Tag: SEC

It’s time to enter Brock Bowers into the Heisman conversation

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Brock Bowers CAN win The Heisman Trophy.

This isn’t an overreaction. It is the realization that a tight end CAN be the most outstanding player in the country. With the #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs falling behind 10-0, on the road, to the Auburn Tigers Saturday, the “Dawgs” turned to their savior; Brock Bowers. Bowers has become Georgia quarterback, Carson Beck’s favorite target, especially in crunch time. Saturday was no different, as 108 of Bowers’ 157 receiving yards came in the second half. And with just under three minutes remaining in a 20-20 game, Bowers hauled in a 40-yard touchdown, showcasing his impressive breakaway speed. This type of speed isn’t normally reserved for 240-pound human beings. Bowers is now up to 30 receptions, 420 yards from scrimmage, and 4 total touchdowns on the season.

I’m not the only one sending Bowers in the direction of Heisman consideration. Since Saturday’s performance, Bowers has jumped from 80/1 to 60/1 (according to DraftKings) to win the Heisman Trophy.

Still think I’m delusional?!

Maybe Bowers’ coach, Kirby Smart, will change your mind. Here’s what Smart had to say about his tight end following Saturday’s game:

“Who can argue that there’s a better football player anywhere in the country? Just football player,” Smart said. “The guy has the greatest toughness and grit that I’ve been around. He’ll do whatever you ask him to do for this team. I’ve got a lot of respect for that guy as a competitor.”

So, while a tight end hasn’t won the Heisman Trophy in nearly 80 years (Notre Dame’s Leon Hart in 1949), this could be the year Brock Bowers redefines the award.

Side note: I didn’t forget about the other tight end who won the award. I see you Larry Kelley (Yale, 1936).

Now, I’m sure you’re still not convinced. And, I’m aware this is the “year of the quarterback”. Silly me, I thought that was last year! But before you click and scroll through the rest of your life, allow me to leave you with a question of logic:

The Heisman Trophy is supposed to be given to the most outstanding player in college football, so isn’t it logical to give the trophy to the most outstanding player on the most outstanding team??

In Saban We Trust

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Nick-Saban

SEC?? ACC?? Big Ten?? Just 5 months ago, the world asked what the best conference in college football is. Today, we have a definitive answer:

The SEC!!

With an all SEC championship on the horizon, other conferences don’t have a leg to stand on. How did we get to an Alabama Vs. Georgia showdown you ask?? Well, if you were busy binge watching your favorite Netflix show, rather than watching one of the most exciting “Rose Bowls” of all-time, I’ll tell you….

Semifinal #1 – #2 Oklahoma Vs. #3 Georgia

The question heading into this game was: Who would score more points, Baker Mayfield or Georgia’s backfield??

Baker Mayfield is the best player on most fields. He is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. And he’s only a few months away from being a 1st round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, he picked a bad time to have his worst game of the season.

Baker Mayfield’s Stats: 287 yards passing, 2 TDs, and 1 INT

It was the tale of 2 halfs for Mayfield, as he threw both TDs and caught a TD in the 1st half (jumping out to a 17-point lead). As for the 2nd half, he threw a bad interception and threw ZERO TDs.

The aforementioned Georgia backfield took over the game. The 2-headed monster of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb rushed for a combined 326 yards and 5 TDs. Ultimately, it would be Michel who would cap off a high profile victory for Georgia in DOUBLE OVERTIME!! After trading field goals in overtime, and watching Oklahoma’s field goal attempt get blocked in double overtime, Michel would scamper into the end zone from 27 yards out, sending the Georgia Bulldog’s world into a frenzy. 54-48 F/2OT.

Semifinal #2 – #1 Clemson Vs. #4 Alabama

And then, there was the rematch. The trilogy. Last night’s game marked the 3rd consecutive year Clemson and Alabama would face off in the College Football Playoff (1st time in the semifinals). This game wasn’t competitive. If I were Clemson, or anyone remotely involved with Clemson, I’d be embarrassed to show my face in public today. 6. 6 points. That’s all they mustered after AN ENTIRE MONTH of preparation. Pathetic I say. However, we must bow down to the master; Nick Saban. He doesn’t lose football games very often. And when he does, it’s usually on a freak play (remember this?) or an unbelievable performance.

Saban made sure nothing like that went down during their 24-6 victory over Clemson. Saban’s defense applied pressure early, and often. They picked off Kelly Bryant twice, returning 1 for a TD. And they held the entire Clemson offense to a whopping 184 yards. They also sprinkled in 5 sacks, 9 tackles for a loss, and 9 pass deflections. Ya know, just for good measure.

Now, all that stands in the way of Saban’s 6th National Championship, is Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. Nothing beats a Mentor Vs. Protégé storyline to bring in extra viewers.

I’ll put my ‘monopoly money’ on Nick Saban.

