There has been a lot of talk about a certain AP voter (Doug Lesmerises) and the way he has ranked his teams in the AP poll. Though I wouldn’t go to the extreme that he has on some of his rankings by placing Oklahoma State and BYU above Florida or putting Miami at number 2, but I do agree with his way of looking at the present body of work instead of preseason speculation or reputation.

With that in mind here is my Power Poll. I ranked just the top 10.  READ MORE

Every Sooner fan is wondering the same thing. Is this the year Bob Stoops brings another national title to the Sooner Nation? However, there are always a handful of things that must go just right if a team is going to win it all. The 2000 Sooners went the entire season without a single starter missing a game. The ‘08 Texas Longhorns were actully one interception away from playing for the title.

What must happen in order for Oklahoma to satisfy it’s natives by winning the national championship? Here are the Top 5 Questions Sooner fans should have on their mind entering the season.  Read More

Originally Posted On Tomahawk Blog

Michael Jordan beat the Jazz with the flu. Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open with a broken leg and a bad knee. Kirk Gibson beat the A’s with two bad legs. I beat my brother one-on-one using only my left hand, and now the Dodgers beat the Angels without recording a single hit.

The Angels’ Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo combined for a no-hitter, but still lost 1-0 to the Dodgers on Saturday night.

Or did they?

Actually, according to a rule instituted by MLB’s Committee for Statistical Accuracy in 1991......(read more)

I found it tough to rank the best offenses in the conference mainly because the talent at quarterback is so deep. Most of last season’s top offenses will return the majority of their key players.

At first glance, my number one pick may look like a homer pick. However, there is a strong basis for my choice. It should be no surprise that the top three offenses have the top three quarterbacks in the conference. Here is how my rankings of the Big 12 offenses shake out....(read more)

Originally Posted On Tomahawk Blog

Once again it looks as if Major League Baseball is going to wait until things get way out of hand before they decide to tackle an issue. Perhaps it will take a congressional investigation to get Bud Selig to take the appropriate action.

In the second inning of Tuesday nights game between the Rockies and Royals in Kansas City, plate umpire Brian O’Nora was struck in the head with a shattered piece of Miguel Olivo’s broken maple bat. With blood rushing down his face, O’Nora rushed to the Kansas City dugout where coaches and players used towels to stop the bleeding. O’Nora was then treated by Royals trainer Nick Swartz before being taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with a small cut on his forehead.

For years players, managers, coaches, broadcasters, and even umpires have expressed their concern that maple bats should be banned before a fan, player or umpire was injured. Well, guess what. Now it’s happened, and they waited too late to make a move.

This issue reminds me of the steroid issue. Most in baseball knew for years that there was a problem with steroids in the game, but they waited until it was too late to do something about it. Commissioner Selig  could have done something about steroids long before baseball’s most prized records were tarnished, and he could have done something about maple bats long before somebody got hurt. The worst part of the story is that he still has not made the switch from maple to ash.

The maple bat issue is not a new one. Just last month Selig was quoted as saying that shattered maple bats are "a source of concern for me." The commissioner can’t ban maple bats unilaterally because their use is a term and condition of employment and subject to collective bargaining. However, there has been plenty of time for baseball to discuss the issue with the players union.

It’s doubtful that the union would object to a change. Many players are already making the switch to ash. Olivo made the switch immediately following the incident and used an ash bat for the remainder of the game.

"I’ve broke a lot of bats. I feel so bad for the umpire," Olivo said. "I saw the blood come out and they came out and put a towel on his head. I just worried a little bit."

Kansas City infielder Mike Aviles also said he switched from maple to ash for the rest of the game after O’Nora was hurt. However, Aviles isn’t sure if maple bats should be banned.

"I go back and forth," Aviles said. "Honestly, I don’t want them to get rid of it because I like using maple. I like the option of having both if I want to use it."

Many players like to use the maple bats because they feel like they are better for their numbers. So, perhaps a hitters numbers are more important than the life of an umpire or a 12 year old fan that could possibly take the next shattered bat in the head. Once again Selig is going to wait until something really bad happens before he does anything.

