Bleacher Report - Articles by Chris Schei

Charlie Weis Needs to Figure Out What Is Good and What Is Bad

Chris Schei — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:45:23 -0500

After Notre Dame's loss to Connecticut on Saturday, Charlie Weis told the world he wasn't a hypocrite and that the day should be more about the players than him.

He was right. That day should've been about his seniors.

Rewind the clock to his press conference when he was hired. Does anyone remember what he said? He said that if they were hiring him to go 6-5, they had the wrong guy. 6-5 wasn't acceptable at Notre Dame.

Now on to Sunday's press conference, where Weis spent a good 10 minutes explaining to the media that the team's 6-5 record should be good enough for him to keep his job, and if he's fired because of that record, it would be tough to take.

Really?

Funny, when Weis was hired, 6-5 wasn't nearly good enough for him or anybody associated with Notre Dame. Now 6-5 is just fine.

Weis can make all the excuses he wants about all of the close games his team lost. They're still 6-5, and as he said, that's not acceptable.

Weis can talk all he wants about how potent his offense was, and he will surely fix the defense. They're still 6-5, which is unacceptable.

Charlie Weis is one of hell of an offensive-minded coach—but as a head coach, not so good. There are three phases to a football team: offense, defense, and special teams. Weis loves that first one. The other two? He'll let someone else take care of that boring stuff. If it doesn't go well, it's on them, not him.

For the sake of Notre Dame, I hope Weis' comments about how good of a season 6-5 is sealed his fate. College football is a lot better with the most loved and hated program at national prominence.

But with Charlie, come to think of it, 6-5 really isn't that bad.

Changes I Saw From The Packers-Cowboys Game

Chris Schei — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:22:15 -0500

Plenty of debate topics came out of the Packers' 17-7 win over the Cowboys on Sunday. It was a much-needed win for Green Bay, who got themselves back into the playoff picture. There were some things that I noticed, along with things I believe were confirmed on Sunday:

1.) Charles Woodson is the best overall cornerback in the league, but then again, we already knew that.

2.) It was nice to see the offense get back to committing to the run and running slant plays. The most encouraging sign for us were the plays Rodgers got the ball and turned and threw to Driver instantly. Whenever the corners are playing six or eight yards off of Driver or Jennings, it's a cheap five yards if they do that.

3.) Aaron Kampman is easily the biggest liability in the 3-4. Kampman has been having serious issues getting to the quarterback, and his coverage skills are well below average. Without him in there, I believe it was easier for Dom Capers to be much more exotic with his blitz packages, ensuring that he didn't have to call his plays knowing Kampman can't reach the QB and can't be left alone in coverage.

4.) The running game is there, when we use it. I'm not going to say that Ryan Grant will run for over 100 yards each game, but when we commit to the run, it is effective, and it gives opposing defensive lines something else to think about other than pinning their ears back and going after Aaron Rodgers.

5.) Screen passes! Where in the HELL have you been this year?

The one major change I would consider doing is either benching Aaron Kampman or using him strictly as a DE on passing downs. Other than that, if the offense continues to commit to the run and do the things that play to their strengths(slants, quick screens), the Packers may be able to give themselves a playoff berth.

Notre Dame Can Be Taken Seriously Again

Chris Schei — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:15:12 -0500

Notre Dame has the most storied history in college football.

I've been to the campus on a fall Saturday afternoon, (with no game, thank god no traffic) and just felt it. You can sense the history standing in front of the stadium, and looking at the golden dome.

But in recent years, the football program hasn't been nearly the same. Sure, they have been to some BCS bowl games, and they've had great players in the last few years.

But underneath the fasade of crap scheduling lies a pretty average team. Against teams with winning records since Charlie Weis took over, Notre Dame is 3-16.

You read that right.

When the heat was on to win a bowl game, Notre Dame accepted a bowl invitation to play a .500 Hawaii team from a bad conference.

Whoopie.

But Charlie has proven one thing—recruiting can still be done at a high level there. His recruiting classes have been among the best in the nation the last few years. Now, whether those classes pan out remains to be seen (ask Nebraska fans where great recruiting gets you). But the sheer fact that it can be done is promising.

Weis may not be the man to lead Notre Dame. Or he may be. We don't know. But the signs are there that Notre Dame could once again be a national powerhouse, and a team that we have to take seriously.

And you never know, maybe, just maybe, they'll beat a good team.

Stranger things have happened.

Congratulations, Brett Favre

Chris Schei — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:01:22 -0500

Congratulations, Brett. You took it to Green Bay twice this year.

As I was watching my Packers take on the Vikings for the second time this year, I felt many of the same emotions the second time as I did the first.

Frustration that the Packers offensive line looked the way it did.

Shock as defensive coordinator Dom Capers only rushed three (and sometimes two) defenders, when any quarterback, let alone Favre, would tear that apart.

But as both games came to a close, I also felt a sense of relief. Because with each game, I truly believe it was another step towards a Favre-Packers reconciliation.

Ted Thompson doesn't care that Favre beat him twice. Thompson knew he could play. But he also knew he had a very good young quarterback in the final year of his contract. Hence the divorce, which was purely a football and business move on the Packers part that Favre took personally.

Favre had every right to take it personally. You can't tell someone how to feel. When he went to the Vikings, all of us Packer fans were told by him that it was just business, and we should all understand that. But that's the exact opposite of what he did.

Some fans took that personally, as they had every right to.

But now with two wins under his belt, maybe Favre can bury the hatchet with the Packers. Maybe the hate for Ted Thompson will go away now that he has "proved him wrong."

Before the start of the season, I predicted that either the Pack or Vikings would win both regular season games, only to be beaten by the other in the playoffs. If that prediction comes to fruition, then maybe all of the hate will come storming back.

I saluted Favre with a round of applause in my living room before the game today. During the game, I treated him like he was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. After the game, I gave him one more salute.

Brett, you were, are, and always will be a huge part of Green Bay, regardless of what you do in Minnesota. I hope you can put everything behind you, and be a willing part of the Packer family.

And, hopefully (based on my prediction), we won't see you a third time this season.

Time For Raw's "Guest Host" to Take a Bow and Leave

Chris Schei — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:59:57 -0400

It was pretty cool for a while. Ex-wrestlers would be guest hosts on Monday Night Raw, it was a nice little hook considering some were the fathers of key wrestlers.

But then, Seth Green had to be saved by Triple H, Freddie Prinze Jr. was attacked by Randy Orton, and Shaq was the "outside enforcer" in a match involving the tag team of Big Show and Chris Jericho.

I guess that's all fine and okay.

Unfortunately, we also had to watch Bob Barker do a mockery of the Price is Right on Raw, Al Sharpton talk about Education Reform, and Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive line embarrass themselves.

The guest host thing turned into the latest promotional tool for celebrities. And most of them know how to pronounce Kofi Kingston's name going into the show.

Smackdown has easily become the better, and more watchable show than Raw.

And the guest host is one of the main reasons.

Not to mention Santino, Chavo, and Hornswoggle.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball Season Review and Preview

Chris Schei — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:05:22 -0400

It all started with an innocent 55-52 early season win over UCLA in Madison Square Garden for Michigan last year.

Michigan coach John Beilien scheduled and beat UCLA and Duke early in the season last year, which propelled the Wolverines to an NCAA Tournament Berth.

But looking closer at last season, Michigan had to come from behind at Minnesota just to finish .500 in the Big Ten, albeit a very good conference. Michigan seemed to play down (and up) to opponents, and struggled badly on the road for much of the season.

This year, talent takes a step up, while leadership may take a step down. C.J. Lee and David Merritt were the unquestioned leaders of the team last year, and both are now gone.

Kelvin Grady left the basketball program in the off-season, creating a hole at the point guard spot, even with Darius Morris, a high-profile recruit, coming in. If he struggles early on, Stu Douglass or possibly even Manny Harris will have to man the spot, despite that taking some of Harris's offense away.

