Stanford University. A world class school and with a degree from the Cardinal you can do just about anything. A degree from Stanford carries some weight and their head football coach David Shaw is trying to impress upon that to recruits of his....
For the entire column go to www.cfbroundtable.com
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Email me: mike.wilson@cfbroundtable.com
Nikebeav@gmail.com
Friday, February 27, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Mercy, Mercy... Jerome Kersey
Growing up in the Northwest there were not many selections in terms of professional teams. My home state of Oregon only had one team. That team was and still is the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers are a team that really has been a "community" team for the city of Portland and a source of pride for the entire state.
I have rooted for the Blazers, have always wanted them to do well, but have always been a fan of certain players in the history of the franchise. One of those players was Jerome Kersey.
Unfortunately, the franchise lost Jerome yesterday in a sudden fashion that has shocked the Portland community, his former teammates, and anybody that came into contact with Jerome Kersey. When I heard the news it shocked me as well, but saddened me on even greater level. Young athletes grow up idolizing professional athletes and I was no different.
Jerome Kersey was my favorite Blazer player, he played with a reckless abandon that struck me very quickly. I remember watching him in the Blazer Rookie Game that the franchise used to hold after the NBA Draft when the draft was seven rounds long. Kersey was selected in the second round with the 46th overall pick. I remember when they selected him, my mind was like "who is this guy? He went to what school? What are the Blazers thinking with this guy?" When I watched him in the rookie game, it was clearly evident that he had the raw talent to do well in the NBA and that he would make the team with his hustle and relentlessness. He was a tough nosed player, not afraid of playing physical, wasn't going to back down from anything or anyone. I immediately told myself to watch this guy when the regular season rolled around. I was not disappointed with Kersey.
In the end, he became an important cog on the Blazer teams that went to Conference Finals and then went to two NBA Finals. He was on the teams that had Terry Porter, Clyde Drexler, Buck Williams, and the late Kevin Duckworth. He fit in so well with that team, he created turnovers, ran down loose balls, played tough defense, and my personal favorite, got the crowd going with his thunderous dunks. He was a physical dunker.
Bill Schonley, the original announcer and the Hall of Fame of announcer for the Blazers says that after Jerome had finished a fast break with a thunderous two handed dunk, he naturally said "Mercy, mercy, Jerome Kersey..." It stuck with the fans and Schonley. I remember when I would see Jerome make a play or slam one home, in my head I was saying "Mercy, mercy..." I am almost positive that my friends were also saying the same thing when Kersey would make a play in a game.
The measure of an athlete comes when the bright lights are not on and what they do for the community. Kersey was a fixture in the Portland community since he was a player for the Blazers, when he playing for other teams, and when his playing days were over. He was working for the Blazers when he died. He was working in community relations type of roll for Portland. He would go to schools, work with kids, and promote the team. Kersey loved doing what he doing. He was always smiling, shaking peoples hands, taking pictures with everybody, and making himself extremely available to the public. He was a people person and the public was drawn to him. Jerome would not want it any other way.
My initial reaction was "What? No way. He's to young." He was young. Kersey was only 52 years old at the time of his passing. A blood clot got into his lungs from his calf after he had a routine knee surgery.
Anybody that wants to know how his teammates felt about him, go to the Blazer home page to see how Terry Porter and Bill Schonley feel about Kersey. With his passing, there is a part of my childhood that died with him. He made an indelible impression on me and showed me that it's how you treat people that matters and not what you have. It is something that I am trying to show my kids so they can pass it on when they are older. Jerome, may you find peace, and continue to thrown down thunder dunks in heaven. Mercy, mercy.... Jerome Kersey.
I have rooted for the Blazers, have always wanted them to do well, but have always been a fan of certain players in the history of the franchise. One of those players was Jerome Kersey.
Unfortunately, the franchise lost Jerome yesterday in a sudden fashion that has shocked the Portland community, his former teammates, and anybody that came into contact with Jerome Kersey. When I heard the news it shocked me as well, but saddened me on even greater level. Young athletes grow up idolizing professional athletes and I was no different.
