Bleacher Report - Articles by Kenny Crute

Road to Eastern Conference Crown Runs Through...Atlanta

Kenny Crute — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:42:08 -0500

With a little less than one-fifth of the 2009-2010 NBA season in the books, it may be a bit soon to anoint a conference champion. What we know so far is that the Atlanta Hawks have come out of the starting blocks quickly, and appear to be a team built to pose a legitimate threat to the Eastern Conference powers that be.

Atlanta is tied with Orlando for the best record in the East at 11-3 (Los Angeles and Phoenix also have 11-3 records in the Western Conference). The Hawks are undefeated at home (7-0) with eight of their 11 wins coming against teams with a .500 or better winning percentage.

The Hawks have tweaked their roster from last season, adding journeymen centers Jason Collins and Randolph Morris. Atlanta also got help in the backcourt by acquiring versatile guard Jamal Crawford via trade and signing veteran forward Joe Smith.

Atlanta has long been a place where aging players come to finish their careers, or unproven talent cuts their teeth in the NBA. Now the Hawks are long, athletic, and young. Atlanta has but two players on the roster (Mike Bibby and Joe Smith) with more than 10 years in the league.

The Hawks trot a balanced scoring attack onto the court now, with no one player or group doing the bulk of the scoring. Veteran Joe Johnson still leads the way for the Hawks at 22 points per game. Still, Atlanta gets scoring from the front and backcourts with Al Horford (14.6), Josh Smith (15.6) providing a solid punch in the paint.

One of the glaring weaknesses from last year's version of the Hawks was the lack of a true center, and a second clutch scorer. With the addition of Collins (7'0") and Morris (6'11), there are plenty of fouls to be given inside.

Crawford is a very capable "Robin" to Joe Johnson's "Batman" as the additional go-to-guy.

With a young roster, multiple scoring threats, long and athletic bodies, and solid veteran leadership, Atlanta appears to be built for the long haul. The Hawks eliminated Dwyane Wade and Miami in round one of last year's playoffs, but were swept by Cleveland the following round.

With Boston getting older, Cleveland, Orlando, and perhaps Miami seem to be the only roadblocks between Atlanta and a deep run in the playoffs. It is of course too early to tell, but at this stage in the young season, all roads point to "A-Town".

Who's Bad? Mark Mangino's Old School Ways Clash with New Generation

Kenny Crute — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:05:50 -0500

From the beginning of his tenure as head coach at the University of Kansas, Mark Mangino has had many obstacles to overcome, most importantly turning the fortunes of a perennial loser.

For starters, he inherited practice and game facilities that did not measure up to premier programs in the Big XII. In Austin, well, everything is bigger. Stillwater has billionaire T. Boone Pickens, and Nebraska has Dr. Tom Osborne.

Next, Coach Mangino needed to assemble a staff capable of snatching up out-of-state talent and keeping said talent away from the other suitors in the conference.

The state of Kansas is not a hotbed for football talent, so Mangino and his staff had to convince potential players that the aging digs in Lawrence were worth accepting as part of a larger opportunity to build a respectable football program.

Then there was the foregone conclusion that KU, having modest success on the gridiron, evidenced by the occasional bowl appearance, was and is in fact a basketball school.

One could think that the job required of him was in some ways no greater than that of any other newly minted BCS school coach, and it very well may not have been. So these factors beg the question: What makeup of a man could handle such a daunting task?

For starters, the guy had better be tough. His mascot is a mythical bird (Jayhawk), and he would have to stand in living rooms and sell young men on leaving their nests for the nest in Lawrence, Kansas.

He should be driven, focused, battle-tested, and stubborn enough to weather trips to harrowing places like Lincoln, NE and Norman, OK.

There are often many ways to get to most places. To have a successful football program, there may be only one. Ask any coach on any level, and they will tell you that they want a tough, hard-nosed, mistake-free team.

So when we look at these kids—and they are kids—we expect these 19- to 23-year-old, fresh off the block guys to have all of the discipline and dedication to be a full-time student-athlete in the midst of some very formative years.

We also think that these kids can do this with little outside influence or with the tools they have in the bag when they show up. Fact is, they can't. They never have and probably never will be ready to fulfill those roles without a shepherd.

When a man like Mangino, whose motives and methods are being questioned, enters the fray, we should embrace what he is doing. Whether intentional or not, Mangino is shaping the way these kids will live their lives.

It's no secret that star athletes are identified and embraced at an early age. Everything comes easy for most of them, at least until Coach Mangino comes crashing through the door.

How many young people can you think of who could use a little challenge in their lives? How do we learn to overcome adversity if we never experience it? How do we leave bad habits behind if they are never pointed out?

If we examine the history of football, pay attention to the demeanor of the game's most successful coaches. With the exception of a Dick Vermeil or Pete Carroll, these guys aren't emulating the teachings of Dr. Phil.

Look at the top programs in college football today, and you will see characters not cast too far from the likes of Mangino, Bob Stoops, Nick Saban, Bo Pelini, and so on...

The truth is, any program that has the monumental task of being rebuilt ahead of it is almost forced to find a Mark Mangino to lead the charge. As a former college player, I only wanted one thing: to enjoy playing the game I loved.

I was given the chance to play a game in exchange for a free education, which meant for me that I would have endured anything short of criminal acts to keep playing.

Don't judge Mangino based on society's overly warm and fuzzy view of the world. Know that the grumblings of a few will not measure up to the gratitude of many.

I have to run...I am late meeting Coach Saban in Tuscaloosa. We're baking cookies and singing "Kumbaya" around the campfire.

Kansas Jayhawk Football Second Fiddle No Longer

Kenny Crute — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:45:03 -0400

For years, or at least as far as recent memory allows, Kansas Football has been an afterthought in the eyes of the sports world. Jayhawk Basketball, for good reason, has garnered the lion's share of attention.

Now, coming off of back to back bowl game appearances and their first BCS bowl (a victory over Va.Tech in 2008 Orange Bowl), Jayhawk Football fans and the sports media are taking note of the football team's success.

The 2009 season is just around the corner, here is a look at the non-conference portion of the 2009 schedule for the current version of gridiron greats at Mt. Oread.

First up for KU is Northern Colorado.The Bears from Greely Colorado should pose very few issues for the Jayhawks. Northern Colorado is coming off of a disappointing 1-10 campaign, and lost their best offensive and defensive players to graduation. Result: Jayhawks roll.

Next for KU are the Miner's of Texas-El Paso. The Miner's and head coach Mike Price posted a hard-fought 5-6 record in 2008, but return some key offensive weapons like Jr QB Trevor Vittatoe. Price and the Miner's will test a young Jayhawk secondary with their high-powered passing attack.

KU returns the full arsenal of weapons on offense, including the diminutive Todd Reesing at QB. Reesing and the KU offense set many statistical records in 2008, which should spell another victory in El Paso. Result: KU wins in a shoot-out.

The third game on the 2009 schedule will pit KU against a Duke Blue Devil squad that is also on the road to respect. The Blue Devils showed signs of life in 2008, going 4-8. Even though the results from last season do not bear out the progress Duke made last year, this game will not be a walk in the park for KU.

For starters, Duke will be led by head coach and offensive guru David Cutcliffe. In addition, the Blue Devil's defensive unit kept them in contention for most games last season.

Duke also returns their leading rusher and passer from last season, which again could pose problems for a young KU defense. In the end, KU has too much talent and depth for Duke. Result: KU wins big.

The last non-conference contest will come at an opportune time for KU. The Jayhawks will have played three games and the young defense should be rounding into shape just in time for the wide-open attack of the Southern Mississippi Eagles.

