While college hoops heats up into "February Frenzy", aka "Moving Month", aka "Cliched Alliterative Phrase Here"... I've been wondering what has happened with the preponderance of 40-somethings. Now, I have more than a few friends in their forties... and I have no issue about reaching 40-- but when a Division I college basketball team from a major conference can't get to 50 points in the shot-clock era there's something wrong. I thought getting to 50 was like the SAT's-- sign your name... roll out the balls and get a half century. Maybe college basketball is converting to the ACT. Damn that test! Even the ACC isn't immune-- witness Virginia Tech's 47-45 win over Virginia a few Sunday's ago. I want to think "Doug Flutie to Gerald Phelan" when I hear 47-45, not "1 for 14 from three point range". The Big Ten had a 37-33 game recently-- and sadly with Nebraska in the league we could see more depressed scores (technically it would be a recession though).
Georgetown (18-4, 8-3) has held consecutive opponents to less than 50 points... limiting South Florida to 20% shooting in the first half (although the game began at 11am-- even the kids on HANG TIME! had issues shooting on Saturday mornings). The Hoyas have a nice 8-man rotation that features a rebounding bulldog in Otto Porter (four double digit efforts in league play)... a clutch shooter in Hollis Thompson (last second baskets his specialty) and a center who can pass (Henry Sims leads the team in assists). Lost in the shuffle may be Jason Clark- who leads the team in scoring and rebounds well for a guard. With this bunch they head to Syracuse to face the #2 team in the nation.
Alma Mater Update-- while the Orange have Fab Melo back and I answered more than a few "somebody finally weaved the basket for him" texts... many questions come about entering Wednesday's war with the hated Hoyas (not me-- I am super objective as always about everything... the exception being Ray Pruitt's singing). Can the vaunted 2-3 zone contain the Princeton Offense (I remember raining threes at Verizon a few years ago)? Will the Orange be able to run a semi-cognizant halfcourt offense (not the one featuring two passes, bad one on one moves and a last second off-balance jumper that misses)? And where will I watch the game? I've been enlisted as a helmsman in the SU Alumni Group of DC's gatherings at Sign of Whale. I even have my "Ishmael Card" for discounts (sadly, no such card actually exists. Major missing the boat there SOTW) and have tried to get the bar to put a "44 Wing Salute" on the menu. But this week a few friends (one of which has been named "Nice Guy of the Year" three times in the last decade) are organizing a gamewatching event down the street from where I live. No car. No metro. I've been asking both places to send bleu cheese dressing samples for comparison.
Maryland (13-8, 3-5) had a chance to upset then #5 North Carolina... and actually led the Tarheels by nine in the second half before foul trouble handcuffed coach Mark Turgeon's rotation... UNC started to own the offensive glass and Harrison Barnes knocked down enough long-range jumpers to bury the Terps 83-74. Lost in the loss was improved play by Nick Faust off the bench (taking the ball to the rim instead of shooting bad jumpers) as well as the fine effort from Alex Len (holding his own against fellow 7-footer Tyler Zeller) off the pine. Halfway through the ACC season, Terps fans are wondering if they can get to .500 in the conference; they can, but have little margin for error. Home games against Georgia Tech and Boston College have to be slam-dunks. They have to steal one away from Virginia (who lost at home to Va. Tech) and if they beat Clemson Tuesday night (Tigers are tied with the Terps at 3-5 in the league)... that would give them seven wins, meaning the eighth has to come from topping Duke in Cameron (stop laughing), UNC at Chapel Hill (please get back in your seat), sweeping Virginia (Kippy and Buffy aren't laughing for some reason) or topping a Miami team in College Park-- the same Hurricanes the Terps took to double overtime in the Sunshine State. But they have to begin with a Clemson team that torched #17 Florida State by 20 and was within 3 possessions in all 5 of their league losses. Maybe sweeping the Cavaliers may just be the way to go.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Virginia lost a chance to move into the ACC's penthouse... instead the 58-55 loss at Florida State means the Cavaliers are in a three-way scrum for 4th place in the league with North Carolina State and Miami. The Seminoles defense of Mike Scott further underscored the fact that UVa needs another scorer-- Scott was held to 3 shots after halftime and every run was truncated by the fact their big gun wasn't firing. They'll need more than one gun for this Saturday's showdown with North Carolina. Virginia Tech got a season-saving win over Clemson and enters the second half with confidence that maybe they've turned the corner- but 2-6 is a tough ACC hole to climb out of.
George Mason (19-6, 11-2) bounced back from a tough loss at Delaware to defeat Old Dominion 54-50 (despite shooting 28% from the field)... moving into a tie for first place tie of the CAA. First year Patriots coach Paul Hewitt hopes February doesn't turn into a Ram... as Mason meets VCU twice over the regular season's last four games while Drexel watches from the wings.
George Washington (8-15, 3-6) are fighting for a spot in the Atlantic Ten tournament (only 12 of the 14 schools in the Atlantic 10 go-- irony aside) after a fourth straight loss... after close games that could have gone either way at Fordham and against Xavier the bottom dropped out in an 86-75 loss to UMass. And GW is done playing with bottom-feeders Fordham and Rhode Island: 5 of their 7 remaining A-10 foes have winning league records (but that have beaten Richmond and Charlotte- the two other schools).
Maryland Womens' Window-- after routing Boston College 86-44, the Terps struggled at Georgia Tech (a team they've always had trouble with)... before prevailing 64-56. The double-whammy of Tianna Hawkins (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Alyssa Thomas (23 points and 5 assists) set the tone for a team which remainder shot under 25% for the game. Terps took this one because they owned the glass-- outrebounding the Yellowjackets by 15... while holding GT to under 40% for the night. With six ACC games remaining Maryland's tied for third with North Carolina... two games behind Miami and three games behind league-leading Duke. The Terps play all three of these teams-- in College Park-- over the next three weeks. Get your popcorn.
American (15-8, 6-2) remains in the thick of the Patriot League race thanks to a Charles Hinkle three pointer with 33 seconds left that gave the Eagles a 59-58 win over Colgate. Unfortunately, Hinkle was the only AU player to score in double figures-- and while that might work against the 7th place Raiders... it might not be as effective against Bucknell and Lehigh (or even Lafayette). Good news for Eagle fans-- four of the remaining six regular season games are at Bender Arena. Bad news for Shamrock Shake fans-- my sources tell me the McDonald's next to the arena has been shut down... just before the minty green goodness makes its annual appearance near Nebraska Ave. For shame!
Howard (6-18, 3-8) after ending an eight game losing streak has all of a sudden taken two of three... the latest a 54-46 victory over Morgan State (sadly, even the MEAC isn't immune for scores in the 40's). Freshman Prince Okoroh scored 14 points for the Bison... who held the Bears to 30% shooting and held an 18 rebound advantage. With five games left, coach Kevin Nickelberry's team's already equalled last year's victory total.
