Sep 2009
Thanks to Solid Defense, Bruins Start is Now 3-0, and another Mario Solis Update
09/19/09 22:36 Filed in: College
Football
Well, another stupendous game by the defense, a solid
running attack featuring constantly improving
offensive-line play and Johnathan Franklin's first
100-yard game, and the consistent kicking of Kai
Forbath all combined to pull the Bruins through to a
victory without Kevin Prince. I do have to give Kevin
Craft credit for playing a decent game for three
quarters. He was efficient through the first half,
and played a solid forth quarter. The fact hat he did
his best to give the game away in the third quarter
can, for tonight, be overlooked, especially with the
prospect that he may have to play only one more game
until Prince's return.
What was most upsetting, though, was the fact that the team committed EIGHT penalties, seemingly all eight at critical times, and, as you would expect, almost all eight were committed by the offense. Coach Neuheisel, in his post-game comments, said that with the bye week, the next two weeks would be a "training camp" for the team, and this is one of the major areas that needs to be addressed.
The Pac-10 is shaping up to be very interesting this season, with California now the team to beat, a much improved Husky Dawg team at U-Dub, and new life, new enthusiasm, and talent on both sides of the ball, at UCLA.
On his broadcast tonight, in describing the Bruin game and Kansas States' extra-point flub, our boy Mario called it a failed two-point attempt.
What was most upsetting, though, was the fact that the team committed EIGHT penalties, seemingly all eight at critical times, and, as you would expect, almost all eight were committed by the offense. Coach Neuheisel, in his post-game comments, said that with the bye week, the next two weeks would be a "training camp" for the team, and this is one of the major areas that needs to be addressed.
The Pac-10 is shaping up to be very interesting this season, with California now the team to beat, a much improved Husky Dawg team at U-Dub, and new life, new enthusiasm, and talent on both sides of the ball, at UCLA.
On his broadcast tonight, in describing the Bruin game and Kansas States' extra-point flub, our boy Mario called it a failed two-point attempt.
theHoundDawg
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In the Sleeply Little Town of Seattle, and a Mario Solis Update
09/19/09 16:11 Filed in: College
Football
In my last post, I inquired:
"So, which top-five team will lose this weekend?"
Well, in the sleepy little town of Seattle, Wash., the might Husky DAWGS defeated the University of Spoiled Children Brain Surgeons 16-13!!!
All is right in the world of college football.
Oh, and according to Mario Solis, as he reported on his sportscast on the Channel 4 KNBC news last night, later today the UCLA Bruins will be playing Kansas City.
Well, in the sleepy little town of Seattle, Wash., the might Husky DAWGS defeated the University of Spoiled Children Brain Surgeons 16-13!!!
All is right in the world of college football.
Oh, and according to Mario Solis, as he reported on his sportscast on the Channel 4 KNBC news last night, later today the UCLA Bruins will be playing Kansas City.
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theHoundDawg
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Neuheisel Picks QB, Lays Down the Law
09/15/09 21:36 Filed in: College
Football
With the apparent decision that it will be freshman
Richard Brehaut at qb Saturday against Kansas State,
and not last year's walking interception machine
Kevin Craft, it has also been announced that four
players, starting soph db Courtney Viney, and three
freshmen subs, rb Milton Knox, and receivers Morrell
Presley and Randall Carroll, have been suspended for
the game, for undisclosed reasons.
Rick Neuheisel must have had a damn good reason for the suspensions, and hopefully they were an exercise of the same good judgment that led him to choose the talented Brehaut over Craft to fill in at qb. Last February, I said that Brehaut could be the key to a successful 2009 season and beyond. Glad to see him get the chance, and who knows what the future will hold. You can't say enough about Kevin Prince, though, coming back into the game with his jaw broken, to take the final two snaps against Tennessee.
And on the other side of town, petey says his little boy has a boo boo on his shoulder and may not make it to Seattle for the brain surgeon's game against the Huskies and their new coach, former brain surgeon assistant (and flunk-out as an sc student/baseball player) Steve Sarkisian.
Speaking of Sarkisian, it was very interesting the other day hearing Steve Bishoff with Mason and Ireland tell the real story about the petey-Norm Chow rift and the fact that Chow only decided to leave the brain surgeons and move to the NFL AFTER petey told him he was being demoted from offensive coordinator in favor co-coordinators Sarkisian and petey's buddy's baby boy, Lane Kiffin, who we all remember from last Saturday in Tennessee.
