Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2008 College Football All-American Teams


2008 College Football All-American Teams

from www.espn.com
Laurinaitis becomes fourth three-time AP All-American

James Laurinaitis idolized A.J. Hawk, Chris Spielman and the other great linebackers who played for Ohio State before him.
Now, in at least one area, he has surpassed them.
Laurinaitis became a three-time AP All-American, and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford and star receiver Michael Crabtree joined him on the first team released Tuesday.
Ohio State has a history of great linebackers from Hawk to Spielman and Tom Cousineau to Randy Gradishar. Hawk and Spielman were both two-time AP All-Americans.
"When people throw my name in that group of players, I just laugh," Laurinaitis said. "It's extremely complimentary to be thought of in the same category."
Among the other players to make the AP first-team three times were San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk (1991-93), Pittsburgh offensive lineman Bill Fralic (1982-84), Georgia running back Herschel Walker (1980-82) and Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green (1978-80).
Alabama put more players on the 2008 AP first team than any school, about 1,000 pounds of linemen. Offensive tackle Andre Smith, listed at 330 pounds, was an unanimous first-team choice, and was joined by center Antoine Caldwell. Crimson Tide nose guard Terrence Cody, listed at 365 pounds, anchored the top-ranked defense in the Southeastern Conference.
Bradford beat out Texas' Colt McCoy and Florida's Tim Tebow in All-America voting that broke the same way as the Heisman balloting. McCoy, the Heisman runner-up, was the second-team quarterback. Tebow made the third team, a year after winning the Heisman and being a first-team AP All-American.
Laurinaitis and Crabtree, the Texas Tech receiver, were among five players to repeat as first-teamers.
Oklahoma guard Duke Robinson, Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber and Missouri receiver/kick returner Jeremy Maclin, who made it as an all-purpose player, were the others.
Two Big Ten running backs completed the All-America backfield. Iowa's Shonn Greene is second in the country in rushing (144 yards per game) and has scored 17 touchdowns. Michigan State's Javon Ringer is third in rushing (132 ypg) and has scored 21 touchdowns.
Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant was the other receiver. A sophomore like Crabtree, Bryant scored 20 touchdowns.
Rounding out the offensive line were Mississippi tackle Michael Oher and LSU guard Herman Johnson.
Chase Coffman, who led all tight ends with 83 catches, gave Missouri's high-scoring offense two All-Americans.
Utah's Louie Sakoda was the kicker. He booted 21 field goals in 23 attempts and scored 115 points for the undefeated Utes.
The defense featured Laurinaitis' teammate, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, and two players from Southern California's top-ranked unit: linebacker Rey Maualuga and safety Taylor Mays.
Florida's Brandon Spikes was the other linebacker.
Up front, Aaron Maybin of Penn State and Brian Orakpo of Texas were the defensive ends, and Cody and Mississippi's Peria Jerry were the tackles.
Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith and Tennessee safety Eric Berry completed the secondary.
Laurinaitis was recruited by the Buckeyes out of Minnesota, and came to Columbus with relatively modest goals considering where he ended up.
He wanted to make the travel squad as a freshman, start as a sophomore, receive some type of all-Big Ten recognition as a junior and be an All-American and Butkus Award candidate as a senior.
By the time his sophomore season was complete, he had accomplished all his goals.
Laurinaitis said having Hawk and fellow star linebacker Bobby Carpenter, both seniors when he was a freshman, to learn from had an enormous affect his career.
"You learned a lot about work ethic," Laurinaitis said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "We'd go through a two-day (practice) and I'm looking to go to sleep and those guys were in the weight room working out. If it worked for them, I had to do it."
When Carpenter and Hawk moved on to the NFL, Laurinaitis moved into the starting lineup in 2006. The son of a professional wrestler -- Joe Laurinaitis was known as "Animal" from the WWE's Legion of Doom -- James drew plenty of attention for his play and his family ties.
He led the Buckeyes with 115 tackles and five interceptions and won the Nagurski Award as national defensive player of the year.
In 2007, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker and this season he capped his stellar three-year run with the Lott Trophy for top defensive player.
"I'm not the freak athlete other guys are," Laurinaitis said, "but I'm the guy coaches can depend on to be accountable and know my assignments."

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Top NBA Rookies as of December 15th, 2008

This is the top 10 rookies according to www.espn.com right now. I would have to agree with most of them except for Greg Oden. He has been hurt already and hasn't played nearly the number of games that the other 9 have. I am not ripping on him and I am an Ohio State fan. I don't think he is even the best rookie on his team. Rudy Fernandez is by far the best on Portland. I also think that DJ Augustin should be in the top 5. I understand that this list will constantly change, but here would be my top five:
1. O.J. Mayo
2. Rudy Fernandez
3. Derrick Rose
4. Michael Beasley
5. Brook Lopez




2008-09 NBA Rookie Class: Top 10

RK Player TM Age POS G MIN FG% 3FG% FT% STL BLK AST REB PTS PER
1 O.J. Mayo MEM 21 SG 25 37.0 .472 .405 .885 1.2 0.1 2.7 4.2 20.8 18.11
Analysis: Composure is one of Mayo's biggest strengths. And most of the ... more
2 Derrick Rose CHI 20 PG 25 39.0 .469 .303 .807 1.0 0.2 6.4 3.8 17.6 15.96
Analysis: It's easy to see Rose's deficiencies on defense right now. He's ... more
3 George Hill SAS 22 PG 22 21.0 .416 .400 .795 0.8 0.3 3.0 3.1 9.7 17.10
Analysis: What this young guy is doing right now might even be ... more
4 Rudy Fernandez POR 23 SG 26 26.0 .419 .398 .930 0.9 0.2 1.9 3.3 11.1 16.90
Analysis: It's becoming obvious that the Blazers like to use Fernandez mostly ... more
5 Greg Oden POR 20 C 20 23.0 .509 .000 .640 0.3 1.4 0.6 8.0 8.0 16.02
Analysis: Want another reason to be bullish on the Blazers? Try this: ... more
6 Marc Gasol MEM 23 C 25 28.0 .541 .000 .747 0.6 1.0 1.4 6.8 10.9 16.53
Analysis: Though skeptics might suggest that Gasol is just putting up good ... more
7 Brook Lopez NJN 20 C 24 27.0 .473 .000 .778 0.5 1.9 0.8 7.4 9.9 15.12
Analysis: Lopez does something all big men should do, and do often: ... more
8 D.J. Augustin CHA 21 PG 26 30.0 .410 .427 .938 0.6 0.0 4.5 1.9 13.9 16.13
Analysis: Augustin has the third-best turnover rate among guards in this class; ... more
9 Michael Beasley MIA 19 PF 23 26.0 .449 .360 .773 0.7 0.5 1.0 5.1 14.1 14.96
Analysis: In Miami's loss to Memphis, Beasley had a solid 20-point, 8-rebound ... more
10 Russell Westbrook OKC 20 PG 26 28.0 .375 .257 .807 1.7

Friday, December 19, 2008

2008 College Football Award Winners



2008 College Football Award Winners

Oklahoma's Sam Bradford also took home the Heisman Trophy Award by a close margin over Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.



LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Tim Tebow won the Maxwell Award for the second consecutive year, edging Texas' Colt McCoy and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell for the honor given to college football's best all-round player Thursday night.

The Florida star joined Notre Dame quaterback Johnny Lattner as the only two-time winners of the Maxwell Award. Lattner won in 1952-53.

Tebow, who will lead Florida against Sam Bradford's Oklahoma Sooners in the national championship game next month, was the first sophomore to win the Heisman last year and, on Saturday in New York, could become the second player to win it twice.

"All these awards are special -- and they mean a lot to me -- but they don't compare to winning the championship because you share that with everyone on the team," Tebow said. "That's the one I really want."

The versatile Tebow is fifth in the nation in passer rating (176.7) with 28 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. He hasn't been asked to run as much this season, but still has 564 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

Earlier, Tebow took Disney's Spirit Award for service off the field.

Fellow Heisman finalists, Bradford and McCoy, also were big winners Thursday.

Bradford beat out Harrell and McCoy for the Davey O'Brien Award. Bradford directed the highest-scoring team in major college football history. He led the nation in passer rating (186.3) and TD passes (48) while throwing for 4,464 yards.

"It will be an honor just to be there with those guys," Bradford said. "This is great to win. I was a little surprised. It's too early to tell what else will happen."

Tebow won the Davey O'Brien Award last year ahead of winning the Heisman.

Everyone sharing the top awards here "just shows the diversity, the balance in college football today," Tebow said. "I think it's a great thing."

McCoy was the Walter Camp Player of the Year, leading the All-America team.

Michael Crabtree, a Texas Tech sophomore, won his second straight Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. Crabtree caught 18 touchdown passes, and has 93 receptions for 1,135 yards. He made headlines for his last-second, winning touchdown catch against Texas.

"This one feels just as good as the first one," Crabtree said. "You always think you're going to win, but you just never know for sure."

Running back Shonn Greene of Iowa won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back, finishing ahead of Knowshon Moreno of Georgia and Javon Ringer of Michigan State, who will meet in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day in Orlando.

The Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) was won by Andre Smith of Alabama.

On the defensive side, Rey Maualuga of USC won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player over James Laurinaitis of Ohio State and Aaron Maybin of Penn State.

And the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) went to Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State, finishing ahead of Eric Berry (Tennessee) and Taylor Mays (USC).

