The Idiot's Guide to Sports

Bizarro Sports World - Dallas, TX

2011-05-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

In the last 12 months we have witnessed what can only be described as the Bizarro sports season in the Dallas Fort Worth Area. It started with the 2010 Rangers baseball season that ended in Game 5 of the World Series at the Ballpark in Arlington. A run so improbable that I still don't believe it actually happened. It cotinued with the monumental collapse of the Texas Longhorn 2010 football season that ended with a completely new coaching staff, Will Muschamp departing for the Florida Head job (so much for "coach in waiting" tag, and Garrett Gilbert going from the chosen one to finding out who is the next real quarterback at the University. And it has continued with the Dinosaur Mavs who added some key role players in offseason and mid-season with Tyson Chandler and Peja. Jason Kidd found the fountain of youth. JJ Barrea looks closer to Steve Nash than the point guard at your local Y. And finally Dirk is approaching Larry Legend status if he brings the These past 12+ months have been best run of Dallas sports since my time in the area (about 20 years or so) especially when you consider I'm not a huge Cowboys fan (yea I know long story). Definitely the most interesting. It was nice after losing all those playoff home games in person out in Arlington (attended losses against Tampa, one loss against NY in game 1, and one loss against SF in game 4) to get a win last night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals...

7 more games to go until the first championship for a DFW team since 1999...

Here was my view from a certain Rangers Owner's box last night...

Fall in Review - Coming Soon

2010-11-28T12:33:00.000-08:00

After noticing that my last update was September 27th, I think it would appropriate to recap what has been two of the most memorable moments in this region's sports history.

The Texas Rangers won their first playoff series in franchise history and then proceeded to knock of the mighty New York Yankees in the ALCS before falling to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. Meanwhile, the Texas Longhorns football program and Dallas cowboys were experiencing two of their worst seasons ever. Remarkable times right now to be sports fan in this area and I will try add more commentary around what has been a wild past few months.

Also, I intend to make more regular posts on the Rangers. While i have always had a tilt towards Rangers related content, now their appears to be a real appeal to baseball fans for more Rangers updates. So stay tuned for that...

Rangers Headed to Playoffs

2010-09-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

It's only been 11 years but it is now time to celebrate a winning baseball team in the DFW area. How sweet it is...

And Evan Grant previews the Rangers playoff roster...

UCLA Meltdown

2010-09-14T21:01:00.001-07:00

2 weeks into the college football season and UCLA is already in shambles. Losses at Kansas St. and getting blanked 35-0 by rival Stanford can do that to a team.

Houston is up this week with Texas on deck... ouch.

Week 1 Picks

2010-09-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

College Football is back and that means trying to figure out this crazy sport. No guarantees on any of these picks but this will be a good forum to keep track of my handicapping ability. Let's move right to week 1:

@Fresno -3 over Cincinatti
Colorado St. +12 over Colorado
@Oklahoma St. -14.5 over Washington St.
Illinois +11.5 over Mizzou

I will be in Vegas all weekend so look forward to an exciting first week of college football

Scattershooting

2010-07-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

The University of Texas has signed a six-year deal with Dallas-based Branded Retail Energy, which will likely be the first of a number of deals with the company that will see some of the country’s most powerful collegiate sports brands sell consumers electricity and natural gas in deregulated markets. Consequently,

Texas Longhorns Energy will be available to consumers in mid-August.

Auburn wants to claim the 2004 National Title from USC.

Nebraska really dislikes Texas.

Shipley Serenades McCoy at His Wedding

2010-07-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

Even the Colt McCoy Haters (I'm looking at you Dave) will enjoy this one.

Courtesy of TMZ

Longtime Yankee Announcer Bob Sheppard Passes Away at 99

2010-07-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

The requisite YouTube accompanying tribute..

Bob Shepphard moment from 1968 After RFK's death...

And oh yea, The Rangers traded for Cliff Lee and have lost 3 games in a row (on the verge of 4) to the Orioles at home.

Texas Longhorn Football History in 6 minutes

2010-07-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

This video is worth watching...

Josh Hamilton Home Run and the Rangers

2010-07-05T18:23:00.000-07:00

We are nearly to the all-star break and the Rangers are in first place. Life is good out in Arlington if you don't pay attention to that whole ownership change (See Rangers Bankruptcy) situation.

I will try to review the Rangers first half and what we can expect for the remainder of the season hopefully ending with a playoff run.

For now, Enjoy the longest home run hit at the Ballpark in Arlington which occurred in a June 27th game against the Astros.

All 490 feet of it...

Allen Iverson Playing Football

2010-07-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

I knew Allen Iverson was a great high school football player in Virginia along with being one of the best high school basketball players ever. I had no idea he was this good. Jaw Dropping video of Iverson's high school football days..

Top John Wooden Quotes

2010-07-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

Adversity is the state in which man mostly easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.
John Wooden

Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.
John Wooden

If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.
John Wooden

Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
John Wooden

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.
John Wooden

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
John Wooden

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
John Wooden

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
John Wooden

Will Farrell kicked out of Roundrock Express Game

2010-05-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

April News and Commentary

2010-04-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

We have had an unbelievable run of sports in the last few months dating back to the Colts - Saints Super Bowl.

Tiger Woods returned to the world of golf in dramatic fashion competing all the way until Sunday when Phil Mickelson closed the deal in a powerful storyline of his own with his wife battling breast cancer and waiting on the 18th green for him after he secured his 3rd green jacket. With 4 major titles wins to his credit, Phil is starting to cement himself in the pantheon of greatest golfers in the history of the game. How Tiger Woods responds throughout the rest of the year (particularly the majors at Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, and Whistling Straits) should be interesting to say the least. Both players resume their tournament schedule at Quail Hollow in a couple weeks.

This month also included the best NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in recent memory culminating with the Butler vs. Duke Final.

Interesting article from a Houston blog about what if Butler's Gordon Hayward's half court shot at the end of the National Championship game went in?

The Rangers baseball season is off to a shaky start with Ownership turmoil. Tom Hicks is working with his creditors to complete the sale of the team to the new Ownership group. Ron Washington's job security is still in question if the team doesn't finish with a decent April (5-6 through 11 games).

From ESPN BLOG:

The day after Darington Hobson declared for the NBA draft, the athletic New Mexico forward was challenged to a dunk contest by St. Pius X High player Kaelan Brennan and was happy to oblige.

Hobson visited the school for a speaking engagement, and KOB-TV has video of the best slams of the dunk session. Brennan proved to be a worthy competitor.

Not every dunk was successful. Three times, Hobson couldn't connect while leaping over another student, grazing his human prop on one occasion.

His words might have meant more.

Darington Hobson talked about a low point in his life, when he was playing for a junior college, not where he wanted to be. "If I didn't believe in myself I wouldn't be here," he said, He just declared for the NBA draft to take place on the upcoming weekend, and was not letting the doubters discourage him. He wakes up each day with the inspiration, "Prove myself."

Cool video of the New Mexico basketball player

Random Thought of the week:
Why do I never run into Kate Beckinsale in an airport?

Everyone's favorite baseball fan Alyssa Milano thinks Jimmy Kimmel is dreamy and apparently has a serious Twitter addiction.

Texas Brings in Another Top Class; Big DFW Impact on UT's Class and Across College Football

2010-02-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

Signing Day is like Christmas Day and every other holiday wrapped into one for college football fans. Hope springs eternal for all fans across the country and no college football coach is going to disparage their class regardless of who they ended up signing. Florida finished with the consensus number one class. The Longhorns were not too far behind. I am going recap my top 5 impact players from this class based on need and position.

Darius White - WR - Fort Worth, TX (Dubar)

The 6-2 and 205 pound receiever was the top receiver in the state and adding his playmaking ability will help the offense right away.

Jackson Jeffcoat - DE - Plano, TX (West)

Jim Jeffcoat's son is one of the top defensive linemen in the country.

Tevin Jackson - LB - Garland, TX

Any kid smart enough to wear a Rangers hat is good by me.

Traylon Shead - RB - Cayuga, TX

Class A Running back grew up in a town of a couple thousand. He will play in front of a few more fans than that when he suits up for the Longhorns.

Next Texas Coach and more UT Recruiting Dominance

2010-02-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

The Rise of Muschamp is Upon You

UT finishes this recruiting season with an uncharacteristic (most recruits are usually locked this close to signing day) bang. Plano West's own and former Cowboy great Jim Jeffcoat's son Jackson Jeffcoat committed to the Longhorns last week and many consider him the top prep defensive linemen in the country.

And if that wasn't enough Will Muschamp secured the top prep Linebacker in the country not from Texas but from Ohio. Landing Jordan Hicks with Ohio St. and Florida after him was a true recruiting coup for this already ultra-talented class. This class does show the embarrassment of riches Mack Brown and his coaching staff have at their disposal. I am headed to the UT recruiting luncheon on Thursday the day after signing day so look forward to seeing this class more closely on film. I will try to post commentary...

Jordan Hamilton goes bezerk against Oklahoma St. in Stillwater

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/usatpoll.htm
Texas is #1 in almost every preseason baseball poll

Just another week in the life of a longhorn fan.

Week 3 Picks

2009-09-17T14:47:00.001-07:00

What started poorly in week one (see previous post) got worse in week two. It is time to turn this thing around and hopefully it starts this Saturday.

The talk around Kentucky is unbelievable right now. That line opened at 10 is at 14 in some places right now. I really like the spot for Kentucky.

Another sluggish week 2. I had some live dogs (LA-Lafayette, Houston, UNLV, purdue, ohio st.) but did so poorly in the early morning games that by the time the night games kicked off I didn't really play many of the games I liked. Oh well. Need to get on track this week. Here is what I like:

@Kentucky -13 -- You get a little concerned when so many people are on a game this large. A guy over on cappingthegame.com (collegekingrex) calls this the game of his life and he has a pretty lengthy and strong track record. Not sure if he helped move the line or not but it bumped up huge in the last 48 hours. To me this is like TCU - Viginia which i passed on last week. Seems almost too obvious but plays out just how the cappers thought.

@Kansas -22 -- I'm with Ball. Mangino has patsies for breakfast and Army outplayed Duke last week. I like Kansas to continue their roll.

@Arkansas -1 -- Really like this spot for the Razorbacks. Coming off a bye week and no one is talking about Petrino's bunch. Georgia has already been put through the ringer versus Okie St. and South Carolina. Expect Georgia to punch Arkansas in the face early but Arkansas responds with a big SEC win to jumpstart the Razorbacks at home.

Arizona +6 -- Stoops quietly building up the talent in Tucson. While going into Iowa and getting a win is tough, i agree with Ball that emotionally Iowa may be a little down for this one. Expect a "ball-grinder" of a game with AZ at least keeping it within a one score game if not pulling off the upset.

Utah +4 -- Utah has something like a 14 game regular season win streak going. While they struggled some in the 2nd half against SJ St., i think they are just a better team than Oregon overall.

I also like:
@A&M -18
@Baylor -10
@BYU -7
All a little higher than I would like but still seem
tempting.

Buffalo +4
La-La +26.5
Nebraska +5

Week 1 Picks

2009-09-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

College Football Week One

2009-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the college football season is finally upon us. With college football season, also comes handicapping college games. I will try to post my picks weekly and keep a running total of my posted picks as the season moves along. Here is what I like week 1:
Top 2 plays:
@utep -7 (bought the hook) over Buffalo

I like Turner Gill and Buffalo seemingly had everything go their way including the MAC championship miracle. Well, Drew Willy is gone and lost James Starks to injury before the season. I expect Buffalo to play hard but UTEP gets them at home where they are vastly different team. I'll lay the touchdown in the hopes that UTEP can pull away late.

@Rutgers -5.5 over Cincy

Big early Big East conference game so early in the season is so Big East. I love Schiano anytime he needs to get his team motivated and I think he finds a way to get his team more emotionally ready for this game. Cincy has plenty of talent I'm sure but losing Connor Barwin and 10 starters on defense is a a lot for any team. Revenge spot as well for rutgers. Picked Fresno week 1 last year in this exact same spot so I could get burned on this one.

Others:

@Texas A&M -14 over New Mexico

Liked the 12 number a lot better but I think the Aggies come out punching in 2009. New Mexico is down and losing their tailback meant most of their offense left the building. A lot of players gone on defense and a 1st year coach means Aggy may be able to win by 2 TDs. I'll be holding my nose this whole game.

@ohio st. -21 (bought the hook) over Navy
Terrell Pryor is bigger than pretty much every navy player. Unless Ohio st. sleepwalks through this game, they should manhandle navy. Navy should be up emotionally but that won't matter if ohio st. executes. Paul Johnson is no longer in Annapolis. Lay it.

Maybes:
Georgia +6 over Okie St.

