If You Need A Good Deal On A Car, Get A Scholarship To Ohio State!



Even the mascot gets a free ride, literally!



The lies just keep on piling up at THE Cheating University.  I mean seriously, who knew anyone could kick Auburn's indiscretions out of the media spotlight?  Jim Tressel should be on Gene Chizik's Christmas card list for sure this year.  There is more paper evidence against Tressel and the football program, and one has to wonder how much longer THE Cheating University can continue to defend its rogue program.

If you missed the latest allegations, HERE is the latest regarding Ohio State athletes getting deeply discounted/free cars from local dealerships.

Has anyone in recent years besides Tiger Woods fallen from the graces of public perception fast than Jim Tressel and Ohio State?  Less than a year ago, he was perceived to be one of the greatest college football coaches of our era, a bastion of winning with class.  Now he's on the same level with Lane Kiffin. 

I don't know what is worse though.  His lack of integrity, or the majority of Buckeye Nation that is still in denial and backing Tressel to the death? Their arrogance (they demand to be called  THE Ohio State University) is astounding.  The sense of entitlement is astounding as well. All they've won in the past two decades is a National Championship that was handed to them by the back judge, on which they rode the coattails of a convicted felon.  It was cause for celebration when they defeated ARKANSAS in the Sugar Bowl this year, after being dominated by almost every other SEC team for the last 20 years.  To quell their SEC inferiority complex, they've scheduled a series with Vanderbilt.  What did Gordon Gee say about TCU playing the Little Sisters of the Poor (and I like Vandy)?

What will the NCAA do regarding these allegations?  The evidence seems to paint a dark picture for the future of the Buckeyes.  More importantly, what will Ohio State do?  Will they sit back and "dare" the NCAA to drop the hammer?  My guess is the latter.  The Suckeyes are too proud to admit they've done anything wrong.

Don't Hate Nate: Campaign Update!

Blowing up in the 8 spot!

I should have a direct line to Fredi Gonzalez's office.  Seriously.  A few weeks ago, when the rest of Braves Nation was ready to kick Nate to the curb, I asked Fredi to move him down in the lineup and watch him produce.  And that he has.  Since moving to the 8 spot in the lineup here are McLouth's numbers:

.323 BA  .443 OBP  2 HR  14 Walks/12 Strikeouts

The one thing that Joe Bravesfan and I agreed on was the fact that Heyward, not McLouth should have been hitting second in the lineup. 

The most impressive statistic for me here is the .443 on-base percentage, which is the penultimate goal of a 8th place hitter.  Eighth place hitters are often pitched around in the National League because teams would rather face the pitcher, so it's not like McLouth is going to see tons of fastballs to hit. This was the rationale behind his starting the season in the #2 spot, to see more hittable pitches to help him break out of his year plus long slump. 

Moving to #8 has forced McLouth to be more selective at the plate, and has actually caused him to relax and see pitches better, instead of trying to drive the first fastball in the neighborhood of the plate.  The fact that he has more walks than strikeouts is amazing, since his high strikeout totals and low OBP have been his bugaboo throughout his career, even in Pittsburgh. 

As a result of his new-found patience at the plate, he is performing another of his jobs as an 8 place hitter.  Turn the lineup over.  His ability to get on base is allowing the Braves to clear the pitcher's spot in the lineup in many innings, allowing them to start the next inning at the top of the lineup.  Also, Braves pitchers are able to bunt McLouth into scoring position, instead of aimlessly hacking away with no one on base(Braves pitchers now don't hit quite like the old ones did!).

I know this is only a 3 week sample space for McLouth in the 8 spot, but it looks promising for the rest of the season.  Do you still hate Nate?  If you want the Braves to make the playoffs, you shouldn't!

The Silent Science Part II

What we Love about Sports?

