Things That Make You Go HMMMM

When the New York Giants travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY on Sunday it will be the first time that the team from New York actually plays a game in the state of New York in 2,933 days.

The last time the Giants played in New York was December 12, 1999 when they defeated the Bills 19-17.

Through 4 Weeks of College Football, my thoughts

After four weeks of the football season, I think is about the right time to put value to the rankings that we have seen in magazines and newspaper since July. I think it is a shame that teams get penalized in the final rankings because some schmo didn’t think highly enough about a team when he saw them in shoulder pads and shorts, and is too stubborn to change his mind once he actually sees them play and realizes he was wrong.

I refuse to be one of those types, so here is what I have learned in the first 4 weeks of the college football season and how I would rank the top 30:

*A good coach with a well-disciplined team that can execute is far better than a bunch of under-achieving 5-star recruits (see Appalachian State)
*USC and LSU are BY FAR the 2 best teams in the country.
*There will be no Boise State Cinderella story in the BCS this year. TCU was a huge disappointment and Hawaii plays nobody and surely will not have a strong enough schedule to get an at-large selection.
*The SEC is overrated this year. This year they have 1 great team, 1 really good team and about 6 or 7 solid teams. I still think it is the best conference, but for the first time in a long time, 4 others could make a case (everyone except the ACC).
*The ACC is terrible. So how did that transition into a “football power” conference go? Boston College is the only ones pulling their weight. Can you imagine if they had not gotten VT and Miami too, Clemson would be the only team in the Top 25+5. What happened to the rest of the ACC powers from before the merge?
*Defense wins championships. Just ask Louisville (628 yards of total offense and 555 yards passing) and Texas Tech (718 total and 646 passing) both who lost after putting up these offensive numbers.
*Notre Dame is REALLY bad, and I LOVE it!!!!
*Joe Paterno needs to finally retire. Watching him be out-coached as badly as he did on Saturday was like watch Superman in a wheelchair, those things just should not happen.

1. USC (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Washington State 47-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ Washington

2. LSU (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs South Carolina 28-16
Next Game: 9-29 @ Tulane

3. OKLAHOMA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Tulsa 62-21
Next Game: 9-29 @ Colorado

4. FLORIDA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ole Miss 30-24
Next Game: 9-29 vs Auburn

5. WEST VIRGINIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs East Carolina 48-7
Next Game: 9-28 @ #14 South Florida

6. WISCONSIN (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Iowa 17-13
Next Game: 9-29 vs #23 Michigan State

7. CALIFORNIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arizona 45-27
Next Game: 9-29 @ #10 Oregon

8. TEXAS (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Rice 58-14
Next Game: 9-29 vs Kansas State

9. RUTGERS (3-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 9-29 vs Maryland

10. OREGON (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Stanford 55-21
Next Game: 9-29 vs #7 California

11. BOSTON COLLEGE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Army 37-17
Next Game: 9-29 vs Massachusetts

12. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Northwestern 58-7
Next Game: 9-29 @ Minnesota

13. CLEMSON (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ NC State 42-20
Next Game: 9-29 @ Georgia Tech

14. SOUTH FLORIDA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs North Carolina
Next Game: 9-28 vs # 5 West Virginia

15. KENTUCKY (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arkansas 42-29
Next Game: 9-29 vs Florida Atlantic

16. SOUTH CAROLINA (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ LSU 28-16
Next Game: 9-29 vs Mississippi State

17. GEORGIA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Alabama 26-23 (OT)
Next Game: 9-29 vs Mississippi

18. MISSOURI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Illinois State 38-17
Next Game: 10-6 vs #22 Nebraska

19. VIRGINIA TECH (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs William & Mary 44-3
Next Game: 9-29 vs North Carolina

20. PENN STATE (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Michigan 14-9
Next Game: 9-29 @ Illinois

21. ALABAMA (3-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Georgia 26-23 (OT)
Next Game: 9-29 @ Florida State

22. NEBRASKA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Ball State 41-40
Next Game: 9-29 vs Iowa State

23. MICHIGAN STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Notre Dame 31-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ #6 Wisconsin

24. ARIZONA STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Oregon State 44-32
Next Game: 9-29 @ Stanford

25. CINCINNATI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Marshall 40-14
Next Game: 9-29 @ San Diego State

NEXT 5:
26. Hawaii (4-0)- I refuse to have them in the Top 25 until they beat someone.
27. Purdue (4-0)- Irish fans, can you say “0-5?”
28. Miami FL (3-1)- Which Miami team will show up this week?
29. Michigan (2-2)- 2 losses and ranked? Last week was the real Michigan team.
30. UCLA (3-1)- What happened against Utah?

PENN STATE - NOTRE DAME GAME

My Trip Across Enemy Lines

Well, I did it, and if we are going to be honest here, I actually enjoyed it too. Now maybe it was the fact that I was able to go to a college football game free of charge. Or, maybe it was because I was with some great people and at some fun tailgate parties, the exact reason I cannot explain, but what I do know is that I actually enjoyed my Saturday afternoon in State College, Pennsylvania.

What may be worse than going to Penn State this weekend and enjoying it was the fact that I was actually cheering. Not just, hoping they would win, but I actually found myself clapping after scoring plays and defensive stands. Now, I insist that I was not cheering for Penn State, I was more cheering against Charlie Weis and Notre Dame and for the spread of 17.5 to be covered by Penn State, so I was not ever technically cheering for Penn State.

Okay, let’s relive the day.

The day started WAY too earlier as I awoke and prepared to go to Ross and Ashley’s place to be on the road by 8:00am. We left at 8:25 and again at roughly 8:40 after Ross circled around for a bit due to the Parkway being closed. After a surprisingly quick ride up to Happy Valley, which was filled with fun conversation, a call from Pete telling me how disappointed he was in me and a stop at Giant Eagle, we pulled into the parking lot, which, any other place in the world would be called an open grass field. I exited the car and almost immediately, someone commented on the white shirt that I chose to wear for the “White Out,” that Penn State was encouraging for tonight’s game. Penn State Steve had two rules when he offered me a ticket: Wear a white shirt and don’t root for Notre Dame, so I thought my Tyler Palko jersey was completely appropriate. As I walked through the open pastures to meet Steve at his tailgate, I heard many more comments about the shirt. Just think how harsh the comments would be if Penn State cared about Pitt.

After hanging out with Steve at his tailgate, we moved on to the next tailgate to meet Mr. Jeffrey Brancolini and his crew at a tailgate that was conveniently only one lot away. The reception I got at this tailgate was much better, as I had the older crowd actually boo me, and remember Penn State fans don’t even care about Pitt.

After receiving a text message from Jeremiah stating that LeSean McCoy had scored three touchdowns in his first four carries for Pitt, I became much more comfortable wearing my Pitt jersey knowing that a repeat of the Appalachian State-Michigan game would not happen at Heinz Field. Feeling more relaxed and comfortable, I decided to play a little Cornhole, and Team Pitt (myself and Adam Henry, another Pitt fan) defeated Team Penn State handily, 21-6. After a little while longer Ross and Ashley decided to walk back towards campus and see some sites. I decided tailgate number three was still awaiting my presence so I made my way over to the party bus that we had originally planned on riding up.

Dan, the host of this tailgate, was awaiting my arrival, but he was it. That tailgate was probably the harshest about the Palko jersey. One gentleman told me that I was not welcome on the bus, and another told me to leave the tailgate entirely (both jokingly…I think). Good thing Penn State fans don’t care about Pitt. Actually, that tailgate was full of fun people, good food and lots of cold beverages. All and all, it was a good time, but all good things must come to an end as kickoff approached, and I actually would be bringing myself to walking into Beaver Stadium to watch my two most hated teams.

I met back with Steve and changed my shirt, to a Penn State t-shirt that my uncle had given me to wear. It did not say PENN STATE or NITTANY LIONS anywhere on the shirt, so I was okay with wearing it. We made our way to the stadium and our seats and unfortunately, everyone I talked to was nicer than the person before. At this point, I was kind of struggling because I felt like, at some point, I would want to get into the game, and Penn State was actually winning me over.

We arrived at our seats as the Blue Band was finishing up their pre-game routine (they were really good, Pitt should try to schedule them in the future) and the team was about to take the field.

JUST A FEW OBSERVATIONS AT THIS POINT:
*Beaver Stadium is really big.
*Everyone was wearing white, and I do mean EVERYONE.
*For the first time ever that I have seen, the Notre Dame fan section was basically non-existent. *Penn State either is in denial or celebrates some odd years around the top of the stadium. Last time I checked Texas won the National Championship in 2005.

Okay on to the game. This game set offenses back at least 20 years. JoePa felt right at home. Both teams either have the greatest defensive units to ever set foot on the gridiron or completely incompetent offenses; I am going with the latter, although the Penn State defense was good. In the first half the two teams combined for four turnovers, one missed field goal, two defensive or special teams touchdowns and nine punts, including one on each of the last six Notre Dame possessions. As halftime came around, I was safe, not once had I cheered for either team. I was half way home.

The second half started with a Penn State scoring drive. Not so fast, the high paced offense led by Anthony Morelli kicked a field goal after gaining 7 yards on 3 plays. It was really disappointing to see so many gifted athletes on the field at the same time being held back by two quarterbacks in which it was obvious the coaching staffs had no real confidence that they could lead their given team.

