Tuesday, June 21, 2011

An Exciting Weekend Tapped off by Ejaun Price Joining the Team

This weekend started with the anticipation of the 7 on 7 camp at Pitt but the story of the weekend was the barrage of commitments.

The first commitment came on Friday morning when 6 ft 6" Myles Hillard(DE Bedford, Ohio) gave a verbal commitment.  The 2nd commit came on Friday evening when 6'2 265 Brandyn Cook Center out of Cincinnati's St. Xavier HS. The 3rd commit came Saturday morning when 6'1 175 CB William Parks out of Philadelphia's Germantown HS. And the final commitment came from 6'2 175 WR Trenton Coles from Clairton HS.

While none of these recruits are those "must get" 5 star recruits each of them brings nothing but positives to the table.

Bandyn Cook for instance will be a 3 year starter from one of the best programs in the entire nation. Another benefit is that he is also a shotgun Center, which means he won't have to adjust his game once he plays for Pitt.

Brandyn Cook is a tall CB with tremendous upside. In today's game with WR's getting taller, it helps to get taller and athletic CB's like Brandyn Cook.

Trenton Coles out of Clairton will be able to do a lot of the same things at Pitt that he is currently doing at Clairton IE Bubble, and Tunnel Screens, and Jet Sweeps. Plus Trenton is a speed demon that will help spread the field for the rest of the offense.

Which brings us to Ejuan Price 6'0 235  out of Woodland Hills HS. He was released from his Letter of Intent for Ohio State. Price is ranked in the Top 15 MLB's as a Senior and was also a starter at TE.

It has been a great weekend for those that follows recruiting. But remember we're just a 4th of the way from the class being complete. The bigger names from the south will come in due time. Remember most out of state players won't be able to have Official Visits until September. And Unofficial Visits must be payed by the recruit. This weekend has been the start of something good.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Meet the Bears: Capri Thompson













As the Summer grows warmer, the off-season  coverage will also heat up as we get closer to Camp. I recently got to Interview your QB Capri Thompson. And here's what he had to say.

Joey Niklas: Now that you're the Starting QB how do you approach the game differently and who would you consider your go to guy in the passing game?

Capri Thompson: The only different approach that i wil take now that i am the starting quarterback, is to go into Friday night games with more confidence because i know that its my show now and i am in complete control. In my passing game i would definitely consider Tyler Boyd #8 as my go to receiver in the passing game.

Joey Niklas: I grew up watching those epic Clairton-Duquesne games, which game do you circle on your calender as that must win rivalry type game?

Capri Thompson Umm... the game that i would circle on our schedule would be week 1 against the Washington Prexies (AA) or the Monessen Greyhounds (A) if we ever run into them again.

Joey Niklas: Clairton has won back to back State Titles and been to Hershey 3 times in a row, what must y'all get better at to get back to Hershey for a 4th straight year. Also what would you rather achieve, a State Title or winning at Heinz?

Capri Thompson: The area that we must approve most, in order for us to get back to "Heinz" and "Hershey" would be more than likely to develop a more discipline line on the offensive side of the ball. I would also rather acheive a State Title because anything less would be un-acceptable in our community.

Joey Niklas: What player/players do you model your game after on either side of the ball?

Capr Thomspon The player that i model on the offensive side of the ball would be the New Orleans Saints quarterback "Drew Brees #9"! 
 
Joey Niklas: Any schools in particular recruiting you and if there are, who would you put in your Top 5?

Capri Thomspson: School #1 - Youngstown St. Penguins (Oh.) School #2 - Princeton Tigers.

Joey Niklas: Who do you listen to on that pregame bus ride and who are you currently listening to on your IPOD?

Capri Thomspon: On the pregame bus ride or who i am currently listening on my ipod would probably be Fabolous - It's My Time.

Joey Niklas: One last question as I wrap this up, has anyone on the team taught Coach Nola how to dougie?

Capri Thomspson: Ummm... thats a good one! lol :) i would probably say, our DE/TE Ezekial Williams #81 would be that guy to teach Coach Nol' how to "Dougie"!

Thank you sir, and enjoy the rest of your 7 on 7s and the Summer as you prepare for camp and ultimately the Regular Season.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Vancouver fans set a new standard for being sore losers
















I'm a very passionate fan and I care about my sports teams when the win and lose. But you will never see me go to the streets when my team wins a championship and in Vancouver's case, lost a championship.

I can't single out every Canucks fan that didn't rush to the streets either. Some might've got caught up in the ruckus on their way home from the game. But for the possibility of 9 people to end up dead due to a game is absurd. 

