Random Weekend Thoughts

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Busy but a lot of fun.   Is it me or does it take forever for football season to get here but it seems to be over in about 12 minutes?  Enjoy it before you know it will all be waiting for the draft.   Anyway thoughts from this weekend.

1. You would have to think with how fast Miami fired Randy Shannon they must have someone in mind.   I mean any earlier and it would have been at the half.   Don't feel too bad for Randy he can take a year off and then pick his next job whether it be HC at lower D1 school, as a defensive coordinator or maybe move back to the pro ranks and join a new staff.  Either way Randy is too good a person to not learn from this and have continued success.   Rumors regarding his replacement at Miami are all over the board but if I were there AD Doogie Howser my calls would be first (assuming Gruden is out) to Mario Cristobal at FIU,  next to Al Golden at Temple and then Jeff Tedford and Dan Mullen.   College football is better when teams like Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State and few others are top 10 programs not top 30.   It's your move Miami!!
2. Keeping working hard Buffalo.  The wins will come...soon.  A good draft this year and Buffalo could be a .500 team next year without much of  a stretch.
3. The next time Cortland it might be worse.  Why not play like a man instead of an idiot?
4. Is it me or is their no clear cut Super Bowl team.  Philly gets beat by Chicago, New Orleans needs and act of Roy to pull that out, if God wasn't against Stevie Johnson (lol) the Steelers would have lost and the Pats are up and down.  Seriously a favorite?  Anyone?
5. Cam Newton think Daunte Culpepper but better. Plus he won't have that big of an adjustments when he signs his contract after already getting paid this season to play at Auburn.
6. It might be me but Alabama is truly building a dynasty down there that will rival what USC and Miami had in previous years.
7. Think Urban Meyer wished he didn't change his mind last year?  I don't I think so but I expect a complete staff redo with a lot of these unemployed head coaches landing on his staff to coach and recruit like crazy.  Hmmm maybe Randy Shannon can change colors after all Mark Richt did years ago.
8. I heard something I never thought I would today from some die hard PSU fans.  They all want Joe to hang it up.  Maybe a retirement day is order.  Come on Joe just say effective the end of the 2014 season I'm done.  They can promote Bradley like FSU did with Fisher in waiting.  Just a thought.
9. Hope everyone is watching Friday Night Lights.  What a shame that show ends this year!!!
10. When it's all said and done I think Minnesota and Dallas already have their new head coaches.   

 

12 Hornung Award Contenders Face Off in Traditional College Football Rivalries

LOUISVILLE, KY (Nov. 24, 2010) - A dozen Paul Hornung Award Watch List candidates and weekly honorees square off in four traditional college football rivalries Thanksgiving weekend. Heading the list is the Iron Bowl from Tuscaloosa where twice-beaten Alabama currently is favored over the undefeated and No. 2 ranked visiting Auburn Tigers.   Traditional Rivalries ·        Friday, Nov. 26, 2010: Demond Washington and Cam Newton (Auburn) vs. Trent Richardson (Alabama) at 2:30 pm ET on CBS ·        Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010: DeVier Posey and Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State) vs.Denard Robinson (Michigan) at noon on ABC ·        Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010: Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey (Florida) vs. Greg Reid(Florida State) at 3:30 pm ET on ABC ·        Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010: Brandon Boykin (Georgia) vs. Jerrard Tarrant and Josh Nesbitt (Georgia Tech) at 7:45 pm ET on ESPN Other Matchups ·        Friday, Nov. 26, 2010: Douglas Beaumont (Louisville) vs. Mohammed Sanu(Rutgers) at 11:00 am ET on ESPN2 ·        Friday, Nov. 26, 2010: Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) vs. Doug Martin (Boise State) at 10:15 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN3.com ·        Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010: Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) vs. Bobby Rainey (Western Kentucky) at 3:30 pm ET ·        Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010: Owen Marecic and Chris Owusu (Stanford) vs. James Rodgers (Oregon State) at 7:30 pm ET on Versus   Follow Weekly Schedule on Twitter @hornungaward: Fans and media are encouraged to follow the official Twitter page of the Paul Hornung Award (@hornungaward) to get a weekly schedule of the games being played. Tweets are made between 30 and 60 minutes before kickoff, allowing fans a reminder of when games involving Paul Hornung Award candidates are being played.   ### Paul Hornung Award Created by the Louisville Sports Commission, the Paul Hornung Award is designed to recognize versatile, high-level performers in major college football and help preserve the legacy of one of Kentucky's best known athletes. A panel of experts will select the inaugural winner in early January 2011; the votes will be tabulated by Dean Dorton Allen Ford. The winner will be honored at the Paul Hornung Award Banquet presented by Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine January 25 at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville. Hornung is considered by many the best all-around player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks and played defensive back and was a multi-threat offensive back and prolific kicker in the pros. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring 1959-60-61, set the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points and was named League MVP following the 1961 season. Legendary Packers Coach Vince Lombardi called Hornung, "The most versatile man ever to play the game." Paul is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and resides in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.  More information go towww.paulhornungaward.com.

