Want to be like the Hall of Famer Mike

Thank you, Michael for being the most electrifying basketball players that I ever saw. Your jump shot that took the bark out of the Georgetown Hoyas. It made me a UNC Tarheels fan for life. It put your name in the mouths of many who would say it over and over again from that point on. How did you take off from the foul line and seem to tell world that gravity does not live here anymore and slam home a victory in the slam dunk contest. A brand was born that had everyone including myself wanting to be like you.

Mike you took the basketball world by storm and captivated it with unbelievable shot after unbelievable shot. The moves we practiced in the backyard or at the local recreation center with tongue out just like you of course showed how we honored your greatness. Mike we forgive you for the baseball thing, but we understand you got bored and wanted to try something new. We, the fans all have been there, but your return made forgiveness so easy.

Michael you proved to Portland Trailblazers that Sam Bowie move didn't workout too well Chicago Bulls' gain with 6 rings will forever remind Portland of their lost. You stood out among the players of Dream Team when winning a Gold Medal which is rightfully so you are one of the best.

Thank you, Michael for playing at a level that may never be seen again. You are reason that superstars like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dewayne Wade bring such excitement to the game today. Sep 11, 2009 you make your way into a select group to which you were destine. From that first shot, fans knew you were a special player who would be selected for the Hall of Fame. As a fan, it is great to see you take your place among the basketball greats. Congratulations for your induction into the Hall of Fame.

It’s in the Shoe: Terelle Pryor VS Matt Barkley

The Shoe is the backdrop for the first true test for the true freshmen phenom Matt Barkley and his Trojans of Southern California. He will face super sophomore Terelle Pryor of Ohio State University who made a name for himself last year as the next great freshmen quarterback. Pryor is ultra athletic, but he will look to pass first. His blazing 4.3 speed will be needed to escape and elude the tackles of a speedy Trojans' defense. Pryor possess arm strength that will allow him to make all the throws, but better decision-making when passing will be needed to defeat the Trojans.

Matt Barkley became first true freshmen ever to start an opener for USC last week and it was a blowout victory that he looked pretty good in the thrashing of San Jose State 56-3. USC looked more like Tailback U of old in their opener, but the 233 passing yards with no interceptions by Barkley is perhaps a precursor to the greatness to come for the freshmen. He will have a more difficult time going against the stout defense of OSU. Many experts suggest that he to can make all the throws, but his short resume needs more experience for me to decide if I agree with the experts.

A good running game always is great for an inexperience quarterback. It is a good running game that will compliment Matt Barkley and the passing game. The running attack of the Trojans will be led by junior runningback Joe McKnight who last year ran all over the Buckeye defense with 106 yards. It is almost a guarantee that Marc Tyler and Stafon Johnson will see action as they did in the opener. This should ease the freshmen woes of Barkley. Running behind a massive offensive line may just be the difference in the ball game.

Defense for the Trojans is young unit that is quick which will be needed to contain Pryor. Fans should look for safety Taylor Mays to have very good day. Secondary of USC is top notch that will overmatch young receiving corps of Ohio State. USC defense will be quite capable of stopping the running attack of Ohio State, but it may be little difficult to corral Pryor when he scrambles.

Terelle Pryor must play lights out for the Buckeyes to get a win over USC. The passing attack would be much improved, but Pryor has no weapons at wide receiver. Pryor passing has improved but corps of receivers is inexperienced. One would expect Pryor to turn on his jets often and hurt USC defense with his legs.

The running game of Ohio State is led by sophomore running back Dan Herron. He is speedy back that does not shy away from contact. Super sophomore Pryor will contribute to the running attack in a very big way. OSU looks to utilize the ultra athleticism of Pryor to keep the defense of the Trojans on their toes.

The defense of OSU must plain and simple stop the running attack of USC. Junior defensive end Cameron Heyward will apply the pressure to the young Matt Barkley along with Thaddeus Gibson. The great linebacker corps of last year has departed and is replaced by young corps led by Ross Homan. Homan will be anchor of the group while playing the weakside linebacker position. Chekwa will have the duty of shutting down USC's best receiver from his corner position.

