Big Week for Tebow & The Broncos

I want to establish right away that I am not a Tebow hater.  I do not hope for his failure.  I think he is a genuine person who is very sincere in his beliefs and faith.  I have no problem with him as a human being.  In my opinion, this whole Tebow phenomenon is silly and much to do about nothing.

Tim Tebow as a team leader seems to have what it takes to be successful.  He is fiery and has a never give up attitude.  He believes he can win any game and that is necessary to win ball games in the NFL.  The problem is that it takes the ability to be able to throw the ball on a consistent basis to be a quarterback who can have success year after year.  This is why I don’t think Tim Tebow is the quarterback of the future for the Denver Broncos.  He simply isn’t a good passer.

Tebow is, however, the quarterback of the present for the Denver Broncos.  He has a very big game for his team coming up this weekend.  He faces the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend and if they win, Denver will win the AFC West and will go to the playoffs.  If they lose, they will go home and face an off season full of questions about their quarterback.

Tebow has a completion percentage of 48%.  That just isn’t very good.  He only had two games over 50%.  It is very difficult to be successful with those numbers.  The last time he faced the Chiefs, he was a whopping 2-8 for 69 yards.  Despite these horrific numbers, the Broncos won the game.  The Broncos as a team have had success and it seems to me that Tebow has received more than his share of the credit.  In many of the games, Tebow has not played well for most of the game but the Denver defense played well enough to keep the game close, setting up opportunities for Tebow to be the star.  To his credit, Tebow has taken advantage of these opportunities.  In one game, the opposing running back made two horrible mistakes, once at the end of regulation and once in overtime, setting up Tebow with chances to tie, and then win this game.  Another game, the Broncos’ defense came up with a late turnover giving Tebow a very short field to produce a late comeback.  Part of being a winner is taking advantage of every chance you get to win games and Tebow has down that thus far.

 Tebow is also very good on his feet.  He is big and strong and he runs without fear.  He creates with his legs and he has enjoyed a lot of success.  Over an extended period of time, how will he hold up taking punishing hits from aggressive defenders trying to take his head off?  My guess is not for long.  In my opinion, Tebow needs to spend a lot of time this off season really working on his accuracy and improving his passing within the pocket.  I’m not saying he can’t improve; he certainly can – and he must.  To me, it would be a bigger story if he came into next year as a better quarterback than his tough performances covering up pedestrian stats this season.

If Tebow and the Bronocs lay an egg this Sunday against the up and down Chiefs, it could be a long off season for Tebow and the Broncos.  Questions about his ability to be The Guy will follow them everywhere for the long winter months and into next summer.  If Tebow performs well and leads his team to victory and a divisional championship, he will be considered The Guy, until the following week that is.  That is what I fear is Tebow’s future in the NFL.  He will always be only as good as his last start.  This is kind of the life of most quarterbacks in the NFL anyway – I think it will always be worse for Tim Tebow.  For whatever reason, there is a large group of people out there who cheer for his failure and will be the most vocal when he doesn’t perform very well.  I think in the end, this just may be his fate in the NFL, for better or worse.

Read movie and television reviews at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get updates @jawsrecliner

Wouldn't Yu Darvish Look Good in Powder Blue?

While the rumor mill is churning out the word that Toronto is the heavy favorite to win the bid for Japanese sensation, Yu Darvish, I'm not convinced.  I've read that Darvish's bid was higher than Dice K's 51.1 million.  I have also read that Toronto's bid was 48 million.  This would lead me to believe the heavily rumored Blue Jays did not win the bid. 

I am not saying the following is a fact or even a rumor.  I have NOT heard or read anything anything about this.  I just want everyone to know that it would not surprise me at all if the Kansas City Royals submitted the winning bid for Darvish. 

I know some of you are thinking, "Dude is crazy!"  While this statement is undoubtedly correct, I have several reasons for believing this to be possible:

1) I have not read anywhere that the Royals did NOT submit a bid.

2) Dayton Moore plays things very close to the vest.  Many (most) of his moves are big surprises.  The Royals run a tight, quiet ship under Moore - very little is ever leaked.

3) Moore is convinced it is nearly impossible to lure a big name free agent to sign KC.  I have heard him say this. 

4) Moore believes the price in prospects is too high for a team like the Royals to make a trade for the likes of Gio Gonzalez, Jair Jurrjens, etc. Just look at the hall for Matt Latos.

5) Former Royals manager Trey Hillman, who also managed in Japan for several years, is a huge Darvish fan.  I'm sure Moore knows this very well.

6) I think Moore believes the Royals are one top-of-the-rotation pitcher away from being a serious contender for the AL Central.  I can't disagree.  Moore may consider this the only way for Kansas City to get a top starting pitcher without giving up several top prospects.


We all will find out within the next few days what team submitted the highest bid.  I'm not saying it is the Royals.  I am saying it is very possible and I won't be surprised in the least.  This is all speculation on my part based on rumors I have read on the internet, for goodness sake.  I know those rumors aren't worth a red penny.  They just made me stop and analyze the situation,  And, as a Royals fan, it has allowed me to dream a little, even if it is just for a few days.


Thanks for reading.  Check out my movie and tv review page at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

JAW's Raw Topics

I originally was going to write a two page rant on the continued ridiculousness of the BCS but I’m just not mentally prepared to get that fired up right now.  Instead, I will comment on a few topics that have me riled up in general, the BCS just being one of them.

THE BCS

Once again, I think it has come to the point where this system doesn’t work.  It’s not that I think Alabama is undeserving.  They are deserving.  So is Oklahoma State and Stanford.  That these teams don’t get a shot is just stupid.  This is the only sport where the national champion is crowned on opinion and not on the field of play.  If LSU should beat Alabama again (hopefully this time at least one team can score a touchdown), LSU will be crowned champ without them having to play either of the other top teams.  That the BCS should take the coaches’ poll into account in their standings is enough to make their system illegitimate.  Coaches have their own agendas and they are so busy, how can they have the time to make educated decisions on the votes.  It is a stupendously stupid system.

The crazy part is that they could use the BCS bowls as the quarterfinals games.  Each bowl would be guaranteed two premium teams.  The NCAA then could pick a location for the semifinals and final game much like the Final Four.  Think about the money that would pour in for that spectacular event.  It would be gigantic.  One more thing – use the top eight teams.  There will always be those 9^th, 10^th, etc. teams that are left out and that will lead to great discussions every year, much like the NCAA tournament.  This is a win-win situation.  Plus, these games would take place during the winter break and the players wouldn’t even have to miss school.  No-brainer!

THE HOT STOVE LEAGUE

I love this week in December because it brings baseball back into the limelight, even for just a few days.  What I hate though, is the irresponsible spending from some of these teams.  Some of these contracts are ridiculous.  I understand how good Albert Pujols is.  I get it.  I do not understand how the Angels, or any team, can give a player who is going to be 32 years old by Spring Training a ten year contract.  No matter how good he may be over the first 5 or 6 years, what can they expect as a return for the last few years, especially from a player who has had a few nagging injuries accumulating over the last few seasons.  This doesn’t even touch upon the $254 million involved.  The market, which may have involved 5 teams, dictated this amount but that doesn’t make it any less silly.

