What About Us?

First, the football program lost its marquee names. But now it's looking more and more like basketball is about to cause the Big East to crumble into oblivion. Do Cincinnati and UConn have any chance of staying relevant?

The answer to the above question is yes. But this is an article, so I won't explain quickly. It's my blog, damnit!

Yesterday, news broke that seven Catholic, non-football members of the Big East were exploring their options. Unlike in football, where it's every school for themselves, these schools are looking at making one, big move, which could include dissolving the league altogether.

Over the past two years, the Big East has lost Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Louisville, and West Virginia. But the league was already a watered down version of itself, which a decade ago featured Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. Like Cincinnati for head coaches, the conference has become an audition and stepping stone for schools to move into major conferences.

The driving force of college realignment is money. In some situations, it's specifically adding schools in big markets to put their league's games in as many houses as possible, to make more money. The Big Ten added Rutgers and Maryland, from the ACC, to be able to put the Big Ten Network in New York City and Washington DC.

Until yesterday, basketball was the one sport where the Big East was still respectable. However, losing Georgetown, Marquette, and Villanova would be closing the casket and making funeral arrangements for the league, in all sports.

Football brings in the most money. Basketball is the slower, less attractive little brother that is still relevant enough to cause a stir, like the Moon slightly tugging on the Earth (sorry, I've been watching way too much of "The Universe" lately).

So where does that leave Cincinnati, UConn and South Florida? They are the only three remaining football schools from the remnants of the league, which will be adding SMU, Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, UCF, Tulane, East Carolina, and Temple as replacements.

USF is in the worst position of the three schools. While they are in a decent market in Tampa, Florida and Florida State still have a much larger and dominant following. Their football and basketball programs are both below average, and would certainly struggle more in any other major conference. The ACC is the weakest of the five major conferences in football. If you think they're going to sell Duke vs. USF to ESPN or any other network, you're brain damaged.

UConn has a decent football program, which has won shares of the Big East Championship over the past few years. However, in any other conference (except for potentially the ACC), the Huskies would be a bottom feeder team. But UConn is known for its historic and great basketball program. On the other hand, legendary coach Jim Calhoun recently retired, which has left the program on shaky ground, especially with coaches and players being hesitant to join a program in a crumbling league.

Cincinnati is in the best position of the three schools. They have won a share of the Big East Championship four of the past five years, including two outright championships in 2008 and 2009. Their football program has finished the season ranked in the AP Top 25 five of the last six years. While Nippert Stadium only holds about 35,000, the university recently announced plans to raise $70 million for renovations, improvements, and expansion. They also have played games at Paul Brown Stadium, the 67,000 capacity home of the Bengals. In addition, their basketball program is currently ranked 11 in the AP Top 25 (as of 12/13/12) and have been consistently appearing in the NCAA Tournament for decades. Plus, Cincinnati is a top 50 market and, in the right league, their games could be broadcast over the entire state of Ohio, the seventh largest state in the US. Having an enrollment of over 42,000 students and stealing Tommy Tuberville, a high profile coach from a major Big 12 program, can't hurt either.

In the end, Cincinnati and UConn will land in a major conference via a few different scenarios, regardless of the Catholic schools' decision:

1. The ACC will decide to expand to 16 teams and give both schools an invitation. Without any hesitation or speculation, they'll bolt faster than you can say "The Big East is dead." Geographically and athletically, they make sense to add. And as the ACC could potentially be seen as weak and vulnerable with its current 14 teams, Cincinnati and UConn would at least give them wiggle room should any schools leave. It would also prevent the possibility that...

2. The Big 12 invites Cincinnati to join, without UConn. The Huskies don't make sense geographically and wouldn't add much competition to their football program. However, adding the Bearcats would give their newest member, West Virginia, an old rival that is not too far away. Currently, the Big 12 has 10 schools and has declined expanding because 12 team leagues require a league championship game, where upsets are common, and that would make it tougher for Texas or Oklahoma to go undefeated and reach a National Championship Game. At 11 teams, the Big 12 would have a little more stability without needing a conference championship game. BYU has turned down several offers to join the league and Boise State's research and educational standards are a joke, giving Cincinnati an edge. However, a more likely scenario would be...

3. The Big 12 and/or SEC start picking off schools from the ACC. Rumors have been swirling around Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Clemson exploring their options. Should this happen, it will probably be two schools leaving at the same time, not all four. When Maryland bolted for the Big Ten in November, the ACC had serious talks with both Cincinnati and UConn before deciding on adding Louisville as their replacement. At this point, they are clearly the favorites to get invitations should any of their current members leave. Of course, there's always a chance that...

4. The Big Ten decides to add two more schools. While this is a long-shot of happening within the next year or so, Commissioner Jim Delaney's clear goal is to make his league bigger, richer, and more nationally marketable than everyone else. WHEN this happens, don't be surprised if UConn and Boston College are invited. Ohio State would be against adding any other Ohio schools to their conference, so Cincinnati would never get their wish of a real in-state rivalry with their big brother to the north. By adding UConn and BC, the Big Ten would expand their reach and network to the entire Northeast coast, a market that would stretch from Maine to Virginia and Cape Cod to the Great Plains. But this would not leave Cincinnati in the dark, as they would probably be invited to the ACC as a replacement for BC.

Unfortunately for USF, the Bulls will probably remain in what's left of the Big East, or move to a lower tier league like Conference USA or the Sun Belt Conference. There's always a remote chance that if an extra school is picked off from the ACC that they would get an invitation as a filler. But other schools, like UCF and Houston, could be seen as better options.

No matter what happens, as Cincinnati AD Whit Babcock said "This is going to be a wild ride." Buckle up.

Backpage Headline

The gavel has fallen. The punishments have been dealt. One year suspension, without pay, for Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton. Indefinite suspension for former Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, currently with the St. Louis Rams. Eight game suspension for General Manager Mickey Loomis. Six game suspension for assistant Joe Vitt. These are huge penalties for what some analysts and writers have called a heinous and thoughtless crime of placing bounties on NFL players during games.

Yet Facebook, Twitter, and every other social media outlet are yet to blow up in disgust or outrage, at least outside of New Orleans.

They didn’t blow up when the news broke last month. There was no outcry when the punishments came down, except maybe a few links with the comment “Ouch” above them.

So if this is considered a serious issue and an inexcusable action, why is there not more shock and awe?

The answer is simple; Nobody was surprised.

The media tried to ram this down our throats and make a story out of it. PFT, ESPN, FSN, and any other lettered network or outlet that covers sports had endless stories, interviews, and articles pouring out. But like the spoiled children we all are, we closed our mouths and didn’t want to eat the crap they were trying to force feed us.

Most people probably believe that this story hasn’t gotten as much coverage because it’s been overshadowed by free agency and the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, followed immediately by the Tim Tebow trade, on the same day that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed down his sentences.

But was anyone out there really surprised when this story broke? Sure, there were probably a few gasps at the thought of purposely inflicting serious or severe injuries on another human being for a monetary reward, but c’mon, was it really THAT shocking? When you first heard about this, did you think back to a vicious hit that knocked a player out of a game and ask yourself “I wonder if there was a bounty on him?” Did you ask yourself “I wonder how far this goes?” or “Does my team do this too?”

That was probably the more common reaction than being speechless that this could happen in football. This isn’t soccer. It’s a violent animal of a game where everyone is looking for an edge.

We all know that players and coaches bend the rules, especially when it comes to rewards for big plays. The mentality of coaches, athletes, and teams as a whole today is if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying. In their minds, the risks outweigh the rewards. From college players getting paid under the table to steroids and PEDs to stealing other teams signals and calls, cheating and rule bending are everywhere in sports. And in a sport based on running, pushing, and tackling, this was just another way of getting that big play.

What’s a bigger play than knocking out an opposing team’s star player?

Immediately after the story broke, former players and coaches on ESPN defended less severe bounty systems. They would have pools and rewards for players that made interceptions, sacks, big tackles, and other notable plays. If Jock was a language that none of us normal folk could speak, the subtitles would have read “Yeah, we knew this was going on and we did it too. We just didn’t get caught.”

Ask Brett Favre. He was the target of a bounty during the 2009 season NFC Championship Game against New Orleans. If you watched that game, it was blatantly obvious that the Saints were trying to knock Favre out. As much as I despise him, those hits were so hard that I could feel them in Cleveland.