Enjoy the games Canucks fans, this might be the last time you're ever in the Stanley Cup Finals. Remember the great season you had. Is sports really this serious to you guys, aye?

This is absolutely a sad day to be a sports fans and it even puts me into check. Sports are a game for our viewing pleasure. Watching video's of people rioting over just a game really takes the fun out of it for me. Just a sad, sad day.

Edit:
This story indicates a lot of this was premeditated. SMH. I really hope it wasn't that. 

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Pitt & Penn State Agree to a Home and Home






















Boy oh boy, when I got the news earlier today via text message from my cousin, I thought he was full of it. It is totally great to hear that this series will renew on September 16th 2016 at Heinz Field and then September 9th up in Happy Valley.

I must admit that I actually thought that I would never get to see this day. And I still think at this point in Pitt history WVU is a bigger game than PSU.

I've heard some people getting all upset that this isn't a long term series and their upset that PSU seems to indicate that this is just a filler series due to some fallout with University of Miami. I say SO WHAT to tell you the truth. We may see another 2 game series pop up in the coming years and need to be patient.

Now that this series is back I totally recommend that Pitt brings out those "Script" throwback uniforms. Even if its just for these 2 games, I don't care. This series is a long time coming and I'm just ready to see the 2 PA powerhouses hit the field against each other.


Here is the Press Release from the Pitt Athletic Department.

I think everyone needs to settle down and be happy that this series is happening. It may or may not be renewed again, so lets live in this moment.

WWE Creative Team Lacks Creativity














I'm not the biggest wrestling fan by any means. Its usually a filler for me when football season is over. But I've been paying a bit more attention to it this football offseason and it has been a bit pathetic.

Right now we basically have 1 Face(good guy) on each show(Raw and Smackdown) in John Cena and Randy Orton, and a stockpile of Heels(bad guys). There wouldn't be a problem with that if you would have Heel vs Heel feuds and right now you don't have that.

Basically what happens is you have some young Heel get a megapush and he'll lose to Cena or Orton and then rapidly fall to the midcard and even worse. Right now at least the Miz is in a feud with his once apprentice Alex Riley(A-Ri) and Sheamus is somewhat in the middle of the Orton-Christian feud. But other than that you have Jack Swagger doing nothing for the past 3-4 months, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntire wrestling the weakest of the midcard. And then you have CM Punk just leading his New Nexus team and thats really it.

Now that the Corre has disbanded, it'll be interesting how Wade Barrett does in the heel role. Could he generate heat(boos from the crowd) like he did when he had a stable behind him. Its a interesting thought as they build his character. I don't mind him having the Intercontinental Belt, but the creative team ain't doing anything meaningful with the Midcard/Undercard Belts anymore.

The Raw card is what freaks me out the most. Why not Push a Jack Swagger or Dolph Ziggler as faces and have them feud with McIntire and CM Punk? At least you're somewhat building new stars. A-Ri as the #2 Face right is absurd. Maybe he drops down the card after his feud with the Miz, but A-Ri has to build himself as a credible wrestler. And honestly, when John Morrison(JoMo) returns, I could see a nice feud between him and R-Truth.

While the Smackdown Card isn't as bad(yet) I would def to like to see Sheamus moved into a Face Role. Not sure how you get him over as a Face just yet. My best guess is to have him feud with Christian over a few Pay Per Views either for the WWE Championship or just a feud while Ortan feuds with Barrett. I'm sorry I see nothing promising from Mark Henry as a Main Eventor. Maybe him vs Ezekiel Jackson could be a promising feud sometime this Summer. I'm totally not sure what you do with Sin Cara and Cody Rhodes, and this Jinder Mahal.

Fact of the matter is that there isn't a Tag Team division anymore, Cruiserweight is nonexistent, and the overall product is blah. I don't know the solutions, but it just gets the feel that the WWE is about Cena and Orton and everything else is irrelevant. That must change in a hurry or people just aren't going to watch anymore. Its sad that the WWE needs an appearance from Stone Cold or the Rock to get ratings up. 

Monday, June 13, 2011

Bears is Ready to Explode


















For most schools its hard to replace a QB in Desimon Green and a WR like Josh Page and its even harder to imagine that this offense could potentially be even better. This Bears team scored 746 points for an breathtaking average of 46.6 points a game.

The Bears up front will be led by a Senior that has played in 48 games in Center Carvan Thompson  as well as OT Erik Walker. The OL is a seasoned bunch and understands what it takes to win championships.

