"Leave It All On The Floor"

UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
 "Give me everything you got!"



 Top-ranked Connecticut's record 90-game winning streak in women's basketball ended Thursday night when Stanford (No. 8 ESPN/USA Today, No. 9 AP) outplayed the Huskies from the start in a 71-59 victory at Maples Pavilion.

"At some point reality had to set in, and today reality set in," Auriemma said. "I'm not destroyed about it. Winning that many games in a row, it's unheard of."

Geno Auriemma is a class act all the way around. He knows how to win with dignity and also knows how to lose with it. During this whole process he was even tempered. He never got too high on his team and continued to demand excellence when he knew that  99% of the time his team was light years better than their competition. They weren't playing the competition, they were playing against their potential. If you're better than everyone else you have to find a way to compete even when the other team can't. Geno has done an unbelievable job of doing that.

It's like running track and naturally being faster than everyone out there. What do you learn to do? Race against the clock and not the other runners. The Lady Huskies have done that and that has made them more than just great basketball players but instead it will make them great people.They now have an understanding of what success truly is.

 How do we define it? Well in my opinion success is all relative. Everyone’s potential is different. We all have been given a base line portion of talent. Now it’s up the each of us to take that base line and maximize it. So depending on where you start and where you eventually end up should determine your level of success. For example, a person that starts with a high base line and only moves it minimally in my opinion has failed miserably. Doesn't matter that he becomes an area supervisor, makes a six figure salary, lives in a six bedroom home and drives a luxury vehicle; if we’re looking at this from a monetary standpoint. Success is taking your base line and moving it further than expected.

 Let's say a person should happen to start with a very low baseline. For example, if they had trouble learning or wasn’t very intelligent. The expectation for them to do anything with their life would be low. Then somehow they find a way to move that baseline very high for their perceived potential. Even if that only means making thirty thousand dollars a year and just being able to buy a simple home. In my opinion, that person has become far more successful than the person that started with a higher baseline that lives in the six bedroom home. The guy that was very smart or overly talented could’ve easily become a corporate CEO, living in a mansion and made millions of dollars. Success is all relative and we can’t be so quick to compare our lives(teams) to others.

By making the Lady Huskies maximize their potential, Geno Auriemma has been able to give those players the lesson of a lifetime. Don't compare your life to others because you'll cheat yourself out of a championship. What's your opinion? 

Jay Graves

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Fox Analyst Makes Ignorant Comments of Vick and Obama



"It's always my business"

 Fox analyst Tucker Carlson gave the harshest critique of Vick's past yet, saying the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback "should have been executed" for his gruesome dogfighting crimes.



Carlson was guest hosting for Sean Hannity's show on Fox News Channel on Tuesday night when he made the remarks. He led a panel discussion about President Barack Obama commending the owner of the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. Vick served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring.

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances," Carlson said on the show. "But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did [it] in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the president of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs?"

Now I've heard a lot of people talk about the Vick situation but I've never heard this type of venom being spit. Any reasonable thinking individual would agree that what Mike did was reprehensible to say the least. However, as I've stated before the man spent nearly two years in jail and lost more than $100 million in the process. But to suggest that he should have been executed is just out right hate. Not from the usual jealousy standpoint either.



"Thanks"

It blows my mind that people are still attacking this guy when he's clearly paid his debt to society and is working closely with the Humane Society and Community Groups to spread the word about animal abuse. I wrote an article entitled "Do We Love Our Dogs More Than Our Women" last month. It examined how none of the women's groups have ever come out in protest of Ben Roethlisberger for allegedly sexually assaulting women. In my opinion the issue of abusing human beings especially women is far more serious. I have a wife and a daughter and I couldn't imagine anyone harming them.

The President was simply making the point that it's commendable that the Eagles organization gave an x-offender an opportunity to make a living. Whether it was Michael Vick or anyone else. The system is broken when it comes to re-entry into society for convicted felons. They serve time in jail and when they are released no one will hire them. As a result, many of those same felons will commit additional crimes that will land them back into our prison systems.

According to the New York Times, The United States had a prison population of 2.4 million in mid-2008, greater than that of any other country, including China. Our per capita imprisonment rate of 750 per 100,000 individuals is several times greater than all other developed nations. It costs US taxpayers roughly $70 Billion per year to care for all of its prisoners, at a per-prisoner cost of roughly $30,000 per year.

For that reason Mr. Carlson, I believe that the President was completely in line to praise the Eagles for allowing one convicted felon the opportunity to redeem himself regardless of the crime. We've got two options here. We can either give them a second chance or wait for them to come through our windows in the middle of the night. What's your opinion?

Jay Graves
Information from The Associated Press and the New York Times was used in this report.

"The NCAA Isn't Playing Fair"

Buckeyes Get A Pass

As we gear up for the first of the BCS Bowls on January 1st, I thought it would be appropriate to look at the Sugar Bowl match up in particular. The Ohio State Buckeyes(Big Ten) are set to battle the Arkansas Razorbacks(SEC).

 Last week I wrote an article called  "Go Forth My Son and Get Paid" about Terrelle Pryor and his teammates that were found to have received improper benefits and were ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the first five games of the 2011 season. As much as I sympathized with the players in this situation. I must say that I found the NCAA to be completely bogus in it's ruling that they were ineligible for the first five games of 2011 but not for the Sugar Bowl. How do you bypass the bowl game?

Now if they are in fact ineligible to play for five games the first of those suspensions should have been the Sugar Bowl. Then the first four games of next season would have made the most sense. It sounds to me like the NCAA is either giving Ohio State a pass or penalizing the powerful SEC. Why the SEC? Would it be the fact that the SEC has won the last five BCS National Titles and if those five players weren't playing in the Sugar Bowl the Bucks wouldn't have had a chance at all? Or would it be that Ohio State is currently 0-9 against the SEC? If I were Arkansas I would be fired up to beat the brakes off of the them to make a statement to the NCAA and the country that the SEC is as dominant as always. With or without Pryor and his pals I don't think that it's really going to make a difference.  I just figured that I would say it because the only other person to call them on it was ESPN's Mark May.

 In addition to missing five games next season, Pryor, Mike Adams, Daniel Herron, Devier Posey and Solomon Thomas must repay money and benefits ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500. The repayments must be made to a charity. A sixth football player must sit out the first game in 2011 for receiving discounted services in violation of NCAA rules. All of the players be eligible for the Jan. 4 Allstate Sugar Bowl, however.

Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university for players on a team that beats arch-rival Michigan. Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150. Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50.Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring. Thomas must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155. What's your opinion?

Jay Graves
 Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.

Passing the Torch?

"I got this!"
Rookie QB Joe Webb Stuns the Eagles!

Last night rookie quarterback Joe Webb showed the sports world that he was getting a pay check too. After Ole Man Favre was ruled inactive for the match up against the Eagles and Tavaris Jackson was on the injury list as well. The third man down was the rookie. He threw for 195 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start filling in for an injured Brett Favre, and the lowly Vikings stunned Michael Vick and the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles 24-14 in the NFL's first Tuesday game since 1946.

