ESPN.com
Adam Rittenberg
1. Ohio State (11-2): That Purdue loss feels like a long time ago, doesn't it? Ohio State capped an impressive turnaround with a Rose Bowl championship, snapping a three-game slide in BCS bowls. Terrelle Pryor's performance in Pasadena and a productive defense raises the expectations for 2010, when Ohio State could contend for the national title.
2. Iowa (11-2): Everyone outside Iowa seemed to doubt the Hawkeyes all year long, but this team just kept winning. Iowa delivered its best performance of the season against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, jumping out to a 14-0 lead and never looking back. The final score didn't show how dominant Iowa was in this game. Ricky Stanzi and Adrian Clayborn will try to lead Iowa to a Big Ten title in 2010.
3. Penn State (11-2): Quarterback Daryll Clark and a valuable group of seniors went out with a big win in the Capital One Bowl against LSU. Penn State notched a signature victory against a talented opponent, completing an excellent two-year run. The Lions now must overcome some key personnel losses to challenge Ohio State for the league title this coming fall.
4. Wisconsin (10-3): A return trip to the Champs Sports Bowl ended up being the perfect opportunity for the Badgers to showcase the progress they made this season. Wisconsin beat Miami by only six points but thoroughly dominated the game on both sides of the ball. The Badgers return a bunch of key players, including running back John Clay, and will enter 2010 ranked in the top 15.
5. Northwestern (8-5): For the second straight year, the Wildcats participated in one of the most exciting bowl games, only to come out on the losing end again. Pat Fitzgerald's team gained some national respect with their comeback against Auburn, but Northwestern eventually needs to get over the hump in a bowl. The Wildcats lose several key pieces, but the program is on the rise and should again contend for a postseason berth in 2010.
T-6. Minnesota (6-7): The Gophers defense definitely came to play against Iowa State, but the offense couldn't translate good drives into points in the Insight Bowl. Getting the offense on track will be the top offseason priority for head coach Tim Brewster and his staff as they enter a pivotal 2010 campaign.
T-6. Michigan State (6-7): Credit the Spartans for performing admirably without 14 of their teammates in the Alamo Bowl, but their season long struggles in the secondary eventually caught up to them against Texas Tech. Despite a disappointing season, the Spartans are a young team that could make a jump next fall. Mark Dantonio must fix a defense that broke down too often this year.
8. Purdue (5-7): It would have been great to see Purdue represent the Big Ten in a bowl this year, but the Boilers' inability to finish games and avoid major mistakes kept them at home. Purdue is my early pick as the sleeper team in the Big Ten next fall, as head coach Danny Hope returns several exciting skill players and an excellent pass rusher in Ryan Kerrigan. I really liked what I saw in Big Ten play from the Boilers.
9. Illinois (3-9): Ron Zook will be back in 2010, but his coaching staff received a major facelift. Illinois will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball this coming season, not to mention several new position coaches. It'll be a make-or-break season for Zook, who needs young players to step up on both sides of the ball.
10. Michigan (5-7): The offense should be potent in 2010, but Rich Rodriguez must repair a defense that really couldn't stop anybody. Michigan loses its two top defenders in end Brandon Graham and cornerback Donovan Warren, so the coaches need to identify and develop talent during the offseason. The Wolverines simply can't afford another bowl-less season.
11. Indiana (4-8): Much like Michigan, Indiana's offense should be very dynamic in 2010, but the defense has major question marks in all three levels. The Hoosiers were close to getting over the hump this fall, but they lose a good senior class and continue to fight a history of defensive futility.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Charlie Brown's Career Pitching Stats
From Wezen-Ball.com
Some brilliant soul has calculated Charlie Brown's pitching statistics based on comic strips from the 1950s (record: 1-25) and 1960s (7-85). Stats from the 1970s are not included due to Charlie Brown's heavy use of amphetamines.
