Down On the Farm: MLB's Future

With the way things are run now in the minors, college, high school, and little league, it seems as if up-and-coming talent is getting better and better.

Unlike the past, young pitchers are now being heavily restricted on their pitch count in every level of play. Little league and high school actually have rules on how many pitches a player can have per day, and per week.

For those who don’t pitch, and put their focus toward hitting, the ways have also changed. Do you think Ralph Kiner had all those contraptions that them kids have these days? NO. They just hit the baseball. These days, there are millions of shindigs you can buy to “improve your game.”

Maybe that is the reason for all the freakin’ prodigy ball players out there. Steroids maybe be the leading reason for stars in the MLB, but you can hardly say it is the reason for the freak players ranging from all levels, little leagues-minor leagues.

Let’s take a look at those “freaks” we have roaming the farm:
*These are players that play in the minors, not MLB rookies (i.e. no David Price)

Tim Beckham, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
Most know him as the No. 1 pick in the 2008 MLB draft, but few actually know his game. He is the part of the reason I think that the Rays will DOMINATE the next 10 years. There are tons of players like this in Tampa’s farm leagues. He is an amazing athlete with A+ speed, excellent defense, and a bat to go along.

Matt Wieters, C, Baltimore Orioles
He is arguably the top player in the minor leagues. He is virtually the complete package. He has Y. Molina defense to go along with McCann offense. He absolutely crushes the ball, and may be one of the best offensive catchers in the game already! Between A and AA ball – mostly AA - last year, he hit .355/27/95. He will likely play MLB ball in ’09, but not until the second half.

Aaron Hicks, CF, Minnesota Twins
He was the Twins’ top pick in this most decent draft, and he deserved it. He was one of the best five-tool players in the draft. He has speed, defense, and a bat. He can make an impact on every single part of the game. In rookie ball, he batted .317 and 12 steals.

Matt LaPorta, OF-1B, Cleveland Indians
Yes, Cleveland does have something to look forward to. Surprising, I know. He is regarded by most as the guy directly behind Wieters on this list, with a similar game. He has fantastic power, which is the bright spot in his overall game. He totaled 22 homers last year in AA.

Gordon Beckham, SS, Chicago White Sox
The other Beckham. He was another stud in the 2008 draft, and yes, it was an extremely good draft. He has some rare power for a great middle-infielder who plays baseball like Physco T plays basketball. He puts 115% of his heart into his game, and wouldn’t even think about giving in. He batted .312 in Class A last season.

Jordan Zimmerman, SP, Washington Nationals
He may be the best starting pitcher the Minors has to offer. He put together an incredible season last year when he gathered 10 wins and only 3 losses, 2.80 ERA, and averaged 9.3 SOs per nine innings. Most of that with the AA Nats’ team.

Colby Rasmus, CF, St. Louis Cardinals
Last year was thought to be his breakthrough year, but when injury struck, he spend all of 2008 in AAA. He is without a doubt the most experienced player on this list, and the only one that spend last year in the AAA. Most of last year’s prospects that hung out in AAA, are on the MLB team this season. But with a deep STL outfield, he has been kinda screwed. He is a five-tooler that will soon destroy the MLB.

Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants
This former Golden Spikes Award winner, is right up there with Wieters and LaPorta if you ask me. He is an athletic catcher with outstanding defense and possesses moderate power and ability to hit for average.

Kyle Blanks, 1B, San Diego Padres

There is only one word to describe. Mammoth. A prototypical firstbaseman, he stands 6’6” and weighs an impressive 280 lbs. He simply bashes the ball. He is the next 40 HR guy to enter the MLB, not a question. In AA last year, he hit .325/20/107 and got on base 42% of the time! Just not fair.


None of these guys will likely see the bigs until the second half of the season. But when they do, they will begin to dominate… and they will continue to dominate. The cool thing about it is, there are players on this list that won’t even see the MLB, but there are also a few players on this list that are future first ballot Hall of Famers!

The End of an Era in Indianapolis

One of, if not the best, quarterback-to-receiver tandems has officially been split up. The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to release receiver Marvin Harrison after he refused to take a pay cut and the team could not keep him around for the price he was asking.

