IT AINT INTRAMURALS BROTHER!

KU KSU Prediction 10/14/2010

2010-10-14T16:01:00.003-05:00

KU 27 KSU 21

SURPRISE BREAKOUT STAR OF THE GAME: WR JONATHAN WILSON

Anyone else notice Illinois' collection of FREAKISH athletes??

2008-08-27T15:05:00.008-05:00

Vontae Davis earned first-team All-Big Ten honors last season after ranking sixth in the league in both interceptions (4) and pass breakups (8). The 6-foot, 204-pound junior is a preseason All-American, a leading candidate for the Thorpe Award and a potential top 5 NFL draft pick if he leaves one year early. He has excellent speed, tackles well in the open field and measures in at three percent body fat. Frighteningly enough, he's probably the 2nd best athlete in the family. His brother is 49ers TE Vernon Davis is a true freak.

Will Davis DE, led Illinois and ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks last season.
"They checked my body and found out that I lose about 2,000 calories in a day not doing anything," Davis said. Illinois' coaches wanted Davis to add about 15 pounds during the offseason, but obiously that's a hard thing to do with his mega-metabolism. Davis went on a 6,000 calorie a day diet, and bulked up to the coaches' desired weight. He should have a huge year this year.

Zook calls LB Martez Wilson "Freak 2" in comparison to Jevon Kearse, whom he coached at Florida. The Sophmore gained nearly 15 lbs of muscle over his first year, kept his 4.4. speed, and is expected to reach 270lbs by the time he's a senior. Zook notes his worth ethic, and praises his attitude. He's definately another freak athlete that can do a myriad of things from the LB spot.

So there you have it. At least one freak athlete at each part of the defense for Illinois, and I didn't even mention Juice Williams or Arrelious Benn yet on offense. Illinois won't be intimidated by Mizzou's athletes, having played in the Big 10 and playing USC from last year. I think Illinois beats Mizzou in a mild upset, 37-31.

Corrigan Who?

2008-08-25T15:41:00.004-05:00

As most people know, KU released their depth chart today. The one surprise that caught my eye was Corrigan Powell listed as the #2 RCB behind Chris Harris. He seems like a good athlete, and a great tackler for a CB. (kind of like Chris Harris?)

-Once had 21 tackles in a single h.s. game

-Had 92 tackles his senior year of h.s. at Garland Lakeview Centennial a defensive back record.

His ESPN SCOUTING REPORT

Mark May when it comes to KU

2008-08-25T13:35:00.000-05:00

...is a tool. Not shockingly, a few days ago on College Football Live, while previewing this upcoming season, he predicted KU as one of his two teams to be a “bust” and have a down year. Does he want to keep looking stupid for as long as possible? Does he have something against Kansas? Can any of these idiots stop talking about our "soft" schedule last year and how we have to PROVE this year that we werent a fluke. WE BEAT VIRGINIA TECH THE #3 RANKED TEAM IN THE NATION WHO CLEARLY IS MORE WELL RESPECTED THAN WE ARE. May is an educated man, a Superbowl winner, and seems like he's pretty well liked. But c'mon, he seems to think that if he picks against KU an infinite amount of times, then ONE of those times he will be right, and will surely bring attention to that.

USF'S Secret Weapon..

2008-08-23T14:22:00.011-05:00

JUST KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FIELD 'HAWKS!

Jenn Sterger She's Loved and Hated: Former FSU Student/Tampa native/USF Bandwagon Fan

-Became an internet sensation when Brent Musberger pointed her out of the crowd during an FSU game

-Got confused with her letters (FSU/USF) and became a USF fan when they got good..

-Modeled in Playboy and Maxim

-Actually got a job writing colums for SI for a year (was later fired)http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/jenn_sterger/archive/index.html

-Went to L.A. and auditioned for tons of reality T.V. shows only to be turned down

-JETS recently hired her to be there gameday host

*Here's her blog for all of you stalker types*: http://jennifersterger.blogspot.com/

-I am actually jealous of all of these sports jobs she gets..How does she do it????? (No one is reading this anymore and simply scrolling back up again for the pictures)

Coolest Helmet?

