On Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Council announced a slew of proposals that would alter the college football recruiting calendar significantly and tweak the structure of coaching staffs.
Included in the proposals…
-Two new 72-hour early signing periods, one in June and one in December (the same as the current junior college signing period) for football recruits, along with the national signing day on the first Wednesday in February.
-The addition of a 10th full-time assistant coach for programs. Currently, programs are limited to nine full-time assistant coaches.
-Limiting programs to 10 non-consecutive days to have camps and clinics, cutting back from the previous two 15-day period. It also states that satellite camps must be owned, operated and conducted by NCAA member schools. For example, it’s cool for say Mercer or Georgia State to have a satellite camp and invite other programs to attend, but the satellite camp at the local high school run by an outside party is eliminated.
There is plenty to digest here.
On the early signing periods, there has to be a way for a player who signs with a certain school in June to get out of his letter-of-intent if a coaching change occurs. This process must be easy because most coaching changes occur in November/December and if a prospect is a January enrollee, then time is of the essence for him to find a new home. That should be the first concern.
Outside of that, it depends on what program you are aligned with as to where you fall on the early signing period, the June signing period in particular. Obviously, Alabama’s Nick Saban and Ohio State’s Urban Meyer are going to be against it. These two programs recruit better than the others and have the ability to identify a talented player who may be committed to another program and perform a flip, so naturally they want access to all the talent they can have. There’s a ton of interest in these two programs and because of that, they have big recruiting boards and regardless of how good they are at evaluating and projecting, there is a ton of time and an entire football season to be played where they can split the hairs needed to identify one top prospect over the other. One of those top prospects may very well be verbally committed to another school and if that school signs him in June, he’s off-limits to programs like the Tide and Tigers.
I also believe that Meyer and Saban both make good points about prospects who have that much time left in high school signing a binding contract that early. I would counter, though, that only those prospects who absolutely know without a doubt where they are going will sign during that period. For example, the four or five-star player from the state of Ohio who has lived in Ohio his entire life and whose dream is to play for the Buckeyes can just shut the process down early. That’s a positive thing in my opinion.
On the other side of things, this rewards programs who identify top talent early and can get them in the boat. Baylor under Art Briles was great at this in particular. You’d see a prospect commit early to the Bears and then by the time signing day rolled around, he’d have 20-plus offers. More times than not, Baylor was rewarded for being first, but the Bears did lose a few along the way.
This also helps the senior riser prospect. If a program has several prospects already signed, you can use your time and resources to scout for talent that emerges late. That creates more potential opportunity, which I support.
On the subject of the 10th coach, I am all for it. There are a lot of very good coaches out there who work hard, do things the right way and generally serve the student athletes in a positive manner. Anything that gives more opportunity career-wise for coaches and from a financial standpoint to their families (remember that assistants are very rarely on multi-year contracts), I am all for. Plus, the more coaches you have on the road, scouting and evaluating players, the more opportunities there are for players.
With satellite camps, I would have preferred that the proposal was to create a certification process for the off-campus camps so some could stay alive. I understand the need to have some sort of certification process, but limiting it to college programs only seems a bit limiting. I can see the benefit of having an off-site satellite camp in an area where there aren’t college football programs and I can also see the benefit of having off-site satellite camps in areas with loads of talent, like south Florida, Los Angeles, Dallas-Forth Worth, Houston, etc., so that the many prospects in those areas get maximum exposure. The 10-day limit, in my opinion, is a good number.
Overall, this is one of the more sound proposals to come from an NCAA committee in quite some time. With a few tweaks, it could really make sense and benefit coaches, prospects and the health of the recruiting process in college football. The old saying goes, the “devil is in the details” and that rings true here. If the details don’t make sense, then these proposals aren’t going to make sense. If they do, then the take here is that I hope it passes and is implemented.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The Top 10 Guns 'N Roses songs of all time
So it’s time to rank the top 10 Guns ’N Roses songs of all time. The band got back together this summer (at least Axl Rose, Slash and bassist Duff McKagan did) and put on great show after great show in front of large crowds (including myself when they stopped in Atlanta).
Therefore, it’s time to take a look at their entire collection and rank their songs. For the purposes of this list, I did not include any covers. You can argue that I should have since GNR is one of the best bands of all time in terms of doing great covers, but I wanted to narrow it down a bit, so Knockin’ on Heavens Door, Live and Let Die, Sympathy for the Devil and everything from cover album “The Spaghetti Incident” was not included. I will say that the cover of Hair of the Dog by Nazareth on Spaghetti is a great and highly underrated cover.
