Projecting the Rangers lineup

- Evan Grant analyzes the potential Rangers lineup through 2012. There's bits and pieces I agree with and there's parts of it that are way too far fetched to me, given who the owner is and the ridiculous business plan he has in place. Let's look at this year by year and subject by subject.

Rangers look down road to recovery


05:10 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 14, 2007
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News

ANALYSIS: The focus for the Rangers is squarely on the future. The big draft class was about the future. The flurry of deals at the trading deadline was about the future. The daily lineup – chock full of rookies such as Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz – is all about planning for the future.

So, what does the future hold?

Good question. Really good question.

Even before the deadline trades that sent Mark Teixeira, Eric Gagne and Kenny Lofton packing, Rangers owner Tom Hicks indicated 2009 might be the Rangers' next best shot at winning.

The Rangers' plan is to build from within and top things off, when applicable, with premium free agents, such as Torii Hunter and/or Carlos Zambrano, both of whom will be free this winter. The hope is, by sticking with the plan, the Rangers can build a long-term contender.

With six picks among the top 80 in June's amateur draft and a nine-player haul in the deadline deals, the Rangers have taken the initial steps to infuse their system with more raw talent – particularly if they come to agreements by Wednesday night with the unsigned draft-pick trio of Blake Beavan (No. 17 overall), Julio Borbon (No. 35) and Neil Ramirez (No. 44).

Now comes the tough part: Sorting it all out and determining what holes can be filled internally and what must come from the outside.

With that in mind, here are four issues the Rangers must tackle over the coming months and years:

Payroll: Before the Rangers do anything, the club must decide whether it's willing to increase payroll and by how much. The Rangers began the season with a payroll of $68 million. That was the lowest in the AL West, according to figures reported by USA Today. Los Angeles and Seattle were both above $100 million; Oakland was at $79 million. The MLB average was $73 million.

Had the Rangers kept Teixeira, Gagne and Lofton, those three would have taken up more than $25 million in pay next season. As it is, the Rangers have less than $45 million committed for 2008 and only two potential free agents (Brad Wilkerson and Sammy Sosa). In other words, the Rangers could have about $30 million or so to spend before they reach the major league average.

- Quick Take - What kills me is that the Texas Rangers have the lowest payroll in the AL West. Even frugal Oakland is outspending Texas!!!!! I can understand LA, I can't understand Seattle and Oakland. It's inexcusable. We're the 4th largest metro area in the nation.

So for me to believe Tom Hicks is going to look at that expected freed-up $30 million (that's just the net number from his 2008 payroll to the league average, we're not even talking what the amount would be if he spent beyond the average) and be gung-ho about spending it, I'd say you're high as a kite. I have no faith in that idiot.

Free-agent allocations: The Rangers' weaknesses in the majors and at the upper levels of the farm system are the lack of quality starting pitchers, center fielders and athletic corner outfielders.

If the Rangers choose to be big players in the free-agent market over the next couple of years, there are potential impact solutions available at all three spots. This winter will offer a strong crop of free-agent center fielders, starting with Andruw Jones and also including Prosper resident Hunter and Aaron Rowand. Left fielder Carl Crawford is scheduled to become available in 2010.

While the pitching pool will be thin, Zambrano is the kind of talent for whom the Rangers might be willing to expand their payroll beyond a comfortable level. Zambrano may very well stay in Chicago, but when Hicks wants to be persuasive, he can be very persuasive.

All it takes is lots of money. To sign both a top-notch center fielder and Zambrano would probably mean about a $35 million commitment for 2008 for the two players.

After 2008, lefty Johan Santana is free. If the Rangers' goal is to win in 2009, a rotation that starts with Zambrano and Santana would give them a legitimate start. Landing two current No. 1 starters would signify the commitment to attract elite free agents.

- Quick Take - Once again, this gets back to payroll and Tom Hicks making money. You think he's going to want to blow $52 million a year on 3 players? And push his payroll higher? No way. Maybe he's going to change his stance, but at this point in time, I just can't see him signing all 3.

Here's what's going to happen, he's going to penny pinch Hunter, selling the home town discount theory. He's going to assume Hunter will take less to come here since he lives here. And then he's going to bid just below the top bids for those other players with no intention of actually signing them and tell the Ranger fan, "hey we gave a competitive offer, it's the player's fault." Same song and dance. Typical Hicks crap.

Prediction - they don't even one of those guys as Hicks keeps preaching developing own talent, instead doing a healthy mix of both.

Catching: The Rangers must decide Saltalamacchia's best long-term role. The fact that he is going to get a long look behind the plate for the rest of the season indicates the club wouldn't have a problem with him unseating Gerald Laird for 2008.

But coming up behind Saltalamacchia are Taylor Teagarden and possibly Max Ramirez. It's conceivable one of them could be ready for the big leagues by 2009 or 2010. It's possible that could necessitate moving Saltalamacchia to first base in two or three years.

If so, are the Rangers better served by having him stick with first base and keeping Laird around as the regular catcher?

- Quick Take - Laird's time is done. Teagarden will be major league ready by 2009, Salty Dog will take over catching at least 75% of the time in 2008, and then move to 1B in 2009, with Teagarden catching.

Starting pitching: The Rangers seem to have more talented arms in their system than in some time. The key is moving them through the system at the proper pace.

Signing pitchers such as Zambrano and Santana would allow the Rangers to more slowly move their prospects along. Eric Hurley wouldn't have to be rushed to the big leagues in 2008. He could instead break into the bottom of the rotation in 2009 and start a regular procession of young pitchers moving up the ladder.

By 2012, it's not hard to envision Hurley, Omar Poveda and Beavan, Matt Harrison or Kasey Kiker holding the final three spots in the rotation behind Zambrano and Santana.

That would be a nice infusion of homegrown talent and premium free agents, which is just what the Rangers are aiming for.

