Earlier this month the Browns’ brain-trust stated there would be an open competition for the starting quarterback spot and that Colt McCoy would not be labeled as the starter from day one of training camp, he would have to earn it. That’s fine by me. I think competition breeds excellence. Personally, as our quarterback depth chart stands right now, I think McCoy wins that battle. But there is a proverbial wrench being thrown into the mix, and it comes by way of the NFL Draft in April.
The Browns are sitting very pretty with the #4 overall pick, as well as the #22 pick in the first round thanks to the brilliant draft day trade of 2011 with the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, Julio Jones is a very talented player, but we managed to get a pirates bounty for an unproven rookie coming out of college, and it affords the Browns what they need most, more talent.
There is currently quite a bit of talk that the front office is very high on Robert Griffin III from Baylor University. The Heisman winner is ranked as the #2 quarterback in the draft (no surprise there) and many pundits have him going #2 overall. RGIII’s ascent has been rapid, I am sure many football followers had barely heard of his name before his unbelievable college season this past year. And I have to say he impressed me quite a bit with his ability to throw the ball down field with great accuracy. But I want to state this right now; I am vehemently against trading up to the #2 pick o take RGIII.
The Browns need to look at this draft realistically. Are the Browns just a quarterback away from being a playoff contender? The answer is most definitely NO. I know that quarterbacks are the keys to the offense, but the Browns have so many holes that no one quarterback can make those holes look smaller. This was a team that was 28th in the NFL in rushing yards per game at less than 100, and was tied for the NFL lead in dropped passes by receivers. I just do not see how a rookie quarterback can come in and succeed with those two areas so glaringly lacking. The dropped pass issue MUST be fixed, that is inacceptable. The rushing game was hampered by injury to both the stable of backs and a few offensive linemen, but nonetheless needs to provide more support to whoever is the quarterback in 2012.
On defense the Browns took a substantial step forward in my opinion, only twice did they give up 30+ points, and were consistently in each of the divisional games they played. The passing defense finished 2nd in the NFL, while the rush defense was almost dead last. My point in outlining the deficiencies on both sides of the ball is to reiterate that a quarterback, especially one unproven at the NFL level, is not the answer in this draft for the Browns. Not with the quarterback likes of Matt Barkley, Aaron Murray, Tyler Wilson, E.J. Manuel, and Geno Smith coming out of school in 2013.
I have been on the Justin Blackmon bandwagon for a few years now it seems. And his performance in the Fiesta Bowl against Stanford only reinforced the way I felt. 8 receptions, 186 yards, 3 touchdowns. He looks every bit of the real deal. My only concern is that he will be gone before pick number 4. The Browns top priority should be Blackmon at number 4. If, however, he is gone by then here is the scenario I am hoping for:
Trade – the possibility to trade down is there, although that might make most fans cringe. I am not saying trade down to the middle of the round, but trading down a few spots and taking either Trent Richardson (RB from Alabama) or Morris Claiborne (CB from LSU) would provide an instant playmaker on one side of the ball. Note also, with the likely impending departure of fan favorite Peyton Hillis, Richardson would fill a huge need.
Stand pat – the Browns could also stay in the #4 spot and take either Richardson at four, or reinforce the offensive line with either of the two top rated tackles Ryan Kalil, or Reilly Reiff. I am not huge on taking offensive lineman that early however, especially not when you have your cornerstone left tackle, Joe Thomas, locked up for a long time.
Depending on which side of the ball the Browns go with in their first pick, which opens up possibilities for their second pick later in the first round. It would be my preference to target a linebacker with this pick, namely Courtney Upshaw from Alabama or Vontaze Burfict from Arizona State. Last year in the draft we addressed the defensive line with two solid picks, and this year the focus should be on the line backing corps which desperately needs speed and tackling presence. I would also target a linebacker here because I firmly believe that if we do not get Blackmon with the #4 pick, either Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery, or Kendall Wright will be around for our pick early in round 2, and those three wide outs are just a tick below Blackmon but still very talented.
With all of that said, trading up in the draft would go wildly against Tom Heckert’s draft pedagogy as he comes from the “trade down and stockpile draft picks” school of thought. With a plethora of picks, and early picks at that, I feel like this is a perfect time for the Browns to address their biggest need, and that is talent. The Browns lack talent in a few key places, and that probably cost them 3-5 wins in 2011. Put talent around the core you have; give Colt one more shot with a playmaker wide receiver; and if it does not work in 2012 then bring in a quarterback in 2013 with a skill position talent already around him.
Showing posts with label NCAA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
BCMess
Well, 2011 has finally come to an end. And in terms of sports, more specifically college football, it has been one to forget if you ask me. Sure I know it is only because I am a Buckeyes fan, and witnessed probably the worst year in Ohio State football history. But even if you do not like the Buckeyes, the bowl games should be more than sufficient evidence to support my claims. And we can all give thanks to the BCS.
