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Friday, July 27, 2012
To Hell with the Statue Stuck
10:11 AM - July 27, 2012. Written by jmik58

I'm glad it's gone. That metallic idol that would have reminded so many of how an institution failed so many youth.

For those that want to remember the good things that Joe Paterno accomplished throughout his life, try the same tactic that Jerry Sandusky's victims have to try not to do each day of their lives.

Remember him in vivid detail in your mind -- in stories.

You see, stories are where men belong. Not formed into idols; landmarks for the greatest of goods that each of them stood for. Because we all know that deep under that hard bronze core is a gaping cavern of darkness.

The outer shell hides the true balance that makes up man. The things that make us ordinary men -- vulnerability, weaknesses, and humility.

Stories are powerful not only because they allow us to remember, but because we know they inherently possess the characteristic of embellishment. They beg to be questioned. We smile and laugh at the fish stories of heroes -- partly because they make us feel good, and also because we know there's an element of fabrication to them.

But to erect a statue for those still walking among us might be even more of a ludicrous act. For those who have passed, the symbol of their human form can act as a great conversation piece.

The difference, however, is that the deceased have completed their story. We have had an opportunity to assess their entire life's work. We're better equipped to decipher if their story is worthy of immortalization through the construction of a statue or other means.

For some reason -- Joe Paterno's couldn't wait. But he isn't alone. Albert Pujols, Bud Selig, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, and even Nick Saban are among the flesh-and-blood sports stars with statues already standing in their honor.

They have been immortalized before their final chapter has been written -- already awarded for an unfinished story.

A better way exists. To tell the stories of ordinary living men we should be doing the one thing the Penn State scandal denied so many victims: Using our voices instead of bowing to idols.


How do you feel about statues of living "heroes" and "stars"?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Thursday, July 26, 2012
MLB Panic Deadline Stuck
10:45 AM - July 26, 2012. Written by jmik58

The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching and teams in contention are looking to grab while those out of reach look to dump big-name assets in exchange for future building blocks.

As July 31 creeps closer, however, the toughest decision for MLB clubs isn't necessarily who to deal for. Instead, teams have to decipher if they have a legitimate shot at contending for a division championship or wild card spot.

With the hope that the last five years might shed some brief historical light on what we could expect at season's end in 2012, I crunched a few numbers. More specifically, I looked back through the past five seasons and compared MLB standings through July 25 and that of the final regular season positioning for each season.

I chose to focus on winning percentage, wins, lead over second place, and any other significant numbers that popped. I wasn't sure what -- if anything -- I would find, but was intrigued with how the past five years gives a slight nudge to what we could expect between now and the end of the year.

Here are some of the interesting numbers going back to 2007:
  • Only 50% of teams leading the division on 7/25 went on to win the regular season title
  • Teams that held onto the lead to become division champions:
    • Median winning percentage .586
      • Approximately 57 wins through 97 games.
    • Win percentage range within one standard deviation was .569-.608
      • An approximate range of 55-59 wins
    • Median division lead on second place was four games
    • Division lead range within one standard deviation was between 1-7 games
  • Teams that lost the division lead by season's end:
    • The median winning percentage .556
      • Approximately 54 wins through 97 games.
    • Win percetage range within one standard deviation was .530-.582
      • An approximate range of 51-56 wins
    • Median division lead on second place was two games
    • Division lead range within one standard devition was between 1-3 games
  • No team lost more than a five-game division lead
    • Atlanta lost division after leading by five games on 7/25/10
Naturally, the next step is to make sense of all the numbers. I narrowed what I deemed to be the significant info down to three main categories and one bonus factor to predict which teams can hold onto the division lead -- knowing that approximately 50% will not last.
  1. Win percentage of at least .569
  2. At least 56 wins
  3. Leading second place by 3.5 games or more
  4. BONUS: A five game or more lead over second place
Next, I answered each question for division leaders based on the standings as of 7/25/12.

In the AL East, the New York Yankees (.598, 58 wins, 7 game lead) meet all the criteria and the bonus one as well. They're as close to a sure-thing as you'll find this year for a team to maintain their division lead through the end of the season. The Yankees should be big-time buyers for the postseason if they see an area of weakness.

