Looking for information for tonight's big Miami-UC matchup (on ESPN2, 7:00 Eastern), I Google the Victory Bell, and after the initial nonsense, I found the wiki definition for it: The UCLA-USC game!
No, no, no.
The Miami RedHawks play the Cincinnati Bearcats for the 110th time, and this is the true Victory Bell game. Miami and Cincy first played this game with an oblate spheroid in 1888. Miami holds the lead 58-44-7.
Many of the Cincinnati fans stole the Harrison Hall bell in the 1890s, thus starting the playing for the bell. The bell went to the victor for the next 30 or so years, until it disappeared in the 1930s. The original bell reappeared in 1946 and is in Miami's Alumni Center.
The current bell is a replica and is given to the winner for the year. It is half white, with the Miami victory years painted in red, and half black, with the Bearcats victory years painted in red.
So I went in and made a few changes to the Victory Bell entry in Wiki. I wonder if they'll live on.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
Gridiron Grit: Old Cleat Will Start Donovan McNabb
Prolate Spheroid Notes: Sounds like McNabb is going to start.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArRvSmacTcyFUMFWLYA8gHo5nYcB?slug=ap-eagles-mcnabb&prov=ap&type=lgns
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArRvSmacTcyFUMFWLYA8gHo5nYcB?slug=ap-eagles-mcnabb&prov=ap&type=lgns
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Gridiron Grit: Suds Game Two Preview; Underdawgs against WeBad
Coming off a tough loss last week to the Rrrrs, the Suds are facing another tough game this weekend against WeBad. WeBad is leading the South Division of the BenFL along with the Rrrs, each with a record of 1-0. The Suds and Wimpy are tagging along at 0-1. WeBad is second in the league in scoring, garnering an impressive 157 points last week. The Suds were able to put up only 100 points. Go Suds!
Below is the starting lineup for the Suds (note: the second team mentioned is the team that individual is playing against):
McNabb, Donovan QB PHI SF
Brown, Ronnie RB MIA @NYJ
Taylor, Fred RB JAC @IND
Evans, Lee WR BUF @TB
Moss, Randy WR OAK KC
Muhammad, Muhsin WR CHI DET
Gates, Antonio TE SD @DEN
Vinatieri, Adam K NE @CAR
Ravens, DST DST BAL @TEN
And the starting lineup for WeBad is:
Plummer, Jake QB DEN SD
Jones, Kevin RB DET @CHI
McAllister, Deuce RB NO NYG
Branch, Deion WR NE @CAR
Jackson, Darrell WR SEA ATL
Smith, Steve WR CAR NE
Heap, Todd TE BAL @TEN
Lindell, Rian K BUF @TB
Lions, DST DST DET @CHI
The backups for the Suds are:
Boller, Kyle QB BAL @TEN
Warner, Kurt QB ARI STL
Jacobs, Brandon RB NYG @NO
Jones, Greg RB JAC @IND
Shipp, Marcel RB ARI STL
Edwards, Braylon WR CLE @GB
Jenkins, Michael WR ATL @SEA
Troupe, Ben TE TEN BAL
Nugent, Mike K NYJ MIA
Seahawks, DST DST SEA ATL
While the backups for WeBad are:
Brees, Drew QB SD @DEN
Losman, J.P. QB BUF @TB
Chatman, Jesse RB MIA @NYJ
Davis, Stephen RB CAR NE
Taylor, Chester RB BAL @TEN
Coles, Laveranues WR NYJ MIA
Stallworth, Donte' WR NO NYG
Miller, Heath TE PIT @HOU
Rackers, Neil K ARI STL
Falcons, DST DST ATL @SEA
Prolate Spheroid Notes: Suds GM and head coach Old Cleat had a difficult time deciding whether to start Donovan McNabb or Kurt Warner, since Donovan is listed as questionable with a bruised chest, in the sternum area. McNabb insists that he'll play. Kurt Warner may be the choice later on in the week. Kyle Boller is out with, I think, an ability problem, so he is not even available. The preview gives a slight edge to WeBad 159-143 (actually, that isn't really "slight"). Old Cleat is looking for a breakout game from Ronnie Brown or Lee Evans. Dang, anybody would be nice. And, as always, Go SUDS!
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Gridiron Grit: Picks with Spread and Confidence Points for Week Two
Exactly one-half of the NFL teams are out of the playoff race. These teams now need to scratch their ways back in.
That's the mentality of the NFL. I love it.
At least that's what the menality of all of the teams that are 0-1 should be.
Here are my picks with the spread with confidence points for week two.
16 PHI -13.5 (sf)
15 CHI +1.5 (det)
14 mia +6 (NYJ)
13 SEA -1 (atl)
12 min +3 (CIN)
11 OAK +1.5 (kc)
10 HOU +6 (pit)
9 bal -3.5 (TEN)
8 AZ -1 (stl)
7 IND -9 (jax)
6 ne -3 (CAR)
5 GB -6.5 (cle)
4 DEN -3 (sd)
3 DAL -6 (was)
2 TB -2.5 (buf)
1 no +3 (NYG)
16 PHI -13.5 (sf) I think that the Philly 11 will charge back and crush the 49ers, without or (and it seems likely) with McNabb. The Eagles will bounce back from their performance on Monday night and look like a Super Bowl team again.
15 CHI +1.5 (det) The Bears. Or, as they say around here, Da Bearss. Kyle Orton looked comfortable. The Bears running game stunk up the joint. And, apparantly, they can't line up properly. But, this week the Bears will unleash Cedric the Entertainer Benson and Thomas Me and Mrs. Jones and run over the Lions.
14 mia +6 (NYJ) The Fish are for real. And Chad Pennington is not playing well. Welcome to the NFL. It is a thin line or a season between a 2-14 record and a playoff run.
13 SEA -1 (atl) Falcons played well on Monday night, but they fly to SeaTac and lay an egg. The Seahawks will not try to force the ball to TO seven times in a row in the fourth quarter, mostly because he will be in Philly.
12 min +3 (CIN) Carson Palmer looked good when he got warmed up. But the Vikings will look at that run defense and their own lackluster performance last Sunday, and they will run run, Rudolph, and beat the Bengals on the road.
11 OAK +1.5 (kc) Oakland looked OK against the Pats, and they seem to have found a running back, and they are a home dog against their hated rivals, and they've had 10 days to prepare for this game. The Raiders win outright.
10 HOU +6 (pit) Willie Parker. I love stories like Willie Parker. Not really a starter in college, but a 100-yard rusher in the NFL. The edge Houston has in this game is that Dom Capers knows the Pittsburgh defense a little bit and can attack it, and he knows that he has to shut down the Steeler running attack. Of course, everybody knows that but nobody DOES that. Still the Texans cover.
9 bal -3.5 (TEN) Baltimore's defense rebounds in a big way. I also like Anthony Wright better than Kyle Boller. I think the Ravens will start to roll.
8 AZ -1 (stl) I thought that these teams would play well last week. Wrong. So I need to pick one. I am going with Denny Green's Cards. They just seem to have the potential to be a very good team. The Rams. You know, I just don't really know.
7 IND -9 (jax) Nine points to the Colts offense at home shouldn't be a problem. And the Indy D looks to be improved over last year.
6 ne -3 (CAR) I like Carolina, and I wanted to take them as home dogs. Plus, New England has a few issues on defense that they haven't had in the past. But, the Pats do win games. And Bill Belichick has 10 days to prepare his club for this game.
5 GB -6.5 (cle) Losing Javon Walker hurts, but I think Brett Favre will rebound in a big way from last week's Detroit game. Cleveland was up and down last week at home, but they are on the road for this one.
