We've gone from 50-11. Now it is time for the top 10...(Why 50? Because we RULE at SportsbyFletch. 30, schmurty!)
10. Ndamukong Suh, DT @ NEBRASKA. He might be the top overall pick in the 2010 draft, but that isn't why he's on the list. Nope. This guy might be the reason the Huskers get there program turned around. He could be Bo Pelini's Glen Dorsey. He could be the force that puts NU back in the Big12 Championship game. He could be the jumpoff point if you will. This guy EATS linemen for brunch then picks his teeth with fullbacks. He's good. Good enough to be top ten, even if I cannot pronounce his name!
9. Jahvid Best, RB @ Cal. We've seen a bunch of running backs come through Cal, and this guy might actually be the best. (No pun intended). This rb leads what might be Tedford's best team since he arrived at Sandy Cohen's alma mater and it might be better than those DeSean Jackson/Marshawn Lynch/Aaron Rogers/JJ Arrington teams because of this guy alone. He is fast, elusive, and is a threat to take it to the hizzie everytime he touches it.
8. Jevan Snead, QB @ OLE MISS. At first I thought, what a child, you get beaten out by Colt McCoy and you cannot handle it so you transfer. Come on Jevan! Tough it out and try to beat out Colt. Well, I am glad that he did transfer because he would not have beaten out McCoy and if he hadn't left Austin, we'd never have seen how good he is. He REALLY busted out last season under Houston Nutt in the first season as a starter, and NOW he is in year two and he is the reason why they are getting so much love and why the Rebs might just meet up with Florida again this year....at the Georgia Dome. (Hmmmm, this makes me think about what DJ Shockley could have done at Maryland or if he had played over Dave Greene....)
7. Taylor Mays, S @ USC. Mays turned down a top ten selection in the NFL draft to return to school and try and win a Nation Title for USC. The defense lost all three LBs and some horses up front, but with Mays back, you get the feeling that the defense won't lose a step. This guy hits and can cover....go ahead and hand him the Jim Thorp award (sorry Brandon Boykin. Next year!)
6. Eric Berry, S @ Tenn. Oooops, Sorry Taylor, hand the JT Award to THIS GUY. Eric Berry is a safety but he is treated like an elite corner with QBs afraid to throw near this guy because he might pick-6 it. In fact, everytime he touches the ball he is a threat to score. (Note to lane kiffin, he's also the best QB on your team. You MIGHT want to work some packages out for him. Just a thought!)
5. Dez Bryant, WR @ Okie State. Flat out the best receiver in college this season. He is also one HECKUVA punt returner. Look for even bigger numbers this season from Dez because the Big12 defenses still stink and the OSU offense is one year more experienced. (Have I pimped Okie state enough to get them resting on their laurels in the opening game?)
4. Jonathan Dwyer, RB @ GT. The Diesel, at first seemingly an odd fit in CPJ's system now seems perfect. This guy will be in the heisman talks (at least from Hooters point-of-view and the AJC's) until the team starts to fall apart, which it will. Tech will have a better team this year than last, but with a hard schedule and more film out there and the losses on defense, expect Tech to not finish has well as it did last year. I know, I know, it's coming. (45-42, suckit. well 7 of 8, suck that)
3. Sam Bradford, QB @ OU. The reigning Heisman trophy winner returned to school by thumbing his nose at the top overall pick. He said, "Sorry Detroit, I'd rather come back and throw to Jermaine Gresham and try to beat Texas and win the national title!" You have to have the reigning Heisman winner on your list. You just have to
2. Colt McCoy, QB @ Texas. This guy WILL win the Heisman this year and might even sneak in and win the National Title. He has been rewriting Texas History books ever since he arrived in Austin. If he wins the Heisman AND the title, you'd have to think he'd be thought of as the BEST QB EVER to wear the burnt orange and white. Sorry Vinny, sorry Major, sorry Chris Simms (wait, that was a joke)
1. Tim Tebow, QB @ Florida. No question. When it all started, I said that despite how good this fullback was, #34 for the Dawgs was still the most dominant College football player ever. Cannot say that anymore. This dude is just unreal. 2 titles, 1 heisman, one spot in the Survivor:Cuba final 6....is there anything he cannot do? He even circumsizes Filipino children for pete's sake! OH, there IS something he cannot do: all of what he currently does religion-wise but without all of the fanfare like Mark Richt does. Tebow seemingly MUST tell everyone that he is doing all of this stuff. He wants the credit. CMR on the other hand just DOES it. He doesn't need to wait for an ESPN crew before he goes to South America to build houses. He doesn't wait for CNN to go to Mexico on a mission trip. But I guess Tebow is doing good work, let's just not seek out the attention. Nitpicking here I know. WHY? Because he's a Florida Gator and he's about to win a third national title. Crud...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Been a little busy
Sorry, work has been a little hectic and I haven't had a chance to finish the top 50 players or comment on the King of Pop's passing or the draft or any other topics. I will get to them, I promise.
I'm working on a fairly big project for Score Atlanta, but I will return....I promise!
I'm working on a fairly big project for Score Atlanta, but I will return....I promise!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
SportsbyFletch's NBA Mock Draft Mockery
We here at SportsbyFletch have mocked the last two NFL drafts, but I don't believe we've done the NBA draft, mainly because of the Atlanta Hawks incompetence. However now that Billy "Oh he's 6'8, let's take him!" Knight is gone and seemingly an intelligent replacement is in charge (Mo Evans and Flip Murray over JChill...good move; willingness to speak with media...good move; Claxton and Law for Crawford...good move), I think this team MIGHT actually give the Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Cleveland group a run for the race for the Conference finals. (well maybe not Cleveland now that Shaq is on board, and not Boston with a healthy KG, and not Chicago with Rose and Gordon plus Deng, but MAYBE Orlando because Dwight Howard is a p*ssy?) The Hawks draft at No.19 and they have options. That is a good thing.
Think about the crunch time lineup next season...Crawford, Johnson, JSmith, Murray, Horford. (I am assuming Bibby isn't resigned)
But let's dive into the first round of the NBA draft. (PS, call me a filthy American if you will, but VERY FEW ferners are in my draft. No disrespect to the kids from overseas, but this is a down year for imports AND there are TOO many talented American talents to take a Belgiumese baller.)
1. LA Clippers. Blake Griffin, F Boomer Sooner. A no brainer since the Clipjoints ALREADY SAID they were taking him. While I think he might not be the dominant player that the Clippers hope he will be but he is the best of the bunch. I think he is a bit goofy, but you can see he has talent. He will grow into his body and turn out to be likely an above-average player. Maybe he'll make an all-star team or two, but right now he's a lab puppy whose feet are too big for him.
2. Memphis. Tyreke Evans, G Memphis. I am going to have to agree with ESPN's Jay Bilas here and say that the Grizz take Evans and tell Mike Conley Jr to kick rocks (or send him to Portland). He is a hometown prospect and that will put some fannies into the seats. This would allow OJ Mayo to play the 2 and Rudy Gay can go nuts. Plus they have Marc Gasol, so why take Thabeet?
3. Oklahoma State. James Harden, G ASU. They will probably think about Ricky Rubio, but they just took Westbrook last year, so why take ANOTHER PG? Who is he, Billy Knight? Harden will let Durant play the 3 and Green can play 4.
4. Sacramento. Ricky Rubio, G Spain. The Kings won't believe their luck when Rubio falls to #4. Rubio can do what Bibby did when he came over to the Kings. Team him with Martin and Jason Thompson and you have the makings of a team.
5. Minnesota. Hasheem Thabeet, C UConn. This move allows Al Jefferson to slide down to the four and Love can come off the bench or can play a huge 3 in crunch time.
6. Minny. Stephen Curry, G Davidson. Because the TWolves trade Randy Foye, they need a point guard. Because they traded Miller, they need shooting. Curry can do both.
7. Golden State. Johnny Flynn, G Da Cuse. I was hoping (and still am) that JFlynn fell to the Hawks at #19, but that isn't going to happen. Monta Ellis would be forced to play the point, but with Flynn, while Ellis might still handle some, Flynn CAN bring it up and that lets Ellis flat out score, along side the Captain, Stephen Jackson.
8. New York Knicks. Brandon Jennings, G Italy. Duhon isn't the guy to run the Knicks offense. Is Jennings? Probably not, but he is better than anything they have. They wanted Steph Curry, but he just didn't fall. Jennings is pretty good though, at least he was in high school.
9. Toronto. Jordan Hill, F Arizona. Bracing for life after Chris Bosh...
10. Milwaukee. DeMar DeRozan, G/F, USC. Richard Jefferson out, DeRozan in. His athleticism will make everyone think of a young Richard Jefferson.
11. NJ Nets. Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA. I know the Nets already have Devin Harris, but Holiday is still moldable so you could have him split time at the point with Harris, but also use him off the ball and same with Harris. Think Russell Westbrook2.0
12. Charlotte. Gerald Henderson, F Duke. He is tough and extremely athletic. Oh, yeah and he went to Duke and we know how much the Bobcats like to take UNC and Duke players....plus Larry Brown might actually play this rookie. He is a tough defender that learned under Coach K. Brown has to respect that, right?
13. Indiana. DeJuan Blair, F Pitt. When Roy Hibbert and Jeff Foster are your inside presence, you need a tough guy and that is what Blair is. Tough and gritty. Blair could be the toughest Pacer ever. (Other than Ron Artest, but that guy was more crazy than tough...)
14. Phoneix. Terrence Williams, G/F Louisville. The most NBA-ready player out there on the second level. The Suns should plug this guy in and let him work with Nash and Amare.
15. Detroit. Earl Clark, F Louisville. Two Cards in a row! Wallace is gone so Rip will need a running mate. Enter Clark.
16. Chicago. James Johnson, F Wake. This team really has everything it needs right now for a big-time run over the next few season. I would think that maybe they think about BJ Mullens for when Brad Miller eventually breaks down, but with Salmons, Gordon, and Rose in the back court and Ty Thomas and Noah in the front, maybe taking Johnson allows you to part ways with TyThomas eventually?
17. Philly. Ty Lawson, PG, UNC. Andre Miller will be allowed to leave (or even brought back at a lower cost) thanks to this pick. Lawson can push it which is what worked last year for Philly. They need a shooter ala Kyle Korver, but Steph Curry is already gone.
18. Minny. Jeff Teague, PG Wake. The TWolves break Hawks fans hearts by taking him one spot before Atlanta drafts. Minny can play around with 4 picks and they take Teague and hope that he and Curry can form a backcourt of the future!
19. Atlanta. Eric Maynor, PG, VCU. Jay Bilas thinks that while not the best athlete, he is a player and has a fine skill set. He can run a point and then back off to allow Crawford to take over down the stretch. In two years when Crawford is gone, HOPEFULLY Maynor can take over. Now will Woody develop him? Or is he another Acie Law?
20. Utah. Austin Daye. F Gonzaga Just like Stockton, the Jazz get another Zag. Doesn't Daye just have Utah written all over him? Seems like he is a JAZZ guy...especially if Boozer leaves.
21. New Orleans. Tyler Hansbrough. He's a hustler that could put the Hornets over the top. Be the final piece, if you will. They don't need Budinger because they already have Posey. Psycho T would be fine here.
22. Portland. Chase Budinger, G/F Zona. They don't need a PG after Bayless last year. Maybe a shooter, which is what Budinger is. Though they already have Rudy Fernandez. Must be nice to be a Blazer or Bull fan right now...
23. Sactown. Sam Young, F Pitt. Adds some toughness to the Kings, or Queens as Shaq used to call them
24. Dallas. Toney Douglas, G FSU. JKidd is just old. Will they resign him? Why with Big Shot Toney Douglas sitting in your lap? THIS GUY will be getting the last shot over Dirk, at least he should.
25. OKC. BJ Mullens, C Ohio State. Some size down low to go with Green and Durant. With Harden and Westbrook, it must be fun being a Thunder fan too...
26. Chicago. John Brockman, F Washington. How tall is this guy? Can he take over for Miller? Not that they'll need it with Noah playing 6'11.
27. Memphis. Wayne Ellington, G UNC. Can you ever have too many good shooters?
28. Minnesota. Nick Calathis, Florida. He is playing in Greece next year. Fine with Minnesota. Let him mature over there then you can possibly insert him next season after you see how Thabeet and Curry and Teague are fitting in your rotation.
29. LA Lakers. DaJuan Summers, F Georgetown. He won't start, but he could offer some ability off the bench. If they lose Ariza and/or Odom, he could play a bigger role. Remember too that LA could trade this pick....maybe to Minnesota!
30. Cleveland. Derrick Brown, F Xavier. At 6'7 he isn't supplanting LeBron, but he could give a little depth at the 4, playing alongside Shaq and James. Ellington would be nice if he was still here.
There you have it. Mock my mock if you must!
Think about the crunch time lineup next season...Crawford, Johnson, JSmith, Murray, Horford. (I am assuming Bibby isn't resigned)
But let's dive into the first round of the NBA draft. (PS, call me a filthy American if you will, but VERY FEW ferners are in my draft. No disrespect to the kids from overseas, but this is a down year for imports AND there are TOO many talented American talents to take a Belgiumese baller.)
1. LA Clippers. Blake Griffin, F Boomer Sooner. A no brainer since the Clipjoints ALREADY SAID they were taking him. While I think he might not be the dominant player that the Clippers hope he will be but he is the best of the bunch. I think he is a bit goofy, but you can see he has talent. He will grow into his body and turn out to be likely an above-average player. Maybe he'll make an all-star team or two, but right now he's a lab puppy whose feet are too big for him.
2. Memphis. Tyreke Evans, G Memphis. I am going to have to agree with ESPN's Jay Bilas here and say that the Grizz take Evans and tell Mike Conley Jr to kick rocks (or send him to Portland). He is a hometown prospect and that will put some fannies into the seats. This would allow OJ Mayo to play the 2 and Rudy Gay can go nuts. Plus they have Marc Gasol, so why take Thabeet?
3. Oklahoma State. James Harden, G ASU. They will probably think about Ricky Rubio, but they just took Westbrook last year, so why take ANOTHER PG? Who is he, Billy Knight? Harden will let Durant play the 3 and Green can play 4.
4. Sacramento. Ricky Rubio, G Spain. The Kings won't believe their luck when Rubio falls to #4. Rubio can do what Bibby did when he came over to the Kings. Team him with Martin and Jason Thompson and you have the makings of a team.
5. Minnesota. Hasheem Thabeet, C UConn. This move allows Al Jefferson to slide down to the four and Love can come off the bench or can play a huge 3 in crunch time.
6. Minny. Stephen Curry, G Davidson. Because the TWolves trade Randy Foye, they need a point guard. Because they traded Miller, they need shooting. Curry can do both.
7. Golden State. Johnny Flynn, G Da Cuse. I was hoping (and still am) that JFlynn fell to the Hawks at #19, but that isn't going to happen. Monta Ellis would be forced to play the point, but with Flynn, while Ellis might still handle some, Flynn CAN bring it up and that lets Ellis flat out score, along side the Captain, Stephen Jackson.
8. New York Knicks. Brandon Jennings, G Italy. Duhon isn't the guy to run the Knicks offense. Is Jennings? Probably not, but he is better than anything they have. They wanted Steph Curry, but he just didn't fall. Jennings is pretty good though, at least he was in high school.
9. Toronto. Jordan Hill, F Arizona. Bracing for life after Chris Bosh...
10. Milwaukee. DeMar DeRozan, G/F, USC. Richard Jefferson out, DeRozan in. His athleticism will make everyone think of a young Richard Jefferson.
11. NJ Nets. Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA. I know the Nets already have Devin Harris, but Holiday is still moldable so you could have him split time at the point with Harris, but also use him off the ball and same with Harris. Think Russell Westbrook2.0
12. Charlotte. Gerald Henderson, F Duke. He is tough and extremely athletic. Oh, yeah and he went to Duke and we know how much the Bobcats like to take UNC and Duke players....plus Larry Brown might actually play this rookie. He is a tough defender that learned under Coach K. Brown has to respect that, right?
13. Indiana. DeJuan Blair, F Pitt. When Roy Hibbert and Jeff Foster are your inside presence, you need a tough guy and that is what Blair is. Tough and gritty. Blair could be the toughest Pacer ever. (Other than Ron Artest, but that guy was more crazy than tough...)
14. Phoneix. Terrence Williams, G/F Louisville. The most NBA-ready player out there on the second level. The Suns should plug this guy in and let him work with Nash and Amare.
15. Detroit. Earl Clark, F Louisville. Two Cards in a row! Wallace is gone so Rip will need a running mate. Enter Clark.
16. Chicago. James Johnson, F Wake. This team really has everything it needs right now for a big-time run over the next few season. I would think that maybe they think about BJ Mullens for when Brad Miller eventually breaks down, but with Salmons, Gordon, and Rose in the back court and Ty Thomas and Noah in the front, maybe taking Johnson allows you to part ways with TyThomas eventually?
17. Philly. Ty Lawson, PG, UNC. Andre Miller will be allowed to leave (or even brought back at a lower cost) thanks to this pick. Lawson can push it which is what worked last year for Philly. They need a shooter ala Kyle Korver, but Steph Curry is already gone.
18. Minny. Jeff Teague, PG Wake. The TWolves break Hawks fans hearts by taking him one spot before Atlanta drafts. Minny can play around with 4 picks and they take Teague and hope that he and Curry can form a backcourt of the future!
19. Atlanta. Eric Maynor, PG, VCU. Jay Bilas thinks that while not the best athlete, he is a player and has a fine skill set. He can run a point and then back off to allow Crawford to take over down the stretch. In two years when Crawford is gone, HOPEFULLY Maynor can take over. Now will Woody develop him? Or is he another Acie Law?
20. Utah. Austin Daye. F Gonzaga Just like Stockton, the Jazz get another Zag. Doesn't Daye just have Utah written all over him? Seems like he is a JAZZ guy...especially if Boozer leaves.
21. New Orleans. Tyler Hansbrough. He's a hustler that could put the Hornets over the top. Be the final piece, if you will. They don't need Budinger because they already have Posey. Psycho T would be fine here.
22. Portland. Chase Budinger, G/F Zona. They don't need a PG after Bayless last year. Maybe a shooter, which is what Budinger is. Though they already have Rudy Fernandez. Must be nice to be a Blazer or Bull fan right now...
23. Sactown. Sam Young, F Pitt. Adds some toughness to the Kings, or Queens as Shaq used to call them
24. Dallas. Toney Douglas, G FSU. JKidd is just old. Will they resign him? Why with Big Shot Toney Douglas sitting in your lap? THIS GUY will be getting the last shot over Dirk, at least he should.
25. OKC. BJ Mullens, C Ohio State. Some size down low to go with Green and Durant. With Harden and Westbrook, it must be fun being a Thunder fan too...
26. Chicago. John Brockman, F Washington. How tall is this guy? Can he take over for Miller? Not that they'll need it with Noah playing 6'11.
27. Memphis. Wayne Ellington, G UNC. Can you ever have too many good shooters?
28. Minnesota. Nick Calathis, Florida. He is playing in Greece next year. Fine with Minnesota. Let him mature over there then you can possibly insert him next season after you see how Thabeet and Curry and Teague are fitting in your rotation.
29. LA Lakers. DaJuan Summers, F Georgetown. He won't start, but he could offer some ability off the bench. If they lose Ariza and/or Odom, he could play a bigger role. Remember too that LA could trade this pick....maybe to Minnesota!
30. Cleveland. Derrick Brown, F Xavier. At 6'7 he isn't supplanting LeBron, but he could give a little depth at the 4, playing alongside Shaq and James. Ellington would be nice if he was still here.
There you have it. Mock my mock if you must!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SBF Preseason CFB top 50 players Part 2
In case you missed it, Sportsbyfletch is running down a preseason top 50 players for the 2009 college football season. We've gone from No.50 until No.30. Let's continue the countdown....
29. Rolando McClain, LB @ Bama. McClain was a leader from the moment he stepped onto the Tuscaloosa campus and now, entering his junior year, he is one of the best LBs in the SEC. McClain is a Saban guy and along with Donta Hightower they might have one of the best LB tandems in the south. (well, maybe other than UGA with Curran and Washington or Gamble)
28. Zac Robinson, QB @ Okie State. This guy can throw and run but with Hunter in the backfield, he just needs to throw...and throw to Bryant. Robinson is exciting to watch he really is an extension of Mike Gundy on the field. Like an appendix.
27. Robert Griffin, QB @ Baylor. This guy is pretty dadgum close to Michael Vick, on-the-field-wise. He can run and throw, too bad he has nothing around him and he plays in the Big 12 South. Otherwise he would have led his team to a BCS bowl. Just remember this...Griffin is entering his sophomore year. And he's getting a pretty good RB in Waco this year. The Bears fortunes may be turning around soon!
