Incredible

Last night, Nebraska won its game over University of Arizona and so ended the career of Ndamukong Suh. Suh is a massive defensive tackle that became a Heisman candidate and last night he proved himself as the Huskers stopped a fast offense in Arizona and hardly giving up over a hundred yards of total offense. Suh is projected as the 1st overall pick and he proved why last night, taking on two blockers by himself and still causing pressure and able to get off the block and get to the running back, which he has done all season. It was a dominating showing of a man playing against boys on the field and Suh should be an instant success in the next level. It was also good to see the Nebraska team that for years has been a low program seem to come back to life and should be a ranked team starting next season. If you stop and think about it, they are only a second away from playing in a BCS bowl game. Arizona showed that they do have the talent but are not quite there yet on both sides. Stoops has done an incredible job to rebuild that program that had become the punching bag of the Pac-10 but against the size and power of Nebraska, they could not match up and failed to put up a point, first shut out in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl game. A great night for college football.

Its been a while

Just have to say congratulations to University of Idaho Vandals and their incredible come from behind win in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl game against Bowling Green State University on the last seconds of the game. Idaho won 43 to 42 after converting the two point conversion with only 4 seconds left on the clock. Idaho wins 7 games after only winning two games last year and their first bowl win since 1998 in the same bowl. Great win and should be interesting to see how their program builds. Bowling Green State University should be commended for their great effort though. WR Freddie Barnes set an NCAA record with 155 catches in a single season, truly a record that may not be broken for a long time and a great effort by a team that is rebuilding as well and has a bright future ahead of them. Hope everyone could see that game, incredible finish.

Failed Experiment

Just a bit ago, coach Mike Leach was fired from Texas Tech. In a letter, before the court hearing this morning he was released from his duties immediately. This is major news for Texas Tech and the college football world. The whole issue with Adam James and his treatment became big news but the firing of the coach is a bit abrupt and extreme. Tech is headed to the Alamo Bowl game (defensive coordinator is now the interim coach) and then begins the recruiting period, Tech could loose a lot for this move. With no other coach is waiting Tech is in a bad position and has cast a shadow over the university and the program that has become a power in the Big 12. I hope that Tech is able to find a coach quickly and keep the program together and not let it fall apart. Leach is now a coach looking for a job. There are plenty of jobs available for him, it should not be long before Leach finds a new job. Hope wherever he goes that this mess at Tech can be put behind him. Let’s be honest, he is an offensive genius, his play calling and offensive schemes are great and many teams could use that. But what type of person is he really? He has a negative shadow following him, whether it be all lies or the truth, the reality is what it is. He must handle it and continue his career. Now let’s hope Tech can get its mind right and play some football.

Did "U" See That?

Need to take a quick second here and give a major props to the University of Wisconsin and their victory last night in the Champs Sports Bowl over the University of Miami. The Big-10 was 1-8 last year in bowl games and their reputation as being a punching bag in the bowl season is well known. So who thought the Badgers, playing so far from home would be able to dominate Miami, The U and when I say dominate, I mean they were dominated. The game started out fast, Miami scoring in the first 20 seconds and at the time it looked as if the misery of the Big-10 would continue. But Tolizen and company calmed down and played their game; running the ball and short, accurate passes. RB Clay for Wisconsin, weighing around 250 was a monster and the fast but undersized Miami front 4 could not stop him as he rushed for over 100 yards and a score. Tolizen seemed to make every pass he needed, even under the pass rush, finding his multiple tight ends that seemed to be open on every pass play, Miami could not figure it out. Then Jacory Harris, sophomore quarterback for the U that was mentioned earlier in the season as a possible Heisman candidate was beaten up badly, being sacked and suffering an ankle and knee injury in the late second quarterback that hindered him the rest of the game. His offensive line could not stop Schobel and company on the Badger defense, as they were able to rush Harris and not allowing him to find receivers or even hand the ball off. At one point Harris called his offensive line out, yelling at them to protect him and with his offensive coordinator to figure out a plane to by him a second but it did not work.

