Sup dudes. This is a pretty crazy time to be an Arizona fan, isn't it. Ranked in football, with a chance (albeit an outside shot) at the Rose Bowl? Makes me pretty happy that I 'chose to stick around' for another year. Perhaps most important this season is that we toppled the Washington State Cougars. This win ensured bowl eligibility, but that was NOT why it was critical. What it prevented was. If Arizona lost, I had promised to camp outside sunny Jim Livengood's office until he and Mike Stoops were unemployed. Thankfully, and I never thought I'd say this about that dainty AD of ours, they still have a job.
I am pretty bummed that our football team lost out on Jordon James. Honestly, I am quite bitter. He was a 'silent commit' to UCLA for months. What this means is that Jordon wasted hours of our coaches time, and our athletic departments money, and was essentially abusing the recruiting process. I hope he enjoys the Neuheisel regime in Los Angeles. I don't see that team getting any better, and James, who in my opinion is a cornerstone type talent, will be running for his life every play. Great choice kid. Just ask Aundre Dean. Or Cris Ramirez. Or Derrick Coleman. Or Milton Knox. Look all of them up, and you will get an idea of how life is for running backs in the Rose Bowl in the post Maurice Drew era.
Lets all hope and (if you believe) pray for Jahvid Best's recovery. I absolutely despise the city of Berkley, the university located there, and its athletic program. Not to mention everything that has come out of it, perhaps most notably 'free love', creepy, smelly hippies, and DeSean Jackson. Jahvid is the lone exception. He is a standup human being from nearby Vallejo, otherwise known as the birthplace of Jeff Gordon, and by all accounts doesn't seem to be the weirdo that Cal breeds. And honestly, even if he was, that injury looked horrific. I wouldn't wish that fall on Rudy Carpenter, or the U Dub referees, or any Oregon Duck. Keep your head up #4, your a champion whether you play again or not.
On a slightly related note, anyone with a soft stomach should probably avoid tommorow's broadcast. I have no doubt that we will see the injury about 60 times throughout the course of the game. Jahvid's fall, and his injury, is one of the most revolting images I have ever seen, a rare video that makes my stomach turn when I watch it. Makes me all the more thankful that he can communicate and move his extremeties, but that doesn't mean I need to see it ever again.
Don't get me started on LeGarrette Blount. Typical Mike Bellotti and Oregon garbage up there, and I can't believe that no one is calling Chip Kelly out for going back on his word. Im done talking about this, but I will close with this: My money is on Mr. Blount making things hard on himself again, maybe not now, but somewhere down the road.
This weeks game has massive ramifications for the Arizona program. A win, and the 'Cats remain in first place in the league. A loss, and who knows what happens this season. Arizona is a markedly better team than the Cal Bears, especially with no Best. However, there is one massive thing in favor of USSR state. Going back 30 games, no team not called Oregon State or USC has marched onto Patrice Lumumba field and claimed a victory. Stoops coached Arizona teams have had a ton of trouble there, including several shutouts, and a sloppy, uninspired loss two years ago. If talent wins games, and I hope if does, Arizona wins easily. However, a riled up home crowd will be in store, and you just never know what to expect from a team that has gone through what Cal has the past 7 days emotionally. This game is one that I am marking as a 'toss up'.
Keep reading, bros and bras. Sunday I will be writing a lot of papers, and I plan on writing something for you as well. We will be taking a step away from college football and instead Real Talk will discuss other aspects of our lives, the contents of which haven't been decided. Stay tuned.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Return from my hiatus
Let me start off, again, by apologizing. It has been too long since all of you had something new to read from me. Well, midterms and other obligations prevented me from giving this blog much time to get anything done. For those of you that haven't been watching the major news networks over the past several days, the rumors are true. I am currently quarantined with the dreaded H1N1 virus, the 'swine flu'. Really, I am not sure if it is as bad as it sounds. The first day was pretty bad, but honestly, I can walk, talk, and I et that I could drive in a pinch. Whatever.
What I am most frustrated about is the reality that I am probably going to miss Halloween this year. Here at U of A, and most likely at all college, Halloween might just be the greatest day of the year. Last year, I dressed up as the bachelor. I'm sorry, but that is a brilliant costume. Unfortunately for me, I go to Arizona, and it seems none of the sorostitutes quite figured out why the guy in a blazer was walking around with roses. This year, my Billy Mays costume was sure to win them over. I had even planned on picking up some putty or oxyclean to drive it home. If your scoring at home (and I know you are), that is ten days of not shaving gone completely to waste. Thanks, god. A real travesty, indeed.
Today I want to talk about football recruiting. Back in august I gave you a list of guys that I wanted to see end up at Arizona. While the majority of that list is unchanged, I wanted to highlight a few more guys that I would like Arizona to pick up. Note that most of Arizona's defensive back prospects are still undecided, we have our quarterback in the class, the offensive line is filled up, and we have two linebackers. We are only recruiting one running back, Jordon James, and he is down to Arizona, UCLA and Notre Dame. So I am mostly focusing on receivers and defensive linemen.
NOTE: This is by no means official, these are just guys that I think Arizona has at least some chance landing.
Victor Dean. Big Vic is 6'6, 190 pounds, and runs a 4.4 40. Perhaps more impressive is the 18 touchdown catches he has, basically playing in 2 quarters a game. Dean hails from Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. Lincoln was one of the traditional powers in the San Diego section for years until it closed in 2004, and reopened several years ago. With Oceanside's JJ Whittaker already headed here, coach Stoops would have pipelines open to the two prevailing powers in San Diego. Also notable about Dean is that he does his damage out of a wing-T formation, which employs 3 backs and not much passing. Dean's coach is my former coach, Ron Hamamoto, who has sent a few players to Tucson in the past, including the late Bill Wacholz.
NOTE: As far as I know, Victor is not related to Delashaun Dean.
De'Shawn Beck. This guy is reported to be the fastest player in Southern California, running a 4.22 in the 40. With Garic Wharton already on board, landing Beck would mean that Arizona has the two fastest kids on the west coast enrolling in 2010. Take a look at our current crop of receivers. Only Bug Wright is really a burner. (although Criner has established himself as a threat downfield) Getting Beck and Garic on board means stretching the field vertically, which opens up the middle of the field for our outstanding intermediate guys.
Tyler Slavin. Okay, so this guy is kinda goofy looking. I don't care. He is tall (6'3) and smooth as hell. Slavin looks exactly like Terrell Turner, and I would argue is further along as a senior than Terrell was back in '05. This guy looks built for the spread, and honestly, out of all our receiver targets, I put money on him ending up the best. Slavin is physical, beats man coverage, and knows how to attack the football, which means he would be the perfect red zone receiver when Dela and Turner are gone.
Kyle Benson. A big, fast linebacker out of Tempe. I would love stealing some kids out of the Scumdevils backyard, and the 220 pound Benson would be an ideal place to start. Arizona is going to sign several more linebackers this year, and with two junior college guys on board, expect to see an emphasis on high school kids from here on out. Benson's teammate, safety Ramon Abreu, is an extreme long shot, but he is another kid I really like, and it will break my heart when he inevitably signs with Arizona State.
Fred Thompson. Thompson is 6'4, and a lean 260 pounds. A defensive tackle out of Oakland, he visited Tucson last week and by all accounts loved it. This is a guy I see blowing up late, and it wouldn't shock me to see the Cals and Oregons of the world try and steal this guy.
Brandon Mosley. Brandon is a junior college guy, playing ball in Coffeyville, Kansas. This is notable, and extremely important to all of you, because I have a ton of extended family in Coffeyville. That also happens to be a JC powerhouse. The last guy we recruited from that part of the country was Jason Pierre-Paul, an end who can do a standing back flip and is in the process of turning the Big (L)East upside down for South Florida. Mosley has great size, and with 3 defensive ends scheduled to be seniors next season, we need an instant contributor. Out of all of these guys, none of whom are guarantees to attend Arizona, Mosley is perhaps the biggest long shot.
