2009 NFC North Preview

The news for the NFC North division this preseason was supposed to be about the Bears finally getting a quarterback to replace Sid Luckman and the QB battle between Dante Culpepper and number one overall draft pick Matt Stafford in Detroit.

Instead we have to go through another season of journalists and reporters (ESPN) having a hard-on for Brett Favre and his tired act of not wanting to go to training camp, but wanting to be given special treatment to come in and "lead" a team to the playoffs and perhaps a Super Bowl.

I'll go ahead and start with the Minnesota Vikings, who won the division last year and are now the popular pick to go all the way after Favre finally signed on. I don't think they'll win the division though, because Favre won't be able to allow Adrian Peterson to be the man. And eventually Favre will want to do things his way, which means changing run plays to passes and throwing interceptions.

The Vikings do have a terrific defense to go along with the best running back in the NFL right now. However, they do not have a number one wide receiver because Bernard Berrian is just a burner who can't run routes. They'll have to rely on Favre at some point in the season to win games and he won't be able to deliver, though they may still make the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears are an improved team on offense with the trade for Jay Cutler, which tells me Lovie Smith and company know they need more offense to help out an aging defense.

Though it's still a top ten defense guys like Brian Urlacher aren't quite as young as they once were and the best way to combat this is by having the D on the field less by controlling the ball offensively. I think the Bears can win 10 or 11 games this year and sneak in and win the division as Minnesota and Green Bay beat up on each other.

The Green Bay Packers are another difficult team to pin down because the defense is so much of a question mark and they are switching to a 3-4 scheme this season. The offense, on the other hand, should be very good again as Aaron Rogers looks poised for another big season.

We know that the Packers will be ready for at least two games on the schedule this year against Favre and the Vikings, but it's unclear if they'll show up for the rest. Losing a lot of close games last season should have helped the Pack mature from last season to now, and I think they can win the division if they are able to get something from the defense that is, at best, a work in progress.

The Detroit Lions have done the most improving from a 2008 season that saw them go 0-16. What's best for the Lions is they have nowhere to go but up, and with the addition of guys like Julian Peterson, Grady Jackson and Phillip Buchanon to the defense, the front office has shown it wants to get better.

On the offensive side of the ball Detroit took Matt Stafford with the number one overall pick in the draft, but they also snatched tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th overall pick in the first round. Pettigrew, a 6'5" target, along with wide receiver Calvin Johnson, should provide a nice security blanket for the young Stafford. Even with all of this, though, six or seven wins is tops for the Lions in '09.

2009 NFC East Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1 in '08) are my favorite to win the division and not because of the addition of Michael Vick, rather because they are the most complete team. Let's not forget the Eagles were in the NFC Championship game last season.

The biggest problem for Andy Reid will be the same that it's always been: Can he use the playbook evenly and not force Donovan McNabb to throw the ball 40 or 50 times every game? When he falls in love with the passing game it always seems to get Donovan injured.

Plus there are more three-and-outs forcing the defense to spend more time on the field. The defense is very good again, though they'll have to overcome the death of longtime Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson.

The New York Giants (12-4 in '08) are the defending NFC East champions and are just two years removed from winning the Super Bowl. Though they do lose some key pieces, especially on offense, they are glad to have Brandon Jacobs, the bruising tailback, and Osi Umenyiora, who missed all of last season, back and 100% for 2009.

Eli Manning should continue to progress into an elite, Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback this year, even without Plaxico Burress and one of his favorite targets, Amani Toomer, who is now with Kansas City.

In what was supposed to be a Super Bowl season in 2008, the Dallas Cowboys failed to reach the playoffs going (9-7) and sorely disappointing fans of "America's Team" all over Dallas. Owner and GM, and overall Poonhound, Jerry Jones did begin the 2009 season in the best way he could have done, which is by releasing Terrell Owens. The Cowboys also have that huge new monstrosity of a stadium to open, too.

With the addition-by-subtraction method or releasing T.O. this may very well be the year Tony Romo and company take control in the NFC and finally win a playoff game for the first time since 1996. Yes, that's correct, 1996. They are loaded (Romo, Barber, Witten, Ware, Spears) and the fans are starving and they open a new stadium. This could be a magical year in Big D.

The Washington Redskins (8-8) were the cellar dwellers in the tough NFC East last season and this year may very well be a repeat. Not that they're not good, but the 'Skins face a tough inter-divisional schedule and are still searching for an elite quarterback to lead them.

If Jason Campbell busts out this season and has a Pro Bowl type of season I won't be surprised, though. He has had a few years to learn as a starter in the NFL and he may have finally caught up to the speed of the game.

He has in the past few seasons made lots of mistakes and must cut down on the fumbles and interceptions if the Redskins are to compete in the East and make the playoffs this season. They still have a good defense and can rely on Clinton Portis, assuming he's healthy, to carry them most of the way.

John Calipari=Scum of the Earth

For a long time I was a big fan of coach John Calipari, going back to the mid-90's when he was the coach at the University of Massachusetts. He had players like Marcus Camby and even got UMass to a Final Four.

Then, a few years ago, my brother Michael told me about how Calipari was a cheater and how the NCAA stripped UMass of the Final Four appearance. Calipari went on to greener pastures in the NBA and finally Memphis without ever being punished, even though his hands were clearly dirty.

What I don't understand is how the school can get fined or placed on probaion, but the coach is allowed to move on without any restrictions or punishment. This is what Calipari did as he went from cheating at UMass, to the NBA for a while, to cheating at his job at Memphis.

The NCAA yesterday announced that it is stripping the University of Memphis of its NCAA record 38 victories, and a Final Four appearance from the 2007-2008 season that saw Memphis make it to the championship game. Memphis will also be placed on three years probation.

This all stems from an investigation that found major infractions at Memphis under coach John Calipari. The school allowed a fraudulent SAT score by a player who was later found out to be star point guard Derrick Rose, who only stayed at Memphis for one season before going to the NBA. The school also provided close to $1700 in free travel to Rose's brother, Reggie.

The worst part of all of this is the fact that it was John Calipari absolutely knew what was going on, but he is allowed to go to Kentucky with no penalties or punishment at all. It's only a matter of time before he does the same thing with the Wildcats and moves on again before the NCAA can come down on him.

The NCAA rules don't seem to fit the crime because it should be Calipari who is in trouble, not the University of Memphis. Just look at UMass, they haven't been the same since all that trouble and soon Memphis will be the same way.

John Calipari, aside from being the biggest type of scumbag, also holds another dubious distinction: He is the first head coach to have been forced to vacate two Final Four appearances with two different schools. Do you see a pattern here, University of Kentucky? If I were the AD at UK I would nip this thing in the bud and go ahead and fire John Calipari, because it's only a matter of time before he is caught cheating again and disgraces the tradition of UK basketball.

