jeffreymark

THE WHO OLD BUT FAMILIAR

Congratulations to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on their first Super Bowl win. I personally felt a bit more sympathy toward Brees than the Saints as a whole. It was Brees' time. Manning enjoyed many a magic moment in the shinning sun. Time to share the spotlight.

Another spotlight moment came at halftime with the ever dynamic rockers The Who. A few folks I visited with today seemed a bit disappointed in their performance. Those who held such ambivalent feelings never really appreciated the Who's anachronistic punk sound. From their early emergence during the mid sixties this group exploded with energetic, endless banging, yet soothing melodies that captured the more wild child side of us boomers. Indeed Roger Daltrey strained a bit in his attempts to reach the higher notes.  And guitarist Pete Townshend missed a few notes on the harmonies. But, all in all they sounded distinctly familiar.  

Furthermore, last night's venue presented a less than ideal situation for an aging rock band. Neither the Stones nor Tom Petty gave Grammy style performances during their Super Bowl experiences. I say let the Super Bowl be football and judge the half time aging rockers on their own turf.

For those who missed last night's aging rockers l post the You Tube version below.

TIM TEBOW'S ANTI ABORTION AD

Tim Tebow epitomizes Christian witness. His eye grease Bible verses and social endeavors inspire young kids today who get bombarded with confusing PC messages. Now he and his mother appear in a Super Bowl ad sure to raise abortion proponent's blood pressure to stroke levels. The arrogant PC crowd vehemently opposes CBS' airing of the add and wants it pulled. They fear more abortion clinic violence. I, on the other hand, fear increased slander and intolerance toward Christians. So what's a body to do? 

For one thing the self anointed enlightened PC crowd needs to take a page from their own play-book. They who think they are all wise and knowing must quickly reach for true wisdom and gather the facts. For every demon (and I do mean demon because true Christlike people don't blow up abortion clinics) that promotes violence there exists millions of good decent young men such as Tebow who exhibit character and try to persuade with words. And, by the way you whining PCers, Tebow knew you might react this way. He simply does not care.   

WHAT SEPARATES PEYTON MANNING FROM OTHER QUARTERBACKS?

According to George Barna Peyton Manning sports a champion's work ethic:

While driving I sometimes listen to sports radio. A show aired recently that was discussing pro football and the pending playoff match-ups. Not being a football fan I was about to change the station when an interesting statement caught my attention. A scout for one of the teams heading to the playoffs was describing the priorities, discipline and focus of all-star quarterback Peyton Manning, who has had an outstanding career with the Indianapolis Colts. The scout noted that when Manning graduated from college the Colts had narrowed their draft options to Manning and another outstanding, highly-rated collegiate quarterback.

To figure out who might be the best selection for their team, Colts executives set up interviews with both young men. Both prospects discussed their desire to win and their positive feelings about the Colts. The turning point in the Colts’ decision was the answer they received to one particular question: If chosen by the Colts, what is the first thing you will do? Young Manning’s reply, supposedly offered without hesitation, was “Study the playbook.” His competitor’s response? “I’m booking the next flight to Vegas so I can celebrate with my buddies.”

Who demonstrated the mind and heart of the leader the Colts needed?

Peyton's response sheds a provocative light on our collective cultural personality. We're damn lazy, drunk with the wine of selfish intoxication. No wonder we have not the wisdom or desire to choose good leaders. We party hearty. Just hope our enemies are not reading the playbook. We need more champions like Peyton Manning who know when to work and when to play. 

TEXAS TECH PAYBACK II

Texas Tech's bitter crushing of Oklahoma left newcomer Alex Torres shining like the sun. I personally felt early this season that Torres possessed the tools to become a great receiver. Watch the video below and read his story here.