I will focus on the main BCS bowls, only because it has gotten ridiculously fatiguing trying to get excited for the Taxslayer.com Gator bowl; or dare I mention the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? What, did each player get a sack of potatoes as a bowl gift? But I digress.
Thanks to the BCS this is what we had to see:
1) The third best team in the Big10, a team that did not even play in the conference championship game, who some-how got a Sugar Bowl invite over the team that finished 2nd in the Big10, faced off against the 2nd place ACC team which lost to the same team twice, and that team got 70 hung on them in the Orange Bowl! (more on that later). Don’t give me any of that “overtime thriller” nonsense, that game was a snooze fest and many could argue the refs blew the call in OT.
2) The team that probably should have been in the National Championship game, Oklahoma State, with the freak-of-nature wide out, and two time Belitnikoff winner, Justin Blackmon faced off against future #1 draft pick Andrew Luck and Stanford. In my mind, the Fiesta Bowl was the only one the BCS got right, and it was an exciting game. A shame that Stanford’s kicker could not hit sand if he fell of a camel, but Blackmon and Luck both lived up to the hype. Here’s hoping Blackmon is wearing a Browns jersey come April.
3) The only reason WVU, and Clemson were in the Orange Bowl is because they had to be. Damn automatic bowl tie-ins. Sure WVU scored 70 points, but coming against an ACC team, and a team that lost 2 of their final 3 games on the way to the Orange Bowl it diminishes the accomplishment some. Lest not forget WVU, the Big East powerhouse that lost to Louisville, and Syracuse this year was barely ranked in the top 25, yet still made it to a BCS Bowl.
4) Sure the Rose Bowl saw a record for most points scored, and kudos to Oregon for winning their first bowl game since the second decade of the twentieth century (1916 to be exact). We did get to see Wisconsin lose the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year, and an assistant coach pick his nose and eat it on TV! (if you don’t believe me just YouTube it, you will find it). This matchup was fine by me, I like seeing the traditional PAC12, Big10 matchup in the granddaddy-of-em-all.
5) The rematch. Just when you try to get excited about the BCS National Championship game you remember the first time Alabama and LSU played to the 6-9 over-time thriller! LSU’s late three run home run in the top of the 10th helped seal the deal. Seriously though, I am with many of the AP voters who would have a hard time putting Alabama over LSU if the Tide won this game. LSU beat Bama at home! Alabama did not even win their SEC division let alone play in the SEC Championship game. But then you have to remember the father of the BCS is Roy Kramer. Who is Roy Kramer? Oh, just the former commissioner of the SEC…
Also, thanks to the BCS, here are few things we were robbed from seeing:
1) The winningest quarterback in college football history, and his number 7 ranked team, Boise State were delegated to the MAACO Bowl on December 22! Hope you tuned into ESPN3 to catch Kellen Moore dismantle Arizona State. Sure Boise State is not in a major conference, but they still finished the season in the top ten in the BCS standings.
2) The number 6 team in the BCS, Arkansas, will face the number 8 team, Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. Neither of these teams won their conference, but both are ranked higher than the two teams that played in the Sugar Bowl.
3) Good thing we did not get to see the Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffith III, or RG3 to some, take his 12th ranked Baylor team to a BCS game. Again Baylor was ranked higher than both Michigan, and RG3
On Monday, January 9th (which also happens to be my birthday) we will get to see two teams who already played each other this year, play again. I predicted the score to be LSU 11 – Alabama 10, and that could be considered high scoring if you consider their last game. My only hope, at this point, is that Alabama wins by a field goal, and the AP voters still vote LSU as their national champions, thus leaving us with a split national championship, and possibly the beginning of the end for the BCS.
I will focus on the main BCS bowls, only because it has gotten ridiculously fatiguing trying to get excited for the Taxslayer.com Gator bowl; or dare I mention the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? What, did each player get a sack of potatoes as a bowl gift? But I digress.
Thanks to the BCS this is what we had to see:
1) The third best team in the Big10, a team that did not even play in the conference championship game, who some-how got a Sugar Bowl invite over the team that finished 2nd in the Big10, faced off against the 2nd place ACC team which lost to the same team twice, and that team got 70 hung on them in the Orange Bowl! (more on that later). Don’t give me any of that “overtime thriller” nonsense, that game was a snooze fest and many could argue the refs blew the call in OT.
2) The team that probably should have been in the National Championship game, Oklahoma State, with the freak-of-nature wide out, and two time Belitnikoff winner, Justin Blackmon faced off against future #1 draft pick Andrew Luck and Stanford. In my mind, the Fiesta Bowl was the only one the BCS got right, and it was an exciting game. A shame that Stanford’s kicker could not hit sand if he fell of a camel, but Blackmon and Luck both lived up to the hype. Here’s hoping Blackmon is wearing a Browns jersey come April.