So parents, don't let your kids play for John Calipari, no matter what school he is at, because he is a cheater and will always be one. A leopard can't change its spots and John Calipari will always be a cheating snake in the grass.

I would rather my child play for Satan himself than for "Coach" Calipari. At least with Satan you know what he's doing and don't have to worry about your coach leaving to avoid a scandal, unlike with Calipari.

Florida Gators 2009 Preview

It's hard to imagine a college team or player being better than the Florida Gators and Tim Tebow have been over the last three years, but the 2009 college football season may very well prove me wrong.

Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and the Gators are going for three national championships in four years, something that has never been accomplished by a quarterback, as far as I know. Anything less than another crystal ball will be considered a let down in Gainesville. Tebow also has a legitimate shot at a second Heisman trophy, which only the great Archie Griffin has done.

Florida will lose offensive threat Percy Harvin, but he is basically the only player missing from last year's championship team and, as a WR, is the easiest skill position to replace.

Their running backs, mainly Demps and Moody, should be more experienced and ready for the big time and Tebow still has tight end Aaron Hernandez, who could have a huge season for the Gators. Brandon Spikes also returns with Tebow to anchor a ferocious defensive attack that should dominate teams again this season.

With teams like Florida International, Troy, and Charleston Southern on the schedule, their only real out of conference challenge will be home versus Florida State, which may or may not be a tough one. As long as they take care of business in conference, though, Florida should be there come December 5th at the Georgia Dome.

It's going to be fun to watch the Gators again this year. Even if you're not a fan of the team you've got to admit it's one hell of a talented bunch, led by the second coming of Jesus himself, Tim Tebow.

I predict that Florida will lose one game, not sure to which team, but probably within the SEC, and go on to win the SEC championship game as well as their third national title in four years. And Tim Tebow, whether or not he wins another Heisman, will go down as the greatest college quarterback, and possibly the greatest college player, ever to lace 'em up.

University of Georgia 2009 Preview

While the 2008 season began with the highest of aspirations for the Bulldog nation, it ended with a let down, even though they did win 10 games. The Dawgs were preseason number one and had a lot to live up to and unfortunately they were unable to do so.

While a 10-3 record in '08 was very acceptable, it was considered a disappointing season becasue of the preseason ranking plus the fact that the Bulldogs lost to Alabama at home, then lost to hated rivals Florida and Georgia Tech. You can bet that coach Mark Richt will have something ready for that Yellow Jackets' option game this time around, though.

Being ranked preseason number one gives a team little margin for error if it wants to go all the way to a national title, and UGA wasn't able to measure up last season. This year, however, coach Richt is probably right where he wants to be in the preseason: in the top 15, but without a lot of hype like last season. Richt-coached teams always do better flying under the radar and this year they are poised to do some damage.

The Dawgs, as usual, have a tough schedule in the SEC and also face a difficult out of conference schedule in 2009. They open the season at Oklahoma State as they christen the Cowboys' new stadium in Stillwater. Then, they play host to Arizona State, which should be a tougher opponent than they were last year under coach Dennis Erickson.

Next they will also host Tennessee Tech, which is the one team on their schedule that I would label as a cupcake game this season (take that Penn St., USC, Ohio St., etc., basically any team not in the SEC). Finally, they finish the year at Georgia Tech in Atlanta in the game known as "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate," and I know they have this game circled after last year's debacle in Athens.

Georgia loses some key players including number one overall pick Matt Stafford and "All Everything" running back Knowshon Moreno, also a first round pick, but the Dawgs should be able to reload and, with a strong defense, be ready to compete again in the SEC and on the national scene.

The offense should focus around true sophomore wide receiver A.J. Green who is poised to have a monster season after last year's production as a true freshman. The offensive line, which was banged up and had to rely heavily on underclassmen last year, should be healthier and deeper this year as well.

The defense should also be very good with Geno Atkins returning for his senior season and linemen Jeff Owens and Kade Weston anchoring the D-line. And, of course, I can't forget to mention maybe the best player on the whole squad, linebacker Rennie Curran, who is the SEC's leading returning tackler (115 tackles, 3 sacks) from last season.

Even with the very tough schedule, easily one of the toughest in the nation, Mark Richt will find a way to win at least nine games this year and, if senior QB Joe Cox can have a terrific year, the Dawgs may very well find themselves at least in a BCS game. It will be difficult to beat Florida and LSU, but the Dawgs can go 10-2 and make another BCS game, which is a successful season in my book.

The key game for me is the opener at Oklahoma St. in Stillwater. Winning this game will give the Bulldogs a load of confidence heading into their SEC schedule, which could mean a world of difference.

When it comes to SEC games like LSU, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida, anything can happen so they need as much confidence early on in the season as possible. 10-2 and another BCS game is totally do-able in my book and, if things go right, who knows, maybe they'll knock off Florida and win the SEC. I'm not saying they will, but you never know.

Why Brett? Nobody Wants You Back

I can't believe that after all of the shit that he put not only Packers and Vikings fans through, but also NFL fans who had to listen to all the B.S., that Brett Favre is now going to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. He told Ed Werder not six months ago that there was absolutely "no way" that he would return.

And to top it all off, ESPN is reporting that the one year deal is worth $10-$12 million. Who the hell is in charge of the Vikings that they would offer Favre that much money at this point in his career.

Brad (The Pedophile Look-A-Like) Childress and Ziggy Wilf are morons if they think Favre will lead them to a championship. Favre has apparently already told the Vikings that he has a tear in his rotator cuff, so Minnesota is paying top dollar for damaged goods: smart.

What's he gonna do to improve your team, unless you call throwing 20 interceptions improving your team. I wish Favre would have come back with the Raiders, that's the only way this could have been any better.

No wonder the Vikings have never won a Super Bowl. With morons like Childress and Wilf running things they will never win it. Hopefully they will never win it with Favre because he is all hype to me. He did not deserve two of the three MVP awards he won back in the 90's.

With all of those great Packers teams they should have won more than one Super Bowl, and it's because of Favre that I believe they did not. Go back to the '96 season with the Packers and Patriots in the Super Bowl. Who won that game for the Pack? It was Desmond Howard, not Brett Favre that won them that game.

In 22 career playoff games Favre has thrown 39 touchdowns and 28 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 60.7% and a passer rating of 85.2. Those are not numbers that a three time NFL MVP should have, which tells me that Favre is totally overhyped.

People like John Madden and pretty much everybody at ESPN have a hard-on for Favre so they've made him the next Johnny Unitas. Screw Favre. Give me John Elway or Joe Montana.

I really hope that Favre falls flat on his ass and throws 30 interceptions this year and drags down the Vikings with him. He is only out for himself so he can get revenge on Green Bay and I truly hope it all blows up in his face.

No one deserves to fail more than him after the way he's jerked people around for so long. He's always been about himself and no one else and it's only a matter of time before he lets down Minnesota, too.