 

MISSISSIPPI STATE NOMINATED FOR DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL COURAGE AWARD

DALLAS (FWAA) - The Mississippi State football team is the weekly nominee for the2010 Discover Orange Bowl Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the season by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Bulldogs are dealing with the tragic death of a teammate earlier this month.

Nick Bell, 20, a sophomore defensive end from Bessemer, Ala., died Nov. 2 after a brief battle with cancer. Bell had played in the Bulldogs' first four games, starting two, but after experiencing headaches and weakness in a hand, doctors found a mass on Bell's brain. The diagnosis was synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Bell underwent surgery Oct. 1. Doctors were hopeful Bell would return to football after treatment was completed. Wearing a camouflage hat, he watched Mississippi State's win over UAB from the sidelines Oct. 23. But before chemotherapy could begin, his health worsened.

When Bell noticed he couldn't touch his thumb to his index finger and his vision was blurry, he was rushed to the hospital Oct. 31 for emergency surgery to remove another mass from his brain, according to the Birmingham News. Buses from Starkville, Miss., carried more than 50 teammates and coaches to the Birmingham, Ala., hospital, but Bell did not regain consciousness.

"We grabbed a bus and loaded up a bunch of guys," coach Dan Mullen told the Associated Press. "I think it's great that a lot of our players got to go over there, see the situation and get to say their goodbyes."

His teammates have persevered. Despite losing both games (to ranked opponents Alabama and Arkansas) since his death, Mississippi State is 7-4 heading into the annual "Egg Bowl" battle with in-state rival Mississippi.

The school has honored Bell's life in several ways. At last Saturday's home game with Arkansas, Bell's mother, Linda, ended an emotional pregame ceremony with MSU's greatest tradition, raising a cowbell above her head. The MSU marching band honored Bell with a formation that spelled out "36," his jersey number. Each 36-yard line was painted black rather than the traditional white, and the number 36 was painted on the field inside a maroon-and-white circle.

The Bulldogs are wearing patches with Bell's name and number on their jerseys. Against Arkansas, tight end Kendrick Cook wore Bell's jersey number.

"Nick lived his life like a champion and will always be remembered in our hearts that way," Mullen said in a statement released by the school. "During this impossible time, we pray for Nick's family and all those he has touched."

Eifert of Notre Dame.. Mackey Tight End of the Week

Bethpage, N.Y. (November 24, 2010) - Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The sophomore recorded four receptions for a career high 78 yards and a touchdown. Replacing the great tight end Kyle Rudolph due to injury, Eifert's touchdown catch put Notre Dame ahead 17-3 securing the 27-3 victory over Army and helping Notre Dame become Bowl eligible in what was he 50th all time match-up between these two legendary teams. Honorable mentions considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Ladarius Green of Louisiana and Rob Housler of Florida Atlantic.   The 2010 recipient of "The Mackey" will be presented live at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Red Carpet Show December 9, 2010 on ESPNU. Please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org for all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download. The John Mackey Tight End of the Week is an honor distinct and different from the annual John Mackey Award. This weekly honor was started in 2004 to draw attention to individual play by Tight Ends during the active season. The Tight End of the Week acknowledgment does not have a direct bearing on the final John Mackey Award selection process. The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.    The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org. 2010 John Mackey Tight Ends of the Week Week 1 - Virgil Green, Nevada Week 2 - Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame Week 3 - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin Week 4 - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin Week 5 - Collin Franklin, Iowa State Week 6 - Michael Egnew, Missouri Week 7 - Ben Thayer, Eastern Michigan Week 8 - Mike Cruz, Pittsburgh Week 9 - Orson Charles, Georgia Week 10 - Lucas Reed, New Mexico Week 11 - D.J. Williams, Arkansas Week 12 - Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Behind the Scenes

I am a die-hard football fan, first and foremost, who believes the best time of the year runs from late August until the NFL Draft Weekend.   After that, it’s a little NBA action, but mainly vacation time from sports until training camp starts up in July.  I stopped following baseball religiously once the strike canceled the World Series, and baseball refused some sort of cap to keep a certain New York team from buying the best players, but continually celebrates them as some sort of dynasty.  Maybe fifty years ago it was true, but now they are simply the best team money can buy.  Anyway like most sports fans in America, football is my passion, but it’s not without its flaws, or should I say without areas where change is needed.   

Here is my growing list of what I would like to see changed (in no particular order):

1. Rotate the location of the NFL Draft.  Since East Coast and smaller market areas will never have a chance to host a Super Bowl, why not bring the NFL Draft, (a ratings juggernaut itself) to fans throughout the country, not just New York?  My suggestion is to rotate it every two years, with the cities presenting bids similar to the Super Bowl, but getting the chance to host for two years consecutively.  Spread the wealth around and let the fans from the whole country have the chance to come and watch the draft.   Imagine the draft in Green Bay, Buffalo, Kansas City or Pittsburgh.  They have some of the best football fans in the country, why not let them enjoy the draft in their city. If the league was really thinking, they could make it a whole NFL Experience type of event with such things as punt, pass and kick events, a chance to get autographs from the rookies from the previous season, and they could even raffle off the chance to announce a team’s pick in a later round.   They could use that money to benefit the retired players’ medical fund.  Think a season ticket holder would relish the chance to announce their team’s pick in round 3 or 4?  

Read the rest here

Around the League 11/22

Former NFL Scout, Russ Lande, shares some insight on some current prospects. 

It's a new dawn in Minnesota as Chilly is out and here come Frazier.

Tough loss for Giants' Nicks as he looks close to become an unstoppable force.

Hopefully this news puts Romo on the shelf (I.R) and Dallas can get him ready for 2011 (if there is a season).

Could Portis be elsewhere in 2011? (if there is a season).

Bowers should hear his name called in the top 10.

Stock up..stock down as we inch closer to the NFL Draft.

The next Buffs coach?

If you want to read one of the best young guns in the business you need to check out Wes Bunting.  Move over McShay and Kiper.

2010 John Mackey Award Finalists

Bethpage, N.Y. (November 22, 2010) - The Nassau County Sports Commission has announced three finalists for the 2010 John Mackey Award. Listed alphabetically, they are Michael Egnew (JR, Missouri), Lance Kendricks (SR, Wisconsin) and D.J. Williams (SR, Arkansas). The three finalists were determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. The 2010 recipient of "The Mackey" will be presented live at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Red Carpet Show December 9, 2010  at 6 p.m. EST on ESPNU. Please visitwww.johnmackeyaward.org for all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download. The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. For additional information, please visit www.nassausports.org.  The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org. The presentation of the John Mackey Award will be featured on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Red Carpet Show live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. EST on ESPNU.  The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show then begins at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney's Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.  Fans can visit the show's dedicated Web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

2010 John Mackey Award Finalists (alphabetical order) Michael Egnew (JR, Missouri)  Lance Kendricks (SR, Wisconsin)  D.J. Williams (SR, Arkansas) All-time John Mackey Award Recipients 2000 - Tim Stratton, Purdue 2001 - Dan Graham, Colorado 2002 - Dallas Clark, Iowa 2003 - Kellen Winslow II, Miami (FL) 2004 - Heath Miller, Virginia 2005 - Marcedes Lewis, UCLA 2006 - Matt Spaeth, Minnesota 2007 - Fred Davis, USC 2008 - Chase Coffman, Missouri 2009 - Aaron Hernandez, Florida

DAVEY O'BRIEN FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Davey O'Brien Foundation announced the three finalists for the 2010 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award^® (The O'Brien) today. 

Andrew Luck (So., Stanford), Kellen Moore (Jr., Boise State) and Cam Newton (Jr., Auburn) were selected by The O'Brien National Selection Committee, with the Fan Vote accounting for five percent of the total vote. The committee was asked to consider the following criteria: quarterback skills, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship.  

Fans may now help determine which quarterback will win the coveted O'Brien Award by voting as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting will close at noon (CST) on Dec. 5.

The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 9 and will be honored at the 34th Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 21, 2011 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Andrew Luck, Stanford

Luck continues to shine in his second year at quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal. The third-year sophomore leads the Pac-10 in total offense (290.09 yards per game) and passing efficiency (162.97). He has rushed for 445 yards and three scores and passed for 2,746 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season.

Kellen Moore, Boise State

The junior from Prosser, Wash. leads the nation in passing efficiency (188.84) and ranks third overall with a 71.8 completion percentage. Through 10 games, he has thrown for 2,921 yards and 28 touchdowns. Moore owns the longest active winning streak among NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) starting quarterbacks with 24 victories, and has a career record of 36-1.

Cam Newton, Auburn

In his first year at Auburn, the 6-6, 250-pound signal caller has dominated opposing defenses on the ground and through the air. Newton leads the SEC in rushing (117.91 yards per game) and ranks second in the NCAA in passing efficiency (183.58) and total points responsible for (21.27 per game). He has amassed 3,335 yards of total offense and 39 touchdowns, including a 20-yard touchdown reception.

 

About the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award®
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The O'Brien honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. The O'Brien is overseen by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, which is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and has given away more than $800,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visitwww.DaveyOBrien.org. 

National College Football Awards Association

The O'Brien is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official Web site, www.NCFAA.org.

2010 OUTLAND TROPHY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

DALLAS (FWAA) – Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi, Florida State offensive guard Rodney Hudson and Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder have been named finalists for the 65th Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the best interior lineman in college football by the Football Writers Association of America.

The winner of the Outland Trophy will be announced on the evening of Dec. 9 during "The Home Depot College Football Awards Show" at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The show, hosted by Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, airs from 7-9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Carimi, a 6-7, 327-pound senior from Cottage Grove, Wis., has been a stalwart at left tackle for Wisconsin since taking over for 2006 Outland Trophy winner Joe Thomas at the beginning of the 2007 season. He has started 47 games in four seasons for the Badgers (10-1), who will conclude the 2010 regular season Saturday against Northwestern. Carimi was a part of a dominating offensive line in the Badgers' 83-20 defeat of Indiana when running back John Clay was sidelined with an injury. Carimi and the rest of the Wisconsin line were co-Badger Offensive Players of Week in a 41-23 victory over Minnesota this season. Carimi is one of the main reasons Wisconsin is 12th in the nation in rushing and in the hunt for a Rose Bowl berth heading into the final week of the regular season.