Showing posts with label Beverly Hills 90210. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beverly Hills 90210. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, November 7, 2011
Redskins Rehash-- Fools' Gold and playing the hits...
So much for 3-1 and a potential playoff appearance. This is a crazy league and I've seen 3-6 New England teams go to 10-6, but does anything this team has done since opening day against the New York Giants inspire confidence? A 19-11 loss to San Francisco (and that's with the sluggish 49ers kicking off at 10am West Coast Time) generates the question of not "how are they going to turn this around" to "how far can this team fall"?
There's been quite a bit of dysfunction with the Redskins in the last 20 years-- from the Pettibon one and done to the Zorn "Maroon and Black" era-- so anytime things go wrong, there's a recent example to say "Deja Vu!". The only question is which year do we turn back the clock to. At first I was going to draft my "Bobby Gold!" persona from Rock 101-WGIR-FM... but he played the 70's and 80's in the 90's... good Redskin years and good stuff. This DJ plays everything from the Goo Goo Dolls to Plain White Tees... with the Gibbs II era sounding like latter day Lame REM. Nostalgia's awesome only when it's good.
Underwhelming afternoon-- at least the weather was nice. The Skins never led... and never really threatened... not reaching the SF red zone until their 12th possession of the day. Reminds one of the 2004 Skins that was massively offensively challenge... allowing opponents to post 15 to 20 points and then run clock.
Beck Lite-- if you look at #12's numbers, 254 yards doesn't seem like a bad outing... until you realize he needed 30 completions to get there. Makes one yearn for Jason Campbell's "Captain Checkdown" era of 2007-09.
Torain off the tracks... or "helluu...Roy"-- with Ryan Torain no longer the main engine in the ground game--after gaining 135 yards on 19 carries against St. Louis, Torain's been held to 33 yards on 21 tries over four games-- rookie Roy Helu was the meal ticket against San Francisco. And the Penn State product shined with 14 receptions (a Skins record) for 105 yards while running the ball 10 times for 41 yards.... but what's not awesome is he was targeted 17 times in 47 Beck attempts (over 33%) and they only ran the ball 15 times. Fifteen! That's not just a bad Nickelodeon 90210 knockoff with Ryan Reynolds in the cast... but a lack of commitment to the run. And they weren't necessarily in a pass-only mindset until the fourth quarter. Makes one recall the glory days of pitchin' and catchin' as well as droppin' G's under Steve Spurrier in 2002-03.
Feeling Fredtastic... ankle and all-- now #83 knows what it's like to be the lone threat on a banged up offense. Minus Tim Hightower, Chris Cooley and Santana Moss the open seams tighten up a little bit-- but Mr. Davis grabbed 4 passes for 42 yards. The prorated totals for the season are now 72-1034... but he hasn't scored in some time. Effective use of a tight end means he gets plenty of red zone chances-- and that's not happening here. This time we look to 2008 when Chris Cooley caught 83 passes for the Maroon and Black but scored just once.
Third and out-- both teams had problems moving the chains Sunday... with the Skins converting 5 of 12 and the Niners getting the job done on just 3 of 12 attempts. So a lot of punting (10 on 23 non-kneedown possessions) gave the Skins a chance to get back into this game early and often.
Quick Kicks-- sustained drives even when you don't generate points is a quiet stat: you're able to control clock and generate better field position... setting yourself up for success over the entire half. In the Skins 12 possessions, they had 3 three and outs-- with a fumbles on the first or second play of two other drives. Two more drives generated generated one first down and then a punt. An eighth possession came at the end of the first half and resulted in a 59 yard field goal.
Graham not cracking-- so much for a kicking controversy. How about a franchise record 59-yarder? The kicker's now 12 of 16 on the season with one miss since the end of September.
Feels like the good old days of Mark Moseley and Chip Lohmiller? Not exactly.
Secondary the primary tacklers-- three of the four leading tacklers against the 49ers were defensive backs... and that's not necessarily a good thing when your DBs are making most of the stops. That means your front seven's either getting blocked out of the way or not making plays. The OLB combo of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan did total a combine 11 stops with each notching a sack-- two of the better personnel moves made by this and the previous regime. Nice to see solid linebacker play on a day where the Skins honored Chris Hanburger's Hall of Fame enshrinement.
Dissecting the Division-- the Giants win at New England places Big Blue atop the NFC East; the Giants would own the #3 seed if the playoffs began today. Dallas thanks to a win over Seattle and a 4-2 NFC mark owns the #8 spot in the conference, while the Redskins currently rate 11th in the NFC. Philadelphia can move up to 7th with a win over Chicago; a loss drops the Eagles to 10th.
Changing of the Conference Guard?-- since the late 1990's, the AFC has been the better conference: taking 9 of 12 Super Bowls between 1997 and 2009 and annually taking the interconference series (although one year it was tied at 32 wins apiece). Now back to back Super Bowl wins... the declining Colts and Patriots... and a midseason 15-12 edge by the NFC may mean that turnabout is on its way.
There's been quite a bit of dysfunction with the Redskins in the last 20 years-- from the Pettibon one and done to the Zorn "Maroon and Black" era-- so anytime things go wrong, there's a recent example to say "Deja Vu!". The only question is which year do we turn back the clock to. At first I was going to draft my "Bobby Gold!" persona from Rock 101-WGIR-FM... but he played the 70's and 80's in the 90's... good Redskin years and good stuff. This DJ plays everything from the Goo Goo Dolls to Plain White Tees... with the Gibbs II era sounding like latter day Lame REM. Nostalgia's awesome only when it's good.
Underwhelming afternoon-- at least the weather was nice. The Skins never led... and never really threatened... not reaching the SF red zone until their 12th possession of the day. Reminds one of the 2004 Skins that was massively offensively challenge... allowing opponents to post 15 to 20 points and then run clock.
Beck Lite-- if you look at #12's numbers, 254 yards doesn't seem like a bad outing... until you realize he needed 30 completions to get there. Makes one yearn for Jason Campbell's "Captain Checkdown" era of 2007-09.
Torain off the tracks... or "helluu...Roy"-- with Ryan Torain no longer the main engine in the ground game--after gaining 135 yards on 19 carries against St. Louis, Torain's been held to 33 yards on 21 tries over four games-- rookie Roy Helu was the meal ticket against San Francisco. And the Penn State product shined with 14 receptions (a Skins record) for 105 yards while running the ball 10 times for 41 yards.... but what's not awesome is he was targeted 17 times in 47 Beck attempts (over 33%) and they only ran the ball 15 times. Fifteen! That's not just a bad Nickelodeon 90210 knockoff with Ryan Reynolds in the cast... but a lack of commitment to the run. And they weren't necessarily in a pass-only mindset until the fourth quarter. Makes one recall the glory days of pitchin' and catchin' as well as droppin' G's under Steve Spurrier in 2002-03.