USM was impressive in 2008, winning seven games despite being young on offense at the skill positions. Freshman QB Austin Davis passed for over 240 yards per game, and the Golden Eagles ran for almost 110 yards per contest.

Southern Miss struggled at times on defense last year, giving up more than 24 points per game. This will again bode well for Kansas, as the Jayhawks will score early and often in this one. Result: KU Starts season 4-0.

For KU to have any chance at returning to a bowl in 2009, getting off to a quick start will be key. KU again will face the likes of Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma from the south as well as arch-rival Missouri.

Most media outlets have yet to acknowledge the turn of fortune for KU football, with a 4-0 start to the 2009 season, the Jayhawks will find themselves squarely in the top 25 and well on their way to another bowl-eligible season.

Steve McNair's Legacy

Kenny Crute — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:36:19 -0400

As details surrounding the death of Steve McNair continue to come, one question will surely accompany any discussions regarding the man: What legacy does Steve McNair the player leave in the NFL and life?

The answer to that question will vary for some. In statistics alone, McNair's career may not measure up to the unspoken standards for Hall of Fame consideration. However, the impact he had on the game as a person and as a trendsetter should be enough to have him enshrined in the halls of Canton.

For a career that spanned 13 seasons, McNair was almost a dead-solid lock to start and play in every game if he was on the active roster. He played in 153 of 161 possible games, which is better than 95-percent attendance.

McNair passed for 31,304 yards during that time, which is good enough for 28^th on the all-time list. He was co-MVP in 2003 and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times during his 13 seasons.

While his stats were not remarkable, the timing of his career and the manner of his career were astonishing.

Drafted in 1995, McNair was the first quarterback selected and the third choice overall.

Only six quarterbacks were taken in the first three rounds of the 1995 draft. McNair (Houston) and Kerry Collins (Carolina) were selected in the first round. Todd Collins (Buffalo) and Kordell Stewart (Pittsburgh) were chosen in the second round, with Stoney Case (Arizona) and Eric Zeier (Cleveland) being selected in the third.

McNair was chosen from Division I-AA Alcorn State, a historically black college in Mississippi. The NFL still struggled with African-American quarterbacks in the mid-1990's, despite Doug Williams's and Warren Moon's success.

McNair joined Williams as only the second black quarterback to start a Super Bowl at that position. McNair nearly led the Tennessee Titans to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams.

McNair's impact beyond the statistics helped dispel the notion that African-American quarterbacks were merely good athletes playing out of position. It was long considered beyond the capabilities of black quarterbacks to master the position at the NFL level.

McNair did master the job and helped start the trend of big, strong, mobile athletes who were versatile enough to be strong pocket passers as well as runners. He also helped dispatch the notion that the pressures of the quarterback position would lead to off-field issues.

During his career, McNair was never once caught up in any off-the-field scandal or situation in which his character could be called into question. In death, we are confronted with the possibility of McNair's indiscretions being a contributing factor in the circumstances surrounding his tragic end.

As a teammate, to a man, those polled would tell of a warm, compassionate fellow, a fierce competitor, and a devoted family man. McNair was a leader among his peers, and he was considered as tough as nails.

We are reminded that it takes but one moment of misfortune to undo a career of good. We should also take note of our own faults and flaws and know that no man or woman is perfect.

In life, Steve McNair was a symbol of good for an entire league, a community and a race of people. In death, like anyone else, he is mortal and flawed. Let us embrace the good in Steve McNair and remember him for what is right in the world of sports and not what we can speculate about at this moment.

Jayhawk Nation Mourns the Loss of Former AD

Kenny Crute — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:52:16 -0400

In the world of college athletics, there are the haves and the have-nots. When a university has people like Bob Frederick, as did The University of Kansas, then by all accounts it should be considered one of the haves.

Frederick, who served as athletic director at KU from 1987-2001, sustained severe injuries from a bicycling accident on Thursday June 11 and died from those injuries on Friday evening.

Bob Frederick was more than the head of a major college athletics program. He was an educator to many, a leader to many more, a mentor for some, and a terrific human being to all.

Frederick was among the most respected administrators in all of college sports. He served on the NCAA Men's Division-I basketball committee for six years, the final two as chairman.

Frederick was a visionary who chose an obscure assistant coach to lead the tradition-rich basketball program in 1988. Roy Williams got his head coaching start at KU, and became fast friends with Frederick, who entrusted Williams with continuing the legacy of Kansas Basketball. Frederick also hired Glen Mason to guide the Jayhawk football program.

The 1992-1993 school year was the pinnacle of athletics during Frederick's tenure at KU. The Jayhawks won the Aloha Bowl in football, competed in the Final Four in basketball, and went to the College World Series in baseball.

Coach Frederick had the ability to remember names and faces of people he had met in his life's journey. He had a way of sensing when something was off kilter in your life, and would find just the right words of encouragement to say, at just the right time.

KU is steeped in tradition and history, academic and athletic success. What makes Kansas such a special place are its' people, and former Athletic Director Bob Frederick exemplified all that is good at KU.

The life and legacy of Bob Frederick, and his work at the helm of the Jayhawks athletic program will be what many remember him for. For this writer, Frederick meant much more, and he came to symbolize what a young man should aspire to be.

Kansas Enters 2009-2010 Season As Final Four Favorite

Kenny Crute — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:45:11 -0400

It is never too early to pontificate about the upcoming hoops season. Many college basketball pundits have already deemed Kansas worthy of a deep run in the tourney. For what it is worth, here are a few reasons why the experts may have it right this time.

No one would have predicted the success the Jayhawks enjoyed last season. Coming off of a National Championship, and losing five front line players to the NBA would cause anyone to jump off of the bandwagon. Still, KU won the regular season Big XII title, and made an improbable run to the Sweet Sixteen in March.

Returning from last year's team are All-American candidates, PG Sherron Collins and C Cole Aldrich. Most schools would be delighted to have one All-America candidate coming back, let alone two. If you were constructing a championship team, you would want to start with a point guard and center, and Kansas has the luxury of having both.

The Jayhawks have a big, deep, athletic bench returning. Headlining the bench are sophomore forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris. Speedy PG/SG Tyshawn Taylor is a match-up problem for many teams at 6'3".

Also returning for KU are steady reserves Brady Morningstar, Tyrell Reed, and Mario Little. Adding to the mix at small forward will be 6'5" Travis Relaford, who earned valuable minutes down the stretch for Kansas.

The incoming class of recruits will have as much to do with how far the Jayhawks go in '09 as anything. It helps to have Xavier Henry at the top of your list of recruits, who in many circles is considered to be the top recruit in the class of '09. Henry will be joined by his brother, 23 year old CJ Henry, who spent time in the minor leagues with the Yankees.

The incoming class also has the likes of 6'8" PF Thomas Robinson, 6'3" PG Elijah Johnson, and 7'0" Jeff Whitey. All of these numbers could spell trouble for the rest of the Big XII and large tournament teams. With the size, athleticism, and depth at the fingertips of Coach Bill Self, KU should be considered among the favorites to win it all in '09-'10.

If the Jayhawks want to play small-ball, their line-up could be Collins at the point, Taylor at shooting guard, Little at small forward, Xavier Henry at power forward, and any combination of reserve guards in a three guard line-up. The small unit could also use any of the bevy of big bodies to play the post as needed.

Kansas could also play a huge line-up, with Taylor or Robinson at the point, Henry at off-guard, 6'10" Markieff Morris at small forward, and Whitey and Aldrich playing at the big forward and center positions.

