I know it's worrisome not to have the LHN yet, but I ask for a cease and desist on all harassment of cable/satellite providers (and ESPN for that matter).

1) I don't believe subscriber calls do any good, but in the negotiations between ESPN and the carriers you may embolden ESPN to believe they have a favorable environment in the negotiation process with internet chatter, outrage, etc.

2) Cable/Satellite companies are bean counters and have been through many, many carriage disputes. They know what they want to pay for LHN programming. Customer discontent and even disconnections will not change that number, especially to bean counters. With this economy and losses of customers to internet tv, they are no longer in growth mode. They're in penny pinching mode.

3) It's my belief that customer calls, internet outrage can do no good when two businesses are negotiating for a common goal. Be patient and get some sense - this is out of your control.

4) In a negotiation, you want both sides to have a good understanding of reality. You do not want to embolden ESPN to keep their side to demand more against an entrenched cable/satellite provider who wants to pay less. Let the process run its course.

5) Use this thread to vent, but harrassing CEO secretaries or Call Center employees will do nothing and may actually make it less likely a deal will be made.

As aggravating as last year's squad (loaded with NBA talent and senior leadership) was, I was satisfied with this year's team and think they even overachieved a little. Though not totally devoid of a bench, this was a 5-man team with some specialty players. It was also loaded with underclassman at key positions. I think it was pretty obvious that this team wore down as the year progressed, regressed on the offensive end, which lead to more missed baskets affecting the level of defense. The losses of Shawn Williams and Varez Ward before the season started could not be understated and greatly weakened the bench and limited Barnes' options.

Jordan Hamilton & Tristan Thompson were big plusses this year and presented a mismatch in nearly every game. The next best players were freshman Cory Joseph (playing out of position at point) and Gary Johnson (an undersized power forward). J'Covan showed flashes of brilliance but was largely inconsistant and needs to dominant the basketball. Outside of those players, it gets pretty slim.

Dogus (my favorite) was suitable for an uptempo team (Barnes did not commit to this) and was a defensive stopper, but I think his legs wore down as the season wore on. Matt Hill's game eroded as did Alexis Wangmane. Neither offered a consistant low-post presence. Jai Lucas played OK in spot-duty but has limitations in his game. In a perfect world, both Dogus & Gary come off the bench.

The handwringing on Barnes after yesterday's debacle is understandable but undeserved. Zona was truly a 10-deep team, which forced Barnes to swap offense-for-defense down the stretch. We lost by one-point to a very good basketball team. It happens. Does Barnes need a proven offensive coach on his staff? Sure, but he also coaches awesome defensive basketball.

This team was one post player away from being elite. Once Matt Hill lost confidence (Nebraska game), we lost our edge. Prior to the year, we were not considered a Top 25 team. We petered out at the end, but that's what happens when you only have 5 basketball players on a team, then offer up two soccer players, a smurf (no disrespect), a Mojoless big, and 3 Westlake kids as your complimentary players. Barnes did a great job and the team's solid efforts fell just short. Thanks guys.

Deloss has now intimated that Independence is an option in football. There's been talks of various natures of Texas and the Big 10, Pac 10 and SEC. Some salient points have been made for various scenarios. I like the scenario of Texas & Notre Dame leading the way for their own conference, with unequal revenue sharing and independent television deals.

Texas & Notre Dame would form their own conference and invite some hanger-oners for the ride. Notre Dame could keep their TV package intact (or close to it) and Texas could add their own network. It would only be an 8-team league:

Texas

Notre Dame

Missouri

Oklahoma

Kansas

Texas A&M

Nebraska

Oklahoma St

In this scenario, the following happens:

1) Comcast formalizes their acquisition of NBC and renogiates their Notre Dame deal and enters into discussion with Texas on sharing content with the Longhorn Cable Network.

2) Beating the Big 10 to the punch, Texas & Notre Dame announce their intention of forming their own 8-team league called the Great 8 or G8 Conference comprised of Central Time Zone college sports powers.

3) 7 of the Top 12 Big 12 teams say adios to the Big 12.

4) Comcast bids on Pac 10 and forms TV partnership for OOC scheduling. With only 8 teams in the G8, each team gets 5 OOC games (maybe 6 without a conference title game in the mix), 2 of which are with Pac 10 teams each year in the Carl's Jr G8/Pac10 Challenge.

5) Comcast/Texas offer production and distribution services to other G8 partners to help them create their own cable tv subscription services. Each uses Hulu to distribute content.

6) That just happened. Texas & Notre Dame increase their TV share to $30-$50 million. Other G8 partners share at least $20-$25 million in tv revenue. Nobody cries. Everyone makes money. No Baylors or Iowa States to prop up. It is what it is. Texas, as a state has the 11th-largest economy in the world and Notre Dame is Notre Dame.

Could this team make it in the NBA? How many wins?