TEXAS TECH PAYBACK

While Oklahoma is only a shadow of last year's outstanding team Texas Tech got a little revenge this afternoon when they defeated OU 41-13. Quarterback Taylor Potts developed some consistency today due to coach Leach's ingenious move. The AJ reports:

This OU licking came courtesy of Potts, who trotted out with “Nick’’ stitched onto the back of his jersey. Leach had the name stenciled onto the back of Potts’ practice jersey earlier after his solid performance three weeks ago against Kansas. He thought Potts needed a more masculine given name and chose as the manly archetype Nick Reid, a former all-Big 12 linebacker from Kansas. Leach said he “always felt like (Reid) personified what a football player is and what a football player should be.’’ “As Potts was going through his tough times, we decided all our players, we’d like them to be more like Nick, and led by Nick would be even better,’’ Leach said. “We figured it wouldn’t hurt us to have a Nick, so now we do.’’ Potts said it was all Leach’s idea. A few moments before, Leach had taken credit for the nickname, but said Potts wanted it on the jersey. “Well, I guess it was my idea to put it on the jersey,’’ Potts said. “Maybe it was. Maybe I don’t remember.’’

As long as Potts plays for Tech he now will be known as Nick. Not a bad idea for a team whose ups and downs this year prompted a need for some sort of new inspiration. They don't call Coach Mike Leach the "Mad Scientist" for nothing.

COACH POKER FACE MIKE LEACH

Mike Leach, the riverboat gambler, pulled another bluff in last night's Tech/Texas game. Even though the Longhorns won Texas Tech played a honorable game and probably would have won if the game were played in Lubbock. During the game Leach tried an old NFL trick play by asking his quarterback to fake a knee with just a few seconds left in the half.  William Dyer, a UT Law graduate and blogger at Belderblog, did not like Leach's supposed tantrum over the ref's decision to blow the whistle, calling quarterback Taylor Potts down when in fact his knee failed to touch the ground. I'll defer to Mr. Dyer at this point: 

    Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach threw a middle-sized fit Saturday night during Tech's 34-24 loss to the Texas Longhorns, insisting that the officials had improperly frustrated an attempted trick play by the Red Raiders. According to the Dallas Morning News:

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach was upset with the officials at halftime.

On the final play of the first half, Tech quarterback Taylor Potts pretended to take a knee before dropping back for a pass. Replays showed Potts' knee never touched the turf, but the officials blew the play dead.

"We never took the knee, and they whistled it down," Leach told ABC as he left the field.

Coach Leach could also be seen berating the officials immediately after the call, although the exact wording of his shouts wasn't audible on ABC Sports' broadcast sound feed, and I don't know if there was profanity to go along with his arm-waving. And Leach's fussing, combined with the replay, apparently convinced at least some observers that the refs had treated the Raiders unfairly. The Houston Chronicle's David Barron wrote, for example, that the "Red Raiders were waylaid by a potential borderline call by the officials that short-circuited an attempted trick play in the final seconds of the first half." Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's RedRaiders.comwebsite likewise noted that the "Red Raiders were irritated with the way the first half ended," and at least implicitly blamed the refs by pointing out that "a television replay showed Potts’ knee never touched the ground." Tech trailed Texas 10 to 3 at the half, so if the trick play had gone for a touchdown, that presumably would have resulted in a half-time tie and an even closer second half than that which actually ensued (the 'Horns didn't put the game away until the final 90 seconds).

But while Coach Leach was right that Potts' knee never quite touched the turf, he was dead wrong to fault the officials for blowing the play dead. There can be no doubt whether this was a deliberately called trick play — Tech telegraphed that by taking a timeout with one second left in the half before they tried it, and Leach could be seen giving detailed instructions to Potts that were clearly too complicated to be "Take a knee and let's go to the locker room, son." And as it was in fact executed, there likewise was no doubt whatsoever that Potts was deliberately trying to make it look to the 'Horn defenders like he was merely taking a knee to run out the clock, and the rest of Potts' teammates were cooperating in that farce. Based on the simulated kneel-down, the refs made exactly the right call:

From the NCAA Football 2009-10 Rules and Interpretations manual, Rule 4, Article 3, entitled "Ball Declared Dead," provides in pertinent part as follows (at pages FR-79 to -80, corresponding to pages 82-83 of the .pdf version):

A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound his whistle or declare it dead:

....

o. When a ball carrier simulates placing his knee on the ground.

