"Everything's comin' up Milhouse!"

Well, maybe less about Bart's weiner friend and more about the Orange and their fans on this Christmas Eve.

The Men's Lacrosse team has recently had several players put onto the pre-season All-American list...that's here.

The Women's Basketball team has started to get their feet under them.

The resilient Men's Basketball team goes into the holiday with a 12-1 record. Having defeated three ranked teams in those 12 wins.

And then there's the Football team. The other day the Orange received word that Arthur Jones would forgo the NFL Draft to return for his senior season with the Orange. And today, perhaps some even bigger news. Mike Williams, one of the few bright spots on the Orange offense over the past few season, has announced that he will likely return to Syracuse in January, having passed all of his classes at a Community College in Massachusetts.

I know what you're thinking. Why do the Orange need ANOTHER threat on offense. After all, it's not like the Syracuse O seemed to be neutered in the past four.....oh wait. You mean this Mike Williams? No.

This one. Apparently he was a stud. Name doesn't ring a bell.

Anyway, one could say that Coach Marrone has already secured his two most important recruits for next season. The fact that one of them was already on the team and the other was an embattled former Orange isn't important. Dougie's gonna need all the help that he can get on both sides of the ball next season if he hopes to lead this team back to mediocrity and on. Getting the "Alpha Dog" (not this one) on both sides of the football for HIS Orange is a good start.

Happy Holidays folks!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Living in Buffalo might have it's perks (if you think of any, let me know), but at least I have an excuse to do nothing all day. The foot of snow in my front yard is going to make damn sure of that.

Big win for the Orange last night. Despite the Tigers struggles so far this year, I thought the task of going into Memphis against a ranked team, down Devendorf and with an ailing Johnny would be too much for this squad. I also thought that taking down Kansas in the state of Kansas would be too difficult. Shows how much I know.

Flynn led the 'Cuse with 24 points, sure, but I thought that Rick Jackson really set the tone in this game. I know that sounds weird. But, by a show of hands, who thought that Rick would be the difference in this game? Onuaku was largely ineffective in his 30 minutes. Jackson picked up the big mans slack with 14 points in his 28 minutes. He had several dunks and I also believe I saw him steal the ball at one point and fire it down to an open man downcourt. I might have been daydreaming, don't hold me to that memory.

Though the Orange played well, there were some ugly parts of this game...most notably the Orange free-throw shooting and the Memphis three-point shooting. Both putrid.

But let's keep things happy. This was a massive win for this squad. Somewhat depleted and banged up, they went to the home of a tournament team and came out with another non-conference win to slap on their resume. Exciting. I like this. Let's keep it up.

Marrone the Obama

Let me say first that while TNIIAM was reminded of MTV's "The State" when hearing about Doug Marrone. I was reminded of this little guy.

Okay. Secondly, I'm not trying to make a political statement at all with this post. But to properly explain the point, it should probably be known that I voted for Barack. I believed that he offered a hope that the other candidate, and past candidates did not.

Now a little background. At the outset of the search for a Syracuse football coach, I set up shop at many "camps". At first I was all ready for Lane Kiffin. Partially because of Layla Kiffin. Now, it should be noted, someone in the Syracuse blogosphere had already pointed out the fact that Juli Boeheim is, and shall remain, the "alpha dog" in the hierarchy of hot Syracuse coaches wives. But let's be honest. We have two eyes. And as soon as I have the ability to turn my eyes in two different directions, I'll need another wife to look at. But I digress...

Then I remember getting on Chris Peterson and loving the idea of the Boise State coach. It should be noted that I still think he would have been a great choice . He's a young offensive mind, who beats name programs with inferior talent. But that never panned out.

Then I liked the idea of Turner Gill. I live in Buffalo, so there was a lot being made out of UB's ascension to the league of not-crappy teams. There was always something a little uncomfortable about Turner though. I would have liked him as a coach and would have given him my full support, but I would have liked to see him duplicate this years performance without the support of the senior quarterback he had this year. Seeing it happen for a second year in a row would have really sold me on him.