26. Ciron Black, OT @ LSU. He could have been a top 20 pick in the last NFL draft and he came back to Red Stick. This guy will once again anchor the LSU running game and will protect whomever is under center. If you are going to sack the Tiger QB, you'd better send someone off the right tackle. PS, Les Miles says this guy got even better....
25. Dexter McCluster, WR/RB/WC @ Ole Miss. McCluster gives Snead a downfield option as well as a Wild Rebel option. Look for his stats to get even bigger now that he is the number one receiver target and now that everyone is more comfortable with Houston Nutt's offense.
24. Russell Wilson, QB @ NCState. The Richmond, VA product was a dual-threat as the QB position last year and he should be even better after being pushed by Mike Glennon. Wilson can pull it down or air it out and look for his emergence as a sophomore to coincide with the Wolfpack's really starting to play well again (I guess I can say Again, and hearken back the Philip Rivers era. HEY COOL, The Champs Sports Bowl!)
23. AJ Green, WR @ UGA. It was always a debate between Green and Julio Jones as to who had the better freshman season. The numbers say it was Green (who caught the GW TD pass against UK, for the record) but honestly, as a Georgia fan, I can say that Jones had the better year. MAYBE though it was because Green was never fully healthy and now his groin has officially healed and he might be ready to explode. Next season's list could be VERY DIFFERENT!
22. Terrelle Pryor, QB @ tOSU. This guy is another guy that is on here based on potential, but the difference between Pryor and McKnight is that I've had a taste of what Pryor can do, so he is higher. I know he is just scratching the surface and he might be closest thing to Vince Young, only in a Buckeye uni and not the Longhorn Burnt orange and white. Too bad Pryor plays for Sweatervest because I'd love to see Pryor at his full ability.
21. Quizz Rodgers. Ladies and gentlemen the man who SINGLE HANDEDLY kept the Trojans out of the BCS championship game in 2008-09! He slowed down the stretch, but boy he was zonetastic in that game. If healthy, Quizz will put on another show as a sophomore.
20. Daryll Clark, QB @ Penn State. Clark nearly brought JoePa into the year 2002 with his OptionHD skillz. But not really. Clark is the best player on Penn State, and you could maybe call him a preseason All-Big11 QB, but that is like being the tallest midget. Yeah! I rule over a bunch of enh. waaahooooo! But the Body's wife is a Penn State fan and Body is the commissioner of the Big11, so I have to give him a few props, otherwise I lose one of my seven readers...
19. CJ Spiller, RB @ Klimpsen. I honestly laughed when CJ Spiller said he would only stick around for his senior if Dabo was kept on as head coach. Ummm, CJ, you forgot to mention that is was also because you were in danger of going in the 5th round of the NFL draft. James Davis is a better NFL-type back and where did he go in the draft, CJ? But this is a college list and thus we will break down Spiller college-wise. Get this guy in space and he is unstoppable. Give him the ball on the screen with a blocker or two and look for him in the endzone. I remember watching this cat as a frosh when he DESTROYED Jon Tenuta's defense. I think we annoyed EVERYONE at Taco Mac that night screaming, "TENUTA!" everytime CJ took a screen for 60 yards. To sum up: Deadly with the ball in space with a blocker, Liar, no future in NFL.
18. George Selvie, DE @ USF. This is another "He's still there?" guy. Even though he is not your typical size for an end, he still tears up the Big East and is clearly the best player in that conference. He could go on to an Elvis Dumervil-type NFL career. As far as this college this season, look for him to rack up the stats against Rutgers and Louisville and the rest of the Big East.
17. Terrence Cody, DT @ Bama. Mount Cody has reportedly lost a bit of weight, which means he's down to 420? This guy took Bama as far as they went last year as he just shallowed up offensive linemen, thus freeing up McClain and Hightower. Those two are VERY happy he returned. Cody might be a top 25 pick in the 2010 NFL draft as he has an NFL body RIGHT NOW. There might now be a more dominant player in college football. Kind of like how Shaq could have won MVP every year because he was so dominant. He goes underappreciated IMHO.
16. Greg Hardy, DR @ Ole Miss. Another Rebel? Just you wait, Sir. Hardy returned for his senior year and under Nutt, should get even better. Hardy will likely take defensive player of the year honors over Spikes and Cody, just because Ole Miss is the trendy pick, but also because he deserves it. He might have a tougher go at it with no Peria Jerry, but Hardy is still a beast.
15. Kendall Hunter, RB @ Okie State. I hope they don't let this terror loose on KR and PR teams because this Cowboy will be doing the Hokey Pokey in the endzone. Now that the Pokes have a running game, the opening game of the season really does shift in favor of Okie State. I will be interested to see how he does against Georgia's run defense, but I fear he is going to shred it.
14. Julio Jones, WR @ Bama. Just a physical specimen, no doubt about it. He is 6'4 and built like a champion. Not a burner, but he doesn't have to be. He can still go get it and good luck trying to single cover him. He will draw enough attention (even with a cruddy unknown QB) that the running game should flourish, which is what Saban wants.
13. Arrelious Benn, WR @ Illi. My preseason Big 11 player of the year, this kid, despite what Paul Mac says, really is the real deal. As far as receivers go, he is polished and could start in the NFL tomorrow. After a year of catching balls from Juice, look for him in the top 17 in the 2010 NFL draft.
12. Jeff Owens, DT @ UGA. The highest Dawg I have (no pun intended. He doesn't play Safety for Georgia Tech, after all!) returns and should pick up where he left off in 2007. He WILL blow up the Oline and let Houston and Battle rush the QB and he'll clear blockers for Curran and CO to make plays from the LB spot. Very excited to have this guy back. Get over that injury and best of luck to ya, Jeff.
11. Brandon Spikes, LB @ UF. When this guy focuses, he is a beast. He was focused against LSU and Georgia last year and they owned it. Get the focus together (actually, as a Dawg fan, lose your focus in Jacksonville, please?) and he can be the best defensive player in the country. He is to the defense what Tebow is to the Gator offense and you KNOW Urban is happy to have him back. Kind of like Andruw Jones though, I feel. Like I said, if he loses the focus, he can be had. Sooooo, send strippers and coke to his hotel room the night before the game.
Coming up Monday....10-1.
In case you were looking for Rennie Curran, Jimmy Clausen, or Golden Tate, sorry. Not in the top 10. Was that a spoiler?
29. Rolando McClain, LB @ Bama. McClain was a leader from the moment he stepped onto the Tuscaloosa campus and now, entering his junior year, he is one of the best LBs in the SEC. McClain is a Saban guy and along with Donta Hightower they might have one of the best LB tandems in the south. (well, maybe other than UGA with Curran and Washington or Gamble)
28. Zac Robinson, QB @ Okie State. This guy can throw and run but with Hunter in the backfield, he just needs to throw...and throw to Bryant. Robinson is exciting to watch he really is an extension of Mike Gundy on the field. Like an appendix.
27. Robert Griffin, QB @ Baylor. This guy is pretty dadgum close to Michael Vick, on-the-field-wise. He can run and throw, too bad he has nothing around him and he plays in the Big 12 South. Otherwise he would have led his team to a BCS bowl. Just remember this...Griffin is entering his sophomore year. And he's getting a pretty good RB in Waco this year. The Bears fortunes may be turning around soon!
26. Ciron Black, OT @ LSU. He could have been a top 20 pick in the last NFL draft and he came back to Red Stick. This guy will once again anchor the LSU running game and will protect whomever is under center. If you are going to sack the Tiger QB, you'd better send someone off the right tackle. PS, Les Miles says this guy got even better....
25. Dexter McCluster, WR/RB/WC @ Ole Miss. McCluster gives Snead a downfield option as well as a Wild Rebel option. Look for his stats to get even bigger now that he is the number one receiver target and now that everyone is more comfortable with Houston Nutt's offense.
24. Russell Wilson, QB @ NCState. The Richmond, VA product was a dual-threat as the QB position last year and he should be even better after being pushed by Mike Glennon. Wilson can pull it down or air it out and look for his emergence as a sophomore to coincide with the Wolfpack's really starting to play well again (I guess I can say Again, and hearken back the Philip Rivers era. HEY COOL, The Champs Sports Bowl!)
23. AJ Green, WR @ UGA. It was always a debate between Green and Julio Jones as to who had the better freshman season. The numbers say it was Green (who caught the GW TD pass against UK, for the record) but honestly, as a Georgia fan, I can say that Jones had the better year. MAYBE though it was because Green was never fully healthy and now his groin has officially healed and he might be ready to explode. Next season's list could be VERY DIFFERENT!
22. Terrelle Pryor, QB @ tOSU. This guy is another guy that is on here based on potential, but the difference between Pryor and McKnight is that I've had a taste of what Pryor can do, so he is higher. I know he is just scratching the surface and he might be closest thing to Vince Young, only in a Buckeye uni and not the Longhorn Burnt orange and white. Too bad Pryor plays for Sweatervest because I'd love to see Pryor at his full ability.
21. Quizz Rodgers. Ladies and gentlemen the man who SINGLE HANDEDLY kept the Trojans out of the BCS championship game in 2008-09! He slowed down the stretch, but boy he was zonetastic in that game. If healthy, Quizz will put on another show as a sophomore.
20. Daryll Clark, QB @ Penn State. Clark nearly brought JoePa into the year 2002 with his OptionHD skillz. But not really. Clark is the best player on Penn State, and you could maybe call him a preseason All-Big11 QB, but that is like being the tallest midget. Yeah! I rule over a bunch of enh. waaahooooo! But the Body's wife is a Penn State fan and Body is the commissioner of the Big11, so I have to give him a few props, otherwise I lose one of my seven readers...
19. CJ Spiller, RB @ Klimpsen. I honestly laughed when CJ Spiller said he would only stick around for his senior if Dabo was kept on as head coach. Ummm, CJ, you forgot to mention that is was also because you were in danger of going in the 5th round of the NFL draft. James Davis is a better NFL-type back and where did he go in the draft, CJ? But this is a college list and thus we will break down Spiller college-wise. Get this guy in space and he is unstoppable. Give him the ball on the screen with a blocker or two and look for him in the endzone. I remember watching this cat as a frosh when he DESTROYED Jon Tenuta's defense. I think we annoyed EVERYONE at Taco Mac that night screaming, "TENUTA!" everytime CJ took a screen for 60 yards. To sum up: Deadly with the ball in space with a blocker, Liar, no future in NFL.
18. George Selvie, DE @ USF. This is another "He's still there?" guy. Even though he is not your typical size for an end, he still tears up the Big East and is clearly the best player in that conference. He could go on to an Elvis Dumervil-type NFL career. As far as this college this season, look for him to rack up the stats against Rutgers and Louisville and the rest of the Big East.
17. Terrence Cody, DT @ Bama. Mount Cody has reportedly lost a bit of weight, which means he's down to 420? This guy took Bama as far as they went last year as he just shallowed up offensive linemen, thus freeing up McClain and Hightower. Those two are VERY happy he returned. Cody might be a top 25 pick in the 2010 NFL draft as he has an NFL body RIGHT NOW. There might now be a more dominant player in college football. Kind of like how Shaq could have won MVP every year because he was so dominant. He goes underappreciated IMHO.
16. Greg Hardy, DR @ Ole Miss. Another Rebel? Just you wait, Sir. Hardy returned for his senior year and under Nutt, should get even better. Hardy will likely take defensive player of the year honors over Spikes and Cody, just because Ole Miss is the trendy pick, but also because he deserves it. He might have a tougher go at it with no Peria Jerry, but Hardy is still a beast.
15. Kendall Hunter, RB @ Okie State. I hope they don't let this terror loose on KR and PR teams because this Cowboy will be doing the Hokey Pokey in the endzone. Now that the Pokes have a running game, the opening game of the season really does shift in favor of Okie State. I will be interested to see how he does against Georgia's run defense, but I fear he is going to shred it.
14. Julio Jones, WR @ Bama. Just a physical specimen, no doubt about it. He is 6'4 and built like a champion. Not a burner, but he doesn't have to be. He can still go get it and good luck trying to single cover him. He will draw enough attention (even with a cruddy unknown QB) that the running game should flourish, which is what Saban wants.
13. Arrelious Benn, WR @ Illi. My preseason Big 11 player of the year, this kid, despite what Paul Mac says, really is the real deal. As far as receivers go, he is polished and could start in the NFL tomorrow. After a year of catching balls from Juice, look for him in the top 17 in the 2010 NFL draft.
12. Jeff Owens, DT @ UGA. The highest Dawg I have (no pun intended. He doesn't play Safety for Georgia Tech, after all!) returns and should pick up where he left off in 2007. He WILL blow up the Oline and let Houston and Battle rush the QB and he'll clear blockers for Curran and CO to make plays from the LB spot. Very excited to have this guy back. Get over that injury and best of luck to ya, Jeff.
11. Brandon Spikes, LB @ UF. When this guy focuses, he is a beast. He was focused against LSU and Georgia last year and they owned it. Get the focus together (actually, as a Dawg fan, lose your focus in Jacksonville, please?) and he can be the best defensive player in the country. He is to the defense what Tebow is to the Gator offense and you KNOW Urban is happy to have him back. Kind of like Andruw Jones though, I feel. Like I said, if he loses the focus, he can be had. Sooooo, send strippers and coke to his hotel room the night before the game.
Coming up Monday....10-1.
In case you were looking for Rennie Curran, Jimmy Clausen, or Golden Tate, sorry. Not in the top 10. Was that a spoiler?
SportsByFletch's Preseason Top 50 for '09 CFB pt1
I have been reading where Sporting News created a top 25 and ESPN and Buck Belue both had a preseason top 30 of the best players in college football for 2009....Well at SportsbyFletch, we (SBF of course UNofficially represents Hooters, ScoreAtlanta and 790 The Zone) will NOT BE OUTDONE! That's why I've compiled my TOP 50 for 2009. Yeah, eat THAT you poseurs!
in reverse order......
50. Damian Williams, WR @ USC. Williams was one of the Springdale kids that transfered out of Arkansas when Gus Malzahn quit the OC post to go to Tulsa. Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams both thought it would be cool to go and play for Pete's Men of Troy. (SPOILER: MITCH ISN'T ON THIS LIST. Still a wise move, since you are third on the depth chart there Mitchy?) Williams BTW is ONLY here based on potential.
49. Joe McKnight, RB @ USC. Speaking of "based on potential..." McKnight is only here due to his work in high school. He hasn't done much except get in trouble academically in SoCal, but looking at the kid's highlights on Youtube and reading about how Coach O had a huge mancrush on him in the book Meatmarket (remember this is a guy that takes his shirt off and screams "UT Wildboyz!"), means this kid HAS to be good. Do something and you'll be higher on the list in 2010.
48. Tyrod Taylor, QB@Vatech. The little guy FINALLY seized the starter's job over SEANN GLENNON last year and he looks like he can run a spread option offense. While he has been good, when you lineup under center at VaTech and are a running QB (which he is) you will be compared to No.7. And Mr. Taylor, you are no No.7 (might not be such a bad thing OFF of the field...)
47. Matt Grothe, QB@ South Florida. Two preseasons ago I said that the owner of the GroHawk was a better QB than Tim Tebow. That was dumb. Tebow clearly read my thoughts and then went out and won the Heisman. I am NOT making THAT mistake again.
46. Trevard Lindley, CB @ UK. Shout-out to my cousin Matt who tells me that Lindley is the real deal. Ummm, Why don't I remember him doing much against Georgia then? He is still good though. ESPN's Chris Low has him as the 8th best player in the conference. I will give Matt and this Low character the benefit of the doubt, but not too much of one. Maybe he makes my preseason All-Sec, but as far as this list goes, I've got to keep him in the mid-40s. He's no Joe Haden. (And I don't have Brandon Boykin on this list while Lindley IS, so he really IS getting the benefit of the doubt...)
45. Rob Gronkowski, TE @ Zona. The second best TE in the college game AND I get to give a little love to my F-i-L's hometown team. A double bonus there! Gronkowski won't be catching the balls this year from Willie, but he will make whomever is under center look good. With Eben Britton (spelling?) last year and Gronkowski this season, how is Mike Stoops not winning more games?
44. Da'Quan Bowers, DE @ Klimspen. Look, the Dabo experiement may crash and burn, but if it does, you won't be able to blame Bowers. This kid might be the defensive PotY in the ACC this season.
43. Darrell Scott, RB @ Colorado. Might he be the next "great Colorado Runningback?" Well, let me ask you THIS....who were some of the others? Rashaam Salaam? Bobby Purify? Chris Brown? Not really RBU, if you ask me. But this kid has Dan Hawkins excited, so you know that he plays DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL, not intramurals, BROTHER!
42. Perrish Cox, CB/KR @ Okie State. Not only is he a quality corner, but he is DANGEROUS in the return game. Maybe the best in the country. I hope this Bogotay kid from Georgia kicks it through the endzone in Stillwater. If Cox gets his hands on the ball, it could be six. (Is that enough smoke blown up their hoohas?)
41. Gerald McCoy, DT @ OU. The heart of the Sooner Defensive Front returns and will look to shut down those Big12 offenses. Good luck with that. The matchup to see is if he can stop Kendall Hunter in the Bedlam game and if he can get his mitts on Colt McCoy in the Red River shootout. Also, look for a top 10 NFL draft status to be mentioned once or twice.
40. Morgan Burnett, S @ GT. We begin the second ten with a Yellow Jacket. He was on the receiving end of one of Matt Stafford's 6TDs last year in the UGA/GT game and he is the active ACC leader in INTs. I would consider him a poor man's Eric Berry. I also laugh when he said that he picked Tech because he didn't want to live in his brother Cap's shadow at Georgia. Ummm, I barely remember Cap. Just take one step to the left and you are OUT of the shadow. A good get for Chan back in the day and YES I was angry CMR didn't get him.
39. Javier Arenas, CB/PR @ Bama. This guy really made his name two seasons ago, but he is still good. He can take it to the house with his shiftiness and he seems like a Saban guy. Really here because of his work in the return game.
38. Geno Atkins, DT @ UGA. Geno is the first Dawg to make the list. How about that? Geno returned to school, in the process turning down a likely first round selection. But he knew that, when teamed with Jeff Owens (will HE make the list? Stick around...) they can blow up offensive lines. Those two will help to restore the Georgia DLine pride (I hope). This guy may be undersized, but his motor never stops.
37. Carlos Dunlap, DE @ Florida. This guy is just a beast. No way to get around it. He's a beast. He feast on the scum Florida plays, non-conference-wise, and he dominates SEC competition too. Auburn had a kid named King Dunlap a few seasons back, but this guy should demand the name. he's more dunlap than that crappy OLineman EVER was...
36. Brandon Lefell, WR @ LSU. He can be physical, he can run, he is the next 1st round LSU receiver, after Henderson and Bowye (and throw in Skyler Green who was drafted by Dallas as well as Craig Davis, Early Doucet, Josh Reed and Michael Clayton). It won't really matter who is throwing the ball, Lafell can catch it. Just not when Brandon Boykin will be covering him this fall!!!!!
35. Noel Devine, RB @ West Va. He gets moved down the list for having 19 kids by 17 different mothers by the time he was 12 (maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it is close...) This kid is small and shifty and makes the perfect lightning to a thunder, but he doesn't have a thunder or even a Pat White. Let's see what happens when all he has is Bill Stewart. Remember, he plays in the Big Easy, so he'll get some yards, but not as many as he probably should.
34. Joe Haden, CB @ UF. All-everything as a freshman, I believe. AND this is the one that DIDN'T get tased. So he has THAT going for him.
33. Jermaine Gresham, TE @ OU. Wow, Boomer-Sooner, much? This guy would have been taken by the Falcons in the first round had he come out (unless someone else grabbed him sooner, which probably would have happened). This guy is a HUGE target and with Bradford back (of course HE made the list) the Boomer Sooner offense will be pass and run happy (D Ryan is back too, but not on the list.) The NFl is licking its chops for this guy to be available. Could the Chiefs replace Gonzo just one year later with a guy that could break all of his records? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
32. Juice Williams, QB @ Illi. Plays for the Zooker and that has probably held him back from really meeting his potential, but still good enough to make the list. Juice should benefit from a Big11 with no real dominant team (Ohio State is maybe one season away and PennState is beatable by a team with speed....ILLINOIS has speed) so we could see the Illini back in the Rose Bowl, losing again to USC by 60. Great!
31. Todd Reesing, QB @ KU. This guy is STILL in school? Same with Grothe, but at least Chase Daniel is gone from Mizzou. I am a little tired of hearing how short this guy is and how none of the Texas schools wanted him. Blah blah blah. But the kid does have moxie and he is a gunslinger, ala Brett Favre. His team is never really out of it...of course sometimes he puts his team in those bad situations, but hey. Nobody's perfect. (And at No.31, you can see this one isn't close.)
