Williams

Stanislas Wawrinka v Juan Ignacio Chela

Juan Ignacio Chela comfortably came through his opening round match with Yen-Hsun Lu, as predicted, despite the odds. But Lu came into that match out of form and didn’t play very well. On the other side of the court to Chela on Friday will be Stanislas Wawrinka, who easily despatched of Mikhail Kukushkin in his tournament opener. After tough draws since Wimbledon, Wawrinka will be happy with the draw he’s been given at Flushing Meadows. Kukushkin was no match for the Swiss player, and Chela isn’t in his league also.

Pick: Stanislas Wawrinka

David Nalbandian v Florent Serra

Prior to his loss to Andy Murray at the Rogers Cup, many considered David Nalbandian as a dark horse for the US Open. In his round one victory over Rik de Voest he looked far short of a potential champion. David Nalbandian won’t win this year’s US Open. His match practice and fitness are too short. He’s already played five sets too. Florent Serra played very well against a poor Florian Mayer in his opening match, but has a much tougher proposition in round two. Serra is capable of taking advantage of players under performing but he won’t have a chance against David Nalbandian on Friday. The Argentinian is capable of raising his game and Serra won’t have the weapons to retaliate.

Pick: David Nalbandian

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Gisela Dulko

Gisela Dulko was the beneficiary of Victoria Azarenka’s on court collapse on Wednesday. A place in the third round is a good performance for Dulko who has had a poor year. The Argentinian giggled at her ill opponents expense when she was last on court, but she won’t be laughing on Friday. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has had a good breakthrough year and continued that form with relatively easy straight set victories over both Kristina Barrois and Sania Mirza so far. The powerful young Russian will hit through her opponent tomorrow.

Pick: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Ana Ivanovic v Virginie Razzano

With a lot of out-of-form players in the women’s draw, not to the mention the absence of Serena Williams and Justine Henin, the women’s US Open is wide open this year. Ana Ivanovic will fancy her chances as ever, and has made a promising start by dropping just 8 games in her first two matches. I fancy the Serbian to win comprehensively in her third round match against Virginie Razzano tomorrow too. But I don’t see the Serbian going all the way. She’s playing well at the moment, I’ll give her that. Well enough to make light work of her French opponent. But come next week if she’s still in the tournament, she will meet her match in the final stages.

Pick: Ana Ivanovic

UCLA vs. Kansas State
Pick: Kansas State -1.5 -110 odds
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UCLA has won five consecutive season openers, beating some pretty darn good teams in the process (Utah, Tennessee and Stanford, to name three). But the Bruins won’t have it easy as they travel to Manhattan to take on Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats to open up their 2010 campaign.

Rick Neuheisel’s squad was besieged with injuries in each of the last two seasons, and so far, this year is no exception. In fact, you could make an argument that no team in all of college football has been besieged with injuries and attrition more than UCLA has since the start of fall camp.

Starting quarterback Kevin Prince has been limited since the first day of practice, suffering from a slightly torn back muscle. There are legitimate concerns about Prince’s ability to shake off the rust, and throw tight, accurate passes against a live defense, without the full complement of practice time in recent weeks. And with UCLA looking to incorporate elements of the ‘Pistol’ offense in 2010 (called the ‘Revolver’ in UCLA terminology), Prince’s lack of practice time isn’t going to help their offensive efficiency here.

Prince’s injury is just the tip of the iceberg for the Bruins, with significant injury concerns on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Bruins will be missing Xavier Su’a Filo (mission), Jeff Baca (academics), Nik Abele (neck) and Kai Maiava (ankle). Tackle Mike Harris has been suspended for the opener and Stanley Hasiek flunked out of school. Eddie Williams has missed a bunch of practice time with concussion issues, although he is expected to suit up.

The injuries and attrition don’t end there. Star DE Datone Jones – their only returning starter on the defensive line – broke his foot in practice. That’s bad news against a Kansas State offense that averaged 179 yards per game on the ground last year and returns star running back Daniel Thomas for his senior year.

Last year, when UCLA beat Kansas State 23-9 in Bill Snyder’s first test against a BCS opponent, star kicker Kai Forbath was the hero, nailing three long field goals. The 2009 Lou Groza Award winner (best kicker in college), Forbath has been unable to practice with a groin injury and may not be able to suit up here either.

Kansas State senior QB Carson Coffman won the starting job in camp, but his gameplay last year left much to be desired. The Wildcats suffered major graduation losses to their receiving corps as well – expect plenty of hand-offs to Thomas here. K-State went 5-1 at home last year (only loss to Missouri), and they have the capacity to get past this depleted UCLA roster on Saturday. 2* Take Kansas State (#172).

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With Serena Williams out of this years US Open, many believe the draw is wide open. Defending champion Kim Clijsters righfully comes into this years tournament as the favourite, but there are a few other big names in form who can pull off a surprise at the 2010 US Open.

The favourite:
Kim Clijsters 7/2
An ankle injury ended her run at the Rogers Cup over a week ago, but Kim Clijsters return to full health sees her as the bookmakers favourite to defender her US Open crown. It’s hard to look past the Belgian, provided she maintains full health throughout the two weeks. A come-from-behind victory over Maria Sharapova in the final of Cincinnati will give her great confidence and belief that she has no one to fear in New York. Provided she maintains focus, Clijsters should be heading for back-to-back US Open titles.

