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Headlinin’: Sooners’ California dreaming pushes Big 12 to the brink

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:57:06 +0000

Making the morning rounds.

• It won’t be long now. The metaphorical clock ticking toward a decision on the fate of the Big 12 now appears to be attached to a time bomb, after multiple outlets reported over the weekend that Oklahoma is actively pursuing a defection to the Pac-12 — and multiple officials, given the opportunity, said nothing to disabuse them of the notion. With Texas A&M on the SEC’s doorstep, Oklahoma president David Boren conceded at a Friday press conference that the Sooners are effectively up for grabs and will make a decision on whether to stay or go by the end of the month; Oklahoma State issued a statement on Saturday suggesting it plans to stick with Oklahoma either way. Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott, while insisting that his conference has not been “predatory,” acknowledged Saturday that “schools have reached out to us.”

The potential roadblock is Texas, the crown jewel of Scott’s initial expansion efforts in 2010 and the only school with the clout to conceivably keep Oklahoma in the fold if OU is determined to go. According to Orangebloods.com, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe convened an emergency meeting Friday with his university presidents — minus their counterparts from Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M — to urge them to “work on Texas,” betting that either a) Oklahoma won’t leave without the Longhorns, or b) The Pac-12 won’t take Oklahoma without the Longhorns. And the Longhorns have one very lucrative incentive to stay: The Longhorn Network, which reportedly ended their flirtation with the Pac-10 last year and would have to be reconciled with the family of networks the Pac-12 announced earlier this year.

In the meantime, if the Big 12 does start to crack up, the Big East is waiting for the refugees with open arms. [The Oklahoman, New York Times, Associated Press, The Business of College Sports, Orangebloods.com]

• RIP. Oklahoma great Lee Roy Selmon, a College and Pro Football Hall of Famer considered easily one of the greatest defensive tackles in modern history, died Sunday at the age of 56 as a result of a stroke. Selmon was a two-time All-American as the anchor of back-to-back national championship teams in 1974 and 1975, before going on to become the first ever pick of the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976. In his four years on campus, Oklahoma finished 43-2-1 with four consecutive Big 8 titles. [The Oklahoman]

• Back to the drawing board. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said he hasn’t settled on his starting quarterback for Saturday’s primetime trip to Michigan after yanking starter Dayne Crist for Tommy Rees after a three-hour raid delay in a 23-20 loss at the hands of South Florida. Crist moved the offense in the first half but killed a possible scoring drive with an ugly interception into the end zone and failed to produce any points; Crist responded with three touchdown drives after the break but also contributed to the five-turnover debacle with a pair of interceptions of his own. [Chicago Tribune]

• Tuel Time has been canceled. Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel suffered a broken clavicle on the Cougars’ 64-21 rout over Idaho State, potentially sidelining him for up to two months. Backups Marshall Lobbestael and Connor Halliday filled in with 297 yards and three touchdown passes between them against the outmanned Bengals, but with Tuel likely out for at least the first half of Pac-12 play, Wazzu loses its best (and perhaps only) prayer of reaching a bowl game, and perhaps of saving coach Paul Wulff’s job. [Seattle Times]

• They’ve entered the Octagon of Orthopaedia. Ole Miss‘ backfield for Saturday’s date with Southern Illinois is a complete mystery after the top two running backs were injured and the top two quarterbacks played poorly in the Rebels’ opening-day loss against BYU. Starting tailback Brandon Bolden will have an MRI today on an injured ankle, which is suspected to be fractured; backup Enrique Davis suffered from a hyperextended knee. Coach Houston Nutt said Sunday he’ll “continue evaluating the position” at quarterback, where starter Barry Brunetti was pulled after an ineffective first half and backup Zack Stoudt failed to lead a scoring drive before handing the Cougars the winning touchdown on a late fumble. [Clarion-Ledger]

Quickly… Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree is expected to miss up to six weeks with a broken foot. … The Longhorn Network will broadcast UT-San Antonio’s final five home games. … Michigan’s storm-shortened win over Western Michigan would have resumed if the game was still within the Broncos’ reach. … Georgia’s not changing anything in the backfield. … Cal Poly coaches complained that their headsets didn’t work in the second half of a loss at San Diego State. …

And Andy Staples commits a mortal sin.

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Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

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Nature violently prevents Ron Zook and Jon Gruden from sharing the same stage

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:44:32 +0000

Jon Gruden: THIS GUY is the rare coach who seems to be genuinely enjoying life away from the sideline. He gets to do pretty much whatever he wants at least six months out of the year, he’s still got a steady gig in the fall, and a flattering recurring role every winter as the leading candidate for every major job opening in football. By now, he’s probably re-acclimated himself to sleeping in an actual bed, after years of collapsing on his desk at 2 a.m. with flickering game film illuminating the imprint of a depth chart on the side of his face. It’s a charmed existence.

