The Leach Saga

- The Mike Leach situation is one weird incident...I just can't grasp the reason why Leach would isolate this player by putting him in an equipment shed with the lights off and not allow him to sit down...I know Leach is an odd duck, but I don't get his thinking...

Leach should have just left Adam James alone instead of singling him out...it was report on College Football Talk that two current Texas Tech players are glad that Leach was fired...they said that Leach humiliated Adam James...

Leach should have known better than to single out a player especially after the downfall of Mark "Bear" Mangino at Kansas last month...

- People who are 30-years-old and younger have missed out on one of the greatest columnist ever - Mike Royko (photo)...Royko died in 1997...Royko's writing style was that of Magic Johnson handling a basketball...Royko was one of the best...

- ESPN.com had a great story on Ernie Harwell as he waits for death - Elizabeth Merrill

Dave Diles - former ABC sports broadcaster dies

Former ABC sports broadcaster Dave Diles died on Saturday at his home in Athens, Ohio...growing up in the 1970s, I can still recall hearing Diles voice as he read the scores as the host of the "Prudential College Football Scoreboard Show"...back then, Diles would provide the scores of Colgate, Holy Cross and even Slippery Rock...Diles was 78-years-old...

Below is a 3:17 clip of Diles talking about leaving ABC Sports...

Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell are losers

Just a few more thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts:

- Head coach Jim Caldwell said that he did not want his starters to get hurt, specifically Peyton Manning...if that is the case, why didn't Caldwell pull Manning during the course of the season when the Colts clearly had the victory secured...

For instance, on October 25, the Colts were hosting the St. Louis Rams...the Colts were winning 28-6 with less than five minutes remaining in the game when Manning threw a touchdown to Austin Collie...why was Manning still playing at that point in the game?...he could have easily gotten hurt...Caldwell is contradicting himself...

Back on September 27, the Colts were beating Arizona 31-10 in the fourth quarter...why didn't Caldwell protect Manning by pulling him during the fourth quarter?...

- Even when Caldwell pulled Manning on Sunday, there was still a chance Manning could have gotten hurt -- just ask Joe Paterno...a few years back, the legendary Penn State coach was run over while standing on the sidelines...JoePa suffered torn knee ligaments of some sort...so who is to say that Manning could have accidently been injured while his back was turned from the playing field...if Caldwell wanted to protect Manning and his other starters, he should have sent them into the locker room where he would have been totally safe from injury...

- Colts general manager Bill Polian also showed his arrogance, ignorance, and disdain for Colts fans during his weekly talk show on Monday night...Polian, who was peppered with questions by upset Colts fans, stated:

“16-0 to us was inconsequential. … It was not something that we felt we owed anyone, our fans included.”

“We could take a poll and ask Colts fans in August if they would be happy with 14-1, most would be happy with that.”

The first comment was a slap at all the Colts fans who have filled the stadium every week to support his team...the second comment showed his ignorance...

Sure, back in August a Colts fan would be happy if their team was 14-1 at this point in the season, however, if that one loss came earlier in the season...back in August, any Colts fan would have had the same feeling then as they do now -- go for the 16-0 mark...

- When next season rolls around, maybe the best thing Caldwell and Polian should do is purposely lose the first game of the year in order to end any chance of a 16-0 season...with Manning as the quarterback a 0-1 start would not hurt the Colts...so what is the difference between throwing a game in week 1 compared to week 14?...

Indianapolis Colts organization is a disgrace

I found the one team that I hope does not win the Super Bowl -- the Indianapolis Colts...

What the Colts organization did today was unethical, unprofessional, and a negative blow to the sport of football...the Colts had an opportunity to go 16-0 and possibly even 19-0, but the organization ordered all the starters to be pulled from the game in order to avoid possible injury...

As Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and others sat on the sideline and watched helplessly as an inferior New York Jets team ended the Colts unbeaten streak at 14-0, a chance at history was thrown aside...

Head coach Jim Caldwell stated after the game that the team's goal and objective was not to go 16-0 but to win the Super Bowl...that is fine, but goals and objectives are changed accordingly...and when this organization had a chance to make history, it was unfair for general manager Bill Polian and Caldwell to take the opportunity away from these players, especially Manning...that would have been the crowning achievement on Manning's career -- a possible 19-0 mark...

Most people do not like the New England Patriots and especially head coach Bill Belichick...but both should be applauded for going all out to finish 16-0 during the 2007 season...Belichick did not rest his star players out of fear of injury...he played to win every game -- the way it should be...in the end, the Patriots did not win the Super Bowl, however, their accomplishment of going 16-0 had nothing to do with them losing...

Right now, the Indianapolis Colts organization is a disgrace to the NFL and sports for cheating their players and loyal fans an opportunity to go 19-0...every Colts player and fan have a right to be upset with Caldwell and Polian...

Manning may be one of the highest paid and most popular players in the NFL, but in the end, he is just a regular employee like the rest of us who had to obey the orders from management even though he disagreed with it...

NFL Thoughts

- Will someone explain to me what in the world Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was thinking when he called for that onside kick?...in the end the Steelers won the game, but that was still a bonehead call to make...

- Why were the Green Bay Packers only rushing 3 defensive players on the last play of the game?...they should have put a pass rush on Ben Roethlisberger to force him to throw the ball early...

- I wish the St. Louis Rams would go back to their old yellow and blue uniforms (photo, right)...the blue and gold are nice, but their yellow and blue are classic...

- The last few weeks Brett Favre hasn't looked so MVP-like...

- Whatever happened to former Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer?...

- The Oakland Raiders took the scalps of 4 possible playoff teams this year: Eagles, Bengals, Steelers, and now Broncos...not bad for a team that is considered dysfunctional...

- The Giants must establish Brandon Jacobs early if they have any ideas of beating the Redskins on Monday night...

- Dallas played a great game on Saturday night to beat the perfect Saints...but one big win does not clean the slate for the organization and Tony Romo with their dismal December record...