"This is something I've had my eye on for some time," Jenkins said. "And it's not just about stats. If it was, I wouldn't be here. It's about leadership, and setting an example, too. You can't imagine what this means to me. I was a semifinalist last year, and I've wanted to win it ever since."

Matt Fodge of Oklahoma State won the Ray Guy Award (best punter) and Graham Gano of Florida State the Lou Groza Award (best kicker).

Nick Saban was selected the Coach of the Year after leading Alabama to the SEC championship game and a 12-1 record.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

For the sizzling Cavaliers, there is no room for complacency


For the sizzling Cavaliers, there is no room for complacency
from www.espn.com
The Cavaliers have dominated opponents during their terrific start
Cleveland is responding to talk about LeBron's future simply by winning
The Cavs should continue to push themselves in preparation for springtime
The Cavaliers are on such a roll that, if they all got lumps of coal in their stockings on Christmas morning, we'd learn on Dec. 26 that Al Gore and Lamborghini had jointly developed the Bituminous, the world's first carbon-powered exoticar for young NBA millionaires.
All news is good news these days for the Cavs, a team that seems increasingly neglected in the long-established media love (not unlike that emanating from the NBA's Olympic Tower) for the Celtics and the Lakers. First, the Cavs somehow turned the anxiety generated by LeBron James' coy visit to Manhattan on Nov. 25 into a 10-game winning -- wait, make that a 10-game domination -- streak. They have beaten their last 10 opponents by an average of 20.2 points, winning each of the first nine by 10 or more prior to a 101-93 victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Now they get word that guard Daniel Gibson will miss at least two weeks with a toe injury and that center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will be day-to-day, at best, after spraining his left ankle in the fourth quarter against the 76ers. Then there's the realization that their next 10 games won't be against opponents quite as squeezably soft.
Hold up. Good news? Actually, it is, in the way that each and every infernal bugle call in boot camp is good news for a platoon. The more rigorous the prelude, the less threatening the actual engagement, because those who have prepared thoroughly are better equipped to handle the serious conflict. Everything the Cavs have gone through so far, six weeks into the season, has made them stronger and more prepared for the really serious stuff that comes five months out.
Look, a lot of us agreed with Charles Barkley that James would better serve his current employer and co-workers by answering no more questions about July 2010 until, oh, June 2010. I felt a tiny heartstring tug (sportswriters often are accused of having tiny hearts, if any) for the fans in Cleveland, one of the Midwest's many flyover cities that gets snickered at from both coasts. But there is only one way for the Cavs to deal with all the speculation about James' eventual free agency and future: Ignore the distraction and win. Today, tomorrow and right through as long a season as they can manage in 2009-10.
And that starts ... well, it started a few days before the New York trip, actually, when they beat Atlanta by 14 points. It continues, trailing victories of 35 points against Oklahoma City, 36 in a follow-up clash with the Knicks on Dec. 3 and blowouts of Indiana, Charlotte and Toronto by 24, 20 and 20 points, respectively. The final margin at Philadelphia was misleading, with runs of 20-4 in the first half and 15-6 in the third quarter revealing far more about the gaps between the Cavs and the home team with still-unfounded Eastern Conference ambitions.
Granted, the schedule has been cushy. The opponents in Cleveland's 10-game streak (counting New York twice) were a combined 81-133 heading into Thursday's schedule. That's a .379 winning percentage, considerably worse than the .447 clip of its next 10 opponents. This stretch will be more drooling than grueling, too, but at least five of the foes (counting Miami twice) are above .500, compared to just one of the previous 10. But the schedule certainly isn't the Cavs' fault, and it is more of a comment on the league at large, with four teams -- Cleveland, Boston, Orlando and the Lakers -- claiming 72 of the victories so far.
Between now and the All-Star break, nine of the Cavs' 29 games can be classified as real tests based on the opposition, with four coming against those in the little peer group above, along with dates against New Orleans, Portland, Utah, Detroit and Phoenix. It's conceivable, then, that the Cavs' record (19-3) still could boast single-digit losses into mid-February.
That is why it's so vital for the Cavs to find their own tests, to set their own standards and crack down on themselves when they stray. They have done it so far in a wholesale commitment to defense, in the ways they score more easily now when James gets the ball back in a possession rather than initiating everything, and reportedly in their locker-room chemistry. Now they will see their depth being tested during Gibson's absence, and their resourcefulness plumbed in closing ranks, collecting rebounds and defending big men for whatever time Ilgauskas misses now or later.
The more a good team plays down to the competition -- which is becoming a nightly temptation around the league, based on so many out-of-it operations -- the closer it stays to that competition. Better to smite any delusions and glimmers of hope every chance you get, from November right into June.

Z's unlikely staying power
No one would ever suggest that Ilgauskas and baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor were separated at birth. But the two athletes are remarkably similar in one way: Both overcame early fragility to find not only longevity but also durability later in their playing days.
Ilgauskas struggled with foot problems before and after being drafted by Cleveland as the 20th pick in 1996. He had been a frequent traveler from his native Lithuania to the United States even before draft night because he had visited surgeons over here for what the insurance companies call a preexisting condition. The Cavs selected him anyway but paid a heavy price: Ilgauskas missed what would have been his entire rookie season and, over his first five years on the Cleveland payroll, appeared in only 38.9 percent of the team's games (179 of a possible 460).
Molitor, a swift, line-driving-hitting middle infielder who broke in with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1978, had a similar start. Hobbled by multiple injuries early, he missed 437 of Milwaukee's 1,563 games in his first 10 seasons, appearing in 70.7 percent. Fans and writers wondered if Molitor ever would stay healthy to justify a team's long-term commitment to him, never mind amassing the statistical totals that loom so large in his sport. But a shift to the relative safety of designated hitter, taking better care of himself and a little luck enabled Molitor to play in 90.6 percent of his three teams' 1,717 games from age 31 to 41, missing only 162. Molitor, an NBA fan in Milwaukee and Minnesota (he had just left Toronto when the Raptors began play), stayed healthy enough to become a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection, finishing ninth in major league history with 3,319 hits and 13th all time with 10,835 at-bats.
Ilgauskas, 33, might not end up enshrined in Springfield, but he has managed to play in 95.5 percent of Cleveland's games the past six-plus seasons. That's 491 of 514, a Hall of Fame batting average in any orthopedic surgeon's book. So when he grabbed six rebounds Tuesday against Toronto, surpassing with the fourth one Brad Daugherty's franchise record of 5,227, it was a testament to the big guy's rehab regimens and his perseverance.
Bad as the Cavs were for most of his time there, 92 games under .500 before James arrived in 2003, it had to be tempting for Ilgauskas to retire and collect his millions from the Cavs' insurance. Instead, he stuck around long enough to become an All-Star in 2003 and 2005 -- and stalked unhappily out of Atlanta's Philips Arena in 2003 after playing only four minutes in a double-overtime game. Deep into a career defined by how much he didn't play, it seemed wrong that Ilgauskas' first All-Star outing went that way, too.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Terrell Owens Crying again about his Quarterback


Here we go again! T.O. crying to the media about not getting the ball. Sh.......be very quiet, he also thinks that Romo is making up secret plays with Witten. Don't tell anybody because T.O. thinks it is a conspiracy against him. Just when you think this punk can't get any worse, boom! Everyone in football knew it was just a matter of time before T.O. divided the Cowboys lockerroom. I can guarantee you that Bill Parcells is sitting back in his Miami office with a big grin on his face thinking I told you so.
Terrell, are you that dumb? Seriously! Your quarterback and tightend are just playing sandlot football. I think you forget that you are about one step away from watching football on t.v. You screw this team up and I highly doubt that another team will take a chance on you besides the Raiders and that would be worse than sandlot football. It will be really funny when Pac Man Jones is still in the league and your not, but I suppose that will be a conspiracy too. I just wish one of your teammates would stand up to you and tell you to shut the heck up or just plain beat the snot out of you!




Articles from ESPN.COM about TO crying about Romo not throwing him the ball
According to multiple sources within the Dallas Cowboys, there is an emerging internal conflict involving three of the team's highest-profile stars.
As the preseason Super Bowl favorites struggle in the final month of the season to simply make the playoffs, wide receiver Terrell Owens has expressed resentment toward Tony Romo, apparently jealous of the quarterback's relationship with tight end Jason Witten.