What happens when that existence intersects with Ron Zook? It nearly comes to a terrifying end:

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach was headed to Champaign, Ill., to join University of Illinois coach Ron Zook as a weekend guest speaker at the state’s High School Football Coaches Association Clinic.

Gruden’s flight was 20 minutes out of Tampa International Airport when he heard a strange sound.

“All of a sudden, the woman next to me asked, ‘Did you hear something?’ ” Gruden said Monday. “I told her I definitely heard a weird noise. You could sense something was up. Then the flight attendant came on the speaker and said we got hit by lightning.”

THIS GUY made it out in one piece, along with the other passengers, but the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Orlando, where it was surrounded by a phalanx of firetrucks as Gruden called Zook to beg out of the clinic before hopping in a rental car back to Tampa. “I promised him I’ll be at the clinic next year,” Gruden said, thereby sparking web rumors that he will actually be running the clinic next year because OMG Jon Gruden is going to replace Ron Zook as Illinois’ head coach. Bodog.com should be releasing the odds of Gruden coaching the Fighting Illini in 2012 sometime later today, and they should be roughly the same as Zook’s.

Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino spoke in Gruden’s place, thereby preventing an explosive fusion of Gruden and Zook’s intense energies that might have put the lives of unsuspecting high school coaches at risk. No refunds!

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Hat tip: CBS Sports
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

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Bucs Approach Potential Lockout With Moves on Key Restricted Free Agents

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 02:58:32 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised the NFL with a 10-6 record in 2010. The last thing they want to happen is to let players responsible for the turnaround getaway in free agency.

According to The Tampa Tribune, the Bucs sent restricted free-agent tender letters to all of their players preparing to test the market as free agents. Those players include offensive guard Davin Joseph, offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood and linebacker Quincy Black.

Their contracts are set to expire in March with the end of the collective bargaining agreement.

“We’re going to go with business as usual in terms of what we would do (if there was no lockout),” Bucs general manager Mark Dominik told the newspaper. “My mindset is to make sure we do our due diligence from the club’s standpoint.”

If some version of the current labor agreement is in place in March at least the Bucs are covered should one of their players negotiate a deal with another team. The Bucs would have the right of first refusal.

“If they (tenders) are binding, then we’re prepared,” Dominik said. “We just don’t want to let something slip through the cracks. It’s the thing you have to do.”

Several players and their agents confirmed receipt of the letters, and while some throughout the league believe it could prove to be a contentious issue, Trueblood is clearly not one of them.

Linebacker Adam Hayward, wide receiver Maurice Stovall and defensive ends Tim Crowder and Stylez G. White are free agents who have between four and six years of NFL experience.

Kicker Connor Barth, tackle James Lee, safety Corey Lynch, cornerback Elbert Mack, receiver Micheal Spurlock and defensive lineman Frank Okam have less than four years of experience and are expected to be restricted free agents.

Joseph was a first-round draft pick in 2006 and has started for five seasons at left guard. Trueblood was a second round pick in 2006 and with left tackle Donald Penn and center Jeff Faine the Bucs have the core of a solid offensive line.

Ronde Barber Agrees to Deal With Bucs

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:13:46 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South

There is a familiar dance in the NFL this time of year as teams try and decide whether to hold on to the aged veteran one more season, or let him walk. The Bucs and Ronde Barber never danced too far apart. They both knew they wanted one more season together and they got a deal done.

Barber, 35, signed for one more season on Tuesday to give the building Buccaneers a veteran presence at one cornerback. He will be going into his 15th season in 2011 and hardly looks like he is ready to break down.

“We’re excited that Ronde will continue to build on his Hall of Fame career in 2011,” said general manager Mark Dominik.

“Last season, Ronde once again showed that he’s an invaluable professional and mentor to our young football team, both on and off the field. I’m also happy that our fans can continue to enjoy one of the Buccaneers’ all-time greats.”

In a season where injuries riddled the Bucs’ secondary, Barber started all 16 games for Tampa Bay. He was third on the team with 102 tackles and was second on the team with three interceptions and first on the team with 16 passes defensed.

Barber has played in 209 games with 200 starts including 183 consecutive, which surpassed Hall of Fame cornerback Dick LeBeau for the most consecutive starts by a cornerback in NFL history. His 183 consecutive starts is the longest active streak by a defender and Barber trails only Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning (208) for the most consecutive games started among all active players.

