My February issue of Sports Illustrated arrived in the mail last week.
Let that sink in for a moment. My FEBRUARY issue...
Yes, like so many other publications faced with changing dynamics and the Internet providing nearly instantaneous information, Sports Illustrated is adapting. What launched as a weekly magazine in August, 1954 (Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves at the plate, with old County Stadium in the background), the publication will now go to 16 issues a year.
This, after shifting to a bi-weekly at the start of 2019. Those 2020 16 issues will also include a stand-alone (the notorious swimsuit edition -- which first appeared IN the magazine in 1964), plus football, the NBA, baseball and the Olympics.
I understand the changes. Many magazines have simply ceased publication, switched formats (hell, Entertainment Weekly has gone monthly but stubbornly keeps "weekly" in it's masthead) or gone totally electronic. Reading habits have changed -- even the venerable (or nefarious) Playboy Magazine (also begin in 1954) has switched from a monthly to a quarterly schedule.
As a young man growing up in rural Central Wisconsin, I eagerly awaited each issue of Sports Illustrated. It opened up a whole new sports world, bringing to my door national and international events and people that I didn't see in the daily paper we got (via the mail, always a day behind). The writing was always first-rate, and continues to be, while the photography was outstanding.
Here's hoping their new efforts are successful.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Friday, January 24, 2020
Expect Major Changes On Green Bay's Roster
Each and every year, there's changeover on professional rosters, whether that's basketball, baseball, football or hockey.
In the National Football League, things are no different for the Green Bay Packers. Players come (through trade, draft or free agent acquisitions) and players go.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen this large a class of unrestricted free agents in the Green and Gold.
There's 19 (yes, 19; that's over a third of the roster) that are free agents. Some will be back, some won't. My thoughts on the list, with offensive players in italics:
RT Bryan Bulaga -- solid veteran. Let's face it, health is always a concern with him. I would only bring him back at a reasonable salary as a backup.
K Mason Crosby -- had one of his best season in his 13th year as a Packer. Steady, consistent and worth the price of his contract. Kicking in Lambeau Field in December is no picnic.
FB Danny Vitale -- worth signing to a budget deal.
ILB Blake Martinez -- played his last game for Green Bay, I believe. Packers need to improve at the position. While a good tackler, Martinez was a liability as a pass defender.
WR Geronimo Allison -- not sure I would bring him back. Too many drops and his production certainly doesn't warrant it.
RT Jared Veldheer -- signed out of retirement, was a solid pro for Green Bay. IF he wants to come back, I would sign him on the cheap.
RB Tyler Ervin -- bring him back just on his special teams play alone (his issues in the NFC title game not withstanding).
OLB Kyler Fackrell -- has shown flashes. If the dollar amount is reasonable, sign him.
ILB B.J. Goodson -- not sure his production calls for it. Another player who, if the cost is minimal, may be worth it.
TE Marcedes Lewis -- don't think he'll be back. Getting up there in years of service.
WR Ryan Grant -- won't be back.
S Will Redmond -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Allen Lazard -- seemed to get better and better as the season wore on, and QB Aaron Rodgers seems to trust him. While there will be many changes in the receiver room this year, Lazard is worth the contract.
CB Chandon Sullivan -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Jake Kumerow -- UW-Whitewater alum is a fan favorite. A reasonable contract brings him back.
TE Robert Tonyan -- spotty performer. On the bubble.
DT Tyler Lancaster -- On the bubble, but will probably return.
FB Malcolm Johnson -- On the bubble.
The Packers ARE bringing back defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. A good move, in my opinion. With the exception of two games, his unit was prepared and his game plan solid. Unfortunately, those two exceptions were both against San Francisco, and that NFC title game was embarrassing. But clearly, Green Bay's defense was better in 2019 than 2018. It's fair to expect more improvement in 2020.
In the National Football League, things are no different for the Green Bay Packers. Players come (through trade, draft or free agent acquisitions) and players go.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen this large a class of unrestricted free agents in the Green and Gold.
There's 19 (yes, 19; that's over a third of the roster) that are free agents. Some will be back, some won't. My thoughts on the list, with offensive players in italics:
RT Bryan Bulaga -- solid veteran. Let's face it, health is always a concern with him. I would only bring him back at a reasonable salary as a backup.
