What the New LA Stadium Means for the Jaguars

Los Angeles has been trying to bring the NFL back to their city. I, like many football fans, believe that the NFL would only get better by installing a franchise in one of the top markets in the country, let alone the world. Information on the stadium can be found at this site.

Feel free to check it out and provide feedback on it if you would like. This story is not about the intricacies of the stadium, but more so about the professional franchise that would inhabit it. Will a new group come together and form an expansion team? Possibly, but another possibility would be the re-location of a franchise that already exists. Leading candidate for relocation: The Jacksonville Jaguars

Wayne Weaver's franchise has had a very hard time making revenue over the past decade. The team's games are constantly being blacked out in an effort to try and sell more tickets, but people still are not filling the stands. Jersey sales are not exactly going as fast as say a divisional rival Colts jersey. The team is not even as bad as the state-rival Bucs. When you stop and actually look at what is going on in Jacksonville...they boast the state of Florida's best record at 5-4!

Despite all of this, the franchise is still having a terribly difficult time thriving in Jacksonville that the powers-that-be must start asking themselves "Is Jacksonville really the best place for our franchise?" We will know a lot more in the coming years as this stadium is built. I Believe that the Jacksonville Jaguars have one last stand plotted out to give the actual die-hard Jags fan some hope that their team will not leave them. Who/What is their last hope? I think everyone already knows the answer to that.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already come out and said that they are interested in using their first round draft pick to draft Florida Gator Quarterback Tim Tebow. Now, I am among those that believe that Tebow does not have the ability to hack it as an NFL quarterback, but this is the smartest move that the Jaguars organization can make at this juncture.

Let's face it, Tebow was born and raised in Jacksonville - making him a local hero to many. Tebow would be drafted to put some more Jags fans in the stands, and it wouldn't end there. Tebow's Jaguar jersey would definitely be a hot sell, and that would help bring in jersey revenue that MJD is trying to bring in all by himself.

The final part of this trifecta would be that the media, as we all know, loves Tebow. Therefore, Jacksonville would definitely get a lot more coverage than it is used to, and the attention could also make some people in the Jacksonville area notice what they have.

If Operation Tebow fails in Jacksonville then there is obviously no hope for an NFL franchise to be successful in that city. Weaver won't have to pack it all in though...there's a nice stadium waiting for him in a fantastic market that is craving an NFL franchise.

The Week 11 "4th and Fail" College Football Top 10

Each writer for this blog, weekly, will compile their own top ten college football ballot. For each ballot, first place gets ten points, second place gets nine, and so on. We will then add together the totals and bring to you our collective poll. With that said, I present to you the Week 11 "4th and Fail" College Football Poll.

Here's last week's poll for a reference point.

Final Ballot (with Total Points in parentheses)

1. Alabama (38)
T-2. Florida (35)
T-2. Texas (35)
4. TCU (27)
5. Cincinnati (25)
T-6. Georgia Tech (18)
T-6. Boise State (18)
8. Pittsburgh (12)
9. LSU (5)
10. Ohio State (4).

The voting breakdown is as follows, with brief explanations from each writer:

-TV's ballot.

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Cincinnati
5. TCU
6. Georgia Tech
7. Boise State
8. Pittsburgh
9. Ohio State
10. LSU

Explanation: The top three have not changed, nor will they until one of them loses, and Cincinnati keeps getting it done -- now with both Collaros and Pike. TCU was impressive in its thrashing of Utah, and Georgia Tech booked its trip to Jacksonville for the ACC title game. Boise is still lingering and undefeated, despite a less-than-impressive schedule. Ohio State clinched the Big Ten with a win over Iowa, so they get some love in this poll, and LSU is still the best two-loss team.

