Inability to adjust will hurt Vikings this season
The New England Patriots were the most recent team to assemble a dynasty in the NFL. And with free agency, the NFL draft and the gigantic egos of pro athletes today, it seems like an impossible feat.
Mixed with a little luck, New England won behind two main constants: second half adjustments (while they had extra video technology, they still executed) and special teams.
Both have been absent from the Minnesota Vikings throughout most of my 20 years of existence on this Earth and weren't present in their 19-13 loss Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After the big rivalry win over the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings were actually playing in a meaningful game. They were in first place, at 5-4 nonetheless, and actually acquired FOX's best announcer Dick Stockton (don't give me the Buck-Aikman team is the premier FOX team, they are the Cowboys Television Network).
But unlike most of the key games in recent history, and surely the Brad Childress era, Minnesota came out strong. Minus their three-and-out on the first drive they were able to move the ball decently and led 13-6 at halftime.
The defense was ferocious. Chad Greenway was flying around the field and made a key fourth down stop on Tampa's first drive.
The rest of the new-age "Purple People Eaters" did allow the Buccaneers to drive a bit, but when it came down to the clutch they were strong and held them to field goal attempts.
The offense didn't do anything spectacular, but that's its job with this team. They controlled the clock, pounded the ball and put up enough points to keep the game competitive.
Simply, things were rolling along nice. But then came halftime.
John Gruden, clearly the best soundbyte in all of football and owner of a Super Bowl ring, took the time at halftime to motivate his players.
Brad Childress must have made a bowel movement or shined his bald scalp because the Vikings came out in the second half without addressing anything that was plaguing them in the first half.
The result: The Buccaneers came out slicing the field.
Warrick Dunn looked like the one that played against the Vikings twice a year back in the days of the NFC Central. Jeff Garcia scrambled like Michael Vick and completed passes like Peyton Manning. Jerramy Stevens caught passes like Shannon Sharpe.
Minus a Clifton Smith fumble, forced by Cedric Griffin, Tampa Bay was like a teen on a daytime talk show -- they did what they want.
The Buccaneers tied the game in the third quarter with a one-yard run by BJ Askew. They took the lead and the win later with a pair of fourth-quarter Matt Bryant field goals.
The Vikings offense decided to take Adrian Peterson largely out of the game. That's the only gameplan of opposing defenses, yet Childress just wanted to do it for them.
The passing offense, which has looked surprisingly mediocre (that's a good thing for the team) the past few weeks, couldn't accomplish anything. I'm pretty sure Gus Frerotte couldn't have hit water if they were playing out in the middle of the Tampa Bay of the Gulf of Mexico.
Plus, Childress went for a fourth-down attempt on their own side of the field and more than a yard to go. And not only did he not punt, he went for a play-action bomb down the field.
Honestly, how was this man ever called an offensive guru?
The offensive line didn't help much.
Ryan Cook continued to take penalties. Bryant Mckinnie continued to be the biggest waste of a 6-foot-8 frame in the NFL. And Anthony Herrera allowed a sack to Chris Hovan, the biggest Vikings defensive bust this side of Demitrius Underwood.
For the encouraging way the Vikings started, they quickly turned the taste in the mouths of Vikings fans sour.
Also there is further frustration on special teams. It's become too big of a negative for this season's team.
Maurice Hicks was supposed to be a gem as a kick returner. They paid him money to change a game in the same way that Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs change games.
But he has been as underachieving as Ryan Leaf's career. And his fumble late in the game served as a major nail in the Viking's coffin.
The Patriots open their practices with special teams. And it certainly helped them win three superbowls.
Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro better look for a new job. Preferably outside the sport of football.
But as much as us Viking fans bicker, they remain in first place. Sadly they are 5-5 and tied with both the Packers and Bears. But hey, that doesn't matter.
Just don't expect the Vikings to come out of the halftime locker room making any changes or create anything productive through special teams.
(c) 2006 University Chronicle
Study: Black Coach Numbers Lowest in 15 Years
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Days after the election of the country's first black president, a study shows the number of African-American coaches in major college football is the lowest in 15 years.
With the recent dismissals of Ty Willingham at Washington and Ron Prince at Kansas State, the number of black head coaches in the 119-school NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision was reduced to four.
In 1997, there were eight black head coaches, the most in history. In 1993, there were only three.
Fifty-five percent of all student athletes are minorities.
