Bill Belichik.
Three Super Bowl rings as a head coach. Adulation as perhaps an all time great.
This year, blessed with an owner willing to go out and get the cream of the crop in the free agent market, perhaps his most remarkable coaching job.
There is no debating that the Pats are extremely talented. There is no debating that they are blessed with experience and a championship aura.
But, there is also no debating that balancing all the egos and getting everyone to perform as one unit is the type of thing that only a COY calibre performance could provide.
This team is reminiscent of Phil Jackson's Jordan led Bulls and Shaq led Lakers. To the untrained eye, anyone could led them to victory. To those in the know, only a genius could get them there.
With that in mind, we at NOIS convey the 2007 NFL Coach of the Year Award to.......
Romeo Crennel.
Blessed with a fraction of the talent on his roster, an organization that epitomized losing and located in a city that embraces the 'epitomization' of losing: somehow Crennel overcame and marshalled his team to double digit victories this season.
If Belichik is a genius in his ability to get all those egos attached to first flight talent to work toward the goals of the team, then what is the man that can get performance from egos that are just as inflated but are attached to second rate ability?
Perhaps Crennel's most important move this season was something he didn't do.
Certainly, Romeo faced internal and external pressure to put dashing young dandy Brady Quinn under center. But, rather than torture Cleveland fans (and football fans in general) with Quinn's ambiguous presence, Crennel turned Derek Anderson into a legitimate NFL starter.
And, after a 10-6 season, Anderson's success certainly clowds the picture of Quin:n's future in the city by the lake.
For prodding his young charges to 10 victories, and simultaneously casting doubt on Brady Quinn's being a starter in the NFL:
We crown Romeo Crennel as the King of Coaches for this season.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The College Football Coach of The Year
Mark Mangino of Kansas led the Jayhawks to an historic season. To our knowledge (actually, we don't have much knowledge of Kansas football...who really cares about it?), the best in their history.
During a season in which the Big 12 saw their top two spots (up until the end of the season) occupied by traditional doormats, Mangino navigated a modest schedule to put his team in position to play for not just the Big 12 title, but the national title.
A non-conference schedule of Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International got the Jayhawks off to a rousing start. Four straight home wins against four straight cream puffs.
But, in reality, KU scheduled with the Big 12 in mind.
The non-conference poo-poo platter certainly mirrored what lay in wait on their Big 12 schedule. Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State, a morbid Nebraska, a distracted A&M and Oklahoma State. No Oklahoma or Texas.
And, one big game. Missouri. A loss. Fortunately for KU, that game was at the end of the season. If it had been scheduled earlier, or right after KU was done wiping off the stench of the non-conference skunk spray; no one would have even bothered mentioning them for most of the season.
We certainly wouldn't be watching them head to a BCS bowl after finishing SECOND in their own division.
And we wouldn't be watching Mangino wrap his mortadello smelling fingers around a coach of the year plaque.
Instead, we'd be praising the job Sylvester Croom did at Mississippi State.
Faced with challenges in recruiting, budget, facilities and the challenge of being located in Mississippi; Croom led the Bulldogs to a winning season playing in the SEC. The SEC, if you don't know, is trumpeted by the media as the best and most difficult conference in the country.
Victories over Auburn, Alabama and Kentucky certainly trump any wins that Mangino managed in the Big 12. And a non-conference schedule that included uber-talented West Virginia certainly demonstrated MSU's desire to compete against the best college football has to offer. Unlike KU, which is more than happy to run off to a BCS bowl payday after losing to the only team of substance on their otherwise insulting schedule.
By honoring Mangino as the coach of the year, the media is signing off on a philosophy of avoiding challenges. Of avoiding competition.
Yes, we know. College sports are about making money. But, at some level, they are about overcoming challenges and facing competition head on. About being taught that taking the easy way out isn't the preferred avenue.
Bestowing coach of the year honors on Mangino and his half-stepping program is to condone all that is wrong with college football. To affirm Mangino as coach of the year is to accept mediocrity.
We at NOIS can not accept mediocrity. Neither in ourselves, nor in in our coach of the year.
One of the arguments made in the debate about the Heisman winner was that Tim Tebow played in the SEC. His accomplishments came against the best of the best, making them all the more impressive. We heard questions about the schedules faced by fellow finalists Chase Daniel and Colt Brennan. Sure, they had great years, but who was on the other side of the ball.
Then, we watched Sylvester Croom take on a monstrous SEC schedule armed with the recruiting crumbs left after the big boys were done feasting and an infrastructure still in disarray after probation. And we don't collectively acknowledge that what he accomplished took far more leadership, planning and downright coaching than running off 11 straight wins over the Hapless Techs and No Talent States of the college football world?
Clearly, some things just don't change.
A Negro doing a white man's job in the Deep South, and doing it well, is just too threatening in this country to give him his just desserts.
Even the SEC knew that it couldn't deny Croom their coach of the year nod and keep any semblance of credibility.
So, as Mangino dines on bracioline ripiene alla Siciliana and gazes over at his coach of the year award:
Know that the collards and fried chicken on Brother Sly's table taste extra good today.
We know it.
He knows it.
Coach of the Year.
During a season in which the Big 12 saw their top two spots (up until the end of the season) occupied by traditional doormats, Mangino navigated a modest schedule to put his team in position to play for not just the Big 12 title, but the national title.
A non-conference schedule of Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International got the Jayhawks off to a rousing start. Four straight home wins against four straight cream puffs.
But, in reality, KU scheduled with the Big 12 in mind.
The non-conference poo-poo platter certainly mirrored what lay in wait on their Big 12 schedule. Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State, a morbid Nebraska, a distracted A&M and Oklahoma State. No Oklahoma or Texas.
And, one big game. Missouri. A loss. Fortunately for KU, that game was at the end of the season. If it had been scheduled earlier, or right after KU was done wiping off the stench of the non-conference skunk spray; no one would have even bothered mentioning them for most of the season.
We certainly wouldn't be watching them head to a BCS bowl after finishing SECOND in their own division.
And we wouldn't be watching Mangino wrap his mortadello smelling fingers around a coach of the year plaque.
Instead, we'd be praising the job Sylvester Croom did at Mississippi State.
Faced with challenges in recruiting, budget, facilities and the challenge of being located in Mississippi; Croom led the Bulldogs to a winning season playing in the SEC. The SEC, if you don't know, is trumpeted by the media as the best and most difficult conference in the country.
Victories over Auburn, Alabama and Kentucky certainly trump any wins that Mangino managed in the Big 12. And a non-conference schedule that included uber-talented West Virginia certainly demonstrated MSU's desire to compete against the best college football has to offer. Unlike KU, which is more than happy to run off to a BCS bowl payday after losing to the only team of substance on their otherwise insulting schedule.
By honoring Mangino as the coach of the year, the media is signing off on a philosophy of avoiding challenges. Of avoiding competition.
Yes, we know. College sports are about making money. But, at some level, they are about overcoming challenges and facing competition head on. About being taught that taking the easy way out isn't the preferred avenue.
Bestowing coach of the year honors on Mangino and his half-stepping program is to condone all that is wrong with college football. To affirm Mangino as coach of the year is to accept mediocrity.
We at NOIS can not accept mediocrity. Neither in ourselves, nor in in our coach of the year.
One of the arguments made in the debate about the Heisman winner was that Tim Tebow played in the SEC. His accomplishments came against the best of the best, making them all the more impressive. We heard questions about the schedules faced by fellow finalists Chase Daniel and Colt Brennan. Sure, they had great years, but who was on the other side of the ball.
Then, we watched Sylvester Croom take on a monstrous SEC schedule armed with the recruiting crumbs left after the big boys were done feasting and an infrastructure still in disarray after probation. And we don't collectively acknowledge that what he accomplished took far more leadership, planning and downright coaching than running off 11 straight wins over the Hapless Techs and No Talent States of the college football world?
Clearly, some things just don't change.
A Negro doing a white man's job in the Deep South, and doing it well, is just too threatening in this country to give him his just desserts.
Even the SEC knew that it couldn't deny Croom their coach of the year nod and keep any semblance of credibility.
So, as Mangino dines on bracioline ripiene alla Siciliana and gazes over at his coach of the year award:
Know that the collards and fried chicken on Brother Sly's table taste extra good today.
We know it.
He knows it.
Coach of the Year.
Monday, December 17, 2007
NFL Fines Players For Supporting Embattled Friend
This from ProFootballTalk.com:
"Roddy White, Alge Crumpler, DeAngelo Hall, and Chris Houston were all fined $10,000.
Joe Horn also was fined $7,500 for pulling up White's jersey to reveal his "Free Mike Vick" T-shirt."
