Archive for the ‘Football’ Category

Jim Tressel reminds Ohio State fans why he is the head coach every November.  Tressel owns Michigan, period.  It is comical to hear people whine when Ohio State loses a game about Tressel failing as a coach, and how it is time for Tressel to move on because he is not getting the job done.

When John Cooper was Ohio State’s Football Coach, I recall people making statements like, “I don’t care if we go 1-11, as long as the 1 is Michigan.”  These fans are the same ones calling for Tressel to now step away when everything is not perfect.  It will not be as loud this week because he beat the Wolverines again. 

Understand this:  The Big-10 is not the most powerful conference in college football.  That is reality.  The Rust Belt, that many of the Big-10 Schools are located in, has lost people.  Jobs have been cut and population has shifted.  There is less gum to throw at the wall to see what may stick. 

 John Cooper was a decent coach but he is no Jim Tressel.  He could not beat Michigan and it drove so many people rooting for the Buckeyes nuts for so many years. 

Lloyd Carr is gone, Tressel ruined that job for him.  Rich Rodriguez, now 0-2 against Ohio State, will start to feel heat if he continues to lose to Ohio State.  Say what you want, in this rivalry the coaches are judged on that game almost exclusively.  If Rodriguez continues to get beat by Tressel every November, he can repack the horses and buggies and head back toward West Virginia.

To the critics of Jim Tressel, a bit of advice:  If you are a true Ohio State fan, remember the Cooper era and one win against Michigan every ten years, will that shut you up?

When I predicted the New Orleans Saints to win the Super Bowl this season I was heckled and ridiculed.  Sunday, in a game that was termed a showdown of two NFC powerhouses, Drew Brees had has way for most of the contest in a 47-28 blowout over the New York Giants.  With the win, the Saints improved to 5-0, the first time thhey have started a season with five victories since 1993.

In the game, Brees was 23-30 for for 369 yards and four touchdowns.  More impressive than the statistics were the throws he made.  Anyone who saw the game would agree that Brees was razor sharp, especially in the first half, as he consistently abused the Giants with precision passes that could only be thrown in a small window for completions.  Brees almost broke his own franchise record of 17 consecutive completions, but came up short with 15.   

If you analyze the depth of skill position players the Saints have, the combinations of who is on the field at the same time is limitless.  At running back, Pierre Thomas will be the workhorse and Mike Bell will spell Thomas at times.  The most recognizable Saint, Reggie Bush, will be used in greater frequency at some point this season when a defense feels like shutting down everything else.  Heath Evans is a true fullback who can get the ball around the goal-line as he did against the Giants.

At wide receiver, there are so many quality choices.  Marques Colston, a no-namer that got the Saints booed for selecting him on Draft Day out of Hofstra a few years ago, is a tall guy who runs great routes and has great hands.  Robert Meachum and Lance Moore are both healthy at the same time.  Devery Henderson is an undersized gamebreaker who poses the big threat.  Throw in Jeremy Shockey at TE, and you have the most complete core of receivers in the NFL.

The Saints defense only has to play sufficiently to get victories.  This offense has the potential to go down as one of the best in NFL Football history, and I would not be surprised to see Brees re-write the record books this season.

The only team being compared to New Orleans in the NFC is Minnesota.  The Vikings are a well-rounded team on both sides of the ball.  Keep this in mind though, Brett Favre started 7-1 in New York last season before his old bones started to ache.  Will Tarverius Jackson be enough to make Minnesota better than New Orleans?  I think not.

What a horrible year Cleveland Sports fans have had to endure.  The Cavs could have done better.  The Indians started and are ending the season with disgraceful heartless performances.  The Browns are lucky if they win six games this season.  When will it end?  Doesn’t matter what team or season, the result for over 50 years has been disappointment. 

