MY NOTRE DAME SLEEPER RECRUIT: ANTHONY RABASA

For some bizarre fucked up reason Anthony Rabasa only got 3 stars when evaluated by Rivals but I believe he has the ability to be the best player in Notre Dame's 2011 class. The 6'3, 220 lb weakside defensive end doesn't get near the publicity of 5 star recruits and fellow classmates Stephon Tuitt, Aaron Lynch and Ishaq Williams and I really don't understand why. The Miami, FL product received offers from Florida, FSU and Miami amongst many other schools and yet he seems to be the unnoticed recruit on defense.

Rabasa has a nonstop motor who reminds me exactly of David Pollack when he was a 3 time All-American at Georgia. You can tell on video he has an extremely explosive first step and I believe he will add enough weight (put on another 20-30 lbs during his freshman season) to be a fixture with Lynch and Tuitt at defensive end. He is not nearly as hyped as those guys and I think it will help him in college. Rabasa has to prove to everybody including his classmates that he belongs on the field.

Bold prediction: By 2012 Rabasa will be making a huge impact for the Notre Dame defense as a DE/OLB in the 3-4 defense and will turn into a great college player. Pulling Rabasa out of Miami will pay off huge dividends for Notre Dame and I would not be shocked at all to see him develop into a consensus All-American.

THE BRADY HOKE INTERVIEW WITH RICH RODRIGUEZ

This is the first time I have heard new Michigan head coach Brady Hoke speak and it gives me even more confidence to say Michigan is going to be mediocre for a while. Not only does he sound like my drunk 5th grade PE teacher but he says they are going to concentrate their recruiting in hotbeds such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Western PA. This is great news for Notre Dame and Ohio State followers because those states don't exactly produce the best college football talent. All though I will say the state of Ohio does usually produce some good talent but this past recruiting cycle it was down. The southeast, Texas, and California are where you usually find the elite talent but whatever, you just go ahead and recruit the Midwest with a passion Brady.

On to the awkward part: Rich Rodriguez interviewing the guy he was replaced with. Rodriguez handles himself pretty well all things considered. He does have that defeatist look on his face like he just found out his wife had been banging his best friend. As much shit as I gave Rodriguez when he was at Michigan I still think he is a good college football head coach in the right situation. Ann Arbor clearly was never the right one. Everyone knew this from the beginning except the Michigan AD. I wouldn't be shocked to see him in a place like Clemson or even North Carolina next year if those programs decide to make a change. My suggestion for DickRod at his next coaching stop would be to find a great defensive coordinator. And also don't cry or sing in front of your players.

LIL WAYNE'S GREEN BAY PACKERS SONG: GREEN N YELLOW

This might have the best line I have ever heard in a Super Bowl rap song: "We gonna toast these niggas...Pop Tarts!" and "I'm in Wisconsin smoking Amsterdam!

Dude I love Pop Tarts and Amsterdam. Lil Wayne knows how to hook in the early 30's white audience.

SHOT PUT ACCIDENT

Yeah dude, next time ya might want to look where you are fucking throwing asshole. This kid is lucky to be alive. Or is he?

CYRUS KOUANDJIO STILL HAS NO CLUE WHERE HE WANTS TO GO

The #1 offensive tackle in the nation, Cyrus Kouandjio, still has no fucking clue where he wants to go to college just a day after he declared he would be going to Auburn. The 6'7 322 lb DeMatha, MD tackle prospect has supposedly narrowed his choices to Auburn, Alabama (where his brother plays), and Iowa. Iowa? Don't laugh because yesterday the kid was still heavily considering New Mexico (they won 1 game last year).

To say this kid is confused would be an understatement. I've heard reports he had a hard time choosing between waffles and pancakes this morning. Maybe he wanted to throw some exotic in there for breakfast like huevo rancheros. His father told TideSports.com there will be no announcement till Friday at the earliest.

"If he makes a decision today, you will have it tomorrow in the morning," Jean Claude Kouandjio, the father, said. "He's still confused. We keep talking with him, I don't think he's ready yet. He's the one that who wants more time."

"He's deciding between Alabama, Auburn and even Iowa. It may even come back to Iowa. He's considering his options even more now. Those three (schools) have been floating in his mind"

The fact that Iowa just attempted to kill 13 of their football players I guess is no reason to mark them off the list. If I had to take a guess I think he sticks with Auburn. The pay is just too good especially with the incentive clauses in his contract.

ALEXANDER OVECHKIN WITH THE HIP CHECK OF THE YEAR

Yeah I know this hip check is from a couple of nights ago but I thought it deserved some attention. Ovechkin played hacky sack with P.K. Subban. Those Ruskys know how ta plah da game right eh?