There are many other line-up combinations that could be dreamed up by Self, all of which could be in play for the Jayhawks this coming season.

Although the season is still months away, based on the talent at KU's disposal, the sky will be the limit for the current edition of Jayhawk hoopsters. Oh, and the future looks very bright as well.

Ten NBA Finals To Remember

Kenny Crute — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:55:31 -0400

The 2009 NBA Finals could go down in history as one of the most compelling and interesting contests. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic get set to do battle, with both sides having significant star power. Kobe Bryant wants to win a championship without the help of Shaquille O'Neal for the first time. Dwight Howard is aiming to set himself among the NBA elite by winning his first title. Here are ten NBA Finals to remember. Each series impacted the league in different ways. Some were instant classics due to evenly matched clubs and competitive games. Others had historical significance. All share the intrigue that has become part of the legacy of the NBA Finals.

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What If: NFL Player Salaries Were Strictly Performance-Based

Kenny Crute — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:36:57 -0400

The pending talks between the NFLPA and owners has everyone who loves professional football concerned. It should, as the two sides appear to be far apart on even the smallest issues.

The major concern, money, made me think of possible solutions to give to those who sit at the bargaining table. One key point to this idea; make player's salaries and incentives performance-based.

The first step in this process would be to have an independent council, preferably arbitration folks, set benchmarks for base salaries. These baseline numbers should reflect minimums for position, and years in the league. Once the minimums are established, the council should then set performance bonus standards by position.

Some examples could be the number of games started, number of games played in, or the number of plays participated in during a game. Some advanced benchmarks could be completion percentages, catches, rushing yards, touchdowns scored, etc.

Each year, a player's base salary would be guaranteed, with four years the maximum amount of time be signed with a team. The owners would have the flexibility to lock up key players for up to four years, while players would retain the ability to earn as much as they could, based on their performance.

The base salaries would be paid out during the course of the season, with the performance bonuses to be paid after the season.

What would having a performance-based system do for the league?

First, it would eliminate the need for a salary cap. It would also eliminate the need to continue to raise ticket prices for owners. It would provide true transparency between the two sides. Players and agents could no longer "hold-up" a team for more money, and teams could not over-charge for tickets or amenities.

Rookies entering the league would be paid on their performance and not their potential. The true benefit would be for the fans. We all know how well players tend to play during a "contract year". In a performance-based system, players would play that way every year.

I know I have over-simplified things a bit here, but working a system like this could be done. It is also not unreasonable to think that a system like this would be fair to all. How many of us get the chance to tell our employers that we want more money, or we won't come back to work?

How many jobs do you know of that will pay you even if you stink to the high heavens? While we're at it, we should make the owners share in this as well. If a franchise performs poorly, it should affect their share of television revenue as well.

This may not be the ultimate answer in what is shaping up to be a bitter fight between labor and ownership, but it could be a start. Imagine, players competing every Sunday for wins, the love of the game, and for money. Sounds like fun.

Dear Tony Gonzalez: A Few Questions from the Atlanta Falcons' Cheap Seats

Kenny Crute — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:43:24 -0400

Dear Tony,

As a regular attendee at the Dome, where the Dirty Birds roam, there are many questions we your new loyal fans have for you. We who typically reside high above your new playing home, somewhere between section 300 and the jumbo-tron (we call it the bird's nest), would like to have your thoughts on a few things that are important for us to know.

We hope that in asking you these things, it will give insight into what we should expect from you and the rest of the flock.

Question One:When you were told that Atlanta would be your new home, what were your first thoughts?

We know so many pro athletes call Atlanta their home, even when said jocks do not play for any of our teams. That means we should be able to do away with the pleasantries and get right to the heart of your thoughts on this one.

Question Two: How much of an adjustment will it be for you to come to Atlanta, a contender, after years of entering training camp in Kansas City with little hope of making the playoffs?

You have to be somewhat relieved in knowing that while the expectations are high here, the chance to play for a winner at this stage of your career is a lot of pressure. You were a leader in the Chiefs locker room, so we hope you bring that same attitude to us here.

Question Three: How hard is it to learn a new offensive scheme after so many years in the same system?

This should be a no-brain-er for you Tony. You can flat-out catch the rock, so we don't expect that you will have any difficulties in stretching zone defenses in the middle of the field. Enough said.

Question Four: You have been a class act your entire career in Kansas City. Is it Important for you to continue the legacy of service in the Atlanta community the same way you have done in K.C.?

Falcon fans know all too well the perils of youth and bad decisions. We have had our share of scandal, turmoil, bad blood and all. What we love about you is that you come to us with a sterling reputation, and Hall of Fame credentials. We also have a large Latin-American community here, so we hope you will add to our home, and not take away from it.

Question Five: How realistic do you think are our chances of having a winning record and making the playoffs in consecutive years?

This is the most important question we have. You see, our franchise has not posted back-to-back winning seasons ever.

That's right, since 1966, Atlanta has not been able to celebrate the success of their beloved Falcons in consecutive years. Some teams have been great one year, and woeful the next. With your arrival, we expect nothing less than a winner again this year.

We hope you do not feel too much pressure here, but we are in desperate need of the things you bring to the table. In the end, a versatile, athletic, level-headed, Hall of Fame TE is just what the doctor ordered for us. Thanks for coming to town. We are looking forward to watching you spread your Dirty wings for the Dirty Birds in 2009.

Signed,

The Falcon Nation

Falcons Staff: A Study in Cohesion

Kenny Crute — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:48:24 -0400

The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff is a blend of seasoned veteran coaches and young aggressive ones. They are led by Mike Smith, who took the reins of the team in 2008. Smith has a unique style in that he is a player's coach and a no-nonsense disciplinarian. While many believe Atlanta will have difficulties in reaching the playoffs again this year, the coaching staff is set to drive the young team to success.

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Newest Dirty Bird Brings Many Changes To Falcons Playbook

Kenny Crute — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:39:28 -0400

The Atlanta Falcons have a great deal to be excited about for the upcoming season. With the arrival of future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzales, the Dirty Birds can continue the evolution of their young offense as well as QB Matt Ryan.

It is unusual for any one player to have such a dramatic effect on a team, unless their efforts are combined with other components. A vaunted running back is usually not as effective unless he is accompanied by a good offensive line and a new QB does not set the world on fire unless he has quality receivers to throw to.

In this case, Gonzales should have an immediate impact on the Falcons, from the plays that are called, and from the options available to Ryan and the offensive staff.

Gonzales is a game changer because he possesses a skill set that is more consistent with wide-outs than tight ends. He has very good speed, even late in his career, can play in the slot and can be put in motion. He is a better than average run blocker, which is an added bonus for play callers, as they do not need to change personnel for run calls.

Gonzales has a rare combination of size and speed, which makes single coverage from opposing linebackers a favorable match-up for the offense. He also stretches the middle of the field defenders. In other words, when Gonzales lines up in a traditional formation, he can get up the field quickly on seam or hash routes. This creates a void at the line of scrimmage as the linebacker must honor the route from the TE position.

This smash route will also cause the deep safety to shade to the center of the field, or to the smash route. This now will free up the outside receivers to one-on-one coverage. Ryan will then be able to read a wide open field and throw to the open man more often than not.

In open or spread sets, Gonzales will have a huge impact on the run game. Previously, defenses could load the box with an extra defender, a strong safety in nickel packages, or a linebacker in base coverage. With Gonzales occupying a slot receiver spot in these sets, the defenses will be forced to honor his presence on the outside.

