Tyrann the Real Heisman

The Heisman trophy is annually awarded to the best player on the best team in College Football.  In 2011 the Louisiana State Tigers have been the best team in college football going 12-0 in the toughest conference in America the Southeastern Conference also known as the SEC.  With all this being said, there is no secret to who the best player on their extremely talented roster is.  Affectionately known in college football circles as the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu is clearly the most dominant game-changing player in all of college football.  If you need an example of why I believe this, my reference only needs to go back two days, when he clearly changed the complexity of the Lsu-Arkansas game with an electrifying 92 yard punt return for a score.  He followed the game-changing score by forcing two fumbles and taking over the game while playing out of position at free safety.  With starting Free Safety Eric Reid injured Tyrann was asked to convert from his position at Cornerback to Free Safety on one weeks notice, if that's not versatility than I don't know what is, and the fact that he can take over a game from Cornerback, Free Saftey or Nickelback adds to what he means to the No. 1 ranked team in the country. As Jay-Z said, "men lie, women lie, numbers don't", and Tyrann's numbers speak for themselves as a Cornerback Tyrann leads a top 5  Lsu defense in tackles with 67, is tied for second on the team in interceptions with 2, leads the team in fumbles forced with 6, has 3 touchdowns, leads the team in fumble recoveries with 4, and is tied for second on the team in pass breakups and pass deflections with 7 and 9 respectively.  I just want to ask one question what Cornerback have you ever heard of with statistics like this? I'll wait.... Teams have to gameplan around this man and for a true sophomore at 5'9 175lbs their is no question he leads the nation in Heart.  His intensity on every snap of the game spreads like a disease and has propelled the Tigers defense and swagger.  Despite his 1 game suspension for the use of synthetic marijuana, I still believe he is the undoubted true winner of this award, there is no man in college football that has meant more to his team than the Honey Badger and Lsu's record and national championship possibilities prove that.  Charles Woodson is the only primary defensive player to win the Heisman in 1997 and Tyrann Mathieu has every right to be the second in 2011.

Summary Notes:  Lsu vs. Tennesse earlier this year he was asked to shadow their best receiver future First Round Draft Pick Da'Rick Rodgers to 3 catches for 63 yards. Complete football player end of story

Arkansas Defensive Gameplan vs Lsu Analysis

Watching the Arkansas-Lsu game today, I had to ask myself one question was Arkansas even prepared for this game? When I see Jordan Jefferson throw for over 200 yards I question a teams secondary.  I apologize if you think I'm hating on Jordan Jefferson, but for a kid who came in to college promising four Heisman trophies I view him individually as a failure.  Is he a winner? No question, his record speaks for itself and he's won some very important games but as nothing more than as a game manager.  The way I see it, even though Arkansas has a very subpar secondary they could have neutralized him very easily.   Lsu's strength offensively is no secret their clearly a powerful running team who can either beat you with scat backs such as Alfred Blue and Michael Ford or with the power running game with Spencer Ware and the mammoth Lex Hilliard.  So, how I make them ineffective and force Jordan Jefferson to beat me is simple, load up the box and disguise coverage's!! I want Jordan Jefferson to have to beat me with his arm, today I saw a lot of soft man to man coverage's that made it easy for him to make simple reads and rather elementary throws. As a Defensive coordinator my game plan is to disguise coverage's force him to think, he's not one of those quarterbacks who mentally comes in prepared every week and can dissect a defense, that's not his M.O. and even though he has a very capable receiving core I'm not worried about them beating me.  As we saw Arkansas has a pretty skilled front four so I'm going to allow my d-line to match-up against their o-line and allow my linebackers to focus on stopping the run, the only thing I want them to do is in passing situations show him different looks make him read the defense.  Arkansas didn't do that today so in turn they allowed too many 3rd down conversions and got dominated 41-17.

Q and A With University Of Miami Defensive Back Kacy Rodgers

Kacy Rodgers is listed as a 6'2 200lbs Defensive Back from Carroll High School in Southlake, TX

Q: Being a player from Texas what made you choose the University of Miami?

A: I always grew up liking the Canes but really Miami was my choice just in how the whole recruiting process played out. I took my visits and met many people and Miami was just always there in the back of my head and that's where I felt God was leading me.


Q: The University of Miami is a school that has produced some of the NFL's greatest players, how do you plan on continuing the legacy that a lot of these great players left behind?

A: Miami is all about championships which is something that we are always striving for. Everyone has a role in order to restore the great legacy here.


