The Orange Bowl is Almost Gone!

Saturday, November 10 2007 will go down as one of the most glorious days in recent sports memory. The shittiest stadium ever constructed will hold it's last major athletic event.

I am talking about the infamous Orange Bowl, or OB, in Miami. It opened for play way back in 1937 and I have to imagine it was a terrible stadium even then. I mean, have you ever been there? It's the worst. So cramped that it's impossible to enjoy a game. So small a powerful high school program, like St. Thomas Aquinas, would feel disrespected to be asked to play there. It played home to the Dolphins until the opening of Joe Robbie Stadium (later re named Pro Player, then Dolphin Stadium) in 1987


It has hosted many memorable events such as:

Jan. 14, 1968 -- Vince Lombardi's final game as coach of the Green Bay Packers. They beat the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II, 33-14

Jan. 1, 1965 -- Joe Namath is stopped shy of the goal line on fourth down, and his Alabama Crimson Tide failed in their quest to deliver Paul "Bear" Bryant's fourth national championship, losing to Texas 21-17.

Jan. 12, 1969 -- Back at the Orange Bowl as a pro, Joe Namath delivers on his guarantee, as the New York Jets pull off a stunning 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Jan. 1, 1984 -- Miami wins its first national championship, beating Nebraska 31-30 after the Cornhuskers fail on a two-point conversion in the final minute.

Nov. 23, 1984 -- Hail Flutie. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie finds Gerard Phelan with a desperation pass on the final play of the game, giving the Eagles a stunning 47-45 win over Miami.

Oct. 14, 2006 -- Marring the first-ever meeting between Miami and Florida International, the teams brawl during the third quarter. In all, 31 players from the schools are sanctioned, including 18 from FIU. Miami won 35-0.





Despite all these great memories, the only ones I take away are the fans. That's not a good thing. Anyone who's ever been to a Miami game, and is not a Miami fan, knows that I'm talking about. It's as if you murdered every single one of their mothers. Don't walk by where the students wait to get in the game, if you're tailgating, even while wearing neutral colors. Anything not Orange and Green might as well be Garnet and Gold or Orange and Blue. Everyone is the enemy. You will be spit on, cursed at, have beer bottles thrown at you, some broken, some still containing beer. You will start to re evaluate the price you paid to go to the game. Was this even worth the trip down to Miami at all?


The memory that brings it together for me the most, is FSU at Miami in 2004. I got the tickets for free, so I can't complain about the cost. I went with a couple of my buddies who were students at FSU, and were there, obviously, to support the 'Noles. We had tickets near the Alumni section, so it was all mostly friendly shit talking through out the whole game. Towards the end, when it looked like FSU had the game under wraps, a guy who proclaimed himself to be off duty Miami-Dade PD came up to us and said "Hey guys, I just want to thank you for keeping it civil. I'm a cop and a lot of times people get rowdy, and out of control. You guys got us this year, but you know how it goes. Fuck Florida State," and headed back to his seat. He was obviously drunk out of his skull, but we thought 'hey, finally, a decent drunk Miami fan. We better not hold our breath for another one.'

Then, with 30 seconds left, Sinorice Moss caught a 30 TD from Brock Berlin, and the game was headed for OT.

Then, in OT Chris Rix fumbled on the Seminoles first possession. Frank Gore ran in for a TD and the game was over.

The same cop who thanked us for being civil then decided to show his face again. This time, it wasn't so pretty. A shirt that was being sold at FSU before the game read Muck Fiami, which one of my boys was wearing. It being Florida in September it was at least 400 degrees outside, so the shirt was off and over the shoulder at this point. Well, this guy comes down in typical Cane fan fashion and starts yelling and being retarded. He grabs the shirt off my boy's shoulder, wipes his ass with it (not really, but made the motion) and then threw it. Then, he snatched the hat off the same kid's head, and threw that. This almost turned in to a brawl, because my boy was on some 'I'm no bitch. Fuck him, he owes me money for that shirt and that hat, and I'm takin it out of his ass' type shit.

We quickly reminded him that while we had his back, the odds were impossible, and we should just chalk it up as an L and keep it moving.

That said. Fuck the Orange Bowl. There's no parking, it's in the middle of the one of the most dirty neighborhoods, Little Havana (sorry, but it is fuckin dirty) in all of Miami. The seating is terrible, the stadium was outdated 40 years ago, and I can't wait to watch them blow it up.

So, There's This Kid in Seattle

His name is Kevin Durant. Maybe you've heard of him. You know, the 18 year old 6 foot 9 string bean that plays basketball? The collegiate player of the year? The first freshman to ever win it, ever? The number two pick in the '07 NBA draft?