30. Dezmon Briscoe, WR @ KU. Reesing's fav target, I would argue that he has the potential to be the top WR in the Big12 (sorry, Bryant...) but he cannot stay out of trouble. If he ever got his head screwed on straight, watch out. But with his talent he should be at OU; because of his issues though he is Rock-chalking-JayHawkin'. I love to see athletes meet their potential, I hope I get to (On Vs. and FSN-HA!) with this guy.
Look for 29-11 later today!
in reverse order......
50. Damian Williams, WR @ USC. Williams was one of the Springdale kids that transfered out of Arkansas when Gus Malzahn quit the OC post to go to Tulsa. Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams both thought it would be cool to go and play for Pete's Men of Troy. (SPOILER: MITCH ISN'T ON THIS LIST. Still a wise move, since you are third on the depth chart there Mitchy?) Williams BTW is ONLY here based on potential.
49. Joe McKnight, RB @ USC. Speaking of "based on potential..." McKnight is only here due to his work in high school. He hasn't done much except get in trouble academically in SoCal, but looking at the kid's highlights on Youtube and reading about how Coach O had a huge mancrush on him in the book Meatmarket (remember this is a guy that takes his shirt off and screams "UT Wildboyz!"), means this kid HAS to be good. Do something and you'll be higher on the list in 2010.
48. Tyrod Taylor, QB@Vatech. The little guy FINALLY seized the starter's job over SEANN GLENNON last year and he looks like he can run a spread option offense. While he has been good, when you lineup under center at VaTech and are a running QB (which he is) you will be compared to No.7. And Mr. Taylor, you are no No.7 (might not be such a bad thing OFF of the field...)
47. Matt Grothe, QB@ South Florida. Two preseasons ago I said that the owner of the GroHawk was a better QB than Tim Tebow. That was dumb. Tebow clearly read my thoughts and then went out and won the Heisman. I am NOT making THAT mistake again.
46. Trevard Lindley, CB @ UK. Shout-out to my cousin Matt who tells me that Lindley is the real deal. Ummm, Why don't I remember him doing much against Georgia then? He is still good though. ESPN's Chris Low has him as the 8th best player in the conference. I will give Matt and this Low character the benefit of the doubt, but not too much of one. Maybe he makes my preseason All-Sec, but as far as this list goes, I've got to keep him in the mid-40s. He's no Joe Haden. (And I don't have Brandon Boykin on this list while Lindley IS, so he really IS getting the benefit of the doubt...)
45. Rob Gronkowski, TE @ Zona. The second best TE in the college game AND I get to give a little love to my F-i-L's hometown team. A double bonus there! Gronkowski won't be catching the balls this year from Willie, but he will make whomever is under center look good. With Eben Britton (spelling?) last year and Gronkowski this season, how is Mike Stoops not winning more games?
44. Da'Quan Bowers, DE @ Klimspen. Look, the Dabo experiement may crash and burn, but if it does, you won't be able to blame Bowers. This kid might be the defensive PotY in the ACC this season.
43. Darrell Scott, RB @ Colorado. Might he be the next "great Colorado Runningback?" Well, let me ask you THIS....who were some of the others? Rashaam Salaam? Bobby Purify? Chris Brown? Not really RBU, if you ask me. But this kid has Dan Hawkins excited, so you know that he plays DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL, not intramurals, BROTHER!
42. Perrish Cox, CB/KR @ Okie State. Not only is he a quality corner, but he is DANGEROUS in the return game. Maybe the best in the country. I hope this Bogotay kid from Georgia kicks it through the endzone in Stillwater. If Cox gets his hands on the ball, it could be six. (Is that enough smoke blown up their hoohas?)
41. Gerald McCoy, DT @ OU. The heart of the Sooner Defensive Front returns and will look to shut down those Big12 offenses. Good luck with that. The matchup to see is if he can stop Kendall Hunter in the Bedlam game and if he can get his mitts on Colt McCoy in the Red River shootout. Also, look for a top 10 NFL draft status to be mentioned once or twice.
40. Morgan Burnett, S @ GT. We begin the second ten with a Yellow Jacket. He was on the receiving end of one of Matt Stafford's 6TDs last year in the UGA/GT game and he is the active ACC leader in INTs. I would consider him a poor man's Eric Berry. I also laugh when he said that he picked Tech because he didn't want to live in his brother Cap's shadow at Georgia. Ummm, I barely remember Cap. Just take one step to the left and you are OUT of the shadow. A good get for Chan back in the day and YES I was angry CMR didn't get him.
39. Javier Arenas, CB/PR @ Bama. This guy really made his name two seasons ago, but he is still good. He can take it to the house with his shiftiness and he seems like a Saban guy. Really here because of his work in the return game.
38. Geno Atkins, DT @ UGA. Geno is the first Dawg to make the list. How about that? Geno returned to school, in the process turning down a likely first round selection. But he knew that, when teamed with Jeff Owens (will HE make the list? Stick around...) they can blow up offensive lines. Those two will help to restore the Georgia DLine pride (I hope). This guy may be undersized, but his motor never stops.
37. Carlos Dunlap, DE @ Florida. This guy is just a beast. No way to get around it. He's a beast. He feast on the scum Florida plays, non-conference-wise, and he dominates SEC competition too. Auburn had a kid named King Dunlap a few seasons back, but this guy should demand the name. he's more dunlap than that crappy OLineman EVER was...
36. Brandon Lefell, WR @ LSU. He can be physical, he can run, he is the next 1st round LSU receiver, after Henderson and Bowye (and throw in Skyler Green who was drafted by Dallas as well as Craig Davis, Early Doucet, Josh Reed and Michael Clayton). It won't really matter who is throwing the ball, Lafell can catch it. Just not when Brandon Boykin will be covering him this fall!!!!!
35. Noel Devine, RB @ West Va. He gets moved down the list for having 19 kids by 17 different mothers by the time he was 12 (maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it is close...) This kid is small and shifty and makes the perfect lightning to a thunder, but he doesn't have a thunder or even a Pat White. Let's see what happens when all he has is Bill Stewart. Remember, he plays in the Big Easy, so he'll get some yards, but not as many as he probably should.
34. Joe Haden, CB @ UF. All-everything as a freshman, I believe. AND this is the one that DIDN'T get tased. So he has THAT going for him.
33. Jermaine Gresham, TE @ OU. Wow, Boomer-Sooner, much? This guy would have been taken by the Falcons in the first round had he come out (unless someone else grabbed him sooner, which probably would have happened). This guy is a HUGE target and with Bradford back (of course HE made the list) the Boomer Sooner offense will be pass and run happy (D Ryan is back too, but not on the list.) The NFl is licking its chops for this guy to be available. Could the Chiefs replace Gonzo just one year later with a guy that could break all of his records? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
32. Juice Williams, QB @ Illi. Plays for the Zooker and that has probably held him back from really meeting his potential, but still good enough to make the list. Juice should benefit from a Big11 with no real dominant team (Ohio State is maybe one season away and PennState is beatable by a team with speed....ILLINOIS has speed) so we could see the Illini back in the Rose Bowl, losing again to USC by 60. Great!
31. Todd Reesing, QB @ KU. This guy is STILL in school? Same with Grothe, but at least Chase Daniel is gone from Mizzou. I am a little tired of hearing how short this guy is and how none of the Texas schools wanted him. Blah blah blah. But the kid does have moxie and he is a gunslinger, ala Brett Favre. His team is never really out of it...of course sometimes he puts his team in those bad situations, but hey. Nobody's perfect. (And at No.31, you can see this one isn't close.)
30. Dezmon Briscoe, WR @ KU. Reesing's fav target, I would argue that he has the potential to be the top WR in the Big12 (sorry, Bryant...) but he cannot stay out of trouble. If he ever got his head screwed on straight, watch out. But with his talent he should be at OU; because of his issues though he is Rock-chalking-JayHawkin'. I love to see athletes meet their potential, I hope I get to (On Vs. and FSN-HA!) with this guy.
Look for 29-11 later today!
Midweek entertainment report 6/24/09
PC snaps, Ed McMahon passes, Jon minus Kate, Rihanna doesn't bite back in court.
Ladies and gentlemen, the MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
NYC Prep debuted last night and I must say that "The Real Gossip Girl" show pails in comparison to Laguna Beach: The real OC. Why....#1 because Bravo is doing it instead of MTV and #2 because on Laguna Beach, the actors...er characters were HOT, whereas on NYC Prep they look inbred due to blueblood crossbreeding. Between Jess i (the "i" was too lazy to catch up to the rest of her name) and Camile (how far apart are her eyes?) these people just are NOT attractive. Throw in Sebastian's Sandy Cohen eyebrows and suddenly you realize that NYC chicks will "hook up" with anything that has money. (Though I question what hook up means to a 15 year old. just saying...) Lastly, while Jess i hates the Gossip Girl show, PC seems to have embraced it and character Chuck Bass since he seems to have modeled himself after the playboy. Even the snapping and the throwing of the water bottle, not to mention his mocking girls that are months younger than he by asking if they are 12. Chuck Bass-lite. Of course I will continue to watch, but it isn't as good as Gossip Girl and not nearly as good as Laguna Beach was. Hopefully it gets better...
Meanwhile, I had to miss Paris Hilton's search for a new BFF, but I caught bits and pieces in the commercials, just enough to see douchebag Doug not like the cold duck and tinkerbell snap at some guy that had earlier rollerbladed around wearing just a thong. I figured those two guys thrown in were to screw up the real contestants, but I guess they are real? I will need to rewatch the full episode before commenting further, but he Stefanie, QUIT CRYING! You are getting to be like that other whiney chick that was AGAIN up for discussion last night. And I guess your parents really were poor; they couldn't even afford to spell your name correctly!
Rihanna didn't testify against Chris Brown in court earlier this week and thus Brown receives 5 years probation. I am surprised Rihanna didn't throw Brown in jail so her peeps could go to work on him in prison. Maybe she will just sic the Jamacian mafia on him with machetes...
If I said that Ed McMahon died earlier this week, would that be accurate? YOU ARE CORRECT SIR! So sad that Phil Hartman is also dead. He did the best impression. I once met Ed McMahon at a blockbuster. Seemed nice enough.
Finally, the big news (I guess) Jon and Kate will divorce. They announced it on their show and the show will apparently go on hiatus. Can it just end? then Kate will have to get a real job and Jon can go back to his job that he was forced to give up for Kate to have a show. I am thinking that Kate is still trying to blame the media instead of just watching playback of the show where she was a beyotch, (according to my sources since I don't watch the show. Thank you Seano!)
That's it everybody, have a great rest of the week. NBA draft talk tomorrow then off to Arizona tomorrow night. Sorry but no SBF on Friday. I will work on the 2009 top 50 CFB players though while I am gone.
Ladies and gentlemen, the MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
NYC Prep debuted last night and I must say that "The Real Gossip Girl" show pails in comparison to Laguna Beach: The real OC. Why....#1 because Bravo is doing it instead of MTV and #2 because on Laguna Beach, the actors...er characters were HOT, whereas on NYC Prep they look inbred due to blueblood crossbreeding. Between Jess i (the "i" was too lazy to catch up to the rest of her name) and Camile (how far apart are her eyes?) these people just are NOT attractive. Throw in Sebastian's Sandy Cohen eyebrows and suddenly you realize that NYC chicks will "hook up" with anything that has money. (Though I question what hook up means to a 15 year old. just saying...) Lastly, while Jess i hates the Gossip Girl show, PC seems to have embraced it and character Chuck Bass since he seems to have modeled himself after the playboy. Even the snapping and the throwing of the water bottle, not to mention his mocking girls that are months younger than he by asking if they are 12. Chuck Bass-lite. Of course I will continue to watch, but it isn't as good as Gossip Girl and not nearly as good as Laguna Beach was. Hopefully it gets better...
Meanwhile, I had to miss Paris Hilton's search for a new BFF, but I caught bits and pieces in the commercials, just enough to see douchebag Doug not like the cold duck and tinkerbell snap at some guy that had earlier rollerbladed around wearing just a thong. I figured those two guys thrown in were to screw up the real contestants, but I guess they are real? I will need to rewatch the full episode before commenting further, but he Stefanie, QUIT CRYING! You are getting to be like that other whiney chick that was AGAIN up for discussion last night. And I guess your parents really were poor; they couldn't even afford to spell your name correctly!
Rihanna didn't testify against Chris Brown in court earlier this week and thus Brown receives 5 years probation. I am surprised Rihanna didn't throw Brown in jail so her peeps could go to work on him in prison. Maybe she will just sic the Jamacian mafia on him with machetes...
If I said that Ed McMahon died earlier this week, would that be accurate? YOU ARE CORRECT SIR! So sad that Phil Hartman is also dead. He did the best impression. I once met Ed McMahon at a blockbuster. Seemed nice enough.
Finally, the big news (I guess) Jon and Kate will divorce. They announced it on their show and the show will apparently go on hiatus. Can it just end? then Kate will have to get a real job and Jon can go back to his job that he was forced to give up for Kate to have a show. I am thinking that Kate is still trying to blame the media instead of just watching playback of the show where she was a beyotch, (according to my sources since I don't watch the show. Thank you Seano!)
That's it everybody, have a great rest of the week. NBA draft talk tomorrow then off to Arizona tomorrow night. Sorry but no SBF on Friday. I will work on the 2009 top 50 CFB players though while I am gone.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sports Families honored one day late.
Yesterday on Sports Radio 790 The Zone, to honor Father's Day we had a topic of the greatest father and son combo in sports and then expanded the topic to include families.
Some of the families that were mentioned included the Williams sisters (I pointed out that this was supposed to be a sports list and not a designer/actress list and I think the joke went over everyone's heads), the Ripkens, the Steinbrenners, the Mannings, the Winslows, Fitzgeralds, Griffeys, and Andersons.
I decided to compile my own list.... MY top ten sports families.
10.Mannings. I am a bit sick of the Mannings being shoved down my throat but they did have two No.1 picks as well as back-to-back Super Bowl MVPs. But Eli, Cooper, Peyton and Archie never won the big one in college. And I watched Eli get sacked a few times by UGA. Eat that SUCKA! Maybe if Peyton keeps producing funny commercials I will move the Mannings up the list.
9.Bure. Pavel was the Russian Rocket and dated Anna Kournikova. Valeri was lesser known and married DJ from Full House. She was Kirk Cameron's sister.... bonus points?
8.Staal. Jordan and Eric are on the Stanley Cup, Marc and Jerad are also in the NHL. Momma and Daddy must be proud.
7. Simms. Phil Simms won two Super Bowls, including the 87 SB MVP, twice a Pro-Bowler, number retired by the Giants and then spawned two sons, Chris (after a career at Texas, the Prince has bounced around the NFL, but might start at some point this season with Denver) and Matt (was QB at Louisville, but has transferred out). He has kind of a Manning thing going on, but he is higher because HE WON SOMETHING on the NFL level and anything his sons do is gravy. (I just had to put them ahead of the Mannings though because of Archie-and-Olivia overkill)
6.Capel. Father Jeff was the head man at ODU and now is an assistant with the Bobcats. Jason played at UNC and now works in the broadcast booth. Jeff III of course was on Duke and hit the 40foot runner that you ALWAYS see when ESPN shows Duke/UNC highlights. Jeff went on to coach with Dad at ODU before becoming an assistant then head at VCU, only to go out to Oklahoma. Last season the Sooners were No.1 for a while and had Blake Griffin want to go play for Jeff III. He is one of the "best young coaches" and look for him to be Duke's head coach when Coach K walks away.
5. Ripken. Between Cal Senior and Bill, not a lot to write home about. But throw in Cal Jr., and suddenly this family is No.5. Cal and Billy used to turn doubleplays with Dad watching in the dugout. Sr., also ended Jr's consecutive innings streak, but not the game streak. Throw in the fact that Cal changed the way shortstops were thought of and you have a Hall of Famer and a Hall of Fame family.
4. Bailey. Champ, Boss and Kenny make this list probably ONLY because of their UGA ties. Champ honestly did EVERYTHING at UGA and he is STILL the best Corner in the NFL (sorry Nnamdi). Too bad Washington gave him up for FREAKING CLINTON PORTIS and all of his glasses and alteregos and Miami attitude. I also saw Boss jump higher than humanly possible to block about 19 FG attempts my senior year. Also a very nice guy. He was in one of my sociology classes at school and from there he recognized me at Kroger. nice guy. Hope he gets over his injury problems and sticks in the league.
3.Sutter. There are 12? of them (seemingly) and they WERE all hockey players but are now all coaches and GMs. The sheer numbers have them high on this list.
2.Boone. You start with All-star Ray Boone, who has a son Bob Boone, a four-time all-star, who then has two sons, all-star Aaron (just ask RedSox fans about him) and Bret Boone. Bob was a 7X gold glover, 4X allstar and is in the Phillies Wall of Fame. Ray is in the San Diego Hall of Champions (and the leader of the local lumberjack chapter). Aaron hit the ALCS walk-off game 7 home run in 2003 and then married a Playboy Covergirl. Bret MIGHT have toyed with the juice but did win two silver sluggers, three All-star selections and four gold gloves.
1.Long. Howie, Hall of Famer. Chris No.2 pick in 2008 draft. Kyle has the potential to be a first round baseball draft pick, but elected to attend FSU. Howie Jr is set to go to UVa and play lacrosse. I've already spoken highly on the Longs on this blog and on www.790thezone.com. Check out the archives to the right of the page for more on the NEW first family of sports!
Happy belated father's day everybody!
Some of the families that were mentioned included the Williams sisters (I pointed out that this was supposed to be a sports list and not a designer/actress list and I think the joke went over everyone's heads), the Ripkens, the Steinbrenners, the Mannings, the Winslows, Fitzgeralds, Griffeys, and Andersons.
I decided to compile my own list.... MY top ten sports families.
10.Mannings. I am a bit sick of the Mannings being shoved down my throat but they did have two No.1 picks as well as back-to-back Super Bowl MVPs. But Eli, Cooper, Peyton and Archie never won the big one in college. And I watched Eli get sacked a few times by UGA. Eat that SUCKA! Maybe if Peyton keeps producing funny commercials I will move the Mannings up the list.
9.Bure. Pavel was the Russian Rocket and dated Anna Kournikova. Valeri was lesser known and married DJ from Full House. She was Kirk Cameron's sister.... bonus points?
8.Staal. Jordan and Eric are on the Stanley Cup, Marc and Jerad are also in the NHL. Momma and Daddy must be proud.
7. Simms. Phil Simms won two Super Bowls, including the 87 SB MVP, twice a Pro-Bowler, number retired by the Giants and then spawned two sons, Chris (after a career at Texas, the Prince has bounced around the NFL, but might start at some point this season with Denver) and Matt (was QB at Louisville, but has transferred out). He has kind of a Manning thing going on, but he is higher because HE WON SOMETHING on the NFL level and anything his sons do is gravy. (I just had to put them ahead of the Mannings though because of Archie-and-Olivia overkill)
6.Capel. Father Jeff was the head man at ODU and now is an assistant with the Bobcats. Jason played at UNC and now works in the broadcast booth. Jeff III of course was on Duke and hit the 40foot runner that you ALWAYS see when ESPN shows Duke/UNC highlights. Jeff went on to coach with Dad at ODU before becoming an assistant then head at VCU, only to go out to Oklahoma. Last season the Sooners were No.1 for a while and had Blake Griffin want to go play for Jeff III. He is one of the "best young coaches" and look for him to be Duke's head coach when Coach K walks away.
5. Ripken. Between Cal Senior and Bill, not a lot to write home about. But throw in Cal Jr., and suddenly this family is No.5. Cal and Billy used to turn doubleplays with Dad watching in the dugout. Sr., also ended Jr's consecutive innings streak, but not the game streak. Throw in the fact that Cal changed the way shortstops were thought of and you have a Hall of Famer and a Hall of Fame family.
4. Bailey. Champ, Boss and Kenny make this list probably ONLY because of their UGA ties. Champ honestly did EVERYTHING at UGA and he is STILL the best Corner in the NFL (sorry Nnamdi). Too bad Washington gave him up for FREAKING CLINTON PORTIS and all of his glasses and alteregos and Miami attitude. I also saw Boss jump higher than humanly possible to block about 19 FG attempts my senior year. Also a very nice guy. He was in one of my sociology classes at school and from there he recognized me at Kroger. nice guy. Hope he gets over his injury problems and sticks in the league.
3.Sutter. There are 12? of them (seemingly) and they WERE all hockey players but are now all coaches and GMs. The sheer numbers have them high on this list.
2.Boone. You start with All-star Ray Boone, who has a son Bob Boone, a four-time all-star, who then has two sons, all-star Aaron (just ask RedSox fans about him) and Bret Boone. Bob was a 7X gold glover, 4X allstar and is in the Phillies Wall of Fame. Ray is in the San Diego Hall of Champions (and the leader of the local lumberjack chapter). Aaron hit the ALCS walk-off game 7 home run in 2003 and then married a Playboy Covergirl. Bret MIGHT have toyed with the juice but did win two silver sluggers, three All-star selections and four gold gloves.
