Musings: The View on Sports from a Dormroom, By Coby DuBose, 12/28/05

While bloggers extraordinaire make their last attempts to impress waiting judges and others write of the year past, it seems that sports have become somewhat cliche. While using catchy phrases may be one wrong, writers everywhere have gotten lazy when it comes to reporting on the games that make blood pressures rise and bring heroes into the eye of public patronage. The view from the sidelines is markedly different than the view from the press box and the sightline from a college dorm room is certainly a unique perspective. As I reflect back upon the year that was in the sporting world, a few things have stood out to me, and for different reasons. Good stories have warmed the heart while certain figures have left the average sports fan wanting answers. At the risk of becoming cliche, I too will review the year of 2005 in the world of sports, in no particular order.

USC

It is hard to believe that just 11 short months ago, Southern California was embarrasing Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Shortly following that, an increased level of expected ESPN sensationalism followed to set up what could be described as a fairy tale season. Quarterback Matt Leinart made headlines every time he got out of the shower and Reggie Bush is already being tauted as an NFL Hall of Famer. USC has become somewhat like that good beer than no college student can afford. While the rest of the college football world flounders around the level of Busch Light or Natty, USC has distinguished itself as the Bud Light of the college football world. They ran through their 2005 slate in somewhat impressive fashion, overcoming a few speed bumps. Their January 4th matchup with Texas will decide if they have yet acheived greatness, or if they too will leave sports' fans begging.

Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens finally got what he deserved in the long run. The controversial figure is like that trash that has been sitting around for four weeks that your roommate refuses to take out. It has been around for a while, keeps piling up, and smells worse with every day. By the end of the Owens' ordeal, football fans were tired of hearing from him and looking at him. The Eagles can be commended for finally doing the right thing and excercising their right to punish Owens for his antics, even if it did mean a pitiful and disappointing season for the franchise.

New Orleans Saints

Many teams carried on as the shining light for New Orleans sports after hurricane Katrina, but the Saints were thrust into the position of being the "face of the city". Their efforts on opening day were inspiring, even for this Panthers' fan. The way in which they battled while helping out their community over the course of the season is something that could allow fans to think that everything might be just fine.

NHL

The National Hockey League finally got their act together and put a new and improved product on the ice. No one seemed to miss the toothless warriors during their absence, but now that they are back on the ice, fans have been unexpectedly receptive of the game. Wayne Gretsky is behind the bench for the Coyotes and young stars are carrying the league.

College Basketball

Roy Williams finally won the big one and all of North Carolina's solid contributors left for the NBA. Beyond the winning Tar Heels, there were numerous reasons for people to enjoy last year's college basketball season. Boston College stole the show  by winning their first 21 games, while John Cheney was unfairly berated for his conduct in a late season game. After all, don't we all need a personal "goon" some time. Wake Forest and West Virginia played an excellent second round game, with West Virginia grabbing the collective heartstrings of the American public and the name "Pittsnogle" becoming one of household status. Illinois had a great season, and who can forget Bruce Weber's emotional run after losing his mother. If the 2005-2006 basketball season and tournament comes close to matching that of last season, it will have done well.

Baseball: Steroids, Controversy, and Balance

For the fifth straight season, George Steinbrenner's attempts to buy a World Series Championship was thrwarted by one of his foes. In the most unlikely of October Classics, the Chicago White Sox used good pitching to sweep away the Houston Astros. Many things captivated baseball fans in 2005, including Rafael Palmeiro's 3000th hit and his subsequent doping suspension. Sammy Sosa forgot how to speak English in a congressional hearing and Capitol Hill finally got something right. Their strong push for steroid regulations is something that the game has long been in need of. Some new names have emerged, like Zach Duke, Orlando Hudson, and Jeff Francouer. Old faces seemed to have gotten better with age as Roger Clemens had the best season of his career. Baseball has given fans significant reason to hope for an interesting 2006.

NBA

The Spurs won the championship, right? Oh, and Steve Nash has nasty soccer skills.

