Urban Meyer and the Coaches Who Abuse the Media

Posted on June 13, 2012 by wcornblatt

We remember the brilliance. We forget the ridiculousness. This is the story of Urban Meyer, the two time national championship winning coach who has come back to the game of college football to run the program at Ohio State. He’s a master of the college game. Kids make decisions if they here the name Urban Meyer. Maybe it was the dominance of his Florida teams, or maybe it was his relationship with Tim Tebow. But Meyer parallels a certain NFL coach known for shabby hoodies and anti-social tactics. The comparisons between Meyer and Bill Belichick don’t end at their proclivity for winning titles. Both are, shall we say, abrasive. Belichick is well known for his tight lips and curt sessions with the media. Meyer is equally aloof, but with an angry edge to his words. He’s a baby whose genius for the game conceals who he is as a person and the example he sets. Today, he complained about the cost of traveling for high school players looking to come to the coach’s camp. He may have a point, but this is another incident in a long line of irrational anger at the media and anybody associated with it. You may remember his rant in March of 2010 where he scolded a reporter who asked a simple question. The reporter asked about comments made by wide receiver Deonte Thompson about the quarterback battle. Urban snapped and pointed at the journalist while verbally abusing him.

There’s no excuse for this. Enough from the coaches who abuse the media, whether it is insults and strong vernacular or answers so brief that reporters twist uncomfortably in their chairs. It’s unfair. Sure, it’s annoying to hear a stupid question after a loss or in a time of turmoil for your team, but it’s there job to ask you, and it’s your job to answer. The excuse that they signed up to be a coach not a public relations pawn is outdated. Coaches know what there job means. Even worse, there’s a tone with a lot of these coaches that the media is somehow lesser or weaker and not part of the sport. In their mind, if you didn’t play the sport, you’re not part of their isolated little world. Puny, little writers, hacking away at a keyboard, just waiting to overreact and vilify you for the smallest mistake, right? What do you think Urban Meyer reads when he wakes up in the morning? He picks up a paper or reads the news online just like the rest of the world, and it’s about time he acknowledges that dealing with the media isn’t a nuisance; it’s his job. In the end, Meyer’s bullying and bitching will go under the radar, because he’s just that good at coaching. It’s the same way with Belichick. But it’s about time somebody told these coaches that the media isn’t going anywhere, and treating them with respect might be a good idea.

Joe Paterno’s Death and Its Implications

Posted on January 24, 2012 by wcornblatt

What an absurdly ornate process. I just heard Matt McGloin say that he won’t forgive the media for their “harshness.” McGloin, do you remember Joe Paterno covered up a child molestation case? Less than a month ago, we were ready to hang him by his arthritic fingers, but now that Paterno passes, we idolize him like Teddy Roosevelt. It’s another example of the ridiculous media inflation we not only condone but encourage. Joe Paterno is one of the great football minds our generation has witnessed, and nobody can argue that. But part of your position as a head coach is micromanaging your team. Paterno would be the last to make excuses, and I genuinely believe he would appreciate and resent the built up legacy he has only recently attained. Glamorizing Paterno’s legacy is an easy cop-out for an act that made our whole nation sick less than two months ago.

It isn’t easy to watch a legend die and still hold our beliefs strongly, but letting Paterno off by claiming his mistake was a simple mishap is as shameless as letting OJ free. Joe Paterno made a mistake. He messed up, like we all do in certain moments of turmoil. But those who claim Joe Paterno died of a broken heart need to recognize this isn’t a nursery rhyme, or some foolish limerick. This is real life, and the very real victims of Jerry Sandusky’s evil should feel no remorse for the passing of Joe Paterno. He was a great coach and an even better man, but nothing excuses the carelessness with which he treated innocent lives, and his legacy should include his devastating mistake.

