I am in the process of writing an entry on Matt Roth. I noticed how a recent thread on local basketball has slowly drifted into a debate on Roth and his talent level.
I am looking for comments, general information or stats from you out in the Peoria area that may help me out in my writing. I will even take opinions from you, if you want to just share those.
You can either post it as a comment, but I would prefer you email it to me at 99TheGreatOne99@gmail.com.
Thanks, and I will post that piece in the near future.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Rashard Mendenhall
Well the Illini season is over. What a tremendous season it was as well. If you go back and look at the preseason magazines, not much was thought of this years' Illini.
Athlon, one of the nation's most read magazines had Illinois 67th in the preseason.
Obviously, one of the driving forces behind the Illini's success was running back Rashard Mendenhall. Remember back when he was recruited he was listed as the #9 RB in the country. This season, his first as a starter was a breakthrough season in every sense of the word.
After totaling just over 850 yards in his first two seasons, Mendenhall ran for almost 1700 yards in 2007. He also added 34 catches and another 300+ yards receiving. Surely his performance on an improving football team has brought him renewed attention.
After finishing the season with a 9.1 yards-per-carry, 155 yard effort against USC in the Rose Bowl the talk of the NFL Draft has exploded.
In a SJ-R article before the Rose Bowl, Mendenhall stated awards and accolades would not be reason enough to stay in college.
Last month, a Scout.com writer used these words to describe Mendenhall: Aggressive. Determined. Elusive. Focused. Physical.
With a January 15th deadline quickly approaching the pressure to make a decision grows daily. It's readily evident that Rashard has the skill set necessary to play on Sundays.
Really, it will come down to a personal decision. What is best for him and his family. I always hope in situations like this that the fans respect the final decision of a young player. So many times you see chat rooms and newspapers rip on a kid for a decision. My thought as always been different. To me, unless you walk that mile in their shoes, you can never know all the pressure, thoughts, etc. that go into a decision as big as that.
Personally, if you are an Illini fan, you probably want to see another season in an Illini uniform. On the other hand, you would probably also like to get the paycheck he could demand at the next level too.
I wish Rashard the best in whatever he decides.
Look for an announcement within the next few days.
Athlon, one of the nation's most read magazines had Illinois 67th in the preseason.
Obviously, one of the driving forces behind the Illini's success was running back Rashard Mendenhall. Remember back when he was recruited he was listed as the #9 RB in the country. This season, his first as a starter was a breakthrough season in every sense of the word.
After totaling just over 850 yards in his first two seasons, Mendenhall ran for almost 1700 yards in 2007. He also added 34 catches and another 300+ yards receiving. Surely his performance on an improving football team has brought him renewed attention.
After finishing the season with a 9.1 yards-per-carry, 155 yard effort against USC in the Rose Bowl the talk of the NFL Draft has exploded.
In a SJ-R article before the Rose Bowl, Mendenhall stated awards and accolades would not be reason enough to stay in college.
Last month, a Scout.com writer used these words to describe Mendenhall: Aggressive. Determined. Elusive. Focused. Physical.
With a January 15th deadline quickly approaching the pressure to make a decision grows daily. It's readily evident that Rashard has the skill set necessary to play on Sundays.
Really, it will come down to a personal decision. What is best for him and his family. I always hope in situations like this that the fans respect the final decision of a young player. So many times you see chat rooms and newspapers rip on a kid for a decision. My thought as always been different. To me, unless you walk that mile in their shoes, you can never know all the pressure, thoughts, etc. that go into a decision as big as that.
Personally, if you are an Illini fan, you probably want to see another season in an Illini uniform. On the other hand, you would probably also like to get the paycheck he could demand at the next level too.
I wish Rashard the best in whatever he decides.
Look for an announcement within the next few days.
Hiring and Firing
Good day, bad day in the coaching world today.
Word out of the Fiesta Bowl was that West Virginia should hire Bill Stewart as the full-time coach. Many of the players talked about how much they wanted Stewart to get his shot, after a lifetime of being an assistant coach.
Well, ESPN reports that the deal is done.
That is one heck of a story!
On the opposite end of the spectrum. Bill Parcells and his new GM have brought the ax down on Cam Cameron.
Dolphins fire CC
Everyone knew that one was coming down. It was just a matter of when. It had been 37 years since the Dolphins fired a coach. You don't see that stat much in professional sports.
Word out of the Fiesta Bowl was that West Virginia should hire Bill Stewart as the full-time coach. Many of the players talked about how much they wanted Stewart to get his shot, after a lifetime of being an assistant coach.
Well, ESPN reports that the deal is done.
That is one heck of a story!
On the opposite end of the spectrum. Bill Parcells and his new GM have brought the ax down on Cam Cameron.
Dolphins fire CC
Everyone knew that one was coming down. It was just a matter of when. It had been 37 years since the Dolphins fired a coach. You don't see that stat much in professional sports.
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