4 DEN -3 (sd) Both teams were disappointed by last week's performances. I think Denver will bounce back at home, though. And San Diego has some issues, if you
ask me. I'm not a big believer.
3 DAL -6 (was) 1992 Apple Cup. The Washington Huskies were 9-1 and headed to the Rose Bowl. Washington State, led by Drew Bledsoe, pulls the upset in the blizzard 42-23. Two quarterbacks in that game, Bledsoe for the Cougars and Mark Brunell for the Huskies, are starting this game. I'm going for Bledsoe again. If only Phillip Bobo was a Cowboy.
2. TB -2.5 (buf) I think the Buccs are in for a good season. I like them to cover at home against the Bills. I would also like to state for the record that JP Losman, regularly criticized here at Old Cleat, had a great first game. Not sold, but he looked pretty good. Still going with the Buccos.
1. no +3 (NYG) I am picking the Saints until they lose. They are playing with a sense of purpose.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
That's the mentality of the NFL. I love it.
At least that's what the menality of all of the teams that are 0-1 should be.
Here are my picks with the spread with confidence points for week two.
16 PHI -13.5 (sf)
15 CHI +1.5 (det)
14 mia +6 (NYJ)
13 SEA -1 (atl)
12 min +3 (CIN)
11 OAK +1.5 (kc)
10 HOU +6 (pit)
9 bal -3.5 (TEN)
8 AZ -1 (stl)
7 IND -9 (jax)
6 ne -3 (CAR)
5 GB -6.5 (cle)
4 DEN -3 (sd)
3 DAL -6 (was)
2 TB -2.5 (buf)
1 no +3 (NYG)
16 PHI -13.5 (sf) I think that the Philly 11 will charge back and crush the 49ers, without or (and it seems likely) with McNabb. The Eagles will bounce back from their performance on Monday night and look like a Super Bowl team again.
15 CHI +1.5 (det) The Bears. Or, as they say around here, Da Bearss. Kyle Orton looked comfortable. The Bears running game stunk up the joint. And, apparantly, they can't line up properly. But, this week the Bears will unleash Cedric the Entertainer Benson and Thomas Me and Mrs. Jones and run over the Lions.
14 mia +6 (NYJ) The Fish are for real. And Chad Pennington is not playing well. Welcome to the NFL. It is a thin line or a season between a 2-14 record and a playoff run.
13 SEA -1 (atl) Falcons played well on Monday night, but they fly to SeaTac and lay an egg. The Seahawks will not try to force the ball to TO seven times in a row in the fourth quarter, mostly because he will be in Philly.
12 min +3 (CIN) Carson Palmer looked good when he got warmed up. But the Vikings will look at that run defense and their own lackluster performance last Sunday, and they will run run, Rudolph, and beat the Bengals on the road.
11 OAK +1.5 (kc) Oakland looked OK against the Pats, and they seem to have found a running back, and they are a home dog against their hated rivals, and they've had 10 days to prepare for this game. The Raiders win outright.
10 HOU +6 (pit) Willie Parker. I love stories like Willie Parker. Not really a starter in college, but a 100-yard rusher in the NFL. The edge Houston has in this game is that Dom Capers knows the Pittsburgh defense a little bit and can attack it, and he knows that he has to shut down the Steeler running attack. Of course, everybody knows that but nobody DOES that. Still the Texans cover.
9 bal -3.5 (TEN) Baltimore's defense rebounds in a big way. I also like Anthony Wright better than Kyle Boller. I think the Ravens will start to roll.
8 AZ -1 (stl) I thought that these teams would play well last week. Wrong. So I need to pick one. I am going with Denny Green's Cards. They just seem to have the potential to be a very good team. The Rams. You know, I just don't really know.
7 IND -9 (jax) Nine points to the Colts offense at home shouldn't be a problem. And the Indy D looks to be improved over last year.
6 ne -3 (CAR) I like Carolina, and I wanted to take them as home dogs. Plus, New England has a few issues on defense that they haven't had in the past. But, the Pats do win games. And Bill Belichick has 10 days to prepare his club for this game.
5 GB -6.5 (cle) Losing Javon Walker hurts, but I think Brett Favre will rebound in a big way from last week's Detroit game. Cleveland was up and down last week at home, but they are on the road for this one.
4 DEN -3 (sd) Both teams were disappointed by last week's performances. I think Denver will bounce back at home, though. And San Diego has some issues, if you
ask me. I'm not a big believer.
3 DAL -6 (was) 1992 Apple Cup. The Washington Huskies were 9-1 and headed to the Rose Bowl. Washington State, led by Drew Bledsoe, pulls the upset in the blizzard 42-23. Two quarterbacks in that game, Bledsoe for the Cougars and Mark Brunell for the Huskies, are starting this game. I'm going for Bledsoe again. If only Phillip Bobo was a Cowboy.
2. TB -2.5 (buf) I think the Buccs are in for a good season. I like them to cover at home against the Bills. I would also like to state for the record that JP Losman, regularly criticized here at Old Cleat, had a great first game. Not sold, but he looked pretty good. Still going with the Buccos.
1. no +3 (NYG) I am picking the Saints until they lose. They are playing with a sense of purpose.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Gate
One of my best memories is, for my 40th birthday, my lovely and talented (and did I mention "lovely?") wife took me to New Orleans for three days, pretty much at the beginning of the week.
The beginning of this week was before the start of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest. In the middle of this adventure, I saw in the paper that Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was playing a free little gig at the Louisiana Music Factory, a record shop in the quarter. Thrilled, I grabbed her and went down to the show.
He was awesome. He was a virtuoso. He played an acoustic guitar and was there with a piano player. Gate had it going.
In the middle of the gig, he decided to play fiddle, but he didn't bring one. So he told one of the record shop employees to go next door to the music instrument shop and borrow one. "Tell 'em it's for me," he said, because he was Gate and that was good enough.
The employee came back with a junior model, because it was all they had on hand that was strung. Well, Gate tuned it up, and let fly on some Cajun tune. Just great.
I always swore that I was going to see Gate every time he came to Chicago, and he came back several times. But, you know, the job and the kids and I'm tired and there's a game on.
I messed up. I'll miss ya, Gate.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
The beginning of this week was before the start of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest. In the middle of this adventure, I saw in the paper that Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was playing a free little gig at the Louisiana Music Factory, a record shop in the quarter. Thrilled, I grabbed her and went down to the show.
He was awesome. He was a virtuoso. He played an acoustic guitar and was there with a piano player. Gate had it going.
In the middle of the gig, he decided to play fiddle, but he didn't bring one. So he told one of the record shop employees to go next door to the music instrument shop and borrow one. "Tell 'em it's for me," he said, because he was Gate and that was good enough.
The employee came back with a junior model, because it was all they had on hand that was strung. Well, Gate tuned it up, and let fly on some Cajun tune. Just great.
I always swore that I was going to see Gate every time he came to Chicago, and he came back several times. But, you know, the job and the kids and I'm tired and there's a game on.
I messed up. I'll miss ya, Gate.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
That's So Raven: Suds Drop Game One to Rrrs, 110-100
Raven defense played nevermore, nevermore.
The Suds lost to the Rrrrs in Game One of the season, 110-100. There were several disappointing performances in the opener, but none were worse than the Ravens defense and special teams getting shut out by the Colts offense and special teams.
"This is not what I expected from the Ravens," said Old Cleat, head coach and general manager of the Suds. "We selected them as the first defense taken, and we expected consistent scoring with a few brilliant games thrown in."
Going into the game, the Suds knew they would have their hands full trying to match up with LaDainian Tomlinson, and that didn't happen. But the Suds had enough balanced scoring to off-set LT. And, in fact, LaMont Jordan of the Raiders garnered 16 points to LT's 14, really helping the Rrrrs and hurting the Suds.
