College Football
Obviously the Oregon Ducks offensive line needs help if they hope to make a title run. The fact that the depth chart is missing its three top (injured) tackles showed up big time versus Washington State. QB Marcus Mariota was sacked 7 times and going forward that won’t do. However, two young tackles managing to help win a tight game against a reasonably good defense is not a bad thing going forward.
I wonder how many sidelong glances Ducks coach Mark Helfrich stole in the direction of former ironman Arik Armstead Saturday night? Armstead was a two-way standout on the defensive and, you guessed it, offensive lines for head coach Joe Cattolico at Pleasant Grove High School. I cannot imagine that the idea of using the young man in an emergency dual role hasn’t come up at some point. If it hasn’t, Helfrich should randomly chew out someone for not suggesting it … and then may cuss the guy who does.
Up there in Washington, football fans were cursed by the legs of one Marcus Mariota who gashed the Cougars late to seal Wazzou’s fate. Not 24 hours later in Seattle, the heroic Mr. Wilson saved the Emerald City’s beloved birds from a 1-2 start with his timely scurrying about.
Well, the 2014 college football season is three weeks old and we here in the Beaver State are settling in for the annual Mariota, Sean Mannion, Ryan Bergman battle for Oregon quarterback supremacy. So far it stacks up about like most folks thought it would: Sean Mannion leads in average yards over Bergman by a razor thin 15 per game, but Bergman leads the two down-starters in touchdowns (12) and total passing yards (897). Thus as expected, Bergman gets the nod so far …Wait, what’s that? Who the flying blue heck is Ryan Bergman you ask? He’s the Western Oregon Wolves signal caller that outpaced a certain other in state quarterback against common opponent Portland State. Bergman threw for 413 yards (That is NOT a typo folks) and accounted for 4 touchdowns. If we here in Monmouth could somehow stick out a snooty tongue at you uninformed few, we just might … so there.
While this writer may be having a bit of fun with the quarterback comparisons, the Wolves, coached by Arn Ferguson, are an entertaining and talented team and a great watch on a Saturday afternoon. In my humble opinion they have been badly underrated in the preseason polls and might make some division II noise nationally.
While watching the sideline footage of Florida State QB Jameis Winston and head coach Jimbo Fisher debating Winston’s couture, all I could hear in my head was the Dr. Evil vs. Scott Evil confrontation from Austin Powers:
“…but coach I just thought…”
“Zip it”
“…I just…”
“Ziiiip iiit”
“…but…”
“…when a problem comes along you must zip it…”
Sorry, I got a bit carried away.
On to the Sunday circuit.
The NFL
I have rubbed my eyes, shaken my head, splashed water in my face and have thrown back a couple of cups of black coffee. None of these remedies has shaken the idea from my head that perhaps the Dallas Cowboys are playing better defense. Three games in, the ‘Boys are ranked ten spots higher in total defense and though today they gave up a lot of passing yards they got stops when they needed them. Mo’ Claiborne probably bought himself another week in the starting lineup with a pick to end the party; however the calls for Sterling Moore must be getting louder in big D. To their credit. the Cowboys defense stiffened when it needed to Sunday without the help of one of Jerry Jones infrequent free agent bull’s-eyes. Middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who has changed the face of the Cowboys defense all by his lonesome, was sidelined with a groin injury and did not play at all. However, the Cowboys got some good work from rookie Anthony Hitchens and from linebacker Bruce Carter with a crucial pick six.
Peyton Manning was horrible in overtime and in fact did not complete a single pass …
The Broncos came to play Sunday and gave the Seahawks all they could handle. When Manning and company scored with a few ticks on the clock and converted the try for two to tie the game, the only thing you could hear over the 12th man’s deafening silence … was Richard Sherman’s deafening silence.
In the end none of it mattered because of one undeniable fact: Russell Wilson is special … really, really special. Note: The little black dot after the word “special” is what we writers call a period. When used correctly it ends a sentence but when spoken it is a verbal exclamation point meant to express the Idea that there is nothing further of any consequence left to add to a conversation. I have used it in the proper manner according to the AP style book but to avoid any confusion let me use it in the alternate manner in which it was just defined. I am not a Seahawks fan per se but Russell Wilson is special … period.
The Russell Wilson “game manager” debate is over … Period …
To this point it looks like the Karmic circus is setting up its tents in San Francisco. The comparisons between the 49ers first and second halves in all three contests this season are nothing short of surreal.
Wow, New England and the Oakland Raiders really put on a … Zzzzzz
The Cleveland Browns are not horrible and Johnny football is blessedly irrelevant.
If I am an NFL head coach I don’t want the San Diego Chargers on my schedule right now. It feels like Philip Rivers has been in the league for 3,245 years but the dude is spinning it at the moment.
Something seems off with Aaron Rodgers. He looks tired and/or frustrated and why are his passes nose diving? Rodgers isn’t known for his cuddly demeanor but he looks like he needs a hug. Detroit’s defense obliged. Cathartic? I doubt it. Tony Romo seemed more like his slippery, mobile self and Blake Bortles starts from here on out. Despite all assurances to the contrary from within the Jags hallowed halls this preseason the youngster is at the helm. I am shocked. Note: Sarcasm or the act of being sarcastic is a verbal device used … oh forget it.
That’s all this week sports fans, out of context, apples to oranges and just a bit reactionary.
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