Dear ABC,
You are ABC, you should be able to afford a group of commentators who are likeable and actually know something about college football. Please stop hiring former football players. As everyone knows, they are a spectacularly stupid and inarticulate group of people. Even if they know what's happening, they can't explain it. I am tired of muting the television during football games.
I watched Michigan-Utah and had to listen to two no-name jackasses who made fun of each other the entire game instead of explaining the x's and o's. They clearly weren't paying attention to the game, as they kept saying Nick Sheridan was doing a decent job at quarter. Sheridan went 11-19 with a fumble, INT, and TD, so if you weren't paying attention that's not awful. But if you were paying attention, you would've noticed that Utah dropped 3 picks, had a fourth called back on pass interference, and Greg Matthews plucked another one away on a jump ball. He not completed one pass that was in the air for more than 7 yards, the aforementioned jump ball, and Utah in no way respected his ability to throw the deep ball. Without a dual-threat quarterback, the spread requires the pass to set up the run. If a team doesn't respect the deep ball, the Michigan offense isn't going anywhere. Steven Threet came in and made freshmen errors, throwing behing guys and over their heads when the pressure was on, but he threw a perfect 32 yard fade touchdown. I heavily prefer Threet to Sheridan.
For the first time in years, I'm not pissed about a Michigan loss. I wasn't shocked, but please stop mentioning the Wolverines in the week 1 losers.They lost the game, but what expectations did they fail by doing so? The team has 5 starting seniors, 3 of those being on the D-line. The basic goals for the team this year are to win 9 games, beat s***-talking Notre Dame, and improve in the new system. The highest goals are to upset Ohio State and win 10 games. They won't win 10 and probably won't win 9, but all of those goals are still attainable. I wanted Michigan to win, but I wasn't shocked that they lost. They could have very well lost even if Lloyd and all his guys were there because Utah runs a spread with a dual-threat quarterback. There were a lot of positives in that game:
1. For the first time ever, Michigan shut down a spread offense. They gave up 28 yards in the second half and adjusted after an awful first half. It excites me that we have a coaching staff that can actually adjust and one that knows how to stop a spread.
2. The defense wasn't winded in the fourth quarter. Another first ever in my lifetime.
3. Obi Ezeh and Donovan Warren are superstars in the making and both are true sophomores. Sam McGuffie showed flashes of what he can do in space. Steven Threet can throw a good deep ball. This team has some talented underclassmen.
I don't expect this team to win every game, but I do expect them to be in every game. I say 7-8 wins this year with higher expectations next year.
Who went 2-3 picking the underdog? That's right I did. I'll be picking all the big games in the future, as well as my upset alerts, and locks. Hopefully Ben will take me up on a challenge with some sort of ridiculous bet involved. I've found I have a penchant for shenanigans.
Adam Rittenberg runs a good blog on ESPN about the Big 10.
The Pats are going to lose 5 games this year. The loss of Donte Stallworth is going to hurt Wes Welker's game and more pressure on a somewhat fragile Laurence Maroney. The secondary is AWFUL. They essentially have 3 undersized linebackers at safety in Tank Williams, Brandon Meriweather, and Rodney Harrison. The cornerbacks are a group of nickelbacks and only 1 is listed at 6 feet, which means none actually crack 5'11". They vastly improved their linebackers and the D-line is again very good, but those groups are going to have to generate a lot of pressure in order to cover up for a weak secondary.
KABOOSH!! You feel that. That's the truth being layed down on you. Glad I could make your day.
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3 comments:
The Patriots have the same safties as last year (by the way, keep up with things- Tank Williams is out for the year) which includes James Sanders (underrated) and they are going to re-sign John Lynch. They were fine last year, and theyll be even better (don't tell me the safeties won't have the help of Asante Samuel... this year they have the help of Jerod Mayo and Shawn Crable, and good linebackers are very important in helping the secondary)
Ty Law is going to sign after week 1, so their main corners : Law, O'Neal, Hobbs, and Wheatley will end up doing fine with the coaching of Dom Capers. If you have a good front 7, having great cornerbacks doesnt really matter, and the Pats have a great front 7.
Donte Stallworth was a disappointment in New England. By the middle to end of the year, Jabar Gaffney was getting way more minutes at the third receiver position. He's very underrated and will definitely open things up for Randy and Wes. Him and Brady also have great chemistry. Also, look to Kelly Washington and Kelly Slater for even more Receiver help.
Sammy Morris, Lamont Jordan, Laurence Maroney, and Kevin Faulk are a powerful fourheaded horse that allow each player to get rest as the other plays.
Look at the schedule. Tell me five games they could lose. They will be FINE!
1. Thanks for bringing up Shawn Crable, prepare to be perenially disappointed by him and his stupid personal fouls. I can recount 2 games (OSU in '06 and Wisconsin in '07) that he directly lost for us based on personal fouls.
2. Sorry about Tank Williams, although his loss in no way helps them. But if you're gonna call me on keeping up with things, know that they aren't resigning John Lynch because he was a Bronco last year.
3. There's a reason Ty Law is unsigned, he's lost 2 steps. O'Neal only goes for the ball, so you will see him get beat deep a far amount. I do like the front 7.
4. Jabar Gaffney is not the same deep ball threat that Stallworth is. Stallworth's skill set just wasn't as valuable because he was a poor man's version of the guy he was lining up across from. Gaffney fit the offense better last year, but his presence doesn't stretch the field.
5. Calling that running back group a four headed horse is hyperbole. They are all useful backs, none is a anywhere near a game changer.
6. Losses: At NYJ, At SD, Vs. Pitt (I love the Steelers this year), At Indianapolis, and a random head scratcher upset. Historically, Super Bowl losing teams have a horrendous jinx on them, just remember that.
I meant re-signing because they signed him in August, cut him, and now they are going to re-sign him.
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