It also sucks that mainly just two teams, the Marlins and Angels, have made most of the big splashes this winter.  It just shows how far apart the teams are in baseball.  The new CBA will hurt the small market teams, in my opinion, in the long run and it will make baseball have an even bigger competitive imbalance.

THE NBA WILL RESUME SOON

Does anyone really care?  That’s not fair.  The NBA has lots of fans.  Just don’t count me in their number.  In my opinion, the NBA is the worst evolution of the game of basketball.  The court and lane need to be larger and the rim should be higher.  The players are so much bigger than they were even 20 years ago and the bodies are too big for the space, leading to a brutal style of play I think is unwatchable.

I have an interesting fact.  Since 1980, only 9 teams have won the NBA championship, three of those only won once.  Six teams have won the other 28.  There is no balance in the NBA.  Many perennial losers have only themselves to blame for their woes because year after year they are lottery teams and year after year they draft players with potential and leave the proven and talented players to the already successful franchises.  It has been happening for decades now and it drives me crazy.  The young high schoolers and one-and-done college players that are big impact players are the exceptions, not the rule.  This league needs a huge make over and the new CBA isn’t the answer.  If one sport was in desperate need of contraction, it is the NBA.  I don’t know exactly which teams should go but there are too many teams.

THE QUARTERBACK PROBLEM

If every NFL team has three quarterbacks on its roster, this means there are 96 quarterbacks in the NFL.  If Peyton Manning ever returns, there are 4 elite qbs (Manning, Brady, Rogers, and Brees).  There are about 15 to 16 average or slightly above average qbs and another 12 to 16 or so below average or pedestrian field generals out there.  You do the math.  That leaves around 60 quarterbacks on rosters that really aren’t good enough to play in the NFL.  Yet the teams have little choice.  Quarterback is easily the shallowest position in football.  Now you understand why having a good to great quarterback is essential to continued success in the NFL.  There is no real solution because there just isn’t enough talent to fill the out the rosters.  Teams just have to hope their starters don’t get hurt and if they do, the back up doesn’t kill their chances of winning games.  Players like Tyler Palko and Caleb Hanie are forced into service and their teams have little or no chance of success.  This position, so important to teams’ success, just isn’t deep enough for every team to have one good quarterback, let alone 2 or 3.  Teams just have to get lucky and strike gold here. 

Thanks for reading my rants and letting me vent a little.

Check out my movie and tv review blog at jawsrecliner.blogspot.coma and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

The DH and Interleague Play

I must warn everyone ahead of time.  This could really disintegrate into a petulant tirade.  There a few subjects I am very passionate about and this is one of them.  While I try to maintain somewhat of an open mind on most topics, this isn’t one of them.  Even if I disagree with the opinions of those on the opposite side of most discussions, I usually try to see the validity of their arguments.  I cannot for the life of me see any positives to the other side of this issue.  I will never be convinced otherwise.  Just to add to the craziness, I do understand there are those who disagree with me on this subject who are just as passionate and close minded about their own positions.

I loathe pitchers batting in the National League.  There, I said it.  I cannot see any positive aspect to pitchers grabbing a bat and futilely swinging away at the plate.  Pitchers do not bat at any level after high school – not college, not in the minors – except for in the National League.  It is an antiquated rule from an era long gone and it skews stats and equitable competition. 

Because of this gigantic difference in rules between the American League and the senior circuit, I also hate interleague play.  I find it less and less intriguing each season.  Other than when the Royals play the Cardinals each year, I cannot see where there is any positive aspect to teams from the two leagues playing with inequitable rules. 

From a statistical standpoint, pitchers batting are a complete waste of time.  Using stats from the 2011 season, designated hitters had 8,684 at bats and batted .263, had an on base percentage of .337, slugged .427, with an OPS of .764.  The pitchers’ slash line in 5,069 AB is .141/.175/.182/.357.  AL pitchers slash line is even worse - .119/.137/.162/.299.  DHs had 303 home runs and pitchers hit 28.  DHs struck out 140 times less than pitchers in 3,795 more at bats and walked 733 more times.  On the other hand, pitchers did win the sacrifice bunt battle 636 to 5.  Oh, how exciting!  AL hitters batting 9^th only sacrificed 161 times.

I think these stats clearly support my position.  I just don’t see the point.  Pitchers batting are worthless and boring.  People who actually like to watch this insomnia-inducing baseball always fall back on their lone arguments – it’s real baseball and it adds strategy.  My retort is equally intelligent – BALONEY!  Watching batters hit .141 is not real baseball and any idiot can make a double switch.  Maybe a tiny bit more of game management is needed but not so much that anyone who knows even a modicum about the sport couldn’t figure it out. 

This whole rant was set off because MLB may increase interleague play from 18 games to 30.  I wouldn’t care near as much if the leagues played by the same rules.  They use the same umpires; why not use the same rules?  Most AL teams use the DH as an integral part of their hitting line-up.  Most DHs hit in the middle of the line-ups.  To ask teams to play without, in some cases, one of their top two or three hitters is just asinine.  Blubbering defenders of the NL will come back with a point about players being complete and being able to play the field – BALONEY!  Most DHs can play the field but teams have younger or better fielding options at their positions.  TEAMS ARE BUILT THAT WAY.  They are playing by the rules.  Teams should never be asked to sit one of their best players.  AL teams are forced to sit one of their best hitters so a pitcher, many of whom haven’t hit since they were in high school, can step to the plate and hit a whopping .119 and an OPS under .300.  How is that fair or equitable?  No matter how anyone tries to defend it, argue it, twist it, or turn it, the answer is that it is not fair.  Period.

Now MLB, in all of their infinite wisdom, wants AL teams to play 9 percent of their games without their DHs.  Absolute nonsense!  The National League needs to get over itself and add the designated hitter.  If Major League Baseball wants to continue to push this brutal agenda of 30 interleagues games, then fine.  Have all the games played by the same rules.  And while we are one the topic of interleague play, MLB needs to realize that teams need to be playing divisional opponents in September, not teams from the opposite league.  This may be the absolute dumbest product of expanding interleague play.  Oh, how the Red Sox will howl the year when the Yankees get to finish up a season with the Pirates in Yankee Stadium with the divisional championship on the line with the winner not having to participate in a play-off play-in game.  Whoever thinks this is a good idea (I’m looking at you Bud Selig) is an idiot.  

I know I am not alone in my frustration and confusion with Major League Baseball on the topics of the DH and interleague play.  I know I am not the only person who seldom watches NL games because watching pitchers bat is like watching paint dry.  I know there are those who still refuse to give up on a dinosaur type of baseball and completely disagree with me.  All I can say to that is that you, and the National League, are wrong and you are only holding baseball back.  No other major sports have games where teams play each other under different set of rules than they normally play.  There is a reason for that – it is idiotic and nonsensical.  MLB, join the 21^st century and rid the world of pitchers trying to hit.  Do it for the good of baseball.

I would to thank www.baseball-reference.com for their statistical breakdown and information.

Read my movie and television reviews at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

The Turner Gill Dilemma

What to do about Turner Gill?  This is the question Kansas Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger must answer very soon.  Before exiting the program, former AD Lew Perkins signed Gill to a 5-year contract and now Zenger is caught holding the bag.

I like Turner Gill and I bet he sounds really good in living rooms around the country.  I want him to be successful.  KU absolutely needs him to be successful.  Unfortunately, ranking 120^th out of 120^th in both yards allowed and points allowed is not being successful. 

I have always been a firm believer that college football coaches need at least four years to recruit and develop their own players.  That theory is being sorely tested right now.  KU runs the very realistic chance of just burying themselves in the position of permanent cellar dwellers in the conference for years to come.  KU cannot afford another Terry Allen, who was given ample time and opportunity to improve his teams but never could.  In this ever fluid world of shifting conference loyalties, KU cannot afford to be a nothing, an automatic win for opponents.  KU cannot afford its fans’ desertion in this crucial time where football generated income is essential to collegiate success. 

I would not like to be in Zenger’s shoes right now.  He has to decide whether or not to give Gill another year to show progress and to begin to turn things around.  Can KU afford to eat 3 years of contract and pay a new coach what it would take to get a guy good enough to turn things around?  Are there any coaches good enough and desperate to take this job?  That is a lot of very important questions.

As I watched KU’s defense roll over and play dead today against Texas A&M, I could see nothing on the defensive side of the ball that lead me to believe KU is even close to improving.  There looks to be one, maybe two, BCS level players on defense.  The defensive line has been absolutely invisible all season.  This puts incredible pressure on the linebackers and d-backs and those guys don’t look very talented themselves.  They can’t tackle (other than Steve Johnson) and they can’t cover.  I just can’t believe that a unit could be that bad. 

Even the special teams aren’t good.  KU has very little success returning any kind of kicks and their kickers are inconsistent and barely adequate.  Today, the long snapper sent the punter deep – in the wrong direction.

The offensive line couldn’t contain a rush from a pee-wee defense.  They can occasionally hold a block just long enough for a running back to gain two or three yards on the ground.  Quarterback Jordan Webb at times looks adequate enough but other times is completely in over his head.  Of course, it is hard to tell when the offensive line is so terrible

On the positive side, Gill has collected a bevy of young, talented running backs.  If these guys receive any blocking whatsoever, they make things happen.  They are quick, fast, and courageous.  We can see though, that it is not nearly enough to be successful. 

So, we are back to that original question – what to do about Turner Gill?  Could Zenger find anyone worth anything to take over this program if he decided to can Gill?  Whereas KU could pick and choose its basketball coach, what is there here for a football coach?  It seems like much longer than four years since KU was a BCS bowl winning team.  How did KU not take advantage of that incredible season?  Those are the seasons that help programs become better programs.  Here we are, four years later, maybe the worst team in division one.

Gill has to shoulder the blame.  This team has shown no improvement.  None.  I think KU is even worse this year than last.  I was bummed when I heard KU was on TV today.  I didn’t want anyone to see just how bad KU is right now.  I watched of course, but I was embarrassed and disgusted for my team.

If I saw any indication that this team would be better next season, I would retain Gill but this team has flat lined.  It is brutal.  Zenger has to come up with the money to oust Turner and find someone new.  It has to be done soon - the sooner the better.  I’m talking next Saturday night as soon as the (final) Missouri game is over.  I don’t think Zenger can afford to wait.  He has to convince boosters to come up with money to hire a new head coach.  He will have his work cut for him to find a new coach.  I don’t know who would want this job.  That may be the one single factor that might deter him, if money is not a factor.  Would any coach with any skill or reputation take this job?  To be honest, I don’t know if that guy is out there.  After today though, KU can’t afford another year of Turner Gill at the helm.

Did I mention I am glad I am not Sheahon Zenger?

Read my movie and television reviews at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

Free Agency and Small Markets

I haven’t posted many articles lately as I have been kicking around a few topics in my head.  One that keeps popping up is my frustration at the state of affairs in Major League Baseball.  As the powers that be try to hammer out a new labor agreement and as the hot stove season slowly simmers, I thought I would try to spill some of my thoughts here.

As a fan of a small market team, I always feel my team never has much of a chance to make any kind of splash in free agency.  The Royals just simply cannot compete with other teams in getting big name stars to come to Kansas City.  Part of the reason is the fact that the Royals have not been successful for two decades.  What star wants to come and play for a perennial loser?  It is also a fact that year in and year out, the Royals just can’t afford to compete with the big boys financially.  I have no doubt ownership could have laid out cash for one big name, if they could find anyone interested, but it would be very difficult to be able to afford enough good players to compete for championships on a regular basis.

It is also true the Royals were very frugal in the late 1990’s and for most of the last decade.  They developed some star players but made little true effort to sign players like Johnny Damon and Carlos Beltran.  They did sign one talented player long term – Mike Sweeney.  Sweeney was a heck of a hitter and gave it his all but he was the least durable of the star players at the turn of the century for the Royals and he spent many weeks on the DL. 

That all aside, even in this off season where it appears the perennial big spenders – Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies – won’t be chasing the top free agents, teams like the Royals still can’t compete in the hot stove season.  For teams with a little money lying around, this would be a perfect opportunity to grab a big name player or two long term while the big boys are sitting one out.  Miami certainly appears to making an effort to fill their new stadium for the 2012 season and beyond.  It is very hard for me to take the Marlins seriously though.  Twice they have loaded up and won a World Series, just to sell the star players off as soon as they could following their big triumphs.  What happens if the Marlins should land Pujols, Reyes, and Buehrle?  What if they challenge for, and maybe even win, the World Series in the next couple of years.  What if they win and the crowds still don’t come out and fill their new stadium?  The Rays had some very successful season recently but fans still haven’t embraced them.  It has happened in Miami in the past.  If Miami wins a World Series, will they just sell off their pieces again when the fans don’t show consistently? 

This business model is a not a solid one and it is one that ticks me off.  It is why I can’t take the Marlins seriously.  We all know, though, that it only takes one or two idiot general managers with more cash than sense to drive up a contract to silly proportions and just ruin the market.  Spending money is not a guarantee for success.  Yes, it helps, but championships are not sure things. 

While it is very frustrating because I have been waiting for twenty-five years, I can’t blame the Royals for their present course of trying to build from within.  I can’t say I believe in these giant contracts for players already in their thirties.  The steroid era is over; I don’t see many players producing the big numbers into their late thirties and early forties as has been the case over the past twenty years.  I firmly believe contracts longer than five years are mistakes.  I just don’t many see them paying off for all of those years.  Sure, occasionally there might be one or two where the players do earn the wage for the length of their deals.  I just don’t want my team taking those chances on players in their thirties. 

I like that the Royals are trying to build from within.  It just seems to be a long and never ending process.  I want my team to win now and to win for a long time.  With such a wide range of team salaries though, I just don’t see how all of the smaller market teams can compete year in and year out over a long period time.  I admire the job the Twins did competing for nearly a decade on a regular basis.  They are the exception.  The Rays are the exception.  Now, I have to hope the Royals are the exception. 

I read a musing by one of BaseballHQ.com’s forum guys today about the intelligence of back loaded contracts.  He made a very good point about it making more sense to have the contracts front loaded instead.  Isn’t it probable that a player is more likely to be a better player earlier in the contract?  Isn’t it probable a player approaching 40 years old at the end of a long contract is going to produce less than he did at 32?  If teams would front load contracts, they would be paying a player for his more likely production early in the contract.  It would also be easier to trade an aging player without eating a big chunk of the contract.  In my opinion, this is a much more sound and reasonable system than the one most general managers and agents use now.  That, of course, is why we will probably never see it used.