So, which top-five team will lose this weekend?
Rick Neuheisel must have had a damn good reason for the suspensions, and hopefully they were an exercise of the same good judgment that led him to choose the talented Brehaut over Craft to fill in at qb. Last February, I said that Brehaut could be the key to a successful 2009 season and beyond. Glad to see him get the chance, and who knows what the future will hold. You can't say enough about Kevin Prince, though, coming back into the game with his jaw broken, to take the final two snaps against Tennessee.
And on the other side of town, petey says his little boy has a boo boo on his shoulder and may not make it to Seattle for the brain surgeon's game against the Huskies and their new coach, former brain surgeon assistant (and flunk-out as an sc student/baseball player) Steve Sarkisian.
Speaking of Sarkisian, it was very interesting the other day hearing Steve Bishoff with Mason and Ireland tell the real story about the petey-Norm Chow rift and the fact that Chow only decided to leave the brain surgeons and move to the NFL AFTER petey told him he was being demoted from offensive coordinator in favor co-coordinators Sarkisian and petey's buddy's baby boy, Lane Kiffin, who we all remember from last Saturday in Tennessee.
So, which top-five team will lose this weekend?
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theHoundDawg
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Follow-Up to NFL Notes
09/15/09 20:07 Filed in: NFL
Regarding those three "notes" at the end of my list
of NFL picks the other day: The Bears will not be the
surprise team of the season, without Brian Urlacher,
Julian Edelman won't be rookie of the year if he
doesn't get to play, and leading up to my reaction to
number three and last night's SD-Oakland game, the
most impressive rookie I saw over the first weekend
was Raider's receiver Louis Murphy.
As to that game and my prediction that the Raiders would win - THEY DID. The clown-suited referes stole the game from the Raiders: Louis Murphy's catch in the end zone was a touchdown - he came down with the ball and both feet on the ground and that was the end of the play before he fell to the ground, and even then, he still had a grip on the ball as it hit the ground (the same thing in the NE-Buffalo games was ruled a catch). Even with the Raiders hitting rock-bottom, and staying at rock-bottom of the league for years now, the fact established years ago is still just as true as when Pete Rozelle's bitter enemy Al Davis had his Raiders in contention for the Super Bowl every year - every close call in every game that can be called against the Raiders, is.
As to that game and my prediction that the Raiders would win - THEY DID. The clown-suited referes stole the game from the Raiders: Louis Murphy's catch in the end zone was a touchdown - he came down with the ball and both feet on the ground and that was the end of the play before he fell to the ground, and even then, he still had a grip on the ball as it hit the ground (the same thing in the NE-Buffalo games was ruled a catch). Even with the Raiders hitting rock-bottom, and staying at rock-bottom of the league for years now, the fact established years ago is still just as true as when Pete Rozelle's bitter enemy Al Davis had his Raiders in contention for the Super Bowl every year - every close call in every game that can be called against the Raiders, is.
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theHoundDawg
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Almost a GREAT Day
09/13/09 10:14 Filed in: College
Football
The Bruin defense had a stellar performance,
dominating Tennessee. Rahim Moore had two more
interceptions to give him 5 in two games and the rest
of the defensive backfield played just as well, in
particular the Playmaker Alterraun Verner and Tony
Dye, and Courtney Viney did well replacing the
injured Aaron Hester. In the final couple of minutes
the Defensive Line, with Brian Price on the bench
part of the time, stopped the Vols on four plays
after a first down inside the 10, and then kept
pressure on Jonathan Crompton on his last-ditch 0/4
drive from his own territory. The offense sputtered
much of the time against a strong Tennessee defense,
but showed signs of real promise, and next week
against a less talented Kansas State defense, I would
expect to see some real improvement.
Notre Dame's last-second loss to an underrated Michigan team, featuring maybe the best freshman in the country in QB Tate Forcier, was unexpected and appreciated, and for the second time in the two-week-old season, a top-five team lost, as unranked Houston easily beat Oklahoma State.
And, oh, it cold have been a great day, if Ohio State cold have just hung on, played a tougher defensive game in the fourth quarter, and had a better offensive plan. The brain surgeons keyed on Terrelle Pryor, and Jim Tressell should have realized that would be the case, and prepared more options, in both senses of the term. That first-drive interception was the difference in the end.
