NFL Week 2 - Crybaby Week

Dallas Bandwagon Unloads

Last week, I called out the Dull-ass Crygirl bandwagon.  Why?  Cause everybody was climbing aboard for the next Super Bowl Champions.  Yeah baby, the Cowboys were back.

Uh, yeah whatever.  27-7 loss to Seattle.  

Dallas fans are a fickle funny lot. 

Also they are a sad group of people who make me laugh.  They remind me of that old aging high school football player who tries to relive his glory years to anyone who will listen.  People just roll their eyes, shake their heads and laugh to themselves.  

My favorite fans this wee was some Crygirl fan boy at the sports bar.  He starts off the game by yelling for Cowboys to stomp Seahawks and break a players neck.  Not even five minutes later he's yelling that Tony Romo and the Cowboys suck.  Classy guy.

Now I'll review some real games and teams.

Crybaby Week

In case some players and coaches forgot, football in general is a violent sport.  Even more so in the NFL.

Of all people, Tom Coughlin should know this fact.  Yet he cried unfair, unsportsmanship when the Buccaneers tried to knock the ball loose when the Giants were trying to kneel the ball and run the clock out.

Look Coughlin, the Bucs were only down a point.  If they were down two scores then maybe you'd have a case.  You can't expect a team to roll over and die because you want them to.  The Bucs didn't surrender and lay down cause of the "victory" formation lined up.  They wanted one last shot to win.  Don't cry that it's not right.  Don't cry that a player might get hurt on that final play.  Your players should be ready for anything.  It's not the Bucs fault that the Giants thought they weren't going to fight to the last second.

The other crybaby of the week was Robert Griffin III.  RG3 cried after a loss to the Rams that they were taking cheap shots.  Well baby RG3, it happens.  Is it right?  No but it happens.  Welcome to the NFL, rookie.  

What's more troublesome is that Griffin cried about it after a loss and only after his second NFL game.  You might want to get some more experience before you cry foul.  You also might want to win a few more games before you cry.  What you are going to find is that many cheap shots will come your way.  

Griffin go back and review that commercial where that one player sees you everywhere he goes.  You're in his head.  Congratulations.  You just gave defensive players a way to get into your head.  Don't think for a second that defenses won't knock you around a bit more than usual.  Why?  Because you cried publicly about it.  Now they will try to use that to their advantage and rattle your cage.

Finally, the other crybaby of the week is Jay Cutler.  I've called Cutler a lot worse than a crybaby.  He's done nothing to dispel my opinion otherwise.  His latest incident includes shoving an offensive lineman during a game on national TV.  If there is a way to lose what respect the team has for him any quicker, it's by being an ass and humiliating a fellow player like that.  He's lucky the lineman didn't knock his head off on the spot.

Line of the Week

Eli Manning 

31/51 passing for 510 yards, 3 TD, 3 INTs

The Giants scored 3 TDs in the 4th quarter to come from behind and upend the Bucs.  Despite throwing 3 interceptions, Manning overcame that troubled start and lead the Giants to victory avoiding a 0-2 start.

Joe Pisarcik/Vince Young Line of the Week

I named this weekly award after the erratic play of Vince Young and Joe Pisarcik's brilliant fumble many seasons ago.

VY isn't in the NFL anymore and yet he still manages to win the award with the following stat line:

6 years, $58 million contract with $26 million guaranteed is ow broke.

I don't know what went wrong.  There are all kinds of stories circulating that VY squandered his fortune on lackeys, hanger ons and ill advise deals.  VY blames his agent and uncle for robbing him blind.  

 

Ultimately, VY is responsible for his money.  He should have kept a better eye on things.  He should have known his monthly cash flows.  He also should have socked some away somewhere that no one but he had access to.  He was set for life but is now looking for work.

It's a sad cautionary tale that all NFL players would be wise to not. 

Weeks 1 & 2 results, Week 3 Picks vs. Spread

I'm short on time to explain my results.  So I'm just posting them for the record.

Week one I went grand total 3-10 on my picks vs the spread.

Week two I did a game better going 4-9-2 (two pushes).

For the season, I'm at 7-19-2....that sucks in ways I can't imagine.

Again, I'm doing the cut and past from NFL Locks.

There are some tough picks this week based on two weeks play.

