Whooooo!!! Righting the NHL Ship...

The NHL took a huge stride in the right direction making some critical league decisions at a meeting held yesterday in California. (see "Pieces in Place, NHL Needs..." post from November) I think Gary Bettman reads my blog, I'm pretty sure of it. All the changes I so kindly called for in that November post have been granted to me, it must be Christmas or some shit. The changes made are going to make the NHL a lot more fun to watch for fans, to play in for the players, and will surely sell more tickets.

Teams will only be playing divisional foe 6 times per year instead of the obnoxious 8, resulting in 24 total division games instead of 32. Whoo!! In addition to the decreased 24 divisional games, 40 games will be scheduled for the rest of the conference. The sexiest change is the decision then to play EVERY team in the other conference! Whooooooo! The remainder of the season games are played against every eastern conference team in the Red Wings case with a couple home-home series with 3 of them. This is gonna be phenomenally wonderful next season when the Red Wings have a home-home against Toronto, or Montreal, or any of the old historic teams that are going to put a lot more butts in seats than the 8th match up against Columbus or St. Louis.

Changes like this make me believe that the high-ups in the NHL offices have at least half of a brain and are moving the NHL back in the right direction. The scheduling prior to next season and post-lockup has been hurting the NHL more than it has helped. The NHL needed these changes so badly and finally the fans cries were heard.

Pat's Take - Tedford Will Do More Than Les

Is Miles the Right Choice?

Les Miles has become everyone's favorite to replace Lloyd Carr at Michigan and all signs point to this happening soon after LSU finishes its regular season this Saturday against Tennessee in the SEC championship game. But should wolverine fans rejoice overMiles? What will the program look like in 4 years with Miles at the helm? Are there any other candidates that would do a better job as Michigan's leader?

There are more things that go into being a college football coach than X's and O's, recruiting and winning football games. Ultimately, these three things end up defining almost all coaches and for many people they are the sole way of defining success. Miles' experience points to him excelling in these areas at two different schools (Oklahoma State and LSU) and is the reason people are enamored with him as the next coach of Michigan.

But there are some other attributes that I think the next Michigan coach better have. He should be a MAN we can all be proud of. (see Lloyd Carr) The head football coach at Michigan stands for something more than just winning football games, he is the greatest representative in the media of our university. This position is not something to be taken lightly or to be given out to a person who will not represent the University to the highest degree. Miles may be that guy, but he has some things in his past that point to some issues in these areas. Everyone should watch the youtube videos of Les on the verge of tears...I'm not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing....simply information. Or the infamous "Let er rip" quote before an Oklahoma state game. How about when the 40 year old man Mike Gundy replaced him at okie state and players were quoted as saying guys couldn't get away with same things they got away with under Miles? Crazy Gundy really was the one who layed down the law at Oklahoma State?

Simply put, my personal opinion on Les is that our program will not take a dip in wins and losses with him at the helm. I'm not sure it will reach a new level either. However, the last thing any Michigan man wants is another debacle in the mold of Gary Moeller. No more black eyes please. I hope that media and personal donor hype do not cloud the vision of Bill Martin. If the rumor is true, and Lloyd really does not approve of Les being hired, it gives me great caution.

Miles has proven to be a quality coach in quality conferences and wants to lead Michigan. Those are fine attributes, but I'm not hailing him as the next Bo anytime soon.

Michigan would be well served to do their homework and look at other candidates. Is there a coach out there who can win the same amount of games as Les and do it while not giving me the queasy feeling he may say or do something stupid at any moment? I'd like Jeff Tedford, but he seems to only be mentioned by media people. You can read the case for Tedford stated by Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press.

Tedford isn't the surefire candidate Miles is because he has no connection to UofM or even the Midwest. But i think he is the best coach available. Cal, notoriously the shitty Pac-10 equivalent of the big ten's Indiana or Illinois, has become a nationally reknowned program under Tedford. The idea of him leading the wolverines to victory after victory over Ohio State gives me a chubby.