GOALIE FIGHT: RICK DIPIETRO VS BRENT JOHNSON

Holy shit that was embarrassing. The Islanders Rick DiPietro takes one solid punch and he goes down. Yeah keep on the goalie mask ya fucking twinkle toes.

BLAKE GRIFFIN YOU HAD ME WITH ALLEY OOP

Every fucking night this kid has a highlight dunk. Tomorrow night the Clippers come to Atlanta and I'm actually thinking about getting my lazy ass down there to see him. The last visiting player I wanted to see in person was Michael Jordan. Yes, Blake Griffin is bringing back the NBA.

USC STILL CHEATING? USC ALUMS HAVE BEEN MAKING PHONE CALLS TO DEANTHONY THOMAS

DeAnthony Thomas is a five star athlete who hasn't made up his mind if he is going to stick with commitment to USC or go to Oregon and compete for PAC-12 Titles. Thomas calls himself "The Black Mamba" because you need a black mamba to penetrate the orphices of one Shelley Smith. All kidding aside why the hell are USC alums calling Thomas and begging him to stick with the Trojans? It's a clear NCAA violation for the program and it's not like they are on probation or anything right now. Somehow USC is going to sign 29 recruits this year despite the fact they are suppose to be losing 5 scholarships per year for 3 years according to the sanctions brought down by the NCAA. This means they can only recruit 40 kids for the next 3 years right? Because once they go over 70 (max scholarships is 85) it would be in direct violation of the NCAA sanctions. All this shit is confusing but what is not is that USC continues to bend the rules and laugh at everybody in the process. I sincerely hope their program dies and/or Shelley Smith eats them.


Video via TheBigLead

ISAIAH CROWELL SKIPS HAT, PICKS PUPPY

What you don't see is the slaughtered Elephant representing Bama to Isaiah Crowell's right. Sure we all see the cute English Bulldog puppy and for good reason. Puppies are adorable. But what about the discarded elephant? Crowell has set off a dangerous precedent that will have a ripple effect for years to come.

I'm still waiting to get confirmation if Troy Niklas brought a leprechaun on stage after he suffocated Tommy Trojan with an extra large Trojan.

MINKA KELLYS NEEDS A SECURITY CHECK AT THE AIRPORT

She's lucky there wasn't an Ohio State recruit working security at LAX.

Picture via Egotastic

CBS DOING A GREAT JOB WITH RECRUITING

I literally can't stop laughing at this screen grab. You can see the sadness and hatred burning deeply in Rich Rod's eyes. This is what people saw in Jeffrey Dahmer's eyes before they were put in the freezer section.

CNN'S ANDERSON COOPER BEATEN IN CAIRO

Seriously why the fuck would you send a guy like Anderson Cooper to the middle of Egypt to cover a riot? I mean did you not think a pretty white boy would stick out among those jackals? Just another reason why CNN is falling behind FOX News and MSNBC for news. From my confidential sources I've been told Cooper enjoyed getting gang banged...I mean beaten up by a bunch of gorillas.

USC QB MITCH MUSTAIN ARRESTED FOR SELLING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Since today is National Signing Day why not focus on a former 5 star all world recruit who never lived up to his potential coming out of high school. Today we learned that USC quarterback Mitch Mustain, the guy Charlie Weis turned down at Notre Dame because he was recruiting Jimmy Clausen, was arrested last night after selling prescription drugs to an undercover cop. It's the little things that count.

Mustain, 22, was arrested Tuesday at 8:10 p.m. and was booked on the felony charge at the West Valley-area station, according to Los Angeles Police Department officials. Mustain was released after posting $30,000 bail.

The arrest came as the result of a sting operation, but police did not elaborate on details of the case.
Mustain did not return phone or text messages seeking comment.

Mustain is the second former Trojan to get arrested this week with Everson Griffin being the other. Griffin managed to get arrested for felony battery. Both of these players were elite recruits coming out of high school when they signed their letter of intent and as you can see both failed in terms of realizing their full potential on the football field. Off the field they get 4 stars for narcotics and battery. Good job guys!

OHIO STATE RECRUIT CHRIS CARTER ARRESTED FOR FONDLING GIRLS

Not all is well in Columbus on Signing Day. Incoming recruit Chris Carter was arrested yesterday for fondling girls while pretending to measure and fit them for their ROTC uniforms. HAHA...why the fuck did I never think of that in high school?

Cleveland Police said a 15-year-old girl told officers that Carter took her out of her classroom and into a room behind the JFK auditorium and told her he needed to measure her for the uniform.
"Once inside the room, (Carter) asked the victim to take off her sweatshirt and shirt so he could take her measurements," the police report said. "He cut off the lights. . . and stated 'I need you to take your bra off.' The arrested male than put his arms under her arms from behind and attempted to pull her bra up."
The girl told police she refused to cooperate and left the room.

