Bleacher Report - Kansas City

Missouri Finds No Answer for Vanderbilt's Ogilvy, Lose 89-83

Robert Givens — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:52:19 -0500

Even with the increased elevation from the court, porous defense and continued cold shooting proved to be the shovels as the Missouri Tigers dug themselves into a six point halftime hole that they could not pull themselves out of.

As MU clanged shot after shot off the Memorial Arena rims, the Vanderbilt Commodores gobbled up each rebound like a squad full of rainbow-haired Dennis Rodmans. Vanderbilt operated their own carwash, cleaning the glass to a 45-24 rebound advantage which proved to be the deciding factor in Nashville Tuesday night.

The combination of poor outside shooting and the lack of second-chance shots left Missouri helpless, often times cycling the ball around the perimeter only to settle for a forced, low percentage shot. On the other end, Vanderbilt grabbed six more offensive rebounds and tipped countless others to keep second and third chance shots available.

Many times in the first half, Vanderbilt guards brought the ball up the court with no pressure whatsoever. They slashed into the lane, dishing for easy lay-ups and open three's.

And then there was A.J. Ogilvy. The 6'11'' center scored a season high 25, including 11-12 from the free throw line. MU did not have an answer to the Aussie. Ogilvy powered through double and triple teams for baskets down low early. The Tigers then resorted to a hack-a-Shaq philosophy on the junior from down under, only to watch him put the game continually just out of the Tigers' reach.

Ogilvy's biggest contribution to the game might have been on the other end of the court. MU guards were hesitant to work the ball down low. When post players did get touches, they nervously shoveled it off to a man two feet away, kicking it out of bounds on numerous occasions.

Ogilvy, Australian for basketball.

The quick whistle officiating did MU no favors either. Missouri was unable to get into any sort of rhythm, essential to their "Fastest 40 Minutes" style of play. Despite consistant calls for both sides, the stop-and-go nature of the game matched the Tigers up-tempo style as well as plaid pants and a striped shirt:it was just painful to look at.

The Tigers went on an 11-0 run that brought the game to 81-80 with just under three minutes to play. A controversial charging call on JT Tiller gave the ball back to the Commodores. They didn't look back from there.

Coming back to Mizzou Arena to face Oregon Saturday, the Tigers must either grow a few inches or something between the legs to toughen up on the boards. On the defensive end, all five Tiges on the floor must hit the glass. Tiller and Taylor and Dixon do not need to lead the team in rebounding. But they can be pests inside, tipping balls to open players, using their quick hands to deflect balls out of opponents' hands. Anything but stand idly by and watch.

Or else the Tigers will be doing a lot of watching come March.

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Looking Ahead to 2010: Five Questions the Kansas City Chiefs Need To Answer

James Adkins — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:27:20 -0500

In case you haven't been paying attention, the Kansas City Chiefs won't be making a trip to the playoffs in 2009. In fact, if the season ended today, the Chiefs would have the 5th overall pick in April's NFL Draft.

So, over the course of the final month of the season, Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli and Head Coach Todd Haley need to begin finding answers to some very important questions.

Question One:

Will Pioli and Haley bring in an offensive coordinator that they both know very well, in Charlie Weis; or will they opt for a coach with a lower profile that Haley can more easily influence?

Prediction:

While it is rare to see a coach hired this late in the season, it may be Pioli's best chance to bring in his old friend before he's had a chance to entertain offers elsewhere, after the season.

Weis, who flopped as a head coach at the college level, is still one of the best offensive minds in football. He could undoubtedly figure out ways to best utilize Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles and company.

Unfortunately, I don't see Haley giving anyone, even Weis, total control of his offense. Instead, it is probably more likely that you'll see a current assistant (like Maurice Carthon) promoted, or a young coach brought in to fill the role of offensive coordinator with Haley continuing to play a big role in what plays are called on Sundays.

Question Two:

Will Haley continue to entrust his team's defense to Clancy Pendergast?

Prediction:

A trademark of a good coach, at any level, is that he is able to adapt to his personnel and still be productive and win.

Haley and Pendergast are both guilty of moving the Chiefs to a 3-4 defense they were ill-equipped to install in 2009. Pendergast was just as guilty of this when he was the defensive coordinator with the Cardinals. Pendergast's defense wasn't the reason the Cardinals got to the Super Bowl, Haley's offense was.

While many Chiefs' fans were baffled by the choice of Pendergast to begin with, especially with Romeo Crennel unemployed at the time of his hire; just as many will be baffled when Pendergast is retained in 2010.

Like Haley, it seems Pendergast was given a one-year pass to get his system implemented, and he'll have through 2010 to make it work.

Question Three:

With the Chiefs likely picking anywhere from fifth to 10th in next April's draft, will Pioli be willing to do whatever it takes to select one of the few game-changers that may or may not be available when the Chiefs pick?

Prediction:

The Chiefs offensive line needs improvement, but good offensive linemen can be found outside the first round of the draft. This team's greatest areas of need, defensive tackle and safety, also happen to be the positions played by three of college football's best players.

The most dominant player in the 2010 draft is Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh, while better suited to a 4-3 scheme, would still be a major upgrade over Ron Edwards and Kenny Smith even if he had to play in a 3-4.

A 4-3 Chiefs defense, with Suh and Glenn Dorsey in the middle, and Tyson Jackson and Tamba Hali at the ends, would be a vast improvement over any defensive line the Chiefs have had since the mid-90's.

USC free safety Taylor Mays or Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry could fill a huge void in the Chiefs' secondary at either of safety positions. Mays is the best athlete in the draft, and Berry has playmaking abilities that have prompted comparisons to late Redskins safety, Sean Taylor.

While it is very doubtful the Chiefs will be able to make a move up the board to get Suh, it's very possible that both Mays and Berry could be available when the Chiefs make their first selection.

If Suh, Mays, and Berry are gone, look for the Chiefs to possibly trade down and take 365-pound nose tackle Terrence Cody out of Alabama.

Question Four:

What will the Chiefs do with LB Derrick Johnson?

Prediction:

Demorrio Williams has far and away been the Chiefs best inside linebacker, and is likely the Chiefs' Defensive MVP for 2009.

Johnson has played inside this season as a backup to Williams, but is far more talented than Corey Mays, who has started most of the season at the other inside linebacker spot.

Mike Vrabel, oft-injured and 34-years old, may have seen his final days starting for the Chiefs at outside linebacker. Of the team's other outside linebackers, Hali and Andy Studebaker, neither is the caliber of athlete or as versatile as Johnson is.

While it would seem that Johnson should be able to find himself in a starting role in 2010, it doesn't appear that Pendergast and Haley necessarily agree with that.

Since Johnson is playing out the final year of his contract, and the Chiefs have younger (and cheaper) linebackers in Studebaker and Jovan Belcher, who have both gotten substantial playing time this season, it appears inevitable that Johnson and the Chiefs will part ways.

Question Five:

Can Jamaal Charles prove to the coaching staff that he is the team's future at the running back position?

Prediction:

Unlike the quarterback position, where the Chiefs have committed $63 million to Matt Cassel, the team doesn't have near as much invested in Charles.

While Charles has proved that he is capable of being the team's best offensive playmaker since Priest Holmes, he has not proved he can hold on to the football. He also hasn't proved that he can take the beating that goes along with being a full-time running back in the NFL.

The 2010 draft may see as few as two or three running backs taken in the first round, depending on the number of underclassmen who forgo whatever eligibility they have remaining.

That said, there could be several productive backs available between the second and fourth rounds.

If the right player falls to the Chiefs between the second and fifth rounds, like Stanford's Toby Gerhart or LSU's Charles Scott, expect the Chiefs to take them. Both Gerhart and Scott are bigger backs, and could fill the Chiefs need for a guy to hammer it between the tackles, and replace Kolby Smith as the compliment to Charles.

James Adkins is also a syndicated writer for the Sports Page Network. To see James' recent stories, please visit:

http://kcsportscentral.sportspagenetwork.com/Default.aspx

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Future of Kansas Jayhawks' Football Program In Danger Zone

Denny K. — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:56:44 -0500

The end of the road for Mark Mangino, the 2007 Orange Bowl Champion and eight-year veteran Kansas football coach, appears to be close to the end. Or not.