Harrison is the teams all-time leading receiver having accumulated 14, 580 yards and 128 touchdowns over his 13-year career, all with the Colts. You could say that Harrison deserved every cent that he asked for, but you could also argue that he needs to stop being such a greedy brat.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Harrison hold several records including most receptions between a quarterback and receiver and most receiving touchdowns between a quarterback and receiver.

Harrison made eight Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl ring, and his 14,550 yards rank fourth on the NFL's career list. He is No. 5 all-time with 128 TD catches and holds all major single-season and career receiving marks for the Colts.

Over the past two seasons, though, Harrison hasn't been up to his usual standards. Mostly due to age and injury.

He has also had some legal issues. Mainly the shooting he was involved in almost a year ago. It was a simple argument that ended with Harrison chasing the victim out of a Philly bar... shooting him multiple times in the arm and hand. Yeah I know, not a very good shot. For those of you that do not understand the photo, well there's the explanation.

He missed all but five games in 2007 because of injuries, underwent offseason knee surgery and then caught 60 passes in 2008 -- far less than half of his NFL record 143 in 2002.

Recent speculation has Harrison going to the Philadelphia Eagles to team up with Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb. It would certainly prove to be a very interesting duo. Both guys played with each other in Syracuse and put up some serious numbers together. McNabb won the Big East ROY Award with Harrison at his side in 1995.

I know everybody would love to see Harrison reunite with McNabb in Philly... However, no matter where he chooses to go he will forever be known as one of the best receivers in NFL history and lock to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

www.FANdemoniumsports.blogspot.com

Ken Griffey Jr.: Welcome Home!

Ah, yes… A good day just got a little better. 19 minutes ago, I received a text stating, “Ken Griffey Jr. is headed back to Seattle after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Mariners.” Is that awesome or what?

The former soon-to-be homerun king will go back to the city that had him on track to being one of – or THE - best players to ever lace up the cleats. With all this A-Rod, and performance-enhancing drugs in general, talk, you can only imagine what it would have been like to watch Griffey bash #755.

He would have too. With the Mariners, KGJ hit a total of 398 homeruns in 11 years (an avg of 37/year). He is going into his 20th season this year, and – at his SEA pace – he would be at #704. If he played a total of 25 years, which is possible without injury, he would have hit 904 home runs… a number that would likely never be touched. He was on pace to set some staggering career numbers, even other than HRs. In 25 seasons, he would have ended up with .297 average, 904 homers (all-time record), 2620 RBIs (atr), 380 steals, etc, etc, etc. The two most prestigious batting records, and then the crazy base running numbers, would make him the best player to ever play the game. All in good ole’ Seattle.

Junior is going back to the place that made him a household name forever. The city that scored him nine MVP awards (five in a row), nine all-stars, seven-time silver-slugger award winner, and 10 gold gloves. Can you say freak?

While there has always been talk of Griffey going back to Seattle, tonight the rumor goes true. Griffey was being actively courted by the Mariners and the Atlanta Braves, and ultimately decided with the Mariners after agonizing over the decision. Griffey was motivated by sentimental reasons toward Seattle, where he received an emotional hero's welcome when he last played there as a Cincinnati Red in 2007, and towards Atlanta for its proximity to home and the desire to be with his family during the season. While he has a better opportunity to win in the ATL, I wanted nothing more than him to return as a Mariner.


As this whole A-Rod BS continues to roll out, we see a good thing with Seattle & Griffey but there are still some interesting things yet to work their selves out.

Manny Ramirez-
It looks as if he will probably remain with the Dodgers. He is asking for a ridiculous amount of money considering his age, but I feel LA will realize they are nothing without him. Others interested include nobody.

Orlando Hudson-
This guy has clearly gone under the radar. It seems like nobody even realizes that he is a FA. He could be a steal for which ever team accquires him. Hudson will start to get desparate and worried now that Spring Training is nearing and I see him being signed very cheap. Arizona has shown no interest in him, so I see him landing in Kansas City or St. Louis.

Orlando Cabrera-
He may be aging, but I expect a few more good years from him. I would say he is a better pick-up than Hudson, but they are both potential risks. It appears as if the White Sox are no longer in need of him and will let him go. The Oakland A’s have shown some serious interest, along with Florida and Toronto.

