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      Tyrone Willingham fired at Washington

      October 28, 2008 /

      Tyrone Willingham has been fired by the University of Washington.

      According to UW president Mark Emmert, the decision to fire the coach was made shortly after Oregon State pounded the Huskies 34-13 at Husky Stadium on Oct. 18, and Willingham was notified early last week.

      So with the knowledge that his UW tenure had run its course, Willingham game-planned, schemed, met with the media and tried to motivate his players to tackle the Irish.

      But after one more colossal loss — a 33-7 thumping by Notre Dame on Saturday — Washington made the firing official Monday morning.

      Willingham will coach through the end of the season, and the university will pay him $1 million to buy out the final year of his contract.

      The news made for a strange Monday on Montlake.

      Woodward, the athletic director named but a month ago, and Willingham, he of the 11-32 record in four seasons, sat side by side despite being on opposite ends of a silent disagreement. Later, players muddled through the right things to say as an emotional tug-of-war over the coaches who recruited them and an 0-7 season raged within.

      Woodward, who sat to Willingham’s right at the coach’s weekly press luncheon Monday, said the search for a new coach would begin immediately. And Willingham flatly said the decision to part ways at season’s end was not his.

      “It’s just not in my makeup (to quit),” he said.

      I always rooted for Willingham because I felt he didn’t get a fair shake in South Bend towards the end of his tenure there. But obviously Washington had to do something – the loss to Notre Dame was embarrassing, although apparently that wasn’t the final straw because Willingham was done a week ago regardless. I’m sure he’ll wind up somewhere and I hope he succeeds.

      College Football

      Eli tipped off Steelers on goal line stand – Brett Keisel a little confused

      October 28, 2008 /

      Apparently Eli Manning needs to do a better job of covering his mouth in the huddle. During the Giants’ 21-14 win over the Steelers on Sunday, Pittsburgh players knew what play New York was going to run when they stopped Brandon Jacobs short of the goal line in the first half because Manning accidentally tipped the off.

      Eli ManningDefensive end Brett Keisel overheard Manning mouthing the play call and lined up the defense before Jacobs was stopped inches short of the goal line on the fourth-and-1 play early in the second quarter.

      The goal-line stand — Jacobs failed on three successive plays to get in from the 1 — temporarily preserved Pittsburgh’s 7-3 lead.

      “I was watching Eli’s lips the whole time and I saw him say, ’32,’ so I went over and tried to tell everyone, ‘It’s right here,’ and we stopped it,” Keisel said. “That was a big play in the game.”
      Asked if he heard Manning yell out the play call, Keisel said, “Yeah.”

      Actually Brett, the big play in the game was when your long snapper snapped the ball over your punter’s head for a safety that tied the game at 14-14 in the second half. Then the bigger play was when you and your teammates allowed Manning to march up the field for a game-winning touchdown.

      Your play was the big play in the first half. The big play of the game was the touchdown that allowed the Giants to win the game.

      NFL

      How bad are things for the Chiefs? Players think Detroit is a better situation.

      October 28, 2008 /

      Herman EdwardsFree agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper canceled a visit with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week because he claimed he had a better offer from another team. Apparently that other team is the Detroit Lions.

      A source has confirmed that free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper is visiting the Lions today and will go through a workout but the team is making no comment.

      It’s not usual for free agents to visit teams on Tuesday, the day that clubs continue to maintain their “short list” in case of injury to other players. Last week, the Lions brought in free agent quarterback Tim Rattay for a workout.

      I know that money is probably playing into this, but what does it say for the Chiefs when players (even if they are Daunte Culpepper) would rather go to winless Detroit to play? It’s not like Culpepper would have any better or worse chance of playing in Detroit as he would Kansas City. Who’s going to stop him – Tyler Thigpen? The Chiefs are a mess.

      NFL

      Baseball tainted by Game 5 of Series

      October 28, 2008 /

      Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer blasts Major League Baseball for what transpired due to the driving rain that the Phillies and Rays had to play in before Game 5 of the World Series was finally called.

