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A New Leader, a New Hunger

Many of you have begged and pleaded that I return to my blog spot and start back writing again. In secret, I was just testing each and every one of you to see how committed you really were. Once again I would like to say thanks for all the support and concerns about my lack of blogging here of late. Truth be told, I have been so bogged down with school work that I have barely had time to write anything that wasn’t for class. With that being said, I have no excuse and will continue to inform you about my opinions on sports today.

In the beginning of August I made some pretty darn bold World Series predictions. I predicted the Yankees and the Dodgers in the World Series. Not knowing that the Cards and Dodgers would have to play each other in the first round disabled me from knowing that the Phillies would sneak back into the World Series (See post below). In reality I did chose the Yankees to win the World Series and will now wait for you all to applaud my expert prediction… Thank you, I do work hard at this.

On another older post I gave you my predictions/ evaluations of the Ole Miss offense. In my sloppy state of being a so called blogger I didn’t even close the deal of at least doing an Ole Miss Defense preview. For that I give my sincere apologies. And on another note, is it to late for me to go back on some of my evaluations of the Ole Miss offense and critique it a bit? It sure does need it.

But what’s the main topic of this blog, especially with the title? It deals with a man that many called a “savior” and many called a “goof” at the beginning of the season. Dan Mullen is the person I speak of. A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, Mullen was not raised a southern gentleman. Though Mullen didn’t grow up in the south his character of being a hard working, intelligent, sincere individual has already started paying dividends at Mississippi State University.

Dan the Man went to the Ursinus College where he lettered twice as a tight end. After graduation, Mullen took his first head coaching job at Wagner College where he coached Wide Receivers. Coach Mullen’s coaching career consist of then going to Colombia(WR), Syracuse(GA), Notre Dame(GA), Bowling Green(QB), Utah(QB)(coached under Urban Meyer and took Utah to a BCS bowl), Florida(OC/QB)(helped the Gators win multiply national titles).

Coach Mullen has taken a program that was on the brink of destruction and slowly started moving it in the right direction. Any reasonable person would say “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and so goes the Bulldogs football team. It is yet to be seen if Mullen will make the Mississippi State Bulldogs a national powerhouse, but coach Mullen has shown to be wise amongst his years.

In Mullen’s first season as the Bulldogs head coach, State has had one of the hardest schedules in recent history. The home front has been nice for the fans to go and enjoy big named schools, but Mullen’s crop of players have not yet been able to be picked. Dan has lead the Bulldogs to two SEC wins this year, that ties the totally amount won in the whole Bulldog’s season last year. Through consistent leadership, passion, hunger, and will to win, Coach Mullen and the Bulldog team feel the future is more than bright in Starkville, Mississippi.

Ole Miss Offensive Preview (8/15/09)

Saturday I went to watch the Ole Miss Rebels practice. It was their first time in full pads and they were also scrimmaging on this day. I saw many things that got me excited and a few things that started to worry me a little bit. So as of Saturday I would like to rank each one of our units, ten being the best, one being the worst. This is NOT a ranking compared to any other team in the SEC, but just my thoughts on the units as a whole. I will mostly talk about the starters and some second teamers depending on position.

Quarterback

The best passing QB in the SEC. Jevan Snead can play. He makes throws that few on the college level can make. Has had problems in the past reading certain defensive schemes, but finished extremely strong at the end of the season. 9.5

Running back

Another position at which the Rebels are loaded. Do they have the number one running back in the nation? I would say probably not, but the depth they have with Brandon Bolden(So.), Enrique Davis(So.), Cordera Eason(Sr.), Devon Thomas(So.), and the new comers Rodney Scott and Tim Simon, will make them a core group that will scare SEC defenses for years to come. 9.0

Wide Receivers /Tight ends

Senior Shay Hodge returns along with Juniors Lionel Breaux and deep threat Markeith Summers. One of the most versatile players in college football, senior Dexter McCluster is a part of this group. Pat Patterson, a freshman, out of Macon, Ms, has the body of a junior and has hands of an NFL prospect. This group is very good, and when you have a gunslinger like Snead throwing to them, they will look very impressive. The tight ends are a little less known to the public. They are headed by 6-6 265 pound senior Gerald Harris. He has decent hands and is a train with the ball in his hands. Reggie Hicks and Ferbia Allen back Harris up. Hicks has played many downs on special teams. 8.5

Offensive Line

The biggest question mark for the 2009 Ole Miss Rebel football team would be this unit. Ole Miss lost Michael Oher to the first round of the draft. Oher’s replacement, Bradley Sowell, is just a redshirt sophomore. Over the spring I have seen him take huge strides in becoming a better player. At center Daverin Geralds remains dominant at his position. The right side of the ball seems to be beyond decent. The Rebels have two seniors in Reid Neely and John Jerry anchoring that side of the line of scrimmage. There are very few offensive linemen in the country that can compare to Jerry. The Ole Miss faithful also had a freshman Bobby Massie come in that they hope can contribute immediately. Massie, at 6-6, 317, has the body of an NFL player already. This squad has some growing up to do, but has great potential. 7.5

MLB Playoff/ World Series Predictions

For many of you that know me, some of these have changed over the last couple of months. To be honest, I could just as easily change my mind after next week, but here we go. Feel free to disagree, though it would end in you being wrong.

American League

NY Yankees, Chicago Sox, LA Angels, (Wild Card) Boston Red Sox

NY Yankees and LA Angels will advance to Semifinals where the NEW YORK YANKEES will win and go to the world series.

National League

Philly, Cards, Dodgers, (Wild Card) Florida Marlins

Cards and Dodgers will advance to Semifinals where the LA DODGERS will win and go to the world series.

World Series

NY Yankees win their 1st world series since 2009. They end the decade the same way they started it, the series goes six games and concludes in celebration in New York City.

Vick Victimized?

It Seems here of late that much talk has taken place about a player known as Michael Vick. In April of 2007 a trail began dealing with the left handed gunslinger who was accused with conspiracy of a dog fighting ring. Many of you know this case well. He plead guilty to these crimes. He was later sent to jail where he reigned superhero football player until now.

On August 13 the Eagles of Philadelphia signed him to a one year $1.6 million contract. Not bad money for an NFL player that had been in jail for two years, just to return for a contract of that magnitude.

Many of you are probably disgusted about the whole situation, and rightfully you should be. But, if you fill your lungs with air and release slowly, count to 10, some of you 20, maybe you can see Vick as a person. This man had to pay the Atlanta falcons $19.97 million back, that would put anyone in a foul mood. When Vick was asked about losing the money, he said he deserved it, that he was a bad example and was in the wrong and wasn't the person that his contract said he was.

The man has admitted he was wrong. He has spent two years in prison, while other NFL players have murdered people just to get off without any time. That is for another day though.
Vick has also been working with PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk to help spread the word about animal violence and how severe the situation is.

So, do I blame you if you don't like Vick..No. Should he play in the NFL? I think yes. He has and is doing everything in his power to try and make things right. So if the deep breaths and number counting didn't work, try something else. Open your hand up as wide as possible. Then slap yourself as hard as you can in the face!

We all have done wrong, and only get pissed when we ourselves are judged. So go ahead and judge Vick, just be willing to judge yourself and all the things you have done behind even the most secure doors.

This was a little rebellious utter, hope to see you again real soon.