Bobby Knight

Since I can't find that latest video of him and his hunting altercation this past week. I found some of his best soundbites ever.

A Riff for Reilly

One of my favorite writers of all time is packing in at Sports Illustrated. Rick Reilly the great writer that has been writing for SI for 23 years is packing it in with the famous sports magazine. Reilly's writing which has been on the "back page" of SI for as long as I can remember has brought me to laugh, to tears, to astonishment, and to joy. One of the main reasons I have been subscribing to SI for the past 15 years is because of Reilly. His story lines can come from anything from his hate for Barry Bonds, to a man from Tennessee that golfs 90 holes a day, to a kid in Mass. that has cerebral palsy that can't dribble but won't miss from the foul line. Also, his comedic adventures where he would write his experience as a rodeo clown, teeing it up with Tiger Woods, and even him driving an Indy car at the Indianapolis 500. Every week I always looked forward to his column, most often it would be the first page I turn to. Reilly has also done features, notably one about a week spent with Marge Schott that ultimately helped lead to her suspension from baseball. Reilly has also wrote six books, been named Sportswriter of the Year 11 times, and was the writer that went up to Sammy Sosa and ask him to take a drug test because Sosa was very assertive that he "Would take a drug test if someone offered one". With that Sosa went off on Reilly even threatening the columnist. As of June 1st Reilly will be taking a job with ESPN that will include some more writing and even some time on tv. It's too bad for Sports Illustrated that they are losing Reilly, because they might lose some subscribers as well.

Too much going on

I can never remember this much going on in the world of sports for the last week of November. I will be doing some extensive writing this weekend about my trip back to Meriden and what the hell is going on in college football. But some thoughts first...Bobby Knight has gone crazy again! For those of you that hasn't seen the video I will post it as soon as I find it...hysterical! Les Miles is being allow to talk to Michigan about coaching their next season. Look, let's get one thing straight, I realize that Miles has never won anything yet as coach of LSU, but I really feel that he is the best man and the best available guy to get the job. Still no leads in the Sean Taylor homicide. I can't stress this enough, all the scumbags that live in the dirty south of Florida should just get sent to an island and let them kill each other there. Taylor's death is really bothering me and to have no leads in the case is making it worse. Big game tonight with two 10-1 teams in the NFC. This game has so much importance tonight because I truly believe that the loser of this game will have to play the winner in the playoffs away and being a road team and win at Dallas or Green Bay is tough. Johan Santana is on the trading block for some reason. I realize that Minnesota will probably never be able to give him what he wants but this is crazy to me, at least the northeast is having some fun with it as the Yankees and Red Sox give offers to the Twins. Bat tossing Delmon Young is going to the Twins to replace Torri Hunter. Just when I thought that Hunter was the face of the franchise...BAM I was hit! Tom Osbourne the former head coach of the national champs, Nebraska, is on the road as interim coach and is doing the recruiting for the school. Hey Tom, do you really think that these young kids are going to think that your somebody other than Orville Redenbacher. And finally, this just in...I will be appearing on the sidelines for the Meriden Raiders next week in their national championship tournament as the coach that just shouts..."That's how you hit!"

Sean Taylor 1983-2007

This is very difficult for me to write about today and with this being my first day back to Florida, and my layover in Washington D.C. this story has followed me all day. Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins and formerly of the Miami Hurricanes is dead following being shot by an intruder into his home early Monday morning. Taylor was drafted by the Redskins 5th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. In all honesty, I was really pulling for Taylor to be picked by the 'skins because of his great awareness on the football field playing the free safety and strong safety positions. With a couple of problems with the law in 2005 and 2006 Taylor was turning into one of those players that you really despise. But, after the birth of his daughter and a Pro-Bowl appearance last season you could honestly see a change in this fierce player. Even his teammates were quoted saying that Taylor has really been making a effort in changing his "thuggish" ways. With Taylor cleaning up his act having 5 interceptions this season, and the Redskins drafting LSU standout Laron Landry to work along side Taylor in the secondary, this duo was looking to become a force and get the Redskins back to dominance. In my years of following sports neither of my teams has ever lost a player during the season, and too lose a player of that age and that much talent in the prime of his life is very difficult. How selfish can I be? I didn't even know the man but I am truly going to miss him on every Sunday playing for my favorite sports team. To me Taylor will always be remembered as a fierce competitor, with a insane desire to win, and a young phenom that was taken away too damn early. My prayers go out to the Taylor family and the entire Washington Redskin organization. So thank you Sean for you short stint with the Redskins entertaining me on Sundays, your loss will be tough one to swallow for a while.