On with the countdown…
10- Breakdown, Use Your Illusion II
This song sneaks into the top 10. It’s really one of the more underrated GNR tunes and is rarely performed live. That being said, the vocals, lyrics, piano and guitar riffs and tribute to the movie Vanishing Point make it a must-listen.
9- Estranged, Use Your Illusion II
This is an epic ballad that deals with unrequited love, failed relationships and offers a glimpse of hope during a great musical change in the middle. On its recent tour, this was part of the set list. The song features outstanding guitar riffs and it is a well-put together tune musically from the hammering piano to the changes.
8- Civil War, Use Your Illusion II
This song was released prior to the Use Your Illusion albums as part of a charity compilation to benefit the Romanian Orphan Crisis in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It’s probably the most political song that GNR ever recorded and performed. Another movie tribute, to Cool Hand Luke, is a cherry on the sundae that is this song.
7- Coma, Use Your Illusion I
Yet another tune that could be considered underrated. One the recent tour, GNR dusted this one off and it absolutely rocks. The lyrics are quite mental and the music takes you through emotions that run the gamut. It’s a 10-minute song, but worth every minute of it. If you use music to distract yourself while working out on a treadmill or something, Coma can be of use.
6- November Rain, Use Your Illusion I
November Rain is really part one of Estranged. In an interview Axl Rose said that this song is about trying to avoid unrequited love while Estranged was about accepting it and getting through it. The orchestra sounds are a departure from your standard GNR song, but the melodic lyrics and timely guitar solos are great. This song had one hell of a music video back in the day, too.
5- Don’t Cry, Use Your Illusion I
This is a song that GNR has been playing since their early days in Los Angeles. Just like November Rain, it has an excellent video. In the studio version, the late Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon) does a great job with the backing vocals. Slash hammers out a rebellious guitar solo at the intensity point of the song.
4- Patience, GNR Lies
This song was released, along with the Lies album, right after Appetite for Destruction and featured a quieter, more reflective Guns ’N Roses. I am convinced that this song was the first example of GNR transcending the label of just another “hard rock” band and moving them toward musical titans.
3- Paradise City, Appetite for Destruction
This is an epic song that epitomizes what Rock ’N Roll is all about. I think everybody knows the lyrics to the chorus: “Take me down the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty”- it’s iconic stuff that will live forever. From a musical standpoint, the changes, the riffs and the vocals blend together masterfully. This is one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
2- Welcome to the Jungle, Appetite for Destruction
Speaking of iconic, this song, which was the first track on Appetite for Destruction, is widely used and is beyond just a great rock song- it’s part of American culture. It’s 100 percent energy from start to finish and within the lyrics you can find a tale of just how crazy life was for these guys in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s.
1- Sweet Child O’ Mine, Appetite for Destruction
Sweet Child checks in at No. 1 for a number of reasons, not the least of which it’s one of the most complete songs ever written. What’s not to like about this song? It has one of the more iconic guitar riffs to lead it off (and Slash jams throughout it, his solo is a wow moment), the lyrics are poetic and then when the change happens at the end, it’s a realistic feeling that you get after the early journey through romanticized thoughts. If there was a poll for best rock song ever written, I am not sure Sweet Child would finish No. 1, but it could be in the discussion and at least in the top 10.
Here are five of my personal favorites that are a bit under the radar. I had to throw at least one song from Chinese Democracy on there.
It’s So Easy, Appetite for Destruction
Rocket Queen, Appetite for Destruction
Locomotive, Use Your Illusion II
Used to Love Her, GNR Lies
Better, Chinese Democracy
Therefore, it’s time to take a look at their entire collection and rank their songs. For the purposes of this list, I did not include any covers. You can argue that I should have since GNR is one of the best bands of all time in terms of doing great covers, but I wanted to narrow it down a bit, so Knockin’ on Heavens Door, Live and Let Die, Sympathy for the Devil and everything from cover album “The Spaghetti Incident” was not included. I will say that the cover of Hair of the Dog by Nazareth on Spaghetti is a great and highly underrated cover.
On with the countdown…
10- Breakdown, Use Your Illusion II
This song sneaks into the top 10. It’s really one of the more underrated GNR tunes and is rarely performed live. That being said, the vocals, lyrics, piano and guitar riffs and tribute to the movie Vanishing Point make it a must-listen.
9- Estranged, Use Your Illusion II
This is an epic ballad that deals with unrequited love, failed relationships and offers a glimpse of hope during a great musical change in the middle. On its recent tour, this was part of the set list. The song features outstanding guitar riffs and it is a well-put together tune musically from the hammering piano to the changes.
