SCOUTS NOT IMPRESSED WITH CHIEFS, MEDIA PICKS FOR BIG-12 & A FEW AGENTS ARE HURTING THIS SPORT
I'm not alone in my conclusion that the Chiefs don't have an abundance of real NFL talent. Michael Lombardi of The NFL Network was asked to rate the top-flight talent in the AFC. His analysis of our Chiefs wasn't too complimentary, but for the most part, I have to agree with him. He says the Chiefs have only one blue chip player, OLB Tamba Hali & just 4 red chip players, Thomas Jones, Chris Chambers, Jamaal Charles & Jarrad Page. Yeah the Jarrad Page I spoke of yesterday, the Jarrad Page the Chiefs are trying to rid themselves of, that Jarrad Page. Personally, I would have omitted Chambers & Brandon Flowers would have been on my list as a red chipper. My favorite to win the AFC, as of today, the Baltimore Ravens, have 7 blue chippers & 4 red chippers. This is a pretty dramatic disparity between the Ravens & the Chiefs, a difference I've been pretty outspoken about for a couple of years. Until this talent gap is closed significantly, our team will continue to languish at or below .500.
One of the nation's highest rated recruits, Chris Martin of Oakland California, has asked for & received a release from his commitment to Cal. Martin said he needs to distance himself from "disturbing influences back home." Martin said his mom & dad were behind his decision to get further away from the streets of Oakland. Martin, ranked #18 overall in this class & the #2 defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, has decided to move about as far as geographically possible. He will transfer to the University of Florida. Because he never enrolled at Cal, it's possible he can be eligible for the 2010 season. Martin said it didn't matter if he has to wait until next year to play, he wants to be a Gator. Is it possible he has seen the trouble so many young men get into with their friends from back home. Being in Berkley, he's less than a 2-hour drive from Oakland & he decided it wasn't far enough. On the surface, this appears to be a very mature & well thought out decision. Good luck Chris.
Last Thursday the NFL conducted their supplementary draft of 4 prospects who weren't a part of the April draft. Only two were selected, BYU running back Harvey Unga & Illinois defensive tackle Josh Price-Brent. The Bears signed Unga today, no messing around. I figured Unga would be pretty easy to sign, he needs the money. He lost his scholarship after violating BYU's ultra-strict personal conduct policy. He came forward admitting to premarital sex with a woman on the school's volleyball team & they recently had a baby. Unga will make the Bears, he's a big, powerful runner who was a dandy pass receiver as well. The 6-foot 245-pound Samoan has the strength to move the pile in short yardage situations too.
I said last week former Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel was in a good spot after winning a Super Bowl ring with the Saints. Now it looks like Daniel will be fighting for the part of "clipboard holder" as the 3rd string QB. New Orleans is expected to sign Patrick Ramsey to fill the backup spot & Daniel will compete with rookie Sean Canfield for the #3 slot.
Jimmy Johnson has taken his ExtenZe enhanced self to Nicaragua to participate in the next season of CBS' Survivor. The 67-year old commercial spokesman & FOXSports commentator wanted to participate last year but he failed the physical examination required to spend almost 6-weeks in a difficult environment. Careful Jimmy, don't trip over that thing.
The Big-12 had their media day yesterday & nothing really earth shattering came from it, about the only thing worth mentioning was the media poll. Twenty-six Big-12 scribes ranked all twelve teams & where they thought they'd finish. No real surprises as you'll see, 6 points for first, 5 for 2nd etc.
North Division:
Nebraska 151 (25 1st place votes-Mike DeArmond of The Star forgot to pick a north champ)
Missouri 125
Kansas State 79
Kansas 70
Colorado 61
Iowa State 55
South Division:
Oklahoma 146(16 1st place votes)
Texas 140(10 1st place votes)
A&M 97
Texas Tech 68
Okie State 53
Baylor 42
Shaun Rogers(Browns nose tackle) went from knucklehead("Oops, I forgot I had a loaded handgun in my carry-on luggage") to hero in just a few days. Rogers spotted a car swerving all over the highway, reported it to 911 & followed the vehicle. After the driver crossed three lanes of traffic coming to a stop on the left shoulder at a right angle to the roadway, Rogers pulled in behind it & put on his emergency flashers to alert oncoming traffic to the hazard. Police arrived quickly & took the 20-year old driver into custody, charging him with DUI. Nice recovery Shaun.
