Keep the Faith in Jake

        It wasn't what we hoped for, but realistically, it's probably how it should have played out.  All summer we read about the Husky offense having more potency than a bottle of Viagra.  All summer Dawg fans salivated for the season to begin.  With Jake returning, nothing could stand in our way.  Yet, as the season unfolded the hard truths were revealed and the Huskies were still a work in progress.  Behind an inconsistent line and fractured ribs, Jake struggled, and the teams' fortunes followed suit.  Prior to the season, he was anointed the consensus overall no.1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, yet now due to the inconsistencies, some say he's no longer even a first rounder!  Bashing Jake became the trendy thing to do, I even did it.  But through it all, the kid's heart, leadership, and drive has held constant and never wavered.  He lives and breathes Husky football.  And that's been true from day one when Jake stepped onto campus heaped with more pressure than Jesus Christ.  He's no longer the best player on the team, but he is the unquestioned leader of the pack.  And so now, when UW faces off against Nebraska in two days at the Holiday Bowl look to Jake to lead them through it.  It's exactly what he came back for.
       And one other thing, if the Seahawks can, I fully support drafting Jake Locker to be Seattle's QB for the future.  He's got the arm, athletic ability, and work ethic to be successful.  I believe his accuracy will soon follow.  And best of all, he brings no excess baggage.  We can't overlook this guy like Tim Lincecum.  He's a home-grown star, let's keep him home.

NFC West Championship Game

        16 weeks in the bag, and it all comes down to this Sunday in prime-time.  The Seahawks host the Rams in a winner take all in the NFC's Mild, Mild West.  It's the only game left where playoff implications are decided for both teams with victory.  With victory Seattle would host home playoff game in the Wild Card Round.  A game Seattle hasn't seen since 2007.  And don't listen to the national media whining about neither team deserving the slot, just two years ago San Diego won their division and hosted the same game with an 8-8 record.  That's just one game better than Seattle, if they are to win.  The playoffs are a big deal, and making them is a very good thing, you can't convince me otherwise.  In the playoffs, it's a whole new season, anything can happen.  And for Seattle, it rights the ship that's been going astray for two years.  The journey won't be complete, but at least it's started.  So Hawks' fans get pumped, they're are going to need the 12th man more than ever.  Oh and let's all hope for a speedy recovery for QB Matt Hasselback, I don't think anyone wants to set our salvation on the back of "Clipboard Jesus."

Always Sunny in Philadelphia

        At least now it is, how so.  The Phillies somehow snatched Cliff Lee out of the grasp of New York and Texas.  And did so with a smaller contract!  Lee joins an already formidable rotation with reigning NL Cy Young winner Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels.  And if that isn't enough, the Eagles have a shot at securing the NFC's no. 2 seed and a first round bye.  How did they get there?  They're led by a resurgent Michael Vick, who seems to have matured into a real leader since his dog fighting years, and the NFL's most electric player, DeSean Jackson.  This past weekend they rallied from 21 down in the 4th quarter against the Giants, winning on Jackson's TD punt return as time expired, in what was the game of the year.  Only two questions remain: "Will Michael Vick overthrow Tom Brady as league MVP?" and "Why the hell would NYG punter Matt Dodge even think about punting to Jackson with the game on the line?"  Doesn't look like the sun will be setting anytime soon.

Momentum Building

        Upon the announcement of UW's match-up with Nebraska, Husky Nation let out a collective groan.  But, that groan has since subsided, and slowly but surely momentum is beginning to build, and coincidentally regress for Nebraska.  Let's take a look.  First, off Nebraska has reported doubts of selling out their 11,000 ticket allotment, UW on the other hand has reported confidence in selling out its allotment.  The Nebraska defense which had a knack for knocking Jake Locker on his butt, is now more interested in knocking back a few cold ones and settling in behind the wheel as both DT Baker Steinkuhler and S Rickey Thenarse have been suspended for DUI's.  The UW on the other hand, finally has James Johnson (WR whom after a stellar freshman year in 2009, struggled through a subsequent injury plagued 2010 season) back in good form.  Even Jake Locker, after playing several weeks with broken ribs, is reported to be healthier than ever.  In fact, he's feeling so good he proposed & is now engaged to his longtime girlfriend.  Congrats Jake.
        Though, due to the immense talent disparity between the two, this alone, isn't enough to win the game.  But, with an uninspired Nebraska team, the UW needs to capitalize, and resurrect a program's pride.  What a perfect engagement gift that would make.