8- Civil War, Use Your Illusion II
This song was released prior to the Use Your Illusion albums as part of a charity compilation to benefit the Romanian Orphan Crisis in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It’s probably the most political song that GNR ever recorded and performed. Another movie tribute, to Cool Hand Luke, is a cherry on the sundae that is this song.
7- Coma, Use Your Illusion I
Yet another tune that could be considered underrated. One the recent tour, GNR dusted this one off and it absolutely rocks. The lyrics are quite mental and the music takes you through emotions that run the gamut. It’s a 10-minute song, but worth every minute of it. If you use music to distract yourself while working out on a treadmill or something, Coma can be of use.
6- November Rain, Use Your Illusion I
November Rain is really part one of Estranged. In an interview Axl Rose said that this song is about trying to avoid unrequited love while Estranged was about accepting it and getting through it. The orchestra sounds are a departure from your standard GNR song, but the melodic lyrics and timely guitar solos are great. This song had one hell of a music video back in the day, too.
5- Don’t Cry, Use Your Illusion I
This is a song that GNR has been playing since their early days in Los Angeles. Just like November Rain, it has an excellent video. In the studio version, the late Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon) does a great job with the backing vocals. Slash hammers out a rebellious guitar solo at the intensity point of the song.
4- Patience, GNR Lies
This song was released, along with the Lies album, right after Appetite for Destruction and featured a quieter, more reflective Guns ’N Roses. I am convinced that this song was the first example of GNR transcending the label of just another “hard rock” band and moving them toward musical titans.
3- Paradise City, Appetite for Destruction
This is an epic song that epitomizes what Rock ’N Roll is all about. I think everybody knows the lyrics to the chorus: “Take me down the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty”- it’s iconic stuff that will live forever. From a musical standpoint, the changes, the riffs and the vocals blend together masterfully. This is one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
2- Welcome to the Jungle, Appetite for Destruction
Speaking of iconic, this song, which was the first track on Appetite for Destruction, is widely used and is beyond just a great rock song- it’s part of American culture. It’s 100 percent energy from start to finish and within the lyrics you can find a tale of just how crazy life was for these guys in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s.
1- Sweet Child O’ Mine, Appetite for Destruction
Sweet Child checks in at No. 1 for a number of reasons, not the least of which it’s one of the most complete songs ever written. What’s not to like about this song? It has one of the more iconic guitar riffs to lead it off (and Slash jams throughout it, his solo is a wow moment), the lyrics are poetic and then when the change happens at the end, it’s a realistic feeling that you get after the early journey through romanticized thoughts. If there was a poll for best rock song ever written, I am not sure Sweet Child would finish No. 1, but it could be in the discussion and at least in the top 10.
Here are five of my personal favorites that are a bit under the radar. I had to throw at least one song from Chinese Democracy on there.
It’s So Easy, Appetite for Destruction
Rocket Queen, Appetite for Destruction
Locomotive, Use Your Illusion II
Used to Love Her, GNR Lies
Better, Chinese Democracy
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
JC and Morgan Podcast, Episode 5
Tennessee's incredible finish...where the Vols and Dawgs go from here...Tom Herman, Charlie Strong and Texas...Clemson and Louisville and the playoffs...Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick....Texas A&M-Tennessee, Georgia-South Carolina, Alabama-Arkansas and Florida-LSU previews, plus a look at burger prep and gas station lottery players... all in the latest episode of the JC and Morgan Podcast.
Subscribe to the JC and Morgan Podcast on iTunes
Subscribe to the JC and Morgan Podcast on iTunes
It makes sense for Texas to make a move
Let me start by saying that in the grand scheme of things, Charlie Strong is an excellent football coach who has had success and will have success in the future.
I also think if you are Texas, where Strong currently is the head coach, you have to make a move with Strong at the end of the season or sooner and do everything you can to hire Houston’s Tom Herman.
If you are the Longhorns, you look and see your team continuing to flounder. You see that Texas hasn’t taken on the personality of its head coach this season and suddenly is like a lot of the other Big 12 teams- they can’t stop anybody. You see the thrilling overtime win against Notre Dame to start the season (which caused a lot of us to believe the Horns were back) as a win against a team that is also struggling on defense and already has three losses on the season, including a loss at home to Duke. You look down the road and Herman not only has Houston in the top 10, but he’s beaten Florida State and Oklahoma in back-to-back games (albeit over two seasons) and has the Cougars in position to make a run at the College Football Playoff.
You also know that he has ties to Austin and that your chances of making a serious run at landing him are good, much better than the overtures made to Nick Saban a couple of years ago.