Ohio State/Michigan

How much does it mean to Michigan fans playing Ohio State in their battle on the gridiron today? Well, for one we have been waiting 364 days to get back at them for taking away our shot at a National Championship last season, probably would have got blow out too though. As important as this game is, I am working today, but I am currently taking my morning break just to write about the game and my lunch break will consist of a hour lunch from 12 to 1, then going back to the office and punching out then back home on the couch for the remainder. I am a Michigan fan for one, but I am a realist too. For the first time in a long time I am giving Michigan no, I repeat, no shot today. At the beginning of the season I had high hopes with the "big three" on the offensive side of the ball(Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Mario Manningham) as well as a top 5 pick in next years NFL draft in offensive tackle Jake Long. But, it all came to a crumble after week 1 and more so after the blowout from Oregon. Lloyd Carr's time is done at Michigan, not that I am not thankful for the Big Ten titles and one National Championship, but he has done nothing the last 5 seasons and its time for Michigan to start in a new direction even if they win today, which I already said is highly unlikely. Jim Tressel the coach at OSU has been totally out coaching Carr during his tenure and its driving Michigan fans crazy. Last week Henne played two series on offense and Mike Hart dressed but didn't play so my theory is that whatever the outcome of last week's game, it really didn't matter to Carr because no matter how it turned out they were to play for the Big Ten title no matter what this week. Even if Henne and Hart can play, I can't see Michigan's suspect defense to even complete with the Buckeyes. Living in Florida this past year and being able to watch the SEC on a regular basis, the Big Ten needs to do some changing and try to get better players to come and play at their school. That is something that I think Michigan will be able to do if they let someone else come in and change things around. So no matter what happens in today's game I'll be routing for the maze in blue especially for the seniors that haven't beaten Ohio State yet. But, I am hopeful that this is the end of the line for Carr and next year will be a fresh start.

Ohio State 37 Michigan 20

Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson

The reason that I am a University of Michigan football fan is because of number 21. He wasn't the tallest guy out on the field, but he damn sure was the quickest. Winning the Big Ten title all three years at Michigan was just part of this incredible athlete's attributes being the star wide receiver. The season of his junior year was out of this world...61 catches for 950 yards and 23 touchdowns, 4 on kick-off or punt returns. Game after game Howard made miraculous catches and seeing him in the open field was like a flash of light. Howard finished with 640 first place votes for the Heisman Trophy a record at that time. The video shown above really gave him the Heisman and Keith Jackson couldn't do the call any better. Howard went on to be the 4th overall pick in the NFL draft that year to my beloved Washington Redskins. He really didn't amount to much there but went on to win Super Bowl MVP with the Green Bays Packers later on in his career.

Another one of Michigan's great play makers, Woodson is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy as a defensive player. Though Woodson was on offense a few times that year scoring three times and on punt and kick-off returns scoring twice. Also, Woodson brought the Wolverines back to dominance with winning the Rose Bowl and a share of the National Championship going 12-0. With the eight interceptions he had that season helping his case for the Heisman, it was him coming up big in big games that really won over the voters. Case in point, verses rival Ohio State for a trip to the Rose Bowl, Woodson returned a punt for a touchdown, intercepted a pass in the end zone, and caught a 37 yard pass that turned into Michigan's only offensive scoring drive. The guy was a phenom and recently ESPN ranked him as the #11 on their Top 25 best players in college football history.

Archie Griffin and Eddie George

The only two-time Heisman Award winner, Griffin also won 4 Big Ten titles and is the only player in the history of the Rose Bowl to start in all of them. In 1972, as a freshman, Griffin introduced himself to the Ohio State faithful in only his second game by setting a school single game rushing record with 239 yards against North Carolina. I wish that I could find more highlight films to post on the blog because Griffin's stats don't make-up for how great of a player he was at Ohio State. The first round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals has so many records that I don't have room for them all on this blog, but one really caught my eye. Griffin rushed for at least 100 yards in 34 collegiate games...at one point 31 in a row, a NCAA record.

