With conference realignment and Big 12 chaos swirling in the Midwest air, a new scent appeared in Columbia, Missouri today: the sweet scent of southern sweet tea took over, with appearances from deep fried chicken and the bite of bourbon and whiskey. The expansion craze has hit my college in full force; the Missouri Tigers and SEC have informally agreed to join.
Now many on campus are somewhat concerned about the possible move. Is Mizzou ready to compete in the best and most brutal football conference in America? Are the Tigers fast enough? Will the students here see many winning seasons or New Year's bowl games? Why would we join the Southeast when we're in the Midwest?
These concerns need to be alleviated and replaced with excitement. The past five national champions have come from the SEC, and some of the best atmospheres in football call it home. Missouri will now travel to hallowed grounds like Death Valley, Between the Hedges, the Swamp, and Bryant-Denny Stadium. Students will have the best teams in the country coming to Columbia to play every year, creating an even more hyped and insane aura than ever before.
Financially, this move is pure brilliance. The SEC has a ridiculous TV contract, along with a gargantuan amount of bowl money. All of this can put our athletic facilities officially over the top. We are now sharing revenue with at least eight powerhouse programs instead of four. More seats could even be added to Faurot Field with the new profit.
From a recruiting standpoint, the Tigers are gaining a major selling point. Instead of having to keep up with the SEC in terms of conference prestige when selling the program to recruits, they can now say they are a part of the power. Kids nowadays aspire to play in Dixie Country, as it's the first conference that comes to mind when discussing college football with anybody. The Pac 12 and Big 10 boast impressive programs and venues as well, but can they really match the combined power of all the stadiums I mentioned earlier along with the out-of-this-world tailgates occurring there (or the insanely attractive southern belles that cheer wildly in them)? Players and coaches are revered in this conference, and the bottom line is that players want to become heroes in the South.
Getting better players will only build the Tiger program further. That will happen over time, which may bring me to my biggest point to any Mizzou fan or student: be patient. At first, the Tigers will most likely not be winning the SEC. Being competitive is fully possible, but they might not be quite ready for the wear and tear of an SEC schedule. Some of you are underrating the program that is currently housed here, with 42 wins over the past five years and the eleventh most wins in the country over the past decade. We're putting out NFL players every year, as Missouri has had more players picked in the NFL Draft than any other school over the past four years. This team has talent and a great coach in Gary Pinkel. Everything is honestly looking up, especially with a young and talented quarterback like James Franklin at the helm as well. (We also become one of the better basketball teams in the conference as well.)
Change is great, but it's always a little rough at first. Embrace and hope for this move because it is truly the best one for the Tigers. We'll absorb some Southern hospitality and give in return some trademarked Midwest love, along with our damn good barbecue (a huge plus for any SEC traveler). Columbia, Missouri is one of the best college towns in America, and it perfectly fits into the homey feel of Dixie. The times they are a-changin; but they sure are looking sweeter here.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fading Glory: The Fall of Notre Dame
Touchdown Jesus. The Golden Domes. Rudy. Play Like a Champion Today. Knute Rockne. All of these college football icons are associated with the pride and tradition that defines Notre Dame football, the program that is tied for most national championships with eleven. They've produced more Hesiman trophy winners and All-Americans than any other school as well. The Fighting Irish have been one of the most prestigious programs in college football history; but not today.
The Notre Dame that was is no more. Gone are the days when teams feared entering South Bend. Coaches like Lou Holtz and Ara Parseghian no longer grace the sidelines to strike pride and motivation in their players. Instead, there have been four different head coaches since Holtz and teams that are simply overrated and overmatched. This Irish fall has now taken a ten year period, and it really has no signs of stopping.
Since 1997, the year Bob Davie took over the program, Notre Dame's overall record is 99-75. They have been to nine bowl games during this tenure, only winning two of them, both not being BCS games. In fact, the last BCS bowl win for Notre Dame was in 1992 against Florida. The average margin of loss in the bowl games that Notre Dame failed in? 23 points. Needless to say, they have been irrelevant in terms of postseason success in during this time.
Somehow, through all of this, Notre Dame has continued to bring in top recruiting classes. They are continuously in the top 25 in this, including a number one ranking by Rivals and Scout in 2008. With such top talent, one would think these players turn into top players in the country. Some have, but many simply have not. From 1992 to 2004, the Irish had no players finish in the top ten of Heisman voting. Their last Heisman winner in general was in 1987 with Tim Brown. The last Irish player to be an All-American at the end of the season was Jeff Samardzija in 2005, and there has only been one other All-American with Samardzija since 1997, that being Shane Walton in 2002.
This trend has carried on to the NFL as well, with only seven players during this tenure making multiple Pro Bowl appearances. Only one of those players was selected as an All Pro multiple times, that being Jerome Bettis. They have produced no MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, or Defensive Player of the Year award winners in this period. In reality, the Irish only have one current NFL player that a majority of fans and average football fans may know: Justin Tuck of the New York Giants. Since Joe Montana, there has not even been a Notre Dame quarterback who has had a great deal of success; hell, not even a little bit. Players like Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen have failed to live up to lofty expectations, as they have now become backups on their respective teams.
Another one of Notre Dame's classic stalwarts are their major rivalries against USC, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy. Recently, these have not been going in the Irish's favor, some being a bit lopsided. Since 2000, they have only beaten their most bitter rival, the USC Trojans, once in 2010. They have lost to Navy three times in the past five years (2007, 2009, 2010) and Michigan State seven times in the past ten years. Which brings me to the Michigan rivalry...
Since 1997, the two teams have played thirteen times, with Notre Dame only winning five times. It could have been six if they had not blown a four point lead in the last 30 seconds of the game. They were even leading the Wolverines by two touchdowns at one point, really controlling the game. But everything swung to Michigan, which in my opinion, was the worst thing that could've happened to the Fighting Irish. This was a game that they needed to win, one that would've actually been quite impressive. To come and play Michigan in the first night game at the Big House, with the largest college football crowd in history, and win would've been a energetic shot of life for the program. To blow the game, like they have too frequently lately, proved that nothing has changed. Many think, due to all of this, that Notre Dame is a perennial disappointment.
Here is the harsh reality: Notre Dame is no longer a disappointment. Such failure and shortcomings have become the status quo for the Golden Domers. They have gotten top recruits, apparent "offensive masterminds" (Charlie Weis, Brian Kelly), and preseason top 25 rankings; but to no avail. Irish supporters can point to the tradition and the pageantry every minute of every day and we can all be in awe for a couple of minutes. This generation has not seen the Fighting Irish that your parents watched. Rather, they have seen a program continuously tumble from the peak of the collegiate football mountain. The luck is dying, the gold is rusting, and the glory is fading. And most of all, the Fighting has transformed into Feigning.
The Notre Dame that was is no more. Gone are the days when teams feared entering South Bend. Coaches like Lou Holtz and Ara Parseghian no longer grace the sidelines to strike pride and motivation in their players. Instead, there have been four different head coaches since Holtz and teams that are simply overrated and overmatched. This Irish fall has now taken a ten year period, and it really has no signs of stopping.
