Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Williams finished for year

NEWS: Multiple sources have confirmed that Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams will miss the rest of the season with a torn chest muscle.

Williams' latest comeback lasted two quarters. The running back was hurt Monday night at Pittsburgh, when he played in his first game in nearly two years.

Williams return following a 1 1/2-year suspension for his latest violation of the NFL drug policy. According to his agent, Leigh Steinberg, Williams' arm will be in a sling from four to six weeks and the rehab will take five months. Steinberg said Williams expects to be ready for next season.

The former Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 15 yards on six carries and lost a fumble.

(complied from AP story)

ANALYSIS:
Ricky Williams has become another storyline for a pathetic Dolphins team. While Williams’ injury certainly looked intentional, it might be time the running back considers hanging up the pads.

I’m not sure what’s worse, that Williams keeps shafting the team – with his early “retirement” and then with a drug suspension – or that the Dolphins and their fan base keeps welcoming him back.

The storyline on Williams is he never lived up to his potential coming out of college. After the Saints mortgaged their future to get the Heisman winner, he never matured into that special player. Williams’ self-centered attitude has hampered his judgment and overshadowed his raw talent. One good season shouldn’t be enough to let Williams back on the field. The Dolphins should have made him earn his spot back, but that is a moot point now.

In closing, I find it ironic that while the ’07 Patriots are chasing ’72 Dolphins, the ’07 ‘Williams-less’ Dolphins are chasing their own piece of history…hoping to avoid a 0-16 year.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Boise is still unproven

AND OTHER RANTS FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

A dose of reality was served over the weekend, let me explain.

Recently, I uncovered one of my original For Pete’s Sake columns, which appeared in my college newspaper. The column trashed Boise State football for being unproven and questioned their top 25 ranking after two weak wins to begin the 2004 season.

Well not much has changed since then. I still believe Boise State has a fraudulent football program, and the Hawaii Warriors proved it this time.

The Warriors’ victory Friday night clinched the first outright WAC title for Hawaii in school history. More importantly it dropped a fraud, Boise, from BCS bowl contention.

Breakdown the numbers for the Broncos in the past five regular seasons and you’ll find a team that’s just 0-3 versus top 25 teams and 2-4 against teams from BCS conferences. Both the BCS wins came at home against Oregon State. The Broncos must go on the road and beat big-time teams, playing a schedule that's not the 118th easiest, if they want to be anything but small potatoes in college football.

Why I’m on the topic of easy schedules, Kansas finally played a real team in Missouri and lost. Sure you can’t blame them for getting an easy Big 12 schedule (minus Texas, Oklahoma or Texas Tech), but they didn’t try to play anybody out of conference, home games against Central Michigan, Division I-AA Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and winless Florida International.

Kansas' loss means the double standard between the two previous unbeatens, Hawaii and Kansas, is dead. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach pointed out that the Warriors were being penalized for their easy schedule, but Kansas was not. However, as Schlabach writes the real story is Hawaii tried to schedule a big-time game. Michigan passed over Hawaii and decided infamously to open the season with I-AA Appalachian State, Michigan State paid $250,000 to Hawaii to cancel their game and the USC Trojans passed over the Warriors as well. If Hawaii beats Washington Saturday, they'll finally get that big-time opponent in a BCS bowl.

Anyway, here's the newest FPS top five...

1. West Virginia | Last week No. 2 – I was not impressed by Rich Rodriguez’s decision to run up the score Saturday. However, Pat White and the offensive are playing lights out.

2. Ohio State | Last week No. 3 – The Buckeyes are quietly moving up the polls after dismantling Michigan.

3. Missouri | Last week No. 5 – The Tigers’ defense was very impressive in shutting down Kansas, helping book a trip to San Antonio.

4. Georgia
| Last week unranked – The Bulldogs won’t play for the SEC title, but are sitting pretty for a BCS bid after winning their sixth-in-a-row.

5. Oklahoma
| Last week unranked – The Sooners smacked Oklahoma State and are one win away from getting their chance for BCS redemption.