Feeling Fredtastic... ankle and all-- now #83 knows what it's like to be the lone threat on a banged up offense. Minus Tim Hightower, Chris Cooley and Santana Moss the open seams tighten up a little bit-- but Mr. Davis grabbed 4 passes for 42 yards. The prorated totals for the season are now 72-1034... but he hasn't scored in some time. Effective use of a tight end means he gets plenty of red zone chances-- and that's not happening here. This time we look to 2008 when Chris Cooley caught 83 passes for the Maroon and Black but scored just once.
Third and out-- both teams had problems moving the chains Sunday... with the Skins converting 5 of 12 and the Niners getting the job done on just 3 of 12 attempts. So a lot of punting (10 on 23 non-kneedown possessions) gave the Skins a chance to get back into this game early and often.
Quick Kicks-- sustained drives even when you don't generate points is a quiet stat: you're able to control clock and generate better field position... setting yourself up for success over the entire half. In the Skins 12 possessions, they had 3 three and outs-- with a fumbles on the first or second play of two other drives. Two more drives generated generated one first down and then a punt. An eighth possession came at the end of the first half and resulted in a 59 yard field goal.
Graham not cracking-- so much for a kicking controversy. How about a franchise record 59-yarder? The kicker's now 12 of 16 on the season with one miss since the end of September.
Feels like the good old days of Mark Moseley and Chip Lohmiller? Not exactly.
Secondary the primary tacklers-- three of the four leading tacklers against the 49ers were defensive backs... and that's not necessarily a good thing when your DBs are making most of the stops. That means your front seven's either getting blocked out of the way or not making plays. The OLB combo of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan did total a combine 11 stops with each notching a sack-- two of the better personnel moves made by this and the previous regime. Nice to see solid linebacker play on a day where the Skins honored Chris Hanburger's Hall of Fame enshrinement.
Dissecting the Division-- the Giants win at New England places Big Blue atop the NFC East; the Giants would own the #3 seed if the playoffs began today. Dallas thanks to a win over Seattle and a 4-2 NFC mark owns the #8 spot in the conference, while the Redskins currently rate 11th in the NFC. Philadelphia can move up to 7th with a win over Chicago; a loss drops the Eagles to 10th.
Changing of the Conference Guard?-- since the late 1990's, the AFC has been the better conference: taking 9 of 12 Super Bowls between 1997 and 2009 and annually taking the interconference series (although one year it was tied at 32 wins apiece). Now back to back Super Bowl wins... the declining Colts and Patriots... and a midseason 15-12 edge by the NFC may mean that turnabout is on its way.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Redskins Rehash-- Burgundy and Gold now Black and Blue after a beating...
Different starter, same finish. Reminds me of the early part of the sixth season of Beverly Hills, 90210 when they gave Luke Perry's character a story arc that would see him get married to the daughter of the man who killed his father-- only to see her get killed the next day (I called that twist 15 minutes away- like Mandy Moore having cancer in A Walk to Remember). The focus on this arc took one's attention away from other issues and B-plots that once Perry's character rode off into the sunset you couldn't help but avoid. The "Rex or Beck?" question was resolved, if only for the moment-- but now one can't help but notice the other deficiencies on the team. The shine of the 3-1 start is gone and we notice that the leap from rebuilder to pretender (let alone contender) may not happen until the leap year. It's not exactly Steve Sanders dating Claire Arnold, but it'll be an interesting ten games.
Beck's Debut, or the Temporary Longterm Solution-- the new starting quarterback threw for 279 yards and a touchdown while running for another score. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble...proving that losing the ball wasn't just a Rex thing. Just one three and out with reasonable movement on half of his drives (Skins had 11 possessions- we won't count his end of first half kneeldown). Not a bad first effort, but the NFL doesn't grade on a curve... and coach Mike Shanahan was asked in the postgame press conference if Beck would start against Buffalo. Can we give the guy a little bit more of a leash?
Running aground, or Injury Part I-- after tallying 83 yards on 18 carries in the first half, the Burgundy and Gold ran the ball just 5 times after intermission for 9 yards... and no rushing attempts in the fourth quarter. Part of the reason behind the move was Tim Hightower going down with a knee injury-- an MRI is pending with concerns it may be an ACL tear.
D earns one, or Injury Part II-- another reason why the Skins abandoned the run was the fact that they were trailing by double digits for most of the time they had the ball after halftime. The Panthers produced three touchdowns on their first three possessions of the second half and had the ball for over 18 minutes. Cam Newton was tough to contain, passing for 256 yards and a touchdown while running for 59 yards and a score. It didn't help that defensive linchpin London Fletcher went down with a hamstring injury.
Feeling Fredtastic, or Injury Part III-- Mr. Davis represents the famed triumvirate in fine fashion (he's the only one to have a catch since 2009) with 6 grabs for 80 yards and a touchdown. Now he did get some flak for celebrating his score that made things 30-20... but claims he was trying to get his team pumped up-- and with the crazy comebacks we've seen this year, a ten point deficit with 5:05 left is by no means a hopeless cause. Don't look now, but #83 is slowly putting together a monster season-- his current numbers prorate to 75 catches for 1128 yards (he entered the season with 72 career catches for 853 yards). Good thing Davis is playing well... because Chris Cooley won't be back anytime soon and now Santana Moss has a broken hand. Moss is currently second on the team with 25 receptions... with Jabar Gaffney the only other WR to have more than 5 catches this fall. So much for single coverage from here on out..
Slipping into the Time Zone-- San Diego jumped out to an early lead before the New York Jets rallied in the second half. I was impressed that the Chargers played well at all. You see, the game was slated for 1pm Eastern Time-- meaning San Diego was playing at 10am local time. ESPN did a full fledged report in 2008 about how over time Pacific Time Zone teams don't do well when playing that early. My problem is you're expecting their fan base to get up and watch football at 10am. I've been to California. It's a fun state. There's a lot to do late out there-- and by having games kick off at 10am you're killing the guys who want to take their girfriends out to Sunday Brunch before ignoring them for the rest of the day. I know the league likes to have the Giants and Jets play at different times on Sunday (same with Baltimore and Washington as well as San Francisco and Oakland) to maximize viewership, but can't they just as a rule have Pacific Time Zone teams play no earlier than 4pm EST? How tough is this?
Dissecting the Division-- the NY Giants' bye paired with Philadelphia's week off keeps the NFC East leader and cellardweller the same... and Dallas' win over St. Louis propels the Cowboys into second place ahead of the Skins. Big picture: the Redskins are currently 10th in the NFC... with the Cowboys, Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Chicago standing in their way of the last playoff spot.
Norths Rise Again-- the bull market for the AFC and NFC North continues... heading into the Monday Night game Baltimore's bunch is 16-8 while Green Bay's gang is 17-11. With both divisions currently supplying both wildcards in their respective conferences. Now there's plenty of football to be played, but still...
