Huh?

Tomorrow a House subcommittee will meet with members of college athletic boards to discuss the importance and fair practice of the BCS system in college football. HUH? With all of the nonsense in going on in this country these old men on The Hill have nothing better to do than debate the same thing we argue over everyday in the bar? I was astounded to hear that this was actually happening. Look I hate the BCS just as much as anyone of you but I believe there are more pressing issues for congress to discuss.

Like any discussion in Congress this one will take up valuable taxpayer money and time and change nothing. The BCS is similar to the bailout plan. We are all in agreement that something better can be done, but none of us our sure exactly what that is. This will be an unfruitful debate between two sides, BCS schools and non-BCS schools, that see this discussion completely differently. Also on hand will be a representative from the Alamo Bowl. He will be arguing for the BCS supporters that if you do away with the current system these smaller bowls will become non-existent. This argument very possibly could be the only legit argument either side has to offer.

The strongest argument that the pro BCS yahoos will be presenting is that if the current system is done away with then the college regular season will become unimportant. Once again I ask, should Congress care? What do the political "masterminds" on Capitol Hill care whether or not the college football season makes sense? If these goofs cannot make our current economical system make sense they should not be involving themselves in trivial matters such as college football seasons. My whole life revolves around college football I can only hope that my government is not so simple minded.

The truth of the matter is that the Utah Utes where the national champions last year. I don't care what any poll or computer said. If Congress gets involved and gets things changed I will wonder if they did it only to try to accomplish something during their tenure. If they leave it as it is then we will continue to have something to argue about here on Belly Up! Live like no one is watching and stick to what you know!

Stop it already!

Some people in sports just never seem to go away. It is mostly the media's fault. Today was no different. I watched four hours of Sportscenter and eventually started muting it every time the story came on. The story is Brett Farve's release from the Jets.

Today the New York Jets released Brett Farve from their roster, where they had him on the reserved/retired list. Now if you are on the reserved/retired list you do not take up an active roster spot. Despite research I couldn't find the salary cap implications of releasing Farve, but I have a hypothesis that this is about money. The sports media today took this story and ran with it. All over the sports shows there were conjectures of where Farve would sign next, despite two reports from Farve and his agent saying that he was happy being retired. I know we have heard this from Farve before but I believe that he is a very proud guy and the way his body quit on him down the stretch embarrassed him and he doesn't want it to happen again. But that didn't keep the "talking heads' from repeatedly making assumptions about his future. I hope for his sake and ours that Brett stays retired.

There is also another theory to this story conjured up by a Browns fan at the bar. If you haven't heard Farve was invited by, former Jets head coach and current Browns head coach Eric Mangini, to Cleveland Browns' training camp to be a special advisor to the quarterbacks. I have heard no reports of Farve accepting. Mangini and Farve had a special relationship in New York that seemed to have a huge effect on Mangini. The second part to this conspiracy theory is that the Browns traded out of their number five spot in the NFL draft so that the Jets could move up and get the quarterback they believe to be their future in Mark Sanchez. Now this hopeful Browns fan believes that the Jets released Farve so that Mangini could implore him to come and play in Cleveland. The Browns already have two young quarterbacks competing for the starting position and I am not sure that an aging Farve is an upgrade, but for Browns fans these are desperate times.

I have already stated how over-reactive the sports media can be, but when fans get involved with their own theories then it is just fun. I love Brett Farve and wish he could play forever, but, as the end of last season proved, he cannot. I hate the Browns due to their rivalry with the Broncos of the 80s-90s. My only hope is that they sign Farve and trade Brady Quinn to my quarterbackless Broncos. (No Kyle Orton and Chris Sims do not count.) Live like no one is watching and retire on top and then stay there!

My Draft Recap

Well the 2009 NFL Draft is in the books. My Denver Broncos didn't do all that bad but my Dallas Cowboys whole draft could fit under the WTF category. I love the draft from start to finish, but there were still some unanswered questions. My top five available all went in the top 11. I think that kinda makes me a genius. But today I would like to give you all my unique draft analysis.

