NBA Draft? Its Never Too Early To Speculate

As football season reaches its apex, hoops junkies, like me, get their fix as the college basketball season gets under way.   

Although the season just tipped off, it is never too early to start looking forward to the 2008 NBA Draft.  So, without any further ado, I present to you, in reverse order, my top five collegiate prospects for said draft. 

Roy Hibbert, Georgetown 

7’2”-280-C-Sr. 

Hibbert declared for the 2007 NBA Draft but never hired an agent, leaving the door open for him to withdraw his name and return to Georgetown for his senior season.  While he likely would have been a lottery selection in last year’s draft, Hibbert was wise to return to school and try to carry his late season success into his senior season.   

While Hibbert is not a particularly explosive athlete, he seems to have a high basketball IQ and is a willing and capable passer out of the post.  Due to his length and basketball savvy, Hibbert is a solid shot blocker in spite of his average athleticism.  He also has great hands which allow him to catch just about everything thrown his way and is terrific free throw shooter for a big man.   

Having played four years in the college ranks, Hibbert will enter the NBA ready to contribute from day one, whereas many other draft applicants will take time to develop their game and adjust to the speed and athleticism of the Association. 

The big fella has improved by leaps and bounds since his freshman year and if he improves as much in the next year as he did in the last, Hibbert could be the top pick in the 2008 draft.  

Chase Budinger, Arizona 

6’7”-190-SG-So. 

Budinger is a freakish athlete with unlimited range on his jump shot. A former volleyball player, Budinger possesses a combination of unbelievable leaping ability and impeccable timing. 

At his best in the open court, Budinger must improve his handle in order to become a consistent threat in the half court set.  Chase has terrific body control which allows his to rise up over defenders and get his shot off as well as finish on the break as well as anyone in the country.   

Still developing in terms of his half court game and mid-range jumper, Chase is also not as aggressive on the defensive end as he will need to be in order to play crunch-time minutes in the NBA. 

Budinger’s shooting ability and superb athleticism make him worthy of a top five selection despite a few holes in his game. 

O.J. Mayo, Southern California 

6’5”-195-PG-Fr. 

Mayo is an elite athlete who possesses an amazing first step which allows him to torture defenses by getting into the lane and displaying his above average ability to finish and remarkable passing skills.   

Mayo is a fierce competitor who loves to take it right at the defense.  He will need to earn his stripes on the defensive end, but should have no problem stepping his game up to the collegiate level.  His NBA ready body and ball-handling skills, as well as good size for a point make him a sure fire top five pick.   

After garnering some negative publicity, Mayo has done everything right in the short time he has been in Los Angeles.  If he can continue to show discipline and work to polish his less than spectacular midrange game, Mayo will be a top three pick. 
 

Michael Beasley, Kansas State 

6’9”-235-PF-Fr. 

Beasley might be the best athlete in the nation to go along with seemingly limitless range.  I saw Beasley play live in the FIBA U18 Tournament of the Americas in 2006 and he demonstrated the ability to take control of the paint as well as being a force from the perimeter.  Beasley led the team, which included 2007 lottery selection, Spencer Hawes, in both scoring and rebounding.   

Beasley has a great deal of versatility and can impact the game in a variety of ways.  He averaged 28 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 4.5 blocks and 2 steals in his senior season of high school, but will have to maintain a higher intensity level in order to be productive in the NBA on a consistent basis and his post defense is a question mark.  His game reminds me of Antawn Jamison.     
 

Derrick Rose, Memphis 

6’4”-195-PG-Fr. 

Rose nearly averaged a triple double as a prep in Chicago and arrives at Memphis with tremendous expectations.  Rose runs the point as well as anyone in recent memory and has an upside without limitation.   

Rose’s worst quality seems to be his jumper, although he shot 59% from the floor and 45% from the three point line as a high school senior.  Rose is not a great pure shooter but, unlike many of his peers, he doesn’t take many bad shots and is therefore an efficient shooter. 

Rose possesses cat-like quickness and has the ability to get to the paint with a great deal of ease and either finish or find the open man with his outstanding vision and passing ability.   

A terrific defender and outstanding floor general, Rose is reminiscent of a young Jason Kidd.  Barring injury or a lapse in concentration, this young man has Hall of Fame potential. 

NFL Mid-Term Awards

Hello, patient readers of the OD!  It has been quite some time, but with the dawn of the football season, a move to a new place in a new town and an occupational change in the truest sense of the phrase, I have been in hiding.  Hopefully I will emerge from my hibernation with some degree of insight into what has taken place in the NFL as we approach the halfway point of the 2007 season.  So, without any further ado, I present you with my mid-term awards through week eight of the NFL season.

Most Valuable Player

Tom Brady QB New England Patriots

This is probably the most obvious of all the awards because of the brilliance coming from the quarterback position in New England.  Brady, through eight games, has already put up numbers which are the equivalent to a career year for about 99 percent of quarterbacks to ever play the game.  Brady has already thrown 30 touchdown passes (that is NOT a typo) this season against just two interceptions while completing over 74 percent of his passes.  Ridiculous numbers when you consider that Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, Bob Griese and Terry Bradshaw reached the 30 touchdown plateau in a season only once (Montana threw 31 for  in 1987) .   Combined. 

Honorable Mention:  Bob Sanders S Indianapolis Colts, Brett Favre QB Green Bay Packers, Tony Romo QB Dallas Cowboys, Randy Moss WR New England Patriots

Offensive Player of the Year

Randy Moss WR New England Patriots

Sure it seems as if I am prejudiced towards the Patriots, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Prior to the start of the season there was plenty of chatter about the character issues and baggage that Moss brings to a football team and very little was said about his abilities on the field of play.  Moss stepped into the Patriots locker room and fit in immediately, elevating the Patriots offense from a one man show (Brady) to an offensive juggernaut which has yet to score fewer than 34 points in a game. Moss already broke the Patriots franchise record for touchdown receptions in a season and is on pace to tie Jerry Rice for the NFL’s single season record of 22.  Add in his 779 receiving yards and 47 receptions, not to mention how much he opens things up for every other player on the Patriots offense, and you have every quality necessary to garner Offensive POY recognition.