Since 1997, the year Bob Davie took over the program, Notre Dame's overall record is 99-75. They have been to nine bowl games during this tenure, only winning two of them, both not being BCS games. In fact, the last BCS bowl win for Notre Dame was in 1992 against Florida. The average margin of loss in the bowl games that Notre Dame failed in? 23 points. Needless to say, they have been irrelevant in terms of postseason success in during this time.
Somehow, through all of this, Notre Dame has continued to bring in top recruiting classes. They are continuously in the top 25 in this, including a number one ranking by Rivals and Scout in 2008. With such top talent, one would think these players turn into top players in the country. Some have, but many simply have not. From 1992 to 2004, the Irish had no players finish in the top ten of Heisman voting. Their last Heisman winner in general was in 1987 with Tim Brown. The last Irish player to be an All-American at the end of the season was Jeff Samardzija in 2005, and there has only been one other All-American with Samardzija since 1997, that being Shane Walton in 2002.
This trend has carried on to the NFL as well, with only seven players during this tenure making multiple Pro Bowl appearances. Only one of those players was selected as an All Pro multiple times, that being Jerome Bettis. They have produced no MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, or Defensive Player of the Year award winners in this period. In reality, the Irish only have one current NFL player that a majority of fans and average football fans may know: Justin Tuck of the New York Giants. Since Joe Montana, there has not even been a Notre Dame quarterback who has had a great deal of success; hell, not even a little bit. Players like Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen have failed to live up to lofty expectations, as they have now become backups on their respective teams.
Another one of Notre Dame's classic stalwarts are their major rivalries against USC, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy. Recently, these have not been going in the Irish's favor, some being a bit lopsided. Since 2000, they have only beaten their most bitter rival, the USC Trojans, once in 2010. They have lost to Navy three times in the past five years (2007, 2009, 2010) and Michigan State seven times in the past ten years. Which brings me to the Michigan rivalry...
Since 1997, the two teams have played thirteen times, with Notre Dame only winning five times. It could have been six if they had not blown a four point lead in the last 30 seconds of the game. They were even leading the Wolverines by two touchdowns at one point, really controlling the game. But everything swung to Michigan, which in my opinion, was the worst thing that could've happened to the Fighting Irish. This was a game that they needed to win, one that would've actually been quite impressive. To come and play Michigan in the first night game at the Big House, with the largest college football crowd in history, and win would've been a energetic shot of life for the program. To blow the game, like they have too frequently lately, proved that nothing has changed. Many think, due to all of this, that Notre Dame is a perennial disappointment.
Here is the harsh reality: Notre Dame is no longer a disappointment. Such failure and shortcomings have become the status quo for the Golden Domers. They have gotten top recruits, apparent "offensive masterminds" (Charlie Weis, Brian Kelly), and preseason top 25 rankings; but to no avail. Irish supporters can point to the tradition and the pageantry every minute of every day and we can all be in awe for a couple of minutes. This generation has not seen the Fighting Irish that your parents watched. Rather, they have seen a program continuously tumble from the peak of the collegiate football mountain. The luck is dying, the gold is rusting, and the glory is fading. And most of all, the Fighting has transformed into Feigning.
Opening Statements Speak Loudly in Week 1
Across the NFL on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, teams looked to bark a statement to their fan bases. The first game is always a tremendous opportunity to show your fans either a new edge you have this year, or continued success from the previous one. A win ignites some initial interest in the team, especially one that comes with some style points. Even a loss can sometimes provide some positive light (at least if you're in Carolina).
But then there is the other side of the coin, one of disappointment. Fans who have waited all offseason to see what their team has to offer come away with a new sense of worry. Some of them root for teams who made it to the playoffs last year, teams that ended up looking nothing like that playoff form. Questions for the season already begin to linger and you just hope your team can shake off some initial struggles.
With all of that being said, let's examine the proud statements and the worried ones.
Loud and Proud: We're Here
Baltimore Ravens - There was no other team that was looking for a larger statement win to begin the season than the Baltimore Ravens. They were handed their most hated rival on opening day in their own stadium, and when that rival is a team that has ended your playoff run twice in the past three years (along with other numerous heartbreaking losses), you want to shake them. The Ravens did not shake the Steeler monkey off of their monkey; they flipped it off and put their talons on its throat. Baltimore dominated this game from the start, as Ray Rice gashed the vaunted Steelers' run defense and Joe Flacco fired three touchdown passes. Perhaps the most impressive feat was the play of the new offensive line, who only allowed one sack to the feared rush of James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, and Lawrence Timmons.
Actually, that can't be right. The Ravens' defense pulled off the best performance in this game. When you force the Raven Killer, Ben Roethilsberger, himself to turn the ball over five times, along with two other turnovers by Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, you deserve a heap of praise. Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata proved why they are some of the top defensive players in the league, while Ray Lewis and Ed Reed continued to be ageless wonders. New defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano turned up the heat on Pittsburgh and never let up, as Big Ben looked rattled for the first time in a while. In fact, Pittsburgh in general looked rattled, which is something nobody is accustomed to seeing. But we'll get to their issues later. Bottom line: This was the perfect start for the new Baltimore Ravens.
Buffalo Bills - In what was by far the most surprising performance of the day, the Bills came out and decimated the Kansas City Chiefs in the always raucous Arrowhead Stadium. This team, who has had so much trouble finding their quarterback to rely on, was led by a man who began to stake his claim last season and only strengthened his hold on it yesterday: Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is a vastly underrated quarterback who, in my opinion, always plays with something to prove. Whether it's the doubts of playing in the NFL after playing in the Ivy League or the ones that came with some struggles in Cincinnati, this guy has a chip on his shoulder. After a 23 touchdown and 15 interception season last year, he absolutely lit up the Chiefs, throwing four touchdowns in dominant fashion.
Buffalo actually came to play on defense as well, making Cassel and his offense look extremely disorganized. For an offense that features some distinct weapons, like Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles, Kansas City was simply overpowered by the Bills. They turned the ball over three times, as Buffalo forced two fumbles and picked Cassel off once. It may only be one game, but one like this provides a glimmer of hope to one of the NFL's most loyal, yet lately tortured, fan bases.
Chicago Bears - It seems like you would've never known the Bears made it to the NFC Championship game last season. They took a great deal of a beating after so much success, but if you watched their game against Atlanta at all yesterday, you now know that the Bears are a legitimate NFC contender. Their biggest question, the offensive line, performed rather well, keeping Jay Cutler upright and letting him stand in the pocket and fire that laser of his. Matt Forte was bouncing off of Falcon defenders and the once criticized Cowboy Roy Williams made some very nice catches in tough spots.
The real story though was just how much the Bears defense dominated Matt Ryan. Julius Peppers and his crew were relentless, constantly laying crunching blows on the Ryan. They were breaking his ice, if you will (never been a fan of that nickname). The lasting image I have was when Matty was simply sandwiched between Peppers and another defender, and then slammed to the ground with vicious force. It was symbolic of the whole day for the Falcons, as it seemed like their finesse had been worn out and beaten by what looked like the Maulers of the Midway. Da Bears are well on their way to challenging the Packers for NFC North supremacy.