Georgia plays well in these roles and Okie ST. is bound to fall flat on their face. i'll enjoy seeing old Boone crying in his beer if the bulldogs come out of stoolwater with a win. That said, stil not sure if I can pull the trigger quite yet on this one

Baylor +3 (buy the hook)

Waiting to see where this number goes. I was hoping to get 6 when I handicapped this game earlier in the summer. It opened at Baylor +1.5 so it is starting to get to a realistic number. Really like Baylor emotionally in this one and losing Sam Swank is going to hurt more than the Deacons realize. And oh yea, a whole lot of good players on defense leaving doesn't help either.

Rex Burkhead and Plano Memories

2009-08-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

I went to high school in Plano, Texas. For those that are unfamiliar with Texas, the landscape of the town would be about what you would think for an area in this part of the country. Very plain, very flat and really not much of anything other than few lakes nearby and a lot of cement.

Well, Plano back in the Mid 80s was experiencing a boom like many other suburban communities during the post World War II era in America. Plano not unlike Southlake today was a suburb on steroids during that time period. From 1980, it went from a town of 72,331 to 222,000 in 2000. Basically, a 3 fold increase during a 20 year timeframe. The growth has slowed down but as of 2008, Plano had close to 270,000 people. Well, with that population growth came a lot of good football. Plano 7 seven state title is behind only Celina for most in state history along with Brownwood and Southlake Carroll.

As a kid who moved to the Dallas Fort-Worth area in 1990 right at the end of Plano's football reign over the area (back to back state titles in 1986 and 87), I quickly began to appreciate Texas High School Football. For those that have never experienced Texas high school football in person, there is nothing like it. From the prairies in West Texas to the hotbeds of talent in Houston and everywhere else in between, the state takes on a new life during this time of year.

I don't even have kids yet, but I still feel attached to the great game of high school football. To get a feel for how big is in this state, a playoff game a few years back between Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll drew at least 45k people to Texas Stadium.

The funny thing about High School Football in relation to other sports would be that it has no boundries. Pro players can only run so fast and get so big. College Football is creeping in closer and closer to pro football. But high school football never ceases to amaze.

Nebraska True Freshman Rex Burkhead may be 2nd string for the Huskers, at least as of now.

Top High School Games in the DFW Area this year(for me anyways)

Allen vs. Longview (August 28th)

Why not start the season off with the best non-district games in the state all year. Defending 5A champion Allen will play Longview is No. 1 4A team preseason.

Plano West vs. Southlake Carroll (August 29)

Plano West has Jim Jeffcoat's kid (Jackson) who just happens to be one of the best high school Defensive Linemen in a long time. Southlake Carroll is a perennial juggernaut and this year should be no different.

Cedar Hill vs. Euless Trinity (September 12th)

Allen vs. Euless Trinity (September 18th)

Plano vs. Temple (September 18th)

Lache Seastrunk is the top high school talent in the state hands down and he plays at my old high school stadium.

Skyline vs. Lake Highlands (September 25th)

Skyline is loaded with Division 1 recruits

Plano at Wylie (October 2nd)

Neftali Feliz Pitching Line So Far this Season

2009-08-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Games 5
Innings Pitched 8.2
Hits 2
Earned Runs 1
ERA 1.04
K/9 16
WHIP 0.69

His Only Earned Run was a solo shot to Adam Kennedy. Just Filthy.

Who is Y.E. Yang? and Tiger Did Not Choke

2009-08-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Y.E. Yang pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of Major Championship golf yesterday at Hazeltine. Tiger's amazing streak of never losing a 54 hole lead at Major had to end sometime. No one thought it would be to a player like Y.E. Yang.

While Tiger is chasing the ghost of Jack Nicklaus and his 18 major title record, Y.E. Yang didn't even know what golf was growing up in a farming village in his home country of South Korea.

Yang who is 37 started playing golf at the age of 19 when started a job picking up golf balls at a driving range. Not a unique story in of itself (hell i worked at a golf course growing up), but Yang's victory was the first major ever won by an Asian golfer. Beating Tiger Woods who is also of part Asian descent is a historic win in so many ways. While Yang's victory truly was one of the greatest upsets in sports, he wasn't exactly a complete slouch. while 110th ranked player in the world doesn't seem like much, these guys are so good right now that the difference between a top 10 player and a top 100 player (with the exception of Tiger Woods) isn't THAT great.

Truly a memorable Major season with Tom Watson at the British and Y.E. Yang at the PGA. At the end of the day, that is all golf fans really ask for out of this great sport.

Yang's official PGA Tour profile

Yang describes through his interpreter how he pulled off the miracle..

Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to Blackie Sherrod?

2009-08-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Neftali Feliz makes his debut for the Rangers last night in what otherwise was a tragic loss to the A's 3-2.

And this just in, he is really good..

Minor League Baseball guru John Sickels (aka my idol) breaks down the Major League Baseball trade deadline deals from a prospect perspective.

According to a Seattle Mariners blog, King Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners almost ended up in Boston.

Injured standouts from last year who should make and impact in college football this season.

Really Old College Football Plays And Longhorns Preview

2009-07-28T20:41:00.001-07:00

1929 Notre Dame vs. Army

100 Yard Interception Return by the Irish

Notre Dame ends OU's 47 game winning streak

Preview of 2009 Longhorns by ESPN

Seriously AROD

2009-07-27T16:15:00.001-07:00

It is no secret that I really dislike Alex Rodriguez. I understand that his baseball resume with or without Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) is hall of fame worthy. Let's at least admit that many other players were using PEDs during the last decade or so since A-ROD's career started in the Major Leagues.

I did not think Alex was a good teammate during his time in Texas and the fact remains that the team lost a lot of games because Tom Hicks had an albatross of a contract when he bid against himself to bring Alex Rodriguez to Arlington.

The fact remains that Alex has not won a championship and until he does he will remain the target of much ridicule from a lot of fans. He does make for great Tabloid headlines and the New York media is going to have a field day with the Hudson and Alex Rodriguez relationship.

Strange enough, Bill Simmons did a column on Almost Famous today which was absolutely Kate Hudson's breakout role and allowed her to make many millions off various romantic comedies. Simmons also believes it ranks as one of the best movies of this decade. You know what? I strangely agree with him because I fondly remember seeing that movie in the theater and remembering absolutely loving Kate Hudson and the movie itself.

I'm not optimistic about how this relationship is going to end..

Commentary from yahoo:

Not to get all US Weekly on you here — OK, to totally get all US Weekly on you here — Alex Rodriguez(notes) and Kate Hudson finally took their relationship public on Saturday, managing a smooch in front of the Big Apple paparazzo at the Yankees' annual family picnic.

What this means for you, the baseball fan, I have absolutely no idea. But it's the latest development in a saga that began with a restaurant makeout session in mid-May and continued with Hudson disguising herself as Jason Mraz to see a game at Yankee Stadium (left). Eventually she was proud to be seen sitting in the 'spensive seats (middle) and now she's not caring who sees her kissing one of the few guys weirder than her rocker ex-husband (right).

For whatever it's worth, A-Rod is hitting .257/.391/.520 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs since the NY Post broke that story on May 19. I'm actually surprised that A-Rod isn't drawing more criticism for the relationship, though I suppose dumping Madonna for a younger model and the Yankees leading the AL East by 2.5 games buys a lot of leeway for anyone.

Thank you Tom Watson and Erin Andrews Naked

2009-07-20T17:44:00.001-07:00

Just when you think Golf is completely devoid of any meaningful storyline if Tiger is not involved, a weekend like this past one broke out at Turnberry. Tom Sturges (It's his middle name look it up) Watson shows up at the British Open a month or so shy of his 60th birthday and damn near wins the entire tournament.

You don't have to be a huge golf fan to understand the unlikelihood of a near 60 year old man competing with golfers who were no joke a third of his age. The last Major tom watson won was in 1983 at the British Open.

And he nearly pulled off the feat this past Sunday in what some people are calling one of the biggest sporting stories of all time. Unfortunately, it was not to meant to be as he bogeyed 18 and ended up losing to Stewart Cink in a playoff. To put it in perspective, Julius Boros is the oldest golfer to ever win a major in the 150+ years of major championship golf and he was 48 years 4 months old when he won the 1968 PGA. Jack Nicklaus was 46 when he won the 1986 Masters. Tom Watson was a full decade older than Boros. Truly remarkable.

I want to salute Tom and the British Open for what had been a lackluster majors season in golf up to this point. Let's hope the PGA at Hazeltine has something promising for the last major of 2009. it will be tough to top this past weekend.

And oh yea, unless you have been living under a rock, some creep (my wife can verify my whereabouts this past week) filmed Erin Andrews in her hotel room for the ESPYs in Las Vegas. Oh shockingly, this video has circulated around the internet faster than wildfire, literally. Safe to say, ESPN and Erin Andrews Legal Representation are not happy with whoever violated Ms. Andrews. For shame to the perpetrator, but I personally have to admit that I have been trying to get ahold of those particular pictures.

Be careful searching because apparently viruses are very likely if you go around trying to find the video. ESPN fortunately has gotten YouTube and other video locations to take the video. Meanwhile...

Happy Hunting

UPDATE:

Some additional information about the now famous Erin Andrews tape

Top College Football hits

2009-06-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a bone-jarring hit in a football game. Some are more memorable than others but you can only truly realize what a physical game football is until you witness one of these hits in person.

I am going to try and recap my top 5 College Football hits of the last 20+ years of college football dating back to at least 1990.

The list Looks as Follows:

1) Michael Barrow (Miami (FL) vs. Fla St.)

2) Quentin Coryatt (Texas A&M vs. TCU)

3) Bryant Westbrook on Leland McElroy (Texas vs. Texas A&M) and Randy Kinder (Texas vs. Notre Dame) -- Too Hard to Decide

4) Tony Brackens on sorry Texas Tech kicker -- Special Hat Tip to the holder Field Scovell

5) Fresno State Marcus Riley Defender Blows up Hawaii's Colt Brennan

Erin Andrews and Bill Simmons.. You bet

2009-06-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

You know Bill Simmons had Erin Andrews on the BS Report last week. I enjoy Simmons podcast normally, but this 45 minutes or so had to be one his finer moments. Among the many things discussed, Erin apparently wants to give Dancing with the Stars a shot and solicits Simmons to help her cause. We should only be so lucky.

Below is an exceprt about her dating life.

Simmons: “Does your schedule make it difficult to date?”
Andrews: “You obviously can’t do the weekend dates. It is difficult, but it is kind of a dream job, so you have to figure out how to have both.”
Simmons: “So you’re like Holly Hunter in Broadcast News? You’re devoted to your work.”
Andrews: “I’m devoted to my work, but I’m devoting to having a life outside of work as well.”
Simmons: “So you have a boyfriend and you love him?”
Andrews: “I love…having a social life or a personal life, yeah.”
Simmons: “Is there somebody you like?” (Note: It’s gotten very fourth grade here.)
Andrews: “Um…I just don’t give up that information, because it’s the only thing I can control.”

More summary of the interview on the link

I love these Red Uniforms and First Place

2009-05-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

This Rangers team sure is fun to watch. Despite having a predicted win total by most pundits in the low 70s, this team has come roaring out of the gates. As a long suffering Rangers fan, I am cautiously optimistic and going to enjoy every minute I can get of this season. Since the last playoff appearance in 1999, this team has spent very little time in contention. This year is different and that feels nice.

Kinsler, Young, Davis, Andrus, Frankie, Millwood. This Whole pitching staff. Salty. The list goes on and on of contributors. The Tigers are up next which has been a team that has beaten our drum the last few seasons. Payback's a bitch...

Greg Paulus of Duke basketball Fame is going to try his luck at football transferring to Syracuse. Something tells me this won't end well. If for no other reason than Syracuse football has actually sunk this low. Oh and the new Syracuse head football coach hasn't seen Paulus throw yet.

I heard the internet rumor last week that Texas was going to try their luck in the ACC... While cool in concept, let's stay in the Big XII. Come on, this isn't Russia.

The Mavs are out of the playoffs and I could really care less. Besides the childish acts of Mark Cuban and the moronic officiating (Yes, I'm a middle school referee so therefore I can judge NBA officials), I really think the NBA is just not that interesting. I appreciate the Lebrons and Kobes of the world for their athleticism, but the overall product leaves a lot to be desired. It should be an interesting Finals at least. Really, these officials are very old.

With that being said, I thought the NCAA tournament was a huge dud this year. Texas should be loaded next year with Avery Bradley and company showing up on campus. Barnes may not have to do much Xs and Os with this bunch.

Justin Leonard and Zach Johnson dueled down in San Antonio last weekend and nobody cared. Oh Johnson won for the Lake Highlands grads that were still following Leonard. Seriously, for as clutch as Leonard has been on two winning Ryder Cup teams he has come bitterly close in two british open and a couple PGA since winning his only major.

Byron Nelson has little hope this week with 13 out of top 50 players showing up to play TPC at Las Colinas. For those that don't follow golf beyond Tiger Woods, that's not good.

It's going to be a long summer, so let's get it on.

John Tyler and Plano East 1994

2009-05-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hard to Believe this happened almost 15 years ago...

Classic Lou Holtz Speech

2009-04-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

It has been WAY too long since I updated this blog. Hopefully I can start posting regular baseball updates or at least when I have the time.