During the third quarter of the Tech vs. Texas game, the ABC announcers said they'd been informed by a representative of the officiating crew that the ruling was based on a Big 12 Conference rule, but so far I've been unable to find anything online to support that; I suspect they meant to reference the NCAA rule, which would be binding upon the Big 12 Conference anyway. The NFL also has a similar rule for simulated kneel-downs during the last two minutes of each half according to the most recent version of the Official NFL Rulebook that I could find online (from 2006). See Rule 7, Section 4, Article 1(b) (at page 45, corresponding to page 53 of the .pdf file).

It's not hard to understand why both the NCAA and NFL rules forbid the kind of trick Coach Leach was trying to pull. Certain types of deception are fundamental to football — the man in motion, the shifting formations; the disguised blitz; the pump-fake before a handoff to a running back, or the play-action pass preceded by a fake hand-off; the double-reverse, the halfback pass, and the flea flicker; the onside kick and the fake punt. All of these deceptive moves prior to or during plays, and many more, have their place. Indeed, we saw many of them at one point or another during this very game.

But when defenders reasonably believe the QB is taking a knee, they also reasonably expect to be penalized if they even touch him. It's fundamentally unfair to let the QB claim immunity from a normal hit while leaving him free to throw a touchdown; and if QBs who genuinely are taking a knee aren't protected while doing so, they will be much more likely to be injured. Moreover, defensive players all over the field relax and let down their guards when they have good cause to believe a play is over and that the ball is dead; players are, in general, far more vulnerable to injury when taken by surprise; and the same downfield block that might have merely knocked a prepared player off his feet becomes a career-ending spinal cord injury on the wholly unprepared player who's walking back to the defensive huddle (or to the locker room). We penalize the team whose punt returner tries to advance a punt after signaling "fair catch" for similar reasons — not because the rules are trying to crush all excitement and deception from the game, but because certain types of exciting deception are both unfair and unreasonably dangerous.

Of course, I'm a Longhorn loyalist and alum, but I'm generally a fan of Coach Leach and the Raiders when they're not playing Texas. Overall, they played a great game again this year, for which I congratulate them. Still, one might reasonably expect all NCAA Division 1 head football coaches to know what's in the rulebook. One might reasonably expect such a coach not to unfairly blame the refs on national TV for properly enforcing the rules as written. And those expectations might be especially appropriate for an NCAA Division 1 head football coach who's also a lawyer: Mike Leach earned his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1986.

Coach Leach owes a public apology to the referees from this game.

Dyer and others must understand, part of Leach's quirkiness involves his constant bluffs designed to intimidate the refs. I feel certain Leach knew the rules, but tried to pull the wool over the ref's eyes. His riverboat gambler's persona sells tickets and radiates a sort of mystique that allures both press, fans, and potential recruits alike. Surely by now those familiar with Leach's bizarre genius realize he knows more than he leads us to believe. I doubt that he will issue an apology anytime soon.

NFL TODAY VS YESTERYEAR

Baby boomers and older have witnessed a legion of changes in the NFL over the past 40 years. W$J columnist Allen Barra offers a compelling analysis between today and yesteryear. His conclusion:

For all the sophistication of today's game—the greater number of coaches and players, the complexity of the plays, the emphasis on wide-open passing games, the rule changes that ­favor offense—scoring has scarcely increased. In 1959, the average number of points in an NFL game was 42.7. In 2008, the average number of points scored per game was 44.0.
What happened to that supposed gain in offensive firepower? "What happened," says Coach Troup, "is that for every action, there was a reaction. Defense evolved along with offense."
Maybe the old-timers are right about it being the same game after all.

Read the entire article here.