The league has announced that they are going to start running tests on the bats. Meanwhile there are going to be games played every night using the maple bats. There would be no harm in a temporary ban on the bats until these tests are concluded. If the tests reveal that the bats are not too dangerous then bring them back. Selig is taking a huge risk by allowing hitters to use maple bats in the meantime.

This is just another example of the incompetence of the worst commissioner in professional sports. He is more concerned with adding instant replay than he is with the safety of players, umpires, and more importantly, fans.

Originally posted on Tomahawk  Blog

As of June 21, the Braves are six games out of first place in the NL East. That's actually the good news. The Braves have not only suffered a great number of injuries, but they have all been to very key players. The most devastating would have to be the loss of John Smoltz. With the number of injuries and the bad luck the Braves have had in one run games, it is a minor miracle that Bobby Cox and his team aren't trailing the division leading Phillies by more than 10 or 12 games.

As the cliche goes, there's alot of baseball still to play. Even after coming off another bad road trip in which the Braves went 3-6 against the Cubs, Angels, and Rangers, there is now hope for things to turn around, thanks to the return of closer Mike Gonzalez.

Gonzalez made his return in successful fashion with a perfect ninth inning against the Rangers on Wednesday night, earning him his first save in over a year. Gonzalez, who is returning from Tommy John elbow surgery, seemed to pick up where he left off before his injury in May of last year.

There could be more good news on the horizon for the Braves. Yeah, you heard me right. I said good news. That's something the Braves have had very little of all year. There are actually signs that Mike Hampton is nearing a return. Tom Glavine should return sometime around the All-Star break. The offense will also receive a boost in the near future as Mark Kotsay is expected to be back in the line-up within the week. Not that the Braves would be back at full strength, but it may be enough to get back into the division race.

Between now and the All-Star break, the Braves will have a great chance to move closer to the Phillies. Only two of the seven teams they will face before the summer classic have winning records, the Brewers and the Phillies. In each of those two meetings, the Braves will have the luxury of playing at home. If the Braves can climb to within two or three games by the break, the season could have a completely different outlook.

So, before you start to give up on this season, take a look at what could be ahead. As horrible as things seem to be now, they could be alot worse. A month from now they could also be alot better. Just the fact that this team is still in the race even after all the injuries, shows the potential that the 2008 version of the Braves has to offer. Not only could a healthy Braves team still have a chance to win the division, but if their health improves, they could be just one trade or one healthy Mike Hampton away from being the favorite in the NL. I know, it's wishful thinking, but I need some reason to look forward to the fall.

Originally posted on Tomahawk Blog

After 70 games the Braves are 6.5 games back in the NL East. Considering all that the Braves have been through with injuries and just plain old bad luck, it's surprising this team isn't looking at a double digit deficit. There is hope for the future, but has the damage aready been done?

Despite all the injuries to the pitching staff, Bobby Cox could still come out of the All-Star break with a solid rotation. The loss of John Smoltz really hurt, but Jair Jurrjens has stepped up and became a very solid number two starter. The young righty has compiled a very respectable 6-3 record and 3.77 ERA. Even Jurrjens fell victom to the Braves injury bug when he twisted his ankle while walking down the clubhouse stairs in Chicago after Tuesday's loss to the Cubs. The 22 year-old missed his start the next day, but is starting tonight in Colorado.

Tim Hudson has been magnificent while stepping up to become the ace of the staff. Even after the bullpen blew two saves for him, he still has a 7-4 record. Hudson is also fifth in NL in both ERA (2.76) and innings pitched (98).

Jo-Jo Reyes has proven to be a dependable mid-rotation starter. Despite a losing record (3-4), Reyes has made great improvements since the beginning of the season when he had trouble with his control. The 23-year-old lefty has allowed no more than four earned runs in each of his past three starts.

Another welcomed surprise has been the play of Jorge Campillo. In six starts since leaving the bullpen, he is 2-1 with a very good 2.17 ERA. Campillo has yet to give up more than four runs in any of his starts. On Sunday against the Angels, he went eight strong innings giving up only two runs on seven hits, but still got the loss.

Even though the bullpen has been hit hard with injuries, they are still fourth in the NL with a 3.33 ERA. Bobby Cox isn't really sure when closer Rafael Soriano will be back at full strength, but Mike Gonzalez should return to action in the next week to ten days.