Throughout this entire process, I read about Doug Marrone, heard about him, but never really expected anything out of him. Certainly didn't expect him to be named the head coach.

When Skip Holtz did (or did not) turn down the Syracuse job, and Marrone was really gaining momentum as the top candidate, I have to say I felt a bit uncomfortable. But after his press conference, and a few other times in which I've heard him speak, I'm absolutely comfortable with this guy.

Now to the point that I was trying to make originally. Listening to Dougie's press conference reminded me of hearing Obama speak. He had this hope that we haven't heard in years. He had a strong, yet calming presence about him. He talked about having transparency in his leadership. He was going to make everyone a part of the program and be absolutely clear about how he and his staff were going to fix this program. It was a great moment for me. I felt ( and still do feel) supremely confident that we might have pulled a diamond in the rough here.

Frankly, Pat Forde can think what he wants about the Marrone hire. He and several others in the media have slammed Syracuse for choosing one of their own. Forde covers and entire nation of college football. I would expect him to know a little bit more about the situation and the differences between a coach on his was down and a coach on his way up, but I know better. ESPN is full of Pat Forde's. They have small opinions about everyone, but no deep opinions on anyone.

An Explanation...

My confession is that updating a blog is a lot more work than anyone seems to be given credit for. I, for one, had the itch this summer, posted several times, then realized what an absolute chore it was to find something to post on a semi-regular basis.

Well...I have the itch again. Except this time I plan on scratching it softly so that it doesn't totally go away.

We SUCK!

At this point, I think we know how atrocious we are. The "cock-tease" that was the first 35 minutes of the Northwestern game had me hopeful, but the other shoe has dropped...quickly. While we were getting slapped by Akron, I was in Maryland watching the Terps get beaten by Middle Tennessee State on television. I think it's about high-time that we think about the possibility of the apocalypse happening with all of these ridiculous losses by a number of teams. Rutgers was stomped last night by North Carolina. SU losing to Akron and Northea....whoa. That hasn't happened yet. But you get the idea. Can't say that I feel too bad Schiano and the Scarlet Knights. We've kept the thrones in the basement of the Big East warm for a couple years, and we will likely keep those seats toasty. BUT, maybe we'll have a friend!?

Let's not think that SU getting crushed is the only thing going on in the world of Syracuse Athletics.

The Express, with Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown, will be entering theaters soon. It'll be a great time to remember what an awesome program we used to have. BUT, maybe, just maybe, it will wake up some people....ahem GrossCantor...that what we are going through now is bad enough and we can let Greg Robinson go midseason. But I digress...

We are also about to get a supreme beatdown by a mercurial Penn State team. I always think that the Nittany Lions are going to have a great season. Then they go out and lose to Minnesota, or some other Big Ten team that they shouldn't drop a game to. But, make no mistake, we're in for a long Saturday.

Lastly, just to brighten my day a little, Cody Jamieson, Lacrosse Demi-God, is enrolled at Syracuse and will hopefully be joining the squad this spring.

Syracuse @ Northwestern: Noon EST, ESPN 2

I've been away for awhile...yes. As Syracuse hits the field today, I suppose I will start to hit the keyboard more often. Syracuse athletics starts today...

Greg Robinson's career as a Head Football Coach at a Division I team likely gets flushed down the shitter beginning today. I, for one, am feeling bittersweet. This truly marks the beginning of the football season for me. It doesn't get much better than college football. Unfortunately, of the teams that I can't stand to watch, my own Alma Mater is one of them. Of course I'll watch the Northwestern game, wanting the Orange to pull out a victory, but am I the only one who, in the darkest part of my heart, wants to see them get their doors blown off so that we'll be able to put this G-Rob thing to bed?

I mean, what score has to be the final for him to get "shitcanned" today? Will a sixty point margin do it? In the same thought as that, would be rather see them win and get fooled about the ceiling that this team has, or would we rather see them get crushed so we can tar and feather Robinson?

In all honesty, I just want to see some damn points up on the board. I don't care if they give up 50. Let me see them score 40. Let me see them do it in a way that I think that they can repeat it. As a Buffalo Bills fan and a Syracuse football fan. I think I've seen my goddamn fill of inept offenses. Gimme some points.