Q: Any nicknames and how'd you get them? and be honest and give all of ya nicknames hahaha including pretzel stick

A: LMAO you silly brah. FFB calls me Tremaine and K-rodg cuz I got two sides to me lol and down here my teammates either call me Derwin Davis after the actor(The Game), Chris Brrrezzzyy, or White Bread cuz I'm light skinned haha.


 Q: As a defensive back you've played both the safety and corner position, which one do you prefer and why?

A: Corner is where my heart's at. Down here I'm playing both which is good because it allows me to be versatile but corner will always be my #1. There's nothing like inviting someone to "my island" and then shuttin them down!


Q: What are your goals for Kacy Rodgers as a player?

A: I set high goals for myself: Jim Thorpe award finalist, ACC 1st team, All-American and Academic All-American 


Q: How do you feel Texas 5-A High school football prepared for you for the next level?

A: There's nothing like Big Time Texas football, it's the best in the country. The competition that I saw with my own teammates and the receivers that I faced every Friday night, allowed me to develop the raw skills that I had. Without the big stage that my highschool played on, I might not have become the player that I did.


Q: How does the competition in the ACC motivate you each week?

A: The ACC Is an underated conference. I feel that the only conf. better is the SEC. Facing oppenents like Georgia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina, and Florida State creates great match ups and chances to play big in bigtime games.


Q: Which musical artist get you hyped before a game?

A: If I could only pick one it'd have to be Lil Wayne. He has some hits that just get me in my zone, there's really no other way to explain it.


Q: To the kids out there who want to play for the U like Kacy Rodgers what advice would you give them?

A: Believe in yourself more than anyone else. Obstacles are part of life and so are the haters, if you keep believing in yourself then nothing can get you down. It's all about being resilient.


Q: Toughest opponent you've played against and why?

A: High school it was my last game against North Shore. I was covering one of the top ranked Wide Receivers in the country (Deandrew White who now plays for Alabama) while having just gotten shots in my knee. In college, so far FSU and Georgia Tech.


Q: What factors drive you to succeed not only as a football player but as a man?

A: I'd be nothing without my family and friends. My family has always supported me and given me anything I needed and I want to be able to give them back everything and even more. My friends are like my brothers, they know me inside and out and being successful wouldn't be the same if I couldnt share it with them.


Q: Any shoutouts?

A: To my parents, other family, and my brothers around the country.

NFL Week 4 Picks

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

Winner=Dallas Cowboys, this game will be a very close one though and special teams play will be a key to a Cowboys win just like it was in Dallas's week 3 win vs the Washington Redskins.  Look for the Cowboys defense to build off of the confidence they've been playing with under Rob Ryan, also look for the snap mistakes by Phil Costa and the shotty Wide Receiver play to be corrected. Detroit whose coming into this game at Dallas 3-0 will leave 3-1.

New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Winner=New Orleans Saints, this is a no brainier pick and look to turn the game off after halftime. Jacksonville is just getting Blaine Gabbert settled as an NFL quarterback and New Orleans offense is too explosive for the Jacksonville Defense to keep up with look for a field day for both the Saints Defense and Offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans

Winner=Houston Texans,  Houston played a very good game vs. New Orleans in Week 3 only to fall up short look for them to capitalize on a Steelers defense that looks a step slow and old.  Mind you the Steelers just had trouble defeating a Peyton Manningless Indianapolis team.

Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears

Winner=  Carolina Panthers Look for Cam Newton to get his second NFL win, right now I don't trust a struggling Jay Cutler and a Bears Offensive line who is specializing in the word "lookout" at this point of the season.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Winner=  Minnesota Vikings, The battle of the defeated's with both teams coming in at 0-3 will be a boring game.  The Vikings have struggled closing out games with inconsistent playcalling and lack of Second half touches for Adrian Peterson. Look for Adrian Peterson to have a monster day against a Chiefs defense that couldn't stop a middle school team right now.

Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Winner= Buffalo Bills, Yes I'm going with the Bills to start off the year 4-0.  Ryan Fitzpatrick is a gunslinger whose chemistry with Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson will take flight once again against the Bengals.  Bills RB Fred Jackson has been a beast this season. Also look for Bills defense who caused Tom Brady to throw 4 interceptions in Week 3 to give rookie quarterback Andy Dalton fits.

Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans

Winner=Cleveland Browns, Chris Johnson has been virtually unproductive with Defenses zeroing in on him this year, with the loss of leading receiver Kenny Britt who looked like he was set for the best year of his career to a horrific ACL/MCL tear the Titans will struggle finding any type of Offense in a game where Colt Mccoy will find a way to win.