K Mason Crosby -- had one of his best season in his 13th year as a Packer. Steady, consistent and worth the price of his contract. Kicking in Lambeau Field in December is no picnic.
FB Danny Vitale -- worth signing to a budget deal.
ILB Blake Martinez -- played his last game for Green Bay, I believe. Packers need to improve at the position. While a good tackler, Martinez was a liability as a pass defender.
WR Geronimo Allison -- not sure I would bring him back. Too many drops and his production certainly doesn't warrant it.
RT Jared Veldheer -- signed out of retirement, was a solid pro for Green Bay. IF he wants to come back, I would sign him on the cheap.
RB Tyler Ervin -- bring him back just on his special teams play alone (his issues in the NFC title game not withstanding).
OLB Kyler Fackrell -- has shown flashes. If the dollar amount is reasonable, sign him.
ILB B.J. Goodson -- not sure his production calls for it. Another player who, if the cost is minimal, may be worth it.
TE Marcedes Lewis -- don't think he'll be back. Getting up there in years of service.
WR Ryan Grant -- won't be back.
S Will Redmond -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Allen Lazard -- seemed to get better and better as the season wore on, and QB Aaron Rodgers seems to trust him. While there will be many changes in the receiver room this year, Lazard is worth the contract.
CB Chandon Sullivan -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Jake Kumerow -- UW-Whitewater alum is a fan favorite. A reasonable contract brings him back.
TE Robert Tonyan -- spotty performer. On the bubble.
DT Tyler Lancaster -- On the bubble, but will probably return.
FB Malcolm Johnson -- On the bubble.
The Packers ARE bringing back defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. A good move, in my opinion. With the exception of two games, his unit was prepared and his game plan solid. Unfortunately, those two exceptions were both against San Francisco, and that NFC title game was embarrassing. But clearly, Green Bay's defense was better in 2019 than 2018. It's fair to expect more improvement in 2020.
Friday, January 17, 2020
"I Just Want To Bang On The Garbage Can All Day"
Channeling my inner Harry Carey, I should be shouting "Holeeee Cow!"
Three (count 'em, three!) Major managers canned this week, just six weeks or so before the start of spring training.
By now, you know the story. Using cameras, smart phones and a garbage can, the Astros let their batters know what pitch was coming. Now it also has been suggested that certain players wore an electronic device on their shoulder that let them know the pitch while on the road. May explain why Jose Altuve was so adamant that his jersey remain on when the 'Stros beat the Yankees in New York.
Houston was caught cheating and was dealt with by MLB, suspending manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow for a year, fining the franchise $5 million (the maximum allowed) and stripping them of four draft picks -- their first two in the next two drafts.
The Astros -- forever to be known as the Asterisks, since that may well be attached to their 2018 World Series Championship -- took the next step and fired Hinch and Luhnow.
Guilt by association soon caught up with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, as both teams "mutually parted ways" with their managers.
Let's face it. In Boston, manager Alex Cora was fired. Cora, it seems, may have been the ringleader in the garbage can scandal, getting it started before leaving to manage the Red Sox. Was it just a coincidence when Boston won a World Series under him? I think not.
And along come the Mets, who just two months ago made former Astros player Carlos Beltran the manager. Not wanting the stink to hang over New York too long, the Mets fired Beltran.
Both clubs can play the we-mutually-parted-ways card, but they're not fooling anyone.
By the way, I first addressed this whole electronic cheating thing in a blog 12/13/18.
Just sayin'
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Be Thankful For Paul Chryst
Unassuming. Bland. Boring. A winner.
University of Wisconsin Badger football coach Paul Chryst is all of these. But he does things "The Wisconsin Way" and that's just fine with us.
Since taking the Wisconsin job in 2015, Chryst's team have gone 62-19. That's a winning percentage of .765. During that stretch, the Badgers won the Holiday, Cotton, Orange and Pinstripe bowl games -- and this year SHOULD have closed out the Rose Bowl with a win instead of falling 28-27. Bucky was clearly the better team on the field, but was uncharacteristic in committing turnovers and penalties at crucial times.
The only game in which Wisconsin was truly blown out this year came on Oct. 26th at Ohio State, a 38-7 loss. Otherwise, the defeats at Illinois, the Big Ten title game with Ohio State and the Rose Bowl were all winnable.