Hudson, a 6-2, 282-pound senior from Mobile, Ala., has a chance to be in a select group of Atlantic Coast Conference players. Presumably, he will be named All-ACC for the fourth straight season and will become the seventh player in ACC history to be so named. He has played all three positions on the offensive line – center, guard and tackle – during his career. Hudson also appears to be headed to a second straight Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is awarded annually by ACC head coaches and defensive coordinators to the most outstanding blocker in the conference. He has been the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this season. Despite injuries to several members of the Seminole offensive line this season, Hudson has been one of the main reasons Florida State has been able to run the ball effectively on its way to an 8-3 record. 

Solder, a 6-9, 315-pound senior from Buena Vista, Colo., is also a finalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy, considered the "Academic Heisman." He graduated last May with a degree in biology and is a three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection. He is now taking post-graduate courses in integrative physiology. He is the team captain of the Buffaloes, who are 5-6 and playing Nebraska this Friday to become bowl eligible, despite a season in which there has been an in-season coaching change. Solder is the main reason CU's rushing game has been effective.

The Outland Trophy, which has been awarded annually by the FWAA since 1946, is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.

The official 2010 award presentation will be Jan. 13, 2011, in Omaha, Neb., at a banquet sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. That group will present an Outland Trophy to a yet-to-be-named former winner at the banquet.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official Web site, ncfaa.org.

Around the League 11/17

Here is some links to today's stories in the NFL.

I have to agree with Dave Thomas when it comes to what Dallas fans are expecting, let's be happy if we get two wins in a row.

Great story of Jeff Ireland's days as a ball boy for the Bears

No Joe in San Fran

The soft-spoken leader of the Bills

Could Tony Dungy fill this role?

I'm sure the Rams fans are thrilled to read they were robbed on a call.

I'm just saying maybe Jake Locker??

Yeah McNabb is in Washington only if they can't get Cutler or Vick.

Philly can't be beat? Hmmm wasn't that what they said about the Giants last week.

Phillips Brothers Up For Courage Award

This is a must read FWAA News Discover Orange Bowl Courage Award

Makes you realize what is important especially as the holiday season gets going.

Head-to-Head Hornung Award Matchup

LOUISVILLE, KY (Nov. 17, 2010) - Thirty-nine players who are on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List are within reach of postseason play as their teams have reached the six win mark. In addition, nine of the Top 10 teams in the BCS rankings have candidates on the Watch List, suggesting that the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Discover Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and the BCS National Championship Game will feature many of the nation's most versatile players.

A pair of Hornung Award watch list members, Auburn's Demond Washington and South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore, will face off in the Southeastern Conference Championship game after both claimed their division titles over the weekend.

20 Players Featured in Head-to-Head Hornung Award Matchups: 20 players on the Paul Hornung Award watch list are featured in head-to-head matchups this week as positioning for postseason bowl births continues. Among this weeks notables matchups is Graig Cooper and Miami taking on Dyrell Roberts of Virginia Tech and Stanford's Owen Marecic and Chris Owusu facing Shane Vereen of California, who nearly helped the Bears to an upset of top ranked Oregon last week.

·        Friday, Nov. 19, 2010: Doug Martin (Boise State) vs. Devon Wylie (Fresno State) at 9:30 pm ET on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Douglas Beaumont (Louisville) vs. Jock Sanders (West Virginia) at noon ET on ESPN3.com and the Big East Network

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Graig Cooper (Miami) vs. Dyrell Roberts (Virginia Tech) at 3:30 pm ET

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Dwight Dasher (Middle Tennessee) vs. Bobby Rainey(Western Kentucky) at 4:15 pm ET on ESPN3.com

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina) vs. Jerrell Jernigan(Troy) at 12:21 pm ET on ESPN3.com and the SEC Network

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: David Gilreath (Wisconsin) vs. Denard Robinson(Michigan) at noon on ESPN and ESPN3.com

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (Iowa) vs. Terrelle Pryor andDeVier Posey (Ohio State) at 3:30 pm ET on ABC and ESPN3.com

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Owen Marecic and Chris Owusu (Stanford) vs. Shane Vereen (California) at 3:30 pm ET

·        Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Torrey Smith (Maryland) vs. Greg Reid (Florida State) at 8:00 pm ET on ABC

Follow Weekly Schedule on Twitter @hornungaward: Fans and media are encouraged to follow the official Twitter page of the Paul Hornung Award (@hornungaward) to get a weekly schedule of the games being played. Tweets are made between 30 and 60 minutes before kickoff, allowing fans a reminder of when games involving Paul Hornung Award candidates are being played.

