NCAA and NFL for 2009

2009 was a bit peculiar in the world of college football. We saw a coaching legend "ran out of town", a punch, and a waffle.

5. Player treatment

I know we just heard about the news concerning Mike Leach of Texas Tech, so many may think this is here only because of that. Remember, Mark Mangino was forced out at Kansas due to allegations of verbally abusing players. Jim Leavitt is under investigation at South Florida because it's alleged that he "hit" a player duting halftime of a game. The news of Leach placing an injured player in a shed and then in an electrical room only adds to this. Back in the day, this may have been viewed as toughening a player up or a way to discipline a player. Not anymore.

4. The exit of Bowden

The way Bobby Bowden will exit from Florida State is none to flattering. The Seminoles will play West Virginia, Bowden's first stop in coaching, in the  Bowl. Bowden made Seminole football and he deserves a far better way to exit the program. He deserved to have a "tour" in order for the man who put FSU on the map to receive his proper recognition.

3. Mark Herzlich's battle

Herzlich was coming off a 2008 that many college players dream of. He was a first team All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a finalist for Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker and Herzlich was rated a mid 2nd round pick for the 2009 NFL draft. Herzlich chose to stay at Boston College for his senior year. In mid-May, Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Herzlich took the disease head-on and at the end of September, Herzlich announced he was cancer free. BC doctors confirmed this. Herzlich plans on playing for the Eagles in 2010 and doctors have given him the ok to play. Since Ewing's sarcoma is found in the bones and soft tissue, a rod was surgically inserted in Herzlich's leg for support and to aid in traning. Herlich received the 2009 Disney Award for Spirit despite not paying a down.

2. LeGarrette Blount

In a game that was to promote sportsmanship, Oregon Duck tailback LeGarrette Blount did the unthinkable. After the 19-8 loss to Boise State, Blount was apprached by Boise State's Byron Hout. Apparently, Blount was spouting off during the week. Hout approached Blount by thumping on Blount's shoulder pads. Hout proceded to say something to Blount. We will never know exactly what Hout said, but Blount obviously didn't like it and Blount fired a punch t the chin of the defenseless Hout. The reason Hout was defenseless was because Boise State's head coach Chris Peterson was already in the process of admonishing Hout's behavior. But it doesn't end there. Blount then aimed his distaste to the Broncos fans. Blount attempted to enter the crowd, but he was restrained by Oregon players and personnel. Blount would be suspended for the remainder of the season, but head coach Chip Kelly would later rescind the suspension after Blount completed a reinstatement plan.

1. Urban Meyer pulls a Brett Favre

This also just happened this past week. After the SEC Championship game, Meyer had to be taken to the hospital due to dehydration. It was furhter revealed that Meyer's health was deteriorating due to a heart condition and Meyer decided that it was time to get away from the game and retire from his position. In a press release, Meyer stated he'd ignored his health for too long and it was time to address the issue. Meyer also said he wanted to take time for his family. Upon attending the Florida Gator's Sugar Bowl practice the following day, the Gator players showed spirit and Meyer changed his stance on retirement. Meyer will take a leave of absence and leave Steve Addazio as the interim coach. In an iterview with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi, Meyer said what really made him change his mind was the thought of someone else coming into the Florida situation and changing things from the way he has them. What an ego. I guess his job is more important than hs family.

The NFL provided a few good moments, too. I've already referred to one. Here's my top 5 from 2009.

More Stocking Suffers!

As Santa starts to make his rounds later tonight, I have a few more gift ideas for Santa to leave this holiday season.

Rex Ryan - a real sense of humor

Just watching your playing off of the Colts "list of injuries" was absolutely painful. You've also got into a verbal assault through the press with the Dolphins Channng Crowder. You even stated something to the effect that if you were younger, you'd take him yourself. All for a laugh. Your wish list should really include your Jets to make the playoffs, Rex.

Jerry Jones - a playoff win

I know Jerry has everything. He owns the Cowboys. He has a palace as a stadium for his Cowboys. He has that huge HD screen that hangs from the rafters of said palace. He has Super Bowl rings. But the fact that everyone brings up that Dallas hasn't won a playoff game in over a decade must be extremely painful. Jerry may also wish he could have Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith wearing the star again. He has Tony Romo, Miles Austin and Marion Barber. A ways to go, but it's a start.