NFL Lines For Week 3 - NFL Football Line Week Three NFL Line 9/23 - 9/24, 2012 Date & Time Favorite Line Underdog Total 9/23 1:00 ET At Chicago -7 St. Louis 43 9/23 1:00 ET At Dallas -8 Tampa Bay 46 9/23 1:00 ET San Francisco -7 At Minnesota 43 9/23 1:00 ET Detroit -3.5 At Tennessee 47.5 9/23 1:00 ET At Washington -3 Cincinnati 50 9/23 1:00 ET NY Jets -1 At Miami 41 9/23 1:00 ET At New Orleans -8.5 Kansas City 53 9/23 1:00 ET Buffalo -3 At Cleveland 44.5 9/23 1:00 ET At Indianapolis -3 Jacksonville 43 9/23 4:05 ET Philadelphia -3 At Arizona 42.5 9/23 4:05 ET At San Diego -3 Atlanta 47.5 9/23 4:25 ET Houston -1.5 At Denver 44.5 9/23 4:25 ET Pittsburgh -3.5 At Oakland 45 9/23 8:25 ET At Baltimore -2.5 New England 50 Monday Night Football Line 9/24 8:35 ET Green Bay -3 At Seattle 45

Week 2 Picks vs The Line

I haven't tallied week one results yet.  60 hour work week will do that.  I still wanted to get in the week two picks before the games start. 

To save time, because I need to head to sports bar in an hour, I'm just cutting & pasting the lines and making my picks.  My picks in bold.

Date & Time	Favorite	Line	Underdog	Total
9/16 1:00 ET	At NY Giants	-7	Tampa Bay	43.5
9/16 1:00 ET	At New England	-13.5	Arizona	47.5
9/16 1:00 ET	Minnesota	-3	At Indianapolis	45.5
9/16 1:00 ET	New Orleans	-2.5	At Carolina	52.5
9/16 1:00 ET	At Buffalo	-3	Kansas City	45
9/16 1:00 ET	At Philadelphia	-2.5	Baltimore	46.5
9/16 1:00 ET	Oakland	-2	At Miami	41
9/16 1:00 ET	At Cincinnati	-7	Cleveland	39
9/16 1:00 ET	Houston	-7	At Jacksonville	41
9/16 4:05 ET	Dallas	-3	At Seattle	42
9/16 4:05 ET	Washington	-3.5	At St. Louis	42.5
9/16 4:25 ET	At Pittsburgh	-5.5	NY Jets	43
9/16 4:25 ET	At San Diego	-6.5	Tennessee	43.5
9/16 8:25 ET	At San Francisco	-7	Detroit	46

Monday Night Football Line

9/17 8:35 ET	At Atlanta	-3	Denver	52

NFL Week 1

It's been a busy week and I haven't had much time to digest NFL play on the field.

I'm a season ticket holder to the Texans.  I live for those eight Sundays a year. I go to Reliant Stadium and unleash the anger and frustration that builds up over the off season.  By anger and frustration, I mean other stuff outside of football....like work, family and relationships.  Those eight Sundays are my escape from reality.

The disadvantage of those eight home games?  Trying to write a weekly NFL column without actually witnessing the games at a sports bar.  Which is what I do when the Texans are on the road.

So with that disclaimer in mind, I attempt to write an NFL blog about week one with only witnessing three games first hand...the Wednesday opener of Giants vs. Cowboys, 49ers vs Packers and of course Texans vs. Miami.  I do a weekly Texans blog during the season called 100% Texans Bull Site.

Dallas Bandwagon Filling Up Again

All of a sudden the Dallas Cowboy bandwagon is full after one game.  Before the game against the Giants, I read takes on how Jason Garrett is on the hot seat.  I also saw an article on asking how much longer Darth Jerrah Jones will stick with Tony Romo as his quarterback.  (Note:  I believe there is a Sith presence in the NFL.  Darth Raidah was Al Davis and Darth Jerrah was his apprentice.  With Raidah's death, Jerrah assumed title of Dark Lord of the NFL Sith.  His apprentice, I believe, is Darth Snydah, owner of the Redskins).

Dallas won 24-17.  After the game there is much celebration in Cowboy Land because they beat the defending Super Bowl champions.  To quote my cousin,"Cowboys won.  Now Giants fans can shut up."  No, dear cousin, one win doesn't change history.  Last time I checked, Giants is still engraved on the Lombardi Trophy.  In fact the Giants own two more titles than the Cowboys in this century and millennium.