The report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida polled every major college on the ethnicity of its coaches, athletic directors, presidents, faculty, student athletes and NCAA faculty representatives.
"While the percentages are slightly better, the general picture is still one of white men running college sport," said Richard Lapchick, the report's co-author. "Overall, the numbers simply do not reflect the diversity of our student-athletes. Moreover, they do not reflect the diversity of our nation where we have elected an African-American as President for the first time."
The report also looked at university leadership, including presidents and athletic directors. Ninety-one percent are white. Minority representation in all positions increased less than 1 percent last year.
Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA vice president for diversity and inclusion, said she was disappointed in the figures, particularly considering the election.
"This moment on Tuesday reflected the best of our country," Westerhaus said. "Our country showed the will and the way. We have to do the same."
Lapchick has asked the NCAA to adopt a rule to mandate that minorities be interviewed for head coaching jobs. Calling it the "Eddie Robinson Rule," in reference to the record-setting Grambling coach, Lapchick said it would be a college version of the NFL's Rooney Rule. The NFL sanctions teams that do not interview a minority candidate.
Westerhaus said the Rooney Rule is in practice, if not rule. She added the NCAA cannot legally impose such penalties.
"The vast majority of institutions interviewed coaches of color," she said. "It think it's 90 percent. We're doing some of the things the Rooney Rule calls for. What's disappointing is the hiring doesn't reflect that."
Last season, 30 percent of the candidates interviewed for 22 openings were minorities. Two were hired.
Since 1996, 12 black coaches have been hired for 199 jobs. The only black head coaches currently set to finish the season are Miami's Randy Shannon, Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom, Buffalo's Turner Gill and Houston's Kevin Sumlin. Florida International is coached by Mario Cristobal, a Hispanic, and Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is Samoan.
Staffers for Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez told surveyors he is not Hispanic.
David Czesniuk of the Center for the Study of Sports in Society at Northeastern University, a program Lapchick founded, said he was struck by who controlled the money.
"What stood out to me, is that in the biggest component of dollars in college football is the BCS, and every single commissioner of a BCS conference is a white male," Czesniuk said.
Lapchick said the election of Barack Obama - a big sports fan - will have an influence.
"His presidency will get people's attention, whether or not he gets involved," he said. "People will wonder: How can we have an African-American president and the lowest number of coaches in 15 years?"
Copyright (c) 2001-2008 Diversity City Media - All Rights Reserved.
NCAA College Football Betting Odds - Oklahoma vs Nebraska
There was a time when the games between Oklahoma and Nebraska were anticipated and circled on calendars every year, but the struggles of the Sooners in the 1990s and the decline of the Cornhuskers in this decade have dulled the shine. The betting lines are calling the Sooners a 22 point favorite at home and odds makers do not expect too much defense as the total sits at 71.
Both teams need a win and probably to run the table the rest of the way for any hopes of a Big 12 Championship.
"I know this is a big rivalry for a lot of people going way back," Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford said. "It's probably the biggest game of the year for both teams."
At 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the South Division, Oklahoma is tied for third in their half of the conference behind unbeatens Texas and Texas Tech. The Sooners will have a difficult month remaining. With Texas Tech on Nov. 22 and Oklahoma State a week later, it does not look to get any easier down the stretch.
Last Saturday the Sooners beat Kansas State 58-35 in a wild one. Oklahoma scored 55 points in the first half, but giving up 25 points to K-State was not impressive.
Nebraska will be trying to exploit that with an effective passing game. In a 32-20 comeback win over Baylor a week ago, quarterback Joe Ganz threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, his third straight 300-yard performance. The three touchdowns were the most Ganz had since a four-TD performance in the season opener against Western Michigan.
"I have been playing pretty well lately," Ganz said. "Hopefully if we need that to continue, I can get some time and go through my reads and keep playing like I have been."
This one will prove to be a shoot-out. As well as the Cornhuskers offense has been playing lately, 22 points is a lot to give in a rivalry game. Sooner win, but take the Nebraska getting the 22.
2008 Copyright NFL Football Picks. All rights reserved
San Jose State v Boise State Football Odds & Picks
It was supposed to be the Boise State offense piling up the headlines this season, but the defense is stealing the show. Boise State's 2nd nationally ranked scoring defense has prompted oddsmakers to make the Broncos 7-point road favorites against another undefeated WAC opponent.