Here's hoping I have some decent to talk about in the postgame.

Quick Hits from mid-July...

What we might call the "dog days of summer" are upon us full force now. I can't say that I've felt much desire to hop on here and share odd thoughts or weird dreams about college roommates dying in shootouts on a racetrack (really happened...in my dream). News about Syracuse has been pretty sparse. So what little news HAVE we actually had to nibble on?

• The Men's Lacrosse team secured the services of an attackman for the 2010 season. Joe Marasco, a Junior at Somers High School in Section I (that's downstate New York), has committed to Syracuse after reopening his recruitment following a coaching change at his original school of choice, Ohio State. My guess is that he saw some other parts of the state outside of Columbus and decided that it would be best to never set foot in Ohio again. From what little I've read he's a stud already and will only get studdlier? studder? more studly? as he becomes a Senior next season.
• Also on the Men's Lacrosse front is the news that Cody Jamieson, of Onondaga Community College, has won the scoring title in the Ontario Junior A Box Lacrosse League. It has a real name, but I'm not going to look it up. He tallied 101 points, which includes 56 goals, in......wait for it......21 games. That is some streak. We should all cross everything we can... Fingers, legs, eyes, to make sure he gets on campus at SU.
  
• SU football is a twelve point underdog against Northwestern to start the year. Not surprising. Northwestern might be up by 2 TD's right now...so maybe it's a little surprising that it's not more. But I'm confident this year. Confident that I'll feel okay right up until kickoff when my world begins to crumble around me.
• Last note-worthy piece of news at the top of my head is Jimmy B's impending trek to China as an assistant coach on the United States Men's Basketball Team. I'm interested to see what his reaction is if the U.S. play Canada. Doesn't he find the teams worse, most slight defender and plead Coach K to put him on Andy Rautins? God forbid anything happen to poor Andy. I'm not sure I want him to put on another 15 lbs.
  

Rot in Hell B.C. programmer

With the release of NCAA Football 2009 just two short weeks away, I find the need to bring something up that has been bugging me for the past 50 weeks. I have no physical proof of what I am about to say, but those of you who have NCAA 2008 can easily check out what I'm talking about. In addition to the fact that EA Sports continually sells the exact same pig with lipstick (save the NHL series), their proof-readers or quality control people or whatever the hell we call them, made a rather significant error in last years installment. If you look in the Carrier Dome, along the rafters of the upper deck, the name Syracuse University is spelled incorrectly. If it were any other school with a shitty football team, I wouldn't care. But this is my school with a shitty football team we're talking about. And would we put it past a BC graduate or UConn flunkie to purposely spell the name of our beloved Orange as Syracuse "Univeristy"?

There's a few things that I expect every year. I expect that I know that I'll be disappointed, yet buy it anyway. I expect that while it is entirely too difficult to run a passing offense, it's about accurate with how difficult it is to run A WEST COAST OFFENSE. I also expect that the player animations will look fine for about five minutes...and then I would have ran through all of them already. Things I don't expect. Radical changes in gameplay for the better. Hating Brad Nessler. General mistakes it team colors or TEAM NAMES.

It's such a menial, unimportant thing, but it just goes to show that even a company like Electronic Arts, one that disappoints me over and over until the point that I don't care, can make me want to rip out my own hair.

Look at all the fans that Northwestern even gets...

In the news...lately.

Well, there have been some developments on the Syracuse Athletics front recently. After a few weeks of lull, things seemed to have picked up a bit over at Manley.

The Syracuse Men's Lacrosse team met with the leader of the "free world". They exchanged handshakes and gifts. President Bush was even so kind as to pronounce the name of the University correctly. What a guy! And he has a sense of humor!

"One of the things I tell people is that if you work hard and become a repeat champion, I look forward to welcoming you back to the White House," the president said. "However, this time it's not going to work. My eligibility has run out."

He's no dud.

