Bleacher Report - Articles by Brandon Keener

Bracketology 101

Brandon Keener — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:22:04 -0400

Rarely do I get into the psychology of sports.

However, in my picks for my March Madness bracket this year, I went with a classic method of picking that appeals to the most manly men: Who has the hotter cheerleaders?

It is definitely not fool-proof, and it is rarely 100 percent effective, but you'll win your share if you do your research.

The best include: Nova, UNC, and the above photographed USC Trojan cheer squad. No disrespect meant to the ladies of Radford or BYU.

I do not normally write short articles, but I'm going to love hearing the replies to this one.

P.S. I'm rolling on about a 90 percent win percentage on my bracket right now, which, compared to past sheets, is really good.

The Economics of America Do Not Seem To Affect Our Sports

Brandon Keener — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:39:53 -0500

Ok, ok, and another ok.

It is really old news by now since we are so far into the NFL free agency and since my long-term layoff from writing on here has now come to an end, thank goodness, I have to throw out my two cents worth about the Washington Redskins (formerly known as the New York Yankees).

Throwing three figure millions at any athlete makes about the same amount of sense as a stimulus package that only refuels the government. But since both things have become common place in this country, now I guess we will just have to deal with it.

Don't get me wrong. Albert Haynesworth is an incredible athlete with the potential to be a Hall of Fame style defensive tackle. He can sew up the middle of a defensive line with or without help. But giving this guy $100 million is nuts for seven years is, I'll just say it, nuts.

Injuries happen. Bad play happens. Some people finally get the big contract they were after and forget how they got in the first place (see DeAngelo Hall the first go round).

This gentleman is being paid to play a game, a sport. Which obviously all of the United States enjoys based on the attendance stuck to their televisions over the past two Super Bowl games.

We, as fans, gripe about the cost to attend a game but we let the organization that is paying this man get away with things such as this. The nosebleed seats that were barely under $100 bucks last season on StubHub.com will now probably run $150.

Football has now become America's past time, easily replacing baseball amidst all the steroid mess. There is something nostalgic and gladiatorial about the game which makes people of both gender want to tune in.

But average middle class Americans, even before these tough economic times were having difficulty affording the ticket prices to see their warriors battle on the field. Even during these economic times, we can still afford and be ok with a football player, one single individual football player, being able to sign a contract that will pay him the same as 2265 Highway Patrol officers, 2000 elementary school teachers or 6570 E1 ranked Army Recruits (based off average salary per salary.com).

Here is my idea of an economic stimulus that will never happen in a million years:

Alex Rodriguez makes the bare minimum salary required by baseball's players union for only one season and donates the rest of what he would have made to needy families here in AMERICA. Price: $27,150,000.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson takes everything that they made off of endorsements only in 2008 and donates back to the AMERICAN people in ways of helping afford housing, keep their homes or donating it all to Habitat for Humanity so that affordable housing can be attained. Price: $158,000,000 (per Forbes.com)
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neil, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant, Dwayne Wade, Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony and Tim Duncan (all members of the Top 20 list of richest athletes 2008 per Forbes.com) show the NBA really does care by giving up all their endorsement money from last year only to underprivileged individuals. Price: $127,650,000.
Peyton Manning and Big Ben Roethlisberger provide their salaries and bonuses from last year to the fans that helped pay for it. Price: $40,200,000.

If you add all that up to what is being paid to just a handful of people who happened to be skilled at throwing, shooting or hitting a ball in some way (the same thing we all did in preschool) the number is staggering.

Total: $353,000,000.

With this total, 23,190 E1 Army recruits could be paid instead of 15 sports players who have no idea what is it like to need to carry a gun around for their own survival and possibly die at any given moment for their country.

With this total, 8,800 fire fighters could still be walking into burning buildings saving the lives of hundreds more. With this total 11,270 automotive technicians could still be feeding their families and changing your oil.

With this total, 9,023 Licensed Practical Nurses could still be providing health care.

There are only two problems with everything I just mentioned. It will never happen because greed runs to high in the human brain being first and second we'll just sit here and let this move right on by because our athletes are our heroes, not the people who lay their lives out for us everyday.

The Yankees spent over $420,000,000 so far this off season. The Redskins spent $154,000,000 in about four hours and President Obama spent $819,000,000,000 of our money in the stroke of a pen.

Ever think why the Euro is worth more than the American dollar? Because it is disposable. You can spend it without having it. See VISA, MasterCard and all the things listed above for explanations.

D'Oh! The "Nit"-Wits Drop One in the Land of Hawkeyes

Brandon Keener — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:10:36 -0500

A national BCS championship run for the Penn State Nittany Lions and 150 year old Joe Paterno, right there on the tips of their fingers and their own destiny to squander away—and they did.

Saturday in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes and their backup kicker took an undefeated Penn State football team and their dream of playing for a national title and crushed it like sand between their fingers.

This loss could easily drop the Nittany Lions somewhere between seventh and 10th—good luck crawling back up that board when you have Michigan State and Indiana left to play.

Look who this also puts right back into the thick of things—USC, Texas, and Oklahoma are slowly crawling back up. Texas had a big win, while Oklahoma had a fairly simple 66-point performance. Florida will beat Vandy tonight and that leaves it with Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks, The Citadel (what a joke that game will be), and the season finale against Florida State.

I now think Oklahoma has the best shot to get into the championship game because its last two games are against top 10-ranked opponents, being Texas Tech next week and Oklahoma State the week following.

As you can see stacking up the schedules next to each other, all Oklahoma has to do is win its next two games and it is in. It would've been a much harder argument if Penn State had won this game, which the Lions should have easily, but they did not take care of business.

In the college football realm of things, I hear people wanting to do away with the BCS ranking system and have a playoff, including President-elect Barack Obama. But think about this: Every week is a playoff game.

This week for the Nittany Lions was a playoff game. Win or go home. They lost, they are going home, and they will now have to settle for below a top five ranking for the rest of the season. The best hope the Lions now have is that the Michigan State team keeps its No. 18 ranking past Sunday and, when they play the Spartans, the Lions actually win. Only then will they have a shot at jumping back up the rankings board to get a look at the title.

Congrats to the Hawkeyes on being 6-4 instead of 5-5. It looks better to be over .500 instead of just at it. Nittany Lions, regain your focus and play Nittany Lions football.