1.Long. Howie, Hall of Famer. Chris No.2 pick in 2008 draft. Kyle has the potential to be a first round baseball draft pick, but elected to attend FSU. Howie Jr is set to go to UVa and play lacrosse. I've already spoken highly on the Longs on this blog and on www.790thezone.com. Check out the archives to the right of the page for more on the NEW first family of sports!
Happy belated father's day everybody!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Duh, yahoo! of course they didn't say anything!
As has become tradition, Sportsbyfletch will once again yell at yahoo!.com for a STUPID headline.
If you haven't heard by now, a pilot on a COntinental flight died during the flight and his co-pilots brought the plane down safely at its destination. So what does yahoo! use as its headline?
Pilot's Death Kept Secret
NO SHITE YAHOO!
Yahoo! continued: Lenell died of a suspected heart attack midway through Continental Airlines Flight 61 on Thursday. Two co-pilots took over the controls. Passengers didn't know anything was wrong until they landed and were met by fire trucks, emergency vehicles and dozens of clamoring reporters.
"I was shocked," said Dora Dekeyser, of Houston. "Nobody knew anything."
Did you think they would make an announcement? "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, this is your co-captain here. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, your lead captain just died. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but we're going to take over here at ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 30,000 feet, and get a nice tail wind and we should ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh have this thing on the ground, with the dead captain in about ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 3 hours.
Come on yahoo! Of course no one knew. That's all the co-pilots need at 30,000 feet while they are trying to fly a plane with a dead captain: everyone freaking out back in first class and coach. I Would have freaked out if I had been aboard and knew.
Good job by the crew keeping that underwraps. The way it should have been.
If you haven't heard by now, a pilot on a COntinental flight died during the flight and his co-pilots brought the plane down safely at its destination. So what does yahoo! use as its headline?
Pilot's Death Kept Secret
NO SHITE YAHOO!
Yahoo! continued: Lenell died of a suspected heart attack midway through Continental Airlines Flight 61 on Thursday. Two co-pilots took over the controls. Passengers didn't know anything was wrong until they landed and were met by fire trucks, emergency vehicles and dozens of clamoring reporters.
"I was shocked," said Dora Dekeyser, of Houston. "Nobody knew anything."
Did you think they would make an announcement? "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, this is your co-captain here. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, your lead captain just died. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but we're going to take over here at ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 30,000 feet, and get a nice tail wind and we should ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh have this thing on the ground, with the dead captain in about ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 3 hours.
Come on yahoo! Of course no one knew. That's all the co-pilots need at 30,000 feet while they are trying to fly a plane with a dead captain: everyone freaking out back in first class and coach. I Would have freaked out if I had been aboard and knew.
Good job by the crew keeping that underwraps. The way it should have been.
They have the pieces, now make the puzzle
They say, “You need to wait until Memorial Day to tell what kind of team you have.” That was four weeks ago. We now know what kind of team the Braves have: great starting pitching and two good hitters surrounded by a lineup that has not helped them much. But the good news, no one has punished the Braves for playing its first 60+ games hovering around .500. The Mets have dealt with numerous injuries, and the Phillies, who currently lead the division don’t have much in the starting rotation after ace Cole Hamels and the bullpen is nowhere near the level it was last season.
Hope lives with the Braves and the team has the best chance of improving its weakness without making a major roster overhaul.
The Braves could certainly make a run at the National League East division title and all of the ingredients the team needs, it already has now in its clubhouse. Chipper Jones is the reigning NL batting champ and with a fresh contract extension, Jones should feel safe about his future with the team and can simply concentrate on hitting. Though he must stay healthy, Jones still poses a threat every time up to the plate with a .308 average and .422 OBP, and opposing pitchers know he is dangerous. If they pitch around him, that still puts a runner on base for the other dangerous member of this lineup, Brian McCann. The catcher should make his fourth straight all-star team and has been simply raking since returning from the disabled list in early May. McCann’s blurry vision seemed fixed and the two-time silver slugger seems well on his way to a third award.
These two need some help however in the lineup. They may have gotten a boost with the return of first baseman Casey Kotchman, who leads the team with 16 doubles. Kotchman may not have the raw power that Mark Teixeira displayed last year but seems perfectly suited for the No.2 spot or the No.5 hole. If Kotchman continues to find the gaps, McCann and Jones should be able to trot home. Newcomer Nate McClouth should also start to provide the pop and speed in Atlanta that he showed in Pittsburgh. McClouth crushed 26 home runs last year with 94 RBI and if he just matches those numbers with the Braves, the offense will immediately take off.
The starting rotation has been stellar thus far but the wins haven’t come as easily as they would probably like. Derek Lowe has been the ace that the team wanted in the off-season and Jair Jurrjens has pitched well enough to be an all-star but his run support has been non-existent. Throw in the efforts of Javier Vazquez, who seems to strike out ten every start and the top three might be the best in the league. The important cog will be rookie Tommy Hanson. The young fireballer pitched well enough in his first three starts to post a 2-0 record and he will hopefully provide the spark that the team received in 2005 when Jeff Francoeur brought that pushed the team to its final division title. Hanson will create the buzz needed in his starts to get the lineup’s juice flowing and Braves manager Bobby Cox probably wishes to see the energy carry into the next game. David Price gave Tampa Bay a similar boost last year when he arrived on the Rays scene and that momentum carried Tampa to the World Series.
Other than Hanson, the two biggest X-factors are two guys that have recently been involved in trade talks: Yunel Escobar and Francoeur. Frenchy is back in the rut that wrecked his season last year and warranted a trip to the minors in 2008. The rightfielder has the potential to hit .300 as well as the ability to smack 30 home runs and it isn’t too much to ask for Francoeur to give the team 24 homers and a .275 average. If he gave that effort and accomplished those numbers for the season, the team would immediately take off. Also Escobar’s power numbers continue to rocket up as he has nearly reached the 10 dingers he mashed last season. If Escobar continues on is pace while still hitting his career average of .299, the run support will come for this outstanding pitching staff.
While other teams need to visit the trade deadline grocery store, the Braves have the ingredients to success. The players just need to meet expectations. Should the pitching stay strong and the offense come around, this team will move up in the rankings with no major changes.
Hope lives with the Braves and the team has the best chance of improving its weakness without making a major roster overhaul.
The Braves could certainly make a run at the National League East division title and all of the ingredients the team needs, it already has now in its clubhouse. Chipper Jones is the reigning NL batting champ and with a fresh contract extension, Jones should feel safe about his future with the team and can simply concentrate on hitting. Though he must stay healthy, Jones still poses a threat every time up to the plate with a .308 average and .422 OBP, and opposing pitchers know he is dangerous. If they pitch around him, that still puts a runner on base for the other dangerous member of this lineup, Brian McCann. The catcher should make his fourth straight all-star team and has been simply raking since returning from the disabled list in early May. McCann’s blurry vision seemed fixed and the two-time silver slugger seems well on his way to a third award.
These two need some help however in the lineup. They may have gotten a boost with the return of first baseman Casey Kotchman, who leads the team with 16 doubles. Kotchman may not have the raw power that Mark Teixeira displayed last year but seems perfectly suited for the No.2 spot or the No.5 hole. If Kotchman continues to find the gaps, McCann and Jones should be able to trot home. Newcomer Nate McClouth should also start to provide the pop and speed in Atlanta that he showed in Pittsburgh. McClouth crushed 26 home runs last year with 94 RBI and if he just matches those numbers with the Braves, the offense will immediately take off.
The starting rotation has been stellar thus far but the wins haven’t come as easily as they would probably like. Derek Lowe has been the ace that the team wanted in the off-season and Jair Jurrjens has pitched well enough to be an all-star but his run support has been non-existent. Throw in the efforts of Javier Vazquez, who seems to strike out ten every start and the top three might be the best in the league. The important cog will be rookie Tommy Hanson. The young fireballer pitched well enough in his first three starts to post a 2-0 record and he will hopefully provide the spark that the team received in 2005 when Jeff Francoeur brought that pushed the team to its final division title. Hanson will create the buzz needed in his starts to get the lineup’s juice flowing and Braves manager Bobby Cox probably wishes to see the energy carry into the next game. David Price gave Tampa Bay a similar boost last year when he arrived on the Rays scene and that momentum carried Tampa to the World Series.
Other than Hanson, the two biggest X-factors are two guys that have recently been involved in trade talks: Yunel Escobar and Francoeur. Frenchy is back in the rut that wrecked his season last year and warranted a trip to the minors in 2008. The rightfielder has the potential to hit .300 as well as the ability to smack 30 home runs and it isn’t too much to ask for Francoeur to give the team 24 homers and a .275 average. If he gave that effort and accomplished those numbers for the season, the team would immediately take off. Also Escobar’s power numbers continue to rocket up as he has nearly reached the 10 dingers he mashed last season. If Escobar continues on is pace while still hitting his career average of .299, the run support will come for this outstanding pitching staff.
While other teams need to visit the trade deadline grocery store, the Braves have the ingredients to success. The players just need to meet expectations. Should the pitching stay strong and the offense come around, this team will move up in the rankings with no major changes.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Take the foreigner to win our national title
Normally I love rooting for the homeboys. Over the next few days I WILL be rooting for the homeboys. I will always root for the American over the foreigner when it comes to golf. However, I have to say that I think Geoff Ogilvy is going to come up from down undah and take about to the Land of Outback our National Title, the US Open. The last time the Open was held in New York, Ogilvy walked away with the title and I believe history will repeat itself.
Will I be openly cheering for AK47 and Phil and Tiger, yes of course. I'd love nothing more to see Anthony Kim vanquish the Australian kids or Phil outduel Paddy Harrington or Tiger make Henrik Stenson crap his pants.
But I don't think Phil can concentrate enough to win this week and I don't think Kim is having the type of year that he needs to take this trophy. And I just don't fully believe that Tiger is all the way back from his injury. Yes he looked good at the Memorial, but he looked good at Bay Hill too and then didn't make a move at the Masters. Of these three, he has the best shot, though I will say that Phil tends to play well at the Open when he has a distraction (remember 99 at Pinehurst with the pager?)
Bottom line, I think Ogilvy takes his second open because I like his game. I wish he was from Arkansas instead of Australia because then I could root for him. This weekend I will be rooting against him but betting on him.
Will I be openly cheering for AK47 and Phil and Tiger, yes of course. I'd love nothing more to see Anthony Kim vanquish the Australian kids or Phil outduel Paddy Harrington or Tiger make Henrik Stenson crap his pants.
But I don't think Phil can concentrate enough to win this week and I don't think Kim is having the type of year that he needs to take this trophy. And I just don't fully believe that Tiger is all the way back from his injury. Yes he looked good at the Memorial, but he looked good at Bay Hill too and then didn't make a move at the Masters. Of these three, he has the best shot, though I will say that Phil tends to play well at the Open when he has a distraction (remember 99 at Pinehurst with the pager?)
Bottom line, I think Ogilvy takes his second open because I like his game. I wish he was from Arkansas instead of Australia because then I could root for him. This weekend I will be rooting against him but betting on him.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Is the NBA so star driven that your city doesn't matter?
Paul Mac bemoans the lack of loyalty in today's sports world.
I've got a lot of buddies from my home town now trumpeting the Lakers. 2 decades ago I remember being on the play ground and everyone wanted to be Michael Jordan.... with a few Dominique tomahawk jams here and there. Even when the Hawks were pretty good, I don't remember people in my circle being "fans" so to speak. Really in this area there is a dearth of any really hard core fans of anything other than College Football. By fans I mean, people who live and die with the team and hang on every move. We just don't get much of that here. It would be odd if in Boston you were anything other than Red Sox, Pats, Celtics, Bruins fan I think. In New York I wonder if even when they are terrible it's ok to not be a Knicks fan.
The concept is just sort of odd to me. Why wear a Lebron Jersey if you're not a Cavs fan? Is the name on the back more important than the name on the front? I'm not sure if it's off putting or not. Are NBA fans just front runners? Who wouldn't want to wear a Kobe or Jordan jersey and yet I could never bring myself to buy one even the Carolina jerseys and I'm a fan of the heels. Is it just normal to buy the jersey of the in player or be a fan of the winning team even if you have virtually no contact whatsoever with your city? Just having favorite players? Imagine college football if you came in wearing a Tim Tebow jersey and a USC hat?
These days I guess it just doesn't matter, we buy team colors because we just like the color I guess or we just want to be associated with winning or in some cases because your gang colors or numbers relate to the team. I like Tom Brady a lot, I like Hines Ward a lot but they don't play for my team. Would you feel like a traitor for wearing the colors of a superstar you might like that doesn't play for your team... and how do we go about picking our teams? Luck of the Draw... Rep your city regardless? Is it where you grow up or do you just select who you like and is there really any honor in sticking with it? Is there honor in really being a Cubs fan who haven't won virtually anything in a century? (I mean the few that actually care not the ones that just show up to the games to be there)
I'm not sure I have an answer to these questions. Fandom surely makes for strange bedfellows. I think if I had my druthers I'd have a hard time becoming an Atlanta sports fan if I hadn't grown up around here though. Maybe I'm weird trying to follow and or care about teams that I know have 0 chance of succeeding at the end.
I've got a lot of buddies from my home town now trumpeting the Lakers. 2 decades ago I remember being on the play ground and everyone wanted to be Michael Jordan.... with a few Dominique tomahawk jams here and there. Even when the Hawks were pretty good, I don't remember people in my circle being "fans" so to speak. Really in this area there is a dearth of any really hard core fans of anything other than College Football. By fans I mean, people who live and die with the team and hang on every move. We just don't get much of that here. It would be odd if in Boston you were anything other than Red Sox, Pats, Celtics, Bruins fan I think. In New York I wonder if even when they are terrible it's ok to not be a Knicks fan.
The concept is just sort of odd to me. Why wear a Lebron Jersey if you're not a Cavs fan? Is the name on the back more important than the name on the front? I'm not sure if it's off putting or not. Are NBA fans just front runners? Who wouldn't want to wear a Kobe or Jordan jersey and yet I could never bring myself to buy one even the Carolina jerseys and I'm a fan of the heels. Is it just normal to buy the jersey of the in player or be a fan of the winning team even if you have virtually no contact whatsoever with your city? Just having favorite players? Imagine college football if you came in wearing a Tim Tebow jersey and a USC hat?
These days I guess it just doesn't matter, we buy team colors because we just like the color I guess or we just want to be associated with winning or in some cases because your gang colors or numbers relate to the team. I like Tom Brady a lot, I like Hines Ward a lot but they don't play for my team. Would you feel like a traitor for wearing the colors of a superstar you might like that doesn't play for your team... and how do we go about picking our teams? Luck of the Draw... Rep your city regardless? Is it where you grow up or do you just select who you like and is there really any honor in sticking with it? Is there honor in really being a Cubs fan who haven't won virtually anything in a century? (I mean the few that actually care not the ones that just show up to the games to be there)
I'm not sure I have an answer to these questions. Fandom surely makes for strange bedfellows. I think if I had my druthers I'd have a hard time becoming an Atlanta sports fan if I hadn't grown up around here though. Maybe I'm weird trying to follow and or care about teams that I know have 0 chance of succeeding at the end.
Post #700, a Midweek entertainment report, of course!
We've reached post #700. I'd like to thank all 12 of my readers. Without you guys, this wouldn't have been possible. Actually, if would have been, but it would not have been any fun.
But let's get down to it, shall we?
Bravo XOXOs, Paris gets told to F-off, Bill Engvall gets a sign, TNT will lie to me, Ray is seeking more love, Artie Lange angling for the MTV VMA hosting gig and let's give Letterman a break....
Ladies and gentlemen, THE MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT
(Extended Clapping to honor the 700 posts.)
BREAKING NEWS....Sean Penn has dropped out of the Three Stooges movie as well as Cartel to focus on his family. Good for him to put movies on the backburner to focus on repairing his marriage and family. But the bigger question is, why was he even in the Three Stooges movie? Is Sean Penn funny? Milk, Not funny; Mystic River, not funny; I Am Sam, not funny (well maybe to some sick people who are going to hell). He wasn't even all that funny in that stretch of FRIENDS he did. Just saying. It might be better for the movie that he back out. Then the producers could get a funny people to be in it. Next let's hope Jim Carrey backs out!
As first reported on The Soup (Thanks Joel McHale!) Bravo will soon air NYC Prep, which is more of less the channel's version of Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, only it is the real-life Gossip Girl. You know you'll watch! XOXO, SBF.
Apparently Bill Engvall hosted the CMTs last night, and no one watched. Here's your sign Bill...that you're not relevant. Really, an awards show on a Tuesday night? Did you WANT no one to watch? Oh, I guess not, since you got Bill Engvall to host.
Speaking of shows no one watched last night...HawthoRNe debuted and you can expect TNT to begin lying about the viewer numbers rightttttttttttttttttttttttt NOW. We will be beaten over the head with "The Most Watched New Nurses Show on Basic Cable on TELEVISION!" Kind of like how they do with Saving Grace and The Closer. And can some one please let me know when NURSES shows became popular? A REAL doctor would fire a NURSE for doing what Jada Pinkett-Smith did in the promo. Just saying. You are a NURSE. Nothing wrong with that profession. Just saying, you are a nurse, not a doctor. (Also, speaking of doctors, I watched the pilot for that Royal Pains show on USA...pretty good thus far. If only I could find out when that character is welcome on a regular basis.)
Ice Age 4? Is Ray Romano hurting for cash? Is his ELR syndication deal not paying him like Seinfeld got? Or is he trying to stay relevant? Does F/X really not pay Denis Leary that much cash that he has to do this movie? Do kids even like this franchise? I think I just broke my record for consecutive questions that I set yesterday. YEAH!
Listen, I Love to defend Palin as much as the next guy that thinks she is hot for a politican, but she and her defenders need to get over themselves if they are STILL upset about Letterman's joke last week. YOU decided to put YOURSELF in the public light and your teenage daughter had a baby out-of-wedlock. Clearly Letterman was talking about the single mom and not the 14 year old that happened to be at the game. Get over it. He's apologized. Move on. Or are you pulling a Romano? Come on Sarah!
Artie Lange went off on the Joe Buck Show on Monday and wasn't funny. He would go on to say that the producers told him to be crazy, but even so, what were you thinking, Bro? You were crude and made everyone uncomfortable. I have to think that there is just ONE explanation....he knew that MTV was hosting the VMAs this September and the network apparently likes people to host that aren't funny (See: Andy Samburg)
Hey, did you catch Mental last night? MORE REDHEAD NEEDED PLEASE!
Finally, Paris was back looking for a best friend last night, and she busted out her new catchphrase "It's Huge." (Wifey tells me that she recently had a press conference to announce the new phrase. We here at Sportsbyfletch are still looking for our credential for the conference. Oh well...) How did she bust out, "It's Huge!"? Well by introducing a game where the BFFs would dig through a big cupcake to find one of three treats which ended up being a ring, a lap dance from Mike Onch, and a chance to pick someone for discussion. Nicole seemingly read my mind and said that Kristen might have an advantage because she could eat the cupcake to find the eggs. Nicole called fat girl Kristen "fat" and said that "honestly, she just isn't some one Paris would hang out with because she's fat."
Can she become a Sportsbyfletch Correspondent? PLEASE?
Katie, who is "Amy Winehouse riding a My Little Pony to a punk show" fabulous according to the prettiest man SBF has ever seen Stephen, got to pick some one up for discussion and she picks Desirae. Then she thinks Desirae might get physical with her over the selection. Katie sounds RACIST! Just kidding. not really.
After Santino's Brain started to bleed (don't know who he is, but he can be the SBF fashion correspondent if he wants to), Paris sends "bowhead" Katie and Fatty Kristen home. Katie takes her TTYN in stride and tells Paris "F*CK YOU!" This shocks some of the BFFs and one asks, "Who would say that to Paris?" Ummm, i am sure she hears that multiple times a day, everyday. Get real.
Have a great rest of the week everybody and can't wait for Cat Deeley and SYTYCD tonight. Holla!
But let's get down to it, shall we?
Bravo XOXOs, Paris gets told to F-off, Bill Engvall gets a sign, TNT will lie to me, Ray is seeking more love, Artie Lange angling for the MTV VMA hosting gig and let's give Letterman a break....
Ladies and gentlemen, THE MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT
(Extended Clapping to honor the 700 posts.)