- Quick Take - With the influx of pitching prospects, this will allow Hicks to claim they don't need free agent pitching and once again, puts all hope onto kids who have 50/50 shots of succeeding in the majors. Instead of taking cues from winning teams (having a healthy mix of top free agents and homegrown talent), Hicks will penny pinch and put all his eggs in the minor league development basket. All the while, saving more money and keeping the payroll in the bottom 1/3 of the league.

PROJECTED PAYROLL
Staff writer Evan Grant takes a guess at how much the Rangers' payroll could cost over the next five seasons (in millions):
2008 $85
2009 $100
2010 $110
2011 $112
2012 $115

- Quick Take - What's sad is, those payrolls are very manageable and within reason, and would still have the Rangers in the middle of the pack salary-wise. The teams that Evan Grant has thrown together within those payrolls would kick ass. The Rangers, finally with top flight starting pitching (Zambrano and Santana), top flight outfielders (Crawford and Hunter), and good young positional/pitching talent, would be immediate contenders. But of course, what are the f'ing odds of this actually happening?


PROJECTED LINEUPS
Staff writer Evan Grant takes a guess at how the Rangers' roster positions could shape up and turnover during the next five seasons. (Free-agent pickups in italics)

2008
C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 1B: Brad Wilkerson, 2B: Ian Kinsler, 3B: Hank Blalock, SS: Michael Young

LF: Frank Catalanotto/Marlon Byrd, CF: Torii Hunter , RF: Nelson Cruz, DH: Jason Botts

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Kevin Millwood, Kason Gabbard, Brandon McCarthy, Vicente Padilla, RP: Akinori Otsuka


2009
C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 1B: Ben Broussard, 2B: Ian Kinsler, 3B: Hank Blalock, SS: Michael Young

LF: Frank Catalanotto/Marlon Byrd, CF: Torii Hunter , RF: Nelson Cruz, DH: Jason Botts

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Johan Santana, Kevin Millwood, Brandon McCarthy, Eric Hurley, RP: C.J. Wilson


2010
C: Taylor Teagarden, 1B: Ben Broussard, 2B: Ian Kinsler, 3B: Chris Davis, SS: Michael Young

LF: Carl Crawford, CF: Torii Hunter, RF: John Mayberry Jr, DH: Jason Botts

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Johan Santana, Kevin Millwood, Brandon McCarthy, Eric Hurley, RP: C.J. Wilson


2011
C: Taylor Teagarden, 1B: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 2B: Ian Kinsler, 3B: Chris Davis, SS: Michael Young

LF: Carl Crawford, CF: Torii Hunter, RF: John Mayberry Jr, DH: Jason Botts

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Johan Santana, Brandon McCarthy, Eric Hurley, Matt Harrison, RP: C.J. Wilson


2012
C: Taylor Teagarden, 1B: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 2B: Ian Kinsler, 3B: Chris Davis, SS: Elvis Andrus

LF: Carl Crawford, CF: Torii Hunter, RF: John Mayberry Jr., DH: Michael Young

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Johan Santana, Eric Hurley, Matt Harrison, Omar Poveda RP: C.J. Wilson


- Final Analysis - These teams would be just great. The 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation, the development of CJ Wilson into a top closer, the influx of quality pitching at the back end of the rotation, and the top positional talent that would trickle in year by year, would have the Rangers in contention every year.

But how can you trust Tom Hicks to splurge for difference makers in the Free Agent market? We all know his stop-gap habits in signing players. That's why I look at this as nothing more than a pipe dream.






- Nebraska News/Notes




- One of the few freshmen expected to make an impact this year. Quentin Castille, from Texas. Sounds like a Cody Glenn starter kit with his running style, size, and background. This isn't a bad thing at all, I love Cody Glenn and complain all the time about the coaching staff not utilizing him enough. Hopefully they don't waste the first 3 years of Castille's career like they have Glenn's.

Freshman I-back Castille bowls over teammates
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 - 09:54:50 am CDT


Teammates have practically begged him to get out his “Truck Stick.”

Ah, the daunting “Truck Stick.” In the “Madden NFL 2006” video game, the “Truck Stick” feature allows an offensive player to lower his shoulder and break a tackle -- a burst of brute strength that ranks among Nebraska I-back Quentin Castille’s foremost attributes in real life.

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound true freshman brought out his “Truck Stick” during scrimmage action Monday, plowing through a backup safety after breaking into the open field on a stretch play.

“It happened about 20 yards after he got past the line of scrimmage,” Nebraska wide receiver Nate Swift said with admiration.

Veteran Husker players are raving about the big back from La Porte, Texas, which is near Houston. With NU junior I-backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn nursing injuries, Castille has gotten his share of carries in recent practices. And he’s done enough with those chances that coaches are basically guaranteeing playing time for him this season, most likely in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

But it might be a mistake to place limits on Castille, who arrived in Lincoln in June weighing 265 pounds.

“He fits the profile you look for in a big back; he can run people over,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. “That’s what he does best. ... When you’re down in the short-yardage and goal-line situations, it’s good to pound the big backs.”

Castille also has good speed -- in the 4.5-second range for the 40-yard dash, he said.

Said Callahan: “Whatever he needs to do, he can do it. He’s got skills. It’s going to be exciting to watch him develop over the next four and five years. I think he’s a big-time back. He has a lot of talent and a lot of want-to.”

Added Swift: “He’s like Cody Glenn. He has the quickness, but he also likes to put his head down and hit a guy every once in awhile. ... He’s going to be one of those tough-nosed backs.”

Rickey Thenarse probably would attest to Castille’s toughness. The 6-1, 190-pound Thenarse was the victim of Castille’s “Truck Stick” Monday at Memorial Stadium. It’s unfortunate that Nebraska running backs coach Randy Jordan missed the collision. He was working with his other two freshman I-backs, Roy Helu and Marcus Mendoza, when Castille bolted into the secondary.

Of the Huskers’ three true freshman backs, Castille has generated by far the most buzz through nine preseason practices.

