Bleacher Report - Articles by Bob

My Town Rocks: Omaha, Nebraska

Bob — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:26:38 -0400

Omaha, NE...somewhere in the middle of America.

Every year for the past 50 plus years, Omaha has played host to the biggest event in College Baseball, the College World Series.

Omaha's Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium picked up the series in 1955 when it was a "forgotten" event that no city really wanted.

Omaha has now turned the series into one of the most sought after events in College sports.

The College World Series will be getting a new home in the next few years but the tradition should stay much the same.

Half the attendance for the series will come from the city's population itself and the event will bring in a whopping $50 million plus in the two weeks the series takes place.

Omaha also plays host to the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks who play Division II sports minus the fact they have a Division I hockey program that plays at the Qwest Center Omaha.

In the next couple of weeks, Omaha will play host to the Team USA Olympic Swim Trials. The Trials will feature such names at Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, and even a 15-year-old named Elizabeth Beisel.

Omaha also is the home of the Creighton Blue jays, a Division I athletic team which features a often stellar basketball team which makes the NCAA tournament nearly every season.

Omaha played host to the NCAA Division I volleyball championships two years ago and is set to host them again next season. Omaha, for the first time in a couple of decades, also hosted two rounds of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament at Qwest Center Omaha.

The city plays host to an arena football team, the Omaha Beef. Formerly hosting a minor league hockey team, the Omaha Knights, before their removal due to poor attendance this past year.

When the College World Series is not going on at Rosenblatt Stadium it plays host to the Omaha Royals. The Royals are a AAA farm club for the Kansas City Royals organization.

As you can see, when it comes to sporting events, my city rocks.

This Might Be Bold, But... Jim Rome Ruins Sports

Bob — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:08:59 -0400

Jim Rome is burning... but who honestly cares?

I honestly would rather listen to Woody Paige ramble incoherent thoughts on Pardon The Interruption (PTI) then listen to one word that Rome spits on his pathetic attempt for a TV show.

Now would be a good time for any Rome fans to refrain from reading the rest of this column.

Rome gets paid hundreds of thousands to millions to rant on a Monday-Friday broadcast on a mainstream TV station, ESPN.

Why are they wasting their money?

He uses the show to rip sports stars and other public figures that he has a personal vendetta against.

He is like the National Enquirer for sports fans, only worse.

Today flipping through my channels on my TV I fell upon ESPN during a commercial and being the sports fan that I am, was curious to see what Rome would bring to today's program.

He used his "Final Burn" segment, a five minute ending to the show, to explain his personal biff with former NBA star, Alonzo Mourning.

Mourning had an unpaid debt to a hotel/casino in Las Vegas of $50,000 for use of a conference room during the NBA All Star break this past season.

When he started comparing Mourning who has not caused much commotion in the sports scene in recent years to stars like the football player formerly known as Pacman Jones and Charles Barkley, I knew something was fishy.

He then went on to explain that the reason why he was personally mad at Mourning for the debt was that when he asked Mourning to come on his show he was not interested in speaking about his NBA career or the NBA in general, but his charity organization.

This man is now picking on people because they raise money and support people with needs?

Rome is capable of starting his own charitable organization with his large mainstream name and good chunk of change he carries in his pocket but I do not see him doing it.

Instead he would rather whine about people wanting to promote charitable organizations and rip them on their shows for even thinking about it.

In 1997, Rome offered $3,000 to any hockey player who would knock a 69-year old player named Gordie Howe who was going to play one more final shift out of the game, saying knock him out of the game forever "putting this old fool back into reality."

It didn't end there with ridiculous stuff that Rome has had in his career or lack-there of as a sportscaster and media personality. He repeatedly called Jim Everett of the former Los Angeles Rams "Chris" after the female tennis player Chris Everett.

Everett was brought onto Jim's current show Talk2 on ESPN 2 where Rome repeatably offended his guest by calling him "Chris" over and over again knowing that Everett took offense.

Everett then threatened Rome that if he did call him "Chris" again that the show better go to a commercial break right thereafter which Rome argued and said the segment of his show was five minutes and that was as long as it was going to be.

Rome then finished his sentence with "Chris" towards Everett.

Everett then in turn threw the table between them over and shoved Rome down the edge of the stage while on live television.

