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A Mockery
 For years, that little man in D.C. has run the once proud Washington Redskins like a fantasy football team. Daniel Snyder has gone out and signed most of the top names available in free-agency, but has had no results. He's not concerned with putting the right personalities together, he's only concerned with the most talent.
As a result, Snyder has a mess. He originally hired Jim Zorn to be the team's offensive coordinator before the 2008 season, but after realizing no one wanted the job, he promoted Zorn to Head Coach. This has to be a low for the 'Skins. They haven't been this bad since the Richie Petitbon/early Norv Turner era. I don't think there's any light at the end of the tunnel either.
Daniel Snyder, go away. I hate the Washington Redskins as a fan. That's a healthy hatred. That's my right as a fan. I grew up a Cowboys' fan, and now I bleed purple. That means I can hate the 'Skins.
However, I love the NFL and this is bad for the League. Snyder is making a mockery out of one of the more storied franchises in the NFL. This is the same team that won three Super Bowls in a decade with three different quarterbacks. I know that because I hated every minute of that.
I'm not asking Roger Goodell to do something, because I don't think he can. I'm hoping the alumns of the Washington Redskins scream, stomp their feet, pound their chests and do whatever it takes to make changes in D.C. Great teams come a dime a dozen. Great franchises are something that should be cherished.
Rob Long
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What's He Gonna Teach Them?
 I'm no fan of Mark McGwire, so I'm not going to hide that. Personal feelings aside, the St. Louis Cardinals have made a huge mistake in hiring him as hitting coach.
McGwire was one of the best power hitters of his generation, but that's about all he did. He wasn't known as a man who "hit it the other way," or a "professional hitter." He was a masher. See the ball, hit the ball homerun hitter. In fact, during McGwire's prime, he was often a sub-.250 hitter.
The Cardinals batted .263 with an on base percentage of .332 and a .415 slugging. What does McGwire add to that?
While I'm not sure what McGwire can bring to the field, but what he brings off the field is a checkered pass for one of the most well-organized teams in the game. This also opens the flood-gates to the steroid era being "accepted" as a part of the baseball community.
McGwire has been able to run from questions of talks surrounding steroid use. There's no where to run now. Can you imagine, "Hey Mark, Albert Pujols his struggling with the long ball, do you recommend he "shoot-up.?" This is a joke. Good luck to the Cardinals.
Rob Long
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The Week To Come
 The bye week for the Baltimore Ravens was a very interesting one. After watching other teams in the AFC, it's clear that the Indy Colts are head and shoulders above everyone else in the conferences, at this time. Peyton Manning has the Colts dealing and they look impressive. They've beaten their opponents by an average of 31-11 over the past month.
After a beat down layed to the Chicago Bears, the Bengals aren't going anywhere, at this point. Cedric Benson told his former team that they made a big mistake by letting him go. Carson Palmer looks to be a quarterback that's returned to his Pro-Bowl status of several years ago, and the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson has re-focused to become one of the best receivers in the game.
As much as I hate the Minnesota Vikings, okay Brett Favre, I was really hoping they'd lay the smackdown on the Steelers. That did not happen as the Steelers defense stepped-up and had two late scores to win the game and keep pace with the Bengals in the AFC North.
The Houston Texans had a close call but the San Diego Chargers routed Kansas City. Those are two seperate three-loss teams who the Ravens have to be concerned about.
What those teams did really mean nothing for John Harbaugh and the Ravens. As you look at the schedule, Joe Flacco and company can take matters into their own hands. The issue for the Ravens is not what's being done by other teams, it's all about what they are, or aren't, doing.
The Ravens have had problems with their defense. For years, this team has prided themselves on being one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL. They bullied everyone around and won games and a championship with that style of play.
That championship came after the 2000 season and the team didn't get close again until losing in the AFC Championship game last season. Championships have been won, more often than not, by teams who can score more than 17-points and then rely on their defense to win for them. That's what the Ravens did for more than a decade.
While the defense needs to get better, it seems to be more about technique than skill. Technique can be fixed, skill can't. I'll take my chances with an offense that can score with anyone over a defense that hopes the offense doesn't make mistakes. There hasn't been a dynasty built on defense since the Steelers of the 70's, and even they had Hall Of Fame offensive players.
