Tag: Texas Longhorns

Not As Good As Advertised !

Not As Good As Advertised !

I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again if you’re going to put up an argument about anything you had better put both sides of the argument in place and state the case with authority. Idiots around this environment had tried to state the case that Ohio State as the nation’s number one ranked men’s basketball team were good enough to win the NCAA Tournament and actually end the season unbeaten. Fact of the matter is, the Buckeyes succumbed to the Wisconsin Badgers —- 71-67 at the Kohl Center this past weekend. Thad Matta’s — team as good as they’ve been this season has never really been good on the big stage . The loss to the Badgers summed up everything that you need to know about a team that was starting to believe in its own hype and what the print and tv media were saying about them.

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Jared Sullinger in his post game interview was sullen and peeved that he was treated in such a way as a visiting team by the Wisconsin fans. He may well have been denigrated by the Badgers’ fans but what was he expecting to be adored and have the opposing fans throw rose petals at him at the end of the game ? What ….. all of a sudden Sullinger becomes as soft as a wet piece of tissue paper ? Man up and shut the hell up rather than whining like a bitch ! Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor outplayed Sullinger and if anything made a case that when placed under pressure he knows how to play when it really counts. Sullinger may well be putting up the stats and is being talked about unlike any other rookie freshman in college basketball but until he proves that he can lead with authority he’ll simply be thought of just another phenom being lauded up and down the country and within the media.

Now pardon me for saying this but the reality here is that Ohio State may well be good enough to win the NCAA Tournament but I wouldn’t bet my life on it. Any team with a view to staking their claim to be thought of as a contender has to be playing with consistency and at the time of the tournament they had to have hit a rich vein of form. I don’t know that we may well be saying that about the Buckeyes but there’ll be those who’ll be stating that there’s still a case to be made that they can win.

The last time a team ran the table, having won the national title and be unbeaten happened in 1976. And while others have come close , well close simply isn’t good enough as being damn perfect ! And that’s how the great teams if they want to be judged as to their greatness in the annals of college basketball then they need to show that they’re not good but damn perfect when it matters most.

A great deal has been made that the ACC is having a down year and that in particular Mike Krzyzewski’s —– Duke team isn’t anywhere good as thought. But anyone who knows Krzyzewski and how he gets his players ready for the big games then they’ll know that this Duke team will rise to the occasion when it matters most. As defending NCAA champions having won their fourth national title under Krzyzewski’s reign and it has to be said that anyone thinking that they’re not a contender then they ought to consider the resume’ of the coach during his tenure with the Blue Devils. If that’s not evidence as to what Krzyzewski has been able to achieve and the consistency that comes along with it then you have to be either naive or simply know nothing about the game but you merely love the sound of making rather asinine prognostications.

Now as the world awaits the latest rankings to come out as to who’ll the number one spot we will no doubt see a new team ascend to the the top spot . In all likelihood that may well be the Texas Longhorns or the Kansas Jayhaws . If anything this Longhorn’s team may well be the most balanced team D 1 basketball and are certainly now beginning to look the part . And if you simply believe that they’re not a worthy candidate of winning the NCAA Tournament if not their conference championship then simply look at their statistics this season ?

I’ve no doubt as usual the NCAA Tournament will be what we’ ve always come to expect with a great deal of suspense and one or two surprises along the way. It’s clear that of all of the sporting highlights of the season the men’s NCAA Tournament may well be the most suspenseful , exhilarating of all the the tournaments that take place within the sport’s calendar. We get all of the hype of the Superbowl and all that it offers the fans as a spectacle but given the length number of competitive participants the NCAA Tournament itself might just be the best competition that there is from a fan standpoint. You get the chance to adjudge the teams as the competition gets underway through its knockout basis through the regional rounds . Sixty five initial starters through the process of elimination gets down to the Sweet Sixteen , Elite Eight , Final Four and the Finals itself . What else could anyone actually ask for from a competition ?