Here is the list, which will include guys mentioned in my previous blog, of recruits I want.
1) Jordon James, RB
2) Victor Dean, WR
3) Marquis Flowers, Athlete
4) Tyler Slavin, WR
5) Josh Robbins, Athlete
6) Jourdan Grandon, DB
7) De'Shawn Beck, Athlete
8) Demetrius Wright, CB
9) Cecil Whiteside, LB (committed to Cal)
10) Andrew Hudson, DE
11) Ronald Powell, DE
12) Brandon Mosley, DE
13) Fred Thompson, DT
14) Kyle Benson, LB
15) Shaydon Acuna, LB
16) Bruce Gaston, DT
Hope you enjoyed the return of the mack. (get it, hehehe) Due to my quarantine, I will have more posts coming soon!
What I am most frustrated about is the reality that I am probably going to miss Halloween this year. Here at U of A, and most likely at all college, Halloween might just be the greatest day of the year. Last year, I dressed up as the bachelor. I'm sorry, but that is a brilliant costume. Unfortunately for me, I go to Arizona, and it seems none of the sorostitutes quite figured out why the guy in a blazer was walking around with roses. This year, my Billy Mays costume was sure to win them over. I had even planned on picking up some putty or oxyclean to drive it home. If your scoring at home (and I know you are), that is ten days of not shaving gone completely to waste. Thanks, god. A real travesty, indeed.
Today I want to talk about football recruiting. Back in august I gave you a list of guys that I wanted to see end up at Arizona. While the majority of that list is unchanged, I wanted to highlight a few more guys that I would like Arizona to pick up. Note that most of Arizona's defensive back prospects are still undecided, we have our quarterback in the class, the offensive line is filled up, and we have two linebackers. We are only recruiting one running back, Jordon James, and he is down to Arizona, UCLA and Notre Dame. So I am mostly focusing on receivers and defensive linemen.
NOTE: This is by no means official, these are just guys that I think Arizona has at least some chance landing.
Victor Dean. Big Vic is 6'6, 190 pounds, and runs a 4.4 40. Perhaps more impressive is the 18 touchdown catches he has, basically playing in 2 quarters a game. Dean hails from Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. Lincoln was one of the traditional powers in the San Diego section for years until it closed in 2004, and reopened several years ago. With Oceanside's JJ Whittaker already headed here, coach Stoops would have pipelines open to the two prevailing powers in San Diego. Also notable about Dean is that he does his damage out of a wing-T formation, which employs 3 backs and not much passing. Dean's coach is my former coach, Ron Hamamoto, who has sent a few players to Tucson in the past, including the late Bill Wacholz.
NOTE: As far as I know, Victor is not related to Delashaun Dean.
De'Shawn Beck. This guy is reported to be the fastest player in Southern California, running a 4.22 in the 40. With Garic Wharton already on board, landing Beck would mean that Arizona has the two fastest kids on the west coast enrolling in 2010. Take a look at our current crop of receivers. Only Bug Wright is really a burner. (although Criner has established himself as a threat downfield) Getting Beck and Garic on board means stretching the field vertically, which opens up the middle of the field for our outstanding intermediate guys.
Tyler Slavin. Okay, so this guy is kinda goofy looking. I don't care. He is tall (6'3) and smooth as hell. Slavin looks exactly like Terrell Turner, and I would argue is further along as a senior than Terrell was back in '05. This guy looks built for the spread, and honestly, out of all our receiver targets, I put money on him ending up the best. Slavin is physical, beats man coverage, and knows how to attack the football, which means he would be the perfect red zone receiver when Dela and Turner are gone.
Kyle Benson. A big, fast linebacker out of Tempe. I would love stealing some kids out of the Scumdevils backyard, and the 220 pound Benson would be an ideal place to start. Arizona is going to sign several more linebackers this year, and with two junior college guys on board, expect to see an emphasis on high school kids from here on out. Benson's teammate, safety Ramon Abreu, is an extreme long shot, but he is another kid I really like, and it will break my heart when he inevitably signs with Arizona State.
Fred Thompson. Thompson is 6'4, and a lean 260 pounds. A defensive tackle out of Oakland, he visited Tucson last week and by all accounts loved it. This is a guy I see blowing up late, and it wouldn't shock me to see the Cals and Oregons of the world try and steal this guy.
Brandon Mosley. Brandon is a junior college guy, playing ball in Coffeyville, Kansas. This is notable, and extremely important to all of you, because I have a ton of extended family in Coffeyville. That also happens to be a JC powerhouse. The last guy we recruited from that part of the country was Jason Pierre-Paul, an end who can do a standing back flip and is in the process of turning the Big (L)East upside down for South Florida. Mosley has great size, and with 3 defensive ends scheduled to be seniors next season, we need an instant contributor. Out of all of these guys, none of whom are guarantees to attend Arizona, Mosley is perhaps the biggest long shot.
Here is the list, which will include guys mentioned in my previous blog, of recruits I want.
1) Jordon James, RB
2) Victor Dean, WR
3) Marquis Flowers, Athlete
4) Tyler Slavin, WR
5) Josh Robbins, Athlete
6) Jourdan Grandon, DB
7) De'Shawn Beck, Athlete
8) Demetrius Wright, CB
9) Cecil Whiteside, LB (committed to Cal)
10) Andrew Hudson, DE
11) Ronald Powell, DE
12) Brandon Mosley, DE
13) Fred Thompson, DT
14) Kyle Benson, LB
15) Shaydon Acuna, LB
16) Bruce Gaston, DT
Hope you enjoyed the return of the mack. (get it, hehehe) Due to my quarantine, I will have more posts coming soon!
Friday, October 9, 2009
UW Week
Hey readers. Due to that evil thing that all college students are stricken with for about 3 weeks a semester (midterms) I haven't been able to update you as much as I'd like. I can't promise more frequency in the next few weeks, but I will do my best. Before we get into the game, there are a few things I wanted to talk about.
Quick, name the last 5 Nobel prize winners. I can't, and I'd bet that you can't either without our friend wikipedia bailing you out. Look, there are plenty of reasons to hate on Obama (my favorite are his slanderous remarks directed at Arizona basketball last tournament), but I am not going to use this one. The Nobel prize is great for the resume, but I care about it as much as I do the War of the Roses champion. Actually, I care about that one more. But I digress.
Lets talk about Facebook for a second. As someone who joined back when groups had 'groupies' and the web address was still thefacebook.com, I guess I am something of a purist There is a new generation of users, and some old-timers, who have obviously forgotten how to operate. 'Liking' statuses is fine, but when I make a wall post on your wall, you damn well had better make one on mine. Don't respond underneath yours. Otherwise, all of the hot girls that look at my profile all day won't know how many friends I have who have opinions about the same things that I do. Get it together folks. Remember the good old days of 'wall-to-wall'? Lets keep that alive before Zuckerberg makes more changes. Conformists.
I thought the latest South Park was fantastic. While I appreciate the fragile nature of life, I think people like Billy Mays, David Carradine and Michael Jackson should never be off-limits from jokes, dead or alive. Lets see, Mays decided to blow a lot of powdery substances, drank some drinks, and proceeded to take the all-powerful Tylenol PM to go to sleep. I'm not a doctor, but that is REALLY stupid, especially when your already a fat guy. Carradine, well, I'll just say that I enjoy the way his name has become a verb. Like, "I hate you, go pull a 'Carradine'!!" Jacko has been discussed ad-nauseam, and I don't want to come across as ignorant. While it wasn't as funny as the "Fishsticks" episode or the bailout one, this was a great start to the fall campaign by Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
On to the game. I got two linemen for you to watch. First is every ones favorite T-loc Brooks Reed. He has battled injuries all season, and looks to be as close to 100% as we've seen him. Look out on Saturday. Coming in at #10 on the countdown is Earl Mitchell. Big Earl, or Earl "M********** Mitchell as he is known in some circles, is a senior defensive tackle, wearing #49. Earl played fullback his first two years, and developed a cult following for his clutch hands and big blocks. He has kept up his stellar play on the defensive side of the ball, and looks set to garner postseason honors. With UW tomorrow, these guys are going to have to step up big time.