Rob Long
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Why, Why, Why?
 In the days of specialization, and situational baseball, Thursday night was the worst. Mike Scioscia went to the mound in the seventh inning to take John Lackey out of the game. The bases were loaded with two outs, but Lackey had one out in the same situation two batters earlier.
Scioscia strolled to the mound for the second trip in the seventh. Lackey screamed, "Scios, it's mine." That's the type of grit you want from a guy in that situation. I hope Andy McPhail was watching that. He's a free-agent as soon as the Angels either get eliminated or win the World Series.
My question is, why would you take John Lackey out in that situation? He was clearly your best option in a game of this magnitude. Why would you go to the bullpen to bring in guys who weren't good enough to start in this game, to get out of a jam, when the guy who started the game was perfectly capable? Mike Scioscia, who's a great manager, went by "The Book." I don't know where that "Book" is, but someone needs to burn it.
Scioscia's decision blew up in his face as the Yankees captured the lead. Fortunately for him, his gutsy team battled back and regained the lead to win the game and force the series back to Yankee Stadium. For that, Scioscia doesn't have to answer too many questions and spend the entire off-season being the goat for a bad decision.
Rob Long
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The Lack Of Execution
 One of the things I hear about this year, and since I've been on the radio, is about bad playcalling. Once upon a time, those comments were reserved for the offensive side of the football. These days, those comments are geared directly at the defense.
Greg Mattison has been under fire on many local sports talk radio shows. Shades of Matt Cavanaugh and Jim Fassel echo the calls as fans seem to believe that better playcalling will produce better results. That's what fans thought when Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright were under center on the offensive side of the ball. Those guys have moved on and produced absolutely nothing. It wasn't about playcalling, it was about the lack of execution.
While watching ESPN's NFL Live, Mark Schlereth explained how Ravens' linebacker Terrell Suggs got pushed outside while the Vikings right guard pulled to the left side of the offensive line to trap. Suggs attempted to "swim" outside and allowed himself to be taken out of the play. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson turned it into a long play and continued an eventual scoring drive.
How is that bad playcalling? When you look at the big plays given up by the Baltimore Ravens, you can clearly see how defensive players aren't in position or making the play when it comes to them. The touchdown run by Cedric Benson two weeks ago against the Bengals is an example of that. Dannell Ellerbe had Benson in the backfield, but missed the tackle and Benson raced to the endzone for a touchdown. That is good playcalling, and bad execution. Mattison put the defense in position to make the play, but the defender did not make the play.
This has been typical of the Ravens' defense during the 2009 season. Players aren't doing their part to be successful. On a long second half gain by Vikings Sydney Rice, Ed Reed jumped to the outside and allowed Rice to get inside for the easy catch and run. That was an example of Reed guessing wrong. That's not Mattison's call.
Playcalling isn't magic. You can lead the players to the correct scheme, but they have to be in the right place. Sometimes the wrong place isn't by defensive design, but by player mistake. These guys have to make a play. They haven't been able to do that. This defense was not great because of Rex Ryan's playcalling. Rex Ryan was able to call anything he wanted because he had guys who made plays.
On the picture that compliments this post, you'll see that "AP" ran outside of Reed to break a long run. Reed was on the line of scrimmage and the defender who was suppose to have containment. If Reed is suppose to have containment, why is "AP" on the outside of him? If Reed pushes the play back inside, the runner doesn't break that long one, unless someone of course misses a tackle.
Now is not the time to change things. The players aren't executing the defensive sets that are being called now. Maybe, if they actually do what the coordinator tell them to do, they'll be able to see what adjustments they actually need to make. Until then, how do you really know?
Rob Long
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Is This Still An Issue?
 I was reading baltimoresun.com this morning and I saw a couple of posts about Ravens' fullback Le'Ron McClain. The posts were written in a tone that questioned when and if McClain will be used in this Ravens' offense.
Now, this is not an attempt to bash the Sun. I know those guys and they do a great job. This is to express my confusion over why this is still a story. It's not just a story with the newspaper/website, it's still a story with the fans. I know, because before I put fingers to keyboard, I made more than a few calls just to feel the pulse of some of the fans.
