Stafford & Moreno Weigh Options

Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno have petitioned to the NFL to project where they might be selected in the upcoming NFL draft. This draft committee gives a rough estimate to the collegian as to which round he is likely to be selected in. However, the committee does not try to project the actual selection number. This process usually takes as much as two to three weeks, and then the player has until January 15 to declare for the draft. Both Stafford and Moreno have said repeatedly that they have not made a decision at this time. Both the NFL owners as well as the Player's Association would like to see some type of rookie salary cap set up. This would mean that first year NFL players would have their salaries set, thus ending monetary contract negotiations for them. Some believe that could happen as early as the 2010 draft, which could mean literally millions of dollars for guys coming into the draft this coming year. You think that won't factor in tremendously in the decisions that are made in the next three weeks? The NFL is so in love with Stafford's arm that he might not be served well with another year at Georgia, but I think Moreno has so much more to show everyone with his vast talent. If he should choose to remain a Dawg, he will play behind a stronger, more experienced offensive line. He very well could have a Heisman Trophy type year. I hope we get to see that. Anyway, January 15th is not that for away. We'll know for sure then...

Mark Richt is Ready For Playoff

For a long time, Georgia's Mark Richt was o.k. with college football's postseason bowl games. However, all that has changed with him and he is ready to see a four or eight team playoff implemented to determine college football's national champion. He believes sentiment is changing along those lines with college coaches, and even with college presidents. Perhaps they are tired of having to convince pollsters to vote for their teams when it could be decided between the chalk lines. It seems as if the vast majority of college football enthusiasts favor some type of playoff system, but for purely political reasons it just can't seem to get accomplished and become a reality. Why not establish a panel of major college colleges to review the suggestions and proposals for a playoff? Let the panel of coaches study them, break them down, debate them and select what they determine is the best system for college football. Come on guys, it isn't like you're trying to re-discover the wheel or anything. It can be done rather easily, and in a way that would actually enhance the bowls rather than hurt them. And on top of that, everyone would still get their almighty dollar, and probably more than what is being raked in now. And that is already a ton! Stop all the talk. Just get it done.

College Kickoff 2009

Chick-fil-A will once again host college football's equivalent of the Daytona 500 when they match Alabama versus Virginia Tech in the 2009 Kickoff Classic. The second annual event will be played on September 5, 2009 in the Georgia Dome. Last year Alabama upset Clemson in the inaugural Kickoff Classic. Clemson was never the team preseason pundits expected them to be after that devastating loss, and Alabama never looked back. Georgia Bulldog backers are not necessarily enthused about the Crimson Tide appearing in this game again. It is a belief held by many that 'Bama gets tremendous exposure and leverage with high school recruits in the state of Georgia by appearing in such a high profiled game played in this state. It will be interesting to see if the SEC representative to this season opener begins to rotate around the conference as the annual series continues.

Durant Brooks Signs With Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers announced today that they have signed former Washington Redskin's punter Durant Brooks to their practice squad. Brooks, who is coming off of a hip injury, will battle current Packer punter Jeremy Kapinos for the starting job next season. It is ironic that Durant finds himself in Green Bay, the same team that signed Derrick Frost, the punter he beat out for the Redskin punting duties earlier this year. Frost lost the Packer job to Kapinos. Durant never got a fair shake in Washington, a mistake the 'Skins will dread tremendously because the talented punter will be in the NFL Pro Bowl one day. Brooks was a sixth round selection in the 2008 draft out of Georgia Tech.

Falcons Need Help!

The Atlanta Falcons do not control their own destiny as far as reaching the playoffs is concerned. They are in a dead heat with Dallas and Tampa Bay for the two wild card playoff berths, and the tiebreak scenarios do not favor Atlanta. Even if the 9-5 Falcons run the table in their final two games to finish at 11-5, they would still need either the Cowboys or Buccaneers to lose in order to play in the post-season. Dallas has Baltimore at home and finishes with a road game at Philadelphia. Tampa has two home games left against San Diego and Oakland. Dallas has two tough tests perhaps, but the Bucs only worry will be the Chargers. The Falcons travel to Minnesota Sunday, then finish at home against St. Louis. I could see either (or both) of the 'Boys and Bucs losing, but the Vikes at home won't be a shoe-in for the Birds either. But here's betting that if Atlanta wins out, they'll make the playoffs. If not, it sure would be a waste to leave an eleven win team at home during the post-season. Especially if it turns out to be the Falcons!

