Tim Tebow Just Wins

Go ahead and say what you want about Tim Tebow. He has a terrible throwing motion, only completes a handful of passes per game, and has a quarterback rating that looks like a good college student's GPA. However, is best at what matters the most and that's winning. Tim Tebow just wins. After the Thursday night defeat of the New York Jets he is now 4-1 and the Denver Broncos are 5-5 and second in the AFC West. It's already impressive that Tebow is winning these games but what makes it all the more heroic is that he is doing it under the most intense scrutiny.

There has never been a backup player in any sport who attracted so much media attention and there has also never been a backup more criticized than Tebow. There are plenty of scrubs running around on NFL Sundays such as Rex Grossman, John Beck and Curtis Painter and none of them are dissected or ripped apart by Merrill Hoge on ESPN. Why Tebow? What makes him different? For some reason we just care about this guy more. He is intriguing on the field because he does things so much differently than a "real quarterback" does. Off the field he is open about his faith and that sets him apart from so many others in the league. Whatever the reason, analysts everywhere have shared their doubts about why Tim Tebow will never be a good quarterback and, despite all that, he keeps on winning games which is all that matters.

There can't be more exciting fourth quarter player in the NFL. He's the kind of guy that always seems to find a way. He might be the worst quarterback for three quarters-plus but, as the Jets found out, he can be the greatest quarterback in the final few minutes with the game on the line. Last night the first 11 drives for the Broncos resulted in just 134 yards of offense and the previous eight possessions ended in punts but on the final drive Tebow rallied his troops, leading the team to a 95 yard game-winning drive. Tebow accounted for 92 of those yards, 35 through the air and 57 with his legs. He took the game into his own hands and calmly led his team down the field against a defense that had pounded him the entire game to that point. The win was his third comeback win this season and after he said, "I love winning but I wish it wasn't this stressful." Well Tim, I don't have a problem with it, considering it's some of the best entertainment in the NFL.

I know that he may never shut up all the idiots like Merrill Hoge but Hoge has to feel like an absolute moron every week when the Broncos win. He LOVES ripping apart Tim Tebow on national television and week after week Tebow pulls out a win. So go ahead and keep ragging on him but the guy is a winner. Tony Romo and Mark Sanchez may have better mechanics and what not but Tebow has already shown he can win games consistently, something those two struggle with at times. To win under the kind of scrutiny he is under is remarkable. But that's what he does. He makes those around feel the passion he has and he inspires his teammates better than most. Does he make them better players? I don't know about that, but he does make them want to be there. His passion rubs off on others and the Broncos now have something special in Denver.

Time will tell if Tebow can keep this up for the entire season or for an entire career. Maybe he can lead the Broncos to the playoffs and if he wins there his legend will only grow larger. It would be nice to see him keep winning and maybe, just maybe, shut the critics up. That may never happen. One thing is for sure though, Tim Tebow will always be fun to watch

Izzo Becoming One of the All-Time Greats at MSU

By now, everyone has heard and seen that Coach Mike Krzyzewski has captured his 903rd win and passed Bob Knight on the all-time wins list. Congratulations to you, Coach K. It’s an honor well-deserved and well-earned. Yet, in the midst of all the hubbub about Duke and Coach K, I want to call attention to another coach. Tom Izzo has been the head coach at Michigan State for seventeen years now and, though he’s received a lot of recognition and admiration from analysts and fans alike, I still feel that he’s underrated.

Taking over the Spartans in 1995, Tom Izzo has certainly achieved more than some coaches achieve in their entire careers. He has been named National Coach of the Year four times which tops Coach K by one. He also reached his first final four as early as his fourth season. Izzo has brought and maintained a standard that Michigan State has upheld all these years. To compare him to other big-name coaches, Bill Self has been a head coach since 1993, has spent his last nine seasons with the renowned Kansas University, and has only reached one Final Four. It took Self fourteen seasons to get there and hasn’t visited since. Another big name that hadn’t taken a trip to the Final Four so quickly is John Calipari, who it took eight years to get there. Izzo has brought success to Michigan State and lots of it.

