Moon should blame Young, not racism

When I read Warren Moon's allegations of racism toward Cam Newton, I had mixed emotions. On one hand I do feel that Cam Newton is being unfairly critisized, but not because of race. It's because of Vince Young, and Young just happens to be black. It's human nature to draw on past experiences when judging anything or any one, and Cam Newton looks and sounds exactly like Young did a few years ago. The similarites do not stop there. Young, like Newton, came out of nowhere in 2005 to lead the Texas Longhorns to an undefeated season and national championship. Young was the centerpiece of a high powered spread offense, shattering records on his way to becoming the Davey O'Brian Award winner and heisman trophy runner up. Young was an electrifying runner with a cannon for an arm and a million dollar smile. Young was drafted number three to the Tennessee Titans and quickly flamed out. Young's on and off field behavior showed an imature young man that was given way to much to soon. For all of Young's talent and charisma, he could never lead his team in the playoffs. When I personally look at Cam Newton, I see Vince Young reincarnated. As I Titans fan that traslates to red flags and alarms going off in my head. Whether the critisim is Vince Young based or racially based it's still unfortunate. Hopefully Cam Newton will land in the right situation and blossom into a franchise quarterback and face of the nfl. If nothing else, he has the smile.

VCU vindicates Selection Committee

Last Sunday I wondered who felt worse. Colorado, Virginia Tech, or Virginia Commonwealth? The annual unveiling of the ncaa championship tournament was met with harsh criticism when the selection committee awarded VCU a tournament bid over their better known bubble counter parts. Experts from every national media outlet blasted the committee, some even called for a complete overhaul of it's members. Six days and two VCU wins later the committee must be smiling, even if only to themselves.

Virginia Commonwealth just put the finishing touches on a second round thumping of Georgetown, handing the Hoyas their worst tournament loss in fifteen years. Two days earlier VCU knocked off another "big conference" school when they beat USC in the first round. The committee's first and second round pairings have lead to numerous buzzer beaters and another memorable tournament run so far. No one could blame the selection committee for feeling like telling the world "I told you so". Luckily for them, VCU did it for them.

Michigan's Q rating soars

Remember the University of Michigan? You know, the team from up north with the rich tradition in academics and athletics? The big school with the big stadium from the big ten has roamed the college landscape in obscurity the past several years. Gone were the Lloyd Carr's, Charles Woodson's, and Chris Weber's of the world. Gone were the championship runs, let alone championship titles. And gone was the national interest in the football and basketball program. The maize and blue M was fading, a loss to Appalachian State was the last national image of the casual fan. Michigan was just another team in college sports, until a documentary put them back in the spotlight.

ESPN aired the movie Fab Five last Sunday, the story of five talented freshmen basketball players for the University of Michigan in the early 90's. Fab five guard and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose did a brilliant job with the piece, and his controversial comments about then Duke player Grant Hill set off a media firestorm. The timing could not have been better. The premier aired on Selection Sunday, the highly watched unveiling of the annual tournament bracket. A few hours earlier, Michigan received an improbable tournament bid. Most experts had Michigan picked to finish last in the big ten this year, primarily because of their youth. Michigan's young and talented team had other plans. The Wolverines followed a week in the public spotlight with an impressive 30 point beat down of Tennessee in the second round of the ncaa tournament, and once again the timing could not have been better.

Up next is Duke, and the ghosts of the Fab Five will once again resurface. Michigan looks to knock off another talented and favored Duke team with their own inexperienced and talented team on Sunday. A victory would surely put Michigan back on the public tongue, but merely being a participant is great for the fans, alumni, and recruiting. Regardless of the score, Michigan's Q rating is sure to win.