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Oscar McBride's "Oh... by the way." Blog
Play-off System Needed in Division 1-A
Written by Oscar McBride on January, 10th 2008
If there was ever a time that the aforementioned statement is relevant it’s right now. The 2007 college football season didn’t fail to deliver all of the excitement and intensity that each and every viewer around the country expected. No one knew what to expect each week. Underdogs played like champions and champions didn’t play, especially if you held the number two ranking at any time during the season. What the 2007 season didn’t deliver was a true national champion.... at least in my opinion.
Let’s take the recently crowned National Champion LSU Tigers for example. The Bayou Bengals had a season of roller coaster performances, diamond studded with near misses against lesser opponents and ultimately defeated by average SEC football teams Kentucky and Arkansas. Not to say that both Kentucky and Arkansas won’t have several first day draft picks in this year’s 2008 draft, they just don’t have the depth at each position and by no means should have been in the game with a “National Champion-caliber” team like LSU. Agreed? Of course you do.
Secondly, America’s darling the USC Trojans (my personal favorite). At any given time this season there could have been an argument made that the Men of Troy were one of the best teams ever assembled in college football... HOWEVER, with an a horrible home performance against the Cardinal of Stanford (whom Notre Dame even beat on the road) and a road loss at Oregon, I find it a bit difficult to say that the mighty Trojans are best in the land. Got it? Of course you do.
Moving to the Southeastern Conference we have the beasts between the hedges... the Georgia Bulldogs. This young team was viewed by many as the best college football team in the nation the latter part of the season. Starting four true freshmen, all named to the freshman All-American team, anyone can make a case for the Bulldogs, right? But what about their short-comings in 2007? They too had let downs against a below average South Carolina team and was all but humiliated against the Volunteers of Tennessee and let’s not forget to mention the squeaker they pulled out against Vandy as time expired. ‘Nuf said.
Whew!!! That’s a lot of information. What should we do with it? The answer seems to be cut and dried from where I sit. We need a 3 game play-off system that would involve the top six BCS teams at the end of the season. The number one team would play number six, number two would play five and three would play four. After the first round the team that remains with the highest ranking would then get a bye into the National Championship game (I know it seems a bit skewed, but this is the only way to avoid adding more teams and extending the season even longer). After the lower two and three that remain play, their winner would then play (in a week and a half) in the National Championship Game against the current number one. How’s that? NCAA officials if you’re listening, I’m talking to you!
For what it’s worth, I believe we are about 2 years away from having a play-off system in division 1-A. Obviously there should be more research done regarding injuries and academics in relation to extending the football season into later January. I just find it hard to believe that it’s taken this long to institute... can you say “inevitable?” For now, the LSU Tigers reign supreme over the land as College football’s number one team. I’m sure Georgia has their own thoughts about who is number one. I know USC believes otherwise, and somewhere in West Virginia Pat White is licking his chops to get a hold of that LSU defense.
Unfortunately, we’ll never know... at least not in 2007-2008.
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New Year’s Resolutions in Sports
Written by Oscar McBride on January, 2nd 2008
1. Miami Dolphins – First thing first, congratulations on securing Bill Parcells to run your front office. Maybe he can help straighten out the mess that has been brewing since Nick Saban’s departure. If I’m the Dolphins and Parcells my New Year’s Resolution is to find a quarterback. Probably not a rookie quarterback since my offensive line is exactly that... OFFENSIVE but rather a crafty veteran who’s a proven winner to supply some direction and leadership to the injured and bruised ego of my franchise. It’s great to have drafted speed burner Ted Ginn, Jr. on the outside to vertically stretch defenses, but wouldn’t it be great to have a quarterback capable of getting him the ball... can anyone say Donovan McNabb?
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – This is a particular sensitive subject for me and I know I speak for all of my teammates from the era of the early 90’s when I say, “This just isn’t acceptable!” The obvious resolution for Weis and The Irish is discipline. Let’s go back to basics. Notre Dame plays with pride and never, ever... ever... ever gives up until the last second ticks off the game clock. Believe that you are going to win. Believe that you will find a way to win no matter what the circumstances. Weis needs to find a way to motivate his players and change the losing mindset that has permeated throughout the locker-room this season. If you can’t play with pride, passion and discipline wearing “ND” on your jersey and the Golden Dome on your head... maybe you should consider the chess club. Then again, I don’t think they accept mediocrity either.