QB duties will be given to SR. Capri Thompson(6'0 160). While this will be Thompson's first year as the starting QB, he has a plethora of game experience due to the blowout wins the previous couple of seasons. And he had some game experience in the past 2 championship games.

Capri Thompson will be handing the ball off the shifty but powerful runner in Karvonn "Mudpuppy" Coles. Last year it was a RB by committee while "Mudpuppy" got more touch's as the season and playoffs went along. Joining "Mudpuppy in the backfield will be 6'3 180 Devante Gardlock.

Ok the Bears lose 1st Team All State in Josh Page... well no problem. The Bears are fully loaded and ready to erupt at WR. The WR's are led by track champion 6'3 175 Trenton Coles. Joining Coles is- in my opinion the MVP of the State Championship Game- 6'1 160 Tyler Boyd and 6'1 150 Titus Howard.  Then you add to that mix 5'11 180 TE in Devante Dockery.


This offense is simply deadly, all the way around. There are 3 legit D1 FBS level prospects on this offense in the Coles brothers and Tyler Boyd. And to be honest, the only thing I see slowing this offense down is the 10AM start time at Heinz Field.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Expansion by the Numbers

Say the Big East is offered 200M by NBC-and honestly I can't see it getting pushed much more than that.

12/20 Alignment, if Nova isn't added

Football Schools get 160M-which is 30M more than ESPN offered for the ENTIRE conference of 9/17
13.3M Per School
8.5M for football
5M for basketball

Basketball Schools get 40M, 5M Per School


For shits and giggles 160M for a 10/18

121.6M for football schools
12.16M Per school
7.36M for football
4.8M for basketball

38.4M for basketball schools 4.8

An expansion of just one team really needs to push that figure above the 160M mark for me to be happy.

160M for a 10/17 with Nova upgrade

128M
12.8M per team
8.23M per football team
4.57 M per basketball team

32M for hoops schools
4.57 per hoop school

Question is, is Nova really worth 30M to push NBC to give the Big East 30M more than ESPN is offering. I know its as a collective group and ESPN is undervaluing the Big East, but I'm just saying.

A football only is going to have to be worth in the range of 8-9M+ a year to be honest.

My numbers may or may not be accurate. Just numbers to give y'all and idea what the Big East may be looking at per team.

Is Expansion Really Worth It???

As I sit back and wonder what every candidate brings. ECU brings a rabid fan base and little to no market plus their basketball program down right stinks. UCF has ok football, their basketball program is fairly decent and may be improving but they just might be facing sanctions. Central Florida's biggest upside is the Orlando DMA which features Cocoa Beach, Titusville, and Daytona Beach. There are a plethora of Northeast "transplants: and "snowbirds" living along the "Space Coast" that would love to watch Big East football. Houston brings a massive DMA a decent football program and a hoops program with decent history. Memphis brings an OK DMA, an OK football program-last few years been really bad though, a Brand name in basketball. Villanova's football team is a powerhouse in D-1 FCS but only averages a little over 9k a game. There are possible expansion plans for PCL Park that could elevate its stadium to a capacity of 30K seats. Villanova is located inside the massive Philadelphia DMA, which includes SW New Jersey and northern parts of Delaware.

Judging by ESPN's initial offer-130M for all 17 programs, 99M for football schools(11M is broke down like this: 7.15M for football, 3.85M for basketball for each program)- this means that the Big East will ask the other Network bidders what the projections will be if we stayed at 9/17 or a possible 12/20.

Is inventory really worth as much as some people say it is. I really don't know. For example a 9th conference game takes away from big time out of conference games. Schools are still going to play 2 gimmie games and then 1 big OOC game.

Now check this out;
going to the 76% ratio from the 130M offered from ESPN

If offered 150M by another Network this is what we could be looking at:

Football Schools 114M= 12.67M Per School
Basketball Schools36M= 4.5M Per School

Football= 8.17M
Basketball = 4.5M

PS. This is only in the 9/17 alignment.

OK, the deal my not be 150M because it may actually be higher or not this high. I'm laying out the numbers just so everyone could see what the expansion candidates need to bring to the table. At this point you have to ask yourself a question, with the possibility of 20 basketball teams is it really worth making that 3.85M-4.5M payout in basketball to just draw even in football. If a collective group only adds 30M to the pot, then they aren't worth adding for all sports.

There is a huge but in all of this and that's the football only option. In the 150M TV deal a collective group of 3 would only need to bring in at least 24.5M. With a 9th game and championship game, the football side of things might be able to break even.