Close to the Top

Kansas | Last week No. 4 – The Jayhawks finally played a real opponent and lost. Eleven wins this year is amazing.

LSU | Last week No. 1 – Saw their national title hopes fade away during a Heisman-esque performance from Arkansas RB Darren McFadden.

Virginia Tech | Last week unranked – The offense has finally caught up to the defense as the Hokies get a second shot at BC and Matt Ryan.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Being thankful for rivalries

Thanksgiving is mere hours away, which means eating until you’re as stuffed as that turkey and watching football. While watching games on Thanksgiving is awesome, the best action starts the day after. College football rivalries heat up and the passion is unleashed. In honor of that most scared Turkey Day tradition, a touchdown and successful extra point, here’s a look at the FPS top 7 college football rivalries.

7. Pitt – West Virginia: Both teams share the same colors, the game has been going on for 100-years and the schools are only separated by 70-miles. “The Backyard Brawl” is intense.

6. Oregon – Oregon State: "The Civil War" is the best western rivalry. Dating back to 1894, it’s the seventh oldest rivalry game in the nation. These fans hate each other despite the friendly nature of the Pacific Northwest.

5. Florida – Florida State: The Gators and Noles meant everything in the 1990s, when both teams finished in the Top 5 every year and played for national championships. The luster has faded in recent years, but it's still fierce.

4. Oklahoma – Texas: “The Red River Shootout” always seems to shape the national championship picture. Either Oklahoma or Texas has played for the conference championship each of the past eight seasons. Plus the true neutral site nature of this game adds to its allure.

3. Army – Navy
: The pageantry of the Army-Navy Game tops all. Sure, the game hasn’t meant anything since the 1960s, but that doesn’t take away from this event. Army-Navy is still an end of the year treat.

2. Ohio State – Michigan: This border battle serves as a bowl game in November and as the conference game of the year. Again this year the importance of Ohio State-Michigan held true. Both teams have won or tied for the Big Ten title 32 times in the past 39 seasons.

1. Alabama – Auburn: You don’t just watch the Alabama-Auburn game, you live it. “The Iron Bowl” is the nastiest college football rivalry both on and off the field. Living in the shadow of Bear Bryant, this game takes the cake and eats it too!

Honorable Mention…

BYU – Utah: The Cougs and Utes play for an authentic pioneer boot, cool huh? Don't let the religious overtones of "the Holy War" fool you; this rivalry isn't nice, it's pretty nasty and important in deciding conference champions.

Clemson – South Carolina: There are no pro sport distractions in South Carolina, so everyone has been focused on this game since 1896. Clemson holds a distinctive advantage in wins, but not punches, looking back at the 2004 fight.

Cal – Stanford: "The band is out on the field!" No rivalry game can ever match the craziness of "The Play" from The Big Game. To this day, Stanford still doesn't recognize the 25-20 outcome from that 1982 classic.

Texas – Texas A&M: This rivalry heats up the week before Thanksgiving and comes with a 40-foot bon fire. There's no love-loss between the Horns and the Aggies.

Rivalries Near & Dear to My Heart

Idaho – Boise State
: The Broncos just took a two-game series advantage, smashing Idaho again. Boise State’s big win is just more payback for the Vandals dominating the rivalry for 12 consecutive years (1982-1993). The origins date back to 1971 and maybe in a few more years it will be fun again to watch. If you spend time in Moscow, Idaho this one just gets you.

Washington – Washington State
: Living in the shadow of the “Apple Cup” for ten-plus-years, I both love it and hate it, almost as much as the Huskies hate the snow. Speaking of which, Cougar fans haven’t had much to cheer about, but Drew Bledsoe’s performance in the snow was one of the greats.

Lehigh – Lafayette
: I don’t follow this game and don’t know much about either of these eastern Pennsylvania brain factories. However, Lehigh-Lafayette is the rivalry to start all others. Dating back to 1884, much respect is owed.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

OKCu later Seattle

SONICS OWNER HOLDING TEAM HOSTAGE

The oldest professional franchise in the Pacific Northwest is poised to head for the Midwest. How soon the Seattle SuperSonics will move, is being determined in the courts.