Rome's behavior can be seen here.

This man here sums up how I feel about Jim Rome.

Nebraska Football: Q&A Session with BleacherReport.com's Ricky Hawkins

Bob — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:16:46 -0400

Hawkins: The Huskers open the season with a non-conference schedule that is no walk in the park. They play Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State, and Virginia Tech. Do any of these games potentially scare you?

Higgins: To be honest, I feel the team is in better hands than they were the last few years, but it will take a little bit of time for Bo Pelini to turn the defense all the way around. Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State should all be wins for the Huskers.

Virginia Tech will be an interesting game. To make an honest prediction I would say that Virginia Tech does take this game, but not by too much. I have heard some sportscasters predicting the Huskers at 4-8 and stupid records like that, but overall I think they will finish 9-3 or 10-2 in the regular season in Pelini's first year.

Hawkins: All things considered, it appears as if the Huskers have a pretty fortunate conference schedule this year: they avoid playing both Texas and Texas A&M. How do you think this will affect the Big 12 title race?

Higgins: I would say that for the most part their conference schedule will not be as much as a walk in the park as you stated. They avoid playing Texas and Texas A&M, but they play one of their all-time rivals, Oklahoma. Granted, Oklahoma and Nebraska's rivalry has fallen apart over the past decade since they both decided to not play each other every single year.

Oklahoma is still almost always a contender in college football and they look to have a solid team this coming season. Kansas and Missouri were both major contenders in college football last year and seem to be a great couple of games for the Huskers. Fortunate conference schedule? I would say no.

Hawkins: Nebraska's 2008 recruiting class is ranked eighth in the Big 12 according to Rivals.com. Are you disappointed in this class or do you think they are underrated?

Higgins: I am not disappointed about the recruiting class at all. It is the staff's first year of recruiting for the Huskers, and a lot of players this year were hesitant because they didn't know how this staff would change the Huskers of last year, who looked terrible.

I have always said that the ranking and the stars of players coming into a school means nothing in the long run. It is whether or not the coaches can coach these players to be stars and work as a team.

Boise State is living proof of teaching kids how to be stars and work as a team—who would have thought that they would make a bowl game? A lot of them were two or three-star recruits coming in.

Callahan had one of the best recruiting classes nearly every year he was here, but he proved to not be capable of teaching these players to be even better or even to work as a team. So I would say that I am not disappointed with the recruiting class itself.

Honestly, I am not a Rivals.com guy either. I am a Scout.com guy!

Hawkins: Which recruits excite you and have the potential to play early?

Higgins: Two names excite me the most out of this class. Will Compton (MLB) and Baker Steinkuhler (OG) both stand a reasonable chance of getting on the field next year for the Cornhuskers. I would say Steinkuhler is definitely going to get a good chunk of playing time next year.

Hawkins: The Missouri Tigers have not come into Lincoln and won a game in the last 30 years. Do you think that trend is going to change this year?

Higgins: Anything is possible. The Tigers laid a beating on us last year, but I think this coming year's team will be in better shape than last year's team. I think that it will be a close game in Lincoln instead of a blowout like last year.

Hawkins: At year's end, do you believe the Huskers will win the Big 12 North?

Higgins: Again, anything is possible. The Cornhuskers didn't even make a bowl game last year, but they had won the Big XII North the year before. It really all depends on three things: how Pelini changes the Huskers next year, if Missouri can keep up their team, and if Kansas can keep up their team.

Hawkins: After putting together a 1,743-yard season together last year, Marlon Lucky should be one of the most exciting players in the country next year. How realistic is it to talk about Lucky as a legitimate Heisman candidate?

Higgins: Lucky is a legitimate Heisman candidate if his team helps him out. He needs good blocks and a good offensive line. He really got neither of those things last season, but I think he might even have a better season than last. Do I think he will win the Heisman? Probably not. But he at least deserves contender status.

Hawkins: Quarterback Joe Ganz looked good at the end of last season and in the spring game. Considering his lack of snaps in his career, do you think his success will continue this season?

Higgins: Ganz will continue to be a good quarterback. His "lack" of snaps will have nothing to do with his success this year. Will he have a good offensive line to protect him? Will he have receivers to continue to be successful throughout the year? He loses a good chunk of his receivers from last year. Maurice Purify, Dan Erickson, Frantz Hardy, and Terrence Nunn are all gone from last year's fleet.

