The 2009 Falcon Football Season Part I

Welcome to my first annual season preview for the Bowling Green State University Falcons. I've never done anything like this before so I hope it's ok and I hope my research has been done well enough to not make all of you think I am a complete moron. Part I is here today with the team outlook and the out of conference schedule. Part II will examine the MAC portion of the Falcons Schedule.

This season will be a season of changes for the Falcons. Bowling Green welcomes their new coach, Dave Clawson, to the nest. Last year, Clawson was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers and did not have a lot of success getting his offense implemented into the SEC. Before that though, he turned around the Div. I-AA Fordham team around and helped turn around the Richmond team that won the Div. I-AA Championship last year. Clawson brings discipline and work ethic that were missing during Greg Brandon's final couple seasons at BG.

On the offensive side of the ball, Bowling Green will return seven players, including starting Quarterback, Tyler Sheehan. Sheehan has been named to the Manning Award Watch list, along with 37 other Quarterbacks from around the nation. One thing that is a positive is that the Orange and Brown did not lose a single starter at the running back position. Chris Bullock and Willie Geter will be a good 1-2 punch for the Falcons, as long as they can hold on to the ball. As for the receivers that Sheehan will throw to, Freddie Barnes will have to step up and be a leader to a group that lost it's #1 receiver in Corey Partridge. Tyrone Pronty will be the guy to watch this year in my opinion. He showed some flashes of brilliance last year and will hopefully be able to continue growing and maturing his game. Senior Tight End Jimmy Scheidler should be able to help open up the Falcon offense as well as he declared himself a legitimate threat scoring seven Touchdowns a year ago.

Defensively, the Falcons will have a ton of work to do as they lost each of their four starters on the front line. Defensive End Angelo Magnone is going to be the guy to watch down in the trenches this year. In his playing time last season, Magnone made 27 total tackles, 2 of which went for a loss. The secondary is loaded with experience as Senior Safties P.J. Mahone and Jahmal Brown come back for a defensive backfield which was one of the best in the MAC. Mahone and Brown were 1st and 3rd, respectively, on the team in tackles with 95 and 83 tackles. Mahone had three interceptions last year and started all 12 games. Jerett Sanderson and Cody Basler will be the leaders of the linebacker core and will have to play great ball to help out a fairly inexperienced line.

Nick Iovinelli will return for his third and final season as the Falcons punter. Last year, Iovinelli averaged just over 40 yards per punt with 12 landing inside the 20 and seven going 50 or more yards. A true freshman will be the team's place kicker, Jerry Phillips.

Now, for the schedule, and boy is it a doozy! All of the Falcons out of conference games will be pretty tough as they host Troy and Boise State and travel to Missouri and Marshall. When the Falcons open the season against the Trojans on September 3rd, it will be the first ever meeting between the two schools. This will be a good first test for the Falcons. They will come out with a LOT of emotion but will have to make sure to not let too much emotion get to them. Troy is a very good team but I see the Falcons starting off the Dave Clawson era with a big "W." - 1-0

Next, a trip to Missouri to face the Tigers, a team the Falcons have beat three out of the four times they've played them. With a tough road crowd though, and a Missouri team that will come out feeling like they have something to prove, I don't know if the Falcons will be able to start 2-0. I'm going to have to predict a close, hard fought game but an "L" in the standings. - 1-1

One more road game before coming back home. Marshall, the former member of the MAC gets a visit from their old foe, Bowling Green. All time, BG has taken Marshall down 20 times and only lost seven times. I see this trend continuing. The Brown and Orange love to beat down on the Thundering Herd and BG will want to come home strong for their last out of conference game. BG wins big on the road, establishing themselves as a team to keep your eyes on. - 2-1

Next, one of only two 2009 opponents who BG has a losing record against, all-time, Boise State. The Broncos have hosted the Falcons twice and laid the smack down both times. Boise wasn't supposed to make a trip to the Doyt this year but was a late addition to the schedule. Boise State has been a perennial BCS Buster but will be doing a little bit of rebuilding this year. Boise does have a very good young Quarterback but they don't have a clear #1 to run the ball. This game could really go either way but I honestly feel like the Broncos might be a bit too much for the Falcons to handle. - 2-2

Tune in tomorrow for Part II!