The Big-10 finally got some respect and Wisconsin got a 10 win season, big for their program after not beating a ranked team all season. The Badgers are young and should be a force in the Big-10 next year. Miami was exposed last night. They are fast and talented but not quite there yet. Randy Shannon has the team ready and poised for a great season next year, Harris will be better and the receiving core is mostly return, Hankerson, the fastest of the core has already said he is coming back. A great game in the middle of the bowl season, this is why winter is the best time of the year.

Mad Scientist, Not a Doctor

Recently allegations against head coach Mike Leach of Texas Tech have arrived about his treatment of a young receiver Adam James, son of ESPN reporter Craig James. Adam received a concussion a few weeks ago and was diagnosed by a certified doctor. This is the normal treatment of such a severe injury, the coach should be in communication with the doctors and the player but when it comes to his health he must listen to the experts. This is where the story turns ugly. Leach had James placed twice into a dark room to isolate him from noise and light, but had a guard at the door, this according to Adam James. If Leach did order this treatment for the player, he has violated two major issues. First off, Adam James has a concussion and should be treated with better medical attention, Leach is not a doctor, he may be a genius on offense but this is not a football matter, it's a health situation that could have lasting effects on his future career. Leach is wrong for trying to play doctor and should have left it to the professionals. He is not denying that he had James placed into a room, the problem is the two different reports on what room he was put in, big difference between a medical treatment room with a trainer compared to an electrical closet with a guard outside. The other issue is the treatment of the problem by Texas Tech and Leach. Tech suspended him right before the Alamo bowl game, a key game for their season. This hurts the players, practices and everything associated with the game and draws attention away from the team and players on the field. Tech has yet to make a statement and is letting the investigation take place (a court hearing is taking place tomorrow to reach a deal). There are rumors that Tech has been dealing with bad blood with Leach (interviewing with University of Washington without permission, calling the players girlfriends negative terms, etc.) and he is due $800,000 as a bonus by Thursday. This might not the full reason but it could weigh in the option for his future. Then their is Leach who is using a lawyer to say everything for him and make accusations that James was angry at the lack of playing time and his father was always around the program bothering it (kinda hard to do when he is all over the nation as a college reporter). Leach is making a fool of himself by using a lawyer, pointing fingers and then saying that he is sure they are trying to fire him, real confidence there. Leach is not helping the issue and taking a lawyer and going to court sends a powerful negative message to the team and future recruits. It is interesting to note that nothing like this has happened before under his tenure (at least not reported) and he signed an extension last season. Whatever happens tomorrow with the court hearing should be interesting and hopefully this messy story can be put to rest or at least locked away in a room.

What was the Point?

It’s only a few days until the All-State Sugar Bowl game and with the coaching news surrounding Cincinnati finally calming down a bit, one would think the focus should be about the game itself. Tebow’s last game against a fast Cincinnati defense and the Gators strong SEC defense versus the spread option attack of Tony Pike and Marty Gilyard of the Bearcats should be the talk of the town but its not. Instead of the teams being the major news coming from this bowl game, the media has their attention on something else, the coaching future of UF coach Urban Meyer. On Saturday night, December 26^th, Meyer stated that he was resigning from the coaching job, shocking the sports world. But less than 24 hours after he decided he would take an “indefinite” leave of absence from the Gators, letting Addazio, the offensive coordinator, run the team after the Sugar Bowl. But most writers, reporters and others seem to believe that he will coach the Gators at the beginning of next season. So the question must be asked, why?!! Why did he state this at all? And of course, who cares?

To start off, before we get attacked by all of the Gator “fans” out there, we are concerned for Meyer’s health. He has had chest pains, which means heart issues and has been to the hospital multiple times, including right after the SEC title game. At age 45, his health is a major concern because of the stresses of the job (makes you wonder how Joe Paterno is still alive after the decades of coaching). Also he has a cyst in his brain as well, while it is not life threatening, it can cause severe migraines which can cripple anyone, look at Percy Harvin, the WR in Minnesota and former Gator.

Now look at the situation that Meyer has caused. Meyer has to keep his best interest in mind but to announce a quick decision like that and then change his mind as quickly makes it hard on the program, from the AD not knowing what he is going to do all the way to the recruits not knowing if the coach that promised he will be their coach will be on the sidelines with them. Its like Billy Donovan, Gators basketball coach, after taking the offer for the Orlando Magic, within 48 hours he changed his mind and returned to UF. Changing your mind in sports is never an easy decision because of the contracts, money and all the people that are affected by the move. The sports world is not on your time, making moves as dumb as Donovan’s had major effects in the NBA, forced Orlando to find a coach and put the basketball program in limbo for a short time, not a classy move at all. It shows the indecisive side of people and their lack of commitment, something a child knows is wrong.