Under internal university investigation for alleged mistreatment of players, Mangino and his allies have circled their wagons under constant fire from elements of the media and a seemingly vindictive athletic director for over two weeks. As of right now, he is still clinging to his job.

Interestingly, the last successful coach at Kansas, Glen Mason, was also accused of mistreatment of players in the 1990s as his star waned and pressure mounted for him to exit Lawrence. Infer from that what you will.

Rumor in Lawrence has it that the delay in the decision is because the university is negotiating Mangino's buyout, but this is pure speculation. Who really knows? One thing for sure is that Mangino is not the type to go out quietly into the night.

For what it's worth, today the Kansas City Star "broke" another story of a player from seven years ago who said Mangino mistreated him by making him run "bear crawls" on a hot day on artificial turf. This story is the first the newspaper has printed concerning actual allegations of late; instead, they've chosen to publish editorials which have variously accused Mark Mangino of being too fat to coach and likening his defenders and supporters to O.J. Simpson's girlfriends after the murder of Nicole Smith. Really. Don't believe me? Look it up in the Star.

If only Mark Mangino looked more like Brad Pitt, it is safe to say that our local soap opera that is so hotly debated on Kansas City sports radio and in local newspaper editorials could make waves nationwide. As for now, it's taken a serious back seat to other coaching drama at more traditional powers, like Notre Dame and, well . . . Notre Dame.

Kansas’ assistant football coaches hit the recruiting trail Monday, the first day of the vital postseason contact period, making visits to players who have already given oral commitments to Mark Mangino's program. Unfortunately for the Kansas assistant coaches in what must be an incredibly awkward situation, they had little information to share with the players who had been hoping to play for Mangino and his staff about his and their future at the university. No doubt, the prospective players were wondering, much like The Clash, "should I stay or should I go?"

It appears that at least one, a rare four star recruit for Kansas, was already in talks with LSU. Not good.

The real problem with all this lingering drama is exactly this. It undercuts the current coaching staff's recruiting efforts, which had some success, and handicaps any future coaching staff's recruiting efforts by giving them such a late start in the game.

Kansas football, even in the best of years like 2007, does not and will not have the margin of error that the Oklahomas and Nebraskas of the Big 12 have with their roster depth.

As Mark Mangino demonstrated, schools like Kansas can only succeed with a program in place that builds up two and three star recruits into disciplined team players over the course of years. They cannot win and compete on talent alone year in and year out. If one aspect of the team, like this year's offensive line, has not been developed properly on schedule, the results can be disastrous. Seven game losing streak disastrous, that is.

The goal of Kansas football, which Mark Mangino achieved for a few seasons, should be to become the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big 12. That is, not Texas or Oklahoma which would be simply unrealistic, but a Top 50% program that once every four years or so makes a surprise run at the top tier of the league.

However, this is only possible with program stability and quality recruiting. Don't let the accolades for Mack Brown and his recruiting at Texas confuse you. It is much harder to successfully recruit to a program like Kansas than it is Texas.

Successful recruiting at Kansas requires time and research, uncovering diamonds in the rough and character guys by getting out and scouring the leftovers and unturned stones of the top programs in the region and country. This is a difficult task and it takes time, relationships and connections. All of that is now in peril.

The current drama with Mark Mangino is making an already difficult task potentially near impossible. If action is not taken swiftly with regards to Mangino, either a vote of confidence or his firing, the Kansas Jayhawks football program is in serious jeopardy of being set back years.

If Kansas does not take steps soon, the next coach, or maybe even a damaged Mark Mangino, will find their talent cupboards bare and the team behind the rest of the Big 12 in the all-important recruiting arms race. Just like old times before Mark Mangino came to Lawrence.

Read more Kansas City news on BleacherReport.com

Bleacher Report's All-Big 12 Team Features Names Familiar To Missouri Fans

Ryan Faller — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:31:14 -0500

'Tis the season for postseason accolades.

As the college football regular season comes to a close and teams await their bowl invitations, it's merely customary to roll out the recognition for those who have performed so brilliantly at their respective positions. And in the Big 12, which will likely only send one participant to a BCS game to cap an otherwise unpredictable season, there's plenty of praise to be had.

Without further ado, here's my Bleacher Report First Team All-Big 12 ballot for 2009:

Offense

QB Colt McCoy (Texas)

The numbers (3,696 combined yards, 27 TDs) are there, but McCoy likely solidified this spot, as well as a Heisman Trophy, with his consistent leadership and graceful piloting of arguably the nation's best team—both of which are becoming of college football's winningest quarterback.

RB Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)

The former Florida recruit turned junior college transfer nearly single-handedly pioneered the resurgence in Manhattan, as his 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground highlighted the nation's 31st-ranked ground attack and was crucial to the Wildcats' surprise ascension in the Big 12 North.

RB Keith Toston (Oklahoma State)

The senior from Angleton, Texas, was a driving force for Pokes' offense when his fellow playmakers were dropping like flies, rushing for 1,177 yards and 11 scores to nearly match his output from the previous three seasons combined and soften the blow of the absences of starting running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver/return man Dez Bryant.

FB Bryant Ward (Oklahoma State)

If you insist on honoring a player from this antiquated position, let's go with someone who played a significant role on a team that featured one of the nation's most-feared running games. A key cog in the Cowboys' 21st-ranked rushing attack, the 5'11", 233-pound Ward also shined in Oklahoma State's pass-protection schemes, which surrendered only nine sacks all season.

WR Jordan Shipley (Texas)

Let's not discount all the skill and impact he brings to the Texas return game, but Shipley makes his living at the wide receiver position, where he caught 80-plus balls for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight season. And it's not only his talent that makes him a threat on every play. Shipley seems to share some kind of creepy ESP-like connection with quarterback—and roommate—Colt McCoy that makes the Longhorn offense one of the country's best.

WR Danario Alexander (Missouri)

Not much to say here, other than the fact Alexander was hands-down the NCAA's most potent receiving option the second half of the season. In his final five games, the senior racked up 943 yards (188.6 per game) and eight touchdowns en route to shattering MU's single-season receiving mark of 1,260, which was set by Jeremy Maclin in 2008, by nearly 400 yards.

Alexander's absence from the list of candidates for the Biletnikoff Award should go down as one of college football's all-time biggest snubs.

WR Dezmon Briscoe (Kansas)

Kansas fans may have seen the last of Briscoe, but you could argue to the death that he gave the faithful in Lawrence two of the best receiving seasons in school history. After posting more than 1,400 yards in 2008, Briscoe nearly outdid himself this season, totaling 1,337 on 84 receptions. And Briscoe, a junior who is heavily considering entering the 2010 NFL draft, potentially ended his career at KU in style, catching 14 passes for a career-high 242 yards in the season finale versus Missouri.

TE Riar Greer (Colorado)

One of the few glimmers of hope amid a tumultuous season in Boulder, Greer enjoyed what was easily the most productive year of his career. Finishing the season with 36 catches for 402 yards and four scores, Greer lead all Big 12 tight ends in receiving yards, receptions, and yards per game, and tied for the conference lead in touchdowns.

OL Nick Stringer (Kansas State)

Veteran KSU left tackle served as the lone senior on an offensive line that helped the program obtain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2006.

OL Adam Ulatoski (Texas)

Three-year starter and former two-time All-Big 12 selection started all 12 games at left tackle in 2009 and was entrusted with protecting quarterback Colt McCoy's blind side.

OL Brandon Carter (Texas Tech)

Mammoth right guard backed up preseason All-American hype as one of the key elements of the Red Raiders running game, which amassed 22 touchdowns, the fifth-best total in Lubbock since 1990.

OL Trent Williams (Oklahoma)

Versatile senior lineman provided leadership and stability to young and inexperienced OU offensive line, starting all but one game at left tackle.

OL Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)

Arguably the nation's most talented offensive lineman, Okung helped the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in rushing for the fourth season in a row and did not surrender a sack all season long from his left tackle position.