It’s not merely numbers that can define Izzo’s career, though. Rather, it is his passion for his players year in and year out. When offered the big time money to go coach the Cleveland Cavaliers, Izzo turned it down and returned to Lansing. Along with that adversity came the injury of former point guard Kalin Lucas as well as disciplinary issues with Korie Lucious. But Izzo stood firm. It didn’t matter that Lucious was one of the top performers at the time; Izzo dismissed him from the team and told the shooting guard that they would discuss his future with the team later on. The situation was handled without much media interference or opinion and Izzo still found a way to win. The man has the character and integrity that should be present in all coaches.

Another thing about Izzo is that, even when his team is not projected to be as successful as the previous season, he doesn’t shy away from the powerhouse teams. Lots of coaches begin their seasons with Division II teams or the lowest of Division I schools. Though the Spartans’ preseason schedule does consist of a few cupcake teams, Izzo began the year facing the championship-caliber Tar Heels of North Carolina, followed by the Blue Devils of Duke. How’s that for an early season wakeup call? The Spartans were unranked, and are currently the only team in the Big Ten without a win. Don’t take that 0-2 record as the Spartans starting off on the wrong foot, though. Michigan State handled UNC for much of the first half before falling short by twelve points, and also put up a great and aggressive effort against Duke on Tuesday.

That’s another aspect of Izzo that I admire greatly; Izzo teams don’t ever give up or quit. Duke was up 61-41 with only nine minutes left to play in the second half, yet Michigan State found a way to claw its way back in by cutting the lead to five in the final minute. A twenty point deficit, Coach K’s 903rd win on the line, and everyone in the arena expecting Duke to win, and yet Tom Izzo and his players never gave up. That’s what I love about Izzo’s coaching style. Players get frustrated, yes, but Izzo brings that intensity, that “I’m gonna give you all I got” mentality that is hard to come by. He never takes a seat and never gives any indication of giving up before that final buzzer sounds.

If I were Coach K, I’d be very proud of the fact that my milestone win came against a man like Tom Izzo. Coach K ought to know that he truly had to earn that win because, even though the two coaches have known each other for quite some time, Izzo was not going to simply hand Coach K win number 903. Izzo has been present at six final fours and has walked away with one NCAA championship. But it’s his willingness to lead and toughness to outlast the other teams that make him such a top-notch coach. He’s never been in trouble for illegal recruiting and has made Michigan State a perennial contender. Coach K said it best when he called Tom Izzo “a great man and Hall of Fame coach.” But before Izzo’s name is enshrined, he’s got a few more seasons to worry about and a few more Final Fours to play in.

A Fan's Frustration With Philly's "Dream Team"

By: Luke Habeeb

Let us rewind eleven weeks to September 11, the start of the NFL season for the Philadelphia Eagles. The attention this team had received prior to the first kickoff was unprecedented in Philly, and everyone, from ESPN analysts to Vegas bookies, were choosing them to win the Super Bowl. This offseason, the Eagles played “New York Yankees” in the NFL and brought in Nnamdi Asomugha (All-Pro), Ronnie Brown (Pro-Bowler), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Pro-Bowler), Cullen Jenkins (Super Bowl winner), and Jason Babin (Pro-Bowler), to add to their already star-studded lineup. After Week 1, everything was going according to plan. The Eagles beat the St. Louis Rams handily, and were soaring high in Philly. But what happened?

Since Week 1, the team has gone 2-6, losing games against mediocre teams like the Bills and Cardinals. What irks me is the way the team lost. In all six losses the biggest one came against the New York Giants, a good team, and only by 13 points. The average margin of defeat in every game is a mere 5.8 points, less than one touchdown. Add that to the fact that the Eagles have lost five games in which they were leading in the fourth quarter, and I am not a happy camper. They have been in every game, virtually every snap, but boneheaded fourth quarter mistakes cause the team to wane. Turnovers in the red zone (after Sunday the team has 7, the most in the league), along with the inability to prevent teams from long, time consuming drives cause the team to lose focus and, in turn, give the game away.

