If only they stuck around…2009 NCAA Tournament

When UNC senior Danny Green steps onto the court against the LSU Tigers today, he will be playing in his 141st game, tying a North Carolina record set by Brendan Haywood.  Green and fellow senior Tyler Hansbrough have played key roles for the Tarheels this season, earning them a no. 1 seed in this years NCAA Tournament.  Recently, it has been rare to see a talented senior like Hansbrough (who set the all-time ACC scoring record in their first round game against Radford), stick around for four years, passing on an the opportunity for wealth in the NBA draft.

Leinart and Young Not Giving Up

Matt Leinart and Vince Young dominated the quarterback position in college.  Now, both are battling to regain their role as a starter in the NFL.

When the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals drafted Vince Young and Matt Leinart as the 3rd and 10th picks in the 2006 NFL Draft, both were expected to be make immediate impacts to their new teams.  Both had the resume’s to back it up.  Young was coming off a National Championship win (against Leinarts USC team), in which he put up 467 total yards (200 yards rushing) and 3 TDs for the Texas Longhorns.  NFL teams were drooling over his running ability, size (6’5″, 230lbs.), and potential.  Leinart had compilied a ridiculous 37-2 record as the starting QB at USC.  He threw a Pac-10 record 98 TDs and was named the Heisman Trophy winner in 2004. 

Jay Cutler Wants Out of Denver

Broncos QB Jay Cutler upset over trade rumors.

In an attempt to acquire New England QB Matt Cassel, the Denver Broncos were offering to deal Jay Cutler, according to Bill Williamson from ESPN. However, the deal fell through, and Matt Cassel was traded (along with longtime LB Mike Vrabel) to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round draft pick, earlier today.  Bill Williamson’s source claims that the Broncos are no longer considering trading Cutler.  However, the Pro Bowl QB is now livid, and is demanding to be traded.

Josh McDaniels may have just made the first HUGE mistake as a head coach in the NFL. 

Dan Hawkins expects a 10 win season in 2009

Gutsy.  Overly confident.  Asinine.  Right on!

All appropriate words used to describe CU football head coach Dan Hawkins’ comment last week, “10 wins and no excuses,” in reference to the upcoming 2009 season.  Those throughout the country may have found this comical, following a 5-7 season, thought by many to be a disappointment.  But those close to the organization know that the Buffs are close to getting over that hump to becoming one of the top caliber teams in college football.

This season reminded me a lot of the 2000-2001 season, when the Buffs went 3-8.  That year, the Buffs burned a redshirt on a true freshman quarterback (Craig Ochs) halfway through the season to give the team a spark; lost to Nebraska after a game winning field goal in the closing seconds; battled injuries throughout the season–including injuries to highly recruited freshmen tailbacks Marcus Houston and Bobby Purify, and LB Jashon Sykes; graduated only 8 seniors; played a brutal schedule: USC, Washington, and K-State (all top 10 teams) in successive weeks; and sat at home for the holidays after missing a bowl game.

How did, then head coach, Gary Barnett respond?  By guaranteeing a Big 12 Championship.

Gutsy.  Overly confident.  Asinine.  Those were the reactions that Barnett received for his comments.

How did the ensuing season turn out?  The Buffs went 10-3, won the Big 12, and finished a few tenths of a point in the BCS rankings short of playing Miami in the National Championship game.

Now lets take a look at the 2008-2009 CU football season:  Hawkins, burns a redshirt on QB Tyler Hansen to spark the team to victory over Kansas State; the Buffs lose to Nebraska because of a last minute field goal; battle injuries throughout the year (10 season ending), including injuries to highly recruited freshmen Darrell Scott and Rodney Stewart; graduate only 15 seniors; played a brutal schedule: West Virginia, Florida State, Texas, and Kansas in successive weeks; and also celebrate the holiday season on the couch, by missing a bowl game.

How did Hawkins respond?  By raising his expectations for the team–10 wins for 2009.

The similarities are almost scary.