I don't know how, but I hope he screws it all up and all the veterans on the Vikings team who think he will help them will be calling for his head. That would be sweet. Can't wait to see Favre fail and everyone at ESPN will have to eat crow.

With any luck, this will be the last season we have to put up with Favre-watch. It makes me sick. Retire already Brett, nobody wants to see another season of this crap.

Tiger Tamed?

Now that Tiger Woods has finally lost a major championship after having the 54-hole lead maybe people will stop making excuses for him every time he hits a bad shot or has a bad round. The man is only human and we don't have to find a reason for everything he does wrong, which usually isn't much.

It was so sorry on Sunday to hear the announcer, not sure who, say that Tiger hit a perfect shot on the last par 3, and the ball didn't even stay on the green. If he had hit a perfect shot the ball would have stayed on the green and he would have had a putt of less than ten feet. That is a perfect shot.

Just becasue Woods hits it and starts staring it down doesn't mean you have to guess that he has hit a perfect shot. And then you have the ESPN and SportsCenter people who all night and morning have been saying that he choked in the final round and that he got too conservative.

Can't you people just say that Tiger finally had a bad final round in a major when leading after the third round, and that Y.E. Yang was the better golfer on Sunday. Of course, though, we have today's headline on ESPN.com that asks, "Did Y.E. Yang win the PGA or did Tiger lose it?" Give me a freaking break!

Tiger simply had a bad round and was beaten by a golfer who was better than him, at least, on Sunday. That's it. Tiger wasn't hitting great shots and getting unlucky. Y.E. Yang was hitting great shots and Tiger was not. Period.

But the way I see it, Tiger will only use this season for motivation in the future. This marks the first year since 2004 that Tiger has failed to win a major in a season. He'll be ready for next year and he will be even better after Sunday's disappointment.

So stop making excuses for Tiger because he's not making them. He knows that he didn't putt very well at all and that he was too inconsistent off of the tee. Y.E. Yang, on the other hand, was hitting fairways and greens and making putts all day. Not to mention that eagle chip on the 14th hole. But don't worry too much about Tiger, I'm sure he'll be back next season and win the Grand Slam.

Tiger Goes for the PGA Championship

If Tiger Woods wants to win a major title this season he's only got one chance left. It's this weekend's PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Minnesota.

Tiger is riding a two tournament win streak after his victory last week at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone in Ohio, a course that he's dominated in recent years. Hazeltine, however, should be a whole other challenge with its PGA Championship-ready layout.

One thing I do know for sure is that Tiger really only cares about the majors. Not that he doesn't love winning every tournament he's won, but the majors are what everyone expects him to win and the only thing by which he is judged professionally.

For a guy like Tiger his season is judged by the majors and nothing else. It also should be exciting to see Woods playing alongside Paddy Harrington on Thursday, who is a guy that could very well take this tournament from Tiger.

Another reason that I want to see Tiger win the PGA is because golf is just more exciting when he is winning compared to a tournament that he's not in or one where is has fallen out of contention.

Don't get me wrong, I love to see guys like Mickelson, Anthony Kim or Paddy Harrington do well, but Tiger is the straw that stirs the drink on the PGA Tour. It's just cool to see Tiger when he's pumping his fist or to see the crowd go crazy after one of his shots. They don't do that for anyone else.

So come on Tiger, I want to see another great victory and perhaps something dramatic on the 72nd hole again like we've come to expect from you.

Team USA vs. Mexico

The United States soccer team goes for its first ever win at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City today, a place where the U.S. has never won a game. In fact, they've only come close once with an all time record of 0-22-1 in Mexico City.

This is a different team, though, that has gone into that stadium in the past. This is the team that beat the #1 ranked team in the world, Spain, just a few months ago and nearly beat another top team in Brazil to win the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Those two games gave Team USA a world of confidence that I believe will carry over to not only today's game, but to the 2010 World Cup as well. I look for the USA's big guns, Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard to come through and simultaneously shut up 100,000 screaming Mexican fans.

I look for the U.S. to also avenge their most recent loss to Mexico on home soil where they were slaughtered 5-0. But that was a different USA team and only a few players will be in uniform from that team.

Can't wait to see the United States finally take it to the Mexican team and get another monkey off of their backs as they continue their run to the 2010 World Cup.

The ONLY Bad Part of Football

With the renewal of summer every year also comes the event that has become America's new national pasttime: NFL training camps and the new football season. Every summer fans fill training camps and stadiums to see their favorite teams and players break the seal on a new season of football.

Lately, however, what the fans have been seeing is their favorite players going down with an injury during training camp, which is the one thing every player in the league agrees that each player would be better off avoiding.

In the past week alone in NFL camps we have seen the Falcons' Harry Douglas (Knee) out for the season, the Buccaneers' Antonio Bryant (Torn Meniscus) will miss the rest of the preseason, and now the Panthers' Steve Smith was carted off the field yesterday with an apparent shoulder injury, though x-rays were negative.

So what do all of these players have in common? Well, a lot of things: they're all wide receivers in dynamic offenses, they're all in the NFC South and, most importantly, they were all hustling and giving their best during practice when they were injured.

My point? Every player would like to have an injury-free career, and I'm sure he wishes that same thought to every single other player in the league. But that's just the problem. How do you avoid an injury? The truth is that you can't and, if you try to, you won't be effective and won't last long in the game.

The players that are able to get over the fact that they could have their season, or careers, ended at any moment are the ones who make a difference. This is a violent game. It always has been and always will be. And with the players being bigger, stronger, and faster than ever before, we just have to get used to seeing more injuries.

You always hate to see when a guy gets hurt, but it's just part of the game and almost adds an aura of toughness and virility to the players who fight through the pain to reach their ultimate goal: the Lombardi Trophy. Once you've got that in your hands, nothing hurts on your body anymore. Besides, you've then got all offseason to heal up and do it again next season.

Forget Mike, I Wanna Be Like Tiger

Akron, Ohio: Tiger Woods won the WGC Bridgstone Invitational on Sunday over Paddy Harrington and the rest of the PGA field that he left in the dust during yesterday's round.

This time his signature shot was an 8-iron from 180 yards away on the par-5 16th hole, which he proceeded to put within a foot of the hole for a tap-in birdie. Harrington made triple bogey on the same hole allowing Woods to cruise home on the final two holes at Firestone Country Club.

Tiger finished the final round with a 65 as he became the first player in PGA Tour history to win seven times on the same course.

The win was also his fifth this year and career PGA Tour victory number 70 for Tiger putting him in third all-time behind only Jack Nicklaus (73) and Sam Snead (82).

The win also marked back-to-back wins for Woods going into the PGA Championship at Hazeltine beginning on Thursday, which will be the last chance for Tiger to win a major championship this year.