Owens feels that Romo and Witten -- close friends and road roommates who came to Dallas in the same offseason -- hold private meetings in which they create plays the two will use in upcoming games without including Owens in the conversations, according to a source who speaks regularly with Owens' teammates. Owens believes these discussions have worked to his detriment as Romo seeks to deliver the ball to Witten regardless of whether Owens is open.
The rift between Dallas Cowboys stars Terrell Owens, Tony Romo and Jason Witten is wider than just those three players, a source inside the team's locker room told ESPN's Ed Werder on Friday.
The source told Werder that the majority of defensive players on the team supports Owens' contention that Romo is overly reliant on Witten and often throws into coverage trying to get him the ball while ignoring Owens in a situation where he could make a play.
One starting player told Werder: "We are not together as a team, and that includes the coaches."
Dallas defensive back Terence Newman told ESPN's "First Take" on Friday that reports of a rift are blown out of proportion. Newman said that Owens hadn't said a bad word to anyone, and that, as a defensive player, he'd like Owens to get the ball more.
Newman said that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has an open-door policy and both Romo and Witten, along with wide receiver Patrick Crayton, had been in to talk to their coach.
Cowboys wide receivers Terrell Owens, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton requested and were granted a meeting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to express their concern that quarterback Tony Romo was relying too heavily on close friend and Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. Blog.
He also said that team chemistry is "great," but insinuated that when Cowboys coaches make a mistake, they shift the blame to others and the players have noticed it.
In his weekly radio spot on 1310 "The Ticket" in Dallas, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said a meeting took place with Roy Williams, Crayton, Owens and Garrett. He said it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"[Owens is] interested in the ball to win the game," Jones said. "He knows if he can get the ball, we have a better chance to win the game. We all agree with that."
Jones said that he visited with Owens for 10 or 15 minutes during practice on Thursday, but said the subject of the meeting with Garrett did not come up. "Not that he [Owens] feels slighted or he feels like there's some type of favoritism going on," Jones said.
Owens vs. Witten
Reports say Terrell Owens thinks Tony Romo is favoring Jason Witten in his play selection. A look from ESPN's Next Level data team at the passing breakdown between the two players:

Owens Witten
Passes thrown to ('08) 87 80
Passes caught ('08) 43 57
Passes thrown to ('06-'08) 336 286
Passes caught ('06-'08) 186 201
Jones also said that Garrett encourages "continual communication."
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said reports that the team is in turmoil are untrue. "I don't agree," he said.
"Enough talking. We need to get it done," Phillips said.
The comments come a day after a source who speaks regularly with Owens' teammates told ESPN that Owens believes Romo and Witten -- close friends and road roommates who arrived at Dallas in the same offseason -- hold private meetings and create plays without including Owens.
Owens believes these discussions have worked to his detriment and that Romo seeks to deliver the ball to Witten, regardless of whether Owens is open.
Dallas' Jason Witten discusses the latest controversy and says he doesn't think that Terrell Owens is feeling left out and that he and Tony Romo don't script plays together. Podcast
Owens didn't speak to reporters in the locker room on Friday, The Associated Press reported. The Cowboys held a team meeting Friday morning, but neither Phillips nor players provided much details.
"This has nothing to do with the media or anyone else who is not a Dallas Cowboy," Williams told The Associated Press. "I am a Dallas Cowboy, therefore I am loyal to the Dallas Cowboys."
Deluged with questions about whether the Cowboys (8-5) are trying to mend divides at a crucial point in the season, Phillips dismissed the reports.
"Everything is set straight as far as I'm concerned," he told The Associated Press. "I think the players, too. We'll see."
Owens declined to discuss the situation on Thursday outside the Cowboys' locker room. As he walked toward the players' lounge at Valley Ranch, ESPN asked Owens if he would answer questions and he said, "Nope.''
But later Thursday, Owens told The Dallas Morning News: "I'm not jealous of Witten. I'm not jealous of nobody. I can take the approach that I got paid, so screw everything, but that's not me.
"I just want to win. I'm not trying to create a war of words with anybody. I thought we had a productive meeting, and I just talked to Jason about Tony reading the whole play because other people are open besides Witten."
Witten appeared Thursday afternoon on ESPN Radio 1050 in New York.
"Tony and I have been friends for a long time, way before either one of us were playing that much," Witten said. "I don't think we're drawing up many plays together to be completely honest, but I don't think Terrell feels that way. I think he knows he's a playmaker, and we try to go to him, and we have other guys we try to get the ball, too."

Monday, December 15, 2008

Strong Season, but Weak Finish for Ball State and nate Davis





Good article on Bellaire,Ohio's Nate Davis
Davis, Lewis propel Cards to perfect regular season
by: Pat Forde
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Touchdown Panda was in the front row of Section S, amid a sea of 11,088 cold, crazed Ball State students.
On the field, the Cardinals were putting the final touches on a 45-22 waxing of Western Michigan that cemented a 12-0 regular season and the Mid-American Conference West Division title. In the packed stands, Touchdown Panda cradled his round head in his hands. He was in his glory.
"I've watched them suck every year," the talking panda said. "Finally, a winning season my senior year. An undefeated season. It's awesome."
Away from picturesque Scheumann Stadium, he is Jake Erdley, a senior telecommunications major from Brownsburg, Ind. But at every home game, Erdley rocks the ridiculous panda costume and a T-shirt that reads, "Touchdown Panda."
Erdley does a dance every time Ball State scores a touchdown -- which has been often this fall. And his fellow students rub his head for good luck.
This is not a David Letterman (Ball State Class of '69) joke. This is real.
Um, Jake? What's with the panda getup?
"My aunt owns a costume store," Erdley explained. "She didn't have a cardinal. And everybody likes pandas."
Sure. With the exception of animated kung fu experts, pandas always look like nice, docile, nonthreatening creatures. Kind of the way Ball State football has been in recent times.
This is a program steeped in mediocrity, crafting 10 straight nonwinning seasons from 1997-2006. That run included an 0-11 season, a 1-10 and a 2-9, as Ball State slid to the lower tier of the MAC.
But now change has come to Muncie in a stunning flourish. The proof was right there in black and white Tuesday night: the Touchdown Panda was partying on the field, part of a streaming mass of delirious collegiate humanity that overtook the artificial turf at the final gun to celebrate the greatest season in Ball State history.
(And make no mistake, this is the best program in Indiana in 2008. Not even close.)
"It reminds me of -- I don't know what it reminds me of," coach Brady Hoke said, tacitly acknowledging that storm-the-field moments don't happen here. "But it was neat."
Quarterback Nate Davis' description of the postgame mosh pit: "It was very exciting, but boy, it was hectic out there."
Running back MiQuale Lewis said he began the postgame celebration at midfield and wound up being carried by the mob into the end zone.
"I dropped my helmet twice," Lewis said. "Dropped my mouthpiece twice."
Lewis was especially endangered in the wild scene, given his 5-foot-6 stature. The talented, confident Davis is the face of Ball State football, but Lewis is its soul.
The product of nearby Fort Wayne is the poster boy Cardinal: He was never recruited seriously by any other FBS schools. Too short, he heard a thousand times. Like the rest of the program, the junior took his lumps the past two years. He played in four games as a freshman before injury knocked him out for the year, and six games last year. Now, in this kismet-kissed season, Lewis is a breakout star. His 20 rushing touchdowns is a single-season school record, and he's 49 yards away from setting the single-season rushing record (he has 1,570).
Lewis is one of the many players who have stepped forward when Ball State's biggest game-breaker, receiver Dante Love, was nearly paralyzed by a career-ending hit against Indiana. It's a touching tribute to the Cardinals' resilience and togetherness that they have not just survived the loss of a great player, they've thrived. Love is an inspiration.
He is no longer in uniform, but he's still a vital Cardinal. He walked out arm-in-arm with teammates Dan Gerberry and Brandon Crawford for the pregame coin toss, then sat in the press box with the coaches during the game. Late in the contest, the student section chanted Love's name.
"We've got to be thankful," Hoke said. "We got one guy that football is not part of his life. That's a guy we play for."
Nobody in red is playing better than Davis, the quarterback who helped bring half a dozen NFL scouts to the stadium Tuesday night. Davis showcased a sizzling arm, deft touch, swift feet (he ran for 64 yards) and a cat burglar's confidence on third downs. Several times he broke Western Michigan's back on third-and-long with stellar throws or savvy scrambles, on his way to 337 yards of total offense.
"He didn't make us look real good a could times there," Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit said.
A learning disability kept the Bellaire, Ohio, product from being widely recruited (he was also a sensational high school basketball player), but he said Ball State was swift to lay out a plan for helping him academically. And offensive coordinator Stan Parrish got in on the ground floor and never went away.
That's a big reason why, even when West Virginia came calling late, Davis stuck with Ball State.
"Coach Parrish," Davis' brother Jose said, as an explanation for how Nate wound up in Muncie. "He stuck with him, and he sold the NFL. He coached a lot of guys in the NFL, and he has an NFL system."
Parrish is part of a grizzled staff -- the average college experience for Hoke and his nine full-time assistants is 21 years. They've seen it all, which is perhaps why Ball State is the least-penalized team in the nation and is tied for third in fewest giveaways with 10.
"They don't make a lot of mistakes," Cubit said, and the proof was on the stat sheet Tuesday night: zero turnovers, 5 penalty yards.
That goes back to Hoke, whose self-described tunnel vision has trickled down to his players. The Lloyd Carr disciple (his cadence is even similar to Carr's) has programmed his players to think short term and to think and speak in plural possessives. In fact, one sign on the offensive meeting room reads:
We

Us

Ours
Which was fitting Tuesday night. This was a we-us-ours night for Ball State, for a program that has never experienced anything close to this level of success and attendant euphoria. Even the futile "BCS! BCS! BCS!" cheer late in the game lacked any real ardor.
They know the deal. And given their history, they'll gladly take the deal as it's currently presented.
"That's not what counts," said Erdley, the Touchdown Panda, of the impending BCS bowl snub. "They made this happen without any of that mattering. We'll take whatever bowl we get in, and we'll win that, too."

Friday, December 12, 2008

Someone Please PUNCH me in the Face!!!

Can you believe this joker? I am going out to a club, so I think I will wear a pair of sweatpants and maybe pick up some chicks. It is a rough club, so I better take my gun. Where can I put it though????????? I'll just tuck it in my waistband of my sweats. I am Plaxico Burress!!! Someone punch me in the face! You can't put anything in your sweatpants, let alone a gun. I don't put things in my pockets, unless I have zippers on them. If I knew I needed a gun to go to a club and still went, then I was looking for trouble. Someone PUNCH me in the face!
I honestly think that Plaxico thinks or thought he was above the law and he could do as he wanted to. Well, Mr. Burress, I guess you found out the hard way, or was it really the hard way? I mean you put a loaded pistol into the waistband of your sweatpants. Come on man, that is the easiest way I can think of that you would be in some sorta of trouble before the night was over. Too bad the State of New York will likely be the one that will PUNCH you in the face!!!!