The fourth quarter came along, and I actually was into the game and cheering. Penn State was up 24-10 (read 14 points) and all I needed was one more touchdown to cover the spread, and the Lions were driving. After Austin Scott scored to give Penn State a 21 point lead, they nearly gave back that fast. Penn State, whose defense had not given up more than 12 yards on a drive since Notre Dame’s opening drive, all of the sudden got soft on me, and I saw a second straight week of coaching decisions by JoePa reminding me of the reasons I have always known deep down why I hate the old man. Fortunately, Jimmy Clausen fixed that by throwing an interception with just over 6 minutes remaining sealing the deal. Game over, Charlie Weis and Notre Dame lose and Penn State covers the 17.5. Everybody’s a winner!

Overall, I had a great time for the game. I will say one thing about Penn State; the people there sure do know how to plan a football game and all the days’ activities around it.

POST-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
*The stadium and atmosphere was absolutely electric from the moment the game began until the last seconds ticked off the clock.
*I loved how non-commercialized the event was. Being at Pitt games, you get used to sitting on your hands and at every timeout a commercial being played on the jumbo-tron. Not here, no jumbo-tron, no commercials, just the band playing upbeat, CURRENT music to keep the fans and students into the game. Pitt could learn a thing or 500 from taking in just one football event at Beaver Stadium (I called it an event, because all day the feel was that you were in for much more than a game).
*The “S” in the student section is really cool.
*WE ARE…PENN STATE is still the dumbest cheer in college sports. Are you not sure? Are you reminding each other what school you have dumped thousands of dollars into? I just cannot under stand that one, sorry.

What, did you really think I would end with high praise of Penn State?

2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

It is time for my favorite sporting season of the year - COLLEGE football season!! I love March Madness and college hoops, but college football has the week in and week out hype and excitement that is not quite matched until March Madness. So, without any more delay, being that we are now one day from opening kickoff, here is my college football preview. Included are my preseason TOP 25, my Heisman finalists and winner, as well as predictions sure to go wrong. Let’s get started!

1. Southern Cal
TEAM STRENGTHS:
With all the Heisman winners and high-powered offensive weapons we have seen in years past at USC, people tend to forget that Pete Carroll is a defensive minded coach. These people will be reminded of this early and often throughout the 2007 season. The defense will return 10 of 11 starters from a stellar squad last season. That defense ranked 11th in the nation allowing just 15.2 ppg, and never allowed more than 26 (Oregon State scored 33, but 1 touchdown came on a punt return). They also were the ninth best in the country against the run, holding teams to just 91.1 yards per game. With this talented group on the field (one preseason publication had as many as 7 of the 11 starters in their top three All-American teams), the young offense will not be pressured to put up big points, as it has been able to do in recent years.
TEAM WEAKNESSES:
Hold your breath with this one, but the skill positions are “weak” this season at USC. However, I hesitate to use the term weak when referring to this group of players. Although the Trojans are replacing both starting wide receivers, as well as their starting running back and fullback from last year, these players are hardly pushovers. The expected starters as WR are Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton. Turner was ranked the #2 overall recruit and #1 WR in 2005, and Hazelton, the #7 overall and #2 WR in 2006. The running back position is much of the same, with nine players competing for the starting job as camp opened this fall. Sophomore Emmanuel Moody, who gained 459 yards for the Trojans last year, announced last week that he is transferring from USC, which leaves the starting job race to really just three names. Chaucey Washington is the front-runner to win the starting job, as he ran for 744 yards last season, but sophomore Stafon Johnson and heralded freshman Joe McKnight expect to see a lot of action as well. McKnight, who was last years #1 overall recruit in the country, is already drawing comparisons to former USC running back and Heisman winner Reggie Bush.
SCHEDULE:
USC plays four teams in this year’s preseason top 25: Sept. 15th @ Nebraska, Nov. 3rd vs Oregon State, Nov. 10th @ Cal, Dec. 1st vs UCLA. Although the trip to Lincoln to face Nebraska in a night game would be most teams’ most difficult challenge, it is not for USC. I give Pete Carroll a ton of credit for going out and playing a good non-conference schedule year in and year out, regardless of home or away. Programs and coaches could learn from this. USC plays only one home non-conference game this season.
TOUGHEST GAME:
The game @ Cal could very well determine the Pac-10 champion this season. This Cal team is as good as any non-USC team that the Pac-10 has seen in recent years.
PREDICTION SURE TO GO WRONG:
USC is by far the most talented team in the country, but that ever-growing target on their back just keeps getting bigger and bigger every game. I think they will drop a game this year, but like Florida last year, they will bounce back and go on to win the National Championship.

2. LSU
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Defense, defense and more defense. This defense might be even better than the one in Los Angeles. Although LSU lost two key members of the last year’s defense to the NFL in LaRon Landry and Chase Pittman, they still return eight starters from a defense that has quickly gained a reputation as one of the fiercest and fastest in the nation. That defense, led by DE Tyson Jackson and DT Glenn Dorsey, ranked in the top four in the nation last year in points per game (12.6, 4th), passing yards per game (145.7, 3rd) and total defense (242.8, 3rd).
TEAM WEAKNESSES:
The biggest question mark for LSU is who is going to fill the shoes of #1 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, JaMarcus Russell. The two leading candidates are sophomore Ryan Perrilloux and senior Matt Flynn. The two combined have one start, albeit a dandy by Flynn in the 2005 Peach Bowl, which earned him game MVP honors.
SCHEDULE:
The Tigers have a very favorable schedule this season. LSU does play five games against top 25 teams, but all five are at home, including the non-conference showdown with #11 Virginia Tech.
TOUGHEST GAME:
With South Carolina, Auburn, Arkansas and defending champions Florida all traveling to Death Valley to play, the toughest game on the schedule might be away from home. The trip to Tuscaloosa to square off with former Tiger leader Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide has a game of drama and high tension written all over it.
PREDICTION SURE TO GO WRONG:
Nobody gets through the SEC undefeated anymore. The talent is just too deep week in and week out. I like LSU to be tripped up by Alabama after coming off of a big win versus Auburn. That one loss will keep them from playing for the national title.

3. West Virginia
TEAM STRENGTHS:
SPEED!!! This off-season WVU had new FieldTurf installed at Milan Puskar Stadium, going with the theory that newer turf means faster turf. This is not a good sign for Big East defenses if that theory proves true. QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton are two of the most gifted athletes and dangerous runners in the country. Now, put them together in the same backfield and YIKES!!! It’s tough enough for teams to slow down one star runner, but the Mountaineers have White, who already owns the Big East career rushing record after two seasons (remember both Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb played in the Big East) and Slaton, who last year set the school’s single season rushing record. With both averaging over seven yards a carry, it puts defenses in a tough spot. Pick your poison, but beware, both could kill you!
TEAM WEAKNESSES:
Teams were able to throw at will last year against the Mountaineers, who allowed 243.3 ypg through the air, ranking 109th in the nation. There are two reasons for that stat, though. One, WVU scored early and often in games last year, forcing teams to pass while playing from behind. The second reason is the personnel. However, the Mountaineers return four of five starters in their defensive backfield in the unique 3-3-5 scheme played by Rich Rodriguez. That should help considerably, but then again, teams figure to be behind early and often again this year, too.
SCHEDULE:
West Virginia’s schedule is nearly identical to that played last year by the Mountaineers. Just replace directional Washington early on last year with directional Michigan as the home opener this year. WVU does play two BCS conference teams outside of league play, but Maryland and Mississippi State are not exactly powerhouse programs. Plus, the Mountaineers get Louisville at home this year in a game, that will most likely be under the lights in Morgantown, where NOBODY wins.
TOUGHEST GAME:
The obvious choices are the other two Big East front-runners, Louisville and a trip to Rutgers, but I am going a different direction with this one. That direction is south, as in South Florida. The Bulls beat WVU last year in Morgantown and have the fast, aggressive style of defense needed to slow down the Mountaineer’s rushing attack. Throw that on top of the game being played in the September heat in Tampa, and we should have a wild one.
PREDICTION SURE TO GO WRONG:
West Virginia will remember the loss to USF last year and send a message to the rest of the country with an overwhelming performance at Raymond James Stadium as the Rich Rod puts an extra touchdown or two on the scoreboard for emphasis. I think the Mountaineers run the table and end up in the national championship game against USC. Do you remember that USC defense that I mentioned earlier? The West Virginia offense finally finds a defense that can handle them and loses to the Trojans.

4. Texas
TEAM STRENGTHS:
The big boys up front on the defensive line will run the show this year in Austin. The Longhorns gave up just 61.2 ypg on the ground last year, good enough for third best in the nation. Wide bodies DT Frank Okam (6-5, 320) along with fellow DT Derek Lokey are both back to anchor the line again this season. Both of these players are coming off injuries that led to the late season collapse last year with UT losing their final two regular season games. The Longhorns gave up just 551 yard on the ground their first 11 games, but Texas A&M ran for 244 in the season finale. If these two come back strong this season, it could lead to a long season for backs across Big XII country.
TEAM WEAKNESSES:
The offensive line has to be a big concern for Mack Brown and Co. this year. They lose three starters from last year’s unit, which struggled mightily running the ball last year. Also, the team must be able to keep All-Everything QB Colt McCoy healthy (talk about a perfect name for a Texas kid playing QB). McCoy took a beating in his first year in D1 and by the end of the year, it showed. McCoy got hurt early on against Kansas State, and Texas lost. He was also not full strength against archrival Aggies, and it showed when he threw three interceptions as the Aggies pulled off the upset. If the O-line gels and keeps McCoy healthy, the offense could be firing on all cylinders with wideouts Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman back and big-time runner Jamaal Charles ready to carry the load this season after having to split carries with Selvin Young last year.
SCHEDULE:
Texas probably has the easiest schedule of any of the Top 5 teams. They play no conference games against other BCS teams and get both Nebraska and Oklahoma in Texas; Oklahoma in Dallas for the annual Red River Shootout. Non-conference foes Arkansas State, Central Florida and Rice will not scare anyone, but do not overlook TCU. They could be this year’s Boise State, and definitely will not be a walkover early on the schedule.
TOUGHEST GAME:
Year in and year out, no matter who is good or who is having a down year, the day after Thanksgiving is always the biggest game on the schedule for both Texas and Texas A&M. This year is no different, but with it being in College Station, following a year when the Aggies went to Austin to knock off the Longhorns, this game could be even more interesting than usual, especially if the Big XII South title is on the line.
PREDICTION SURE TO GO WRONG:
This is a talented, but very young Texas team. They may still be one year away. With only 13 starters returning, the second fewest in the Big XII South, this team will struggle early on. TCU in week 2 will be a battle most would not expect, but UT will prevail. I see two possible losses on the schedule in Oklahoma and A&M, but since both are rivalry games, it is tough to pick a winner. I think it will be a second straight year of missing out in the Big XII title game for Texas.