This now creates favorable run match-ups for the Falcons offensive line. With Gonzales on the outside, the line is sure to see only five defenders at the point of attack. That means a body on a body, and easy pickings for any NFL O-line.

Perhaps the greatest impact Tony Gonzales is sure to have is in the locker room. This may not change how plays are called, but will change the attitudes of a young team. His leadership abilities and work ethic will be what permeates the locker room, which should be a boost to a franchise that is on the move.

NFC South Poised For Strong 2009

Kenny Crute — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:37:20 -0400

The NFC South was one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL last year, and 2009 will be no different. This could prove to be a major challenge for the Atlanta Falcons in their efforts to post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in team history.

Atlanta is coming off of a season in which they exceeded most expectations, posting an 11-5 mark. No team in the NFC South had less than a 500 record, with the Saints coming in at 8-8. All four teams in the division made upgrades to their respective rosters either through free agency or the draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a lot of noise in the off-season, making major roster moves. Gone are Buccaneer mainstays Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn and Joey Galloway. The Bucs hired long time personnel guru Mark Dominik as General Manager, and elevated Raheem Morris to Head Coach. Together, the new brass made wholesale changes to an aged roster, and caused a stir in the draft by selecting Kansas State QB Josh Freeman with their top pick.

Tampa also acquired the services of the colorful Kellen Winslow via trade from Cleveland. Even with major changes throughout the organization, the Bucs are poised for a solid campaign.

The New Orleans Saints seem to be on the opposite end of the free agent spectrum than the other division teams.The Saints released long time standout Deuce McAlister and although they did sign Edgerrin James to replace McAlister, they failed to re-sign many of their top free agent talent. The Saints also had only four selections in the draft, which leaves a roster with potential depth issues.

New Orleans returns a strong nucleus on both sides of the football, and could still make a strong run for the playoffs in 2009.

The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South last year, and by most accounts, seem to be on track to repeat in 2009. The Cats inked veteran QB Jake Delhomme to a contract extension, which was the most notable transaction for them during the off-season.

The Panthers rank in the top ten in the league in rushing (3rd), points per game (7th), and total yards (10th). The defense has a strong nucleus returning for Carolina, headed by Julius Peppers, who was designated as the franchise player. The Panthers also hired a new defensive coordinator in Ron Meeks, who will instill a renewed sense of toughness to a once proud unit.

In a division that typically enjoys great parity, the NFC South is once again set to be one of the better divisions in the entire league. The Falcons can bank on having trouble with road games within the division, as all teams enjoy significant home field advantage in their home parks.

The Falcons should be able to hold their own in a tight division, but must post at least a 3-3 mark within the division in order to ensure a winning record overall for 2009.

Atlanta Falcons In Search Of Consistency In 2009

Kenny Crute — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:21:52 -0400

The 2008 season for the Atlanta Falcons far exceeded most predictions, but the expectations for 2009 are even greater.

The young team will try to accomplish something never done before in franchise history, which is to post winning records in consecutive seasons.

Consistency has eluded the Falcons since their inception in 1966. Winning is not something new for Atlanta, but winning every year is, and this year's team hopes to accomplish just that.

Some factors in the NFL can be controlled to some degree, like roster moves or free agent signings. Other things like youth and inexperience or the schedule can't be controlled. In 2009 both of the previous detractors could be formidable obstacles for the Falcons to overcome.

The 2009 outlook for the Atlanta Falcons could be bright if a few things fall into place, and the youth movement instituted by General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and Head Coach Mike Smith takes shape. Breaking down the key elements of the Falcons and their 2009 season should go like this:

Offense: Strength

The Falcons enter 2009 with a strong young nucleus of talent and enough veteran leadership to push the league leaders in most statistical categories.

Matt Ryan comes off of a stellar rookie season in which his production, leadership and game management all exceeded what most pundits predicted. Ryan finished the year ranked 13th in the league overall for Quarterbacks, posting an impressive 87.2 passer rating while completing 61% of his passes.

Running back Michael Turner and the rest of the Falcons running game contributors made last year's offensive unit a very balanced one. Turner finished the season second in rushing with 1699 yards.

Roddy White continued his development as a wide receiver, hauling in 88 receptions. White was second in receiving yards with 1382 yards and a 15.7 yards per catch average.

The Falcons traded for future Hall of Fame Tight End Tony Gonzalez, which should add even more punch to an already strong offensive unit. Falcons QB Ryan will have the big safety blanket receiver at TE that many NFL franchises covet for emerging passers.

Overall, the Falcons offense will be a strength for this young team, and will push for the league lead in most statistical categories.

Defense: Weakness

The Falcons defense was strong at times in 2008, and enjoyed relative success during last year's campaign. There were moments last season when the Falcons seemed to shut down opponents at will, and others when the defense looked old and slow.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff addressed the age and speed of the defense during the off-season, opting to re-build around youth.

Several key veteran contributors from 2008 were not retained for 2009, including fan favorite, Line Backer Keith Brooking. Others who are not returning to the Falcons D include DT Grady Jackson, DB Lawyer Milloy and LB Michael Boley.

The Falcons drafted heavily for defense this year, selecting all but one of their total draft choices on the defensive side of the ball. The youth movement on defense begins in Atlanta in '09, and may be the key to how well the team fares this season.

Draft: Strength

With many veteran leaders gone from the 2008 roster, especially on defense, the Falcons went into the draft looking to fill many holes on the roster. The only big-splash draftee chosen by the Falcons seemed to be in first round selection Peria Jerry. The big defensive tackle from Ole Miss should more than fill the void left by run-stopper supreme, Grady Jackson.

In round two, the Falcons continued to address needs on defense, selecting hard-hitting Safety, William Moore from Missouri. Moore saw more than his share of footballs in the air during his senior season at Mizzou, he and the Tigers competed in the pass-happy Big XII.

Overall, many analysts rated the Falcons 2009 draft as a B or B+ which should mean that the additions on defense need only time to acclimate to NFL speed before contributing on a regular basis.

Schedule: Weakness

The 2009 schedule for the Atlanta Falcons is considered by some to be among the toughest in the league. This may prove to be the make-or-break factor for Atlanta in 2009.

The Falcons have never posted back to back winning seasons, their defense is going to be young and inexperienced, and Matt Ryan will try to avoid the sophomore slump that comes to most second year quarterbacks.

The 2009 schedule includes games against the AFC East, which as a division had but one team that did not post a winning record. Buffalo came in at 7-9, and with a few breaks, could have landed in the playoffs themselves.

In the NFC South in 2008, there were no teams with losing records.New Orleans came in at 8-8 and Tampa Bay posted a 9-7 record. A strong divisional schedule will test the metal of the young Falcons team.

Other in-conference games include trips to Dallas and to New York against the Giants. Philadelphia comes to Atlanta, as do the Redskins and Bears.

Prediction: 9-7

If things take shape for the Falcons in 2009, they should post consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. Even though the Falcons will be young on defense, and playing a brutal schedule, the outlook for the upcoming term still looks bright.

Consistency is something that any professional sports franchise hopes to achieve. Winning consistently is even more paramount.

As the Falcons head into another season, they hope to establish a winning tradition in Atlanta, one that will carry them through the 2009 season and beyond.

In Search Of Heroes and Role Models in Pro Sports

Kenny Crute — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:45:29 -0400

It is somewhat ridiculous to say that we pick our heroes based on their points per game, their slap-shot, their passer rating, or their fastball. Still, many a sports fan finds their idol on the branches of professional sports trees.

But ironically, we cast away our allegiances to these sports stars when they fall short of greatness in the most important game of all: life.

