It's official - the Spring Game will be held APRIL 25th, the same Saturday as the DRAFT. I'm not sure if they are still thinking about doing the Friday night thing that was talked about last year for the DRAFT, but it is slated for APR 25-26 on ESPN.com right now.
We'll see how the times work out, but this looks like a fun APRIL FOOTBALL WEEKEND.
Maybe it will be golfable this year...or I suppose the Bowling is always an option again.
We'll discuss more as we go along, but I just wanted everyone to mark their calendars now.
Also - not sure on the location for the Spring Game, but it won't be the dome. I've heard many things thrown out there from St. Thomas, to Mankato, St. Cloud, Minnetonka HS...who knows. But it should be a fun time.
More to come - later guys.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
2008 Gophers Review
Since we are less than a week away from signing day 2009 and the official start of the 2009 "season", I figured I would throw out a Gopher review from the 2008 campaign. I'll run through last year's recruits, what we saw and what we didn't. As well as some telling stats and the ever important gambling trends for our beloved Rodents.
First, let's go back to FEB 2008 and the first full class for Timmy B. I'm going player by player, so buckle up:
(Based on Rivals Rankings our best to worst)
QB MarQuies Gray
He's in school and will practice this Spring. Regardless of what our future offense looks like, I have to believe this is our guy. I bet he'll see time this year on occasion, and he'll be even more integrated for next year...if not starting.
DB/LB Keanon Cooper
Redshirted last year - will likely play a lot this year and step in for Lawrence in that spot in 2010. Should be a big-timer for us.
WR Brandon Green
Finally got some time later in the year and showed some brilliance. This guy will be a mainstay in the lineup for the next 3 years.
WR Vincent Hill
Didn't qualify - tard - went to Temple I think.
LB Sam Maresh
Medical reshirt. Will play this Spring and start at MLB for the next 4 years. I'm shopping for my #17 jersey already, this guy could be a ton of fun to watch.
WR David Pittman
Converted to WR from QB at JUCO...finally got healthy toward end of season. Only thing I remeber about him is play#1 from the bowl game when he threw it to Decker. I gotta believe this guy will see a lot of time this year at the WR spot and have much more of the offense designed for him like in the Bowl Game.
CB Traye Simmons
Nice year. I think he lived up to the hype. He played really well throughout most of the year and recieved some post-season recognition. Should step it up even more this year and become a potential draft pick.
DT Jewhan Edwards
Played quite a bit in his 1st year - we have 4 other soon to be Seniors at this spot, so playing time and epxerience will be criritcal for him in 2010, when he and Kirksey will likely be the guys. 8 tackles and a sack, not bad for a Fr.
LB Spencer Reeves
The 3rd and final member of the class that didn't play last year but is in school for Spring. He is supposed to be a legit LB with 4.5 speed and decent size. Could get a chance to start immediately if he performs well this Spring.
WR Broderick Smith
Caught the TD vs. Becky, only ended up with 50 yards all year. Not the fastest guy, but at 6'3" he definitely has some potential for this year and beyond.
RB Kevin Whaley
He was the most highly touted RB of the class, but suffered a gunshot wound in WV before school started so he redshirted. I think he'll get a serious look this year in Spring and might be #1 or #2 on the depth chart come fall. I think he offers more than Salamon and Eskridge.
S Tramaine Brock
Started every game - looked pretty solid as a S. He has left school, although it sounds like he may be coming back? Lots of questions around this dude right now, so I don't think he can be counted on for 2009.
TE Eric Lair
Played exclusively on SpT, needs to add some stength to be a legit TE, but will get a look there this year with Simmons leaving and the only other depth coming from the new freshmen.
LB Simoni Lawrence
love this guy. Lots of huge hits and big plays out of Lawrence last year - he'll be our only returning starter at LB this year, and should be a monster.
LB Rex Sharpe
Not sure what happened to this guy. In Spring and early Fall he was projected as an impact player and starter at LB, he played in 11 games and had 3 tackles - but was almost exclusively on SpT. Maybe he'll get another shot this year, but it's tough to believe a JUCO will do nothing in year one and then all of a sudden become a player in year 2.
DE Terrell Combs
Thought he redshirted, but he's listed as a sophomore. Whatever. He appears to be a great athlete and hopefully he's put on a little size and can compete for a DE spot this season. We'll need someone to replace Willie.
DB Tim Dandrige
Played on SpT this year, but might get a look at CB or S this season. at 6-1 175 he might be a nice fit at S...we'll see. Appears to have all the tools to contribute, and with our lack of secondary depth, he should get a look.
RB Deleon Eskridge
Played alot more than epxected last year. I don't care for him, his running style is kind of pansy-like. Goes down too easily. That could change with a semester and summer in the weight room, so i won't write him off just yet. But with the added depth at RB with Bennett, Whaley, and possibly 2 good Freshmen coming in - he'll be fighting for PT.
DT Brandon Kirksey
8 tackles and 2 sacks in his first year. Looks to be a real-deal player who showed some flashes in year 1. He and Edwards need to get experience and get stronger so they're ready to go in 2010.
DE Cedric McKinley
played great in the bowl game, but I can't remeber noticing him throughout the regular season. He will surely get a shot at becoming the new Willie this year.
RB Shady Salamon
I liked him when he played - but I doubt he'll be much more than a backup on this team in the coming years.
DB Troy Stoudermire
Did a nice job for the most part on KR, but didn't see a lot of time in the secondary. Moved to WR for a while, not sure if that will be permanent. You have to love the speed and elusiveness, but not sure where he'll play. Bold prediction #1 - he will house a kick-off this year.
LB Gary Tinsley
redshirt - didn't play. looks like a SPT and career backup at this point, but you never know...only a RFR.
DE D.L. Wilhite
Another guy looking to learn the DE spot - great athlete who needed to get bigger and stronger. should be in the mix at the open DE spots on this club.
WR Xzavian Brandon
I think he redshirted - career backup is the likely path for this fella.
LB Ryan Grant
Bud's grandson - reshirted - can't see him being a significant player, but he's got a nice legacy and might get a chance.
QB John Nance
Reshirted - might need 4 more redshirt years before he'll have a shot at seeing the field as a QB.
WR Dajon McKnight
Caught a TD vs. the Buckeyes for the late cover, but didn't do much else. Will provide some depth at WR.
DB Johnny Johnson
Tiny dude - didn't play much, but with our lack of secondary depth he might get a look.
There you go. By my count 9 of these guys contributed a lot last season, and another handful played roles on SPT. Plus we were missing arguably our 2 biggest recruits from the entire class with Maresh and Gray...so better things are yet to come.
STATS
So we only scored 23.2 ppg. not enough to be a great team. We only gave up 24.8, which is a giant improvement, but could still be better.
We were outrushed 103-143 on average per game...this won't happen again this year. Our running game will return to prominance.
Still allowed 240 ypg through the air while only throwing for 219.
4.9 ypp while giving up 5.7 ypp - this defintely needs to be under 5 to be even considered as a solid defense.
24 yards per KR - Stourdermire could be in for some big things if he continues to progress at this. We need to find a good 2nd guy though since Jay Thomas can't run anymore.
PENALTIES! we committed 83 for 695 yards while opponents only had 55 for 435 yards. Ridiculous. So many stupid personal fouls, illegal formations, false starts. This is one thing that MUST improve if we expect to go anywhere next January. You can't give up an extra 20 yards per game in penalties vs. your opponents.
Weird stat - we averaged 30 min per game in time of possession - we had it exactly 1/2 the game. weird, huh?
Sacks - we got to them 34 times, but they got us 30 times. Much better than 2007, but a huge decrease for our o-Line. That needs to get better.
FG - 12/16, XP 34-36 - not bad for Monroe. Do you ever think we'll have a year without missing multiple XP's?! or god forbid making all of them?!
We gave up 108 points in Q2 - by far our worst. We were outscored in every quarter this year except for the 4th, where we were +10.
GAMBLING NOTES
We went 7-5, and we went 7-5 ATS...we started 6-1 in both respects. The end of the season was obviously a huge disappointment, but look at what we did accomplish. At the beginning of the year we all thought 6 wins would be a ceiling for our club...well, we got 7. We got to a bowl game, and we kissed the dome goodbye in style with a 0-55 laugher in the wrong direction. It was a fitting way to end the dome madness. I really feel like it's a brand new team with a clean slate this season and beyond. We've recruited well again (giant recap on that coming next week), and we've got a lot of experience returning. We were playing a ton of FR and SO last season, so that can only help us for the next 2 years.
OFFENSE
We avg. 17 ppg in B10 play last year...defintiely not enough to get it done. We couldn't run it, and our passing game had gone stale. What do we do - bring in a big time OL coach/run game coordinator to fix that side, and fire Dunbar and replace him with a young energetic Jedd Fisch, who seems to be one of those wunderkind never-heard-of-ya kind of hires that might do some great things for this team. Weber is back, and we have Gray and Alipate there right behind him - loaded at QB. I still think Weber is the guy, but Gray will see time this year and might have a shot at being the guy next season. RB should be drastically improved with Bennett coming back healthy and Whaley as well as having Eskridge and Salamon for depth. Not to mention the stud freshman coming in named Hasaan Lipscomb who might push Bennett for time. The WR's are also loaded. We have Decker back again and Green as our 2 main weapons. Then add in McKnight, Kuznia, Pittman, Smith, and a couple of new guys who I'm VERY excited about and this might be the deepest position on our team outside of QB. Hayo Carpenter, a JUCO, is a legit 4star or maybe 5star prospect who will get a lot of time from day one. Also Bryant Allen is one of those guys in the Macklin/Harvin mold that will likely see lots of action next year - I think he'll be what they tried to make Stoudermire into last year. At TE, we lose Simmmons but return everyone else. Plus we have 2 big-time TE recruits coming in to compete as well. OL will be a mystery until we see them play, but it has to be better. New, better coach. New, better scheme. New, better talent and some experience from last year for the returners. Matt Carufel will start - the ND transfer is our best OLman. It sounds as if early signee Jeff Wills at 6'7" 350 lbs will also start at OT. lots of guys to choose from - let hope we find something that works early on and are able to stick with it.
DEFENSE
The DL has some questions. Willie is gone. But McKinley appears to be a legit threat to start. Anthony Jacobs is the penciled in starter on the other end right now - he was a 4 star recruit a couple of years back and is only a SOPH for 2009. Combs, Wilhite, Henderson, Onwuachi all have a chance to make it as well. Garin will likely red-shirt, but you never know. LB should be strong, possibly even better than before despite losing 2 of 3 starters. Cooper, Lawrence, Maresh sound lethal to me. Campbell will still play plenty in the middle, Sharpe might re-appear, Triplett sucks. Our DB might be the biggest question. BPT will be at one corner and Sherals should be back at the other spot. But it's a mystery as to what's behind them. Collado, Dandrige, Stoudermire? Yikes. At safety, I think Royston will step in for Brock, and sadly Theret will probably take the other spot. A couple of true freshman are coming in with some clout, but hard to say they'll be ready to go from day 1. No depth here either besides freshman.