Some have already begun comparing shooting guard recruit Matt Vogrich to former Duke star J.J. Redick, so one should have a good idea about how he plays.

Once he returns from injury, Jordan Morgan should help in the paint, while sharp-shooting big man Blake Mclimas has Michigan fans dreaming about Kevin Pittsnogle, a former West Virginia sharp-shooting big man under Beilien, only in a Michigan uniform.

With added talent and another year for Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims, Michigan fans should be excited about this team, especially with the shooting ability that has been added to this team.

Beilien should have many options, with Zack Novak, Douglass, Zack Gibson, and Anthony Wright on the roster. Add those four to the "Detroit Duo" and the quartet of Freshman, and another Tournament appearance are realistic expectations.

Chris Schei is the author of "The Magical Season of the Maize and Blue," available at Lulu.com.

Thoughts On Favre in Purple: From a Lifelong Packer Fan

Chris Schei — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:43:39 -0400

The moment we all knew would come is finally here. Over the last few months, I have done my share of criticism and glorifying Favre. When I criticized him, the response I got was usually this...

"You're just a bitter Packers fan."

To be truthful, the second Favre was traded to the Jets, I started preparing myself for this. To be sure, not all Packer fans were ready for it. Some are certainly bitter, but these are just my thoughts.

When the Packers and Vikings play each other, I will give Favre a one-minute standing ovation when he is introduced, and then cheer the Packers on as hard as I can.

I believe the Vikings were unbelievably classless and unprofessional in their pursuit of Favre after he announced his intentions to stay retired.

I believe if Brett Favre thought he couldn't play a 16 game season three weeks ago, but suddenly can now, he shouldn't be playing. If the reasons for his staying retiring were just to avoid training camp, he is a selfish prick. Just in case you don't believe me, let me know the next time any player even thinks that they have the right to skip training camp.

I don't blame Brett Favre for wanting to play in Minnesota. I don't blame the Vikings for pursuing him. He is not a traitor in my eyes, but he is the enemy now.

My Favre memorabilia still hangs on my wall, and will never be taken down, because the 16 years he played for the Packers will always be cherished by me, and one, two, or ten seasons in Minnesota won't change that.

Fran Tarkenton has some very valid points against Brett Favre and Brad Childress. It would be nice to hear someone comment on those valid points rather than bash an NFL legend.

Last but not least, please remember that it's just football, folks. The two games that these teams play this year will be very intense, and very emotional. Please remember that it's just football.

The Biggest Quarterback Gaffe Made by Brad Childress

Chris Schei — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:23:36 -0400

Brad Childress considers himself a quarterback guru. He loves to tell stories about how he was walking around the war room telling the Eagles brass to draft Donovan Mcnabb, and he's the reason Mcnabb is what he is.

We'll never know if that is true, so let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

Childress traded up in the draft to select Tavaris Jackson, a talented but very raw prospect from a small college. Jackson has never received a legitimate fair chance as a starter, but he certainly has not developed quite how the quarterback guru thought.

From Jackson to Gus Frerrote to Sage Rosenfels, the Vikings are heading into yet another season with serious uncertainty at the quarterback position.

But Childress's biggest mistake is rarely discussed among Vikings fans.

A few years ago, there was a quarterback coming off of shoulder surgery who was available as a free agent. Childress himself said that this quarterback's shoulder surgery was a success, and that he was sure he was 100 percent.

This quarterback also showed serious interest in coming to the Vikings, with reports saying that he was willing to accept less money and less years on his contract to play in Minnesota.

All systems go, right?

Not so fast. Childress said that he was not interested, because this quarterback was too short and not an accurate enough passer to play in a West Coast offense.

Maybe that's true, but if you look at the Vikings quarterback situation the last few years and compare that with Drew Brees' play during the same time period, I think Brees would've been a better option.

Brees, of course, ended up in New Orleans, where he has been one of the most prolific passers in the league since then. It's very rare to hear about this subject, even though it was probably the biggest mistake Brad Childress ever made since becoming a head coach.

I'm Sorry, Vikings Fans

Chris Schei — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:36:20 -0400

So, here we are. After reading for months about how Brett Favre was going to lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl win, he has decided to stay retired.

Many of you know that I am a lifelong Packer fan. I lost respect and was upset at Favre for what he tried to pull in 2007, but accepted it for what it was a few days before he was traded to the Jets, already preparing myself for Favre to be in purple this year.

But the last four seasons have shown us that Favre can't play at a high level for 16 games anymore. And despite a healthy shoulder, maybe Favre realized that as well. All of the greats get old, and Favre is no different.

Having gone through a Favre circus before, I would like to say I'm sorry to Vikings fans.

I'm sorry that Favre tugged at your heart strings.

I'm sorry that he forced you to have Lombardi trophies dancing in your heads.

I'm sorry that he gave you a nice swift kick to the groin.

I honestly believe that Favre did not do any of those things on purpose, but he no doubt did them. The Vikings gave him all of the time he needed, and he used every minute before deciding to stay home.

Regardless of one season with the Vikings or not, Favre's legacy is still intact. He leaves as a three-time MVP, a Super Bowl winner, and the all-time leader in a lot of major passing categories.

Some younger people may only remember Favre throwing crucial interceptions in playoff games and as the waffling man that could never make up his mind, but to the rest of us, he will be that little kid that enjoyed what he did, and did it well.

I do wish Brett the best in whatever he decides to do, just as I have stated numerous times that I would wish him the best as a Viking. Favre gave the Packers everything he had for almost his entire career, and a season with any team would never have changed that.

The Brett Favre Bottom Line

Chris Schei — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:52:57 -0400

Well, we're back at it. ESPN is telling us when Brett Favre goes to the bathroom, and when he goes to bed. ESPN recently embarrassed themselves citing a "source" that told them about a deadline set for Brett Favre.

Vikings Coach Brad Childress ended that speculation, saying that there was no deadline. So now, we sit and wait. The sad part is, we all know what is going on.

The Vikings would like Brett Favre to be at mini-camps to not only get to know his teammates, but also get the timing down and understand receivers that he has never thrown the ball to.

As far as the offense goes, that isn't much of a worry. The Vikings offense is similar to what Favre is used to, with just some minor differences that Favre will be able to pick up in no time.

Favre doesn't want to waste his time doing that sort of stuff. He has tried for six or seven years (mostly successfully) to skip OTA's and mini-camps, with the exception of 2007, when Ted Thompson and Mike Mccarthy told the team that if they weren't 100 percent committed, they weren't committed at all. Favre participated in all off-season team activities that off-season, and enjoyed a great season.

But the Vikings are content with Favre riding in on his white horse late in July, which could make for an interesting locker room. While many players have publicly said they would like to have Favre, Ray Edwards said the exact opposite, saying that "Jackson would make everyone forget about Brett Favre."

Edwards said that he not only isn't the only one who feels that way, but a majority of the team wouldn't like it if Favre came whenever he wanted to and was the starter instantly.

Brett is going to wait until Brett wants to join the Vikings, because that's what Brett wants to do. And whatever Brett wants to do, Brett does. He isn't deciding about how healthy his arm would be. (John Elway had the same procedure and was ready to play a day later).

He isn't deciding on whether or not his play could hold up for an entire season; (he has proven the last four years that it can't); he is just waiting until he doesn't have to put up with all of the team stuff that he hasn't liked in almost a decade.

Until then, ESPN is going to say Brett Favre's name 200 times a day, just out of sheer boredom. They are going to create stories based off of what a "source" told them. – source told me that their "source" is the guy who mops the floors at ESPN headquarters.

Everyone is going to wonder who their "source" is, when they probably don't have one at all.

And people, with valid reasoning, with blame the media for shoving it down their throats. But, there is one way that the media doesn't have to do that. There is one way to make the media stop making up stories and shut-up about this whole situation.