Boise State's defense came up with five interceptions in last Friday night's 27-7 win over defending WAC champ Hawaii. The Broncos were able to hold their opponent to only one scoring drive for the fifth time in six contests.
The top defensive player in the win over Hawaii was cornerback Brandyn Thompson, whose three interceptions set up 10 Boise State points and prevented a Hawaii scoring opportunity.
You're also going to want to keep an eye on linebacker Derrell Acrey this week. Acrey was all over the field against Hawaii, forcing an interception (hit QB's arm as he threw), forcing a fumble, and recording a sack.
While the running game with Ian Johnson has not been as efficient as the Broncos expected it would be coming into the season, QB Kellen Moore has picked up the slack with the passing game. He tossed three touchdown strikes against the Warriors and has thrown 11 touchdowns in the past four games.
A stat you don't hear very often is opponents field goal percentage against a team. Well, Boise State is most definitely a team you do not want to have to settle for a field goal against. Teams are just 1 of 7 on field goal tries against the Broncos this season.
While the Broncos offensive line seems to be the culprit in keeping the offensive point production down, the defense is more than picking up the slack.
The San Jose State Spartans are 5-2 on the season and 3-0 in WAC play thanks to a great effort from the defense and special teams in a 31-14 win over New Mexico State. The Spartans brought back two interceptions to the house to build a 21-0 lead against a good New Mexico State offense.
Running back Yonus Davis saw the ball 21 times for 107 yards and a touchdown in the win.
While we have been blowing smoke about the Boise State defense, we cannot fail to mention that San Jose State ranks 13th in the country and first in the WAC in total defense at just 272.6 yards per game allowed.
Like Boise State, the Spartans offense can still use some work. Last week, the Spartans managed only 201 yards of offense and QB Kyle Reed was just 8 of 18 for 50 yards with three picks.
The Spartans are going to have to do a much better job of throwing the football this week and finding ways to get it into the hands of wide receiver David Richmond, who is the team's best playmaker.
locksmithsportspicks.com
Korn taking over for Harper as Clemson's starting
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Clemson coach Tommy Bowden is changing quarterbacks, benching preseason Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Cullen Harper in favor of backup Willy Korn.
Bowden says he made the decision Friday afternoon after watching tape of the Tigers 12-7 loss at Wake Forest the night before.
The Tigers play next at home against Georgia Tech on Oct. 18.
Bowden said he had to do something to spark the team, which is 3-3 with two conference losses. The coach said Korn is more mobile than Harper and gives the Tigers more options on offense.
Bowden stood behind offensive coordinator Rob Spence, despite the team scoring only one touchdown the past seven quarters.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
South Carolina QB Smelley to take reins against Ol
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- It'll be at least another week until the people's choice at South Carolina, freshman Stephen Garcia, starts his first game at quarterback.
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier named sophomore Chris Smelley to open against Mississippi on Saturday. And unlike he did a week ago, Spurrier did not guarantee that Garcia would see any action at all.
When specifically asked if Garcia would take several snaps, Spurrier answered, "Like I said, Chris Smelley will start the game and we'll see how it goes to try and win the game."
The Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) enter this one with a six-game SEC losing streak, by far the worst of Spurrier's stellar career.
Smelley was "mentally better prepared" to lead the Gamecocks, Spurrier said.
That's a far cry from earlier this week when Spurrier said Garcia was likely to start, then pretty much confirmed that on his subscription Web site, spurrierhbc.com. The team's depth chart also listed the redshirt freshman as QB starter.
"Did I say he would start?" Spurrier asked coyly Tuesday. "My bad, then. I take that back. I was wrong."
It didn't look that way to some last Saturday night, when Garcia threw for a touchdown and ran for another in a 26-13 victory over UAB. Garcia passed for 131 yards, ran for 86 and looked like the versatile playmaker Spurrier has sought at the position since arriving four seasons ago.
Fans at Williams-Brice Stadium applauded Garcia's feats, glad at last to see the quarterback considered among Spurrier's best South Carolina recruits when he came to campus in January 2007. Internet chat rooms and sports talk shows, including Spurrier's own, were filled with fans wanting Garcia to play full-time.
Apparently, Garcia did not progress at practice the way Spurrier hoped.
"We're trying to get a little quicker, trying to get the ball out of their hands and let Stephen know this ain't high school ball anymore," Spurrier said.