Many wonder why McClain, who was the team's leading rusher, is no longer a big part of the team's offense. Many look to his total rushing yards and can't figure why he wasn't given an opportunity to improve upon that and go for a 1,000 yard season.
McClain's numbers were deceiving. While he may have finished the year with over 900 yards rushing, you could argue that he was ineffective more often than not. Even with an 82 yard touchdown run against Dallas last year, McClain still did not average four yards per carry. Regardless of how much you love him, that's who Le'Ron McClain is. He's not a guy who's going have a high average. Why would that be considered an option in an offense that has Ray Rice? Why would he be anything more than a fullback?
McClain was quoted in the Sun saying, "...I feel like in my heart, before I get done playing in this league, I can be a good tailback." I'm not sure if that's true in today's NFL. Look at the "good" tailbacks in this league. Does McClain have the skill-set it takes to be a "good" tailback.
Last Sunday, Joe Flacco threw a little flair pass out to McClain. He had one man to beat and he looked extremely uncomfortable. That's a move that's second nature for "good" tailbacks in today's NFL. That's a move that Rice and even Wills McGahee make without breaking stride. I never thought, and McClain even showed he could not make that play.
The perception among fans is that the Ravens lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game because they couldn't throw the football. Actually, the Steelers dared the Ravens to run the ball. On 25 carries, this offense averaged less than three yards per carry in that game. That was their identity at the time. They've redifined themselves since that game. A week earlier, the Ravens ran the ball 30 times for 50 yards. McClain had 12 carries for 12 yards.
I think Ravens' fans should look at the season as a whole, and not in little parts. The Ravens running game ended the season with good yards, but too many attempts to accomplish that total. They are on pace to have a good amount of yards, but Ray Rice is currently averaging six yards per carry and leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage.
So tell me again, why is Le'Ron McClain still a issue?
Rob Long
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I Resemble That Remark
 If you go to Baltimoreravens.com, my good friend Mike Duffy has an article about Ravens cornerback Frank Walker. "Duffs" opening comment is, "Ravens cornerback Frank Walker has recently taken a beating in the media for his recent play..."
Well, I am a media member who is probably a little guilty of "beating up" on Frank Walker. However, my intentions aren't to be evil or mean toward Walker. My comments about Walker are intended to point out a weakness on the team's defense that scared me from the very first day and that is the cornerback position.
In training camp, I saw things from the corner position that alarmed me. I think there are some great athletes at this position, but there are weaknesses in each player's game that is so easy to exploit when you look at the quarterbacks on the Ravens schedule. I heard everyone talking about the pass rush and safeties helping and everything except bad corner play.
The Ravens are only seven sacks from the leading team in the NFL, the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have one player, Elvis Dumervil, with 10 by himself. I bring that up because of the complaints about the pass rush.
Most of the talk surrounding the Ravens and the lack of productivity in certain areas always comes back to play calling. It something that goes back to the days of Brian Billick and lame offensive coordinators. However, it's not the cause for all that goes wrong with football team. For instance, do you think any quarterback can do what Joe Flacco is able to do in this offense? So, can Troy Smith have the same productivity with good play calling? I think not.
Therefore, I don't believe that bad play calling is the reason defensive players aren't making enough plays. I think the lack of productivity is based on the lack of execution. You see it often. Players are in position initially, but they don't make the play. That's not coaching, that's "want to." You have to "want to" make the play.
The Ravens players have to look within and turn this thing around. I told of a story on my show where Frank Walker was told by a wide receiver in training camp to stop grabbing receiver's jerseys in practice. Walker brushed it off because it was only practice. The receiver told him that if he did it in practice, he'll do it in the game. He did, on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Rob Long
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Get It Right
 There has been much debate about whether or not Major League Baseball should expand their use of instant replay. As it stands, instant replay is primarily used for determining fair or foul for homerun balls. With so many calls going wrong in this year's play-offs, it seems to be obvious that the use of replay needs to be extended to resolving other issues.
I'm not going to argue whether or not baseball needs more replay. It's obvious that someting needs to happen. My problem is that there are so many "wrong" calls in the first place. Like the players, aren't these umpires suppose to be the best in the world? The "busted" calls on the field are horrible and should not need replay.