Detroit Lions - Speaking of the NFC North, there has been plenty of buzz about the Detroit Lions in the offseason. With a healthy Matthew Stafford, the always amazing Calvin Johnson, the intimidating Ndamukong Suh, and supporting stars Brandon Pettigrew and Jahvid Best, many think the Lions can finally chase a playoff berth. But some mistakes by the Lions may have struck some of their hopefuls with concern.
Stafford put the Lions down by a touchdown when he was intercepted by Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib, who then took it to the end zone. Even the Lions had control of the game, they continued to make mistakes to try and keep the Bucs in the game. The old Lions would have let the game slip away, and Josh Freeman would have another comeback to add to his history. Perhaps these new Lions finally get it though, as when you can make so many costly penalties and give up long kickoff returns, and still come out with a win, you know you may have a good team. Winning ugly may never be the most popular, but it is most certainly a sign of a team who looks to contend. Start the motors of expectation in the Motor City.
Wow We're Worried
Pittsburgh Steelers - In my estimate, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be absolutely fine. They played an immensely motivated Raven team in their home opener, which just adds on to the difficulty, as Baltimore is already one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. But I'm sorry, you just don't see the Steelers get absolutely manhandled like they did yesterday. And that must rise at least a little bit of concern.
For one, that was the worst game I've seen Ben Roethilsberger play in a while. He never looked comfortable and seemed to be shaken by Baltimore's constant pressure. Just when you thought he was coming to form by doing a trademark sack escape, he disappointed with terrible throws on the run, two of which ended up in the hands of Ed Reed. Big Ben has dealt with a subpar offensive line for years, but could this be the year where he really can't take it anymore?
The biggest cause of worry for any Steeler fan though should really be how slow the Steelers looked yesterday. Many praised Pittsburgh for sticking with their same core on both sides of the ball, as they did not bring in many new faces. Having said that, they have one of the oldest rosters in the league, which may tell some that they could use an infusion of youth and speed. They had no burst off of the ball and were immediately blown off of the line, which in turn, completely tore down their physical mindset. It put them in a shocked and beaten state.
Look, the Steelers are one of those teams that I'm sure will not let a performance like yesterday's happen again. But since we only have one game to go off of, it does not look like the defending AFC champs will just waltz through with superiority.
Kansas City Chiefs - I'm going to go ahead and give the Chiefs the award for most embarrassing home opener. First game in Arrowhead against the Buffalo Bills coming off of a momentous playoff season and you lay an absolute egg? Ouch. Kansas City was never even in this game, as the BILLS dominated every aspect of it.
What was really concerning for many Chiefs fans was the inability of the offense to move on Buffalo. The Chiefs have talented players on the offensive side of the ball, with Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, and Steve Breaston. But when those guys are simply not bringing it, then you will be beaten. And truly, one of those three does not come to play every week: Dwayne Bowe.
I watched a play in which Bowe was coming across the middle on a quick slant. He ran his route, saw a defender coming towards him to hit him, saw the pass, and just put his hands out to hit the ball. Not to catch it, but simply stick his hands out there and then walk back to the huddle. Bowe wanted no part of the hit or even the game a this point. It was a legitimate wuss move. That play in itself explains to me why I will never consider Dwayne Bowe an elite receiver in the NFL. His toughness is not there and he simply does not give 100% on every play. He drops easy passes and then hauls in ridiculous ones, which shows no consistency whatsoever.
Matt Cassel did nothing to silence any doubters either. He only threw for 119 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while averaging just 3.3 yards a throw. If Kansas City is going to take the AFC West again, the first step is Matt Cassel making more plays, while finding a way to get Jamaal Charles the ball more. Until that happens, the favorites are in San Diego.
Atlanta Falcons - I think Matt Ryan has come to an interesting road block in his career. After a disappointing performance against Green Bay last year, many expected Ryan to come out firing against Chicago, especially with new weapon Julio Jones and the rest of the offense. The complete opposite happened: Chicago obliterated Ryan. He threw 47 passes, but threw no touchdowns and one interception.
Part of the blame goes to the offensive line, as Ryan did hit the ground five times for sacks. But this was not the performance that he needed, along with the rest of the Falcons. They generated no pass rush and got torched by Jay Cutler. This was the number one seed in the NFC last year, but they really looked like a non-playoff team. In what was a disappointing day for the NFC South, their leaders really did fail the most.
Tony Romo - Yes, I'm giving Romo his own section. The Cowboys actually played a great game against the Jets, and I never like to place blame solely on a quarterback, but in this situation, I think Romo blew it. If someone can explain to me the logic behind lobbing a lame duck pass anywhere near Darrelle Revis in the final minutes of a game, when you could take your team down the field for the win, then maybe I will change my mind. Combine that with a fumble inside of the five yard line, and he continued his trend of not coming up in the clutch.
Romo is a great guy and has improved as a vocal leader. But I cannot put him anywhere near the elite status that fans hope for him to be. The guy has won one playoff game in his career and really does not have a defining moment so far. Maybe it will come soon enough, but right now, Romo has much to prove.
But then there is the other side of the coin, one of disappointment. Fans who have waited all offseason to see what their team has to offer come away with a new sense of worry. Some of them root for teams who made it to the playoffs last year, teams that ended up looking nothing like that playoff form. Questions for the season already begin to linger and you just hope your team can shake off some initial struggles.
With all of that being said, let's examine the proud statements and the worried ones.
Loud and Proud: We're Here
Baltimore Ravens - There was no other team that was looking for a larger statement win to begin the season than the Baltimore Ravens. They were handed their most hated rival on opening day in their own stadium, and when that rival is a team that has ended your playoff run twice in the past three years (along with other numerous heartbreaking losses), you want to shake them. The Ravens did not shake the Steeler monkey off of their monkey; they flipped it off and put their talons on its throat. Baltimore dominated this game from the start, as Ray Rice gashed the vaunted Steelers' run defense and Joe Flacco fired three touchdown passes. Perhaps the most impressive feat was the play of the new offensive line, who only allowed one sack to the feared rush of James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, and Lawrence Timmons.
Actually, that can't be right. The Ravens' defense pulled off the best performance in this game. When you force the Raven Killer, Ben Roethilsberger, himself to turn the ball over five times, along with two other turnovers by Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, you deserve a heap of praise. Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata proved why they are some of the top defensive players in the league, while Ray Lewis and Ed Reed continued to be ageless wonders. New defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano turned up the heat on Pittsburgh and never let up, as Big Ben looked rattled for the first time in a while. In fact, Pittsburgh in general looked rattled, which is something nobody is accustomed to seeing. But we'll get to their issues later. Bottom line: This was the perfect start for the new Baltimore Ravens.