"We felt good about Randy Moss's 34 points on Thursday night," Old Cleat said, "but Torry Holt just about matched that with 29. So we didn't get an advantage there. And we were proud of Ben Troupe, who stepped in for a suspended Antonio Gates and picked up 15 points.
"But the Rrrrs had the Bills defense get them 16 points, and the Ravens defense got us zippo, and that was the difference in the game."
Below is the box score:
Rrrrs
B. Favre QB 201 PaYd, -1 RuYd, 2 PaInt, -1 RuReYd, 200 PaRuYd 4
L. Tomlinson RB 72 RuYd, 72 RuReYd, 72 PaRuYd, RuTD (2) 14
L. Jordan RB 70 RuYd, 110 RuReYd, 70 PaRuYd, 40 ReYd, 5 Recpt 16
T. Holt WR 125 RuReYd, 125 ReYd, 10 Recpt 29
A. Bryant WR 65 RuReYd, 65 ReYd, 5 Recpt 11
R. Williams WR 13 RuReYd, 13 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
A. Crumpler TE 54 RuReYd, 54 ReYd, 4 Recpt 11
M. Vanderjagt K 3 XP, FG (20) 6
D. Bills DST 7 PA, 5 SACK, 120 YDS, 2 DFR, 3 Int, 38 TK 16
Total 110
Suds
D. McNabb QB 257 PaYd, PaInt, 257 PaRuYd, PaTD (9) 15
F. Taylor RB 76 RuYd, 90 RuReYd, 76 PaRuYd, 14 ReYd, 2 Recpt 10
R. Brown RB 57 RuYd, 61 RuReYd, 57 PaRuYd, 4 ReYd, Recpt 6
M. Muhammad WR 59 RuReYd, 59 ReYd, 6 Recpt 11
R. Moss WR ReTD (73), 130 RuReYd, 130 ReYd, 5 Recpt 34
B. Edwards WR 16 RuReYd, 16 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
B. Troupe TE ReTD (1), 28 RuReYd, 28 ReYd, 4 Recpt 15
A. Vinatieri K 3 XP, FG (26) 6
D. Ravens DST 24 PA, 340 YDS, 50 TK 0
Total 100
And here are the reserves for the teams:
Rrrrs
A. Smith QB 0
D. Carr QB 70 PaYd, 40 RuYd, 3 PaInt, 40 RuReYd, 110 PaRuYd, RuTD (1) 7
J. Bettis RB 0
L. Toefield RB 4 RuYd, 4 RuReYd, 4 PaRuYd 0
L. Suggs RB 0
T. Calico WR 2 RuReYd, 2 ReYd, 2 Recpt 2
K. Colbert WR 11 RuReYd, 11 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
D. Jolley TE 18 RuReYd, 18 ReYd, 2 Recpt 4
J. Wilkins K XP, 4 FG (30,41,33,41) 15
D. Buccaneers DST 13 PA, 3 SACK, 248 YDS, 2 DFR, 3 Int, 50 TK 11
Total 42
Suds
K. Warner QB 264 PaYd, 11 RuYd, PaInt, 11 RuReYd, 275 PaRuYd, PaTD (1) 16
K. Boller QB 141 PaYd, 2 RuYd, PaInt, 2 RuReYd, 143 PaRuYd 3
M. Shipp RB 10 RuYd, 15 RuReYd, 10 PaRuYd, 5 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
G. Jones RB 10 RuReYd, 10 ReYd, Recpt 2
B. Jacobs RB 39 RuYd, 39 RuReYd, 39 PaRuYd, RuTD (5) 10
L. Evans WR -10 RuYd, 58 RuReYd, -10 PaRuYd, 68 ReYd, 3 Recpt 9
M. Jenkins WR 80 RuReYd, 80 ReYd, 3 Recpt 11
A. Gates TE 0
M. Nugent K XP 1
D. Seahawks DST 26 PA, 3 SACK, 362 YDS, 61 TK 3
Total 58
Prolate Spheroid Notes: The Suds have already announced two lineup changes. Tight end Antonio Gates is starting for Ben Troupe, who had a nice game in game one but who is a team player and understands that the object is to win the Erin Bowl. Also, Braylon Edwards will not start for the Suds until he starts for the Browns, and, apparently, he doesn't start for the Browns. So, Old Cleat has put Lee Evans of the Bills in as the third wideout for next week's game against We Bad. We Bad scored 157 points in week one, led by Steve Smith's 35 points, Deion Branch's 25 points, and Deuce McAllister's 22 points. The Suds will need to buckle the old chinstraps a little tighter this week. And, as always, Go SUDS!
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
The Suds lost to the Rrrrs in Game One of the season, 110-100. There were several disappointing performances in the opener, but none were worse than the Ravens defense and special teams getting shut out by the Colts offense and special teams.
"This is not what I expected from the Ravens," said Old Cleat, head coach and general manager of the Suds. "We selected them as the first defense taken, and we expected consistent scoring with a few brilliant games thrown in."
Going into the game, the Suds knew they would have their hands full trying to match up with LaDainian Tomlinson, and that didn't happen. But the Suds had enough balanced scoring to off-set LT. And, in fact, LaMont Jordan of the Raiders garnered 16 points to LT's 14, really helping the Rrrrs and hurting the Suds.
"We felt good about Randy Moss's 34 points on Thursday night," Old Cleat said, "but Torry Holt just about matched that with 29. So we didn't get an advantage there. And we were proud of Ben Troupe, who stepped in for a suspended Antonio Gates and picked up 15 points.
"But the Rrrrs had the Bills defense get them 16 points, and the Ravens defense got us zippo, and that was the difference in the game."
