INITIAL UNCENSORED REACTION TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25 POLL

As you know college football polls this early don't mean shit except for bragging rights and arguments among your friends and enemies. With the release of the new AP College Football Poll I figured I would give you my uncensored initial reaction to all of the teams listed and even some who didn't make the cut.

1 Alabama (54) 0-0 1,491-The defending champs deserve the top spot with Hypesman winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson leading a potent running game. Bama will have a huge target on their back but their schedule is manageable with their two toughest games (Florida and Auburn) both at home. I still find it humorous they have a first year upstart program in Georgia State (my alma mater) on the schedule. I would be fucking embarrassed to have this game on my schedule if I were the defending champs. I guess RISD or SCAD weren't available that Thursday.
2 Ohio State (3) 0-0 1,400-Terrelle Pryor can still go suck a fart out of my ass despite the compliments about to give him. He's going to have a huge season behind a line who will keep his uniform clean. If the Buckeyes get past a road game in Iowa in late November then they will be undefeated going into the bowl game.
3 Boise State (1) 0-0 1,336-The BCS fucking busters are back! I know people like to hate on the Broncos because of the blue turf and the fact that they play in a shit conference but it's not their fault. They will play anybody anywhere but schools are afraid of them. They win BCS Bowl games when they shouldn't. They are fucking good so deal with it and yes they deserve to be ranked this high. They got out of conference games with Virginia Tech and Oregon State. If they win both then they go undefeated. I will be rooting for them. Gotta root for the little guys!
4 Florida 0-0 1,237-Ruh fucking roh. No more God at quarterback for the once invincible Gators. Brantley will step in and do well but he isn't a Tebow. He can't put them on his back and will them to virginity. Actually as much as I don't like the Gaytors I gotta admit they look damn good on paper. It wouldn't surprise me if they ran the table. But then again it also wouldn't be shocking if they lost 3 games this year.
5 Texas (1) 0-0 1,223-The Longhorns are overrated. There I said it. No Colt McCoy and a pedestrian running game is going to hurt them big time. The defense is nothing to write about either. They are a top 15 team but not top 5 this year.
6 TCU 0-0 1,160-TCU should be top 5. They are basically bringing back everybody except Jerry Hughes on both sides of the ball. Their defense will once again dominate and I would love to see the Horned Frogs go undefeated once again in the regular season. I think it would be great for college football if both TCU and Boise State go undefeated again and face off in a BCS game. This time for the whole kahuna.
7 Oklahoma (1) 0-0 1,104-Mark it down now: QB Landry Jones will be a Heisman finalist which means I think the Sooners go nearly undefeated. The Sooners are going to explode on offense this season and Landry will put up Sam Bradford-type numbers. Oklahoma will be the best team by far in the Big 12 this season.
8 Nebraska 0-0 1,033-Not feeling it for Nebraska this year. I know everyone is hot on Bo Pelini's balls and I get it but I think they will struggle on defense without Suh plus they lost Dillard and Asante. Zac Lee comes back but he sucks. The offense blows really. They will lose at least 3 games.
9 Iowa 0-0 1,007-Adrian Clayborn could be the best defensive player in the nation. Ricky Stanzi should have a good senior season if he stays healthy behind a green offensive line. The Hawkeyes have the pieces to win the Big Ten. Will they do it? Probably not but this 9 ranking seems about right.
10 Virginia Tech 0-0 973-The Hokies are the new FSU. Every year the pollsters rank them way above their actual skill level. Don't get me wrong, Frank Beamer runs a hell of a program. But the Hokies are not a top 10 team. I would have them around late teens. I say this because I honestly can't remember the Hokies ever winning a huge game.
11 Oregon 0-0 870-The pollsters put Oregon up here because they felt they needed at least one PAC-10 team sniffing the top 10. I still can't get over how pathetic they looked last year in the Rose Bowl against a good but not great Ohio State team. Yeah I know the Trojans are down and Oregon kicked the shit out of them but I'm not feeling the Ducks this year. Masoli is gone and maybe that is a good thing but I don't see this team doing big things in 2010.
12 Wisconsin 0-0 822-Don't laugh but the Badgers could win the Big Ten this season. They get the Buckeyes in Madison and I could see John "Big Play" Clay having a Heisman worthy game. The Badgers are sleepers and deserve this spot.
13 Miami (FL) 0-0 785-Fuck the Canes. Seriously I don't even want to fucking talk about them.
14 USC 0-0 590-FUSC. This is going to be exactly like when Michigan hired DickRod for their head coach. Lane Kiffin is going to be a miserable failure. They got talent but they don't have leadership or heart. Plus they are on probation so they can't even go to a bowl game for the next two seasons.
15 Pittsburgh 0-0 516-The Stache will have the Panthers in a BCS game. Probably the Fiesta. Why? Dion Lewis is incredible and the Big East blows without Brian Kelly in it.
16 Georgia Tech 0-0 511-If the defense steps up then Tech could be a sleeper with Nesbitt back at QB. I have serious doubts with both of those scenarios although Paul Johnson could give two shits what I think. In fact he probably revels in the Tech being the underdog camp this season. I still can't shake the thoughts of how bad they have looked the last two bowl games. They got worked. Dominated. Johnson has his work cut out for him.
17 Arkansas 0-0 496-Ryan Mallett maybe the best QB in the nation. Arkansas could shock some teams this year with their offense but I still have a hard time writing anything positive about a team led by Bobby Petrino. That guy is a fucking shitbird coward. Ah, now I feel better.
18 North Carolina 0-0 397-Great defense. Horrible offense. They get any kind of running game going they could be good. I mean really good.
19 Penn State 0-0 382-Blah blah blah storm troopers blah blah Joe Pa blah blah blah Happy Valley blah blah...oh seriously who gives a fuck about Penn State?
20 Florida State 0-0 379-What a shocker! The pollsters put FSU in the top 25. Have fun at the Music City Bowl.
21 LSU 0-0 300-I have a scary feeling about this team this year. Either it's going to be really good or really bad. Right now I'm leaning towards good. QB's Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee should be fun to watch as they mix and match different games behind center.
22 Auburn 0-0 296-The SEC is so fucking loaded it's sickening. Auburn looks like a team on the rise with new transfer QB Cam Newton bringing his 5 star talent to the War Eagles. Unfortunately for Auburn they play in the SEC and they have to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa. It's a good team but not a great team. 22 seems about right.
23 Georgia 0-0 206-The Dawgs have 10 starters back on offense. The only problem is the one new guy is the QB in Aaron Murray. The redshirt freshman will play behind an experienced and perhaps one of the best lines in the country. I think he will do an OK job. The running game should excel but the question is can the defense stop anybody? Last year they couldn't and it cost Willie Martinez his job. Florida and Tennessee fucking killed them. This ranking seems about right. Coach Mark Richt has his work cut out for him.
24 Oregon State 0-0 198-Mike Riley could be the best coach in the PAC-10. No bull shit. Jacquizz "Why Don't you get a real fucking name" Rogers is a little pinball who brings back memories of Darren Sproles at Kansas State. They look like a 8-9 win team this year. Good for them for having the balls to schedule TCU and Boise State.
25 West Virginia 0-0 184-It seems like Noel Devine has been in college for two decades now. They should be fun to watch this year and yes they got a shot at making a BCS game because of their conference.