- Who would have thought Jerome Harrison would have the third best rushing day ever in the NFL...I am not annointing Harrison as the next league star, but the Browns should use him a lot over the next two games to see if he is truly a number 1 runner...

- Now that Eric Mangini has given Brady Quinn a fair shot at quarterback, I have been able to evaluate his handling of the position...to me, Quinn has a lot of work to do...the Browns should unload Quinn and Derek Anderson and sign a veteran quarterback who can step in right away...

- With Tampa Bay's victory, it looks like the St. Louis Rams have the inside track for the number one pick in the NFL Draft...

Whatever happened to Bookman from Good Times?

Whatever happened to Bookman from the 1970s television show Good Times...Nathan Bookman was played by Johnny Brown...interestingly Brown was considered to play the role of Lamont in Sanford and Son, but was unavailable to do so because of his prior commitment to Laugh-In..

On Good Times, Bookman was the building superintendent who, at first, hated the Evans family, but eventually became their friend...he was often called Boogerman or just plain Booger...below are some of the insults that Bookman took...

Bookman's showing new tennants around: Come on, let me show you the laundry room. The way I keep that place, it should be in a magazine!
J.J: Yeah! Better slums and garbage!

Bookman: Last night I didn't get any sleep. I tossed and turned all night!
Willona: Yeah. I know. The whole building was rumblin'.

Below is a 1:38 clip of Bookman doing his Christmas dance...

Quick hits

- Took my H1N1 (swine flu) shot on Monday...I didn't cry...

- Tiger Woods should suck it up and get divorced...supposedly Elin bought a house on an island off Sweden...I cannot see Tiger retiring from golf and living on some island halfway across the world...

- The Yankees need to resign Johnny Damon...Curtis Granderson does not fit the mold as a leadoff hitter for the way the Yankees play...

- I am dressing as Santa this year for our afterschool programs...first time ever that I am donning the red coat...

- Whatever happened to Christian Okoye - the Nigerian Nightmare? (photo, right)...

- A couple more weeks and this fella turns 41-years-old...

- LeBron vs. Kobe on Christmas...then an NFL game that night...

- I love those ESPN 30 on 30 documentaries...The U was a great documentary...

- A few weeks ago Drew Brees was a lock for my MVP...now I am starting to look at Chris Johnson...hmmmm...

- I like the new format on NBC's Football Night in America...Dan Patrick does a solid job with Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison...but Keith Olbermann has to go...he is so freaking annoying with his attempts of trying to be funny when doing the highlights...

- Is it me or do all vending machines now sell pop in a plastic bottle?...give me a can of pop anytime...

- I am jacked up for the New Mexico Bowl pitting Wyoming vs. Fresno State...honestly though, this is wear you find those under the radar players come the NFL Draft...

- Speaking of, how many days until the NFL Draft?...

Saints, Colts need to go for 16-0 mark

The NFL season is quickly coming to a close with only three more games to go...and annual controversy is in high gear -- should teams that have clinched a playoff spot rest their star players...the talk started a few weeks back but has kicked into high gear this past weekend as the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts both stand at 13-0...

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher of the NFL Today on CBS stated quite emphatically that both head coaches, Jim Caldwell of the Colts and Sean Payton of the Saints should forgo trying to have a perfect season in order to rest and ensure their star players do not get injured before the playoffs...former Colts head coach Tony Dungy, of NBC's Football Night in America, also agreed with Cowher's assessment...

I'm sorry, but I cannot agree with either coach...I understand they are both Super Bowl winning coaches, but I don't believe in pulling or limiting the play of your best players with three games left...all professional athletes like a routine and playing it safe can hurt a player's rhythm...

Also, both teams have an opportunity to do something that only one other NFL team has accomplished: a perfect season...just two years ago the Patriots did not rest any of their stars as they completed a 16-0 regular season...this strategy by head coach Bill Belichick had nothing to do with their loss in the Super Bowl to the Giants...the Patriots were less than 1 minute from completing a 19-0 season...it took the Giants to play a solid all-around game and a miracle catch by David Tyree to ruin the Patriots chance at perfection...

As a fan of the NFL, I want to see both the Colts and Saints play for a perfect record...I will be rooting against either team if their head coach decides to tank a game because they did not want their star players to get hurt...only a few teams have ever made it to 13-0...these teams owe it to the fans to perform at its highest level to see if they can accomplish this rare and elusive feat of perfection...

Armanti Edwards - a great career over

- I took a week off to recharge my batteries...I don't want to lose the edge...

- One of the best sports blogs shut it down last week after four years...The Big Picture pulled a Dick Vermeil and left the blogging world on account of burnout...The Big Picture will be missed as it had some of the funniest and thought provoking sports items...I am looking to steal his one shtick of "What Grinds My Gears"...but that is for another time...

- It was nice to see Alabama finally have a Heisman Trophy winner...it was clear that Mark Ingram was humbled by the honor...

- Colt McCoy lost the Heisman with his poor decision-making on the last play of the game against Nebraska...one play should not determine the Heisman except when that one play could have cost his team a perfect season...

- Alabama started out as a 3 point favorite over Texas...the line has jumped to Bama by 6.5...

- The great career of Armanti Edwards (photo, right), quarterback at Appalachian State, is over...and true to character, Edwards almost led the Mountaineers to a win over Montana...Appy State lost to Montana 24-17...

- Montana takes on Villanova this Friday to determine the I-AA champion...a true champion that is determined by a playoff...

- Does Tiger Woods complete the back 9 and finish with 18 different women?...

- The most disturbing part of the Tiger Woods incident is that he reportedly did not use a condom when having sex with these women...he was risking getting these women pregnant and acquiring some type of STD...Woods must be dumber than we think...

Florida vs. Alabama - round 2

All season long these two teams have been watching each other - Florida and Alabama...at some point in the season they have shared the top spot...this game was destined to happen...