‘Take me to a hospital:’ NFL star’s night out
By COLLEEN LONG
More NFL Videos NEW YORK (AP)—It started as a typical Friday night at the Latin Quarter: exclusive guest list, $200 bottles of Moet champagne and well-dressed clientele lining up to pay a $30 cover charge to party at the swank Manhattan club.
Then a few very, very important people rolled up in a black Cadillac Escalade: New York Giant stars Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce. The two sauntered inside, heading for the VIP section amid the pulsing merengue and hip-hop, Burress with a loaded, illegal gun tucked into the waistband of his track pants.
Within an hour, the Latin Quarter would be a crime scene and the center of a drama that has transfixed the sports world and left Burress’ career in jeopardy.
One week later, authorities are still trying to piece together details of what happened that night. But interviews with investigators and those connected to the case paint a picture of chaos, extraordinary secrecy and a frustrating hunt for answers by the police department.
Burress and Pierce showed up at the club at 1:20 a.m. Burress bypassed the line of patrons and got into the club despite the semiautomatic gun in his pants and ordered a drink.
Around 1:50 a.m., as Burress fumbled with the glass in his hand, the .40-caliber Glock slipped down his leg, and as he grabbed at it, he accidentally pulled the trigger and shot himself in the thigh. Witnesses reported hearing a “pop” as his legs started to quiver and the pistol dropped from his pant leg to the floor.
“Take me to a hospital,” Burress said, according to investigators
Despite the gunfire and blood, no one at the club called police. In fact, investigators say, no one reported the incident at all. Not the players, nor the hospital where he was treated, even though the law states gunshot wounds must be reported.
After the gun slipped to the floor, a club security officer grabbed it, unloaded it and held it while Pierce helped his injured, bleeding teammate to the street and back into the Escalade. He helped Burress, shaking from pain, into the back seat. Pierce hopped in the front with an unknown woman in the driver’s seat. As they started to pull away, a club security guard came to the Escalade’s window.
“What do you want me to do with this?” he asked, referring to the pistol, according to police. Pierce threw it in the glove compartment of the Escalade, police said, then called team trainer Ronnie Barnes. The trainer told him to take Burress to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, about 20 blocks away.
Pierce’s attorney, Michael Bachner, said his client had no idea his teammate had a gun until it went off, and his top priority at the time was to help his friend.
“Given the extraordinary circumstances of that evening, (Pierce) acted responsibly in trying to save what could have been the life of a friend,” Bachner said.
The SUV sped to the hospital, arriving at 2:04 a.m. and Burress was registered under the alias Harris Smith. It’s not known why that alias was chosen.
Dr. Josyann Abisaab was working her normal night shift at the hospital and treated Burress. As the doctor patched him up and they realized the wound wasn’t serious, Barnes arrived and spoke to Burress. At some point, the Giants alerted NFL security officials, saying the team left it to the league to alert police.
But police say the league and the team were not initially forthcoming, stalling the investigation. They have since been more cooperative, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.
“We want people to report gunshots as quickly as possible. We want people to be good citizens. It’s an obligation of all of us to report gun shots,” Kelly said Friday.
Hours passed as the first media reports of the shooting hit the airwaves. Acting on the rumors, police started canvassing local hospitals looking for signs. The NFL says its security department contacted police; NYPD officials say league officials called a precinct about 10:30 a.m. wondering whether anyone made a 911 call related to the shooting, but provided no details.
By 1 p.m. Saturday, Burress was discharged and on his way to his Totowa, N.J., home. Pierce went back to New Jersey as well, boarding a 1 p.m. team flight for Washington.
At the same time, police were hunting for clues about the mysterious shooting. They were learning details from media reports and not getting answers. Police say the NFL called fishing for information at one point, but didn’t divulge any details about what they knew.
Finally, at 2:30 p.m., they learned Burress had in fact been hospitalized. But details beyond that were fuzzy.
The frenzy over the shooting intensified Sunday.
Burress laid low as Pierce and the Giants took the field in Washington against the Redskins, beating their division rival 23-7 on a dreary, rainy day.
All the while, reporters gathered outside the New Jersey home of Burress’ lawyer, Benjamin Brafman. Burress’ attorney announced his client would report to the 17th Precinct.
He arrived at the precinct Monday morning, surrounded by reporters and fans snapping pictures with cell phones. He was booked, led away in handcuffs, taken to the courthouse and arraigned on charges of criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty, posted $100,000 bail and left.
“He is standing tall. He is a mature adult,” Brafman said at the time, stressing his client is innocent until proven guilty. “I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned.”
The Escalade was impounded earlier in the week as police searched for blood and gun residue. Police sought out Pierce to find out what he knew and whether he tried to cover up the shooting.
The story was front-page news almost every day throughout the week and became a bit of a fixation with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has waged a relentless fight against illegal guns. He expressed outrage on several occasions at Burress, the team, the league and the hospital. He even cracked a joke about the safety of being around the Giants.
On Friday, police questioned the doctor who treated Burress. They also spoke to Pierce, who met with investigators after practicing with the team ahead of the Giants’ home game on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Burress will not be on the field, and no one knows when or if he will return.
Suspended for the remainder of the season, the 31-year-old faces a felony weapons possession charge that requires a mandatory minimum 3 1/2 years in prison.
Many questions remain unanswered: What else happened that night that hasn’t been revealed? Will Pierce face charges? Will Burress be able to avoid time behind bars? And will he face additional suspensions next year?
That decision will be up to the NFL, whose office is just a couple blocks from the nightclub where Burress’ career might have come to an end during a night on the town.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Top 50 High School Football Recruits

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1 QB Russell Shepard
Cypress Ridge
Houston, TX 6'1" 179 Video

Russell is a quick and explosive athlete that a team can build on immediately. He can make most throws and change field position with his arm or legs on every play. Shepard is our #1 because he is the most dynamic and versatile player in the country. Some will be concerned about his size, don't be!

Being recruited by: LSU

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2 QB Matt Barkley
Mater Dei
Santa Ana, CA 6'3" 226 Video

The top pocket passer in 2009 class. Matt has great poise and leadership. His arm strength and timing are good allowing him to make all the throws. Matt definitely looks like the poster boy for the prototype QB and has been a no brainer since the summer prior to his sophomore year. At most schools he'd compete for the starting job on the first day.

Being recruited by: USC

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3 RB Trent Richardson
Escambia
Pensacola, FL 5'11" 210 Video

Trent is a load! He has terrific balance and can stick his foot in the ground and get up field. He's a downhill runner with a solid body that should be able to handle the pounding. Richardson should be very capable of carrying the ball 20 to 30 times a game.

Being recruited by: Alabama

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4 QB Garrett Gilbert
Lake Travis
Austin, TX 6'4" 205 Video

Gilbert is a talented pocket passer but with escapability. Can make all the throws and shows good poise under pressure. He's the premier quarterback in this class when it comes to versatility because he can be effective dropping back or running a read option scheme.

Being recruited by: Texas

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5 LB Manti Te'o
Punahou
Honolulu, HI 6'2" 225 Video

Te'o is a terrific tackler that plays with his hair on fire. He's fun to watch! Manti drives through the ball carrier as well as anyone and is instinctive in his pursuit angles. He gets the highest compliment by being called "a football player."

Being recruited by: Tennessee, Auburn, West Virginia, Texas A&M, Colorado, Notre Dame, USC, Brigham Young, UCLA, Texas Tech, Oregon, California, Stanford, Baylor

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6 WR Marlon Brown
Harding Academy
Memphis, TN 6'5" 205 Video

Marlon has great wiggle for a taller receiver and makes plays after the catch. His God given size and speed go with his toughness and versatility to make him a very difficult match up for DBs and linebackers. If Brown gets to 225 watch out!

Being recruited by: Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Notre Dame

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7 DB Dre Kirkpatrick
Gadsden City
Gadsden, AL 6'2" 180 Video

Dre has great size and speed to make him very valuable at corner! He's a smooth athlete that can play on the outside or cover the slot. He can handle any receiver regardless of size or speed.

Being recruited by: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, USC, Tennessee, Texas

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8 DB Darius Winston
Central
West Helena, AR 6'0" 180 Coming Soon

Darius is a long armed athlete with good feet and the ability to break on routes. His size and strength help in man coverage but may be best moving inside to safety where he can keep everything in front of him and possibly be special.

Being recruited by: Arkansas

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9 LB Jelani Jenkins
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Wheaton, MD 6'1" 212 Video

Jelani plays with very good instincts and uses tremendous angles of pursuit. He has very good recognition of the play and attacks the ball. Jenkins shows terrific effort and will play sideline to sideline. As he gets bigger, stronger and faster he'll be able to play any of the linebacker positions.

Being recruited by: Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Illinois, LSU, Notre Dame, Miami, USC, Stanford, UCLA, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

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10 DE Devon Kennard
Desert Vista
Phoenix, AZ 6/3" 257 Video

Devon is very explosive off the ball and accelerates to the football with a purpose. He has a great motor and uses his hands to shed blockers very well. Kennard will be very disruptive in the opponents backfield.

