It took a 29-24 victory over the then #1 Alabama Crimson Tide for the nation to open their eyes to the caliber of player Johnny Manziel is. "Johnny Football", as he is called now, had been flying under the radar until this point, but when a freshman quarterback walks into Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and defeats the Tide, people begin to talk. Talk they did.
Manziel had some breakout games in various points throughout the beginning of the season, but few recognized the consistency in his other games. People across the college football nation expected Texas A&M, the team which Manziel is the quarterback for, to waltz into the Southeastern Conference, the most gruesome conference in the nation, and actually compete. What most did expect, however, was for the Aggies to turn out much like their fellow "transfers" from the Big 12, the Missouri Tigers, who did not win a single conference game all season. The Aggies can thank Manziel, the leader of the team at only 19, for much of their success in their first season in the SEC.
After his historic victory in Tuscaloosa, critics and sportscasters started talking Heisman. I thought it was a longshot, even though I hadn't really paid attention to the kid. I hadn't analyzed the statistics or reviewed the game changing plays that Manziel had created. I was not educated on how well this kid was playing the game. After I watched film on the Alabama game, I realized why the critics were talking like they were. This young man walked into maybe the most fierce atmospheres in college football, and silenced them without blinking. He played with the fluidity and confidence of a fifth-year senior. I was awestruck, and I have seen my fair share of great players. I've seen Cam Newton play in person, I've broken down game tape of Tim Tebow, and this kid compares as only a freshman.
Manziel checked in the most dominant offensive season in the history of the SEC. He compiled a total of 4,600 total yards and accounted for 43 touchdowns (24 passing, 19 rushing) according to ESPN.com. He was a mere one touchdown away from joining previous Heisman trophy winner, Tim Tebow, as the only quarterbacks in the SEC to have a 20/20 season (20 rushing/20 passing). He toppled statistics by both Tim Tebow and Cam Newton, both Heisman trophy winners. So it is only fitting that he win the Heisman, right?
It is truly amazing the difference that Manziel has created in College Station as only a freshman. He was awarded the Heisman Memorial Trophy. He is the first freshman to ever be awarded this prestigous achievement. However, I do not think it is right for him to win this award at such a young age. I do think he deserves it, without a doubt. The winning of this award as only a freshman, though, has only set him up for failure. If he does not win the Heisman, for example, in the next few years of his career, he will have been a one-hit-wonder. If he is not a first round draft pick, he will have been a bust. Do I think he will succeed? I sure hope so. He can do one of two things. He can rise above the hype and perform at the same level, much like Tim Tebow did at the University of Florida, or he can begin his decline in the realm of college football. It is hard to stay at a peak for very long, and he's got a long time to ride this one out. I truly wish him the ultimate best, because he is a pleasure to watch.
Signing off,
The Sports Guru
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Kentucky, Don't Freak Out
At this point in the college basketball season last year, the Kentucky Wildcats were rolling over non-conference opponents. Led by freshmen Anthony Davis, Doron Lamb, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, along with super sophomore Terrence Jones, the Wildcats of the 2011-2012 campaign reeled off eight straight wins to open the season before losing to a potential Final Four Indiana Hoosier squad. The 'Cats of yesteryear went on dismantle the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA Tournament on their way to a national championship victory over a veteran Kansas team. A person can string off many reasons why it is great to win a national championship, and rightfully so. But can they point out a negative? There is but one negative. The only place to go is down, and the media has found this negative and put it on the shoulders of this year's young freshman crop of Kentucky Wildcats.
This year's squad is full of young talent, but when compared to the talent of last year's Cats, they don't measure up at this point in the season. Key words: "at this point in the season". They are, without a doubt, loaded with talent. Players such as Nerlins Noel, Alex Poythress, and Archie Goodwin are all looking to become first round draft picks after their spurts as stars in the college basketball world. However, it takes time to become a team and to adjust to the differences between prep basketball and basketball at the Division 1 collegiate level. So far, they haven't adjusted well.