"It was a big win, especially with what we have gone through," Webb said. "It was a long trip for us and to get a win against the Eagles, we are trying to finish the season on a high note."

I just believe that as an organization the decision should have been made early on in the season to play Tavaris Jackson or Joe Webb. Once the team realized that they weren't going to be competitive. The Brett Favre experiment should have been aborted. You've got to look to next year. Get these guys some playing time to see what they could do so that the organization can make draft decisions for 2011.

Will the guys that I have on my roster help me or hurt me going into the following season? There was too much time spent fooling around with Favre and trying to save his consecutive game starting streak. Also, they completely threw $20 million in the toilet on his salary. That money could have been better spent on the teams future. Franchises have always been built around young quarterbacks. Look at what the Saints have done with Drew Brees or the Falcons with Matt Ryan. Why would you put all of your eggs in the basket of a 41 year man? That makes no sense at all. Even if he is Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

He was too old to play this game at that level week in and week out. Sure he has the skill level and the ability to make good decisions on the field. He may even be a good leader on the field. However, being able to be the Man takes more than that. Physically his body couldn't recover from week to week. So therefore, he moved slower as the season progressed. He was never one of the guys because he's old enough to be most of the players dad.

Having the necessary comradery with the team takes more than just showing up and playing. Your teammates have to respect you more than anything. How many guys in that locker room probably resented the fact that for two years in a row Brett didn't go through off-season workouts or training camp with them. Sure, many of the veterans wanted him to play. That's why several guys went to Mississippi to get him. However, I guarantee that the majority of the guys on that team we're upset about it. Yeah, he's Brett Favre but you can't change the dynamics of what it takes to win.

In order to win on any level, players have to trust one another and have some locker room rapport. If that isn't there, talent means absolutely nothing. Just ask the Dallas Cowboys. They're probably one of the most talented teams in the league annually.  What's your opinion?

Jay Graves
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

"Old School Coaching Doesn't Work Anymore"




Fired!

  The San Francisco 49ers' eighth consecutive season without a playoff appearance has cost Mike Singletary his job as the team's head coach.The 49ers announced the firing Sunday night after the team returned to its Bay Area headquarters following a 25-17 defeat to the St. Louis Rams earlier in the day.
Singletary, 52, went 5-10 this season and 8-8 in 2009, his first as head coach in full. He posted a 5-4 record as interim coach after the team fired Mike Nolan during the 2008 season.

I really enjoyed the fire and passion that Mike Singletary brought to work as the head coach of the 49er's. It was that type of attitude that made people winners when I was a kid. Coaches demanded excellence and didn't compromise. He was an old school coach that had a desire that isn't seen in today's game. Unfortunately, it doesn't work anymore and that's why he only had five wins this year. The kids that are playing now are many times products of poor parenting like I mentioned in an article just a few days ago called "Highly Explosive".  Being a fiery head coach is a thing of the past. You would never have seen a player going toe to toe with a coach like Troy Smith did yesterday during their lost to the Rams.

It wouldn't have mattered who was wrong. The coach was like your father on the field and you didn't question him at all. You mumbled under your breath and kept it moving.  The problem is, very few kids are growing up with their fathers and a strong male presence is foreign to them. So having a man get off in their butts about something is a form of disrespect in their eyes.

Coaches like Vince Lombardi(Packers), Mike Ditka(Bears) and Chuck Noll(Steelers) would never have been able to coach in this era. They were too demanding and wouldn't have catered to these kids the way coaches have to today. See when those guys were coaching they had players that had been taught to respect authority from birth. Athletes now are loose cannons because they haven't been trained at home.

I remember last year during the college football bowl season Mark Mangino, the head coach of the Kansas Jay Hawks at the time, was fired.  He was dismissed because players complained that he was disrespecting them. He once told a kid at halftime, "You keep talking about being a 1000 yard rusher but you haven't done $%#!." The kid said that coach called him out in front of the team and disrespected him. Are you kidding me? He also threw a kid out of his chair because he was sleeping during a team meeting prior to the bowl. So the guy called his mother from the bowl sight and told her that he wanted to transfer. Are you listening to me people? He called his mother and she rushed to his aid!

 Twenty or thirty years ago he would've called his mother and she would've cursed him out for sleeping in the meeting. We're raising soft kids and the world won't give them a break. So you can either get in the butts now or let the world throw them around. It's up to you. Coaches use to help make men out of boys. Now they have to pamper them.  What's your opinion?

Jay Graves
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

"Watch Ya Back Son!" Heat Blast Lakers

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
 Sizing him up

I've been saying since the season started, wait until the Heat figure out how to play together as a team. By February they will essentially be unstoppable. Every night you see these guys putting the pieces together and it's been fun to watch. I'm enjoying the development of this team because of all the hate that Lebron has received since the "Decision". They even booed him in Los Angeles yesterday and they didn't have a dog in that fight. What's up with that?

For anyone to hate on this kid for leaving Cleveland is just ridiculous. Have you ever been to Cleveland first of all. I go there on business every now and then and after four or five days, I'm sprinting out of the joint and I grew up in Gary. C'mon Man! Not to mention that he had no help. Everybody wants to play with great players. Historically that's the way it's always been. Why would Lebron want to be a pioneer and gamble with his career because Magic, Bird nor Jordan did it? They had help in case you forgot.

When Magic showed up in L.A. he had James Worthy and Kareem to play with from the word go. Bird had Parrish and Machale within a year. Jordan eventually got Pippen to run with, not to mention some sharp shooters like Craig Hodges and Steve Kerr. They weren't superstars but they were the X-factors on those championship teams. Why would Lebron stay in Cleveland for another day when at the seven year mark the organization wouldn't get him someone to play with?

During the Magic/Boston game yesterday they showed a stat that completely blew me away. They said that this Celtics team is the first team in NBA history to have 4 players with 20k points each. Those are the big 3 plus Shaq now. So who's stacking the deck? Don't give me the excuse that they're old because the Boston Big Three came right in and won a title. People kill me talking about the Heat not playing fair when boys have been doing this for years! I've never liked the NBA but I'm all in now because I don't like haters. Jordan was the best to ever play the game and the Bulls went and got Rodman even after they had already won several titles. Rodman was one of  the best rebounders to ever play in the NBA. Nobody tripped off of that combination.

So I'm glad to see the Heat finding their way. Keep in mind that the X-factor hasn't been playing . Once Mike Miller gets going it's going to be ugly. He gives them a three-point shooter that they don't have right now. See Lebron and D Wade essentially play the same game. So by having Miller on the floor makes teams play honest.

It was great to see the Heat get a signature win last night just to put cats on notice. Lebron showed up on Christmas day, on national TV, in front of all of the Hollywood Celebs and put a triple double on the table. I listened to the media bark that this win means nothing because the Lakers are in disarray. Well, even with that said, it was huge because it was on Christmas Day, in L.A., against Kobe. It doesn't get any bigger than that during the regular season.