BREAKING NEWS....Sean Penn has dropped out of the Three Stooges movie as well as Cartel to focus on his family. Good for him to put movies on the backburner to focus on repairing his marriage and family. But the bigger question is, why was he even in the Three Stooges movie? Is Sean Penn funny? Milk, Not funny; Mystic River, not funny; I Am Sam, not funny (well maybe to some sick people who are going to hell). He wasn't even all that funny in that stretch of FRIENDS he did. Just saying. It might be better for the movie that he back out. Then the producers could get a funny people to be in it. Next let's hope Jim Carrey backs out!
As first reported on The Soup (Thanks Joel McHale!) Bravo will soon air NYC Prep, which is more of less the channel's version of Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, only it is the real-life Gossip Girl. You know you'll watch! XOXO, SBF.
Apparently Bill Engvall hosted the CMTs last night, and no one watched. Here's your sign Bill...that you're not relevant. Really, an awards show on a Tuesday night? Did you WANT no one to watch? Oh, I guess not, since you got Bill Engvall to host.
Speaking of shows no one watched last night...HawthoRNe debuted and you can expect TNT to begin lying about the viewer numbers rightttttttttttttttttttttttt NOW. We will be beaten over the head with "The Most Watched New Nurses Show on Basic Cable on TELEVISION!" Kind of like how they do with Saving Grace and The Closer. And can some one please let me know when NURSES shows became popular? A REAL doctor would fire a NURSE for doing what Jada Pinkett-Smith did in the promo. Just saying. You are a NURSE. Nothing wrong with that profession. Just saying, you are a nurse, not a doctor. (Also, speaking of doctors, I watched the pilot for that Royal Pains show on USA...pretty good thus far. If only I could find out when that character is welcome on a regular basis.)
Ice Age 4? Is Ray Romano hurting for cash? Is his ELR syndication deal not paying him like Seinfeld got? Or is he trying to stay relevant? Does F/X really not pay Denis Leary that much cash that he has to do this movie? Do kids even like this franchise? I think I just broke my record for consecutive questions that I set yesterday. YEAH!
Listen, I Love to defend Palin as much as the next guy that thinks she is hot for a politican, but she and her defenders need to get over themselves if they are STILL upset about Letterman's joke last week. YOU decided to put YOURSELF in the public light and your teenage daughter had a baby out-of-wedlock. Clearly Letterman was talking about the single mom and not the 14 year old that happened to be at the game. Get over it. He's apologized. Move on. Or are you pulling a Romano? Come on Sarah!
Artie Lange went off on the Joe Buck Show on Monday and wasn't funny. He would go on to say that the producers told him to be crazy, but even so, what were you thinking, Bro? You were crude and made everyone uncomfortable. I have to think that there is just ONE explanation....he knew that MTV was hosting the VMAs this September and the network apparently likes people to host that aren't funny (See: Andy Samburg)
Hey, did you catch Mental last night? MORE REDHEAD NEEDED PLEASE!
Finally, Paris was back looking for a best friend last night, and she busted out her new catchphrase "It's Huge." (Wifey tells me that she recently had a press conference to announce the new phrase. We here at Sportsbyfletch are still looking for our credential for the conference. Oh well...) How did she bust out, "It's Huge!"? Well by introducing a game where the BFFs would dig through a big cupcake to find one of three treats which ended up being a ring, a lap dance from Mike Onch, and a chance to pick someone for discussion. Nicole seemingly read my mind and said that Kristen might have an advantage because she could eat the cupcake to find the eggs. Nicole called fat girl Kristen "fat" and said that "honestly, she just isn't some one Paris would hang out with because she's fat."
Can she become a Sportsbyfletch Correspondent? PLEASE?
Katie, who is "Amy Winehouse riding a My Little Pony to a punk show" fabulous according to the prettiest man SBF has ever seen Stephen, got to pick some one up for discussion and she picks Desirae. Then she thinks Desirae might get physical with her over the selection. Katie sounds RACIST! Just kidding. not really.
After Santino's Brain started to bleed (don't know who he is, but he can be the SBF fashion correspondent if he wants to), Paris sends "bowhead" Katie and Fatty Kristen home. Katie takes her TTYN in stride and tells Paris "F*CK YOU!" This shocks some of the BFFs and one asks, "Who would say that to Paris?" Ummm, i am sure she hears that multiple times a day, everyday. Get real.
Have a great rest of the week everybody and can't wait for Cat Deeley and SYTYCD tonight. Holla!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Post Draft deadline look at 2009-10 basketball season
First off, let me tell TT Happy Birthday. You don't look a day over 32!
Now we move on to the second top 10-ish list I've done for the 2009-10 college basketball season. Yesterday was the deadline for underclassmen to back out of the NBA draft. Who backed out? Who stayed in? How will that affect Sportsbyfletch's top whatever list? Why delay any longer? Has a SBF blog ever had this many questions in a row?
#1 Kansas. Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins are both back along with EVERYONE else it seems. Bill Self won a title two seasons ago and he could easily take another one here. I think KU also got the Henry brothers if I am correct so that just gives the Rock Chalk Jayhawks even more depth.
2. UK. To quote my old college friend Benji, UK, more like U Suck. Can't say that anymore however. With Coach Cal (and I made this argument before on 790 The Zone how he is INSTANTLY the best coach in the SEC, Sorry Mark Fox) and the first recruiting class he has going, Kentucky will be back on top sooner rather than later and look for them to stay there for 15 years. Jodie Meeks is gone (as reported on Scoreatl.com) and losing your conference's leading scorer ALWAYS hurts, but come on...Cal has Patrick Patterson coming back along with John Wall and Eric Bledsoe in the backcourt and Darnell Dodson and Daniel Orton in the frontcourt. (What, someone is saying how can I put Cal ahead of Eddie Munster, who has two titles? Well, he won those with a special group of guys and hasn't come close since those guys left, unless you think two straight trips to the NIT is close. Sorry this guy has had so much talent in the past and never did anything, save a random appearance in the title game in 2000, with all of that talent. Matt Walsh, David Lee, Anthony Roberson, Haslem? What'd you do? Cal has two final fours with two different schools. And don't tell me the UMass trip doesn't count. I SAW Marcus Camby playing Kentucky back in 1996.)
3. Villanova. They kept Scottie Reynolds AND the coach from a Final Four team last year and should be the favorite to win the Big East. And don't sleep on their recruiting class....
4. Michigan State. Tom Izzo had his team in the final game last season. Can they go back? Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers will certainly help out the cause. And don't discount Izzo. What a freaking coach. Dude can coach. Enough said.
5. UNC. I have to respect Ole Roy and despite losing Lawson, Ellington, Green and Psycho T, they still have Ed Davis and Deon Thompson. And it isn't like Roy is just sitting back polishing his trophy. Nope, he is out there recruiting. Remember the names John Henson and Les McDonald. Those two will be making you forget Psycho T and Ty Lawson, unless Dicky V is doing the game, in which case he will beat you over the head with replays of those guys.
6. Purdue. Cannot call them Purdon't this year. Sorry I was one year early last year when I predicted big things for this crew in the Hooters Magazine preview special. (Sorry but really, if you are using Hooters magazine for your preseason basketball news, come on!) Robbie Hummel is back and so is JuJuan Johnson. I might actually watch the MSU/Purdue basketball games this season. Oh, wait, I don't have Big Ten Network. Oh well. Nevermind.
7. Texas. Despite the fact that Rick Barnes is still the coach, Damion James is back as are Dexter Pittman and Gary Johnson. If anyone can knock off KU in conference play, it would be the Longhorns. But we've seen Rick Barnes mess up with more, so he could definately mess this collection up as well.
8. California. Mike Montgomery has his Bay Area school back in the preseason top ten. That didn't take long. I said last year for Hooters that these guys were a year away. Well, this is the year. Pat Christopher and Jermone Randle should lead these guys to a Pac-10 championship. (really, by default since Zona is rebuilding, as is ASU, as is UCLA really, and USC is just dead.)
9. Duke. Fine. I'll give the defending ACC tourney champions their due. Losing Gerald Henderson will hurt, and apparently I think it will hurt more than MSNBC's Mike Miller (He has Duke #2). I think Henderson is more of the player that Duke needs, but now the team will have to rely on Kyle Singler and with him as you focal point, that just isn't good enough to really win a title. Sorry. Flat out not good enough for a long run in March. 28 wins, yes. second sunday of the dance? NO.
10. Oklahoma. Boomer Sooner. Willie Warren is back in Norman and Jeff Chapel will make 2009-10 all about Willie. You might be thinking, "Oh they couldn't make it to the F4 with Blake Griffin, why should tey make it without him?" Well I don't think they'll make it to the F4, but the Elite 8 is a possibility with a tremendous guard like Warren. March comes down to guardplay and he will have the Sooners in a #3 seed or #2 spot. Then you never know what one player can do. Look at Davidson two seasons ago.
11. Georgia Tech. WHAT? What, keep reading. I know they won TWO conference games last seasons. (Trust me, I mocked their beat writer to the point that he called my show and yelled at me, telling me they were better than just a 2 win team. Suurrrrre.) Well, with Mfon Udofia, Glen Rice, Jr, Stephen Hill, Daniel Miller and DERRICK FAVORS arriving on campus (plus 6 other guys I think. That is a joke, but seriously, they have a signing class of at least 6 the last time I checked), and teaming up with Gani Lawal, while they will be young, they will be uber-talented. Shoot, with just Lawal and Favors in the Frontcourt, they should be fun to watch. throw in the talented floor general that Udofia will be (I saw him some at Miller Grove. WOW) and the shooting of Glen Rice, Jr., and this team could make a run to the second round of the big dance....where Paul Hewitt will mess the team up and they will lose to a 5th seeded Syracuse or something. Just watch. It'll happen. Don't worry. He messed up Thad Lewis and JCritt. You can ask some of my Tech friends. They'll admit that while excited, they are scared that Pauly will mess this thing up.
12. Tennessee. Tyler Smith's return, coupled with the return of nearly everyone else means they will likely be the No.2 seed from the east in the SEC tourney. But not nearly on the level as Kentucky, so hey, maybe a sweet 16 run, but then remember...this group was losing to UGA by 20 in the second half last season with Felton as coach. Yeah they won, but that is NOT what you want.
13. UConn. No Thabett, but that's OK. Kemba Walker is back and they could make some noise in the tourney.
14. Ohio State. Thad Matta keeps getting players to come to Columbus and good for him. No BJ Mullens, but he never gave much while he was there. David Lighty returns and Evan Turner should shoulder much of the load on the Matta squada.
15. Washington. Isaiah Thomas is small but plays big and remember the name Abdul Gaddy. Better yet, look at his youtube stuff and he MIGHT be the best freshman PG, John Wall included. Well probably not, but hey, I made you think for a second.
I think Arizona's losses of Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger will hurt my Wildcats, but Nic Wise's decision to return to Tucson was smart and Sean Miller will have these guys rolling before we know it.
Syracuse claims that they will be fine with Johnny Flynn because his replacement is more of a traditional point guard, but COME ON. You don't get better by losing a talent like JFlynn. (And Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf. Well, maybe Devendorf in addition by subtraction.)
Wake Forest will take a step back as Jeff Teague decided to leave. James Johnson's departure was foreseen, but Teague nearly came back. Oh well, I guess Dino will just have to raid Metro-Atlanta for more talent. (Hey Mark Fox, let's put an end to this!)
Finally, a team to watch out for....THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS! Just kidding. But I will be excited to watch them now that Felton is gone. Hopefully Fox with Vinny Williams can get this thing going again. PS, do whatever you can to get Noel Johnson and Brandon Boykin reunited on the hardwood. Johnson was released from his scholarship at USC and Boykin is getting ready to tear it up on the gridiron, but Mark Fox needs to do his hardest to get these kids in Georgia unis. If nothing else, just to show that Georgia WANTS to be a place where the top in-state talent can come and play. These two are Fayette County kids and it would be nice if the in-state kids starting staying in-state instead of going to NCState and Wake and USC. During Harrick's run at UGA, all of his stars were from the state. Fox can win with just in-state kids. Let's make this happen. Thompkins and Ware is a good start. Let's keep the in-state thing going. Johnson and Boykin could really help. Mayfield too.
We'll have another list when we get closer to the season and if Boykin and Johnson both agree to play hoops, GEORGIA TO #1 IMMEDIATELY!
Now we move on to the second top 10-ish list I've done for the 2009-10 college basketball season. Yesterday was the deadline for underclassmen to back out of the NBA draft. Who backed out? Who stayed in? How will that affect Sportsbyfletch's top whatever list? Why delay any longer? Has a SBF blog ever had this many questions in a row?
#1 Kansas. Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins are both back along with EVERYONE else it seems. Bill Self won a title two seasons ago and he could easily take another one here. I think KU also got the Henry brothers if I am correct so that just gives the Rock Chalk Jayhawks even more depth.
2. UK. To quote my old college friend Benji, UK, more like U Suck. Can't say that anymore however. With Coach Cal (and I made this argument before on 790 The Zone how he is INSTANTLY the best coach in the SEC, Sorry Mark Fox) and the first recruiting class he has going, Kentucky will be back on top sooner rather than later and look for them to stay there for 15 years. Jodie Meeks is gone (as reported on Scoreatl.com) and losing your conference's leading scorer ALWAYS hurts, but come on...Cal has Patrick Patterson coming back along with John Wall and Eric Bledsoe in the backcourt and Darnell Dodson and Daniel Orton in the frontcourt. (What, someone is saying how can I put Cal ahead of Eddie Munster, who has two titles? Well, he won those with a special group of guys and hasn't come close since those guys left, unless you think two straight trips to the NIT is close. Sorry this guy has had so much talent in the past and never did anything, save a random appearance in the title game in 2000, with all of that talent. Matt Walsh, David Lee, Anthony Roberson, Haslem? What'd you do? Cal has two final fours with two different schools. And don't tell me the UMass trip doesn't count. I SAW Marcus Camby playing Kentucky back in 1996.)
3. Villanova. They kept Scottie Reynolds AND the coach from a Final Four team last year and should be the favorite to win the Big East. And don't sleep on their recruiting class....
4. Michigan State. Tom Izzo had his team in the final game last season. Can they go back? Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers will certainly help out the cause. And don't discount Izzo. What a freaking coach. Dude can coach. Enough said.
5. UNC. I have to respect Ole Roy and despite losing Lawson, Ellington, Green and Psycho T, they still have Ed Davis and Deon Thompson. And it isn't like Roy is just sitting back polishing his trophy. Nope, he is out there recruiting. Remember the names John Henson and Les McDonald. Those two will be making you forget Psycho T and Ty Lawson, unless Dicky V is doing the game, in which case he will beat you over the head with replays of those guys.
6. Purdue. Cannot call them Purdon't this year. Sorry I was one year early last year when I predicted big things for this crew in the Hooters Magazine preview special. (Sorry but really, if you are using Hooters magazine for your preseason basketball news, come on!) Robbie Hummel is back and so is JuJuan Johnson. I might actually watch the MSU/Purdue basketball games this season. Oh, wait, I don't have Big Ten Network. Oh well. Nevermind.
7. Texas. Despite the fact that Rick Barnes is still the coach, Damion James is back as are Dexter Pittman and Gary Johnson. If anyone can knock off KU in conference play, it would be the Longhorns. But we've seen Rick Barnes mess up with more, so he could definately mess this collection up as well.
8. California. Mike Montgomery has his Bay Area school back in the preseason top ten. That didn't take long. I said last year for Hooters that these guys were a year away. Well, this is the year. Pat Christopher and Jermone Randle should lead these guys to a Pac-10 championship. (really, by default since Zona is rebuilding, as is ASU, as is UCLA really, and USC is just dead.)
9. Duke. Fine. I'll give the defending ACC tourney champions their due. Losing Gerald Henderson will hurt, and apparently I think it will hurt more than MSNBC's Mike Miller (He has Duke #2). I think Henderson is more of the player that Duke needs, but now the team will have to rely on Kyle Singler and with him as you focal point, that just isn't good enough to really win a title. Sorry. Flat out not good enough for a long run in March. 28 wins, yes. second sunday of the dance? NO.
10. Oklahoma. Boomer Sooner. Willie Warren is back in Norman and Jeff Chapel will make 2009-10 all about Willie. You might be thinking, "Oh they couldn't make it to the F4 with Blake Griffin, why should tey make it without him?" Well I don't think they'll make it to the F4, but the Elite 8 is a possibility with a tremendous guard like Warren. March comes down to guardplay and he will have the Sooners in a #3 seed or #2 spot. Then you never know what one player can do. Look at Davidson two seasons ago.
11. Georgia Tech. WHAT? What, keep reading. I know they won TWO conference games last seasons. (Trust me, I mocked their beat writer to the point that he called my show and yelled at me, telling me they were better than just a 2 win team. Suurrrrre.) Well, with Mfon Udofia, Glen Rice, Jr, Stephen Hill, Daniel Miller and DERRICK FAVORS arriving on campus (plus 6 other guys I think. That is a joke, but seriously, they have a signing class of at least 6 the last time I checked), and teaming up with Gani Lawal, while they will be young, they will be uber-talented. Shoot, with just Lawal and Favors in the Frontcourt, they should be fun to watch. throw in the talented floor general that Udofia will be (I saw him some at Miller Grove. WOW) and the shooting of Glen Rice, Jr., and this team could make a run to the second round of the big dance....where Paul Hewitt will mess the team up and they will lose to a 5th seeded Syracuse or something. Just watch. It'll happen. Don't worry. He messed up Thad Lewis and JCritt. You can ask some of my Tech friends. They'll admit that while excited, they are scared that Pauly will mess this thing up.
12. Tennessee. Tyler Smith's return, coupled with the return of nearly everyone else means they will likely be the No.2 seed from the east in the SEC tourney. But not nearly on the level as Kentucky, so hey, maybe a sweet 16 run, but then remember...this group was losing to UGA by 20 in the second half last season with Felton as coach. Yeah they won, but that is NOT what you want.
13. UConn. No Thabett, but that's OK. Kemba Walker is back and they could make some noise in the tourney.
14. Ohio State. Thad Matta keeps getting players to come to Columbus and good for him. No BJ Mullens, but he never gave much while he was there. David Lighty returns and Evan Turner should shoulder much of the load on the Matta squada.
15. Washington. Isaiah Thomas is small but plays big and remember the name Abdul Gaddy. Better yet, look at his youtube stuff and he MIGHT be the best freshman PG, John Wall included. Well probably not, but hey, I made you think for a second.
I think Arizona's losses of Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger will hurt my Wildcats, but Nic Wise's decision to return to Tucson was smart and Sean Miller will have these guys rolling before we know it.
Syracuse claims that they will be fine with Johnny Flynn because his replacement is more of a traditional point guard, but COME ON. You don't get better by losing a talent like JFlynn. (And Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf. Well, maybe Devendorf in addition by subtraction.)
Wake Forest will take a step back as Jeff Teague decided to leave. James Johnson's departure was foreseen, but Teague nearly came back. Oh well, I guess Dino will just have to raid Metro-Atlanta for more talent. (Hey Mark Fox, let's put an end to this!)
Finally, a team to watch out for....THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS! Just kidding. But I will be excited to watch them now that Felton is gone. Hopefully Fox with Vinny Williams can get this thing going again. PS, do whatever you can to get Noel Johnson and Brandon Boykin reunited on the hardwood. Johnson was released from his scholarship at USC and Boykin is getting ready to tear it up on the gridiron, but Mark Fox needs to do his hardest to get these kids in Georgia unis. If nothing else, just to show that Georgia WANTS to be a place where the top in-state talent can come and play. These two are Fayette County kids and it would be nice if the in-state kids starting staying in-state instead of going to NCState and Wake and USC. During Harrick's run at UGA, all of his stars were from the state. Fox can win with just in-state kids. Let's make this happen. Thompkins and Ware is a good start. Let's keep the in-state thing going. Johnson and Boykin could really help. Mayfield too.
We'll have another list when we get closer to the season and if Boykin and Johnson both agree to play hoops, GEORGIA TO #1 IMMEDIATELY!
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Sneak Peek at some Hooters!
Get your mind out of the gutter. I write for Hooters Magazine! The next issue has our official College Football preview and I threw together a few top five lists. I now bring you my Heisman candidates as well as the top five eligible impact transfers. Enjoy you pervs!
Top Five Heisman Candidates
1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida. With two national titles and a Heisman already on his resume, he looks to add one more of each his senior season.
2. Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooner QB brought home the award last season and passed on being the No.1 pick to return for his junior year.
3. Colt McCoy, QB Texas. The eyes (and title hopes) of Texas are upon him; if he can improve on last season’s gaudy numbers he may take the trophy this season.
4. Jonathan Dwyer, RB Georgia Tech. Dwyer rushed for nearly 1400 yards and 12 scores last season and seems tailor-made for Paul Johnson’s offense.
5. Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State. Wide receivers are usually behind the 8-Ball for this award but Bryant’s potential is off the charts.
Top Five impact transfers.
1. Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas. Mallett threw for 7 TDs and 892 yards in limited action at Michigan in 2007 and should thrive under Bobby Petrino.