Sunday’s game against the Cardinals was a prime example: Up 14-7 in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals drove down the field and tied it up on a good catch by Larry Fitzgerald. The offense proceeded to fail to score on its next drive, not a big deal with the time remaining. When Asomugha intercepted John Skelton on their own 26 yard line, the offense could not even register a first down and settled for a mere 3 points. Skelton then led Arizona on a game winning, 87 yard touchdown, making the star studded Philly defense look like the Indianapolis Colts scout team. After the game, LeSean McCoy said, “Late in the game, we are not going for the jugular and finishing the game the right way. It's the attitude.” McCoy has the right attitude, but he couldn’t do much with the mere two carries he received in the final quarter. Asante Samuel, one of the best players on the lackluster secondary, also had some words about the way the team has been finishing lately, "It's something we've got to figure out with seven games left. We're a good team, I don't know how far we are off of things, but it's real tough. We keep giving up the game in the last minute. It's frustrating.”

Asante, you have no idea. Try being a fan during this mess. I pour my heart and soul into this organization, buy jerseys, I even buy my girlfriend gear to wear, and how am I rewarded? With a 3-6 season, tied with the Redskins at the bottom of the division. Wait, aren’t the Redskins starting Rex Grossman? I don’t even know who their starting running back is! I can’t name more than ten players on their roster and I’m an avid football fan. How the heck are the Eagles in the same place as them? It has been a dreadful season, and I can’t imagine it getting much better. What will make me happier is if the Philly CHANGES THE DEFENSE TO MAN COVERAGE (This is a whole other topic, don’t get me started). I mean seriously, with Samuel, Rodgers-Cromartie, and Asomugha, opposing teams’ receivers shouldn’t be getting any looks, but for some reason, the package defense is zonal? Please tell me how that makes sense. This all roots back to Jim Johnson’s death (RIP, we miss you dearly), and Andy Reid’s decision to make Juan Castillo, the OFFENSIVE LINE COACH, the new defensive coordinator for this loaded defense. Wait, so an o-line coach (a fairly good one at that) has been managing the defense all year, while the offensive line allows Vick to get absolutely nailed game after game, snap after snap?! Yes, this makes complete sense, Andy. This team has the talent to go undefeated the rest of the year, but it’s highly unlikely. The only other scenario in which I will be satisfied with the season is if they somehow screw the Cowboys or Giants from a wildcard playoff spot.

Luke Habeeb is a contributor to the World of Wadley site. He is currently a freshman in college studying Political Science at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

Paterno Shouldn't Be Main Figure in Penn State Scandal

Emotions are running high in State College, PA after the immediate firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno amid the sex scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The Penn State board of trustees voted unanimously to fire Paterno, effective immediately, and that prompted students to flock towards the Old Main administration building to express their anger over JoePa's firing. It has been one of the wildest few days in collegiate sports history and in this short amount of time JoePa and Penn State went from celebrating the coach's all-time wins record to pure chaos due to the scandal. Paterno is under fire and is the biggest face in this story and that has him under fire by many who can't believe he didn't do more to help those boys that were assaulted by Sandusky. We are running on a lot of emotion right now and I think that can cloud our minds. Who should we really focus on in this scandal? I'll give you a few names and none of them are Joe Paterno.



Penn State students took to the streets to protest JoePa's firing...



Why not Paterno? Because he followed protocol and told the higher-ups about the issue. Now, did he do any follow up or confront Sandusky about the manner? No, and obviously he should have. But the main things is, JoePa heard what happened and immediately notified the AD (Tim Curley) and the vice president (Gary Schultz). Schultz then notified the university president, Graham Spanier, and those three never notified the authorities. Put yourself in JoePa's shoes for a second. You are at home and a student manager comes in and tells you this horrific news. Obviously you are shocked and disgusted but at the same time it's one kid telling you what he saw. It's highly unlikely someone is going to call 911 right away and notify them. I'm not trying to clear Paterno's name completely but I am saying that he did his main job and that was to let the higher-ups know what had happened. They dropped the ball completely by doing nothing and they should get the jail time they deserve.