John Mackey Tight End of the Week

Bethpage, N.Y. (November 17, 2010) - D.J. Williams of Arkansas was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Southeastern  conference senior recorded five receptions for 58 yards and tied a career high with two touchdowns as Arkansas routed UTEP, 58-21. Williams was also honored this week with the 2010 Disney Spirit Award given annually by Disney Sports to college football's most inspirational figure. Honorable mentions considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Ladarius Green of Louisiana and Rob Housler of Florida Atlantic. Both were involved in a great Tight End match up against each other in a game that saw both of these players lead their respective teams in receiving yards as Tight Ends...a rare feat.

The 2010 recipient of "The Mackey" will be announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show December 9, 2010 on ESPN. Please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org for all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download.

The John Mackey Tight End of the Week is an honor distinct and different from the annual John Mackey Award. This weekly honor was started in 2004 to draw attention to individual play by Tight Ends during the active season. The Tight End of the Week acknowledgment does not have a direct bearing on the final John Mackey Award selection process. The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.

The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org.

2010 John Mackey Tight Ends of the Week

Week 1 - Virgil Green, Nevada
Week 2 - Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
Week 3 - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
Week 4 - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
Week 5 - Collin Franklin, Iowa State
Week 6 - Michael Egnew, Missouri
Week 7 - Ben Thayer, Eastern Michigan
Week 8 - Mike Cruz, Pittsburgh
Week 9 - Orson Charles, Georgia
Week 10 - Lucas Reed, New Mexico
Week 11 - D.J. Williams, Arkansas

Around the League

To all the critics who thought Garrett who give Barber slack since he was a captain need to check out Marion Barber gets a dressing down | NFL | Latest news and video on the Dallas Cowboys and th... Let's give Garrett the whole season but everyone has to admit he is off to a good start.

Great title to this article "Cowboys have a coach with a clue at last" No offense Wade....lol

Tough break for San Fran and Joe Staley

Rick Morrissey checks in on the current state of the Bears

It appears McCoy is the future in Cleveland.

The press seem to like the man calling the offense in Tampa Bay.

See what happens when you let the kids run the teams..

Big chance for Tyler Thigpen this weekend...could lead to a serious look by a lot of teams.

If Philly sticks with Kevin will Vick push McNabb out of two cities...yeah their close that's right.

Fans don't always realize what's going on in a player's life...take John Abraham for example.

Hey Giants fans it's Hagan to the rescue...

Stock up Green Bay....stock down Minnesota.

With the first pick the Panthers select Jim Harbaugh and Andrew Luck.

It's got to be Frazier right?

The next QB for the Vikings (or maybe Arizona is)

Not a fair comparison well we at least know who's ego is smaller.

Missin' Suisham has landed.

2010 John Mackey Award Semi-Finalists Announced

Bethpage, N.Y. (November 15, 2010) - The Nassau County Sports Commission has announced eight semi-finalists for the 2010 John Mackey Award. Listed alphabetically, they are George Bryan (JR, North Carolina State), Michael Egnew (JR, Missouri), Ladarius Green (JR, Louisiana), Daniel Hardy (SR, Idaho), Lance Kendricks (SR, Wisconsin), Allen Reisner (SR, Iowa), Luke Stocker (SR, Tennessee) and D.J. Williams (SR, Arkansas).

The eight semi-finalists were determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The 2010 John Mackey Award finalists will be announced on Monday, November 22, 2010 at www.johnmackeyaward.org. The website also features all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download.

The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. For additional information, please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org or www.nassausports.org.

The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org.