The media plays a role in who we idolize and who we vilify when they report on players' lives. For once, it would be great to hear of a story in which a professional athlete conducted himself beyond reproach.

Well, my search for a role model has ended with Ryan Moats.

Moats, you will recall, is a running back for the Houston Texans. By NFL standards, he is neither a prolific star nor a media darling. He seemingly has punched the proverbial clock during his four-year NFL career, shunned the spotlight, and served his role as a back-up player on an average team.

Recently, Moats found himself in a situation that few of us have ever had to deal with. He was driving his family to a Dallas hospital, in hopes of being at his dying mother-in-law’s side as she breathed her last breaths on this earth.

But Moats' vehicle was stopped by a police officer just outside the hospital for rolling through a red light. Moats’ wife exited the car with the officer’s gun trained on her, briefly paused to explain that her mother was dying, and then turned and entered the hospital.

By then, Moats had parked and gotten out. He attempted to explain to the officer that he needed to be at the side of his family and his dying mother-in-law.

This was a fight-or-flight moment in which, understandably, Ryan could have chosen to be disrespectful and non-compliant with the officer’s wishes. Instead, he followed the officer’s command, knowing that every moment he lingered, his loved one was fading.

In the aftermath of public apologies from police department heads and prominent political figures, Moats and his family are united in forgiveness of the officer who clearly exercised poor judgment in detaining him during the crisis.

With all of the media attention given to this story, we should note that Moats and his family in no way encouraged the media circus surrounding this episode. Moats, at a most critical moment in his life, did not call on his celebrity to get what he wanted.

And now, after failing to reach his loved one’s bedside before she passed, he has forgiven the man who caused his absence.

Sports may be the place where heroes and legends are made, but for me, Ryan Moats became my hero outside a Dallas hospital.

Young Jayhawks Coming Of Age, Advance To Sweet 16

Kenny Crute — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:39:33 -0400

When the 2008-2009 NCAA Men's Basketball season began, few would have guessed that a team which lost five players to the NBA, and a total of seven players all together, would be gearing up for the Sweet 16 in the Big Dance. That is just what the Kansas Jayhawks are doing, in spite of their relative inexperience.

Although the Jayhawks did return 6'11" center Cole Aldrich, and a dynamic point guard in Sherron Collins, much has been made about the remaining players on this youthful roster.

To the suprise of many, the young KU squad has shown the toughness of a veteran team at times, which has landed them the regular season Big XII Conference Title, and a spot in the NCAA Sweet 16. The other surprise surrounding this team is that when they show their age, they have enough veteran leadership to squeak out wins.

The Jayhawks seemed to struggle at times during their first round match-up with North Dakota State, surrendering 37 points to Bison guard Ben Woodside. Woodside seemed to part the Jayhawks defense at will, knifing through the lane and drawing defenders.

The Bison torched the Jayhawks from three, connecting on a sizzling 42% from behind the arc. KU had only five turnovers for the game, which is a marked improvement over season averages in that category. Collins poured in 32 points along with eight assists, while Aldrich added 23 points and 13 boards.

During their second round contest against Dayton, the Jayhawks most talented players again led the way. Cole Aldrich posted a rare triple-double, contributing 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Collins paced KU in scoring again, dumping in 25 points.

The contest against the Flyers exposed youthful flaws in the 'Hawks game, as KU committed 17 turnovers and were largely inconsistent offensively. Poor shooting from the outside, particularly three point range (18.8%), did not doom the Jayhawks, but did give the KU faithful a scare.

The glaring weaknesses of this years team have shown themselves in both rounds of the tournament for the Jayhawks. Unforced turnovers and poor offensive execution from anyone other than Aldrich and Collins. KU seems to have a knack for going on stretches of not scoring a basket for several minutes each game.

The strengths of this Jayhawks squad appears to be overall depth. Although the team is inexperienced, they have a tough, hard-nosed attitude that KU Coach Bill Self has to love. KU has proved that they can wear hard hats and fight it out with the best of them.

Next up, KU will take on Michigan State, who thrashed the Jayhawks back in January by 13. KU will have to be clicking on all cylinders if they have hopes of getting by the Spartans. MSU is deep, big, athletic, and physical—not to mention a veteran team.

Reaching the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tourney is a great accomplishment for any team. For this KU squad, it is miraculous. Still, the Jayhawks, both players and fans alike, are accustomed to beating the odds, and their opponents, no matter how young the roster is.

Who Is Really To Blame For Steroids In Sports?

Kenny Crute — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:39:53 -0500

American society loves to place blame, but hates it when the finger points towards themself.

Nothing proves this theory more than our obsession with the "cheater dejour", the newly fallen, iconic sports figure who recently admitted using performance enhancers, or who was outed by some secret government probe.

Why is the revelation that our favorite son used at some point in his or her (yes her) career such a shock to us? And for the love of Sammy Sosa, whose fault is it really? Who caused all of this? The answer is, we did.

Yes sports fanatics, our insatiable lust for bigger, stronger, faster athletes made this monster. My hero Greg Maddux, and his pitching partner Tommy Glavine had a local commercial for the Braves that said "Chicks dig the long ball". We paid billions at the gate to see McGwire, Kingman and Conseco make a mockery of the home run in the '80's.

We celebrated the ferocity and the skill of Lyle Alzado in the '70's. We marveled at the the ease with which Florence Griffith Joyner glided around the track. Okay, speculation on Flo-Jo, but you get the point.

We are definitely to blame for things to get to the point they are at today. What about the general Managers, owners, coaches, trainers, or even commissioners? They share in the shame of this era in professional sports.

In 1963 Sid Gillman, head coach of the San Diego Chargers, recruited Alvin Roy to design and implement a weight training program for his team. On one front, this was revolutionary for all sports, dispelling the notion that weight training was detrimental to the athlete.

On another front, Gillman, Roy, and some creative doctors introduced steroids to professional sports at the institutional level.

Cornhusker fans boasted the fact that there were two types of "buckets" available for their players in the world class weight rooms during the '80's. One bucket held hand chalk, and the other contained Creatine.

Yes, Nebraska Football was way ahead of the rest of the sports world in terms of weight training and nutritional supplements. While Bill Romanowski made it popular, suffice it to say that he did not create the concept of supplements that enhanced his performance.

Football first banned steroids in 1983. It first suspended players for a positive test in 1989. Strangely, they did not make mandatory testing until the late 90's. Baseball follows a similar genealogy in testing and suspension.

Owners turned a blind eye to the epidemic. No one cared. More home runs means more butts in the seats, means more money at the gate and in the merchandise window. The NFL combines gained relevance because the measurables were now most important in selecting the top draft pick.

The forty-yard dash times of yester-year gave way to the 4.18 of Joey Galloway. The bench press was measured against Tonay Mandarich and 500 lbs. No one cared. Olympic records fell like rain drops. Ben Johnson comes to mind, but still, no one cared.

So who is to blame? We are. We profited from their success. We cheerfully watched as the Home Run Chase went on. We adored Marion Jones for her grace and speed. We sold our franchises for billions of dollars. We sued the players unions for more money. We secured lucrative television contracts for our teams and leagues.

Yes, the players had a choice to make. Not all made the right one. But do we care now because we believe it to be wrong or dangerous, or because we don't want to accept our share of the blame for creating this monster?

104 players tested positive in 2003. That means three players from each team in MLB. That means almost 14 percent of all the players on the active rosters that year. Should we condemn A-Rod, Barry Bonds, or Roger Clemens?

No. Condemn our lust for more.