At this point ECU and Villanova would be the logical choices for the football only option. But who would the 3rd school be. Could that be a possible All Sports School for a 12/18 hybrid. Could we then look at more of a basketball oriented school like a Memphis or a school with a decent basketball history like Houston. I do think Memphis as an all sports option brings the most to the table and doesn't cut basketball revenue at all-in fact they may add to the basketball side of things. But they do hurt our BCS ratings and they may be the thing that ultimately keeps a Memphis out.

The biggest problem in all of this isn't that its hard enough to figure out what school to bring in. But what combo of schools to add if 12 is really the ultimate option on the table right now.

There may be a wildcard in BYU, but I really don't think that they are on the table.But if there is a candidate that is the total package, its BYU.

Personally I think ECU brings the most to the table as a football only option and the Big East stays at 10/17. Villanova just might be the 2nd best option.


At the end of the day, I just think we're better off staying at 9/17 until someone proves to me that the Big East will make more money in Football, as well as in Basketball. And right now, I'm just not seeing it. Plus if inventory and a championship game adds more money to the pie it'll hurt the basketball money so the schools I'd add would be Villanova, Memphis, and ECU(football only) for a 12/18 hybrid and be done with it.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Will this Be Fort Cherry's Year

 
Last season for the FC Rangers has to be described as a disappointing year. It ended in an heartbreaking 24-16 loss to Bishop Canevin in the first round of the WPIAL Playoffs in front of their home crowd. They finished the season 5-5

Looking forward to the 2011 season, the Rangers should have a chip on their shoulder. And if they don't expect more of the same in McDonald. I for one thinks this team has underachieved the past 2 seasons. 

While they do lose their shifty RB in Gary Keifer but I expect 6'1 230 Corey Garry(SR) to take over the RB duties as Fort Cherry returns to their Power Run game roots. He gets to run behind a line that is led by (SR) Greg Kumer and vocal leader Ben Bowmen. 

The passing game-led by the athletic Tanner Garry- should be very good this season. On the outside Garry will be looking for (SR)Ryan  Babirad 6'2 175  and (JR)Tyreke Brown 6'1 170.

The offense in general will be tough to stop with its balance of power and finesse on the outside. This team should put up points in bunches. 

On defense the Rangers are led its strength up with middle with MLB Corey Garry, with help by S Tanner Garry and DT Ben Bowmen leading the way. This defense is going to be strong and physical and loves to run to the ball.

If there is an under the radar team out there, its the Fort Cherry Rangers. They're strong, physical and can sometimes be flashy on offense. I think this team is under rated and I expect them to make a legit run for the Blackhills Championship and a long run in the WPIAL playoffs. Its never too early for those in McDonald to jump on the bandwagon. There is plenty of room and Ranger fans will have a lot of fun this upcoming 2011 season.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Odds and Ends-The offseason

As HS Baseball and Softball are winding down and 2010/11 school year is closing, it is time to start looking ahead to Friday Nights for the 2011 season.

We're a few short months away from 2 adays and Saturday Scrimmages.  Plus right now we're in the mist of 7 on 7 tourneys across Western Pa. But before we know it Clairton and Washington will kick off the 2011 season in Clairton.

Its a Friday tradition in Clairton that just may be nearing an end within the next 5 years. It saddens me but at the same time I realize that the kids could get a better education at another High School, plus better opportunities to excel in other sports than just Football and Basketball.

So what to do between now and the first Friday of September is the question? I tend to watch football highlights on Youtube or check out On Demand to get my fix.

I don't know what to expect this next season. Its good to see a rivalry develop between Clairton and Fort Cherry. But until FC makes these games somewhat competitive it won't be a true rivalry.

This offseason has been wild from the NFL's lockout to all of the corruption in College Football. And to be honest, we just skipped Spring here in Western Pa anyways. So can we skip Summer and get right into football season. One thing to remember, at least High School ball isn't this corrupt. Not saying those idiots that run the PIAA are innocent either.

Bloggers Should be a More Responsible When Blogging

In this crazy world of Twitter, Facebook, and Message Boards rumors can go viral in the matter of seconds. All you need is a people to retweet what you say and bam its a full blown rumor.

When posting up something that you feel is a legit article, you better be quoting some legit sources.

Just last night for example there was a rumor out there that it was Karen Stewart that told the media about Dana Holgersen's off the field activities. Some of the rumor seemed to be based off of a couple Colin Dulap tweets

I don't know if what the Hail to WV site put out legit info or not. I just hope it is just because it will be a black eye to blogging in general.