In 2003 Tedford did what Michigan can't ever do in the Rose Bowl and beat USC. (If you remember we got blasted by that same USC team who shared the national championship) Tedford is known for making himself out of humble upbringings and for being a father to his players.

One story has him kissing one of his players on some momentous occasion (i wish i knew the story, do some research Robby). It may sound weird, but i want our coach to have that type of relationship and love with his players. I feel like this guy LOOKS like he should be Michigan's next coach, and when it comes to X's and O's there's not many better than Tedford. His development of NFL quarterbacks is ridiculous. The most amazing thing is that not many of them have found great success in the pros after being first round picks because of Tedford's tutelage. It's certainly coaching when a guy looks like a god in college and can't perform up to his hype in the NFL. Tedford puts his QB's in the right situations and coaches them to be successful. One can only hope that Ryan Mallett turns into a quarterback that doesn't make every Michigan fan bite their lip til it bleeds every time he steps back in the pocket. Mallett's undeniable talent is of the sort that Tedford could turn into a Heisman candidate. Without excellent coaching i can see Mallett becoming a backup.

It makes me sad to say that Tedford probably won't be the next Michigan coach, and it is more likely to be Miles. I will support Miles and i hope he proves me wrong and becomes the next Bo, but he's this fan's second choice.

Recovery Time is Over, A New Day Begins

After a short hiatus of silence due to the atrocities of Nov. 17 and the Thanksgiving holidays, I might get back to sharing my profound thoughts on here once again. Michigan football is still in the limelight given the current coaching search, however, I've decided to keep myself on the backseat when it comes to discussion and speculation about the program's future. There is too much gossip and turning of the rumor mill that discredits any new news regarding the next coach of the Maize and Blue and therefore I have chosen not to even attempt to contribute to this discussion. It will happen when it happens and there is NO WAY that anybody has an inside to the minds of Lloyd Carr and Bill Martin to know exactly which candidates are being favored and those that are a long shot. It is the inner workings of the Athletic Dept. and it is rare to obtain first hand knowledge of what's going on in there. I trust that they will make haste choosing the next leader who will likely pale in comparison to Lloyd Carr character and will likely have a mediocre coaching resume at best compared the media darlings such as Les Miles and Jeff Tedford. I will have an opinion on coaching front November 22, 2008 after the first UM-OSU game under the regime...

I will say that despite Lloyd Carr's recent plunge in success as a head football coach, he will be greatly missed. With regards to character, integrity, leadership, and his role as an ambassador to the world for Michigan football, he is second to none. He deeply cared about the success of his team, the success of his players on and off the field, and this great university. Lloyd is a great man and a good coach, and the man will be missed.

FYI...

Michigan hockey is legit. If you haven't started paying attention...you should.

Screw Russell Crowe, We Would've Beaten Notre Dame Anyway...

Too bad Lloyd didn't make BFF with Al Pacino for this weekend's game...

A Little History for the Children...

On a Suckier Note...The Worst Televised Sporting Event in History of Television

This weekend's thriller between Notre Dame and Duke should be a real barn burner. And by barn burner I mean a sopping wet mess of no talent garbage game of football between two statically catastrophic football programs that have hit all time lows in the world of all things competitive. (Well, Duke was already there...) This game is sure to have the luster, professionalism, and raw athleticism along the lines of...

Hopefully the game ends in a 0-0 tie when the officiating crew decides that getting home for the Bill Engvall marathon on TBS is more important than the Notre Dame/Duke jaunt at hand. I bet ESPN is distraught that they can't pick up this game from NBC given their love for completely obscure and unimportant events in sports.

Ohio State Week II

classic.

Ohio State Week

No explanation necessary. It is unacceptable that it has been since 2003 since Michigan could leave the game the Victors. More clips forthcoming...

Les Miles Wife Does Something Peculiar...