Quick Hits II

Browns Wide Receiver Donte Stallworth was suspended for the 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. It almost seemed like Stallworth was surprised by this news. Officially, he was suspended for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy and the substance abuse policy. Really? It's not for drunkenly killing a man? I would rather see them give this as the reason for the suspension.

The Browns will play their first pre-season game on Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers. We will finally get our first taste of the new-look Browns under new Head Coach, Eric Mangini. We'll also get a look at the battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, and see which QB has the best shot at being the starter this year. Although, who they will be throwing to seems to be the biggest question.

In other football news, Michael Vick has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. I honestly feel like this is a great move for Vick. He will be around one of the cleanest players in the NFL in Donovan McNabb. He will be a great mentor for Vick which is exactly what he needs. Now, he has two strong men, in Tony Dungy and McNabb, helping him through what could be the toughest part of his life, other than the two years he spent in Leavenworth.

The Indians dropped two of three to the Rangers this week. Aaron Laffey pitched a spectacular game in the opener but then the Indians fell apart. Omar Vizquel received a standing ovation in his first trip to the plate and rounds of applause each time he got a hit. What a great coach he would make for the Indians some day! The Tribe is off to Minnesota now for a weekend set with the Twins.

The Cavs have added injured Power Forward Leon Powe to their roster. The three year veteran, who is the same age as LeBron James, will not be ready to play ball until after the All-Star break this coming season, has signed a league minimum contract and will be the backup for LeBron if and when he is healthy. Basically, the Cavs were looking for some playoff insurance for their run at a championship next year.

The PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club teed off yesterday and Tiger Woods jumped out to the 18-hole lead with a First Round 67, 5-under par. Vijay Singh is one stroke back, but is already 16 holes through his second round. Padraig Harrington is also right there at 4-under par. He and Tiger teed off about three minutes ago, if everything is on schedule.

Lastly, the Lake Erie Crushers are holding on to their spot atop the Wild Card standings in the Frontier League and are still three games out of first place in their division. They just finished a series with Southern Illinois, taking two out of three from the Miners. Now, they travel to Evansville to play three games with the Otters. Evansville is the worst team in the Frontier League so this could be a good opportunity for the Crushers to gain a little ground on the Kings of Kalamazoo.

Fire Wedge. Fire Shapiro. Get a New Owner.

Tony Dungy: Michael Vick's Savior

Let me start this by saying that what Michael Vick did was completely heinous. Pitting dogs against one another in a fight to the death is completely and utterly reprehensible. With that said, everyone on this planet deserves a second chance. Vick served 23 months, combined, between Federal Prison and house arrest. Over that time he has had time to contemplate just what he did and how wrong it really was. He has given a public apology which, in my opinion, was clearly sincere. Now, he's free and a free agent. As many as five teams are reported to have interest in signing Michael Vick and, in my belief, the only reason is because of his personal advisor since being released from Prison and house arrest: Tony Dungy.

If Michael Vick really listens to Tony Dungy, turns himself around as much as he says he has and lives his life by the book the rest of the way, he will be fine. If he removes himself from the group of "friends" he has always been associated with, the same "friends" that were also linked to dog-fighting, he will be have a much better road ahead of him. But Dungy is the key to all of this. He is the key to Vick staying out of trouble.

Let's look at Tony Dungy's life. The man has been through a number of coaching jobs and turned the Indianapolis Colts into a perennial power. Dungy has six children with his wife, Lauren, one of which committed suicide in December of 2005. He is a devout Christian who has been a speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He once considered retirement to take up prison ministries. Since he did retire, after the 2008-09 season, he has stayed involved with football, doing radio shows and, at the request of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, serving as Vick's advisor.