Some brilliant soul has calculated Charlie Brown's pitching statistics based on comic strips from the 1950s (record: 1-25) and 1960s (7-85). Stats from the 1970s are not included due to Charlie Brown's heavy use of amphetamines.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Human Victory Cigar taking Game to Europe
The Detroit Pistons former number 2 overall draft pick Darko Milicic has mad it no secret he intends to leave the NBA after this season and try to find a team in Europe. Darko has also let his feelings be known of how he feels towards the NBA and the Detroit Pistons.
“I don’t know why they (Detroit Pistons) took me with the second pick if you’re not going to play me,” Milicic said. “I never understood that, you know. I was happy being the second pick and all that kind of stuff, but I never knew what I got myself into. I never knew I was coming here not to play. Nobody was telling me anything. Coming from Europe, you know, what do I know? I just wanted to play basketball."
“They lie to everybody,” Milicic. “It’s the NBA. The NBA, all around the league, same (crap). Be ready. Your chance is going to come. All that kind of (crap). (Bleep) that. … I’ve got enough of that kind of stuff, so I decided I’m going to go play in Europe and enjoy a little bit play.
“I’ve go to be real, there is no team in the league that is going to give me the chance that I’m looking for,” Milicic continued. “My only chance is back in Europe. I’m going to do that. I want to be happy. I want to play. So for me, to go to Europe and have a good chance.
Well Darko, I didn't want to have to be the one to tell you this, but since you don't understand why you never played in Detroit, here is what happened...
Joe Dumars saw a grainy video of you from some overseas scout and thought WOW, a 7-footer who can dribble! But then once you got here, he figured out that you are soft, can't post-up, rebound or remember a play. Thus you were sat at the end of the bench until the Pistons were 20 points on an opposing team. Which is also how you got your nickname "The Human Victory Cigar".
“I don’t know why they (Detroit Pistons) took me with the second pick if you’re not going to play me,” Milicic said. “I never understood that, you know. I was happy being the second pick and all that kind of stuff, but I never knew what I got myself into. I never knew I was coming here not to play. Nobody was telling me anything. Coming from Europe, you know, what do I know? I just wanted to play basketball."
“They lie to everybody,” Milicic. “It’s the NBA. The NBA, all around the league, same (crap). Be ready. Your chance is going to come. All that kind of (crap). (Bleep) that. … I’ve got enough of that kind of stuff, so I decided I’m going to go play in Europe and enjoy a little bit play.
“I’ve go to be real, there is no team in the league that is going to give me the chance that I’m looking for,” Milicic continued. “My only chance is back in Europe. I’m going to do that. I want to be happy. I want to play. So for me, to go to Europe and have a good chance.
Well Darko, I didn't want to have to be the one to tell you this, but since you don't understand why you never played in Detroit, here is what happened...
Joe Dumars saw a grainy video of you from some overseas scout and thought WOW, a 7-footer who can dribble! But then once you got here, he figured out that you are soft, can't post-up, rebound or remember a play. Thus you were sat at the end of the bench until the Pistons were 20 points on an opposing team. Which is also how you got your nickname "The Human Victory Cigar".
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Charles Rogers is Smart
Former Detroit Lion and current Village Idiot Charles Rogers will be back in court soon after passing out in a Mexican restaurant in Novi after drinking too much. This is of course a violation of Charles' probation and if convicted, he will most likely face jail time.
This was a particularly great decision by Charles considering a few months earlier he was found by the Novi Fire Department passed out in his car with the engine running. Rogers failed sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a valid license.
This was a particularly great decision by Charles considering a few months earlier he was found by the Novi Fire Department passed out in his car with the engine running. Rogers failed sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a valid license.
Detroit Lions: Who's in & Who's Out
The worst NFL team of the decade and maybe ever, the Detroit Lions will begin trying to figure out who to keep and who to give the boot before next year. Personally, I hope at least half the team is cut. The Lions were ridiculously hard to watch as they just didn't have the talent to compete with other teams.....again.
Below is Tom "Killer" Kowalski's position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 key players and whether they will be around in 2010.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is the starter and Daunte Culpepper won't be back. Look for the Lions to bring in a veteran free agent to compete with Drew Stanton for the No. 2 job.
The Lions likely will try to upgrade their No. 1 spot, but they like Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown in backup roles. Fullback Jerome Felton will have to show improvement in camp.
