Enough is enough. I don't know about you but I'm tired of having a name or two leaked to the media every 2 months about yet another MLB player who tested positive for PEDs in 2003 when the league tested guys to see if they should implement testing. I know that the list was supposed to be kept separate from the results but that didn't happen. The Feds got ahold of both because MLB was lazy and dropped the ball. These tests should have been kept a secret from everyone except the lab conducting them and I'm sure that's what these players like ARod, Sosa, Manny, and Ortiz thought but this obviously hasn't happened.
If the public and MLB want to truly put the Steriod Era behind us (at least until these guys come up for election into the HOF) then the player's association, Selig, owners, and some big whig agents need to get together and decide that releasing all the names at once is in the best interest of everyone involved. Look, I'm not here to vilify those players who have been caught "cheating". I believe that the owners and GMs knew what was going on as far back as 88' when Canseco went 40/40. The players saw that for one, it wasn't illegal in baseball and two, they could prolong their careers and make much more money in the process. It's hard to sit here and say that I feel sorry for the guys who tested positive in 2003, but I kind of do. The reason is that's it's been 6 years since they tested positive and they still have to account for those actions whenever someone in the government or baseball decides to leak a name out.
Today's report of Ortiz couldn't have come at a worse time for him or his team. Which leads me to believe that this was done intentionally to hurt the BoSox. They're struggling as a team and Ortiz has had a terrible year (although he has turned it around a bit). I wonder if the person who leaked this story is a Yankees fan? So now in the middle of a pennant race ortiz has to answer for a test taken 6 years ago and the front office has divert their attention from the trading deadline to deal with this fire storm. Every media outlet will now head to Boston and follow Ortiz and his teammates around for the next 2 weeks and ask every question imaginable.
That's why all the names should be revealed at once. At this rate it will be 2036 and names will still be coming out from 2003. I say that MLB should release the names around late November or early December in dead of winter and around the GM meetings. That way the media can still ask questions to the GMs who will be in one central location and it won't impede the current season. It will also allow for these guys to deal with it away from their ball clubs and on their own. They won't have to deal with every media outlet camped out by their lockers after every game. This gives everyone a forum to speak and it makes sure that these guys who tested positive don't get away with a free pass. We could then begin to truly heal as baseball fans and as a sport. Instead of having the wound close and scab a little before someone rips open the Band-Aid. MLB and the MLBPA should finally begin to look out for the welfare of the game and the best interest of its players for once. While the initial shock of having 103 names published will be a blow to all, it won't last forever.
And to the person(s) who are revealing these names every 3 months, can you please start leaking the names of some pitchers who tested positive? I'm tired of everone thinking that only hitters take steriods and that the pitchers are innocent (higher ERAs and WHIPs). Pitchers used them too (higher K/BB, more innings pitched, and look at their salary increases compared to hitters).
L.Glaze
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
How Much Power does One Man Need?
Oh look Emperor Goodell has finally decided on a punishment for Michael Vick. Congrats! I wonder what took him so long? Maybe he had an NFL player shining his shoes or washing his car because they broke curfew or got a speeding ticket. I understand that he has a league to protect, but why is he Judge Dredd (the judge, jury, and executioner)?
Look, Michael Vick paid his debt to society (regardless of what you think about his crime. If the FBI is satisfied with it then you should be too). He served 23 months in prison, lost out on a $130 Million NFL contract, and embarrassed his name and Momma. And now on top of that he has a suspension of around 6 weeks? Goodell could very well extend this suspension all season long if he sees fit. All he promised was that after the 6th week of the season he will review Vick's progress. Not even our legal system works like this. Imagine being convicted of a crime and at sentencing the judge says "I'll review your case in 6yrs, if all is well you can get out, and if not I can sentence you to whatever I deem to be appropriate. Now it could be another year OR it could be life in jail". And that punishment would be basically for the same crime that you were convicted of!
Goodell is in a position where his power can't be checked by anyone, and that's scary. We live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty. If that is the case, then how is it that Goodell has been able to suspend Pac Man Jones and Plaxico Burress indefinitely without either of them EVER being convicted of a crime? Not to mention this is without pay as well. I'm not here saying that Pac Man or Plax are great guys or that either of them won't be convicted at some point in time, but what if they weren't convicted? Wouldn't that mean that Goodell has taken away their ability to make a living over an incident(s) that they were proven innocent of? I don't know about you but I would be on the phone to my lawyer after that verdict came in to see if we had a case against the NFL and name Roger Goodell in it personally.