Now reports are that Meyer might coach the beginning of 2010 if his health is better by then. So why would he go through all of this and leave the door open. He should have kept it in house, waited till the Sugar Bowl was over then address his health issue, not days before and take away the media attention that should be given to the players for all of their success and hard work. Meyer also put recruits in a tough spot. Most will stay but some recruits might see the wavering of Meyer and how uncertain he is and the may leave the program and look for a coaching situation that is more stable.

So let’s get it straight and to the point. We hope Meyer is healthy and if so, he can return. But he must realize that he took the worst approach to the situation and because he was simply changing his mind he affected so many others and many adversely. Meyer, next time, just wait. Sit down and talk it over with everyone, don’t say it at midnight, go to a practice then decide “my bad.”

Real Quick

Just a quick shout out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their victory over the New Orleans Saints today, 20 to 17. The return of David Spurlock to the special teams sparked the comeback as he returned a touchdown late in the 4th quarter and the Saints missed a field goal in the closing seconds. Josh Freeman, the rookie quarterback for the Bucs did not have the best game but he made the key throws and runs in the second half and in the overtime to set up Connor Barth and his game winning field goal. The Bucs have only one 3 games all year but they have now won two straight on the road and have helped the experience of Freeman and the team future. The coaching of the team is shakey as rumors that Cowher may be coming to town, the players are starting to show they may have will and spirit to bring it together and have a bright future. Great win today.

Don't Crown Them Yet

Ok, I am a South Florida alumni now and over the years I have realized a few things, the Earth revolves around the Sun, 2+2=4 and USF Men's Basketball is simply terrible. Last year the Bulls finished a terrible year at 9-22 and because of the Big East makeup actually made it to the tournament which was just a way of showing the rest of the nation how sad our program is. They were able to compete in many games, keeping the score close and often pushing the best teams in the league to push hard and keep their starters in for longer than expected but the youth and lack of talent for the Bulls kept them from winning many games. Stan Heath is in his third year and if his track record is true, such as Kent State, then this is the year that the Bulls should be able to come together and put a winning season so far. So far this is true, the Bulls at the end of the non-conference portion of their schedule are 10-2, more wins than last year and the two loses (Central Michigan and South Carolina) were a combined total of 6 points. Many USF fans around the country are excited and should be. The team is playing well, PG Dominique Jones is playing at all-conference level, Jarrid Famous the new center is dominating, while veteran Howard and Leemow are mixing well with new comers such as Dumars and Fitzpartick who are providing depth and more offensive as well as a new defensive presence at the other side of the ball which is leading the Bulls to steals and turnovers which lead to wins. But before the bandwagon begins for this young team, take a moment and look at the team to see what they are really about here.

First off, with the lose of Gilchrist, our top scoring option til at least mid January with a high ankle sprain, the Bulls offense has hit a bit of a wall and unable to manufacture points and break the 70 point mark in many of their games. This is a major concern for conference play with teams like Notre dame and Uconn that average over 70 points a game. The defense may not be able to hold everyone under 70 and keep the games close to were USF can handle them. Dominique Jones is playing well so far but he is being held to the PG position until Anthony Crater is eligible to come back, the Ohio State kid has had some issues off the court but is the best pure PG the Bulls have, but sitting on that bench and then jumping into the Big East might be hard for the Bulls to get him into the mix of the offense and lead the team. Jarrid Brown the new center has been impressive but at times has been quiet on the offensive side of the ball, at 6'11" he must be a force in the paint because the Big East conference has many big men in the center position, we will have to see if he will be able to handle the size of the conference after coming from community college where he was able to dominate everyone with his size. In this league, everyone is the same size so he must be smart and play well or could find himself being dominated. Then their is the schedule problem. The Bulls have a terrible schedule, ranked 268th in difficulty strength, meaning those 10 wins have come against San Diego, San Francisco, and other weak programs, how will this prepare them for the toughest conference in the nation in basketball. Will the experience of beating up weak teams help the Bulls when they travel on the road to Uconn, Louisville and all of the other tough opponents in the league?