K/P
Ellestad might finally get the K job - we recruited Orseske for this upcoming class, but he sounds like more of a P. Not many other options here.
Overall - 2009 is going to be the most fun season of Gopher Football to date...even if we're 0-12.
My NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING BOOK is starting to take shape. I've come up with some pretty solid ideas and am still working out some of the kinks. It will be a work in process until i share it on here probably this summer. I think that's all I got - watching a little WOOFIES-PISTONS tonight in a pick'em...wow, MN-DET is a pick'em.
Hope everything is good with everyone - later.
First, let's go back to FEB 2008 and the first full class for Timmy B. I'm going player by player, so buckle up:
(Based on Rivals Rankings our best to worst)
QB MarQuies Gray
He's in school and will practice this Spring. Regardless of what our future offense looks like, I have to believe this is our guy. I bet he'll see time this year on occasion, and he'll be even more integrated for next year...if not starting.
DB/LB Keanon Cooper
Redshirted last year - will likely play a lot this year and step in for Lawrence in that spot in 2010. Should be a big-timer for us.
WR Brandon Green
Finally got some time later in the year and showed some brilliance. This guy will be a mainstay in the lineup for the next 3 years.
WR Vincent Hill
Didn't qualify - tard - went to Temple I think.
LB Sam Maresh
Medical reshirt. Will play this Spring and start at MLB for the next 4 years. I'm shopping for my #17 jersey already, this guy could be a ton of fun to watch.
WR David Pittman
Converted to WR from QB at JUCO...finally got healthy toward end of season. Only thing I remeber about him is play#1 from the bowl game when he threw it to Decker. I gotta believe this guy will see a lot of time this year at the WR spot and have much more of the offense designed for him like in the Bowl Game.
CB Traye Simmons
Nice year. I think he lived up to the hype. He played really well throughout most of the year and recieved some post-season recognition. Should step it up even more this year and become a potential draft pick.
DT Jewhan Edwards
Played quite a bit in his 1st year - we have 4 other soon to be Seniors at this spot, so playing time and epxerience will be criritcal for him in 2010, when he and Kirksey will likely be the guys. 8 tackles and a sack, not bad for a Fr.
LB Spencer Reeves
The 3rd and final member of the class that didn't play last year but is in school for Spring. He is supposed to be a legit LB with 4.5 speed and decent size. Could get a chance to start immediately if he performs well this Spring.
WR Broderick Smith
Caught the TD vs. Becky, only ended up with 50 yards all year. Not the fastest guy, but at 6'3" he definitely has some potential for this year and beyond.
RB Kevin Whaley
He was the most highly touted RB of the class, but suffered a gunshot wound in WV before school started so he redshirted. I think he'll get a serious look this year in Spring and might be #1 or #2 on the depth chart come fall. I think he offers more than Salamon and Eskridge.
S Tramaine Brock
Started every game - looked pretty solid as a S. He has left school, although it sounds like he may be coming back? Lots of questions around this dude right now, so I don't think he can be counted on for 2009.
TE Eric Lair
Played exclusively on SpT, needs to add some stength to be a legit TE, but will get a look there this year with Simmons leaving and the only other depth coming from the new freshmen.
LB Simoni Lawrence
love this guy. Lots of huge hits and big plays out of Lawrence last year - he'll be our only returning starter at LB this year, and should be a monster.
LB Rex Sharpe
Not sure what happened to this guy. In Spring and early Fall he was projected as an impact player and starter at LB, he played in 11 games and had 3 tackles - but was almost exclusively on SpT. Maybe he'll get another shot this year, but it's tough to believe a JUCO will do nothing in year one and then all of a sudden become a player in year 2.
DE Terrell Combs
Thought he redshirted, but he's listed as a sophomore. Whatever. He appears to be a great athlete and hopefully he's put on a little size and can compete for a DE spot this season. We'll need someone to replace Willie.
DB Tim Dandrige
Played on SpT this year, but might get a look at CB or S this season. at 6-1 175 he might be a nice fit at S...we'll see. Appears to have all the tools to contribute, and with our lack of secondary depth, he should get a look.
RB Deleon Eskridge
Played alot more than epxected last year. I don't care for him, his running style is kind of pansy-like. Goes down too easily. That could change with a semester and summer in the weight room, so i won't write him off just yet. But with the added depth at RB with Bennett, Whaley, and possibly 2 good Freshmen coming in - he'll be fighting for PT.
DT Brandon Kirksey
8 tackles and 2 sacks in his first year. Looks to be a real-deal player who showed some flashes in year 1. He and Edwards need to get experience and get stronger so they're ready to go in 2010.
DE Cedric McKinley
played great in the bowl game, but I can't remeber noticing him throughout the regular season. He will surely get a shot at becoming the new Willie this year.
RB Shady Salamon
I liked him when he played - but I doubt he'll be much more than a backup on this team in the coming years.
DB Troy Stoudermire
Did a nice job for the most part on KR, but didn't see a lot of time in the secondary. Moved to WR for a while, not sure if that will be permanent. You have to love the speed and elusiveness, but not sure where he'll play. Bold prediction #1 - he will house a kick-off this year.
LB Gary Tinsley
redshirt - didn't play. looks like a SPT and career backup at this point, but you never know...only a RFR.
DE D.L. Wilhite
Another guy looking to learn the DE spot - great athlete who needed to get bigger and stronger. should be in the mix at the open DE spots on this club.
WR Xzavian Brandon
I think he redshirted - career backup is the likely path for this fella.
LB Ryan Grant
Bud's grandson - reshirted - can't see him being a significant player, but he's got a nice legacy and might get a chance.
QB John Nance
Reshirted - might need 4 more redshirt years before he'll have a shot at seeing the field as a QB.
WR Dajon McKnight
Caught a TD vs. the Buckeyes for the late cover, but didn't do much else. Will provide some depth at WR.
DB Johnny Johnson
Tiny dude - didn't play much, but with our lack of secondary depth he might get a look.
There you go. By my count 9 of these guys contributed a lot last season, and another handful played roles on SPT. Plus we were missing arguably our 2 biggest recruits from the entire class with Maresh and Gray...so better things are yet to come.
STATS
So we only scored 23.2 ppg. not enough to be a great team. We only gave up 24.8, which is a giant improvement, but could still be better.
We were outrushed 103-143 on average per game...this won't happen again this year. Our running game will return to prominance.
Still allowed 240 ypg through the air while only throwing for 219.
4.9 ypp while giving up 5.7 ypp - this defintely needs to be under 5 to be even considered as a solid defense.
24 yards per KR - Stourdermire could be in for some big things if he continues to progress at this. We need to find a good 2nd guy though since Jay Thomas can't run anymore.
PENALTIES! we committed 83 for 695 yards while opponents only had 55 for 435 yards. Ridiculous. So many stupid personal fouls, illegal formations, false starts. This is one thing that MUST improve if we expect to go anywhere next January. You can't give up an extra 20 yards per game in penalties vs. your opponents.
Weird stat - we averaged 30 min per game in time of possession - we had it exactly 1/2 the game. weird, huh?
Sacks - we got to them 34 times, but they got us 30 times. Much better than 2007, but a huge decrease for our o-Line. That needs to get better.
FG - 12/16, XP 34-36 - not bad for Monroe. Do you ever think we'll have a year without missing multiple XP's?! or god forbid making all of them?!
We gave up 108 points in Q2 - by far our worst. We were outscored in every quarter this year except for the 4th, where we were +10.
GAMBLING NOTES
We went 7-5, and we went 7-5 ATS...we started 6-1 in both respects. The end of the season was obviously a huge disappointment, but look at what we did accomplish. At the beginning of the year we all thought 6 wins would be a ceiling for our club...well, we got 7. We got to a bowl game, and we kissed the dome goodbye in style with a 0-55 laugher in the wrong direction. It was a fitting way to end the dome madness. I really feel like it's a brand new team with a clean slate this season and beyond. We've recruited well again (giant recap on that coming next week), and we've got a lot of experience returning. We were playing a ton of FR and SO last season, so that can only help us for the next 2 years.
OFFENSE
We avg. 17 ppg in B10 play last year...defintiely not enough to get it done. We couldn't run it, and our passing game had gone stale. What do we do - bring in a big time OL coach/run game coordinator to fix that side, and fire Dunbar and replace him with a young energetic Jedd Fisch, who seems to be one of those wunderkind never-heard-of-ya kind of hires that might do some great things for this team. Weber is back, and we have Gray and Alipate there right behind him - loaded at QB. I still think Weber is the guy, but Gray will see time this year and might have a shot at being the guy next season. RB should be drastically improved with Bennett coming back healthy and Whaley as well as having Eskridge and Salamon for depth. Not to mention the stud freshman coming in named Hasaan Lipscomb who might push Bennett for time. The WR's are also loaded. We have Decker back again and Green as our 2 main weapons. Then add in McKnight, Kuznia, Pittman, Smith, and a couple of new guys who I'm VERY excited about and this might be the deepest position on our team outside of QB. Hayo Carpenter, a JUCO, is a legit 4star or maybe 5star prospect who will get a lot of time from day one. Also Bryant Allen is one of those guys in the Macklin/Harvin mold that will likely see lots of action next year - I think he'll be what they tried to make Stoudermire into last year. At TE, we lose Simmmons but return everyone else. Plus we have 2 big-time TE recruits coming in to compete as well. OL will be a mystery until we see them play, but it has to be better. New, better coach. New, better scheme. New, better talent and some experience from last year for the returners. Matt Carufel will start - the ND transfer is our best OLman. It sounds as if early signee Jeff Wills at 6'7" 350 lbs will also start at OT. lots of guys to choose from - let hope we find something that works early on and are able to stick with it.
DEFENSE
The DL has some questions. Willie is gone. But McKinley appears to be a legit threat to start. Anthony Jacobs is the penciled in starter on the other end right now - he was a 4 star recruit a couple of years back and is only a SOPH for 2009. Combs, Wilhite, Henderson, Onwuachi all have a chance to make it as well. Garin will likely red-shirt, but you never know. LB should be strong, possibly even better than before despite losing 2 of 3 starters. Cooper, Lawrence, Maresh sound lethal to me. Campbell will still play plenty in the middle, Sharpe might re-appear, Triplett sucks. Our DB might be the biggest question. BPT will be at one corner and Sherals should be back at the other spot. But it's a mystery as to what's behind them. Collado, Dandrige, Stoudermire? Yikes. At safety, I think Royston will step in for Brock, and sadly Theret will probably take the other spot. A couple of true freshman are coming in with some clout, but hard to say they'll be ready to go from day 1. No depth here either besides freshman.
K/P
Ellestad might finally get the K job - we recruited Orseske for this upcoming class, but he sounds like more of a P. Not many other options here.