 Whoever made that statement is a natural born hater. For those of you that have trouble identifying what a hater looks like. I'll school you real quick. A hater is any person that can't find the good, in the good even when everyone else already knows that it's good.  One last lesson, "If you walk into a room and 50% of the people in that room aren't hating on you. You need to step your game up." What's your opinion?

Jay Graves

Warning: Highly Explosive! "No One's Parenting Anymore"



Mississippi State teammates Renardo Sidney, far left, and Elgin Bailey, far right, fought in the stands Thursday night
.AP Photo/Eugene Tanner

 The most dangerous person in the world is a kid that isn’t afraid of anything or anyone. All too often we’re witnessing the results of poor parenting or essentially no parenting at all. When we see children that aren’t ashamed of acting a fool in public or embarrassing their family's name that's a serious problem. It's evident that they haven't been taught to respect themselves or their families. When I was coming up we were taught that the family name meant something and you didn't dare drag it through the mud.

On Thursday night Mississippi State basketball players, sophomore forward Renardo Sidney and junior forward Elgin Bailey were suspended indefinitely for their altercation in the stands at the Diamond Head Classic. Now granted they weren’t on the island taking a vacation. They were there to play in the tournament itself. Actually they had just beaten San Diego 69-52 earlier in the evening and were just about to watch the second game of the night when all hell broke loose. 

Sidney, a highly touted McDonald's All-American out of Fairfax (Los Angeles) High, sat out all of last season while awaiting clearance from the NCAA. He has appeared in just two games this season and scored 31 points with nine rebounds. Just this week, he was suspended by Coach Stansbury for "conduct detrimental to the team" and was benched for the first-round loss to Washington State on Wednesday. Now this? If I were in charge. I'd send him right back to Los Angeles.
 
It’s amazing that kids aren’t being raised with any fear of their parents or other family members. When I was coming up it was mandatory that you were afraid of someone at home. Your father, mother, uncle, Big Momma or all of the above. You wouldn’t dare go out in public and act a fool because you new that somebody with your last name or blood type was going to show up and embarrass you. No doubt about it. Don’t let Big Momma show up at the school with her rollers and house shoes on.

Even if you wanted to act up. That internal voice told you to slow down and put it in park. Everyone growing up has to be afraid of somebody in order to become successful or they'll end up in jail or dead prematurely. Now the term "afraid" evolves over a period of time to mean "respects someone at home to the point that I don't want to let them down".

Remember at the beginning of the 2009 college football season when LaGarrette Blount  punched the kid from Boise State? Now I completely understood why he hit the guy. The kid from Boise was talking trash as they were walking off of the field and Blount’s adrenalin was still rushing. No telling what the Bronco player said to him. So I get it. However, after the Oregon players tried to restrain him, he kept going. He then allowed the Boise State fans to badger him to the point where he was completely out of control. At no point did the thought, “ my old man is gonna be pissed or Big Momma is watching this on TV, so I need to chill” go through his mind. I know that if it were me out there. My dad would've been standing in my dorm room when I turned the key and God knows what would’ve happened. It's called being held accountable!

We can’t keep sending our children out into this world unprepared to deal with it. When you raise your child and don't teach them to have respect for themselves or authority, you’ve crippled them. I wrote an article just last month called “Momma’s Boy” about Vince Young and his tirades and how the people in his life have failed him miserably. We’re going to continue to see this foolishness from our young people as long as there is no fear for the adults at home or those that have some type of influence in their lives. What’s your opinion?

Jay Graves
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Jordan is the Jerry Jones of the NBA

"Control Freak sitting on the bench!"

Let’s face it. Michael Jordan is a control freak and as an owner of a professional sports franchise that’s a problem. He's the Jerry Jones of the NBA and I’m being nice. This guy is even worse because he sits on the end of the bench and constantly badgers the players. I’ve never seen anything like it. The owner of the team sitting on the bench ripping players as they walk off of the floor? I can remember how annoyed Gerald Wallace looked last year during a game in the playoffs when Jordan was in his ear the entire night. I mean who’s coaching? Or better yet, who do I listen to if I’m a player on that team? So I completely understand why Larry Brown quit. He had no authority. It was like your old man telling you it was OK to go to the party but your mom telling you to stay at home. Who's in charge?

All of that competitiveness was an asset to him as a player but as an owner, it’s a liability. When you hire people to do a job you have to trust folks to do what you’ve brought them in to do. It’s unacceptable to then sit on the bench and bother the players during the game. Both the players and the coaches are put in a bad position because Jordan writes the checks! You can’t tell him to shut up and get out of the way because he’s the freaking owner for crying out loud!

He's always been a jerk but no one ever wanted to say it because he was the best player in the league. There was simply nothing that anyone could do about it. Remember when he was with the Bulls and he jumped on Steve Kerr at practice? I can appreciate that kind of intensity because it brought the best out of him.

However, it doesn’t do anything for him when he’s in charge of a sports franchise because that turns his subordinates away. They weren’t losing because Larry Brown couldn’t coach. It was too many distractions within the organization and finding a new coach won’t solve the problem. Michael Jordan is the problem just like Jerry Jones. These two guys will never win because they don't trust their players or coaches. Get out of the way bruh!

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Follow me on Twitter: @jaygravesreport

Go Forth My Son and Get Paid!

Don't you dare sit out for 5 games in 2011 son!

Terrelle Pryor and four of his Buckeye teammates have been ruled ineligible for the first five games of the 2011 season. The five players were found to have sold awards, gifts and university apparel, plus receive improper benefits in 2009. In addition to missing five games next season, Pryor, Mike Adams, Daniel Herron, Devier Posey and Solomon Thomas must repay money and benefits ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500. The repayments must be made to a charity. A sixth football player must sit out the first game in 2011 for receiving discounted services in violation of NCAA rules. All of the players be eligible for the Jan. 4 Allstate Sugar Bowl, however.

Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university for players on a team that beats arch-rival Michigan. Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150. Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50.Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring. Thomas must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155.

Now sounds to me like these kids needed extra money. They weren’t trying to do anything but take care of themselves. Why else would a kid sell his awards that he’s worked so hard to get. These guys were selling things that should mean a great deal to them. That’s not what a person would do under normal circumstances. That’s what a crack head would do or someone that’s extremely desperate for money would do. Not a famous student-athlete.

So what does this tell us? It tells me that the system is jacked up and the kids are always going to be caught in the middle. I’m appalled that a kid that is making a university hundreds of millions of dollars would have to sell his championship rings and awards to put money into his pockets and no one else see’s that’s a problem.

The media is blasting these kids and not the system. I wrote an article last year entitled  College Athletes Should Get Paid that addressed this very issue. It’s a shame that kids continue to be taken advantage of in the world of college athletics. If Pryor were my son I’d encourage him to turn pro after the Sugar Bowl. If he stays in school he’s got sit out half the season and go to class. He may as well go to the league and get paid if he’s going to sit. The only issue is whether there will be an NFL draft in April because of the issues surrounding the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If that gets settled in time I’d tell him to get paid! What’s your opinion?

Jay Graves
Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.

Wasted Talent?



