Quarterback Changes and Controversies --- Already

Week 2 of the 2010 NFL season has just been completed and there are a plethora of quarterback changes and controversies. I realize there have been changes so early in the season in the past, but this many after just 2 games? I can't remember anything like this happening.

Let's check out what's up with teams changing quarterbacks and those teams with controversies.

The teams with quarterback changes:

Buffalo Bills

It's taken Head Coach Chan Gailey just 2 weeks to figure out what everyone else already knew. Trent Edwards is not an NFL starting quarterback. Edwards has been given more than ample opportunity the last 3 seasons to establish himself as a serviceable NFL starting quarterback and at each turn he has either failed miserably or been injured.

With Edwards now riding the pine, career backup Ryan Fitzpatrick takes the reins of the floundering Buffalo offense.

Carolina Panthers

Quarterback Matt Moore played very well in the stead of now departed Jake Delhomme late last season and earned himself the starting nod heading into 2010. After playing poorly in the first 2 games this season (pulled both games),highly touted rookie signal caller Jimmy Clausen takes the helm for the Panthers.

While Clausen struggled in both relief appearances, Carolina boss John Fox will give him every opportunity to succeed. Carolina's strong running game should help Clausen settle into the job.

Teams with quarterback controversies:

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders brought in Jason Campbell, a former 1st Round pick of the Washington Redskins, to fill the quarterback position when it was finally realized that Jamarcus Russell was deemed a bust. Campbell, while not playing awful, was unable to move the Raider offense consistently. In Week 2, Campbell was benched in favor of veteran Bruce Gradkowski, who lead Oakland to a touchdown in a win over the St. Louis Rams.

As of this post, both Campbell and Gradkowski have split time with the 1st team in practice. Stay tuned.

Tennessee Titans

Vince Young was pulled from Sunday's game against the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers' defense for throwing 2 interceptions, one killing a drive at the Pittsburgh goal line.

Kerry Collins did manage a scoring drive late in the game to pull the Titans close, but otherwise was not much more effective than Young.

Longtime Tennessee Head Coach Jeff Fisher maintains that Young is the starter for the Titans but the question is has VY's confidence been shattered permanently? We'll have to see next week.

My opinion is that Young should not have been yanked by Fisher. Pittsburgh's defense will make any quarterback look bad on any Sunday. I truly believe that Vince Young gives the Titans the best chance at winning football games...he has proven that in the past. I'm rooting for Vince.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles shuffled longtime starter Donovan McNabb to Washington in favor of youngster Kevin Kolb to run the potent Eagle attack. Kolb did not play well in pre-season nor did he fare well in the Eagles opener, throwing for only 25 first half yards before being concussed and replaced by Michael Vick.

Vick moved the team effectively and efficiently in the 2nd half against the Green Bay Packers in a loss and was brilliant in the defeat of the Detroit Lions.

Long tenured Philly coach Andy Reid has named Kolb the starter for this coming Sunday, although he has stated that the Eagles have a great situation to have 2 quarterbacks that can win games.

How long a leash will Kolb have? I think Reid will allow Kolb at least 2 weeks to show that he has the game to lead the Eagles to victory. Should Kolb fail, Vick will lead the way for the remainder of the season.

Injuries have forced teams to change gears at quarterback. Detroit Lions young gun Matthew Stafford injured a shoulder in the season opener to open the door for journeyman Shawn Hill while the Cleveland Browns have had to replace veteran starter Jake Delhomme with Seneca Wallace due to a foot injury.

Then there's the saga of Ben Roethlisberger, and his 4 game suspension. Dennis Dixon started the first 2 games, became injured and was replaced by retread Charlie Batch. In the interim, The Steelers re-signed Byron Leftwich for insurance until “Big Ben” returns.

* NEWS FLASH* --- Michael Vick has been named the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles this coming Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Dick

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University of Michigan Quarterback Denard Robinson --- Is He For Real?

