Bleacher Report - Articles by Matt Holcomb

From One Bird To Another.....Eagles Land Vick

Matt Holcomb — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:09:43 -0400

Is Vick there to take snaps from McNabb? Absolutely not. Vick is an Eagle because he was the perfect fit. There are many reasons why the Eagles signed Michael Vick.

First off, Eagle ownership made the decision in that there was more upside picking up Vick vs. the down side "negative" publicity he brings. So what do the Eagles expect to do with Vick?

People forget that just 24 months ago, Vick was the best athlete on the field many times. Don’t expect anything less from a well-rested 30-year-old. He's still young in this medical advancement world we live in today.

Overtime, expect Vick to take on a Reggie Bush role for the Eagles. As an NFL quarterback, his transitional learning curve already has a head start. And yes...expect Vick to play QB.

Vick will serve as the back up QB to McNabb. With McNabb's history of injuries, Vick would serve the perfect replacement. But wait, there’s more.

Defensive coordinators will now have to prepare double duty...oh this week we got to prepare against McNabb...and Vick.

Eagles and Vick are the perfect fit. McNabb go get your super bowl, and Vick go redeem yourself the best way you can.

Love him or Hate him. He's back in the NFL.

-Matt Holcomb: Executive Producer

Spectator Sports LLC

Darren Sproles at UGA?...Meet Carlton Thomas

Matt Holcomb — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:12:10 -0400

San Diego Charger, Darren Sproles, meet your match. Carlton Thomas, UGA redshirt freshman running back, is fighting for the starting spot and is making some real noise in Athens, GA. So you might be asking...who is Carlton Thomas and why should the SEC care?

Thomas attended Frostproof High in the state of Florida. Thomas has striking similarities of Sproles. Those comparisons shouldn't be taken lightly.

Both are 5-foot-7, 185-190 pounds with tremendous track speed. What separates Sproles and Thomas from the average "track" guy is certain. They both can change direction faster than a morning water bug on Lake Oconee...a nearby lake in Athens.

Despite Thomas' small frame on a good day, he blew up the recruiting boards on a national scale. As a senior, Thomas accumulated nearly 2,400 yards on the ground and 25 touchdowns: Thomas also lettered four years in track and three years in basketball.

ESPN ranked Thomas as the No. 8 running back in the nation.

As a redshirt, Thomas was the running back for the scout team. Thomas turned heads by blowing up and making big time plays with a less than great scout team line.

In a recent article by Dale Hale at dawgpost.com, Caleb King, whom is competing against Thomas, was quoted as saying ..."I’m going to tell you, watch out for Carlton,” King said. “Carlton Thomas is going to be something special"

Carlton Thomas will make an impact for UGA in the fall. The question is..."Will he ever start in the 2009 season?...In my opinion, yes...in due time.

The majority of people believe he will be a great "change of pace" back, and what NFL player reminds us of this theory?...you guessed it... Darren Sproles. However, many fans believe Sproles should play the same amount as L.T. ... if not more.

As I say..."College Football World...don't be blind sided!" by Carlton Thomas.

Masters Champion at Age 19...Who Is Danny Lee?

Matt Holcomb — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:21:30 -0400

Along with the Masters tournament this week, Tiger Woods has the golf world standing still. Tiger’s win at Bay Hill makes him the obvious favorite to win the Green Jacket this year. However, Danny Lee, a 19-year-old from New Zealand, is looking to make history and accomplish something Tiger wasn’t able to do...again.

If Danny Lee wins the Masters, he would be the youngest Masters Champion. Currently, Tiger Woods holds the record from his 1997 Green Jacket at age 21.

Why the buzz over Danny Lee?

Danny Lee has already accomplished something Tiger Woods wasn’t able to do. Lee became the youngest US Amateur at age 18 years and one month, beating Woods' record by six months and 29 days.

In a tune-up match in Alpharetta, GA last week, Lee won the Georgia Classic by beating British amateur Reiner Saxon on March 31, 2009.

Danny Lee’s outcome of the 73rd Masters will immediately be challenged. The young sensation will be paired with defending Masters Champion Trevor Immelman and a capable Australian in Adam Scott.

