Friday, October 26, 2007

Thanks NCAA

First no football playoff, now today I can't even get my kid registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse...Apparently they are moving from Iowa to Indianapolis.



great.......

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

NAVY vs. MARYLAND 2010

Navy has announced an agreement has been reached with the University of Maryland to play in the season opener in 2010. The game will be played on September 4, 2010 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Mids and Terps staged a memorable game in 2005, with Navy falling 23-20. The game was sold out as 67,809 looked on.

There had been reports that the 2010 contest might not take place, but both schools realize the economic value of the game, as well as the terrific boost it will give both programs locally in terms of media coverage and promotion.

"The game in 2005 was a memorable event and terrific game," said NavalAcademy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "Everyone enjoyed theatmosphere and a rematch certainly seems in order. M&T Bank Stadium is afirst-class venue and we appreciate the Baltimore Ravens organization andits help in making this game possible.

The Baltimore Ravens may be the best NFL team to deal with in terms of putting on an event. It hasn't been long since both sides went to the Ravens and the MSA, and this deal took place relatively quick once in got to those two groups. The Ravens are first class in hosting events like this as they have with the 2005 matchup and as hosts of the Army-Navy and Navy-Notre Dame games.

"This game is special to many Marylanders and we are pleased it will beplayed in the 2010 season," said Maryland Director of Athletics Deborah A.Yow.There are still many people locally who don't realize Navy plays Championship Subdivision football, and many are shocked to find they lead all of the Championship Subdivision in rushing. ( I Hate saying that)

Navy is seeking its fifth straight bowl game, while the Terps are coming off an appearence in the Champs Sports Bowl. Both teams have four wins, with Navy's road to six slightly easier. Both teams have been hit by serious injuries and shows how well coached they are to still be in contention despite major issues. Who knows who will be left for the Terps to suit up at season's end, maybe they can dress my colleague Heather Dinich from the Baltimore Sun, she may have some eligibility.

Navy has been one of the best stories in college football and one of the hottest properties. The Mids have been able to secure Bowl tie-ins well in advance over the past couple of season due to the tremendous world wide fan support the Mids have. Navy has been popular on the West Coast, plaing in San Diego, San Franciscom and headed back to San Diego this year if they get to six wins. The Mids host Delaware at 1pm Saturday on CSTV, with Scott Zolakm a former Terp, joining me for the broadcast. Yes, that was a plug.

How good each team will be in 2010 remains to be seen, one can only hope both Paul Johnson and Ralph Friedgen are still at both posts. Either way, for once the fan will be the winner in this case, and in a lot of cases in sports lately, thats not the case.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Did anyone know the World Series was starting?

I guess Im rooting for Boston since Jason Veritek is my favorite baseball player. Do you know who Boston is playing? Colorado, Rocky Mountain High, ok, No John Denver, but they play spirited baseball. I think Boston got it's wake up call from Cleveland. Bo Sox in six.

NAVY
The Mids take on Delaware this Saturday, 1pm on CSTV, and will be looking for it's fifth win of the season. Six wins gets Navy another trip to San Diego in December. Last week, Navy was its on worst enemy against Wake Forest, with three huge turnovers. Ill be at practice today to get a Kaipo report. Get ready for a steady diet of Omar Cuff. He's a great running back for the Hens.

Maryland
Tell me you didnt have to talk some Maryland fans down off the ledge Saturday after the loss to UVA?

While I felt Maryland got hosed on the critical replay, and what was dumbfounding, was no one saw the real thing that happened on the replay. The UVA RB lost the ball before he ever got to the yard marker......Why have replay officials if they are not going to officiate?

It was a solid effort by the Terps, but UVA has better players, especially Chris Long, son of NFL HOF DL Howie Long. Terps are playing with subs on OL and Long ate them up at a critical time. Safety proved to be huge.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Navy Hoops picked seventh? No way..so say some coaches

The Patriot League is full of some terrific student athletes and great basketball coaches. Today the mens coaches gathered at the ESPN Zone in Baltimore to discuss the upcoming season, one which is as wide-open as any season ever.

Holy Cross lost two great players in Torrey Thomas and Keith Simmons. Bucknell lost the big man Chris McNaughton, who actually played against Ralph Willard's Crusaders this summer in Europe and won by 31.

The coaches in this league are as good as any mid-major in the game. They are a great group to talk hoops with as well.

some of the comments offered:

Bucknell's Pat Flannery: " I just want to acknowledge the folks from Army and Navy and I appreciate what the stand for"

Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard "I knew we lost two key people in Thomas and Simmons and our trip to Europe showed us how much we lost their leadership as well"

Army coach Jim Crews "I can be having a really bad day and when these guys come in the gym, they can turn it around for me in a heartbeat with their work ethic and great attitude"

Navy Coach Bill Lange " I think we are having fun. We have great chemistry with this group and I hope that this can continue to build into something special as the season and games approach"


The preseason poll looks this way:

1. Holy Cross
2. Bucknell
3. Colgate
4. Lehigh
5. American
6. Army
7. Navy
8. Lafayette........

Kyle Roemer returns for Colgate and this could be the year for the Raiders if they stay healthy. I think Army and Navy can be better than 6 and 7...and will be....

Its wide open race......March cant get here fast enough.......

Tim Clifford was voted preseason POY........I'll go with Greg Sprink or Jerell Brown......

Both I think will have more chances to score and thus maybe have better numbers than Clifford.....

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Refreshing

In the past two days I have had the chance to talk to some stellar student athletes.