As a college football fanatic, I love watching young men play a game that has more weekly twists and turns than a Formula-1 auto race. I see more big plays per game in college football than the NFL by a long shot and many are just jaw dropping.

But how often do you see a relative unknown player make play after play from the quarterback position that either make you exclaim “Wow!” or leave you speechless? I'll bet not often, but after 2 weekends of play, there has been one such player that has gone from anonymity to household name to potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

Let's meet Denard Robinson, University of Michigan quarterback.

According to Bleacher Report, Robinson was highly recruited out of Florida high school football by such schools as Florida, Georgia, Kansas State, and Michigan. The sophomore signal caller was the backup to incumbent Tate Forcier last season before wresting the job this season.

Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez recruited Robinson because he believed he could run the spread option offense much like his former star quarterback Pat White when he was the head man at the University of West Virginia.

Why have coaches, opponents, teammates, and fans alike gone gaga over this young man? Let's look at the first 2 weeks.

In the Wolverines season opener at home versus Connecticut, Denard completed 19 of 22 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 197 yards on 29 carries for a total of 383 yards of total offense. Michigan defeated Uconn 30-10.

Last week at Notre Dame, Robinson broke the single game total offense record by toting the ball another 29 times for 258 yards and completing 24 of 40 passes for 244 yards. That's 502 yards of total offense...Five hundred and two! That's also believed to be a single game record in FBS history.

In a USA Today article written by Nicole Auerbach, Florida head coach Urban Meyer proclaimed Robinson as the best player in the country, or one of them. Said Meyer, "I haven't seen everybody play, but I watched that one. That was ridiculous. We recruited him hard, too. We knew he was a dynamic player and a good person."

After Connecticut's loss to Michigan, Huskies' boss Randy Edsall quipped, "Denard Robinson is going to make people look bad."

Wolverine coach Rich Rodriguez was asked about Robinson's heavy workload. His response was, "Everybody says you can't run your quarterback 20-something times a game." Then Rodriguez fired, "Well, do they say that when you hand it off to Barry Sanders? 'You can't run Barry Sanders 20-something times a game.' If you can handle it, you can handle it."

What do I think of Denard Robinson? I believe that he is a dynamic runner and a good field general. Like many spread option quarterbacks, he could improve his passing accuracy, although his numbers tell a different story. My greatest concern is that he could wear down under the rigors of such Big Ten defenses, particularly Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin, and arch rival Ohio State.

As far as the Heisman Trophy? I would think not this season, but in 2011, he will definitely be a top candidate
for the award.

Enjoy!

Dick

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The NFL Is On!

What time is it?!?!

It's time for the NFL regular season! We've seen the defending Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints begin their campaign by beating the Minnesota Vikings 14-9 in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game. While the game wasn't terribly exciting, There was the drama of Viking quarterback Brett Favre starting his 286th consecutive game and Drew Brees again attempting to assault the record books.

This is an important season for the NFL as there the threat of no competition for next season with the current contract expiring and differences between management and the players union seems to be as wide as the Grand Canyon.

But for now, do we care? I think, probably not.

As a full slate of Sunday games approach,there are some intriguing matchups including, Cincinnati at New England, Atlanta traveling to Pittsburgh as Dennis Dixon gets the call at quarterback for suspended Ben Roethlisberger and Philadelphia playing host to Green Bay with Kevin Kolb now calling signals for the Eagles.

The Sunday night game features NFC east rivals Dallas going to our nation's capital to face Washington and new quarterback Donovan McNabb, while on Monday night, New York Jets boss man Rex Ryan plays host the Baltimore Ravens, the team that “Sexy Rexy” was once defensive coordinator.

I think this a decent way to start the 2010 NFL regular season. As the season progresses, I will give opinions and occasionally some facts about teams and players alike. I am also not much of a prognosticator because...well frankly, I stink. Oh well.

Let's just enjoy every Sunday from now to February with a cold beverage of our choice and whatever we want to eat. We're ready for some football are we not?