Josh Freeman on Lockout Workouts: ‘Hit Up a Couple of the Local High Schools’

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:55:00 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South

It is usually difficult in the spring to keep students’ in tune with their classes. The weather is turning nice; they want to be outside. This spring they really want to be outside because that just might be Matt Ryan throwing passes to Roddy White on their high school field.

If there is a lockout March 4, NFL players are going to look for a venue to work out. They need to keep their timing and hone their skills. The local high school is not going to push them away, that’s for sure.

Josh Freeman, the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, told The Tampa Tribune he has already talked with his receivers about workouts if there is a lockout and there are no formal practices.

“Hopefully the CBA gets resolved,” Freeman said, “but if it doesn’t, I’ve already been in contact with all of our receivers and everybody’s excited to come (to Tampa) in March and get going.

“We’re going to hit up a couple of the local high schools here and work out that way. Hopefully, they’ll let us use their weight room or whatever it is we need, because we’re anxious to get going.”

Atlanta’s Ryan might want to see what receiver Meier has going for him when he is cleared to play. Meier, who was a rookie out of Kansas, was injured in the preseason and did not play in 2010.

Slot receiver Harry Douglas, who never found a groove with Ryan in 2010, also could use some time with the Falcons‘ quarterback.

The Bucs’ Freeman, who will be entering his third season, does not want to be behind when the labor dispute ends, whether it is in April or August.

DeAngelo Williams, Pierre Thomas Sit Idle as NFC South Holds Franchise Tags

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:49:09 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, Saints, NFC South

Friday is the deadline for NFL teams to designate players on their teams as franchise players. So far, the NFC South is 0-fer.

The designation is the for the unrestricted free agent the team does not want to get out on the open market, or a player the team feels it can sign to a multi-year deal. Michael Vick was tagged as a franchise player by the Eagles, which means he will get a one-year deal no less than the average of the five highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

There is not an unrestricted free agent in the NFC South, it seems, that a team could let walk.

Davin Joseph, an offensive guard on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is pretty valuable because the Bucs have been hit with injuries along the line and want to protect quarterback Josh Freeman. But it’s two days from the deadline, and the Bucs haven’t moved.

It appears the team is going to let free agent linebacker Barrett Ruud get out on the market. They have not offered him a deal. Each team is allowed one franchise tag.

The Falcons have two valuable offensive linemen who are unrestricted free agents, tackle Tyson Clabo and guard Harvey Dahl, but there has not been a move to tag either one of them.

The one free agent on defense is linebacker Mike Peterson, but the Falcons signed him off the street and he is near the end of his career. There is also kicker Matt Bryant, who had a terrific season for Atlanta.

Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams is a possibility for a franchise tag and so is defensive end Charles Johnson. But the Panthers, as pointed out by Darrin Gantt of The Charlotte Observer, are awash in cash after 2010. They have money to sign key players to long-term deals.

Considering how well wide receivers are being paid, the Saints might have to offer $10 or $11 million to put a franchise tag on Lance Moore. It’s the same with running back Pierre Thomas, who the team decided last summer was not worth the big money.

Here’s the big issue: what are the rules? The Collective Bargaining Agreement ends March 4.

DeAngelo Williams, Pierre Thomas Sit Idle as NFC South Holds Franchise Tags

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:49:09 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, Saints, NFC South

Friday is the deadline for NFL teams to designate players on their teams as franchise players. So far, the NFC South is 0-fer.

There is not an unrestricted free agent in the NFC South, it seems, that a team could let walk.

It appears the team is going to let free agent linebacker Barrett Ruud get out on the market. They have not offered him a deal. Each team is allowed one franchise tag.

The Falcons have two valuable offensive linemen who are unrestricted free agents, tackle Tyson Clabo and guard Harvey Dahl, but there has not been a move to tag either one of them.

Here’s the big issue: what are the rules? The Collective Bargaining Agreement ends March 4.

Keith Millard, Grady Stretz Hired to Coach Bucs’ Young Defensive Line Talent

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:59:50 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South

The back end of the Tampa Buccaneers defense looked like it was in pretty reliable hands in 2010 with corners Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber and safety Cody Grimm. When safety Tanard Jackson returns from his suspension the secondary is going to look solid.

The linebackers are OK, too, and the Bucs seem willing to give middle linebacker Barrett Ruud a nice deal when we play football again.

Now, what to do about the defensive line, which is responsible for threatening the quarterbacks out of the 4-3 defense?

In 2010, the Bucs drafted tackle Gerald McCoy in the first round and UCLA tackle Brian Price in the second round. They need a defensive end in this draft because they had 26 sacks in 2010, which was next-to-last in the NFL.

They feel they have hired the right teachers for this young talent: former All-Pro Keith Millard and Arizona State’s Grady Stretz as co-defensive line coaches.

