Firings Aside, Plenty of Job Security in the Big Ten

Well, we’re coming off a rough day in the Big Ten, as Illinois’ Bruce Weber and Nebraska’s Doc Sadler were put on the chopping block after disappointing seasons.

I can understand why Weber was fired. After nine seasons, the Fighting Illini seemed to have backward momentum, and were underachieving to an extreme degree. How a team with a NBA-caliber point guard in Brandon Paul, an elite big man in Meyers Leonard and a useful glue guy in Joseph Bertrand could lose that many games is a mystery to me. This might be the most disappointing team in the Big Ten, and their hasty Big Ten Tournament exit against Iowa certainly didn’t help matters. That being said, this is an unfortunate firing in the sense that Weber had grown really close to top recruit Jabari Parker. His firing could jeopardize Illinois’ chances at landing him. Indeed, his family said as much, which is a shame considering that Parker is the No. 1 ranked small forward in the class of 2013, and is easily the most talented of five Chicago natives that Weber was targeting. As crazy as it sounds, I have to wonder if Weber could be bound for Evanston. While I believe Carmody should remain Northwestern’s coach, if he is fired, Weber could be an intriguing fit. He has shown a knack for recruiting in the city of Chicago, and you can just imagine the fuss is Weber somehow brought Parker to Evanston. I literally would think I was in Heaven already.

Meanwhile, I really don’t understand Doc Sadler’s firing. Listen, there’s no doubt Nebraska struggled this year, but don’t forget that this was the Cornhuskers’ first year in the Big Ten, and the jump from the Big XII to the Big Ten is not an easy one to make, whether it’s the jump in skill level or simply game-planning for 11 new conference foes. And then you take into consideration that Nebraska puts such minimal money into its basketball program, the lowest such figure in the Big Ten as one fan pointed out in a full-page newspaper advertisement, and it’s no wonder this team struggled. I mean this team’s only real star was Bo Spencer, and I hesitate to call him even that. Sadler should have been given another chance.

As for the hot stove rankings, with 10 coaches left, I give you my spin on who’s safe and who’s in hot water:

Untouchables

Bo Ryan, Wisconsin – Unbelievable, Jon Leuer departs for the NBA, and the Badgers come back as good as ever. Their defense remains one of the best in the Big Ten, and with Sam Dekker coming in, fans in Madison have plenty to be excited about.

Tom Izzo, Michigan State – Obviously, the Big Ten Coach of the Year doesn’t have much to worry about in terms of job security, but the job he did this season deserves further praise. This Spartans team lacks stars with the exception of Draymond Green, but Izzo once again fit all of the pieces together into something beautiful.

Thad Matta, Ohio State – Is it a little disappointing that the Buckeyes have had so little success in the NCAA Tournament? Yes, but that doesn’t take away from Matta’s immense skills as a recruiter. It will be very fun watching a talented Class of 2011, featuring four four-star recruits, contribute on the court.

Hero Mode

Matt Painter, Purdue – One of the most underrated coaches in the Big Ten, Painter eked every bit of possible effort out of this Boilermakers team, coaxing a limited team (Hummel and who else?) to a late-season run. Yes, despite the losses of E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, Purdue is still destined for the NCAA Tournament. And now he has the 16th-ranked freshman class coming in, a shockingly good haul considering West Lafayette’s limits as a basketball town.

Fran McCaffery, Iowa – His Hawkeyes team was feisty in 2011, finishing close to .500 in Big Ten play, and pulling off a nice victory over the Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Tournament. His team seemed to overachieve, riding several role players to surprising victories. The Hawkeyes’ 24th-ranked incoming freshman class doesn’t hurt either. He definitely has this program heading in the right direction.

Tom Crean, Indiana – He brought in Cody Zeller and he has Yogi Ferrell coming in next year. He has a recruiting lock on the state of Indiana, and is reaping heavy rewards from the rich soil of the Hoosier State. He has made Hoosiers basketball relevant again, and their NCAA Tournament berth alone should keep fans in Bloomington happy for a while.

