In all sports, the injury bug ruins people's seasons. Just this season, rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg suffered a torn ligament in his elbow, forcing him to have season ending Tommy John surgery. Approximately 12 months of rehab have put a severe halt to his career and have many wondering whether or not he will live up to the hype that he has had in recent months because of injury.
The injury bug hits every team in one way or another, usually creating havoc for the team as they scramble to try and find people to fill in for the injured player. But this year, the injury bug could be a blessing for the BYU Cougar football team.
Bronco Mendenhall, head coach at BYU, has been under scrutiny for his decision at the end of fall camp to go with a two quarterback system. Most critics disagreed with the decision, and most critics have been proven right. After the Cougars opening game against Washington, Mendenhall looked like a genius, one who knew that he could beat the odds and have a successful quarterback system. After embarrassing losses to Air Force and Florida State, the critics have been proved to be right. The two quarterback system has been horrible for BYU, sporting the lowest passer efficiency rating they've had under Bronco Mendenhall's tenure as Head Coach.
Riley Nelson, junior tranfer quarterback from Utah State, has got all three starts for BYU while highly recruited freshman Jake Heaps has alternated series with Nelson. The game against Florida State started out like the first two weeks of the season, Nelson starting and Heaps coming in for the second series. The third series, it was Nelson again, and he suffered a hard hit as he scrambled on a play. That hard hit, and that series that led to a BYU punt, proved to be the last series for Riley Nelson, at least for this year. Nelson suffered a torn ligament in his shoulder, that a Tuesday MRI showed would require season ending surgery. With 5-6 months of rehab time needed, Nelson's season, and perhaps his career as a quarterback at BYU are over.
While nobody likes to see an injury, this particular injury could have come just in time for Bronco Mendenhall to salvage what's left of the 2010 season. The two quarterback system wasn't working and Mendenhall was wishy-washy at best in his choice in quarterback. This injury has forced Jake Heaps into THE guy for the Cougar football team.
This decision was what many Cougar fans have been hoping for all year long. Jake Heaps is a very talented freshman that is mature beyond his years. He has potential to join the club of elite Cougar quarterbacks. Popular opinion among most BYU fans, is that Riley Nelson and Mendenhall's decision to alternate him with Heaps, was the only thing that was holding Heaps, and the rest of the team down. The old football adege, "when you have 2, you have none" has been said many times by those following BYU football. Well, now BYU has 1, and 1 is more than none.
Heaps has the confidence needed to be a successful quarterback, saying after the Florida State game, that BYU's goal is to "go 10-0 from this point on". Many think that Heaps is the traditional BYU quarterback, the rocket passer, while Nelson was an unconventional option quuarterback. Many say that the switch to a full time rocket passer will solve many of the problems on the offensive side of the ball for the Cougars. Receivers will be able to build some continuity with Heaps, and thus (in theory) start catching more balls. One leader has been picked, and confidence from a coaching staff goes straight to Heaps, and that might just be the right formula for the Cougars to still end this season on a high note.
Riley Nelson's unfortunate injury, might prove well for the Cougars. It could potentially save Mendenhall from even more scrutiny from the media and fans, and help BYU rally to a strong finish to the rest of the season. We wish Riley Nelson a fast and speedy recovery, and wish Jake Heaps the best of luck as he takes the reigns of a prestige position at a prestige university.
-Jeff Hansen
Let me know what you think of the QB situation at BYU! Is this enough to salvage the season?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Fall of Troy
Reggie Bush was one of the most prolific, exciting and overall most talented college football players in the history of the game. He was a human highlight reel, with each touch of the football having the potential to be his top play on SportsCenter. Reggie Bush was a true champion.
However, after an NCAA investigation, it was ruled that Bush was ineligible to play. The investigation found that he had wrongfully accepted money, gifts and cars while he was still a student athlete at USC, thus making him ineligible to play college football in 2005. After the news of this scandal broke, almost immediately USC was punished by the NCAA; putting recruiting sanctions on the school, making them ineligible to play in post season play for 2 years, and forfeiting their wins from the 2005 season. Seems like a pretty steep punishment eh?
This last week, it was reported that the Heisman Trust Committee would strip Bush of his 2005 Heisman trophy, shortly after the Heisman Committee denied the report saying they were still unsure of the disciplinary action that would be taken. Seemingly tired and annoyed with the whole situation, Bush ended the speculation and forfeited his Heisman trophy on his own accord, the first time in Heisman history that the award has been returned.