Ok, where the fuck is Notre Dame? Everyone knows Brian Kelly is going to come in and lead the Fighting Irish to an undefeated season. I mean he did it at Cincinnati why can't he do it immediately at Notre Dame?

I apologize. That was the irrational Notre Dame fan coming out of me. Right now I'm glad they aren't ranked because they don't deserve it. Not after the last 3 seasons. They got to prove it to themselves before they prove it to the voters that they deserve a top 25 rankings. Granted if they were wearing a tomahawk on their helmet they would probably be top 10 preseason but that is neither here nor there. Notre Dame is going to shock the masses this year in a good way. They will win 10 games. The offense will be nearly unstoppable. The defense will be suspect. More importantly they will be heading in the right direction: preseason top 5 in 2011. Yep, I said it.

8 TEAMS AND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENTS

SPORTSPICKLE.COM came out with this comparison of teams and their high school equivalents...

THIS WEEK IN UNNECESSARY CENSORSHIP

I am trying my hardest to avoid the whole "un retired quarterback who wears Wranglers in Minnesota" story so I figured Jimmy Kimmel's This Week In Censorship could say it for me. Plus I don't want to talk about the dickhead who just got indicted for perjury either so I will be a lazy fuck as usual and leave you with this outstanding censorship video. Laugh it up fuckers.

Video via ExtraMustard

MARK RICHT DOESN'T NEED A STINKIN BATHING SUIT

Full flip off a 10 meter platform into a pool with pants and collared shirt on surrounded by your Georgia players is impressive. Could you imagine if Charlie Weis did this? The pool would be half empty. Probably would change the Earth's rotation a little bit. Urban Meyer just had an anxiety attack watching this. No worries though since he will be back to coaching and crushing Georgia again in less than 3 months.