Ben Sheets-
When he is healthy, he is one of the best pitchers the game has to offer… but come on, it’s Ben Sheets. He spends more time icing his arm than he does icing MLB ball players. He does have some serious stuff, however, and somebody will gladly take him. He says no way Jose to Milwaukee, and I anticipate him signing with Texas within this coming weekend.



Justin Hulsey
StLDieHard24@gmail.com
FANdemoniumsports.blogspot.com

Two Man Race to the Top

After very impressive performances from Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet, two of the countrys top college basketball players, on Saturday, I began to think about the race for this year's NCAA Player of the Year. At the beginning of the season it looked as though the race for PoY would be between a number of players including Notre Dame's Luke Harangody, North Carolina's Tyler Hanbrough, and Davidson's Stephen Curry.

Curry has put up big offensive numbers, Harnagody has dominated but has not led his team to wins, and Tyler Hanbrough has underchieved just a bit. The way I see it, the race is between two players in Griffin and Thabeet.

Let us look first at Oklahoma's outstanding big man Blake Griffin. He has the size (6' 10", 250 lbs) to bang inside and the athleticism and finesse to take his game to the perimeter. With averages of 22.8 ppg and 14.2 rpg, he knows how to take over a game at any point. Griffin is expected to leave school after this year and enter the NBA Draft where he is sure to be one of the top two players off the board.

Now for Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet who is arguably the country's most dominant inside presence. The 7' 3" Thabeet controls the game on the defensive end more so than the offensive side with his 4.4 blocks per game. He also has averages of 13.5 ppg, and 10.8 rpg which shows that he does have some presence on offense. Having only been playing organized basketball for a few years Thabeet is expected to be one of the top two pick in the draft along with Griffin.

These two players have led their teams to #1 and #2 in the season rankings and I expect for them to be matched up against one another come tournament time in March.

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

http://fandemoniumsports.blogspot.com/

2009 Fantasy Baseball- Breakouts/Sleepers/Busts

The first Spring Training game is exactly 8 days, 15 hours, and 47 minutes from now and the MLB season is going to be here super fast. With all of this steroids (A-Rod) crap that is going on, people are forgetting that there is actually a season to be played. There are fools out there that are saying the MLB is becoming harder and harder to enjoy. I then say… you are being Jewish and the only thing that’s as good as baseball is fantasy baseball. With that, I welcome you to my 2009 Fantasy Baseball don’t/do draft lists.

I will run you through MY sleeper picks, MY busts, as well as MY breakout players. Anybody can take a look at a top-200 list and study what everyone at your draft will know. I feel that the key to dominating your fantasy league is scoring the unknown players that will shine, and avoiding the players that people want but will destroy a team – i.e. BREAKOUTS, BUSTS, and SLEEPERS. Hopefully the guys I play with don’t get a hold of this.


Breakout Players
Players that are underrated and will dominate the 2009 season.

Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
The sky is the limit for this guy, and we may see greatness in ’09 from Kemp. He is approaching the prime of his career and I expect an enormous year. He is 24 years of age, and unless Manny is resigned, he will be the core of the Dodger’s lineup. He now has one full year under his belt, he will soon have one all star year under his belt.
Jay’s Prediction: .295 AVG, 24 HRs, 94 RBIs, 37 SBs

Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
He is coming into his 3rd year of his major league career and is starting to look like another big left-handed first baseman I know. Ever since he starting bashing the ball in the minors, he caught everybody’s eye as a major power threat. He will fulfill his potential this year with the beginning of a fantastic career.
Jay’s Prediction: .310 AVG, 32 HRs, 101 RBIs, 5 SBs

Chris Perez, CP, St. Louis Cardinals
As a Cardinal die hard, I know quite a bit about this guy. I’ve been monitoring him since he started in the Cards’ farm leagues. He shared the closer role last year and proved that he was definitely the closer of the future for STL, and for the MLB. When he is on his best stuff, he looks like Mr. Rivera. Chris has one of the best fastballs in the league – often touching 100 mph -, and pinpoints it. In his 2008 big-league stent, he struck out almost two batters per inning. As a huge St. Louis fan, I am here to tell you that he will dominate as a closer throughout the next several years.
Jay’s Prediction: 3.02 ERA, 2-4 record, 1.25 WHIP, 74 Ks, 36 SVs


Bust players
Players that will not live up to all the hype.