This opens up a very interesting discussion, why is this scandal so wrong that both a school and a player should be so strictly punished 5 years later? Reggie Bush may have accepted money and gifts, but his play as a player was arguably one of the best ever. There were no human growth drugs or steroids that were taken into his body and he didn’t throw the BCS National Championship game against Texas because of gambling and yet he was punished far worse than other players in other sports.
Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettite were all found guilty of using steroids during their baseball careers. Major League Baseball can maybe keep those players out of the Hall of Fame at the end of their fantastic careers, but the Yankees World Series Titles still stand. If Reggie Bush and USC should be punished so many years later, why aren’t the Yankees being punished for letting cheaters play the game?
OJ Simpson, a former Heisman trophy winner in his own right, went through a grueling murder trial in 1994. While he was acquitted of the charges in court, a jury at the civil suit filed by the victim’s family unanimously found Simpson guilty. Just a few years ago, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas trying to steal football memorabilia. His face was tarnished forever and people will forever think of him as a criminal. Simpson broke the law, but the Heisman trophy is still his.
If the NCAA and the Heisman committee can punish Bush for such a minor offense during his playing career, other players need to be punished as well. If Reggie Bush was the only player that has received money or trips illegally, then maybe he deserves to be punished. This is not the case.
A former Texas University football player that wishes to remain anonymous spoke about Vince Young saying, “During his time here at Texas, Vince never paid for a meal. Everywhere he went people were buying things for him and picking up tabs. Vince never had to use his own money.”
The NCAA has opened up ‘Pandora’s Box’ of punishments and sanctions; the standard has been set. If Reggie Bush and USC have to suffer the consequences of one players actions five years ago, then the NCAA must investigate every school in the country looking for the same infractions. They’ve set the standard, and they owe it to USC to investigate everyone.
-Jeff Hansen
Leave your comments and tell me what you think should happen to Reggie Bush and other playes that have been involved in scandals!
However, after an NCAA investigation, it was ruled that Bush was ineligible to play. The investigation found that he had wrongfully accepted money, gifts and cars while he was still a student athlete at USC, thus making him ineligible to play college football in 2005. After the news of this scandal broke, almost immediately USC was punished by the NCAA; putting recruiting sanctions on the school, making them ineligible to play in post season play for 2 years, and forfeiting their wins from the 2005 season. Seems like a pretty steep punishment eh?
This last week, it was reported that the Heisman Trust Committee would strip Bush of his 2005 Heisman trophy, shortly after the Heisman Committee denied the report saying they were still unsure of the disciplinary action that would be taken. Seemingly tired and annoyed with the whole situation, Bush ended the speculation and forfeited his Heisman trophy on his own accord, the first time in Heisman history that the award has been returned.
This opens up a very interesting discussion, why is this scandal so wrong that both a school and a player should be so strictly punished 5 years later? Reggie Bush may have accepted money and gifts, but his play as a player was arguably one of the best ever. There were no human growth drugs or steroids that were taken into his body and he didn’t throw the BCS National Championship game against Texas because of gambling and yet he was punished far worse than other players in other sports.
Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettite were all found guilty of using steroids during their baseball careers. Major League Baseball can maybe keep those players out of the Hall of Fame at the end of their fantastic careers, but the Yankees World Series Titles still stand. If Reggie Bush and USC should be punished so many years later, why aren’t the Yankees being punished for letting cheaters play the game?
OJ Simpson, a former Heisman trophy winner in his own right, went through a grueling murder trial in 1994. While he was acquitted of the charges in court, a jury at the civil suit filed by the victim’s family unanimously found Simpson guilty. Just a few years ago, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas trying to steal football memorabilia. His face was tarnished forever and people will forever think of him as a criminal. Simpson broke the law, but the Heisman trophy is still his.
If the NCAA and the Heisman committee can punish Bush for such a minor offense during his playing career, other players need to be punished as well. If Reggie Bush was the only player that has received money or trips illegally, then maybe he deserves to be punished. This is not the case.
A former Texas University football player that wishes to remain anonymous spoke about Vince Young saying, “During his time here at Texas, Vince never paid for a meal. Everywhere he went people were buying things for him and picking up tabs. Vince never had to use his own money.”