3) The only reason WVU, and Clemson were in the Orange Bowl is because they had to be. Damn automatic bowl tie-ins. Sure WVU scored 70 points, but coming against an ACC team, and a team that lost 2 of their final 3 games on the way to the Orange Bowl it diminishes the accomplishment some. Lest not forget WVU, the Big East powerhouse that lost to Louisville, and Syracuse this year was barely ranked in the top 25, yet still made it to a BCS Bowl.
4) Sure the Rose Bowl saw a record for most points scored, and kudos to Oregon for winning their first bowl game since the second decade of the twentieth century (1916 to be exact). We did get to see Wisconsin lose the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year, and an assistant coach pick his nose and eat it on TV! (if you don’t believe me just YouTube it, you will find it). This matchup was fine by me, I like seeing the traditional PAC12, Big10 matchup in the granddaddy-of-em-all.
5) The rematch. Just when you try to get excited about the BCS National Championship game you remember the first time Alabama and LSU played to the 6-9 over-time thriller! LSU’s late three run home run in the top of the 10th helped seal the deal. Seriously though, I am with many of the AP voters who would have a hard time putting Alabama over LSU if the Tide won this game. LSU beat Bama at home! Alabama did not even win their SEC division let alone play in the SEC Championship game. But then you have to remember the father of the BCS is Roy Kramer. Who is Roy Kramer? Oh, just the former commissioner of the SEC…
Also, thanks to the BCS, here are few things we were robbed from seeing:
1) The winningest quarterback in college football history, and his number 7 ranked team, Boise State were delegated to the MAACO Bowl on December 22! Hope you tuned into ESPN3 to catch Kellen Moore dismantle Arizona State. Sure Boise State is not in a major conference, but they still finished the season in the top ten in the BCS standings.
2) The number 6 team in the BCS, Arkansas, will face the number 8 team, Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. Neither of these teams won their conference, but both are ranked higher than the two teams that played in the Sugar Bowl.
3) Good thing we did not get to see the Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffith III, or RG3 to some, take his 12th ranked Baylor team to a BCS game. Again Baylor was ranked higher than both Michigan, and RG3
On Monday, January 9th (which also happens to be my birthday) we will get to see two teams who already played each other this year, play again. I predicted the score to be LSU 11 – Alabama 10, and that could be considered high scoring if you consider their last game. My only hope, at this point, is that Alabama wins by a field goal, and the AP voters still vote LSU as their national champions, thus leaving us with a split national championship, and possibly the beginning of the end for the BCS.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Happy Valley and the Shadow of Shame
He was the last “living dinosaur.” A Legend. His legacy was golden, and could not be touched. Or, so we thought. Joe Paterno stood for everything that was great about collegiate athletics: loyalty, he’s been coaching there for over four decades; passion, players go to Penn State to play for Coach Paterno because of his passion; integrity, when Paterno says something, you listen, he is the John Wooden of college football.
But, not long after winning his record setting 408th game on Saturday, all of that was about to come crashing down. The recent charges that his former assistant faces are brutal, disgusting, and could quite possibly tarnish everything that Paterno has done for Penn State, and college football. To the NCAA, this has probably been one of the longest years it can remember. Scandal after scandal, violation after violation kept coming across the desks of those in charge in Indianapolis. This, however, might be the straw that breaks the camels’ back.
This is not a scandal at Penn State it is a full fledged mess that came barreling over the top of the dam on Sunday. And, what this shows is just how flawed the NCAA and college athletics have been, for a very long time. What makes this even more disturbing, grotesque, unbelievable, insert your own adjective here, is that these acts were done by a person, by people, who were supposed to be the model, who were supposed to be leading our young individuals.
It is one thing when student-athletes make mistakes. And sure, trading your stuff for tattoos, or smoking dope, or taking money from someone associated with the school might seem stupid, silly, and ignorant. But when it’s the coaches, and administrators that are taking part in something that is profusely, and morbidly wrong, what does that say about the student-athletes. How can we degrade a student-athlete for being young and immature when the people leading and developing him or her are acting irresponsible, and decidedly more immature?
I do not want to get into the disgusting, and embarrassing details of what the former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky, did or took part in. If you want to read more about that you can find it on your own time. What is bothersome to me, and should be to everyone, is that the graduate assistant coach who saw it, the head coach who is in charge, and the administrators who found out about it, never, not even once, contacted authorities to let them know that this was going on.
We are talking about children, many of whom were not even teenagers (not that it would make it OK if they were), who were victims of a sick, repulsive person. And the University just swept it underneath the rug and tried to pretend nothing happened. All they did was tell Sandusky he could no longer bring youth down on the field for football games. In fact, Sandusky was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday to see Paterno get his landmark victory.
