Doubtless everybody has already seen the semi-finalist list for the Bednarik Award, but as there were no indignant postings as yet, I feel compelled to rant. I didn't expect anyone outside the Big 11 circle to recognize Navorro, but to see JL on the list and not Bowman makes me wanna wretch. Since Shonn Greene has now been "exposed" by Kiper and his ilk (again, wretching) Bowman is now the Big 11's best kept secret, as such, I was cool with the snub. But Little Animal on the list? Laughable. Inexcusable. Inextricably odious. Continued evidence that NCAA football is a cult of personality. I know this is turf often trod, but when will the decidedly mediocre play of the Little Animal be exposed? (at least some those idiot non-savant draft guru's have Marcus Freeman rated higher, because he actually seems better) He is obviously a SERVICEABLE linebacker, but where are the stellar plays?. He's like Bosworth or Mandrich without the on-field production to back up the hype. (in fairness, JL does not appear to be a douche like the Boz) Indeed, where are the solo tackles? This guy never met a five-yards-down-the-field assisted tackle he didn't like. Where are any discernable stats outside of total tackles that qualify this guy? Navorro is only racking up solo tackles, TFL's, the occasional sack, a pick, a couple forced fumbles and the greatest FR since Paxton fell on the ball in '05 (or Tony Davis trotted down the sideline in '06). But he has no "story" aside from solid and (comparatively) unrecognized play. Just another example of the 'good story' angle that seems to cloud the media and college football mainstream. JL, son of L.O.D. legend Animal, awesome story...let's immediately enshrine him as the greatest player ever. Then it self-perpetuates as the glaring fact that JL is simply not dominant is obscured by the talking heads who are loth to admit their own mistaken assumptions and continue to lavish shine on this guy. I hated Katzenmoyer, but at least he could point to a resume demonstrating his worthiness. Here's hoping JL goes the way of the Big Kat (in term's of obscurity, not the neck injury).

Tangentially - it was with the greatest satisfaction that I watched Puz make a key TFL and some vicious pressure that forced Favre to throw a pick 6 in the Bill's loss to the NYJ. Meanwhile, AJ Hawk was looking lost in coverage and was occasionally pulled by McCarthy in the Pack's loss to the Kerry Collins-led Titans. A slight palliative, but palliative nonetheless.

imagine my happiness when I'm driving to the bank listening to the Herd and Colin puts us at No. 1 in the nation. say what you will about Colin (i'm iffy about him except for his undeniable love of college football, which I share) but he impressed me, especially by putting us ahead Texas based on a win against a "desperate" Ohio State team and the fact the Horns do not have a signature road W (c'mon Mike Leach, prove him right). after listening to the talking heads crap on us and the conference (Dienhart - i'm looking at you, you yellow journalist, William Randolph Hearst would be proud) that was just the infusion I needed. Upward and Onward

regarding Michigan : "You ask, What is our policy (on Sat.)? I will say; it is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength god can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime". (see also : Manningham, Mario)

regarding the season : "You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word : Victory - victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival. We shall not (get pointless)flag(s) or fail (to convert on third and short). We shall go on to Miami. We shall fight in the Beav. We shall fight in the 'Shoe and in Kinnick. We shall throw with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our quarterback, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight in the trenches, we shall fight in the backfield, we shall fight in the middle and in the flat, we shall fight on the goaline. We shall never surrender....."

"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the Penn State Nittany Lions and its constituent fanbase last for a thousand years, men will still say : "This was their finest hour".