Video via TheBigLead

YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO WEAR RED TO A BULL FIGHT

I honestly had no idea Bulls could be so athletic. Clearly this is the Jordan of Spaniard Bulls. I think I even saw the tongue waging out as he jumped the fence. I wonder if it has a gambling problem?

Video via Deadspin

ANTONIO CROMARTIE TRYING TO REMEMBER ALL OF HIS KID'S NAMES ON HARD KNOCKS

HBO's Hard Knocks with the New York Jets again delivered some unintentional comedy. New Jet cornerback Antonio Cromartie tried to recall the 7 kids he has fathered. It's gotta be difficult when there are 6 baby mama's and they live in 5 different states. My head would be spinning if at the age of 26 I had to support 7 kids already. TLC needs to give Cromartie his own show. I'm sure he has at least 2 more on the way.

The funniest line in last night's show came from LB Bart Scott. They were talking about how rookie RB Joe McKnight from USC was struggling to focus on the little details and wasn't picking up his assignments on a lot of the plays. Scott busted out "I would be too if I knew I was taking a pay cut coming out of college!" Scott just made All-Pro in my book.

Possible Cromartie edit: I've been told he has 8 kids now with 7 different women. I'm not sure how to confirm this and I doubt Antonio can either.

17 MORE DAYS

17 days and we get to the first Saturday in the Fall otherwise known as Christmas for this college football fan. There is so much anticipation for the season I feel like I'm going to shit out a brick of gold. Notre Dame takes on Purdue in what hopefully will be a blowout. Yeah I know Notre Dame has been everything but blowing out teams the past 3 seasons but Purdue fucking blows. QB Dayne Crist will make his starting debut and should tear up a porous Boilermakers defense behind the new spread attack. I expect to see some Wildcat formations with Armando Allen, Theo Riddick, and even TE Kyle Rudolph getting some snaps behind center. The offense no doubt will score a shitload of points but can the defense stop anybody? They better.

Don't make me go off like Alabama fan Ricky did last year...

RIP BOBBY THOMPSON

"The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!"

"They're going crazy! They're going crazy!...I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

Baseball great Bobby Thompson passed away on Monday at the age of 86 in Savannah, GA. He will be remembered for the famous call above with his game winning 1951 home run to clinch the National League pennant for the then New York Giants.

RIP Bobby Thompson.

THE RUSSIANS ARE FANATICAL

AND CRAZY!!!

Dear Frank Wren, WTH?!?!?

In an effort to somehow improve the Braves, Frank Wren is heavily rumored to be pursuing a trade for... wait for it... wait for it... Derrek Lee!!!

Photo Courtesy of Cubs Photos Admin

Derrek Lee?!?!?!? No offense to Lee, Wren, the Braves, or anyone else in the deal, but WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?!?!?

If anyone can get this to Wren, please forward and let him know I'm begging him not to do it. If you're going to go for a 1st baseman, Adam Laroche has been on the market all season. We know he's a second half hitter and he's tearing it up. Regardless, make the smart move. Go after Manny (hopeless dream of mine) and Manny-topia to the ATL!

We don't need a 1st baseman. We need a 3rd baseman or a solid power hitting outfielder. If you want to make a move for the future, Vernon Wells, Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, or (as Matty Ice pointed out) Nick Markakis makes a ton more sense and would set the Bravos up for the future without giving away what remains of the farm system for a half year rental player. Besides, Derrek Lee is hardly the answer to Ryan Howard when we're head to head against the Phillies.

If you're going to pick up another hitter, do it right. It's Bobby's last season, go big or go home! The Braves are having too special of a season to go home. If I'm the Cubs, I'm selling as soon as possible. Lee WAS a great 1st baseman. Lee IS not even producing as Chipper nor Troy Glaus has been this season.

I agree completely with Mark Bradley of the AJC (article can be found here and below) so from one blogger to another, 'atta boy!

Another day, another rumored trade. Earlier this week word circulated that the Braves wanted Aramis Ramirez, who’s a third baseman for the Cubs. That was shot down because Ramirez is due to make $14.6 million next season, essentially the same as Chipper Jones, who plans to be back at third base in 2011. (Read Mark Bowman’s nuanced post on MLB.com for the reasons why this rumor never had a prayer of becoming reality.)

