June 30, 2009

McCOY: PAGE 301 TO THE COVER

It's pretty amazing when you think about it. Colt McCoy. A tall, scrawny kid from a town that no one outside a 40 mile radius could find on a map, goes from prospect, to blue chip, to last resort, to the top QB in the country.

And to symbolize his rise to the summit of the high school and college football peak? He's on the cover...no...his face is on the cover of the 50th edition of Dave Campbell's, the most respected and read football magazine in the state.

Colt's former team, the Jim Ned Indians, is written up this year on page 301. Imagine going from being a wide-eyed, knee-knocking kid at a 2A school, deep inside Dave Campbell's behind the college section, NFL section and most of the high school section, to having a close up of your face on the cover.

It's just about every Texas high school football player's dream to be mentioned in Dave Campbell's. Every June when the magazine is distributed across the state, millions of football players rush to a gas station or book store near by and frantically flip through the pages to find their team...using their index finger to read the text, desperately hoping to see their name permanently materialize before their eyes. I'm sorry to say that was one of the saddest moments of my life. It was 1998. My name never appeared. 

Even fewer athletes (the REALLY special ones) have their pictures inserted near the team's write up.

Colt doesn't have to flip through any pages this year to look for his name or his picture. All he has to do is look at the magazine sitting closed and untouched on the coffee table or in the rack at the super market.

Colt's story is unique and inspiring, but he didn't come from absolutely nowhere. Granted, he played at a very small school against inferior competition, but he still ranks 4th all time in the state of Texas in career TD passes and 8th all-time in career passing yards.

But, remember, he was the Longhorns' second choice at QB in the fall of 2005. Ryan Perilloux, the #1 ranked prep QB at the time, was committed to Texas. Colt was seen as sort of a PR move. A small-town kid getting a chance in Austin, but he'd never see the field.

Especially not after Vince Young just brought a National Title to Texas and left college as maybe the best college football player in history.

That's how Colt was mainly viewed by the public - not the Longhorns' staff. They knew Colt had the talent to compete at the FBS level and had as good a chance as any other highly rated QB to lead the Texas football team.

Good thing for Longhorn fans, Perilloux ended up at LSU and never saw significant time because of off-field issues. The exact opposite of Colt McCoy, the poster-child for how to behave off the field when you're a public figure.

So when that happened, in stepped true freshman Jevan Snead, the highly touted QB from Stephenville who had originally committed to Florida.

The proven, dual-threat athlete would be the one to step in and take over for Vince Young.

But Colt ignored the speculation and criticism and ultimately forced Snead to transfer. UT fans were "stuck" with Colt McCoy.

I can't tell you how many people I talked to during Colt's senior year in HS and redshirt freshman year at UT that said he didn't have what it took to be the Longhorns QB.

I can't tell you how many people I openly disagreed with (at the risk of being called a "homer").

In August of 2006, just months before Colt would start his first game as a Longhorn, I wrote the following:

"If given the fair and proper chance, McCoy will be a great quarterback. He will bring the Longhorns conference championships and maybe even a national title. He will rewrite the record books and become a beloved figure in Texas lore...

...I will guarantee that McCoy can handle adversity. I've watched him play in big games and seen him perform in pressure situations.

Expect the mistakes, let him grow into a great college quarterback and McCoy will put Tuscola on the national map. He just needs the chance."

Well, he got the chance. And has a chance to leave UT as one of the most decorated and recognized figures in UT history...all he needs is a national title.

Easier said than done.

But you know what else is easier said than done? A tall, scrawny kid on page 301 from a town that no one outside a 40 mile radius could find on a map, going from prospect, to blue chip, to last resort, to the top QB in the country immortalized on the cover of Dave Campbell's.

He's already done the unthinkable and conquered unimaginable heights. His background and story make me believe that he has a few more unattainable accomplishments to achieve.

June 22, 2009

2009 HEISMAN PREDICTION...KEENUM??

It's time.

Time to predict the award I personally hold above all other sports awards.

Not because I think it is the most prestigious award or that it goes to the best athlete in all other sports...but simply because college football is, by far, my favorite sport in the world.

In fact, there are just a handful of things (obviously very important things) I enjoy more...

So here we go..the 2009 Heisman prediction.

Last year I listed three players who I thought had the best chance: Florida's Tim Tebow, USC's Mark Sanchez and Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen. OU's Sam Bradford ended up winning, Texas QB Colt McCoy came in a close second.

Read last year's post here: http://blogs.scripps.com/abil/bigcountryfootball/archives/2008/08/heisman-hopefuls.html

Tebow ended up in the final three (actually received the most first place votes), Sanchez would have been there if they hadn't been upset at Oregon State early in the year, and I was just way off on Clausen...maybe just a year early.

This year the possibilities and scenarios are even more interesting and endless.

My final three this year: UF's Tim Tebow, UT's Colt McCoy and Houston QB Case Keenum...and I'm not being a homer on the Keenum call, I'll explain why later...as soon as I tell you who I think WON'T win the Heisman.

Sam Bradford. He won't win because of three reasons: the OL, the wide receivers and the running backs. The OL and receiving corps lose a TON of experience. Because of that, the Sooners will be forced to throw the ball less and run the ball more. And why wouldn't they? They have the best running back duo in the nation in DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown.

The emphasis will be on the running game, and there's no way Bradford will put up the ridiculous numbers from a year ago. He's out.

DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. OU's running backs are both coming off 1,000 yard seasons. Neither one will be able to separate and the Sooners won't be contenders without them both healthy. The only way one could separate would be if the other was injured, but if that happened, the Sooners would fall out of the national title hunt and the attention would be directed elsewhere.

Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter. The three-headed monster that is Oklahoma State. Two 1st Team All-Americans and a QB that would have led three other BCS conferences in nearly every passing category a year ago.

There's just too much star power. They'll cancel each other out and will take votes away from Bradford as well. Maybe not many...but enough.

Juice Williams. The dual-threat Illinois QB is an unbelievable athlete and should have his best season yet. He's got great receivers and a rocket arm. BUT. The Fighting Zookers play at Ohio State and versus Penn State in back to back weeks (Sept 23 and Oct 3). They'll lose at least one of those games which will immensely hurt his slim chances. Slim because of the part of the country he's in.

Darryl Clark and Evan Royster. Penn State's QB and RB that will both be at least All Big-10 if not All-Americans. But, like many other high profile teammates, they'll cancel each other out.

Terrelle Pryor. The Ohio State QB had a phenomenal freshman year. Look for him to struggle with the sophomore jinx. That combined with an early loss to USC and the fact that he won't put up the ridiculously flashy offensive numbers (like McCoy, Robinson, Tech's Taylor Potts and Tebow) will cost him a shot...this year.

Jahvid Best. The California RB (and nation's leading returning rusher) is really the only early contender on the West Coast. USC's QB is in his first year as the starter and they have about 17 running backs that would be starting in any other backfield in the nation. If Cal can upset USC, they'd be in the national title hunt, and it will be because of Best.

Those are the players I don't think will win.

Here are the players I think have a shot:

Jevan Snead. Ole Miss is picked by some to win their division and play in the SEC Championship this year. The only chance Snead has is if he leads the Rebels to the division title. How could that possibly happen? Home games against Bama and LSU and they don't play Florida or Georgia in the regular season. A relatively "easy" SEC schedule. Plus, they have some amazing athletes on both sides of the ball, beat Florida last year and Snead played his best football late in the year...something to build on.

Funny...Snead could play for the national championship this year, but to get there, he'll have to go through Florida (where he originally committed out of HS) and Texas (where he played as a freshman only to be beat out by Dave Campbell's cover boy, McCoy).

The main issue Snead will face is that if he is in the Heisman race, he'll have won the division and probably be facing Tebow in the SEC Championship. And if Tebow's in the championship game, he'll get more votes than Snead...period.

Snead's only chance is if Tennessee or Georgia come out of the East.

Jimmy Clausen. I picked him to be in the final three last year, but he really could be there this year. Notre Dame has a favorable schedule, and if they can upset USC in South Bend, Clausen will be in the conversation. The Irish play Michigan, Purdue, Pittsburgh and Stanford on the road. Everyone else has to go to Notre Dame stadium (except for Washington State which they're playing in San Antonio).

And now for my final three.

Colt McCoy. The Texas QB only set a national record for completion percentage last year and will leave Texas with every passing record and a legacy that will live forever in the hearts and minds of Longhorns past, present and future.

He brings back a great group of receivers including Jordan Shipley, who was granted a 6th year of eligibility, and has the best OL the Longhorns have had in more than a decade. Plus he's not sharing the backfield with a household name (like Bradford, Clark and Robinson).

Texas will have to beat OU, but the Longhorns' strengths (OL and WR) are the Sooners' weaknesses.

Colt will have another record-breaking year.

Tim Tebow. The only player in college football history to get a second chance to repeat as a Heisman trophy winner. The scary thing here is that the Gators return EVERY starter on defense and just about every key offensive player from a team that was crowned the best in the land a year ago.

Florida is ridiculously good and it will take an epic and monumental upset to knock them off the pedestal. He'll leave the college ranks as, arguably, the greatest college football player in history...seriously.

Case Keenum. The former Wylie Bulldog and Houston QB threw for more than 5,000 yards last year. He had a 44 to 11 TD:INT ratio and completed 67.4% of his passes. The Cougars are picked by many to win Conference USA.