PK Grant Ressel (Missouri)

Easy call here. Given the unenviable task of succeeding Jeff Wolfert, the most accurate placekicker in NCAA history, Ressel drilled 24 of 25 field goals to lead the nation in accuracy. The Lou Groza semifinalist also made all 38 of his extra points.

KR/PR Brandon Banks (Kansas State)

Any time a player returns four kickoffs for touchdowns in a single season, the competition is non-existent.

Defense

DL Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

The 6'4", 300-pound tackle epitomized the toughness and grit of Nebraska's defensive unit, which ranked as the third-best in all of college football, surrendering just 11 points a game. A unanimous selection, Suh led the Huskers with 70 tackles, including 7.5 sacks.

DL Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)

Though slightly less praised than Suh, McCoy once again made a name for himself as a disruptive force in the middle of the OU defense. A junior, McCoy started all 12 games in 2009 to boost his streak to a team-high 39, and tallied 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

DL Von Miller (Texas A&M)

Playing a number of roles for the Aggie defense, Miller excelled mostly as a pass-rushing specialist, posting 17 sacks to lead the nation. Just three sacks shy of the school record, the junior defender, who plays the defensive end/linebacker hybrid position, also forced a team-high four fumbles and defended five passes.

DL Jared Crick (Nebraska)

Partnering with Suh along the Nebraska defensive line, Crick benefited from the extra attention his All-American teammate received from opposing offenses. In 12 games, the sophomore registered a team-high nine sacks to give the Huskers one of the most effective one-two punches at defensive tackle in the country.

DL Brandon Sharpe (Texas Tech)

The senior defensive end and first-year starter recorded 15 of Tech's school-record 40 sacks to finish second in the nation. Sharpe was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.

LB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)

The undisputed heart and soul of the Mizzou defense, Weatherspoon continued to refine his reputation as one of the Big 12's premiere linebackers. A senior, Weatherspoon finished the regular season with 104 tackles, marking the third consecutive season he has eclipsed the century mark.

LB Jesse Smith (Iowa State)

The understated Smith was one of the conference's top defensive players. The leading tackler in the Big 12, Smith tallied nearly 70 percent (91) of his 128 total tackles in conference games to lead a Cyclone defense that aided Iowa State in earning bowl eligibility for the first time in four seasons.

LB Travis Lewis (Oklahoma)

The sophomore linebacker proved his impressive freshman campaign was no fluke. Named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2008, Lewis finished the 2009 regular season with a team-high 100 tackles to headline an OU defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring average, rushing yards allowed, and total yards allowed.

DB Earl Thomas (Texas)

Presumably the frontrunner for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the country's top defensive back, this sophomore safety is as good as it gets. Not only does Thomas quarterback the Texas secondary, but he finished the regular season second on the team in tackles (66) and ranks second nationally with eight interceptions.

DB Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State)

An ultra-athletic and ballhawking corner, Cox is arguably OSU's best defender, but he provides further value as a dangerous return man. In 11 games this season, Cox averaged 20.9 yards per kickoff and returned one punt for a touchdown.

DB Brian Jackson (Oklahoma)

A second-year member of the OU secondary, Jackson experienced unprecedented success all across the board in 2009. And though many will clamor for Dominique Franks in this slot, Jackson had more tackles (47), interceptions (4), and pass breakups (8) than his senior teammate, as well as lead the Sooners in the latter two categories.

DB Jordan Lake (Baylor)

There's probably more electrifying and overall athletic defensive backs in the Big 12 than Lake that got left off this list, but few are more active than the Bears' free safety. Lake was Baylor's second-leading tackler behind linebacker Joe Pawelek, but he averaged nine tackles per game in Big 12 play, second most in the conference.

DB Larry Asante (Nebraska)

Often lost in the shuffle on a defense loaded with stars up front, Asante enjoyed a stellar senior season as the unsung leader of the Nebraska defensive backfield. Asante tied for the team lead with 70 tackles and also nabbed two interceptions.

P Tress Way (Oklahoma)

My initial instinct was to go with Missouri's Jake Harry, especially after his barrage of punts that found their way inside the 20 against Kansas, but Way gets the nod. Not only did Way churn out the conference's biggest punt this season (74 yards), but his average of 45.5 was nearly two full yards more than the next closest player, Derek Epperson of Baylor.

Individual Awards

Offensive Player of the Year : Danario Alexander (Missouri)

Alexander's gaudy numbers (107 rec., 1,644 yards, 13 TDs) win out over those of Colt McCoy

Defensive Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

Close call between Suh and Earl Thomas, but Suh was consistently the conference's most intimidating defensive presence

Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)

The guy came out of nowhere to lead the conference in rushing yards

Defensive Newcomer of the Year: David Sims (Iowa State)

The former Oklahoma DB signee has flourished after arriving in Ames on the heels of a successful stint in junior college

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)

Sure-fire NFL first round pick often looked like a man among boys as the anchor of the OSU offensive line

Defensive Lineman of the Year: Ndamukong Suh

No explanation necessary

Offensive Freshman of the Year: Christine Michael (Texas A&M)

Why he only started three games is beyond me, but his team-leading 767 rushing yards suggest superstardom isn't far off

Defensive Freshman of the Year: Aldon Smith (Missouri)

Stated his case by tying MU's single-season record with 11 sacks and leading all freshman in the nation with his 18.5 tackles for loss

Special Teams Player of the Year: Brandon Banks (Kansas State)

No player was more explosive or feared on kickoff and punt returns

Coach of the Year: Paul Rhoads (Iowa State)

Because a program like Texas is expected to do great things, Mack Brown makes absolutely no sense here. Meanwhile, Rhoads has made football at Iowa State relevant again, and his fundamental approach to the game has the Cyclones bowling one season after the program endured a 2-10 debacle.

Follow more of my college football articles at Examiner.com .

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Chris Getz Gets All-Rookie Accolades: Is Alberto Callaspo Done in Kansas City?

Matt Trueblood — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:29:45 -0500

Last Wednesday, Topps named new Royals acquisition Chris Getz the top rookie second baseman of 2009.

Getz, who played for the Chicago White Sox last season, batted .261/.324/.347 and stole 25 bases while being caught just twice.

At 26, Getz will likely start next season as Kansas City's starting second baseman.

That creates an interesting scenario in the Royals' infield. If manager Trey Hillman does ultimately choose to start Getz, the Royals will have an overabundance of middle infielders. After signing Wilson Betemit in November, that group includes Getz, Betemit, Alberto Callaspo, Yuniesky Betancourt, and Mike Aviles.

Among these, the pertinent name is Callaspo. After a stellar breakout season in 2009 (.300/.356/.457), Callaspo had been the clear incumbent until Moore swapped away Mark Teahen for Getz. It seems inconceivable that the Royals brought in Getz to back up Callaspo, and equally dubious that Callaspo will be asked to surrender his starting spot.

That leaves only one possibility, one that appears more imminent every day, and that could come to fruition by the close of next week's Winter Meetings in Indianapolis: The Royals will look to trade Callaspo.

The market for the 26-year-old (who will turn 27 in April) should be good. A number of would-be 2010 contenders are currently looking to upgrade or reinforce their middle infield depth.

Callaspo's defense will not help Moore move him: 17 errors in 2009 made him a solidly below average glove man at second base. Yet given that his previous track record included back-to-back years with better than average defensive numbers, that consideration will by no means make him immovable.

In deciding whether to pursue him, then, most teams will have to decide how much they buy into his very noticeable power spike in 2009. Prior to last year, though he had never played a full season, Callaspo sported a measly .328 slugging average. Forty-one doubles, eight triples, and 11 home runs later, he had a .457 SLG in 2009, raising his career number all the way to the better side of .400, at .404.

Generally, leaps like that one set prognosticators on edge. It is important to note, however, that Callaspo showed some pop throughout his minor league career, posting slugging averages of .478 and .491 in his last two full seasons in the minors.

Callaspo can expect some regression in 2010, but to completely discount his season would be foolish: Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium was the fourth-worst park in which to hit home runs in 2009, meaning that some number of Callaspo's doubles and triples (by the numbers, it looks to be about five) could actually turn into round-trippers in 2010, all else being equal.

