Good Google(y) – PDF’s!!

I just found out that you can save documents as PDFs using Google – and make revisions through a group process – all online! I don’t know how long this tool has been available, but it’s great. When I started working at my current gig, one of my first laments was our inability to do just this. We work with documents that are thousands of pages long and require some significant review by several team members. At present, there are no software tools in house to expedite or facilitate that work.

Of course, I also happen to work with some serious techno-phobes who are not likely to try this technological solution, but it is available. This should be great news for non-hackers operating small businesses and/or university students and entrepreneurs looking to improve productivity and collaboration. Google’s new toy appears to be a great way to get around the hassle of carrying disks (or memory sticks) or writing to CD’s or reviewing documents on an internal server. I’d be less inclined to trust super-sensitive information with this process, but given the reams of information collected by Google and others, it’s “relatively” safe.

Users also have the option of  publishing files to the internet using unique URLs provided by Google – and posting items to blogs. Great stuff.  I don’t believe this last option works with WordPress, but you can’t have everything – right away.

Farewell 2006 – Signed, Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers are done. After being summarily dismissed by the Baltimore Ravens, 27-0, it is officially a wrap. With all of the mediocrity in this year’s AFC (Jacksonville 6-5, Cincinnati 6-5, Denver 7-4 after starting 5-1, Kansas City 7-4 (beaten by Pittsburgh 45-7)), the Steelers were unable to find an identity and mount a semblance of a run this season. Following pathetic losses to the Jaguars, Bengals, Falcons, Raiders and Broncos, this turnover prone version of the Steelers have been put out of their misery by their hated rivals.

The Ravens won the battle of the line of scrimmage and walked off with nine sacks and even more pressure than anyone in black and gold cares to remember. Questions ahead for the Steelers include who will coach the team next year, who will protect Ben from himself and other defenses, who will be the primary target on 3rd down, how will Hines Ward overcome his nagging injuries, and where will the team get a boost for a flagging defense that spent too much time on the field this season.

It will be at least April before these questions are all answered satisfactorily. There is work for this team to do in the NFL draft – and there is work for the coaching staff to do in preparing this team to rebound from a dismal season. 2006 will likely be remembered for as long as 2005 and for an entirely different set of reasons.

Drawn and Quartered??

Criticism of US Training in Iraq

Is this story getting worse ever time “we” look?  This just in:

Two senior members of the House Armed Services Committee and several former Defense Department officials yesterday criticized poor U.S. training and deployment of the Iraqi army and police as a major reason the Baghdad government cannot provide security to its people.

The recent stories and fatality counts coming out of Iraq must be enough for Americans to question some very fundamental things about themselves.  After you’ve asked, “What did they know?” and “When did they decide to lie about it?”, you’ll have to ask how long will the charade continue.

Three hundred years into the charade of democracy, the illusion continues.  Is this merely a question of schooling or is something else at play?

What the Fuck Is That? BCS

USC vaults ahead of Michigan in part because of voter sentiment like this:

“I was pretty sure I was going to keep Michigan No. 2 until I watched USC play,’” said John Hoover of the Tulsa (Okla.) World.

“Part of the reason [the Trojans] struggled in the middle of the season and lost was because Dwayne Jarrett wasn’t healthy,” he said.

Ok, you dumb bastard. Did you miss the middle of the season when Michigan’s Mario Manningham was not healthy? Why in the hell does some rube from Tulsa get to decide who plays for the national championship. There is no perfect system.

All we know is that Notre Dame sucks since they were smoked by Michigan and USC. We know that USC played a tougher schedule than Michigan. We know USC and Michigan both lost on the road, and that SC lost to O-State (Oregon, not Ohio). It’s not clear to me that USC is deserving of a number 2 rank. Florida seems as good a candidate as any. I hear the so-called “computer polls” (running human-weighted formulas) like the PAC-10 conference. I’m sure that those computers and their programmers didn’t see Tennessee kick the DOG SHIT out of Cal. They probably missed Florida’s games this season as well. Florida has not been as impressive on the field of play as Michigan or USC, but if we’re making a field of play argument, Michigan has looked better than USC all year.

If we’re making some other argument, put Florida in the conversation and keep Michigan right there. Notre Dame should not be a Litmus Test for the national championship. They have a nice quarterback who is surrounded by a bunch of not ready for prime time players. Fumbles, dropped passes, etc. Under no circumstances should a couple of BLOW OUT losses by a mediocre team influence voters to determine who plays in the big dance.

I’ve said that since Michigan already had their shot at OSU (Ohio, not Oregon), I was fine with another squad getting a shot. I’d actually like to see Michigan play against LSU. However, when voters start talking about Dwayne Jarrett’s mid-season injury, I’m just done. That’s some old bullshit. Decision-making like that oughtta get you flogged in the public square. One of these days, American sportswriters will snap out of the ND Haze and recognize a shitty team for what it is. Perhaps Michigan’s win over Wisconsin should carry some weight here? Put that in your microchip and smoke it.