Tiger and Padraig Harrington will also be paired together in the first two rounds of the PGA Championship on Thursday, which will no doubt be exciting for the fans to see two of the best in the world going head to head in one of the biggest tournaments of the year. Can't wait.

Georgia Tech Football '09 Preview

The Yellow Jackets are coming off of one of their best seasons in recent memory. Many believe that coach Paul Johnson and his option offense snuck up on a lot of teams last year, which is something that they won't be able to do this year.

However, Paul Johnson's teams in the past have traditionally gotten better and been more efficeint at running the option in his second year as head coach. This will tough to duplicate this season, though, because the ACC is a solid conference and every team he plays will be ready for the option.

Coach Johnson has said that he plans on using more passes from the option this year, which should open up some holes for the Yellow Jackets. This could be difficult because the whole team practices running all the time so the first time they go to drop back and pass out of the option, there could be trouble. Then again, it could work beautifully.

With the way quarterbacks in his option system take poundings, coach Paul Johnson expects both Josh Nesbitt and Jaybo Shaw to get plenty of snaps under center this season. Some critics may say, 'If you think you have two quarterbacks, then you don't have one.' This, however, isn't the case with Tech as Nesbitt and Shaw both know their roles and seem to be very comfortable with sharing time with one another.

While I expect Tech to have another pretty good season, I don't expect them to win more games than they did last season simply because they have a tough schedule to go up against.

The Yellow Jackets usually always have a tough schedule, but this season will be brutal because of all the up and coming ACC teams like North Carolina and Virginia they'll have to play. Add to that Clemson, Miami, FSU, Va. Tech, Miss. State, Wake Forest and Georgia, and the Yellow Jackets could have a tough year.

Either way I expect that the Yellow Jackets will win a few games that they should lose and lose a few that they should win, ending up with a respectable season. I feel that 8-4 or maybe 9-3 if they're lucky is a good season for Georgia Tech.

But, no one expected the option to work for them last year, so they could win ten or eleven games if they're firing on all cylinders. Perhaps a return to the Chik-Fil-A Bowl and possibly another 10-win season is in their future.

2009 NCAA Football Pre-Season Top 10

Well it's August, which means it's time for football. And that means that it's time for preseason polls and predictions. So without further ado, I give you my 2009 college football preseason top ten:

1.Florida Gators-Two championships in three years. Why not make it three in four years to cap off Tim Tebow's Florida career as the greatest quarterback to ever lace 'em up in college football. Hell, throw in another Heisman too. Even though they lose Percy Harvin to the NFL the Gators will be even more explosive this year and linebacker Brandon Spikes leads a defense that may be the best in the country. The defense, which held the so-called "great" Oklahoma offense to 14 points in the championship game last year, returns just about everyone and will cover any holes the offense may have from the departure of Harvin. You may not like it, but we'll all have to watch again this season as the Gators win their third national title in four years under coach Urban Meyer.

2.Texas Longhorns-Many Longhorns believe that it should have been them in the title game last season. They have a chance to prove it this year led by Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley who return to take care of unfinished business. Though they lose a player that can't be replaced in defensive end Brian Orakpo, Mack Brown always has his teams prepared and the Longhorns should have a great season. Possibly even a championship season.

3.Oklahoma Sooners-You know the Sooners have a bitter taste in their mouths after the disappointment of last season, which may be one reason why Sam Bradford has returned for another year and another shot at a championship. The usual culprits await OU, including the always big Red River Shootout against Texas. The winner of that game should put itself in the drivers seat for the Big 12 and a national championship game berth.

4.USC Trojans-The Trojans' defense, ranked #1 in the country last season, will only return three starters on that side of the ball. However, USC will have no problem reloading like always, even after losing starting quarterback Mark Sanchez as well. Mitch Mustain could be the answer for the Trojans who may very well return to the national title game in '09.

5.Alabama Crimson Tide-'Bama was a young team last season and not supposed to do so well until at least this year. Instead they were the only SEC team to finish the regular season undefeated. Young receiever Julio Jones is ready to explode, but their main problem will be at

quarterback. If they can figure that out early, then the Tide may make another BCS run again in 2009.

6.Ohio State Buckeyes-With Terrelle Pryor no longer a true freshman look for a marked improvement in the Buckeyes' offensive attack. We saw the flashes of brilliance from Pryor, but also many mistakes. As he goes so, too, does Ohio State. That's a lot to put on a sophomore, but the Buckeyes should have a say when it's all said and done at least in the Big Ten.

7.Oklahoma State Cowboys-A win in the season opener against Georgia could go a long way to help out the Cowboys this season, who have tough games against other Top Ten, Big Ten opponents Texas and Oklahoma. This could be the year for coach Mike Gundy (He's 40!!!) and the potent Cowboys offensive attack led by quarterback Zac Robinson and wide receiver Dez White. The Cowboys could finally put it all together this year and take the Big 12.

8.L.S.U. Tigers-Being in the SEC it's always difficult to predict the future of the Tigers, but being in the West gives them an added advantage. LSU lost 3 of their last 4 games down the stretch last year, so don't expect that to happen again. They should win the SEC West, but may have to settle for the Peach Bowl again. The "Mad Hatter" Les Miles always is fun to watch, though, so I hope they do well so we can hear lots from him.

9.Penn State Nittany Lions-With quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster returning the Nittany Lions will have a very good offense. And with their weak Big Ten schedule they should make a run at a BCS, if not the national title game. After all, they were only one win away from it last season. They do lose a lot on defense including first round pick Aaron Maybin, though.

10.Utah Utes-The Utes will be looking for respect this season after capping last year's undefeatd run with a win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. They could easily wind up undefeated again this year with their only real tough games coming at the end of the year at TCU Nov. 14 and at BYU Nov. 28. Look for the Utes to crash the BCS party once again this season.

Why Is The SEC So Good?

The Southeastern Conference is so good, and has been for so long, that for the last three straight seasons the national champion has come from the SEC and not been undefeated. Think about all those teams that go undefeated and automatically think they deserve to be in the title game.

Like Hawaii a few seasons ago. They were trying to lobby all over the place to get into the title game when no voter in his or her right mind was actually going to put them ranked either number one or two.

And what happened when they did eventually make an at large BCS game? They got stomped by Georgia and a great SEC defense. And that probably cost Colt Brennan a few million bucks. I'm sure he would have preferred to go to the Holiday Bowl and rack up 500 yards and been drafted in the second round or maybe even the first.

Then there was the curious case of Utah last season who actually did go undefeated and beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. This was a very good 'Bama team, don't get me wrong, but not a great team.

I think the Tide overachieved all season long except in the SEC Championship game and the BCS game, where they were exposed. But Utah was a very good team. However, if they were in the SEC they wouldn't have been undefeated and therefore would not have been in the BCS game to begin with.