Being recruited by: Arizona State, California, Florida, Miami, North Carolina, Oregon, USC, Texas, UCLA

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11 LB Vontaze Burfict
Centennial
Corona, CA 6'2" 244 Video

Burfict has great size and uses it well in the middle, plays sideline to sideline and will finish. He fronts the ball carrier very well and explodes through the tackle not allowing many missed tackles.

Being recruited by: USC

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12 RB Cierre Wood
Santa Clara
Oxnard, CA 6'0" 192 Video

A tremendous athlete. Could play either side of the ball. As a running back he has great vision, is elusive and has terrific change of direction. He is a very good inside runner as well.

Being recruited by:

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13 DB Craig Loston
Eisenhower
Aldine, TX 6'2" 193 Video

Loston is impressive. He is aggressive and is like a heat seeking missle attacking the ball carrier. Some of the older readers may remember Jack Tatum. This guy plays with that passion.

Being recruited by: LSU, Oregon, Texas

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14 RB Bryce Brown
Wichita East
Witchita, KS 6'0" 215 Video

Bryce is a powerful runner and can slip tackles or run through them. He can change direction and use his burst to split defenders. Brown will get a ton of carries and should wear down tacklers.

Being recruited by: Miami

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15 DT Jacobbi McDaniel
Madsion
Greenville, FL 6'0" 267 Video

Plays with tremendous leverage and can get in the backfield. He sheds blockers very well and can redirect to chase the ball. Jacobbi should be a good interior pass rusher using his hands and quickness.

Being recruited by: Florida State

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16 OL Mason Walters
Frenship
Wolfforth, TX 6'6" 290 Video

Athletic for a big man and can finish. He uses his hands well and plays with good leverage. He's got all the attributes you want in an offensive lineman!

Being recruited by: Texas

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17 DT Tyler Stockton
Hun School
Princeton, NJ 6'1" 290 Video

Tyler gets great push and penetration. He is a disruptive force in the middle and will hold the point well. His explosiveness and effort will make him tough to handle and will require a double team which he'll be able to handle.

Being recruited by: Notre Dame

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18 ATH Ray Ray Armstrong
Seminole
Sanford, FL 6'4" 218 Video

Ray Ray needs two first names because he's so versatile. An instinctive athlete with good feet and hips for a big man. His upside is unlimited.

Being recruited by: Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Mississippi, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, Tennessee

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19 WR Rueben Randle
Bastrop
Bastrop, LA 6'3" 195 Video

Has the speed and size to play in the slot or on the outside. Randle makes the tough catch and will go over the middle without hesitation. His length and ability to catch the ball in traffic will make him a prime target for the quarterback.

Being recruited by: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Mississippi, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford, Tennessee, TCU, Louisiana Tech

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20 WR Shaquelle Evans
Inglewood
Inglewood, CA 6'0" 203 Video

Shaquelle has a great body and is explosive. Along with terrific ball skills and soft hands he should compete for playing time as a freshman.

Being recruited by: Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, UCLA, Washington, UNLV

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21 OL Stavion Lowe
Brownwood
Brownwood, TX 6'5" 294 Video

Stavion is a stud. He has great feet and terrific athleticism. He comes off the ball with a flat back and can smother the defender. His ability to move so well makes him very versatile. He could play any of the line positions.

Being recruited by: LSU

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22 DT Chris Davenport
Mansfield
Mansfield, LA 6'4" 318 Video

Chris is pretty raw but has very good initial quickness off the ball and can run. Once he learns to use leverage he'll be dominant. Davenport's upside is unlimited and could get him a career on Sundays.

Being recruited by: LSU

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23 LB Eric Fields
Northside School
Warner Robbins, GA 6'1" 205 Video

Eric lines up in some hybrid positions that gives him the opportunity to attack the ball carriers down hill. He runs well and tackles well.

Being recruited by: Clemson

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24 QB Aaron Murray
Plant
Tampa, FL 6'0" 198 Video

Very good when outside of the pocket. He sees the field and throws well on the run. Aaron looks like he was made for the read option game.

Being recruited by: Georgia

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25 RB Jaamal Berry
Miami Palmetto
Miami, FL 5'10" 185 Video

Berry has outstanding speed and acceleration allowing him to get outside and put pressure on the back end in a hurry. He absorbs a hit well and gets extra yards with his good body lean and effort.

Being recruited by: Ohio State

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26 WR Andre Debose
Seminole
Sanford, FL 6'0" 170 Video

Andre is an exciting football player! He runs very well, has excellent vision, instincts, can shake and could score from anywhere on the field.

Being recruited by: Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Mississippi, Ohio State, Oregon, South Carolina, USC, Tennessee, Central Florida

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27 DE Sam Montgomery
Greenwood
Greenwood, SC 6'4" 230 Coming Soon

Makes a lot of plays in the backfield but hasn't mastered a consistent get off and correct some false steps. His long arms and athleticism will serve the bball player well.

Being recruited by: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Florida State, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina St., Oregon, South Carolina, USC, Tennessee

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28 LB Dorian Bell
Gateway
Monroeville, PA 6'0" 226 Video

Bell is an active and aggressive player. He has very good timing on blitzes and is a sure tackler.

Being recruited by: Ohio State

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29 ATH Patrick Hall
St. Bonaventure
Ventura, CA 6'1" 181 Coming Soon

Birdy as he's been called can excel on either side of the ball. Can man cover and attack the line of scrimmage. Plays tailback also.

Being recruited by: USC

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30 S-LB Damario Jeffery
Columbia
Columbia, SC 6'3" 215 Video

DJ has very good instincts when attacking the football. He's really effective around the line of scrimmage and may be an exceptional linebacker.

Being recruited by: South Carolina

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31 RB Christine Michael
West Brook
Beaumont, TX 5'11" 202 Coming Soon

Michael has a great burst and is a powerful kid that can jump-cut through the traffic. His vision is very good and can change direction to cutback at almost full speed. He seems to catch the ball well out of the backfield as well.

Being recruited by: LSU, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Florida, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas

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32 DB DeVonte Holloman
South Pointe
Rock Hill, SC 6'2" 214 Video

Plays inside out from the back end and supports the run very well. He's a raw athlete that will just keep getting better with more technique work.

Being recruited by: Clemson, UNC, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee

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33 OL Austin Long
Briarcrest Christian
Memphis, TN 6'5" 268 Video

By today's standards Austin is light. When he does reach 300 he'll be dominant. His athleticism, effort and leg drive are outstanding.

Being recruited by: Georgia

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34 OL Kevin Graf
Agoura
Agoura, CA 6'6" 301 Video

Graf's a big, tough, physical offensive tackle that is sound technically, not a bad start. He's athletic enough to play either tackle position and will be a fixture there for years.

Being recruited by: USC

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35 QB Richard Brehaut
Los Osos
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 6'2" 206 Video

This young man is very efficient and consistent. He has good arm strength and fairly good mobility. He'll play his position well and won't get you beat.

Being recruited by: UCLA

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36 ATH Prince Kent
Norcross
Norcross, GA 6'3" 195 Coming Soon

Prince has the size to play safety but lines up at corner. The great thing about this is that he has the feet and hips to do it pretty well. His length definitely helps too.

Being recruited by: Miami

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37 RB Jarvis Giles
Gaither
Tampa, FL 5'11" 175 Video

Jarvis has a nice burst and can stick his foot in the ground and get upfield. He is a downhill runner and hits the hole quickly.

Being recruited by: Tennessee

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38 LB Nico Johnson
Andalusia
Andalusia, AL 6'3" 226 Video

Attacks downhill and makes plays inside out. He will be best between the tackles.

Being recruited by: Alabama

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39 LB Frankie Telfort
Gulliver Prep
Miami, FL 5'11" 197 Coming Soon

Frankie plays fast and does a great job attacking the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to strike the ball carrier and give him a good jolt. He can play in space and is a very good teams guy.

Being recruited by: USC, Stanford, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Florida

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40 WR Kendall Kelly
Gadsden City
Gadsden, AL 6'4" 210 Video

Kelly adjusts to the ball in the air and can make the tough catch. He has good speed and athleticism too. He'll get better as he develops.

Being recruited by: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, USC, Texas

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41 WR Randall Carroll
Cathedral
Los Angeles, CA 5'10" 175 Coming Soon

Has terrific speed and acceleration. The track star has effective slashing moves and catches the ball well. Randall was California's 100 and 200 meter champ as a junior.

Being recruited by: USC

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42 QB AJ McCarron
St. Paul's
Mobile, AL 6'4" 189 Coming Soon

AJ is fun to watch. He has a confidence and poise to him when under center. He gets rid of the ball quickly and can make most throws with ease

Being recruited by: Alabama

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43 DB Darren Myles
Carver
Atlanta, MSGA 6'0" 175 Video

Myles is a good football player that can play a few positions. His future is in the defensive backfield however. He breaks on the ball well and will go get it at the high point.

Being recruited by: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina St., Notre Dame, Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia

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44 DB Branden Smith
Washington
Atlanta, GA 5'11" 171 Coming Soon

He's got guick feet and and hits the hole extremely well. He is a jitterbug in the open field and tough to get a clean hit on.

Being recruited by: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, North Carolina St., Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia

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45 OL John Martinez
Cottonwood Senior
Salt Lake city, UT 6'2" 264 Video

His size will dictate that he plays inside but he is a really good O-lineman. John pulls well and competes which are great attributes for a guard.