And while the Saints’ defense was trying to kill Favre, the NFL was investigating this for the first time. And even though the teams’ bad cover up proved successful, they were slapped with a warning and cautioned that the league is watching them. Instead of quitting while ahead, Williams decided to keep the bounties going and Payton, regardless of his direct involvement or lack there of, did nothing to stop it.

Still, when the news broke of “Bountygate,” I didn’t pay much attention.

It wasn’t shocking. It wasn’t even news to me. It was just confirming something that every fan knew was going on. These were just the guys that were dumb enough to get caught.

Payton, Williams, Vitt, and Loomis’s punishments are severe. They are the most severe punishment that Goodell has handed down so far and one of the toughest ever imposed on an organization. However, I do not agree with their punishments, not for the bounties at least.

On the other hand, I do not believe they’re severe enough for the sheer amount of stupidity and thoughtlessness that prevailed in the Saints’ locker room. If you’re going to commit the same crime when the league is watching you closely, you should at least change your name, wear a fake mustache, or blame it on the other guy. The bounties were inexcusable, but the continuing of this illegal system was idiotic as well.

Dangerous and stupid; The worst combination.

Broken Championship Series

This year in college football has proved one thing, again: the BCS system is a joke. One big hypocritical joke.

If anyone believes that #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama is a fair BCS Championship game, you’re kidding yourself.

It’s not because both teams play in the Southeastern Conference. It’s not even because both teams play in the SEC West. The problem is that these teams have played each other already and that it gives other conference with deserving teams no opportunity to win.

This would be the most hypocritical thing the NCAA and BCS will have ever done if they allow the championship to be played between LSU and Alabama. The proof? The 2006 Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game.

Until this year, when the Big Ten divided itself into two divisions with a conference championship game, Ohio State and Michigan would face each other in the last game of the regular season. In 2006, Ohio State was ranked #1 and Michigan #2, both entering the game undefeated. It ended with a Buckeye victory, 42-39 over the Wolverines. Following the game, a debate ensued over who Ohio State would face in the BCS Championship. At the time Florida also had a one-loss record. In the end, Florida got the nod over Michigan and went on to win the BCS Championship.

The reason that was given for Florida was that Michigan essentially lost their opportunity for a championship when they lost to Ohio State. The final regular season game was treated as a playoff game.

LSU and Alabama played each other this year on November 5. The teams entered the game #1 and #2, respectively, and in the end the Tigers came out victorious over the Tide 9-6. But with several more games left on the schedule for both teams, plus the SEC Championship, what the BCS and NCAA are saying is that because they faced each other earlier in the season, Alabama deserves a rematch.

That’s bullshit.

First, college football doesn’t have a playoff system. It should, but it doesn’t. If Michigan was eliminated in their final game of the regular season but Alabama gets another shot, that is ridiculous. The SEC is the best conference right now, but five years ago the Big Ten was arguably the best conference. The rules today are still the same, so shouldn't the same rules still apply, regardless of when the #1 played the #2?

Second, there are several other, deserving, one-loss teams out there in other conferences this season. #3 Oklahoma State has been hot all season and has an amazing, exciting offense. However, because they lost to an unranked Iowa State in their second to last game of the season, they are being penalized. If they beat in-state, conference rival #9 Oklahoma in the last game of the season, it would be a crime for them to not get a national title shot. And #5 Virginia Tech has fought through a tougher than usual ACC and has been a pleasant surprise. Their only loss came at the hands of Clemson, who is currently ranked and was #13 at the time of the loss, and the two teams meet again this Saturday in the ACC Championship game. But the BCS would claim that the SEC is the better conference so Alabama is more qualified.

Third, if Alabama doesn’t have to win their conference, or even their division, to get to the BCS Championship, then shouldn’t #4 Stanford also be thrown into the mix. Like the Tide, the Cardinal also only have one loss, to #8 Oregon, and have the best quarterback in college football, Andrew Luck.

Yesterday, Collin Cowherd of ESPN said that people need to get used to rematches in college football. With the Big Ten and Pac-12 expanding to 12 teams, and the Big 12 returning to that next season, rematches are going to be common. However, shouldn’t the BCS Championship be different?

In the NFL teams that meet in the playoffs have played each other in the regular season quite often. But once again, there are no playoffs in college football. The NCAA and BCS constantly claim that a playoff would diminish the importance of the regular season, which they claim is the most significant in all of sports for that reason. They claim that the regular season essentially are the playoffs. Well, if by their own logic that is the case, wouldn’t Alabama have been eliminated?

And if we really want to see the stupidity of the “people” running this joke of a system, do they not remember that politicians, some in US Congress, have been breathing down their necks saying that the BCS violates anti-trust laws and have been threatening to legally enforce changes? Don’t they see that a LSU vs. Alabama BCS Championship is only going to help their cause?

In 2006, going into the Championship, everyone assumed that Ohio State and Michigan were still the best two teams. They assumed that Florida had no business in the game and that the Buckeyes would blow them out of the water. They assumed that the Big Ten was the best conference. Well their assumptions were wrong. Florida won.

Shouldn’t these other conference teams be given a shot this year too? Or does the hypocrisy favor the SEC? Maybe other conferences and teams should just make their schedules more favorable?

Either way, you can bet that an all SEC BCS Championship game will not be a big hit with fans. The SEC has won the past five BCS titles and this wouldn't even allow another conference the opportunity to end that streak.

But we, the people, the fans, don’t have a vote, and it looks as if we are heading for a rematch. Let’s just hope it’s not another 9-6 snooze fest.

It All Rolls On

On the Outside

Remember when you were a kid and believed that athletes played for the love of the game?

We all do. And we all can remember when we realized that pro athletes care more about money and endorsements than the sports they play. We watch our favorite stars leave our favorite teams for millions of dollars elsewhere, and our hearts are crushed when they take their talents to places like South Beach.

But there is a sport out there that is still pure, and played for passion and love.

So when I say the words “women’s roller derby,” what comes to mind? This is my story of how I became a part of the culture, and why this sport is becoming more popular in America each season.

On the outside, we see tattooed and pierced women. We see crazy hair colors and make up that would cause Mary Kay to roll over in her grave, assuming she’s dead. We see bruises on the skaters and crutches with the injured. And let’s not even talk about the smell of the venue after the game.

But what we don’t see (or smell) is what roller derby does to each woman that participates. The impact it has on every skater’s life. The memories it makes and the development it causes.

Nobody gets paid for playing this sport, at least not yet. These are women with jobs, women in school. These are women with kids, families, and responsibilities. These are women that go to late night or early morning practices, risking their pride and their bodies, only to leave and wake up, going to work the next day.

They will skate in one or two games, or bouts, a month. Not for money or fame, but for respect and fun. Some teams play in larger college arenas while others roll to skate parks, rec centers, high school gyms, and roller rinks.

But that’s not the whole derby way. You see, roller derby is not just a sport; it’s a way of life.

That might sound a little cliché, but spend a day, even an hour, with a team, and you will see how true it is.

I won't go into the rules of the sport, even though it is very different from any other, because it's far more than women knocking each other around on wheels. As awesome as that sounds, it's way better.

From Determinator to Tom Slamilton

My journey into this culture began in November 2010, when I started dating a member of the Cleveland Steamers, one of the four local teams part of the Burning River Roller Girls (BRRG) in Cleveland. I remember the first time she told me she played derby. I thought it was a cute little hobby. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I became what is called a Non-Skating Official (NSO), or as I called it a “Stat Geek,” for BRRG and went under the alias The Determinator. I made great friends and had a lot of fun. And even though my relationship with the skater known as B-Onya Guard only lasted a few months, my relationship with derby has lasted much, much longer.

Eventually, I ended up moving to Scranton, PA, not knowing a soul. I googled roller derby in the area and became a part of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals. I was nervous entering Skate-away, where they practice, for the first time. I was immediately accepted in Cleveland, and feared, having no friends in the area, that my frat-boy/super-geek combination of a personality would be rejected. When the doors swung open and I entered, I was accepted without question or hesitation. Within a week, they treated me like I had been there for years. Like a family member, in a slightly abusive family.

By the time of their last home game, and my first with the team, they had made me their announcer. I had dreamed of being a broadcaster since I was a little kid, and gave up on my dream of doing it professionally after not being able to find a job in that field after college. Some people said it was silly, but it’s always nice to still hold onto a dream, even if it’s just for a few hours a month. With that, Tom Slamilton was born.

The Culture, the Way of Life

Hold on… Determinator? B-Onya Guard? Tom Slamilton? Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with derby is probably asking themselves “WTF is this dude smoking?”