Philip Rivers and the Question of Proof

Question: How do know that national sports writers DO NOT actually watch games/players on which they report? Answer: Philip Rivers. This week, San Diego Chargers quarterback led his team back from deficits of 21-0 and 28-7 on the road in Cincinnati. The national media has suddenly become enamored of young Mr. Rivers. Of course, Rivers followed up that performance by leading a more impressive comeback at the Broncos which led to the ouster of Jake Plummer.

 

Let me say that I believe the Chargers have made some tremendous decisions over the past few years. The decision to pass on Vick was probably the single best decision a team has made since the Eagles passed on Ricky Williams. Remember that chorus of boos? Drew Brees is absolutely balling in New Orleans, but the Chargers don’t miss him one bit.

Check out what Rivers did in the weeks leading up to Cincinnati game: after his first game with a mere 11 passes, Rivers put an end to Marty Ball the next week with 35 passes against Tenn. Marty Ball reared its ugly head against the Ravens, but Rivers snatched the reins a week later. He rifled 37 passes against the Steelers, 39 against the 49ers, 43 against the Chiefs, 23 against the Rams, and 28 against the Browns. 10 TDs, 3 picks.

Philip Rivers has been slinging the rock. It didn’t start in Cincinnati. It’s just that this was the first game the national media decided to tune in. Rivers played in more games at QB than any other player in NCAA history – and “reporters” are still wondering about what he can do.  The Chargers are a legitimate two-dimensional offense powered by the best running back in the league and a top emerging QB.  This should be interesting for the next 5 to 10 years.  Bottom line, sports writers don’t know any more about football than the average fan – they just have more access and watch games from the press box. Expertise is where you find it, but in order to find it, you have to watch the games.

NFL Predictions – Week 12

Time to put up or shut up. We’re getting down to the end of the line. These are the separation weeks. The weather is supposed to be much worse than it is. It’s supposed to be a factor in places like Chicago and Green Bay and Buffalo. It’s not. In fact, weather is not even a story. The biggest story in the NFL, right now, is the resurgence of the Dallas Cowboys under the leadership of new QB, Tony Romo. Romo is not a rookie, but he’s a fourth-year player with very little game experience – until this month. Since being inserted into the lineup in place of Drew Bledsoe, the rookie has been hot. The only blemish was a road loss at Washington. When he entered that blowout loss to the Giants, the Giants appeared headed toward the playoffs with the most powerful offense in the conference. What a difference a few weeks can make. Suddenly, Dallas and Chicago appear to be the teams to beat, and the Giants look like a team that has lost its way. What’s on tap for this week? More Romo? Hopefully. His appears to be the only story capable of displacing that frequent dropper of passes from the headlines. Perhaps he can use some of his downtime (fewer interviews, and all) to purchase some Isotoner gloves. Maybe he could borrow a pair from Isotoner.

NFL Lines For Week 12 – NFL Football Line Week Twelve
NFL Game Lines 11/26 – 11/27, 2006

Date & Time	Favorite	Line	Underdog	Total
11/26 1:00 ET	Jacksonville	-3	At Buffalo	35
11/26 1:00 ET	At NY Jets	-5	Houston	40
11/26 1:00 ET	At Baltimore	-3	Pittsburgh	39
11/26 1:00 ET	Cincinnati	-3	At Cleveland	42.5
11/26 1:00 ET	At Minnesota	-6.5	Arizona	39
11/26 1:00 ET	At St. Louis	-5	San Francisco	44.5
11/26 1:00 ET	At Atlanta	-3	New Orleans	48
11/26 1:00 ET	Carolina	-4	At Washington	36
11/26 4:15 ET	At New England	-3.5	Chicago	37
11/26 8:15 ET	At Indianapolis	-9	Philadelphia	44
11/26 4:15 ET	NY Giants	-3.5	At Tennessee	43.5
11/26 4:05 ET	At San Diego	-13.5	Oakland	43

Monday Night Football Line

11/27 8:30 ET	At Seattle	-9	Green Bay	45

The picks will be quick this week. Places to go…people to see.

Which Buffalo shows up? The one that beat the Texans which beat these Jags twice? Could be. Buffalo matches up well with Jacksonville. A game in Buffalo in November with nice weather – where’s the punch line? Tough game to call because you never which Bills team or which Jags team will show up.  I’ll take the Bills to continue their little run and pull it out against a mostly one-dimensional Jaguar team.  Buffalo 20, Jacksonville 19.

I think the Jets struggle today against the Texans.  Last week, some questionable coaching decisions and untimely plays shifted the balance toward the Bears.  I believe the Jets (stop! – Don’t think I’ve written that before.) can win, but both teams will be challenged to score.  Andre Johnson presents a big matchup problem, but I’m not told on the Wali Lundi-Samkon Gado package.  While these teams don’t play one another particularly often, there is a high level of familiarity here owing to the Mangini-Patriot and Kubiak-Broncos connection.  The Broncos have had some success against the Patriots – and I suspect that will continue.  Houston 16, New York Jets 13.