Tennis

James Blake and Roger Federer dominated the headlines as both emerged. Blake is a great story in his fight to top, while Federed cemented his place as an all-time great in dominating grand slam victories. The day in London which he ran Andy Roddick all over the court was as comprehensive a tennis victory as one could hope for.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods won the Masters for the fourth time, and in dominating fashion. While he may have needed extra holes to win the green jacket over Chris DiMarco, it was clear that Tiger Woods was "back", if he ever had left. Woods showed flashes of brilliance at the British Open to claim the Clarret Jug as the golf world watched the grace and dignity of Jack Nicklaus in his last Open Championship. The passing of the torch was a story in itself. While Jack embodied competitiveness, grace, and class, it is clear that Tiger has himself taken kindly to those characteristics. Woods has slowly but surely become the greatest golfer in the world, while showing the distinctive dignity of a true champion.

Football

The football season has been an exciting one. The Colts gave the sports fan another look at near perfection and the afformentioned USC Trojans have embodied the premise over the year. NFL headlines have been dominated by the resurgence of the Bears, the Bengals, and the continued steadiness of the New England Patriots. While week 17 and the playoff slate just around the corner, the professional football fan can claim that the best is still to come.

The College football slate was a little less impressive than its professional counterpart, but for the first time, the BCS has given us the only two undefeated teams in a championship game. Penn State had a great season, giving Joe Paterno one last shot at greatness. Alabama took a 8-0 record into their game with LSU, before falling. New coaches dominated the early season news wire as Charlie Weis took the reins at Notre Dame and the Ole'  Ball Coach returned to coach hapless South Carolina. Weis's decision to run a play for a dying Indiana boy was far and away the most touching moment of the sports season. The boy, who passed away shortly after making his request to Weis, would certainly have been pleased by the execution of "pass to the right" by Brady Quinn and the Irish. Spurrier took over a South Carolina team that has never felt the joy of a great season, and led them to a one win improvement in 2005. Still muddled in mediocrity, the Gamecocks suffered some embarrasing losses under the direction of Spurrier, while still falling short at the hands of rival Clemson for the fourth straight season.

Brett Favre is hanging on by a thread in Green Bay to a career that seems to be gone. While injuries and poor offensive line play have certainly plagued the Packers, it would seem that Brett Favre's inability to protect the football has something to do with their 3-12 record. Favre is similar to a day old pizza, sitting on the floor of an apartment or dorm. It was good while it lasted and it was certainly enjoyed, but its time has past and most people are tired of seeing it sit there. While Favre is certainly entitled to go out on his own terms, it would seem that two straight awful seasons could tarnish his legacy.

Like most sports fans, the most important thing that happens in the sports world is the thing that happened to the team you pull for. Being a Clemson student, the Tigers' 8-4 record in football was enough to keep me satisfied. The school's continued dominance over South Carolina is certainly important, with the Tigers taking 4 straight in football, and two straight in both baseball and basketball.

There are certain things that need to happen in 2006 in order for it to be a good year. First of all, the little lady who sits behind me at Clemson football games needs to stop trying to make me sit down. While I am all for respect and the like, how can she actually expect me to sit on 3rd and 11? Orlando Hudson needs to get more recognition. He won a gold glove in 2005 and makes all of the great plays in addition to the good ones. If he could bat ten points higher, he would be a superstar. Mark Cuban needs to do something outrageous. Samkon Gado needs to be a starter for someone in 2006. Bob Ley needs to get more credit from ESPN for the great job that he does. I need more Jilian Barberie. Lastly, the sports world needs more of the ever emerging good guys. While the controversial figures are having their time now, it is time for the good guys to get their due. I know its coming, and when it does, I will be there to celebrate their deeds, as well as blog about it.

Thanks to all the bloggers who have read my posts. Good Luck!

Opinions: A Merry Christmas? Not for Panthers' Fans, By Coby DuBose, 12/25/05

"If Ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas" - Anon.

