Goodbye Tyson Chandler! Goodbye Caron Butler! Mavs, what are you thinking? If you listened to the Ben and Skin Show on ESPN 103.3, you new these were potentially coming. However, did the Mavericks listen? I am not so sure the Mavs ever really thought these guys would leave for free agency.
The Mavs may have been interested in Orlando's Dwight Howard, but it looks like he is trying to work a deal with New Jersey. However, there is a story out today, that the meeting that took place in Miami on Thursday, was against the rules according to Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine. The Magic are considering filing tampering charges against the Nets, and the Houston Rockets, who were supposedly going to be part of a trade. Orlando was not made aware of the meeting.
So, Mark Cuban should be on his jet right now headed to Orlando to meet with Howard and his representative(s), along with the Magic. We obviously have the cap space, and the Mavs should not be waiting on Deron Williams to become a free agent. Williams is wanting out of New Jersey if Howard doesn't come there, so get Howard locked in, then, trade for Deron Williams. Trade next years #1 and give them money, and players, whatever it takes. Sign them both to long term contracts and have a nucleus for the future. Give Dirk folks that can help this team continue their success. Kidd can be a very nice backup, or let him retire/go. Kidd will be 39 in March. We have good usable pieces in place to make another run if we do this. Otherwise, if the Lakers, New Orleans, and Houston get to make the moves that were nixed by the commissioner this morning, then the Mavs will be WAY BEHIND!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Why Doesn't the WAC, MWC and C-USA Just Merge?
Last month is was announced about a collaboration between the MWC and Conference USA for football only. Now what is that going to do? So they have 16 plus schools who sponsor football, that still is not going to guarantee they get an automatic bid for the BCS, but it may allow the league, whatever it's going to called to take advantage of television markets they will share..
Now that C-USA has lost SMU, Houston, and UCF to the Big East, and the MWC is losing Boise St. and San Diego St., with the potential of losing AirForce, the teams in the WAC, may be the best option to add to their venture. In fact I believe if the three merge into one "super conference", they may be able to sway BYU back into the picture. BYU has it's own tv network as does the MWC. C-USA has a contract with FSN, and between the tv markets that will be available, the revenue, even though split by more teams, would ultimately be larger. They surely would reach more homes, allowing for more exposure. The conference would run from Hawaii to W. Virginia.
With TCU leaving for the Big 12, and Boise gone, the MWC has no big name team. With the four teams remaining, plus the teams that are already committed to jump to the MWC from the WAC next season, they might as well just merge, and do away with the WAC. The conference could have as many as 22 teams across the country, assuming all the current teams stay, so four pods, just like the PAC 12 was going to do if they became a 16 team league, which could make it interesting at least.
Now that C-USA has lost SMU, Houston, and UCF to the Big East, and the MWC is losing Boise St. and San Diego St., with the potential of losing AirForce, the teams in the WAC, may be the best option to add to their venture. In fact I believe if the three merge into one "super conference", they may be able to sway BYU back into the picture. BYU has it's own tv network as does the MWC. C-USA has a contract with FSN, and between the tv markets that will be available, the revenue, even though split by more teams, would ultimately be larger. They surely would reach more homes, allowing for more exposure. The conference would run from Hawaii to W. Virginia.
With TCU leaving for the Big 12, and Boise gone, the MWC has no big name team. With the four teams remaining, plus the teams that are already committed to jump to the MWC from the WAC next season, they might as well just merge, and do away with the WAC. The conference could have as many as 22 teams across the country, assuming all the current teams stay, so four pods, just like the PAC 12 was going to do if they became a 16 team league, which could make it interesting at least.
SMU, Now What Do You?
Tuesday morning Coach June Jones held a coach's meeting and informed his staff he was most likely taking the Arizona State job. Well, wait a minute there, the ASU alumni/boosters must not have liked the choice the school was making and basically put a kink in that move. Yesterday the AD for ASU reascended the supposed job offer under pressure and now, Coach Jones is still here. Now what?
