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Archive for the ‘College football’ Category

I was saying …

Monday, October 15th, 2007

Fox has a TV show, Kitchen Nightmares. … And we wonder why the rest of the world hates us. … Super Bowl in London? Don't do it, Roger.

I think with its victory over Kent State on Saturday, Ohio State won the MAC. … Nothing against the Buckeyes, but I am rooting for a Boston College-South Florida title game. … Maybe 15 people will watch.

Devon Hester is a special player. … Think Adrian Peterson would look good playing for the Browns? … Just like LT would have looked good for the Browns, too.

Indians-Rockies World Series. … Both teams are built in the image of John Hart. … Fans of the Texas Rangers want to know what is wrong in Arlington.

UA wants respect, wants excitement, wants more fans. … Well, don't lose to Temple.

The only team beside OSU ranked in the Top 25 is Michigan. That means one loss eliminates the Buckeyes from title game hopes.

Don't miss the announcement today, Arena Football is back in Cleveland. … Vinny Testaverde steps on the field Wednesday and leads a victory Sunday. … First player to be collecting Social Security and an NFL paycheck.

A waste of time

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Why do 103,000 Ohio State fans let the school get away with playing Kent State, Akron and Youngstown State in the same season?

I just don't see why folks waste their money on these type of games, just go out and burn $200 in the driveway.

Kent State coach Doug Martin already has said that he is planning on playing a lot of backups not in the second half or second quarter, try the second series. This isn't the preseason! So if the teams don't care why should the fans?

I know this goes on at a lot of big schools, but three times in one season is weak.

Three schools with no chance to win yet more than 300,000 folks will have watched these games.

At the end of the day, Ohio State and Kent State will cash checks. And we will let them get away with it.

Go play with your kids, rake leaves, take walk or a nap, there has to be a better way to spend your time and money.

And another thing …

Monday, October 8th, 2007

The Cavaliers are doing the right thing. They should not give into the demands of Anderson Varejao or Sasha Pavlovic. … The Indians bullpen is the reason they are where they are, and it will be what decides if they win the World Series or not. … Jamal Lewis being healthy is the difference between 8 wins and 5 or 6 wins for the Browns.

Will any team be undefeated in college football come November? … The Big Ten Network has been a dud. … By the way, that will be the only way to watch the OSU-Kent State game Saturday. … I don't think you will miss much.

Roger Clemens, Cooperstown is calling. It is time to trigger your five-year wait. … Dan O'Dowd of the Rockies and Josh Byrnes of the Diamondbacks; both GMs, also both former members of the Tribe front office. … No wonder the Pirates hired Neal Huntington as GM; the Tribe knows how to grow great front office folks.

Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon? I am pulling for Gordon. … Mike Tirico is everywhere.

Weekend in review

Monday, September 17th, 2007

… The Browns offense finds its groove and destroys the Bengals defense.

The Bengals offense continues to expose the Browns defense.

It added up to a surprising win for the Browns. It also adds up to another season where high expectations will meet an early ending to a season for the Bengals. Everyone falls in love with offense but defense is the key. The Bengals remind me of the Chargers of the 80s. Lots of Hall of Fame offensive players but no rings to show for it.

… Clint Bowyer wins his first race of the season and is in fourth place in the Race for the Nextel Cup. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are tied for first. This will be a battle of attrition.

… Maybe this time O.J. Simpson is guilty.

… Then again …

… Is it better for the Indians to have the Tigers in the playoffs or the Yankees or does it matter. If the Tigers make the playoffs then the Indians will play the Angels in the first round. Otherwise, they are going to Boston or hosting the Yankees. I like their chances better against the Angels.

… Ohio State looks in good shape to play a New Year's Day bowl but I am still not sure if they will win the Big Ten. Penn State and Wisconsin are interesting, and Michigan can't be counted out.

… So will Charlie Weis get the same treatment as Ty Willingham and get fired after what is going to be a horrible third season? Probably not. But it is a valid point.