My Steelers at the Ravens.  Roethlisberger continues the interception parade.  3 or 4 picks.  Steelers lose big.  Season over.  Baltimore 38, Pittsburgh 17.

The Battle of Ohio is often a close game.  The records of these teams don’t matter when they meet.  The Browns have to be steaming after giving up 21 points in the 4th quarter last week.  I don’t know that that stops them from giving up 21 points in the first quarter to Ocho Cinco and Carson Palmer.  Cleveland needs to run the ball to win.  Rudi Johnson will not get big yards unless Cincinnati can play with a lead.  Can Cleveland jump ahead and put their defense in position to win?  Why not.  Take Cincinnati, but give the points.  Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 21.

Cardinals on the road?  No thanks.  Not even against the SOFT ass Minnesota Vikings.  Minnesota 34, Arizona 20.

The Rams are hosting the 49ers.  Frank Gore (5.5 ypg) should run amok.  I don’t think it’s enough to overcome Stephen Jackson and Torry Holt.  The Rams have to get it together this week or they can begin focusing on next year.  Bulger needs to SNAP OUT OF IT.  This could be one of the best games of the day.  St. Louis 31, San Francisco 27.

I’ll take the Saints to resume winning at the Falcons.  Atlanta is in a tailspin and the Saints have the type of talent along the defensive line that can keep Atlanta from getting too comfortable.  The Saints had a tough stretch with games at Pittsburgh and the Bengals.  Since ATL’s receivers can’t catch worth a damn, they only need to worry about Alge Crumpler.  Right?  New Orleans 41, Atlanta 21.  Okay, no Colston – so maybe not 41, but I still like the Saints.

The Washington Redskins are terrible.  I like Jason Campbell and he appeared to have a decent performance in his debut.  The bar is that much higher against a desperate Carolina team.  I would imagine that if the Saints get up early against the Falcons, the sense of urgency on the Panther sideline will grow.  Playoff spots are becoming scarce.  Carolina 27, Washington 21.

New England is a 3.5 point favorite to beat the Bears.  They’ll have to run the ball to win the game.  The Patriots, after the debacle against the Jets, spent $750k to install new field turf.  For the first time in years, the Patriots may be playing on a fast field.  I think the turf will help the road team.  Edge Bears.  Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley – deep!  I have a feeling this will be a higher scoring game.  Chicago 36, New England 24.  Did you know the Patriots have a “mission statement”?  It says they’re building a “big, strong, fast, smart football team.”  That’s a great place to start.  Nice job – they’re still losing today.

No McNabb?  No chance.  Indianapolis 31, Philadelphia 16.  Now Jeremiah Trotter and Brian Dawkins can go to the press conference and say, “No one gave us a chance to win this game, but we pulled together as a team and gave 110 percent.  We are a team and we played as one. “  Blah, blah, blah.  I wonder if that’s what the Notre Dame guys are saying after getting smoked like bacon last night.  “No one gave us a chance…”

The Giants, to quote Joe Namath (the drunk, horny version), will be “struhguh-linnng” against the Titans.   The Titans have truly enjoyed their time against the NFC East.  They’ve beaten the Eagles and Redskins.  Next up – the Geeeee-men.  Titans win at home because the Giants WILL NOT get the ball to Jeremy Shockey and because Plexiglass Burress will continue to take every other play off.  “Plays off?”  Don’t talk to me about plays off!  Ok, Mora fit is over.  The Giants have to get back to running the rock with Tiki Barber.  The Titans have already established their commitment to the run behind Travis Henry.  The Bills believed they could part with Henry because of his frequent (Ahman Green/Ricky Williams-esque) fumbling.  So far, so good.  Tennessee 21, New York Giants 17.

Oakland?  Nope.  When Moss is on the waiver wire in my fantasy league, you know this team is D-O-N-E.  Art Shell, to my mind, has actually done a very good job considered all of the dysfunction he’s inherited.  Al Davis looks like he’s on his LAST LEGS.  Perhaps he should really relax and hand over control of the franchise.  San Diego 51, Oakland 10.

Holmgren Bowl:  Seahawks-Packers.  Boring.  Seattle 27, Green Bay 17.

By the way, I didn’t write up my picks for the Thanksgiving Day games, but it doesn’t take much to figure out that I went with the hot hands of Miami, Dallas and Kansas City.  Also, the word off the presses is that Jake Cutler has finally taken over for Jake Plummer.  Not a surprise – I saw this coming as soon as the draft was over.

And that’s the week that will be.  Geaux Steelers!

Notre Dame vs. USC – Second Half

Kickoff out of bounds…yuck!!!