Maria Sharapova 11/2
There’s no denying Maria Sharapova’s form of late. The Russian has knocked off some powerful players en route to back-to-back finals. However, she lost them both. The first two Agnieszka Radwanska, followed up by a rain-delayed defeat to Kim Clijsters in Cincinnati. While I cannot deny Sharapova’s form, I have doubts over her winning a Grand Slam again. I don’t see the three-time Grand Slam winner adding to her collection in this tournament, but I do expect her to make a good run during the tournament.

Caroline Wozniacki 8/1
The masters of the counter punch in the women’s game, last years runner up and this years top seed Caroline Wozniacki heads into the US Open on fine form. Having won three of her last four tournaments, she has defended herself to be the top seed. I have doubts over Wozniacki’s games at time, but she often seems to pull off the victory. Coming into this tournament with form and confidence, Wozniacki is a good shout for the title should Clijsters and fellow favourites stumble.

Victoria Azarenka 9/1
On her day, Victoria Azarenka can be unstoppable on hard court. Poor clay and grass court seasons knocked the Belarusian off the map; but Azarenka hit back with a powerful display against Maria Sharapova on her way to victory at the Bank of the West Classic. A surprise defeat to Ana Ivanovic followed, but Victoria Azarenka is rightfully amongst the favourites here and I can see her going all the way.

Venus Williams 12/1
Venus Williams says her preparation for the US Open are “going well”, despite not participating in a tournament since her surprise defeat to Tszvetana Pironkova at Wimbledon. The 12-time Grand Slam winner’s form has faded this year and the realism of not winning a 13th Slam could become a reality in the forthcoming years. The field is strong this year and lacking match practice and potential fitness should be Williams’ downfall. I don’t like to right a Williams sister off, but I am going to be bold and say Venus Williams will not win the US Open this year.

Svetlana Kuznetsova 18/1
It’s been a year of inconsistent performancs from Svetlana Kuznetsova. But the Russian should not be written off here. Capable of slugging out a victory and causing an upset, I wouldn’t put is past Kuznetsova to put a run of form together over the newt two weeks. However, she’s on the same half of the draw as Maria Kirilenko who holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over Kuznetsova this year.

Elena Dementieva 25/1
A career without a Grand Slam to show for is still on the cards for Elena Dementieva. A calf injury prevented her from competing at Wimbledon, and she hasn’t found any consistency or form on her return. Defeats to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Jie Zheng and Caroline Wozniacki say to me she will remain without a Grand Slam going into 2011. I prefer fellow countrywoman, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s chances than the experienced Elena Dementieva heading into the upcoming fortnight.

Vera Zvonareva 25/1
Good fortune with injuries to both Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka, saw Vera Zvonareva reach the final of the Rogers Cup, where she lost to Caroline Wozniacki. This years Wimbledon finalist should not be ruled out of winning the US Open. Good fortune and a loss of form to her opposition would surely she her make the final few. A powerful player, Zvonareva is capable of beating most of the competition. Whether she can resist a break down on court remains to be seen. Despite two victories over Kim Clijsters this year; the Belgian and Caroline Wozniacki remain her two biggest challenges at this years tournament.

2010 Colorado Preview – Defense

Defensive Line

Personnel: Senior Marquez Herrod; junior Curtis Cunningham; junior Josh Hartigan; junior Tony Poremba; junior Conrad Obi; junior Eugene Goree; sophomore Will Pericak; sophomore Nick Kasa; sophomore Forrest West; and sophomore Nate Bonsu.

New in 2010: Freshmen Kirk Poston; Chidera Uzo-Diribe; and Dakota Poole.

Losses from 2009: Two seniors from the defensive line were lost, Taj Kaynor and Tyler Sale. Of the two, only Kaynor saw playing time on the defensive line, playing in 38 plays over five games, registering three tackles on the season.

Strengths: Looking for depth and experience? Look no further than the Colorado defensive line. While the Colorado depth chart shows four positions, the reality is that, with the offenses run by the opponents’ defenses, the Buffs started every game last season with three defensive linemen and a nickel back. Those three starters, however - senior defensive end Marquez Herrod; junior defensive tackle Curtis Cunningham; and sophomore nose tackle Will Pericak -  each started all 12 games in 2009. Still, out of 804 plays run by the opposition, none of the three starters were in for over 600 of those plays, so other players were in the rotation, and there will be more playing time for the backups this fall. “This is where you want to be – having a lot of competition,” said Colorado defensive line coach Romeo Bandison. “You like to have depth with very little drop-off when you rotate. That’s what we’re starting to get to.”

Will reduced playing time be a problem for the starters? “I’m happy this year because it’s the first time I think we actually have a rotation – and I’m totally okay with that,” said Marquez Herrod. “Guys can come in, swap out and rotate every few plays; it keeps everyone fresh and playing hard at their best.” There are plenty of names familiar to Buff fans waiting in the wings to break out and post some great stats, including the sophomore trio of Nate Bonsu, Forrest West, and Nick Kasa.

Many eyes thsi fall will be on Kasa, a highly ranked recruit who spurned Florida to stay and play at Colorado. Kasa suffered a knee injury during camp last fall, his freshman year, and then developed mononucleosis during the season, ending up with only 47 snaps over four games. “During the season there’s not as much individual work; it’s more assignment stuff,” said Bandison. “(Kasa) missed a whole lot of ‘reps’ “. But now Kasa is ready to go. “I think he’s going to make his biggest improvements in the games,” said Bandison. “You’ve got to get in the games and fail once in awhile to figure it out.”

