I'll Take Some Good With The Bad

It could have been worse. It could have been ALOT worse. Penn State pretty much had its way with our Orange for the majority of Saturday's game at Happy Valley - especially through the air. But again, it could have been worse. I'm not a fan of moral victories, but I will point out some good points.

SU D stuffed the Nittany Lions on the goal line on a few occasions. Hell, they even caused a fumble on the 2 yard line which they recovered.




The flip side to that, of course, was the call to run up the gut 3 straight times resulting in a punt after that fumble recovery. YEEEEEEEESH!!!!!!

Opportunities might have been blown, but at least there were opportunites. Fuck me, if thats not a 'glass half full' statement I don't know what is.

Most notably the final minute in the first half. Out of timeouts, the Orange needed to put some points on the board but didn't manage the clock well enough to get within reasonable firing distance of the end zone. Hell, the officials even gave Marrone and Co 2 straight timeouts with the review of Lemon's catch (which it clearly was) and the decision to review the play again to see if it made a first down (which it clearly did not). Thanks for the TOs, refs. None-the-less, SU went to the locker room with a goose egg.


Paulus didn't look half bad. But his receivers had the dropsies all damn day. Mike Williams had the drop of the day in the endzone on a 'must score' possesion.

The Stalion formation worked when implemented. But lets face it. The only play ran out of it was the "Fake the handoff to Carter - Bailey takes off up the middle" (I'll call that play a 'shot of Baileys on the Rocks'). And while I'm not great with keeping up stats I'd say that damn play is good for about 5 damn yards every time. Put that in your coach's notebook. On 3rd and 5 - "Hey Bartender!! Shot of Baileys On The Rocks!!!"
Damn if they could only throw out of that formation. Cause the fucking cats outta the bag and Opposing Defenses are going to be ready for that play sooner rather than later.

The Axeman thinks that this battle tested SU squad is ready to put NorthWestern in the ground next Saturday. I love that kind of optimism. But I've been hurt before (Thanks alot Greggers) and I'm not ready yet.

TNIAAM sums it all up here

(Paulus still looks lke Troy Nunes when he scrambles)

I want to close with a subject I havent bitched about in some time. I DO NOT LIKE YANKING PAULUS FOR RYAN NASSIB. I DO NOT LIKE A 2 HEADED QB MONSTER. IT DOES NO ONE ANY GOOD TO PULL ONE QB FOR ANOTHER ALL FUCKING GAME. I DO NOT LIKE A 2 HEADED QB MONSTER. I DO NOT LIKE IT, SAM I AM.

Side notes: The game menu once again included Hot Italian Sausages and Yuengling.

Today's Menu for the NFL opener is gonna rock. My wife has slow roasted a chunk of meat all freaking day to the point where it pulls right off the bone. That stuffs been marinating in her kick ass 'hot and sweet brown sugar bbq' sauce and is gonna be stuffed into some oversized HB buns and topped with cole slaw for some kick ass BBQ Sammiches!! Take that, Dinosaur!!

Been A Long Time, Shouldnt've Left You W/O A Dope Beat To Step To

Damn its been a while. Sorry for the absence. But since my last post Ive lost both jobs and started up on a new and better one. Anyone who caught the game yesterday HAS to be optimistic about our Orange this season and beyond. Don't get me wrong, early on in the first quarter it looked like the same ol same ol. Snap over Paulus' head, turnover, Gopher RB takes in a score untouched. You know the script. But then not only did the D step it up, but the offense found some rhythm. I'm digging the new 'stalion' formation. I think if Bailey could throw out of the damn thing it'd be all the more difficult to defend. 'Cause towards the end of the game Minnesota D was stacking 8 in the box to defend it.
Greg Paulus didnt dissapoint. Dont get me wrong. He wasnt fantastic in his debut but for someone who's been away from the game for 4 freakin years he looked solid. But I know I wasnt the only one getting Troy Nunes flashbacks watching him scramble. And don't tell me that first play didn't look just like our old #11? Hand to God I had to do a double take. Speaking of which, not only do I dig the new NunesMagician site. But I completely agree with my fellow Blogger that on the last offensive play Paulus should have either found Williams sooner or gotten rid of the ball so 'Cuse could at least put up three. You cannot lay a goose egg on the first possesion in OT. Cannot Cannot CANNOT.
All in all I'm with so many other fellow Orange fans when I say I took some hope away from our home opener. Offense looked a hell of alot better than last season. D played with some heart. Crowd was into it the whole way. Looking forward to some good things this year. I truly believe Syracuse can pull off 4 or 5 wins and maybe steal another.
As for my thoughts on the Golden Gophers their QB, Weber, looks like he's going to break every Minnesota passing record that exists. The guy backing him up looked sick (in a good way) in what little time I saw him. He's gonna be a hoss somewhere down the road. That Decker fucker caught damn near everything thrown at him and finished with around 180 yards recieving. He'll be playing on Sundays.

