John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud

John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud

Thinking out loud…and wondering why every Sunday can’t be a “Throwback Sunday?”

• Is anyone – anyone – surprised that freshman phenom Nerlens Noel was cleared by the NCAA to play for Kentucky? Gotta take care of the national “best interest” of the sport, right? Just sayin’…

• Leftovers from Big East Media Day in NYC this week…Loved Ed Cooley’s comment “we’re gonna bite some asses.” If you’re a Friar fan, you can only hope it’s true…

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• Not terribly surprised PC was picked last…but I thought Seton Hall was a bit overrated…and until DePaul actually shows they can win a few games, I’m not convinced of their placement, either. Overall, just about every team slotted in the pre-season poll makes at least some sense…

• I can tell you this much…being picked last will serve as nothing more than pure motivation for Vincent Council and LaDontae Henton, who were in attendance in NY and represented the Friars well. VC got a lot of love from his fellow guards in the Big East, as he and Peyton Siva (the pre-season player of the year, from Louisville) were mentioned most prominently as the players other guys love to face…

• It has been eight years since a team other than USF or DePaul ranked last in the coaches’ pre-season poll. That spot now belongs to PC. The last time someone else took the goats’ horns was in 2004, when St. John’s was cleaning up after Mike Jarvis…

• Two of my favorites from Media Day – 6-3 Sean Kilpatrick from Cincinnati, and 6-11 Gorgui Dieng from Louisville. Kilpatrick sported a bow tie (not a clip-on) that he told me he tied himself…and Dieng rocked a pink tie with a pink-striped shirt. And said he picked it out himself. It looked good – on him. Both young men were very well-spoken, and are great ambassadors for their schools…

• And lest there be any doubt of the strength of the Big East for the upcoming season, this from Siva to the assembled masses Wednesday: “We have Providence ranked (15th) and they smacked us (Louisville) by 31 last year…”

• Any player snubs from the all-Big East teams? Certainly PC’s Henton could be considered one, after making the all-rookie squad last year…but Seton Hall’s Fuquan Edwin led the nation in steals last year, averaged 12.5 points per game, and didn’t get a sniff either…

• Notre Dame coach Mike Brey kept telling everyone how sad he is to be leaving the Big East. Hmmm…he didn’t sound too depressed when news of the Irish defection to the ACC broke last month…

• Several of my friends and acquaintances from the soon-to-be-departed schools (Syracuse, Pitt, Notre Dame) were wistful over the trip to the Big Apple, as they realize it’s soon coming to an end. And I did get this – no one really “wants” to leave. Except the suits in administration at their respective institutions who don’t really care...

• Don’t be surprised if Notre Dame does NOT orchestrate an early exit for next year from the Big East to the ACC. Scheduling, especially for football, will be difficult to change. And, the Irish are comfortable where they are. Best guess – ND remains in the Big East for the 2013-14 school year, then leaves the following season (’14-’15). And that would still require a negotiated exit fee, for departing earlier than the 27 months called for in the Big East bylaws…

• Not for nuthin’…but Boston College was picked for dead last in the ACC Media Poll this week. Hope the $$$ is worth it…because a once-relevant basketball program has clearly taken a southward turn. Hope Syracuse enjoys the match-up with their new scheduling partner. By the way…what happens first? BC rises to SU’s level, or SU falls to BC’s depths?

• Speaking of Boston College…had the chance to speak briefly with former coach Al Skinner this week, as he was watching the Friars take the court for a practice session. Skinner said he’s doing some scouting, and observing/helping his ex-assistants with their teams (Cooley at PC, Tim O’Shea at Bryant, Bill Coen at Northeastern)…

• Just when we were feeling awful about the Patriots’ predicament…along comes Sexy Rexy and the New York Jets to bail us out of our doldrums. Thanks, Rex!

• Although…Ryan did some serious backpedaling later in the week when he actually kissed Bill Belichick’s rings (“I don’t think I’m the best coach in the league right now,” Ryan said. “I think (Belichick) is.”) Compared to the bombast and bluster of previous pre-game encounters, that statement qualifies as a downright suck-up…

• And cornerback Antonio Cromartie called the Patriots the “new America’s team.” Bizarro world. Didn’t Cromartie call Tom Brady “an a**hole” just a couple of years ago? Maybe they figure the pompous pronouncements of previous years (often times followed by a loss) weren’t working…

• Although, linebacker Calvin Pace did say the Patriots’ offense was “borderline illegal.” Whew. That’s more like it. Can’t stand all of this love and mutual respect stuff…

• Here’s a serious thought for Patriots fans to ponder…wasn’t the New England dynasty built largely on Brady’s ability to come from behind and/or win close games? If Tom Terrific has lost his “clutchness,” as some believe, is the party over?