The best to ever play the game!


Maya Moore is in my opinion the best to ever play the game of women's basketball. Yes I said it. She's the most talented and most decorated player to ever lace them up. She's better than the great Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoops just to name a few. None of those players were able to lead their teams to 89 consecutive wins where more than 50 of them weren't even close.

While in high school in Georgia she amassed a 125-3 record, won 3 straight state championships and was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, twice. I know that Cheryl once scored 100 points in a game but that means that she shot more than anyone else. I mean don't get me wrong, 100 points is unbelievable but this girl is winning like no one has ever done. Last I checked, it's was about winning championships and no one has done it better than this young lady has. 

All she's done at the college level was win two National titles, the John R. Wooden, Naismith and Wade Awards, not to mention the fact that she has lead the Lady Huskies to an NCAA record 89 consecutive wins and counting.She currently leads that team in every statistical category. So in my opinion, they'll continue to win this year and capture a third straight National Title. Ms. Moore will again win the Wooden, Naismith and Wade honors by seasons end. Um, I'd say that that qualifies her to be the best to ever play the game! However, is it all wasted talent?

Now of course I'm being facetious by asking that question. However, it's a shame that with all of that talent and ability. She'll never enjoy the fortunes that her male counterparts will earn over the course of their careers. It saddens me that a person with so much to offer the game won't be compensated for her contributions.  The WNBA just doesn't generate the revenue that the NBA does. So therefore, the league can't pay the same types of salaries that it pays the guys in the NBA.

Unfortunately, salaries are driven by tickets sells, jerseys, shoes and most recently video games. That revenue stream doesn't exist in the women's game. Let's compare the salaries of the WBNA to the NBA. The maximum WNBA veteran salary (over 6 years experience) according to Women's Basketball Online is $101K. The average veteran salary of an NBA player in 2007-2008 was $5.3 million. That was just the average cat, not for the superstars like Maya would be considered if she were a guy. Kobe Bryant is making according to HoopsHype.com $24 million this year. Now I'm not hating on Kobe, I'm just making a point that if this young lady were a guy with all of that talent she wouldn't still be at UConn. We haven't even discussed the hundreds of millions of dollars left on the table from endorsements that won't come her way.

The women's game just doesn't draw the same attention. I'm not mad I'm just saying that monetarily, that talent is wasted. So therefore, Maya will have to continue to play for the love and passion of the game.  But is that really so bad? What's your opinion?

Jay Graves

UConn Women Stand Alone!

Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Men's teams. Women's teams. No. 89 belongs to UConn. It beats them all.

What does the only men's or women's Division I basketball team to win 89 games in a row have that no other team has? Geno Auriemma and Maya Moore, writes Graham Hays. 

The No. 1-ranked Huskies women's basketball team topped the 88-game winning streak set by John Wooden's UCLA men's team from 1971-74, beating Florida State 93-62 on Tuesday night. Playing with the relentlessness that has become its trademark -- and would have made Wooden proud -- Connecticut blew past the Seminoles (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 22 AP) as it has so many other teams in the last 2 1/2 years.

"I don't want my team to compare themselves to anyone," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said afterward. "I'm not John Wooden and this isn't UCLA. This is Connecticut and that's good enough."

Maya Moore had a career-high 41 points and 10 rebounds and freshman Bria Hartley added 21 points for the Huskies, who have not lost since April 6, 2008, in the NCAA tournament semifinals. Only twice during the record run has a team come within single digits of UConn -- Stanford in the NCAA championship game last season and Baylor in early November.


When the final buzzer sounded, UConn players sprinted across the floor to shake hands with the student section as fans held up "89" signs and "89" balloons bobbed in the stands behind center court. Two other fans raised a banner that read "The Sorcerer of Storrs" -- a play on Wooden's nickname, "The Wizard of Westwood."

Bret, Will You Let Somebody Else Play?

Why does this keep happening to me?

On the coldest night of the season and the first time the Vikings have played outdoors in Minneapolis in 29 years. Bret Favre decides that he's going to play. Now granted, this guy hadn't practiced all week because of a shoulder injury. All of a sudden the hype surrounding this game just overwhelms him and he's got to play. He thinks it's Lambeau field all over again. The snow and frigid temperatures must have confused the old guy.

Favre is like your buddy's dad that always wants to come out and play with the guys and is guaranteed to get hurt in the process. As soon as he comes out of the house all of the fella's are saying under their breath, "dude will you go back in the house". Your buddy who's dad it is, is so embarrassed that he simply gets on his bike and leaves. Incredible!

When it's all said and done Bret Favre will go down as one of the best to ever do it. I mean the guy is a Hall of Famer and have been for years. There is nothing else for him to do. He owns every passing record there is in the league. Why are you torturing yourself and making us watch. It's like the guy that keeps running out into traffic. What are you doing man? It was hard enough for us to watch Jordan when he was with the Wizards. Remember that? The guy couldn't even dunk on fast breaks. It was brutal to watch. When you are a legend in the game, don't make people watch you embarrass yourself. It's not fun for any of us see that. Go sit down!!

When your buddy's dad comes out there's always some kid out there gunning for him for the sole purpose of sending him back in the house. You know that the entire front seven of the Chicago Bears was that guy. When they found out that Favre was suiting up he suddenly became the hunted. You have to remember that no young guy wants to be shown up by someone's grandfather. Did you hear what I just said? Bret Favre is someone's grandfather! That's an insult to anyone on the field especially if you're a professional athlete.

So the first chance a guy gets to put him out of the game it's going to happen. If you watched the play that Favre was hurt on. He was body slammed, straight up. Was it necessary? Yes, if your a 22 year old rookie in the NFL it was mandatory. You may not agree with it but that's the mentality of a young type A personality anywhere. Take it or leave it.

Lastly, he's being selfish because he's taken a roster spot from some kid that's trying to make a living playing this game as well. Bret has already made more money than he'll ever be able to spend. However, on the flip side of that there's some kid trying to make a roster for the first time. It's like the old man that's been on the job for 40 years and won't retire and they can't fire him because of his seniority. There's a hot new kid fresh out of college with all of the promise in the world that can't find a job because the old guy won't retire. His house is paid for, he's already raised his kids and put them through college, has no expenses, but won't get out of the way. How can the young people start their careers when the older folks won't let them. I don't know what you call it, but I call it being selfish.  What's your opinion?

Jay Graves

Big Props to the UConn Women! 88 Straight!!!!

Updated Dec 20, 2010 1:52 AM ET Associated Press

The UConn women are a win away from making history!

Geno Auriemma and Connecticut matched UCLA's record streak in one of basketball's most famous arenas.
Already with no equal in women's hoops, UConn won its 88th straight game Sunday to tie the mark set by coach John Wooden and his UCLA men's teams from 1971-74. Tiffany Hayes scored 26 points and Maya Moore added 22 to help the top-ranked Huskies rout No. 11 Ohio State 81-50 in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden.

''The number's the number. I don't know if that changes me a whole lot right now,'' Auriemma said. ''I'm going to go to a good restaurant tonight. I'm going to have a good bottle of wine. I would have done that either way.''