...and made complete idiots of
themselves by vandalizing a
media van and other property

Paterno's role in this scandal is a little one when it comes down to it. Instead of posting on Facebook about how Joe Paterno should be fired, instead of rioting to protest JoePa's firing, instead of tweeting how bad this decision is to let the legend go why don't we all stop and think about who should be blamed and who should be grieved for. I haven't heard or seen a word, not ONE word, about Jerry Sandusky these past few days. There are people expressing serious hate for JoePa and demanding he is fired. Oh yeah? Well what about Jerry Sandusky, the guy who actually raped young boys?? Why is no one hating on him, calling for him to be thrown in jail? It's absurd. Where do our priorities lie? This is about so much more than a legend being able to coach his last football game. This is about 8-10 young men who's lives are ruined because of one sick, nasty and disgusting individual. Sandusky is getting off pretty easy in the public view because most people are focused on JoePa. That's so wrong. It's not about him or his football program. This is more than a game.



I can't imagine what those young men are feeling right now, nor do I want to. However, I grieve for them and pray for them. They are the ones we should be concerned about, but instead we are worrying about, and rioting about, whether Joe Paterno gets to stay for a few more games. Give me a break. These young men have been violated in the worst way and hardly anyone gives them a thought. Jerry Sandusky has hardly been mentioned. I don't know, it just seems so wrong to me. Our priorities aren't straight right now. Stop arguing over the Paterno issue and focus about the big picture here. Sandusky is the villain, not JoePa. The anger and fury should be directed at Sandusky and we should grieve for those who were victims. It's a sad story and emotions are high. Just remember that this scandal isn't about football, a legend or a firing. It's about one sick, old man who has committed one of the worst crimes. Don't let that be forgotten.



'Devastated' JoePa Retiring After Season

After 61 years of dedicated service to his players and the game of football, legendary head football coach Joe Paterno is set to retire at the end of the season. In a recent and horrific scandal, former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been accused of sexual assaulting at least nine boys during his time spent around the Penn State program. With the school and its officials under heavy fire, Paterno has been a subject of doubt and anger from the university, media, and fans alike.

Despite the fact that his Hall of Fame career is coming to the worst possible end, don’t let the actions of another man (as well as the lack of action from Timothy Curley and Gary Schultz) take away from the amazing accomplishments and career of “Joe Pa”. The man took Penn State to 36, count ‘em, 36 bowl games and won 24 of them. He led the Nittany Lions to 2 national championships and had a mind-blowing 401-135-3 record going into the current 2011-2012 season. He has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times (most recently in 2008), which puts him in second place behind Bo Schembechler who ended his coaching career with four. Aside from being voted the best coach in his conference three times, Joe Pa was voted National Coach of the Year an astounding five times.

But statistics can’t always do a man justice, you have to look beyond the numbers and take notice of the man’s personality and all-around toughness. In November of 2006, Paterno was standing on the sideline as one of his defenders forced a Wisconsin player out of bounds and right into the then 79 year old coach. Paterno would suffer a broken leg, yet still returned to the sideline later in the season. In a related story, just this past August, a wide receiver ran into Joe Pa during a practice which ultimately resulted in a hip and shoulder injury for Penn State’s head coach. Rather than look for sympathy or draw attention from the media, Paterno simply stated “I expect to be back at practice soon. I'm doing fine; tell everyone not to worry about me.” Though he has coached from the booth for much of the season this year, it shows how dedicated and willing to compete Joe Paterno is.

Along the same lines, Joe Paterno has run one of the most honest programs in such a dishonest sport nowadays. A week doesn’t go by when you don’t hear about illegal recruiting or something along those lines. Joe Pa never had a recruiting violation and was never suspected of any unruly acts (until the Sandusky scandal hit the fan). Paterno taught the importance of integrity and character to his players and believed that said characteristics were not only to be related to football, but to life as a whole. It's a shame a few men ruined it for him.

The Sandusky scandal certainly sheds bad light on Paterno’s career. I guarantee this isn’t how he wanted to go out. Could he control Sandusky’s actions? No. Could he have done more to put a stop to Sandusky’s actions? Probably. Yet in his defense, Paterno brought attention to the incident he was notified of and it was the university’s higher authorities who failed to act. At the end of the day, Paterno was a football coach, not a babysitter for Sandusky. Some blame can be placed on Joe Pa as we have already seen in this developing story, but don’t let this horrific scandal ruin the career and memories Joe Paterno has presented us with. He’s the best to ever coach football at the collegiate level and has the statistics, not to mention the character, of what college sports SHOULD be all about. The game will miss him, Penn State will miss him, and college football fans will miss him. It’s been fun Joe Pa, that was a heck of a career.