After performing these analyses, interested teams will have to decide if they would rather pay $3-5 million for the services of free agent second basemen like Placido Polanco or Orlando Hudson, or pony up the modicum of talent it would take to acquire Callaspo.

Since Callaspo will make the Major League minimum in 2010, Moore need not hurry to get a deal done, and that will push the market value up over time, as Polanco, Hudson, and Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla disappear from the shelves.

At least five teams (the Red Sox, Astros, Cardinals, Braves, and Cubs) should call Moore and inquire about Callaspo. He fits nearly anywhere, because there is no long-term obligation or big money to move.

He could be a stopgap in Chicago until Starlin Castro displaces Ryan Theriot to second; he could take over second in Boston if Dustin Pedroia makes his much-rumored shift to shortstop. He could fill the hole left by Kaz Matsui's expected departure in Houston, finally stabilize the Braves' miserable second base situation, or help the Cardinals' run toward a repeat as NL Central champions.

It will all depend upon who makes Moore the best offer and whether Moore is willing to listen.

Read more Kansas City news on BleacherReport.com

Foolish Thoughts: My Beef with Fleaflicker's Coach Rating

Jacob Sloan — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:58:51 -0500

It’s one of the most frustrating occurrences in fantasy football.

It’s not a Baltimore fan complaining about the refs or John Carney missing three kicks when just one would have won the fantasy game you lost by a point.

No, the most sickening feeling in fantasy football hits you when you start the wrong guys. There’s nothing more infuriating than watching the points pile up on your bench only to flap in the breeze next to Percy Harvin’s or Justin Forsett’s stat line.

You can do your research. You can ask an expert. You can pray to the fantasy football gods and tweet the players themselves to ask them if you should start them.

At the end of the week, you’re still going to end up starting the wrong guys more than once in any given season. And if you could project exactly how a given football player was going to perform each week, why would you waste that skill on fantasy football? Vegas, son. Go to Vegas!

But there’s one thing that makes the “started the wrong guys” regret even worse: Fleaflicker’s Coach Rating.

While your self-loathing grows, the Fleaflicker Coach Rating judges you with a percentage based on how well you set your lineup. You only get 100 percent if you started every single one of your highest performing players at each position.

It’s one thing to lose because you set a bad lineup. It’s another thing for an automated computer system to mock you.

I don’t need your 75 percent rating thrown in my face, machine. Why don’t you just turn into the Terminator and kill me now? I need not your silly completion bar.

I can go outside right now, and I can talk to women. What can you do? Make charts? Graph things? Good. You do that. When I come back, I want you to explain to me when you earned the right to judge me in line graph form, and it better have something to do with fantasy games won.

*The rest of this column was written after 15 minutes of listening to Enya

It’s fine. I’m used to automated mockery. It’s why I have friends anyway, right? Every fantasy football league is practically an automated mockery tool when you lose.

My real beef with Fleaflicker is that it doesn’t judge itself. Aren’t computers supposed to be self-aware, Skynet ?

Sure, I sat Percy Harvin and Laurence Maroney . I regret that, but even your nice little projection system within Fleaflicker told me that Joseph Addai and Roddy White were better starts. Where’s your little 65 percent correct bar for that poor prediction?

Not that I would listen to you blindly. I did my research. I started the best lineup, and I don’t need your abuse.

So take that, Fleaflicker mockery rating. I won’t have it anymore. From now on, I’m putting electrical tape over that part of the screen and never scrolling, and I’m giving myself a gold star for every starter I pick correctly.

Damage Done This Week

What is with you people? You talk about how few injuries have happened this season and now they’re piling up before Christmas like Santa’s toys.

Matt Ryan stubbed his wee little toe, and Jake Delhomme broke a finger. I’d say the NFC South lost half their quarterbacks, but let’s be honest. Drew Brees counts double, or even triple, the value of any other quarterback in the NFC South.

Atlanta fell off in a big way because they also lost Michael Turner , who returned from his ankle injury a bit too early and immediately went back on the shelf with Clinton Portis, Brian Westbrook , and Kurt Warner .

Big Ben sat out after all, but he should return in Week 13, just in time to concuss himself again before the fantasy playoffs. At least Cedric Benson will be back…Those are words you just don’t see yourself saying in the preseason.

For owners who were relying on his big fantasy booms, DeSean Jackson may sit out this week after sharing in the concuss party the NFL has been throwing. There’s no telling when you’ll get him back, so here’s to hoping that you’re already a lock for the playoffs.

Studs in Strange Places

Julius Jones sat another week and allowed Justin Forsett to score twice against the Rams. Jamaal Charles had another big week for the Chiefs alongside Chris Chambers .

Looking ahead, I like Charles better than Forsett. That’s whether Jones returns this season or not. Charles just has too lovely a playoff schedule to turn down.

Larry Johnson became a part of the Bengals offense in Week 12 and shared the rock with Bernard Scott. L.J. had 107 yards while Scott had just 87.

Let’s all hope that this one game doesn’t mean that Benson will have to share with others when he returns. Cincy may not be sure, but fantasy owners sure would like to see Benson get all the work against the Lions in Week 13.

Vince Young reenacted the 2006 Rose Bowl on Matt Leinart’s face late against Arizona, much to my excitement as a Texas fan and Vince Young apologist, and Miles Austin found his way to 20+ fantasy points again.

If you sold early on Austin based on the belief that he would be a fluke, well, sucks to be you, my friend. I bet the Fleaflicker Coach Rating tore you apart for that one.

Turn the Lights Out When You Go

This week is the last one to make a move and be relevant in the fantasy football playoffs . I hope you’re all playoff-bound (as a result of my sage advice, of course), but if not, do it up this week and see what you can make of your team. There’s always next season.

If you get the chance this week, do your best to ruin someone else’s chance at the playoffs. There’s nothing that makes me happier than making someone else sad. You have to try it. I find taking candy from babies to be a great way to practice.

Read more Kansas City news on BleacherReport.com

Dear, Kansas City Chiefs, This Isn't the Preseason Anymore

Mike Settle — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:41:02 -0500

As I watched the Chargers rout the Chiefs to the tune of 43-14, I couldn't help but think "this is stuff that a young team has trouble with...in preseason." The Chiefs looked like a team still stuck in training camp mode, looking for a breath of air, just full of desperation.

Good teams don't turn the ball over four different times, including a pass that was thrown with a low release from QB Matt Cassel that tipped off defensive end Ogemdi Nwagbuo's helmet that landed in cornerback Quinten Jammer's lap.

Good teams also don't allow wild snaps twice in one game from their center, in this case, Rudy Niswanger. The only thing the Chiefs proved with this game is that they are an overwhelmingly immature team.

They are a team that shows promise at times and are able to pull off incredible upsets like last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yet they also are a team that will get blown out after making too many mistakes.

Kansas City was able to contain San Diego while they were inside their own 20 yard line, yet once they had a little breathing room and the ball was placed at the 39 yard line after a Cassel interception, the domination began. The Chargers easily marched downfield and followed up with a 19-yard touchdown pass to TE Antonio Gates who was left wide open all game long.

San Diego looked like a team that could make a deep playoff push and possibly go to the Superbowl.

The play calling of Chiefs coach Todd Haley was far from his worst performance, but the game plan from defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast could not have been much worse.

Yes, we can put this on the coaches all we want but that fact is that the Chiefs lack serious talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Going into the 2010 offseason they need to look for ways to upgrade at nearly ever position on defense other than cornerback. They have two back-up safeties in McGraw and Brown. At linebacker, Demorrio Williams has played decent but they lack any kind of pass rush or coverage from their linebackers.

Tamba Hali has been a somewhat bright light as a pass rusher but in coverage has been less than spectacular. Last but not least on defense, they need the most important part of a 3-4 team: a dominant nose tackle.

Throwing Ron Edwards in as a fill-in guy for the most important aspect of the 3-4 was not a good idea from the beginning.