IF...and it's a big IF...Keenum can lead his team to early season upsets at Oklahoma State and versus Texas Tech, he'll be the front-runner.

The only other way he could make a trip to the DAC is if Florida is upset early and Texas loses to OU or OSU. Crazier things have happened.

If Keenum puts up the kind of numbers he did a year ago...and he probably will...and if he gets some help from some other Heisman favorites, he has a great chance to be in the conversation at the end of the year.

Oh yeah, and he'll have to lead UH to a conference title. Houston plays at OSU, vs. Texas Tech, at UTEP (another Conf USA contender) and at Mississippi State in four straight games.

If UH comes out of that 3-1 or 4-0? Keenum's right there in it.

So there's my three favorites. McCoy, Keenum and Tebow.

Other dark horses? USC QB Aaron Corp, V Tech RB Darren Evans, Tech QB Taylor Potts and BYU QB Max Hall. If anyone wins the award that I haven't listed in this post...I won't know what to do with myself.

Thoughts?

 

June 15, 2009

LONGHORNS WILL SURVIVE THE SOUTH

You could make a strong argument that the Big 12 South is the toughest division in football. The other contender in that discussion is the SEC West.

The Big 12 South includes Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor and Texas A&M.

The SEC West? Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State.

Comparing those two divisions outright will be the topic of a completely different post. This one here? We're just talking Big 12 South.

Texas A&M: they might actually be a bowl team in any other division or conference, but in the Big 12 South? They're terrible and will finish last.

Baylor: I'm calling for the Bears to make it to their first bowl since 1994. Why? Because they have one of the most talented, young QBs in the country in Robert Griffin. They've got a lot coming back on both sides of the ball and have an extremely talented and athletic defense. They will not be an automatic win for anyone this year. I actually believe they'll beat either Oklahoma State or Texas Tech.

Texas Tech: The Raiders are coming off their first ever 11-win season and were ranked as high as #2 late in the year before laying three eggs to end the season (a blowout loss at OU, a come-from-behind win at home against Baylor and a loss to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl).

But the Raiders have a decent chance at winning 10 games this year (including a bowl win) because they have most of their defense back and will once again be one of the nation's most prolific offenses. Taylor Potts (Abilene High) is stepping into the bright lights and will have a fantastic year at QB. The only problem early on is that Tech plays at Texas on September 19, and I have a hard time believing the Raiders have a chance in that game. Tech does have a decent chance at being 8-1 heading into their final three games against the Oklahomas and Baylor and could be ranked in the top 10 heading into that stretch (especially if they play Texas close and win at Nebraska).

Oklahoma State: Ah, yes. The team everyone likes to forget about. The team that would easily, EASILY win the Big East and ACC and would have a great chance to win the Big 10 and every other non-BCS conference in America. But, alas, they're in the meat-grinder Big 12 South. This is a team that returns about 15 starters including what could be the best form of "The Triplets" in the nation in QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant.

Robinson is the only one of that group that WASN'T a 1st Team All-American and he just threw for 3,000 yards, 25 TDs, completed 65% of his passes and had a 166.8 rating. Pedestrian numbers when compared with fellow Big 12 South QBs Sam Bradford (50 TDs, 4,720 yds, 180.8 rating - national record, and 67.9 completion %) and Colt McCoy (34 TDs, 3,859 yds, 173.8 rating, 76.7 completion % - national record).

Robinson would have led the Big 10, ACC, Big East and Pac 10 in QB rating, and he would have led the Big 10, ACC and Big East in TDs and completion percentage. Ridiculous that he's in the "middle of the pack" in his division.

Needless to say that Hunter and Bryant are complete studs and LB Patrick Lavine and CB Perrish Cox will be drafted on day one next spring.

Oklahoma: I've already listed Bradford's Playstation-esque numbers. Then the Sooners return the best RB position in the country in DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. I'll stand by that ranking. They're the best two RBs on any team...period. Jermaine Gresham is the best tight end in the country and they have nine starters back on defense including all four linemen, which is also the best unit in the country.

The only question mark is the offensive line which just returns one starter. That could play a role in whether or not Bradford puts up the kind of numbers he did a year ago in his Heisman campaign. The receivers are also less experienced. I expect Offensive Coordinators Kevin Wilson and Jay Norvell to rely more on the running game this year which will cause a decline in Bradford's numbers (a reason I don't think Bradford will repeat as Heisman winner).

And finally...Texas: Again, I already listed McCoy's numbers which included a new all-time record for completion percentage in a season...76.7%...unheard of. They also bring back a four-headed RB monster in Vondrell McGee, Foswhitt Whittaker, bruiser Cody Johnson and incoming freshman Chris Whaley.

The reason I think they'll beat OU this year? Simple. Their strengths are the Sooners' weaknesses: offensive line and receiver. Texas returns four O-linemen and the one "non-returning" starter actually started three games last year and played in 13 games as a true freshman in 2006. The receiving corps is basically intact with the addition of former QB John Chiles who is the fastest player on the team.

The defense will be even better than last year with big-time experience and talent.

But the reason I decided Texas would win the South was after looking at and comparing the schedules. Texas' schedule is slightly easier than the other members of the division. And keep in mind that the term "easier" is very, VERY relative here.

They open with Louisiana Monroe, then play Wyoming, UTEP and Central Florida in the non-conference games. Plus they miss out on Nebraska (picked to win North) and get Colorado, Kansas and Tech at home. They key games will be OU in Dallas and Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

OU opens with a strong BYU team, plays at Miami, and in conference goes to Nebraska and plays in Lubbock and Lawrence. The only home Big 12 teams the Sooners will host are Baylor, Kansas State, A&M and Oklahoma State.

OSU's schedule is even more brutal. They open with Georgia and Houston, and at the beginning of the season, both of those are games the Cowboys could very easily lose if they're not careful. They do get Texas and Missouri at home and miss out on Nebraska and the Kansas schools. The kicker is the fact they end with Texas Tech, Colorado and at Oklahoma, a stretch which could derail their season especially since they only get five days off between Tech and Colorado (which is on a Thursday).

So there you have it. Texas will win the South, will win the conference and play Florida in the national championship.

Sounds a lot like 2005 when Texas and USC where ranked #1 and #2 heading into the season and played in the Rose Bowl. This year it will be Florida #1, Texas #2 and that's how it will most likely stay throughout the season.

The fun part (or frustrating part) of it all is that OU or OSU could just as easily win the South. Nebraska could get hot and win the conference and we could see 47 changes in the top 5 like we've seen the past few years.

But that's my prediction and I'm sticking to it.

June 13, 2009

14 GAME STREAKS

The 2009 College Football season has officially begun, and the only question now is which 14 game streak will end first? It's a question that will dominate the weeks and months until kickoff on that first Thursday night of action.

But wait, you say, the first game isn't until September 3...how can the season have officially begun??

Easy.

The preview magazines are on newstands. If you want solid and comprehensive preview magazines, you have nine choices: Athlon, Lindy's, Sporting News, Street and Smith, Sports Illustrated, Gameplan, Preview Sports, Jim Feist's and Phil Steele's.

My annual Phil Steele's came in the mail on Thursday. That's the only one I believe anyone needs.

So what 14 game streaks are we talking about?

Utah's 14 game win streak and Washington's 14 game losing streak.

OK, so maybe it won't be THAT fervently discussed, but I'm going to discuss it now.

Utah went 13-0 during the 2008 regular season and beat SEC runner-up Alabama in the  Sugar Bowl.

Washington hasn't won since they beat California at home towards the end of the 2007 season.

The Huskies should be much better this year with 18 starters returning, but they open the season at home against LSU.

Their streak will hit 15. But that's as far as it goes because Jake Locker and company will find the win column on September 12 at home against Idaho.

I doubt they'll be able to string a couple of wins together because they host USC the next week.

The Utes' streak may last a little longer into the season. Utah has a great shot at running the table again during the regular season.

They play Utah State at home on opening night (Thursday, September 3), then will beat San Jose State and Oregon on the road, have a great shot at beating Louisville at home, then play at Colorado State, at UNLV, Air Force, Wyoming, New Mexico, at TCU, San Diego State and at BYU.

I don't think Utah will be challenged until they play TCU in Fort Worth on November 14. If they keep winning up to that point, the win streak will be at 23.

So the answer to the question is Washington. They will win before Utah loses.

Oh, the number of pre-season topics to discuss.....

Next up? Toughest schedules, who's coming out of the Big 12 South, SEC West, does Notre Dame have a shot at a National Title??? Heisman Trophy? Most improved teams? Teams to keep an eye on....

The possibilities are endless.

My favorite time of year is officially upon us.

June 7, 2009

BAYLOR TURNING THINGS AROUND?

Yeah, as crazy as it sounds...it just might be happening.

And there's a big, BIG difference in "turning things around" and being a contender or winning championships.

If you'll remember, back in November I predicted that Baylor would upset Texas Tech and gave some reasons why

(http://blogs.scripps.com/abil/bigcountryfootball/archives/2008/11/baylor-danger.html)

Baylor was leading that game late and nearly pulled it off.

They ended the season 4-8 but really had a pretty good year. It was made even brighter by the emergence of shining star Robert Griffin, a true freshman QB who threw for more than 2,000 yards, 15 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, completed 60% of his passes, rushed for 843 and 13 more touchdowns and had a 142.00 rating...pretty good numbers for a true freshman playing against Wake Forest, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech.