Are There Pro Sports Rivalries?

A few friends and I have recently debated with each other about whether there are professional sports rivalries in today's game. The debates have gotten mixed opinions and I'm sure the general public is split as well on the topic. Obviously there are pro sports rivalries but the question is, are there any that stand the test of time? Rivalries that year in, year out are legitimate battles and that players on each team circle as must-win games. I think there are very few, if any. Now, there are always those rivalries that come and go such as the Colts-Patriots, Steelers-Raiders or Kings-Lakers but they do not last forever.

In college sports there are plenty of rivalries and they are fierce border wars, in-state battles or century old conference matchups that make them must-see games. Players on both teams know it's a must-win game and a loss could mean the season was a failure. It doesn't matter how good Duke or North Carolina is, there games are always going to mean alot to those players, coaches, fans and alumni. It's a hate that has gone on for years and won't stop anytime soon. In pro sports there just isn't that kind of hate that has gone on through several decades, with a few exceptions.

In my mind there are five professional sports rivalries that have stood the test of time and those are the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics. What do four of these have in common? They are divisional games between teams close in proximity. The exception is the Lakers-Celtics. They have a very unique rivalry in the sense that they both have been so good for so long. Dating back to the 50s, they have played each other several times for the NBA title and because of that it is a legitimate rivalry.

The reason professional sports rivalries don't last is because of the players. When the players leave the rivalry dies a little bit. Take the Ravens and Steelers rivalry that has been superb for the last decade-- once Ray Lewis and James Harrison retire or leave their respective organizations those games won't be the same. Those players bring the intensity that the game needs and whoever replaces them just won't understand what that game means. In college it's different because a North Carolina recruit is being told right away that Duke is the villain and that he must lead his team to victory against them. Also, pro sports is a business so players will play where the money is and it doesn't matter if it's with a rival. Johnny Damon is the perfect example. He led the Idiots to a World Series title with the Red Sox but when the money was offered he packed his bags and headed straight for the Bronx. Sure sounds like some good, clean hate right there. Not.

I'm not sure professional sports needs the rivalries like college. College sports is driven by those rivalry games but superstars drive the pro games and that's why they are highly successful. Of course each league needs some games that are must-see but they don't necessarily have to be "rivalry games." As long as multiple stars are on the field/court, people will tune in. So which is better? I have a preference for the college sports rivalries because I find them fun to watch, however, I love when rivalries spring up in the pros that have the makings of being a decade-long battle. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have that feel right now and it's exciting and good for the game. If you disagree with my stance on this or have another pro sports rivalry that has burning for many years feel free to comment below.

Sandberg Left Off Cubs' Managerial Search List

Well, another managerial search and another rejection for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. After managing in the Cubs minor league system for several years, Sandberg was in the mix of names that were in the running for the job of managing the Chicago Cubs. Yet Lou Piniella came out on top in 2008 which left Sandberg down in Triple A for what appeared to be a few more years.

Sweet Lou retired before the end of the season in 2010 which, for the moment, left third base coach Mike Quade in charge to finish the year out. The season ended and the hunt began again. Some thought bench coach Alan Trammel would step in, others thought Quade was qualified to lead, but most if not all of us thought that it was Sandberg’s job at last.

But denial hit Sandberg again. Quade was kept and Sandberg was said to lack the experience. “Ryno” was left in the minors for at least one more season. That one season was a tough one to experience for anybody who bleeds Cubbie blue. A 71-91 record was nothing fun to watch as the team showed no signs of life once the month of June was over. The season ended brutally and everyone knew Quade would most likely be gone.

October came along and the Fall Classic couldn’t have been better. The rival Cardinals shocked the world with an improbable and unbelievable playoff run. But in the midst of all the excitement, Chicago made the biggest offseason move yet (at least until Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are dealt). Theo Epstein packed his bags from Boston and headed to Chicago to join the Cubs organization. One of the first things Epstein did, however, was let Quade know that he would not be returning as manager for the Cubs.