Overall - 2009 is going to be the most fun season of Gopher Football to date...even if we're 0-12.
My NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING BOOK is starting to take shape. I've come up with some pretty solid ideas and am still working out some of the kinks. It will be a work in process until i share it on here probably this summer. I think that's all I got - watching a little WOOFIES-PISTONS tonight in a pick'em...wow, MN-DET is a pick'em.
Hope everything is good with everyone - later.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Quick Update
Hey Guys -
So Week 1 of the Hoops challenge is complete, but 1/2 of our players didn't submit picks for week 2...that tells me that this bit is maybe not very cool, so we can stop if you want. This week is out for sure, because I'm guessing JG will not be shipping his picks in from sunny Jamaica. No worries - let's just watch and enjoy and we'll have a tourney pick'em...assuming I'm not in the hospital for a couple of days right around selection sunday with my wife and son....we'll see.
In other news, it's -4 here today...probably about the same in Jamaica I suppose.
One week left until signing day on FEB 4th. I got a notice in the mail of a little get together they are having at the alumni center that evening. I probably won't go, but if someone else is interested I could probably be talked into it. Just not one of those things I would hit by myself, you know.
Best thing to watch right now - your Minnesota Timberwolves. I'm usually not a huge NBA guy, but these games have become can't miss tv lately. Seriously, I'm planning my evenings around watching the Wolves...write that one down. Jefferson is unreal, and Foye looks like he might be a player in this league. What the hell with Rodney Carney? He was total under the radar throw in guy in a late season trade, and now is a 10-5 guy off the bench every night who provides huge energy and plays great D. He is what I think they hoped Brewer would be. Anyway, good times.
Not much else happening right now - just thought I'd shoot out a quick note this morning to touch base with everyone. Hopefully we'll have some fun recruiting news to report over the next 5-10 days before signing day.
Later.
So Week 1 of the Hoops challenge is complete, but 1/2 of our players didn't submit picks for week 2...that tells me that this bit is maybe not very cool, so we can stop if you want. This week is out for sure, because I'm guessing JG will not be shipping his picks in from sunny Jamaica. No worries - let's just watch and enjoy and we'll have a tourney pick'em...assuming I'm not in the hospital for a couple of days right around selection sunday with my wife and son....we'll see.
In other news, it's -4 here today...probably about the same in Jamaica I suppose.
One week left until signing day on FEB 4th. I got a notice in the mail of a little get together they are having at the alumni center that evening. I probably won't go, but if someone else is interested I could probably be talked into it. Just not one of those things I would hit by myself, you know.
Best thing to watch right now - your Minnesota Timberwolves. I'm usually not a huge NBA guy, but these games have become can't miss tv lately. Seriously, I'm planning my evenings around watching the Wolves...write that one down. Jefferson is unreal, and Foye looks like he might be a player in this league. What the hell with Rodney Carney? He was total under the radar throw in guy in a late season trade, and now is a 10-5 guy off the bench every night who provides huge energy and plays great D. He is what I think they hoped Brewer would be. Anyway, good times.
Not much else happening right now - just thought I'd shoot out a quick note this morning to touch base with everyone. Hopefully we'll have some fun recruiting news to report over the next 5-10 days before signing day.
Later.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Gopher Schedule Changes & Hoops Update
It's official...USC at GOPHERS 2010. The funny thing is, I'm not sure if I'm more excited about this game or the fact that the fun little club from out West (NDSU) will be coming back to TCF for a rematch the following year in 2011. I really hope we win 200-0 on that Saturday in 2011. You bet your a$$ I'll be there more than willing to tell all of those "faithful" NDSU fans how much they suck.
Also, the at VEGAS game was moved from 2010 to 2012 season opener...even better probably for trip planning purposes. College football week 1 in Vegas 2012?!? Yes.
How F'ing cool is it to get a home and home with USC...i love it. I don't care if it's 55-10, what a fun game to look forward to. Probably better than the home and homes we used to do with FLA ATL, TOLEDO, etc.
One other Gopher note - the Spring game is sneaking up on us...sometime in APR, with no official date announced yet. I'm in if you guys are...we'll discuss as we get closer.
My pre-season favorite for "prepostorous statement of the year 2009" is this gem from Jim Peterson during the Wolves-Suns game:
"The Suns acquired Shaq because of Al Jefferson."
Yep - they plan their transactions around a 10-12th place team from the western conference...nice call Jim.
COLLEGE HOOPS
So the Gophs proved they're not quite ready for primetime yet against PUR last night. PUR is really good, and it should be a nice fight between them and MSU for the title this year. Our offense just gets so stagnant at some points, while PUR just kept making shots and getting good looks. Their defense is incredible too - maybe a sleeper club come March.
As far as the contest goes, here's how we currently sit:
JR: 40
JG: 37
MK: 34
MR: 30
But there are 3 games left, of which 3 of us agree on all 3, but JG has a couple of odd picks. He really likes ND for 6 over UCONN and LSU for 5 over Xavier.
I have no chance of winning with only 6 possible points left. MR has 22 left, MK has 17, and JG has 15.
What do I need to win?
JR - no chance
MR - hits all 3 and he wins...if Xavier loses, he can't win
MK - UCONN and Xavier win and WIS lose
JG - ND and ILL wins = championship
There's probably more scenarios, but I can't figure them all out.
If I don't talk to you two, have a great time in Jamaica! I'll be expecting some seriously hammered texts/calls if you're able.
Done.
Also, the at VEGAS game was moved from 2010 to 2012 season opener...even better probably for trip planning purposes. College football week 1 in Vegas 2012?!? Yes.
How F'ing cool is it to get a home and home with USC...i love it. I don't care if it's 55-10, what a fun game to look forward to. Probably better than the home and homes we used to do with FLA ATL, TOLEDO, etc.
One other Gopher note - the Spring game is sneaking up on us...sometime in APR, with no official date announced yet. I'm in if you guys are...we'll discuss as we get closer.
My pre-season favorite for "prepostorous statement of the year 2009" is this gem from Jim Peterson during the Wolves-Suns game:
"The Suns acquired Shaq because of Al Jefferson."
Yep - they plan their transactions around a 10-12th place team from the western conference...nice call Jim.
COLLEGE HOOPS
So the Gophs proved they're not quite ready for primetime yet against PUR last night. PUR is really good, and it should be a nice fight between them and MSU for the title this year. Our offense just gets so stagnant at some points, while PUR just kept making shots and getting good looks. Their defense is incredible too - maybe a sleeper club come March.
As far as the contest goes, here's how we currently sit:
JR: 40
JG: 37
MK: 34
MR: 30
But there are 3 games left, of which 3 of us agree on all 3, but JG has a couple of odd picks. He really likes ND for 6 over UCONN and LSU for 5 over Xavier.
I have no chance of winning with only 6 possible points left. MR has 22 left, MK has 17, and JG has 15.
What do I need to win?
JR - no chance
MR - hits all 3 and he wins...if Xavier loses, he can't win
MK - UCONN and Xavier win and WIS lose
JG - ND and ILL wins = championship
There's probably more scenarios, but I can't figure them all out.
If I don't talk to you two, have a great time in Jamaica! I'll be expecting some seriously hammered texts/calls if you're able.
Done.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
2010 Recruit locked up - Hoops Update
Brew & Co. arew wasting no time on bringing in a nice class for 2010. Today we got a commitment from the top player in all of Beckyville...a 6'3" LB Conrad Zagbedski or something like that. All indications are that this guy was the #1 player in the state and had interest from the entire B10 and ND already. Gotta love the border battle going our way for a change on the recruiting front.
Apparently, Tremaine Brock is gonzo...flunked out or something. Whatever, I'm not a big fan of focusing on shit like this. If you can't even pass, well...see ya.
College Hoops challenge only has one game on tap tonight...GOPHS-BOILERS.
We've all missed one game so far, it costs me 4 points - the most of anyone. But I have 5 on the GOPHS tonight, the rest have 1...JG even put his one on the BOILERS.
After tonight, we have 3 Saturday games left for week 1 of the challenge, I'll send an update out tomorrow with what to watch for on Saturday.
I got the call from Greg today about a potential road trip in 2010...GOPHERS v. UNLV in Vegas in September. I think that sounds like a plan...we might actually have back to back west coast trips with Vegas and USC on consecutive weekends.
Now for my waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy too early Gopher prediction for next season:
BEST CASE: 7-5 again, brutal schedule
WORST CASE: 4-8
Might not look that optimistic, but I think we'll be a better team...however, the schedule looks a lot tougher on paper right now, and we'll still be building for 2010 and the big Rose Bowl run!!
BTW - the more I read about Jedd Fisch, the more I like. We're not running the spread, the west coast offense, the east coast offense, the run n shoot - we're running the GOPHER ATTACKING OFFENSE and we're going to score TD's! This is just a paraphrase, but that's the kind of attitude I like. It seems like Dunbar was so locked into his little scheme that he forgot about making adjustments and scoring TD's. Let's hope young Jedd provides some enthusiasm and some creativity to a team that should be loaded with some playmakers for next season. I only hope Mr. Cosgrove and the defense pick things up a bit so we don't end up in a Mason/Wacker type of situation again.
Party on party people.
Apparently, Tremaine Brock is gonzo...flunked out or something. Whatever, I'm not a big fan of focusing on shit like this. If you can't even pass, well...see ya.
College Hoops challenge only has one game on tap tonight...GOPHS-BOILERS.
We've all missed one game so far, it costs me 4 points - the most of anyone. But I have 5 on the GOPHS tonight, the rest have 1...JG even put his one on the BOILERS.
After tonight, we have 3 Saturday games left for week 1 of the challenge, I'll send an update out tomorrow with what to watch for on Saturday.
I got the call from Greg today about a potential road trip in 2010...GOPHERS v. UNLV in Vegas in September. I think that sounds like a plan...we might actually have back to back west coast trips with Vegas and USC on consecutive weekends.
Now for my waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy too early Gopher prediction for next season:
BEST CASE: 7-5 again, brutal schedule
WORST CASE: 4-8
Might not look that optimistic, but I think we'll be a better team...however, the schedule looks a lot tougher on paper right now, and we'll still be building for 2010 and the big Rose Bowl run!!
BTW - the more I read about Jedd Fisch, the more I like. We're not running the spread, the west coast offense, the east coast offense, the run n shoot - we're running the GOPHER ATTACKING OFFENSE and we're going to score TD's! This is just a paraphrase, but that's the kind of attitude I like. It seems like Dunbar was so locked into his little scheme that he forgot about making adjustments and scoring TD's. Let's hope young Jedd provides some enthusiasm and some creativity to a team that should be loaded with some playmakers for next season. I only hope Mr. Cosgrove and the defense pick things up a bit so we don't end up in a Mason/Wacker type of situation again.
Party on party people.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Random Thoughts
So, I'm a little bored at work...here we go.