Brett Favre can sign with the Vikings, and report to the team. He can get to know his teammates, and work with his new wide receivers. Instead of thinking of himself as one king with 52 people he's supposed to call teammates just there to ignore him, he can make sure that the Vikings are a 53-man team.

Instead of having his own private office to review film in away from coaches and players, he can go to regular team meetings, and learn from the coaches.

Or, he can just do the opposite, and be Brett Favre.

Brett Favre Will Be a Viking If Brad Childress Lets Him

Chris Schei — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:19:17 -0400

Vikings coach Brad Childress has given Favre a deadline of this week to inform the Vikings on his plans to play this year. As far as a news story, this means nothing.

Brett Favre probably won't adhere to the deadline, because, as those good old "sources" say, Favre isn't sure if his arm will hold up at this point. ESPN's Ed Werder said this morning that he thinks Favre will ask the Vikings to wait until the end of June, when Favre "has a better understanding of how his arm will be."

Right.

I believe Favre will do something similar to that, believing that if he requests it, he doesn't have to participate in all of the boring "team" stuff that he hates, and he can show up just in time for training camp.

If the Vikings don't grant him that request, he can just go on his public relations tour, telling any media outlet that will listen that the Vikings didn't do exactly what he wanted them to do.

That way, the Vikings fans that thought he was the most overrated player in the game and loathed him for years (but now think he is awesome) will pressure the team into signing him.

A friend of mine, a lifelong Viking fan, wants Favre on his team under certain conditions. If he is healthy and wants to be a member of the team, he wants him. If he, however, doesn't want to do anything until training camp, and wants his own private office to be away from everyone like he did with the Jets, he thinks Favre should stay home.

Well, Brad Childress feels the same way.

Brad is a no-nonsense kind of guy, and either Favre wants to play, or he doesn't. It's obvious to everyone who slightly follows football that Favre wants to play for the Vikings, but the problem is that he wants to play for them on (SURPRISE!) his terms only.

If the Vikings don't follow his terms, the fan backlash will be large. The only question remaining is—Are Brad Childress and the Vikings willing to do what Favre tells them to do?

Fran Tarkenton Was Right About One Thing with Brett Favre

Chris Schei — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:18:44 -0400

I read what Fran Tarkenton had to say about Brett Favre. The next day, I listened to a very entertaining discussion between Tarkenton and Paul Allen, a radio host for a sports talk radio station in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, and the radio announcer for the Vikings.

Paul Allen was listening intently to Tarkenton, respectfully disagreeing with some things, and agreeing with others. But one comment Tarkenton made turned the discussion into an argument.

Tarkenton simply said that Favre couldn't play a full season anymore. Allen's rebuttal was that in the first 11 weeks of last year, there were few better quarterbacks than Favre.

After Tarkenton reminded him that there wasn't an 11-game season, Allen reminded him that Favre was hurt the rest of the year.

The fact that Favre was hurt was Paul Allen's defense for the remainder of the interview, forgetting to mention that maybe the Jets would've been better off having someone, anyone, other than Favre be the quarterback at that point.

There's one problem with Paul Allen's argument: In the last four months of December combined, Favre has thrown 13 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

Yes, that number was 31.

Not only am I a nice guy, but I am a Favre fan as well. So, i'm going to remove 2005, when the Packers were just a bad team all around, and 2009, when Favre was hurt, from those numbers.

In December of 2006, Favre threw 4 touchdowns, compared to 8 interceptions. That's a 2-1 ratio, right on the button.

In Favre's magical, some said best year of his career 2007, he threw 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Not as flat out bad as 2006, but still mediocre at best.

The 2007 playoffs were a perfect example of Favre's late-season play. Against Seattle, he looked brilliant in a 42-20 win.

Against New York the next week, he looked horribly erratic, with most of his passes too high, a few yards behind or in front of the receivers, or hitting the ground at their feet.

Anyone who watched Favre as long as I have (his whole career) felt the interception in overtime long before it happened.

As much as I love Brett, the circus that is his retirement saga has to end. I've actually learned to respect Brad Childress for wanting an answer now, instead of allowing Brett to let it go as long as he wants to.

But we'll all sit and wait, again. We'll hear about how much better the Vikings will be with a first ballot Hall-of-Famer as their quarterback, without mentioning that the Hall-of-Famer in question is already past the twilight of his career.

Until we all learn to let him go, and realize that players don't play forever, the better off we'll all be.

And nobody has to realize it more than Brett Favre.

My Last Thoughts on Brett Favre

Chris Schei — Sat, 02 May 2009 01:36:42 -0400

As most of you know, I've been a lifelong Packer fan. Being that, I had very strong feelings about Brett Favre.

Until now.

After the 2005 debacle, Brett Favre played a long game of chicken with Ted Thompson, with neither person wanting to be the bad guy. Favre wanted out of Green Bay, and waited as long as he could to "make his decision" on playing again, hoping that Thompson would eventually say "enough" and release him.

That never happened. The next two years, Favre made quick decisions to continue playing, and had his last hurrah in 2007. When the Packers lost to the Giants with a vintage time-it-with-a-stop-watch Favre interception, I assumed that it had to be over.

We all, including Brett, knew Favre would never duplicate that season again. Believing it, however, was a different story.

After watching Favre's teary-eyed press conference announcing his retirement, I assumed it was over for good. Little did I know (according to Brett), that he told Ted Thompson that he "might want to play come July, so be prepared." Ted Thompson was no mood to put the entire organization and franchise on standby, and the Packers moved on.

Favre was then traded to the Jets, which saddened me. I didn't dis-like Brett for it, he gave Packer fans his heart and soul for how many years. But I knew it would end badly. That was the saddest part.

With Favre being the secondary option to Thomas Jones, the Jets stormed out to an 8-3 record. Favre (with admission from him) went to then Jets coach Eric Mangini after that game, saying that the Jets needed to be more aggressive.

Oops.

A 1-4 finish by the Jets left them out of the playoffs, while Favre struggled badly down the stretch, adding to an already horrid recent December play.

Now, Favre was recently cut by the Jets, after numerous requests from Brett that they do so. But, he doesn't want to play. His agent made that clear. And just to be even more clear, Brett went on the record to say that at this time, he was still retired and had no intention of playing football again.

Just like Brett, leave that door wide-open with those first three words, "at this time." So now, we all sit and wait. We sit and wait to see how Brett Favre's world will turn today. We sit and wait to see what kind of news story gets so much attention that Favre has to do something to undercut it. (Remember Favre retiring when A-rods steroid story broke?)

We sit and wait, and soon will hear everyone's opinion on the radio and TV. We sit and wait and talk about this non-stop on Bleacher Report, because that's what Favre wants us to do. Talk about him.

Brett Favre is a Packer icon and a Packer legend. He deserves to be in the ring of honor and the Packers hall of fame, with his jersey retired.

But, this is the most publicity I have ever seen a very sub-par quarterback get. If he does play again, whichever team he goes to and that teams fans will be highly disappointed this time next year. They will think that they are getting a savior, when they're getting a has-been.

They think they will be getting a super bowl win, when all they will get are timely, game-killing interceptions.

That's the Brett Favre we've watched for the last decade. That last sentence describes the last 10 years of his career.

For me, this is it. I just can't talk about him anymore. No amount of thanks will ever be enough for what he did for the Packer organization, but I've had enough.

Let the debate begin without me...

Brett Favre: Here We Go Again

Chris Schei — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:23:20 -0400

As a Packer fan, I am supposed to be furious. I'm supposed to rather die than see Brett Favre in Vikings purple. I'm supposed to think of the glory years, when Favre was leading the Packers to the Super Bowl and winning MVPs.

Vikings fans are getting excited. The player that they loved to hate for so many years, the man they said over and over was the most overrated interception-prone piece of you-know-what, may be their next quarterback.