I also wish baseball could iron out the financial inequities.  Baseball is a different creature than the other major sports because most teams have their own television and radio deals so they can air games on a daily basis.  The bigger market teams are going to make more money that the smaller markets.  That is a fact.  The only sensible way to fix this is to have a ceiling and a floor.  In baseball, there is no other way to close the gap in revenues.  Unfortunately, the players’ union will never allow it and so we, as fans, just have to take the consequences.

Read tv and movie reviews at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner 

Big XII Basketball Preview

I have had a heck of a time writing this particular posting.  When I first started thinking about it, I didn’t think it would be this hard.  As I did more research and gathered more information, it became clear to me that there isn’t a tremendous difference in talent from team to team throughout the ten Big XII teams for the 2011-2012 basketball season.  It is a league loaded with incredible coaches with proven track records and all will lead teams that put forth effort and heart every single game.  The new schedule format will be tougher than every before.  The two historically worst basketball programs are gone (Nebraska and Colorado) and all teams play each other twice.  It will be a brutal road and this league may very well just beat itself up.

The more I looked at things, the more uncomfortable I became with trying to rank these teams.  I did it but by no means am I confidant in that I will even be close to being correct five months from now.  I rank the teams from bottom to top and try to give my reasoning in a sentence or two for each team.  Here goes…

10. Texas Tech.  Coach Billy Gillespie has rebuilt a Big XII program before but his work is cut out for him.  Tech is the only team I feel remotely comfortable about with this ranking.  There simply isn’t very much talent on this roster.  It will be a rough road for the Red Raiders.

9. Oklahoma.  Veteran coach Lon Kruger returns to the Midwest as a Sooner.  He inherits a team without a lot of big names.  Although only one major contributor from last season was lost, there are few top notch players.  Kruger has added to a couple of transfers to help improve this teams tepid rebounding.  Kruger has his work cut out for him.

8. Kansas State.  I am not why K-State has been ranked as high as they have been in some of the pre-season polls.  While they have the talent and the coaching to compete for a league title, most of their players are unproven as stars or leaders.  I think Coach Frank Martin may struggle to get this squad to meet his high standards.

7. Oklahoma State.  Tough overachievers like Keiton Page and Jean-Paul Olukemi offer Coach Travis Ford a good solid scoring base.  Add in one of the top recruits in the nation and I think the Cowboys have a great chance to surprise in this conference.  Ford’s teams are gutsy and scrappy and never end up easy prey for anyone.

6. Iowa State.  This is a gut pick for me.  Hometown hero, coach Fred Hoiberg is going to rely on a bevy of Division I transfers so fill key roster spots.  While not loaded with many returning stars, the Cyclones will challenge with those transfers.  I especially like Royce White’s chances at being a very successful player in a conference short on dominant low post players.  Look out for this team.

5. Texas.  It isn’t getting easier.  Texas never finishes this low so I’m not sure why I have Rick Barnes’ squad here.  It just worked out that way.  Just like every other team, the Longhorns have as many questions marks as they have answers.  J’Covan Brown seems to have a great game every time I watch them and he is only a junior.  I think a couple of freshmen will play key roles this season and the Longhorns’ success may come down to how quickly those youngsters get acclimated.

4. Texas A&M.  I originally had the Aggies slightly higher but I dropped them a couple of places due to new coach Billy Kennedy’s health questions.  I wonder how the team will adjust to a new system plus the uncertainty of who is manning the bench from game to game, if that becomes an issue.  I think the Aggies may have one of the best players in the Big XII in Khris Middleton and if he continues to improve, he may be able to lead his team to first.

3. Missouri.  I really think the Tigers have the talent and experience to win the conference championship.  I am not convinced Frank Haith is the guy to lead them there.  A shadow hangs over Haith and the Tigers because of things that happened at Haith’s former school and I don’t how that will affect Missouri.  Marcus Denman and Phil Pressey have a chance to be very special and they are exciting players.  This team will really get after it and maybe they will win their only Big XII round ball title.

2. Baylor.  Coach Drew has the most returning firepower in the league.  The roster is loaded with experienced, talented players.  I have always believed that defense has held the Bears back in the past.  If Baylor can tighten things up on the defensive end of the court, they will be very tough to beat because they are so talented offensively.  This team will score a lot of points and may very well finish at the top come March.

1. Kansas.  It is with much trepidation that I pick Kansas to finish first.  To be honest, it is only because after seven years, somebody has to knock them off.  It would crazy to pick anyone else.  That being said, if the field is going to knock the Jayhawks off the mountain, this will be the year.  Their front court is paper thin, even with pre-season All-American Thomas Robinson manning the post.  He will probably see a lot of double teams until someone else can step up to relieve the pressure.  Because of NCAA rulings (to me, the shadowy “partial qualifier”) for three incoming freshmen not being able to play this season, the Jayhawks are also very shallow along the bench.  Coach Bill Self will certainly have to display his finest coaching yet for the Jayhawks to repeat once again.

One thing I did not figure in because it is a huge unknown.  I don’t know how other schools will react to A&M and Missouri.  These departing programs will probably receive harsher treatment than normal when on the road.  There is no way to predict if this will spur them on or beat them down.

Whew.  That was not easy.  Again, I hold little confidence these rankings will hold up.  I see as many as 9 schools with the talent to finish in the top 4 if things go their way over an extended period of games.  Many teams are only an injury away from being buried.  While this is true every year, I think it is even more so this season.  No matter what, it should be an exciting and unpredictable season.

For movie and TV reviews, visit jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

Can KU Win Its 8th Straight Title?

To be honest, I don’t know how to answer this question.  My first instinct is to say it will not be possible for KU to win another Big XII championship this season.  There is one thing I have learned though.  Never count Coach Bill Self out.

It certainly will be an uphill battle.  KU is very short on experience and depth.  The fact the NCAA ruled three of the Jayhawks’ incoming freshmen as only partial qualifiers, and therefore not eligible to play this season, was a big blow.  KU will be mighty thin across the frontline.  Self and staff will really have to coach up the present roster, which only has eight recruited players and some former walk-ons and transfers.  They will have to play smart and disciplined and hopefully they can stay healthy and out of foul trouble.

The cupboard is far from bare.  Senior guard Tyshawn Taylor and junior, pre-season all-American, post player Thomas Robinson are definitely talented.  They can certainly lead this team to success but they need to be leaders on and off the court with smart play and avoidance of off court shenanigans.  Athletic juniors Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson have seen playing time in the past but it will be nothing in comparison to what the Jayhawks need from them this season.  Releford may even be asked to play some on the interior.  He will be undersized there but has shown the heart and versatility to contribute inside. 

The slender 7-footer junior Jeff Withey needs to produce much more than he has in the past.  He will need to be able to score on offense and he needs to be a force on defense while curtailing his fouls.  Senior Conner Teahan needs to continue his accurate three point shooting and he may also be asked to play some minutes on the interior.  After these six players though, the question marks really start to pile up.

Naadir Tharpe is a true, pass first point guard and by all accounts will see plenty of playing time.  I have a small degree of worry because under Self, point guards have been slow to adjust to the college game as freshman.  Another freshman is Merv Linsay.  While Lindsay has some nice height, I think is more of a big guard, although he does have a reputation of being a tenacious rebounder and that may get him some minutes as the season goes along.  The last two players to figure into a possible rotation are transfers Kevin Young and Justin Wesley.  Both are listed at 6’8” but are slender of build.  Both will be counted on to play minutes in the front court.  Hopefully their athleticism will make up for their lack of bulk.