On Tuesday, Jorge Posada got caught in a run-down between third and home. As he was running, Robinson Cano ran toward third. As Mike Napoli ran toward third to tag Posada, he noticed Cano had not touched third yet. Napoli tagged Cano, but Posada ran through third himself and Napoli tagged him as well. Tim McClellan, the third base umpire, only called Posada out when it was obvious Cano was not on a base either.
Several problems. It should not have taken replay to get this call correct. First, McClellan should have gotten it himself because it wasn't even close. Second, aren't there five other umpires on the field during the play-offs? No one else saw that McClellan got the call wrong? No one took it upon themselves to pull McClellan aside to clue him in on what was going on. This was the second bone headed call he made during this game. It's apparent his head was somewhere else. Someone needed to bring him back to the ballgame.
You can get replay all you want. The NFL has it and the officiating is still bad. The solution isn't in just showing bad calls over and over again. The problem is there are no real threats to the jobs of these guys. If an athlete or a coach constantly under performes, they'll lose their jobs. Officials don't. Very seldom do these guys have to even face the media to explain their mishaps.
The professional leagues need to crack down on these guys and have a real grading system that determines whether or not these people are allowed to continue officiating. Until then, not even instant replay can help.
Rob Long
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I Need Clarification
 I've said several times that I am a huge fan of John Harbaugh. I like his style and his approach to managing men. I've stolen things from him as a young coach myself. He's added stability to an organization that needed it in the locker room. The Ravens are very stable, and always have been in the front office, but it looked as if the players were getting out of hand at one point.
Having said that, I need some clarification on something that Coach Harbaugh has said recently.
Coach Harbaugh has suggested that, even after a couple of hard losses, this is still the same team. On Monday, he said that his team is no different at 3-3, than they would be at 4-2. They still have the same issues.
While I understand the concept of what he's saying, I disagree. This team may have many of the same issues at 3-3, but there's one more issue than they would have at 4-2. That issue is one more loss. That changes a lot. That means they aren't tied for first place with the Bengals and the Steelers. That means they have lost three games in a row going into the bye week.
There's no way you can tell me that making that kick, or stopping the Vikings from driving down the field to kick a go-ahead field goal would not change how you go into the bye week. Losing that game dictates what you do during this two-week period. The Denver Broncos have a bye week as well. Even though they aren't going to change what they've done so far, they aren't going into the bye feeling they have to make major changes. If the Ravens don't feel as if they have to make changes, maybe I don't know this coaching staff as well as I thought.
The Baltimore Ravens have made a lot of mistakes in the first six-games of the season. If you don't think so, just look at all of the big plays they've given up. Big plays are usually the result of mistakes. They have to eliminate those big plays.
So, while this team would still have some issues to address, 4-2 puts you in a different mindset than being 3-3, tied with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rob Long
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Manning The Ship
 John Harbaugh preaches character a lot. He has made that his staple since taking over as Head Coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He has believed in that and has improved on that with this team. Accountability goes along with that as well. Not pointing the finger and looking within to find answers to becoming a better team.
Those principles will be tested as this team goes into the bye week. The Ravens are currently on a 3-game losing streak and have done it by losing very close games. You can argue that if the Ravens make three plays, they could be 6-0 and riding high in the AFC North. But they aren't and they didn't make those plays. So where do they go from here?
This is a great time for a team with limited character to find a soft spot to land and go into hiding. This would be a great time for a lesser team to blame the kicker who missed a kick that would have won the game. This would be the perfect time to look a the man who has a locker next to yours and glare at him. That's what teams with no character do going into a bye under these circumstances.
Hopefully, that's not what this Ravens team is made of. You could argue that this team is three plays away from being 6-0. They've lost three games by a total of 11-points. But they didn't make those plays and they are 3-3. It's the painful truth, and the Ravens have to come out to swinging after the bye. With three losses, there's little roome for error over the next 10-games. Five losses get you in, six losses may have you hoping.
I'm not betting man, but I wouldn't count the Harbaugh allowing these guys to start feeling sorry for themselves. Whatever the plan was originally for the bye week, I would expect it to be adjusted just a tad. Expect this coaching staff and these "Mighty Men" to do what it takes to stay in the hunt.