Weaknesses: As with many units on the Colorado football team, the quality of the personnel is not matching up with the quality of the results. In 2009, despite having the same starting lineup in place all season, the Buffs were 80th in rushing defense, giving up 161.2 yards/game, and 88th in scoring defense, surrendering 28.8 points/game. Colorado did get to the opposing quarterback 27 times, good enough 41st in the nation in sacks, but Bandison and his players know the total could have been – should have been – much higher. “We can’t pass up opportunities, which I think we did sometimes last year – especially in the pass,” said Bandison. “We had opportunities to get to the quarterback. We need to be in a position to make plays … we’ve just got to play like vets and not make rookie mistakes.”

Marquez Herrod, who led the team with six sacks last season, knows last year’s total should have been higher – “We actually counted eight or nine,” said Herrod. “One was a facemask call … Two others got taken off for guys getting off-sides … I literally had the sacks and lost them.” Now Herrod is ready to become only the second Buff to record double digits in sacks in the past 18 seasons (11 1/2 by Abraham Wright in 2006). “I think I have a very good shot at being that guy,” said Herrod. “I really take pride in pass rushing. I’m just going to go out there and do my thing, but I definitely think I have the skills and now the experience to go out there and put up the good numbers.”

Colorado can go 8-4 if … Colorado is in the top half in the nation and in the Big 12 in rushing defense and scoring defense. This shouldn’t be asking too much. The Buffs already have a good pass defense, and have plenty of talent in the defensive backfield to continue that trend. Another season ranked 9th in the conference in rushing defense and 11th in scoring defense is simply unacceptable. (It also wouldn’t hurt if Marquez Herrod and Nick Kasa spent the season vying to see which player will become the first to register ten sacks this fall).

Colorado will go 4-8 if … It’s the “same ‘ol; same ‘ol” for the defensive line. Three starters return, but from a unit which struggled for much of last season. The Buffs are deep in each position along the defensive line, yet are still not dominating games. The added depth – sophomore Nick Kasa, as mentioned, is finally able to participate as a healthy member of the team; junior Conrad Obi, who was in on only 35 plays as an underclassman, has been getting rave reviews this fall, as has true freshman Chidera Uzo-Diribe – this all bolsters hope for the unit.

Now they just need to produce.

Linebackers

Personnel: Senior B.J. Beatty; senior Michael Sipili; junior Tyler Ahles; junior Patrick Mahnke; junior David Goldberg; sophomore Douglas Rippy; sophomore Jon Major; red-shirt freshman Derrick Webb; and red-shirt freshman Liloa Nobriga.

New in 2010: junior college transfer Evan Harrington; freshman Gage Greer; and freshman Lowell Williams.

Losses from 2009: Starters Jeff Smart and Marcus Burton were lost to graduation, along with contributors Shaun Mohler, Bryan Stengel, and Brandon Gouin.

Strengths: Depth & Depth. Two deep depth. “My two deep – I can play any of them with first group, and that’s where I want to go,” said linebackers coach Brian Cabral. “I want to play anybody I need when I want them. I feel like I’ve got enough experience and depth to do that. I’m not so hung up on who’s starting and who’s second team as I am this: just give me four guys I can play a game with. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do or say that. But I’m feeling very confident I’ll be able to do that.”

Nice to hear, especially since two of Cabral’s three starters from last year’s team, including 33-game starter and captain Jeff Smart, have graduated.

When the depth chart was released, there was one surprise, as junior Tyler Ahles was listed ahead of senior B.J. Beatty. Last season, Beatty started ten games; Ahles two. But, if Cabral’s statements above are to be given credence, it will be difficult for Buff fans to notice the difference. “I’ve got a lot of competition going on,” said Cabral. “I would suspect that the first eight can change, but that’s the flexibility I have.”

The returning Buffs credit Mike Sipili for taking over the leadership of the corps. “He’s a leader to all the ‘backers – a fifth-year guy. He’s been here the longest,” said red-shirt freshman Derrick Webb. ‘You can watch Mike and learn a lot, plus he’s probably one of our hardest working linebackers … he’s inspired me to work harder.”

Weaknesses: Colorado likes to think of itself of a Western version of Penn State, a regular “Linebacker U”. The list of All-Conference linebackers over the past twenty years - Alfred Williams; Kanavis McGhee; Greg Biekert; Ron Woolfork; Chad Brown; Ted Johnson; Matt Russell; Jashon Sykes; and Jordon Dizon – is an impressive one. But … from this list, only Dizon has been All-Conference in the past decade. That’s a long drought for Brian Cabral and the Buffs. The current team has some potential All-Conference players, but were named to any of the preseason All-Big 12 teams. The Buffs will have to rely upon the two-deep to be collectively better than the opposition, as there is no one player the Buffs can look to do dominate a game.

Colorado can go 8-4 if … Colorado’s defense is in the top half of the conference in the major statistical categories. In 2009, the Buffs ranked in the top half of the conference in pass defense, largely thanks to a strong defensive backfield. When it came to rushing defense, total defense, and scoring defense, however, the Buffs were in the bottom half of the Big 12. The linebacker corps does not boast stars, but does have quality depth. Unfortunately for Colorado and Brian Cabral, the NCAA will not allow Colorado to play eight “good” linebackers at the same time. Three or four will have to step up their games and deny opposing offenses consistent success.

Colorado will go 4-8 if … The Buffs’ rotation does not produce. The defensive line is getting better; the defensive secondary is one of the Big 12’s best. For Colorado to post a winning record in 2010, the linebackers have to come through. Eight All-Conference linebackers in the 1990’s; one in the 2000’s. That number has to improve in the 2010’s … and a good start this year wouldn’t hurt.

Defensive Backs

Personnel: Senior Jimmy Smith; senior Jalil Brown; junior Anthony Perkins; senior Cameron Ham; junior Arthur Jaffee; junior Travis Sandersfeld; junior Jonathan Hawkins; junior Matt Meyer; sophomore Ray Polk; sophomore Vince Ewing; red-shirt freshman Deji Olatoye; red-shirt freshman Paul Vigo; and red-shirt freshman Parker Orms.

New in 2010: Red-shirt freshman Terdema Ussery (a 2009 wide receiver recruit); freshman Jered Bell; freshman Terrel Smith;  freshman Josh Moten.

Losses from 2009: Senior starters Cha’pelle Brown at cornerback/nickel back and safety Ben Burney.

Strengths: Ask almost any defensive coordinator in the country what they would like first when setting up their defense - After a “monster defensive end”, many coordinators would point to having two “shut down corners” as a foundation upon which to build a defense. Well, the Buffs may still be working on producing that monster defensive end, but they do have the two shut down corners in seniors Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown. Both are receiving pre-season accolades, with Smith being named to the watch list for the Thorpe Award, presented to the nation’s top defensive back. “You can’t take away the ability they have,” said defensive backs coach Ashley Ambrose. “Now, the one thing that I want them both to do is be better technicians, be comfortable with what we’re doing, and understand what offenses are going to do try and do against them.”

With Smith and Brown ably manning the corners, a little of the pressure will be taken off the remainder of the defensive backfield. Junior Anthony Perkins and sophomore Ray Polk are atop the depth chart at safety, with red-shirt freshman Parker Orms filling the shoes of departed Cha’pelle Brown at nickel back. Last season, Brown was the Buffs’ defensive MVP, so Orms has a significant role to play in the Colorado defense. “Parker has that same ability (as Brown), and he’s only a freshman,” said Ambrose. “Throughout the spring he made plays and reminded you of Cha’pelle. It’s hard to find a guy who’ll come in and do the things he did – he led the team in interceptions, forced fumbles, everything. I think when the lights are on, he’s going to show up.”

Weaknesses: There is great talent at the corners, and speed everywhere, but … zero depth. Parker Orms will likely be out on the field for the first play of the season, and he is a freshman. Backing up cornerback Jimmy Smith? Red-shirt freshman Paul Vigo. Backing up cornerback Jalil Brown? True freshman Jered Bell. Backing up strong safety Anthony Perkins? Red-shirt freshman Deji Olatoye. Backing up free safety Ray Polk? Red-shirt freshman Parker Orms (if he isn’t already busy in his role as a nickel back).

Detect a trend here? Three senior starters in the defensive backfield, then … no experience. Coach Ashley Ambrose is not deterred. “I am liking the enthusiasm. They are running around, playing, competing against each other,” said Ambrose. “They are focused and they are confident and feeling like they can really win a lot of ballgames … We are faster, we’re stronger, and it is amazing just over those couple of years the difference that has been made.”

Colorado can go 8-4 if … Parker Orms can live up to his billing, and Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown are high on Mel Kiper’s draft board. The Colorado defense has question marks along the defensive line and at linebacker, with stars in the making in both units, but no proven stars there yet. The Buffs will need to keep opposing defenses honest – 15 plays last year went for over 40 yards; a mind-boggling 53 plays going for over 20 yards – if Colorado is going to be successful. If Smith and Brown can shut down the opposition’s leading receivers, and force teams to be one-dimensional, Colorado can stay in most of its games this fall.

Colorado will go 4-8 if … One or more of the three returning starters go down. There is good talent in the freshman class … Ashley Ambrose on Terrel Smith: “He is a playmaker. He is a ball hawk. He is a downhill guy. He is all about hitting. I think he’ll be somewhere in the rotation.” … Jered Bell on being a cornerback: “I’m learning everything I can from Jalil (Brown) and Jimmy (Smith),” said Bell. “You have to learn pretty much everything that happens on the field, and not just your position. That’s a big change from high school”, but good talent won’t protect the Buffs from freshmen mistakes.

A starting lineup this fall which includes red-shirt freshman Orms, along with one or more of the true freshmen, could spell disaster for the Colorado defense.

Kickers/Punters

Personnel: Senior Aric Goodman; senior Joe Silipo (snapper); junior walk-on Marcus Kirkwood; and red-shirt freshman Zach Grossnickle.

New in 2010: Freshman Justin Castor; freshman Ryan Iverson; freshman Dillan Freiberg

Losses from 2009: Senior Matt DiLallo was the Buffs’ main punter for the past four seasons. As a freshman, DiLallo made freshman All-American teams. His numbers declined each season, however, and, in 2009, his 37.8 yards/punt averaged ranked 11th the Big 12. Perhaps even more significant was the loss of Justin Drescher, who for the past four seasons has served as both long and short snapper for the Buffs.

Strengths: … hmm … Let’s go with experience. Senior Aric Goodman does have that going for him. Still, it is hard to ignore Goodman’s 15-for-32 record on field goal attempts (the last two seasons, Colorado opponents have connected on 37-of-48 field goal attempts). In 2009, Goodman was 10-for-18, connecting on a 54-yarder in the opener against Colorado State, but then going 2-for-9 the remainder of the season from outside 40 yards. The Buffs also at least have some competition for Goodman this season, as true freshman Justin Castor has looked impressive in fall camp, and Kirkwood, checking in at 6′6″, 220 pounds, might be utilized for kickoffs this fall.

Weaknesses: It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Mason Crosby was a Buff, and the Colorado offense knew it was in scoring position as soon as it crossed the mid-field stripe. Now, consciously or unconsciously, the Colorado offense is under more pressure to score touchdowns, as Goodman has been erractic from all distances. For a team which was 92nd in the nation in scoring in 2009, added pressure is never welcome. Yet, Goodman, who has been good in practice but inconsistent in games, may still be the best option for the Buffs, until or unless Justin Castor is given his chance to show he can execute under game conditions.

As for red-shirt freshman Zach Grossnickle, the Buffs’ new punter is a complete unknown. A highly recruited kicker out of Denver East high, his signing late in the 2009 recruiting class cycle (Grossnickle had originally committed to Kansas) was greeted with high hopes. Grossnickle missed only one field goal attempt his senior year in high school – and that was from 58 yards out. Still, Grossnickle has been groomed to be exclusively a punter, and Buff fans will see this fall if the experiment has worked out, as there is only freshman walk-on Dillan Freiberg on the roster as a backup.

It is also worthy of noting that the Buffs will be breaking in two new snappers this fall. Justin Drescher ably manned both roles for the past four seasons, and was not a name well known to Colorado fans because he did do his job so well. This fall, senior Joe Silipo will be taking over as short snapper on field goals, while freshman Ryan Iverson will handle the long-snapping duties. Rest assured, these players are hoping to remain just as anonymous as Drescher was for his four years.

Colorado can go 8-4 if … Either Aric Goodman has a career year (a big “if”), or if true freshman Justin Castor proves to be the second coming of Mason Crosby. Castor did go three-for-three, including a 52-yarder, in the one fall scrimmage open to the public, so there is hope that Castor will be the kicker of the future. For the Buffs to have a winning record, however, Colorado needs to have Goodman or Castor to be the reliable kickers of the present. As for the punting chores, Zach Grossnickle does not have to be spectacular for the Buffs to be successful (though that certainly wouldn’t hurt). Still, for a school renowned for producing great punters, it is ridiculous for the Buffs to be ranked 113th in the nation in net punting.

Colorado will go 4-8 if … there is no improvement in the kicking game. For Colorado to be competitive, defense and special teams must keep the games close against the better teams on the schedule. Failing to score points when opportunities present themselves, or failing to pin the opposition deep in their own territory with a decent punt, wears down an average team over the course of the game. If Buff fans are still turning away during field goal attempts because they can’t bear to watch, and are holding their breath every time the punting unit takes the field, it will be a long season.

Kick/Punt Returners

Personnel: Senior Jalil Brown; junior Brian Lockridge; junior Arthur Jaffee

New in 2010: Senior Travon Patterson; junior Toney Clemons

Losses from 2009: Darrell Scott, despite playing in only five games in 2009, still led the team in kickoff returns with a 26.9 yards/return average. His 21 returns were second only to the 30 kicks returned by Brian Lockridge. On the punt return team, Jason Espinoza (22 returns), Scotty McKnight (seven), and Rodney Stewart (one) all return, but none are listed on the depth chart this fall.

Strengths: Speed is the operative word this fall with respect to Colorado’s kick return teams. Former USC wide receiver Travon Patterson had, as one of his main attributes when he was being courted by Colorado this summer, his ability to step right in as a punt and kick returner for Colorado. Toney Clemons, who has a size advantage (at 6′2″, 210 pounds), will serve as a nice compliment to Patterson on punt returns. On kickoff returns, the Buffs ranked 21st nationally (thanks in part to Darrell Scott’s numbers), with Brian Lockridge returning to show that his 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Oklahoma State last fall was no fluke. Colorado was also, it is worth noting, was 27th in the nation in kickoff return defense, an admirable position considering some of the other kicking numbers posted in 2009.

Weaknesses: The Colorado punt return team in 2009 was … (insert appropriate vile term here) … let’s go with “awful”. The Buffs ranked 117th out of 120 teams in punt returns in 2009, posting a microscopic 3.3 yards per return average. It got to the point late in the season that it appeared Colorado had given up on attempting a punt return. It seemed as if the hope was that, if Scotty McKnight was able to field the ball cleanly, and not lose yardage on the return, it was considered to be a positive result. While the infusionn of speed, by way of the additions of Patterson and Clemons, will certainly help, there also needs to be a change in attitude amongst all of the members of the punt return team. Jason Espinoza, who had 22 of Colorado’s 30 punt returns in 2009, is not without speed or agility, so there is also the reality that the punt return team personnel was not creating opportunities for big returns. That simply must improve.

