2011 College Football Preview: Part 6 - SEC

The best conference in the land... as much as I hate to say it...

STANDINGS

West

• Alabama (12-1) - The Tide are loaded... again... I'll lead with the major question... how can I pick a team to go 12-1 with a new QB?... well, I trust Alabama... that's basically what it comes down to... AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims are still battling for the job, but whoever wins it doesn't need to be spectacular... hand it off to Trent Richardson and throw to 2 vet receivers in Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks... and then rely on the best defense in the land... Dont'a Hightower and CJ Mosley may be the 2 best LBs in the country, and they play alongside each other, and Mark Barron is an All-American at safety as well... scary talent, and the best coach in the country IMO...
  
• LSU (10-2) - Blessing in disguise? Yes, that's what I'd call the Jordan Jefferson suspension... I would never wish that kind of thing on anyone but FOOTBALL-wise, I think it could be good for LSU... never a fan of Jefferson and Lee (or Mettenberger) may be better at stretching the field for them... I think the bigger loss, at least early, on offense is Russell Shepard, the elite talent on the edge... Morris Claiborne anchors a big-time defense that is replacing some big-time guys, but as always, the depth remains in Baton Rouge... I don't trust Les Miles at all, but it's still a talented, talented team...
• Arkansas (9-3) - Tyler Wilson sure is getting a lot of buzz, isn't he?!... the new Hogs QB played one huge quarter against Auburn and has been anointed as the 2nd coming... he is talented though... the loss of Knile Davis for the year is a big blow, and even though they have a stable behind him, none are elite in the way that Davis has shown to be... they'll score points, but the questions are on defense... probably the best offense in the conference, but not quite the SEC-champ level on defense..
• Mississippi State (8-4) - I can still hear cowbells from the Gator Bowl... I don't want to talk about it... Chris Relf is a beast at QB (watch the Gator Bowl tape, again) and the offense is pretty good... they'll rely on a stout run defense and the fact that most of the SEC isn't throwing the rock with particular effectiveness...
• Auburn (6-6) - They lose... every... thing... on offense, the obvious loss of the Heisman winner hurts, but that tough, veteran offensive line was jettisoned as well, and they'll be breaking in Barrett Trotter (I think) or Clint Moseley behind a young line... I do like Mike Dyer a lot at RB, and he'll have the workload unlike last year... on defense? They weren't great last year anyway, but with the loss of Nick Fairley AND most of the secondary, it could be a long year... the schedule makes them look worse than they probably are, but I could legitimately seeing them missing a bowl...
• Ole Miss (5-7) - The Jeremiah Masoli experiment didn't go so well.. there are QB questions for sure, but Brandon Bolden is a nice RB, and they sport a massive and talented O-Line that should help things on offense... the defense isn't brutal, but there aren't any elite playmakers to speak of...

East

1. Florida (10-3) - I feel like no one is talking about Florida.... I whole-heartedly trust Charlie Weis as an offensive coordinator, and John Brantley has all kinds of talent (there is a reason he was hyped big-time)... I don't expect the offense to be dominant, but he'll scheme around Brantley's strengths (a la Brady Quinn) and they'll be dramatic improvement from the jump... they still have all kinds of speed and talent on defense led by Ronald Powell, and I expect a repeat of the top-15 unit nationally from 2010...
   