5. Florida
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Urban Meyer, simply put. Probably the best offensive mind in college football and also arguably the best recruiter in the game give Florida faithful the comfort of knowing that even though they have just six returning starters from the national championship team there will always be hope.
TEAM WEAKNESSES:
Inexperience at nearly every position will force the gators to learn in a hurry. With only SS Tony Joiner returning from the defensive starting line-up in the BCS title game just eight months ago, the defense will be a work in progress all season. There is plenty of talent, but nobody is proven to fill-in for the like of Jarvis Moss, Reggie Nelson and Brandon Siler, all who have moved on to the NFL. The inexperience does not just show on defense for the Gators either, with Tim Tebow under center, who threw just 33 times last year. Tebow is also the teams leading returning rusher, followed closely by WR Percy Harvin. Are you starting to understand the whole inexperience factor?
SCHEDULE:
Florida plays in the SEC where there are no easy games, okay well maybe the Mississippi duo, but for the most part every game is a challenge. This year the Gators get two weeks to grow before they jump into that SEC schedule with Tennessee coming to town, and that could be one of the easier games considering that it is at least at The Swamp. Florida has a brutal three game stretch in October against LSU, Kentucky and Georgia, none of which are home games. Thor in a trip to Columbia, South Carolina to visit the “Ole Ball Coach” and this may be the toughest schedule of any of the preseason top 25.
TOUGHEST GAME:
With Tennessee, Auburn and Florida State all @ Ben Hill Griffin Stadium the Gators need to worry about the road games this year. None of those road games will be as tough as the first real road challenge at Death Valley against LSU on October 6th. That game could make those youngsters grow up very fast.
PREDICTIONS SURE TO GO WRONG:
Billy Donovan was able to defend his title for the Gators, Meyer will not. The schedule is just too tough this year and the SEC East is too good. If this young unit can get through this year with just one or two losses, it would be a huge success, and it would give everyone a quick glimpse of what could come in 2008.

6. Wisconsin
OVERVIEW: Led by sophomore running back PJ Hill expect second year coach Bret Bielema to continue to put up points like he did last season. The Badgers averaged 29.2 points per game and return nine starters from that offensive unit. The defense will not be your typical Big Ten defense, but the offense should put up enough points that is should not matter much.
SCHEDULE: The trip to Happy Valley is the only real challenge the Badger face until November when they run into Ohio State and Michigan in back-to-back weeks. They start the season against Pac-10 bottom feeder Washington State.

7. Oklahoma
OVERVIEW: The athletes are in Norman for a big season; they just need to find a quarterback to spread the ball around. Freshman Sam Bradford has won that starting spot, and if he can get the offense moving the defense will do its part as it always seems to do under Bob Stoops.
SCHEDULE: OU misses Nebraska this year and has an easy non-conference schedule minus the Miami (FL) game week 2. That puts all the emphasis on the Big XII schedule, which is also pretty favorable for the Sooners, getting A&M, Missouri and Oklahoma State all at home

8. Michigan
OVERVIEW: Michigan returns their top four offensive players in Heisman possible RB Mike Hart, QB Chad Henne, WR Mario Manningham and sure fire first rounder OT Jake Long. The defense however could use some retooling after replacing five of the front seven that made the Wolverines to tough last year.
SCHEDULE: Michigan has a brutal first month of the season with games versus Oregon, Notre Dame and Penn State in consecutive weeks, luckily for fans of the Big Blue all of those games are at home. The Wolverines also get archrival Ohio State in the Big House this year to end the season.

9. Cal
OVERVIEW: Nate Longshore is the next in the long list of talented quarterbacks that coach Jeff Tedford has produced while at Cal. In his first year as a starter, Longshore passed for over 3,000 yards and threw 24 touchdown passes. Expect Longshore and explosive WR DeSean Jackson to do more of the same this season.
SCHEDULE: Cal has a very favorable schedule with three of their toughest games at home. It starts in week 1 as the Golden Bears welcome Tennessee, who beat-up Cal badly in the opener last year 35-18. Cal also gets Oregon State and USC in Berkeley this year.

10. Louisville
OVERVIEW: Brian Brohm is back and so is maybe the best WR Corp. in the nation with Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas. Throw in a wide-open offense by new head coach Steve Kragthorpe and the Cardinals should be a dangerous and exciting team to watch again this year.
SCHEDULE: Louisville goes on the road for two non-conference games against BCS conference teams Kentucky and N.C State. The Cardinals also have to travel to West Virginia and South Florida in a brutal three game stretch to end the season, which also includes the season finale versus Rutgers.

11. Virginia Tech
OVERVIEW: Okay, I am going to be the bad guy here and say that I think Virginia Tech is overrated in most preseason polls that I have seen. I realize that it will be an emotional season, a very inspirational season, and a way that the Hokie nation can come together after the killings in Blacksburg last April, but this team is not a top 5-6 or even 10 team. They return eight players from a spectacular defense, and eight from a very sub par offense. An offense that failed to rank in the to 80 in the nation in passing, rushing or total offense.
SCHEDULE: Luckily the Hokie nation will be able to celebrate early in the season at Lane Stadium against the powers that Frank Beamer has scheduled like East Carolina, Ohio U and William & Mary. Unfortunately, they also have to travel to LSU early on. That will be a wake up call. What do you think; do the Hokies get the ball past the 50 against LSU?

12. Rutgers
OVERVIEW: The Scarlet Knights will not sneak up on people this year, but they will still be a force to be reckoned with. Head coach Greg Schiano has built a nice program in New Jersey, but that was with no expectations. It will be interesting to see what he can do to follow up last year’s surprising success. It will not hurt having Heisman candidate Ray Rice to give the ball to20-30 times a game.
SCHEDULE: Rutgers has some cakewalks early on and play only four road games this season. They also get West Virginia at home on a Thursday night for a revenge game that knocked the Scarlet Knights from a BCS bowl last season.

13. Georgia
OVERVIEW: After a disappointing year last year Mark Richt will be back near the top of the SEC again this year. He is returning seven players on an offense that struggled at time last year, but one of them is QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford won out the starting spot last year as a true freshman and looks to be a team leader in his second year. The defense will have to replace DB Tony Taylor and seven other starters from last year’s team. Taylor led the team in both tackles and interceptions a year ago.
SCHEDULE: Give Richt and the Georgia AD credit, they go out and start with Oklahoma State the first game of the season with a showdown against South Carolina in week 2. We will learn a lot about the Bulldogs and what kind of leadership Stafford can display early on this season.

14. The Ohio State University
OVERVIEW: What do you get when you lose a Heisman winning QB, a running back that rushed for 14 touchdowns and a pair of receivers that combined for 110 catches, 1,515 yards and 17 touchdowns? A young team, but an extremely talented young team the way that Jim Tressel recruits. James Laurinaitis, will be the best LB in the conference for a second straight year as he anchors the defense. Todd Boeckman, who has threw three passes last year will take over the offense.
SCHEDULE: Luckily for Boeckman the Buckeyes play absolutely nobody in the non-conference. They do play at Washington, so I guess you can give them credit for scheduling a BCS conference team. I hope that after the other three non-conference games with Akron, Kent State and Youngstown State Governor Ted Strickland will present Tressel with a state championship trophy, otherwise why are they playing these teams.

15. UCLA
OVERVIEW: Beating USC in last year’s finale opened the eyes to many people who thought that Los Angeles was a one team city. Karl Dorrell has turned that program around and looks to continue that momentum forward into 2007. The Bruins return 21 of 22 starters from last year’s team and could do some damage out west. It is a shame that nobody notices them.
SCHEDULE: A three game stretch midway through the schedule could tell us a lot about the Bruins. A trip to Oregon State then home games with Notre Dame and Cal could either have the Bruins eyeing a showdown with USC for the Pac-10 title or licking there wounds as they try to regroup against the likes of Washington State and Arizona.

16. Nebraska
OVERVIEW: Sam Keller, an Arizona State transfer, finally gives Bill Callahan his stud quarterback to run his West Coast passing offense that he has lacked the first few years in Lincoln. Keller averaged over 270 ypg and threw for 20 touchdowns in his last season as a Sun Devil.
SCHEDULE: Nebraska wants to make a statement to the nation that they are back in week 3 against USC. They also luck out by missing Oklahoma this year, but to make a mark on the Big XII they will have to win their two big road games in October. The first is at Missouri and the second is in Austin versus the Longhorns.

