Friday, January 26, 2007

On Radio Show, Norm Chow Criticized Lane Kiffin's Play Calling At USC - Orange County Register



This article has not been widely reported, but is worth reading in light of the Raiders hiring of Kiffin as head coach. Note that Chow says that DeWayne Walker, a black coach and the UCLA Defensive Coordinator, dismantled the USC offense. Makes you wonder why the Raiders didn't talk to him rather than select the underqualified Kiffin..

Chow praises UCLA's Walker, criticizes USC's play-calling
USC football notes: Norm Chow takes a small shot at USC's offensive coaches.

By MARK SAXON
The Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES – Former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow took a shot at the current play-calling tandem of Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian in an appearance on a Southern California radio show Tuesday.
"I know DeWayne Walker may be better than both of those guys," Chow said on KLAC/570. "DeWayne Walker is a heck of a football coach, which is why I wasn't too surprised he did what he did at UCLA."
Chow worked with both Kiffin and Walker at USC in 2001. Walker's UCLA defense largely dismantled the USC offense in a 13-9 Trojans loss early this month.
Kiffin said Chow's words didn't bother him much.
"Obviously, I worked with the guy for four years and DeWayne for a year, but what someone says about you really has nothing to do with how you go about your work every day," Kiffin said.
USC's play-calling was criticized at times this year, never more than after the UCLA loss. Kiffin points out that the Trojans averaged 30.3 points per game after losing Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, plus LenDale White, an NFL tight end and three starting offensive linemen.
USC was third in the conference in scoring behind Cal and Oregon. The Trojans had the same number of turnovers as in 2005 and two fewer sacks.
"I feel very proud of these players," Kiffin said.
GRIFFEN COMMITS
USC's biggest recruiting commitment so far this year might have come Wednesday, when Avondale, Ariz., defensive end Everson Griffen announced he would attend USC instead of Michigan or Notre Dame. Both Kiffin and Coach Pete Carroll had visited Griffen, and the coaches made the 6-foot-4, 265-pound athlete their top priority.
Some USC coaches think Griffen is the best player they have yet recruited. The Trojans are working on four consecutive highly ranked classes. Griffen ran the 40 in 4.55 seconds.
USC also has a commitment from Tucson, Ariz., offensive lineman Kristofer O'Dowd, meaning it snatched two top recruits from the back yards of conference rivals Arizona and Arizona State.
NOTES
Freshman safety Antwine Perez has filed paperwork to transfer and has left the team, Carroll said. Perez is back home in New Jersey, and there are reports he is trying to transfer to Minnesota.
Freshman Taylor Mays was picked to start ahead of Perez, who also was blocked by sophomores Kevin Ellison and Mozique McCurtis.
Carroll spoke with both Perez and members of his family.
"He's looking for a better opportunity to play," Carroll said. ...
Mays was wearing a cast on a swollen hand Wednesday and was scheduled to have precautionary X-rays. Carroll said he should be OK. ...
Junior defensive end Lawrence Jackson said his decision to return for his senior year might have been different if he hadn't gone the first eight games of this season without a sack.
"It could have been different, but it didn't happen," Jackson said.

Profootballltalk.com - Did NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Get Involved In Steelers Hiring Of Mike Tomlin?

This comes from Profootballtalk.com. If it's true that Goodell did get involved by suggesting to Rooney that someone like Tomlin be the choice, I so wish hed done that in the case of the Oakland Raiders, who hired the way, way underqualified Lane Kiffin and mainted a kind of affirmative action for young white guys. Notice how none of the white male media types are screaming about this, but they are focusingg on Tomlin?

January 23, 2007

DID STEELERS YANK RUG FROM GRIMM?

As the media continues to try to understand the process that resulted in conflicting reports regarding whether the Steelers would hire Mike Tomlin or Russ Grimm to be the team's next head coach, the hot rumor at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama (where various league types currently are gathered) is that Grimm was indeed offered the job before it went to Tomlin.

As the story goes, the Steelers called Grimm on Saturday and told him not to believe what the media was reporting about Tomlin. Then, the Steelers and Grimm negotiated a contract, and Grimm was told that he could tell his family that he was the guy, which he did.

But then, as the story goes, Commissioner Roger Goodell got involved and suggested to Steelers chairman Dan Rooney that it would be nice if the Steelers would hire one of the minority candidates, given that the Rooney Rule was named after him. Rooney relented.

On Sunday morning, Rooney met with Art II and Kevin Colbert and told them about the decision. Both initially disagreed because a deal had been done with Grimm. But the contract hadn't been signed, and Art II and Colbert deferred to Dan.

Grimm was then told about the decision, and he was obviously pissed. But, to date, he has been discreet regarding his displeasure, presumably because he plans to continue working in the industry that has only 32 job locations. Tomlin was then called on Sunday afternoon, and he was informed that he was the guy.

One source told us that he has been hearing this rumor "all day" in Alabama. Though we're not saying that any of this actually happened, the mere fact that this story is making the rounds at the Senior Bowl is newsworthy, in our opinion.