Dungy is a soft-spoken man off the field and many would say that he is a ray of light in a dark world. Basically, he is everything Michael Vick wasn't before his legal troubles. If he can become one bit like Tony Dungy, his life will start going down the right path. Dungy has been so impressed by the changes Vick has made since he started working with him, he has actually recommended Vick to 12 different coaches as a player who might fit well into their system. With Vick's reinstatement to the league, he will be allowed to participate in all team activities and workouts except for games.

According to Dungy, Vick has really changed and realized his mistakes since he started working with him. What we will have to wait and see is how the members of the team that sign Vick react to being around him. He has to be ready for some looks and glares. But if he can get through that, make sure his future teammates know that he is there for the team and not just himself, he will make it. So, Michael, thank your lucky starts for Tony Dungy. He is your key. Remember that, and you'll do just fine.

Fire Wedge. Fire Shapiro. Get a New Owner.

Tiga, Tiga Woods Ya'll!

The man is a beast, a machine. (The course looks good, I feel good, I like my chances) Tiger Woods started Sunday 3 strokes behind Paddy Harrington and by the 3rd hole, they were tied. A few holes later, Tiger was 2 strokes ahead of Harrington. Padraig went Par-Par-Par-Par-Par and Tiger went Par-Eagle-Par-Birdie-Birdie through the first 5 holes. The Irishman was doing everything he should have been doing with a 3-stroke lead, but he wasn't doing anything he should have been doing with a 3-stroke lead, over Tiger Woods, on a Sunday, at Firestone. Tiger owns that course. He has won seven tournaments at Firestone, the first player ever to win seven times on the same golf course. Ten percent of his career wins have come at the South Course in Akron.

That's right, Tiger won his 70th tournament yesterday. The man is only 33 years old and has won 70 tournaments. That is unheard of. Tiger is only the 3rd player to reach 70 career victories. The other two are Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus. Snead is the all-time leader with 82 wins and Nicklaus only holds a 3-victory lead on Woods now. I saw yesterday that Snead and Nicklaus didn't get to 70 until they were 40 or older. Tiger should easily take down Snead's record and has a great chance to be the only 100-Tournament Winner ever. He is a dominant force. It almost seems unfair. Woods has the greatest work ethic of any golfer out there. He is out there each weekend for one reason-- To win. He's also won 14 Major championships and should break the record of 18 in a year or two.

Then there are the Indians. They are, once again, building me up just to rip my heart out. They are playing so well right now. They've won 3 series in a row against Central Division opponents and have won something like 11 of their last 16. Who do they think they are? Why couldn't they do this when Cliff and Victor were still here? I know what they're going to do. They'll fight all the way back to .500, give us all hope for a competitive 2010 season and then under perform just like this year. It's a vicious circle this team is in. They are cutting payroll because Larry Dolan is going to lose 16 Million dollars this year. Maybe if he knew how to run a baseball team, he wouldn't be losing money.

The Crushers are leading the Wild Card standings in the Frontier League and are just 4 games out of first. No matter what Lake Erie does, the Kalamazoo Kings just keep holding on to first place. I really hope the Crushers hold on and make it to the playoffs. It's nice that at least one team in the area is performing well.

Eric Mangini is already putting the iron fist down, cutting Shaun Smith from the team after 2 years and 2 sacks. Mangini wasn't happy with the way Smith came into camp--out of shape and with a bad attitude. Coach Mangini will not put up with crap the way that Romeo did. He is going to run the guys when they screw up and applaud them when they do something well, but he will not be kissing their butts they way Romeo did. Crennel was such a pushover and it was reflected on the field. No more of that crap. I think this season will be successful one way or the other.

Fire Wedge. Fire Shapiro. Get a New Owner.