“I just heard the ‘oohs’ of (Castille’s) teammates,” Jordan said of the “Truck Stick” run. “The only thing I saw was the aftermath.”

Playing last season in La Porte High School’s spread offense, Castille rushed for 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging nearly eight yards per carry while running mostly up the middle. He also caught 12 passes, including two for touchdowns. All told, he rushed for more than 4,000 yards in high school and was ranked by Rivals.com No. 2 among the nation’s prep fullbacks. He chose NU over Louisville.

Castille said he sees his running style resembling that of former Nebraska I-back Lawrence Phillips. If need be, Castille said, he’ll try to juke a defender. But he has stories of running over them, such as the time he stepped on a player’s facemask en route to the end zone.

“That was pretty nasty,” Castille said.

As one might expect from a freshman, Castille has some learning to do.

“Sometimes you want to kiss him and hug him, and sometimes you just look at him like, ‘Man, what in the wide world of sports are you doing?’ But he has a lot of athletic ability,” Jordan said. “He’s going to help our team this year. He’s a tremendous kid -- everything we thought he’d be. We’re going to find a role for him.”

Jordan thinks ahead toward cold-weather months -- nobody’s going to want to tackle Castille, the coach said.

“The thing he gives us is a tremendous presence up the middle,” Jordan said. “If he continues to develop, he can add a little bit more (to his repertoire). But he is a freshman. So you have to take it piece by piece.”

Castille isn’t exactly enthralled with his practice performances to this point. In fact, he said he thought he would “do a whole better” than he has so far. After all, he came from Texas, where football is king. He didn’t anticipate college players being markedly better than the ones he encountered in high school, he said.

However, he hasn’t had much trouble with the physical contact part of the college game.

Asked if his teammates hit hard, Castille said, “Some of them do. But me being a big back, it doesn’t really faze me too much. I won’t be intimidated by nobody.”


- Monday Practice Report

NU Notes: Huskers hoping to have Lucky, Glenn practicing today
BY RICH KAIPUST AND STEVE TAKABA
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU



LINCOLN - Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan and assistant Randy Jordan said they hope to have I-backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn back at practice today.

Lucky has been out since Saturday with a possible concussion. Callahan said Lucky is still being tested but could be cleared in time for the Huskers' 10th practice.

Glenn has missed several days because of leg problems. With both juniors sidelined, sophomore Major Culbert and freshmen Quentin Castille, Marcus Mendoza and Roy Helu have seen more valuable practice time.

"It's a good thing and a bad thing," Callahan said. "It hurts that those kids are out, but it's a good thing that these young backs get an opportunity to step up and make a lot of plays, and get a lot of reps and exposure. That's really helped them."

Plenty of contact at practices

As most injury problems have been kept to a minimum, Callahan said NU has been able to scrimmage "pretty heavily" since getting into full pads for the first time Friday.

"It's probably the most contact I can think of us having in the last three or four years," he said.

Actually, Callahan said, the contact has been heavy for both for regular drills and scrimmage situations. It's helped to be a mature team, he said, that knows how to handle it.

"We know how to practice and we can work against each other well when we need to go live," he said. "It's clean — that's what I like about it. They've learned how to practice well and learned how to compete against each other well."

Some goal-line scrimmaging was worked into Monday's practice. Guard Matt Slauson said the offense held the upper hand, although there was no extra running by the defense after practice to serve as proof.

"I'm kind of upset about it," Slauson said.

Freshman linemen are learning fast

Slauson put in a good word for the progress of freshmen Jaivorio Burkes, Marcel Jones and Mike Masin on the NU offensive line, saying they've picked up everything faster than he did even though he played as a true freshman in 2005.

"It took me months, and they already got it," Slauson said. "I like to think I'm a smart guy and I studied all the time, but I didn't pick it up as fast. That's awesome for them because they're going to get a chance to play a lot sooner than they would if they were picking it up at a normal rate."

Still, the three are likely redshirt candidates. Burkes and Jones are scholarship recruits, and Masin is a walk-on out of Lincoln Southeast.

Swift neutral on QB decision

Want to know who Nebraska's starting quarterback is going to be? Don't ask Nate Swift.

Swift, one of the Huskers' top returning receivers, wasn't playing favorites Monday when talking about the quarterback competition. Sam Keller is expected by many to win the starting job.

"It's good, I mean it's not much different than any other quarterback," Swift said of receiving passes from Keller. "They all throw a great ball, and Sam throws a great ball, too."

When asked to handicap the QB race, Swift politely sidestepped the matter.

"I don't know," he said. "We're going to have a good camp. It's all coming together now."


- The NoTex Rant Top 25

#25 - Missouri
#24 - Hawaii
#23 - Oklahoma St.
#22 - Alabama
#21 - Texas Tech
#20 - South Carolina



#19 - Boston College

Why would Tom O'Brien leave a program which he guided to eight bowl games (and seven straight post-season wins) to go to a school in the same conference with no real tradition, in what might appear to be a lateral move?
Money talks, and O'Brien, who was unhappy with his salary at BC and no doubt seduced by better facilities, a more lenient academic setting and a broader recruiting base, left Chestnut Hill for North Carolina State and a new challenge. While the move surprised many, it left Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo with a tough job. He needed to find a new head man who wouldn't demand a multi-million dollar contract, but who had the fire and talent to keep BC winning games — it has averaged 8.8 wins over the past six years — within a somewhat restrictive setting.

The winner of the sweepstakes was Jeff Jagodzinski, the former Packers' offensive coordinator who spent a couple of years (1997-98) directing the Eagle attack. Though he doesn't have a big name and there were rumors in Green Bay that his departure was not greeted with wailing and gnashing of teeth, Jagodzinski will likely satisfy the sector of Eagles faithful who weren't always completely thrilled with O'Brien's somewhat conservative offensive philosophy.

