This comes from Luke Winn's Power Rankings @ CNNSI.  Winn, using a surprising number from kenpom.com, refers to Cousins as a "shot hog."

Here is what interests me most:

"The Wildcats were 11th in the Pomeroy efficiency rankings through Tuesday, but would make an offensive jump if more of Cousins' shots -- particularly the ones when he's double-teamed in the post -- went to Patterson instead. Patterson's offensive rating (137.4) is more than 20 points higher than Cousins' (115.3)."

Upon first glance, this doesn't make sense to me because Cousins seems to score at least 1 point per minute he's on the floor.  But I wasn't aware (until I looked), that Patterson shoots almost .100 better than Cousins from the floor.  I guess it's something to keep an eye on as conference play commences.

Also note the NBA Jam reference used under his justification for Texas @ number 2.

Here's the Rankings: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/luke_winn/01/07/power.rankings/index.html?eref=sihp

While the source has been the focus of the majority the academic fraud at FSU, she is a professional, and her words are troubling (and embarrassing for anyone who proudly holds an undergraduate degree from Florida State University).  I wonder if Bobby Bowden knows about this.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/FSU-releases-NCAA-transcripts-Some-Noles-readi?urn=ncaaf,196189

I'm definitely going to pay attention to this issue in the future, and keep track of the woman's defamation suit against FSU.

Jarmon has signed his first professional contract, and it looks like he's going to spend the season learning.  I'm surprised by this considering the lack of proven talent possessed by the other defensive linemen on WAS' depth chart (aside from $100 million man Albert Haynesworth and recent first round pick Brian Orakpo).

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/zorn-on-jarmon-hes-studying-th.html?wprss=redskinsinsider

"I want to be surprised if he has impact this year," says Zorn. "I'm looking at him as a guy we got a year early, so we can develop and be that much further ahead. When the NFL Draft comes around next year, he'll already have a year under his belt. He won't be preparing for his first camp."

Think about how Jarmon's situation turned out.  He'll spend next year essentially conditioning and learning a playbook while getting paid an NFL salary instead of being the (unpaid) B.M.O.C.  He's basically in the NFL one year early with third round money instead of first round money, considering many experts projected him a late first round pick in 2010.

...one of the last places I want to see him play professionally.  Washington.

Although there have many indications to the contrary, young players and guys moving into their second contracts go to places like Washington and Oakland and disappear.  Washington is constantly in the midst of rifts between players/coaches/management.  Look no further than Clinton Portis' ongoing feud with Head Coach Jim Zorn.

This would also ostensibly bury Jarmon on the depth chart as a DE or OLB.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/07/12/lions-new-d-coordinator-wants-to-blitz-more

The Redskins had the biggest contingent of any team at the workouts of Kentucky DE Jeremy Jarmon, who is the highest-rated prospect for the July 16 supplemental draft. Included among the four team officials in attendance was executive vice president Vinny Cerrato and player personnel director Scott Campbell.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/06/25/kentuckys-jarmon-could-go-in-supplemental-draft/

"Jarmon is the most likely of the three players to be drafted, and he’ll work out at Kentucky on July 9. He also participated at the Kentucky Pro Day before the draft, measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds with a 4.76-second time in the 40-yard dash."

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/06/08/jarmon-to-declare-for-supplemental-draft/

Going to the Eagles?  That would be great for Jarmon; Philadelphia is a popular pick among the experts to go to the Super Bowl next season...and lose to New England or Pittsburgh.

Notice Jarmon's company - an oft-suspended WR with multiple arrests and an OL who couldn't stay on the field due to persistent academic problems.  The aforementioned situations are classic Supplemental Draft cases (off-the-field behavior and academic issues).  Not only does Jarmon's talent make him a surefire pick on 7/16, but the fact that his issue was a misunderstanding about a supplement and not run-ins with the law or problems attending class/getting the grades further works in his favor.

While this piece is solely conjecture by Mark Schlabach, UK's OOC schedule is fairly weak.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4247827

While we do have the usual dates with UF, UT and Alabama (at Commonwealth), and UGA in Athens, the OCC schedule is...well, pathetic.  Especially with U of L mired in football obsolescence.

Last season...

Miami (OH) - 1-7 in the MAC (!), 2-10 overall; beat Charleston Southern and Bowling Green

Louisville - Well, you know. (1-6 BE, 5-7 overall; Who is the new QB?  Matt Simms?)