Oh and speaking of playing on Sundays, Art Jones gets my Monster Quest award this week for being the beast of the D Line. After every tackle they should flash that shot from the show where the evil looking beast eye blinks and growls. Yeah... don't act like you've never watched that shit.



Side notes: Yesterday's menu included Hot Italian Sausages and Yuengling (on sale for $8.99 for a 12 pack..... kick ass!!!). Oh and a fresh pack of Pall Mall Ultra lights. Yeah... the Orange pack. Heh Heh heh...



And for anyone who's wondering, my Hakim Warrick collection is coming along nicely.

Hak Collection

Think collecting hoops cards is for little kids?? Wrong, bitch!!

One Candidate Down

Well so much for the Edsall talk.

Randy Edsall Not Interested In Coaching At Syracuse

Looking Back....Looking Ahead

Newsflash:

If you didn't watch Saturday night you missed some fine punting from Rob Long. But thats not why we're here today. In case you reside under a large rock the inevitable finally happened yesterday. The right move was made, but should have been made damn sooner. I'll spare you the numbers because Lord knows we all know just how bad Orange footballl has gotten.

• T3I sent Greggers off in style.

• TNIAAM took the liberty of preparing Robinson's resume for him.

• The Axeman sorts through the rubble.

• Donnie Webb weighs in with his top candidates.

Aside from College Football's Ugliest Uniforms, GRob does leave the quad sporting 2-0 record against in-state juggernaut Buffalo and bragging rights for sticking it to Louisville the past two seasons.

Doc Hollywood has assured SU fans far and wide that he's ahead of the game this time.

"To say we're ahead of the game is an understatement, - I want to work at this at Godspeed, to get it done. If I could get it done yesterday, I would. But we want to get it done the right way and be really smart about it and figure out every angle on this to make sure we can win."

Pete Carroll, that's you cue to sit by the phone and answer on the third ring.

We've been hearing all summer/fall about how Gross is going to have the 'first pick in the draft', and how he's got 10 trillion dollars to spend on the next coach. Unfortunatley ClemPson, Washington, Tennessee, among others all got a head start out of the gate. Word from D Webb is that Randy Edsall is the leading cadidate and is actually interested in the job. I still think we missed that boat back in 2004 but since Edsall hasnt flat out denied interest in the SU job, who knows. Hell, if he inks to a deal with Gross at least it'll make the UConn/Syracuse football rivalry just as heated as the hoops rivalry. Wasnt Axe saying not too long ago that Syracuse doesnt have a primary rival anymore?? Hmmmm.....

Syracuse/Rutgers Live Blog

Morning all! Just for shits and giggles I'm blogging live today during the game so check back periodically. If you dont get ESPNU, I've got your updates covered!

Hour and 15 to game time...


1st Quarter.:Its wet, 'Cuse can't tackle (surprise) and Rutgers is threatening.

Update.. threatening no more. Teel Threw a sweet pick. No Scarlet Knight around in the end zone. Easy pick. Holding penatly coming up on SU 1st down... whoooppeee....

after the hold.. Pass interference on 'Cuse. Still 1st and 22..... damn near their own goal. Pass to Owen gets them back to the original fucking line of scrimmage. 3rd and 9.

Doug Houge just broke one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gone!!!!!! TD!!!!!

Damn, I could have drove a cement truck through the hole he had to run through. Great call on 3rd and long.

7-zip 'Cuse


Rutgers responds with a 3 and out. SU blocked the punt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 14-0 on a Graham (correction) block!!!!!! Hell theyre scoring faster than I can type!!! Whens the last time we saw a SU punt block for a TD??

14-0 SU rolling..... Rum and coke #1 - GONE

Another 3 and out for Rutgers. Fair catch made by Bruce at about the 10

Scarlet Knight D makes the stop. 3 and out for 'Cuse. Rob Long booted one to the RU 31.

If I see this fucking commercial for these dufus ass die cast trucks I'm going to throw something. Wouldnt be so bad but they take like 3 fucking minutes.

Rum and Coke # 2 - GONE

SU D looks soft this quarter. Rutgers ran the same fuckin play twice in a row for 2 1st downs. Scarlet Knights in FG range

1st and goal Rutgers. Whooooooo.... made this 3rd Rum and Coke kinda stttttrong.

Dammit!!!!!!! TD Rutgers. Teel toss to Underwood. Easy catch. Fuck!!!!!!!!!!