Below is the box score:
Rrrrs
B. Favre QB 201 PaYd, -1 RuYd, 2 PaInt, -1 RuReYd, 200 PaRuYd 4
L. Tomlinson RB 72 RuYd, 72 RuReYd, 72 PaRuYd, RuTD (2) 14
L. Jordan RB 70 RuYd, 110 RuReYd, 70 PaRuYd, 40 ReYd, 5 Recpt 16
T. Holt WR 125 RuReYd, 125 ReYd, 10 Recpt 29
A. Bryant WR 65 RuReYd, 65 ReYd, 5 Recpt 11
R. Williams WR 13 RuReYd, 13 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
A. Crumpler TE 54 RuReYd, 54 ReYd, 4 Recpt 11
M. Vanderjagt K 3 XP, FG (20) 6
D. Bills DST 7 PA, 5 SACK, 120 YDS, 2 DFR, 3 Int, 38 TK 16
Total 110
Suds
D. McNabb QB 257 PaYd, PaInt, 257 PaRuYd, PaTD (9) 15
F. Taylor RB 76 RuYd, 90 RuReYd, 76 PaRuYd, 14 ReYd, 2 Recpt 10
R. Brown RB 57 RuYd, 61 RuReYd, 57 PaRuYd, 4 ReYd, Recpt 6
M. Muhammad WR 59 RuReYd, 59 ReYd, 6 Recpt 11
R. Moss WR ReTD (73), 130 RuReYd, 130 ReYd, 5 Recpt 34
B. Edwards WR 16 RuReYd, 16 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
B. Troupe TE ReTD (1), 28 RuReYd, 28 ReYd, 4 Recpt 15
A. Vinatieri K 3 XP, FG (26) 6
D. Ravens DST 24 PA, 340 YDS, 50 TK 0
Total 100
And here are the reserves for the teams:
Rrrrs
A. Smith QB 0
D. Carr QB 70 PaYd, 40 RuYd, 3 PaInt, 40 RuReYd, 110 PaRuYd, RuTD (1) 7
J. Bettis RB 0
L. Toefield RB 4 RuYd, 4 RuReYd, 4 PaRuYd 0
L. Suggs RB 0
T. Calico WR 2 RuReYd, 2 ReYd, 2 Recpt 2
K. Colbert WR 11 RuReYd, 11 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
D. Jolley TE 18 RuReYd, 18 ReYd, 2 Recpt 4
J. Wilkins K XP, 4 FG (30,41,33,41) 15
D. Buccaneers DST 13 PA, 3 SACK, 248 YDS, 2 DFR, 3 Int, 50 TK 11
Total 42
Suds
K. Warner QB 264 PaYd, 11 RuYd, PaInt, 11 RuReYd, 275 PaRuYd, PaTD (1) 16
K. Boller QB 141 PaYd, 2 RuYd, PaInt, 2 RuReYd, 143 PaRuYd 3
M. Shipp RB 10 RuYd, 15 RuReYd, 10 PaRuYd, 5 ReYd, 2 Recpt 3
G. Jones RB 10 RuReYd, 10 ReYd, Recpt 2
B. Jacobs RB 39 RuYd, 39 RuReYd, 39 PaRuYd, RuTD (5) 10
L. Evans WR -10 RuYd, 58 RuReYd, -10 PaRuYd, 68 ReYd, 3 Recpt 9
M. Jenkins WR 80 RuReYd, 80 ReYd, 3 Recpt 11
A. Gates TE 0
M. Nugent K XP 1
D. Seahawks DST 26 PA, 3 SACK, 362 YDS, 61 TK 3
Total 58
Prolate Spheroid Notes: The Suds have already announced two lineup changes. Tight end Antonio Gates is starting for Ben Troupe, who had a nice game in game one but who is a team player and understands that the object is to win the Erin Bowl. Also, Braylon Edwards will not start for the Suds until he starts for the Browns, and, apparently, he doesn't start for the Browns. So, Old Cleat has put Lee Evans of the Bills in as the third wideout for next week's game against We Bad. We Bad scored 157 points in week one, led by Steve Smith's 35 points, Deion Branch's 25 points, and Deuce McAllister's 22 points. The Suds will need to buckle the old chinstraps a little tighter this week. And, as always, Go SUDS!
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Gridiron Grit: Picks with the spread and confidence points for week one
Below are my picks with confidence points, 16 to 1, for week one of the NFL season, with the point spread I found Thursday morning.
16 PIT -7 (ten)
15 MIA +5 (den)
14 hou +4.5 (BUF)
13 BAL +3 (ind)
12 NE - 7.5 (oak)
11 gb +3 (DET)
10 stl -5.5 (SF)
9 CAR -7 (no)
8 CLE +3.5 (cin)
7 dal +4.5 (SD)
6 ATL +1.5 (phi)
5 KC -3 (nyg)
4 tb +6 (MIN)
3 chi +6 (WAS)
2 AZ +2.5 (nyj)
1 JAX -3 (sea)
16 PIT -7 (ten) When it's all said and done, I think Pittsburgh is ready for another playoff run. And I think that the Titans are too young to handle this week one pressure of going into Pittsburgh and winning. I think Pittsburgh, even without their top two running backs, takes it to the Titans by at least 10 points.
15 MIA +5 (den) The Nick Saban era begins. The Dolphins have a quarterback, they have a running back, and the Fish are pretty close back to where they were a couple of years ago. Denver has been an up and down team for the past few seasons, and I expect that trend to continue. Giving five points on the road for week one is too much to ask. Fish cover if not win outright in a close one.
14 hou +4.5 (BUF) The Texans got younger and faster on defense this year. Buffalo got younger and faster on offense (at least I think JP Losman can outrun Drew Bledsoe). The Texans slowly (I mean SLOWLY) get better and better, and I think they could have a good year. The Bills may have done what they needed to do for the franchise by starting Losman, but in the early part of the season, they will have to pay. Low-scoring game.
13 BAL +3 (ind) Baltimore won't be a home dawg many times this season. There are few defenses that can slow the Indy attack, but the Ravens D is one of them. The Raven huge offensive line can wear down a big, bad defense. The Colts are a little little and will wilt in the fourth quarter. The Ravens will win outright.
12 NE -7.5 (oak) New England has lost both inside linebackers and its two top coordinators. The Pats may have some problems adjusting early on, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Oakland gained Randy Moss, who will tilt the field toward him, opening things up for Jerry Porter. Also, the Raiders got a tough running back in LaMont Jordon to boost their running game. So, I see the Pats just blowing out the Raiders in the Thursday night game.
11 gb +3 (DET) I am not convinced that the Lions are ready. By the second half of the year, Detroit may be a team to reckon with. But early one, Green Bay is the better team. The Pack go to Motown and stop the Lions.
10 stl -5.5 (SF) It is fun time in old St. Looey again. The Rams have the old stuff back. They will be puttin' up some points. And I don't think that the Niners will be able to keep up with the scoring. But we may get to see Alex Smith mop up.
9 CAR -7 (no) This would have been my call without the catastrophe. The Saints are just dealing with too much stuff right now, and Carolina looks to be a pretty tough team. Of course, there COULD be a monumental effort by the New Orleans Eleven for the old home town, which would make me stand up and cheer.
8 CLE +3.5 (cin) Cincy has had early-season struggles the last 64 years, and I don't see this year being different. The Browns can play Cincinnati, and they will be able to keep it close. I just don't see taking Cincy as a road favorite for a game one of the season.
7 dal +4.5 (SD) I will say this now: I believe San Diego was a bit of a fluke last year, and the Chargers are really a 7-9 or an 8-8 team. The Cowboys and the Chargers are about equal, if you ask me. Dallas gets the points, and gets my pick as the upset winner in this game.
6 ATL +1.5 (phi) The Eagles will win a lot of games this year. But I think the Falcons at home on Monday Night will rise up and upset the discordant Iggles. It's a long season, but for some reason, I think I like the Falcons in this one.
5 KC -3 (nyg) Kansas City at home is a better team than the Giants on the road. I think the Chiefs added enough to the defense to make them a pretty good team. The Giants may have some good road wins this year, but this ain't one of them.
4 tb +6 (MIN) I think this will be a close game and that the Bucs will cover. It'll be interesting if the Vikes offense can succeed without Moss and their top 17 tailbacks. Is that? . . . I think Dave Osbourne is lining up behind Culpepper.
3 chi +6 (WAS) The Bears will either win this game or lose this game 2-0. Either way, they will cover.
2 AZ +2.5 (nyj) Kurt Warner running Denny Green's offense with those wideouts should be fun to watch. Cardinals win home opener, or at least lose it by one or two points.
1 JAX -3 (sea) I like Seattle. I hate Seattle. They are a young contending team. They are a soft bassackwards team lucky to be in a weak division. The offense is explosive. The offense is sloppy. Whatever. I'm taking the Leftwiches.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
16 PIT -7 (ten)
15 MIA +5 (den)
14 hou +4.5 (BUF)
13 BAL +3 (ind)
12 NE - 7.5 (oak)
11 gb +3 (DET)
10 stl -5.5 (SF)
9 CAR -7 (no)
8 CLE +3.5 (cin)
7 dal +4.5 (SD)
6 ATL +1.5 (phi)
5 KC -3 (nyg)
4 tb +6 (MIN)
3 chi +6 (WAS)
2 AZ +2.5 (nyj)
1 JAX -3 (sea)
16 PIT -7 (ten) When it's all said and done, I think Pittsburgh is ready for another playoff run. And I think that the Titans are too young to handle this week one pressure of going into Pittsburgh and winning. I think Pittsburgh, even without their top two running backs, takes it to the Titans by at least 10 points.