Especially since the events that transpired on Saturday night and Sunday were so damn bizarre.

Meanwhile, a reader tells us that Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has been insisting in radio appearances that his story linking Grimm to the job was on the money. Though we poked fun at Prisuta's predicament on Sunday, it could be that he was right, after all.

Is NY Jets Hall of Famer Curtis Martin Calling it Quits?

Martin's time to go draws near Will He or Won't he?????
BY TOM ROCK
Newsday Staff Writer

January 26, 2007

The question for Curtis Martin now appears to be when rather than if.

The future Hall of Fame running back, who last carried a football for the Jets more than a year ago, has been grappling with his decision to retire since having surgery on his right knee in December 2005. Yesterday, speaking as a recipient of the Thurman Munson Award for excellence in competitive and philanthropic work, Martin made his most definitive statements regarding the end of his playing career.

"I believe that we're going to wait until afterwards so we can sit down and brainstorm on when the best time is for myself and for the team," Martin said, regarding the front office's involvement with the Senior Bowl and Super Bowl. "We'll probably follow up after that. I'm just not really sure right now."

Martin said he is looking forward to broadening his involvement in philanthropic endeavors once he has officially closed the book on his playing career. He said he has put aside 12 to 15 percent of every paycheck he has earned in the NFL for his self-funded foundation that helps the homeless, single mothers, inner-city children and others.

"While I was playing, I wanted to keep football as my focus and do what I could off the field when time permitted," he said. "Now that that moves to the forefront and football seems to be somewhat behind me, I believe you'll see more of what I've been doing and what I am planning to do."

On Tuesday he will accept the Munson award along with Patrick Ewing, Carlos Delgado, Rich Gossage and Mike Mussina.

Martin ran for 14,101 yards, fourth most in NFL history. He spent the past season on the physically unable to perform list. Earlier this month, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Martin is projected to be on the 2007 roster when the league year begins from a salary-cap and contract standpoint, so a retirement announcement might not come until then.

And my Slant:
So why All the Hush Hush "were gonna wait" line? We Knew at the end of July 2006 that Curtis probably wasn't coming back, regardless of my Posts from that time frame, and what he said at that time. We Knew and saw that Curtis could only walk normally with a supportive brace on his knee. At least he has admitted that he won't be suiting up anymore. Hey, the guy is nothing but a class act who will be truly missed on the NY football scene. Hopefully he lands a job on one of the local cable outlets doing Jets Coverage(is anyone at Sports Net NY, Fox Sports NY, or MSG reading this??? GIVE The MAn A JOB(since none of you will give me one!!!!)

Eli Thinks NY Giants Can Play in the Superbowl

Eli thinks Giants can make Super Bowl Look for my End Commentary........

BY ARTHUR STAPLE
Newsday Staff Writer

January 25, 2007, 9:38 PM EST

Eli Manning was on the field at the RCA Dome on Sunday. He was happy for his big brother, who finally got to a Super Bowl. But the Giants quarterback felt something else, the same thing he'll feel next week, when he will be in Miami attending NFL events but not preparing for the Super Bowl.

"I'm going to enjoy the time and when it comes time for next year I'll know what that feeling is. I'll know that I don't want to be shaking hands and [having] people come congratulate me about Peyton and what he's doing," Eli Manning said on a conference call Thursday. "I want to be on the other side and not have to be down in Miami going to events and things like that. I want to be in the hotel studying film and getting ready to play for a championship. I think I'm going to enjoy it, just because I'm proud of him and I support him."

The next nine days are all about the Colts and the Bears, but Eli doesn't think his Giants are so far removed from being in the thick of a Super Bowl hunt. Even with Kevin Gilbride, his only quarterbacks coach in three seasons, now the offensive coordinator; even without a QBs coach currently on the staff and even with Tom Coughlin's one-year mandate to turn things around, Eli has some faith.

"We have the right players in spots that we can do some good things," he said. "To make it to the championship ... everything has to go the right way. You have to stay healthy. You have to get breaks and things go your way. We have to work harder. We have to work smarter."

That Eli will be in Miami in the week preceding the Super Bowl is a bit ironic, considering that is where his top two receiving targets, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey, race down to every offseason and don't return save for the three days of June minicamp and for training camp in August.

Burress' wife, Tiffany, just gave birth to the couple's first child in New Jersey, so Burress may stick around up north for a bit. But Manning is looking for both his playmakers to make more of an effort before they're required to be on hand.

"I think there comes a time when you should get together," Manning said. "I don't think it has to start March 19 and you have to be with those guys right then, but once you start -- before minicamp or those things start up -- you get some time together. You get a few weeks to really work hard and get settled. Once you start throwing routes and get into our offense and running those plays, I think it can definitely be important to have guys around to throw with."


OK so that's ANOTHER veiled shot at Plaxico and J-Shock, but in a nice sort of pleading way " oh Come On guys we need to work out more together if we wanna get to the big game next year." I Guess I can understand that, but these U Miami guys value the fact that they can go work out at their old school without reporters snooping around and they aren't too quick to give that up. Eli wants to win as much as anyone. I know the other do do as well,..but as long as only part of the offseason program is mandatory according to the NFLPA, then what Plax said at the end of the Giants season will hold true " See you in Albany"........