The crazy names are only one part of the culture. They range from a funny play on words like CupQuake and Smash Potato, to variations of famous characters and celebrities like Rainbow Fright and Stevie NixHer. It’s what the names represent that emphasize the way of life.

Never once have I called Liberty Violence by Alana or HaloChic by Melissa. These names take on a completely different persona. To the outside, professional world, these are hard working, dedicated women. All of them. Many are single mothers. Many struggle to make ends meet. And they don't get paid to play either. In fact they pay to play.

But for a few hours a week, and maybe a game or two a month, the outside world is null. Deep down, hidden from most of their friends and coworkers, these women are warriors on wheels. All the stress and problems of the real world are left on the sidelines, in their smelly derby bags (never sniff one, trust me). All that matters is what’s on the track. Besides, what’s better stress relief than knocking a bitch four feet in the air?

It’s because of all of this, and more, that these women share a special bond. Derby unites them. They call each other “mommas,” “daughters,” and “wifeys.” In fact, I had the pleasure of witnessing a derby wedding in Long Island several weeks ago. It was… interesting, to say the least.

Derby also shows these women that they are not alone. The only comparison that I can think of to the bond that these women share is that of my college fraternity (I know they’re not going to like reading that). I don’t mean anything about drinking, partying, or shenanigans. I am talking about an experience that they all share. I have seen groups of women that call themselves sisters, but the derby family is by far the closest. Too often are groups gossipy, catty, and cliquey, causing rifts and fights. But in derby, it’s all settled on the track.

And the bond goes beyond the team. As a spectator, I wondered how these women could be competing and beating each other down on the track one minute, and then have a beer and laugh about life together the next? From coast to coast, from country to country, it’s derby. It’s a nation, on wheels.

The Final Frontier

So why do I love derby? I’m a 26 year old Jewish professional who moved from an average Midwestern city to the middle of nowhere PA. I have no tattoos or piercings and come from the average American middle class household. Hell, I’ve never even put on a pair of roller skates before. I have made other friends and have found other hobbies in my new home, yet derby has become a part of me. It is not the cute little hobby that I thought my girlfriend had.

I love derby because it is pure. In a day where college players get paid under the table and not one, but two professional sporting leagues have had lockouts over billions of dollars in revenue this year, derby remains a sport untainted by greed and economics.

In many cases, team records don’t even matter. Some leagues don’t even have playoffs or championships.

These women are athletes. Dedicated, hard working athletes. They may not realize it, but their love and passion goes far beyond what any professional has.

And it goes beyond just the skaters. The culture touches refs, officials, announcers, and everyone else involved. From friends to family, for anyone who loved the innocence of sports as a child, there is a little bit of derby in all of us.

This sport will only get more popular. Maybe one day these athletes will get paid. Maybe one day it will have its own lockout over revenue sharing and TV contracts. The fact that one of the most popular skaters, Suzy Hotrod, is featured in ESPN Magazine’s Body Issue foreshadows what’s to come. But the way of life, the culture, will always remain, even if it goes underground.

For now, derby is carving out its own place in American culture and it is capturing the hearts of millions along the way.

Keep'em or Kick'em

The 2010 NFL season is over. And before the post season begins, as we do every year, we now wonder which head coaches are going to be given another chance and who will be shown the door. Here is my take on the hot seats in the league (and as I wrote this paragraph I discovered that the Browns have fired Eric Mangini, so that makes my life easier).

Miami Dolphins – Tony Sparano:
It’s quite weird talking about Sparano getting the axe only two years after a playoff run. Sparano turned this team around very quickly, after finishing 1-15 in 2007 in Cam Cameron’s only year as head coach, winning the AFC East at 11-5 in 2008. The Dolphins have finished 7-9 the last two seasons, and won only one home game this season, but Sparano deserves another shot. Chad Henne’s struggles prove that he is not the quarterback of the future for this team, and the only argument I believe is valid for firing Sparano is that if this team does draft a new quarterback, an early career coaching change may stunt his development.
Opinion: Give him more time. The defense has improved greatly and they’re not too far from competing for a playoff berth.

Cincinnati Bengals – Marvin Lewis:
This decision is a two way street for both Lewis, if he wants to return, and owner Mike Brown. Lewis is clearly frustrated with Brown’s frugality, having the smallest scouting department in the NFL (which causes the coaches themselves to do off season scouting) and having no GM. Brown is a cheap knock off of Al Davis. At least Davis has had success as a decision maker, albeit that it was almost a decade ago that the Raiders made the playoffs. Brown is as clueless, cheap, and stupid as an NFL owner could be, and for that reason alone, Lewis shouldn’t want to come back, especially with an opportunity at the University of Pittsburgh. The Bengals have had only two winning seasons in 16 years, both of which have been under Lewis. However, there are going to be a lot of players leaving this team as well, and it’s time for Cincinnati to have a fresh start across the board.
Opinion: Leave Marvin… get out while you can. Mike Brown doesn’t deserve a good coach. There are good fans in Cincinnati, but the Bengals can’t win with that owner.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Jack Del Rio:
Del Rio is not a bad coach, but he is not a great one either. Facing a banged up Colts’ team, the Jags just could not pull out a win when they needed it. The fact is that if the Jaguars want to not only make the playoffs but get over the hump and compete for Super Bowls, Del Rio is not the guy. The AFC South is an underachieving division, and Jacksonville cannot afford to be left behind if Tennessee and Houston step up in the next year or two.
Opinion: Fired. Even though quarterback David Garrard did well this year, it’s clear that a new guy is going to be taken within the next year or two. If the Jags want consistency, it’s time to make the coaching switch now so that the players are more comfortable heading into an almost certain rebuilding mode.

Houston Texans – Gary Kubiak:
I know that the Texans have tried to make it clear that Kubiak will be back next year, but I don’t agree with this decision. I know that he led the team to it’s only winning season in franchise history in 2009, but during his tenure the Texans haven’t made the playoffs. The past two years, this team has had the talent to make a post season appearance, and both years they have failed. The defense has been horrendous and even adding Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator won’t be enough.
Opinion: Let him go. It’s time to find a defensive coach who can make this team great. The talent is there.

Tennessee Titans – Jeff Fisher:
He is the longest tenured coach in the NFL, with 16 seasons under his belt. However, owner Bud Adams made it pretty clear with his Christmas cards who he favors in the Fisher-Vince Young feud. It’s hard for any coach to remain at the helm for this long without players starting to get sick of hearing the same thing over and over. Whether VY is the quarterback of this team next year or not, it’s time for the Titans to start fresh. Fisher will have teams lining up to give him another shot, and he also deserves a chance to find a new home.
Opinion: A mutual split. It’s just time for a change.

San Diego Chargers – Norv Turner:
I don’t understand how this guy keeps getting head coaching jobs. He was awful in Washington and Oakland, and now he failed to make the playoffs with a team that many consider to be the most talented in the NFL. How can you fail to reach the post season with a top five offense and defense, and keep your job? Remember, GM AJ Smith fired Marty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season because the team didn’t make the Super Bowl. The only reason Smith isn’t firing Turner this time is because he is in the hot seat as well after the Vincent Jackson debacle. Owner Dean Spanos has said he isn’t making any changes, but it’s not a good football move.
Opinion: Fire him. If you ask me, the only reason the Chargers have made the playoffs with Turner at the helm is because of how talented this team is.

Oakland Raiders – Tom Cable:
All morning I have read that Cable will be fired. Rumor has it that the veterans think that Cable lacks the discipline to keep his young players in line. Then again, Al Davis is crazy so we know that it wouldn’t be hard for him to get rid of Cable. The team made a lot of improvements and for most of the season was in contention. However, Cable may not be the guy for the long run.
Opinion: Give him another year. Cable turned this team into a contender and he needs one more shot with San Diego on the way down.

New York Giants – Tom Coughlin:
This is how ridiculous the NFL has become when the coach who beat the 16-0 Patriots in the Super Bowl is in the hot seat three years later after finishing 10-6. The Giants didn’t make the post season not because of Coughlin, but because Eli Manning turned the ball over 30 times. If they fire him, it will come back to haunt them, trust me.
Opinion: Keep him.

Fair Weather Frenzy: the 2010 World Cup

Today, the United States was defeated by Ghana in the elimination round of the 2010 World Cup. All I can say is “Thank God.”

The fact that I am not a soccer fan does not play any part of my opinion of the average American soccer fan. I have ADD which gives me the super power of being able to tune out anything I want and completely forgetting what I have been talk… Oh, look a tree.