Following up from the first week, BYU is a top team and their defeat of the Bradford-less Sooners was no fluke. I can see BYU going undefeated. Oklahoma played extremely well against poor competition without Bradford, and like I mentioned, should have only the one loss when they meet Texas, possibly with Bradford back at QB.
Notre Dame's last-second loss to an underrated Michigan team, featuring maybe the best freshman in the country in QB Tate Forcier, was unexpected and appreciated, and for the second time in the two-week-old season, a top-five team lost, as unranked Houston easily beat Oklahoma State.
And, oh, it cold have been a great day, if Ohio State cold have just hung on, played a tougher defensive game in the fourth quarter, and had a better offensive plan. The brain surgeons keyed on Terrelle Pryor, and Jim Tressell should have realized that would be the case, and prepared more options, in both senses of the term. That first-drive interception was the difference in the end.
Following up from the first week, BYU is a top team and their defeat of the Bradford-less Sooners was no fluke. I can see BYU going undefeated. Oklahoma played extremely well against poor competition without Bradford, and like I mentioned, should have only the one loss when they meet Texas, possibly with Bradford back at QB.
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theHoundDawg
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Pro Picks - Can the Season Be as Weird as the Off Season?
09/08/09 22:38 Filed in: NFL
It's that time of year,
so here goes:
AFC
East
New England Patriots - Healthy Brady and still the class of the league
Miami Dolphins - They won't sneak up on people like last season
Buffalo Bills - Healthy Trent Edwards more important than TO; expect melt-down about week 11
New York Jets - New coach, new qb, worse year
North
Pittsburgh Steelers - Second best team in conf, but won't beat Pats
Baltimore Ravens - improved offense, stellar D, #3 in Conference
Cleveland Browns - Improved qb play and team moves up in tough division
Cincinnati Bengals - Bad defense, overrated offense, last in tough division
South
Indianapolis Colts - Best among even group, biggest obstacle is no Tony Dungy
Jacksonville Jaguars - Team as good as David Garrard, both should rebound; breakout season for Jones-Drew
Tennessee Titans - Vet QB has little magic left, poor receiver corp, .500 year
Houston Texans - improved, but not as much as some think
West
San Diego Chargers - Typical Norv Turner team - wins weakest div, can't win a playoff game
Denver Broncos - 7-9 good enough for second
Oakland Raiders - Not as bad as experts think, improved defense, running game keep out of cellar
Kansas City Chiefs - No chance with terrible qb and coaching choices
NFC
East
New York Giants - Least problems in pretty even division
Philadelphia Eagles - Would pick #1 if not for scumbag vick
Dallas Cowboys - Will never be a legitimate threat so long as Wade Phillips is head coach
Washington Redskins - Clearly cellar team; off-season criticism of qb not easy to heal
North
Chicago Bears - Cutler can play, and team should rally around first solid qb in decades
Green Bay Packers - Close second, they need Rodgers to stay healthy all year to have a shot
Minnesota Vikings - King of the Interceptions will deprive solid team of its chance to win
Detroit Lions - Major improvement, maybe to two wins.
South
Atlanta Falcons - Can they show that last year was no fluke? Probably, should easily win bad division
Carolina Panthers - Not nearly as good as last year's record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Work in progress, limited improvement likely
New Orleans Saints - Team would have a chance if they were to dump Mr. FumbleBush
West
Seattle Seahawks - Improved receiving, healthy Hasselbeck, addition of E. James, and easy division win
San Francisco 49ers - Improved team could challenge Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals - Can they show that last year was no fluke? No Way. Fight with Rams to stay out of cellar
St. Louis Rams - Even if Bulger stays healthy, no one to throw to. Only Steven Jackson makes them better than Lions
New England to win AFC, NY Giants win NFC, and the Patriots win Super Bowl.
A couple of more notes: Surprise team of the year - Chicago Bears, they could muscle their way into SB. Rookie of the year - Patriots Julian Edelman - a bigger, stronger, speedier Wes Welker. Monday night, Sep 14, Raiders will upset San Diego.