Colts past is present-- Indianapolis' collapse reminds me of the late 70's when the Baltimore Colts were coming off three straight AFC East titles but a little wobbly and getting older...and needed help to make the 1977 playoffs. Then Bert Jones injured his shoulder and he missed 13 games in 1978... and the Colts collapsed, finishing 5-11. Move ahead to 2011-- and that's the end of the run we're witnessing in the Circle City. Take away a franchise quarterback, and blemishes become faulty cracks in the foundation. Franchise QB's are something special. That's why Mike Shanahan wanted to trade up to get Sam Bradford. That's why Vinny Cerrato wanted to trade up to get Marc Sanchez. And why 90210 completely blew once Dylan left.
Beck's Debut, or the Temporary Longterm Solution-- the new starting quarterback threw for 279 yards and a touchdown while running for another score. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble...proving that losing the ball wasn't just a Rex thing. Just one three and out with reasonable movement on half of his drives (Skins had 11 possessions- we won't count his end of first half kneeldown). Not a bad first effort, but the NFL doesn't grade on a curve... and coach Mike Shanahan was asked in the postgame press conference if Beck would start against Buffalo. Can we give the guy a little bit more of a leash?
Running aground, or Injury Part I-- after tallying 83 yards on 18 carries in the first half, the Burgundy and Gold ran the ball just 5 times after intermission for 9 yards... and no rushing attempts in the fourth quarter. Part of the reason behind the move was Tim Hightower going down with a knee injury-- an MRI is pending with concerns it may be an ACL tear.
D earns one, or Injury Part II-- another reason why the Skins abandoned the run was the fact that they were trailing by double digits for most of the time they had the ball after halftime. The Panthers produced three touchdowns on their first three possessions of the second half and had the ball for over 18 minutes. Cam Newton was tough to contain, passing for 256 yards and a touchdown while running for 59 yards and a score. It didn't help that defensive linchpin London Fletcher went down with a hamstring injury.
Feeling Fredtastic, or Injury Part III-- Mr. Davis represents the famed triumvirate in fine fashion (he's the only one to have a catch since 2009) with 6 grabs for 80 yards and a touchdown. Now he did get some flak for celebrating his score that made things 30-20... but claims he was trying to get his team pumped up-- and with the crazy comebacks we've seen this year, a ten point deficit with 5:05 left is by no means a hopeless cause. Don't look now, but #83 is slowly putting together a monster season-- his current numbers prorate to 75 catches for 1128 yards (he entered the season with 72 career catches for 853 yards). Good thing Davis is playing well... because Chris Cooley won't be back anytime soon and now Santana Moss has a broken hand. Moss is currently second on the team with 25 receptions... with Jabar Gaffney the only other WR to have more than 5 catches this fall. So much for single coverage from here on out..
Slipping into the Time Zone-- San Diego jumped out to an early lead before the New York Jets rallied in the second half. I was impressed that the Chargers played well at all. You see, the game was slated for 1pm Eastern Time-- meaning San Diego was playing at 10am local time. ESPN did a full fledged report in 2008 about how over time Pacific Time Zone teams don't do well when playing that early. My problem is you're expecting their fan base to get up and watch football at 10am. I've been to California. It's a fun state. There's a lot to do late out there-- and by having games kick off at 10am you're killing the guys who want to take their girfriends out to Sunday Brunch before ignoring them for the rest of the day. I know the league likes to have the Giants and Jets play at different times on Sunday (same with Baltimore and Washington as well as San Francisco and Oakland) to maximize viewership, but can't they just as a rule have Pacific Time Zone teams play no earlier than 4pm EST? How tough is this?
Dissecting the Division-- the NY Giants' bye paired with Philadelphia's week off keeps the NFC East leader and cellardweller the same... and Dallas' win over St. Louis propels the Cowboys into second place ahead of the Skins. Big picture: the Redskins are currently 10th in the NFC... with the Cowboys, Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Chicago standing in their way of the last playoff spot.
Norths Rise Again-- the bull market for the AFC and NFC North continues... heading into the Monday Night game Baltimore's bunch is 16-8 while Green Bay's gang is 17-11. With both divisions currently supplying both wildcards in their respective conferences. Now there's plenty of football to be played, but still...
Colts past is present-- Indianapolis' collapse reminds me of the late 70's when the Baltimore Colts were coming off three straight AFC East titles but a little wobbly and getting older...and needed help to make the 1977 playoffs. Then Bert Jones injured his shoulder and he missed 13 games in 1978... and the Colts collapsed, finishing 5-11. Move ahead to 2011-- and that's the end of the run we're witnessing in the Circle City. Take away a franchise quarterback, and blemishes become faulty cracks in the foundation. Franchise QB's are something special. That's why Mike Shanahan wanted to trade up to get Sam Bradford. That's why Vinny Cerrato wanted to trade up to get Marc Sanchez. And why 90210 completely blew once Dylan left.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Presto's Picks-- Ray Pruitt= Red Sox... REMembering and other ramblings...
We don't exist in a vacuum. Everything around us colors what we do in some way, shape or form. That's why in this week's college football picks preview, I'm talking 80's alternative rock and the parallel between a collapsing baseball team and a strummin' construction worker with anger issues.
REM called it a career after thirty years of pushing the musical envelope-- although many had written them off after Bill Berry left the band 15 years ago. I became aware of this foursome while at summer camp in 1986... and "Fall On Me" opened up a musical world in a universe dominated by heavy metal hair bands. Michael Stipe was the point guard of this team, pushing tempo with his voice and lyrics-- even if you couldn't understand what he was saying, you felt you understood him. Peter Buck's jangly guitar seemed smack out of the Beatles "If I Needed Someone"-- never overcrowding Stipe's voice, but always providing punch and momentum when necessary. Bill Berry's crackerjack drumming provided the foundation. And Mike Mills melodic bass (it felt like he channeled Jack Bruce at times) plus his occasional vocal turn gave the songs another dimension even most good music lacks. I read a post this past week saying it was a shame REM retires while Night Ranger still tours. I think it's par for the course. NR was a working band that is okay grinding out an existence-- while REM was something special that didn't want to overstay its welcome.
Red Sox as a 90210 character-- I guess the only way I can deal with the Red Sox historic collapse (9 game lead in September) is to paint it within the context of Beverly Hills, 90210. Some therapy. I take you back to the mid-90's, when the gang entered their sophomore year at California U. (go Condors!). Dylan was more of a mess than he usually was, Brandon and Kelly were an uninspirational item, Steve was not yet bald... and Donna (Tori Spelling) was showing her acting chops with a new love interest: Jamie Walters as Ray Pruitt. The down on his luck construction worker who sang lame acoustic tunes that would make Plain White Tees blush. Much like the Red Sox 2011 season, Ray began auspiciously as an angry construction worker. But after a 2-10 dramatic start, the Sox and Ray turned things around. Although one never felt comfortable with the Sox in the playoff cast or Pruitt in the Beverly Hills bunch, we accepted their upside (the lineup! He turned down Mrs. Martin's money to go away!) and played down their gaps (wow-- Lackey kind of sucks, and for a musician Ray seems to have a temper)... until the final month of episodes. Then the Sox stopped hitting and Ray started hitting. It wasn't an immediate collapse... but it was painful to watch. And it all ended on a Wednesday night in prime time. Just as I was glad to move on to a Peach Pit without Pruitt... I'm relieved I don't have to watch the 2011 Red Sox play another inning.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse after disposing of heavyweights Wake Forest, Rhode Island and Toledo over the last month (how did the Demon Deacons sneak onto this schedule?) prepares for the meat of its Big East schedule by hosting Rutgers. Now while I can imagine there's ill will from the conference brethren the Orange are abandoning, Rutgers is one of those schools that hopes to eventually make the jump to the ACC (UConn the other name bandied about)... making things kind of uncomfortable.