The future offensive lineman does have the ability to engage with the defenders and takes a hands on approach with his rapist wit. He should fit in quite well with Ohio State.

ISAIAH CROWELL PICKS GEORGIA

The Georgia Bulldogs completed their "Dream Team" on National Signing Day with the commitment of the #1 tailback in the nation in Isaiah Crowell. Crowell is from nearby Columbus, GA and picked the Bulldogs over Alabama.

If you watched UGA last season you could tell that tailbacks Washaun Ealey and Caleb King were not going to be the "home run" type backs that Georgia has been accustomed to with the likes of Knowshon Moreno, Garrison Hearst, Rodney Hampton, and of course Herschel Walker. Crowell has a great chance of being one of the elite RB's in the SEC next season. If you remember how much of an impact Marcus Lattimore made for South Carolina this past season then get ready for Crowell to have the same opportunity.

I know high school 5 star recruits are 50/50 when it comes to realizing their potential in college but I believe Crowell will be more Hearst than Jasper Sanks in Athens.

Georgia finished off strong by landing a top 5 class and 2011 will be a make or break season for Mark Richt and his staff.

CURTIS GRANT PICKS OHIO STATE

The Ohio State Buckeyes finished their 2011 class out with a bang with the signing of Curtis Grant, the #1 linebacker in the country and #2 player overall according to Rivals.com. The Richmond, VA native Grant had narrowed his choices to Florida, North Carolina, and his home state Virginia Cavaliers but decided Jim Tressel and Columbus would be the best fit. This is a huge get for the Buckeyes. Grant to me was one of the most impressive football players with his instincts and just overall athleticism in the All-Star games. He has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes with the losses of all three starters in Andrew Sweat, Ross Homan, and Brian Rolle at linebacker. Expect to hear big things soon from Grant.

OLD MAN VS BULLY: WHO YOU TAKING?

This is why you need to respect your elders. I think since MMA has come around everybody thinks they know how to fight because they watched it on television. In the meantime these old bastards who had to fight and work their way up society's ladder just sit waiting for some dickhead bully to come and fuck with them. The lesson is just because you see Herschel Walker kicking the shit out of people on Showtime doesn't mean your slow, lazy, drunk ass can do it to some guy who probably trained with the NAZIS.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL BEST BETS

I'm not going to jinx myself and tell you I've been nailing all my college basketball picks at an incredible rate but I'm also not going to lie to you at the same time. Take these picks for what they are worth.

KANSAS(-13.5) AT TEXAS TECH
Kansas is a legitimate Final Four team (right up there with Texas and Ohio State) and has been on a bit of a roll lately. I know Bill Self isn't good luck in Texas Tech (hasn't won) but KU on paper is much stronger than the Red Raiders. I think Kansas wins big in Lubbock.

UNC (-3) AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Since the Tar Heels got their asses handed to them by Georgia Tech they have been playing lights out. Barnes is starting to look like the freshman everybody thought he could be during the preseason. From top to bottom UNC is a more physical and talented team than BC. I'm going with another road team to cover the spread. Take the Heels.

PENN STATE (+8) AT ILLINOIS
There really is no reason the Illini should be favored by this much. They have lost 4 of the last 5. Penn State on the other hand has won 4 of the last 6 with the two losses being on the road by less than 5 points against ranked conference opponents. Illinois will probably win but take PSU with the +8.

PURDUE AT WISCONSIN (Money Line)
I think Wisconsin could win big at home here since they are undefeated and Purdue isn't the greatest of road teams. But I'm going to be a little conservative here and take Wiscy with the money line bet because I'm not sure they cover the 5. The payout is still good (say you lay 1k on the Badgers it pays out 1.44K) and I think there is some money to be made here.

Rob Neyer is leaving ESPN

For those avid baseball fans like Matt and I, getting to know Rob Neyer through his rants and raves on ESPN.com, particularly his blog SweetSpot, since 1996 has been an absolute pleasure. I've spent countless hours over the last 27 years being in love with the game and desperately praying that baseball would always be a part of me and I would always be a part of it. I owe a lot of that to dedicated people like Mr. Neyer who have tirelessly worked to come up with stories, facts, figures, portrayals, and predictions regarding the game that has become so much a part of me. To all of the other sports bloggers, sports writers, and sports reporters, we here at SportsCrack may think we're better than you, but your work is appreciated and truly keeps us going. Thanks Rob, for all you've done for baseball, for all you've done for ESPN, and for all you've done for me over the last 15 years!