UConn already owned the longest winning streak in NCAA women's basketball history. Next up, the Huskies (10-0) can surpass the UCLA men Tuesday night at home against No. 15 Florida State.

 UConn's 88 straight wins are impressive, but how do they measure up to these streaks?

Connecticut matched the Bruins' mark before a crowd of 15,232 - the second-biggest for a women's game at Madison Square Garden. With 40 seconds left, the crowd rose and chanted ''88! 88!''

DeSean Jackson's 65-yard punt return caps Eagles' 21-point comeback

Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- DeSean Jackson scored on a 65-yard punt return on the final play of the game and the Philadelphia Eagles scored 28 points in the final 7:28 to stun the New York Giants 38-31 Sunday and take over first place in the NFC East.

Michael Vick engineered the great escape by throwing for two touchdowns and running for another in the incredible late rally that all but clinched the division for the Eagles (10-4). It left Giants coach Tom Coughlin so angry he threw his notes as Jackson backed into the end zone.

Philadelphia has swept the season series with New York (9-5) and only needs to win one of its final two games or have New York lose one of its two. The Eagles host Minnesota and Dallas.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

McNabb Benched!

"Man what's going on?"

With three games left on the Washington Redskins' schedule. Coach Mike Shanahan has decided to bench Donovan McNabb. You heard what I just said. He's benching McNabb for what he says is strictly a business move. According to Coach Shanahan, he wants to see if Rex Grossman can get the job done this week. Get this.. McNabb will drop another spot to being the third string quarterback on next week. Now granted McNabb hasn't had his best year this season. However, he's the best quarterback by far on that roster.

Now I can understand that the Redskins are mathematically out of the playoffs and Shanahan is looking for solutions to their problems, but this isn't it. How can you justify sitting your best option and playing Rex Grossman. What is Shanahan smoking? I completely understood why he was giving Haynesworth the blues. He wasn't putting forth the effort in no way shape or form. Donovan has been nothing but a professional throughout this whole situation. Not to mention he just signed a 5 year extension worth $78 million with $3.5 million guaranteed after he was benched the first time this season.

That didn't make any sense at all. Sounds to me like the Owner Dan Snyder wants McNabb and Coach Shanahan doesn't. If that's the case then they need to sit down and handle their business first and then deal appropriately with the player. Because in my view of things it's completely disrespectful of them to treat a man of such professionalism in this manner. If he's not your guy then be straight up!

If McNabb is still on the roster at the end of the season they'll have to pay him a $10 million bonus. If they cut him, they'll owe him $3.5 million. Now what do you think is going to happen before the season is over? What was the point in signing Donovan to an extension if the coach didn't want him in the first place. I hope they fail miserably today playing Grossman. Shanahan already has a near riot on his hands because the players are very angry about this situation and the fact that he's given up on the season. If I were on that team I'd be upset too. Do you think Shanahan is more to blame for the Redskins problems or McNabb?

Jay Graves

Grown Men Shouldn't Wear Jerseys Ever!

My son and I representing our favorite team at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, but I'm dressed like a grown man.

Ninety percent of reality is perception. There's no sense in arguing with that statement. It is what it is! So it's whatever it's perceived to be.  That's why I need to have a heart to heart with all of my guys that think it's OK to put on another grown man's jersey! Bruh, it's under no circumstances permissable! Let's put that on the table right now. I know that you grew up seeing men wearing them but they didn't know any better. It's like the blind leading the blind at this point.

 Grown men need to look like grown men. Let me be specific so there's no confusion. I’m speaking to two sets of individuals. Those men that are at least thirty years old and men that have children that are at least ten years old. The reason that I specify is that it is critical that we understand who we’re talking about. Cat's less than thirty without kids are still trying to figure out what they wanna be so I give them a pass. Let's be honest that's a very small club anyway.

A man that is at least thirty is what the ole timers call “A Fully Grown Man”. Regardless of whether he has children or not, it isn’t permissible for him to walk around looking like a child. A man with children that are at least ten years old shouldn’t leave the house dressed like his kids regardless of his age. While we’re at it let’s throw in the flat bib baseball hats and the sagging pants too.

I’m not saying that a grown man can’t represent his favorite team. However, that’s why they make team apparel like dry fit polo’s, T-shirts, jogging suits etc. It’s definitely OK to put on your team logo baseball cap as well. Just not the flat bib joint bruh. Gentleman, here’s why this is so important to understand. Once you become a grown man, you have to assume the look of a grown man. You can't leave the house looking like you're on your way to high school buh. I’ve got a fifteen year old son that dresses like that.

Although that look can be very fashionable and sometimes impressive but it's childish to say the least. I’m speaking specifically about the hats, jerseys and matching sneakers. My son rocks that type of gear! If I walk around looking like him, people won’t take me seriously. I am his father, so therefore, I’ve got to look like his father. I can’t afford to look like one of his boys and we're hanging out in the same places. If you and your son leave the house rockin' the same gear ya'll look like ya'll about to holler at the same chicks bruh!

 I think back to how embarrassing would it have been when I was growing up if my dad were rockin' the same gear that my friends and I were wearing. What if I were in the basement with my boyz back in '83 and we were rockin' the shell toe Adidas, Kangols and dookie ropes and my ole man came downstairs with them joints on too? How crazy would he look bruh and how dumb would I feel?

Oklahoma vs Cincinnati game at Paul Brown Stadium

I hear some cat saying , “Well I don’t have kids so I’m good”. Let's keep it real or all the way 100, which ever comes 1st. If you’re Kevin Durant's age with his jersey on you look like a groupie even if you‘re at the game bruh. Think about this… you could potentially show up in the same places he hangs out, like restaurants or night clubs etc. Let's say you're standing at the bar ordering a drink and he walks up to order one too. How stupid do you look? Eventhough he's making money off of you he's shaking his head. See it's somewhat OK for a professional athlete to wear one of his boyz jerseys because they're on the same level. I still have a problem with it though but it's cool. However, the regular guy looks like a groupie.

 I’ve got several friends that have played professional sports including basketball, football and baseball. They’re all retired now but it wasn’t uncommon for them to think that people that wore jerseys looked stupid. You can’t be a grown man wearing another man's name of your back. I equate the guy that puts on another man's jersey to a woman that puts on her man's shirt after sex and walks around the house smelling it.

 As much as I liked Eric Dickerson when I was in high school. I wouldn’t have dared to put on his jersey, even when I was eighteen years old for those same reasons. Maybe because I was an athlete and it just seemed silly to me to rock another guys jersey.

Lastly, what kind of grown woman wants to show up somewhere with a child dressed up like a grown man. Ya’ll catch that one later. If your hanging out with women that don’t mind you wearing jerseys. Then they’re probably dressed up like their teenaged daughters and you guys are meant for one another.


Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Hit me up on Twitter: @jaygravesreport
Like TheJayGravesReport on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/sTI3qZ

Top Five Quarterbacks All-Time!