Multiple internet sources reporting that Les Miles' wife bought a house in Barton Hills, which is a ritzy country club and neighborhood outside of Ann Arbor where the elite residents of Ann Arbor congregate to discuss how rich they are and probably do a little golfing. The sources are unnamed and I am not sure the significance of this even if it is true. Les Miles met his wife at the University of Michigan and I am assuming she is originally from these parts. (If somebody can verify this, that'd be nice) Take what you want out of this, whether it is true or not, I would not jump to any conclusions about Les Miles being the next coach of the Wolverines just yet...FYI.

We All Knew It Was Coming...FYI

Carr is apparently plans on announcing his retirement in the weeks following the OSU game. MgoBlog has his sources as does EDSBS seen here: (http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2007/11/12/carr-to-announce-retirement/)
I am not sure how I feel about this leaking the week of the big game but the players/recruits had to have known this was coming and will hopefully remain focused/committed...yada yada yada.

Week 11 - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

AHHHHH!!!! I don't care how many times the announcers said a loss didn't matter for the Wolverines on Saturday, I DON'T LIKE IT!! The atrocious play that ensued on Saturday did nothing but hurt the Wolverines heading into Ohio State week. The momentum and the confidence of team on an 8 game winning streak in the driver's seat for a Big Ten Championship is severely tarnished whether the players admitted in the press conference or not. Players on the sidelines getting upset with each other (Manningham and Mallett for one) or hanging their heads walking off the field after the loss cannot possibly tell us that this loss and the frustration that ensued has not affected them going into next week. A win against a clearly inferior Wisconsin team would have ensured at least a share in the big ten title regardless of the result of next week's game against OSU, but all that is gone. I know, I know, I know...Hart and Henne are healthy, blah blah blah. That fact is a HUGE upside given the magnitude of this weekend's game, however, the sour taste in my mouth is still there. I understand Hart not playing, but taking Henne out voluntarily after two drives shows the team that the coaching staff doesn't care about the game and you shouldn't either. Oh, and kicking an extra point instead of going for two when you are down by 9 in the fourth quarter also doesn't bode well for boosting morale and confidence of the team. Hart and Henne are healthy. Hart and Henne are healthy. Hart and Henne are healthy. I need to play that over and over again in my head for the next couple days for therapy. Things i learned this weekend in no particular order:

• Mallett is a complete degenerate. Mallett enrolled in school early last spring to get a leg up on learning the playbook and getting used to the college game because of the fact that he would be relied upon early in his career given his premature level of athleticism and his size. A quarterback with his physical characteristics under the guidance of a premier college football quarterbacks coach should never make me wanna stab myself to death with a rusty thumbtack. Bonehead decisions!!! Misreads!! Constantly throwing into coverage!! No pocket presence!! DUMB DUMB DUMB!!! It's November people!!! THe freshmen excuses no longer apply when he has been on campus for almost a year and has only had to develop the mental aspects of the game given his freak of nature physical attributes coming out of high school. Something needs to change and it needs to change FAST or Mallett will surely be riding the bench watching Steven Threet apply something called "STOP BEING A DOUCHEY IDIOT MOUTH!!!!" on the field next season. Also, when Mario Manningham, or any upperclassmen for that matter, says something to you on the sidelines, shut your mouth and nod your head slowly. Don't talk back, don't stand up for yourself, just shut up and do better. Mallett will be good one day, but it seems like he has got a lot of growing up to do.


• Manningham is going pro. There is no doubt in my mind now after he let his frustration with Mallett show on the sideline. I don't blame him. He'll be leaving along with the rest of Michigan's premier offensive talent.


• This is the worst Michigan football performance since Notre Dame of 2005. Hands down. I have never seen a team not show up in the last 5 years like the Michigan team this last weekend. No intensity, no focus, nobody making plays.


• Arrington's sick catch in the 4th quarter is overlooked due to the rest of crap play that ensued throughout the game. Please remember it, for it was thou super sick nasty.


• I will not be upset to see Mike Debord leave.


• The zone blocking schemes are getting shut down like a fat kid at prom. No longer are they working with a banged up O-line and when opposing teams have a 50-50 chance of stuffing them. I am not an offensive expert, but our running game without Hart and Long next year needs some major scheme changes to be successful.