Jerome Kersey was my favorite Blazer player, he played with a reckless abandon that struck me very quickly. I remember watching him in the Blazer Rookie Game that the franchise used to hold after the NBA Draft when the draft was seven rounds long. Kersey was selected in the second round with the 46th overall pick. I remember when they selected him, my mind was like "who is this guy? He went to what school? What are the Blazers thinking with this guy?" When I watched him in the rookie game, it was clearly evident that he had the raw talent to do well in the NBA and that he would make the team with his hustle and relentlessness. He was a tough nosed player, not afraid of playing physical, wasn't going to back down from anything or anyone. I immediately told myself to watch this guy when the regular season rolled around. I was not disappointed with Kersey.
In the end, he became an important cog on the Blazer teams that went to Conference Finals and then went to two NBA Finals. He was on the teams that had Terry Porter, Clyde Drexler, Buck Williams, and the late Kevin Duckworth. He fit in so well with that team, he created turnovers, ran down loose balls, played tough defense, and my personal favorite, got the crowd going with his thunderous dunks. He was a physical dunker.
Bill Schonley, the original announcer and the Hall of Fame of announcer for the Blazers says that after Jerome had finished a fast break with a thunderous two handed dunk, he naturally said "Mercy, mercy, Jerome Kersey..." It stuck with the fans and Schonley. I remember when I would see Jerome make a play or slam one home, in my head I was saying "Mercy, mercy..." I am almost positive that my friends were also saying the same thing when Kersey would make a play in a game.
The measure of an athlete comes when the bright lights are not on and what they do for the community. Kersey was a fixture in the Portland community since he was a player for the Blazers, when he playing for other teams, and when his playing days were over. He was working for the Blazers when he died. He was working in community relations type of roll for Portland. He would go to schools, work with kids, and promote the team. Kersey loved doing what he doing. He was always smiling, shaking peoples hands, taking pictures with everybody, and making himself extremely available to the public. He was a people person and the public was drawn to him. Jerome would not want it any other way.
My initial reaction was "What? No way. He's to young." He was young. Kersey was only 52 years old at the time of his passing. A blood clot got into his lungs from his calf after he had a routine knee surgery.
Anybody that wants to know how his teammates felt about him, go to the Blazer home page to see how Terry Porter and Bill Schonley feel about Kersey. With his passing, there is a part of my childhood that died with him. He made an indelible impression on me and showed me that it's how you treat people that matters and not what you have. It is something that I am trying to show my kids so they can pass it on when they are older. Jerome, may you find peace, and continue to thrown down thunder dunks in heaven. Mercy, mercy.... Jerome Kersey.
Pressure at USC?
Working in L.A is pressured filled. Try being the USC Head Coach. Steve Sarkisian is living that pressured filled dream. He's been at USC for the good times with Pete Carroll, watched from Washington as the program was hammered by sanctions, and is now at the helm of the Trojans to help return the team to the great times. Can he do it?
For the entire column, go to www.cfbroundtable.com.
Follow me on Twitter @pigskinopinon
Email me at mike.wilson@cfbroundtable.com
For the entire column, go to www.cfbroundtable.com.
Follow me on Twitter @pigskinopinon
Email me at mike.wilson
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Can Another Neuheisel Lead UCLA?
It's early, really early to start speculating on quarterbacks in the Pac-12 and whether or not they will be able to lead their team to success in the 2015 season. However, football is a 365 day a year sport and people want to talk about, so why not?! One of the most interesting new quarterback situations in football is going to take place at UCLA. The Bruins have to replace All-American and potential high round draft pick Brett Hundley.
By all accounts, the job of UCLA quarterback may just fall into the hands of Jerry Neuheisel who has come a long way since coming onto the Westwood campus. He certainly had the name by coming to UCLA, the looks, and even the mannerisms of his famous Bruin quarterback dad Rick Neuheisel. Rick was a walk-on at UCLA when he showed up and was best known for holding the kicks of All-American kicker John Lee until he lead the Bruins to a Rose Bowl victory. His son, Jerry, is not a walk on for the Bruins, but there has never been a lot of talk about Jerry being the guy to take over for Hundley.