Well, on Halloween, he played his first NBA game in Denver against a playoff team with two superstars and the defending defensive player of the year. He looked like a dear in the headlights. He shot a miserable 9-29 (.286) from the field and had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 33 minutes.


This wasn't his first college game, scoring 20 points in 22 minutes against Alcorn State. Back then he wasn't being PAID to play. It was still just a game, and not his job.


He looked scared. He should have been. I mean, it's a big deal to be the number 2 player taken out of every single available person for the league. All eyes are on him, with the #1 pick, Greg Oden out for the year. It's a big deal to be 18 years old and playing for a 4 million dollar paycheck. It's a big deal to have to perform in order to keep those endorsement deals coming in.


Since that first game, he hasn't been on TV, so my judgements are based on the highlights only. But he's changed that look. He looks like it clicked for him. It looks like someone told him, "hey bruh..it's still only basketball."


His scoring has gone up to 24 points a game, he's averaging 6 rebounds a game, and his shooting percentage has increased in every game this year. The Sonics are still winless, but they only lost to 7 to the Suns, which shows hope. They are one of the youngest teams in the league. The team average in age is the same as the starting five, which is only 25. Durant, the team's leader in points per game, is 7 years away from that. Which is scary. Stupid scary.


The team is going nowhere but up. It's oldest starter is 28. They play in the west, which is, of course, the stronger of the confrences. They probably won't amount to much this year. But building a franchise isn't a one year deal. Ask the Bulls. They are currently building a franchise. That is, if they dont trade their investments for Kobe Bryant. That's not smart business, and is another topic in itself. If you put the right pieces together and let them mold, you will build a product that competitive season in and season out. Which the Sonics have the players to accomplish in a couple years.


I don't want to do an entire blog on the Bulls/Kobe thing, so I'll just throw it in down here. The Bulls would be stupid to trade for Kobe. The Lakers won't accept less than Ben Gordon and/or Luol Deng and number of other young talent. That doesn't make sense for the Bulls. If you look at these players like stock, it's selling your stocks that have unlimited potential low to get one high stock, that can't get much higher.

The pieces of the puzzle you'll have to give up to get Bryant would leave you atop the east, but without the depth or fire power to compete with the top teams in the west. Without being able to compete with them, you are unable to beat them. Which means no trophy. Which means you blew your future for nothing.

Should the Pats get the * Treatment?

Thanks to Don Shula, the whole world is now asking the question, "If the Patriots go undefeated, should they get an asterisk?"

We all know Shula was the head coach of the '72 Dolphins who were the last team to go unbeaten. He said, "The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished...You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it...I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Now, I'm really torn on this subject. A part of me says they were caught cheating, point blank, period. If they do it, it deserves an asterisk.

Another part of me says they were caught in the first half, of the first game of the year, against a team who's record is now 1-8, and their only win came against the win less Dolphins. The Patriots won that game 38-14. If you take away the Patriots first half scoring, and kept the Jets first half scoring, the Patriots still win the game 24-14.

Obviously the league is looking for the Pats to repeat, and they're not stupid enough to do so. Do you really think the Patriots would have lost to the Jets without video taping them?

That's like if they catch A-Rod with a corked bat after hitting 2 HRs the first week of the season, they suspend him for 15 games, he comes back and breaks the single season home run record by 5. Like yeah he was caught, but take away the homers he hit with with the corked bat, and he still breaks the record.


I could honestly understand if there is an asterisk attached to the record, if the Pats go undefeated, but that just sucks for them. They are guilty, and there's no denying it. But again, if you take away the one half of one game they were in violation, they are still undefeated to date.


I can understand more if someone wants to say the past championships are tainted because you just don't know if they were cheating then or not. You have to assume they were because they were caught cheating. And you cheat until you get caught.

Are the 07' Pats the best team of this decade, and maybe ever? Sure looks that way now. But let's wait it out and see if they even go undefeated first before we get in to all this asterisk talk. I mean, they still have to play the Steelers who aren't looking bad. They have to play the Giants the last week of the season, when New England could have the back ups in, with home field secured and New York playing for the division title with Dallas.



Also, let me add this. Sure the Dolphins went undefeated in '72. They were a great team. But they only played 14 games. And their schedule consisted of 2 games against teams who finished the year over .500.

The Pats play the Bills twice, who could very well finish over .500, the Chargers who are currently 4-4 and have LT on their team, the Browns who are currently over .500, The Cowboys, the Colts, Steelers, and Giants all who will finish over .500

The MLB GM's Are Trying...

...to get it right.