I am not even sure how the NCAA will handle this mess. The comparisons of how they handled the scandal at Ohio State and LSU are not even in the same atmosphere of severity. To sit back and think about the media outrage, and societal outcry over what five student-athletes did at Ohio State by trading and selling their game jerseys and trophies for tattoos; I cannot even fathom how that would even come close to being comparable to what happened at Penn State. To think that Jim Tressel lost his job because he did not go directly to the AD when learning about the allegations when he first found out is a more punishable offense than Joe Paterno who simply told his AD what his graduate assistant had seen take place in the showers at the football facility is senseless. How could you believe that simply telling the AD about sexual abuse of a child was doing your duties? Not once thinking, “This is wrong. I should call the police.”
Paterno is not a viewed as a suspect in the investigation, but his statement ought to make him one. “If true…While I did what I was supposed to do with the one charge brought to my attention…I cannot help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.” Where to begin with this statement? Well, how about the beginning, if true? Clearly we have an eyewitness account of sexual abuse of a child, rape of a child, if true Joe? How about the “While I did what I was supposed to do...”? Really? You have a witness saying he saw a child under the age of 10 being sexually abused by an adult in the shower of the football facilities and all you are supposed to do is tell your AD? Last time I checked reporting child abuse or sexual abuse is the law. Just because you told your AD, and covered your tracks, does not get you off the hook for what you did not do.
Nor does it make what the graduate assistant who witnessed this act right either. The fact that the person who witnessed it and Paterno never followed up with this, nor ever contacted the police about what they saw is a matter of ethics, and moral judgment. And if the people in charge cannot make the right moral and ethical decision, how can we expect the student-athletes they are leading to do so?
But, not long after winning his record setting 408th game on Saturday, all of that was about to come crashing down. The recent charges that his former assistant faces are brutal, disgusting, and could quite possibly tarnish everything that Paterno has done for Penn State, and college football. To the NCAA, this has probably been one of the longest years it can remember. Scandal after scandal, violation after violation kept coming across the desks of those in charge in Indianapolis. This, however, might be the straw that breaks the camels’ back.
This is not a scandal at Penn State it is a full fledged mess that came barreling over the top of the dam on Sunday. And, what this shows is just how flawed the NCAA and college athletics have been, for a very long time. What makes this even more disturbing, grotesque, unbelievable, insert your own adjective here, is that these acts were done by a person, by people, who were supposed to be the model, who were supposed to be leading our young individuals.
It is one thing when student-athletes make mistakes. And sure, trading your stuff for tattoos, or smoking dope, or taking money from someone associated with the school might seem stupid, silly, and ignorant. But when it’s the coaches, and administrators that are taking part in something that is profusely, and morbidly wrong, what does that say about the student-athletes. How can we degrade a student-athlete for being young and immature when the people leading and developing him or her are acting irresponsible, and decidedly more immature?
I do not want to get into the disgusting, and embarrassing details of what the former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky, did or took part in. If you want to read more about that you can find it on your own time. What is bothersome to me, and should be to everyone, is that the graduate assistant coach who saw it, the head coach who is in charge, and the administrators who found out about it, never, not even once, contacted authorities to let them know that this was going on.
We are talking about children, many of whom were not even teenagers (not that it would make it OK if they were), who were victims of a sick, repulsive person. And the University just swept it underneath the rug and tried to pretend nothing happened. All they did was tell Sandusky he could no longer bring youth down on the field for football games. In fact, Sandusky was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday to see Paterno get his landmark victory.
I am not even sure how the NCAA will handle this mess. The comparisons of how they handled the scandal at Ohio State and LSU are not even in the same atmosphere of severity. To sit back and think about the media outrage, and societal outcry over what five student-athletes did at Ohio State by trading and selling their game jerseys and trophies for tattoos; I cannot even fathom how that would even come close to being comparable to what happened at Penn State. To think that Jim Tressel lost his job because he did not go directly to the AD when learning about the allegations when he first found out is a more punishable offense than Joe Paterno who simply told his AD what his graduate assistant had seen take place in the showers at the football facility is senseless. How could you believe that simply telling the AD about sexual abuse of a child was doing your duties? Not once thinking, “This is wrong. I should call the police.”
Paterno is not a viewed as a suspect in the investigation, but his statement ought to make him one. “If true…While I did what I was supposed to do with the one charge brought to my attention…I cannot help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.” Where to begin with this statement? Well, how about the beginning, if true? Clearly we have an eyewitness account of sexual abuse of a child, rape of a child, if true Joe? How about the “While I did what I was supposed to do...”? Really? You have a witness saying he saw a child under the age of 10 being sexually abused by an adult in the shower of the football facilities and all you are supposed to do is tell your AD? Last time I checked reporting child abuse or sexual abuse is the law. Just because you told your AD, and covered your tracks, does not get you off the hook for what you did not do.
Nor does it make what the graduate assistant who witnessed this act right either. The fact that the person who witnessed it and Paterno never followed up with this, nor ever contacted the police about what they saw is a matter of ethics, and moral judgment. And if the people in charge cannot make the right moral and ethical decision, how can we expect the student-athletes they are leading to do so?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Dumb and Dumber..