2. Jarred Fayson, WR Illinois. Juice Williams will love throwing to the former Florida Gator.
3. Anthony Allen, RB Georgia Tech. The former Louisville RB will spell Jonathan Dwyer in Georgia Tech’s option attack.
4. Terrance Ganaway, RB Baylor. Ganaway is familiar with Art Briles’s system and will be a force in the backfield with QB Robert Griffin.
5. Josh Jarboe, WR, Troy. The sleek wide out never got to impress at Oklahoma but Jarboe will tear up the Sun Belt.
Top Five Heisman Candidates
1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida. With two national titles and a Heisman already on his resume, he looks to add one more of each his senior season.
2. Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooner QB brought home the award last season and passed on being the No.1 pick to return for his junior year.
3. Colt McCoy, QB Texas. The eyes (and title hopes) of Texas are upon him; if he can improve on last season’s gaudy numbers he may take the trophy this season.
4. Jonathan Dwyer, RB Georgia Tech. Dwyer rushed for nearly 1400 yards and 12 scores last season and seems tailor-made for Paul Johnson’s offense.
5. Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State. Wide receivers are usually behind the 8-Ball for this award but Bryant’s potential is off the charts.
Top Five impact transfers.
1. Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas. Mallett threw for 7 TDs and 892 yards in limited action at Michigan in 2007 and should thrive under Bobby Petrino.
2. Jarred Fayson, WR Illinois. Juice Williams will love throwing to the former Florida Gator.
3. Anthony Allen, RB Georgia Tech. The former Louisville RB will spell Jonathan Dwyer in Georgia Tech’s option attack.
4. Terrance Ganaway, RB Baylor. Ganaway is familiar with Art Briles’s system and will be a force in the backfield with QB Robert Griffin.
5. Josh Jarboe, WR, Troy. The sleek wide out never got to impress at Oklahoma but Jarboe will tear up the Sun Belt.
What will middle schoolers do?
Shock waves are being felt across middle schools across the country. 11, 12, 13, & 14 year-olds will now have to find a new place to eat in their local mall's food court on early release days now that Sbarro has announced that it is in danger of turning off its ovens. Financial trouble has hit the mall-based pizza chain and kids (because I've never seen anyone OVER the age of 16 in a Sbarro line.....EVER!) will soon have to find burned-on-the-bottom-yet-not-quite-cooked-on-top-with-rubber-pepperoni-and-stale-cheese pizza some place else! WHERE WILL THEY GO?
It won't be Captain D's either. Apparently the debtors who Capt.D's owes money to have announced that they will come to collect starting 2010 and the "good food quickly" seafood chain doesn't have the scratch to pay up. OH NO! Somewhere Long John Silver is smiling. He will OWN the market! That's a shame too because Captain D's just changed its logo!
Lastly, Krispy Kreme looks like it might be in danger of no longer putting out the best glazed doughnuts EVER. Dunkin Donuts may make good coffee, but the glazed (if you can ever call them that) don't hold a candle. KK has been catching flack for so many people eating their product and getting fat and then trying to blame KK. Ummm, that's your fault fatty that you cannot eat just one. I manage to do it! You should be able to as well! I remember in the Church Social Hall people bringing in KK and thinking, "you know what, church isn't so bad!" (Of course, I loved church. You know what I mean. As a 6 year old, you miss a bunch of the message, but the doughnuts got be coming back until I appreciated church.)
Bottom line, as long as Cinnabon is still rocking, mall food courts will be good with me. I can stop at Great Steak and Potato, but I really feel bad for those Middle School kids who "love" Sbarro and are forced to eat it on early release days when their parents drop them off to use the mall as babysitters. Sbarro needed more early release days, but alas....
It won't be Captain D's either. Apparently the debtors who Capt.D's owes money to have announced that they will come to collect starting 2010 and the "good food quickly" seafood chain doesn't have the scratch to pay up. OH NO! Somewhere Long John Silver is smiling. He will OWN the market! That's a shame too because Captain D's just changed its logo!
Lastly, Krispy Kreme looks like it might be in danger of no longer putting out the best glazed doughnuts EVER. Dunkin Donuts may make good coffee, but the glazed (if you can ever call them that) don't hold a candle. KK has been catching flack for so many people eating their product and getting fat and then trying to blame KK. Ummm, that's your fault fatty that you cannot eat just one. I manage to do it! You should be able to as well! I remember in the Church Social Hall people bringing in KK and thinking, "you know what, church isn't so bad!" (Of course, I loved church. You know what I mean. As a 6 year old, you miss a bunch of the message, but the doughnuts got be coming back until I appreciated church.)
Bottom line, as long as Cinnabon is still rocking, mall food courts will be good with me. I can stop at Great Steak and Potato, but I really feel bad for those Middle School kids who "love" Sbarro and are forced to eat it on early release days when their parents drop them off to use the mall as babysitters. Sbarro needed more early release days, but alas....
Friday, June 12, 2009
Congrats Jenosh!
Sportsbyfletch would like to say a big Congrats to Roomie and JCole and wish them luck tomorrow when they officially take the plunge. I am excited about being able to be there for your big day.
JCole, you've landed a good one. Treat her right or I will follow through on that speech I gave you at Tijuana Joe's. Roomie, I'm glad I could be the little sister you never had (don't worry, that's only mildly insulting) as well as the best Roommate ever. (Your words, but hey, what can I say?)
Bottom line, I am honored to have two friends that I will treasure always and I am glad I can share in your day. I love you both and wish you many great moments together as you embark on your journey.
JCole, you've landed a good one. Treat her right or I will follow through on that speech I gave you at Tijuana Joe's. Roomie, I'm glad I could be the little sister you never had (don't worry, that's only mildly insulting) as well as the best Roommate ever. (Your words, but hey, what can I say?)
Bottom line, I am honored to have two friends that I will treasure always and I am glad I can share in your day. I love you both and wish you many great moments together as you embark on your journey.
The next great UGA corner
Over the Mark Richt years it always seems like there has been a shutdown corner out on the field, locking up the opposition's top threat on the perimeter. Tim Wansley, Tim Jennings, DeMario Minter, Paul Oliver, Asher Allen (well, in 2007 and not so much in 2008) and the next to step to the forefront will be Brandon Boykin. I watched this guy play for Fayette County in both football AND basketball (and I think new coach Mark Fox should at least FLOAT the idea of Boykin returning to the hardwood. The kid can flat out JUMP) and he is a tremendous athlete. You got to see glimpses of the kid on special teams last season and though undersized at 5'9/5'10 he isn't afraid of the bigger players, as evidenced on the basketball court and when he went right after AJ Green during the spring game. With Boykin on one side playing shutdown and Prince Miller on the other side as the physical corner, making tackles and punishing the receiver should he catch the ball, the defensive secondary should be BACK this season.
Asher Allen, it was revealed was injured for most of the season last year, but he still chirped a little too much for my liking and he wasn't his dominant self that he was in 2007 and even in 2006. And as fast as Allen was, I don't think he is the athlete that Boykin is. I think some teams will try and pick on Boykin and he will make them play by leaping and either knocking it down or picking it off. Very excited about this guy and his potential.
Now let's take a look around the rest of the defensive secondary.
Prince Miller will lineup opposite Boykin and Miller is a dynamo over there on the wide corner. At 5'8 he still pack a punch and might be one of the most physical corners ever to don the Red & Black. And you saw last year on some punt returns that if he gets the ball, he can make things happen ala Devin Hester.
Playing nickleback, I would look for Sanders Commings or Vance Cuff out there (John Knox be GONE, so he won't be a factor out there.) From everything I hear from Score Atlanta's James Butler it sounds like Commings is faster than a sophomore at the prom and Cuff is in his third year in the program. Another name that made plays last season and probably will get some reps this year: Chad Gloer (blocked two punts).
And you KNOW that Branden Smith will see the field this season as a true freshman. The Coaches pitched him as becoming the next Champ Bailey so he'll see time at PR, KR, WR and CB. Expect him to be brought along slowly though so he will likely be covering the slot on four receiver sets or he'll beat out Commings perhaps. The other freshman DB Shawn Williams will likely be a safety.
Moving up the field to safeties, Reshad Jones stayed in school, bypassing the draft and will move to strong safety. Jones last season tended to miss tackles, instead opting to try and deliver the big hits. He MUST improve on tackling and keeping his emotions in check. Bryan Evans was nicknamed "Toast" while at CB by former Furman Wideout Josh Cole, but Evans will play the 2009 season as a free safety while should benefit Georgia in the sense that he can cover like a corner but hit like a safety. Backing those two up will be Baccari Rambo, Quintin Banks and Nick Williams. Rambo ran the scout team from the QB spot last season and Banks arrived in Athens with the nickname "Blue" as in Greg Blue. Banks has suffered some injuries and Williams is the new hard-hitter in the defensive secondary this season. Coaches have shifted him between LB and safety.
If the safeties can help control the run game, Miller can continue to be physical and Boykin can take over as the new shutdown corner. And he will get plenty of reps in practice, covering Marlon Brown and AJ Green and Moore. Throw in the freshman Smith and this unit could lead a defense that will have a strong interior defensive line and a strong group of LBs, led by Curran and Gamble. Let's just hope that the DEs can provide enough of a rush that Boykin, Smith and Miller don't have to cover for 6+ seconds out there.
Asher Allen, it was revealed was injured for most of the season last year, but he still chirped a little too much for my liking and he wasn't his dominant self that he was in 2007 and even in 2006. And as fast as Allen was, I don't think he is the athlete that Boykin is. I think some teams will try and pick on Boykin and he will make them play by leaping and either knocking it down or picking it off. Very excited about this guy and his potential.
Now let's take a look around the rest of the defensive secondary.
Prince Miller will lineup opposite Boykin and Miller is a dynamo over there on the wide corner. At 5'8 he still pack a punch and might be one of the most physical corners ever to don the Red & Black. And you saw last year on some punt returns that if he gets the ball, he can make things happen ala Devin Hester.
Playing nickleback, I would look for Sanders Commings or Vance Cuff out there (John Knox be GONE, so he won't be a factor out there.) From everything I hear from Score Atlanta's James Butler it sounds like Commings is faster than a sophomore at the prom and Cuff is in his third year in the program. Another name that made plays last season and probably will get some reps this year: Chad Gloer (blocked two punts).
And you KNOW that Branden Smith will see the field this season as a true freshman. The Coaches pitched him as becoming the next Champ Bailey so he'll see time at PR, KR, WR and CB. Expect him to be brought along slowly though so he will likely be covering the slot on four receiver sets or he'll beat out Commings perhaps. The other freshman DB Shawn Williams will likely be a safety.
Moving up the field to safeties, Reshad Jones stayed in school, bypassing the draft and will move to strong safety. Jones last season tended to miss tackles, instead opting to try and deliver the big hits. He MUST improve on tackling and keeping his emotions in check. Bryan Evans was nicknamed "Toast" while at CB by former Furman Wideout Josh Cole, but Evans will play the 2009 season as a free safety while should benefit Georgia in the sense that he can cover like a corner but hit like a safety. Backing those two up will be Baccari Rambo, Quintin Banks and Nick Williams. Rambo ran the scout team from the QB spot last season and Banks arrived in Athens with the nickname "Blue" as in Greg Blue. Banks has suffered some injuries and Williams is the new hard-hitter in the defensive secondary this season. Coaches have shifted him between LB and safety.
If the safeties can help control the run game, Miller can continue to be physical and Boykin can take over as the new shutdown corner. And he will get plenty of reps in practice, covering Marlon Brown and AJ Green and Moore. Throw in the freshman Smith and this unit could lead a defense that will have a strong interior defensive line and a strong group of LBs, led by Curran and Gamble. Let's just hope that the DEs can provide enough of a rush that Boykin, Smith and Miller don't have to cover for 6+ seconds out there.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Paul Mac takes Pope Urban to TASK!
Though Paul Mac attended Berry College, he still hates the Gators and he is fed up with the arrests. But apparent Florida head coach Urban Meyer doesn't share his sentiment.
Recently much has been made about 24 Gator players having been arrested since Meyer took over in 2005. The Orlando newspaper has been blasting the Gator coach as 10% of his players have been arrested in his time there. But Urban is trying to use the excuse, "but they aren’t… they aren’t MY PLAYERS. Pope Urban would go on to say "I didn’t recruit most of them."
Yesterday on College Football Today's website, Urban essentially says he doesn’t give a crap about arrests. Those weren’t HIS guys! I hope hope hope he gets caught in bed with a Male stripper so bad...
Seriously though, let's take a look at the arrests, with the assistance of the Orlando Sentinel, dating from most recent to oldest.
JANORIS JENKINS (A 2009 All-SEC freshman. That to ME means his Urban's guy)
Charge: Misdemeanor affray and resisting arrest without violence for his role in a May 30, 2009 fight outside a downtown Gainesville night club.
Outcome: The State Attorney’s Office is currently investigating.
Team punishment: To be determined.
MARQUIS HANNAH (one of Urban's guys)
Charge: Felony burglary of an occupied dwelling unarmed and misdemeanor battery in late April 2009 for allegedly forcing his way into a Gainesville apartment and punching a man in the face.
Outcome: Case was dismissed due to lack of evidence, according to lawyer Huntley Johnson.
Team punishment: To be determined.
CARL JOHNSON (again, one of Urban's guys)
Charge: Misdemeanor violation of a sexual restraining order in February 2009 after getting on the same campus bus as an ex-girlfriend. The woman previously filed a petition claiming Johnson date-raped her on three occasions.
Outcome: All charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Team punishment: Johnson never missed any time. Coach Urban Meyer said Johnson would remain on the team as long as the investigation checked out.
RILEY COOPER (One of Urban's FAVs. he'd make his Fav Five)
Charge: Misdemeanor resisting an officer and failure comply with a police or fire department in February 2009. Campus police cited Cooper for not getting out of the way of a moving car upon police’s orders, according to Johnson.
Outcome: The case was dismissed.
Team punishment: Cooper played baseball during the spring, and it’s unknown whether Meyer sought out punishment.
CAM NEWTON (Urban brought him in to be Tebow's heir)
Charge: Felony counts of burglary, larceny and obstruction of justice in November 2009 after allegedly stealing a laptop from a UF student and throwing it out his dormitory window upon police suspicion.
Outcome: Newton received pre-trial deferment – common for a first-time offender – and is serving community service and probation time. The charges will disappear assuming he completes his obligations.
Team punishment: Meyer suspended Newton for the rest of the 2008 season. Newton transferred to Blinn (Texas) Junior College.
JACQUES RICKERSON (Nice call here Urban!)
Charge #1: Misdemeanor possession of marijuana in February 2007.
Outcome: Charges were dropped without legal ramifications.
Charge #2: Felony domestic violence by strangulation and felony obstruction of justice after a November altercation with a girlfriend.
Outcome: Charges were reduced to misdemeanor status, then the Alachua County courts gave him two years probation without proceeding with the charges.
Team punishments: Rickerson was suspended for the 2007 season opener for the marijuana charge, then kicked off the team the morning of the domestic violence incident.
TORREY DAVIS (good work here Urban!)
Charge: Misdemeanor knowingly driving with a suspended license on numerous occasions, including once in July 2008 and another in March 2009 – two weeks after he left the team – that placed him in jail.
Outcome: The July case was closed.
Team punishment: Davis was always in Meyer’s doghouse and hardly allowed to practice or play with the team for various academic and disciplinary reasons, so it’s safe to say Meyer suspended Davis for his crimes.
JAMAR HORNSBY (Hey Urban, what a nice guy you recruited!)
Charge #1: Cited for misdemeanor property damage and criminal mischief in April 2007 for allegedly throwing a man onto the hood of a car during a fight.
Outcome: Hornsby received deferred prosecution and the charge was later dismissed.
Charge #2: Unauthorized use of a credit card to obtain goods and services, a felony, along with misdemeanor larceny of a credit card for allegedly making more than 70 fradulent charges on the gas credit card of a female UF student who died seven months earlier.
Outcome: Charges were reduced to misdemeanors and Hornsby took a plea deal – probation and community service.
Team punishments: No punishment for first offense, kicked off the team for second offense. Hornsby served a previous five-game suspension, but it wasn’t for the first misdemeanor – it was for selling his complimentary tickets.
JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM (Hey, Urban, this guy is your guy!)
Charge: Misdemeanor battery in December 2007 for an altercation with a clerk at Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop in Gainesville. Cunningham allegedly threw paper cups at the clerk.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: Cunningham played in Florida’s next game, the Capital One Bowl, but Meyer said he imposed physical punishment on Cunningham, who also couldn’t accept bowl-game gifts.
TONY JOINER (recruited by Zook. I'll give you this one Urban. But YOU gave him a C)
Charge: Felony theft in October 2007 for breaking into a car impound and retrieving his girlfriend’s car, which had been towed.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: Joiner never missed game time, but Meyer stripped him of his captaincy.
RONNIE WILSON (Way to put your foot down with Zook's boys)
Charge #1: Aggravated assault, battery and use of display of a concealed weapon during commission of a felony in April 2007 for shooting a semiautomatic rifle after a dispute with another man.
Outcome: Wilson pleaded no contest to battery and discharging a firearm. The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and later dropped. Wilson was placed on two year’s probation and given 100 hours of community service.
Charge #2: Misdemeanor possession of marijuana in January 2008.
Outcome: The charge was dropped despite serving probation for his original arrest.
Charge #3: One count of battery and one count of assault for an altercation at an apartment complex in October.
Outcome: Nothing has been ruled on the case, according to court records.
Team punishments: Wilson was suspended for the entire 2007 season stemming from the gun charge, including a full-year suspension from University of Florida academics. Wilson rejoined the team in 2008 but was suspended and eventually kicked off after the third charge.
DUSTIN DOE (I thin khe was yours Urban)
Charge: Misdemeanor affray and resisting arrest for his role in an April 2007 fight.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: No suspension for Doe.
DORIAN MUNROE (I think this guy was one of yours)
Charge: Felony theft in May 2007 when he removed a University Police boot from his car and put it in his trunk.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: No suspension for Munroe.
JOHN CURTIS
Charge: Misdemeanor violation of probation in May 2007 after failing to serve five hours of community service stemming from an alcohol citation.
Outcome: Curtis complied with the violation, served probation and the case was dismissed.
Team punishment: Curtis was in Meyer’s doghouse, but he was also injured, so it was difficult to tell why he was out.
BRANDON JAMES (He was one of yours Meyer)
Charge: Purchasing marijuana -- a felony -- along with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in June 2007.
Outcome: The felony charge was dropped due to a minuscule amount (8 grams); James served probation and community service stemming from the misdemeanor charge.
Team punishment: Suspended for one game, the 2007 opener against Western Kentucky.
AVERY ATKINS (I think you brought this guy in there Urbbie!)
Charge: Misdemeanor domestic battery in July 2006 after an altercation in Daytona Beach with the mother of his child. The initial investigation took place in June 2006 with Atkins facing accusations of felony false imprisonment along with the battery charge.
Outcome: Atkins received pre-trial intervention and both cases were eventually dropped.
Team punishment: Meyer immediately suspended Atkins, who then transferred to Bethune-Cookman, found legal trouble there and died in July 2007 from a drug overdose.
LOUIS MURPHY (He was a fav of yours too)
Charge: Misdemeanor possession of marijuana in May 2006.
Outcome: Charges were dropped, and Murphy had to perform 12.5 hours of community service.
Team punishment: Murphy was suspended for three games during the 2006 season.
JON DEMPS (Zooker)
Charge: Misdemeanor driving with a suspended license in September 2006.
Outcome: Charges were dropped and Demps received six months probation.
Team punishment: Meyer kicked Demps off the team after the 2006 season reportedly for a marijuana-related incident. Demps worked out with the Gators later that summer but never played for UF again.
DAWAYNE GRACE (A Zooker too I believe)
Charge #1: Misdemeanor charges of battery and theft in July 2005 stemming from a sworn complaint.
Outcome: Charges were dropped because victim did not wish to prosecute.
Charge #2: Misdemeanor violation of a city ordinance and disorderly conduct in October 2005 for his involvement in a fight. Eyewitnesses told police that Grace threw a punch.
Outcome: Grace completed a deferred prosecution program including 7.5 hours of community service.
Team punishment: Meyer suspended Grace indefinitely after the October arrest. Grace later transferred to Georgia Southern.
That is not mentioning the failing drug test that the DLineman had where he was suspended, then let back in v UGA then suspended again, right?
Urban, saying these aren't your guys is like me saying, "Oh, Paul, the sky is purple." You are just lying to yourself. These are your guys Urban. And just admit that some are bad eggs. Just do it. People are allowed to miss sometimes. But to say they aren't yours...Zook left a LONG time ago. You've been there since 2005. Any guy that comes in starting with the 2006 recruiting class is YOURS! Grow up Urban, and don't worry, I know I'm not welcome in the Florida coaching offices. I'm fine with that. And NO, I won't buy a seat in 37F, Florida's airline apparently. I'll save that one for Shane Matthews.