Carlos Delgado, 1B, New York Mets
After a rock solid season last year, this aging first baseman might have seen his last good year. He is getting, umm, very old. At 37, he is considered dirt in the major sports world. He has numerous injuries every single year. My advice to you, do not draft this guy. Take young guns such as Conor Jackson, Joey Votto, etc that will be available at that time in the draft.

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Seattle Mariners
I hate watching the Mariners, I don’t know about you but it is awful. His age is finally getting to him and I think this will be the year it really shows. He had is worst season in 2008 and has been declining since his first couple great years. He has never been a fantasy god; the only great stat is his average. This has also been on a downhill slump.
Jay’s Prediction: .290 AVG, 6 HRs, 38 RBIs, 32 SBs

Bengie Molina, C, San Francisco Giants
Molina #6 of 435, I’m sorry but you did not convince me of anything last year. He was a borderline free agent last year, but this year will be different. He is in a very difficult lineup to hit in, that and his age has me wondering when he will give in. He is a catcher, so the age will hit him sooner than others. I expect him to start out ok, but the second half will be rough.
Jay’s Prediction: .273 AVG, 11 HRs, 75 RBIs, Molina’s do not steal bases.


Sleeper players
Some unknowns who will make a mark on the 2009 season.

Nate Schierholtz, OF, San Francisco Giants
I didn’t even know who this guy was until I did some research yesterday for this post. He is the dude who barreled over the Chinese catcher in the Beijing Olympics. He batter over .300 for the Giants last year in just over 100 Abs. With Molina on the bust-list, do not be surprised if Nate gets more playing time than we all may think.
Jay’s Prediction: .289 AVG, 5 HRs, 51 RBIs, 15 SBs

Nelson Cruz, OF, Texas Rangers
He didn't even sniff the show until finally being called up August 25. He went 3-for-5 with a home run that night and hasn't stopped hitting since. In the 28 games he's played, he has six home runs, 23 RBI, 16 runs, three steals and has hit at a .320 clip. He hadn't hit better than .235 in each of his first two years with the Rangers and Brewers. He now looks to be the starting right fielder for Texas next year and will factor heavily into an absolutely stacked lineup.

Jay's Prediction: .296 AVG, 24 HRs, 83 RBIs, 13 SBs

David Purcey, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
This guys is a strikeout machine (more SOs than innings in his 10 big league starts), and Toronto looks to have some kind of replacement for Burnett. He will be in the starting rotation for Toronto this upcoming season. Most people do not know this guy at all, but he may soon be a household name.
Jay’s Prediction: 9-10 W/L, 4.05 ERA, 168 SO

Justin Hulsey

StLDieHard24@gmail.com

FANdemoniumsports.blogspot.com

Recent Changes

FANDEMONIUM SPORTS

For those of you that visit the site often, you have noticed a change in the format and the name of the blog.

I felt the the former name - The Jay Stick - needed to be changed to something that sounded a little more sports-like. After about a month of brainstorming ideas and new names for the site, I came up with what we have now.. FANdemonium Sports - for the fans, by the fans.

As I am sure you already know, the word "fandemonium" came from the word pandemonium which is often used in the sports world; meaning chaos, havoc, hell, wild uproar, medlam. The word originated in the book Paradise Lost; it was known as the capitol of hell. I changed it to FANdemonium, and it only makes sense. As the title indicates, the articles are for the FANS, and by the FANS.

You may have realized this already, but the old URL and link no longer works. It used to be www.thejaystick.blogspot.com, but with the new change, it was converted to www.fandemoniumsports.blogspot.com. Sure, it's longer to type and harder to remember but go ahead and click on that little star and add it to your favorites.

As well as the new name, the format has also changed. After some thinking and toying with the options you get with a blogger.com blog, I kinda figured out a loophole to make separate pages with your blog to give it a more actual site-like look to it.

If you look toward the right panel on the main page, at the top, you will see text reading "It's FANdemonium, baby!" This was actually taken from Dick Vitale when he yells, "It's pandemonium, baby!" Under that title, you will see five links; HOME, About FS, Advertising, Writers, and Contact. Clicking on those links will take you to exactly what they say they'll take you to. It helps clean up the main page and organizes everything much better.. as well as making the site look more professional.


Other than that, there has not been a whole lot else going on. We will continue to give you at least 2-3 articles per week as long as I'm running things. So snoop around, check out the changes, and come on guys, comment on those articles. It's sooooo easy. I want to hear your thoughts on everything.