The NCAA has opened up ‘Pandora’s Box’ of punishments and sanctions; the standard has been set. If Reggie Bush and USC have to suffer the consequences of one players actions five years ago, then the NCAA must investigate every school in the country looking for the same infractions. They’ve set the standard, and they owe it to USC to investigate everyone.
-Jeff Hansen
Leave your comments and tell me what you think should happen to Reggie Bush and other playes that have been involved in scandals!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
LeBron: Savior or Killer?
Many of us remember the day in 2003 that LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft. At the young age of 18, James was set to revolutionalize the league Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era. He was the next Michael Jordan, set to with an unprecedented amount of MVP awards and NBA championships. LeBron James WAS the NBA.
But now it's 2010 and the Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer the team that King James plays for. He has moved to South Beach, where he has teamed up with 'super friends' Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. They've become arguably the best team in the NBA and without a doubt have received more hype and expectations than any other team in the history of the NBA. The effect that the decision LeBron James made to move to Miami had instant impact; retired NBA players, like Penny Hardaway, said that they would be willing to come out of retirement for a shot to play with the Heat in Miami. But that is not the only impact that the Lebron James move has made around the league.
LeBron was set to be the NBA's Savior, but now it seems as if he is becoming more of a killer of the NBA than anything else, and possibly not to any fault of his own. I'm a supporter of his choice to move to Miami, he did what is best for him and his family and ultimately gave him the best chance to win his first NBA Championship. But the events that followed his decision to go, lead me to wonder if he is regretting the decision to leave.
Shortly after Lebron moved to Miami, Chris Paul decided to become a little more vocal with his displeasure in New Orleans. He demanded for a trade, but not just a trade to any team, he demanded that he be traded to a contender, with the New York Knicks at the top of his list. While he was demanding this trade, Amare'e Staudamire was recruiting Paul to join him in New York. (Keep in mind, Paul is still under contract through the end of this year.) Paul feels that he has no chance to win in New Orleans, and wants to make his own 'Big 3' similar to that of James.
Paul wasn't the only player that was unhappy with his current situation. Carmelo Anthony expressed his unhappiness, when he refused to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. Yes players choose to move on all the time, but Anthony was anticipated to resign, until LeBron moved. Shortly after the contract extension talks fell through, Anthony requested a trade to go to a top contender; the Knicks or the Bulls. Both of those suitors would welcome Anthony with open arms as that would give them their own "Big 3".
The Lakers and the Celtics, already have a very similar situation, where they have 3 perrenial All-Stars on their roster that play day in and day out.
Is this the new face of NBA basketball? It seems as if it is impossible for anyone not located in Los Angeles or Miami to walk away with the Title of NBA Champs this year. Lebron James' decision to unite with All-Stars Bosh and Wade had changed the entire face of the NBA, but is it really for the better?
Many would argue that LeBron isn't a Savior at all, that he had made the NBA a laughing stock, where players under contract demand trades, where selfishness trumps any team loyalty; where the love of a title is more important than playing for your hometown crowd. The small market team has virtually been destroyed. There is virtually no chance for a small team without a their own version of the Big 3 to win a championship and many fans agree. Many fans don't want to watch the NBA anymore, saying that becauase their team can't win, it's not worth it.
LeBron James did the move that was best for him, but I don't think he had any idea of the rippling effect his decision would play on the rest of league. King James was once labeled as the Savior of the NBA, but is changing, or possibly even killing, the face of the NBA.
-Jeff Hansen
Just reminding everyone, post your comments, give me some feedback about your opinion of LeBron James!
But now it's 2010 and the Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer the team that King James plays for. He has moved to South Beach, where he has teamed up with 'super friends' Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. They've become arguably the best team in the NBA and without a doubt have received more hype and expectations than any other team in the history of the NBA. The effect that the decision LeBron James made to move to Miami had instant impact; retired NBA players, like Penny Hardaway, said that they would be willing to come out of retirement for a shot to play with the Heat in Miami. But that is not the only impact that the Lebron James move has made around the league.
LeBron was set to be the NBA's Savior, but now it seems as if he is becoming more of a killer of the NBA than anything else, and possibly not to any fault of his own. I'm a supporter of his choice to move to Miami, he did what is best for him and his family and ultimately gave him the best chance to win his first NBA Championship. But the events that followed his decision to go, lead me to wonder if he is regretting the decision to leave.