As we get ready to sit down this weekend and watch a game that has been proclaimed "the game of all games" for two weeks now, I can help but think of how seriously flawed the NCAA is.
Sure, I will watch when #1 LSU invades Bryant Denny Stadium to take on #2 Alabama. But all I will be able to think about is 8 different players. Three who play for LSU and five who play or used to play for Ohio State.
I know, we've all been beaten to death with the scandal that "rocked" Ohio State, especially us Buckeye fans. We know Terelle Pryor is gone, and so is Jim Tressel, and that Boom Herron and Devier Posey, two cogs in our offense, we're suspended for 5 games, all over about $2,500 worth of tattoos. (ironically a couple of days go NCAA prez Mark Emmert made it ok for schools to add $2,000 to each student-athlete's scholarship to cover "incidental costs")
But the real reason I will be watching the three LSU players (Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware, and Tharold Simon) is because it is their first game back. They are returning to the field after being suspended for 1 game after testing positive for synthetic marijuana and violation the teams drug policy.
Where is the NCAA on this one????
Apparently trading your own stuff for tattoos is good for at least a 5 game suspension (even though former Georgia wide out A.J. Green was only suspended 4 for selling his jersey to an AGENT in 2010!) yet doing drugs during the season doesn't even warrant NCAA interest? The one game suspension was team imposed by coach Les Miles.
Now I'm sure everyone will think I'm just coming off as a homer, but, hello? Those three guys broke a law by taking illegal drugs (I'm not arguing for or against legalization here, simply stating as it stands today smoking pot is against the law), and the NCAA doesn't seem to care. But as soon as players start taking their own personal stuff, given to them by their institution or even the NCAA, and trading or selling it, they have a problem. Not to mention that for at least one of the players at LSU it was their "second offense" with the LSU substance abuse policy.
Now, I am not saying what the Ohio State players did was right, it is clearly a moral choice they were ok living with. And I'm not saying the way Jim Tressel handled it was the proper way to go about things. But, if the NCAA is going to continue to preside over college athletics, and continue to run these lengthy, costly investigations into players selling their jerseys, or receiving improper benefits then they need to be prepared to step in on instances like these, where players disregard the laws.
Ohio State had its season hijacked by the NCAA because 5 kids made a stupid decision, even though the stuff they traded was their own. LSU barely missed a beat when their three players were suspended for ONE measly game even though those kids made probably an even dumber decision.
The NCAA is balancing on a thin high wire, and if they are going to be the authority they want to be, then they need to handle everything that falls under their umbrella. Otherwise, their high wire act will come crashing down and bring a new era in college athletics. Who knows, maybe even a cleaner one.
Sure, I will watch when #1 LSU invades Bryant Denny Stadium to take on #2 Alabama. But all I will be able to think about is 8 different players. Three who play for LSU and five who play or used to play for Ohio State.
I know, we've all been beaten to death with the scandal that "rocked" Ohio State, especially us Buckeye fans. We know Terelle Pryor is gone, and so is Jim Tressel, and that Boom Herron and Devier Posey, two cogs in our offense, we're suspended for 5 games, all over about $2,500 worth of tattoos. (ironically a couple of days go NCAA prez Mark Emmert made it ok for schools to add $2,000 to each student-athlete's scholarship to cover "incidental costs")
But the real reason I will be watching the three LSU players (Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware, and Tharold Simon) is because it is their first game back. They are returning to the field after being suspended for 1 game after testing positive for synthetic marijuana and violation the teams drug policy.
Where is the NCAA on this one????
Apparently trading your own stuff for tattoos is good for at least a 5 game suspension (even though former Georgia wide out A.J. Green was only suspended 4 for selling his jersey to an AGENT in 2010!) yet doing drugs during the season doesn't even warrant NCAA interest? The one game suspension was team imposed by coach Les Miles.
Now I'm sure everyone will think I'm just coming off as a homer, but, hello? Those three guys broke a law by taking illegal drugs (I'm not arguing for or against legalization here, simply stating as it stands today smoking pot is against the law), and the NCAA doesn't seem to care. But as soon as players start taking their own personal stuff, given to them by their institution or even the NCAA, and trading or selling it, they have a problem. Not to mention that for at least one of the players at LSU it was their "second offense" with the LSU substance abuse policy.
Now, I am not saying what the Ohio State players did was right, it is clearly a moral choice they were ok living with. And I'm not saying the way Jim Tressel handled it was the proper way to go about things. But, if the NCAA is going to continue to preside over college athletics, and continue to run these lengthy, costly investigations into players selling their jerseys, or receiving improper benefits then they need to be prepared to step in on instances like these, where players disregard the laws.
Ohio State had its season hijacked by the NCAA because 5 kids made a stupid decision, even though the stuff they traded was their own. LSU barely missed a beat when their three players were suspended for ONE measly game even though those kids made probably an even dumber decision.