Recently much has been made about 24 Gator players having been arrested since Meyer took over in 2005. The Orlando newspaper has been blasting the Gator coach as 10% of his players have been arrested in his time there. But Urban is trying to use the excuse, "but they aren’t… they aren’t MY PLAYERS. Pope Urban would go on to say "I didn’t recruit most of them."
Yesterday on College Football Today's website, Urban essentially says he doesn’t give a crap about arrests. Those weren’t HIS guys! I hope hope hope he gets caught in bed with a Male stripper so bad...
Seriously though, let's take a look at the arrests, with the assistance of the Orlando Sentinel, dating from most recent to oldest.
JANORIS JENKINS (A 2009 All-SEC freshman. That to ME means his Urban's guy)
Charge: Misdemeanor affray and resisting arrest without violence for his role in a May 30, 2009 fight outside a downtown Gainesville night club.
Outcome: The State Attorney’s Office is currently investigating.
Team punishment: To be determined.
MARQUIS HANNAH (one of Urban's guys)
Charge: Felony burglary of an occupied dwelling unarmed and misdemeanor battery in late April 2009 for allegedly forcing his way into a Gainesville apartment and punching a man in the face.
Outcome: Case was dismissed due to lack of evidence, according to lawyer Huntley Johnson.
Team punishment: To be determined.
CARL JOHNSON (again, one of Urban's guys)
Charge: Misdemeanor violation of a sexual restraining order in February 2009 after getting on the same campus bus as an ex-girlfriend. The woman previously filed a petition claiming Johnson date-raped her on three occasions.
Outcome: All charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Team punishment: Johnson never missed any time. Coach Urban Meyer said Johnson would remain on the team as long as the investigation checked out.
RILEY COOPER (One of Urban's FAVs. he'd make his Fav Five)
Charge: Misdemeanor resisting an officer and failure comply with a police or fire department in February 2009. Campus police cited Cooper for not getting out of the way of a moving car upon police’s orders, according to Johnson.
Outcome: The case was dismissed.
Team punishment: Cooper played baseball during the spring, and it’s unknown whether Meyer sought out punishment.
CAM NEWTON (Urban brought him in to be Tebow's heir)
Charge: Felony counts of burglary, larceny and obstruction of justice in November 2009 after allegedly stealing a laptop from a UF student and throwing it out his dormitory window upon police suspicion.
Outcome: Newton received pre-trial deferment – common for a first-time offender – and is serving community service and probation time. The charges will disappear assuming he completes his obligations.
Team punishment: Meyer suspended Newton for the rest of the 2008 season. Newton transferred to Blinn (Texas) Junior College.
JACQUES RICKERSON (Nice call here Urban!)
Charge #1: Misdemeanor possession of marijuana in February 2007.
Outcome: Charges were dropped without legal ramifications.
Charge #2: Felony domestic violence by strangulation and felony obstruction of justice after a November altercation with a girlfriend.
Outcome: Charges were reduced to misdemeanor status, then the Alachua County courts gave him two years probation without proceeding with the charges.
Team punishments: Rickerson was suspended for the 2007 season opener for the marijuana charge, then kicked off the team the morning of the domestic violence incident.
TORREY DAVIS (good work here Urban!)
Charge: Misdemeanor knowingly driving with a suspended license on numerous occasions, including once in July 2008 and another in March 2009 – two weeks after he left the team – that placed him in jail.
Outcome: The July case was closed.
Team punishment: Davis was always in Meyer’s doghouse and hardly allowed to practice or play with the team for various academic and disciplinary reasons, so it’s safe to say Meyer suspended Davis for his crimes.
JAMAR HORNSBY (Hey Urban, what a nice guy you recruited!)
Charge #1: Cited for misdemeanor property damage and criminal mischief in April 2007 for allegedly throwing a man onto the hood of a car during a fight.
Outcome: Hornsby received deferred prosecution and the charge was later dismissed.
Charge #2: Unauthorized use of a credit card to obtain goods and services, a felony, along with misdemeanor larceny of a credit card for allegedly making more than 70 fradulent charges on the gas credit card of a female UF student who died seven months earlier.
Outcome: Charges were reduced to misdemeanors and Hornsby took a plea deal – probation and community service.
Team punishments: No punishment for first offense, kicked off the team for second offense. Hornsby served a previous five-game suspension, but it wasn’t for the first misdemeanor – it was for selling his complimentary tickets.
JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM (Hey, Urban, this guy is your guy!)
Charge: Misdemeanor battery in December 2007 for an altercation with a clerk at Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop in Gainesville. Cunningham allegedly threw paper cups at the clerk.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: Cunningham played in Florida’s next game, the Capital One Bowl, but Meyer said he imposed physical punishment on Cunningham, who also couldn’t accept bowl-game gifts.
TONY JOINER (recruited by Zook. I'll give you this one Urban. But YOU gave him a C)
Charge: Felony theft in October 2007 for breaking into a car impound and retrieving his girlfriend’s car, which had been towed.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: Joiner never missed game time, but Meyer stripped him of his captaincy.
RONNIE WILSON (Way to put your foot down with Zook's boys)
Charge #1: Aggravated assault, battery and use of display of a concealed weapon during commission of a felony in April 2007 for shooting a semiautomatic rifle after a dispute with another man.
Outcome: Wilson pleaded no contest to battery and discharging a firearm. The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and later dropped. Wilson was placed on two year’s probation and given 100 hours of community service.
Charge #2: Misdemeanor possession of marijuana in January 2008.
Outcome: The charge was dropped despite serving probation for his original arrest.
Charge #3: One count of battery and one count of assault for an altercation at an apartment complex in October.
Outcome: Nothing has been ruled on the case, according to court records.
Team punishments: Wilson was suspended for the entire 2007 season stemming from the gun charge, including a full-year suspension from University of Florida academics. Wilson rejoined the team in 2008 but was suspended and eventually kicked off after the third charge.
DUSTIN DOE (I thin khe was yours Urban)
Charge: Misdemeanor affray and resisting arrest for his role in an April 2007 fight.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: No suspension for Doe.
DORIAN MUNROE (I think this guy was one of yours)
Charge: Felony theft in May 2007 when he removed a University Police boot from his car and put it in his trunk.
Outcome: Charges were dropped.
Team punishment: No suspension for Munroe.
JOHN CURTIS
Charge: Misdemeanor violation of probation in May 2007 after failing to serve five hours of community service stemming from an alcohol citation.
Outcome: Curtis complied with the violation, served probation and the case was dismissed.
Team punishment: Curtis was in Meyer’s doghouse, but he was also injured, so it was difficult to tell why he was out.
BRANDON JAMES (He was one of yours Meyer)
Charge: Purchasing marijuana -- a felony -- along with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in June 2007.
Outcome: The felony charge was dropped due to a minuscule amount (8 grams); James served probation and community service stemming from the misdemeanor charge.
Team punishment: Suspended for one game, the 2007 opener against Western Kentucky.
AVERY ATKINS (I think you brought this guy in there Urbbie!)
Charge: Misdemeanor domestic battery in July 2006 after an altercation in Daytona Beach with the mother of his child. The initial investigation took place in June 2006 with Atkins facing accusations of felony false imprisonment along with the battery charge.
Outcome: Atkins received pre-trial intervention and both cases were eventually dropped.
Team punishment: Meyer immediately suspended Atkins, who then transferred to Bethune-Cookman, found legal trouble there and died in July 2007 from a drug overdose.
LOUIS MURPHY (He was a fav of yours too)
Charge: Misdemeanor possession of marijuana in May 2006.
Outcome: Charges were dropped, and Murphy had to perform 12.5 hours of community service.
Team punishment: Murphy was suspended for three games during the 2006 season.
JON DEMPS (Zooker)
Charge: Misdemeanor driving with a suspended license in September 2006.
Outcome: Charges were dropped and Demps received six months probation.
Team punishment: Meyer kicked Demps off the team after the 2006 season reportedly for a marijuana-related incident. Demps worked out with the Gators later that summer but never played for UF again.
DAWAYNE GRACE (A Zooker too I believe)
Charge #1: Misdemeanor charges of battery and theft in July 2005 stemming from a sworn complaint.
Outcome: Charges were dropped because victim did not wish to prosecute.
Charge #2: Misdemeanor violation of a city ordinance and disorderly conduct in October 2005 for his involvement in a fight. Eyewitnesses told police that Grace threw a punch.
Outcome: Grace completed a deferred prosecution program including 7.5 hours of community service.
Team punishment: Meyer suspended Grace indefinitely after the October arrest. Grace later transferred to Georgia Southern.
That is not mentioning the failing drug test that the DLineman had where he was suspended, then let back in v UGA then suspended again, right?
Urban, saying these aren't your guys is like me saying, "Oh, Paul, the sky is purple." You are just lying to yourself. These are your guys Urban. And just admit that some are bad eggs. Just do it. People are allowed to miss sometimes. But to say they aren't yours...Zook left a LONG time ago. You've been there since 2005. Any guy that comes in starting with the 2006 recruiting class is YOURS! Grow up Urban, and don't worry, I know I'm not welcome in the Florida coaching offices. I'm fine with that. And NO, I won't buy a seat in 37F, Florida's airline apparently. I'll save that one for Shane Matthews.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
One helluva guy
Thursday will have made it two years and not a week goes by when I don't think about my dad. James William Proctor aka Jim aka Spanky aka Jimmy J aka Dad was quite a guy. He could seemingly always make me laugh whether it was his self-deprecating humor, inappropriate jokes or being the joker while playing the straight man. His honeymoon story's delivery could have been a comedy CD that would have made Dane Cook jealous.
I guess I just want to thank him for being the dad he was and that he was a better father than most dads who lived 7 days a week with their kids. I looked forward to Wednesday night dinners and looking out of the window on Saturday mornings, waiting for the Taurus to come around Castlebridge Road. He was larger than life for me. My best friend until I found my wife and a guy that while sometimes we got on each other's nerves, we still loved each other.
He was always a coach on my Little League teams. He came across town to be at every practice and was there every game. He came and watched me play tennis in high school. He took me to church every Sunday. He attended all of my choral concerts.
He took me to New York. He took me to Disney World and on my first roller coaster. He tried to play Nintendo with me in an effort to bond.
He took my cousins and me fishing one time and forgot the sunscreen. We were on the boat for 7 hours and got toasted but I caught a flounder, so it was worth it.
He used to drive me around in his jeep with the top down. Great memories riding in that jeep. I was so sad when he sold it.
He took me to see Hulk Hogan. He took me to Opening Day in Baltimore 4 straight years. He arranged for a visit to the Oval Office. We went to LA and San Diego and Mexico, all in one week.
And the story that sticks out in my memory was my high school freshmen orientation. He was giving me a lecture about first impressions and how this was the most important day of my academic life to date when we entered the "Open Commons" and all of a sudden he hit a slick patch on the floor and did the splits right to the floor. Dad wasn't exactly a slim dude, so when he hit the deck, everyone turned around to see the "fat man on the floor." (His words)
Oh, and the first time he met my girlfriend (now wife) was when he came to Athens my senior year. He had just finished driving 8 hours from Richmond and as we sat down at Bennigans, he downed two double screwdrivers I think before he shook Wifey's hand. I think that's when the inappropriate jokes started and I knew that Wifey was IN because he wouldn't tell jokes around non-family like that.
He met my in-laws at my college graduation party and I remember after he attempted to get my future M-I-L a third glass of wine before she had finished her first, he asked for a picture with all of his wives then rushed the in-laws out because "Fletcher's other girlfriend's family is on the way."
There are way too many stories to tell right here, but they will be running through my mind all day as they do most days. The last time I remember talking to Dad on the phone, I remember thinking that something was wrong, maybe he was just wiped from driving back from the beach. Turns out Dad had been in a lot of pain for many years and he never left anyone know because he was so selfless. My family tells me that he was even joking right before he went in for surgery that week. When I got a call from my step-mother telling me that it didn't go well, I was in the car on the way to Virginia and I got to see him before his health started failing. Everyone says that it was the best time for me to see him before he faded, and he was still managing to joke a bit when he was awake. He lived to make his 59th birthday before joining Granny, Pop and Aunt Ann on Cutshaw Ave part two. The funeral was nice because everyone was telling Jim stories and it was nice knowing how loved he was and how many lives he touched. It was a church service and a party. He'd have loved it.
I miss you, Dad and I know many many many more people do too. I know you are still watching over me and I would hope that you'd be happy with the man I've become. If you ever met my dad, I'd hope that when you think of him, you'd recall your favorite Jim memory and just laugh. That's a fitting tribute and one that he would want.
I guess I just want to thank him for being the dad he was and that he was a better father than most dads who lived 7 days a week with their kids. I looked forward to Wednesday night dinners and looking out of the window on Saturday mornings, waiting for the Taurus to come around Castlebridge Road. He was larger than life for me. My best friend until I found my wife and a guy that while sometimes we got on each other's nerves, we still loved each other.
He was always a coach on my Little League teams. He came across town to be at every practice and was there every game. He came and watched me play tennis in high school. He took me to church every Sunday. He attended all of my choral concerts.
He took me to New York. He took me to Disney World and on my first roller coaster. He tried to play Nintendo with me in an effort to bond.
He took my cousins and me fishing one time and forgot the sunscreen. We were on the boat for 7 hours and got toasted but I caught a flounder, so it was worth it.
He used to drive me around in his jeep with the top down. Great memories riding in that jeep. I was so sad when he sold it.
He took me to see Hulk Hogan. He took me to Opening Day in Baltimore 4 straight years. He arranged for a visit to the Oval Office. We went to LA and San Diego and Mexico, all in one week.
And the story that sticks out in my memory was my high school freshmen orientation. He was giving me a lecture about first impressions and how this was the most important day of my academic life to date when we entered the "Open Commons" and all of a sudden he hit a slick patch on the floor and did the splits right to the floor. Dad wasn't exactly a slim dude, so when he hit the deck, everyone turned around to see the "fat man on the floor." (His words)
Oh, and the first time he met my girlfriend (now wife) was when he came to Athens my senior year. He had just finished driving 8 hours from Richmond and as we sat down at Bennigans, he downed two double screwdrivers I think before he shook Wifey's hand. I think that's when the inappropriate jokes started and I knew that Wifey was IN because he wouldn't tell jokes around non-family like that.
He met my in-laws at my college graduation party and I remember after he attempted to get my future M-I-L a third glass of wine before she had finished her first, he asked for a picture with all of his wives then rushed the in-laws out because "Fletcher's other girlfriend's family is on the way."
There are way too many stories to tell right here, but they will be running through my mind all day as they do most days. The last time I remember talking to Dad on the phone, I remember thinking that something was wrong, maybe he was just wiped from driving back from the beach. Turns out Dad had been in a lot of pain for many years and he never left anyone know because he was so selfless. My family tells me that he was even joking right before he went in for surgery that week. When I got a call from my step-mother telling me that it didn't go well, I was in the car on the way to Virginia and I got to see him before his health started failing. Everyone says that it was the best time for me to see him before he faded, and he was still managing to joke a bit when he was awake. He lived to make his 59th birthday before joining Granny, Pop and Aunt Ann on Cutshaw Ave part two. The funeral was nice because everyone was telling Jim stories and it was nice knowing how loved he was and how many lives he touched. It was a church service and a party. He'd have loved it.
I miss you, Dad and I know many many many more people do too. I know you are still watching over me and I would hope that you'd be happy with the man I've become. If you ever met my dad, I'd hope that when you think of him, you'd recall your favorite Jim memory and just laugh. That's a fitting tribute and one that he would want.
Midweek entertainment report 6/10/09
Lambert comes out, Bret Michaels attends the Tonys?, Jermaine Dupri creates the Black Pack, Britney goes touring while Lauryn drops out, Will Ferrell goes the way of Jim Carrey, Paris looks for a BFF or a lezbinen?, Eddie Murphy sinks lower and the redhead is still hot in Mental.
Ladies and gentlemen, the MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
(PS, I am sticking to entertainment reporting today because a Georgia Tech fan took 8 seconds away from his D&D game to tell me I know nothing about college football. Right, the guy with his own sports radio talk show knows less about college football than a guy with a pocket protector. But I am sure he's right, ONLY because he disagrees with me. I am still waiting for him to tell me where the Tech pass rush is going to come from...)
In the recent Rolling Stone, American Idol runnerup Adam Lambert acknowledges his homosexuality and also confirmed that the sky is blue and 2+2=4. Apparently he roomed with Kris in the AI mansion and found the eventual winner cute. Well, WHO DIDN'T? I don't have a problem with Adam being gay and I don't think it is a story. The guy is a great freaking performer. Will I ever buy his album, probably not, but I don't remember the last album I bought. Linkin Park, maybe? John Mayer perhaps. I'd see him on broadway though. They guy is an entertainer.
Speaking of Broadway, Bret Michaels (I am assuming the guy from Rock of Love?) apparently broke his nose at the Tony Awards. I must ask, WHY WAS THE GUY FROM ROCK OF LOVE at the Tonys? Was Whitesnake making a musical? Was Rock of Love Bus being turned into an off-off-off-off-broadway play?
The AJC is reporting that Jermaine Dupri is trying to form the 2009 version of The Rat Pack with Atlanta rappers that take weekly visits to Vegas, Baby, Vegas. Yeppers, I am thinking that JD fancies himself as Frank with Lil Bow Wow as Peter, Nelly as Deano and Johnta Austin as Joey Bishop. Trey Songz can be Sammy and Brian-Michael Cox can be the "other guy" from the original rat pack that no one has heard of, since NO ONE has heard of him. Ever think to include Usher? Oh, wait, he'd be the biggest (READ: ONLY) star of the group. Nevermind.
Valtrex sales have spiked in Sydney and Perth as Britney Spears announced she will tour Australia for the first time. Yep, the Circus is going down undah! I am surprised she has never been to Australia before. After eating the Aussie Chips cheese fries and ranch at Outback I almost booked a trip. In a related story, Lauryn Hill has annouced that she will cancel her European Tour. My question is, Lauryn Hill is still touring? Does she sing Fugees songs or does she sing That Thing? Ready or not, Here I come.........psych!
Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell bombed at the movies last weekend. So has American finally put Ferrell into the Jim Carrey category of "Yeah, he used to be funny, but that one-trick pony got old quick!"? I guess people realized that Ferrell plays the same guy in all of the movies, kind of like how Carrey was Ace Ventura in all of his flicks. That's a shame because Ferrell was funny in Anchorman and Ricky Bobby. Too bad his schtik got tired. Stepbrothers? Ugh. Semi-Pro, just stop it.
When I went to see The Hangover, there was a preview for The Final Destination. Do you PROMISE that this is the final one? PLEASE? because I am not sure how much longer you can remake the EXACT SAME MOVIE! Maybe we should ask Ferrell and Carrey....
Eddie Murphy's movie Imagine That opens up this Friday. Watch out discount DVD rack at Wal-Mart, EDDIE MURPHY IS COMING!
Did you catch Mental with David Carradine last night? I didn't pay attention much to the story, but did you see the redhead in the purple top? WOW. She just keeps getting hotter. PS, Carradine is of course the guy from Kill Bill that was recently found dead hanging in his closet. This story is sad as the family is claiming that he would never attempt suicide even though he admitted he has tried before. I don't want to say it was suicide, but I can't see it being foul play. Maybe it was an accident, but what the F was he doing, hanging himself in the closet? Was he practicing for a role and it went horribly wrong? We may never know. What we DO know though, is the redhead is a hottie.
Have you heard the new All-American Rejects "When the Wind Blows" yet? Nice to hear something by them OTHER than Gives you Hell. Hey Q100, you guys ARE allowed to play other songs by a certain artist. And Bert, you ARE allowed to play music too...
Finally, Paris Hilton continued her search for a new BFF last night, but the strange thing is that it seemed for the first 20 minutes, she was searching for a lezbinen lovah. The potential BFFs were divided into two groups: the Leather and the Lace. Paris tickled the Lace girls (and guy) and whipped/spanked the Leather girls. This was part of an initiation into the Paris Sisterhood sorority. Speaking of the lone male Stephen, he said in a confessional that he was going to have to teach some of these girls what a sisterhood was all about. I'll take a minute and let that sink in... OK, let's move on.
Interestingly enough, all of the Leather girls said they enjoyed getting whipped and some wanted to spank Paris. I think those chicks were getting the 10pm Tuesday MTV time slot confused with A Shot at Love, which airs in the same slot. Oops. Wrong show.