John Bellein, Michigan – The Wolverines tend to do well in the fundamental aspects of the game under Bellein, and have become a perennial top contender in the Big Ten. Add in the freshman of the year, and the 11th-ranked incoming recruiting class, and you get the feeling that Bellein will be in Ann Arbor for a long time to come.

Dicey Mode

Tubby Smith, Minnesota – The Golden Gophers put forth a really chippy effort in the Big Ten Tournament, and it’s unlikely Tubby Smith will get fired after a season that was compromised by Trevor Mbakwe’s season-ending injury. Still, Minnesota hasn’t gone anywhere in a while, and there’s no doubt things haven’t turned out as planned in Minneapolis.

Bill Carmody, Northwestern – A strong run in the NIT would help make his case for steady progress within the program, but even without a few NIT wins, he should be fine for a little while longer. Athletic director Jim Phillips tends to be quite patient with coaches, and from a historical perspective, Carmody is doing things that have never been done in Evanston. Now, if only he could recruit post players.

Too Early to Judge

Patrick Chambers, Penn State – He had one year and it didn’t go very well. But he deserves time to try to build his own program. Brandon Austin, the No. 13 small forward in the Class of 2013, is looking like a big recruit, and if he can tap into the Philadelphia metropolitan area, that could be a huge break. That being said, he needs to learn not to chase referees across the court. Murder usually doesn’t look good on a resume.

In Other News

Meanwhile, someone in the Redskins’ front office made a decision that ought to get him or her fired, trading away three first-round picks and one second-round pick for the No. 2 selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, or in other words, the right to select Robert Griffin III. Listen, I know that we were all awed and charmed by Griffin’s press conference at the Combine, and I know that he will sell a lot of tickets at FedEx Field, but is it really worth it?

No doubt Robert Griffin III is good. He’s been tossing touchdowns in the pass-happy Big XII for a long time, and with his mobility, he’s the type of quarterback that doesn’t need a strong offensive line to make him look good, which is a happy coincidence given that most of the teams that own top draft picks lack strong offensive lines. It’s how they got there in the first place. So, Griffin III can step in right away into a bad situation and win some ballgames. But, at the same time, Griffin’s 2011 numbers were a little bit out of nowhere, he did play in an unorthodox offensive system and it sometimes seems like any quarterback can toss 30 touchdown passes in the aerial launching ground that is the Big XII. Could he put those type of numbers up in the Big Ten, or more importantly, in the NFL? I’m not so sure.

Perhaps the thinking is that he has the mobility of a John Elway, who Mike Shanahan did well with in Denver, but still as good as Griffin III is, three first-round picks? When you consider that every first-round pick has the potential to be a franchise-changer, that’s a lot to give away. St. Louis could completely remake its defense with those three picks. This year, the Rams will have the No. 6, No. 33 and No. 39 picks, and then they should have two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts. I’m practically salivating thinking of what St. Louis could do with its three picks in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. The Rams could pick up Matt Kalil or David DeCastro to shore up their offensive line, then pick up Alshon Jeffery to give Sam Bradford someone to throw to and finally pick up Jerel Worthy to stuff the run.

Whether or not that’s the best approach, I have no idea, but the point is they can now address multiple weaknesses through the 2012 NFL Draft. The way I just outlined would help fix the line, receiving corps and run defense in one fell swoop. It’s the greatest new mind game for NFL fans to play in their free time: how the Rams should spend their first three picks, and it’s all courtesy of the Redskins. This isn’t just a vote of confidence in Sam Bradford by St. Louis, it’s also quite simply a very smart move. Meanwhile, I can’t really blame Washington. When you consider how long the Redskins have gone without an elite quarterback, you can see why they made this desperate move.

Colts Finally Shut The Door On The Manning Era

Have you ever left a room, tried closing the door, only to watch the door remain slightly ajar? That’s what the Indianapolis Colts did this off-season. A losing record, the firing of the brain trust, the dismissal of coach Caldwell and speculation about the retirement of veterans like Jeff Saturday had already brought a decade-long run to a near end.