The NCAA is balancing on a thin high wire, and if they are going to be the authority they want to be, then they need to handle everything that falls under their umbrella. Otherwise, their high wire act will come crashing down and bring a new era in college athletics. Who knows, maybe even a cleaner one.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Show Them the Money
Today, NCAA President, Mark Emmert, came out and said he will be asking the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to okay a $2,000 hike for NCAA Division I student-athletes. Well, hmmmm, I wonder why the NCAA Prez has all of a sudden come to this conclusion. Stating that student-athletes do not have the opportunities to work outside of the classroom and playing field, he believes this will help "to more closely approach" the cost of attending college. This is just more proof that the NCAA really has no idea what is going on here.
The arguments for (and against) paying college athletes really has little to do with "more closely approaching the cost of college." It has a lot to do with the fact that universities are banking mega-millions on the athletes that bear their colors. Everyone buys their favorite players number, without the name on the back, and that is just one way schools are banking on a players' likeness. CNBC Sports Business guru Darren Rovell @darrenrovell has come up with an interesting proposition that seems to make sense to me:
On Sunday, Rovell tweeted: "On my NCAA jersey proposal player would get 4% of gross = $1.20/jersey. Gross price is what retailer pays, not what you pay." Therefore, with that proposal and his estimation of the number of Tim Tebow jerseys sold during his career at the University of Florida, Tebow would have made roughly $40,000 dollars. But remember, that is only 4% of what the school is actually making.
But, let's be honest, the schools are not really making the big bucks on jersey and merchandise sales, the real money is in the TV deals. And, there is no better example of this than the 2011 Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Arkansas. Everyone knows, Ohio State is currently waiting to hear from the NCAA Infractions Committee about what punishment it will receive for the "tattoo" scandal. And, most know that Ohio State, as a school, has already given up its wins from that entire season. However, I would argue that Ohio State should have given up all of the wins, EXCEPT, the Sugar Bowl win. Before the teams played in that game, the NCAA ruled all of the players listed in the scandal ELIGIBLE to play. Regardless of what the NCAA did, and did not know at that time, they said those players could play, and the main reason why they decided that was TV.
Nobody outside of the respective schools fans was going to tune in to watch the Sugar Bowl if three of Ohio State's top players, and most marketable ones at that, were not going to be on the field. It was a BCS game ($$$), between two top-ten ranked teams ($$$), on prime time TV ($$$), and the NCAA was not going to cost FOX any ratings.
The BCS distributed $174 million to conferences last bowl season. The Big10 and SEC made $27.2 million each for sending multiple teams to BCS Bowls. And, for some unknown reason, Notre Dame received $1.7 million from the BCS?!? Notre Dame hasn't been to a BCS bowl game since 2006, why they are receiving money each year from the BCS despite not making it to a BCS bowl game seems deficient. But, you have to realize, its all about the TV deals, and yet, nobody seems to realize that without the players, nobody would watch the games. Without the players, FOX, ESPN, and CBS wouldn't pay huge sums of money to broadcast the games, because nobody would watch.
I understand that scholarships that these athletes get pay their tuition to a higher education institution. But the price of the scholarship compared to the amount of money that schools make on the athletes (especially football and basketball players) doesn't add up. I am just not sure if 2,000 extra dollars is going to make up the difference either.
The arguments for (and against) paying college athletes really has little to do with "more closely approaching the cost of college." It has a lot to do with the fact that universities are banking mega-millions on the athletes that bear their colors. Everyone buys their favorite players number, without the name on the back, and that is just one way schools are banking on a players' likeness. CNBC Sports Business guru Darren Rovell @darrenrovell has come up with an interesting proposition that seems to make sense to me:
On Sunday, Rovell tweeted: "On my NCAA jersey proposal player would get 4% of gross = $1.20/jersey. Gross price is what retailer pays, not what you pay." Therefore, with that proposal and his estimation of the number of Tim Tebow jerseys sold during his career at the University of Florida, Tebow would have made roughly $40,000 dollars. But remember, that is only 4% of what the school is actually making.
But, let's be honest, the schools are not really making the big bucks on jersey and merchandise sales, the real money is in the TV deals. And, there is no better example of this than the 2011 Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Arkansas. Everyone knows, Ohio State is currently waiting to hear from the NCAA Infractions Committee about what punishment it will receive for the "tattoo" scandal. And, most know that Ohio State, as a school, has already given up its wins from that entire season. However, I would argue that Ohio State should have given up all of the wins, EXCEPT, the Sugar Bowl win. Before the teams played in that game, the NCAA ruled all of the players listed in the scandal ELIGIBLE to play. Regardless of what the NCAA did, and did not know at that time, they said those players could play, and the main reason why they decided that was TV.
Nobody outside of the respective schools fans was going to tune in to watch the Sugar Bowl if three of Ohio State's top players, and most marketable ones at that, were not going to be on the field. It was a BCS game ($$$), between two top-ten ranked teams ($$$), on prime time TV ($$$), and the NCAA was not going to cost FOX any ratings.