The Heisman Trust hasn't decided yet on the fate of Reggie Bush's award. Since there's never been an instance like this involving Heisman winners, I have zero feel for the outcome. If it was up to me, Bush would no longer be a Heisman Trophy winner, but it's not. Expect to hear their decision very quickly.
Out on the USC campus, incoming athletic director Pat Haden has named J.K. McKay, his favorite receiver when they played for the Trojans in the early 70's, to the post of associate athletic director. McKay is also the son of former coach John McKay, a legend at the SoCal university.
Another day & two more NCAA inquiries into player/agent contact. Both are rather prominent players, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus & Georgia All-American wide receiver A.J. Green. Both are being questioned as to their reported presence at an agent's big party in South Beach. This brings the total to 5 players being questioned about this party. Dareus was the BCS title game MVP & Green is a lock to be selected in the 1st round. If any of these kids are found guilty of being at this party, they're in big trouble, most likely losing their remaining NCAA eligibility. I sincerely hope if anyone gets nailed for this, the agent who threw the party gets his due as well. De-certifying him as a player agent by the NFL & NFLPA would be a good start. A five-year penalty would be appropriate in my opinion. Hit 'em where it hurts, in the wallet, no clients, no income, real simple. By being de-certified, the agent would forfeit all revenue from current clients as well. Seems like a justified ending for such a parasite. If Georgia loses Green or North Carolina loses Marvin Austin, it would be devastating to either program. NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith said today "God help those agents" if they are found to be paying these kids "wrecking their eligibility." I hope he means that, this crap has got to stop. I know it's the kids' responsibility to say no to these creeps, but when someone offers first class airline tickets, a suite in a 5-star hotel & some spending money to 19 & 20-year olds, it's tough for them to say no. Many of them have been raised with virtually nothing. In a related story, Steelers' #1 draft pick, Markice Pouncey had been accused of accepting $100,000 after Florida's loss in the SEC Championship game. The Pouncey family responded to these accusations today with a flat denial to everything. They provided NCAA investigators with bank account information for every family member. Markice said the Cadillac Escalade he's tooling around in was purchased with a line of credit extended to him by a bank to be repaid after he signs his rookie contract. This is fairly common for high round draft picks to be offered this type of temporary financing.
One of the nation's highest rated recruits, Chris Martin of Oakland California, has asked for & received a release from his commitment to Cal. Martin said he needs to distance himself from "disturbing influences back home." Martin said his mom & dad were behind his decision to get further away from the streets of Oakland. Martin, ranked #18 overall in this class & the #2 defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, has decided to move about as far as geographically possible. He will transfer to the University of Florida. Because he never enrolled at Cal, it's possible he can be eligible for the 2010 season. Martin said it didn't matter if he has to wait until next year to play, he wants to be a Gator. Is it possible he has seen the trouble so many young men get into with their friends from back home. Being in Berkley, he's less than a 2-hour drive from Oakland & he decided it wasn't far enough. On the surface, this appears to be a very mature & well thought out decision. Good luck Chris.
Last Thursday the NFL conducted their supplementary draft of 4 prospects who weren't a part of the April draft. Only two were selected, BYU running back Harvey Unga & Illinois defensive tackle Josh Price-Brent. The Bears signed Unga today, no messing around. I figured Unga would be pretty easy to sign, he needs the money. He lost his scholarship after violating BYU's ultra-strict personal conduct policy. He came forward admitting to premarital sex with a woman on the school's volleyball team & they recently had a baby. Unga will make the Bears, he's a big, powerful runner who was a dandy pass receiver as well. The 6-foot 245-pound Samoan has the strength to move the pile in short yardage situations too.