You lost this one because of poor quarterback play. Clark needs to do better than 39 percent completions, zero touchdowns, one interception, and only 86 yards if PSU is still going to be a legitimate threat at all.

NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year Needs To Be Handed Out Already

Brandon Keener — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:17:35 -0500

When was the last time you can remember a Rookie of the Year award going to someone drafted in the seventh round?

Mike Anderson won in 2000, but he was drafted in the sixth round.

You have to go all the way back to 1980 when Buddy Curry and Al Richardson shared the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Both played linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. Curry drafted from University of North Carolina, Richardson from Georgia Tech. Curry was drafted in the second round while Richardson was drafted in the eighth.

Fast-forward to the year of today. Chris Horton, the unlikely starter, much less star, of the Washington Redskins' defense, was picked in the seventh round out of UCLA and is making every moment of his professional career count. As a safety, Horton has compiled some very impressive stats.

42 tackles, including 33 solo
1 sack
3 interceptions
5 passes deflected

While these may not seem like overwhelming stats, his play on the field is what gets him the most headlines. He swarms the ball. He has made numerous well-timed hits to cause a drop. He is not afraid to attack the line of scrimmage and mix it up with the best offensive lineman to take out a ball carrier.

However, one stat that sticks out in my mind is he has more tackles than Joey Porter and more solo tackles than Terrell Suggs or Julian Peterson. He has as many interceptions as Troy Polomalu, Asante Samuel, or DeAngelo Hall, who also just joined the Redskins, and as many assisted tackles as Lance Briggs.

Chris Horton has all the tools to be a well-rounded safety in the NFL for years to come. Great job on the part of Vinny Cerrato and—I cannot believe I'm saying this—Dan Snyder to see the talent hidden beneath the sea of hopeful eyes just trying to make the NFL.

I believe Horton to be the real deal and if I were Snyder, the man with all the money, Horton would be locked into a seven year deal so quick it would make his head spin.

In the wake of losing Sean Taylor, the Redskins needed a safety to step up and remind them of that style of playing. It came with the 249th overall pick, in the seventh round of this year's draft. It came in the name of Chris Horton.

The Most Unbreakable Record Ever!

Brandon Keener — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:40:13 -0400

On October 17, 1916 on a field in Atlanta, history was being made.

John Heisman, Head Coach of the Georgia Tech Engineers (yes the same guy the trophy is named after,) was furious at the Cumberland Bulldogs for allegedly bringing in "ringers" to play for their baseball team and in doing so, they crushed Tech 22-0.

There was nothing the Cumberland football team could do to stop the rushing attack of the Engineers that day. The Engineers ran the ball only forty time but ran for 1650 yards and 28 touchdowns! They did not even attempt a pass in the entire game.

The Atlanta Journal wrote of the game, "As a general rule, the only thing necessary for a touchdown was to give a Tech back the ball and holler, ‘Here he comes’ and ‘There he goes.’"

It was not only an impressive offensive game for the Engineers, but their defense showed up with vengeance. They intercepted the ball six times and recovered nine fumbles.

The only thing that was not perfect about the game for Tech was their kicker who missed two extra point attempts which would have made the score 224-0.

For the longest time, I felt there were a few records that could not be broken. Then Lou Gehrig's record fell, then Henry Aaron's. I still believe the single season RBI record in Major League Baseball is very safe because hitting over 190 RBI will be extremely difficult for anyone to do again. But scoring over 200 points in a regulation length football game of four quarters just cannot be done again at that level with the level of competition playing today.

I bet Cumberland coach George Allen is really regarding just slapping a team of fourteen men together, most being his Kappa Sigma brothers, and just let the school pay the $3000 dollars it would have owed Tech if they had not played. Sure $3000 was a ton of money at that time but was it worth being known as the "Greatest Blowout of All Time?"

A Sports Look Into This Election

Brandon Keener — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:13:13 -0400

This election has seemed to have dragged on for about two years now. It all started back when we first heard Hillary Clinton was going to make a run for the White House. But many people are still very undecided and probably do not know who they are going to vote for until they have already done it and cannot change their minds.

So let me break things down for you in a sports sense so us folks who are less than interested in what goes on the front page of the Times, Post or USA Today. All we care about is that section that says "SPORTS" at the top.

Your choices this year are John McCain, the 72-year-old Republican Senator from Arizona, and Barack Obama, the 47-year-old new kid on the block Democrat Senator of Illinois.

I'm sure you've heard about all of those thirty second television and radio ads you can handle by now and you are probably wondering where I am going with this. I am going to attempt to show you the two sides of the spectrum in this campaign so when you go to the polls on Tuesday, please get out and vote by the way, you will have a better understanding what kind of decision you are making.

First let us take a look at the "Maverick" John McCain. He is a little bit like Brett Favre. He has been around forever and has more experience, comfort, and poise in the pocket than you have ever seen. Sure he makes his slips ups from time to time going against what the coaches suggest and throws up a few hail-mary passes, which either make him look like a genius or they get intercepted and he looks like a fool. Like Favre, he is on his last stop in his great career and has many records to show for it, but his love for his job keeps him wanting to progress and keep coming back. Favre may only be able to give you one or two more good seasons, but you know what to expect from that same old guy that everyone loves and he has shown constantly that he is a winner.

Next comes the "Voice of Change" Barack Obama. He is the polar opposite of McCain much like Aaron Rodgers was to Favre. He is the new guy. Fresh off the bench of a dramatic victory in the off-season. Both Rodgers and Obama had to overcome huge obstacles to get where they are today. Rodgers had to take the place of possibly the great statistical quarterback ever. Obama had to move around most of his early life and fight through not having his real father around who left his mother to move back to Kenya. Like Rodgers, Obama record is unproven. He had a good showing at the state legislative level like Rodgers did at California. They both have taken a few snaps but fresh into really their first true seasons, nobody really knows how they will perform. But they are both fundamentally prepared for what comes at them and always keep their eyes down field.

So the questions still remains...who do you pick?

Do you take the older proven winner who can help you win now but only has a few drops of gas left in the tank? Do you take the unproven nobody who has studied this position for years and risk your entire organization on him but come out for the long term?

I guess we will find out on Tuesday. Happy Voting!

Cinderella May Have Lost Her Slipper, But the Rays Are Still Winners in October

Brandon Keener — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:17:12 -0400

At a time when a nation is celebrating the crowning of a champion after the longest sixth inning in the history of the game, another team comes out the true winner.

