MySportsSanctuary

Although the big news on day one of the 2010 NFL Draft was the Denver Broncos taking Tim Tebow in the first round with the 25th pick and Notre Dame Quarterback Jimmy Clausen being passed over, very close behind is the amount of football talent that was plucked from the Big 12.

Sam Bradford, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, started the Big 12 invitational by being selected number one by the Saint Louis Rams. The party continued to roll with 8 more players taken the next 31 picks, including 3 more in the top 5 and five in the top 6.

Here are the Big 12 players that were taken in the first round:
1. Sam Bradford (QB) Oklahoma-Saint Louis Rams-1st pick
2. Ndamukong Suh (DT) Nebraska-Detroit Lions-2nd pick
3. Gerald McCoy (DT) Oklahoma-Tampa Bay Buccaneers-3rd pick
4. Trent Williams (OT) Oklahoma-Washington Redskins-4th pick
5. Russell Okung (OT) Oklahoma State-Seattle Seahawks-6th pick
6. Earl Thomas (S) Texas-Seattle Seahawks-14th pick
7. Sean Weatherspoon (LB) Missouri-Atlanta Falcons-19th pick
8. Jermaine Gresham (TE) Oklahoma-Cincinnati Bengals-21st pick
9. Dez Bryant (WR) Oklahoma-Dallas Cowboys- 24TH pick

Conferences leading the way behind the Big 12 parade in terms of players taken on the first day were the SEC (7), ACC (4) and the BIG TEN and BIG East tied with 3.

Overall, the selections of the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft favored the defensive side. 18 of the 32 picks were defensive players with 6 going in the first ten picks. Only two quarterbacks, Bradford and Tebow, were taken while other high-profile signal callers (Clausen and Colt McCoy of Texas) were left to wait for day two.

Day two of the NFL Draft could see two more Big 12 players taken off the board early as Texas teammates Colt McCoy and LB Sergio Kindle are among the best still undrafted.

One glaring omission from day one was a player from USC being drafted. That should be short-lived as All-American safety Taylor Mays is still available.

Many thought that the NFL Personal Conduct Policy, which is enforced by Commissioner Roger Goodell, was an indictment on the troublesome, black athlete in the league. His policy seemed to only affect those who frequently got into trouble and most of the noteworthy offenders happened to be African American. However, all of those myths were smashed like the Colts in the Super Bowl with the most recent violator.

Goodell has brought the sledgehammer down on various stars in the league such as Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones. However, those were easy cases to lay down his authority since all three had committed or were associated with a crime. Some people wondered if his policy would hold up if someone was not implicated at all with criminal activity. Remember this is a ‘personal conduct’ policy not a ‘criminal conduct’ policy. And those three happened to be black and they were bludgeoned with stiff penalties. Pacman is out of the league, Burress is in jail and Vick seemed to be just getting back into the NFL routine after missing two seasons.

When Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was accused for the second time in three years of sexual misconduct, many saw this scenario as the ultimate litmus test. This time it is a two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback of one of the most successful franchises in all of sports. And he’s white AND he wasn’t convicted or even charged with a crime. Would there be a double standard? Would Roger Goodell go ‘lightly’ on a superstar quarterback compared to a player who sits on the bench or doesn’t have his name on beef jerky.

No way. Goodell took this opportunity to prove that he has an equal opportunity iron fist and knocked Roethlisberger off the Steelers roster for six games. There were awes and gasps heard ‘round the sports world upon hearing the news. There was no doubt now, not that there should have been in the first place, that his policy is for all players regardless of race, position or popularity.

This decision to suspend Roethlisberger was more than just a slap on the wrist. Six games without pay (close to $3 million lost) and his absence can put the Steelers in an unfamiliar position of missing the playoffs for the second straight year. However, those that were skeptical and were looking for unfavorable treatment to a franchise player still are picking their jaws up off the ground. Goodell sent a message that is resonating loud and clear that he will bring the hammer down on any player who violates his policy.

The NFL released the schedules of all 32 teams this week. Although a lot can change before and during the regular season, this is a snapshot of five games that NFL fans will be looking forward to.

5. Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers (Week 5 Sun. @ 1:00 PM)
New Bears DE Julius Peppers Returns to Charlotte

It took $91.5 million to pry longtime Panthers DE Julius Peppers away from Charlotte, but the Chicago Bears did it. With both teams coming off of disappointing seasons, most eyes will see if the Peppers signing helped or harmed the two franchises.

4. Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants (Week 1 Sun. @ 1:00 PM) / Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets (Week 1 Mon. @ 8:30PM)
The Opening of the Jets and Giants New Stadium

There was alot made of the coin flip that determined which New York team will open the brand new stadium that they share. Although they both will play a preseason game against each other in their new home, the Giants will host the inaugural regular season game against the Carolina Panthers. However it is hard for the Jets to argue with the consolation prize of playing in primetime on Monday Night with a national audience. It is kind of hard to tell what team got the better deal.

3. New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys (Week 12 @ 4:15 PM Thanksgiving Day)
All eyes will be on Cowboys Stadium as the Champs pay a visit on Thanksgiving Day

On paper, these are two great teams that many predict will be in the hunt for the NFC crown this year. But this game took on a whole new flavor when New Orleans head coach Sean Payton helped himself to a very expensive bottle of wine that was for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after the Saints won the Super Bowl. All is forgiven (or maybe not) but it will be interesting to see who will toast it up after the Thanksgiving game.

2. Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints (Week 1 Thurs. Night @ 8:30PM)
Rematch of the NFC Championship game

As New Orleans opens it defense of their first ever NFL title, they get the opening slot for the 2010 NFL season and their opponent will the last NFC team they played last year. Very intriguing rematch of the NFC title game against the Minnesota Vikings which came down to a 40 yard field goal in overtime to send the Saints to the Super Bowl. Can’t pencil this one is as a classic waiting to happen until Number 4 makes up his mind.

1. Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Week 4 Sun @ 4:15 PM)
McNabb’s First Visit to Philadelphia as a Redskin

Call it what you want, but this game has all the makings of a must-see drama/thriller. Donovan McNabb, who is perhaps the most unappreciated quarterback in the history of the NFL, comes back to Philadelphia for the first time. There will be a lot of cheers (hopefully) from the Philly fans showing love unless McNabb shows why he was the reason the Eagles went to 5 NFC title games and 1 Super Bowl appearance in his 11 seasons.

With all the jabs between Lakers center Pau Gasol and All-World Kobe Bryant and his numerous injuries over this past season, the Lakers still stampeded to the best record in the Western Conference. He won his fourth ring and the first sans Shaq, and now Bryant is seeking a fifth which would put him higher on the legend’s list. The Lakers are stacked and it seems like their only roadblock to the Finals seems to be their focus. Once the playoffs start, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers (#1 seed) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (#8 seed)
Twelve years ago, an aging Michael Jordan was being challenged by a young kid named Kobe Bryant. Now Bryant, in his thirties, will see a young phenomenon come into his house with the intentions of making a big splash in his postseason debut. Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant, 21 years of age, is the youngest player to ever win a scoring title. However, as nice as this story can be, it won’t happen. Look for the Lake show to stay on the NBA playoff stage. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Dallas Mavericks (#2 seed) vs. San Antonio Spurs (#7 seed)
One of the teams that seem to be able to end another Lakers run is the Dallas Mavericks. However, the West, as usual, are stacked as all playoff teams have won at least 50 games. The Spurs, another aging team that has the championship pedigree are still a threat as long as they are healthy. That isn’t the case and it doesn’t seem like they can pull the upset. Pick: Dallas Mavericks

Phoenix Suns (#3 seed) vs. Portland Trailblazers (#6 seed)
The Phoenix Suns who have the best record post All-Star break (23-6) seems to be hitting on all cylinders. Look for Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Co. to make some noise during the playoffs and cruise past a young Trailblazers squad. Pick: Phoenix Suns