I know that you guys are going to argue all day about who should be on this list. So here we go:

1. Otto Graham

Graham was selected to 5 Pro Bowls and was a two-time NFL MVP. He played his entire career with Cleveland. He was supposed to play for the Detroit Lions, but was obligated to serve in the US Coast Guard.

Graham led the Browns to seven championships in his first 10 years, and only lost 13 games throughout his career.*
Graham's 57-13-1 record as a starter in the NFL represents the highest winning percentage of any quarterback (.810)

2.Joe Montana

Joe Montana has won four Super Bowls (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV), an eight-time Pro Bowler, a two-time NFL MVP, and a three-time Super Bowl MVP and is on several of the NFL's all time records lists.

He and Jerry Rice are currently second on the all time list for touchdowns from quarterback to receiver, only behind Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.

3. Tom Brady

Tom hit the New England scene in 2001, filling in for the injured Bledsoe. Tom would lead the Pats on to their first of three Super Bowl championships.

Tom has the NFL record for Most Touchdowns in a Season with 50 and most touchdowns in a quarter with 5. Tom led the Pats to a 16-0 season in 2007 and made the Super Bowl, but lost to the N.Y. Giants.
Tom is a five-time Pro Bowler, an NFL MVP and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.

4. Peyton Manning

Manning has kicked the label of "The next Dan Marino" by winning the Super Bowl in Feb. 2007.

Manning is a 10-time Pro Bowler, has an NFL record four NFL MVP awards, a Super Bowl MVP, and is the youngest player to reach 50,000 passing yards, 300 touchdown passes and is already fourth on the all-time wins list with 131 wins.

5. Bret Favre
He would be at the top of the list if he had won more Super Bowls.  He holds just about every major record in NFL history. He currently No. 1 in passing yards, touchdowns, wins, and of course interceptions.
Favre is an 11-timer Pro Bowler, a three-time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl Champion, and a five-time NFC Player of the Year.
Favre will forever be immortalized in football history as one of the best to ever play the game. I am sure they already have a nice area in Canton picked out for his bust to go in about five or six years.

*Most important Stat

Stats researched and provided by

Zach Bolen 

List put together by
 Jay Graves

"Science Project"

"I don't need a man!"

 Every now and then I'll do an article that has nothing to do with sports but everything to do with real life. 

“I don’t need a man!” It’s the independent ladies anthem. The shot heard around the world. “I can make it on my own”. That may well be true financially and sounds great. However, in theory it’s a bit out of touch. You see, having or wanting a man should have absolutely nothing to do with how much money you make. Nor should the degree, degrees or job you possess make a difference. I pose this question regularly to women that repeatedly say that. Why do you have to NEED a man to WANT a husband? After all, we’re human beings and we all long for companionship. That’s the way God made us. Is it so wrong to want to spend your life with someone that truly loves you regardless of his income? I applaud you for getting this money out here and making power moves in Corporate America etc. You’re going to college at an alarming rate, making money like never before… believe me baby girl, I find that to be very sexy. The problem is, along with your success you’ve lost a since of reality.

When you say “I don’t need a man, I’ve got my own car, home and job” that sounds impressive… initially. However, it really sounds like the brother that says “I take care of my kids.” You don’t get credit for that. If you’re a grown woman, you’re supposed to have your own car, home and job. That’s no accomplishment. Let’s keep it real here. A man that’s looking for a wife is looking for an asset not a liability. Those are the mandatory minimums. Real cats are looking for women they don’t have to take care of financially. We just don’t want the attitude that comes with it. Regardless of a man’s financial situation, he has an ego and it’s not going anywhere. You can choose to either stroke it or bruise it. So as long as you keep telling men that you don’t need them. You won’t have one. It’s as simple as that. Brothers won’t stay where they are perceived not to be needed and sister’s it has nothing to do with money.

 Companionship is a need all to itself. Life is so much better when you can spend it with someone that simply loves and respects you. Last I checked money can’t buy that. Nowhere in the bible does it say that companionship is based your level of success. So stop running these brother’s off because you can’t keep it real. You don’t make any more money than anybody living in your neighborhood. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in that neighborhood. You don’t have anymore paper than the people that you’re meeting at your particular social events. Otherwise, you’d be at different level of social event. The truth is…that if you’re not careful you’ll end up in the make believe world of the “Cougar.” It sounds great! However, in a man’s world you’ve been reduced to a “Science Project.”

When you’re 25, independent and fine saying, “I don’t need a man”, it sounds rather vogue. That’s because you still have a crew of girls fresh out of college or graduate school to run with. You guys meet after work for drinks at happy hour etc. Sit around and tell the stories of how much guys are intimidated by your success… at the same time singing the “independent” anthem. Then gradually your girlfriends that get it, start to marry off. You become annoyed because you don’t have a crew to travel or club with anymore. Primarily because they’ve all started families and they’re now obligated to PTA, soccer and oh yeah, they’ve got husbands to kick it with now.

 Then over time you look up and you’re 40… still fine with a bigger house, car and job. All of the single brothers your age are no longer interested because new models are coming off of the assembly line yearly… young girls fresh out of college with great toned bodies. Yours… well let’s say that it’s been around the block a few too many times. You’ve been able to control every aspect of your life. However, there’s one thing that your level of success and independence couldn’t get you… a husband. Listen to me closely sista's; you can’t get married unless he asks you. That’s the way it works baby girl. The word of God says, “A man that FINDS a wife, FINDS a good thing”, not the other way around.

So now you begin to fool yourself into believing that dating younger men is the answer. “Stella got her Groove Back” got you excited. However, in a man’s world you’ve become a “Science Project”. You wanted the control and power now you’ve got. This young boy will let you take him to the finest restaurants and hotels all over the world. He’ll even allow you to dress him. Why not you’re picking up the tab? He’ll let you teach him everything you know sexually. Let’s face it, you are 40 and you’re way more experienced than he is. He’s having the time of his life… for free. Then after a while he decides that it’s time to get married and start a family. The problem is, he wants a woman more his age and many times even younger. Thanks, because you’ve shown him all of the spots to take his wife, taught him how to dress… and oh yeah you’ve shown him how to please his wife in the bed too. Class Dismissed!

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Follow me on Twitter: @jaygravesreport

Heat Finding Their Groove!

When the NBA season kicked off the hater's were out in full force. It was like people running to the scene of an accident. Nobody ran over to help. They just wanted to see what was going on. All of the talk radio guys were having a ball destroying the Big Three in Miami after they lost their first game against the Celtics.  Are you kidding me! It was the first game of the season against a veteran team that had been together for several years. Anyone with half a brain wouldn't have expected the Heat to go to Boston and get a win.

These guys are professional athletes and don't typically spend the summers together like college players do. So it only made sense that they would struggle at the beginning of the season. It was only a matter of time that they would find their groove and now they're ready to make boys pay. The Heat now have the NBA's longest current wins streak at 10 games after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.