And I believe that you can use this formula for pretty much any team in Division I, or FBS (Myanmar!?...It'll always be Burma to me), whatever they call it these days. USC would not have won two straight national titles and gone undefeated for that long streak, and been in a third straight title game, if they were in the SEC.

The Big10, PAC10, and Big12 are all great conferences, but each one has all teams with either a good offense or a good defense. None of these conferences has several teams, like the SEC, with both. Look at Ohio State and Oklahoma the last three seasons in the title game against SEC powerhouses. They were both beaten soundly, Ohio State twice.

Most colleges have some history and tradition, but nearly every shcool in the SEC has a long tradition of winning and success that keeps the fan bases' expectations high, which in turn keeps the AD's and coaches on a short leash. If you don't produce early and often in the SEC, you won't make it long.

The SEC has so many great coaches, too, that no team ever has a week off or a game that they can say, 'we know we will win this one.' Every game is thought out in practice by some of the finest minds in the college game, many against each other week after week.

Then, there's the out of conference scheduling with teams like UGA playing Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State this year, and Florida squaring off versus Florida State every year. South Carolina plays Clemson every year and the list goes on and on.

Few teams in the SEC take more than one weak game every year and that is a big difference in level of competition, which is a major contributor to the conference dominating the way it has for so long.

So once again this season I expect the SEC to dominate not only out of conference play, but also the entire season and bowl games as well.

Tim Tebow: Great College QB or Greatest College QB?

When you think of the greatest college quarterbacks of all-time only a handful of players come to mind. Sammy Baugh, Davey O'Brien, Roger Staubach, and Doug Flutie are a couple of the candidates.

Then, we get into the more modern era of quarterbacks like Tommie Frazier, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and Danny Wuerffel.

Any of these candidates could conceivably be the "greatest" quarterback of all-time, depending on who you ask about it. A Nebraska fan would say Frazier, USC fans would say Leinart, and Navy fans would say Staubach.

I'm here today to tell you all that there is another QB that can be added to this list, and he hasn't even finished his senior season. I'm talking, of course, about Tim Tebow, who has already won two national championships (1 as a starter) and a Heisman Trophy. What else could a coach, or a fanbase, ask for after just three seasons on campus.

For anyone to say that Tebow isn't the greatest college QB of all-time they would have to be either retarded, or very loyal to their alma mater or favorite team. (And remember people, I'm a Florida State Seminoles fan, so you know how much this is killing me!)

Naturally I came across just such a website run by a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan that said Tommie Frazier is the greatest, even though Tebow has better numbers across the board in three seasons than Frazier had in four.

Frazier(1992-95): 49% completion prcentage, 4,003 passing yards and 47 pass touchdowns to go along with 2,263 rushing yards and 36 rush touchdowns in four years.

Tebow:(2006-08): 65.8% completion percentage, 6,159 pass yards and 67 pass TD's to go along with 2,037 rush yards and 43 rush TD's in just three years so far.

For me it's not even close. Even if Tebow breaks his leg this summer and his college football career ends without his senior season, I still feel that he is the greatest college QB of all-time.

It's also important for everyone to remember that Tebow is playing in the toughest conference against the toughest players and he is still putting up insane numbers. I seriously doubt that Tommie Frazier would have put up half the stats the he accumulated if he had played in the SEC instead of the Big 12 where he rolled over inferior opponents and teams week in and week out. Tebow faces top notch competition every week in players that want to be the one that put him down, and they still can't stop him.

Tim Tebow is the greatest college quarterback, nay the greatest college player, in the greatest conference (SEC, in case you don't know). Therefore, Tim Tebow is the greatest college QB of all-time.

I have no qualms about making this statement and, as far as I'm concerned, Tebow's final season will put an end to any other talk of a quarterback better than he has been because Florida will win it all again this season. Mark it down today, August 31st, the Florida Gators will win their third national championship in four years under Tim Tebow.

Though I'm not a fan of his team, I am glad that I have gotten the privilege to watch the greatest of all-time go to work every week. He really is an inspiring figure. Kind of like Jesus, but way better at football.

Sorry Braves Fans

If you're a Braves fan like me, then you were probably pissed off when you heard that the Philadelphia Phillies have made a deal to bring in Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee.

This deal may very well propel the Phillies back into the World Series for a chance at back-to-back titles. The trade is pending physical exams.

As a Braves fan I feel like, once again, they have missed out on a chance to get back into the playoffs not by acquiring Lee, but by going after another big bat or two. Instead, they're probably going to sit back and ride the great pitching they've gotten this year, which is someting that has been missing over the last few seasons.

And I won't pretend to be angry that they went out and did something about the rotation this past offseason, as well as the offense. It's just that the offensive moves didn't quite workout as well as the pitching moves did.

Getting back to Philadelphia, though, it's hard not to say that they are now the favorites in at least the National League. The Phillies were able to keep young right-hander J.A. Happ in dealing for Lee, unlike they would have been able to do in acquiring Roy Halladay from Toronto.

Lee, the '08 A.L. Cy Young Award winner, is having another great season, though his record is just 7-9. However, Lee has posted a 3.14 ERA and walked only 33 batters in 152 innings pitched, though he has gotten no support from the meager Indians offense.

With a solid three of Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, and now Cliff Lee, on the front end of their rotation, and Brad Lidge coming back into form, the Phils' should be expected to be in the playoff hunt come October with a chance to repeat.

Of course, they also have an offense that may be better than it was last season with the addition of Raul Ibanez, who's in the midst of a career year at age 37, and Jimmy Rollins is finally hitting in front of Shane Victorino. Philly's 3-4-5 of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Ibanez is as good as any I've ever seen.

It's gonna be tough for anyone to knock the champs from their throne come playoff time.

Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan: Take Your Pick

Last season something happened in the NFL that just about never happpens: Not one, but two rookie quarterbacks led their respective teams to the playoffs. Matt Ryan with the Atlanta Falcons and Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens.

And one, Flacco, won two games for his Ravens. A first for any rookie QB in the NFL. Matt Ryan went on to win the Associated Press '08 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. So with the NFL season on the horizon I decided to compare the two quarterbacks and tell you which one will have the better 2009 season.

Flacco had a great rookie season in 2008 throwing for 2,971 yards and 14 touchdowns, with a Passer Rating of 80.3. All of these are respectable numbers when you consider not only was Flacco a rookie, but he also played behind one of the best defenses in the NFL, so he didn't have to put up Peyton Manning or Tom Brady-like numbers to be successful.

Look for the Ravens to repeat the formula they used last season and let their defense lead them while relying on a strong running game to take pressure off of the young Flacco. At the same time, though, "Joe Cool" has shown he can handle the pressure of the position, so look for the Ravens to open up the playbook offensively and give Flacco more freedom with the play-calling. Personally I believe Flacco is ready to take the leadership role on the offense already.

One thing Baltimore will have to adjust to will be the abscence of their ex-defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, who has moved on to greener pastures as the new head coach of the New York Jets.