Personally I have no sources. I had some people swing some info to me in the past before I blogged. I'd rather keep my blogging thang more on the editorial/opinion level. Maybe I post real articles in the future, maybe I don't. But bloggers in general, just need to be more responsible. That is all.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Inner City Renaissance














This is an issue that always bothered me because I do know where I come from and I'm damned proud of it. But at the same time it saddens me when I hear about the senseless violence that happens in my hometown.

Drugs are running around recklessly as well as those who sell and buy them.

What Middle America needs to know what is really the problem in our Inner Cities across the nation. The problem isn't that there are a ton of bad ass kids that just doesn't care about the well being of others. The problem simply is; there are a lack of jobs. People on the outside do seem to have the attitude that people from the neighborhood are lazy, good for nothing, drug addicts that are stealing their money via Welfare.

The question should be how do we get those people off the streets and having normal everyday lives. The fact of the matter is that the lack of jobs creates hopelessness that things will not get better and people turn to alcohol, tobacco, and ultimately drugs. And those that want a quick buck turn to the business side of drugs, and that's where violence comes into play.

While I was reading this article I thought of an idea to give drug dealers and former drug dealers small business loans. I know what some of you from Middle America are already thinking. Look at it from this note, drug dealers are some of the most shrewd businessmen in the United States. You really think that they are going to let their legit business fail. They know how to work books. They may need education to do a legit book, but you're not going to notice shady business at play IE cooking books to get out of paying taxes etc.

These small business loans are going to pay for themselves via tax revenue. You're also creating accounting jobs, as well as stocking jobs in a shoe or clothing store.

I've heard some naysayers say that legalizing drugs will cause the streets to have more drugs on the streets. I disagree for one big reason. If you're giving these people legit jobs that they can be proud of, you create a positive vibe for these down. And drug usage will go down.

With less people consuming drugs and no competitors for the distribution of these drugs, crime rates will also go down. Now I would be kidding myself if I think there was totally no violence at all. Anything can happen from every corner in America.

I completely agree that we need to end the War on Drugs. Its a waste of taxpayer money and we're building more and more prisons instead of creating more and more jobs to prevent people from going to the wrong side of the law. Let State Governments regulate and tax these drugs and find a way to rehabilitate those that are addicted to them.

This should not be a Right or Left Wing issue. This is an a common sense issue to clean up the streets of senselessness. And finding a better way of life. America was the country that Europeans, since the 1800's, came to to look for a better life. And sadly it just isn't a great place to be in our Inner Cities. We need to fix this now or we're going to have another lost generation. And it just breaks my heart to think about more kids dieing in the future when there are viable solutions to rectify this problem.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

So Where Does the Big East Go From Here

I'm just as confused as anybody to whats going on in the Big East Expansion picture. There is one thing I think I know for sure and that is the Big East apparently just does not think highly of the Conference USA schools so commonly mentioned.

Everybody been talking about East Carolina University, Memphis, and University of Central Florida for years. And more recently Southern Methodist and Houston on the message boards and blogs like this one.

What do we see in those schools mentioned or what exactly does the Big East not like about those schools? I kinda just don't get this one to tell y'all the truth.

Since last fall, Villanova has been at the top of the expansion candidate list even though the vote has been tabled in April. Since the Big East meetings Army and Navy have been mentioned as Football only candidates. My question is why Army and Navy when they have turned down the Big East more than once since 2003. And in fact Army's Athletic Director said thanks but no thanks today. I'm pretty sure that Navy will say the same within the next few days to weeks.

So if Army and Navy says no, and Villanova still doesn't have its stadium situation fixed, what exactly is next?

I have to look right exactly in the Philadelphia and assume that Temple-yes Temple- will become the leader of the pack. I know most Big East fans don't want them back, and neither do I. But the fact of the matter is that the Big East just wants this Philly media market. On top of that the Big East has been rumored that it will be negotiating with Comcast/NBC-whom is located in Philly- for its new TV Contract.

And honestly, I think the Big East stops at 10 when Villanova or Temple joins the league and simply wait for a school like ECU, UCF, or Memphis separates itself from the pack. Another school that could be mentioned as a candidate 5-10 years from now is UMass. The problem with UMass is that they could be another Buffalo and not do that well or they could be like UConn or USF and rise to AQ Conference status in no time.

At the end of the day, I'm thinking that ECU, UMass, and Villanova or Temple will be in the Big East by the end of the decade in a 12/17 hybrid format. I just don't get the feeling that we're going to see anymore All Sports Invites unless BYU really is on the table.

I'm not number cruncher, but I don't want people to their hopes up. Saw some possibilities of 20+M from Comcast/NBC per team. I don't know if that's legit or not. I'm just going to wait ad see.