Last year was former Stephenville HS and University of Houston head coach Art Briles first as the head coach at Baylor, and he is turning the tide in Waco.

Turning the tide doesn't begin with winning championships, installing more discipline, getting stronger or having a huge stadium (although all that helps in the long run).

Turning the tide begins with recruiting.

Period.

And a few weeks ago, Baylor may have just pulled the stunner of the 2010 recruiting class by getting 5-star Safety prospect Ahmad Dixon (Waco Midway) to de-commit from Texas and commit to Baylor.

That move is the equivalent of a 9-year-old taking Mariano Rivera deep the opposite way with two men on and two outs in an important game.

It's like Tom Cruise doing something completely normal.

Or Terrell Owens playing in a Super Bowl...all absurdly out of the question.

Dixon is a local kid, whose dad is a preacher so staying home and being close to family is something very important to him.

It also doesn't help that Texas is probably the deepest team in the country at Dixon's position, and he would play immediately under Briles at Waco.

Dixon's commitment isn't going to bring a national championship to Waco anytime soon, but it could go a long way in changing the culture at Baylor from a dismal, gloomy quagmire to a division contender in a few years.

I think the Bears have a legitimate shot at going 6-6 this year and becoming bowl eligible.

And if THAT happens, count on even more big-time recruits choosing to spend their collegiate years in Waco.

May 27, 2009

COWBOYS WILL MISS ELLIS...

...not so much on the field as in the locker room and as a team spokesperson.

For more than ten years, Greg Ellis played his heart out in a Dallas Cowboys' uniform. The absolute professional was well-spoken, took time to talk to the media and sign autographs and never caused any disruptions in the locker room.

He never won a single playoff game and will either be released or traded in the next few days.

Ellis was drafted by the Cowboys out of North Carolina and has never played for another team.

For those of us who remember minor details about the Cowboys (like me), we'll remember that his last few offseasons with the club were clouded by disappointment and frustration with his contract and security with the team.

But that's not what Ellis should be remembered for...

He came to practice every day and worked.

He left it all on the field every game he ever played.

I used to cover the Cowboys a few years ago. Before every game, Ellis would grace the field (by himself) in his game pants and t-shirt and go through drills and stretch...getting focused and preparing himself for the battle ahead.

During these drills he would often look stiff and uncomfortable, but when that game started, he sure was fun to watch.

Dallas won't miss him on the field with Demarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer holding down the end spots...two guys that make up arguably the best DE combo in the league.

We also won't miss him in the bank since he'll free up about 4.5 million dollars...which will probably go to Ware in the near future.

We'll miss him for the type of person and player that he was.

Greg Ellis was a great Dallas Cowboys, but he won't ever make the Ring of Honor or Hall of Fame. Had he played in another era or on a different team? Who knows...

I'll remember Greg Ellis for what he meant to the Cowboys during one of the worst stretches in franchise history...a constant force on the defensive side of the ball, positive team representative and a role model for young players all across the nation by the way he composed himself on and off the field.

We'll miss you Greg...and wish you the best of luck. Please don't dominate us if we ever play the team you end up with.

RANGERS SPOT A COLT

If you watched the Rangers and Yankees on Memorial Day, the only bright spot was right before the game.

Colt McCoy threw out the first pitch, but he didn't just do the traditional "rock-and-fire." He took a three step drop and lobbed his pitch to the plate.

I guess if you're going to do something that's a little out of your comfort zone you might as well bring some form of personal comfort to the situation. And I think Colt is pretty comfortable in a three-step drop.

But that tactic doesn't always work in every scenario.

One time I was very nervous and uncomfortable as I prepared to attend my own wedding shower...so in an attempt to bring a small level of personal comfort to the event, I wore only my boxers and undershirt.

That did not go over well...

 

May 18, 2009

POTTS WILL FINALLY MEET McCOY AND KEENUM

Perhaps the best and most nationally recognized Big Country quarterback trio to EVER play in the same era will finally get a chance to settle things on the field in the first few weeks of the college football season.

I'm not 100 percent sure if Taylor Potts (Abilene High), Case Keenum (Wylie) and Colt McCoy (Jim Ned) ever met head to head in 7-on-7 or some other unofficial game or practice, but I know they never met in regular season action as Texas High School Quarterbacks.

Taylor Potts will lead the Texas Tech Red Raiders into Austin to face Heisman Trophy candidate, Colt McCoy, and the (most likely) #2 ranked Texas Longhorns on September 19.

Not sure why Tech decided to move their game with Texas up this early in the season. Historically, the Red Raiders start slow in seasons they have to break in a new quarterback and they'll only have two games to prepare for the Horns.

...and it's in Austin...

But Potts will have his chance to make his mark on the national stage early if he can pull off what would be the upset of the season in week 3.

The very next week, Potts and the Raiders will be in Houston to face the incredibly prolific Cougars led by Case Keenum.

Keenum has received some early Heisman talk in various national publications due to his impressive numbers from 2008.

Another really tough test for Potts, but if he can somehow roll through that stretch unscathed, he'll be in the Heisman race and the Red Raiders will be ranked up near the Top 5.

McCoy and Keenum won't meet this year, but maybe they'll meet up sometime in the NFL??

Those two weeks so early in the season will make me proud to be a resident of the Big Country.

Three of "our boys" will be performing on a stage being viewed by millions of Americans. And I won't make any quarantees at this point about who will win those games, but I can guarantee one thing:

No matter what happens, McCoy, Potts and Keenum will conduct themselves with class and an unwavering display of the character that should be envied by every other player and team in the country.

Those three guys families' should be proud, their friends should be proud, and everyone living in the Big Country should be proud of what they've accomplished...not to mention what they WILL accomplish in years to come.

We're getting closer to the season!!

Dallas Cowboys OTAs start tomorrow...

May 11, 2009

QUINCY CARTER ARREST GETS ATTENTION IN DALLAS

Quincy Carter was arrested over the weekend for the second time this year on a warrant for violating his probation.

The arrest was mentioned on the Dallas Morning News website and was covered by some local media.

He immediately bonded out and was probably hoping that it wouldn't gain any attention.

And it might not have if Carter wasn't famous for getting booted off the Cowboys roster during training camp for an off-field incident involving illegal drugs a year after leading the team to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth.

He seemed a bit annoyed with Bryan Keating, the KTXS Sports Director, for covering the story.

When you're as notorious as Quincy Carter is for getting into trouble off the field, you have to understand that just because you're in Abilene doesn't mean the local media will ignore newsworthy stories.

I'm all for turning things around, and I sincerely hope Quincy does great with the Ruff Riders. It seems that he's at least trying, which is more than I can say for some other professional athletes who've fallen from the lime light.

I'll give Mr. Carter alot of credit for working hard and doing what he can to make the most of his talents and situation...but the Abilene media will respond to off-field issues...just like anywhere else.

GAME SPEED IS A DIFFERENT WORLD

You'll hear tons of talk surrounding the 40 yard dash at every level of competitive football. It's an important measure of explosion, acceleration and speed.

But it's not a true measure of "game" speed...which, if I'm not mistaken, is really the only thing that matters in the realm of speed.

The only problem is you can't simulate game speed at a combine or any other testing site...especially when you're not wearing football cleats or pads on every part of your body.

Now, that's not to say that a fast 40 time won't or doesn't translate to the field...but sometimes a good football player won't have a great 40 time, but can blaze during games.

I played with a guy in high school who barely ran under a 5.0 40 yard dash, but he was an all-state corner back because he was smart, explosive and could change direction at an amazing speed.

Those things aren't measured in running a straight line.

Another case in point...Dallas Cowboys' draft pick Michael Hamlin, a safety out of Clemson, ran down Darrius Heyward-Bey during the 2008 regular season.

Why is that significant? Heyward-Bey ran the fastest time at the combine this year. Hamlin ran a 4.62 and was one of the slowest safeties timed.

But if you YouTube "Darrius Heyward-Bey Runs Through Death Valley"...you'll see what I'm talking about.

Heyward-Bey runs a reverse and is seemingly gone on an 80 yard touchdown run. Hamlin runs him down from behind...

Coaches and talent evaluators pick up that kind of stuff and it's why a team might get a bad grade from the "experts" who only look at the measurable stuff when, in actuality, the player has football speed and will become a decent NFL player.

Anyway, just my two cents on measurables vs. immeasurables.

Before Howie Long was drafted by the Raiders, he wasn't asked to bench press, run a 40 or do any drills.

They told him to strap on the pads and go sack the quarterback, which is what he did for 13 years...and ended up in the Hall of Fame.

MAVS GETTING MAULED

I know, I know...BigCountryFootball.com...but I'm sitting here watching the Denver Nuggets beat the Mavs senseless.

The only thing that's missing is a lead pipe and some brass knuckles.

The amount of physical contact away from the ball in these four games has been substantial...not to mention the contact around the ball.

I guess the Denver Nuggets miss football season, too and are giving us an early taste.

If the Dallas Mavericks were a person, he would be waking up in a filthy and abandoned alley in the morning and think he was one of the Jonas brothers...

May 3, 2009

ANYONE ELSE AGAINST A PLAYOFF?