But now we move across the Cubbies’ infield. Derrek Lee is the first baseman. He used to be really good. He’s not as good now, but he’s still OK. He also has a bad back.He’s a free agent at season’s end, which means he’d be a rental. (And yet another bridge to Freddie Freeman.)

According to Chicago blogger David Kaplan: “The deal that would send Lee to the Braves has not yet been finalized but MLB sources characterize the trade as nearly done.”

Lee has a no-trade clause and spurned a move to the Angels last month. From Kaplan: “Sources close to Lee tell us that he will approve a deal to Atlanta because the Braves are leading their division.”

Another factor: As Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago notes, Lee “is out until at least Thursday [after receiving] an epidural shot in his back on Monday to relieve the pain.”

One thing more: Lee hit four homers over the weekend against the Cardinals. That gives him 16 for the season, with 56 RBI’s. Troy Glaus, whom Lee would presumably supplant, has 16 homers and 70 RBI’s and owns a higher on-base percentage.

If the Braves are to make a deal before September — and a player has to be on the roster by Sept. 1 to be eligible for the postseason — Lee makes as much sense as anybody. He has playoff experience. (He was the first baseman on the Marlins’ World Series-winning team of 2003.) He wouldn’t tie up salary beyond November. But I’m a bit uneasy about the wisdom of plugging in one creaky first baseman for another.

Then again, I’m easily rendered uneasy. So maybe I’m not the best gauge.

NBC NOTRE DAME TRAILER AND THE NEW DEFENSE

If you are a Notre Dame fan then this new NBC trailer for the upcoming season should get your heart pumping. New head coach Brian Kelly will win at least 9 games this season. Mark it down. Of course Ty Willingham and Charlie Weis both won big in their first season under the Golden Dome so what does Kelly need to change to make sure he doesn't "fail" like his predecessors?

Passion and defense. It's been awhile since Notre Dame came out and actually punished people. Their defense has been "soft" for over a decade. Will it change this year? Hard to say.

The strength of the defense should no doubt be the linebackers. Inside guys Manti Te'o and Anthony McDonald are two extremely athletic linebackers with a nose for the football. Te'o will be an All-American. The guy is a freak of nature warrior who not only tackles people but takes their souls.

Te'o returns as an experienced sophomore who got plenty of pops in his freshman season. McDonald on the other hand is a junior who saw limited action last year after redshirting his freshman season. McDonald has been nothing short of reliable so far in camp and appears to have beaten out Carlo Calabrese (the Italian Stallion) for co-head hunter with the Hawaiian Hitman. Both Te'o and McDonald should be a joy for ND fans to watch this year. Think of Stonebreaker, Stams, and Pritchett and how they swarmed and killed people back in the late 80's. That is what Te'o and McDonald have to do to put the fear back into the opposition.

The outside linebackers consist of returning starter Brian Smith (prediction: honorable All-American for the 4 year starter), rising junior Steve Filer (the Freak), Darius Fleming (8 plus sacks this season), and senior Kerry Neal. All 4 of these guys were highly touted 4 star prospects coming out of high school and for the most part have not lived up to their billing. I wouldn't so much as blame on them as I would the old staff. Under Jon Tenuta and Corwin Brown the defense was a clusterfuck full of origami puppets. No one knew where to be or how to react. Were they a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense? New defensive coordinator Bob Diaco installed the 3-4 and plans to stick with it. Thank Touchdown Jesus!

The key of course to any defense is the ability of the defensive line to penetrate and take on blockers to free up your linebackers to make big plays. And this is where Notre Dame could get burned. They don't have a Chris Zorich or a Bryant Young to plug the middle. They missed out on guys on the recruiting trail like Omar Hunter, Justin Trattou, Chris Martin, and Gerald McCoy at the last moment. But make no mistake they return plenty of starting talent in Kapron Lewis-Moore, Ethan Johnson, and Ian Williams. Kap and Johnson should be ready to blossom as true juniors. Both have had their moments but the Irish will need more consistency and disruption to make the defense excel. Williams is a returning 2/3 year starter at nose tackle who should have an excellent senior season. The Irish are going to need all 3 of these guys to go above and beyond because simply the Irish don't have a ton of talented depth on the line. They got bodies but they don't have the talent the SEC teams and Texas and USC's regularly shuffle in and out during the game.