After a season of hearing, "Worst to first," the Tampa Bay Rays can hold their heads up high on the plane trip back to Tampa, where they should be met with open arms and a standing ovation from a city who has turned from a one horse town into a city of hope.

Congratulations to the Phillies on their World Series victory, but the real winner this October is the Rays.

Many expected, with Griffey Jr. joining the White Sox, that when they made it into the playoffs as a wild card, the Rays had no shot to slow down their momentum...wrong. Rays took care of the Chi-Sox with ease and silenced those critics.

Next they faced the other pair of Sox from Major League Baseball, the defending champion Boston Red Sox. In an ALCS with many high and low points, the Rays were able to silence the critics while coming up big in a tough spot with a rallying Red Sox team, who, over the past few elimination games before this series, were very impressive, to say the least.

The Rays were the team that beat the New York Yankees out of the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The Rays were a team that limited the defending champion Red Sox to a wild-card berth into the playoffs. The Rays were the team that nobody saw coming and everyone doubted until they actually made the series.

As the Rays' players sat on the frozen benches or leaned against the icy cold fences of the dugout, wrapped up tight in their parkas, trying to take off the cold that they are not used to at this time in Tampa, you could see the look of disappointment and defeat in their eyes.

The Rays are not losers. They are winners! They proved you do not have to sink $200 million into one player to win. They proved that if you get a manager, pitching staff, and hitting lineup that believe in each other and plays the game correctly and efficiently, then you can win.

In about two weeks, those extra shirts they printed up saying "Tampa Bay Rays: World Series champions 2008" will be distributed to a third-world country. The idea of champion is quite often misused.

Some think that you have to be in first place or have won it all to be a champion, when according to Dictionary.com, there is also another use for the word champion. Dictionary.com states, in definition No. 4, that a champion is, "A person who fights for or defends any person or cause."

The Rays are champions for fighting for the cause of baseball and teaching the youth of America that teamwork is still worth striving for, and that you do not have to have a giant payroll to win, as long as you work together.

Daunte Culpepper Shows How Tough It Is for NFL Quarterbacks to Stay Retired

Brandon Keener — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:54:46 -0400

First the overblown drama of the great No. 4 drove us to take up stock in Miller over the summer. Now another NFL quarterback has retired this season...and come back.

Daunte Culpepper is a player who has seen his better seasons. A consistent starter in the NFL until injuries sidelined him for the remaining portion of his career, Culpepper was so fed up with not being able to find a job where he could even get a chance to compete for the top position that he decided to call it quits in September. That marked the end of a career that included playoff runs with the Vikings, beginning a career for one Randy Moss. But wait, there is more!

Culpepper has attended a workout with the winless Detroit Lions and appears to be in contract negotiations with them as we speak. He had originally come out of retirement to look at the Kansas City Chiefs' struggling quarterback spot, but they both have gone their separate ways.

According to ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton, Culpepper has labeled his workout "a good one."

As for now, the 31-year-old quarterback from Ocala, Fla. is still without a job and is still recovering from those many knee problems that led him to jump between the Raiders, Dolphins, and Vikings. He said when he retired that he was healthy and ready to play, but discouraged that nobody would give him the opportunity.

Here is his opportunity. He has two teams that apparently wish to use his services and gamble on his health. Now it is just a matter of paperwork.

Rays of Hope: Tampa Bay Defeats the Defending Champs

Brandon Keener — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:34:50 -0400

"Holy mackerel!"

The Cinderella Tampa Bay Rays did not have their carriage turn into a pumpkin for October this year, as they handled the American League defending champion Boston Red Sox 3-1.

Matt Garza pitched an impressive game, allowing only two hits in his little over seven innings of work, enough to net him the ALCS MVP Award. Unlike in Game Five when the bullpen was given the opportunity, they rose to the occasion and took care of business. Manager Joe Maddon made some quick decisions, including removing a clearly rattled Dan Wheeler, who probably still had the visions of Game Five stuck in his head.

The hero of the bullpen has to be David Price. His 1.1 innings of work earned him the save, while coming on with two out and the bases loaded to strike out J.D. Drew on a check swing. Price was called up in the middle of September and has earned his first two big stats, a win and save, in playoff competition. He had neither in the regular season.

Designated hitter Willie Aybar came up as a huge pick up for the Rays. Not only this season but in this game particularly. He scored twice, including a solo shot to left field off of Jon Lester.

Lester and reliever Hideki Okajima pitched very well. Between them they struck out nine Rays batters and did not allow a single walk. Lester allowed three runs over seven solid innings of work but that proved to be enough for Garza and the Rays' bullpen, who held the Red Sox to only one run on three hits while striking out 12 and walking five.

Now it is a short rest until Wednesday, when Game One of the World Series begins between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. After the long layoff for the Phillies, who won the NLCS 4-1 over the Dodgers on Oct. 15, it will be interesting to see if a long layoff affects another N.L. team from winning the series, as it appeared to have hurt the smoking Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series.

Philly has not seen an NLCS since 1993. Tampa Bay was not even around in 1993. So this is a first for one team and a first in 15 years for another. Both are hungry. Both are good. Both will put on a show. I have listened to ESPN Radio announcers saying how Bud Selig wanted to see a Dodgers-Red Sox Series, or Cubs-White Sox Series. But "Worst to First" isn't a bad headliner either.

Cinderella, shine your shoes girl, because the clock has not yet struck midnight.

The Biggest Bust of the Greatest Draft Ever: Who Was Picked Between These Two?

Brandon Keener — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:48:58 -0400

No doubt the Detroit Pistons have been a terror in the Eastern Conference for many years in recent history. Chauncey Billups and Co. are title contenders every season they step foot on the hardwood, and it is hard to deny them the respect they deserve as an organization for the fact that, no matter how they do it, they just win.

But think back to a part of history that is not too long ago for many people to remember. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all available in the same draft. It was a scout's dream because, as long as you had one of the early picks, you would get to keep your job for at least another year. Well, except for maybe one.

The Detroit Pistons had the second overall pick in the 2003 draft. With James going first overall to Cleveland, the Pistons had a decision to make with whom to take. So many good prospects, they just had to pick Darko Milicic.