2. South Carolina (9-3) - Best wide receiver in the conference (and maybe the country) in Alshon Jeffery... kid is a complete beast... and speaking of beasts? How about Marcus Lattimore who may be an all-American as well... oh, and then there's Stephen Garcia... but before you laugh, how many QB's would you take before him in the SEC? One? maybe two?... he's an experienced guy who's gotten better and if you disregard the off-field, you'd feel pretty good... the defense has big-time talent in the front 4 including super-recruit Jadeveon Clowney, but the back-end has some questions...
3. Georgia (9-3) - Tiebreaker? I think they lose in Columbia... Aaron Murray is everyone's 1st-team All-SEC QB and with good reason... kid is a stud... but there are huge questions elsewhere on offense at RB (where they'll rely on a freshman) and WR with the loss of Green and Durham... the defense should be markedly improved in the 2nd year of the 3-4 and there's big-time talent over there... Keep an eye on TE Orson Charles... may be the most talented TE in the country...
4. Tennessee (7-5) - I think the Vols are on the upswing... but they aren't quite there yet... Tyler Bray was impressive down the stretch last year, and RB Tauren Poole is a player... I think they'll score points, but the defense still has some questions after morphing out of the old Monte Kiffin Tampa-2 a year ago...
5. Kentucky (5-7) - Losing Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke really, really hurts their explosiveness... but returning all 5 O-line starters helps, and they won't be a trainwreck defensively after returning 9 starters, but 9 starters from a mediocre unit doesn't inspire...
   
6. Vanderbilt (3-9) - New coaching staff... new system... lack of talent... could be a long year in Nashville...
   

AWARDS

• Offensive POY - Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
• Defensive POY - Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama
• Coach of the Year - Will Muschamp, Florida

CHAMPS

• Alabama over Florida... to the National title game they go...

Enjoy... and stay tuned for Part 7 with national awards/bowls and a look at Notre Dame...

2011 College Football Preview: Part 5 - Big 10

Greetings all... my favorite conference arrives with Part 5....

STANDINGS

Leaders

1. Wisconsin (11-2) - Russell Wilson lands in Madison and he'll be under center for the Badgers... but don't worry, this is a running team... they bring back 2 of the 3-headed RB monster from last year, and they'll pound it behind that always-potent O-Line... they lost their biggest playmaker on D in JJ Watt, but this will be a potent unit as well
2. Ohio State (9-3) - I think the hate has gone a bit far on Ohio State in some circles... well, I hate them more than anything, but I'm sane enough to know that they're too good to fall TOO far just because Tressel and Pryor are gone... Joe Bauserman will be safe and fine under center, but they'll need some running back help to bridge the gap until Dan Herron returns in Game 6... I think they start 4-0, lose to Mich State (5th game of suspension), Nebraska and Michigan...
   
3. Penn State (7-5) - JoePa is a figurehead... but they still have talent... the offense is the question mark, and while they return both QBs, neither were special in 2010... the big loss is Evan Royster, their do-everything tailback... they return a healthy, experienced D though, and that will help them be competitive...
4. Illinois (7-5) - Dynamic offense has been a theme for the Illini recently, and that'll continue even with the loss of Mikel Leshoure... but the defense has too many holes for them to win many more than 6 or 7...
5. Purdue (6-6) - Robert Marve is their QB... remember him? of Miami fame? well, he tore his ACL last year, but is back and the best option for the Boilers in their long line of pretty good QBs... the offensive line was good a year ago and returns 4 of 5 starters... the issue is on D and covering for the loss of do-everything DE Ryan Kerrigan... he was EVERYWHERE for them last year and masked a lot of sins elsewhere...
6. Indiana (4-8) - Ben Chappell leads a pretty potent offense... but the defense is a disaster... allowing 400+ yards per game last year and I don't see that turning around...