Dallas fan is like former baseball stud playing softball.  They cling to those old high school glory years.  They lust longingly at pictures of the five titles the team has like a former stud high school QB remembers all the babes he bagged back then.  Now he's clinging to his state title trophy and leering hatefully at his fat wife.  Dallas fan likes to say how many titles has your team won?  A few teams can reply, hey Dallas fan, how many titles has your team won recently?

Dallas wants to be America's Team.  They can claim the title.  I don't want the Texans to be America's Team.  I don't even want them to be Texas' team.  I want them to be my team and Houston's team.

Memo to Dallas Fan:  Giants, Steelers and Patriots have won two titles since the Cowboys "glory hole" years (Darth Jerrah's words).  Steelers have exceed the number of Cowboy titles and 49ers have tied them.  The Packers and Giants, both contenders, have a shot at tying the Cowboys in number of Super Bowls won.  In other words, no one outside of Dallas Fan cares how many titles they've won.  What other fans care about is how many have they won recently.

ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly and Dallas Cowboy fans have jumped on the bandwagon after one win.  How many will jump off the bandwagon after the next Romo three pick game?  I really don't care how the Cowboys do...I just want to laugh at the fans I know as the Crygirls.

49ers vs Packers

I pretty much agree with every assessment that after week one the 49ers are the team to beat in the NFC.  

I'll give some  first hand anecdotal evidence.  The only Texans preseason game I went to was when they played the 49ers.  The group of fans behind me were 49er fans.  They were in complete meltdown mode about Alex Smith's play.  They immediately determined that Smith sucked and the Niners season was lost.  Then the back up QBs came in and played with the 2nd & 3rd teams.  The Apocalypse happened.   There was no capable QB to replace Smith.

Can you say overreaction? Oh-ver-ree-ak-shun.

In a possible NFC title game preview, the Niners went into hallowed ground at Lambeau Field and knocked the Packers around. 

When you think of elite defenses, the Giants and Bears in NFC.  In the AFC, the Steelers and Ravens come to mind.  Congratulations to the 49ers, you are now not only mentioned with the Giants and Bears but have surpassed them as the class of the NFC.  

The fact that the 49ers went to Lambeau Field and pretty much dominated both sides of the ball shows how far the team has come from the Mike Singletary regime. 

One last comment I have on the 49ers is concerning Alex Smith.  Smith was the number one overall pick in the 2005 draft.  He had a mostly miss (out of hit and miss) career.  A few times the 49ers seemed like they were ready to move on from Smith.  Before the 2011 season, Smith had been subjected to multiple offensive coordinators, offensive systems and benchings.  I was there at Reliant Stadium in 2009 when Singletary bench John Sullivan (if I recall correctly) and Smith started the 2nd half.  

For whatever reason, Smith took less money to stay in San Francisco.  Smith hung in there.  He had every reason to go into a shell and give up.  He manned up, he practiced, he learned to be a leader.  His perversity paid off.  He may not be mentioned in the elite category of Brady, Brees, Rodgers or either Manning but he commands just as much respect from defensive coordinators.

Now for my weekly awards.  I have two awards.  Line of the Week goes to outstanding statistical line of the week.  The Joe Pisarcik/Vince Young Weekly Award goes to someone who is a goat or just posts an unbelievably bad stat line of the week.  I may make up other awards as warranted.

Line of the Week  

Robert Griffin III aka RB3 or RBIII

In a duel with one of the best in the game, Griffin went 19 of 26 (73.1%) passing for 320 yards and 2 TDs in his debut against Brees.  

Joe Pisarcik/Vince Young Player of the Week

Mario Williams signed a six year deal with the Buffalo Bills for $100 million with half of that guaranteed.  In his debut for the Bills, Williams posted a stat line of one tackle.  No sacks, no fumbles forced, no fumbles recovered, no tipped passes, no quarterback hurries.  Just one tackle.  So far it's the most expensive tackle in NFL history.  Better yet, Williams cried after the game that he had hands in his face all game long.  Whatever, you baby.  Thanks, Bills.  He's your problem now.  Thanks from Houston fans.

One last note.  Bills Mafia are a bunch of homos.