Buffalo Bills - In what was by far the most surprising performance of the day, the Bills came out and decimated the Kansas City Chiefs in the always raucous Arrowhead Stadium. This team, who has had so much trouble finding their quarterback to rely on, was led by a man who began to stake his claim last season and only strengthened his hold on it yesterday: Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is a vastly underrated quarterback who, in my opinion, always plays with something to prove. Whether it's the doubts of playing in the NFL after playing in the Ivy League or the ones that came with some struggles in Cincinnati, this guy has a chip on his shoulder. After a 23 touchdown and 15 interception season last year, he absolutely lit up the Chiefs, throwing four touchdowns in dominant fashion.
Buffalo actually came to play on defense as well, making Cassel and his offense look extremely disorganized. For an offense that features some distinct weapons, like Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles, Kansas City was simply overpowered by the Bills. They turned the ball over three times, as Buffalo forced two fumbles and picked Cassel off once. It may only be one game, but one like this provides a glimmer of hope to one of the NFL's most loyal, yet lately tortured, fan bases.
Chicago Bears - It seems like you would've never known the Bears made it to the NFC Championship game last season. They took a great deal of a beating after so much success, but if you watched their game against Atlanta at all yesterday, you now know that the Bears are a legitimate NFC contender. Their biggest question, the offensive line, performed rather well, keeping Jay Cutler upright and letting him stand in the pocket and fire that laser of his. Matt Forte was bouncing off of Falcon defenders and the once criticized Cowboy Roy Williams made some very nice catches in tough spots.
The real story though was just how much the Bears defense dominated Matt Ryan. Julius Peppers and his crew were relentless, constantly laying crunching blows on the Ryan. They were breaking his ice, if you will (never been a fan of that nickname). The lasting image I have was when Matty was simply sandwiched between Peppers and another defender, and then slammed to the ground with vicious force. It was symbolic of the whole day for the Falcons, as it seemed like their finesse had been worn out and beaten by what looked like the Maulers of the Midway. Da Bears are well on their way to challenging the Packers for NFC North supremacy.
Detroit Lions - Speaking of the NFC North, there has been plenty of buzz about the Detroit Lions in the offseason. With a healthy Matthew Stafford, the always amazing Calvin Johnson, the intimidating Ndamukong Suh, and supporting stars Brandon Pettigrew and Jahvid Best, many think the Lions can finally chase a playoff berth. But some mistakes by the Lions may have struck some of their hopefuls with concern.
Stafford put the Lions down by a touchdown when he was intercepted by Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib, who then took it to the end zone. Even the Lions had control of the game, they continued to make mistakes to try and keep the Bucs in the game. The old Lions would have let the game slip away, and Josh Freeman would have another comeback to add to his history. Perhaps these new Lions finally get it though, as when you can make so many costly penalties and give up long kickoff returns, and still come out with a win, you know you may have a good team. Winning ugly may never be the most popular, but it is most certainly a sign of a team who looks to contend. Start the motors of expectation in the Motor City.
Wow We're Worried
Pittsburgh Steelers - In my estimate, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be absolutely fine. They played an immensely motivated Raven team in their home opener, which just adds on to the difficulty, as Baltimore is already one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. But I'm sorry, you just don't see the Steelers get absolutely manhandled like they did yesterday. And that must rise at least a little bit of concern.
For one, that was the worst game I've seen Ben Roethilsberger play in a while. He never looked comfortable and seemed to be shaken by Baltimore's constant pressure. Just when you thought he was coming to form by doing a trademark sack escape, he disappointed with terrible throws on the run, two of which ended up in the hands of Ed Reed. Big Ben has dealt with a subpar offensive line for years, but could this be the year where he really can't take it anymore?
The biggest cause of worry for any Steeler fan though should really be how slow the Steelers looked yesterday. Many praised Pittsburgh for sticking with their same core on both sides of the ball, as they did not bring in many new faces. Having said that, they have one of the oldest rosters in the league, which may tell some that they could use an infusion of youth and speed. They had no burst off of the ball and were immediately blown off of the line, which in turn, completely tore down their physical mindset. It put them in a shocked and beaten state.
Look, the Steelers are one of those teams that I'm sure will not let a performance like yesterday's happen again. But since we only have one game to go off of, it does not look like the defending AFC champs will just waltz through with superiority.
Kansas City Chiefs - I'm going to go ahead and give the Chiefs the award for most embarrassing home opener. First game in Arrowhead against the Buffalo Bills coming off of a momentous playoff season and you lay an absolute egg? Ouch. Kansas City was never even in this game, as the BILLS dominated every aspect of it.
What was really concerning for many Chiefs fans was the inability of the offense to move on Buffalo. The Chiefs have talented players on the offensive side of the ball, with Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, and Steve Breaston. But when those guys are simply not bringing it, then you will be beaten. And truly, one of those three does not come to play every week: Dwayne Bowe.
I watched a play in which Bowe was coming across the middle on a quick slant. He ran his route, saw a defender coming towards him to hit him, saw the pass, and just put his hands out to hit the ball. Not to catch it, but simply stick his hands out there and then walk back to the huddle. Bowe wanted no part of the hit or even the game a this point. It was a legitimate wuss move. That play in itself explains to me why I will never consider Dwayne Bowe an elite receiver in the NFL. His toughness is not there and he simply does not give 100% on every play. He drops easy passes and then hauls in ridiculous ones, which shows no consistency whatsoever.
Matt Cassel did nothing to silence any doubters either. He only threw for 119 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while averaging just 3.3 yards a throw. If Kansas City is going to take the AFC West again, the first step is Matt Cassel making more plays, while finding a way to get Jamaal Charles the ball more. Until that happens, the favorites are in San Diego.
Atlanta Falcons - I think Matt Ryan has come to an interesting road block in his career. After a disappointing performance against Green Bay last year, many expected Ryan to come out firing against Chicago, especially with new weapon Julio Jones and the rest of the offense. The complete opposite happened: Chicago obliterated Ryan. He threw 47 passes, but threw no touchdowns and one interception.
Part of the blame goes to the offensive line, as Ryan did hit the ground five times for sacks. But this was not the performance that he needed, along with the rest of the Falcons. They generated no pass rush and got torched by Jay Cutler. This was the number one seed in the NFC last year, but they really looked like a non-playoff team. In what was a disappointing day for the NFC South, their leaders really did fail the most.
Tony Romo - Yes, I'm giving Romo his own section. The Cowboys actually played a great game against the Jets, and I never like to place blame solely on a quarterback, but in this situation, I think Romo blew it. If someone can explain to me the logic behind lobbing a lame duck pass anywhere near Darrelle Revis in the final minutes of a game, when you could take your team down the field for the win, then maybe I will change my mind. Combine that with a fumble inside of the five yard line, and he continued his trend of not coming up in the clutch.
Romo is a great guy and has improved as a vocal leader. But I cannot put him anywhere near the elite status that fans hope for him to be. The guy has won one playoff game in his career and really does not have a defining moment so far. Maybe it will come soon enough, but right now, Romo has much to prove.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
NFL Week 1 Picks
Football at last ladies and gentlemen. Here are my Week 1 picks, the winners are in bold print.