The secondary is going to be good. I have no doubt. Cornerbacks Gary Gray, Darrin Walls, and Robert Blanton are all capable of "locking down" receivers and as upperclassmen no the lay of the land. Most programs would kill to have one or two of these guys. Notre Dame has three. The safety position is led by breakout star Jamoris "Man" Slaughter. I watched Slaughter crush skulls while playing at Tucker high school down here in Atlanta and there is a reason why every big time program wanted him. The kid is simply a player. He has the 6th sense of knowing where the ball is going to go and then either laying down a devastating hit or intercepting a pass. Why the previous staff moved him to cornerback made little sense to me. Now he is at his natural position and he should be the last line of defense which is great news if you are a Notre Dame fan. He has the speed to not get burned deep. Harrison Smith is a returning senior who's career has been enigmatic to say the least. Harrison might have most god given talent on the defensive roster but it's what's between the ears which has held him back. I'm putting my confidence in the new staff with his switch back to safety (he played some linebacker) and have hope they finally unleash the beast within. Harrison had offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee who all saw him as a future star. He can still be that guy his senior season. If not then sophomore Zeke "And Destroy" Motta will be more than capable of filling in.

The defense as a whole has a ton of elite starting talent. The question remains through a grueling season do the Irish have enough depth to stop the other teams? I'm not sure yet. The defense was horrific during the 5 years of the Weis Era. If the Kelly Era is to be a success (BCS Bowl Game WINS) then he is going to need to develop a defense with some passion who is proactive instead of reactive. Time will tell.

Zach Lee... a Tiger... no a Dodger... Geauxtcha!

Hey LSWho fans, Zach Lee will not be your quarterback after all. The Dodgers made the "unsignable" 28th pick in this year's draft an offer he couldn't refuse. Who can blame Lee and his family? I'd take the $5.25 million signing bonus. Congrats Zach!

I know the pictures is from '04, but I couldn't resist. I'm glad we don't have to face you on Saturdays in the fall! Less than 18 days until Christmas, I mean college football season! GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!

Hitting Jesus + Pitching Jesus = same old Nationals

After all of the drama, the Nationals signed Bryce Harper to a 5 year, $9.9 million dollar contract. Congratulations Nats! Let's focus on reality. Strasburg has shown himself to be a very good pitcher, but still beatable and Harper has all the tools to be an amazing hitter, but can you count on 1 pitcher and 1 hitter to revive a franchise? The Phillies couldn't, the Yankees couldn't, the Braves couldn't, the Red Sox couldn't, why would the Nationals?

Unlike tennis, baseball is a team sport. No crap right?!? Strasburg pitches 1 out of every 5 starts. To be successful, a team needs a 1 - 2 punch, at a minimum, with at least a decent bullpen to back them up. The Nats have a 1 - ?. The bullpen has looked good with Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen, who has ridiculous potential by the way, but over the course of a season, you can not count on 2 bullpen arms to get you through.

In a line-up, there are 9 hitters. Someone has to get on base, someone has to drive them in. There are power hitters, there are role players, and there are clutch hitters. Ryan Zimmerman is an excellent hitter, fielder, and leader, but if the Nationals lose Dunn, who else is going to hit on the team? A line up with Dunn, Zimmerman, and Harper would look good, but outside of those three, who scares you as a pitcher? Who are the role players? Who is going to get on base?

While Strasburg and Harper are true one of a kind talents with an almost limitless amount of potential, the Nationals still need to understand the team concept and focus on building a foundation of players that can win as a team, not creating a scenario where they are just likely to win every fifth day and likely to get at least 2 hits a game from Harper. I commend them for starting somewhere, but you don't rest the hope of your entire franchise on 1 player. Just ask the Cleveland fans about Lebron. If the King himself can't win a championship on a team of five, how will a possible prince carry a team of 9 to the holy land?

While I wish these guys all the best and am thrilled to know that the Nationals are working hard on turning around a franchise that hasn't been good since the Andre Dawson days, it's going to take more than 2 kids to consistently win in a division that is getting better and better as a whole.

Regardless, congratulations Mr. Harper. I look forward to seeing your career and watching the Bravos beat up on the Nationals regularly for the foreseeable future. Yea, I'm biased, I know.

On another note, congratulations to one of GA's own, Kaleb Cowart out of Adel, GA. Kaleb signed last night at the last hour with the Los Angeles Angels. The 18th overall pick in this year's draft and the 2009 - 2010 Gatorade National Player of the Year award winner signed as a pitcher and has been clocked as high as 97 MPH in high school. I know your family is proud and I wish you all of the best.


You Tube Video

Manny may be the answer the Bravos are looking for!

