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- 12 Angry Homers: Week 10
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- Reputation Annihilation: Ryder Cup ’08 Edition
- Reputation Annihilation: NFL ‘08 Edition
- Reputation Annihilation: ACC Football ’08 Edition
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September 05, 2008 9:46 AM
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September 05, 2008 9:04 AM
I usually avoid Sally Jenkins columns with a passion, but today, she says it all.
Dan Synder is "a world-class amateur of an owner." Rock Cartwright kick returns are the biggest Redskin offensive weapon. Bad clock management is painful to watch. And the offensive and defensive lines should be collecting social security.
Also, Chad Ocho Cinco has lost his mind.
Dan Synder is "a world-class amateur of an owner." Rock Cartwright kick returns are the biggest Redskin offensive weapon. Bad clock management is painful to watch. And the offensive and defensive lines should be collecting social security.
Also, Chad Ocho Cinco has lost his mind.
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Posted in
September 04, 2008 5:10 PM
The Sports Guy makes an excellent case (and blackjack metaphor) against making preseason predictions about the NFL. Today's NFL is completely random from year to year with the exception of Indy & New England, but since I don't have the years of being totally wrong that Bill Simmons does, I will start now...
Continue reading this post...
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Posted in
September 04, 2008 10:07 AM
Yeah, sort of like that.Sure, I got made fun of at school for having multiple chins and being dressed by my mom in Dockers that would fit the waists of most middle-aged men, but my team was awesome! Little did I know that a couple years later, I would still be failing Presidential Fitness Tests because I couldn’t get my obese butt to run all the way around the track or to do anything resembling a pull-up but the team that I loved would have fallen faster than me in the gym class dodge ball draft.
As time passed, I grew up instead of out and eventually stopped crossing my arms all the time to hide my gut. However, the Redskins did not undergo such a fortunate growth spurt. Coaches and quarterbacks came and went with incredible regularity, and the once dominant force of my pre-pubescent youth, struggled for every win.
It is probably too early to pass final judgment on the second Gibbs tenure, but it does, at least, seem like the organization is in a better place than it was when the Ol’ Ball Coach left town. It is also too early to tell if the Danny has completely botched that forward progress.
There is no doubt that the powers that be made a total debacle of the search for a new head coach. In fact, it is probably a toss up as too whether the selection of Jim Zorn or Sarah Palin was more of a shock inside the beltway. However, despite their attempt to do as many things as idiotically backward as possible, someone actually took the job.
When their “choice” steps on the sideline tonight in Giants Stadium for his first regular season game as a head coach in the National Football League, we will begin to learn if the Redskins organization is heading toward a future familiar only to the fat eleven-year-old version of me or toward a future the current version of me is only all too familiar.
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September 03, 2008 1:17 PM
This blog is dedicated to promoting the ideas of the unqualified and under-informed. With that in mind, we are launching "12 Angry Homers." This weekly feature will highlight the rants and raves of a graduate from each of the 12 ACC schools (note: eventually...we are a few homers short at the moment) as their beloved teams make their way through the football & basketball seasons. Here are a few excerpts of what you'll find more of after the jump...
Homer #2: E-Dubs
Editor's Note: E-Dubs is still recovering from the shock of having watched his Tigers get absolutely destroyed at the Georgia Dome on Saturday night. Instead of venting his frustrations here, he has respectfully declined to acknowledge that the game was ever played, and will begin writing for the Bald Spot next week.
Homer #6: Beef
1-0. Thank flippin goodness.
After a disappointing 2007, the Terps made quite a few offseason changes including bringing in Jim Franklin to run the offense. The hope is that Fridge won’t wear himself out calling plays and will have more energy for drawing up a plan of attack for the post-game buffet spread. Also, the brass decided that Chris "Ratt Baby" Turner, a revelation in the second half of ‘07 will return to the bench to give the underwhelming Jordan Steffy yet another chance to suck terribly.
Homer #8: Ned Ryerson
Good win for the Tar Heels on Saturday, beating reigning conference champs McNeese State for a hard earned win. On the downside, McNeese State is in the Southland Conference with other powers like Nicholls State and Lamar University, not exactly the preparation we need for NC State and UVA (umm, scratch that, Wake Forest and Miami). The Heels had to rely on senior Brandon Tate running back kicks and catching deep balls in a career game to rally back for the win from a third quarter deficit. There's nothing good about that last sentence.
Homer #10: 46 East
Shouldn't we recruit a center who can snap the ball? That would be the key thing that I would look for in a center.
Mikell Simpson has first class speed and playmaking skills and was one of about 3 players who actually belonged on the field with USC, but let's play Cedric Peerman because he is trustworthy and dependable. Remind me to call Ced when I need someone to pick me up at the airport.
