Honest, Unbiased Ramblings and Whatnot : CBSSports.com Blogs

Top 150 Returning College Football Players

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:33:52 EDT

As the first Saturday of the 2009 college football season is nearly upon us, the excitement level couldn’t be any higher.

Besides the preseason polls and All-American teams, the hype building up to the kickoff of college football is unreal.

Here are my top 150 returning college football players for the 2009 season rankings. This is not a NFL Draft Big Board, and is based off potential and success at the collegiate level as opposed to a player’s status as a pro prospect.

This list will not contain offensive linemen, as there are no stats or anything to go by in terms of ranking them accurately.

Isiah Thomas Is Like a Box Of Chocolates�

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:20:50 EDT

You know the rest of the quote…at least that’s what I’m playing off of. Isiah Thomas is one of the most confusing, unpredictable human beings in sports. One moment he’s sexually harassing a female executive for the New York Knicks, and next thing you know he’s in the hospital with a drug overdose.

You may know Isiah Thomas as one of the “Bad Boys” of the Detroit Pistons, where he won two NBA championships and solidified his spot in the Hall of Fame.

Or maybe you know him as the man who slowly and painfully killed off the Knicks during his close to five years with the organization.

Well now you know Isiah Thomas as the head coach of an unheralded college basketball program. Of course, critics were skeptical, and thought there was no way this could end well for either party.

Top Ten Most Aggravating ESPN Analysts

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:23:32 EDT

You know those days when all you wanna do is grab a cold drink, sit down, and flip on the tube to ESPN?

You know how agonizing it can be to turn on ESPN right when someone who “pushes you buttons” just so happens to be relaying his uninformed analysis to America?

Well I’ve broken down the most aggravating ESPN analysts, and formed the “Top Ten Most Aggravating ESPN Analysts.”

Consider this a watch list for future encounters.

Top 25 MLB Pitchers 25 Years Old or Younger

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:09:15 EDT

You can call this part two of “The Future of Baseball” series. If you haven’t seen the “Top 25 MLB Position Players 25 Years Old or Younger” I recommend you check it out.

I have come up with a list of the top 25 MLB pitchers 25 years old or younger. There are a few requirements to be eligible for the rankings.

First, obviously, the player must be no older than 25 by July 31 of this year. Only players currently in the MLB are eligible, so minor league prospects are a no-go. A starting pitcher must have accumulated at least 80 innings to be eligible for the top 25, but they are still eligible for the honorable mentions section if not.

While a pitcher’s record is important, I tend to look more at a pitcher’s ERA and WHIP, as those are areas that they can control. For instance, Zack Greinke’s record might not be eye-popping because he plays on a terrible team, but his ERA and WHIP are phenomenal.

Top 25 MLB Position Players 25 Years or Younger

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 0:17:07 EDT

I have come up with a list of the top 25 MLB position players 25 years old or younger. There are a few requirements to be eligible for the rankings.

First, obviously, the player must be no older than 25 years old by July 31st of this year. Only players currently in the MLB are eligible, so minor league prospects are a no go. Also, a player must have a minimum of 200 at-bats this season.

Next to the ranking will be the player’s position, team, and regular season stats leading up through July 31st. Here is the stats key:

ab=At-Bat

The Heat Must Make A Move

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:23:55 EDT

Original article at OnlineSportsFanatic.com.

The year 2010 is looming. It will be an important offseason for the NBA, and that’s an understatement. There are many notable players that will be on the market, which is also an understatement.

Arguably the two biggest names out there are LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. There have been many different “sources” that have claimed LeBron said this or LeBron said that, so I have decided to block out all the whispers going around involving “The King”.

In my opinion the top three “superstars” of the NBA go LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade, although not necessarily in that order. So now that Kobe has signed an extension and LeBron rumors are being blocked out, that leaves us with Dwyane Wade.

AI to The Clippers? Oh, The Possibilities

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 1:31:42 EDT

For years now, the Los Angeles Clippers have been known as the graveyard of the NBA, where promising careers hit an abrupt end and the Clipper faithful have seen more busts than they have wins.

Last year we saw confident point guard Baron Davis ever so bravely try to bring the Clippers back as a respectable franchise, but to no avail.

But this year, things were looking up. Being certain he was the guy, they selected phenom forward Blake Griffin No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft. Third time’s the charm, right?

This would leave them with a crowded frontcourt, meaning someone had to go. And wouldn’t you know it, they found a sucker by the name of the Memphis Grizzlies to take Zach Randolph off their hands.