Can history be made? Can Danny Lee beat Tiger Woods' record? If I’m being rational...probably not. However, if the teenager cracks the top five going into Saturday, one can be assured that millions will be watching in hopes of witnessing history.

Matthew Stafford Is Gone, Why UGA isn't Worried?

Matt Holcomb — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:51:18 -0400

April 6th, 2009

Bobby Cox has been a household name in Georgia since 1991, when he managed the Atlanta Braves from worst to first in the National League; he went on to win a record fourteen consecutive division titles, thereafter. While Bobby Cox and the Braves are World Series contenders again, another Cox has Georgians intrigued through his ability to blind side the college football scene this fall.

With Matthew Stafford's early departure to the NFL, many SEC "experts" think UGA will suffer at the QB position in '09. However, the "experts" couldn't be further from the truth. Joe Cox, a fifth year senior, has solid experience with proven ability to win.

Along with learning from Coach Mark Richt and Mike Bobo for the past four seasons, Joe Cox has backed up and competed against some of UGA's all time best quarterbacks: DJ Shockley and Matthew Stafford.

In fact, Joe Cox actually saved a struggling Matthew Stafford against Colorado a few seasons back. Cox led the game winning drive by throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The surprise was how easily Cox made it look compared to the future overall No.1 pick Matthew Stafford.

Cox's ability to win wasn't a surprise to all, as his leadership and physical ability has never been questioned.

Joe Cox was a stand out QB in Charlotte, North Carolina for Independence High School. In Cox's senior year, he threw a North Carolina record 66 touchdown passes (4.4 TDs avg. per game) while taking his team to its fifth consecutive state title: he was 31-0 as the starter.

Joe Cox had scholarship offers from many NCAA Division 1 teams, including in state UNC, NC State, and Wake Forest. Cox followed his heart, along with coach Mark Richt and Mike Bobo, and became a Bulldog. Why Cox didn't transfer says a lot about his loyalty to the Bulldogs and coaches. It states even more about his character as a person.

Watch out college football world. Don't be blind-sided by Joe Cox.

When Egos Collide...What Really Went Wrong in Denver

Matt Holcomb — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:51:07 -0400

Jay Cutler/Josh McDaniels...classic example of when two egos clash.

-Apr. 4, 2009

What have we learned here that we didn't already know? This is a classic example of when two egos clash against one another. Whether it was when we were growing up or what we see in the work place today, egos clashing can cause more negative than positive outcomes.

Both Cutler's and McDaniel’s egos, although different in temperament, proved to be the perfect storm for Cutler's trade.

First off Jay Cutler needs to grow up and join the rest of society. The NFL is a business just like any other business.

McDaniel’s was offered his first head coach position in his career, and he simply wanted to explore the option of Cassel because of his "proven" ability to run "his" system. McDaniel’s wasn't out to get Cutler personally as much as he was trying to save his own ass.

McDaniel’s simply wanted to explore the option of speeding up the learning curve, regarding the Broncos offense.

As soon as the QB position understands the offense he is running, the quicker every other position can learn. Hence, Cassel would speed up that learning curve, as he already knows the play calling and tendencies that make the offense run.

Now...obviously Jay Cutler probably knew this logically, but Cutler's feelings were hurt "publicly." McDaniel’s should have publicly expressed the logic in the above paragraph, along with it truly having nothing to do with Cutler's ability as it did to speed up the learning curve.

However, McDaniel’s ego kept him from doing so. Cutler needed this confirmation from McDaniel’s "publicly" but McDaniel’s didn't deliver.

McDaniel’s apology had an egotistical tone that oozed with this "I've done everything I can to resolve this situation with Cutler"...

McDaniel’s learned a hard lesson. He learned that when given control; don’t abuse power solely just to exercise it. Think about the outcomes of your decisions.

Obviously in McDaniel’s first moments of power and control, he has put added pressure on himself than if he would have just kept his mouth shut.

If the Broncos suffer from poor QB play, McDaniel’s is to blame. If Cutler stayed a Bronco and suffered in the system, McDaniel’s wouldn't be the blame as much as the new system regarding the learning curve.

Final Thoughts:

"Egos cause more negative outcomes than positive outcomes. Sometimes having humility and being genuine is what warrants respect from others "