On Tuesday, the 30 GM's voted on a proposal to bring instant replay in to baseball. The vote was yes 25 to 5.

They understand that it shouldn't be used for every little thing. It's going to be used on home runs. Did the ball clear the fence, or hit the top and bounce off? Did a fan reach just over the fence and grab the ball? Also, for those potential HR balls that end up within inches, either way, of the foul pole.

To be finalized, MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, look over the vote, and either give the nod or deny the GMs the right to come up with an official proposal. Then, Selig would have to approve along with the Player's Association.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig has said for years he's not a supporter of instant replay because it would slow the game and take the game out of the hands of the umpires.

I always thought that was a dumb comment. Yes, you want the game to be handled by umpires. But you want them to be right. You want a potential season changing call to be the right one. And how long would it really take? As long as when the catcher comes to the mound, then all members of the infield, then the pitching coach? It would be shorter than that. Or would it take as long as it does for the coach to come out and argue the call? I don't think so.

It wouldn't be that big of a break in the game, especially if you do it like in college football, where the refs don't make the decision. A replay judge has access to every angle coming from the broadcast would put in the call that the play needs to be reviewed, and would take a minute to sort out.

You don't want the umpires going under the hood like the NFL refs. That takes too long. Even on obvious calls, it takes them two minutes to go over, check the tape, double check the tape, confer with another official upstairs and all the other steps. In college, the Ref throws on a pair of headphones and they say "reverse the call. put x amount of time on the clock. the ball should be placed on the __ yard line. 2nd down, 6 to go."

In baseball, they would throw on the headphones and hear "It was a home run. the score is now 7-4." or "No home run. Ground rule double, one run scored, men on 2nd and 3rd. 1 out." If it was a foul ball, it would be "No home run. Send runners back to 1st and 2nd. The count is now 2-2 and there is 1 out." Or "Fan interference. Ground rule double. Runner on 2nd, 2 runs score. Still 2 outs."


At the end of the day, it's all about making the right call. You don't accept a wrong call when it's obvious, so you shouldn't accept it when it's close.

I just hope Selig comes around, and the GMs get the proposal right.

Maybe Next Year, Pacman

Well, Adam 'Pacman' Jones was notified by commish Goodell that his suspension must be paid in full. That means he's done until the Titans season is over. Once that happens, he's allowed to show face at team facilities again. This comes after being suspended for the season, but Roger Goodell said he would review it after the team's 10th game, and that Pacman could "do the right thing, and earn his way back to the field."

I'm not so sure I'm buying that. That Goodell was going to review it, or that Pacman could have done anything, besides rescue children from a burning orphanage, for his suspension to be lightened.

For one, the commish said he would review after the team's 10th game. Well, week 9 was just wrapped up about 24 hours ago, and there were no games played today. They had their bye week in week 4, meaning the team's 10th game wouldn't come until week 11. Two weeks shy of the decision.

Pacman had done everything to deserve a suspension, though maybe not one for the whole year.

Bengals WR Chris Henry was suspended for 8 games and he was convicted, on two separate charges. Pacman has never been found guilty of anything. Accused of and charged with an outlandish number of infractions of the law, but all cases are either pending, have been dropped, or have been dismissed.

The big charge is with his involvement during the NBA All Star weekend that we all are familiar with. If you're not familiar with it, look it up.

After that, he's just put himself in a number of positions to look stupid. He went to the strip club the night before a meeting with Commissioner Goodell. He joined TNA wrestling, even when the Titans told him it would be a violation of his contract to do so.

The Titans have been smart about their unfortunate situation. They didn't expect Pacman to be back this year, and I really don't think they are planning on him being around after this year for long, if at all.


With all that being said, the reason I'm writing this is to say that Roger Goodell made a bitch move.

I understand you suspending him for a year, because you're cracking down on player conduct and he's enemy number one. I really do understand. What I'm not up on is how Chris Henry didn't get the same treatment. I mean I know he hasn't been accused of as many things as Pacman, but the conviction ration is 2:0 Henry to Pacman.

Why would you say you "promised to review the suspension following the team's 10th game," and then make your decision prior to the team's 9th game? That's not fair to him, his fans, his team, or his teammates. Why would you give false hope? I don't think he's done enough to be lifted off suspension, because he's got a "what are you REALLY gonna do, kick me out of the league?" type attitude. That sucks, because I know that you, the commish, wouldn't even think twice about kicking him out of the league. Pacman's on the LAST chance he's going to get from the head of the league, and it's almost like he doesn't see that. But still, couldn't you have at least waited until after their 10th game? I understand that you really didn't even want to think about reviewing the suspension. You should have just said so. You should have just said "he's suspended for a year, end of story."