I applaud Cleveland fans for hanging in there and staying true to the teams they root for.  However, after attending a recent Indians game with about 25% of the stands at Progressive Field full, I have to wonder when fans will get disgusted enough to either switch teams or just put Cleveland sports as a whole on the back burner.  Again, there are diehards, but Chicago has tasted victory with the Bears, Detroit with the Pistons, Boston with the Patriots and Red Sox, etc… 

Let me start my story with the team that provides the greatest chance of winning something soon – the Cavs.  With the recent addition of Shaq and departure of Ben Wallace one of two things can happen.  1)  Everything will click, no one will be injured, and the Cavs will make a strong showing for an NBA Championship.  OR.. 2) Shaq will only play about half the year putting LeBron James back into the ‘I have to do it all myself’  mode, or worse yet, James could get injured.  I still argue that he isn’t going anywhere at the end of the season, but watch how that debate rages through the entire season and playoffs and becomes a bigger issue than the Cavs actually winning.

Move to baseball.  Eric Wedge should have been fired on Memorial Day or shortly after.  Wedge’s admitted pal and BFF Mark Shapiro stuck his neck out for Wedge to at least be given the end of the season to present his capabilities as a manager.  He has failed to do so.  Shapiro traded Cliff Lee to Philadelphia this season, even though he had another year on his contract, for pitching prospects like Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 9.64 ERA).  Last year CC Sabathia was pushed away instead of being offered a new contract and he didn’t do too bad in Milwaukee.  Both guys (Shapiro and Wedge) need to go and a true rebuilding process needs to take place, otherwise expect more Pirate-like boneheaded moves followed up by the financial weeping of a money-hungry front office. 

Question: Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson?   Answer: Neither.   Browns fans are truly some of the most loyal people who follow sports.  The defense looked rather good in the first half against Minnesota in the opener.  In the second half, they looked dismal.  There is no consistency on this team.  They will jump up and win a few games, they always manage to do that much.  The problem at quarterback is not the individuals who play that position.  Quinn OR Anderson will be running for their lives as the line is still weak.  When they do have time, who do they throw to?  Braylon ‘drop ’em’ Edwards?  Josh ‘Wildcat’ Cribbs?  They need help at receiver bad.  Cribbs running the Wildcat Offense on Minnesota’s two-yard line was comical, for two plays.  Drew Brees would struggle with this team.

Sorry Cleveland fans.  Mad respect for the loyalty to these three franchises, but if the Cavs don’t do it this year it’s gonna be awhile longer in any sport.

Please comment if you think I am right or wrong, I am anxious to hear what others think about this.

LeGarrette Blount got the NCAA Football’s heavily advertised Sportsmanship Week promo off to a flying start.  Having earlier discipline problems, Blount should just be sent home for acting like an animal in defeat.  Was he provoked? maybe.  That still doesn’t give you a reason to cold-cock your opponent during the postgame handshakes.  The game itself stunk as Boise State beat Oregon in a yawner. 

If that wasn’t bad enough, he swung on his teammates, attempted to go after fans, was unrestrainable despite the efforts of coaches and players, and needed police to prevent him going to jail for attempting to assault some fans. 

Yep, LeGarrette Blount is definitely the posterchild for Sportsmanship Week.  Nice promo NCAA!

This is it, the year when Saints fans can take the paper bags off of their heads.  Yes, I predict New Orleans will get their first ever NFC Championship.  Years of futility and what “could have been” minus injuries, suspensions, and plenty of bad luck, can all be shelved with the year coming in the Big Easy.

Look at the weapons on offense.  Drew Brees spreads the ball around and seems real comfortable with what he has to work with.  Marques Colston is healthy, Lance Moore is a pleasant surprise, and Jeremy Shockey is simply on a mission.  Shockey worked as hard as anyone this offseason and feels he has much to prove.  Oh yeah, the Saints also have a lethal one-two punch at running back with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.  If their defense can play average to good, this offense should outscore anyone in their path.

I am predicting the Saints to face Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game.  Michael Vick will produce in some capacity and have the city that booed Santa Claus going nuts for him to be on the field more by the end of the regular season.  The much improved receiving core should prosper with the addition of Jeremy Maclin.  This kid is the real deal and I also predict that he will win NFC Rookie of The Year.  A solid defense, a sufficient running game, and a positive Donovan McNabb should prove to be too much in the toughest division in football.

I see the Saints getting by the Eagles in the NFC Championship game and advancing to the Super Bowl.

In the AFC, the more things change, the more they stay the same is my theme for Indianapolis.  Peyton Manning is the most consistent quarterback in the league and the Colts have beefed up the backfield.  This move will aid Manning in using effective play-action as the defense will again have to respect the run.  Bob Sanders is a maniac on defense and is all over the field in every game he participates in.