The aggravating part about the average American soccer fan is how fair weather he/she is. For one month every four years they are soccer aficionados, claiming to know all about the sport and love it with a passion. That would be fine and dandy, if they actually were soccer aficionados and did love the sport with a passion.

Here’s a few brain teaser to test any friend to see if they are really a soccer fan;

Question One: Who won the last World Cup?
This might not be the hardest question (I even know the answer to this one) but considering that the average American sports fan has the attention span of a dust mite, it will wean out those who really don’t know shit about soccer.

Question Two: Who won the MLS Cup?
I don’t know if that is the actual name of the MLS championship game but I’m taking a guess at it. If the person corrects you and tells you that it is called something else, he or she is probably right and you might as well not wait for their actual answer.

Question Three: Who won the European Cup?
Like Question Two, I don’t know the name of Europe’s soccer championship. I think they have like five a year so I’m just going to go with that.

Question Four: Name five MLS teams.
This might be the stumping question. Many soccer fans don’t follow American soccer because it is not the best that the world has to offer (hint: anyone that has called you un-patriotic for not cheering for Team USA in the World Cup can suck on this one).

Question Five: What the hell does Real mean or FC stand for?
FC is pretty obvious, but I still don’t know what Real means. Yes, a good journalist finds that out for himself. But I have better things to do with my time like breathing, farting and World of Warcraft.

So to all the real soccer fans out there, I have no problem with you. Nobody should tell you what you can or cannot like.

My problem is with the ignorant people who claim to love soccer, and the second that the World Cup is over or Team USA is eliminated, they don’t give a damn about it anymore.

If so many Americans love soccer so much, then why is the MLS struggling so badly in attendance and financially? Why don’t they and all of their soccer fanatics go to the games?

Want to know why? It’s because they are all fair-weather fans. When it’s cool to like soccer, they love it. But once something shinier pops up, the biggest question once again will be “Who the hell is Landon Donovan?”

The New BCS

This week, rumors have emerged that the PAC 10 Conference is looking to expand. Their main target has been reported as six Big XII schools; Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Colorado.

While the move makes sense, there is no doubt that several of these teams would not fit well geographically in the PAC 10 conference, or whatever it would be renamed.

In addition, the Big Ten has been looking to expand. The four schools they have targeted are Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and Syracuse. Also, there have been rumors that the Big Ten has been in contact with Texas and Missouri.

The negotiations and changes required would be astronomically impossible to figure out at this point, but we (I) here at Devil of Sports decided to take some time and figure out how the college leagues would change if anything were to actually happen, and what scenarios could actually play out.

This map assumes that with the other conferences looking to expand, the Big XII and Big East would be dissolved and absorbed into the other four. While the Big East is primarily a basketball conference, with another eight teams participating in all other sports except football, I would say that the conference would actually go on, but as a weaker non-football league.





PAC 10 - 16 schools

East: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Utah

West: Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

The PAC 10 Conference is the reason that all of this has come to light so I will start with discussing them. The main reason that the conference wants to expand is because of marketability. While they do have two of the nation’s largest markets in Los Angeles and the San Francisco/Oakland area, all of their schools play in the Pacific Time Zone, except for Arizona and Arizona State.

The issue of timing makes it difficult for the conference to sell and broadcast itself to markets on the East coast, which are three hours ahead.

This leads to the main reason that the PAC 10 is chasing the Texas schools; a conference cable network. Making a west coast cable network would not be very easy to sell to places on the east coast. However, by adding central schools, it allows them to cover a greater portion of the country with one of the nation’s largest schools in the University of Texas.

But it would not be a good move for the Longhorns to go to the PAC 10. For starters, geographically it would be a mess for the three Texas schools to have to travel to the Pacific Northwest, even with divisions. Plus, the PAC 10 would not be able to get the same type of coverage that conferences like the Big Ten or SEC have.

With that said, the PAC 10 would have to look elsewhere, to different markets. Texas Christian University (TCU) would be a great fit. It is located in Ft. Worth and would in draw the metroplex area. After being snubbed out of a chance to play for a National Championship in an undefeated regular season, the chance for TCU to move up into the BCS would be an offer that they couldn’t refuse.

Also, if Texas does not go to the PAC 10 it can be safe to bet that its in-state rivals, Tech and A&M, would not follow and would look to stay with the Longhorns. The consolation prize for those schools could be Brigham Young University (BYU) and Utah. Both teams are a good fit both geographically and market-wise. Like TCU, they are both nationally renowned college football programs that play in non-BCS conferences.

The other three teams from the Big XII, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State, I believe would actually go to the PAC 10. While both Oklahoma schools could get offers from the SEC, I believe that it would want the three Texas schools, with their larger markets over the smaller Oklahoma markets. Not wanting to make the conference too large, the SEC would probably not take all six schools from both states, especially when the PAC 10 has no interest in Baylor, and the SEC would accept them as a package.


Big Ten - 18 schools

East: Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers

West: Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin

Of all the BCS conferences, the Big Ten is the wealthiest. The reason is simply because they have partnered with Fox to create the Big Ten Network. This brought each school an estimated $22 million in 2008. It is the whole reason why other conferences are talking about expanding.

The Big Ten is interested in Rutgers and Syracuse because they have a market in New York City. However, I cannot see both of them leaping over to the Big Ten just yet. Syracuse is a smaller school and most likely would not be a good fit, primarily because the school prides itself on its basketball program, which would draw huge interest from the ACC. On the other hand, Rutgers would welcome the chance to increase revenue and play in a more competitive football conference.

While Ohio State would refuse to let another school from in-state join, in Cincinnati, Penn State has reportedly welcomed the challenge. That is the cause for Pitt to be getting attention from the conference. However, like with Syracuse, the ACC would probably throw a pitch that could make it one of the dominant football programs in the conference with a basketball league that no other conference could compare to. Plus, Pittsburgh would not want to risk ruining its Backyard Brawl rivalry with West Virginia, whom the conference has no interest in acquiring.

Although the Big Ten has more to offer than any other conference, with a network already strong and in place, the next schools to join would not be their first choices. Missouri is on the Big Ten radar and has been reportedly interested at looking at conferences outside of the Big XII. Should the Big XII fall apart, which this article assumes, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, and Nebraska would also be looking for new homes. Geographically these schools make perfect sense, as their locations would make the establishment of two divisions easier to create.

The biggest piece of the puzzle is Notre Dame. The Big Ten has invited the Irish to join multiple times. However, Notre Dame makes more money on its own with contracts with NBC and competing with schools all over the country than it would by joining a league.

The Irish pride themselves on being one of the top athletic programs in America. If the Big East folds as a football conference and all that are left are the small schools for basketball, Notre Dame would likely be looking to move its other athletic programs to another conference. However, at this point, no other conference is going to accept Notre Dame without its football program, forcing them to eventually join the Big Ten.


Southeastern Conference - 18 schools

East: Cincinnati, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

West: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

With the Big XII folding, the four Texas schools would most likely be more interested in joining the SEC over the PAC 10. From a competition stand-point, the University of Texas would relish the chance to be a member of the best conference in college football today.

It would also allow the creation of a SEC network that could match the marketability of the Big Ten.

Geographically, this is a great fit. A large concern about joining the PAC 10 would be students traveling and arriving home at odd hours only to have to attend class in the morning or a day later. Joining the SEC allows the Texas schools to keep their travel cost and time low, and only have a one hour time difference with some of the other schools in the league.

However, one drawback for Texas would be the academic standards of the SEC schools, which is lower than that of those of the Big XII. While the Big Ten is interested in Texas, the Longhorns would not abandon their in-state rivalries and would require Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor to accompany them, which the Big Ten would not want.

The other two schools in the mix are Louisville and Cincinnati. Kentucky and Louisville are in-state rivals, and both would love to be able to play each other, in football and basketball, every year, with the kind of stakes that only an in-conference game could provide. Should Louisville show interest, it would quickly draw Cincinnati into the equation.

Cincinnati is located only about 100 miles from Lexington, so geographically it fits well in the SEC. However, its main pull would be because Louisville and Cincinnati have been in-conference rivals since 1929, with the creation of the Keg of Nails. Both were founding members of Conference USA and leapt to the Big East together. If one goes, the other will follow.

Cincinnati would also give the SEC a presence in the north, which would give it the chance to compete, head to head, for the Southern Ohio market with Ohio State.


