John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Thinking Out Loud…while wondering if anyone’s word means anything anymore…
• Now, for this week’s version of the college soap opera known as “All My Children…”
• This week…it takes on new meaning. Now, while Texas A&M has been accepted into the SEC, leaving the Big 12 in its wake, one school left at the altar is saying “not so fast,” my former friends. Baylor stands to be a big loser in this version of “Big 12 roulette,” so the Bears have lawyered up…and are threatening legal action if the Aggies leave…
• And why shouldn’t they? Baylor stands to potentially lose millions, as well as a home for its athletic programs, because A&M has made the decision to abrogate an agreement reached only 15 months ago…
• Famous last words – “We are committed to the Big 12 and its success today and into the future.” – R. Bowen Loftin, President, Texas A&M on June 14, 2010…
• What does Baylor really hope to accomplish with this? Keep Oklahoma in the Big 12, and save the league. If OU goes, so does Oklahoma State, and probably Texas and Texas Tech and…
• If the Big 12 does implode, expect to hear the Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri-to-the-Big-East talk to rev up again. Sources say the league has already reached out to the Jilted 3. Get ready for 20 schools (12 for football) in the “really” Big East…
• So. Raise your hand if you thought downtown Providence (home of the Big East Conference) would one day be in the middle of our intercollegiate athletic Armageddon? Think Buddy Cianci had this in mind as part of his renaissance?
• Former Friar assistant coach and current ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla tweeted this week “Kansas at Providence in hoops? Thanks BCS commissioners/presidents! Nice job!” Word.
• Seen on a message board this week: “Baylor is just trying to save A&M from themselves and the perennial 5 and 6 loss seasons that await them (in the SEC). They should get community service credit…”
• More famous last words – “Until death do us part.” – both of my ex-wives, on dates I can’t seem to remember…
• Not for nuthin’…but Milan Lucic really shouldn’t have played the “do you know who I am?” card. The “misunderstanding” with his girlfriend was rightfully taken seriously by the Boston police…
• Not sure words can accurately describe the tragedy in Russia that decimated the Lokomotiv hockey team, killing 27 players and their coach, former Bruin Brad McCrimmon. The team owner says they will rebuild – this year – with each KHL team volunteering up to 3 players off of their roster toward building a new team…
• The Patriots are not #1. The Dallas Cowboys are – in overall worth. Forbes ranks the Cowboys as the NFL’s most valuable franchise at $1.85 billion. The Patriots are merely 3rd, at $1.4 billion, behind Washington at $1.55 billion…
• Wanna know why the labor agreement between NFL owners and players REALLY got done? Because 15 NFL teams are worth more than $1 billion, that’s why…
• If I’m the Patriots, I’m not sure I’m thrilled with Peyton Manning’s injury absence in Indy. But if I’m, say, the Houston Texans…carpe diem…
• The assessment of Red Sox post-season chances riding on Josh Beckett’s good health? Spot on. Youkilis? Bedard? Need them, too...
• Seven failed starts, and counting, for Tim Wakefield in his hunt for career win #200. It’s becoming painful to watch…and so is anytime Matt Albers pitches. Painful…
• Sure don’t like the way things are trending right now. Below .500 since the all-star break? If the Sox were a stock, I’m selling. I might be tempted to buy a few more Phillies’ shares…
• More famous last words – “Where did all these Indians come from?” – General George Armstrong Custer…
• I had just returned from a cross-country flight (San Francisco to Boston) when terror struck on 9/11/01. And as soon as flights were cleared to go again, I was determined to get on another plane. Soon, and with no fear. It was the least I could do to honor the fallen…
• Lost in a great opening week to the college football season was the fact that the Big East started out 8-0. The big win? USF’s 23-20 triumph at Notre Dame…forcing five Irish turnovers. Bigger week this week, with Rutgers, Cincinnati and UConn playing as underdogs on the road…
• Was there anything more hideous than Maryland’s uniforms last week against Miami? Forget Miami and their alleged recruiting violations. Those Maryland helmets deserve the death penalty…
• If you saw Robert Griffin III’s performance at QB in a 50-48 Baylor win over TCU, you’d have to agree he’s potential Heisman material. But if West Virginia can win big this year, here’s a name you should remember - Geno Smith. The QB could find himself in the race…
• Ricky Ledo finally made his decision to attend Providence College. Now comes the hard part…actually getting him on the floor…
• I’ve had so many Friar fans ask me if Ledo is worth the trouble. The answer is – absolutely. Talented players like Ledo don’t come along every day. Talented players from your own backyard? Recent history says they don’t stay home to play…
• My friend and Friar history guru Richard Coren says the current Class of 2012 with Ledo (ranked #8 by Rivals.com), Kris Dunn (#10) and Josh Fortune is the highest ranked recruiting class the PC hoop program has had since 1974, when Soup Campbell and Bob Misevicius were both ranked as Top 10 players by Street and Smith magazine…
• Think there’s pressure in Jacksonville? QB David Garrard was cut after a three-pick performance in practice this past week. Practice? We’re talkin’ about PRACTICE…
• More famous last words – “What the **** was that?” – Mayor of Hiroshima, Japan. Unsubstantiated, of course…
• Speaking of famous last words…the mailbag question this week comes from James in Rumford: “We are at week one of the NFL season and no Brett Favre. Is this it? Is he really retired?” James, it appears he is, indeed, retired. But, don’t ever say never. Injuries to other guys might have a way of making Favre feel invincible, again…
• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, too @jrooke0722…
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