The Big 12 Get's No Love In the NCAA Tournament

Once again the Big 12 get’s absolutely no love in the national media. All media outlets are shouting from the rooftops that there are still 5 Big East teams left in the NCAA tournament and there is a chance that 4 of them could advance from the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 to make it an all Big East Final 4.

While this would be great and speaks leaps and bounds about how either rigged the tournament seeding is or how great the Big East is. To their credit at this particular time, I will go with the latter because there really are a number of talented teams in that conference.

It’s been running on several years now that in both NCAA Football and Basketball that the Big 12 is really under appreciated in the national media. While it is a strong representation of the Big East that Pitt, Louisville, UCONN, Syracuse, and Villanova, the Big 12 still has a chance to have 3 strong teams representing their conference in the Final 4 instead.

It’s actually possible without a stretch of the imagination. The Missouri Tigers are red hot coming off a very strong showing against Marquette and then an even stronger showing that knocked over-rated favorite Memphis from the tournament in the Sweet 16. This whole run for Missouri started in the Big 12 Conference tournament where they knocked off 2 higher seeds on their way to beating the very talented Baylor Bears (who have a chance at winning the NIT) in the Big 12 Final.

Kansas, another strong Big 12 team is also still alive in the tournament. Granted they have a bit of a harder road ahead of them to get to the Final 4 because they would have to face Michigan State and then most likely Louisville, but they are a talented team and could make a run.

Then let’s not forget about the Oklahoma Sooners who are led by man-child-beast Blake Griffin. This kid is a MONSTER! Some of the plays he makes and the combination of finesse and power he takes to the rim amazes me. The rest of the team is average, but Griffin’s ability carries the team and gives them a strong chance at making a run for the championship. (My bracket has them in the Championship).

I’m not saying that the 3 Big 12 teams making it to the Final Four is highly likely, but the national media needs to at least give effort to show that it is a possibility.

We shall see.

What Roger Goodell's Longer Season Needs...To Work

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is considering lengthening the NFL season to either 17 or 18 games by the 2011 season. More than likely this will mean that the Pre-Season will be shortened and the additional weeks will be added in their stead.

Finally, Goodell has the brains and the "cajones" to do what Paul Tagliabue could never do since he had become Commissioner in 1989. Pete Rozelle saw the benefit of upping the ante in 1977, so why not do it 30 years later? Tagliabue missed the bus, but Goodell is right on track.

So was Rozelle to an extent, but revenue from advertising, ticket sales, and merchandising were no where close to what they are today. Need I mention licensing fees?!?!?! Who knows why Rozelle did it...that was before I was born, but this...this move makes sense...or should I say "CENTS."

EVERYONE gets into NFL football. Whether it is the die hard fan or the occasional celebrator who simply gets into the fever and likes the players' butts; the NFL has become America's favorite past-time...much to the chagrin and steroid-ish wailing about and desperate attempt for attention of Major League Baseball.

More than anything, Goodell is showing his business savvy with this move. Now, fans will have a reason to go to two more games a year versus not really caring about a couple of meaningless Pre-Season games where Johnny Nobody's cousin finally got to take a snap in a real NFL game. Tickets will be bought, money will be spent and most importantly...TV contracts will be sold.

Revenue, revenue, revenue.

I sound negative, but it certainly isn't a bad thing. I guarantee that I will be sitting on my couch in my Steve Slaton jersey with a bowl of popcorn for any and every game that I don't get to grace section 6something at Reliant. Let the NFL and the teams make money. To be the pride, joy and avarice of so many people all over this great nation, they deserve it.

On the bright side, more games means more tickets which means the prices may go down on single game tickets. It also means that August won't be such a boring month for sports fans in cities without a playoff contending baseball team. BUT...it also means more of a chance for players to break the incredible records set by the forefathers of the NFL as well as a greater chance for injury.

BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO.

Let's pretend Goodell decides to go with an 18 game season. Cut out the nonsense showcase Pre-Season games and add two more REAL games. One would think that suddenly the superstars have two more games to break all the records and injury prone players like our Texans' Matt Schaub would have a greater chance of getting hurt...but what if you threw in a twist?

Goodell should require each player on every team to take two games off. Starter, back-up, Pro-Bowler or chump...they HAVE to take two games off or the team faces some sort of penalty like losing their 1st Round draft pick the next year.

This would not only solve the record breaking and injury problems by keeping the games each player could play consistent to what it has been for the past 32 years, but it would also stir up a lot more that could make the game interesting.