There is one problem—none of us should care.

In the last four years, Favre has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions only once. In those same four years, he has 88 touchdowns and 85 interceptions. Only one of those four seasons could you say that he played better than very mediocre.

But, there is a reason for Favre going to the Vikings. In four home games last year, local TV stations had to buy up thousands of tickets to ensure that the Vikings game wouldn't be a blackout in order to get their advertising money. The NFL had to give Minnesota two extensions to sell out their first home playoff game in many years, which they were able to do. (Thank you Eagles fans.)

Brett Favre would certainly alleviate those problems. By drafting Percy Harvin instead of Micheal Oher, the Vikings made it clear that excitement was more important than improving the team. Harvin is a major weapon, but with a lengthy injury history, small frame, and no set position.

If excitement is what you want, Favre can bring it. If a team atmosphere is what you want, turn the other way.

The last few years in Green Bay were tough for Favre. After being treated like royalty by Mike Sherman, he was treated like an NFL player by Mike Mccarthy and Ted Thompson.

After getting traded to the Jets, they burst on the scene to an 8-3 record, behind Thomas Jones and short-quick passing by Favre. After their win at Tennessee, Favre went to head coach Eric Mangini, and said they had to be more aggressive. He was happy they were winning, but not the way they were winning.

If you put aggressive and Favre in the same sentence, two touch downs, nine interceptions, and a 1-4 finish is what you get.

The Minnesota Vikings have two very average quarterbacks on their team. Why not a third? In his Star Tribune column, Partick Reusse said it best: "We're [vikings fans] big enough suckers who would fall for a washed-up legend."

Michigan Basketball: We're Back

Chris Schei — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:20:15 -0400

It's official. You can go ahead and put the Michigan Wolverines back in your preseason top 25. Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims announced that they will both be back to play in Ann Arbor next season.

While Sims was a realistic assumption that he would stay, Harris was the one that had a lot of people worried. Clearly a player with high potential at the next level, Harris needs to add consistency before going pro.

Sims, on the other hand, should look to be a better perimeter shooter if he wants to play in the NBA. With his athleticism, he could already be a small power forward in a backup role, but with an improved jump shot he could also be a big small forward in the NBA.

But for now, Michigan basketball's stock is going through the roof, and it only goes up with the announcement that the Detroit Duo will play another season for the Wolverines.

Chris Schei is the author of "The Magical Season of the Maize and Blue," about the 2008-2009 Michigan Wolverines. The book is available at Lulu.com.

Kelvin Grady's Departure Creates Hole for Michigan

Chris Schei — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:49:05 -0400

Kelvin Grady has decided to leave the Michigan men's basketball program. While he had glowing remarks for the university, players, and coaching staff, there had been reports that he wasn't happy with his decrease in playing time as the season went on.

While C.J. Lee and David Merritt both graduate, Grady thought (and probably correctly) that with the arrival of much balley-hooed point guard Darius Morris and shooting guard Matt Vogrich, his playing time may never increase during his career.

Those two players, however, are will be just freshman next season. And you never know what kind of impact they will make.

If Darius Morris isn't ready to play the point guard position full-time, that opens a hole in the Michigan lineup. By they way, it opens up a very important hole.

Should Morris need time to develop, a realistic assumption, the only other option would probably be Stuart Douglass. But playing him at point guard may take some of his offensive abilities as a shooter.

The story on Matt Vogrich is that he is a deadly sharp-shooter, with some comparing him to former Duke star J.J. Redick. According to reports, he is a serviceable defender, but his driving ability and ball-handling skills are only average.

Many Michigan fans had their doubts about Kelvin Grady this season, but a speedy player with the ball-handling and passing skills of Grady are going to be difficult to replace.

With a little luck, Darius Morris or Stuart Douglass (or both) will be able to man the point guard position next season. This news certainly comes as a blow after such a successful season in Ann Arbor.

As a Michigan fan, Kelvin Grady's professionalism on and off the court were appreciated, and I hope that he finds what he is looking for at the college he chooses to attend next.

And hopefully his brother stays with the Michigan football program.

Chris Schei can be reached at packhawk04@hotmail.com, and recently published "A Magical Season for the Maize and Blue", a book recalling the 2008-2009 Michigan Wolverines basketball team available at lulu.com.

Memphis Tigers: A Team to Root For

Chris Schei — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:03:07 -0400

As human beings, we tend to root for the underdog. We root for the team that shouldn't necessarily be playing with the "big boys," but is giving it their all anyway.

I also root for teams that get looked down upon or very rarely receive praise. I root for teams that consistently get the "shaft" when it comes to postseason basketball.

And there is no team that meets that criteria like the Memphis Tigers.

This season marked the third straight year that Memphis won 25 games in a row. In those three years, they have been a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament exactly once.

In those three years, they have been to the Elite Eight twice, the Final Four once, and to the National Championship once.

But for some reason, both fans and pundits alike enjoy talking about how "overrated" the Tigers are. They love talking about how they would be just another average team in any power conference.

Looking back at the last two NCAA Tournaments, I doubt an "average team from a power conference" could get to two straight Elite Eights. They certainly wouldn't be found in a National Championship game.

Last season, Memphis destroyed every team in their path to the National Championship only to listen to ridiculous criticism.

A few years ago, coach John Calipari was not happy with his team receiving a No. 2 seed; he thought his team deserved a top bid. He voiced his displeasure at that slight, as well as his displeasure at a possible Elite Eight match-up with UCLA just 20 miles from the Bruins' campus.

The next season, Memphis made sure that the NCAA Tournament Committee would have no excuses to give them anything but a one seed.

In the middle of the year, Calipari made a joke, saying that in the NCAA Tournament, Memphis would be playing Texas in the Elite Eight. He said with a sly smile that Texas would be a two seed and that the game would be in Texas.

A few short months later, what do you know? Memphis is playing the second-seeded Longhorns in the round of eight in the Horns' home state.

It's befuddling that UCLA gets to play in their home state in the first four rounds two years in a row while poor little Memphis has to travel around the country.

Is it because Calipari is perceived as arrogant? If it is, then why is Phil Mickelson, the biggest jerk on the PGA Tour, is one of the most popular golfers?

Or is the reason for the injustice that this great team plays in a non-power conference? If it is, then why was Davidson the darling of college basketball this past season?

What is it about Memphis that people don't like?

For Mid-Majors, Your Choices Are Clear

Chris Schei — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:05:48 -0400

A lot of terms have been thrown around since Selection Sunday. Conspiracy, snub, and bias—just to name a few regarding mid-majors not getting into the tournament.

How about this one?

Beat somebody.

The great thing about the NCAA Tournament (and its committee) is that it is actually very fair when it comes to selecting at-large teams. Penn State was left out for the same reason Mt. Saint Mary's was—they didn't play anyone out of conference.

Providence? Give me a break.

A lot of people are complaining that Michigan got into the tournament strictly on their reputation. Oh, really? How quickly people forget that a few years ago, Michigan was what Penn State is today—a bubble team that didn't play anyone out of conference, and they were left out.

That happened twice to Michigan. Fast forward to this year—Michigan beat Duke and UCLA, and took UConn to the final minute at UConn.

Some people are using that age-old adage of their team having more wins than some teams in the tournament. That's what happens when you schedule for it.

If Michigan took away games at UConn and at Maryland, and substituted those games for any of Penn State's non-conference games, Michigan is 22-11, with those wins against Duke and UCLA in their back pocket.

But, that's not the point. The point is that even if a mid-major just played better teams, forget beating them, their SOS would be good enough for an at-large, but they just don't want to do that. After all, that would take away wins.

Davidson did that last year. They played six top 25 teams out of conference, and didn't win one of them. They won their conference tournament, but everyone unanimously agreed (including the chair of the tournament committee) that their SOS would've been enough to get them an at-large bid.