-Ted's ballot

1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. TCU
5. Cincinnati
6. Boise St.
7. Georgia Tech
8. Pittsburgh
9. LSU
10. Ohio St. FML

Explanation: To help me with my ballot this week, I consulted with the Jeff Sagarin computer rankings. I mainly tried to get a better sense of the schedule each team has faced. The other factor in some of my poll shuffling this week is that I like a team that makes a statement. The two biggest statements this weekend were TCU and Alabama. That's why they each bumped up a spot. This week also features the unfortunate return of Ohio St. I don't know how I should feel about them making a BCS bowl again. I'm really tired of them, and don't wish them any success, ever. But, they will face a Pac-10 team (Probably Oregon or Stanford) who should steamroll them. Another humiliating loss on the national stage would be gratifying at least.

- Wooj's ballot

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. TCU
5. Cincy
6. Boise St.
7. Georgia Tech
8. Pitt
9. Oregon
10. Ohio St.

Explanation: The top 3 stay unscatched and on their respective collision courses. Cincy's Friday night struggle and TCU's convincing win over Utah has prompted be to switch their positions on my list. Boise State remains at 6 for once again not playing a meaningful schedule. Georgia Tech comes in at #7 as the top 1 loss team. The Wannstaches of Pittsburgh U come in at #8 this week after most likely nailing the proverbial coffin of Charlie Weis' coaching career at ND. Oregon comes in at #9 as the top 2 win team and the likely winners of the Pac-10 Conference. Finally, as much as I hate them, the Buckeyes of Ohio State did win the Big 10 through a tiebreaker with Iowa and they will be heading to the Rose Bowl. Therefore, I must give them some credit and stick them at #10 on my list.


We also have a guest ballot this week coming from a friend of the site, Chucker. He did a favor for us the other day, and this is how we reciprocate that favor.

- Guest ballot: Chucker.

1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. TCU
5. Cincinnati
6. Georgia Tech
7. Boise State
8. Pittsburgh
9. LSU
10. Oregon

Explanation: Good to be here folks, hope I’m not a “one-hit wonder”. Bama gets the top nod here after easily taking care of a Mississippi State team that Florida struggled to put away. Texas seemed to finally hit their stride and look to cruise on into Pasadena. TCU edges out Cincy for the 4th spot after the Bearcats squeaked out a W against West Virginia. Georgia Tech (and their nauseating offense) remains the best one-loss team after clinching a birth in the ACC title game (good luck selling that one out) and undefeated Boise continues to hang around following their manhandling of the Vandals. The great “Wannstache” and his Panthers come in at number 8 while the Tigers and Ducks round out the top 10. Couldn’t bring myself to put Ohio St. in the top 10 well…because it’s Ohio St, and because it’s the Big Ten.

Chris Coghlan, We Salute You

I know what a lot of you (including my brother) are thinking: Baseball? In late-November? C'mon man. Well tough luck, because we're talking baseball this post.

The 2009 National League Rookie of the Year was named today -- as was the American League's, but we don't care too much about that -- and the winner of this year's award, as voted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, is the Marlins' LF Chris Coghlan. Coghlan won the award in a close vote over Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, making him the third Marlins player to win the award, joining Dontrelle Willis and Hanley Ramirez.

For the season, Coghlan batted .321 for the Marlins as the team's lead-off hitter once Emilio Bonifacio was taken out of that role. He also hit nine home runs and batted in 47 runs, while scoring 84. Coghlan was called up in May, but after the All-Star break he had 113 hits, which is the most by any NL hitter -- rookie or veteran -- in the last 45 years.

It's an eye-popping stat when you think about it. Then, add in that Coghlan led all NL rookies in batting average, runs, hits, total bases and OBP (.390) and it's pretty clear that Coghlan was deserving of the award.

I guess all that campaigning that Tommy Hutton and Rich Waltz did for Cogs in the booth at the end of the season really helped out.

Heat - Cavs: LeBron Adds to the Rumors

The Heat and Cavs played last night on national television, and as expected, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James did not disappoint. The two combined for 70 points (36 from Wade and 34 from LeBron) and several highlight-worthy plays, including this abusive dunk by Wade on Sideshow Bob Anderson Varejao:


Yeah, that was just a filthy dunk. Notice how Varejao bounces off the ground and into the basket's support.

Anyways, the Cavs wound up winning, and the Heat dropped to 6-2 on the season. But the most intriguing part of all of this goes back to the rumors of LeBron joining Wade in Miami next season.