Cincinnati at Cleveland
I think Cleveland is going to be quite a scrappy team this year. Colt McCoy is going to start to shine through Cleveland's dark clouds and he gets a perfect opener against the worst team in Ohio; the Bengals. Look out for tight ends Evan Moore and Benjamin Watson to be favorite targets of McCoy.
Tennessee at Jacksonville
Matt Hasselbeck vs. Luke McCown. I think I'm obviously going with Hasselbeck. Jacksonville not only lacks a reliable quarterback, but also any real weapons besides MJD and Marcedes Lewis. At least Hasselbeck has Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt, and a whole wealth of experience over McCown.
Oakland at Denver
Kyle Orton is seriously going to let loose in this game. After an offseason of being overshadowed by Tebow drama, Orton will have a great game against an Asomugha-less Oakland secondary. Look for new runningback Willis McGahee to make a nice impact in Denver's running game as well.
Seattle at San Francisco
Is there another pair of quarterbacks who need a great game to impress their fan bases? Tarvaris Jackson needs to show the Seahawk faithful that he was worth the signing, while Alex Smith wants to prove to 49ers fans that they for some reason deserve his presence. San Fran's defense gets at T-Jack and Frank Gore has a big day to kick off the year for the Niners.
Carolina at Arizona
Kevin Kolb draws one of the worst teams in football to start his new life in Arizona with. Cam Newton will struggle a bit, but he'll flash some of his uber potential a few times. Larry Fitzgerald starts off another great year with a touchdown or two.
Minnesota at San Diego
Donovan McNabb and Adrian Peterson travel to the West Coast and start off on the wrong track. Philip Rivers will torch the Viking secondary, as he plays with all of his vertical toys named Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, and Malcolm Floyd.
Buffalo at Kansas City
Arrowhead gets to rock out with a win to start off the year, as Jamaal Charles will run all over Buffalo. Look out for new slot receiver Steve Breaston to have a few big plays for Kansas City as well.
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
Upset pick of the week here folks. The Giants are extremely banged up, especially in the secondary, which is what new Redskin quarterback Rex Grossman might need to prove some doubters wrong. Tim Hightower and Ryan Torain will get on a bit of a roll, and the underrated Redskins defense will bottle up Ahmad Bradshaw.
New England at Miami
The Patriots will decimate the Dolphins this week. Tom Brady could be well on his way to another MVP year, and he'll fly out of the gates this week with a tremendous game. Chad Henne will continue to struggle, and Miami will wonder why in the world Reggie Bush is their every down back.
Philadelphia at St. Louis
The Dream Team travels to the Edward Jones Dome for what should be quite the interesting game. The new Philly secondary may initially struggle against budding star quarterback Sam Bradford, but I do not think the Rams defense will be able to stifle the Eagles' firepower.
Detroit at Tampa Bay
Detroit is an extremely promising team this season. The problem is that they're running into one of the most talented, youth-filled teams in the league in Tampa. The Bucs will be in a dogfight for the NFC South this year, and they need every non-division win they can get. Josh Freeman will show Detroit's primary secondary weakness (see what I did there? Ok, I'll just keep going).
Indianapolis at Houston
The Kerry Collins Era begins in Indy as they travel to the desperate Reliant Stadium. If Houston does not win this game, with no Peyton Manning on the field, then the city will riot. Arian Foster may tear his hamstring from running from pitchforks and mobs. Matt Schaub will literally have to hide from being rounded up by the town for the next rodeo show. And Gary Kubiak will still have a job.
Atlanta at Chicago
This is quite the intriguing matchup. Matt Ryan is trying to shake the demos of last year's playoff game against the Packers, while Jay Cutler is trying to gain some respect from the fans after the whole knee injury fiasco from last year. He could definitely get a great start by defeating a talented Atlanta team, but I think the Falcons roll into Soldier Field and steal one from the Bears. I see a tight game, maybe even some overtime.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets
The Cowboys are not all hype this year; considering they have none. Their defense, led by the crazed Rob Ryan, will rattle Mark Sanchez a bit and force a turnover or two. I think this could be quite the low scoring game as well, a definite battle to the end, with the Cowboys taking one away from a furious Rex Ryan. Both of these teams will be well on their way to successful seasons, but Dallas' talent will finally begin to shine through.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
The best rivalry in football writes another chapter. This is a huge game for Baltimore, who could really use a win over Big Ben to exercise their black and gold demons of late. The problem is that this will be the first time that a new Ravens offensive line has played a game together, along with only three weeks of full practice as a unit. Pittsburgh's defense, with their ridiculous blitzes and loaded pass rush, is the wrong unit to make a debut against. Joe Flacco will stand in and make some nice plays, but he will take too many hits in this game. Look for Ray Rice to have a great game, and Roethilsberger to come through in the clutch once again. It will be another slugfest for the ages, but at the start of this season, Pittsburgh will gain an upper hand.
New Orleans at Green Bay
The potential NFC Championship game will be one hell of a matchup. Rodgers and Brees will have an air raid battle, but what will make the difference is the revamped defensive line of the Saints. Shaun Rogers, former Brown and new Nawlins nose tackle, will begin to prove why he was the most underrated addition of free agency. Aubrayo Franklin will work with him at the tackle position to wreak even more havoc, and rookie Cameron Jordan will be bringing the pass rush from defensive end. The Packers and Saints will be each other's best competition in the NFC this year, and the Saints will take the early lead out of the gate.
Cincinnati at Cleveland
I think Cleveland is going to be quite a scrappy team this year. Colt McCoy is going to start to shine through Cleveland's dark clouds and he gets a perfect opener against the worst team in Ohio; the Bengals. Look out for tight ends Evan Moore and Benjamin Watson to be favorite targets of McCoy.
Tennessee at Jacksonville
Matt Hasselbeck vs. Luke McCown. I think I'm obviously going with Hasselbeck. Jacksonville not only lacks a reliable quarterback, but also any real weapons besides MJD and Marcedes Lewis. At least Hasselbeck has Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt, and a whole wealth of experience over McCown.
Oakland at Denver
Kyle Orton is seriously going to let loose in this game. After an offseason of being overshadowed by Tebow drama, Orton will have a great game against an Asomugha-less Oakland secondary. Look for new runningback Willis McGahee to make a nice impact in Denver's running game as well.
Seattle at San Francisco
Is there another pair of quarterbacks who need a great game to impress their fan bases? Tarvaris Jackson needs to show the Seahawk faithful that he was worth the signing, while Alex Smith wants to prove to 49ers fans that they for some reason deserve his presence. San Fran's defense gets at T-Jack and Frank Gore has a big day to kick off the year for the Niners.
Carolina at Arizona
Kevin Kolb draws one of the worst teams in football to start his new life in Arizona with. Cam Newton will struggle a bit, but he'll flash some of his uber potential a few times. Larry Fitzgerald starts off another great year with a touchdown or two.
Minnesota at San Diego
Donovan McNabb and Adrian Peterson travel to the West Coast and start off on the wrong track. Philip Rivers will torch the Viking secondary, as he plays with all of his vertical toys named Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, and Malcolm Floyd.