Michael "The Cry-Baby" Crabtree

Really Michael? You honestly think that you deserve more money at the #10 spot in the draft than Darrius Heyward-Bay just because Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay thought you would be drafted before him? You are ridiculous.

For those of you just tuning in, Michael Crabtree is threatening to sit out the entire 2009 NFL season and re-enter the 2010 draft if he doesn't get more guaranteed money than someone who was picked BEFORE him in the draft. And it is all because ESPN pundits predicted that Crabtree would go higher in the draft then he actually did. Wow. That is all I could really think to say when I first heard the news about this. I was, and still am, shocked and dumbfounded that this is even taking place. That would be like someone saying "GamerX scored 27 TD's with me in Madden last year. I want my money to reflect that!"

Let's look at it another way, Michael. Let's say you were projected to be drafted in the 6th or 7th slot but went as the Number 1 overall pick. You weren't projected to go first overall. The team is only going to offer you what your projected pick was. Do you see how this works, Michael? You get picked in a spot and you get your contract based on the ACTUAL PICK! Is ESPN going to have to put up a disclaimer every time "The Hair" and "The Idiot" debate where people will go in the draft? Warning: The picks guessed by these two men are not necessarily where the player will actually be picked. They are just guesses. Unbelievable.

Apparently, Crabtree is going on advice from his Adviser (cousin) and friends (people that want free money from him). You want my advice Mike? Quit listening to the knuckle-heads around you, sign the damn contract they offered you, get your ass to camp and make the millions of dollars I will never see. I work a full-time job AND a part-time job and will never come close to making $1 Million dollars in a year, let alone the $20 Million you're going to get guaranteed. Your car is going to be worth more than the house I will buy when I get married. Every teacher you ever had, who gave you the education you now have, combined, their salaries won't add up to what you will make in a year. AND YOU'VE NEVER EVEN PLAYED A DOWN OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL!

You are a spoiled athlete who thinks he deserves everything but has earned nothing. You made one, count it ONE, great play in college and you think you should be handed the world on a silver platter. I hope you do sit out this year. I hope you do nothing and the NFL world forgets all about you and you sit there on draft day next year and you hear pick, after pick, after pick, none of them calling your name. The 49ers are willing to give you money that will last you the rest of your life but instead, you want a few million more. You are basically spitting in their face and telling them the money they've offered you isn't good enough. I'll tell you one thing, you better really keep this hold out going because if you sign, and Mike Singletary gets a chance to have you on his practice field, he is going to chew you up, spit you out and stomp on your remains. I only wish I could have the chance to do the same.

Fire Wedge. Fire Shapiro. Get a new Owner.

So This is What it's Like...

...to be a Pirates fan. A season which is over before the All-Star Break, watching your favorite players get traded for prospects who will become your favorite players that get traded for prospects. It's a vicious cycle and I'm sick of being a part of it. The "New-Look" Indians were slaughtered by the club from the Twin Cities last night and never even looked like they had a chance. They were outplayed in every single aspect of the game. Somehow, that same team took two out of three from the Tigers over the weekend, but that steam seems to be gone now. Eric Wedge better find a way to keep this team's spirits up and get them to fight until the very end of this season. That will tell us all we need to know about next season.

The Crushers are a season-best 10 games over the .500 mark! They are just two games out of first place in the East Division of the Frontier League, Paul Fagan is leading the league in wins with 11 and is 7th in the league in ERA. As a team, Lake Erie leads the league in runs scored with 429 and is tied for 6th in team batting average. Most importantly for their Frontier League livelihood, they are in 4th place in overall attendance and are averaging just under 3,000 fans for each game. Things are looking good for the future of the Lake Erie Crushers!