Honorable Mention:  Tony Romo QB Dallas Cowboys, Derek Anderson QB Cleveland Browns, Joseph Addai RB Indianapolis Colts, Kris Brown K Texans (How sad for the Texans that Brown is their most viable offensive weapon)

Defensive Player of the Year

Bob Sanders S Indianapolis Colts

While his individual numbers aren’t by any means eye-popping (33 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception), Sanders impact on the Colts defense is immeasurable.  Sanders played in only four regular season games for the Super Bowl champion Colts last season, when the Colts were historically inept versus the run.  A year ago the Colts defense gave up over 22 points per game and 173 rushing yards per game, almost 30 yards per game more than the second worst rush defense, the St. Louis Rams.  This year?  The Colts are giving up a more respectable 107.4 rushing yards per game and fewer than 15 points per game.  Not coincidentally, Sanders has played every game for the Colts this year. 

Honorable Mention:  Jared Allen DE Kansas City Chiefs, Barrett Ruud LB Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Sean Taylor S Washington Redskins, Nick Barnett LB Green Bay Packers

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Adrian Peterson RB Minnesota Vikings

This is almost as obvious a selection as Brady for the MVP.  Peterson is leading the NFL in rushing yards despite the best efforts of head coach Brad Childress to limit his budding superstar’s carries. Great idea. Keep the ball out of your only legitimate playmakers hands. In addition to his 740 rushing yards, Peterson is third in the NFL in rushing touchdowns and has the highest yards per carry among players with at least 50 attempts. Now if they could just figure out a way to limit their quarterback’s touches…

Honorable Mention:  Marshawn Lynch RB Buffalo Bills, Dwayne Bowe WR Kansas City Chiefs, James Jones WR Green Bay Packers, Trent Edwards QB Buffalo Bills

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Patrick Willis LB San Francisco 49er’s

Another run away winner, Willis ranks second in the league in tackles (73) and has nearly 20 more tackles than the nearest rookie.  Willis certainly has a lot to learn about the professional game and is not particularly efficient in pass coverage, but his nose for the ball and ability to bring the wood while still making plays from sideline to sideline is reminiscent of a young Ray Lewis.  Willis should anchor the defense in the Bay Area for the next decade.

Honorable Mention:  Aaron Ross DB New York Giants, Darrelle Revis DB New York Jets, Amobi Okoye DT Houston Texans, Reggie Nelson S Jacksonville Jaguars

Coach of the Year

Tony Dungy

Say what you will about the about the talent that Tony Dungy has to work with, he has transformed one of the NFL’s worst defenses (which won the Super Bowl, by the way) into a unit which ranks second in the league in points allowed (14.6 ppg).  Dungy’s offense meanwhile is third in the NFL in both yards and points per game.  Oh, by the way, the Colts head into a week nine match-up with their undefeated arch rival New England Patriots at 7-0 and primed to defend their home turf.

Honorable Mention:  Mike McCarthy Green Bay Packers, Romeo Crennel Cleveland Browns, Wade Phillips Dallas Cowboys, Rod Marinelli Detroit Lions

Biggest Surprise

The Emergence of Derek Anderson

The Cleveland Browns came into the season with Charlie Frye, who went 4-9 as the starter for the Browns a year ago, on top of the depth chart.  After a 34-7 loss to open the season against the division rival Pittsburg Steelers, in which Frye completed four of ten passes with one interception and five sacks, Frye was shipped to the Seattle Seahawks and Anderson was elevated to starter.  Anderson didn’t disappoint in his first start, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-45 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.  Anderson hasn’t looked back.  The Browns are now 4-3 and look like a possible playoff team behind Anderson and a nice mix of youth and experience on an offense that ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring at 27.7 points per game, nearly twice their 2006 average of 14.9ppg.  Not too bad for the kid out of Oregon State who came into the season as an after thought.

Honorable Mention:  Green Bay Packers; Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings; Detroit Lions; Trent Cole, DE, Philadelphia Eagles 

Biggest Disappointment

St. Louis Rams

While certainly not a Super Bowl favorite, the Rams cam into the 2007 season with hopes of stealing the NFC West crown from the Seahawks.  With QB Marc Bulger fresh off a huge contract extension and a Pro Bowl, RB Steven Jackson coming off a breakout year and the signing of WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael in the off-season, expectations were high in the Gateway City.  The Rams stumbled out of the gate and, due to an absurd amount of injuries along the offensive line which have been far more than any team could be expected to overcome, the Rams offense never got untracked.  At 0-8, with injuries decimating the offense and a porous defense, the Rams have little to hang their hat on outside of a high draft pick come April.

Honorable Mention:  New York Jets; Cincinnati Bengals;  Matt Leinart, QB, Arizona Cardinals; Chicago Bears

9/11/01

This is cross-posted on TheYankeesBlog.com

Some events affect us so much that they will always be a part of us. That might be why it is tough for me to believe that six years have passed between now and September 11, 2001. My life was not directly altered. I did not know anybody killed. However, it would be difficult to imagine any human being who was not emotionally impacted in some way on that awful day. Ever since I began writing, I have always tried to write a special post on September 11. In these entries, I have made personal reflections. This year I would like to take a different angle. I am going to recall the small role that the Yankees played in the healing process.

At times we overestimate the impact of sports. We treat games as life and death matters. We wish harm on otherwise innocent human beings after they do something to hurt our team’s chances. Make no mistake, though. Sports are important. Part of this has to do with the manner in which we overrate sports. We turn athletes into heroes. The people of New York were devastated after 9/11. The Yankees were there. Visits to the wounded, victims’ families, and rescue workers could never come close to undoing the harm done, but they did provide some comfort to those affected. The men that these people idolized were there with them in their time of need. (Let’s be clear about one thing. The Mets did just as much to help in the aftermath.)

Eventually the games proceeded and provided a distraction from the otherwise grim news. In the months following 9/11, one could not turn on the news without seeing constant reports of funeral services for emergency personnel and civilians. Watching thousands get laid to rest for no other reason than they showed up to work and tried to save others is enough to make one question humanity. The one thing that everybody knew was that they could turn on the television at night.

The Yankees went on a magical run that October, but one must go even deeper than the terrorist attacks to truly comprehend what took place. The Yanks were playing to give a reeling city something to feel good about. This mission took on even greater significance because everybody knew that this was the last rodeo for one of the most beloved teams of all-time. From 1996 to 2001 a core of players captured the heart of a city through their grit and valor on the field. These guys were overpaid All-Stars. The Yankees did not go out and buy up every good player in baseball. They did not win because their payroll was obscene. None of this took place, despite this disingenuous revisionist history that Yankee haters across the country love to proclaim. These Yankees were a collection of quality players who liked each other and lived for big moments. They never failed it seemed. This was the end of the line, though. A number of core players had aged. Paul O’Neill, the heart and soul of the team, who once played in the World Series on one leg, was set to retire. Scott Brosius’ production was in decline, and the team was going to look for an upgrade. Tino Martinez was about to become the victim of the star lust that would possess the front office in coming years. Despite carrying the team on his back during the second half of the season, Jason Giambi was going to become a free agent. Giambi’s numbers were far superior to Tino’s even if his defense and clubhouse presence were not. Fans had embraced this team in the past because it might not have been the best collection of talent, but it was always the best team. Joe Torre and his players always exuded class. Even the most ardent haters at least expressed respect for this amazing collection of men. This was its last chance to deliver something special. It was an encore and a chance to begin the healing process.