I'm beginning to think I'm the only college football fan left on the planet that is against implementing a playoff to end the season.

I'm not necessarily saying the BCS is perfect or that I'm even a fan of the BCS. What I'm saying is I'm all for the bowl system and keeping things the way they are for the time being...if there are changes, they just need to be small ones.

I think I have an interesting and unique perspective on college football - I went to a Division II school, have no true Division I (or FBS) allegiance, and would be just as happy watching Texas/OU, Florida/Georgia or Ball State/Toledo.

Last season I averaged watching 30 games every Saturday...not to mention the games on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

I say all that just to say that I feel like I have a broad perspective on all things college football. For goodness sakes I can name every Heisman Trophy winner in two minutes with my eyes closed and hands tied behind my back hanging upside down.

The current system is interesting. It's dramatic. It makes the regular season the best of any sport in the country. And it's a tradition. Bowls have been around since the early part of last century...since the dawn of college football.

I do believe that there are certain things in life that need to be amended or revamped every now and then. Things like balding men just going ahead and shaving it off instead of trying to hide it or fixing my sprinkler heads to actually spray my lawn instead of the street in front of my house. 

But taking college football and jamming a playoff down its throat would be like making Navy SEALS eat marshmallows, sing Barney songs and wear Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pajamas...it just wouldn't seem right.

Another thing that irks me is hearing our President (who's pro-playoff) say he hasn't talked to a single college football fan who isn't in favor of a playoff...he clearly hasn't spoken to me. And I clearly should be the Secretary of Sports in his Cabinet. He hasn't asked me yet. Still waiting for the call.

The scary thing to me is that President Obama is the type of person and leader whose opinion and encouragement could actually change the system. Of course that's only scary to me because I don't want that to happen.

There are probably millions of people out there who hope that the change is made.

Many of those who want a playoff are fans or supporters of small conference schools like Utah, Boise State, TCU and BYU.

One of those schools is usually in the BCS picture and whining that they should have a shot at the title. Well, they shouldn't.

You can't tell me and will never be able to tell me that a 12-0 Utah team (even one that beat Alabama) is on the same level as Texas, Florida or USC. They don't have the money, the talent or the schedules to match up.

And the wins by Boise State and Utah over major powers OU and Alabama lately don't hold any water for me. Last year Utah went undefeated playing in a pedestrian conference and had everything to gain by beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

On the other hand, Alabama didn't lose a regular season game in the toughest, most brutal, viscous and hard-hitting conference in the country...battling week after week after week. And were coming off an emotionally destructive loss to Florida in the SEC Championship game that ruined their chances to win a national title. They weren't themselves.

Same scenario for Boise State and OU in the Broncos win in the Fiesta Bowl a few years ago. But that's a whole separate issue for a whole separate article.

What I'm trying to say in this post is that every week during the regular season means something in college football. Ohio State/USC this year will have national title implications. If a playoff were the case, a loss in that game wouldn't be nearly as detrimental.

Making the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange Bowls the first games in an eight game playoff would ruin the tradition and prestige of those bowls and diminish the usually glorious end of the season.

A playoff wouldn't end the whining or "unfairness" of the bowl system...in an eight team playoff, the ninth, tenth and eleventh ranked teams would all be picketing outside the Playoff Selection Committee's headquarters.

In a 12 team playoff it would be the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth...and on and on and on.

So let's not just make the change for the sake of giving everybody a Charlie Brown fair chance.

The other type of "Pro-Playoffer" is the person who likes college football, but isn't IN LOVE with college football.

Men, it's like you would have no problem watching one of your friends get his head shaved against his will as a prank...you'd probably think that was pretty funny. You'd laugh and point and go on about your business when the show was over.

But if it was your WIFE...someone you LOVED...you would do everything in your power to keep her head from being shaved for a silly prank. You would risk your neck because you know your life would be miserable for a long time (and her's would, too of course).

That's how it is with me and college football...I love the season the way it is and know that changing to a playoff system (aka "shaving her head for no good reason") would be terrible and not fun for anyone.

So let's keep a unique, intense and exceptional season the way it works best...the way it's always been done. A true recipe for legends, glory, fame, heroes and drama...college football in it's natural form - the bowl system.

And let's keep the playoffs working where they work best...everywhere else.

April 27, 2009

COWBOYS DRAFT GRADE - B+

The Dallas Dirty Dozen.

The 12 football players who were selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Draft today. From now until the first few days of training camp, these players will be negotiating terms, legal language, numbers and other fun contract stuff until they're signed and officially become part of the greatest sports franchise in the history of planet Earth.

After looking at all the players and evaluating where they might fit into the current roster...I have to say that I'm very optimistic about the 2009 class.

If there are two things you can say about Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones it's this: he spends a lot of money and he's usually a very good evaluator of talent or knows how to hire good talent evaluators which leads to pretty good drafts.

Way back in February, I said on this blog that we needed to target QB, OL, WR and LB.

Well, we went out and traded a better-than-average Safety for a QB which increased our need in the defensive backfield, let DE Chris Canty get away in free agency (understandably too expensive) and lost Kevin Burnett and Keith Davis - two guys who played a large role on third down and special teams.

So our needs changed just a little bit although we still went into the draft needing help on the O-line and at LB.

Here's how the picks went down by position in order of selection: OLB, OL (probably a guard), QB, DE, DE, CB, FS, K, LB, TE, CB and WR.

7 defensive positions, 4 offensive positions and one special teamer. And really many of the defensive selections will be used on special teams as well, so you could sort of say that 6 of the selections could play some role on special teams which was an area we needed BIGTIME improvements in...we didn't go out and get a new ST coach because everything was fine and dandy.

Our first pick was Jason Williams...yet another Jason Williams in professional sports, but I would take this Jason Williams over any of the others in a street fight. Big, fast kid from Chicago tied the all-time college football record with 14 forced fumbles in his career at Western Illinois. He's a ballhawk who will knock the snot out of you. I love this pick and hope he never has the chance to knock the snot out of me.

Ball State had a record-breaking offensive year in 2008 and a big reason for the big numbers was their big right tackle Robert Brewster who we took with our second pick (75th overall). Talk about a crazy story...this guy's wife died three days after giving birth to his son late last year. Just makes you want to reach out and hug the guy. I'm really pulling for him to make the team and do well. He'll end up being a guard in the NFL. 6-4, 300+ pounder.

We took A&M QB Stephen McGee with our third pick (4th round). McGee was disappointed he wasn't taken earlier. It didn't help that he was COMPLETELY mis-used during his entire career at A&M. If given the chance he could thrive as a pro-style QB. Maybe he'll develop and we can trade him for future draft picks in a few years.

Our 4th and 5th picks were used on defensive ends (much to the chagrin of Greg Ellis - who I'm sure we'll be hearing from soon). Oregon State's Victor Hunter and Texas Tech's Brandon Williams were both studs at their respective schools. Hunter had 22.5 sacks the last two years and Williams led the Big-12 in sacks last year. Williams' stock dropped after he ran a slow 4.9 40 at the combine...good news for Dallas because he's faster than that on the field. Great picks that will add invaluable depth to our defensive line.

A couple of Cincinnati defenders were taken with our 6th and 11th picks. Cornerbacks DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens. Both of these guys should contribute immediately on special teams and shouldn't see the field much this year other than that. Both solid athletes who put up good numbers with the Bearcats.

I've been enamored with Clemson FS Michael Hamlin for the last few years. A hard-hitting, playmaker, Hamlin started four years and ended up with 326 tackles and 14 picks in his fabulous career. We could have a Hamlin/Hamlin starting safety tandem.

Remember, I watch about 30 college football games every Saturday. He's been on my radar for a while .Come to think of it...I'd heard of every one of our selections. That's always a good sign.

USC kicker David Buehler was the 172nd overall pick and the Cowboys' 8th. He'll be used as a kickoff specialist but he's also a kicker in the mold of Colts' punter Hunter Smith, who was Notre Dame's third string quarterback, ran drills with the receivers and is probably one of the better pure athletes in the league. Buehler had a better bench press than a lot of lineman at the combine and is a big, fast kid. He may be used on kickoff coverage.

Another Texas product was taken next by Dallas, TCU safety Stephen Hodge. He is a big, bruising safety who will most likely play inside LB for Dallas.

Virginia TE John Phillips will be given a chance to fight for the third TE roster spot behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett. He's a good player.

Our last pick was a player I watched help beat the Snyder Tigers in the state semi-finals a few years ago at Texas Stadium, Gilmer product Manuel Johnson who played WR at OU.

He was a stud at Gilmer but didn't quite live up to his hype. Don't get me wrong...he was good at OU and I think will have a chance to make the roster, but he struggled with inconsistency and injuries as a Sooner.

Overall, I was very pleased with the draft. This B+ is a very, very high B+ and the only reason I didn't give it an A was because I thought we could have addressed the OL issue a bit more...but who knows, maybe we'll make some trades and get the help we need up front.

GO COWBOYS!!!

I know my posts have been heavy on Cowboys lately. Now that the draft is over, I'll start focusing more on college and high school. First college game is September 3.

 

April 19, 2009

2009 COWBOYS PREDICTION: 12-4

After taking an in-depth look at who the Cowboys lost, who they added, who they're playing and when they're playing...I've decided that the 2009 edition of America's Team will finish the season 12-4.