Ryan also took with him to New York linebacker Bart Scott, a key cog in the Ravens' defensive machine the past few seasons. With Ray Lewis re-signed, but a year older, the Ravens offense, especially Flacco, may have to step up this season if they wish to go far again. Their defense will win them some games as usual, but the offense must step up.

Matt Ryan also looks to improve on a rookie season for his Falcons that saw them win 11 games and make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Ryan threw for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing only 11 interceptions. He also had a passer rating of 87.7. What else can you say about the expectations for "Matty Ice?"

The offense should once again be potent with Ryan a year more experienced, and Roddy White and Michael Turner back and ready to explode. I would also leave out Jerious Norwood, who is expected to get even more touches this season, at my own own peril.

But without a doubt the biggest addition to the Falcons offense will be tight end Tony Gonzalez, who should help out both the running and passing games. Sure the defense may still have some questions, but the Falcons' offense will be as potent as any team in the league, let alone our own division.

And if you score 30-plus points every game, then you don't have to worry too much about the defense. Perhaps they'll use the formula that won the St. Louis Rams a Super Bowl in 1999.

The Falcons could win fewer games this season and still be a better team due to their difficult schedule. However, I look for Ryan to have a monster season as he, too, is allowed to open up the playbook, especially with the addition of Gonzalez. The Ravens will struggle while the Falcons will make the playoffs again. Advantage-Matt Ryan.

Pete Rose Lifetime Ban Lifted?

Word on the street is that MLB Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig is considering lifting the lifetime ban from baseball on Pete Rose.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, Bud Selig is "seriously considering" reinstatement for one Peter Edward Rose. This decision comes almost 20 years after the all-time hit king was banned from baseball for betting on the sport.

The report goes on to mention Hank Aaron, who has been vocally supportive of Rose, as a good indicator of Selig's decision to reinstate Rose. Aaron reiterated his feelings for Rose's reinstatement at this past weekend's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Personally I feel that Rose should have already been in the Hall of Fame and if Bud Selig weren't so stupid he would have fixed this problem years ago along with all the other problems that are plaguing Major League Baseball.

It doesn't make any sense that the man who had more hits than anyone else in the game, by a wide margin, is not in the Hall. Would the all-time points leader in the NBA or the leading rusher in the NFL not be in their respective Halls of Fame?

It has been almost 20 years and nothing has changed except the fact that Rose now at least actually admits to gambling on baseball and his own teams. That's a start and it's good enough for me. Let the man in the Hall of Fame, Bud.

R.I.P. Vernon "The Viper" Forrest

Former professional boxing champion Vernon Forrest was shot and killed in an attempted carjacking in Atlanta on Saturday night.

Forrest, an Augusta, Georgia native and Atlanta resident, was a three-time champion in two different weight classes.

Forrest was shot seven or eight times as he chased at least two men who had tried to steal his car as he put air in his tires at a gas station in Atlanta on Saturday night. He also had a gun and apparently chased the suspects, before he was gunned down.

Forrest (41-3, 29 KOs), was a 1992 U.S. Olympian and was a former two-time welterweight and junior middleweight champion.

He is best known for his two decision victories against Shane Mosley in 2002, the first of which handed Mosley his first professional loss. Mosley was widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in thw world at the time.

Vernon was also known for his work with charity with his involvement in Destiny's Child, a group home that provides support and guidance for mentally challenged adults. He was also involved with many other charitable organizations during his boxing career.

With Alexis Arguello and Arturo Gatti before him, this now makes three great boxing champions that have died in July. Truly a sad day, and month, for the Sweet Science.

Vernon Forrest, 38, a true Georgia boxing great, will be missed.

I Believe The Ball Coach

In case you haven't heard yet, Steve Spurrier was the lone wolf that didn't vote for Tim Tebow as the 1st Team quarterback on the All-SEC preseason team, making Tebow a unanimous choice.

Instead Spurrier said his director of football operations filled out the ballot for him, brought it in to him, and Spurrier said he glanced at it, signed off on it, and then realized his mistake after all the news about it.

At the SEC Media Days on Friday Spurrier said he takes full responsibility for it, adding "I'm embarrassed about it, I feel badly about it ... I apologize to Tim Tebow."

The Ball Coach went on to say he believes Tebow is not only the top QB in the SEC, but the best in the country as well.

In an effort to further close the matter, Spurrier went as far as to contact SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom to tell him he made a mistake in his original ballot. He asked Bloom if he could change his selection of quarterback to Tim Tebow and Bloom obliged. So all is now right in the world, Gator fans as Tebow is now a unanimous 1st Team All-SEC quarterback.

But, to be honest, I really believe Steve Spurrier when he says he let his director of football operations fill out the ballot.

Think about it. A coach like Spurrier has been filling out things like this for years, and he's probably tired of all those little, unimportant things that get in the way of winning ball games. So, he let someone else do it and you know he's not the only coach to do so. So lay off everybody because those things really don't matter anyway.

Soccer Is Cool: I'm Finally Hooked

Last night I experienced my first-ever live soccer event as A.C. Milan (Italy) took on Club America (Mexico) at the Georgia Dome as part of the World Soccer Challenge. I realized that I am now a big soccer fan and I’m here to recruit as many folks as I can get to join me.
If you’ve ever seen hockey live, then you’ll have somewhat of a feel for what a soccer game with two top clubs feels like.
I’ll be honest when I say that I was expecting maybe 25,000 fans to attend the game at the Georgia Dome, which holds 72,000, so my brother Michael and I were pretty shocked when we saw the crowds gathered at the ticket lines. By the way Mike, thanks for the ticket, bro. And we were even more shocked when we heard the final attendance announced at 50,000-plus.
What also helped to make the event exciting was the fact that we saw a total of three goals scored as Club America defeated A.C. Milan 2-1. The Mariachi band that serenaded Club America from the upper deck after halftime was also quite cool to see.
It was also really cool to see the fans, who were decidedly in favor of Club America, cheer for their team when they scored, but also for Milan when they scored their goal to tie the game late in the second half.
It was clear to me that the fans were truly fans of the Beautiful Game and were just thrilled to have the opportunity to see a game of this caliber, regardless of whether or not their team was victorious. Of course, Club America winning late in thrilling fashion was just the capper for me, as well as 50,000 other screaming soccer fans in Atlanta.
Ronaldinho of A.C. Milan also helped to entertain us as we saw several great dribbles and passes from him, as well as accurate corner kicks from one of the greatest players in the world. Seeing him do his patented Samba with the ball, and through and around defenders, was one of the coolest things I’ve seen in sports and something I’ll never forget.
So here’s to you soccer, or futbol, either way is cool with me, but I can’t wait to catch the next Team USA game whenever that may be. I also can’t wait for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Maybe some of us here in the States will be pleasantly surprised, at least that’s what I’ll be hoping for.