The one real Achilles' heel for Bucky this season, in my opinion, was special teams. Let's face it, Wisconsin punters just didn't cut it. I find it interesting that BOTH All-Big Ten punters, chosen by the Associated Press, hail from Melbourne, Australia.....Blake Hayes, Illinois junior was first team while Rutgers junior Adam Korsak (featured in a Sports Illustrated piece) was second team. Maybe it's time for Chryst & Co. to head Down Under to recruit a strong leg from an Australian Rules Football roster.
Wisconsin loses some studs at linebacker through graduation, and four players have announced they will leave early
No matter. Wisconsin will reload at linebacker, the O-Line and running back. In fact, a four-star runner from New Jersey, Jalen Berger, committed to the Badgers.A solid all-around runner who is 6-foot, 205-pounds, picked UW from a final five that included LSU, Penn State, UCLA and Rutgers. He's the fifth four-star recruit to join the Badgers. It's rare for Wisconsin to get those four-stars, so it shows that this program is in good hands.
University of Wisconsin Badger football coach Paul Chryst is all of these. But he does things "The Wisconsin Way" and that's just fine with us.
Since taking the Wisconsin job in 2015, Chryst's team have gone 62-19. That's a winning percentage of .765. During that stretch, the Badgers won the Holiday, Cotton, Orange and Pinstripe bowl games -- and this year SHOULD have closed out the Rose Bowl with a win instead of falling 28-27. Bucky was clearly the better team on the field, but was uncharacteristic in committing turnovers and penalties at crucial times.
The only game in which Wisconsin was truly blown out this year came on Oct. 26th at Ohio State, a 38-7 loss. Otherwise, the defeats at Illinois, the Big Ten title game with Ohio State and the Rose Bowl were all winnable.
The one real Achilles' heel for Bucky this season, in my opinion, was special teams. Let's face it, Wisconsin punters just didn't cut it. I find it interesting that BOTH All-Big Ten punters, chosen by the Associated Press, hail from Melbourne, Australia.....Blake Hayes, Illinois junior was first team while Rutgers junior Adam Korsak (featured in a Sports Illustrated piece) was second team. Maybe it's time for Chryst & Co. to head Down Under to recruit a strong leg from an Australian Rules Football roster.
Wisconsin loses some studs at linebacker through graduation, and four players have announced they will leave early
- RB Jonathan Taylor, who's exit is totally understandable. Sure it would be nice if he came back, but running backs only have so many carries in them. Leaving for the NFL and a salary was expected.
- C Taylor Biadasz, probably the best interior lineman in the draft
- WR Quintez Cephus, a surprise in a draft that is wide receiver heavy
- WR Aaron Cruickshank, who REALLY surprised Badger Nation by entering the transfer portal. Despite his success as a kick returner and his explosiveness, he may well have looked around the receiver room and decided he wouldn't get a chance.
No matter. Wisconsin will reload at linebacker, the O-Line and running back. In fact, a four-star runner from New Jersey, Jalen Berger, committed to the Badgers.A solid all-around runner who is 6-foot, 205-pounds, picked UW from a final five that included LSU, Penn State, UCLA and Rutgers. He's the fifth four-star recruit to join the Badgers. It's rare for Wisconsin to get those four-stars, so it shows that this program is in good hands.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Take A Deep Breath, Packer Nation
Be honest.
If someone had come to you in August and told you that a) the Green Bay Packers would finish 13-3, win the Northern Division AND have the second playoff seed but b) that they would be winning ugly with an inconsistent offense and an up-and-down Aaron Rodgers, would you have been happy?
Damn skippy you would have been! Close to cartwheels, I'm willing to bet.
That's why, for the days following the season finale (by the skin of their teeth) victory in Detroit, the airwaves and water-cooler discussions were about how bad the Packers were...how lucky the Packers were...how undeserving of a second seed the Packers were.
Get over yourselves, Packer Nation, and appreciate what the team has done. Seriously, too many of you feel too damn entitled -- you remind me of Alabama football fans!
I'm of a certain age and remember (sadly) the years from about 1972 to the mid 1980s, when Packer football SUCKED and it was a challenge to be a fan and remain a fan.
