Mike Davis' '04 Recruits: Where are they now?

Josh Smith - tearing up the NBA (and winning a slam dunk contest) averaging 18 points, 8 boards, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals per game. His combined blocks+assists (4.9) leads the league and does wonders for my fantasy team


Robert Vaden - one of the most dangerous scorers in college basketball is in his 2nd season with the Blazers, following former-IU Head Coach Mike Davis from Bloomington to Birmingham.

James Hardy - IU football's stud is entering next month's draft projected as a late-first-rounder. The 3-time All-BigTen Biletnikoff finalist is also the Hoosiers' all-time receiving leader in touchdowns (36), yards (2,690) and receptions (186)

AJ Ratliff - IU student finishing his final semester in Bloomington; one month removed from the Hoosiers squad and 4 yrs removed from Indiana's Mr. Basketball


DJ White - the lone remaining recruit from the c/o '04 is this year's BigTen Player of the Year

Happy Leap Day!

The Indianapolis Colts enter the free agency signing period this morning with no intent on snatching-up any marquee players. In fact, since 2003 only 1 NFL free agent has been offered a contract by the Colts (Adam Vinatieri). The Colts draft so well they don't have to scramble for talent, and thus eliminating any risk of grabbing a player in haste.

Also, Colts owner Jim Irsay has expanded the horseshoe logo to the LPGA by sponsoring golfer Becky Lucidi (pictured). 

Are the Indiana Hoosiers looking for a new head coach? That all depends on how well Dan Dakich's team performs in the NCAA tournament. He's probably more than capable of coaching this squad, but I fear IU is looking for a big-name hire to lure the top recruits. If we've learned one thing from Purdon't this year is that you can put together a no-name-team of underclassmen and still contend for the conference title - as long as you emphasize the fundamentals like defense and ball control. Of course, these players aren't really 'no-namers', they're actually Indiana HS All-Stars, but the point is IU doesn't have to shoot for the moon to win. Prominent names that have been thrown around include Thad Matta, Rick Pitino and Rick Barnes. Lesser-known candidates on the radar include ex-Boiler Kevin Stallings, Washington State's Tony Bennett, Wright State's Brad Brownell, Baylor's Scott Drew and Xavier's Sean Miller.

The Indiana Pacers are dealing with more off-court troubles now that Shawne Williams' pal has been arrested for a Memphis murder. This news comes after a report that a woman was raped at Marquis Daniels' home last month, David Harrison failing a 3rd drug test, Jamaal Tinsley the target of a drive-by, Williams arrested for having no license/expired plates/possession of gun & weed, JT and 'Quisy beating up a club owner, Stephen Jackson firing a pistol and kicking a retard... and all this after the infamous brawl in Detroit. We make the Bengals look like choir boys.

FCV @ Carmel

If you were wondering what I've been up to since my last post, here it is:


That's Coach Travis Houghton's 8th grade team versus my alma mater Fall Creek Valley Bearcats. And yes, it was filmed in Nightvision mode. Be sure to catch halftime speech at the end.

Colts fans: meet your backups

• #36 RB Kenton Keith: Competent backup after 4 CFL seasons.

• #15 WR Craphonso Thorpe: Kick and punt returner played well @ SD (5 catches, 41 yards)
• #34 CB T.J. Rushing: Played nickel back when Tim Jennings was out.
• #43 S Matt Giordano: Started four games in place of Antoine Bethea.
• #45 FB Luke Lawton: Waived twice in 8-day period. Caught winning TD vs JAX.
• #50 LB Rocky Boiman: Special teams player who started 7 games at strong-side LB.
• #52 LB Ramon Guzman: Played DE @ Baltimore after 4 days of practice.
• #55 LB Clint Session: Sensational rookie started @ SD (5 tackles, 2 picks)
• #56 LB Tyjuan Hagler: Special teams player started 8 games at LB.
• #60 DE Jeff Charleston: Texan has-been started last 3 games (Mathis out).
• #74 OT Charlie Johnson: 10-game starter for Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem.
• #80 WR Devin Aromashodu: Another Texan has-been was Colts' #2 WR behind Reggie Wayne.
• #81 TE Bryan Fletcher: 3rd-string TE stepped up (8 catches) @ SD w/ Dallas Clark out.
• #91 DE Josh Thomas: Started since Dwight Freeney went down Nov. 11.
• #95 DL Darrell Reid: Special teams beast who filled in some at DT and DE.
• #96 DT Keyunta Dawson: Taken in 7th Rd in 2007. Started at tackle last 4 weeks.
• #97 DT Quinn Pitcock: Rookie emerged as bright prospect performing spot duty.
• #99 DT Ed Johnson: Excellent (undrafted) rookie started all 16 games.