A trio of walk-ons completes the roster.  Jordan Juenemann, Niko Roberts, and Christian Garrett will be bodies for practice but I’m not sure how much game time they will see.  Self has used Juenemann in the past in more than just clean up duty.  I also think Garrett could surprise with some athleticism and may pull in a handful of minutes with hard work.

I look for KU to play at a little faster pace than in the past.  Although Withey is not fleet of foot, the sculpted Robinson runs the floor well.  The rest of the roster is filled with athletic roadrunners and since KU will not be able to out physical many teams, running and gunning seems to me to be a very good option.

KU also has one of its hardest early schedules in the Self era.  The second non-exhibition game is in New York against #2 ranked Kentucky.  They then play Georgetown in the Maui Classic.  Possible opponents there include Duke, Memphis, UCLA, Michigan, and Tennessee.  They also play #3 ranked Ohio State and USC in December.  It would not be out of the question to see the young Jayhawks with four or five losses by the start of conference play.  Keep in mind also that KU loses four annual, guaranteed wins against Nebraska and Colorado.  Instead, they play all six of the former South division teams twice.  That is a big difference in their schedule and usually I wouldn’t worry much about that but with this team’s lack of size and experience, this will be very tough.

The Jayhawks will certainly have to grow and mature dramatically as a team to finish high in the Big XII standings.  The conference is loaded with talented teams and there are absolutely no pushovers on the road.  Self will have to do his best coaching job for this squad to have a chance of even glancing at first place.   I am willing to accept a few losses here and there if KU is competitive and the team grows and improves as the season progresses.  As always, I believe Self will get the best out of his players.  He has been willing to alter his teams’ style of play to fit his personnel.  He will have to this season.  When it all comes down to it, I will not bet against Bill Self to win another conference championship.  That being said, I will not be disappointed as long as KU finishes in the top half of the Big XII.  I expect more but I must be realistic as well.  I trust Self and we shall all have to wait and see if he can pull off a miracle.

Read my movie and TV reviews at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner.

The NCAA and Ineligible Student Athletes

I wish I understood more.  I wish I understood the process more thoroughly.  I wish I had more details because right now I am just a tad bit angry and frustrated.  I wish I could understand just how the NCAA Clearinghouse works.  But I don’t. 

I do know that all student athletes attending NCAA Division I and II schools must be deemed eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse.  I know players must take so many core courses in high school and maintain a certain GPA in these courses.  I know student athletes must score a certain number on their SATs or ACTs. And, of course, student athletes must graduate from high school.  This is about the extent of my knowledge.

I don’t what core courses are required.  I don’t know what GPA is consider high enough and I don’t know what the SAT and ACT scores need to be.  I am sure, though, that these numbers are all set to a reasonable standard for student athletes.  If I only wish I knew more.

My frustration stems of course, from the fact that three of the University of Kansas’ freshmen basketball recruits were ruled ineligible to participate in the 2011-2012 season.  They were allowed to enroll and take classes but are partial qualifiers.  I have no idea what that means.  How does a student athlete partially qualify for college?  Why are they not allowed to practice, but not play, until the second semester?  Why are some not allowed to practice of play for a year?

How come it takes so long to review the records of college basketball recruits?  There are only 120 Division I schools for football but each school brings in twenty plus recruits a year.  There are three times as many basketball schools but most programs usually don’t bring in more than 3-6 recruits.  You seldom hear of football players waiting around for the Clearinghouse.  They seem to all be cleared by the time school starts in August yet it seems to take longer for the hoopsters.  I have read it is because football players don’t play at numerous high schools like top basketball players do.  For all I know, this may be true.  It seems like a shallow excuse for the NCAA though. 

I do know that many top basketball prospects do play for multiple high schools over their career.  It is my opinion that this is not ideal anyway.  Many of these players transfer to prep or private schools during their careers.  It would seem to me that these institutions should be better academically and should be preparing these student athletes for college.  Why else do they exist?  I don’t understand how players can attend these types of high schools and can’t qualify, or worse yet, partially qualify, for college eligibility.  And why does it take so long for the Clearinghouse to make their decisions.

It is my opinion that a legislative body is necessary for college sports. There needs to be a checks and balances system in place to keep colleges from cheating.  I just am not sure how effective the NCAA is. They don’t seem to be consistent at all.  It appears to me that powerful BCS football programs are not held to the same standards when it comes to punishment as programs as other schools or sports.  The BCS football pantheon has players who take money from boosters, sell swag for profit, and have family members selling the children to the highest bidders.  The punishments for these programs seem weak.  Players are allowed to continue their careers and are allowed to participate in bowl games.  A local college basketball player last season was suspended for 4 games for getting a couple hundred dollars worth of clothes from a department store.  I’m not saying that is not appropriate but I think sometimes football players and programs aren’t punished as stiffly as they should be. 

I understand the NCAA has to maintain standards for student athletes.  It seems to me that the penalty for these so called partial qualifiers is a bit stiff.  The rules don’t seem to consider the interests of the student athlete.  Why not allow the student athletes to play the second semester if they make the grades in summer school and their fall classes?  Why not try to work with the schools and kids more often?  Help them get to a place where the can be better students and participate in their sports without missing a whole year.  I just think there should be a better way.

I understand that the public does not get to see the details of each situation or why the NCAA rules the way it does.  There is a degree of privacy that is the right of every student athlete.  I just wish the process was better explained and better understood.  I just wish there were better options for the student athletes who have some issues academically to be able to improve their standing quicker.  I definitely don’t have many answers.  There are a lot a people out there smarter than me who should be able to figure out a better way.

Please check out my movie and tv review blog at jawsrecliner.bolgspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

What Will Be the Market For Pujols & Fielder

A few nights ago, I was watching MLB Network and they were discussing where super star first baseman Albert Pujols mind end up after the season ends and the free agent market opens.  Harold Reynolds predicted that the career Cardinal would not be back in St. Louis next season.  I decided the possible destinations for Pujols and fellow free agent-to-be Prince Fielder, was worth a look.

The first round of the playoffs was as exciting and dramatic as any fan could have possibly hoped for.  We can only hope the second round will be the same.  As the first week of the post season unfolded, though, I found myself intrigued by the possible landing spots for two of the biggest names still playing.  Both Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols will get long term, big dollar contracts but who will be their suitors. 

The usual big spenders probably won’t be in play and that’s what makes this situation interesting.  The Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies already have first base manned by stars.  The Yankees and Red Sox could sign one of the free agents as a designated hitters but both already have massive contracts tying up extra dollars and both need to add pitching, which never comes cheap.  Other teams like Detroit, the White Sox, and Angels are all locked up at first. 

There is a large number of teams that either would never, ever spend the money needed to sign either one or they already have good, young talent ready to start on a daily basis.  These teams include Tampa Bay, Pittsburg, Arizona, Colorado, San Diego, Kansas City, Florida, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Minnesota, Oakland, and Cincinnati.  The Dodgers are out because of their public financial problems.  I suspect the Cubs, unless they can significantly reduce their payroll, are probably also out.  Milwaukee has already tried to sign Fielder and he seems intent on moving on, so they are more than likely out as well.  