15 MIA +5 (den) The Nick Saban era begins. The Dolphins have a quarterback, they have a running back, and the Fish are pretty close back to where they were a couple of years ago. Denver has been an up and down team for the past few seasons, and I expect that trend to continue. Giving five points on the road for week one is too much to ask. Fish cover if not win outright in a close one.
14 hou +4.5 (BUF) The Texans got younger and faster on defense this year. Buffalo got younger and faster on offense (at least I think JP Losman can outrun Drew Bledsoe). The Texans slowly (I mean SLOWLY) get better and better, and I think they could have a good year. The Bills may have done what they needed to do for the franchise by starting Losman, but in the early part of the season, they will have to pay. Low-scoring game.
13 BAL +3 (ind) Baltimore won't be a home dawg many times this season. There are few defenses that can slow the Indy attack, but the Ravens D is one of them. The Raven huge offensive line can wear down a big, bad defense. The Colts are a little little and will wilt in the fourth quarter. The Ravens will win outright.
12 NE -7.5 (oak) New England has lost both inside linebackers and its two top coordinators. The Pats may have some problems adjusting early on, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Oakland gained Randy Moss, who will tilt the field toward him, opening things up for Jerry Porter. Also, the Raiders got a tough running back in LaMont Jordon to boost their running game. So, I see the Pats just blowing out the Raiders in the Thursday night game.
11 gb +3 (DET) I am not convinced that the Lions are ready. By the second half of the year, Detroit may be a team to reckon with. But early one, Green Bay is the better team. The Pack go to Motown and stop the Lions.
10 stl -5.5 (SF) It is fun time in old St. Looey again. The Rams have the old stuff back. They will be puttin' up some points. And I don't think that the Niners will be able to keep up with the scoring. But we may get to see Alex Smith mop up.
9 CAR -7 (no) This would have been my call without the catastrophe. The Saints are just dealing with too much stuff right now, and Carolina looks to be a pretty tough team. Of course, there COULD be a monumental effort by the New Orleans Eleven for the old home town, which would make me stand up and cheer.
8 CLE +3.5 (cin) Cincy has had early-season struggles the last 64 years, and I don't see this year being different. The Browns can play Cincinnati, and they will be able to keep it close. I just don't see taking Cincy as a road favorite for a game one of the season.
7 dal +4.5 (SD) I will say this now: I believe San Diego was a bit of a fluke last year, and the Chargers are really a 7-9 or an 8-8 team. The Cowboys and the Chargers are about equal, if you ask me. Dallas gets the points, and gets my pick as the upset winner in this game.
6 ATL +1.5 (phi) The Eagles will win a lot of games this year. But I think the Falcons at home on Monday Night will rise up and upset the discordant Iggles. It's a long season, but for some reason, I think I like the Falcons in this one.
5 KC -3 (nyg) Kansas City at home is a better team than the Giants on the road. I think the Chiefs added enough to the defense to make them a pretty good team. The Giants may have some good road wins this year, but this ain't one of them.
4 tb +6 (MIN) I think this will be a close game and that the Bucs will cover. It'll be interesting if the Vikes offense can succeed without Moss and their top 17 tailbacks. Is that? . . . I think Dave Osbourne is lining up behind Culpepper.
3 chi +6 (WAS) The Bears will either win this game or lose this game 2-0. Either way, they will cover.
2 AZ +2.5 (nyj) Kurt Warner running Denny Green's offense with those wideouts should be fun to watch. Cardinals win home opener, or at least lose it by one or two points.
1 JAX -3 (sea) I like Seattle. I hate Seattle. They are a young contending team. They are a soft bassackwards team lucky to be in a weak division. The offense is explosive. The offense is sloppy. Whatever. I'm taking the Leftwiches.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Gridiron Grit: Suds Game One Preview; Tough Contest against the Rrrrs
The Opening Game of the BenFL's season starts Thursday night, with the Suds taking on RickB's "Rrrrs". The Rrrrs have a solid lineup top to bottom, and it looks like it'll be a close game.
As of now, here is what the Suds' starting lineup looks like:
McNabb, Donovan QB PHI
Brown, Ronnie RB MIA
Taylor, Fred RB JAC
Moss, Randy WR OAK
Muhammad, Muhsin WR CHI
Edwards, Braylon WR CLE
Troupe, Ben TE TEN
Vinatieri, Adam K NE
Ravens, DST DST BAL
And here is the Rrrrs starting lineup:
Favre, Brett QB GB
Jordan, LaMont RB OAK
Tomlinson, LaDainian RB SD
Holt, Torry WR STL
Williams, Roy WR DET
Bryant, Antonio WR CLE
Crumpler, Alge TE ATL
Vanderjagt, Mike K IND
Bills, DST DST BUF
The Rrrrs drafted LaDainian Tomlinson with the first overall pick in the draft, so he's the guy that has to come through for them.
Below are the players on the Suds bench:
Warner, Kurt QB ARI
Boller, Kyle QB BAL
Jones, Greg RB JAC
Jacobs, Brandon RB NYG
Shipp, Marcel RB
Evans, Lee WR BUF
Jenkins, Michael WR ATL
Gates, Antonio TE SD
Nugent, Mike K NYJ
Seahawks, DST DST SEA
While the pine-riders for the Rrrrs include:
Carr, David QB HOU
Smith, Alex D. QB SF
Bettis, Jerome RB PIT
Suggs, Lee RB CLE
Toefield, LaBrandon RB JAC
Calico, Tyrone WR TEN
Colbert, Keary WR CAR
Jolley, Doug TE NYJ
Wilkins, Jeff K STL
Buccaneers, DST DST TB
Prolate Spheroid Notes: The Rrrrs had the first pick in the first round, while the Suds had the last pick, the 12th in the first round. The Rrrrs picked LaBrandon Toefield from Jacksonville after the Suds picked Greg Jones. If Fred Taylor gets hurt, and some say he's prone to injury, one or the other will become the primary back in Jacksonville. The Suds are without the services of tight end Antonio Gates, who has to sit for a game because of a one-game penalty imposed by the league for holding out during the preseason. Go SUDS.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
As of now, here is what the Suds' starting lineup looks like:
McNabb, Donovan QB PHI
Brown, Ronnie RB MIA
Taylor, Fred RB JAC
Moss, Randy WR OAK
Muhammad, Muhsin WR CHI
Edwards, Braylon WR CLE
Troupe, Ben TE TEN
Vinatieri, Adam K NE
Ravens, DST DST BAL
And here is the Rrrrs starting lineup:
Favre, Brett QB GB
Jordan, LaMont RB OAK
Tomlinson, LaDainian RB SD
Holt, Torry WR STL
Williams, Roy WR DET
Bryant, Antonio WR CLE
Crumpler, Alge TE ATL
Vanderjagt, Mike K IND
Bills, DST DST BUF
The Rrrrs drafted LaDainian Tomlinson with the first overall pick in the draft, so he's the guy that has to come through for them.