17. Missouri
OVERVIEW: When Mr. Versatility Brad Smith left Missouri after four years of running the show as quarterback panic set in throughout the Show Me State. In comes sophomore Chase Daniels who set school records in his first year as a starter in touchdown (28), passing years (3,527) and total yards (3,906). Daniels returns this year with a slew of talent around him including fellow backfield mate Tony Temple who rushed for 1,063 yards last year.
SCHEDULE: Starting the season at Illinois and Mississippi seems like a nice way to begin, but Ron Zook has been turning things around for the Illini so the Tigers need to be careful with that one. The home showdown with Nebraska Oct 6th is expected to produce the Big XII North winner.

18. Auburn
OVERVIEW: Auburn returns seven starters on a defense that ranked 7th in the nation last year in points allowed. That defense will have to be the leaders again as the offense does not have much to get excited about, then again when was the last time the Auburn offense was a fun offense to watch. Yet, they still keep winning.
SCHEDULE: The first four games of the season are home, with BCS conference foes Kansas State and South Florida in weeks one and two. I am not expecting much from K-State but the USF game could be interesting. Auburn has a brutal SEC schedule, going on the road against Florida, LSU, Arkansas and Georgia.

19. Penn State
OVERVIEW: One thing is for sure; JoePa has some offensive weapons in Happy Valley this year. Two things are not for sure though. Number one, can Anthony Morelli distribute the ball to all the athletes? Number two, will a offensive line that was bad last year and lost two starters from that team give him time to distribute the ball? The defense will be the typical Penn State defense, great linebackers that lead a bend but don’t break squad.
SCHEDULE: Unquestionably the worst schedule of any of the top 25 teams. First, they do not have a road game (Penn State playing at Temple doesn’t count as a road game, sorry). Second, look at the teams they are playing non-conference: Notre Dame (great rivalry that should have never ended, Penn State has a lot of those), Temple (good to see Joe scheduling the state-rivals), Florida International and Buffalo. Here is how bad those last three teams are, Temple is the best of the bunch. CBS Sportsline ranks the top 119 and these teams rank 116 (Temple), 118 (Buffalo) and 119 (FIU). Do not worry Penn State fans, next year you will get to see Coastal Carolina and Arkansas State. No wonder Paterno is the second winningest coach in history.

20. Tennessee
OVERVIEW: QB Erik Ainge returns for his senior season in Knoxville and has a bunch of options when it comes to spreading the ball around. The RB duo of Arian Foster and LaMarcus Coker are as dangerous as you will find and the young wide receivers are exciting playmakers. The defense will be solid again, led by FS Jonathan Hefney who had five picks last year.
SCHEDULE: The first game of the season will tell us a lot about both Cal and the Vols. Tennessee won big last year when these two teams met, but this year it will be played on the west coast and things could be different this time around. In the SEC, the Vols miss both LSU and Auburn and get Georgia, South Carolina and Arkansas all at Neyland Stadium.

21. Arkansas
OVERVIEW: Arkansas does not have a very solid quarterback this year, but I do not think many Razorback fans will worry much, because what they do have is Darren McFadden. Darren McFadden did it all for the Razorbacks last year. He ran for 1,647 yards and 14 touchdowns. He threw nine times last year, completing seven of them, three of which went for touchdowns. He also is the key part to the Arkansas “wildcat” offense, which features him behind center in shotgun formation and fellow running back Felix Jones either as a wide receiver in motion or in the backfield. This duo ran for over 2,800 yards last year.
SCHEDULE: The non-conference is garbage, with North Texas, Troy, FIU and Chattanooga (okay, this one is even worse than Penn State). The Razorbacks miss Florida this year, but have enough other difficult road games to make up for it. They travel to Alabama, Tennessee and LSU this year.

22. Texas A&M
OVERVIEW: The Aggies smash mouth style will be back again this year as the Aggies return eight starters from an offense that rushed for over 200 ypg. The Thunder and Lightening rushing attack is led by man-child Jorvorskie Lane (6-0, 263) who scored 19 touchdowns last year, with Mike Goodson as the lightening. Goodson ran for nearly 7 yards every time he touched the ball as a freshman last season.
SCHEDULE: The game at Miami (FL) will tell us a lot about the Aggies before they begin Big XII play. The schedule gets tough towards the end with four games in a five games stretch are away from College Station. Follow that stretch with a welcome home gift: The Texas Longhorns.

23. Hawaii
OVERVIEW: This is plain and simple; Hawaii will score a lot. So much that it does not matter that the defense is atrocious. The Warriors ranked first in every passing category created last year with Colt Brennan leading the way by throwing 40 times a game. This team is fun to watch and will win a lot of games, but they will get embarrassed if they are this year’s Boise State and play one of the big dogs in a bowl game.
SCHEDULE: First things first, the WAC is nothing compared to the BCS conferences. That being said Hawaii plays, nobody all year. They should go undefeated, but let us all hope that the strength of schedule factor keeps them out of the BCS, because that game could get ugly when they actually have to play someone that has talent, can score, but can also play defense.

24. Oregon State
OVERVIEW: Can you remember last year when Oregon State shocked USC? That was a preview to this year’s team. 15 starters return from that team including Yvenson Bernard who rushed for 1,307 last year. The defense returns their entire line backing corp. and both starting corners. If sophomore Shane Canfield can lead the offense, this team could be shocking teams as they did last year on a weekly basis.
SCHEDULE: The Beavers open with a challenge against Utah, then travel across the country to Cincinnati. OSU also has USC and Cal on the road this year. The game on Sept 29th versus UCLA should determine the third dog in the Pac-10 championship race.

25. South Carolina
OVERVIEW: Steve Spurrier with a senior quarterback whom he has groomed for a few years, that is a scary vision for defenses in the SEC. The Brinkley twins, Jasper and Casper (not even I could make that up) will lead a veteran group on defense that returns seven players.
SCHEDULE: THE SEC schedule makers were not kind to Spurrier and Co. The Gamecocks play road games at Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas. They do however miss Auburn and get Florida at home. USC came within a blocked extra point from beating the gator in The Swamp last year, you can bet they are looking for revenge this time around.

FIVE OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH FOR IN 2007:
Georgia Tech- How can they be good after losing Calvin Johnson? Well, they also lost erratic QB Reggie Ball, addition by subtraction.
TCU- The best defense you don’t know about…YET.
Alabama- Two words: Nick Saban
South Florida- Getting the leftovers from the Big 3 in Florida is starting to pay off.
Miami (FL)- Randy Shannon has the player to turn that program around quickly.

MORE PREDICTIONS SURE TO GO WRONG:
ACC Champion: Virginia Tech is another down season in the ACC
Big East Champion: West Virginia, handling both Louisville and Rutgers with ease this season
Big Ten Champion: Wisconsin will edge out Michigan
Big XII Champion: Best team will be Texas, but Oklahoma will win the championship game
Pac-10 Champion: Everyone wants to see someone else, but it just is not going to happen, USC
SEC Champion: LSU wins the championship, but is still left out of the title game.

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs Cal
Fiesta Bowl: Louisville vs Texas
Orange Bowl: Florida vs Virginia Tech
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs Oklahoma
National Championship Game: USC vs West Virginia
National Champion: USC
Heisman Trophy winner: Steve Slaton, RB, WVU

Barry Bonds' place in the record books

Curt Schilling started it this week on his appearance on Bob Costas’ HBO show Costas Now. Schilling talked about what a disgrace it is to see guys like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire in the record books. He talked about how these cheaters should be punished harshly and not rewarded for tainting America’s Pastime.

Curt Schilling started it, now it is time for the rest of baseball to stand up and follow his lead. It is time for the rest of baseball to be as disgraced with Barry Bonds as Schilling. It is time for the rest of baseball to stand up and do something about it.

Barry Bonds knows that no one wants to see him break the most storied record in sports. He seems to be driven to break that record just to make everyone in baseball have to reference him as the greatest home run hitter ever. In an interview with Baseball Digest Bonds said:

“The game has changed. Records are made to be broken, and whatever happens
in the future, we should allow it to happen on its own and not question
it. We are not machines. We are human beings.”

That is a very interesting quote. I can’t help thinking of Ivan Drago from Rocky 4 saying those types of things before his fights. Can’t you picture Bonds someday while talking to himself about the record saying things like, “I must break you,” and “If (it) dies, (it) dies.” I think that would be fantastic.

In complete honesty, I agreed 100% with what Bonds said in that quote. I agree that records are meant to be broken. Barry Bonds has broken many records in his baseball career. I think he should be in the record books forever. To do this however we will need the help of every pitcher and manager in the league. Lets give Barry Bonds a record that isn’t made to be broken, a record that will live forever, the all-time intentional walk record. Coming into this season Bonds had more than double Hank Aaron, which is 2nd all-time in IBB. Just for good measure lets make sure that he will always be #1 in that category.

There you have it, my solution for baseball. Never give him another pitch to hit! Never let him swing the bat again.

The Florida Marlins did this last night after Bonds hit #754. They walked him the next four times he came to bat. Lets hope the rest of baseball does the same.

A Mid-Summer Nights thoughts

SUMMER THOUGHTS


Yeah I know it has been too long, but I am back! And I have plenty of ammunition for this Rant.

The big question is where should I start. I mean, we have the good, (college football season is almost here), the bad (gambling referees and Barry Bonds is almost at 755) and the ugly (everything related to Michael Vick).

Well, let’s just go in order. College football season, maybe my favorite time of year. The season officially started on July 17th when EASports released NCAA 08. By the way, The Reitmeyer Invitational will be held this weekend and I will have a detailed summary of the events for the next Rant. But back to actual football, not the video game stuff, I am like a kid before Christmas I am so giddy. I am paging through all the different preview magazines as if I was looking through catalogs making my list for Santa.