CRYBABY CRABTREE

All American receiver from Texas Tech entered the draft this year following his second season. He is the last of the 2009 draftees to sign and continues to hold out. Rumor has it that his old man and cousin David Wells filled Crabtree's head with bad advice-potential career ruining advice.  Dallas Morning News sportswriter Jean-Jacques Taylor has some brilliant advice for Crabtree:

Michael Crabtree is making a mistake with his protracted holdout, because he's wrecking his rookie year.
This isn't really about money for Crabtree, a Carter High School graduate and former Texas Tech star who should be playing for San Francisco in a preseason game against the Cowboys tonight.
It's all about ego.
Understand, athletes with egos don't bother me. We all have egos. Anyone who's ever succeeded at the highest level has a large ego.
But Crabtree's ego is doing more harm than good.
He thinks – and I agree – that he was the best receiver in last April's draft, but Oakland drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh pick in the first round.
Who knows why the Raiders make the decisions they do these days, but that's what Al Davis did. Crabtree fell to the 10th, which is still pretty good, considering he didn't participate in the combine because of a foot injury.
The problem is that Crabtree wants to be paid more than Heyward-Bey because he believes – again, I agree – that's he's a better player.
Well, that's just silly.
It's not the way the league's slotting system for paying rookies works – and the 49ers have no interest in breaking the system and creating a precedent for players.
Eventually, Crabtree is going to sign a contract worth more than that of the 11th pick and less than that of the ninth pick.
For now, he sits.
In the process, he's ruining any chance to be an impact player this season.
That's because rookie receivers are learning a new playbook as well as two or three positions. They're trying to decipher the complex coverages they're seeing for the first time against the biggest, fastest and most physical cornerbacks they've ever seen.
If Crabtree were a running back, it wouldn't be a big deal, because that's an instinctive position. Freshman running backs can thrive in college, and rookie runners regularly dominate the NFL.
They're doing what they've always done – take a handoff, find a hole and make folks miss.
Aside from quarterback, receiver is the hardest position for rookies to succeed.
In the last 10 years, more than 300 wide receivers have been drafted. Only 10 have caught at least 50 passes in their rookie year. Only Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Anquan Boldin and Michael Clayton have gained more than 1,000 yards. Only Moss has scored at least 10 TDs.
I expected Crabtree to join them.
Not anymore.
Not now.
He's missed too many training camp practices, and he has no rapport with new starter Shaun Hill.
And he couldn't possibly be in football shape. You never train as hard when you're being trained by someone you're paying as opposed to your strength and conditioning coach.
Now do you understand why Crabtree should hurry and get a deal done?
Of course, Crabtree won't agree. Neither will Eugene Parker, his well-respected agent.
That, however, is the reality of his situation.
Let me tell you one other thing: This isn't the contract over which Crabtree needs to draw a line in the sand.
What he's going to get now is chump change compared to the deal he's going to secure if he's the star he should become. This five-year deal is the one players use to buy Mom and Dad a house and take care of their siblings and any other relatives.
This is the money they use to buy themselves a mansion, several fast cars and whatever diamond- and platinum-encrusted bling makes their heart pound. This is the money they use on $3,000 suits and $1,000 shoes before they figure out $1,200 suits and $300 shoes look and wear just as well.
It's the second contract that sets an NFL player up for life. The quicker he agrees to a deal with the 49ers, the faster he'll get to a huge payday.

Guys like Crabtree and his daddy see $$$$$$$ before their eyes. The situation makes things just right for greedy advisers to ruin a kid's career. 

MIKE LEACH ON GRAHAM HARRELL

Texas Tech's Heisman talented quarterback, Graham Harrell failed to get a call from the NFL. Seems he suffers from the old stigma now a mantra among competitors who cry "system quarterback" in relation to standouts at Texas Tech. For all you Leach system bashers, answer me one question: is Texas Tech the only college football team with a system? Are the majority of NCAA football coaches so dumb that they hit the turf on a wing and a prayer?  Hell, University of Texas Heisman winner Earl Campbell was part of a Darrell Royal team that employed the wishbone formation. In this particular 70's offensive scheme quarterbacks became the 4th option runner. Royal quarterbacks never made the NFL as quarterbacks.  But, he produced a plethora of outstanding running backs including Campbell. Guess it was all a joke because of Royal's system centered around running. Give back the Heisman Mr. Campbell. You were merely a single cog in the bigger wheel of a system.  

