THIS & THAT..........WEDNESDAY
Gone, but not forgotten, former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley, is missed in Arizona. Quarterback Kurt Warner spoke out on a Phoenix area radio station about why the Cardinals have had trouble scoring in the preseason. Warner's take is they miss Todd Haley, he was a very tough coach who "pushed us at all times & he wasn't interested in being our best friend, he knew he'd get his respect when we were successful. He'd argue with guys on the sideline, scream & yell, but he drove us to be as good as we could be. I don't think we've been pushed like that this year, we're too comfortable". The Super Bowl loser has only made the playoffs 1 time in the last 7 years, I think that trend will continue in '09.
A coach I really thought would excel in his new environment was Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins. He was the architect of Boise State's emergence as a Division I football program. During his five seasons at Boise, where his record was 53-11, 37-3 in conference, the Broncos became a team no one wanted to play. They won 4 consecutive WAC championships under Hawkins, this all from a program that moved up to Division I football in 1998. He moved to Colorado in 2006 & by now I really thought he would have had a competitive program. They've been anything but. He installed his son Cody at quarterback 3 season ago & he's been very inconsistent & the father refuses to bench the son. Losing to inner-state rival Colorado State on Sunday fired up many of the disgruntled alumni & I'd say Hawkins has definitely moved onto the hot seat. This could very well be his last season with the Buffaloes.
Mizzou's Blaine Gabbert was named the Big-12 offensive player of the week for his performance in the Tigers' 37-9 beatdown of Illinois. Gabbert's debut as a starting quarterback was nothing short of spectacular, he was 25 of 33 for 319 yards & threw 3 touchdown passes. He also added 39 yards rushing with another touchdown. He made a couple of scary throws in the first series of the game, after that he looked like he had been playing at this level for years. Depending on how hard Gabbert is will to work, he has the natural talent, the ideal size & could become a great college player & then move onto the NFL as a first round draft pick.
If you are able to watch the Tory-Florida game this Saturday, put an eyeball on Troy defensive end Marcus Gilbert. He has an awesome first step & this 6-3 255-pound demon is a joy to watch when he's rushing the passer.
Judging from some of the reports coming out of San Diego, a lot of people around the Chargers are growing weary of the decisions & antics of all-pro linebacker Shawne Merriman. Merriman was arrested early Sunday morning after being charged with battery & false imprisonment on his girlfriend, MTV skank, Tila Tequila. His comments about the fans not filling the stadium were certainly unwelcome, especially with team management. General manager A.J. Smith, never one to be diplomatic to his players or head coaches, sounded like Merriman might be on his last leg as a Charger. This is his contract year & Merriman isn't doing much to help his case for a fat new contract. Once again a very selfish self centered athlete.
Former Eagle right tackle John Runyon has been declared healthy from his microfracture surgery on his knee. The 35-year old Runyon has started 192 of 202 of his games since being drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1996. He also played for the Titans for 3 years before moving onto Philly. Here's a guy I'd like to see Kansas City sign. The Chiefs are currently carrying 4 quarterbacks on their active roster, that won't continue, they're still looking to move people around & give themselves the best opportunity to win. Runyon will be 36 in November, but he's always answered the bell, plays hurt & is a very angry blocker. Keep an eye out for where he signs.
The woman who sued Ben Roethlisberger in a civil suit, now just wants an apology. Originally she was looking for big money, but as the facts began coming out, it became clear she was doomed in the court of public opinion. Depositions by former co-workers, also named in the suit, paint quite a different picture than her statement in the suit. Emails retrieved from several computers back up those depositions. Big Ben's attorney, David Cornwell, said yesterday "the plaintiff & her lawyer were given the opportunity to drop this action several weeks ago, now we are ready for trial & we intend to show Mr. Roethlisberger did absolutely nothing wrong". How much credibility does this woman have right now? She will be satisfied with an apology now? You're telling me someone rapes you & a simple apology will get the job done? Bull.
The Bengals need to sell 5,000+ tickets for Sunday's home opener or the game will be blacked out locally. Sadly, this will be a continuing theme this season with the soft economy & high unemployment.
A coach I really thought would excel in his new environment was Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins. He was the architect of Boise State's emergence as a Division I football program. During his five seasons at Boise, where his record was 53-11, 37-3 in conference, the Broncos became a team no one wanted to play. They won 4 consecutive WAC championships under Hawkins, this all from a program that moved up to Division I football in 1998. He moved to Colorado in 2006 & by now I really thought he would have had a competitive program. They've been anything but. He installed his son Cody at quarterback 3 season ago & he's been very inconsistent & the father refuses to bench the son. Losing to inner-state rival Colorado State on Sunday fired up many of the disgruntled alumni & I'd say Hawkins has definitely moved onto the hot seat. This could very well be his last season with the Buffaloes.
Mizzou's Blaine Gabbert was named the Big-12 offensive player of the week for his performance in the Tigers' 37-9 beatdown of Illinois. Gabbert's debut as a starting quarterback was nothing short of spectacular, he was 25 of 33 for 319 yards & threw 3 touchdown passes. He also added 39 yards rushing with another touchdown. He made a couple of scary throws in the first series of the game, after that he looked like he had been playing at this level for years. Depending on how hard Gabbert is will to work, he has the natural talent, the ideal size & could become a great college player & then move onto the NFL as a first round draft pick.
If you are able to watch the Tory-Florida game this Saturday, put an eyeball on Troy defensive end Marcus Gilbert. He has an awesome first step & this 6-3 255-pound demon is a joy to watch when he's rushing the passer.
Judging from some of the reports coming out of San Diego, a lot of people around the Chargers are growing weary of the decisions & antics of all-pro linebacker Shawne Merriman. Merriman was arrested early Sunday morning after being charged with battery & false imprisonment on his girlfriend, MTV skank, Tila Tequila. His comments about the fans not filling the stadium were certainly unwelcome, especially with team management. General manager A.J. Smith, never one to be diplomatic to his players or head coaches, sounded like Merriman might be on his last leg as a Charger. This is his contract year & Merriman isn't doing much to help his case for a fat new contract. Once again a very selfish self centered athlete.
Former Eagle right tackle John Runyon has been declared healthy from his microfracture surgery on his knee. The 35-year old Runyon has started 192 of 202 of his games since being drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1996. He also played for the Titans for 3 years before moving onto Philly. Here's a guy I'd like to see Kansas City sign. The Chiefs are currently carrying 4 quarterbacks on their active roster, that won't continue, they're still looking to move people around & give themselves the best opportunity to win. Runyon will be 36 in November, but he's always answered the bell, plays hurt & is a very angry blocker. Keep an eye out for where he signs.
The woman who sued Ben Roethlisberger in a civil suit, now just wants an apology. Originally she was looking for big money, but as the facts began coming out, it became clear she was doomed in the court of public opinion. Depositions by former co-workers, also named in the suit, paint quite a different picture than her statement in the suit. Emails retrieved from several computers back up those depositions. Big Ben's attorney, David Cornwell, said yesterday "the plaintiff & her lawyer were given the opportunity to drop this action several weeks ago, now we are ready for trial & we intend to show Mr. Roethlisberger did absolutely nothing wrong". How much credibility does this woman have right now? She will be satisfied with an apology now? You're telling me someone rapes you & a simple apology will get the job done? Bull.
The Bengals need to sell 5,000+ tickets for Sunday's home opener or the game will be blacked out locally. Sadly, this will be a continuing theme this season with the soft economy & high unemployment.
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