After we score a touchdown, jumping on the Hill is great because you go so high in the air before you crash into the dorks in front of you.
I'm pretty sure that Kevin Ogletree is NFL level good and our best player.
Thank God Mike Groh studied all that Texas Tech tape. Our new spread offense really looked impressive. I say Mike Groh's coaching career ends in 5 years with something about a frat party, hookers, and George O'Leary.
Not going for it on 4th and 4 at the end of the first half was painful. Are we trying to win the game, or just lose by a reasonably close score? If I was coach, I would have called the old "get four yards" play and tried to win the thing.
Homer #11: Benny-Who!?!??
Offensive Coordinator Brian Stinespring needs help. Bud Foster, the nation's top DC, must hate that guy. It seems like he thinks of the perfect play in every situation and then opts for the exact opposite. For example (B.S.’s internal dialogue): “It seems as though our swing plays are working pretty well. It’s 3rd and 3 deep in ECU territory. Let’s run a play that hasn't worked so far. I know, let’s run it up the middle. Shucks, 4th and 2…better try it again.” Bud Foster should take over calling offensive plays, too.
Reloading on defense will take a few weeks to iron out. ECU ran it up the gut continuously with impressive success. We need to plug those holes and rely on our speed to cover the corners. However, defensive back Stephan Virgil is the our next CB product in a long line of award winners DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, Brandon Flowers, and Macho Harris.
Continue reading this post...
Editor's Note: E-Dubs is still recovering from the shock of having watched his Tigers get absolutely destroyed at the Georgia Dome on Saturday night. Instead of venting his frustrations here, he has respectfully declined to acknowledge that the game was ever played, and will begin writing for the Bald Spot next week.
1-0. Thank flippin goodness.
After a disappointing 2007, the Terps made quite a few offseason changes including bringing in Jim Franklin to run the offense. The hope is that Fridge won’t wear himself out calling plays and will have more energy for drawing up a plan of attack for the post-game buffet spread. Also, the brass decided that Chris "Ratt Baby" Turner, a revelation in the second half of ‘07 will return to the bench to give the underwhelming Jordan Steffy yet another chance to suck terribly.
Good win for the Tar Heels on Saturday, beating reigning conference champs McNeese State for a hard earned win. On the downside, McNeese State is in the Southland Conference with other powers like Nicholls State and Lamar University, not exactly the preparation we need for NC State and UVA (umm, scratch that, Wake Forest and Miami). The Heels had to rely on senior Brandon Tate running back kicks and catching deep balls in a career game to rally back for the win from a third quarter deficit. There's nothing good about that last sentence.
Shouldn't we recruit a center who can snap the ball? That would be the key thing that I would look for in a center.
Mikell Simpson has first class speed and playmaking skills and was one of about 3 players who actually belonged on the field with USC, but let's play Cedric Peerman because he is trustworthy and dependable. Remind me to call Ced when I need someone to pick me up at the airport.
After we score a touchdown, jumping on the Hill is great because you go so high in the air before you crash into the dorks in front of you.
I'm pretty sure that Kevin Ogletree is NFL level good and our best player.
Thank God Mike Groh studied all that Texas Tech tape. Our new spread offense really looked impressive. I say Mike Groh's coaching career ends in 5 years with something about a frat party, hookers, and George O'Leary.
Not going for it on 4th and 4 at the end of the first half was painful. Are we trying to win the game, or just lose by a reasonably close score? If I was coach, I would have called the old "get four yards" play and tried to win the thing.
Offensive Coordinator Brian Stinespring needs help. Bud Foster, the nation's top DC, must hate that guy. It seems like he thinks of the perfect play in every situation and then opts for the exact opposite. For example (B.S.’s internal dialogue): “It seems as though our swing plays are working pretty well. It’s 3rd and 3 deep in ECU territory. Let’s run a play that hasn't worked so far. I know, let’s run it up the middle. Shucks, 4th and 2…better try it again.” Bud Foster should take over calling offensive plays, too.
Reloading on defense will take a few weeks to iron out. ECU ran it up the gut continuously with impressive success. We need to plug those holes and rely on our speed to cover the corners. However, defensive back Stephan Virgil is the our next CB product in a long line of award winners DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, Brandon Flowers, and Macho Harris.
Continue reading this post...
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September 02, 2008 6:52 PM
College football had the entire Labor Day weekend to itself prior to the pros getting started this Thursday night, and the games ran the gauntlet from outstanding (see: Rick Neuheisel’s debut in the Rose Bowl Monday night) to downright awful (see: everything NC State did).
I would be lying if I said watching “Beamerball” backfire was not the highlight of the weekend. I think I speak for the fans of every team who has played against VT and had to suffer through the nauseating commentary about Hokie special teams when I say, thank you Skip Holtz.