Legends

1. Nebraska (9-4 with a conference title game loss) - I almost put Michigan here... but by default, I'll take the better defense and the coach I trust more... that is Bo Pellini and Nebraska.. Taylor Martinez returns for his sophomore year and he's explosive under center... they lose Roy Helu, but Rex Burkhead is a beast, and if they can keep Martinez healthy, that's a big-time unit... Jared Crick (who is STILL there somehow) leads a nasty defense, and while they lose the prince at CB, they have some depth there...
2. Michigan (9-3) - Forgive the length of this one... Michigan... where do I begin?.... Denard Robinson keys one of the more explosive offenses in the country... the unit remains virtually intact from 2010 (all skill players return) and new OC Al Borges has a long history of productive offense... the key is keeping Robinson upright... probably cutting down on his carries a bit, but still (hopefully) using his effective legs... the running back situation is fluid with some decent guys, and the receiving corps is deep and talented... on the defensive side? That's the issue... Bright spot? All-American Mike Martin leads a core of returning players... the dark spot? This unit was utterly brutal last year... that being said, formers Ravens DC Greg Mattison takes over for the disaster that was Greg Robinson, and the 3-3-5 is no more... also, Troy Woolfolk is healthy at CB, and he'll team with JT Floyd to form a functional cornerback tandem that didn't exist in 2010... Encouraged by what I see from Brady Hoke so far, and I could write 5000 words on Michigan, but no one would read that, so here we are... I have losses against Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan State but if Denard plays 12 games? I don't see anything short of 8 wins...
3. Michigan State (8-4) - I've seen a lot of people very high on Sparty... I don't get it... they have to play on the road at Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Iowa, AND play Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin at home... good luck with that... Kirk Cousins is an above-average QB, and they have a nice stable of backs, but nothing too grandiose... the defense was good last year, but loses its leaders (chiefly Greg Jones), and they had an absolute meltdown against Alabama in the bowl game... it's a nice roster, and probably better than 8-4, but they happen to play the cream of the crop in the conference this year...
4. Iowa (8-4) - Ricky Stanzi is gone!... Pardon me while I rejoice... anyway, I don't think the offense will miss a beat without him, and the O-line is one of the better units in the conference... if they can replace the key parts missing on the D-line, it could be a special unit over there, but I'll say middle of the pack...
5. Northwestern (6-6) - Dan Persa is the key of the season for NW... he's getting underground Heisman buzz (which makes me laugh), but after blowing out his achilles, he needs to be fully healthy or they aren't winning 6 games... the defense was around 100th nationally last year and is pretty devoid of talent...
6. Minnesota (4-8) - 9 sacks... they made 9 sacks last year...

One rant before I get to the awards... the WORST division names in the history of sports... literally anything else would've been better...

• Offensive POY - Denard Robinson, QB Michigan
• Defensive POY - Jared Crick, DT Nebraska
• Coach of the Year - Bret Bielema, Wisconsin

CHAMPS

• Wisconsin over Nebraska...
  

Enjoy!

2011 College Football Preview: Part 4 - Big 12

Greetings all... let's hit the Big 12...

STANDINGS

1. Oklahoma (11-1) - Best talent in the conference by far... Landry Jones is a Heisman candidate and they also bring back Ryan Broyles as one of the elite WRs in the country... They do (finally) lose DeMarco Murray, but with the best defensive talent in the league, they are the slam-dunk choice...
2. Oklahoma State (9-3) - It's all about Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon in Stillwater... Big-time offensive talent but they lose Dana Holgorson as the OC, and the defense is always so-so... they'll score 30 a game and Mike Gundy is a man...
3. Texas (9-3) - Bounceback year for the Horns... the defense was pretty decent a year ago (6th in the country in yards allowed), but the offense was abysmal... one more year for Garrett Gilbert to prove he can play at this level or he'll be losing the job to Case McCoy (yes, Colt's brother)... I think they got a bit unlucky to finish where they did last year, and the talent remains...
4. Missouri (8-4) - Some people have Missou winning 10 games... I don't see it... you don't just plug in a replacement for Blaine Gabbert... and that can't be ignored... Defense is better than you think though...
5. Texas A&M (8-4) - Another hype machine team... top-10 in the country preseason... there is big-time talent... Cyrus Gray is a all-american type RB, and the new 3-4 defense has some talent too... but there's QB questions AND they lose Von Miller from last year...
6. Kansas State (6-6) - Here's where the drop-off starts... they have one-time super-recruit Bryce Brown (of Lane Kiffin fame) to replace Daniel Thomas from last year at RB, and he'll need to carry the load from the jump...
7. Texas Tech (6-6) - it's not Mike Leach, but they still score points... the defense though? Pretty bad...
8. Baylor (5-7) - Robert Griffin is one of the most exciting QBs in the country... that's where the good things end...
9. Iowa State (3-9) - bleh...
10. Kansas (2-10) - hey... I'm giving them 2 wins... that's more than anyone else gives them... it's kind of a disaster in Lawrence....