Below are the players on the Suds bench:
Warner, Kurt QB ARI
Boller, Kyle QB BAL
Jones, Greg RB JAC
Jacobs, Brandon RB NYG
Shipp, Marcel RB
Evans, Lee WR BUF
Jenkins, Michael WR ATL
Gates, Antonio TE SD
Nugent, Mike K NYJ
Seahawks, DST DST SEA
While the pine-riders for the Rrrrs include:
Carr, David QB HOU
Smith, Alex D. QB SF
Bettis, Jerome RB PIT
Suggs, Lee RB CLE
Toefield, LaBrandon RB JAC
Calico, Tyrone WR TEN
Colbert, Keary WR CAR
Jolley, Doug TE NYJ
Wilkins, Jeff K STL
Buccaneers, DST DST TB
Prolate Spheroid Notes: The Rrrrs had the first pick in the first round, while the Suds had the last pick, the 12th in the first round. The Rrrrs picked LaBrandon Toefield from Jacksonville after the Suds picked Greg Jones. If Fred Taylor gets hurt, and some say he's prone to injury, one or the other will become the primary back in Jacksonville. The Suds are without the services of tight end Antonio Gates, who has to sit for a game because of a one-game penalty imposed by the league for holding out during the preseason. Go SUDS.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Suds Nab McNabb 12th Overall; Like TO, I Love Donovan
The BenFL has had their draft. Ben11 on SportsLine is a football league that we've had for about 12 years now. I am the general manager and head coach of the Suds (named after the professional slow pitch softball team in Cincinnati in the 1970s). We've never won the stupid thing, though that happens (ask the Bengals).
My draft strategy has always been to get great running backs and get a top tight end. Then I looked to getting better defenses and kickers. Lastly, I wanted to fill out the roster with well-picked quarterbacks and wide receivers. That has never worked.
This year, I decided to make a change. There are 12 teams in the BenFL, and I had the 12th pick in the draft. I chose Donovan McNabb first overall, because I've been disappointed with my quarterback play over the past dozen years. He has a chance to score the Suds some serious points. With the 13th pick, I took the first wide receiver in the draft, Randy Moss. He isn't much of a team player, but he can certainly help us relax after the game.
By the time the draft got back around to me, pick 36, many of the good backs were gone. I took Ronnie Brown, the rookie for Miami. I hope he's as good as they say he is. Pick 37 went to Antonio Gates from San Diego. Tony Gonzalez, my tight end for the last several years, was already gone.
Pick 59 garnered the Suds Fred Taylor. All things considered, we should be thrilled that we got Fred Taylor with pick 59. If he can stay healthy, he could be the steal of the draft. Pick 60 got me Mushin Muhammad from Da Bearss. The Suds were the first team to pick a defense, going with Baltimore, and a kicker, going with Adam Vinatieri.
All of the picks by the Suds are below. And, as always, Go SUDS.
McNabb, Donovan QB PHI
Moss, Randy WR OAK
Brown, Ronnie RB MIA
Gates, Antonio TE SD
Taylor, Fred RB JAC
Muhammad, Muhsin WR CHI
Edwards, Braylon WR CLE
Evans, Lee WR BUF
Warner, Kurt QB ARI
Jones, Greg RB JAC
Ravens, DST DST BAL
Troupe, Ben TE TEN
Jacobs, Brandon RB NYG
Vinatieri, Adam K NE
Jenkins, Michael WR ATL
Boller, Kyle QB BAL
Shipp, Marcel RB
Nugent, Mike K NYJ
Seahawks, DST DST SEA
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
My draft strategy has always been to get great running backs and get a top tight end. Then I looked to getting better defenses and kickers. Lastly, I wanted to fill out the roster with well-picked quarterbacks and wide receivers. That has never worked.
This year, I decided to make a change. There are 12 teams in the BenFL, and I had the 12th pick in the draft. I chose Donovan McNabb first overall, because I've been disappointed with my quarterback play over the past dozen years. He has a chance to score the Suds some serious points. With the 13th pick, I took the first wide receiver in the draft, Randy Moss. He isn't much of a team player, but he can certainly help us relax after the game.
By the time the draft got back around to me, pick 36, many of the good backs were gone. I took Ronnie Brown, the rookie for Miami. I hope he's as good as they say he is. Pick 37 went to Antonio Gates from San Diego. Tony Gonzalez, my tight end for the last several years, was already gone.
Pick 59 garnered the Suds Fred Taylor. All things considered, we should be thrilled that we got Fred Taylor with pick 59. If he can stay healthy, he could be the steal of the draft. Pick 60 got me Mushin Muhammad from Da Bearss. The Suds were the first team to pick a defense, going with Baltimore, and a kicker, going with Adam Vinatieri.
All of the picks by the Suds are below. And, as always, Go SUDS.
McNabb, Donovan QB PHI
Moss, Randy WR OAK
Brown, Ronnie RB MIA
Gates, Antonio TE SD
Taylor, Fred RB JAC
Muhammad, Muhsin WR CHI
Edwards, Braylon WR CLE
Evans, Lee WR BUF
Warner, Kurt QB ARI
Jones, Greg RB JAC
Ravens, DST DST BAL
Troupe, Ben TE TEN
Jacobs, Brandon RB NYG
Vinatieri, Adam K NE
Jenkins, Michael WR ATL
Boller, Kyle QB BAL
Shipp, Marcel RB
Nugent, Mike K NYJ
Seahawks, DST DST SEA
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Gridiron Post: Miami RedHawks On Upset Trail Over OSU Buckeyes
Can a doughnut game be the first game of the year?
A doughnut game is the hole in the middle, the weak sister opponent between two of a team's bigger games of the year. When many folks in Columbus look at the Ohio State Buckeye schedule in 2005, they pointed to the dougnut game being the San Diego State game in week three. No. 6 OSU hosts No. 2 Texas at Columbus in week two, and then look to revenge a 33-7 loss against No. 11 Iowa at home in week four. San Diego State is sitting in the middle of those two games in week three.
No game is more anticipated in college football than the Texas at Ohio State game in week two. It has been hyped during the off-season, and it will be big. It is a game that Ohio State has been talking about. But the Buckeyes have a potential stumbling block to their season in week one against a team that more than matches strength against strength: the upset-minded Miami RedHawks. Miami is experienced, tough, and really looking forward to its big game of the year, at Ohio State.
The RedHawks and the Buckeyes each have questions marks at running back. OSU lost Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, while Miami lost Luke Clemens and Mike Smith. Ohio State will pin its running hopes on Antonio Pittman, a slasher who had 381 yards and 5.3 yards per carry last year. The RedHawks counter with Brandon Murphy, a scatback who had 248 yards with a 5.2 yards per carry average. This looks to be about a draw.
Each program has four starting offensive linemen back. Nick Mangold for OSU and Todd Londot for Miami are both outstanding centers who may win national recognition at the end of the year. Ohio State's line was playing very well at the end of the season last year, while Miami's offensive line is certainly one of the tops in its conference. There is probably a slight edge to Ohio State.
The defenses of each program are outstanding, with Ohio State's being recognized in the preseason as perhaps the best in the land. Safeties Nate Salley and Donte Whitner and corner Ashton Youbouty return in the Buckeye secondary. Miami matches Youbouty with Darrell Hunter returning at corner, and Frank Wiwo and Steve Burke have starting experience at safety. Miami can't match Salley in ability, however. The edge here goes to Ohio State.
OSU has Marcus Greene and Quinn Pintock inside and Mike Kudla outside on a tough defensive line. Miami counters with a talented defensive end in Marcus Johnson, with experience in John Glavin and Jarrod Rich. Because of Johnson's pass-rushing ability, the slightest of edges goes to Miami.
Where the Buckeyes get the buzz, however, is at linebacker. Outside LB A.J. Hawk is an All-American candidate and has been a great player for a couple of years. Bobby Carpenter is big and tough on the other side, while Anthony Schlegel returns in the middle.
But as good as Hawk is, the most athletically gifted linebacker on the field will probably be Terne Nande, Miami's LB. John Busing is a two-year starter on the other side and is one of the nation's best ballhawks at linebacker, while Derek Rehage started last season at the Mike. So while OSU gets the national pub as a great linebacking crew, Miami matches them fairly closely as a unit. This is probably a draw (as the jeers from Columbus grow very loud).
