NFL lockout threatens New Year’s Day football

Last week the 2011-2012 College Football Bowl Schedule was released. One thing was glaring to me – the absence of a bowl game on New Year’s Day. College football fans and alumni look forward to seeing their schools play in a “good” bowl game. This was defined by its proximity to New Year’s Day. At Michigan it was the Rose Bowl. Yes, prior to the BCS, the Big Ten champ always represented the conference in Pasadena, CA. But, it was also a New Year ’s Day game. Not a pre-Christmas game. The entire nation watches New Year’s Day games.



This season there will not be any college football on New Year’s Day. The Gator, Outback, Capital One, Ticket City and Rose bowl games were moved to January 2. This is not because of classes or finals. January 1 is a Sunday and the planned finale of the NFL regular season. A full schedule of NFL games are slotted for New Year’s Day, so that means no college football. If the NFL does not have a season, it means no football at all.


Check out the bowl schedule, but don’t make plans for the BCS Championship Game. It is scheduled for January 9, but will move to January 7 or 10 if the NFL pushes its regular season schedule back a week because of labor negotiations.

Ciao!
Heels & Helmets®

College summer break brings on top 25 debate

College spring practices are completely over.  Now everyone is reviewing their notes and fast-forwarding to August.  The debate for the Preseason Top 25 will get college football fans through the next three months. 

It’s way too early for me to participate and give any predictions on the landscape of college football.   This isn’t just because of the questions about talent, filling voids left by the NFL Draft or starting quarterbacks.  It’s because of the uncertainty on NCAA investigations and discipline for NCAA violations.  Will USC win their appeal?   Will South Carolina’s starting quarterback, Stephen Garcia, play this fall?  Will Jim Tressel and his starting quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, get a longer suspension?  The answers to these questions will make an impact on the Top 25 and the BCS race.

I don’t want to paint a picture that all is gloom in college football.  It is not.  The spring displayed a lot of promise for several programs. 

1.     Alabama fans can breathe because the Crimson Tide do not have a problem filling the running back position left by Mark Ingram.

2.     Oklahoma has the foundation to their offense intact and they don’t have to worry about playing Nebraska to win a conference title. 

3.     LSU Tigers fans must be excited that they now have some depth at the quarterback position.

4.     Michigan State is returning the leaders of their offense.  Playing Ohio State early, hosting Wisconsin and playing Nebraska late are all pluses for them to contend for the Big Ten Title.

Those are a few bright spots that I observed, but just in case you have an itch to see what is going on, check out ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25 Poll.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

I just want to talk about FOOTBALL, good grief!

I have not shared this with anyone, but I have been a little depressed.  Well maybe not depressed, but the headlines on football have my spirits a little down.  NFL lockout and players suing the league take up all of the news when I should be reading about trades, free agency and draft assessments.   I look to college football for some real gridiron action and find headlines about NCAA infractions, coaches being suspended and investigations.

Where is the real football talk?

I get it.  I have worked in college and professional sports, so I know that it is part of the game.  I do not expect that conversations about the game be void of the events related to the game. What happens off the field certainly has implications for results on the field.  I actually enjoy discussing the social and business issues related to the sport, however does it need to steal every headline?  Can we discuss the game? 

At this moment…

I could careless about Ochocinco playing soccer.  When I want to know what footballers are up to, I read about Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham.

I’m not really interested in Randy Moss Motorsports splitting with driver Mike Skinner.  I’d love to know which (if any) teams are considering the free agent for their receiving corps.

I would rather read early predictions about who will play in the Fiesta Bowl than read about the nonprofit organization’s CEO, John Junker, being fired for reimbursing employees for political contributions.

I would like to debate on where Auburn and Ohio State will land in the preseason top 25, not about which program the NCAA infractions committee will focus on.

On top of all of this, the weather has been cold and rainy in DC.  Not good for my already gloomy mood.  But, yesterday things changed.  The sun came out and my mood improved.  My smile began to widen when I remembered that Texas was playing their spring scrimmage.

I exhaled… Football… 

Not the drama surrounding football.  Real. Football.