Being recruited by: LSU, Ohio State, USC, UCLA, Utah, Tennessee, Oregon State, Auburn, Brigham Young, Florida

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46 WR Jheranie Boyd
Ashbrook
Gastonia, NC 6'2" 184 Video

Boyd has a tremendous vertical and he uses it along with his ball skills to out duel DBs in tight coverage.

Being recruited by: Clemson, Florida

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47 RB Washaun Ealey
Emanuel County Institute
Twin City, GA 5'11" 205 Video

Ealey has terrific leg drive and is always moving his legs for extra yards. He is tough and bounces off piles, pulls through arm tackles and displays great balance.

Being recruited by: Georgia

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48 DB Darrell Givens
Lackey
Indian Head, MD 6'0" 170 Video

Givens has very good size and long arms. He plays with good leverage on the receiver and uses his hands well. He has a tremendous upside.

Being recruited by: Penn State

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49 TE Morrell Presley
Carson
Carson, CA 6'4" 215 Video

This kid is a smooth athletic tight end. He catches and runs like a receiver. He can block too.

Being recruited by: USC

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50 ATH Brandon McGee
Plantation
Lauderhill, FL 5'11" 186 Coming Soon

Brandon could play either side of the ball but looks like an exceptional prospect. With the ball in his hands he is lethal.

Being recruited by: Miami

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Ohio State RB Wells plays his best on big stage

Ohio State RB Wells plays his best on big stage
www.cbssportsline.com
We'll def. find out how good Beanie is when they take on Texas. This could be a double edge sword for the Buckeyes. If Texas walks all over OSU and Mr. Wells does not have a great game, remember I didn't say injured game cause we all know he will limp around, take an hour to get up after each big run, and come out after he has to make more than one move. He may decide to come back for a HEALTHY senior year. If the game is close and he plays well, it will not matter if his team wins or not he will jet to the draft. Now, if I am an NFL GM, how in the heck could I take this guy in the 1st round? He has yet to prove that he can stay healthy in a college season, let alone a brutal NFL schedule. I think Chris Wells is good, but I don't really care if he goes or stays and I really think his teammates feel the same way.

Chris "Beanie" Wells will soon decide whether he wants to return for his senior season at Ohio State or make himself available for the NFL Draft.
If he had a say in the matter, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez would like the 6-foot-1, 237-pound Wells to turn pro by Saturday.
"Maybe the biggest difference between Beanie and some of the other backs we've faced -- and we've faced good ones -- is just his size," Rodriguez said this week during preparations for Saturday's rivalry game between the Wolverines and Buckeyes. "He's got the speed, but he's such a big, physical player. Lot of times he just stiff arms guys and breaks out of tackles and he can outrun you. You can't just go up and wrap your arms around him. You've got to actually tackle him."
Wells is perhaps the most important figure in the 105th meeting of the old rivals. With a freshman, Terrelle Pryor, starting at quarterback for the 10th-ranked Buckeyes, it's unlikely that conservative coach Jim Tressel will take many chances. That means Wells will be likely called upon often against a Wolverines defense surrendering 128 yards a game on the ground.
Tressel said Wells has earned that responsibility.
"You don't get knighted as a guy that's going to play good in that (big) game," he said. "You have to go do it against good people."
Wells certainly has. He's a big-game hunter- - and there's nothing bigger in these parts than Michigan vs. Ohio State.
Over his past two seasons as a starter, in nine games against ranked teams he has rushed for 1,118 yards, averaged 5.6 yards a carry and scored nine times. A year ago against No. 23 Michigan on a wet track, he went for 222 yards on 39 carries and scored both touchdowns in a 14-3 victory. That was a career-high in rushes and the 222 yards is the most by a Buckeye against Michigan.
Wells was not made available to reporters this week.
But Wells recently addressed his feelings about the scarlet-letter days on the Ohio State schedule.
"I just love playing in big games," he said. "It's something that I guess you could say that I'm made for. I like to think that I'm made to play on the big stage."
His running mate in the backfield, fullback Brandon Smith, said there's just something about the best teams that bring out the best in Wells.
"He's fired up whenever he gets the ball in his hands," Smith said. "I think his motto is, 'Great players make great plays in big games.' I'm sure that's in the back of his head somewhere."
It's not just carrying the ball, either. Wells' personality grows with a tougher opponent, too.
"When I'm out there, I feel as if I bring a presence to the field and a sense of energy to the team," he said.
Wells, who missed three games earlier in the season with a foot injury, piled up 143 yards on 24 carries in last week's 30-20 win at Illinois. Perhaps the highlight-reel play of the season for the Buckeyes took place when Wells vaulted Illinois safety Donsay Hardeman -- it appeared he was a good four feet off the ground as the mystified defender disappeared under him, grabbing at air -- on a 25-yard run.
The good-natured Wells is a happy-go-lucky kid who everyone on the team seems to like. Smith said off the field Wells is a "goofball" -- joking with upper- and underclassmen alike.
At the same time, his teammates know that the impending decision on a pro career -- keep in mind, he's one of 11 kids -- is weighing on him.
"It will come down to what he wants in his heart," said cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, who could have gone in the first round of the draft last year but elected to return for his senior season. "He could easily go to the NFL next year. He's played well enough in college to do it."
Especially in the biggest games.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Urban Meyer's Daughter Signs with Georgia Tech



Urban Meyer's Daughter Signs with Georgia TechLaurel Pfahler
Special to Rivals High

It won't be difficult for Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz senior Nicki Meyer to transition as a Yellow Jacket.
The daughter of Florida football coach Urban Meyer already has a distaste for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Nicki, a 5-foot-6 libero, signed to play volleyball at Georgia Tech last Monday, passing over offers from schools such as Tennessee, South Florida, Ohio, Cincinnati − her parents' alma mater − and Utah, where her father coached before coming to Florida in 2005.
"It's funny because I already have that rivalry," Nicki said. "I already hate Georgia, so it all works out."
And at least she isn't going to another school in the SEC, she said.
"That was definitely taken into consideration," Nicki said. "Tennessee is an awesome school, but my parents were afraid for me to play somewhere in the SEC. They were afraid of people being harassing and mean."
Her father had influences in other ways too, though he left the final decision up to Nicki.
Because Nicki is the oldest of three children in the Meyer family, this was Urban Meyer's first time on the parenting end of the recruiting process.
"It was different, obviously, being on the other end of the recruiting conversation," Urban said. "I told Nicki to be very respectful during the process because I understand how much time and effort a coaching staff puts into recruiting each student-athlete."
But he also didn't make it any easier on the coaches recruiting her.
Urban went along on Nicki's unofficial visit to Georgia Tech in June and had plenty of questions for coach Bond Shymansky.
"He knows everything the coach is thinking and what kinds of questions to ask, so he grilled Bond," Nicki said, laughing at the recollection.
Shymansky must have passed the test. Nicki committed the next day.
"I loved everything about it," said Nicki, who is thinking of a major in psychology or communications. "They're redoing a lot of the campus, so everything looks new, and everything was just amazing. It was perfect. I couldn't find one thing I didn't like."
This time last year, Nicki would have told you she was going to college in Utah or Ohio, though. She has family in Ohio, where her father grew up and got his first college head coaching job at Bowling Green in 2001. Nicki has always loved Utah, where her father coached from 2003-04.
But once she started looking at Georgia Tech and South Florida at the end of club season her junior year, Utah and Ohio seemed too far from home.
"Reality kind of hit me that I didn't want to be that far from my family," Nicki said. "I don't want a five-hour flight to go see them. That's why I like Atlanta. It's a drivable trip."
Nicki didn't even realize college volleyball would be an option until her sophomore year, mainly because it wasn't a serious thing before then.
She started playing volleyball in fifth grade at the encouragement of her mother, Shelley, who had played volleyball growing up. It took Nicki a while to warm up to volleyball. Her youth was somewhat nomadic because of her father's career path, so volleyball became a way to meet people in every new town the Meyer family visited. At one point, Nicki attended four schools in a span of five years.
Always being the new kid, Nicki often was asked to switch positions to fill whatever holes were left open. When she got to Buchholz freshman year, she was the tallest person on the team, so the Bobcats used her as an outside hitter. However, Nicki stopped growing and had to find a new role by the next year.
Buchholz coach Jeff Reavis recognized her speed and turned her into a libero her sophomore season, and it was then that Nicki finally found her niche.
"She is a super fast athlete with great hand-eye coordination," said Reavis, who also is director of Nicki's club team, the Gainesville Juniors. "She can pass and play defense − she is kind of like the shortstop of the team.
"I knew she had the ability, we just had to get her in a position where she could be elite."
Nicki went on to win a Class 6A state title with Buchholz in 2007, recording a match-best five aces in a three-game sweep over Plant City Durant.
Her dad even made it to the match, though he coached the Gators in a game against Florida Atlantic earlier that day.
"The match was at 7, and he came in around 6:30," Reavis said. "It's impossible to always be there, but he works really hard at it."
Urban Meyer has enjoyed being on the sideline for Nicki's success.
She guided Buchholz to a 22-8 season this year, ending her high school career in the regional finals and two days later marking the next phase of her career at a signing ceremony at the school. Her parents and younger sister, Gigi, were in attendance for the event.
"I'm really proud to have her accept a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech to play volleyball," Urban Meyer said. "She has put in a lot of effort to get to this point in her academic and athletic career."
Meyer has tried to play an active role in helping Nicki improve by practicing with her whenever they get time, though Nicki said "he knows nothing about volleyball."
"He just hits it at me all day long − we did that all the time this summer when we were on vacation and stuff," Nicki said. "He doesn't know what he is doing, so I just tell him to hit it at me."
Regardless, Nicki has fun with him and is thankful for her relationship with her father. Life as "Urban Meyer's daughter" has been pretty good.
"For the most part, it's really cool," Meyer said. "He goes to work, and he comes home and he is just our dad. He's been so successful, and it's just really cool to watch him. With everything he has done, he is just someone I have really been able to look up to."
Who knows? Maybe she will end up coaching volleyball one day, she said.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