That sir, is super lame.

College Football Week 10 Wrap Up

First and foremost, let's all congradulate Navy. The Midshipmen snapped a 44 year, 43 game losing streak to Notre Dame. Charlie Weis gets the bonehead coach of the year award. 4th and 8 with 30 seconds left in the game, ball on the Navy 24, and he goes for it, instead of kicking the go ahead FG. That obviously came back to haunt him in (triple) OT.


#1 Ohio State played host to those pesky Badgers of #21 Wisconsin in what was sure to be a Big 10 test. Well, someone forgot to tell the world that the Big 10 is horrible. Screw all their top 25 teams. They are weak, son. Weak. That being said, the Buckeyes took a tie game in to the 4th quarter, at which time, they reminded Beanie Wells he was playing football. They dropped 21 and called it a game, 38-17. Wells ran for 169 yards and 3 TDs in the game.


What is it about #2 this year? There's something about that 2 slot that makes teams falter. On Saturday, It was Boston College's turn. It was one of those games that had me saying "BC is gonna come back, just like they did last week. 'Matty Heisman' will do his thug thizzle right here." Then, down 3, with a little over a minute to go, he put the lid on their Title hopes by throwing a Pick 6 to Geno Hayes. The Noles defense proved timely, and had 3 INTs, including Hayes' on the day. The 'Noles took the W, in the rain, in Boston, 27-17.


One of the best games of the weekend featured a #3 LSU team visiting #17 Nick Saban coached Alabama. We all know Saban used to coach at LSU, so needless to say, there was some pre existing hostility coming in to this game. Early in the 2nd, The Tigers had taken a 17-3 lead and the game looked out of hand. Then Bama woke up, and went in to the half carrying a 20-17 lead. They came out in a slow 3rd, and extended their lead to 27-17. LSU answered in less than a minute, bringing the score to 27-24. They tied the game early in the 4th. Then Bama's Javier Arenas returned a punt 61 yard to the house, giving the Tide the lead back 34-27. LSU answered with an Early Doucet score knotting the game at 34. Then with only 1:24 to go, sure handed Jacob Hester ran the ball in from 1 yard out, giving the Tigers the W, 41-34.


The Game of the Week featured an undefeated #4 Arizona State on the road at one loss #5 Oregon, in a Pac-10, national title make or break match up. this was a make or break game for Heisman Hopefull Dennis Dixon, and he shined. The Ducks scored 5 TDs (4 by Dixon) and their longest drive was only 3:36 long. That's proof that they can strike and strike quickly. That spells danger for every opponent. Dixon was hurt late in the game, but was on the sidelines jumping around, and could have come back in, but they were up 35-16 so there wasn't a need for him to. The final was 35-23 Ducks, spoiling the Sun Devils bid at a National Title.


#6 Oklahoma welcomed disappointing Texas A&M in to town on Saturday and left Sooner Nation smiling. Freshman QB Sam Bradford continued to show he's the future by going 21/30 for 284, 5 TDs/0 INTs, 4 of which went to Jermiane Gresham. The Sooners won 42-14, though the last Aggie TD came with less than a minute left in the game. The boys from Norman kept their hopes alive for the national title, though they, like a number of other teams, need some things to happen.


#7 West Virginia was off this week, and plays Louisville next week.


Here is your surprise team of the year. #8 Kansas. They put up 76 on Nebraska. Now, this isn't your average Nebraska team, but still. Teams don't put up 76 on D1AA school. A name you might not recognize is Todd Reesing. He's the Jayhawk's QB. He went 30/41 for 354, 6 TDs/0 INTs. That's a day. And it's not like the Kansas doesn't have a running game, either. Brandon McAnderson put up 119 yards and 4 TDs of his own. This was the definition of a pounding. Nebraska, you need to wake up. You let KANSAS drop 76. That's a pride thing. Right now, in Lincoln, there's none of it. Jayhawks roll 76-39.


#9 Missouri should have been worried going in to Boulder to play Colorado. Ask Oklahoma. Tigers QB Chase Daniel had a big day going 26/44 for 421 5 TDs/1 INT. Mizzou rolls, 55-10. They travel to Kansas the last game of the year in which they could play spoiler role for the Jayhawks.


Troy is on the rise. They really are. Unfortunately, they're just not quite there yet. They played between the hedges at #10 Georgia on Saturday night, and had themselves in the game, even in the 4th quarter. Knowshon Moreno's 3rd TD of the day with 6:32 left sealed the deal, and the Dawgs won 44-34. Moreno rushed for 196 yds and 3 scores on 26 touches.