A couple of experts that cover the team year-round have predicted 8-8 and 9-7 seasons. I think they're just being pessimists.

Here's how it breaks down...

Sunday, September 13 @ Tampa Bay (1-0): Dallas beat this team last year with Brad Johnson as the QB. The Bucs will most likely be starting Byron Leftwich in his first game with the team. Dallas should win this game.

Sunday, September 20 vs. New York Giants (2-0): The first game at Jerry World. The place will be absolutely electric. All other storylines (Chris Canty's return, defending NFC East champs in town, etc...) will be overshadowed by the attention given the new stadium. The home crowd alone will power Dallas to a win. Kind of like how Central Florida almost beat Texas a couple of years ago when they played the Longhorns in a brand new stadium.

Monday, September 28 vs. Carolina (3-0): Coming off a huge win against the Giants in the new stadium, it'll take more than what Carolina will be able to muster to beat Dallas on an early roll...especially on another national television stage.

Sunday, October 4 @ Denver (4-0): The thin air won't make much difference to our three-headed rushing attack. First year head coach Josh McDaniels will still be trying to get his team in a groove with a new quarterback.

Sunday, October 11 @ Kansas City (5-0): Former Cowboys' assistant Todd Haley is the head coach of the Chiefs. This will be the revival of a long-time rivalry between Dallas and the team that used to reside in Dallas before Lamar Hunt took his franchise to KC. I'd give KC a win here but there's one thing to consider...the Chiefs play the Giants and Eagles in the two weeks leading up to this game. They'll be worn out.

Sunday, October 18, BYE

Sunday, October 25 vs. Atlanta (6-0): With two weeks to prepare for the surprise team of the NFL last year, Dallas will keep the early season momentum going with yet another win.

Sunday, November 1 vs. Seattle (7-0): It'll be one of the best starts in franchise history. 7-0 after first year coach Jim Mora and the Seahawks leave town. I think Seattle would have a chance to win if the game was in Seattle.

Sunday, November 8 @ Philadelphia (7-1): You know the Eagles will just LOVE to be the team that gets to end the Cowboys' winning streak...especially in Philadelphia. It's the first game in Philly since the 2008 season-ending disaster. We can't win 'em all.

Sunday, November 15 @ Green Bay (7-2): Another loss after seven wins to start the year. Coming off a tough loss in  Philly, it'll be tough to play in the cold and unwelcome atmosphere of Lambeau Field. Tony Romo has struggled in cold weather.

Sunday, November 22 vs. Washington (8-2): Back home and back in the win column against the hated Redskins.

Thursday, November 26 vs. Oakland (9-2): Things will be turning around after the two-game losing streak. There will be much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving as Dallas stomps all over Oakland.

Sunday, December 6 @ New York Giants (9-3): Dallas is known for tanking in December over the last few years. This month is especially brutal - the NFL didn't do us any favors. After taking care of the Giants in dramatic fashion to open up Jerry World, the Giants will get their revenge and tighten up the NFC East division race.

Sunday, December 13 vs. San Diego (10-3): This will be a tough win because San Diego usually plays its best football late in the year. But we'd better win this one since it's at home and three out of four December games are on the road.

Saturday, December 19 @ New Orleans (11-3): A Saturday night road game against yet another former Cowboys assistant, Sean Payton. This should be a shoot-out, but Dallas must win this game to get the "always play terrible in December" monkey off its back.

Sunday, December 27 @ Washington (11-4): We'll beat Washington at home, but as usual, we'll lose in Washington.

Sunday, January 3 vs. Philadelphia (12-4): This will complete the trend of beating every division foe at home and losing to them all on the road. We'll win this one to end the year winning three of four and take some momentum heading into the post-season...a post-season which will see Dallas win a playoff game for the first time in more than a decade.

April 11, 2009

WHAT'S NEW WITH THE LONGHORNS...

Not much besides the fact that former super-highly touted QB ("the next Vince Young") John Chiles has moved to WR and is preparing himself to be a main contributor on the receiving corps.

As much talent as he has, it wouldn't be surprising if he up and left for a smaller school or another big time program with a QB need. But Chiles wants none of that. He's into football because he loves the game and loves where he plays. Always wanted to be a Longhorn, and he'll remain a Longhorn no matter what position he's playing.

Speaking of QB, backup Sherrod Harris is having surgery on his knee soon. He probably could've had it operated on sooner but knew how important the spring reps were going to be with Chiles moving to WR.

Also speaking of QB, super-highly-touted incoming freshman Garrett Gilbert drove about an hour a day just to sit in on the offensive meetings during the spring. He's not labeled as "The next..." anyone because he may be the most hyped QB EVER to come into the 40 acres.

And speaking of highly-touted prospects...Texas already has 21 junior commits for 2010. To put that in perspective? Tech has five.

Texas plays Lousiana-Monroe on September 5 to start the season before another non-conference tune-up against Wyoming (on the road) on the 12th. Then it's time for Big 12 play and a huge one against Tech in Austin on September 19. The last non-conference game is a week later at DKR against UTEP.

After an off week it's a crossover game against Colorado on October 10th followed by the Red River Rivalry in Dallas against OU. The only true road game in the first six weeks is Wyoming.

The Horns finish the year with Missouri, Oklahoma State, Central Florida, Baylor, Kansas and Texas A&M. Four of six of those games are on the road at Mizzou, at OSU, at Baylor and at A&M.

A very favorable schedule that should see them in the top 3 in the AP pre-season rankings.

The stage is set for Colt McCoy to make a run at the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship.

Standing in his way? USC. LSU, Florida and the Big 12.

POTTS IS A GAMER...WHO CARES ABOUT PRACTICE

A recent online publication briefly mentioned that Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts isn't as precise or impressive in practice as Graham Harrell was...that he makes mistakes and does some things that "make you scratch your head"...you know what I say to that??

Who cares.

It doesn't matter how "great" you are in practice. The only thing that matters in practice is that you show up, work hard, get better, learn from mistakes and fine tune plays, technique and conditioning.

Practice is where you try some things that you may not do in games just to see if you can pull them off. That's why it's called practice. You're allowed to screw up and it doesn't cost your team.

Practice is when offensive lineman try new pass blocking techniques. It's when receivers work on getting off the line of scrimmage and escaping press coverage. It's when kickers kick onside kicks over and over and over. It's when coaches try out different sequences during the two minute drill.

And anyone who has seen Potts play throughout his career knows that he's a gamer. During the regular season his junior year, Potts threw 24 touchdowns against just two interceptions. That's ridiculous. He led the team to the third round of the playoffs and was ten yards away from knocking off Chase Daniels and the Southlake Carroll Dragons.

The next year all he did was lead the Abilene High Eagles to another 10-0 record and a run three rounds deep into the playoffs.

So anyone can say anything they want about Potts not being a great practice quarterback. All that matters is what you do when it matters. And when it matters? Potts delivers.

He won't have much time to get into the swing of things this coming fall though...Tech plays Texas in week 3 on September 19.

April 2, 2009

COMPREHENSIVE COWBOYS' CATCH-UP

For all of you out there who can't spend your days keeping up with Dallas Cowboys' offseason news...here's the happenings in a nutshell:

In an offseason that will see America's Team transition from Texas Stadium to JerryWorld, the new stadium has been the least newsworthy story in the last few months.

It all started with Anthony Spencer being arrested in Indianapolis for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. That was January. He was cleared of the charges in late March. No one else notable was arrested but former Cowboy Terry Glenn did have a mug shot taken.

Mike Shanahan was close to signing some sort of deal with Dallas, but it fell through at the last minute. Dan Reeves was also at Valley Ranch for a few days and the rumor was he was to be some sort of glorified consultant, but a deal fell through apparently involving Reeves and a time card.

Zach Thomas isn't coming back. Neither is Kevin Burnett who signed a free agent deal with San Diego. Coming in to try and replace them are former Atlanta linebackers Keith Brooking and Matt Stewart. Brooking is a well-known player although a little older. Stewart hasn't played since 2006. Both played under Cowboys' coach Wade Phillips in Atlanta.

Adam Jones was released...no surprise there although many of his teammates were caught off-guard. Much like they were when just days after Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones hinted that Terrell Owens would remain in Dallas, he was released...the SAME day long-time safety Roy Williams was released.

We let Brad Johnson go (thank goodness gracious), Jerry and Company were talking to former California star Kyle Boller but ended up having to give up play-making corner/safety Anthony Henry to get a washed up, chubby Jon Kitna from Detroit. This all before rumors swirled around saying that Jerry wanted unhappy QB Jay Cutler - who ended up being traded to Chicago today.

Speaking of Detroit, Jason Garrett was once again rumored to be involved in many head coaching searches including Detroit, Denver and St. Louis. He's staying in Dallas.

But his counterpart, defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, was fired. His replacement? Already on the payroll...head coach Wade Phillips.

We also have a new special teams coach in Joe DeCamillis.

Replacing Roy Williams will be Jacksonville safety Gerard Sensabaugh. A good move in my opinion.

Emerging superstar Chris Canty proved to be worth more than the Cowboys could give. He ended up getting a 6-year, 42 MILLION dollar deal to join the hated Giants. But not all was lost on that deal because the Cowboys signed free agent, pass-rushing specialist Igor Olshansky from San Diego...another player familiar with Phillips' system. And he's only costing us 18 million over four years.