The biggest question is whether "Coach Jags" can continue the success and perhaps even build on it, while also adding a bit more pizzazz, with academic requirements that are stiffer than many in the league. Inheriting a team with 17 returning starters, including All-ACC QB Matt Ryan, is a nice start, so there's not likely to be much of a grace period, if any.

This is a good enough team to get to the ACC Championship game, and it has the right makeup to possibly win the whole thing, if Ryan can ease the coaching transition and make everyone around him better. O'Brien instilled a belief that the program could and should win no matter what. Now those beliefs should carry over, even if the leader isn't around anymore.

What to look for offense: BC's offense averaged 400-plus yards a game while Jagodzinski coordinated the offense a few years ago, but don't expect a wide-open attack. Ryan's strong play will allow for a productive passing game, but Jagodzinski's roots as an O-line coach will mandate a strong running profile with a new zone run blocking scheme. The return of top backs L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender will provide more balance and won't put the entire offense on Ryan's shoulders.

What to look for on defense: The decision to keep defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani was a good one. He'll direct a group that returns the entire front seven, which made play after play after play in opposing backfields. A secondary that produced 21 interceptions last year must replace two starters, but overall this should again be a physical, stingy outfit, particularly against the run.

The team will be much better if ... one of the receivers can become a big-play threat. One of the offense's biggest problems has been its inability to burn teams on the deep ball. Kevin Challenger is solid, but he isn't necessarily a home run hitter. Junior Brandon Robinson or sophomore Clarence Megwa have potential and could provide an instant upgrade.

The Schedule: Jagodzinski has a good team returning, with the potential to get off to a big start if the Eagles can get by a road trip to Georgia Tech and the season opener against defending ACC champion Wake Forest. Army, UMass and Bowling Green in a three-game lull should get the team fully tuned up for an absolutely brutal second half of the year. It doesn't get much tougher than at Notre Dame, at Virginia Tech, Florida State, at Maryland, at Clemson, Miami. Good luck, rook.

Best Offensive Player: Senior QB Matt Ryan. After battling painful foot and ankle injuries, a healthy Ryan returns to the Heights for his final season as the league's most experienced quarterback and a Player of the Year candidate. He's got a next-level arm and Brett Favre-like toughness, to go along with a new passer-friendly offense that's going to supercharge his numbers.

Best Defensive Player: Senior CB DeJuan Tribble. Senior linebacker Jolonn Dunbar will lead the team in tackles, and senior tackle B.J. Raji is the top pro prospect, but Tribble is the star of the defense. He led the team in interceptions, and with a shaky secondary returning, he'll be vital at erasing one side of the field.

Key player to a successful season: Senior RBs L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. The 1-2 tandem will likely swing more towards Callender, who fits the new coaching style and blocking scheme better. Together, the veterans have to add more pop to an offense that became too reliant on Ryan when things got tight. While these two backs aren't necessarily special, they should provide far more balance if the new coaching staff commits to running the ball.

The season will be a success if ... the steady winning tradition continues with the new coaching staff. With ACC road games against Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Clemson, not to mention the home dates with Wake Forest, Florida State and Miami, an ACC title is likely out of the question. However, for a program that hasn't won fewer than seven games since 1998, anything less than a bowl season and a strong run in the ACC title race will be a disappointment.

Key game: Sept. 15 at Georgia Tech. Could this be an ACC title game preview? Probably not, considering the schedule, but if BC can win its opening two games against Wake Forest and NC State, it'll be 3-0 with a win in Atlanta. It might be a must-win, considering the next ACC game is at Virginia Tech over a month later.

2006 Fun Stats:

Red zone scores: Boston College 37 of 46 (80%); Opponents 24 of 35 (69%)

First half scoring: Boston College 194; Opponents 107

Kickoff return average: Boston College 25.9 yards; Opponents 17.1 yards

Boston College Eagles
Team Information
Head coach: Jeff Jagodzinski
1st season
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 18, Def. 23, ST 3
Lettermen Lost: 17

Ten Best Players
1. QB Matt Ryan, Sr.
2. CB DeJuan Tribble, Sr.
3. DT B.J. Raji, Sr.
4. LB Jolonn Dunbar, Sr.
5. OT Gosder Cherilus, Sr.
6. OG Ryan Poles, Sr.
7. LB Brian Toal, Sr.*
8. FS Jamie Silva, Sr.
9. DE Nick Larkin, Sr.
10. LB Tyronne Pruitt, Sr.
*if healthy

2007 Schedule
Sept. 1 Wake Forest
Sept. 8 NC State
Sept. 15 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 22 Army
Sept. 29 Massachusetts
Oct. 6 Bowling Green
Oct. 13 at Notre Dame
Oct. 25 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 3 Florida State
Nov. 10 at Maryland
Nov. 17 at Clemson
Nov. 24 Miami



- Picks O'the day

Yesterday - 0-0
YTD -

It's Nebraska Monday

- A ton of ink on Nebraska to get through.


- The San Antonio paper looks at the 2007 team.

Football: Nebraska's top task - Replace lost starters

Web Posted: 08/11/2007 10:18 PM CDT

Tim Griffin
Express-News Staff Writer

Bill Callahan has learned that changing the culture of the Nebraska program isn't easy.
Even after leading the Cornhuskers to their first outright Big 12 North title since 1999 last season, questions continue to dog the Nebraska coach as he tries to return the program to its previous level as a national-title contender.

Nebraska has improved in victories in each of Callahan's three seasons as the head coach. But the Cornhuskers must replace 11 starters from last year — the most daunting rebuilding task in the North Division.

"I think we're right on schedule, right on track," Callahan said. "The challenge this year is to maintain and improve on that."

The Cornhuskers enter the season ranked No. 19 in the USA Today coaches' poll. It's the highest preseason ranking for Callahan's team, yet many don't expect the defending North Division champions to beat out Missouri for the title.

"We've been knocking on the door and hanging with the big dogs," linebacker Corey McKeon said. "This is the year for us to go out and start beating them."