Owner Clay Bennett is resolved to move this team and won’t consider selling it. His resolve was uncovered after a local group of Seattle businessmen headed by Dennis Daugs, a former Sonics minority owner, made an offer to buy the franchise on Nov. 2.

"I was troubled. I understand the connection the team has to the community, the history. There are some very passionate, loyal fans and friends of the organization, people who have worked hard for us," Bennett said to the AP. Way to sell the bull to the media Clay, but I’m not buying it!

Bennett may have to wait until 2010 to take his prized possession home to Oklahoma City, and if Bennett succeeds it will be the biggest sports coup since Art Modell.

Just examine what he did in the off-season. With the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft he selected Kevin Durant, great move. Minutes later Bennett lets aging All-Star Ray Allen leave via a trade to Boston and then refuses to resign forward Rashard Lewis. Lewis landed in Orlando completing a sign-and-trade deal that could land Seattle a conditional second-round pick.

What Bennett left didn’t resemble much of a team. The Sonics are among the in the league, with an average age of 24.9-years-old. The franchise is being built for future success, mortgaging the present and giving Bennett an easy formulaic out. Losing team equals no fans and no fans equal a reason to move.

But Mike Kahn of FoxSports.com pointed out there are other options, such as a team that already has a connection to Oklahoma City, the New Orleans Hornets.

Kahn writes that through the first five games upon the triumphant return to New Orleans, the Hornets average attendance in the New Orleans Arena is more than 5,000 below capacity. While the Hornets are playing unbelievable basketball, they will inevitably swoon.

Why not permit a franchise swap? Let Bennett snatch New Orleans, a city that cannot keep a team long-term, and allow the local Seattle-based group to buy the Sonics. It almost makes too much sense.

The NBA needs basketball to stay in the Northwest, if for no other reason than to balance the juggernauts of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and the LA Lakers.

Commissioner David Stern needs to step in and keep the Sonics in Seattle. The league can’t afford to lose a fan base that’s supported a team for 41 years.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Eye-to-eye…hardly

STORM V. SMELSER: WHY OHIO STATE WILL WIN

I presented the idea of writing opposing columns about Ohio State-Michigan to fellow blogger Colin Storm. He was stoked and obviously took to defending the Wolverines. Since I have no problem with Ohio State (see Goodbye Buckeyes?) I accepted. So let’s get to it.

How do you make Wolverine cookies?

You put them in a big bowl and beat them for three hours.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. However, Michigan won’t be in a big bowl, because they won’t get past the Buckeyes tomorrow. Here's why.

First, Ohio State will win due to the “Tressel factor.” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was hired in 2001, won his first game against Michigan and has won the past three. The man can flat out coach against the Wolverines.

Second, it’s all about defense and the Buckeyes are better on that side of the ball. Michigan’s offensive line is good, but has been mediocre at pass protection. That’s not good for the boys in blue, because Ohio State’s defensive front is playing terrific.

Third, Michigan is a fraudulent team and can’t beat quality opponents like Oregon or Wisconsin. Sorry but the Wolverines senior trio of QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and O-lineman Jake Long will go winless versus the Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s schedule spells “yawn” (Youngstown State, Akron, Washington, Northwestern), but at least the Buckeyes didn’t lose to Appalachian State. Which reminds me, what type of battery is needed to charge a Wolverine?

A one double AA.

Despite tomorrow’s outcome, Michigan will never outlive that one.

Check out Colin’s perspective on the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry at his blog, Eye of the Storm.

Goodbye Buckeyes?

WAIT, OHIO STATE STILL HAS BACKDOOR TO CHAMPIONSHIP

After No. 1 Ohio State suffered an embarrassing home loss to unranked Illinois, columnists everywhere eliminated the Buckeyes from the National Championship picture.