If you've been following college football this offseason, you've seen pictures of Buckeye wideout and kick returner Ted Ginn, Jr. He is electric and a game-changer who had four kick returns for TDs last year. He will be the difference-maker that Ohio State counts on this season. Remarkably for a mid-major, however, Miami has someone who counters him. Ryne Robinson is already the MAC's all-time leading punt returner who befuddled Michigan in the game's opener. And Robinson had 64 catches for 934 yards last season as a wideout.
The most-talked about Buckeye going into last season was Santonio Holmes, the other wideout who is also a great player. Holmes had 55 catches for 769 yards last year and is almost as explosive as is Ginn. Miami's answer is Martin Nance, a speedy 6-5 senior who was hurt with a knee injury for most of 2004, but who 90 catches for 1,498 yards and 11 TDs in 2003 and is reportedly back at 100 percent. The other Buckeye receivers and Miami pass-catchers also match up. Remarkably, Miami and Ohio State rate a draw on this area as well (as the jeers turn to howls).
Ohio State lost kicker Mike Nugent to the NFL. Nugent was quite simply the best kicker in college football for the past couple of years. OSU replaces him with the erratic (at least in 2001) Josh Huston. Miami's kicker, Todd Soderquist, is pretty good. Edge to Miami. OSU's punter, A.J. Trapasso, and Miami's punter, Jacob Richardson, are both untested. This is a wash.
While Miami matches up pretty well with Ohio State in these areas, OSU is the better team. So it falls to quarterback. This is where Miami has a clear edge.
Ohio State's best quarterback, its starter, its leader, is Troy Smith. Smith will be counted on to make OSU a tough out on offense. He as a good arm and great feet, and he makes great decisions. . . .
Except for the decision to take $500 from a booster. So Ohio State has suspended Smith for the Miami game, leaving the job to Justin Zwick. Zwick was a ballyhooed schoolboy quarterback at Massillon who played poorly in 2004 and played himself out of a job. He did have a good bowl game against Oklahoma State at the end of the year. Not being the starter can work for Zwick, easing the pressure, or against him. Which Zwick comes out of the gate will be interesting to see.
Miami has Josh Betts, who took over for Ben Roethlisberger and threw for 3,495 yards, 23 TDS, and 14 interceptions (four of which came in the opener against Michigan). He has a strong arm, is confident, and is clearly, at least for this one game, the better-looking quarterback.
Can Betts carry the RedHawks to an upset at Ohio State? He can, and it looks to this Miami U alum that he will. The RedHawks will upset the Ohio State Buckeyes 27-21 at the Horseshoe.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
A doughnut game is the hole in the middle, the weak sister opponent between two of a team's bigger games of the year. When many folks in Columbus look at the Ohio State Buckeye schedule in 2005, they pointed to the dougnut game being the San Diego State game in week three. No. 6 OSU hosts No. 2 Texas at Columbus in week two, and then look to revenge a 33-7 loss against No. 11 Iowa at home in week four. San Diego State is sitting in the middle of those two games in week three.
No game is more anticipated in college football than the Texas at Ohio State game in week two. It has been hyped during the off-season, and it will be big. It is a game that Ohio State has been talking about. But the Buckeyes have a potential stumbling block to their season in week one against a team that more than matches strength against strength: the upset-minded Miami RedHawks. Miami is experienced, tough, and really looking forward to its big game of the year, at Ohio State.
The RedHawks and the Buckeyes each have questions marks at running back. OSU lost Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, while Miami lost Luke Clemens and Mike Smith. Ohio State will pin its running hopes on Antonio Pittman, a slasher who had 381 yards and 5.3 yards per carry last year. The RedHawks counter with Brandon Murphy, a scatback who had 248 yards with a 5.2 yards per carry average. This looks to be about a draw.
Each program has four starting offensive linemen back. Nick Mangold for OSU and Todd Londot for Miami are both outstanding centers who may win national recognition at the end of the year. Ohio State's line was playing very well at the end of the season last year, while Miami's offensive line is certainly one of the tops in its conference. There is probably a slight edge to Ohio State.
The defenses of each program are outstanding, with Ohio State's being recognized in the preseason as perhaps the best in the land. Safeties Nate Salley and Donte Whitner and corner Ashton Youbouty return in the Buckeye secondary. Miami matches Youbouty with Darrell Hunter returning at corner, and Frank Wiwo and Steve Burke have starting experience at safety. Miami can't match Salley in ability, however. The edge here goes to Ohio State.
OSU has Marcus Greene and Quinn Pintock inside and Mike Kudla outside on a tough defensive line. Miami counters with a talented defensive end in Marcus Johnson, with experience in John Glavin and Jarrod Rich. Because of Johnson's pass-rushing ability, the slightest of edges goes to Miami.
Where the Buckeyes get the buzz, however, is at linebacker. Outside LB A.J. Hawk is an All-American candidate and has been a great player for a couple of years. Bobby Carpenter is big and tough on the other side, while Anthony Schlegel returns in the middle.
But as good as Hawk is, the most athletically gifted linebacker on the field will probably be Terne Nande, Miami's LB. John Busing is a two-year starter on the other side and is one of the nation's best ballhawks at linebacker, while Derek Rehage started last season at the Mike. So while OSU gets the national pub as a great linebacking crew, Miami matches them fairly closely as a unit. This is probably a draw (as the jeers from Columbus grow very loud).
If you've been following college football this offseason, you've seen pictures of Buckeye wideout and kick returner Ted Ginn, Jr. He is electric and a game-changer who had four kick returns for TDs last year. He will be the difference-maker that Ohio State counts on this season. Remarkably for a mid-major, however, Miami has someone who counters him. Ryne Robinson is already the MAC's all-time leading punt returner who befuddled Michigan in the game's opener. And Robinson had 64 catches for 934 yards last season as a wideout.
The most-talked about Buckeye going into last season was Santonio Holmes, the other wideout who is also a great player. Holmes had 55 catches for 769 yards last year and is almost as explosive as is Ginn. Miami's answer is Martin Nance, a speedy 6-5 senior who was hurt with a knee injury for most of 2004, but who 90 catches for 1,498 yards and 11 TDs in 2003 and is reportedly back at 100 percent. The other Buckeye receivers and Miami pass-catchers also match up. Remarkably, Miami and Ohio State rate a draw on this area as well (as the jeers turn to howls).
Ohio State lost kicker Mike Nugent to the NFL. Nugent was quite simply the best kicker in college football for the past couple of years. OSU replaces him with the erratic (at least in 2001) Josh Huston. Miami's kicker, Todd Soderquist, is pretty good. Edge to Miami. OSU's punter, A.J. Trapasso, and Miami's punter, Jacob Richardson, are both untested. This is a wash.
While Miami matches up pretty well with Ohio State in these areas, OSU is the better team. So it falls to quarterback. This is where Miami has a clear edge.
Ohio State's best quarterback, its starter, its leader, is Troy Smith. Smith will be counted on to make OSU a tough out on offense. He as a good arm and great feet, and he makes great decisions. . . .
Except for the decision to take $500 from a booster. So Ohio State has suspended Smith for the Miami game, leaving the job to Justin Zwick. Zwick was a ballyhooed schoolboy quarterback at Massillon who played poorly in 2004 and played himself out of a job. He did have a good bowl game against Oklahoma State at the end of the year. Not being the starter can work for Zwick, easing the pressure, or against him. Which Zwick comes out of the gate will be interesting to see.
Miami has Josh Betts, who took over for Ben Roethlisberger and threw for 3,495 yards, 23 TDS, and 14 interceptions (four of which came in the opener against Michigan). He has a strong arm, is confident, and is clearly, at least for this one game, the better-looking quarterback.
