Cason's Stock Keeps Improving

The AP All-American team was released and one of two First Team CBs was none other than Arizona's own Antoine Cason. 'Toine keeps racking up post-season awards and accolades and will definately be moving up on some team's draft boards who are in need of secondar help. Congratulations once again in order for Mr. Cason, Tucson's first All-American since (I believe) 1998's Chris McAllister.

Other notables include Colt Brennan (3rd in Heisman voting) as the 3rd Team All-American Quarterback, Chase Daniel (4th in voting) 2nd team QB, and first Tim Tebow. Darren McFadden and Kevin Smith (not Silent Bob) highlight the remaining first team backfield. Kevin Smith is Central Florida's first All-American since the program's inception 11 years ago. Mizzou's Michael Rucker at TE, Michael Crabtree and Jordy Nelson (K State) round out the Offensive skill sets at WRs. With the first team line being led by (most likely) top 10 pick, Jake "I'm not Howie's Son" Long and filling out with Anthony Collins at the other tackle, Duke Robinson and Martin O'Donnel as the interior offensive lineman, and center Steve Justice. True Feshman Jeremy Maclin made the First Team as the All-purpose player and Scum Devil kicker Thomas Weber rounds out the offensive First Team.

As for Defense, being led by Arizona stand out Cason, the Interior defensive lineman feature all everything DT Glen Dorsey (who I think just got another award for his play this season) and Sederick Ellis. The Exterior lineman being led by Chris "Howie's Son" Long from Virginia and George Selvie. Dan Connor, James "Road Warrior Animal's kid" Laurinaitis, and Jordan Dizon fill in the linebackers in the AP's fictional 4-3 set. And the DB's include Cason and Aqib Talib at the Corners and Craig Steltz and Jamie Silva filling in at the Safety position. Kevin Huber set for the team's Puntin Unit.

Congratulations are in order for every member of this team.
More after the jump...

2008 Heisman Watch

With only about 360 days until the 2008 Heisman Trophy is handed out it’s time to start answering some of the tough questions of next year and look back at the 2007 winner and losers:

Is Tim Tebow done with his Thank You speech yet?
How pissed is Darren McFadden last year he lost and everyone said, “It’s because you’re a sophomore” this year he lost…to a sophomore.
Who does Tim Tebow vote for next year?
Is it possible to win back – to – back trophies ever again? Leinart’s Senior numbers were better than his Junior numbers but he lost.
Will the trophy ever be given to anyone without the word “back” in their position ever again?
Should the trophy be re-awarded as the best “Back” in the game? Not since Desmond Howard in 1991 has anyone without “back” in their position won it. Cornerback Charles Woodson edged out Quarterback Peyton Manning in 1997 as the only Defensive player in the last 57 years. (4 out of the 92 total winners did not have the word “back” in their position).



Top Candidates for the 2008 Trophy (going into the offseason, draft announcements could change these results):



Tim Tebow, Florida – He has improved each year, surprised a lot of people through limited playing time his Freshman year to turn around and score 51 regular season touchdowns his Sophomore year. Impressive. He’ll have a good chance to go BCS Bowling next year with improved Gator talent, vets who were there in 2006, and a lot of players leaving for the draft on other teams.
KNOCK: In his first season as QB1 he led his team to 3 heart-breaking losses, does he have the stuff to lead the program successfully his Junior year? Also, since Archie Griffin voters are absolutely opposed to having a 2-time winner, don’t expect a lot of votes unless he scores 60+ TDs next season.



Darren McFadden, Arkansas – Deserved the trophy in 2006 and was in the running in 2007. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be a starter last year. The chances he stays are slim, but after an unimpressive season for the Hogs maybe he’ll stick around to try to help turn the program around.
KNOCK: 4 losses this season including a 17 carry 43 yard performance against Auburn. Also the high probability he will enter the NFL Draft.



Chase Daniel, Mizzou – Led Missouri to the number 1 ranking this past season. I’ll repeat, led Missouri to the #1 ranking this past season. He finished off this season with only 10 INTs to 33 TDs with an offense that was scouted by saying, “Come to Mizzou, we’re Division 1, I swear, you’ve probably seen us on the bottom of the Big XII for years”. If he stays he will improve.
KNOCK: The same reason he is at Mizzou instead of Texas or Oklahoma, size, he is not the typical quarterback size. He is under 6 foot which means occasionally heaving off his back foot under pressure which leads to turnovers. Also in his 2 biggest games (Oklahoma and Oklahoma) he had more INT’s than TDs . Those were the only two games this season where that happened.