And they went to the Elite Eight.

So, mid-majors, if you don't play anyone and don't win your conference tournament, stop complaining. You don't belong in the NCAA Tournament if you don't do either of those things.

Don't Feel Sorry for Penn State

Chris Schei — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:54:33 -0400

Michigan, Maryland, Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota. This list of teams have been mentioned as some of the last teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Looking again at this list, what do these schools have in common?

These schools proved that they could beat bubble teams and/or NCAA Tournament teams in and out of their respective conferences.

One of the last teams out of the NCAA Tournament was Penn State, a team that many people think should've been in the tournament.

If you would like, I can tell you why they are not in the tournament. But before I do, reality is needed, Penn State fans. So brace yourselves.

Penn State is not in the tournament because of their non-conference schedule. With the tournament committee clamoring about teams' full bodies of work, Penn State is clamoring about their conference wins.

With the tournament committee clamoring about needing a good strength of schedule, Penn State is clamoring about, well, their conference wins.

With the tournament committee clamoring about what kind of wins you have against better teams out of conference, Penn State is clamoring about their conference wins.

In their non-conference schedule, Penn State played only two teams from the RPI top 100, and they lost to both of them. Meanwhile, Michigan was beating Duke and UCLA. Maryland was beating Michigan and Michigan State. Arizona was beating Gonzaga and San Diego State, and Minnesota was beating Louisville.

Wisconsin was only beating Virginia Tech, but at least it was a bubble team.

Penn State only had to schedule a few games of good, solid competition, and they would've been in the tournament. Despite Duke (twice) and UCLA, Michigan went to Maryland and to Connecticut. Wisconsin even lost to the likes of Texas.

But at least they played them.

If Penn State does schedule some games, the question then becomes, would they even have 20 wins? Would they even be considered on the bubble if they played better non-conference competition?

The answers to those questions are, "I don't know." It's the only answer you can come up with and it was the only answer the committee came up with. All the committee could do was go by what their schedule told them.

And Penn State's out of conference schedule told them that they couldn't beat a couple of Atlantic-10 teams.

We should all know by now that you can't schedule cupcakes, win a few big games in your conference, which a lot of teams do, and then think that it's enough to go to the NCAA Tournament.

It'll never be enough, because other bubble teams will get the nod, better conference record or not, because they proved to the committee that they could beat NCAA Tournament teams in and out of their conference.

Michigan beat Duke, the ACC tournament champion and second-best team of the RPI's highest-ranked conference.

Minnesota beat the overall No. 1 seed, Louisville, on a neutral floor.

Maryland beat a No. 2 seed and regular season Big-10 champion Michigan State.

Arizona beat a No. 4 seed and West Coast Conference regular season and conference tournament champion, Gonzaga.

All of those wins were out of conference. And Penn State couldn't beat two teams from the A-10.

Michigan Basketball: They're Coming for You

Chris Schei — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:21:59 -0400

The general consensus is that Michigan secured their at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament Thursday with their win against Iowa. In a tough Big Ten, Michigan was able to roller coaster-ride their way to a 9-9 record.

So they are just another one-and-done team in the NCAA Tournament, right?

Maybe. Or maybe, this team will make some noise. They have beaten UCLA on a neutral floor and have beaten Duke. Many people forget that they actually played Duke twice, once on a neutral floor. They held their own for about 32 minutes of that game, before Duke took control in the final minutes.

And then, right in the middle of the Big Ten season, there was a little-known game against Conneticut in Storrs, Conneticut. Michigan came out rattled, quickly falling down 8-1. But they punched back, and Uconn was stunned for awhile, before they took control late in that game.

Do those facts make them dangerous?

Maybe. If they don't convince you, I'll give you some more.

Michigan has two players that can take over a game at anytime, Deshawn Sims and Manny Harris. In the game at Northwestern, the Wildcats had Manny "fresh" shut down in the first half, holding him to one point in the first half.

In the second half, Manny reminded them that they can hold him down for awhile, but not long enough, scoring 25 in the second half and overtime combined. Those 25 points were more than half of Michigan's point totals in those two periods.

Against Purdue, Deshawn Sims made an innocent looking jumper in the second half. When he was running down the floor, he looked right at Coach John Beilien, pointed to his back, and said "put it on me." Sims would single-handily close out that game.

And, of course, when the " Detroit Duo" are on at the same time, they are almost unstoppable.

Stu Douglass, Zack Novak, and Laval Lucas-Perry do just enough from the outside for opponents to respect them.

John Beilien has led Canisius, Richmond, and West Virginia to the NCAA Tournament. He has a proven track record of success in postseason basketball. His Richmond Spiders upset the heavily favored Syracuse Orange in the early 90s, and his West Virginia Mountaineers reached the Elite Eight not that many years ago.

How does he do it? Coaches and teams in the conference know how to prepare and what to prepare for when they play a John Beilien coached team. And they generally have plenty of time to prepare for the 1-3-1 zone that he employs, and the type of spread-the-court offense he runs.

In the NCAA Tournament, teams can do neither. They aren't prepared for the defense. (Ask Ben Howland, Jim Calhoun, Darren Collison, or A.J. Price) They don't know what is about to be thrown at them.

With only a day or two to prepare, they are at an immediate disadvantage. If teams have more time to look at film and prepare, Beilien has the same amount of time to tweak it.

Those things have lead to great success in March for John Beilien. Can his Michigan Wolverines duplicate that success?

With Deshawn Sims playing like a man among boys, and Manny being Manny (in basketball terms) since he was benched at Iowa, other NCAA teams better watch out. John Beilien and the Detroit Duo are gunning for you.

Big Ten: Home of the Country's Most Underrated Coaches

Chris Schei — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:50:52 -0500

When you hear experts talk about the National Coach of the Year award, the name most thrown around is Trent Johnson, coach of the LSU Tigers.

He certainly deserves to be mentioned, although LSU had a porous non-conference schedule and have played 19 of their 29 games at home.

But some names that I have not heard mentioned bother me. All of those names come from the Big Ten.

Let me throw some at you—John Beliein, Tubby Smith, Ed Dechellis, Thad Matta, and Bo Ryan.

Beliein and his Michigan Wolverines were a pain to watch last year, on their way to a 10-22 record. Having little time to recruit, the best he could do was sign three players who either had no other offers, or very few.

Zack Novak had an offer to Northwestern, before they withdrew it from him. Ben Cronin had few other offers, and Stu Douglass had offers from a small handful of low-major colleges.

Many said if the stars all aligned the right way, Michigan could somehow get to a .500 overall record. Michigan is now on the tournament bubble, taking out the likes of Duke and UCLA along the way, and giving UConn all they could handle—in Storrs.

Tubby Smith's Gophers made sure they would get 12 or 13 wins before the Big Ten season with their laughable non-conference schedule, but Tubby has found ways to win in the Big Ten despite a very mediocre half-court offense, and inconsistent play from his star player.

Ed DeChellis and his Nittany Lions have proved the experts wrong, and they very well could be dancing in March. They, too, had a horrible non-conference schedule, but have beaten Michigan State and Illinois in their house.

Thad Matta was supposed to have a rebuilding year, with maybe reaching the NIT. But he has guided his young, inexperienced Buckeyes to the brink of a NCAA berth.

And, Bo Ryan could win the award every year. Wisconsin was supposed to have a season much like Ohio State's, but the Badgers are on the cusp of their own NCAA berth.

While there are better candidates for National Coach of the Year, these guys deserve some major props for the jobs that they have done this year.

And just to ensure I don't ruffle any feathers, I better mention Bruce Weber's name, who's Fighting Illini were a question mark coming into this year. After a very disappointing year last year, Illini faithful were just hoping to see some improvement.

How does a five- or six-seed in the NCAA Tournament sound for improvement?

They can give the award to whoever they want. But they better not forget about these guys.