Maryland tries to turn its season around with a home game against Towson...fresh off a major drubbing by a school everybody thought wasn't in the Terps' class. Instead of gassing up for the meat of the ACC schedule, Terrapin Nation is wondering how low the floor is on this team. The Tigers are 3-0 and have outscored opponents on average of 38-10 this month-- but the Terps have the size advantage up front and that should be enough. Terrapins triumph, 28-13.
Virginia tries to end a two game losing streak as well... Idaho comes to Charlottesville Saturday. My mother is an alumnae of that fine school in Moscow, Idaho-- and gives me this sage advice: "the Vandals defense is ranked 102nd in points allowed (32+)... qb Brian Reader's been sacked 12 times this year and probably won't hold up against a Mike London defense... and whatever happened to that girl you sat next to in third grade? She was cute. You should call her." Thanks, Mom. Cavaliers come up huge, 40-17.
#11 Virginia Tech tangles with #13 Clemson in what serves up as the early season battle royale in ACC... Georgia Tech being the only other school still unbeaten. How good are the Tigers? They surrendered 27 points to Wofford and their two wins over ranked teams were against Auburn (who's looked shaky all September) and Florida State (who looks like they were overpriced at the beginning of the season). Frank Beamer's bunch, meanwhile, has staggered to victories over underwhelming opposition --apologies to Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Marshall and East Carolina, but the Mountaineers are an FCS school while the other three are a combined 4-7. While the Hokies have been able to run the ball effectively, Logan Thomas has looked so-so. Tough to be confident he can beat Clemson. Hokies fall on a last second field goal, 19-17.
Navy tops Air Force, Georgetown slips to Bucknell, Howard falls at Savannah State,
Richmond tops James Madison, William & Mary over Villanova.
Last Week: 3-4.
Season to date: 20-11.
REM called it a career after thirty years of pushing the musical envelope-- although many had written them off after Bill Berry left the band 15 years ago. I became aware of this foursome while at summer camp in 1986... and "Fall On Me" opened up a musical world in a universe dominated by heavy metal hair bands. Michael Stipe was the point guard of this team, pushing tempo with his voice and lyrics-- even if you couldn't understand what he was saying, you felt you understood him. Peter Buck's jangly guitar seemed smack out of the Beatles "If I Needed Someone"-- never overcrowding Stipe's voice, but always providing punch and momentum when necessary. Bill Berry's crackerjack drumming provided the foundation. And Mike Mills melodic bass (it felt like he channeled Jack Bruce at times) plus his occasional vocal turn gave the songs another dimension even most good music lacks. I read a post this past week saying it was a shame REM retires while Night Ranger still tours. I think it's par for the course. NR was a working band that is okay grinding out an existence-- while REM was something special that didn't want to overstay its welcome.
Red Sox as a 90210 character-- I guess the only way I can deal with the Red Sox historic collapse (9 game lead in September) is to paint it within the context of Beverly Hills, 90210. Some therapy. I take you back to the mid-90's, when the gang entered their sophomore year at California U. (go Condors!). Dylan was more of a mess than he usually was, Brandon and Kelly were an uninspirational item, Steve was not yet bald... and Donna (Tori Spelling) was showing her acting chops with a new love interest: Jamie Walters as Ray Pruitt. The down on his luck construction worker who sang lame acoustic tunes that would make Plain White Tees blush. Much like the Red Sox 2011 season, Ray began auspiciously as an angry construction worker. But after a 2-10 dramatic start, the Sox and Ray turned things around. Although one never felt comfortable with the Sox in the playoff cast or Pruitt in the Beverly Hills bunch, we accepted their upside (the lineup! He turned down Mrs. Martin's money to go away!) and played down their gaps (wow-- Lackey kind of sucks, and for a musician Ray seems to have a temper)... until the final month of episodes. Then the Sox stopped hitting and Ray started hitting. It wasn't an immediate collapse... but it was painful to watch. And it all ended on a Wednesday night in prime time. Just as I was glad to move on to a Peach Pit without Pruitt... I'm relieved I don't have to watch the 2011 Red Sox play another inning.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse after disposing of heavyweights Wake Forest, Rhode Island and Toledo over the last month (how did the Demon Deacons sneak onto this schedule?) prepares for the meat of its Big East schedule by hosting Rutgers. Now while I can imagine there's ill will from the conference brethren the Orange are abandoning, Rutgers is one of those schools that hopes to eventually make the jump to the ACC (UConn the other name bandied about)... making things kind of uncomfortable.
Maryland tries to turn its season around with a home game against Towson...fresh off a major drubbing by a school everybody thought wasn't in the Terps' class. Instead of gassing up for the meat of the ACC schedule, Terrapin Nation is wondering how low the floor is on this team. The Tigers are 3-0 and have outscored opponents on average of 38-10 this month-- but the Terps have the size advantage up front and that should be enough. Terrapins triumph, 28-13.
Virginia tries to end a two game losing streak as well... Idaho comes to Charlottesville Saturday. My mother is an alumnae of that fine school in Moscow, Idaho-- and gives me this sage advice: "the Vandals defense is ranked 102nd in points allowed (32+)... qb Brian Reader's been sacked 12 times this year and probably won't hold up against a Mike London defense... and whatever happened to that girl you sat next to in third grade? She was cute. You should call her." Thanks, Mom. Cavaliers come up huge, 40-17.
#11 Virginia Tech tangles with #13 Clemson in what serves up as the early season battle royale in ACC... Georgia Tech being the only other school still unbeaten. How good are the Tigers? They surrendered 27 points to Wofford and their two wins over ranked teams were against Auburn (who's looked shaky all September) and Florida State (who looks like they were overpriced at the beginning of the season). Frank Beamer's bunch, meanwhile, has staggered to victories over underwhelming opposition --apologies to Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Marshall and East Carolina, but the Mountaineers are an FCS school while the other three are a combined 4-7. While the Hokies have been able to run the ball effectively, Logan Thomas has looked so-so. Tough to be confident he can beat Clemson. Hokies fall on a last second field goal, 19-17.