… I have to like Kent State over Akron in the game at the Rubber Bowl on Saturday. The Zips just seem to lack a strong enough defense to slow down the Flashes. If KSU does win, they are setting up a season that could end in a bowl game.

… Brady who?

… Tiger Woods wins FedExCup. No surprise.

… My guess is that the Bill Belichick video scandal isn't over yet.

… Less than a month until Cavs open training camp.

Weekend rewind

Monday, August 6th, 2007

– I must admit that I am surprised how easy the Tigers and Indians have allowed the races to tighten in the American League. With the resent poor play by the AL Central leaders, the Mariners and Yankees are now only a half behind the Tigers for the wild card. And don't forget the Twins, who are just 4 1/2 behind the Tribe. Should make September interesting but it didn't have to be this way for either the Indians or Tigers.

– The Browns can point to good signs at camp, including big back Jamal Lewis seeming to have something to prove. But with Orpheus Roye getting hurt, Ryan Tucker getting suspended, Brady Quinn causing bad PR league-wide, something doesn't smell right, and I am not talking about the Stadium.

– Dario Franchitti's crash at Michigan International Speedway shows just how well all racing cars are built these days. Take a look at ESPN for the video.

– Dale Earnhardt Jr. draws the most fans to the race track and to the souvenir shop but right now, he would not be in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. It is kind of like the NBA not getting as much attention whent the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers all are not in the playoffs.

– Mike Tomlin won his first game with the Steelers on Sunday in Canton. He won't remind many of Bill Cowher, but astute observers might see a little Chuck Noll in the rookie head coach.

– Ohio State football is No. 10 in the coaches' poll behind Wisconsin and Michigan in the Big Ten. Seems about right for a team that doesn't know who will be quarterback.

– Tiger Woods … really, whatelse can you say? Maybe it is time for a statue next to the historic water tower at Firestone.

Forward/backward

Monday, June 25th, 2007

A look back at the weekend and what is ahead:

The Indians can't seem to get their hitting machine rolling. It is now the end of June and Travis Hafner still is not hitting. That is the bad news. The good news is the Tigers are only 2 games ahead and the Indians lead the wild-card race.

Juan Pablo Montoya won the Nextel Cup race in Sonoma, Calif. It was his first win, but more important for NASCAR, it was a minority driver who won the race. With Lewis Hamilton, a black man, winning twice in Formula One, NASCAR has been getting more questions about its minority program. Montoya's win shows NASCAR is making progress.

Does anybody really care to hear about Kobe Bryant every day? Enough already ESPN.

All indications are that Brady Quinn is going to need a lot of work to be of any good to the Browns this season. Now we see why most didn't think he was a high first-round prospect.

The Cavaliers have a lot of value with veteran contracts that are going to expire after next season. In today's NBA, those can be more valuable than gaining a real player.

Ohio State football is being talked about as being the fourth best team in the Big Ten this season behind Wisconsin, Michigan and Penn State. I just don't see Penn State being better than the Buckeyes. The other two should be, but the Badgers will be like the Buckeyes, going with an inexperienced quarterback.

Greg Oden and Kevin Durant or should I say Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. I think Oden will go first, but the NBA, despite the players being on the West Coast, has to be happy that these two will be playing against each other in the same division for years to come.

As for the draft, I think the Cavs will pass on trading into the proceedings.

Paul Tracy, the Canadian driver, continues to race well in Cleveland. Kudos to Tracy.

Wimbledon gets started today …. wake me when it's over. Speaking of Wimbledon, when it was great in the 80s and 90s, we couldn't watch the early rounds because it was on HBO. Now that it is on ESPN, I see no reason to watch.

It doesn't register on most sports fans' radars, but it was good to see the United States win the Gold Cup this weekend, beating Mexico 2-1. It bodes well for Bob Bradley's plan for the National Team.