The Syracuse Men's Basketball team has a new player. Albeit, he won't be able to play until 2009, Wesley Johnson, who I guess would be described as a "wingman", has decided to transfer from Iowa State to Syracuse. Johnson allegedly has a ridiculous vertical, plays bigger than his size and has a deft outside touch. I would suggest a thorough investigation of this mans closet for bodies and such. Players with those reputations don't usually transfer and they sure as hell don't get recruited to play for the Cyclones.


Lastly, the Syracuse Athletic Department has revealed the new uniforms for what I believe is the third year in a row. I'm sure that this has nothing to do with helping market new merchandise and find a way out of our shitty record. Unfortunately no one told them that without a running game it really doesn't matter what the hell they wear. At first I didn't like some of the white additions, but I then realized that I have no problem with the jersey, it's the choice of pants that I'm worried about. The orange helmet with the blue jersey and white pants is going to look like a JV team. My old high school has much better uniforms than that. Keep the orange pants on at home and use the white on white on the road.

Come on...even Vera Wang thinks it looks good.








Okay, I lied.

Hey Hugo Boss! There's a new sheriff...

Versace, Dolce, Ovechkin? One of these things is not like the other one. Or are they? In addition to highlight reel goals and lighting up opposing defensemen, Alexander Ovechkin has added fashion designer to his resume. This past weekend Ovechkin was apparently labeled as some sort of demi-god in front of many followers in Washington D.C. In addition to hauling in all sorts of hardware at the NHL post-season awards show, Alex was also given the key to the city and full use of the mayor's harem. Judging from some of the models that were showing off his new clothing line, he might want to pass on the mayor's offer. As for some of the arm candy that Ovechkin was sporting during his "ceremony"......he was seen with former Red Army and NHL great Igor Larionov's daughter, Elena. Apparently she's quite the singer. She's quite the human too. When you take into account that he has to deal with this...good for him.

Midfielders beware?

Syracuse lacrosse defensive mid-fielder John Carrozza has been denied by the NCAA in his bid to secure a fifth year of eligibility. Carrozza played in three games last season before being injured and then leaving school after some legal troubles. Because of the amount of games played in that season before his injury, he had the ability to petition the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver. Instead of running the risk of confusing myself with the language used, I'll let this quote by the Syracuse Sports Information Director explain the situation.

"After the 2007 season we filed a medical hardship waiver on his behalf. It was declined. He has the option to appeal that decision but hasn't yet. It doesn't mean he can't/won't appeal in the coming months."

So despite the denial, the Orange still have the possibility of returning a big part of their championship team this year. I, for one, wouldn't mind the big-hitting Carrozza returning. With guys like him and Sid Smith on the field, there is not only a physically intimidating presence on the field, but a mental one as well. It can't hurt having the oppositions attack worried about where certain guys are on the field. Besides, I can always appreciate a well placed elbow to Hopkins...


(The hit you're looking for is at the 1:00 mark.)

He's still just a boy......he's 24?

For the fifth time since being drafted by the Denver Nuggets, former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony will return to the Carrier Dome as an NBA player. It is yet to be determined as to what image damaging decisions the young star will make on his return to central New York. Chris Cordes, one of the men responsible for the Nuggets return to Syracuse, tells us all the reasons that we should be excited about seeing the Nuggets take on the Phoenix Suns,

“These are the two highest scoring teams in the NBA, and in addition to Carmelo, who will forever maintain folk-hero status here, and Shaq, who is an iconic NBA figure, these rosters are peppered with current and former All-Stars and League MVPs."

What Chris fails to add is that not everyone plays in exhibition games. Frankly, Shaq hardly plays at all until the playoffs. He typically stands around and cleans up "trash" for 25 minutes. Buuuuttt, let's not all pile on the SU Athletics Department. They are bringing our "son" back again. And despite all of his blemishes and transgressions, we still love the guy. It would be nice, though, if I didn't have to keep defending him against these stupid accusations. At the very least, he needs to start breaking the law around some gray areas. I can't make excuses for DUI's and "Stop Snitchin'" videos. I can, however, look past illegitimate children.

Do YOU have any advice for Nicole Ritchie's baby?

