The Athlete-Students

You hear it every year, most often during the NCAA Tournament which just ended...well a while ago.  The term "Student-athletes"...also known as the world's most overused and frustrating misnomer.  Welcome to the United States world of universities in the 21st century.  You listen to some of the "student-athletes" speak and you wonder "where have our priorities gone?".  Or well, I do.  The world has been marred by the obsession of athletes and sports.  They make more money than almost everyone, and often they spend it faster too, wasting millions of dollars and going bankrupt...making you wonder, "student-athletes" or "athlete-students"?.  It is embarrassing, honestly.  At a parochial school in Cincinnati, Ohio called Elder there was a valedictorian who dreamed of going to Notre Dame.  He took Advanced Placement classes, graduated with above a 4.0 GPA, scored highly on the SAT and ACT tests, was an all-district offensive lineman, and a beyond solid character.  He was put on the waiting list and eventually rejected.  One year later, a student from the same school has a dream, to go to Notre Dame.  He is 6'6", a top 10 Tight End in football, has solid hands, an impressive 40 yard dash, and a 3.6 GPA...but that is in level 3 and 4 classes.  He graduated in the middle of the pack of his high class, somewhere in the sixties.  He was given a full ride scholarship to Notre Dame.  Apparently, the world needs high quality Tight Ends with nearly zero hope of ever making it to the NFL to go to one of the premiere colleges in the country whilst someone who has slaved away to earn every honor academically a high school can offer is rejected.  These are the priorities of colleges in the 2000's.  An old cliche goes, nothing is more valuable than the mind of a child...except for the athleticism of another child.  Granted, sports bring in the big bucks...which is why sportsmen earn them as well.  This article on a blog 10 people read won't change the way the world turns, but I can blog what I want.  I'd like to offer a toast, to the athlete-students.  Without you, I would have nothing to complain about this evening.  Good luck in your acade....athletic ventures.  I will saunter off to community college, where my 1520 SAT score will be appreciated.

Macier's NFL Mock Draft:

The world of the NFL is in shambles, but the draft is quickly approaching.  This year is a year of the Quarterback as 6 or 7 high level players at the position are on the board.  Aside from the strength at the QB position, the Running Back position is weak as there may be zero first round picks at the RB spot.  Here are the top five players at each "position":

QB:
(1) Cameron Newton: he is an athletic specimen who has shown he can throw with the big boys during his pro day and at the combine.  He looks special, like a bigger, slower, better throwing Mike Vick.
(2) Blane Gabbert: some think he is the best "NFL" Quarterback in the draft and by far the most NFL ready.  He is a pure thrower with talent.
(3) Jake Locker: He was a possible #1 overall selection last year.  A stronger class and a spotty senior year slipped his stock, but he is still has great tools and potentially is the best QB in the class.
(4) Ryan Mallet: he has the physical tools, but some question his character.  He played at the highest level for a pure QB in the toughest conference...he could be special.
(5) Christian Ponder: Some like Andy Dalton as the 3rd or even 2nd best QB this year, but I don't...I put Ponder here.

RB/WR/TE:
(1) Julio Jones (WR): Many like AJ Green, but Jones is a big, physical receiver who will block masterfully downfield and make differences at each level in the passing game.
(2) A.J. Green (WR): another WR as the running backs are weak.  Green is the best deep threat in the class.  He has great hands and is very dangerous.
(3) Mark Ingram (RB): Ingram is a strong and fast runner.  The running backs are weak, but Ingram could be a good if not great tailback in the NFL.
(4) Kyle Rudolph (TE): The Elder High School grade is a physical monster (6'7", 270, 4.6 speed) with outstanding hands.  He is an archetypal NFL TE and could be a Tony Gonzalez.
(5) Ryan Williams (RB): he is probably the most dangerous back in the draft, but injury could temper his vaule.