So, who is left?  My initial thought was the Mets would be out because they are in a similar financial situation as the Cubs.  Still, you can never predict what a big market team may do.  I would be surprised if they come at either star very hard.  The Indians would normally not pursue the big names but this is a team on the brink of annual competition and either Fielder or Pujols would be a gigantic help.  I’m not sure they will be a serious suitor or not.  San Francisco has the young Brandon Belt but he could be moved to the outfield if the Giants decide that their horrible offense needs a major upgrade.  I would not discount the Giants in this race.  The Rangers are loaded with offense but they do not have an everyday first baseman and have shown a willingness to drop some big money.  I imagine Texas will be in on the discussions.  Toronto been trimming payroll for a couple of years now and I am not sure what parameters ownership has put into place but the Blue Jays are an up and coming team and a big bopper at first would fit in nicely here. 

That leaves the Cardinals, Orioles, and Nationals.  I would be amazed if St Louis doesn’t work something out with King Albert.  He is the face of their franchise and the best hitter of our generation.  I can’t imagine he will get the 10 year deal he wants – from anyone.  I would anticipate maybe a seven year deal for around 175 million.  I just don’t know if this is in the Cardinals budget.  My gut feeling is they will make a deal to keep their super star.

So, now we look at the two teams sharing the national capitol’s audience, the Nationals and Orioles.  Fielder would be a good fit for either.  The Nationals are building a team featuring young, developing stars but have also been aggressive in pursuing big ticket free agents.  Add Fielder to Werth and Zimmerman, plus the young guys on the edge of success, and you have a pretty potent lineup.  The Orioles have struggled for the last decade to find an identity.  They have wavered back in worth on trying to build from within and from trying to buy a competitive team.  Neither has worked.  Offensively, they have not improved noticeably over the last few years and have few can’t miss prospects in their system.  Two years ago, the farm system was loaded with live, powerful arms, but thus far, they haven’t panned out as Baltimore had hoped.  If the Oriole brass thinks they are close, maybe they make a big run at Prince.  While this option may seem far fetched, it is the kind of signing the Orioles have been willing to make in the past.

What do I think will happen?  I already mentioned I thought St. Louis will sign King Albert.  If I were to lay money, I would bet on the Nationals landing Fielder.  I think the Rangers, Blue Jays, and Giants push up the salary and Prince may end up with a contract similar in length and money as what Pujols gets.  Of course, some dark horse with more money than sense will probably come up with some ridiculous offer for one of these guys and then all bets are off.  I have learned to never be surprised about some of the contracts signed by these baseball super stars.  Few of them make much sense.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the playoffs.  They should be exciting.

I review some new network comedies at jawsrecliner.blogspt.com and you can get twitter updates for both blogs by following @jawsrecliner

Moneyball

The Steroid Era in major league baseball changed the game in many ways.  Majestic home runs and high powered offenses became prevalent.  Power was glamorous and glorious and commonplace.  Salaries skyrocketed along with the pitchers’ ERA’s.  In the midst of all this run scoring, something horrible happened.  Once proud, successful small markets teams were priced out of the market for the muscle bound big boppers that suddenly ruled the game.  Organizations such as Kansas City, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, San Diego, Oakland, and Minnesota were on the outside looking in as the fat cats threw money at slugging free agents year after year.  Teams had to change their business model to even hope to compete.  Success had to be built from within each organization through the draft and be selective with the leftover free agents.  There was very little room for error and teams that missed on their top picks soon became buried in the standings.

The movie Moneyball is really the story of Billy Beane, a former first round draft pick of the New York Mets.  More so than the book by the same name, the film tells the story of Beane’s struggle to think outside of the box.  As the general manager for the small market Oakland A’s, he had to watch a successful team from the 2001 playoffs be dismantled.  Free agent star players from that team were plucked away by teams with deep pockets like the Yankees and Red Sox, frustrating Beane to no end.  A chance meeting with a Yale graduate named Peter Brand led Beane and the A’s to embrace a form of player evaluation based on mathematics and algebraic formulas rather the excepted commonplace evaluations used for decades.

The movie follows Beane’s travails trying to convince his own scouting and coaching staffs of the relevance and possibilities of trying something new, as well as following Beane’s own career through flashbacks.  Beane and Brand searched for players who had the skill set of getting on base but for whatever reason were undervalued by the market.  The film chronicles the 2002 season for the A’s as the team struggles to produce the results Beane and Brand expect and what happens when those expectations finally came to fruition.  The book devotes a great deal of space to the drafting process and philosophies and that part is completely ignored in the movie. 

Moneyball is not just a film for baseball lovers and stat nerds, although it probably helps.  The movie is dramatic and exciting and does a good job at explaining the process for non baseball fans.  Brad Pitt portrays Beane with just the right amount of charisma and quirkiness.  Jonah Hill is Brand and seems woefully uncomfortable through most of the movie.  Philip Seymour Hoffman is pretty good as Manager Art Howe, who according to the movie, fights Beane tooth and nail on Beane’s new vision but accepts the accolades when success is attained.  

The fact is Moneyball the book, and the success of the 2002 A’s had a huge impact on baseball, especially now, as baseball recovers from the Steroid Era.  Not only have small market teams embraced sabermetrics (the term for the algebraic application to baseball) but big market teams have as well.  If you have every watched and game between the Yankees and Red Sox, you will know how long and drawn out each contest can become.  One of the philosophies of sabermetrics is to work pitch counts and get on base as often as possible, really embracing base on balls.  This has caused games to drag on at times.  Some teams have been slow to embrace the new method.  The Kansas City Royals for instance, a very cash poor team, was very slow to embrace sabermetrics.  Other teams, such as the Twins, Yankees, and Red Sox have all had a lot of success.  In the case of the Yankees and Red Sox, money and sabermetrics have lead to championships.  Now, all teams pay attention to the mathematics of baseball and not just the raw results.  As the power and glamour of the Steroid Era fades and statistics return to the levels known before the game was ruled by cheaters, sabermetrics is now becoming more and more accepted throughout the game and once again the small market teams are forced to look for success outside of the box again.  That is for another day.

Moneyball is a baseball movie but I don’t believe you have to be a baseball fan to enjoy it.  It’s a good story and it plays out well on the big screen.  Pitt and Hoffman give good performances and director Bennett Miller seemed intent on not bogging the movie down with the math itself or on discussing the draft process, which would bore non baseball fans.  If you are a fan of sports movies or films high on drama, give Moneyball a chance.

Thanks for supporting my blogs at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and jawsportsandstuff.blogspot.com and get twitter updates @jawsrecliner

Who Is To Blame For the Chiefs' Mess?

Even before the season started, I feared the 2011 version of the Kansas City Chiefs was being overrated.  The Chiefs won the AFC West in 2010 mainly because of their last place schedule and a great success at avoiding the injury bug.  While, after suffering through three brutal seasons before last year, I was thrilled the Chiefs had some success but I was never comfortable with the level of talent.  Let’s just say I was afraid the Chiefs were a paper tiger.