Andrew Luck: Is He Real? (And The Top Young QB’s in The NFL)

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Glen G

All the talk has been about Andrew Luck heading into this year’s draft. There hasn’t been this much pre-draft hype about a quarterback prospect since the league ushered in Peyton Manning in 1998, who ironically may play a huge role in the fate of the Collegiate Standout. With The Colts clinching the #1 overall pick last week (I know it just doesn’t have the same ring as clinching the division title would) rumors intensified regarding who the pick would be used on. Despite the fact that throughout the year nearly everyone’s heard countless stories that he must be picked first, he’s going to be a generational star and that Indy must choose him should they get the pick even though they may not need him until years to come. I fully agree that he’s the best prospect out there, and my opinion was only solidified after watching Andrew Luck (of course I’m talking about him) pick apart The Oklahoma State defense in The Fiesta Bowl just one night ago. Even though Oklahoma State ended up winning the game, Luck put on a show out there going 27-31 for 347 Yds and 2 TDs. He really only made one bad throw which resulted in a costly interception but you can hardly fault him when his team’s defense gave up 41 points. Overall, I think Luck is a good quarterback prospect, but is he really the next Peyton Manning? Will Andrew Luck be a good fantasy football pick for next year? That’s a tough call to make before the guys even lined up behind center in the NFL, but if any one college quarterback from this draft will ascend to such a height it will undoubtedly be Andrew Luck.

On the topic of young quarterbacks I’m going to take a look at the top young quarterbacks in The NFL heading into next season.

5. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns – Will Colt McCoy be a good fantasy football pick next year? Playing for a team that hasn’t been relevant for years McCoy is faced with the hardest path to success out of anyone on this list. Although he showed promise in his rookie season in 2010 throwing 14 TDs to only 11 INTs his 2011 campaign was a step in the wrong direction for him. Playing only 8 games and suffering a dangerous concussion from the hands of James Harrison, I’m interested to see how he’ll recover after this setback. McCoy showed us brilliance in the passing game in college and I’m hoping (along with all Cleveland Brown’s fans) he can get back to that level next season and prove all his doubters wrong.

4. Sam Bradford, St.Louis Rams – Will Sam Bradford be a good fantasy football pick next year? Bradford is another guy who took a step back this season due to injuries and a lack of personal around him. Bradford is also burdened with being a number one overall draft pick, so expectations are through the roof for The Oklahoma standout and like McCoy in his rookie season he showed a lot of promise throwing 18 TDs to only 15 INTs. Yet this season he played only 10 games and could never get on a roll offensively, it was tough to watch. A player as talented as Bradford is due for a breakout next year and I’m confident drafting him in Fantasy will pay huge rewards. He wants to prove himself to the league, he has the vision it takes to be great and that’s why 2012 will be the coming out party for Sam Bradford.

3.Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Will Josh Freeman be a good fantasy football pick next year? Freeman is both a gifted quarterback and a gifted athlete, His 6-6 stature is ideal for the QB position and in 2010 he dazzled with a 25 TD and 6 INT season, or in other words a highly effective year that put Freeman on everyone’s radar. However he failed to live up to the hype this year and ended up throwing 22 INTs (2^nd in the NFL) paired with only 16 TDs, numbers which are just unacceptable from any starter especially one as capable as this guy. Although The Bucs aren’t the most talented offensive bunch I think if Freeman gets his act together and performs like he can The Bucs have a chance in 2012. If you want to take a gamble on a high risk high reward type guy draft Freeman and expect him to light up the scoreboard for your fantasy squad.

2. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers – Will Cam Newton be a good fantasy football pick next year? Newton jumped onto the scene in 2011 and amazed us all with his well-rounded game. His ability to throw the ball was impressive enough (21 TDs), when you factor in that he had 14 rushing TDs and broke the rookie record for overall TDs you start to understand how special Cam can be. His uncanny ability to get out of the pocket and throw on the run was also a great sign for a young QB as it gives receivers time to get open and when coverages break down Cam has the arm to make defenses pay with a big play. Newton was also a welcome gift to wide-out Steve Smith who enjoyed a huge year with 80 catches and 1,400 yards after struggling in previous seasons due to lack of a consistent starting QB. I expect Cam to do more of the same next year and be a top 10 fantasy player in his sophomore campaign, draft him and watch as he becomes an elite player and a game changing talent in the NFL.