U.S.A. Soccer: Contender or Not?

With team U.S.A.'s recent performances against Spain and Brazil, it's easy for me to get excited about the upcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I can't remember the last time I actually cared about U.S. soccer, but I do now.

For me personally, a big part of that has nothing at all to do with the game itself, but another game: FIFA Soccer by EA Sports. I have learned more from that game than I have from watching years of soccer games. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about The Beautiful Game.

But to get back to my first question, is the United States finally a contender for the 2010 World Cup? My answer: Of course they are. They've already beaten the number one team in the world (Spain) in a FIFA sanctioned event, and nearly came close to beating another in Brazil as well.

No one can tell me that the team didn't gain a huge boost of confidence from those two games, and I believe that it absolutely will carry over to the World Cup.

On what do I base this theory?, you might ask. Well, nothing scientific, but I've seen enough upsets and rallies in sports to know when something great is taking shape, and I firmly believe in U.S. soccer this time. One thing I can say for sure that we can expect to see alot of in South Africa next year, and that is Jozy Altidore.

The kid isn't even 20-years-old yet and he's already a beast. Did you see him shield off those little Spanish players to make that first goal against Spain a few weeks back? Can't wait to see more of this young man on the brightest stage.

Jozy is a surefire superstar in the making and possibly the first American soccer star we've ever had. I'm just glad we have someone like him on our side this time around. Great players seize the opportunity on the biggest stages and that's exactly what I expect Jozy to do come 2010.

So get on the bandwagon now folks because I'm telling you, the U.S. is gonna make a run at this thing and I hope you all are on board with me leading the cheers for the U.S.A.

Which 90's MLB Players are Worthy of the Hall?

It's hard to think about the 1990's in baseball and not think immediately about steroids. The two are forever linked together these days like Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, but not in a good way. And it's even more difficult to try and pick out those few players who are clean.

Moreover, is there really any way that we can be sure that those players are clean? The only way is for each person to make up their own minds individually, which is what I'm prepared to do now.

With this in my head I decided to make a list of the players from the 1990's that I believe are clean and, therefore, should make it to the Hall of Fame one day. It's hard to pick through all of the players and come up with the clean ones, so first I made a list of all of those players who I know(my opinion) were abusing performance enhancing drugs. Again, this list is tentative and subject to change so check back with us often for updates to the lists.

Right off the bat we know of several players who have been caught so we can already put them on the list. Then, there are those who have either proclaimed their innocence so much that they draw attention to themselves, or those who have remained unbelievably quiet on the topic. Either way we know they're guilty.

Some of these players include A-Rod, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero, Miguel Tejada, Albert Belle, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Juan Gonzalez, Brady Anderson, Gary Sheffield and many, many others.

So with the cheaters out of the way I now have a small list of those great players of the 90's that are clean and should make it into the Hall of Fame. These players are Derek Jeter, Greg Maddux, Trevor Hoffman, Tom Glavine, Ken Griffey, Mariano Rivera, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz. Again, the list is small and that's no accident, though I'm sure I'm missing a few obvious ones.

And oh yeah, I know he played in the 80's and definitely didn't use steroids, but voters please, for the love of God, put Dale Murphy in the Hall. He deserves it as much as any player to ever have played the game.

I'm sure there are others that I've missed on both lists so be sure to let me know in the comments section if I have any glaring omissions. And be sure to check back with us over the course of the baseball season as we will have more steroids talk and accusations.

Cink Finally Delivers A Major

In case you didn't hear, Tom Watson missed becoming the oldest winner on the PGA tour in almost 100 years, as well as the oldest to ever win a major, by eight feet. That's what he had left for a par on the 18th hole and the win.

Instead he bogeyed, played a 4-hole playoff with Stewart Cink, and lost the Open Championship. Still, Watson has nothing to be ashamed of. He was playing against guys that were less than half his age in some cases. He proved that the game of golf will never pass you by as long as you keep trying and working hard, no matter how old you are.

And how about the Georgia Tech alum and Atlanta resident Stewart Cink. The 1997 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year finally was able to conquer a major field and win his first ever Claret Jug as well as his first ever major championship.

And for anyone who tries to say that this win is somehow tainted or that it should have gone to Watson, I say that you have no idea what you're talking about. Do you think Tiger lost any sleep after taking away the U.S. Open championship from Rocco Mediate last year at Torrey Pines? No, he did not. So enjoy it Stewart and don't let anyone knock you off of your high horse.

This is Max and I'm Pissed

You probably know by now that the Open Championship is not being shown in HD by TNT. And tomorrow when you settle in to watch the spectacular scenery on the Scottish coast on ABC it won't be in HD either. What is this 1999? Nope, welcome to the joys of government control. The BBC has all of the rights to the Open. That means TNT and ABC get their feed from the BBC. Normally, it's not a problem picking up a feed from a foreign broadcaster, think of the World Cup. But, like quality dental work, our friends in the UK can't get the Open in HD. Because this is an event of national importance it has to be shown on over the air TV in England. That means the BBC. Since they are government subsidized they have no incentive to broadcast in HD. Imagine if CBS decided that the Masters should go back to SD. That's what happens when government gets their hands on something. Whoooo, government health, I can't wait to buy a new GM car, yay Obama.

Sports In The Key of MJ

There have been plenty of athletes, teams, and moments in the world of sports of which Michael Jackson would have been a fan. So with that in mind and to honor the music of the King of Pop, whether or not he was a sports fan, I present to you some memorable sports moments, athletes, and teams that remind me of my favorite MJ songs.

I did the best I could with this one so try to enjoy it even if you weren't a Michael Jackson fan because I'm pretty sure everyone at one point in time was a fan of his.

Michael Jordan & Dominique Wilkins (Jam)-Jordan did the video for the song with MJ so I couldn't leave him off of the list, but it mainly reminds me of The Human Highlight Film posterizing opponents left and right.

Chad Ochocinco & Ron Artest (Wanna Be Startin' Something)-There are tons of guys I could have put for this one, but these two always seem to be in trouble for some reason.

Ed Reed & Troy Polamalu (Dangerous)-Again, a lot of guys I could have used, including UGA's own Thomas Davis, but no one wants to meet either of these two coming over the middle.

Matt Ryan (P.Y.T. Pretty Young Thing)- I always wanted a quarterback just like you, and now the Falcons finally have one. Such a pretty, young, TALENTED thing.

Maria Sharapova (The Way You Make Me Feel)- One of the few reasons I even watch tennis. She knocks me off of my feet, she really turns me on. My lonely days are good.

1980 U.S. Hockey Team (Remember the Time)-Do you remember? At the park, on the beach, you and me. In Spain. Where were you when the U.S defeated the mighty Russians?

Jose Canseco (Man In The Mirror)-Of all the playeres who have been brought up in the steroids era, Canseco is the only one who started with himself and told the truth about steroids and can now look at himself in the mirror.