The mediocre big man from Serbia has had a less-than-stellar career to say the least. Sure he has a championship ring, which would be all that anyone would want. The Pistons knew they were taking a gamble on a guy that stood at 7'0" at age 18 when they drafted him.

Milicic's career stats include 5.5 points per game with 4.0 rebounds. Chris Bosh does that by the end of the first quarter in a game.

The 2003 NBA Draft was one of the best ever. Outside of the top five, you also have Kirk Hinrich, David West, Jarvis Hayes, Michael Pietrius, Boris Diaw, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison, Chris Kaman, T.J. Ford, Leandro Barbosa, and Josh Howard going in the first round, which accounts for six All-Stars (not to mention almost every one of those players emerged as a reliable starter).

The second overall pick played 70 games last season, averaging nearly twenty-four minutes per game with 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. Let's compare that, shall we?

James has never averaged less than 20 points per game. Anthony averages about 24 points and six rebounds for his career. Wade averaged over 24 points last season and has an NBA Finals MVP award under his belt. Bosh averaged over 22 points and nearly nine rebounds per game last season.

You win some, you lose some. But I would be hard-pressed to say "no thanks" to any of the top five drafted players, except No. 2!

LaDainian Tomlinson Leads List of Top 10 RBs in NFL So Far

Brandon Keener — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:49:33 -0400

Through Week Four of the NFL season there have been injuries that have affected the stats of nearly every team's output. This article is a list of who I think the top 10 running backs in the NFL are and why.

So, without further delay, let's dive right into it!

1. LaDainian Tomlinson: San Diego Chargers

When LT is on his game there is no other back in the NFL that can touch him. He can run. He can block. He can catch. He can throw! LT is as complete as they come and I do not see him ever leaving the Chargers because they will throw whatever they can at him to get him to stay in SoCal.

2. Larry Johnson: Kansas City Chiefs

Although often forgotten, Johnson is a Pro Bowl threat every season that he is healthy. This guy is another fine product of Joe Paterno and Penn State's smash mouth run game. Through week three he is third in rushing yards and is on pace to have his third 1500-yard season in four years.

3. Brian Westbrook: Philadelphia Eagles

The Wild, Wild West is just as dangerous out of the backfield as he is in it. On pace to run for over 1200 yards and catch for 400 makes him a legitimate threat in either position. (per FoxSports.com)

4. Adrian Peterson: Minnesota Vikings

Peterson is a flat out runner. He changes direction and moves side to side so easily he should be considered for Dancing with the Stars. Being second in the league in rushing and having a spectacular rookie season behind him makes him a starting running back on any team in the league, fantasy or not.

Also, remember that he is putting up huge stats while splitting time with Chester Taylor.

5. Frank Gore: San Francisco 49ers

Gore has silently been dominating defensive lines. He is on pace for his third consecutive 1000-yard season on a team that has no offense to back him up.

The passing game for the 49ers is non-existent and the pressure to score falls solely on Frank Gore. He only has 16 TDs since 2006, but I also look at what is in front of him to work with.

6. Steven Jackson: St. Louis Rams

A rumblin', bumblin', stumplin' beast of a man that can run and catch. Again I look at what they have to work with in front of them. We all know the Rams are not going to make a run for the Super Bowl this season, but Jackson could have an MVP caliber year as long as he stays healthy.

Check his stats as of Week Four. They are insane. According to FoxSports.com, he is on pace to run for over 1100 yards and total 1200 receiving yards while scoring 14 TDs on a team that will be lucky to win three games this season in a less-than-tough NFC West.

7. Marion Barber: Dallas Cowboys

Cornerbacks fear his name. This man will just flat out run you over, JohnRiggins style, and not even think twice about it. If you like smash mouth football, you have got to watch a Cowboys game this year because this man is impressive.

He will not rack up overly impressive stats because of Tony Romo's passing game, but he will get his touches, and safeties will cringe when they get touched.

8. Clinton Portis: Washington Redskins

On pace to run for over 1200 yards for the sixth time in seven seasons, it is hard to overlook Portis' ability. There were times Redskins fans had to wonder if he was afraid of getting hurt because he would not run between the tackles, but he still racked up yards.

This year, in the Year of the Zorn, Portis has seemed to change his style of running and will deliver a blow upon impact. He may only get four yards per carry, but that is because that is all there is to get now.

9. Michael Turner: Atlanta Falcons

I know I'm showing no "love" for the league's leading rusher. I just think that it takes a while for people to buy into a running back. I'm not saying that he isn't a great running back, in fact, I drafted him on my fantasy team (good thing I did). He is, however, essentially a first-year starter after sitting behind LT all those years. But you can tell he learned a few things from the fellow ranked at No. 1 on this list.

10. Marshawn Lynch: Buffalo Bills

Looking for his second 1100-yard season in as many years pro, Lynch has proven to be what some of the aforementioned names on this list had when they were younger. He always seems to find the hole in the Buffalo Bills line, which has consistently gotten better over the past few seasons to make them a serious threat to win the Brady-less AFC East.

Honorable Mentions

Willie Parker: Pittsburgh Steelers

Reason: One style of running—speed.

Earnest Graham: Tampa Bay Bucs

Reason: Inexperienced, but has a great teacher in Warrick Dunn.

Brandon Jacobs: New York Giants

Reason: Young gun that will climb this list quickly with another stellar season.

Julius Jones: Seattle Seahawks

Reason: Was not supposed to be starter at the beginning of season and has only split duties throughout his pro career. Cannot carry a team by himself but is a slightly better version of Chester Taylor, minus the injuries.

Ronnie Brown: Miami Dolphins

Reason: I know I look at what the guy has in front of him and he is LT-ish...in about two more years.

So, that is my list and I'm sticking to it. I'm sure there are a few names on there that most people would not mention or would rank differently, but in the world of sports and fans everyone has their own opinion. Hope your guy made the list.

Al Davis Needs to Hire a General Manager

Brandon Keener — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:40:32 -0400

In the NFL today there are three things that determine the outcome of a team's season: the healthy play of all starting players (especially quarterback), keeping possession of the football with the fewest turnovers possible, and getting the players to buy into your system while playing disciplined football and having management lead by example.

The Oakland Raiders have none of the above.

Their starting quarterback has the potential to be a great talent, but is not there yet. It is evident that they do not trust JaMarcus Russell enough to put the game in his hands yet. This is obvious by the yards per game and interceptions he has not thrown.