Best Draft Class:

My best draft class award goes to the Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills took Aaron Maybin with the 11th pick in the draft and that was just the beginning. The Bills addressed all their needs throughout the draft which is the whole point. All of their picks will be able to contribute the immediately. Aaron Maybin was in my best available but I think their most valuable pick will go to Shawn Nelson, tight end from Southern Miss. Nelson is a great pass catching tight end and has the ability to be a great player in the NFL. The Bills made themselves an automatic contender in the AFC east.

WTF award:

The WTF award goes to the Oakland Raiders. With the 7th pick in the draft they took a second rounder. Darius Heyward Bey is very fast but he is a very unpolished receiver. This pick blew my mind but then with their first pick in the second round they took safety Michael Mitchell. Mitchell would've probably been available after the draft in free agency. I am astounded that he got drafted in the 2nd round. The Oakland Raiders' owner Al Davis is quickly becoming a bad joke. Heyward-Bey was chosen in front of receivers Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin. Maclin would've fulfilled Davis' need for speed and is a better overall talent than Heyward-Bey. I think the Raiders like picking in the top 10 and will probably be back there in 2010.

My favorite pick:

During the 2008 college football season I constantly hyped Knowshon Moreno. I love his passion and athleticism. So when my Denver Broncos drafted him with the 12th pick in the draft I was overly pumped. I am excited about his potential in the NFL and the fact that he went to my favorite team is beyond awesome. This does not mean I have any faith in Josh McDaniel, who is my new arch-enemy, but it does re-excite me for the 2009-2010 NFL season. Could you imagine if we had Cutler and Moreno?


Draft Gem:

If personality won game then my draft gem would go undefeated his whole NFL career. The Jets moved up to the 5th pick to take Mark Sanchez. I love this kid's attitude. It is tough for me to get behind this kid because he is a USC guy but he has that "IT" factor that just makes you believe he will be successful. Not to be aloof I also want to mention that Shon Greene went to the Eagles in the second round and that is an absolute steal. The truth is that with so many of us doubting Mark Sanchez's physical skills, he can do nothing but impress us.

Mr. Irrelevant:

The last pick in the draft is always highly anticipated. The guy is labeled Mr. Irrelevant and gets his own week to celebrate. This is usually a highlight of my draft watching experience. This year it was almost as lame as premature ejaculation. With the 256th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs took Ryan Succop, the kicker from South Carolina. This is one of the most important parts of the draft and to take a kicker is truly insulting. I think they only did this so they could say the name Succop. (pronounced Suck up)

That is my draft analysis. After 15 hours of this non-sense over two days I am glad to say that it is over. I cannot wait to see these kids, as well as the numerous undrafted guys that will undoubtedly get a shot, in the NFL. Live like no one is watching and be proud to be Mr./ Ms. Irrelevant.

Mockery!

Well you all that the bar have been pushing me to put up a mock draft. I am not going to, for two basic reasons. The first being that I don't care what ya'll wanna read because this is all about me, the second reason is that it is entirely too time consuming. I do have a couple of top fives for ya'll to keep in mind while you watch the draft tomorrow. I am going to share with you my best available players as well a couple of steals to watch for after the draft moves into the second round and beyond.
First let's look at the Belly Up to the Bar best available. There are a few criteria that I would like to discuss. To be the best available on this board you have to balance signability, playability, and immediate impact. All these things combine to determine a players overall worth. Signability is just what it sounds like, it is the money part. How much does he want compared to how much the team wants to spend. Playability is the type of player you will believe that the prospect will be. This is the hardest one to evaluate because it is usually guess work. Playability goes hand in hand with immediate impact. Immediate impact is all relative.a first round pick may play immediately or a grooming project. Either way they will have an impact but it must be balanced by the team's expectations. So based on that criteria here is my 5 best available players.