Last December 6th, these same two teams played for the same stakes -- the SEC title and a berth in the BCS title game...Alabama came into the game #1 while Florida was #2...Alabama went into the 4th quarter with a 20-17 lead...then Tim Tebow took over and willed his team to the 31-20 victory...

Florida goes into this game as a five point favorite...however, not often does a team get a second chance...this time the Tide rolls - Alabama 23-21

Florida Game Notes

Alabama Game Notes

Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun writes about the big match-up... "Florida has played in four NC games, so the best argument one can make is that it's the fifth-biggest game in Florida football history. Bigger than 1996 Florida State? Both teams were unbeaten and ranked Nos. 1 and 2. But there was no conference championship on the line, so I would say yes." ...

Pat Dooley

Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com talked with 4 SEC coaches who stated that Tebow is the difference-maker... "They have one other thing in common, that is, with the fans and the media: They didn't stop talking about Gators senior quarterback Tim Tebow. But on that topic, the coaches' mileage did vary. There was the conventional stance of Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin, who said, "If it wasn't for Tebow, it's easy. Alabama wins the game." ...

Ivan Maisel

Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald expects the game to be decided in the fourth quarter... "Florida trailed Alabama 20-17 after the third quarter but the Gators dominated when it mattered most. Quarterback Tim Tebow made good on his promise and the Gators' defense bullied and embarrassed coach Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter." ...

Joseph Goodman

Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News writes how the Alabama defense must prepare to face Tebow... "So when the University of Alabama linebacker endorses the popular sentiment that Tebow carried the Gators to victory in last year's Southeastern Conference Championship Game, take it from him." ...

Chase Goodbread

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes about the differences of each team... "So now we know: If Alabama wins Saturday, it will be because of better coaching; if Florida wins, it will be because of better players." ...

Ray Melick

Chase Goodbread writes about the differences from last year's teams... "Offensively, the experience edge clearly falls to the Gators. UF lost its top skill-position threat to the National Football League in Percy Harvin, but that won’t be any different for Alabama, which didn’t see Harvin last year due to an injury." ...

Chase Goodbread

George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel writes how 1 player is the difference... "Here's the only question that needs to be answered regarding Saturday night's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Tim Tebow or Greg McElroy?" ...

George Diaz

Andrea Adelson of the Orlando Sentinel writes about Mark Ingram's chances to be Alabama's first Heisman winner... "In all the storied years of Alabama football, not once has a player won the Heisman Trophy. No one has finished second, either. Its latest hope comes in the form of a 5-foot-10 bowling ball of a running back, a player who has put aside the hardship of an imprisoned father to post one of the best rushing seasons in school history." ...

Andrea Adelson

Note - the Tim Tebow photo was courtesy of Brennen Klingensmith who attended the Florda-South Carolina game this year

Mr. Heatmiser vs. Mr. Snowmiser

Thoughts about Tiger

Here are some of my thoughts about Tiger Woods and his "situation"...

- This affair has finally humanized Tiger...since he shot onto the scene as a young man, he has always tried to control how the public perceives him...this incident shows that he has flaws just like anyone else...

- Let's face reality, whenever a woman, such as Elin Nordgren, marries a superstar, such as Tiger, she should not be stunned to learn, over time, that her husband has cheated on her...superstars such as Tiger, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant, etc. are multi-millionaires who lose touch with reality...everything is given to them...they stay at the most exclusive hotels and eat the best food...they are told how great they are by the public...this creates an ego that they are untouchable...all this fame and power also brings the aura of invincibility...it also brings women..lots of women...lots of beautiful women who will give anything to have sex with these men...

Over the last few days I have heard these "moral" sports talk show hosts and listeners condemn Tiger for this affair...he has been called a "sleeze" and "scum" by these morally righteous people...it is so easy to rip Tiger but no one knows how any of us would have handled this if we were in his shoes...we don't understand the power of being a superstar...I would by lying if I stated that I would not have an affair if I was some superstar athlete...I don't know how I would react...

Wives of famous athletes should not be shocked to find out "their man" cheated...these wives should not be naive to think their husband are true to their wedding vows...

- I predict that Tiger will not break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Grand Slam golf titles...Tiger has 14 titles but over the last year other professional golfers are not as intimidated by him as they were in the past...this incident is just another chink in the once-solid armor of Tiger Woods...

- Ultimately, Tiger did not commit any crime...if people are willing to give a dog killer like Michael Vick a second chance, then they should do the same for Tiger...

Elizabeth Bogush - the KGB Girl

Ever wonder who the red-head hottie is in those KGB commercials...well, it's Elizabeth Bogush who is 32-years-old from New Jersey...she has a very small resume as evident by wikipedia: She has appeared in many TV shows, including Titans with Yasmine Bleeth in 2000 and Breadwinners, and she has guest-starred in many more, including Scrubs, Beverly Hills 90210, Felicity, Everybody Loves Raymond, October Road, How I Met Your Mother, and The Adventures of Pete and Pete (the latter being her first role). Most recently, Bogush has appeared in commercials for the text messaging service KGB.

She has gotten everyone talking with her latest KGB commercial when she strips down to her undergarments (see photo above and commercial below) ...personally, she kinds reminds me a bit of Lauren Holly...Bogush was married for the second time in 2005...

Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year goes to . . . Tim Tebow?

The annual Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year will be announced this week...unlike in some year's there are at least six worthy candidates for this high honor...last year Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was a hands-down unanimous choice for the honor -- well at least until he later got photographed smoking pot from a bong...

Anyway, here are my top five athletes who should be considered for the Sportsman of the Year....

5. Peyton Manning - over the last year Manning is the reigning NFL MVP and he has led his team to a perfect season so far...his career is deserving of an honor such as this...but I believe he will be passed over for now...eventually he will win this award...

4. Mariano Rivera - there is no way Mo will get this honor because he is someone who does not like the spotlight...but he has been the one constant for the New York Yankees from 1996 through 2009...without Rivera, the Yankees would not have won 5 World Series titles...and even at the age of 40, he showed once again this post-season why he is the most important player on the Yankees...