I love when anncouncers cant get a players name right. "Matt Sutter with the runback"

More fun from the announcers. Sales dropped a pass... "couldnt complete the Sale".... Har Dee Har Har. Dantley sacked. SU punting

Rum and Coke # 3 - GONE

Scott went down hard. Looks to be OK

Teel is picking this SU secondary apart. SU D still looks soft. Theyre hitting but not covering

TD Rutgers. Teel put it on the money in the corner of the endzone.

This one announcer has no fucking personality. Remember that Simpsons episode where Bart goes to the Box Factory? The guy who gave the tour is calling this game.

Normally SU waits til the 4th quarter to give a ball game away. Guess they figurd 'why wait?'

Rutgers D holds. Boonah got robbed out of a 1st down. Looked lke he stretched it out and his knee wasnt down. SU punting (again)

Rum and Coke #4 - GONE

Hate to say it but great call by Rutgers on 3rd and long. Same draw play that Hogue scored on earlier. 1st down Rutgers. 40 seconds til halftime.

SU Pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! chance for a FG at least. Good time to have Shadle.

Dantley ran for the 1st. SU FG att coming.

FG blocked but Time was called first.

Another attempt coming.

What the crap??? another timeout. another miss.

Tied 14 All at halftime. Time to refill on booze.

SU starts at their own 28. 1st half stats heavily favor Rutgers... except the 3 SU take-a-ways.

3 and out for' Cuse. Rutgers is bringing alot of pressure.

I'm going with my frosty cold mug and ice cold beer this half.

Still havent seen DR J throwing ice cubes in glasses yet.

Art Jones broke free and forced a sack!!! Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet.....
2nd and 20 Rutgers

My wife's only comment of the game is that Art Jones has a huge ass.

Oh Rutgers punting...

HUGE run by Boonah for the first time today!! 1st and 10 Cuse on their own 33

Dammit!!!!!!!!!! Pressure came. Dantley coughed it up. Fucking Rutgers ball already in FG range.

Beer #1 - GONE

Son a bitch!!!! Teel pass to Campbell. Rutgers on the 1. Should have been a score IMO. Probably will be in about 1 or two plays. Wait... under review. Should be a score.

Play stands. RU ball on the 1. Young is in. 21-14 Rutgers. SU needs to keep it on the gound next time out.

If that wasnt enough fun to watch heres my favorite 3 minute long Die Cast Truck commercial again.... AGAIN.

Beer #2 - GONE

Son of a bitch another sack. Turns out SU did show up after all. 3rd and forever on their own 10.

Dantley just tossed it 5 yards deep in the sideline. SU punting.

Rutgers at midfield

Youve got to be fucking kidding me. 45 yard run by Rutgers. Direct snap to the Martineck. he hit the corner and was GONE.

So is Beer # 3

SU keeps it on the ground like they should. Gee.... funny its halfway through the 3rd quarter and theyre down by two scores to figure that shit out. 1st down Syracuse.

Rutgers facemask just gave SU another 1st down. I aint complainin

Play action doesnt work again. Dantleys pass way off the mark... again.

While I'm happy that Boonah's getting postitve yards this half he doesn NOT need to be jumping over defenders when he doesnt have to. Remeber those past injuries??

Another sack. Dantley went down akward and is down. NOT GOOD!!!!! Right knee twisted. Hate to see that. For any player. Hope he's OK

Shadle is good. 28-17 Rutgers. Looks like we may see ARob for the first time since NW.

Great return by Rutgers. Scarlet Knights with great field position.... again

End of the third. Rutgers threatening. Lots of work for SU to do to get back in this one.

4th down coming up for Rutgers. Looks like theyre going for it. I'd just kick the FG and be happy with the lead. Its not like SU has posed much of an offensive threat.

Rutgers just paid for going for it on 4th. BIG stop by SU D. 'Cuse takes over on downs. Loss of 3 on first down. ARob in at QB

3 and out again.... Time ticking away.

Beer #4 GONE

If youre wondering ARob threw one pass which was way off and then ran but wound up short of the 1st. RU at their own 35.

Crap. Teel just tossed a 40 yard beauty to Tim Brown (not that one). Rutgers 1st and 10 at the 15

Fuck, before I could even finish typing another Underwood TD grab. We all know SU is NOT a 4th quarter team. This ones fucking over.

ARob pass was batted down by a LB. 2nd and 10 'Cuse on their own 30

Heres the same quote I give my wife every week. I just shake my head and assure her.... "It didn't used to be this way"

Thank God for the 98 Rutgers game clips earlier! How cool was it to see Kevin Johnson, McNabb and Konrad?? Sweeet.....

Worst play Ive seen in a while from ARob. Pocket collapsed. He could have run. Decided to dump it off to Brinkley but threw it ... about 10 feet short on the ground.