Players like Vincent Wilfork, Shaun Rodgers, Casey Hampton, and Haloti Ngata control the front of a 3-4 defense and allow the other linebackers to make plays.

At safety, Jon McGraw and Mike Brown are too slow and untalented to ever be consistent in coverage. Drafting a possible superstar like USC's Taylor Mays or Tennessee's Eric Berry would be a huge boost to the Chiefs' defense.

The Chargers have managed to score 59 points more than the Chiefs over the last two games between the two opponents. Not only did San Diego force 4 turnovers from the Chiefs' offense, they went downfield and scored a touchdown on each of them.

Allowing arguably the best tight end in the NFL, Antonio Gates to get open each and every play was not only a sign of their immaturity but also a lack of talent and knowledge. Games like this are what growing pains are all about.

There were a few bright spots in this disaster of a game.

Jamaal Charles managed to put up 93 yards off 14 carries and touchdown, while former Charger Chris Chambers had seven catches for 70 yards and TD. The coverage from Cornerback Brandon Flowers was outstanding as he defended two deep pass plays perfectly and only allowed a small handful of catches the rest of the game.

The Chiefs play at home against the Denver Broncos and could possibly play as an upset team and spoil Denver's chances of making the playoffs, as San Diego crawls their way to the AFC West title again.

Which team will we see this coming Sunday? The high motor, relentless Chiefs that can put up 25+ points? Or will it be the team that cowers into a corner, can't pressure Kyle Orton, and allows big plays from receiver Brandon Marshall?

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Rell Lewis Shines Among Kansas' Few Bright Spots

J.D. Schaller — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:57:32 -0500

Sure the loss to Missouri was probably Kansas' most disappointing of the past decade. Not only did the Jayhawks lose a game, but they lost the Border Showdown, a chance at a third straight bowl game, a fifth straight six-win season, a fantastic senior class, and potentially a coaching staff all in a single, exceptionally close, and exciting contest.

On the other hand, a team can't play as great a game as the Jayhawks and Tigers did without finding a few positives to ride into the offseason.

First of all, Todd Reesing didn't look Tim Biere's way too often, but maybe he should have. The bulky, block-first tight end has flashed great hands not just against Mizzou, but all season long.

Next year, maybe a taller quarterback and an improving offensive line will allow Tim Biere to slip into the short middle of the field a little more often with a few more results. As a junior, he should become Kale Pick's favorite safety net.

Secondly, anyone who was upset with Kansas' defensive efforts this year can expect at least one positive sign over the offseason: change. Even if the defense appears no better whatsoever, I can promise that it's about to get far younger and much more athletic.

As many as four redshirt freshman defensive ends, four more in the secondary, and any talented 2010 commits who stick around could all have an immediate impact on that side of the ball. Huldon Tharp, Lubbock Smith, Drew Dudley, Jake Laptad, and Chris Harris seem like locks, but that still leaves six positions wide open for the taking.

Thirdly, Dezmon Briscoe had a monster game against Missouri, and I have never really expected him to stay in school anyway. However, the Tigers also exposed a weakness or two that may cause scouts to think twice about the talented junior.

Will his poor blocking, erratic focus, and fumbling issues be enough of a beating to scouts' hopes? I hope so. I don't care who is coaching this team or what our younger receivers look like; Kale Pick would be ecstatic to have Briscoe back. This being said, I personally still think that sticking around, especially if a new coach is on the way end, does nothing to help Briscoe's status.

Next, the offensive line has really started to come around in the last three games. The talent there is by no means astounding, but the depth, youth, and improvement are.

I don't want to hear any crap about giving up a big safety, either. That play was one of just four or five total breakdowns in the past three weeks. Besides, even on a third-and-10 after two passes, who runs a quarterback draw behind a tiring, young offensive line out of the endzone in such a massively-important situation?

Finally, how about that Rell Lewis kid? When I talked about him before the season started, I predicted his successful spring game would roll over into a few carries here and there per game in some no-pressure situations.

How about three runs for 12 yards and a catch (followed by some supreme-shiftiness) for 42 yards with the biggest game of his entire career on the line? I know it's not much, but after just five runs for 17 yards and one catch for negative two yards in mop-up time against UTEP and Southern Miss, I didn't figure we'd see the sophomore again this season.

However, in some clean-up minutes against Texas, he scraped up five rushes for 43 yards, and with Toben Opurum injured and Jake Sharp exhausted, he came up really big against Mizzou when Kansas needed it most. I never expected it, but Deshaun Sands may not be the guy spelling Opurum next season.

So the season is very disappointingly over and our coaching situation is still in turmoil, but not all is lost for Jayhawk football fans. 2010 will be an interesting season at the very least for Kansas, and I'm already getting excited.

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Missouri-Vanderbilt: Tigers Must Utilize Short Memory, Prepare for Commodores

Robert Givens — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:58 -0500

After feasting on skyhawks, broncs, and mockingbirds early in the season, the Missouri Tigers slogged through the rest of the 2009 South Padre Island Tournament as if they had just woken up from a post-Thanksgiving feast nap.

Over the semifinals and finals of the tournament, the Tigers managed to shoot only 35 percent from the field while averaging 13 turnovers a game.

That will have to change come Wednesday when coach Mike Anderson and company travel to Nashville, Tennessee. There the Tigers will take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in their first true road game of the year.

Vanderbilt held a No. 24 ranking in both polls before dropping an EA Sports Maui Invitational game to upstart Cincinnati.

Aside from the unconventional court layout at Vanderbilt, the Tigers will have to contend with a raucous home crowd in what will be only Vanderbilt's second home game of the season.

Those in the stands will do their best to take the Tigers' focus off of those on the court. This includes a deep Vandy team that includes nine players averaging double-digit minutes. Missouri counters with 10 players logging considerable minutes.

One of those nine, junior A.J. Ogilvy, looks to be a bigger deciding factor than the depth of both teams. But it all depends on what version of the 6'11" center shows up. Will it be the version who mopped the floor with Arizona with a 20-point, seven-rebound, and four-block performance? Or will it be the timid rag doll that managed only three field goals and six rebounds in 22 minutes against Cincinnati?

Another interesting niche in this game will be to watch how J.T. Tiller responds after his first action after missing time with an injury. In his first two games back, Tiller averaged 29.5 minutes.

That conditioning will be needed to keep Vanderbilt senior Jermaine Beal in check. The Commodores' only senior playing considerable minutes, Beal leads Vandy in minutes (31.8), scoring (15.4), and assist to turnover ratio (2.3/1). In his last outing, Beal tore up Arizona's talented guard duo of Nic Wise and Brendon Lavender for 18 points on 50 percent shooting, five assists, and two steals.

Vanderbilt holds its opponents to just 38 percent shooting while forcing 16 turnovers a game. For MU to be successful, they must trust in the senior backcourt of Zaire Taylor and Tiller to handle the pressure of Memorial Arena. The Mizzou guards must take care of the ball, exhibit patience, and find open, high-percentage shots to snap their cold shooting streak.

Or else the Thanksgiving hangover is bound to continue.

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Bill Self's Letter To Santa

J.D. Schaller — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:09:03 -0500

Dear Santa,

I've been a good basketball fan and coach not only during the season, but all year long.

Just like you asked, right? And now that I've held up my end of the deal, here's what I need you to do on yours...

First of all, I'd like Xavier Henry to keep getting better defensively each and every game.

His team-leading 16.8 points per game are great, and 4.4 rebounds certainly doesn't hurt either. However, I can't think of anyone else on this team who will match up as well against Damion James, James Anderson, Mike Singletary, and Marquis Gilstrap playing down the stretch.

Speaking of Henry's, I could use some Lime-Away for the elder one.

C.J.'s shot looks pure, and he appears to be at full strength. However, he has struggled, even in late-game no-pressure situations, to handle the ball or defend with the maturity that I expected. I'm sure he's just a bit rusty, but this Henry brings a bigger, more-athletic element to the court that I could really use from a guard, especially on defense.

Next, I need you to make sure Jeff Withey will have shaken off injury and be ready to go come the New Year.