3. Michael Vick – Simply, when keeping it real goes really bad. Resolution: move on... ‘Nuf said.
4. Kobe Bryant – A “no brainer” for the NBA mega-star in moving forward with his career...a resolution to SHUT UP AND PLAY! A wise man once told me that it is far greater to be thought a fool by everyone than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt. Kobe is the premier player in the NBA with an unstoppable offensive game and suffocating defensive skills too. The likelihood of another NBA championship in LA is highly unrealistic (he made sure of that 3 years ago with his behind the scenes antics). Now is the time to work on making those around him better and securing his place in NBA history. Here’s a thought... challenge yourself to be the first Kobe... not the next Jordan. There will only ever be one.
5. Major League Baseball – The Mitchell report has successfully put a negative spotlight on America’s favorite past time. The question that most people I know have is, “Why did the investigation start/stop at only a decade?” Did performance enhancing drugs only recently surface during the 1997 season? Here is my suggestion. Since the MLB has already desecrated the home run champion and his amazing feat and is now allowing the allegations of Mitchell’s report to go after other high profile athletes such as Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada, Jason Giambi and Eric Gagne and their asterisked accomplishments, it would seem that the only fitting resolution would be to get a grip. Performance enhancing drugs although illegal, have been used for many years in most, if not all professional sports. Baseball is NOT the exception. In my opinion, the integrity of the game was compromised not only by the players who used these drugs, but by those who were looking to defame and ridicule. Life is full of decisions. No one can say that they have made all of the correct ones... this includes league Commissioner Bud Selig and the most high Senator George Mitchell. It would seem that the MLB would want to correct the problem and help those players involved with as little fanfare and media exploitation as possible. Instead it seems that the impetus has been placed on exposing and crippling those involved. At the end of the day anyone with common sense knows, that if the league had wanted to catch those who were using they would have. Ultimately pro baseball a business.... and every business is about production... production means money...money means power and authority... power and authority when used incorrectly usually means demise. Hmmmm...I guess baseball is truly America’s game.
Take from this article what you want... these are truly my personal observations. Hopefully someone will be enlightened.
Happy New Year!
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The Dirty South
Written by Oscar McBride on December, 20th 2007
Wow! Where to begin with this one? I could be like everyone else and start in on the Mike Vick dog fighting bit, but quite frankly I’m over it, and I would advise America to do the same. Mike made a bad decision that involved his supposed childhood friends that landed him a 2 year stint in prison for “keeping it real.” He now has to pay his penance and unfortunately we (America) will never let him forget that he wasn’t perfect in his decision making. There are even episodes of CSI (the award winning series on CBS) that involve dog fighting, gambling and murder... give it a rest for cryin’ out loud! I think we all get it.
The focus of this article is more about the Atlanta Falcon’s organization in general. What’s with Arthur Blank’s comments? What happened with Bobby Petrino? What the hell is going on? First thing first – Arthur Blank... what’s with the fried chicken & fries? I know I wasn’t the only one who sat at home watching the interview going, “Oops, he let that one get away.” Sadly enough, the comment, regardless of intent, did make news headlines. Now, before anyone takes me the wrong way, I’m not saying that Blank’s comment was meant as a racial slur or dig, HOWEVER, he DID say it. He needs to be held responsible for what he said. Isn’t that the whole message that’s being sent with the defamation of Mike Vick? “Make bad decisions and you have to pay the necessary restitution. No exceptions.” Unfortunately for Blank, regardless of whether the statement was maliciously made or not, he is still accountable. I mean, does he also have fresh watermelon sliced with mint julep at practice for the team? Whew! We’re all aware that the margin for error to an NFL quarterback is zero... but what is that same margin for an NFL owner???
Bobby Petrino. Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. All I can say is... good for you! This man wasn’t happy with the decision he made and made immediate steps to correct it. Petrino comes into the Falcons job with tons of excitement and expectations, not to mention a pro bowl caliber quarterback driving an offensive team that led the NFL in rushing in recent years. He signs Joe Horn to help take some of the pressure off of Alge Crumpler and help the abysmal receiving core that was previously assembled. It seemed like he was making all of the right moves... playoffs here come the Falcons! And then – WHAM! He’s thrown into the middle of a world-wind of illegal gambling, lies, deceit and ill gotten gains. Bobby, you’re not in Louisville anymore! No Mike Vick. No Matt Schaub (he was traded and signed a monster deal with Houston), D.J. Shockley goes down with a knee, Joey Harrington... well, is Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich can’t get healthy and finally we have Chris Redman a quarterback at the helm who hasn’t played since there was no substance abuse testing for Major League Baseball (oops that’s another article). Petrino made a commitment to the Falcons and Arthur Blank. The Falcons and Arthur Blank also made a commitment to Petrino. Based on where the organization sits today, both sides have an argument for who didn’t deliver.