Sour grapes? Perhaps. Color me jaded after watching the Panthers play the Dallas Cowboys on the Eve of Christmas. With presents being wrapped on the floor in front of me, I longed only for a Panthers' win that would lock up a playoff spot. After investing almost three hours of my life in the weekend tilt, I feel cheated and almost violated. In case anyone missed all of the obnoxious highlight shows, the Cowboys left Charlotte on Saturday afternoon with a win to boost their playoff fortunes. The win came in, should we say, controversial fashion. Put to the side the fact that the NFL's best reciever got the boot when Steve Smith was ejected in the third(we'll get back to that), but the botched field goal by the Cowboys gave Panthers' fans a reason to be the Scrooge. With close to a minute left in the game and the Cowboys trailing the Panthers by only three, Billy Cundiff lined up for a 31 yard field goal. A chip shot, right? Well, when Julius Peppers and Ken Lucas collapsed the Dallas line and got a piece of the try, it flew off to the right. Peppers landed on the ground just below Cundiff, who flopped down in agony, drawing a five yard penalty that gave the Cowboys a first down. Upon further review, as is often the case, the striped shirts found no reason to make themselves look silly by overturning a game-changing call, and the play stood.The 'Boys went on to score the game winning touchdown moments later.

Panthers' fans may feel cheated by the referees, but their anger would be better placed on their own defense. The Panthers' front seven, a usually tough and angry bunch, allowed much maligned Dallas running back Julius Jones to have a field day, racking up nearly 200 yards. He gashed the defense at the worst of times, continually putting pressure on the secondary and regularly changing field position. The play on this day came as a bit of an abomination for a group that had earned praise on the way to becoming the league's second best unit.

Where do John Fox and the Panthers turn from here? A loss at Atlanta next Sunday will probably leave them out of the playoffs, but they should find success against the free-falling Falcons, who have been officially eliminated from the Playoffs. If they are to win and gain the number five seed in the NFC playoffs, there are some positives which they can take from this weekend's performance.

Jake Delhomme: Delhomme had another strong game, showing poise in the pocket and making some big throws. He also showed an ability to complete passes to players other than Steve Smith. Where Delhomme fails is in balancing his game. If he could learn to throw to the other wideouts in addition to Smith, the Panthers' offense may takeoff.

Drew Carter: The second year man out of Ohio State has emerged as a solid and explosive number two option alongside Smith. He caught a touchdown pass against the Cowboys and was open on other occasions. Continued success from Carter will be essential if the blue and black are to make their second appearance in the Super Bowl come February.

Will Witherspoon: Few fans outside of North Carolina or Georgia know about this former Bulldog, but Witherspoon has quietly turned himself into one of the game's best young linebackers. He has shown the ability to make big plays in pass rush and has already shown a knack for playing the ball in the air. He must shore up his run defense and show the ability to shed blocks if the defense is to return to its "pre-Saturday" form.

Julius Peppers: With four sacks and two(that's right, TWO) blocked field goals in Saturday's game, Peppers made his presence felt early and often. He has the ability to be a game changing defensive player, and his must continue to play well and force turnovers if they Panthers are going to be successful.

Since we are busy grading members of the organization, a look must be taken at the team's front office. One move still baffles some fans and bugs me. Last season, Mushin Muhammad carried the team without Smith, making big play after big play, only to see GM Marty Hurney spurn his re-signing request. Sure, Muhammad wanted good money, but he is worth it. Muhammad has been putting on big numbers in the Bears' system, and any WR who can do that is certainly special. If Hurney would have given him the money he wanted, the Panthers' offense would have been nearly unstoppable. Imagine Delhomme having two pro bowl type recievers to throw to. Now that would have been something. While Marty Hurney and John Fox have done an excellent job drafting football players over the last four years, this decision is one that will likely stick in their craw for some time to come.