The Best Pitchers of the Early Days of Baseball

Bob — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:20:13 -0500

5. Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander (1911-1929)

In his 1911 debut, Alexander led the league in wins (28), complete games (31), innings pitched (367), and shutouts (7). He also was second in strikeouts and fourth in earned run average.

Not bad for a rookie season.

He played for Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs, and the St. Louis Cardinals throughout his career.

He won the National League pitcher's Triple Crown four times throughout his career.

He finished his career with a 373-208 career record, a 2.56 career earned run average, and 2,198 career strikeouts.

4. Christopher "Christy" Mathewson (1901-1915)

Mathewson also played in the dead ball era where low scoring characterized the games. The game overall was more strategy-driven with stolen bases and hit-and-run type plays dominated the league.

Mathewson finished his career with a 373-188 record, a earned run average of 2.13, 79 career shutouts, and 2502 career strikeouts.

He is credited with the development and creation of the screwball, which he actually called the "fadeaway".

He threw 2 career no-hitters.

He also won at least 20 games 13 times throughout his career including 4 seasons where he won at least 30 games.

His brother also played on the Giants with him; they hold the most career wins held by a brother duo. He won 373 games, his brother won 0.

He finished his career a five-time earned run average champion and a five-time strikeout champion of the National League.

3. Walter Johnson (1907-1927)

Johnson throughout his storied career was known most for his fastball.

Ty Cobb once said, "...The first time I faced him, I watched him take that easy windup. And then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn't touch him... every one of us knew we'd met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park."

He had a career record of 417-279, an earned run average of 2.17, and 3509 strikeouts.

His record 3509 strikeouts lasted for than 55 years before three men broke it in 1983.

His huge strikeout total was due mostly to his furious fastball.

He is second only to Cy Young in career wins still today.

2. Denton True "Cy" Young (1890-1911)

Cy Young retired with 511 career wins. His name is almost as synonymous with baseball as Ruth's and each league's best pitcher is given a trophy at the end of the year in honor of him.

Young pitched the very first perfect game in baseball's "modern" era, pitched three no hitters in his career, and threw 76 career shutouts.

Young won at least 30 games in a season five times, also winning at least 20 games in 15 of his 22 seasons.

Young's only downfall was the loss column.

Though he won the most games in the history of baseball he also lost the most games in the history of baseball.

A whopping 316 losses were recorded in Young's career before he retired from the game in 1911.

Young had a career earned run average of 2.63 and also 2798 career strikeouts.

1. George "Babe" Herman Ruth, Jr. (1914-1935)

Ruth definitely deserves the No. 1 spot in my top five list. No other man has changed baseball so much.

Ruth's nicknames included "Babe", "The Great Bambino", "The Sultan of Swat", and more.

He might not have been a pitcher his entire career but who can argue with a double threat who can throw a shutout and hit several homeruns in one game?

Babe Ruth has many honors under his name; he was years above his competition. Ruth was named the Greatest Player Ever in 1969. According to ESPN, he was the first true American sports celebrity.

How can you argue with people giving you that kind of credit?

As a pitcher, he once pitched 13 scoreless innings in the World Series, a record that still stands. Over his years as a pitcher he finished with an 89-46 record. He pitched 29 2/3 scoreless World Series innings.

He actually only moved from pitcher to first base and outfielder to help his team on a day to day basis with the hitting side of the game.

Ruth consistently led or was in the top ten in batting average, slugging percentage, runs, total bases, home runs, RBIs, and walks.

He also held the career home run record of 714 until it was broke by Henry (Hank) Aaron in 1974.

Like my writing style? Have a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com Thanks!

Check out my daily sports blog here.

NBA Dunk Contests: Creativity, Massive Dunks Galore

Bob — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:09:46 -0500

Over the past couple of years I have been extremely disappointed with the creativity and skill I have seen in the NBA dunk contests.

This year was not the same at all.

Though Rudy Gay could have picked any dunk from his YouTube! contest to perform at the dunk contest, he picked something that lacked the creativity and skill that Dwight Howard and others showed us all night.

Dwight Howard owned one of the most creative dunk contests of all time last night.