Buffalo at Kansas City
Arrowhead gets to rock out with a win to start off the year, as Jamaal Charles will run all over Buffalo. Look out for new slot receiver Steve Breaston to have a few big plays for Kansas City as well.
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
Upset pick of the week here folks. The Giants are extremely banged up, especially in the secondary, which is what new Redskin quarterback Rex Grossman might need to prove some doubters wrong. Tim Hightower and Ryan Torain will get on a bit of a roll, and the underrated Redskins defense will bottle up Ahmad Bradshaw.
New England at Miami
The Patriots will decimate the Dolphins this week. Tom Brady could be well on his way to another MVP year, and he'll fly out of the gates this week with a tremendous game. Chad Henne will continue to struggle, and Miami will wonder why in the world Reggie Bush is their every down back.
Philadelphia at St. Louis
The Dream Team travels to the Edward Jones Dome for what should be quite the interesting game. The new Philly secondary may initially struggle against budding star quarterback Sam Bradford, but I do not think the Rams defense will be able to stifle the Eagles' firepower.
Detroit at Tampa Bay
Detroit is an extremely promising team this season. The problem is that they're running into one of the most talented, youth-filled teams in the league in Tampa. The Bucs will be in a dogfight for the NFC South this year, and they need every non-division win they can get. Josh Freeman will show Detroit's primary secondary weakness (see what I did there? Ok, I'll just keep going).
Indianapolis at Houston
The Kerry Collins Era begins in Indy as they travel to the desperate Reliant Stadium. If Houston does not win this game, with no Peyton Manning on the field, then the city will riot. Arian Foster may tear his hamstring from running from pitchforks and mobs. Matt Schaub will literally have to hide from being rounded up by the town for the next rodeo show. And Gary Kubiak will still have a job.
Atlanta at Chicago
This is quite the intriguing matchup. Matt Ryan is trying to shake the demos of last year's playoff game against the Packers, while Jay Cutler is trying to gain some respect from the fans after the whole knee injury fiasco from last year. He could definitely get a great start by defeating a talented Atlanta team, but I think the Falcons roll into Soldier Field and steal one from the Bears. I see a tight game, maybe even some overtime.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets
The Cowboys are not all hype this year; considering they have none. Their defense, led by the crazed Rob Ryan, will rattle Mark Sanchez a bit and force a turnover or two. I think this could be quite the low scoring game as well, a definite battle to the end, with the Cowboys taking one away from a furious Rex Ryan. Both of these teams will be well on their way to successful seasons, but Dallas' talent will finally begin to shine through.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
The best rivalry in football writes another chapter. This is a huge game for Baltimore, who could really use a win over Big Ben to exercise their black and gold demons of late. The problem is that this will be the first time that a new Ravens offensive line has played a game together, along with only three weeks of full practice as a unit. Pittsburgh's defense, with their ridiculous blitzes and loaded pass rush, is the wrong unit to make a debut against. Joe Flacco will stand in and make some nice plays, but he will take too many hits in this game. Look for Ray Rice to have a great game, and Roethilsberger to come through in the clutch once again. It will be another slugfest for the ages, but at the start of this season, Pittsburgh will gain an upper hand.
New Orleans at Green Bay
The potential NFC Championship game will be one hell of a matchup. Rodgers and Brees will have an air raid battle, but what will make the difference is the revamped defensive line of the Saints. Shaun Rogers, former Brown and new Nawlins nose tackle, will begin to prove why he was the most underrated addition of free agency. Aubrayo Franklin will work with him at the tackle position to wreak even more havoc, and rookie Cameron Jordan will be bringing the pass rush from defensive end. The Packers and Saints will be each other's best competition in the NFC this year, and the Saints will take the early lead out of the gate.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
It's All About the U; And That's The Problem
Teams thrive off of identities: it helps them build molds for players they would like, bring coaches in who have the same attitude, and establish an atmosphere for their stadium. The Steelers and Ravens have a tough-nosed, knock your teeth out identity; the Yankees possess a clean, successful image filled with tradition. But there are times when an identity is a major issue, and it needs a facelift. And that is the exact problem in Coral Gables, Florida.
The University of Miami lives and dies by their persona of being "The U." It's a mystique of recklessness, flashiness, and confidence. Back in the 80's, when they were the most dominant program in the nation, it was a benefit. Those Hurricanes brought about the entertainment factor in college football, breaking the cookie-cutter routine of college teams. That was fine back then; but not now.
With the newest violations (combined with previous ones in the 90's and early 2000's), Miami could be facing the NCAA's harshest penalty, what most call the death penalty. This is when the NCAA bans an entire program for one whole year, which is highly likely for the Hurricane football team. Convicted ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro was providing anything the football and some basketball players wanted; money, parties, alcohol, and even prostitutes. No Miami official had a problem with Shapiro being in press boxes, on the sidelines, or even outside of the tunnel, simply because they thought they could get away with violations again. After all, they're the U, right?
This whole mystique gives Miami the idea that the program must be like this. And what is so strange about it is the fact that as an academic institution, Miami is a highly respected private school. But they continue to innerly embrace such a dirty athletic image. Usually, people can accept that when you're winning, like the 80's or when the team went to back-to-back football national title games in 2001 and 2002 (winning in 2001). The key word there is "winning," something the overhyped U hasn't done much of lately.
For the past three years, they have not reached a BCS bowl game, and have lost all three of the bowl games they have played in. Since they lost to Ohio State in the 2002 national title game, they have only won BCS bowl game, that being the Orange Bowl in 2004. Under Randy Shannon (from 2007-2010), they were only six games above .500, quite a drop off from early millennium dominance. With those kind of stats, it's hard to call Miami a current premier college football program. Historically speaking, with five national titles, they are, but that is simply the past.
(Note: I am not going to waste time even discussing why the Miami basketball team doesn't deserve a confident, swagged persona. They have done nothing worth noting, made evident by only two NCAA Tournament appearances in the past ten years, and zero national titles in their history.)
It's about time the Miami athletic program started becoming harsher, as all three money programs have been part of violations (the baseball team had some in the early 2000's as well). Its current identity crisis has died off, as nobody looks at it with reverence, just disgust. To let their ego bring so many violations and corruption is just downright unacceptable, and they should be nothing but ashamed of themselves. New coaches Al Golden (football) and Jim Larranaga (basketball) are innocent victims caught in the middle of all of this, and where can they now turn?
When the football team comes through the smoke, out of the tunnel, it is one of college football's most recognizable entrances. Now this program must burst through the current smoke; one that mixes an institution's confused identity and the effects of over a decade of wrongdoing. It really is all about the U; all about to crumble.
The University of Miami lives and dies by their persona of being "The U." It's a mystique of recklessness, flashiness, and confidence. Back in the 80's, when they were the most dominant program in the nation, it was a benefit. Those Hurricanes brought about the entertainment factor in college football, breaking the cookie-cutter routine of college teams. That was fine back then; but not now.
