Sports Agenda For Wednesday (9/4/13)
Top Stories:
So I keep hearing about this big game on Saturday afternoon between Florida and Miami, but is it that big of a game outside South Florida? Plus, FIU loses it's top cornerback, ruh-roh. The Dolphins, well, we'll have to dive in on that. LeBron is making a tv show not called the NBA Finals. And we revisit an epically bad draft pick by the Miami Heat. Oh and I think the Marlins are still playing, but if no one shows up to the game, does it really exist?
Quote of the Day:
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." – St. Thomas Aquinas
UM vs. UF:
So we have one of the better games of the week here in South Florida this weekend.
It's not the best game of the week, but definitely in the top three.
People have been asking me who will win, and honestly, I'm not sure.
So, we'll start breaking it down here and see what we come up with.
Quarterback – Stephen Morris vs. Jeff Driskel
If I was running an option offense I'd choose Driskel, but these teams are not running a true option attack.
That's why I pick Morris every day and twice on Sunday.
He's a more elite passer and when it comes down to it, I'm always picking the passer over the running quarterback. (all due respect to Tommy Frazier, right Gators fans?)
So, we'll give the advantage to UM
Running back – Duke Johnson vs. Running Back By Committee
C'mon, this one is really close is it?
Johnson is a legitimate home run threat every time he touches the football. Kid has speed, moves, and is just a great back.
Not taking anything away from Florida's stable of backs, but I'll go with Johnson here too.
Advantage – UM
Offensive line – UM vs. UF defensive line
Again, I'm leaning UM here simply because of the massiveness of their line.
If memory serves me correctly, and lord knows if that's right, their line averages around 310-315 pounds, depending on whether or not Seantrel Henderson is playing.
I like UM's line, but trust me on this one, UF ALWAYS will have a good line with Will Muschamp at the controls.
He's coached great defenses at Auburn, Texas, and UF and puts guys into the NFL from the line.
I know they lost a first-round pick, but I still like UF's line.
I'm going push here because I think both are very talented.
So, heading in to tomorrow, we have UM 2, UF 0, Push 1.
Interesting.
FIU:
If you haven't heard, and I hadn't until I saw the Herald this morning, FIU lost it's top cornerback this morning.
Richard Leonard, the team's best cornerback and kick/punt returner was ruled ineligible and will not be able to play for the entire season.
Apparently it's academic issues that cost him the first game of the year at Maryland.
I hate to be negative, especially after just a week in the regular season, but let's be honest, FIU's going downhill right now.
I want FIU to win, I really do, but I can tell you this much…with their current AD and coach Ron Turner, it's not happening.
FIU should…should be able to field a competitive team.
I just don't see it anymore and I don't see Turner being the guy to turn it around.
Maybe I'm wrong, but his past records say I'm not.
Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins added a new guard, got rid of the backup center, and still are, well, I just don't know anymore.
I've overanalyzed the roster to death, but I'm still not sold on them just yet.
I really want to see how they come out against a bad Cleveland team.
Miami should…should be able to handle Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson fairly easily.
What I really want to see is the Fins' running game.
Lamar Miller was a beast at UM, but I'm just not sure he has the desire to take it to the next level in the NFL.
He's got the skills, but I want to see more of the drive.
And don't get me started on the cornerbacks behind Brent Grimes.
Let's just put it this way…Fins fans better hope he stays healthy for 16 games because if he doesn't…the Fins defense is going to be picked apart.
The Marlins are still playing I think, but no one knows it.
Not that anyone in South Florida cares about a team that doesn't win…just ask the Panthers, Marlins, Hurricanes last few years, Dolphins since 1984, I can go on.
One more thing, Michael Beasley:
For those that don't remember…a few years ago, the Miami Heat were almost the lucky winner of the Derrick Rose sweepstakes.
Rose was the number one pick and the Heat had the number two pick in the draft.
Oh so close…can you imagine him with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh….dadgum!
Instead, the Heat chose Michael Beasley.
He was a tweener, without a true position, but a naturally gifted scorer.
He also had major red flags about his high school life, spent one year in college, and loved him some of the wacky weed.
I mean REALLY loved the wacky weed.
Beasley was eventually traded by the Heat, flamed out in Minnesota and was released by the Suns Wednesday morning.
Seriously, he's fallen hard…like Ryan Leaf hard.
By the way, here's a few players the Heat passed over for Beasley in the 2008 draft….
Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari, Brook Lopez, Roy HIbbert.
But hey, we've got three straight finals appearances and two straight NBA titles.
Suck on that NBA Draft….and thank you Pat Riley.
This date in sports history….
1993 – Jim Abbot threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians despite only having one hand.
One other thing….congrats to Pittsburgh Pirates fans who have stayed with the team for 20 years. They clinched a non-losing season last night for the first time in 20 years.
Just for reference purposes: Boyz II Men had the number one song then with End of the Road and Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for My Cousin Vinnie the last time the Pirates had a winning record.
Oh, and Baby Got Back hit the airwaves that year…..awesome!