WNBA & MLS (They Don't Care About Us)- Even David Beckham coming across the pond couldn't help out soccer in the U.S., and we all know about the WNBA. Enough said. There are some things that even Americans won't watch.

Steroid Users (Human Nature)- When your kids ask why some players had to cheat and use steroids to get ahead in baseball, just tell 'em that it's Human Nature.

Stephon Marbury (Smooth Criminal)-New York Knicks, you've been hit by, you've been struck by, a smooth criminal. Marbury was making $20 million this past season sitting on the bench for the Knicks before his trade to Boston. D'Antoni are you okay, will you tell us that you're okay, after that highway robbery.

Phil Jackson (Don't Stop Til You Get Enough)-What a way to cap a legendary coaching career by capturing your 10th championship and passing Red Auerbach in the process. But, that's not all for the Zen Master. He's announced he's coming back for number eleven next season. Keep on, Phil, and don't stop til you get enough!

I Miss the Bullpen Cart

Remember how cool it was to see relief pitchers coming to the mound being driven by a golf cart with a team's logo on it? Why did this part of baseball ever end? I'll bet it had something to do with the groundskeepers at the stadiums always complaining about tire tracks on his finely manicured outfield.

One of the truely unique events in all of sports was watching a reliever come out of the bullpen in those carts while the crowd cheered either the player, the cart, or both. The demise of the bullpen car is one that doesn't seem to have bothered anyone, especially the groundscrews, but I believe we're missing out on a piece of baseball history and fun.

The bullpen ere began in MLB around 1950 when the Cleveland Indians brought out a car described in a local paper as "a little red auto" to bring relievers from the bullpen to the pitcher's mound. In 1951 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, White Sox reliever Marv Rotblatt became the first pitcher to use a cart in Chicago, which inspired a New York sports writer to write, "Chicago is going bush. Just like Cleveland." I'm sure that N.Y. writer was being totally objective as well. I mean an angry N.Y. sports writer? I don't buy it!

The bullpen car hit is zenith in the 1970's when most teams introduced the giant baseball around the cart with the team's logo on its side. Still other teams went in a different way using motorcycles, Datsun trucks and even a Chrylser LeBaron as their teams car.

Perhaps the coolest of all is what the White Sox did in the 50's. They used different carts for the home and visiting teams. The visiting team had to use a black Cadillac, supplied by a local funeral home, as their bullpen car. The bullpen car era officially ended at the close of the 1995 season when the Brewers, who used a Harley-Davidson with a sidecar for the pitcher to sit in, became the last team to stop using the little car.

While we may not be able to see them in MLB anymore, the bullpen car still exists in Japan where it is quite popular. Who knows, maybe one day some team will decide to bring back the bullpen carts. Until then, we still have the memories of seeing grown men being driven no more than 100 yards to the mound to get dropped off like a kid at the bus stop. Classic.

Urban Meyer and the Notre Dame rumors

Urban Meyer, or Corch Meyers if you’re the esteemed Democratic Congresswoman from Florida, came out this week and emphatically said he will never go to Notre Dame. If you believe that I have a bottle of Tim Tebow’s sweat that will cure cancer to sell you. Paul Finebaum, Saban ass kisser extraordinaire, caused quite a stir last week with his article about Meyer leaving Albert for Touchdown Jesus. He coached there under Lou Holtz, he’s from the Midwest, it’s his dream job, he’s named after a pope, blah, blah, blah. These are the usual reasons that come up when Meyer and Notre Dame are mentioned.
All that aside, you have to wonder why he would ever leave the fertile recruiting grounds of Florida. Florida State and Miami are shells of their former selves. Yeah, South Florida may be a team on the come but they are a long way from reaching the powerhouse status of the Gators. He came into the SEC with the spread offense and shut up the naysayers (including me) who said SEC defenses were too big and fast for it to work. And who in their right mind would leave the warm and sunny winters of Gainesville for South Bend? Urban will.
He revived a Florida program that stagnated under the leadership of Ron Zook (somehow even he was 2-1 against UGA). The Zooker left a full cupboard of talented football players that never would have won the BCS trophy with Mr. Intensity at the helm. Urban took that team to the top and recruited a once in a generation type player in Tim Tebow. Now the Gators enter 2009 as the prohibitive favorites in Tebow’s senior year. If they win it, that will be three in four years. His name will be mentioned with the all time greats, Bryant, Rockne, Hayes, etc. But no matter how much he wins he will always be second in Gator hearts to the Ole Ball Coach. The former Gator quarterback built the formerly mediocre program into the perennial championship contender it is today. Meyer can never compete with his legacy.
He came to the mighty SEC with his “gimmick” offense and has dominated like no one since the legendary Bear. Where’s the next challenge? In South Bend, turning around the most storied program in college football history. Notre Dame has fallen on such hard times that their biggest “victory” the last few years was a last second loss to USC. There have been blowout losses in the regular season, in bowl games, losses to bottom feeders in the regular season and the end of their 43 game winning streak against Navy. Crewcut Charlie Weis is not the coach to restore the Irish to their former glory. He may have amassed enough talent to win 9, maybe even 10, games against a soft schedule this year. If they do it will be off to another BCS game and another blow out at the hands of the second best team from the SEC, Big 12 or Big 10. That may be enough to buy him another year as coach but the administration will be going behind the scenes to gauge Meyer’s interest.
Sure it will cost them plenty to buy out the ridiculous contract they gave Weis halfway through his first season. In these economic times it may not be prudent to pay off Crewcut Charlie and give Urban the kind of contract he will demand, but they are one of the few schools that have the resources to do it. If Weis can’t take them back to the elite they know there is one coach who can. Urban Meyer can and will it’s just a matter of time.

What's Up With MLB Players' Pants?

I can't stand it when guys like Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds and countless others wear their pants stretched over the bottom of their shoes. It's looks ridiculous.
And for that matter what happened to the leggins that players wore with their pants pulled up their knee? 'Now that's a look you can set your watch to'...to quote Grandpa Simpson.
Believe it or not the 2002-'06 MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement actually includes a section on uniform regulations, including pant length. According the MLB Hall of Fame website the CBA has "no fewer than seven regulations regarding pants, limiting the pant length to be no lower than the top of the shoe heel and discouraging the baggy pant look."
It makes you wonder how all of these guys are getting away with wearing their pants all baggy and gangsta-like and no one has heard a word from Bud Selig. But if getting away with wearing baggy pants is the least of what players are getting away with, then I guess Bud is happy. Sadly, though, that's not the truth.
By the way: Am I the only one that was glad to see that Barry Bonds didn't get a job? Just wondering. Hopefully no teams will get desperate at the trade deadline and go after him.
Thanks for reading my first post on the Atlanta Sports Desk and check in with me anytime.