      2008 World SeriesSimply put, Game 5 is hopelessly tainted by what transpired between the time the game should have been called and the middle of the sixth inning, when it was finally suspended.

      Whatever happens when play resumes, whether the Phillies celebrate their first World Series championship or the Rays force a Game 6 in Florida, MLB can’t justify its decision or its decision-making process.

      The first problem here is TV’s insistence on scheduling these games for 8:30 p.m. or even later. There are plenty of lovely autumn afternoons – and yesterday was one of them – that give way to cold and blustery evenings. When baseball, like other sports, sold its soul to the networks and their craven need for prime-time sports programming, it created a situation where young fans couldn’t stay up to watch the most important games of the year.

      Rollins, rain pouring into his face, dropped that pop-up in the top of the fifth. The play was rather nastily ruled an error, as if it had occurred in acceptable conditions. Hamels got out of that inning without allowing a run. The Phillies led, 2-1, in the middle of the fifth.

      At that moment, a regular-season game would become official. A rainout would mean the game was over, with the Phillies winning.

      “This is not a way to end a World Series,” Selig said. “I would not allow a World Series to end this way.”

      Selig is right on that point. The problem is, it appears MLB allowed play to continue in unplayable conditions because the Phillies had a lead. It seems like more than a coincidence that play was suspended after the top of the sixth, when the Rays tied the game on a base hit by Carlos Pena.

      I agree with everything Sheridan said. I thought Selig would have made the right call not to allow the World Series to end that way, but if that was the decision anyway, why allow the game to continue? As Sheridan suggests, it’s almost like Selig was hoping the Rays tied the game so that he wouldn’t be under the microscope for having to change a rule. It’s just a mess.

      MLB

      Waiver Wire Watch: Week 9

      October 28, 2008 /

      Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I use the ESPN league data when filtering players, so the only players eligible for discussion here are those that are available on the waiver wire of at least 50% of ESPN’s leagues. I’ll list each player’s percentage-owned after their name so you have an idea of how available they are in leagues around the country. I’ll always try to mention a few players that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters. I’ll rank them in the order I’d pick them up in a league with a high-performance, PPR scoring system.

      QUARTERBACKS

      The following guys are owned in more than 50% of leagues, and I’d pick them up in this order before moving onto the rest of the list: Matt Ryan, Matt Cassel and Chad Pennington. I’d pick up Jeff Garcia after Marc Bulger.

      Gus Frerotte (29.4)
      257 yards and 1.0 TD in five starts. Good matchup this week.
      Marc Bulger (45.6)
      Starting to show signs of life. Also has a good matchup this week.
      JaMarcus Russell (37.3)
      He has been decent in four of his last five starts.
      Shaun Hill (0.5)
      He was named the starter in San Francisco.
      Kerry Collins (24.5)
      Joe Flacco (16.8)
      Tyler Thigpen (1.4)
      Looked pretty good against the Jets.
      Dan Orlovsky (8.6)
      Ryan Fitzpatrick (7.6)
      Brad Johnson (34.3)
      Seneca Wallace (2.5)

      RUNNING BACKS

      If Mewelde Moore (66.8) is on your league’s waiver wire, he’s worth a pickup as long as Willie Parker is sidelined (and it could be a while).

      Cedric Benson (38.1)
      Fifteen touches in each of the last two weeks. He’s the starter in Cincy, for whatever that’s worth.
      Kevin Faulk (29.0)
      He’s the best all around back in New England with Sammy Morris out.
      Derrick Ward (48.2)
      Still one of the best backup RBs in the game. If Jacobs goes down, watch out.
      Pierre Thomas (18.4)
      Should take over main rushing duties if Deuce is suspended.
      Antonio Pittman (1.3)
      Appears to be RB1 in St. Louis as long as Steven Jackson is sidelined.
      Leon Washington (32.5)
      Breakout game could mean more touches, but TJ is the man and the Jets are a passing team.
      Maurice Morris (22.5)
      Kolby Smith (12.7)
      Jamaal Charles is nicked up, but LJ may be back.
      Aaron Stecker (2.1)
      LaMont Jordan (7.0)
      If he can get healthy, he could carry the load for a game or two before Sammy Morris comes back.
      Fred Jackson (19.4)
      Shaun Alexander (20.9)
      BenJarvus Green-Ellis (15.6)
      With that many names, you’d think he was more than one person. But he’s just one man, and he’s part of a RBBC in New England.
      Ahman Green (27.2)
      Ray Rice (21.5)