OSU must contain the run to have a chance and really must get to Barkley often to shake his confidence. USC must ensure that Pryor does not make the game highlight reel worthy of "Top Plays" as seen on ESPN. It would be wise for USC to keep runs of Pryor to a minimum and see if young receiving corps of OSU can beat them. USC is too big up front and Joe McKnight will have a big day that should lead USC to victory.

Matt Barkley will face the screaming fans of the Horseshoe and how much poise he shows in such a hostile environment along with running game could mean another great passing game for freshmen phenomenon. Pryor must put the team on his back and not be slowed down as he runs through the inexperienced defense of the Trojans. Many of the young guys have something to prove and that may mean over pursuit that could mean open lanes that Pryor could exploit; however, after the final whistle, Trojans win.

Memo to Head Coach Eric Mangini

Memo to Eric Mangini, how much of a tactical and competitive advantage do a team gain by not revealing their starting quarterback when both quarterback possesses similar skill set. Head Coach Eric Mangini is under the impression by not revealing his starting quarterback that his team would have an advantage against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings has one of the better defenses in the NFL and they will be well prepared to go against Anderson or Quinn leading the Browns' offense.

Coach Mangini adds to storyline by keeping his choice of starter close to the vest, but the game will be watched to see "Mr. Retiree or not" Bret Favre's debut. Many of the reports have Brady Quinn winning the quarterback battle and by keeping this information tight-lipped really not working out too well. Games are won on the field and not by mind tricks that are used to get into the head of the other team. Coach Mangini, I know your team has heard of runningback Adrian Peterson, and there is not secret to what he is capable of. Peterson will definitely affect the Browns' game plan.

By not naming the starter, it might totally confuse the Viking and how they will execute their game plan, but if you believe that then I have some waterfront property in Idaho to sell you. Well when Week 1 comes and Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson takes the first snap, the secret is revealed, and the so called competitive advantage at that point is lost. Besides the unknown, what do the Browns have in their arsenal to defeat the Vikings? A competitive advantage I think not Coach Mangini. Reveal your starters already for the fans' sake.

Surgery is out for QB Sam Bradford

Oklahoma Sooner football nation can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that their quarterback Sam Bradford will not require season-ending surgery. A prognosis that is little less grim than what might have been if Bradford had to go under the knife. Bradford is expected to miss 2 to 4 weeks and could possibly be back for the much anticipated Red River shootout game between his friend QB Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns.

As explained in my post Sooners' Football Season Rest on Bradford's Shoulder, he is an intricate part to Oklahoma having a BCS caliber season. Backup Landry Jones must step up, contribute right away, and limit the mistakes that come with being an inexperienced quarterback. A national championship will be almost impossible with two losses, but stranger things have happened in college football. Bradford will not have the chance to repeat as Heisman winner but if the Sooners can win the rest of their games perhaps Bradford will have chance to get the championship that eluded him last year.

For now, it is a matter of healing and rehabilitating for Sam Bradford. He can use his leadership to help the team stay focus on the quest at hand and that is to be the best football team and to get back to the BCS Championship game. The road has become more difficult to navigate without Bradford at the helm for the weeks he recovers from his injury, but Sooners must stay the course and win. It will be great that Bradford will return and surgery will not be required.

Sooners’ Football Season Rests on Bradford’s Shoulder

In a shocking upset on Saturday as detailed in my Upset Saturday post, the Oklahoma Sooners lost to the BYU Cougars 14-13. A greater lost may be lurking as the severity of Quarterback Sam Bradford's sprained shoulder is believed to be between grade 2 or 3 as revealed through the doctor's diagnosis. Grade2 shoulder sprain would mean Bradford would be able to play again this season.

A grade 3 shoulder sprain means that Sam Bradford would have to shut it down for the rest of the season. Mr. Everything, Heisman winner, and by far the best quarterback in the college ranks, Bradford is irreplaceable in the potent offense of the Sooners as it was quite evident in his absence in the second half of their lost to BYU.