1st down. Booty deflection. Chauncey’s bell is still ringing. Gables starts the second half. Gets five on 2nd down. 3rd and 5. Complete for 1st down to Fred Davis. Big play for SC. That’s Booty’s first completion of record in awhile. 3 wide – play action…comeback route for a first down. Power I. First time in a long time. Play action…bomb to Jarrett in the end zone. He’s behind the defense – and the ball hits Jarrett on the leg. Good defense – a little obstruction by a guy who was beaten by a double move. Gables gets 6 on 2nd down. 3rd and 4. USC has got something going here. Pass on 1st down, run for 5+ on 2nd. Gables again on 3rd down for about 3 and half. Run blitz, nice move by Gables. 4th and 1 and there goes Chauncey…First Down.

Just heard that SC has lost 3 fullbacks this year. Lucky for ND. When he’s in the game, he kills. Sick catch on the sideline by Jarrett. 1 hand – no cradle…1 hand to the ground! Yowza. 1st and goal. That was quick. Time out USC. They’d better not lose this lead. Timeouts will be precious if they’re trailing late. Of course, 28-10 would look nice after the first possession of the half. I’m thinking Steve Smith on a slant or Jarrett again – anywhere (slant, fade, whatever).

Jarrett on an in route…laundry. Pass interference. 1st and goal at the 2. TD USC. Chauncey again. Power ball. 28-10.

ND gets the kickoff return out past the 20. Grimes brings it out. 9:40 and ticking. Delay to Walker for 17. I think SC is doing a good job of ignoring this play. They are not getting sucked into defending the draw at the expense of other plays. It’s the only run call that has gained yards for ND. No tosses are working. No counters, no dives, no traps – nothing. Dump to Darius and he’s swallowed by about 7 linebackers. 3rd and 6. Tick tock. 46 yard line. Sacked back at the 35. ND is going to have to punt here – and then get a stop. SC found a rhythm on the last drive with the run and pass. Down at the USC 21.

USC has this game under control. They don’t need to take chances and they don’t have to play conservatively. They can be powerfully aggressive and bring the weight down on ND. 1st down – run for 3 yards…Power I with 3 wide. Flare screen to Smith…gain of 6. ND absolutely stuffs USC on 3rd and 1. Big play. Bad punt. 41 yard line for ND. Rema McKnight owes ND a few plays. He’s gotta do something. Split wide left with Samardzjia…lots of pressure from SC. Quinn pulls it down and runs out of bounds for 1 yard.

2nd down and 9…Quinn hits McKnight deep. Nice catch. That was about a 40 yard play. Good job Rema. Nice play to David Grimes…big play on 1st down. Gain of about 7. 2nd and short. I’m looking for Big Jeff. So is Brady. He dropped it. Great defense by #7 for USC. Jeff seemed to jump too soon for the ball. Great play by both players and a nice throw. 3rd and 3 – another draw. Not this time. 4th down for Charlie Weis – again. I wonder if folks in South Bend would prefer to have 9 points from field goals right now?

3:24 in the 3rd quarter. It’s close. Quinn sneak or fullback dive? Problem is that Darius is not a pile mover. Weis changed RBs. Good move. Didn’t make it. Did Not Make It!!! Did NOT Make It!!!! Did NOT MAKE IT!!!! DID NOT MAKE IT!! Bullshit spot. Ain’t no way in hell that guy made it. No way. Good move by Weis to get a bigger guy out there. USC challenged the spot of the ball. This could get overturned.

The gamesmanship between Carroll and Weis is worth the price of the ticket in this game. This is excellent stuff. Review was upheld. Don’t know about that. What I do know is that USC has only 1 timeout remaining – and they better not need it at the end of the game.

Incomplete on 1st down. ND’s drives in this game have been uneven. They haven’t been smooth – they’ve been punctuated by a single big play – and then they’ve had to run alot of plays in the red zone with limited success. 3rd down…here we go. Go to Rema!! Power sneak…didn’t make it. 4th and 2. This gimmicky shit is not working. Got it Rema on 4th down. Good job. There ya go, Rema. Gotta give the homeboy (not my home) from LA a shot. 28-17. They’re still in the mix.

From where I’m sitting, USC is not delivering the SMACK DOWN that Michigan handed out. You could argue that ND is better now than they were earlier in the year, but whatever. ND routinely kicks Michigan’s ass early in the year – even when Michigan is much better than they are at the end of the year. This year, the Wolverines were head and shoulders better than ND. USC will need to pull away in order to vault over Michigan (I hope).

Gables is dragging ND’s defense. Big run after a nice pass to the tight end. SC’s rhythm: pass, run, run or pass. Jarrett again. First down. That rhythm is KILLING ND. Double move Steve Smith gets behind the defense and drops a touchdown. 2nd and 10…ND is finally ready for Gables. 3rd and long. Quick quarter. Lots of running. That should help ND’s stamina.