He bounced the ball off the back of backboard and brought it around right to left to slam it down. The dunk scored perfect 50s from the judges—he gets a 51 from me for the difficulty of that one.

Gerald Green of the Minnesota Timberwolves blowing out a candle on a cupcake while slamming one down? You can't really beat that kind of creativity.

Then we witnessed quite possibly one of the most ridiculous outfits for a dunk—the Superman.

Dwight Howard gave everything he had to become the champion of 2008. He ran up to near the free throw line and jumped as a teammate fed him the in the air. He did not even dunk it; Howard ferociously threw the ball in from about three feet off the rim.

This was the first year that the fans were able to vote in the contest, responsible for the final round scores.

After things were all said and done, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic took home the crown.

Like my writing style? Have a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com Thanks!

I also have a daily sports blog that you can read here.

Roger Clemens: Doesn't Congress Have Better Things To Do?

Bob — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:48:03 -0500

Roger Clemens— a household name in Major League Baseball.

But honestly, who cares if he was using steroids or human growth hormone back when almost every MLB player admits to using it?

It was not illegal in baseball or the United States at the time.

So who really cares?

Sure he might have tainted statistics because he used it and they might want to put an asterisk next to his name on whatever records he holds.

But are they going to put an asterisk next to Barry Bonds? Sammy Sosa? Rafael Palmiero?

The answer, simply put, is no.

So why is Congress wasting their time on if a guy used steroids ten years ago?

Why do they care?

Because baseball has become more known for scandal in recent years; it is not the same wholesome sport that I used to really enjoy as a kid.

Instead, a dude hits 50 homeruns in a season and he is already having rumors spread that he is on "the juice."

Everyone knows steroids are bad for you, including those who use them. They use them to gain an edge on the competition. So, ten years ago when everyone was using steroids and HGH they really weren't gaining an advantage on the other players.

So who cares?

Everyone was a little bit buffer a little bit faster.

Congress has other issues they should be focusing on like the struggling economy and the war in Iraq and getting our boys and girls home.

We don't need Congressional committees to tell us that people used steroids ten years ago, we already know that.

It is just one of those unfortunate truths of baseball that Commissioner Bud Selig let the steroids and HGH scandal go too far. Now Congress thinks they need to waste time on it.

Like my writing style? Have a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

College Football Recruiting: Fans Hit Recruits' MySpaces, Facebooks

Bob — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:35:57 -0500

College football recruiting—a time-honored tradition that all football fans follow beginning about the end of the regular season.

Now fans are trying to persuade certain football players to join their respective favorite team's squad through social-networking websites like MySpace and Facebook.

Now, this tradition has not been hand and hand with recruiting for very long.

The first that I have ever heard of it was Will Compton, a LB commitment for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Fans swamped both his MySpace and Facebook leaving comments and wall posts galore.

Nearly every wall post on Compton's Facebook has been from a fan wanting Compton to come to their school or a Husker fan congratulating him on his commitment to the University of Nebraska.

From the recruit’s perspective, this might be almost an invasion of space and privacy, maybe even sometimes down right annoying.

"I get a lot of messages from fans, and I just try not to pay attention to them all, because everyone is so biased and just wants me to play for their school," Compton has said. "Everyone just tells you what they think you want to hear, but nobody really knows your situation.

Will social networking be a new way to land recruits for your respective university, or will you annoy them unto no end where they decide not to attend your university?

The latter is unlikely, but only time will tell.

For now, social-networking has become a way for fans to promote their squad and maybe even help the coaches out a little bit in their quest to land the top recruit.

Like my writing style? Have a bone to pick? Drop me an e-mail at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Super Bowl: So Uninteresting I'd rather Have a Super Bowl of Cherrios....

Bob — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:23:24 -0500

The Super Bowl.

The biggest football game of the year or the biggest blowout of the year?

I know I will drive Giants fans crazy by saying this, but you do not even stand a chance.

I could name five games this year that have been bigger than the game that is supposed to come. (But I won't since that would be a waste of my time)

The Patriots, 18-0, take on a sub par Giants team that has squeaked their way by every playoff opponent thus far.

Sure, you might have beat the Green Bay Packers, a team that was predicted to be .500 on the season.

Sure, you might have snuck by the Dallas Cowboys.

But are you serious, the Patriots?