Many fans want to string up Coach Todd Haley already.  Haley certainly has his coaching flaws.  Haley treats the pre-season with a seemingly lackadaisical attitude and he just can’t seem to fully support anyone but himself calling the plays offensively.  He stills makes some head scratching decisions on the field but, honestly, what head coach doesn’t?  With all his issues though, is he really to blame for this train wreck?  Would any other coach have any better success with this shallow, thinly talented squad?

For me, this mess falls directly at the feet of General Manager Scott Pioli.  As of a few days ago, sixteen players on the Chiefs roster were holdovers from the Herm Edwards era.  Yes, the same Herm Edwards regime that won six total games over the last two years before Pioli took over.  While there is going to be leftovers from a team from just four years ago, 30% is much too high.  If those players were all that good as a whole, they would have more than they did.

Injuries have without a doubt crippled this team badly on both sides of the ball in 2011.  Losing Tony Moeaki, Eric Berry, and Jamaal Charles would be a tough pill to swallow for any team.  Regardless, this team had a glaring lack of talented depth right from the get go.  It was as thin last year but Kansas City avoided major injuries through the 2010 campaign.  While these injuries are serious, compare the depth of this team to last year’s champion, the Green Bay Packers.  The Packers were plagued all last season by major injuries but had the depth in place to overcome them.  Matt Cassel is no Aaron Rogers so we cannot expect the same results but a greater depth of talent would have made the spate of early injuries easier to deal with.

At first, it was believed Pioli would be great on draft day.  After the 2010 draft, he was almost proclaimed a hero.  Pick after pick looked like it might produce quality players.  Those picks certainly had plenty of opportunities last year and did produce in some cases.  A year later, though, and the bloom is wearing off.  The best player, Eric Berry is out for the year and several of the other players don’t look as good as they did early last year.  After the Tyson Jackson fiasco in the 2009 draft and the thus far disastrous pick of Jon Baldwin in this past draft, Pioli doesn’t seem near the genius as he was thought to be.  Even if Dexter McCluster is great for the remainder of this season, at his diminutive size, just how long can he be productive?  Just how many nickel and dime defensive backs can a team have?  It is like having a team of utility infielders and 4^th outfielders in baseball. 

Pioli’s inactivity in the free agent feeding frenzy that followed the end of the lockout is inexcusable.  Not filling the glaring holes that existed going into this season has been a huge mark against Pioli.  On top of that, the Chiefs lost a couple of very important and underrated players in Seth Smith and Ron Edwards that were not properly replaced.  Neither player was a star but the Chiefs could ill afford to lose both, especially the versatile Smith.  The Chiefs are way under the salary cap and coming off a division title, and I can’t believe better players couldn’t have been convinced to sign with Kansas City without more effort. 

I never want my team to lose games, especially this early in the season.  I am not rooting for the Chiefs to lose every game just so they can draft Andrew Luck.  First round quarterbacks are no guarantee (Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, David Carr, etc.) and the Chiefs have too many holes to lose games just to fill one.  I want the Chiefs to win.  I just don’t think they have the talent to do so.  They have two winnable games coming up against the Vikings and Colts but they may be the last two all year.  Kansas City has a brutal schedule for the second half and they just aren’t going to win many games.  While I want them to win games, if they do continue to lose, by the time the last few games roll around, I won’t be cheering very hard. 

Todd Haley is going to take the fall.  If they lose to the Vikings and/or Colts, it may be as early as the bye week.  It is easier to fire a coach in mid season than a general manager.  Make no mistake though.  This mess is Pioli’s.  Coaches have a hard time coaching up poor draft picks and throw away free agents.  Haley can only coach the talent Pioli gave him and for 2011, it is not very much.  There is a lot of talk about doing it the “Patriot Way”.  Well, that’s all just dandy if you have a Tom Brady.  Maybe that’s Pioli’s plan – just throw a crappy squad together, lose a lot of games, and try to draft another Tom Brady, in the guise of Andrew Luck.  Maybe he can then copy the “Patriot Way” here in Kansas City.  You know, I’d rather just win games the old fashion way.  You know, with lots of talent.

Read my movie and television reviews at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get updates @jawrecliner on twitter.

Boxing Is a Joke

As a kid I was a huge boxing fan.  It was so long ago, I can barely remember it.  I followed boxing through high school and college.  I believe it has never been the same since Buster Douglas surprised Mike Tyson.  With Tyson plummeted from the lofty heights of seeming invincibility, the heavy weight class, the highest profile class of boxing, never recovered.

For twenty years now the heavy weight class, once the home of the superstars of the sport, has been filled with no names and mediocre contenders.  No excitement or interest remains for the heavy weights. 

The excitement and interest has been generated in the lighter weight classes.  Marketable stars who like to fight suddenly took over the sport.  With the expansion of the pay per view spectacle in the early 1990’s, the sport was in a position to take off.  Instead, it has become a joke.

Money rules all in boxing as in all professional sports.  There is no getting around that.  It is a fact of life in our culture.  I am not commenting on that aspect of the sport.  I have a problem with the fact that everything is aimed toward the NEXT big time event.  No matter how big the present star match up may be, the next one will always be bigger.  The bigger that match up is, the bigger the monetary stakes. 

For years, controversy has reigned over the sport.  From violent thugs in the ring doing inexplicable things (Tyson biting off an ear) to obviously corrupt judges not being held publicly accountable for their scorecards, boxing has down nothing to fix the issues.  Incompetent or corrupt referees continue to work key fights.  The sport is a mess.

I knew all this.  I have known it for twenty years.  Still, I got drawn in.  I have become a Victor Ortiz fan.  He is a local boy with a heart wrenching story.  He is personable, genuine, and an all around nice guy.  How could you not pull for this kid?  When he unexpectedly won the welter weight belt and earned a match against the talented and smart sleaze bag, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., how could he not be the fan favorite?

Mayweather co-promoted the event along with Oscar de la Hoya.  He earned 25 million for last night’s bout while Ortiz, the champion, earned a career high 2.5 million (or as Mayweather called it – shoe box money).  Despite the fact Ortiz was the fan favorite over the arrogant thug wannabe Mayweather, the smart money, or apparently, all money, was on the challenger/promoter.  Ortiz was an overwhelming underdog but didn’t seem to faze him.

The first three rounds belonged to the technically and fundamentally sound veteran.  One judge and the pay per view announcer had Mayweather winning 2 of the rounds while the other two judges had Ortiz losing all three rounds.  Ortiz was clearly winning the 4^th round, pinning the undefeated former champion against the ropes and was pummeling him late in the round.  Then Ortiz, who had been hinting on HBO’s 24/7 that Mayweather was a dirty fighter, gave Mayweather a little head butt.  The referee, Jose Cortez, stopped the bout and correctly deducted a point from Ortiz.  The fighters, who had retreated to their corners, approached the center of the ring.  The referee was still looking toward and talking to either the judges or the time keeper.  Ortiz approached Mayweather and apologized for the head butt and leaned in for a glove touch and half hug.  The referee was still not looking at the fighters and had not clapped them in.  Mayweather, in the ultimate act of a cheater, sucker punched Ortiz in the side of the head while feigning acceptance of the offered sportsmanship induced hug.  Ortiz stumbled back and looked at the referee, who was STILL not looking at the fighters.  While Ortiz looked to the referee, arms at his side and defenseless, Mayweather stepped in and clobbered Ortiz in the head, knocking him to the floor, senseless.  As the crowd roared its disbelief and indignation referee Cortez did not immediately disqualify the money maker Mayweather.   Instead, he counted out the dazed champion.  When he reached ten, he declared the thug the winner.  The crowd roared its disapproval.