Shortly after Lebron moved to Miami, Chris Paul decided to become a little more vocal with his displeasure in New Orleans. He demanded for a trade, but not just a trade to any team, he demanded that he be traded to a contender, with the New York Knicks at the top of his list. While he was demanding this trade, Amare'e Staudamire was recruiting Paul to join him in New York. (Keep in mind, Paul is still under contract through the end of this year.) Paul feels that he has no chance to win in New Orleans, and wants to make his own 'Big 3' similar to that of James.
Paul wasn't the only player that was unhappy with his current situation. Carmelo Anthony expressed his unhappiness, when he refused to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. Yes players choose to move on all the time, but Anthony was anticipated to resign, until LeBron moved. Shortly after the contract extension talks fell through, Anthony requested a trade to go to a top contender; the Knicks or the Bulls. Both of those suitors would welcome Anthony with open arms as that would give them their own "Big 3".
The Lakers and the Celtics, already have a very similar situation, where they have 3 perrenial All-Stars on their roster that play day in and day out.
Is this the new face of NBA basketball? It seems as if it is impossible for anyone not located in Los Angeles or Miami to walk away with the Title of NBA Champs this year. Lebron James' decision to unite with All-Stars Bosh and Wade had changed the entire face of the NBA, but is it really for the better?
Many would argue that LeBron isn't a Savior at all, that he had made the NBA a laughing stock, where players under contract demand trades, where selfishness trumps any team loyalty; where the love of a title is more important than playing for your hometown crowd. The small market team has virtually been destroyed. There is virtually no chance for a small team without a their own version of the Big 3 to win a championship and many fans agree. Many fans don't want to watch the NBA anymore, saying that becauase their team can't win, it's not worth it.
LeBron James did the move that was best for him, but I don't think he had any idea of the rippling effect his decision would play on the rest of league. King James was once labeled as the Savior of the NBA, but is changing, or possibly even killing, the face of the NBA.
-Jeff Hansen
Just reminding everyone, post your comments, give me some feedback about your opinion of LeBron James!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BCS: How much longer?
Imagine for a second the movie Rudy, if Rudy never got to see a down on the football field. Or try to picture The Natural, but Robert Redford doesn't ever get the chance to use his lightnight struck bat because he didn't come from the right part of the country. We as Americans have a soft spot in our hearts for the feel-good story. We love the underdog; Rudy and Rocky are household names. But arguably America's favorite sport, has taken Rudy off the field, and told Rocky he was too small and never let him fight. The BCS has killed the underdog in college football.
Until now.
For the first time in BCS history, a preseason poll has a non-AQ (non automatic qualifier) ranked in the top 10 of rankings. And not only does Boise State sit as the highest ranked non-AQ ever, but TCU is nipping at their heels just a few spots behind them. Finally, there is a realistic shot for "Smalls" to come in a make something happen. Finally, the BCS will be busted this year.
The question that is looming over all of college football is whether or not an undefeated Boise State or TCU deserves a shot at the national championship. My question is, what more do they have to do to prove that they are worthy of that game? Let's take a look at history a little bit, since the 2006 season, Boise State has simply gone 50-4, including 2 BCS bowl victories and 7-2 against teams ranked in the top 25. Many will argue that last stat is the reason that the Broncos shouldn't be allowed a shot at the coveted National Championship. This notion is ridiculous. Boise, to no fault of their own, is forced to play lowly teams like Idaho, Utah State, and San Jose State every year; there is nothing they can do about that. Never have they lost a game to those teams, year in and year out, they go out and pummel those school, proving that they are in a different league than the rest of those teams. Find in that argument the reason that this team doesn't deserve a shot at the title?
"An undefeated Boise State team is not as worthy as an Alabama team or an Ohio State team with one loss," Lee Corso said while he was ranting and pounding his fists on the desk, "Good teams deserve that game, not Boise State"
What did Boise State do just two weeks later? Travelled 2419 miles across the country and beat Virginia Tech, a team many are picking to win the ACC. What more does Boise State have to do to prove that they deserve more hype than they get?