In the meantime, Lou Holtz at his finest...

Erin Andrews Photos???, Check... and Interview

2009-01-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

You know updating a blog on a regular basis is harder than it looks. And since the majority of traffic that comes to this site mostly comes from Erin Andrews searches, I feel obligated to give the public what they demand.

Thanks to Mr. SEC.com, we now have a site that has a complete Erin Andrews photo collection. Good work by those guys. I'm not sure the site is fully working yet, but this might be worth the wait.

Some guy from The Fayetteville (That's North Carolina and not Arkansas) Observer gets an interview to Erin Andrews...
Um am i next??

Great bowl review by Rivals

2009-01-07T17:07:00.000-08:00

Ray Maualuga meet Erin Andrews

2009-01-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

Obviously, Rey Maualuga just entered the pantheon of greatness at the Rose Bowl against Penn State. It takes a certain swagger to approach Erin Andrews in any situation, even after your team has just obliterated the Big Ten champion in the Rose Bowl.

The man does not have any easy first (it R-E-Y) or last name to spell, but he will soon become a regular in the NFL

Kudos Rey.

Rey decapitates a UCLA Quarterback...

Rey's Greatest Hits

Catch of the Year

2008-12-29T18:54:00.001-08:00

Check out North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks against West Virginia this past Saturday..

Romo Had a Bad Day

Bob Sturm Talks about the Cowboys Collapse Bob Sturm Talks about the Cowboys Collapse in Philadelphia

Yes, Erin Andrews will be at the Holiday Bowl on January 30th between Oregon and Oklahoma St.

Kevin Dunn on CBS College Sports

2008-12-27T15:04:00.001-08:00

<a href="http://www.joost.com/098e8jw/t/CBS-CS-Chase-ing-Daniel">CBS CS: Chase-ing Daniel</a>

Erin Andrews in Austin

2008-12-11T11:23:00.001-08:00

Wish Granted...

BCS Chaos - Business As Usual

2008-11-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

Texas Tech gets thrashed by OU 65-21 but it could have been much worse

In the not so shocking anymore department, Notre Dame loses to Syracuse

USC is on deck for the Irish.... yikes!!!

11/22 College Football Picks

2008-11-21T18:32:00.000-08:00

It has been a tale of two season for me picking college football games. I could not lose at the start of the year but had a couple bad weeks in late October / early November timeframe.

Plowing on and here is a look at this weekend's games:

@vandy -3 over Tennessee -- I had a little doubt about this Vandy squad prior to the Kentucky game, but a strong performance in lexington leads me to believe that they are ready to put the Vols out for a knockout punch.

michigan St. +15 over Penn St. --
I crashed and burned badly taking Michigan st. and the points against Ohio St. I think this team matches up against a physical penn st. squad and can stay within 2 TD in a most likely bad weather situation at Happy Valley.

@Northwestern +2.5 over Illinois
This should be a hard fought game, but I think NW makes enough plays defensively to pull it out.

Colorado St. -2.5 over Wyoming
Wyoming's O is really terrible and i don't think their D can stop a pretty decent balanced Colo St. offense. Colo St. becomes bowl eligible with a win.

@memphis - over UCF
Bye week for a memphis who will put up too many points on a good UCF defensive squad who can't score any points.

@Rutgers -17 over Army
Army has been feisty this year but runs into a buzzsaw that is Rutgers right now. Watch out for Schiano's bunch the rest of the way.

Texas Tech +7 over OU / Over 74
I think the Sooners eventually pull this one out, but Tech covers the total in a scoring affair.

@Rice -9 over marshall
Rice off a bye puts up too many points for the Herd to hang around.

Lute Olsen Era Starts Poorly at Arizona; Texas Tech HOOPS goes Bezerk

2008-11-21T18:27:00.000-08:00

From Yahoo Sports

Arizona's head-shakingly bad loss to UAB

The video (thanks to College Hoops Journal and Awful Announcing). The relevant fouls take place at about the :25 second and 3:50 marks, respectively:

Tech basketball team scores 167 over a Division II opponent

One Word for Football Weekend - WILD

2008-11-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

Black Kicker Wins Game For Maryland

Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh Rivalry Continues to Build as USC beats Stanford 45-23

Wild Ending to the First 11-10 game in NFL History

Erin Andrews and Bill Murray

2008-09-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Erin Andrews is slowly taking over Corporate America..

Bill Murray visits Austin and hilarity ensues.

9/27 Picks

2008-09-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

I've slacked this year so far on posting my college football picks. While I am off to a torrid start, I have yet to post my plays on this blog. Let's hope the good run continues.

First, check out super redshirt Freshman QB Robert Griffin of Baylor who is making some waves down in Waco this year.

Here is what I like this weekend:

Colorado +6 over Florida St. (in Jax) --

Florida St. had 7 Turnovers against Wake last weekend so I guess their offensive woes are not over. Colorado is gritty as hell this year and I expect their defense to keep them in this one. While FSU will have the fan advantage, only 40K tickets were sold as of midweek.

@Penn St. -16 over Illinois --

This spread has moved most likely because of the return of both Penn St. defensive Lineman who were reinstated earlier this week Penn St. has been a covering machine so far this year so we will see if it continues in their big 10 opener.

@UNLV -4 over Nevada --

UNLV all of a sudden looks pretty salty after wins against Arizona St. and Iowa St. This is a bitter rivalry and Nevada has won the last few in this series. I think it changes this week. Hat tip to dolly for his inside info on the Rebels.

Northwestern +8.5 over Iowa --

Iowa traditionally is very tough at home under Ferentz. But Northwestern quietly has been building their program and I expect this one to be close.

Wisky -6 over Michigan --

Both teams off a bye week and I think Wisconsin needs to have a good showing prior to bigger tilts against Ohio St. and Penn ST. I don't think Michigan has enough to stay in this one even at home.

Bama +7 over Georgia --

This series is historically very tight and I see no reason for this game to be any different. Take the points even on the road with Bama...

Good luck to everyone this week...

College Football = Erin Andrews

2008-09-06T08:35:00.001-07:00

Week 2 of the college football season and outside of a few intriguing matchups (East Carolina / West Virginia and Ole Miss/Wake Forest), the slate is full of blowout potential or outright snoozefests. With the monumental September 13th matchups on the horizon,

I stumbled across this Deadspin site that is a good location for all things Erin Andrews.

Greg Davis Gets Creative

2008-08-22T16:29:00.001-07:00

At least according to Orangebloods.com columnist Chip Brown. It turns out Mack Brown is actually one of the main reasons Texas has looked vanilla on offense in some big games in recent memory.

From the article:

anyone has wanted to push the envelope offensively, it's Davis, who drew up game plans for converted slot back Hines Ward to play quarterback at Georgia in 1995. Ward stepped in when the team's top two quarterbacks went down with injuries. Ward ended up setting a school bowl game record by completing 31-of-59 passes for 413 yards in the Peach Bowl that year.

If anyone's been tapping the brakes, it's Brown. What you've seen on offense at Texas the last 10 years is what Brown is willing to permit. Brown's philosophy has essentially been to opposing defenses, "You know what we're going to run, but we have better talent and we will out-execute you."That was reiterated by former UT quarterback Major Applewhite, who helped pull off one of Brown's three signature wins at Texas - at Nebraska in 1998 (at Ohio State in 2005 and USC are the others).

"Greg has plenty of creativity," Applewhite said. "As a coordinator, having been one, you can get as crazy as you want to get. But when you've got great players, you've got to toe the line on that. If you've got great players, you can beat most of the teams if you execute.

"But we're going to add wrinkles as we need to feature our players, as Coach Davis has done. But at the same time, we do a good job recruiting, and we need to trust our scheme and what we do and execute and not just be a team with a bunch of gadget and trick plays. I think we can line up and beat people, but we also have those wrinkles to add some multiplicity to what we do."

Brown has final say over each play called by Davis.

"Greg and I discuss every game plan," Brown said. "I hear every play, and one of the things I can do because he's tough and not sensitive at all - if I don't like something he's doing I can tell him and he'll listen. He's got an opinion about it, and if he doesn't like it he'll tell me. But if it needs to be changed, he'll change it."

I'd have to think there have been more than 3 signature wins under Brown, but that's just me...

The Will Muschamp factor

The Pirate Leach Recruits Jamaica

2008-08-21T19:16:00.000-07:00

At least, he has thought about it. Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach watched the Olympics and 100M and 200M sprinter Usain Bolt win gold medals in both events.

Here are Leach's comments on the Carribbean country...

I got to be honest, I've been thinking about recruiting Jamaica since I saw that stuff," Leach told hosts Andrew Siciliano and Krystal Fernandez. "I've been to Jamaica and let me tell you something ... here's the extent that I've thought about that subject, there's approximately 2.8 million people in Jamaica, which is approximately the size of the state of Iowa or Kansas, or the city of Houston.

"It's almost like the country of Jamaica is sitting there saying, 'If you would have just told us that this was important we could have won a lot of this stuff a long time ago.'

Thanks to Wizard of Odds for this find off the Dallas Morning News Blog..

The Cotton Bowl continues its upgrades and I got to be honest.

They look good.

Manny Mania

2008-08-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

You know I'm not a big fan of Dan Shaughnessy or any of the Boston media for that matter. His article about Manny Ramirez and his agent Scott Boras is pretty interesting.

Manny is still mashing for LA, but his effort is being questioned during his last days in Boston.

It's a shame but that's life when you are dealing with any of Scott Boras clients. It will be interesting to see how Boras client Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez end up doing with their new teams assuming both the Dodgers and Angels make the playoffs.

I'm still rooting for Manny to do well and unfortunately cannot say the same for Teixeira.

Hell, his new manager Joe Torre even managed to get him to cut his hair recently.

Opening Week Lines - Early Looks

2008-08-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

You know, it's almost too good to be true but the college football season is only 2 weeks away. It's funny with college football because there might not be a ton of great nonconference games anymore as the big conference schools don't like to schedule against each other very often. It doesn't really matter though because I can watch any game and can't wait to get this season started.

My early guess as to the best game of the first week is not until Monday night with Fresno and Rutgers two prominent up and coming programs in years past square off with good talent on both squads.

I have a handful early leans as to games I've already identified at first glance. Keep in mind that I usually don't play very heavy early in the season and I stay away from big spreads for the most part. I will most likely play quite a few games at a similar level. If things go well early, I may load up on 1 or 2 games that I really like opening weekend. The key thing to remember is not to overextend yourself early in the season and not put too much money at risk opening weekend.

With all that said, I like these plays early:

@Buffalo -3 over UTEP : I like what Turner Gill is doing with the Bulls and UTEP has a long road trip right off the bat. Still thinking about this one...

@Stanford +3 over Oregon St.: When the lines initially came out, this line was closer to 6 which I really loved but I still think 3 is good value. Oregon St. really loses a lot and Stanford has a lot of key personnel coming back from an improving team that didn't do a lot last year outside of the gigantic upset (biggest upset in NCAA history by number of pts. -- +41) of USC. Take the Cardinal

Utah +3.5 over Michigan: This line opened closer to a TD so I'm going to have think about this one before I pull the trigger. Still, Michigan has a lot to think heading into this one with ghosts of Appy St. still dancing in their head.

W. Michigan +14 over Nebraska: I'm still not sold on Nebraska and W. Michigan is no slouch. Still thinking about this one.

@Kent +10 over BC: Notice the MAC trend. I think the conference makes some noise opening weekend but this is more a despise BC pick than anything else.

East Carolina +10 over VT (in Charlotte): VT normally takes a while to get rolling and ECU is riding high after a huge bowl win over Boise ST. Even with the big loss of Chris Johnson, I'll take the Pirates on a neutral field to cover the number.

Fresno +5.5 over Rutgers: I think Rutgers is going to be good without Ray Rice, but Fresno is hungry this year and will use previous nonconference road game experience to make this game a war.

It's almost time gentlemen!

