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      What are the real reasons why Notre Dame shouldn’t join the Big Ten?

      May 12, 2010 /

      I just read an opinion piece over at Leprechaun Legion that argues that Notre Dame should not join the Big Ten. Here are the writer’s main points:

      The biggest reason why universities are considering the move to the Big 10 is to put their respective athletic programs in a place to potentially win championships. The Big 10 offers a platform to play in BCS Bowls (Rose Bowl, etc.) and in a National Title game.

      Notre Dame has their own deal with the BCS. The Irish receive an automatic birth in the BCS if they finish in the top eight.

      Notre Dame does have a sweetheart deal, but if the Irish joined the Big Ten and finished in the top eight, they’d still very likely play in a BCS game. It’s not like joining the conference would reduce Notre Dame’s chances of playing in a BCS bowl.

      The Irish are a member of the Big East in most other sports, which provides a great platform to reach the NCAA tournaments for each sport.

      Notre Dame does not need to join a conference to succeed in football, or any other sport.

      Is anyone arguing that the Irish have to join the Big Ten to succeed at football, or any other sport? Isn’t the argument that the Big Ten is better than the Big East and that Notre Dame is a much better geographic fit in the Big Ten?

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      College Basketball, College Football, External Sports

      Bengals interested in JaMarcus Russell?

      May 12, 2010 /

      While he may have only been trying to create a stir, Bengals’ receiver Chad Ochocinco said via his Twitter page yesterday that he would see JaMarcus Russell in camp. He then followed that up with: “did I just leak that info?”

      Today, the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals are one of several teams that have called about Russell, although the quarterback’s agent issued a “terse no comment” when asked about the rumor.

      As of right now, it doesn’t appear that Russell has plans to join any team during their mini-camp. He and his agent will likely wait to see what teams are interested and then figure out where Russell will have to put in the least amount of work and then sign with that team. After all the effort he put in with the Raiders, there’s no need for him to overextend himself when he gets to his new team.

      If he winds up with the Bengals, at least Carson Palmer would be there to show him how a quarterback is supposed to work. I’m not sure how beneficial it would be to put Russell on the same team as Ochocinco, but I’m sure the Bengals don’t care. That organization is a circus anyway.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Where do the Hawks go from here?

      May 12, 2010 /

      After a pretty nice show of backbone in Game 6 and Game 7 of Atlanta’s first round series against the less talented but far gritter Bucks, the Hawks were absolutely drilled by the Magic. The Hawks lost the four games by an average of 25 points, including a 43-point loss in Game 1 and a 30-point loss (at home) in Game 3.

      Why am I dwelling on the series? Because it’s a good indicator of just how far the Hawks still have to go to be true contenders in the East.

      While it’s true that the franchise has increased its win total in each of the last six seasons, it just doesn’t seem like this team is anywhere near contention. Complicating matters, the Hawks’ most steady player, Joe Johnson, is an unrestricted free agent this summer.

      Complicating matters further, Johnson has not endeared himself to Hawks fans over the past week or two. After a pretty nice first round (21-5-6) against Milwaukee, Johnson posted just 13-5-4 and shot under 30% against the Magic. That’s not the kind of performance that will convince a team to sign him to a max contract. Moreover, he’ll be 29 at the start of free agency, so one wonders if his best years are already behind him. He was outplayed by a 33-year-old Vince Carter, if that’s any indication.

      Johnson is one of those players, not unlike Michael Redd a few years ago with the Bucks, who is not a “max” guy yet will command a maximum contract. I’ve said this over and over — just because a player is the best that a franchise has, it does not make him a franchise player.

      The problem the Hawks face is that Johnson will be able to walk this summer with no compensation. He maybe willing to work out a sign-and-trade with his new team, but just like Chris Bosh, why would he agree to lower the talent level of his new team when he can sign with several teams outright?

      Either way, between his performance against the Magic and his recently sour relationship with the fans, it does not seem like Johnson is long for Atlanta. Another issue is what to do with Mike Woodson, who has guided the team during its ascension.

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      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Celtics drill Cavs in Game 5

      May 11, 2010 /

      It’s not quite over yet, but the C’s are leading by 27 points with 3:01 to play, so I’m going to go ahead and call Game 5 as a Boston win.

      What a performance by the Celtics! Ray Allen hit 6-of-9 three pointers (25 points), Kevin Garnett (18 points) abused Antawn Jamison on the block, Paul Pierce (21-11-7) had his best game of the series and Glen Davis added a crucial 15 points off the bench.

      If the Celtics manage to close out the series in Boston, this may very well be LeBron James’ last game as a Cav, and if it is, it might be the worst of his career. He went 3-of-14 from the field, settling for jumper after jumper and didn’t start attacking the rim until the fourth quarter. Once again, his lack of a post up game (or unwillingness to play on the block) limited his options in a game where his shot was not falling.

      The Cavs have their backs against the wall now. They’ve proven they can play well in Boston and they’re going to need a great performance in Game 6 to stay in this series.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Pacman Jones completes his first workout, thrilled to be a Bengal

      May 11, 2010 /

      Pacman Jones, who just completed his first workout for his new team today, is thrilled to be a Bengal.

      “First of all, I want to thank God for putting me in this situation. I want to thank the fans, the media for y’all attention today. I think I still have the skill set that I’ve had that made me a high draft choice.

      “I know I have a ton, ton of work to do. It would be a dream come true to come in and help the Bengals in any way I can, also help win a championship. Like I said, I know I have a ton of work to do. To gain you guys’ trust is not going to come overnight, it’s going to take time. So all I can do is take it one day at a time, focus in on the things I’ve been focusing on, and come play football, man.

      “Like I said, I’m happy to be here. I want to thank the city of Cincinnati for giving me and my family a fresh start. I want to thank the guys upstairs, Mr. Brown, I want to thank coach, I want to thank coach Zimmer, I want to thank the whole organization. I’m happy to be here and I look forward to talking to you all real soon.

      Since 2005, the Bengals have had 20 players arrested, which is more than any other team in the league outside of the Jaguars, who have also had 20 players arrested over that time span. Pacman alone has been arrested six times since 2005, so Cincinnati is a perfect fit for him.

      In my humble opinion, Jones doesn’t deserve another chance. It should be a privilege to play in the NFL – not a right. It’s a shame that a team that has had so much trouble with players off the field like the Bengals have had would give another troubled player an opportunity, but this is the reality of the situation. If a player is relatively young and has talent, more times than not his issues will be overlooked.

      To borrow an old cliché: it is what it is.

      External Sports, NFL

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