The biggest initial question is at quarterback, where the Cornhuskers must replace record-setting starter Zac Taylor. Arizona State transfer Sam Keller and junior Joe Ganz are engaged in a tight battle that will play out through fall practices.

The Cornhuskers also must rebuild their defensive front, which lost all four starters from last season. They also must hope for an upgrade from smallish cornerbacks, who were susceptible to big plays from tall opposing receivers.

"I don't even read that garbage," defensive end Barry Turner said. "I haven't paid attention to any preseason rankings. I just play football."

The rest of his teammates will be challenged to follow him.

The Cornhuskers will face arguably the toughest schedule in the North Division. They host Southern California and travel to Missouri in the first month of the season. Both opponents have a week off before those games to prepare. Nebraska also travels to defending ACC champion Wake Forest in its second game and later will travel to Texas and Colorado.

"When you're facing as tough a schedule as we're going to be doing, our focus and concentration has to be spot on, week in and week out," Callahan said. "We can't have a lapse."

Callahan appeared to have the program pointed in the right direction late last season after claiming the division title. Nebraska finished strongly as it swept all five North rivals.

But the season ended on a sour note. The Cornhuskers struggled in a convincing Big 12 championship game loss to Oklahoma. And they outplayed Auburn for much of the AT&T Cotton Bowl before the game turned on a botched fake punt.

Two key contributors will be missing when the season begins. Top cornerback Zackary Bowman isn't expected to be ready for the Sept. 1 opener against Nevada as he recovers from offseason knee surgery. Top deep-receiving threat Maurice Purify also will miss the first game — he was suspended after a DWI charge.

While some media members are discounting Nebraska's hopes of a North Division repeat, Callahan is excited about that possibility.

"I love this football team, and I think it's capable of doing some great things," he said. "Now, we just need to go out and take care of it on the field."






Football: Keller eager to play on Saturdays again

Web Posted: 08/11/2007 10:21 PM CDT

Tim Griffin
Express-News Staff Writer

Sitting on the sidelines was more difficult than Sam Keller ever could have imagined.
The Nebraska quarterback sat out last year after transferring from Arizona State before the start of the season. As he worked with the Cornhuskers' scout team, unable to play on Saturdays, Keller realized how much he was missing.

"I just want to get into battle with my new teammates," Keller said. "That's what I'm hungry for. I just want to beat somebody. I can't wait. That's what my sense of urgency is."

Keller is battling with Joe Ganz in a tight race for the Cornhuskers' starting quarterback job. Coach Bill Callahan says he will name his starter the week before Nebraska's Sept. 1 opener against Nevada. Most believe it will be a shock if it's anybody but Keller, who was named by the Big 12 media as the conference's preseason newcomer of the year.

"The most important thing is that I have faith in the coaches," Keller said. "I trust them, and I think I can also say that Joe does, too. We're going to have a good team regardless. And they have to make the decision on which (quarterback) they think can take us the farthest."

Keller was expected to be a prime contributor at Arizona State, where he earned game MVP honors in the Sun Devils' 2004 Sun Bowl victory over Purdue. He passed for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games the next season before injuring his hand.

He was named Arizona State's starter in practice last summer, but lost the job two days later when former coach Dirk Koetter decided to go with Rudy Carpenter. After Koetter was fired last season, he said he made a mistake with the controversial benching.

But it was too late for Keller, who opted to leave the Sun Devils only a couple of days after Koetter's announcement. After nearly transferring to Oklahoma, Keller decided on Nebraska. The Cornhuskers had an opening at the position with the graduation of Zac Taylor.

"I didn't have time to sit around on my butt, mull things over and feel sorry for myself," Keller said. "I had to stay or go. I decided to go, and it ended up being the best decision I've ever made."





- More on Keller from the Washington Post.

After Transferring, Keller Wants to Be Big Red's No. 1

By Steve Yanda
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 13, 2007; Page E01

As he enters the final season of his collegiate football career, Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller finds his current situation very similar to the one he was in near the end of last summer: in a competition for the starter's job.

This time he is competing with junior Joe Ganz.

"We have two able-bodied guys who can get the job done," Keller said.

But the last thing Keller wants is a repeat of the way things unfolded last summer, when he was in the hunt for the starting job at Arizona State.

The race was down to Keller and then-sophomore Rudy Carpenter. Keller had completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,165 yards through the first seven games in 2005 before he injured his thumb and missed the rest of the season. Carpenter stepped in to lead the nation in passing efficiency (68 percent) and threw for 2,273 yards.

So when then-Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter made what he said was his final decision -- Keller would be the starter -- it was easy for him to say this: "We couldn't go wrong. I told you guys that all along. We couldn't make a bad decision."

As it turned out, he could go wrong, and he could make a bad decision. The day after he gave Keller the job, Koetter changed his mind and named Carpenter the starter. Less than a week later, Keller transferred. Koetter was fired at the end of the year.

"Some players were involved [at Arizona State] that backed Rudy, but it was a business decision," Keller said. Carpenter "had three years left to play, and I only had one. I was in the dark."

Keller still has only a year of eligibility remaining, and he still is fighting a younger player for the starting job.

"I'm no stranger to this; it's just something that comes with the quarterback position," he said. "But you can't lose when you become a Husker, and it feels good to be able to say that."

Challenging Keller this year is Ganz, who has three years of experience in Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan's West Coast offense. Ganz said he believes his knowledge of the playbook will be a big advantage but understands it does not guarantee him anything.

"There's always going to be competition at quarterback, and it's not in my nature to shy away from it," he said. "It's going to be a tough battle."

So tough that Callahan repeatedly has said he will not name a starter until the week before the season opener Sept. 1 against Nevada. Though Callahan declined to compare the two quarterbacks, Ganz did not mind at all. The junior said he is faster, more able to make something happen with his feet if a play breaks down. Keller, according to Ganz, is bigger and a more traditional pocket passer.