Rich Cirminiello of Fox Sports said LSU, Oregon, Kansas and Oklahoma were the only championship contenders. Mark Schlabach of ESPN said in his “On the Mark” column “at least we won’t have to hear about a 50-day layoff before the Jan. 7 BCS National Championship Game.” Even Ivan Maisel wrote Ohio State off.

Brad Edwards’ column, a special to ESPN.com, made the most sense. Although he claimed the national championship race is down to five teams, Edwards also said last Saturday assured that there won’t be a berth in the BCS clinched on Nov. 17.

Why all the hate toward Ohio State?

I have two theories. First, Ohio State usually is not a glamour team. They win games with smash mouth defense and with a “three yards and a cloud of dust” mentality. Fans get bored watching them grind out wins.

Second, the Buckeyes had a glamour team last season. But they teased, in hindsight. Ranked No. 1 all season, the Buckeyes were guaranteed another championship only to get blown out by Florida in the BCS title game. You just can’t forgive them after a 41-14 thrashing.

However, an honest assessment of the BCS picture shows the Buckeyes aren’t finished, not yet. And if they win on Saturday against rival Michigan, which is not a gimme, Ohio State would finish the season 11-1 before any other top team completes their season.

The teams ranked in front of the Buckeyes, LSU, Oregon, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and West Virginia, have 11 regular season games remaining split among them. That’s a lot of season left, discounting conference championship games.

With Oregon falling apart in the desert, the number of one loss team’s just dropped. It’s a definite long shot for Ohio State to play in New Orleans for the title, but the back door is still open.

If I’ve learned anything watching college football this year, it’s that rankings mean nothing, and you must expect the unexpected.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Hottest stove in Chicago

FOR SALE: An endearing home on Chicago's North Side complete with ivy covered brick. All sales come with golden opportunities for improvements.

Intriguing, huh? Maybe that’s how Sam Zell and the Tribune Company should market their best and worst asset, the Chicago Cubs.

Whoever the next owner is, they will inherit a team with lots of baggage.

The 104-year-old franchise has not won the World Series since 1908 and has only made five postseason appearances since 1945, which is also their last World Series appearance. Tack on three major meltdowns and three curses -- you've got a forsaken franchise.

A few of the Cubs meltdowns coincide with their curses. The most important curse dates back to 1945. During Game 4 of the World Series, William Sianis brought his pet goat to the game. Sianis, owner of the famous Billy Goat Tavern, had purchased two tickets but was escorted out of the stadium due to the goat's foul odor. Sianis supposedly placed a curse on the team and the Cubs haven't returned to the Fall Classic finale since.

Jump ahead to 1969, when the "Black Cat" walks in front of Cubs third baseman Ron Santo at Shea Stadium. The Cubs held a 9 1/2 game lead in mid-August, only to have the Amazin' Mets fly by.

Skip to 2003, when one man altered the course of history. The Cubbies led the Florida Marlins 3-1 in the NLCS and held a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning of Game 6. Five outs away from the World Series when Walkman-wearing Steve Bartman made history. Bartman's infamous fan interference set off a hissy-fit by then leftfielder Moises Alou and a chain of comical errors, handing Florida the game. The Marlins would win the next night too.

In 2004, the Cubs melted down again. Holding a 1 1/2 game Wild Card lead, they fell apart in the final week, losing three of four at home to the Cincinnati Reds, missing the playoffs.

That doesn't even get close to the current group of pre madonnas. Just look at the soap-like month of June.

On June 1, the Cubs were taking swings at each other, instead of the fences. Pitcher Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett start a scuffle in the dugout. The next day the Cubs dropped their season-high sixth straight game as manager "Sweet" Lou Piniella was anything but. In a fit of rage Piniella threw his cap, got nose to nose and kicked dirt on third base umpire Mark Wegner's shoes. An ejection followed.

Jump ahead to the 11th, starter Ted Lilly blisters a 0-2 fastball inside hitting Atlanta shortstop Edgar Renteria. Benches empty...chaos ensues, and to Lilly's surprise he's ejected after 10 pitches.