If the Braves are to make a run at the Phillies, they will need Tom Glavine to return to the rotation along with a healthy closer whether it's Soriano or Gonzalez. There is also a chance that Mike Hampton could finally be nearing a return. If he can pitch like he is capable, Roger McDowell's job could get alot easier.

Mark Kotsay is also close to making a return from a bad back. Before going to the DL, the center fielder was having a nice season at the plate with a .294 batting average.

Even if they are able to get these guys back within the next month, and Chipper Jones is able to stay healthy, will the Braves be close enough to make a run at the division? It's going to take some good luck. That's one thing the Braves are running short on.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON CRIMSON OKIE

In 2007 Sam Bradford had one of the best freshman campaigns for a quarterback in college football history. Bradford threw 36 touchdown passes, breaking the old freshman record of 29. He was also amazingly accurate with a 69.5 completion percentage, while throwing for 3,121 yards and only giving up eight interceptions. The Freshman also led the nation with a 176.5 QB rating.

With a new no-huddle offense being implemented in hopes of creating more offensive plays per game, Bradford will be given the opportunity to surpass last years numbers. The addition of a healthy DeMarco Murray in the backfield will give him a dangerous option to throw to out of the back field.

The competition for footballs most highly touted individual award will be stiff. Last years winner, QB Tim Tebow will return for another season in Florida. Missouri QB Chase Daniel, who finished fourth in the the Heisman race last season, is also back.

My top five Heisman candidates are:

1. QB Tim Tebow (Florida) - Being the defending champion could be both a positive and a negative.

2. QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) - A year under his belt, and no-huddle offense will help.

3. QB Pat White (West Virginia) - Big play maker will make weekly highlight reels.

4. QB Chase Daniel (Missouri) - Not playing Oklahoma in the regular season will help.

5. RB Chris Wells (Ohio State) - Will be the focus of the Buckeye offense.

via Tomahawk Blog

You have got to be kidding me! It has gotten to the point to where the freak injury suffered by Chipper Jones during batting practice Friday night didn't even surprise me. In fact, it was almost expected. If your name is Tim Hudson, or if you play a key roll for the Braves, you should be very nervous and maybe think about living in a bubble.

Chipper has shown to the baseball God's that he can hit just fine with just about any leg or foot injury he is given. So, they go for the eye's. The last thing a .414 hitter wants is an injury that alters his vision. As Braves fans, his chase for a .400 average was all we had left this year. I would say things couldn't get any worse, but who knows. Obviously anything is possible with this team.

Perhaps the only thing more unbelievable than the injury to Jones was that the Braves won a game on the road. This may be the first time in history that a minor league pitcher is hoping not to get called up. I can't say that I would blame them.

In my life there have been three sports figures that I have learned to never bet against. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and John Smoltz. So, when Smoltz says he still expects to pitch again, even after Tuesday's season-ending arthroscopic shoulder surgery, I feel inclined to believe him. But, I think this time I just won't bet either way.

Eventually he will have to retire, and I just don't see it being becuase he is tired of playing. If there were ever going to be an injury that ends his career it would be this one. The other factor that nobody is talking about is the fact that he did not pitch enough innings this season to force the Braves to pick up his $12 million option for 2009.

The only thing that seems to keep Smoltz in the game is his desire to win a championship. So, are the Braves willing to spend the money it would take to bring back Mark Teixeira and sign a quality starter? Both of which will be absolutely necessary if the Braves are to compete in the NL next season. His decision may hinge on how bad the Braves want to win. With Bobby Cox returning for one more season, you can bet the necessary moves will be made.

The surgery seems to have gone well, and doctors did not find anything that would indicate a return is not possible.

"When we decided to have the surgery, there were some things that were unknown that could scare me away from, or lead me away from, making a comeback, and none of those things I've gotten word that they existed when they went in there," Smoltz said during a conference call with reporters. "There was significant damage in the shoulder, but all that's fixed, and all would allow me to pursue coming back."

Like I said, I won't bet against him coming back, but I won't be betting on it either. It's just that if anybody can come back from this type of injury it's Smoltzy, but the injury may not be what causes him to retire. It wouldn't be the first time the Braves let one of their Hall of Famers go.