I have already started my homework to release my preseason Top 25 (expect it mid-August). I have also been working on getting some D1 players from the area to do a weekly interview this year featured on The Rant as the season moves on.

Before I move on from my glory and giddiness of the upcoming college football season I will throw out some thoughts for discussion.

*The only way USC doesn’t go undefeated is if they beat themselves. This is the most talented and deepest team yet under Pete Carroll.

*Say what you want about the Big East (just remember they went 5-0 in bowls last year), but you may not find two better, more exciting and more high-powered offenses in the country then you will find at Louisville and West Virginia. Louisville returns all 11 starters on offense and WVU returns 8. Between the two, they have three VERY legit Heisman hopefuls in Louisville’s Brett Brohm and WVU’s Pat White and Steve Slaton.

*The Big preTENd will be overrated AGAIN. As I said repeatedly last year and was proven repeatedly during bowl season the Big Ten looks impressive, but they can’t beat ANYONE outside their conference. Michigan is in everyone’s preseason top 5, and they play NOBODY this year so we could see another blowout national title game because a Big Ten team runs the table in a league that is terrible. Let’s all hope this doesn’t happen again.

Okay, for the bad. How would you like to be a commissioner in one of the Big 3 major sports? Easy gig right? Not this week.

I truly don’t know who has it worse, Bud Selig or David Stern. Bud Selig for having to go to watch some juiced up hitter taint baseball record books by breaking the most storied record in all of sports, or David Stern who has to deal with possibly the worst thing possible for any sport, the idea of a ref fixing games. The idea of the purity of the game is no longer existent.

Given the choice I would be Selig.

Look at previous gambling issues in sports; these are the types of things people don’t forget. Google "sports gambling" and of course you will find all the sports books and gambling sites, but you will also see two distinct names. Go ahead, take a guess who, because years later they are still the names on everyone’s tongue when it comes to gambling on sports, Pete Rose and the Black Sox, specifically Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Yet, Selig is stuck watching a sure-fire Hall of Famer in Bonds make a mockery of the game by breaking the most storied record in baseball, while those other legends of the game are left out of the HoF for gambling on baseball (allegedly in Jackson’s case). However, let’s not all feel so bad for Selig. He has had every opportunity to address the issue of steroids in baseball and everyone turned their backs on it because it was good for the game, “Chicks dig the long ball.” Hell, they even promoted it with the McGwire/Sosa chase in ’98. Is there a fan out there that didn’t think that at least one of those two were literally JACKED as they kept jacking the ball out of stadiums made for natural sized human beings? Yet Selig and the rest of the owners ignored it. Well, Bud this is what you get. I hope that it takes Bonds the rest of the year to break the record so you have to go to every single Giants game for the rest of the year. You created the problem; you need to deal with it.

All that said, and I would still rather be Selig in a heartbeat over David Stern right now. Stern is coming off a terrible season for the NBA where the ratings were WAY down for the playoffs and that was due to the terribly boring playoffs that were provided by the league. The only reason that the NHL is not ahead of the NBA in fan base after last year’s debacle of a season is that 80% of the country still thinks the NHL is on strike because they do not get the Versus network.

THEN this bombshell drops.

There is nothing worse in sports then the idea of a game not being pure. The idea that you just spent your hard earned money to watch a game that was decided long before you got your first beer, just doesn’t sit right with most fans. The ones that it does sit right with are watching WWE.

The NBA has a ton of big name stars to showcase and parade around, but this will take much more than LeBron and Greg Oden playing on Christmas Day to get some fans back. This is worse then you could imagine. Think the ’94 baseball strike that cancelled the World Series and times it by 50. You could bring back Jordan, Bird, and Magic and it STILL wouldn’t be enough to have fans forget about the fact that a ref fixed games.

Enough of that, onto the UGLY.

I wish the absolute worst to Michael Vick. I was never a fan of his, being that he played for Virginia Tech and I’ve always thought he was a vastly overrated NFL quarterback, but all that a side I wish a long and painful life of suffering for this man (I use the term MAN very loosely).

I don’t want to get into many details on this because frankly some of the things that he is being accused of are just simply to disturbing to discuss. Bottom line is that he needs to go away to jail for a LONG, LONG TIME! Unfortunately our country has eased up on the death penalty, because I would love for Michael, for a split second while sitting in an electric chair, feel just as the dogs did that he electrocuted for losing a fight.

CHAO RON MEXICO!

JoePaLEEEEZZE!!!!!

JoePaLEEEEZZE!!!!!

It has been a while, but I’m finally back. There has been so much that I have wanted to talk about in the past month and a half, but with my schedule, it has been really tough.

I mean I missed Zach Johnson win the Masters, or should I say Tiger Woods lose the Masters. I never wrote about the Final Four. I missed the chance to write about the TERRIBLE decision made by the NBA, which ruined the playoffs. I also missed the great upset story of the playoffs, with Golden State beating the Dallas Mavericks. I missed spring football.

So what is it that is so important that brought me back today?? No, it wasn’t the NBA lottery or the terrible pitching of the Pirates. It is the latest on my favorite coach in the history of coaching, Joe Paterno.

Yeah the guy is 80 and probably delusional and didn’t realize he was giving this recent interview that has made headlines (quite frankly I think he is dead and has been for the past 4-5 years, and JayPa has been wearing is body on the sidelines so he finally could feel like he was an important part of the Penn State football team). He probably just thought he was talking to his morning bowl of oatmeal or something along those lines. Regardless, I can’t believe what idiotic phrases came out of his mouth during this interview.

So, some writer from the AP catches up with JoePa (wouldn’t be difficult considering he still can’t walk after the greatest hit in Wisconsin football history), and discusses the upcoming season. They talk about the fact that Joe is 80 years old. They discuss the fact that his salary is not being made public (which is a joke. If he is a state employee, which he is, the citizens of that state have a right to know what he is being paid). They discuss his 363 career wins, all at Penn State. The talk about him changing his own Depends at halftime of the Ohio State game last year. And they also discuss the “skirmish” that took place with some of his players. That is what I want to talk about.

SKIRMISH? SKIRMISH, Joe?!! Really is that what we call it now a days when SIX football players go INTO another students dorm and beat him up. Oh, I’m sorry it wasn’t a skirmish as I said, according to the god of Happy Valley it was a, “little skirmish.” A little skirmish is what happens every play involving the Penn State offensive line and the opponents’ defensive line just before Anthony Morelli is implanted into the ground. This was an all out mugging or lynching.

If you are not familiar with the story let me fill you in:

“Six Penn State football players, including stars Anthony Scirrotto and Justin King, turned themselves in Friday to face charges that they barged into a party and started a violent fight at an off-campus apartment earlier this month.
Each player faces at least one felony count of criminal trespass. Scirrotto, a safety, faces the most serious charges, including two other felonies _ burglary and criminal solicitation.”

* This according to an article written by AP writer Mark Scolforo on April 27th.

Yeah that sounds like a “little skirmish.”

JoePa also was quoted describing the events of what happened as saying, “He got a little irate, called up a couple of his buddies and said, ’Hey, come on down.’ They went over there and they got in a fight.”

BUT DON’T WORRY, THESE PLAYERS WILL BE PUNISHED!!!!!!

Granted they probably won’t miss a snap of football this season, especially since 3 of the players are without a doubt the 3 best players in their defensive secondary. All 6 players are expected to play key roles in the Penn State defense this season with as many of 5 of the 6 winning starting spots before the season begins. Paterno all but says that when asked about the punishment, saying, “My biggest concern is what’s going to come out of that incident that we had. I’m hopeful that people will keep their heads, won’t go overboard on it. What it basically comes down to is, it was a fight.”

BUT DON’T WORRY, THESE PLAYERS WILL BE PUNISHED!!!!

What type of punishment would such an act land you when you are a member of a major football program, you might ask. Well that is simple, as Joe Paterno handed out a harsh punishment recently to his ENTIRE team: the Nittany Lions will clean Beaver Stadium on the Sunday’s after every home game.

HUH?! Really?!? That is the punishment?

This is SO wrong on SO many levels.

First, Joe, will the people whose job this had been in the past still get paid or are you taking away the jobs of people in Happy Valley?

Secondly, why is the WHOLE team being punished for the stupid acts of 6 players?

And finally, do you think for one second that ANYONE believes that you will have these players ACTUALLY cleaning Beaver Stadium? Yeah you may wake them up and get them to the Erector Set that sits on campus that doubles as both a football stadium AND one of the wonders of the world to all 6th grade science nerds nation-wide, but will I really see Dan Connor scrubbing the Men’s room urinals, or Anthony Morelli sweeping the steps, or Derrick Williams lugging garbage to dumpsters?? I doubt it.

Coach Paterno, you can’t be serious with this. Please just give it up.

I'm not going to lie, I've ALWAYS HATED this man.

I used to hate you because both my parent were Pitt fans and, being a Pitt fan from day 1 that is what I was raised to do.

Then I grew my own opinions and hated you cause you were arrogant and thought that you were better than the game itself and would no longer play Pitt, ruining, what was at one time, one of the biggest rivalries in college football.

Now I hate you because you are making a mockery of the game that I so dearly love.

So, now, I’m just asking this of you, just give it up. You are ruining a proud and reputable program by making an absolute joke the way you have handled off-field issues. After a stretch of bad seasons you sold your soul to the devil, and now have no regard for the quality of person you recruit as long as they are fast and strong. In turn you have ruined the prestige and tradition that went with the all white uniforms of Penn State football.

