The Newest Niner

The 49ers have hired Mike Martz to be their new offensive coordinator. Expect to hear complaints about the San Francisco rushing game in about 9.25 months.

"Buy it now...the 'RATED' version!"

You know, there is such a big deal for advertising the "Unrated" version of a movie when it first gets released. There has to be a way or better yet, a market that would actually appreciate a RATED version of a movie. For instance, Mandy and I were watching "The Thomas Crown Affair" on TV on Saturday. I'd love to own the movie, but there is just wayyyyyy to much Rene Russo in the movie, if you catch my drift. So, I'd like someone to make a "rated" version of the movie so I could buy it. I'm not asking we get too tedious and cut out all swearing when making it "rated," but come on, is it that hard to take out the unnecessary nudity? I just think there would have to be a market for it out there. There has to be a decent size audience that doesn't want to see nudity. I'd buy it. Anyone want to go into business? Wait, we need money to start. Crap.

In other news, why is the June Jones coaching situation such a big deal? It's Hawaii. And it's not like he's going to a Pac-10 or Big 12 school. It's SMU. Quick, tell me what SMU stands for...waiting...waiting...that's what I thought. When I kept hearing about all the rumors, I thought for sure they were talking about some other school, not SMU. All that pub...for SMU? We're making a big deal out of SMU? Okay, I won't keep you in suspence any longer: Southern Methodist University.

Clemens on 60 "softball questions"...I mean Minutes

Okay, someone has to bring this up. I have a take because I watched a little of it last night. I just wanted to get a thread going for now and post something later.

Interesting

Could Shia Lebouf be the hero in new Indiana Jones movies after Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? It's not even a rumor yet, but... fascinating.

Question

Is Del Rio's decision to axe Byron Leftwich now completely justified since David Garrard's ability to scramble just won the Jaguars a playoff game?

Hey, Ump.

Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin isn't really Taye Diggs, he's Omar Epps.

Mike Tomlin:

Omar Epps:

See?

Everybody Loves Hypnotoad

The New Champion

Belated congratulations to Ump for winning the 2007 Cass City Monkie Fantasy Football Championship, and also to Kid Loe and Big Daddy for coming in second and third, respectively. It should be noted that after years of being dominated by the same two people, the league has been won by two new champions the past two years. The current championship totals look like this:

Two Titles
Barrigar (2003, 2004)
Stack (2002, 2005)

One Title
Fritz (2006)
Haag (2007)

The coolest thing I've read all week...

...from Tony Dungy's book, Quiet Strength:

Although my dad always considered the University of Michigan his alma mater, those three years at Michigan State-- while my mom and dad earned their advanced degrees-- had a dramatic impact on me. We were there from 163 to 4966, and while I vividly remember looking at microscope slides with my dad, I remember being just as enthralled by Duffy Daugherty's Spartan football teams. Those Michigan State teams ultimately altered the trajectory of my life in an unexpected way.

MSU football is partly responsible for Tony Dungy's career in football. How cool is that?

FF Top Scorers '07

Here are the top scorers from the fantasy football league. This will be updated weekly. * denotes current record holder for the year. All-time is based on '04 on, which I have records for. The scoring was changed for the '05 season to include points for receptions, and then in '07 to reduce points per yard for the QB. The highest team score in '04 was The Living Legend (Bader) with 206.95 pts. The highest team score from '05-'06 was Battletoads (Stack, '06) with 232.40 pts. See the '05 data here and the '06 data here.

Week 1
Top Player: Tony Romo, 46.35 pts
Top Team: Red Raider, 131.75 pts

Week 2
Top Player: Carson Palmer, 53.05 pts
Top Team: Killer Parrotts, 179.65 pts*

Week 3
Top Player: Ronnie Brown and Kevin Curtis, 42.30 pts
Top Team: Red Raider, 145.75 pts

Week 4
Top Player: Tony Romo, 41.35 pts
Top Team: Slumpbusters, 115.80 pts

Week 5
Top Player: Tom Brady, 31.25 pts
Top Team: Slumpbusters, 139.60 pts

Week 6
Top Player: Adrian Peterson, 48.50 pts
Top Team: CLG IGFG ILMC, 133.75 pts

Week 7
Top Player: Tom Brady, 53.70 pts*
Top Team: CLG IGFG ILMC, 138.50 pts

Week 8
Top Player: Tom Brady, 44.70 pts
Top Team: Watered down scorein, 126.60 pts

Week 9
Top Player: Adrian Peterson, 47.70 pts
Top Team: Red Raider, 163.70 pts

Week 10
Top Player: Donovan McNabb, 38.25 pts
Top Team: what u eat 4 brekfst, 140.00 pts

Week 11
Top Player: Tom Brady, 49.55 pts
Top Team: New Record?, 134.05 pts

Week 12
Top Player: Drew Brees, 35.80 pts
Top Team: Red Raider, 142.95 pts

Week 13
Top Player: Tony Romo, 37.25 pts
Top Team: Michael Vick's Dogs, 121.50 pts

Playoffs
Week 14
Top Player: Tom Brady, 44.35 pts
Top Team: what u eat 4 brekfst, 162.15 pts

Week 15
Top Player: Darren Sproles, 27.70 pts
Top Team: what u eat 4 brekfst, 106.70 pts

Week 16
Top Player: Kurt Warner, 36.45 pts
Top Team: CLG IGFG ILMC, 125.85 pts

All-Time
Top Player: Peyton Manning, 75.20 pts ('04)
Top Team: Battletoads (Stack, '06), 232.40 pts

I don't...