Oakland's offense has improved and is ranked 20th in the NFL, averaging 308 yards per game, which stumps even the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Brady-less Patriots. In passing, they are ranked 28th with 153 yards per game.

Their defense is middle of the road as well, ranked 17th in the NFL, giving up 326 yards per game. The Raiders' turnover/takeaway ratio is acceptable at +1, which is tied for seventh in the AFC.

Statistically, Oakland does not give up many penalties for a lot of yards. Fifteen penalties have amounted to a total of 91 yards so far this season. That is a microscopic number when you consider the team's rival from across the bridge in San Francisco has given up 36 penalties for nearly 300 yards this season.

All these stats show that they are a middle of the road team that should be winning their fair share of football games, but they are not, have not, and will not. Why? Management is not leading by example.

Al Davis is notorious for hiring and firing some of the best coaches ever to hit the gridiron. Just look at Mike Shanahan, Super Bowl winning coach with the Denver Broncos, and Jon Gruden, Super Bowl winning coach with the Tampa Bay Bucs.

I am not saying that Lane Kiffin will fit into this group automatically because that would be just a silly presumption. I do, however, think that Kiffin will now be able to go back to the college ranks and find a decent head coaching position with a quality conference. He could land a Big Ten or another Pac-10 slot and go on to improve the program.

I just think that there may have been push back from players and other coaches because Kiffin was so young when he was hired. Kiffin, after all, is the same age as one of his former centers and only a year older than Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler.

The age, however, has nothing to do with a coach's ability to do his job. Some people may forget that in 1969, Al Davis promoted a 32-year-old coach to the helm of the Raiders that became one of the most legendary coaches in the history of the sport and won a Super Bowl, John Madden.

One thing I have to ask, though, is what is the constant through all the years of good and bad, ups and downs? It is Al Davis. The owner has pointed the finger at everyone but himself when addressing the organization's rapid decline. He has been quoted as saying he won't retire until the Raiders win two more Super Bowls, per the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 11/20/2007.

Do you know how old Al Davis is? He was the Commissioner for the American Football League in the late '60s before the NFL-AFL merger. Since then, he has regularly been on the cutting edge of groundbreaking moves like hiring Tony Flores, the first Latino heritage head coach, or Art Shell, the second African American head coach.

That was more than 30 years ago and the game has completely changed. Fans, media, and players have all changed. Al Davis is the one constant in it all.

He says he will not retire until they win two more titles. His mother lived to be 104 so it's in his genes to do so, but for the sake of the Oakland franchise I hope he gets his wits about him and gives it up. The Raiders coaches do not need the guy from the Tales from the Crypt breathing the stink of "you're going to be gone in two years" breath down the back of their necks every waking minute of the day.

Raider Nation needs to be rescued from the death grip of Al Davis. He can still own the team, just let someone else make the decisions. Gruden, Madden, and Shanahan have turned out well. Kiffin will turn out okay. The Raiders unfortunately will not get any better until Davis hangs up his decision-making and gets a general manager.

Only three teams in the NFL employ general managers or personnel directors who are also the team's owner—the Raiders, Cowboys, and Bengals. Two out of those three are not doing so well.

I have a message for Al Davis, a quote from comedian Bill Engvall: "Here's your sign."

Stephon Marbury: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Brandon Keener — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:42:52 -0400

He's in!

He's out!

He's our guy!

He's on the trading block!

Stephon Marbury has been the face of the New York Knickerbockers since 2004-2005.

He has been consistent. He is consistently a pain in the neck, trouble in the locker room, and lacking in effort when on the court.

Marbury will be paid $19,012,500 in 2008 in salary alone. His stats last year as a point guard for the Knicks were 13.9 PPG, 4.7 ASST, and 0.9 STL. Jamal Crawford, the shooting guard for the Knicks, is due almost $12,000,000 less in salary than Marbury—and outperformed him last year in every category.

Could Marbury's age be catching up to him? Is he that disgruntled to be on a team that hasn't had a shot at the playoffs since '03-04?

The correct answer is, "It doesn't matter, you're under contract."

If Marbury quits again in a game again this season, bench him and don't pay him. Simple as that. If any player acts like a child and throws a tantrum because they are not getting the results they desire, then so what?

Marbury quit on his coach, fans and, more importantly, his teammates. He has shown no leadership quality, despite being a guy who is supposed to be the mature veteran on a team of young, inexperienced players trying.

He should be teaching them about the NBA lifestyle and the way to play the game—but instead he pretends to play long enough to collect his check, then goes home and forgets about the rest of his duties.

My opinion is Marbury should have been gone from this team last year, but nobody would take him because of his contract. DING DING DING! That should be a clue. Other clubs and scouts have picked up on the fact that this guy is not worth the money he's being paid.

Earlier today, there was a report that Knicks president Donnie Walsh was going to cut Marbury and sever a long overdue tie between the organization and the player. Then they change their minds, and now he's coming to training camp.

Which one is it?!

Marbury has slowly gotten worse since becoming a Knick, going from almost 20 PPG, thensliding to 16, and last season put up just 13.

The solution is to cut Marbury, and get ready for 2010. LeBron James will be coming to New York City—whether with the Knicks or another team—not sticking with the Cavaliers.

Oh, to Be a Part of It: Thank You, Yankee Stadium

Brandon Keener — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:44:02 -0400

Emotions ran high, in a town filled with them daily, to pay tribute to a monument which has become as big a staple to New York as the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty.

Horrible planning on the part of Major League Baseball had the division rival Baltimore Orioles scheduled instead of long-time foes, the Boston Red Sox. This made some people view this game as pointless and something of no meaning.

The only reason for this game to be televised was to pay tribute to "the old ballpark." It was anything but meaningless.

Wily rookies and old time vets took in the sights, smells and splendor that is Yankee Stadium for the final time. The announcers of the game kept stating who had hit the final home run at this historic field.

Each Yankee relieved of duty before the end of the game came back out onto the field to get the ovation he deserved. Each pitch that was thrown could hardly be seen by the countless amounts of flashing cameras from the stands.

For a park that has drawn four million in attendance four years in a row, this just appeared to be another home game. The lights came on, the roar of the crowd was deafening, even the announcer of over 50 years had his say.

But when the lights of Yankee Stadium are turned off tonight and Jeter, A-Rod, and Posada have long gone home, the cleaning crew and security will be the last folks to look back out onto Yankee Stadium with their final memories.