1. JEDD FISCH
I guess this is the 99% sure new OC for the Gophers. I like the hire, not that I'm claiming to know a ton about this guy, but he's a fresh new face with some good experience and what sounds like some creative ideas. I like this much better than some retread from another school...if Shanahan recommends the guy, he's probably got a chance. How fun would it be to come out in 2009 and see the Gophers score about 30+ on a weekly basis?!? I think the weapons will be there to make some good things happen on offense. They needed to make changes, and I think they've gone the right direction. Adding Davis as a running game coordinator should address that issue - as well as getting a couple of new big-time tackles and a deep healthy stable of good RB's. The passing offense needed a spark, so hopefully Fisch will be that spark. Taking more shots down field, actually trying to get big plays and gain more than 5-8 yards with each completion would be a start. Also taking advantage of some of the diversity they have, like we saw early in the Bowl game with KAN...lots of new speed and size to work with so I think things will defintiely be better. The OL will be more experienced and have some better players, so that is where it all needs to start. I'm hoping to see some major improvements by the Spring Game.
2. BIG 10...SHOULD ADD ANOTHER?
This topic has come up numerous times ever since Penn State joined back in 1994 (i think). The obvious choice is ND, but I don't see them ever agreeing to this. I would love to add a 12th team and create an SEC/B12 type situation with divisions and championship games. Other options include: PITT, CIN, any MAC school...
For simplicity, I'll use ND (although I think this is very unlikely)...here's what we'd be looking at:
For the GOPHERS, you'd have to keep IOWA, WIS, and probably MICH/MSU in a North Division
In the South, OSU, IND, PUR, ILL, NW, ND...which would leave PSU in the North I guess.
The purists would say, but what about the MICH:OHIOST rivalry, how could you ensure it without being in the same division. Each team could have 5 inter-division games, then 3 out of division games. One of those could be with a "rival" every year.
Just a thought, I'd love to see it, but I don't expect it anytime soon.
3. BIG BOOK OF NCAA BETTING RULES
So maybe I'm a complete rube or tool, but I'm working this off-season to compile a book of rules (similar to Simmons' Playoff Manifesto) for betting on NCAA Football. It's in the infant phase, but I hoping to come up with something to prevent me from going through that painstaking task of making emotional decisions every week. Ideally, this will make bets and predictions much easier and hopefully more successful in the future seasons. If you guys have any hypothesises or theories, please let me know and I'll do some investigating to see how valid it is. I'll publish a first draft as we get closer to the summer, but let me know if you have any help/advice that you believe will hold true and is worthy of being a rule.
4. USC v. GOPHERS? WTF?
Maybe just a rumor right now, but it sounds pretty valid. We are trying to get a home and home with the mighty Trojans to play AT LEAST 2x from 2011-2016. Yikes. Well, it will be quite the barometer for our favorite team assuming we continue to get better and keep ascending up the ladder. Who knows, maybe Pete Carroll will be coaching the LA Vikings by that point and USC will be back down to the John Robinson years type of team. How fricking pumped would you be to watch an early September game at TCF...#1 USC at #20 GOPHERS 7pm primetime ABC. oh, goosebumps....until we struggle through a 47-10 L...but it's not happening tomorrow so we could/should be a competitve team by that point.
Hmmm, what else....
5. JON GRUDEN to ND
This makes way too much sense to not have it happen. Weis blows, this is obvious; Gruden has ties to ND and would be an amazing college coach (in my opinion). If you're a ND hater, which I am, you better hope this doesn't happen. They only have the talent right now...but if they actually had a competant coach - could be scary.
6. SUPER BOWL
Don't forget to send me your picks for the big (yawn) game. Pick a winner and answer the 6 bonus quetsions for tie breakers. 2 picks are in, one for each team...our 2 leaders are holding out, but I'll need picks by game time on Feb 1st.
NCAA PICKS - please send me these as well as soon as you have them. JG/MK get me both weeks before your 7 day bender in lovely Jamaica...bastards.
That's all I got - as always, please post your thoughts on the board if you have a free minute or something you just need to discuss.
233 days until the opening of TCF...too soon to start a tailgate party?
Later.
1. JEDD FISCH
I guess this is the 99% sure new OC for the Gophers. I like the hire, not that I'm claiming to know a ton about this guy, but he's a fresh new face with some good experience and what sounds like some creative ideas. I like this much better than some retread from another school...if Shanahan recommends the guy, he's probably got a chance. How fun would it be to come out in 2009 and see the Gophers score about 30+ on a weekly basis?!? I think the weapons will be there to make some good things happen on offense. They needed to make changes, and I think they've gone the right direction. Adding Davis as a running game coordinator should address that issue - as well as getting a couple of new big-time tackles and a deep healthy stable of good RB's. The passing offense needed a spark, so hopefully Fisch will be that spark. Taking more shots down field, actually trying to get big plays and gain more than 5-8 yards with each completion would be a start. Also taking advantage of some of the diversity they have, like we saw early in the Bowl game with KAN...lots of new speed and size to work with so I think things will defintiely be better. The OL will be more experienced and have some better players, so that is where it all needs to start. I'm hoping to see some major improvements by the Spring Game.
2. BIG 10...SHOULD ADD ANOTHER?
This topic has come up numerous times ever since Penn State joined back in 1994 (i think). The obvious choice is ND, but I don't see them ever agreeing to this. I would love to add a 12th team and create an SEC/B12 type situation with divisions and championship games. Other options include: PITT, CIN, any MAC school...
For simplicity, I'll use ND (although I think this is very unlikely)...here's what we'd be looking at:
For the GOPHERS, you'd have to keep IOWA, WIS, and probably MICH/MSU in a North Division
In the South, OSU, IND, PUR, ILL, NW, ND...which would leave PSU in the North I guess.
The purists would say, but what about the MICH:OHIOST rivalry, how could you ensure it without being in the same division. Each team could have 5 inter-division games, then 3 out of division games. One of those could be with a "rival" every year.
Just a thought, I'd love to see it, but I don't expect it anytime soon.
3. BIG BOOK OF NCAA BETTING RULES
So maybe I'm a complete rube or tool, but I'm working this off-season to compile a book of rules (similar to Simmons' Playoff Manifesto) for betting on NCAA Football. It's in the infant phase, but I hoping to come up with something to prevent me from going through that painstaking task of making emotional decisions every week. Ideally, this will make bets and predictions much easier and hopefully more successful in the future seasons. If you guys have any hypothesises or theories, please let me know and I'll do some investigating to see how valid it is. I'll publish a first draft as we get closer to the summer, but let me know if you have any help/advice that you believe will hold true and is worthy of being a rule.
4. USC v. GOPHERS? WTF?
Maybe just a rumor right now, but it sounds pretty valid. We are trying to get a home and home with the mighty Trojans to play AT LEAST 2x from 2011-2016. Yikes. Well, it will be quite the barometer for our favorite team assuming we continue to get better and keep ascending up the ladder. Who knows, maybe Pete Carroll will be coaching the LA Vikings by that point and USC will be back down to the John Robinson years type of team. How fricking pumped would you be to watch an early September game at TCF...#1 USC at #20 GOPHERS 7pm primetime ABC. oh, goosebumps....until we struggle through a 47-10 L...but it's not happening tomorrow so we could/should be a competitve team by that point.
Hmmm, what else....
5. JON GRUDEN to ND
This makes way too much sense to not have it happen. Weis blows, this is obvious; Gruden has ties to ND and would be an amazing college coach (in my opinion). If you're a ND hater, which I am, you better hope this doesn't happen. They only have the talent right now...but if they actually had a competant coach - could be scary.
6. SUPER BOWL
Don't forget to send me your picks for the big (yawn) game. Pick a winner and answer the 6 bonus quetsions for tie breakers. 2 picks are in, one for each team...our 2 leaders are holding out, but I'll need picks by game time on Feb 1st.
NCAA PICKS - please send me these as well as soon as you have them. JG/MK get me both weeks before your 7 day bender in lovely Jamaica...bastards.
That's all I got - as always, please post your thoughts on the board if you have a free minute or something you just need to discuss.
233 days until the opening of TCF...too soon to start a tailgate party?
Later.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Championship Weekend Results - All upcoming NFL and NCAA Lines
Hey Guys -
One game to go, who would have though Arizona-PITT? Besides Kobow, I guess. Nice call on the Cards Mike. Here's where we are at:
MR - 76
MK - 76
JR - 72
JG - 58
With the Super Bowl being worth 16 points, it's a winner take all type of situation. I think we'll have to throw in some tie-breakers though just in case our picks all go one way or the other. Actually, I'll make the title game itself worth only 10, and the remaining 6 points will be decided on these other criteria:
1. Which teams scores first?
2. Who leads at half time?
3. Over/Under 46.5 for the game?
4. Which team kicks more FG's?
5. Def/SpT TD's? Yes or no.
6. More rushing TD's or passing TD's?
* Please send me your answers to each of these 6 questions, as well as your winner against the spread for the Super Bowl:
ARI
PITT -7
__________________________________________________________________
Next, NCAA Hoops. The challenge kicks off tonight for our first week, but with JG and MK leaving the country for a week I will list the next 2 weeks worth of games, so we can be all caught up. Once again, please list your winners with your confidence (10 being the most confident, 1 being least confident)for each week.
1/25-1/31
MSU
OHIOST
FLA
VAN
MARQ
ND
TEX
BAY
PUR
WIS
DUKE
WF
ILL
MIN
ST.MARY
GONZ
STAN
UCLA
MICH
PUR
2/1-2/7
UCONN
LOU
KAN
BAY
PUR
OHIOST
SC
FLA
DUKE
CLEM
WV
SYR
MIN
MSU
ILL
WIS
TEX
NEB
ND
UCLA
I'll keep you updated on what happens over the week for the NCAA Challenge - also, sounds like Brew is naming an OC today...should be interesting.
Hope everyone has a great week - talk to you later.
One game to go, who would have though Arizona-PITT? Besides Kobow, I guess. Nice call on the Cards Mike. Here's where we are at:
MR - 76
MK - 76
JR - 72
JG - 58
With the Super Bowl being worth 16 points, it's a winner take all type of situation. I think we'll have to throw in some tie-breakers though just in case our picks all go one way or the other. Actually, I'll make the title game itself worth only 10, and the remaining 6 points will be decided on these other criteria:
1. Which teams scores first?
2. Who leads at half time?
3. Over/Under 46.5 for the game?
4. Which team kicks more FG's?
5. Def/SpT TD's? Yes or no.
6. More rushing TD's or passing TD's?
* Please send me your answers to each of these 6 questions, as well as your winner against the spread for the Super Bowl:
ARI
PITT -7
__________________________________________________________________
Next, NCAA Hoops. The challenge kicks off tonight for our first week, but with JG and MK leaving the country for a week I will list the next 2 weeks worth of games, so we can be all caught up. Once again, please list your winners with your confidence (10 being the most confident, 1 being least confident)for each week.