Washington Redskins vs. St. Louis Rams

Winner=  St. Louis Rams, The Rams who have started off the year off 0-3 will not go 0-4, a sleeper playoff pick this year look for a healthier Steven Jackson to take pressure off of Sam Bradford.  Yes, I know the Redskins are for real this year but I'm only impressed with them defensively, Rex Grossman whose Bad Rex side came out Monday Night against the Dallas Cowboys will struggle I promise you this.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks

Winner= Atlanta Falcons, I won't even elaborate on this all I will say is Tarvaris Jackons is still the Seahawks starting Quarterback.

New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals

Winner= New York Giants, Eli Manning has cut down on his turnover prone 2010 season and is coming off of a 4 touchdown 0 interception game against a Philadelphia Eagles secondary that's supposedly the best part of the "Dream Teams" defense.  The two headed monster of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will be too much for the Arizona Defense to handle. Look for a big win from the G-Men.

Game of the Week:
New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders

Winner=New England Patriots, Yes the Raiders are real this year but Tom Brady will bounce back from a loss to the Bills in which he threw 4 interceptions. Look for a Bill Bellicheck Patriot team to come out with a a vengeance.

Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers

Winner=Green Bay Packers, The Packers have been virtually unstoppable offensively, not only this but they boast the Number 1 Rush defense in the League through Week 3 holding teams to 55 rushing yards per game.  This being said forcing Kyle Orton to throw the ball is not something the Super Bowl defending champs will be worried about.

Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers

Winner:  San Diego Chargers, Look for Phillip Rivers to expose a weak Dolphins secondary.  Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sporano's hot seat is about to go from 180 degrees to the boiling point

San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Winner:  Philadelphia Eagles, "The Dream Team"  is extremely overrated with the key Defensive signing Nmandi Asomugha getting beasted by Giants Receiver Victor Cruz last week.  Yes, I  really don't know who Victor Cruz is either. Even with Michael Vick playing through a broken non-throwing hand look for the Eagles to put up a few more points than an offensively challenged 49ers team.

New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens

Winner:  Baltimore Ravens, The Ravens are loaded  with quarterback Joe Flacco looking like an MVP worthy quarterback this season.  With the Defense playing as beautiful and cohesive as the Ravens are playing look for Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez to serve some pop ups to Ed Reed and the Ravens D.

Indianopolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winner:  Tampa Bay Buccaneers,  Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris will not be the one to lose to a Peyton Manningless Colts team.

Q and A with Texas Tech Red Raiders Starting Offensive Guard Deveric Gallington

Gallington is listed as a 6'3 328lbs Redshirt Junior out of Richland High School in North Richland Hills, TX

Q: So how’d you get the nickname Baby D? 


A: My roommate my freshman yr at Tech, he said I looked like a baby haha. So he was like we gonna start callin you “Baby D” so it stuck

Q: What are your goals for this season as a Red Raider and personally for Deveric Gallington? 


A: Win the Big 12 championship, help lead my team to winning every game on our schedule.

Q: As a football player how does the competition in the Big 12 motivate you each week? 


A: Knowing that the Big 12 has the best competition motivates me to step my game up every week and to not let my teammates down

Q: Your part of an offensive line returning each starter from last years team how do you guys plan on building off of the offensive success that you guys had last year? 


A: Just going out to practice every day working on the little things that will eventually make us the best o-line in the nation. We are like a family within a family.

Q:  Being from the DFW area I always brag about how Texas 5-A football in the metroplex is the best high school football you can play in the country, how has Texas 5-A football prepared you for the collegiate level?


A:  5-A prepared me in a great way b/c it was a high ranked district and all eyes were basically on us. Good competition week in and week out.

Q: To the kids who look up to you and want to be a starting offensive lineman for a Big 12 team just like you what advice would you give them? 


A: Just keep working hard, be accountable and responsible, push yourself and go to class!

Q: How has the presence of Tommy Tuberville as head coach of the Red Raiders helped your growth as a player and as a man? 


A: It’s helped in a major way, he’s a real professional guy, and he has done a lot for this program since he’s been here. He’s teaching us to be accountable men.

Q: What music gets you pumped up going into games? 


A:  I listen to a lot of Waka Flocka! 


Q: Who are your inspirations your role models?


A:  My grandmother 

Q: Who do you pattern your game after? 


A: No one really but Ben Grubbs and the Pouncey brothers are pretty nice in their craft.

Q:  What are your views on Texas Tech possibly moving to the Pac 12? 


A: As long as I’m playing football, I’m fine.

Q: Any shout outs you want to give some people?


A: s/o to my whole team, we gonna eat this year! And to my fam back at home, I Love yall.