No one man should have complete authority over an entire league that consist of 32 teams. Not even our President has that type of power over the 50 states (it's an interesting similarity if you think about it). Our country was founded because we wanted to escape the tyrannical powers of kings in Europe and now these millionaire football players have to deal with one. I completely agree if the team that owns the rights to Plax, Vick, or Pac Man want to suspend them (with pay) while they are being investigated by the proper authorities, but Goodell shouldn't be able to supercede the owner's ability to carry this out by just suspending them indefinitely. And if the team decides to waive the player then it should be up the other owners to decide if that player is a good fit for their ball club. The other owners will need to take into account the economy, their fanbase, other player's feelings, and the what their front office thinks. In this economy I bet that almost all 32 teams would steer clear of Plax (could be headed to jail so why sign him), Pac Man (just as much of a head case as Marbury, and I know you've seen his webcast or at least heard about it), and Vick (can't kill dogs in America, that's a big no-no). This would get Goodell's point across without having to be King George, Suddam, Henry VIII, or the warden from Shawshank. Not only are these players dealing with the potential loss of their freedom but they know that guilty or not they have just volunteered to take a huge paycut. That's penalty enough at least for the 1st offense. After jail time there is no need for an additional suspension. What does Goodell hope to see in the next 2 or 3 months? Does he want to see Vick walking people's dogs and the become the cover boy for Petco? Should Vick go on Larry King Live and cry? Speaking of TV shows, how come Law and Order hasn't done an episode covering an athlete who fights dogs??? Or better yet, what does Vick has to do in order to get his suspension made even longer? Go to a strip club (which while not smart isn't illegal), get a traffic ticket, miss a payment on a credit card, or in a twist of irony, get caught on camera walking a dog? The point is that Goodell isn't going to see anything in the upcoming months that will make him extend Vick's suspension. And if anything were to happen, then with his powers he could just suspend him for another offense. Not fully reinstating Vick was his way showing every player what he can do with his power.
In my opinion, if Goodell is going to flex his muscle he should be consistent and do it across the board with every player who breaks the law. But he doesn't and that's what makes him even more dangerous. Case in point, why is Matt Jones (former Jax Jag WR who was caught with crack in his car in Arkansas) still able to try to find a team and not suspended "forever" while Goodell does his own "investigation"? And to prove my previous point, no owners have stepped up and offered him a contract to date in spite of him not being suspended. Why hasn't he taken a harder stance on athletes who have completely broken the law in the United States as well as a rule in the NFL when they take steroids? Instead he suspends them for only 4 games. Where's the review of those cases, where's the community service, and where is the indefinite suspension???
This is the reason why no one should have complete control over an entity in which they don't own. It's only natural that discrepancies like these will creep up. Protecting the shield of the NFL like protecting the U.S should not be left up to one person. I hope the NFLPA thinks about this when they sit down to hammer out the collective bargaining agreement.
L. Glaze
Look, Michael Vick paid his debt to society (regardless of what you think about his crime. If the FBI is satisfied with it then you should be too). He served 23 months in prison, lost out on a $130 Million NFL contract, and embarrassed his name and Momma. And now on top of that he has a suspension of around 6 weeks? Goodell could very well extend this suspension all season long if he sees fit. All he promised was that after the 6th week of the season he will review Vick's progress. Not even our legal system works like this. Imagine being convicted of a crime and at sentencing the judge says "I'll review your case in 6yrs, if all is well you can get out, and if not I can sentence you to whatever I deem to be appropriate. Now it could be another year OR it could be life in jail". And that punishment would be basically for the same crime that you were convicted of!
Goodell is in a position where his power can't be checked by anyone, and that's scary. We live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty. If that is the case, then how is it that Goodell has been able to suspend Pac Man Jones and Plaxico Burress indefinitely without either of them EVER being convicted of a crime? Not to mention this is without pay as well. I'm not here saying that Pac Man or Plax are great guys or that either of them won't be convicted at some point in time, but what if they weren't convicted? Wouldn't that mean that Goodell has taken away their ability to make a living over an incident(s) that they were proven innocent of? I don't know about you but I would be on the phone to my lawyer after that verdict came in to see if we had a case against the NFL and name Roger Goodell in it personally.