Despite the presence of an All-American in our frontcourt, my Jayhawks only managed to match Tennessee Tech last Friday in total rebounds, and we were actually out-rebounded by Central Arkansas! Right now I lack true size behind Cole Aldrich, but I think a prepared Jeff Withey will be just fine.

Finally, I'd like to know what Sherron Collins has been eating for breakfast. And whatever it is, I want some too.

Collins is shooting over 55 percent from the field so far this season, which is even more impressive considering that more than half of his attempted and made field goals have come from beyond the arc!

Actually, maybe you should check into Markieff Morris' 93 percent from the field (14 of 15 shooting this season), and get your hands on some of those cookies.

Speaking of cookies, I apologize, but I don't have any for you. I sent them to the Manginos' house with a sympathy card.

Milk's in the fridge, though. Help yourself.

Sincerely,

Bill

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Kansas City Chiefs: Week 12 Report Card

Russell Fike — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:55:24 -0500

The win streak is finally over. Maxing out at two games, the Kansas City Chiefs could not parlay the momentum of toppling the reigning Super Bowl Champion Steelers into a victory over the surging San Diego Chargers.

No one believed Kansas City to be the more talented team in this matchup, but at times executed an offensive game-plan that was startlingly good.

However, if a team is to pull an upset it is common to hear the need for “mistake-free” football. The Chiefs (in the spirit of Thanksgiving) threw up a cornucopia of mistakes from which they could not recover.

Here’s how the grades shake out:

Pass Offense: C-

The Stat line—19/31, 178 yards, one touchdown, and one interception – not egregious, but the numbers only tell half the story.

Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel is finding more time to throw than earlier in the season, but this is largely attributed to pocket awareness.

Cassel seldom has a place to set his feet and scan the field. While he doesn’t always need to scramble or entirely leave the pocket, every down Cassel slides away from the pass rush in a makeshift shanty of a pocket.

Wide receiver Chris Chambers continues to be a solid playmaker, but with Dwayne Bowe still out due to suspension the team struggles to find other legitimate receiving threats. The lack of a strong tight end has become a gaping hole on the team’s roster. No heir apparent to the great Tony Gonzalez has emerged.

Run Offense: B

Running back Jamaal Charles continues to prove himself a great asset to this team. Despite nearly a hundred yards on only 14 carries, for an average well above six yards-per-carry, Charles is haunted by a looming concern: ball security.

To ask Charles to minimize his use of spin techniques is to marginalize his effectiveness, but while such fancy footwork can lead to hard-fought extra yards, those yards come at increased risk of fumbling. It is becoming clear that KC has a feature running back on their roster.

Charles can be compared to Tiki Barber, the now-retired running back for the New York Giants. Barber was not the largest runner, was known as an exceptional receiver, and early in his career was questioned for his tendency to fumble.

If the Chiefs get anywhere near similar results from Charles over the course of his career there is reason to be excited.

Pass Defense: D

Slogan of the 2009 Chiefs: “We give up big plays.”

Still stinging after being hit in the face for a 54 yard pass to Charger receiver Malcolm Floyd, the Chief’s defense played a deep, soft zone. So, the defense was suspect to body-shot after body-shot as Charger tight end Antonio Gates delivered repeated blows to the gut of the Chief’s defense.

The ability of the Kansas City linebackers to play coverage in the 3-4 is something many saw as a problem area as they field many converted defensive ends. There is a learning curve and this week Kansas City fell on the low end of the spectrum.

Where Kansas City is most clearly lacking is in their pass rush. Charger’s quarterback, Philip Rivers was never sacked and was nearly never even pressured on his way to 317 yards and two touchdowns on 28 pass attempts. Talk about time to look down field.

Run Defense: B

On a day where the commentators emphasized Charger running back, LaDainian Tomlinson’s climb up the list of all-time leaders in NFL rushing yardage, it was easy to overlook his mere 39 yards on 13 carries. In fact, as a team, the Chargers were held to 2.8 yards-per-carry.

In summary:

Run offense and defense = good

Pass offense and defense = need improvement

Kansas City continues to show signs of being a talented team, but four turnovers that resulted in 28 San Diego points is too much for even the best teams to overcome.

Play of the game: The redemption song of Chris Chambers came on a seven yard touchdown pass from Cassel. On third and four from the Charger's eight yard line, Chambers came underneath on a two-yard drag and caught the ball in space as he cleared from the middle of the field. Chambers took for the sideline and spun back toward the middle of the field, falling backward, with ball extended to break the plane of the end zone against his former teammates.

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Kansas Jayhawks Sit Pretty as Other Ranked Teams Tear Each Other Apart

Brandon Bohning — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:32:54 -0500

The familiar absence of a preseason tournament for the Kansas Jayhawks has kept KU's record unblemished, while many other highly ranked teams bruise each other up in preseason tournaments.

The Jayhawks haven't played in a preseason tournament since the 06-07 season, in which they won the Las Vegas Invitational which was just a four-team tournament. The Jayhawks dispatched the then No.1 ranked Florida Gators 82-80 in overtime to claim the tournament victory.

The past two years they have played in tournament formatted competition, but neither competition can really be labeled a true preseason tournament in my mind. Invitationals that stretch the span of nearly two weeks aren't really tournaments.

What qualifies as a preseason tournament aside, the Jayhawks absence from one this year, coupled with the fact that their once tough-looking schedule for this preseason is starting to look a bit more modest.

Their upcoming December 6 game against UCLA at Pauley Pavillion now looks like it will be an absolute walkover, after UCLA lost its last three (all in this past weekends preseason tournament in Anaheim, CA).

Michigan, who also sits at a bruised 3-2 record following consecutive defeats in its preseason tournament this past weekend, looks like they might struggle to keep the game at Allen Fieldhouse on December 19 close.

California, who visits the Jayhawks just a game after the Wolverines come to Lawrence, suffered consecutive and very exposing losses in their preseason tournament a couple of weeks ago. They'll have to play their best game of the season to contend with the Jayhawks.

KU must travel to Philly to take on Temple a day after New Year's, but the Owls are currently averaging 61 points per game while KU allows less than 60. To beat this Kansas team, you either have to hold them under 70 because you will not beat them in the 70s, 80s, or 90s.

The preseason for the Jayhawks concludes with a trip to Knoxville to face Bruce Pearl's Volunteers. Tennessee has two grade-A games on their schedule, they already lost the first one to Purdue in Knoxville. The Vols like to beat teams in the 70s and 80s, so that may still be the Jayhawks biggest challenge.

While this season's schedule had been on paper well before the first tip off, Bill Self and his Jayhawks have done themselves a service by not appearing in any of the many preseason tournaments.

The Jayhawks absence from one of these tournaments, may come with some flack from some analysts, but as far as I can tell, it's a smart move.

First, the Jayhawks scheduled tough in the wake of not being in one of the tournaments.

Second, their absence has allowed the team to gel. By playing a bunch of cupcakes with the close win against Memphis sandwiched in between them, Kansas has started to form its identity.

After what should be an absolute trouncing of Alcorn State this Wednesday, the Jayhawks will be an unblemished 6-0 heading into Saturday's clash with UCLA.

The game in LA will be followed by two more cupcakes before Kansas hosts Michigan and Cal in consecutive contests.

If my feelings about this Jayhawk team are correct and they rarely are not, Kansas could very well be 11-0 after the game against Cal.

Think about all of it like this: If Kansas had played in a preseason tournament, played well and won whatever tournament they were participating in, there would be more articles written about how Xavier Henry is going to be Freshman of the Year and how Sherron and Cole are the greatest one-two punch in the country.

In all likelihood, too many of those press clippings would be overly read and Kansas may have gotten to high on itself, just high enough to slip up against a Michigan or a Cal.

Now I am not saying that would happen for sure, but Kansas' absence from a preseason tournament has really allowed them to beat up on their cupcakes and stay out of the limelight that is always associated with these tournaments.

In the process, the Jayhawks have been able to crush their cupcakes and grind out a win that really helped build some needed character.

On the flipside, many of the Jayhawks' opponents down the road elected to play in preseason tournaments and ended up paying the price.