• I will be a heartbroken schoolgirl to see Manningham, Arrington, Henne, Hart, Long, Kraus, Trent, Taylor, Adams, Crable, Johnson, and Jamison leave. Kill me now. Zoltan for team MVP next season.
• Matthews legitimately had a hand on that one catch/"interception." (see pic for details)

Pieces in Place, NHL Needs Love from ESPN, Shake Up in Front Office

The good old days of hockey seem like long gone since the loss of numerous classic teams to the south, the extremely damaging lockout of 2004, and the loss of major TV contracts and mainstream media coverage. The loss of superstar talents like Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman, Al Iafrate, Eric Lindros, Ed Belfour, and many others are no longer giving the league the sex appeal that it once had, which tends to be the favroite explanation as to why the league hasn't been able to bounce back from the lockout of 2004. Superstars like Sergei Fedorov and Pavel Bure aren't even making headlines by corting the rich and famous Hollywood hotties. (Anna Kournikova to be particular) Classic teams in northern cities where hockey had ruled have lost their teams to places like Florida, Carolina, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Dallas; cities where fans have had mixed reactions to this foreign game. And on top of all of this, the front offices of the NHL have deemed it necessary for teams to predominantly play against teams in their own division, leaving NHL schedules beyond bland and repetetive, preventing matchups between the most exciting rivals of yester-year. The NHL is just simply not the same as it once was back in the so called "good old days." Or is it?

ESPN dropped hockey like a bad girlfriend following the lockout in 2004. The ratings weren't high enough. The fans won't come back after the absence. Hockey was done in the minds of high-powered ESPN/Mickey Mouse suits in Connecticut. Hockey was out and weeknights and weekend afternoons during the winter would be filled up with exciting events such as:

• Non-main event poker
• English Polo Championships (seriously, this took up 3 hours of airtime on ESPN2 last month)
• WNBA (I'm not sexist but seriously, women don't even watch that garbage)
• Strongman competitions
• 938545 hours of NFL draft previews
• Classic bowling
• Classic boxing
• Meaningless fiction sports dramas
• NASCAR -- but it's the most popular sport in the US!

...And there is only so much NBA in a given week. ESPN has a monopoly in the basic cable sports network world. Things are "popular" because ESPN hypes them up, shows them during primetime hours, and shoves it down the throats of any sports fan in America looking to get any competetive sports fix they can during the colllege football/NFL/MLB hiatus. Bringing the NHL back to ESPN would be a miniscule burden to bear for the network compared to how much the NHL would benefit from this type of mainstream exposure. Bringing NHL back to the ESPN limelight would also show the country that the things we loved about the NHL of the "good old days" are right here and right now in a league that is currently exhiled to the depths of television obscurity (AKA VS).

The dominance and flashiness of Wayne Gretzky is back in the youthful energy and highlight reel plays of Sidney Crosby. Mike Comrie is making headlines with Hillary Duff (gross) and Sean Avery is corting the Hollywood elite from LA to New York and making appearances on TRL. (gross...but somebody get Zetterberg a supermodel girlfriend too!!) Superstars are emerging on each team, however, most are currently flying under the radar due to locally restricted media coverage. Most importantly for your casual hockey observer, full on nose breaking, blood splattering, good old "commit assault and get away with it cuz its hockey" fighting is finally back in full force after a couple years of peace and quiet. For ex-hockey fans looking to get back into the game, the abundance of powerplays are creating more scoring than ever before. The speed of the game is faster than ever before as well and further adds to the excitement of the new NHL.

The pieces are in place for the NHL to break out into the mainstream once again. NHL on NBC was a good start but ESPN needs to get onboard and give the NHL the coverage like it did prior to the lockout. The NHL front office has got to diversify the schedules in order to revitalize old rivalries, schedle more matchups of classic Original 6 teams, and rebuild fanbases using schedules that don't favor 1000 exciting matchups like Detroit vs. Columbus over and over during the course of one season. Sid the Kid and superstars alike are going to sell tickets wherever they play, and it isn't doing the league any good when Sidney Crosby plays the majority of his games in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The NHL needs to embrace the power of these superstars and use them to sell help sell tickets and, most importantly, resell themselves to ESPN-esque mainstream media.