No one man should have complete authority over an entire league that consist of 32 teams. Not even our President has that type of power over the 50 states (it's an interesting similarity if you think about it). Our country was founded because we wanted to escape the tyrannical powers of kings in Europe and now these millionaire football players have to deal with one. I completely agree if the team that owns the rights to Plax, Vick, or Pac Man want to suspend them (with pay) while they are being investigated by the proper authorities, but Goodell shouldn't be able to supercede the owner's ability to carry this out by just suspending them indefinitely. And if the team decides to waive the player then it should be up the other owners to decide if that player is a good fit for their ball club. The other owners will need to take into account the economy, their fanbase, other player's feelings, and the what their front office thinks. In this economy I bet that almost all 32 teams would steer clear of Plax (could be headed to jail so why sign him), Pac Man (just as much of a head case as Marbury, and I know you've seen his webcast or at least heard about it), and Vick (can't kill dogs in America, that's a big no-no). This would get Goodell's point across without having to be King George, Suddam, Henry VIII, or the warden from Shawshank. Not only are these players dealing with the potential loss of their freedom but they know that guilty or not they have just volunteered to take a huge paycut. That's penalty enough at least for the 1st offense. After jail time there is no need for an additional suspension. What does Goodell hope to see in the next 2 or 3 months? Does he want to see Vick walking people's dogs and the become the cover boy for Petco? Should Vick go on Larry King Live and cry? Speaking of TV shows, how come Law and Order hasn't done an episode covering an athlete who fights dogs??? Or better yet, what does Vick has to do in order to get his suspension made even longer? Go to a strip club (which while not smart isn't illegal), get a traffic ticket, miss a payment on a credit card, or in a twist of irony, get caught on camera walking a dog? The point is that Goodell isn't going to see anything in the upcoming months that will make him extend Vick's suspension. And if anything were to happen, then with his powers he could just suspend him for another offense. Not fully reinstating Vick was his way showing every player what he can do with his power.
In my opinion, if Goodell is going to flex his muscle he should be consistent and do it across the board with every player who breaks the law. But he doesn't and that's what makes him even more dangerous. Case in point, why is Matt Jones (former Jax Jag WR who was caught with crack in his car in Arkansas) still able to try to find a team and not suspended "forever" while Goodell does his own "investigation"? And to prove my previous point, no owners have stepped up and offered him a contract to date in spite of him not being suspended. Why hasn't he taken a harder stance on athletes who have completely broken the law in the United States as well as a rule in the NFL when they take steroids? Instead he suspends them for only 4 games. Where's the review of those cases, where's the community service, and where is the indefinite suspension???
This is the reason why no one should have complete control over an entity in which they don't own. It's only natural that discrepancies like these will creep up. Protecting the shield of the NFL like protecting the U.S should not be left up to one person. I hope the NFLPA thinks about this when they sit down to hammer out the collective bargaining agreement.
L. Glaze
Favre Overload!
Brett Favre did the NFL a tremendous disservice for the past two off seasons and should be punished. I know we are all tired of everything that is Brett Favre, but humor me for a second and lets recap. Aaron Rodgers was drafted in '05 as a future replacement for an aging veteran who made a yearly routine out of going back and forth on the retirement decision, of course only doing so to stroke his ego by having us say how great he is and how he should stay and how we love him and how he is the ultimate champion (despite having only 1 superbowl to his credit...12 years ago... against an overmatched Patriots team). He didn't retire. Fine. Then, he finally decides to hang it up after a successful season, effectively handing over the keys to Aaron Rodgers. Perfect way to go out, right? Wrong! Taking a page out of the Michael Jordan/Magic Johnson "How To Unretire and Totally Screw Up My Legacy" book, he decides that he wants those keys back and demands that Rodgers scoots over to ride shotgun, because he has one good ride left in him. Packers response, Uh, no! So he throws a pissy fit in the media, making himself, the Packers, and the NFL look like a bunch of idiots. I know many of you are still fuming at my dismissal of his superbowl victory, but lets take a quick look at his Superbowl resume for a second:
Favre played in two Superbowls, favored in both, won one. Here was his journey to that title.
--> In the '96-'97 playoffs, the Packers had Favre throwing for 79 yards in a victory over the 49ers, who were led by an injured Steve Young who missed the last 3 quarters of the previous game game with rib injury. Then, they followed this up with a victory over the "vaunted" Carolina Panthers, who were an expansion team two seasons prior. This earned them a trip to the Superbowl to face the Patriots, who themselves earned the trip by taking down the expansion Jaguars- a very underwhelming postseason, I must say. Dan Marino and Warren Moon could have only hoped for the stars to line up like that!
Now, back to the show. Fast forward past his ugly year with the Jets in which his arm strength was reminiscent of a New Orleans Saints Danny Wuerffel, he retires again, of course promising the Jets that was definitely done, and would not be coming back. Then, he gets the Vikings all hot in the pants about the prospects of him playing again (he gets surgery, we see him on Sportscenter every week with a kid-like smile, throwing the ball to local high schoolers), only to wait until a month before the season begins to decide that he's not mentally into the comeback, and will not come back with the Vikings this year. Before this decision, Vikings players Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen & co. sent Favre several texts telling him how much they needed him and wanted him to come play for them (how did that get out, huh? Hmmm, I wonder...). Then, Vikings coach Brad Childress absolutely ruins his relationship with his current quarterbacks: "uh, honey, sure I love you and want to be with you always, I just want to not be with you for a little while and see if Monica down the street wouldn't mind taking a run at it for a while. Oh what's that Monica, you're no longer interested? Okay baby, I'm back! Just me and you." Could that situation turn out any other way but horrible? But the funniest part about all of this is, Favre says that he still wants to leave the door open in case he decides later that he wants to come back during the season! Classic!