Offense sputters without him and there is no way that the Sooners can compete with rivals like Texas or Oklahoma State. Sooners' hopes he can return as does the fans, because he gives the Sooners the best chance to win. Many people thought he could make another run at the Heisman but that feat was all but sealed with his injury. Without him, it would be asking too much of the team to duplicate the accomplishments of last year.

College football season for Sooners is lost if Bradford cannot return. College football fans lose, because the excitement that he brings when he steps onto the field will be missing. At the moment, backup QB Landry Jones is too inexperienced to make a difference in games. It is the hope of everyone including myself that Sam Bradford will return from injury and take his rightful place behind center; henceforth, it would show why Bradford is needed for Sooners' offense to be explosive as it was last year. How severe the injury to Bradford's shoulder will be clearer to fans, his coach Bill Stoops and team in a few days. It is has been clear the moment Bradford could not return to play in the BYU game that the rest of the Sooners' season rests on his shoulder.

Upset Saturday

Saturday, September 5, 2009 was a day of upsets in the sports world. The two most notable upsets occurred in college football and the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford and the 3rd ranked Oklahoma Sooners were suppose to win its’ shootout with 20th ranked Brigham Young Cougars, but the Cougars had other plans for the first game in Dallas Cowboys new stadium. Andy Roddick was supposed to make quick work of John Isner but he quickly found out that was not going to happen.

At the U.S. Open, the 5th seeded Andy Roddick ran into a buzz saw by the name of John Isner. Isner played power tennis with barrage of aces to defeat Roddick. With his loss, Roddick is first outright upset of the tournament because many experts had him going deep into tournament play. The 55th ranked Isner has something to cheer about because this is deepest he has gone into a Grand Slam tournament. For his effort, the victorious Isner will face Fernando Verdasco who is the 10th seed in the U.S. Open.

Brigham Young Cougars demonstrated why games are won on the field and not in the headlines. Every football expert and the majority of the fans gave them little chance in the game as I myself did. In their 14-13 victory over Oklahoma Sooners, the Cougars may have dashed the hopes of Sooner’s QB Sam Bradford of becoming only the second person to win two Heisman trophies. Cougars won the first college football game ever played in the new billion dollar home of the Dallas Cowboys and sidelines QB Bradford with a sprained shoulder that will cause him to miss a few games. Cougar’s QB Max Hall won the game with a 7 yard throw to sophomore wide receiver McKay Jacobson and if they play near flawless football for the rest of the season they may be bowling BCS style.

Andy Roddick will have to wait until next year for a chance to win an U.S. Open while Sooners may have a slim chance of getting to back to the BCS Bowl, but it will be a difficult path without the services of the arm of the best quarterback in college football, Sam Bradford. John Isner will have the spotlight until his next match; however, Cougars spotlight will glow as long as they keep winning because they will need a perfect season to be considered a BCS contender. For now, Isner and the Cougars will be the talk of the town for their part they played in the improbable upsets that occurred September 5, 2009 or what I call Upset Saturday.

One Punch and Done

College Football at its’ worst took place in the game between the Boise State Broncos and the Oregon Ducks. At it worst, because of infamous punch thrown by runningback by LeGarrette Blount. Blount’s Punch was what most talked about as evident as it receives press in my post instead of the game that both teams played. Boise State won the game by the score of 19 to 8. I am fan of college football, and it is good that Blount was suspended for the attack. I know college football is fueled by adrenaline and emotion, but restraint and discipline is necessary. Blount showed neither; therefore, he must watch his team go into battle without him. Many would say he did not deserve such a harsh punishment, but in this case the punishment fits the crime. His punch was reaction to Hout’s taunt, but his reaction was costly, and it is not needed in the game.

Blount showed no respect for the game and fans that came to see two teams leave it all on the field, instead, they will have the memory of punch and atrocious behavior of an undisciplined football player. He will have more than enough time to think of his actions, because his college football career is done.

Blount gave an apology, but the punishment was still the correct action. Experts think that he also hurt his potential draft stock and I totally agree. I know I would think long and hard before I use a draft pick to select a player that cannot control his temper and restrain some of that emotion. If you want to fight go to the UFC’s Octagon because with that one punch LeGarrette Blount’s season and career is done.