Fans across the country embraced the Yankees unlike anytime before. They understood what New York was going through. the Big Apple had taken the brunt of what was an attack on all Americans. They wanted to see New Yorkers get a chance to celebrate. Even in Boston, many fans displayed signs expressing support. The Yankees truly became America’s Team. It almost seems unfathomable now.

The Yankees may not have won the World Series in 2001, but they gave New York a chance to feel good again if only for fleeting moments. Up against an Oakland team that had taken them to the limit a year before, the Yankees were on the verge of being wiped out. The A’s dominated the first two games in Yankee Stadium, beating eventual Cy Young winner, Roger Clemens, and noted big game pitcher, Andy Pettitte. New York had the daunting task of beating a 102 win team three straight times and twice on the road.

As the series shifted to Oakland, we saw the best of the Yankees. Everybody remembers the Derek Jeter flip to nail Jeremy Giambi at the plate in Game 3. There is no question that was the biggest play of the series. People just tend to forget the other key players in that pivotal game. Barry Zito pitched a one-hitter that night. The Yankees still won because that hit was a Jorge Posada homer, and Mike Mussina pitched the game of his life, shutting out a powerful A’s lineup featuring Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, and Eric Chavez over 7 innings before handing the ball to Mariano Rivera. Somebody always stepped up for those Yankees teams. They always found a way to do just enough. The right people always came up big. Orlando Hernandez put an uneven season behind him in Game 4 to once again deliver in October. New York pounded Cory Lidle to set up a Game 5 between the teams with a trip to the ALCS hanging in the balance for a second consecutive season. There was never any doubt who would win. Even with a shaky start from Roger Clemens and an early 2-0 deficit, the Yanks rallied to win 5-3. Derek Jeter fell into the stands making a catch in the 7th inning. Mike Stanton, Ramiro Mendoza, and Mariano Rivera pitched 4.2 shutout innings in relief of Clemens. Oakland, arguably the most talented club in the bigs that year, had just lost three straight to see its season end. The funny thing is that most Yankees fans and a ton of observers saw it coming. Even after being dominated in the Bronx and pushed to the brink of elimination, people knew that this team always found a way. Get one-hit in an elimination game? No problem, we’ll just shut out the opponent.

Next up was a 116 win Seattle Mariners team. Seattle had just broken the 1998 Yankees’ American League record of 114 wins. The core of that team was still in tact. This series was personal. The dynasty had begun after a painful Division Series loss in Seattle in 1995. These same players did not want their run to end at the hands of this same team, which also would supplant the 1998 squad’s place in history among dominant teams. The series was never even close. The Yanks took the first two games in Safeco Field, and won in five games. The knockout blow was a decisive 12-3 win in the clincher that left no doubt who the best team in the American League was, regardless of the twenty-one win disparity in the regular season.

The final curtain came against the Diamondbacks in the World Series. The team that could not fail finally did. The unbeatable closer was beaten with his team two outs away from a fourth straight championship. It was painful at the time, but nothing can taint the magic of that October. After falling behind two games in the desert, the Yankees never quit. They won the third game behind a dominant Roger Clemens. George W. Bush threw out the first pitch that night and got a complete standing ovation. Just like the Yankees being cheered in Boston, that seems unfathomable today, but we were together as a nation back then. Games 4 and 5 were among the most amazing ever witnessed. On consecutive nights the Yankees hit game-tying 2 run homers with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. Even more special was the fact that Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius, the two stalwarts heading out the door, were the guys to hit them. The homers were one final gift to the fans by players who had done so much. Paul O’Neill scored in front of Martinez in Game 4. Chuck Knoblauch scored the eventual winning run in Game 5. They also were guys about to leave who played big roles in their final hurrah. The fans showed their love for the team by chanting O’Neill’s name in the 9th inning of Game 5, his last ever at Yankee Stadium. Everybody stayed in the stadium to sing Sinatra’s New York, New York in unison after these wins. Fans got to come together after the tragedy to celebrate this team one last time.

The fall of 2001 was a special time in the New York area. Those great Yankees left us with perhaps their finest performance, even if they fell short of the ultimate goal. A city that needed a reason to feel good got that reason. A great team made one final magical run. Its fans got the joy of both events. Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” That quote applies to New York during that time. Nobody ever wants to go through something like that again. I also cannot imagine another October full of such special memories. What the Yankees did will never come close to making up for what happened, but they did at least begin the healing process in some small way.

College Football Preview

The college football season is right around the corner. It is time to make projections on BCS conference champions, the Heisman Trophy, and BCS projections.

ACC
Champion: Georgia Tech
A Virginia Tech squad returning sixteen starters is the trendy and sentimental pick, but too many people are writing off the Yellow Jackets. Yes, Tech did lose Calvin Johnson, the biggest talent in college football. However, that loss is more than negated by Reggie Ball’s graduation. Ball’s sub 50% completion percentage ruined what could have been a special year in Atlanta last fall. Taylor Bennett shined in the Gator Bowl last year, displaying poise and accuracy of which Ball could only dream. He has earned the trust of his teammates as the leader of the team and has the talent to become an above average quarterback. Even without Calvin Johnson, he will have plenty of weapons. Tashard Choice led the ACC in rushing last season. James Johnson has the talent to have a breakout year as the top option at wideout. Returning four starters on the offensive line will make life easy for Bennett and Choice. John Tenuna, one of the nation’s best and unheralded defensive coordinators, gets to work with eight returning starters on what was a superb unit last season. The Jackets get their top ACC Coastal competitor, Virginia Tech, at home, a team they crushed last season. This team was one play away from a conference title and the Orange Bowl last season. That kind of heartbreak will only motivate the club to reach new heights this year.