I said last week former Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel was in a good spot after winning a Super Bowl ring with the Saints. Now it looks like Daniel will be fighting for the part of "clipboard holder" as the 3rd string QB. New Orleans is expected to sign Patrick Ramsey to fill the backup spot & Daniel will compete with rookie Sean Canfield for the #3 slot.
Jimmy Johnson has taken his ExtenZe enhanced self to Nicaragua to participate in the next season of CBS' Survivor. The 67-year old commercial spokesman & FOXSports commentator wanted to participate last year but he failed the physical examination required to spend almost 6-weeks in a difficult environment. Careful Jimmy, don't trip over that thing.
The Big-12 had their media day yesterday & nothing really earth shattering came from it, about the only thing worth mentioning was the media poll. Twenty-six Big-12 scribes ranked all twelve teams & where they thought they'd finish. No real surprises as you'll see, 6 points for first, 5 for 2nd etc.
North Division:
Nebraska 151 (25 1st place votes-Mike DeArmond of The Star forgot to pick a north champ)
Missouri 125
Kansas State 79
Kansas 70
Colorado 61
Iowa State 55
South Division:
Oklahoma 146(16 1st place votes)
Texas 140(10 1st place votes)
A&M 97
Texas Tech 68
Okie State 53
Baylor 42
Shaun Rogers(Browns nose tackle) went from knucklehead("Oops, I forgot I had a loaded handgun in my carry-on luggage") to hero in just a few days. Rogers spotted a car swerving all over the highway, reported it to 911 & followed the vehicle. After the driver crossed three lanes of traffic coming to a stop on the left shoulder at a right angle to the roadway, Rogers pulled in behind it & put on his emergency flashers to alert oncoming traffic to the hazard. Police arrived quickly & took the 20-year old driver into custody, charging him with DUI. Nice recovery Shaun.
The Heisman Trust hasn't decided yet on the fate of Reggie Bush's award. Since there's never been an instance like this involving Heisman winners, I have zero feel for the outcome. If it was up to me, Bush would no longer be a Heisman Trophy winner, but it's not. Expect to hear their decision very quickly.
Out on the USC campus, incoming athletic director Pat Haden has named J.K. McKay, his favorite receiver when they played for the Trojans in the early 70's, to the post of associate athletic director. McKay is also the son of former coach John McKay, a legend at the SoCal university.
Another day & two more NCAA inquiries into player/agent contact. Both are rather prominent players, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus & Georgia All-American wide receiver A.J. Green. Both are being questioned as to their reported presence at an agent's big party in South Beach. This brings the total to 5 players being questioned about this party. Dareus was the BCS title game MVP & Green is a lock to be selected in the 1st round. If any of these kids are found guilty of being at this party, they're in big trouble, most likely losing their remaining NCAA eligibility. I sincerely hope if anyone gets nailed for this, the agent who threw the party gets his due as well. De-certifying him as a player agent by the NFL & NFLPA would be a good start. A five-year penalty would be appropriate in my opinion. Hit 'em where it hurts, in the wallet, no clients, no income, real simple. By being de-certified, the agent would forfeit all revenue from current clients as well. Seems like a justified ending for such a parasite. If Georgia loses Green or North Carolina loses Marvin Austin, it would be devastating to either program. NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith said today "God help those agents" if they are found to be paying these kids "wrecking their eligibility." I hope he means that, this crap has got to stop. I know it's the kids' responsibility to say no to these creeps, but when someone offers first class airline tickets, a suite in a 5-star hotel & some spending money to 19 & 20-year olds, it's tough for them to say no. Many of them have been raised with virtually nothing. In a related story, Steelers' #1 draft pick, Markice Pouncey had been accused of accepting $100,000 after Florida's loss in the SEC Championship game. The Pouncey family responded to these accusations today with a flat denial to everything. They provided NCAA investigators with bank account information for every family member. Markice said the Cadillac Escalade he's tooling around in was purchased with a line of credit extended to him by a bank to be repaid after he signs his rookie contract. This is fairly common for high round draft picks to be offered this type of temporary financing.
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