You also see that Herman runs a dynamic offense that can be a winning style in the Big 12 and that his defenses at Houston have been outstanding. You see that he can recruit high-level talent at a non-Power 5 program and you dream of what he can bring to Texas.
You also see that LSU, also a great job, is already open and that there could be a coaching search armageddon this offseason with several of the best jobs in the sport coming open. You know that Herman, who I think already after one season and some change is one of the top 10 head coaches in the sport, will be at or near the top of every program’s list.
You have to make your move. This is your “caged animal moment”. And what I mean by that is when a tradition-rich program gets backed into a corner and is sick of losing that they finally go out and make a slam-dunk hire, similar to what Bama did with Saban. It’s certainly paid off for the Tide.
Back to Strong, sometimes situations don’t work out in college coaching at major programs and it isn’t the end of the line. Rich Rodriguez was considered an excellent hire at Michigan. That didn’t work out and he went on to have success at Arizona and could work his way back east at some point. By all accounts, the Michigan situation was just a blip on the radar. It’s sort of a shame that more good coaches don’t get second chances. Not all of them deserve it, but a lot do (Ed Orgeron comes to mind). There will be a lot of jobs open this offseason that Strong can land and it would not surprise me at all to see him do quite well. He can still coach, this thing at Texas just wasn’t a fit.
The “fit” is two hours and 31 minutes- a good chunk of the drive down I-10- in H-Town.
For more on why this makes sense and how it would impact the Big 12, check out the #ShurbNation Quick Cast below..
I also think if you are Texas, where Strong currently is the head coach, you have to make a move with Strong at the end of the season or sooner and do everything you can to hire Houston’s Tom Herman.
If you are the Longhorns, you look and see your team continuing to flounder. You see that Texas hasn’t taken on the personality of its head coach this season and suddenly is like a lot of the other Big 12 teams- they can’t stop anybody. You see the thrilling overtime win against Notre Dame to start the season (which caused a lot of us to believe the Horns were back) as a win against a team that is also struggling on defense and already has three losses on the season, including a loss at home to Duke. You look down the road and Herman not only has Houston in the top 10, but he’s beaten Florida State and Oklahoma in back-to-back games (albeit over two seasons) and has the Cougars in position to make a run at the College Football Playoff.
You also know that he has ties to Austin and that your chances of making a serious run at landing him are good, much better than the overtures made to Nick Saban a couple of years ago.
You also see that Herman runs a dynamic offense that can be a winning style in the Big 12 and that his defenses at Houston have been outstanding. You see that he can recruit high-level talent at a non-Power 5 program and you dream of what he can bring to Texas.
You also see that LSU, also a great job, is already open and that there could be a coaching search armageddon this offseason with several of the best jobs in the sport coming open. You know that Herman, who I think already after one season and some change is one of the top 10 head coaches in the sport, will be at or near the top of every program’s list.
You have to make your move. This is your “caged animal moment”. And what I mean by that is when a tradition-rich program gets backed into a corner and is sick of losing that they finally go out and make a slam-dunk hire, similar to what Bama did with Saban. It’s certainly paid off for the Tide.
Back to Strong, sometimes situations don’t work out in college coaching at major programs and it isn’t the end of the line. Rich Rodriguez was considered an excellent hire at Michigan. That didn’t work out and he went on to have success at Arizona and could work his way back east at some point. By all accounts, the Michigan situation was just a blip on the radar. It’s sort of a shame that more good coaches don’t get second chances. Not all of them deserve it, but a lot do (Ed Orgeron comes to mind). There will be a lot of jobs open this offseason that Strong can land and it would not surprise me at all to see him do quite well. He can still coach, this thing at Texas just wasn’t a fit.
The “fit” is two hours and 31 minutes- a good chunk of the drive down I-10- in H-Town.
For more on why this makes sense and how it would impact the Big 12, check out the #ShurbNation Quick Cast below..
This election
A #ShurbNation quick cast on the state of the 2016 election and why it's a complete "poop show" following last Monday's debate...
Monday, October 3, 2016
Josh Dobbs is a great one
Even when he was a true freshman struggling through his first season (2013) at Tennessee after being thrown in the fire too early, you could tell that Josh Dobbs carried himself like a winner.
He has now (and this has been a challenge he's met every step of the way) transcended the "carries himself" label and just straight-up is a winner.
Sure, he’s not the most consistent passer in the world and certainly Tennessee has played its share of ugly football games (both wins and losses) with him at quarterback, but they’ve also shown the ability in two huge games the last two seasons- 2015’s 38-31 come-from-behind win against Georgia and then the Florida game, a 38-28 win, two weeks ago- to lead his team from a massive deficit to win.