3. Jimmie Johnson - I know nothing about auto racing...but even I know it take someone special to win a title four times in a row...Johnson is probably the most deserving, but I don't see it happened just because he is with auto racing...

2. Roger Federer - this dude should have been the Sportsman of the Year already...he is the most dominant tennis player ever...this past year he finally won the French Open and once again reclaimed th Wimbledon title...he finished the year ranked number 1...his biggest drawback is that he is not American...if Federer was American, he would be more recognized for his greatness...

1. Tim Tebow - I think Tebow will be the 2009 Sportsman of the Year...I know that many people hate this kid...but the fact remains, he is a winner at the college football level...plus, he seems like the "real deal" off the field...sure it is easy to bash Tebow, but I would want his to be the QB on my college team...he epitomizes everything that is good with college sports...Tebow may be a flop in the NFL, but no one can take away his greatness at the college level...that piece of history is secure...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

Temple Owls: a quiet 9-2

One of the least talked about stories in college football this season is the remarkable record of the Temple Owls...yes, those Temple Owls...the same football program that was tossed out of the Big East a few years back because they were dragging down the conference's reputation...

The Owls now stand at 9-2 and the leader in the Mid-American Conference...Temple started the season 0-2 - losing to I-AA Villanova and Penn State...since those losses, they have reeled off nine straight includings a 27-24 win over Navy...

The leader in this monumental turnaround is head coach Al Golden (photo, left)...Golden, who is rumored to be the leading candidate as the next coach at Virginia, is a graduate of Penn State...in four years at Temple, he has posted an 18-28 mark...

Golden was a three-year starter at tight end at Penn State...he spent one season withe the New England Patriots...he started his coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Red Bank (NJ) Catholic High...Golden has ties to Virginia as he served as a graduate assistant and assistant coach under George Welsh and Al Groh...while at Virginia, Golden coached the defense and eventually became the defensive coordinator...

Helping Golden with Temple's climb to the top is stud running back Bernard Pierce... a bruising type of running back, Pierce will miss this week's game against Ohio University after sustaining a shoulder injury in Saturday's game against Kent State...

Pierce is a 6'0", 220 lb freshman who racked up 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns before his injury...Pierce is a true workhorse as he carried the ball 40 times in a game twice this year...he also rushed for over 200 yards against Navy (267 yards) and Toledo (212 yards)...the most impressive stat - he has not fumbled this season...

Youngstown State will look at 2 Ohio State assistants for head coaching spot

Youngstown State University is looking for a new head football coach after Jon Heacock resigned on Sunday night...Heacock was hand picked by former YSU head coach Jim Tressel after left YSU to take the head coaching position at Ohio State...

With the Penguins in full search for a new head coach, expect the next leader of YSU football to be someone from the Tressel tree...the local media has thrown out a few names...but the two who I think will be considered are currently on the Ohio State coaching staff: Luke Fickell and Nick Siciliano...

Fickell (photo, top) is a graduate of Ohio State and serves as the team's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach...Fickell has been on the Ohio State coaching staff since 2003...this past off-season, Fickell turned down an offer to serve on the coaching staff at Notre Dame...Fickell played his high school ball at Columbus DeSales...Fickell has been talked about as a future head coach at a BCS level program...the YSU job would give him the head coaching experience he needs...

Another candidate is Nick Siciliano (photo, bottom)...Siciliano has strong ties to the Youngstown area as he played his high school football at Austintown Fitch, the alma mater of current YSU athletic director Ron Strollo...Siciliano is a graduate of YSU...

He currently serves as the Buckeyes quarterback coach...prior to coming to Ohio State, he was an assistant coach at North Carolina A&T State...he also served as video coordinator for Bob Stoops as Oklahoma...Siciliano's biggest drawback is that he did not play college football and he has only been in the coaching business for a short time...

As far as Heacock goes, expect to see him with his brother serving as an assistant coach at Ohio State...

Michigan - another year, another losing season

This weekend I attended the Michigan-Ohio State game in Ann Arbor...I went solo because my 78-year-old father had an inner ear infection and could not go...and once again I came home pissed and disappointed...here are my thoughts about the game...

- Before the game I met NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer and Michigan great Dan Dierdorf in the tailgate lot (photo, above)...Dierdorf's legs are shot - the dude is basically crippled...he uses a cane and can barely walk...his hands are as big and thick as a catcher's mitt...

- Got the see Ohio State get off the team buses...ever the "gentleman" that he is, Jim Tressel made sure his wife, Ellen, was the first person off the bus...

- During pre-game I got to yell some obscenities to former Michigan, now Ohio State offensive lineman Justin Boren...I hardly ever yell crap at opposing players, but I could not resist with this fat pig...I still cannot comprehend how he spent two years wearing the Michigan uniform then transferred to Ohio State...I could understand if this was professional sports because it is a business and money dictates where a player plays...but this prick could have transferred to any other school in the nation, but he chose Michigan's hated rival...to me, Justin Boren has no soul...

- Michigan had opportunities to win the game, but stupid decisions by quarterback Tate Forcier killed any hope...Forcier was trying his best to imitate Brett Favre with his knuckleheaded passes in which he was picked off four times...Forcier has regressed since the Iowa game, when Rich Rodriguez benched him late in the game...

- I hate when people keep defending Forcier by saying, "he's only a freshman"...I know that, but why do other freshman quarterbacks not make stupid decisions and lead their team to a winning record...Terrelle Pryor was a freshman and led Ohio State to the Fiesta Bowl...Colt McCoy started as a freshman and led Texas to a winning season that first year...I'm sorry for being hard on Forcier, but he did not progress nor mature throughout the season...

- Michigan lacks a quality big running back who can run between the tackles and pick up chunks of yards...Brandon Minor was supposed to be that hammer of a back but he was injury prone all year and never lived up to his potential as a senior...