Denver Nuggets (#4 seed) vs. Utah Jazz (#5 seed)
Both teams are not coming in to the postseason on high notes. The Nuggets, who at one point was considered a threat to dethrone the Lakers, have fallen on hard times for a myriad of reasons with the loss of their coach George Karl who is battling cancer topping the list. The Jazz, who could have sealed at least the third seed if they would have won their season finale, was steamrolled at home by the Suns. Nuggets at home are very tough and this series may go seven games. Pick: Denver Nuggets

In his 7th year in the league, LeBron James has about done it all. He’s won an MVP award, scoring title and has led his Cavs to the NBA Finals in 2007. He still hasn’t won a ring, and on arguably the best team in the league this season, the expectations are at their highest peak. Anything but a puppet matchup with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will be a disaster for the NBA, but if it is because of the King for the second year in a row, then that is entirely different. It will fall on him.

Cleveland Cavaliers (#1 seed) vs. Chicago Bulls (#8 seed)
Although the Bulls took two of four against the Cavs this season, there is no way that the King is going down in the first round. It is more likely that Bulls GM Paxson connects with a right hook on head coach Vinny Del Negro. Just saying. Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers

Orlando Magic (#2 seed) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (#7 seed)
The Bobcats are making their first trip to the NBA playoffs and the Orlando Magic are aiming for a second straight trip to the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan isn’t used to being bounced in the first round but he may have to watch it happen this year. Pick: Orlando Magic

Atlanta Hawks (#3 seed) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (#6 seed)
The Atlanta Hawks aren’t coming into the postseason with the same buzz as last year but they have the tools to make it to the second round. Rookie sensation Brandon Jennings along with center Andrew Bogut will put the Hawks on upset alert. Pick: Atlanta Hawks

Boston Celtics (#4 seed) vs. Miami Heat (#5 seed)
Could this be the beginning of the end of the Big Three. The Celtics 50-32 record is their worst in three years and with injuries and age affecting play, is Miami and Dwyane Wade in prime position to pull the upset? Highly doubt it. Pick: Boston Celtics

The Miami Dolphins traded for one of the best wide receivers in the league and signed him to the richest contract for that position. Brandon Marshall aka ‘The Beast’, the talented yet troublesome WR was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Dolphins for two 2nd round picks, one in this year’s draft and in 2011.

One of the biggest problems for the Dolphins last year was their receiving corps. Ted Ginn Jr., who hasn’t lived up to expectations, along with Brian Hartline and Greg Camarillo, didn’t compliment one of the best running games in the NFL last season. Their inability to stretch the field and the propensity to drop critical passes to extend drives caused defenses to load up in the box to stop the run. This was the biggest problem concerning why the Wildcat, while successful at times, seemed to not be as effective as it could’ve been.

The addition of Marshall, who has caught 100 or more passes for three consecutive seasons with a league record 21 in one game against the Colts in 2009, provides Miami with that number one receiver who can catch, block, and run wild when the ball is in his hands. There aren’t many ‘complete’ receivers in the league today (aside from Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Houston’s Andre Johnson) and Marshall is one of them. And the Dolphins quickly signed The Beast to a 4-year $47 million dollar contract with $24 million guaranteed.

However, he does carry some off the field issues that certainly cannot be ignored. Domestic incidents, a DUI arrest and other traffc violations to go along with his highly publicized fallout with Broncos brass ultimately led to him being traded.

The Dolphins have instantly upgraded their sore spot on offense and Marshall, who played college football at Central Florida, may find the sunshine state a good fit once again.

This year, the Syracuse Orangemen (28-4, No. 3) won their first outright Big East title since 1991 (even I thought that was hard to believe but true!) and beat the Georgetown Hoyas (22-9, No. 22) twice. They hadn’t lost two in a row all year and were primed for a number one seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. However, all of that didn’t matter to the Hoyas as they stunned the Orangemen 91-84 in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament.

Most would say, including me, that Syracuse’s body of work should count more than one game. However, with Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Ohio State all vying for the top seeds, there could be a chance that Syracuse, who now have lost two in a row (lost their last regular season game to Louisville),could slip out of contention.

Much credit should go to the Hoyas. They forced turnovers all game and beat the zone consistently with a good inside game by Greg Monroe (15 points, 10 rebounds)and timely guard play by both Chris Wright (27 points) and Austin Freeman (18 points). Syracuse was led by forward Wes Johnson (24 points). Also in the loss, Syracuse’s center Arinze Onuaku was injured and did not return.