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

As to the fate of the Ohio State Buckeyes as the rest of the season plays itself it will be interesting to see what lies in store for the team under Thad Matta and how they are able to regroup from this loss. How do you see the season panning out for the Buckeyes and which particular team if any do you see as a possible threat or winner for the NCAA Tournament this season ? Conference Champions and invitees notwithstanding this tournament will be one which I believe will have the fans intrigued ! So by all means simply chime in with a comment as to your thoughts on this topic and any thoughts you have on the college basketball season so far.

Picture and slide show details below.

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(1)Ohio State head coach Thad Matta reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Madison, Wis. AP Photo/Morry Gash …..

(2)Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor and Keaton Nankivil , right, are smothered by fans after beating undefeated No. 1 Ohio State 71-67 in an NCAA college basketball game against Ohio State Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Madison, Wis. AP Photo/Morry Gash ……….

(3) Ohio State’s William Buford (44) tries to drive past Wisconsin’s Mike Bruesewitz (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Madison, Wis. AP Photo/Morry Gash …………

(4) Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger (0) tries to drive on Wisconsin’s Keaton Nankivil (52) and Jordan Taylor (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Madison, Wis. AP Photo/Morry Gash ………..

(5) Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor (10) looks to pass as he drives the baseline past Iowa State guard Diante Garrett (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. Taylor scored 14 points in the game. Kansas defeated Iowa State 89-66 . AP Photo/Orlin Wagner ………

(6) Kansas forwards Marcus Morris (22) and Markieff Morris (21) celebrate a basket as a timeout is called during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. The twin brothers each had a double-double and keyed a 23-4 first-half run that carried No. 2 Kansas past Iowa State 89-66 on Saturday. AP Photo/Orlin Wagner ……….

(7) Texas forward Gary Johnson , left, and forward Alexis Wangmene , right, celebrate the win over Baylor in an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Austin, Texas. No. 3 Texas won 69-60 . AP Photo/Michael Thomas ……….

(8) Texas forward Tristan Thompson , right, brings down a rebound against Baylor forward Fred Ellis , left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, in Austin, Texas. Thompson tied Jordan Hamilton for Texas high scorer with 17 points. No. 3 Texas won 69-60 . AP Photo/Michael Thomas ……

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😛

Alan aka tophatal ………………………….

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Eye candy ……………. Rebecca

Wet on the net ……. Carrie and Jenny

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Outkast …… feat’g Killer Mike ……. “The Whole World”

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The BCS Stands For What ……….. ? ? ?

The BCS Stands For What ………… ? ? ?

It’s here, it’s now for all the marbles and I though I must say it I’ve not been overly enamored with what I’ve seen throughout the Bowl Series within collegiate football. Perhaps from a standpoint that I’m amongst a growing group I believe who would desire to see a playoff system within college football. Having the coaches , the press and a back room filled with computer geeks summarily in part make the decision as to who may end up playing in the national championship game does smack of idiocy to begin with. Never mind that the lesser games with their rather superfluous names make about as much sense as having the choice being made by a group of blind people simply using a pin and having the teams’ names being listed on a piece of paper. The whole BCS Championship series is simply nothing more than a money making exercise and that’s simply it. The six major conferences ( ACC , Big 10 , Big 12 , Big East , Pac 10 and SEC) that in essence oversees this rather corrupt system if anything ought to be thankful that they’re allowed to keep up this charade.

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While there’s been repeated criticism by members of Congress as to the way that teams are determined and the template put in motion is something of a joke. Any member of Congress wishing to address this situation given the fact that the BCS system has its supporters and detractors within that body smacks of idiocy to begin . Were you aware that the BCS Championship series has its own body of lobbyists up on Capitol Hill in Washington DC in order to safeguard its very existence ? The tax advantages to be attained by the NCAA as well as the BCS as a body and one can see why there’s billions of dollars to be made by both of these bodies who as such state that the interests of the student athletes at heart. Yeah I’ve heard it said also that’s the same belief held by the Medellin drug cartel in Colombia as they simply flood this country with their drugs. So what’s the difference between the BCS , NCAA and the drug cartels of Colombia ? Oh so it’s illegal to smuggle narcotics into this country for ill gotten gains while supplying that ever increasing band of drug users dependent on these narcotics. It’s not exactly stopped the big pharmaceutical companies in acting the way that they’ve been allowed even with the FDA as a conduit . Merely look at the billions made by these companies and the financial windfall it creates for the federal government by way of the taxes ? That’s simply the only difference between the two entities in question and the way that the government views their activities by way of its legality.

The championship game sponsored by Tostitos and to be played between the SEC’s —– Auburn (Tigers) led by Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and coached by Gene Chizik hope to convey why it is that they’re favored to win this matchup against the Oregon (Ducks). Both teams will have their slew of vociferous supporters up and down the country. And I’ve no doubt that there’ll be a certain East Coast – West Coast bias to this matchup and the feelings to be had between the fans and perhaps the nation at large. If anything these matchups are essentially driven by the appeal of the what the nation’s programmers’ wish to see , in order that they can attain the best returns possible by way of a televised audience.

Oregon for its part coached by Chip Kelly and led by Darron Thomas at quarterback with running back LaMichael James are sure to make this game a competitive one. We may well have been spoiled in recent years by the exploits of the Florida Gators , Texas Longhorns and that of USC but this game could very well match that classic of between the Trojans and Longhorns when they were led by Matt Leinart and Vince Young respectively . Both players in question were able to parlay those feats into careers within the NFL . Young for his part may not be long with the Tennessee Titans where his career has plummeted as fast as a meteorite falling from the sky. Leinart has yet to show his true guile for the NFL and if anything his being coddled while at USC may well have something to do with the fact that he’s yet to meet the expectations that many felt he was capable of.

This game will come down to one of two things how capable both defenses are at stopping the potent offensive threats that either side can display in terms of their respective pass and running attacks. If neither can actually stymie the other in that respect then we could end up with a high scoring game and one wherein yardage could be off the charts. Will it be what the fans want to see at the end of the day ………..who can say ? The national championship games haven’t always been entertaining but they seem to fill that void in airtime that the programmer has no other product at their disposal to display , so make of it what you will.

The Tigers’ Cam Newton despite his off the field issues will be looking to put an emphatic stamp on this season having led his team to the SEC championship game (56-17) and winning the Heisman Trophy with ease. It’d be indicative of the player at this juncture of the season to simply stamp his authority on it by showing why he’s the best college player in the game. Given the recent exploits of Stanford’s Andrew Luck there may well be a great deal more on the line with the perception that Newton could enter the NFL Draft for the untold riches that can be garnered there. Whether or Newton can and will be allowed exploit the weaknesses of the Oregon Ducks will be largely dependent upon the skill-set of that Ducks’ defense.

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Picture gallery for your perusal.

Oregon I’ve no doubt will come into this game being viewed as the underdogs by the press , public and no doubt the oddsmakers in Vegas. But I’d dare say that they’re keen to pull off the upset and show the nation what they’re truly capable of. Throughout much of the season Oregon has systematically played uptempo and they’ve literally destroyed some of their opponents almost at will. When tested at times they’ve risen to the occasion in more ways than one, showing their deftness in all phases of the game. This game will be a battle of wills and the coaching staff of both teams had better have their battle plans drawn and ready . If not, then one of these teams will find itself in the midst of an incessant onslaught and the ensuing battle could very well be viewed as being one sided and something of bore for the fans watching.

With the $17,500,000 at stake for the winner apart from the privilege of raising the the crystal trophy to signify that they’ve been crowned national champions. Along with it all comes the bragging rights and a great deal of prestige for the winning team and its program. Recruits will no doubt be watching with a great deal of interest and given the exposure that such a game brings they can’t help but feel that’s where they’re going to want to be ……….. on collegiate football’s grandest stage playing for a national title. The end goal being to showcase their talents for the watchful eyes for the NFL general managers and scouts also who are watching. It’s every young kids’ dream as well as that of the players who will be on display this upcoming Monday were the game is scheduled to be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona ,.

How have you viewed the games that have taken place during this Bowl season and what if anything to your mind has been the bright spot so far ? And are you as such entirely interested in the outcome of the national championship game ? Furthermore , what are your feelings on how the BCS system works and why they’re unwilling to adopt a playoff system ? Simply chime in with a comment as to your thoughts on the matter .