Rest of the lines:

Thu 8/28 127 UTEP +3 -103
04:00 PM 128 Buffalo U -3 -107

Thu 8/28 129 Vanderbilt +3 -103
04:30 PM 130 Miami Ohio -3 -107

Thu 8/28 131 NC State +11.5 +103
05:00 PM 132 South Carolina -11.5 -113

Thu 8/28 133 Wake Forest -12.5 -105
05:00 PM 134 Baylor +12.5 -105

Thu 8/28 135 Oregon State -3 -109
06:00 PM 136 Stanford +3 -101
Thu 8/28 137 Troy -6.5 -111

04:00 PM 138 Middle Tenn St +6.5 +101
NCAA Football - Fri 8/29

Fri 8/29 145 Temple -7 -105
04:00 PM 146 Army +7 -105

Fri 8/29 147 SMU +3 -101
05:00 PM 148 Rice -3 -109

NCAA Football - Sat 8/30

Sat 8/30 149 Utah +3.5 -109
09:00 AM 150 Michigan -3.5 -101

Sat 8/30 151 Syracuse +12 -105
09:00 AM 152 Northwestern -12 -105

Sat 8/30 153 Memphis +8 -105
04:00 PM 154 Mississippi -8 -105

Sat 8/30 155 Ohio +10 +101
11:00 AM 156 Wyoming -10 -111

Sat 8/30 157 Akron +26.5 -105
11:00 AM 158 Wisconsin -26.5 -105

Sat 8/30 159 Western Michigan +14 -114
11:00 AM 160 Nebraska -14 +104

Sat 8/30 161 Washington U +13.5 -102
12:30 PM 162 Oregon -13.5 -108

Sat 8/30 163 Tulsa -14.5 -101
01:00 PM 164 UAB +14.5 -109

Sat 8/30 165 TCU -6.5 -111
03:00 PM 166 New Mexico +6.5 +101

Sat 8/30 167 Mississippi St -8.5 -101
04:00 PM 168 Louisiana Tech +8.5 -109

Sat 8/30 169 Boston College -10 +107
04:00 PM 170 Kent +10 -117

Sat 8/30 171 Oklahoma State -6 -106
04:00 PM 172 Washington State +6 -104

Sat 8/30 173 No Illinois +8.5 -112
04:00 PM 174 Minnesota U -8.5 +102

Sat 8/30 175 Bowling Green +12.5 -105
04:00 PM 176 Pittsburgh U -12.5 -105

Sat 8/30 177 Hawaii +34.5 +100
04:00 PM 178 Florida -34.5 -110

Sat 8/30 179 Virginia Tech -10 +101
04:30 PM 180 East Carolina +10 -111

Sat 8/30 181 Illinois +8 +103
04:45 PM 182 Missouri -8 -113

Sat 8/30 183 Michigan State +5.5 -105
05:00 PM 184 California -5.5 -105

Sat 8/30 185 USC -19.5 -105
05:00 PM 186 Virginia +19.5 -105

Sat 8/30 187 Alabama +5 -105
05:00 PM 188 Clemson -5 -105

Sat 8/30 189 Idaho +27 -108
07:00 PM 190 Arizona U -27 -102

Sat 8/30 191 Utah State +12.5 -105
07:00 PM 192 UNLV -12.5 -105

Sat 8/30 193 Western Kentucky +21 -105
09:00 AM 194 Indiana -21 -105

Sat 8/30 195 Ul Monroe +26.5 -105
11:00 AM 196 Auburn -26.5 -105

Sat 8/30 197 UL Lafayette +10.5 -112
04:00 PM 198 So Mississippi -10.5 +102

Sat 8/30 199 Florida Atlantic +23 -105
04:00 PM 200 Texas -23 -105

Sat 8/30 201 Florida Intl +37 -115
04:00 PM 202 Kansas -37 +105

Sat 8/30 203 Arkansas State +20.5 -105
04:00 PM 204 Texas A&M -20.5 -105

Sat 8/30 205 North Texas +24 -102
04:10 PM 206 Kansas State -24 -108

NCAA Football - Sun 8/31

Sun 8/31 207 Kentucky +4.5 -103
12:30 PM 208 Louisville -4.5 -107

Sun 8/31 209 Colorado -11.5 -105
04:30 PM 210 Colorado State +11.5 -105

NCAA Football - Mon 9/1

Mon 9/1 211 Fresno State +5.5 -110
01:00 PM 212 Rutgers -5.5 +100
Mon 9/1 213 Tennessee U -7 -101
05:00 PM 214 UCLA +7 -109

Hottest Woman on Television

2008-08-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sure, Hollywood actresses get all of the buzz, but many Americans are unfamiliar with one of the best looking woman gracing the airwaves currently.

Unless you have been watching TV in France or scouring youtube, this name will mean nothing to you... Melissa Theuriau.

Now, I am a happily married man but I have been familiar with Ms. Theariau for quite some time. And I think it's time you should get to know her as well.

Here is Melissa's Wikipida page...

Mellissa doing the News

Theuriau Youtube

So now you know, and the news has never seemed so interesting.

College Football

2008-08-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

For whatever reason, my blog seems to be getting a lot more hits recently and it certainly isn't about content or layout change. Which by the way, I plan on updating the layout now that I have an Apple Computer and hopefully will be able to give the blog a facelift.

But somewhere I am getting hits because Erin Andrews is searched on the internet, A LOT....

College Football is the no question #1 sport followed on this blog and I will make sure to update more during the season this year. There will be links, recaps, and picks against the line hopefully weekly. I am studying for Level I of the CFA exam so this hopefully will be the beginning of bigger and better things.

For now, here are some links to college football sites out there that are worth checking out....

If you go to one website during college football season, it should be this one...

The Wizard of Odds

Best Texas Fan Site on Web

Sunday Morning QB

Every Day Should be Saturday - A little SEC slant but fantastic during the season

And oh yea, the obligatory Erin Andrews link as well..

Erin Andrews backlash in Chicago???, Say it ain't so!

Week 1 lines are out. I will have my early analysis shortly...

DKR Expansion

2008-06-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

A very cool timelapse of the expansion project at Texas' Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium spanning three years.

Tiger Does It Again

2008-06-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Jason Sobel over at ESPN.com takes a shot at ranking Tiger Woods' Major wins in terms of importance.

I'm 29 years old right now and too young to remember when Michael Jordan started his career at North Carolina. In fact, you could probably say that I became cognizant of Jordan right at about the time he was averaging 37 points a game in 1987. Right before the Bulls would win 6 out of 8 NBA titles starting in the early 1990s was when Jordan became the greatest athlete on the Plano. Tiger Woods right now and assuming he comes back from his knee injury okay is the greatest athlete on the planet right now. I am fortunate enough to consider myself a professional golf fan well before Tiger's career started. Back B.T. (or before Tiger) the PGA tour was followed by old guys and hardcore golf fans. I fell into the latter category and I loved every minute. I remember when Tiger Woods won his first U.S. Amateur at Sawgrass. I remember when Tiger made his professional PGA tour debut the Greater Milwaukee Open. I certainly remmeber where I was during the 1997 Masters.

Anyway, it's hard to argue with his list. Here it is:

1. 1997 Masters
Woods' initial major championship remains the standard-bearer against which all his subsequent accomplishments should be measured. The win didn't just change the game; it changed the world. His jaunt through Augusta National broke down barriers, dispelling the notion that golf was a homogenous game built only for those of a specific bloodline. One day after Woods won that tournament, masses of people were inspired to try the game on courses and driving ranges around the world. That weekend golf became cool. It became popular. It became young and hip and brash -- all because of a young man named Tiger Woods, who usurped the world's best players by a record 12 strokes on the game's grandest stage.

Tiger's Take: "I never thought I would have a lead like I did. You envision dueling it out with Nicklaus or Watson or Faldo, but never to do it in the fashion I did."

2. 2008 U.S. Open
On its own, the torment at Torrey Pines may have been Tiger's most nail-biting, odds-defying victory to date. The six-hole stretch on Saturday that featured two lengthy eagle putts and a chip-in birdie that propelled him into the lead was brilliant; the make-or-break final-hole birdie putt on Sunday was triumphant; the 18-hole standstill with Mediate and ensuing sudden death victory on Monday were exhilarating. But it all holds extra cachet because of how badly injured Woods' not-quite-fully-rehabilitated left knee really was during the tournament and how little preparation he was able to do beforehand.

Tiger's Take: "I think this is the best, just because of all of the things I had to deal with. … It's a close one to the first one I won. But with all the things considered this week, yeah."

3. 2000 U.S. Open
Two words: Utter dominance. There has never been a major so soundly ruled over than this affair at Pebble Beach. Officially, Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez tied for second place at 3 over par. Tiger? He was 12 under. Most players win the U.S. Open by 15 and then wake up when the alarm goes off. Woods' dream was reality -- and doesn't even crack the top two on his list anymore.

Tiger's Take: "I got the trophy. Now I get to go home. But you don't really understand exactly what you've done, until time passes. And I'll appreciate this win a lot more in the future than I do right now, because I'm too close to the moment. And I had a wonderful week, a great week, actually, but I can't really tell you historically what it really means. I've been told that I've set a few records, but I don't really know what they are. I haven't had time. … The only thing I know is I got the trophy sitting right next to me."

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Alastair Grant

Nearly two months after his father died, Tiger Woods won the 2006 British Open. Woods embraced caddie Steve Williams on the 18th green in a clear display of emotion rarely shown publicly by the world's No. 1-ranked golfer.
4. 2000 British Open
Asked on Monday to name his third greatest major feat (after this week's Open and the '97 Masters), Woods chose this one -- and for good reason. His compelling domination at St. Andrews led to an 8-stroke victory, but more importantly sealed his place among the all-time legends of the game, as Tiger joined Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player as the only players to claim the career Grand Slam.

Tiger's Take: "It's the ultimate," Woods said. "This is the home of golf. This is where you always want to win. To have a chance to complete the slam at St. Andrews is pretty special. I was able to bring it home."

5. 2001 Masters
No player in the modern era has ever accomplished the Grand Slam, winning all four professional majors in the same year. But after beating David Duval by two strokes for his second Masters win, Woods staked a claim to what became known as the Tiger Slam, as he held all four major trophies on his mantel at the very same time.

Tiger's Take: "When I won in '97, I had not been a pro a full year yet. I guess I was a little young, a little naive, and didn't understand what I accomplished, for at least a year or two after that event. This year, I understand. I've been around the block. I've witnessed a lot of things since that year. You know, I have better appreciation for winning a major championship, and to win it -- to win four of them in succession -- it's just, it's hard to believe, really, because there's so many things that go into winning a major championship."

6. 2006 British Open
Solemn and steely-eyed on the course, Woods never displayed the internal emotion that he was carrying throughout the four rounds … until his final putt dropped. Less than three months after his father, Earl, passed away, Tiger broke down in a rare display of public effusion, clutching caddie Steve Williams in a tight embrace while tears welled up in his eyes.

Tiger's Take: "At that moment, it just came pouring out and of all the things that my father has meant to me and the game of golf, and I just wish he could have seen it one more time. I was pretty bummed out after not winning the Masters, because I knew that was the last major he was ever going to see. So that one hurt a little bit. And finally to get this one, it's just unfortunate that he wasn't here to see it."

7. 2000 PGA Championship
Proving that sometimes the greatest challenges can come from the unlikeliest of sources, little-known Bob May matched Woods shot for shot at Valhalla. In a major championship version of Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better, Tiger showed that he was better than the absolute best May had to offer. The result was entertainment for the ages.

Tiger's Take: "The fireworks started on the back nine. This is probably one of the greatest duels I've ever had in my life. Hats off to Bob. He played his heart out.''

8. 2005 Masters
You'll remember The Chip. You know, the one on 16 that landed some 30 feet above the hole only to funnel toward the cup and hang inexplicably on the lip before swooshing its way into the hole. The bogey-bogey finish that followed? The playoff against Chris DiMarco? They all take a backseat to one of the most memorable shots of Tiger's career, which led to his first victory in his last 10 major appearances, the culmination of massive swing changes in previous years.

Tiger's Take: "More than anything, it's validation of all the hard work I've put into it. Hank [Haney] and I have put some serious hours into this and, you know, I read some of the articles over [the] past year of him getting ripped, I'm getting ripped for all the changes I'm making, and to play as beautifully as I did this entire week is pretty cool."

9. 1999 PGA Championship
With only one major to Woods' credit -- and none in his previous 10 attempts -- those who had anointed Woods as the Next Big Thing were already looking for the next Next Big Thing. They thought they had found it in Sergio Garcia, an excitable 19-year-old Spaniard who had the look and athleticism to be Tiger's longtime rival. Woods got the best of his young peer that week -- and the chalk outline of Garcia's major career may still rest somewhere on the final holes at Medinah.

Tiger's Take: "To come out of it on top took everything out of me. I just tried to hold him off and did the best I could."

10. 2002 U.S. Open
A return to a municipal facility brought a sense of energy back to the Open and no player was better suited to win one for the blue-collar crowd than Woods. To this day, it remains the lone major in which he and Phil Mickelson finished as the top two competitors, though in reality Tiger's 3-stroke win wasn't met with much of a challenge down the stretch.

Tiger's Take: "It's so hard to describe how good it feels to win a major championship, because it takes so much out of you, and it's so difficult to do because you have to really play well. And you've got to be at the top of your game in order to win a major championship. You can't go out and slop it around and win. And it's just really neat to look at the guys on the list that I'm a part of now. And hopefully my career will keep being positive."

11. 2002 Masters
By lengthening their course nearly 300 yards, Augusta National officials believed they were "Tiger-proofing" the Masters and setting a more level playing field. Think again. Woods surgically dismantled the larger ballpark, winning by 3 strokes to earn his second-straight green jacket and third overall -- trailing only Nicklaus and Palmer on the all-time list.

Tiger's Take: "I keep saying it -- you've got to have some good breaks. I played well this week, made some good putts when I really needed them, but I had some good breaks as well. I was able to somehow finagle a way to get up and down and save a lot of pars this week."