Also in the mix is sophomore Zac Lee, who transferred to Nebraska mid-year after playing the 2006 season at San Francisco City College. During spring practices, Lee was hobbled by a knee injury that he suffered in his final junior college game, but he has been cleared for full contact work.

Callahan did allow the crux of what eventually will separate the starter from the backup.

"We're looking for someone who can manage the system and maintain the profile of a great decision-maker," he said. "We want a leader who can put the team on his back and carry it."

Last season, those tasks fell to Zac Taylor, who led the Cornhuskers to a 9-5 record, a Big 12 North title and an invitation to the Cotton Bowl. But Taylor could not produce the one thing Callahan, in his fourth year at the helm, might need most: a signature win over a top 10 team. The Cornhuskers were 0-4 against such opponents in 2006.

Ganz said he and Keller are confident the starting nod will go toward them, which he believes raises the team's level of play. Keller could not agree more.

"I plan on playing, and I plan on leading this team to where it wants to go," Keller said. "I'm not going anywhere."





- Practice Report

Huskers Complete First Week of Fall Camp

Lincoln --- The Nebraska football team finished the first week of fall camp on Sunday with a 2 ½ hour afternoon practice, splitting time between Memorial Stadium and inside the Hawks Championship Center. The Huskers moved inside during a water break because of possible inclement weather entering the Lincoln area.

NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson noted that the practice – Nebraska’s eighth of the fall -- gave the Huskers another solid day of work in preparation for the season opener on Sept. 1 against Nevada.

“I think we have had a really aggressive installation, and we’ve really pushed our kids mentally as well as physically and they have done an excellent job staying up with the installation and really executing at a high level,” Watson said. “Like every year or every time you go out (on the practice field), you have little things you have to make better; the little things, fundamentals, the little technical things, and we have to tie that stuff down. But overall the guys are having an excellent camp right now.”

With the first week under their belt, the Huskers look to move into the next phase of installations on both sides of the ball starting Monday.

“Starting next week we will have some situational stuff that we will continue to finish up with, and once we’re done with that then we will start to home in on our base plan and keep repeating and repeating,” Watson said. “We’ll work on the little things, the technique and the fundamental things. We have really been aggressive with the installation and when you’re that aggressive with installation, there are a lot of assignments and things buzzing in (the players’) heads. So we’ll just keep pounding it and go back over and over the same things.”

Nebraska returns for its ninth workout of the fall on Monday when the Huskers have a single practice from 3-5:30 p.m.



College football: Nebraska report

Web Posted: 08/11/2007 11:50 PM CDT

Tim Griffin
Express-News Staff Writer

Names you should know

Marlon Lucky

Specs: Running back — 6-foot, 210 pounds, Jr., North Hollywood, Calif.

Before: A top national recruit who played a critical role in the Cornhuskers' offense the past two seasons. Rushed for 728 yards and added 32 receptions for 383 yards as a multidimensional threat out of the backfield.

After:Should emerge as the Cornhuskers' featured back, as only he and junior Cody Glenn return from last season. If he remains healthy, Lucky should be one of the Big 12's most useful running and receiving threats.

Ndamukong Suh

Specs: Nose tackle — 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, So., Portland, Ore. (Grant)

Before: A precocious early developer who contributed 19 tackles (seven for losses) and 31/2 sacks last season as a freshman.

After: Nebraska coaches view him as their strongest inside defender and one who could evolve into an All-Big 12-caliber player this year with continued improvement.

2007 schedule

Date, Opponent, Time

Sept. 1, Nevada, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 8, at Wake Forest, 11a.m.

Sept. 15, Southern Cal, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22, Ball State, TBA

Sept. 29, Iowa State, TBA

Oct. 6, at Missouri, TBA

Oct. 13, Oklahoma State, TBA

Oct. 20, Texas A&M, TBA

Oct. 27, at Texas, TBA

Nov. 3, at Kansas, TBA

Nov. 10, Kansas State, TBA

Nov. 23, at Colorado, 11 a.m.

2006 results (9-5, 6-2)

Date, Opponent, Score

Sept. 2, Louisiana Tech, W, 49-10

Sept. 9, Nicholls State, W, 56-7

Sept. 16, at Southern Cal, L, 10-28

Sept. 23, Troy, W, 56-0

Sept. 30, Kansas, W, 39-32 (OT)

Oct. 7, at Iowa State, W, 28-14

Oct. 14, at Kansas State, W, 21-3

Oct. 21, Texas, L, 20-22

Oct. 28, at Oklahoma St., L, 29-41

Nov. 4, Missouri, W, 34-20

Nov. 11, at Texas A&M, W, 28-27

Nov. 24, Colorado, W, 37-14

Dec. 2, Oklahoma *, L, 7-21

Jan. 1, Auburn +, L, 14-17

* Big 12 championship at Kansas City, Mo.

+ AT&T Cotton Bowl at Dallas


2007 analysis
The Cornhuskers aren't an overwhelming choice to repeat as North Division champions, mainly because of their unsettled quarterback situation. But if Sam Keller plays to his past level, the Cornhuskers could soar to unmatched levels in recent seasons. Look for them to struggle in early season games against Southern California and Missouri before closing strong.

2006 analysis

After a fitful start to coach Bill Callahan's tenure, the Cornhuskers returned to the Big 12 championship game for the first time since 1999. Quarterback Zac Taylor directed a 6-1 start. But the Cornhuskers' momentum was derailed by season-ending losses in the Big 12 title game and the AT&T Cotton Bowl that left some wondering whether Callahan ever will develop the consistent championship program of past Nebraska coaches.

Two-deep roster

* — Returning starter

OFFENSE

Pos., Name, Cl., Ht., Wt., Hometown (H.S. or college)

WR, * Terrence Nunn, Sr., 6-0, 190, Houston (Cypress Falls)

WR Frantz Hardy, Sr., 6-1, 190, Miami, Fla. (Butler Co. C.C.)