"It ain't over, till it's over." But it's finally over. Thank you, Yankee Stadium, for 85 years of drama worthy of an Oscar. Not just in baseball, but football, too. The greatest game ever played featuring the Colts.

Then there was the greatest fighter ever to live. Remember when Ali knocked out Norton? The perfect fighter to step into the ring, Marciano, had his share of highlights there as well.

Yankee Stadium will never be turned into dust for those that paid the price of admission because every person that ever attended a game or event there will forever be in remembrance of the "House that Ruth Built." Or at least the one that was built for him.

Wizards: Washington Blows More Money, And Dan Snyder Had Nothing To Do With It!

Brandon Keener — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:41:32 -0400

How is this for iro-knee?

No go for "Agent Zero."

Gilbert Arenas had his third knee operation and is now expected to make his return to the Washington Wizards in December. That would be a $111 million dollar "whoops" on the part of the Wizards. Not being able for training camp and obviously now out for the first month of the season, "Agent Zero" has caused indigestion for Wizards fans in Washington once again.

Everybody loves him in DC but they should think about moving on. They had the money, obviously they blew it on him, and there were many free agents available that could have taken his place. They could have thrown money Baron Davis' way, or Elton Brand. But did they? No. Now they are again without star power for some of the regular season.

Antwan Jamison and Caron Butler are a great one-two punch in the forward positions but where they have both really been able to shine would be if they could take a step down a position. Move Jamison back to SF, take Butler down to SG. They have Etan Thomas, who is more naturally a PF. They draft JaVale McGee from Nevada in the first round to get a seven footer with an impressive wingspan. Like it or not they still have Antonio Daniels who is not a SG but a natural PG. He should be more of a ring-leader for the offensive attack.

I'm not saying he should shoot the ball a lot because he shouldn't. He should stand at the top of the key and work the offense and pass the ball while the rest of the team goes to work. Maybe they could sign Damon Stoudamire from the Spurs. He is an old veteran that knows how to play the point. He started for years in Portland, Toronto and Memphis with well over 5700 career assists. How about Sam Cassell? He is an unrestricted free agent from the Celtics. Or Ben Gordon, the restricted free agent from the Bulls. Gordon would want big money but I think it would be a better deal to give him the cash than keep a prolonging knee problem in Arenas. At 6-3, Gordon would be a perfect fit for the Wizards offense. I could see the lineup going like this:

PG: Ben Gordon

SG: Caron Butler

SF: Antwan Jamison

PF: Etan Thomas

C: Brendan Haywood/JaVale McGee (whoever shows more promise during camp. I would let Haywood take the licks for the first half of the season then sit him once McGee is used to the NBA, maybe bring him in after the All-Star Game and rotate their minutes regularly so they don't get to worn down. Or maybe do that throughout the season so they can compete thoroughly. McGee would get tip off and third quarter. Haywood would get 2nd and 4th when you need a veteran who won't get freaked out by the clock.)

When Arenas is healthy there is no doubt he is an exciting player to watch that could sink a three at the buzzer on you in a heartbeat but three knee surgeries in seventeen months leads me to speculate.

Boxing and MMA To Join Forces

Brandon Keener — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:18:31 -0400

Golden Boy Promotions and Affliction have joined forces to tag-team a sport of dying times and the up and comer that is taking America by storm. Affliction is a mixed-martial-arts organizations that is very well known for their t-shirts and creating designs for Kelly Pavlik and Bernard Hopkins.

Golden Boy Promotions, with ring leader—forgive the pun—Oscar De La Hoya at the helm have decided that the two could benefit from each other by scheduling fights of both types on the same card.

Affliction, trying to gain popularity, will work with Golden Boy to promote their second fight since July 19 in Anaheim, CA. They had originally tried to schedule another bout in Las Vegas on Oct. 11, but it was postponed, due to lacking ticket sales, according to ESPN.com.

Affliction will now become the official apparel dealer for Ring Magazine, which was bought by Golden Boy last year, and their first promotion assignment for shirts will be the Dec. 6 bout between the "Golden Boy" himself and Pacquiao

I wonder how they will schedule the events, with MMA clearly being the more popular sport in America today. Let us hope this deal works out a little bit better than Vince McMahon and WWE did with football.

Why Is the ACC So Weak? Blame the SEC and Big Ten

Brandon Keener — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:08:24 -0400

Since when does Wake Forest emerge to become the best team in conference? Now UNC is 2-0. What is happening to the ACC?

The once proud division of constantly contending teams is weakening, making any of them a target. SEC team have to be thrilled if they get an ACC team on their schedule, just so they can get a break.

Clemson had a gleam of hope at the beginning of the season—but Alabama certainly took care of that. Virginia Tech got their feet knocked out from under them by East Carolina in Charlotte.

Maryland lost to Middle Tennessee, and their own coach is saying in radio interviews about upcoming opponent California that they recognize their offensive system because it is just like theirs, "only they are doing it better than us." What a confidence booster.

The last team to finish in the Top 10 in the AP Top 25 polls was Virginia Tech in 2005. That is three seasons of mediocrity.

The only thing I can attribute the decline of the ACC as a power to is the rise of the SEC and the Big Ten. A lot of the same states are filled with SEC and Big Ten schools that share space with the ACC.

In general people pay more attention to the Big Ten because of Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and so forth, and the SEC because of LSU, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and so on.

The recruits are going with the programs that are getting mainstream attention, and countless people have said, "Oh, the SEC is the hardest conference in college football." That draws people to watch them and decide for themselves.

Also you have huge teams like Ohio State and USC that can march into any town in the country and take away the best players.

Case in point, Terrelle Pryor.

He was considering Penn State and Michigan but ended up at Ohio State. Why? Michigan and Rich Rodriguez fit his style better. At Penn State he may have been able to be a starter as a freshman, even though Joe Paterno is not known to do such things.

It's because Ohio State is on a roll, and everyone in the country, including the housewife from Butte, Montana, knows who those silver and red uniforms represent.

Pryor could have been the next Vince Young at Michigan, but for now I guess he will have to settle for being the second running quarterback to Todd Boeckman, kind of like Tim Tebow was to Chris Leak his freshman year.