AWARDS

• Offensive POY - Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State
• Defensive POY - Keenan Robinson, LB Texas
• Coach of the Year - Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

No title game this year (weird, I know), so Oklahoma wins this thing... they'll drop one in conference to either Texas or OSU, but they'll beat FSU, they'll win out and that'll be enough...

Stay tuned...

My Thoughts on Terrelle Pryor to the Raiders...

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Stay tuned for continued football previews very soon...

2011 College Football Preview: Part 3 - ACC

Greetings all... back again with Part 3 on the ACC...

STANDINGS

Coastal

1. Virginia Tech (11-2) - The Hokies schedule is cupcake-ish... they get both Miami and UNC at home AND avoid Florida State until the ACC title game... it's a real possibility they could run the table just because of it... with the loss of Tyrod Taylor on offense, they'll need a throwback VT defensive and special teams effort, and they have the makings of that talent-wise...
   
2. Miami (9-3) - Big time defensive talent leads the way here... but the offense has questions, most notably at QB... they thought they were bringing in Tate Forcier, but there were issues (lots of them) there, and now they're left with a QB battle... but they'll make their bones on D and win some games
   
3. North Carolina (8-4) - What a mess... Butch Davis didn't leave the cupboard bare talent-wise though... Bryn Renner takes over for TJ Yates, and he's a big-time talent, but they'll need to lean on the defense... most have them a little better than this, but I can't do it with all the coaching turnover...
   
4. Georgia Tech (7-5) - They'll run the ball... we know that... but the defense MUST be better for them to even win 7 games while losing Nesbitt and company on offense... Washington is likely to get the nod at QB at the start, and he's at least played before, but Roddy Jones will likely become the star of the offense in 2011...
   
5. Virginia (5-7) - Bleh...
   
6. Duke (4-8) - Double bleh...
   

Atlantic

1. Florida State (11-2) - Best talent in the conference... it all really comes down to how you feel about EJ Manuel.. some places have him as the preseason 1st team ACC QB... some places have him behind 6 conference USA quarterbacks... there's a divide here... I think he'll be solid, and thus, I have them winning 11 games, and losing just once in conference... they have NFL talent on D led by Brandon Jenkins, and an electrifying return game with Greg Reid...
   
2. Clemson (8-4) - Gone is Kyle Parker, so this is a generous projection, but they've just recruited too scarily in recent years for the drop-off to be too great... Andre Ellington is a nice piece at RB...
   
3. Boston College (7-5) - Love Montel Harris at RB... and they always have big bruisers on the O-line, but they'll need better QB play... watch out for NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly as well...
   
4. NC State (5-7) - Bye-bye Russell Wilson... huge loss...
   
5. Maryland (5-7) - Really like Danny O'Brien at QB... not much else
   
6. Wake Forest (3-9) - There was a preseason "top 30 players in the ACC" list that I saw... Wake didn't have a single one... that's a problem
   

AWARDS

• Offensive POY - Montel Harris, RB Boston College
• Defensive POY - Brandon Jenkins, DE FSU
• Coach of the Year - Jimbo Fisher, FSU

CHAMPS

• Florida State over Va Tech for the right to probably get overwhelmed in a BCS bowl...
  

Enjoy...

2011 College Football Preview: Part 2 - Big East

Greetings all... here we go with Part 2, this time covering the meager Big East...