Texas Tech football coach offers his comments on Harrell in the Dallas Morning News:

There's a report on the Internet that Texas Tech's Graham Harrell signed with the Cowboys, but that isn't correct. Harrell will participate in the Browns' rookie minicamp, according to his agent, Chad Speck.
Speck said he had some contact with the Cowboys, but an offer didn't come from Valley Ranch.
The Cowboys selected their developmental quarterback when they took Texas A&M's Stephen McGee with the first pick of the fourth round. McGee readily acknowledges that his college career was extremely disappointing. Harrell, on the other hand, won a ton of games and set a bunch of records at Texas Tech.
McGee spent most of his senior season as a backup, but his stock soared after an impressive showing at the scouting combine. Ennis' Harrell spent his senior season as a Heisman Trophy contender, but his stock dipped after a rough showing in the Senior Bowl, seemingly cementing the dreaded "system quarterback" knock on him. Chase Daniel, the Southlake Carroll product who had a spectacular career at Missouri, is a short "system quarterback" who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins.
When I chatted with Tech coach Mike Leach late in the draft, he laughed when I asked for his thoughts about Harrell still being available. Leach, who reiterated his stance that Harrell was the best quarterback in the draft, said he was no more surprised than when Tom Brady slipped to the sixth round.
"The truth of the matter is that the NFL drafts quarterbacks notoriously bad," said Leach, pointing to all the late-round and undrafted quarterbacks that have become elite players. "That's indisputable. ...
"I don't have an answer for why they don't have a skill for drafting a quarterback. Well, I think the priorities are out of order. Accurate and makes good decisions needs to be a priority, not something they need to teach him, because they don't do that very well.
"Arm strength is so overrated. I've got defensive ends with great arm strength, but they aren't accurate. Hey, maybe Brandon Williams can help them at quarterback. He's got a really strong arm."

Graham Harrell will exceed in the game of life long after this year's top NFL picks have left the game. For, Harrell possesses an impeccable character, a winsome disposition, and a tenacious spirit. Too bad for those teams that overlooked him in the first three rounds. 

MIKE LEACH ON 60 MINUTES

God help the Texas Longhorn thugs if Texas Tech begins to recruit the quality of athlete the Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners get. That's because of the mad scientist genius head football coach at TT, Mike Leach. Coach Leach combines his lawyer intellect (first in his class at Pepperdine) with pirate pragmatism to consistently field one of the most complicated and exciting offenses in college football. The media made Leach one of their darlings this year because of his aloofness and quirks. Last year Patterico posted a compelling piece on the West Texas enigma with this bit of information, which provides a window into Leach's complexities:

Now Texas Tech had a 39-point lead over A.&M. and the ball and was moving forward as rapidly as ever. To minimize its humiliation, the A.&M. offense had been running plays meant to use up time and get the team out of Lubbock. The governor of Texas slipped away early and was on his way back to Austin. The guys dressed up as soldiers in the Aggie end zone had run out of military drills to perform.
Up in the sky boxes, the wife of an Aggie assistant coach insulted every female Red Raider in earshot by saying that at least she lived in College Station instead of Lubbock. (“First of all, we just beat them, 56-17,” Leach says when told of the incident. “By rights she should now be a Red Raider slave.”)
For everyone but Mike Leach, the game was over, but he jumped onto the field and called a timeout. The referees did not notice: they were too busy throwing yellow flags at the extra Texas Tech players who had tried to get into the game. Tech was penalized, and in the subsequent confusion, Leach let the clock run out. “There was 23 seconds on the clock,” he told me later. “That’s more than enough time. I think we all had a level of disappointment we didn’t score one more touchdown. 

In addition, Leach shows no quarter for the enemy. When SMU coaches chastised Leach for running up the score he simply replied, "There's a way to stop that you know."  

Coach Leach's interview on 60 Minutes tonight provided a fascinating look into the mind of the Mad Scientist. 

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