#11 Va Tech went to the ATL to take on the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday night. Now, something interesting happened. Some of the VT jersey's came up missing and several players, including starting QB Sean Glennon, had to wear modified Yellow Jacket jerseys. They blacked out the team name with a magic marker, wrote their own names on the back with a Sharpie, and even went as far as to draw on their own Nike checks. Fortunate for them, the uniform malfunction didn't have any outcome on the game. The Jacket's QBs didn't help the cause either, throwing 5 INTs. Hokies rolled 27-3.


#12 Michigan vs Michigan State was all it was cracked up to be. State had a 10 point lead with less than 7 minutes left in the game. But Chad Henne drove the Wolverines 79 yards in only 53 seconds to make it a 3 point game. Mario Manningham caught his 2nd TD of the game in what was the game winner, making the score 28-24. I'll say this again. I THINK MICHIGAN WILL BEAT OHIO STATE. Really, I do. Honestly. I mean, what else do they really have to play for?


Could #13 UConn be for real? I mean, they ARE UConn. Right? They are the best team you REALLY never heard of. Not USF. You heard of USF. They beat West Virginia last year. But you really weren't even sure UConn had a football team. But they do. And they're good. They brought Rutgers to town, and gave them the business. Making the Scarlet Knights leave empty handed and heavy hearted with the Huskies posting a 38-19 W.


#14 Hawaii was off this week.


#15 Texas needed every single one of the 24 4th quarter points to pull out the win at OK State. Longhorns RB put 124 of his 180 rushing yards up in the 4th along with 2 of his 3 scores. QB Colt McCoy also had over 100 yards rushing to go with his 282 passing yards. Longhorns pull out a squeaker, in the 4th, for the 2nd week in a row 38-35.


#16 Auburn welcomed Tennessee Tech to town, and weren't very gracious hosts. They put the smack down 35-3, as 2 different Tigers QBs threw for TDs. Other than that, this game wans't all that pretty.


#18 South Florida lost its 3rd straight game on Saturday to Cincinnati. The Bulls had 8 turnovers and allowed 31 points in the first quarter of a close loss. UFS QB Matt Grothe didn't even come on to the field until there was 8:30 left in the first and the score was already 14-10 USF thanks to a pick 6 and a kickoff return to the house. Well, the Bulls went 3 and out, got the punt blocked and recovered for a TD. Then the Bulls were driving, and the Bearcats had their own pick 6, this one 79 yards. When all was said and done, the dust settled and the Bulls were left teary eyed, 38-33.


#19 USC welcomed QB John David Booty back to action as they brought the Beavers of Oregon State to L.A. Booty threw for 2 TDs as the Trojans romped the Beav's 24-3.


The #20 Gators got back on track, as they came back to the Swamp for the first time since the last week in September. They took on a solid Vanderbilt team, who doesn't give up many points on defense. Except this week. Tim Tebow put his Superman cape back on, as he went 22/27 for 281 3 TDs/1 INT to go along with his 2 rushing TDs on only 6 carries. At one point, he busted off a nice run and put a licking on a Vandy safety, got up, hit his right shoulder 3 times and gave the OK sign, letting the entire world know that he's back in tip top form. Percy Harvin rushed for 113 yds and 2 TDs and caught 9 balls for 110 yards. The Gators romped Vandy 49-22.


#22 Boise State finally didn't play on a Sunday, and still won. They brought San Jose State to town and won 42-7. I hate the WAC. Who do they play? I could put a squad of grandmothers together and beat San Jose State.


#23 Virginia and #24 Wake Forest met up for an ACC showdown. It was exactly that. A showdown. A defensive showdown, but a showdown none the less. The Cavaliers won 17-16.


#25 Clemson took on pathetic Duke. They won 47-10. James Davis rushed for 118 and a touch on only 8 carries. On a side note, Duke plays at Notre Dame in a couple of weeks in what should be a good game. That's so sad to say. Notre Dame, you suck.



New Heisman Top 5:

Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon
Tim Tebow, QB Florida
Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
Pat White, QB West Virginia
Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas (who had 323 rushing yards on saturday. 323!)



New BCS Standings

1. Ohio State
2. LSU
3. Oregon
4. Kansas
5. Oklahoma
6. Mizzou
7. West Virginia
8. Boston College
9. Arizona State
10. Georgia
11. Va Tech
12. Michigan
13. UConn
14. Texas
15. Florida
16. Hawaii
17. USC
18. Auburn
19. Virginia
20. Boise State
21. Clemson
22. Alabama
23. Penn State
24. Tennessee
25. Kentucky