If someone had come to you in August and told you that a) the Green Bay Packers would finish 13-3, win the Northern Division AND have the second playoff seed but b) that they would be winning ugly with an inconsistent offense and an up-and-down Aaron Rodgers, would you have been happy?
Damn skippy you would have been! Close to cartwheels, I'm willing to bet.
That's why, for the days following the season finale (by the skin of their teeth) victory in Detroit, the airwaves and water-cooler discussions were about how bad the Packers were...how lucky the Packers were...how undeserving of a second seed the Packers were.
Get over yourselves, Packer Nation, and appreciate what the team has done. Seriously, too many of you feel too damn entitled -- you remind me of Alabama football fans!
I'm of a certain age and remember (sadly) the years from about 1972 to the mid 1980s, when Packer football SUCKED and it was a challenge to be a fan and remain a fan.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
"Funny Money" Runs Wild In Baseball
Whoa, Nelly! Major League Baseball is totally out of control.
Why do I say that? Well, the dreaded New York Yankees just ponied up $324 MILLION over 9 years for the pitching services of Gerrit Cole. This breaks the record of $245 million (seven years) paid by the Washington Nationals to retain pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the MVP of the World Series.
Let's see. That averages out to Cole making $36 million a year to Strasburg's $34 million a year. The REAL winner here is super-agent Scott Boras, who makes anywhere from four to 10 percent from brokering those deals.
It's sad to see the haves put that much money out for a single player, a total that, in the case of a couple franchises, equals nearly half of their TOTAL team salary.
Of course, teams like the Yankees and Nationals (along with, say, the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals) can afford to sign players to sky-high contracts and weather the storm IF the player gets hurt and things never pan out.
Franchises like the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals COULD pay out that much for a single player, but NEVER WILL -- because they have to look at the long-term consequences.
Which makes it even more imperative for MLB to have salary caps. Let's face it, wild spending by some teams could lead to MLB losing franchises.
Speaking of salary, I see that the Brewers re-signed relief pitcher Alex Claudio to a more team-friendly contact along with bullpen ace Corey Knebel -- who avoided arbitration with a one-year contract. Knebel, of course, is coming off Tommy John surgery and probably won't be throwing again until late in the season.
Why do I say that? Well, the dreaded New York Yankees just ponied up $324 MILLION over 9 years for the pitching services of Gerrit Cole. This breaks the record of $245 million (seven years) paid by the Washington Nationals to retain pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the MVP of the World Series.
Let's see. That averages out to Cole making $36 million a year to Strasburg's $34 million a year. The REAL winner here is super-agent Scott Boras, who makes anywhere from four to 10 percent from brokering those deals.
It's sad to see the haves put that much money out for a single player, a total that, in the case of a couple franchises, equals nearly half of their TOTAL team salary.
Of course, teams like the Yankees and Nationals (along with, say, the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals) can afford to sign players to sky-high contracts and weather the storm IF the player gets hurt and things never pan out.
Franchises like the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals COULD pay out that much for a single player, but NEVER WILL -- because they have to look at the long-term consequences.
Which makes it even more imperative for MLB to have salary caps. Let's face it, wild spending by some teams could lead to MLB losing franchises.
Speaking of salary, I see that the Brewers re-signed relief pitcher Alex Claudio to a more team-friendly contact along with bullpen ace Corey Knebel -- who avoided arbitration with a one-year contract. Knebel, of course, is coming off Tommy John surgery and probably won't be throwing again until late in the season.
Friday, December 6, 2019
The Sky Isn't Falling in Milwaukee
For all those "Chicken Little" Milwaukee Brewer fans scurrying around screaming The Sky Is Falling! Might I suggest y'all just chill?
The Chicken Littles are upset because the Brewers failed to resign either catcher Yasmani Grandal or thirdbaseman Mike Moustakas to a free agent contract.
Those guys pretty much put on a ski-mask and the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds ponied up -- Grandal got $73 million for four years while Moose bagged $64 million for four years. Both will be 32 in 2020, but they were WAY overpaid. Just proves that there's one (foolish franchise) born every minute...
People, it's not like the Brewers will play with seven on the field each game instead of nine. General Manager David Stearns knows what he's doing and how to manage the payroll.