- Pryor is a good quarterback, but he is not the All-American, Heisman caliber quarterback that he was billed to be when coming out of high school...he is over-rated...

- The Michigan defense played well...it was probably their best game of the season...

- Saw ABC sideline reporter Holly Rowe...she is a bit chunky...

- I could have punched one Michigan fan when I was leaving the game...this sorry case of a person wearing Maize and Blue said to his friend, "at least Michigan played well and we didn't embarrass ourselves"...WHAT!!!...WE LOST!!!!...WE HAVE LOST SIX IN A ROW TO OHIO STATE!!!!...I don't care if we lost by 1 stinking point, the fact remains that Ohio State has beaten us six straight times --- that my friend is an embarrassment...people with that type of losing mentality should never even bother to attend a game of this magnitude...

- I was disappointed in many of the Michigan fans who sold their tickets to Ohio State fans...sure these are hard times economically, but if you own season tickets to Michigan football, you are more than likely not economically disadvantaged...there were Ohio State fans around me who ran their mouth and were arrogant - but not one Michigan fan said anything to them...this would never happen at Ohio Stadium...if a Michigan fan ran his/her mouth in Columbus, they would be stabbed...I am proud that I attended the game and cheered on Michigan...my loyalty to the Maize and Blue runs deep...even though I did not graduate from Michigan, I can say that I am a Michigan Man...

- Michigan will not fire Rodriguez this season...but rest assure, he better go 8-4 next year and beat Ohio State...2010 will be his third year as the head coach...his "system" should be in place...and the players he recruited will be juniors and sophomores...Michigan better show marked improvement and beat Ohio State...if not, Rodriguez should be fired immediately after the game in Columbus...

It's okay to hate your arch-rival

What ever happened to hating your rival?...

At his initial press conference, new Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin basically called out the Florida Gators and said the Vols were going to beat them...Kiffin later got ripped by fans and media as being arrogant...what was Kiffin supposed to say - "I am going to bend over so Urban Meyer can drill us as he did Phil Fulmer the last so many years"?????...

During Lloyd Carr's tenure at Michigan I attended many Michigan-Ohio State games...my father and I would watch Carr and Jim Tressel stand on the field and talk during warm-ups...my dad would ask me, "what could those two be talking about" especially since Tressel was beating Carr on a regular basis...

I am not saying that coaches have to be unsportsmanlike, ala LeBron James walking off the court last season after the Cavaliers got beat by Orlando...but there seems to be too much nicey, nicey in college football...when playing your arch-rival, coaches should shake hands at midfield and wish each other and their opponent well and hope no one gets injured...that's all that needs to be said...

I could care less if the next coach at Michigan was an arrogant ass...look at some of the great football coaches - they were not Mr. Nice Guy - Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi, and Bill Parcells to name a few...

I loved it when Jimmy Johnson was the head coach at The U and stuck it up Notre Dame's behind in Gerry Faust's last game...I also did not have a problem with Stanford's Jim Harbaugh going for two points against USC last week...Harbaugh was not going to bow down and kiss Pete Carroll's ring finger...instead Harbaugh basically flipped the middle finger at USC and made a statement that Stanford was not going to take it anymore...

Hopefully the next head coach at Michigan has some of the moxy and fire like Kiffin, Johnson, or Harbaugh because I am sick and tired of seeing Michigan coaches being all friendly with Tressel at midfield...Michigan should get the attitude of hating Ohio State - and it all starts with the head coach...

The State of Michigan Football

The second season of the Rich Rodriguez era is coming to a close with another thud...

Even if by some miracle the Wolverines beat Ohio State on Saturday, the State of the Michigan Football Program is not positive...Patience, patience, patience is what Rich Rod preaches every week to the loyal fan base...but how much more patience can the fans show...the immediate future does not look good...

Two months ago it looked like the Wolverines found their quarterback to run the spread offense in Tate Forcier...but as the season wore on, Forcier regressed to the point that there are internet rumors of him transferring...backup Denard Robinson is a raw talent who defenses know will run the ball every time he enters the game...Michigan has dual threat QB Devin Gardner, from Inkster, Michigan, on campus next year...Gardner has gone on record stating that he plans to win the starting QB job...

The running game will be led by Vincent Smith next season...Smith shows flashes of talent, but he lacks the ability to pound out the yards ala Anthony Thomas...all of Rich Rod's running backs are small and slight of foot...

The receiving corps has a plethora of average to above average kids who do not strike fear in opposing defenses...Roundtree, Odoms, Stonum, Koger are all nice players, but they are not threats...Rich Rod has yet to deliver with a big time college receiver like a Braylon Edwards, David Terrell, or Mario Manningham...

The offensive line lacks depth...proof of this is when center David Molk went down with a foot injury this season...the Wolverines lacked another center ready to step in...instead the offensive line was juggled and Steve Moosmann was forced into duty as the center...we all recall that was a disaster...

On defense - for crying out loud - blow it up!!!!!...Brandon Graham will be in the NFL next year...he was a freakin beast this season and deserves to be a first team All-American...

Other than Graham, the only other bright spots were CB Donovan Warren and DE/OLB Craig Roh...otherwise, this was the worst Michigan defense ever!!!...this unit bled points like blood coming from roadkill on the side of a freeway...

Stud freshman DT William Campbell was non-existent whenever he did make it on the field...Obi Ezeh will be back next season, but he has feet of stone...the cornerbacks have been toast all season...I cannot find any positives with this defense...

Overall, the defense cost Michigan at least 3 games this year...but that does not take the criticism off the offense...Michigan fans have been awaiting this scoring outburst from the spread offense...so far, we have all been disappointed...the offense has been unimpressive...there are no players who are threats...on Lloyd Carr's last team, the Wolverines had Manningham, Mike Hart, Adrian Arrington, and Chad Henne...these guys forced defenses to respect the Michigan offense...these guys could strike from anywhere on the field...now the Michigan offense is scattered with a bunch of average players who cannot take over a game...