So what to do about all of this? Well, in my opinion, Goodell, who is always on the lookout for athletes who tarnish the image of the NFL, should punish him. How do you punish someone who is already retired? Hall of Fame! Retired players are eligible to be enshrined five years after their last NFL game. As punishment, Favre should serve a 1 year Hall suspension, not allowing him to be eligible for 6 years instead of 5. Not a big penalty, but enough to hopefully let Favre know that his selfish actions have consequences, and to dissuade others from taking similar courses. What do you think?
Robb Starzz
Favre played in two Superbowls, favored in both, won one. Here was his journey to that title.
--> In the '96-'97 playoffs, the Packers had Favre throwing for 79 yards in a victory over the 49ers, who were led by an injured Steve Young who missed the last 3 quarters of the previous game game with rib injury. Then, they followed this up with a victory over the "vaunted" Carolina Panthers, who were an expansion team two seasons prior. This earned them a trip to the Superbowl to face the Patriots, who themselves earned the trip by taking down the expansion Jaguars- a very underwhelming postseason, I must say. Dan Marino and Warren Moon could have only hoped for the stars to line up like that!
Now, back to the show. Fast forward past his ugly year with the Jets in which his arm strength was reminiscent of a New Orleans Saints Danny Wuerffel, he retires again, of course promising the Jets that was definitely done, and would not be coming back. Then, he gets the Vikings all hot in the pants about the prospects of him playing again (he gets surgery, we see him on Sportscenter every week with a kid-like smile, throwing the ball to local high schoolers), only to wait until a month before the season begins to decide that he's not mentally into the comeback, and will not come back with the Vikings this year. Before this decision, Vikings players Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen & co. sent Favre several texts telling him how much they needed him and wanted him to come play for them (how did that get out, huh? Hmmm, I wonder...). Then, Vikings coach Brad Childress absolutely ruins his relationship with his current quarterbacks: "uh, honey, sure I love you and want to be with you always, I just want to not be with you for a little while and see if Monica down the street wouldn't mind taking a run at it for a while. Oh what's that Monica, you're no longer interested? Okay baby, I'm back! Just me and you." Could that situation turn out any other way but horrible? But the funniest part about all of this is, Favre says that he still wants to leave the door open in case he decides later that he wants to come back during the season! Classic!
So what to do about all of this? Well, in my opinion, Goodell, who is always on the lookout for athletes who tarnish the image of the NFL, should punish him. How do you punish someone who is already retired? Hall of Fame! Retired players are eligible to be enshrined five years after their last NFL game. As punishment, Favre should serve a 1 year Hall suspension, not allowing him to be eligible for 6 years instead of 5. Not a big penalty, but enough to hopefully let Favre know that his selfish actions have consequences, and to dissuade others from taking similar courses. What do you think?
Robb Starzz
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
UCLA Football will win the National Championship this Year!
Okay, now that I have your attention, and have lost all credibility in your eyes, let me withdraw that previous statement. No, they will not win the championship THIS year, but they won't be nearly as bad as most prognosticators project. Let me first start off by saying that I am a Bruin, so my viewpoint may be a little skewed, but just for kicks and giggles, humor me for a second.
Let me also add that most are reviewing this upcoming UCLA football season from a worst case scenario, which I am not. Definitely, best case scenario here! Afterall, look at the circumstances surrounding last season - a new coaching staff, a gimpy running back, a Junior transfer at QB with a month of experience in the system, working with a patchwork line constructed from converted tight ends, defensive tackles, bubble gum, and left over scrap metal from the set of Robocop 3! Wasn't winning 4 games (with 3 of those coming at home) a best-case scenario? Here is the upcoming schedule:
2009 Schedule
vs. SDSU
@Tennessee
vs. Kansas State
@ Stanford
vs. Oregon
vs. Cal
@ Arizona
@ Oregon State
vs. Washington
@ Washington State
vs. Arizona State
@ USC
Overview: UCLA looks to have a better season this year, with many predicting anywhere from a 5-7 to a 7-5 mark. Looking at the favorable schedule that UCLA has this season (5 of the 6 home contests are winnable games), the team having an offseason to digest Norm Chow's scheme, and a rigorous offseason of hitting the weights, and its difficult not to me a bit more optimistic coming into this season. Two of UCLA's eight losses last year came against bowl teams that will not be on the upcoming schedule (BYU-10-2 & Fresno St.7-5). These opponents have been replaced by non-bowlers Kansas State (5-7 last season) & San Diego State (2-10, 1-7 in the Mountain West). We head into Knoxville against a weak Tennessee team that we defeated last season, and many of the teams in the Pac-10 are replacing their all-world QBs with unproven backups. This all proves to be an unpredictable mixture, but here goes anyways.