Detroit and Chicago (.536, 52 wins, 3 game lead) are stuck together atop the AL Central. Neither team meets the criteria that suggests a division crown. I would recommend both teams move cautiously before unloading prospects to grab a big name. I think one of these two will take the Central, but since only one can, each should move slow at the trade deadline considering the coin-flip chance they don't make the playoffs.

In the American League West, Texas (.594, 57 wins, 5 game lead) is sitting pretty. The Rangers nail every criteria except the bonus slot where they match the one-time collapse of the Braves from 2010. Texas should feel comfortable making a move, if they even deem it necessary. Be wary though, the Angels are on fire and moving fast.

The Washington Nationals (.594, 57 wins, 4.5 game lead) have a lot in common with the Texas Rangers as both share identical records and nearly the same lead over second place. Missing only on the bonus slot, it looks like this may be the year the Nationals finally take the NL East. With youth on their side they may not feel the urge to make a move, but the 'Nats shouldn't be shy about a trade as the playoffs look to be a serious possibility.

In the NL Central, Cincinnati (.588, 57 wins, 2.5 game lead) looks like a team that could slip before the end of the year if not for an unproven Pirates squad and an unpredictable bunch in St. Louis. Considering the 50% fail-rate, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Reds out of this spot at season's end. Cinci doesn't get the chance to go big for the playoffs too often so don't be surprised if they make a move, but the Reds shouldn't sell the farm if they act.

Finally, the Giants (.567, 55 wins, 2.5 game lead) have a slim lead in the NL West and may be tempted to posture for arms or other key pieces to try and run away with the division. While two-one-thousandths of a percentage point separate them from my threshold for winning percentage, those types of miniscule differences aren't enough to push them over the edge for postseason confidence. San Fran should hold off on making a move that might send youth for the future away in exchange for a playoff run that never happens.

My final verdict on who will and won't still be in first place at the conclusion of the 2012 season:

Who's in?
New York Yankees
Texas Rangers
Washington Nationals

Outside looking in?
Cincinnati
San Francisco

Coin Flip
Detroit/Chicago


Which of the current MLB leaders will win their respective division in 2012?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
An Olympic Story Stuck
10:19 AM - July 25, 2012. Written by jmik58


When you think of the Olympics, what comes to mind?

Most would say gold medals, the Olympic rings, the chase for world records, or the pride in one's country. While I share in all of those things, what strikes me the strongest and stays with me beyond the games are the stories.

The Olympics are like any sport. There are underdog stories, team triumph, the agony of defeat and collapse, and the stories built by dominant performances like that of Michael Phelps.

But it's the stories that transcend sports that hit me the hardest, and one such tale has already begun to unfold before the games have even started.

Guor Marial -- a Sudanese refugee -- has been given permission by the IOC to compete under the Olympic flag.

A man who once literally ran for his life will now run for the pride of all who suffer in his native South Sudan. Except this time Marial won't be running from death or looking for a place to hide. How fitting it will be that his event, the marathon, is the longest of all running events. Because a story like this begs to be told over and over, not in the flash of 100 meters.

The former runner at Iowa State University, Marial isn't expected to medal in London, but that truly doesn't matter. He's no slouch though, as his times actually project to the possibility of a top ten or twenty finish.

Having lost some twenty-eight family members and friends to the oppression in Sudan, Marial will run nearly one mile for each of them. His father, he hopes, will be able to head to a nearby city in Sudan to watch his son run.

But this time instead of running for his life, Marial will carry the hope and pride of his native Sudan's poor and suffering. Under the colors of the Olympic rings, the entire world will be watching.

A gold-medal worthy story -- what the Olympics are all about.


What are your top reasons for watching the Summer Olympics?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Wednesday Other Stuff (7-25-12) Stuck
08:57 AM - July 25, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)Gotta respect Christian Bale for what he did in Aurora, CO.

QOTD: Have you ever met a celebrity (when and where)?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

Unoriginal Name, jbowen1085 (32), StL_RamZ (22), CelticRaven22 (21)
Blog: Steve_OS
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
A Bounty out on DUI's Stuck
10:13 AM - July 24, 2012. Written by jmik58


I'm tired of judgement and consequences being tied to results.