The BCS distributed $174 million to conferences last bowl season. The Big10 and SEC made $27.2 million each for sending multiple teams to BCS Bowls. And, for some unknown reason, Notre Dame received $1.7 million from the BCS?!? Notre Dame hasn't been to a BCS bowl game since 2006, why they are receiving money each year from the BCS despite not making it to a BCS bowl game seems deficient. But, you have to realize, its all about the TV deals, and yet, nobody seems to realize that without the players, nobody would watch the games. Without the players, FOX, ESPN, and CBS wouldn't pay huge sums of money to broadcast the games, because nobody would watch.
I understand that scholarships that these athletes get pay their tuition to a higher education institution. But the price of the scholarship compared to the amount of money that schools make on the athletes (especially football and basketball players) doesn't add up. I am just not sure if 2,000 extra dollars is going to make up the difference either.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Just Sayin! NFL Week 1
After a so-so start to ‘Just Sayin’ where my esteemed sidekick Stephen Brook, or @StevietyBebop as
some of you know him, was only able to get me one of his picks in time, he now joins us for a full week of his picks. So without further adieu, let’s get to it.
We will make picks for week 2 of the NCAA games, and week 1 of the NFL.
NCAA:
Our “Master” (they aren't really have a sponsor but it would be cool if they were) Lock of the week:
BC: Stanford -21.5 @ Duke – Sticking firm with my lock of the week from last week. Stanford is a team that has the Heisman Trophy favorite, just put up 50+ in week one, and goes to the football powerhouse of Duke in week 2? Chalk up 50 more points, unless they get confused and think they are playing basketball.
SB: Agree with above. Stanford is giving three touchdowns to a team that just lost a close one in a
heated battle with the, wait for it, RICHMOND SPIDERS…..
UPSET Alert:
BC: ND -3.5 @ Michigan – Ok, yes, I hate Michigan. But I am still not sure how they are three and half point dogs, at home, to a team coming off a bad loss at home to a CUSA team. Notre Lame is switching quarterbacks, switching jerseys, but it seems like they need to flip a switch and come out of the dark ages, they look two steps slower than every team they play. Oh, and Denard Robinson has the ability to score, anywhere on the field, and its UM’s first night game in 85+ years. No way are they losing at home.
SB: Did not pick...
"JUST SAYIN" game of the week:
BC: TCU -2 @ Air Force: TCU was all the rage last year, especially after beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. After getting spanked through the air against Baylor they have to go face the ground cavalry this week against the Air Force (I know, I know ground attack by the Air Force?). This seems like TCU should be able to handle the Falcons, but their last two trips to Air Force? 2009 – Three point win 2007-overtime loss. Could TCU start the year 0-2? Just Sayin…
SB: Alabama -9.5 @ Penn State: All this talk about the new quarterbacks for the Tide, but they are still the #2 team in the Nation! And that defense! Just don’t see this one going well for the Lions offense (Sorry Zack).
NFL:
Lock of the week:
BC: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – it was hard to find a lock of the week in week 1. But I will go with the
Cardinals at home. Yes they have a new quarterback, but they still have Larry Fitzgerald. Oh yea, and
Carolina is starting a rookie quarterback.
SB: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – Arizona is going to blow out Carolina, especially since Newton can’t
complete a pass to a wide receiver with no one in his face. The Cardinals are going to blitz Newton all day long. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Larry Fitzgerald will be effortlessly embarrassing DB’s with his one-handed-eyes-closed-behind-the-back-barrel-roll catches in traffic.
Upset Special:
BC: Detroit +1 @ Tampa Bay – Did any team impress more than the Lions based on their draft and the preseason? I say no. Matthew Stafford appears to have “figured it out,” now all he has to do is stay healthy. And I said last season that Detroit’s D Line was legit, and then they go out and add Nick Fairly to go with Suh and Vanden Bosch. Once Fairly gets healthy enough to play that is a stout interior line. Tampa Bay overachieved last year, and it can be difficult for a team that has a “better than expected season” to come back and duplicate it. Detroit is a road dog, but I like them in this one.
SB: Buffalo +6 @ Kansas City – Why not? I think not only will they cover; they might actually pull
this thing out. The Bills have some weapons, and I really like C.J. Spiller this year, and KC is very very overrated, with the exception of the LSU players on its roster of course…
JUST SAYIN game of the week:
BC: Philadelphia -5.5 @ St. Louis – I’ve heard all the talk about the ‘Dream Team’ and the group of “All-Stars” that the Eagles have together. Prove it. I don’t think this team will click right off the bat. And their offense line is one of the worst in the NFL, the only reason statistically it doesn’t show is because Mike Vick bails them out more often than he get’s sacked. No one has talked about a Rams team that almost made the playoffs last year. And they just might catch the Eagles at the right time. I’ll take the Rams, at home, just sayin…
SB: Tennessee +3 @ Jacksonville – I think this is actually a game the Titans can win. Low scoring, figure to favor the Titans with lead foot Bironas kicking field goals from 50+ yards out. Oh, and the Jaguars just cut their starting QB 5 days before the opener! McCown was behind Blaine Gabbert two weeks ago, and now he’s the starter, just sayin….