Sam Bradford, Oklahoma – As a True Freshman under an immense amount of pressure at a Big XII powerhouse Bradford accumulated 34 TDs and only 7 INTs. He got knocked out early against Texas Tech, and Oklahoma lost by 7. He was limited against Colorado, and Oklahoma lost by 3. Oklahoma was well deserving of a shot at the National Championship over LSU and did not get the nod. Tim Tebow has opened the door for Sophomores to win the Bronze Stiff-Arm, and Bradford just might be the leading candidate.
KNOCK: He will be a Sophomore, and Tebow has not guaranteed that the age bias will go away. After a couple of injuries, will he make it through next season? Will he suffer a Sophomore Slump?



Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech – Absolutely ASTOUNDING numbers his freshman year. 125 receptions and 21 TDs for the true freshman (Tim Brown’s Heisman Winning season he had 39 Receptions for 3 TDs). The pass happy Red Raiders will only look to amass greater numbers next year, but will teams just triple cover him and allow him no catches. He is dangerous.
KNOCK: He plays at Texas Tech, and like Bradford will be a Sophomore. He can’t control how many looks he gets, there are two reasons few Wide Receivers win the Trophy. The Forward Pass wasn’t nearly that common early on and teams can guard WRs and game-plan them. If a defense takes away a QBs best target, it doesn’t matter there will be another one somewhere. The word “back” is nowhere in his position title.



Don’t be surprised to see at least 3 of the above players in New York for the ceremony next year. And surprisingly in the running for Heisman there may be 2 sophomores and a past winner as leading candidates. Something that is pretty rare in the game, but we’re looking at some serious talent next year. And don’t’ forget that there will be others vying for a chance to strike the Desmond next fall.

UPDATE: Check out Part 1 and Part 2 for updated Heisman Candidates
Also receiving votes (from me): Todd Boeckman and Chris Beanie Wells from Ohio State, Pat White and Steve Slaton from WVU if they stay, Knowshon Moreno from Georgia, Graham Harrell from Texas Tech, Colt McCoy from Texas, and the longshot Senior Willie Tuitama from Arizona.
More after the jump...

It's Heisman Day

It's Saturday everyone and that means today is the day that we find out if Tim Tebow is the first ever underclassman to win the Heisman, or if Colt Brennan can pull it off after a semi-soft schedule. Maybe McFadden will pull it off after finishing second in voting last year despite the 4 losses for the "Hogs" this year and the 43 yard performance against Auburn or perhaps Chase Daniel whose numbers are incredible was a major catalyst in bringing Mizzou into the title picture but he couldn't get past Oklahoma (his numbers are comparable to Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, who could get by Oklahoma). Either way the whole season this has been debated, ad nauseum and tonight it will be decided. Will the winner display it at a local eatery, travel with it every weekend, sell it to pay off bills, all of which have been done before with this storied trophy for the best player in College Football. One thing to consider, is the Heisman really worth it. Let's look at some of the past winners post Heisman successes.

In the first 20 years many chose to pursue military service, continued education, and entering the job market over playing in one of the struggling leagues available. Of the first 20 winners there was only a total of 53 seasons of football played, and not all in the NFL. Leon Hart (8), Alan Ameche (6), Doak Walker (6) and Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy (9) account for 29 of those seasons. Ameche among the most notable of these professionals following his collegiate career playing in 4 Pro Bowls, Doak Walker the other, who appeared in 5 Pro Bowls and is also the first Heisman Winner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The next 10 years led to more NFL appearances and success with 65 total seasons played between them with the most notable of that decade coming in the form of the second Heisman Winner to eventually make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Paul Hornung. Hornung played in 9 NFL seasons with 2 Pro Bowl Appearances and 1 MVP. Also during this period Roger Staubach won the award and was the 3rd Heisman winner in the Hall. Staubach played in 4 Super Bowls, won 2, and the Super Bowl VI MVP as well as appearing in 6 Pro Bowls. After the successes of a few of the Heisman winners people started to expect more out of a Heisman winner once entering the NFL. Unfortunately during that period of time there was another first. Terry Baker (1962), considered by many to be the first real NFL bust of a Heisman winner.