2008-08-14T21:03:00.005-05:00

Incase anyone was wondering, FSU won the "Coolest Helmet" contest on today's College Football LIVE. The runner up was Alabama's helmet, which I don't understand. My favorite KU helmet probably had to be the one with the Jayhawk Bird on the side, and the mini Jayhawk stickers on the back of the helmet each time someone made a great play. I remember Gerald McBurrows had a lot of those little stickers.

MEET THE BADDEST MAN AT KU

2008-08-13T18:53:00.003-05:00

Why is he KU's most indimidating figure?

-Was quoted as saying his favorite food is "meat"

-Will ALWAYS have an angry chip on his shoulder

(Mortensen was a Nebraska recruit who won MVP honors at a summer camp in Lincoln, Neb., before his senior year at Clayton Valley (Calif.) High. He returned home from Nebraska with an oral scholarship offer from former NU coach Frank Solich.
“Joe just came back ecstatic,” said Herc Pardi, Mortensen’s coach at Clayton Valley High. “I’ve never seen him happier. He worked extremely hard to get noticed.” Solich was fired, Callahan hired, and promptly ignored Mortensen, thinking he wasn't "Nebraska" quality, and a backup option.)

-Broke all of his high school weightlifting records with 350lb bench press, 330lb power clean, and 515 squat. I know no one in my high school was CLOSE to that.

-Came to KU after a USF player backed out (Brouce Mompremier)

-Weight room animal: worked on his explosiveness this year by doing 300lb squats as fast as he could/Currently bench presses over 400 lbs.

-Boxes in his spare time

-Led the conference in tackles for a loss last year with 15

-Pregame ritual is slapping Mike Rivera in the face..

-Preseason all conference pick

Root for him...for your health's sake

SIDELINE HOTTIES: Who's Your Girl?

2008-08-12T16:04:00.010-05:00

Jill Arrington: CBS's Finest

The former Florida Gator dancer, Erin Andrews covers everything now it seems like. Thats a good thing.

Molly Qerim is the new girl on ESPN's College Football LIVE. She does the interactive stuff and the "helmet" contest. Gorgeous..

A BIT OLDER, BUT STILL HOT!

Sam Ryan: Classy, and Hot. She married former Orioles (I think) Pitcher Scott Erickson.

Bonnie Bernstein..Still lookin' cute.

Lisa Guerrero..Fox Sports

Jillian Barbarie...still Bubbly.

*******Others who did not make my top 7 but are great google matierial and hot in their own right: Colleen Dominguez, Ines Saintz, Melissa Stark, LeAnn Tweeden, Lisa Dergen, Rachel Nichols (kinda), and Wendy Nix.

Yes..This Guy Scares Me a Bit

2008-08-12T15:37:00.003-05:00

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/579343.html

Maclin's speed is well documented. He's maybe the fastest player in the Big 12. As a KU fan, I hate to admit the guy is freaking good. I think his toughness is underrated. He's 200 lbs, bounces off many tackles, and is an overall tough guy at the WR position.