I have been an ardent Matt Scott supporter for a long time now. I went on record saying that he should be the opening day starter, a position I still maintain. I also maintain that a lot of our 'fans' decided to root against him early, regardless of how well he did or didn't play. With time, once he gets used to the speed of division 1 defenses, I am confident that Matt can turn into an outstanding quarterback. That all said, it was clear during the Iowa game that he had lost the team, and a change simply had to happen. Something about Nick Foles just makes me feel safe about the offense, and I think that right now the big Texan is just what the doctor ordered. He is poised, smart, and much more athletic than any reporter or announcer will ever give him credit for. After looking great last week, here's to Nick Foles running away with the quarterback position. This team has responded in a big way to his style as well as his pocket presence. Nick just knows how to win, that's all there is to it. Lets hope that the game in Corvallis wasn't an aberration and Nick continues his stellar play all season long.
I am not going to get to in depth about Saturdays game, but I have some keys for you to watch. The defense of Jake Locker is obviously going to be key #1. The man has really come into his own, and word is he might be the first QB drafted in April. Another key is Washington running back Chris Polk. He isn't a world beater, but this is a guy who runs hard and breaks tackles. Arizona has struggled this season with wrapping up and over pursuit, something that could really hurt them. The crowd also has to be neutralized. Historically, Husky Stadium or whatever its called has been regarded as the toughest place to play in the PAC-10, outside of that hideous commune known as Eugene of course. For Arizona to win, the running game must be a priority. Keep the UW defense on the field and limit the chances for Jake 'the Bro' Locker to take over. The more he is on the sidelines stuffing his mouth with Skoal and Kodiak (FWIW,how guys that do this ever meet girls is beyond me), the better for our Cats. Bear Down, keep it real, and wear long sleeves or hoodies this weekend.
Quick, name the last 5 Nobel prize winners. I can't, and I'd bet that you can't either without our friend wikipedia bailing you out. Look, there are plenty of reasons to hate on Obama (my favorite are his slanderous remarks directed at Arizona basketball last tournament), but I am not going to use this one. The Nobel prize is great for the resume, but I care about it as much as I do the War of the Roses champion. Actually, I care about that one more. But I digress.
Lets talk about Facebook for a second. As someone who joined back when groups had 'groupies' and the web address was still thefacebook.com, I guess I am something of a purist There is a new generation of users, and some old-timers, who have obviously forgotten how to operate. 'Liking' statuses is fine, but when I make a wall post on your wall, you damn well had better make one on mine. Don't respond underneath yours. Otherwise, all of the hot girls that look at my profile all day won't know how many friends I have who have opinions about the same things that I do. Get it together folks. Remember the good old days of 'wall-to-wall'? Lets keep that alive before Zuckerberg makes more changes. Conformists.
I thought the latest South Park was fantastic. While I appreciate the fragile nature of life, I think people like Billy Mays, David Carradine and Michael Jackson should never be off-limits from jokes, dead or alive. Lets see, Mays decided to blow a lot of powdery substances, drank some drinks, and proceeded to take the all-powerful Tylenol PM to go to sleep. I'm not a doctor, but that is REALLY stupid, especially when your already a fat guy. Carradine, well, I'll just say that I enjoy the way his name has become a verb. Like, "I hate you, go pull a 'Carradine'!!" Jacko has been discussed ad-nauseam, and I don't want to come across as ignorant. While it wasn't as funny as the "Fishsticks" episode or the bailout one, this was a great start to the fall campaign by Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
On to the game. I got two linemen for you to watch. First is every ones favorite T-loc Brooks Reed. He has battled injuries all season, and looks to be as close to 100% as we've seen him. Look out on Saturday. Coming in at #10 on the countdown is Earl Mitchell. Big Earl, or Earl "M********** Mitchell as he is known in some circles, is a senior defensive tackle, wearing #49. Earl played fullback his first two years, and developed a cult following for his clutch hands and big blocks. He has kept up his stellar play on the defensive side of the ball, and looks set to garner postseason honors. With UW tomorrow, these guys are going to have to step up big time.
I have been an ardent Matt Scott supporter for a long time now. I went on record saying that he should be the opening day starter, a position I still maintain. I also maintain that a lot of our 'fans' decided to root against him early, regardless of how well he did or didn't play. With time, once he gets used to the speed of division 1 defenses, I am confident that Matt can turn into an outstanding quarterback. That all said, it was clear during the Iowa game that he had lost the team, and a change simply had to happen. Something about Nick Foles just makes me feel safe about the offense, and I think that right now the big Texan is just what the doctor ordered. He is poised, smart, and much more athletic than any reporter or announcer will ever give him credit for. After looking great last week, here's to Nick Foles running away with the quarterback position. This team has responded in a big way to his style as well as his pocket presence. Nick just knows how to win, that's all there is to it. Lets hope that the game in Corvallis wasn't an aberration and Nick continues his stellar play all season long.
I am not going to get to in depth about Saturdays game, but I have some keys for you to watch. The defense of Jake Locker is obviously going to be key #1. The man has really come into his own, and word is he might be the first QB drafted in April. Another key is Washington running back Chris Polk. He isn't a world beater, but this is a guy who runs hard and breaks tackles. Arizona has struggled this season with wrapping up and over pursuit, something that could really hurt them. The crowd also has to be neutralized. Historically, Husky Stadium or whatever its called has been regarded as the toughest place to play in the PAC-10, outside of that hideous commune known as Eugene of course. For Arizona to win, the running game must be a priority. Keep the UW defense on the field and limit the chances for Jake 'the Bro' Locker to take over. The more he is on the sidelines stuffing his mouth with Skoal and Kodiak (FWIW,how guys that do this ever meet girls is beyond me), the better for our Cats. Bear Down, keep it real, and wear long sleeves or hoodies this weekend.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Iowa Week
Well, Arizona's marquee non-conference match up with the Iowa Hawkeyes is finally here. Having previewed the Hawkeyes club back in July, there isn't a whole lot to talk about, but I have some observations that are worth noting.
There is NO quarterback controversy. I had a feeling that, regardless of how Nick Foles played, people would begin to call for his head immediately. Look, I know he was 6 of 8 and threw a touchdown in the third quarter of a blowout, but that really doesn't impress me. "But he threw a beautiful out route to Terrell Turner!!!", many of these armchair QBs have said. Our starting quarterback goes 15 for 20, including 2 pretty nice long completions, but Foles is better because of one pass? I don't follow. Scott has been fine, looking to pass, and taking what the defense has given him. The best throw made by either quarterback was his completion to Delashaun Dean at about the 1 yard line. I like the idea of playing Foles 3-4 series a game. He is talented in his own right, and it means that the defense must spend that much more time game planning for him. For the record, Foles first pass of the night was a TERRIBLE pass. I know, it flew a long way in the air and looked pretty, but he threw it to the wrong shoulder, and Juron "drops" Criner had to take a very difficult angle to get there. Matt Scott is our quarterback and you need to rally around him. This week is no doubt a big test for him, and yeah things could get ugly, but it really seems that a lot of Wildcat fans are cheering for Matt to fail out there. Stop it. Seriously. If you told me that in his 2nd start, Matt would lead Arizona to well over 500 yards of offense, I would absolutely taken it in a flash. Finally, our offense is 2nd in the country in time of possession, and in the top 10 in first downs. Let the kinks get worked out, folks, the season is young.
On to the defense. A lot of people have been in a panic as a result of last weeks performance. I have a theory here. Lets be honest, everyone knew that NAU was going to lose, including NAU. If you watched, Arizona ran less than 5 blitzes all night, and never strayed from a loose cover-3 defense, despite NAU running bubble screen after bubble screen. Given that we shut down a similar offense, with a significantly higher amount of talent the week before, something seems strange. I believe that the coaching staff made a big gamble last week. Instead of focusing on NAU, they spent an extra week game planning for the Hawkeyes. I expect a return to the aggressive, fly to the football defense that we were treated to Labor Day weekend. Expect to see blitz packages, more disguised coverage, and more faith shown in our corners, Devin Ross and Trevin Wade.