On the 16th, the gloves come off again after Padres pitcher Chris Young and Derrek Lee traded whiffed punches. Barrett was back in the headlines in a trade to San Diego on the 20th. Sammy "my bat is not corked" Sosa belts home run number 600 to lift his new team, Texas, to a 7-3 victory. Skip a few more days, with Zambrano tying his career high in strike outs (12) and a suicide squeeze to beat the ChiSox, well, are you getting the picture?

In order to make it back to the promised land, the Cubs need to cut their pre madonna stuff, be patient at the plate and develop more pitching. Look at the 1908 pitching staff. Lead by Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown the '08 Cubs produced the lowest ERA in baseball history.

As the free agent market gets started the hottest item might be the Chicago Cubs, the loveable loser in the midst of a 100-year rebuilding project.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

The Hub of the Universe

BOSTON'S TRINITY DOMINATING NEWS

Watch any major sport nowadays and one thing is certainly clear: A Boston ‘love-fest’ is occurring.

From ESPN to Fox Sports to Sports Illustrated, Boston’s trinity (Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics) are racking up minutes of airtime and dominating the pages of magazines and newspapers.

I'm confused how Boston became the "Hub of the Universe."

Thank goodness Boston College, No. 2 in the BCS two-weeks-ago, has all but disappeared from the national spotlight. The Eagles downward plummet continued yesterday losing to unranked Maryland 35-42 as their ability to choke in late-season games remains unmatched.

If the Eagles were still undefeated, life would be intolerable. But as it stands, with the incessant hype surrounding the Celtics and the Patriots, life is still intolerable. It’s enough to make me gag. I mean things are going so well in Boston, even the Bruins are winning!

The sports universe shouldn’t stop with all-things Boston. The bigger story in the NFL than undefeated New England, is that preseason favorites San Diego and New Orleans are struggling. They are both big teases. Just when they look like the teams we thought they were, something happens. The Chargers blew a game to the hapless Vikings and the Saints lost at home to a previously win-less St. Louis squad.

The Red Sox won the World Series, great let's move on. They aren’t guaranteed a title next year, so as MLB’s hot stove heats up the coverage should follow. The Philadelphia Phillies made the first move the off-season and gave Brad Lidge a fresh start. Plus, it’s always entertaining to hear about the A-Rod circus.

While Red Sox Nation celebrates a second World Series title in four years, the Pats look unstoppable and the Celtics are off to their best start in 30 years, the national coverage of ESPN and others shouldn’t just focus on Boston. Boston teams represent just 3 percent of all pro sports, but they continue to dominate coverage.

Is Boston, the Hub of the ‘sports’ Universe? Hardly. And it’s high-time for media coverage to start reflecting that.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

The streak is over!

The Navy Midshipmen snapped a NCAA-record 43-game losing streak against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Navy's defense sealed the 46-44 victory in the third overtime.

On the first play to open the third overtime, Navy QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada completed a 25-yard strike to Reggie Campbell in the corner of the end zone. The next play, Kaheaku-Enhada went back to Campbell on the 2-point conversion, putting Navy up for good.

The Irish cut their deficit to two on a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Travis Thomas. Following a 'bail-out' pass interference call on Notre Dame's first 2-point conversion try, the Midshipmen defense held firm against as lineman Michael Walsh and linebacker Irv Spencer stopping Travis Thomas in the backfield on the second conversion try.

Notre Dame falls to 1-8 on the season. Navy, now 5-4, beat Notre Dame for the first time since 1963 when Roger Staubach was quarterback for the Midshipmen.
(Also see Navy sinks Notre Dame)

FPS ANALYSIS: Earlier in the season when Notre Dame was struggling, comedian Jay Leno joked that the Roman Catholic church had recognized another miracle, “Charlie Weis still has a job.”

That joke is closer to reality today following the Irish loss to Navy that officially puts the “offensive genius” Weis on the hot seat.

Fans and admins alike cannot discount the questionable call Weis made in the closing moments of the game.