Atlantic Coast Conference - 17 schools

North: Boston College, Connecticut, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

South: Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Florida, Wake Forest

With the dissolving of the Big East, arguably the strongest basketball conference in the NCAA, the remainder of the Big East schools would find a welcoming home in the ACC. Syracuse, UConn, Pitt, and West Virginia all possess four of the premier basketball programs in the country. The chance to be able to match them up against the likes of Duke and North Carolina on an annual basis would draw in more money than any other conference could.

In addition, these are both currently seen as two of the weaker football conferences. With Louisville and Cincinnati joining the SEC and Rutgers the Big Ten, the remainder of the programs will be required to fill in the lost spots. The ACC would be able to add West Virginia and Pittsburgh, absorbing a popular and historic football rivalry.

South Florida would be enticing, as they have a quickly up and coming football program as well.

The combination of the remaining Big East schools with the ACC would also make a conference that could entirely dominate all of the Atlantic Coast markets. While the creation of its own television network would be difficult to sell from a pure football standpoint, the basketball revenue could be enough to generate one, especially if they could convince the basketball teams of Georgetown and Villanova to follow.


A New College Playoff Format

With these four new Super Conferences, the creation of a playoff system would be quite simple. Each conference would now have to hold a conference championship game. And, with now only four conferences instead of six, a plus-one game would be very easy to establish. Of course there would still be questions and scrutiny about barring non-BCS teams from the competition. However, BCS expansion to schools like Boise State would become much easier, giving schools with the talent the ability to compete.

Last year, five teams in the FCS finished with perfect regular seasons; Alabama, Texas, Cincinnati, TCU, and Boise State. However, only two of them got to play for the National Championship. Every year there is an outcry for a college football playoff system. With the reduction of the number of leagues and increased revenue generated from TV networks and larger markets, the establishment of a plus-one playoff would be more acceptable to the NCAA and the BCS.

The Definition of Apathy

Webster’s defines the word “apathy” as a lack of feeling or emotion. If you take the time to look it up, you may actually see a picture of Lebron James.

Well, maybe in the 2010 Cleveland edition that is.

On Thursday night, James and the Cavs were eliminated in the second round of the NBA playoffs after losing to the Boston Celtics 94-85 in Game Six. While he did have a triple double, any basketball fan could tell that during the last two games of the series, James was disconnected and didn’t care.

He is the self proclaimed “King” of basketball. But what exactly has he become the king of? He hasn’t won any rings, so he doesn’t have the jewelry. He has almost as many haters as he does fans, so he doesn’t have the court.

The King of quitting. The King of being spoiled. The King of nothing.

Say what you will about Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan’s personalities. Whether you love them or hate them, they all share one thing in common. They have heart.

James doesn’t have heart. Instead, the passion that should be driving him towards a championship is void and replaced with greed and ego.

For as much flack as he has taken over the past week for his performance in Game Five, I would bet that he hasn’t heard a word of criticism from his A-Team of yes-men. He has been ripped and shredded for not hustling down the court, not paying attention during huddles, and not caring about the fans around him that were about to burst into tears, which led to the worst home loss in Cavaliers playoff history and losing the last two games in Cleveland by over 50 points combined.

After Game Six, Lebron spoke to the media, unlike last year where his sour-ness decided to not shake hands with the Orlando Magic or address the public after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals. He said that “his team” would take care of things. He wasn’t talking about the Cavaliers. He was talking about his suck-ups. His chumps. The guys that would give up a limb just to be able to stay in his close inner circle.

To him, they are the media. They are a shield from the real world and the reality that he has been uncovered as an un-coachable phony.

Could the Cavaliers have done things differently as a team? Of course.

Mike Brown is going to be fired, and deservedly so. He has no idea how to handle an offense or make adjustments. A team that has clinched the number one seed in the East two years in a row should be the one forcing the other team to change, not the other way around.

Danny Ferry has tried hard to build a team around Lebron. For the most part he succeeded, at least on paper. However, Jordan had Pippen and Kobe has Gasol. While both “side-kicks” are/were good defenders, they can/could also score. Antwan Jameson and Shaq were good pickups, but neither one can take the pressure off James offensively. Ferry is notoriously non-aggressive and seems to take what he can get. If trading JJ Hickson would have led to the acquisition of Amare Stoudemire, who CAN score, he should have taken it. Jameson was an overpriced and over the hill consolation prize. It was about as useful as a gift certificate to Bennigan’s.

It was unfair for James to have to carry the weight of the Cavs on his shoulders, but he should not have quit. He doesn’t get paid millions of dollars from Dan Gilbert or any of his sponsors to quit.

It doesn’t matter whether he got into a fight with Brown or his teammates. It doesn’t matter if he wanted to turn Cleveland against him, making it easier to leave his home town of nearby Akron. The reasons he tanked it are irrelevant.

He stabbed Cleveland in the back and in the end he is going to have the last laugh. At 25, he’s smart enough to know that he has at least a decade of good ball left in him. That’s plenty of time to get a ring or two. That’s the most frustrating part of all of this.

As for Cleveland, whether he stays or goes doesn’t matter now, at least for the 2009-2010 season. Getting home court throughout the entire playoffs doesn’t come easy and is hard to repeat for three years in a row. And because of his apathy, he threw it all away. I could care less about how Lebron feels about not earning a championship this year, because I doubt he cares either.

So buyer beware: Lebron James is a quitter, backstabber, thief, fool, phony, pompous, asshole who doesn’t deserve anything. He deserves what every other apathetic quitter deserves; nothing. Not the food on his table, the cars in his garage, the clothes on his back, or the shoes on his feet.

Assuming that he leaves, Lebron will have cemented his place in Northeast Ohio history as the greatest failure and quitter the area has ever seen.

Then again, I bet he doesn’t even care about that.

Brady Quinn Owes Jimmy Clausen Money

With the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft only hours away, two of the looming questions are both surrounding Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen: Why did he slip out of round one and where will he land?

After Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford was taken first overall by the St. Louis Rams, Clausen was expected to be the next passer taken. Some of the possible destinations that were being thrown around were Washington at four, Kansas City at five, Seattle at six, Cleveland at seven, Oakland at eight, Buffalo at nine, Jacksonville at 10, and Minnesota at 30.

The Redskins and Jaguars can both be ruled out because of their current quarterback situations, with Washington acquiring Donovan McNabb less than a month ago and Jacksonville still having confidence in David Garrard. The Chiefs were reportedly willing to take him, probably because former Irish coach Charlie Weiss is now their offensive coordinator, but taking safety Eric Berry was a bigger need for them. And the Seahawks swapped second round picks with the Chargers in exchange for Charlie Whitehurst, who looks to be the successor to Matt Hasselbeck.

So what about the Browns, Raiders, Bills, and Vikings?

In Cleveland, team president Mike Holmgren came out and said that he wished he liked Clausen more. That’s a sure indication that they weren’t (and probably still won’t be) going after him.

Oakland would have made sense because Al Davis doesn’t make sense. Then again, taking Clausen would be Davis finally admitting that Jamarcus Russell is the biggest draft bust of all time.

Buffalo would have been a great fit for Clausen, but taking RB CJ Spiller was a good move.

And it was supposed to be very unlikely that the Vikings would even have a chance at Clausen, but with Favre probably returning and the coaching staff having confidence in Tavaris Jackson, passing on him and trading the pick was more appropriate.

Not to mention that Clausen has been bashed by analysts and the media lately. Now this doesn’t mean that NFL scouts and front offices are agreeing with the critics and leaking information, but if the first round is proof of anything, it’s that there is at least some truth behind their skepticism.

Issues like the size of Clausen’s hands and his “lack” of leadership were the two big knocks on him that were being publicized primarily. However, I like to think about another quarterback that came out of the same system and had very similar qualities and attributes to Clausen. That man is Brady Quinn.

Coming into the league in 2007, Quinn was said to be “the most pro-ready quarterback” that could be “thrown onto the pro-field immediately” because “he played in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame.”

Although fans and the media don’t seem to remember this, NFL teams do. Quinn serves as a precautionary tale to all teams interested in Clausen. Now presumably buried on the Denver depth chart behind Kyle Orton and last night’s surprise pick Tim Tebow, Quinn shows that quarterbacks that succeed in “pro-style” offenses, don’t always pan out in the NFL.

As for where will Clausen land? That will be answered tonight. I would put my money on Cleveland not being his new home though. That wound is still pretty fresh.

But if I were Jimmy Clausen, I’d be calling Brady Quinn asking him for some money, because his failure may have cost Clausen millions.

Final 2010 NFL Mock Draft

With the NFL Draft only three days away, I thought I'd let my three loyal followers in on my final mock board. I know that I have three of the first five picks hailing from Oklahoma, but hey, they have some good guys coming out. Anyhow, enjoy.