This game is going to be a good one, of that I have no doubt. While losing Rob Gronkowski is huge, and a devastating blow, consider this. Iowa almost never plays a nickel or dime package. I think we will see a ton of 4 wide sets Saturday, but we will run out of them. Iowa's strength is the linebackers, and I expect AJ Edds, Jermiha Hunter and Pat Angerer to spend a lot of time on the outside in coverage. (Angerer, BTW, might be my favorite non-Wildcat in the country.I can't wait until next week when I can root for this guy) This means that our quick hitting Slip'n'slide combo will have creases in the defense to run to. Expect either Brett Greenwood or Tyler Sash, Iowa's safeties, to play close to the line of scrimmage, with the other over the top, to try and take away the read option play. This game will not be a blowout, and the outcome will not be decided until very late. I can't wait, and I hope your the same way.
Finally, here are two guys worth watching closely Saturday. Coming in at 13th on the countdown is left tackle Mike Diaz. a transfer from junior college, Diaz inherited a starting spot in week 4 against UCLA and never looked back. The 330 pound senior has looked great at left tackle so far, and will no doubt be tested by ends Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns. For Arizona to win, Diaz has to be stellar. At 12 we have Nic Grigsby. This is a guy who came into the program at 170 pounds, expected to play receiver. Instead, he has built himself into an every down tailback, which as I have said before is a huge help to our young quarterback. Nic has learned to channel his energy, no longer taking the time to taunt visiting teams as they run on the field. It was been refreshing to see the guy grow up in his 3 years here. Not only that, but he is one of the top students on the squad, and rumor has it he is going to give baseball a shot in the spring. If Grigsby continues his early season form, you can't help but feel good about Saturday.
Well, sit back and enjoy, folks. We don't play a lot of Midwestern teams at Arizona, which makes this match up that much more appealing to this transplant. Just do me a favor when you watch this game, and support whoever is behind center. We don't need any bad noise on campus. Real Talk
There is NO quarterback controversy. I had a feeling that, regardless of how Nick Foles played, people would begin to call for his head immediately. Look, I know he was 6 of 8 and threw a touchdown in the third quarter of a blowout, but that really doesn't impress me. "But he threw a beautiful out route to Terrell Turner!!!", many of these armchair QBs have said. Our starting quarterback goes 15 for 20, including 2 pretty nice long completions, but Foles is better because of one pass? I don't follow. Scott has been fine, looking to pass, and taking what the defense has given him. The best throw made by either quarterback was his completion to Delashaun Dean at about the 1 yard line. I like the idea of playing Foles 3-4 series a game. He is talented in his own right, and it means that the defense must spend that much more time game planning for him. For the record, Foles first pass of the night was a TERRIBLE pass. I know, it flew a long way in the air and looked pretty, but he threw it to the wrong shoulder, and Juron "drops" Criner had to take a very difficult angle to get there. Matt Scott is our quarterback and you need to rally around him. This week is no doubt a big test for him, and yeah things could get ugly, but it really seems that a lot of Wildcat fans are cheering for Matt to fail out there. Stop it. Seriously. If you told me that in his 2nd start, Matt would lead Arizona to well over 500 yards of offense, I would absolutely taken it in a flash. Finally, our offense is 2nd in the country in time of possession, and in the top 10 in first downs. Let the kinks get worked out, folks, the season is young.
On to the defense. A lot of people have been in a panic as a result of last weeks performance. I have a theory here. Lets be honest, everyone knew that NAU was going to lose, including NAU. If you watched, Arizona ran less than 5 blitzes all night, and never strayed from a loose cover-3 defense, despite NAU running bubble screen after bubble screen. Given that we shut down a similar offense, with a significantly higher amount of talent the week before, something seems strange. I believe that the coaching staff made a big gamble last week. Instead of focusing on NAU, they spent an extra week game planning for the Hawkeyes. I expect a return to the aggressive, fly to the football defense that we were treated to Labor Day weekend. Expect to see blitz packages, more disguised coverage, and more faith shown in our corners, Devin Ross and Trevin Wade.
This game is going to be a good one, of that I have no doubt. While losing Rob Gronkowski is huge, and a devastating blow, consider this. Iowa almost never plays a nickel or dime package. I think we will see a ton of 4 wide sets Saturday, but we will run out of them. Iowa's strength is the linebackers, and I expect AJ Edds, Jermiha Hunter and Pat Angerer to spend a lot of time on the outside in coverage. (Angerer, BTW, might be my favorite non-Wildcat in the country.I can't wait until next week when I can root for this guy) This means that our quick hitting Slip'n'slide combo will have creases in the defense to run to. Expect either Brett Greenwood or Tyler Sash, Iowa's safeties, to play close to the line of scrimmage, with the other over the top, to try and take away the read option play. This game will not be a blowout, and the outcome will not be decided until very late. I can't wait, and I hope your the same way.
Finally, here are two guys worth watching closely Saturday. Coming in at 13th on the countdown is left tackle Mike Diaz. a transfer from junior college, Diaz inherited a starting spot in week 4 against UCLA and never looked back. The 330 pound senior has looked great at left tackle so far, and will no doubt be tested by ends Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns. For Arizona to win, Diaz has to be stellar. At 12 we have Nic Grigsby. This is a guy who came into the program at 170 pounds, expected to play receiver. Instead, he has built himself into an every down tailback, which as I have said before is a huge help to our young quarterback. Nic has learned to channel his energy, no longer taking the time to taunt visiting teams as they run on the field. It was been refreshing to see the guy grow up in his 3 years here. Not only that, but he is one of the top students on the squad, and rumor has it he is going to give baseball a shot in the spring. If Grigsby continues his early season form, you can't help but feel good about Saturday.
Well, sit back and enjoy, folks. We don't play a lot of Midwestern teams at Arizona, which makes this match up that much more appealing to this transplant. Just do me a favor when you watch this game, and support whoever is behind center. We don't need any bad noise on campus. Real Talk
Friday, September 11, 2009
One other thing I forgot
Today is, of course, September 11th. Maybe the craziest day that I can remember. I am sure you all remember exactly where you were. For me, I was in a 3rd period study hall at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School. I remember coming to class, where the TV was on, and wondering what the hell was going on. At this point, only 1 airliner had crashed into the towers. We witnessed #2 in real time. I never told anyone this, but I remember fighting back tears for the rest of the day thinking about all the people who were helpless in those buildings, and on those planes. (NOTE: Ask anyone who knows me, I never get emotional, ever) We had a football game that day, and thank goodness it was canceled. Nobody really cared about a game against Hopkins North, this was much bigger than that. Today, remember what is important, as you should everyday. We live in the greatest country in the world, and whether you like the President or not, trust that dude is working his butt off to keep us safe and in the #1 spot, just like George W. Bush did. Life has been different since then, with security on planes getting more serious and American foreign policy going in an entirely new direction. If you are my age, you have basically grown up in the post 9-11 world. One thing I hope for is that America rallies around the flag on a permanent basis the way we all did after 9-11. If you don't think that all those big flag rallies, or U-S-A chants at concerts and sports games were awesome, then honestly we are not friends and you can go to hell. Please remember the fallen today, please remember what makes America great, and please give props to everyone who is on a ship or base somewhere laboring to keep us safe. Like I said, this is the greatest country in the world, so most of all, please remember that. Not today, but everyday. By doing this, we will frustrate all the haters out there, and remind them that they can't ever break us. Real Talk.
Week 2, the start of the season?