The league levied the fines under the auspices of the shirts being a violation of the league's uniform policy. Despite the fact that White's t-shirt was UNDER his uniform jersey. And the league doubled the usual fine for uniform violations. Horn was fined and he apparently wasn't even wearing one of the t-shirts.
Normally, we'd support team mates showing some support for an embattled friend. A fellow gladiator. A mistreated and seemingly purposely misunderstood and misrepresented Negro. Normally.
However, we believe that each of these players should sit out a game. Forfeit a game check.
All of these players have foolishly, though altruistically, played into the hands of the league rulers and the attempt to further demonize Vick.
Certainly, the players watched not long ago as Redskin players wore tribute t-shirts under their game jerseys for Sean Taylor. And, just as certainly, the Falcon players assumed that since the Redskins were not in violation of the uniform policy (they weren't fined) for wearing the t-shirts under the game jerseys; there would be no issue if they did it as well.
The foolishness in all this was that the Falcon players thought for a moment that the NFL Czar of Discipline and Behavior might not expound his traditional arbitrary application of policy and rule. And for somehow forgetting who they were memorializing, the Falcon players should march into their GM's office and let him know that they will not be playing in next week's game as a self imposed penance for their foolishness in believing that the Czar would allow them to memorialize the 'dead' player on their team.
What was supposed to be an act to show Vick that he was not forgotten. That he was still in the hearts of his team mates. That, despite the fact that he was locked up in a money making prison, his spirit and soul were still free. That act of brotherly solidarity and compassion for Vick's well being is now turned into a negative by the NFL's PR machinery.
Instead of it being the unifying and rehabilitative message that it was meant to be, the NFL turned it into some sort of forbidden phantom violation. What was meant to generate positive media representation that might get back to the incarcerated Vick was run through the NFL ringers.
And what got back to Vick (from the NFL) is clear:
You are dead to us.
'Free Mike Vick'?
No.
Mike Vick has been in chains from the first day he put on shoulder pads.
And this well intentioned, though poorly thought out maneuvre by the Falcon players only further tightened the shackles around their own wrists.
"Roddy White, Alge Crumpler, DeAngelo Hall, and Chris Houston were all fined $10,000.
Joe Horn also was fined $7,500 for pulling up White's jersey to reveal his "Free Mike Vick" T-shirt."
The league levied the fines under the auspices of the shirts being a violation of the league's uniform policy. Despite the fact that White's t-shirt was UNDER his uniform jersey. And the league doubled the usual fine for uniform violations. Horn was fined and he apparently wasn't even wearing one of the t-shirts.
Normally, we'd support team mates showing some support for an embattled friend. A fellow gladiator. A mistreated and seemingly purposely misunderstood and misrepresented Negro. Normally.
However, we believe that each of these players should sit out a game. Forfeit a game check.
All of these players have foolishly, though altruistically, played into the hands of the league rulers and the attempt to further demonize Vick.
Certainly, the players watched not long ago as Redskin players wore tribute t-shirts under their game jerseys for Sean Taylor. And, just as certainly, the Falcon players assumed that since the Redskins were not in violation of the uniform policy (they weren't fined) for wearing the t-shirts under the game jerseys; there would be no issue if they did it as well.
The foolishness in all this was that the Falcon players thought for a moment that the NFL Czar of Discipline and Behavior might not expound his traditional arbitrary application of policy and rule. And for somehow forgetting who they were memorializing, the Falcon players should march into their GM's office and let him know that they will not be playing in next week's game as a self imposed penance for their foolishness in believing that the Czar would allow them to memorialize the 'dead' player on their team.
What was supposed to be an act to show Vick that he was not forgotten. That he was still in the hearts of his team mates. That, despite the fact that he was locked up in a money making prison, his spirit and soul were still free. That act of brotherly solidarity and compassion for Vick's well being is now turned into a negative by the NFL's PR machinery.
Instead of it being the unifying and rehabilitative message that it was meant to be, the NFL turned it into some sort of forbidden phantom violation. What was meant to generate positive media representation that might get back to the incarcerated Vick was run through the NFL ringers.
And what got back to Vick (from the NFL) is clear:
You are dead to us.
'Free Mike Vick'?
No.
Mike Vick has been in chains from the first day he put on shoulder pads.
And this well intentioned, though poorly thought out maneuvre by the Falcon players only further tightened the shackles around their own wrists.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Bobby Petrino: DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler were right
Bobby Petrino.
The equivalent of the promiscuous girl of the coaching world. Always ready to listen to an offer. Often willing to put out. Quick to leave the groom standing at the altar.
Or in this case, cheat on the honey moon.
Petrino's stay in the ATL has been tainted almost from the start. He was unable to give tremendous, but wayward, QB Michael Vick the type of guidance a young man under considerable pressure could expect from a seasoned head coach/mentor. And quickly things fell apart.
Clearly, Vick didn't receive good advice from the organization and ended up responding to the early accusations with a dubious denial. Obviously, a caring and nurturing infrastructure would have given him the proper counsel necessary to take responsibility from the get go. Only after things spun out of control and Vick was able to separate himself from the organization did he come clean and accept responsibility.
So, the reality is that much of the distress caused by the Vick situation was a product of Petrino's botched leadership.
Certainly, Vick's team mates recognized this, and it compromised Petrino's ability to effectively be the man in charge of the team.
Early in the season, DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler received some negative press for openly wondering about Petrino's ability to lead an NFL team. For challenging Petrino's demands that the team buy into his system, but not providing any real leadership for the team.
The media seemed to enjoy painting Hall and Crumpler as out of line or disgruntled primadonas.
Well, vindication is sweet. And Hall and Crumpler were correct all along. Petrino gave up long ago and went through 3/4 of a season as a charade. Certainly he wasn't wooed by Arkansas between the Monday night game and the Tuesday announcement.
And, just as certainly, Hall and Crumpler's instinctual questioning of the validity and sincerity of Petrino and his 'system' was spot on the money. Petrino's 'system' was an empty shell that couldn't fool real NFL players. His leadership was a corrupt and cowardly masquerade.
And Hall and Crumpler should be commended for having the awareness, commitment and esprit de corps to put the teams needs ahead of their own and question the rotten smell emanating from the coach's office.
In this day and age of selfish players with agendas, it is refreshing to be able to look back on this and unequivocally state the players were one hundred percent correct and that the media owes them an apology.
Certainly this isn't the first time that a group of Negroes sensed and spoke out about the white man in the corner office using them for his personal gain. It just happens to be one of the times the media can't hide it.
The equivalent of the promiscuous girl of the coaching world. Always ready to listen to an offer. Often willing to put out. Quick to leave the groom standing at the altar.
Or in this case, cheat on the honey moon.
Petrino's stay in the ATL has been tainted almost from the start. He was unable to give tremendous, but wayward, QB Michael Vick the type of guidance a young man under considerable pressure could expect from a seasoned head coach/mentor. And quickly things fell apart.
Clearly, Vick didn't receive good advice from the organization and ended up responding to the early accusations with a dubious denial. Obviously, a caring and nurturing infrastructure would have given him the proper counsel necessary to take responsibility from the get go. Only after things spun out of control and Vick was able to separate himself from the organization did he come clean and accept responsibility.
So, the reality is that much of the distress caused by the Vick situation was a product of Petrino's botched leadership.
Certainly, Vick's team mates recognized this, and it compromised Petrino's ability to effectively be the man in charge of the team.
Early in the season, DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler received some negative press for openly wondering about Petrino's ability to lead an NFL team. For challenging Petrino's demands that the team buy into his system, but not providing any real leadership for the team.
The media seemed to enjoy painting Hall and Crumpler as out of line or disgruntled primadonas.
Well, vindication is sweet. And Hall and Crumpler were correct all along. Petrino gave up long ago and went through 3/4 of a season as a charade. Certainly he wasn't wooed by Arkansas between the Monday night game and the Tuesday announcement.
And, just as certainly, Hall and Crumpler's instinctual questioning of the validity and sincerity of Petrino and his 'system' was spot on the money. Petrino's 'system' was an empty shell that couldn't fool real NFL players. His leadership was a corrupt and cowardly masquerade.
And Hall and Crumpler should be commended for having the awareness, commitment and esprit de corps to put the teams needs ahead of their own and question the rotten smell emanating from the coach's office.
In this day and age of selfish players with agendas, it is refreshing to be able to look back on this and unequivocally state the players were one hundred percent correct and that the media owes them an apology.