Rob Long
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Ravens/Vikings Recap
 The Baltimore Ravens looked as if they missed their wake-up call in the first quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings. After two early first quarter touchdown passes from Brett Favre, it looked as if it was going to be a very long football gave for the team in white.
The Ravens' secondary looked confused and utterly clueless in the early going. Questions about Dawan Landry and his coverage, or lack there of, continued as he completely loss track of Visanthe Shiancoe in the back of the endzone.
The Ravens finally got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter as Steve Hauscchka kicked a 29-yard field goal near the end of the half. That kicked provided some hope, but there was no way that even the most rabid Ravens' fan could predict what the second half had in store for those who were watching on CBS.
After a 40-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell, the Ravens put together an offensive assault that showed what the future of this team lies. For weeks, Ravens fans and media member had been asking for this team to run the football more. However, with the Ravens running game sputtering and the Vikings lead growing, Cam Cameron had to rely on his passing game, led by Joe Flacco, to get points and to set up the running game.
Flacco used the passing game to set up a 22-yard run by Ray Rice to get the Ravens back in the game in the third quarter. But after a Longwell field goal and another touchdown reception by Shiancoe, the Vikings had a 17-point lead that seemed unreachable. That's when the Ravens put the game into the hands of their best two offensive options, Flacco and Rice.
Flacco threw a 32-yard jump ball to once battered receiver Mark Clayton to pull the Ravens to striking distance. That lead was shortlived as Longwell added yet another field goal to make it a 13-point lead for the Vikings. But Flacco and offense marched right down field as he connected with Derrick Mason on a 12-yard scoring strike and a six-point game.
After Ray Lewis and company finally stopped the Vikings offense, the Ravens took the lead by setting up the running game with the pass. Ray Rice finished the Ravens scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run for a 31-30 lead.
That's when Brett Favre and Vikings went downfield to set up, yet another, Ryan Longwell field goal. This time it was a 31-yarder that gave the Vikings the lead.
The Ravens got the ball needing just a field goal to win. This team had been here the past three weeks and could not finish. A big drive to win the game and to send the team into the bye week was deperately needed. After the dropped pass in New England and bad timing against the Bengals, this team needed to show they could conduct a game winnning drive.
Flacco showed poise and maturity as he led the team down inside of Vikings territory. After a three-yard run put the Ravens on the 26-yard line of the Vikings, it was time for Hauschka to earn his keep. At this moment, Brett Favre shared something in common with many Ravens fans. He could not watch as the Ravens lined up for a game winning try.
It wasn't to be on this day. Hauschka missed a 44-yard try that would have won the game. With Matt Stover signing with Indianapolis this week, they'll be lots of "what if" talk during the next two weeks, and not all of the talk will be surrounding "what if we had Stover."
The Ravens last three weeks have been bogged down by "what if." This team has lost three games on arguably three plays. There's a lot you can draw from this. You can say this team isn't ready to win big games, and that's looks pretty obvious right now. You could also say that this team is close and a bye week is just what the doctor ordered. Either way, this team is 3-3 and John Harbaugh has his work cut out for him.
No, I don't believe there's any in-fighting on this team. They're just losing close games. Although that's extremely frustrating, there are veterans in this locker room and they'll keep it together. I can't say the same things for the fans. I don't know who will keep the fans together.
Positive Notes:
- This team seemed to have been suffering with identity crisis. Today, they came out and ran the ball, and really got nowhere with it. I believe today, they discovered who they really are. With 10 games left in the season, there's no more need to be a "three-yards and a cloud of dust." This is a team led by its quarterback. There's no "three-headed monster" on this team at the running back position.
- Michael Oher did quite well against an All-World pass rusher. Jared Allen had one sack and it appeared to be on a botched play. It looked as if both linemen on the left side were pulling and someone wasn't on the same page. Other than that, he was a non-factor in the passing game.
- Lardarius Webb is a very good returner for this team. He was better than steady and as far as I'm concerned, is the best option by far on this team.
- Tavares Gooden is a very good linebacker. He was all over the field today. He saved a long run that would have been a touchdown when he chased Adrian Peterson down from behind. That play kept the Ravens in the game and gave them a chance to win.