2008 KU FOOTBALL

2008-08-10T20:02:00.006-05:00

2008 KU Football Preview/Notes

Overview: Football is in the air in Lawrence, Kansas as expectations are high. KU, coming off a historic 12-1 Orange Bowl Championship season, remains a favorite in the Big 12 North. No one is getting complacent here in Lawrence. National coach of the year, Mark Mangino was quoted as saying “While you guys were still hung over after the Orange Bowl, we were getting ready.” It all begins Friday, August 1st as newcomers and veterans report to Lawrence. Picked to finish 2nd in most preseason publications, the Jayhawks are going to have to replace a few key players on both sides of the ball. All American’s Aquib Talib (CB) and James McClinton (DT) are gone, but 9 starters return on defense, including all 3 linebackers. Leading WR Marcus Henry and leading rusher Brandon McAnderson both graduated, leaving holes on offense as well. The schedule is beefed up, featuring a tough non-conference clash with USF (9-4, bowl winners last year), and a Big 12 slate with the likes of Texas, Texas Tech, and OU. KU has a lot to prove this year, and needs to play the “no respect” card again, with many doubting their chances to mirror last season’s success.
Quarterbacks: KU is set here with the return of 5’11’’ sparkplug, and Heisman Trophy contender Todd Reesing. Reesing, who threw for 3,486 yards and 33 TD’s last year ignited a KU offense that averaged almost 43 points per game last year. Reesing’s ability to scramble and throw on the run is crucial to KU’s success. “The Orange Bowl doesn’t mean anything this season. We have the players we need to be great,” Reesing says. Clearly, motivation is not an issue with KU’s QB and leader. He is backed up by all-everything Kerry Meier, perhaps the teams best athlete, who will also star at WR. Interesting: Reports surfaced today that Kerry Meier practiced all of his snaps at the #2 QB position and none at WR???
Running Backs: Potential, potential, potential is the key ingredient here for KU. Lawrence native and last year’s leading rusher Brandon McAnderson is off chasing his NFL dreams, leaving behind his third leading rushing yardage in the Big 12 last season. Jake Sharp, the Salina Junior with sprinter’s speed returns after rushing for 821 yards last year with a healthy yards per carry average. If he can’t be the every-down back, KU has another nice option. Jocques Crawford committed to KU after being the National Junior College Player of the Year last year. He rushed for 1,935 yards at Cisco (TX) Juco last year, and does not lack for confidence. At KU’s spring game this year while watching from the sidelines, Crawford said he “liked his chances” to be the feature back at KU this year. Few would argue, as Crawford showed up at 6’1’’ 230 pounds of ripped muscle, and ran a 4.6 40 yard dash. Angus Quigley, a Crawford clone, oozes potential and awaits in the wings. Interesting: Carmon Boyd-Anderson has left the team in hopes of finding more PT elsewhere...Crawford is getting 1st team snaps.
Recievers:
With Marcus Henry, last year’s 1,000 yard leading receiver doing this thing for the New York Jets this year, KU will lean heavily on senior Dexton Fields, Sophmore Dezmon Briscoe, and “slash” Kerry Meier. Fields returns as KU’s leading yardage receiver, and can be a reliable possession receiver, with adequate speed to go deep occasionally. Briscoe has superstar written all over him, as the 6’3’’ speedster from Texas caught 7 TD passes as a true freshman last year. Kerry Meier, the Kansas native from Pittsburg, is arguably the team’s best true athlete. At 6’3’’ 220 Meier has TE size, and WR speed. He is one of KU’s 10 fastest players, with great hands, strength, and explosive speed. Kerry could and should have a big year for KU this year, as he looks to join his brother Shad in the pro’s eventually. Bradley Dedeaux will have to fight off 2 or 3 newcomers (Tanner Hawkinson, Tim Biere, Nick Plato) to win the starting TE job this year.
Offensive Lineman:
The Jayhawks take a massive hit here, losing All American left tackle Anthony Collins to the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft last year. The loss of 4 year starter OT Cesar Rodriquez on the other Tackle side doesn’t help matters either. Both played key roles in the Orange Bowl. There is a bright spot, however, as the replacement at LT, Jeff Spikes, has as high a ceiling as anyone that has come through KU since Mark Mangino has been here. Spikes, a 6’6’’ 316 pounder, was a basketball player in high school, and has an amazing combination of agility, strength, and length. Mangino has been quoted several times saying that Spikes could eventually be the best OL he has ever coached at Kansas. Matt Darton will probably man the RT position, and filled in admirably in the Iowa State game which he started last year. Ryan Cantrell is an intelligent center, who should compete for All-Big 12 honors this year. Chet Hartley, a JUCO transfer from last year, returns at guard. He was heavily recruited out of Butler CC and had a solid year last year. Look for Ian Wolfe to play a big role somewhere on the OL as well, as he has beefed up and has massive potential. **Interesting**: Jeremiah Hatch has been working at STARTING LT in practice, perhaps pushing OT Jeff Spikes to the bench in a mild upset????