Colorado can go 8-4 if … Travon Patterson and/or Toney Clemons and/or Brian Lockridge is in the top half of the conference in punt and kickoff returns. The Buffs were 5th in the conference in kickoff returns in 2009, so the main focus will be on punt returns. A change in field position is mandatory for an offense which struggled last year (104th in total offense; 92nd in scoring offense), so a short field on occasion would be very welcome.

Colorado will go 4-8 if … the punt return team continues to struggle. Another season with a 3.3 yards/return average would be devastating for a Colorado team looking to improve its field postion, score more points, and, ultimately, win more games.

Simply put - and this can equally be applied to the every unit on the Colorado defense and special teams – there cannot be a weak link on this team if a winning record is to be realized. Having a great secondary makes no difference if the opposing quarterback is not pressured. Decent linebacker talent won’t win games if the tackles are all being made five yards past the line of scrimmage. Long drives by the offense won’t win games if the field goal kicker cannot turn the drives into points. Hard work by the defense will be wasted if the opposition is playing on a short field all game long.

A 3-9 team cannot turn into an 8-4 team unless many breaks go their way. Through fall camp, one break has gone Colorado’s way - few long term injuries (only sophomore wide receiver Dustin Ebner and sophomore safety Vince Ewing have suffered injuries which will keep them out for an extended period of time).

A few more breaks wouldn’t hurt.

One more Friday left before kickoff.  This time next week OSU will have already played a game. It's getting close!

Eight days left equals Nick Sheridan days? Jonas Mouton days? or how about Michael Phelps days to kickoff?

• Cullen Christian is going to see a lot of playing time this fall.  In this interview he discusses he needs to work on his tackling.  “The (biggest) thing I got to improve on… I’ve got to improve on my tackling,” said Christian. “Covering and learning and listening to what the coaches are saying and listening to their directions and the technique and things like that, all that is (already) improving. I think the (biggest) thing I’ve got to improve on is my tackling. Usually, when I miss a tackle it is mostly when the receiver catches a curl route or something like that, and I’m not knowing which way they are going to turn. I don’t know if I should just fly and try and hit him or break down when he’s not looking and try to make a tackle. That’s what I got to improve on, my tackling.”   Look for all freshmen CB's to play this year and play a lot. 

• Matt Vogrich scored 22 points in a 80-74 win for the Michigan's Basketball Team in Europe.  This was Michigan's only win on a 1-3 trip. 

• 2011 QB and current North Carolina Verbal Marquise Williams might still visit Ann Arbor on October 9th with good friend Kris Frost. 

• Michigan WR 2011 verbal Shawn Conway scored two TD's in his first high school game of the season.

• Former Wolverines greats Amani Toomer and Dan Dierdorf have joined the Big Ten Network.

Depending upon who you ask, Rubens Barrichello will start his 300th Formula One Grand Prix when, and if, he takes to the grid to start the 2010 Belgian Grand Prix.

Now, if you’re one of those who believe that starting a race actually means starting a race, then please come back in six weeks to read this again and replace all references to Belgium and Spa with Japan and Suzuka.

If, however, you’re one of those who thinks that just turning up on race day is enough, then read on.

When Barrichello is discussed by future pundits, it will almost certainly be for his longevity and not because of the brilliance of his record. Not that he’s a dud, you don’t last 17 years in F1 without being talented, but averaging less than one win per year hardly puts him amongst the greats.

Barrichello simply doesn’t have that most crucial of all driving skills—luck.

His early career saw him hamstrung by substandard cars in Jordan and Stewart. While he consistently outperformed his teammates, he was unable to compete on even terms with the leaders due to unreliable and underperforming equipment.

When he did finally break into a competitive team at Ferrari for the 2000 season, Barrichello had the tremendous misfortune of becoming the teammate of Michael Schumacher—the only driver in the world to rival Fernando Alonso in his desperation to be the team’s unchallenged No. 1 driver.

Despite this, Barrichello managed to achieve some comparative success, including his first GP victory at a wet and tricky Hockenheim in 2000, a race that was overshadowed by a Mercedes Benz employee making an on-track protest.

This was to become the signature of Barrichello’s career.  His successes were often overshadowed by other events.

In 2002, when he had dominated the Austrian Grand Prix, he received orders from the team to allow Schumacher to pass and win the race. Barrichello was so disgusted by this decision that he famously waited until after the final corner before he yielded to his teammate in a display that earned the team a lot of bad press and led to the banning of team orders from the 2003 season.

Though Ferrari was rarely so blatant again, Barrichello only ever won races at Ferrari when Schumacher was either so far ahead in the championship out of the race, or if there was another car competing for the win.

Even Barrichello’s terrifying accident and near death experience in 1994 at the San Marino GP is largely forgotten because of the terrible accidents that claimed the lives of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna on the same weekend.

In 2006, Barrichello left Ferrari to join Honda, but it soon became clear that he had landed himself back in an underperforming team again and he seemed destined to serve out his career having never really had the opportunity to compete for a championship win.

Indeed, when Honda announced that they were pulling out of F1 at the end of the 2008 season it seemed that Barrichello’s career was finished, with all of the other teams having secured drivers for the 2009 season.

When Ross Brawn rescued the team for the start of the 2009 season, Barrichello had one of the few strokes of good luck in his career. From looking into the abyss, he suddenly found himself not just with a car to drive, but in one that was capable of winning and in a team that would allow him to do so.