If there is any other changes, you can bet I will let you know so stay tuned!



Justin Hulsey
StLDieHard24@gmail.com
www.fandemoniumsports.blogspot.com

NFL Free Agent Market

Now that the Super Bowl is over and the Pro Bowl has been played, it is time to start the NFL off-season. On Feb. 27, players will be able to declare free agency and every team in the league is looking to improve no matter if you are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboys. Here is my list of the top players who will be available free agents in a few short weeks.

1. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers
Peppers has stated on more than one occasion that he wants out of Carolina. He has a wide range of skills that allow him to be an end in a 4-3 scheme or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Peppers is strongest in pass-rush situations but he is no slouch against stopping the run and even dropping back into pass coverage every now and again. Do not be surprised to see Peppers sign with a team such as the Denver Broncos who are looking for a pass rusher or the Seattle Seahawks who could use him opposite Patrick Kerney.

2. Terrell Suggs, OLB/DE, Baltimore Ravens
There is not enough money to go around in Baltimore. Several players on the dominant Raven's defense will be free agents this off-season and without each players taking a pay cut, not everyone will be able to stay. Suggs has talked about keeping the defense together but there is no realistic way to make that happen. He is the best of the group and one of the youngest so I expect Baltimore to make him their top priority to sign him to a long-term deal.

3. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans
Haynesworth is one of the few defensive tackles who can dominate a game. He can excel in a three- or four-man front, and he has the quickness and athleticism to attack from the edge off stunts and twists. The only reason Haynesworth is third on this list and not first his because of his tendecy to have the injury bug bite him at least once every season. Some say that this season is a fluke due to several subpar seasons, but look for him to have similar seasons with whatever team he lands on.

4. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders
Considered the NFL's best cover corner, Asomugha's remarkable speed, quickness, and ball skills. He is so highly regarded around the league that offensive coordinaters often avoid his side of the field. The guy is a game-changer from so many perspectives. Many teams in the NFL are looking for a shutdown corner to turn their defense into a consistent contender including the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints.

5. Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants
Jacobs is the key to making the offense work in New York and they know that. With Derrick Ward also on the market, look for the Giants to focus on resigning Jacobs to a long-term deal. With the future for Plaxico Burress in question in New York, the Giants must sign Jacobs and make sure their key offensive weapon stays with them. However, the Giants have two solid running backs that take the back seat to Jacobs. I wouldn't be surprised if they went with the cheaper guy in Ward or Bradshaw.

6. Jordan Gross, T, Carolina Panthers
Though he sufered through injury and a bit of inconsistency this season, Gross is quick, agile and can play anywhere on the line. He has a mean streak so I could see him fitting in with a team such as the Steelers who need a major upgrade on the offensive line in order to protect their franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Houshmandzadeh is by far the best wide receiver on the free agent market. He is rumored to be a target for every team from Seattle to Jacksonville. I would not be surprised if he returned to the Bengals since a healthy Carson Palmer will be back under center next season. If he bolts, it will be for warmer weather in either Miami or Jacksonville.

8. Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
There have been rumors of Lewis landing with the Cowboys or Jets and those are both possiblities. As I stated earlier, the Ravens do not have enough money around and Lewis does not want to take a pay cut to stay with the team. Look for him to be somewhere else next season playing behind a big defensive line that can protect him and allow him to pursue the ball.

9. Karlos Dansby, OLB, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby has already had the franchise tag placed on him once by Arizona and he was the most productive part of the defense in 2008. He has spoke about returning to the Cardinals but I would not be surprised if the right amount of money lured him away from the desert. Miami's Bill Parcells is a fan, and former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the new head coach in Kansas City, is a fan as well.

10. Chris Simms, QB, Tennessee Titans
He is a tough quarterback with smarts and experience as a starter. Simms is able to fit into any system and be a solid starter or a quality backup. With Kansas City and Detroit both looking for a quarterback, Simms could be a top target. He may not have the appeal of other QBs out there, but I assure you, Simms knows what he is doing. I believe he is extremely underrated but will land a starting spot soon.