The club declined to offer contracts to infielder Travis Shaw, right-hander Jimmy Nelson, infielder Tyler Saladino, Eric Thames, plus relief pitchers Alex Claudio and Junior Guerra. I look for Shaw to resign (club was avoiding arbitration). As for the pitchers...well, Nelson is damaged goods and has never come back from that freak shoulder injury while Claudio and Guerra aren't worth the roster spots.
Stearns addressed the catcher position via trade with Seattle, getting a left-handed power hitter in Omar Narvaez. The club will have three years of control on the 27-year-old Narvaez. The one big drawback with Omar is defense -- he only threw out 18% of runners last season, and had a plethora of errors/passed balls behind the plate. But defense can be improved -- Grandal is example of that.
Milwaukee recently swung a trade with San Diego, shipping off pitcher Zach Davies, outfielder Trent Grisham and either the popular Player To Be Named Later or cash. All this for left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer and infielder Luis Urias. I think the Brewers had gotten as much out of Davies as was possible, and Urias may light a fire under the up-and-down Orlando Arcia. Love his defense, but his offense runs hot and cold. This is not the case for Urias. Good trade for Stearns.
Stearns must still look at the corner positions to fill -- doesn't look like there's much in the free agent market other than OLDER players, and those might fill the gap for a season, but long-term? Probably not. Still, the club might re-sign Shaw and Thames at bargain prices and still work to develop within the farm system.
Stay tuned....baseball's winter meetings are going on in sunny San Diego.
The Chicken Littles are upset because the Brewers failed to resign either catcher Yasmani Grandal or thirdbaseman Mike Moustakas to a free agent contract.
Those guys pretty much put on a ski-mask and the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds ponied up -- Grandal got $73 million for four years while Moose bagged $64 million for four years. Both will be 32 in 2020, but they were WAY overpaid. Just proves that there's one (foolish franchise) born every minute...
People, it's not like the Brewers will play with seven on the field each game instead of nine. General Manager David Stearns knows what he's doing and how to manage the payroll.
The club declined to offer contracts to infielder Travis Shaw, right-hander Jimmy Nelson, infielder Tyler Saladino, Eric Thames, plus relief pitchers Alex Claudio and Junior Guerra. I look for Shaw to resign (club was avoiding arbitration). As for the pitchers...well, Nelson is damaged goods and has never come back from that freak shoulder injury while Claudio and Guerra aren't worth the roster spots.
Stearns addressed the catcher position via trade with Seattle, getting a left-handed power hitter in Omar Narvaez. The club will have three years of control on the 27-year-old Narvaez. The one big drawback with Omar is defense -- he only threw out 18% of runners last season, and had a plethora of errors/passed balls behind the plate. But defense can be improved -- Grandal is example of that.
Milwaukee recently swung a trade with San Diego, shipping off pitcher Zach Davies, outfielder Trent Grisham and either the popular Player To Be Named Later or cash. All this for left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer and infielder Luis Urias. I think the Brewers had gotten as much out of Davies as was possible, and Urias may light a fire under the up-and-down Orlando Arcia. Love his defense, but his offense runs hot and cold. This is not the case for Urias. Good trade for Stearns.
Stearns must still look at the corner positions to fill -- doesn't look like there's much in the free agent market other than OLDER players, and those might fill the gap for a season, but long-term? Probably not. Still, the club might re-sign Shaw and Thames at bargain prices and still work to develop within the farm system.
Stay tuned....baseball's winter meetings are going on in sunny San Diego.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Thoughts On The WIAA Football Championships
High school football players and fans (Bay Port brought 22 buses down from the Green Bay area!) invaded Madison this past Thursday and Friday for the WIAA Football title games. Champions were crowned in seven divisions, and a few observations from the games I watched.
First and foremost, the big change in offensive philosophy since I started covering prep football in the early 1970's. By and large, most high school quarterbacks can (and will) throw with precision. Long gone are the days of "three yards and a cloud of dust". Oh, sure, there are still programs at schools that will run-run-run to daylight (Edgar in D-7 and Brookfield East in D-2 come to mind).
I watched the D-6 contest between Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs and Eau Claire Regis with interest. I ran across Springs starting in 1972 when, as a college freshman, I was given the Lourdes Academy beat while a sportswriter with the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. Springs was coached then by Bob Hyland, who had been on the job two years -- 49 years later, Springs is STILL coached by Bob Hyland.