The Texas Longhorns hosted their annual Orange and White Scrimmage yesterday afternoon in Texas Memorial Stadium.  It was Bryan Harsin’s debut as the Co-Offensive Coordinator for Texas.  He is the coach from Boise State that developed all of the trick plays that the team used to confuse defenses and garner national attention.  Yesterday fans saw the offense in fresh formations and reverse plays typical of Harsin’s style.  After a 5-7 finish last year, that is exactly what Longhorns wanted to see.   

There was not a clear distinction between the top two quarterbacks, Garrett Gilbert and Case McCoy, younger brother of former Texas and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.   Head Coach Mack Brown does not plan to name a starter this spring because there is too much for everyone to learn with the new offense.  The pre-snap motion and trickery was fun to watch, but with players running into each other and inaccurate passes, it is evident that the Longhorns need to do some more work so that they don’t confuse the defense AND offense.  Overall, it seems as is Texas is off to a good start to compete in the shrinking Big 12.

Competing for the starting QB job.  A new offensive system.  Now that’s talking about football.

I’m better now.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Spring is here and so is college football

While the NFL is still battling on labor issues with its players, college programs started spring practice.  These practices symbolize that football is in full spring on college campuses.  Most programs culminate the spring training session of 15 practices with a big intra-squad scrimmage.  They are usually dubbed by the schools colors.  For example, Florida has the “Orange and Blue” game every spring.  At The University of Michigan, it is simply, “Michigan Spring Game.”

At some universities the scrimmage is just an open practice that allows students, alumni and fans to see the team run plays.  At the larger programs, it has become just as big as the first home game with all of the fanfare, tailgating and display of school pride that you see in the fall.  Last year, the Florida Gators attracted close to 51,000 fans to their scrimmage.  Ohio State packed over 65,000 fans in the Horseshoe to see them last spring.

These scrimmages provide a good snapshot at the team’s development as they transition from last season.  How is the new coach directing the team?  Are players buying into the new coach’s message?  How does the offense or defense look after losing several players to graduation and/or the NFL draft?  Who will be the starting quarterback?  These are some of the questions that fans look to get answers for watching the spring game.

A lot has happened since the BCS Championship game.  Here are a couple of spring games that I think are noteworthy.

1.     Auburn – The Tigers lost the foundation and strength of their offense to the NFL Draft.  How they will replace the speed, rushing yards and size of Cam Newton will be interesting.

2.     Nebraska – This will be the Cornhuskers first scrimmage as a member of the Big Ten.  They were the Big 12 North Champions last year, but everyone is curious to see how they will fare in the oldest football conference.

3.     Ohio State – With Terrelle Pryor and Head Coach Jim Tressel out for the first five games of the season, fans will want to see how the backups fill in.

4.     Michigan – After three years of being embarrassed on the gridiron, the wolverines have a “Michigan Man” back at the helm of the program.  Head Coach, Brady Hoke, has one mission - restore greatness back to college’s most winningest program.  He has been clear about his expectations to win Big Ten titles and beat Ohio State.  All eyes will be on Michigan Stadium on April 16 to see the strides that he is making.

Get information on every school’s spring practice schedule.

Ciao!

 Heels & Helmets®

Halloween is here and football is getting scary

As we approach Halloween, a couple of the top teams in college and the NFL had fans on the edge of their seats.  Some of them survived scary games, while others suffered frightening losses. 

College Weekend

Oklahoma loss to Missouri and opened the door for someone to take the #1 spot.  In the AP and USAToday Polls, Oregon took the top spot.  However, in the BCS standing Auburn who defeated LSU owns the #1 spot.  As I shared last week, the BCS is the only standing that you need to pay attention to.  Auburn was rewarded for not just being undefeated, but beating three teams ranked #12 or higher.  Following Auburn in the top five of the BCS are Oregon #2, Boise State #3, Texas Christian University (TCU) #4, and Michigan State #5.  