 Look out, it's going to be a long season for teams in the East. That's too much talent on one team and I know you didn't think that they weren't going to figure it out. By February they're going to be bullying teams around the League. Mark my word, there is no substitute for talent and the will to win. These guys want to win more than anything. If it were about ego's and money they wouldn't be playing together. Watch out! What's your opinion?

Jay Graves 

"Charge it to the Game" Celebrations and Trash Talk are Cultural!

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson falls into the end zone to score a 91-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during last football season. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Associated Press)

                                                                                                                                                        DeSean Jackson didn’t just start celebrating in the end zone once he became a superstar wide receiver in the National Football League. This phenomenon know as end zone celebrations and trash talking is more cultural than people want to admit. It’s a right of passage for ball players in the African-American community. When kids first learn how to play ball, they are taught by the older kids that the game is played between the ears. See everyone in the hood has talent, speed, agility and quickness. So the playing field many times is level.  How can a kid get an advantage? By getting inside of the other guys head.

It’s as simple as that. If you want to compete in the hood you have to be able to hold your own. If you’re not strong mentally you won’t be able to compete let alone win. So kids in that environment learn to be tough early on or they won‘t make it. You can’t afford to get labeled as the kid that can’t take the trash talk because you’ll get targeted everyday. Guys will intentionally go after you just to break you down mentally. Those are the rules.

It’s more than just a game it’s about who is tougher between the ears. Those that are the toughest mentally usually become the better players. Those that aren’t, typically quit before they get out of middle school. That’s just the way it is. It’s cultural and there’s nothing anybody can do about it. This is the way these guys were taught to play the game. How can they get an edge on a guy that has the same amount of talent that they have? There’s no secret formula or magic potion, just rattle the other guy until he breaks.

Also the game is a lot more fun to play when everyone understands the rules of engagement. The weak individuals were eliminated in middle school so that the real trash talkers make it to high school. Then the celebrations and talk gets even louder and more harsh. By the time guys make it to college it’s at a fever pitch. Why do you think that the Miami Hurricanes were so successful in the 1980’s thru 2001? Yes, they were obviously better than other teams but they also got into their heads and wore them down. It's much easier to beat guys that were internalizing the trash talk and taking it personal. It’s called “gamesmanship”. I can beat you as long as I’ve got you doubting yourself and many times that means trying to embarrass you in the process. If I'm successful, I win.

That’s what Michael Irving “The Playmaker”and Deion Sanders “Prime Time” were able to do to their competition. Remember when Billy “White Shoes” Johnson would do the crazy legs in the end zone and people would go crazy? That made the game fun to play and to watch. It's entertainment isn’t it? Why are people trying to take the attitude out of the game? That’s what makes the game the game!

I hear the commentators so many times demonizing the actions of players like DeSean Jackson by saying that he’s disrespecting the other team. That’s exactly what he’s trying to do. Point blank! He’s trying to get into their heads so that he can win the game. However, the only people that make comments like that are people that didn’t grow up in that culture.

 The only guys on the field that get offended by DeSean falling backwards into the end zone are guys that didn’t grow up in the hood. Well…80% of the guys on the field grew up in that culture and already understand the rules. So who's being disrespected?

 Players know if they don’t want to see this guy dance, celebrate or talk trash; they’ve got to keep him out of the end zone. They don't care that the guys calling the game and the rules committee may be offended because they aren't competing against them. They're trying to do what's necessary to beat the guy in front of them. If you're not from the hood and don't understand it. I can only say, "It's not going anywhere. Charge it to the game!" What’s your opinion?

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Twitter: @jaygravesreport

Top 5 Running Backs of All-Time!

1. Walter Payton
2. Barry Sanders
3. O.J. Simpson
4. Bo Jackson
5. Tony Dorsett

Note: I didn't include Jim Brown or Gayle Sayers because during the time that  they played they were bigger and faster than anyone on the field. The defensive competition level wasn't even close.  For example, Jim Brown was 6'2" 232 lbs in 1955. Corners were 5'8" 155 lbs at that time and couldn't run. I can't put them on my list because I just don't know how good either one of them were relative to guys that played post 1970.

What's your opinion?

The Most Delusional Program In Sports

"This used to mean something"

There are many football programs that think that they are better than they actually are but none more delusional than the University of Notre Dame. The good people in South Bend think that their program is still relevant in the world of college football, when it simply isn’t. There are many issues facing this historic program that has allowed it to crumble right before our eyes. The mystique of Notre Dame simply no longer exists. They want to compete for a national title every year but don’t realize that their greed and arrogance keeps getting in the way.

Irish, you either want the NBC contract and keep all of the money or you want to play in a BCS bowl and possibly the national title game. You can’t have both. By continuing to be an independent you put your team at a constant disadvantage. If by chance they lose just one game (and God forbid it’s an early loss), they have absolutely nothing to play for the rest of the season because they aren’t in a conference. There is no conference title to win. It’s either all or nothing at Notre Dame and how do you sell that to an 18 year old? They need to join the Big East like the rest of their team sports - and then they’ll have a great shot at getting to a BCS bowl annually because of the automatic bid for the conference champion. They could win the Big East almost annually because it's so bad.  They‘ve finally learned in 2010 that they needed to water down that schedule a bit as well.

The Fighting Irish also wants to be an academic powerhouse and a football powerhouse at the same time. You can’t be both unless you decide to move into the Ivy League. ND can’t get the players that the state schools have access too. When you look at the top 100 recruits in the country, the Irish can only talk to about 30 of them because of the academic requirements. Other schools like Florida State, Texas, Ohio St etc can talk to all 100 of them and will sign maybe 12 or 13 of them every year. Now what happens when ND shows up to play one of them and they’ve got 60 of the best and the Fighting Irish only have 3? They’re down 21 points before they even get off of the bus.

I know what you’re saying, “Well, Duke is able to do it in basketball.” You’re absolutely right... but they only have to recruit three players a year. In the game of football you have to find 25 players a year. That’s a much harder task. Keep in mind success breads success and the Irish simply don‘t have any. I can hear Irish fans screaming, “We’ve won 11 national titles, 7 Heisman Trophies and have produced 95 All-Americans.” I know that, but the kid that you’re recruiting doesn’t know that. A player coming out of high school now is 17 or 18 years old and wasn’t even born when you won your last title in 1988.

Additionally, the Fighting Irish have to be able to recruit the elite(top 100) African-American athlete. They thought that Paul Hornung(ND 1956 Heisman Trophy winner) was some crazy old man a few years ago when he told them the same thing. The administration simply dismissed it because they’ve been able to get a few like Golden Tate and Michael Floyd over that past several years. However, they need a roster full of them like everyone else in the country. The reason it’s so difficult for ND to get these players is because of the lack of diversity on ND’s campus. For the most part, the only African American students on campus are the athletes. There are very few black non-athletes on campus. Primarily because it costs more than $45,000 per year to attend. Not very many families can afford that price tag and those who can, don’t necessarily want to send their kids to Notre Dame.

The majority of folks with that type of money would rather send their children to the prestigious, Historically Black Colleges and Universities like Morehouse, Spellman, Hampton or Howard - not Notre Dame. Because of the lack of diversity on campus players will continue to be reluctant to go to South Bend. There has to be a life outside of football for players to connect to. If there aren’t other students that look like them there they won’t come.