It’s finally Sandberg’s turn, right? He’s been patient, he’s contributed to the Triple A affiliate of the Cubs, and he’s paid his dues. But now, he won’t even be in consideration for the job. Epstein recently told Ryno that he had a list of possible managers, but that Sandberg wasn’t on it. With that being said, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals are talking to Sandberg after soon-to-be Hall of Famer Tony LaRussa retired. Wait a second, the Cardinals? This is Ryne Sandberg we’re talking about. The Ryno who was so loved and respected every day he spent in Chicago, the man whose number 23 flies high above the Friendly Confines on a flag resembling those beloved blue pinstripes. But now he’s got the possibility to manage for the enemy. It’s hard to picture him in anything but Cubbie blue.

It’s a hard pill to swallow, more so for Ryno than it is for us loyal Cub fans I’m sure. I realize that Sandberg may not be the best choice for the job with Terry Francona just a phone call away, but it’s almost like Sandberg deserves this job. I mean, he’s done his part not only as a manager but also as a player.
The Cubs organization might be making a mistake, who knows? Wherever Sandberg ends up the city can consider itself lucky. I have a feeling he’ll be missed by the Cub fans but you know what they say: Baseball is a Business.

Carolina Primed For Third Title in Six Seasons

The NBA will come calling for these four, but for now it's all about a ring

Walking into the Dean E. Smith Center at North Carolina is similar to walking into a museum. Banners honoring the five championship teams hang from the rafters along with 47 banners that pay tribute to some of Carolina's finest players ever such as Jordan, Worthy, Perkins and Hansbrough. Those who make the banners may want to get ready for a heavy workload because this year's crop of Tar Heels looks ready to write their names in the history books. Rarely is one team so favored to win the national title during the preseason but coach Roy Williams has assembled a roster that would look good on NBA All-Star Weekend. Three would-be first round picks decided to stay at school and that gives Carolina a complete team, led by a pass-first point guard. It's easy to see that this team has all the ingredients for a title run.

When Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller announced they would return to campus for at least one more year it instantly vaulted the Heels into the discussion for the national championship. Barnes is a sophomore who entered college with an enormous amount of hype, yet failed to live up to it in the beginning of the season. However, halfway through the season Barnes turned it around and became a scoring machine, his year highlighted by a 40 point outburst in the ACC semifinals against Clemson. Look for Barnes to build on his 15.7 points per game from last season. For Zeller, this year is once again all about staying healthy. He struggled through his first few seasons at Chapel Hill simply because he couldn't stay on the court. Last season he stayed healthy and became the force he was expected to be. His back-to-the-basket prescence is invaluable and, even better, he is a big man who can run the floor very well. The other big man, John Henson, can be described in one word: athletic. A 6'10" forward with a wingspan of 7'2", Henson is a shot-blocking machine (3.1 per game) and he also cleans the glass (10.1 per game). Those three players will make a scary frontline that will arguably makeup the best one in the country.

Roy Williams is looking for his third title in Chapel Hill

However, point guard Kendall Marshall will have to most important role on the team. After Larry Drew's departure last season Marshall took the reigns for the final 16 games and the team went 13-3. The sophomore averaged over eight assists per game and it's his pass-first mentality that makes this team go. Surrounded by scorers and players who demand the ball, Marshall is one of the best in the nation at finding the open man. He is viewed as the leader on the team and it's his role to keep this group of stars happy. That's not an easy task considering there is only one ball to go around. If he continues to develop at point guard there will be no stopping Carolina on offense. Marshall is simply too quick too defend and too good at finding the open man.

The question most teams will face is how do you guard North Carolina? Well, pick your poison. As stated before, Marshall is quick enough to get around defenders and that penetration creates kickout opportunities to reserve sharpshooters, Reggie Bullock and P.J. Hairston. Those two have the ability to stretch a defense, something the Heels desperately missed last year. If Marshall gets into the lane a team cannot send a big to help because then will simply lob an alley-oop to Henson, Zeller or freshman phenom, James McAdoo. Offensive rebounding is no problem with those three either. On defense North Carolina may not be as sharp as other teams but Dexter Strickland has proven he can shut down the other team's best perimeter player and getting to the hole is hard with Henson's long arms awaiting.