Millard was a first round pick (1984) who did not waste his talent, something you have to include on his resume along with all his coaching stops. He was All-Pro three times in nine seasons and was NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year twice.

Millard still holds the record for sacks in a single season by a defensive tackle with 18 in 1989. That is a remarkable number in any era.

Millard has worked for the Raiders and Broncos and now he gets to work in Tampa Bay, which was built on defense in its heyday. He got a push for the job from the former Bucs All-Pro Warren Sapp, who has some influence with head coach Raheem Morris.

NFC South Mock Draft for First Round

admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:38:16 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, Saints, NFC South

Here is a scan of some mock drafts and looking at some of the picks for the NFC South.

Rob Rang of CBS Sportsline has Carolina taking LSU corner Patrick Peterson with the first overall pick.

Rang has Tampa Bay taking Miami corner Brandon Harris at No. 20, the Saints grabbing Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson with the pick at No. 24 and the Falcons taking Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph at No. 27.

My take:

Dead on with Peterson. Carolina needs to grab him ahead of Auburn’s Nick Fairley.

Tampa getting Miami corner Harris is a good choice, too, given the defensive leanings of coach Raheem Morris. He wants corners who play man-to-man. This will be Ronde Barber‘s last season. There is not a starting corner in the group behind Aqib Talib and Barber.

Rang has the Falcons taking Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph with the 27th pick, but when you consider what happened to the Falcons in the postseason, Atlanta has to upgrade defense. They could do that with free agents, of course, and snag a replacement for Gonzalez, but I think they have their guy in Clemson’s Michael Palmer.

Richard Langford, a guest columnist with Bleacher Report, has Carolina taking Fairley with the first pick, Tampa Bay taking Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn at No. 20 and New Orleans selecting Georgia linebacker Justin Houston.

Langford also has the Falcons taking Rudolph.

My take:

It is a long way to draft day. Let’s see how the Panthers view Fairley when they examine him for a couple of months.

The Bucs will go for more defense in this draft and will get a pass rusher like Clayborn, if they can. They were next to last in the league in sacks with 26 and need something else to threaten quarterbacks besides defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

The Saints will get some more help on defense and could grab Justin Houston of Georgia, but I don’t think so. When I saw Georgia play, Houston looked like a stand-up guy, not a hand on the ground guy. Saints play a 4-3 and he is too light for end, but rangy for linebacker.

Todd McShay of ESPN has the Panthers taking Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson, Tampa Bay getting Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue, Houston going to the Saints and Atlanta taking Mike Pouncey.

My take:

What tape was McShay watching to make him think Pouncey was going in the first round? He had trouble snapping to the quarterback and Drake Nevis of LSU just hammered him…. all game. He likely has Pouncey going as a guard, but there is probably not a personnel guy who thinks he is as good as his brother.

Bowers to Carolina would be my second pick for the Panthers behind Peterson.

Bucs’ 2011 NFL Schedule Slightly Tougher Than Discounted 2010 Slate

admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:47:26 +0000

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South

We were all cautious of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010 because of that schedule. It ranked 25th in the NFL and the Bucs did not really upset anybody until the season finale against New Orleans when Drew Brees was pulled from the game.

We admired the Bucs’ 10-6 record…. but not too much. They beat one team with a winning record.

Tampa Bay opponents in 2011 compiled a 127-129 record in 2010, according to numbers pulled together by The Tampa Tribune‘s Roy Cummings.

The Bucs will have the 18th toughest schedule in the NFL, but it sure looks tougher than that. It includes Super Bowl champion Green Bay, NFC North champion Chicago, and Peyton Manning and the Colts.

How about that test for the secondary? Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. The Bucs will also have to deal twice with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.

It helped Tampa Bay that it played in a solid division. They finished third in the NFC South behind playoff teams Atlanta and New Orleans, which means they get a third place schedule. The Bucs will play San Francisco, Dallas and Houston.

Tampa Bay will play five 2010 playoff teams in 2011, assuming there is a season. They have Chicago, Green Bay, Atlanta, Indianapolis and New Orleans to deal with now.

The Cowboys, Colts, and Bears will be terrific guests for the Bucs — who went through a season of local television blackouts. Considering the reduction in price of some tickets and the rise in stature of the team, the Bucs might get some decent crowds.

Now, what happens if the 18-game schedule gets through the collective bargaining agreement?

Who would you add if you were a Bucs’ season ticket holder? Michael Vick and the Eagles would be one. Tampa Bay is already playing at Green Bay and they hosted the Steelers in 2010.

What about Cam Newton and whatever downtrodden team he has to quarterback?