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Scouting report: East west Shrine game

Lots of had work was the earmark of last week's workouts leading up to the Shrine game. Once again the Scouts outnumbered the players over 2 to 1, with well over 200 scouts in attendance from all the NFL teams, as well as the various independents. The Players got the chance to learn from some of the greatest coaches ever to walk the sidelines in Head coaches Don Shula and Dan Reeves. Coach Shula also had Fla. Atlantic Head coach Howard Schnellenberger as his Offensive Coordinator.Players got the chance to workout in the Houston Texans indoor facility.

Some of the names you will hear in the coming weeks:
East Squad

Zak DeOssie-LB-LS Brown University. Zak has the Lineage thru his dad, former Giant and Cowboy Steve DeOssie. He can lack fluid motion at times, but has good size, and very good speed and spot on in snaps. I got to see Zak Play In person this season Vs. Columbia and he has the ability to change the direction of an opposing teams' play.

Daren Stone-DB-Maine- A hitter who knows his position on the field. Could use some improvement on his coverage work.

Daniel Bazuin-DL-Central Michigan- Always on the move in the direction of the ball, a hard worker who had 2 sacks and several tackles in the game.

Tyrone Moss-RB- U Miami- Rising stock as he heads towards the combine in late Feb. Looked good in the workouts, working on getting his weight down.


West Squad

John Beck-QB-BYU- could be the biggest riser of all the QB's in this class. Had a 79 Yd TD pass to Fresno St. WR Paul Williams in the game.

Brad Lau- FB- Boise St.-Good soft hands, very good footwork, can run and catch well. Was the featured back on Coach Reeves first drive, Including the first TD. Would also make a good Move/swing TE in the right scheme.

Melvin Bullitt- S-Texas A&M- Good tackling skills, nice range, big hitter against the run.

Justin Medlock-PK-UCLA- A cannon for a kicking leg, good placement, strong on both kickoffs and Field goals.

Underclassmen improve the 2007 draft.

Every year we decry the fact that juniors are allowed to enter the draft, yet we all know they improve the quality of the draft class.
Wide receiver is one position that will be helped in this years class by the added presence of four underclassmen: OSU's Ted Ginn jr., Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson, USC's Dwayne Jarrett, and Tennessee's Robert Meachem. All should be first or high second rd. selections.

At RB, a unusually weak class will be bolstered by Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson, and Californian Marshawn Lynch.

This is also a weak overall class at Offensive line, except for Levi Brown of Penn State, and Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, both Tackles,
although their may be some late risers from the Seinor Bowl, Combines, and private workouts, I don't expect too many OL's to be called in round one right now. We will talk more about the Senior Bowl and the defensive prospects early next week.

Seattle's Cowgirl Espresso and Bikini Espresso Girls Make A Lot Of Sexy Coffee With Little On



There's some news items one just can't pass up; this is one of them. I've never seen anything like this at all. Cowgirls Espresso is a Seattle- area coffee chain that serves java with a twist. Or perhaps I shoud explain that it -- ah the coffee maker -- can cause you to twist -- your head.

That's because Cowgirls Espresso features scantily-clad barista's making that large mocha with three-times the normal chocolate that I like. I'm not kidding. This is no jokee at all. In the ongoing "pornification" of America, this is the logical next step: A cross between Starbucks and Hooters.

That would be Cowgirls Espresso.

If you don't believe what I'm writing or what you're seeing, check out these words written by Amy Roe of the Seattle Times: "In a short, sheer, baby-doll negligee and coordinated pink panties, Candice Law is dressed to work at a drive-through espresso stand in Tukwila, and she is working it.



Customers pull their trucks up to the window, where Law greets each with an affectionate nickname, blows kisses, and vamps about as she steams milk for a mocha. "You want whipped cream?" she asks, a sly smile playing on her pierced lip.

The next customer rolls up, and Law throws a long leg onto the window sill, like an indie-rock ballerina at the barre.

"Do you like my leg warmers?" she asks. "Aren't they hot?"


Oh my God.

While the coffee queens don't wear much cloth, they reportedly don't sport that thong , as Washington state law requires that the girls cover their breasts and butts.

Now before you go off an assume this business concept was the brainchild of some adult male with ragging hormones, it's founder's a woman: Lori Bowden. And lest you think this is the only one of its kind, wrong again. There's Cowgirls Espresso, Natté Latté, Moka Girls, The Sweet Spot, Bikini Espresso, and Best Friend Espresso...so far.

I wonder why I've not seen any of these businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area? Are they in Florida? I know they're not in Chicago in the winter!

Whatever the reason they would be a hit at any Super Bowl Party and a great alternative to cocktails and waitresses. Send them to Miami!

Cowgirls Espresso

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The Sundance Film Festival - Video Blog From Susan On Pierre Huyghe

I've never heard of her or the film-maker she's vlogging about, but the video is quite interesting. Here's Susan: