Whip it good

Gamecocks, got about what was expected. A strong slap on the wrist, and a threatening of the belt. Thankfully the NCAA saw fit only to increase the punishment USC imposed upon itself by one year. We did wrong, but people this was nearly the opposite of the stuff that got Bob Huggins. Huggy bear didn't care if his guys went to class, we merely gave them rides and tutors.

So while on the subject of USC let's talk some football. We're not going to be real good this year. The defense is stout the offense is young. The only place we are strong on offense is at wide receiver. We have some good talent and some great youth. Look for those guys to be super when the ball gets to them.

We'll get a little deeper as the season goes on, but I don't look for more than 6 wins, with 6 being optimistic. We can't beat UGA, UT, UF and will probably lose one on the way. We shouldn't be worried too much with our out of conference games, or UK and Vandy.

Spurrier will have our guys ready and should have everyone very competitive. We quit on Holtz after about October the last couple of years, I don't see SOS allowing that this time around.

Seven days away.....

Preview's Resumed

First a little baseball chatter, Morgan Ensberg is juiced on what I know not. Second my main man B-Rob, Brian Roberts is going to be featured in the Max Sight campaign. He had been featured on CBS Nightly News and in some other reports as the test subject for Nike's Max Sight tinted contact lenses. They have replaced sun glasses in his life, eye black and blinking. He sees the ball better and thus has had an all star season. Max Sight is going on with the campaign and production.

Now its time for my pro football and USC football previews.

Who is gonna make the playoffs?

Some are obvious some are surprises:
NFC: Philadelphia, Minnestoa, Seattle, Carolina
Wild Cards: Dallas, Detroit

AFC: New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indianapolis
Wild Cards Baltimore, Jacksonville

NFC Championship Carolina over Minnesota
AFC Championship Pittsburgh over New England

Super Bowl, I don't know. Carolina ties Pittsburgh until I make my mind up.


Offensive MVP NFC: Daunte Culpepper
Defensive MVP NFC: Julius Peppers these are too easy.
Offensive Rookie of the Year NFC: Jason Campbell...PLEASE
Defensive Rookie of the Year NFC: Corey Webster
Coach of the Year: Steve Mariuchi

Offensive MVP AFC: Peyton Manning with Byron Leftwich right there
Defensive MVP AFC: Dwight Freeny
Offensive Rookie of the Year: tie Braylon Edwards and Ronnie Brown..too easy
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marlin Jackson
Coach of the Year: Bill Cowher is going to be the man, but its Jack Del Rio.

Surprises: Ricky Williams lead the Dolphins in TD's and Rushing
Alex Smith doesn't finish the season
Joey Harrington shines, and Michael Vick struggles
The Texans and Lions are 9-7.
Plaxico Burress will suck in NYC.

Fun N Gun

I now know why we have the ladies clinic!

www.southernfriedfootball.com

Go SOS!

Also check out CNNSI.com the preview is like three weeks long and todays was great.

It's about he offensive revolution, including bits by Mike Leach, Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier, Chris Peterson and Bob Pettrino.

www.cnnsi.com

Jose Canseco is the Only Honest Man

After hearing the latest news on Rafael Palmeiro I am now convinced that baseball has a problem. I am not distinguishing between the MLB and amatuer baseball. I am purposely naming baseball, but for this op-ed I'll focus on the majors exclusively.

Palmeiro seemed to be the guy that was accused but certainly couldn't have abused. He was the purest hitter in the congressional hearing, and the only player to be capable of playing defense and hitting for average. Palmeiro's body has changed but like most twenty somethings he has matured into a heavier thirty something. Palmeiro though did something different, he stated that he never used. He may not have prior to the hearings, but why take now? Why join a commitee for steriods in pro athletics, as an expert?

I was Palmeiro's greatest supporter prior to today. As many as five years ago I argued for his Hall placement, and he deserved it. But now you must question his results. I think this finding as well as the fact that his body doesn't show the typical steroid abuses will be the downfall of Barry Bonds and the further scrutiny of "typical" powerhitters.

What I mean by Bonds downfall is his possible fear of testing, and his persona cloaked in intrigue. No one can succeed in those circumstances. He will not return.

Further scrutiny of powerhitters, what does this mean for Albert Puljos, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero, Todd Helton, Miguel Tejada? None of these guys look like Frank Thomas, or Mark McGwire. All of them are Palmeiro's size or smaller. All are natural hitters with exceptional power. None are over 32 years old. Are they using, I would say no. People have known who these guys were since they were kids, and we've watched them grow to men. Their bodies have changed, but that's what good nutrition, age and working out will do for you. Do they use?

You have to wonder, you have to now because if a guy with a swing like Rafael, and a body like Rafael is a user of hard core roids, then everyone is a susupect, and that simply is why baseball is in trouble.

Can it survive, sure. It needs more and full disclosure. Things get worse before they get better. So lets get dirty and save our game.