 

Who do you think will win the National Championship?? Post your prediction in the comment section below. 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

Alabama Is The Chosen One

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Alabama-To-Join-Clemson-Oklahoma-amp-Georgia-In-College-Football-Playoff

When the dust settled on Saturday night, there was only 1 decision to make:

A 2-Loss Team Vs. A Team that didn’t even play in its own conference championship.

No matter the direction the college football playoff committee went, 1 would rejoice, the other would use the committee’s name in vain.

Ohio State took on undefeated Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Presumably, if Wisconsin had won, the committee would’ve been hard pressed not to put a 13-0 team, from a Power 5 Conference, in the playoff (strength of schedule be damned). However, Ohio State handled their business, serving Wisconsin their 1st loss, 27-21.

And then there’s Alabama. The Crimson Tide. Nick Saban’s playground. College football’s gold standard. Well, you get the point. Until their final game of the season, they sat atop the college football rankings, sporting an undefeated record. A 26-14 loss @ Auburn would be their 1 and only blemish on the season. Due to their “weak” schedule, doubt crept in as they watched the SEC Championship from home.

Alabama is in the college football playoff because they’re Alabama. Yes, they only lost 1 game, but it’s hard to fall back on their record when their signature win is a 31-24 road win against Mississippi State. On the other hand, while Ohio State has 2 signature wins over top-4 teams, they also lost 2 games. Let’s just say it’s tough to overcome a 55-24 beat down from an extremely mediocre Iowa team.

Speaking of bad losses, the top ranked Clemson Tigers lone loss on the season came at the hands of Syracuse (27-24). This is, by far, the worst loss of the 4 teams in the playoff, yet they remain #1. This speaks to the parody that continues to creep into college football. Which speaks to my proposal of an 8-team playoff. I’ve been screaming it all year. It just makes sense.

More games = more money. Period.

Until that happens, were stuck with a 4-game playoff:

#1 – Clemson                                                                                  #2 – Oklahoma

vs.                                                                                                     vs.

#4 – Alabama                                                                                 #3 – Georgia

(New Year’s Day @ 8:45 P.M)                                                   (New Year’s Day @ 5:00 P.M.) 

*National Championship Will Be Played on January 8th, 2018 @ 8:00 P.M.

At least we don’t have to wait a month for these games….

 

Did the college football committee get it right?? Please post your opinion in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

First Openly Gay Player Drafted in the NFL

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

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On Saturday May 10th, 2014, The St. Louis Rams made history by drafting Michael Sam.  Michael Sam made headlines back in February, by announcing to the world that he was gay.  At the time, Sam was projected as a 3rd round pick in the NFL Draft, so most expected Sam to become the first openly gay player in the NFL.  After a poor showing at the NFL Combine in late February, Sam’s stock price dropped drastically.  Did some General Mangers use his poor combine as an excuse to drop him in their rankings?  Or did these General Manager’s look at Sam strictly as a football player and nothing more?  I hope the latter is true.  While I understand the General Managers in the NFL put an unreasonable amount of value on Combine results, I don’t know if Sam deserved to drop all the way into the 7th round.  Sam was selected with the 249th overall pick.  The St. Louis Rams may be the biggest beneficiary of Sam’s draft stock dropping, as I believe they got Sam about 2 or 3 rounds later than his abilities dictate. 

 

Immediately following the selection, the camera flipped to Sam’s home as he received the call from The Rams.  His house was filled with family and friends who were there to share in this joyous occasion.  Most notably Sam’s boyfriend was right there by his side.  Sam was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry.  Sam’s boyfriend stood by his side the entire time and when Sam hung up the phone, the two kissed and embraced each other.  This display of affection between two men has drawn quite a reaction, and is currently one of the top stories in the sports world.  Most people are fine with this, for they understand that the world has changed and this is a personal choice that every person is entitled to make.  Others, however, are not as tolerant of Sam’s relationship, and some have gone as far as to publicly speak out negatively toward Sam.  Don Jones, of the Miami Dolphins, tweeted “OMG” and “horrible” in reaction to Sam and his boyfriends televised displays of affection.  Jones has subsequently been suspended and fined an undisclosed amount for his comments.    

 

I believe that every one in the world has the right to do what makes them happy.  If being gay is a choice that makes Sam happy, then who are we to tell him he is wrong?  Ignorance, unfortunately is everywhere, but the best thing Sam can do is ignore the negativity and stay focused on the game he loves.  Now, when it comes to football, I believe he should be judged solely as a football player and a teammate.  All the other stuff shouldn’t play a role in his place on The St. Louis Rams or any other team.  This is why I believe Sam unfairly dropped in the draft, but nonetheless, he was drafted.  He now has just as good of an opportunity to make the roster and receive playing time as anybody else.  You would think that despite his poor showing at the combine, his game will translate to the NFL.  He was only an All-American and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last season.  That sounds like a 7th round pick to me!  In all seriousness, we should be happy for Sam and every young man that was drafted this year.  They each have a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in the NFL, and they should give it their all.   

 

 

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