Over the last few days, people have been asking me what I think about the massive sanctions USC recently received from the NCAA. Well, I've got no problem with the ruling. Seems like a six degrees of Kevin Bacon-esque justice got served to ole Lane Kiffin. The one year lead Volunteer worked under Pete Carroll as an assistant coach in 2004. That's when Reggie Bush allegedly took improper benefits from a speculated agent/booster.
The Kiffin led Trojans will forfeit 30 scholarships over the next 3 seasons and be banned from bowling over the next 2 years. The case is pending an appeal from USC. Athletic Director Mike Garrett is quoted in the LA Times as saying, "As I read the decision by the NCAA, I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans... Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another ten years." Dude sounds bitter, but who am I to judge?
Let's reserve that right for someone a little closer to the situation. If columnist T.J. Simers had his wish, Garrett wouldn't be around the program for another ten seconds. To read his article in the LA Times, click on the title of this post. I also encourage you to check out the opinions of Gary Klein and David Wharton. They provide good insight for the best paper on the west coast.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Locals Succeed Elsewhere
Ya'll ready to start talkin' football? As I prepare for the upcoming season, I'm amazed at the endless supply of talent that annually flows from the beautiful state of Georgia. Athletes such as Eric Berry (University of Tennessee), Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown (former Auburn Tigers) cut their teeth playing high school football in the Peach State. But, they all went on to have incredible careers beyond Georgia's borders. Oh, and some dude named Chuck Smith (one of the greatest DE to ever wear an Atlanta Falcons uniform) was born and raised in Athens. But, he didn't play for the Dawgs. Instead, Mr. Smith took his skills to Tennessee and had an outstanding career as a Volunteer. The list could go on for miles.
Anyway, here are some lesser known local guys to watch in 2010:
LB #30 Mario Harvey from Forsyth, Ga led Marshall's defense with 117 tackles and 7 sacks in 2009. The rising senior could make his name well known, with a dominant performance against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 2.
RE #49 Bruce Miller from Canton, Ga led UCF with 13 sacks last season. The rising senior should continue to wreak havoc on Conference USA QBs.
SS #32 Hiram Atwater from Decatur, Ga was the leading tackler for the UAB Blazers in 2009, recording 89 tackles. It's never a good sign when a DB leads your team in this statistic. But, somebody's gotta make plays. And that's what Atwater does best. This rising senior is a tremendous asset for the pedestrian UAB "defense."
WR #17 Dwayne Harris from Stone Mountain is a rising senior at ECU. Last year, he led the Pirates with 83 receptions for 978 yards and 7 TDs. His 11.8 yards per catch ranked second on the squad. Look for him to exceed the 1,000 yard mark (if healthy) and become one of the top WRs selected in next year's NFL Draft.
RB #27 Mario Fannin from Hampton, Ga could emerge as one of the top tailbacks in the SEC, as he totes the rock for Auburn in 2010. After spending the previous season at WR, Fannin moves into a rotation with Onterio McCalebb in the War Eagle/Tigers' backfield. Although Fannin was second on the team with 42 receptions for 413 yards, he is a much better playmaker at RB. Behind a well seasoned OL, #27 could be poised for his best season on the Plains.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the SEC's 2009 freshman of the year. RB #5 Warren Norman of Stone Mountain, Ga is coming off an electric debut in the Vanderbilt backfield. Norman led the Commodores with 783 yards rushing on 145 attempts, for an average of 5.4 yds per carry. Although he got into the endzone a modest 3 times, Norman added 3 more scores as a kick returner.
I'll wrap this up in a minute. But, here's a few more names you should know...
DT #99 Omar Hunter from Buford, Ga- Florida Gators, RB #31 Kenny Miles of Lawrenceville, Ga and DT #91 Ladi Ajiboye from Riverdale, Ga- both South Carolina Gamecocks, FS# 3 Darren Myles, Jr. hails from Atlanta but plays for the Vols, WR#15 Darius Hanks from Norcross and LT #77 James Carpenter of Augusta roll with the Tide.
Anyway, here are some lesser known local guys to watch in 2010:
LB #30 Mario Harvey from Forsyth, Ga led Marshall's defense with 117 tackles and 7 sacks in 2009. The rising senior could make his name well known, with a dominant performance against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 2.
RE #49 Bruce Miller from Canton, Ga led UCF with 13 sacks last season. The rising senior should continue to wreak havoc on Conference USA QBs.
SS #32 Hiram Atwater from Decatur, Ga was the leading tackler for the UAB Blazers in 2009, recording 89 tackles. It's never a good sign when a DB leads your team in this statistic. But, somebody's gotta make plays. And that's what Atwater does best. This rising senior is a tremendous asset for the pedestrian UAB "defense."
WR #17 Dwayne Harris from Stone Mountain is a rising senior at ECU. Last year, he led the Pirates with 83 receptions for 978 yards and 7 TDs. His 11.8 yards per catch ranked second on the squad. Look for him to exceed the 1,000 yard mark (if healthy) and become one of the top WRs selected in next year's NFL Draft.
RB #27 Mario Fannin from Hampton, Ga could emerge as one of the top tailbacks in the SEC, as he totes the rock for Auburn in 2010. After spending the previous season at WR, Fannin moves into a rotation with Onterio McCalebb in the War Eagle/Tigers' backfield. Although Fannin was second on the team with 42 receptions for 413 yards, he is a much better playmaker at RB. Behind a well seasoned OL, #27 could be poised for his best season on the Plains.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the SEC's 2009 freshman of the year. RB #5 Warren Norman of Stone Mountain, Ga is coming off an electric debut in the Vanderbilt backfield. Norman led the Commodores with 783 yards rushing on 145 attempts, for an average of 5.4 yds per carry. Although he got into the endzone a modest 3 times, Norman added 3 more scores as a kick returner.
I'll wrap this up in a minute. But, here's a few more names you should know...
DT #99 Omar Hunter from Buford, Ga- Florida Gators, RB #31 Kenny Miles of Lawrenceville, Ga and DT #91 Ladi Ajiboye from Riverdale, Ga- both South Carolina Gamecocks, FS# 3 Darren Myles, Jr. hails from Atlanta but plays for the Vols, WR#15 Darius Hanks from Norcross and LT #77 James Carpenter of Augusta roll with the Tide.
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