NB: Auburn Tigers’ roster

Head coach Gene Chizik

Tigers’ coaching staff

Oregon Ducks’ roster

Head coach Chip Kelly

Oregon Ducks’ coaching staff

BCS National rankings as of 12/05/10

Click here to get the latest college football news.

Alan aka tophatal …………………………………………

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Leonie Nicole

Eye candy for you all . Leoni Nicole and a small montage of this beauty.

Hello and good morning ! It’s a hell of a day don’t you think ?

Leonie Nicole 2

Naughty but simply nice !

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John Legend feat’g Common & The Roots ……..”Wake Up Everybody”

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They Shoot Horses Don’t They So Why Did Goodell Simply Not Put Us All Out Of Our Misery?

 

They Shoot Horses Don’t They So Why Did Goodell Simply Not Put Us All Out Of Our Misery?

Well by now you will have all heard the news that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has chosen to fine Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Brett Favre $50,000 after conducting what he says has been an arduous investigation into the allegations made concerning the player’s misconduct . In a public statement after handing down the fine to the player the commissioner made it known that Favre , his agent and legal counsel were non cooperative in assisting him in anyway whatsoever. Which to my mind is of great concern given the player’s behavior and also that of the league’s image as it relates to the players’ conduct not only on but also off the field of play. What sort of message is Goodell trying to send by fining a player who this year alone will make in excess of $12 million this season ? At the same time were this not Brett Favre and some lesser light in the midst of these allegations and that player’s response were the same as the future bound Hall of Famer , I think that player would be now looking at a greater financial penalty as well as some sort of suspension. It appears that Goodell simply like the rest of the drooling buffoons who are still enamored with Favre simply haven’t had enough of him . How else could you explain the commissioner’s actions ?

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I’ve always maintained that Goodell as a commissioner has never truly been balanced in the way that he treats players concerning acts of misconduct . Instead he merely waffles and shuffles the life jackets on board his vessel as he sees fit. Favre for his part still comes off looking like a complete buffoon, albeit that he alleges that this will indeed be his last season in the NFL . Where have I heard that before from this imbecile and ingrate ? Ah well one more game I hope and then he can ride off into the sunset and completely away from the NFL . As to the plight of his team ___ the Minnesota Vikings their season has been a clear effort in futility . What organization do you know who would operate under such conditions where they’re at the beck and call of a player whose passion for the game is like a candle blowing in the wind ? I’ve heard it often being said that because he knew the playbook and the offense of the Vikings he needn’t be there with his teammates prior to the start of the season, because he’d simply be in sync once he was back in his cleats and simply throwing the ball. Well there’s a vast difference between working up a sweat throwing a football to a bunch of high school kids and being hard at work getting your timing right during preseason workouts with your receiving corps <at the NFL level . Perhaps someone should have reminded Brett Favre of that ?

Courtesy of The Toronto Sun in conjunction with Reuters Tim Shaffer

NFL fines Favre in sexting case

NEW YORK — The NFL fined Brett Favre $50,000 on Wednesday, though it did not find the Vikings quarterback violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

The ruling ends the league’s investigation into allegations that Favre sent former Jets employee Jenn Sterger improper voice mails and several graphic pictures.

The NFL’s statement said the sole focus of the investigation was on whether Favre violated league policies regarding conduct in the workplace, which generally do not extend to private conduct or personal relationships.

But the league was not able to substantiate that Favre violated those rules, given the available information.

“On the basis of the evidence currently available to him, Commissioner [Roger] Goodell could not conclude that Favre violated league policies relating to workplace conduct,” the statement said. “The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger.”

The statement said the NFL interviewed knowledgeable people — including Favre and Sterger — analyzed public reports, and reviewed available communications between Favre and Sterger as part of its investigation, which began in October. The league also employed an independent forensic analysis of electronically stored material.

However, because the actions occurred in 2008, when Favre played for the Jets, the league said the unavailability of some records and individuals limited the investigation.

Goodell did find that Favre did not cooperate in “a forthcoming manner,” resulting in a longer investigation and the $50,000 fine. The NFL’s statement said Goodell told Favre he would have imposed a “substantially” higher level of punishment if he found a violation of the league’s policies.