Don't believe the hype around this team? Check the latest SLAM Magazine and several other basketball publications. Check the top of every poll. North Carolina definitely has a target on their back. It takes several pieces to complete the championship puzzle but UNC appears to have them all. Of course, several teams with extraordiary talent have failed to win a title because anything can happen in March but early signs point to Carolina being the last one standing in New Orleans. NBA riches will come soon enough for most of this team but for now, it's all about hoisting another banner in the Dean Dome.

Phil Simms Out of Line With Luck Comments

Professional athletes are the center of attention both on and off the field. Even when their careers are over and they’re invited to be an analyst on ESPN, CBS, or other TV networks, they still find a way to make the headlines. In today’s world, it seems as if retired players are more focused on criticizing the current players rather than analyzing their game.

Lots of retired athletes are in an analyzing position today. Guys such as Magic Johnson and Tedy Bruschi are often seen at the TNT or Sportscenter desk talking basketball and football. Those guys, in my eyes, can say whatever they would like about current players because they enjoyed much success as well as had the stats to back up their talk. For instance, Magic blasted LeBron for his lack of rings and Bruschi openly ripped Chad Ochocinco after the first game the Patriots played this season. However, I don’t see a problem with that. Could they have gone about it in a different way? Yes, especially Bruschi. But the fact of the matter is, these guys have been around the game, they know what they’re talking about, and they’re credible sources when it comes to their sport.

Magic and Bruschi are special cases though. Magic’s a Hall of Famer and Bruschi has three Super Bowl rings. But it’s guys like Phil Simms (former New York Giants quarterback) that leave me scratching my head. Simms recently brought Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck’s potential into question when he openly stated that Luck “lacks arm strength.” Simms would then go on to say that Luck doesn’t make big-time NFL throws and doesn’t have what it takes to make it in the NFL.

So let me get this straight, Andrew Luck is a Heisman Hopeful, he’s led Stanford to an undefeated 8-0 record, is projected to be the first overall pick in the Draft, and you focus on his arm strength? Simms is focusing on the one part of Luck’s game that needs the most development. He failed to mention, however, Luck’s patience in the pocket, his field vision, his accuracy (71.9% completion), and the fact that he’s put Stanford atop the Pac 12. Personally, I find it kind of out of place for Simms to call out a college athlete like that. You’re not even a Hall of Famer and you’re bashing a kid who’s responsible for much of his team’s success this year.

Besides, very few, if any quarterbacks immediately come into the NFL and dominate. Matthew Stafford was two of the worst Detroit teams ever before finally presenting the city with a winning record thus far. On the flip side, Cam Newton has silenced his critics by wasting no time in making his presence felt. Every player’s position is different and everybody’s potential is different. Don’t count a kid out before he’s even finished his college career.

Does Andrew Luck have work to do before he’s ready for the NFL? Of course he does, everybody always has something they could improve on, even if they’re an NFL veteran. But for someone who’s of Phil Simms status to criticize one simple, and not even critical, aspect of Andrew Luck’s game is unfair in my eyes. Constructive criticism? I’m all for it. By all means, say what he needs to work on. But don’t go on air and say that he doesn’t have potential or that he won’t make it in the NFL because then it seems you’re just seeking attention.

Remembering Coach Blanchette

We’ve all had the coaches that make us mad, that may seemingly make poor choices, or that you don’t always see eye-to-eye with. Yet no matter how bad or good our coaches are it’s no secret that, at some point in our athletic careers, we find ourselves wishing we had a different coach or that we’re taking our coach for granted.

Yesterday, a local high school coach from my area was struck and killed by a car while he was jogging early in the morning. He was the head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. With football still making a strong run in the playoffs, as well as wrestling season just around the corner, the school and his family are, obviously, struggling. When I first heard about the unfortunate incident, I immediately put myself in the position of those players and wrestlers. I imagined that my soccer, basketball, or baseball coach was in the position of Coach Blanchette and was at a loss for words. I don’t know what it’s like to lose a coach in the middle of a season or even while I’m under his tutelage. But I have lost a coach before.