SMU is in the process of getting ready for a bowl game, they're beginning a transition to the Big East Conference from Conference USA, which they just announced last evening, and maybe more importantly, it is late in the high school recruiting process. With this much on the teams plate, something is going to fall off. Coach Jones could not have had worst timing. Jones is in his fourth season, with a record of 25-28, and has taken the Ponies to three straight bowl games. He was with Hawaii for five years, where he rebuilt their program, and prior to that, the Atlanta Falcons. He is like a traveling salesman, he cannot stay put, always looking for another deal. The one thing SMU needs right now is stability, and he is not the man for the job any longer. He has proven he is looking again to move on.
The Big East offers the Mustangs an opportunity to a National Championship, based on the current system, and they deserve a coach who is willing to see that they get that opportunity. He has one foot out the door clearly and the time is now to move east without him.
SMU is in the process of getting ready for a bowl game, they're beginning a transition to the Big East Conference from Conference USA, which they just announced last evening, and maybe more importantly, it is late in the high school recruiting process. With this much on the teams plate, something is going to fall off. Coach Jones could not have had worst timing. Jones is in his fourth season, with a record of 25-28, and has taken the Ponies to three straight bowl games. He was with Hawaii for five years, where he rebuilt their program, and prior to that, the Atlanta Falcons. He is like a traveling salesman, he cannot stay put, always looking for another deal. The one thing SMU needs right now is stability, and he is not the man for the job any longer. He has proven he is looking again to move on.
The Big East offers the Mustangs an opportunity to a National Championship, based on the current system, and they deserve a coach who is willing to see that they get that opportunity. He has one foot out the door clearly and the time is now to move east without him.
Mean Green Take Big Step
Congrats to the UNT Mean Green for a nice season. With a new coaching staff, other than a couple of holdovers from the Dodge staff, the Mean Green made vast improvements this past season. UNT finished 5-7, but it was a competitive 5-7. They lost a couple of games late that they should have won, but that is something the coaches can build on for next season. The five wins were equal to what they had won the prior three seasons together.
Coach McCarney and the staff should have a better opportunity to recruit a better quality player now with the success of the season, but also with the new on campus stadium. I have not been to the stadium yet, but if it is anything like I have heard, it will most assuredly help with recruiting. The UNT football facilities were nice, they just need an indoor practice facility.
The roster is young and the future is bright for the Eagles. I look for them to compete for the conference title next season. This past recruiting class was the best they have had in awhile and the 2012 looks to be as good if not better. With all the coaching changes in the Sunbelt conference a bowl game is certainly not far fetched.
Coach McCarney and the staff should have a better opportunity to recruit a better quality player now with the success of the season, but also with the new on campus stadium. I have not been to the stadium yet, but if it is anything like I have heard, it will most assuredly help with recruiting. The UNT football facilities were nice, they just need an indoor practice facility.
The roster is young and the future is bright for the Eagles. I look for them to compete for the conference title next season. This past recruiting class was the best they have had in awhile and the 2012 looks to be as good if not better. With all the coaching changes in the Sunbelt conference a bowl game is certainly not far fetched.
What Now Rangers?
With Mark Buerhle signed and C J Wilson reportedly lost, what do the Rangers do now? Well. plan C has now kicked in. Scott Feldman is now a possible full time starter, and if Alexi Ogando matures this off season, the Rangers have their starting rotation. The team already has Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, and Colby Lewis as its remaining starters on the 40 man roster. However, I personally feel they do not have a legitimate number one. A guy who can eat up innings, and stop a losing streak. So, who do they turn to?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think they could look at Rich Hardin who eats up innings, and won't cost to much. Rumors are the Rangers are possibly in the trade market, and are looking at Matt Garza with the Chicago Cubs. He is young enough, he could fit the bill IF, he doesn't cost them to much to get.
