Sunday, February 05, 2006

Sunday Sports

It's Super Sunday. So I guess I have to make a pick.

Let's take the Hawks to win. Something like 24-17. Just a hunch. Too much focus on the Steelers in these parts. And if you put this game together before the playoffs, Seattle is a prohibitive favorite. I think they still win.

The Mount did what they had to last night. That was win. Wasn't the greatest performance but it served the purpose. So would a split on the road next weekend. Then they finish with a bunch 4 of 5 at home and a top seeding in the NEC would remain a probability.

Watched much of the Florida/Kentucky game last night. Florida doesn't have a lot on the wings, but they've got good strong guard play, and more than most teams have inside. I might be the only guy who thinks they can accomplish something in the postseason. I know they've had March Madness troubles in the past, but I liken them to Arizona. It took them some early exits before they figured it all out.

Enjoy it.

Friday, February 03, 2006

The New Orange

Recruiting is a crazy game. And watching how players develop through five years of college is always interesting. Most schools brought in 20-25 players yesterday. Approximately 15 will actually make a real contribution at the college level for most schools.

So how did the Orange do?

Well its anyone’s guess, and in five years we’ll know the right answer. But here is how I think this year’s class college careers go.

Listed in order by commitment date….

Mike Williams – WR – Buffalo NY – decent size from Western NY. My concern is he never gets to the Hill. I’ll bet he isn’t there in the fall. But arrives later and if the Orange gets as much production from him as they did from Jared Jones, I’ll call it a success.

Derek Hrinya – DB – Warwick NY – I think he has to play on the defensive side if he’s going to play. And I would think safety. But he does have good speed, so maybe they could make a big corner out of him. That would be a real good thing. My guess is that he never is more than a nickel back/special teams player.

Andrew Robinson – QB – Baltimore MD – This guy is going to lead the Orange to more wins than any other quarterback since McNabb. Not sure he’s going to be a superstar. But I think he’s going to be a super solid college quarterback, who will be a lot better as the years go on.

Jared Kimmel – DL – Harpursville NY – Great size, as far as height goes. But he needs to add a few pounds. So don’t look for him on the field too much before fall of 2008. Still I like his potential, and he might develop into a two-year starter before its all said and done.

Matt Reid – DB – Upper Marlboro MD – Another big corner, who I think is going to be a player at this level. I think he’ll see time as a redshirt freshman and leave with a fine resume.

Delone Carter – RB – Copley OH – Syracuse has always produced good numbers for running backs. Carter put up phenomenal numbers as a senior when he was named Mr. Ohio. I think he starts his final two years, after backing up Boonah Brinkley for two years, and is a huge asset to the program.

Ryan Bartholomew – OL – Hyattsville MD – one of eight offensive lineman in this class. Someone is going to move to defense. I don’t think its him. I think he’ll become a fine tackle for the Orange.

Jim McKenzie – OL – Springfield PA – This is my prize OL recruit. The guy I think turns out to be the best. He was first team All-PA as a senior and he might have the versatility to play a few different OL positions. I just like him. Enough to say maybe he starts three years.

Jonathan Meldrum – OL – Chatham VA – I’m excited to have him. But something just scares me about this one. I don’t think he develops the way you’d like, and I don’t see him playing at the end.

Adam Rosner – OL – Depew NY – Already on campus, so I give him the best chance to play next fall. The thing about him though is I think they might be thinking OL/DL, either way. So maybe that stalls his development. I think he’ll contribute, I’m just now sure where.

Anthony Perkins – OL – Washington DC – Also on campus via Milford Academy. Is he good enough to help at G or C in the fall? Likely we’ll find out early. From the same HS as Bartholomew. I think he helps in the middle quickly.

Nico Scott – DB – Greenbelt MD – I just don’t see him as a corner here. I don’t know why. But based on the fact that he was a HS QB, I’m thinking maybe he helps as a returner. Otherwise it maybe an uneventful career.

