Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Cam and the Tigers

Say what you will, but unless you’re the TCU Hornfrogs no one can deny who’s the best team in the country. On the big stage the Auburn Tigers displayed that they were the best team playing in the best conference in America. Despite only winning by three points when it was time to play grown man football; people saw who the best team was. As you look at this Auburn Tigers team you have to admire their ability to overcome distractions for over half the season.


As a fan of college football I like to say that Kurt Herbsteit opinion is now one that I give great value to. He predicted early before the season even kicked off that the Tigers would face the Crimson Tide with a chance to go to Atlanta. He was right about that, but wrong about the outcome and the fact they had already clinched. Neither he nor the rest of the country knew just how good Cameron Newton would be. He was beyond good, he was great. I’ve had the opportunity to sit in front of my television on many Saturdays for many years and watch some great athletes. However, I think I got the opportunity to see one of the greatest single seasons by one player in the history of the game. Ladies and gentlemen I do not suffer from short term memory, I recall all the great athletes that I’ve seen since I’ve been on this earth. Yea I remember the great Charlie Ward, Tommy Frazier (and the great run again Florida), Ricky Williams, Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, several other guys, and yea some guy name Tim Tebow. However, the one thing these other guys had that Cameron Newton didn’t was great playmakers around him. No, you can’t compare Dryer to Harvin or Adams to Cooper. But what you can do is see that despite all Tim Tebow’s individual accolades, he can’t hold Cameron Newton jock (hell of a statement I know). He’s bigger, faster, throws a better ball, and despite what people may think leads the team in the same manner that Tim Tebow did. The only difference is that he’s done it for just a year and Tim did it for four.

Though I’m not a fan of Auburn I’m a fan of sports and the Auburn Tigers has blessed me with some memories. This year I will remember seeing the shootout with the Arkansas Razorbacks. The great run against the LSU Tigers. Despite all the times the defensive secondary let the Tigers down, the Cameron Newton moments that won him the Heisman. Of course we will all remember the controversy surrounding Cecil Newton. We will remember him saying that he shopped his son around. We will remember him not being able to see his son receive his Heisman and help lead his team to its first championship in 50 plus years. How can anyone forget the 24 point deficit to in state rivalry Alabama? I don’t think anyone that’s a bama fan will forget because Auburn fans won’t let them. Despite the defense being challenged all year they managed to rise to the challenge on several occasions during the BCS Championship game.

In closing I want to add that despite people saying they are a one man show and a lucky team. Its like my boy said, “Lu it’s hard to get lucky 14 times”. At this point ladies and gentlemen there is no doubt who deserves to hold the crown. Are these Tigers as talented as the 04 group that didn’t get a chance to compete for it all? I think not, at the same time one alpha dog and a bunch of hard working blue collar Indians can be as victorious as the most talented team in the country. If you don’t think so ask my team in Tuscaloosa who has more talent.

It’s hard but it’s fair holla back…

Sunday, September 26, 2010

My Top 5 After Four Weeks

Well, it has been four weeks of college football and the verdict is in. If you’re not bias and a realist about sports it should not be difficult for you to acknowledge teams you hate as being legit contenders. So, if I may let me start by addressing the top 5 teams in the country starting with number 5.

The number 5 team in the country from what I've seen is the Auburn Tigers. Yes, I said the Auburn Tigers. It is clear to me that these guys are the 2nd best team in the west and arguably the best in the conference. With the addition of Cam Newton and an experienced offensive line, this offense can be explosive and put up godly numbers if they hold on to the ball. As Cam Newton goes, so does Auburn. Therefore, if he's effective and productive as he's been thus far, look for the final game in November to have SEC Championship implications.

The number 4 team in the country is the Florida Gators. Though they haven't been as sharp as many feel, they still have won. If you think that Urban Meyers will not get his troops together, just ask Kentucky. Yea it was one game but if you notice they exploded offensively and defensively they can only get better. Despite what many people feel these guys will eventually be running the East in a potential meeting with Alabama for the 3rd consecutive year.