Offensive Line: 
(1) Anthony Castonzo (T): experienced, big, strong, quick feet...everything you want in a OT
(2) Tyson Smith (T): a raw talent with all the physical tools.  Only inexperience drops him to #2.
(3) Danny Watkins (G): The Baylor Bear is a solid guard, a tough guy who has strong legs.
(4) Mike Pouncey (G or C): he struggled at center at Florida, could be a top guard in the League.
(5) Gabe Carimi (T): the Badger from Wisconsin is a solid tackle, much like Castonzo and Smith.

Defensive Line:
(1) Marcell Darius (DT): A pure run stopper.  He can't get to the QB like Suh, but he's a big body.
(2) Robert Quinn (DE): some thought he could be a top 5 pick and even a Heisman candidate, but Quinn had a below expected senior year, but that doesn't mean the talent is gone.
(3) Da'Quan Bowers (DE): another player who has fallen off the map.  Bowers used to be #1 overall potential.
(4) Nick Fairly (DT): a risky pick, was a one year phenom at Auburn.
(5) J.J. Watts (DE): A top-10 talent...may fall far due to lack of need at DE for most teams.

Linebackers:
(1) Von Miller: A no doubt best LB, he is pure talent.  He could be very special in the NFL.
(2) Akeem Ayers: another outside rushing type like Miller, but not quite the talent.  A well-rounded backer.
(3) Greg Jones: A small middle linebacker, but Jones is a two-time All-American and a tenacious player.  He can feel where the ball is going and get there.
(4) Justin Houston: A pass rushing mold, but a big guy who can stop the run as well as Von.
(5) Kelvin Sheppard: the LSU Tiger loves to cover the run, but he is athletic enough to cover passing as well.

Secondary:
(1) Patrick Peterson (CB): the Eric Berry of this draft simply in terms of being the most NFL ready player.  He could cover NFL receivers right now, and had to a lot this year in Green and Jones.
(2) Jimmy Smith (CB): The second of a good Cornerback class.  Smith has talent rivaling Peterson, but his off the field issues have teams shying away.
(3) Prince Amukamara (CB): Another sure corner.  He may not be ready to step into a starting role the way Peterson is, but Prince will be a good fill-in for the nickel package.
(4) Brandon Harris (CB): He is a good bet to be a good cover corner.  Great speed and decent IQ.
(5) Jaiquawn Jarrett (S): the most complete safety that will be available in the draft.  He’s an explosive run defender who quickly makes his way up the field to engage ball carriers.

2011 NFL Mock Draft:
#1 Carolina Panthers: QB Cameron Newton (Auburn)
#2 Denver Broncos: DT Marcel Darius (Alabama)
#3 Buffalo Bills: LB Von Miller (Texas A&M)
#4 Houston Texans [from Cincinnati Bengals]: CB Patrick Peterson (LSU)
#5 Arizona Cardinals: WR A.J. Green (Georgia)
#6 Cleveland Browns: WR Julio Jones (Alabama)
#7 San Francisco 49ners: QB Blane Gabbert (Missouri)
#8 Tennessee Titans: DT Nick Fairly (Auburn)
#9 Dallas Cowboys: OT Anthony Castonzo (Boston College)
#10 Washington Redskins: G/C Mike Pouncey (Florida)
#11 Cincinnati Bengals [from Texans]: QB Ryan Mallet (Arkansas)
#12 Minnesota Vikings: QB Jake Locker (Washington)
#13 Detroit Lions: DE Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson)
#14 St. Louis Rams: DT Corey Liuget (Illinois)
#15 Miami Dolphins: QB Andy Dalton (TCU)
#16 Jacksonville Jaguars: DE J.J. Watts (Wisconsin)
#17 New England Patriots: DE Cameron Jordan (California)
#18 San Diego Chargers: DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue)
#19 New York Giants: OT Tyson Smith (USC)
#20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Adrian Clayborn (Iowa)
#21 Kansas City Chiefs: OT Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin)
#22 Indianapolis Colts: OT Nate Soldier (Colorado)
#23 Philadelphia Eagles: OG Danny Watkins (Baylor)
#24 New Orleans Saints: DE Aldon Smith (Missouri)
#25 Seattle Seahawks: DT Marvin Austin (North Carolina)
#26 Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith (Colorado)
#27 Atlanta Falcons: OLB/DE Jimmy Houston (Georgia)
#28 Tennessee Titans [from Patriots]: QB Christian Ponder (Florida State)
#29 Chicago Bears: OT Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State)
#30 New York Jets: DL Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple)
#31 Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Brandon Harris (Miami Florida)
#32 Green Bay Packers: RB Mark Ingram (Alabama)