Week 1 NFL Picks vs. The Spread

Out of sheer laziness, I stopped making picks last season.  I plan to do it weekly again.  This is just for entertainment purposes and to see how good or bad I'd do if I lived in Vegas.

For this week, I'm using the lines posted at Football Locks. 

I'll comment on some games but not all.  Yeah I'm that lazy.

Colts (+10) at Bears - Andrew Luck's debut in the Windy City against a solid Bears defense.  Jay Cutler also reunited with Brandon Marshall.  Bears

Eagles (-9) at Browns - Eagles

Bills (-3) at Jets - I have no faith in any of the quarterbacks in this game: Sanchez, Tebow or Fitzpatrick.  Bills

Redskins (+7.5) at Saints - I like the Saints but I think game might play out closer than the line.  Saints

Patriots (-5.5) at Titans - this spread is to close.  The Pats will win by more.  Patriots

Jaguars (+3.5) at Vikings - I'll skip this one.  The goal is simple in my little game here.  Bet as if I were in Vegas.  I wouldn't touch this one with a ten foot pole.

Dolphins (+12) at Texans - Miami has never beaten Texans.  Arian Foster and Brooks Reed are game time decisions.  I don't think any of that matters versus rookie QB Tannenhill.  Texans

Rams (+7) at Lions - Lions

Falcons (-3) at Chiefs - Chiefs keep it close.  Chiefs

49ers (+5) at Packers - NFC title game preview?  Niners boast great defense but will Alex Smith play up to last year's standards?  Packers have great offense but will defense play down to last year's level? Packers

Panthers (-2.5) at Buccaneers - Newton torches Bucs defense.  Panthers

Seahawks (-2.5) at Cardinals - Seahawks

Steelers (+1.5) at Broncos - Steelers pull this one off late.  Steelers

Bengals (+6.5) at Ravens - Green and Dalton a year more mature.  Ravens defense might regress this year.  Bengals lose but keep it close.  Bengals

Chargers (+1) at Raiders - I'll put the over/under stabbings at 5.5.  I'll pass on this game too.

Nesbitt Firing/Resignation

This is an email I sent my friends earlier in the week about Houston's offensive coordinator's "resignation."

 

First off, what I know from media and verified sources.

Coach Levine was angry after the game over the play calling.  Specifically he was upset that Sims, the best offensive weapon, wasn't featured more.  Also he was upset about the deep passing game.  He called it the worse he's seen in the five years he's been here.  Lack of creativity and adjustments are other reasons for the anger.  Radio sideline reporter Chuck Brown, during the game, reported that the sideline was utter chaos.   

Now for the stories floating around from sources that have been right in the past but sometimes wrong.  

There are stories out that Dr. Khator herself ordered the firing of Nesbitt.  I put no credibility to that rumor.  Yes she was upset at half time...she tweeted that she "was trying to stay calm."  I some how find it hard to believe that Khator has time to micromanage a football team.  

Another tale in cyberspace is Nesbitt deviated from the game plan and Levine was livid.  I think there is some truth to this.  As I mentioned, Levine was upset Sims didn't get more touches.  Also missing were two back sets, draw plays, short passing game, RB screens and WR bubble screens.  All those plays were staples of the Air Raid Sumlin brought to UH.  Levine stated that the offense would stay the same for continuity's sake.  That those players were missing tells me the script was thrown out the window by Nesbitt.  Some say Levine ordered Nesbitt to get back to the plan but Nesbitt continued calling the plays he wanted.  If that is true then Levine had no choice but to demand Nesbitt's resignation.  Short of ordering him off the field, I can see nothing else that could be done during the game.

Another inside source, alleged to be a player's father but this is unverified, shed some more light on what may have happened.  He states that Nesbitt seemed in over his head from the moment he stepped on campus.  I'm not so sure about that.  If that were the case, he wouldn't have made it through spring ball.  The other thing he points out is that Nesbitt's practices were very intense.  Where as most practices by previous regimes for the offense were about 40 walk through plays game week.  Nesbitt instead ran through about 80 plays at full speed.  That isn't good for starter WRs legs and the QB's arm. He goes on to say that is the reason the #2 QB, Bram Kohlhausen wasn't available.  I know post game that Kohlhausen was unavailable due to injury and may not be ready next week.  This maybe why Levine didn't pull Piland and is sticking to his QB for now.