The two-headed monster known as Tony Romo

Can we win with Tony Romo? Cowboys’ fans I know what you’re thinking. Yet again Tony Romo has chocked during an important moment.  When you do a complete overview of the loss last night against the Jets, you see a reoccurring theme, the big play brilliance and gutless Tony Romo whose gunslinger mentality led him to a rather remarkable 23/36 for 342 yds. 2 touchdowns and one interception performance, and the Tony Romo who leaves Cowboys’ fans scratching their heads and asking for change. This Tony Romo while putting on a spectacular performance fumbles the ball on the 1 yard line, on a rather heroic but very risky attempt with the Cowboys looking to extend the lead. This Tony Romo also manages to throw what looked like a rather effortless toss into the waiting arms of Jets all everything cornerback Darrelle Revis.  I'm not slighting Revis by any means but as an NFL cornerback, if you don't make that play you shouldn't be the highest paid cornerback in the league.  Tony Romo's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde like performances are a rather sad reoccurring theme that haunts and breaks hearts of Cowboys fans each year.  When Romo's on he's statistically one of the best NFL regular season quarterbacks we've had in the last couple of seasons, but all too often we see a feast or famine like Tony Romo who tends to follow the famine trend at the wrong moments. 

 I will say this though, when pertaining to last night’s loss to the Jets, I’m excited as a Cowboys fan this game may make you sick to your stomach but, a lot of encouraging signs of a better football team were noted last night.  Rob Ryan's brilliance confused the Jets freeing up Demarcus Ware for 2 beautiful sacks and Sean Lee was an animal last night putting on a star in the making like performance. The db's also were very impressive with 3 defensive backs injured and Mike Jenkins playing through intense pain they really seemed to step up and lockup the Jets receiving tandem. The offense looked ready to explode against an unprepared Jets defense last night. I'll tell you one thing if Dez Bryant didn't receive that bruised calve on the punt return he may have exploded for a huge game.  When healthy he is a man against boys that can go off on any play and Wow! You and last night he was just that in before the injury.  Miles Austin also abused a rather small Antonio Cromartie and showed the strength and quickness that make him a Pro Bowl performer.  As long as the offensive line continues to grow and continue to learn to play together, we may be looking at a really dangerous squad. 

In essence Tony Romo needs to step up and take the Cowboys to the next level this year, I've given him his grace and have believed in him since he was the named the starter in 2006 but if I don't see production now I'm ready to move on because it’s time to take the next step.

Have People Forgotten about Dwyane?

Can a brother get some love? 1 championship a career average of 25.4 ppg 6.4 apg 5.4 RPG and 1.8 spg and people are talking about Dwyane Wade being the second option on his team? I would like to address this notion and say that is pure blasphemy and ignorance.  First of all I would like to say between Bosh Wade and Bron Bron there is no real number two option they are all first options playing together.  In any game or instance one of the three can virtually take over the game and give Miami a W but to call Dwyane Wade a second option or saying that LeBron is much better than him is absolutely ignorant and in order to make these statements you may watch little basketball.  I'm going to only use the 2011 NBA playoffs as my argument because as of this year’s Heat run, many fans are starting to run away with  this ignorant notion that LeBron is much better or even better than Dwyane Wade.  Yes, LeBron and Bosh virtually carried Dwyane during the Chicago series in which the man known around the League as Flash struggled and was taken out of the game by the beautiful team defense displayed by Chicago's backcourt defensive stronghold.  Yes, he only averaged 18.5 ppg on 41% percent shooting and a low number of 2.2 apg but he is also the same Dwyane Wade who averaged an incredible 30.2 ppg in the Boston series to go along with a beautiful 4.8 apg and 6.8 RPG.  In whose world are those stats of a second option?  I understand that he may not have as many supporters as The King with No Crown or The Chosen One but do not disgrace this man's production and call him a second option because he doesn't fit the description.  His dominance, brilliance and his role on the defensive side of the floor has been just as great as LBJ's so your argument of him as a 2nd option is less than valid.  I would also like to throw out key instances of when he took over games.  Game 4 Dwade was a ghost on the floor and then overtime came in which he scored 6 key points along with three blocks the last one being the emphatic block of Derrick Rose in which he tossed a desperate layup attempt out of bounds 2nd option type moment? I think not.  Then there is Game 5 the game in which LeBron’s legacy took a huge boost and Scottie Pippen made those blasphemous comments about how he may end up better than Jordan.  Answer to that statement win 5 rings and then we can talk.  But with all that set aside LeBron was extremely clutch while helping Miami overcome a late game 10 point deficit, not trying to discredit Bron Bron but LeBron did not start the fourth quarter well missing a couple of free throws and giving up some costly turnovers, but the man known as Flash was huge from the beginning of the fourth quarter in propelling the comeback, even though he set a Heat record with 9 turnovers in the game Wade scored 10 points in the extra session and had a key four point play that allowed LeBron the chance to redeem his fourth quarter flaws. With all this being said I'm just trying to say that Dwyane's not at the point of his career in which he has to prove things too many as Marshall Mathers had to when he came out with the track, "Hi my name is Slim Shady", because you already know who Flash is and the resume speaks for itself.