AFC
East
New England Patriots - Healthy Brady and still the class of the league
Miami Dolphins - They won't sneak up on people like last season
Buffalo Bills - Healthy Trent Edwards more important than TO; expect melt-down about week 11
New York Jets - New coach, new qb, worse year
North
Pittsburgh Steelers - Second best team in conf, but won't beat Pats
Baltimore Ravens - improved offense, stellar D, #3 in Conference
Cleveland Browns - Improved qb play and team moves up in tough division
Cincinnati Bengals - Bad defense, overrated offense, last in tough division
South
Indianapolis Colts - Best among even group, biggest obstacle is no Tony Dungy
Jacksonville Jaguars - Team as good as David Garrard, both should rebound; breakout season for Jones-Drew
Tennessee Titans - Vet QB has little magic left, poor receiver corp, .500 year
Houston Texans - improved, but not as much as some think
West
San Diego Chargers - Typical Norv Turner team - wins weakest div, can't win a playoff game
Denver Broncos - 7-9 good enough for second
Oakland Raiders - Not as bad as experts think, improved defense, running game keep out of cellar
Kansas City Chiefs - No chance with terrible qb and coaching choices
NFC
East
New York Giants - Least problems in pretty even division
Philadelphia Eagles - Would pick #1 if not for scumbag vick
Dallas Cowboys - Will never be a legitimate threat so long as Wade Phillips is head coach
Washington Redskins - Clearly cellar team; off-season criticism of qb not easy to heal
North
Chicago Bears - Cutler can play, and team should rally around first solid qb in decades
Green Bay Packers - Close second, they need Rodgers to stay healthy all year to have a shot
Minnesota Vikings - King of the Interceptions will deprive solid team of its chance to win
Detroit Lions - Major improvement, maybe to two wins.
South
Atlanta Falcons - Can they show that last year was no fluke? Probably, should easily win bad division
Carolina Panthers - Not nearly as good as last year's record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Work in progress, limited improvement likely
New Orleans Saints - Team would have a chance if they were to dump Mr. FumbleBush
West
Seattle Seahawks - Improved receiving, healthy Hasselbeck, addition of E. James, and easy division win
San Francisco 49ers - Improved team could challenge Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals - Can they show that last year was no fluke? No Way. Fight with Rams to stay out of cellar
St. Louis Rams - Even if Bulger stays healthy, no one to throw to. Only Steven Jackson makes them better than Lions
New England to win AFC, NY Giants win NFC, and the Patriots win Super Bowl.
A couple of more notes: Surprise team of the year - Chicago Bears, they could muscle their way into SB. Rookie of the year - Patriots Julian Edelman - a bigger, stronger, speedier Wes Welker. Monday night, Sep 14, Raiders will upset San Diego.
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theHoundDawg
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Once Again, How Does Mario Solis Keep His Job?
Once again, Mario Solis has shown that he is the
worst announcer currently reporting sports news in
the western world.
This evening on the Channel 4 News, he told listeners, to their shock, that budding star Clayton Kershaw injured his shoulder during batting practice before today's game, and that he would miss his next start.
Frightening news. Terrible news. Could it be serious? Will he miss the rest of the season and the playoffs? Is his career in jeopardy?
All unanswered questions, but likely too early to have any answers.
But wait! Solis never said which shoulder was injured.
A quick turn to Yahoo! Sports, and it was immediately seen, with great relief, that he hurt his RIGHT shoulder, so all those thoughts of a career-threatening injury to his pitching shoulder were eased.
Solis, of course, probably doesn't even know that Kershaw is lefty.
This evening on the Channel 4 News, he told listeners, to their shock, that budding star Clayton Kershaw injured his shoulder during batting practice before today's game, and that he would miss his next start.
Frightening news. Terrible news. Could it be serious? Will he miss the rest of the season and the playoffs? Is his career in jeopardy?
All unanswered questions, but likely too early to have any answers.
But wait! Solis never said which shoulder was injured.
A quick turn to Yahoo! Sports, and it was immediately seen, with great relief, that he hurt his RIGHT shoulder, so all those thoughts of a career-threatening injury to his pitching shoulder were eased.
Solis, of course, probably doesn't even know that Kershaw is lefty.
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theHoundDawg
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Vets, New Guys Sharp, as Bruins Continue Dominance Over SDSU; Sooners Dead
09/05/09 23:07 Filed in: College
Football
Redshirt freshmen Kevin Prince at QB and RB Johnathan
(yea, Johnathan) Franklin, who ran
12 yards for a TD on his first carry, made strong
debuts for the Bruins, but veteran defenders were the
real difference, as sophomore safety Rahim Moore was
the real star of the game with three interceptions,
and the Playmaker, senior CB Alterraun Verner, put
the game away when he ran 70 yards for a TD on a
blocked FG attempt.
