you'll find.<span> </span>Both are adept at taking on blocks and plugging holes, and they are two of the hardest hitters on the team.<span> </span>With the kind of talent and size the Eagles have up front, teams are going to have little to no success running the ball in 2008. <span> </span>The true test will be Nov. 1 when Clemson comes to town.<span> </span>By then the Eagles may be putting up historically good numbers against the run. <span> </span>My guess is they keep it going.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Colorado Buffaloes</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">OK, so my South Carolina pick from last year didn't turn out so great.<span> </span>BUT, I deserve another shot seeing as the Gamecocks rose all the way to the top 10 (making me look like a genius) before injuries decimated their season (making me look like a fool).<span> </span>Inasmuch, I give you the 2008 Colorado Buffaloes as the "Next Big Team."<span> </span>Why do you ask?<span> </span>Well, they've got everything you look for in a sleeper team: (1) a manageable schedule, (2) a great coach, and (3) returning talent.<span> </span>Lets take them one at a time.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(1)<span> </span>The Schedule – Look, the Big 12 is never easy.<span> </span>But Colorado is in the Big 12 North, and the 2008 schedule shakes out very nicely for them.<span> </span>The trip to Missourri will be a bear, but the only other conference road games are at Kansas (due for a letdown after a magical 2007), and at Texas A & M and Nebraska (both rebuilding</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/cory_mccartney/10/12/colorado.hawkins/Hawkins_AP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 228px;" src="http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/cory_mccartney/10/12/colorado.hawkins/Hawkins_AP.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> under new coaches).<span> </span>True the cross country trip to play Florida State in Jacksonville will be difficult, but this ain't</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> exactly your father's FSU.<span> </span>Missing Oklahoma is huge for the Buffs, as is getting Texas in Boulder on homecoming weekend.<span> </span>If Colorado slips past FSU in the third game, they should enter the Texas game at 4-0 and have Folsom Field simply rocking. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(2)<span> </span>The Coach – I know Dan Hawkins had a rough first year in Boulder, but you simply cannot ignore what he</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> did in 2007.<span> </span>Colorado won six games, including wins over #3 Oklahoma, Nebraska, and at Texas Tech.<span> </span>Moreover, of their 7 losses, 6 were against teams that were ranked for much of the season (Arizona State, Florida State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri).<span> </span>The Buffs improved greatly under Hawkins, and their record could have been even better if for just a bit of luck in the scheduling department.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(3)<span> </span>Returning Talent – It is everywhere in Boulder.<span> </span>QB Cody Hawkins (yep, the coach's son) had an up and down year, but showed marked improvement at the end of the year.<span> </span>His 17 interceptions need work, but his</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/76883049.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1937EB7531422ED89F69AE25DE73F74BAEC284831B75F48EF45"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/76883049.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1937EB7531422ED89F69AE25DE73F74BAEC284831B75F48EF45" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> 3000+ yards and 22 TD look very nice.<span> </span>He is young, but is smart (I said he was a coach's son) and should be one the best returning signal callers in the Big 12.<span> </span>Hawkins also has the good fortune of having his top two receivers, Scotty McKnight and Josh Smith, back.<span> </span>Both players were dynamic as true Freshman and should fare much better with extra seasoning.<span> </span>The Buffs did lose leading rusher Hugh Charles, but I don't think you are going to hear to many cries of sorrow.<span> </span>Enter Darrell Scott, #1 running back recruit in the nation.<span> </span>There is a reason he wanted to come to Boulder.<span> </span>Namely, great offensive lines, and playing time right away.<span> </span>Now am I saying this kid is going to be Adrian Peterson?<span> </span>No, but he is damn good and is a mortal lock for 1,000 yards and 10 TD as a true freshman.<span> </span>On defense, losing all world linebacker Jordan Dizon hurts, but the Buffs return more than enough talent to compete.<span> </span>Safety Daniel Dykes joins linebackers Jeff Smart, and Brad Jones, to form a solid nucleus, with leading sacker George Hypolite teaming with Brandon Nicholas to form one of the best interior pass rushing tandems in the nation.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The bottom line is this Buffaloes team is loaded for 2009 and beyond. With a manageable schedule in 2008, Christmas may come early in Colorado. </span></p> </div>Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13558384473467667833noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32300907.post-55509111014907773322008-02-26T18:09:00.002-05:002008-02-26T18:28:17.684-05:00Combine NoteThere are all sorts of things we could talk about regarding the combine. I am simply going to name the one that blew me away the most:<br /><br />Darren McFadden outran DeSean Jackson.<br /><br />That is absolutely startling. Jackson put up a nice 40 time, but he probably needed to burn. McFadden put up a ridiculous time.<br /><br />We'll get to more analysis later. But we learned that McFadden is a startling physical specimen, and has the numbers to back it up.<br /><br />Jackson, on the other hand, may be a huge gamble on the next level. I mean, he's smaller than I am, and while very fast, probably a little slower than most had expected.Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01095761079436771729noreply@blogger.com0