Marc Verica, Fan Behavior, and Recruiting

Marc Verica had a very tough past month. The fifth year senior played poorly, throwing costly interceptions, making questionable decisions with the football, and really struggling to make the right reads. I was frustrated, the fan base was frustrated, the staff was frustrated, and most of all Marc was frustrated! Amongst all this frustration the fan base did some things that i find absurd.........

Let me be the first to say it's a free country and if you bought tickets or are a season ticket holder you have every right to an opinion and you may boo if you choose to. However, you have no right to question the young man's work ethic, his desire, or his integrity. He isn't the most gifted athlete but he work's his backside off and his teammates named him a captain!! That speaks volumes. As for the frustration, booing your own players isn't helping and it leaves a poor impression with visiting recruits. And the bottom line is this, this is someones son, he's still a kid/very young man, and he doesn't deserve to be treated with disdain! I'm very proud of the way Marc bounced back this weekend and played well. I believe he will do the same this week. I'm going to be cheering for you win or lose Marc, you're a very classy young man and I hope my son grows up with the same class and values your parents obviously instilled in you!

Recruiting is very quiet right now for the University of Virginia. I hope the recruits that have dropped by have enjoyed their visits. Hopefully they see the chance to play early and help rebuild this once proud program. Most importantly, Coach London is recruiting the Commonwealth hard, thank god for that. Time to take back the State from the clowns wearing orange and maroon!

Rebuilding takes time, Moss will help, and fantasy football blues

UVA has been dominated in it's first two ACC games. The quarterback play is not very good, poor tackling is crippling the offense, and the fan base is already questioning Mike London. Welcome to big time college football expectations at a school with limited success and a history of poor fan support. I'm a die hard fan, but the UVA fan base is full of whiners who turn their back as soon as possible. I loathe VT.......but they have loyal and rabid fans, UVA never will.........and that disappoints me....but Mike London is going to bring the program back to respectability. It takes time, he will recruit, and the QB play will improve.....I have faith......shame the fan base doesn't seem to!

The Patriots traded Randy Moss to the Vikings for a third round pick. Both Moss and Favre are excited about the trade and they should be. The Vikings will win 11 games and make the playoffs, dominating the NFC on their way to the Superbowl. The Patriots won't make the playoffs, Bellichek will look like a fool, and Tom Brady will simply ask WHY??????

Fantasy football is a complete crap shoot!! Half my team is hurt, the other half haven't earned their draft ranking. I find myself asking why do i waste valuable time on this worthless crap. And then I look at my two Championship rings and realize why I do this.........cause I love jewelry!!! :)

Donovan McNabb.....wins in Philly.....MV gets what was coming to him.....and time for UVA to beat Al Groh and GT!

I was extremely happy for Donovan McNabb today! His new team went to Philly, beat up his old team, and he was cheered by the fans! He handled himself with class and dignity...so did the City of Philadelphia!

Michael Vick may have several broken ribs. I enjoyed watching him get hit, so did my dog...hmm......I bet I wasn't the only one that felt that way!!!

Now that the FSU debacle is over, it's time for Mike London to concentrate on this week's opponent, Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech currently employs former UVA coach Al Groh as it's defensive coordinator, and he has effectively ruined their defense just as I predicted he would. This week UVA needs to take out all of their frustration from last week on Mr. Groh and his defense.........that would make Wahoo Nation feel MUCH better!

Uva's opening win, VT's ugly uniforms, and Boise State making my YEAR!!!!

Uva played a very solid game in Coach London's debut against Richmond. I was happy with the gameplan and for the most part the execution of it. The special teams weren't so special and this area needs to be shored up quickly. The crowd was good, the return of the State Flag to it's rightful home at THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, and the player's attitude made for a wonderful opening week. The new uniforms were also a huge plus.......the future is very bright in C-Ville!!!