Navy tops Air Force, Georgetown slips to Bucknell, Howard falls at Savannah State,
Richmond tops James Madison, William & Mary over Villanova.
Last Week: 3-4.
Season to date: 20-11.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
How I am Still on the Hook to Meet the Mother... or MacGuffin.
I don't watch a lot of TV these days. Let me qualify that-- I don't watch a lot of scripted programs nowadays. NFL and NCAA regular and postseason make me rearrange gall-bladder operations... and the NBA and MLB playoffs catch my eye until the teams I love and teams I hate are bounced. But as far as network TV, first-run programming? I'm the Nielsen nightmare.
But let the record show that when I find a program-- I'm with it usually to the bitter end. And in TV, most ends are bitter. Remember how Cheers limped through its last season to an underwhelming final episode? Couldn't leave the party early. Recall how Dallas lost its way after the killing and then dreamily resurrecting Bobby? Locked in. Or how 90210-- never Shakespeare or high drama-- was completely unwatchable for the last season and a half? Hanging out at the Peach Pit. Or how much Happy Days and The Love Boat sucked in their final seasons? On the hook for every last recycled plot-- from Ted McGinley to... Ted McGinley.
Two of my shows went off the air last spring-- one to plenty of fanfare (LOST) and the other to "we've already done everything possible in sixteen different combinations-- plus every body's been killed" (24). That left me with The Office-- which will be on Threat Level Midnight with Steve Carrell (ultimate sit-com glue guy) departing-- and How I Met Your Mother.
HIMYM's premise is Bob Saget's voiceover (no stories about Uncle Jesse playing bongos for the Beach Boys or Dave Coulier hooking up with Alanis Morrissette, unfortunately) leading his kids through the journey about how he met their mother. And it's been a long and winding road. Through meeting the girl of his dreams (I'm still on the hook for Cobie Smulders) to getting engaged (Sarah Chalke never made sense) to the latest season involving a scary captain, an imploding building, and guest spots from Ben Vereen and John Lithgow as baby-daddys turned responsible men.
The season finale leads us to think that we'll meet the mother... but it never happens. Instead we're treated to Barney (played by perfection by Neil Patrick Harris) continuing his maturing from rake to nice, sweet, sensitive guy. Remember when Steve Sanders would go "sensitive" in "very special" 90210 episodes-- from "LETS CHUG!" to "Brandon, why do all the girls like you instead of me?"-- that's the amazing growth we're seeing.
This is a big moment because although the character Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor) is technically the lead, Barney has long been the meal ticket for laughs-- both cheap and inspired. Over the series run, HIMYM has been a TV version of a well-drilled basketball team. Ted is the point man... running the offense through each week's premise. Marshall is the big man in the low post who provides a moral center more often than not. Barney is the small forward wildcard who can generate laughs from the inside or outside. And the girls (Robin and Lilly) screen and rebound while the guys run around like fools. I have a feeling next season will be all about Barney and his road of redemption from rake to groom. Which means more laughs, and no mother. Like that damn sled at the end of Citizen Kane, the "mother" is merely a MacGuffin-- look it up. Can't wait for September.
But let the record show that when I find a program-- I'm with it usually to the bitter end. And in TV, most ends are bitter. Remember how Cheers limped through its last season to an underwhelming final episode? Couldn't leave the party early. Recall how Dallas lost its way after the killing and then dreamily resurrecting Bobby? Locked in. Or how 90210-- never Shakespeare or high drama-- was completely unwatchable for the last season and a half? Hanging out at the Peach Pit. Or how much Happy Days and The Love Boat sucked in their final seasons? On the hook for every last recycled plot-- from Ted McGinley to... Ted McGinley.
Two of my shows went off the air last spring-- one to plenty of fanfare (LOST) and the other to "we've already done everything possible in sixteen different combinations-- plus every body's been killed" (24). That left me with The Office-- which will be on Threat Level Midnight with Steve Carrell (ultimate sit-com glue guy) departing-- and How I Met Your Mother.
HIMYM's premise is Bob Saget's voiceover (no stories about Uncle Jesse playing bongos for the Beach Boys or Dave Coulier hooking up with Alanis Morrissette, unfortunately) leading his kids through the journey about how he met their mother. And it's been a long and winding road. Through meeting the girl of his dreams (I'm still on the hook for Cobie Smulders) to getting engaged (Sarah Chalke never made sense) to the latest season involving a scary captain, an imploding building, and guest spots from Ben Vereen and John Lithgow as baby-daddys turned responsible men.
The season finale leads us to think that we'll meet the mother... but it never happens. Instead we're treated to Barney (played by perfection by Neil Patrick Harris) continuing his maturing from rake to nice, sweet, sensitive guy. Remember when Steve Sanders would go "sensitive" in "very special" 90210 episodes-- from "LETS CHUG!" to "Brandon, why do all the girls like you instead of me?"-- that's the amazing growth we're seeing.
This is a big moment because although the character Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor) is technically the lead, Barney has long been the meal ticket for laughs-- both cheap and inspired. Over the series run, HIMYM has been a TV version of a well-drilled basketball team. Ted is the point man... running the offense through each week's premise. Marshall is the big man in the low post who provides a moral center more often than not. Barney is the small forward wildcard who can generate laughs from the inside or outside. And the girls (Robin and Lilly) screen and rebound while the guys run around like fools. I have a feeling next season will be all about Barney and his road of redemption from rake to groom. Which means more laughs, and no mother. Like that damn sled at the end of Citizen Kane, the "mother" is merely a MacGuffin-- look it up. Can't wait for September.
Friday, January 7, 2011
College Football Corner-- bowled under...
The beauty of the college football regular season is each week there are tests and everything (in theory) is on the line for division, conference or national standing. Fast-forward to the Bowl season when there's a whole lot of stuff before a title game delayed by a month.
Maryland ripped East Carolina in the Military Bowl 51-20 thanks to a big-play offense and a more than cooperative Pirate defense (ECU ranked 118th in points allowed--118th!). Nice way to send coach Ralph Friedgen out in style (more on the musical coaching chairs later). Terrapin Triumphs-- Da'Rell Scott went out in style with 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns (61 and 91 yards)... and freshman DJ Adams' four touchdowns are a nice omen for the future. Danny O'Brien didn't shine but played a smart game...and the defense held one of the most explosive offenses (top 20 in scoring) in check all day (5 yards per pass attempt and 1.5 yards per rush). Terrapin Troubles-- 11 penalties isn't ideal... but an otherwise solid afternoon at RFK.
Virginia Tech played Stanford tight for 30 minutes before succumbing to the Cardinal 40-12. Once again the ACC's exposed come January...and once again the Hokies are unable to climb into elite land by falling to a top 5 team (1-28 I think is their record under Beamer). Hokie Highlights-- Danny Coale (7 catches for 92 yards) gave Tyrod Taylor a decent target while the Cardinal contained Jarrett Boykin... and the defense holding Stanford to 13 first half points was no small task. Hokie Humblings-- butchered by the big play. Four of Stanford's touchdowns were of 35 yards or longer-- especially the last three that put the game away. The running game was held to a paltry 1.9 yards a carry. No big special teams play as BEAMER BALL! became beamer ball.