In all of the filth and dirt, however, there is still a team. A team roster of 53 men and 5 developmental players that had unspeakable adversity to overcome, a team that had it’s heart ripped out by not only its leader, but by the media and the negativity surrounding them. Still, they managed to come to work and all things considered, do a helluva job staying together. Maybe the stat book isn’t quite where they want it to be and they may fall short on the scoreboard... but they are still a team. In spite of everything they have endured throughout the course of this season, they have remained unified as they plug along what has to be a miserable road. That says a lot about their character. I think they understand the meaning of the word TEAM. Who else do they have?
All I can say at this point to interim head coach and future Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas is “good luck.”
Good luck picking up the pieces of a team that has been completely shattered. Good luck cleaning up the mess that was left by your previous head coach. Good luck handing the scrutiny that will come with the job no matter how long you may have it.
Good luck my friend, good luck.
Ahhhh Georgia... the Peach State in the antebellum south. Home of “the south will rise again,” Paula Deen and the boys, and cold lemonade on a hot summer day beneath your favorite shade tree. Home of the storied Georgia Bulldogs playing between the hedges and the newly rebuilt Atlanta Hawks to name a few. But the great state of Georgia is also home to the “Dirty Birds” of Fulton County... Atlanta’s very own Falcons.
Wow! Where to begin with this one? I could be like everyone else and start in on the Mike Vick dog fighting bit, but quite frankly I’m over it, and I would advise America to do the same. Mike made a bad decision that involved his supposed childhood friends that landed him a 2 year stint in prison for “keeping it real.” He now has to pay his penance and unfortunately we (America) will never let him forget that he wasn’t perfect in his decision making. There are even episodes of CSI (the award winning series on CBS) that involve dog fighting, gambling and murder... give it a rest for cryin’ out loud! I think we all get it.
The focus of this article is more about the Atlanta Falcon’s organization in general. What’s with Arthur Blank’s comments? What happened with Bobby Petrino? What the hell is going on? First thing first – Arthur Blank... what’s with the fried chicken & fries? I know I wasn’t the only one who sat at home watching the interview going, “Oops, he let that one get away.” Sadly enough, the comment, regardless of intent, did make news headlines. Now, before anyone takes me the wrong way, I’m not saying that Blank’s comment was meant as a racial slur or dig, HOWEVER, he DID say it. He needs to be held responsible for what he said. Isn’t that the whole message that’s being sent with the defamation of Mike Vick? “Make bad decisions and you have to pay the necessary restitution. No exceptions.” Unfortunately for Blank, regardless of whether the statement was maliciously made or not, he is still accountable. I mean, does he also have fresh watermelon sliced with mint julep at practice for the team? Whew! We’re all aware that the margin for error to an NFL quarterback is zero... but what is that same margin for an NFL owner???
Bobby Petrino. Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. All I can say is... good for you! This man wasn’t happy with the decision he made and made immediate steps to correct it. Petrino comes into the Falcons job with tons of excitement and expectations, not to mention a pro bowl caliber quarterback driving an offensive team that led the NFL in rushing in recent years. He signs Joe Horn to help take some of the pressure off of Alge Crumpler and help the abysmal receiving core that was previously assembled. It seemed like he was making all of the right moves... playoffs here come the Falcons! And then – WHAM! He’s thrown into the middle of a world-wind of illegal gambling, lies, deceit and ill gotten gains. Bobby, you’re not in Louisville anymore! No Mike Vick. No Matt Schaub (he was traded and signed a monster deal with Houston), D.J. Shockley goes down with a knee, Joey Harrington... well, is Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich can’t get healthy and finally we have Chris Redman a quarterback at the helm who hasn’t played since there was no substance abuse testing for Major League Baseball (oops that’s another article). Petrino made a commitment to the Falcons and Arthur Blank. The Falcons and Arthur Blank also made a commitment to Petrino. Based on where the organization sits today, both sides have an argument for who didn’t deliver.
In all of the filth and dirt, however, there is still a team. A team roster of 53 men and 5 developmental players that had unspeakable adversity to overcome, a team that had it’s heart ripped out by not only its leader, but by the media and the negativity surrounding them. Still, they managed to come to work and all things considered, do a helluva job staying together. Maybe the stat book isn’t quite where they want it to be and they may fall short on the scoreboard... but they are still a team. In spite of everything they have endured throughout the course of this season, they have remained unified as they plug along what has to be a miserable road. That says a lot about their character. I think they understand the meaning of the word TEAM. Who else do they have?
All I can say at this point to interim head coach and future Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas is “good luck.”
Good luck picking up the pieces of a team that has been completely shattered. Good luck cleaning up the mess that was left by your previous head coach. Good luck handing the scrutiny that will come with the job no matter how long you may have it.
Good luck my friend, good luck.