1. Aaron Curry LB, Wake Forest
2. Jason Smith OT, Baylor
3. Aaron Maybin DE, Penn State
4. Mark Sanchez QB, USC
5. Matthew Stafford QB, Georgia

Now the steals in the draft are far less complicated. The criteria are the same but the expectations are different. Middle and late rounders will be easily signed and it will be about getting value for your money. Their impact will be felt on special teams or solidifying the depth chart, instead of immediate star power. So here are the steals.

1. James Casey TE, Rice
2. Rhett Bomar QB, Sam Houston State
3. Kenny Britt WR, Rutgers
4.) Shon Greene RB, Iowa
5.) Jarred Cook TE, South Carolina

Well their is some draft analysis from your favorite expert. As I was writing this Matthew Stafford signed a 6 year contract with the Detroit Lions to become the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Congratulations kid! Live like no one is watching and keep your stock up.

Throwback

Wednesday April 22, 2009 is the five year anniversary of Pat Tillman losing his life to friendly fire while serving in the Army Rangers in Iraq. Pat Tillman was an animal on the football field. Through hard work, determination, and tenacity he realized his dream of playing in the NFL. But after 9-11 Tillman walked away from millions of dollars to join the men and women of the Armed forces in the "War on Terrorism".
Tillman was a throwback on and off the field. He was a reckless force in the secondary as well as a young man who was driven by a high set of values. Off the field he followed in the footsteps of other famous athletes who left their dream lives in the middle of their careers to protect the dream life of America. It was astounding in our day and age to see a young man who was committed so deeply to something that we simply didn't understand. But throughout history thousands of professional athletes have joined the military in times of war. Guys like Rocky Bleir, Roger Staubach, and Joe Louis all joined the military while also being members of their respective sports. There where thousands others that fought and lot their lives.
It is sad now to think about all that Pat Tillman gave up, it can not even be justified by the cause. But it is not for me to judge his decision. He was obviously made of something that I could never fathom. God Bless the men and women of our Armed Forces. I could name a few here but they would all probably kick the shit outta me because they refuse to be recognized as heroes. But to them I say thank you. Live like no one is watching and stand for something!

Draft Prospect

It is NFL Draft time. Trades will be made, names will be called, futures will be set. I love the NFL draft. It is a blast to watch hard-working kids realize their dreams. But this year I won't be watching for the big names to get their big money. No, I will be scouring the crowd looking for Aaron Curry's draft guest, Bryson Merriweather.
Bryson is a 12 year old football player, playing both tight end and defensive end for his team. Bryson is a little different than other football players his age. He has being treated for leukemia at St. Jude's hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The leukemia was discovered after Brywson started complaining about pain in his chest and shortness of breathe during football practice. Bryson's mom, Becky Merriweather, even went as far to say that football saved her son's life. With his cancer now in remission Bryson vows to play football again, but first he has to go to the draft.
Aaron Curry very possibly could be the first pick in the draft on Saturday. His dominance at linebacker at Wake Forest has caught the attention of NFL scouts in and out of the top 10 picks. During this last few weeks Curry has been swamped with marketing meetings an job interviews from NFL teams. He took some time off last week to visit St. Jude's. His tour guide was 12 year old Bryson. The two walked and talked throughout the hospital and then made their way outside to throw the football. That is when Curry invited the young football player to come to the NFL draft with him, Bryson gladly accepted.
So on Saturday amongst the future NFL stars and their families will sit Bryson and his dad. Curry's name will be called early and he will be a star in the NFL. But for me this will be Bryson's day. Live like no one is watching and look for the good guys!

You may have heard...

There are a lot of things going on in sports this week and I always seem to fall behind.  We cover so much in conversation at the bar and I only give my readers a small insight into what is going on.  So today I thought I would give ya'll a quick update on my opinions on some of the headlines.  

Celtic's Forward Kevin Garnett questionable for NBA playoffs:

Kevin Garnett has had some serious setbacks recovering from a knee injury that has caused him to miss 25 games.  No one has ever questioned Garnett's toughness and they shouldn't start now.  The vacillating reports on his comeback date are due to his attempts to fight the pain and get back with his team.  The Celtics have won a very respectful 18 of the 25 games that they have been without Garnett.  But they are missing the defensive tenacity and hunger that drove them through last year's playoffs and won them an NBA championship.  I am not ready to write the Celtics off just yet but the prognosis does look slightly grim without KG.