The next drive would be another great time for SC to resume their middle blitzes against ND. Quinn is sucking wind after having run so many plays on that last drive. If they can stop ND from making a single big play and force them to drive the length of the field, they could get a few sacks and possibly a pick off the pressure. Damn, Steve Smith dropped a touchdown…how rare is that?

Speaking of pressure and sacks…good job ND. 2nd and 16. Here comes Gables again. Gain of 3. 3rd and 13 from the ND 32. All day to throw – and “Mama, it’s that man again.” Jarrett makes a tremendous catch. 2 hands – hollah!! First down at the 15. SC’s backs are STONING the ND linebackers and safeties on blitzes. SC holding penalty. 2nd and 20 at the 25. USC just used its last timeout. Ok, fellas. I guess you really were not worried about losing that lead.

That timeout didn’t do too much for ND. SC runs a draw of their own. ND stuffs it. Lotta huffin’ and puffin’ on that ND line. FG is good. Two touchdown lead. 31-17. USC is not getting those style points – even though they look like the more powerful team.

Better ND kickoff return…out to about the 30-yard line. Four wide. Dump to TE – four yards. Left tackle moved early. Did they catch it? Alrighty, then. 2nd and 11. LB in deep drop deflects middle pass. Bob Davie says ND may have 5 first rounders on the squad (credits Willingham). Corner blitz, LB blitz. Come to daddy! There is the sack. 4th and 15. Delay of game on the punt. “Back ‘em up. Hup, easy back ‘em up. Please let the abstract embellish on the cut.” SC gets it at their own 43.

There are so many possessions in this game that rightly should have ended with ND field goals instead of failed 4th down conversions. 1 effort was converted for a touchdown to McKnight. I can’t recall the other off the top of my head, but ND really needs a kicking game. It’s not a given that USC would have scored 31 points if ND had a stronger kicking game. Weis is giving up field position because of this weakness in the team. He’d better ask Bobby Bowden about the pain and anguish of not having a decent kicker.

Gables is back – and he’s getting scarier. I think that huffin’ and puffin’ on the D-line is about to become a problem. They better regroup in a hurry. It’s a wrap…Jarrett, one more time. 43-yards. No pass rush. Wide open receiver. 6 points. 37-17 and awaiting the extra point. Nope. no good.

USC’s power offense is essentially running the ball up the middle and throwing over the top. This looks familiar. It looks alot like Michael Hart up the middle and Mario Manningham over the top. I suppose it also looks like Antonio Pittman up the middle and Anthony Gonzalez and Ted Ginn, Jr. over the top. In any event, it’s football at its most simple.

Ok. They just showed a replay of Jarrett’s last touchdown. ND shouldn’t be on the field if they’re not going to bother covering the best player on the field. And now the wheels are coming off. 1st down – false start; 2nd down – incompletion. Referee bailout! ND’s wide receivers are being fitted for dresses at Vera Wang. Personal foul. I think they’ll go in for a nice chiffon.

Big hits by the USC DB’s in this game. If I’m an NFL scout, I’m thinking Jeff Samardzjia’s stock is going through the floor. He’s not open. He’s not getting separation from the DBs. He’s not catching balls. He’s not going to shine at the next level unless he’s in the right system. He’s very good, but he’s not looking like Gonzalez or Ginn or Manningham or Jarrett or Johnson. He finally caught one against a linebacker on a crossing route.

SC has its style points now. It’s 37-17. They can’t let ND get two late touchdowns to close the gap. Samardzjia caught another pass on a crossing pattern against the same linebacker. If he could beat a DB, I’d be happier. Just missed a TD in the middle – too much company. 3rd down run gets stuffed. It’s 4th down again. Time out ND. Whatcha got Charlie? Another referee bailout…uncatchable ball and a little mercy from the striped shirts. Fade to the corner. 2 penalties…12 men and interference. I don’t see the interference. I saw the 12th man though. 1st and goal at the 2 – loss of 3. Back that shit up, son! 2nd and goal. Where is Samardzjia???????

Sack of Quinn – and another penalty. Facemask. 5 yarder. Coulda been 15. Still 2nd and goal. Quinn is ballin’, but he’s not getting alot of help. TE drops it in the end zone. He’s a replacement, but gotta catch it. Quinn is 19-40 for 230 and 2 Tds. Where is Samardzjia??? Oh, there he is. It only took all night – AND HE PUSHED OFF!!!!!!!!!! 37-24. Does ND have time to score again and get at some of those style points? Well, all I know is that 37-24 at home is not 47-21 on the road.

Scratch that. USC is truly getting after it. The onside kick didn’t go too well. The kick was picked up by #10 and returned for a touchdown. Who is #10? Brian Cushing – from New Jersey. I saw him on cable TV a few years ago – simply awesome. Came to SC as a linebacker – moved to Defensive End…plays special teams and returns an onside kick for a touchdown. Damn. Oh, he’s a sophomore.