On Tuesday, the Colts slammed the door shut, releasing Peyton Manning, and putting an end to an era that made the RCA Dome one of the most feared venues in football. It’s easy to get all misty-eyed about the departure of Manning, and indeed, it is a sad thing when that one player who has worn that one uniform for so long leaves to put on another, but the era had already come to an end. With different personnel on the sideline, Reggie Wayne and Jeff Saturday also potentially on their way out of Indianapolis and a 2-14 record destroying any semblance of the old Colts mystique, a decade of dominance had already come to an end. This was simply a painless way to cut Manning loose and put an official end to a decade of really good football.

On one hand, we’re left to wonder why the Colts couldn’t let Manning stay on for one more year? Why not have Andrew Luck study under one of the greatest quarterbacks that ever lived? Doesn’t sound like a half-bad plan to me. Return Saturday and Wayne for one last campaign, and perhaps have that storybook ending that we were all so tragically denied. Imagine how wonderful an Indianapolis playoff run would have been in 2012 with Manning under center. But even then, the split would have had to come eventually. Who knows how long Manning wants to remain in football? And I doubt that Andrew Luck dominated the Pac-12 just so he could sit on the bench at Lucas Oil Stadium for the next three years. In a sense, this day had to come. If not today, then tomorrow. If not this year, then next year. There’s only so much longer that Indianapolis could have pushed this off for. If they pushed it off another year, they would have had to pay Manning $28 million, so cutting him seems like a perfectly logical move to me. It’s amazing how people can forget that $28 million is a pretty big deal once sentimentality sweeps in.

So, we can shed a tear, but at the same time, we shouldn’t be surprised by this move. If it wasn’t time yet, the time was coming, and once the Colts decided to remove the Polians, it was time to remove Manning as well. It’s unfortunate to see a great hero walk away in this fashion. A Twitter-obsessed owner didn’t help maintain the dignity of the process, but regardless, off he goes. And as sad as this might be, Manning left us enough memories to last a lifetime, memories of 40-yard heaves downfield to Marvin Harrison, and zingers over the middle to an inexplicably wide-open Reggie Wayne streaking across the end zone. He left us memories of an offense that seemed to run so smoothly that it would never fade away, made the turf of the RCA Dome appear slick under the whir of his receivers’ feet and barked out instructions at the line in a way that we all imitated in our own backyards at one point or another. They were already distant memories by the time the 2010 season ended, perhaps they became memories as soon as offensive mastermind Tom Moore departed Indianapolis for greener pastures. Now, the memories can be etched in stone.

Because now, the awkward transition time is over. The present has officially become the past, and the Colts will move on. Luck will take his lumps, and as soon as the Colts lose their first few games, the cries will begin about how Indianapolis was overly hasty in giving Manning the boot. But Colts fans would be wise to give Luck time, and to let him grow at his own rate. Don’t forget that even the man with the golden arm tossed 28 interceptions during his rookie season. Meanwhile, Manning will find his new place. Indeed, he already has a firm place in NFL history. No matter how clumsily the Colts may have slammed the door.

Living On A Prayer

Northwestern 67 – Penn State 66

First of all, my apologies for not posting more of late. I’ve been really occupied this week with my work for Pro Football Weekly. We’ve been at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis all week, and between the 9-7 days at Lucas Oil Stadium and the long nights of writing at the Comfort Suites across the street, there hasn’t been much time to think about anything other than the NFL. But I figure as long as I’m on the blog tonight, speaking about Northwestern’s win over Penn State, I might as well make a few remarks about the Combine. I’ll try to say something more poetic later, but I should say that I was struck by the similarities between the young kids I was interviewing and myself. At this point, you might be rolling your eyes and smacking your forehead, but I’m serious. Sure, my 40 time would probably be greater than five seconds and my height and weight is more fitting for a career on the links, but beyond the obvious gap in athleticism, there are some serious similarities. Most of us are college seniors. We are all surrounded by the most elite members of our profession and we are all hoping to make a winning impression. In my case, I’m surrounded by some of the most talented sports journalists in the country, big shots like Chris Mortensen and Rachel Nichols, as well as lesser known print journalists, and I’m simply trying to prove I belong. And like the athletes, I’m simply honored to be at the Combine, as hard as I might have to work there, as stressful as it might be. Wisconsin punter Bradley Nortman probably said it best when he told a couple of us:

It’s a thrill, it really is, it’s once in a lifetime. So few get to be part of something this special, something this busy, something that has this much impact on their life, and you know everything about it, I’m just excited to be a part of and to be given an opportunity like this, I’m very blessed.