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

http://www.thejaystick.blogspot.com/

National Signing Day Recap

February 4 is just another day of the year for most folks but among high schools and colleges around the nation it is considered a national holiday. Feb. 4 is National Signing Day, a day where top high school football players hold press conferences in order to announce where they will be playing their football next season. In years past there have been many surprises and 2009 was no different.

Let us review the top 12 players and where you will be able to watch them display their talents in the upcoming seasons.

#1. Quarterback Matt Barkley, USC
The Trojans once again land the top recruit and continue their tradition of promising young talent at the quarterback position. Barkley had great size (6' 3", 222 lbs) and accuracy. His strengths are in his polished mechanics and footwork, also his ability to read and pick apart opposing defenses.

#2. Outside Linebacker Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
Te'o shocked scouts and colleges alike with his decision to attend school in South Bend. Most experts believed he would choose either USC or UCLA, but Te'o wanted to play for coach Charlie Weis. He is a great pass rusher who plalys sideline to sideline and never gives up on a play.

#3. Athlete Russell Shepard, LSU
Les Miles stole away another top recruit from his SEC foes. Shepard was looking at Florida but chose to stay close to home and become a Bayou Bengal. He lined up at quarterback in high school but most college scouts believe him to be more in the mold of a running back because of his great speed and quickness.

#4. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
Kirkpatrick has no noticeable flaws in his game and has tremendous coverage skills. With his height (6' 2") he is taller than most plalyers who play at his position. His talent in zone and man coverage are sure to keep Aabama atop the rankings for the next few years.

#5. Defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel, Florida State
A little small for a lineman (6', 267 lbs), McDaniel is quick, smart, and very productive. He is a solid prospect at the defensive tackle position but also has the ability of play guard on the offensive line. He may become one the rare two-way players in college football and become an even better athlete in the process.

#6. Running back Trent Richardson, Alabama
Richardson chose the Crimson Tide over Florida and LSU simply because of his playing style and ability. He has the power to run between the tackles and also possesses the speed to outrun defenders. With his compact frame and downhill running style, Richardson will be a high carry back who wears down defenses game in and game out.

#7. Safety Craig Loston, LSU
The SEC got the cream of the crop in recruiting classes and will continue to be the best football conference in America. Loston chose to go play for an LSU defense on the rise over Alabama and Texas A&M. He shows his versatility with his ability to play safety, wide receiver, and be a return specialist.

#8. Bryce Brown, Miami (FL)
Brown's ability to hit the hole with power and vision make him a promising young player. The Hurricanes needed an every down type of player in the backfield and found what they were looking for here. His thick frame and workhorse mentality ensure that Brown will contribute immediately in Miami.

#9. Outside Linebacker Jelani Jenkins, Florida
The main focus for Urban Meyer and his Gators this offseason was to build a defense that mirrors their fast paced, high-scoring offense. Jenkins is a bit small for linebacker ( 210 lbs) but he has the speed and play making ability to contribute right away for the defending National Champions.

#10. Wide receiver Rueben Randle, LSU
Randle's height (6' 3") make him and immediate impact receiver even if it is just in the redzone. The offense in Baton Rouge runs on speed and quickness and they receive both abilitys in this one players. Look for Randle to have the type of immediate impact that Georgia wide receiver A. J. Green had last season in the SEC.

#11. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert, Texas
The Longhorns may have found a predecessor to senior quarterback Colt McCoy by signing Gilbert. His strong arm and pocker pressence show that he has all the tools to be a college quarterback in the always challenging Big 12. Along with his ability to throw the deep ball, Gilbert's speed and scrambling ability must be respected by opposing defenses.

#12. Offensive tackle D. J. Fluker, Alabama
Fluker is the top prospect at tackle but plays on the defensive side of the ball as well. He is a mammoth of a man ( 6' 7", 325 lbs) who has better athleticism than you would think at first glance. With as great an upside and Fluker possesses, look for him to dominating the line for years to come for Nick Saban and crew.

Here is the list of the top five recruiting rankings by team:

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Texas
4. USC
5. Florida

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

www.thejaystick.blogspot.com General Sports Writer

It Just Doesn't Make Sense

Some things in life I just do not understand. Certain things that people do and say just do not make sense to me. Whether it is ignorance, arrogance, or (to sum it all up) stupidity, some things just piss me off. Apparently more than other people, because I haven’t heard too much fuss from what went on yesterday in the world of College Hoops.