Round One
1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB. Oklahoma
2. Detroit Lions – Ndomukong Suh, DT. Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT. Oklahoma
4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT. Oklahoma State
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Williams, OT. Oklahoma
6. Seattle Seahawks – CJ Spiller, RB. Clemson
7. Cleveland Browns – Eric Berry, S. Tennessee
8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE. South Florida
9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen, QB. Notre Dame
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR. Oklahoma State
11. Denver Broncos (via Chicago Bears) – Joe Haden, CB. Florida
12. Miami Dolphins – Rolando McClain, LB. Alabama
13. San Francisco 49ers – Earl Thomas, CB. Texas
14. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos) – Bryan Bulaga, OT. Iowa
15. New York Giants – Ryan Mathews, RB. Fresno State
16. Tennessee Titans – Derrick Morgan, DE. Georgia Tech
17. San Francisco 49ers (via Carolina Panthers) – Anthony Davis, OT. Rutgers
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati, OG. Idaho
19. Atlanta Falcons – Everson Griffen, DE. USC
20. Houston Texans – Bruce Campbell, OT. Maryland
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE. Oklahoma
22. New England Patriots – Taylor Mays, S. USC
23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT. USC
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sergio Kindle, LB. Texas
25. Baltimore Ravens – Jarred Odrick, DT. Penn State
26. Arizona Cardinals – Brandon Graham, LB. Michigan
27. Dallas Cowboys – Maurkice Pouncey, C. Florida
28. San Diego Chargers – Jhavid Best, RB. California
29. New York Jets – Demaryius Thomas, WR. Georgia Tech
30. Minnesota Vikings – Tim Tebow, QB. Florida
31. Indianapolis Colts – Devin McCourty, CB. Rutgers
32. New Orleans Saints – Sean Witherspoon, LB. Missouri

Round Two

33. STL – Arrelious Benn, WR. Illinois
34. DET – Jerry Hughes, LB. TCU
35. TB – Patrick Robinson, CB. Florida State
36. KC – Kareem Jackson, CB. Alabama
37. PHI (via WAS) – Dan Williams, DT. Tennessee
38. CLE – Colt McCoy, QB. Texas
39. OAK – Navorro Bowman, LB. Penn State
40. SD (via SEA) – Terrence Cody, DT. Alabama
41. BUF – Golden Tate, WR. Notre Dame
42. TB (via CHI) – Kyle Wilson, CB. Boise State
43. MIA – Brian Price, DT. UCLA
44. NE (via JAX) – Greg Hardy, DE. Ole Miss
45. DEN – Damian Williams, WR. USC
46. NYG – Rodger Saffold, OT. Indiana
47. NE (via TEN) – Mardy Gilyard, WR. Cincinnati
48. CAR – Carlos Dunlap, DE. Florida
49. SF – Linval Joseph, DT. East Carolina
50. KC (via ATL) – Brandon LaFell, WR. LSU
51. HOU – Dexter McCluster, RB. Ole Miss
52. PIT – Nate Allen, S. South Florida
53. NE – Jimmy Graham, TE. Miami (fl)
54. CIN – Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois
55. PHI – JD Walton, C. Baylor
56. GB – Jonathan Dwyer, RB. Georgia Tech
57. BAL – Jamar Chaney, LB. Mississippi State
58. ARI – Chris Cook, CB. Virginia
59. DAL – Alex Carrington, DE. Arkansas State
60. SEA (via SD) – Geno Atkins, DT. Georgia
61. NYJ – Ben Tate, RB. Auburn
62. MIN – Morgan Burnett, S. Georgia Tech
63. IND – Vladimir Ducasse, OT. Massachusetts
64. NO – Reshad Jones, S. Georgia

Steeler Nation Hates Women

With all of the Big Ben rumors and speculation going on, focusing on his sexual assault case in Georgia, Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans have ultimately proved, once again, they are dumb-asses.

On Friday, it was reported by ESPN’s Kelly Naqi that Ocmulgee (Ga.) Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fred Blight will most likely not be pursuing charges against the Steelers’ quarterback for his alleged sexual assault on a 20-year old college student in a bar on March 5.

Plus, he has already dodged criminal charges of rape from an incident in Nevada last year.

Being a Browns’ fan, and having nothing but hatred for Ben Roethlisberger and everything he does, I have been following the story on ProFootballTalk.com quite closely. One of the reasons writer Mike Florio believes that charges won’t end up being filed is because Blight would have to assemble a “Dream Team” of lawyers if he has any hopes of beating Big Ben and his high priced attorney. Remember, Blight doesn’t have any major cities in his jurisdiction, so facing a trial like this would presumably be unprecedented for him.

Now, the reason I am targeting Steelers’ fans on this is not because of how crooked this sounds. Rapistberger is a monster. You don’t get accused of sexual misconduct twice within a year without some sliver of truth behind it. Hell, he even admitted he was fooling around with the girl in the bathroom of the bar (while his cop buddy played lookout).

After the news broke that charges probably would not be filed, Steelers’ fans started posting all over ProFootballTalk.com on how now they forgive their quarterback and that they will now win the Super Bowl.

Dear Steeler Nation, we already know that you’re not the brightest of people, but this takes the taco.

First off, the Steelers didn’t even make the playoffs last year, losing several of their final games to the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Browns. By the way, all of those teams have top eight picks in the upcoming draft. That has to sting a bit.

Second, while I do appreciate the fact that the fans weren’t supporting him because even they believed he is a sexual deviant, doing a complete 180 before the actual news is announced, on Monday, that he won’t be charged is very foolish. I can’t blame any of them for wanting to root for their Super Bowl winning quarterback. However, treating him as a god after this only says to Rapistberger that no matter what he does, in the end, the fans will stand behind him.

And third, just because charges aren’t filed doesn’t mean the dumb-ass is innocent. The guy still did something wrong here and will continue to break the law and mistreat women until he can stop buying his way out of trouble. Personally, it’s that fact that makes me most disgusted of all. He reminds me of that yellow-dude from "Sin City," never getting in trouble because of his wallet. His lawyers and police entourage have given him better protection than his own offensive line!

So no, I can’t blame Steelers’ fans for a corrupt judicial process and a possible cover-up.

However, I can blame them for being obnoxious about their quarterback going free, not because of his innocence, but because he has the deep pockets to do so. I can blame them for accusing the guy of being a criminal and then suddenly forgiving him for his offenses. And I can blame them for completely forgetting that this kind of behavior encourages others with money to go out and commit similar horrors to women.

Steeler Nation, ignorance is the worst kind of dumb-assery.

March 31 Mock Draft

So I’ve been feeling a bit lazy lately and haven’t updated my mock draft and quickly as I had hoped. While conforming to my huge demand for another one but needing to satisfy my lazy tendency, here are the first two rounds of my mock draft, minus the explanations. Comment and enjoy!
ROUND ONE
1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB. Oklahoma
2. Detroit Lions – Ndomukong Suh, DT. Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S. Tennessee
4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT. Oklahoma State
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Joe Haden, CB. Florida
6. Seattle Seahawks – Gerald McCoy, DT. Oklahoma
7. Cleveland Browns – Dez Bryant, WR. Oklahoma State
8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE. South Florida
9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen, QB. Notre Dame
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Rolando McClain, LB. Alabama
11. Denver Broncos (via Chicago) – Derrick Morgan, DE. Georgia Tech
12. Miami Dolphins – Taylor Mays, S. USC
13. San Francisco 49ers – Bryan Bulaga, OT. Iowa
14. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver) – CJ Spiller, RB. Clemson
15. New York Giants – Sergio Kindle, LB. Texas
16. Tennessee Titans – Dan Williams, DT. Tennessee
17. San Francisco 49ers (via Carolina) – Earl Thomas, S. Texas
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Trent Williams, OT. Oklahoma
19. Atlanta Falcons – Sean Witherspoon, LB. Missouri
20. Houston Texans – Anthony Davis, OT. Rutgers
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE. Oklahoma
22. New England Patriots – Kyle Wilson, CB. Boise State
23. Green Bay Packers – Mike Iupati, G. Idaho
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Graham, LB. Michigan
25. Baltimore Ravens – Everson Griffen, DE. USC
26. Arizona Cardinals – Kareem Jackson, CB. Alabama
27. Dallas Cowboys – Maurkice Pouncey, C. Florida
28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Mathews, RB. Fresno State
29. New York Jets – Golden Tate, WR. Notre Dame
30. Minnesota Vikings – Patrick Robinson, CB. Florida State
31. Indianapolis Colts – Charles Brown, OT. USC
32. New Orleans Saints – Jerry Hughes, LB. TCU