      WIDE RECEIVERS

      I’d acquire Donnie Avery first, then I’d grab Lance Moore, Kevin Walter, Antonio Bryant, Devin Hester, Joey Galloway, Kevin Curtis and Antwaan Randle El (all owned in more than 50% of ESPN leagues) next, and in that order, before moving on to #2 on this list.

      Donnie Avery (22.3)
      He’s making a push for Torry Holt’s hold on the WR1 spot in St. Louis.
      Ted Ginn (19.6)
      Might he finally be capitalizing on all that potential? A 7-175 day says yes.
      Greg Camarillo (31.7)
      He’s still producing in PPR leagues.
      Bobby Wade (11.5)
      You can’t argue with 24 receptions in the last four weeks. Spot starter in PPR leagues.
      Brandon Lloyd (29.6)
      He’s back at practice and was hot before he got injured. Only time will tell if he’ll catch fire again.
      Rashied Davis (17.4)
      Deion Branch (17.2)
      If he could ever get healthy… He’s worth stashing if you have the room.
      Justin Gage (18.9)
      Not good in his first start back, but the Colts are good against the pass.
      Chaz Schilens (0.0)
      Starting to work his way into WR1 status in Oakland, for whatever that’s worth.
      Amani Toomer (42.0)
      Steve Smith (12.4)
      He might be the most dependable WR on the Giants’ roster.
      Ike Hilliard (33.9)
      Shaun McDonald (3.1)
      Worth a look in deep PPR leagues. WR2 in Detroit.
      Donte Stallworth (32.5)
      Chansi Stuckey (25.3)
      Josh Morgan (15.3)
      He posted a goose egg Sunday after his supposed “breakout” game two weeks ago.
      Javon Walker (28.0)
      Only had four targets against Baltimore. Worrisome.
      Nate Washington (6.6)
      Relegated back to WR3 duties once Santonio Holmes returns from suspension.
      Michael Jenkins (7.1)
      He has caught at least three passes in the last four games.
      Reggie Williams (22.7)

      TIGHT ENDS

      If you can grab Greg Olsen, Bo Scaife, Zach Miller, Anthony Fasano or John Carlson, do so before moving onto the list. (They’re all owned in more than 50% of ESPN leagues.)

      Donald Lee (42.5)
      An Aaron Rodgers favorite around the goal line.
      Visanthe Shiancoe (36.3)
      He’s doing pretty well with Gus Frerotte under center.
      Marcedes Lewis (29.6)
      He has caught at least three passes and/or scored a TD in each of the last three games. It’s a sad day when Lewis is more valuable than Todd Heap, but that day has arrived.
      Todd Heap (44.3)
      Billy Miller (8.6)
      Solid as long as Jeremy Shockey is hobbled.
      Vernon Davis (43.7)
      Is there upside after that Mike Singletary ass-chewing he got on Sunday?
      Desmond Clark (7.1)
      Daniel Graham (5.8)
      Has been good with Tony Scheffler sidelined.
      Martelius Bennett (1.7)
      Might be a spot starter-type with Witten out.
      Kevin Boss (22.3)
      Inconsistent, but occasionally good.
      Dustin Keller (28.2)
      Alge Crumpler (28.0)
      Jerramy Stevens (10.6)
      David Martin (21.7)
      Alex Smith (19.2)
      Robert Royal (11.0)

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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