With the newest violations (combined with previous ones in the 90's and early 2000's), Miami could be facing the NCAA's harshest penalty, what most call the death penalty. This is when the NCAA bans an entire program for one whole year, which is highly likely for the Hurricane football team. Convicted ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro was providing anything the football and some basketball players wanted; money, parties, alcohol, and even prostitutes. No Miami official had a problem with Shapiro being in press boxes, on the sidelines, or even outside of the tunnel, simply because they thought they could get away with violations again. After all, they're the U, right?
This whole mystique gives Miami the idea that the program must be like this. And what is so strange about it is the fact that as an academic institution, Miami is a highly respected private school. But they continue to innerly embrace such a dirty athletic image. Usually, people can accept that when you're winning, like the 80's or when the team went to back-to-back football national title games in 2001 and 2002 (winning in 2001). The key word there is "winning," something the overhyped U hasn't done much of lately.
For the past three years, they have not reached a BCS bowl game, and have lost all three of the bowl games they have played in. Since they lost to Ohio State in the 2002 national title game, they have only won BCS bowl game, that being the Orange Bowl in 2004. Under Randy Shannon (from 2007-2010), they were only six games above .500, quite a drop off from early millennium dominance. With those kind of stats, it's hard to call Miami a current premier college football program. Historically speaking, with five national titles, they are, but that is simply the past.
(Note: I am not going to waste time even discussing why the Miami basketball team doesn't deserve a confident, swagged persona. They have done nothing worth noting, made evident by only two NCAA Tournament appearances in the past ten years, and zero national titles in their history.)
It's about time the Miami athletic program started becoming harsher, as all three money programs have been part of violations (the baseball team had some in the early 2000's as well). Its current identity crisis has died off, as nobody looks at it with reverence, just disgust. To let their ego bring so many violations and corruption is just downright unacceptable, and they should be nothing but ashamed of themselves. New coaches Al Golden (football) and Jim Larranaga (basketball) are innocent victims caught in the middle of all of this, and where can they now turn?
When the football team comes through the smoke, out of the tunnel, it is one of college football's most recognizable entrances. Now this program must burst through the current smoke; one that mixes an institution's confused identity and the effects of over a decade of wrongdoing. It really is all about the U; all about to crumble.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Nostalgia Got The Best of Me
Some people like to call their college a home away from home. As I leave for mine tomorrow, I know that I chose a wonderful place to be just that. Columbia, Missouri is a beautiful college town that boasts so much pride and spirit. The idea of being a Tiger is something I am extremely proud of. But for me, I've always had a home away from home.
Since I was four years old, I have been attending Baltimore Raven home games. When they came to Baltimore in 1996, my family snatched up four tickets and we all started attending the games. From then on, I became immersed in football. I loved everything about it; the physicality, the passion, the atmosphere of a stadium. This is how my obsession with sports began, and I now thought of M&T Bank Stadium (formerly PSINet Stadium) as another home.
It has housed everything I've ever loved in one place. I got to spend 8 Sundays a year watching professional football with the people that I love the most. My family is absolutely sports crazed, and going to Ravens games has always been the highlights of our year. On momentous wins, we rode back home jubilant. For the heart wrenching losses, we rode back silent (okay not silent, but I can't type the words on here). That's how much we've always cared.
With them, I have been able to watch some of the NFL greats play on that field. I've seen Peyton Manning orchestrate amazing drives live. I've watched Troy Polamalu leap over blockers and drill people. And I've seen countless others, like Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Ben Roethilsberger, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, etc. But those aren't the guys I've been attached to.
From the day I first saw Ray Lewis play, I knew he would always be my favorite player. I could always sense the passion he brought to the field, the intensity he thinks is normal for any man. Before games would start, I would just stare at him pacing the 50 yard line (divides the teams when they're stretching), barking at the opposing team. It was like observing a tenacious lion stalking his future prey. Then the game would start, and I would go insane as he laid out another running back with no mercy. Nobody was coming over the middle; not while Ray was there.
I've watched his whole career arc. In his prime, there was not a more dominant player at the time. He ran sideline to sideline like nobody I've ever seen. When the lights were at its brightest, Ray always made the play that was needed. You knew once a team entered the stadium, they weren't entering the Ravens' house: this was Ray's place. And you weren't coming out of it the same way you went in. Ask Eddie George, Dustin Keller, Clinton Portis, Chad Ochocinco. They'll tell you the same.
What I'll miss the most about Ray is that pregame introduction. After the whole defense was introduced, you knew who was coming out last. "Hot In Herre" would start blaring over the stadium speakers, and out came Number 52. He'd pick up a clod of grass like a gladiator did with sand before a battle, throw it, and go into that famous dance. The crowd would be consumed with chaos, and you knew it was gametime. To this day, nothing pumps me up more.
I don't care how many players come through this league. Nobody will be what Ray Lewis has been to me. He's the best defensive player of the past ten years, and one of the greatest to ever play. There is no player that was more ready to come to play, no one who loved it as much. It's been an honor to see him play in person every year. I'll never forget it, and I'll never wear another jersey.
People always ask me why I love sports so much, especially football. I can only respond with these games. They have meant the world to me and nothing will replace them. Nothing can replace the memories of seeing guys like Jonathan Ogden and Ed Reed make the plays that will put them in the Hall of Fame. Nothing could possibly be better than seeing one of the greatest defenses of all time firsthand in 2000 (even if they did go 5 straight games without scoring a TD, still won the Super Bowl). No sound will replace the deafening unison of over 70,000 people screaming on third down to pump up our D.
But most of all, nothing will be like the time I got with my family. The tailgates, the drives, the excitement; I got to share it all with them. I've been blessed with the best family I could have ever asked for; people who are just like me and love these crazy games as much as I do. Baltimore was never our official home (did live in Bel Air County though), but it's where part of our heart lies. I may be thousands of miles away, but you can bet your ass I'll be watching every down with Number 52 on my back. I bleed purple and black, and nothing will ever change that. Sports are my life; and the Baltimore Ravens are who I have to thank.
Since I was four years old, I have been attending Baltimore Raven home games. When they came to Baltimore in 1996, my family snatched up four tickets and we all started attending the games. From then on, I became immersed in football. I loved everything about it; the physicality, the passion, the atmosphere of a stadium. This is how my obsession with sports began, and I now thought of M&T Bank Stadium (formerly PSINet Stadium) as another home.
It has housed everything I've ever loved in one place. I got to spend 8 Sundays a year watching professional football with the people that I love the most. My family is absolutely sports crazed, and going to Ravens games has always been the highlights of our year. On momentous wins, we rode back home jubilant. For the heart wrenching losses, we rode back silent (okay not silent, but I can't type the words on here). That's how much we've always cared.
With them, I have been able to watch some of the NFL greats play on that field. I've seen Peyton Manning orchestrate amazing drives live. I've watched Troy Polamalu leap over blockers and drill people. And I've seen countless others, like Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Ben Roethilsberger, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, etc. But those aren't the guys I've been attached to.
