Star Rated

This is the time of the year where stars are followed and talked about more than any other time of the year. No, I am not talking about astrology, I am talking about the star rating high school football players receive based on perceived athletic skills. There are websites across the country where players are rated and the college sports fans follow relentlessly. Fans live and die by the rating system judging the success of their team based on these "stars". The sad thing about this is you can't measure heart or success by a star. Growing up all people are put in categories from size to looks. During your high school years kids are labeled and judged by fellow class mates and teachers as to who will be successful or not. I am sure everyone can recall those students who were going to set the world on fire. We also remember those kids who were not going to amount to anything when they grew up. Once again these were judgments placed on people without truly understanding their heart or what would motivate them in life to either succeed or fail. Talent, popularity, and skill are only as good as the person's desire and heart. While some kids have the "wow" factor, and you can truly see the raw talent they possess, they never develop into their star rating. Some kids with a one star rating explode when they arrive on the college scene. They can either become successful in the NFL or in life. There motivation was delivered from a coach who believed they could make a difference and these kids did not want to disappoint. As one of those kids who was not voted "most likely to succeed" or believed to be able to set the world on fire, my motivation came from someone who believed in me. I, for one, do not get wrapped up in the star ratings because I know that those stars don't measure someones heart!

Oh no he didn't! NOT AGAIN!

As a faithful 49er fan, this year was once again as fun as it was in the 80's and early 90's. It was a hard working nose to the grind stone type of team. Nothing came easy and rarely was there a game that was not in doubt until the very end. From the beginning weeks of the season I was not sure what to expect but as the season went on and the weeks went by the wins kept piling up. I did not want to get my hopes up and expectations to high because us 49er fans have come to expect a disappointing end to the season. Well to my surprise we won the division and a first round bye in the playoffs! Then came the dreaded match up of the high powered New Orleans Saints. As the game played out we could not have asked for a more exciting game and another victory. The dream season took yet another sharp turn when everyone's super bowl pick Green Bay Packers were upset by the New York Giants. Now with that outcome it meant the New York Giants would be coming to play at our house. The game was a classic match-up between to two hard hitting, powerful defenses. As most fans of these teams remember, games between these two power houses came down to the wire every time. This game was no different and was not a game for the faint of heart. As the game was tied at the end of regulation and both teams had multiple possessions in overtime, neither offense could move on the defenses. Then came the "fumble", the 49ers had held and forced yet another Giants punt. As Kyle Williams was fielding punts due to the injury to Ted Ginn Jr., the ball was poked free and the Giants had recovered. They were now in field goal range and the end seemed inevitable. Early in the game Williams misplayed a punt and it touched his knee before being recovered by the Giants. The last fumble did us in and the Giants kicked a field goal to move on to the Super Bowl. It was a gut wrenching loss and not the way you wanted to end a season. All I could think of was Roger Craig's fumble in 1990 against the Giants that set them up for a winning field goal to advance to the Super Bowl. Does that not sound familiar? As a heart broken and distraught 49er fan all I could think was "Really? Not again!" Disappointment and being heart broken is a true reaction for us passionate fans. The reaction of the fans and the ensuing "death threats" to Kyle Williams is ignorant at best. There is no place for that kind of reaction in sports. I know it is only a few fans that react in that manor, however they give sports fans a bad name. We survived the fumble in 1990 and we will survive the fumble in 2012! Hang in there 49er fans it will be our day again!

John 3:16 in Sports? IN ALL THINGS!

During the Broncos vs. Patriots game this weekend I was startled as a commercial from Focus on the Family aired with children quoting John 3:16. I took a step back and remembered thinking, WOW this is going to offend some people! I did not expect to see this type of commercial, especially during a sporting event on national television. If a commercial about beer, or an half naked women would have come on, I would have not even thought twice. Focus on the Family is reporting that after the commercial aired there were over hundred thousands hits looking up John 3:16. That is an amazing statistic. What is startling is some of the comments since this event. We never know the true integrity of a persons heart but from watching Tim Tebow over the years he has never changed. I think it is ironic that Tim Tebow plays for the "Bronco's" because it is an animal known best for bucking. As with the bronco, Tim Tebow is bucking a stereotype that has plagued professional athletes for years. We have had NFL players shoot themselves, fight dogs, and even commit murder but as for Tebow he prays and gives glory to God. For that Mr. Tebow all I have to say is: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Boring Championship SEC!