Yes, 49 years at one school with a Wisconsin-best 478 victories, plus 26 trips to a state football title game. This year, Springs won 7-0 for a third straight title and ninth WIAA overall (out of 12 appearances) since the WIAA absorbed the teams from the WISAA. Hyland took Springs to 14 title games in WISAA, winning another 8 titles there.
This season resulted not only in a state title for the 72-year-old Hyland, but State Coach of The Year honors.
He was coaching a grandson this year, sophomore QB/DE Isaac Hyland, son of 1991 state player of the year Rob Hyland. Says the elder Hyland, "I'm a lot nicer to (Isaac) than I was to my son. He gets away with a lot more, because Grandma would kill me."
In other thoughts
There are 50 schools now playing 8-Man Football in Wisconsin, with five other programs currently inactive. For those schools seeing shrinking enrollment, and maybe those that lack the co-op opportunity with a nearby school district, this seems to be a growing state trend.
First and foremost, the big change in offensive philosophy since I started covering prep football in the early 1970's. By and large, most high school quarterbacks can (and will) throw with precision. Long gone are the days of "three yards and a cloud of dust". Oh, sure, there are still programs at schools that will run-run-run to daylight (Edgar in D-7 and Brookfield East in D-2 come to mind).
I watched the D-6 contest between Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs and Eau Claire Regis with interest. I ran across Springs starting in 1972 when, as a college freshman, I was given the Lourdes Academy beat while a sportswriter with the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. Springs was coached then by Bob Hyland, who had been on the job two years -- 49 years later, Springs is STILL coached by Bob Hyland.
Yes, 49 years at one school with a Wisconsin-best 478 victories, plus 26 trips to a state football title game. This year, Springs won 7-0 for a third straight title and ninth WIAA overall (out of 12 appearances) since the WIAA absorbed the teams from the WISAA. Hyland took Springs to 14 title games in WISAA, winning another 8 titles there.
This season resulted not only in a state title for the 72-year-old Hyland, but State Coach of The Year honors.
He was coaching a grandson this year, sophomore QB/DE Isaac Hyland, son of 1991 state player of the year Rob Hyland. Says the elder Hyland, "I'm a lot nicer to (Isaac) than I was to my son. He gets away with a lot more, because Grandma would kill me."
In other thoughts
- Stratford, in D-5 entered the game having outscored opponents 649-7 (yes, you read that right!) and led 13-0 before falling 22-13.
- Deforest knocked off the Menasha Bluejays 8-6 in D-3. Hated the outcome, as Deforest scored with 32 seconds left and then made the 2-pt. conversion. Felt bad for Menasha, a school I covered back in the day -- they had really dominated most of the way.
- Waunakee lost to Brookfield East in D-2, a wild 32-31 game. Waunakee scored with 8 seconds remaining, but on the PAT kick the ball slid off the tee as the holder was spinning it, and the kicker shanked the attempt. STILL not sure why Coach Pat Rice didn't go for the 2-pt attempt. He wasn't having any real success stopping Brookfield East all day.
- The 8-Man title was won last weekend by Luck, beating Wausau Newman Catholic 42-27 behind Levi Jensen, who rushed 25 times for 432 yards, scored five touchdowns and three two-point conversions. Jensen, a 5-10, 195-pound senior, capped a pretty good campaign for unbeaten Luck -- finishing with 175 carries for 2,321 yards (13.26 average) along with 38 touchdowns and 19 conversions for 266 points.
There are 50 schools now playing 8-Man Football in Wisconsin, with five other programs currently inactive. For those schools seeing shrinking enrollment, and maybe those that lack the co-op opportunity with a nearby school district, this seems to be a growing state trend.
Monday, October 28, 2019
NFL Is Missing The Boat
Every time an NFL player heads to the sideline and into the "tent" for evaluation, I see the league missing an opportunity to make yet more money.
For a league that seems to have every action sponsored by somebody, the NFL has yet to get a sponsors name on the evaluation tent.
May I suggest Budweiser?
And name it the "Bud Light Party Tent".
Maybe I should look into trademark rights? And then get a sweet check from The Shield for it.
Hey, it's gonna snow tonight -- so the mind is wandering a little!
For a league that seems to have every action sponsored by somebody, the NFL has yet to get a sponsors name on the evaluation tent.
May I suggest Budweiser?
