NCAA Football 2008 Discussion - It All Starts Here.

[Neroon]

Didn't play well? He did throw two interceptions (as many as he'd thrown all year long to that point), but other than that... if he wasn't playing well I doubt Meyer would have consistently been calling his number. 18 of 30 for 231 yds passing and 2 TDs, ran 22 times for 109 yds. Converted over 70% on 3rd down.

In related news, now it looks like school is cool with Bradford opting to come back for at least another year. All three Heisman finalist QBs were underclassmen and decided to return. Good to hear, since the move to NFL quarterback is fraught with challenges these guys have not known.

 

[Mallory]

I was glad to see that. I think QB is one of those positions where coming out as an underclassman is especially difficult. It's hard enough to be an NFL QB even with a full four years of college ball under your belt.

 

[Neroon]

Peyton Manning and Heath Shuler are two disparate examples of that. Both were extremely successful at the college level. Both seemed to have all of the physical tools. And both had very rough starts in the NFL. The difference seemed to be that Manning had more of the grey matter for the game. Not that Shuler was stupid. Simply that Manning had more of the mind capable of grasping the speed and incredible complexity of the NFL offense, not to mention the defense.

 

[Adm. Bonz]

Tebow didn't play well in the first half. He played great in the second.

He did what he always does. He led his team to victory. Again.

 

[Neroon]

I don't know that Bradford played all that well, either in the first half. He showed some brilliance at times and was accurate, but .... when you miss out on two golden opportunities deep in enemy territory, it's not the best moment for sure.

 

[Nobody]

So, Bradford stays at OU and Sanchez comes out. Hard to blame Sanchez for his decision -- he can graduate with his degree in June and still pocket a crapload of money. I know everyone is going on about he should stay another year to get experience (which, I agree with) but as a recent college grad -- who the hell wouldn't make that choice?


-nobody

 

[tomalak301]

What is it with the Media pretty much kissing Tebow's ass and saying he's the best college football player ever. That's high praise for him and I am starting to think he's a bit overrated. He's a great QB, sure, but saying he's the best ever seems to be a stretch. Why weren't they talking about Lienert as the best QB ever, since USC I do think is the class of the country in every way. No I'm not a USC fan, but I love the way Carrol carries that team and the way they play is scary. Florida is a great team, well deserving of national champions, but to say the QB is the best ever is nonsense.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Why, because Tim Tebow has applief for and been accepted to sainthood, Tomalak301. Didn't you receive the bulletin? He's one of the top college players of all time and it was reported on ESPN just the other day that he walked on water.

Personally, I think they should dispense with the ass kissing, cut to the chase, and start sucking his dick. He is Saint Tebow after all. I had to do a financial model in my training class last night of a man in financial straights due to job loss and credit card debt. My character was Tim Tebow. He's such a saint that the defensive lineman in the NFL refused to hit him and he lost his job. I had the class roaring and the trainer gave me bonus points.

 

[Neroon]

Oh good grief. I've seen more than a few blogs and articles saying the praise is premature. The only thing more hilarious than the Fox overkill on Tebow is the likewise overkill from Tebow's critics.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

The lad was compared to Ghandi on the air. There is no such thing as overkill in this instance. Especially at the Sitel managment training center in Norman, Oklahoma.

Tebow's never going to live down the Ghandi comparison.

 

[Neroon]

Tell em if you've heard this before - Tebow wasn't responsible for that hyperbole, so why ridicule him about it?

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Because they're not really ridiculing him. They're ridiculing the hyperbole.

 

[tomalak301]

Oh good grief. I've seen more than a few blogs and articles saying the praise is premature. The only thing more hilarious than the Fox overkill on Tebow is the likewise overkill from Tebow's critics.

ESPN continues to kiss his ass to this day though. It's not just Fox.

 

[JM1776]

I had the class roaring and the trainer gave me bonus points.

It's truly gratifying to see that Oklahomans are able to laugh through their tears.

 

[Neroon]

Oh good grief. I've seen more than a few blogs and articles saying the praise is premature. The only thing more hilarious than the Fox overkill on Tebow is the likewise overkill from Tebow's critics.