Another running back Heisman trophy winner, George powered his way to to a school record of 1927 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns that season. Being a Michigan fan, I literally feared George on the third Saturday of November because he was such a tough guy to bring down. George finished his career at Ohio State second all-time in rushing yards and total touchdowns. Even though George never won a Big Ten title, he was always the feature back and the man that the defense were to key on and if they stopped George they stopped OSU. George throughout his collegiate career work to improve on everything that he did wrong. As a freshman George fumbled twice against Illinois that costed the Buckeyes the game. Over 600 carries later over the next 3 years George only fumbled 6 times. George went on to be a 1st round pick for the Houston Oilers and would have an excellent career.

"Frrreeeesssshman"

The college basketball scene this season has a plethora of great freshman ball players that it is hard to keep up with them all. When I posted my College B-Ball Preview, I only mentioned very few of the freshman that will be making immediate impacts for their teams this season. While watching the Syracuse/St. Joseph's game last night, two of the Orangemen freshman had some great moments, with one of them being the game winning three-pointer made by Jonny Flynn with 5 seconds left in the game, and Donte Green finishing with 18 points for the victors. But, Syracuse isn't the only program that will be relying heavily on their freshman. Ohio State, who the Orangemen play next week at Madison Square Garden has a 7-foot freshman in Kosta Koufos. Top recruit Derrick Rose of Memphis is already having a huge impact on his top rated team as well. The starting guard is averaging 19 points, 5 boards, and 3.5 assists in the first two games for the 2-0 Tigers. Ucla will look to go back to the Final Four for the 3rd time in a row, but will need great contributions from its big man in the middle in Kevin Love, who is averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds for the 3-0 Bruins. O.J. Mayo, whos flash and publication on television during high school has the cameras watching every one of this kid's moves, Mayo had 32 points in his college opener. When the NBA put in the rule that the age requirement for players to be eligible for the draft is 19, we are finding more and more great "diaper dandies" in the college scene. This is great for college basketball but the thing that hurts it is that these kids might or probably will only be there until the eligibility is up for the NBA draft. So we only get to enjoy them for a year maybe two, and when the general Bobby Knight said that this was bad for the game, I could agree with his side. Not only now do coaches have to get the top talent over to their school so that they can win and not lose their jobs. But, they have to find the right talent that will stay more than a year or two so they can keep the program respectable. I can't even imagine what the college game would be like if these great incoming freshman this season stayed through their junior years. So enjoy the college basketball season this year and it's great players, because next season most of them will be gone and a new crop will be in.

Anthony Carter

Though standing at 5 feet and 11 inches in stature, Carter was huge part of Bo Schembeckler's offense from 1979 to 1982. Carter was used primarily for speed routes and on kick-off and punt returns. As a freshman 7 of his first 17 receptions were touchdowns and now the Michigan offense who had always been run first had a lethal threat on the outside. Carter, is more known for his catch and run 45 yard touchdown as time expired against against Indiana, is considered one of the greatest plays in Michigan football history. The three time 1st Team All-American left Michigan with 8 return, receiving, and scoring records as well as finishing 4th in the Heisman voting his senior season. Most of his Michigan records have been surpassed as of late from Braylon Edwards and return man Steve Breaston. In my opinion, Carter was the one who started the long line of great Michigan play makers.

Cris Carter

The former Ohio State wide reciever was so dominate in the Big Ten from 1984 to 1986. Becoming Ohio State's first wide reciever 1st Team All-American as Junior, Carter was forced to leave school after his junior year because he was caught signing a contract with an agent. He left Ohio State being the all-time leader in receptions and also as a freshman he set a Rose Bowl record with 9 catches and 172 yards.

Pic of the Week

With the battle between the best rivalry in sports just days away with the Big Ten title on the line, I thought that it would be fitting to put a picture of the past since Michigan hasn't beaten Ohio State since 2003. I remember watching this game at home when the Heisman award winner Desmond Howard put on a show for the ages in the Ohio State game. This pose which came off a 93 yard punt return, gave Michigan a nice cushion for the win and a trip to the Rose Bowl. If I ever got a chance to interview Howard I would definitely ask him if he had planned to do the pose no matter how he scored. Coming this week up until the big game, I will be giving you glimpses of past Ohio State and Michigan greats and my prediction for the game...and after!