The number 3 team in the country is "THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES". Look for this team to run through the Big 10 and compete in the BCS National Championship game. My money tells me that these guys will run the table and compete against a good SEC team.

The number 2 team in the country would have to be my Crimson Tide. Yes, they are the champions and will be that until they are dethroned, but with the youth and inexperience on defense I have to rank them as number 2. The offense will be responsible for carrying a lot of the load until the defense learns to limit the number of mental mistakes. This weekend game against Arkansas was good for them and gives them some things to focus on. Look for these guys to possibly meet the Auburn Tigers undefeated and be playing to go to Atlanta.

Finally the number 1 team is Boise St. Yes, they play in a weak conference, but you can not deny the amount of talent, speed, and continuity. These guys returned 20 of 22 starters from last years team and they are a legit team. Their first 22 can compete with any first 22 in the country the problem comes when their top guys get hurt. No, they don't play in a monster conference like the SEC or Big XII, but you can not deny that these guys can beat any team in this top 5 on any day. They will need some luck in order to play for the national championship, but if they made it to the game do not assume they will be dominated by anyone, because they can hold their own.

It's hard but its fair...holla back

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Do not Write Him off Just Yet...

On August 23, 2010, it became official that the world's number one golfer just became a single man. No longer does he have to look in the eyes of his wife and see the hurt and disappointment. As a matter of fact one should hope that the two can become good friends (despite the disloyalty show by Mr. Woods) for the sake of their kids. As Elin and Tiger go on with their lives I wish them the best of luck in life and as parents. As for Tiger Woods one question remains to go unanswered. That question is, "Does this mark the end of Tiger Woods dominance in golf"? Many experts say that his reign is nearing, however, I feel totally different.


When I think of Mr. Woods and how he's dominated golf I compare it to another great athlete in another sport. That other sport is basketball and that player is Michael Jordan. These two individuals made people dream and believe that hitting a fadeaway or a draw (shot in golf) can be done with such ease. And just like Michael Jordan, Tiger is now faced with a difficult situation that he has to overcome. If you recall Michael Jordan lost his dad during the prime of his life and decided to venture into baseball. Once he decided to return to basketball and lost to the Magic's in the playoffs they questioned whether Michael Jordan could return to the Michael Jordan of old. Needless to say after going 72-10 and winning his 4th championship those critics were silenced and the league became his once again as he captured another 3-peat.

As I look at Tiger I see this point of his life equal to that of Michael Jordan's return from baseball. As we know Tiger took a long layoff and returned to golf at the start of the 2010 Master's tournament. He like Michael Jordan during the 95 season has had glimpse of greatness but hasn't been able to put together any real consistency like we've grown to know and love. As Tiger begins to move on from his divorce look for a couple things to happen in the near future. Look for Mr. Woods to first hire a new swing coach. Many people feel that he is losing golf tournaments because his swing is in shambles and I totally agree. Sean Foley maybe next in line to work with the world's number one golfer on his swing. Tiger stated that it has been a long year and that he a Foley were getting a feel for each other. So, look for someone to be standing and critiquing Tiger Woods in the near future. Next, look for him to continue to grow and become even tougher mentally. I applaud the fact that he is the butt of every joke, tabloid, every news outlet, and still is able to finish in the top 10 of tournaments. For everyone that plays golf, we all know just how mentally draining it can be. Now imagine having the whole world with an opinion of you and not knowing if one day as you approach the tee box some jerk insults you.

I like many people agree that Tiger has brought this upon himself. I'm not condoning what he did at all. However, I think this marks the beginning of a new era not only in his life but in golf. If you follow golf and choose to write him off go right ahead. Just remember, he's no longer married. He no longer has to hide who he is and if he really has an addiction he can now return to what makes him happy. I insist that you critics and nay sayers write Mr. Woods off. Because I know he's in the prime of his life and in due time once he gets his next victory the Monkey will be lifted off his back. And that is when you can expect to see Tiger Woods working toward being the Tiger Woods of old.

It's hard but its fair...holla back!!!