There is no doubt Rich Rod will be back for his third season...with Athletic Director Bill Martin retiring, he will not pull the plug on his choice to lead the Michigan football program...Rich Rod needs to make changes on his staff, starting with showing defense coordinator Greg Robinson the door...

It is unacceptable for the Michigan football program to not make a bowl for two straight years...let it happen next year and for sure Rich Rod will be shown the door quickly...

Stanford climbs into Top 16

1. Florida (10-0) - it wasn't easy, but the Gators survived in Columbia...
2. Texas (10-0) - to me, Colt McCoy is the leader for the Heisman...
3. Alabama (10-0) - the Tide defense has been solid...
4. TCU (10-0) - the Horned Frogs made a clear statement with their whoopin of Utah...
5. Cincinnati (10-0) - Pike is ready to take over the helm for Cinncy...

6. Boise State (10-0) - it looks like Boise is going to be left out of the BCS for the second straight year...
7. Georgia Tech (10-1) - no one is talking about the Jackets and their impressive season...Paul Johnson is the most under-rated coach in the nation...
8. Pitt (9-1) - the Panthers put the final spike in the Charlie Weis era at ND...
9. Ohio State (9-2) - less than a week away from their 6th straight win over Michigan...
10. LSU (8-2) - it wasn't pretty, but LSU won...

11. Iowa (8-2) - the Hawkeyes had numerous chances against Ohio State...but it wasn't meant to be...
12. Stanford (7-3) - this team smoked Oregon and USC in back-to-back weeks...they may have the best running back in the nation in Toby Gerhart...
13. Oregon (8-2) - a nice bounceback after getting booted by Stanford the week before...
14. Penn State (9-2) - another 10 win season is on the horizon for JoePa...but no BCS bowl...
15. Clemson (7-3) - the Tigers have quietly been winning games...
16. Wisconsin (8-2) - the Badgers have been under the radar all year...

Eye Candy
Three of Alabama's best cheerleaders are stylin and profilin...

Marlana Aref - Tampa Bay Buccaneers A-1 cheerleader

I was spending my usual Friday night sitting at home, watching football, and looking on the internet when I came across this photo on SI.com...her name is Marlana Aref and she is a 20-year-old biomedical science major at South Florida...

Jim Tressel - the man who destroyed Michigan football

Jim Tressel was hired at Ohio State for one reason and one reason alone - to beat Michigan...he has achieved that with a 7-1 mark against the Wolverines...but Tressel has done even more than just defeat Michigan...he set the wheels in motion that helped destroy the once proud Michigan football program...

His beating of the Wolverines year-in and year-out led to the ouster of Lloyd Carr, a head coach who had a winning record over the Buckeyes until Tressel slithered into Columbus...Michigan's inability to beat Tressel led to Carr's demise and forced retirement...the football program went in a different direction by hiring Rich Rodriguez to implement the spread offense in Ann Arbor...the same spread offense that the Florida Gators ran when they pulverized Ohio State in the BCS title game a few years back...

Well, it hasn't happened in Michigan...not only has the offense been inconsistent, the defense has become putrid...Michigan is looking at two straight losing seasons for the first time since the early 1960s...

Tressel has also whooped Michigan on the recruiting front...the Wolverines have been unable to successfully recruit any of the top players from Ohio ever since Tressel became coach...every year Tressel locks up the top 3-5 football players from the state of Ohio...he also built a solid pipeline of talent from Cleveland Glenville...

Ohio State has been to three BCS title games...the Wolverines have yet to appear in one...Tressel has now taken Ohio State to six straight BCS games while Michigan is looking to extend its streak of non-bowl seasons with another losing season...

Ohio State gets the national spotlight with high profile regular season games against the likes of Texas, USC, and in the future Miami (Fla), Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and Tennessee...the Wolverines only big non-conference game is against a lame Notre Dame football program which is also living off its once proud past...

When Tressel took over at Ohio State, Michigan was considered the best team in the Big Ten...and in less than 10 years, Tressel consistently smashed the once proud empire of the Maize and Blue and turned it into a pile of rubble...

Ohio State University got more than they expected from Tressel...under his reign they have a BCS championship, six Big Ten titles, and the crowning achievement of totally obliterating the Michigan football program...in Columbus, Tressel may never be considered as famous as Woody Hayes but he can claim to be the only one who destroyed Michigan football - something Woody could not achieve...

The only way Michigan can slow down this bleeding is by stepping up and making a statement on Saturday with a win...that would be their first positive step in a long time over Tressel...

Another disgraceful week for Michigan

Ohio State wraps up another BCS bowl, Stanford drops 55 on USC, but Michigan does nothing for another week...another disgrace...

Andre Agassi and his past

Over the last week or so, one of the hot topics in sports centers around Andre Agassi and his autobiography, Open, in which is admits his hate for the sport and his one year use of crystal meth...it seems like most sports fans don't condone Agassi's use of the illegal drug, but do respect his willingness to talk about his mistakes...

After listening to Agassi on yesterday's Dan Patrick Show, it seems like Agassi is not looking for sympathy nor forgiveness...he seems sincere in wanting to set the record straight about his past - something he did not have to do...

I will say, his wife Steffi Graf has aged well and has gotten better looking...in her prime, she came across as someone who not a feminine woman who was ice cold and mechanical...since she retired, she has become more human...

Thank You to all our Veterans

Larry Johnson deserves another shot

On Tuesday, former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was a guest on "The Dan Patrick Show"...Johnson talked about his issues in Kansas City...he came across as a person who has a desire to be on a winning team...I don't condone Johnson's behavior and at the age of 30-years-old, he has very little left in the tank for a running back...however, I believe Johnson deserves another opportunity and can help a team if in the right situation such as with the Steelers, Patriots, Colts, or Cowboys...listening to Johnson, I was reminded of Randy Moss and his discontent in Oakland...people, like myself, ripped Moss for his behavior on the west coast...but in the end, Moss was correct in his analysis of Oakland and has been a model citizen in New England...