Yes, it is still probably far-fetched, but where there is smoke, there is fire. It dawned on me the other day that if LeBron were to join the Heat, he would have to change his number from 23 because the Heat retired that number when Michael Jordan retired (for the final time) due to the mutual respect between Jordan and Pat Riley.

So LeBron would have to wear wear something other than 23. Then this happened after the game: he spoke about how he thinks no one should wear MJ's no. 23 at all in the league, and suggested that he will change his own number next season to 6 -- his Olympic number.

This can only add fuel to the fire that is the ruminations that people think LeBron will join Wade in Miami in 2010 and beyond.

UM's Nike Pro Combat Uniforms

Nike has decided to let 10 other schools get the chance to be the Oregon Ducks for one game this season. The Pro Combat Jerseys are labeled as the “the next generation” of jerseys. The 10 schools that will be getting the chance to be among the first to test-drive the Pro Combats will be: Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, FSU, Ohio State, Mizzou, LSU, VT, and Miami. My colleague Tom will be reviewing the jersey for his beloved Gators, but now it is time for me to critique “the future.”

I can try and try all I want to try and say that these jerseys are cool because I love "The U," but that would be like trying and trying to convince myself that "Spiderman 3" was a quality movie all over again. The jersey just looks downright tacky. The white jersey, pants, AND BELTS?! I know this is Miami, but I didn’t know that Nike wanted the Canes to endorse the Santeria following in Hispanic South Florida. Also, what’s up with the two color tones on the number? [Ed. note: CGB points this out as the "my first Photoshop effect" gradient in his VT Pro Combat uniform review]

Did the people at Nike actually think that this was aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of football fans everywhere? Really, Nike?

…REALLY?!

The only thing I can hang my hat on is that we don’t look like a glorified arena football team and Atlanta Falcon’s love child (DAG GUMMIT!). I can also proudly say that this jersey still at least looks like a Miami Hurricanes jersey (Go Bayou Huskies?).

I will agree with the majority of fans out there that believe that the gloves are a redeeming quality of these jerseys. I am a fan of how the gloves say “The U” on the Velcro straps for Miami’s jersey, and the camouflage is a fun coincidence. I love how "The U" logo is formed on the palms of the gloves, though.
However, the gloves are not redeeming enough, and therefore I will not be endorsing “the future.” I am glad that the Canes will only be forced to wear these things for one game. Hopefully Jacory Harris can be creative and think of something to add appeal to Miami’s Pro Combat edition. The new jersey is trash, and for once I’m not talking about the state.

Byron Scott Fired: That Was Fast

We are just two weeks into the NBA season and we already have the first coaching casualty of the 2009-10. Byron Scott, (now former) coach of the New Orleans Hornets was canned after a 3-6 start -- and after being throttled by the Suns on Wednesday night.

His replacement for the time being will be Hornets GM Jeff Bower. Scott was just a season and nine game removed from being named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2008, and coaching the Hornets to the the Western Conference semifinals.

Now, do I think the Scott firing is a bit brash? Indeed. I mean, seriously, we are only nine games into the NBA season and it's not like the Hornets don't have the talent to compete. They have a roster that includes arguably the best point guard in the game in Chris Paul, and the likes of Emeka Okafor, Peja Stojakovic, David West and the supposed X-Factor of the 2006 and 2007 NBA playoffs: James Posey.

Given more time, I think the Hornets could turn it around with Scott at the helm, if not, at least give him the chance to do so because being fired just two weeks into the NBA season is a tad absurd.

Nu'Keese's Troubles and The Irony of It All

For those who didn't already hear -- and even for those who did -- three Tennessee Vols football players were arrested early Thursday morning and charged with attempted armed robbery. Among the three arrested was Nu'Keese Richardson. Yes, that same Nu'Keese Richardson who spurned the Gators and Coach Urban Meyer at the last minute to sign with Lane Kiffin and the Vols.

While I always hate seeing athletes who are given every chance to succeed go and do something so asinine to blow the opportunities granted to them, I can't help but laugh at the details of this heist.

