Clever Title
For some reason, I just don’t have it in me this week. Just a few complaints and observations. And I don’t have the energy right now to run down the Bobby Bowden “affair”. I have an opinion, don’t be mistaken. I just don’t feel like writing it down just this second. So, please enjoy, and I’ll see you next week.
Greg Wholus?
So as I sat down to watch the college football highlight shows Saturday night (and Sunday morning) I eagerly awaited the recap of the USF-Syracuse game. I knew the Bulls had won, but not by what means. The first words out of Rece Davis’ mouth, “Greg Paulus”. Of course I had heard all off-season about how this guy was going to play quarterback after spending four years on Duke’s basketball team. But once he finally landed at the football powerhouse that is Syracuse, I dismissed the guy. I do remain at a loss to explain the media obsession. Here is the guy’s line from the USF game; 25 of 46, 269 yards, two scores, and FIVE interceptions. And HE’S the guy they talk about first?
Really?
Former Bucs’ kicker Mike Nugent’s 2009 salary was guaranteed due to his length of service in the NFL. He is slated to make $2 Million this season. I am at a complete loss to explain one thing that Morris and Dominik have done from a personnel stand-point. Matt Bryant is good enough (and healthy enough) to get a workout with the Giants, so why again was he cut? Lord knows this team has enough room under the salary cap.
This team has maybe 2 more opportunities to win a game this season; the games against Carolina. Of course, the Cats are thinking the same thing about us. Again, why was the other guy let go? Because he won 9 games? Before the season I thought that things would be bad just because it was going to be a lot of “new”. But as time goes on, I do not see that the current administration has one single solitary idea on how to run a professional football team. The previous two regimes set a fairly high standard for this franchise. Without some significant success in 2010, I cannot envision any scenario that allows Morris and Dominik to remain with the team for 2011.
And I’m going to say it until it happens. Start. Josh. Freeman. There is ZERO excuse not to put him on the field now to start learning the game at NFL speed. 0-4 is a death sentence for any team in the league. Only those so blinded by their hate for Jon Gruden can be oblivious to the fact that this team is done, d-o-n-e, for 2009. There may be a plethora of positives on the field every Sunday, but the truth is very clear. This team is going nowhere. So, the time is now to start the 16 game 2010 preseason. We need to see what our future QB looks like in real games. We need to see if any of the young players are worth keeping around. And we, the fans, need to see if the new head coach is worth letting go of the franchise’s winningest and most decorated coach.
Non Contact Drill
Tim Tebow spent last week doing pretty much nothing. As of today, he is back at practice. But Coach Meyer is not saying if Super Man will start, much less play, Saturday in Baton Rouge. Regardless of why TTNHBC is being coy on Tebow’s return, I for one think it is brilliant. The LSU defense now has to prepare for the battering ram, who may or may not be battering people AND the more traditional pocket passer. LSU’s defense is middle-of-the-road in the SEC. So the more they need to think, the better.
But all signs point to this game being decided when the other units are on the field. The Tigers’ offense is cover-your-eyes bad. While the Gator defensive unit leads the conference. Tebow or Brantely may not need to do much in this game in order to leave victorious. I think it’s a much closer game with Brantely, simply becuase of his lack of experience. He’s a fine quarterback in every other respect.
The risks to Tebow, presuming he has no lingering side-effects or symptoms, are the same as they are for Brantely with regards to the occurrence of a concussion. It’s what happens after #2 that are what put him at risk. That all being said, I would like to see Brantley start the game. If he plays as well as he’s expected, and he’ll be the guy next year, then the Gators can win the game. The following Saturday the Gators will be home against Arkansas. Not that the Razorbacks are going to be an easy win. But it’s at home in friendly confines, and it’s another week away. Save Tebow for the stretch run rather than on what may turn out to be much less of a game than initially advertised. Though I known that nothing short of leaving him home in Gainesville will be enough to keep him off the field.
In Living Color
Showtime has been airing an intriguing series on the history of the American Football League. “Full Color Football” chronicles the AFL from Lamar Hunt’s dream up until the 1970 merger. I stumbled upon it a few weeks ago and have been hooked. It’s only five hours, but they are a great view into a part of pro football history that I was, admittedly, quite ignorant. If you subscribe to Showtime, setup your DVR to catch it in re-runs. But I’m sure it will be on DVD soon enough.
One thing that has really stood out for me in this series is the part that Al Davis played in this sport we all love so much. Today he’s a caricature. But in the 1960’s Al Davis, starting as a coach and moving up to AFL commissioner, would steer the league to the point where the NFL simply could not ignore it anymore.
Running Items
Super Bowl XLIV
Saints vs Patriots
Based on nothing but a gut feeling.
Citi National Championship (not the Rose Bowl)
Florida vs. Texas
I wanted to go into another in-depth BCS analysis this week. But I just don’t have it in me. I will say that aside from the top three ranked SEC teams and Texas the only other viable contenders are Virginia Tech, Boise State, and USC.
Next Week: QB or not QB?