The Streak is Over

        After the Metrodome collapse this past weekend's game between the Giants and the Vikings was pushed a day and hosted in Detroit.  That gave Brett Favre one extra day to mend and keep his consecutive games started streak alive.  Unfortunately, Brett wasn't even able to suit up and so the streak ends at 297 games.  Impressive.  Many are calling this the end to his career.  Rumor has it, he's asking to be placed on the IR, ending his season.  But, what about the fallout from "Penis Gate."  If Brett is done with the NFL, how can the NFL levy punishment?  Does this mean Jenn Sterger strategically waiting 2 years to play her "Brett Favre Penis Parade" pawn to revive her career was fruitless.  Say it ain't so.  Looks like she'll have to resort to the previously proven methods: posing for playboy, shaving your head, performing on "Dancing with the Stars", and/or an ex dropping a sex tape with hopes of it going viral.  Good luck.

Big Ten's Quest for Boredom

        As if the Big 10 didn't bore you enough with their style of football, with the recent expansion, the Big 10 decided it was in need of a new logo.  And after scouring through many options (I'm assuming) they've decided on this:

This apparently is the height of creativity in the Big 10.  And the 10 embedded in the word "Big" is in homage to the original 10 conference members.  Apparently, the word "Ten" in the logo wasn't enough homage paid forth.  And it doesn't stop there, instead of naming its separate divisions using geographical nomenclature, like every other conference, they've opted for the Leaders and Legends divisions.  My slow clap is gaining intensity.

The Real 12th Man

        Here in Seattle, the Seahawks rely on the crowd to be loud enough to energize their defense and confuse opposing offenses.  The impact is so significant, Seattle nicknamed its crowd "The 12th Man."  They've even gone so far as retiring the number 12.  But, in New York, they've got a whole different definition of the 12th man.  See here:

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/12/13/jets-assistant-coach-apologizes-tripping-dolphins-player/
Yes, you saw correctly, that's Jets assistant Sal Alosi intentionally sticking his knee out and tripping Dolphin Nolan Carroll on punt coverage.  That's about as low as it can get.

Seahawks Blow Opportunity

        As this weekend proved in the NFC West, the only thing that can take you out of the race for the division crown is the mathematics behind it.  In lieu of this, Seattle, today had a golden opportunity to establish themselves in sole possession of first place and knocking the Niners from playoff contention with a victory.  Instead, they surrendered 5 turnovers and disgraced the art of tackling in a 40-21 butt whooping.  I'm not sure who was more deflated the Seahawks and their fans or the Metrodome roof.
        Speaking of which, have you seen footage of that roof collapse, if not see below:

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/snow-collapses-metrodome%2C-vikings-postponed-dec-12-2010

Thank God, that didn't occur during the game.  That game is now moved to Detroit tomorrow night with free game tickets.

 

CFB Update

        A couple major events occurring this weekend on the college football landscape this past weekend. 
        First, the Florida Gators take one day and need only one interview to find Urban Meyer's replacement, hiring "Texas-coach-in-waiting" Will Muschamp.  Muschamp, who previously expressed his content and patience for the top position at Texas, by turning away prior suitors, couldn't turn down the chance to return to the SEC.  Muschamp, prior to his stint with the Longhorns, made his bones at Auburn.  This is just more bad news for Mac Brown, who after experiencing his first losing season at Texas, was already looking at replacing 3 other assistants prior to this breaking.
        And speaking of Auburn, their star QB, Cam Newton, as expected won the 2010 Heisman in a landslide.  The only questions now that remain, is whether Newton will actually keep the award and if he chooses to leave for the NFL, will his fate run parallel with all the other past Heisman QB winners in NFL failure.

Urban Meyer Resigns Again

       For the second season in a row, University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer, is stepping down.  This time though, it seems for good.  He wants to focus on his family.  Can't hate a man for that.  That obviously leaves a huge gaping hole at one of the nation's premier programs.  Who fills the hole?  My guess, Charlie Strong, head coach at Louisville, former defensive coordinator under Meyer during the two title years.  Anyone else care to venture a guess?