- With 385-yards passing, three touchdowns, and gutting it out when it mattered, Joe Flacco is a leader. This is his team. If this team continues to "look for itself" without Flacco throwing it 35-plus times, they are looking in the wrong place.
Areas Of Improvement
- This defense isn't very good. You can blame the defensive coordinator, you can blame the pass rush, you can blame the corners, it doesn't matter. This defense isn't very good. This team gives up too many yards and too many points too often. Maybe they can use the bye week to figure out how to put the players in a better position to succeed, but this isn't working.
Rob Long
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Agony Of Defeat
 A week in the life of a football fan, after a loss is very challenging. It's emotionally draining and frustrating. I know, I listen to beloved Ravens' fans all week after a loss and I hear the pain and anguish in their voices.
Monday: Fans are still stewing over everything that went wrong for their team. It' a mixture of anger and resentment. It's almost as if fans feel the team has turned their backs on them. It's difficult to use logic when talking to the fans at this time, and you can almost understand why.
Tuesday: It's not much better. As a radio host, you get a lot of the people to call in Tuesday, who couldn't get in on Monday. Therefore, you get a lot of the same anger and resentment from Monday. Fans are still hurt over a bitter and disappointing loss.
Wednesday: Fans are drained. They don't want to talk about it anymore. If they talk, it's still pretty much anger that they are expressing. It's doom and gloom. Some don't feel their team is capable of winning anymore. Everyone in the League, even the horrible teams, are better than their team.
Thursday: It's all tumble weed from now until gameday. There's nothing you can say to fans to make them believe their team isn't as bad as the last game. All they know is the last time they saw their team, they didn't look good. It's not about the first impression, it's about the last impression.
Friday: They may feel a little better. Hope is in the air. Most fans are getting ready for the next game. Emotions are starting to stir up again for the next opponent. "We Ready. We Ready. We Ready, For Y'all."
Saturday: Fans are distracted by "honey do's" and college football. Some fans go out to look at their kids play youth football and wonder why their team won't run the plays they saw 10-year old kids run.
Sunday: It's chips and dips time. It's time to get ready for kick-off. While hope doesn't spring eternal, it's there. Your team has the new "Biggest Game of The Season" today. If they lose today...
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Second Thoughts?
 In week one of the college football season, one could speculate that Sam Bradford could have had second thoughts about returning to Oklahoma after last season's excellence. I've often thought what a player gains when he comes back after peaked stock. After all, it's hard to imagine whether Bradford could do anything but hurt himself, no pun intended, if he returned.
I go back to Vince Young's dream season when he won the national championship and dazzled everyone in his second consecutive stand-out Rose Bowl performance. Young's return could only open the door for scrutiny about his throwing motion, ability to read defenses, etc. Young decided to bolt to the NFL and get paid to be scrutinized.
Bradford, like Tim Tebow, decided to return to college to chase a national championship. Bradford suffered a second injury to his throwing shoulder on Saturday, and Tebow's performance and concussion has done nothing to help his draft position.
In Bradford's case, you could make an argument for his return being a total failure. Not only has he missed more games than he's played, but his team's BCS hopes are all but dead. Bradford's decision can be measured in dollar signs, because it looks as if he may have cost himself some money.
For fans who love to say that players should return to school for the benefit of the school or fans, this season may have a lasting impression on elite players who face this decision in the future. This is why I believe this decision is strictly a business decision. Sam Bradford made a bad business decision. He's a smart kid and he's going to graduate regardless. Going back to play football doesn't dictate that.
There are lots of examples of students who decided to go back to school for their senior seasons. One of the more famous cases was Peyton Manning.
While at Tennessee, Manning decided to return for a national championship as well as a Heisman Trophy. While Manning didn't get injured or damage himself physically, he didn't win a national championship or the Heisman. He almost cost himself the number one pick because of the play of Ryan Leaf. We all know how that ended, but Manning put himself in that situation by not going while his stock was as high as it was ever going to get.