After the fight, boxing legend Larry Merchant interviewed the so-called winner in center ring.  He asked Mayweather why he would do what he did.  Mayweather responded by thanking God (Satan was more appropriate) and again the crowd reigned boos down on him.  Merchant rephrased his question and again Mayweather deftly ducked the query like an Ortiz jab.  Merchant pursued the matter until Mayweather screamed that the interview was over and he wanted a new interviewer.  He told Merchant he didn’t know sh*t about boxing and wasn’t sh*t.  The 80-year old legend replied that if he were 50 years younger, he would kick Myaweather’s ass.  The crowd filled the arena with cheers of agreement.  I am not necessarily a Merchant fan but he was totally justified in his line of questioning and in his response to Mayweather’s dissembling and thuggery.  Ortiz, on the other hand, responded in exactly the correct way.  He said it was what it was and he would have to live with it.  He said it with his customary smile.  The crowd cheered him lustily.

Hence, yet another black eye for the sport of boxing.  While I would not go so far as to say the fight was fixed, it is obvious that the judges and referee were quite aware of who was paying the bills – Mayweather Promotions.  That is was a giant conflict of interest seems to be swept under the rug.  Merchant tried to make that point to Mayweather before the “champ” exploded but nobody seems to think it is inappropriate.

And this wasn’t even the first controversy of the night.  In an earlier fight between Canelo Alvarez and Alfonso Gomez, these two fighters were in an evenly matched battle when, in the 6^th round, the heavily favorite Alvarez pinned Gomez on the ropes, landed four could punches.  The referee stepped in a very prematurely ended the fight even though it was clear Gomez was not in serious danger.  In Gomez’s post-fight interview, he said it was not surprising and that he really didn’t really have a chance against the immensely popular Alvarez.  He was not talking about his talent but about the fact that the powers that be didn’t want him to win – just like those powers couldn’t afford for Ortiz to win.

This morning, I read an AP account of the fight and the ending.  It didn’t even remotely resemble what really happened.  It was so slanted it was nearly a flat out lie.  Surely the conspiracy doesn’t include the fourth estate?  At this point, who knows?

Now the scene is set for Mayweather to fight Manny Pacquiao was a giant pay per view purse.  I would love to see Pacquiao to refuse the fight, not because of any fear for the thug but on principle.  Because Mayweather stole his belt.  That will not happen because of the money involved and there doesn’t seem to be any principles left in this sport.  It is not about skill or talent.  It is about money and big talk.  I think I have paid my last penny to Mayweather Promotions and the pay per view powers.  At least the WWF doesn’t pretend (anymore) to be legitimate.

Get twitter updates of this blog and my movie review page, jawsrecliner.blogspot.com, @jawsrecliner

My Dream Conference

I need to preface today’s post.  I am not claiming any inside information.  I do not have any secret, unnamed sources.  I am not trying to start or encourage any rumors.  The following is just a combination of my own wild speculation and wishing thinking.  I just decided to combine interesting ideas I’ve heard or read about with my own private musings.

As the Big XII continues to slowly crumble into an eventual pile of dust, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I would like to see happen over the next few months.  What schools would I like to see aligned with my hometown Jayhawks?  Most, if not all of these ideas, are going to be impossible.  They will never happen.  I understand all of this but it is a fun exercise.

The first thing that needs to happen is the current ten schools need to resolve their issues.  Some are real; some are childish.  It doesn’t matter.  These schools have a great geographical center with many long time rivals and they need each, whether they know it or not.  The teams causing the most problems are probably going to be worse off wherever they may go.  The quicker these programs realize this, the quicker some sort of stability can be gained back. 

Secondly, once a stable and trusting relationship can be re-established among the members, they need to convince Notre Dame to join the Big XII.  I know this is a lost cause but it could actually make sense for the Irish to step off their pedestal before it topples.  With the present setup of the conference, the Irish can keep their NBC revenues in the Big XII when that would never happen in any other BCS conference. 

Next, convince Arkansas that their most natural rivals already play in the Big XII and not the SEC.  I cannot imagine Dallas Cowboys owner and Hog alumnus, Jerry Jones, wouldn’t be thrilled for the possible renewal of the Longhorn/Razorback rivalry.  Bring in Arkansas and now there are 12 teams in the Big XII.  Is this where they should stop?  I don’t think so.  If these twelve teams make up one conference, suddenly the power would shift back to the Big XII.

The conference should ride the momentum of adding a couple of big boys to get ahead of the curve and expand to 16.  I’ve heard that the Big XII also owns the naming rights of Big XIIII and Big XVI.  I don’t know if this is true but it certainly would be logical to me to try to fill out one of those lofty names.

There are so many schools out there but I tried to think about what schools I would like to see in my conference and that would add TVs for the all important television contracts.  I think Pittsburg would be a nice fit.  It would open up a strong recruiting center and bring in a lot of viewers.  The Panthers have strong football and basketball programs and would be a great place in which to travel.  If Pittsburg leaves, maybe Louisville could be swayed to follow.  The Big XII would certainly be an upgrade for both programs in football and the conference is suddenly looking very appealing from a basketball point of view as well.  The football side of things is really looking up and I think the conference could now add a school more known for its roundball prowess.  Surely Memphis would leap at the chance the upgrade their league quickly. 

Now if these schools would join the conference, Arkansas would be added to the old South division and Notre Dame, Pittsburg, Louisville, and Memphis to the old North.  The South still needs another school.  The geographically logical choice would be TCU.  Or maybe Houston instead.  To me, these schools would be last resorts.  The conference already has the state of Texas nailed down.  I would like to add BYU.  Like Notre Dame, they need a football conference.  They have historically solid football and basketball programs and I think it would be beneficial to the league overall.

As a basketball fan, this lay out really excites me.  What a powerhouse basketball conference this would be.  Every single game would be a battle.  And it wouldn’t be too shabby on the gridiron either.  The Big XII (Big XVI?) would suddenly wield a big stick nationally in the top two team sports.  It would be the best basketball league by far and potentially the second best football conference.  Think of the revenues that could be generated with the new markets.  From a fan’s viewpoint, who wouldn’t be excited?

It is all a pipe dream, of course.  Texas and Texas A&M do not look like they can mend fences.  OU suddenly thinks it is too good for everyone else.  Of course, I am not convinced the Pac-12 wants to expand.  From everything I’ve read, all of the schools are happy with present alignment.  I’m not even sure the SEC is very enamored with A&M.  The Big East (which would itself dissolve if my scenario ever played out) and the ACC do not make sense for anyone geographically.  The Big Ten doesn’t appear eager to add anyone other than maybe Notre Dame.  There may not be anywhere for the discontents to go.

This is an extremely fun topic to discuss and argue about and to speculate about.  Ultimately, we the fans, just have to wait it out and let the situation resolve itself.  Hopefully, it will be sooner (no pun intended) rather than later.

I recently passed the 1000 viewer mark on my sports blog site.  I want to thank all of the people who read my ramblings and have supported me in this endeavor over the past several months.  Thank you all very much.

Please check out my tv and movie review blog at jawsrecliner.blogspot.com and get updates for both blogs @jawsrecliner.