LT, Carl Nicks, Sr., 6-5, 330, Salinas, Calif. (New Mexico State)

LT, Mike Smith, RFr., 6-6, 285, Las Vegas, Nev. (Palo Verde)

LG, *Andy Christensen, Jr., 6-3, 300, Bennington, Neb.

LG, Keith Williams, RFr., 6-5, 310, Florissant, Mo. (McClure North)

C, *Brett Byford, Sr., 6-3, 300, Hartselle, Ala.

C, Victory Haines, Sr., 6-7, 290, Logan, Utah (Snow College)

RG, *Matt Slauson, Jr., 6-5, 335, Colorado Springs, Colo. (AF Prep)

RG, Mike Huff, So., 6-4, 300, Ralston, Neb.

RT, Lydon Murtha, Jr., 6-7, 335, Hutchinson, Minn.

RT, D.J. Jones, RFr., 6-5, 310, Omaha, Neb. (Central)

TE, *J.B. Phillips, Sr., 6-4, 245, Coffeyville (Heritage)

TE, Josh Mueller, Sr., 6-5 265, Columbus, Neb. (Lakeview)

WR, *Maurice Purify, Sr., 6-4, 220, Eureka, Calif. (San Fran. City Coll.)

WR, Nate Swift, Jr., 6-2, 200, Hutchinson, Minn.

QB, Sam Keller, Sr., 6-4, 230, Danville, Calif. (Arizona State)

QB, Joe Ganz, Jr., 6-1, 200, Palos Heights, Ill. (Stagg)

IB, Marlon Lucky, Jr., 6-0, 210, North Hollywood, Calif.

IB, Cody Glenn, Jr., 6-1, 230, Rusk

FB, Matt Senske, Sr., 6-3, 245, Bellevue, Neb. (East)

FB, Andy Sand, Sr., 6-2, 230, Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)

DEFENSE

Pos., Name, Cl., Ht., Wt., Hometown (H.S. or college)

DE, Zach Potter, Jr., 6-7, 280, Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)

DE, Pierre Allen, RFr., 6-5, 265, Denver, Colo. (Thomas Jefferson)

DT, Ty Steinkuhler, Jr., 6-3, 285, Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)

DT, Kevin Dixon, Jr., 6-3, 295, Vero Beach, Fla. (Garden City C.C.)

NT, Ndamukong Suh, So., 6-4, 305, Portland, Ore. (Grant)

NT, Shukree Barfield, Jr., 6-4, 310, Camden, N.J. (Garden City C.C.)

DE, Barry Turner Jr., 6-3, 250, Antioch, Tenn. (Brentwood Acad.)

DE, Clayton Sievers, Jr., 6-4, 245, Elkhorn, Neb.

SLB, *Bo Ruud Sr., 6-3, 235, Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)

SLB, Kyle Moore, RFr., 6-2, 225, Elkhorn, Neb.

MLB, *Corey McKeon, Sr., 6-1, 225, Naperville, Ill. (North)

MLB, Phillip Dillard, So., 6-1, 250, Tulsa, Okla. (Jenks)

WLB, Steve Octavien Sr., 6-0, 240, Naples, Fla. (W.R. Harper College)

WLB, Lance Brandenburgh, Sr., 6-1 230, Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

CB, *Zackary Bowman, Sr., 6-2, 200, Anchorage, Alaska (N.M. Military)

CB, *Andre Jones, Sr., 6-0, 190, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Kentucky)

SS, Larry Asante, So., 6-1, 210, Alexandria, Va. (Coffeyville C.C.)

SS, Rickey Thenarse, So., 6-0, 190, Los Angeles, Calif. (Jordan)

FS, *Tierre Green, Sr., 6-1, 200, Omaha, Neb. (Benson)

FS, Bryan Wilson, Sr., 6-1, 205 Granada Hills, Calif. (Pierre Coll.)

SPECIALISTS

Pos., Name, Cl., Ht., Wt., Hometown (H.S. or college)

PK, Adi Kunalic, Fr., 6-0, 175, Fort Worth (North Crowley)

PK, Jake Wesch, Jr., 6-1, 200, North Bend, Neb.

P *Dan Titchener, Jr., 6-0, 200, Cheyenne, Wyo. (East)

No other punter on roster

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Bill Callahan

Assistant coaches: Shawn Watson (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Kevin Cosgrove (defensive coordinator/linebackers), Bill Busch (safeties/special teams), Phil Elmassian (cornerbacks), Ted Gilmore (receivers/recruiting coordinator), Randy Jordan (running backs), Joe Rudolph (tight ends), Dennis Wagner (offensive line), Buddy Wyatt (defensive line)




- The NoTex Rant Top 25

#25 - Missouri
#24 - Hawaii
#23 - Oklahoma St.
#22 - Alabama
#21 - Texas Tech



#20 - South Carolina

Just imagine what Steve Spurrier could do at South Carolina if he had a slew of top-flight talent.
We'll all know in a few years, once his tremendous 2007 recruiting class matures, but for now the Ol' Ball Coach will have to keep cranking out ultra-competitive teams, despite being outgunned at most positions by the SEC heavyweights. Even with fans expecting to wait a little while longer for USC to make its big run, it might not take much for the Gamecocks to shock the world this season and represent the East in the SEC championship game for the first time.

The program has been agonizingly close to turning the corner before, but it hasn't been able to come up with a streak of wins to make it happen. Last year was the epitome of frustration, losing to Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, and most painfully, to Florida, by a touchdown or less. The hope is for a more mature, more experienced team to start finding more ways to win the tight games.

After stunning two of the SEC East's big three in 2005 (beating Florida and Tennessee and losing to Georgia by two), USC found out once again just how hard it is to be consistent in the toughest conference in the country. It didn't get the same big breaks and key plays of a year earlier, but this year's team should be good enough to make its own good fortune.

With the exception of corner Fred Bennett, all the key starters return to a defense that was better than the statistics might show, while the offense has a veteran backfield, decent tackles, and enough promise to expect better overall production.