A great decision is a great decision regardless of the outcome. The same goes for a poor choice. Yet our culture doesn't see it that way.

Coaching decisions are questioned throughout nearly every game, especially football. However, the men behind the headsets have spent scores of hours game-planning and know exactly why they call what they do in each instance. The information they have at their disposal is what qualifies their decisions as educated -- or good. When the fan criticizes, they do so without the benefit of information at the disposal of the coach.

On the flip side, consider the difference between a murder charge and an attempted-murder indictment. The gap is a matter of failure (or success) on the part of the offender. The motives are practically the same, but the outcome can be the difference between life behind bars or a few years in jail.

But the one who commits murder is also the one who attempted it -- albeit, completely. Just as the coach whose team fails on the 4th-and-one attempt can't be accurately judged as making a poor decision simply because the try was successful or not.

The NFL has followed society on a similar issue and it bothers me to the core. On one hand we have the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. Complete with alleged top-down financial tags being hung on the heads of opponents should an injury be inflicted during a game. The fallout has been suspensions ranging from a few games for some players, to a full season for others, and indefinitely for the supposed mastermind behind it all.

The problem: Granted, the penalties handed down were compounded by the cover-up and lying of the franchise but we're talking about a risk of injury. An attempt to injure. We're not guaranteeing injury, only acknowledging the intent and increased potential.

Flash forward to the 2012 NFL off-season and a general problem throughout all of America -- alcohol related driving arrests.

The issue: Drunk Driving. A severe risk-taking decision that puts lives in danger. Once again, not a guarantee of injury or death, but a proclaimed increase in the potential.

Kenny Britt, Corey Williams, Brandon Mariweather, Eric Wright, Robert Quinn, Darrius Heyward-Bay, Jerome Felton, Nick Fairley, Johnny Culbreath, David Diehl, Donald Washington, Aaron Berry, Justin Blackmon (DUI Arrest Video), and Marshawn Lynch have all mistaken their driver seat for the back of a taxi when over-served this off-season.

During the 2011 regular season we had Antonio Bryant, B.J. Sams, Marcus Coleman, Khalif Barnes, Chris Henry, and Cletis Gordon. That's during the regular season.

And even more ridiculous is the fact that most -- if not all -- NFL teams offer a free, -- FREE -- I said free taxi service for players in need of a responsible ride.

But either way, I'm not here to point out how ridiculous that growing list has become. Instead, it's time for the NFL to do something about it. It's time for Roger Goodell to show how much he really cares about the safety of humans regardless of the financial implications it has on his league.

No doubt, the commissioner has gone to great lengths to protect the financial viability of the NFL in the era of the concussion-centered lawsuit. Inaction on bounty-gate would have been a sure-fire lawsuit waiting to happen -- so he and the league acted fast.

But at what point is the NFL responsible for the actions of it's employees -- it's players? Someone or somebodies will be killed. Don't think it can happen? It has, just ask Dante Stallworth.

But why should the players even care? Unless they kill someone, society will likely slap them on the wrist. And the NFL?

According to NFL policy:
Quote:
The Commissioner will review and may impose a fine, suspension, or other appropriate discipline if a player is convicted of or admits to a violation of the law...If the Commissioner finds that there were aggravating circumstances, including but not limited to felonious conduct or serious injury or death of third parties, and/or if the player has had prior drug or alcohol-related misconduct, increased discipline up to and including suspension may be imposed.

Discipline for a second or subsequent offense is likely to be a suspension, the duration of which may escalate for repeat offenses.
You hear that? The NFL might suspend you. Maybe.

Take a shot at paralyzing an opponent? Risk losing a year of your career.

Chance it behind the wheel with lives of innocent civilians on the line? A slap on the wrist and the possibility of a fine.

Maybe it's time for the NFL (and society) to get serious about cracking down on DUI's. Surely the NFL can understand that way of thinking. Maybe.



What should be the penalty for DUI-related convictions for NFL players?



Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Tuesday Other Stuff (7-24-12) Stuck
08:42 AM - July 24, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)It was crazy seeing Ichiro in a Yankees uni last night. Had a hit and a stolen base. In the NHL, Rick Nash was traded to the Rangers, for basically... nothing. Almost a video game like trade.

QOTD: What is the craziest trade you've ever pulled off in sports gaming?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

aucool, BrianFifaFan (46), minushuman (33), psufan (25), bmb24788 (24), Cabke (20)
Blog: Steve_OS
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tebow's Arm Issue: Still the Wrong Angle Stuck
10:16 AM - July 23, 2012. Written by jmik58


The Tim Tebow saga has run full circle back to main issue of his post-college NFL workouts. The topic of the day: Tebow's throwing motion is too long and slow. By fixing it, he hopes to speed up his release and become a legitimate starter.

The reality, however, is that the only angle worth changing is that of our perspective on Tebow as a legitimate NFL starter.

Changing his delivery isn't the magic pill. Nor are his throwing mechanics necessarily that big of a deal. The player reading the defense, deciding where to throw, and finishing the throw -- that is where Tim Tebow must improve.

Give Tebow credit. He's a phenomenal human being by all accounts. He's an inspirational piece to any team he belongs to, and he's been associated with winning more times than not. Plus, it's hard to fault a guy for doing anything -- regardless of how monumental or miniscule it may be -- to improve one's ability.

But please do us all a favor and keep him in perspective. Yes, Tebow is working with Tom House who has tutored the likes of Alex Smith, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady. But to in no way did House make these quarterbacks who they are. Once at this level a few tweaks are possible, but for the most part you are who you are.

Tim Tebow is becoming the aw-shucks good ol' boy we root for to be more than his abilities. But we need not look any farther than his past to see who he is and that he's likely never going to be a good NFL quarterback.

Tebow has been groomed as a spread option quarterback nearly his entire playing career. His jump to the NFL and the pro-style offenses are the equivalent of learning a new game. It's a whole new way of playing and -- more importantly -- a new way of thinking.

You see, it's not his arm that is holding Tim Tebow back. It's his mind, his muscle memory. He's trained for the 100-meter dash for eight years and now is being commissioned to run the mile. But how often does the mile-runner work on his block starts?

While not impossible, the likelihood is that it's not probable for Tebow to be a successful drop-back quarterback in the NFL. It's the reason the New York Jets are looking to get him on the field in wildcat situations. They understand exactly what they're getting.

In the meantime, Tebow will keep on working his mechanics and his release. He hopes it makes a difference; that somehow the change will lead to his dream of being a legitimate NFL starter.


Will Tim Tebow ever be a legitimate NFL quarterback?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Saturday Other Stuff (7-21-12) Stuck
10:01 AM - July 21, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)QOTD: Which game(s) are you playing this weekend?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

robertw2010 (42), Smiley79 (33), PlayaHataSupreme (30), Guffers (29), KleShreen (25), jackel2168 (25), Leon (24), GoDawgs211 (24)
Blog: Steve_OS
Friday, July 20, 2012

To have a talent imbalance from one side of the ball to the other, you have to have talent in the first place. Considering that point, it's not necessarily a bad thing to find yourself on a list such as this.

So far this week I've highlighted my Top Five teams with the most talent on Offense and Defense, and a few weeks ago I released my opinion on what team had the most overall talent among their starters.

While some squads may look amazing on one side of the ball, it takes a balanced effort to push for a conference championship or -- better yet -- a national title.

Using my formula that values the recruit ranking of each starter (thank you, Phil Steele) plus on-field accolades, I've come up with rankings that help to assess the level of talent each team will field in 2012. Today, however, I want to push a little deeper. I want to share with you the ten teams with the biggest gap between talent on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

You may notice the offensive and defensive talent ranks I provide for each of the ten teams. This is not the measuring stick for balance I use. Instead, I stick to the raw rating itself calculated in my formula. For the sake of simplicity and brevity I'm leaving that data out and providing you with the ranking -- not rating.