Nu'Keese, and the other two players (Janzen Jackson and Mike Edwards), attempted to rob someone outside of a Pilot on the Knoxville Strip. Funny fact number one: the Pilot is apparently owned by a UT alum, and former football player that is a big athletic booster for the university.

After attempting to rob a vehicle at gunpoint -- with a pellet gun (that's funny fact number two)-- the three left with no valuables. Later, the car that was described at the scene was pulled over on campus. The escape vehicle: a Toyota Prius. Yes, this was an Eco-friendly robbery attempt. You might want to mark that as funny fact number three. After searching the vehicle, police found drug paraphernalia and a bag of marijuana (bonehead/funny fact number four).

Seriously people, you can't make this stuff up. It's almost on par with the Delonte West arrest this summer (but nothing compares to the hilarity of his arrest).

The cherry on top of this story, especially if you are a Gator fan (which I clearly am), is that on Wednesday, Lane Kiffin was boasting about how the Vols' football program had recorded zero arrests in the 11 months since he was hired. Oh, the irony. The timing of it all makes it that much more comical.

The only thing I'm waiting for in this story is the part where Kiffin reminds the media that Meyer also tried to recruit Richardson (because he can never resist trying to take a shot at the Gators).

As for the punishments for these players? Well, we will have to wait and see what happens.

Thoughts On LeBron's Comments

LeBron James wants to win championships; it's no secret to anyone. He wanted everyone to know that winning those championships is more important than getting a max contract when the off-season rolls around.

Does this mean LeBron doesn't want a maximum contract for 2010 and beyond? Of course not. It just means that he would be willing to take a lesser contract if it meant winning championships, because, "winning is more important to me than money at the end of the day," LeBron said.

Now what does this mean for eager basketball fans such as myself? It means that there are legs to any pipe dreams that I -- and other Heat fans -- may have about the possibility of LeBron and Dwyane Wade calling the AAA their home next season.

Just think: if there's one person who could convince LeBron and/or Wade to take a less-than-max contract during free agency, who would it be? Probably Pat Riley. My eyes widen in wonderment at the mere idea of LeBron and Wade on the same team, even if it's just conjecture at this point. But if it could, in fact happen, LeBron would certainly get those championships he dreams of, and Wade would add more hardware to his collection.

Now that is an image I can get used to.

Just imagine a team anchored by two of the best players in the world, and surrounded by a supporting cast that could include Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem, among others.

And while I realize the unlikeliness of such an occurrence actually happening... a fan base can dream, right?

Five Things We Think We Think We Might Know: Week 10

Okay, so I flaked on this post last week, and I apologize. But rest assured, loyal readers, I'm back with a fresh five things we think we think we might know.

1. When Notre Dame loses, America wins. I quipped about this on Saturday, but I'll go at it again. Everyone hates Notre Dame, it's no secret. So when Notre Dame loses, America wins. And since this weekend, Notre Dame lost to Navy -- a branch of America's armed forces -- America won twice! Also, the loss means we don't have to see Notre Dame back its way into a BCS bowl.

2. Iowa got the Dennis Dixon treatment. The Hawkeyes were undefeated heading into the weekend, and then against Northwestern, Ricky Stanzi went down with a leg injury. Much like 2007 when Dennis Dixon went down for Oregon, and they dropped from No. 2 in the BCS to playing in the Sun Bowl. Hopefully Stanzi's injury won't have that drastic of an effect on this Iowa team, as they still control their own destiny in the Big 10.

3. Boise State is going to get screwed this season. If things shape out the way we think they will, Boise State is going to be left out of a BCS bowl. TCU, also undefeated, also non-BCS conference, jumped to fourth in the BCS poll this week. So Boise will end up playing somewhere other than Pasadena, Glendale, Miami or New Orleans come bowl season. But things rarely shape up as we expect them to in college football.

4. Jahvid Best is lucky to be walking. That fall he had on Saturday was blood-curdling, and beyond scary. It's usually never a good sign to see a player motionless on the ground (after landing on his back/neck) and then get carted off the field on a stretcher and being pumped oxygen. Fortunately for Best, he only suffered a concussion and has movement in all of his extremities.