Last Saturday, his legend grew quite a bit when he tossed a 43-yard hail mary to Jauan Jennings (who actually came to Tennessee as a quarterback and even took him out of a national all-star game when asked to play a different position) to defeat UGA for a second straight season, 34-31, in a stunned Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
To win a championship, and the Vols have championship aspirations this season, you are going to have some crazy finishes and clutch performances. To win those, you more often than not have to have a quarterback that has the ability to make it happen. Now, the pass against Georgia was well-thrown, but let’s be honest it was a low-percentage play that just happened to work out. It’s not about one pass- it’s about the complete package with Dobbs. It’s about no matter how bad things get and how much adversity there is to overcome, he remains the calm, cool leader of the team and performs at a high level in the clutch. These days, that’s what so many quarterbacks are missing throughout college football and even in the NFL. It’s also what historically separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
And Dobbs was a great one. I said the day he signed with Tennessee that he would be the most significant player in the Vols’ first class under fourth-year head coach Butch Jones. I am trying to think of another in that class that is as significant as this one is and I can’t.
He has now (and this has been a challenge he's met every step of the way) transcended the "carries himself" label and just straight-up is a winner.
Sure, he’s not the most consistent passer in the world and certainly Tennessee has played its share of ugly football games (both wins and losses) with him at quarterback, but they’ve also shown the ability in two huge games the last two seasons- 2015’s 38-31 come-from-behind win against Georgia and then the Florida game, a 38-28 win, two weeks ago- to lead his team from a massive deficit to win.
Last Saturday, his legend grew quite a bit when he tossed a 43-yard hail mary to Jauan Jennings (who actually came to Tennessee as a quarterback and even took him out of a national all-star game when asked to play a different position) to defeat UGA for a second straight season, 34-31, in a stunned Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
To win a championship, and the Vols have championship aspirations this season, you are going to have some crazy finishes and clutch performances. To win those, you more often than not have to have a quarterback that has the ability to make it happen. Now, the pass against Georgia was well-thrown, but let’s be honest it was a low-percentage play that just happened to work out. It’s not about one pass- it’s about the complete package with Dobbs. It’s about no matter how bad things get and how much adversity there is to overcome, he remains the calm, cool leader of the team and performs at a high level in the clutch. These days, that’s what so many quarterbacks are missing throughout college football and even in the NFL. It’s also what historically separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
And Dobbs was a great one. I said the day he signed with Tennessee that he would be the most significant player in the Vols’ first class under fourth-year head coach Butch Jones. I am trying to think of another in that class that is as significant as this one is and I can’t.
Locked on the Gamecocks Podcast, Episode 17
In the most recent episode of the Locked on the Gamecocks Podcast, my co-host Keith Allsep and I break down South Carolina's hard-fought 24-13 loss to Texas A&M and look ahead to the rest of the 2016 season.
With seven games to go, including five at Williams-Brice Stadium, the Gamecocks (2-3, 1-3 SEC) still have a shot at getting to a bowl during the first year of the Will Muschamp era in Columbia. It won't be easy, but it can be done and we break all of it down for you in the latest episode.
Locked on the Gamecocks on iTunes
E-mail me a hot take
With seven games to go, including five at Williams-Brice Stadium, the Gamecocks (2-3, 1-3 SEC) still have a shot at getting to a bowl during the first year of the Will Muschamp era in Columbia. It won't be easy, but it can be done and we break all of it down for you in the latest episode.
Locked on the Gamecocks on iTunes
E-mail me a hot take
Friday, September 30, 2016
JC and Morgan Podcast: Episode 4
On this week's JC and Morgan Podcast, ESPN's Mike Morgan and I take a close look at the now-open LSU job, including who may end up leading the program in Baton Rouge after the firing of Les Miles.
Will it be Tom Herman or Jimbo Fisher?
Can Ed Orgeron win down the stretch and land the gig?
Who else is out there that could get that fan base excited?
Plus, we dive into Clemson-Louisville, Tennessee-Georgia and talk about what is wrong at the University of Southern California and I get real about the Dr. Pepper commercials we see every weekend.
JC and Morgan on Google Play
JC and Morgan on iTunes
E-mail me a Hot Take
Will it be Tom Herman or Jimbo Fisher?
Can Ed Orgeron win down the stretch and land the gig?
Who else is out there that could get that fan base excited?
Plus, we dive into Clemson-Louisville, Tennessee-Georgia and talk about what is wrong at the University of Southern California and I get real about the Dr. Pepper commercials we see every weekend.
JC and Morgan on Google Play
JC and Morgan on iTunes
E-mail me a Hot Take
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