Now I am not a Patriots fan in any means of the imagination. I would rather see the Giants win any day. But the problem is, it just will not happen this year.

The Patriots are going to go 19-0 on the season and do something that no one ever has before. It is inevitable.

The news recently reported that a man by the name of Marc had spent $40,000 for four tickets to the Super Bowl.

Granted, this was a whole package deal which came complete with pre-game and post-game parties. But are you serious? $40,000? To take your son to a stupid football game?

The game this year will be so uninteresting (unless Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss all break both their legs in the first quarter) that I might only watch for the ads, a trait of people watching the Super Bowl that I hate.

Why watch a game for the advertisements? Sure, they are funny, but you can go on and on about how you hate the game and it is too violent and then you go right into watching the game, for the ads!

I wish I could be more interested in this year's game, but I don't think it is physically possible.

Not even the 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week pump-up crap that ESPN has aired since the conference championships is getting me even remotely interested in the game.

Sorry Giants fans, I wish your team could pull it off, but they simply can not this season.

Like my writing style? Have a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Tom Brady: Classy Move Defending Romo's Weekend Trip

Bob — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:43:25 -0500

In his weekly Boston-based radio station interview, Brady showed an exuberant amount of class towards his Dallas buddy Tony Romo.

When asked how he felt about Romo leaving for Mexico with his girlfriend Jessica Simpson, he replied saying that it was just an weekend. Football players are allowed to do what they want to relax on the weekends.

"Everybody has lives," Brady said. "We work seven months, eight months out of the year. You still have a life to live. On the weekends you do whatever you do to relax and rejuvenate. It's not like they can go to the local eatery in Dallas and hang out."

He does make a valid point.

Do you really think that Romo can take Simpson around Dallas without starting a giant commotion? Especially after being criticized for her distracting him when playing several teams late in the season.

I think Romo made a good choice to take off to Mexico even if it meant being criticized. It was his weekend to do what he wanted with it.

Say you have a big presentation for a huge sale next Saturday. You fly to California for a few days and take a long weekend. Is your boss going to criticize you for that? Even if you have the days off from work? No.

Then why criticize Romo?

Romo has proved his worth to the Dallas Cowboys, he has really turned the team around this season.

He is a clutch player and he can make the big plays when they are needed.

So why follow him and criticize him about every move he makes with his girlfriend, Dallas?

Is the man allowed to have an off game or two? How about a day off?

As for Brady, that was an awesome answer to a question that might have had this writer writing a completely different story. Way to back up Romo. My hat is off to you!

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers Needs to Shut His Mouth

Bob — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:41:32 -0500

Chargers QB Philip Rivers has a bad attitude, that is for sure.

Watching the San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts gave me bad memories of how Terrell Owens used to act on a regular basis.

A cocky, bad sport.

Rivers when walking off the field for his injury was jawing at Colts fans, giving them a piece of his mind because his team was on top and he could.

Something the Owens of old would do.

Rivers then repeated the act after watching his defense stop Peyton Manning from converting on fourth down with 38 seconds remaining the game.

He constantly jawed. I have no clue what he said, but he definitely was not asking Colts fans how their new job was going.

Has he not won enough games to not have to be so arrogant? He is in the playoffs.

I do not know but if I were a Chargers fan I would want my quarterback being more interested in what is going on during the game rather than what fans have to say.

Unfortunately Rivers seems to be coming out as the new OLD Terrell Owens of the NFL.

Someone needs to get their quarterback under control before he starts getting himself in trouble on and off the field.

Maybe Rivers needs a reality check?

I personally have not seen the great quarterbacks of the league ever talking trash to their own teammates on a regular basis, let alone opposing fans.

Rivers, you are not going to make it far in this league being a cocky and arrogant. No one is going to want to put up with you.

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

Packers-Seahawks: Green Bay Cruises After Two Early Fumbles

Bob — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:17:04 -0500

Seattle Seahawks 14, Green Bay Packers 0.

That is what the scoreboard at Lambeau Field read after just 4 minutes and 1 second into the first quarter of the game.

This was almost entirely due to the fact that Ryan Grant, the Green Bay Packers running back, fumbled twice in his first three touches.

The first fumble left the Seahawks on the 1 yard line. Just a simple punch in by Sean Alexander lead to their first 7 points on the board.