3 more minutes of ND agony. I wish the national media and those PHUKS who run the bowls would put ND out of their misery and let the people see some other teams in a big game. If Michigan goes to the Rose Bowl, these bastards better not get anywhere near Pasadena. Nice deep throw, better catch off the bg hit. If Quinn ever gets that Tony Romo – quick release thing going, he’s gonna be “Uh Oh!” Ok, these ABC guys are talking far too much about UM-ND in the Rose Bowl. That’s not going to be a good game.

Samardzjia’s lucky he pushed off against that corner. SC’s guys are simply superior tonite. ND turns the ball over for the last time. “Mama, there’s that OTHER man again.” CJ Gables around the left side. Tick, tock. 1 minute left.

ND is getting “mercy ruled.” Back up QB is in the game for USC. Take a knee OR run a toss for 15 yards. Game over. ND’s done.

USC 44, Notre Dame 24.

I like UCLA’s chances next week. They have the talent and the knowledge to get the job done.

I’ll say one thing…I’m wondering about the extent to which Charlie Weis had his “skill position” players ready to play this game. Walker fumbled. McKnight had three drops in the first half. Samardzjia had a couple of drops and was unable to get loose without impersonating another big, slow guy (Michael “Pushoff” Irvin). Quinn was mostly sharp and had the biggest run of the game. ND simply doesn’t have the ballers to run with the big dogs. They do not play many tough teams – and in the last two years, they’ve been throttled by each of them (Ohio State, Michigan, and USC). Of course they beat Michigan last year (sans Michael Hart – big deal) and probably should’ve beaten USC at home (but didn’t). It all sounds familiar. If Notre Dame does not make some hay on the recruiting trail, this will continue. Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, USC, LSU, Florida, and Texas are making moves. ND better get it in gear. Rivals.com ranks them at #13. I suspect that if they’re unlucky enough to draw an SEC team with a passing game, they’ll get undressed again. It’s just too cold be naked in Indiana this time of year. Good luck Charlie, you’ve got 9 years to make i thappen.

Notre Dame vs. USC – First Half

#5 Notre Dame vs. #3 USC – Los Angeles, California
At the start of the game, I don’t really have a feel for which team is stronger – I’m kidding. Of course, the last time Notre Dame played against a non-cupcake, they were CRUSHED at home by Michigan. USC should win, but it’s hard to tell since the last time I saw them play, they were getting handled in Corvallis by Oregon State. Even still, USC is just better than Notre Dame. ND still suffers from an appreciable talent deficit which is only masked by a national television contract, “aura and mystique” (Curt Schilling’s favorite strippers) and a schedule of cupcakes (no less than 6 per year). With all of that said, I love the coaching matchup between Weis and Carroll.

1st Drive: ND moves it down the field, but passes on a FG attempt to try a 4th and 9. This is not going to work and it they have to get closer than this all night, they could get shutout.

USC stops the 4th down by flushing Brady Quinn from the pocket and he overthrows a wide open receiver headed to the end zone. Brady may be a lot of things, but he’s no Troy Smith. Smith makes that play with his legs OR his arm.

USC’s first drive. Nice balance, nice power, nice touchdown. Easy march down the field. Touchdown to Dwayne Jarrett. 

One drive does not a game make, but if I’m an ND fan, I’m a little nervous here because without a kicker, Quinn faces that much more pressure to put points on the board. This also means the defense will be giving up field position on most possessions. Pooch punts? Maybe. What will ND’s defense do if they’re stopped on 4th and short a few times around USC’s 35 yard line? Weis won’t punt. Two or three drives starting from there that end in touchdowns could put ND to bed without any supper.

8 plays, 71 yards. 3:32. That’s how you do it.

ND 2nd drive. Another nice kickoff return by that safety. Draw to Darius Walker. Nice call. Gotta mix it up. Gain of 3 or 4. Another quick hitch…deflected at the line. 3rd and 6. Decision down. If ND doesn’t make this play, they’ve gotta get a stop on D.

3rd down. 4 wide. Dropped pass – Rema McKnight. Rema was sneaking a peek at USC strong Strong Safety.

Big return USC. Probably should’ve scored. Nice alley. 42 yard return. I’ll take it.

1 play – play action over the top to Steve Smith – down at the goal line. It’s getting ugly in a hurry ND. Of course, if this game was being played in Notre Dame, USC would fumble here…

Pete Carroll is pimpin’. He’s going for the jugular and he’s all about taking these fools out early. 6:28 in the 1st quarter and ND is on the ropes.

1st down play – no fullback. Chauncey Washington is stuffed. Don’t like goal line formations without FBs. False start USC. Back ‘em up. Carroll put a fullback in on 2nd down. Replay the down. 2nd down – TD Jarrett. That’s 2 and I think this is a wrap. USC is playing against Michigan tonite. ND looks like a sideshow. 47-21. Tick tock.