12. 2007 PGA Championship
Frankly, we're still trying to figure out how Woods doesn't own the all-time major championship single-round scoring record by his lonesome, rather than sharing it with some two dozen others. He shot 63 in the second round at Southern Hills, but was left befuddled when his final birdie attempt of the day failed to find the bottom of the cup, leading him to call it a round of "62½." That score did give him the 36-hole lead, though, one which he would never relinquish en route to claiming his first major win since his daughter, Sam, was born.

Tiger's Take: "It's a feeling I've never had before, having Sam there and having Elin there. It feels a lot more special when you have your family there. … So it's evolved, and this one feels so much more special than the other majors. … I was so excited and just want to give Elin and Sam a kiss and get back to signing my scorecard."

13. 2005 British Open
What does it say about a man who can claim a Claret Jug for the second time in as many attempts at the vaunted home of golf, and still have it rank so far down on this list? On a week remembered more for his idol Jack Nicklaus' retiring from major competition, Woods conquered St. Andrews to the tune of a 5-stroke victory -- his largest winning margin at a major in five years.

Tiger's Take: "It's pretty cool. I've kind of gone one past halfway. Jack's got 18, now I have 10. Man, I tell you what, I honestly -- when I first started playing the tour -- I didn't think I'd have this many majors before the age of 30. There's no way. No one ever has. Usually the golden years are in your 30s for a golfer. Hopefully, that will be the case."

14. 2006 PGA Championship
There's no such thing as a "bad" major title and picking one would be like naming a least-favorite child. But Woods' victory at Medinah is certainly the least memorable of the 14 wins. He took sole possession of the lead on the opening hole of the final round and never relinquished it, earning a 5-stroke victory without ever seriously being challenged. If you dozed off and don't remember, don't feel too guilty.

Tiger's Take: "It was a special day out there. I just had one of those magical days on the greens today. I just felt like if I got the ball anywhere on the green, I could make it. It's not too often you get days like that, and I happened to have it on the final round of a major championship. So it was a really neat feeling to have."

Bye Bye Reunion

2008-06-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Reunion Arena may be no longer according to news coming out of Dallas City Hall tonight

According to the Dallas Morning News,

On Tuesday, the Dallas City Council's economic development committee unanimously recommended closing Reunion Arena by month's end and preparing the 28-year-old facility for demolition

Off the top of my head, the two biggest events in Reunion Arena history were the 1986 final four and the Stanley Cup finals in 1999 and 2000. Many great memories of that place but it is time to let go...

Beatles Because They Kick Ass

2008-06-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is most definitely still a sports blog but it never hurts to cover other topics and since I have come across this site recently and I know the Beatles are relevant for basically any generation.

This site has a bunch of YouTube clips and other videos of the Beatles throughout the years and much of these not many people have probably seen if ever in their lifetimes. Cool Stuff.

Here is a link to the site

Just a sample, but here is Paul and the rest of the band singing "Don't Let me Down"

Secretariat

2008-06-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

Seeing Big Brown strangely finish dead last in the Belmont Stakes after looking so invincible in the Preakness and Kentucky Derby was very strange.

There have been many close calls, but the last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978 and it now 30 years and counting. Of all the great horses in history, noone will every touch Secretariat for sheer dominance.

Check out the footage of the 1973 Belmont...

Greatest Post Game Rant Ever

2008-06-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

Watching Ozzie Guillen's rant and the Mariners manger John McLaren go nuts last week brought back fond memories of the greatest post game rant by any manager and probably ever.

Hal McRae

Erin Andrews Interview

2008-06-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Jamie Mottram of Mr. Irrelevant and Dan Steinberg of D.C. Sports Blog interview Erin Andrews for the Blog Show. Thanks to Awful Announcing.

Because I know a mention of Erin Andrews always gets cheap hits, and she is greatness. Apparently she just turned 30.

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

I know my buddy Cuyler loves when I give YouTube links, so I hope he enjoys this Memorial Weekend update to the Blog.

Phil Mickelson wins the Colonial in dramatic fashion and I doubt many saw it being Memorial Day weekend and all.

Good post on Burnt Orange Nation about the state of the Texas secondary going into the 2008 season...

$72 million dollar house in DFW area...

Incredible high school basketball ending...

Cowboys Draft Picks

2008-04-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

1 22nd overall -- Felix Jones RB ARKANSAS
From Cleveland

Jerry Jones may not have gotten Darren McFadden, but he did get an Arkansas running back. Felix Jones is not a power back who is going to consistently push the pile in short-yardage situations, and the fact that he shared carries with McFadden in college and lacks elite size raise concerns about his ability to carry a heavy workload. However, he is a big play waiting to happen; he's quick around the corner, shifty enough to make the first defender miss and turns on the jets in the open field.

1 25th overall -- Mike Jenkins CB SOUTH FLORIDA
From Seattle

Jenkins doesn't have a great deal of upper-body strength and struggles to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. You'd also like to see him capitalize on more opportunities to make big plays. That said, he has the potential to develop excellent man-to-man cover skills because he opens his hips well and is a quick, fast athlete. There's also a lot to like about his versatility; he can line up at safety and can make an impact as a kick returner.

2 - 61 overall

Martellus Bennett TE TEXAS A&M
Bennett isn't an elite run-blocker and doesnt have great top-end speed. However, he's a great value. Watching him on film and knowing that he played college basketball for two seasons, it's hard not to compare him to San Diego tight end Antonio Gates. Much like Gates, Bennett knows how to use his size to box defenders out and he can make tough catches in traffic. Taking the comparison even further, Bennett is versatile enough to flex out wide as Gates does in the Chargers' offense.
Complete analysis

4 - 122nd overall

Tashard Choice RB GEORGIA TECH
From Cleveland
Choice doesn't have breakaway speed and will put the ball on the ground, but he reads his blocks well and is a north-south runner who falls forward. He is the second running back the Cowboys have drafted and will provide depth. Also, there may be concern about getting Marion Barber signed long term.

5 143rd overall -- Orlando Scandrick CB BOISE STATE
From Chicago through Buffalo and Jacksonville

Scandrick probably would've been better off returning for his senior year so he could work on his footwork and add some weight to his frame. On the other hand, he's fast enough to run with receivers downfield and opens his hips quickly. He also has shown a knack for blocking kicks and can make an impact in the return game.

6 167 overall Erik Walden DE MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
From Miami

Walden excels at getting to the quarterback and has experience lining up at linebacker and end. This is the second pick in a row in which we feel Dallas has reached; Walden isn't big enough to hold his ground at defensive end position and his speed will make it difficult for him to be effective in coverage as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Ron Washington on the ropes and Cowboys Draft

2008-04-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Adam Morris over at Lone Star Ball is reporting on the possible imminent departure of Ron Washington as Manger of the Rangers

"Evan Grant says the triumvirate of Tom Hicks, Nolan Ryan, and Jon Daniels are meeting for lunch around now. He says Ryan and Daniels are supposed to meet with Ron Washington, as well, but doesn't know if it was before this meeting or after."

I personally think Jon Daniels needs to do something and this might be the best option.

Cowboys have 3 picks in the top 61 of tomorrow's draft and should probably go after WR, DE/DT, and Running Back. But we'll see. It should be interesting....

Worst Announcer Ever

2008-04-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

After this fine work, Jeff Brantley might be a good candidate...

Opening Day

2008-03-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

What a great time of the year!

March Madness is in full swing and we will be witnessing the first final four with all #1 seeds for the first time since seeding started in 1979.

Baseball season is just getting started and the Masters is around the corner.

A&M / UCLA Gold

The Bracket

The Next Koufax and Wearing Red

2008-03-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Baseball probably reached the peak of its popularity in this country in the 1950s. While the sport was huge in the 20s and 30s, after World War II major league baseball expanded out West starting with the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn and Giants leaving from New York for San Francisco(both in 1957) and going from there.

While Baseball is not considered a growing sport because it is too slow for this ADD generation, the sport will always have more nostalgia than any other and its fans are no less passionate then they were 25 or 50 years ago. With that being said, there is still nothing to me like baseball. Maybe it's because I was born in a baseball town (St. Louis), but I love America's pastime. With the season less than a month away, I figured I would give some baseball tidbits...

I picked up my tickets for the first 5 games of the Rangers season today so I am pretty pumped even if the team is probably headed nowhere. The kids in the Minors are hopefully not far away so hope always springs eternal at this point of the season.

Maybe the Rangers would be better served going back to their red uniforms.

Apparently, teams in Red win more

Highland Park Product and Uber Prospect Clayton Kershaw is going to be a very good pitcher barring some sort of collapse. He is only 20 years but arleady he is drawing comparisons to the great Sandy Koufax. Watch this clip of Kershaw's curveball and you might become a believer yourself.

Jimmy Kimmel is Fu**king Ben Affleck

2008-02-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

The ongoing YouTube feud between Jimmey Kimmel and his girlfriend Sara Silverman has reached epic proportions.

Check out Kimmel's latest work:

Sarah's initial video that got the feud started with Matt Damon

Jimmy and Matt have a history

Damon does Matthew McConaughey

Texas and A&M Back to Thanksgiving

2008-02-25T13:09:00.001-08:00

Brian Gamble (linebacker) after the infamous 1999 game following the Bonfire tragedy. I remember the early ass kickoff and the breakfast fiasco where the Longhorns never got served any at the Ramada. They ended up eating at IHOP or something. Major got food poisoning and Chris Samms had to start his first game as a Freshman in front of the most fired up crowd you've ever seen. I was in the stands that day and will never forget it:

The 1999 Aggie Bonfire Tragedy

Longhorn Band Remembers the Tragedy

Simms gets his revenge in 2000

Ricky in his younger days, back in 1995, which was the last game in the SWC history:

Highlights from the 1995, a Texas win clinching the last SWC championship

Texas A&M and Texas will play their annual rivalry game on Thanksgiving night this year for the first time since 1993.

"I'm thrilled that ESPN has offered to move the game back to that traditional date of Thanksgiving," A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said.

The new contract calls for the game to be played on Thanksgiving the next two seasons. For more than a decade, the game has been played on the day after Thanksgiving.

"This tradition-rich rivalry between two great universities deserves this type of exposure," first-year A&M coach Mike Sherman said.

Yes We Can

2008-02-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

Big 12 Hoops Race

2008-02-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

Taking a look at the Big 12 ratings, there is still much uncertainity about who is going to make the NCAA field out of the conference.

While it looked a couple weeks ago like the league would get at 5 teams in and probably 6, much has chaged at this point with 4 games remaining for each team.

Baylor and Texas A&M both find themselves squarely on the bubble.

Here is the outlook right now:

For sure in the field of 65
Texas, Kansas, and Kansas St.

4 teams now stand at 6-6 in the conference and it will be tough for any of these teams to get in the field with only a .500 record in conference meaning these four teams need to win 3 of their last 4 conference games to gaurantee an at large bid. It would be a shame if the conference only gets 4 teams in this year, because overall the quality has been very good this year in the Big 12 and I have been known to criticize the conference in the past.

Anyways, here is a look at the four buble teams.

Baylor -- 17-8 overall 37 RPI 32 Strength of Schedule

Wins over Notre Dame and South Carolina. Losses to Arkansas, WAZZU.

Ramaining Games: at Colorado, Mizzou, A&M, at Tech

Texas A&M -- 19 - 7 overall 44 RPI 77 SOS

Wins over Ohio st. and alabama, Losses to Arizona

Remaining GAmes: Tech, at OU, at Baylor, Kansas

Texas Tech -- 14-11 overall 56 RPI 7 SOS

Wins over Gonzaga Losses to Butler, SHSU, New Mexico, Stanford

at A&M, Texas, at Kansas, Baylor

Oklahoma -- 18-9 overall, 28 RPI 6 SOS

Wins over Arkansas, Gonzaga, West Virginia Losses to Memphis, USC, Stephen F. Austin

@Nebraska, Texas A&M, @Okie St., Mizzou

If I had to make a guess looking at these resumes, I think Baylor and Oklahoma will 3 out of their last 4 to give the big twelve 5 NCAA teams with the outside possiblity of 6 if one of these other teams makes a deep conference tournament run.

Watch out for Oklahoma's trip to Lincoln and Baylor's trip to boulder because both games are huge trap situations.....

It should be interesting these last 2 weeks.

DIRK and JFK

2008-02-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

Since I know very few people probably watched the NBA All-Star game, check out Dirk Nowitzski's new TV Commercial.

See Description below from Robert Wilonski on wonderful UnFair Park blog by the Dallas Observer.

Till I can find a better version of the NBA's "Where Amazing Happens" ad featuring Dirk Nowitzki, which debuted last night during the NBA All-Star Game, this shot-off-a-TV version will have to do. One significant note: It's the first player-produced ad -- which is why Dirk told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday, "It's definitely good."

--Robert Wilonsky

Some breaking news in the JFK Assassination Story by Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins...

Okay, not really, but it would be cool wouldn't it?

Anybody that is at all interested in the JFK Assassination has to see this Frontline Special. It changed my life...