Certainly this isn't the first time that a group of Negroes sensed and spoke out about the white man in the corner office using them for his personal gain. It just happens to be one of the times the media can't hide it.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Apologies
We are sorry that we haven't put up a new post in a few days. Have had some connectivity issues that our corporate IT has finally resolved.
We will resume our righteous posting in the AM.
For those of you that sent email calling us lazy n-words for not posting for several days; apologies.
We had no idea that there was actually a hard core circle of you that thrive on hating on our daily posts.
You make us feel special and vital.
We will resume our righteous posting in the AM.
For those of you that sent email calling us lazy n-words for not posting for several days; apologies.
We had no idea that there was actually a hard core circle of you that thrive on hating on our daily posts.
You make us feel special and vital.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Out T-bow'ing Tebow
The argument for Tim Tebow winning the Heisman goes, 'no QB has ever put up stats like his, therefore he is the most outstanding player this year.'
And, honestly it's tough to argue that. Stats like Tebow's DO deserve Heisman consideration. In fact, we would even go so far as to agree: Stats like Tebow's from a QB deserve the Heisman.
3360 yards and 23 TD's passing.
1008 yards and 17 TD's rushing.
Yup. Hard to argue 3000+ yards passing and 1000+ yards rushing not being Heisman worthy. We aren't inclined to fact check, but (unless told differently) we assume that this has never been done before.
When you put the numbers on the table, we can all agree. Numbers like these and doing something that has never been done before deserve the Heisman.
Case closed. And, since Tebow/Florida fans made the case based on stats and historic achievement, we are sure that they won't have any argument with the verdict:
Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour deserves the Heisman. The stats listed are his.
Sure, Tebow scored a few more TD's. But, LeFevour played on a team that actually had other players score touchdowns.
LeFevour's 17 rushing TD's only accounted for 50% of his teams TD's on the ground. CMU actually had a RUNNING BACK with double digit TD's.
For those that argue that CMU played in their conference championship game (giving an extra game for stats); we say that Florida had the chance to do that, if Tebow had led them to it. The point is moot anyway as LeFevour had 39 fewer rushes than Tebow for the season, regardless.
Some will argue that playing in the SEC should give Tebow an advantage in the voting.
We agree that playing in the SEC for Florida does give Tebow an advantage. An advantage in being surrounded by blue chip talented team mates who ensure that the opposition can't disregard the rest of the team when game planning.
Lefevour does not have that luxury. He is a one man team. A one man wrecking squad doing things that NO college quarterback has EVER done before.
And, the ultimate guru of system QB'ing -June Jones- has NEVER labelled LeFevour a 'system' QB.
If anyone knows a system quarterback, it's Coach Jones.
And if anyone deserves the Heisman for putting together a never before seen season by a quarterback, it's Dan LeFevour.
Gator fans, you had it dead on:
The QB who passed and ran for more yardage than anyone ever has and scored a ridiculous amount of TD's deserves the Heisman.
We ALL agree.
And, honestly it's tough to argue that. Stats like Tebow's DO deserve Heisman consideration. In fact, we would even go so far as to agree: Stats like Tebow's from a QB deserve the Heisman.
3360 yards and 23 TD's passing.
1008 yards and 17 TD's rushing.
Yup. Hard to argue 3000+ yards passing and 1000+ yards rushing not being Heisman worthy. We aren't inclined to fact check, but (unless told differently) we assume that this has never been done before.
When you put the numbers on the table, we can all agree. Numbers like these and doing something that has never been done before deserve the Heisman.
Case closed. And, since Tebow/Florida fans made the case based on stats and historic achievement, we are sure that they won't have any argument with the verdict:
Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour deserves the Heisman. The stats listed are his.
Sure, Tebow scored a few more TD's. But, LeFevour played on a team that actually had other players score touchdowns.
LeFevour's 17 rushing TD's only accounted for 50% of his teams TD's on the ground. CMU actually had a RUNNING BACK with double digit TD's.
For those that argue that CMU played in their conference championship game (giving an extra game for stats); we say that Florida had the chance to do that, if Tebow had led them to it. The point is moot anyway as LeFevour had 39 fewer rushes than Tebow for the season, regardless.
Some will argue that playing in the SEC should give Tebow an advantage in the voting.
We agree that playing in the SEC for Florida does give Tebow an advantage. An advantage in being surrounded by blue chip talented team mates who ensure that the opposition can't disregard the rest of the team when game planning.
Lefevour does not have that luxury. He is a one man team. A one man wrecking squad doing things that NO college quarterback has EVER done before.
And, the ultimate guru of system QB'ing -June Jones- has NEVER labelled LeFevour a 'system' QB.
If anyone knows a system quarterback, it's Coach Jones.
And if anyone deserves the Heisman for putting together a never before seen season by a quarterback, it's Dan LeFevour.
Gator fans, you had it dead on:
The QB who passed and ran for more yardage than anyone ever has and scored a ridiculous amount of TD's deserves the Heisman.
We ALL agree.
Referee in Ravens-Patriots Game Insults Player
Samari Rolle is a respected player and man in the NFL. Unfortunately during the course of MNF's Ravens-Patriots game, Rolle was subjected to not just the indignity of botched calls and phantom time outs which led to the salvaging of the Patriots tarnished quest to finish out an undefeated season (in good conscience, we can't call it 'perfect'...that would mean turning our backs on the Patriots early season cheating), Rolle was also verbally harassed by a referee.
"The refs called me a boy. No. 110 called me a boy," Rolle said in the locker room after the game. "I will be calling my agent in the morning and sending my complaint. I have a wife and three kids. Don't call me a boy. Don't call me a boy on the field during a game because I said, 'You've never played football before.' "
Of course, the usage of the term 'boy' in referring to an adult Negro male by a white* male is meant to be as disrespectful and degrading as using the N-word. It is designed to figuratively castrate the adult Negro male and reinforce the notion of being powerless. Of being an impotent slave.
We certainly hope the NFL will look closely into this circumstance and come down with swift and meaningful action.
The next player a referee refers to as 'boy' might not remain as level headed about the situation as Rolle has.
*No. 110 head linesman Phil McKinnely, a former player for three NFL teams during the 1970s and '80s, who played collegiately at UCLA, is black.
"The refs called me a boy. No. 110 called me a boy," Rolle said in the locker room after the game. "I will be calling my agent in the morning and sending my complaint. I have a wife and three kids. Don't call me a boy. Don't call me a boy on the field during a game because I said, 'You've never played football before.' "
Of course, the usage of the term 'boy' in referring to an adult Negro male by a white* male is meant to be as disrespectful and degrading as using the N-word. It is designed to figuratively castrate the adult Negro male and reinforce the notion of being powerless. Of being an impotent slave.
We certainly hope the NFL will look closely into this circumstance and come down with swift and meaningful action.
The next player a referee refers to as 'boy' might not remain as level headed about the situation as Rolle has.
*No. 110 head linesman Phil McKinnely, a former player for three NFL teams during the 1970s and '80s, who played collegiately at UCLA, is black.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Tonight It Ends
On occasion, we have made some startling prognostications -LSU falling to Kentucky, the OSU getting dropped by Illinois, and more... - tonight we will try to keep that tradition alive.
Now, in the past we have made guarantees. Tonight, no guarantee. But a steady pick.
The Pats dreams of an undefeated season end in Bodymore.
(edit. - well, our streak of correct predictions has ended. However, we find this
Chris McAllister (Raven's CB) quote to be an effective game summary : "They just took the crown and put it on their heads." )
Now, in the past we have made guarantees. Tonight, no guarantee. But a steady pick.
The Pats dreams of an undefeated season end in Bodymore.
(edit. - well, our streak of correct predictions has ended. However, we find this
Chris McAllister (Raven's CB) quote to be an effective game summary : "They just took the crown and put it on their heads." )
Imus: The Return
Our position as one of the more visible media watchdogs affords us the opportunity to relay important information and opinions, often purported seemingly as facts, to our readers and followers who desire an interpretation of important events without the taint provided by the mainstream media.
We advocate for news, not taint. And, we feel most can justifiable join us in this endeavor.
Most will recall the not so distantly removed racial diatribe enacted by Don Imus and his klansmen. Imus and his henchmen conducted a verbal lynching of the Negro females of the Rutgers women's basketball team. Not only stealing the shine of their Final Four appearance, but improbably detracting from the general quality of their futures. By openly belittling their race - and degrading their hair - Imus enacted a modern day version of the old Southern tradition of slave rape. The psychological damage of Imus verbally forcing his will upon the young Negresses is incalculable. We won't know for years the true damage that the penetration of his words has caused.
Now, months later, Imus is back on the airwaves.