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It's That Time Again --- College Football Commences

That time of year has arrived --- Labor Day weekend barbecues, autumn around the corner, baseball pennant races going down the stretch, the NFL season draws neigh, and for many this is the beginning of the college football season.

Starting Thursday night September 2nd, the chase for the BCS title commences with eighteen games, including two involving teams with National Championship hopes as Ohio State, the #2 ranked team in the Associated Press poll plays host to Marshall and The University of Miami, #13 playing a home game versus Florida A&M. While the home teams should win handily, these games will set up a battle between the two powerhouses in week two.

Another couple of tilts with significance are The 15th ranked University of Pittsburgh Panthers traveling to Utah to face the The University of Utah Utes and the 14th ranked USC Trojans traveling to face Hawaii.

The reason why I bring up the Trojans is that there is a possibility, albeit remote, that USC could win all their games and finish as the AP National Champions. Remember that USC is ineligible to play in the BCS title game under NCAA sanctions for knowingly allowing boosters and others to aid players, namely Reggie Bush, and other transgressions under former Athletic Director Mike Garrett. A split championship? That is what the BCS is suppose to negate.

Over the weekend there are two huge games with BCS title implications. The #24 Oregon State Beavers hit the road on Saturday night to face 2009 BCS party crashers TCU Horned Frogs, the 6th ranked AP team. Then Sunday evening, The other non BCS power Boise State Broncos, the AP's 3rd ranked squad, go to Blacksburg, Virginia to face perennial powerhouse and 10th rated Virginia Tech Hokies.

To think this is week one of the college season! That's not a bad group of opening games!

Whether you have a favorite squad, be it Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, defending champion Alabama, or any other team, I think this season will be as exciting as any we've seen in recent memory. Let's sit back, relax, and enjoy opening weekend.

Time for kickoff!

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Fantasy Sports --- A Major Industry (Revisited)

Hello all!

I will start with an apology to my readership about my absence. There was a health scare in my family a couple weeks back that needed my utmost attention. It has taken about four weeks in total to be sure that family member is well and I can now resume posting again. I thank you for your patience.

With the NFL season upon us, I am taking this opportunity to re-post an article I put together last September ... the Fantasy Sports Industry. Bigger and better than ever, the basis is on how fantasy sports are regulated by those who are the leaders in this industry and what businesses are within the governing body of fantasy sports.

Without further adieu, here is Fantasy Sports --- A Major Industry (Revisited).

Fantasy sports are games of fun played by men women and children of all ages. Yes I did say of all ages. I'm 51 and I am not the oldest player in the two local fantasy leagues I play (baseball and football). Fantasy games can be played in many different ways with different formats and can be played with many sports. I personally play fantasy baseball, football, hockey, and golf. I know there are many other sports such as basketball, auto racing, college football, college basketball, and soccer that have fantasy leagues. You know what? Fantasy sports has been around for ages, it seems. I have been playing for 21 years now in football and 20 years in baseball! I know for sure that fantasy sports has been around for longer than that.

But did you know that there is an organization that devotes itself to the fantasy sports industry? I sure didn't. This is no fly by night firm either. The organization I will speak of has been around since 1999 and has many major members, with a board of directors, special events, member benefits, a code of ethics, and even a Hall of Fame!

Welcome to Fantasy Sports Trade Association.

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) has what I find to be a very well organized website with all the information needed to become a member, what they do, and it's history. According to the site, The FSTA is a forum in which many fantasy organizations interact to improve the fantasy sports industry. There are newsletters distributed to members, networking opportunities, and recognition awards.

The committees of the FSTA include membership, conference, public relations, awards, finance, Web, and research. Some of the notable members include Jeff Christiansen of Fantasy Football Toolbox (a favorite of mine), Howard Kamen of USA Today, Danielle MacLean of CBS Sports, Peter Schoenke of Rotowire.com, and Charlie Wiegert of Fanball. The main job of all committees is to oversee FSTA operations and keep its practice to better the fantasy sports industry.