Is it a bad thing to be on this list? Again, not necessarily. A team may be so loaded on one side that it skews the significance. The following ten teams don't necessarily reflect imbalance either. It will be interesting to note, however, if abundant talent on offense or defense correlates with more wins at the season's end.

Interpret the results as you wish, here are my top ten teams with the biggest talent gaps between offense and defense in 2012:

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (11) Top 50: (9) Top 10: (3) All-SEC: (2) All-American: (1) Awards: (1)

Defense: Top 100: (10) Top 50: (9) Top 10: (3) All-SEC: (0) All-American: (1) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #3 D-Talent Rank: #11
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • The Crimson Tide have as much skill on both sides of the ball as any team in the country, but the loss of key players on defense from last year's squad leaves them with something to prove on that side of the ball. The offense is more established including the return of Outland Trophy Winner, lineman Barrett Jones -- pushing their offensive ranking surprisingly high above one of the nation's best perennial defenses.
9. Michigan Wolverines

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (9) Top 50: (8) Top 10: (2) All-B1G: (2) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)
Defense: Top 100: (5) Top 50: (5) Top 10: (1) All-B1G: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #11 D-Talent Rank: #38
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • The Wolverines are stacked with some of the best offensive talent in all of the B1G, led by dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson. Michigan has plenty of potential on defense to be good, but a lack of on-field accolades holds the raw talent steady and well behind the proven on-field ability of the offense going into the season.
8. Texas A&M Aggies

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (9) Top 50: (7) Top 10: (3) All-B12: (1) All-American: (1) Awards: (0)
Defense: Top 100: (4) Top 50: (1) Top 10: (0) All-B12: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #31 D-Talent Rank: #84
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • It looks like it might be a tough year for the Aggies when scanning the defensive side of the ball considering their new placement in the stingy SEC. Chances are their offense will be equalized by some of the best defenses in all the country, however their own defense could be in for a wake-up call. If I had to choose I'd want my strength to be the other way around. Texas A&M doesn't have that luxury in 2012.
7. LSU Tigers

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (9) Top 50: (8) Top 10: (5) All-SEC: (3) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)
Defense: Top 100: (10) Top 50: (8) Top 10: (3) All-SEC: (4) All-American: (3) Awards: (1)

O-Talent Rank: #4 D-Talent Rank: #1
Talent Advantage: Defense
  • As I mentioned in my introduction of this list, placement of a team here doesn't necessarily equate to a bad thing. The Tigers are a prime example of that. LSU has an incredibly talented offense, but per SEC elite standards, their defense is just that much more amazing talent-wise. Expect great things from the Tigers on both sides of the ball this year.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (8) Top 50: (7) Top 10: (0) All-B1G: (2) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)
Defense: Top 100: (9) Top 50: (7) Top 10: (1) All-B1G: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #6 D-Talent Rank: #20
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • The 'Huskers are another group the have the potential to take the nation by storm this season if the defense lives up to it's billing on paper. Nebraska has one of the nation's most talented group of offensive players, and the defense can right there with them if they put their recruit profiles to practice for some on-field domination.
5. Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (7) Top 50: (1) Top 10: (0) All-CUSA: (4) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)
Defense: Top 100: (1) Top 50: (1) Top 10: (0) All-CUSA: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #29 D-Talent Rank: #103
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • It's about time a non-BCS school made it onto one of my lists! The only problem is that this isn't necessarily one of those moments you brag about. Granted the Golden Eagles have a great collection of proven talent on offense, but the defensive side of the ball makes even the most die-hard fan cringe a little.
4. Georgia Bulldogs

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (10) Top 50: (8) Top 10: (5) All-SEC: (1) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

Defense: Top 100: (11) Top 50: (8) Top 10: (3) All-SEC: (2) All-American: (2) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #11 D-Talent Rank: #4
Talent Advantage: Defense
  • It's not very often that teams with as much talent as the 'Dawgs are thought of as a potential surprise team to win a conference. The SEC however, has a way of stacking up great teams to dilute the football waters when it comes to making an easy choice for best team among the bunch. Georgia certainly isn't a slouch on the offensive side of the ball, but their impressive ways led by two returning All-Americans sets their defense that much over the top in 2012.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (7) Top 50: (5) Top 10: (2) All-BE: (3) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