Graham Harrell and Five Other Heisman Trophy Snubs

Kenny Crute — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:58:56 -0500

The Heisman Trophy ceremony for 2008 will be held tomorrow. One problem, one of the best athletes in college football this year will not be in attendance.

Graham Harrell, Texas Tech's Sr. QB, who threw for nearly 4,800 yards this year while completing almost 70 percent of his passes was not even invited to the ceremony as a finalist.

The fact that the Heisman voters have created yet another controversy this season proves that the best player doesn't always win the award.

Every fan of college football knows that only one player can win the Heisman Trophy in a given year. We also know that not every player who gets votes for the award will be invited to New York as a finalist.

What fans of the game do not know is how in the name of St. Sebastian (patron saint of athletes) a player with superior stats than the other finalists is not even invited to the award banquet!

Here are a few more memorable Heisman Trophy "snubs":

5. Adrian Peterson was a freshman at Oklahoma University in 2004, and put together one of the best seasons in college football history.

Peterson rushed for nearly 2000 yards (1925) and scored 15 touchdowns. Two scores better than the trophy winner that year (Matt Leinart).

The Heisman committee and voters stuck to their long standing tradition of not giving the award for best player to a freshman.

4. In 1992, Marshall Faulk began his assault on football record books, redefining the role and utilization for the position of running back. All purpose yards were fun to debate but not a front line stat until Faulk.

At San Diego State University in '94, Faulk and his Aztec teammates managed a mediocre 5-5-1 record. Faluk had season personal bests in rushing yards (1630) and receiving yards (390), all while being sidelined for three regular season games with an injury.

Faulk appears to be a victim of another Heisman tradition—if the team does not win enough games, the player is not awarded the trophy.

Faulk played against the eventual winner that year (Gino Torretta), where SDSU was thrashed by a powerful Miami Hurricane team 63-13.

3. In 2002, one player made a clean sweep of the other prestigious awards in college football. This player was awarded the Doak Walker award (best running back), the Maxwell award (top player), and the Walter Camp award (top player).

After posting a 2,000 yard season on 250 carries for an eye-popping 8.02 yards per carry, Larry Johnson was third in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy.

Johnson, who played at Penn State, did not have the benefit of a Heisman campaign, a practice in which the school the athlete plays for trumpets the prowess of their star in hopes of securing the award for their man and university.

Johnson's coach, Joe Paterno has never favored self-promotion or individual accolades for his players, rather a philosophy that embodies team before self. At Penn State, there is no Heisman campaigning, no trophy for L.J.

2. Like Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson was the definition of "all-purpose back" during his time at Texas Christian University. In 2000, Tomlinson compiled one of the greatest statistical seasons in college football history.

"LT" rushed for 2,158 yards, 22 touchdowns and had 354 yards receiving. LaDainian's dynamic running style and incredible numbers were not enough to sway Heisman voters into making him the recipient that year.

Chris Weinke, a 26-year-old QB from Florida State was the eventual winner. Weinke and the 'Noles captured the National Championship by defeating a freshman phenom, Mike Vick, and Virginia Tech.

1. The discussion of Heisman voter bias against freshmen winning the award should begin and end with the performance turned in by Herschel Walker in 1980.

Walker rushed for 1,616 yards with four 200-yard games, had 1,805 all purpose yards and 15 touchdowns. Herschel and the underdog Georgia Bulldogs also won their first National Title by beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, 17-10.

Even with a superior statistical season and National Title win, Walker was not awarded the Heisman Trophy, which went to George Rogers of South Carolina.

College football fans will always have spirited debate on which player is the best in a given season. Stats and facts never bear out which athlete truly contributes the most to his team.

With an award as subjective as the Heisman Trophy, where the criteria for the winner is not etched in stone, there will always be debate.

Graham Harrell should take note that only a select few trophy winners who played quarterback went on to enjoy similar success at the pro level. It may be a small consolation prize in a few months for a player who at least deserved to be in the conversation.

This year's finalists all have an argument to be proclaimed the Heisman Trophy winner, but with all due respect to Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow, sometimes the voters just get it wrong.

2008 College Football Year in Review: 10 Moments to Remember

Kenny Crute — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:58:34 -0500

The holiday season is a time during every year that leaves many a college football fan with mixed emotions. On the one hand, there is the joy of spending time with family and friends. We give thanks for the good, spread Christmas cheer, and ring in another turn of the calendar.

On the other hand, we think fondly of another passing football season, mourn our team’s losses, and come to the realization that two-a-day practice is eight months away.

Alas, we still have bowl games and BCS banter for a few more weeks, so we share now some memorable moments from the season that was 2008 in college football.

10. Alabama opening the season by thrashing Clemson, a sign of things to come for both teams.

9. Rick Neuheisel making his debut at UCLA with a stunning upset over Tennessee.

8. Charlie Weis sustaining a terrible knee injury as he is run into on the sideline by one of his own players.

7. A defiant Joe Paterno and surprisingly good Penn State team, making the football world take note that good coaching is truly timeless.

6. Rich Rodriguez throwing University officials, alumni, coaches, and players under the bus, bemoaning a horrible start to his Michigan football coaching career.

5. Tommy Bowden resigning as Clemson’s head coach in midseason—yet another sign of the times and of things to come for college football

4. A thrilling Red River Shootout (I will never say “rivalry”) in which Texas prevails over Oklahoma, our first sign of trouble for the Big XII and the BCS.

3. The uniforms worn by Army in the 109th Army-Navy Game: camouflage pants, helmets with black jerseys sporting the same camo pattern.

a. The realization that our nation is still at war in two countries

b. The sobering thought that many of the young Americans in this contest will voluntarily place themselves in harm's way just a few months from now.

2. The gaudy offensive numbers put up by Big XII Teams, a precursor to the madness that is the BCS. Quite possible that arguably the best team in the country did not win their own conference.

1. Florida and Alabama treating all fans of college football to a game that is an instant classic. Makes us wonder if Tebow wears a cape under his uniform.

The departure of several prominent coaches (Bowden, Tuberville, Fulmer, Willingham, Croom), combined with a mixed bag of success for coaches in their first year at a program, are moments to remember. Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno furthered their legacies in a sport that is dominated by youth, but not defined by it.

Our nation elected a Black man to the office of President, yet college football takes a step backwards socially as three of the five black coaches in the FBS resign or are terminated.

No matter who you cheer for, or what part of the country you live in, or what your thoughts on the BCS are, no matter the outcome of the remaining games, the 2008 college football season will be memorable for all.

Inconsistency Becoming a Theme for Young Kansas Jayhawks

Kenny Crute — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:26:23 -0500

Kansas men's hoops coach Bill Self has a lot to be thankful for this season. Fresh off of a national championship run, Self's new crop of players are experiencing some early season success. The only problem with that success is that the young Jayhawk players win, but they post uneven performances.

The fact that KU manages to win ballgames during the early part of the 2008-2009 campaign despite inconsistent play is not lost to Self. Saturday's close 86-62 win against Jackson State University was an example of the Baby Jayhawks winning in spite of themselves.

Freshman point guard Tyshawn Taylor posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists, but he never really seemed to be in the flow of the game. This came on the heels of a game in which Taylor led the Jayhawks in scoring but managed just 3 assists.

One trademark of last year's national championship team was their incredible depth and balance. The '08 champs would have a different leading scorer from night to night, with major contributions coming from bench players.

This version of the Jayhawks seems to be on track for more of the same, as sophomore shooting guard Tyrel Reed was the catalyst for KU on Saturday. Reed drained two three-pointers during a run that stretched the lead to 56-42 for Kansas, and effectively ended JSU's upset bid.