The league said it reviewed another media report about allegations involving other women working at the Jets’ facility in 2008, but could not substantiate any claim about Favre’s conduct because people who might have had relevant information did not cooperate.

Goodell reiterated the league’s stance on conduct in the workplace in a memo to teams on Wednesday, saying that Favre’s fine will help fund the league’s new training program.

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Clearly the ruse under which which Favre led this organization from team owner Zygi Wilf to the coaching staff on down and to many of his teammates was simply more to do with the money than him simply wanting to play football. He may well have wanted to play and win as he says but consider this ………. how has that situation now turned out ? Brad Childress the team’s former coach showed no backbone when dealing with Favre and many of the players who through much of the season questioned his authority . But then again once you hitch your wagon to a broken down old mule what else would you come to expect ?

With Childress’ firing , Leslie Frazier has become the interim head coach , a job I feel won’t be his for long given the prospective list of candidates who may well be interested once the season has ended. And inasmuch as Frazier insists that Favre will suit up for the final game of the season I can’t help but wonder how Joe Webb must now be feeling having engineered the team’s victory (24-14) over the high flying Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 . Ah well Joe, welcome to big time where your dreams can be dashed in the blink of an eye especially in the case where everyone still seems to be kissing Brett Favre’s ass !

Vince Young may not yet have outlived his welcome in Tennessee but he’s sure as hell driven a wedge between himself and his coach Jeff Fisher . With his petulant behavior of simply calling out his coach and then leaving the stadium abruptly after a recent league game smacks sheer stupidity on his part and shows that he simply doesn’t have the mindset do what’s necessary in the interest of his team or teammates . As things now stand either Young goes or Fisher goes . The player’s so called apology for to his coach for his actions wasn’t done personally , instead Young sent a text message to Fisher in his less than tactful act of contrition. If Titans’ owner Ken ‘Bud’ Adams is as dumb as I believe him to be then his apparent fixation on Vince Young instinctively leads me to think that Fisher will be the one who’ll either be shown the door or he may well indeed resign from his position as coach of this team. Not only are the lunatics running this asylum but I do believe that Adams and Young now share the same straight jacket !

The Tennessee Titans’ season has been overwhelmingly disappointing and it’s pretty safe to say that a player such as Chris Johnson can’t be entirely happy with this situation. There are litany of problems on this team and it all starts with the fact that there’s no leadership on or off the field of play. Obviously Young can’t step forward as he’s simply not bright enough nor does he show that he’s mature enough. One good season in his tenure with the Titans simply proved that while there was a great deal of promise those jaw dropping moments in that BCS National Championship game for the Texas Longhorns against USC was simply nothing but a mere aberration. Truly what has Young really done to suggest that he can actually be the face of this franchise and actually lead them to the Superbowl ? Is there anyone out there with a simple answer to this question ? Or better yet does someone have <a href=”http://espn.go.com/melkiper/s/kiperbio.html&#8221; Mel Kiper’s number on speed dial ?

And while this Titans’ vessel runs adrift in this ocean of mediocrity what now become of Randy Moss ? Good God , how can someone literally waltz themselves off a playoff contender such as the New England Patriots , make their way to the Minnesota Vikings and within the mere blink of an eye for all sense and purpose where he’s now with a third team ___ has become a much maligned and is now thought of as nothing more than a festering cesspool of ongoing turmoil. Three NFL teams in one season and Moss’ productivity therein has been about as significant as that of a legislative session that’s held in the partisan cloisters of Congress . Neither of these two entities are doing enough to give anyone hope that there are better days ahead , as Moss can’t seem to do anything right at the moment for the Titans .and the members of Congress merely gesticulate while achieving nothing of great concern. If there was a time for the NFL postseason to start then that time would be now !

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Picture gallery for your perusal by clicking on individual frame you can view that
picture in its original formatted size.

What thoughts if any do have on the issues raised within this piece ? Simply chime in with a comment .

Alan aka tophatal ……………………………


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Summer Walker
Eye candy for the patrons . Summer Walker a season worth waiting for don’t you think ?

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