The Lions won't give up on Derrick Williams after just one year. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt still are under contract, but it's unlikely both will stay, especially if the Lions draft a speedy receiver.
The position is pretty much set. Brandon Pettigrew is the starter and Casey FitzSimmons is the all-purpose guy who also is strong on special teams. Will Heller is an unrestricted free agent and the Lions will look to sign a blocking specialist.
Other than the four top starters, this unit could undergo a huge transformation. Dylan Gandy could be back because he can play guard and center, while Jon Jansen provides excellent experience at backup tackle.
Cliff Avril had a disappointing season but he has some special skills, while Sammie Hill is a work in progress. Grady Jackson's future is uncertain if the Lions draft a tackle and some of the other veterans have a chance to stay, but nobody's a lock.
The Lions could look to replace Larry Foote and Julian Peterson. DeAndre Levy can fill one of those spots. Foote is an unrestricted free agent and Peterson has a huge contract, and it's very unlikely he'll take a pay cut.
Will James and Anthony Henry are unrestricted free agents, while Phillip Buchanon played well in the second half of the season but his inconsistency irritated the coaching staff.
If he keeps on his current track, Louis Delmas is on the verge of something special. He needs some help. The Lions need to add speed and savvy. One of the veterans could return, but, again, no one is a lock.
Below is Tom "Killer" Kowalski's position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 key players and whether they will be around in 2010.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is the starter and Daunte Culpepper won't be back. Look for the Lions to bring in a veteran free agent to compete with Drew Stanton for the No. 2 job.
- Who's in: Stafford
- Who's on the bubble: Culpepper, Stanton
The Lions likely will try to upgrade their No. 1 spot, but they like Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown in backup roles. Fullback Jerome Felton will have to show improvement in camp.
- Who's in: Smith, Brown
- Who's on the bubble: Maurice Morris, Felton
The Lions won't give up on Derrick Williams after just one year. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt still are under contract, but it's unlikely both will stay, especially if the Lions draft a speedy receiver.
- Who's in: Calvin Johnson and Williams
- Who's on the bubble: Bryant Johnson and Northcutt
The position is pretty much set. Brandon Pettigrew is the starter and Casey FitzSimmons is the all-purpose guy who also is strong on special teams. Will Heller is an unrestricted free agent and the Lions will look to sign a blocking specialist.
- Who's in: Pettigrew and FitzSimmons
- Who's on the bubble: None
Other than the four top starters, this unit could undergo a huge transformation. Dylan Gandy could be back because he can play guard and center, while Jon Jansen provides excellent experience at backup tackle.
- Who's in: Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola, Gosder Cherilus and Stephen Peterman
- Who's on the bubble: Jansen, Gandy, Manny Ramirez and Daniel Loper
Cliff Avril had a disappointing season but he has some special skills, while Sammie Hill is a work in progress. Grady Jackson's future is uncertain if the Lions draft a tackle and some of the other veterans have a chance to stay, but nobody's a lock.
- Who's in: Jared DeVries, Avril and Hill
- Who's on the bubble: Jackson, Jason Hunter, Dewayne White, Landon Cohen and Andre Fluellen
The Lions could look to replace Larry Foote and Julian Peterson. DeAndre Levy can fill one of those spots. Foote is an unrestricted free agent and Peterson has a huge contract, and it's very unlikely he'll take a pay cut.
- Who's in: Ernie Sims, Levy and Zack Follett
- Who's on the bubble: Peterson, Foote and Jordon Dizon
Will James and Anthony Henry are unrestricted free agents, while Phillip Buchanon played well in the second half of the season but his inconsistency irritated the coaching staff.
- Who's in: Eric King
- Who's on the bubble: Buchanon, DeAngelo Smith and Brian Witherspoon
If he keeps on his current track, Louis Delmas is on the verge of something special. He needs some help. The Lions need to add speed and savvy. One of the veterans could return, but, again, no one is a lock.
- Who's in: Delmas
- Who's on the bubble: Ko Simpson, Kalvin Pearson, Daniel Bullocks and Marvin White
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