Kentucky opened the season with a narrow victory over a pesky Maryland team from the ACC. Even with the slim margin of victory, this was a solid win for the program. It got the new crop off to a good start with winning their first game. That's usually the goal, right? Their next time on the court, they dropped a close game to the Duke Blue Devils, another team from the ACC. This is an acceptable win, in my opinion. Duke is a veteran team with a Hall of Fame coaching staff. They know how to win and have been in tight situations before, where as the core from Kentucky were playing in their second collegiate game. Experienced talent beats inexperienced talent every day of the week. The Wildcats wasted no time in getting their feet back under them, however, stringing together three straight victories with an average margin of victory of thirty. Dominance. This is when the metaphorical wheels fell off.
The Wildcats fell to a rugged Notre Dame squad at Notre Dame. What Notre Dame does well is control tempo, taking Kentucky out of their gameplan of running and gunning. The Wildcats fell in a low-scoring affair by the score of 64-50. Just a hiccup, right? Wrong. The Cats traveled back to the friendly confines of Rupp Arena to square off against the Baylor Bears, an Elite Eight opponent from the previous year. Baylor, however, returned most of their talent whereas literally all of Kentucky's talent is in the NBA. The Cats had plenty of chances to win, but fell yet again, 64-55. Two losses in a row is unheard of in the state of Kentucky. Maybe the Mayans were right?
Some words of advice to Kentucky fans; don't freak out. The team is full of first round draft picks again this year. Give them time to progress and mature. They are merely 18 and 19 year old boys, not even legal to drink. I'm not predicting a National Championship, by any means, but if anyone in the nation has the raw talent to make a run at it, that team is Kentucky. In a world that is hungry for results, be patient.
Signing off,
The Sports Guru
This year's squad is full of young talent, but when compared to the talent of last year's Cats, they don't measure up at this point in the season. Key words: "at this point in the season". They are, without a doubt, loaded with talent. Players such as Nerlins Noel, Alex Poythress, and Archie Goodwin are all looking to become first round draft picks after their spurts as stars in the college basketball world. However, it takes time to become a team and to adjust to the differences between prep basketball and basketball at the Division 1 collegiate level. So far, they haven't adjusted well.
Kentucky opened the season with a narrow victory over a pesky Maryland team from the ACC. Even with the slim margin of victory, this was a solid win for the program. It got the new crop off to a good start with winning their first game. That's usually the goal, right? Their next time on the court, they dropped a close game to the Duke Blue Devils, another team from the ACC. This is an acceptable win, in my opinion. Duke is a veteran team with a Hall of Fame coaching staff. They know how to win and have been in tight situations before, where as the core from Kentucky were playing in their second collegiate game. Experienced talent beats inexperienced talent every day of the week. The Wildcats wasted no time in getting their feet back under them, however, stringing together three straight victories with an average margin of victory of thirty. Dominance. This is when the metaphorical wheels fell off.
The Wildcats fell to a rugged Notre Dame squad at Notre Dame. What Notre Dame does well is control tempo, taking Kentucky out of their gameplan of running and gunning. The Wildcats fell in a low-scoring affair by the score of 64-50. Just a hiccup, right? Wrong. The Cats traveled back to the friendly confines of Rupp Arena to square off against the Baylor Bears, an Elite Eight opponent from the previous year. Baylor, however, returned most of their talent whereas literally all of Kentucky's talent is in the NBA. The Cats had plenty of chances to win, but fell yet again, 64-55. Two losses in a row is unheard of in the state of Kentucky. Maybe the Mayans were right?
Some words of advice to Kentucky fans; don't freak out. The team is full of first round draft picks again this year. Give them time to progress and mature. They are merely 18 and 19 year old boys, not even legal to drink. I'm not predicting a National Championship, by any means, but if anyone in the nation has the raw talent to make a run at it, that team is Kentucky. In a world that is hungry for results, be patient.
Signing off,
The Sports Guru
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