It’s still early and a 14 point lead should not be insurmountable with McKnight and Samardzjia and Walker on the field – still the question remains how will ND’s suspect defense prevent a Willingham-esque SMOKE OUT by the Trojans?

3rd ND Drive: Decent return…barely out to the 20.

1st down…pass to the tight end. I wonder if the big dogs were covered. 1st down. ND needs to establish the run if they’re going to win this game. Darius for 6 on 1st down – then 2 more on 2nd down. Makeable 3rd and 2. 3 – wide. TE catch #2. 1st down. Charlie is switching it up. Nice move.

ND goes full house with Jeff S. Blown up by safety blitz…Darius for -1 yard. USC is blitzing up the middle and forcing Quinn to abandon the pocket. He just ran for 8. 3rd and 3. Draw to Darius for big yards – 16. Charlie is getting the running game with the draw. SC is still coming right up the middle. SC is up 14, but their defense has been on the field for the entire quarter. Lotta hands on hips early. Deep pass to McKnight – another drop in the end zone. Time to look somewhere else.

He’s listening…nice deep middle throw to Samardzjia – and he hangs on to the rock. ND at the 10 yard line. Sprint roll to the right…nothing doing. 2nd and goal. Whatcha got Charlie? End zone look…deflected. Another end zone pass – incomplete. TE gets BELL RUNG in end zone by USC frosh safety. Field goal. 14-3. If it goes to 21-3, I’d book that flight to Glendale (no disrespect to UCLA).

USC kickoff return out past the 40 yard line. Field position anyone? Short field, again. Nice ND drive bought the D some time.

1st down. Draw play with Chauncey Washington. 5 0r 6 yards – end of 1st quarter. Change sides and let SC tap the other side of that ND ass. 2nd down. Weight room down. CJ Gable 8 yards through a bunch of “tacklers.”

Play action – all day to throw. Jarrett deep down the middle. 25 yds.? SC is already at the ND 20. That was quick. Hmm. Weis blitzed on 1st down. Pass incomplete…USC timeout. I wonder if SC saw what ND saw? The blitz came from the right side. We’ll see. 2nd and 10…Gashed ‘em right up the gut. 8 yards. ND gets a stop on 3rd and short. Nice D. Pete Carroll will probably go for it. Here we go. 4th and 1. Fake the sneak, run a pitch to the TB Gables and he runs over Zbikowsky. Face mask – at the goal line – 1sssst down. It’s almost a wrap ladies and gentlemen.

Pete’s trying to get cute. 1st down bootleg for Booty rolling left. Stuffed…back to line of scrimmage. TOUCHDOWN USC. BOOTY on the sneak.

I know I’m supposed to be rooting for ND because Michigan could get a rematch, but phuk that. At this point, I’d love to see USC and OSU – and I’d love to see Michigan and LSU in the Rose Bowl…and I’d like to see Notre Dame in the BlueBonnet Bowl. They’re a bunch of overrated scrubs who are getting handled AGAIN.

4th ND drive…what am I noticing? SC is starting to home in on every aspect of ND’s game. The kickoff returns are getting progressively shorter. Darius’ power runs are going nowhere. That means a little deception should kill SC…reverse? Deflected Quinn pass.

Hmmm. Spectacular run by Quinn!!!! 59 yards…wow. Shoulda scored, but it took 60 yards for anyone to catch him. Nice wheels on that kid. Swing pass to Samardzjia…jumps out of 2 tackles…nice. 3rd and 3 in the Red Zone. Gotta get something here. There’s that draw play again. First down. FUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SC Ball!!!!!!!!!!!! Darius Walker fumbled the draw, landed on the ball and had it SNATCHED by some big ass dude/dudes in red. Looks like he may have landed on the ball. He’s down – and he’s pissed to the highest of pissed-tivity (Thanks, Robin Harris). Maryland’s battling back. Down by a bunch, they’ve pulled to within 7 at 21-14.

Walker’s up and on the sideline trying to get it together.

SC ball at the 8 yard line. Good ND pressure. Knocks Booty to the ground…

Trivia Question: SC has lost one game in the Pete Carroll era by more than 7 points. Game and coach? I’m going with Kansas State in Manhattan with Bill Snyder at the helm.

ND gets a stop! Whew. 4th and 10…Now would be a great time…skip that…It’s blocked. Wow! Steve Quinn, right up the middle. Better score this time ND!

Got it. That TE again – Marcus Freeman. Had to get his name after all of these catches. I believe that’s 3. He’s having a big game. McKnight and Walker have to get their heads in the game. Quinn is fine. Samardzjia’s doing his usual. It’s possible that the defense woke up. We’ll see if that was simply a field position thing, but they’re competing.

Special teams fumble…recovered by USC. Huge hit. KO. Helmet to helmet. I’m woozy and there goes my mouthpiece. SC ball on the 19. ND is bringing the wood. Big possession for SC.