Al Davis and Dan Snyder - a return to prominence for your franchises

Snyder may be already on track with this one b hiring Bruce Allen as his new "football guy" in the nation's capital. Maybe Snyder's money will be spent a bit wiser with Allen there. Davis, not so much. He's had to fight off talk about his head coach, Tom Cable. There's a handful of bad first round draft picks in the Raiders fold. It really hasn't been too long ago that the Raiders and Redskins were fixtures in he NFL playoffs. Now, they are perceived as laughingstocks. It just doesn't seem right.

Urban Meyer - a Tim Tebow clone

Hard to believe that the Sugar Bowl will be Tebow's last game at Florida. Then again, it seems like Tebow's been in Gainesville forever. Meyer has had quite a run, most of it because of Tebow. The first National Championship came with Chris Leak at the helm, but Tebow played a key part in that one and Tebow has put Meyer on his shoulders and brought him more than any coach could ask for. Is it possible that Meyer gets nothing more than a lump of coal this year? If so, then the Gators may see a BCS game slide through their grasp. Speaking of the Sugar Bowl...

Brian Kelly - forgiveness from the city of Cincinnati

Some Cincinnati players were extremely hacked that Kelly left for the Golden Dome. A couple of players publicly stated that their comments were made out of frustration and anger. I still think the whole process is jacked up and their comments are justified. I mean, Kelly leaves when UC is prepping for its biggest football game ever "drawing" the Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl. A funny thing to add to this. If UC had reached the BCS Championship, I've read that Kelly wanted to coach the Bearcats despite the Notre Dame situation. How do you think that would've played out?

Mike Greenberg - a Super Bowl win for the New York Jets

And I'm not even a Jets fan. In fact, I can't ever remember wanting the Jets to win a game, but listening (and watching) Greeny spew his love for the guys in green almost makes one a bit on the ill side. If Santa grants this, would you please stop the gushing, and the whining, Greeny?

Mike Golic - ear plugs

I ask for these for Golic becuse if the Jets do ever get that Super Bowl win, he'll never hear the end of it.

David Stern - a Cavs/Lakers final

We were all ripped off by the Orlando Magic last season. We don't want the Boston Celtics to interfere this season. Seeing LeBron and Kobe would be the dream matchup. I know we'll see it tomorrow, but we want more! In fact, we want 7 games more! Add the Shaq factor and the drama is built-in. What more could the NBA want? This series would bring better ratings than a Celtics/Lakers series. Honest!

As we countdown Santa's arrival, I wish to extend holidays wishes to everyone. Be safe during this holiday season.

sports

Meyer and the Golden Dome; Clausen Sucker Punched

The rumor mill is up and running again.

Florida head coach Urban Meyer is quickly dispelling any rumors that he is leaving Gainesville for South Bend.



I can see Meyer leaving for Notre Dame. If Florida wins the National Championship that would give the Gators three National Championships within the last four years. Wouldn't that be enough to compel anyone to stay where they're at?

Not necessarily.

Ponder this: Tim Tebow will be gone. Brandon Spikes will be gone. Besides, what more could Meyer accomplish at Florida escpecially if the Gators do win that third National Championship in four years? Meyer has spent time in South Bend, so he knows the landscape, both geographically and athletically. But could it be Notre Dame's academic standards that keeps him in Gainesville?

Silly to suggest that, I know. Or is it? All those "higher" standards do is present a greater challange to Meyer. And throw this into the mix.

Let's say Charlie Weis is let go and Urban Meyer does accept the job. What will become of Jimmy Clausen? Does he leave early for the NFL or does he stay for his senior year and get the chance to work with and learn from Meyer? Clausen would have an exceptionally hard decision to make.

And speaking of Clausen...You're out with your family having a meal and someone comes up and sucker punches you in the eye. An irate fan is alledged to have not only hit Clausen, but had some words for Clausen and a female attending the family get together at a South Bend establishment.

And to that "fan", I say...Get a grip. And I also say...Get a life. Just because the Irish have no met your (or Lou Holtz's) expectations gives you no right to hit any member of the team.

One last thing. You're not a fan. A fan would support his/her team no matter what the circumstances are.

Gators LB Spikes to Sit a Half. Big Deal!

Update: On November 4, Spikes informed a Gainesville publication that he was going to suspend himself for the whole Vanderbilt game. His reason for his self-promotion, I mean, self-suspension was to not be a distraction to the team.

You might remember (or might not) when the whole story about Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant hit the newswires. Almost all of us saw the video of Oregon's LeGarrette Blount after the Oregon/Boise State game. So this latest "thing" puzzles me even more. Take a look.