Deserved Better

One of the classiest players in my generation of watching sports has been and always will be Grant Hill. Despite his ability to stay healthy, Hill has never gave the public grief or displayed classless acts to the teams that payed him tons of money and could never step on the floor for them. If anything Hill has showed alot of character through his career by taking pay cuts and while injured spent countless time with the team(s) city's communities. For a man not being able to play the game he loves because of numerous setbacks from ankle surgeries, he has tried his best to stay positive and has handled the stress and his adversity with class. With that, I try not to watch to much of the NBA this early but something caught my attention in the NBA section of the local paper this past Sunday that put a bad taste in my mouth. Hill, who is now a Phoenix Sun this season, played the past 7 seasons for the Orlando Magic and his new team came to Orlando Saturday night to face his old team. With that being said you would think that the Magic fans would give Hill a nice ovation upon his return after the time spent with a team that has been through ups and downs just like Hill. Instead the Magic faithful booed Hill during the introduction, and whenever he touched the ball and made a basket. Are you kidding me? The former Duke Blue Devil and lottery pick who was not even offered a chance back with the team this past off season got booed...for what may I ask? If I was not wanted at my place of work and I loved what I was doing I'd go elsewhere too. The Magic fans made remarks doing the game about his ankle, and proved themselves to be as classless as Hill has been classy over the years. If it wasn't for his injuries Hill would be a sure fit for the Basketball Hall of Fame, but he's not going to be and that he has to deal with. And does he go out and feel sorry for himself and does nothing while being paid to be injured...no. He goes out and lowers his contract for the best of the team, does community service projects in the Orlando area, and going out and being everything that you want as a professional athlete away from the court. Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson was quoted after the game saying, "It was tough to hear that. I definitely didn't agree with that at all. He has never did anything wrong." Hill as professional as possible stayed away from commenting on the boos after the game. I am sure that he was hurt, more than any ankle injury ever gave him. Way to go Orlando!

Best Gangster Movies

Monday I went with my bro Bill and took an afternoon trip to Jacksonville and while we waited for my other brother to get out of work we went and saw American Gangster. The film that was captivated by two powerful performances by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe had my attention throughout and for me never slowed down even with it being two hours and 38 minutes. The film is based on a true story with Frank Lucas (Washington) a black crime boss starting as just a driver and becoming a force in Harlem in the 1970s. Russell plays Richie Roberts who is a personally trouble police detective who bothers his fellow colleagues on the force along with his ex-wife, works to bring down Lucas and his entire drug empire. I couldn't wait to see this film and I recommend all of you to see it in the theatres, unless you have a nice surround sound stereo when you get the dvd. As Bill and I walk out of the theatre we started discussing this film (which I thought was excellent but I can't figure out if it will have a good amount of Oscar nominations) and past great "gangsta movies", so I thought about it and here's my top 10.

10. CARILTO'S WAY

9. RESERVOIR DOGS

8. MENACE II SOCIETY

7. SCARFACE

6. AMERICAN GANGSTER

5. THE GODFATHER 2

4. CASINO

3. GOODFELLAS

2. THE DEPARTED

1. THE GODFATHER

NBA and Mens College B-Ball Previews

With my slacking on the blogs lately because of family being in town, I forgot that the NBA season was with full day schedules and that means college basketball season is starting as well. This is still too soon for me to follow the NBA so I have few to write about with that league. As far as college is concerned, I read the College Basketball Preview in USA Today and would like to make some points going into this season.

The NBA season has started and I more than likely will take glimpses at games for now and probably not get into the season until the New Year. All I know is that Kobe Bryant needs to go to Chicago so that I can follow the NBA again. I was a huge Bulls fan but when Jordan left, I basically left the NBA as the league started to fall off alittle. It looks to me again this season that the Western Conference is a powerhouse again, and any of 4 to maybe 5 teams could go to the Finals. As for the East, you got the trio in Boston, the Bulls (who I noticed hasn't gotten off to a great start, and possibly the Detroit Pistons. I really don't feel that Lebron James and the Cavs won't make the type of run like they made last season. This is all I got for the NBA for now, referees maybe later. Here's my picks...

Phoenix Suns over the Dallas Mavericks in the West

Boston Celtics over the Chicago Bulls in the East

Celtics are your NBA Champs!!!


With 62 coaching changes in Division 1 this season, most programs will be rebuilding, some trying to get their program where they want to be, and others that have their core group back and wanting that coveted National Championship. It'll be easy for me to tell you that North Carolina, Memphis, and UCLA are the best teams in the nation and all three will be #1 seeds this March and contend for the title. That being said, there is a lot of teams that are all bunched up and could turn some heads heading into the February. Here's a look at my teams to look for in the power conferences this year followed by the picks.