Spurrier said against UAB, Garcia would often drop back and almost immediately seek a running lane instead of tracking his pass receivers.
"But that was his first time out," Spurrier said. "We're just trying to coach."
Smelley has started the past four games, including last week against the Blazers. But Smelley was just 3-of-9 for 44 yards and an interception.
Spurrier has complained that Smelley holds onto the ball too long, sometimes missing connections throwing a second or two later than the coach's scheme demands.
Spurrier is looking to spark an attack that ranks eighth in the SEC in total offense.
Spurrier did not make his quarterbacks available Wednesday or Thursday.
Whoever plays under center could have the Gamecocks' top receiver back. Spurrier says injured wideout Kenny McKinley would suit up and test his pulled right hamstring during warmups before deciding if he'd start.
McKinley caught 77 passes last season. But he's been out since the first half at Vanderbilt after injuring his hamstring.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
USC undone by Oregon State's freshman running back
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- It seemed a near certainty that loaded Southern California was headed for a national championship bid. Then the top-ranked Trojans were introduced to diminutive Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
Rodgers, a 5-foot-7 freshman, played David to Goliath USC, leading the unheralded Beavers to a 27-21 upset Thursday night that suddenly redrew the landscape of college football this season.
Rodgers ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns and his older brother James caught a pair of TD passes from Lyle Moevao, as the Beavers (2-2, 1-1 Pacific-10 Conference) showed no fear in taking down a top-ranked team for first time in 41 years.
Jacquizz Rodgers, known as 'Quizz, was blissfully unaware of the significance of his play. His rushing yards were the most by a Trojan opponent since Vince Young ran for 200 for Texas in the BCS national championship game in 2006.
"It really hasn't hit me yet," he said after the game. "But later on tomorrow I'll probably be really excited that we won."
By losing, the the Trojans (2-1, 0-1) effectively left open the top spot in the rankings, placing greater emphasis on Saturday's game between No. 2 Oklahoma (3-0) and No. 24 TCU (4-0), and the SEC showdown between No. 3 Georgia (4-0) and No. 8 Alabama (4-0).
But at least on Thursday night, the national spotlight fell on the 25-point underdog Oregon State.
Afterward, the field at Reser Stadium was stormed by orange-clad Beavers fans. Moevao jumped into the arms of coach Mike Riley. Safety Greg Laybourn, who had a key interception late in the game, was hoisted by fans.
Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez stormed off the field in anger.
"It doesn't taste very good right now," he said.
The Beavers also upset USC at Reser Stadium in 2006, when the Trojans were ranked third. Southern California has lost three of its last four games in Corvallis.
In 1967, Oregon State defeated the top-ranked and O.J. Simpson-led Trojans 3-0 on a muddy field soaked by Oregon's infamous fall rain.
USC had shown little vulnerability in victories at Virginia and then at home against then-No. 5 Ohio State. But uncharacteristic mistakes, notably tailback Joe McKnight's fumble in the second quarter and Sanchez's late interception, cost the Trojans against the Beavers.
With Oregon State ahead 21-14 and less than 3 minutes to play, Sanchez's pass was picked off on the USC 30 by Laybourn, who ran the ball back to the 2.
Jacquizz Rodgers, who had been unfazed by the Trojans' fearsome defense, ran the final 2 yards to make it 27-14.
Sanchez hit Patrick Turner with a 14-yard scoring pass with 1:19 left, but with no timeouts the clock ran out on the Trojans.
Moevao completed 18 of 26 passes for 167 yards and two TDs for Oregon State.
Sanchez completed 18 of 29 passes for 227 yards and three scores, with the one crucial interception. McKnight rushed for just 10 yards against the Beavers, after gaining 105 yards in the Trojans' 35-3 victory over the Buckeyes.
The Beavers opened this season with two losses, at Stanford and Penn State, before returning home for a victory over Hawaii.
Despite their struggles, the Beavers had seen steady growth on offense and the emergence of Jacquizz Rodgers, who went into the game against the Trojans as the nation's leading freshman rusher with 87.7 yards per game.
The Trojans had no answer for him.
"For whatever reason, we just couldn't tackle him. We'd hit him in the backfield and he'd keep bouncing," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "Him hiding behind the line of scrimmage was very effective. We had troubles with it all day."
The Beavers play at No. 17 Utah next Thursday, with the opportunity to show they aren't a fluke. USC hosts Oregon on Oct. 4.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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