NBA to Buy NO Hornets

        The NO Hornets, a perennial top 5 NBA team, with the game's best and most exciting point guard in Chris Paul.  Yet, the bayou doesn't seem to care.  So much so, they've failed to meet the minimum attendance requirements per their lease.  And so the owner, George Shinn, has been looking to bail.  But, what's this, David Stern and the NBA are stepping in to take the Hornets off Shinn's hands.  With the intentions of finding the resources to keep the team in New Orleans.  Where was this compassion when the Sonics were looking for new ownership?  Let's compare, Seattle, had a dedicated fan base and a 40+ year history, NO was founded in 1988 in Charlotte, (NO being one of 3 cities its played in) and a irrelevant fan base.  Yet douche-bag Stern chose to bail them out.  Why, most likely because he doesn't have his favorite henchmen, Clay Bennett, hanging around pulling on his coat tails, asking for a team.  Do the right thing, put the team up for public sale and sell to a real owner (Steve Ballmer) and a real basketball city, like Seattle. 

UW Invited to the Holiday Bowl

Dec. 30th San Diego

UW looks to avenge a home whooping with a date against Nebraska.  I'm equal parts excited for the bowl and scared for the match-up.  Thank God we have 3+ weeks to prepare.

And as a side note, aside from the Title Game (which could be a game for the ages), aren't the bowl match-ups rather dull?

OH SO SWEET!!!!

       After 284 yards of rushing from Chris Polk and 8 years of frustration, the Huskies are going bowling!  Finishing 6-6, the Dawgs sit patiently for their invite to either the Alamo or Holiday Bowl.  Don't disregard that record, for a team winless & lifeless 2 years ago, playing in the only conference that cannibalizes itself with 9 conference games, and #1 ranked toughest schedule, the Dawgs made it through.  And with 3 last minute wins on the road, it was possibly the most invigorating .500 season ever.  They're BACK!!!!!!! 

Respect has Returned to Washington

         The Apple Cup, a great matchup across most of its 103 year history.  Yet over these past 8 seasons, with both teams' fates sinking like Wamu, this game has become a laughingstock across the nation.  At its low point, folks referred to it as "Two Girls, One Apple Cup." 
        Yet finally, the game has meaning, beyond the pride factor we convinced ourselves of recently.  With a UW victory comes a berth in the Holiday Bowl.  And so two years after a winless season, Dawg fans can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.  Step on the gas, we've been patient enough.

On the Topic of Ohians Embarrassing Themselves

        About a week ago, E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State University was found talking football.  He was discussing why schools in major conferences, like his school in the Big 10, are more deserving of a shot at the National Title because they play tougher competition every week.  He's quoted as stating, "We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor."  Something many would agree with.  Funny thing is, is that he was unaware that OSU's strength of schedule was rated #64 and Boise State was rated #62.  Oops.  Yet, at least he's now admitted his faults.  He's now responded to his statements with:
"What do I know about college football? I look like Orville Redenbacher. I have no business talking about college football.....What I should do is go over to the surgical suites and get my foot extricated from my mouth."  That's pretty good.
        Oh, and as for the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Roman Catholic's woman's order serving the elderly, Gee has already reached out to one of the homes local to Ohio. 

Let's Move On

        Real quick, it's reported Dan Gilbert, the Cleveland Cavs owner, has hired a law firm to create a case claiming illegal tampering by Miami in the Lebron signing.  Have we all not had enough of this?  Can't we just move on?  What's next?  Gilbert claiming Lebron impregnated his daughter?

Ignorance is Bliss

        Over the past few weeks, it seemed everyday more & more information was coming out in regards to the Cam Newton controversy.  The info was snowballing out of control, so much so, I convinced myself it would culminate in a YouTube video of Newton accepting the cash, heading to the nearest strip club, and making it rain.  To end the madness Auburn revoked his eligibility and asked the NCAA for reinstatement.  And in one day the NCAA concluded Cam's father illegally shopped his son's services, yet found no evidence that the player, nor school, were aware of these transgressions.  And therefore granted his immediate reinstatement without condition.  To this I have two thoughts.
        First, over this past year, the NCAA was riddled with problems involving illegal agent contact with amateur players.  The NCAA was lost for solutions.  Yet, now haven't they set a precedent.  When in trouble, blame daddy.  Have the flood gates not just been opened?  For agents and prospective players, Christmas came early.  Money will spread like syphilis in the New World.  This should be interesting.
       Secondly, isn't anyone a little curious with how rapidly the NCAA concluded their findings.  I mean it took 4 years to levy judgment in the Reggie Bush case.  Yet, now an Auburn team on the verge of the BCS title game, pending a victory this Saturday, suddenly lose its star player, and the thought of TCU, a non-BCS qualifying school, crashing the party, gets the NCAA to move like the airborne on D-Day. 
        As a fan of chaos in sports, let's go Gamecocks.