Things I think

Friday, May 25th, 2007

LeBron James was fouled, but the Cavs can't wait to take the last shot. Go for the throat! … Danica Patrick will win an IndyCar Series race but not this weekend's Indy 500. … The Indians, Tigers, Angels and Red Sox will be the playoff teams in the American League. … Charlie Frye will be the starting quarterback for the Browns, and Brady Quinn will sit unless Frye and Derek Anderson get hurt. … Jamal Lewis is an ancient 27 and will show it this season. … Kent State football will make a run at the MAC title game. … Jimmie Johnson will win the Coca-Cola 600 because he does just about every year. … Expect the David Beckham talk to pick up after the holiday. His arrival to MLS is two months away. … The Yankees are done, and Joe Torre will not survive the season.

Danica Patrick

Ottawa will beat Anaheim in six games to win the Stanley Cup. … David Stern had to cringe when his next two potential superstars ended up in the Northwest with the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics winning the draft lottery's top two spots. Greg Oden will go to the Blazers and Kevin Durant to the Sonics. … Will anybody see them play? … Despite all of the offseason moves, the Patriots will not win the Super Bowl. No team has bought the Super Bowl, like you can a World Series. … Barry Bonds won't break Aaron's mark until late July at the earliest. … C.C. Sabathia will sign with the Dodgers after next season for $140 million over seven seasons. … Travis Hafner will sign a contract with the Indians, something like $75 million for five years, maybe more. … USC despite having so many players back will not win the BCS title. … Tiger Woods will win the U.S. Open next month at Oakmont C.C., near Pittsburgh. … Wait until you all see the changes to that great course.

Coming this weekend

Friday, April 20th, 2007

Here is what to look for in the Beacon Journal and on Ohio.com this weekend.

A Cavaliers preview section in the edition Saturday and more insight from Brian Windhorst in the Sunday paper before Game 1's tipoff at 12:30 p.m. at the Q

Patrick McManamon shows just how tough it is to hit on a pick in the top five of the NFL Draft. And everyone knows the Browns are still waiting for their first bit of luck.

Marla Ridenour examines the career of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.

Sheldon Ocker will have his usual Sunday fare: a weekly look at the Indians plus game coverage from Tampa Bay.

Tom Gaffney has an interesting feature on the winner of the Caraboolad Award, given to a top area high school coach.

Marla also will be in Columbus to see if anyone steps up to take Troy Smith's spot as quarterback of Ohio State.

Coverage of the NASCAR race Saturday night in Phoenix, too.

Enjoy.

Strange but true

Monday, April 16th, 2007

I received this memo recently from a local college as a reminder about football.

Please remember, the NCAA has new terminology for its football playing schools in Division I

Effective Dec. 26, 2006, the labels NCAA I-A, I-AA and I-AAA were deleted from NCAA use.

Previous Name – New Name

NCAA Division I-A (I-A) – Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)

NCAA Division I-AA (I-AA) – Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)

NCAA Division I-AAA (I-AAA) – Division I

Also, any use of the I-AA will be referred to as NCAA Division I Football Championship

So, this is what the NCAA does with all of its money. The top teams from the FBS play in the BCS to win the NCAA title. Imagine if there were more than 26 letters in the alphabet.

Welcome.

Thursday, April 12th, 2007

Welcome to my blog. As the Deputy Sports Editor for the Beacon Journal, I hope that this is a place where we all can discuss issues with the Beacon Journal and Ohio.com sports coverage and the teams and leagues we cover and care passionately about.

So to get started here is where I am coming from. I like nearly all sports (although I don't get some of the sports in the Olympics), but with my Pittsburgh upbringing, I lean toward pro and college football and hockey with a fondness toward baseball (I think that is what the Pirates play).

I think college sports in Ohio is more than Ohio State football. … I think that Jeff Gordon should have knocked Jimmie Johnson into the wall to win in Martinsville two weeks ago. … I think the Browns would be crazy to pass on Calvin Johnson and would be crazier to take Brady Quinn. … I expect them to take Quinn.
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