I am really pumped for this week. As many of you know, I spent Labor Day weekend in Las Vegas. Aside from having a ton of fun, soaking up rays poolside, and all sorts of other shenanigans, I did not get to fully engulf my Saturday in my favorite thing. That, my friends, is college football. There's nothing I enjoy more than spending a Saturday on the couch with my bros and taking in every single game. Pathetic, probably, but honestly its a pastime that I know many of you enjoy just as much as I do, so there really is no shame to be had. This week is essentially week 1 for me. I will not be doing a preview on the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, but I have some opinions about both Arizona and the national scene that I think you will really like.
Before this incident gets put to bed, let me just say that I am thrilled with the LeGarrette Blount suspension. There is absolutely no reason to go after fans. It is similar to running a shop or fast food business: the customer is always right. In this instance, the fan is always right. No matter what is said or how vile their actions. Ask soccer stars like Samuel Eto'o or Mario Balotelli, who have both faced entirely worse crowds than the isolated group of drunken idiots Blount encountered. Both of them, who are of African descent, have faced racial taunts, bananas being thrown at them, trash, all sorts of despicable things. Yet never once have you seen them go after a crowd. As a public figure, you absolutely must conduct yourself in a professional manner. Be the bigger man, and let the crowd look like jerks. If not, well, enjoy the season from your sofa, LeGarrette. I also can't stand the Oregon program. Mike Bellotti is not the 'Dean of the Pac-10'. This is a program that has gone to a few big time bowls, I'll give them that, but they are not even close to a national power. Kirk Herbstreit said it best, describing the Ducks as the 'Paris Hilton of college football'. Rich daddy, famous for no reason, and yeah they do look pretty good (debatable on both fronts, IMO). So any time this program comes crashing back down to earth, even if its not that far of a fall, forgive me for enjoying it just a little.
As for the Wildcats, I have a few things to take away from last weeks game. The 19-6 score was disappointing, but touchdowns dropped by Bug Wright and Juron Criner, as well as the Cats taking a knee on the 1, show me a game where the score was never that close, and the outcome never in doubt. Matt Scott played the entire game, which I liked, because it allowed him to grow into the job and get comfortable. Everything I have heard told me that he played his best ball in the second half, once he was given the green light to finish the game. This week, I expect Scott to play at least a half, especially if the result is what we all expect. If Arizona has a big lead at the half, expect Nick Foles to get the playing time he deserves to show the staff that we have a very capable backup.
I am going to give you two guys that I want you to pay attention to against NAU. This is an extension of my countdown, which I have tweaked a little to fit the reason. Coming in at #15 and #14 are Keola Antolin and Terrell Turner. Turner is a senior who has started since his freshman season (he only caught 1 pass in 3 2006 starts) who has established himself as the possession receiver for the Zona offense. Terrell will play a bigger role as the season progresses, but this is a guy that the staff feels very good about in any situation. Keola burst onto the scene last year with a 10 touchdown season, and looks to add more in 2009. With Nic Grigsby looking very good in week 1, Antolin's best opportunity to shine may be on kickoff returns, where this season he is averaging 32 yards a runback. I think its only a matter of time before the 5'8 stick of dynamite busts one wide open. Look out for these guys and more in Arizona Stadium this week.
Nationally, lets take a look at OSU-USC. A lot has been made about Matt Barkley going into the Horseshoe as a true freshman. I think I stray from the pack in that I don't anticipate him being rattled. This is a kid who has seen his mug in the newspaper and on national TV since he was 15. While the snap count may be an issue, particularly early, Barkley is a smooth operator and I don't think he will let the attention faze him. Lets not forget he has an outstanding running game to boot, always a young quarterback's best friend. I am not impressed by Ohio State's team, outside of Terrelle Pryor. I think that they keep it closer than last year, but USC is still a juggernaut and I don't see anyone getting past Taylor Mays. USC doesn't win big, but they still win.
Looking at the rest of the nation, I think Notre Dame beats a sorry Michigan team. In a battle of Southern California douche bags, Jimmy Clausen outshines Tate Forcier and his basket case father in a game in which we will see plenty of missed tackles. Forcier is the truth, but his supporting cast is pretty lacking, especially when you see guys like Mike Floyd and Golden Tate suiting up for the Irish. In my opinion, its only a matter of time before backup quarterback Denard Robinson moves to receiver for the Wolverines. Robinson is one of the 5 or 6 fastest guys in football, a borderline Olympic caliber sprinter out of Miami who is wasting his time at Quarterback. The sooner they get him on the field full time, the faster Michigan gets its 'stuff' together. I also think the Troy Trojans will play Florida closer than the country expects. Troy is a team full of athletes and nasty junior college guys, and historically they have a pretty good record of keeping things interesting against BCS-level teams. I won't put them on upset alert, but the line in this game could be lucrative for any of you compulsive gamblers out there.
Keep reading, I hope you like this as much as I do. I am going to have a piece that will hopefully make the country shut up about the Donte Stallworth story, as well as some ideas for the NFL and college playoffs. Be safe this weekend folks, and whatever you do, make sure its always Real.
Before this incident gets put to bed, let me just say that I am thrilled with the LeGarrette Blount suspension. There is absolutely no reason to go after fans. It is similar to running a shop or fast food business: the customer is always right. In this instance, the fan is always right. No matter what is said or how vile their actions. Ask soccer stars like Samuel Eto'o or Mario Balotelli, who have both faced entirely worse crowds than the isolated group of drunken idiots Blount encountered. Both of them, who are of African descent, have faced racial taunts, bananas being thrown at them, trash, all sorts of despicable things. Yet never once have you seen them go after a crowd. As a public figure, you absolutely must conduct yourself in a professional manner. Be the bigger man, and let the crowd look like jerks. If not, well, enjoy the season from your sofa, LeGarrette. I also can't stand the Oregon program. Mike Bellotti is not the 'Dean of the Pac-10'. This is a program that has gone to a few big time bowls, I'll give them that, but they are not even close to a national power. Kirk Herbstreit said it best, describing the Ducks as the 'Paris Hilton of college football'. Rich daddy, famous for no reason, and yeah they do look pretty good (debatable on both fronts, IMO). So any time this program comes crashing back down to earth, even if its not that far of a fall, forgive me for enjoying it just a little.
As for the Wildcats, I have a few things to take away from last weeks game. The 19-6 score was disappointing, but touchdowns dropped by Bug Wright and Juron Criner, as well as the Cats taking a knee on the 1, show me a game where the score was never that close, and the outcome never in doubt. Matt Scott played the entire game, which I liked, because it allowed him to grow into the job and get comfortable. Everything I have heard told me that he played his best ball in the second half, once he was given the green light to finish the game. This week, I expect Scott to play at least a half, especially if the result is what we all expect. If Arizona has a big lead at the half, expect Nick Foles to get the playing time he deserves to show the staff that we have a very capable backup.
I am going to give you two guys that I want you to pay attention to against NAU. This is an extension of my countdown, which I have tweaked a little to fit the reason. Coming in at #15 and #14 are Keola Antolin and Terrell Turner. Turner is a senior who has started since his freshman season (he only caught 1 pass in 3 2006 starts) who has established himself as the possession receiver for the Zona offense. Terrell will play a bigger role as the season progresses, but this is a guy that the staff feels very good about in any situation. Keola burst onto the scene last year with a 10 touchdown season, and looks to add more in 2009. With Nic Grigsby looking very good in week 1, Antolin's best opportunity to shine may be on kickoff returns, where this season he is averaging 32 yards a runback. I think its only a matter of time before the 5'8 stick of dynamite busts one wide open. Look out for these guys and more in Arizona Stadium this week.
Nationally, lets take a look at OSU-USC. A lot has been made about Matt Barkley going into the Horseshoe as a true freshman. I think I stray from the pack in that I don't anticipate him being rattled. This is a kid who has seen his mug in the newspaper and on national TV since he was 15. While the snap count may be an issue, particularly early, Barkley is a smooth operator and I don't think he will let the attention faze him. Lets not forget he has an outstanding running game to boot, always a young quarterback's best friend. I am not impressed by Ohio State's team, outside of Terrelle Pryor. I think that they keep it closer than last year, but USC is still a juggernaut and I don't see anyone getting past Taylor Mays. USC doesn't win big, but they still win.