Rueters Photo

If rumor comes to fruition, Manny Ramirez may be put on waivers by the Dodgers in the coming days. As a Bravos fan, what do you do? Interesting debate going on over on Jeff Schultz's blog on the AJC. Check it out for yourself, but some very interesting points are brought to light, namely, Ramirez is hitting .317 with a .516 slugging percentage in 186 at bats this season. Compliment that with 554 career home runs and two World Series rings. Yes, he's been hurt, but there is no denying a glaring hole in the Brave's line up now that Chipper is out and Glaus has been anemic since the All Star game. Can the Brave's pass up on a line up that would consist of

1. Infante (2B)
2. Prado (3B)
3. Heyward (RF)
4. M. Ramirez (LF)
5. McCann (C)
6. Glaus/Hinske (1B)
7. Gonzalez (SS)
8. Cabrera/Ankiel (CF)
9. Pitcher

All that and the deepest bench in baseball? You'd still have Diaz, Conrad, Ross and Hinske/Ankiel/Cabrera depending on who started at any given time.

Manny has lived in Manny-Land for a long time, but was Deion Sanders much worse? It's not like Bobby hasn't dealt with a head case before and it's not like Manny was always this way. He was quite harmonious with the BoSox back in the day so it's not out of the question for him to actually play baseball. I'm sure a 3rd ring is a mutual interest and 10 out of 10 baseball players say they would love to play for Cox.

What better way to send Cox out than pushing all your chips in and picking up the best hitter available? It's not like the Braves haven't done anything ridiculous before when they thought they were in the pennant race. Remember the Mark Texeira deal a couple of years ago? The Braves entire farm system for a half year of Tex who the Braves swore would be likely to stay.

The price to pick up Manny would be approximately $5 million for the remainder of the season, much of which could be picked up due to the insurance policies on Chipper and being able to have the remainder of this year's salary being paid by that insurance. What is the true cost to the Braves? If Freeman isn't ready to be called up, they HAVE to get a bat.

AP Photo

I know the guy has been dubbed a cancer, but with the mutual interests of winning it all, having a manager who has proven he can lead almost anyone, Bobby's final season, a stellar pitching staff, and a legitimate run at the World Series at stake, my vote is for Manny. Let's face it, this guy could honestly get off a plane, show up at the game, not stretch, not even warm up with the ball boy in left, put on a helmet and batting gloves, and absolutely rake. He's not much more of a liability defensively than Diaz and he's going to hit both lefties and righties like it's his job (news flash, that is his job). Head case or not, I'll take the rest of the season with Manny and a final push for the play offs. He could more than make up for the lack of Chipper and be the answer to Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, and any other slugger the Braves face down the stretch. I'm jumping on the Manny train now! Who's coming with me?

Check out Jeff Schultz's blog on the AJC website here.

As always, leave some comments and post Sportscrack's blogs on Facebook and Twitter. Comment away, share with your friends, buy a T-Shirt, and let Matt know he's doing a great job. Let's face it, the guy's head really isn't big enough already.

Pitching Jesus, I mean Stephen Strasburg, calls out Bryce Harper

Hi pot, I'm kettle, you're black...

Here's some food for thought, in an article written by the Associated Press and released on ESPN today, Stephen Strasburg had the balls to call out Bryce Harper for not signing. And I quote:

"If [Harper] wants to play here, he's going to play here," Strasburg said Sunday, after pitching five innings in the Nationals' win over Arizona. "He doesn't need advice from anybody to convince him otherwise. If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here."

Really?!? Is this some kind of a joke? The same kid who held out for a record $15.1 million dollar contract literally SECONDS before midnight on the signing day deadline has room to call out ANYONE on signing day for holding out? Both of them are represented by Scott Boras, who you would think has the brains to shut one of his clients up in the interest of both of them getting more money in the end. Strasburg has pitched in the majors for all of 2 1/2 months and he is the one from the Nationals calling out Harper? Where is Ryan Zimmerman, the apparent clubhouse leader? How does Strasburg entertain the idea that he has earned the right to call out anyone?

For the record, I agree with Strasburg's comments, I just can't see how someone who did the same exact thing a year ago today can justify "pointing fingers" at anyone for holding out and weighing his options for the possibility of being drafted next year by a different team. Maybe the 17 year old Harper wants to develop a little more, maybe he isn't ready, maybe he enjoys college, or maybe this is just one more scam to get Strasburg and Harper's names in the press to further push for the ROY (Rookie of the Year for the baseball illiterate) award for both this year and next year considering Harper has apparently already locked up the ROY, Triple Crown, Gold Glove, and Batting Title for 2011. Who knows, but man, Strasburg must have balls the size of his 100 MPH fastball. I bet they don't even make a cup big enough for that guy.