ARob complete to Hogue for a few. Still short of the first down. But hey, at least the ball found its target.

Dont hold your breath for an SU comeback. On 4th down ARob sailed a pass way over the intended receiver's head. Ddidnt catch who it was. I was busy throwing a pillow against the front door. Remember... throw it at the front door. It absorbs impact better than other doors in the house.

Oh.. and Rutgers driving. Ball game pretty much over.

Wait.. too little too late but Mike Holmes just recovered a Young fumble. 1st and 10 Syracuse.

And just like that Boonah caught on in the flat, got a few yard then got the hell knocked out of him. Coughed it up too, so Rutgers has it right back. Shit!

Refs reversed the fumble call. SU ball

ARob goes down for another sack. I believe thats 5 on the day for Rutgers. Geeeeeeeeeez..

BEER ME!!

Only thing that could make this worse is another fucking die cast truck commercial.

Greg Schiano looks like Charlie Brown with a gap in his teeth

1st down Rutgers.

Young with another carry. Another fucking Rugers 1st down. I think I just saw the grim reaper standing behind Greg Robinson.

Another Young carry. Another first down

Its over. Minute left... just take a fucking knee

Knee taken. Its over.

BEER ME!!!!!!!

Holy Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah... I know I'm a day late for this. But I had a ton of work yesterday and didn't get around to it. Piss off.

When's the last time we Orange faithfull got to send a big 'Har Dee Har Har' out two years in a row?? Been a while. In fact, last time Syracuse beat someone in back-to-back seasons was Boston College in 2004. Yeah, I know... that one's tough to beat.

Its a damn shame Boonah won't be around next season because he's really starting to come into his own. He's opening a few eyes on the national level as well. Look to the right under "Ground-churning runners". Number 3 on that list look familiar?? Hell I can't remember the last time we had someone other than Rob Long getting some consistant kudos. But there he is. Damn well eanred too. He's looked fucking S-O-L-I-D lately!

As I looked around at various posts and blogs and forums I couldnt help but notice those Orange faithful who just don't know how to enjoy a good win.

"Robinson still has to go"

No shit, nim-wad. Enjoy the fucking win.

"I didn't even watch yesterday because I don't care about SU football anymore"

And you missed a hell of a win. Try not to hang yourself.

"While they don't win or lose games, they have to go back to the orange pants. That's the tradition & they look better."

An in-the-books conference win and you're bitching about the pants?

I could go on and on but those dip-shits will always be around to piss out the fire. So fuck 'em.

As The Axeman recaps happily the ball finally bounced our way a few times. The Bruce fumble turned out to be no big deal. There's still a mountain to climb as far as pursuit and tackling goes. But, hell with it, a wins a win. My only gripe was that the game was on ESPN U, which really fucks with your head as you're watching the scores on the bottom of the screen. Men's Polo? Table Tennis? Badminton? Once I saw all the Ivy League schools I knew something was up.

T3I have no problem admitting they were dead wrong in the outcome of the Louisville game. Hell, so was everyone in the stands - all 10,000 of them. And, like me, they're pretty damn happy to be wrong in this case.

The Sport Hump found a few things that SU football is better than. Nice homework on Dick Dawson BTW. Gentlemen, I raise my glass.



I'll add something to your list. This stupid ass album that found its way onto shelves today. Its just fucking awful. Please, music critics, feel free to quote me on that. You'd get more enjoyment out of your 10 bucks if you bought a 10 dollar vase and purposely dropped it on your own foot. Unk can't rap worth a damn. But at least the beats were pretty sweet on the last album. Even though 'Walk It Out' got real old real fast. This time around the beats were pretty sorry and the material was about as unoriginal as it gets
.

So I'll add something to the Sport Hump List and get my Tuesday trash (On The Block @ 3 PM) out of the way while I'm at it. Trash it!!

Chitlen Legs??

Bill Cosby is Pumped Up About Temple Football!!!

Thats the worst thing I've ever seen in my life.

Poor Bastards gotta be losing it. I still Love 'Himself' I don't care what you say.

"I dont know!!"

Ha!!

You Blind Baby You Blind From The Fact!!

Steve Spurrier is defending the ref who knocked South Carolina QB Steven Garcia on his ass Saturday night. Said Spurrier, "He was trying to get out of the way,"

Yeah... I saw the fucking play from 4 different angles. Refs backpedal or sidestep to get out of the way. This ref took two steps TOWARDS Garcia, stuck his elbow out Cholo style and leveled him. I'm surprised he wasn't tossed in the penalty box for a cross-check (do they still do that in hockey?). And of course the SEC is defending THEIR ref.
ESPN reports
A spokesman (from the SEC) said the umpire raised his arm to defend himself after a change of direction by the runner

Look at the film. I mean seriously.... look at the film. The fucker leaned in to make the hit. LEANED IN.....
Safeties, Linebackers, Corners, Will, Sam... THEY lean in to make a hit. REFS get out of the damn way!!! As far as I'm concerned, this one got away with Hanibal Lector-esque murder. I'm a little un-edjumacated on how the NCAA disciplines referees, but can they do something about this? Despite the support from the SEC - annomyous spokesman?