1/25-1/31
MSU
OHIOST
FLA
VAN
MARQ
ND
TEX
BAY
PUR
WIS
DUKE
WF
ILL
MIN
ST.MARY
GONZ
STAN
UCLA
MICH
PUR
2/1-2/7
UCONN
LOU
KAN
BAY
PUR
OHIOST
SC
FLA
DUKE
CLEM
WV
SYR
MIN
MSU
ILL
WIS
TEX
NEB
ND
UCLA
I'll keep you updated on what happens over the week for the NCAA Challenge - also, sounds like Brew is naming an OC today...should be interesting.
Hope everyone has a great week - talk to you later.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Playoff Picks & NCAA Hoops Wk1 Picks
Hey Guys -
Not a lot of difference in opinions for the NFL this weekend.
We all like PIT, and all of us except MK like PHI.
Here's how NCAA Hoops picks shape up:
JR MR MK JG
55 0 55 0 55 0 55 0
SYR
PITT 9 7 8 9
A&M
KAN 8 5 2 10
OHIOST 2 3
ILL 6 5
MICH 4 3
PSU 3 7
NOVA
UCONN 7 6 10 2
CLEM
NC 10 9 9 8
PUR 1
MIN 5 1 1
UCONN 1 4 7
ND 6
XAVIER 2 10 6
LSU 5
WIS 3 8 4 4
ILL
Hope this isn't too tough to read. We'll see what it looks like when I'm done I guess.
How about those Gophers last night?!?! I can't believe they won that game - also gave me a $4 payday on Centsports for hitting my Gophers/Wild parlay...I'm back on the drug. This team is a lot of fun to watch - and they're only going to keep getting better with experience.
Sounds like the new hot guy for the OC job is Gunter Brewer, co-OC from OKST. I think this guy sounds pretty good, but who knows. Huge recruiting weekend for the Gophers with only a couple weeks left until signing day. I think 6 guys are in town this weekend, too bad the -20 temps won't stick around!
Here's a link to a hilarious article that should shock no one about Iowa's play by play radio guy. Apparently, he's some kind of legendary booze-hound who finally lost his job due to some internet photos. This writer makes it sound as if we should feel sorry for this dude and just give him a break - I had a good laugh over it all.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Ferentz will be on his way to KC soon and we can set the Pigeons back to where they were at the end of the Fry era ~1-10 ish. WHO HATES IOWA!!!???!
Later Guys - have a good weekend.
Next week, I'll send out 2 weeks worth of games for Hoops for those of us that will be heading to sunny Jamaica for a week - so jealous right now.
Not a lot of difference in opinions for the NFL this weekend.
We all like PIT, and all of us except MK like PHI.
Here's how NCAA Hoops picks shape up:
JR MR MK JG
55 0 55 0 55 0 55 0
SYR
PITT 9 7 8 9
A&M
KAN 8 5 2 10
OHIOST 2 3
ILL 6 5
MICH 4 3
PSU 3 7
NOVA
UCONN 7 6 10 2
CLEM
NC 10 9 9 8
PUR 1
MIN 5 1 1
UCONN 1 4 7
ND 6
XAVIER 2 10 6
LSU 5
WIS 3 8 4 4
ILL
Hope this isn't too tough to read. We'll see what it looks like when I'm done I guess.
How about those Gophers last night?!?! I can't believe they won that game - also gave me a $4 payday on Centsports for hitting my Gophers/Wild parlay...I'm back on the drug. This team is a lot of fun to watch - and they're only going to keep getting better with experience.
Sounds like the new hot guy for the OC job is Gunter Brewer, co-OC from OKST. I think this guy sounds pretty good, but who knows. Huge recruiting weekend for the Gophers with only a couple weeks left until signing day. I think 6 guys are in town this weekend, too bad the -20 temps won't stick around!
Here's a link to a hilarious article that should shock no one about Iowa's play by play radio guy. Apparently, he's some kind of legendary booze-hound who finally lost his job due to some internet photos. This writer makes it sound as if we should feel sorry for this dude and just give him a break - I had a good laugh over it all.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Ferentz will be on his way to KC soon and we can set the Pigeons back to where they were at the end of the Fry era ~1-10 ish. WHO HATES IOWA!!!???!
Later Guys - have a good weekend.
Next week, I'll send out 2 weeks worth of games for Hoops for those of us that will be heading to sunny Jamaica for a week - so jealous right now.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
NCAA Hoops - Week #1
Hey Guys -
I know we've got 3 football games left to pick, but I thought we might as well get the Hoops season started.
I have listed 10 games that will be played from 1/18 - 1/24 (This coming Sunday through Saturday).
Please pick the winner of each game, and rank them 1-10 using each ranking only once. It's a confidence pool, pretty simple.
Here are this week's games:
19-Jan SYR
PITT
19-Jan A&M
KAN
20-Jan OHIOST
ILL
20-Jan MICH
PSU
21-Jan NOVA
UCONN
21-Jan CLEM
NC
22-Jan PUR
MIN
24-Jan UCONN
ND
24-Jan XAVIER
LSU
24-Jan WIS
ILL
* All games should be on ESPN, ESPN2, BTN, CBS *
I'll send out the following week's games on Wednesday each week - most points wins!
Pretty easy, but let me know if you have questions.
Later. - don't forget to send me your Championship Weekend NFL Picks, too!!
Thanks.
I know we've got 3 football games left to pick, but I thought we might as well get the Hoops season started.
I have listed 10 games that will be played from 1/18 - 1/24 (This coming Sunday through Saturday).
Please pick the winner of each game, and rank them 1-10 using each ranking only once. It's a confidence pool, pretty simple.
Here are this week's games:
19-Jan SYR
PITT
19-Jan A&M
KAN
20-Jan OHIOST
ILL
20-Jan MICH
PSU
21-Jan NOVA
UCONN
21-Jan CLEM
NC
22-Jan PUR
MIN
24-Jan UCONN
ND
24-Jan XAVIER
LSU
24-Jan WIS
ILL
* All games should be on ESPN, ESPN2, BTN, CBS *
I'll send out the following week's games on Wednesday each week - most points wins!
Pretty easy, but let me know if you have questions.
Later. - don't forget to send me your Championship Weekend NFL Picks, too!!
Thanks.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Weekend Update - Lines for Next Week
Hey Guys -
Tough weekend, I went 3-1, but caught the flu from my lovely daughter on Friday and am still home with the effects of it this morning. Brutal.
Here's how we sit for the PLAYOFFS
JR - 11
MR - 4
JG - 3
MK - 2
Mike and Mike both went 0-4 last weekend, ouch. JG hit on ARI, but lost the other 3.
Do not fear, we still have 30 of the 50 possible NFL Playoff points available.
Here are the lines for this weekend - Championship Sunday
PHI
ARI 3
BAL
PIT -5
OVERALL POST-SEASON STANDINGS
JR-65
MR-69
MK-62
JG-51
Both games are worth 7 points each this weekend...should be a close finish.
Still nothing concrete on the Gophs OC job. Sounded like Josh Huepel was the guy this weekend, now I'm hearing he is not. Who knows? I'm sure they'll have something locked in this week.
Later.
Tough weekend, I went 3-1, but caught the flu from my lovely daughter on Friday and am still home with the effects of it this morning. Brutal.
Here's how we sit for the PLAYOFFS
JR - 11
MR - 4
JG - 3
MK - 2
Mike and Mike both went 0-4 last weekend, ouch. JG hit on ARI, but lost the other 3.
Do not fear, we still have 30 of the 50 possible NFL Playoff points available.
Here are the lines for this weekend - Championship Sunday
PHI
ARI 3
BAL
PIT -5
OVERALL POST-SEASON STANDINGS
JR-65
MR-69
MK-62
JG-51
Both games are worth 7 points each this weekend...should be a close finish.
Still nothing concrete on the Gophs OC job. Sounded like Josh Huepel was the guy this weekend, now I'm hearing he is not. Who knows? I'm sure they'll have something locked in this week.
Later.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Tebow Article
Some guy posted this on the Gopherhole site...my thoughts exactly:
January 09, 2009
Tebow Skips Senior Season, Ascends Directly Into Heaven
MIAMI (SP) -- Shortly after leading the Florida Gators to a national championship with a 24-14 win over Oklahoma, junior quarterback Tim Tebow announced that he would skip his senior season and ascend directly into heaven.Tebow entered the press room to wild applause. A reporter for a 24-hour cable sports network burst into tears when the 2007 Heisman winner entered the room. Another threw a pair of boxer shorts on the podium. Tebow smiled at the gesture and several sports reporters fainted."Sorry I'm late," Tebow began. "There was a six-year-old boy with cancer in row 54 and I had to make my way through the crowd to heal him."
"I want to start by saying that playing quarterback for the University of Florida, winning two national championships, has been a great honor. There has been some speculation about my future and I want to clear that up right now," he continued. "Don't go, Tim!" a reporter shouted from the back of the room.
"After much consideration, I have decided to skip my senior season at the University of Florida and ascend directly into Heaven," Tebow announced. Upon making the announcement, Tebow was bathed in a blinding white light and vanished.
In response to the news, ESPN announced they will have a month-long tribute to Tebow. ESPN2 will now be known as ESPN-TEBOW and will feature Tebow highlights (including home videos of Tebow's childhood), re-airings of past interviews, Tebow-centric analysis by ESPN air personalities, a Tebow quiz show and a reality show to find the "most Tebow-like" person in America.
"He wasn't just the greatest player in college football history," said a college football writer at the press conference, tears streaming down his face. "He might have been the greatest person to ever walk on earth."
January 09, 2009
Tebow Skips Senior Season, Ascends Directly Into Heaven
MIAMI (SP) -- Shortly after leading the Florida Gators to a national championship with a 24-14 win over Oklahoma, junior quarterback Tim Tebow announced that he would skip his senior season and ascend directly into heaven.Tebow entered the press room to wild applause. A reporter for a 24-hour cable sports network burst into tears when the 2007 Heisman winner entered the room. Another threw a pair of boxer shorts on the podium. Tebow smiled at the gesture and several sports reporters fainted."Sorry I'm late," Tebow began. "There was a six-year-old boy with cancer in row 54 and I had to make my way through the crowd to heal him."
"I want to start by saying that playing quarterback for the University of Florida, winning two national championships, has been a great honor. There has been some speculation about my future and I want to clear that up right now," he continued. "Don't go, Tim!" a reporter shouted from the back of the room.
"After much consideration, I have decided to skip my senior season at the University of Florida and ascend directly into Heaven," Tebow announced. Upon making the announcement, Tebow was bathed in a blinding white light and vanished.
In response to the news, ESPN announced they will have a month-long tribute to Tebow. ESPN2 will now be known as ESPN-TEBOW and will feature Tebow highlights (including home videos of Tebow's childhood), re-airings of past interviews, Tebow-centric analysis by ESPN air personalities, a Tebow quiz show and a reality show to find the "most Tebow-like" person in America.