Predictions:
W vs. SDSU - last year, this was 10-2 BYU (technically, Tennessee was the season opener, but SDSU replaced BYU on our schedule) in this slot. Not much else needs to be said about the 59-0 beatdown that we suffered at the hands of BYUin Provo last year. For fans, coaches, God, etc., it is a breath of fresh air to see SDSU on the schedule. No game is truly a gimme for us this year, but look for us to take care of business at home in our season opener.
L @Tennessee- While we did win this matchup last season, it is asking a lot of our gutty Bruins to go into raucous Neyland Stadium in September (when the 100,000+ fans still have hope for the season) and come out with a victory. This will definitely be a game that we have a chance to win, and them losing two of their top wideouts to injury helps, but I just don't think that we get it done.
W vs. Kansas State- 5-7 Kansas State heads into Westwood looking to take down the Bruins. they bring with them a sub-par rushing attack and an attrocious defense that allowed 30 or more points 9 times last season, giving up chunks of yards by both ground and air. This bodes well for a UCLA team with a top notch defense (that NCAA 2010 completely overlooked-another story, another day), and an offense that could find its way against the "Mildcat" d.
W@ Stanford- Both teams come into the season much improved. This game could go either way against Harbaugh's up and coming Stanford team. Our cast of running backs, in conjunction with our fortified o-line, should best the 2.3 yards per carry output from last year's 23-20 victory. Our main problem in that game though was not our rushing attack, but rather, the 250 yards rushing that we allowed. With Gerhart back for his senior season, this could spell trouble for our guys. Fortunately for us, Tavita Pritchard had 51 yards passing in the game, allowing us to hold off the Cardinal for a victory. If we can find a way to slow the running game just a bit, we should be able to take this one. Our upgrade at defensive end (Datone Jones), and our stronger (Reggie Carter going from 220 to 240 lbs- hey, he got past testing!) and more athletic (upgrade from John Hale to Akeem Ayers) linebacking corps says that we are up to the task.
W vs. Oregon- Another game that could go either way. Last year, we came into Eugene 2-3, gave it everything that we had, and came up just short, 24-31. Once again, our lackluster rushing attack and defense against the run spelled doom for the Bruins. Craft had an admirable 288 yards, 1TD, & 1 Int on 43 attempts, but you cannot win when your QB has to put the ball in the air 43 times...and his last name is Craft (cheapshot, this loss wasn't his fault)! With a more balanced offensive attack and the hopes that their QB Masoli doesn't put up 200 yards rushing on us again (he can't do that again, right?), I like our chances (SEE strong, athletic LB Corp).
L vs. Cal- Two words. Jahvid Best!
W @ Arizona- Tuitama(3000+yards passing, 23 TDs) is gone. So to is his go to WR Mike Thomas (74-826-4). Unfortunately, Nic Grigsby will be returning, looking to best a 1153 yard, 13 touchdown performance last season. But without Tuitama, Grigsby could be seeing 8 men in the box to stop the run, forcing sophomore Matt Scott to beat them with the pass...and that is where Al Verner and his brethren come into play! At home, we take this game.
L @ Oregon State- Two more words. Jacquizz Rodgers! 144 yards on us last year makes me a believer that it could happen again. Add to this the fact that this is a road game against a team that should have been the Pac-10 champs last year if not for the game that they mailed in last year against a strong but beatable Ducks squad, and it doesn't look good for us.
W vs. Washington- Nuff Said!
W @ Washington State- Ditto!
W vs. Arizona State- ASU's MVP in last season's matchup was a QB who threw 3 touchdowns to ASU " receivers", leading them to a 34-9 victory (I was at that game. A sad day indeed.). Drumroll please...that QB was none other than UCLA's own, Kevin Craft who threw 3 interceptions, all returned for touchdowns by ASU's defense! Unlucky for them, he will be on the bench for the rematch. If it were up to me, he'd be in street clothes in the student section!