In other Bull Shit, Marcus Vick plead guilty today to both charges of DUI and eluding police.

Vick will have to pay $530 (No, I didn't leave out a zero) in fines and loses his license for a year. Oh and his 12 month jail time was suspended. Gee, wish I could run from the cops in the wrong fucking lane and get off with a less-than-a-laptop-costs fine and suspended license.

Ref Layith The Smack Down

Look at this idiot

Upon seeing this, local ClemPson fans were immediately inquiring if the ref has any NCAA eligibility left.

Jesus. Forget the ref. I just saw this writeup on yahoo.

Yahoo/Rivals Story

Matt Hinton, the ilinformed author writes of the University of South Carolina:
'whose mascot is inspired by an illegal bloodsport'

Matt -
The University's mascot is named after Revolutionary War Hero Thomas Sumter, aka 'The Gamecock"... ... ... you asshole.

I'm no USC fan (East or West), but get your damn facts straight.

Too sorry for a post title

Too sad for words. I've been reading everyone's blogs and recaps of South Florida's rout of the Orange. It looks like everyone feels about the same way. T3I just doesn't give a shit anymore. Axeman's buddies left him hanging too. Poor bastard had no one to vent to the whole game because his buddies were apple picking with their girlfriends. Tell you what Axe. I'll shoot you my cell # and you'll have someone to vent to during the next embarrasment. This should tell you just how bad things have gotten.... yeah, as if you weren't aware already.

This is the typical email that the Axeman is receiving now.

I am currently uninterested in any other aspect of Syracuse Football. Please inform me when Greg Robinson is fired and I will return to watching this team play. If you need immediate assistance, please contact Dr.Daryl Gross and ask him what the holy heck he is waiting for.

Holy crap!! These people won't even check the news out for themselves? They're relying on Axeman to email them the good news of Robinson being canned? Fuck me! Talk about apathy!

I agree with most of the people who's recaps Ive read. After the first quarter I really didn't expect Syracuse to even keep it close and I was pretty emotionless the rest of the game. Yippee... Syracusee is punting again. Hooray... Max Suter just got knocked on his ass. Whoo hoo... another dropped pass. Whoop-de-doo ....no one covered a Bull WR who walked in the end zone for a score.

Yup that was me. We SU fans have turned into Robots just awaiting Robinson's ousting. I did show emotion one time during the game. The first Bulls score of the second half. You know.. the one where NO ONE covered AJ Love and he scored the easiest TD I've ever seen. I did have to chuck a pillow on that one (remember guys.... chuck it at the front door for best results).

Robinson on the blown coverage:
"Our safety didn't look out there. Earlier on, he had played that guy. That time he didn't see him deploy."

I could be wrong. And if I am so be it. But if memory serves me correct 'that guy' was the only receiver split wide to the right in a tight formation. Don't corners usually cover receivers?

So it seems we're all on the same page. Just filling out our pool for when the announcement is made that 'Robinson won't be coaching Syracuse football in 2009'

Put me down for November 3rd.

If you're a fan of Nune's Gregisms, he's got some doozies for you this week. Trust me, you'll be laughing your ass off all morning!! Hell, my sides were already hurting by the time I got to:

"I think this is one of those types of games that we have to put behind us."

TNIAAM, You rock! I had a really shit-ass weekend and I needed a good laugh this morning! Great stuff!!!

Simmering Down

Coaches Hot Seat Ranking

If memory serves me correct Gregger was #3 on this list just a few weeks ago. The guys who run this ranking need a heads up. First off, the man at the helm for our beloved Orange should be ranked no less than numero uno. The only one who'd have any sort of chance at that coveted Char Grill of a seat would be Ty Willingham. And just how the hell did G-Rob slip down to number 5 anyway? Don't get me wrong, the other 3 ahead of him (minus Wllingham) arent exactly sitting on penguin shit either. None-the-less neither Tuberville, Sherman nor Fulmer deserve to be ranked higher than ol' Gregger. The product on the field reeks so lets at least see Syracuse #1 at something. Coach Robinson's been a dead man walking since Akron. Probably before that. So Coacheshotseat.com, I'll put up with it no longer. Move our man up to the top!!!

We're #1!!!

Thursday Ramblings

-Coach Robinson on Cam Dantley

"I think he's doing well," said SU head coach Greg Robinson of Dantley. "Can he get better? I know he's going to get better."