There were two very physical plays in yesterday’s games that kind of stirred some things up. They were both a little different however. One was, in my mind, clean and I had no problem with the play. The other was bush league for, believe it or not, the team that RECEIVED the hit.

In the Michigan-Purdue game yesterday, with about 18:30 left in the second half, Manny Harris caught a pass around the left wing position. Like every single player is taught as a kid, Harris faced, he saw that the defender was in his face, and he carved out some room the way he was taught. He elbowed Chris Kramer in the face while doing so, leaving a pool of blood standing on the court.

There are tons of people complaining about the play. Most of them are Purdue fans, and most of them have never played basketball before. I’m not sure if people realize this, but that is what you are taught to do! I have played competitive basketball since 3rd grade, and Harris did exactly what he was supposed to do. You would not understand unless you have been in the situation, but he did what he needed to do. When you catch that ball, face the basket, and then feel the defender right up in your crotch... there is only one way to get the guy off.

Not only did Harris wrongly get ejected from the game, he actually got suspended for something that coaches have always told him to do. The NCAA rule contradicts everything that anyone has ever been taught to do in a situation like that. You are told to make room by swinging your elbows, and if someone gets hit then bummer.

I am reading things all over the web and I am apparently against what other people are thinking and I just cannot make sense of it. Everyone is using the term flagrant foul. I am going to use the term that I think is fit for the entire mess. That term rhymes with pull ship. It just doesn’t make sense.

I witnessed the other situation unfold, and there was much more retaliation by coaches, refs, and fans who actually threw all trash in sight onto the floor. It was a close game between North Carolina and NC State for the majority of the game, but as the clock winded down, the Tar Heels got the margin up to a comfortable 17 points. With six seconds left in the game, a NC State player brought the ball across half court. Not only was North Carolina going for the steal, they got the steal and proceeded to attempt a buzzer-beater alley-oop. A play that showed the true immaturity of the team.


The rivalry game ended in heated fashion when N.C. State's Ben McCauley (the only Wolfpack player near the play) rightfully delivered a HARD foul to North Carolina reserve Michael Copeland on the attempt with time expiring. Copeland then jumped to his feet like a little kid and ran after McCauley, forcing the officials to immediately step in to prevent pandemonium.

What I want to know is why on earth was North Carolina going for a buzzer-beater alley-oop??? Besides a possible two points, there is one thing that can come out of that. Trouble. Sorry for the comparison, UNC, but that is something I would associate Duke of doing! I play basketball on my high school team and I have NEVER seen any try for any kind of points in a situation like that in my eight years of playing. Aren’t you supposed to act more adult-like when you get older? It is pretty sad that kids 8-18 are acting more mature than you 19-23 year olds. You were winning by 18 points… anything that will come out of that play is bad. I tip my hat to the ref that came in like flippin’ Joe Frazier; stopping mad man Copeland from turning things into chaos. UNC, and especially Mike Copeland, needs to grow up.

PS, Michael: You are a Tar Heel reserve player. You were only in there because your team was up by nearly 20 points. If you are going to go out there, make a fool of yourself, and get your ass kicked… you should probably be playing at least five minutes/game. You play two minutes per, and haven’t played in 15 of the 21 games. Heck, when I Google your name, the whole first page is about some artist and a high school OLB out of Georgia. You’re a nobody, dude.

Mr. Roy Williams, sir, you are one of the more respected men in America, and I am sure you are on my side… But you need to get your ducks in a row. There are a few punks on your team that don’t deserve to be on one of the most prestigious college basketball teams ever. It just doesn’t make sense.

As I think it over, it just seems to me that the world of sports has things mixed up. The people that run things are confused. For God’s sake, as I was watching the Super Bowl tonight, I witnessed James Harrison of Pittsburgh (a thug) absolutely assault a guy. If you check out the video on you tube or anywhere else, you will see that he mauled the dude on Arizona. I mean, if off a football field, the guy would have been thrown in jail and charged with assault and battery. The result of the “unsportsmanlike” conduct was a ½ yard penalty due to the spot of the ball. The next play was a simple holding call on the ½ yard line that resulted in a freaking safety! It just occurs to me that the basics of the ramification system, when a player screws up, are just pathetic.



Justin Hulsey
StLDieHard24@gmail.com
www.thejaystick.blogspot.com