The only real threat this year in the AFC will be New England.  I know, the Steelers fans are whining already, but don’t expect Big Ben to be the same guy with his allegations and off-field distractions.  Everything, and I mean everything, fell perfectly into place last season.  If that happens this season, I am not sure it will be enough to get by New England or Indy.  Playing in the worst division in football will get the Steelers into the playoffs, but I see an early exit for Pittsburgh this season.

New England will thrive with the return of Tom Brady.  Watch Randy Moss have a huge year.  However, I predict that New England will lose to Indianapolis in the AFC Championship game in a nailbiter.

In February of 2010, I see Indianapolis and New Orleans battling for the big prize.  I am going to predict that New Orleans will win the highest-scoring Super Bowl ever played 41-35.

Other predictions for the year:

• Atlanta will go 8-8 and be hit hard with a rash of injuries.
• Cleveland will win 5 games.
• Edgerrin James will have 1,000 yards rushing for Seattle.
• San Francisco will make the playoffs.
• The Rams will just miss making the playoffs.
• Brett Favre will put up average numbers at best and will be the recipient of a cheap shot when the Vikings play at Green Bay.
• Terrell Owens will get hurt by the time the snow falls in Orchard Park.
• Carson Palmer will miss at least half of the season with nagging injuries.
• Dallas’ new scoreboard will block 6 punts.

Well, those are my predictions for the season, sure to be heckled and ridiculed.  Feel free to comment on things you may agree or disagree with.

The Cleveland Browns should pursue Jamaican track prodigy, Usain Bolt.  The obvious reason would be because he would clock a great 40-yard dash time at the combine.  Can you imagine getting this guy the ball in the open field?

Now, for the beef of my presentation.  He is no worse than what is already there.  He might even be better.  Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson like to overthrow receivers a few times each game.  Why not put Bolt in the slot and bring him across in motion.  He would be the first WR in NFL history to burn his man by losing him in motion.

Once the play starts, tell Brady or Derek to just heave it, let it fly, he will run under it.  Who knows if he will catch it or not.  Who cares, we already know that Braylon Edwards would probably drop it, so what would be the harm in taking that chance? 

Run a reverse and watch that OLB who sucks in for the play action swear profanity-laced tirades before Bolt even hits the corner.  He would not get touched on the play. 

Use him to promote Cleveland.  Who better than a native Jamaican to promote Bob Marley at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  How many people would show up at an Indians game if Usain Bolt were going to race Bernie Kosar while running backwards?  The possibilities are just endless.

I could see it now, the new ‘Killer-B’  Browns receiving core.  Braylon, Brian, and Bolt.  Donte Stallworth would be included but when the idea was first dreamt up he took the title to a new level.  But the three ‘Killer-B’s’ !!  “More drops than a three-day tropical rainstorm!”  How ultra-promotable! 

The 2009 Lowellville Rockets Football Team is getting ready to do battle this Fall.  Always small in quantity, Lowellville can boast about the quality of a team member, both on and off of the field.  Mike Palumbo has been the Head Coach at Lowellville for the past two seasons.  Going into his third year, Palumbo is still enjoying what he is doing and says he won’t go anywhere unless Joe Paterno steps down at Penn State and he is offered that job.  Chuckling, and knowing that probably won’t happen soon, he stated that he does not want to use Lowellville as a springboard to move to another school.

Palumbo, now 25, was hired at the age of 22.  “I think I was the youngest head coach in the country,” said Palumbo, “My first year here we had an issue with seven players getting caught doing something they shouldn’t have been doing.  It allowed the players to see that I would not tolerate those sorts of things and that I would enforce discipline when I had to.  The situation was hard to deal with, but it proved to people that I could handle that kind of thing.”

With seven or eight of this year’s players starting on both sides of the ball and playing special teams, Palumbo knows that an injury can be devastating.  There are people in place to step in if needed, but when you lose one of those eight guys, essentially you are losing four positions.  “If we stay healthy, we are going to surprise some people.  Our strength is our D line, even though we are young there.  We have two Sophomores who will rotate in”.