Then Ryan Grant got his second chance. Another fumble, leaving the Seahawks on the 49 yard line. A 6-play drive ending in a Matt Hasselbeck to Bobby Engram connection for 11 yards and a touchdown.

That is where the Seahawks apparently left the field, or maybe it was where Ryan Grant showed up to play?

Ryan Grant redeemed himself most certainly from his early game miscues. He finished his first playoff game as a Packer with 201 yards on 27 carries and even 3 touchdowns. Impressive to say the least.

Brett Favre finished the game 18 for 23 with 173 yards and 3 touchdowns. His favorite receiver throughout the game was Greg Jennings.

Jennings finished the game with 6 receptions for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Atari Bigby had a huge game on defense for the Packers. He literally was all over the field throughout the game making big plays on defense whenever the Packer's needed him, finishing the game with 7 tackles. Pretty good for a 2nd year veteran out of Central Florida playing in his first NFL playoff game.

This Packer's team might be young, but they are good.

On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks were definitely lopsided towards the passing game. Though, not even Hasselbeck's passing game could help them get out of this game.

The Seahawks only scored twice after the first 4 minutes and 1 second of the game. 2 field goals by Josh Brown. One in the second quarter and one in the third quarter.

Hasselbeck finished the game 19 for 33 for 194 yards and 1 touchdown. He favored two receivers nearly evenly throughout the game, Bobby Engram and Ben Obomanu.

Engram finished the game with 6 receptions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown. Obomanu finished the game with 4 receptions for 63 yards and 0 touchdowns.

The Seahawks rushing game was at most nonexistent throughout. The Packer's shutdown rushing attempts time after time.

Alexander, the Seahawks leading rusher, finished the game with 9 carries for 20 yards and 1 touchdown.

Favre and Grant left with about 5 minutes left in the final quarter of this contest graciously as Favre saluted the fans just as he always does. This made way for the rookie running back out of Nebraska to get a few carries, Brandon Jackson.

Jackson had several tackles on special teams, roughed the kicker leading the Seahawks to a field goal in the 2nd quarter, rushed for 34 yards on 8 carries, and caught a touchdown pass in his first ever NFL playoff game.

After completing their victory over the Seahawks, the Packers will move on to play the winner of the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on January 20th at 5:30pm for the NFC Championship and a shot at a Super Bowl appearance.

Team Statistics

1st Downs	15	25
Total Yards	200	408
Passing	172	173
Rushing	28	235
Penalties	4-28	5-47
3rd Down Conversions	3-11	7-10
4th Down Conversions	0-1	0-0
Turnovers	1	2
Possession	26:00	34:00

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

Marlon Lucky: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Bob — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:44:09 -0500

It's the question nearly every high-level skill player asks himself during his junior year in college:

Should I stay in college, finish my education, and hone my skills so that I can be an effective NFL player?

Or should I declare for the draft, possibly get picked, and make lots of money?

This question, I'm sure, has been running through the head of Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky for the past few months.

But there's a twist in the plot.

Lucky's coach for last three years, a man he's become great friends with, might just be entering the NFL as an offensive coordinator after being fired by the Cornhuskers.

Bill Callahan has met with two NFL teams—the New York Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Callahan is no stranger to the NFL, having been the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and 2003.

Wherever Callahan gets a job, if he gets a job, it will most likely have some influence on whether Lucky decides to declare for the draft.

Another twist, albeit minor, involves new Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini, the former LSU defensive coordinator.

Pelini and his new staff have already said that every player must earn his spot in the new lineup. (Will Lucky have what it takes? I think so.)

In any event, Lucky must make his decision by next Tuesday.

If he doesn't declare, he finishes his degree, becomes a better football player and a better person, and stands a better chance of being successful in the NFL.

If he does declare, he puts his football career on the line, passing up his final year of education for the "dream" and a little bit of spending cash.

I might be biased, and the decision is Lucky's—but if I were in his shoes, I'd stick around for one more season.

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

Kelly Tilghman: Golf Channel Follows Up "Lynch" Tiger Woods Comment with Suspension

Bob — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:05:03 -0500

Kelly Tilghman, a Golf Channel anchor, said on a broadcast last week that the younger golfers on the PGA Tour should "lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley."

On Wednesday, The Golf Channel reacted, suspending Tilghman for two weeks.