ROUND TWO
33. St. Louis Rams – Arrelious Benn, WR. Illinois
34. Detroit Lions – Jhavid Best, RB. Cal
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bruce Campbell, OT. Maryland
36. Kansas City Chiefs – Jared Odrick, DT. Penn State
37. Washington Redskins – Tim Tebow, QB. Florida
38. Cleveland Browns – Devin McCourty, CB. Rutgers
39. Oakland Raiders – Brandon LaFell, WR. LSU
40. San Diego Chargers (via Seattle) – Brian Price, DT. UCLA
41. Buffalo Bills – Mardy Gilyard, WR. Cincinnati
42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Chicago) – Demaryius Thomas, WR. Georgia Tech
43. Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Dwyer, RB. Georgia Tech
44. New England Patriots (via Jacksonville) – Damian Williams, WR. USC
45. Denver Broncos – Rob Gronkowski, TE. Arizona
46. New York Giants – Jon Asamoah, G. Illinois
47. New England Patriots (via Tennessee) – Dexter McCluster, RB. Ole Miss
48. Carolina Panthers – Terrence Cody, DT. Alabama
49. San Francisco 49ers – Carlos Dunlap, LB. Florida
50. Kansas City Chiefs (via Atlanta) – Rodger Saffold, OT. Indiana
51. Houston Texans – Chris Cook, CB. Virginia
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Nate Allen, S. South Florida
53. New England Patriots – Geno Atkins, DT. Georgia
54. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe McKnight, RB. USC
55. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Ghee, CB. Wake Forest
56. Green Bay Packers – Corey Wootton, DE. Northwestern
57. Baltimore Ravens – Morgan Burnett, S. Georgia Tech
58. Arizona Cardinals – Jimmy Graham, TE. Miami (fl)
59. Dallas Cowboys – Brandon Tate, RB. Auburn
60. Seattle Seahawks (via San Diego) – Anthony McCoy, TE. USC
61. New York Jets – Navarro Bowman, LB. Penn St
62. Minnesota Vikings – Dan LeFevour, QB. Central Michigan
63. Indianapolis Colts – Jamar Chaney, LB. Mississippi St
64. New Orleans Saints – Dominique Franks, CB. Oklahoma

I Still Don't Care

The 2010 Winter Olympics have created a huge buzz about the sport of Hockey. Unfortunately, it’s still hockey.

So I have never been a big hockey fan. I grew up in Cleveland, which is a football city (even though in the 90s it focused on the surging Indians in the absence of the Browns and King James has given the Cavs a huge boost). Not far away are Pittsburgh and Detroit, two of the biggest hockey markets in the country. But, I still don’t care.

I remember a few years ago I tried watching the world cup. My roommate and a fraternity brother of mine were into soccer and I figured I’d at least give a shot at watching it. Ten minutes later I regretted the decision and gave up.

Before I go any further I have to admit that I did not watch any Olympic hockey until the gold medal game. If you’re wondering why, it’s because I just don’t like hockey.

“But Olympic hockey is better,” people would tell me, including my Canadian cousins.

So for the final game I figured, what the hell? I’ll give it a shot. I’m trying to be a sports writer, might as well try to watch a new sport.
I had heard all of the hype surrounding the US team and goalie Ryan Miller. That nobody could score on him and just how fast the team was.

OK, so I don’t know if maybe they were slower that day or if the Canadians are just as fast, but I really did not see this speed of the game that people were talking about. I just saw bulky looking dudes with sticks on ice going after a little black dot.

It was still super boring.

Yes, I did get excited when (some player whose name I don’t remember off the top of my head) scored in the final seconds to tie it up and send the game to overtime. Call me un-patriotic, but after three periods of boredom leading up to that, I was kind of hoping the game would just end already.
But into overtime we go…

Now, I don’t know all the rules to Olympic hockey, and NBC did no service during the 15 plus minutes between the end of regulation and overtime to explain anything useful. By the way, that intermission is too long. Even the broadcasters were questioning if such a long break would affect momentum. Unfortunately, the only thing I know about hockey momentum has to do with friction and ice (that’s a science joke, people).

And just as quick as it began, it was over when Sidney Crosby scored the game winning goal on Ryan Miller.

Did I cry? Did I moan? No, I just turned to my computer and went back to chatting on facebook.

So, what did I learn? That hockey is the colder, less flamboyant, drunken, Canadian cousin of soccer. Just as boring, but with less teeth and on ice. Come on guys, get some god damn teeth? You want to be taken seriously? It’s difficult when you smile and all we see is gum.

Oh, and I love how NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the owners are considering baring their players from participating in the 2014 Olympics. Are they dumb or just plain retarded? While this definitely has made a buzz for hockey, in about a week Americans will remember just how bored they are.

You can put NHL, Olympic, or even Super Duper Fun Filled Amazing in front of it, but it’s still hockey, and I’m still bored.

2010 NFL Mock Draft (March 1 Edition)

The 2010 NFL Draft is only a month and a half away. In case you don’t know anything about me, that is my absolute favorite part of the football season, even though it is technically in the off-season.

There’s just something about how teams fill their spots, making replacements and improvements along the way, that I just really enjoy watching. But unlike the common spectator, I like to dabble in what I think those teams will do in their effort to prepare for the future.

Here are my picks along with explanations for the first few off the board (assuming there are no trades, because, you know there never are (sarcasm)):

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB. Oklahoma
A lot of the talking heads are saying that either DT Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy will be the first off the board on April 22. But look at the Rams first round picks over the past few years. While they did go O-Line last year, the two years before they selected DE Ryan Long and DT Adam Carriker, respectively. While I think Suh is the best player coming out of the draft (and ESPN is licking McCoy’s nuts although I don’t see anything that makes him separate himself from Suh), the Rams NEED a quarterback, now! Waiting any longer to begin the future of the offense is just too risky a move. If I was in the organization I’d look at trading down because I do concur that Bradford is not #1 overall talent, but you can’t risk waiting until the second round to address your biggest need.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT. Nebraska
Suh is already drawing comparisons to greats who have come and gone. Suh is a monster. I was skeptical at first until I saw him play in the Big XII Championship against Texas. Don’t listen to anyone else when they say that the reason the Longhorns couldn’t score was because of the pressure, or injuries, or some other bullshit. The reason they couldn’t score was because Suh kept knocking Colt McCoy on his ass, along with anyone else that crossed his path. The Lions need… well… everything. Suh will give them a force in the middle that will change their entire defense.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S. Tennessee
The hype of Eric Berry is not being calmed, even with the noise of Suh. The first time I saw him play was against Florida and in that game I saw something rare; Tim Tebow afraid to throw or even go near a certain defensive player. That player was Eric Berry (surprise!). He doesn’t have the hitting and blitzing power of guys like Troy Polamalu or Bob Sanders but he is a backfield menace, like Ed Reed or Darren Sharper. The Bucs need help all over the defense and while Gerald McCoy is still on the board too, Ronde Barber isn’t getting any younger.

4. Washington Redskins – Gerald McCoy, DT. Oklahoma
Yes, I know they just signed Albert Haynesworth to a ridiculous contract last year. And yes, I know there is unrest about QB Jason Campbell. But the fact is that owner Daniel Snyder loves big names and new coach Mike Shanahan has already said that Campbell is going nowhere. Can you imagine how intimidating it would be, as a runningback or quarterback, to line up and see both Haynesworth and McCoy waiting to slam you into the ground? Yeah, I think Snyder and GM Bruce Allen can imagine it too.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Joe Haden, CB. Florida
Haden is the best corner coming out this year and the Chiefs need some major help solidifying that defense. Haden is a fast corner with good hands. I could see them maybe going with an offensive lineman, but they have a much bigger need in the defensive backfield. Not to mention this years draft goes pretty deep on the line (both sides). If the team even wants to think about Matt Cassel playing like he did two years ago in New England, the defense is going to need to create more turnovers to put the ball back in his hand. Haden can make some of those turnovers.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung, OL. Oklahoma State
Matt Hasselbeck isn’t getting any younger and constantly getting tossed to the ground can’t possibly feel better with age. The line that helped get the Seahawks to the Super Bowl years ago has both aged and left. And while no back on their roster gives you the shivers, they do need someone that can at least open holes for Julius Jones and Justin Forsett. Pete Carroll has said that he likes what he’s seen from Hasselbeck and the offense, but he knows that if he even wants to think about a quarterback anytime in the near future, he’s going to need a barrier on the line to protect him. Okung is that guy.