History tells us that he wasn’t able to convert this opportunity—finishing third behind Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel—and then, predictably, his luck ran out when Mercedes bought out Brawn’s operation and Barrichello moved on to Williams.

Although it had been a career-long ambition to move to one of F1’s most successful outfits, he did so at a time when the team was past its prime. Although Barrichello has been performing admirably, the team is far from the front of the grid and he seems destined to see out his career looking at the back of faster cars.

Of course, Barrichello fans would know that he is lucky to be in a position to see out his career at all, given what many see as Schumacher’s assassination attempt in the closing stages of the Hungarian GP.

Rubens Barrichello has written his name indelibly in the F1 history books by becoming the first driver to reach 300 races. It’s a remarkable record, however on reflection, he may not have achieved everything in the sport that  his talent may have deserved.

Then again, in Formula One, very few drivers ever do.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic has under gone a new training regiment this off season, he’s training with his girlfriend Maria Sharapova at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Maria is down there training for the upcoming US Open and was able to convince the guard to try a different kind of workout.

Now I know you’re thinking Ok Sasha will be the best tennis player in the NBA next season but he’s actually on a basketball court training, not the tennis court. He’s with his girl for the moral support, someone to push him harder while training. I’m sure the after practice benefits helped in making his decision.

What the media hasn’t led on too is that Maria has also decided to help train bloggers in their promotional efforts. Here’s her first attempt in seeing if her training methods work. 12 links for 12 pictures, enjoy!

Steady Burn – The Best Fringe Athletes to Follow on Twitter
PSAMP – The Juliana Theory Are Charitable
The Hoop Doctors – UK Wildcats Brandon Knight to Endure a Season of John Wall Comparisons
Total Pro Sports – Don’t Do Drugs, Do Trainers (Pics)

The Cage Doctors – Bobby Lashley Is No Brock Lesnar
Busted Coverage – Tebow Douchebags In The Wild: Dude Rocks Tebow Jersey, Yankees White Cap & Below-The-Knee Jorts
Ted Williams Head – Shaq To Marry “Flavor Of Love” Star Hoopz
Digital Sports Daily – Cliff Lee: Cowherd is a liar

Black Sports Online – Chad OchoCinco Debuts Cereal Brand: Ochocincos
Browns Central – Is Colt McCoy’s career in Cleveland over before it started?
Camel Clutch Blog – The Backlund Years – Wrestlers Who Should Have Been WWF Champion
Midwest Sports Fan – 6 Bold Predictions for the 2010 NFL Season

WRITTEN ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 19

Hello my loyal readers (all 20 of you),

It’s been awhile, a whole four days.  Then again, it’s better than eight months.  Anyhow, since I last wrote, nothing really exciting happened to me, but I’ll fill you in anyhow. Since I’m currently on a flight to Bermuda and have nothing else to do…here it goes…

Unfortunately, we never got to visit Duke or North Carolina.  I really wanted to visit Duke because I hate that school, almost as bad as I hate the Yankees.  I brought ample UConn gear with me on my trip just in case we got to visit the aforementioned universities and so I could show those schools what a real University is all about.  Our basketball coaches and programs are greater than Duke and Carolina combined.  I’m a huge Husky fan so even all the nasty comments I get from people calling me an idiot and that I don’t know what I’m talking about – I still know (not believe) that I am right and they are wrong.

Last Saturday in North Carolina was a pretty uneventful day.  We woke up at 10:30 and Kyle and I were extremely hungry.  By the time we got ready to go to breakfast, it was 11:00 and McDonald’s breakfast was over.  Doreen, Kyle and I went across the street from the hotel to the Crackel Barell.  The wait there was 25 minutes too long, so we had the team van pick the three of us up and we headed down the street to Denny’s.

This was only the third time that I can remember eating at Denny’s.  The other two times weren’t great, but hey, when you’re hungry, you have to eat.  Much to my surprise, I was blown away.  Denny’s had a lot to pick from on the menu including healthy options for yours truly.  I made my own “Grand Slam”: two whole wheat pancakes, two egg whites, chicken sausage and a fruit cup.  My oh my were the pancakes ever good.  I didn’t use syrup because I didn’t have to; they were that good.  Props to you Denny’s for a job well done.

To digress a little here, North Carolina isn’t in the Deep South, but they sure act like they are down there.  Everything is fried, barbeque, fried.  They talk with accents.  Most of the ladies down there are “Georgia peaches” – oh so sweet.  It is very hot and humid.  It seems like everybody and their mother goes out to breakfast.  I’m guessing that is why the Denny’s was so good, because breakfast is so important down there.  It isn’t like up North, where people are used to their food being rushed so they can move on with their day.  It’s just a calm and collective breakfast environment – people reading their newspapers quietly, “Would you like more coffee sweetie?”, “Yes dear”.

Since the game wasn’t until 8:00 at night, when we got back from Denny’s, it was around 1:00 and we had seven hours to kill.  While we could have possibly squeezed in a visit to Duke or Carolina, someone had to step up and take charge in order to plan an activity for the team.  If it wasn’t for Ken and Doreen, as well and Lou and Margaret Diaz, those seven hours would have be a colossal train wreck.

We decided to sacrifice our Saturday in order for the team’s benefit.  Plus, it helped the coaches relax and have some alone time, as well as allowing the team’s families to go out and have some fun.  Ken, Doreen, Lou, Margaret and I went to the local supermarket (Harris Teeters) in order to get fruit and movies for the team.  The hotel (and no we did not get kicked out) arranged a few televisions in the lobby for the players.  One of the Oxford players had an Xbox 360 so we used that for the team to watch Percy Jackson.