UNC Branded Rutgers with a Scarlet Letter Made of Tar

Brandon Keener — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:42:27 -0400

These Tar-Heels are made for walking and that's just what they did all over the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. The higher up's in Chapel Hill should consider changing the name of the Tar-Heels to the steamrollers after what they did to Rutgers in New Jersey tonight.

They took care of everything just as their game plan had intended. Led by T.J. Yates' 221 yards with three touchdowns. Watching this game I have to say that I will be paying more attention to the UNC football program this year instead of waiting for the basketball season to start. They have really stepped up there game, worked hard and it showed it tonight.

Butch Davis had to be thanking the football Gods for sending Brandon Tate his way. With 220 all purpose yards and two touchdowns he stole the show again just like last week against McNeese State.

The Scarlet Knights looked like they were auditioning for the role of the black knight in Monty Python. Sloppy passing, not being able to convert on third downs and many missed opportunities in the opponents side of the field cost Rutgers this game. It also helps to continue to play every second of every play.

The interception that was returned for a touchdown by Bruce Carter should have been stopped about ten yards after he made the catch but being one dimensional, not knowing how to tackle or wrap up, lead to six points on the other end of the scoreboard.

Either way you look at this game, UNC branded Rutgers with a scarlet letter made of tar.

Want a Little Cheesehead With That Wine, Minnesota?

Brandon Keener — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:18:43 -0400

What a way to start off your career. I had my doubts about the unproven Aaron Rodgers filling the shoes of possibly the greatest QB to play the game but he pulled out his debut nicely.

His completion percentage was insane, mobility was good and his vision was something not many veteran starting quarterbacks do.

Ron "Jaws" Jaworski during the game last night mentioned something about the stripe on Rodgers' helmet being even with the line of scrimmage at all times. That is just something you cannot teach. It is born, bred and learned through confidence.

I am not saying that he will be the greatest quarterback ever because of so much time missed, but I will say that his ability to use his vision and strength between his ears allow him to make good decisions. So far, all one game into the regular season, he was able to shut up the sceptics. We will see next week.

As we all know, one game in the NFL regular season is great. But recently if you are a ten-win team in the NFC then you are playoff bound with at least a wild-card.

The referee's were not letting anything slide last night. Over twenty penalty markers were thrown, including those three in a row during the first quarter. I was somewhat shocked that so many tedious penalty flags could be thrown.

Like "Leverage," when during the kick attempt when they leaped onto each other to try to block the kick. I cannot recall ever seeing that one called.

Of course, I only have basic cable so I only get four games a week, which Jimmy Kimmel made perfectly clear during the twenty some odd DirectTV commercials.

Then the other one I had not seen used before was punishing the runner, when Deangelo Hall hit the Packer that was already laying on the ground. Instead of just touching him, he fell on him.

Gene Upshaw and Reggie White had to cringe from there seat in Heaven when they saw that one called. That was just everyday business to them.

Overall, the game was a very well played game. Aside from the non-concentrating penalties, it was well-disciplined, with everybody doing their job.

I think America got to see some of what they wanted. They wanted to see how jittery Rodgers would be in the pocket during his first starting game. They wanted to see if either of these QB's was put into the position of a two-minute drill to make a run at the game could they handle it.

Tarvaris Jackson will probably get blamed in Minnesota for blowing that game for them. True, his completion percentage was a bit low. True, he did throw a INT to end the game. Jackson threw for exactly as many yards as Rodgers on two less completions. True, he did throw thirteen more passes than Rodgers did, but Rodgers was very accurate having the second highest career start completion percentage.

You also have to consider all the balls Jackson threw away because of pressure. If he threw it to the sideline that still counts as a pass. Take those away and he threw about five more than Rodgers did. All in all, the night was not bad for either QB.

Take a memo: Dear NFC North, Aaron Rodgers isn't as bad as people made him to be. You have to calm your linemen down so crazy penalties, like the one that cost Donald Driver the 68-yard touchdown, do not happen.

Tarvaris Jackson, with some protection, can score points. Special teams are crucial and you have to loft your kicks a little bit better.

Should be a good season. Good luck.

TGIF: Thank God It's Football!

Brandon Keener — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:08:16 -0400

In my years of watching professional sports I have a confession to make on this season. I have never looked forward to a season starting in any sport more than I have this NFL regular season. I am more involved in conversations about football, researching teams to see how I think they will finish, and even looked into drafting a fantasy team. Key word there is "looked."

The Redskins and Giants squared off in the Meadowlands in a contest not really filled with much to talk about. Pretty standard game. One team shows great defensive pressure throughout the game. One figures something to do differently over half-time to stop the scoring. Running game was OK, a few touchdowns scored and a new coach gets his first taste of humility.

Jim Zorn was coaching this game like the script of a play. Some of the best coaches ever have tried this style of coaching and it has worked great for them. However, what has made them some of the best coaches is their ability to adapt and know when to throw that script to the fan when it is not working.

In his first game as head coach Zorn learned that lesson fairly early. Mike Holmgren, Zorn's old boss, and Andy Reid are a few coaches with this style of play call. If memory serves me correctly both of those guys have seen their share of playoff and Super Bowl appearances.

I am not making a prediction that Jim Zorn will be the next Andy Reid, in fact I think the exact opposite. I believe that Zorn was not cut out to be the head coach of the Redskins at this time and would have preferred to see him in the role that he was originally signed to do, offensive coordinator.

Going from QB coach for the Seahawks to O.C. would have been tough enough. But straight from his old position to head coach? Dan Snyder must have just been trying to save some money for once.

Hypothetically, imagine this with me. You are the owner of one of the premier franchises in the country and you have not won (pretty much) anything to speak of since the Great Gibbs era of the late '80s and early '90s. The Turner era didn't help you. The Shotty and Spurrier era did not last long enough to be an era. The return of Great Gibbini didn't turn out as well as expected. What would be my main objective?

I would think that hiring a coach with a simpler system than Al Saunder's crazy playbook and with a nicer mouth than Gary Williams and has a history of winning would be a thing to consider.

Let us see, who fits this criteria? How about Jim Fassel? He was the last coach to get to a Super Bowl with the, as Boomer puts it, New York Football Giants. Fassel relies on things that have historically been Redskins strong parts such as a good running game and strong defense. Of course, when Fassel took the Giants to the Super Bowl before last Tiki Barber was their best offensive weapon and Kerry Collins was the starting QB.