There isn't much to do

I've been slacking a little and I'd like to apologize.  Thank you to the people who have kept up reading even now when all hope appears lost.  You are troopers!

Oh....VCU-Butler....

This is not a final four anyone could have imagined, but here we are.  The "best" match-up we can hope to see ends up being a 3 v. 8.  Rarely does an NCAA tournament consist of the ridiculousness that 2011 has held, but it is for the betterment of all college sports.  If anything shouts "PLAYOFF SYSTEM!" to the BCS it is this year's tournament.  The reason this season has been beyond special is one of two "mid-major" programs has the opportunity to play for a National Championship.  I must admit, VCU should never have garnered this opportunity.  I will stand by forever that the Rams had no business being selected into the field of 68, but they certainly have made the most unlike such powerhouse at-large selections as Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Syracuse who decided "the second round is far enough for us."

I actually never want to make the Final Four

In the end, everyone has hopped on the VCU bandwagon, including myself even though I hate VCU, but honestly why wouldn't one?  VCU has been the most exciting team.  They have out Jimmer-ed Jimmer.  The only step left for Shaka Smart and the Rams is to out Butler Butler and advance to the National Championship....That's right, they're right back here again.  Who though without Gordan Heyward the Bulldogs could return to the Final Four?  Now, I think we can all concede the point the Southeast this region was about as good as a high school intramural league.  The Southeast had the worst 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11 seeds in the tournament.  When the only viable Final Four team goes down in the second round there's trouble in River City.

Yes

Butler pulled a VCU and took advantage of this sub-par region filled with mediocrity worthy of acting in the Phantom Menace (zing!).  Now, that we've settle this, how did they do it?  Enter patience.  Sure, Butler may have been the second best team in it's region from the start, we'll never know.  All we do know is Butler is the one team in the tournament who has looked the exact same throughout the tournament, it is really quite annoying.  Butler down 5 is the same as Butler up 10.  I've never seen a team which looks more comfortable on the court as a team.  It was the reason I picked San Diego State to make it to Houston, little did all of you know I actually meant Butler!  The team plays smooth, making sure they always play tight defense and run through the offense.  It is rare to see Butler have to take a panic three towards the end of the shot clock, they often find a better shot earlier in the possession.  This patience could be the difference maker for the bulldogs against the VCU bombardment.  When the Rams are 10 for 10 from three and Butler finds themselves down 36-22, they will remain calm and fight back inch by inch the way it looked Kansas was going to...until they panicked and VCU was able to turn the game into a frenzy of shots.  As much as I hate Bo Ryan and Wisconsin and everything their offense stands for, this tactic would be efficient against VCU.  Limit their possessions so their frenetic shooting of threes goes from shooting fifty percent at 15-30 turns into.  Limit VCU's possessions, you limit their scoring abilities because (using my calculator) I checked and 8 < 15.  For VCU, they need to do what they've done the entire tournament: (1) believe, (2) make a s**t load of threes.  They have outscored their opponents by some ridiculous number that I don't have in my memory or stat book from three point range (I'd guess around 127?) in this tournament.  I'd hate to say it Grandpa, but this isn't your Larry Bird-Magic Johnson Final Four.  Sorry, Dad, this isn't Duke-Kansas or North Carolina-Kentucky.  This is VCU-Butler, welcome to the future/present.

Watch for those Dukies again next year!  They're gonna have a crew of Diaper Dandies to go along with a plethora of PT Peters!  And of Course Coach K is back and dammit that's awesome, BABY!