From the day I first saw Ray Lewis play, I knew he would always be my favorite player. I could always sense the passion he brought to the field, the intensity he thinks is normal for any man. Before games would start, I would just stare at him pacing the 50 yard line (divides the teams when they're stretching), barking at the opposing team. It was like observing a tenacious lion stalking his future prey. Then the game would start, and I would go insane as he laid out another running back with no mercy. Nobody was coming over the middle; not while Ray was there.
I've watched his whole career arc. In his prime, there was not a more dominant player at the time. He ran sideline to sideline like nobody I've ever seen. When the lights were at its brightest, Ray always made the play that was needed. You knew once a team entered the stadium, they weren't entering the Ravens' house: this was Ray's place. And you weren't coming out of it the same way you went in. Ask Eddie George, Dustin Keller, Clinton Portis, Chad Ochocinco. They'll tell you the same.
What I'll miss the most about Ray is that pregame introduction. After the whole defense was introduced, you knew who was coming out last. "Hot In Herre" would start blaring over the stadium speakers, and out came Number 52. He'd pick up a clod of grass like a gladiator did with sand before a battle, throw it, and go into that famous dance. The crowd would be consumed with chaos, and you knew it was gametime. To this day, nothing pumps me up more.
I don't care how many players come through this league. Nobody will be what Ray Lewis has been to me. He's the best defensive player of the past ten years, and one of the greatest to ever play. There is no player that was more ready to come to play, no one who loved it as much. It's been an honor to see him play in person every year. I'll never forget it, and I'll never wear another jersey.
People always ask me why I love sports so much, especially football. I can only respond with these games. They have meant the world to me and nothing will replace them. Nothing can replace the memories of seeing guys like Jonathan Ogden and Ed Reed make the plays that will put them in the Hall of Fame. Nothing could possibly be better than seeing one of the greatest defenses of all time firsthand in 2000 (even if they did go 5 straight games without scoring a TD, still won the Super Bowl). No sound will replace the deafening unison of over 70,000 people screaming on third down to pump up our D.
But most of all, nothing will be like the time I got with my family. The tailgates, the drives, the excitement; I got to share it all with them. I've been blessed with the best family I could have ever asked for; people who are just like me and love these crazy games as much as I do. Baltimore was never our official home (did live in Bel Air County though), but it's where part of our heart lies. I may be thousands of miles away, but you can bet your ass I'll be watching every down with Number 52 on my back. I bleed purple and black, and nothing will ever change that. Sports are my life; and the Baltimore Ravens are who I have to thank.
The College Landscape
What everyone loves about college football is its tradition, its pageantry. Fanatics point to the raucous atmospheres, the blaring marching bands, and armies of painted bodies to explain why they love it so much more than pro football, for instance. But the constant violations and power conference changes brings me to an undeniable conclusion: college football is not that much different than the next level.
The NFL is a billion dollar industry, and while college football may not be that, it is still a world powered by finances. New violations are coming out every day from football powerhouses like Oregon and LSU, due to their payment of scouts and other agencies to gain an upper hand in recruiting. It's casting a dark shadow on every campus; is this the only way programs can rise?
Look at a program like UNC. A team that many considered to be on the rise last year, they were completely hammered by numerous violations by key players like Marvin Austin and Greg Little (who just happened to be hot NFL prospects and were recently drafted). Take a gander at them now: Butch Davis was fired and their athletic director recently resigned. The program is suddenly in a downward spiral, putting a stain on one of the most respected athletic institutions in the nation. Oh how the mighty have fallen. And the blows even struck one of the penthouses of college tradition at Ohio State, with their fate still hanging in the balance. The scariest part is that there will most likely be more programs struck that we would have never even fathomed going down. If USC and Ohio State can, anybody can. Which they will.
If you still are not convinced, look at the imminence of conference realignment around the country. The wealthy SEC just looks to keep getting richer. Texas A&M is the newest school to have new conference flirtation, and it is looking more and more likely that they will jump to the Southeast from the Big 12. Now for those of you thinking, "Wait, Texas isn't in the Southeast. SEC stands for Southeastern Conference right?", you are absolutely correct. And they wonder how our country could be so inept with geography.
Why they are leaving is the same excuse college football gives for keeping the BCS: money. The Aggies bring even more tradition and power to an already stacked conference, but that's not why they're here. It's the TV market. The SEC is looking to spread its influence and bring in even more viewers, which of course leads to more cash. They will have finally made it into football-crazed Texas, an accomplishment that SEC commissioner Mike Slive would certainly be proud of. Not to mention that A&M is anxious to come out of the Longhorns' shadow, bringing some light onto the 12th Man and Kyle Field.
But it gets even better: there are rumors swirling that Florida State, Clemson, and Missouri could be making the jump to the SEC as well. FSU and Clemson make geographical sense, but come on, Missouri? I love my school and all, and would be greatly excited to watch SEC football, but we're in the Midwest. The only connection to teams in the SEC would be the Missouri River, which is a tributary of the Mississippi River, but that is a far stretch. If you're keeping count, that would bring the number of teams to 16. In a football conference. That is a bit too much for my taste.
I cannot really see the presidents at Florida and South Carolina voting to bring in the Seminoles and Howard's Rock, so there is definitely more speculation to come. Even if it does not happen, I'm sure more realignment is on the horizon. And it's just getting ridiculous.
Last summer's whole buzz about the Pac 10 becoming the Pac 16, with their constant courting of Texas, started this whole fiasco, and led to Texas being given its own network by ESPN (another reason A&M is looking to bolt). So basically, the reasons why your maps appear to be thrown off is due to that absolute dire need for the Longhorns to have their own network, when they already get ridiculous amounts of media coverage. I guess every major program will get one soon, maybe even their own cable provider.
All of this brings us back to the original point: this sport is no longer concerned with being collegiate and traditional. If it was, the TCU Horned Frogs would not be playing in the Big East (TCU is in Texas by the way). Programs would not be getting busted daily for illegal activities, which are mounting up so much that the NCAA has to have investigators at the local McDonald's to make sure a coach doesn't buy a recruit a Big Mac. People would not be clamoring for players to be paid when they already are getting a free education that some kids would die to pay for. It's all run amok, and soon we might as well just have four conferences with 16 teams each.
A cleaning is needed here, and the focus needs to come back to the beauty of college football. Let's get back to it being identified with the dotting of the I at Ohio State, the daily smacks on the "Play Like A Champion Today" sign at Notre Dame, the sprinting of that Sooner wagon onto the field at Oklahoma. Make conferences that coincide with geography, so the student athletes do not have to travel as much and can actually have more time to study. Bring us a playoff so we can stop having yearly debates about if this team or that one deserved a shot at the national title. Just return this gem from the greedy hands of presidents and conference commissioners to the football crazed towns like Tuscaloosa and Ann Arbor.
One problem with that though; money talks. No matter how much we scream, one noise is always louder; cha-ching. The National Collegiate Athletic Corporation is open for business, and the millions keep on rolling in. Time is running out for the greed to stop; and the last grain of sand is about to fall in the collegiate hourglass. Let the chaos begin.
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