A common thread emerging from different sources is something went wrong at the start of fall practice.  Nesbitt did something that pissed Levine off.  What that is no one is saying.  Levine was big on keeping the offense the same including terminology used in play calling.  My guess is Nesbitt started to stray but not enough to reprimand or fire.

One other story out there is Levine was going to take play calling duties away from Nesbitt and he refused the reassignment.  I'm saying its 50-50 on the truth to this rumor. Nesbitt may have resigned rather than face the prospect of relegated coaching duties.  

So putting it all together I can take an educated guess on what happened.  I think it basically came down to a difference in coaching styles and philosophy.  Levine and Nesbitt didn't see eye to eye on how to run the offense.  Nesbitt probably said all the right things in the interview to get the job.  He stuck to the script with maybe a few new wrinkles in spring ball.  However, for whatever reason, Nesbitt decided to put his own stamp on the offense in the fall.  That's probably where the things went awry a few weeks ago that many allude to.  Nesbitt probably drew up a game plan that satisfied Levine's requirements.  During the game, Nesbitt's ego showed up and he decided to show Levine how he would run the offense.  Levine probably thought it over on Sunday and decided to demote Nesbitt but instead Nesbitt resigned.  Or Levine flat out threatened to fire him if he didn't resign.  

Levine promoted running backs coach Travis Bush to offensive coordinator.  Levine though will be the de facto offensive coordinator.  Levine called the plays for the Penn St. game.  He is going to assume the play calling for the rest of the season.  

While the Texas St. game was a disaster, it was only one game.  There are 11 games to go.  The true test of Levine and the team will be how they rebound from the embarrassing loss.

Houston Cougar Game Day One - vs. Texas St. - Beginning of an Era

Houston Cougars 

vs.

Texas St. Bobcats

7 p.m. Sept. 1, 2012

on Houston campus at Robertson Stadium

Tx St leads overall series 3-1

Houston won last meeting 68-28 in 2010

The Beginning of an Era

If there is one theme to Houston Cougar football, it is "Change."  New head coach, new quarterback, whole new set of starting wide receivers not to mention a new conference in 2013 and a new stadium in 2014.

One thing fans hope won't change is the winning ways of the football program.  Aside from the 2010 injury to Case Keenum, the Cougars have hummed along smoothly.

The Coogs are coming off a record setting season with multiple players setting school or NCAA records.  While the disappointed by dropping the C-USA title game by finishing off on a high note by beating Penn St. in Ticket City Bowl in Dallas.

At quarterback situation is settled with redshirt sophomore David Piland taking the helm.  Helping Piland out is an offensive line that started all 14 games last year.

The defense also returns a majority of starters and key back ups. The change on defense will be an adjustment back to the 4-3 attack.  DJ Hayden anchors the defensive backs while sophomore Derrick Matthews will patrol the middle for the linebackers.  Matthews started last year as a true freshman.  Also look for another true freshman, Trevon Stewart, to make an impact.  While Stewart won't be starting, he'll probably be first corner off the bench.

One other question I had was how will the fans respond to the new era especially with the loss of Keenum.  That question seems to have been answered for at least one game.  Houston fans are notoriously fickle and will only show up for winning teams.  I figured there might be some attendance drop off.  As of Friday afternoon, only 1500 tickets remain.  Looks like the game will probably be a sell out.

Another Reason To Think John Clayton Is A Hack

I don't think I've included ESPiN.com's John Clayton as a hack.  If I have, my apologizes for not mentioning it, because he is.

Clayton is a hack on the same level as SI.com's Peter King.  King loves dropping names of who he talks to on cell phone, texts and emails.

Clayton loves talking nonsense.  Case in point is this week's mailbag.

Questioned posed: " I've noticed that this year every week there's going to be a Thursday game, which up until a few years ago was a rarity save for Thanksgiving. How badly does a Thursday game mess with a team's normal rhythm, prep time, and recovery from the previous week's game?"

Clueless Clayton's response: "Players and coaches might disagree with me, but I don't think it's too bad...The shortened week means light practices and that saves the body. Teams with older players might be affected more because of the lack of rest. The key is there is a mental and physical break after the Thursday game. The 10 days between games is a good refresher."

Really?  The players and coaches, you know the ones who actually play the games and plan for them, might disagree.  Yeah, Clueless, it's not to bad to play a shortened week or plan for it when all you do is sit in the press box and write about it.