Speaking of uniforms, these black drag queen outfits VT wore should be burnt to a crisp in a massive bonfire! The vastly overrated "Hokie Nation" will tell you that the Halloween jerseys are the most awesome thing in the world. Well you're 0 and 1 in them so I hope you keep rocking them!!

About that loss that did my heart good.....Congrats to Boise State!!! They were well coached, very prepared, and smacked the Chokies right in the mouth, the way 10 of the last 11 top ten ranked teams the Chokies have faced has done!!! They exploited weaknesses that ACC coaches will exploit and for that I say thank you Boise, and perhaps that sorry empty trophy case up in Blacksburg should be removed.....perhaps located in C-Ville in about 4 more years!!!

I love tennis, my new job, and the upcoming football season!

The tennis channel and ESPN 2 have been airing a ton of tennis this summer, mostly the U.S. Open Series. I love the U.S. Open Series for it's tv friendly blue courts, it's convenient treadmill session time slots, and the type of tennis I'm used to playing........ok maybe not quite that level on my end! I have seen a ton of new tennis gear I can't wait to buy, not to mention several tournament venues that I plan on attending eventually. Now if only the Americans could get their games together to compete.......where have you gone Pete and Andre!!

My new job is sweet!! I'm now employed at the Western Virginia Water Authority and things couldn't be going better. A wonderful staff that has accepted me with open arms, excellent benefits, and plenty of advancement opportunites make for the perfect work environment. Sometimes to take one step forward you have to take a step backwards and take a leap of faith....I'm very glad I did!!

I was mowing my grass this weekend and a leaf fell harmlessly in front of me. What's the big deal about that you may ask; the big deal my friends is that FOOTBALL is only a few weeks away! Get the tailgate gear ready, dust off your stadium seat, save a little gameday money, and where your mirrored shades to check out the co-eds!! High School football Friday, College Football Saturday, Pro Football and Fantasy Football Sunday.....it doesn't get any better than that!!

An all new season of Hard Knocks and Friday Night Lights upcoming season finale

This year's addition of the critically acclaimed Hard Knocks training camp series will feature the New York Jets and their renegade coach Rex Ryan. I enjoy Ryan and think his attitude is perfect for that media outlet and the league in general. Mark Sanchez is the real deal and the team is solid in all areas. They need to get Revis signed and happy and everything will be alright. I'm still not happy that Thomas Jones wasn't in their plans because Thomas is a good man and deserved a better fate than Kansas City. I believe this is a legit Super Bowl contender and Sanchez is gonna pull a Namath....minus the Suzy Kolber interview!

Friday Night Lights is by far one of the best shows on television and next week is the season finale. I really hope that NBC picks up the show for at least one more season but I hear rumblings that this may be the last show.....if it is I certainly hope East Dillon whoops West Dillon's a** this week!!

Sports agents, paying student athletes, and Vandy's new football coach..

The agent epidemic has officially derailed all the excitement of the upcoming football season. There is no reason for this madness, the NCAA should get with the coaches association and workout an agreement to bring the agents together with the student athletes in a controlled and monitored environment. This is a win win situation and seriously needs to be explored. Whatever the move it must be done quickly to minimize the damage before the first game is played so the money can be made........

Speaking of money, would it be so bad to give the student athletes a buck here or there. The scholarship is the ultimate prize, but a few bucks for the weekends off of jersey sales and such could be kicked their way. Let's be honest about this, a serious profit is made and I do believe this may have a positive impact and begin to limit the number of off the field incidents that plague many campuses right now. Think about it and it does make sense!!

This week during SEC Media Day the nation was introduced to Vandy's new head coach, Robbie Caldwell. This guy is right out of central casting for a SEC coach, the southern roots, twang, and charming laid back demeanor. He is a gem, a sportswriters dream, and I truly hope he is successful because outwardly he is the type of man that's easy to root for. If he can win 6 games and get to a bowl I sure as heck hope I'm lucky enough to see his press conference!!