• Here’s one prediction you can make with absolute certainty this week – either the Patriots’ secondary bounces back remarkably well from its’ previous poundings, or Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez does likewise…

• I’ve heard of team-building, and actually believe in it. But I’m not entirely certain I would buy-in to this idea in the Patriots’ locker room…

• Wanna plan for the Super Bowl party? Since 1970, 44.7% of the final teams to be undefeated have made the Super Bowl…oh, and Beyonce performs at halftime. YAWN…

• Tweet of the Week: The worst sports Tweets of 2012, so far…

• Bobby Knight says he’s going to sell off his championship rings and an Olympic Gold Medal to fund his grandchildren’s education. Is this smart, or sad? He did say, however, he would never part with a few items given to him by Ted Williams…

• The latest spotlight divorce – the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez. Which party should pay alimony?

• Not terribly surprised the Yankees went down in flames like they did…when Derek Jeter went down, so did NY. He’s more than just the heart of that team – he’s the soul, too. That, plus Detroit’s pitching is world-title caliber…

• This week’s Sign of the Apocalypse – a Greek soccer team has enlisted the sponsorship of local brothels, after funding for the country’s sports clubs has been slashed…forcing some to face financial ruin… 

• Sign of the Apocalypse Part II: The National Enquirer says former Heisman Trophy winner and Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson is trying to sell the 5-inch knife used to kill his former wife Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994. The murder weapon was never found, during or after one of the most sensational murder trials in American history…

• Glad to see Tony Pena get an interview for the Red Sox managers’ job…but really, does anyone excite you as a candidate? Thought not…

• Who misses the NHL? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?

• Got Lax? The new Rhode Island Kingfish of the North American Lacrosse League have announced they will be calling Boss Arena on the URI campus “home” beginning with the 2013 season this January…

• A report from Los Angeles that says the Lakers could be plowing the road for a future run at LeBron James got me thinking…how about we institute a rule that every good player in the NBA MUST play in LA? At least then, other teams would know what they’re up against. A conspiracy…

• Is it just me, or are 80% of the people in the "people you may know" feature on Facebook people that I do know, but I deliberately choose not to be friends with?

• My buddy Statbeast sez Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all the other social media popping up is very confusing. He’s still trying to figure out how to use the sarcasm font for his emails…

• The new meaning of “LOL:” From “laugh out loud,” to “I have nothing else to say.” LOL…

• Why is it that shirts get dirty, and underwear gets dirty? But pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever…right?

• Are you a fan of team fight songs or anthems? I always thought Ozzie Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” qualified, but Pepsi and the NFL announced this week that the legendary rock group Aerosmith has released an anthem titled “Legendary Child – Patriot’s Anthem,” in support of their favorite team in Foxboro. Here it is, downloadable for free…

• The Patriots wear their throwback “Pat Patriot” helmets and red uniform jerseys against the Jets this week, and I have to admit…I miss the old, hulking Pat on the side of the helmet. Since 1991, NFL teams have been able to re-introduce the throwback look at least once per season, in an effort to tie-in with the good old days, but also “sell, sell, sell” those days to modern fans. With the addition of an alternate jersey being worn by teams since 2002, throwbacks continue to make appearances. Hey, why not a red jersey with the “flying Elvis” logo? Sharp…

• Our mailbag question/comment this week comes from @EwellMello via Twitter: “(The Patriots) they have tried drafting this (DB) talent and its not worked. You need talent, experience, and leadership. Do you not agree?” Melvin: It is true that the players selected by the Patriots in the defensive backfield recently have not (yet) produced to anyone’s liking. Here’s the real question though…they have always felt the position is best served through “value” selection, not wanting to use a high draft pick on a corner or safety, always feeling they can get someone who can play those positions later in the draft. Will that philosophy change any time soon?

• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, @jrooke0722…and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...

• And you’re up early anyway…don’t forget to join us for GoLocal Sports on 103.7 FM, every Saturday from 7:00-9:00 am! Call in (401) 737-1287, or text 850850…and send email to the show - [email protected] .

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