As much as I love classic matchups in bowling from 1988, I think I would be able to sacrifice for a primetime hockeynight matchup between Detroit and Colorado.

Stage 2: Acceptance

Continuing on last week's post regarding Notre Dame recruiting and the excuses that may not be legally tenured as excuses any longer...I bring you the recruiting class rankings (according to Rivals) of the fine institution also known as...

NAVY!!!

Year -----Notre Dame Ranking (Rivals)-----Navy

2003 -----------12th-----------------------116th

2004 -----------32nd----------------------116th

2005 -----------40th----------------------116th

2006------------8th-----------------------116th

2007------------8th-----------------------119th

A whole new threshold of asssuckbad has been reached. Listen up Irish fans, take your Charlie Weis Fathead off your bedroom wall and start looking towards 2036 when Charlie's overinflated contract is up. Maybe Bill Callahan will still be looking for a new job...

Week 10 -- Michigan vs. Michigan State

• Michigan had yet another come from behind road win in East Lansing last weekend with a 28-24 win against in-state rival Michigan State. Not much to say since anybody reading this most likely watched the game themselves, however, here are a couple meaningless observations.

Mallett still makes me wanna die. One snap, one fumble, one lucky bounce to save Ryan's ass. Thank you Mike Hart. Spaztic raging potential needs to be harnessed before September 2008.

Mike Hart had an incredible first quarter with almost 100 yards. Given Hart's admirable, sometimes reckless, desire to play through pain, he must have been in some serious pain if he subbed himself out on occasions during the 3rd and 4th quarter. Hart couldn't be more of an important asset to this team and absoutely one of the most special players Michigan has had in many many years. His quote after the game describing the game was wonderful; "Sometimes, you get your little brother excited when you're playing basketball -- let them get the lead. And then you come back."

Michigan State defensive playcalling helped stop Michigan on two important 3rd down conversions by bringing some serious pressure. As soon as this 3rd down pressure stopped in the 4th quarter, Michigan's talent turns ugly long yardage situations into sexy 6 points. Bink!

Manningham is only nasty when he wants to be and now I'm coming to terms with the fact that his mid-late season surge of production equals probable loss to NFL.

State students are by far the drunkest I've ever seen. Tailgating in Ann Arbor pales in comparison, I'm sorry...Just not even close.

You lose ALL rights to toss around Appalachian State cheers and wear ASU shirts when your basketball team loses to DII Grand Valley State in basketball the NIGHT BEFORE!! Get real, that's just silly.

Notre Dame makes "ultimate suck" history again. Charlie's job still safe. Charlie still fat and rich.

Offical Red Wings (belated) Season Preview -- Kyle Osborne

The Red Wings again have started out fast, and are playing very well. They have the best line of forwards in hockey with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom. Zetterberg is breaking out as one of the top 5 forwards in the NHL with a break out season last year and his good start this year as a dominant force. Not to mention they still have the best defenseman in the world with Niklas Lidstrom. Lidstrom will probably have another near perfect season leading defensemen in all categories and win his 33rd Norris trophy.

Besides Zetterberg and Lidstrom, I do not think the Red Wings have anyone that will consistently be the go to guy on the team. Datsyuk has been inconsistent at times, however, as long as him and Zetterberg stay healthy they will feed off each other and be the best line in hockey all year long. The other forwards on the team are unproven or role players. The role players (Maltby, Draper, Drake, Clearly, Franzen) are not supposed to score a lot of goals but contribute as grinders, energy guys, and penalty killers. Timely goals by this group of players is the key for a good team to become a great team. Also, some unproven players up front are Hudler, Filppula, Kopecky. The red wings are expecting big things out of Filppula specifically and he needs to start producing on a regular basis for the Wings to go deep into the playoffs.