Defense: Top 100: (2) Top 50: (1) Top 10: (0) All-BE: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #20 (tie) D-Talent Rank: #102
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • West Virginia is going to be one of my favorite teams to follow throughout the year. I'm curious to see how their dominance in the Big East translates to the Big-12. However, I'm more curious to see how such a one-sided team can fare in a new conference that is believed to be superior to the Big East. The Big-12 is known as a pass-happy spread-em-out league that can be light on defense at times. The Mountaineers better hope that's the recipe for success because it's the only item on the menu they have for the 2012 campaign.
2. Texas Longhorns

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (10) Top 50: (10) Top 10: (5) All-B12: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

Defense: Top 100: (11) Top 50: (11) Top 10: (6) All-B12: (4) All-American: (1) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #13 (tie) D-Talent Rank: #2
Talent Advantage: Defense
  • Texas looks to be back and in a big way in 2012. The offense is relatively unproven but loaded with talent. They'll have plenty of time to get acclimated, however, as the defense looks to be one of the best in the entire nation if their talent and experience have anything to say about it.
1. Clemson Tigers

Starters' recruit rankings and accolades:

Offense: Top 100: (10) Top 50: (5) Top 10: (2) All-ACC: (4) All-American: (1) Awards: (0)

Defense: Top 100: (9) Top 50: (4) Top 10: (3) All-ACC: (0) All-American: (0) Awards: (0)

O-Talent Rank: #1 D-Talent Rank: #36
Talent Advantage: Offense
  • The Tigers shouldn't necessarily be ashamed to be at the top position of this list. They do hold the top spot as my team with the most offensive talent, and relatively speaking they have a very solid defensive collection of talent for what they'll face in the ACC. The biggest hurdle for Clemson will be translating their immense amount of raw ability on the defensive side into award-winning results. I definitely think it's something the Tigers can pull off, but if the offense starts to sputter, will the inexperience and youth of the defense be able to make a statement and a step towards national prominence?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Friday Other Stuff (7-20-12) Stuck
10:30 AM - July 20, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)Horrible news to wake up to this morning. Thoughts and prayers to the families in Aurora, CO. Wow...

QOTD: Is this type of stuff in the back of your head, when attending events?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

bluntside (37), richyungsta803, JBate24, Jaaa, SUP3RSTAR242
Blog: Steve_OS
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday Other Stuff (7-19-12) Stuck
11:10 AM - July 19, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)QOTD: Do you spend most of your time sports gaming, watching sports or playing sports?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

archangelkatana, PRBoricua (30), buck2303 (30), LiquidCrash (26), MissStFan87 (25), BonesMahoney (24), capn_razzamataz
Blog: Steve_OS


Few players truly want to be the guy that follows "the guy."

The pressure and criticism of never matching your predecessor can easily outweigh the hope that burns inside of the fresh-faced replacement. Some have had success but almost all took their shots from fans on their way to finally earning respect.

Steve Young got the monkey off his back after following the legendary Joe Montana as a San Francisco 49er. And Aaron Rodgers has done his part to help Green Bay fans forget Brett Favre. While the pressure may not be as big in college football as it is at the pro level, fans are just as rabid and the younger, less mature amateurs can easily buckle.

Here is my list of college football players with the biggest shoes to fill in 2012.

5. Eddie Lacy (JR) - HB - Alabama Crimson Tide
  • Replacing: Trent Richardson (#1 Draft Choice of Cleveland Browns)
Richardson rushed for over 1,600 yards in 2011, carrying the 'Bama offense en route to a national championship appearance. The abundance of talent on the Alabama squad lightens the burden of any one player, but back-to-back studs at tailback in Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson put a lot of pressure on Lacy to immediately impress.

Lacy measures in at 6'0" 220 lbs and has shown flashes of brilliance in the few opportunities he's been given. Averaging just over seven yards per carry, the top-fifty recruit should make it three-in-a-row for successful Crimson Tide halfbacks.