Side Notes

-->Steve Smith was ejected from Sunday's game for making contact with an official. Ok, sure, it is in the rulebook. You can not touch an official on the field. But, watch any NFL game and you will see quarterbacks making contact with officials when pleading for a call and you will see officials routinely give players a gentle tap on the rear end after a job well done. Say what you will about Smith, but he is one of the league's marque playmakers. Officials need to think twice before giving an impact player the boot over something so small. Smith's contact, which was intended to get the official's attention about a call, was nothing out of the ordinary. If a ref can't show better judgement than in this instance, he does not deserve to be calling big games. I am sure the ACC could use more inadequate striped shirts.

-->Ricky Proehl caught another touchdown pass in Saturday's game. How old is he, anyway? Proehl is surely one of the NFL's good guys. He has played the game in the right manner for the past 15 seasons, and if he chooses to hang them up after this year, then Panthers' fans should feel privilidged to have been able to share in some of the best years of his lengthy career.

Overwhelming Consensus: Young Pittsburgh Penguins Take Flight, By: Coby DuBose, 12/23/05

In the midst of football and basketball season, some find professional hockey to be some sort of sideshow. Addmitedly, I was once in that group. These days, however, count me out of that overwhelming consensus. Young talent in the NHL has given the league a new flavor and has given disgruntled fans a reason to tune in. Blessed by having high picks in each of the last three drafts, the Pittsburgh Penguins are loaded with young talent. Rookie forward Sydney Crosby is already being hailed as the second coming of "The Great One" and the Gretsky comparisons seem to come with warrant. His vision on the ice is developed well beyond his years and his nifty work with the puck makes him a threat to score every time he steps onto the ice. While Crosby may be grabbing the headlines, however, another young player stands like a brick wall at the back line of the Penguins' defense. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is turning heads and drawing lofty comparisons himself in his first full year of NHL action.

Penguins' winger Mark Rechhi has called him "incredible" and the front office is already seeing returns on their first round investment. After posting an incredible 12-0-2 record in the AAA American Hockey League, Fleury has stepped his game up to play with the big boys on the next level. Pittsburgh still sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, posting a record of 8-22. The groundwork for their team, and the NHL as a whole, seems to be in steady and talented hands, though. The Southeast division is led by the streaking Carolina Hurricanes, led by second year man Eric Staal. His dazzling performance in the early going has some talking about possible awards. THe emergence of himself and fellow young talents has caused a spike in NHL rivalry. The Hurricanes' recent clashes with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning have drawn a more diverse and increased viewership than in weeks past. The NHL is undoubtedly counting on the young guns to continue this trend.

While many may see no reason why the NHL should pose any competition to its counterparts in the sports world, young stars like Crosby and the budding Fleury will provide fans with talent for their entertainment dollar in the coming years. Where Lebron James is counted upon to lead the NBA's ratings resurrgence, Crosby and his contemporaries must, through their lofty talents, slowly bring viewers back to the exciting game of hockey. They are already making steps in the right direction it seems. Getting this cynical sports mind from the deep south to know their names or care about their plight could be called an accomplishment, but if the NHL is to be put on the American sports map, more stars must continue to emerge and the game must grow as one of skill and excellence, not of brutality and sheer ignorance.

Musings: A Dream NFL Matchup, By Coby DuBose, 12/20/05

The talk of the 2005 NFL season has been dominated by two of the league's 32 teams, but for very different reasons. While the Colts lost on Sunday in their bid for continued perfection, they have been the class of the NFL this season, rolling over opponents at an alarming rate. The only thing more impressive than the Colts' dominance has been the ineptitude of the Houston Texans. The 49ers and Packers have been terrible, but neither has found a propencity for losing like that of the hapless Texans. Head Coach Dom Capers has been key in the season, which appears to be a crusade for the #1 draft pick. Whether they throw interceptions or their kicker botches a game-tying field goal in a way that only Jean Vandevelde(see British Open, Troon) could imagine, the losses have certainly been painful for all fans of the franchise. This weekend, they switched places with the Colts though, winning their 2nd game, while the Colts found a way to lose. To this point, I pose a question. Are the Texans better than the Colts? Today, I ran a simulation in order to answer that question. No, I did not use a popular computer program or XBOX 360 to run this simulation, I did it the American way, and settled it on the field. I invited my 9 year old cousin over to the house to partake in some American football. Here's how it went down.