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 7, 2011 Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao fights "Sugar" Shane Mosley. This should be a very entertaining fight, but the average sports fan will never see it. Two great fighters enter the ring tomorrow night, one will impose his will on the other and emerge victorious. I put my money on Pac Man, no big surprise, he is pound for pound the best in the world, and Mosley is over the hill and with few exceptions, boxers are like milk. Once they go bad, there is no going back.

These days boxing is almost completely the silent sport. Yes, they still box on TV, but no one knows or cares (other than a few celebs and die hard fans). Sad thing is that like this fight there are some great bouts and some great sports moments that will never be viewed that way. Recently, many sports' analysts celebrated and remembered the Ali vs. Frazier fight. I wonder if any of the current fights happening this year will ever be remembered that way. Boxing is, however, a hidden jewel that can be unearthed by the true sports fan. This is true, especially with the summer producing so few sporting events to watch, I really look forward to Saturday fight night.

Boxing has such a great product that has been really untapped for at least the last two decades. Boxing must take some steps in another direction to bring itself into the mainstream again. Step one, it has to get the best fighter into the mainstream public eye. They can start having fights on the network channels, and most importantly back on ESPN. Friday night fight on ESPN only showcases C and D level fighters. If this happens then the next step will follow, ESPN will start having shows like Boxing Live, and then the experts can began to explain the sport to the common man. To the average Joe, boxing can look like dancing or sweating guys hugging.

I don't know how, but boxing needs to stop allowing fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. to hold boxing hostage, he is a cancer. As, I said in my last boxing entry, a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is the only fight that would peak the average sport fans' interest. Yet, Mayweather refuses to fight Pac Man even though there will be $40 million paydays for them both. To turn down 40 million, he must be really scared!

I spotlighted the Berto vs. Ortiz fight and wrote about all the amazing sports moments and qualities it had to offer. The ironic thing was that what's wrong with boxing was present at this fight as well. Floyd Mayweather, Jr sat ring side with rapper, 50 Cent at his side. Mayweather watched the fight and every time the camera found him he was showing his perfect, bleached white smile. People might like him better if he had a war with Manny, and if we are lucky maybe Manny knocks out one of those ultra white teeth. But, I laughed when I saw Mayweather there enjoying the battle, because no matter how rich or famous he gets, he will never put on a show like Berto and Ortiz did!

Rashard Mendenhall Is Such An Idiot!

He said WHAT?

I was looking forward to a night off from the blog as we began spring practice today and I'm tired, but Rashard Mendenhall has ticked me off with his ignorant opinions.  So much so, that just had to put this story together tonight.  If you missed the action, here were his Tweets after the capture and death of Osama bin Laden:

"What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side..."

Regarding September 11:

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style."

First, let me say this:  My celebration on Monday was not simply for the death of Osama bin Laden; instead it was a celebration of THE CARRYING OUT OF JUSTICE!  If it's even possible for the thousands of families who lost loved ones due to the terrorist acts of bin Laden, there was closure in his death. 

Did Mendenhall really say we've never heard Osama speak?  You mean, like on those videos?  The ones where he took credit for the Sept. 11 attacks and said there would be even more blood shed for us American "infidels" in the name of jihad?  There were countless other videos produced by al-Qaida where bin Laden took credit for other attacks as well as inciting others to do the same.  Has Mendenhall never watched the news? 

Did he really say we never will know what happened on Sept. 11?  I know he was only 13 at the time of the attacks, but did he not have a television at home?  If so, he must have missed the part where the planes crashed into the Towers and then collapsed on LIVE television.

I fully understand that as an AMERICAN we have the right to have our own opinions.  As a teacher, I encourage my students to formulate their own opinions, even if it's not the popular opinion.  Some people even like to be contrarians, or "devil's advocates", but not if it means being a total buffoon in the process.

Rashard Mendenhall will certainly regret making these ignorant statements, if he isn't regretting it already.  There has been a tremendous backlash already that could derail his career, a la John Rocker.    If he doesn't regret his statements, then he needs to be placed on the "No Fly" list.