5. Arguably the best QB in the nation is likely out for the rest of the season. No, not Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy or Case Keenum. Christian Ponder, FSU's star QB separated his shoulder in Saturday's loss to Clemson. It's a shame, because Ponder has been putting up ridiculous numbers and would probably be contending for a Heisman if it wasn't for FSU's Swiss cheese defense.

The Week 10 "4th and Fail" College Football Top 10

Each writer for this blog, weekly, will compile their own top ten college football ballot. For each ballot, first place gets ten points, second place gets nine, and so on. We will then add together the totals and bring to you our collective poll. With that said, I present to you the Week 7 "4th and Fail" College Football Poll.

Here is last week's poll, as a reference point.

Final Ballot (with Total Points in parentheses)

T-1. Florida (27)
T-1. Texas (27)
T-1. Alabama (27)
4. Cincinnati (21)
5. TCU (18)
6. Boise State (14)
7. Georgia Tech (13)
T-8. Iowa (6)
T-8. Pittsburgh (6)
T-10. LSU (2)
T-10. Oregon (2)
T-10. Utah (2)

Thoughts: Um, wow. This has got to be as odd a poll as we have seen so far this season. Apparently all three of us see no distinction between UF, Bama and Texas, but there is a gap between those three and the next group of teams. But there is also quite a gap between the middle-of-the-pack and the bottom tier of the top ten.

The voting breakdown is as follows, with brief explanations from each writer:


-TV's ballot.

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Cincinnati
5. TCU
6. Georgia Tech
7. Boise State
8. Iowa
9. Pittsburgh
10. LSU

Explanation: The top three have not changed, and Cincinnati survived a late push by UCONN to stay undefeated. TCU cracks the top five after Iowa suffered from Dennis Dixon Syndrome. GT is now probably the best one-loss team, so they come in ahead of Boise. Iowa stays in the top 10 because they still control their destiny in the Big 10 despite the loss to Nowrthwestern (and not the good Northwestern that plays high school ball in Miami). Pitt cracks the top 10 because well, they only have one loss. And LSU is the lone two-loss team in my ballot because their two losses are to two of the top three teams in my ballot -- plus they got jobbed out of that interception.


- Ted's ballot

1. Texas

2. Alabama

3. Florida

4. Cincinnati

5. TCU

6. Boise St.

7. Georgia Tech

8. Pittsburgh

9. Utah

10. LSU

Explanation: The top six shapes up pretty easily. It really doesn't matter where Texas, Florida, and Alabama are, they all control their own destiny to the National Campionship game. I think Texas has the best and most complete team as of right now. Both the Gators and Crimson Tide offenses are still a bit underwhelming. Georgia Tech is now the best one-loss team in the mix and has a chance to finish with a mighty-strong resume (rivalry game vs Georgia and ACC title game left to play). By no means do I think Pittsburgh and Utah are the 8th and 9th best teams in the country, but by default they have moved up. They do have nice resumes, but both have a game against a top five opponenet coming up. I'm keeeping LSU in the ten spot because they're the best two-loss team by a distance, although Ohio State is lurking, FML.


- Wooj's ballot

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Cincinnati
5. TCU
6. Boise St.
7. Georgia Tech
8. Iowa
9. Oregon
10. Pitt.

Explanation: The top 3 remain as is for surviving the week unscathed. Cincinnati barely escaped an inspired UCONN effort, and they also edge out the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian for the #4 spot. Boise St. comes in at number 6 even though they needed all 4 quarters to earn a W against more weak opponents. Georgia Tech comes in at #7 after Wake Forest broke my Miami Hurricane-biased heart and let Georgia Tech remain as the class of the ACC Coastal Division. Iowa lost Stanzi and their undefeated season this past weekend, but seeing as they are a one-loss team in a decent conference they still deserve a spot in the top 10. I choose to show Oregon some love because there is no way that USC should be ahead of them after only one removed from the shellacking in Eugene. Finally, the Pitt. Panthers come in at the 10 spot in this week's poll until further notice.