Darrelle Revis goes One-on One with the Rant

With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, I was able to sit down with former Pitt standout Darrelle Revis and talk football, life and his future. Darrelle is expected to be drafted in the first round of this years NFL draft. Here is the interview:

THE REITMEYER RANT: Darrelle, thank you for taking the time to talk to us today. Talk a little bit about the decision process of deciding to enter the NFL Draft.
DARRELLE REVIS: Well, after the season was over I met with Coach Wannestedt and I asked him if he thought I could play in the NFL and if he thought I was ready. He told me yes, so we started the process through the NFL. When that came back positive he sat down with my family and me, and Coach Wannestedt told me I was ready and he gave me his blessings and told me good luck.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Describe how your life has been since you made that decision.
DR: It hasn’t been that different actually. The biggest difference is that you are pulled everywhere. I go to lots of meetings. Hiring an agent was a long process. It was a really hard choice. Then you had the combine, which was a long weekend. I have been really busy, doing all different types of things.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Getting ready for the combine is a job in itself, describe your typical day of training.
DR: Well, I was working out in Phoenix. We would work out twice a day and it was pretty intense. We would start with me waking up at 8:00 am; I would eat then go for treatment and massages before workouts. The workouts themselves would be all types of things. I do weight lifting, running, running hills, all different types of stuff. Then in the afternoon, I do it all over again. I finish the day about 6 o’clock and just relax the rest of the night.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Talk about the difference between these workouts compared to the ones you would do at Pitt.
DR: These are more about teaching technique. They don’t really wear you out, but the just make sure you are doing everything to an exact way so you can get the best out of your efforts.
THE REITMEYER RANT: How important is all this training, do you think that it is a little overrated since it is for the combine, but not really showing your football ability.
DR: Well, it is very important to the combine and pro-days, and that is what is important to the scouts and teams. That is what we are there for, to display our talents. So, you want to be able to do the best you can. Before I went to Phoenix, I didn’t know how to run a 40-yard dash. It seems easy enough; I used to think it was just running, but there were so many things to 40 that help you run faster. I was really able to learn a lot.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You were unable to participate at the combine due to a hamstring injury, talk about that, and how people said that hurt your draft stock.
DR: Hey, if I’m hurt, I’m hurt. Rumors were my stock dropped, but how could it drop if I haven’t done anything for these people to judge me about yet? I did what I had to do on the field; if my stock drops because I didn’t run at the combine, something is wrong. I wanted to run so badly. I was mad seeing the other guys competing. I wanted to be out there with them, but I just had to be patient and wait for my time.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You got your chance to display your abilities at the Pitt Pro-Day and you didn’t disappoint.
DR: That was a good day. I could have done that anytime. I’m just glad I finally got the chance to do it. I’m confident enough to know what I can do. My combine was on the Pro-Day and that is when I showcased my talent.
THE REITMEYER RANT: So, the combine itself, what were your impressions?
DR: It was a long process. It’s a dream come true to be invited. All that stuff, just for football, didn’t make much sense though. The group I was in was a good group of guys. We just tried to have the best time we could there. We were joking around and having fun so we could all stay loose.
THE REITMEYER RANT: So what do you expect on April 28th (Draft day)?
DR: I expect to be picked high. I know it’s going to be a long day so I just have to be patient. Once my name is announced, everyone will be happy.
THE REITMEYER RANT: What NFL teams have you talked to?
DR: I’ve talked to a bunch. The most recent were the Browns, Bengals and the Steelers, but there are a lot more too. I really can’t sit here and say who wants me because I don’t know, but I have been able to meet a lot of coaches and gotten to know them and feel comfortable with them.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Being a Pittsburgh guy, would it be weird playing for the Browns or Bengals?
DR: It would be so weird. When I met with the Browns they joked with me about being from Pittsburgh, saying they don’t like people from Pittsburgh.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Is there one team out there that you would like to play for?
DR: Well, being from here I’d probably say the Steelers. Playing for a defense with guys like (Troy) Polamalu and Ike Taylor would be great.
THE REITMEYER RANT: What player do you try to emulate on the football field.
DR: Champ Bailey, he is the best. I love the way he plays.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You said you have met with Mike Tomlin, what is your take on him?
DR: He is a players coach. He is a humble guy that wants to get after it. I liked that in him. He just wants to win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You mentioned some Steelers players, it would have been nice having guys like Polamalu running around behind you a Pitt, wouldn’t it have been?
DR: (laughing) Yes sir! They use him a lot. He is so versatile and athletic. It would have been great if he were at Pitt.
THE REITMEYER RANT: With the combine and Pro-day behind you, what do you think you need to work on to excel at the next level?
DR: I’m going to be a sponge. I want to be a student of the game and just take in as much as possible. I will be talking to the veterans as much as possible, just to keep learning.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You are projected by most to go anywhere from #10-20. With the Steelers picking 15th, talk about the chances of playing for them.
DR: When I look at that situation I look at it as the same thing Lebron James went through. He went to high school in Cleveland and then was able to be drafted by the Cavs. Me, I’m in that same situation, it would be great to be able to play in Pittsburgh.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Talk about the impact Dave Wannestedt has had on you as a person and as a coach.
DR: Coach Wannestedt is a great guy. He came from the NFL and has a lot of experience. He has coached a lot of great corners who have been pro-bowlers. As a person, he is the best. He is always around us. He comes and checks up on us with our tutors. He can pop up anywhere, you never know. That has made his players know that they always had to be the young respectable men that coach wanted and expected out of us. It showed that he really cared about his players outside of football too.
THE REITMEYER RANT: What is your long-term outlook for Pitt football under Coach Wannestedt?
DR: It takes time. You really can’t expect much that first year. This year they will be young, so they will have to learn fast. I know everyone seems to want to put pressure on him, but I think he is a big-time coach and he will be there for a long time.
THE REITMEYER RANT: What is it about Aliquippa football that keeps producing NFL caliber players?
DR: I do not know. I get amazed every year. Every year we put out D-1 players. I think it is the coaches. The get you ready to play at that level. We learned college stuff in high school. We were able to come in ahead of others once we stepped on campus. It is a small school (AA), but to me, we could play with the AAA teams or even the Quad-A teams. We have that type of talent. We always do. We bleed Red and Black. We all just take a lot of pride in playing football for Aliquippa.
THE REITMEYER RANT: With guys like Mike Ditka, Ty Law, Tony Dorsett, Sean Gilbert, Josh LAy all being from Aliquippa, talk a little about you being the next on a long list of NFL players from here.
DR: It is a special thing, but I can’t be content. One thing I live by is what my Uncle Sean (Gilbert, who was 3rd overall pick in the 1992 draft and played in the NFL for 11 seasons) told me, he said, “If you are going to work at it, do it to your best ability. Work hard, you can’t take any plays off, do everything to 100% so that when you are done with this game you have no regrets.” When I’m done playing I want people to be able to say, “He played the game to the best of his ability.”
THE REITMEYER RANT: Darrelle, thank you very much for your time, good luck to you on draft day, and hopefully we can do this again sometime.
DR: Aw, no problem I had a lot of fun, thank you. We will do it again. Maybe a post-draft interview.

The Rant goes One-on-One with DeJuan Blair

DeJuan Blair

Between all the blocked shots, throwing down monstrous jams, and continually winning basketball games I was able to catch up with Schenley High Schools Man in the Middle DeJuan Blair for a quick Q&A segment. Here is what Blair (6-7, 250) a Pitt Panther recruit had to say:

THE REITMEYER RANT: DeJuan thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to talk to us.
DB: No problem, it is my pleasure.
THE REITMEYER RANT: First, I want to congratulate you and your Schenley teammates on returning to the state finals again this season.
DB: Thank you, It’s a big game, a real big game for us. I’m glad it will be at State College this year, it will be close enough that all of our fans can come up and show their support.
THE REITMEYER RANT: It looked like you guys were having a lot of fun on the court last night. (a 85-62 win over Harrisburg in the state semi-finals).
DB: Yeah last night was a fun game for us, but we still have one more that we want to win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: After the high school season is over, do you plan to play in any all-star events or tournaments?
DB: I’ll be playing in some, mainly local stuff around here. I am going to France on April 5th to play in an International All-Star event also.
THE REITMEYER RANT: You are so close to the University of Pittsburgh, how well do you know the players, have you been able to play with any of them?
DB: I know them real well. I haven’t gotten to play with any of them yet, but it is something I look forward to doing soon. Probably as soon as March Madness is over.
THE REITMEYER RANT: How do you see yourself fitting into the Pitt system next year?
DB: I’m going to try to win a Big East Championship. Whatever I have to do for the team to do that, I will. Obviously, I hoping I will be a starter, but I just want to win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Describe your style of play for someone who maybe hasn’t seen you on the court.
DB: I am a team player. I love to pass the ball. I would rather pass and have teammates be involved than scoring a bunch myself. I like to do a little bit of everything. The main thing though is that I love winning; I’ll do anything to help my team win.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Why Pitt?
DB: It’s close to home, plain and simple. It is close to home and my family can watch every game.
THE REITMEYER RANT: If you didn’t go to Pitt, what school was next on your list?
DB: Tennessee
THE REITMEYER RANT: In your opinion, who is the MVP this year for Schenley?
DB: Can I name more than one? Everyone already knows DJ (Kennedy) and me, so I’d have to say Deandre Kane, Greg Blair and Jamaal Bryant. When teams try to stop me and DJ, those three are the ones that make things happen and they get overlooked by everyone.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Now for the fun stuff, you seem to make the highlights for your blocked shots or your big dunks every game now, go back and describe your first dunk for me.
DB: (chuckling) Oh man, I was in 8th grade. The first time I ever dunked I was at Ammons Rec Center, once I did it I made my mom watch me like 10 more times. The first time I dunked in a game was in 8th grade playing in an AAU qualifier. I told my mom that I still haven’t dunked in a game yet, and she joked about probably being in the bathroom or something and missing it once I finally did. Sure enough in that game I when I got my first dunk she was in the bathroom and missed it.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Word Association time, I’m going to say a name on a subject and I want you to say the first thing that comes to mind.
THE REITMEYER RANT: We will start with your teammates, DJ Kennedy.
DB: I love him
THE REITMEYER RANT: Deandre Kane
DB: He is an animal, real hard to stop.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Your brother, Greg Blair
DB: He is a younger version of me
THE REITMEYER RANT: Jamaal Bryant
DB: Onion, (laughing) what more can you say? No, I think he is the best point guard in the state. THE REITMEYER RANT: Schenley basketball
DB: Domination
THE REITMEYER RANT: Pitt Panthers basketball
DB: An excellent program, one I can’t wait to be a part of.
THE REITMEYER RANT: Oakland
DB: Home
THE REITMEYER RANT: Jamie Dixon
DB: A wonderful man, I can’t wait to be coached by him
THE REITMEYER RANT: The game of basketball
DB: Oh man, I’d die for it. I really don’t know what I would do without it.
THE REITMEYER RANT: This one might be the toughest of all, DeJuan Blair
DB: (laughing) Man, I’m a gentle giant. Off the court, I love everybody, but on the court, I can dominate.
THE REITMEYER RANT: DeJuan, it has been a pleasure, thanks for your time.
DB: No problem, anytime.