Read more Kansas City news on BleacherReport.com

Waning Moments of Border Showdown Symbolic of Two Different Big 12 Programs

Ryan Faller — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:32:10 -0500

In a matter of 18 seconds at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, a pair of decisions were made by two coaches leading different programs seemingly heading in completely opposite directions.

His team trailing by three with 3:18 left in a game utterly void of defense, Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel took a calculated risk.

Rather than trusting his offense—which had amassed more than 500 yards and scored 23 second-half points to squash rival Kansas' once-commanding lead—to convert a delicate fourth-and-4 at the MU 39, Pinkel called on punter Jake Harry.

MU fans shuddered and cringed. KU fans giggled with devilish delight.

Harry, a rugby-style kicker who has become one of the many unsung heroes of Missouri's topsy-turvy season, rolled his kick inside the KU three-yard line. But the backfire potential of Pinkel's bold decision was still high.

"You look at percentages," Pinkel told reporters later, in defense of his gamble . "And you look at odds."

Nevertheless, after stating his surprise with the attention his decision was receiving, Pinkel admitted relief that everything worked out for the better.

"Wow," he said, "I'm just so glad we won the game."

But the odds Pinkel spoke of weren't exactly in Missouri's favor.

Kansas had already drug MU's defense up and down the field for nearly 600 yards, but it needed only 10 more to seal a second-consecutive win over its rival—and emerge as the victor in what was arguably the most entertaining game between the two sides in the 118-year history of the series.

With 2:45 left on the game clock, and Missouri armed with one harmless timeout, Kansas head coach Mark Mangino countered Pinkel's move with a calculated risk—or three—of his own.

Choosing to pass in the gleam of their own goalpost on first, second, and third down, Mangino and the Jayhawks failed to move the chains and, worse yet, did absolutely nothing to make friends with the clock.

By the time KU quarterback Todd Reesing was taken down in the end zone by two Missouri defenders for a momentum-swinging safety, only 14 seconds had transpired.

What happened next wasn't necessarily unexpected. Given favorable field position off the free kick following the safety, Missouri moved down a short field to set up kicker Grant Ressel 's game-winning chip shot to give the Tigers the 41-39 win .

Afterward, Mangino was as silent about his game management as Pinkel was relieved that his paid off, leaving only his players to give the rest of us a glimpse into what exactly happened .

“We checked out of a run. We definitely saw something,” Kansas right tackle Brad Thorson said, referring to offensive coordinator Ed Warinner's decision to pass on first down. “Our offensive coordinator, he’s spot-on. He knows what the defense is doing, and we took a couple shots.”

Wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe , who compensated for two crucial fumbles by racking up a career-high 242 yards and two touchdowns, seemed surprised by the play-calling but nonetheless reluctant to question the decisions that were made.

“In my mind-set, I just thought we’d run the ball, get what we could get, run some clock, make them use their timeouts,” Briscoe said. “But the coaches thought different, so I can’t argue. I’m just a player. I just go out there and run what they tell me to.”

Saturday's Border Showdown was one for the ages. It was a game that wasn't supposed to exceed the excitement of the two previous meetings between the two teams, but it did.

It did so with reckless abandon, as the two offenses, each carried by its superstars, traded blows in an epic battle that highlighted Saturday's full slate of rivalry matchups across the nation.

What's more, not many people expected Kansas (5-7, 1-7) to show up. Many were under the assumption that Missouri (8-4, 4-4), winner of its last three games, would register a double-digit win, blow out of town, and pound the coveted War Drum with ear-to-ear grins all the way back to Columbia.

Well, the latter two parts of that scenario are true. And now the state of the two respective programs, particularly the two head coaches, couldn't be more different.

Thought to have been receding back into also-ran status prior to the season, Missouri dismissed the notion of 2009 being the first phase in a rebuilding project.

Despite inconsistency on both sides of the ball, a gimpy and inexperienced quarterback, and a devastating midseason, three-game losing streak, the young Tigers are going to a bowl game for a school-record fifth season in a row.

With a chance to win nine games—presumably in the Insight Bowl against Minnesota—the Tigers should reap benefits on the recruiting trail.

Talent is beginning to pile up in Columbia, the roster features underclassmen galore, and Pinkel will be the program's guiding force for the foreseeable future, having signed an extension through the 2015 season last November.

In all, the MU program appears to be erected on pillars of strength. On the other hand, in Lawrence, an already shaky foundation may have crumbled on Saturday along with Mangino's last-minute tactics.

Their bowl dreams dashed against the Tigers, the Jayhawks are now officially in a state of flux.

The school's all-time passing leader, Reesing, is now an alum of the program, as is receiver Kerry Meier , Kansas' record-holder for receptions in a single season.

Joining them is fellow cornerstone and senior defensive back Darrell Stuckey , and Briscoe, a junior, is strongly considering entering his name in the NFL draft.

Granted, Kansas has developing talent to act as replacements, but who exactly will coach them?

Fans will call for Mangino's head based on the Jayhawks' final possession on Saturday, but it's likely his fate has been decided for some time now.

The sticky situation involving him and athletic director Lew Perkins over allegations that Mangino mistreated players is not bound to simmer down any time soon, which spells trouble not only for the immediate future of Kansas football but also its long-term reputation.

If suspect play-calling were plausible grounds for termination, Mangino would be on the unemployment line by now.

But because KU owes him nearly $7 million if he's fired without cause, pending a settlement between the two sides, a lawsuit may very well be forthcoming if there's insufficient evidence to validate the allegations.

That scenario would be enough to make any candidate shy away from taking over the reins. And, as a result, recruits will be tentative about considering Kansas.

After the loss, Mangino took to the podium to field questions that targeted on one subject and one subject only.

For KU fans, the postgame press conference was a bittersweet moment that may have signaled the beginning of a transitional period for the program, which is something MU fans likely won't have to experience for a long time.

"I don't have anything to say to any decision-makers or anything," Mangino said. "A friend of mine told me something one time I think is a very good way to go about life. That is: I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."

Photo credit: Parker Eshelman/Columbia Daily Tribune

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Kansas Needs To Fire Athletic Director For Role In Mangino Investigation

Denny K. — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:00:04 -0500

We can only imagine what Mark Mangino thought as Grant Ressel's 27-yard field goal gave the Missouri Tigers a 41-39 victory over Kansas on Saturday.

Despite being one of the most exciting games in the Big 12 this season, the loss capped a seven-game losing streak for the Jayhawks and potentially became the final nail in the coffin of Mark Mangino’s eight-year coaching career at Kansas.

Along with the disappointing 2009 season for the Jayhawks on the gridiron, the investigation by the university into allegations of verbal abuse of players by Mangino has dragged on with no resolution for more than two weeks now.

Regardless of the outcome of Mark Mangino's coaching future at Kansas, one thing is clear: Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins should be fired.

Perkins has conducted the investigation into the claims of abuse by Mangino in an unprofessional and incompetent manner. The athletic director has failed to lead when Kansas needed leadership. For this he has lost the respect necessary to administer the athletic department.

What exactly has Perkins done that is so awful? For starters, he organized a secret (albeit poorly kept) meeting with the entire football team, without the coaching staff present, with two games remaining on the Jayhawks' schedule.

The existence of this meeting was bewilderingly not kept confidential by Perkins and it was never explained to the public why it was necessary to carry out the meeting in the middle of the season as opposed to after. It is hard to see why else Perkins would have instigated this investigation during the season other than to ratchet up the pressure on Mangino and undermine the efforts of the football team.

Perkins undercut Mangino and the football team's season. The week of the players’ only meeting also saw the leaking of several pieces of private information by the athletic department to the press concerning matters related to the investigation.

Specific details of the complaints against Mangino devoid of any context mysteriously emerged along with a two-year-old story about a parking ticket incident Mangino was involved in.

This is a sad example of leadership on Perkins' part.

The bottom line is that as athletic director he is responsible for those leaks to the press. Arguably nothing works against the trustworthiness of an administration more than its own blatant disregard for the rules.

The leaking of confidential information to the press, especially when it occurs in such an obviously concerted way designed to damage the public reputation of a person, is simply unethical and should not be tolerated. It has made the investigation into the complaints against Mangino a farce.