You read it. First time I've seen Gregger use "I know" without 'don't' in between. I'm sure he probably added "I'm really excited" it just wasn't included in the transcript.


-As happy ClemPson (P is of course intentional) fans down here are tossing up names for Tommy Bowden's successor I'd thought I'd toss this out there.

Yeah yeah.. I know. Where the hell does a Syracuse/Big East Fan get off making fun??

Its a joke dammit! LAUGH!!!!!!!

-In the spirit of Election season, The Axeman has a poll on his blog for you Orange faithful. I particularly like:

7.Most Surreal Carrier Dome Crowd Experience

*Penn State fans take over the Carrier Dome
*The crowd laughing as an "official" attendance of 34,694 was announced at the Northeastern game when there were only 14,000-15,000 butts in seats
*Hollywood star Dennis Quaid as an honorary captain

*Watching Pittsburgh take over in the 4th quarter

Hell, from my living room I thought 10,000 was being pretty damn fucking generous.

-On Bowden's firing at ClemPson & Gregger's future with the Orange, Bud Poliquin reports

That is, when will he (Gross)-- with the blessings of Chancellor Nancy Cantor and SU's Board of Trustees -- place Robinson out on the curb? With that quasi-precedent having been established down there at Clemson, when will Greg sigh his last with the Orange?

I'm afraid it won't be until after the season has played out. Doc Hollywood, who's busy writing 'Syracuse' on a bagful of ping pong balls with a sharpie, should take notes from the Tigers' administration. They saw where the program was headed, heard the gripes from the fans and took a new direction. And got a hell of a head start on it at that. Granted I thought they were braying jackasses for signing Bowden to an extension after last season. But they made the move none-the-less, and fans down here are excited about their program again.

Feeling Down??

This should cheer you up. At least you're not this guy.

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeez........

Boston Landmark Sign Catches Fire

ESPN is reporting that the Citgo sign, which has stood outside Fenway Park since 1940, caught fire this afternoon causing $5,000 in damage.

Much to the dismay of Boston fans, no Red Sox Players were standing near the sign. Down 3-1, they're the ones who need to catch fire.

And in other news; OJ did it, Grass grew a record 1/4" today, Water is Wet, and the workday is long.

Quick Apology

I changed everything around so if you came by in the past half an hour or so and wondered "What the fuck is going on?!?!?" you just caught me in the middle of things here. All is well except the football program.

Pac Man Award

You know its just sad to see players with all the talent in the world throw away a promising future (a dozen times in this case) because they're too fucking stupid to grow up. Insert Pac Man Jones. I'll save you the recap because if you don't know about the stunts he's pulled since being drafted, then you shouldn't be reading this blog. His recent act of idiocy involved him, booze and a bodyguard assigned to him by the team. He wasn't arrested (first time for everything it seems) but the league has suspended him indefinately - minimum 4 games. My guess is he's probably done with football... well with the NFL that is.

Jones was involved in an alcohol-related incident with a bodyguard assigned to him by the Cowboys, and hotel employees called police. No arrests were made, nor were there charges filed. But the NFL suspended Jones for at least four games because the incident was a violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
-- ESPN.com news services

ESPN goes into detail about the bull shit he's put the league through since leaving West Virginia in case you've lost count. Geez.... an alcohol related incident with your own bodyguard? That takes a special brand of asshole.

This blogger has decided to start an award up, named after its first recipient, for those players who just drop your jaw at how damn stupid they are. I will say this. He made it 6 games into the season longer than I thought he would. I figured he'd have been done sometime in Training Camp for beating up a stripper, hijacking a beer truck or something equally fucked up.

So this week the O'Zone's Pac Man Award goes to.....

who else?

Can't Complain

So far I havent read anyone else's blog or even looked at the final stats of the WVU game. I will say this, even though the Orange came up short I don't have any complaints. Well, one... but I'll get to that. Now I'm sure that most will point out that had Pat White suited up it would have likey been the blowout we all predicted at the beginning of the season. But he didn't. So there.

First off Brinkley had the best damn game I've seen him perform in yet. Cam Dantley looked pretty good too. Well, up until the end where Mountaineers were coming at him left and right. He made a few ill-advised throws (the INT for one) but he still looked solid. And for once, I didn't see any bad coaching for me to gripse about. The only call I didn't agree with was the last possesion. I believe SU was on the 5 yard line, I'd have given the ball back to Brinkley. He'd been producing all game and on goaline or bust, he's the horse I would have ran.