Coaching and activity by every team's Top Brass would get more intense. Strategy and planning would become the key. Do you start all your starters at the beginning of the season and figure someone gets hurt during the season for their out games or do you let your stars sit for the early games and save them for the playoff run?

Players who normally don't get a chance to start would finally have a chance to prove their worth to more than just the coaches who know why a "Special Teamer" or a "Practice Squad Guy" has suited up. A longer season where the stars have to sit down for a couple of games is exactly what the low-round draft picks (besides Tom Brady) need. Nobody cares about these guys in the Pre-Season, but we know who Darren Sproles is, don't we? Would it have been the same if he didn't get a chance to start?

Then, there is the intrigue and drama of calling out a player that never "sat out" his games and a team facing whatever penalty they'll have to face...It could be bitter sweet...or just damn bitter. Either way...it sells tickets, makes Press, and could be really, really awesome!

So...Commissioner Goodell, I know there is more than likely a 1 in 27 billion chance you'll read my blog, but if you do......consider extending your season, but requiring each player to ride the pine for two games. Strategy, intrigue, and increased revenue...it's PERFECT!!!

Houston Texans Sign Shaun Cody...3 Years of Bigness

I am stating it now: Mario Williams is going to have a MONSTER year next year. With today's addition of ex-Lion Shaun Cody to the Texans defensive line, our Houston Texans D is looking better and better.

Cody, a 2nd rounder in 2005 from USC, will be join Frank Okam as being a large presence to help stuff opposing runners and their holes. At 6-4 and 310 pounds, expect the Texans to finally have someone who can plug the holes and get in the way of developing plays. If he is able to disrupt opposing offenses from the inside, plays will be forced to go out, enabling Super Mario to make some solid plays.

Expect Cody to compete with Travis Johnson for the 2nd Defensive Tackle. More than likely, Okoye will be the number one and Okam will be the number four. This leaves a possibility for Deljuan Robinson to make the team, but that is unlikely. Ancient artifact Jeff Zgonia is a free agent and will more than likely end up somewhere else...if not retired.

The more and more moves that the Texans brass make in Free Agency makes me more and more excited. They've filled their Defensive End spot with Antonio Smith and now the DT hole with Cody. Suddenly, the Defense is multiple times better.

No longer will opposing offenses be able to triple team Williams because they are going to have to compensate for Smith and now Cody. If they can pick up Clay Matthews or somehow swoop up Aaron Curry then things will only get better.

Imagining the Texans continue to make incredible moves this offseason, I may be upping my 10-6 projection to 11-5.

Texas A & M Screwed Up My Bracket

Dear Aggies-

How dare you win your first game of the NCAA tournament?!?!? I pegged you for having no chance against a pretty decent BYU squad.

How wrong I was. And now, my bracket is ruined...at least until tomorrow when the UCONN Husky's take Aggieland by storm. Hopefully, you'll put up a little of that Big 12 fight spirit and not get handled by Chattanooga, but I wish you nothing but a boot from the tournament so my bracket can get back in order.

Okay, I can't blame it all on Texas A & M. There was also one other
Then there is Illinois...Luckily, not many other people in my bracket competitions saw that one coming. I mean Western Kentucky?!?!? Seriously?!??!

Your mamas and papas should punish you for losing that game, Illini. And what kind of mascot is an "Illini" anyway? Naming a team after the nickname of someone from their state. How dumb is that??? That's like a team from Texas being named the....WAIT A MINUTE..........okay...Illini isn't so bad.

So, that's it so far. Somehow I guessed the Michigan and Maryland upsets. Lucky me.

Now let's see how day 2 goes...

Who Will Start More Next Year...Dan Orlovsky or Vince Young

Could this be Vince Young's comeback year? Will Dan Orlovsky get some playing time? Those seem to be a couple of questions that are stirring. Given Schaub's injury prone past, it's a good question to ask about Dan-O.

But...

Schaub has been a stronger, smarter, and better player since coming back from his last injury. He no longer has that timid-deer in the headlights look and plays with confidence.

That should reflect in his injury stamina and ability to stay healthy. I think for Schaub, confidence is the key. I expect him to start 14 or 15 games leaving Dan-O a couple of trash games at most.

Young, however, will have a chance to prove himself this year. I can't see Kerry Collins staying healthy the entire year as old as he is and continuing his resurrected career. I think he will be ineffective from the beginning of the season and will either get pulled or go down by week 8. Simms is gone to Denver now, so the Titans would have to turn to Vince to help them compete with our boys in the AFC South.