I think they'd be a 20-win team, getting bludgeoned by NBA bigs and lacking quality depth. Think Miami Heat before they reloaded after Shaq. They might have to start Evans to match-up. I think Tucker would need to contribute and clean up the garbage along with James. Scoring would not be the issue with Durant/Aldridge. If CJ Miles were eligible for this team, that'd be a big help.

Starters

F Lamarcus Aldridge

F Damion James

F Kevin Durant

G Daniel Gibson

G DJ Augustin

Reserves

F Maurice Evans

G TJ Ford

C Chris Mihm (out of retirement as a body)

C Dexter Pittman

G Royal Ivey

F PJ Tucker (Euro)

F Brian Boddicker (Euro)

Practice Squad

F Jordan Hamilton

G Avery Bradley

G AJ Abrams

So in another forum I saw reference to the 1994 Orange Bowl between Nebraka & Florida State. In this game, Nebraska was down two and needed a field goal to win. With :08 left (sound familiar), Tommy Frazier completed a pass down field to put them in field goal range. The receiver went down with :02 left, yet the clock ran down to :00. FSU celebrated, even dumping Bobby Bowden with a gatorade shower. The refs got together and correctly reset the clock to :02 - which they do anytime it matters. Nebraska promptly missed the field goal.

Here's video evidence - from the 6:40 mark until 7:00 and then shows the missed field goal towards the end.

Now, this should conclude any further discussion. People really need to study history in this country. Things happened before Al Gore invented the interwebs. How many Nebraska fans went nuts in 1994 when the clock erroneously ran out?

Dear AP sports writers,

The Oklahoma Sooners’ recent, heroic defeat to the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers was a game for the ages. The defensive showdown showcased two powerhouse programs. Before casting your vote in the upcoming AP poll, here’s a few factoids to consider:

1)      The combined victories of the four teams that have defeated the Sooners is 2,633 lifetime victories. This includes historical powers Texas, Nebraska, Miami & BYU.

2)      The Sooners have lost their four games by a combined total of 12 points. They very easily could be 9-0.

3)      The Sooners defense gave up only 10 points tonight.

4)      QB Sam Bradford was once again out. Though he’s announced his plans to turn pro next year, his spirit is with us.

5)      Remember when the Sooners beat Idaho St & Tulsa back-to-back, by the combined score of 109-0? That was awesome!

6)      The Sooners vaunted defense held Nebraska to just 180 yards in total offense.

7)      Look how many crappy teams are out there. We’re OU damnit!

8)      We have neither the time nor the inclination to explain ourselves to sports writers who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very sports tradition that we provide, and then question the manner in which we provide it. We would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, we suggest you pick up a football, and get in a three-point stance. Either way, we don't give a damn what you think about OU football. Keep us in the Top 25 damnit!

9)      OK, we’re sorry. Coach Stoops will tear me a new one if we get voted out of the AP for the first time since 2005. I’m sure we can get you a nice new auto. Or, how about free gas?

These are some of the many salient arguments in weighing the ranking of the Oklahoma Sooners football team, coached by future hall-of-famer Bob "Big Game" Stoops. We respectfully request to be considered for the AP’s Top 25. To further enhance our case, we're opening up fan comments at the site - www.burntorangenation.com. Look in the FanPosts and you'll find additional arguments to keep OU in the Top 25, if not the Top 10.

If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. If for any reason I am unable to return your call in a timely manner, it's due to the seven national championship trophies interfering with the wi-fi in my office.

Best regards,

Sooners PR department

(Not really in case the AP decides to run this story)

Listening to Fighting Texas Aggie broadcaster Dave South is an acquired taste, much like fine wine or prune juice. Just give it some time and you’ll come to appreciate it. Among many jaded Longhorns, they listen sparingly and only to his classic calls - Sound of Silence. I had the pleasure of taking in a full three hours of Dave South on my drive back from the Red River Rivalry. It took some getting used to, but after an hour or so, I came to understand why he’s YOUR voice for the Aggies. 

Listening to a Dave South broadcast is much like waking up after being sedated or from a drunken stupor. You don’t know where you are or what’s going on and you feel a bit nauseous and dizzy.

via giving.tamu.edu

Dave South - the only play by every other play broadcaster

Continue reading this post »

Say what you want about Colt's inopportune and inexclicable pick late in the game, but the play of the game was Colt hustling to make a tackle (about 30). It could have easily been a pick 6, but Colt made the clutch tackle. Now, Colt needs to get his head on straight and avoid throwing more pick 6 ops (OU missed out on two easy Ints).

Part of it may be Colt, but part of it is that our passing game has not been right since the 1st half of the Okie State game last year, where Colt was sensational. Greg, the gig is up. What were we doing in the offseason to enhance the offense? Maybe the extra work on the running game is about to pay dividends.

Nevertheless, Colt played with heart and helped us grit out victory, as demonstrated by his hustle, scrambling and leadership.

via r9.fodey.com

Other Headlines after the jump

Continue reading this post »