1. Mathew Stafford, Detroit Lions – Will Mathew Stafford be a good fantasy football pick next year? Although Stafford undoubtedly has the best core of talent around him it’s hard to ignore the numbers he put up this year. He threw for 41 TDs (3^rd in the NFL) and only 16 INTs. His 97.2 passer rating was good for 5^th in the NFL and shows how well he’s managing his position. I rank him ahead of Newton because after all the position is a throwing position and although Stafford is a strictly pocket passer that’s what wins games in today’s NFL. QB’s who frequently try to run the ball have a knack for getting injured; I for one want my franchise QB nice and comfortable behind the offensive line hitting receivers for big gains. Stafford is my number one young QB and in 2012 I look for him to only improve, and to improve his chemistry with Calvin Johnson even more (If that’s even possible). It wouldn’t surprise me to see Stafford finishing the year as a top 5 QB next year or in the very near future, draft him with confidence as he is sure to have a big big year.

Honorable Mention:

Robert Griffin III – Will Robert Griffin III be a good fantasy football pick next year? An athletic specimen, the guy is ranked higher than Andrew Luck on some experts pre-draft rankings. He plays a lot like Michael Vick in the sense that he sometimes gets run happy which has many worried about how durable he can be. However the Heisman Winner put up huge numbers this season at Baylor University and his stock should only rise after scouts get to see him at the combine. In Fantasy I’d suggest drafting him since he probably won’t be that sought after and you can get him cheap. If he plays like he’s capable of you’ll be very happy you drafted him.

Think these are the best 5 QB prospects too? Who did I leave out? Let me know!

-Glen G

Who Will Win the Heisman Trophy Tonight?

Posted on December 10, 2011 by jbecker

Tonight the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced in New York City. This is shaping up to be one of the closest, if not the closest, race in Heisman history.

There is an incredible array of talent in the race. Among them, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Wisconsin Montee Ball and LSU defensive back and return specialist Tyrann Mathieu.

So, who will win the Heisman? Some of the straw polls have Grffin with a slight lead. Over a fifth of the votes were put in before the last week of the College Football Season, which means Robert Griffin’s performance against Texas wasn’t taken into account for those votes. However, Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson both were absent during the last week of the season because their teams didn’t play, which could ultimately hurt their overall chances.

No matter who your favorite is to win the most prestigious award in college sports, the fact remains that this is a rare year that no one has separated themselves as a clear favorite, and the field is wide open. Tune in tonight on ESPN for the 77th Heisman Trophy Presentation.

BCS Debate: LSU vs Alabama or Oklahoma State in Championship Game?

Posted on December 4, 2011 by jbecker

Should No. 2 Alabama be penalized for not having to play Saturday? The Crimson Tide didn’t play Saturday because they’re not a conference champion. No. 3 Oklahoma State beat its arch-rival No. 10 Oklahoma 44-10, getting a last and very powerful word in before the BCS judges make their final decision on who will play in the National Championship Game against No. 1 LSU. The Cowboys had never won an outright conference championship. Ever! Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, who five days ago explained that it wouldn’t be fair to rank his Cowboys ahead of the Tide, had a change of heart Saturday night. “They had their shot,” Gundy said. “Just give us ours.”

Alabama fans stake a powerful argument. They lost in overtime to LSU, 9-6, on Nov. 5. The Cowboys lost, 37-31, at Iowa State, a .500 team, on Nov. 18. OSU’s case: a 5-2 edge over Alabama in wins against the current Top 25 and a 7-3 edge in wins over bowl-bound teams. If the debate comes down to which team is better, Alabama will win it. If it comes down to which team had a better record, Oklahoma State has the data on its side. Without a playoff, this is where the college football debate is decided. Oklahoma State got the last word. We will learn Sunday night whether the Cowboys made their case.