Charlie V and Chris Bosh Twitter Race

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 1:32:12 EDT

The phenomenon that is Twitter has captivated many, and the current race between NBA forwards Charlie Villanueva and Chris Bosh to 50,000 followers will certainly have many tuned in.

Here is Charlie Villanueva explaining their little wager.

Full article, including video, on OnlineSportsFanatic.com.

Sigh. Just One of Those Days for the King

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:01:11 EDT

As you may or may not know, LeBron James kicked off his Nike-sponsored LeBron James Skills Academy on Monday, which features some of the best high school and college players in the nation.

What you may have heard, but thanks to Nike will not see, is that King James got dunked on, during a pickup game featuring college players and the King himself.

The dunker was Xavier transfer Jordan Crawford, brother of former Kentucky star Joe Crawford and former Indiana player. Crawford is a 6-4 shooting guard. James is a 6-8 small forward, and arguably the best player in the world.

Full article at OnlineSportsFanatic.com here.

Top Ten Entertainers of the Sports World

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:51:35 EDT

We all love guys like Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Steve Carell, and all the other guys who never fail to bring us entertainment.

While athletes are often given the stereotype of being deadbeats when outside of the sports world, there are always athletes out there bringing us entertainment in another form.

There are many professional athletes who attempt to be more than their title poses. Some guys succeed, and some fail, although for the ones who epically fail sometimes we can’t help but laugh.

Sure some may be annoying, but they still add a certain zest to the sports community and throw a little twist into SportsCenter every now and then.

NBA Mock Draft Roster

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:37:30 EDT

Starters

PG- Tony Parker

SG- Vince Carter

SF- Richard Jefferson

NFL Mock Draft Roster

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:17:28 EDT

Offense

QB- Chad Pennington

RB- Brian Westbrook

RB- Marion Barber

Preseason Mid-Major Top 25

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:55:52 EDT

How many preseason top 25 polls have you seen so far? I know, they’re getting old. I have decided to make things a little more interesting by releasing a preseason mid-major top 25 poll.

You guessed it, containing only mid-major teams, as in excluding the Big 6 power conferences.

So lay back and relax, because you will not see a team named Kentucky on this list, and you will not see any teams named North Carolina or Michigan State on this list.

Click here to see the rankings!

The Under-19 National Team: Providing a Glimpse

Sat, 30 May 2009 14:36:24 EDT

The USA Under-19 national team will compete for the FIBA title in New Zealand next month, and tryouts for the team will be held June 16-18. The national team’s head coach will be Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon, and the assistant coaches will be Purdue’s Matt Painter and Southern Illinois’ Chris Lowery. Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim will manage the selection process of the team, and 17 players will try out for the team’s 12 roster spots.

Think of this as an underclassmen all-star team. This team of rising sophomores and freshmen should be an exciting spark in the college basketball offseason. There are names on the list of 17 that will be familiar, but there will also be some names that you may not have heard of. I will provide some analysis on each player.

Looking on the Bright Side

Fri, 22 May 2009 22:15:42 EDT

Every year college basketball’s stars have the option of contemplating a premature move to the NBA, and if they are projected as a high pick they usually take advantage of the opportunity.

It is always a given that players such as Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet, James Harden, etc. that are top 7 picks will go pro early. If a player is projected as a lottery pick (top 14), they almost always leave school as well. but this past off season has yielded some surprises, and for the good of the college game.

Continue reading here.

Preseason Top 25

Sun, 17 May 2009 9:34:37 EDT

•1. Kansas - Assumed Players Leaving Early: None

2009-2010 Outlook: The Jayhawks will return everyone from this season’s Sweet Sixteen squad, and they also add an abundant amount of talent. Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich will be the leaders of the team, but incoming recruits Xavier Henry, Elijah Johnson, and Thomas Robinson will all contribute at some level.

•2. Kentucky - Assumed Players Leaving Early: None

2009-2010 Outlook: Things are starting to come together for Kentucky, and all that is left to be settled is the fate of Jodie Meeks and John Wall. I am assuming Meeks returns, and even if Wall goes someplace else the Wildcats will most likely stay at number two for the time being, but my guess is that he ends up in Lexington.

Top 20 Impact Freshmen for the 2009-2010 season

Mon, 11 May 2009 20:58:28 EDT

We all know in almost every case it takes experience to win championships, but a little youth certainly doesn’t hurt.

I will rank the top 20 impact freshmen not only on how talented they are, but the impact they will make on their teams

1. C Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech:GT is coming off a last place finish in the ACC, and big man Favors is the little push they need to become competitive again.

2. G Michael Snaer, Florida State: The loss of Toney Douglas will hurt FSU, but Snaer will be an instant impact player capable of relieving the load.

