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.

Win gives Woodson redemption, hof stamp

For Green Bay Packer's conerback Charles Woodson, next week's super bowl in Dallas will have been eight years in the making. We all remember Woodson's seemingly game clinching sack and forced fumble on New England's Tom Brady in the 2002 playoffs. It seems that Woodson is known more for being victimized by the "tuck rule" than for being one of the special football talents of the past decade. Woodson lead the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season and national championship in 1997. Woodson also became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman trophy, a feat that remains to this day. And let's not forget that Woodson was also a dangerous receiver, and one of the most feared return men in the nation.

Woodson continued to produce in the nfl, earning defensive rookie of the year honors in 1998. Thirteen years later, Woodson is the reigning defensive player of the year. Throw in seven pro bowl appearances and six all pro selections. The only thing missing from this hall of fame resume is a championship ring.

Titans made right move

Although shocking, the Tennessee Titans made the right move in parting ways with long time head coach Jeff Fisher. After 17 seasons both Fisher and the organization mutually agreed it was time to move on, and I will amen to that. Yes, Fisher lead the transition from Houston to Memphis to Nashville. Yes, Fisher lead the Titans to their lone super bowl appearance. And yes, the Titans have lost at least five games in a row in five of the past seven seasons. The Titans learned from two of their fiercest rivals that change can be a good thing.

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher went to the playoffs in 10 of his 15 seasons, winning super bowl XL in 2005. In 2007 Cowher stepped away and was replaced by Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator and relative unknown Mike Tomlin. In his second season, Tomlin lead the Steelers to a championship and will be aiming for another next Sunday evening.

Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick took his team to the playoffs in four of his nine seasons. Billick also brought the Ravens their first title in 2000. After a disappointing 07 campaign, the Ravens replaced Billick with Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and relative unknown John Harbaugh. The Ravens have remained solid under Harbaugh's watch, making the playoffs in each of his first three seasons. The Titans need to do their homework and resist the "inside our organization" mentality that lead to a mediocre team at best the past few years. Change is good, The time was now.

Michigan hoops mirror football program

With all of the hoopla surrounding the University of Michigan's football program this off season, no one has paid attention to little brother. The men's basketball program is without question the younger sibling on campus, and have been so since the fab five unceremoniously bolted for nba stardom in the early 90's. If you look closely at third year coach John Beilein's team, they bear a striking resemblance to this year's football team. Both are streaky and both are consistently inconsistent.

Michigan's football team started the 2010 season 5-0, loss their next three, won the following two, then tanked the last three with a combined score of 137-49. The Wolverine basketball team won their first three, lost the next two, reeled off eight in a row, and are currently in the midst of a six game losing streak. Neither team could or can bounce back from a loss. Rich Rodriguez had a dynamic sophomore in quarterback Denard Robinson, who went on to be the 2010 big ten player of the year. Robinson was the most improved player in the conference, and possibly the entire country. John Beilein has his own sensational sophomore in guard Darius Morris. Like Robinson, Morris improved by leaps and bounds from year one to year two. He is the leading scorer for the Wolverines at just under 16 points a game, and fifth in the nation with seven assists to match.

Of all the similarities, the most alarming is the lack of the success in the conference, and against their rivals in particular. Rodriguez went o for 3 against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State. Beilein already loss to Wisconsin and Ohio State, and will travel to Michigan State on Thursday. Both programs are extremely young, and in some areas extremely talented. But how long do you give a program "rebuilding grace" before losing becomes a fabric of the culture and image of the university? For both the football and basketball teams, time is running out.

Giants bring in new Dallas era, again

The Dallas Cowboys are America's team. That's not for debate. The Cowboy's are also America's most visible team with the most visible owner. That too is not to be debated. Being high profile can be a gift and a curse, with great praise and attention comes equal scrutiny. Over the past 50 years we have witnessed the rise and fall of the Cowboys several times over, each new beginning having their own unique transitional point. Tennessee's Music City Miracle officially transitioned the team from the Oilers to the Titans in 99. The Titans went to their first Super Bowl that year. Drew Bledsoe's injury paved the way for Tom Brady and a subsequent Patriot's dynasty. Although the Cowboys' transitional points have been different over the past 2o years, they always seem to involve the New York Giants. Even if the Giants were an unwilling participant.

In the 1993 season finale, the defending champion Dallas Cowboys went into Giants stadium with a must win game on their hands. A win would give the Cowboys home field advantage throughout the playoffs. A young and talented running back by the name of Emmitt Smith separated his shoulder in the first half of the game. Miraculously, Smith continued to play through the pain and turned in an improbable 220 total yard performance in a 16-13 overtime win over the Giants. Keep in mind that Smith missed the first two games in a bitter contract dispute with owner Jerry Jones that season. The Cowboys started the season 0-2. The personal sacrifice and bravery Smith showed in that game set the tone for a repeat championship in 93. The Cowboys went on to win another in 95 and be named the team of the 90's. Smith went on to become the leading rusher in nfl history and hall of fame inductee.

On October 23, 2006 the Dallas Cowboys played host to the New York Giants under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. Gone were the glory days of the 90's. In fact, The Cowboys had not been to the playoffs in over 6 years. Starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe was brought in as part of another failed "replace Troy Aikman" attempt. Former Giants head coach Bill Parcells was brought in to ressurect Dallas, to become America's team once again. But Bledsoe was clearly a shell of his former self and a liability on offense. Bledsoe's play was so bad he was replaced by un drafted free agent Tony Romo at half time. Romo threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns in a failed come back attempt against New York, but he immediately showed he possessed that "it" factor. Not only to be a starting quarterback, but to be a starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo went on to start the remainder of the season and has since went on to three pro bowls, two divisional titles, and a playoff win. Romo remains the Cowboys starter and top ten quarterback in the league today.

October 25, 2010 Dallas is one again under the bright lights of Monday Night Football playing host to the New York Giants. The Cowboys were 1-4 and in serious danger of being out of playoff contention. Buzzards could be seen circling the open roof at Cowboys stadium, knowing that with each loss there would soon be a carcass to feast on. Ironically enough, Tony Romo lay there motionless. The victim of a (clean) but vicious hit from Giants linebacker Michael Boley. It was that point where media and fans alike accused the team (and defense in particular) of quitting. The Cowboys play did little to defuse the rumor as they were blown out in their next two games by a combined 80-24. Head Coach Wade Phillips was fired and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was promoted to interim head coach. Garrett won in his head coaching debut. His opponent? The New York Giants. I'm just sayin.