I hear you asking,  "How did they get the top African-American players in the 1970's, '80's & early '90's?" During that period of time ND meant something because they were a powerhouse coming out of the '40's through the '60's when blacks couldn't attend predominately white institutions. So when the opportunity presented itself, brothers took advantage of it. Notre Dame was where many kids wanted to be because of the national appeal and TV exposure. Now everybody is on TV and has national appeal because of the plethora of channels showcasing college football now. You don't have to go to South Bend to play on TV in this era.

Lastly, in order to win, you’ve got to go where the best players are, and that’s down South or out West to California. That’s a problem for Notre Dame because it‘s in the South Bend, In. where it’s cold and snows in winter. Additionally, the girls look better in the south or on the west coast because they‘re half dressed. In South Bend they have on overcoats and snow boots. I‘m just telling you what appeals to 18 year old boys. Let’s say a kid does decide to play up north. He’ll more likely go to Columbus or Ann Arbor before he goes to South Bend. Why? Because he’s at least seen them win in his lifetime and there are more people on campus that look like him.

So when they fire Brian Kelly like Lou Holtz, Bob Davey, Ty Willingham and Charlie Weis before him. The administration at some point needs to understand it's not the coaches fault!

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Twitter: @jaygravesreport

"Shake Them Hater's Off" Cam Wins in a landslide!

Cam Newton received 729 first-place votes to win the 76th Heisman Trophy.

Cam Newton wins the Heisman Trophy and leaves no doubt that he’s the most outstanding player in college football. After a huge week of winning awards, this is a culmination of events. On Thursday he won the Davey O’Brien award for the national quarterback of the year , the Maxwell for the most outstanding player and the Walter Camp for the player of the year. However, he was left off of Football Writers Association of America's All-America team. What a joke! These guys clearly voted in protest and not with common sense.

How can you look at the college football season and not vote this guy as the All-American quarterback? There are many people that feel that way. However, I’ve always been told that the cream always rises to the top. In this situation the cream ended up in it‘s proper place. Congratulations to Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers for winning it’s first Heisman since Bo Jackson won it in 1985. All of the hater’s are upset that this kid has taken home the most coveted award in sports.

I can hear them saying now, “He’s guilty because his dad has been found guilty during the investigation. He had to have known what his dad was doing.” It’s completely plausible that Cam didn’t know what his dad was up to. He’s a kid and as a child he clearly may not have known about the conversations that occurred on his behalf. We didn’t always know what our parents were doing and we didn’t ask either. I can say that in African-American homes a kid wouldn’t dare question his parents behavior whether it was right or wrong. Cam has said on many occasions that his father was making the decision as to where he would play. He thought that he was going to Mississippi State and at the last minute it became Auburn. As a child in that situation he didn’t ask any questions.

There are kids all over this country that are told where to go to school by their parents and no questions are asked. So I completely believe that this kid didn’t know about the pay for play scheme. I’m just glad that he wasn’t denied the opportunity to win this award because of the actions of his father. I hope that other parents would learn from this situation, that their irresponsibility can curse their children’s future. Allow your kid to make those decisions and live with it. What’s your opinion?

Jay Graves
　
　

Sucker Punched: He Gave It Back?

With all of the pressure from the media and the Downtown Athletic Club pondering their next move. Reggie Bush gave his Heisman trophy back. Now understand that they didn’t take it. He just gave it to them before they asked for it. Actually, I don’t think that they really wanted it. Reggie just let them off the hook. The entire sports world was watching to see if the Trust was going to be bold enough to ask for it, or better yet, would they be hypocritical enough to ask for it. USC had just given their copy of the trophy back and had taken all of the memorabilia of Reggie Bush out of Heritage Hall, the athletic complex for the Trojans.

Now lets look at the hypocrisy of USC in all of this. Now it’s common knowledge that schools like this make a fortune off of guys like Reggie Bush. They all of a sudden get a soul for doing the right thing when the situation blows up in their face. I heard the new Athletic Director, Pat Hayden, say on ESPN radio when asked if he were Reggie Bush would he give it back. He responded by saying, “ If I were him with the soul of Pat Hayden, I would.” My question is why didn’t his soul make him give the millions of dollars back that the school made off of Bush while he was a student-athlete at Southern Cal. How can you act like the kid never attended the university by removing his legacy and keep spending the money that he made for you. You didn’t turn that over did you?

The Heisman Trust didn’t want the trophy back because if they had asked for it. They would have to ask for all 74 trophies to be returned. Let’s keep it real. If a guy is good enough to win the Heisman Trophy you better believe that at some point along the way he was given some type of improper benefit, a free meal, an airplane ticket, some clothes and or cash. The alumni and boosters at these major football programs will do anything to produce a winner. Don’t act like Reggie was the first recipient to be taken care of and he won’t be the last. Believe that!

So if I were Reggie Bush I would’ve told the media, USC and the Heisman Trust to kick rocks if they had asked me for the trophy. Don’t try to have some type of morals after you’ve clearly benefited from my ability to play this game. The media made money by covering the games etc, USC played in multiple BCS Bowl games and sold #5 jerseys at an alarming rate. The Trust only thought about taking the trophy after the intense scrutiny in the media became too much. Everybody covered their rear ends in this situation but Reggie. So without talking to me he gave it back. What’s your opinion?

Jay Graves

Colts Fans Pull Hamstrings Jumping Back On Bandwagon!

The Colts rebounded last night with a much needed win against the Titans 30-28. However, I'm ashamed to live here in Indy because of the Colts bandwagon fans. Up until 2001 the Colts were horrible. Yeah in 1995 they made it to the AFC title game but other than that they were a mess. For the past week or so I've been listening to Colts fan completely destroy their team. It's been brutal on local radio. These fans have blamed everyone but me for the recent troubles that the team has been having. I'm not a Colt's fan at all but I live in Indy so I pay attention to what's going on. I asked the question earlier in the week, "Do you bench Peyton or let him play through it". The question was completely rhetorical, but you wouldn't believe the responses that I received.

I heard a fan call the local radio station yesterday and blame Jeff Saturday. Are you Kidding me! He's the Center and this is the same guy that the entire town has been on his coat tail since he arrived. I mean give a break. Who knows the Center on an football team? That's not normal. My point here is this people. If it's your team you gotta ride with them regardless of what's going on. You can't jump on and off of the bandwagon when you feel like it. You'll pull a hamstring if you keep doing that.

The most loyal fans in the world are Chicago Bear and Cubs fans. Those people are down like four flat tires. Their teams traditionally struggle but they will sell the joint out and will fight anybody that talks bad about their teams. Now I can say that they are a bit delusional but I'll take them over anybodies fan base. The Colts lose three in a row and people are jumping off the ship. I'm glad that they won last night so that Lucas Oil Stadium doesn't die from loneliness next week. Colt's fans, you should be ashamed of yourself. What's your opinion?