Players and coaches for Navy and Wake Forest were a breath of fresh air, polite, well spoken, and obviusly well versed on the teams they were about to play.

Jim Grobe of Wake and Paul Johnson at Navy are a true credit to their profession. Neither will Bullsh** you. They tell you the truth. How many coaches will tell you they underestimated a team and how hard the would play? (Grobe on Army).

Johnson will flat out tell you when his team is not playing well.

The Wake and Navy players this week have been great examples of what we all wished student athletes would and could be. They are a credit to their families, coaches and schools.

I think this game is one of the most entertaining on the Saturday schedule. A shoot out again.....Hope your watching, CSTV 1pm......If you cant, Navyallaccess at 1pm....

Sunday, October 14, 2007

What the hell is going on out here?

The late Vince Lombardi once said that and now its the best way to describe what is happening in college football.

Those of us who want the BCS to blow up got a HUGEEEEEEEEE step toward that today when top-ranked LSU and number two-ranked California lost. Thank you Kentucky and Oregon State.

Now Ohio State will assume the top spot. USF and BC in tow, my goodness.

How can you not love this season of college football. If we had a playoff at the end, 35 teams could lay claim!!!!

I stiil think the two best teams I've seen are Florida and LSU. Conference play means so much in this deal and both have lost critical games to teams in the league. The SEC is the best league top to bottom.

Just when it looked like the Big East was moving on up last year, it is quickly crashing down. The latest victim, the UC Bearcats.....Losers to Louisville, thank god for my man Kragthorpe....His team only gave up 24 today for one week he can breathe..........

NAVY
What's a another defensive injury? Ketric Buffin is the latest to be downed by the injury bug for the Midshipmen. A broken arm will keep him out 4-6 weeks.

The nations most exciting team hosts Wake Forest this week in Annapolis in a game televised by CSTV Saturday at 1pm.

Finally
Hard to believe but its true....My wife is pregnant with #3.............yay!!!!!!!

NFL Tomorrow......talk to u then

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Finally

Navy finally returns to the gridiron tonight when they face the Univeristy of Pittsburgh at Heinz Field at 8pm on ESPN. Pre-game coverage begins on the Navy Radio Network at 6pm on www.wnav.com. Bob Socci and Omar Nelson have the call on the radio.

Just how good is Pittsburgh? It really hard to tell. The wins over Eastern Michigan and Grambling aren't much. The only lost 17-14 to Michigan State and then got blown out by UCONN and UVA.

Pitt is playing its third quarterback, depends on a talented freshmen running back and has a defense statiscally rated #9 in the country.

Navy has been simmering, playing its only game in a 21-day period. Perhaps with the nature of the first five games, the break came at the right time. The Mids should be fresh. If they play turnover free football, a win against a Big East team could be at hand.

Navy must block the perimeter players for Pitt consistently. If they do that, they will get win three in a row.....

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Are u Kidding me?

It is quite clear the Dallas Cowboys are headed for a dream season. You don't win games like the Monday night debacle against Buffalo if your not. Nick Folk, not once, but twice, put it through from 53 yards...and by the way, coaches please stop calling timeouts as the ball is getting ready to be snapped........enough already......


REDSKINS
Hello Andre Carter and welcome to the Washington Redskins. Carter's best performance as a Redskin helped Washington drub Detroit, and who is coaching the Lions anyway? Mike Martz, Rod Marinelli, Matt Millen, Wayne Fontes, Monte Clark? We saw Martz as much as Marinelli.....pretty soon Washington will bring Art Monk out of retirement to replace Brandon Lloyd.......

Navy
The Mids are inching closet to playing again.....A wednesdat night tilt against Big East foe, Pitt. There is no question Navy should be able to move the ball against Pitt, if the D can keep improving and hold Pitt to 20-under, the Mids have another chance to win on the road. Pitt is on its third QB and you know they will try and run it down Navy's throat. Haberer, Wimsatt and Spencer could have 55 tackles between them this week....game time 8pm on ESPN...

Saturday, October 6, 2007

GOOD BYE BCS......Almost....

USC loses, South Florida is in the top-five? Who? Miami of Florida, Florida, Florida State? No ....USF..

LSU with the heart of a champion and some gutsy calls by Les Miles.....Not sure I agreed with the last fourth down call, but man he has some intestinal fortitude. What a performance.....A clear #1 right now.

Can someone please explain to me what and how Virginia Tech beat Clemson so soundly with so little O? Please lose the purple Clemson.....

Army won a game it had no business winning, but kudos for making a big play at the end of regulation......

Maryland got another big win despite losing more and more bodies.......

Baseball

Can you say Colorado vs. Cleveland......I can.......How about this little bit of trivia......

Todd Helton and Seth Smith play for the Rockies...Both backed up Manning's in college in football......Helton behind Peyton, and Smith behind Eli....

CAPS
Yes the Caps......I know its only two games, but man this is a different team. Fresh faces, better D, this may be a fun team to watch in 2007-08......

Celtics
Watched Garnett post 19-16 today in Italy for Boston against Toronto....yikes to teams in the East.....

Redskins
Give me the Skins 34-31 tomorrow against the Lions....

Back from Bermuda

Wow what a country........21 miles with my wife on the back of a moped........whew.....

Navy

Are u kidding? Wednesday....Good spirited workout today.

Talked to Anthony Gaskins about playing on Wednesday..

"It does seem odd being Friday and not having agame, but we are excited for the opportunity to play and show people what Navy Football is all about,''.

Wednesday....?

More as the weekend continues....