Steve Williams: Disparaging Words From "Down-Under"

Tiger Woods' caddie, Steve Williams, called golfer Phil Mickelson a "prick". He also said the two pros 'don't get along', and he took a shot at Phil's weight. Woods was said to have been disappointed in his caddie, and he released a statement saying that the matter had been "discussed and dealt with". Mickelson's side referred to Williams' remarks as inaccurate and irresponsible. That's a good way to keep the PGA's 'down time' interesting. Everyone has always wondered about the Mickelson/Woods competitive relationship, and this little bit of 'charity event chatter' just adds more speculation to it. But if I were Phil, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over what Steve Williams said about me. Not some guy who has already thrown a photographer's $7,000 camera into a lake, wrestled another one away from an off-duty police officer, and has been fined on several occasions by the PGA for inappropriate attire. With these latest remarks, along with these past actions, I don't consider Mr. Williams character in line with that of the game he represents.

Rafael Furcal: Back Down Peachtree?

The Atlanta Braves might possibly announce today that former shortstop Rafael Furcal is returning to his former team. This announcement is pending Furcal's passing a physical examination. His previous stint with the Braves was six seasons. With the multi-talented Yunel Escobar already penciled in at the shortstop position, Atlanta could move Furcal to second base to shore up that side of the infield, or possibly dangle Escobar as an integral part of a trade for pitching ace Jake Peavy. Here's hoping Escobar stays with Atlanta. I think we've only seen hints of how good this kid can really be. Chipper, Escobar, and Furcal in the same infield sounds pretty impressive to me.

The "Bear"

Back in Time: December 15, 1982, Alabama's Paul "Bear" Bryant retires from coaching. After 15 years of leading the Tide, Bryant departed with a record of 232-46-9, and nine National Championships. It has taken the Alabama faithful 26 years to finally accept his departure, due only to the success of the 2008 squad. At least they are ahead of the Elvis fans, who still haven't accepted the King's death!

Christmas at Arlington

I know this has nothing to do with sports. Quite frankly, I don't want it to. This is bigger than anything going on in the world of sports. This is us. This is country. This is real. This is heavy. One man cares enough to make sure every grave at Arlington National Cemetery has its own wreath at Christmas. At no expense to anyone but himself. He feels the price has already been paid. And it has been paid by those who occupy those many grave sites at our National Cemetery. What a story. I encourage you to research it yourself. You'll be blessed. I promise you will. If you only take the time to read one post on An Opinion On Sports, I hope this one could be it. May God bless you and yours during this joyous season, may God bless all of those who make this wreath project possible, and may God bless America. Merry Christmas everyone!

The 2008 Heisman Trophy Ceremony

Three of the nation's top collegiate quarterbacks are the finalists for this year's Heisman Trophy. They are Tim Tebow of Florida, Colt McCoy of Texas, and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma. The last time all finalists were quarterbacks was 2001. Tebow, of course, was last year's recipient. He and Bradford will square off not only Saturday night for this award, but also in the National Championship game, a game McCoy and his Longhorns feel they should be a part of. An Opinion On Sports casts its ballot for the Sooners' Mr. Bradford. You didn't really think this Dawg blog could endorse the Gator did you?

This Date in Time 1959

On December 11, 1959, the New York Yankees acquired right fielder Roger Maris in a trade with the Kansas City Royals. Maris(L), shown here with Mickey Mantle, came to the Yankees much cheaper than did C.C. Sabathia yesterday! In fact, the Yankees only gave up four players to get three, including Roger.

John Daly: Another "Kodak Moment"!

Whoa, Big John! What did that Aussie tree ever do to you? Ho hum, Daly's at it again. On his last hole of yesterday's Australian Open golf tournament, John Daly threw a spectator's camera into a tree after the spectator, Brad Clegg (above), snapped a shot at close range to the hefty golfer. In fairness to Daly, Clegg admitted to seeing the "No Camera" signs on the course. The golfer had gone to play his stray tee shot in the trees when the incident happened. He finished his round with a "smashing" 78!