Duke point guard Greg Paulus considers tossing the pig skin.

Greg Paulus was a four year point guard for Duke's basketball team.  With his basketball eligibilty gone and his NBA chances looking non-existent Paulus has decided to give football a try.  Coming out of high school Paulus was the number one recruited quarterback in the nation.  He was offered scholarships from Notre Dame and Miami (FL).  He is now getting looks from NFL teams like the Packers and has reportedly been offered a scholarship by Michigan.  He said today on PTI on ESPN that he is still exploring his options, but playing football is very likely.

Mike Vick offered Reality TV show.

This is more sad than anything.  Michael Vick is scheduled to be released from prison on July 20th.  The reality show is reported to have offered Vick 600,000 and the premise is still unclear.  I really hope Vick all the best and have been an avid supporter of his immediate reinstatement into the NFL.  But I hope that this show doesn't turn into a publicity stunt to repair his image.  

Former Detroit "Bad Boy" and NBA head coach Isiah Thomas accepts college head coaching job at Florida International:

This is straight out of the WTF files.  Isiah Thomas is a strange individual.  His voice gives off  the weird serial killer vibe.  His professional coaching and front office career is riddled with bad decisions both basketball and life related.  It is a scary thought to have him coaching and molding young men.  The only semi-good thing to take from this is that he is giving back his first year's salary to a struggling athletic department.  Not all that impressive considering the Knicks still owe Thomas 12 million dollars.

John Madden Retires:  

Football telestration will never be the same!  It is sad that I will go a Sunday this year without hearing "BOOM!", or "Did you say what he just did right there?"  John Madden was a great football coach.  He has one of the best win percentages of all time going 107-38-7 in 10 years as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.  He also won a Super Bowl as a coach.  John Madden had a way of dumbing football down for every day fans, despite having one of the greatest football minds of all times! He will be sorely missed and even sadder a whole generation of football fans only know him as the name on a video game.

As a side note Oscar de la Hoya retired this week as well.   I never really like De la Hoya because he just seemed to much of a pretty boy to be a boxer.  He did win 10 different titles in 6 weight classes and is a fantastic fight promoter.  He is one of the greatest Mexican American athletes of all time, but his boxing career will be remembered for lack luster efforts and a pretty smile.  

Well that is the news according to me.  Thanks for reading! Live like no one is watching because if you're going to win you have to score more points than the other guy! (Thanks John!)

Happy Jackie Robinson day!

We all know who Jackie Robinson is.  He is legendary in both the sports world, and the civil rights movement.  We over use the word courage when we speak about athletes, but he had true courage and lots of it.  He went in to ball parks day in and a day out in the 40s and was insulted threatened, and shunned even by his own teammates.   But his great accomplishments stretch beyond the baseball diamond and it's once heavily enforced color line.

 One of my favorite Jackie Robinson accomplishments is lettering in four sports at a Division I university.  Robinson lettered in baseball, football, basketball, and track at UCLA.  His athletic ability knew no bounds.  Robinson even went on to chase a professional football with the Los Angeles Bulldogs, a small football team in a small west coast league.  That dream was short lived as he was drafted by the U.S Army in 1942.  After a brief struggle Robinson was let into the Commissioned Officers training along with legendary boxer Joe Louis.   During his two years in the Army Robinson was court marshaled for insubordination after an incident on a bus.  He was later acquitted and honorably discharged.  After his Army career Robinson took a job as a basketball coach at Sam Huston University, a historically black college in Austin, Texas. 