Louisiana-Monroe - 3-4 in Sun Belt, 4-8 overall

Eastern Kentucky - FCS team, tops in OVC last season

Now, let me make it clear that I didn't make this post to condemn UK football's scheduling choices.  We are not in the position yet as a national power to be validly criticized for scheduling softly outside the SEC.  However, you can call each and every one of these 4 dates "trap" games that could ruin, or at least substantially hinder, what many of us fans consider to be a promising season.  I'm not saying you should schedule OOC games with opponents who you expect to lose to; I guess I'm just saying that if you schedule OOC games against teams there is no excuse for you NOT to beat, you had better beat them. 

No matter what happens, I can't wait.

Notice - happily - how times have changed and I just assume we'll handle U of L.

This article from ESPN Page 2 really hits home.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=macgregor/090330&sportCat=ncb

"Taken seriously, the hiring and firing of Gillispie is a window into the institutional soul of the University of Kentucky. And those who claim to be passionate about that place need to take a very hard look, not only at what they're trying to do to right the basketball program, but in the mirror."

Harsh words that generally ring true (at least to me, a 24 year old UK alum and fan of 14 years).

Whether or not you agree (I primarily disagree), this provides some much-needed perspective.

Tim Masthay, Marcus McClinton and Myron Pryor have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in about three weeks for the upcoming NFL Draft.  It bodes well for all 3 that generally a majority (upwards of 95%) of players invited to the combine are drafted.

Here's the entire list:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/02/nfl-scouting-combine-list-is-out/

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This bit of news probably isn't good for Wesley Woodyard.  Woodyard was able to get on the field last year because of Williams' injury.  Apparently they plan to move Williams as the convert their base defense, which would seem to suggest that Woodyard's performance last year would be conducive to his inheritance of the spot.  However, the Broncos are rumored to be looking at LB in the Draft.  We'll see.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/01/broncos-dj-williams-on-the-move-again/

In looking at how certain underclassmen would fare in the 2009 NFL draft, Tony Pauline from CNNSI asserts that Lindley would be a probable second-round pick if he decided to come out.  I doubt he'll leave, considering UK's defense should be strong again next year, but it's something to look forward to.

"Trevard Lindley/CB/Kentucky: The Wildcats corner has shown steady improvement the past two years. Lindley, who grades as a second-round pick, is uncertain as to whether or not he'll enter the draft."

Here's the entire article - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/12/18/underclassmen/1.html

I know it's something we all hate to think about, but we have to be realistic.

Here's what ESPN's Chad Ford has to say about Patterson:

"Patterson has an NBA body and athleticism, and lately his numbers at Kentucky attest to it. He had 31 points versus Lamar, 19 points and 16 rebounds versus Miami, and then 21 and 10 versus Mississippi Valley State. He's shooting a ridiculous 73 percent from the field and is showing some nice offensive versatility. Ideally, Patterson would be a few inches taller than 6-8, but his explosive leaping ability and his long wingspan make up for much of it. Scouts still have him ranked in the 20s, but he's the type of player who could really rise as we get closer to the draft."

No mention of that "regression" some people have been talking about.

Here's the whole thing:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-081211&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

UPDATE 12/16/2008 by Truzenzuzex:  John Clay just posted this blog about Patterson.  Seems some NBA scouts think highly of him.

I've been paying casual attention to the OSU-Miami game on ESPN this evening.  Miami's best scorer (by FAR...almost 16 per) Jack McClinton was ejected following an absurd flagrant foul called after he essentially slapped a pesky OSU defender in the face.

Obviously, McClinton's actions were "flagrant" and inexcusable enough to warrant an ejection, but I wonder if it's possible that any further disciplinary action will be taken against him for the game at Rupp on Saturday (the latter part of this statement makes me doubt that UM would sit him for the game).  I cannot recall any suspensions for behavior like this as precedent, but I also can't recall a player acting like this.

Here's the first of many "Top College Prospects" lists for the 2009 NFL Draft from Pete Prisco.  While I'm ecstatic that Lindley is included (look at the "Others who could move into the top 32" list at the bottom), I'm not so thrilled that Prisco refers to him as "Trevor."

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/11041146

I know its just speculation and Prisco is no scout, but it's always exciting to see a UK football player mentioned on a list that also includes guys like Matt Stafford, George Selvie, Knowshon Moreno, etc.  Additionally, lists like this, however speculative, put guys who deserve some attention (like Lindley) "under the radar" for people who may not pay attention to outstanding players on a team that isn't a perennial BCS contender.

The piece also brings up the important - but often overlooked - imminence of a "looming rookie salary scale" that will scare underclassmen into the draft this year.