Thats my only gripe. Now if I'm a WVU fan I'd have lost my voice booing when they wouldn't go away from that screen pass, which kept producing nothing. SU defended it perfectly and, other than the Devine 92 yard scamper to seal SU's fate, performed above par on the day. Normally I'd say that moral victories are for fucking losers but in this day and age of Orange football, its as close as us fans can come to a 'W'. So I'll take it.

After the game I did 100 mph from the driveway to the first traffic light to go see 'The Express". Great movie. The boy and myself both sported our SU gear of course. Knowing full well how the story would end didn't take away from the movie one bit. I loved every scene from start to finish. Rob Brown did a fantastic job as Davis, just fantastic. There wasn't a soul in the theatre who, by the end of the movie, didn't want to hop in a Dolorian and shake Ernie's hand. From what I'd heard about Ernie Davis ever since I was a kid he was humble, honest, hard working, selfless, and just a damn fine young man. Rob Brown pulled that off like a champ. I loved the character.

Something else I really enoyed in the movie was the football action, some of the best I've ever seen on the big screen. The hits were about as reall as they got. hell, I felt them in my freakin toes! There were so many times during the movie that a gave a softer version of Tiger's fist pump. I just loved it. Chronologicly, including Flloyd Little was a nice nice touch. I didn't expect it, but I'm glad that he made an appearance.

How the hell Dennis Quiad hasn't coached before is beyond me. After watching that the guy could easily pass for a college coach. I love how the unbalanced line, which was a vital part of that team, was detailed. He got two thumbs up from me and if I had more hands... probably more.

I'd recommend the movie to not only football fans, but to anyone. For me it was a long wait. I'd been hearing stories about Ernie Davis since I was a kid from my grandfather, my uncles, you name it. To finally see his story play out on the big screen was a once in a lifetime treat. It was a long wait but well worth it.

Bowden out at ClemPson

ClemPson just canned him. The WRs coach is taking the reigns. Now we have another school to compete with, and the Tigers have a jump start. If Gross had made ther move 3 weeks ago like everyone and their brother said to do, Syracuse could have already have had a head start on bringing in their "first pick of the draft". Next up will be Fulmer at Tennessee.

Gross needs to make the move now. Whether or not he realizes it Syracuse isn't going to have the 'first pick' like he said. Can Robinson and get the ball rolling. Syracuse should have been on the clock after the Akron game. Hell, at the latest after the Penn State embarrasment.

One thing I do not want to see is fans talking about bringing Bowden to Syracuse. The guy couldnt sniff a BCS Bowl (or the ACC title game for that matter) with the best talent in his conference. He's an underacheiver and we've already been down that road before.

The Stars, The Moon, The Sun

Looks like the planets might be lined up just perfectly to this Orange fan.

As I'm sure you heard from multiple sources Lane Kiffin is out as Raiders head coach.

The speculation had already started and it was brewing faster than cabbage stew yesterday.

"On The Block" yesterday, the Axeman made several points pro & con on bringing Kiffin to Syracuse.

I'm for the pro. I heard a ton of fans yesterday (and this morning for that matter) griping "oh we don't need another west coast, nfl, USC guy..... blah blah blah". Ok so Robinson has made us gun shy. So what??

People who are trying to make this guy out as an NFL loser have got it all wrong. ANYONE who coaches under Al Davis is going to be run out of town. Period. Davis' track record shows it. The man is damn near senile anyway. So don't let yesterday's press conference where he bashed Kiffin fool you. And don't let the Raiders record fool you either. They showed improvement last year and while they may have lost this year, at least they were competitive. Isn't that what we want here at SU? Improvement? Competitive?The players in Oakland liked him. The fans wanted him to stay. So this guy isnt quite the NFL loser people make him out to be.

I'd also like to point out that if you don't bring Lane Kiffin in now, who exactly are you holding out for? The guys unemployed. Syracuse needs a young coach who's been successful at the collegiate level. The timing couldnt be better.

I say make the change now. If you wait until the end of the season, you may lose out to another school (UT). If Gross is worried about his approval rating for bringing in another West Coast/USC/NFL guy, I say worry not. Lets say you can GRob now and make the move to bring in Kiffin. I mean do whatever it takes. Once Syracuse starts showing up on the short lists of 4 star and maybe 5 star recruits, fans will forget all about West Coast/USC/NFL guy stuff.

I don't agree with Gross' statement that SU will have the first pick in the draft as far as coaches go. Thats simply not the case. Right now we'd have a decent shot at Kiffin. At the end of the season, not so much. Who's to say a sexier coaching postition won't open up? Down south maybe??

Make the move now. This season is already garbage so focus on whats really important - attendence and recruiting. Hiring Kiffin now will boost both. I know I'm preaching for a quick fix but let's face it, Syracuse needs one. If this move would have been made last year I would have said hold off, get some guys in to interview and pick the right guy for the future of SU football.