To his credit, he introduced his new side kick, a brilliantly talented and hysterically comic Negro woman. He also acquainted us with his new sports commenter. A knowledgeable and well spoken Negro man. Certainly, we are proud to see these Negroes in the media gain employment based solely on their merits. Imus and producers actively giving positions to the best possible applicants and the applicants that best gel with his comedy and commentary stylings certainly gives full credence to the notion that this new Imus Show is a rebirth in both ideology and outlook. It isn't simply just a rehashing of the old Imus Show in black face.
Certainly, we could never be accused of judging others. That simply isn't our vocation. But we find it interesting that the Imus Show will be aired on TV on something called 'RFD' (we think), which apparently is a special network set up for 'rural' America. And, we must say, it's about time the needs of 'rural' America are being addressed. For ages we have heard the 'rural' segment of America clamoring for more Negro side kicks and sports commenters.
Just as Negro America is in debt to Imus for showing us that it is possible to rehabilitate the 'taint', 'rural' America is now in debt to Imus for bring them -what for many- is their first 'interaction' with Negroes.
We applaud Imus for building bridges in this country between 'rural' America and Negro America.
Nothing but good can come of Imus' newest endeavor which is focused on proactive undertakings, and not simple reactive preventive measures.
And, in thanking Imus, we ALL must admit to a debt of gratitude to the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton was criticized for his views on this and demanding Imus be fired. But, now we see what the Rev really had in mind.
Sometimes, you must clear a field to plant a new crop.
And manure is the best of fertilizers.
We advocate for news, not taint. And, we feel most can justifiable join us in this endeavor.
Most will recall the not so distantly removed racial diatribe enacted by Don Imus and his klansmen. Imus and his henchmen conducted a verbal lynching of the Negro females of the Rutgers women's basketball team. Not only stealing the shine of their Final Four appearance, but improbably detracting from the general quality of their futures. By openly belittling their race - and degrading their hair - Imus enacted a modern day version of the old Southern tradition of slave rape. The psychological damage of Imus verbally forcing his will upon the young Negresses is incalculable. We won't know for years the true damage that the penetration of his words has caused.
Now, months later, Imus is back on the airwaves.
To his credit, he introduced his new side kick, a brilliantly talented and hysterically comic Negro woman. He also acquainted us with his new sports commenter. A knowledgeable and well spoken Negro man. Certainly, we are proud to see these Negroes in the media gain employment based solely on their merits. Imus and producers actively giving positions to the best possible applicants and the applicants that best gel with his comedy and commentary stylings certainly gives full credence to the notion that this new Imus Show is a rebirth in both ideology and outlook. It isn't simply just a rehashing of the old Imus Show in black face.
Certainly, we could never be accused of judging others. That simply isn't our vocation. But we find it interesting that the Imus Show will be aired on TV on something called 'RFD' (we think), which apparently is a special network set up for 'rural' America. And, we must say, it's about time the needs of 'rural' America are being addressed. For ages we have heard the 'rural' segment of America clamoring for more Negro side kicks and sports commenters.
Just as Negro America is in debt to Imus for showing us that it is possible to rehabilitate the 'taint', 'rural' America is now in debt to Imus for bring them -what for many- is their first 'interaction' with Negroes.
We applaud Imus for building bridges in this country between 'rural' America and Negro America.
Nothing but good can come of Imus' newest endeavor which is focused on proactive undertakings, and not simple reactive preventive measures.
And, in thanking Imus, we ALL must admit to a debt of gratitude to the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton was criticized for his views on this and demanding Imus be fired. But, now we see what the Rev really had in mind.
Sometimes, you must clear a field to plant a new crop.
And manure is the best of fertilizers.
Final Mail Call
An important email question we received.
And a more important answer.
Hi,
Does Nation of Islam Sports have an opinion on the NBC football night in America pre game show where they have two separate desks? One desk is 3 white guys, and than there is a separate desk where Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber sit with Cris Colinsworth. I feel like NBC is openly segregating black from white while at the same time trying to make Cris Colinsworth more black, which while interesting at first does not work at all. What are your thoughts?
Yours,
He who seeks righteous knowledge*
The righteous reply:
Sir, we see it differently. We see it as an affront to Bettis. A proud, Detroit Negro. He is forced to sit with two white men, Barber and Colinsworth, in an effort to force him to modify his behavior and make himself conscious of his Negro-ness. It's clearly an effort to stifle Bettis' expressive abilities and a thinly veiled message that he needs to stay in line and follow Barber's example of how the network believes a 'Negro' should act. This is an alarming issue and we fully appreciate that you have taken it to task in your own personal reflections. As you watch football pregame shows, realize that they aren't about football. They are about subconsciously molding the Negro viewer into the white man's image.
Fight on righteously.
NOIS
*name changed in an effort to ensure anonymity
And a more important answer.
Hi,
Does Nation of Islam Sports have an opinion on the NBC football night in America pre game show where they have two separate desks? One desk is 3 white guys, and than there is a separate desk where Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber sit with Cris Colinsworth. I feel like NBC is openly segregating black from white while at the same time trying to make Cris Colinsworth more black, which while interesting at first does not work at all. What are your thoughts?
Yours,
He who seeks righteous knowledge*
The righteous reply:
Sir, we see it differently. We see it as an affront to Bettis. A proud, Detroit Negro. He is forced to sit with two white men, Barber and Colinsworth, in an effort to force him to modify his behavior and make himself conscious of his Negro-ness. It's clearly an effort to stifle Bettis' expressive abilities and a thinly veiled message that he needs to stay in line and follow Barber's example of how the network believes a 'Negro' should act. This is an alarming issue and we fully appreciate that you have taken it to task in your own personal reflections. As you watch football pregame shows, realize that they aren't about football. They are about subconsciously molding the Negro viewer into the white man's image.
Fight on righteously.
NOIS
*name changed in an effort to ensure anonymity
LSU: Perrilloux Savior of Dream
In the preseason, LSU held a spot near or at the top of every list as a national title contender. A talented team, awash in experience on defense and athleticism across the board. An elite program that certainly should be in the mix for that sparkling crystal football at the end of the year.
Two losses later, things looked very bleak.
No two loss had been in the BCS game. No two loss team had deserved to be included.
Write a new chapter in the book of college football history. A two loss team may well be the best team in America.
Despite overtime losses to Kentucky and Arkansas - two solid teams, but not specular - that would generally have been enough to knock most other teams completely out of the equation for the national title, LSU can now book a trip to the big game.
In what clearly is a demonstration of a conference title game victory being a huge advantage in the BCS hunt, LSU was able to squeak by a Tennessee team which really wasn't a factor on the national scene.
Some will say that LSU capitalized on the reputation of the SEC. Somehow spinning overtime losses into acceptable events and somehow spinning a conference title game victory over a non factor into a spring board to a show down with the OSU.
The overlooked aspect of the victory over Tennessee was the triumphant field generalship of budding superstar Ryan Perrilloux at QB.
Matt Flynn had quarterbacked LSU in their losses to Kentucky and Arkansas. And, clearly, Les Miles realized that any hope of an SEC title and any crack at the big game hinged on the QB position.
Enter Ryan Perrilloux.
Conveniently, the medical staff 'decided' to label Flynn unfit to make the start. And Les Miles pinned his hopes for a job at Michigan on the young and talented Perrilloux.
And lead them he did. His performance was so impressive that LSU separated itself from the other one and two loss teams to claim a spot in the title game, setting up what will surely be a repeat of last season:
A fast and quick SEC team led by a Negro QB winning the National Title.
Two losses later, things looked very bleak.
No two loss had been in the BCS game. No two loss team had deserved to be included.
Write a new chapter in the book of college football history. A two loss team may well be the best team in America.
Despite overtime losses to Kentucky and Arkansas - two solid teams, but not specular - that would generally have been enough to knock most other teams completely out of the equation for the national title, LSU can now book a trip to the big game.
In what clearly is a demonstration of a conference title game victory being a huge advantage in the BCS hunt, LSU was able to squeak by a Tennessee team which really wasn't a factor on the national scene.
Some will say that LSU capitalized on the reputation of the SEC. Somehow spinning overtime losses into acceptable events and somehow spinning a conference title game victory over a non factor into a spring board to a show down with the OSU.
The overlooked aspect of the victory over Tennessee was the triumphant field generalship of budding superstar Ryan Perrilloux at QB.
Matt Flynn had quarterbacked LSU in their losses to Kentucky and Arkansas. And, clearly, Les Miles realized that any hope of an SEC title and any crack at the big game hinged on the QB position.
Enter Ryan Perrilloux.
