Links and videos from recent happenings around the sporting world. If you come across good articles, videos, etc. – please pass them along, I’d love to take a look.
College Football:
Dr. Saturday provided a debriefing on the evolving Mountain West that will still be defined by clash of the titans and the MWC Forecast as the conference welcomes its new Bronco overlords. I can’t wait for Boise State’s new conference opponents especially TCU and Air Force but I’m also not so excited about The Mtn.’s TV broadcasts..
Georgia Tech had the privileged last week of being the most recent school to be punished by the NCAA. The Yellow Jackets must vacate the 2009 ACC Championship and are on probation for four years for failure to cooperate in an investigation. Whoops!
Marvin Bracy, regarded as the “fastest player in the country”, verbally committed to Florida State to play football and run track. I’m sure Jimbo Fisher can’t wait to get him on campus.
Surprise, surprise – former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel did an unacceptable job reporting violations for years according to the school. This can’t bode well for the University and athletic director Gene Smith.
As things continue to snowball in Columbus, Brady Hoke is off to a strong start at Michigan with a solid recruiting class and some offseason momentum.
Arizona got a big boost on Tuesday when it was announced that wide receiver Juron Criner is good to go for the 2011 season after his status was up in the air last month.
Boise State vs Georgia on Sept. 3rd is a defining game of the 2011 season according to Dr. Saturday (of course I agree) – Boise’s dream season at stake but Georgia has more to lose. I can’t wait for this game – if you aren’t getting excited yet perhaps this video will help:
(HT BSU Bronco Nation)
Former Colorado Buffalo quarterback Cody Hawkins and Team USA earned gold at the IFAF Senior World Championship in Austria. (I hope to have more on this in the next few weeks – we’ll see)
Mr. College Football (Tony Barnhart) says the NCAA isn’t playing nice anymore and suggests some new rules of the road. In light of all the investigations and sanctions around the country Barnhart nails it.
TCU fans – or MWC fans – looking for loads of Horned Frogs information need to look no longer – here’s the 2011 TCU Factbook/Media Guide. (HT Mountain West Connection)
The 2011 Elite 11 competition is underway this week in Malibu, California – here are the top 11 performers from Day 1 and top 11 performers form Day 2 (according to 247 Sports). Eagle High’s Tanner Mangum earned the Golden Gun Accuracy jersey through both days of the competition so far – not too shabby for a kid from Idaho. Boise State commit Nick Patti has apparently also been impressive despite being the shortest quarterback at the competition.
Former Florida coach Urban Meyer interviewed Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore about his leadership traits, coaching and more.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have provided much-needed data and system for rating sports equipment - this is pretty long (I didn’t read it all) but good and interesting information about the Virginia Tech helmet study.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall says corruption in college football can be attributed to the money made by coaches in the SEC. I’m not sure the issue is black and white but I do think Mendenhall makes a good point.
Auburn doesn’t seem to be out of the woods yet with the possible pay-for-play scandal involving Cam Newton – the NCAA was in Montgomery in late June still investigating the issue.
Mr. College Football has five burning questions as SEC media days get underway today in Alabama.
Last week, SportsbyBrooks reported that Bruce Feldman was suspended indefinitely by ESPN for his role in writing Mike Leach’s book “Swing Your Sword” setting off a firestorm on Twitter. Feldman is regarded as one of the best and most professional college football writers in the country causing an uproar among college football fans and writers everywhere. Here are a few articles about the saga as it has continued to unfold:
- New Leach book lands Feldman on suspension, and ESPN in media crosshairs – Dr. Saturday
- Leach: Feldman had ESPN approval for his book – SportsbyBrooks
- Dan Patrick: Why isn’t Craig James suspended too? – SportsGrid
- Feldman Update: ESPN plays dumb, Twitter declares victory, everyone goes home confused – Dr Saturday
- ESPN threatened Feldman’s career at company – SportsbyBrooks
- Bruce Feldman saga at ESPN marked by bad decisions – Poynter Review Project
- Some thoughts on Poynter and Bruce Feldman – SI Media Critic Richard Deitsch
Surfing:
Cloudbreak and Restaurants in Fiji produced some epic conditions last week attracting an all-star cast of Kelly, Bruce, Healey, Wassel, and others. Healey tweeted that it was the best two days of surf he has ever seen in Fiji after catching this bomb. Here are more photos from Surfline and a nice recap of the bomb of the day on the swell of the year at all-time Cloudbreak from ESPN. (you probably want to click some of those links – the waves and surfing are incredible). I originally had this video embedded on here but it was taken off Vimeo so here’s the link – Cloudbreak Goes OFF (I’ll try to get this embedded later).
Tahitian locals scored flawless Teahupoo caverns - I have to think this is from the same swell that produced those epic waves at Cloudbreak. Anyway, checkout the video to see much heavier bombs from a different part of Tahiti.
SURFER Magazine has five things you never knew about the Hobgoods from the Hobgoods – Damien according to CJ and CJ according to Damien.
If you need a new wallpaper, SURFER Magazine has you covered with pictures of the world’s best surfers from all around the globe.
Soccer:
Despite dominating much of the Women’s World Cup Final against Japan, the United States will rue its missed opportunities. If you watched the Final I’m sure you agree – the U.S. Women had countless chances in the first half but were unable to make them count.
Here are some great photos from the Women’s World Cup from The Big Picture (boston.com). And lastly, here are seven realizations from the Women’s World Cup to put a cap on a surprisingly exciting tournament.
Former United States national team player Eric Wynalda told current U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley to “shut the f*** up” in a pre-interview exchange raising questions about Bradley’s temper. I think Bradley holds his own in the midfield, I like his work rate and don’t have a huge issue with him being in the squad but it is an interesting dynamic with his dad being the head coach. (HT Allen Hopkins)
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott wants a chance to move in from the wing to central striker like former Gunner Thierry Henry. Having watched many of Arsenal’s games over the last couple seasons I’m not sure Walcott has the finishing ability to play the central striker role.
Photo via zimbio.com
Speaking of Arsenal, the club is giving Barcelona ten days to sign Cesc Fabgregas. As an Arsneal supporter I like this strategy – either unload Cesc and find a suitable replacement in-time for the season or tell Barca to screw-off.
Guardian.co.uk’s Jamie Jackson says the best way forward for Fabregas may mean staying at Arsenal unless he’s ready to be a squad player at Barcelona -I’ve been thinking the same thing since last summer’s transfer rumors. Unless Guardiola changes his formation, I don’t see Cesc taking Xavi or Iniesta’s spot in the midfield.
National Hockey League:
Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane had surgery to repair a fractured left wrist on Tuesday. The good news for hockey fans is that he’s is expected to fully recover in 6-8 weeks.
Former Avalanche legend Joe Sakic made a $1 million hole-in-one at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe on Sunday (here’s video). Having seen countless goals from Super Joe, I’m not too surprised.
New York Islanders prospect Ryan Strome scored a pretty sick shootout goal at the Islander’s rookie camp last weekend (Heads up – the sound is pretty loud on the video):
Any good articles or videos I missed? Happy Humpday Everyone!