Some people may think that the job is his based on what the public saw when he came in and relieved Brett Hundley against Texas and helped UCLA defeat the Longhorns in a very competitive game, but that thought may be somewhat of a dream considering that a big Bruin recruit may just come in and steal Jerry's thunder. The recruit, Josh Rosen, has shown up in time for spring practices, and evidently looks like a quarterback straight out of a casting agency in Hollywood. This begs the question, does Neuheisel have a shot at the quarterback position in Bruin country?
The answer to that is yes. Everybody has a shot at a position, but how big of a shot does he REALLY have? According to Jerry Neuheisel, he thinks that in the end it comes down to the best player to lead the team. "I know at the end of the day that it won't be about who's who but who is the best guy to lead the team. And I wouldn't want it any other way."
All a player on any team ever wants is a shot at the position. Neuheisel knows what he is up against, but he knows that he is a competitive guy and won't give up the position without a fight. He has shown that he is a fighter and counting him out of the quarterback job at UCLA is the last thing that people want to do. In that Texas moment, he showed some serious moxie. He threw for 178 yards, on 23-30 passes, with two touchdowns, and more importantly, no interceptions.
"It showed what I could do." said Neuheisel. It certainly did. He also added that he dreamed of a moment like that when he was a young kid, growing up in the household of a Bruin quarterback, and making a play to win the game for UCLA.
Jerry Neuheisel is a confident, junior quarterback who talks about going through his progressions a lot slower than he did last year in his limited playing time. He looks at film, studies himself very closely and will try and translate those study habits to practice field this spring and summer. To Neuheisel, if he does those things, he will be able to put himself into a situation where he WILL be the best guy to lead the team. He certainly does not want to leave any doubt with his coaches.
I, for one, will not doubt him.
By all accounts, the job of UCLA quarterback may just fall into the hands of Jerry Neuheisel who has come a long way since coming onto the Westwood campus. He certainly had the name by coming to UCLA, the looks, and even the mannerisms of his famous Bruin quarterback dad Rick Neuheisel. Rick was a walk-on at UCLA when he showed up and was best known for holding the kicks of All-American kicker John Lee until he lead the Bruins to a Rose Bowl victory. His son, Jerry, is not a walk on for the Bruins, but there has never been a lot of talk about Jerry being the guy to take over for Hundley.
Some people may think that the job is his based on what the public saw when he came in and relieved Brett Hundley against Texas and helped UCLA defeat the Longhorns in a very competitive game, but that thought may be somewhat of a dream considering that a big Bruin recruit may just come in and steal Jerry's thunder. The recruit, Josh Rosen, has shown up in time for spring practices, and evidently looks like a quarterback straight out of a casting agency in Hollywood. This begs the question, does Neuheisel have a shot at the quarterback position in Bruin country?
The answer to that is yes. Everybody has a shot at a position, but how big of a shot does he REALLY have? According to Jerry Neuheisel, he thinks that in the end it comes down to the best player to lead the team. "I know at the end of the day that it won't be about who's who but who is the best guy to lead the team. And I wouldn't want it any other way."
All a player on any team ever wants is a shot at the position. Neuheisel knows what he is up against, but he knows that he is a competitive guy and won't give up the position without a fight. He has shown that he is a fighter and counting him out of the quarterback job at UCLA is the last thing that people want to do. In that Texas moment, he showed some serious moxie. He threw for 178 yards, on 23-30 passes, with two touchdowns, and more importantly, no interceptions.
"It showed what I could do." said Neuheisel. It certainly did. He also added that he dreamed of a moment like that when he was a young kid, growing up in the household of a Bruin quarterback, and making a play to win the game for UCLA.
Jerry Neuheisel is a confident, junior quarterback who talks about going through his progressions a lot slower than he did last year in his limited playing time. He looks at film, studies himself very closely and will try and translate those study habits to practice field this spring and summer. To Neuheisel, if he does those things, he will be able to put himself into a situation where he WILL be the best guy to lead the team. He certainly does not want to leave any doubt with his coaches.
I, for one, will not doubt him.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Arizona and the Pac-12 Trophy
Arizona is still the class of the Pac-12 in basketball. They have had some slip ups, but that is bound to happen to teams not named Kentucky. They should go into the Pac-12 tourney as the favorites to win, with only Utah really standing in their way. They are not a perfect team at all, but they are the most complete team in the conference. Let's hope their free throw percentage does not come back to bite them in crunch time....