"He wasn't just the greatest player in college football history," said a college football writer at the press conference, tears streaming down his face. "He might have been the greatest person to ever walk on earth."
FINAL BOWL RESULTS - TEBOW=Jesus? - COSGROVE NEW DC
It's over. Here's how we sit through the Bowls, with 3 rounds of NFL Playoffs stil to be played:
MR-65
MK-60
JR-54
JG-48
NFL
MR-4
JR-2
MK-2
JG-0
TOTAL
MR-69
MK-62
JR-56
JG-48
(still 42 points on the table during the NFL Playoffs)
As for the Tebow discussion - you know I like the guy and the Gators in general...but seriously last night was nauseating. He's such a leader, nobody tries harder, he cures cancer, he feeds the poor, etc...ridiculous. Look, I get he's a helluva guy and a great person, but seriously stop with the mentions of it every 2 minutes. I bet he'll come back and we'll get Tebow love fest from day 1 next year, but I kind of hope he leaves...even though his NFL future appears to be bleak at best. As far as being Top 5-10 all-time...tough call. 2 Nat'l Titles, potentially 2 Heisman's and maybe an extra Nat'l Title...that would be tough to top. These FLA teams are incredible, loaded at every position, so it's hard to put all the success on Tebow. But he does everything for this team to push it to victory, yes it's overplayed and quite cliche', but he's their unquestionaed leader. I think it's tough to not like a guy like that, I just wish the media would lay off a bit. Right now he's fringe Top 5 for me, but surely Top 10 in my lifetime. If nothing else, just for his pure accomplishments and dominance...especially if he comes back and we're sitting in the same place again next year - then he could actually be Top 3 if not #1 all-time on this list. Scary to think, but w/3 NC's and 2 Heisman's, it would be impossible for anyone to match that.
On to our favorite club...we have a DC. Cosgrove will be announced today as the new DC. Some on the Gopher boards are calling this the final nail in the coffin of Brew and starting to speculate who we'll hire in 2011 when he's fired. Call me crazy, but I think they might be overreacting a bit. Yes, the guy has had a spotty track record at best in his last couple of stops...but he's also had some nice success. I like going to co-DC route with an internal promotion of Ronnie Lee as well. Hopefully, this will keep Cosgrove in check a little bit and become more of a dual effort vs. the stories of his drill-sergeant ways in NEB/WIS. He's Brew's friend, his son is on the staff, and he has WIS ties (which is always the kicker for Maturi), so it was an obvious choice. While I'm definitely skeptical, I will give the guy a chance. Our talent should be okay on that side of the ball with more depth next year than we had this year. But if things so South in a hurry, I'd be very scared to be Timmy Brew or Maturi at this point.
Sounds like word on the OC will be coming sometime soon. Rumor is that he had ties into the game last night - thinking Heupel (OK QB Coach) or the OK WR Coach/Asst OC Jay Norvell. He's been around, and is supposedly a big-time candidate...so we'll see. I like the quick hires, let's hope it works out.
Later.
MR-65
MK-60
JR-54
JG-48
NFL
MR-4
JR-2
MK-2
JG-0
TOTAL
MR-69
MK-62
JR-56
JG-48
(still 42 points on the table during the NFL Playoffs)
As for the Tebow discussion - you know I like the guy and the Gators in general...but seriously last night was nauseating. He's such a leader, nobody tries harder, he cures cancer, he feeds the poor, etc...ridiculous. Look, I get he's a helluva guy and a great person, but seriously stop with the mentions of it every 2 minutes. I bet he'll come back and we'll get Tebow love fest from day 1 next year, but I kind of hope he leaves...even though his NFL future appears to be bleak at best. As far as being Top 5-10 all-time...tough call. 2 Nat'l Titles, potentially 2 Heisman's and maybe an extra Nat'l Title...that would be tough to top. These FLA teams are incredible, loaded at every position, so it's hard to put all the success on Tebow. But he does everything for this team to push it to victory, yes it's overplayed and quite cliche', but he's their unquestionaed leader. I think it's tough to not like a guy like that, I just wish the media would lay off a bit. Right now he's fringe Top 5 for me, but surely Top 10 in my lifetime. If nothing else, just for his pure accomplishments and dominance...especially if he comes back and we're sitting in the same place again next year - then he could actually be Top 3 if not #1 all-time on this list. Scary to think, but w/3 NC's and 2 Heisman's, it would be impossible for anyone to match that.
On to our favorite club...we have a DC. Cosgrove will be announced today as the new DC. Some on the Gopher boards are calling this the final nail in the coffin of Brew and starting to speculate who we'll hire in 2011 when he's fired. Call me crazy, but I think they might be overreacting a bit. Yes, the guy has had a spotty track record at best in his last couple of stops...but he's also had some nice success. I like going to co-DC route with an internal promotion of Ronnie Lee as well. Hopefully, this will keep Cosgrove in check a little bit and become more of a dual effort vs. the stories of his drill-sergeant ways in NEB/WIS. He's Brew's friend, his son is on the staff, and he has WIS ties (which is always the kicker for Maturi), so it was an obvious choice. While I'm definitely skeptical, I will give the guy a chance. Our talent should be okay on that side of the ball with more depth next year than we had this year. But if things so South in a hurry, I'd be very scared to be Timmy Brew or Maturi at this point.
Sounds like word on the OC will be coming sometime soon. Rumor is that he had ties into the game last night - thinking Heupel (OK QB Coach) or the OK WR Coach/Asst OC Jay Norvell. He's been around, and is supposedly a big-time candidate...so we'll see. I like the quick hires, let's hope it works out.
Later.
Proposterous Statement of 2009?
So....I know this may cause some controversy in your minds, but I think that I have heard the most proposterous statement of 2009 already (a great bit from Common if you haven't heard them before). And it is fitting this morning as I get home from dominating Rochester Public Schools Friday morning hoops. I am sure I have the same feeling as Tim Tebow does this morning. However, after our game this morning, there is one glaring difference about Tim Tebow and myself. No, it isn't that there is a lack of photos on the internet of me with a young lady with the greatest, ummm, set of brains that I have seen in a while. It is that I did not have someone in a post game comment say that I was one of the top-10, possibly top 5 players of all time. I heard this statement last night and immediately called Kobow. Unfortunately, Kobow agreed with this statement as well. So both Kobow and announcer guy from Fox have made this most proposterous statement of 2009.
Tim Tebow is not one of the top 5 players of all time. He might be one of the top 5 players of this decade. Reggie Bush, Matt Lienart, Vince Young will give him a run for his money. It is quite a stretch to put him in the top 10 of ALL TIME. He is a stud, and has had a great college career, and hopefully he comes back next year to defend his title and to win a 2nd Heisman. I like the guy and think he is a lot of fun to watch (remember my obsession with Florida in NCAA 2007 to bench Leak and put him in!). But Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett, Charles Woodson, and John Elway would probably argue. I would even say, as biased as it may be, that Charlie Ward would be able to put his name in the hat. And those are just guys that have played in our life time. Then you have the Red Granges, Doak Walkers, Bronco Nagurskis, Roger Staubachs, and Jim Thorpes of the world. Now, I know that I have only named 15 players in this rant, so maybe Tim Tebow is one of the top 20 or 25 of All Time.
But Top 10, maybe Top 5 of All Time, Mr. Tebow is not.
Tim Tebow is not one of the top 5 players of all time. He might be one of the top 5 players of this decade. Reggie Bush, Matt Lienart, Vince Young will give him a run for his money. It is quite a stretch to put him in the top 10 of ALL TIME. He is a stud, and has had a great college career, and hopefully he comes back next year to defend his title and to win a 2nd Heisman. I like the guy and think he is a lot of fun to watch (remember my obsession with Florida in NCAA 2007 to bench Leak and put him in!). But Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett, Charles Woodson, and John Elway would probably argue. I would even say, as biased as it may be, that Charlie Ward would be able to put his name in the hat. And those are just guys that have played in our life time. Then you have the Red Granges, Doak Walkers, Bronco Nagurskis, Roger Staubachs, and Jim Thorpes of the world. Now, I know that I have only named 15 players in this rant, so maybe Tim Tebow is one of the top 20 or 25 of All Time.
But Top 10, maybe Top 5 of All Time, Mr. Tebow is not.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Cancelled Meeting = Time for an Update
So my 12-1 got cancelled, which gives me some free time to send out a few notes.
1) PJ Hill - done and done. He's going pro (try not to laugh). He will follow in the footsteps of so many great Becky Backs that have gone pro like...ummm...nevermind. A ray of good news for the Maroon and Gold today. Not that he was a huge thorn in our side, well okay he was huge, but I don't think Becky will miss him that much. So the Pigeons and Becky both lose their top TB as an early entry to the draft...looks like D.Bennett and our cast of characters might have dibs on being some of the best in the league next year - assuming we get the right guy to run the show.
2) Now it's not completely official yet, but I'm hearing more and more about how Kevin Cosgrove will be our next DC. I went back and checked some of his numbers out, and he hasn't been stellar considering where he's been. At Becky and NEB he finished in the 50th overall range in defense about 80% of the time. He was 112th in that final dreaful season at NEB and he was Top 10 one year at Becky. But looks at where our club has been...74th this year, 119th, 113th, 90th, 75th, and 34th in 2003 when we were 10-3 and had the #4 offense in the nation. If Cosgrove is the guy, and all indications are he is, then we'll have some tough questions to answer when predicting the fate of the Gopher defense in 2009.
- will this guy's trend of bringing teams down when he comes in continue?
- will our talent continue to improve, and make him look better than he is?
- coaching vs. talent...what is the balance
I really think our talent jumped a lot this year, and we made a 45 spot improvement in the overall D rankings. Our talent should again improve next year, so theoretically, we should see another jump. If this guy gets us into the Top 50, I think that's all we can hope for at this point.
I'm not going to complain until it's official, but I don't think this is the bets hire by Brew and Crew.
There's a rumor that Shanahan is in Mpls today discussing OC options with Brew and helping him on his search. He will not be the guy obviously, but he's a nice advisor to have in your back pocket. Why did he get fired again? I'd take him today over Chilly no questions asked.
Some hopes/rumors staight out of left field: Dan McCarney as DC...current FLA DL coach and former Cyclone head man. Sounds like he is a Brewster clone, and he actually had some strong teams at ISU - great midwest recruiter as well...this would be a nice fit.
Josh Heupel - the old OK QB. Apparently, he's a hot name in the OC circles right now, and he obviously has a spread background...not a bad hire.
Chuck Long - no. Terrible coach at SDST, don't want anything to do with a former Pigeon.
HOU OC - can't remember this guy's name, but he lead the Cougars to a #1 offenseive ranking this year at 575 yards per game! good god! They were top 50 in rushing and they threw like crazy...how fun would this be for Brew and Company with the talent we are building on offense. It could be like the old Wacker Attackers.
That's about it for now...I'm sure they'll be more for me to rant about sometime soon.