Sophomore center Cole Aldrich was solid again, putting up 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Junior point guard Sherron Collins scored 17 but had four turnovers to go with five assists.

Coach Self will look to improve the assist-to-turnover ratio of his star guard.

Kansas will now face UMASS in the first in a tough stretch of games. That game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. tip Saturday the 13th at the nearby Sprint Center in Kansas City.

The two following contests are against Temple and on the road at Arizona. The current installment of Jayhawks must pick up the pace if they want to make it through December unscathed.

Greg Maddux: 10 Great Performances, One Lasting Legacy

Kenny Crute — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:45:23 -0500

In September 1986, an unknown pitcher made his major league debut as a pinch-runner in the 17th inning. In the bottom of the following inning, he surrendered a walk-off homer and took the loss.

An auspicious start to a pitching career to be sure.

Five days later, as the Chicago Cubs squared off against the Philadelphia Phillies, Greg Maddux won his first start as a big leaguer, throwing a complete game. Oh, and the starter for the Phillies that day was Maddux's older brother, Mike.

The pending announcement of Maddux calling it a career is hard for any fan of baseball to hear. As a Braves fan, it is especially difficult, because some of Maddux's most prolific accomplishments as a player came during his years in Atlanta.

Here are 10 of my favorite moments from the spectacular career of the sure-fire, first ballot Hall-of-Famer.

10. September 1986: In his first start, a complete game win against his brother, Mike, and the Phillies.

9. May 2001: He becomes the first pitcher since 1919 to record two 1-0 complete game shutouts in the same month.

8. Maddux wins his 355th career game on Sept. 27, 2008. The win moved him past Roger Clemens for eighth on the all-time list.

7.1998 NLDS Game One: Maddux throws a complete game in Atlanta's 2-1 win over Houston.

6. July 17, 2001: A complete game shutout vs. Tampa Bay

5. Making his debut as a Brave in 1993 on Opening Day, Maddux pitched a gem, hurling a complete game shutout against his former team, the Cubs.

4. The entire 1994 season: Maddux posted a 1.56 ERA, logged over 200 innings, pitched 10 complete games, registered three shutouts, collected 156 strikeouts, and surrendered only 32 walks.

3. 1995 World Series Game One: Maddux deals a two-hit, complete game win against Cleveland (just the 15th two-hitter in WS history) that catalyzed the Braves in their first World Series triumph in baseball's modern era.

2. July 2, 1997: Facing the Yankees for the first time since his terrible outing against the Yankees in the '96 World Series, Maddux sparkled, throwing a three-hit shutout with eight strike outs, one double play, and one runner picked off—all on just 84 pitches. The game took 2 hours and 23 minutes.

1. July 22, 1997: Maddux again dazzled his former team, the Cubs, in a 76-pitch complete game victory.

Laying out the career of any great athlete is sometimes difficult to do. Historical facts and figures can be found easily enough, but for the most part, the true impact of a great sports career can't be defined in numbers alone.

Maddux is no different.

It could be argued that Maddux, as a pitcher, has no equal when it comes to the measure of his resolve.

He threw no harder than the high 80s, most of the time slower than that. His changeup vanished from hitters' eyes. His curve ball was average. His cutter broke back over the plate against lefties and seemingly defied the laws of physics at times.

His pinpoint accuracy and the ability to keep hitters completely off balance is what made Maddux one of the best of his era.

As a Brave, he was the cornerstone of a staff that included two other future Hall inductees (Tom Glavine and John Smoltz). The Braves laid claim to a division title in each of his 11 seasons in Atlanta. In the eyes of many, his most productive years as a pro were spent as a Brave.

In the end, it was difficult to measure Greg Maddux and his career success because there were so many great moments.

For a fan of the game of baseball, perhaps the greatest moment will be the moment five years from now—when Maddux and his legacy are forever enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

What If: O.J. Didn't Do It

Kenny Crute — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:39:14 -0500

Athletes have played a dramatic role in the justice system over the last 10-15 years. Professional athletes seem to be targeted not just by wrongdoers but by law enforcement as well. Some of the high profile cases brought against pro stars lend credence to the possibility of biased prosecution.

In 2000, Future Hall of Fame Linebacker Ray Lewis agreed to a deal in which he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Obstruction of Justice. This conviction stemmed from a fight outside an Atlanta night club after the Super Bowl that year.

Two young men were stabbed to death in the incident, which allegedly involved Lewis and two other individuals who were part of Lewis’s entourage that evening. The Atlanta District Attorney at that time (Paul Howard) came under fire for even charging Lewis with a crime.

Howard and his office failed to produce any physical evidence or witnesses that could tie Lewis to being a party to the assault or playing any role in the stabbing of the two victims. Lewis did serve 12 months probation, the maximum sentence for a first time offender, as part of his plea arrangement.

In 2003, Kobe Bryant was accused of sexually assaulting a young woman at a Colorado resort where he was staying prior to a minor knee surgery.

During the court proceedings, Bryant’s defense blasted the character and credibility of the accuser by revealing that she wore undergarments containing semen and pubic hair of a Caucasian male to her medical examination.

This action was further questioned because the rape exam took place the day following the alleged attack. The case against Bryant was ultimately dismissed and Bryant served no time in jail.

It should be noted that Bryant and his accuser reached a settlement in a civil suit that was filed shortly after his original arrest. The financial terms of the agreement were not made available.

In 2005, Jamal Lewis, as part of a plea deal, was sentenced to four months in a minimum security facility after pleading guilty to a drug conspiracy charge.

The Federal Judge who sentenced Lewis said in her brief that the Government case against Lewis was not very strong and that it was highly unlikely the jury would return a unanimous guilty verdict had the case gone to trial.

Now I know those are just a few cases. I know that in the examples above, people will speculate about the level of guilt or innocence for each athlete. At the end of the day though, justice should be blind, while having both eyes open.

O.J. Simpson reportedly went to a hotel room last summer to confront a former business associate about sports memorabilia that Simpson believed to belong to him. Simpson and a group of men, some of them armed, entered the hotel room and demanded the occupants return the items to Simpson at once.

He was later arrested and faced charges that included Armed Robbery and false imprisonment. The entire incident was recorded on tape, which was damning evidence in the case against Simpson.

An all-white jury of Simpson’s peers (how is that possible) returned a guilty verdict in October for his role in the incident. Today, O.J. Simpson was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his part in that occurrence.

I have come to the conclusion that our justice system misses the mark about as often as Atlanta Braves hitters missed fast balls this past season.

Aside from the obvious caught with the “smoking gun” conviction, I have often wondered how many times men and women who have professed their innocence are actually falsely accused.

I don’t wonder about O.J. and whether he led a group of men into a Nevada hotel last year. I do wonder if he was convicted for that crime, or for one that occurred 13 years ago.

Young Jayhawks Continue to Improve: Frosh Powers Kansas Past Aggies

Kenny Crute — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:34:06 -0500

The defending National Champs took another step toward their development into a strong squad last night as the Jayhawks defeated New Mexico State 100-79.

Led by freshman point guard Tyshawn Taylor, KU was able to impose their will on an undersized NMSU roster. Taylor pumped in a career high 21 points, going eight of 14 from the field.

Junior shooting guard Sherron Collins enjoyed a solid performance, posting a career best 11 assists in the contest. Collins notched his first career double-double, putting in 15 points on six of 11 shooting.

Kansas took advantage of superior size in the paint early in the contest, an advantage that proved to be a key in the victory. KU outrebounded the Aggies decidedly, posting a 46-20 rebound edge. KU particularly showed interior dominance on the offensive glass with a 20-7 advantage there.