The Code of Ethics is pretty straight forward --- Honesty, Integrity, Credibility, and Gambling. The gambling code states that no entity will be granted membership whose primary function fantasy sports gambling --- cut and dried.

There are 103 members of the FSTA including notables as the aforementioned CBS Sports, Rotowire.com, Fanball, USA Today, and Fantasy Football Toolbox. Other well known entities include Ron Shandler's Baseball HQ, Electronic Arts (EA), ESPN, FFToday.com, KFFL Inc, Rotoworld.com, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, STATS, Turner Sports, and Yahoo!. You may want to take a gander to see if any of your favorite fantasy sites are members.

That's just an overview of the FSTA...visit their Website for complete information.

There is also a well written article in the online version of U.S. News and World Report titled "The Reality of Fantasy Sports". Many of the leaders of the fantasy sports industry present their thoughts on what is a growing industry along with analysis of the future.

Enjoy!

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Louis Oosthuizen ... Unlikely Open Champion

The Open Championship, or the British Open, annually produces odd and unlikely circumstances and results. Twenty-one year old phenom Rory McIlroy shot a major tournament record tying 63 in the opening round only to balloon to an 80 in Friday's wind driven second round. That second round alone saw delay of play for 66 minutes due to wind gusts in excess of 40 miles-per-hour and the winds were consistently 20 to 30 mph throughout The Open wreaking havoc for all players … except for a wee 27 year-old South African whom not many people outside of the European Tour had known.

Meet Louis Oosthuizen --- Champion Player of the Year

Oosthuizen, a product of fellow South African and former Open champion Ernie Els's golf foundation, entered The Open Championship as the world's 54th ranked player, winning his first European Tour tournament this spring in Spain. He is known to European players as a straight hitter who hits the golf ball a long way for a player diminutive in stature.

But to dominate a star-studded field that included the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, and others? Oosthuizen had no history to suggest anything of the sort. He had missed cuts regularly in past majors struggling on the world's grandest stages including Augusta National and most recently Pebble Beach.

What Louis managed to accomplish better than all other competitors was to find fairways and greens consistently. As wide as the fairways are at The Old Course in St. Andrews, many players were out of position, especially on holes 12 and 17, the famous (or infamous) Road Hole. Just ask Mickelson and Casey about the 12th hole.

I believe that Oosthuizen won The Open on that wind driven second round in which he fashioned a bogey free round of 67, five-under par while the majority of the field struggled mightily. From there, Louis never looked back.

From watching Oosthuizen, he never seemed to get rattled or disillusioned by what few bad shots he hit. Steady and strong was Louis while all others showed angst and frustration. And his swing was so fluid, due to his great balance while playing in the wind. Boring as it may have been, watching young Louis Oosthuizen play golf was a joy unto itself.

Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson, in a column for USA Today, asked Oosthuizen about his first night with the claret jug which Louis replied, "I put it next to my bed last night, and I woke up this morning and I looked at it, and I immediately grabbed the phone and texted Chubby Chandler, my agent, saying, 'I've got this funny old jug next to my bed.'”

“Man, oh, man. That was special waking up next to it.”

All this while the 139th playing of The Open Championship ended just a day ago and marked 150 years of major championship play in golf.

While the golf world hails Louis Oosthuizen as the Champion Player of the Year, I have one burning question...

What will be put into and poured out of the claret jug?

Dick

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Almost A Year

Here it is, mid July, 2010 and I find it hard to believe I've blogging for almost one year. I have blogged about The New York Yankees, The NHL, NFL, hip arthroscopy, and a small but distinguished baseball bat manufacturer here in Maine amongst other topics.

But my first post was about Tom Watson's magnificent rub at last year's Open Championship at Turnberry. Of course this is the weekend of the 139th Open Championship, therefore, I find it appropriate that I re-post my initial "My Thoughts on the World of Sports" foray for your enjoyment.

I will occasionally reintroduce older posts as some of you may not have been a loyal reader from the beginning.

I now present post #1 ... Mr. Watson , I Presume

Enjoy!

Dick

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