After the Irish drove the ball to the Navy 24, Weis decided to go for it on fourth-and-eight rather than attempt a 40-yard field goal. Irish QB Evan Sharpley was sacked with 45 seconds remaining, the fourth sack for Navy, which entered the game with only five.

Come on Charlie! You’re playing at home, at least try for the win! The fourth down call was despicable and for that, Notre Dame deserved to lose.

At this rate the comparisons between Weis and former coach Ty Willingham will never end. Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News unveiled a detailed comparison a little over a week ago.

Through 33 games, the two coaches had identical 20-13 records. Willingham had one more win over Michigan (2 total) and was 7-8 versus rated opponents, while Weis was 4-8 against ranked opponents. Overall, Weis has more to his resume including two BCS bowl appearances, a seven-game streak, the worst ND start ever (0-5) and the worst home loss in 51 years (38-0 to USC).

The two BCS appearances and Weis’ mega-contract are the only things that will keep him around for a fourth season.

Not only have the Irish been punched below the belt in almost every game, they’re getting kicked by everybody too.

It’s a sad day and season to cheer for the ‘Fighting Lucky Charmers.’ Even the closet fans seem to be staying quiet.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

The Yankees strike back, "no chance"

The surprise announcement that came in the middle of Game 4 of the World Series was carefully calculated, driven by ego and should serve as a red flag for potential suitors.

The ‘greatest thing that’s happened to baseball,’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez, has opted-out of his contract with the New York Yankees, forfeiting a guaranteed $72 million over the next three years.

The announcement should be a red flag as A-Rod and his agent Scott Boras show they have no respect for the game of baseball as Boras was trying to upstage the World Series finale through the announcement. Obviously, Rodriguez only cares about money and his individual assault on the record books.

Boras let the Yankees organization know of his client’s decision by leaving a voice mail for general manager Brian Cashman. The excuse given for that spineless act was Boras happened to be traveling.

Boras said during a telephone interview with the AP that Rodriguez made his choice because he was uncertain whether other Yankee free agents would return to play for New York, including pitchers Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte and catcher Jorge Posada. Boras said it became clear that the others wouldn't make a decision by Rodriguez's deadline to opt out – 10 days after the World Series.

That’s a bogus claim and you’d have to stupid to believe it, sorry Scott. The other unknown Yankee contracts probably didn't have any impact, because A-Rod would not have left $70 million plus on the table unless he thought he could get more.

Everything that has transpired amounts to a few more reasons to hate both A-Fraud and his greedy agent, Boras.

UPDATE: As for where Rodriguez will land, the speculation has begun (see Not worth it). But one thing is certain, the Yankees are out.

New York, which failed to make it to the World Series in all of Rodriguez’s seasons, maintained Monday they will not attempt to re-sign A-Rod. Hank Steinbrenner, son of owner George, said there was “no chance.”

The Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers, would make an offer to Rodriguez after Hank Steinbrenner told the NY Times “Does [A-Rod] want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?” The Mud Hens reportedly prepared a letter they plan to mail to Boras including a contract offer with incentives if Rodriguez hits 75 home runs per season and leads Toledo to 10 consecutive Governors’ Cup titles.

Justin Rogers reported on his MLive blog that ESPN radio analyst Jayson Stark keeps coming back to the Mets and Tigers as potential suitors for Rodriguez. Stark says there are major obstacles that could prevent A-Rod from signing with the Angels, Dodgers, Cubs, White Sox or World Champion Red Sox.

The Mercury News reported that Giants GM Brian Sabean said he plans to "kick the tires" on mega free-agent Alex Rodriguez but reiterated that next year's club would be built around pitching and defense.
(Updated 11/03/07)

Blogger's Note: Buyer beware...Alex Rodriguez's great regular season numbers tail off during the playoffs. A-Rod is batting .279 in the playoffs with 7 home runs, 17 RBIs and 38 strikeouts in 39 playoff games. Photo courtesy of AP Photo - Chris O'Meara.