Texas

2008-02-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

In honor of my good friend Cuyler's return to Texas, here a couple of You Tube clips from our beloved Longhorns.

Kenton Paulino hits one of the biggest shots in Longhorn Basketball history to beat West Virginia in the 2006 tournament sweet 16 in Atlanta...

Do you remember who Texas lost to in the Elite 8 game to reach the final four?

LSU would knock the Longhorns out to reach the final four.

4) LSU 70, (2) Texas 60 (OT)

Though the game was close throughout, Texas needed a three-pointer from Daniel Gibson to tie the game and send it to overtime. Gibson's shot, however, was the closest Texas came to defeating LSU, as the Tigers took over in overtime. LSU's Glen "Big Baby" Davis had 26 points and a game-clinching three-pointer while Tyrus Thomas chipped in 21 points and thirteen rebounds. Gibson had 15 but teammate LaMarcus Aldridge was a non-factor, scoring only four points as LSU advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1986.

In my first ever game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium back in 1996, check out this hit by Bryant Westbrook . Don't ask who I was rooting for.. Check out the cameo by once uber recruit Ron Powlus .

More Westbrook against Texas A&M in the final SWC game in history...

In case you have been in a cave the last few months, new Texas Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is a bad man....

Where are They Now?

2008-01-23T19:51:00.000-08:00

I grew up loving Notre Dame. This is no secret and anyone who has known me for any length of time knows I have a soft spot in my heart for Notre Dame. While the 2005 Texas football season will always be my most memorable year from a fan standpoint, the 1993 Notre Dame season ranks a close 2nd as far as interest and satisfaction in watching a team play.

In 2005, I had the good fortune of seeing that team play multiple times including its 4 most important games:

09/03/05 La.-Lafayette W 60-3

09/10/05 @ Ohio St. W 25-22

09/17/05 Rice W 51-10

10/01/05 @ Missouri W 51-20

10/08/05 + Oklahoma W 45-12

10/15/05 Colorado W 42-17

10/22/05 Texas Tech W 52-17

10/29/05 @ Oklahoma St. W 47-28

11/05/05 @ Baylor W 62-0

11/12/05 KansasW 66-14

11/25/05@ Texas A&M W 40-29

12/03/05+ Colorado W 70-3

01/04/06+ Southern California W 41-38

The 4 games I attended that year were Ohio St, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Southern California. The years prior to '05 I was able to attend many more home games, but I wouldn't trade the experience and those 4 games listed for anything.

Well, if you think about that '05 season that is how I felt for the 1993 Notre Dame season. I only saw that team in person once at the Cotton bowl after their tragic loss to Boston College.

Take a look at ND's schedule from 1993:

9/4 Northwestern 27 -12 W

9/11 @Michigan 27 -23 W

9/13 michigan st. 36 - 14 W

9/25 @ Purdue 17 - 0 W

10/2 @ Stanford 48 - 20 W

10/9 Pittsburgh 48 - 0 W

10/16 @ Brigham Young 45 - 20 W

10 / 23 Southern Cal 31 - 13 W

10 /30 Navy 58 - 27 W

11/13 Fla St. 31 - 24 W

11/20 BC 39 - 41 L

1/1 TExas A&M 24 - 21 W

Here is an interview with the QB from that Notre DAme team and listed as one of my heros on myspace page.

Kevin McDougal remembers 1993 Notre Dame

Here are some YouTube Clips of the above seasons.

Famous NBC Intro of the "Game of the Century" #1 florida st. vs. #2 notre dame in Southbend

Heartbreak against Boston College

Now to happier times...

Texas stuns Ohio St. in the HOrseshoe

Sidenote that I was in this endzone where the winning score occurred surrounded by Buckeyes...

Vince beats USC Iwas in this endzone as well surrounded by SC fans...

Ohhh, we need to see it again...

Mike Gundy

2008-01-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

This Mike Gundy You Tube moment is worth visiting again. Here are a couple of links for your viewing pleasure..

Gundy becomes famous

Gundy Coors Light Commerical

Linkage

2007-12-12T22:55:00.001-08:00

Arkansas finally found their new coach and Bobby Petrino is the guy.

And Atlanta is not exactly thrilled with the hire...

One of Shawn Kemp's many offspring is a bigtime recruit for the 2009 Class. I'm sure Kentucky would love to get the son of the former Wildcat signee

This is absolute gold from PGA tour rising star Boo Weekley..

Tiger and Q-School

2007-12-05T22:20:00.000-08:00

I have been watching PGA Tour Q-School and the pressure involved with playing that last round trying to earn your tour card has to be one of the most pressure situations in sports. The top 25 and ties after 6 rounds make it every year onto tour the remaining top finishers are relegated to the Nationwide Tour a sort of purgatory before you will ever get a chance at the Big Show again.

It's pure drama and looking around for YouTube about Q-school items, I found nothing but I did find this. Enjoy..

Happenings

2007-12-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

Some Random Sports Quick Hits

Tigers and Marlins complete a monster deal in Major League Baseball. Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera go to the Tigers for 6 minor leaguers, including super prospect Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller among others. The Tigers lineup is just going to be fierce with a potential lineup.

CF Granderson
2B Polanco
DH Sheffield
LF Cabrera
RF Ordonez
SS Renteria
1B C. Guillen
3B Inge
C Rodriguez

With a rotation of Verlander, K. Rogers, J. Bonderman, D. Willis and Nate Robertson. That's pretty salty even against the Red Sox and Yankees.

Arkansas appears to have a new football coach and it is current Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe.

Good hire by the Razorbacks if True.

The 4 Heisman finalists are Chase Daniel, Colt Brennan, Tim Teabow and Darren McFadden

I would be shocked if Teabow doesn't take home the award..

The Sports Guy is tired of Knicks fans. Like much of the NBA, yawn...

Stephen A. Smith Does Not Like Bloggers

2007-12-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

In the hard to believe it's true department, ESPN "personality" Stephen A. Smith isn't exactly fond of bloggers on the internet.

This is amusing.

Wild

2007-12-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

What else can you say about this 2007 college football season besides wild. I have only witnessed one other season in my lifetime even close to the one we have experienced this year. That year was 1990 with a split National Title with a one loss Colorado team that benefitted from a 5th down play against Mizzou and Georgia Tech.

Final 1990 AP POll

1 Colorado (39)
11-1-1

2 Georgia Tech (20)
11-0-1

3 Miami (FL) (1)
10-2

4 Florida State
10-2

5 Washington
10-2

6 Notre Dame
9-3

7 Michigan
9-3

8 Tennessee
9-2-2

9 Clemson
10-2

10 Houston
10-1

Ironically, UT finished that season #14 with a minutely close loss to Colorado early in the season and the raping that took place in Dallas losing 46-3 as the third ranked team in the country to the Hurricanes.

The time for a playoff is now becuase this 2007 season while fantastic needs a little more time to determine a champion. And it's shame that the powers that be will not acknowledge that fact. Oh well, 2008 should be even better, but the current system is broke and that is shame.

Other college football stuff currently.

Remember Dave Wannstedt? Well, you almost managed to drive the Pitt program in the ground. With an obscenely young squad, he has managed to right the ship during the season and the stunning win at West Virginia has at least bought him some job security for one more season.

Dave deserves some credit and here is an article discussing as much.

Bo Pelini will be the next head of coach of your Nebraska Cornhuskers and as a diehard UT fan, I couldn't be happier with that hire.

While the rumors are everywhere that Paul Johnson is headed elsewhere (Georgia Tech and maybe SMU or Duke - uhh, no way), he just keeps winnings games like this past Saturday against Army...

I will hopefully be updating this blog all during bowl season in what will be a finale to a chatoic year and probably fitting that I get married during this turbulent 2007 season. As we turn the page on another college football year, I have great hope for the 2008 season and beyond and realize that no sport will ever quite capture the imagination of this sports culture other than college football for its impact on all of our lives.

Erin Andrews

2007-11-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

So I've been bad during this college football season about updating this blog. Hopefully, I will do better going forward and hope to update more.

I have been preparing for the upcoming weekend and end to the season with great interest. It has been probably the wildest regular season since 1990 when Colorado and Georgia Tech ended up splitting the national title. This year has had a ton of surprises which has made for some great drama.

The national championship is very much for grabs and it should be a fantastic end to November and bowl season.

Here is a favorite topic of mine when it comes to college football season. Apparently Erin Andrews is a little scared of the blog community and the people who post You Tube clips over on the internet. In order to investigate this issue further, I had to go and find a You Tube clip to put up of Erin just to see what's out there.

Erin's Ass

Here is a tribute to Erin..

Erin does the Wabash Cannonball

Colt Brennan gets destroyed by a Fresno St. Defender

I don't see Texas setting up a home and away with Hawaii anytime soon. Check out the reports from Fresno fans about their experience at game on against Hawaii.

9/15 Picks

2007-09-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

My last picks before my wedding next week and honeymoon in Italy/France.

Somebody keep the seat warm while I'm out of the country:

@UNC -3 over UVA -- Medium. I tend to have a good gauge when mediocre teams like these get together early in ACC play. Basically 2 programs going in opposite directions and I'll take the ome team.

Cincy -7 over Miami (OH) -- I love that judo champion Safety on Cincy and I like any team Brian Kelly coaches. This is supposedly some kind of rivalry but I see a better coach and better talent and see a road team covering. Small Play

@Michigan St.-11 over Pitt -- On theme of good coaches, MSU's coach left Cincy and brings a completely different attitude to a team with plenty of talent. Dave Mustache has recruited well at Pitt but this team is already severely banged up for so early in the season. Would be a big play at -8, but a medium play at -11.

@washington +4 over Ohio St. When Tyrone Willingham gets a team rolling, they have a tendency to have good things happen to them. Husky stadium may be one of the most underrated indimidating places to play, and I expect this place to be rocking. With USC and UCLA looming, why not beat OHio St. before those titanic clashes. I see the picture shaking already with Ohio st. deep in their own territory. Small play

@kentucky +6.5 / over 77 -- I said before the total came out that anything 70 or below needed to be pounded. We got 77, but I still don't think that is enough for these two offenses. Neither of these teams have much on D and plenty on O. Over 77 Big Play / Kentucky +6.5 Medium Play SC -9.5 over Nebraska I don't buy into Callahan at Nebraska. Until they win a game like this, I won't believe in the big 12 north or nebraska. USC is rested and hungry to play anybody in lincoln or baghdad. Medium PLay

@UNLV +17 over Hawaii I can't believe the people in Vegas threw out this number. UNLV just takes a very good Wisconsin almost to the gun and then we are supposed to believe Colt Brennan and his Hawaii offensive juggernaut are going to walk in and score 70. I don't buy and the +17 is an embarrassment to the UNLV program that is starting to show signs of life. Medium PLay

Few more to take a look at tomorrow.

Let's talk College Football

2007-09-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, I love the rest of the sports season. I really do. There is always something going on that at least keeps me somewhat interested. I am a huge golf fan, love professional baseball (born in St. Louis), enjoy college basketball for the most part, and even will follow a little hockey here and there. But nothing gets me going like college football season.

Maybe it's because I'm getting married in less than 2 weeks that has me pondering my place in life. Whatever it is, I am starting to realize that sports doesn't need to encompass my life. If I was single, sure, I would probably be on a fast track to a Bill Simmons like obsession with sports. But thankfully, I found a woman who has given me perspective in my life. Anyways, enough with the rant. Let's talk college football. And with the major league baseball playoffs starting in early october, it doesn't get much better than this time of year. So much promise for so many teams right now in college football and some teams are facing the realization this may be a very long year.

Onto some analysis for Week 3's games:

@Air Force +8.5 over TCU

I like TCU, I do. Even if my fiance went to SMU and for some reason hates TCU with every bone in her body, I like what Gary Patterson has done with the horned frogs. He and his staff know how to play against the option, but I think Air Force is implementing some new stuff with a new head coach successing the legendary Fisher Deberry. Either way, TCU has to be on an emotional down after a heartbreaking loss in Austin after running out to a halftime lead. While they are still wondering what could have been, Air Force handled an injured Utah bunch. I think Air Force has enough firepower to stick with TCU, and I certainly feel like the number is possible if not an outright win.

Air Force Medium play

More to come later in the week

Greatest Upset in College Football History?

2007-09-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

What a way to start the college football season. Mighty Michigan lost to a 1-AA team (I refuse to acknowledge whatever nomenclature the NCAA is using to describe the other divisions in college football now) at home in front of 109 thousand people. In what can easily be described as one of the biggest upsets in college football history (no I-A ranked team has ever lost to a 1-AA foe), Appalachian St. took out #5 Michigan 34-32. You expect wild things to happen in college football but nothing approaching this level of craziness. Whatever you think about Appy St. as two time defending national champions in 1 AA football, it still doesn't excuse the embarrassment the Michigan program is going to feel from this lose for years to come. Lloyd Carr's days in Ann Arbor could be numbered...

Texas doesn't look all that better than Michigan in a 21-13 Home win over lowly Arkansas St.