A whole bowl of you know what-- Thanks, BCS for ruining January 1st. This used to be the day that I would focus from noon to midnight on a buffet of games... and although only a few (sometimes even just one) had national title implications-- there was immediate momentum from the Citrus to the Cotton to the Fiesta to the Rose to the Sugar to the Orange. You watched the early games because you knew there would be a payoff at the end of the night. Now unless I have a school involved (SU creeping closer to respectability), I could care less who wins which New Years Day game... because not only is the Championship game NINE DAYS LATER, but there are SIX bowls before you get to the BCS title game. And I'm not even going to focus on the ridiculous names... from "Go-Daddy-dot-com" to "Fight Hunger" to "DONNA MARTIN GRADUATE!" (okay, I stretched a bit on the last one there). I grew up loving college football and January 1st's place along Super Bowl Sunday and the Final Four... and I held out against a playoff through much of the 90's-- but now I could easily do without the overbloated bowl system the way it's set up. Bring on the Brackets...
Trading in a Fridge for an Edsall-- what is this, a football program or a West Virginia lawn (sorry, it was either that or say "instead of a Cadillac hire, Maryland brings in an Edsall"). Maryland made its big splash hire by going into the Big East (yes, the league plundered by the ACC still has 8 gridiron members after taking Conference USA's best). Edsall reportedly had said that Maryland was his dream job. I'm sure the same could have been said about his predecessor. Edsall guided the Huskies to the top of a lower tier BCS league and finished 8-5. In fact his last three years saw 8-5 marks in a substandard conference (Rutgers, anyone?). I'm trying to see how this is a major upgrade from the previous administration. The University had the opportunity to make the right decision (keeping an alum and a lifetime devotee in a job he had performed well in and with dignity) or make a big splash. The school chose to do the wrong thing-- and this is the splash? Best of luck to Coach Edsall... he seems like a class act. But how high will the standard be for him? Are we talking ten win seasons and sellouts at Byrd? Because if not, isn't that what we had with Ralph Friedgen?
Maryland ripped East Carolina in the Military Bowl 51-20 thanks to a big-play offense and a more than cooperative Pirate defense (ECU ranked 118th in points allowed--118th!). Nice way to send coach Ralph Friedgen out in style (more on the musical coaching chairs later). Terrapin Triumphs-- Da'Rell Scott went out in style with 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns (61 and 91 yards)... and freshman DJ Adams' four touchdowns are a nice omen for the future. Danny O'Brien didn't shine but played a smart game...and the defense held one of the most explosive offenses (top 20 in scoring) in check all day (5 yards per pass attempt and 1.5 yards per rush). Terrapin Troubles-- 11 penalties isn't ideal... but an otherwise solid afternoon at RFK.
Virginia Tech played Stanford tight for 30 minutes before succumbing to the Cardinal 40-12. Once again the ACC's exposed come January...and once again the Hokies are unable to climb into elite land by falling to a top 5 team (1-28 I think is their record under Beamer). Hokie Highlights-- Danny Coale (7 catches for 92 yards) gave Tyrod Taylor a decent target while the Cardinal contained Jarrett Boykin... and the defense holding Stanford to 13 first half points was no small task. Hokie Humblings-- butchered by the big play. Four of Stanford's touchdowns were of 35 yards or longer-- especially the last three that put the game away. The running game was held to a paltry 1.9 yards a carry. No big special teams play as BEAMER BALL! became beamer ball.
A whole bowl of you know what-- Thanks, BCS for ruining January 1st. This used to be the day that I would focus from noon to midnight on a buffet of games... and although only a few (sometimes even just one) had national title implications-- there was immediate momentum from the Citrus to the Cotton to the Fiesta to the Rose to the Sugar to the Orange. You watched the early games because you knew there would be a payoff at the end of the night. Now unless I have a school involved (SU creeping closer to respectability), I could care less who wins which New Years Day game... because not only is the Championship game NINE DAYS LATER, but there are SIX bowls before you get to the BCS title game. And I'm not even going to focus on the ridiculous names... from "Go-Daddy-dot-com" to "Fight Hunger" to "DONNA MARTIN GRADUATE!" (okay, I stretched a bit on the last one there). I grew up loving college football and January 1st's place along Super Bowl Sunday and the Final Four... and I held out against a playoff through much of the 90's-- but now I could easily do without the overbloated bowl system the way it's set up. Bring on the Brackets...
Trading in a Fridge for an Edsall-- what is this, a football program or a West Virginia lawn (sorry, it was either that or say "instead of a Cadillac hire, Maryland brings in an Edsall"). Maryland made its big splash hire by going into the Big East (yes, the league plundered by the ACC still has 8 gridiron members after taking Conference USA's best). Edsall reportedly had said that Maryland was his dream job. I'm sure the same could have been said about his predecessor. Edsall guided the Huskies to the top of a lower tier BCS league and finished 8-5. In fact his last three years saw 8-5 marks in a substandard conference (Rutgers, anyone?). I'm trying to see how this is a major upgrade from the previous administration. The University had the opportunity to make the right decision (keeping an alum and a lifetime devotee in a job he had performed well in and with dignity) or make a big splash. The school chose to do the wrong thing-- and this is the splash? Best of luck to Coach Edsall... he seems like a class act. But how high will the standard be for him? Are we talking ten win seasons and sellouts at Byrd? Because if not, isn't that what we had with Ralph Friedgen?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
College Football Corner-- top teams on TV...
While schools are scrambling for postseason play for the most part the rankings are set at the networks that broadcast the games. And while everybody has their favorites... I'm torn between a few standard bearers. Best Team-- Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson, CBS. Maybe its the HD. Perhaps it's the fact that the SEC is the best league hands-down. Nobody tells the three hour story better than Verne... and nobody adds just enough analysis without stealing the spotlight than Danielson. Biggest Team-- Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit, ABC. Let's just say Brent has a flair for the dramatic... he could sell Akron-Toledo as the game of the century and believe it. Musberger knows the key moments of each game and pounces on them like a hungry lion. Herbstreit does a fine job when ABC and ESPN isn't hyping the fact they fly him to his Brentgames on the ABC private plane. Underrated Team-- Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge, ABC/ESPN. Nessler isn't the showman Brent is but is more fundamentally sound; Blackledge doesn't have the cool nickname like "Herbie" but has a national title as a QB and knows his stuff. Like Sam Rosen/Bill Maas of FOX NFL, a good team that rises to good games. Afterthought Team-- Tom Hammond and Mike Mayock, NBC. I went on record in 2008 saying that Hammond had such bad makeup for a Redskins playoff game he looked like Betty White, proving that once again I was ahead of the curve in our Betty White-centric world and that Hammond looked like Betty White. Former Boston College Eagle Mike Mayock replaces Pat Haden (who did a fine job)... why couldn't they have gone after say, Joe Theismann? A former Irish icon who loves to talk and knows the game. Too easy.