7. Cleveland Browns – Dez Bryant, WR. Oklahoma State
Bryant to the Browns? I know the team has a habit of taking “solid” picks and making them busts, but Bryant may be the other way around. He hasn’t played since mid-season because of an NCAA rule violation, but by the looks of it he’s just as in shape as we was when he sat. People can cry all they want that Brady Quinn is a bad quarterback, but who does he have to throw to? New President Mike Holmgren is an offensive minded guy (and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him trade to bring a new QB in) and Bryant at least gives them a weapon to throw to.

8. Oakland Raiders – Rolando McClain, LB. Alabama
Al Davis is Crazy with a capitol C. OK, I just really wanted to point that out so if I’m wrong, you’ll know why. McClain will be the biggest name on the board at this point. He’s the best rated linebacker in the draft and a hard, hard hitter. The Raiders have a great defensive backfield but consistency starts in the front seven. But Davis is arrogant and could take someone who’s projected to go in the second, third, or even fourth rounds (see 2009 Oakland Raiders draft results). How’s Darrius Heyward-Bey working out for you?

9. Buffalo Bills – Derrick Morgan, DE. Georgia Tech
The Bills are a mess everywhere. However, when you look at their defense their front seven is pretty good already. So why do I have them taking another D-Lineman? They’re never all healthy. The Buffalo staff knows their playing style and a hard, tough defense is just what a cold, snowy and bitter condition calls for. There are a lot of questions for the offense, but the Bills know a solid defense is something to build upon.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Bulaga, OT. Iowa
I know that they really want Tim Tebow, but tenth overall is a little too high for the risks he brings. On the other hand, should he be available in the second round or via a trade, Bulaga would be a big help for his transition. Right now Jacksonville’s line is average at best and they already have a great running game.

11. Denver Broncos (via Chicago Bears) – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE. South Florida
Denver’s defense was far better in 09 than it was in 08, but there’s still work to be done. Coach Josh McDaniels seems pretty confident in his QB, Kyle Orton, and the rest of the offense. The Broncos need another guy besides Elvis Dumervil who can come from the outside. JPP can be a good fit for that.

12. Miami Dolphins – Carlos Dunlap, DE. Florida
He’s already a star in Florida and while there are character and technical issues with him, Dunlap would give the Dolphins a big defensive boost.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Trent Williams, OT. Oklahoma
It looks like they’re giving Alex Smith one more shot. I mean the guy wasn’t bad last year but having some protection will definitely help.

14. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos) – CJ Spiller, RB. Clemson
Remember how I said Julius Jones and Justin Forsett aren’t that scary? Spiller is.

15. New York Giants – Sergio Kindle, LB. Texas
After releasing Antonio Pierce, the Giants need to find someone who can be a menace in the front seven. I know McClain is higher on the board, but personally I think Kindle is the best LB going pro this year.

16. Tennessee Titans – Brian Price, DT. UCLA
You could totally see last year how much they missed Albert Haynesworth. Price isn’t even close to that talent, but he’ll give them the obstacle down the middle that made them go from 14-2 in 08 to 8-8 last year.

17. San Francisco 49ers (via Carolina Panthers) – Brandon Graham, LB. Michigan
If you think Mike Singletary isn’t using one of his two first round picks on a defensive player than you’re just ignorant.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Anthony Davis, OT. Rutgers
Another guy ESPN loves to fondle. Pittsburgh’s O-Line has been horrible (it was a miracle they won the Super Bowl like that). It’s time to address it before Big Ben gets hurt, again.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Bruce Campbell, OT. Maryland
Campbell is taking some time off from helping Michael Weston and the rest of the Burn Notice cast and coming to the NFL! OK, I just love his name and really wanted to say that. But in all seriousness (ha!), Matt Ryan needs more protection.

20. Houston Texans – Taylor Mays, S. USC
The defensive backfield’s inability to make any big plays or stops has been their Achilles. Mays takes them over the top and gives them exactly what they need. He’s a steal at 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Golden Tate, WR. Notre Dame
I am a huge Chad Ochocinco fan! But let’s face it, they really don’t have a dominant two or three WR. Tate fits that mold.

22. New England Patriots – Kyle Wilson, CB. Boise State
It didn’t take a genius to notice how little Bill Belichick trusted his defense last year. Watch that change with an overhaul, including Wilson.

23. Green Bay Packers – Mike Iupati, OG. Idaho
Iupati will be the best lineman on the board at this point and the Packers need someone who can help keep Aaron Rodgers upright. They had unarguably the worst pass protection in the league last year. This is a big upgrade for them.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Dan Williams, DT. Tennessee
The Eagles are a pretty solid team all around, but they have to address their need on the D-line.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Earl Thomas, S. Texas
Ed Reed is already contemplating retirement and the rest of the backfield is geriatric. The great Baltimore defense is aging and the team knows it’s time to get younger before it’s too late.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jermaine Gresham, TE. Oklahoma
Matt Lienart has a lot of skeptics. If he can’t do it with the addition of Gresham to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, then he can’t do it, period.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Maurkice Pouncey, C. Florida
He’s definitely used to blocking for a guy who likes to move around a lot.

28. San Diego Chargers – Jhavid Best, RB. Cal
LT is gone and all signs point to Darren Sproles being on his way out too. A complete overhaul of the running game has begun.

29. New York Jets – Brandon LaFell, WR. LSU
“Bobblin’” Braylon Edwards was supposed to be the guy for Mark Sanchez. LaFell gives the sophomore QB a new toy.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Jimmy Clausen, QB. Notre Dame
Like Brady Quinn and Aaron Rodgers before him, Clausen needs to get his parachute ready for the free fall. No Brett? No problem!

31. Indianapolis Colts – Charles Brown, OT. USC
The Colts really don’t NEED anything but it never hurts to have another lineman.

32. New Orleans Saints – Kareem Jackson, CB. Alabama
Wow, it’s just weird saying where the Super Bowl Champs are weak, isn’t it? I mean they just won a championship! They’re the best in the game! But I digress… New Orleans still needs help in the secondary.

Who Cares About Timing

For the first time in the history of the National Football League, the Pro Bowl is being played a week before the Super Bowl, in Miami.

Here’s my question though; were you going to watch it anyway?

If you’re an honest person, you’re answer is probably no. I can’t even claim that I have ever watched a Pro Bowl in my life, although I have caught a few glimpses of the other contests and festivities here and there on ESPN.

Of all the professional sports all-star games we have, the Pro Bowl is the least popular, ironically representing the most popular sport in the country.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been saying that he is pleased with the attention and publicity that this year’s Pro Bowl is getting. Really? Because all I have heard in newspapers, TV, and radio has been criticism and confusion. And even with that there are still a lot of people unaware that the Pro Bowl is being played a week before the Super Bowl. Not like they were going to watch it at its regular date anyway.

Goodell must be thinking “Bad press is better than no press.” People are tuning in and voicing their opinions about it because change makes things relevant.

Will this increase the ratings? Probably. People are going to tune in out of curiosity. Chances are it will be the highest rated game in the history of the Pro Bowl. However, the NFL cannot count on that to continue for long.

I’ve heard chatter and complaints about how the 13 players on the Colts and Saints won’t be playing in the Pro Bowl. Plus, stars like Tom Brady and Brett Favre have decided to sit this one out. In all honesty though, a lot of those guys wouldn’t be playing anyway.

Once fans begin to realize how many stars are missing, the silly rule changes and the hype of the scheduling difference calms, the attention will go back to the Super Bowl, and the ratings will die down, lower than they were before. With the biggest game of the year the following week, the Pro Bowl will be overlooked and forgotten, again.

The Pro Bowl cannot be moved to the middle of the NFL season, like it is with the other sports. Teams get in rhythms and grooves, and placing a league-wide week-long intermission would not only distract them, but also get in the way of the entire regular season as a whole.

Now, football needs an all-star game. Just voting somebody as an all-pro isn’t enough. The ratings might be low, but the chance to play in the Pro Bowl is an honor for a lot of NFL players.

Goodell and the other league executives should be satisfied with their biggest products; the regular season and Super Bowl. The sport is already the biggest in the country, and even though their all-star game is dismal compared to the rest of the business, they’re already in a great position.

This is a problem the NFL can afford to have. After-all, the game is supposed to be about showing the fans a good time.