More to come on the first weekend in college football...

If Darren McFadden isn't the most exciting player in college football, than Desean Jackson is. Check out some of his fine work in Cal's convincing 45-31 win over Tennessee...

Rangers Make History and College Football 7 days away

2007-08-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

You know the 2007 Texas Rangers season has been very forgettable. Hell, the last 10 years with the exception of the somewhat optimistic 2004 season have been downright embarrassing if you are real Texas Rangers fan, all 250 in the Metroplex. Well, yesterday evening in the first game of an otherwise meaningless doubleheader between the Orioles and Rangers was salvation for Rangers fans.

After spotting the Orioles 3-0 lead,the Rangers scored 30 unanswered runs and ended up winning 30-3 which was a modern MLB record for runs in a game by one team since 1897. Let that digest for a minute. That is a 110 years worth of major league baseball and it has never happened before.

Unbelievable.

And oh yea, college football is 7 days away so the Rangers will be an afterthought again in about oh 2 days. But there is hope for the future when cheering Texas Rangers baseball and last night proved it.

.
Texas wins National Championship in Merchandising

The University of Florida may have won both the football and men's basketball national championships last season, but when it came to selling merchandise, the Gators could finish no better than third behind the No.1-ranked University of Texas.

For the second straight year, Texas topped the Collegiate Licensing Company's clients in collecting royalties. Notre Dame placed second, followed by Florida, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Penn State.

Notre Dame Freshman sing (or attempt) to Fans

Speaking of the bitter TX-Ou rivalry...

An Oklahoma City man has been charged with aggravated assault and battery, accused of causing extensive damage to another man's scrotum just because he wore a University of Texas shirt into a local bar.

God, I love Sooner fans.

Rangers Overhaul

2007-07-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

I follow Minor League Baseball. I'm not afraid to admit it . Sure, baseball may be a dying sport in much of the country, but baseball is still King in the Northeast which I found out during my trip up to Boston this past weekend. While many people don't care about the Rangers, I will continue to root for them and today the Rangers front office gave this Rangers fan hope.

Adam Morris of Lone Star Ball recaps the prospects coming to Arlington.

Below is Fort Worth Star Telegram's recap on the return for Teixeira

The Rangers announced Tuesday afternoon that have completed the most talked-about deal of this year’s deadline trades, sending first baseman Mark Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to the Braves for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and four prospects.

That deal was completed after medical records were reviewed. In addition to Braves shortstop Elvis Andrus and pitchers Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz, the Rangers also got left-handed reliever Beau Jones, who is 5-0 with a 2.96 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings for the Class-A Rome Braves.

Saltalamacchia, 22, was ranked as the Braves’ top prospect by Baseball America before the season. Andrus, a 19-year-old Class-A shortstop was ranked Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect and Harrison, a 22-year-old Double-A lefty, was No. 3. Feliz, a 19-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, is still in rookie ball.

Saltalamacchia is expected to join the Rangers in Cleveland for their three-game series starting tonight. A switch hitter, Saltalamacchia made his major-league debut on May 2 and hit .284 with four home runs and 12 RBI for the Braves this season. He caught in 25 games, played first in 14 games and was the designated hitter in two games.

Teixeira, 27, was selected fifth overall in the 2001 draft by Texas and reached the majors two years later. He quickly became one of the Rangers’ most consistent and productive players, hitting .283 with 153 home runs and 499 RBI and playing in a club-record 507 consecutive games. Teixeira also won two Gold Gloves with the Rangers.

Not shockingly, news came out that Teixeira and his devil agent Scott Boras didn't even sniff at the 8 year and 140 million dollar extension that Tom Hicks offered.

Teixeira's wife is from Atlanta and Teixeira played college baseball at Georgia Tech. He had no intentions of resigning after the 2008 season with the Rangers, and it was nice to see the Rangers get such a nice return for a guy I am glad to see get out of town.

John Sickels lists the top 20 Braves prospects entering this season

The Rangers picked up #2, #3, #4, and #13 along with a reliever from a list of prospects in what is perennially one of the best farm systems in baseball Jon Daniels hit a home run on this deal.

The return was not as sweet for Eric Gagne and they gave up the closer who would yield two additional draft picks at the end of the season if a he signed elsewhere for 3 Boston prospects one of which seems like a good pickup if he stays healthy.

Kason Gabbard, a lefty starter who was pushing Jon Lester for the 5th spot in Boston's rotation once Curt Schilling returned from injury. David Murphy was #14 on Sickels preseason list and should at least be a solid centerfielder platton option down the road. Big upside potential in Engel Beltre who has a upside as a top Dominican prospect in the much hyped Sox minor league system.

Overall, a hell of a day to be a Rangers fan in what all of sudden looks like a team with some direction and potential.

Kevin Garnett escapes Minnesota and is headed to Boston

David Beckham is still injured and will have to wait to see the wonderful DFW wonderland of Frisco which should blow his English mind. There's always next time Becks.

A Young Beckham with a miracle for Manchester United.

Skip Prosser

2007-07-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser died suddenly this week of a heart attack at Age 56. While the Wake Forest basketball team has had a rough couple of seasons of late, Skip was a solid coach and an even better guy from the people who knew him.

Tragic story...

Simpsons and College Football

2007-07-27T07:52:00.001-07:00

Because the Simpsons movie happens to be coming out today and I came across this link a few days ago, it seems appropriate that I pass it along.

This link compares a number of different college football teams with Simpsons characters. I haven't really watched the Simpsons regularly in 5 years or so, but the show is still greatness and I'm sure the movie will be hilarious. Anyways, check out the link below.

Simpsons meets College Football

Rangers Tradeable Commodities

2007-07-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ron Washington's first year in Texas has not exactly been a smashing success. But Washington slowly has let his philosophy to sink in with the players. Despite injuries to Hank Blalock and Ian Kinsler for much of the season, the team has done nothing but improve after an abysmal April and May. Since early June, the Rangers have had much better pitching and the offense has come around thanks to Michael Young coming around a little bit and contributions from guys like Marlon Byrd and Kenny Lofton.

Still more than 10 games under .500, the Rangers need to think towards the future and their first priority should be figuring out what they have 2008. And that includes calling up Jason Botts to DH and letting Sammy Sosa go. Mark Teixeira is going to be a Free Agent at the end of the 2008 season, and there is a 0% chance he resigns with the Rangers. With that being said, here are the top 5 players that the Rangers need to try and deal before the trade deadline and will get something of value in return.

1) Mark Teixeria 1B -- Teixeira is the best play being talked about in trade talks and many teams have been mentioned as possible trade partners. The Braves and Dodgers appear to be the best fit both from a need standpoint and prospects that both organizations have to offer in their farm system. The Braves have mentioned Jared Salamtacchia and a minor league pitcher, and the dodgers have mentioned sweet swinging James Loney (hitting over .340 this year since being called up) and possibly another minor leaguer. GM Jon Daniels must do something, becuase the longer Teixeira stays with the team, the less value he command in a trade.

2) Kenny Lofton CF -- Not many of the contenders need a reliable center fielder but the Indians could some offense and the Red Sox are not completely locked down in Center Field. If the Ranges could deal Teixeira and Lofton to the Red Sox for Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, and possibly another minor leaguer (No way they could get Clay Buchholz?), you would have to do that deal from a Rangers standpoint.

3) Eric Gagne RP -- From everything I hear, the Rangers are going to try and lock Gagne up for a few more years which would be a very wise move. Gagne is still one of the most dominant closers in baseball and will be as long as he is healthy. But if you are the Rangers, you have to at least listen to offers from contenders.

4) Joquin Benoit / Ron Mahay (Middle Relievers) -- Benoit could get you possibly a legitimater starter prospect in return and Mahay probably a little less. Still worth talking about with teams.

5) Sammy Sosa -- Maybe an American League team could use a guy who can crush lefties. Proably not, but you can dream. Because right now, Sosa is doing nothing but pad his own career numbers and keep Botts from getting meaningful At bats.

Inspiration

2007-07-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

I'm getting married September 22nd, and I plan on putting a little more effort into this blog in the next couple months and even moreso after September 22nd. Thanks to Bob Sturm at the Ticket and his generous link, my blog has become relevant again. And since many people viewing this site for the first time may be wondering what the hell is this site is all about. Well, it's a blog that is DFW Sports focused with college football and golf coverage. But you will also read plenty of other stuff, and hopefully decide to come back to the site. With that out of the way, onto stuff happening in this little sports world of ours...

Sergio Craps the Bed

I'm a big golf fan. This is no secret to people who know me. Well, this week's British Open featured the highest of high drams thanks to a European duel between Padraig (Paddy) Harrington and Sergio Garcia all the way to a playoff. But Carnoustie ended up winning once again. Thanks to a double bogey by Harrington on 18 which almost had a Van De Velve esque feel to it and Sergio missing about an 8 footer that would have won it for him. Sergio crtics are only going to get louder but at least Europe has its first major since 1999 (Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie was the last to do it). Olazabal is the last European major winner not held at Carnoustie and that happened at the Masters in 1999. The Europeans can still whip the Americans at the Ryder Cup though.

This is what 45,000 high school fans look like in a flashback to last year's epic battle between Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll..

2007-07-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Texas Longhorns Locker Room After Rose Bowl win over USC

This is good stuff

Mack's Speech

Thanks to Cuyler for the heads up

Who's Lou Brown?

2007-06-26T18:00:00.001-07:00

From my favorite baseball movie and there are plenty of good ones to choose from.

600!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy for Sammy Sosa and I'm glad he got the drama of hitting his 600th home run over with, because the Rangers need to continue their miserable season and finish yet another season in last place.

I'm almost ashamed to wear Rangers gear in public so for now I'll root for the Red Sox to beat New York, and anyone but Anaheim in the AL.

The Ranger Organization is an embarrassment. This is great....

Josh Lewin and the Pathetic Rangers

2007-06-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Texas Rangers are a terrible baseball team and maybe even a worse organization. I'm tired of sugar coating the fact this this team has not done anything of significance at any point since the team's last division title in 1999. There is also no reason to think that this team's fortune is going to change anytime soon with the Angels and A's looking to dominate this division for years to come.

There is no hope in the farm system unless Eric Hurley and Blake Beaven become John Smoltz and Greg Maddux. This organization really fucking sucks, but I will continue to root for these douchebags because at some point it's going to turn around. It might be 5 years and it might be 20 years down the road, but it will happen. And it will be sweet...

Josh Lewin announced teams have been downright pitiful during his broadcast career. It really is laughable, but take a look the team Josh has to announce ALL season long. Lucky for him, the guy is talented and gets to announce games for Fox and the playoffs. Because this team is sickening to watch. It's official...

LEWIN's RESUME

1995 Orioles

1997 Cubs

1998-2001 Detroit Tigers

2002-Present Texas Rangers

David Brent

2007-06-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

Maybe the greatest scene in Office history and I'm talking about the BBC version...

Big D gets Super Bowl

2007-05-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the new Stadium in Arlington, DFW was awarded the 2011 Super Bowl today.

What a great thing for the area, but no way will Arlington be able to pull this off by themselves. Let's hope this area steps up to the plate and puts on a good show. The city might never recover if we screw this one up. Okay, I'm already getting fired up.

Don't look now but the Rangers have actually played a few good games. This team may not be completely dead yet..

From the Newberg Report:

Fourteen runs in each of the last two games, the fourth time in franchise history that the offense has managed that level of output in back-to-back games. It was the first time in five years.

Speaking of Tom Hicks owned teams, Liverpool plays tomorrow in the UEFA Champions League Final against AC Milan.

UEFA Champions League Final.

Tom is hosting a watching party tomorrow after at Victory Park.

Former Rangers and Mavs

2007-04-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

As the Rangers begin a most likely depressing road trip against Cleveland and Toronto, I begin to wonder why I ever had faith in this team since 2000. Other than the fluke 2004 season, this group of players has never performed better than expectations and there is really no reason to think this season will be much different.

Just take a peak at what former Rangers are up to based on the value of what they would have meant to this team.

1) Travis Hafner - 29 years old - DH .381 Batting Average / .494 On Base Percentage / .651 Slugging Percentage

This guys is really freaking good and probably the best hitter in the American League not named Alex Rodriguez. The ideal DH and John Hart let him go for a bag of baseballs and Einar Diaz. Easily the biggest personnel mistake by the Rangers in the last 5 years.

2) Chris Young - 28 years old - SP 2 Wins / 3.32 ERA / 1.43 WHIP / .250 Batting Average Against

Young is a perfect example of the Rangers developing or finding pitching and then letting that prospect go for unknown reason. In this instance, Young apparently was going to wear down in the Texas heat even though the guy wen to high school at Highland Park. Young appears to be one of the better young pitchers in the National League. While he does pitch in a very pitcher friendly park at Petco, Chris Young is immensely talented and the Rangers squandered a very good pitcher. Getting Otsuka in return was nice, but Eaton was a bust for the Rangers and Jon Daniels will rue the day he made this trade

3) Adrian Gonzalez - 24 years old - 1B - .329 AVG / .389 OBP / .600 Slugging Percentage

Giving up Chris Young was painful, but Adrian Gonzalez is rubbing salt in the Rangers wounds. Instead of playing chicken with Mark Teixeira and his devil agent Scott Boras, the Rangers could be looking at Gonzalez at the Ballpark until after 2010 at minimal cost. You think Jon Daniels' spreadsheets would have shown giving away a #1 overall pick with Gonzalez resume was a bad move. What a pity...

