Nobody's Perfect

P.S: Last Blog Post of 2009!
In Week 16 of the 2009 NFL season, the undefeated 14-0 Indianapolis Colts took on the 7-7 New York Jets. The Colts had clinched a playoff spot, and a first round bye for that matter weeks before this game. Many were unsure whether all of the Colts starters would play the whole game. Coach Jim Caldwell was looking to rest his players for the playoffs, thinking that his staters would get out to a commanding lead early in the game... The New York Jets were battling for the final playoff spot along with other teams in the playoff hunt such as the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers. This was a must win for the Jets and they sure played like it was their last. The Colts were battling in the first half back and forth against the Jets but they were unable to put enough points on the board to create a lead. Not what head coach Jim Caldwell had in mind. He decided to yank out the starters after the 3rd quarter and on came the back up quarterback Curtis Painter. Let's just say his NFL debut was not what he and Colts fans were hoping for. He went 4 of 8 for 28 yards, a fumble, and an interception. The Jets took advantage of what the Colts offered and won in comfortable fashion 29-15. I'd just like to say that the Colts handed the Jets a win. The Colts really didn't lose. Well... I guess nobody's perfect.

Wounded Soldier's Diabetes is "cured" with Cells

For today I'd like to take a break from sports(believe it or not) and talk about a story that is very close to my heart. In today's Miami Herald, the headline on the front page immediately caught my eye when I saw the word "diabetes." The healine read, "Wounded soldier's diabetes cured with cells." For those of you who don't know, I myself have diabetes which is why I wanted to blog about this story. A 21 year old U.S soldier in Afghanistan named Tre Porfirio was shot in the pancreas. A young man,a service member who might have faced a lifetime of severe diabetes got a chance at better health after a collaboration between military surgeons and experts at the University of Miami. In an apparent medical first, doctors removed a bullet-scarred pancreas from Tre Porfirio, flew the organ from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the University of Miami, salvaged insulin-producing cells, then flew it back and transplanted the cells into Porfirio's liver. Three weeks after the procedure, an excited surgical team announced that the transplanted cells are producing insulin. Tre Porfirio felt good enough to visit the University of Miami surgeon whose team spent six, pre-dawn hours on Thanksgiving Day isolating the cells from the ravaged pancreas. Dr. Camillo Ricordi, chief of the UM Medical School's Diabetes Research Institute, said "It's an operation we would have done on anyone, but for someone who is putting their life on the line for all of us, I couldn't think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving." Ricordi hopes that this case of transplanting insulin-producing cells will lead to near-permanent cures for people facing diabetes-which Porfirio would have faced without a functioning pancreas. "This could become an unlimited cure available for everyone."

Brian Kelly leaves Cincy= Takes Over at Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame had a horrible 2009 NCAA football season finishing at the bottom of the Big East standings at 6-6. Notre Dame didn't have a problem putting points on the board thanks to an explosive offense led by quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide reciever Golden Tate. Both of whom will make an immediate impact in the NFL. Notre Dame's weakness was their defense. I mean they just could not keep the opposing team out of the end zone. I assume this was the case because of head coach Charlie Weis. Weis was an offensive coordinator in the NFL for the New England Patriots prior to being head coach for Notre Dame. In the NFL, all he did was worry about putting together a good offensive scheme day in and day out. When he transferred to the college level, I guess he never stressed the importance of having a good defense. I mean all 6 of their losses were by less than 7 points! That'll make a coach sick! Weeks before the season was over, people were anticipating that this would be Charlie Weis's last year as head coach for Notre Dame. They were right. Charlie Weis was fired. So... Brian Kelly, former head coach for the undefeated 12-0 Cincinatti Bearcats was now a part of the University of Notre Dame. I guess money does make the world go round. Other wise, why would you ever leave a team that was undefeated. A team that you coached. I don't get it. Brian Kelly is dumb for doing that. Brian Kelly is a lot like Charlie Weis... Cincinatti has one of the best offenses in the country but not a great defense. Bringing Brian Kelly into the picture to me does nothing. Your bringing in a coach that's an offensive specialist to a team in need of a defense. That equation does not lead to more wins. Well, I guess well find out if Brian Kelly has what it takes to turn around the Notre Dame football program.

Roll Tide Roll

In the SEC Championship game, the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide battled the #1 Florida Gators and everyone anticipated for it to be a true death match between two potential Heisman trophy winners Mark Ingram and Tim Tebow. Unfortunate for most (fortunate for me), that was not the case. Alabama absolutely man handled the Florida Gators by rushing over 250 yards and passing for over 240 yards. Thats a total of 490 yards. Mark Ingram led the rushing attack with 113 yards and 3 touchdowns of his own. Very uncharacteristic for a Florida defense that only allowed an average of 90 yards rushing and 150 yards passing per game this season. Alabama was able to do this by sticking to their game plan, running the ball and forcing the Gators offense in to 3rd and long situations. The inexperienced and heavily doubted QB Greg McElroy really showed up and came to play. The Florida defense was "on their heels" the entire game, unable to read any of Alabama's offensive schemes and formations. Tim Tebow and the normaly dynamic and explosive Florida Gator offense was ineffective in running the ball and that immediatly ruined their game plan. They were forced to throw the ball in unnecessary situations and it got them in trouble. The Alabama defense loaded up on the pass and covered the receivers beautifully throughout the game. Tebow was 20 of 35, completing only 57% of his passes. Let's just say the mvp for the Gators in the SEC Championship game was their punter Chaz Henry. He did a good job of keeping the ball out of the hands of Alabama's quick kick returner, Javier Arenas. I think Mark May from College Game Day on ESPN said it best, "You win championships by running the ball and stopping the run. Alabama did both those things in this championship game and made it look easy. I would just like to say one thing... Why was Tim Tebow crying? Are you kidding me? So what you lost the game. Suck it up. Take it like a man. Reminds me of a little boy crying after losing a pee wee hockey game. Honestly Tebow, grow up. People lose all time the and get disappointed over things. They don't cry about it. Alabama runs their way to a BCS National Championship bid, Florida crys their way back to Gainesville.

Vince Young vs. Matt Leinart: Sound Familiar

In week 12 of the 2009-2010 NFL season, the Tennessee Titans who have won 4 straight, battled the high powered offensive Arizona Cardinals. Just last year, it was Kurt Warner vs. Kerry Collins. Two experienced veterans. This year, it was Vince Young vs. Matt Leinart, sound familiar. On this day, history repeated itself. For those who remember, in the 2005 National Championship, the Texas Longhorns faced off against the favored USC Trojans. What do you know, Vince Young vs. Matt Leinart. In that game, it seemed like big play after big play occured for both teams. That was also the case in this Sunday's showdown. The Titans running back Chris Johnson broke off an 85 yard touchdown run to take a 13 to 3 lead. The Cardinals didn't get too down on themselves, especially LaRod Stephens Howling (kick returner for Cardinals). He responded with a 98 yard kick return on the very next play to cut the deficit to 13-10. The crowd was silenced. The Cardinals kept the momentum and added on a 6 yard touchdown run from Tim Hightower. It was now 17-13 with one minute to go in the game. A field goal would do no good. The Titans needed to march 99 yards in just 60 seconds for a touchdown. Let's flashback. Wasn't Vince Young in the same situation 4 years ago. The answer is yes. Vince Young crushed the hopes of USC fans and Matt Leinart in 2005 by running it in to the endzone from 6 yards out with just seconds left. Same here except for they were Cardinal's fans and Matt Leinart was in the NFL. Vince Young connected on a 20 yard strike to rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt. Titans win! Sorry Matt Leinart, your good but just not good enough.