Defensive Lineman:
KU has yet another All-American to replace here when James McClinton graduated last year. He was the team’s spiritual leader, as well as a powerful run stopper in the middle. Caleb Blakesly returns from last year, as the Ottawa native had a big game in the Orange Bowl. He doesn’t have as much explosiveness as the other DT candidates, but is a strong run stopper with great size. Two young DT’s from last year that have enormous potential include Jamal Greene, and Richard Johnson Jr. Greene, at 6’4’’ 300 lbs has all the physical tools, if he can just increase his motor every play. Johnson Jr. has been compared to McClinton frequently. Two freshman sleepers who could contribute include 325 Wichita monster Darius Parish, and 6’4’’ 303 lb Duane Zlatnik from Rossville. Parish chose KU over Wisconsin, and Zlatnik was an all-state and all-american high school wrestler who has put on over 30 pounds of muscle before arriving at KU.
Linebackers:
This position should be the strength of KU’s defense as all 3 stellar linebackers return from last year’s squad. Joe Mortensen, the All-Big 12 pick from a year ago, returns after leading the team in tackles. Mike Rivera, a Shawnee native, has perhaps the best combination of size and speed, and is a future NFL pick. James Holt is the speedy OLB who excels in coverage, and is a sure tackler in the flat. Holt is a very underrated player for this stout defense. Justin Springer, Drew Dudley, and Arist Wright are all tremendous athletes, and would start on many teams in the Big 12, and nation.
Defensive Backs:
You guessed it, KU has to replace another stud all-american in the defensive backfield, if they hope to keep up their stellar defense of a year ago. 1st team all American Aqib Talib was the 20th overall pick in the NFL draft of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he will be missed sorely, KU has a Talib part II waiting to explode this year. He is Chris Harris, last year’s Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. The 6’0 185 lb Harris had a pick in the Orange Bowl last year, and is a strong tackler as well. Kendrick Harper, another JUCO transfer should start at the other corner. Harper may be KU’s most physical corner, as he had perhaps the hit of the year last year at Texas A&M (YouTube It!). Another potential future star could vie for a starting spot in Isaiah Barfield, from tiny Haven, Kansas. Darrell Stuckey is an athletic SS with range, and FS Justin Thorton tied Talib for the team lead in interceptions last year with 5. Patrick Resby, the hard hitter from H-Town (Houston) could be a quality piece at safety as well.
Special Teams:
Marcus Herford is the most notable returnee here, as he was the Big 12’s special teams player of the year last year, after gaining 888 return yards. JUCO All-American Alonso Rojas must be a good replacement at punter, while Stephen Hoge looks to be the kicker. Don’t rule out Kerry Meier if those two struggle. Freshman Daymond Patterson could vie for return duties, as he was a Texas all state player as a WR/returner.

Final Notes:
-KU Opens their new 32 million dollar football facility August 1st, which should rival most Big 12 facilities.
-New DL coach Joe Bob Clements arrives from San Diego State. He worked under Mangino at KSU in the mid 90’s, and played DE for them.
-Lawrence native Clint Bowen takes over the D-Coordinator position as Bill Young accepted the role at the University of Miami.
-KU moved its huge non-conference game with USF to Friday night, September 12, to accommodate ESPN. The bulls finished 9-4 last year, and will be extremely tough this year with All-American candidates on both sides of the ball (Matt Grothe QB, George Selvie DE).
-The Jayhawks Big 12 South Schedule last year (Texas A&M, OSU, Baylor) is replaced with OU, Texas Tech, and Texas, all arguably top 15 teams this year.
Final Note:

*Mark May, on his College Football Live show, recently picked KU as one of his two “busts or letdowns” of the year this year. This has to be good news to Jayhawk fans, as May continuously picked against KU multiple times last year, only to watch them win most of their games. (MARK MAY RANT COLUMN TO COME SOON)

Welcome

2008-08-10T18:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my world. In here you will find many random musings on such subjects as: NBA, MLB, NCAA, NFL, fantasy sports, ladies in and of sports, and many facts and figures past present and future.