As the title of the video precisely describes, that was Florida Gator linebacker Brandon Spikes intentionally sticking his fingers into the front of the opponenets helmet and gouging at the eyes.

Georgia running back Washaun Ealey was defenseless from the attack by Spikes. Head coach and "sheriff" Urban Meyer announced that Spikes would be suspended for the first half against the Gators upcoming opponent, Vanderbilt.

Meyer on Spikes:

"I don't condone that," Meyer said. "I understand what goes on on the football [field], but there's no place for that. We're going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. I spoke with him. That's not who he is. That's not who we are. He got caught up in emotion."

I smell something rotten in the Swamp...and in the SEC.

Look at what Bryant got for lying (granted, to the NCAA) and look at Spikes "punishment". I don't remember hearing of Bryant attempting to harm an NCAA investigator. Spikes systematically went after Ealey's eyesight. And he'll miss only a half against an inferior opponent. What if Florida were playing Alabama?  Or even a top 25 opponent from a different conference? Do you honestly think any "punishment"/suspension would be levied?

Many excuses were made for what Spikes did. From an article on ESPN.com, check out this quote from Florida's QB Tim Tebow:

"I don't think that we did anything in that game that they didn't do," Tebow said Monday. "If you go back and look at it and study it, you can see it in the film, too. It was an intense game, both teams were very passionate about it."

All you are saying, Mr. Heisman, is that your teammate stooped to the same level as Georgia. And that's if the Bulldogs actually did as you are suggesting. It still does not warrant Spikes committing such a spineless act.

The SEC's commissioner Mike Slive has ruled that the suspension is OK by them. What if the eye gouge by Spikes was being done on, say, Alabama's running back Mark Ingram? Would this still be a legit "suspension"?

And here's where I'll revisit the LeGarrette Blount issue here. Blount was, at one time, suspended for th season during a couple of altercations in Boise after the Oregon/Boise State game. Blount has the possibility of returning to the Ducks this week after doing a "laundry list" of things administered by Oregon's Chip Kelly.

I have this for Meyer and Slive: Blount threw a punch in order to do harm to an opponenet. How are the actions of Brandon Spikes any different?

All this proves one thing. Slive doesn't run the SEC. Florida football does.

Can Kiffin sing and cash checks?

I've been wondering about a couple of things. Is it possible that Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin is getting his vocal chords warmed up? And if said vocal chords do get warmed up, does he even know all the words to "Rocky Top"? The answer to both question may be "no" because Kiffin should be getting ready for the drubbing of his coaching career.

And he will have earned that drubbing.

Kiffin announced his arrival and brashness upon his being hired by Tennessee when he made an extreme error in judgement. We've all seen the video. (If you haven't, click here to watch it.) Last December, Tennessee is holding a news conference announcing that Kiffin is the new guy in Knoxville. During his "speech", Kiffin stated that it would be a blast singing "Rocky Top" all night long after they beat Florida...this year! Needless to say, that comment raised some eyebrows in Gainsville.

But Kiffin didn't stop there. He even took the opportunity to make a verbal swipe at Florida's Urban Meyer. Kiffin accused the head Gator of breaking NCAA recruiting rules. After review, Kiffin was in the wrong and he later issued an apology to Meyer. The SEC has something to do with that because Kiffin also received a reprimand for his actions.

Kiffin's main issue should be the location of this Saturday's game. At 3:30 PM, the Volunteers will be in The Swamp. Any road game in the SEC is a tough game, but Kiffin placed his team in the crosshairs by the statements he's made. And he has to live with the results.

Since Meyer has come to Florida, the Gators have reeled off four straight wins in this rivalry. Here are the scores during that four year span.
2005: 16-7 (at FLA)
2006: 21-20
2007: 59-20 (at FLA)
2008: 30-6
Total: 126-53
With the exception of 2006, the Vols have been within a touchdown only once. I look at the last two games because Tim Tebow was the Florida starting quarterback in those games and the combined final score: 89-26. Ouch. You know Tebow will keep those comments in mind. Like the guy needs any more motivation.

And 40 is the magic number. Since 2001, Florida is 40-0 when scoring 40 or more points. Almost scary all those 40's. You know that if Meyer has the oppotunity to run up the score, he will. And I can't say I blame him. He will have just cashed in on a chance to throughly beat a conference rival. That's all.

Kiffin? Will he be able to cash the check he wrote?

Doubt it. That bank wasn't covered in the bailout.