...like this one bit. I need something to look forward to next season, and losing another star WR wouldn't help at all.

Red?

I don't follow Kansas in anything, but isn't it kind of weird for them to be wearing red jerseys? When I think Kansas, I think blue. Isn't it kind of like MSU showing up in silver, or UM in yel... er, maize jerseys? Something you just don't do, especially in a BCS game?

Book Review

I've been reading "The Renewed Mind" by Larry Christensen that was loaned to me by Adam and just when I thought I found my favorite chapter, I keep reading and it get's replaced. Looking forward to the other half of the book. Lots to digest and unpack.

"I'm out -- that's it."

Mike Martz is done as offensive coordinator of the Lions. The offensive line coach has reportedly been promoted to his position. The secret to success with the Lions? Be bad at your job and you're sure to move up.

It's Beautiful (Once You're Out Here)

Everybody Loves...Lloyd

You know, it just hit me. I think everyone outside of Michigan must have loved Lloyd Carr. Here is what I'm getting at. As I watched the second half of the Georgia rout on Hawaii (thanks for coming), Mark Richt was going for it on 4th and 5 inside the 10 yard line winning 41-10 with his second string in the game. Oh, and it was a pass play on 4th and 5. I was furious. Game's over. What's the point? Are you that big of a jerk? I really am a Mark Richt fan. I believe he's a strong Christian and I read a good article about him a few days ago on ESPN.com and some of his coaching/motivational techniques. So, it surprised me with his play calling in the 4th quarter winning by 4 TD's. If I wouldn't have had a little biography lesson on Mark Richt, I would hate him. That's when I realized he's the complete opposite of Lloyd Carr.

When Carr had a big lead, he freakin' SHUT IT DOWN. It was up the middle, up the middle, up the middle, punt. Forget putting the hammer down. This was every game when Michigan was winning in the 4th quarter and a first down would nail the coffin shut. Forget putting the pedal to the metal and closing up the game. If the game was still in reach for the other team, meaning they still had a chance to win if they could get the ball back, then Lloyd did everything he could to run 1 minute off the clock and give the team a second chance. And it happened again today against Florida. I don't think they gained 1 yard of offense after Florida failed on the 4th and 6 pass play with 2:30 remaining. Michigan gets the ball back (inside the 30 yd line), runs 3 plays, burns 30 seconds of clock, forces 3 Florida timeouts, and then kicks a FG. Florida still gets the ball back only down 6 points and plenty of time. Who wouldn't love that scenario all the time? How could a fan of Michigan's opponent hate Lloyd Carr? He helps the other team! What's not to like about that?

Congrats to the UM Seniors for finally winning a bowl game. I don't think they would want to end their careers 0-8 against Ohio State and Bowl games.
Then there's this: Record vs Michigan State: 4-0

So what is the Big Ten bowl record now? 3-3 with OSU still to play? Not too shabby I guess.

Hold Up!

Hey everyone, let's just cancel the national championship game and give the trophy to USC. After all, according to all the commentators they're the ones who really deserve it. I mean, I suppose they could be slurping the Trojans a little more in this game, maybe if Lisa Salters proposed to Booty on the sideline. Come on guys, at least try and act professional.

Pontiac Game Changing Performance

Since this has been advertised constantly, I thought I'd throw out a link. You can vote for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance here. If you're a Michigan fan, you'll probably want to go vote to offset the legions that are voting for Appalachian State.

What's the Problem?

Rob Parker of the Detroit News says the Lions should get rid of QB Jon Kitna and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. I'm sure the bandwagon is filling up fast, but I've got one question: Why?

Kitna hasn't been great this season, but where are the Lions going to go? I'm a big fan of Drew Stanton, but he's barely had a chance to play because of his injury I doubt he's ready to lead an NFL team in the next year. Depending on the draft isn't going to fix anything quickly and there won't be much in the way of solid free agent QBs available. So what to do? Maybe they should try and fix the offensive line. During the game last weekend a stat flashed up that said the Lions' tackles both were in the top 5 for sacks allowed. Kitna played that game like a man who didn't trust his offensive line. Why should we think a new QB would magically fix this problem?

As for Martz, he is who we thought he was. When given a team with a poor offensive line and RBs that were often injured, he didn't run the ball. Sure, Martz's aversion to running the ball borders on ridiculous, and certainly didn't help the offense since opposing defenses knew what was coming, but everyone knew what they were getting when they hired him. Maybe replacing Martz is the right thing to do, but let's not pretend this team lost when it did because of a few bad play calls.

Happy New Year!