Jackie Robinson then in early 1945 started playing in the Negro League and in the minor leagues, until he historically joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.  After baseball Robinson founded the Freedom Bank in Harlem and did extensive work with the NAACP.  He also endorsed political candidates with progressive civil rights agendas.  Jackie Robinson's iconic status stretches far beyond his courage on the baseball field.  His goal, he often stated, was to see a black manager in Major League Baseball.  There are five black managers serving this year in the MLB.  Jackie Robinson was a pioneer and a courageous man.  Live like no one is watching and tip your hat to the greats.  

  

Baseball is still a game!

Sometimes it seems that, with all the steroids nonsense, baseball no longer claims it's hold on the term "America's Past Time".  I fell out of love with baseball at a young age and find myself constantly bashing the players for being overpaid, and for taking to many games off.  But every so often I watch with childish awe as someone smashes a home run, or makes a ridiculous play in the field.  You just can't help sometimes to get caught up in the game.  It draws you in and your hooked.  Before you know it you have watched a double-header and are searching you HD stations for the night game.  Believe it or not I am still secretly in love with the game of baseball.

Tonight was one of those nights where baseball players reminded me they are just having fun.  In the Rays and Yankees game tonight the Yankees were getting annihilated in the 8th inning 15-5.  That's when something crazy happened.  The Yankees trotted Nick Swisher out to the mound.  The awesome thing about this pitching change was the fact that Swisher is the starting first baseman for the Yanks.  He hurled the first pitch down the pipe at a blazing 74 mph.  I was laughing as Yankee fans at the bar cussed and groaned.  But Nick didn't do a bad job, he even got a Rays batter to strike out swinging with a blinding 78 mph "fastball".  Swisher gave up no runs in his relief inning and looked to have had a helluva good time.  He looked like a grown man having a great time playing a kids game.  This move is not unprecedented however.  The Diamondbacks did the same with first baseman, and one of my all time favorite Cubs, Mark Grace when they were losing to the Dodgers 19 to 1 in the ninth inning of a September game in 2002.  Mark had a lot of fun with it even imitating teammate Mark Fetters on the mound.  

Baseball has had a tough road over the last few years.  And the last few weeks was no exception.  There is a sadness that no dumb ass book from Jose Canseco could ever bring on.  Last week baseball lost one of it's best young pitchers, Angel's starter Nick Adenhart, who was killed in a hit run car crash by an alleged drunk driver.  And today baseball took a combo to the gut with the loss of Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Phillies, Harry Kalas, and goofy pitcher Mark "the Bird" Fidrych.  Harry Kalas was known for his home run call "Outta Here" as well as his work providing the voice to NFL films.  Mark Fidrych brought fun to the game of baseball during his time as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.  He was known for talking to the ball and using his goofball demeanor to bring enjoyment to fans all over Major League Baseball.  It is a sad day for baseball and they both will be sorely missed.  Live like no one is watching, and play the game.  

Tiger not being Tiger

Sure Tiger hits the ball a mile.  Sure Tiger has incredible touch with his irons.  Sure Tiger has a mental edge on every other competitor on the tour.  Or does he?  Golf, like every other sport, is as much mental as it is physical.  In golf the mental portion might just carry more weight and Tiger has always had the upper hand in the mental aspect of the game.  He might not have regained that mental edge in time for the Masters.

You can see his lack of concentration ins his putting stroke.  He is pushing the ball instead of touching it.  He hangs his head after every bad shot especially around the green.  A golfer's short game, especially putting, is all about confidence.  When you step to the ball to putt you have to know you got the aim and speed right.  If not you will push the ball left or right, or hit it to hard.  Tiger's putting is giving him away.  

It is not unusual for Tiger to be off pace after the first two days.  He has never shot better than 70 on day one of the Masters.  But he has never looked shaken.  This week he has looked unsure of himself and that is scary for Tiger.  His game has always been the mental dominance of everyone else.  He cannot let his mental edge slip way.  Especially this year with the course playing so easily.