Division I college sports has become a business. Don't fool yourself. You may want to believe it's still innocent and you may hate to think of it as a business, but it's a billion dollar industry. It's more profitable than the professional leagues because there's zero payroll for the players. Guys like Bradford and Tebow go out and play their hearts out and the schools and the NCAA profit financially from it. Yeah, the schools give them $100,000 to go to school, but it's worth it for the return on the investment.
Players returning to school should not be matters of the heart. Mark Sanchez upset Pete Carroll when he decided to enter the NFL Draft. Some echoed Carroll's thoughts by saying Sanchez's lack of experience would cause him to struggle in the NFL. Sanchez saw it different. He saw his situation as being as good as it was going to get. USC would have to win a national championship for Sanchez to be hotter. There was no reason for him to return to fight for attention with the likes of Bradford, Tebow, Colt McCoy and the likes of any "Johnny Come Lately."
It remains to be seen whether or not the injuries to Bradford and even Tebow cost them anything. Let's just consider that it's not about reality when it comes to the financial investments that professional teams are going to make with these guys, it's about perception.
Rob Long
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College Football Preview
 The early game today is, of course, Oklahoma versus Texas in the Red River Rivalry. When you looked at the schedule before the season, you instantly thought this would be a game that had national championship implications for both teams.
Sam Bradford injured his throwing shoulder in week one againt BYU and the Sooners haven't really been the same. A few weeks after the Cougars beat them, the Sooners went into Miami and lost to the Hurricanes. With two losses already, Bob Stoops is hoping to keep his team's Big XII title hopes alive today versus Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns.
Meanwhile, the Longhorns are still right in the middle of the national championship hunt. With the other top three teams being SEC teams, all the Longhorns have to do is win and they will play for the BCS Title. That might be easier said than done. They showed some weaknesses last week against Colorado and the Sooners are good enough to exploit those weaknesses.
Texas 25, Oklahoma 20
Later tonight, the South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Alabama to take on the most complete team in the country. Nick Saban has restored the environment that is arguably the best in tradition in college football. The Crimson Tide aren't huge, but they have the fastest defense in the country.
Alabama 34, South Carolina 21
South Carolina and Mr. Garcia has to play mistake free football to even keep this game close. "The Ole Ball Coach" is in his element. This is what he lives for, but the Gamecocks may not have to top five upsets in them in one year.
If you aren't in the mood for SEC football, Navy travels to SMU in what looks to be a very promising game. If you looks at the numbers, this looks to be a game that could have you fighting to catch your breath by game's end. If you're in the area, MASN will televise this one. I have to admit. I've lined up two televisions next to one another so I can keep my eyes on both late games.
Navy 38, SMU 34
Rob Long
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Ravens/Vikings Prediction
The Baltimore Ravens travel to Minnesota to take on Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. The Vikings are also led by a certain future Hall Of Fame quarterback as well.
The Ravens are coming off of a two-game losing streak that has made them look less than normal on offense, and the defense has been questionable more often than not.
The Vikings are 5-0 and I take nothing away from that. I don't believe in an "easy" schedule in the NFL, but the Ravens have faced much better quarterbacks in Phillip Rivers, Tom Brady, and Carson Palmer. Those three guys can make any defense look bad. Having said that, Ray Lewis and company only gave up 17 points against the Bengals.
Peterson will get his yards, but the defense will show up. They'll bend but not break against the Vikings.
Ravens 21, Vikings 19
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The New RobLongShow.com
 The relaunching of www.roblongshow.com is upon us. We will continue to provide our readers with the best coverage of local and national comprehensive sports coverage.What's new about roblongshow.com? We have gone to our own dedicated server which allows us to cover more sports with more contributors. Now, in addition to reading posts from myself and "Super Producer" Phil, you'll continue to read posts from John Dame, Ken Zalis,and Sean Welsh. But we'll also add writers such as Marc Unger, Jaimy Watson, Anne Boone, and many others. Roblongshow.com will also provide video and exclusive interviews. Our broadband is now capable of providing our readers with all of the content that you'll need to make roblongshow.com your one stop for local and national sports coverage. Thursday, October 15, 2009 marks a new era of online coverage of your favorite sports. Feel free to e-mail us your opinions so that we may be able to continue to provide excellence to you, our customers. Rob Long View Comments (0) - Post New Comment |