Conveniently, the medical staff 'decided' to label Flynn unfit to make the start. And Les Miles pinned his hopes for a job at Michigan on the young and talented Perrilloux.
And lead them he did. His performance was so impressive that LSU separated itself from the other one and two loss teams to claim a spot in the title game, setting up what will surely be a repeat of last season:
A fast and quick SEC team led by a Negro QB winning the National Title.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Michael Vick: Quick Prison Time Might Not Be in the Cards
Michael Vick valiantly volunteered to begin serving his manufactured prison sentence earlier than required, his sentencing isn't officially until December 10th.
We've read optimistic reports of Vick possibly being released from this objectionable holding in less than a year. Maybe even being out and back in pads dazzling his youthful fans before the end of next season.
However, news this morning might extinguish the optimism, and certainly put a damper on those hoping to see Vick's rights - though violated - be restored.
Two of Vick's 'co-defendants' (read: pawns of the prosecution) received 18 and 21 month sentences.
This does not bode well for Vick, as these men received these sentences after working hand in hand with the government to effectively mangle Vick's life and destroy his reputation.
Certainly, if the courts hand nearly two year sentences to the men that made Vick's incarceration possible; Vick is in for a longer stay in the white man's guest cottage than anticipated.
And, let this be a lesson to future willing government conspirators. Certainly these men were promised drive through service. But, as our Native American brethren can attest to, the albino government serpent speaks with a forked tongue.
We've read optimistic reports of Vick possibly being released from this objectionable holding in less than a year. Maybe even being out and back in pads dazzling his youthful fans before the end of next season.
However, news this morning might extinguish the optimism, and certainly put a damper on those hoping to see Vick's rights - though violated - be restored.
Two of Vick's 'co-defendants' (read: pawns of the prosecution) received 18 and 21 month sentences.
This does not bode well for Vick, as these men received these sentences after working hand in hand with the government to effectively mangle Vick's life and destroy his reputation.
Certainly, if the courts hand nearly two year sentences to the men that made Vick's incarceration possible; Vick is in for a longer stay in the white man's guest cottage than anticipated.
And, let this be a lesson to future willing government conspirators. Certainly these men were promised drive through service. But, as our Native American brethren can attest to, the albino government serpent speaks with a forked tongue.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
West Virginia: Motoring Along
West Virginia had the good fortune to suffer their lone loss early enough in the season to give them time to build back their ranking. And now, a Backyard Brawl victory over Pitt will give the 'Eers the chance to play for it all.
At the start of the season, WVU's offense was considered good enough to win it all. Anchored by tremendously talented field general, Pat White, there was also the threat of the magnificently quick Steve Slaton. As the season has progressed, it's become clear that the motor behind the 'Eers rebound from the USF loss has been White. White has carried the load and come up with big plays at exactly the required moments.
Stats don't begin to tell the story of Pat White.
All season, the universally agreed upon weakness for WVU has been the D. Just adequate, it has been considered the potential Achilles heel for the boys from Morgantown. And, it has been a liability. No doubt.
Yet, White leads the Mountaineers higher and higher. Despite the weak defense. And despite Slaton's production falling off a bit this season.
Certainly, it seems crazy at this juncture to suggest that anyone would be higher up the list in line for the Heisman. Breathtaking big play ability? Check. Carrying the team on his back? Check. Working with a less than stout defense? Check. Impressive stats? Check.
It all checks out.
Yet, as the season winds down the media is saying Tim Tebow is the man.
How can this be?
We can only identify one reason.
The touchdowns.
Everything else tips in White's favor.
Tebow worshippers say that he wasn't responsible for the 3 losses, that he played well enough to win those games. The defense let him down.
We say, WVU's defense is just as porous as UF's. Yet the only game WVU lost was the one White was knocked out of!
Obviously, there is no argument -well, we'd listen to Oregon after watching them fall apart when they lost Dixon - that White is the Most Valuable Player in the land. And we know that the Heisman is for the 'best' player in the land.
How can it be that a man that has carried a team fielding an under average defense to the threshold of the title game, and is obviously the most valuable player to his team in the country, is not the best player in the country?
Gator fans love to throw the SEC into the equation. Trying to use smoke and mirrors to somehow maintain that Tebow has worked his considerable magic against the toughest conference in the country.
We wonder if a conference in which Kentucky and Mississippi State were actually factors is truly the toughest in the land. We wonder if a conference in which Vanderbilt is able to at least be somewhat competitive is as stout as the Deep South would have us believe.
The Big East has been as sound a conference as anyone. The only knock is that several of the teams are new to the game of big time football. Heck, USF walked into the heart of SEC country, spanked Auburn, and came home wondering what the big deal was.
So, obviously the media is mesmerized by the 20/20 TD mark accumulated by Tebow.
Interestingly enough, TD's don't usually play such a large role in Heisman voting.
Clearly, there must be another major factor.
We wish the media would take a moment to truly look at the WVU QB's body of work. If they did, they would come away saying out loud what they really feel:
WHITE POWER!
At the start of the season, WVU's offense was considered good enough to win it all. Anchored by tremendously talented field general, Pat White, there was also the threat of the magnificently quick Steve Slaton. As the season has progressed, it's become clear that the motor behind the 'Eers rebound from the USF loss has been White. White has carried the load and come up with big plays at exactly the required moments.
Stats don't begin to tell the story of Pat White.
All season, the universally agreed upon weakness for WVU has been the D. Just adequate, it has been considered the potential Achilles heel for the boys from Morgantown. And, it has been a liability. No doubt.
Yet, White leads the Mountaineers higher and higher. Despite the weak defense. And despite Slaton's production falling off a bit this season.
Certainly, it seems crazy at this juncture to suggest that anyone would be higher up the list in line for the Heisman. Breathtaking big play ability? Check. Carrying the team on his back? Check. Working with a less than stout defense? Check. Impressive stats? Check.
It all checks out.
Yet, as the season winds down the media is saying Tim Tebow is the man.
How can this be?
We can only identify one reason.
The touchdowns.
Everything else tips in White's favor.
Tebow worshippers say that he wasn't responsible for the 3 losses, that he played well enough to win those games. The defense let him down.
We say, WVU's defense is just as porous as UF's. Yet the only game WVU lost was the one White was knocked out of!
Obviously, there is no argument -well, we'd listen to Oregon after watching them fall apart when they lost Dixon - that White is the Most Valuable Player in the land. And we know that the Heisman is for the 'best' player in the land.
How can it be that a man that has carried a team fielding an under average defense to the threshold of the title game, and is obviously the most valuable player to his team in the country, is not the best player in the country?
Gator fans love to throw the SEC into the equation. Trying to use smoke and mirrors to somehow maintain that Tebow has worked his considerable magic against the toughest conference in the country.
We wonder if a conference in which Kentucky and Mississippi State were actually factors is truly the toughest in the land. We wonder if a conference in which Vanderbilt is able to at least be somewhat competitive is as stout as the Deep South would have us believe.
The Big East has been as sound a conference as anyone. The only knock is that several of the teams are new to the game of big time football. Heck, USF walked into the heart of SEC country, spanked Auburn, and came home wondering what the big deal was.
So, obviously the media is mesmerized by the 20/20 TD mark accumulated by Tebow.
Interestingly enough, TD's don't usually play such a large role in Heisman voting.
Clearly, there must be another major factor.
We wish the media would take a moment to truly look at the WVU QB's body of work. If they did, they would come away saying out loud what they really feel:
WHITE POWER!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Colleges Hiring New Coaches
The end of the college season means the beginning of the coaching hunt season.
Teams are already unloading some of the fund eating dead baggage that has masqueraded as coaches along the sidelines.
Texas A&M decided that Dennis Franchione's future was brighter as a news letter publisher than as a head coach. Arkansas and Houston Nutt mercifully ended their dysfunctional existence. Tom Osborne gave Bill Callahan a ticket back to the West Coast. Lloyd Carr endured one final, masochistic encounter with the OSU and graciously shut the door to the Big House behind him.
And many less visible positions opened up: Georgia Tech, Duke, Baylor, Colorado St, Mississippi, Northern Illinois, SMU, Southern Miss and Wash State.
As the teams begin to look to fill position, and some are already filled....one thing is apparent:
There is NO interest in minority candidates.
Texas A&M and Mississippi didn't even bother to go through the charade of interviewing any. And, quite frankly, we respect that.
If you don't want Negro coaches in your program, wear it like a badge, don't play the interview game and try to fool anyone. Just flat out say, 'we won't entertain the idea of a Negro being the face of our university'.
Our only hope is that Negro recruits begin to use minority interview/hiring statistics in the formulaic metrics
they use to evaluate Universities during the recruitment process.