4. Sean Duggan (SO) - MLB - Boston College Eagles
  • Replacing: Luke Kuechly (#1 Draft Choice of Carolina Panthers)
Kuechly was nothing if not a tackles machine in 2011 for the Eagles. Leading the nation with 191 stops (nearly 16 per game), the undersized ball of fire led the way with his determination and won over fans with his heart. The two-time All-American took home the Lombardi Award, Nagurski Trophy, and was the recipient of the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2011.

At 6'4" 228 lbs, Duggan has a little room to grow before sculpting himself as a true beast in the middle. His strongest skills are more cerebral than physical, but he does come in with moderate expectations as a former top-seventy recruit out of high school.

3. Brett Nottingham (JR) / Josh Nunes (JR) - QB - Stanford Cardinal
  • Replacing: Andrew Luck (#1 Overall Draft Choice of Indianapolis Colts)
It's almost easier to tell you what Luck didn't accomplish than to list out all the accolades he achieved. The top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Luck threw for over 3,500 yards to go with 35 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions in his impressive senior season. As a Heisman finalist, the near-perfect prototype for a drop-back quarterback helped lead the Cardinal to a BCS game appearance and a return to national prominence.

The battle to replace Luck has been narrowed down to juniors Nottingham and Nunes who may split time in the regular season as well. Both stand at about 6'4" 220 lbs and came in as top-fifteen recruits, but playing behind Luck afforded neither a true chance to showcase an ability to lead the team in the future.

2. Joe Southwick (JR) - QB - Boise State Broncos
  • Replacing: Kellen Moore (Signed as undrafted free agent by Detroit Lions)
Simply put, Moore won a lot of games. More games than any quarterback in FBS history to be exact. Over his four-year career as a starter he threw for over 14,600 yards -- the equivalent of more than eight miles. Along with his gaudy yardage, Moore tossed 142 touchdowns to only 28 interceptions. The master of efficiency, he led the Broncos to a record of 50-3 over his career while collecting All-American honors twice. When it comes to the little guy, the underdog, the epitome of non-BCS success -- Moore is "that guy."

Southwick may actually benefit from the unbelievable career of Kellen Moore as many realize how special of a quarterback he was for the program. Regardless, the next-in-line at Boise looks to be primed for a solid two-year run at continuing the Broncos' success. Like Kellen Moore (6'0" 197 lbs), Southwick isn't built like your prototypical quarterback -- Joe is 6'1" and tips the scales at 192 lbs according to Broncossports.com.

However, in limited action during his freshman and sophomore years, Southwick showed flashes of passing brilliance while appearing in eight games each season completing 40 of 54 passes (.714 completion %) for four hundred yards to go with two touchdowns and one interception.

1. Nick Florence (SR) - QB - Baylor Bears
  • Replacing: Robert Griffin III (Second overall pick in NFL Draft by Washington Redskins)
RG3 may be one of the most charismatic personalities to ever play the game at such a high level. Not to mention, he resurrected a Baylor football program that hasn't been relevant since -- well, since forever. Heisman Trophy? Check. First team All-American? Check. Davey O'Brien Award and Manning Award? Keep the lid off your pen, and double-check.

Griffin III led the Bears to their greatest season in program history, going 10-3 in 2011, capped off by a bowl victory, RG3 gracing the cover of EA Sports' NCAA Football 13 video game, and the number-two selection in the NFL Draft. Not only is he "that guy," but he may be the one that will never be matched in the eyes of those who lived it. No matter what anyone does from now on, Robert Griffin III is Baylor football's "Michael Jordan" or "Babe Ruth."

And the man who gets to constantly be compared to Griffin III: Senior Nick Florence. On the positive side, he only has to live with the pressure for one year knowing that he didn't get as much of a chance to develop into a program guy. On the flip side, he's stuck with the players Baylor has this year and is a lame-duck quarterback that likely will be thought of as a transition guy while the future signal-callers are groomed.

Starting in seven games over this first two years, Florence did little to impress but looked strong in very limited action last year connecting on 75% of his passes. He will most likely be asked to make plays with his arm and not his feet -- as Griffin III was beloved for -- but as a former top-75 recruit, Florence has the potential to keep Baylor on the winning side.


Who has the biggest shoes to fill in 2012?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58