Back to the important things in life like Northwestern basketball, let me just start by saying that Bon Jovi’s timeless mantra has never seemed more fitting than tonight. Except instead of living on a prayer, it’s living on a call, as a whistle in the final seconds sent John Shurna to the free-throw line with a chance to tie or win the game. He drained both shots, providing the decisive margin in Northwestern’s 67-66 victory over Penn State.

First of all, no matter what Penn State coach Patrick Chambers might think, I believe that the referees absolutely made the right call. There’s little doubt in my mind that Shurna was fouled after he hoisted up his prayer of a jump shot, if not earlier when he received the entry pass. Replays showed fairly conclusively in my opinion that one of the two defenders hit Shurna on the arm. Right call or not, Chambers certainly embarrassed himself when he tried to chase the referees off the court. Thank God his assistant got in his way and held him back, because it seemed to me like he was about to do something that would bring great shame on Penn State. He had nothing to be so angry about. It was certainly a close call, and by no means, a blown call. If he was angry at anybody, his rage should have been directed toward his defender, who made the mistake of fouling Shurna on a very difficult jump shot attempt. As for Shurna, give him credit, not only for draining the free throws but for drawing the foul. Just snatching that entry pass away from the double-team was impressive, and then he had the presence of mind to realize that with the way the defenders were hounding him, a shot would likely result in a foul. I can’t say, of course, whether or not he was thinking that, but it certainly seemed like a smart play from my vantage point, and a brilliant way of working his way to the free-throw line. And then for a guy who has struggled on his free throws at times this season to swish the two biggest free throws of his life, well, it was impressive. Northwestern obviously needed this win, and now at 7-9, the Wildcats remain alive in the hunt for March Madness. My recipe remains clear. One win against Iowa or Ohio State and one win in the Big Ten Tournament should do it. Two regular-season wins or postseason wins would clinch it. And let’s face it, Northwestern fans are just grateful to be able to talk tournament hopes seriously after that scare in Happy Valley. We’re also happy to win at the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in a very long time. Two wins over the Nittany Lions this season should put an end to the hex that Penn State has had over us in recent years.

The end of the Northwestern-Penn State game was hardly pretty, but it wasn’t the ugliest ending of the day. I would have to give that award to North Carolina and Virginia. An excellent game turned pretty ugly in the second half with a myriad of missed shots, including two missed threes by the Cavaliers in the final minute. Virginia had multiple open chances from behind the arc, and was absolutely unable to hit the big shot. I’ll give credit to Tyler Zeller for his thunderous dunk in the last minute, but at the same time, let’s face it, a fairly mediocre shot fake somehow sent the defense stumbling. It was as much bad defense from the Cavaliers as good offense from the Tar Heels. North Carolina continues to look like something far less than a Dream Team at this point in the season.

Also, my question of the day, does St. John’s have a chance at the NCAA Tournament after defeating a ranked Notre Dame team at home? It doesn’t look like it right now, as the Red Storm are just 13-16 on the season and 6-10 in the Big East. But wait, there’s more. Their final two games are on the road, against Pittsburgh and Rutgers, and if they are able to defeat two of the conference’s cellar-dwellers, they will enter the Big East Tournament on a five-game winning streak. Go on a bit of a run in the tournament, which of course ends on St. John’s home court at Madison Square Garden, and the Red Storm could have a chance. Yes, it’s a remote chance, but it’s not entirely outside of the realm of possibility.