All in all, this evening's opener confirms the promise I described as seeing in this year's team.
The game could have turned into a disaster very early though, when Brian Price tweaked a knee in the opening minutes of the first quarter. It seemed to be a very minor tweak as he jogged of the field, and retuned not too long thereafter.
My guy at WR, Taylor Embree, made a couple of nice catches, and had six reception for 98 yards, though he had a potential TD bomb go just past his reach. Like I said - a star in the making.
I had my doubts about Tennessee, with all of the controversy of the off season, not to mention Lane Kiffin's lack of success as a head coach, but they had a hell of a start against Western Kentucky, and next week's game should be more of a test than originally thought.
Finally, BYU's upset of Oklahoma could mark the start of another season of surprises, like last year. Starting off with a loss, and the potential of being without Sam Bradford for much, and potentially all, of the season, assuredly means that the Sooners will not be making a repeat visit to the title game.
All in all, this evening's opener confirms the promise I described as seeing in this year's team.
The game could have turned into a disaster very early though, when Brian Price tweaked a knee in the opening minutes of the first quarter. It seemed to be a very minor tweak as he jogged of the field, and retuned not too long thereafter.
My guy at WR, Taylor Embree, made a couple of nice catches, and had six reception for 98 yards, though he had a potential TD bomb go just past his reach. Like I said - a star in the making.
I had my doubts about Tennessee, with all of the controversy of the off season, not to mention Lane Kiffin's lack of success as a head coach, but they had a hell of a start against Western Kentucky, and next week's game should be more of a test than originally thought.
Finally, BYU's upset of Oklahoma could mark the start of another season of surprises, like last year. Starting off with a loss, and the potential of being without Sam Bradford for much, and potentially all, of the season, assuredly means that the Sooners will not be making a repeat visit to the title game.
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theHoundDawg
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College, Pac-10 Football Off to Rocky Start - Bruins Ready to Surprise
09/04/09 22:36 Filed in: College
Football
Chip Kelly's Ducks got off to a rocky start
yesterday, and while I question how successful his
team will be on the field this season - he's no Nick
Bellotti - I have to give him credit for his response
to the horrific conduct of LeGarrette Blount. A
season's suspension seems appropriate, but few
coaches would take that type of action against a star
player. (Petey? not even if a running back committed
murder.)
Tomorrow begins the second Bruin season under Rick Neuheisel, and I expect to see improved communication, more teamwork, and much improved play all around, all resulting in a turn-a-round to an 8-4 season. The defense will be outstanding, and an improved O-line, lead by Mike Harris, combined with solid receiving, and an actual Quarterback on the field, will translate to a winning season, and a deserved bowl bid.
A year ago, I said Taylor Embree was a star in the making. That should come about this season, with Kevin Prince on the throwing end of his receptions. Redshirt freshman Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin and Derrick Coleman lead an inexperienced but very talented group of running backs The defense, without DeWayne Walker, but with the sometimes spectaciar Alterraun Verner anchoring a young defensive backfield, does feature a ton of experience up front, and could be more consistent than last year, especially when, hopefully, the offense won't be turning the ball over several times per game, putting the D back on the field time and time again.
Yea, 8-4 sounds good....
Tomorrow begins the second Bruin season under Rick Neuheisel, and I expect to see improved communication, more teamwork, and much improved play all around, all resulting in a turn-a-round to an 8-4 season. The defense will be outstanding, and an improved O-line, lead by Mike Harris, combined with solid receiving, and an actual Quarterback on the field, will translate to a winning season, and a deserved bowl bid.
A year ago, I said Taylor Embree was a star in the making. That should come about this season, with Kevin Prince on the throwing end of his receptions. Redshirt freshman Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin and Derrick Coleman lead an inexperienced but very talented group of running backs The defense, without DeWayne Walker, but with the sometimes spectaciar Alterraun Verner anchoring a young defensive backfield, does feature a ton of experience up front, and could be more consistent than last year, especially when, hopefully, the offense won't be turning the ball over several times per game, putting the D back on the field time and time again.
Yea, 8-4 sounds good....
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theHoundDawg
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