SB Nation User Blog: twsmith23

Captain Freedom has been activated

twsmith23 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:55:47 -0000

You can try to keep him down, but he'll always survive. Buried in an article by tWWL's Kevin Seifert about the NFC North is this little note: "Linebacker J Leman was promoted from the practice squad." Prepare for destruction on an NFL field. Or something.

On a side note (to meet the required 74 words), he was activated because 1) EJ Henderson's leg got turned inside out and upside down last week, and 2) His little brother Erin Henderson got suspended for banned substances. Bad week for the Henderson's...

Fiesta Bowl Insider Info?

twsmith23 — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:14:26 -0000

Admittedly you should take this for what it's worth, but just got off the phone with a close friend of mine who knows someone who works at U. of Phoenix Stadium here in AZ (where the Fiesta Bowl will be played). Supposedly Iowa vs. Boise St. is a done deal, they have the invites (or whatever the proper procedure is) all signed and sealed, just waiting for Sunday to deliver.

I know it's stupid to believe 'I know a guy who heard from a guy who talked to someone', but every piece of information I hear down here alludes to Iowa vs. Boise St, from stadium people to airport people to radio people. Look me up for a drink when you're all in town... =)

Fiesta Bowl Prez John Junker talks Iowa

twsmith23 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0000

Junker was on Xtra 910 radio down here in AZ yesterday and was talking Fiesta bowl with the hosts. The hosts asked him about the Fiesta, and he talked a little bit about how they were losing their conference tie-in championship to the BCS championship game (Texas), and as a result would be getting an at-large selection (blah blah blah, we already know that).

The hosts then said, 'Come on John, who is the Fiesta Bowl taking?'. Junker took a minute to talk about OK St., and how they would look good at 10-2 if they beat OU. And then he said the following:

'I've been on the Fiesta Bowl committee since 1981, and we've wanted Iowa to come down here for as long as I've been here'.

He also didn't even mention PSU except in passing.

It's OK St. vs. Iowa in the Fiesta to determine the bowls, and that makes me feel a little better about Iowa's chances. As stated earlier - If Iowa goes to Fiesta, look me up for a drink when yo're down here!

Anyone Going To Columbus?

twsmith23 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:46:27 -0000

I've got the opportunity to head to Columbus for the Iowa game, and was wondering if anyone else was heading over there. I'm going with a friend's family, and don't think they're going to be having as much, umm, fun, as i like to do during the nights or for tailgating. So i was wondering if anyone from on here was going to be there as well and if they'd like to meet up for some drinks.

Game watch in Omaha?

twsmith23 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:58:36 -0000

Need some help-

Gonna be on the road to Omaha this weekend for a wedding, and need to know if there are any Iowa bars or good places to watch the game in Old Market. Missing the great atmosphere of the Sandbar here in Phoenix, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Need to pre-game myself into oblivion before the wedding while watching the Hawkeyes. Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!! Go Hawks! Beat the, umm... Red Hawks? Wolves? Something like that...

Jets coach Rex Ryan Talking about Shonn Greene.

twsmith23 — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:13:23 -0000

[Bounced to the front page like it's Frank Duong -- ed.]

What we knew about Greene all along-

"I love the way guys bounce off of him," the Jets head coach said at his just concluded news conference between today's early and late rookie minicamp practices. "He goes rolling in there and guys are going flying. It doesn't matter who it is. An offensive teammate went flying today. He hits that hole, and this is a big man coming through there. He runs low. He's just a big old rascal. But they do, they bounce off him."

What we also knew about him-

"Unfortunately," Rex added, "some of the passes bounce off him."

Ryan provided an exchange between QB Mark Sanchez and Greene after one dropped pass. Sanchez:

"Sorry, I should've put that on the other shoulder."

Greene: "I just don't catch very well."

Sounds like Greene is doing pretty much exactly what we all thought he would...

(Courtesy of Newyorkjets.com)

Anthony Tucker Out For Year

twsmith23 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:12:19 -0000

Anthony Tucker has been ruled academically ineligible, and as a result will miss the remainder of the season. I haven't found any articles to link to on this, but the story just broke. (UPDATE: The story is over on one of those boards if you want the story. Not that one, the other one...)

Even though he hasn't contributed much lately, he started the season on fire and was Iowa's leading scorer. Between suspensions, injuries, and now this, the Iowa team is starting to resemble the Iowa football team of last year and the year before.

More bad news for Lick and the team...

Chiefs To Hire Todd Haley?

twsmith23 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:06:48 -0000

According to the Kansas City Star, which attributes the news to Cris Collinsworth, the Chiefs are looking at current AZ Cardinals Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley to be their next head coach. Haley has a little history with Piolil, having worked with him on the Jets in the late '90's.

Haley was on a radio show this afternoon on my way home from work here in AZ, shortly after this story broke, and was asked about it. He basically shrugged off the question, saying he was focusing on getting the Cards ready for the Super Bowl (something i still can't believe i just typed. Just ridiculous...). He did, however, admit he thinks he is ready to be a head coach.

The KC Star piece also mentions that it had been speculated that Ferentz was a choice of Pioli, but talks about it being difficult for him to leave now with James just a Sophomore.

Again, not like i thought KF was going anywhere, but here's another indication he's definitely not leaving...

Piolo Takes the Chiefs Job

twsmith23 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:53:57 -0000

The former Pats VP has agreed to take over the GM post for the Kansas City Chiefs .

Let the Ferentz-to-the-Cheifs talks begin. Though personally I don't think Ferentz is going anywhere, this wouldn't be a bad situation for him to make the jump. He's got a friend as the GM, doesn't have to move his family too far, and KC is a good football town/stadium. Lots of Hawkeye support down there, which wouldn't hurt...

Update: Stoops to ISU?

twsmith23 — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:47:26 -0000

Sources close to UA are hearing that ISU will be asking the Arizona AD for permission to speak with Mike Stoops after UA's bowl game tomorrow, Saturday 12/20.

Word is that Stoops is ISU's guy, and they will be offering him a 5-year deal at $1.3 Million per year. However, supposedly Stoops likes UA and would like to stay there. He's looking for a raise and an extension to stay there, but even with a raise he wouldn't be making $1.3 at UA.