Other legitimate contenders: Virginia Tech Boston College, and Florida State

Big East
Champion: West Virginia
Coming off a disappointing two loss campaign, everything seems set up for the Mountaineers to make a run for the National Championship. Heisman contender Steve Slaton is the biggest name West Virginia brings back. The speedy running back is one of college football’s biggest gamechangers, but this offense has more playmakers. Pat White’s development as a passer is going to make Rich Rodriguez’s spread attack unstoppable. He had a phenomenal finish to 2006 throwing the ball. With an offseason to refine himself, White is becoming a duel threat instead of a run only quarterback. Combine his passing improvements with his 4.4 40 speed and his 1,200 yard running skill, and White is the biggest playmaking quarterback in college football since Vince Young. Young did not have weapons like Slaton and freshman Noel Devine, a running back with fantastic speed who will line up in the slot. The Mountaineers do have to replace Rimington Award winner, Dan Moses, and a terrific offensive line coach, Rick Trickett, who went to Florida State. Still, the team returns three starters to the unit. The skill players are good enough to weather any early transition as the unit grows together. West Virginia will not be tested early, giving the unit a chance to gel. The defense will be solid as the team returns a lot of talent on the line. The secondary, a problem spot a year ago, will be better and more experienced as four of five starters return. With the skill on offense, this team only needs an adequate defensive unit. West Virginia will not be tested often. While the team gets Louisville at home, it will have a pair of potential pitfalls in roadtrips to Rutgers and South Florida. This is still the most talented team in the conference and has the experience necessary to win in hostile environments. West Virginia could very well have a trip to New Orleans in the cards.

Other legitimate contenders: Louisville, Rutgers, and South Florida

Big Ten
Champion: Penn State
Most pundits think that the Big Ten is a two team race between Michigan and Wisconsin. These people overlook a team from Happy Valley that is poised to crash the party. Penn State returns eight offensive starters this season. Anthony Morelli came on strong in the team’s Outback Bowl win over Tennessee. The former top recruit got better and gained confidence as the season progressed in 2006. Having a year of starting experience under his belt will help him utilize his playmakers at receiver, namely Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood. Austin Scott should have no problem replacing Tony Hunt in the backfield. The defense returns only five starters, but the returners are standouts. Dan Connor, arguably the nation’s best linebacker, moves inside to replace Paul Posluszny. He has experience at the position, meaning that his transition to the middle will go smoother than Posluszny’s did a year ago making the same switch. Justin King and Josh Gaines are top players at their respective positions, cornerback and defensive end. Penn State had to rebuild its defense on the fly last year after losing nine starters. The unit was still a major strength because of the talent and intellect of the new starters. The same will be true this season. Maurice Evans, Abe Koroma, and Jared Odrick all have a ton of promise rounding out the defensive line. The same is true of A.J. Wallace and Spencer Ridenhour in the secondary. The Nittany Lions are going to crush an inexperienced Notre Dame team on September 15 in Happy Valley, and the momentum coming from there should give the team confidence. Penn State gets Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Iowa all at home in front of one of the craziest crowds in college football. The only difficult conference test on the road will be Michigan, a team that has State’s number. The Wolverines probably will win that game, but that team has enormous holes to fill on defense without Penn State’s talent, a roadtrip to Wisconsin, lingering doubts against Ohio State, and a target on its back as the favorite. Whenever that core has dealt with high expectations, it has failed as it did in 2005 and the last two games of last season. The Wolverines are going to lose enough to not win the Big Ten. Wisconsin will trip up on its trip to Happy Valley, playing not only against Joe Paterno’s team but also against a deafening crowd. A team as talented as Penn State is this season is going to be very tough to beat with such a homefield advantage.

Other legitimate contenders: Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio State

Big XII
Champion: Oklahoma
The Sooners enter the season with major question marks at quarterback. This has many believing that they cannot repeat in the Big XII. However, Bob Stoops has found a way to win the conference with teams quarterbacked by Nate Hybl and Paul Thompson, both men who played their way out of starting jobs early in their careers only to later be forced back into action. OU will be able to control games on the ground. Allen Patrick proved himself capable when Adrian Peterson was injured last season. The breakout star, however, will be DeMarco Murray, a freshman with dazzling athleticism. He has the talent to become one of the nation’s best backs as a freshman. He will form an excellent tandem with Patrick, allowing the Sooners to play ball control behind an experienced line. Bob Stoops will have a trademark excellent defense. Reggie Smith and Marcus Walker form a top flight duo at cornerback. Ryan Reynolds and Mike Reed comprise a talented linebacking corps, and OU’s line will be experienced and supplemented with fresh talent in Gerald McCoy. Oklahoma will not need to rely on its quarterback to win most games. This is one of the most talented teams in America. Texas might have a slight edge when the teams take the field in Dallas, but Bob Stoops always seems to be able to outscheme Mack Brown. Stoops is too good to lose three straight times to Mack. Beyond that, stiff divisional tests, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M travel to Norman, while the Longhorns have to go to Stillwater and College Station. Texas’ ability to keep Colt McCoy healthy also might be an issue as the Longhorns lost three starters on the offensive line. UT and OU are by far the two most talented teams in the conference. On paper Texas is better, but signs point to the Sooners taking the crown this year.

Other legitimate contenders: Texas, Nebraska, and Texas A&M

Pac 10
Champion: USC
The Trojans went 11-2 last season, won the Pac 10 and the Rose Bowl, finished in the top 5, and it was considered a rebuilding year. USC brings back ten defensive starters. The only spot where they lost somebody was defensive end, and the Trojans recruited Everson Griffen, one of the best prospects in years at the position. The defense is stacked with potential All-Americans and awards winners including Sedrick Ellis, Keith Rivers, and Taylor Mays. The offense might have lost six starters, but USC has blue chip recruits playing on its third string. John David Booty is back at quarterback and will be a year better bolstered by confidence gained after torching Michigan in the Rose Bowl. It should be a sign of things to come. The Trojans are also stacked at running back. The seventh string guy at USC could start for most schools. The most promising of these is Joe McKnight, a freak of nature who can make plays running, receiving, and returning kicks. He is not Reggie Bush, but people easily could mention his name in the same breath as McFadden and Slaton by the end of the year. Pete Carroll has done such a great job recruiting that it does not matter what USC loses each year because a five star recruit is ready to step in. This team is stacked. Even with trips to California, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Oregon on the schedule, the only team that can beat the Trojans is themselves. However, the most impressive thing that Carroll has done is not let his players be satisfied by past success. Even after a five year run as the dominant team in college football, USC is still as hungry as it was in 2003. UCLA may have twenty starters back from a team that beat the Trojans last season, but USC will be on a mission to deliver payback in the Coliseum on December 1. They are not going to lose their focus twice in a row. Forget about getting a berth in any BCS game. It would be an utter shock if USC was not playing for the National Championship in the Superdome next January.