Palumbo says that the recent division of the Inter-County League into a Tier I and smaller school Tier II has its advantages as well as disadvantages.  ” I don’t like it because I would rather played teams like South Range and Springfield every year.  As a coach I would rather play better competition.  For example, Sebring has been down the last couple of seasons.  You blow them out and you don’t take away much from it as a team.  I would rather play close games against better teams.  There are teams in Tier II who are very good.  Wellsville, Western Reserve, and McDonald should all be good.  McDonald has something like 68 kids out for football.”

This years Rocket team will be led by skill position players.  Ryan Whinery (RB/OLB) is a playmaker that Palumbo thinks can do some damage with the ball in the open field.  Patrick Collins (QB/MLB) will be the quarterback and he will have three senior wide receivers to look for in Jimmy Perry, Pat Minnie, and Dennis Davis.  Evan Phillip, just a Sophomore, is one of the fastest players on the team and will be used on offense.  Tony Schialdone will be an impact-maker at safety and will also see time in the offensive backfield.  Bill Burrows (6’7″, 340), is the only big offensive lineman on the team.  “We have veteran skill-position guys who can make plays,” remarked Palumbo.

Palumbo likes his coaching staff and says that they know what to expect from each other.  Tom Collins will serve as defensive coordinator.  Collins has been a coach for Lowellville for 15+ seasons.  “Coach Collins is our motivator.  He is always positive and knows how to get the most out of the kids,” said Palumbo.  Bill Schiraldi, Andrew Mamula, Bill Wharry, and Brian Wharry, have been attached to Lowellville football as players and also as multiple-year coaches as well.  “We don’t get mad at each other if we argue about things.  We know that it isn’t personal and are friends at the end of the day.”

Lowellville starts out with Malvern, a team that went 13-1 last season, narrowly missing a State Championship bid.  They then host Tuscarawas C. C., a team with 18 Seniors.  Their final non-conference game is at Springfield, as the old rivalry is renewed.  None of the three non-conference games are against cupcakes, but Palumbo welcomes the challenge and says that these games will help this team gauge its capabilities before heading into league play.

Call me a homer,  but I am thrilled watching this guy coach.  He is only scratching the surface of what can be a long and healthy career of coaching.  Mike Palumbo is as bright and articulate as people double his age who still are trying to figure out secrets to success in this pressure-filled sport.  Surrounded by a good staff, and the support of family and friends, the sky is the limit.  Ohio is a high school football mecca and nothing comes easy.  I wish this year’s Rocket team and the entire coaching staff the very best of luck staying healthy and winning football games. 

You never know,  Penn State hired Paterno when he was young. 

2009 Lowellville Schedule

Aug. 28    Malvern

Sept. 4    Tuscarawas C.C.

Sept. 11   @Springfield

Sept. 18    McDonald

Sept. 25   @ Jackson-Milton

Oct. 2     @ Sebring

Oct. 9     Southern Local

Oct. 16   @ Leetonia

Oct. 23   Wellsville

Oct. 30   @ Western Reserve

*** All games are on Fridays and start at 7 PM.

Saturday night’s NFL Preseason opener looked like a 2008 Cleveland Browns highlight reel.  The game against Green Bay featured all of the elements that Browns fans have been getting used to lately.  The two quarterbacks competing for the starting job (Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, pictured above) were outplayed by Brett Ratliff.  Ratliff will probably be the scrub squad quarterback on the practice team. 

Brady Quinn looked better than Anderson.  Anderson only attempted two throws (neither completions) in his two series.  Quinn drove the Browns down the field before half with four straight completions, only to be *FLASHBACK* intercepted by Anthony Smith.  Before the interception, Braylon Edwards dropped a would-be touchdown *FLASHBACK* and finished the game (one half) with zero receptions. 

Eric Mangini was not pleased at all by much of anything he saw.  Neither were the Browns fans who had to listen to Bernie Kosar do color commentary.  Nothing clicked.  Aaron Rodgers looked decent, but didn’t do anything remarkable for Green Bay.  Rodgers ended up with 102 yards and a TD on 5-10 passing.

The Browns defense gave up 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a half *FLASHBACK*, they too are in midseason form showing off an array of stupid penalties, missed tackles, and blown coverages. 

