Not long ago I wrote that I thought Missouri would be improved from last season and that they would have more than a solid year. You know, the usual 8- or 9-win season, a pat-on-the-head bowl game and all would be good in Columbia. Never did I imagine it would come down to this weekend with the Tigers in the SEC championship game.
Then again, why not? Gary Pinkel told me that if he could keep his offensive line healthy the Tigers would be really good. He knew what he was talking about, as the other components were there in a big, physical group of receivers, a quick running game and a veteran quarterback (with another good QB in Matty Mauk waiting in the wings). The key for this team has also been the defense that has shown up every Saturday, forced a turnover and carried out the game plan. Good things happen to teams that do that.
I have no idea what to expect on Saturday when the Tigers play Auburn. After all, Alabama was scheduled to provide the opposition. Auburn, like Missouri, deserves to be there, though many in the nation have yet to take Mizzou seriously. The excuses keep coming in like those on election night in November, and yet most of their games, even on the road, have not been close.
You can wager something valuable that if the Tigers beat Auburn, someone will stand up and say they are still not deserving to play for the national championship. Let me get this straight. You play in the best conference in the country, you beat the team that beat the reigning national champions and some joker will tell you Ohio State, if they go undefeated, should be deserving to play in the championship game? Sorry, Buckeye fans, not this year.
I hope Missouri does not give their best impression of Notre Dame in this year’s championship game and bow to a blowout shortly after the national anthem. Avoid the embarrassment on the national stage, at all costs.
NFL: flat-out bad
Is the pro level of football this year a bit watered down? Running games are non-existent due to everyone being pass-happy. I guess if I were coaching and saw how poorly teams tackle and cover these days, I would throw as soon as we got off the bus.
The NFL is no longer a game that is the best of the best. It is a sport that is living on reputation and nothing else. It is living off the names of yesteryear as we try and sift through the Romos, Cutlers, and RGIIIs, bad running games and worse coaches. Everyone has an excuse on why they are just flat-out bad. More excuses than results these days.
That’s just on the field. The off-field antics are even more scary. Thank goodness for the college game. Maybe they are not as physically polished, but it is a more entertaining game these days that offers more emotion.
Bark and bite
On the subject of emotion, the bark does not match up to the bite with these St. Louis Rams. A lot of huffing and puffing takes place each week with inconsistent results.
The 49er game last week was classic, as they wanted to put on a pre-game show of jawing then failed to back it up when the whistle blew. A common practice these days, followed by dumb penalties, dropped passes (six on Sunday) and poor pass coverage and tackling.
Lack of discipline and selfishness normally do the Rams in these days when they lose. Perhaps some time on the sidelines or in street clothes on a Sunday would send a message. It is time for this young team to grow up and grow up quickly.
Winter shopping
You knew after the Cardinals’ offense collapsed in the World Series, things would change in St. Louis. General Manager John Mozeliak wasted little time as he went out and got a centerfielder in Peter Borjous and a shortstop in Jhonny Peralta.
The Cardinals did not have to give up any of its prizes when it came to pitching to make these moves, which is remarkable. It also means that competition for spots after Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha will be quite heated.
The other challenge at the upcoming winter meetings will be shopping for bench components. St. Louis was dreadful in that area most of the season. It almost did them in late in the year. Finding guys who will not cost a lot and still have skills is not as easy as one may think. Playing time could be limited and you still have to stay sharp when called upon, and it does not hurt to be a character guy as well as play multiple positions.
If the season started tomorrow, the Cardinals would be favored to win the division, if not the league, as none of the other teams have done much so far to improve themselves. There is time, but I am not sure if there are enough quality players to go around. St. Louis will needs to find their people soon and let everyone else scramble for scraps.
