Fall Updates 2

I just wanted to mention a few things that were left out of yesterday's post. First off, as uninformed as I may be about the financial elements of this, I think that there should be no conferences in college football. There, I said it. Look at this year's BCS for example. So far, despite great showings by Texas, Florida and Alabama have earned their spots at the top of the leader board. Then they're going to play each other in the SEC Championship Game? There is a very good chance that neither team will lose before that game, so while Texas probably takes the field against an un-ranked team, number 1 will play number 2 in a non-championship game situation. It seems wrong that either Florida or Alabama probably won't be given they're rightful chance at the National Championship because they play in the SEC. Also, not having conferences would give teams like TCU and Boise State no excuse for their cupcake schedules and offer more interesting matchups because teams would have free scheduling in all 12 weeks.

Second, a quick side note to applaud Mark McGwire for coming out of his self-imposed hermitism to become the Cardinals hitting coach after Hal McRae was fired. Next, I have heard to many people, average joes or analysts, say that Jimmy Clausen is less deserving of the Heisman because of his last 2 seasons. Compare the stats. Brady Quinn, now with the Cleveland Browns, is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks to run out of the tunnel at Notre Dame Stadium and is the best on paper. Jimmy Clausen's Notre Dame career numbers look eerily similar. Jimmy Clausen just out played Quinn in almost every category in his freshman and sophomore seasons. But don't get me wrong, their numbers in these first 2 seasons are horrible, but similar. Now, similar to Quinn, Clausen has taken off. He has 18 touchdown passes and only 2 interceptions in Notre Dame's first 8 games in which they have gone 6-2 including a upset thriller (Michigan State over ND in 2006, and Michigan over ND in 2009) and a last-second loss to USC. Clausen and Quinn are almost identical and, if anything, Clausen is better. Of the quarterbacks currently in college football I think he will be the most successful in the NFL. Jimmy Clausen is on pace to break almost all the Notre Dame passing records, most of which are currently held by Quinn, and he deserves respect for it.

Also, I am behind the Phillies all the way in their quest for a comeback in the World Series, but folks, it ain't gonna happen. I think the Phils win a close won tonight and then their relief pitching gives the series away in Game 7. Lastly, kudos to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators as they bounced back from a 2-14 start to finish 70-72, only 19 games behind the division winner. But most importantly, they didn't come in last!!!!

Fall Updates

Sorry about not having any blog action for so long. But here I am now and lets get down to business. Five games of the World Series are in the books and the Yankees are up 3-2. My pick of the Mets to go all the way did not pay off at all. They didn't even choke this year, there were no major injuries or losses, they just couldn't put it together and all of the sudden they're out of the picture. Anyway, the Phillies lineup must have a rule that they can't all get hot at the same time. Jayson Werth and Chase Utley can boast seven postseason homers, Utley having tied Reggie Jackson, Mr. October himself, for the most homers in a single World Series with five. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard also got his name in the broadcast last night during Game 5 when he tied the record for most strikeouts in a World Series. Personally, I think the Phillies should find a good offer and ship Howard out of Philadelphia. Last year he hit plenty of home runs but, as usual, struck out over 200 times. Is one home run really worth over four strikeouts?

Anyway, on to football. Firstly, I would like to applaud Steve Spagnulo for his first victory as the head coach of an NFL team as the 0-7, now 1-7, Rams squeaked out a close one over the 1-6, now 1-7, Detroit Lions, 17-10. But frankly, I was hoping the Rams would keep losing. I mean, if they had lost the remainder of this season's games along with next year's home opener they would set an NFL record for the longest losing streak of all time, surpassing the old, expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, orange jerseys and all. Really, what's the point of being this bad for this long if you don't have something to show for it? As bad as that sounds, I would have felt satisfied in a strange sort of way to know that the world recognized the current St. Louis Rams as one of the worst NFL teams in history, which they are. I am attending the game two Sunday's from now on the 15th in which they will be featured against the New Orleans Saints in what I am sure will amount to be no more than an exhibition by the second half. In my mind the NFL season is still very much up for grabs. Although there are still two undefeated teams neither of them shows the brilliant domination of the 2007 Patriots team that fell short in the Super Bowl. Also, as a Packers fan, the Minnesota Vikings just make me sick. After being thoroughly pounded by the Vikes this past Sunday I must say I was quite embarrased. If this somehow gets to the unwelcome eyes of Brett Favre, I would like him to know just how truly disapointed and sad I am to see him wearing the purple and white. I wonder if he listened to the story on "The Dan Patrick Show" after that heartbreaking 2007 conference championship OT loss to the Giants. The interviewee was a kid from Wisconsin who had worn the same Brett Favre jersey everyday for over 2 years! But he threw out all his Brett Favre stuff after he left the Pack. I would like to know how that makes him feel. If you're out there, Brett: I'd like you to know just how disapointed I am in you.