After we got back from the supermarket, we set up our freshly purchased produce.  I poured cups of Gatorade while Ken put together some good ole PBJ’s.  Doreen washed the fruit, while Margaret and Lou cut up the watermelon.  When I finished pouring the drinks, I put together fruit cups that we handed out to the team.  I forced each player to eat a banana because it was very humid and I didn’t want them cramping up.  It was an enjoyable afternoon for all; the entire team came together to just chill out and relax before their big game.

The movie ended around 4:00 and after that, each player went back to their room to take a nap or do whatever.  Around 4:30, D (Doreen) and I stepped up again and made dinner plans for the team.  We walked over to Pino’s Pizzeria and ordered a couple of pies, pasta and salad.  We fed them around 5:30 and they left for the game around 6:00.

We left for the game at 7:00 sharp.  Ken was adamant about that…if we weren’t in the car by 6:59 then find your own way to the game.  The field was pretty nice.  I mean, it wasn’t like Williamsport nice where they have a bunch of fields all on the same complex.  This was just one perfectly manicured diamond.  Since this particular World Series moves around year to year, that’s why there isn’t a complex of fields.

Once the sun finally set around 8:00, it was a perfect night for baseball, around 70 degrees with a slight breeze.  Ken and I set up shop right behind home plate, while Doreen sat with her sister and parents (who left from their Connecticut home at 5:30 am that same day and arrived in Wilson around 5:30 pm) on the grass.  Kyle was off kibitzing with his friends while trying to act fly and impress a certain girl.  Obviously, if you read my game recap, you know how the game turned out.

I’ll tell you one thing, the game environment was something like I never experienced.  I had goose bumps.  The Oxford fans were amazing.  One would honestly think that Oxford was a town of 100,000 people after hearing how loud and seeing how many people came out to support the locals.  The fact that we won was an amazing feat in and of itself.  My only regret is that I didn’t finish the game recap by the Connecticut Post’s deadline so it didn’t get in the paper.  Don’t worry, however because Fairfield American did.  Oh, by the way, this very same Oxford team defeated that very same Fairfield American team in a scrimmage.

After we got back from the game and I finished my recap, it was 2:00 am and time for bed.  We had to get up early for a 10:30 game the next morning.  I woke up around 8:30 exhausted.  We were leaving at 9:45 so I had to make sure I had everything packed because we were checking out of the hotel before the game.

**I’m putting this next part in bold because I realize how long this blog is, and I don’t care if you skip over everything else.  This is the part I really want you to read.**

Obviously, if you’ve been a follower of this blog, you know that my cousin Cole was on this team.  Please note that I’m not trying to brag or gloat, but Cole was the only 11 year old on this team.  Back in May, Cole shifted the growth plate in his arm and the injury pretty much shut down his baseball season.  If healthy, he probably would have been on the team from the beginning.  However, one player broke his arm and Cole (keep in mind he hadn’t so much as picked up a glove in over two months) was asked to join the team in the New England Regional round.  Here’s a kid who suddenly has to get his timing back on the fly against pitchers that were throwing beebes.

What I’m about to tell you next makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.  Cole was called in as a pinch hitter in Sunday’s blowout loss to Arkansas.  He came up to the plate with a runner on second with one out, and the locals being shut out.  The Arkansas pitcher was throwing pretty hard and was ahead in the count one ball and two strikes.  Honestly, if Cole struck out there, no one would have blamed him, but he didn’t strike out; he laced a run-scoring double down the left field line.

After Ken and I saw the hit, we were so happy.  I literally had goose bumps in 95 degree weather.  I think Ken had a tear or two in his eyes.  That moment right there made the whole trip for me.  My little cousin can now say that he had an RBI in a World Series game, a game dominated by 12 year olds.  Lou came over and high-fived us screaming as well.  So did a few of the other parents.  It was such a nice touch.

At the conclusion of each game, the tournament committee chooses an MVP from both teams.  Cole won it from his team.  Here, I am going to brag.  This is not to knock any other player on Oxford, but Cole winning MVP shouldn’t have happened.  Don’t get me wrong, he deserved it, but he’s only 11, had one at bat and delivered.  That was a remarkable accomplishment.  Here’s a kid who basically played the bench all tournament and he comes up and delivers.  I couldn’t be more proud of Cole.

Anyhow, let’s try to wrap up this blog.  We flew home Sunday night and it was a nice and easy flight.  The only hiccup was the driver that was supposed to pick Kyle and I up from the airport got stuck in traffic and we had to wait 25 minutes.  Oxford was up 8-1 against Boise, Idaho before falling 9-8.  Even if they had won, they wouldn’t have advanced.  However, if Oxford advanced, Kyle and I were going to fly back down on Monday, come home Wednesday and then I was going to leave for Bermuda today.  Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but the last game of the tournament I saw was my cousin winning the MVP so that was a good moment to go out on.

Alright, well I hear the pilot saying we are beginning our descent so I have to go.  I’ll keep in touch.  Cin and Carlos are renewing their vows on Saturday so I’m sure I’ll have some stories on here this weekend.

Thanks to everyone for supporting this blog.  It really means a lot to me.

-Matt-