Where did the “Beamerball” phenomenon come from? It implies that no one else tries on special teams. Is every other team whose head coach doesn’t coach special teams uninterested in blocking kicks? And why does nobody consider the softness of the Big East competition most of those blocks came against? Who started this insanity? There must have been a Tech grad working for ESPN at all those Thursday night games in Mordor (read: Lane Stadium) slipping this info to the talking heads and giving rise to the ridiculousness that is “Beamerball.” I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!
In other news, Clemson was held to ZERO yards rushing. So much for the most explosive backfield in the country. Usually, the Tigers prolong the meltdown for later in the season when it is as painful for their fans as possible. It was nice of Nick Saban to end the suspense early.
Speaking of suspense, USC really kept the fans guessing in Scott Stadium on Saturday. Will they score on the next play, or will they wait until the one after that? In all honesty, I’ve never seen a college football team that good. My view of the field from the Hill is the same as playing College Football ’08. The difference this week was that the Trojans looked like a team from Madden ’08.
And the best part is that Al Groh was just as impressed as I was. In fact, he admitted as much to his team when he approved an offensive game plan that consisted of only shotgun sets and a defensive game plan based on not giving up big plays. He intentionally kept Lalich as far away from the defensive line as possible and granted the receivers ten yard cushions every play from scrimmage. Obviously, Al's plan to inspire confidence in his offensive linemen and cornerbacks is lost on me. Although, it sounds to me like the players did not catch on either.
The good news for Tech, Clemson, and UVA is that they all play in the worst BCS conference in the country. ACC play should be incredibly mediocre, painful to watch, and completely up for grabs, so get pumped!
Picks couldn't have gone better (Bald Spot selections in bold):
Jacksonville State 14 @ Georgia Tech 41
Charleston Southern 7 @ Miami 52
N.C. State 0 @ South Carolina 34
Wake Forest 41 @ Baylor 13
Boston College 21 @ Kent State 0
Clemson 10 vs. Alabama 34 (Georgia Dome)
James Madison 7 @ Duke 31
Delaware 7 @ Maryland 14
McNeese State 27 @ North Carolina 35
Southern California 52 @ Virginia 7
Virginia Tech 22 vs. East Carolina 27
I should probably just retire now, but here are next weeks picks (winners in bold):
The Citadel @ Clemson
Northwestern @ Duke
Western Carolina @ Florida State
Georgia Tech @ Boston College
Maryland @ Middle Tennessee State
Miami @ Florida
William & Mary @ N.C. State
Richmond @ Virginia
Furman @ Virginia Tech
Mississippi @ Wake Forest
I would be lying if I said watching “Beamerball” backfire was not the highlight of the weekend. I think I speak for the fans of every team who has played against VT and had to suffer through the nauseating commentary about Hokie special teams when I say, thank you Skip Holtz.
Where did the “Beamerball” phenomenon come from? It implies that no one else tries on special teams. Is every other team whose head coach doesn’t coach special teams uninterested in blocking kicks? And why does nobody consider the softness of the Big East competition most of those blocks came against? Who started this insanity? There must have been a Tech grad working for ESPN at all those Thursday night games in Mordor (read: Lane Stadium) slipping this info to the talking heads and giving rise to the ridiculousness that is “Beamerball.” I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!
In other news, Clemson was held to ZERO yards rushing. So much for the most explosive backfield in the country. Usually, the Tigers prolong the meltdown for later in the season when it is as painful for their fans as possible. It was nice of Nick Saban to end the suspense early.
Speaking of suspense, USC really kept the fans guessing in Scott Stadium on Saturday. Will they score on the next play, or will they wait until the one after that? In all honesty, I’ve never seen a college football team that good. My view of the field from the Hill is the same as playing College Football ’08. The difference this week was that the Trojans looked like a team from Madden ’08.
And the best part is that Al Groh was just as impressed as I was. In fact, he admitted as much to his team when he approved an offensive game plan that consisted of only shotgun sets and a defensive game plan based on not giving up big plays. He intentionally kept Lalich as far away from the defensive line as possible and granted the receivers ten yard cushions every play from scrimmage. Obviously, Al's plan to inspire confidence in his offensive linemen and cornerbacks is lost on me. Although, it sounds to me like the players did not catch on either.
The good news for Tech, Clemson, and UVA is that they all play in the worst BCS conference in the country. ACC play should be incredibly mediocre, painful to watch, and completely up for grabs, so get pumped!