Looking at the rest of the nation, I think Notre Dame beats a sorry Michigan team. In a battle of Southern California douche bags, Jimmy Clausen outshines Tate Forcier and his basket case father in a game in which we will see plenty of missed tackles. Forcier is the truth, but his supporting cast is pretty lacking, especially when you see guys like Mike Floyd and Golden Tate suiting up for the Irish. In my opinion, its only a matter of time before backup quarterback Denard Robinson moves to receiver for the Wolverines. Robinson is one of the 5 or 6 fastest guys in football, a borderline Olympic caliber sprinter out of Miami who is wasting his time at Quarterback. The sooner they get him on the field full time, the faster Michigan gets its 'stuff' together. I also think the Troy Trojans will play Florida closer than the country expects. Troy is a team full of athletes and nasty junior college guys, and historically they have a pretty good record of keeping things interesting against BCS-level teams. I won't put them on upset alert, but the line in this game could be lucrative for any of you compulsive gamblers out there.
Keep reading, I hope you like this as much as I do. I am going to have a piece that will hopefully make the country shut up about the Donte Stallworth story, as well as some ideas for the NFL and college playoffs. Be safe this weekend folks, and whatever you do, make sure its always Real.
Friday, September 4, 2009
College football comes out swingin...
Hey guys, its good to be back. Due to an internet problem, things will be a little different around Real Talk. First, I have made two slight adjustments. The countdown will now be weekly, including bye weeks, and should wrap up around the Territorial Cup. In addition, the extended team previews (of clubs that haven't been covered) will be the week Arizona matches up with them. Today, I will be giving you the much anticipated preview of our Arizona Wildcats. It is not too different from information provided by other outlets, however my opinion is my own and I think I have a few things in here that will surprise you. I will wrap things up with a rough prediction for this week, and my opinion on the now infamous LaGarrette Blount incident up in Boise.
Arizona is a pretty interesting football program. While I can't say that the 'Cats have ever been elite, there are some pretty big accomplishments. A 12-1 season back in 1998 that featured about 15 NFL players is one of them. While some of these guys, such as wideout Jeremy McDaniel, merely had cups of coffee at the highest level, Edwin Mulitalo, Chris McAlister, and Trung Canidate were successful pros. Arizona holds the dubious distinction of never playing in a Rose Bowl. That could change in the not-so-distant future. Head Coach Mike Stoops has now learned what it takes to build a winner. While he has had his fair share of questionable decisions, you cannot argue with the personnell that he has developed in Tucson. After initially going after high profile, high risk players like BJ Vickers, Derke Robinson and, perhaps most famously, Louis Holmes, Stoops has instead decided to go after hungry players who may not be as well known to the rest of the recruiting world. Guys like Keola Antolin and Trevin Wade have already been big time performers, and it stands to reason Stoops may be on to something here. Arizona Stadium seats about 57,000 fans, and while it's size isn't daunting, the place is a rickety, loud, old fashioned trap for visitors. With over 10,000 'courageous' students stretching from end zone to end zone, the Wildcats have a unique home field advantage, which has played a part in several notable giant-killings over the years.
Quarterbacks: I really have nothing to add here that wasn't discussed last week. I am going to predict that Matt Scott gets the first snap of the game. If he suceeds, I don't think that the 2-qb system will come to fruition. If he struggles, big Nick Foles will get the call. I just feel that the staff wants Scott to win, if for no other reason than the added dimensions he gives the offense. The third stringer is Bryson Bierne, who is a smart, nice kid that teammates regard as a leader. True freshman Richard Morrison is waiting in the wings. At about 5'11 and running a 4.3 40, Morrison was coveted as a receiver by Texas and Oklahoma, but chose to come here and compete to call signals. Aside from a disaster scenario, Morrison won't play this year but is a name to keep an eye on in the future.
Running Backs: After rushing for over 1100 yards last season, one would think that Nic Grigsby would get just a little credit for an outstanding season. Instead, the media has acted as if he doesn't exist. Nic has bulked up from his freshman season, going from a 170 pound teenager to a 200 pound machine. The junior is electric, with great moves and a nose for the end zone. Keola Antolin, a touchdown machine from Las Vegas, should see plenty of time as well. Antolin burst onto the scene as a true freshman with a 150 yard, 3 score performance against Cal. He is a hard charging, speedy guy who surprises anyone not named Taylor Mays with his pop. Look for Slip'n'Slide to run for a ton of yards this season, and lets keep our eyes open for these two studs to be on the field together. In short yardage, look for Greg Nwoko, a monster from Texas who has been the talk of the town since spring practice. H-Back Chris Gronkowski proved to be a dangerous receiver when called upon, and the team plays much better when the former baseball player has the ball in his hands.
Receivers: A lot of names, plenty of game. I am starting with TE Rob Gronkowski, the younger brother of H-Back Chris. Rob is 6'6, 240 pounds and is just about perfect. He is the only Tight End I have ever seen pull away from defensive backs with such authority. Not only are his hands money, but the guy is a devastating blocker. Backing him up is former big time recruit AJ Simmons, more of a blocker than receiver, who plays well in short yardage situations. On the outside, Terrell Turner and Delashaun Dean are names that you are no doubt familiar with. The senior Turner has great hands, makes plays in traffic, and is dangerous after the catch. Junior Dean is a big play, flashy kid from the Bay Area who is also a devastating blocker. In addition, Delashaun is one of the coolest names in the game right now. Sophomore Bug Wright will play in the slot. The coaches like to put the former quarterback in motion, utilizing him on fly sweeps, passes, and underneath routes. Classmates David Douglas and Juron Criner will also see a lot of time. the 6'4 Criner, in particular, has the look of a future star about him. True freshman Terrence Miller has been too good to keep off the field, and it wouldnt surprise me if the oversized wideout overtook any number of elder statesmen in the rotation.
Offensive Line: A completely set, solid group. Left tackle Mike Diaz is probably the most talented, a devastating run blocker who has re-tooled his game to replace Eben Britton. Fellow tackle Adam Grant is equally effective when healthy. On the inside, look for Colin Baxter, Vaughn Dotsy, Jovon Hayes, and Conan Amituanai to see the most time. This isn't a great unit, but you have 8 or 9 pretty solid players ready to contribute.
Defensive Line: The star is Brooks Reed. A high school tailback here in Tucson, Reed has dedicated himself in the weight room to becoming a terror on the line. Extremely coachable, strong, and a little creepy, the Thor-like junior looks to build off of an 8.5 sack season. Brooks is a guy you can't help but like, and honestly he may be my favorite player on this team. Opposite him are fellow juniors D'Aundre Reed and Ricky Elmore. Elmore is more steady, while Reed has flashed his potential in spot duty. If D'Aundre could ever keep some weight on his lanky frame, we would be talking about an All league type player. Inside, a rotation of Earl Mitchell, Donald Horton, Lolomana Mikaele and Jonathan Hollins will keep things interesting. Horton is a pass rusher of note, and maybe the coolest guy on the team. The others are very stout against the run. Sophomore Dominique Austin, who won't play a ton this year, is my prediction for future star. The kid has gained 40 pounds in his first year on campus, and is always around the ball when he is in.
Linebackers: The most interesting position on the team. Starters Xavier Kelley, Sterling Lewis, and Vuna Tuihalamaka are all immensly talented seniors. Lewis and Kelley are slightly undersized guys from Texas that have a nose for the ball and really impressed in spot duty last season. Vuna (his last name is spectacular) was so talented that the staff implemented a 3-4 at times just to get him on the field, which tells me all that I need to know. Corey Hall, Orlando Vargas, and newcomer CJ Parish will all see time at one point or another this season.