Top150 College Basketball Players for next season

Sat, 09 May 2009 22:05:41 EDT

1. Luke Harangody, Notre Dame: 23.3ppg-11.8rpg-2.1apg-0.9spg-0.9bpg-34.2mpg

Comment: Harangody is the logical choice for number one, he has made the All-Big East first team 2 straight years and was the Big East POY his sophomore season. He dominates in almost every performance, with 25 double-doubles this season including six 30 point games and 10 games of 15 rebounds or more.

2. Jeff Teague, Wake Forest: 18.8ppg-3.3rpg-3.5apg-1.9spg-0.6bpg-32.0mpg

Comment: Teague is the best SSS player in the nation (shooter, slasher, scorer). He now has two years of experience and will be one of the most electrifying players in the nation should he withdraw from the NBA draft.

What are Words Worth?

Wed, 06 May 2009 18:46:13 EDT

Time and time again this past year, a recruit has pulled out of their agreement to attend a college, whether that be a verbal or signed commitment, and "reopened" the process.

Of course you have to take into account family situations, coaching changes, etc., but it has become too easy for a recruit to just withdraw from their commitment. Coaches and team personnel put a countless amount of time into recruiting, and if a signed recruit decides to walk out, that leaves the program at a big disadvantage.

Continue reading my article here on OnlineSportsFanatic.com

Grading This Year's Coaching Changes

Sun, 03 May 2009 12:51:39 EDT

I will grade them on long term potential, and how they will impact recruiting and the fan base, not only what they look like right now.

I will list the school first, then the new coach, followed by my grade and comment.

You can find this article here as well.

Alabama, Anthony Grant. Grade: B+ Comment: Grant is one of the top up and coming coaches in the nation. He was a big part of Florida's 2006 and 2007 National Title runs as an assistant there, as he recruited many of the players. He is a successful and appealing recruiter who will thrive at another SEC school like Alabama.

The One and Done Rule: For Better or For Worse?

Wed, 06 May 2009 18:59:25 EDT

The formerly known “one and done rule” prevents high school prospects from entering the NBA draft straight out of high school, and states that a player must be one year removed from high school and 19 years old to place his name in the draft.

The argument of this rule has surrounded the professional and collegiate level of basketball ever since it was implemented after the 2005 NBA draft. Players such as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, Jermaine O’Neal, Amare Stoudemire, LeBron James, and Al Jefferson made great transitions from high school to the NBA. They have had successful careers that are still underway, and benefited from the opportunity to jump straight to the NBA instead of going to play college ball.

Top Recruiting Classes for 2009

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:26:29 EDT

The signing period for recruits lasts until May 20th, and four of the top 25 prospects in the Rivals150 Prospect Rankings remain uncommitted. I will update the rankings again sometime after May 20.

I will rank and break down the top 10 classes in the nation, each prospect ranking is according to the Rivals150.

1. Villanova: They have one more star recruit than Kansas and Texas, which gives them the edge. The Wildcats will bring in much needed frontcourt depth after losing Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark, and Dwayne Anderson to graduation with the additions of Mouphtaou Yarou and Isaiah Armwood. Cheek and Wayns complete what is in my opinion the deepest backcourt in the nation.

Top Recruits: PF Mouphtaou Yarou (10), PG Maalik Wayns (26), SG Dominic Cheek (30), PF Isaiah Armwood (62)

Top 10 2008-2009 Freshmen Underachievers

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:59:13 EDT

Top 10 2008-2009 Freshmen Underachievers

Last season there were many freshmen that put their talents on display for the nation, but there were also many that were highly recruited out of high school that did not play up to their potential. Some of these players are poised for a breakout 2009-2010 season, and here are my top 10 2008-2009 freshman underachievers.

1. Jrue Holiday, UCLA. Height: 6’3, Position: Guard

2008-2009 Stats: 8.5ppg-3.8rpg-3.7apg-1.6spg-0.5bpg-27.1mpg

Preseason Mid-Major Top 25 for 2009-2010

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 0:41:42 EDT

Preseason Mid-Major Top 25

2009-2010

Following my preseason top 25 for 2009-2010, I have made a preseason mid-major top 25. I have spent a good amount of time researching each team, and my rankings are not just based on players from each team or this past season. There have been a good bit of mid-major players declare for the draft, and I have taken that into consideration. These rankings are based on Shawn Taggart of Memphis, Stephen Curry of Davidson, and Patrick Mills of Saint Mary’s staying in the draft. I will update the rankings at some point after the draft declaration deadline (April 26). Feel free to critique or ask questions to why I ranked each team or didn’t rank a team.

1. Butler