(By the way, Irish radio has it backwards-- Dick Enberg announces the road games while Don Criqui calls the home games... neither is as good on radio as 25-year voice of the Fighting Irish Tony Roberts-- a great announcer and excellent ambassador for the school before being unceremoniously relieved a few years ago).
Alma Mater Update-- Slyracuse continues its road to redemption with a 42-7 rout of Colgate. No truth to the rumor my cousin Preston Williams was served a restraining order in regards to several kidnapping/headshaving incidents from the Eisenhower administration; thank goodness the statute of limitations ran out and he can live his life in peace. Speaking of law on the SU Hill, I used to get late night hamburgers at the Wimpy Wagon early and often during my time as a student-- only to recently learn the proprietor was allegedly running a full-scale drug operation while flipping late night burgers for the kids. Much like the "very special 90210 episode" where Valerie Malone decides to book bets for Duke at the Peach Pit After Dark (surprisingly another Valerie scheme that backfired when she confused Duke's runner with an undercover cop). Now I know why I always got strange looks when I would say that place gave me my late night fix. Okay, so Colgate is another I-AA team and the Orange have yet to win on the road this season. But 3-1 is 3-1 and after the mess that was the Greg Robinson error... it's nice to not be a steaming carcass the final week of September.
Maryland boasted four explosive plays in its 42-28 victory over Florida International... Tony Logan returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, Davin Meggett ran for a 76 yard score, Danny O'Brien and Torrey Smith connected on a 68 yard TD and Da'Rell Scott rumbled for a 56 yard touchdown. Wow. Terrapin Triumphs-- redshirt freshman Danny O'Brien threw for 250 yards in his first career start... the defense intercepted a pair of passes in the second half and denied FIU on fourth and goal from the four in the fourth quarter. Terrapin Troubles-- 2 for 12 on third down...while allowing the Panthers to convert 12 of their 21 attempts. Eight penalties for 68 yards. Next: Saturday against Duke.
Virginia disposed of VMI with relative ease, taking a 31 point lead into halftime before cruising to a 48-7 win. What can you learn by pounding the Keydets? Just that UVa recruits much better athletes and the Keydets is a very cool nickname (on par with the Gettysburg Bullets and the Southern New Hampshire Penmen-- with a moment of silence for the late Lehigh Engineers.). Cavalier Congrats-- scoring on five of its first six possessions... with a kickoff return for a score thrown in as a "fries with that"... Marc Verica threw for three TD's while Kris Burd caught 8 passes for 119 yards and a score. Cavalier Concerns-- 3 turnovers the only major blemish... that and the second-tier brie served at Kippy and Buffy's tailgating tent (although they redeemed themselves with a top-notch Sauvignon Blanc). Next: Saturday Florida State comes to Charlottesville.
Virginia Tech began ACC play by knocking off one of the two remaining unbeatens (NC State, the hopes of the league rest on your shoulders)... blanking Boston College 19-0 to even its record at 2-2. Hokie Highlights-- Tyrod Taylor continues to shine, completing 16 of 21 passes for 237 yards...the defense held BC to 2.5 yards a carry and notched three takeaways... Chris Hazley made four of four field goals. Hokie Humblings-- 7 return yards doesn't make one say "BEAMER BALL!" or even "beamer ball"... and 2.7 yards per carry isn't anything to scream about. Next: Saturday against North Carolina State.
(By the way, Irish radio has it backwards-- Dick Enberg announces the road games while Don Criqui calls the home games... neither is as good on radio as 25-year voice of the Fighting Irish Tony Roberts-- a great announcer and excellent ambassador for the school before being unceremoniously relieved a few years ago).
Alma Mater Update-- Slyracuse continues its road to redemption with a 42-7 rout of Colgate. No truth to the rumor my cousin Preston Williams was served a restraining order in regards to several kidnapping/headshaving incidents from the Eisenhower administration; thank goodness the statute of limitations ran out and he can live his life in peace. Speaking of law on the SU Hill, I used to get late night hamburgers at the Wimpy Wagon early and often during my time as a student-- only to recently learn the proprietor was allegedly running a full-scale drug operation while flipping late night burgers for the kids. Much like the "very special 90210 episode" where Valerie Malone decides to book bets for Duke at the Peach Pit After Dark (surprisingly another Valerie scheme that backfired when she confused Duke's runner with an undercover cop). Now I know why I always got strange looks when I would say that place gave me my late night fix. Okay, so Colgate is another I-AA team and the Orange have yet to win on the road this season. But 3-1 is 3-1 and after the mess that was the Greg Robinson error... it's nice to not be a steaming carcass the final week of September.
Maryland boasted four explosive plays in its 42-28 victory over Florida International... Tony Logan returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, Davin Meggett ran for a 76 yard score, Danny O'Brien and Torrey Smith connected on a 68 yard TD and Da'Rell Scott rumbled for a 56 yard touchdown. Wow. Terrapin Triumphs-- redshirt freshman Danny O'Brien threw for 250 yards in his first career start... the defense intercepted a pair of passes in the second half and denied FIU on fourth and goal from the four in the fourth quarter. Terrapin Troubles-- 2 for 12 on third down...while allowing the Panthers to convert 12 of their 21 attempts. Eight penalties for 68 yards. Next: Saturday against Duke.
Virginia disposed of VMI with relative ease, taking a 31 point lead into halftime before cruising to a 48-7 win. What can you learn by pounding the Keydets? Just that UVa recruits much better athletes and the Keydets is a very cool nickname (on par with the Gettysburg Bullets and the Southern New Hampshire Penmen-- with a moment of silence for the late Lehigh Engineers.). Cavalier Congrats-- scoring on five of its first six possessions... with a kickoff return for a score thrown in as a "fries with that"... Marc Verica threw for three TD's while Kris Burd caught 8 passes for 119 yards and a score. Cavalier Concerns-- 3 turnovers the only major blemish... that and the second-tier brie served at Kippy and Buffy's tailgating tent (although they redeemed themselves with a top-notch Sauvignon Blanc). Next: Saturday Florida State comes to Charlottesville.
Virginia Tech began ACC play by knocking off one of the two remaining unbeatens (NC State, the hopes of the league rest on your shoulders)... blanking Boston College 19-0 to even its record at 2-2. Hokie Highlights-- Tyrod Taylor continues to shine, completing 16 of 21 passes for 237 yards...the defense held BC to 2.5 yards a carry and notched three takeaways... Chris Hazley made four of four field goals. Hokie Humblings-- 7 return yards doesn't make one say "BEAMER BALL!" or even "beamer ball"... and 2.7 yards per carry isn't anything to scream about. Next: Saturday against North Carolina State.
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