Defensive Backs: If there is one thing the Stoops boys know, its defensive backs. Just ask Derrick Strait, Andre Woolfolk, Wilrey Fontenot, or Antoine Cason. If your head is in the sand, those 4 are just a handful of Stoops products playing in the NFL. The current crop has a few candidates as well. Starting on the backline, Cam Nelson is primed for a breakout season. A speedy, former option quarterback from Kimball, Texas, Cam is an intellectually gifted specimen who always seemes to close on tacklers and the ball with equal tenacity. Sophomore Robert Golden is probably the biggest hitter in the group, a former corner and quite the ambassador to the University of Arizona when it comes to recruiting. At corner, its the Devin and Trevin show. Devin Ross, a former high school All-American, is back for another outstanding year. Despite taking a lump or two last season (I still maintain the OSU debacle wasn't his fault), Ross is one of the premier corners in the nation. Wade is a ball-hawk, a kid who had 4 picks last year and very nearly 3 or 4 more. Trevin's only other option out of high school was to walk on. Early indications are that the rest of Division 1 football completely missed the boat. Bold Prediction: Senior Brandon Tatum will come up big for the 'Cats this year. Another All-American, Brandon has been seemingly lost in the shuffle his entire career. The light has gone on for him, and with his physical attributes (best athlete on the team, related to legend Jack Tatum) you can't help but think that he will be a big part of the team. Please take note of the Arizona 'A' that is tatooed on Brandon's wrist. A guy who loves his school and team that much will come through in the clutch, of that I have no doubt. I also look for contributions from former LSU commit Marcus Benjamin. Marcus is another ball-hawking corner from the south-central United States. At 6'1, 200, he looks to be first in line when D Ross moves on to the NFL.
Special Teams: Punter Keenyn Crier has a boot, and reportedly has finally learned consistency. Crier has an NFL caliber leg, and 2 more years to hone his craft. Deep snapper Jason Bertoni returns for his senior season. Last season wasn't his best, but Bertoni has worked very hard this offseason to be better and I expect a banner year from him, meaning this is the last time you hear his name. Your kick returner will probably be Travis Cobb, a junior college transfer with great speed and vision. I like Bug Wright at punt returner. You probably don't remember, due in large part to the announcers screwing up (hey, its FSN!) but Bug had a 52 yard return against UCLA in his only real duty. Sophomore Alex Zendejas has struggled in camp, but the kid has a strong leg and enough family advice to keep him chugging. While he won't be as good as Nick Folk, I think Alex will come around.
Season Outlook: To me, it all depends on Stoops. If he truly has grown, this is a 9 or even 10 win ballclub. If not, expect another year slumming for a mediocre bowl. I prefer option #1, but college football is beautiful in that it is so unpredictable. As far as saturday goes, Central Michigan is certainly talented enough to win. But Arizona is better. If we (I am a Wildcat) play our game (again, it literally is my team, unlike the NFL or NBA), The 'Chips go home empty handed. But if Zona's players aren't willing to respect their opponent and play disciplined football, expect another nerve racking fall in Tucson.
As far as tonight's game, you may never see draft stock plummet so spectacularly. Short of killing a baby, LeGarrette Blount couln't have done anything more to damage his pro prospects. Rushing 8 times for -5 yards is bad enough, but then you have his postgame shenanigans. Let me tell you what I think here. First, Blount has been running his mouth in the papers for some time, including the now famous last words "(Boise State) needs a (butt)kicking". This is a family blog, I can't give you the real quote. Im cure that Byron Hout, the clown from Boise State, was asking if he had received his "buttkicking" from Blount yet. While Hout was completely out of line and in very poor taste, Mr. Blount needs to realize that you can't react that way. After dropping Hout, and rumor has it Byron is short a tooth tonight, Oregon's team cancer got into it with a teammate. Then some 'courageous' (note: that is a euphemism) college students decided to tell him what they thought of the game. If it wasn't for former Nebraska QB and Duck assistant Scott Frost, I have no doubt that one LeGarrette Blount would have gone postal in the Bronco Student section. It hasn't been confirmed, but he reportedly took a swing at an officer of the law in the tunnel while being dragged to the locker room.
Look, those kids and Byron Hout were way out of line. But I don't think Blount should get a pass here. If I am the coach, he is off the team effective right now. I am not even sure I let him travel back to Eugene with the team. There is no place for his actions in college athletics. His job is a privelege and I think he no longer earns opportunity to suit up for the Ducks. I am firmly in the camp of "Kick LeGarrette to the curb". And for the record, if anyone on Arizona ran into the stands following a loss, I say good riddance and time to move on to him as well. This is Mike Bellotti's first big challenge as AD, and the eyes of the entire College football world are on him. On the real, don't screw this up, Mike.
Sadly, I will not be at saturday's game. I have uncovered several awesome deals and will be in Vegas enjoying the festivities that come with long weekends. I pray that all of you, including the dozens of kids joining me on our journey to Nevada, exercise caution. There are too many avoidable things that can go wrong in college, so be smart and use good judgement. I know that I will do my best, and I can't wait to write some more for you guys upon my return to the Old Pueblo next week. Stay real folks.
Arizona is a pretty interesting football program. While I can't say that the 'Cats have ever been elite, there are some pretty big accomplishments. A 12-1 season back in 1998 that featured about 15 NFL players is one of them. While some of these guys, such as wideout Jeremy McDaniel, merely had cups of coffee at the highest level, Edwin Mulitalo, Chris McAlister, and Trung Canidate were successful pros. Arizona holds the dubious distinction of never playing in a Rose Bowl. That could change in the not-so-distant future. Head Coach Mike Stoops has now learned what it takes to build a winner. While he has had his fair share of questionable decisions, you cannot argue with the personnell that he has developed in Tucson. After initially going after high profile, high risk players like BJ Vickers, Derke Robinson and, perhaps most famously, Louis Holmes, Stoops has instead decided to go after hungry players who may not be as well known to the rest of the recruiting world. Guys like Keola Antolin and Trevin Wade have already been big time performers, and it stands to reason Stoops may be on to something here. Arizona Stadium seats about 57,000 fans, and while it's size isn't daunting, the place is a rickety, loud, old fashioned trap for visitors. With over 10,000 'courageous' students stretching from end zone to end zone, the Wildcats have a unique home field advantage, which has played a part in several notable giant-killings over the years.
Quarterbacks: I really have nothing to add here that wasn't discussed last week. I am going to predict that Matt Scott gets the first snap of the game. If he suceeds, I don't think that the 2-qb system will come to fruition. If he struggles, big Nick Foles will get the call. I just feel that the staff wants Scott to win, if for no other reason than the added dimensions he gives the offense. The third stringer is Bryson Bierne, who is a smart, nice kid that teammates regard as a leader. True freshman Richard Morrison is waiting in the wings. At about 5'11 and running a 4.3 40, Morrison was coveted as a receiver by Texas and Oklahoma, but chose to come here and compete to call signals. Aside from a disaster scenario, Morrison won't play this year but is a name to keep an eye on in the future.
Running Backs: After rushing for over 1100 yards last season, one would think that Nic Grigsby would get just a little credit for an outstanding season. Instead, the media has acted as if he doesn't exist. Nic has bulked up from his freshman season, going from a 170 pound teenager to a 200 pound machine. The junior is electric, with great moves and a nose for the end zone. Keola Antolin, a touchdown machine from Las Vegas, should see plenty of time as well. Antolin burst onto the scene as a true freshman with a 150 yard, 3 score performance against Cal. He is a hard charging, speedy guy who surprises anyone not named Taylor Mays with his pop. Look for Slip'n'Slide to run for a ton of yards this season, and lets keep our eyes open for these two studs to be on the field together. In short yardage, look for Greg Nwoko, a monster from Texas who has been the talk of the town since spring practice. H-Back Chris Gronkowski proved to be a dangerous receiver when called upon, and the team plays much better when the former baseball player has the ball in his hands.