The chase for the BCS Championship game will be tough for the schools behind Auburn because of the lack of difficulty remaining on their schedule.  They all only have one ranked opponent left.  Out of the four of them, only TCU will play a team currently in the top 10.  This leaves an opportunity for Alabama to still get to the BCS game.  In the final month of the regular schedule, they will play three ranked teams, LSU #12, Mississippi State #21 and Auburn #1.

NFL Week 7

In the first weekend since the NFL got tough on illegal helmets hits, there were some shockers, lucky endings and controversial calls.

Who Dat thought that the Cleveland Browns would even compete against the defending Super Bowl Champs?  Probably only Browns players and die-hard fans.  Cleveland not only competed, but they dominated the New Orleans Saints.   Browns fans need to thank their defense and Saints quarterback Drew Brees for their second win.  He was responsible for two of their three touchdowns.  Drew threw two interceptions that were caught and returned for touchdowns by David Bowen.  Browns win on the road, 30 -17.

The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to South Florida to face AFC rival Miami Dolphins.  It was a close game in which Ben Roethlisberger fumbled at the end of the game right at the goal line.  The refs confirmed the fumbled, but said that they did not have a clear visual of who recovered the ball, so they gave it back to Pittsburgh.  I was not on the field, but from the replay I only see Dolphin uniforms all over the ball.  Luck falls on the Steelers side.  They get the ball back at the half-yard line, kick a field goal and win 23 – 22.

In Chicago, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler threw 4 interceptions that helped the Washington Redskins get their fourth win of the season.  It was not all pretty for the Redskins.  Donovan McNabb threw a couple of interceptions, but the defense shined returning one of Cutler’s interceptions for a touchdown and sacking him four times.  Redskins win it 17 - 14.  I have to give some credit to Redskin defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth.  He made an awesome stop at the goal line.  He leaped over the offensive line and tackled Cutler, preventing him from scoring a touchdown and leading to a fumble.  You have to see it.  Now that’s defense! 

New England Patriots get lucky in Southern California.  San Diego Chargers miss a field goal with 23 seconds left that would have tied the game.  Patriots win 23 -20 and remain tied for first in the AFC East with the New York Jets.  Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings were not so lucky in Lambeau Field.  Favre’s interceptions and controversial calls on two touchdowns led to a Green Bay Packers victory 28 -24.

Are you ready for some football?

Monday Night Football will feature a matchup between NFC East teams.  The first team in the NFC East, New York Giants, will play the last team in that division, Dallas Cowboys, at Cowboys Stadium.  After consecutive losses to AFC opponents, the Giants have won three in a row.  Albeit those games were not against New England, Pittsburgh or the Jets, Dallas has won only one game.  The Cowboys problem is not a lack of talent.  It is a lack of focus and discipline.

 I’ll be honest and disclose I have an affinity for the Cowboys.  (I love Jerry Jones and what little cheerleader in the 80s did not want to be a Cowgirl???)   So, even with the problems, turnovers and penalties, I’m going with the Cowboys.  They are in a do or die situation and I think Tony Romo and Miles Austin will lead the team to their second win.

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets

High School football moms prepare for the road to National Signing Day

Recently, I received several questions from “football moms” seeking advice on helping their sons choose a college to play football.  So, I decided to share a few points to help moms go through college recruiting with their sons.  This is not an endorsed list from a university or the NCAA, it is my insight based on experience working in college football recruitment and discussions with my friends who were recruited and played Division I football.  Here are 6 key things to consider and understand as you go through the recruitment process to National Signing Day. 

1. More to college than football - Set objectives with your son for his college career.  He plays football, but what other interests does he have?  Is it the arts?  Is it traveling abroad?  Does he want to be close to home?  What is he interested in studying?  Outline all of his aspirations inclusive of his football plans and determine the objectives for his college experience.  Create a checklist with these details to measure all of the universities.

2. The football program – Understand the Head Coach’s philosophy (on and off the field), the direction that he is taking the program and his plans for your son.  What position is he considering for your son?  Could he be considered for more than one position?  How does he envision your son contributing to the team?  Look into the current student-athletes and recruits that play the same position as your son.  Will your son be able to compete for a position?  Not starting as a freshman should not be a deterrent.  However, your son has to weigh how important being active immediately and continuing in the same position is to him.  Talk to current student-athletes and get their perspectives on the team and locker room culture.