While I am one of the few SEC fans who was not excited about the rematch of LSU vs. Alabama, if it will help change the system then I am glad it was played. It has been reported that last nights game was down 14% from last year and the lowest rated BCS title game since the system was developed. The whole BCS game selection process has to be visited and "tweaked". Once again we stretched the bowl season out until January 9th and played the championship game on a week night starting at 8:30pm eastern time. I know we could not have moved this BCS championship game up because we would not want to take any glory away from the BBVA Compass Bowl or the Go Daddy.com Bowl.  I have no doubt that the championship game matched up the two best teams in college football but it sure would have been more exciting if both teams worked their way through a playoff bracket to get there. If the only thing that seems to get the attention of the NCAA is money, then last nights game should talk to their wallet and scream of CHANGE!

Not so sweet!

As I watched last nights Sugar Bowl I could not help but wonder why Boise State was not playing Arkansas in this BCS bowl.  I know the game last night was a competitive game, however I cannot believe that this was the best match up available. Some could make an argument for Michigan because their only losses were to a good Michigan State team and to Iowa. However you cannot make me believe that Virginia Tech was a good choice. They were just coming off another blow out loss to Clemson. They lost in two games to Clemson a combined total of 61-13. I understand that the football world does not want the SEC to dominate the BCS games/money and this is why Arkansas was not considered. Someone please explain how Boise State was not at this game? We like to blame it on their conference/schedule but I would like to point out that their only loss was to TCU 38-35. If we are going to keep them from playing a BCS bowl for all the excuses of schedule and level of competition then how do we justify their number five ranking in the polls?  While the BCS games thus far have supplied us with three close games (two decided in overtime).  I believe the BCS has supplied us even more reasons that the system is broken and needs some major adjusting. 

Will he ever listen?

With my first blog let me lay the ground work. I am not one of those fans who jump on the "lets fire the coach" wagon every time something does not go like I think it should. After enduring what I will classify as the worst sports year ever in UT history 2012 came in with yet another gut punch. As many fans found out we are now looking for more coaches to fill the current football staff (again). While some fans were not happy with the job Justin Wilcox was doing as the defensive coordinator most realistic fans will recognize that this area was the only part of our team that showed steady progress over the course of the season. I have become very tired of the "cute sarcasm" that Derek Dooley likes to portray during interviews. Here is one example in his press conference from today:"


I don't know why you all keep bringing that up. Da'Rick is on our team and he hasn't been suspended. Jimmy (Stanton) keeps telling me that they keep asking out there. I don't want to talk on our roster issues, but Da'Rick is on our team and he is good. I don't really get it, but it just continues on. I guess it's just like me retiring. We used to get our fix for drama about, I guess, 20 years ago in the afternoon soap operas. That was the only drama that you could really get that got you all stimulated, but know we get it 24 hours a day, man. There is a lot out there. I guess it is a mistake not getting involved in the drama. Thank God I have Jimmy. I used to get my annual chatter update from Hubbs at my radio show, right Brent? That's what we are in and the drama can become a reality if you don't address it. I am acknowledging that and that is why I am here today, one of the reasons I am here today.


Well get control of the "tweets" your players send out and some of this can be avoided. 


"I think what I just said. Twenty-two months ago we walked into a tough situation and we have rolled up our sleeves and gone to work every day. Despite some of the hard bumps that you hit along the way, it doesn't minimize the progress that has been made at the foundation-level, it doesn't minimize what the roster looks like heading into next season and it doesn't minimize the excitement that we have outside of this area in recruiting and elsewhere. Listen, I am excited and I am fired up. I don't know what else to say. When you get drawn in to the drama, it is toxic. It really is. It is bad for the soul. When you love something, when you are talking publicly about it, you support it. Whether it is your family, your wife, your school, your program. When you love something, you support it. That doesn't mean that you don't have concerns about it, it doesn't mean you don't air out some things privately if things aren't going the way you want it, you support it. We have one of the best fan bases in the country with a passion that is unmatched. I wouldn't trade them for anybody. When you have some bumps along the way, there is going to be some passion the other way and that is great. It is healthy, but the most important thing is how you move forward and how you fix it. That is all I am focused on."


While Dooley is correct that the situation at UT is better now than 22 months ago we are still a long way away from the type of product that us UT fans fell in love with. As I am one of the most sarcastic people around, I have to realize the time and place to refrain. It is not all about the wins and loses it is also about the pride that the coaches and players display. Coach Dooley needs to look at the series of events that have happened prior to the latest changes. 
- Losing Season (and losing to Kentucky)
- Players not wanting to play
- Coaching staff leaving (again think back Dooley.... Where is the Washington staff originally from? USC??)
There is a time and a place for sarcasm and arrogance. Now is neither!