I believe in the long run they will regret their lenience.

"There is simply no place on our network for offensive language like this," Golf Channel said in a statement.

Well, is there room for the broadcaster who used the offensive language on your network?

Sure, in The Golf Channel's eyes.

Did you even suspend Tilghman those two weeks without pay? So, basically, you are giving her a paid vacation for making a racist comment?

Man I wish getting a paid two week vacation at a day-to-day office job was that easy.

Tiger Woods may think that there were no ill intent in her use of words.

I really believe that he just wanted to keep his name out of the story, he didn't want to get involved in a two person fight instead of one person making one comment about another.

The Reverend Al Sharpton and I have other thoughts on the situation.

The Rev demanded that Tilghman be fired immediately for her blantant racist remark.

I cannot say that I disagree.

There is no room for that type of language on public television, the Golf Channel said it themselves. Racism is supposed to be a problem that was taken care of years ago, but unfortunately it has not completely dimished from our society.

A comment like Tilghman's is better left to herself.

Oh, and how timely that Golf Channel's two week suspension ends right before the Buick Invitational on January 24. Woods will be making his 2008 debut at that very same tournament.

Whether harm was meant by the comment or not, a comment like that would draw any other person a major suspension from television if not an immediate firing from the position held.

The Golf Channel is just too easy on their broadcasters and anchors. That is the plain and simple truth.

Something more needs to be done, and it needs to be done now.

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

Nebraska Cornhuskers, Kansas Jayhawks Square Off In Big 12 Season Opener

Bob — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:44:57 -0500

OMAHA, NE -- Just a forewarning: I am a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan.

As I look at the matchups set for Saturday's "Duel Above the Pool", I can only sit and wonder. Does Nebraska really stand a chance? If they do, what is the likelyhood that they can pull off the upset?

As I look at how things stack up, Aleks Maric really needs to step up his game, maybe even play the best game of his life, if Nebraska really stands a shot at winning this game.

Overall - Kansas has dominated the contests between the two teams winning 161 of the 238 games from 1900 to present. Nearly the exact opposite of the football series record.

The game, scheduled for broadcast on ESPN, provides any basketball fan with an opportunity to see a much improved Nebraska team take on one of the perrenial power houses of college basketball.

Can Sadler show the nation that his team is deserving of a trip to the NCAA tournament in just the first quarter of the season?

Nebraska had no such luck last year when playing Kansas on national televison. The Jayhawks won the game in dominate fashion, 76-56.

Last year there were 12,262 in attendance when the two teams faced off in Lincoln. This year, the game sold out (13,595) in less than 24 hours and 500 standing room only tickets were made available. It is safe to say that many Nebraska fans want to be in attendance in case the Huskers can really pull off the upset.

Doc Sadler will face one of the biggest challenges, if not his biggest challenge, of his Nebraska career to this point against Bill Self's Jayhawks.

The one thing I can say that will not hurt Nebraska's chances, is the fact that when Kansas has been matched up with teams of their caliber, a win has not come easy. The better question might be, are the Cornhuskers at their caliber?

Kansas' season so far is a undefeated record at 15-0. It is has featured wins against 13 more-or-less scrub basketball teams. It also featured a 76-72 overtime victory over #30/#24 Arizona and a 59-55 win at #37/unranked USC. Have the Jayhawks been tested?

Throughout the first part of their season, Kansas has racked up an impressive 84 points per game but that is not surprising when you look at the fact that in 12 of their 15 games they have shot better than 50 percent from the field.

Nebraska's season is at an 11-2 record. To be fair, Nebraska has not been tested much either. Their two losses come to both unranked teams, Western Kentucky and Creighton (an in-state rival). Their key win would definitely have to be at home (more or less, at the Qwest Center in Omaha) against a then ranked #16/#17 Oregon team.

Nebraska rides a 6-game winning streak into Saturday's contest. They have average 72.4 points per game throughout the 2007-08 season. They outrebound opposing teams by 4.7 rebounds a game, which may be a little help to their task ahead of them.

Aleks Maric, Nebraska's star senior center, is averaging 16.2 points a game with 8.4 rebounds a game. It is key to Nebraska's success that Maric have a double double against Kansas.