L @ USC- I still think that we are a year away in this game. The only thing that helps us is the fact that they are starting a brand new QB as well. Unfortunately, he would have an entire season under his belt by this time. It is not impossible, and stranger things have happened (does 9-13 ring a bell to anyone?), but realistically, it probably won't happen this time. Add to this, the fact that we could be potentially riding a 3-game streak into this game, takes away the "caught 'em by surprise" factor.
Is all of this based on a best-case scenario? Yes! But I hold that the best case will happen because of the circumstances and motivation surrounding our team. We have a huge chip on our shoulders because of our crosstown rivals, leaving us with a lot to prove. Our O-line play was horrible last year because of the poor recruiting efforts of Dorrell (didn't bring in an offensive lineman in his last two years at UCLA) and injury, and should be much improved this year. Neu & Chow are tuned in because they want to prove the critics wrong, and more importantly, we are on the cusp of being perennial players in the recruiting game once again. In addition, the improvements on offense spell relief for our defense. Anyone watching last year knows that the bulk of the ugly numbers allowed by our defense were the result of a host of 3 & outs and ints that put our defense in sticky situations time and time again (save for the ASU game where Craft & the Offense was gracious enough to give our defense a break by allowing the d to score on all 3 picks). All of this spells a dream season for UCLA! Now that I have you all riled up, the line is open for comments!
Let me also add that most are reviewing this upcoming UCLA football season from a worst case scenario, which I am not. Definitely, best case scenario here! Afterall, look at the circumstances surrounding last season - a new coaching staff, a gimpy running back, a Junior transfer at QB with a month of experience in the system, working with a patchwork line constructed from converted tight ends, defensive tackles, bubble gum, and left over scrap metal from the set of Robocop 3! Wasn't winning 4 games (with 3 of those coming at home) a best-case scenario? Here is the upcoming schedule:
2009 Schedule
vs. SDSU
@Tennessee
vs. Kansas State
@ Stanford
vs. Oregon
vs. Cal
@ Arizona
@ Oregon State
vs. Washington
@ Washington State
vs. Arizona State
@ USC
Overview: UCLA looks to have a better season this year, with many predicting anywhere from a 5-7 to a 7-5 mark. Looking at the favorable schedule that UCLA has this season (5 of the 6 home contests are winnable games), the team having an offseason to digest Norm Chow's scheme, and a rigorous offseason of hitting the weights, and its difficult not to me a bit more optimistic coming into this season. Two of UCLA's eight losses last year came against bowl teams that will not be on the upcoming schedule (BYU-10-2 & Fresno St.7-5). These opponents have been replaced by non-bowlers Kansas State (5-7 last season) & San Diego State (2-10, 1-7 in the Mountain West). We head into Knoxville against a weak Tennessee team that we defeated last season, and many of the teams in the Pac-10 are replacing their all-world QBs with unproven backups. This all proves to be an unpredictable mixture, but here goes anyways.
Predictions:
W vs. SDSU - last year, this was 10-2 BYU (technically, Tennessee was the season opener, but SDSU replaced BYU on our schedule) in this slot. Not much else needs to be said about the 59-0 beatdown that we suffered at the hands of BYUin Provo last year. For fans, coaches, God, etc., it is a breath of fresh air to see SDSU on the schedule. No game is truly a gimme for us this year, but look for us to take care of business at home in our season opener.
L @Tennessee- While we did win this matchup last season, it is asking a lot of our gutty Bruins to go into raucous Neyland Stadium in September (when the 100,000+ fans still have hope for the season) and come out with a victory. This will definitely be a game that we have a chance to win, and them losing two of their top wideouts to injury helps, but I just don't think that we get it done.
W vs. Kansas State- 5-7 Kansas State heads into Westwood looking to take down the Bruins. they bring with them a sub-par rushing attack and an attrocious defense that allowed 30 or more points 9 times last season, giving up chunks of yards by both ground and air. This bodes well for a UCLA team with a top notch defense (that NCAA 2010 completely overlooked-another story, another day), and an offense that could find its way against the "Mildcat" d.
W@ Stanford- Both teams come into the season much improved. This game could go either way against Harbaugh's up and coming Stanford team. Our cast of running backs, in conjunction with our fortified o-line, should best the 2.3 yards per carry output from last year's 23-20 victory. Our main problem in that game though was not our rushing attack, but rather, the 250 yards rushing that we allowed. With Gerhart back for his senior season, this could spell trouble for our guys. Fortunately for us, Tavita Pritchard had 51 yards passing in the game, allowing us to hold off the Cardinal for a victory. If we can find a way to slow the running game just a bit, we should be able to take this one. Our upgrade at defensive end (Datone Jones), and our stronger (Reggie Carter going from 220 to 240 lbs- hey, he got past testing!) and more athletic (upgrade from John Hale to Akeem Ayers) linebacking corps says that we are up to the task.