Syracuse has the Big East Player of the Year (Wes Johnson) and the nation’s Sixth Man (Scoop Jardine) and possibly the national Coach of the Year, so it would be hard for the Orange not to be a top seed, but that scenario is definitely not that farfetched.

UPDATE:Kansas defeats Texas Tech 80-68 and Villanova falls to Marquette 80-76

As always the NFL provided its fans with nothing but excitement and surprises from the opening weekend up until the Super Bowl. There were some results that were expected, unexpected and, dare I say, downright impressive. As we look forward to the next season, let’s look back at some of the best moments of the 2009 season.

10. Colts playing only one quarter
They always say the team who wins the time of possession battle usually wins the game but don’t tell that to the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 2 down in Miami, the Dolphins had the ball for almost an astounding 45 minutes and what was the result? A 27-23 lost to the Indianapolis Colts where Peyton Manning still threw for over 300 yards and 2 TD’s essentially in ONE quarter of action!

9. Jerome, Jerome, Jerome’s in the house!/Johnson gets 2K
No one could have predicted what the young man from Washington State would do in Week 15 against Kansas City. He smashed the Cleveland Browns single-game rushing record by running for 286 yards, third highest in NFL history. Not even the legendary Jim Brown topped 240 in a game! Speaking of rushers, Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson made history of his own by joining OJ Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders and Jamal Lewis as the only running backs to ever rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. He also set the mark for the most yards from scrimmage.

8. Rise up Polamalu
Troy Polamalu, one of the best safeties in the leagues, established himself early as a Defensive Player of the Year with a one-handed interception in the opening game of the season against the Tennessee Titans. However his season has been full of injuries and that had an effect on the defensive side of the defending champions all year.

7. Tip Drill
In the opening weekend of the NFL season in Cincinnati with seconds left in the game and trailing 7-6, Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton heaves a desperation pass to the left side. The pass was tipped by Bengals CB Leon Hall and WR Brandon Stockley catches the deflection and races downfield for the go-ahead score. He even had the presence of mind to run across the field to take time off the clock.

6. Defense turns into offense!
In one of the most memorable playoff games ever, the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals went into OT tied 45-45. You would think that the offensive explosion on both sides would settle the game but it was the defense, yes the defense that was the difference. LB Karlos Dansby returned a fumble 17 yards on the first possession of the extra period clinching the victory for the defending NFC Champs 51-45.

5. Defense turns into offense Part II
The New Orleans Saints were the number one scoring team in the NFL this past season, but not all of their points came from their number one ranked offense. In Week 13 against the Washington Redskins, Saints QB Drew Brees threw an interception to DB Kareem Moore right before halftime. Moore attempts to run it back, but WR Robert Meachem strips him of the ball at midfield and to the cheering on his sidelines and the dismay on the Redskins and their fans, goes in for a game-tying TD and help propell the Saints to a win to remain undefeated.

4. Raiders owning the AFC North
Although the Raiders finished with double digit losses for the seventh consecutive year, they seem to have made some strides. Of their five victories this past season, 3 of them came against the seemingly tough AFC North. Beating division winner Cincinnati Bengals and the lowly Cleveland Browns was one thing, but to go into Pittsburgh and trail heading into the fourth quarter and erupt for 21 points to beat the Steelers 27-24 was as gutty a performance that a downtrodden team can put on!

3. Pride!
Before the Detroit Lions beat the Washington Redskins in Week 3 this past season, one has to know that their last victory was at the beginning of the recession! Bush was the President and Brett Favre was still a Packer (seriously). However, the only team to go an entire season without holding their heads high made sure that another winless season wasn’t going to happen. In fact the Detroit Lions would end their hideous 19-game losing streak and double their win total (2) from all of 2008! With a young QB (Matt Stafford) WR (Calvin Johnson) and RB (Kevin Smith), the Lions seem to have a promising future.