Certainly, such statistics would be something that will benefit Sylvester Croom at Miss. St. With Ole Miss not even pretending to want a descendant of chains on campus, and Southern Miss probably going the same route, Croom should be set up to completely dominate recruiting in Mississippi.
It's become clear that these institutions of higher learning can't be trusted as leaders in change. Certainly, it would seem that we would now need to look to the Negro youth to be the leaders of change in this arena.
We'd suggest that any recruit that finds himself on a Top 100 list, contact Grambling State University.
The time has come to unite. It's time for the 100 man march. It's time to create an uber-Team. It's time to send a message to the old white men in the big houses living on campus:
Ignore Negro coaches, and Negro players will ignore you!
And, we would especially like to admonish Duke University in this situation.
Duke announced that they would give special attention to minority candidate consideration.
We find it offensive and egregious of Duke to believe that a minority candidate would be the best fit for their program. The worst program in D-1 football is the one best suited for a Negro coach?
How dare you, Duke!
A Negro coach taking that job will set the movement back 100 years.
(edit.- We were reminded that, as we anticipated weeks ago, Turner Gill will be a real candidate at Nebraska. And while we applaud Nebraska, we wonder if this is really simply extended nepotism. Turner Gill should be given the opportunity to coach Nebraska because he is Negro, not because he is virtually a member of Osborne's family.)
Teams are already unloading some of the fund eating dead baggage that has masqueraded as coaches along the sidelines.
Texas A&M decided that Dennis Franchione's future was brighter as a news letter publisher than as a head coach. Arkansas and Houston Nutt mercifully ended their dysfunctional existence. Tom Osborne gave Bill Callahan a ticket back to the West Coast. Lloyd Carr endured one final, masochistic encounter with the OSU and graciously shut the door to the Big House behind him.
And many less visible positions opened up: Georgia Tech, Duke, Baylor, Colorado St, Mississippi, Northern Illinois, SMU, Southern Miss and Wash State.
As the teams begin to look to fill position, and some are already filled....one thing is apparent:
There is NO interest in minority candidates.
Texas A&M and Mississippi didn't even bother to go through the charade of interviewing any. And, quite frankly, we respect that.
If you don't want Negro coaches in your program, wear it like a badge, don't play the interview game and try to fool anyone. Just flat out say, 'we won't entertain the idea of a Negro being the face of our university'.
Our only hope is that Negro recruits begin to use minority interview/hiring statistics in the formulaic metrics
they use to evaluate Universities during the recruitment process.
Certainly, such statistics would be something that will benefit Sylvester Croom at Miss. St. With Ole Miss not even pretending to want a descendant of chains on campus, and Southern Miss probably going the same route, Croom should be set up to completely dominate recruiting in Mississippi.
It's become clear that these institutions of higher learning can't be trusted as leaders in change. Certainly, it would seem that we would now need to look to the Negro youth to be the leaders of change in this arena.
We'd suggest that any recruit that finds himself on a Top 100 list, contact Grambling State University.
The time has come to unite. It's time for the 100 man march. It's time to create an uber-Team. It's time to send a message to the old white men in the big houses living on campus:
Ignore Negro coaches, and Negro players will ignore you!
And, we would especially like to admonish Duke University in this situation.
Duke announced that they would give special attention to minority candidate consideration.
We find it offensive and egregious of Duke to believe that a minority candidate would be the best fit for their program. The worst program in D-1 football is the one best suited for a Negro coach?
How dare you, Duke!
A Negro coach taking that job will set the movement back 100 years.
(edit.- We were reminded that, as we anticipated weeks ago, Turner Gill will be a real candidate at Nebraska. And while we applaud Nebraska, we wonder if this is really simply extended nepotism. Turner Gill should be given the opportunity to coach Nebraska because he is Negro, not because he is virtually a member of Osborne's family.)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Hate Mail From Gators
Just a quick piece of advice.
If you don't believe that Tim Tebow is anything less than the Almighty on earth, then (according to Gator fans) you dont understand college football.
We received an especially scathing and vitriolic email from one particular Gator fan, not only explaining that Tebow is such a great runner, that based on his running (despite the fact a running back with less than 850ish yards in 12 games has never been a finalist) or his passing alone he would be a Heisman finalist (Ball State's Nate Davis has a passing stat line strikingly similar to Tebow's, yet he won't be in NYC), but also accusing us of using racism to destroy the unifying potential of 'American Football'.
It was such a rambling, incoherent essay that we have no choice but to award it 'Email From the Fringe' of the Week.
And this week's prize?
Well, actually, this week's prize is warning for our readers:
If you see this man, RUN like hell.
He is the man that loves Tim Tebow way too much.
EDIT
If you don't believe that Tim Tebow is anything less than the Almighty on earth, then (according to Gator fans) you dont understand college football.
We received an especially scathing and vitriolic email from one particular Gator fan, not only explaining that Tebow is such a great runner, that based on his running (despite the fact a running back with less than 850ish yards in 12 games has never been a finalist) or his passing alone he would be a Heisman finalist (Ball State's Nate Davis has a passing stat line strikingly similar to Tebow's, yet he won't be in NYC), but also accusing us of using racism to destroy the unifying potential of 'American Football'.
It was such a rambling, incoherent essay that we have no choice but to award it 'Email From the Fringe' of the Week.
And this week's prize?
Well, actually, this week's prize is warning for our readers:
If you see this man, RUN like hell.
He is the man that loves Tim Tebow way too much.
EDIT
Our friend emailed requesting that we take down his pic:
Sir, I respectfully ask that you remove my picture from your website. What started as a football discussion between you and I and turned into a personal, public attack on me.
Sir, we regret that we hurt your feelings. Certainly, we did not reveal your identity. And we respect that you are self conscious about your appearance and will comply with your request. Incidentally, the hair gel....a bit too much.
Exactly what you would expect the bearer of a T-bow man crush to look like.......and he writes insanely incoherent diatribes.
Gator Fans Love Their Tebow
After we posted, successfully debunking the Tebow for Heisman notion, our friends over at the message board Gatorsports.com chose to lick the wounds we verbally inflicted upon their hero by holding each other tight.
For those that would enjoy a moment of feeling superior to the UF community, please read.
Our favorite:
I also think it may be a relgious attack and not all about race. Tebow is a VERY outspoken Christian. Not exactly the thing the Nation of islam embraces.
For those that would enjoy a moment of feeling superior to the UF community, please read.
Our favorite:
I also think it may be a relgious attack and not all about race. Tebow is a VERY outspoken Christian. Not exactly the thing the Nation of islam embraces.
And to think, they say Gators have tiny brains!
Coach of The Year
As the college season winds down, it seems like a good time to reflect on the performances of some of the men that orchestrate the programs around the country.
Time to talk about the coach of they year.
Certainly, ND fans would like to nominate Charlie Weis. After a tough start to the season, Weis' team gelled. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too late. But no one can argue that for the final two weeks of their season the Irish didn't look like a team that - if this were a 20 game season - was a threat to win 5 games. While college quiz bowl victories against Duke and Stanford would have been more satisfying; certainly, gridiron wins will give delusional leprechauns the opportunity to fortify false off season hopes for a big '08 campaign. And will be the basis for a #24 preseason ranking for the sons of Molly Maguire (edit).
Out in the former Big Eight, two traditional doormats rose to the apex of the flat lands conference.
Kansas and Missouri capitalized on the consistent mediocrity from top to bottom in the league. Also, weaker than expected Oklahoma and Texas teams opened the door for the 'Hawks and Tigers to continue to keep this long April Fools Joke running.
Mark Mangino and Gary Pinkel certainly deserve consideration in any COY debate.
And down in the SEC, Urban Meyer has used his system to win 9 games with a young team and get his marginally talented QB Heisman consideration. Any coach that can reload his system the way Meyer has, certainly should be a factor in COY talk.
But, quite clearly, the man who has done the most coaching and pushed a boulder completely up the hill of respectability is the man in Starkville, MS.
Sylvester Croom took over a program still reeling from the Jackie Sherrill years of 'son of a bootlegger' style recruitment and booster support, and turned it into an up and coming SEC power.
Hampered by the torched reputation of the program and the effects of probation, Croom arrived undeterred in the Old South's Magnolia state to the same sort of hospitable welcome that Sheriff Bart received upon his arrival to Rock Ridge in 'Blazing Saddles'.
Faced with the task of sorting through marginal in state talent and the tough sell job it would take to bring out of state athletes back into the 19th century, Croom was left with no option but to mold the bodies already present into football players.