I encourage all of you guys to throw things on here if you have any opinions or rants about what's happening. I know I dominate this thing, but it's meant to be an easy communication source for everyone, so please fire when ready - I'd love to read what you're thinking.
I'm also considering expanding our ranks a little next year. I don't have anyone in particular in mind, but if you guys know someone who is a die-hard football guy and might be interested in joining our elite crew, shoot them over the link and let me know and I'll start adding them to the site list. I think it would be fun to have about 8-10 of us on here for weekly picks, banter, and get togethers on occasion. It would be fun to get some Cyclone/Badger/Hawkeyes mixed in as well...as long as their not too brutal.
TCF STADIUM KICK OFF COUNTDOWN
240ish days...i lost count already! damn it!
1) PJ Hill - done and done. He's going pro (try not to laugh). He will follow in the footsteps of so many great Becky Backs that have gone pro like...ummm...nevermind. A ray of good news for the Maroon and Gold today. Not that he was a huge thorn in our side, well okay he was huge, but I don't think Becky will miss him that much. So the Pigeons and Becky both lose their top TB as an early entry to the draft...looks like D.Bennett and our cast of characters might have dibs on being some of the best in the league next year - assuming we get the right guy to run the show.
2) Now it's not completely official yet, but I'm hearing more and more about how Kevin Cosgrove will be our next DC. I went back and checked some of his numbers out, and he hasn't been stellar considering where he's been. At Becky and NEB he finished in the 50th overall range in defense about 80% of the time. He was 112th in that final dreaful season at NEB and he was Top 10 one year at Becky. But looks at where our club has been...74th this year, 119th, 113th, 90th, 75th, and 34th in 2003 when we were 10-3 and had the #4 offense in the nation. If Cosgrove is the guy, and all indications are he is, then we'll have some tough questions to answer when predicting the fate of the Gopher defense in 2009.
- will this guy's trend of bringing teams down when he comes in continue?
- will our talent continue to improve, and make him look better than he is?
- coaching vs. talent...what is the balance
I really think our talent jumped a lot this year, and we made a 45 spot improvement in the overall D rankings. Our talent should again improve next year, so theoretically, we should see another jump. If this guy gets us into the Top 50, I think that's all we can hope for at this point.
I'm not going to complain until it's official, but I don't think this is the bets hire by Brew and Crew.
There's a rumor that Shanahan is in Mpls today discussing OC options with Brew and helping him on his search. He will not be the guy obviously, but he's a nice advisor to have in your back pocket. Why did he get fired again? I'd take him today over Chilly no questions asked.
Some hopes/rumors staight out of left field: Dan McCarney as DC...current FLA DL coach and former Cyclone head man. Sounds like he is a Brewster clone, and he actually had some strong teams at ISU - great midwest recruiter as well...this would be a nice fit.
Josh Heupel - the old OK QB. Apparently, he's a hot name in the OC circles right now, and he obviously has a spread background...not a bad hire.
Chuck Long - no. Terrible coach at SDST, don't want anything to do with a former Pigeon.
HOU OC - can't remember this guy's name, but he lead the Cougars to a #1 offenseive ranking this year at 575 yards per game! good god! They were top 50 in rushing and they threw like crazy...how fun would this be for Brew and Company with the talent we are building on offense. It could be like the old Wacker Attackers.
That's about it for now...I'm sure they'll be more for me to rant about sometime soon.
I encourage all of you guys to throw things on here if you have any opinions or rants about what's happening. I know I dominate this thing, but it's meant to be an easy communication source for everyone, so please fire when ready - I'd love to read what you're thinking.
I'm also considering expanding our ranks a little next year. I don't have anyone in particular in mind, but if you guys know someone who is a die-hard football guy and might be interested in joining our elite crew, shoot them over the link and let me know and I'll start adding them to the site list. I think it would be fun to have about 8-10 of us on here for weekly picks, banter, and get togethers on occasion. It would be fun to get some Cyclone/Badger/Hawkeyes mixed in as well...as long as their not too brutal.
TCF STADIUM KICK OFF COUNTDOWN
240ish days...i lost count already! damn it!
NFL Playoff Picks - Week 2 & NATL TITLE GAME
Picks are in and we are set for Week 2 of the NFL Playoffs.
3 points per game for this week
Here we go:
BAL-TEN
I was shocked to see that I'm the only one taking the Ravens. I thought they were going to be everyone's sneaky pick this week. I just like how they are playing, and I always love that D.
ARI-CAR
JG and JR took the Cards, MR and MK like CAR. I think Carolina wins, but I think 10 points is just too much in the playoffs with a team that can score some points. CAR beat them by 4 at home in the regular season, so I'm expecting something similar.
PHI-NYG
We all like NYG. I'm thinking it's a split of 1)PHI beat Vikes, I hate PHI now. 2)NYG are that good and should roll. 3)PHI is a train wreck and didn't look good against us LW, so NYG will kill them. A combo of the 3 makes this an easy one for me.
SD-PIT
Another shocker for me...I am the only one taking PIT. I just think SD blew their load LW, and PIT will dominate them on the defensive side of the ball. The California guys are traveling across country to the freezing climate in PIT, and it will show. Steelers cruise to a 10 pt win.
Today also marks the end of the 2008-09 NCAA Football Season.
GATORS-SOONERS
Roe is the only one to pick the underdog Sooners in this one. The rest of us have Gators by 3. As I've said before, I think the FLA defense makes the difference in this one. We've all kind of seen the lack of B12 defense throughout the Bowl season, and I don't think this will be any different. Now, OK does probably have the best offense in the B12 and they will score some points...but I think FLA will come up with enough stops to win this one. I'm guessing Gators in a shootout 38-31. (extra motivation for me to see this score because I would win my Bowl pool at work with a Gator win and a total of 68+)
Also a little Gophers-Hawks tonight on ESPN...Tubby cruises to 2-1 in B10.
Have any of you guys tried that Streak for the Cash I sent you on ESPN? It's pretty sweet. I have done it for 3 days, won all 3, and am only 24 straight wins away from $1M...now, that would not suck. Anyway, just something fun for the gambler in all of us.
I haven't completely forgotten about the NCAA Hoops season - I'll try and get something out for next week or the followinf week's games so we can start picking. I'm thinking of just taking the top 10 TV games of the week and doing a confidence pool on those 1-10. We'll see how it works out. We'll for sure have something for FEB and early MAR...then we'll do a tourney pool again as well.
Hope all is well - enjoy the game tonight and this weekend.
As always, I'll probably be sending out random updates and thoughts on what our favorite coordinator-less football team is up to, so be ready.
Later.
3 points per game for this week
Here we go:
BAL-TEN
I was shocked to see that I'm the only one taking the Ravens. I thought they were going to be everyone's sneaky pick this week. I just like how they are playing, and I always love that D.
ARI-CAR
JG and JR took the Cards, MR and MK like CAR. I think Carolina wins, but I think 10 points is just too much in the playoffs with a team that can score some points. CAR beat them by 4 at home in the regular season, so I'm expecting something similar.
PHI-NYG
We all like NYG. I'm thinking it's a split of 1)PHI beat Vikes, I hate PHI now. 2)NYG are that good and should roll. 3)PHI is a train wreck and didn't look good against us LW, so NYG will kill them. A combo of the 3 makes this an easy one for me.
SD-PIT
Another shocker for me...I am the only one taking PIT. I just think SD blew their load LW, and PIT will dominate them on the defensive side of the ball. The California guys are traveling across country to the freezing climate in PIT, and it will show. Steelers cruise to a 10 pt win.
Today also marks the end of the 2008-09 NCAA Football Season.
GATORS-SOONERS
Roe is the only one to pick the underdog Sooners in this one. The rest of us have Gators by 3. As I've said before, I think the FLA defense makes the difference in this one. We've all kind of seen the lack of B12 defense throughout the Bowl season, and I don't think this will be any different. Now, OK does probably have the best offense in the B12 and they will score some points...but I think FLA will come up with enough stops to win this one. I'm guessing Gators in a shootout 38-31. (extra motivation for me to see this score because I would win my Bowl pool at work with a Gator win and a total of 68+)
Also a little Gophers-Hawks tonight on ESPN...Tubby cruises to 2-1 in B10.
Have any of you guys tried that Streak for the Cash I sent you on ESPN? It's pretty sweet. I have done it for 3 days, won all 3, and am only 24 straight wins away from $1M...now, that would not suck. Anyway, just something fun for the gambler in all of us.
I haven't completely forgotten about the NCAA Hoops season - I'll try and get something out for next week or the followinf week's games so we can start picking. I'm thinking of just taking the top 10 TV games of the week and doing a confidence pool on those 1-10. We'll see how it works out. We'll for sure have something for FEB and early MAR...then we'll do a tourney pool again as well.
Hope all is well - enjoy the game tonight and this weekend.
As always, I'll probably be sending out random updates and thoughts on what our favorite coordinator-less football team is up to, so be ready.
Later.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Coordinator Search - Day 1
One day down...no hires.
But rumors are flying for one side of the ball. Not sure how legit these are, but I'm hearing a lot of Kevin Cosgrove for DC. He was the DC at Becky during their Rose Bowl runs in the late 90's early 00's, then went to NEB for the past 3 years before being fired after Pelini took over. NEB folks hated him...he constantly finsihed in the mid 50's for defensive rankings - which would be a giant upgrade from our 119th and 74th place finishes this year and last.
I'm skeptical at best - his son is on the staff already, which is why I think he's getting a lot of mention right away...but it doesn't feel right to me. I don't think Brew would hire a guy that was run out of a big school like NEB and getting death threats at HS football games while watching his kid play...not joking. It just doesn't seem like a good fit: unsuccessful with a traditionally big-time defense like NEB, so he can do well with the Gophs? Now he did do a little better in his B10 stint with WIS, but I'm not convinced this guy is the answer. I still think Brew goes out and hires a little more of an unknown for this spot and somebody higher profile for the OC job. I expected more info to be out on that today, but nothing really concrete as of yet.
On positive note on this guy Cosgrove, I hear he is a very good recruiter, which Brew obviously loves, and has a lot of ties in STL. It just so happens that it was confirmed today that a STUD 4-star RB Ronny Wingo Jr., who played in the ARMY AA Game last weekend, has picked the Gophers for his last visit on 1/16 over ALA. He is from STL...coincidence? hmmm...There have been rumors that Brew had a big 4-star RB silent verbal commitment already in his pocket...if it's Wingo I might poop myself. This guy is big and fast (6'3", 4.3)...think Beanie Wells size with better speed. Good times.
The search goes on...and BTW, no matter what happens with this I thought I'd start something since it is 2009.
TCF STADIUM COUNTDOWN
241 days until kick-off
Later.
But rumors are flying for one side of the ball. Not sure how legit these are, but I'm hearing a lot of Kevin Cosgrove for DC. He was the DC at Becky during their Rose Bowl runs in the late 90's early 00's, then went to NEB for the past 3 years before being fired after Pelini took over. NEB folks hated him...he constantly finsihed in the mid 50's for defensive rankings - which would be a giant upgrade from our 119th and 74th place finishes this year and last.