This just in, Braylon Edwards has FINALLY been cleared to practice and has joined the team, on the field, in Berea. Woopty Doo. Also, Donte Stallworth-less is supposed to be meeting with Roger Goodell to discuss his idiocy. Is there really much to say? "Donte, you effed up royally. You'll be lucky if I ever let you in my league again." And unfortunately, Goodell's ruling will probably be fought by the player's union and will probably not be upheld. There is talk that the player's union is complaining about the amount of power Goodell is wielding. Here's how I feel: If you don't want to be punished, DON'T F--- UP!!! How hard is that? Be a good citizen. Avoid weed, strippers and guns. Don't drive drunk. Don't cheat on your wife. Basically, don't be dumb.

Bowling Green has started their practices too. I can't wait to get to the Doyt for the first game of the season against the Troy Trojans. Maybe my next post will be an evaluation of those men of Troy. BG's stadium should be rocking with their new head coach, plenty of returning starters, an emphasis on BOTH sides of the ball and dedication to excellence, on and off the field. I'm really excited about this football season. Before my Troy evaluation, I'll evaluate the Falcons. I am so ready for football season!!!

Fire Wedge. Fire Shapiro. Get a New Owner.

Stepping Closer to the Edge...

...and ready to jump. I could not be more upset with the way the Indians have dismantled this team in the last two weeks. First it was Betancourt which wasn't a big deal. We got a reliever for a reliever, and a much younger one. Not a bad move. Then we shipped Ryan Garko off to San Francisco for a Single-A left handed pitcher, simply because Eric Wedge doesn't like the guy. Later, Cliff Lee and, another "Not-Eric-Wedge-Guy," Ben Francisco, get shipped to Philly for four prospects, not including the one guy the Indians really wanted. Last, and most infuriating, a proven leader on the team, Victor Martinez gets his salary dumped (Call it what it is) to Boston for two minor-league pitchers and a reliever. Not included in the deal was Clay Bucholz, the one guy the Indians really wanted. Are you seeing a pattern here? Here is what I envision trade negotiations involving the Tribe as taking place...

Opposing GM - Ok, we really want (insert player here).
Mark Shapiro - For the right price, he can be yours.
Opposing GM - Well, what is the right price?
Mark Shapiro - We want (insert top prospect here)
Opposing GM - No.
Mark Shapiro - Alright, whatever you'll give us then.
Opposing GM - How about (insert crappy minor leaguer or crappy reliever here)
Mark Shapiro - You've got a deal.

Please, Mr. Shapiro, tell me I am wrong. Tell me these are the guys you really wanted. Lie to me like you lied to me last night on the news when you said you thought this team could contend next year. You are a sham and a mockery...a shamockery. You, Eric Wedge and Larry Dolan all need to be punched in the face. I have so much anger in my right now and it is all directed towards the Dolan family, Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge. I am so sick of waiting until next year. I'll be doing that until I die. I have accepted that I will probably not see an Indians World Series Title in my lifetime.

As for the Crushers, they are keeping their playoff dreams alive. They've lost their last two to Traverse City though. For whatever reason, they seem to have a tough time against the team from Northern Michigan. Today, the Kalamazoo Kings come back to Avon for another weekend series and a 3.5 game lead. This is a great opportunity for the Crushers to gain a ton of ground on the Kings. They took 2 out of 3 from them last weekend. Hopefully a sweep is in order this time around. Lake Erie is still in the playoff hunt, holding on to the final spot right now. Three wins would certainly help things though!

Browns camp opens up today and for the first time in, I think, 4 years all the rookies are in camp on Day 1. That is great news. We should see a pretty good position battle for the QB slot between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. I'm thinking about making the trip to Berea on August 9th. Chris Mortensen from ESPN will be visiting training camp that day so I just might make my first ever trip to the Browns practice facility in Berea.

The Cavaliers missed out on Hakim Warrick but I don't think it's that big of a deal. They've made offseason moves that will help them reach their ultimate destination...until they remember they are in Cleveland...and cursed. I'm the most excited I've been for the NBA season since Michael Jordan was a Bull.

And now, the new ending to my posts. It will be at the end of every one until the message I am sending actually happens. Think of it as a "To do" list.

Fire Wedge. Fire Shapiro. Get a new Owner.