His effort led MSU to a 7-5 record, with victories over such ranked programs as Auburn, Kentucky and Alabama. Certainly, the victory over Alabama was pleasurable. Croom, being a 'Bama man and never even being considered for the huge paycheck that was directed at miserable first season failure Nick Saban.
The Bulldogs finished .500 in the murderers' row SEC line-up that was originally intended to be the death warrant of the SEC's first Negro head coach.
Certainly, the future in Starkville looks bright. The victory over the Colonel Saunders' mascoted Ole Miss team led to the dismissal of rival in-state coach Ed Orgeron. Ole Miss brought in Ozark refugee Houston Nutt. All this should play out well for Croom, as Nutt can be counted on to turn Mississippi high school coaches against the the Rebels' program.
While 7-5 might not be the sort of record that legendary coaches accumulate; doing it in reconstructionist Mississippi as the first Negro head Coach in the Deep South Conference can not be overlooked as an amazing achievement.
'Sly' Croom, your COY.
Time to talk about the coach of they year.
Certainly, ND fans would like to nominate Charlie Weis. After a tough start to the season, Weis' team gelled. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too late. But no one can argue that for the final two weeks of their season the Irish didn't look like a team that - if this were a 20 game season - was a threat to win 5 games. While college quiz bowl victories against Duke and Stanford would have been more satisfying; certainly, gridiron wins will give delusional leprechauns the opportunity to fortify false off season hopes for a big '08 campaign. And will be the basis for a #24 preseason ranking for the sons of Molly Maguire (edit).
Out in the former Big Eight, two traditional doormats rose to the apex of the flat lands conference.
Kansas and Missouri capitalized on the consistent mediocrity from top to bottom in the league. Also, weaker than expected Oklahoma and Texas teams opened the door for the 'Hawks and Tigers to continue to keep this long April Fools Joke running.
Mark Mangino and Gary Pinkel certainly deserve consideration in any COY debate.
And down in the SEC, Urban Meyer has used his system to win 9 games with a young team and get his marginally talented QB Heisman consideration. Any coach that can reload his system the way Meyer has, certainly should be a factor in COY talk.
But, quite clearly, the man who has done the most coaching and pushed a boulder completely up the hill of respectability is the man in Starkville, MS.
Sylvester Croom took over a program still reeling from the Jackie Sherrill years of 'son of a bootlegger' style recruitment and booster support, and turned it into an up and coming SEC power.
Hampered by the torched reputation of the program and the effects of probation, Croom arrived undeterred in the Old South's Magnolia state to the same sort of hospitable welcome that Sheriff Bart received upon his arrival to Rock Ridge in 'Blazing Saddles'.
Faced with the task of sorting through marginal in state talent and the tough sell job it would take to bring out of state athletes back into the 19th century, Croom was left with no option but to mold the bodies already present into football players.
His effort led MSU to a 7-5 record, with victories over such ranked programs as Auburn, Kentucky and Alabama. Certainly, the victory over Alabama was pleasurable. Croom, being a 'Bama man and never even being considered for the huge paycheck that was directed at miserable first season failure Nick Saban.
The Bulldogs finished .500 in the murderers' row SEC line-up that was originally intended to be the death warrant of the SEC's first Negro head coach.
Certainly, the future in Starkville looks bright. The victory over the Colonel Saunders' mascoted Ole Miss team led to the dismissal of rival in-state coach Ed Orgeron. Ole Miss brought in Ozark refugee Houston Nutt. All this should play out well for Croom, as Nutt can be counted on to turn Mississippi high school coaches against the the Rebels' program.
While 7-5 might not be the sort of record that legendary coaches accumulate; doing it in reconstructionist Mississippi as the first Negro head Coach in the Deep South Conference can not be overlooked as an amazing achievement.
'Sly' Croom, your COY.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tim Tebow: System QB = Systemic Heisman
Tim Tebow.
Long applauded by the media as a front runner for the Heisman. Now, after the unfortunate (and clearly medically ill advised) decision by Oregon's Mike Bellotti to play Dennis Dixon, the probable winner.
Tim Tebow.
White America's desperate attempt to win back the QB position.
Over the past few years, as we have watched Negro QB's win the Heisman, the National Championship and be top draft picks, the white QB has taken a back seat as a bland and unappealing option behind center. Drop back. Read the defense. Throw to a probably Negro receiver. Or, simply hand off to a Negro running back. Not a whole lot of excitement or fan interest generated on behalf of the pale faced 5 step drop.
This season, we witnessed the brilliance of Andre Woodson, Dennis Dixon and Patrick White, clearly displaying the evolution of the position.
Dixon was in position to lead his Ducks to a BCS title birth. White now is in that position.
And that creates a difficult and upsetting scenario for the mainstream media and their need to pump up the precious white QB.
Unfortunately, early on in the season, the media put their chips on the wrong man.
Tebow was the big name on the returning National Champion. Clearly, he was a logical choice to trumpet as a front runner from day one. Certainly, in the media's infinite wisdom, it seemed logical that the Gators would be a tough team and playing at the top of the SEC would give them the chance to mention Tebow and Heisman in as many sentences and stories as possible. Can't really fault them for making Tebow the target of their affection.
The only problem? A guy that got little mention for the first half of the season is leading an out of nowhere team on a possible BCS title run. And he has been the better player. And he isn't a system QB.
That's right.
Chase Daniels of Missouri should be the man the media is touting. Should be, that is, if we choose to discount that Dennis Dixon hasn't already shown us enough to stake his claim as the best player in the land.
Tebow is a fine player. A good player.
However, let's call it like it is. If we are told by the media that Colt Brennan of Hawai'i and Graham Harrell of Texas Tech must be discounted as legitimate Heisman candidates because they are 'system' QB's; then we must add Tim Tebow to that list of system QB's.
Tebow is playing in a system developed by Urban Meyer that was able to fool the NFL into making Alex Smith a number one pick. A system that was able to turn Chris Leak, who received more than his share of negative reviews, into a national champion.
If we are going to attribute Brennan's numbers to June Jones' run and shoot and Harrell's numbers to Mike Leach's offensive playbook, then let's give the credit for Tebow's astounding touchdown numbers to Urban Meyer.
And, while Meyer's system may not produce the constant records that are generated by the others, he certainly seems to have taken the least talent at QB and done the most with it.
Meyer pulled the wool over our eyes with Smith. Then he conjured a National title with the much maligned Leak.
Now, possibly his piece de resistance:
Taking a modestly talented white QB and using his system to help him perform an admirable impression of a Negro QB.
Tim Tebow, the ultimate system QB.
Long applauded by the media as a front runner for the Heisman. Now, after the unfortunate (and clearly medically ill advised) decision by Oregon's Mike Bellotti to play Dennis Dixon, the probable winner.
Tim Tebow.
White America's desperate attempt to win back the QB position.
Over the past few years, as we have watched Negro QB's win the Heisman, the National Championship and be top draft picks, the white QB has taken a back seat as a bland and unappealing option behind center. Drop back. Read the defense. Throw to a probably Negro receiver. Or, simply hand off to a Negro running back. Not a whole lot of excitement or fan interest generated on behalf of the pale faced 5 step drop.
This season, we witnessed the brilliance of Andre Woodson, Dennis Dixon and Patrick White, clearly displaying the evolution of the position.
Dixon was in position to lead his Ducks to a BCS title birth. White now is in that position.
And that creates a difficult and upsetting scenario for the mainstream media and their need to pump up the precious white QB.
Unfortunately, early on in the season, the media put their chips on the wrong man.
Tebow was the big name on the returning National Champion. Clearly, he was a logical choice to trumpet as a front runner from day one. Certainly, in the media's infinite wisdom, it seemed logical that the Gators would be a tough team and playing at the top of the SEC would give them the chance to mention Tebow and Heisman in as many sentences and stories as possible. Can't really fault them for making Tebow the target of their affection.
The only problem? A guy that got little mention for the first half of the season is leading an out of nowhere team on a possible BCS title run. And he has been the better player. And he isn't a system QB.
That's right.
Chase Daniels of Missouri should be the man the media is touting. Should be, that is, if we choose to discount that Dennis Dixon hasn't already shown us enough to stake his claim as the best player in the land.
Tebow is a fine player. A good player.
However, let's call it like it is. If we are told by the media that Colt Brennan of Hawai'i and Graham Harrell of Texas Tech must be discounted as legitimate Heisman candidates because they are 'system' QB's; then we must add Tim Tebow to that list of system QB's.
Tebow is playing in a system developed by Urban Meyer that was able to fool the NFL into making Alex Smith a number one pick. A system that was able to turn Chris Leak, who received more than his share of negative reviews, into a national champion.