Vince 8 games. Dan-O 2. That's just how it is.

Jay Cutler To The Texans? No Thanks!

There are a number of Houston Texan fans out in the world who have given thought and even encouragement of the Texans acquiring Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos. The main suggestion is to trade Matt Schaub and a draft pick for him, which is preposterous to begin with.

The Texans should absolutely NOT do anything of the sort.

They have all of the pieces nearly in place to have a team that can finally compete in the toughest division in football, the AFC South. Although he is prone to injury over the past two seasons, Matt Schaub knows the offense, runs it well, and needs no time to adjust. IF (and it's a big "IF") Schaub can stay healthy through the entire season, it should be a very good season.

Acquiring Cutler would be counterproductive to everything the Texans currently have done to build the team. He would have to learn the offensive schemes and plays, develop rhythms with Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Steve Slaton, and the rest of the offense, gain the trust and support of the locker-room, and adjust to a different breed of fan.

Not to mention he is a whiny brat who goes against everything that a Houston Texan stands for. The minute he throws his first interception and the fans boo or chant for "Schaub!" he would lose it.

The Texans should keep things as they are. Fill in the missing pieces of the Defense that will make this a championship team. Don't waste any time or thought on Jay Cutler. Let him stay in hippy-town.

Rockets Carl Landry Has Been Shot

Houston Rocket Carl Landry was shot in a drive by shooting late Monday night after a great Rockets win.

Early reports state that thankfully it's just a flesh wound and Landry should recover fine from this random act of violence. Reportedly, Landry had decided to head out and get something to eat when another car made contact with his and shot several rounds in the cars direction. The first shot entered his car and the second shot grazed his calf.

Authorities are investigating the shooting, but it appears to be a completely random gang-related shooting. Perhaps it was an initiation to fire a few rounds into a nice car in a nice neighborhood or he was caught in the crossfire, but it does not appear that he was targeted for any reason.

I really, REALLY hope this idiot thug who is too dumb for society and a true waste of space was a hard core Rockets fan and he feels like a big idiot. On a serious note, gang violence is getting out of control. It has no place in society and severely disrupts families, lives, businesses, neighborhoods, and most importantly...MY ROCKETS BASKETBALL SEASON!

So before becoming an idiot thug with nothing better to do than go around toting a gun, holding your chest out like you run the block, think about what your mama would say. Think about what your Grandmama would say. Think about what your child will think about you when they are crying at your grave because their daddy or mommy was an idiot gang banger that got capped before they could celebrate their 5th birthday together.

Think idiots. Play some sports. Get the aggression out on the court, the field, the ring, or in the military. Not on innocent Rockets Forwards.

Landry is projected to be out of the Rockets games for one to three weeks, but again he should recover well. Thoughts go out to he and his family as he recovers.

And please, if you notice any gang activity or you know of any plans to shoot any other Rockets or other innocent people, notify the proper authorities.

Pudge..Welcome To The Astros..Thank Heavens For The Little Stubby Rodriguez

I never put stock into Spring Training. In fact, even though I consider myself one of the biggest Houston Astros fans on the planet, I rarely ever pay any attention until opening day.

Why?

Partially because there is really no home field advantage during spring games, but also because the games are moslty played mainly by guys who will end up on the Round Rock Express or Corpus Christi Hooks for the majority of the season. I've always come to the conclusion that as a fan and viewer, spring training is a waste of time.

Sure, you get your 4 inning runs by Oswalt and that occasional full game for Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, or Lance Berkman, but it's nearly impossible to gauge anything by the Astros play in spring training.

Lesson to note: Don't be so hasty Astros fans.

The outlook is dismal when you glance at the spring training standing and see that the Astros are at a pathetic 1-12-1, but like I said...don't be hasty...it's not even real baseball at this point. The guys who have already made the team are laying low, taking it easy, trying not to get injured and enjoying a mini-vacation where stats don't matter until the start of the season. Things will change next month. I guarantee.

If the Astros do not have a winning record at the end of April, I will wear a shirt that says "Astros Suck Like Me" around downtown Austin on a Saturday night.

You may be one of these numskull fans who actually gets into spring training, and for that...I'm sorry...but if you are down on our boys for the idiotic reason of a poor spring training, through the darkness of the last 3 weeks now comes the light.

Filling the GAPING void left behind from the exhaunt of long time catcher Brad Ausmus, the Houston Astros have signed fourteen time All-Star, 13 time Golden Glove, 7 time Silver Slugger, and MVP of 1999, Ivan "Pudge Rodriguez to a one year contract. It has been flying around the rumor mill and FINALLY has come to fruitation.