There Is Still Time For Brett Favre

Chris Schei — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:36:18 -0500

Once upon a time, there was a legend that played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. He was the face of the franchise and was the iconic image for leading the Packers through rain and snow to many great victories.

Then, he was gone. He was so bitter at the organization, so upset that they would treat someone like they were that gave so much to them. He couldn't believe that the Packers thought that they could move on without him.

I'm talking, of course, about Bart Starr. Not long after he was done playing, Starr realized that the Packers were wise to do what they did, and he realized that no one player is bigger than any professional franchise.

Nowadays, Starr is a living legend of Lambeau Field. He is the image of what it means to be a Green Bay Packer. He is loved and welcomed by the Packer fans and organization.

Hopefully, it doesn't take Brett Favre long to realize what Bart did. Last offseason, Favre thought it was a joke that the Packers were going to make him beat out Aaron Rodgers for the starting job. Numerous ESPN reports say that Brett's family obsessed over Rodger's stats while Brett was with the Jets.

If that is true, then his family was certainly disappointed. After a comparable completion percentage and yardage to Brett's 2007 season, Rodgers had 32 touchdowns (four rushing, 28 throwing) while throwing only 13 interceptions, only to be frustrated with him team's 23rd ranked defense, compared to 6th ranked in 2007.

Meanwhile, in New York, Favre stumbled home to the finish tossing two touchdowns and nine interceptions in the last five games, and throwing 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions for the season. The last four months of December have been mean to Favre, who has thrown 13 touchdowns but 31 interceptions in that time.

In the last four years, an average December game consisted of one touchdown and two interceptions for Favre.

The Packers were not joking after all about possibly making Favre beat Rodgers for the starting job.

Watching Favre in the final few games, I couldn't help but feel bad. Being a lifelong Packer fan, I really hoped he would retire after his great 2007 season, which is now the aberration, not the norm.

This isn't a knock on Brett, but it is a fact of life—he can't make it through a 16-game season anymore.

But after all that has happened, and after all of the bitterness that he showed and continues to show toward the Packers organization, I still love the guy. I won't remember his last season with the Jets. Even today, when I hear his name, the first thing I think of is the iconic image you see at the top of the screen. And that's probably what I'll think of forever.

But I hope Brett can one day realize that no one player is bigger than any organization. I hope that he can realize that after all that happened, maybe Ted Thompson was trying to protect his legacy.

I hope he can one day return to Lambeau Field with a smile on his face, accepting the honor of the Packers hall of fame, and having his number retired forever on the walls of Lambeau Field.

Lombardi, White, Starr, Nitshcke, Lambeau, Favre. Of course, there are others, but doesn't that just sound right?

Here's to hoping Brett really does hang them up this time. And that all can be forgiven and forgotten in the future.

Ted Thompson Needs Plastic Surgery: Brett Favre Retires Again

Chris Schei — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:30:50 -0500

Look at the picture above. Do you see that smile on Ted Thompson's face? He won't be able to stop smiling until he gets plastic surgery to remove it.

Brett Favre retired from the NFL last March. A few weeks later, he privately informed the Packers that he wanted to return.

So the Packers set up a news conference to announce Favre's return. Two days before the PC, Favre called it off, telling the Packers he changed his mind, and was done for good. He also informed Ted Thompson that he "may wake up one day in July and still want to play, so be prepared."

So, a player that just retired and said he was done for good also just said he may want to play in a few months. After years of Favre holding the Packers hostage, Thompson had had enough, and he the Packers were moving on without Brett.

In 2007, Favre had just had an MVP type season. Favre's very poor seasons in 2005 and 2006 were a long-lost memory in the minds of many Packer fans, furious that Thompson would dare not do what Favre told him to do.

But Thompson and coach Mike Mccarthy saw something. In a late season game at Soldier Field and in the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field, Favre played terribly. They also had noticed that Favre had struggled in December for the third straight season.

Including this December, Favre has thrown 13 TDs compared to 31 ints in the last four months of December. And Tony Romo gets grilled for his play in December?

In the late months of the football season, Favre's 39 year old body was exactly that. So Favre was traded to the Jets, who hailed Favre as the cure of what ails them.

When the Jets started out 8-3, Favre was the sole reason for that, in the minds of Favre fans. During the Jets late season collapse, Favre fans were quick to point out all of the faults other than Favre.

Meanwhile, in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers put up better numbers than Favre's 2007 season. Favre fans were quick to point out that the team went from 13-3 to 6-10 under Rodgers, refusing to realize that Rodgers had the NFL's 23rd best defense, compared to the sixth best in '07.

Rodgers "inability" to come through in the clutch was also criticized, even though many times Rodgers lead his team to tie or take the lead, only to watch the defense give it right back with very little time left.

After the season, Jets players had the same criticisms of Favre as did many Packer players—he was a horrible teammate.

Brett Favre is one of my favorite athletes of all-time. But I will not act like it is the New York or Green Bay Bretts when they are winning, and the New York Jets or Green Bay Packers when they are losing.

Brett won many games for the Packers, as part of a team. He lost many as well, as part of a team.

I will always love Brett Favre. But last year, he thought he was bigger than the Green Bay Packers, and he is not. He was taught that the hard way. Many of his complaints about Ted Thompson is that Thompson didn't do what Brett wanted him to do.

Which is exactly right. Ted was the GM and Brett was the QB for a reason. It wasn't Brett was the QB and had a say in GM duties, and Brett wanted it to be.

So right now, Ted Thompson is somewhere out there with a grin from ear to ear. All of the crap that Brett put him, the fans, and the organization of the Packers through was irresponsible and selfish.

And in New York, Brett got what he deserved. In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers and Ted Thompson got what they deserved. The kid that Favre thought would never have a prayer of out-playing him...

Did.

If Barry Bonds Doesn't Get into the HOF, It Will Be a Disgrace

Chris Schei — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:22:17 -0500

Years ago, we didn't know hundreds of names that were linked to steroids. We didn't know the amount of great players that would test positive. But we did know one thing.

We were supposed to hate Barry Bonds. Bud Selig lead one of the greatest witch-hunts for one player in the steroid era. Selig would've done anything to get Bonds out of the sport, preventing him from breaking Hank Aaron's home run record.

Bonds used steroids, and he lied about it. We all know that. Bonds was one of many players that paved the way to teach other players how to react to steroid use, up to and including Alex Rodriguez.

Andy Pettitte and Jason Giambi admitted to it when asked, and the story just seemed to go away for them.

A-Rod knew the same thing could happen to him. He admitted to using steroids from 2001-2003, hoping that the story would go away. But anyone that thinks he stopped using steroids in 2003 is as naive as he wants you to think he was.

I'm not sure Giambi will ever make the hall of fame. Pettitte should, as well as A-Rod, whenever his career ends. Clemens should as well, being a dominant pitcher before he used it.

And so should Barry Bonds.

Barry was one of the best players to ever play the game, pre or post steroids. The hall of fame is not for the best people. It's for the best players. If it's for the best people, we should contract Ty Cobb among others from the hall right now.

The home-run record will always be disputed, as well is should be. Should we note on his plaque at the hall of fame that he is the career home run record leader? No. This is what we should put on his plaque.

.288 Batting Average

374 Home Runs

417 Stolen Bases

Member of 40/40 (40 home runs/40 stolen bases) club

7 Gold Gloves

3 National League Most Valuable Player Awards

Why should that be on his plaque? Those are his numbers and accomplishments up to the 1998 season, when he started taking steroids. Does anyone want to argue with those numbers?

I'm not going to argue with them. And i'm not going to argue about the fact that Barry Bonds was a jerk. But that isn't the qualification for being in the hall of fame or not.

Now, all of the old-time hall of famers will sit on their thrones talking about how anyone that disgraced the game that way will never be in the hall of fame. They'll tell you that the home run record doesn't matter because the natural, A-Rod, will break it one day all by himself.