Receivers: A lot of names, plenty of game. I am starting with TE Rob Gronkowski, the younger brother of H-Back Chris. Rob is 6'6, 240 pounds and is just about perfect. He is the only Tight End I have ever seen pull away from defensive backs with such authority. Not only are his hands money, but the guy is a devastating blocker. Backing him up is former big time recruit AJ Simmons, more of a blocker than receiver, who plays well in short yardage situations. On the outside, Terrell Turner and Delashaun Dean are names that you are no doubt familiar with. The senior Turner has great hands, makes plays in traffic, and is dangerous after the catch. Junior Dean is a big play, flashy kid from the Bay Area who is also a devastating blocker. In addition, Delashaun is one of the coolest names in the game right now. Sophomore Bug Wright will play in the slot. The coaches like to put the former quarterback in motion, utilizing him on fly sweeps, passes, and underneath routes. Classmates David Douglas and Juron Criner will also see a lot of time. the 6'4 Criner, in particular, has the look of a future star about him. True freshman Terrence Miller has been too good to keep off the field, and it wouldnt surprise me if the oversized wideout overtook any number of elder statesmen in the rotation.
Offensive Line: A completely set, solid group. Left tackle Mike Diaz is probably the most talented, a devastating run blocker who has re-tooled his game to replace Eben Britton. Fellow tackle Adam Grant is equally effective when healthy. On the inside, look for Colin Baxter, Vaughn Dotsy, Jovon Hayes, and Conan Amituanai to see the most time. This isn't a great unit, but you have 8 or 9 pretty solid players ready to contribute.
Defensive Line: The star is Brooks Reed. A high school tailback here in Tucson, Reed has dedicated himself in the weight room to becoming a terror on the line. Extremely coachable, strong, and a little creepy, the Thor-like junior looks to build off of an 8.5 sack season. Brooks is a guy you can't help but like, and honestly he may be my favorite player on this team. Opposite him are fellow juniors D'Aundre Reed and Ricky Elmore. Elmore is more steady, while Reed has flashed his potential in spot duty. If D'Aundre could ever keep some weight on his lanky frame, we would be talking about an All league type player. Inside, a rotation of Earl Mitchell, Donald Horton, Lolomana Mikaele and Jonathan Hollins will keep things interesting. Horton is a pass rusher of note, and maybe the coolest guy on the team. The others are very stout against the run. Sophomore Dominique Austin, who won't play a ton this year, is my prediction for future star. The kid has gained 40 pounds in his first year on campus, and is always around the ball when he is in.
Linebackers: The most interesting position on the team. Starters Xavier Kelley, Sterling Lewis, and Vuna Tuihalamaka are all immensly talented seniors. Lewis and Kelley are slightly undersized guys from Texas that have a nose for the ball and really impressed in spot duty last season. Vuna (his last name is spectacular) was so talented that the staff implemented a 3-4 at times just to get him on the field, which tells me all that I need to know. Corey Hall, Orlando Vargas, and newcomer CJ Parish will all see time at one point or another this season.
Defensive Backs: If there is one thing the Stoops boys know, its defensive backs. Just ask Derrick Strait, Andre Woolfolk, Wilrey Fontenot, or Antoine Cason. If your head is in the sand, those 4 are just a handful of Stoops products playing in the NFL. The current crop has a few candidates as well. Starting on the backline, Cam Nelson is primed for a breakout season. A speedy, former option quarterback from Kimball, Texas, Cam is an intellectually gifted specimen who always seemes to close on tacklers and the ball with equal tenacity. Sophomore Robert Golden is probably the biggest hitter in the group, a former corner and quite the ambassador to the University of Arizona when it comes to recruiting. At corner, its the Devin and Trevin show. Devin Ross, a former high school All-American, is back for another outstanding year. Despite taking a lump or two last season (I still maintain the OSU debacle wasn't his fault), Ross is one of the premier corners in the nation. Wade is a ball-hawk, a kid who had 4 picks last year and very nearly 3 or 4 more. Trevin's only other option out of high school was to walk on. Early indications are that the rest of Division 1 football completely missed the boat. Bold Prediction: Senior Brandon Tatum will come up big for the 'Cats this year. Another All-American, Brandon has been seemingly lost in the shuffle his entire career. The light has gone on for him, and with his physical attributes (best athlete on the team, related to legend Jack Tatum) you can't help but think that he will be a big part of the team. Please take note of the Arizona 'A' that is tatooed on Brandon's wrist. A guy who loves his school and team that much will come through in the clutch, of that I have no doubt. I also look for contributions from former LSU commit Marcus Benjamin. Marcus is another ball-hawking corner from the south-central United States. At 6'1, 200, he looks to be first in line when D Ross moves on to the NFL.
Special Teams: Punter Keenyn Crier has a boot, and reportedly has finally learned consistency. Crier has an NFL caliber leg, and 2 more years to hone his craft. Deep snapper Jason Bertoni returns for his senior season. Last season wasn't his best, but Bertoni has worked very hard this offseason to be better and I expect a banner year from him, meaning this is the last time you hear his name. Your kick returner will probably be Travis Cobb, a junior college transfer with great speed and vision. I like Bug Wright at punt returner. You probably don't remember, due in large part to the announcers screwing up (hey, its FSN!) but Bug had a 52 yard return against UCLA in his only real duty. Sophomore Alex Zendejas has struggled in camp, but the kid has a strong leg and enough family advice to keep him chugging. While he won't be as good as Nick Folk, I think Alex will come around.
Season Outlook: To me, it all depends on Stoops. If he truly has grown, this is a 9 or even 10 win ballclub. If not, expect another year slumming for a mediocre bowl. I prefer option #1, but college football is beautiful in that it is so unpredictable. As far as saturday goes, Central Michigan is certainly talented enough to win. But Arizona is better. If we (I am a Wildcat) play our game (again, it literally is my team, unlike the NFL or NBA), The 'Chips go home empty handed. But if Zona's players aren't willing to respect their opponent and play disciplined football, expect another nerve racking fall in Tucson.
As far as tonight's game, you may never see draft stock plummet so spectacularly. Short of killing a baby, LeGarrette Blount couln't have done anything more to damage his pro prospects. Rushing 8 times for -5 yards is bad enough, but then you have his postgame shenanigans. Let me tell you what I think here. First, Blount has been running his mouth in the papers for some time, including the now famous last words "(Boise State) needs a (butt)kicking". This is a family blog, I can't give you the real quote. Im cure that Byron Hout, the clown from Boise State, was asking if he had received his "buttkicking" from Blount yet. While Hout was completely out of line and in very poor taste, Mr. Blount needs to realize that you can't react that way. After dropping Hout, and rumor has it Byron is short a tooth tonight, Oregon's team cancer got into it with a teammate. Then some 'courageous' (note: that is a euphemism) college students decided to tell him what they thought of the game. If it wasn't for former Nebraska QB and Duck assistant Scott Frost, I have no doubt that one LeGarrette Blount would have gone postal in the Bronco Student section. It hasn't been confirmed, but he reportedly took a swing at an officer of the law in the tunnel while being dragged to the locker room.
Look, those kids and Byron Hout were way out of line. But I don't think Blount should get a pass here. If I am the coach, he is off the team effective right now. I am not even sure I let him travel back to Eugene with the team. There is no place for his actions in college athletics. His job is a privelege and I think he no longer earns opportunity to suit up for the Ducks. I am firmly in the camp of "Kick LeGarrette to the curb". And for the record, if anyone on Arizona ran into the stands following a loss, I say good riddance and time to move on to him as well. This is Mike Bellotti's first big challenge as AD, and the eyes of the entire College football world are on him. On the real, don't screw this up, Mike.
Sadly, I will not be at saturday's game. I have uncovered several awesome deals and will be in Vegas enjoying the festivities that come with long weekends. I pray that all of you, including the dozens of kids joining me on our journey to Nevada, exercise caution. There are too many avoidable things that can go wrong in college, so be smart and use good judgement. I know that I will do my best, and I can't wait to write some more for you guys upon my return to the Old Pueblo next week. Stay real folks.
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