STANDINGS

1. South Florida (9-3) - This is a bit of an upset compared to what I've seen in other places, but I'm taking the Bulls... I really like what I've seen from QB BJ Daniels, and they had a top 20 defense nationally last year of which most of it returns... but the big key? They get West Virginia at home to end the season...
2. West Virginia (9-3) - It's going to be a new look unit in Morgantown... Bill Stewart is gone and Dana Holgorson is in to install a different offense for WVU... Geno Smith is a player at QB but any time you have a system overhaul it takes time, and I can never fully support Jeff Casteel and the 3-3-5 defense after seeing it die a slow death in Ann Arbor...
3. Louisville (7-5) - Charlie Strong has that program rebuilding again, but this time it's on the defensive side... they return a lot of depth and the talent influx in recruiting should help...
4. Cincinnati (7-5) - Best offensive backfield in the conference in Zach Collaros and Isaiah Peed... and that's enough to compete, but it's a woeful defense...
5. Pitt (7-5) - The spread offense comes to Pitt from Tulsa in the form of new HC Todd Graham.. they have a lot of talent, but it's very young... and with the new system too? Year or 2 away...
6. Syracuse (6-6) - Ryan Nassib took over for Greg Paulus and was immediately better... so that's a bright spot... the once proud program had become a laughing stock, but it's getting better...
7. Rutgers (5-7) - The defense should be one of the better units in the league, but the offense is going back to the pro-style sets they used to run and abandoning the spread... and the talent void is there...
8. UConn (4-8) - Smoke and mirrors lately in Storrs.... that ends this year...

AWARDS

• Offensive POY - Isaiah Peed, RB Cincy
• Defensive POY - Bruce Irvin, DE West Virginia
• Coach of the Year - Skip Holtz, South Florida

Basically? A battle to see who can lose a BCS game...

2011 College Football Preview: Part 1 - Pac 12

Greetings all... college football is a different beast than the NFL so we won't go as in-depth as far as team-by-team, but I'll be hitting all 6 power conferences as well as an all-encompassing small conference preview... let's start it off with the newly revamped Pac 12...

STANDINGS

North

1. Oregon (10-2) - The Ducks claim the top spot on the strength of their returning backfield... Darron Thomas and LaMichael James are back to form one of the better QB/RB combos in the country... the team speed is absurd, and that's still the case.... the big question? Replacing 5 starters in the front 7, but I still like them to only drop 1 conference game and take the North going away...
2. Stanford (9-3) - The Andrew Luck roadshow... we all know about how good this guy is and he's back for another crack at it in college... they've lost some significant talent on defense, but with Luck and the power run game, I like them.. They're also set-up with All-conference level guys at each of the 3 levels on defense, and that could be a nice unit...
3. Oregon State (7-5) - Always, always, always underrated... James Rodgers is returning from injury to lead the offense, and they return their QB in Ryan Katz... Mike Riley always has them ready, and when in doubt? I take him over Jeff Tedford... which means...
4. Cal (6-6) - Cal lands here... probably more talented than OSU? Sure... but remember, Cal does this... they lose Kevin Riley at QB and although he was much-maligned, they don't have a proven option behind him... looks like it'll be Zach Maynard.... the running game seems to always work in Berkeley with the likes of Lynch, Arrington, and Best having come through recently, but they lose another 1,000 yard back in Shane Vereen and have to replace him...
5. Washington (5-7) - No Jake Locker... but Sarkisian has recruited pretty well... they won't take too big a step back...
6. Washington State (2-10) - Putrid...

South

1. USC (10-2) - People always forget them because they are banned from postseason... but they still have USC talent... Matt Barkley is the best QB you never hear from (see reason above) and he's got an elite WR in Robert Woods... loaded roster...
2. Arizona State (9-3) - Brock Osweiler takes the helm at QB from Threet (the Michigan transfer had to retire due to health concerns), but Noel Mazzone's offense works... and it'll continue to do so... the issue is always on D for the Sun Devils, but they return the conference freshman of the year on D, and 9 starters... good signs...
3. Utah (7-5) - they get the nod over UCLA because Norm Chow changed sides....
4. UCLA (6-6) - See above...
5. Arizona (6-6) - I'm surprised to list them this low with their "big 3" on offense returning led by Nick Foles... but they lose the entire O-line and the defense was decimated as well...
6. Colorado (4-9) - They've scrapped the Dan Hawkins spread attack... but the personnel won't match in year 1 (trust me, I'm a Michigan fan)... good luck to the Buffs...

AWARDS

• Offensive POY - Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
• Defensive POY - Cliff Harris, CB Oregon
• Coach of the Year - Mike Riley, Oregon State

CHAMPS

• Oregon over Arizona State in the Title Game

Enjoy... and stay tuned for Part 2

Stay Tuned for Previews...