2011 NBA Finals Preview: Why the Mavericks will win it all

2011 has been virtually the year of unknown sports wise.  This year has been full of several surprises and outcomes that have shocked the sports world.  This year’s NBA final features the surprisingly defensive and deep Dallas Mavericks vs. the Star Studded Three Headed Monster known as the Miami Heat. 

As many like to do, I can just throw out the fact that the Mavericks completed a series sweep of the Heat during this year’s regular season but as savvy sports minds know the regular season and the NBA finals are two different beasts, heck the regular season and the playoffs are two different beast just ask the Bulls and the Lakers two teams who were handily knocked out by the Mavericks and the Heat but controlled the regular season series.  There are two important keys to this series and they are do the Mavericks have enough defensive depth and frontline help to stop Dwade and LBJ from making a living at the free throw line and virtually taking over the series and Will the Mavericks supporting cast come up huge the same way they have in each round of this year’s playoffs?  My answers to these questions are two yes's. The Mavericks as a team have plenty of bodies to throw around on Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and will look to use the likes of players such as Deshawn Stevenson, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd to help add a myriad of problems to the dynamic duo of Dwyane and LeBron and also look for some surprising but valuable minutes from Mavericks newest edition Corey Brewer who Defensively can be a huge assest with his long wingspan and ability to play passing lanes.  Not only will these bodies help keep Miami's tripod away from the rim but the Dallas Frontline featuring Brendon Haywood and Tyson Chandler will provide a formidable last line of defense contesting many inside shots and using up the 12 fouls they have in between them.  Now, when talking about will the Mavericks supporting cast show up I can give you a definite yes! Even though The Heat did a great job containing League MVP Derrick Rose in pick and roll situations, Derrick lacked a formidable second options that would make the Heat pay for zeroing in on him with the Mavericks you have a variety of tremendous outside shooters such as Jason Terry, Peja Stojakovic, Jason Kidd, Deshawn Stevenson, and last but not least the man averaging 28.4 ppg during this year’s playoffs on 52% shooting from beyond the arc and field goals Dirk Nowitzki who has been playing his best and most clutch basketball of his career.  The Mavericks will also have JJ Barea who is a master chief running the pick and roll and with all of the outside shooters the Mavericks offer the Miami Heat will not be able to pack in the paint the way they did in their series against the Bulls.  The Mavericks also have been averaging a remarkably efficient number of points per 100 possessions averaging a whopping 111.2 ppg while averaging 20.9 assist per playoff contest.  My question is how does Miami plan to stop this? Even with the Heat's stifling defense only allowing a playoff best of  88.3 ppg how do they plan to stop a team that has had 6 players have games with over 20 points in a playoff contest, and a team that will have plenty of 2nd chance opportunities due to their advantage in length, size and the rebounding abilities of Tyson Chandler, backup Brendon Haywood who would start for many NBA franchises, Shawn Marion who always has been active on the glass and Dirk who throughout his whole career has been a very efficient rebounder. 

Another fact I would like to present is besides James, Bosh and Wade who is going to step up for the Miami Heat the tripod who has been paraded around the NBA like a boy band have virtually no backup singers with Udonis Haslem and the one inspirational game that Mike Miller played being the only other players who can offensively put more than 6 points on the board.  With their lack of depth they have been able to skate by teams with other depth deficiency's but not this time.

Miami who is a team that lives by the fast break will also have trouble getting out and running and will be forced to keep the game almost strictly half court, this is all due to the Leadership and Consistency of Mavericks veteran point guard Jason Kidd. Even though Kidd is on the downslope of his career production wise he has been nothing but an asset to the Dallas roster and has had a quite amazing playoff run not only helping defend and contain the league’s leading scorer Kevin Durant but Kidd is also helping lead the playoffs least turnover prone team at 12.7 turnovers per game while averaging a remarkable 4:1 assist to turnover ratio. His savvy veteran leadership and workmen like style of running the Maverick offense will keep Dallas at a high offensive volume.  With all this said I am taking the Mavericks in 6 with Jason Terry fulfilling the prophecy of his Larry O' Brien tattoo and Dirk Jason Kidd and Jet Terry ending their career NBA championship drought.