4) Francisco Cordero - 31 years old - Relief Pitcher - 9.2 IP / 0.00 ERA / .86 WHIP / .069 Batting Average Against

Another guy who for whatever reason the Rangers management lost favor with and ended up shipping to Milwaukee for Carlos Lee (bye bye in Free Agency) and Nelly Cruz who is a servicable outfield but not much more. Instead of shipping Young and Gonzalez away for basically Otsuka, the Rangers could still have Coco as their closer. Oh well.

5) John Danks - 22 Years Old - Starting Pitcher 5.06 ERA / 1.44 WHIP / .266 Batting Average Against

Danks is only the first lefthanded pitcher in a million years to be drafted by the Rangers and actually look like a legitimate prospect. And what does wonder kid Jon Daniels do, trades him into the White Sox for what is looking like a pretty mediocre player, Brandon McCarthy. Still a long way to go before this trade is declared a bust, but I don't like the first returns.

Here is what the Rangers team could look like if a competent management team was up in the front office the last 5 years:

Leadoff - Kenny Lofton - Center Field would still be an issue to address

2nd - Mike Young - Shortstop - Young is still a solid player to build around but #2 is his real place in a lineup

3rd - Adrian Gonzalez - 1st Base - Gonzalez is cheaper and under contract longer than Teix and Tex should have been moved when he fetched better value. Now the Rangers are going to let Teixeira in free agency.

4th - Travis Hafner - DH - This guy would be putting up astronomical numbers in a Ranger uniform at the Ballpark

5th - Hank Blalock - 3b - Still young and could turn out to be a pretty good prospect.

6th - Ian Kinsler - 2B - Kinsler is a legit all star candidate and should be for the next few years. Needs to work on his fielding.

That's a nucleus to build around...

And your rotation could look something as follows:

Millwood, Padilla, Loe, Tejeda, and Danks

With Cordero, Benoit, and Frankie Francisco anchoring your bullpen.

That's a team I could root for.

Oh yea, Go MAVS!

GAME 7

2007-04-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

I know NHL hockey gets ratings right below Women's Golf - LPGA and right ahead of Women's WNBA. But if you are a huge DFW sports geek like myself, you are living and dying with this Stars playoff team. Maybe it's because my Grandpa was such a big hockey fan growing up that I just can't let it go or maybe I remember the Reunion magic the team had back in the Hitchcock era and the 1999 Stanley Cup. But I get fired up when the Stars make a deep playoff run and this team has a chance to at least get past the first round thanks to a 2 - 0 win in Dallas last night over the Canucks.

You can bet your Ass that Game 7 tomorrow night in Vancouver is going to be electric...

Bob Sturm of the ticket knows a lot more abou this stuff than me so check out his stuff on Game 6:

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/

I still think MLS has a good chance to pass NHL hockey because hockey just translates over to TV well and soccer is such a global game.

Only time will tell...

NBA Playoff Preview

2007-04-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

I know Bill Simmons is an NBA guy but his Boston bias is sometimes too much to handle.

Here is his recap of the NBA MVP award and he is so disgusted by this season that he gave the MVP award to the Fans. Pretty gay if you ask me instead of giving Dirk his just due for a 69 Win Maverick team.

A matchup with Don Nelson's Golden State warriors scares me in the first round.

Dallas vs. Golden State

Game 1 - Sun April 22 Golden State at Dallas 8:30PM TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 25 Golden State at Dallas 8:30PM TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 27 Dallas at Golden State 9:30PM ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 29 Dallas at Golden State 9:00PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue May 1 Golden State at Dallas TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 3 Dallas at Golden State TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 5 Golden State at Dallas TNT

Here is Part II of Simmons Preview

I agree with Simmons on one thing. The NBA pretty much sucked this year especially the Eastern Conference. I just hope the Mavs are holding up the NBA trophy when it's over. I watched probably 5 games all year on TV (Sarah is not exactly a huge NBA fan and I'm partial to college hoops myself), but playoff time is here. Let's get it on!!!!

Rangers, Gators, and Plenty of YouTube Fun

2007-04-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

If life was a video game, then I would hit reset on the Rangers 2007 season right about now. 3 days in Anaheim and a quick 3 game sweep where the Rangers led for a grand total of 0 innings.

Some bad things from the 0-3 Start (where to start?)

Sammy Sosa looks like the washed up slugger we knew were getting...

We have the oldest and most unathletic outfield in baseball with Kenny Lofton in center who has limited range, Sosa and Nelly Cruz probably manning right. At least Nelly is at least an average fielder. Sosa needs a walker practically out in right. This is no longer 2002. Frank Catalanatto is barely adequate in left and Wilkerson who used to be a pretty good outfielder is a shell of his former self. It's not a good situation for the Rangers in the outfield.

Pitching looks decent but certainly not anything to get overly excited about. The Bullpen should be pretty good and the starters need to step up because this offense and fielding is going to be subpar all year.

And don't expect any prospects to help alleviate the outfield problem unless Jason Botts or Victor Diaz suddenly become major league contributors. It's not a pretty situationi in Arlington right now.

Florida has been setting history in college ahtletics with its back to back NCAA basketball titles and Football championship this past season for Urban Meyer..

The NCAA touranment was good during Sweet 16 and Final 8 but the final four and first rounds were pretty lackluster. My favorite part about Monday Night's final
was the awkward celebration with Jim Nantz, Billy Packer, and the Florida team. The producers didn't even have the heart to have Billy Packer ask a question during this meltdown..

Speaking of Billy Packer. He is one of the biggest douchebags in Sports and takes himself way too seriously which has been evidenced countless times. This one might take the cake for ole Billy..

If you haven't seent his clip of Eddie Griffin crashing a $1.2M Ferrari, then you haven't been on the internet much lately.

I always loved Eddie's work in Deuce Biggelow.

Masters Pool for the Ages:

www.masterspool.net

My Bracket is Busted; Hoyas; Opening Day Fast Approaching

2007-03-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

I always take lower seeds in the tournament because I hate chalk in brackets. Now to the layman, chalk means taking the higher seed in every game. Any monkey can fill out a bracket but it takes nuance and second guessing and handwringing if you watch as much college basketball as I have in my life. I remember where I was during tournament in past years dating back to my childhood. Well, chalk reigned supreme during the first 2 rounds despite a few upsets. But with chalk advancing, the matchups get really good as the tournament progresses.

This theory proved to be proven throughout the weekend. I don't know what it is about the NCAA tournament that gets me every year. Every year I watch ridiculous amounts of basketball, even more than the Sports Guy who has no real job. I watch Missouri Valley games on ESPN U and follow the Colonial Athletic conferences and MEAC conferences just because... I'm a sick, sick college basketball fan and when the satellite via DirecTv made college basketball games available with multiple games every night it just feeds that addicition.

If I was single, I would definitely have ordered the Full Court package and probably be betting every single night on college hoops. Thank god I found Sarah because would be watching this stuff around the clock. And every year. I mean ever year the Tournament gets me frustrated because my bracket is busted and some secretary in Marketing is winning the office pool. Oh well, it was some unbelievable basketball this weekend starting with the sweet 16 games and ending with the same great Regional Final matchups. Some of the best college basketball I can remember can from all angles. Let's summarize...

WEST
In the sweet 16 games on Thursday night, the West regional had two fantastic games as Kansas outlasted the Salukis in a dangerous game for the Jayhawks. The MVC is one of the most underrated conferences in college basketball and SIU played hard nosed defense and rebounding well against the athletic Jayhawk bunch. In the end, Jayhawks proved to be too much winning 61-58 but Kansas looked very vulnerable.

The late game outwest (most people were asleep by the one this one was deep), UCLA and coach Ben HOwland faced his old team in a very game Pittsburgh squad who had a great season in the Big EAst. UCLA was impressive throughout and the defensive ability of UCLA was very evident this game. In a pretty convincing win this Bruin team looked impressive and motivated to end their run of mediocrity. 64-55 was the final.

The other regional in the South included two games that came to the very end.

SOUTH
I was torn in the opener between Texas A&M and Memphis. Acie Law had a timely missed layup with under a minute to go that would have been an unblievable play with the Aggies up one but it cost them dearly. Memphis had three crucial offensive rebounds and finally got fouled on the play. 65-64 was the final after two free throws put Memphis ahead and A&M couldn't get a meaningful shot with 2.0 seconds left. This game showed the Big 12 may have been a little overrated because Memphis really had plenty of weaknesses. And all the Aggie faithful left the Alamodome wanting so much more...

Ohio St. won a miracle game against Tennessee. Down some ridiuclous amount in the first half after they failed to show up for the First Half, the Buckeyes imposed their will and found a way to scratch their way into the game. But Tennessee refused to die behind a powerful backcourt that just kept shooting threes. The Buckeyes were up 1 and Tennessee had a shot to win the game. In what will be one of the most famous play of the season Greg Oden helped his high school teammate Mike Conley Jr. and get a block to win a nailbiter for the Buckeyes

And if you thought the good basketball was over, wait until the Saturday and Sunday..

MIDWEST

Florida got a real scare from all the white boys from Butler but in the end the Gators won going away 65-57.

Oregon pretty much manhandled UNLV but the score got close at the end. I should know because I had UNLV +3.5 and they lost by 4. DOH!

EAST

If you thought Friday night's games were not any good, then you didn't see the Eastern Regions games. USC looked to have UNC almost dead and buriend and then just lost their energy and couldn't hit ANYTHING. I mean ANYTHING. UNC went on an 18 - 0 Run USC just couldn't do anything but watch UNC run past them. I had USC +7.5 and UNC won by 10. It was a painful Friday night.

Vandy and Georgetown played an absolute epic. By the way, when to VAndy get respectable. I swear I've been watching Football and basketball the last 10 years but where did this come from? Vandy has always been a cover matching football but wow.

Whatever you think about Vandy, they played Georgetown basically even which is a pretty unbelievable feat with Jeff King's off balanced shot to send the Hoyas to the regional final.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B289XlegZY4

Down Time; More Random Videos

2007-02-19T16:25:00.000-08:00

The sports calendar during the super bowl and opening day in baseball is where I need to take a break. I used to not take breaks following sports pre-Sarah, but when a woman enters your life, your priorities tend to change. I wish I could watch every college basketball game and every golf tournament. Thank god for Tivo because without tivo to catch up on the miss sports I would probably be single.

While the Daytona 500 (who cares I don't care if it was the greatest finish in the history of auto racing I can't act interested) and NBA All Star game (snoozer) happened this weekend, I really didn't miss much. Although Chuckie Howell beating Mickelson in a 3 hole playoff at the Nissan Open definitely was the one thing I really didn't want to miss. Oh well, the NCAAs are fast approaching so it's not like the sports doldrums will last long.

Here's a few links for you to enjoy:

Texas squeaks by Baylor in Waco on Saturday night 68-67 and very easily could have lost . Oh yea Durant had 34. He's reallllllllll good.

Big games at Tech (tuesday) and at OU (Saturday) will go a long way to determining where Texas will be come tournament time.

Mark and Cuyler should appreciate this:

Terje's First Descent

Vince Young winning the Rose Bowl and the reaction as fans watched at Alamo Draft House:

Pretty amazing stuff even now. Almost as cool as being inside the stadium and the only two people in orange in a sea or USC colors in the middle of the USC alum section as Vince Young scored into our end zone. I very easily would have been beaten into a pulp by numerous people if I hadn't been with Sarah as I tackled her on this score...

Lou Holtz Circa 1986

2007-02-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

While I may be a graduate of Texas, I grew up a Notre Dame fan thanks to my Dad. Despite some down years growing up, Notre Dame returned to their former glory when they hired a coaching veteran by the name of Lou Holtz who previously had success and Minnesota and Arkansas.

The year was 1986 and Lou Holtz is fired up. This speech was just before Lou was about to make his debut as Notre Dame's coach against Michigan. The next day, his Fighting Irish rolled up 455 rushing yards and 27 first downs against the No. 3 Wolverines, but lost, 24-23.

Enjoy...

BADDS!

2007-02-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

Cuyler and Dave certainly remember Aaron Baddeley from his ridiculous MacGregor commericials. I know I was giddy at the result of this week's FBR Open in Zach's hometown of Scottsdale.

Aaron Baddeley capitalized on a collapse by leader Jeff Quinney. But give Badds credit, he birdied 15 through 17 and shot back to back 64s to earn his 1.08 Million dollar winning paycheck.

Check out the Badds cheer squad from yesterday including his new wife

Look out Tiger, here comes Badds!