3. Coaches are not immortal – I’m sure that your son has a favorite college coach.  He will be excited to be recruited by this coach and eager to play for him.  Head Coaches are the face of a college football program, but they are not permanent fixtures at a college or university.  They are not guaranteed to lead the program for the duration of your son’s college tenure.  It’s important that you guide your son, so he does not select a university solely to play for his favorite coach.

4. College or University APR – APR stands for Academic Progress Rates.  As part of their academic reform initiatives, the NCAA implemented the APR program to track and measure the academic performance of student-athletes.  The programs with low APRs can lose scholarships and possibly face other penalties.  The NCAA has released the 2010 report.  Look up the APR for the colleges or universities that are on your son's list.  This provides some information on how current student-athletes are performing in the classroom.

5. Education is still the key – Your son’s goal may be to play in the NFL.  I believe that you should encourage him to do his best and reach this goal.  Having said that, I also think that it is imperative that parents are realistic about their son’s ability and stress the importance of an education and experience outside of football.  Even if he plays in the NFL, the average career length is 3.5 years.  That means on average, NFL players are finished playing in their mid-twenties.  (Very young!)  What will he do after he finishes his career in the NFL?  What are his plans if he does not play professional football?  It is important that he is prepared for both situations.  This brings me back to my first point, set objectives based on all of his aspirations, not just football.

6.  It’s your son’s decision – I think that this is the most difficult part for parents.  Your role is to provide insight and guidance to help them make the best decision.  This decision is not to vicariously accomplish some things that you did not do in undergrad.  And please no threats of being removed from the will if they do not choose your alma mater.  I’ll give you a pass if he attempts to go to a rival.  I’m not a mother yet and if my son told me that he wanted to play football in Ohio, let’s just say I would only see him lose at Michigan Stadium!  Seriously, do your best to remain objective and present information and not make the decision for him.   

At 15 and 16 years old, your son’s world might revolve around football.  (OK, after Super Bowl, even I go through a little seasonal depression.)  But, there is more to life than football.  Do your part to expose your son, stimulate his other interests and guide him to have a well-rounded college experience.

This is an exciting time for you and your son.  So enjoy the process and we look forward to hearing from you on National Signing Day! 

Ciao!

Heels &  Helmets

IT'S NATIONAL SIGNING DAY AND MICHIGAN WILL BE BACK!

OK, My goal was to get you all ready for Super Bowl, so I was dedicating this week to talking about both teams playing in the Championship Game.  But, today is a really important day for College Football and my Michigan Wolverines, so I had to fill you in.  Today is the first day that a high school player can sign a binding letter of intent to play at a university.  So, it's appropriately called National Signing Day.  All of the months college coaches spend traveling, making phone calls, arranging tours of the university and scheduling attendance at games all come down to this day.  


It has been a rough couple of years since Rich Rodriguez (Coach Rod) took over as Head Coach of Michigan Football.  He has not been on the sidelines of a Michigan Bowl Game, since he watched Coach Carr coach the Wolverines to a victory over the Florida Gators in the Capital One Bowl, on January 1, 2008.  This was the day before he started his job at Michigan.  Well, I am convinced that the 2008 and 2009 seasons are in the past and Coach Rod's third year will be a charm!  I'm looking forward to see who will be added to complete the offense and strengthen our defense.  GO BLUE!


I feel so excited that I am inviting all of you to come join me for my Super Bowl Happy Hour this Friday!  Here are the details:

Join Heels & Helmets for the "Final Practice" before the big game. Come chat, have a cocktail and get key elements to the game. Yes, he'll be surprised on Sunday!

PLAYBOOK

The Reserve: 1426 L Street, NW; Washington, DC

Open Bar: 5 - 6 p.m. (Select cocktails)

$5 Rails

$5 Select Tapas

You can get information on the newest Wolverines and watch the press conference at 3 p.m. (EST) at mgoblue.com.

Ciao!
Heels & Helmets