Ian Hammond – OL -- Mission Viejo, CA – Here’s the one guy that is guaranteed playing time next year. He will be the long snapper. Oh and Greg Robinson said he’d provide depth on the line. That means he’s a career backup there. And he got three stars.

Taj Smith – WR – Bakersfield, CA – Okay, so maybe two guys will get playing time next year. I expect Smith to step in and catch about two balls a game for the next two years. I don’t think he’s a superstar and I don’t think we have the offensive prowess to make it work even if he was. So let’s say he leaves after two years with 52 catches and a couple of long TD grabs.

Parker Cantey – LB – Brooklyn, NY – I get the sense that this is one Robinson really likes. I mean he said some people might want to put him on offense but we see him on defense. Who runs the defense? That’s right and Robinson wants him to be a part of things over there. I think he fits into a deep core of linebackers and becomes a player, but probably not quickly because of the depth of the position.

Dan Sheeran – WR – Cross River, NY – Might he get lost in the shuffle of all the young WR? It’s possible. We’ll have to wait this one out. If he ends up with as solid a career as Jeff Lowe, I’d be happy.

Tucker Baumbach – OL – Middletown, PA – You know that one of these offensive lineman isn’t going to work out. Based on his high school’s past history, I’d bet it’s him.

Jermaine Pierce – LB – Norristown, PA – If this guy gets to campus, I think he can help somewhere. Remember, I said if.

Derrell Smith – RB – Newark DE – Prime candidate to move to FB. If that happens color his career with 4 carries, 76 yards numbers. Oh wait, Pariani is gone. Maybe more. I think this kid will find a way to do something positive for the Orange. But it might just be a special teamer or specialized offensive role player.

Andrey Baskin – WR – Camden, NJ – The big word here is again if. If he gets here. Academics could once again be the problem. But I’m going to be positive and say he makes it and leaves as an NFL draftable receiver.

Larry Norton – OL – Bakersfield, CA – Brought in to play right away, or at least compete right away. I think he’s a long shot to make an impact.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Game Ball

I'm giving one tonight to the Mount Student Section.

It's easy to be good fans when your team is hot or playing well.

But good fans are needed most when there are down times. And this is exactly where the students fit in tonight.

At the night's darkest hour, with the Mount trailing by 9 with about eight minutes to play and seemingly headed to their fourth straight conference loss, the students got loud. They got noisy. They were the sixth man.

And the players responded. All of a sudden jump shots that weren't falling, swished. Rebounds that were going to the dark uniforms went to the white ones. And a few whistles were either blown or not blown in favor of the home team.

The paper tomorrow with talk about Mychal Kearse's putback giving the Mount a 60-59 win and they'll make him the hero.

But I can't imagine he would have had the chance to wear that crown without the students.

My favorite blog

Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun mentioned Brad Pennington in his blog today. You know one fo the failed Oriole prospects of the past. And if you know Pennington, you immediately think of one thing, the Griffey blast he surrendered, that may have been the longest home run ever hit at Camden Yards.

If you hear Pennington's name and you're an Orioles fan, you think of that blast. That is the ultimate for an athlete. For their career to be associated with one moment. Pennington achieved it.

He was a can't miss prospect. Speaking of which anybody have any Joey Meyer rookie cards?

Boeheim the comic

He had just seen his junior forward/center rescue his team with a three-point prayer at the buzzer of overtime to save them from a fifth straight loss, and when Terrence Roberts in his moment of glory was asked what he was thinking when the ball ended up in his hands 20 feet from the basket and the game on the line, Boeheim ever the critic, interjected before Roberts had the chance to answer.

"The Lord's prayer," the hall of fame coach said.

That is pretty funny stuff. And Boeheim wasn't through. He acknowledged, "He shoots that shot everyday in practice. I tell him never to shoot it in a game."

After a win, that is funny stuff.

Syracuse needed a win, like Jake Plummer needs a haircut.

Sometimes a team gets going on strange things. Sometimes a team gets going on lucky bounces. Sometimes a team gets going on good wins. Syracuse got all three last night. Let's see if it gets them going.