Tonight will be the first big game for new Cleveland Cavalier Shaquille O'Neal...Shaq Diesel was acquired for one reason - to neutralize Dwight Howard...the Cavs take on the Magic...

The Steelers defense looks back in top form since the return of Troy Polamalu...

Is it just me or has the college football season been a bit of a disappointment this year...there seems to lack the excitement of past years...

Youngstown State University will more than likely be looking for a new head football coach after the team's lackluster performance once again with Jon Heacock as the man in charge...I'm calling it now, look for the next head coach to come from the current Ohio State staff...

I just got a feeling that South Carolina is going to give Florida a battle...

Look for Ohio State to thump Iowa especially since Stanzi is out with a foot injury...somehow, Ohio State wormed their way back into another BCS bowl...

There are only 2 individuals that I trust: 1) my dad and 2) my dog...

I watched the ending of ESPN's 30 on 30 segment about Jimmy the Greek...it was a sad ending for The Greek who had so much life in his prime...

Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is going to wow the hometown crowd in December as he fights another "tomato can" in Youngstown...I believe Pavlik's better days are behind him...he seems to have lost focus...

Thearon "The Pimp" Collier gets 3 huge blocks as The U rolls Virginia

The SEC gets what it wants - Florida vs. Alabama

1. Florida (9-0) - the Gators and Tide will be going at it for the SEC title once again...
2. Texas (9-0) - Longhorns can only beat themselves...they are headed to Pasadena...
3. Alabama (9-0) - Tide survives with controversial call...
4. Cincinnati (9-0) - some teams don't have 1 good QB, the Bearcats have 2...
5. Boise State (9-0) - it got a little dicey, the Blue Carpet Boys beat La Tech

6. TCU (9-0) - TCU gets Utah at home this week...the same team that ruined their chance at the Sugar Bowl last year...
7. Georgia Tech (9-1) - Tech survives...no one is talking about them...
8. Pitt (8-1) - Panthers go prime time this week against Notre Dame...this is the type of game where Wannstedt screws up...
9. Southern Cal (7-2) - ugly, ugly win at Arizona State...
10. Ohio State (8-2) - a few weeks back it looked like this team was going to the Outback Bowl...on Saturday they make it official - Pasadena bound...

11. LSU (7-2) - LSU played well, but came up short against the Tide...
12. Oregon (7-2) - typical Ducks...they win a huge game then comeback and lay an egg...a huge disappointment...
13. Iowa (8-1) - when Stanzi went down, so did their dream season...
14. Utah (8-1) - the Utes can make their move if they can upset TCU down in Waco...
15. Arizona (6-2) - the Cats got 4 games to go with three of those games on the road: Cal, Oregon, and USC...
16. Houston (8-1) - I dissed them last week...what the heck, might as well give them #16 spot...

College Football Thoughts
- Penn State played 2 good teams this season - and lost them both - at Happy Valley to boot...
- Terrelle Pryor did not have an impressive stat line, but he made the plays when needed...
- Look for Ohio State to pummel Iowa...
- Is Jon Gruden the front runner for the Notre Dame job...
- It is time for Bobby Bowden to hang it up...

Video Replay
For those of you who missed it, below is the 32 second clip of Cal running back Jahvid Best's scary fall on Saturday...


Eye Candy
Some of the best pieces of ass that God put on this earth - the USC Song Girls...

Tampa Bay's creamsicle uniforms are sweet

Say what you want, but I love Tampa Bay's old-school uniforms and helmets...

Another record falls at Michigan

When Rich Rodriguez came to Michigan less than two years ago, the Michigan faithful expected to see records shattered with his Florida Gator-like offense...well, the records have been shattered...in less than two years, the following records have fallen:

- First time in 40 years the Wolverines have lost in consecutive years to Michigan State...

- First time in 50 years the Wolverines have lost in consecutive years to Illinois...

- First time in over 40 years the Wolverines lost to Purdue in Ann Arbor...

- First time in 30 years the Wolverines missed a bowl game...

- First losing season in 40 years...

- The Wolverines are on the brink of its second straight losing season - the first since 1962 and 1963...

- The next record that must fall: the last head coach to coach the Wolverines for only two seasons happened in 1927 & 28 under Elton Wieman...current athletic director Bill Martin must make sure that record is shattered...Rich Rod must go!!!!...

The World Series title is back where it belongs - in the Bronx!!!!

27 Time World Series Champions
New York Yankees

Will tonight be the night?

The buzz has already started - will the Yankees blow a 3-1 lead similar to what they did in the 2004 ALCS when they choked on a 3-0 series lead to Boston...

The doubters are out there...the past haunts them...but tonight, I say they will finish the World Series...

Rob Ryan needs to shut his mouth and do his job

The Cleveland Browns are pathetic...the NFL should fine the Browns organization for not putting their best team on the field...because of financial reasons, the Browns are not playing Brady Quinn at quarterback, instead they are opting for Derek Anderson...

I am not saying Quinn is the next Tom Brady or even another Tony Romo, but he deserves another chance as the starter, especially since Anderson has been putrid in his role...on Sunday he got picked ?? times including one for a Chicago touchdown...a few weeks back he completed only 2 passes the entire game...two passes!!!!!...

These executive decisions and disgusting play on the field has finally gotten to some of the diehard Browns fans...two fans who have season tickets in the Dawg Pound are planning a protest before the Monday, November 16 home game against Baltimore...one of the fans, known as Dawg Pound Mike, is upset with the team...they are asking all fans to not enter the game until after kickoff...by no means are they telling fans to stay away...they just want to make a point to the Browns organization that they are not pleased with the team and management's effort...

Dawg Pound Mike said, ""We're tired of the losing ... tired of the booing"...

This planned protest has gotten under the skin of first year year defensive coordinator Rob Ryan...Ryan stated (about the planned protest), "It pisses me off. This is a town that's tough, that loves football. Nobody's happy. I hate me too, I already said it. So they hate me too, great. It doesn't mean you turn your back. Bottom line is, my gosh, a little adversity happens, you don't turn your back, you fight. You rub your hands together, you fight harder. That's what we're going to do on defense."...