Jeff Foster does what Conseco security can't

You'd think that having a half-empty Fieldhouse would allow security and ushers to corrall this kid, but Kyle Spear's favorite Pacer (#10) saves the day.

10 Year Anniversary of Bill Polian & Colts

Ten years ago we were a franchise with a lone AFC title run in 15 years of embarrassment. Marvin Harrison wore #8 and Tarik Glenn was an undersized 23-yr-old starter. Through drafts alone Polian has built a potent offense via the SEC and da U: Peyton Manning, Edge (now Joe Addai), and Reggie Wayne. After adding Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Dwight Freeney, the Colts focused on the BigTen: Hawkeyes Dallas Clark & Bob Sanders, UM's Marlin Jackson, and more Buckeyes than just Anthony Gonzales.

The 2006 WORLD CHAMPS have also achieved:

• 5 consecutive DIVISION BANNERS.

• 5 consecutive seasons of 12+ victories, the first time that has been achieved in the NFL's 88-year history
• the only team in NFL history to win 75% 5 consecutive years (AFC SOUTH is ranked #1)

• A place alongside the Green Bay Packers of '29-31 as the only teams to start 3 consecutive seasons 7-0 or better: 13-0, 9-0 and 7-0
• The Colts are the only NFL franchise to keep its starting QB & offensive coordinator/line coach (Tom Moore/Howard Mudd) together for the past 10 seasons. RB coach Gene Huey is the longest-tenured assistant in team history: 16 seasons, 254 games (Marshall Faulk, Edge, Joe Addai).
• They've fielded a top-four offense each of the past five years. Not to mention they draw killer ratings on prime time TV.

When our free agents leave, they 0ften 0penly 0pt f0r d0-0vers. When they stay, they have access to his private jet, Pro-Bowls and performance bonuses. No wonder Bill Polian has won NFL Executive of the Year 5 times...

Apparently our local thugs don't play fantasy basketball

With apologies to Jason Whitlock...
This doesn't happen in the Indiana I love. This Indiana hosts sellout High School gymnasiums larger than it's own town size. We worship free throws and 17 year old boys. John Wooden. Butler Bulldogs. Larry Bird. Bob Knight. "Hoosiers". Unfortunately we also have claim to Zeke, Shawn Kemp, and Purdue.
Tin-man's averaging career highs in assists, steals, rebounds, FT%, minutes as well as TOs (3.6 highest since rookie year, 3.4). Although he's on an NBA roster without any NBA-level backup (see Andre Owens, Travis Diener). He's thriving within this offense, especially when Jermaine doesn't play, his tempo is faster and better suited for his free-style. Jim O'Brien's doing a good job recognizing how to utilize these players to their potential, knowing full well we are no longer championship material.
So tomorrow we'll be saying "free JT" or "R.I.P. JT", but inside I'll be thankful for the eventual upgrade... whomever that may be.