For the complete article, go to www.cfbroundtable.com
Follow me on Twitter @pigskinopinion
Email me: mike.wilson@cfbroundtable.com
For the complete article, go to www.cfbroundtable.com
Follow me on Twitter @pigskinopinion
Email me: mike.wilson@cfbroundtable.com
Monday, February 9, 2015
Mark Helfrich and His New Contract
Sometimes good things happen for good people. Mark Helfrich is a good person and has shown that he can coach, just a little bit (little sarcasm). On Monday, Helfrich went from one of the lowest paid Pac-12 coaches to one of the highest paid coaches in the conference.
After leading the Ducks into the inaugural College Football Playoff and into the National Championship game with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Helfrich got an extension of five years for $17.5 million dollars. The extension will take Helfrich through the 2019-2020 season. This was payday that was well deserved according to Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens. "Mark has provided tremendous leadership of our football program and the values and character that he insists upon are in line with our mission as an institution." said Mullens
Helfrich has done a tremendous job since being promoted from the offensive coordinator when Chip Kelly left for the NFL. Mark Helfrich grew up an Oregon fan, has led the Ducks to an astounding 24-4 record, with a Pac-12 Conference Championship included. The one thing that every Oregon is looking for still eludes Helfrich and the fan base. The National Championship. That is something that is at the top of his list, the teams list, and every Oregon fans list. With this contract, the expectations get even more raised for Helfrich. The pressure mounts more. Not that the pressure wasn't there already for Helfrich and his staff, but it is there now.
Something that Helfrich will being showing us in 2015 is how he coaches without his Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Marcus Mariota has left for the pro's and now Helfrich has to find the replacement for Mariota and at the same time continue the success he has provided the last couple of years.
Now, the numbers that come with this new deal are pretty good. It's a great gig if you can get it. He is guaranteed to make $3.15 million during the first year of the extension and in the final year of the extension he will earn $3.8 million. If Helfrich decides to leave for another job before the end of the second year of the extension he will be responsible for the $3 million buyout. That number drops to $2 million after the second year and to $1 million in year four of the contract.
He made a $1.8 this past year and made another $400,000 with incentives. He made $150,000 for appearing in the National Championship and another $100,000 for winning the Pac-12 Championship. The new deal also calls for an automatic roll-over if he wins at least 11 games and that one of those games includes one of the New Years Day bowl games. The games are the Fiesta, Cotton, Sugar, Peach, Rose, or Orange bowl games.
This is a good deal for Helfrich and for the program. It adds more stability to the program for the players and the coaches. They know that Helfrich is going to be the man in charge for the foreseeable future. Recruits will know that he's not going anywhere and that will help keep the recruits to their commitments. All in all, this is winning situation for the program and it will reap benefits for everybody concerned with the program. Just saying...
After leading the Ducks into the inaugural College Football Playoff and into the National Championship game with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Helfrich got an extension of five years for $17.5 million dollars. The extension will take Helfrich through the 2019-2020 season. This was payday that was well deserved according to Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens. "Mark has provided tremendous leadership of our football program and the values and character that he insists upon are in line with our mission as an institution." said Mullens
Helfrich has done a tremendous job since being promoted from the offensive coordinator when Chip Kelly left for the NFL. Mark Helfrich grew up an Oregon fan, has led the Ducks to an astounding 24-4 record, with a Pac-12 Conference Championship included. The one thing that every Oregon is looking for still eludes Helfrich and the fan base. The National Championship. That is something that is at the top of his list, the teams list, and every Oregon fans list. With this contract, the expectations get even more raised for Helfrich. The pressure mounts more. Not that the pressure wasn't there already for Helfrich and his staff, but it is there now.
Something that Helfrich will being showing us in 2015 is how he coaches without his Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Marcus Mariota has left for the pro's and now Helfrich has to find the replacement for Mariota and at the same time continue the success he has provided the last couple of years.