The Texans, standing all of 4-9 and 85 pounds, came in beaming with confidence over their second win of the season. The Six feet, two inch Colts, weighing around 200 pounds, had a very different idea. The Texans received the opening kickoff, returning it a staggering seven yards before stepping on a pine comb. After seven minutes of bruising tackling and hard running, the Colts had racked up a 179-3 lead over the Texans, who were left without answers. When the Colts spiked the ball in the face of the young Texans after their 23rd touchdown, the entire Houston team decided to cry about a skinned knee, call their mom, and head home. That's right, complete and utter domination. Take that, Texans. Next week, we will preview the Patriots versus the 49ers. My 11 year old neice is already talking smack. Bring it on, Cindy.

Overwhelming Consensus: Weekend in Review, By Coby DuBose, 12/20/05

College football on a Friday night is always a treat. When it occurs on a championship platform, its even better. While Division I-AA athletes may not get any of the glory of their I-A counterparts, their games are often more intertaining and the passion with which they play is certainly up to par with any level of football. The Mountaineers of Appalachian State deated Northern Iowa's Panthers in Friday night's championship game, behind some big defensive plays and a poised offense. The title marked the schools first, and is sure to propel the football program to continued success. While this great game may not have gotten the headlines of the weekend, it was a nice way to kickoff three days full of football.

The Panthers recieved some help from the New England Patriots as they knocked off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in impressive fashion. The Pats appeared to be in Super Bowl form, as they overwhelmed Chris Simms and moved the ball up and down the field. The return of Teddy Bruschi seems to have come full circle, as his leadership and toughness brought back the swagger to the World Champions.

I once knew a Dallas Cowboys fan who liked Charlie Waters, worshipped Jay Novacek, and loved Troy Aikman. That woman is my grandmother. As it stands today however, her ankles should be sufficiently sore as she has jumped right off of the Cowboys' bandwagon and onto that of the Indianapolis Colts. Beffudled by her ignorance and arrogance, I asked her if the Colts would go undefeated. She assured me that they would and added that the Cowboys would beat the Redskins. 0-2, Babob. The Colts can be commended for the fact that they played their players, but were simply beaten by a well-oiled machine when San Diego came to town. We can all thank Tony Dungy for giving history a hard right cross, however. Beyond his willingness to keep the integrity of the league in tact, he can be thanked for saving sports fans from having to hear talking heads speak of "what might have been?". One can only imagine the sports talk shows and opinion columns who would have almost certainly wondered if the Colts could have gone undefeated had they played their starters.

While the Colts are to be commended, the Dallas Cowboys should receieve a firm boot to the rear from their fans and anyone else who was forced to sit through their football "game" against the Cowboys on Sunday.

Sunday culminated with an embarrasing loss for the Atlanta Falcons in Chicago, as Brian Urlacher and the Bears sent Michael Vick packing for warmer weather and happier days. His numbers were atrocious, and the Falcons looked like a team that simply did not want to be there. Rex Grossman's emergence in the second half is something that was certainly impressive and encouraging to Lovie Smith. If Grossman can build upon his performance against the Falcons, the Bears could once again claim a place among the NFC's contenders.

Brett Favre's Monday Night Football performance left much to be desired. Praised for his primetime play in his career, Favre was unable to overcome the relentless Ravens' defense and continued what could be described as a nightmare season. To top it all off, the lone bright spot for the Pack, Samkon Gado, was injured in the 3rd quarter. Here's to hoping the Green Bay coaching staff has seen enough good out of Gado to keep him around next season.

The NFL had center stage this weekend and did not disappoint. While the primetime games were somewhat undesirable, Saturday's action and Sunday's surprises were interesting to both the casual observer and the ardent football fanatic.