Personally, I think he should just transfer to UGA and play a couple of years. We could use a National Championship in baseball and apparently Harper is a one man team. In fairness, the kid is an absolute STUD (please excuse the man crush). After all, we do have the number 1 rated party school in the country and Harper is only 17 years old. Seems like a good fit to me!

Check out the full Associated Press Article posted on ESPN here.

PS... Keep it classy kiddos and root for the Bravos tonight. Hanson vs. Billingsley, 7:10 ET at the Ted. Should be a great game!

NORTH CAROLINA'S DEFENSE SHOULD BE STOUT

If there is a big time sleeper in college football this season it might just be the North Carolina Tarheels. The Tarheels have the #1 rated defensive end (Robert Quinn), the #1 rated defensive tackle (Marvin Austin), the #1 rated inside linebacker (Quan Sturdivant), and the #1 rated outside linebacker (Bruce Carter) in the nation according to Phil Steele. Now arguments could be made amongst college football fans that any or none of these guys are really the best in the nation (personally I would take Iowa's Adrian Clayborn over Quinn and also Michigan State's Greg Jones over Sturdivant) but there is no doubt the Tarheels are going to have a sick defense. Their front 7 will all be playing in the NFL.

North Carolina had the best defense in the ACC last year and they do have 19 returning starters. The question though remains how did a team with so much defensive talent who is also led by a coach with the credentials of Butch Davis only finish 4-4 in conference play? Because the offense was anemic. I saw first hand how bad the offense was when the Tarheels played Georgia Tech at the Flats and they only scored 7 points. Georgia Tech's defense was nothing to write home about. And with the uncertain status of their best offensive player in WR Greg Little (ineligible along with Marvin Austin for the Miami agent party) I wouldn't be expecting an offensive explosion from the Tarheels this season.

But can the defense shut out teams? Sure they can. They start off the season with LSU in the Georgia Dome. We should know right away whether North Carolina is a legit ACC contender if they can handle LSU on a neutral field. Their conference opener is two weeks later with Georgia Tech visiting. Tech owned them last year and North Carolina has lost their last 9 conference openers. I have a feeling Paul Johnson is relishing his role as an underdog this season with the Jackets. So right away unless North Carolina brings their A game they could very easily be 0-2 going into a road game with Rutgers.

The defense should be fun to watch all season. There will be plenty of hard hits and helmets flying. But North Carolina is not a legit contender for the National Championship game in my opinion. In fact I think they will have a hard time even winning the Coastal Division with Miami, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech all returning experienced quarterbacks who are elusive and can scramble against their blitzing defense.

Prediction: The Hokies win the Coastal Division and the ACC. North Carolina finishes 5-3 in ACC play with losses to either GA Tech, Clemson, Miami, FSU, and Virginia Tech.

LEE CORSO THINKS TIM TEBOW WILL BE STARTING BY WEEK 6

ESPN'S Lee Corso thinks the Friar Tuck will be starting in Denver by the second month of the season according to the Orlando Sentinel...

"I think Tebow, by the sixth game, will be the quarterback," Corso told the Orlando Sentinel Wednesday. "It will take some time for him to get in do a few things, make a mistake or two and learn from his mistakes. I think he's going to be a good quarterback."

I think Corso failed to remember that the Denver Broncos do have Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn who both have experience in an actual pro style offense and will be given first shot to start. Tebow is a project. A huge one to be exact. Unless both Orton and Quinn go down with injuries or fail miserably I seriously doubt we will see Tebow start a game in the 2010 season. In fact I feel so dumb after reading these comments from Corso that I will let Dean Vernon Wormer speak for me...


Not enough? All right well then let's give this guy a shot at SportsCrack's reaction to Corso thinking Tebow will be starting by week 6....

As if the news of not calling up Freeman didn't suck enough...

News flash, Wren and Cox are calling up Brandon Hicks who is hitting a whopping .215 (full stats here on MLB.com) from Gwinnett. Wow... Amazing the Braves are conceding to Philadelphia despite having a rotation that can contend with anyone and a team that has that something special all major league teams dream about, CHEMISTRY.

Well good luck Mr. Hicks. I've officially jumped off the Frank Wren train. Dealing the cancer that was Yunel Escobar was brilliant, not calling up your best player who's shown he's ready is completely ridiculous. If Mark Cuban is so intent on owning a pro baseball team, let him buy Atlanta from Liberty Media. Maybe then we'd have a team like Turner put together, we'll spend money on players, and we'll take chances on our prospects who have proven themselves.