W vs. Oregon- Another game that could go either way. Last year, we came into Eugene 2-3, gave it everything that we had, and came up just short, 24-31. Once again, our lackluster rushing attack and defense against the run spelled doom for the Bruins. Craft had an admirable 288 yards, 1TD, & 1 Int on 43 attempts, but you cannot win when your QB has to put the ball in the air 43 times...and his last name is Craft (cheapshot, this loss wasn't his fault)! With a more balanced offensive attack and the hopes that their QB Masoli doesn't put up 200 yards rushing on us again (he can't do that again, right?), I like our chances (SEE strong, athletic LB Corp).
L vs. Cal- Two words. Jahvid Best!
W @ Arizona- Tuitama(3000+yards passing, 23 TDs) is gone. So to is his go to WR Mike Thomas (74-826-4). Unfortunately, Nic Grigsby will be returning, looking to best a 1153 yard, 13 touchdown performance last season. But without Tuitama, Grigsby could be seeing 8 men in the box to stop the run, forcing sophomore Matt Scott to beat them with the pass...and that is where Al Verner and his brethren come into play! At home, we take this game.
L @ Oregon State- Two more words. Jacquizz Rodgers! 144 yards on us last year makes me a believer that it could happen again. Add to this the fact that this is a road game against a team that should have been the Pac-10 champs last year if not for the game that they mailed in last year against a strong but beatable Ducks squad, and it doesn't look good for us.
W vs. Washington- Nuff Said!
W @ Washington State- Ditto!
W vs. Arizona State- ASU's MVP in last season's matchup was a QB who threw 3 touchdowns to ASU " receivers", leading them to a 34-9 victory (I was at that game. A sad day indeed.). Drumroll please...that QB was none other than UCLA's own, Kevin Craft who threw 3 interceptions, all returned for touchdowns by ASU's defense! Unlucky for them, he will be on the bench for the rematch. If it were up to me, he'd be in street clothes in the student section!
L @ USC- I still think that we are a year away in this game. The only thing that helps us is the fact that they are starting a brand new QB as well. Unfortunately, he would have an entire season under his belt by this time. It is not impossible, and stranger things have happened (does 9-13 ring a bell to anyone?), but realistically, it probably won't happen this time. Add to this, the fact that we could be potentially riding a 3-game streak into this game, takes away the "caught 'em by surprise" factor.
Is all of this based on a best-case scenario? Yes! But I hold that the best case will happen because of the circumstances and motivation surrounding our team. We have a huge chip on our shoulders because of our crosstown rivals, leaving us with a lot to prove. Our O-line play was horrible last year because of the poor recruiting efforts of Dorrell (didn't bring in an offensive lineman in his last two years at UCLA) and injury, and should be much improved this year. Neu & Chow are tuned in because they want to prove the critics wrong, and more importantly, we are on the cusp of being perennial players in the recruiting game once again. In addition, the improvements on offense spell relief for our defense. Anyone watching last year knows that the bulk of the ugly numbers allowed by our defense were the result of a host of 3 & outs and ints that put our defense in sticky situations time and time again (save for the ASU game where Craft & the Offense was gracious enough to give our defense a break by allowing the d to score on all 3 picks). All of this spells a dream season for UCLA! Now that I have you all riled up, the line is open for comments!
RobbStarzz
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Curry, LeBron, & Ariza- NBA's All Heart/All Brain Team
You can thank my good friend Tom for my first foray into the blosphere. It starts off as a mailbag (ala The Sports Guy) and then continues frome there. Being the delusional Knicks fan that Tom is, appearently, he thinks that Curry actually has some trade value (stop reading here if a trade for Curry has been completed by the time you read this entry!). He even went as far as to suggest that Darko would be serviceable, propose that the Knicks trade Cuttino Mobley and Eddy Curry for Tracy McGrady, and that they make a trade for 14 year old Rubio. Of course, all to get ready for the 2010 season when the Knicks pick up both LeBron James and Jar Jar Bosh (look me in my face and tell me that he doesn't look like him!). My response:
"Overrated Rubio?! Cuttino Mobley and Eddy Curry for Tracy McGrady?! Let me get this straight, you want to trade two guys with heart problems for a guy with NO HEART! Hilarious! Who are you picking up next, the scarecrow and the Tin Man! Hey, maybe the Wizard of Oz could help Nate Robinson grow 8 inches (to become a small guard)! And Darko?!?!?! You'd be better off digging up Drazen Petrovic and signing him to a 10- day contract! Good luck with that!"