There you have it...NCAA week 2/NFL week 1 picks are in the books...Like something else? Let us know who you like and why! We may just use you for our next piece! Good Luck!
some of you know him, was only able to get me one of his picks in time, he now joins us for a full week of his picks. So without further adieu, let’s get to it.
We will make picks for week 2 of the NCAA games, and week 1 of the NFL.
NCAA:
Our “Master” (they aren't really have a sponsor but it would be cool if they were) Lock of the week:
BC: Stanford -21.5 @ Duke – Sticking firm with my lock of the week from last week. Stanford is a team that has the Heisman Trophy favorite, just put up 50+ in week one, and goes to the football powerhouse of Duke in week 2? Chalk up 50 more points, unless they get confused and think they are playing basketball.
SB: Agree with above. Stanford is giving three touchdowns to a team that just lost a close one in a
heated battle with the, wait for it, RICHMOND SPIDERS…..
UPSET Alert:
BC: ND -3.5 @ Michigan – Ok, yes, I hate Michigan. But I am still not sure how they are three and half point dogs, at home, to a team coming off a bad loss at home to a CUSA team. Notre Lame is switching quarterbacks, switching jerseys, but it seems like they need to flip a switch and come out of the dark ages, they look two steps slower than every team they play. Oh, and Denard Robinson has the ability to score, anywhere on the field, and its UM’s first night game in 85+ years. No way are they losing at home.
SB: Did not pick...
"JUST SAYIN" game of the week:
BC: TCU -2 @ Air Force: TCU was all the rage last year, especially after beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. After getting spanked through the air against Baylor they have to go face the ground cavalry this week against the Air Force (I know, I know ground attack by the Air Force?). This seems like TCU should be able to handle the Falcons, but their last two trips to Air Force? 2009 – Three point win 2007-overtime loss. Could TCU start the year 0-2? Just Sayin…
SB: Alabama -9.5 @ Penn State: All this talk about the new quarterbacks for the Tide, but they are still the #2 team in the Nation! And that defense! Just don’t see this one going well for the Lions offense (Sorry Zack).
NFL:
Lock of the week:
BC: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – it was hard to find a lock of the week in week 1. But I will go with the
Cardinals at home. Yes they have a new quarterback, but they still have Larry Fitzgerald. Oh yea, and
Carolina is starting a rookie quarterback.
SB: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – Arizona is going to blow out Carolina, especially since Newton can’t
complete a pass to a wide receiver with no one in his face. The Cardinals are going to blitz Newton all day long. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Larry Fitzgerald will be effortlessly embarrassing DB’s with his one-handed-eyes-closed-behind-the-back-barrel-roll catches in traffic.
Upset Special:
BC: Detroit +1 @ Tampa Bay – Did any team impress more than the Lions based on their draft and the preseason? I say no. Matthew Stafford appears to have “figured it out,” now all he has to do is stay healthy. And I said last season that Detroit’s D Line was legit, and then they go out and add Nick Fairly to go with Suh and Vanden Bosch. Once Fairly gets healthy enough to play that is a stout interior line. Tampa Bay overachieved last year, and it can be difficult for a team that has a “better than expected season” to come back and duplicate it. Detroit is a road dog, but I like them in this one.
SB: Buffalo +6 @ Kansas City – Why not? I think not only will they cover; they might actually pull
this thing out. The Bills have some weapons, and I really like C.J. Spiller this year, and KC is very very overrated, with the exception of the LSU players on its roster of course…
JUST SAYIN game of the week:
BC: Philadelphia -5.5 @ St. Louis – I’ve heard all the talk about the ‘Dream Team’ and the group of “All-Stars” that the Eagles have together. Prove it. I don’t think this team will click right off the bat. And their offense line is one of the worst in the NFL, the only reason statistically it doesn’t show is because Mike Vick bails them out more often than he get’s sacked. No one has talked about a Rams team that almost made the playoffs last year. And they just might catch the Eagles at the right time. I’ll take the Rams, at home, just sayin…
SB: Tennessee +3 @ Jacksonville – I think this is actually a game the Titans can win. Low scoring, figure to favor the Titans with lead foot Bironas kicking field goals from 50+ yards out. Oh, and the Jaguars just cut their starting QB 5 days before the opener! McCown was behind Blaine Gabbert two weeks ago, and now he’s the starter, just sayin….
There you have it...NCAA week 2/NFL week 1 picks are in the books...Like something else? Let us know who you like and why! We may just use you for our next piece! Good Luck!
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