Atlanta Falcons Draft Recap

Did the Falcons make all the right moves?

After the playoff destruction the Falcons suffered at the hands of the Packers in January, the word out of Flowery Branch was that the Falcons brass wanted "explosive" playmakers on offense.  They made sure they got one on Thursday night. 

I still don't believe that Julio Jones was "their guy," as it was stated the Falcons really wanted A.J. Green.  When the Bengals reneged on a possible trade, it was obvious Atlanta didn't want to be left in the cold, so they were almost forced to move up and take Jones at #6, since Cleveland was about to take him.  I do like Julio Jones and believe he will help the Falcons soon, but I think the price was too steep.  Giving up four picks (the two 2011 1st rounders cancel out) for one player is just too much for me.  Roddy White said it best; he was glad to have Julio, but that "we gave up our whole draft" to get him. 

Here is a rundown of the other picks:

3rd Round-Akeem Dent, ILB, Georgia:  Obviously I like the pick based on the fact that he's a Dawg, but I do think this will help with ILB depth, and Dent is talented enough to become an eventual starter.

5th Round-Jacquizz Rodgers, RB/KR, Oregon State:  This is my second favorite pick for the Falcons in this draft.  He's another "explosive" (Mike Smith buzzword) guy who got knocked for diminutive stature and his 4.6 40 at the combine, but he can make plays on offense, and will compliment Eric Weems in the return game.  If you don't like him, you will after you watch this:

6th Round-Matt Bosher, P/K, Miami FL:  I've never understood why punters and kickers are drafted, unless they are rare talents.  Sebastien Janikowski was a freak of nature, but only Al Davis would've ever drafted him in the first round!  Bosher has the ability to pull double duty, and Michael Koenen is overpaid anyway, so I guess he is the heir apparent.

7th Round-Andrew Jackson, G, Fresno State:  To me, the hardest position to evaluate on the field is the offensive line, because it takes lots of film study and I don't have access to much, especially for late-round guys.  He is 6'5" and 299 lbs., and was in the Fresno State power run game, so I will assume he is a mauler, which has been the draft M.O.for Thomas Dimitroff.

7th Round-Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina:  This is my favorite pick of the draft!  To be able to snag a guy this talented in the 7th round is huge for the Falcons, because he can contribute quickly. Georgia fans saw up close how tough Matthews can be to block on the edge, and Mel Kiper had him graded as a 4th rounder.  Huge value here and the kind of luck the Falcons needed to run into after giving up so many picks in the Julio Jones trade.

Who was your favorite Falcons draft pick?  Did you like the Julio Jones trade?  Let us know!  Comment below!

NFL Draft Winners and Losers



Were the Panthers winners at this year's draft?



As is the case in all things life, there are winners and losers.  Here are the winners and losers from the NFL Draft:

Winners

Cam Newton:  Newton went from being questioned about his pro potential to being the #1 pick in four months.  His measurables and stout pro day made him tens of millions of dollars.

Teams drafting from picks 20-30 in the First Round:  As I watched teams reach for quarterbacks in the early/mid first round, I knew it meant there would be some great defensive talent left at the end of the first round.  The Buccaneers (Adrian Clayborn), Ravens (Jimmy Smith), and Saints (Cameron Jordan) all landed elite defensive talent that went well after slot.

New Orleans Saints:  Speaking of the Saints, they were not only able to land Jordan, but traded up to draft Mark Ingram as well, effectively ending Reggie Bush's stay in New Orleans.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  The Bucs drafted two bookend pass rushers with questionable medical history (Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers) but the upside for the two to make an immediate impact is tremendous.  They also drafted TE sleeper Luke Stocker.  To say the Bucs will be tough and physical is quite the understatement.  They may be my sleeper pick to reach the Super Bowl next year.