Greetings all... Just wanted to let the constituency know that there WILL be NCAA and NFL previews coming in this space... and PS, 23 days until Michigan Football... I know you're all waiting with anticipation... 8-Part NCAA Preview, 9-Part NFL Preview coming before kick-off... stay tuned

The Heyward Conundrum

Greetings all... I've been quiet too long...

Fire. Fredi. Gonzalez.

That's been a unifying cry among bloggers/experts and educated baseball people who follow the Braves closely in recent days. To begin, I'm against firing anyone during their first season, especially when there's been no off-field transgression, etc. to hang your hat on, so obviously, I'm not in favor of canning Gonzalez, but his managerial behavior certainly leaves a lot to be desired. For instance:

• Scott Proctor is still pitching - Now, I know his presence on the roster isn't necessarily Fredi-focused (paging Frank Wren), but there is NO scenario in which Proctor should be utilized in a high-leverage situation unless there are no other pitchers left available. Done.
  
• His batting lineup prowess - Alex Gonzalez hits in the 2 hole. Alex Gonzalez hits in the 5 hole. Alex Gonzalez hits in in the 6 hole. He lets Jordan Schafer and his plummeting OBA lead-off (thankfully no longer an issue, thanks Frank!).
  
• His bullpen management - Touched upon briefly above with Proctor, but when you have 3 guys in your bullpen in the top 10 in the majors in appearances? That's an issue. Kimbrel, Venters, and EOF have been tremendous this season by any measure, but Fredi has taken the Joe Torre approach to bullpen management (see Proctor, Scott from NYY) in blowing out his good arms in needless situations. For example, Craig Kimbrel shouldn't pitch with a 3-run lead. Ever. And, because Fredi is "old-school", he pitches to the save rule. That's just one example of many.

But, now, to the point of this post (ellipsis-free by the way), and that is the presence of Jose Constanza in the lineup over Jason Heyward. I won't throw a bunch of stats at you today, because, generally, they are underwhelming for readers, but I'll say this. Jason Heyward is much, much better at baseball than Jose Constanza.

• Better defender? Check. (by leaps and bounds)
• More power? Check.
• Better OBA? Check.

I can go on for days here, but Fredi Gonzalez is going to "play the hot hand". Here's an underrated factor in this discussion. The perceived value of Constanza's blazing speed (he does have this, can't be disputed) suggests that he's a good defensive outfielder. That would be disputed by a) watching him play defense, or b) a recent scouting report by a Major league scout that asserts that Constanza is the WORST OUTFIELD DEFENDER HE'D EVER SEEN. Not a misprint, folks. Just because you're fast, doesn't mean you are good at playing outfield defense.

Anyway, the most hilarious move of the season for me was made on Sunday in the midst of the game against the Mets when Fredi Gonzalez double-switched and removed Heyward from the lineup (he was 4 for 4 in reaching base, and had homered in the game) WITH THE LEAD despite being, ya know, Jason Heyward, and left Constanza's butcher glove in the game to play right field.

I've lost the will, Fredi. I won't call for your firing like so many others have and will continue to do. But please, I beg you, please play Jason Heyward over Jose Constanza. Throw me a bone.

The Atlanta Hawks are Sold....

Greetings all... had to get something together about the Hawks' sale...

According to multiple reports, the controlling interests of the Hawks and Philips Arena are being sold by the Atlanta Spirit Group to California businessman Alex Meruelo... first thought I had? California!?!? and then I scrolled down the report and saw "staying in Atlanta"... okay... so what does this mean?