Oops...

But, does anyone really believe that none of these guys would've done steroids if given the chance? If you say no, you really only believe that because they couldn't take it if they wanted to and the sanctity of those players would be diminished.

People's hatred for Barry Bonds can be traced to three things:

1.) The media jamming it down you throat that he is this awful person.

2.) Major League Baseball doing their best (now futile efforts) of making you believe he was one of very few that did steroids, and the other few who did them were already caught.

3.) Race.

Barry got the shaft when it came to steroids in baseball. When he said everyone else did it, everybody told him he was wrong, because baseball said it was only him. When he said Selig was trying to ban him from baseball to protect all other players on steroids, he was told he was the only one on them.

He did them and he lied, and he should be punished for that. But every time the government forces another big name out there for a positive steroid test, we all know that Barry Bonds' smile gets a little wider with each player.

And now the golden boy, A-Rod has been caught. A-Rod strategically admitted to what he wanted to admit to, which will help his chances of deservedly being in the hall of fame.

But we all need to get over the denials, and we even need to get over ourselves a little bit, and make sure Barry Bonds gets in the hall of fame.

Steroids Are Part Of The Game of Baseball

Chris Schei — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:24:36 -0500

Just a few short years ago a lot of people were wondering how to fix the baseball steroid problem.

Now, everyone (well, mostly everyone) realizes that this problem will never go away, mostly because baseball will never do what it should.

Bud Selig and members of the MLB Players Union have said publicly that they would do anything and everything they could to solve the problem. Unfortunately, their actions, have proven, time and time again, that they want to cover-up as much as they can, hoping it just goes away.

Baseball wanted it both ways—they wanted to destroy Barry Bonds, but leave everyone else alone. And they were on their way to achieving their goal until something worse than their worst nightmare came to fruition—the government got involved.

MLB gave in to the government's wishes, implementing random performance-enhancing drug testing and steep punishments for those caught. But only third- and fourth-tier players were caught with positive tests.

So, getting Barry Bonds and punishing someone, anyone, other than big-name players was enough for the steroid problem and the government to go away and leave baseball alone.

But the government got ahold of positive tests and saw that only a handful of players were getting the punishment they deserved.

Then came the Mitchell Report.

Suddenly, Roger Clemens denied everything up and down. Ivan Rodrigeuz, Miguel Tejada, Andy Pettite, and Jason Giambi were suddenly being asked about their own personal use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Now, Spring Training is right around the corner. Everyone is looking forward to another great season of baseball.

Now, suddenly 104 players have been caught, including the man that Bud Selig praised as the next home-run record holder. The newest indictee is the man that Bud Selig said we should all admire and look up to because he will have record after record when he is done, and he did it all naturally—Alex Rodriguez.

Now, let me guess what will happen next. Bud Selig is going to come out and say that he had no knowledge of A-Rod using steroids. After all, Selig would have some explaining to do if he said all of those things before while knowing A-Rod cheated.

After all, baseball fans have been through with steroids, would it really surprise anyone if Manny Ramirez tested positive? David Ortiz? Albert Pujols? Derek Jeter? None of these players would surprise me anymore.

Baseball, however, can fix the problem. But the changes they make must be quick. I suggest the following steps:

1.) Stop covering everything up, or at least trying to cover up.

2.) Make public all players who have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, how many times, and when they did it.

3.) Test each player twice a month. If a player tests positive, test them again to ensure the first was not a mistake.

4.) If a player tests positive, they will no longer be able to play Major League Baseball, and they will be suspended from anything associated with Major League Baseball. Forever.

After the Black Sox scandal of 1919, then-commissioner Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis put his foot down regarding gambling.

Will Bud Selig do the same with steroids?

Better yet, does the public really care if these guys are on steroids? This has been a front-page problem for nearly a decade, yet seats are still full, and merchandise still gets sold. Does baseball even need to make an attempt to stop this?

If they feel they do, the four steps above would probably do the trick.

Michigan Should Have Forfieted Against Purdue

Chris Schei — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:16:41 -0500

The game between Michigan and Purdue was shaping up to be an old-fashioned Big Ten dogfight. It was early in the second half, and I was preparing for an exciting finish.

Then someone got in the way.

That someone was official Jim Burr.

Manny Harris caught the ball on the wing, and swung his elbows to try to gain separation from his defender. It's something that happens dozens of times in a game, and something each player does.

This particular time, Chris Kramer of Purdue got as close as he could to Harris, and when Harris swung his elbows, he hit Kramer in the face.

It's an accident that happens from time to time in basketball. Harris was called for an offensive foul.

Announcer Clark Kellogg said "that's the right call, the defender has his right to that space."

Kellogg was absolutely right. Offensive foul, let's move it along.

Jim Burr wanted to watch the replay. One of the players got elbowed in the face, and Burr was going to look at that replay until he saw something, anything that he could say looked intentional.

He saw nothing, and even told Michigan Coach John Beilien that there was no malice intended, and it was an accident.

Jim Burr called a flagrant foul and ejected Harris from the game nonetheless.

Beilien took some time to argue with Burr, but to no avail. Burr thought that Harris needed to be ejected, malice or not.

I was hoping Beilien would get ejected as well trying to make his point.

Each Michigan player and coach should've yelled and screamed at Jim Burr until each one was ejected, forfieting the game.

By doing that, it would be all over every newscast in the country, and a lot of people would get to see Jim Burr embarrassing himself with that call.

In the small scheme of things, it didn't really matter. Purdue was going to win that game.

In the big picture, however, will this cost Manny Harris a game or two? By Jim Burr stupidly ejecting Harris from that game, is that an automatic suspension from the NCAA?

We'll have to wait and see with that one.

All I know is if Manny Harris is suspended for one game, Jim Burr should be suspended for two.

Michigan College Basketball: Which Team Will We See?

Chris Schei — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:58:43 -0500

Once upon a time, Michigan was 3-1 in the Big Ten, and I was thinking NCAA Tournament.

Now I'm thinking first round exit in the NIT.

Since that start, Michigan has lost three in a row, punctuated by a heartless, emotionless blowout loss at Penn State.

Have we seen the low point of Michigan's season, or have we already seen Michigan's best?

Answer: We've already seen Michigan's best this year.

Outside of two small-town players from Indiana and a transfer of a back-up point guard from Arizona, we have the same team that won 10 games last year.

It seems that everyone is coming back to reality.

Michigan's three-point shooting has been abysmal in the three-game losing streak. Opposing teams have learned to guard the perimeter and attack the basket when they have the ball.

DeShawn Sims was invisible in two of the three losses, and against Penn State when he was playing great, Michigan wouldn't give him the ball on the low post.

They just kept throwing up the threes that weren't going in. Early in the season, Kelvin Grady was pushing the ball in transition and driving into the lane, getting easy baskets or open three-pointers for his shooters. Those threes were going in.

Now, Grady dribbles around the perimeter, looking for his own shot with two hands in his face, and the rest of his team has followed suit.

There are ways that Michigan could get back to winning basketball. Whether they do or not remains to be seen.

1. Post Up Manny Harris

Putting Manny on the low block will give him a height advantage against his defender, and will force the opposition to guard the low post instead of guarding only the perimeter.

2. Take Advantage of Sims

When he's on, that is. It seems that DeShawn is either a man among boys, or a boy among men.

Against Penn State, he was a man. They couldn't stop him on the low block.

Michigan must get him the ball when he is playing like that.

3. Post Up Zack Gibson

This worries me as much as the rest of you.

Gibson is not much of an offensive threat. He is a decent outside shooter, a hustler, and a solid rebounder. On the block, his lack of athleticism really shows.

However, doing this will make the opposition worry about the low post (seeing a pattern here?). What it may do as well is get Gibson to the free throw line, possibly getting the other team into foul trouble.