If first impressions really do mean anything, we have learned that the Browns haven’t learned much regardless of who is coaching.  We have also learned that Quinn and Anderson either do not have much to work with, or are both not as good as people think.

It’s like watching the Muppet Show.  Everyone knows Kermit The Frog is the star of the show.  Unfortunately, Cleveland is trying to assume that Ernie and Bert (Quinn and Anderson) are every bit as good as Kermit, and unfortunately, they are not.  Cleveland does not have a Kermit The Frog to lead the show, not on this years roster.   Gonna be a long year in Cleveland.  Start the Tim Tebow draft campaign now and get a jump.

Rashard Mendenhall was drafted out of Illinois as the 23rd pick overall in the 2008 draft.  He was billed as a durable back who could handle a heavy workload and take a hit.  Ray Lewis changed that description by knocking Mendenhall out for the season with one hit.

Mendenhall, only the second running back drafted in the first round by the Steelers (the other was Tim Worley from Georgia in 1989), is still an unknown commodity.  Willie Parker has proven he cannot handle all the carries, he is just not big or durable enough.

Going into Thursday’s preseason opener with the Cards in a pseudo-rematch of last years Super Bowl, Parker was ailing and Mendenhall saw some live action.  He ended the game with 24 yards on 9 carries (2.7 yards per carry average) with his longest run going for 7 yards.  It was not an earth-shattering performance by any means, but it at least showed the Steeler faithful that he is ready to accept a role with this team in 2009.

Limas Sweed, the 22nd pick in the second round ithe 2009 Draft, seemed like the guy they wanted when they picked him against the Cards Thursday.  He used his size to outjump defenders twice and made a great catch.  Sweed ended the game with two receptions for 56 yards, one reception was good for 45 yards.  Where was this guy last season?  He only caught 6 passes all year and missed the first five games.  I think he will put up significantly better numbers this year.  Someone surely had to tip Tomlin that the skinny guy from Texas can jump.  After all, Sweed was a four-year track star in high school with his best event being, what else, but the hurdles.

The only thing I don’t like is his number.  #14 should be on a quarterback or a placekicker.  Steeler fans will say he can wear number #103 if he can garner over 1,000 yards receiving in the next couple of seasons.

Mendenhall, Sweed, and Dixon are the future in Pittsburgh.  In my opinion, the future looks pretty bright.

Last year, Buckeye fans got to know a kid named Dan “Boom” Herron.  Usually, Herron would get into a game to give Beanie Wells a breather.  This year, the starting tailback job is his to lose as Beanie went pro on us.  Herron should be the primary back although Brandon Saine should see some carries and true freshman Jaamal Berry can light it up, no pun intended.  Being a hard working kid from the Youngstown area, Coach Tressel will be sure to give Boom his fair share of carries.  Herron is excited about his opportunity as I recently got to interview him.

Paneech:  No pressure on you this year huh?  How is it feeling to be a Buckeye?

Herron:  It’s been amazing, it’s an honor and I’m having alot of fun.  It’s been a dream come true for me.

Paneech:  How much pressure is there on you to step up and make a big play against Michigan?

Herron:  Definitely there is pressure, everyone knows what a big game that is and everyone on the team knows they have to step it up during Michigan week.

Paneech:  Are you and Terrelle Pryor getting some timing together at workouts?

Herron:  Yeah, we had alot of reps, especially in the Spring practices.  Now we can do more with the ball (because of NCAA limitations), we are working hard with the 7-on-7 drills.  We took time to sit in the film room and see where we can make improvements.  We are doing all of the little things right now.

Paneech:  How have you liked working with Coach Tressel?

Herron:  He’s one of the best in the game right now.  It’s part of that dream coming true by being around the best.

Paneech:  Have you learned anything from the older guys on the team?

Herron:  I definitely learned alot last year playing behind Beanie.  He was a great back as well as a great person on and off the field.  I learned so much from him, and even from some of the other guys.  Pryor, Robiskie, all of the older guys, I learned alot from them.

Paneech:  How important is this years game with USC to you and the team?

Herron:  Everyone knows that game [USC] is a big goal for us to succeed.  USC is a great team and they are going to come in ready.  Coach Tressel is preparing us to play one game at a time, so USC is further down the road, but when it gets here, that game is going to be a fight.