This is disrespectful to not only Mangino, but the accusers themselves as allegations have not been given the impartial and fair scrutiny they deserve.

Perkins is no stranger to controversies like this. The end of his tenures as athletic director at Connecticut and Maryland were met with cheers by many at those schools because of ham-fisted and unprofessional tactics like these.

Whatever you may think about Mangino, there ought to be consensus that Perkins handled this entire matter far from professionally. Whether or not this failure results in termination, it is a question worthy of conversation.

Ultimately, it will be up to the University of Kansas to decide whether or not they want to reward such behavior in an administrator with future employment.

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Missouri Tigers Need to Avoid Stirring Echoes of Last Season vs. Kansas

Ryan Faller — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:32:41 -0500

The agonizing vividness of that photo is still freshly branded in my brain.

Down by two scores to unranked Kansas early in the third quarter of last season's Border Showdown, No. 13 Missouri scored 27 of the game's next 34 points to take a seemingly unconquerable 37-33 lead with less than two minutes remaining.

For a star-laden MU squad, it appeared to be a fitting and satisfying end to a regular season that had sadly gone terribly awry after beginning with darkhorse-ish national championship aspirations.

With a commanding lead in the shaky Big 12 North, the Tigers were assured a spot in the conference championship regardless of its performance against the Jayhawks.

But for MU quarterback Chase Daniel and his fellow seniors, the opportunity to beat their hated neighbors to the West for the third time in four years was the more pressing matter. And here they were, a mere 90 seconds away from their goal.

Yet, for all the heroics of the MU offense to dramatically and courageously overcome a sizable deficit on national television, one image from the 2008 Border Showdown stands above all else: KU receiver Kerry Meier , after breezing by paralyzed MU safety Justin Garrett, hauling in a fourth-down, 26-yard desperation heave from quarterback Todd Reesing to ultimately seal the Jayhawks' 40-37 win .

It was a moment that took your breath away, but only because it felt like someone was mean-spirited enough to punch you in your stomach.

And it was clear, one week later against the Oklahoma, that the Tigers were still shaking out the cobwebs during their 41-point throttling at the hands of the Sooners.

And now, here we are, 364 days later and things don't look all that much different.

After another midseason malaise, Missouri (7-4, 3-4) has righted the ship with a late surge and would like nothing more than to put a stamp on the season with a win over the Jayhawks.

And like 2008, the Tigers, once possessing the look of a team that was down-and-out, now look rejuvenated while arguably playing their best football to date.

And though it has struck in a much larger and more publicized manner this time around, adversity appears to be crippling the KU program late in the season.

In 2008, the Jayhawks, after beginning the season 5-1, lost four of five to limp into the Missouri game at 6-5 and barely bowl-eligible.

However, the last-second theatrics of Reesing and Meier saved a season in peril, as the win over MU generated enough momentum to carry Kansas to an eight-win campaign that ended in a victory over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl.

And if the Jayhawks appeared frail at this time last season, their psyche now is absolutely off the charts .

The only thing that would make this Mark Mangino scandal spicier would be if he would agree to opt out of his $6 million worth of contract money to wrestle athletic director Lew Perkins in a steel-cage, table-ladders-and-chairs match in downtown Lawrence.

For weeks now we have heard every angle of the allegations against Mangino. Players' moms and dads have been called out for their unsavory parental prowess.

Former Jayhawks have spoken out, with some saying their old coach resembles a mean dictator who doesn't shy away from getting in a player's face or doing a little chest-poking.

Even at the deepest level, Kansas (5-6, 1-6) appears to be in shambles. But that's precisely what makes the Jayhawks such a dangerous team at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. And that's precisely what makes the Tigers so vulnerable at the same time.

This is a game Missouri should win. The Tigers have momentum. They have unity and cohesiveness. You could argue that Missouri is far better than Kansas, with or without the whole Mangino upheaval.

Hit hard by graduation and the NFL in the offseason, the 2009 Tigers are young—but they're not stupid. Upperclassmen have put in the time to lecture younger players on how important the Kansas game is.

What few seniors there are on the MU roster still marvel at how that game got away last season, which is the first step in preventing history from repeating itself.

If it does, the Tigers are in a world of trouble.

Despite the politics and turmoil that are eating away at the program, Kansas will undoubtedly give Missouri its best game.

Much has been said about Mangino's rotund physique, but his heart of gold and devotion to his job have not gone unnoticed by his players, so it's easily dismissive to say the Jayhawks will lie down for the Tigers.

Plus, what of KU's seniors? Do they not want to earn bowl eligibility to prolong their careers, and do so against their biggest rival?

For players like Reesing and Meier, who aren't exactly locks to get selected in next year's draft, this may be their last shot. And what better way to go out than by perhaps replicating last season's memorable pitch-and-catch to win the game?

Not only would a loss drop the Tigers to a murky 7-5, but it would do nothing to ward off those skeptics who insisted prior to the season that the MU program was entering a reconstruction phase and needed some time to ascend back to the top of the Big 12.

A loss to Kansas would be utterly disastrous. In a weird sort of way, it would almost render meaningless everything the Tigers have achieved this season.

Missouri is known for losing games like this. It's happened too many times for it not to be a concern just because Kansas has lost six in a row and is on the potential verge of a nasty lawsuit with its embattled head coach.

This rivalry is the second-oldest in college football and arguably its most competitive, with each team claiming 54 victories.

But if MU head coach Gary Pinkel wants to forge ahead in his task to change the culture in Columbia, the Tigers have to break that deadlock on Saturday.

Furthermore, the Tigers are currently facing a spectrum of possibilities in regards to which bowl invitation they'll receive, with the most prominent being a call to represent the Big 12 in the Cotton Bowl for the second time in three years.

However, with a loss on Saturday, Missouri may be destined for a repeat trip to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl, whereas a win could mean a boarding pass to San Diego to face a high-profile Pac-10 opponent in the more appealing Holiday Bowl.

Missouri's loss to Kansas last season hurt. It hurt a lot. But all things considered, a defeat in Saturday's rival war would be downright excruciating.

Especially if Reesing and Meier decide to play a recurring role.

Photo credit: Associated Press

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Kansas Jayhawks Gobble Up Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Improve to 5-0

Neil Powell — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:09:01 -0500

In last Wednesday night's win over Oakland, the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks got only 13 points combined from preseason All-Americans Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, but still managed a 30-point blowout.

The Jayhawks' opponent on Friday evening at Allen Fieldhouse, Tennessee Tech didn't look to have a much better chance.

The Golden Eagles played Oakland at home earlier this season and lost by 21 points.

Also, the school had never played a No. 1 opponent in its history.

Just two of the many factors that weighed heavily in the home team's favor.

Coach Bill Self's Jayhawks had no problem extending it's current home winning streak to 45, the nation's longest.

Kansas used an early 14-1 run to build a 27-9 lead.

Tennessee Tech, led by senior guard Frank Davis' 23 points, went on an 8-0 run of its own to cut the lead to ten, 27-17, much to coach Self's dismay.

After a fiery timeout Kansas finished the half on a 15-3 run to take a 53-31 lead to the break.

Tyshawn Taylor, who had been struggling coming into the contest (27 percent shooting), had 13 of his team-high 18 points in the first 20 minutes.

The second half was much of the same as the Jayhawks got contributions from everyone.

Of the 13 players that got in the game, 12 of them scored including five in double-figures.

Team leaders Collins and Aldrich had big games. Collins hit four three-point shots and Aldrich posted a double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and three assists.

Freshman phenom Xavier Henry added 15 points and has scored in double figures in the first five games of his career.

Even seldom used sophomore guard Jordan Juenemann, who had yet to score a point in his career as a Jayhawk, got his moment in the sun with six points in two minutes of action.

Kansas shot 60 percent from the field and 47 percent from behind the arc in the 112-75 victory.

Seven players hit three-pointers in the win.

Notes: Sophomore forward Markieff Morris, who was 2-2 from behind the arc on the evening, is 14-15 from the field on the season.

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