Gibson being on the floor will help with Michigan's horrid rebounding numbers as well.

4. Kelvin Grady

He must be more aggressive, and must get into the lane.

The last few games he has acted like there is a barbed wire fence around the three-point line. Grady driving into the lane will open up other teammates for open shots, and open shots are something Michigan hasn't seen in awhile.

Those are just a few things Michigan can do.

John Beilien has a system that employs the three-point ball. I get it. But Michigan must do other things to make sure that the three-point ball is a good possibility, not just throwing up a prayer.

That includes getting the ball in the lane and on the low block.

Michigan has time to salvage thier season, but they are going to have to win a few games on the road that they're not supposed to win. They have the talent to do it.

Their non-conference resume will help them tremendously on selection Sunday. Losing to Michigan is Duke's only loss, and Michigan is one of UCLA's three losses. Those wins will carry huge weight down the road.

But Michigan needs to keep driving down the road to get there.

Big Ten Basketball's Best and Worst

Chris Schei — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:40:10 -0500

The Big Ten season is upon us. Within the conference, there have been surprises and disappointments. Let's look at some of my midseason Big Ten awards.

Most Valuable Player: Manny Harris, Michigan

Manny "fresh," as his teammates call him, has been the catalyst and the face of Michigan's turnaround. But when you do as much as he does, it's tough to be avoided. Manny has been a stat-stuffer, averaging 18.7 points a game, along with 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Most Improved: DeShawn Sims, Michigan

After a few personal tragedies as a freshman and learning a new system as a sophomore, the once-promising Detroit prospect has shown Michigan fans what they have been waiting for. DeShawn is averaging 16.8 points a game and eight rebounds.

Most Surprising Team: Illinois, Michigan, Penn State

Relax, Gopher fans. There wasn't much expected from these three schools, but Michigan (2-1, 12-3), Penn State (2-1, 13-3) and Illinois (1-1, 13-2) have given their fans something to cheer about. With the players returning and the freshman class the Gophers had, not to mention the very favorable schedule, I left them off this list.

Most Disappointing Team: Purdue

They've had and have injuries, I get it. But the Boilers were non-existent at home against a Duke team Michigan would later beat, and they still have enough talent to be successful. The Boilers don't want to get to deep into the Big Ten schedule playing like this.

You Should've Known They Would Be Fine: Wisconsin

The Badgers are always going to be okay. Bo Ryan has enough players to be competitive, and having leaders like Trevon Hughes and Marcus Landry never hurts.

Most Important Player to His Team You May Have Never Heard of: Al Nolen, Minnesota

Nolen is the best on-the-ball defender on a good defensive team. He's averaging six assists per game, with less than two turnovers a game. He is quickly turning into one of the best point guards in the league.

Coach of the Year: John Beilein, Michigan and Bruce Weber, Illinois

John Beilein is working magical wonders in Ann Arbor, and Bruce Weber is doing almost the same at Illinois. Nobody really knows how these two guys are doing what they are doing, but they are.

BCS—Basketball Collegiate Showdown

Chris Schei — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:06:40 -0500

I read with great interest BCS for College Hoops by Steve Auger and suggest that you read it. It was a great article that left out one major factor of college basketball.

I have an idea for college basketball—do away with the NCAA Tournament.

I realize that it is one of sports' best events, but it doesn't matter. Here is what matters: finding the best two teams in the country and have them play one game for the Championship.

How do we decide the two teams?

It's easy. We just use the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). The RPI is a system that takes into account strength of schedule, teams beaten, and record (sound familiar?).

Now, I understand that they currently only use the RPI as a barometer for who gets into the NCAA tournament for bubble teams. For those teams, sometimes the RPI is the deciding factor.

But they need to use the RPI differently.

At the end of the season, when all of the conference tournaments are all done, we won't sit down and watch what some consider (like me) a national Holiday we have come to know as Selection Sunday.

On Selection Sunday, we find out who is in the tournament and who is not. Right after the show, we start filling out our brackets, making our predictions for the tournament. The day after, we go on ESPN.com or CBSsportsline.com and fill out brackets trying to win one million dollars for getting every single game correct.

But all of that is boring. It really is.

So instead of Selection Sunday, we will watch with great enjoyment the unveiling of the last RPI rankings.

The top two teams in the RPI rankings will play for the National Championship. The next 30 teams will play in exhibition games, with both schools receiving money from television revenues from the game they played in.

As for the National Title hopes of all the other teams other than the top two? Better luck next year. After all, if a team is 28-1 but that one loss was in their conference tournament championship, sorry. Better luck next year.

Now, THAT sounds like a great way to decide a National Champion for college basketball, doesn't it?

Look, right now, college basketball's regular season is boring. It's just a bunch of friendly exhibition games, that's all. This way, the entire season is one long playoff.

And, finally, the most important point of all. At the end of the year, when it is so blatantly obvious that several teams could win the National Championship but only two get their fair shot, the media and fans will talk about it constantly.

There will be so much controversy that college basketball will be talked about all the time.

After all, this is all about marketing. It's about being in the news as much as possible.

This is going to be great, isn't it? We have what we feel is a legitimate way to crown a National Champion, and we can make tons of money in the process.

It all makes sense!

Keep Brad Childress: A Packers Fan's Memo to Zygi Wilf

Chris Schei — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:58:17 -0500

It's tough being a Packer fan living in Minnesota. All of my family and friends are Vikings fans, and I can only watch about half of the Packers' games.

But I love football. Every weekend, I watch the Vikings or I listen to them on the radio at work praying for a loss.

With Brad Childress at the helm of the Vikings, I don't have to pray very hard. The Vikings have a lot of talent on their roster, but it always seems to be misused. In 2007, there were two (off of the top of my head) games that were close ball games, where the team's best player, Adrian Peterson, was on the sideline for most of the second half.

Against Green Bay at the Metrodome, Peterson had 10 carries for 105 yards in the first half, and had two carries for 11 yards in the second half in a 23-16 Packers win. Against the Chiefs at Arrowhead stadium, Peterson touched the ball once in the fourth quarter of a 13-10 Chiefs win.

Amid fans ready to riot, Childress almost seemed pained keeping Peterson in the game for the majority of it.

In 2008, the Vikings finished 10-6 and lost in the wild card round to the Philadelphia Eagles—probably enough to save Childress' job.

The Vikings offense is painfully predictable, mostly kept alive by the talents of Peterson and a good offensive line. Bernard Berrian is another Vikings weapon, and he sees the ball almost exclusively deep down the field. Childress did try some to get him the ball off screens. It was the first time I have ever seen a play-action screen to the wide receiver.

Against the Eagles, Brad's coaching ineptitude was on display once again. In the entire fourth quarter, Tarvaris Jackson never had an outlet receiver or a safety valve until the game was decided.

After the game, Childress said he wanted to keep as many blockers as he could for Jackson, using the running backs as blockers. For years, the Eagles have gotten to QBs with Jim Johnson's blitzes. Jim Johnson has seen every blocking protection or blocking scheme known to man in those years.

The question was never whether or not the Vikings could keep the Eagles away from Jackson. They were never going to do that. The only question was how many safety valves Jackson would have.

The answer was none—and we saw what kind of game Jackson had. If you have to run screen passes to the running backs or just dump off the ball to the running back in the flat 30 times in a row until the Eagles quit blitzing, that's what you do.

But not Brad Childress.

This offseason, the Vikings will make more free agent splashes. In July and early August, ESPN pundits will base their Super Bowl predictions on those moves and predict the Vikings to be a major factor in the NFC once again.

There has been one constant with the Vikings under Brad Childress. Whenever they win a big game, or a game they are not supposed to win, they will lay an egg the next week. The Vikings can play with any team in the league—they just choose not to.

And it all starts with the coach.

If you ask this Packer fan, Brad Childress is doing a hell of a job and should get a lifetime extension. Now.