And name it the "Bud Light Party Tent".
Maybe I should look into trademark rights? And then get a sweet check from The Shield for it.
Hey, it's gonna snow tonight -- so the mind is wandering a little!
Monday, October 14, 2019
Can The Badgers Keep Jim Leonard?
Now that the unbeaten University of Wisconsin Badgers are top-ranked in the nation defensively, and just posted their fourth shutout of the season, how long will it be before a bigger fish comes along to pile up cash in front of defensive coordinator Jim Leonard?
Leonard will be 37 the end of the month. His defensive approach to football has the Badgers making history (most shutouts in the modern era since 1930!) and headlines. Granted, three of those shutouts came against South Florida, Central Michigan and Kent State -- hardly powerhouse offensive squads.
But Saturday at The Camp, Bucky took the Michigan State Spartans behind the woodshed and stomped on 'em. Giving up just 149 net yards on the day to a Spartan team that had the ball for only 20:50 and forcing a pair of turnovers -- one returned for a touchdown. Take away the 20-yard gain on the fake punt, and Sparty rushed 20 times for 10 yards!
By the way, that's the fourth defensive TD this season for Wisconsin -- which has only allowed four TDs as well.
How good does the defense look?
Wisconsin, 6-0, is allowing 4.8 points per game. The big tests are ahead with Ohio State, Iowa, Purdue and Minnesota waiting in the wings.
This brings us back to my original thought -- can Wisconsin KEEP Leonard? He's not the highest paid defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, but he's not hurting, either. In 2017 he signed a two-year deal worth $1.25 million -- $300,00 the first year, $325,000 the second. The UW Foundation added $300,000 per year as well.
In comparison, LSU's Dave Aranda (who was at Wisconsin from 2013-2015) was making $1.8 million before getting a nice bump. With Texas A&M in hot pursuit, LSU gave Aranda a four-year, $10 million deal. That works out to $2.5 million a year. In second place is the D-Coordinator from Clemson at $1.7 million.
Shoot, Alabama head coach Nick Saban makes $11 million -- and that doesn't count benefits, like the house 'Bama purchased for him, etc.
So unless Leonard, once a Wisconsin walk-on, gives his alma mater a home town deal, Bucky may not be able to keep the salary wolves at bay.
Leonard will be 37 the end of the month. His defensive approach to football has the Badgers making history (most shutouts in the modern era since 1930!) and headlines. Granted, three of those shutouts came against South Florida, Central Michigan and Kent State -- hardly powerhouse offensive squads.
But Saturday at The Camp, Bucky took the Michigan State Spartans behind the woodshed and stomped on 'em. Giving up just 149 net yards on the day to a Spartan team that had the ball for only 20:50 and forcing a pair of turnovers -- one returned for a touchdown. Take away the 20-yard gain on the fake punt, and Sparty rushed 20 times for 10 yards!
By the way, that's the fourth defensive TD this season for Wisconsin -- which has only allowed four TDs as well.
How good does the defense look?
- has allowed 268 rushing yards, 44.7 per game
- has allowed 129 passing yards per game
- has allowed 173.7 yards per game
- has allowed 3.1 yards per 340 plays
- opposing teams have been successful on third down conversion just 15.66% of the time
Wisconsin, 6-0, is allowing 4.8 points per game. The big tests are ahead with Ohio State, Iowa, Purdue and Minnesota waiting in the wings.
This brings us back to my original thought -- can Wisconsin KEEP Leonard? He's not the highest paid defensive coordinator in the Big Ten, but he's not hurting, either. In 2017 he signed a two-year deal worth $1.25 million -- $300,00 the first year, $325,000 the second. The UW Foundation added $300,000 per year as well.
In comparison, LSU's Dave Aranda (who was at Wisconsin from 2013-2015) was making $1.8 million before getting a nice bump. With Texas A&M in hot pursuit, LSU gave Aranda a four-year, $10 million deal. That works out to $2.5 million a year. In second place is the D-Coordinator from Clemson at $1.7 million.
Shoot, Alabama head coach Nick Saban makes $11 million -- and that doesn't count benefits, like the house 'Bama purchased for him, etc.
So unless Leonard, once a Wisconsin walk-on, gives his alma mater a home town deal, Bucky may not be able to keep the salary wolves at bay.
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