In the next 10 years there was only 9 winners due to the legendary Archie Griffin, the only two time winner who had an average statistical NFL career in 7 seasons. Also during this period was Orenthal James Simpson, more commonly known as O.J. He won the Hesiman for his slicing (down the field) and slashing (of opposing defenders) at USC and not in Brentwood. He was the 4th Heisman Winner in the Hall (though technically He and Staubach tied to be the first and Hornung and Walker tied for third due to the timing of elections into the Hall). There was also Jim Plunkett during this period who was the Rookie of the Year and then after a few down seasons was the Comeback Player of the year during a 16 year career. And the last notable of this time being 1966 Winner QB Steve Spurrier before he was the Ol' Ball Coach. His NFL numbers a forgettable 40 TDs and 60 INTs in 10 seasons.

The folllowing decade was a little bit more promising leading to the professional careers of Tony Dorsett (Hall of Famer and 4 Pro Bowls in 12 seasons) and Earl Campbell (Hall of Famer, Rookie of the Year, and 3 time Player of the Year in 8 seasons). This decade also led to Charles White who played 9 seasons with 1 Pro Bowl but more importantly was 3 - 0 in his 3 appearances on America Gladiators. This decade gave us Marcus Allen (1x MVP, 6x Pro Bowler, and wrapped up a Hall of Fame Career after winning the 1993 comeback player of the year) and Herschel Walker. Walker is considered by many to be one of the best college football players of all time and also one of the biggest disappointments in Professional Football. After playing a few years in the stepchild USFL he had a lengthy but un-miraculous professional career. Even being made fun of annually in Minnesota for the trade the Vikings made that led to 9 picks for Dallas which in turn led to Emmit Smith and turned the team around with a solid nucleus of role players added through the drafts. There was Doug Flutie who played 21 seasons and had his own cereal, but only played 12 of his 21 seasons in the NFL, averaging less than 7.5 games per season during that period. Flutie was also the first person to be shorter than the trophy, a high distinction. Lastly was Bo Jackson who was probably the best college football player and could have been a great pro had he not put off football for baseball his first couple years and had a plastic hip his last year in the NFL. Of his high marks though are his unbeatable appearance in TECMO Super Bowl and the ProStars cartoon where He, Michael Jordon, and Wayne Gretzky solved Crimes.


The nest 20 years of winners were led off by Vinny Testaverde, Tim Brown and Barry Sanders (Hall of Fame) that made people once again think the Heisman could lead to a succeessful career the likes of Allen or Simpson. Unfortunately during this period the opposite was more common after the careers of Andre Ware (almost no NFL game play), Ty Detmer (definition of career back-up), Gino Torretta (5 teams in 4 years, careers stats 5/16 for 41 yds, 1 INT and 1 32 yd touchdown), Charlie Ward (NBA), Rashan Salaam (mention his name in Chicago I dare you), Danny Wuerffel, Ricky Marley errr Williams, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch (the face of the future All-American Football League), and Jason White (retired before taking a snap).

In total 8 Heisman Winners have entered the NFL Hall of Fame, 20 have been to multiple Pro Bowls/AFL/CFL All-Star games, 5 have won 5 MVP, 1 CFL MVP and 1 USFL MVP, 3 Comeback Players of the Year, and one three time American Gladiator winner. What the will future hold for today's young men remains to be seen but with America Gladiators coming back on TV I can only hope someone challenges Charles White's 3-0 record.
More after the jump...

Random thoughts...

...while juggling packets and sales calls at work.

I'd rather take a bullet than listen to John Tesh.

I hate hold music. It's like the originator of the Ring Back but instead of some obnoxious song heard constantly on every radio station (I'm talking to you Plain White Ts) it's "relaxing" slow jazz or easy listening or something equally as annoying that reminds you of being in a dentists chair. But recently I have been making calls in Texas, and when they put you on hold it's country music, I wish I could ask them to put me back on hold after the call. Which is actually what happens at the beginning of an episode of ABC's new show Carpoolers. Which brings me to my next point.

Who cares who won the Bachelor, here's what you should be watching.