Can Betts carry the RedHawks to an upset at Ohio State? He can, and it looks to this Miami U alum that he will. The RedHawks will upset the Ohio State Buckeyes 27-21 at the Horseshoe.
thankyouverymuch,
Old Cleat
Gridiron Post: Hutchinson Should Be Bears QB
If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad.
The Bears announced yesterday that Kyle Orton is going to be their starting quarterback. Chad Hutchinson is all but gone (update: he IS gone). Jeff Blake is the backup. And Kurt Kittner lives to fight another day as the third teamer.
Everybody in ChiTown is saying it's good good good, but I can't help but feeling it's not so good. A lot.
Orton has looked terrific in exhibition football games. And, Hutchinson looked terrible in his start against Buffalo's first-defense last week. Blake and Kittner are to be excused, as they either haven't played or have mopped up.
But preseason football isn't NFL football. I think the Bears need to do what's right for their franchise and stop worrying about who the fans want to see start.
Against Buffalo Friday night, Hutchinson was 3-for-14 for 33 yards, and he threw two picks. He goes from first string to fourth string for that performance. He will likely be cut (update: he WAS cut).
Against the Bills' backups later in the same game, Orton was 7-for-11 for 74 yards and a touchdown, no picks. He goes from the fourth round to franchise savior. Don't try to tell me that Lovie Smith is impetuous.
Succeeding against second- and third-team NFL defenses in preseason is like ripping line drives against batting practice pitching. There are no real blitz packages, there is no real game-planning. The zones are vanilla, and many of the young cornerbacks are strawberries.
And that's all Orton has faced.
Hutchinson was 10-for-18 for 124 yards in the first preseason game against Miami, when Rex Grossman was still the starting QB. Hutchinson was 2-for-2 against the Rams, and he was 5-for-8 for 40 yards against the Colts, though he did throw two picks.
Orton has looked better so far, granted, but usually against worse players. So far, Orton has taken three snaps against a first-team defense. THREE SNAPS. And he's the starter.
Hutchinson has 14 NFL starts. He has shown that he can be at least a fair professional quarterback, and he could improve on that.
He started nine games for Dallas in 2002, and he looked unprepared but not overwhelmed. Then, without a training camp, he was thrown into the Bears offense in 2004 and was the best looking QB out there. Not that the bar was very high.
In 14 games thus far in his career, less than one NFL season, Chad Hutchinson has thrown for 15 TDs, 15 interceptions, 53 percent completion rate, and 2,400 yards. He also threw for 1,300 yards for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe. He compiled all of his career stats with some less-than-stellar offenses. Hutchinson would give the Bears the best opportunity to win now, because he's been with the Bears for almost a year, and he's played when the bullets where flying.
The best NFL quarterback on the Bears right now is Jeff Blake. He's been to Pro Bowls, he's thrown for 21,656 yards in his career, he has 133 touchdown passes to his credit. He just needs to learn the Bears system and personnel.
Kyle Orton was a teriffic pick in the fourth round. I thought he was the nation's best combination of college quarterback and pro prospect quarterback through about eight games last year while he was at Purdue, before he was hurt. I think he could be a fine NFL quarterback. I just think he needs to be seasoned for the job.
What should the Bears do (or, at least, what should they have done)?
1. Declare that Hutchinson is the starter for the opener at Washington. End of discussion.
2. Give him three games (Washington, Detroit, and Cincinnati--all of which are winnable) to get himself together. All the while, prepare Jeff Blake to take over if need be.
3. If the QB situation is stinking up the place after Cincinnati, make the change to Blake. The next week, you have a bye. And then you have 13 weeks left in the season to make a run at the playoffs.
4. Things are going poorly, and the playoffs look out of reach, then put in Kyle Orton, and let the future begin.
But what the Bears have done is basically put Orton in a position to fail. He needs to be the quarterback of a team that is expecting to go to the playoffs, this year. He is a rookie with three snaps against a No. 1 defense in the NFL.
The quarterback that would have given the Bears the best chance to succeed early in the season is Chad Hutchinson.
The Bears announced yesterday that Kyle Orton is going to be their starting quarterback. Chad Hutchinson is all but gone (update: he IS gone). Jeff Blake is the backup. And Kurt Kittner lives to fight another day as the third teamer.
Everybody in ChiTown is saying it's good good good, but I can't help but feeling it's not so good. A lot.
Orton has looked terrific in exhibition football games. And, Hutchinson looked terrible in his start against Buffalo's first-defense last week. Blake and Kittner are to be excused, as they either haven't played or have mopped up.
But preseason football isn't NFL football. I think the Bears need to do what's right for their franchise and stop worrying about who the fans want to see start.
Against Buffalo Friday night, Hutchinson was 3-for-14 for 33 yards, and he threw two picks. He goes from first string to fourth string for that performance. He will likely be cut (update: he WAS cut).
Against the Bills' backups later in the same game, Orton was 7-for-11 for 74 yards and a touchdown, no picks. He goes from the fourth round to franchise savior. Don't try to tell me that Lovie Smith is impetuous.
Succeeding against second- and third-team NFL defenses in preseason is like ripping line drives against batting practice pitching. There are no real blitz packages, there is no real game-planning. The zones are vanilla, and many of the young cornerbacks are strawberries.
And that's all Orton has faced.
Hutchinson was 10-for-18 for 124 yards in the first preseason game against Miami, when Rex Grossman was still the starting QB. Hutchinson was 2-for-2 against the Rams, and he was 5-for-8 for 40 yards against the Colts, though he did throw two picks.
Orton has looked better so far, granted, but usually against worse players. So far, Orton has taken three snaps against a first-team defense. THREE SNAPS. And he's the starter.
Hutchinson has 14 NFL starts. He has shown that he can be at least a fair professional quarterback, and he could improve on that.
He started nine games for Dallas in 2002, and he looked unprepared but not overwhelmed. Then, without a training camp, he was thrown into the Bears offense in 2004 and was the best looking QB out there. Not that the bar was very high.
In 14 games thus far in his career, less than one NFL season, Chad Hutchinson has thrown for 15 TDs, 15 interceptions, 53 percent completion rate, and 2,400 yards. He also threw for 1,300 yards for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe. He compiled all of his career stats with some less-than-stellar offenses. Hutchinson would give the Bears the best opportunity to win now, because he's been with the Bears for almost a year, and he's played when the bullets where flying.
The best NFL quarterback on the Bears right now is Jeff Blake. He's been to Pro Bowls, he's thrown for 21,656 yards in his career, he has 133 touchdown passes to his credit. He just needs to learn the Bears system and personnel.
Kyle Orton was a teriffic pick in the fourth round. I thought he was the nation's best combination of college quarterback and pro prospect quarterback through about eight games last year while he was at Purdue, before he was hurt. I think he could be a fine NFL quarterback. I just think he needs to be seasoned for the job.
What should the Bears do (or, at least, what should they have done)?
1. Declare that Hutchinson is the starter for the opener at Washington. End of discussion.
2. Give him three games (Washington, Detroit, and Cincinnati--all of which are winnable) to get himself together. All the while, prepare Jeff Blake to take over if need be.
3. If the QB situation is stinking up the place after Cincinnati, make the change to Blake. The next week, you have a bye. And then you have 13 weeks left in the season to make a run at the playoffs.
4. Things are going poorly, and the playoffs look out of reach, then put in Kyle Orton, and let the future begin.
But what the Bears have done is basically put Orton in a position to fail. He needs to be the quarterback of a team that is expecting to go to the playoffs, this year. He is a rookie with three snaps against a No. 1 defense in the NFL.
The quarterback that would have given the Bears the best chance to succeed early in the season is Chad Hutchinson.
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