All of the Different Articles on LeBron James and the New York Knicks




All of the Different Articles on LeBron James and the New York Nicks
from www.si.com
NEW YORK (AP) -Even Spike Lee, that noted Knicks superfan, was a LeBron James guy Tuesday night.
And when New York guard Nate Robinson saw the producer had turned traitor and was wearing a pair of the special red ''Big Apple'' sneakers James was debuting for this game, he immediately began stepping on Lee's foot.
''Stop!'' Lee said. ''He's going to be your teammate.''
That's what Knicks fans hope, anyway.
James' first visit to Madison Square Garden this season came just days after the Knicks made a pair of trades that freed up salary cap space for a potential run at the Cleveland Cavaliers ' superstar in the summer of 2010.
James scored 26 points in the Cavaliers' 119-101 victory. It had the pregame feel of the NBA finals - James' press conference of some 50 media members and more than a half-dozen TV cameras was comparable in size to those when Cleveland played San Antonio for the 2007 title.
And far away as it is, James understood the magnitude of his pending free agency, which could come the same day players such as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh also become available.
''I think July 1, 2010, is a very big day,'' James said. ''It's probably going to be one of the biggest days in free-agent history in the NBA. So a lot of teams are gearing up to try to prepare themselves to be able to put themselves in position to get one of the big free-agent market guys.''
James is the biggest. And New York is the biggest stage available, so it would be a natural fit.
But James disagreed that leaving Cleveland is a necessary step to making him a bigger star and giving him a better chance to win championships.
''That's something that's not a factor,'' James said. ''You look at someone like Tim Duncan for instance, who decided to sign short-term deals and decide to take pay cuts to stay in San Antonio to sign guys like Manu (Ginobili) and sign guys like Tony Parker and they won championships. And San Antonio we all know is not a big market at all.
''So for me it's all about winning. It's not about the market that you'd be in, it's all about winning with me and that's what this league has always been about.''
So would he take less in Cleveland to help the Cavs bring in another superstar?
''I didn't say that,'' James joked. ''I like the talent part, bringing the talent in, but I didn't say I was taking less.''
NBA rules allow the Cavs to offer James a larger contract than any other team. But there has always been the belief that James would someday bolt his native Ohio to play in a bigger market.
New York is ready to welcome him. His picture has been in the local papers for days, and a large billboard featuring his likeness hangs over Seventh Avenue, just a block from the entrance to Madison Square Garden.
''We've got that same billboard in Cleveland. I say the same way I feel about it being there,'' teammate Daniel Gibson said after the game. ''He's a hot commodity. He's the best player in the NBA. Of course guys want him on their team.''
James loves the building, where he scored 50 points last March in his previous visit, citing its history of concerts and boxing besides just basketball. And he praised new Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, saying he enjoyed playing in his system when D'Antoni was an assistant with the U.S. Olympic team.
Throw in the multiple questions he was asked about the Yankees, his favorite baseball team - he thinks CC Sabathia would be an excellent replacement for the retiring Mike Mussina - and it's easy to see James in a Knicks uniform during the 2010-11 season.
But he's uncomfortable talking about the idea right now, especially with the Cavs off to a 11-3 start that's shown they're a contender to reach the finals again this season.
''I think right now, you know I just want to continue to just to focus on what I have at task now, being with the Cavs and us getting better every day to compete for an NBA championship,'' he said. ''To bring that type of distraction to our team would be unfair to my team, my teammates, coaching staff and the rest of the organization.''
But James, treated to a loud ovation during pregame introductions, is enjoying the attention. The Knicks are only one of perhaps a dozen or more teams gearing themselves up for a potential LeBron push in two summers.
''I am flattered (by) the rumors going around that they would love me to be part of their team. I can't sit up here and say I'm not flattered by that or like the fact that it's happening,'' he said. ''But right now I'm with the Cavs. But to answer the question, yes. Every team hopes someday maybe to make a push at trying to get me in two years and we'll see what happens.''

LeBron visits NYC, Knicks want to party like it's 2010
Nov. 26, 2008
By Ken Berger
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
NEW YORK -- Not even Michael Jordan teased and tantalized Knicks fans this cruelly.
LeBron James walked into Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, lavished praise on the city and its fans, called the coach of the Knicks an "offensive mastermind," and then cooled on the bench for the entire fourth quarter when his own offensive mastery was no longer needed.
The stars all came out -- Jay-Z and Beyonce, Q-Tip and Kanye -- but they came to see nothing of interest. They might as well have waited until November 2010.
"I don't know if it's going to happen," said James, luxuriating in the attention generated by the Knicks' all-out maneuvering for his services. "I'm so focused on this season and what we have at task with the Cavs that it's hard to think about that date. But at the same time, you have to stay open minded if you're a Knicks fan."
As the final two minutes of the third quarter slipped away, No. 23 had 23 points. If LeBron had stayed in his hotel room and not scored any, the Cavaliers would still have been leading the Knicks by 11. Even with LeBron sitting on the bench with 26 points for the final 12 minutes, Cleveland still won, 119-101.
The Garden crowd, unaware of LeBron's pregame flirtation, gave him a decent ovation -- nothing extraordinary -- during introductions. And yet he still said afterward, "Much respect to the Knick fans."
"Every time I come here, it's a warm feeling," James said. "Just because you know the history; it's not just basketball. It's everything that's ever gone on -- concerts, boxing, everything that ever went on at Madison Square Garden. And being a basketball junkie like myself, how could you not love being in this building? So I can't sit up here and say that it's not great to be here and play here."
Then he paused and added with a playful smile, "And I'm saying playing here as a Cavalier, not being here all the time."
There would be no 50-point game like last March in this building, no drama at the end. But as much as James enjoyed all the attention -- and boy, is he starting to enjoy it -- he was only able to hint at the story behind the story.
James has been dodging questions for so long about where he might go if he left Cleveland that a nuance to his speech has gone unnoticed. He has begun describing the idea of declining his player option on July 1, 2010 not as a possibility, but a certainty.
"If you guys want to sleep right now and don't wake up until July 2010, then go ahead," James said. "Because it's going to be a big day. ... I think July 1 of 2010 is a very big day. It's probably going to be one of the biggest days in free agent history in the NBA."
He's right about that. It doesn't mean he's leaving, but it means that he's flat-out declining the player option and testing the market. And he won't be the only one.
"There's going to be a lot of free agents out there in 2010," he said.
No fewer than 39 potential unrestricted free agents either have player options they can turn down (LeBron, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade) or termination rights (Yao Ming, Amare Stoudemire, Michael Redd, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler, and Richard Jefferson) in July 2010.
Many of them signed their current deals specifically so they can opt out during the current collective bargaining agreement, which owners complained at the recent Board of Governors meeting is "too sweet," according to a person familiar with the situation. The vast majority of them are going to exercise those rights and become free agents, because they don't know how much money will be there later.
Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Association, warned last night that any potential free agent who waits around for a new CBA will do so at his own peril. Owners almost certainly won't extend the CBA through the 2011-12 season, so it is set to expire on June 30, 2011.
"We're going to make every effort to get a deal," Hunter said. "But I have to plan as if there will be an eventual lockout."
Another factor: By the time the owners and players start negotiating around the All-Star break, the league may be looking at some very grim revenue projections because of the economic downturn. About half the money that goes to player salaries is safe because it comes from the TV networks. The other half -- tickets, concessions, etc. -- is going down.
Not even Tiger Woods' endorsement deal with General Motors was safe, and that development was not lost on James.
So while LeBron mentioned Tim Duncan as someone he admires because he took shorter contracts and less money so the Spurs could pay complementary talent and win titles, that doesn't mean he'd do the same.
"I didn't say that," he said. "I like the talent part, bringing the talent in, but I didn't say I was going to take less."
He can get the most money from the Cavs, either by re-signing with them or in a sign-and-trade. He is already on record as saying he will go where he can win the most championships. At this point, all that is certain is that he'll decline the player option and take it from there.
"He's not telling the team anything different than he's telling the media," a person with knowledge of the Cavs' situation said. "I don't think he knows."
Clearly, the Knicks know what they want. They want LeBron so badly that on Tuesday team president Donnie Walsh turned down a chance to nullify Friday's trade with the Clippers despite concerns over Cuttino Mobley's heart condition. Walsh tried to work the situation for a better deal, but the only option was to take back Zach Randolph and his $17.3 million due in 2010-11.
"Not an option," a person familiar with the Knicks' strategy said.
The fans who filed to the exits -– trains to catch, paint to watch dry –- in the third quarter Tuesday night didn't think this was much of an event. They were looking at the glass half empty. Those who see the Knicks' salary cap less than half full in 2010 couldn't be happier.
"It's important for everybody for that team to be good," a Western Conference general manager said. "I've got to think that the league is happy with what's going on. I'm not saying conspiracy theory, but let's be real."