Pudge may be 37 years old, but he still has what it takes to be a solid presence behind the plate with either his mask and armor or holding a bat. Although it won't answer their mediocre pitching woes, this signing will bring the Astros out of their several year hitting ones.

With Pudge, Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Tejada all swinging hard and the possibility of Hunter Pence waking up from his sophomore slump, things can be looking up.

So, help me, my fellow Astros fans and want-to-be Astros fans in welcoming Pudge Rodriguez to the Astros roster...an old perro with tricks nuevos.

Terrell Owens and Lee Evans: The New Rice-Taylor Combo

...without the Montana.

So...I was right about one thing from my last article, so far: Terrell Owens went to one of the teams that I said he would go to...the Buffalo Bills. (This time next year, my other prophecy will have come true as the Cowboys reflect a sub 8-8 record.)

But how will Owens fit in with the Buffalo Bills?

Naturally, with a wide receiver of his caliber, the team will improve. Lee Evans has been a solid presence catching the ball over the past couple of years, but has been unable to be truly effective partly because of the lack of other talented receivers or tight ends to help distract defensive backs.

I mean come on...Roscoe Parrish? An "okay" receiver by league standards, but an opposing defense could post any 3rd rate defensive back against him and then double team Lee Evans.

Add Terrell Owens into the mix and the Buffalo Sauce at receiver just got a little spicier. It will be very interesting to see how these two players compliment each other. TO is leaps and bounds more talented and larger in size than Evans, so he immediately becomes the # 1 target for the Bills.

The double team will now have to spend time trying to shut down Owens, leaving Evans free to make some big plays down field. It could make for a very exciting offense. If Evans is making big enough plays often enough, then opposing defenses will have to counter by loosening the coverage on Owens and all hell could break loose for them then.

Strong #1 and #2 WR combos like this in the past have proven very effective. It's not since Andre Reed and James Lofton have the Bills had two strong receivers and I would definitely put the talent level of these two over the Reed/Lofton/Beebe combo that so dreadfully ruined the Houston Oilers for eternity.



Quarterback aside, I expect the Owens/Evans (and sometimes Parrish) combo to be in the caliber of the Jerry Rice and John Taylor effectiveness...just without a Joe Montana or a Quarterback who's even close to the talent of Joe.

That may be the only real drawback to this whole deal for Owens. He's never had such a strong # 2 to help keep the double teams away, but by the same token, he's never been on a team with Quarterbacks of the level of mediocracy that Trent Edwards and JP Losman are at (If Losman doesn't get signed somewhere else.) In all honesty, these guys are bad. A guy who is used to being thrown to from Steve Young, Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia and Tony Romo, Owens is truly up for a challenge with his new leader.

Owens became overtly disgruntled in the past with Pro-Bowl and MVP contending tossers, imagine the press conference after Game 7 when Edwards has thrown 8 interceptions and only 6 Touchdowns. He may bust out in tears for a different reason.

Things could work out. Perhaps, Edwards will come out flinging and surprise a few folks. It could happen. Anything can happen. After all, the Cardinals did make it to the Superbowl last year, so you never know.

It will be fun to see and Houston Texans fans will get to see it first hand this year when the Texans take on the Bills in one of their away games. Expect Mario to come up with 2.5 sacks, Fred Bennett and Demeco Ryans to have picks...and a Texans victory.

You heard it here first!

Bye-Bye, Terrell Owens

Before I even begin, its a given that the Cowboys suck. Sure they've some good years and I am not talking about their talent, but as an organization as a whole...they suck. They're staff sucks, they're uniforms suck, even a lot of their fans suck.

You may be asking, "Hey! Why do the fans suck so much too? I mean I understand the team because it goes against everything sacred and holy, but why the fans?"

Because they are so blinded by their love for their team that they never want to face the facts. They are completely opposed to ever listening to another side of the story and rather than stand behind their team during difficult times, they bitch and moan about what needs to be done and what they would do differently if they could get off their tractors and be a coach in the organization.

All that being said, I'd like to talk a little about Terrell Owens being gone by the wayside. The Cowboys released him a couple of days ago in a move that truly confuses me. Sure, he whimpered like a baby when he was DEFENDING his Quarterback in a press conference. Sure, he asked for the ball in his hands to make plays...JUST LIKE SANTONIO HOLMES IS BEING GLORIFIED FOR. And sure, he brings a ton of press to your team...very little of it positive.