Basketball Thoughts Before the BIG APPLE

Basketball Thoughts Before the Big Apple

*This stupid idea of calling everday "Elimination (fill-in the day)" is getting a real old, real fast. For example, on my way home from work tonight, ESPN Radio was talking about the Florida State/Clemson game, and called it an elimination game, hey guys, it’s in a tournament THEY ARE ALL ELIMINATION GAMES!!! Quite honestly neither of those teams should be going to the NCAA Tournament. Clemson started the season 17-0 (against mainly garbage teams) and is 4-9 since, how could ANYONE think they should be in the tournament. Florida State has already lost to Clemson twice (adding to my belief that Clemson has beaten NOBODY) but have a “quality” win against Duke.

*DUKE STINKS THIS YEAR!!! It pains me to say it because they are my second favorite team behind Pitt, but lets face it, they just are not good. They get special treatment because the name on the shirt and the coach on the sidelines, but beating Duke shouldn’t be considered an accomplishment this season by any ACC team.

*Dominic James is the biggest baby I have ever seen play basketball. He was injured AGAIN tonight in the game against St. John’s. This extended his streak to 42 straight games that he left at some point during the game, but miraculously healed in the closing minutes of the game in which he could re-enter and attempt to play the role of hero.

*(PRO HOOPS) Kobe Bryant should be suspended for more than the one game that he was for hitting Minnesota Timberwolves guard Marko Jaric with a forearm after Jaric blocked his shot. This is the second time this year that Kobe was suspended for the same thing. This guy is as graceful and agile as anyone in basketball while in the air. Yet, twice when his shot is blocked in the final seconds of a close game this happens?? Gimme a break.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqqEsZrdQ9Q

*Speaking about violence in sports, the suspension Duke guard Gerald Henderson received for hitting North Carolina center Tyler Hansbrough was an absolute joke. Anyone who as ever played a sniff of basketball could see that Henderson was clearly going for the ball. The ball was knocked away from Hansbrough, and Henderson swung his body towards where the ball was now going. Unfortunately, when he made this move he drilled Hansbrough across the bridge of his nose, and his nose pretty much exploded, leaving blood everywhere. Even Hansbrough said it is a physical game and stuff like that happens. He also said that he didn’t think Henderson hit him on purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAR2tWAj49o

*We have reached conference tournament time and the debate on which conference is the best in college basketball is at an all-time high as conference fight for the fans viewer-ship. Let me help in this one. This is how each of the major six conferences were represented this week in the AP Top 20:
ACC (2 teams): North Carolina (#8) Maryland (18)
SEC (1 team): Florida (6)
PAC-10 (3 teams): UCLA (4) Washington St. (11) Oregon (16)
Big Ten (2 teams): Ohio State (1) Wisconsin (3)
Big XII (3 teams): Kansas (2) Texas A&M (7) Texas (15)
Big East (5 teams): Georgetown (9) Louisville (12) Pitt (13) Marquette (18) Notre Dame (20)

For quality and parity I think it is pretty clear that the best conference is the Big East.

*PREDICTION TIME:
ACC Tournament:
CHAMPION: North Carolina over Virginia
Upset Watch: #6 Georgia Tech over #3 Virginia Tech

Big East:
CHAMPION: Louisville over Syracuse
Upset Watch: #9 Villanova over #1 Georgetown

Big Ten:
WHO CARES?!!!!!!!

BIG XII:
CHAMPION: Texas A&M over Kansas
Upset Watch: #12 Colorado over #5 Texas Tech

PAC-10:
CHAMPION: UCLA over Washington
Upset Watch: #7 Washington over #2 Washington State AND #3 USC

SEC:
CHAMPION: Tennessee over Vanderbilt
Upset Watch: Tennessee BIG over Florida in the semifinals

Okay fine, Big Ten:
CHAMPION: Wisconsin over Michigan
Upset Watch: #8 Michigan over #1 Ohio State

There you have it, all the information you will need over the next few days. I will be back from New York and the Big East Tournament on Sunday with lots of stuff ammo for next week. Enjoy CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK!!!

The Penguins and State CLASH

The Penguins and State CLASH

The Pittsburgh Penguins may actually be leaving the city. That is at least what they want the state to believe. When you negotiate a contract you have to be willing to make the other side believe that you are willing to walk away. The Penguins are now to that point. They have bargained, they have dealed, they have conceded points, but now they have threatened to walk.

As Ed Rendell and Dan Onorato continue to play dumb in this whole situation, the Penguins brass came out yesterday and put down the facts. They stated that they offered to pay $2.86 million dollars a year towards the new arena originally, but the state came back and wanted $4 million. That was the number that the Penguins brought to the table yesterday, the exact number the state requested, but again the state said no. All that was said by Rendall was the same thing he has been saying all along, “I still believe that we are very close to getting this deal.”

Really Ed?

What makes you think that?

You aren’t in Philadelphia anymore. You are now talking about the LEFT side of the state. By LEFT, I mean both geographically and politcally. The politics and politicians on this side of the state are more screwed up than the Anna Nicole Smith hearings. This is the same city in which it has apparently been decided to argue for years over who gets the casinos rather than just getting them up and running. It is not just by chance that other casino licenses in the state are being used already as needed, with the working casinos.

I would love to see the Penguins stay, not for the hockey, although I’m becoming a fan, but for the city. Pittsburgh is already on the downswing, and this would just be another step. This city needs the Pens much more than the Penguins needs Pittsburgh, but the politicians don’t see that. Letting the Penguins leave Pittsburgh would be career suicide for for the young leaders of the area, mayor Luke Ravenstahl and county executive Dan Onorato.

What is shocking about all of this is that Mario Lemieux DOES know this about the city of Pittsburgh. He has lived in or around the city his entire adult life. Yet he still is doing everything possible to make this deal happen so the Penguins can stay in Pittsburgh. He already bailed them out of bankruptcy. He let it slide when the Penguins were excluded from the deal that put up state of the art sports facilties on the North Shore. What more does the guy need to do?

This may not be the best next step for the Penguins in their little game of Deal or No Deal that the state is playing with them, but if I were Lemieux, this would be my move. I walk into the next meeting by myself. No lawyers, no NHL spokespeople, nobody. The only thing in my possession is a boombox and a cassette tape. As I put the boombox on the conference table and insert my single of THE CLASH from 1982 that I brought along with me, I say to the political figures, “This won’t take more than a few seconds”, and I push play.

Darling you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here til the end of time
So you got to let know
Should I stay or should I go?

March- In with the Madness, Out with a Champion

Let the Madness Begin

Okay here we are just 9 days from my favorite day of the year, Selection Sunday, and we still have so much unanswered. Who is in, who is out? Who are the top four seeds? What conference will get the most teams? Lucky for you, I am here and we, as a group, are going to try to figure all these answers out.

First things first, who will be the four #1 seeds? What was a given just a month ago, which was North Carolina, UCLA, Florida and the winner of the Big Ten (assuming that is was either Ohio State or Wisconsin) were locks for the top four spots, can be completely thrown out the window. North Carolina has lost four of their last eight games, including two in a row, both to middle of the pack ACC teams. The defending champs Florida look to FINALLY be coming down from their championship high and has seemed pretty average the past two weeks, losing badly at Vanderbilt, LSU and Tennessee. Wisconsin has lost two in a row after winning 22 of 23 games.

UCLA and Ohio State are still on top and they are both almost certain to get a top seed. Both of those teams are ranked one or two in every major poll and in the RPI. This is where it gets crazy, so who will the last two be? Here is the list of teams that I feel deserve mentioning for the other two #1 seeds:
Texas A&M (24-5) 14 RPI, 51 SOS, 12-3 in the Big XII
Kansas (27-4) 18 RPI, 95 SOS, 13-2 in the Big XII
North Carolina (24-6) 3 RPI, 6 SOS, 10-5 in the ACC
Florida (25-5) 11 RPI, 48 SOS, 12-3 in the SEC
Wisconsin (26-4) 6 RPI, 47 SOS, 12-3 in the Big Ten
Pittsburgh (25-5) 4 RPI, 11 SOS 12-3 in the Big East
All of those teams should be and most likely will get consideration for that top seed, but they need to start playing better basketball and do some damage in their respective conference tournaments. By the way, Memphis, who all the basketball “gurus” have raved about during their current 18-game winning streak, is the most overrated team in the country. During that 18-game streak, they have played ZERO potential NCAA tournament teams. They have played just four teams all season with an RPI under 60 and have gone 1-3 in those games. Look for them to be an early exit in the tournament.