2010 John Mackey Award Semi-Finalists

(alphabetical order)

George Bryan (JR, North Carolina State)

Michael Egnew (JR, Missouri)

Ladarius Green (JR, Louisiana)

Daniel Hardy (SR, Idaho)

Lance Kendricks (SR, Wisconsin)

Allen Reisner (SR, Iowa)

Luke Stocker (SR, Tennessee)

D.J. Williams (SR, Arkansas)


All-time John Mackey Award Recipients

2000 - Tim Stratton, Purdue

2001 - Dan Graham, Colorado

2002 - Dallas Clark, Iowa

2003 - Kellen Winslow II, Miami (FL)

2004 - Heath Miller, Virginia

2005 - Marcedes Lewis, UCLA

2006 - Matt Spaeth, Minnesota

2007 - Fred Davis, USC

2008 - Chase Coffman, Missouri

2009 - Aaron Hernandez, Florida

Five Named Weekly Honorees by Paul Hornung Award

Four All-Purpose Leaders, Two-Way Star Lead List Of Honorees

LOUISVILLE, KY (Nov. 15, 2010) - Four standouts on offense and special teams and a two-way star have been selected as "Paul Hornung's Most Versatile Performances of the Week" it was announced Monday by Paul Hornung and the Louisville Sports Commission.

T.Y. Hilton (Florida International), Pat Shed (UAB), Jon Williams (East Carolina) and Randall Cobb (Kentucky) each totaled more than 260 all-purpose yards and scored TDs in Week 11, placing them among the top 27 individual all-purpose performances of the 2010 season. The quartet was joined by Cardinal ironman Owen Marecic, who played 92 plays for Stanford, scored twice on offense and broke up a pass late in the game to help preserve the BCS 6th ranked Standord's tough win at Arizona State.

The weekly selections highlight elite performances from the previous week in college football that display the same versatility on the field as the legendary Paul Hornung.

Week 11 Honorees:

· Stanford's Owen Marecic made key contributions as a starter on both sides of the ball. He had four carries for four yards and two powerful touchdowns in short distance situations and caught a ten-yard pass from his fullback position in a 17-13 win over Arizona State in Tempe. As the starting LB, Marecic added three tackles and deflected a pass late in the game that led to Stanford getting the ball to run out the clock. Ironman Marecic was in on 92 snaps in the game: 47 on offense and 45 on defense.

· Florida International's T.Y. Hilton had six carries for 166 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-35 win at Troy. These runs included touchdown runs of 80 and 61 yards, in addition to his two catches for 75 yards. Hilton also had one kick return for 28 yards in the win. He finished with 261 all-purpose yards.

· Kentucky's Randall Cobb had 279 all-purpose yards in a 38-20 win over Vanderbilt in Lexington. He had 10 carries for 170 yards with two touchdowns, three catches for 56 yards, five punt returns for 19 yards and a 34-yard kick return. He also held on a field goal and five extra point attempts.

· UAB'S Pat Shed had 18 carries for 81 yards, nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown and seven kick returns for 144 yards in a 54-42 loss to East Carolina. He finished with 309 all-purpose yards.

· East Carolina's Jon Williams had 14 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown and four kick returns for 94 yards in a 54-42 win over UAB in Birmingham. He finished with 291 all-purpose yards.

A weekly, up-to-date rundown of the individual accomplishments of each player on the Watch List can be found on the official website of the Paul Hornung Award at www.paulhornungaward.com

Weekly Honorees

Week 11: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), T.Y. Hilton (Florida International), Owen Marecic (Stanford), Pat Shed (UAB) and Jon Williams (East Carolina)

Week Ten: T.Y. Hilton (Florida International), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa) and Chris Owusu (Stanford).

Week Nine: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Dwayne Harris (East Carolina), Damaris Johnson (Tulsa), Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State) and Demond Washington (Auburn) .

Week Eight: Andre Ellington (Clemson), Owen Marecic (Stanford), Niles Paul (Nebraska), Trent Richardson (Alabama) and Pat Shed (UAB).