Other “legitimate” contenders: California, Oregon, and UCLA

SEC
Champion: LSU
The Tigers are the clear choice to win the SEC this season, even without JaMarcus Russell. Matt Flynn is a more than capable replacement. He will have plenty of help. The Tigers have five quality running backs in Jacob Hester, Keiland Williams, Alley Broussard, Charles Scott, and Richard Murphy. All will likely see carries and contribute. Early Doucett and Brandon LaFell both are poised to deliver on their potential and have breakout seasons. The line returns three high caliber starters. The offense will be capable. The defense will be dominant. Glenn Dorsey would be a Heisman candidate if the award went to the best college football player in the nation instead of the best BCS quarterback or running back. He is an enormous run-stuffer who also gets a good push up the middle of the line. Tyson Jackson is one of the nation’s best pass rushers. LSU returns all three starting linebackers and a terrific pair of corners. The Tigers also get Auburn, Arkansas, and Florida at home. The only pitfall road game will be against old coach and defensive mastermind, Nick Saban, and an offensively talented Alabama squad. ‘Bama will circle that game on the calendar, and fans will create an almost impossible environment in a potential return to glory game. Saban’s schemes should hide a lot of his talent deficencies That game will ruin LSU’s chances for a dream season, but the Tigers should handle an inexperienced Florida squad to win the SEC title.

Other legitimate contenders: Florida, Georgia, and Auburn

Heisman Trophy Winner: Steve Slaton
Slaton has the preseason hype necessary. He is going to perform well for a contender, a team that should make a run at the National Championship. Darren McFadden might be the preseason favorite, but his team is going to struggle this season. Losing Mitch Mustain and Gus Malzhan will hurt badly. Casey Dick is not a consistent enough passer to keep defenses honest and bring balance, and David Lee cannot match Malzhan’s creativity. Couple that with losing several impact defenders and roadtrips to Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU, and the Hogs are going to have a tough time contending for a BCS bid, a necessity for a player to win a Heisman. John David Booty is the other logical choice, but his status as USC quarterback is going to work against him, despite what some may think. After giving the award to Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, the voters are going to think twice before giving it to a third Trojans signal caller this decade at the risk of becoming stale. They will point out the great talent surrounding Booty. This could become like Shaq O’Neal in his prime. Voters will not select USC quarterbacks because they will have become too dominant and could get the award every year the same way voters would not give Shaq the MVP because he could win it every year. Heisman voters are easily influenced. It will only take the first media member to argue this point for the majority to follow.

Other legitimate contenders: Darren McFadden, John David Booty, and Brian Brohm

BCS Matchups:

Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. Texas

Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Wisconsin

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Virginia Tech

Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Florida

BCS Championship Game: USC def. West Virginia

In the matchup of two unbeatens, the Trojans will win convincingly. USC’s defense has the speed to at least hold West Virginia in check, while the Trojans will use their enormous offensive line and depth at running back to wear down the Mountaineers’ six man front. West Virginia is great on one side of the ball. USC is great on both sides. Pete Carroll will win his third National Championship.

Big Ten Expansion

With the Big Ten about to launch a television network, talk has been rampant that the conference could expand. Adding another team could both help open new media markets for the league and allow it to stage a big money making football championship game. The league should seriously consider how much each prospective candidate would bring to the table. This is a list of all schools mentioned as possible new Big Ten members in order of desirability.

1. Notre Dame
Why it would make sense: Notre Dame is the biggest draw in college football. The school has fans everywhere, meaning monster television ratings and travel. It also is one of the most prestigous academic institutions in America. The Irish’s storied tradition would fit right in with the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Notre Dame already has long running series with Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue. The school also has rivalries with Penn State and Ohio State that could be developed. South Bend, Indiana, is right in Big Ten territory.
Why it would not make sense: For all the reasons that the Big Ten has to pursue Notre Dame, Notre Dame has no reason to join the Big Ten. The school makes a ton of money through an individual television contract with NBC it would have to sacrifice. The Irish also would have to share BCS revenues with the rest of the conference schools and lose a sweetheart deal that gave it easier entry into BCS games.

2. Texas
Why it would make sense: Like Notre Dame, Texas has a storied football tradition, a great academic reputation, and an enormous following. The Big Ten could claim markets all across the state, including the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin markets. This move also would open up the fertile recruiting ground of Texas to the conference.
Why it would not make sense: There really is not much incentive for Texas to join the Big Ten. Travel would be an absolute nightmare.The Longhorns would have a killer nonconference schedule in addition to the Big Ten grind because they would presumably keep long standing rivalries with Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Baseball is the second sport at the University of Texas, and that sport would suffer in a weaker, cold weather conference. Texas might have some sqabblles with the Big XII, but the conference would likely do what it takes to prevent a defection from one of its marquee athletic program.

3. Rutgers
Why it would make sense: Rutgers is an up and coming football program and would open up the New York and Philadelphia markets. While in a region that is not a college football hotbed, the school’s game against Louisville generated an 8.1 rating in the Big Apple. RU is also a large state school with a quality academic reputation. This move would also create a geographic rival for Penn State.
Why it would not make sense: This move would be banking a lot on a single season. Rutgers soared to national prominence last year. The year before, they were decent in a watered down Big East. For most of the school’s previous history, the Scarlet Knights were a perrenial doormat with no following.Greg Schiano would probably stay for the long haul with the school in such a terrific football conference, but there is no proof he can maintain the same level. Will the fan base still be there with a less than dominant team? The step up in competition would probably knock Rutgers off the national radar as the Knights would likely fall to the middle of the pack in the Big Ten.

4. Missouri
Why it would make sense: Missouri is another large state school with good academics. It has solid basketball and football programs. There is a geographic fit. There is already an establishment with Illinois. The Illini have given the conference a base in the St. Louis market. Adding Missouri would give the Big Ten a stranglehold in the region.
Why it would not make sense: The only real reason is that one of the better options presents itself. Missouri would be a great fallback plan.

5. Nebraska
Why it would make sense: The Cornhuskers have a storied football program. Nebraska fits into the Big Ten’s geographic area. The school has also been part of fighting with fellow Big XII members.
Why it would not make sense: Nebraska does have a big fanbase, but the Lincoln market pales in comparison to others the Big Ten could bring into the mix.

6. Boston College
Why it would make sense: BC is one of the most selective academic institutions in America and has excellent football, basketball,and hockey programs like other Big Ten schools.
Why it would not make sense: Saying that BC would open up the Boston market is like saying the New Jersey Nets light up the New York market. BC is a distant fourth on the city’s radar behind the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. That is unlikely to change with all three of those teams in contending mode. The alumni base is small and apathetic. The school also is coming off one acrimonious conference move. Is it ready for another so soon?