F**k you, Clayton.  They are the ones in the trenches.  They have every right to complain.  You are a hack sitting in the press box writing.  You don't care what happens as long as you get your story.

A short week means light practices?  It also means you have a short week in between brain batterings.  But what do you care?  It's not your brain getting battered.

My favorite line is how he defends the break cause "10 days between games is a good refresher."  No you hack.  A good refresher is an open week when two weeks lapse between games.  Three days rest between Sunday and Thursday is not a good refresher.  Ten days in the aftermath is an ER visit.

The NFL is a violent game.  It's part of the appeal of the game.  We as fans and players accept the inherent risks of the game.  Fans accept...well fans pay money to see the bashings.  Players sign contracts understanding the inherent risks of playing football and are compensated for it.  If a player doesn't like the terms and conditions of football, he is free to seek employment elsewhere.

What chaps my hide is a wormy little f**k like John Clayton saying "players and coaches might disagree with me, but I don't think it's too bad..."  Yeah f**k face, they are the ones putting their bodies and brains on the line.  It's a risk they accept.  You, on the other hand, don't do shit but sit in the press box.  Until that's you lining up and getting hit, I suggest you write more about experiences you are more familiar about.

Perspectives - One Man's Out House is Another's Castle

UTSA president Dr. Ricardo Romo stated that since UTSA started football, the dream destination was Conference-USA.  As I've been agitating for since my Houston Cougars announced move to the Big East, their wish came true.  UTSA will start play in C-USA in 2013; the same year the Coogs start Big East play.

Perspectives offer great windows into the thought processes of realignment goals of UH and UTSA.

Houston, formerly of the defunct Southwest Conference, joined C-USA in the wake of Texas, A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech joining up with Big Eight schools to form the Big 12.  At the time, UH football reached a low point following a short run that included nationally ranked teams and a Heisman Trophy winner.  The wheels fell off the program and an already fickle fan base shrank more.  The support sank so low that there was a movement to drop football.

A number of moves by Houston righted the ship and lead to a resurgence of Houston Cougar football.  Athletic Director David Maggard fired Dana Dimel and hired Art Briles.  Briles led the Cougars to new found success that included bowl games.  The Cougars emerged from the depths of the only 0-11 season to a C-USA title in 2006.  Kevin Sumlin then took the Cougars to national rankings and the verge of a BCS bowl game while leading UH to 12 regular season wins.  The program went from the edge of the abyss to national prominence.  With the combination of sustained success, increased fan support, commitment to new or improved facilities and on field success, Houston looked to leave C-USA.  The original goal was the Big 12 after the departures of Nebraska and Colorado.  UH also maintained contact with Mountain West Conference.

Eventually Houston, realizing its goal of leaving C-USA, moved on to the Big East conference.  The motivation of course is money.  TV football money.  UH finally found a home.  Make no mistake about it, if the Big 12 comes calling, and that's a big if, UH will trip over itself taking the invitation.

On the flip side, UTSA wanted to join C-USA.  The goal was to eventually attain C-USA membership while rising up the ranks from Southland to WAC.  The Roadrunners accepted a WAC invitation only to see things break favorably.  C-USA lost Houston, smu and Central Florida to the Big East.  Thus the window opened for UTSA.  After an initial cool reception, C-USA warmed up to the 'runners.  A big push by the school and community made the conference take a second look.  Congrats to UTSA....the will start C-USA play after one year in WAC. The WAC goes on life support with the loss of the football programs.

Houston and its fans viewed C-USA as a holding place until the right time to move on came along after the demise of the SWC.  The Cougars wanted to play the next level up and saw C-USA more of an impediment than an advantage for competition.  The quality from top to bottom in C-USA was lacking respect.  Outside of Houston, Central Florida, Tulsa andSouthern Miss, football languished with anchors like Memphis, UAB, rice and Tulane.  Marshall, UTEP and East Carolina cycled through teams but not on a consistent basis.  Houston felt bigger and better things existed outside of C-USA.

UTSA though, felt that C-USA was an appropriate destination for the fledgling program years down the road.  Things changed quickly and the administration took advantage of the dynamic situation and positioned the 'runners further along ahead of schedule.

Houston's moving on up the Big East side and UTSA gladly took up residence next to Archie Bunker.

I wish nothing but luck to both programs as a San Antonio native but Houston alumnus.

UTSA to C-USA, Status of BCS

Ever since my Houston Cougars officially accepted the move to the Big East, I've been pulling for the UTSA Roadrunners to take UH's slot in Conference USA.  I'm originally from San Antonio and while I never considered going to UTSA, I'd like to see their football program succeed.  Better yet, with them playing rice annually, I hope the beat the ever living crap out of the owls every year.

The Roadrunners move up the football food chain has been incredibly quick.  Within three years of their inaugural season , they will be playing in a NCAA Football Bowl Division conference.

Several obvious factors went into the quick rise up the ranks for the 'runners.  First was timing.  With the  constant reshuffling of football conferences over the last several years, UTSA's program started at the right time.  I seriously doubt the program ascends so quickly with out the chain reaction of realignments.  The size of San Antonio also played a role as well as the location in Texas.  Other than the Spurs, there is no competition for major sporting dollars.  San Antonio also showed up in droves during the first season to support the home games.

Also on the plus side is that C-USA is a craptacular shitastic football conference.  Houston, Southern Miss and Tulsa consistently field good teams with UH and So. Miss finishing the year ranked.  Central Florida also had some ranked teams.  Occasionally UTEP, East Carolina or Marshall put a decent product on the field.  Outside of a one season, rice has been a joke along with Tulane, UAB and Memphis.  If UTSA can recruit well and find a better coach than Larry Coker, they can compete in the next couple of years.

Now the downside.

How strong is the support if the Roadrunners don't succeed right away?  Will San Antonio casual fans come out if they start can't compete?  How long with the novelty last if winning isn't consistent?

Facilities is another issue.  They currently play in the Alamodome.  That place is a barn.  An on campus better designed stadium needs to be built.

So far UTSA's vision for football and conference realignment goals have been spot on.  If they continue on their current path, I see competitive and maybe ranked team in the next five years.

The BCS maybe Dead....But Only In Name?
The big driver in conference realignment has been nothing but the dollar sign.  Traditional rivalries have been cast off.  Regional conferences have given way to national conferences.

Schools left on the outside looking in have tried their best to get in to the Big Six (Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, ACC, SEC & Big East).  Why? Because that is where the TV money and access to the big money bowls are.  In the Big Six and you have better and easier access to the money that the other conferences.

David Dodd, of CBS Sports, writes that the BCS may be dead only in name.  In his article, Dodd writes that the proposed final football four may only increase the line of demarcation between the Big Six and what he calls the Group of Five (MAC, MWC, Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC).

The Group of Five will still have avenues to finish in the final football four play off with something along the lines of the current rules of the BCS.

Dodd quotes Sun Belt conference commissioner Karl Benson:

"There are still going to be five conferences that are set aside,” said Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said. “I don't have a problem with that."

Based on Dodd's column, it appears that the Big Six will let the Group of Five tag along and keep the Football Subdivision title but still make it hard for those teams to earn a spot in the big money bowls or the proposed final football four.  The Group of Five also seem to know there is nothing they can do about it.

With TV money the driving force, teams like Houston, TCU, Utah and Boise St. strove for Big Six membership.  They based their claim to the Big Six on either football success, TV market size or both.  Houston and TCU bring the Houston and Dallas markets.  Utah and Boise St. bring consistent football prowess.  Their moves to the Big Six are now complete.

I believe with the latest TV contracts and the football final four playoffs kicking in soon that conference realignment and expansion of the Big Six is over.  The only movement left will be in the Group of Five and some NCAA Football Championship Subdivision teams moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision.  

Houston Dynamo - Road Warriors

When the Houston Dynamo schedule revealed seven road game and not the first until May, I was not happy.  I thought it was a chicken move by MLS to start the team off on the road.  I also blamed all involved with the new stadium construction for such crappy timing.  I also didn't think it unreasonable to allow the home team to play two or three final games at Robertson Stadium.  It seemed the fair thing to do.

The only thing working in the Dynamo's favor is the fact they get an unbalanced number of home games later in the season.

Given the first seven on the road, it becomes crucial that the Dynamo start off well on the road.  Which is a tall order for a team that only won two road games and those were late in the season.  Seven games, 21 points on the table for the team.  So far they are s 2-0 on the road and six crucial points on the standings.

While I appreciate the wins, I do have some early concerns about the offense.