The Rangers are also rumored to be interested in Yu Darvich, a 25 year-old Japanese pitcher. I am not in favor of doing that because none of the high priced Japanese pitchers have really met the expectations that went with the price of getting them here. Yeah, he pitched 275 innings, with 1.44 ERA, so, it was against no more than our version of Triple A. Other than Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki, who are non-pitchers, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, a starter for Boston, which the jury is still out on, I cannot remember an outstanding player from Japan.
I would rather see about Garza, but maybe A J Burnett from the Yankees. They are in the market to trade him. Maybe if he does not cost to much, go that route. Worse case, Rangers have the potential starting rotation here already, they may just need ot shore up the middle of the bull pen.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think they could look at Rich Hardin who eats up innings, and won't cost to much. Rumors are the Rangers are possibly in the trade market, and are looking at Matt Garza with the Chicago Cubs. He is young enough, he could fit the bill IF, he doesn't cost them to much to get.
The Rangers are also rumored to be interested in Yu Darvich, a 25 year-old Japanese pitcher. I am not in favor of doing that because none of the high priced Japanese pitchers have really met the expectations that went with the price of getting them here. Yeah, he pitched 275 innings, with 1.44 ERA, so, it was against no more than our version of Triple A. Other than Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki, who are non-pitchers, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, a starter for Boston, which the jury is still out on, I cannot remember an outstanding player from Japan.
I would rather see about Garza, but maybe A J Burnett from the Yankees. They are in the market to trade him. Maybe if he does not cost to much, go that route. Worse case, Rangers have the potential starting rotation here already, they may just need ot shore up the middle of the bull pen.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
My FBS Playoff Format
My playoff format consist of 16 teams. I would prefer the 11 conference winners, plus five at large teams, based on the BCS poll, but if not that, then my second choice is just take the top 16 teams and put them into four brackets. The top eight teams would host another home game the first round, then the second round on would move to a bowl game scenario.
The top seven bowl games based on payout are the: Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, as well as the Outback Capital One, and Cotton. According to the FBA, Football Bowl Association, nearly $281 million will be distributed amongst the conferences upon the conclusion of the bowl season. The four major ones will contribute approximately $181 million, while each of the other three will average more than $7 million each.
The second round would consist of the Outback, Cotton, Capital One, and one of the other four bowls, which would rotate each year to this round. The Third and Fourth round would also rotate hosting the semifinal games and the national championship.
The other 54 teams, currently scheduled to play in a bowl game, would play as normal in one of the many bowl games still available. This way we get a playoff, same amount of teams get to participate in bowls, and money made by everyone involved. To me this is a win/win!
The top seven bowl games based on payout are the: Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, as well as the Outback Capital One, and Cotton. According to the FBA, Football Bowl Association, nearly $281 million will be distributed amongst the conferences upon the conclusion of the bowl season. The four major ones will contribute approximately $181 million, while each of the other three will average more than $7 million each.
The second round would consist of the Outback, Cotton, Capital One, and one of the other four bowls, which would rotate each year to this round. The Third and Fourth round would also rotate hosting the semifinal games and the national championship.
The other 54 teams, currently scheduled to play in a bowl game, would play as normal in one of the many bowl games still available. This way we get a playoff, same amount of teams get to participate in bowls, and money made by everyone involved. To me this is a win/win!
The Heisman Leftovers
Well the Heisman finalists are in: Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson, Montee Ball, and Tyrann Mathieu. All deserve consideration, Griffin for his athleticism, Luck for his pure leadership, Richardson and Ball for their running abilities, and Mathieu for his big play capabilities. Most experts are saying this year will be one of the closest votes ever. Every year some well qualified players are left out looking in, this year happens to be no exception.