I would have said that last year.

This year I say strike while the iron is hot now. I know its not the most popular solution amongst SU fans. but lets face it. The program can't get much worse. What do you really have to lose? A stellar recruiting class?? See one of my earlier posts where I pointed out how Syracuse has gotten their asses kicked on the recruiting trail. Last I checked we've got a whopping four verbals.

Theres noting to lose and everything to gain. Dr Gross, make the move. Annouce that Robinson is no longer coaching SU and you'll get more asses in seats come Novemeber. Bring in lane Kiffin and you'll not only get more asses in seats but you'll be recruiting better.

See the poll ot the left?? That's what your fans want.

GRob pulled a P

Watching SU gift wrap a win for Pitt on Saturday was enough to make any Syracuse fan cry. But the post-game reading and analysis is what really gets to me. GRob had more "I Don't Knows" in his Sunday Press Conference than Bill Cosby's "Himself"


Press Conference Details Here

On not being good enough to finish the game:
“I’ll look at it and check it out on both sides of the ball. I don’t really know what the answer is, other than they made some plays we didn’t make and we have to assess why. I don’t get replays and all those other things. I don’t know where breakdowns are or what side of the ball they’re on or if it’s in the kicking game. That’s what we have to assess.”

Geeeeeeeeeeeeeez............

D-Webbs Blog

"I can say this, on the defensive side of the ball, I felt a comfort zone out there with our players, for the first time all season," Robinson said. "It's the first time all year that I have felt that they were out there functioning together. I don't know when I say reassess or changes, they're still young players that I think are improved. On the offensive side of the ball, that offensive line, again, of the first seven players that play, five of those are young. But they've improved a good amount and I think they can develop some more. I think the wide receiver position is only going to get better. I really do. I see it looking cleaner and cleaner. I think they're competing with each other which is a good thing. That's kind of where I see it. I don't know about any wholesale changes as much as ... also, it's trying to utilize our people to the best of ... I think it's more an understanding of what we have better. Now, it's a matter of trying to put guys in the right spots."

Hell, the only thing he left out was "I'm really excited". I will say this, as an SU fan you learn not to get your hopes up. But dammit, in the first quarter I was about as excited as I've been since the Gross/Robinson merger. The offense, for once, looked solid. And I mean solid. Cam looked decent under center but most importantly, Pitt had to punt a few times! Once the momentum really started to shift in the second half I felt it coming - that collapse of biblical proportions. And there it was.... Now the run game had been solid, mind you. Brinkley was having what looked like a breakout game. Pitt had just scored to nod things up at 24. Took their sweet ass time doing it too. Syracuse needed to respond and I remember looking at the TV trying to distinguish just who in the fuck just ran for a yard or two. Then it hit me.... Boonahs not in the game. So I figured maybe he was fighting off an injury and I figured he'd be back out... nope. Not that series. Antwon Bailey got the call. Antwon 'backup to Hogue' Bailey. What the fuck?? I say again that Brinkley had looked SOLID up to that point, over 100 yards on the day solid. This had me scratching my head the hardest since the prevent defense against Cincy.

The Axeman

"Doug had hurt himself, tweaked his ankle," Robinson said. "I felt we really didn't have him at full speed. Antwon is a guy that has been very impressive to us. The idea was, we're playing to try to win the football game, and when Curtis needed a blow, we needed to put him in. We were going to use Doug just because he's such a fine blocker for third down situations."

Huh?? none of that made sense. Youre playing to win and your work horse who hasnt let you down all game is on the sideline?? Curtis needed a blow?? I'm taking it that means he needed a breather?? How in the fuck does he need a breather when the Pitt scoring drive took almost 5 minutes?? Antwon's been really impressive to you?? Great. And just lemme guess, you're really excited.

Brinkley on not playing that series:

"That was very frustrating. I wanted to be in the game, but at the end of the day it's a coach's decision and the coach decided to put somebody else in. I wasn't hurt or nothing. I wasn't tired. I mean, my momentum carried me throughout the whole game. My adrenaline was rushing from the first play. I ain't get tired throughout any minute of the game.

My guess is nothing short of death would have kept him off the field if he'd had his way. Just another great move by a coach who's days are pretty much fucking numbered. I got flashbacks with this one. I really did. The 2000 VPI game where SU blocked a Hokie punt and then sat on the ball. The 1999 Rutgers game. The prevent defense against Cincy in 2000. Yeah.... the decision to leave Brinkley on the sideline for arguably the most important series of the season had P written all over it.

The worst part is, SU really had a chance in this one. Yet in the 4th quarter they couldnt tackle Otto if they tried. Every Pitt score sank me lower and lower into my chair. Has the hoops schedule come out yet??