Carpoolers, it's cheesy, you can see the jokes coming, there are very typical sitcom characters (The playboy, the newlywed, the whipped guy, and the mediator who has comedic problems in his own life). 5-6 years ago I wouldn't have given this show a second look, but then again shows like Sports Night and Ed were still on TV and they were far superior. In this day and age of scripted "unscripted" reality TV like The Hills, it's nice to have a half hour to laugh for a change, and you will get a couple of good chuckles per episode. For those of you who need that reality fix, watch E!'s The Soup the recent off-spring of their Talk Soup a great show hosted by Aisha Tyler or John Henson or Greg Kinnear and occasionally by Jerry Springer. Joel McHale is pretty damned funny, "Let's Take Some E!" is a great portion of the show, and you get to watch only the funny parts of all of crap reality TV without sitting through the drawn out handing out of the rose/necklace/syphilis ceremonies. And Speaking of Joel McHale he appeared on the show Pushing Daisies last week which is a good show. It's definitely a little...strange, and a quirky premise, but Chi McBride does a great job being the lead Comic in a fun new show. My only complaint is the Stranger Than Fiction-esque narration "14 years, 3 months, 2 days, and 17 minutes later..." The narration or narrator is not the bad part, I think it's the overly detailed sections. Anyways, give that one a shot. Friday Night Lights has slipped a little this season but if you STILL haven't seen that one go rent/buy season 1 and catch up on season 2, great characters, well written and acted, addictive as sin. ABC's Desperate Housewives for men is another one worth giving a shot, a Big Shot. Big Shots is exactly that, 4 CEOs/captains of industry rich beyond their wildest dreams but have problems with relationships (all 4 have different problems, a couple very unique ones). Chris Titus from the tv show Titus leads the comedic aspect of the cast and Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Joshua Malina fill out the guys who poke fun at themselves and deal with problems. Lastly, is NBC's new Chuck again quirky, funny, great sarcastic moments from TV vet Adam Baldwin (not related to the other Baldwins) and new comer Zachary Levi does a great job as the bumbling semi-spy/nerd herder Chuck Bartowski.

Dixon for Theisman

After tearing his ACL, for reals this time, Dixon, like Theisman (pronounced Theezmin, not Thyzmin like everyone thinks) will not be winning this years Heisman trophy, most likely. Which is a shame because the Heisman is supposed to go to the best player on one of the best teams and is College Footballs version of the MVP. Well if you lose the guy after a Heisman worthy season, and your team loses to an un-ranked team and falters without him, I would say he was the most valuable. Which then proves that he deserves it more than anyone else. But like the BCS, Heisman voting is what have you done for me lately (look at Ohio State being 7th after losing their first game but teams with 1 or 2 losses in front of them in the rankings and having no shot at the title game). Yet another reason we need a playoff system in college football but which will never happen because of the university/NCAA greed of the big bowls.

Heisman Trophy: Now life sized

With that said this year's Heisman will be decided by one performance this weekend wither Missouri's or Kansas'. Whichever team wins will be directly impacted by Chase Daniels (tiptoes away from 6'0") and Todd Ressing (5'11" when he spikes his hair). Two of the top teams and since most people outside of Louisiana can't name LSU's offensive leaders, or even anyone other than Jacob Hester, the #1 team is out of the running. Which leaves us at whichever team is #2 at the end of this weekend and their best player. This will mean that either Daniels or Reesing who few people outside of their respective schools/hometowns knew in Auguest will win the Heisman Memorial Trophy. I guess it's a fitting end for this year's football season.

Futbol GOOOOOOOOOL

I see that some of our readers have been coming in from Brazil among other places in South America so I thought a Soccer column might be in order. Unfortunately I know next to nothing about soccer and what I do know, is pretty much jokes about the sport and the hooligans who watch it. So I'll end this with a quote from one of the greatest shows of all time, Sports Night "We'll bring you the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and because we've got soccer highlights, the sheer pointlessness of a zero-zero tie. "

This is starting to get long so I'll save the rest for a later date, and end with another quote from Sports Night as was edited by Micah Zahler. "If you've had half as much fun reading this as I did writing it, well then I had twice as much fun writing it as you did reading it." See you tomorrow Sports fans.

More after the jump...