Imagine Tommy Lasorda walking out of a restaurant with a few bottles of wine "on-board". Now imagine him being harassed by paparazzi and fans. Your dream is now a reality. Find it HERE.

Just a few thoughts:
- Is it not abundantly clear that this man will yell at people until he passes on? He made a living doing it for several seasons with the Dodgers, and he still seems to have no qualms about doing it to complete strangers. I don't like that attitude. I love it.
- Part of me hopes that the vulture who asked Lasorda the question was kidding. Another, much larger part, hopes that he wasn't.
- With the raising of voices and the general surly attitude, am I the only one surprised that Tommy didn't take a swing at someone?

You can put our name on the conference trophy now, thanks...

It's official. The Big East Lacrosse Conference will start play in 2010 with seven members. Those involved in the newly created conference are Syracuse, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Rutgers, St. John's, Providence, and the lacrosse powerhouse, Villanova. There have been opinions that have run the gamut over the past few weeks. Some people seem to think that the conference will water-down the Syracuse schedule and take away from our mystique, while others think that the conference's creation is a sign of lacrosse growth across America and is a good move for the future of the sport. Frankly, in time's like this we should probably defer to the experts. Try here, here, and here. Don't try here, they don't have anything lacrosse related.

To be honest, the move into a Big East lacrosse conference doesn't bother me at all. Besides the top of the conference, there's not a very good chance that THIS Big East will "bitch-slap" the ACC on a regular basis, BUT the formation of the league shows me that there's unity and a desire to grow for the sport. As far as any complaints about the schedule is concerned, I think it's bogus. We DID play Villanova this year, as well as UMass and Binghamton. They didn't exactly blow anyone's doors off this year. We'll still have the room to play Hopkins and the Hoo's. I don't think it's a very big deal that we subtract a couple of crumb-bum teams to play the bottom of this Big East conference.

Besides, it won't matter where we're affiliated if we keep recruiting mustache's like this...



That may not be Dan Hardy's Championship fu manchu, but it very well could be.

If you had to take one man into a dark alley...

I'll have what he's having.

Let's play Google Images word association!

It's really quite simple. I type a series of words into the image search. We then wait and see what exciting presents the internet brings us.

Words: Conan, Jesus


Well this was certainly a shocker. I expected to find a bunch of figurines with Jesus shooting hoops with crumpled up pieces of paper near an office desk. Instead I get Nolan Ryan twisting off Robin Ventura's head.

Words: DeShaun Williams, Syracuse


Okay, Google is two for two in confusing the living shit out of me. I was expecting to get a picture of SU' s favorite backstabbing A-hole. I thought, with a little luck, I might even find a mugshot that I could put as my new background. I, instead, find this cute little number as one of the first fifteen pictures it decides I must have been looking for. I mean, don't get me wrong. These guys are perfect for each other, but is either of them responsible for knocking up the others girlfriend? Okay, maybe David Akers.

Words: Mike Powell, Towelie


Okay, seriously...I'm lighting my mustache on fire. But, in defense of Google Images, Towelie does seem to have a love for the ganj...AND Ron Mexico may or may not have been caught with similar green, leafish substance in a hollowed-out water bottle. In addition, both Ron and Mike are great athletes. But, Mr. Mexico is not the lead singer of any bands that I've heard of. No one attempted to make Towelie pay back any of his signing bonus. And between all of them, only Ron Mexico's jersey contains a prime number.

Weak sauce, Google...weak sauce.

An appropo introduction...

At a specific point in the past few weeks (exact time could not be recalled), I decided that the internet was the only place that I was going to have the ability to put forth my ridiculous ideas about a wide variety of subjects. It is my hope that at least one peon who spends his or her day surfing the blogosphere will stumble upon some of my daily musings and find them fit to read, comment on, or react to in a non-internet way (playing in traffic, for example). If you care to read about Syracuse Athletics, or some pompous asshole's thoughts on Boston College, then you may have come to the right place. If you want to browse through articles about what a great place Morgantown is......then take your sister kissing ass somewhere else.