So, that takes care of who is the top seeds, or at least narrows the field down. Next up is who is in and who is out. I am sick of hearing the argument that bigger schools get better treatment from the committee, or the old “East-Coast Bias” excuse, so what I’m going to do is list facts about certain schools, but I am not going to list the school. You get to be the judge on whether they deserve to be in the Big Dance.

Information used below provided by realtimerpi.com

TEAM A: 21-7 (13-5) 40 RPI, 101 SOS
BEST WINS: Syracuse, Villanova BAD LOSSES: Rider, William& Mary

TEAM B: 19-8 (8-7) 53 RPI, 91 SOS
BEST WINS: UCLA, Villanova BAD LOSS: Cincinnati

TEAM C: 22-7 (12-3) 60 RPI, 129 SOS
BEST WIN: Louisville BAD LOSSES: Miami (FL), Temple

TEAM D: 25-3 (13-2) 21 RPI, 123 SOS
BEST WINS: NONE vs top 50 RPI BAD LOSS: New Mexico State

TEAM E: 23-4 (16-0) 69 RPI, 253 SOS
BEST WINS: Mississippi St. Missouri St. BAD LOSS: All 4 vs top 15 RPI teams

TEAM F: 20-10 (7-8) 54 RPI, 55 SOS
BEST WINS: Memphis, North Carolina BAD LOSSES: Wake Forest, Miami (FL)

TEAM G: 20-9 (7-8) 38 RPI, 46 SOS
BEST WIN: Kentucky BAD LOSSES: Auburn (twice)

TEAM H: 23-6 (10-5) 58 RPI, 131 SOS
BEST WINS: Marquette, Maryland BAD LOSSES: St. John’s, South Florida

TEAM I: 23-7 (15-3) 36 RPI, 86 SOS
BEST WIN: Georgetown BAD LOSSES: James Madison, Marist

Let me add that if you cannot win more than half of your conference games you should not be able to get into the tournament, but this year, with all the love that the ACC and the SEC are getting for the “gurus” it will probably happen. I think the Big East is the deepest conference and will get the most teams into the tournament again this year, deservingly so. Although the Big East is lacking the powers that they have had in the past at the top, the depth is still there. I think the ACC is again overrated. The Pac-10, SEC, BIG Ten and Big XII have very good teams at the top, they all lack depth. The Big East can give you 6-7-8 teams that could win a game or two in the tournament, none of the other conferences have that.

The Unveiling of the teams:
TEAM A = Drexel
TEAM B = West Virginia
TEAM C = Massachusetts
TEAM D = Nevada (currently ranked #9 in the country)
TEAM E = Winthrop (only losses are to UNC, TX A&M, Wisconsin and Maryland)
TEAM F = Georgia Tech
TEAM G = Alabama (how is this team ALWAYS ranked in the top 25??)
TEAM H = Notre Dame
TEAM I = Old Dominion

I may be in the minority with this thought, but I believe that playing in a major conferences do deserve the benefit of the doubt if you are considering two schools. I realize that eliminating the Cinderella teams from having a chance might not be the best thing for ratings or for a story line, but the bottom line is that the NCAA tournament is set up to find out the best team in the country, not the best stories. The odds of a small conference, or even a mid-major, winning the six straight games against top competition is very slim, especially when it is the first time they are playing at such a high level all season. On the flip side, even the lower ranked major conference teams have at least played at a high competition level all year and proven they can compete.

All of that and I don’t think we figured out a thing on how the selection committee will pick their 65 teams on March 11th, one thing is for sure, I’m glad it’s not my job.

PITT too Black And White With Gray

Pitt Better Without BIG CITY?

Maybe the University of Pittsburgh basketball team is better without their 7-foot, Big East pre-season player of the year Aaron Gray. Could that be? I first had this thought last week before Pitt played Seton Hall and it was clear that his ankle injury was more severe than originally believed. I was further convinced after Pitt was able to leave New Jersey with a three-point win. Now, after traveling to our nation’s capital to watch the Panthers and Georgetown Hoyas square off for the Big East regular season title, I am more convinced than ever.

Sure, Georgetown beat Pitt Saturday, and all but wrapped up the Big East regular season title while doing so, but during that game, one thing became very apparent to me: Big City Aaron Gray should not have played. This is not intended to take anything away from Gray’s play on Saturday. I thought he was very effective, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds in his 21 minutes. Here is my argument; Pitt is too dependent of Aaron Gray being in the line-up.

Pitt has already wrapped up a bye in the Big East Tournament, which begins next Wednesday in the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. So, if you really break it down, their last two regular season games do not mean much. Pitt is already a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Seeding is the only thing that might be affected if Gray misses the next two games, and we have seen how seeding doesn’t matter much. Pitt has lost to a worse seed every year in the NCAA tournament since they started making regular appearances six seasons ago. The key for any sports team is to be playing their best at the end of the season. Two of the key factors in playing your best are getting favorable match-ups and being healthy. Right now, Aaron Gray is not healthy, and playing on his bad ankle will only prevent him from becoming healthy.

As I mentioned before, the team is too dependent on Gray being in the line-up. Playing two good teams without him could really benefit the team in the long run. Pitt is much more athletic and a faster team with Sam Young in the starting line-up, moving Levon Kendall to the center position. They are much more aggressive and balanced offensively when Gray is on the bench. Rather than running the entire offense through Gray, every player will need to step up a bit and become more of a scorer. This team is missing that with him in the game. It seems to me that the Panthers run their offense for the first 20-25 seconds of the shot clock through Gray. Then, and only then, if they don’t have something, someone else steps up and makes a play.

I am in no way saying that Aaron Gray in not a valuable member of this team, I think he is the MOST valuable member, but I think it is even more valuable to the team if they learn to play without him on the court. This team needs someone with a killer instinct, and right now, they don’t have that. Pitt needs to learn to put teams away. They need a scorer to step up. They have the scorers, but those players just haven’t had the chance to step up due to the style Pitt plays with Gray in the game. Without him out there, they get that opportunity.

Aaron Gray sits out this week and misses games against West Virginia and Marquette. He gets healthy for the important part of the season. The team gets better for the important part of the season. Add Gray back into a confident bunch of scorers, and this team becomes a tough match-up for teams in the tournament. All of the sudden, if teams take Gray out of the game, the rest of the players know exactly what to do. They don’t panic. They don’t lose confidence. They just pick up the slack. By doing that, they become a better team, and it gives them the best chance to reach the Promised Land in Pitt basketball- a trip PAST the Sweet 16.

Coach Bobby Knight Shows His Age

Coach Bobby Knight Doesn't Like NBA Age Rule

Texas Tech head basketball coach and winningest coach in NCAA history Bob Knight voiced his opinion yesterday about the new NBA rule that prevents high school seniors from entering the NBA Draft, thus forcing them to play at least one year elsewhere, mainly in college.

I like Bob Knight. I think that he is one of the best coaches to ever coach the game. He runs clean programs and preaches discipline and teamwork. Some people may say that he is to hard or old school on his players. I say there should be more coaches like him. I would love to see more coaches that are tough on their superstars (Knight kicked Texas Techs best player Jarrius Jackson off the team this fall until his academics were in order) and force discipline and hard work in what is becoming a show-boaters game. The one thing I don’t get about Coach Knight is the comments he made yesterday. He said that the new NBA rule is, “the worst thing that's happened to college basketball since I've been coaching.” He followed that up by saying, “I think, has a tremendous effect on the integrity of college sports.”

I just don’t get why he would say such a thing. With the young, talented freshman in Division 1 basketball this season it has created a whole new buzz about the sport. This year there is talk for a freshman to win National Player of the Year. Imagine, LeBron, or Kobe or Kevin Garnett playing in college, imagine the buzz that would have been with those guys. Now we finally get to see it happen. True, maybe these players aren’t LeBron or Kobe or Garnett, but now when those types of players DO come along college basketball fans around the country will get the pleasure of seeing them play. Now, to be fair to Coach Knight, I should point out that he made those comments focusing on the academics that come in hand with these freshman, stating, “Now you can have a kid come to school for a year and play basketball and he doesn't even have to go to class. He certainly doesn't have to go to class the second semester. I'm not exactly positive about the first semester. But he would not have to attend a single class the second semester to play through the whole second semester of basketball."

I can see that argument, but I think it is more than that. I think it is the fact that due to his strict rules and hard practices that many top-notch players, the ones that are mostly affected by this rule, don’t want to play for him. I think he is mad that he can’t get a Kevin Durant on his team. Oh yeah, did I mention that these comments came on the eve of the second Texas-Texas Tech game of the season? Texas won that first game 76-64, and freshman star Kevin Durant scored 37 points, including five 3-pointers and grabbed 23 rebounds. Do you think that, just maybe, Coach Knight just doesn’t like losing to the teams that CAN get these superstars, and that is why he is a little upset?

Like I said, I like Coach Knight, but I think he might be a little off with this one.


UPDATE:
After hearing Coach Knights comments it looks like Kevin Durant decided to take it easy on the Red Raiders tonight, maybe in hope to get some love back from Knight. Durant did not lead the team in rebounds or points, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds. By the way, the Longhorns STILL pounded Coach Knight and the Red Raiders, 80-51.