Week Seven: David Gilreath (Wisconsin), Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), Tandon Doss (Indiana) and Trent Richardson (Alabama).

Week Six: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Mohammed Sanu (Rutgers), Greg Reid (Florida State) and Shaky Smithson (Utah).
Week Five: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Denard Robinson (Michigan) and Tandon Doss (Indiana).

Week Four: Owen Marecic (Stanford), Jeremy Kerley (TCU), Trent Richardson (Alabama), Terrell Pryor (Ohio State), Trey Burton (Florida), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), DJ Woods (Cincinnati) and Titus Young (Boise State).

Week Three: Jeremy Kerley (TCU), James Rodgers (Oregon State), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Trent Richardson (Alabama) and Torrey Smith (Maryland).

Week Two: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Denard Robinson (Michigan), Jeffery Demps (Florida), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), Joe Lefeged (Rutgers), Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers), Kenjon Barner (Oregon), Owen Marecic (Stanford), Keshawn Martin (Michigan State).

Week One: Dwayne Harris (East Carolina), Brandon Bing (Rutgers), Demaris Johnson (Tulsa), Austin Pettis (Boise State), Kenjon Barner (Oregon), Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Patrick Peterson (LSU), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) and Jeremy Kerley (TCU).


Paul Hornung Award

Created by the Louisville Sports Commission, the Paul Hornung Award is designed to recognize versatile, high-level performers in major college football and help preserve the legacy of one of Kentucky's best known athletes. A panel of experts will select the inaugural winner in early January 2011; the votes will be tabulated by Dean Dorton Allen Ford. The winner will be honored at the Paul Hornung Award Banquet presented by Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine January 25 at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville. Hornung is considered by many the best all-around player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks and played defensive back and was a multi-threat offensive back and prolific kicker in the pros. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring 1959-60-61, set the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points and was named League MVP following the 1961 season. Legendary Packers Coach Vince Lombardi called Hornung, "The most versatile man ever to play the game." Paul is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and resides in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. More information go to www.paulhornungaward.com.

Jimmy Johnson: Jason Garrett 'has prepared himself well' to be Dallas Cowboys coach - ESPN Dallas

As a Cowboys and Hurricanes fan it was great to read Jimmy Johnson: Jason Garrett 'has prepared himself well' to be Dallas Cowboys coach - ESPN Dallas . No better reference than Jimmy in my book.

What They're Saying about 400

Take a look at some of what they are saying about Joe's 400....State College, PA - Penn State Football: What They're Saying about 400

John Mackey -- Tight End of the Week

Lucas Reed of New Mexico Bethpage, N.Y. (November 10, 2010) - Lucas Reed of New Mexico was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The Mountain West conference sophomore recorded seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns as New Mexico won its first game of the 2010 season over Wyoming, 34-31. Reed's touchdowns were both meaningful in a game where he set a new career high in receptions and matched his career highs in both yardage and touchdown receptions.Honorable mentions considered for this week's Mackey Tight End of the Week include Cooper Helfet of Duke and Lee Smith of Marshall. The 2010 recipient of "The Mackey" will be announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show December 9, 2010 on ESPN. Please visit www.johnmackeyaward.org for all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download. The John Mackey Tight End of the Week is an honor distinct and different from the annual John Mackey Award. This weekly honor was started in 2004 to draw attention to individual play by Tight Ends during the active season. The Tight End of the Week acknowledgment does not have a direct bearing on the final John Mackey Award selection process. The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College, is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org. 2010 John Mackey Tight Ends of the Week Week 1 - Virgil Green, Nevada Week 2 - Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame Week 3 - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin Week 4 - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin Week 5 - Collin Franklin, Iowa State Week 6 - Michael Egnew, Missouri Week 7 - Ben Thayer, Eastern Michigan Week 8 - Mike Cruz, Pittsburgh Week 9 - Orson Charles, Georgia Week 10 - Lucas Reed, New Mexico