7. Pittsburgh
Why it would make sense: Pitt is a good school with a decent football program, an excellent basketball program, and good facilities. This move would reignite the school’s dormant rivalry with Penn State.
Why it would not make sense: The Big Ten already has a firm hold on the Pittsburgh market with Penn State’s presence.

8. Syracuse
Why it would make sense: Syracuse has an excellent basketball program. It would also help the Big Ten make a dent in the New York market since many alumni and fans live in the metropolitan area. This would be another option to finally get a geographic rival for Penn State.
Why it would not make sense: Where Rutgers would be a direct hit in New York, Syracuse does not have the same impact in the city. The football program has also been in shambles since the inexplicable decision to hire Greg Robinson, an awful football coach.

8. Colorado
Why it would make sense: Colorado is another big state school with good academics and a good football tradition. It would bring the Denver market into the fold.
Why it would not make sense: The travel would be difficult, and the Buffs would have to leave a conference with great rivalries.

8. Louisville
Why it would make sense: Louisville has built great football and basketball programs and would give the conference a Southern presence.
Why it would not make sense: The Big Ten prides itself on having quality academic schools. Louisville would not fit in at all.

9. West Virginia
Why it would make sense: Rich Rodriguez has built the Mountaineers into a national power in football. John Beilein did the same in basketball, and Bob Huggins will use his renegade tactics to keep it that way.
Why it would not make sense: West Virginia is even worse scholastically than Louisville and does not play in any desirable market.

10. Cincinnati
Why it would make sense: Cincinnati is a geographic fit. It would also build on a rivalry with Ohio State.
Why it would not make sense: The Big Ten already owns the area. The school’s football program is improving but would likely fall apart in the Big Ten. The basketball program has not recovered from the end of the Bob Huggins era.

11. Iowa State
Why it would make sense: This would bring the school’s rivalry with Iowa into the conference.
Why it would not make sense: Iowa has lousy football and basketball programs and sits in a small market in which the Big Ten already is strong. This would be a very uninspired choice.

Taking over for the commissioners

Everybody is focusing on the issues that Roger Goodell, Bud Selig, and David Stern are currently face. Rightfully so, but however they are not the only commissioners facing big issues right now. The commissioners of MLS and the NHL are currently facing a problem that the other sports haven’t had to deal with in many, many years: the fact that nobody cares about them.

 National Football League

Unlike a lot of people, I really don’t see what the big deal is. I’ve heard tons of people talk about how they would not want to be Roger Goodell right now and I just cannot understand why. The Atlanta Falcons are obviously done with Vick. By the time any other teams start coming around on the idea of giving him a look he’ll be serving his prison sentence. Pacman Jones has the year off. Tank Johnson was under the legal limit. Chris Henry didn’t beat that kid up. To your knowledge no referees are working with the mob. I just don’t see what the big deal is. The judicial system is going to do your work for you with Vick, and once that happens he’s going to sit back and enjoy being the head of the most successful sports organization in the country.

 Major League Baseball

I hope even though the entire world is so enamored with the fact that Barry Bonds is eventually going to become the all time home run king that Bud Selig thinks he’s off the hook with steroids. Once Bonds passes up Aaron it will spark probaby a bigger steroid outrage from the critics than we’ve ever seen before and the fact of the matter is that the problem is still not fixed. Selig has started an investigation, has increased the penalties for failed drug tests considerably, yet the game is still not clean. Whether or not he wants to believe it – when you’ve got guys hitting 500 and 600 home runs and not being shoe in hall of famers there is still a serious problem. What Selig needs to do is come full out in the open, along with the rest of the league. No official asterisks need to put in the record books. What’s done is done, we can’t change the fact that for the past ten years the game’s most precious records have been compromised by cheaters. But rather than having so much in doubt – put everything out in the open. Let people have their view of the situation while knowing everything that happened and move into a new – illegal supplement free era in baseball.

National Basketball Association

Now David Stern I do not want to be. There’s no way around it, this is the league’s worst nightmare. I’m not so sold that this just goes away with Donaghy being prosecuted and out of the league. Fact of the matter is that the conspiracy theorists are going to go crazy with this. I am not one myself, but I can remember several games last year where there was calls that were more than just questionable. Referees make mistakes and do not get everything right, I’m very aware of that – which is why this will not go away quickly. Everytime a referee butchers something that all the armchair referees clearly saw 10000s of miles away on the tv after reviewing it with their tivo will start wondering which family member of his Tony Soprano threatened. The way I go about fixing this is telling the FBI to not just investigate Donaghy, but every single referee I have and am planning on bringing in. Make the outcomes of those investigations public. If Stern’s so confident that it’s an isolated incident than this shouldn’t be any trouble. Not only does this help restore some credibility, it helps instill a sense of fear in referees to deter any kind of similar because make no mistake about it – Donaghy has some extremely rough times ahead.

National Hockey League

I think the biggest problem is that not to many people are willing to give hockey a chance. I’ll admit – for a long time I was one of those people and until I actually went and watched some minor league playoff hockey I realized that this game is actually not so bad. The biggest issue is that it does go through some pretty boring, uneventual stints. My solution to this problem is to make the goal bigger to increase scoring. Everybody loves watching that. News just came out today that you will be able to watch all the hockey games free online. Now if that doesn’t scream HELP nothing does. Only hope is that the online viewing is an incredible success with my increasing the goal size idea and the statistics are enough to get them on a channel that people can get on regular cable.

Major League Soccer

My advice to their commissioner, whose name I do not know and refuse to look up in order to further prove my point is to simply just give up. The talent in this league as compared to those overseas, where the people actually care, is laughable. The fact that a well past his prime David Beckham is the hope of the league says enough. Cut your loses, and see if you can get a scouting job or something overseas.

Goodell, Stern, Bettman, and Selig you can email me privately to discuss things. As far as the MLS guy goes, I’ve done all I can to help you.