But other than that, I want to know what he did that was a "cancer in the locker-room." In San Francisco and Philadelphia, he did without a doubt pull several stunts that made him look like an idiot...but he did nothing of the sort in Dallas.

I'd rather have a big mouth who stands up for my Quarterback and is headed to be one of the most productive receivers in NFL history, than be stuck with a few nobody's like Patrick Creighton.

Not that I really want to stand up for Terrell Owens, but he truly seems to have gotten the raw end of the stick in this deal because as the cliche goes, "His reputation precedes him."

The Cowboys will regret letting him go. Mark my words. They are going to be faced with a difficult year in which I don't believe they'll have a winning record. Here's why:

1) T.O. was constantly double teamed last year, leaving guys like Patrick Creighton open to make big plays. Remove T.O. from the equation and suddenly an opposing defense can stick a swift linebacker on Whitten, play zone in the secondary, send the line after Tony Romo, and they'll be very effective.

2) Tony Romo really has to prove himself without T.O. Peter King thinks that Romo is the winner out of the releasing of T.O., but I beg to differ. Expect Tony Romo to have the worst season of his career.

3) Without T.O., an opposing defense can stick an extra man in the box to help stop the Marion Barber/Felix Jones 1-2 punch.

And that's it. T.O. could land at a number of teams that will see an instant improvement with his help...big mouth and all. The Vikings, Bears, Raiders, Bills, Buccs and Dolphins could all use a stronger # 1 receiver. Then imagine if "Hoody" decided to pick him up and bring him to the Patriots with all that money he cleared by dumping Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Cheifs.

Moss on one side. Owens on the other. Welker as the meat in the middle. Tom Brady would have a field day with every team he faced. He already did it with Jabar Gaffney, so imagine the difference a T.O. would make.

Who knows where he will end up, but facts are the facts...the Cowboys will rue the day they let Terrell Owens go.

Would I want him on the Texans? HELL NO! But it's just a matter of calculating the facts.

Another move that I think they will regret is releasing Sooner-Safety Roy Willams. He may have a weakness in coverage, but his hard hitting attitude and mentality can go a long way in the right defense. Look at Troy Polamolu...not great at coverage, but makes huge plays from that shallow Strong Safety spot. I'm excited to see what Roy can do if he is picked up by the right team.

Now that is someone that I wouldn't mind the Texans seeking out...

Ex-Lions, Ex-Cardinals, and Draft Picks...OH MY

The Texans haven't made a massive impact through free agency so far, but they certainly have put themselves in a better position to win. Signing Ex-Cardinal Defensive End Antonio Smith, the Texans will have met one of their primary off-season needs...a defensive end to bookend the line playing opposite Mario Williams.

Smith comes off of a decent season with the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals and brings size, speed, and talent to the other side of the tackles. Now opposing teams can't double and triple team Super Mario without fear of someone coming from the other direction and putting their Quarterback to the ground. This will free Mario to make more of an impact and hopefully also get someone in the face of opposing Quarterbacks to promote poorly thrown passes and ultimately...turnovers. And turnovers, my friends, is what the Texans so desperately need.

Ex-Lion Quarterback Dan Orlovsky also found his way to the Texans via free agency and will serve a significant back-up role to full time starter Matt Schaub. The former Big East standout holds multiple passing records at UCONN and brings to the table a knack for being with a team in transition. UCONN transitioned from Division I-AA to Division I while he had the reigns, so he can offer an element of "it's time to step up to the next level" to the team. Should Schaub go down (I PRAY NOT), Orlovsky has the talent of the same caliber if not higher than former Texan Sage Rosenfels to come off the bench firing.

Yes, Dan-O was the guy who made the idiot play for the Lions last year where he stepped out of the back of the endzone on a roll out, but it's easy to look past that. He was getting a lot of pressure, running for his life from a lackluster offensive line and miss judged his steps. Over and done and time to move on. Welcome Dan! 3 Million dollars per year may be a bit steep for a back up, but I have a feeling he will prove worth it.

So the Texans addressed two major needs through free agency, all that is left is to pick up a back-up running back, solid outside linebacker, a cornerback, and a safety. Then they'll be set. Resigning Eugene Wilson will definitely bolster the secondary, but they will still need to pick up another shut down corner through the draft or free agency.

Not having to take a Defensive End with their first pick in this years draft, allows the Texans a lot of wiggle room to make some moves and get the right guys in place.

It's an exciting off-season to be a Texans fan...Who knows what will happen next...