Picks couldn't have gone better (Bald Spot selections in bold):
Jacksonville State 14 @ Georgia Tech 41
Charleston Southern 7 @ Miami 52
N.C. State 0 @ South Carolina 34
Wake Forest 41 @ Baylor 13
Boston College 21 @ Kent State 0
Clemson 10 vs. Alabama 34 (Georgia Dome)
James Madison 7 @ Duke 31
Delaware 7 @ Maryland 14
McNeese State 27 @ North Carolina 35
Southern California 52 @ Virginia 7
Virginia Tech 22 vs. East Carolina 27
I should probably just retire now, but here are next weeks picks (winners in bold):
The Citadel @ Clemson
Northwestern @ Duke
Western Carolina @ Florida State
Georgia Tech @ Boston College
Maryland @ Middle Tennessee State
Miami @ Florida
William & Mary @ N.C. State
Richmond @ Virginia
Furman @ Virginia Tech
Mississippi @ Wake Forest
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September 02, 2008 2:52 PM
Rule #1: Do not name him the starter one week and remove the redshirt of his main competition the next...
In a not so surprising move, Frankie's inchy trigger finger pulled the less-than-one-week old redshirt off Tyrod Taylor's back this afternoon.
In a not so surprising move, Frankie's inchy trigger finger pulled the less-than-one-week old redshirt off Tyrod Taylor's back this afternoon.
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Posted in
September 02, 2008 10:52 AM
Another reason not to drink before skydiving! It seems this guy was about 8 miles off target from the football game he was supposed to be dropping in on at Chapel Hill on Saturday.
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August 29, 2008 1:55 PM
Just a sample of what some are taking away from the last two preseason contests:
Michael Wilbon
Matt Mosley: part 1, part 2
Jason La Canfora
David Elfin
Then, there is the voice of reason. (note: Bugel's quote in the 2nd to last post is classic!)
Michael Wilbon
Matt Mosley: part 1, part 2
Jason La Canfora
David Elfin
Then, there is the voice of reason. (note: Bugel's quote in the 2nd to last post is classic!)
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August 29, 2008 11:58 AM
"Bald spot, I'm looking for some predictions. The measure of a good sports blog relies mainly on his preseason predictions. Will UVA make a bowl? Will VT win another ACC title only to be narrowly defeated in the BCS game they play in? Will Clemson have an all-too-common meltdown? Will FSU and Miami return to greatness? Nobody wants to focus on just the Wahoos...""Bald spot, I'm looking for some predictions. The measure of a good sports blog relies mainly on his preseason predictions. Will UVA make a bowl? Will VT win another ACC title only to be narrowly defeated in the BCS game they play in? Will Clemson have an all-too-common meltdown? Will FSU and Miami return to greatness? Nobody wants to focus on just the Wahoos..."
-Benny Who
Benny has a point. The motivation to read sports sites is really just the opportunity to trash the prognosticator when he turns out to be dead wrong 3 games into the season. And, of course, “I don’t want to deprive you of that one.” (Mitch Hedberg fans out there?)
With that, I introduce The Bald Spot's first recurring feature: “Reputation Annihilation.” At the start of each sports season that I pay attention to (and maybe even a few I don’t), I will review the schedules and predict the winners with unquestionably uninformed judgment. Periodically, I will re-visit the predictions throughout the season and gloat in the midst of my own genius, or more likely, I will apologize profusely for the level of stupidity.
Continue reading this post...
-Benny Who
Benny has a point. The motivation to read sports sites is really just the opportunity to trash the prognosticator when he turns out to be dead wrong 3 games into the season. And, of course, “I don’t want to deprive you of that one.” (Mitch Hedberg fans out there?)
With that, I introduce The Bald Spot's first recurring feature: “Reputation Annihilation.” At the start of each sports season that I pay attention to (and maybe even a few I don’t), I will review the schedules and predict the winners with unquestionably uninformed judgment. Periodically, I will re-visit the predictions throughout the season and gloat in the midst of my own genius, or more likely, I will apologize profusely for the level of stupidity.
Final ACC Standings
ATLANTIC DIVISIONSchool Conference Overall Key ACC Wins Wake Forest 7-1 11-1 CU, @UM, UVA, BC Clemson 7-1 10-2 GT, @BC, @UVA Florida State 3-5 6-6 WF Boston College 3-5 6-6 VT Maryland 2-6 4-8 FSU NC State 0-8 2-10 noneCOASTAL DIVISION
School Conference Overall Key ACC Wins Virginia Tech* 6-2 8-4 GT, UVA Georgia Tech 6-2 8-4 @BC, UVA, @UNC North Carolina 6-2 9-3 VT, @UM, BC Virginia 4-4 7-5 UNC, UM Miami 3-5 5-7 FSU Duke 1-6 2-10 NC St. *VT wins the Coastal Division with the same 4-1 record within the division as GT
due to its win over GT. UNC finishes 3rd because of its 3-2 division record.
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