Most Notable:
Justin Blackmon WR Okla State 113 receptions 1336 Yds, 15 Td's
Brandon Weeden QB Okla State 72.6 Comp. %, 4328 Yds., 34 Td's
Kellen Moore, QB Boise State 73.9, Comp. %, 3507 Yds, 41 Td's
Russell Wilson QB Wisc. 72.5 Comp. %, 2879 Passing Yds, 24 TDds, 320 rushing Yds, 5 Td's
Denard Robinson QB Mich. 2056 Passing Yds, 10 Td's, 1163 rushing Yds. 16 Td's
Case Keenum QB Hou. 70.1 Comp. %, 5099 Yds, 45 Td's
Less Known:
Patrick Edwards, WR Hou. 79 Recep. 1524 Yds. 19.3 per recep., 18 Td's
Bobby Rainey, RB W. Ky, 1695 rushing Yds, 4.6 Yds per carry, 13 Td's
Tajh Boyd, QB Clem. 3578 passing Yds, 31 Td's
Nick Foles, QB Ariz. 69.1 Comp. %, 4334 Passing Yds, 28 Td's
Ronnie Hillman, RB SD St. 1656 rushing Yds, 5.6 Yds per carry, 19 Td's
Why do I bring all these athletes up? The Heisman is nothing more than an a popularity contest. It is suppose to represent the very best player in college football, not the most liked, seen, or biggest name. As much as I like Andrew Luck, he will be the number draft choice, he was not even the number one quarterback in his own conference. Richardson was 5th in the nation in rushing, behind Hillman and Rainey, and I did not even mention LaMichael James who missed a couple games, and he still rushed for more than 1600 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Once again, unless you are in a large conference, on TV, or on the east coast, you are not going to get the recognition you deserve. I am sure there are a lot more talented players in college football, but we are not going to here about them, until they get into the NFL. NFL teams are littered with kids with loads of talent from the WAC, MAC, Sunbelt, etc., but they don't get seen, so nobody knows them, but scouts do.
I hope that Tyrann Mathieu wins because he is the dark horse. Maybe some day the little guy will actually win a Heisman. By the way, Kellen Moore is the next Drew Brees!
Most Notable:
Justin Blackmon WR Okla State 113 receptions 1336 Yds, 15 Td's
Brandon Weeden QB Okla State 72.6 Comp. %, 4328 Yds., 34 Td's
Kellen Moore, QB Boise State 73.9, Comp. %, 3507 Yds, 41 Td's
Russell Wilson QB Wisc. 72.5 Comp. %, 2879 Passing Yds, 24 TDds, 320 rushing Yds, 5 Td's
Denard Robinson QB Mich. 2056 Passing Yds, 10 Td's, 1163 rushing Yds. 16 Td's
Case Keenum QB Hou. 70.1 Comp. %, 5099 Yds, 45 Td's
Less Known:
Patrick Edwards, WR Hou. 79 Recep. 1524 Yds. 19.3 per recep., 18 Td's
Bobby Rainey, RB W. Ky, 1695 rushing Yds, 4.6 Yds per carry, 13 Td's
Tajh Boyd, QB Clem. 3578 passing Yds, 31 Td's
Nick Foles, QB Ariz. 69.1 Comp. %, 4334 Passing Yds, 28 Td's
Ronnie Hillman, RB SD St. 1656 rushing Yds, 5.6 Yds per carry, 19 Td's
Why do I bring all these athletes up? The Heisman is nothing more than an a popularity contest. It is suppose to represent the very best player in college football, not the most liked, seen, or biggest name. As much as I like Andrew Luck, he will be the number draft choice, he was not even the number one quarterback in his own conference. Richardson was 5th in the nation in rushing, behind Hillman and Rainey, and I did not even mention LaMichael James who missed a couple games, and he still rushed for more than 1600 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Once again, unless you are in a large conference, on TV, or on the east coast, you are not going to get the recognition you deserve. I am sure there are a lot more talented players in college football, but we are not going to here about them, until they get into the NFL. NFL teams are littered with kids with loads of talent from the WAC, MAC, Sunbelt, etc., but they don't get seen, so nobody knows them, but scouts do.
I hope that Tyrann Mathieu wins because he is the dark horse. Maybe some day the little guy will actually win a Heisman. By the way, Kellen Moore is the next Drew Brees!
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