Three years ago in December, I lost one of my favorite baseball coaches to a heart attack. I was no longer playing for him but he was a local guy who had not only helped me but had been around our town for years. He had a dedication and knack, not only for the game, but for the kids he coached. It was more than just baseball with Coach Souligne, it was baseball on a personal level. He cared about how our family lives were going and how we were doing in school. To me, he was the perfect example for what a coach should be.
Because of that, I feel like I can relate (somewhat) to Coach Blanchette’s players. I never personally knew Coach, but I had heard nothing but good things about his character, expectations, and dedication. Each day he would wake up, lift, run, teach, coach, then go home, all while taking care of a wife and four kids.

It’s situations like this that we as athletes and players should recognize. A coach is someone who is more than just a teacher of the sport you play. They put time in; they work harder than even the players do at practice. A few years ago, George Karl battled cancer while still coaching the Denver Nuggets. He had a love for the game and a commitment to his team and the entire Nuggets organization that, even in bad health, he was there to teach and do whatever he could to win. Going off of that (yet not on the life-threatening scale of George Karl), my basketball coach stays up till 3:30 every night after a game and analyzes the film, then gets up early to come to school and teach for seven hours. I feel like coaches are underappreciated unless something significant happens: a big win, or in this case, a tragic accident.

My challenge to you is this: don’t ever take a coach for granted. They’re the reason you have the chance to play for the team you do and, without them, practices and games wouldn’t be possible. They take pride in you as well as your team. Appreciate what you have in your coach; don’t always look at the negatives. Coach Blanchette was a great teacher, father, coach, and person. He will be missed dearly. R.I.P. Coach. God bless you.

Illini Look to Rebound from Disappointing Season

For an Illinois fan, it’s been really tough the past few years. 2005 brought a lot of joy, and what appeared to be a lot of potential, for Coach Bruce Weber and the University of Illinois. Yet one year after another, the program has experienced busts, rejection (what’s up Eric Gordon?), and disciplinary issues that have left few expectations for the Fighting Illini. Until last year at least…

Richmond became the symbol of the team's failures

The roster couldn’t have been better: four seniors who had gotten meaningful playing time the year before, a point guard in Demetri McCamey who was expected to make some noise in the Big 10, and a recruiting class that, on paper, was one of the best in the conference. Yet that quickly evaporated throughout a disappointing season that saw a first-round exit from the Big Ten tournament, followed by a second round departure at the Big Dance. The Fighting Illini ended fifth in the Big 10 with a dreadful 9-9 record. And let us not forget (though try as we might) the failure to compete with a ranked opponent. The Illini finished with a 1-7 record in that category. The seniors appeared lazy, the attitude on the court seemed disinterested, and overall the atmosphere just didn’t carry much intensity.

The season ended which could only bring us to look forward to the 2011-2012 season. McCamey, Bill Cole, Mike Tisdale, and Mike Davis were all gone which left not one senior on the team. It was time for guys like Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson to take the reigns as juniors. However, offseason drama with a very promising soon-to-be sophomore, Jerome Richmond, set the Illini back more than a few steps.

Paul and Richardson would like to
make sure that doesn't happen to them

Richmond, for whatever reason, thought that entering the NBA draft was a good idea. Along with that decision, he signed an agent which meant he would not be coming back to U of I regardless of the outcome in the draft. Richmond went undrafted and soon found himself in jail after a death threat and other issues with the law. Well Coach Weber, looks like you’ve got a starting spot open at the power forward position.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this season is not going to be a dramatic turn-around run through the NCAA tournament for the Fighting Illini. But Illinois has a lot of promising young talent in the freshman and sophomore classes. I was able to watch Mike Shaw, Mychael Henry, Tracy Abrams, and Nnanna Egwu play over the summer and I was pretty impressed. Shaw could be the best player on the floor if his work ethic improves whereas Egwu is very fundamentally sound yet will struggle a little with the physicality and speed of the Big 10.

The Illini won’t shut down Jared Sullinger, they’ll have trouble guarding Robbie Hummell, but they show a lot of promise. Bruce Weber has landed himself a very good recruiting class that has unlimited potential. Yet it is up to guys like Paul and Richardson to step in as leaders and be an example for the younger players. I don’t see Illinois winning the Big 10, but I’d be shocked if they didn’t make some noise in the conference.