On the injury front Terrence Newman and Patrick Crayton both had ankle surgery early in the offseason and are expected to fully recover. Both players also had some things to say to the media that garnered quite a bit of negative attention...Newman talked about Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson - Crayton talked about Romo and Jason Garrett.

Speaking of talking to the media, head coach Wade Phillips was under a rumored "gag order" at the end of the season which was apparently lifted last month when Phillips finally began talking to the media. He denied the "gag order" rumors.

Several big name free agents said publicly that they'd like to play in Dallas: Ray Lewis, Julius Peppers and Larry Johnson. None will be in Dallas next year.

The Cowboys have 11 draft picks. One in the second and third rounds, two in the fourth, three in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh. WR and safety seem to be the big targets.

And it wouldn't be a typical Cowboy offseason without DE Greg Ellis whining about his future with the club. He's at it again.

The Cowboys' first preseason game in JerryWorld will be August 21 against Tennessee. The regular season schedule will be released very soon.

Those are the big things.

Now that you're all caught up, you can rest easy and wait for training camp to begin. The good news? TO, Roy Williams, Pacman Jones, Brad Johnson and Brian Stewart are gone. The bad news? Cowboys' fans can't help but anticipate another season full of high hopes and huge expectations that leave us frustrated and demoralized in December.

Maybe this will be the year we return to true greatness...maybe...please...for the love of Tom Landry.

 

March 28, 2009

FOOTBALL FINALLY GETTING GOOD ROLE MODELS

After what seems like a recent downward spiral in the morality and character of many college and professional football players, it's nice to finally have a couple of marquee players that are truly great role models: Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

The key here is that they're household names.

Because it takes household names to offset the multitude of bad press received by many athletes...positive drug tests, weapons charges, assault, domestic violence, and on and on and on.

Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow are a breath of fresh air. Two men that all expectant fathers or fathers with young sons hope their children grow up to be like.

Two men who spend time in the offseason in third world countries, helping the poor, humbling themselves and talking about their Christianity.

Colt just spent his spring break in Peru (for the second straight year) and Tebow goes to the  Philippines regularly. Both go as missionaries.

Now, I'm not saying that if you don't go to another country to do good things, you're not a good role model. There are plenty of reasons to stay home and do good things.

 All I'm saying is that it's nice to have arguably the two most recognizable figures in college football today be as good of guys as they are.

Something we can all be proud of. Two guys we can easily root for. Two men who we can all learn something from...

I'd love to see McCoy and Tebow square off in New York at the Heisman Trophy awards show and in the national championship game. THAT would be sweet...

 

RUFF RIDERS WORTH PRICE OF ADMISSION

To be honest, I didn't know what to think when I heard about Abilene getting an Indoor Football League team.

After Abilene's previous attempts at semi-pro or professional teams, an over-the-top eyeroll wouldn't be out of the question or unreasonable.

But I'll have to say that after checking out the roster of the team, I'm actually pretty excited about checking out the games.

The team (according to the team's website and other reliable sources) will be led by former Dallas Cowboys QB Quincy Carter. Yes, the former Georgia star who led Bill Parcells' first Cowboy team to a 10-6 record and a Wild Card Playoff loss to eventual NFC champion Carolina.

The same Quincy Carter who was dismissed from the team a few days into training camp the year after that because of a failed drug test...the beginning of the Vinny Testaverde era.

Other names on the roster you may be familiar with include former Nebraska QB Jamaal Lord, who is listed as a WR on the team roster.

Carlos Aslup backed up RB Darren Sproles at Kansas State a few years ago. He should be fun to watch.

LB Warren Lott, another Kansas State alum, signed with Clemson out of high school as one of the best defensive prospects in the country. His grades couldn't cut Clemson so he played at Georgia Military for two years and became one of the nation's top 50 JUCO prospects.

DL Fred Thrweat (pronounced Thret) played high school ball at Midland Lee before a solid career at Texas Tech. The dude is absolutely HUGE. He has the biggest calves I've ever seen with my own two eyes. He is a bona fide monster.

Then there are a handful of local college products including former ACU DL Willis Hogan - an unbelievable athlete who had a great career at ACU and can hoop with the best of them...he's a great athlete and could have easily played college basketball. He was heavily recruited out of high school in both football and basketball.

Other former ACU footballers include WR Chris Morris, offensive linemen Regis Andrez and Matt Raesner, and DB Brandon Henry.

Hardin-Simmons has a couple alums on the team as well. WR Mike Carillo and OL Glenn Revell will strut their stuff in the IFL.

As will McMurry skill players Rashon Lewis and Desmond Sanders - RB and WR respectively.

The first home game is this Monday night. Tickets are very affordable, and I'd love to see some big attendance to keep these guys around for a while.

The next home game after that is on Saturday. So let's get out there and support the Ruff Riders!

March 21, 2009

Grizzly Adams (and Taylor Potts) DID have a beard...

In a very recent development disclosed from a very reliable source, Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts has done it...he has shaved his grizzly, burly, Harley Davidson, man beard.

As many of you have probably seen the aforementioned facial frenzy, Potts' beard rivaled many of the all-time great melon, man-marks of all time.

The beard must have taken a series of steps (and maybe even days) to shave. It had the square footage of a small Jacuzzi, was thicker than Burt Reynolds' chest wig, claimed the lives of several rather large insects and had a squirrel named Buster living in it. Buster has since relocated to a nearby park in Lubbock.

Taylor's beard brought to mind many great beards in football history. And we're not talking about the "I don't feel like shaving so I'll just let the scruff grow out" beard that Brett Favre and Kurt Warner sport (Koy Detmer also has a legendary scruff that violently crawls all the way down his neck onto his shoulders and upper arms).

We're talking about the kind of beard that said, "Hi. I'm Taylor. I'm a college student and play football for Texas Tech...but if I felt like it, I could survive in the woods eating wolves, snakes and grass, fight Kodiak bears for fun and make my own knives and arrows by taking cactus leaves and other poisonous plants and sharpening them with my teeth. So leave me alone."

It helped that the beard was coupled with a 6'5", 250 pound bohemeth of an individual.

NFL greats Ron Jaworski, Donovan McNabb, Mike Holmgren and Jerome Bettis also currently sport very nice beards.

But don't worry. Taylor's face was not without grizzly hair for long. He is in the process of growing out the super-huge, mega-man mustache.

A superb move in my opinion. A move that will only separate him from the rest of the great college football players next year...well, that and the fact that he'll be the only QB throwing for 500 yards a game.

So with the knowledge of the burgeoning stache...let's bring to light the great mustaches in football history: Mike Ditka, Ben Davidson, Marvin Harrison, Franco Harris and Bill Cowher. They will always be remembered for what they did on the field and what grew above their upper lips.

The Dallas Cowboys certainly have their own Mustache Memorial Club. Herschel Walker, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, Cliff Harris and Nate Newton all wore the stache and Star proudly.

And there's no shortage of NFL QBs with the stache. Think of Joe Montana (who had one for a few seasons), Joe Namath, Jake Plummer, Randal Cunningham and Quincy Carter...yes I just dropped a Quincy Carter reference.

And let's not forget the facial hair of public figures outside the football realm: Dr. Phil, Hulk Hogan, Zorro and Santa Claus. All great men because of what grew or continues to grow on their faces.

As Potts is about to take center stage as the QB of the most prolific offense in college football history, he will be forever linked with the great facial hair phenoms in football lore.

Let's just hope he ends up more like Joe Montana than Dr. Phil - who I believe was cut from his high school powder puff team.

So as we prepare for the 2009 college football season...just remember three things:

Grizzly Adams (and Taylor Potts) did have a beard, I wouldn't cross either Big Foot-esque creature, and I can't wait to see that stache.

March 14, 2009

HEISMAN CHANCES AS DEFENDING RUNNER-UP

I know it's been a few months since Colt McCoy came in second place in the final Heisman vote, but I thought I'd take a look back at history and see what it means - historically - to take second place.

Six times in the history of college football the Heisman runner up has eventually won the award either the next year or two years later.

It happened first way back in 1939, the year Nile Kinnick of Iowa won. Runner-up that year was Tom Harmon. The Michigan Half Back won the award the next year.

The next year Notre Dame's Angello Bertelli was second place...he won the award two years later in 1943.

Army's Mr. Outside, Glenn Davis, came in second place twice before finally taking home the award in 1946.

College football was a different game in the 1940s. Underclassmen played a lot more because of smaller rosters and, of course, the war. That's why so many second place Heisman finishers eventually won way back then.

Since 1946 it's only happened twice...to two very notable athletes.

The great OJ Simpson won college football's coveted trophy in 1968, a year after Gary Beban edged him by just 240 points.

And Herschel Walker was third in 1980 (his freshman year in which he probably should have won the award), second in 1981 and finally won it in 1982.

It hasn't happened since as rosters expanded, players became more specialized and more and more schools were lumped into the Heisman picture each year.

Because of all that, runners-up have a weaker chance of winning the award in future years, but there have been some very notable silver medalists.

Bob Griese in 1966 (winner - Steve Spurrier).

Joe Theismann in 1970 (winner - Jim Plunkett).

John Elway in 1982 (winnner - H. Walker).

Steve Young in 1983 (winner - Mike Rozier).

Rodney Peete in 1988 (winner - Barry Sanders)...Troy Aikman was third that year.