The game of mediocrity is now over and we can look forward to the rest of this weekend's action packed possibilities. Favre vs Pennington in a battle of the Cutter and Cuttee. The debut of Aaron Rodgers and the Pack attack which did not impress me in preseason. Possible returns of Peyton and Tom (tell me I don't have to mention their last names). TGIF, man. Thank God its football season again. Sunday we'll be watching.

One Week In, BCS Complaints Begin Already

Brandon Keener — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:37:59 -0400

The USC Trojans stomped on Virginia like they were an FCS team. But come on, who didn't expect that? It was somewhat refreshing watching a true powerhouse team come into Charlottesville and show them what a real college football program is about.

Over the past few seasons, the ACC has gotten weak. I can remember not too long ago that Virginia Tech was not somebody you wanted to see on your schedule. Clemson does have a good football program, and have produced a pretty good number of NFL caliber players (Brian Dawkins is an example).

So how can you deny that USC kicked the crap out of a superior team than East Carolina? Or Clemson? USC does not deserve to be No. 1 yet. I have no doubt that they would have been able to get there at some point later in the season, but Georgia and Ohio State did win big too! Including the shutout by Ohio State.

UVA last season lost to Wyoming 23-3. They barely beat UNC, 22-20. The beat Middle Tennesse State 23-21, and then beat UConn 17-16. None of those schools have a strong history of BCS greatness. UNC has turned out its fair share of players (Julius Peppers) and UConn is a basketball school.

Clemson still earns a No. 9 preseason ranking and loses to a team a few spots below them, and then is knocked out of the rankings while the Fighting Illini can lose and remain in the top-25? I don't get it. I don't understand it, and I don't particularly care. It is just another complaint to go along with the many before and those to come.

The hypocrisy of college football rankings will one day catch up with them and their political show of "power." But as for now, keep doing the Tomahawk Chop, the Wave, and the ever famous "fist pump while screaming like an idiot and not spilling one drop of beer in your other hand" dance and America will still tune in. See you Saturday.

Where Oh Where Have American Boxers Gone?

Brandon Keener — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:44:19 -0400

Boxing is a sport, in the American limelight, that is fading. I am a fan of boxing. I love Showtime, HBO, and Friday Night Fights just like everyone else. I refuse to spend that much to watch any contest on PPV, either boxing, MMA, or Jerry Springer uncut.

I think that if you want to get people interested in a sport like this again, you have to promote on national television. College football rules Saturday, while NASCAR and NFL rule Sunday.

Make it a real Friday Night Fight. Televise this thing for all the country to see on NBC, ABC or CBS. Hype it. Bring it to life for people who have all but forgotten the sport because they think it is just a bunch of overpaid thugs getting to punch each other and get paid for it. I know people feel that way because I've talked to them.

What we need now is a real champion, a figure that can step into this light and be everything this sport needs. A face, a name, a legend. Where have the George Foremans, Sonny Listons, Muhammad Alis, Joe Fraziers, Joe Louises, and Rocky Marcianos of the USA gone?

Somebody please help this sport. Please help restore America's confidence in boxing and our future with it.

Klitschko Will Win—Vitali, That Is

Brandon Keener — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:10:59 -0400

Vitali Klitschko is a very underrated professional boxer. He often gets overlooked because of the accomplishments of his brother, reigning two-belt champ Wladimir.

Injuries have hindered the career of Vitali greatly—however, he is back, ready to fight again in a rematch with Samuel Peter in a contractual agreement that took place roughly three years ago. Because Vitali, an ex-champion, had to relinquish his belt due to a right knee ligament problem, he set up a contract making him the "champion emeritus."

This being said, Vitali now has the right to fight Peter whenever he is healthy enough to fight again. Vitali's record is a great one (35-2-0-34), which proves at one time he was a very capable foe. Samuel Peter is a great fighter as well (30-1-0-23).

It is frightening to say that Peter is good friends with Lennox Lewis, who has happened to have beaten Vitali in the past and is now spreading secrets on how to chop down the six-foot eight-inch Ukrainian tree.

Peter is a very strong puncher and will be only 28-years old at the time of the fight in Berlin on October 11th. Klitschko needs to train to be light on his feet, stick, and move. Peter expends a lot of energy in his punches because he trains and swings hard.

I believe the former champ can win this fight if he uses his height advantage of almost seven inches and his jab effectively. Stick and move. Klitschko can win this fight even after being away for a couple of years.

My predicition is Klitschko over Peter in a unanimous decision.

Oregon better "Duck" against the Huskies

Brandon Keener — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:07:25 -0400

I never really know what to make of the Huskies. They are always the team in the tough Pac-10 that give the best teams, like USC last season, a run for their money.

They play hard every play and I do not think it would be to out of the question for the Huskies to pluck the Duck's feathers tonight. They are starting a pretty young team, perhaps the youngest ever started by head coach Tyrone Willingham.

They do have Freshman of the Year Jake Locker returning and taking over the helm. Granted Locker did not have a stellar season last year throwing more picks than he did TD's.

But he did still throw for over 2000 yards which is nothing to sneeze at for a freshman and completed 47% of his passes which for a freshman in the tough world of the Pac-10, I would consider that an accomplishment.

I predict the Huskies come out on top in this one over the Ducks, but not by much.

Final score 24-28.

ECU wins, No suprise there

Brandon Keener — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:45:05 -0400

Pirates steal the booty, take care of Hokies!

So...ECU beat the mighty No. 17 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. I have to say that this one was not really that hard to stomach or see. When Sean Glennon throws two interceptions and completes only fourteen passes, according to ESPN.com, it is setting up his team for failure.

Providing ECU does not play in a major conference like the ACC or SEC makes you wonder if the Hokies will be able to hold their own within that division. I believed when the rankings came out that they were a bit over ranked.

Frank Beamer and company have to realize that every down counts. I think that once the ear chewing is done by the media, coaching staff and fans, whenever the players can start to hear again, they will look back on this tape and say "Man, I missed that block."

With over 3700 yards kicked last year Brent Bowden knows how to get the ball off his foot but needed to hurry it up a bit as Lee was coming around the corner to take it for six. Some people think it is cliche to say that one play can change a game...well here is one.

In no way does it rank up there with the Flutie Hail Mary or the Montana to Clark pitch, but it has been proven time and time again that one play can change the course of the game. Of course, you don't have to ask me just ask the no longer No. 17 Hokies.