Interception ND. I guess ND resented me calling them a bunch of scrubs. They’re ballin’. Terrible read and throw by Booty…into triple coverage. ND ball at their own 48. A little trickeration…stuffed – gain of 2.

2nd down and 8. 3 wide to Big Jeff in the slot. Gets 7 can’t break a tackle. 3rd and 1. Nice call. Not such a good call here…pitch play to Walker…loss of three. 4th down – 4 to go. Going for it and risking field position or punting? Charlie is…

Going for it.

4:49 in the 2nd. DROPPED by MCKNIGHT…I told you to look somewhere else a while ago. Great throw in rhythm by Quinn. SC ball at the

Trivia Answer: Bob Davie – 2001. 27-16. Ok, fine. Snyder won 27-20 in 2002. I wanted to hear “7 or more points,” even though it’s not what they said.

Another pick by Booty. ND ball. SC needs to get back to the run. ND’s defense has really picked up the physicality. They’re hitting everything that moves and smashing anything that doesn’t move fast enough.

2nd down…Quinn almost throws a pick. 2:27 in the half – timeout Notre Dame. 4th and 6 from the 33. Incomplete endzone shot to Samardzjia. Ok, SC needs to run the rock and relax. They’re too excited with themselves. ND cannot win this game by converting 4th downs. That simply is not going to happen.

ND stuffed another 1st down run by SC. 2nd and 10. Another run. Refs ignore a facemask penalty that could have been called on ND. 1:17, 2nd qtr. Time out. 3rd and short for SC.

Aside from the dropped passes by Rema McKnight, the other issue that ND is having is that SC’s linebackers are very good in pass coverage. They drop off the screen and you can’t see them on the television, but you can tell they’ve taken away the crossing routes that ND likes to run. Weis may take a page out of Mike Martz’ book and throw some deep digs to his receivers in the second half in combination with some wheel routes by his backs.

SC is running the clock down to the 2nd half. 30 seconds left. 4th and 9 from the 33. Excellent directional punt…out of bounds at the 28…not so deep, but deep enough to probably keep ND focused on the 2nd half. 12 seconds left. Good time to take a knee. Nope…4 wide from the 25. First down to TE #87, again. Skip pass to #11 – end of the half. USC 21, ND 10.

Observations on the first half. Michigan is a damn good squad. SC lost some momentum, but still has a 2 possession lead. They get the ball to begin the half. With ND unable to get 3 deep in SC territory, they’ll need turnovers to win the game. Even if Notre Dame wins this game – and it goes down in history as the greatest game ever played, they should not play Ohio State. We’ve seen that game and it was not pretty last year. It will be uglier this year. Rema McKnight is killing ND. He’s from LA and is probably trying too hard to make a play. Chauncey Washington, SC’s best back had his bell rung. SC hasn’t run with authority since that play. If he doesn’t clear out the cobwebs, USC should spread ND out a bit to get Gables going – and also look for Steve Smith on some short stuff he can take deep.

And that’s the half that was.

ESPN’s Racial Tunnel Vision

Last year, I wrote about how ESPN routinely does features to compare the attributes of athletes. At the time, I remarked that their comparison of two black athletes focused on body parts rather than the attributes associated with those body parts. I also knew, at the time, that if the subject of inquiry was a white QB, ESPN or any of the other major media outlets wouldn’t focus on body parts – they’d focus on attributes.

Well, not to say that I told you so – but, I told you so. Witness Exhibit A: Philip Rivers under the microscope. Exhibit B is ESPN’s close up feature comparing Antonio Pittman and Michael Hart of OSU and Michigan, respectively.  Exhibit C:  Mario Manningham vs. Ted Ginn, Jr.

This stuff isn’t surprising, but it is a demonstration of the deeply ingrained thought patterns associated with athletic performance – physical endowments vs. intellectual craft. Gifts vs. work. Divine luck vs. rigor. It is intellectually lazy and it does a disservice to those who would analyze players and teams for what actually happens on the field.

ESPN is closer to snapping out of it than most, but they’ve still got a bad case of tunnel vision.  Reinforcing racial stereotyping is not journalism.  It’s journaljism (it’s precisely why I have this category).  It’s time for a change.

Troy Smith

I said it last year.  I said it after the Texas game this year.  I’ll say it again.  He’s the real deal.  It’s not quite half time, but Tressel and the OSU coaches decided to come out and spread the field.  It’s the approach that the Patriots and Tom Brady used against the Vikings not too long ago.  The field is spread and Smith has completed passes to about 7 or 8 receivers.  So far, so good.

Kirk Herbstreit has compared Smith to Drew Brees.  I think that’s a great comparison.  Excellent decision-maker, accurate passer.  Of course Troy Smith runs much better than Brees, but he doesn’t have to.  Last year, I thought the analysts were all smoking crack when they ranked Brady Quinn ahead of Smith.  I still do – and now I know where they bought their crack.

Touchdown: OSU 28, UM 14.