They scream 'Free Pimp C' but now they see the Pimp free

One Day You're Here, and then You're Gone

SchrockStar's Top 10 [feat.] Pimp C tracks:

1. Big Pimpin (w/ Jay-Z) "Uhhh, now what y'all know bout them Texas boys!?"
2. Murda Man Dance (w/ Spice 1) "I'm from Port Arther Texas where the hatin is high. Just for the record fuck you bitches you hos aint fly."
3. Sippin on Some Sizzurp (w/ Three Six Mafia) "If you got 16, you can get a biz-zerd. I'm choking on that doja sweet and sipping on that sizz-erp"
4. International Players Anthem (w/ Outkast) "Some hoes wanna choose but them bitches too scary. Your bitch chose me, you aint a pimp you a fairy"
5. White Girl (w/ E-40 & Juelz Santana) "Ya already know they eat nuts like a squirrel. Let me hit ya in your ass and bust nuts in your curl"
6. Do Your Time (w/ Luda, Beanie Sigel, & C-Murder) see subj head...
7. I Miss My Homies (w/ Master P & C-Murder) "So I just smoke my weed and try to clear my mind, I wish that I had the power to turn back the hands of time"
8. Akickdoe (w/ C-Murder) "Now get your mind right ninja and make a pimp rich, and never put trust in a TRICK ASS BITCH"
9. Front Back (w/ TI) "But I don't really wanna hit ya wit this hot thang - I just wanna get some brain in the turnin lane"
10. Get Throwed (w/ Jay-Z, Young Jeezy & Z-Ro) "Hittin the corner in the candy thang. Sittin on leather, grippin the grain"

Hoosiers play 13th game in Tempe on New Year's Eve

Our (7-5) Indiana Hoosiers have been invited to play in the Insight Bowl vs (6-6) Okay State Pokies. IU previously played in the (Copper) bowl in 1991, blanking Baylor 24-0. While the warm weather is nice, ending the 14-year drought is what makes this game so special. Students have been given the opportunity to order a free ticket, compliments of the IU Athletic Dept.
The final collegiate football game of 2007 will be broadcast on the NFL Network and will have a $1.2 million payout per team.

§ NFL Power Rankings

R.I.P. #21

1. Patriots - Their passing assault went from SUCK to SICK with the new additions
2. Colts - losing Freeney was a major blow, but the Champs are likely to bounce back
   
3. Cowboys - Most complete team in the NFC, should have no trouble in playoffs
   
4. Steelers - They have what it takes to win it all this year, but first must fend off the Browns
   
5. Packers - I remember the exact moment I jumped on the Pack's bandwagon this year: Tracy White's TD a minute into the season
6. Chargers - Rivers is this year what un-Sexy Rexy was last year: wide QB-rating range
   
7. Jaguars - a road matchup with the Colts will mean everything to this team, let's see if they show up
   
8. Seahawks - let's see if Holmgren is just using the Tony Dungy method: resting his perennial Pro Bowler
   
9. Saints - Reggie Bush is now the primary back, let's see if #25 can handle the load
10. Giants - very similar to the Jaguars: great D-line, solid offense, and need new coach
11. Eagles
12. Browns
    
13. Lions
14. Bears
    
15. Buccaneers
16. Titans
17. Redskins
18. Broncos
19. Texans
20. Bills
21. Vikings
22. Panthers
23. Chiefs
24. Bengals
25. Cardinals
26. Rams
27. Raiders
28. Ravens
    
29. 49ers
30. Falcons
31. Jets
32. Dolphins

IU's James Hardy and Greg Middleton named 2nd Team All-Americans

Sophomore Greg Middleton leads the nation with a school-record 16 sacks and has recorded multiple sacks in six games this season. Middleton's sack total is tied for the fourth-highest in Big Ten history.
Middleton and Junior James Hardy also earned 1st team All-Conference honors, while sophomore QB Kellen Lewis, K Austin Starr and DB Tracy Porter were chosen on the 2nd team.

Everyone's thankful we're Hoosiers

A.Starr and EJ respectively earn Players of the Week, celebrating THE greatest weekend in Bloomington of 2007. The football team will be playing their first Bowl game since '93, the basketball team is undefeated and atop the BigTen, and the Men's Soccer squad is ranked #4 overall headed into the Sweet16.
Non-Btown News: The Indiana Pacers, Notre Dame Irish AND Superbowl Champion Indianapolis Colts all halted their 2-week (too weak?) losing streaks. The problem is the Irish are on a good note, at 2-and-whatever. With Freeney done for the year and more nagging injuries for Jim O'Brien's frontcourt, it's still amateurs over pros (...amateur's overprose!).