And speaking of tournament talk, how about the Purdue Boilermakers, one of the hottest teams in the country, after a decisive win at No. 13 Michigan. At 9-7 in the Big Ten, and just one bad loss on the season (a 20-point defeat at the hands of Penn State), the Boilermakers should be set for March Madness. Assuming a win over Penn State and a loss to Indiana, which seems logical, they would have a 10-8 record in Big Ten play, and would certainly have the edge over a team like Northwestern, with their two wins over the Wildcats. Those games suddenly look increasingly crucial. If the Wildcats are able to snag either of those two games, then they might get a bid over the Boilermakers.

When Melo Returns, Centers Dominate and Teams Overpay

It’s hard enough being a Northwestern basketball fan. It’s even harder watching other teams boast in spades what we haven’t been able to find in more than a decade: a quality post player. In a rare break from Big Ten coverage, I had the chance to check out highlights from Monday’s Kansas-Kansas State game, and the Jayhawks are fortunate to not only have a forward who averages a double-double but a center who blocks shots like it’s nobody’s business. We all know about Thomas Robinson, although I only realized today that he is easily averaging a double-double, with 18.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, but perhaps the world was not aware of Jeff Withey, who made his presence known with a nine-block performance against the Wildcats, the Wildcats of Kansas State that is. The seven-foot center has freakishly long arms, and also boasts impressive speed, which allows him to get to players on the fast break, sneak up behind them, and swat their shots against the glass. I couldn’t believe some of the shots he got to. And then for a rather meek looking kid, he fights hard down low, and even has the ability to tip shots in. Of course, I’m making my judgments from one set of highlights, and it’s doubtful that a kid like this could ever play more than a reserve role in the NBA, but still Withey and his 3.2 blocks per game and 6.3 rebounds per game are worth noting.

Also, the latest fuss out of the Big Apple is what will happen when Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony return to the starting lineup. Will brilliant babysitter Jeremy Lin be forced to turn his keys over to the established stars, and head back to the bench? Of course not, there’s always room for an electric scorer and unselfish passer like Lin in the Knicks’ starting lineup. He seems perfectly content to feed Anthony and Stoudemire all day if necessary, and this will make it harder for teams to crack down on the so-called Linsanity, because if they crack down on his drives to the hoop in future games, he will have the option to dish it out to an open Anthony or Stoudemire in the post. Both are menacing threats. So, I think this could work out quite nicely. And this could help Anthony get open shots, rather than force shots off the dribble. Watch Anthony’s atrocious 40 percent clip from the field skyrocket with Lin at the point. The Knicks will have two guys who can drive to the hoop and hoist up shots from the outside, in Lin and Anthony. They’ll have a dominant scorer in the post, in Stoudemire, and the game’s most underrated big man, perennial double-double threat Tyson Chandler, who’s averaging 9.9 rebounds per game. Chandler carried my fantasy team back in the day, and I have no doubt he can carry the day on the boards for the New York Knicks. Landry Fields makes for a nice role player, spark player in my opinion, and they have two veteran ball-handlers off the bench in Baron Davis and Mike Bibby, both formerly among the game’s best, who should provide leadership during a potential playoff run. Yes, I like the look of this team very much. And with a slate of easy games coming up, the Knicks have a chance to capitalize on their current momentum.

As for the return of the old guard, if this quote from ESPN New York’s Ian Begley, attributed to Stoudemire, is true, then the Knicks should have nothing to worry about.

Lin is finding guys out there. He’s playing totally unselfish. He’s taking what the defense gives him. He’s studying, which is what you want from your point guard, a guy who wants to be that facilitator and get guys involved and get guys open shots. He’s passing the ball right on the numbers where guys can catch and shoot. That brings up high-percentage shooting.

Also, happy payday to DeSean Jackson. By getting the franchise tag slapped on him, the Eagles wideout will be paid like an elite wide receiver, despite finishing 22nd in the NFL with 961 receiving yards, 46th in the league with 58 receptions and tied for 63rd in the league with just four touchdown receptions in 2011. Jackson obviously contributes to more than just the receiving corps, as he is an electric option on punt returns, but similar players can be found in the draft. And better yet for Jackson, after a miserable contract year, he gets one more chance, and if he can cross the millenium mark once more, he should be in line for a fat new contract, whether it’s with Philadelphia or someone else.