The Jayhawks again showed their youth, and struggled with foul trouble in the paint. Sophomore pivot man Cole Aldrich got into early foul trouble, and sat most of the first half. Forwards Markieff and Marcus Morris also experienced early foul trouble, which allowed the Aggies to remain in striking distance at the half 42-31.

Coming out of the half, Kansas was a bit sluggish, and led by a thin seven point margin, 58-51 with 12:19 remaining in the game. After a thirty second time-out, the Jayhawks separated from the Aggies for good, stretching their lead to 66-51 at 11:19 to go.

In the end, the attacking defense of the Jayhawks, and some hot second half shooting, (64% from the field) proved to be too much for the visiting New Mexico State squad.

Kansas Coach Bill Self was pleased with the outcome of the contest, although he would liked to have seen more assists coming from his young point guard Taylor (three assists, two turn-overs).

Up next, Kansas takes on Jackson State University in a non-conference tilt at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Dear Mr. President-Elect: Five Reasons Why We Shouldn’t Have a Playoff

Kenny Crute — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:57:06 -0500

Shortly after the historic Presidential Election, ESPN was kind enough to air a brief interview with President-Elect Obama, and gauge his thoughts on a few sports related topics, one of which being the current BCS system in Division 1 College Football.

The President-Elect, and the popular consensus, with the exceptions being University Presidents and Bowl Committees, is that a playoff system is needed in order to determine a true National Champion.

Dear Mr. President-Elect,

I humbly submit the following reasons for you not to get involved with NCAA Football and our highly effective BCS system:

Reason No. 5: Implementing a playoff system would cause Rich Rodriguez to further bemoan his current plight and place even more blame at the feet of his players.

No one likes a cry baby, so the notion that the current players were more to blame for the dismal season at Michigan than the coach or staff is a little out of bounds. Not to worry, one more season like ‘08 and the Wolverine faithful will give “Coach Rod” a first hand view of the underside of a Greyhound heading out of Ann Arbor.

Reason No. 4: A playoff system would prove that teams from Conference USA, The WAC and The Mountain West really don’t belong on the same field as BCS Schools.

Don’t know about you but I am particularly excited about seeing a BYU vs. Texas or Utah vs. Alabama on New Years Day. Any doubt about how ugly that would be, refer to last year’s Sugar Bowl. Thanks for coming Hawaii. Hope you enjoy the lovely parting gifts.

Reason No. 3: Notre Dame would somehow devise a formula that would land them a permanent spot in the playoff system, regardless of standing, and have the first round game hosted by Regis Philbin. The Golden Dome-ers own a major television network, NBC (No Body Cares or Notre Dame Broadcasting Company you pick), and they could once again claim their rightful position as the most relevant team in Division 1 A. Wake up the Echoes!

Reason No. 2: College football fans would no longer be treated to the likes of the Emerald Bowl, Eagle Bank Bowl, or my personal favorite Meineke Car Care Bowl. University Presidents would truly be distraught if they could not align their schools with prestigious sponsors like the afore mentioned few.

What comes in the Players’ Swag Bag from these Bowls? Maybe a bag of Emerald peanuts (large), a free checking account with no fees, or $20 bucks off a new set of tires and an oil change, that’s what.

Reason No. 1: A playoff in Division 1 A would force college football fans to watch a few highly competitive games, between teams from different parts of the country who rarely if ever compete against each other. This would be a tragedy in the highest form. No one would want to see Florida take on USC, or Alabama against Ohio State. Those would be terrible games to watch.

Maybe we would have to suffer through Florida State playing Penn State, although this game could feature Bowden vs. Paterno in a stone circle death match at halftime.

So you see Mr. President-Elect, the state of college football is fine for all fans. Who needs a true champion? Perhaps we should scrap the whole season or sport and have a competitive spelling contest instead. What’s that Sir? You say that even a spelling bee has but one winner? My bad Sir.

Respectfully,

The First Fan

Big XII QB’s Dominate Passing Leader Boards

Kenny Crute — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:49:36 -0500

College football passing records are falling like autumn foliage and the culprits have a common link, most are from the same conference.

From a fan perspective, college football never disappoints. The 2008 season is no exception. This year, fans have seen historic highs, like the defiant return to prominence for Joe Paterno and his Nittany Lions or the resurgence of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Fans have also endured dramatic lows, the demise of a struggling powerhouse like Michigan or the unfulfilled promise of Clemson and their stable of speedy runners.

One thing is certain, college football and its fans have witnessed the year of the Quarterback, as evidenced by the gaudy numbers thrown up by the gunslingers of the Big XII.

Regardless of one’s views on which FBS conference is best, Big XII quarterbacks have left no doubt as to whom the power player (conference) at their position is. Sam Bradford at Oklahoma—who some believe to be the front runner for the Heisman Trophy—heads a list of signal callers from a conference in which the QB’s boast a passer efficiency rating of no less than 116. Looking down the list of top passers in the conference, passer ratings exceed 140 all the way to the 8th rated player, Baylor’s Robert Griffin.

In completion percentage, Colt McCoy leads this category with a jaw dropping 77.2-percent. Todd Reesing from Kansas is seventh in the conference with a completion percentage just under 65%. The 12th rated passer in the conference, Cody Hawkins at Colorado chucks the pigskin at a rate of 57.1 % completion.

Graham Harrell, the ballyhooed rifleman for the Red Raiders of Texas Tech has posted 4,438 passing yards with one regular season game remaining on the schedule. Bradfordhas recorded over 3,700 yards passing, and last year’s Heisman finalist, Chase Daniel at Missouri slides in at number three in passing yardage with just over 3,500 yards.

Bradford also leads the Big XII in touchdown passes with a whopping 42 and one regular season game left to be played. He is followed by Harrell with 39 while McCoy and Daniel have each connected on 30 touchdown passes.

Even more remarkable is that there are nine QB’s in the league who have attempted over 300 passes thus far and none have thrown more than 11 interceptions.

On a national scale, Big XII QB’s rank at or near the top in every statistical category as well. Harrell Leads the Nation in passing yards, completions and attempts. Bradford tops the nation in touchdown passes while McCoy leads in completion percentage at 77.2%.

In each of the five major passing categories, Big XII QB’s occupy three of the top five spots in three categories and as many as five of the top 10 in one category nationally.

Surely one could make a case indicting defenses in the Big XII. As a conference, the defenses have yielded as many yards and points as anyone. The bigger picture, as any football fan would know, is the degree of difficulty in compiling passing statistics like this against no opposition at all.

While it may be true that teams from the SEC have a monstrous schedule to navigate, it has also become a fact in the Big XII. Currently, four of the top 12 teams in the BCS standings hail from the Big XII conference, with Missouri at No. 13, poised to slip into BCS bowl position with a key loss by a current top 12 standing team. Once again, these numbers cry out for a Playoff system in the FBS, but that is for another story.

Big XII passers are treating college football fans to a level of play that has never been seen before. Records are being set, and legends are being made, which is re-defining the measurable results of passers past.

NFL Draft War Rooms are already buzzing, sifting through hours and hours of video from the mentioned players, in hopes of crafting an offensive juggernaut at the next level of football. (My phone just rang, and it was the Detroit Lions. Told them I had Kansas City on hold).

Time will only tell if the current group of starting QB’s from this installment of the Big XII will go down in history as the greatest group statistically. Judging by the number of sleepless nights defensive coordinators have had, and by the offenses that are as wide open as the Midwestern plains, this group may be just the beginning.