The defense is anchored by Lidstrom and a key offseason addition in Brian Rafalski. While the team is definitely going to miss Schneider's shot on the power play, Rafalski can play a puck possession game like the Wings like to do. Lilja, Lebda, and the 45 year old Chelios all fill there roles and create a solid defensive core. Unfortunately, I would have liked to see the addition of a more physical defensemen on the blue line. Lilja is the only defenseman with size that can be an enforcer on the ice, something that the wings desperately need. The sixth spot is still uncertain on the roster due in large part because the often injured Kronwall is not developing to be the offensive defenseman they hoped he would be. I'm not too sure what happened to Kyle Quincey, but he was solid in the playoffs, and Meech has played well also in his limited action.

Goaltending is reliable as long as they can stay healthy. Both Hasek and Osgood are getting late into their careers and have had trouble staying healthy during the past few years. With either goalie healthy the Wings have a shot at the cup because both have already proved capable of taking them to the promised land. Again, hopefully both goalies will be able to stay healthy.

Predictions for the year are that the Wings will win their division and finish 1 or 2 in the Conference. The key to them getting deep in the playoffs will be the play and health of their goalies as mentioned before. Teams are known to ride their goalies on hot streaks which often determines whether a team wins or loses a series. Also, while Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Holmstrom will be able to get the team into the playoffs and probably into the second round. The role players need to score timely goals like Maltby and McCarty did in 97 and 98. Also the wings will need a productive 2nd scoring line with Filppula, Hudler, and whomever is on their line. Being able to play 4 lines deep in the playoffs is necessary to win. They need these players to produce win the cup. Hopefully Filppula and Hudler will have break out seasons this year and help to spark a Stanley Cup for Hockeytown.

Nebraska Recruiting does as Sam Keller Does

"That will depend somewhat on the new coaching staff, because they'll have to implement, and I can't coach from the athletic director's position." - Nebraska A.D. Tom Osborne on the future of the walk-on program at Nebraska

So mathematically speaking, Bill Callahan's job security as head coach at Nebraska = 0. But of course Tom and the high powered suits in the Nebraska Athletic Department are fully behind Bill Callahan for the rest of the season. "Go get em, tiger! But next year you're FUCKED." All of this rock star treatment for a guy who brought them out of the offensive stone age and elevated them to the level of an "epic" Alamo Bowl win over Michigan; don't flatter yourself Tommy Boy.

Anyway, Bill Callahan's future aside, Nebraska football has taken a step back towards college football obscurity based on the decisions of the athletic department. College football recruiting has taken on whole new intensity given the media exposure of college football players in the modern era, adding to the immense pressure already on young players to make the right school decision that will best help fulfil their dreams of playing on Sundays. Timely decisions like the mid-season firing of the ex-AD, Steve Pederson, along with the postponed but sure firing of coach Bill Callahan wreak havoc for recruiting efforts. Bill Callahan even said it himself. (http://http//sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=3076192) Decisions being made in the athletic department affect all aspects of present and future football success, and given the uncertain status of Bill Callahan's job security, several Nebraska's top recruits have jumped ship.

• Michigan native and Rivals 100 4-star, #3 running back recruit, Jonas Gray, decommitted following Pederson's firing and found a better fit with a school that could give him the best opportunities to make it to next level and most importantly, give him an opportunity to win football games. This place that would be more of a sure thing is Notre Dame. Yes, 1-7 was just enough to steal a recruit from Nebraska during this time of Husker turmoil.


• Also jumping ship is the flagship recruit and the ex-future of Nebraska's offense, the number 3 Rivals 100 pro-style 5-star quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who even expressed interest in returning if Callahan is to remain as coach for next season.


• Most intriguing to Michigan fans is the Rivals 100 #3 ranked offensive guard, 4-star Trevor Robinson who has decommitted and is now looking at Notre Dame and Michigan as well.

And it has been how many months since Pederson's firing? Oh yeah, 2 weeks. This may only be the beginning. The fix to the present problem in Lincoln may have only created a bigger one for the future. Well, i guess beating Michigan was fun, wasn't it?!