In the first game against Chivas USA, Andre Hainault scored the game winner late in stoppage time at the end of the game.  Brian Ching and Will Bruin both had opportunities to score but were unable to find the back of the net.

I didn't see the whole game, but against San Jose, Brad Davis converted a penalty kick that resulted in the game's only goal.

Commentators in both games think the Dynamo have the best defense in the league.  I'm find with that because defense will win many low scoring games or draw.  On the flip side, that same defense will make things easier when the offense puts more balls in the goal.  A 2-0 lead is easier to defend than hanging on to a 1-0 lead...like against San Jose this weekend.

I'd love for the Dynamo to return home with the full 21 points in the bag.  Realistically that won't happen.  With five remaining road games, I'll even take 1-2-2 record...one more win and two draws nets 5 more points.  11 points through seven games isn't to shabby.

Go Dynamo!

Dynamo 1 Chivas 0


Dynamo 1 Earthquakes 0

Houston Cougars - Recruiting News, Stadium Referendum Passes

Yes we all know by now that the University of Houston Cougars are headed to the Big East after the 2012 season. 

The Cougars capped off a 13-1 season with the Ticket City Bowl win over a Penn State team in disarray but still facing the fifth rated defense.  Case Keenum solved them quick and dispatched the Nittany Lions 30-14.

So with the football season in the review mirror what was left for the Cougars to do as a follow up?

The next big task facing new Houston coach Tom Levine was keeping the recruiting class of 2012 intact.  Not only did he succeed in bringing in a talented class, he wrested away a prize recruit from Notre Dame.

Recruiting Day Surprise
Deontay Greenberry committed the Fighting Irish eight months ago.  Despite the commitment to the Irish, he took a last minute weekend visit to UH.  Pretty much everyone attributes the switch to his relationship with UH assistant Jamie Christian.  Christian recruited Greenberry for Arizona St. before relocating to Houston's staff.  My best guess is that Greenberry did a the last minute visit to Houston as a courtesy to Christian. 

Initially, Greenberry was following his cousin to Notre Dame.  After his Houston visit Greenberry stated that

I was going to Notre Dame for the wrong reason...I started sitting down and really thinking what's best for me, where I would feel most comfortable.

Greenberry is ranked a five star recruit by Scout.

Greenberry's highlight reel:


Other Recruiting News
Even if Greenberry stayed with the Irish, the Cougars still hauled in a nice recruiting class.  Scout ranked the Cougars as top recruiting class in Conference USA and 57th overall..  For comparison, future Big East brethren Boise St. ranked a step ahead of UH a #56, SMU at #65 and Central Florida #119.  In the Big East, the Cougars ranked only ahead of #66 UConn and #68 South Florida.

I can't do the new class justice in a blog write up.  Instead I'll leave it to the pros.  The best free capsules are from official Houston website and Houston Chronicle UH beat writer Sam Khan, Jr.

Students Approve Fee Increase
Finally, one last step was required to fund a new football stadium and renovate Hofheinz Pavilion.  The athletic department and the student government asked the students to vote in favor of increasing fees to fund both projects.

Again, Khan does a fantastic write up on what the referendum approval means to the school.

For artistic renderings of the new facilities and the UH push to get the approval visit Building UH Pride Together.

Cougar Pride Brewing
And now for an Unkle Monkee editorial.

Major props to the University of Houston students for passing the referendum.  The administration and athletic department worked hard to move the Coogs out of Conference USA and into the Big East.  With their work done, the students were ask to do their part and decide whether or not to build facilities deserving of the conference upgrade.  And the students overwhelmingly approved the measure to impose fee increases on themselves.

In these economic times, when funding and money is tight, the students decided to add more to their financial obligations to the University.  That is asking a lot when $50 can buy a lot of cheap beer, Ramen noodles and mac & cheese.  On the message boards, many commented that $50 is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.  Yes it is when you are paying for books, tuition, rent and buying food.  Every cent counts. 

Yet the students realized that the conference upgrade raised the profile of the athletic teams which in turn raised the profile of the University.  In view such upgrades, they saw the teams deserved to play in upgraded facilities.  9,923 students (26.1% of enrollment) voted.  7,334 (73.9%) voted in favor of the increase.  The students didn't think about the present.  They saw the future...they saw the potential for the Cougars...they not only voted on the ballot, they voted with their wallets and bank accounts.

Go Coogs!