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Championship Week Preview

Championship Week Preview
from www.espn.com

State championships have been decided. So has the Big 12 South winner, whether it was the right decision or not.
But the final week of the 2008 regular season leaves us with plenty of drama.
The SEC and Big 12 championship games will ultimately decide which teams play for the BCS national championship. No. 1 Alabama is going for a perfect season in the SEC title game. So is Ball State, which can finish unbeaten if it beats Buffalo in the MAC championship game on Friday night.
Florida, which might be college football's hottest team, can likely earn a trip to the national title game for the second time in three seasons by beating the Crimson Tide.
Missouri limps into the Big 12 championship game after losing to rival Kansas on Saturday, but can play spoiler against No. 2 Oklahoma in Kansas City. The Tigers will be an overwhelming underdog against the Sooners, who have steamrolled their competition during a six-game winning streak.
An Orange Bowl trip is on the line in Saturday's ACC championship game in Tampa, where Boston College and Virginia Tech figure to play a black-and-blue game.

Here's a closer look at this week's conference championshp games.

ACC
Who: No. 17 Boston College vs. No. 25 Virginia Tech
When/where: 1 p.m. ET Saturday (ABC)/Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla
.

What's at stake: The winner of Saturday's game earns a trip to the Orange Bowl, where it would play Big East champion Cincinnati on New Year's Day. The Hokies are playing in the ACC championship game for the third time in four seasons. Virginia Tech beat Boston College 30-16 in last year's game in Jacksonville, Fla.
What to watch: Points will surely be hard to come by in this matchup of two of the country's best defenses. Boston College ranks No. 7 in FBS in run defense (87.3 yards per game) and No. 8 in total defense (276.6). The Hokies rank No. 6 in total defense (274.5). The Eagles have been very stingy against the run, allowing fewer than 100 yards in each of their past five games. Boston College held Maryland to minus-six rushing yards in a 28-21 victory Saturday. The Eagles lead the country with 25 interceptions, including 14 in the past five games. Boston College has returned an interception for a touchdown in four straight games.
Who to watch: Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor finally appears to be healthy, running for 137 yards in a 17-14 win over Virginia on Saturday. He replaced senior quarterback Sean Glennon, who was named the MVP of last season's ACC championship game after he threw for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor has thrown for only 812 yards and two touchdowns this season. He has passed for more than 150 yards only once. It figures to be very difficult running against Boston College's defense, so Taylor will have to throw the ball more efficiently.

Big 12
Who: No. 20 Missouri vs. No. 2 Oklahoma
When/where: 8 p.m. Saturday (ABC)/Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City


What's at stake: The Sooners, who jumped ahead of Texas in the BCS standings on Sunday to earn a trip to the Big 12 championship game, can punch their ticket to the Jan. 8 BCS Championship Game in south Florida by beating the Tigers. Oklahoma would probably meet the SEC champion in that game. A Missouri victory would open the door for the Longhorns or Southern California to possibly play for the BCS national championship. The Tigers, who are coming off a 40-37 loss to Kansas on Saturday, would probably earn a trip to the Fiesta Bowl with an upset victory.
What to watch: Sooner Schooner is firing on all cylinders. Oklahoma has scored 60 points or more in four consecutive games, including a 61-41 rout at rival Oklahoma State on Saturday night. The Sooners have scored 45 points or more in each of their past six games since losing to Texas 45-35 on Oct. 11. Oklahoma beat the Tigers twice last season, including a 38-17 rout in the Big 12 championship game.
Who to watch: Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is probably the leading candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. Bradford has completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 4,080 yards with 46 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He has been sacked only nine times in 393 pass attempts. In his past four games, Bradford has thrown for 1,305 yards with 17 touchdowns and only one interception. After breaking an NCAA record with 36 touchdown passes as a freshman, Bradford has 82 touchdown passes in two seasons. Former Florida quarterback Rex Grossman held the previous NCAA mark with 55 through two seasons.

Conference USA
Who: East Carolina vs. Tulsa
When/where: Noon, Saturday (ESPN2)/H.A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Okla.


What's at stake: The winner earns a trip to the Jan. 2 AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, where it would probably play Kentucky or Vanderbilt. The loser will probably end up playing in the Jan. 6 GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The teams didn't meet during the regular season.
What to watch: The Pirates are beginning to look like the team that started the season 3-0 and stunned Virginia Tech and West Virginia. After losing three games in a row, East Carolina won five of its last six games to win Conference USA's East Division. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney has played better down the stretch, completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 2,257 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. The Pirates won five games by five points or fewer.
Who to watch: Tulsa quarterback David Johnson leads FCS in pass efficiency with a 192.5 quarterback rating -- ahead of more celebrated passers such as Bradford, Texas' Colt McCoy and Florida's Tim Tebow. In his first season as a starter, Johnson has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 3,671 yards with 42 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

MAC
Who: No. 12 Ball State vs. Buffalo
When/where: 8 p.m. Friday (ESPN2)/Ford Field, Detroit


What's at stake: MAC West champion Ball State can finish the regular season with an unblemished 13-0 record by beating the Bulls. Traditionally, a return trip to Detroit for the Dec. 26 Motor City Bowl has been at stake. But officials from the MAC and WAC are trying to set up a potential meeting between Ball State and No. 9 Boise State, another unbeaten team. The deal is far from being done, but would take place in the Motor City Bowl, Humanitarian Bowl or even the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
What to watch: The Bulls won't be a pushover. Buffalo had won five games in a row before losing to Kent State 24-21 on Friday. Quarterback Drew Willy has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 2,885 yards with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. Tailback James Starks has rushed for 1,226 yards and 14 touchdowns. Under coach Turner Gill, a former Nebraska quarterback, the Bulls won 12 games the past two seasons combined. They had won six games the previous four seasons combined.
Who to watch: Ball State quarterback Nate Davis is a legitimate NFL prospect. He has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 3,095 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. The junior threw only one interception in his past four games. Tailback MiQuale Lewis is equally dangerous, running for 1,570 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Lewis ran for 100 yards or more in 10 of 12 games.

SEC
Who: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Florida
When/where: 4 p.m. Saturday/Georgia Dome, Atlanta


What's at stake: The winner of Saturday night's game -- the first-ever matchup of SEC teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll -- is all but assured of earning a spot in the BCS Championship Game. The No. 1 Crimson Tide can cap a perfect 13-0 regular season by defeating the Gators. Florida will be trying to win its second SEC title in three seasons. The Gators won the 2006 SEC championship and beat Ohio State 41-14 in the BCS Championship Game.
What to watch: The teams are as different as any squads in the SEC. Alabama relies on its size and brute strength. Florida relies on its speed and versatility on offense. The Gators have scored 40 points or more in each of their past seven games. They've outscored their past eight opponents by a combined score of 414-97 and won each game by at least four touchdowns. The Crimson Tide allowed nine points or fewer in four of their last five games. Florida's offense might not be as effective if junior receiver Percy Harvin, one of the fastest players in college football, can't play because of a sprained ankle.
Who to watch: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, has played at an entirely different level since the Gators' 31-30 loss to Ole Miss on Sept. 27. In his past eight games, Tebow has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,491 yards with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions. He hasn't thrown an interception in his past 91 attempts. Tebow also has rushed for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns in his past eight games.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

James Clarifies 'I Ain't Going Nowhere' And Leaves Door Ajar


James Clarifies 'I Ain't Going Nowhere' And Leaves Door Ajar
www.espn.com


Thank you, Cleveland. Of course, you know I love you all, of course. I love Ohio, and I ain't going nowhere. I'll be here." -- LeBron James on Oct. 4 at a voter registration rally in downtown Cleveland
"I'm from there, and so home is home for me. And that's the way I was feeling at that time. Home is -- no matter where you go or if you ever move somewhere else, it don't matter -- home is always going to be home, and that was what I was basically letting them know." -- LeBron James on Tuesday night in the visitors' locker room at the Meadowlands
It took 45 days, but LeBron James finally provided some clarification on what initially appeared to be his most definitive statement ever on his long-term career plans.
When James said, "I ain't going nowhere," what exactly did he mean?
That was the question posed to James by ESPN.com some 70 minutes before the Cleveland Cavaliers won their eighth straight game with a 106-82 victory over the New Jersey Nets.
James can become a free agent in 2010, and his intentions have been the subject of intense speculation in Cleveland, the New York area and elsewhere. As he responded to the question Tuesday, his answer once again gently moved the needle on the state of his future.
On that sunny day in October, upon hearing James' comments, Cleveland fans felt the needle moved forcefully in their direction, since his statement sounded pretty definitive. But since then, James had not clarified what he meant.
In the locker room Tuesday, he elaborated:
"You do what's best for you and your family; you do what's best for your career. Loyalty definitely has a big part to do with it … and every night I go out and play hard, and that's loyalty," James said.
"But it's hard, because it's a business. A franchise is going to do what's best for the franchise, and the players, for some odd players, when a player does what's best for the player, it comes back and almost looks bad. But when a franchise decides to give up on a player, then it's OK. So we've got to do what's best for us."
James went on to say he thinks this is the best Cavs team he's been a part of since being drafted by the team in 2003 and that he doesn't think he or anyone else could duplicate Oscar Robertson's feat of averaging a triple-double over the course of an 82-game season. (Even during another MVP-type performance Tuesday, he didn't get much closer to Big O's standard, recording four assists to go along with his 31 points and eight rebounds.)
But the statements that might carry the most weight are the ones about his future -- a future which, if he chooses, can begin July 1, 2010.
"When I decide to make that decision, it's going to basically put me in a position where I feel I can win multiple championships," James said. "If it's staying here, I'll be here, and if it's moving elsewhere, then I'll have to look at all my options."