Rocket Ismail in 1990 (winner - Ty Detmer).

Marshall Faulk in 1991 (winner - Gino Toretta).

Peyton Manning in 1997 (winner - Charles Woodson).

Larry Fitzgerald in 2003 (winner - Jason White).

Adrian Peterson in 2004 (winner - Matt Leinart).

Vince Young in 2005 (winner - Reggie Bush).

Darren McFadden in 2006 and 2007 (winners - Troy Smith and Tim Tebow respectively).

Obviously the jury's still out on the more recent ones, but for the most part those notable second place finishers all had better NFL careers than the players that won...for the most part. Barry Sanders is an exception.

So what does all that mean?

Absolutely nothing. Colt McCoy will be on all the pre-season Heisman watch lists, and I think he has a very good chance of winning or at least getting another trip to the DAC in NYC.

There is one other thing working in his favor...and Taylor Potts for that matter.

Since the Heisman Trophy was first awarded back in 1935, one player from a Texas university has won the award in every decade except for the 1960s.

Davey O'brien (TCU 1938), Doak Walker (SMU 1948), John David Crow (Texas A&M 1957), Earl Campbell (Texas 1977), Andre Ware (Houston 1989) and Ricky Williams (Texas 1998).

Also notice that they've all been in the latter part of the decade so Colt's and Taylor's chances are really good!

Seems like it just started, but spring practice is about to wrap up which only means one thing: we're that much closer to the regular season!!!

Soon....soon.

March 6, 2009

T.O. - GET OUT...AND NEVER COME BACK

From an article I wrote on January 23:

"Terrell Owens is another story. He didn't do much to cause controversy this year, but he's held true to form that no team with him on it will ever make it to the Super Bowl.

He needs to go."

And go he finally does. I couldn't be happier.

Not that he isn't a great player. A Hall of Famer. A physical phenomenon. A major attraction.

But the fact is this: no team with TO will ever play for or win a Super Bowl. That article I wrote on January 23 was called "Cowboys Culture Change." Well, the culture is changing...especially on the defensive side of the ball.

TO is gone. Safety Roy Williams is gone. And we brought in three guys with Wade Phillips ties: Igor Olshansky (DE to replace losing Chris Canty in free agency to the NY Giants) and LBs Keith Brooking and Matt Stewart.

Those are the kinds of players that win you championships.

I can't say I was thrilled to lose Anthony Henry for Jon "looks like a chunky kid" Kitna, but we could always pick up another corner/safety hybrid in the draft or move Orlando Scandrick to safety...he's got the tools.

Losing Canty was hard on me, too. I really like him, but he was just too expensive. That was just a business decision and Olshansky is just as good if not better in the Phillips' system.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article detailing what the Cowboys needed to address this off season and in the draft. They've already taken care of backup QB (although not quite the solution I was hoping for) and LB.

Now we can focus on the offensive line and wide receiver. My gut tells me that Jerry wants to get another high profile receiver...and he may even trade up to get one.

Someone like a Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin or Percy Harvin. Someone with a big name and big-time skills.

As disappointed as I was in the Cowboys at the end of the season, I think the franchise is doing everything right so far this offseason to turn things around.

Many are starting to say that if Romo doesn't win a playoff game this year, he needs to go. I'm not ready to go there yet, but we're losing valuable time for this era. We need to win now.

I hope TO goes somewhere and finishes his career with some dignity...I just don't know where he's going to play? Who would want him now?

But you know what? Who cares?

He's gone. We've moved on. And we have a better chance to win our sixth Super Bowl title with him someplace else.

The season will be here before we know it!!

March 1, 2009

ACU Athletes Perform Well at NFL Combine

Just thought it was worthy to note the great numbers ACU's Bernard Scott and Johnny Knox put up at the NFL Combine last week.

Scott was the 8th fastest running back, tied for the 8th best vertical leap, tied for the second highest broad jump (only OSU's Chris Wells had a better one), had the fastest 3-cone drill of any RB AND the fastest 20-yard shuttle.

That's pretty amazing.

I think for someone who was on the verge of either barely getting drated or being picked up as a free agent, he made a strong case for a sure-thing draft choice...and a lot of more money.

Johnny Knox ran an unbelievable 4.34 40 yard dash. We all knew he was fast...but to run that kind of time on an electronic timer under that kind of pressure is incredible. The analysis of him on the NFL Combine website said that he "lacked elite speed"...HA. Third fastest receiver at the Combine...no, third fastest PLAYER on the entire field. Yeah...he lacks elite speed.

He may have just vaulted himself into the 4th or 5th round. NFL executives LOVE speed. It translates into production on the field and a long career. Nothing replaces speed, and you can't teach it. If you have it and can catch a football (which Knox can and did very well at the Combine), then you will be very rich.

It'll be interesting to see where those guys end up. Hopefully it's early on the second day which will just mean more pub for the ACU program. Danielle Manning was just the beginning of the new era!

 

February 20, 2009

WILL LEACH SAGA BE FELT AGAIN??

After this media-hyped two week stretch of contract negotiations, stalemates and a whole lot of "he-said, he-said," the whole Mike Leach contract controversy came down to "Oh, yeah, no big deal, we both wanted the same thing all along" - doubt it. (that's a paraphrased quote by the way).

There's a lot more to it than that. If they both wanted the same thing all along there wouldn't have been the two week drama.

What happened was that right before contract was finalized, Chancellor Kent Hance and AD Gerald Meyers wanted to put a clause into Leach's contract that said he couldn't interview at another school.

What they finally agreed upon was that Leach would just have to let them know - or notify them - of his intention to interview with another school.

Through all this haggling back and forth, there's a very good chance that some things were said or communicated between Hance and Leach that won't be soon forgotten. Granted, it's all completely speculation on my part, but usually on something like this, it doesn't just go away with a surface-level press conference.

Also, I loved the quote yesterday by Hance:

"I've always said that Mike Leach was a great fit for Texas Tech, and I think he fits us well."

Got that? Straight from the Department of Redundancy Department.

It's great that the two sides came to an agreement, especially for Abilene native Taylor Potts. The last thing he'd need right now is a coaching change as he steps in and takes over the most prolific offense in college football.

BUT, and it's a giant BUT, when Leach leaves Tech, you can be sure that this two week stretch will be brought up or thought of in the process.

I'm not saying that's going to be anytime soon. Leach might coach at Tech until the final dust storm in Lubbock. I'm just saying if he ever leaves, this stalemate will be a factor.

Remember a few years ago at Auburn when members of the administration were seen departing a jet in Indiana to meet with a possible replacement for then-head coach Tommy Tubberville? They called it JetGate.

That came back into play later and was never forgotten by the coach, the fans, media and most likely the players, too.

It's obviously not the same thing, but if you ask me, Hance should've never brought up that clause because coaches are going to interview and look at all opportunities when given the chance...that's just the way it works nowadays.

The nature of the beast so to speak.

It wouldn't suprise me if Leach jumps at the first chance to leave Lubbock and take the first chance to rub it in Hance's face.

But that's just me...

February 13, 2009

WHAT DO COWBOYS NEED? AND WHAT THEY DON'T...

Now that National Signing Day is over, and we're into the 2010 classes being fought over in the college ranks, it's time for all football fans to focus attention on the NFL draft.

Since I have an insanely, frustrating love for the Dallas Cowboys, let's go over what they should be looking for in the draft and what they shouldn't...in my opinion:

Backup QB - This may be the #1 need on the team. If not #1, then it's very close to the top. Brad Johnson is no longer serviceable, and every time I want to get a good laugh I watch Brooks Bollinger's first pass as a Cowboys against the Giants. There are a lot of good QBs in this year's draft - Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, etc...but Dallas doesn't need to get one of the prime time guys. Just get someone who can come in and learn the system just like Romo did. Maybe a Cullen Harper, Hunter Cantwell or Curtis Painter. This is a huge need.

Offensive Line - just about any team in the NFL can make a good pick by going with an O-Lineman. Flozell Adams is getting old, Kyle Kosier's had injury issues. It never hurts to have too many offensive lineman.

Wide Receiver - Sure we've got Terrell Owens, but he's 35 and nobody would be surprised if he wasn't a Cowboy next year somehow. Whether or not Romo and Roy Williams will get on the same page is up in the air. Miles Austin can't stay on the field. Isaiah Stanback and Sam Hurd get hurt a lot, too. There's been talk of acquiring Anquan Boldin, but I doubt Jerry would spend the kind of money it would take to get him after making the Williams deal last year. There are some interesting free agents out there, but I say try to get another good receiver in the draft. Hakeem Nicks? Jarrett Dillard? There are many good WRs in the draft this year.

LB - We do have two of the best, most consistent LBs in the league in Demarcus Ware and Bradie James. But there are lots of question marks in the rest of the corps. Will Zach Thomas be around or be lost to free agency? Does he have anything left? Same question for Greg Ellis. Great player, but how much longer can he go? If Thomas stays, Kevin Burnett may opt out of Dallas. Bobby Carpenter is not panning out. LBs in the draft that could be around for a while (meaning into the second and third rounds) include Scott McKillop, Jasper Brinkley, Antonio Appleby, Nic Harris, Ian Campbell and Rashad Bobino.

The Cowboys don't need any running backs. We have one of the best, if not the best, RB stable in the league with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

Stay away from corners. Orlando Scandrick, Mike Jenkins, Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry will be mainstays for years with one potential exception...