Let me be clear, I love the Bulls and will cheer for them every game but those who are believing this time might be incredible or is headed to some sort of post-season, I am saying be very careful right now. The Bulls are still learning and the learning process continues on Dec. 30 when they travel on the road to Louisville to face the Cardinals, maybe then we will be able to see the true Bulls team.

Merry Christmas too all

Revolution Sports is taking a break this Christmas, but don't you worry, more news, sports and interactive insights will be coming to you after the holidays. Until then, take care over the holidays and remember to come back afterwards to see the new age in sports media. Revolution Sports is the new era of sports. Happy Holidays!

Santa get ready

It’s Christmas time and everyone is busy shopping for those last second gifts that everyone has on their wish lists. Even teams have a wish list, let’s take a look at the Big East Conference and its football teams and see what they have on their wish list this year. Santa is going to be very busy.

West Virginia

The Mountaineers finished with 9 wins this season and defeated hated rival Pittsburgh. They are headed to the Gator Bowl to face Bobby Bowden in his last game as head coach of FSU, a fitting in seeing as WVU is where he started his legacy as great coach. So what could Mountaineers fans wish for? It’s simple, another Pat White and Steve Slaton to enter the system. Ok, both are gone to the NFL and Jarrett Brown and Noel Devine have been very good this year but lets be honest, when White and Slaton where there, the team was in the BCS and contending for national title considerations, this year with Brown they struggled at times (the lose at USF was bad) and both will leave after this year. The program is solid but it will be hard to return to their recent glory with such playmakers leaving for the NFL. Santa, please send another Pat White and Steve Slaton.

Syracuse

Where to begin, Santa might have to get a government grant to pay for all the wishes that the Orangemen need. They won 4 games and we competitive in most of their games, Paulus, the Duke point guard turned quarterback was decent at times and then at others looked terrible. Mike Williams, a star receiver quit the team middle of the season and the Orange had few weapons to turn to. So trying to narrow this down is a bit hard but they need a quarterback on for their main wish list item. Paulus was a one-year answer and the depth chart behind him is bad at best. They wish McNabb could come back and lead the team to greatness once more but the reality is brutal. They are improving but without a leader to take the program in the right direction and compete in the Big East they are doomed to be the bottom dweller every year. Santa, please send a quarterback, one that can run, he is going to have to, to save his life from a bad offensive line.

Louisville

Another team that has a wish list that is just as long as Syracuse and finds themselves at the bottom of the conference. Louisville was a great team under Bobby Petrino, his spread offense was feared across the league and is working again in Arkansas. Kragthorpe was fired after a terrible season and WR Trent Guy, the best kick-off returner and wide receiver is leaving for the draft leaving the Cardinals searching for offense. The defense was solid this year and was able to keep many games close and a win over Syracuse kept them from finishing last. So what do the Cardinals need the most? They have a new coach, Charlie Strong, the defensive coordinator from the Gators and formally Michigan. Strong is a great defensive mind and will bring stability back into a program that just a few years ago was one of the best in the country. So the number one wish on their list is a quarterback. Justin Burke was decent and freshman Froman suffered injuries so they do not have a true answer at QB. Victor Anderson is a good running back and will return, he just needs someone to hand the ball to him. Santa, please send a solid starting QB that can make it a full season without injury.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh had a great season and almost won the Big East, only to loose to Cincinnati on a last second touchdown. Senior QB Stull had a good season after being booed off the field last year and freshman Dion Lewis made national headlines as he ran all over the Big East and set the single season mark for yards in a season passing the legendary Tony Dorsett. Not winning the Big East and missing the BCS by a point hurts the team and their fans that filled Heinz Field, not easy to do for a college team especially during the blistery cold of winter. The team looses Stull to graduated and Dickerson, a possible first round pick at TE. Lewis returns as well as a solid defense. The QB position will be key but as long as Lewis is there, whoever fills in will have a much easier time. So what they need is another year of Lewis, if he has another season like he did this year they could win the Big East next year and go to a BCS bowl. Santa, please send another year like 2009 of production from Dion Lewis.

Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights had a rough start at the beginning of the season and turned to true freshman Tom Savage to lead the team and he responded, leading the Knights to a 9-4 season and a dismantling of UCF in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Savage at times was brilliant and others he was a freshman, but he had two great targets, Sanu and Brown. The receiving tandem was one of the best in the nation, Sanu, many believe he is NFL ready was a big target as well as a Wildcat leader as well, giving the Knights a new weapon to use. The offense was inconsistent down the stretch but came to life in St. Petersburg and looks poised for a break out year. The defense was solid and with great recruiting pipeline that Coach Schiano has built, the Knights are ready to keep playmakers on the field. So what would the Knights like this X-Mas? Santa, please send a schedule with UCF on it next year, that was fun.

Cincinnati

Welcome to the coaching soap opera that is Cincinnati. The Bearcats win the Big East, heading to the Sugar Bowl and their coach, Brian Kelly, leaves them for the Notre Dame job. We aren’t going to get into this debate quite yet about Kelly leaving but it hurt the players, the interim coach leaves for Buffalo but will coach the team in the bowl game and the Bearcats go back to Central Michigan to hire Butch Davis, the same school that Kelly came from. Got to love the drama here. The Bearcats loose Tony Pike after the bowl game along with Gilyard, the man that saved Cincinnati in the Pittsburgh game, but they are loaded with play makers and QB Callaros is ready to take over, proving himself as he ran over USF and became a fan favorite. So for Christmas, what do they want the most? Santa, please bring Cincinnati a coach that doesn’t leave after three years because of money and greed, abandoning a program on the eve of its biggest game.

South Florida

To us, South Florida students and alum, this one is personal. The season began well, high hopes even with the lose of Matt Grothe, BJ Daniels took over and the upset over FSU put the dreams of the fans and program high, but the usual mid-season collapse occurred and the team fell apart, injuries and coaching controversy have led the Bulls to the International Bowl and the athletic department handing out free student tickets. The Bulls are young at offense; Daniels has proven he can beat teams by himself, out gaining FSU and Louisville in total yardage by his own legs. The defense is the major question mark as seniors like Selvie, Nate Allen, and Kion Wilson graduated and Pierre-Paul may leave early for the NFL. Fans are angry at the team, trying to understand what they are doing, no depth behind Daniels, strange offensive calls, and now the controversy that Leavitt struck a player during halftime at the Louisville game (the issue is being resolved by USF, stay tuned to know the outcome). The wish list is huge for USF and because it is a local issue we want greatness for this team because the expectations have been set so high. Santa, please bring us a winning season next year, without the collapse in the middle of the year.

So the Big East has quite a list for Santa to pick up, some are easy and some might bankrupt Santa, enjoy the lists and tell us what you think. Happy Holidays everyone!

Favre in the news again

Recently Brett Favre has been noted in the news for going against the ideas of Coach Childress because he did not want to be taken out of the game against Carolina, the game where Favre was sacked multiple times and the Vikings suffered an embarrassing lose. Julius Peppers, the defensive end of Carolina harassed Favre all night as he was sacked, pushed and threw interceptions because of the pressure (just like the good old days). Childress, seeing that Favre could be injured and knowing that the team was already in the playoffs wanted Favre to sit down and to put in Tavaris Jackson, the mobile backup that may have been able to add a new dimension to the offense and get away from Peppers and his pressure. Favre did not like the idea and the media is blowing the story out of proportion because it seems as if the coaches and Favre can't agree, something that could be a major disaster in the playoffs. But this isn't the issue, Childress and Favre have said is was nothing to worry about, the media and fans like us can only speculate to the real situation there. The bigger problem is the Vikings offensive line, the line is being manhandled at the point of attack, Favre only throwing 1 touchdown and 4 picks in the last two games. Adrian Peterson has suffered as well, unable to get going, the best running back in the league has been held under a 100 yards for two games. If anyone is to be benched or challenged its the offensive line, all of them. They aren't doing their job and not giving Favre enough time to find a target (having Percy Harvin hurt doesn't help either). So the media should calm down a bit on this matter and the fans should look at the other guys in the huddle for the reason Favre is now beginning to break down. It doesn't look very good in Minnesota right now.

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