Underdogs No Longer

Hey, so the following is a column I actually submitted to my boss at Pro Football Weekly, but who knows if they’ll have time to look it over and publish it, so I figured why not put it on The Facts of Life. And despite all that is said below, go Big Blue!

As a native New Yorker and longtime fan of underdogs, I would love to buy into all this talk about the Giants as underdogs against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. But I just don’t buy it. Regardless of what Las Vegas says, and right now the official line has the Patriots as three-point favorites, this isn’t 2008 all over again. No matter how convincing Giants coach Tom Coughlin is when he tells us it is.

First of all, the simple fact is that many expect the Giants to win this game. Indeed, they’ve been a hotter pick than I could have ever expected a 9-7 team to be. Everywhere you look on television, or on the Internet, people are swarming to the Giants in droves. All people keep talking about is how Eli Manning has finally ascended to the status of an elite quaterback, how dynamic this Giants’ wide receiving corps is and how strong the pressure their defensive front puts on Tom Brady will be.

And of course, there’s precedent for an upset now. It’s been talked about all week. Manning ducking the pressure, somehow staying up, and firing the ball downfield to David Tyree. Last time, all of that magic was unexpected. That’s what made it so magical. Now it’s almost as if WR Hakeem Nicks will have to catch the ball with his elbow on fourth and 26 to meet the fans’ lofty expectations.

Even Las Vegas has come around a little bit. Don’t forget, the Giants weren’t just underdogs entering Super Bowl XLII; they were heavy underdogs. Thirteen-point underdogs, in fact, according to the dicerollers, and no one thought that the haphazard New York team of yore had a chance against the 18-0 Patriots. Now, we have a Giants team before us that has already defeated the best of the best. The Giants have disposed of the heavily favored Packers, beaten the savvy, upstart 49ers, and to some extent, are expected to kill the final monster in their path. All the while, these Patriots must almost be feeling a little ignored, wondering why no one is talking about them and their marvelous aerial attack.

Another issue I have with calling the Giants underdogs is the level at which they have been barking all post season. That 2007-2008 New York team felt jilted for good reason: because no one gave them a chance. But this year, the Giants have been talking up a storm, without any real provocation. 49ers TE Vernon Davis makes a highly understandable comment about wanting the Giants to win so they can play the NFC Championship game in San Francisco and Antrel Rolle starts talking his head off. Patriots QB Tom Brady makes a slight comment about a potential victory party in New England, the Giants huff and puff, and Rolle predicts a Super Bowl victory. It’s hard to call this group of Giants underdogs when they’ve been doing nearly all of the barking.

And finally, there’s the matter of payroll. Now, I know, people don’t necessarily like the hooded genius of New England, but you have to respect what the Patriots have been able to accomplish. With a minimum of noise and high-salaried players, New England has turned into a perennial contender. I mean, honestly, other than the far-too-glamorous Tom Brady, can you name another celebrity on the Patriots? Ochocinco? I guess, but he isn’t exactly a pivotal part of the team. This is a New England team whose stars are guys like Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork and Deion Branch. This is the type of team that turns a wide receiver into a cornerback, and somehow figures out a way to make it work.

People try to compare the Patriots to the Yankees, and make them into the Evil Empire of the NFL, but that comparison doesn’t really work, for numerous reasons. Number one, there’s the salary cap that keeps NFL teams in line. Number two, the Giants actually spend an estimated $24 million more than the Patriots. Number three, the Giants’ starting defense is more than twice as expensive as the Patriots’ starting defense, according to the good people at Spotrac. In secondary alone, where the Giants have a purported advantage, New York is spending greater than $15 million, while New England is spending less than $4 million on its starters.

So, as you settle down on your couch, and watch Super Bowl XLVI, be sure to reminisce on the magic of Super Bowl XLII. Be sure to savor the magic of the Giants’ unexpected postseason run. Be sure to look back on their incredible upsets of the 49ers and Packers. As a native New Yorker, and longtime Big Blue fan, I would love  nothing more than for you to do so. But don’t call them underdogs, because to do that, would be a disservice to the truth.