I'm skeptical at best - his son is on the staff already, which is why I think he's getting a lot of mention right away...but it doesn't feel right to me. I don't think Brew would hire a guy that was run out of a big school like NEB and getting death threats at HS football games while watching his kid play...not joking. It just doesn't seem like a good fit: unsuccessful with a traditionally big-time defense like NEB, so he can do well with the Gophs? Now he did do a little better in his B10 stint with WIS, but I'm not convinced this guy is the answer. I still think Brew goes out and hires a little more of an unknown for this spot and somebody higher profile for the OC job. I expected more info to be out on that today, but nothing really concrete as of yet.
On positive note on this guy Cosgrove, I hear he is a very good recruiter, which Brew obviously loves, and has a lot of ties in STL. It just so happens that it was confirmed today that a STUD 4-star RB Ronny Wingo Jr., who played in the ARMY AA Game last weekend, has picked the Gophers for his last visit on 1/16 over ALA. He is from STL...coincidence? hmmm...There have been rumors that Brew had a big 4-star RB silent verbal commitment already in his pocket...if it's Wingo I might poop myself. This guy is big and fast (6'3", 4.3)...think Beanie Wells size with better speed. Good times.
The search goes on...and BTW, no matter what happens with this I thought I'd start something since it is 2009.
TCF STADIUM COUNTDOWN
241 days until kick-off
Later.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Roof...DEAD as well!
This one sucks. Roof is heading to AUB as the DC. He was one I would have liked to keep around, but I think AUB will basically double his $$$ and he's a south ACC kind of guy, so he wanted to go back is my guess.
So we have an opening at OC and DC now. Not exactly the best situation to be in going into a new stadium and a major recruiting period for the next 4-6 weeks. My bet is Brew will find replacements for both ASAP to have a staff in place and not lose any current or potential recruits.
Some OC names being thrown around...purely speculation, but here we go:
Chuck Long (who hates IOWA!)
Major Applewhite - I could see this one with the Texas connection
Patrick Nix - recently axed at MIA, might work
Norm Chow - really? i doubt this is possible, but I'm all for it if it works out
As far as the DC job goes, I haven't seen much yet. I'm sure we'll find a suitable replacement, Brew knows what has and hasn't worked with the D unlike the O. I assume we'll bring in a guy similar to Roof for the defense and something very new on offense...although we won't abandon the spread as some are thinking.
Should be an interesting 5-10 days...I imagine both will be in place by next weekend.
Fun times.
So we have an opening at OC and DC now. Not exactly the best situation to be in going into a new stadium and a major recruiting period for the next 4-6 weeks. My bet is Brew will find replacements for both ASAP to have a staff in place and not lose any current or potential recruits.
Some OC names being thrown around...purely speculation, but here we go:
Chuck Long (who hates IOWA!)
Major Applewhite - I could see this one with the Texas connection
Patrick Nix - recently axed at MIA, might work
Norm Chow - really? i doubt this is possible, but I'm all for it if it works out
As far as the DC job goes, I haven't seen much yet. I'm sure we'll find a suitable replacement, Brew knows what has and hasn't worked with the D unlike the O. I assume we'll bring in a guy similar to Roof for the defense and something very new on offense...although we won't abandon the spread as some are thinking.
Should be an interesting 5-10 days...I imagine both will be in place by next weekend.
Fun times.
Dunbar...DEAD
It's over, what was your favorite Mike Dunbar moment in his 2 years of running the Gopher Offense. Do you have one? Not sure if I do. I like the spread, but this guy's version seemed to suck pretty bad. Especially when you see other teams running the spread with less athletes than we have and scoring 30+ on a weekly basis. No running game, no real deep threat on passing plays = bad offense. We were ranked 91st overall in offense this year - not enough to get it done.
So who's next? Speculation that the new OL coach Davis might be moved up to the big chair. He has a grind it out philosophy, which sounds a little like Mason Ball to me. My guess is that Brew does a big search and finds someone who has a much different (better!) version of the spread. I really think we have some guys in place on offense, but the scheme sucked.
I don't think it's likely that we grab a guy from a big-name school, but maybe someone from a smaller school that's creative enough to light a fire in TCF Stadium. I'm sure lots of names will be popping up over the next few days, and I expect someone to be in place by mid-January.
We'll see, Brew did a nice job with DC #2 (Roof over Withers) so let's hope we can do the same with OC#2.
Overall, it's the right move and I'm happy about it. Let's hope we find a diamond in the rough and sport a much-improved offense next year.
Go Gophers!
So who's next? Speculation that the new OL coach Davis might be moved up to the big chair. He has a grind it out philosophy, which sounds a little like Mason Ball to me. My guess is that Brew does a big search and finds someone who has a much different (better!) version of the spread. I really think we have some guys in place on offense, but the scheme sucked.
I don't think it's likely that we grab a guy from a big-name school, but maybe someone from a smaller school that's creative enough to light a fire in TCF Stadium. I'm sure lots of names will be popping up over the next few days, and I expect someone to be in place by mid-January.
We'll see, Brew did a nice job with DC #2 (Roof over Withers) so let's hope we can do the same with OC#2.
Overall, it's the right move and I'm happy about it. Let's hope we find a diamond in the rough and sport a much-improved offense next year.
Go Gophers!
Monday, January 5, 2009
NFL PLAYOFF Lines - Divisional Games
Here are the Week 2 lines for the NFL PLAYOFFS - send me your picks by Saturday.
Thanks.
BAL
TEN -3
ARI
CAR -10
PHI
NYG -4.5
SD
PIT -6
Larger updates coming later this week once the Bowls wrap up - basically, MK needs OSU to lose tonight to stay alive for the Bowl Championship. But don't forget that it's not over after the Bowls since we are adding in NFL Playoff points to our post-season total.
NFL Week 1 PLAYOFFS
MR hit 2 of 4 for 4 total points
JR and MK hit 1 of 4 for 2 total points
JG hit 0 of 4 for 0 total points
This weekend's games are worth 3 points each.
Later.
Thanks.
BAL
TEN -3
ARI
CAR -10
PHI
NYG -4.5
SD
PIT -6
Larger updates coming later this week once the Bowls wrap up - basically, MK needs OSU to lose tonight to stay alive for the Bowl Championship. But don't forget that it's not over after the Bowls since we are adding in NFL Playoff points to our post-season total.
NFL Week 1 PLAYOFFS
MR hit 2 of 4 for 4 total points
JR and MK hit 1 of 4 for 2 total points
JG hit 0 of 4 for 0 total points
This weekend's games are worth 3 points each.
Later.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Quick Bowl and NFL Playoff Update
Hey Guys -
Down to a 2 horse race in the Bowl Challenge.
MR-61
MK-50
JR-44
JG-38
MR and MK are battling it out for the Bowl title. With 3 games left, and 14 points to go, Mike and Mike have different winners for each of the last 3. MK will have to win them all to ovetake Roe's 11 point lead.
MR has: OSU, BALLST, OK
MK has: TEX, TULSA, FLA
Could be an exciting finish, or not even close.
For the NFL, it's the same story so far...Roe is dominating, 2-0-0-0.
Today will be different, JR and MK have BAL/MIN, MR has MIA/PHI, JG has MIA/MIN...we'll see what happens.
Later.
Down to a 2 horse race in the Bowl Challenge.
MR-61
MK-50
JR-44
JG-38
MR and MK are battling it out for the Bowl title. With 3 games left, and 14 points to go, Mike and Mike have different winners for each of the last 3. MK will have to win them all to ovetake Roe's 11 point lead.
MR has: OSU, BALLST, OK
MK has: TEX, TULSA, FLA
Could be an exciting finish, or not even close.
For the NFL, it's the same story so far...Roe is dominating, 2-0-0-0.
Today will be different, JR and MK have BAL/MIN, MR has MIA/PHI, JG has MIA/MIN...we'll see what happens.
Later.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Jan 2 Bowl Update - SEND ME YOUR NFL PICKS FOR THIS WEEKEND!
Hey Guys - hope you all had a nice mid-week Holiday. Just wanted to send a quick update on where we're at for Bowl picks, and what's happening the next few days:
Current Standings
MR-49
MK-46
JR-40
JG-30 (officially eliminated)
We will have a new Bowl Champ this year, JG - it's not possible for you to catch Roe at this point.
I'm close to being eliminated, there are only 30 points left. Roe went 5 for 5 on Dec 31st - not bad. That pushed him up into 1st place.
Today's games are as follows:
OLE MISS and TXTECH
We all have TT, so no rooting interest there for anyone.
ECU-UK
This is a big one - worth 4 points, we all have UK except Kobow has ECU. This could put MK into first place by himself, or extend the lead for Roe to 7 points.
ALA-UTAH
This is a must win for me to stay alive. I have Bama -11, everyone else took UTAH.
The ECU-UK and ALA-UT games will decide who (JR or MK) will challenge MR for the title. MK and JR have identical picks the last 4 games, so whomever is ahead after today will stay ahead at the end of the season. Roe has the 4 opposite picks from me and Kobow in the final 4 games, so anything can happen...I'm hoping it comes down to the championship game to add a little drama. But don't forget that the Bowl Season also has the NFL playoff points added to it to determine an overall post-season champion...so you're not dead yet JG.
ONE OTHER NOTE - MK AND MR, PLEASE SEND OVER YOUR NFL PICKS FOR WILDCARD WEEKEND...NEED THOSE BY GAMETIME TOMORROW.
Thanks.
Current Standings
MR-49
MK-46
JR-40
JG-30 (officially eliminated)
We will have a new Bowl Champ this year, JG - it's not possible for you to catch Roe at this point.
I'm close to being eliminated, there are only 30 points left. Roe went 5 for 5 on Dec 31st - not bad. That pushed him up into 1st place.
Today's games are as follows:
OLE MISS and TXTECH
We all have TT, so no rooting interest there for anyone.
ECU-UK
This is a big one - worth 4 points, we all have UK except Kobow has ECU. This could put MK into first place by himself, or extend the lead for Roe to 7 points.
ALA-UTAH
This is a must win for me to stay alive. I have Bama -11, everyone else took UTAH.
The ECU-UK and ALA-UT games will decide who (JR or MK) will challenge MR for the title. MK and JR have identical picks the last 4 games, so whomever is ahead after today will stay ahead at the end of the season. Roe has the 4 opposite picks from me and Kobow in the final 4 games, so anything can happen...I'm hoping it comes down to the championship game to add a little drama. But don't forget that the Bowl Season also has the NFL playoff points added to it to determine an overall post-season champion...so you're not dead yet JG.
ONE OTHER NOTE - MK AND MR, PLEASE SEND OVER YOUR NFL PICKS FOR WILDCARD WEEKEND...NEED THOSE BY GAMETIME TOMORROW.
Thanks.
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