• The Atlanta Spirit Group is out of our lives... ever since they acquired the Hawks/Thrashers/Philips it's been one thing after another with these guys... the split over the Joe Johnson signing... cash flow issues... empty promises... failure to put a competitive hockey product on the ice, etc... so there's that...
• Just because there's a new owner doesn't mean the problems are solved... I'd LOVE to know Mr. Meruelo's net worth... that info isn't available right now, but he needs to be filthy rich... the chief issue with the ASG was lack of funds... they repeatedly pled "broke" in not spending in free agency, etc. and while they did put some money into the Hawks in recent years, they utterly refused to exceed the tax for any reason, and that was an obvious issue with how the roster was constructed (also their fault)...
• The Rick Sund/Larry Drew combo could be in trouble... well... at least Larry Drew could be... the ASG hired Sund and pay him reasonably compared to other NBA GM's... fine... but they also have hamstrung him from the beginning with restraints such as paying the NBA's low in terms of Head coach salary, HIRING the head coach without GM input because he was cheap, and again, refusing to spend excess money...

So there's all of that... I'm terribly excited... but I wanted to put the caveat in play that the issues may not be solved... here's hoping the "new guy" has some serious, serious money...

8/2: Braves Update, NFL Roundup, etc.

Greetings all... as you can tell, I've been absent in this space after spending 9 days in Texas, and being generally busy... my apologies... when I left? We were in the dog days of baseball and no storylines... upon return? Full-on NFL free agency, the MLB trade deadline passing, and stories galore... nice timing...

• The Braves trade for Michael Bourn... I'm aware that this is old news, but I haven't weighed in... I love the move... for all of the Schafer love I've seen, he's a far-below-average hitter, a simply average defensive CF, and should NEVER be a MLB leadoff hitter at this stage... so what does Frank Wren do? He acquires a guy with 40 steals already this year (the Braves team has approximately the same total... yes, the team), who has a career .337 OBP (with .340+ the last 3 years) who is an elite defender in CF... no-brainer... and to do it without dealing any of the "elite" pitching prospects? That's like stealing... bullet dodged by not acquiring Hunter Pence, who, IMO, never made sense in the first place because he doesn't play center... love it... that being said, the Braves now trail the Phils by 7 in the NL East and lead the WC by only 2.5 over Arizona... it's time to win some games... and the regression from Jurrjens that any sane person knew was on the horizon is upon us...
  
• Randy Moss retires... I'll believe this more when he's not on a roster in Week 6... but if Randy really is done, it's been a wild ride... I'll never forget how electrifying he was as a rookie during the Vikings 15-1 season in 1998... and he is the proud owner of the greatest WR season ever in his maiden voyage with the Pats (not a small feat when you consider that the greatest football player ever IMO in Jerry Rice played WR)... but for some reason? I think he plays this year... somewhere...
• The NBA lockout continues... with no end in sight... and you're hearing things like "quiet" and "alarmingly quiet" with regard to the talks on both sides... great work fellas!....
  
• The US men's soccer team has a new coach... Juergen Klinsmann takes over for the much-maligned Bob Bradley... I have no idea strategically because, well, it's soccer... but it seems like this could be an upgrade, yes?...

Quick NFL Round-up...

• While we're here... let's update the Falcons as well... the big splash of free agency was the signing of Ray Edwards... the 26-year-old DE had 8.5 sacks last year and gives them a legit end opposite Abraham while making Biermann a #3 DE which is what he is... that's a nice front 4 with those 2, Babineaux, and Jerry, and the defense will shape up nicely if Brent Grimes is brought back... as far as offense is concerned, 4/5 of the O-Line returns (Harvey Dahl signed elsewhere), and Michael Jenkins was let go... I'm okay with that, but it's kind of funny after he signed that big extension... see ya Mike...
• The Eagles are loaded... you've heard the stories by now, but with Nnamdi signed, and the acquisition of Rodgers-Cromartie to go with Asante Samuel, that literally could be the best trio of CBs in the history of the league... that's insane... anyway, it's still going to come down to Vick's health and performance, but that's an insane roster right now...
• The Jets bring back Holmes and Cromartie, sign Burress, and do generally "Jets" things... speaking of loaded secondaries... the Revis/Cromartie/Wilson trio isn't bad either, but the Burress signing makes me scratch my head a bit... $3 million for a guy who's 34 and hasn't played in 2 years?... Could've signed Moss for less than that...
  

Anyway... we're back in town, and they'll be content in this space again... stay tuned