2. Karma!
In the NFL, there are no gimmies nor is there an acceptable reason to theoretically ‘throw’ a game in this highly competitive league. However, the 2009 Indianapolis Colts could have made history as being only the second team to go 16-0 in the regular season as well as join the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go an entire season unblemished. They would have been the first to go 19-0. Ahead 15-10 against the New York Jets in week 16, the Colts did the unimaginable: they pulled their starters. They were outscored 19-0 (hmm) the rest of the way and gift-wrapped the victory for the Jets ending their pursuit of perfection. The boos from the fans were loud and long as the starters stared with blank faces watching their perfect season slip away. The audacious act was destroyed by the media, fans and purist as a work of betrayal. Not saying that karma caught up with the Colts but the reason why they gave up winning that game was to rest starters to go and win the Super Bowl. Well at least they got there, but how did it turn out? Hmmm…

1. Oh when the Saints go marching in!
Far from the days of the bag faces and over four and a half years after most of their city was underwater, the New Orleans Saints made sure that they did their best to show their appreciation for their loyal fans. Most of America thought the Indianapolis Colts were the best team all year but the Saints had the ‘feel good’ vibe all around them. They pulled it together after losing three straight games to end the regular season after starting out 13-0 to win two playoff games and beat the Colts 31-17 in the Super Bowl. Bourbon Street and the rest of New Orleans are probably still partying as the Saints won their first NFL title in their history!

There was much debate before the Super Bowl that if Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning was to win pro football’s ultimate game that not only would he vault into ‘iconic’ status, but the man who has started over 200 straight games would surpass all the immortal signal callers and reign supreme as the greatest of all time.

However, history has shown us that nothing is ever guaranteed and the man who seemed unflappable flapped in the final minutes on the game’s biggest stage and now the pundits are doing an about face. No longer can he be considered the best QB of all time, and furthermore not even in the game now.

There are some in Boston that are still high on number 12 and for good reason. Tom Brady has three championships to Manning’s 1. The New England Patriots quarterback has lost only 4 games in 18 career postseason starts and Peyton is an even 9-9. Manning may own all the passing records that have ever been invented by the time he is done playing, but the 4-time regular season MVP will always be compared with what he does after Christmas and he hasn’t been stellar.

However, are Super Bowl wins the only criteria that matter, of course not. Terry Bradshaw has 4 rings but he will not be considered a better QB than Steve Young or Brett Favre, who each have one. Dan Marino has no rings but he will always be mentioned in the top five above the likes of Young, Bradshaw, Joe Namath and Joe Theismann. The rings separates can separate you from the class, but anyone can win one.

So for Manning, his one championship and many achievements will have him in the conversation forever. Even though there are years left to play for the durable QB, he isn’t that far from the mountaintop.

Fall is the operative term when talking about proud teams coming out of the gates in this young NFL season. Although the season (nature) has changed and the leaves are starting to turn, so are our heads about some surprising results already in the books.

Consider: Three division winners who posted a 36-12 record last season are winless (Dolphins, Titans and Panthers). Although their regular seasons were fantastic, none of them won a playoff game. Conversely four teams (49ers, Saints, Jets and Broncos) didn’t make the playoffs a year ago. Ravens, Vikings and the Falcons are feeding off their playoff appearances 9 months ago with strong starts.

But let’s not get hasty here. Can we really count out the Titans or the Panthers after two games? The Panthers maybe, but a win against the Cowboys can put them back into the mix. And speaking of the Cowboys, I think they wished that the field goal kicker for the Giants had ACTUALLY hit their scoreboard at the end.

The Patriots, who seemed to have lost everyone from last season on the defensive side, are stumbling and there is conversation that the aura of invincibility has been smashed. They haven’t lost to the Jets at the Meadowlands since 2000, and Brady is on pace to throw 800 passes this year after missing an entire season. The Jets are in prime form to limit the Dolphins reign on top to being short like leprechauns.

As the Chiefs, Lions, Bucs, Rams, Browns, and Jaguars look for their first win, the Raiders and Bills look to be the most improved teams even with T.O. starting to get his QB killer tirade warmed up.

Alas it is only the second week people, a lot will change and those off to surprising starts, good or bad, will show it was an aberration or the real deal in the coming Sundays. Fall is upon us.