Minutes later, Lee Corso tried to claim that people are giving too much hype to Boise State over one game against Oklahoma and a "lucky victory". Well Coach Corso, the luck has run out. A team can't get lucky time after time after time, eventually this has to be recognized as talent.
Last year, two non-AQ schools, Boise State and TCU, ran the table and were selected to make it to a BCS game. What did the BCS do? It paired those teams together, putting two non-AQ teams against each other in one of the few cases that two at-large bids played each other in a BCS game. Boise State beat Oklahoma, Utah beat Pitt, and then Utah beat Alabama; to prevent another testimony of the talent and skill level of these mid-major schools, the BCS paired these two teams together. The explanation: Fear. Traditional, old time analysts, old time coaches and those on the East Coast, are afraid to admit that the days of power house schools dominating the college football scene are over. They are afraid to schedule Boise State in the National Championship because they are good enough to win.
This is year is the year. The BCS is going to be busted forever. It is my hope that Boise State and TCU both go undefeated again this year, and bust this BCS garbage once and for all.
-Jeff Hansen
Where this is my first article or post, let me explain what the purpose of this blog is. As an aspiring sports journalist, I hope to get my name out and let people see my writing. Reader feedback is key in my reaching of my goal of becoming a sports writer. Please, comment on this article, let me know if you think Boise deserves a shot or not. Also, if you enjoyed reading this and would like to read more, let me know, tell your friends and family about this blog. Thanks!
Until now.
For the first time in BCS history, a preseason poll has a non-AQ (non automatic qualifier) ranked in the top 10 of rankings. And not only does Boise State sit as the highest ranked non-AQ ever, but TCU is nipping at their heels just a few spots behind them. Finally, there is a realistic shot for "Smalls" to come in a make something happen. Finally, the BCS will be busted this year.
The question that is looming over all of college football is whether or not an undefeated Boise State or TCU deserves a shot at the national championship. My question is, what more do they have to do to prove that they are worthy of that game? Let's take a look at history a little bit, since the 2006 season, Boise State has simply gone 50-4, including 2 BCS bowl victories and 7-2 against teams ranked in the top 25. Many will argue that last stat is the reason that the Broncos shouldn't be allowed a shot at the coveted National Championship. This notion is ridiculous. Boise, to no fault of their own, is forced to play lowly teams like Idaho, Utah State, and San Jose State every year; there is nothing they can do about that. Never have they lost a game to those teams, year in and year out, they go out and pummel those school, proving that they are in a different league than the rest of those teams. Find in that argument the reason that this team doesn't deserve a shot at the title?
"An undefeated Boise State team is not as worthy as an Alabama team or an Ohio State team with one loss," Lee Corso said while he was ranting and pounding his fists on the desk, "Good teams deserve that game, not Boise State"
What did Boise State do just two weeks later? Travelled 2419 miles across the country and beat Virginia Tech, a team many are picking to win the ACC. What more does Boise State have to do to prove that they deserve more hype than they get?
Minutes later, Lee Corso tried to claim that people are giving too much hype to Boise State over one game against Oklahoma and a "lucky victory". Well Coach Corso, the luck has run out. A team can't get lucky time after time after time, eventually this has to be recognized as talent.
Last year, two non-AQ schools, Boise State and TCU, ran the table and were selected to make it to a BCS game. What did the BCS do? It paired those teams together, putting two non-AQ teams against each other in one of the few cases that two at-large bids played each other in a BCS game. Boise State beat Oklahoma, Utah beat Pitt, and then Utah beat Alabama; to prevent another testimony of the talent and skill level of these mid-major schools, the BCS paired these two teams together. The explanation: Fear. Traditional, old time analysts, old time coaches and those on the East Coast, are afraid to admit that the days of power house schools dominating the college football scene are over. They are afraid to schedule Boise State in the National Championship because they are good enough to win.
This is year is the year. The BCS is going to be busted forever. It is my hope that Boise State and TCU both go undefeated again this year, and bust this BCS garbage once and for all.
-Jeff Hansen
Where this is my first article or post, let me explain what the purpose of this blog is. As an aspiring sports journalist, I hope to get my name out and let people see my writing. Reader feedback is key in my reaching of my goal of becoming a sports writer. Please, comment on this article, let me know if you think Boise deserves a shot or not. Also, if you enjoyed reading this and would like to read more, let me know, tell your friends and family about this blog. Thanks!
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