...Anthony Henry. He could be moved to safety. A move I'd almost prefer. We don't need to draft a safety. We could move Henry there full-time and have Ken Hamlin and Pat Watkins in the rotation. Plus Keith Davis is a great locker room guy and knows his role in the defensive backfield and special teams. Notice I didn't mention Roy Williams.

We're also set at TE. Jason Witten may be the best all-around player at that position in the NFL. Martellus Bennett, despite being young and doing stupid stuff, is a TD magnet and big--play maching. He has the potential to be a great blocker, too.

We're set at DL. Jay Ratliff in the middle. Marcus Spears at end. Don't let Chris Canty get away in free agency, and we're set. We also have very good backups that could continue to develop.

I think that about does it. So we need a QB, WR, OL and LB or a combination of any of those positions. The draft is April 25-26. About 70 days away!!!

And by the way...the first college football game is Thursday, September 3 at 6 PM. South Carolina vs. North Carolina State!!!!! Let the countdown begin!!!

 

 

February 7, 2009

DEFENSIVE CLASS MAY BE WHAT TECH NEEDS

For probably the first time ever in the history of the world, the Texas Tech recruiting class is made up of a majority of standout defensive players.

15 of the 25 signees are either defenders or will start out on the defensive side of the ball.

Safeties Will Ford (Cooper) and Daniel Cobb could play in any defensive backfield in the country. DTs Pearlie Graves and Myles Wade are beasts that could make an immediate impact. And LB Brandon Mahoney is a stud, too.

A number of factors could explain the defensive class:

1) Tech got more recognition than ever before with 11 wins, a rise to #2 in the rankings and wins over Texas and Oklahoma State on national TV.

2) Tech's defense had a very good end to the 2007 season and was pretty good all year except against OU and in the bowl game. Good defensive players are attracted to good (or improving) defensive programs.

3) Maybe Mike Leach is finally realizing that offense alone will not win you a championship no matter what. This change in philosophy could be just what the doctor ordered...especially since Abilene product Taylor Potts (who Leach said was the most physically gifted QB he's ever had at Tech) is about to take the reins...beard and all.

No matter the reasons, Tech is making a serious run towards being a very above-average defense...and that may be all it takes to win that one important game they seem to lose every year and play for a Big 12 Title.

Maybe not next year, but if things keep going in this direction, it just may happen.

ANOTHER McCOY HEADED TO AUSTIN?

Believe it or not...junior day is tomorrow at college football programs across the country. They all just signed their 2009 recruiting classes and just four days later, it's time to start looking to next year.

Guess that's why the big-time coaches get paid the big bucks...they get absolutely NO time off.

Texas has several four and five star recruits in town this weekend including Colt McCoy's little brother, Case. He already has offers from Auburn, Arizona and A&M but the Horns feel like there's a good chance he will commit tomorrow. Certainly has the bloodlines...

One thing to note: Case is seen by many as the #2 QB of the class if Connor Wood commits tomorrow. The 6-4, 210 pounder out of Houston Second Baptist is much higher in most of the player rankings headed into 2009.

He has offers from Oklahoma, Stanford and TCU. Both are expected to commit to Texas and it would probably be the only way the 2010 class would have two QBs.

Another name to remember is Waco Midway's Ahmad Dixon. He's one of the top five recruits in Texas and has offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and A&M. He'll be in Austin tomorrow along with about 23 other juniors.

February 4, 2009

NSD - NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

National Signing Day has come and gone. On the national scene, Alabama jumped LSU for the coveted Rivals.com recruiting class title with 27 commits and 2786 total points.

The totals are based on the number of recruits and how each recruit is rated so if a school has a huge number of players, its rating is going to be much higher.

The Top 10 are Alabama, LSU, USC, Ohio State, Texas, Florida State, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

In my opinion the rankings should be based on the average rating of each athlete. Basically who has the best all-around players rather than who was the most good players.

If you look at it that way, Florida would be #1 since they have an average rating of 3.9 (based on a 5-star rating scale - a 5 is the top players in the nation). USC would be #2, Texas would be 3, then LSU and Georgia.

You could argue those are going to be the Top 5 teams in the country next year but the real evaluation of these classes won't be accurate until four years from now after we know which players in this class made an impact, which were arrested and which never panned out.

Tech ended with a good class and coaches expect Will Ford to get some playing time at either corner or safety. They like his field smarts and ability to make plays around the ball.

Stephen Warren ended up committing to Valdosta State...great move for him.

Check out the Abilene Reporter News sports page in the morning for all the local signing day action. Unfortunately I had to work today and was not able to attend multiple signings like I have been able to do in the past.

This is a big day for many high school seniors. It's the start of their journeys...a new way of life...the beginning of an era they'll never forget.

I wish every local high school athlete that will play at the next level the very best and hope they all are able to stay injury free and perform well and work hard through these next four or five years.

Next up? Spring football, then the NFL draft, then training/fall camp, then the first college football game.

And, of course, the Cowboys' world is still filled with drama. If you're not caught up on the Bob Hayes' "letter of controversy" you need to get caught up. It's pretty typical of a story involving the Cowboys...and also pretty sad.

 

January 28, 2009

MOUNT RUSHMORE OF TEXAS ATHLETICS

I had an interesting discussion with some friends of mine recently. It revolved around this question: If Texas were to create a Mount Rushmore of its most influential and greatest sports figures, whose face would be carved into the mountain?

We decided that since Texas was so big we could have five faces instead of four. And the criteria are athletes who had their greatest impact on the sports world while they performed in Texas. It also helps to have made significant waves in the national or international "waters."

Here's who I think should be on the mountain: Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Earl Campbell, Lance Armstrong and Nolan Ryan.

Tom Landry because he was born in Mission, Texas. Played college football in Texas. Served his country as a pilot in WWII. He was the first coach of the Dallas Cowboys and took an expansion team of old and unmotivated players and created one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time. He is also credited with creating the Flex defense and teaching defensive players to play assignment football rather than just running to the ball...a revolutionary technique that is used by every football team at every level in the country. People all over the world know who Tom Landry is. He was a willing and powerful representative and speaker with the FCA for many, many years. He is the Dallas Cowboys.

Roger Staubach because he won the Heisman Trophy at Navy in 1963. He lost the Cotton Bowl to Texas in Dallas, which is where his legacy in Texas began. He was drafted by the Cowboys in 1964 but didn't actually suit up for America's Team until 1967 because he was serving his country. He took the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win. They won two and lost three with him as the signal-caller. Rodger the Dodger was the All-American quarterback who vaulted the Cowboys to "America's Team" status.

Earl Campbell because he was born in Tyler and led John Tyler high school to a state championship in 1973. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 as a running back for the Texas Longhorns while leading the nation in rushing. He was named rookie of the year and league MVP in his first season with the Houston Oilers in 1978. He is ranked #12 on ESPN's Top 25 Players in College Football History. 

Lance Armstrong because he was born in Plano. He single-handedly made cycling a relevant sport with his unprecedented 7-straight Tour de France titles from 1999-2005. He's also turned a fledgling non-profit organization into a money-raising powerhouse for cancer research. He is a cancer survivor with an amazing story of dedication and perseverance.

Nolan Ryan because he was born in Refugio, Texas and is the current president of the Texas Rangers. He played the last 14 seasons of his incredible 28 year career in Houston and with the Texas Rangers. His 5,714 career strikeouts is first all-time and is a record which will never be broken. His seven career no-hitters are first all-time...second place is four. He is tied for first with 12 1-hitters and threw 18 2-hitters.

Now these are extremely brief descriptions of each of my five Rushmore "heads," but I think it's a good enough synopsis.

Other names that came up and you could make a good argument for were Byron Nelson,  Sammy Baugh, Michael Johnson, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Davey O'Brien, Doak Walker, Bobby Morrow and Flozell Adams (just kidding).

Am I wrong? Who've I forgotten about? Let's argue. Who are the five greatest sports figures in Texas history?

January 23, 2009

SIGNING DAY IS 12 DAYS AWAY

National signing day is February 4, 2009. We are 12 days away from all those "verbal commitments" becoming reality.

Every college coach in the country is traveling the nation right now making last minute house calls and firming up some iffy deals.

I know Mike Leach is hitting the trail hard. Tech has what could be the best O-lineman in school history on a verbal commitment, but he's been wavering lately and could go somewhere else.

That's why Leach was at his house with his parents earlier this week.

The Texas Longhorns have another stellar class in waiting, but they have three out-of-state blue chippers that have yet to make a decision.

Those are kinds of decisions that could mean the difference in a national championship and the Holiday Bowl. But there are few coaches in the nation better at recruiting than Mack Brown.

Les Miles is one of the best. Nick Saban is great. Pete Carroll, Joe Paterno, Jim Tressell, Bob Stoops and, of course, Urban Meyer.

All those coaches are known for their excellent recruiting skills...and do we see a common denominator?

Texas, LSU, Alabama, USC, Penn State, Ohio State, Oklahoma...the teams with the best recruiters are the best teams in the country...no doubt about it.

And Texas' defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp, has landed some big-time names this year all by himself.

That speaks well to the future of the Longhorn program.

Enough about the coaches...we'll keep you posted on the recruiting scene if anything crazy happens. Just 12 more days.