BIG EAST- It's safe to say that Georgetown and Louisville are the favorites. Georgetown's Roy Hibbert who decided to come back for another chance at winning a title looks to improve his talent for another year, and be a force in the middle and get the Hoyas back to the Final Four. Louisville is returning 4 starters this season and the top 7 scorers from last year's team. As always the deep Big East is always wide open for some surprises. My surprise team this season is Syracuse (your welcome Marc), the Orangemen have two players that are pre-season co-rookie of the year candidates in forward Donte Green and guard Jonny Flynn. Both were teammates on the USA under 19 team that placed silver in the world championships this summer.

BIG 12- Bill Self has brought 3 teams to the Elite Eight now and his Kansas Jayhawks are looking to make a return trip this year and some. Kansas the hands down favorite will have a bunch of contenders fighting for the conference title including a couple of teams that lost their stars. Texas and Texas A&M will be there til the end, even though A&M lost their coach in Billy Gillispie, they are returning a couple of very talented seniors in Joseph Jones and Josh Carter and have pried talented Mark Turgeon from Witchita State. Surprise team this season is hard but I have to go with Kansas State, since he is receiving Bob Huggins recruits...if they go to class.

ACC- The North Carolin Tarheels are the Preseason #1 team and are the class of the ACC this year barring injuries. The ACC has taken some hits the past couple of years with questions about how deep and good is this once powerful conference. Lots of teams are going to be looking to get the NCAA committee voters attention this season including, N.C. State, Clemson, and Florida State. I think that Duke and Virginia will both be there in March, and something tells me that the Blue Devils will be making a push at the Tarheels this year returning 4 starters, with Marcus Nelson being their go-to guy. I could be wrong though, since the starter they lost was their man in the middle in Josh McRoberts to the NBA.

BIG TEN- Even with a lost to a Division 2 school this past week, Michigan State is still one of the favorites in a conference that doesn't get a whole lot of love anymore. The Indiana Hoosiers is the other team I am seeing as a favorite to win the conference. With Bo Ryan as coach of the Wisconsin Badgers they have finished in the top 4 in each of the last six seasons. Ohio State and Purdue could be around this year but you never know in this conference. I got two sleepers for you with each having two new coaches. Minnesota has Tubby Smith and Michigan has John Beilein, both coming from two great programs in Kentucky and West Virginia respectively. I am not saying that they are going to go to the NCAA tourney but I have always like the way both these coaches have coached their teams, offensively and defensively.

PAC-10- UCLA is seeking their 3 consecutive trip to the Final Four and are the favorites going into a very deep Pac-10 this season. Washington State will be competing for the crown as well with their all-everything player in guard Kyle Weaver. The Oregon Ducks will be fighting as well, returning 3 players that averaged double figures in points last season. Freshman of the Year Chase Budinger from Arizona will keep the Wildcats around all season. My surprise team this year will be USC. Even with the loss of the backcourt following a sweet sixteen appearance last season, they have two studs in Taj Gibson that averaged 12 points and 8+ boards a game and freshman of the year candidate in the highly recruited O.J. Mayo.

SEC- Tennessee is back this season again as one of the most potent offenses in the nation with returning guard Chris Lofton. The Vols offense is so tough it's hard to imagine anyone in the league to keep up with this team. Kentucky, even with the loss of Smith, is returning a loaded backcourt and will be a tourney team this season. Replacing all five starters the back-2-back champs in the Florida Gators have a great incoming class. As you can tell most of my surprise teams have a bunch of returning players and that will stay the same in the SEC. Arkansas is returning all 5 back and last season freshman standout in guard Patrick Beverley, who averaged 13.9 points last year, won't have to do too much with a senior based team back.

FINAL FOUR
North Carolina
Memphis
Tennessee
Washington State

ROY WILLIAMS WILL BE CUTTING DOWN THE NETS FOR A SECOND TIME AS THE TARHEELS WILL NOT BE DENIED WITH THE PLAY OF THE NAISMITH PLAYER OF THE YEAR TYLER HANSBROUGH!

Pic of the Week

Enough said!

The Next One

I haven't seen a running back this explosive in my lifetime since my favorite back ever Barry Sanders. Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings is absolutely incredible and from what I have seen so far as humble as Sanders was. He doesn't even have to play another game this season to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. I am sure that Vikings fans are very happy with what they have for the future. Now if they can now only build around him, the V-men will be a team to look at down the road. Peterson, who has just broken the single game record for rushing yards with 296, is currently the leading rusher in the NFL as well with more to come. I just wish the kid a healthy career, because a player with this much talent I can only think of what many people have said about a player as electric named Sayers.