Detroit Lions:  It must have felt like Christmas morning in the Lions war room when Nick Fairley fell to them at 13.  Teaming him with Suh and VandenBosch may give Detroit the best defensive line even this season.  Michael Leshoure and Titus Young will be impact player shortly as well.  Now, if they could just keep Matt Stafford healthy, they could make the playoffs THIS YEAR.

Ryan Mallett:  Did  Mallett lose a lot of money falling to the 3rd round?  Yes, but he is very fortunate to go to New England.  He will be coached very well and is under no pressure as he learns the NFL game from one of the all-time greats.  He may never start a game for the Pats, but he could be traded to another team as soon as he is ready to start, a la Matt Schaub.  If his reputation of having character flaws is true, he is in the perfect organization to break him of his bad habits.  Kudos once again to Bill Belichick for making another high-value selection.

Losers

Carolina Panthers:  The Panthers felt the pressure to take Cam Newton in a draft that lacked a true franchise quarterback (thanks, Andrew Luck!), and it's a gamble that appears to be a much higher risk than potential reward. 

Carson Palmer:  Marvin Lewis and company let Palmer know their thoughts regarding his future as they rebuilt the cornerstones of the offense in the draft.  A.J. Green, Andy Dalton and Clint Boling are pieces drafted to rebuild the Bengals offense of the future, sans Palmer, and Ochocinco if we're lucky.  Rumor has it now that Palmer may be on his way to Seattle when the lockout ends.

Seattle Seahawks:  Speaking of the Seahawks, Pete Carroll reached big time for 1st round pick James Carpenter, as many had him graded 2nd or even 3rd round.  None of their other picks stirred much interest either.

Justin Houston:  Many mock drafts had Houston as a late 1st or early 2nd round pick, but he slipped to #70 when he tested positive for marijuana at the combine.  I hope he enjoys the hippie lettuce, because it cost him a few million dollars.

Who were your winners and losers from the draft?

This Week in Sports!

So, I was 6 of 8 in my first round NBA predictions. This is good, but not great. The only pick that I regret is picking the Orlando Magic to beat the Atlanta Hawks. I picked the Magic because I thought Stan Van Gundy would out coach Larry Drew Sr., and the Hawks would have no answer for D. Howard. The way things shaped up, was that the Hawks were to athletic at the wings and the Magic need better players and this may cost them the man in the middle a year from now. No one really saw the Memphis Grizzlies beating San Antonio Spurs, but I had the Spurs losing in the next round so no big surprise. This was an important series because it marks the end of this Spurs team as we know it. The Spurs must bring in new young talent to be a contender again.

In the summer there is not a whole lot of good sports going on. I have always had trouble finding and keeping up the important sports events. I have a hard time remembering when the good events of games are coming on, or finding the times of these events. So, here they are:

Tonight May 2, 2011
Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks 8:00 PM on TNT
L. A. Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks 10:30 PM on TNT

Tuesday May 3, 2011
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat 7:00 PM on TNT
(This should be a really good game and series, but in game one the Big 3 decided the ball game. And by the Big 3 I mean the refs. Hopefully the refs will not continue to give Miami so much star treatment.)

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 10:30 PM on TNT

Wednesday May 4, 2011
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls 8:00 PM on TNT
L. A. Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks 9:30 PM on TNT

Thursday May 5, 2011
No NBA

Friday May 6, 2011
Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks 7:00 PM on ESPN
L. A. Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks 9:30 PM on ESPN

Saturday May 7, 2011
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 5:00 PM on ESPN
Miami Boston vs. Boston Celtics 8:00 PM on ABC

Another good sporting event this week is the Wells Fargo Championship. This PGA tour event is in Charlotte, NC and is always a good one. I don't watch too much golf unless the big boys are there. Good News Phil Mickelson will be playing!

May 5-8 2011 Live at 3 PM or replay 8:30 PM on the Golf Channel

Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley May 7, 2011 on Pay-per-view