If we are going to attribute Brennan's numbers to June Jones' run and shoot and Harrell's numbers to Mike Leach's offensive playbook, then let's give the credit for Tebow's astounding touchdown numbers to Urban Meyer.
And, while Meyer's system may not produce the constant records that are generated by the others, he certainly seems to have taken the least talent at QB and done the most with it.
Meyer pulled the wool over our eyes with Smith. Then he conjured a National title with the much maligned Leak.
Now, possibly his piece de resistance:
Taking a modestly talented white QB and using his system to help him perform an admirable impression of a Negro QB.
Tim Tebow, the ultimate system QB.
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Echoes Are Awake!
Trying times test character, resolve and unity of purpose. The hallowed Cathedral of College Football known as Notre Dame was currently in the midst of having their personal faith in their Catholic beliefs tested by the most hellish football season ever experienced in Northern Indiana.
Their coach was having his intelligence, competency and body fat ratio constantly questioned. Fans wondered if this season's ineptitude was some sort of payback for bad mouthing the fine character of their previous coach.
Players quit and transferred. Fans looked to the heavens for guidance, lost in the disbelief of multiple losses to service academies. The administration debated the move of giving Weis a contract, that based on his weight and fitness might end up being a life time contract. And Weis continued to test the strength of his belt.
But on Saturday past, all questions were answered. All prayers responded to.
The thunder of the Echoes was so loud that the world of sports had to stop and listen:
NOTRE DAME BEAT DUKE!
Most shook their heads in disbelief. How could this squad of non-athletic, non-blocking, unmotivated, poorly trained and completely heartless group of pseudo-blue chippers possibly have pulled off the upset of the season?
App. State beating Michigan? Ha. That isn't anything. South Florida offing West Virginia? We all saw that coming.
But ND beating Duke?
Certainly, most that saw this score on college game day quickly got online to double check that they heard it correctly.
Touchdown Jesus. The Golden Dome. Rockne. The Four Horsemen. The Gipper. Paul Hornung. Joe Montana. Add one more:
11-17-07
The most unexpected and glorious victory in ND's storied history.
Fans were so stunned and shocked that the Irish pulled off this greatest upset of them all, that in the moment of delirious disbelief...they forgot to charge the field and tear down the goal posts.
Yes, it's been so long that the Irish pulled off a win of this magnitude that the fans forgot how to celebrate.
Rejoice, all! Under the raised arms and watchful eyes of Touchdown Jesus:
Notre Dame 'Football' has been redeemed.
Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to victory.
Yes indeed. 11-17-07.
The day the prayers of the Irish were finally answered.
Their coach was having his intelligence, competency and body fat ratio constantly questioned. Fans wondered if this season's ineptitude was some sort of payback for bad mouthing the fine character of their previous coach.
Players quit and transferred. Fans looked to the heavens for guidance, lost in the disbelief of multiple losses to service academies. The administration debated the move of giving Weis a contract, that based on his weight and fitness might end up being a life time contract. And Weis continued to test the strength of his belt.
But on Saturday past, all questions were answered. All prayers responded to.
The thunder of the Echoes was so loud that the world of sports had to stop and listen:
NOTRE DAME BEAT DUKE!
Most shook their heads in disbelief. How could this squad of non-athletic, non-blocking, unmotivated, poorly trained and completely heartless group of pseudo-blue chippers possibly have pulled off the upset of the season?
App. State beating Michigan? Ha. That isn't anything. South Florida offing West Virginia? We all saw that coming.
But ND beating Duke?
Certainly, most that saw this score on college game day quickly got online to double check that they heard it correctly.
Touchdown Jesus. The Golden Dome. Rockne. The Four Horsemen. The Gipper. Paul Hornung. Joe Montana. Add one more:
11-17-07
The most unexpected and glorious victory in ND's storied history.
Fans were so stunned and shocked that the Irish pulled off this greatest upset of them all, that in the moment of delirious disbelief...they forgot to charge the field and tear down the goal posts.
Yes, it's been so long that the Irish pulled off a win of this magnitude that the fans forgot how to celebrate.
Rejoice, all! Under the raised arms and watchful eyes of Touchdown Jesus:
Notre Dame 'Football' has been redeemed.
Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to victory.
Yes indeed. 11-17-07.
The day the prayers of the Irish were finally answered.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Bonds: Unfair Court Actions
As Barry Bonds now deals with the ramifications of his federal indictment and faces the possibility of time behind bars, his 'friend' and personal trainer has been set free.
Greg Anderson was imprisoned for his role in this Barry Bonds struggle. The simple rundown is that he supposedly wouldn't cooperate with investigators and as punishment for zipping his lips, he was placed in federal custody.
It's understandable that the courts would lock Anderson up. Hoping to bring Bonds down, any allegations that they could attribute to Anderson would be damning. They would be perceived as fact. Strong arming him into saying Bonds was a steroid junkie certainly would be in character with common methods of coerced testimony.
But, now, after over a year in jail for Anderson, the indictment is handed down. An indictment that holds no new information or testimony from Anderson. Yet Anderson is freed.
Obviously, the government is confident in their case, or they wouldn't indict.
The government believes that Bonds perjured himself in Grand Jury testimony by denying his knowing and willful use of steroids. And is intent on locking him up.
The only problem:
They just freed the man who's access to steroids provided the link which tarnished the image of the Home Run King of baseball. Thereby, severely hurting the game and providing the youth of America with the perception of Bonds being a less than upstanding role model. All the questions involving perjury and tax evasion can be attributed to events that played out due to Anderson's association with Bonds.
When a man is crossing the street and is intentionally run over by a truck, do we indict the pedestrian and set the driver free? Well, that is what the government is doing before our very eyes.
The government already had the man responsible for any of the alleged improprieties that Mr. Bonds may or may not have issued a denial to unknowingly or unintentionally purposefully being subjected.
Unfortunately for Bonds, he is being caught in the crossfire of the governments war on steroids.
Which makes a bigger splash and career booster for those involved:
A blurb in the US Today about someone named Greg Anderson being locked up for steroid distribution and injecting an unaware Barry Bonds with steroids.
Or,
Constant media headlines in print, tv, radio and the internet trumpeting the downfall of Barry Bonds for possibly or improbably accepting the bad judgment of some else's advice about what supplements to take and then being confused about what he had actually taken when faced with the scrutiny and high pressure of a hostile and inquisitionist environment in a Grand Jury assembled with the visible intention of destroying his career, fortune and legacy.
Which?
Exactly.
It's time for the legal system to right their wrongs.
And lock up Greg Anderson.
Greg Anderson was imprisoned for his role in this Barry Bonds struggle. The simple rundown is that he supposedly wouldn't cooperate with investigators and as punishment for zipping his lips, he was placed in federal custody.
It's understandable that the courts would lock Anderson up. Hoping to bring Bonds down, any allegations that they could attribute to Anderson would be damning. They would be perceived as fact. Strong arming him into saying Bonds was a steroid junkie certainly would be in character with common methods of coerced testimony.
But, now, after over a year in jail for Anderson, the indictment is handed down. An indictment that holds no new information or testimony from Anderson. Yet Anderson is freed.
Obviously, the government is confident in their case, or they wouldn't indict.
The government believes that Bonds perjured himself in Grand Jury testimony by denying his knowing and willful use of steroids. And is intent on locking him up.
The only problem:
They just freed the man who's access to steroids provided the link which tarnished the image of the Home Run King of baseball. Thereby, severely hurting the game and providing the youth of America with the perception of Bonds being a less than upstanding role model. All the questions involving perjury and tax evasion can be attributed to events that played out due to Anderson's association with Bonds.
When a man is crossing the street and is intentionally run over by a truck, do we indict the pedestrian and set the driver free? Well, that is what the government is doing before our very eyes.
The government already had the man responsible for any of the alleged improprieties that Mr. Bonds may or may not have issued a denial to unknowingly or unintentionally purposefully being subjected.
Unfortunately for Bonds, he is being caught in the crossfire of the governments war on steroids.
Which makes a bigger splash and career booster for those involved:
A blurb in the US Today about someone named Greg Anderson being locked up for steroid distribution and injecting an unaware Barry Bonds with steroids.
Or,
Constant media headlines in print, tv, radio and the internet trumpeting the downfall of Barry Bonds for possibly or improbably accepting the bad judgment of some else's advice about what supplements to take and then being confused about what he had actually taken when faced with the scrutiny and high pressure of a hostile and inquisitionist environment in a Grand Jury assembled with the visible intention of destroying his career, fortune and legacy.
Which?
Exactly.
It's time for the legal system to right their wrongs.
And lock up Greg Anderson.
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