Now, the numbers that come with this new deal are pretty good. It's a great gig if you can get it. He is guaranteed to make $3.15 million during the first year of the extension and in the final year of the extension he will earn $3.8 million. If Helfrich decides to leave for another job before the end of the second year of the extension he will be responsible for the $3 million buyout. That number drops to $2 million after the second year and to $1 million in year four of the contract.
He made a $1.8 this past year and made another $400,000 with incentives. He made $150,000 for appearing in the National Championship and another $100,000 for winning the Pac-12 Championship. The new deal also calls for an automatic roll-over if he wins at least 11 games and that one of those games includes one of the New Years Day bowl games. The games are the Fiesta, Cotton, Sugar, Peach, Rose, or Orange bowl games.
This is a good deal for Helfrich and for the program. It adds more stability to the program for the players and the coaches. They know that Helfrich is going to be the man in charge for the foreseeable future. Recruits will know that he's not going anywhere and that will help keep the recruits to their commitments. All in all, this is winning situation for the program and it will reap benefits for everybody concerned with the program. Just saying...
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Recruiting: SoCal Schools Clean Up
College football signing day has come and gone for fans, coaches, and players. Schools have put out their list of recruits and put out the publicity for those recruits. As I take a look at these recruiting lists it becomes very evident that USC and UCLA cleaned up in terms of the amount of talent that will be headed to the Los Angeles.
For the entire column, go to www.cfbroundtable.com.
Follow me on Twitter: @pigskinopinion
Email me at mike.wilson@cfbroundtable.com
For the entire column, go to www.cfbroundtable.com.
Follow me on Twitter: @pigskinopinion
Email me at mike.wilson@cfbroundtable.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Into the Future: Oregon Ducks
Mighty Oregon. The Ducks. The Quack Attack. These are just some of the phrases used for the Oregon Ducks throughout their history. The recent history has been pretty good for the Ducks and they are obviously looking to continue that trend in 2015. However, we all know what will be different for Oregon next year. That little position under center. The Ducks are entering the P.M., the Post Mariota era. One thing that will help the new guy will be a favorable schedule.
The schedule seems like a fairly good one for the Ducks. They have a lot of talent coming back and that will hopefully take the pressure off of whoever takes over at quarterback.
Let's take a look at how the schedule rolls out for Oregon. The non-conference schedule for the Ducks is average. They start off with Eastern Washington who is a very good FCS school and did pull an upset at Oregon State two years ago and has gone into the FCS playoffs, but I don't see this happening in Eugene. Oregon should win this game.
Next up is the one the toughest games on their schedule, if not the toughest. They have to go to East Lansing, Michigan and take on the Michigan State Spartans. This will be a difficult game for them to win and on top of that they have to throw a very inexperienced quarterback into the mix in a very hostile environment. The Spartans will have revenge on their mind since the Ducks beat them last year in Eugene. I don't see the Ducks leaving East Lansing with a win.
Oregon gets Georgia State next. This should be a "lamb to the slaughter" type of game. Georgia State is an ok FCS program, but getting them to a win against the Ducks on the road will be really difficult. I see the Ducks winning this game and starting off the season 2-1.
As stated earlier, the quarterback play is going to be critical for the Ducks this year. They are trying to maintain their heightened image in the college football world and don't want to slide to far down the ladder. Now they will get into the rough and tough schedule of the Pac-12.
Two out of the next three games are winnable for Oregon. They start conference play with Utah at home in Eugene. This will be a good game. Utah plays a very in your face type of defense and it will try and make life difficult for the new Duck quarterback. This certainly could be a pick'em type of game. Next up are two programs that have struggled in the recent past and the games are winnable. They play Washington State and Colorado. I see the games coming out victorious for Oregon. The Washington State game will be competitive, the Colorado game I see being a blowout.
The rest of their schedule will be tough. They have to go to Seattle and play the Huskies. After Seattle, they head to Tempe and Arizona State. The Sun Devil game will a great test for Oregon. The Devils will have the weapons to beat the Ducks. I see the Sun Devils winning this game.