Taking over for Arthur Blank

Dear Mr. Michael Vick,
As you can tell by our conversations over the past few weeks I am less than pleased with your actions. I am done being politically correct. I’m done beating around the bush, and considering how you’ll never put on a Falcons uniform again and the millions of my dollars that you have I feel that I am entitled to at least tell you how I feel. You were a mediocre quarterback to begin with. Your accuracy is laughable, your arm is overrated, and quite frankly if it wasn’t for your ability to sell merchandise and tickets I would have cut your ass years ago because you sure haven’t made us contenders despite your ridiculous salary. If it wasn’t for Sportscenter top 10 highlights and our determination to make you a quarterback when you aren’t one I’m not sure anybody who have a clue who you were. You’ve tarnished this franchise with your dispicable acts and inability to have an even somewhat decent passer rating. You will not be associated with this franchise ever again from this point on. Don’t mistake me saying what I’m supposed to say in the media as another chance for you – you’re done. In fact I’m in preliminary talks with the people who erased the final four from Michigan’s record about doing the same with you. Let’s just say the talks are “very” encouraging. In light of the last Harry Potter book being released this weekend all our current players, coaches, and staff members will refer to you as he-who-must-not-be-named from now on. DO NOT come anywhere near the falcons facility. We’ve got pit bulls patrolling the area incase you do, and there are no pools or electrocuting devices in sight. It’s customary for owners to tell players they are cutting ties with that they appreciate the time and effort you gave during your time working for them. Seeing that the situation is as such though, I will not be doing so. You’re time in Atlanta has been a waste of my money and I will now have to deal with questions for at least the next two years due to your actions.

 Hoping you get life,

Arthur Blank
Owner of Atlanta Falcons
President of the give Vick life club

P.S. If I can find a way to sue you for these huge donations I’m having to make to the humane society – I will.

howdy

The beautiful thing about starting a blog with a friend, or by yourself, I suppose, is that you can write whatever and whenever you see fit.  No deadlines to meet.  No boss with an underlying agenda.  Nothing outside forcing you to get all I. M. Fletcher and write about off-track betting in the Himalayas.  (Although Fletch is one of my oldest heros.  Putting up with Frank for all those years would’ve driven me to Belle Isle, as well.  But I digress.)  My point is, I can just write.  And hopefully share some perspective and a part of myself with my readers.  Assuming I have readers.

As is noted in the “About the Authors” segment of this site, I am the starting center for the Corpus Christi Hammerheads of the Intense Football League.  The IFL is an eight team, indoor football league, with six of said teams located in the great state of Texas, one in Lake Charles, LA., and one in (are you ready for this?) Anchorage, AK. 

Players in this league play the game of for the love of the game.  There is absolutely no rhetoric concerning contractual issues.  Everyone gets paid the same amount, although some owners treat their players better than others.  Be we aren’t talking millions of dollars and prima donnas.  Just a bunch of guys who love the game and are fortunate enough to be able to receive a check to play it. 

The IFL is on par with AF2, the minor league to the Arena Football League, which is a minor league to the National Football League.  A minor league’s minor league.  Very little fame or glory and even less financial reward for the beating that the rigors of a football season gives a body.  In fact, most players in the IFL, or similar leagues in football or any other sport, have a nine to five job.  And a family.  And an undying passion for the game. 

Don’t get me wrong.  This is not a an attempt to gain symapthy.  This is an expression of the gratitude I have for the opportunity to do, and see, things that so few ever get the chance to experience. 

Professional athletes who toil in the minor leagues are just, in my humble estimation, over-grown kids who haven’t let go of their dreams.  And I am proud to be exactly that.

For as long as I can remeber, I have wanted to play professional football.  Granted, as a child and through the expiration of my college eligibility, the goal was to do so on the largest of stages and for the riches that are granted to the major league athlete.  But, in truth, no one that I know of starts playing the game for fame or money.  We play for our own esteem.  Just as an artist expresses one’s self through pen and ink (or sculpture, paint brush, etc.), an athlete expresses themself through the game they love.  Not for the the approval of someone on the outside, but in order to fully live for themself. 

We travel in crowded charter buses.  For hours upon hours.  We stay at the Howard Johnson rather than the Four Seasons.  We eat at fast food, not four star cuisine.  Pretty glamorous.  But the reward, as I earlier alluded, isn’t in fame or fortune, but rather life long, and sometimes life altering experiences. 

In a league such as the IFL, each season teams fold, or move to other leagues and another franchise is brought in to fill the void.  Fortunately for me, IFL founder and owner Chad Dittman had the foresight to bring in a team from Anchorage, AK., to replace another team from yet another small Texas town.  And now, every player in the league was able to experience another area of this great country.  And another way of life.  Some of us players were smart enough, and had the resources, to take advantage of the opportunity.

 Last week I traveled to Anchorage with the Hammerheads to take on the Alaska Wild.  For some on the team, it was the first time on a plane.  For others it was the first time outside of Texas.   For most of us, it was the first time traveling to a beautiful state with a rich history and culture that, in all likelihood, we would never have had the pleasure of experiencing. 

Life, you see, isn’t about all that the television and movie screens to which we as Americans seem so obliviously glued.  The MTV generation of instant gratification, self-deprication, greed and lust has steered us, as a society, into a world where few live to be themself, and love themself, but, rather, to seek admiration and jealousy from someone else.  What fools we are. 

As I sat here in front of this keyboard, I realized that I do play this game for the riches.  Just not financial riches.  But my life has been enriched.  My soul has been touched. 

I just hope that I can do the same for yours. 

What Are You Thinking, George?

Ah, boxing.  The Sweet Science.  The most popular sport of yesteryear has slowly faded into oblivion due, in large part, to corruption from within, unspeakable mismanagement and the rise of mixed martial arts.  And if I had my way, so would one of the sport’s oldest and most recognizible stars, George Foreman.

Foreman, from Marshall, Texas, had a troubled youth filled with a string of run-ins with the law, primarily for picking fights with his co-workers in the job corps.  Eventually, Foreman used his penchant for fighting as a means to better himself.

For years ”Big George” was at the top of the boxing world.  From 1968, when he, at age 19, won the Gold Medal in the heavyweight division of the Mexico City Olympic Games, until his last professional boxing match in 1997 against Shannon Briggs, Foreman reamained a boxing icon, both feared and revered throughout the boxing landscape.

In 1969 Foreman turned professional and quickly climbed the up the ranks of the boxing ladder.  An animal in the ring, Foreman was and, in my opinion, remains the hardest puncher to ever step into the ring. But he rarely got the credit he deserved for his foot-work and his ability to cut-off the ring, minimizing his smaller and quicker opponents (most of which were just that) to dance and tire out the bruising heavyweight. 

After running his record to an incredible 37-0, Foreman finally got his first shot at the heavyweight championship of the world when, on Jan. 2, 1973, he took on Joe Frazier.  Foreman brutally dismantled the champ, winning the match with a second round TKO, and cementing his legacy by stripping Frazier of the WBC and WBA crown’s. 