The Curry talk continues with this insightful article in which Knicks president Donnie Walsh points to Curry's newly "firmed" arms as to a sign that he's hitting the weights hard and still has some trade value!
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/07/14/2009-07-14_eddy_curry_fails_to_impress_knicks_brass_forgets_his_sneakers_in_vegas.html
Whatever GM is actually brainless enough to trade for Curry needs to be taken down to the town square immediately and be stoned, beheaded, flogged, or whatever type of public humiliation/death is deemed necessary. I'm thinking, at minimum, Abu-Ghraib style! Curry is a waste of talent and skin. He is the bum of bums and is content with earning his paycheck, so he will not change. Ever! Even with firmer arms (firm arms, really?! That's what 42 year old mothers of 3 are in the gym to do!- I'm like LeBron's friend in the State Farm insurance commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSbhap4R-ho) when his car gets broken into and the other friend says that one of the thieves was wearing a jacket- "How does that help me?!"), you guys are stuck with him until the bloody end. Add this fact with the fact that the salary cap was decreased by 10mil, and I think that it all spells the end for your dreams of Bron & Bosh in 2010. In fact, i don't think you'll get either one. My money says that Lebron stays in Cleveland and has just been using the "I'll leave" element to force management to go after good players. What Bron doesn't realize, and what Trevor Ariza helped to make obvious (Ariza, another "Rocket" scientist- leaves the chance of a lifetime- being Kobe's Pippen- to run the show and get exposed as being a supporting cast type guy in hot, humid, lottery-bound Houston. Nice going there, buddy!), is that, as long as he doesn't commit to the Cavs, no other star that is worth anything (Shaq is worth a pack of Big League chew and an Alex Smith rookie card!) is going to want come to Cleveland to become the next Barron Davis (See Elton Brand). It's crazy to think that Bron actually doesn't realize that this is what is happening. It's as if our dear friend thinks that the world revolves around him or something and that big stars would jump to commit their lives to play with him for one year, on the off chance that he decides to stay! Nah, nothing in his recent past suggests that King James is the type of egomaniac that would actually believe this to be true, right?
Go Knicks!
"Overrated Rubio?! Cuttino Mobley and Eddy Curry for Tracy McGrady?! Let me get this straight, you want to trade two guys with heart problems for a guy with NO HEART! Hilarious! Who are you picking up next, the scarecrow and the Tin Man! Hey, maybe the Wizard of Oz could help Nate Robinson grow 8 inches (to become a small guard)! And Darko?!?!?! You'd be better off digging up Drazen Petrovic and signing him to a 10- day contract! Good luck with that!"
The Curry talk continues with this insightful article in which Knicks president Donnie Walsh points to Curry's newly "firmed" arms as to a sign that he's hitting the weights hard and still has some trade value!
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/07/14/2009-07-14_eddy_curry_fails_to_impress_knicks_brass_forgets_his_sneakers_in_vegas.html
Whatever GM is actually brainless enough to trade for Curry needs to be taken down to the town square immediately and be stoned, beheaded, flogged, or whatever type of public humiliation/death is deemed necessary. I'm thinking, at minimum, Abu-Ghraib style! Curry is a waste of talent and skin. He is the bum of bums and is content with earning his paycheck, so he will not change. Ever! Even with firmer arms (firm arms, really?! That's what 42 year old mothers of 3 are in the gym to do!- I'm like LeBron's friend in the State Farm insurance commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSbhap4R-ho) when his car gets broken into and the other friend says that one of the thieves was wearing a jacket- "How does that help me?!"), you guys are stuck with him until the bloody end. Add this fact with the fact that the salary cap was decreased by 10mil, and I think that it all spells the end for your dreams of Bron & Bosh in 2010. In fact, i don't think you'll get either one. My money says that Lebron stays in Cleveland and has just been using the "I'll leave" element to force management to go after good players. What Bron doesn't realize, and what Trevor Ariza helped to make obvious (Ariza, another "Rocket" scientist- leaves the chance of a lifetime- being Kobe's Pippen- to run the show and get exposed as being a supporting cast type guy in hot, humid, lottery-bound Houston. Nice going there, buddy!), is that, as long as he doesn't commit to the Cavs, no other star that is worth anything (Shaq is worth a pack of Big League chew and an Alex Smith rookie card!) is going to want come to Cleveland to become the next Barron Davis (See Elton Brand). It's crazy to think that Bron actually doesn't realize that this is what is happening. It's as if our dear friend thinks that the world revolves around him or something and that big stars would jump to commit their lives to play with him for one year, on the off chance that he decides to stay! Nah, nothing in his recent past suggests that King James is the type of egomaniac that would actually believe this to be true, right?
Go Knicks!
RobbStarzz
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