Later the initiation included doing a mixed drink shot that consisted of champagne, pickles, strawberries, peanut butter and caviar. Desirae aka the other black chick (besides Tiniecia) is not a fan of caviar. "Oh great, Caviar. I'm gonna have to poo tonight." you cannot make this stuff up (Unless you write for the Hills.) It seems like Tiniecia was right there with Desirae though as she vomited up the shot, but was happy that Paris "Calt [her] name" to be Paris's first pet. I figure that my dog Chimer vomits when he eats too much grass and he's my pet. I guess that's Paris's reasoning.
The BFFs then get "dolled up to make sure [they] look hot for a bachlor party," according to Monica, but she is barely able to say it as her eyebrows appear to have taken over her face. Later, Monica decides to get drunk and give the groom-to-be a lap dance with her boobs hanging out of her dress. The dance is very sloppy and by sloppy I mean nasty. But the Lap dancer is then shocked that Arika kissed the groom. Umm, you rubbed your va-jay-jay on him and yet you think a kiss that HE ASKED FOR is wrong? You, Monica, and your eyebrows are wrong.
What is messed up though was that Arika was forced to apologize to the groom-to-be's mother about their making out the night before, EVEN THOUGH HE ASKED ALL OF THE GIRLS FOR A KISS. (Wait, that was his bride-to-be? She is 40 and he's 24ish. WTF?) Last time I checked Arika is the single one and homeboy is the one getting married. Shouldn't HE be the one that is apologizing?
This of course makes Kaitlin cry though, much like waking up makes Kaitlin cry and petting a puppy makes Kaitlin cry. She cries at everything. And she wonders why "no one likes [her] qualities!" She figures it is just jealousy because people are threatened by her. Her drunken crying does resemble Darth Vader in a way.
But the bottom line is that Arika and Monica both go home, Arika because Paris cannot trust her around her boyfriend and Monica b/c of her eyebrows, NO, because of the lap dance. Looking forward to next week's cupcake!
That's it everybody. Have a great rest of the week.
Finally, Happy 61st Birthday JWP. We all miss you.
Ladies and gentlemen, the MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
(PS, I am sticking to entertainment reporting today because a Georgia Tech fan took 8 seconds away from his D&D game to tell me I know nothing about college football. Right, the guy with his own sports radio talk show knows less about college football than a guy with a pocket protector. But I am sure he's right, ONLY because he disagrees with me. I am still waiting for him to tell me where the Tech pass rush is going to come from...)
In the recent Rolling Stone, American Idol runnerup Adam Lambert acknowledges his homosexuality and also confirmed that the sky is blue and 2+2=4. Apparently he roomed with Kris in the AI mansion and found the eventual winner cute. Well, WHO DIDN'T? I don't have a problem with Adam being gay and I don't think it is a story. The guy is a great freaking performer. Will I ever buy his album, probably not, but I don't remember the last album I bought. Linkin Park, maybe? John Mayer perhaps. I'd see him on broadway though. They guy is an entertainer.
Speaking of Broadway, Bret Michaels (I am assuming the guy from Rock of Love?) apparently broke his nose at the Tony Awards. I must ask, WHY WAS THE GUY FROM ROCK OF LOVE at the Tonys? Was Whitesnake making a musical? Was Rock of Love Bus being turned into an off-off-off-off-broadway play?
The AJC is reporting that Jermaine Dupri is trying to form the 2009 version of The Rat Pack with Atlanta rappers that take weekly visits to Vegas, Baby, Vegas. Yeppers, I am thinking that JD fancies himself as Frank with Lil Bow Wow as Peter, Nelly as Deano and Johnta Austin as Joey Bishop. Trey Songz can be Sammy and Brian-Michael Cox can be the "other guy" from the original rat pack that no one has heard of, since NO ONE has heard of him. Ever think to include Usher? Oh, wait, he'd be the biggest (READ: ONLY) star of the group. Nevermind.
Valtrex sales have spiked in Sydney and Perth as Britney Spears announced she will tour Australia for the first time. Yep, the Circus is going down undah! I am surprised she has never been to Australia before. After eating the Aussie Chips cheese fries and ranch at Outback I almost booked a trip. In a related story, Lauryn Hill has annouced that she will cancel her European Tour. My question is, Lauryn Hill is still touring? Does she sing Fugees songs or does she sing That Thing? Ready or not, Here I come.........psych!
Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell bombed at the movies last weekend. So has American finally put Ferrell into the Jim Carrey category of "Yeah, he used to be funny, but that one-trick pony got old quick!"? I guess people realized that Ferrell plays the same guy in all of the movies, kind of like how Carrey was Ace Ventura in all of his flicks. That's a shame because Ferrell was funny in Anchorman and Ricky Bobby. Too bad his schtik got tired. Stepbrothers? Ugh. Semi-Pro, just stop it.
When I went to see The Hangover, there was a preview for The Final Destination. Do you PROMISE that this is the final one? PLEASE? because I am not sure how much longer you can remake the EXACT SAME MOVIE! Maybe we should ask Ferrell and Carrey....
Eddie Murphy's movie Imagine That opens up this Friday. Watch out discount DVD rack at Wal-Mart, EDDIE MURPHY IS COMING!
Did you catch Mental with David Carradine last night? I didn't pay attention much to the story, but did you see the redhead in the purple top? WOW. She just keeps getting hotter. PS, Carradine is of course the guy from Kill Bill that was recently found dead hanging in his closet. This story is sad as the family is claiming that he would never attempt suicide even though he admitted he has tried before. I don't want to say it was suicide, but I can't see it being foul play. Maybe it was an accident, but what the F was he doing, hanging himself in the closet? Was he practicing for a role and it went horribly wrong? We may never know. What we DO know though, is the redhead is a hottie.
Have you heard the new All-American Rejects "When the Wind Blows" yet? Nice to hear something by them OTHER than Gives you Hell. Hey Q100, you guys ARE allowed to play other songs by a certain artist. And Bert, you ARE allowed to play music too...
Finally, Paris Hilton continued her search for a new BFF last night, but the strange thing is that it seemed for the first 20 minutes, she was searching for a lezbinen lovah. The potential BFFs were divided into two groups: the Leather and the Lace. Paris tickled the Lace girls (and guy) and whipped/spanked the Leather girls. This was part of an initiation into the Paris Sisterhood sorority. Speaking of the lone male Stephen, he said in a confessional that he was going to have to teach some of these girls what a sisterhood was all about. I'll take a minute and let that sink in... OK, let's move on.
Interestingly enough, all of the Leather girls said they enjoyed getting whipped and some wanted to spank Paris. I think those chicks were getting the 10pm Tuesday MTV time slot confused with A Shot at Love, which airs in the same slot. Oops. Wrong show.
Later the initiation included doing a mixed drink shot that consisted of champagne, pickles, strawberries, peanut butter and caviar. Desirae aka the other black chick (besides Tiniecia) is not a fan of caviar. "Oh great, Caviar. I'm gonna have to poo tonight." you cannot make this stuff up (Unless you write for the Hills.) It seems like Tiniecia was right there with Desirae though as she vomited up the shot, but was happy that Paris "Calt [her] name" to be Paris's first pet. I figure that my dog Chimer vomits when he eats too much grass and he's my pet. I guess that's Paris's reasoning.
The BFFs then get "dolled up to make sure [they] look hot for a bachlor party," according to Monica, but she is barely able to say it as her eyebrows appear to have taken over her face. Later, Monica decides to get drunk and give the groom-to-be a lap dance with her boobs hanging out of her dress. The dance is very sloppy and by sloppy I mean nasty. But the Lap dancer is then shocked that Arika kissed the groom. Umm, you rubbed your va-jay-jay on him and yet you think a kiss that HE ASKED FOR is wrong? You, Monica, and your eyebrows are wrong.
What is messed up though was that Arika was forced to apologize to the groom-to-be's mother about their making out the night before, EVEN THOUGH HE ASKED ALL OF THE GIRLS FOR A KISS. (Wait, that was his bride-to-be? She is 40 and he's 24ish. WTF?) Last time I checked Arika is the single one and homeboy is the one getting married. Shouldn't HE be the one that is apologizing?
This of course makes Kaitlin cry though, much like waking up makes Kaitlin cry and petting a puppy makes Kaitlin cry. She cries at everything. And she wonders why "no one likes [her] qualities!" She figures it is just jealousy because people are threatened by her. Her drunken crying does resemble Darth Vader in a way.
But the bottom line is that Arika and Monica both go home, Arika because Paris cannot trust her around her boyfriend and Monica b/c of her eyebrows, NO, because of the lap dance. Looking forward to next week's cupcake!
That's it everybody. Have a great rest of the week.
Finally, Happy 61st Birthday JWP. We all miss you.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
MY MY MY top 15 pre-2-a-days football poll...
I don't care what Lindy's, Athalon, or Phil Steele says. I don't care what The Sporting News or the AJC is saying.
I am a college football fan and I know a pretty good deal about it. I am fairly accurate is calling out teams that are good and spotting the imposters. We here at Sportsbyfletch new Klimpsen was a poseur and we knew that Houston Nutt at Ole Miss is the best coach in the SEC never to have won a National Title.
So how do I see the 2009 season shaping up after spring ball and before 2-a-days start later this summer? Well let's take a peek, shall we?
15 Cal. With Jahvid Best (the fastest RB in the nation) and Kevin Riley at QB, could this team sneak up and steal the Rose Bowl from USC? Best might be Tedford's best RB while at Berkley, Marshawn Lynch included.
14 Kansas. This isn't so much my faith in Mr. "I'm thinking Arby's," as it is relief that Chase Daniels is FINALLY gone from Mizzou. Though I fear that Todd Reesing will be Gamedays' New CD and we will hear ALL about the 5'2 Reesing. (he isn't really 5'2, but he is short and with the blue uni looks like a smurf). Dezmon Briscoe and the RB Sharp also return.
13 Georgia. Come on. Like I'm going to give the farm away here. You'll have to wait each week for me to break down a position.
12 West Va. Noel Devine returns but Pat White is gone. Won't matter. Devine is back (still impregnating women all over Morgantown) and in the Big Easy, he will run all over.
11 Georgia Tech. The offense returns Dwyer and the Louisville transfer along with Roddy Jones (HE JUST SCORED AGAIN against UGA. CRAP!) to lead a potent rushing attack. I think the defense lost too much though for this team to hold onto a 3-0 start....for more check back before the season starts. Love Paul Johnson though.
10 Ohio State. Pryor is no longer a true freshman and he could be the next Vince Young. He'll get his lunch given back to him against USC, but I am thinking that this rebuilding year will lead to a huge year in 2010. Where he'll lose to Aaron Murray and the Dawgs!
9 Bama. The defense is great. The offense lost the line and the QB and the RB. But Saban is still the coach. Early losses though do these guys in, in terms of the SEC race. Ole Miss and Arkie.
8 Ole Miss. Love Snead and love Nutt. They two RBs are good and Hardy returning helps the loss of Jerry. How will they do with expectations? That is the question. But I think they play Florida in the SECCG, and Tebow gets his revenge. Hello Cotton Bowl!
7 Penn State. QB Daryl Clark returns to lead the Spread HD offense. They will rule a blah Big 10. But wait, isn't it ALWAYS blah?
6 Okie State. Boy the Pokes look good on offense with Hunter, Robinson and the wideout Bryant. Boy they will be tough in Stillwater. Boy, they might run the table. (I am trying to over inflate their heads.) And the defense SURELY will get better with Bill Young out there! (Come on Dawgs. Knock off these Big12 p*ssies!)
5 VaTech. After losing the opening game to Bama (which they will) they really could run the table straight to the Orange Bowl and a discussion about "should they play in the title game?" Answer: NO! But they do go 12-1 with a spot in the Orange Bowl against West Va. YEAH! A GAME NO ONE WILL WATCH! But Fox will STILL preempt House for it....
4 USC. I don't care that Dirty Sanchez is gone. Pete Carroll has three parade all-American QBs from which to replace him. Stephon Johnson is there as is McKnight (unless he's been kicked out again) and Brice Butler could get a chance! (that's why he went there from Norcross and not closer, right?) Plus Taylor Mays is still roaming the secondary. The defense lost a bunch, but unlike Tech, they DO have the horses to replace what they lost.
3 Oklahoma. The O-line took a hit, but my Boomer Sooners still have the Heisman winner, along with a few RBs and that TE Gresham. They will score 60+ again every game, especially in the Big 12 where Defense doesn't exist!
2 Texas. The defense took a hit, but Colt McCoy wins the Heisman this season and I will openly root for them in the BCSCG against....
1 Florida. Tim Tebow. That's all that needs to be said. Not even Hershel won two titles. Walker34 should have had multiple Heismans (and some can say so should Tebow RIGHT NOW), but Tebow might leave The Hole That God Forgot About with three titles and two Heismans and as the greatest College football player ever. Wow, who knew a fullback would ever have that title? But I think Florida/Texas is a better game than UF/OU was last year.
As far as the two instate teams, Georgia Tech, while I respect Paul Johnson and his 1-0 record as Georgia Tech head coach against Georgia, I see them having lost too much on the defensive side of the ball and finishing 7-5. The wins will be J-Ville State, Klimpsen, Miami, Miss State, Vandy, Wake, Duke and the losses will be UNC, FSU, VaTech, UVA(you never win there), and Georgia (CMR has never lost to Tech in Bobby Dodd. Just rename it Mark Richt Stadium: 31-17, 14-7, 34-17, 31-17. SUCK IT). I think FSU takes the Atlantic and faces likely VaTech in the ACC title game. (yawn......) UNC finishes ahead of GT in the Coastal. Tell me I'm wrong, but you know I'm not.
As far as the SEC, in the West, Ole Miss has the home schedule to dream of with LSU, Bama and Arkansas all coming TO Oxford, so go ahead and pencil them in for the West spot at the GA Dome. I think that Arkie gets Alabama early enough to beat them, even at the Capstone. LSU has a tough schedule and they might have a great (YOUNG) team, but I think they lose several and are out of the race by the time they play Arkansas.
Over in the east, the ONLY loss Florida could potentially face is one at LSU, because they will be geeked up to face Florida, but I think Florida rolls through that one. (Unless 98 more Gators get arrested, but then Urban Meyer will just say that the cops aren't welcome and the fuzz will be forced to buy a seat in 37F to watch the games.) Tebow is just too good and this year, instead of hating him, I will enjoy watching the greatest fullback EVER to play college football. Tennessee goes 4-8, 6-6 if they get ALL of the breaks. Laney will regret opening his mouth. He will also find it harder to recruit kids after he goes 4-8 as well. Kentucky and Vandy will both hoover around 6-6 or 7-5 and SoCar once again falls well short of expectations. Georgia, I've said it before and will say it again: 9-3 with a 10th win in the CapitalOne or Outback Bowl. Whatever. Bring on Aaron Murray! (Oh course, talk to me 10 minutes before kickoff against Okie State, and I may be saying 10-2...)
I am a college football fan and I know a pretty good deal about it. I am fairly accurate is calling out teams that are good and spotting the imposters. We here at Sportsbyfletch new Klimpsen was a poseur and we knew that Houston Nutt at Ole Miss is the best coach in the SEC never to have won a National Title.
So how do I see the 2009 season shaping up after spring ball and before 2-a-days start later this summer? Well let's take a peek, shall we?
15 Cal. With Jahvid Best (the fastest RB in the nation) and Kevin Riley at QB, could this team sneak up and steal the Rose Bowl from USC? Best might be Tedford's best RB while at Berkley, Marshawn Lynch included.
14 Kansas. This isn't so much my faith in Mr. "I'm thinking Arby's," as it is relief that Chase Daniels is FINALLY gone from Mizzou. Though I fear that Todd Reesing will be Gamedays' New CD and we will hear ALL about the 5'2 Reesing. (he isn't really 5'2, but he is short and with the blue uni looks like a smurf). Dezmon Briscoe and the RB Sharp also return.
13 Georgia. Come on. Like I'm going to give the farm away here. You'll have to wait each week for me to break down a position.
12 West Va. Noel Devine returns but Pat White is gone. Won't matter. Devine is back (still impregnating women all over Morgantown) and in the Big Easy, he will run all over.
11 Georgia Tech. The offense returns Dwyer and the Louisville transfer along with Roddy Jones (HE JUST SCORED AGAIN against UGA. CRAP!) to lead a potent rushing attack. I think the defense lost too much though for this team to hold onto a 3-0 start....for more check back before the season starts. Love Paul Johnson though.
10 Ohio State. Pryor is no longer a true freshman and he could be the next Vince Young. He'll get his lunch given back to him against USC, but I am thinking that this rebuilding year will lead to a huge year in 2010. Where he'll lose to Aaron Murray and the Dawgs!
9 Bama. The defense is great. The offense lost the line and the QB and the RB. But Saban is still the coach. Early losses though do these guys in, in terms of the SEC race. Ole Miss and Arkie.
8 Ole Miss. Love Snead and love Nutt. They two RBs are good and Hardy returning helps the loss of Jerry. How will they do with expectations? That is the question. But I think they play Florida in the SECCG, and Tebow gets his revenge. Hello Cotton Bowl!
7 Penn State. QB Daryl Clark returns to lead the Spread HD offense. They will rule a blah Big 10. But wait, isn't it ALWAYS blah?
6 Okie State. Boy the Pokes look good on offense with Hunter, Robinson and the wideout Bryant. Boy they will be tough in Stillwater. Boy, they might run the table. (I am trying to over inflate their heads.) And the defense SURELY will get better with Bill Young out there! (Come on Dawgs. Knock off these Big12 p*ssies!)
5 VaTech. After losing the opening game to Bama (which they will) they really could run the table straight to the Orange Bowl and a discussion about "should they play in the title game?" Answer: NO! But they do go 12-1 with a spot in the Orange Bowl against West Va. YEAH! A GAME NO ONE WILL WATCH! But Fox will STILL preempt House for it....
4 USC. I don't care that Dirty Sanchez is gone. Pete Carroll has three parade all-American QBs from which to replace him. Stephon Johnson is there as is McKnight (unless he's been kicked out again) and Brice Butler could get a chance! (that's why he went there from Norcross and not closer, right?) Plus Taylor Mays is still roaming the secondary. The defense lost a bunch, but unlike Tech, they DO have the horses to replace what they lost.
3 Oklahoma. The O-line took a hit, but my Boomer Sooners still have the Heisman winner, along with a few RBs and that TE Gresham. They will score 60+ again every game, especially in the Big 12 where Defense doesn't exist!
2 Texas. The defense took a hit, but Colt McCoy wins the Heisman this season and I will openly root for them in the BCSCG against....
1 Florida. Tim Tebow. That's all that needs to be said. Not even Hershel won two titles. Walker34 should have had multiple Heismans (and some can say so should Tebow RIGHT NOW), but Tebow might leave The Hole That God Forgot About with three titles and two Heismans and as the greatest College football player ever. Wow, who knew a fullback would ever have that title? But I think Florida/Texas is a better game than UF/OU was last year.
As far as the two instate teams, Georgia Tech, while I respect Paul Johnson and his 1-0 record as Georgia Tech head coach against Georgia, I see them having lost too much on the defensive side of the ball and finishing 7-5. The wins will be J-Ville State, Klimpsen, Miami, Miss State, Vandy, Wake, Duke and the losses will be UNC, FSU, VaTech, UVA(you never win there), and Georgia (CMR has never lost to Tech in Bobby Dodd. Just rename it Mark Richt Stadium: 31-17, 14-7, 34-17, 31-17. SUCK IT). I think FSU takes the Atlantic and faces likely VaTech in the ACC title game. (yawn......) UNC finishes ahead of GT in the Coastal. Tell me I'm wrong, but you know I'm not.
As far as the SEC, in the West, Ole Miss has the home schedule to dream of with LSU, Bama and Arkansas all coming TO Oxford, so go ahead and pencil them in for the West spot at the GA Dome. I think that Arkie gets Alabama early enough to beat them, even at the Capstone. LSU has a tough schedule and they might have a great (YOUNG) team, but I think they lose several and are out of the race by the time they play Arkansas.
Over in the east, the ONLY loss Florida could potentially face is one at LSU, because they will be geeked up to face Florida, but I think Florida rolls through that one. (Unless 98 more Gators get arrested, but then Urban Meyer will just say that the cops aren't welcome and the fuzz will be forced to buy a seat in 37F to watch the games.) Tebow is just too good and this year, instead of hating him, I will enjoy watching the greatest fullback EVER to play college football. Tennessee goes 4-8, 6-6 if they get ALL of the breaks. Laney will regret opening his mouth. He will also find it harder to recruit kids after he goes 4-8 as well. Kentucky and Vandy will both hoover around 6-6 or 7-5 and SoCar once again falls well short of expectations. Georgia, I've said it before and will say it again: 9-3 with a 10th win in the CapitalOne or Outback Bowl. Whatever. Bring on Aaron Murray! (Oh course, talk to me 10 minutes before kickoff against Okie State, and I may be saying 10-2...)
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