Wait... prospects?!?! Yes... we would actually HAVE pro-ready prospects! Am I the only one who remembers when the Braves stocked the best farm system in the league year after year after year? Who's seat just got hotter, Mark Richt or Frank Wren? My vote?!?! See ya Frankie boy. Good luck with the Marlins or the Nationals. Okay, not quite time for him to go yet, but wake up before your job really is on the line. Check out the Dave O'Brien blog on the AJC website here.

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY: THE KIDS IN THE HALL ARE BACK!

Some of you may be too young to remember "The Kids in the Hall" and for this I apologize for your parents. They clearly neglected you and you should just go ahead and cut your losses. For those of you who do remember watching "The Kids" on HBO and/or Comedy Central will be absolutely ecstatic to know that they return next Friday on IFC. I think it stands for Idaho Fried Chicken. You might want to look it up. In all seriousness you owe it to yourself and your family and friends to watch "Death Comes To Town" if you like to laugh. If you have Netflix you should check out "Brain Candy." Hysterical movie from the mid 90's that I think only me and my college roommates watched in the continental USA. It just goes to show you how fucking stupid us 'Mericans can me when it comes to entertainment. People will go out in mindless flocks to see Adam Sandler's latest piece of shit (yes, I am Sandler fan from his CD's and early movies) but they won't support the Canadian Kids. Listen, I get it. Canadians can be scary. But they can also be very funny and they speak English. Eh!

Watch it! Don't make me smack you around...


Oh jeez...love chicken.

UGA Number 3?

As an admitted complete and total biased Alumn, UGA rocks my world, but ranked #3? Come on, I get that #64 is just a teeny bit of a stretch (as ranked by the Orlando Sentinel), but # 3?!?!? That's almost as far of a stretch the other way. College Football news, as reported by Tim Tucker of the AJC, recently ranked UGA #3 in the nation. That's right folks, the nation, not the SEC East, not the SEC, not in the greater south area, the NATION. This puts UGA ahead of Florida, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, and Texas, just to name a few. You can find the complete rankings here.

I love my Dawgs, but realistically, they haven't put together a season worthy of a #3 ranking since destroying Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl a few years ago. Will I argue that UGA is completely capable of making a National Title run this year, YES, but with so many question marks, a pre-season #3 is a bit much to ask and a lot to live up to. Maybe CFN wants to see UGA fail and is putting them on a pedestal to live up to, maybe for once there is an un-biased writer who actually gives Georgia some credit, but #3 is way too high.

How will Murray live up to the hype? If we look at Miami's, I mean Purdue's Robert Marve, the Plant QB before Murray, and the 4 star Philip Ely (who recently committed to Alabama), Plant has a history of producing some very talented athletes. I believe Murray has all the skills to be an elite QB and with 10 returning starters to the offense and two great running backs, who should rush for 1,000 a piece at least, the offense is going to be very good.

Todd Grantham was mentored by some of the best in the business and was successful in the NFL so it's safe to assume he'll be successful in college, but this is a different game. Do the Dawgs have the talent to flash the defense before? I don't think I need to answer that one. Will they live up to their potential is the question that has to be answered and it will be, in less than 23 days.

To overlook UGA in the Top 25 is insane, it has been for a decade, but to rank them as high as #3 with the worst season under Richt last year is equally awful. I can only hope my beloved Dawgs live up to something so lofty and setting stretch goals never hurt anyone, but as I said with Strasburg, let your actions speak and prove yourself. While UGA is on the right track to doing that, they haven't proven that yet. Of course, I'd be willing to bet that Bacarri Rambo and Jakar Hamilton will have something to say about making people not want to get up after a hit. I can't wait to see Justin Houston explode and the crowd echo as they did when Odell Thurman, Thomas Davis, or Greg Blue lit someone up, but let the boys do that before we give them the praise.

Sorry to divert, but if you live in GA and have to deal with texting while driving being illegal, can anyone explain how putting on make up and driving is any less dangerous? I wanted to take a picture this morning, but then what right would I have to say don't do that while driving as I snap a pic while passing the chick.

Anyway, less than a month till the best season of the year and I don't mean Fall nor the NFL. Who watches the pros anyway? Let's get ramped up for some college football! GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS! And shamelessly I have to plug the play offs for Matty Ice and myself this weekend... GEAUX DADDIES!!! Have a great weekend everyone!