ESPN continues to kiss his ass to this day though. It's not just Fox.

Ahh, ESPN and Fox.... the nadirs of sports journalism.


In more interesting news, Mallory needs get in here and tell us how the Oregon staff is getting so much play with these highly rated recruits. Tahj Boyd has apparently whittled his choices down to the Ducks and the Bucks. On top of that, Bryce Brown, a top rated RB who had committed to U of Miami, is reportedly considering Oregon also. How are you guys pulling this off, Mal?

 

[Mallory]

Oregon has an offense that pretty much everyone wants to play in. Plus the cool uniforms.

In all honesty, the Ducks take their recruiting very seriously. For example, they're responsible almost every year for having yet another recruiting loophole eliminated. Private jets? Not permitted any more. My personal favorite was when they used to send out custom made comic books to favored recruits. That's not allowed any more either.

The Ducks have some excellent facilities (plus Phil Knight's personal influence), they've figured out how to market to 17 year olds, have program stability, some name recognition and they play in the PAC-10. Having more than a few NFL players like Jonathan Stewart and Haloti Ngota doesn't hurt either.

 

[JM1776]

Plus the cool uniforms.

And, evidently, the institutionalized delusion.

Joking aside ... they're cool.

 

[Mallory]

Some of them are cool, some not so. I mentioned upthread that I really liked the dark green with silver numbers. I'm not as big a fan of the "diamond pattern" that they like to throw on the shoulders and pants, but then I'm not a 17 year old recruit either. And the "Lightning Yellow" just makes me want to puke.

 

[DaleC76]

Seems that Pete Carroll wasn't too happy about Sanchez's decision to enter the draft.

Pete Carroll Embarrasses Himself at Mark Sanchez Press Conference

Pete Carroll did something that has astounded me and others who are fans of him and USC. His QB, Mark Sanchez decided to enter the NFL draft and the young man stood up today and made his announcement. His voice was cracking as he said good by to his college days and teammates.

Carroll was seated at the table on the dais and when he got a microphone in front of him he made a short statement wishing Sanchez luck with the caveat that Sanchez would have a tougher time by not returning to school.

He got up to leave the conference and press members started shouting questions to him.

He didn't return to his seat. Rather he stood up and leaned over the microphone. He reiterated that he strongly disagreed with Sanchez's decision.

He didn't leave it there however. He went on to speak in specifics about the reasons for his view. He talked about Sanchez starting too few games at USC for the NFL's taste.

He said that he counseled Sanchez not to get caught up in the "euphoria surrounding the Rose Bowl" in which Sanchez joined the others in the Rose Bowl records books when he threw for more than 400 yards, ran for one touchdown and threw four others.

In Carroll's view there is more to learn to maximize the young man's chances to get picked high in the draft and make a roster. I'm sure he spoke with scouts and others in the NFL about it all.

Sanchez then got back on the microphone and in a very steady tone assured everyone that he had listened to Coach Carroll but feels he is ready for the challenges ahead.

This is unprecedented stuff. Perhaps Carroll's ego was bruised because his advice was ignored. Carroll wants his athletes to reflect well on him as a coach.

He might think if Sanchez is a bust at the combine or teams look at film and aren't as impressed as they need to be to draft him high, then Carroll's reputation as one of the premier coaches in college football might be at risk.

No matter what the reason, this is just stunning to say the least. A young man for whom Carroll professed affection was hung out to dry in front of media, fans and family only to be embarrassed by the mentor and coach he relied on for years.

This wasn't the forum for Carroll to express his displeasure. This was Mark Sanchez's moment. BTW: He has 72 hours to change his mind and not lose his college eligibility. Think any bridges were burned today? I do.

http://www.examiner.com/x-426-Sports-Examiner~y2009m1d15-Pete-Carroll-embarrasses-himself-at-Mark-Sanchez-press-conference

 

[Mallory]

Well Neroon, it looks like we'll both be watching Tajh Boyd play for Clemson for the next four years. A pity really.