First off, Ryan has no right to make that comment...sure he is employed by the Browns organization, but he does not understand that consistent losing and abysmal performance the Browns have been displaying to their loyal fans since they came back in the NFL in 1999...for 10 years these fans have watched rotten football...

Over these last 10 years, assistant coaches have come and gone through Cleveland like a revolving door...once these assistants leave, they show no loyalty to the Browns organization...next year at this time, Ryan could be coaching in Seattle, Dallas, or anywhere else in the league...

He is not a true Cleveland Brown...he does not bleed orange and brown...he is here for a short stay because he is receiving paycheck...Ryan has only been in Cleveland for less than a year...he does not understand the fan's frustration with this organization's inept decisions...also, at the rate his defense is performing this season, it looks like Ryan will not be in Cleveland long...

So Ryan should just shut his mouth and try and get his defense to play better for the fans who are shelling out hard working money to watch a team perform like crap...if Ryan is such a renegade, like his father Buddy, he should speak out publicly about how the organization is wrong for not playing Quinn just because they don't want to pay him a bonus...instead, Ryan spoke out at the fans...this is just another example of a Browns staff person who is a knucklehead...

Here is a bone for all the old-school Browns fans...a 1:17 clip of Bernie Kosar against Denver in a regular season game...the memories...those are the days when I rooted for the Browns...

Lou Filippo, referee in Balboa-Creed II bout, dies

Lou Filippo, a California referee and judge for more than 30 years and member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 83.

Before becoming one of the top ring officials and refereeing and judging dozens of world championship bouts, Filippo boxed professionally as a lightweight from 1947 to 1957, exclusively in Southern California. The World War II veteran compiled a professional record of 23-9-3 with 8 KOs.

He finished his career with a pair of fights against Hall of Famer and former lightweight champion Carlos Ortiz, a nine-round no-decision followed by a seventh-round knockout loss.

Filippo's presence in the ring led to numerous television and film appearances, including parts as a referee in the second, third, fourth and fifth installments of the "Rocky" films.

Filippo began refereeing and judging in the mid-1970s, working primarily in Southern California. But he was also associated with the WBC, which held a moment of silence and a 10-bell count in Filippo's honor during its annual convention, taking place this week in Jeju, South Korea.

Perhaps Filippo's most famous judging assignment came in 1987, when he served on the panel for the controversial Sugar Ray Leonard-"Marvelous" Marvin Hagler middleweight championship fight in Las Vegas.

Boxing fans argue to this day about who deserved to win the fight, although Leonard was awarded a split-decision victory. It was Filippo who scored the fight for Hagler 115-113.

How can Derek Anderson be a starting quarterback in the NFL?

Will someone please tell me why Derek Anderson is still the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns...well, I guess we all know why - because the Browns organization does not want to pay Brady Quinn his bonus if he takes 70% of the snaps...so in order to save money, since Week 4, the Browns have rolled out Derek Anderson...here are his numbers:

Week 4 vs. Cincinnati
26/48 - 269 yards - 1 int - 1 td

Week 5 @ Buffalo
2/17 - 23 yards - 1 int - 0 td

Week 6 @ Pittsburgh
9/24 - 122 yards - 1 int - 1 td

Week 7 vs. Green Bay
12/29 - 99 yards - 1 int - 0 td

Week 8 @ Chicago
6/17 - 76 yards - 2 int - o td

Combined
55/135 - 589 yards - 6 int - 2 td

Average per game
11/27 - 117 yards

This is why the Browns are one of the worst franchises in professional sports...

Don't forget about TCU in the BCS title mix

1. Florida (8-0) - the Gators took care of business against a once good Georgia ballclub...
2. Texas (8-0) - the Longhorns have been looking real good with wins over Oklahoma, Missouri, and Okie State...
3. Alabama (8-0) - the Tide are coming off a bye week as they host LSU...
4. Cincinnati (8-0) - the Bearcats have not missed a beat since Pike has been sidelined...
5. Boise State (8-0) - that win over Oregon is looking large in the grand scheme...

6. TCU (8-0) - it is time for the nation to recognize the Horned Frogs...Andy Dalton (photo) is their starting quarterback...
7. Oregonn (7-1) - the Ducks are the best 1 loss team after they crushed USC...Jeremiah Masoli made the SC defense look like Michigan's defense...
8. Iowa (8-0) - the Hawkeyes are still standing with a donut in the loss column...they go to Columbus in 2 weeks...
9. LSU (7-1) - a win this week in Tuscaloosa will put the Tigers back into the national title hunt...
10. Penn State (7-1) - the Nittany Lions can knock Ohio State out of the Rose Bowl this week...

11. Georgia Tech (8-1) - the offense put 56 on the board against Vandy...but the defense gave up 31...hmmmm...
12. Pitt (7-1) - the Panthers get their last easy game this week when Syracuse comes to town...then they get the big 3 to finish the season...
13. Southern Cal (6-2) - the Trojans were taken to the woodshed at Oregon...there are chinks in the armor...
14. Notre Dame (6-2) - the Irish cruise against Wazzou...
15. Ohio State (7-2) - the Buckeyes finish at Penn State, home with Wisky, and at Michigan...the Rose Bowl is in their hands...
16. Oklahoma (5-3) - Sooners keep on chugging...

Football Thoughts
- I am reluctant to put Houston in the Top 16 because of their putrid defense...
- Michigan is awful...
- This is the week that things will change with Penn State playing Ohio State and LSU playing Alabama...something will shakedown...
- I think Colt McCoy is starting to take a slight lead for the Heisman...
- Southern Cal's defense looked awful...over the last three games they have given up a ton of points...
- Did I mention that Michigan is awful...

Eye Candy

Damon's hustle brings Yankees to the brink of World Series #27