After a few exhibition matches in Las Vegas, NV, Foreman defended his belts in alarming fashion, disposing of Jose “King” Roman and former heavyweight champ Ken Norton with knockouts in the first and second rounds, respectively.  The win over Norton, who was known to instill fear in many men himself, set Foreman up for his biggest match to date, against another former champ, Muhammad Ali.

Just about every commentator and sports writer in the world figured that the bruising style and devestating punching power that Foreman demonstrated throughout his career would be too much for Ali to handle.  Ali, after all, lost his crown to Frazier, whom George brushed aside with a great deal of ease. 

On October 30, 1974, Ali and Foreman fought for heavyweight championship of the world in Zaire (now known as Congo), in what came to be known as ”The Rumble in the Jungle.”  It was in this fight that Ali made popular, though seldom duplicated (or even attempted),  the “Rope-a-dope” defense. 

After taking a beating for a few rounds, Ali realized that he had little chance of standing toe-to-toe with Foreman and, due to Foreman’s terrific footwork, Ali’s dancing proved ineffective.  So, as a last defense, Ali “chose” to lean against the ropes and let the champ throw haymaker after haymaker in an attempt to tire Foreman out. 

Ali’s last line of defense was, miraculously, a success and after seven rounds of beating on the smaller Ali, Foreman simply ran out of gas and Ali did what the world deemed impossible in the eighth round.  He knocked Foreman out. 

From ringside, it has been reported, you could hear Ali asking, “Is that it, George?  Is that all you’ve got?”

And Foreman has gone on record saying that he recalls thinking to himself, “Yep.  That’s about it.”

A great champion was simply beaten by a better fighter on that night and George never looked for excuses, always taking the high road and displaying a class and dignity in defeat that is rarely seen in today’s age.

Following a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman retired from boxing, but we hadn’t heard the last of Big George. 

In 1987 Foreman came out of retirement and, once again, worked his way up the heavyweight ranks.  Foreman got his first shot at taking back the title he last held in 1974 when he squared off against Evander Holyfield in April of 1991, at the ripe old age of 42.  Foreman lost on points. 

Foreman, now a marketable gentle giant, made a fortune endorsing the George Foreman Grill but continued to fight, getting a shot at the vacant WBO Title against a young power puncher named Tommy Morrison in 1993.  Once again, though, Foreman fell short when the bout went to the scorecards. 

Finally, on November 4, 1994, Foreman regained the crown as heavyweight champion of the world with a tenth round knockout of Michael Moorer, just weeks before Foreman’s 46th birthday.

Foreman was, for years and years, someone for whom I had the the utmost respect.  A man who came from nothing and became a champion, an inspiration, and a role model.  Someone we could all embrace as an American hero. 

But earlier this year, Big George released a memoir titled, “God in My Corner,” in which he claimed to have been drugged prior to his fight with Ali.  According to a ESPN.com, in his book Foreman told his trainer, “I know this water has medicine in it.  I climbed into that ring with that medicianl taste still lingering in my mouth.”

“After the third round,” Foreman continued, “I was tired as if I had fought 15 rounds.”

After years of defining grace and class, both in and out of the ring, and never flailing in search of a crutch or a helping hand, Big George Foreman sold himself and the sport fo boxing short.

So, why, after all these years did George Foreman, one of his sports’ transcendent stars and biggest ambassadors, tarnish his legacy with such a claim?  I guess Ol’ George wasn’t thinking at all.

Not Dead Yet

How quick we are to judge.  Just a few short weeks ago, every so-called expert and prognosticator had written off the New York Yankees and many were questioning the decision making of General Manager Brian Cashman and calling for the head of Manager Joe Torre.  But the return of Roger Clemens to the clubhouse and a rebirth of the Yankees potent lineup have acted as a proverbial defibrilator and, once again, brought the most storied franchise in the history of Major League Baseball back to life.

Now, on the heels of a six game winning streak, the Bronx Bombers find themselves hovering around .500 and sitting just 5.5 games out of the American League wildcard.  With a payroll approaching $200M this, certainly, is not where the Boss, George Steinbrenner, envisioned his team at this point in the season, but it appears as if the Yankees have finally turned the corner.  But, can they keep it up through the dog days of summer?

My answer is as simple as, “Yes.”  And here are a few reasons why.

The 2007 edition of the Yankees, much like the Yankees’ teams in recent history, possesses a lineup that is comparable to the great lineups in MLB history.  From top to bottom, there are very few holes in the Yankees offense.  Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada are, possibly, future Hall of Famers with nine World Series Championships and 23 all-star teams between them.  Not exactly a group that I would bet against.  And don’t forget about two time all-stars Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui, and upstarts Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano. 

A-Rod is having one of his finest seasons to date and appears to have finally exorcized the demons that plagued him in clutch situations for the majority of his otherwise stellar career.  Following a rocky start on opening day, A-Rod has put together the makings of an historic season.  As of Monday, June 11, Rodriguez is in the top 12 of eight major statistical categories and is in the top two in home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage, runs, total bases and on base plus slugging.  It looks as if he is on his way to his second MVP and he just might put the Yankees on his broad shoulders and carry them into yet another post-season.

The addition of Roger Clemens to a beat up, if not over-matched, pitching staff couldn’t have come at a better time for the Yankees.  Clemens, who has been spectacular since he came to the Major Leagues in 1984, despite his age, played a huge role in the Houston Astros consecutive trips to the NLCS in 2004-’05 and brings his knowledge, experience, and work ethic to a pitching staff that has been falling apart at the seams.

Clemens has made 84 starts the last three seasons with the Astros, winning 38 games despite very little run support from an anemic Houston offense.  Last season, Clemens started 19 games for Houston and, despite never lasting fewer than 5.1 innings and giving up more than three runs only twice, finished the season 7-6.  The Astros were 9-10 in games started by the Rocket.  Although his numbers, specifically his earned run average, will likely be inflated this year due to his relocation to the American League, with and explosive offense behind him, we could see 12 wins and another post-season berth for Clemens in 2007.

The Yankees schedule also seems to be in their favor as the hunt for a spot in the playoffs gathers steam.  The Yankees have 101 games remaining in the regular season and, of those, 62 are against teams that are currently below .500 and 53 of those games will be played in the confines of Yankees Stadium. 

The Yankees have eight games, four at home and four on the road, against current wild card leader Detroit and have six left against the division leading Red Sox, giving the Bombers plenty of opportunity to make yet another run at immortality.

Let’s not kick dirt on these Yankees just yet.  With A-Rod and Jeter captaining this ship, they might just Rocket themselves to another title.