There is a silver lining for Mr. Woods.  His opponents no doubt are still looking over their shoulders.  He still has something over them, he is still Tiger and there is still two days left.  The rest of the field is still unsure if Tiger is baiting them.  Lurking in the winnings waiting to over take them.  And he is.  They have every right to be worried because if anyone can right this ship it is Tiger.  He has always struck fear in his opponents down the stretch whether he is injured, as he was last year at the Tour Championship, or mentally unsound, as he is this year in the Masters.  There is always one constant and that is if Tiger can sniff the lead then he will win.  Watch out for Saturday.  Live like no one is watching and yes, I like golf. 

The Perfect Women

When you watch the women of UCONN play it is obvious why they are perfect with one game left in the season.  They play with a swagger and a determination that is learned from the cocky bastard on the sidelines.  Geno Auriemma accepts only perfection.  It is obvious as he yells at his team while up by 30 over Stanford in the Final Four.  This team never seems challenged and they will play a Louisville team that they have beat twice  by a collective 67 points.  

Tonight UCONN dominated  a very tall and talented Stanford team.  Renee Montgomery is more than unstoppable.  The defense of UCONN dominated Stanford and, despite the ultimate one women effort from Stanford center Jayne Appel, kept them stagnant on offense.  Stanford is well coached but seemed confused and intimidated throughout the game.  They seemed to have lost long before the final gun sounded.

Look I am not fond of Geno Auriemma. He just rubs me the wrong way.  But you can not take away from what his ladies have accomplished this year.  They are talented and highly motivated.  Good luck Lady Huskies and by default Coach Auriemma.  

 On a much sadder note Courtney Paris and the Oklahoma Lady Sooners lost tonight.  I am so intrigued by Ms. Paris and her tenacity and candor.  I wish her all the best and want her to know that she owes the University nothing because she gave them everything she had for four years and that is more than enough.  Live like no one is watching and strive for perfection! 

Fan Letter

This is a copy of my letter to Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniel.  A closed copy has also been sent to Jay Cutler.  This is in response to the recent nonsense that has been going on over the past two weeks.  I was under attack at the bar about not being a true fan because I have been too level headed about the whole ordeal.  So here is how I, as a fan, feel about the whole issue.

To whom ever it may concern,

I do not know who this letter will reach.  But I want it to be documented that I, respected blogger and lifelong fan of the Broncos, think that this is ridiculous.  Mr. Bowlen you fired Coach Shannahan on the grounds that you wanted more control of the team.  You were worried that Mike Shannahan had too much control as coach and Gm and you had to reign that in.  That was your first mistake.  Your second mistake is hiring a member of the Patriots organization.  This has never benefited any team anywhere.  The perfect examples are romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, and Charlie Weiss.  Josh McDaniel is a power tripping idiot.  He really thought that one hit wonder Matt Cassel was worth trading Pro Bowler Jay Cutler for.  Not to mention you, Mr. Bowlen had to sign off on this for him to pursue it.  Coach McDaniel now has full control of the team.  That is obvious.  So you jumped out of the frying pan and now your ass is on fire.  Your whole team is in the hands of a guy that cannot even run for President of the United States.  Josh McDaniel you moron.  What were you thinking you cocky little shit.  This is not the Patriots.  You had a franchise quarterback and you blew it because you were so insecure about your ability to teach him the system.  You are already a failure.  I hate you with the passion of a thousand romance novels.  But believe it or not this is not totally your fault!  Jay Cutler you whiny little baby! You are accountable here too.  The NFL is still a business and you got your feelings hurt.  I love you and think you are the best candidate to replace John Elway.  But grow up, every player in the NFL is available for dealing!  Look Josh McDaniel is an idiot but you should've been the bigger man and sucked it up.  Prove to the NFL why you were picked to be the heir-apparent to the Broncos franchise.  But now we wind it down.  You are on the trading block and we Bronco fans are stuck with the "Boy Blunder".  I am sad that this has happened.  But all parties involved should grow up and realize this is not a pissing contest it is a business.  And Mr. Pat Bowlen you have reaped what you have sown.

Sincerely

Nathan Brown

There you all go.   That is how i feel about the whole situation as a fan.  Live like no one is watching and GROW THE FUCK UP!