Three out of their last four games are at home. The one game on the road will be Stanford. Stanford will be looking for payback from last years beat down. They get California, USC, and the rival Oregon State at home. All three of these home games are certainly winnable. The Trojans will be good test as well. They have lots of talent, young talent, and an experienced quarterback to try and get a road win. With Oregon State, it's hard to tell because it's a rivalry game and both teams will have new quarterbacks, plus the Beavers have a new system that they are implementing. A Civil War game is always a roll of dice, so this could be a more difficult game than people think.
At the end of the day, Oregon will experience some the growing pains that comes with an quarterback that doesn't have a lot of experience. Duck fans should approach this season with hope, but a little bit of realism in terms of not having their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback under center. Of course, injuries are the great equalizer, and these thoughts are preliminary because we haven't got through spring ball and summer practice yet. It'll be interesting to watch what happens this spring and summer in Eugene. Duck fans will be watching. Oh, they will be watching.
The schedule seems like a fairly good one for the Ducks. They have a lot of talent coming back and that will hopefully take the pressure off of whoever takes over at quarterback.
Let's take a look at how the schedule rolls out for Oregon. The non-conference schedule for the Ducks is average. They start off with Eastern Washington who is a very good FCS school and did pull an upset at Oregon State two years ago and has gone into the FCS playoffs, but I don't see this happening in Eugene. Oregon should win this game.
Next up is the one the toughest games on their schedule, if not the toughest. They have to go to East Lansing, Michigan and take on the Michigan State Spartans. This will be a difficult game for them to win and on top of that they have to throw a very inexperienced quarterback into the mix in a very hostile environment. The Spartans will have revenge on their mind since the Ducks beat them last year in Eugene. I don't see the Ducks leaving East Lansing with a win.
Oregon gets Georgia State next. This should be a "lamb to the slaughter" type of game. Georgia State is an ok FCS program, but getting them to a win against the Ducks on the road will be really difficult. I see the Ducks winning this game and starting off the season 2-1.
As stated earlier, the quarterback play is going to be critical for the Ducks this year. They are trying to maintain their heightened image in the college football world and don't want to slide to far down the ladder. Now they will get into the rough and tough schedule of the Pac-12.
Two out of the next three games are winnable for Oregon. They start conference play with Utah at home in Eugene. This will be a good game. Utah plays a very in your face type of defense and it will try and make life difficult for the new Duck quarterback. This certainly could be a pick'em type of game. Next up are two programs that have struggled in the recent past and the games are winnable. They play Washington State and Colorado. I see the games coming out victorious for Oregon. The Washington State game will be competitive, the Colorado game I see being a blowout.
The rest of their schedule will be tough. They have to go to Seattle and play the Huskies. After Seattle, they head to Tempe and Arizona State. The Sun Devil game will a great test for Oregon. The Devils will have the weapons to beat the Ducks. I see the Sun Devils winning this game.
Three out of their last four games are at home. The one game on the road will be Stanford. Stanford will be looking for payback from last years beat down. They get California, USC, and the rival Oregon State at home. All three of these home games are certainly winnable. The Trojans will be good test as well. They have lots of talent, young talent, and an experienced quarterback to try and get a road win. With Oregon State, it's hard to tell because it's a rivalry game and both teams will have new quarterbacks, plus the Beavers have a new system that they are implementing. A Civil War game is always a roll of dice, so this could be a more difficult game than people think.
At the end of the day, Oregon will experience some the growing pains that comes with an quarterback that doesn't have a lot of experience. Duck fans should approach this season with hope, but a little bit of realism in terms of not having their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback under center. Of course, injuries are the great equalizer, and these thoughts are preliminary because we haven't got through spring ball and summer practice yet. It'll be interesting to watch what happens this spring and summer in Eugene. Duck fans will be watching. Oh, they will be watching.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Signing Day for College Football
The day is coming and it's coming quickly. The day that I am talking about is National Signing Day for College Football. It's a day that a lot hope is built upon and pressure is put on many young men. Sometimes that pressure works and other times it doesn't. Expectations can kill an athlete or it can motivate him to raise up his game...
For the entire column go to www.cfbroundtable.com
Follow me on Twitter @pigskinopinion.
Email me: Nikebeav@gmail.com
For the entire column go to www.cfbroundtable.com
Follow me on Twitter @pigskinopinion.
Email me: Nikebeav@gmail.com
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