Junior Ade Dagunduro is one of two Huskers managing to keep their scoring averages in double figures with a season average of 11.4 points a game. He is closely followed up by Sophomore Ryan Anderson at 9.5 points a game.

It is safe to say that Nebraska will be up to their knees in pressure as they take on the Jayhawks of Kansas this weekend.

Nebraska's Keys to Success

1. Aleks Maric have a big game (around 20 points, 10 rebounds)
2. Score at least 75 points
3. Establish momentum early, get this large crowd into the game. Make them believe you can do it.
4. Hold Kansas to less than 35 points in the first half
5. Stop Kansas from driving. Defense needs to step up their game.

Kansas' Keys To Success

1. Get the crowd out of the game early.
2. Keep Nebraska from scoring 65 total points.
3. Offense get established from the beginning.
4. Keep Aleks Maric from making a difference in the game.
5. Drive down the court, use fast breaks to their advantage.

WRITER'S NOTE

When I use rankings on teams the first ranking listed is the team's current ranking in the AP NCAA basketball poll on January 10, 2008. The second ranking listed is the team's current ranking in the ESPN/USA Today NCAA basketball poll on January 10, 2008.

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

Chicago Cubs: Why This Year's NL Central Championship Will Not Be Piniella's Last

Bob — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:32:21 -0500

The dynamic duo: Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry.

Between the two it seems that the Cubs have an outstanding chance of coming up with their first title in 100 years.

The Cubs last won the title in 1908.

They have only managed to make it to the World Series a few times since then, including their most recent in 1945.

They have come close though.

But, world championships are not why I decided to write this article. At Wrigley Field it is always about next year—and this year, it might be next year.

The lineups Pinella and Hendry draw up as a pair have shown they are truly phenomenal after Pinella's first season.

A National League Central championship.

The Cubs hardly ever are capable of managing to win any championship—let alone a divisional championship.

The Chicago Cubs, with a lineup containing such stars as Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano, will make a run for the World Series title this season.

If they don't win the World Series, they will almost certainly still beat out the weak National League Central division for that title. Their main opponent will be the same as always: the St. Louis Cardinals.

It is the dawn of a new year—but this time, the Cubs' program is looking up.

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com

BCS Championship Game: Bo Pelini Proves His Worth

Bob — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:55:44 -0500

Was it a good move on the part of the Nebraska Athletic Department to allow Bo Pelini to coach in LSU's National Championship game?

Certainly.

After a somewhat rough start, though, many Nebraska fans might have been shaking in their shoes about the recent hiring of Pelini as the Huskers' head coach.

A 65-yard touchdown run by Chris Wells on Ohio State's fourth play of the game gave the Buckeyes an early seven-point lead.

The first quarter was almost all Ohio State, with the Buckeyes nursing a 10-3 lead going into the second.

But it wasn't because of Pelini's defense. Ohio State's first two scores resulted primarily from the fact that Ohio State had come out firing on first down.

Then a blocked field goal by LSU kept the score 10-3. That was all the motivation the Tigers defense needed.

Well that, and for the offense to start producing.

Over the past five years, no defensive coach has proven himself more than Bo Pelini. He can be tough when he needs to be...and he can be a softy too, like when he got Gatorade poured on him by his defensive players at the end of his last game at LSU.

Pelini is known for his fiery attitude. Several of his former defensive players say they would do anything to play for one of Pelini's defenses again.

I think this is what Nebraska needs.

Look back at the 1990s when Nebraska was on fire. The defense attacked every single play from their 4-3 formation. Those kids had heart—those kids really wanted to play.

During the Bill Callahan era, the kids seemed to have almost no motivation. It was almost like they didn't want to be on the field.

Much of the problem was a lousy defensive coordinator in Kevin Cosgrove, and the fact that not even the coaches seemed like they wanted to be there.

Pelini, on the other hand, repeatedly ran down the sideline in the title game—just like he was one of the guys on the field. He jumped up and down, celebrated, and even danced at one point.

You'd never see that from Callahan or Cosgrove.

In the end, Nebraska needs spirit.

And Nebraska needs Pelini, because he loves his job. He really wants to win.

And thanks to Nebraska's athletic department, he even has a National Championship under his belt. Here's hoping he can have more of the same success with the Huskers.

Like my writing style? Got a bone to pick? Write me at rynebleacherreport@yahoo.com