And then, of course, there's Spurrier, who's been relegated, somewhat, to the back burner when it comes to attention (outside of having to fire out an Under Armour "Click, Clack" now and again), considering all the SEC's big coaching stories. He's still one of the elite college coaches, and now he has his guys in place. If he works his coaching magic, USC should be the SEC's big sleeper for the title.

What to watch for on offense: Blake Mitchell is in his third year in the Spurrier system, and if the end of 2006 was any indication, he should be ready to break out despite the loss of top target Sidney Rice. The recruiting class, led by JUCO transfer Larry Freeman, is loaded with ready-made receivers to help out Kenny McKinley, so if Mitchell can be remotely consistent and can make the newcomers better, the Gamecock offense should finally start funnin' 'n' gunnin'.

What to watch for on defense: The front seven. The offense will get all the attention from the fans and media, but the SEC coaches will worry more about Jasper Brinkley and the Gamecock defense that'll attack from game one. The D will give up yards, but it's stingy when it comes to giving up points. The secondary is full of unknowns that'll quickly get recognition as the season goes on..

The team will be far better if ... it gets more out of the return game. There's a razor-thin margin between a good season and a great one in the SEC. A team like South Carolina, which might not be quite as talented as teams like Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, must do all the little things right, including returns. After only averaging 7.74 yards on punt returns and 19.16 yards per kickoff return last year, the Gamecocks could reap great rewards from improvement here.

The Schedule: It would be nice if there were more tough games at home early, but the games against UL Lafayette, South Carolina State, Mississippi State and Kentucky should form a nice base of wins, if all goes according to plan. Florida and Clemson come to Columbia to close out the season, after a brutal two-game road run at Tennessee and Arkansas. The two early road games, at Georgia and LSU, certainly aren't easy, but a date at North Carolina should make up for it.

Best Offensive Player: Senior RB Cory Boyd. Mitchell might be the star of the offense this year, but Boyd is the best all-around player. After spending all of 2005 off the squad after violating team rules, Boyd got back in the mix early last season and finished as the team's leading rusher with 823 yards while finishing third on the team in receptions. He's a tough between-the-tackles runner who should be the workhorse of the ground game. If he can take advantage of defenses geared up to stop the Gamecock passing game, he should be a lock for 1,000 yards.

Best Defensive Player: Senior LB Jasper Brinkley. If he's not one of the three best linebackers in America, he's not far off. The former JUCO transfer had a tremendous first year with 107 tackles, often doing the job by himself. He's a hard-nosed hitter in the middle who's also an elite pass rusher when he gets an opening.

Key player to a successful season: Junior WR Kenny McKinley. Sidney Rice put up most of his big numbers against the dregs on the schedule, but he finished his career with a flourish and was the number one concern of every defensive coordinator. Now it'll be up to McKinley to be the number one target. He has the hands and the experience to shine in the Spurrier offense, but he's more likely to be a steady go-to guy than an explosive star.

The season will be a success if ... USC wins nine games. This team is going to be far better than it's been over the last several seasons, but forget about winning the East, given the brutal SEC road slate. Getting to the nine-win mark is possible, even though it might take a bowl win to do it, as long as there aren't any slip-ups against the mediocre and there's at least one major win over a team like Georgia, Tennessee, LSU or Florida.

Key game: Sept. 8 at Georgia. The Gamecocks have battled Georgia hard over the last several years, but have lost five straight in the series. With a nightmare at LSU coming up next on the SEC slate, USC has to pull off the win between the hedges to likely avoid an 0-2 start and show that the program has made the turnaround under Spurrier.

2006 Fun Stats:

South Carolina 1st quarter scoring: 59; 2nd quarter scoring: 125

Third down conversions: South Carolina 72-151 (48%); Opponents 60-163 (37%)

Third quarter scoring: South Carolina 75; Opponents 26



- What has happened to Eric Gagne? I hated to see him go, but man, he can't get anyone out in Boston. I guess they sold high on him.

The misadventures of Gagne
By Mark Simon, ESPN Research

When the Red Sox traded for Eric Gagne in the last possible moments of the trade deadline, no one thought the results would be as dreadful as they've been through the first half of August. For the second straight appearance, Gagne frittered away an eighth-inning advantage, and the Red Sox ever-dwindling lead in the AL East fell by another game.
The Boston bullpen, so good in the early part of the season, has struggled with Gagne these past two weeks. Those who wondered why the Red Sox would mess with a good thing by adding Gagne -- a closer with little to no experience in the set-up role -- are looking pretty smart right about now. So are the Yankees, who have a new, highly capable set-up man in rookie Joba Chamberlain and a closer who has been mistake-free (with no blown saves) for more than a month.

The momentum in the AL East race has shifted. For the Red Sox to get back on track, they need Gagne to live up to the translation of his name ("to win") in more ways than one.

GAGNE SINCE TRADE TO RED SOX
Five appearances, four innings pitched, seven earned runs, 10 hits, 15.75 ERA
Has blown eighth-inning leads in last two appearances, and the Red Sox lost both games.
Has allowed one fewer run in these five appearances than he did in 34 appearances (33 1/3 innings) for the Rangers this season.
Red Sox bullpen ERA entering August: 2.73
Red Sox bullpen ERA in August: 5.93
Red Sox bullpen ERA in August without Gagne: 4.44





- David Aldridge briefly examines the Mav's offseason

12. Dallas. Added: forwards Nick Fazekas and Reyshawn Terry. No significant losses.

The Mavericks have a relatively high rank because, after the shocking playoff loss to the Warriors, there was no fire sale. The Mavs re-signed Jerry Stackhouse, drafted solidly, and exhaled when Kevin Garnett went east. Now they'll pace themselves next season.





- A Dirk piece from NBA.com. Apparently went on some sabbatical in Australia.

Quality Time with the Shot Doctor
By Johannes Berendt
Posted Aug 10 2007 12:24PM

Dirk Nowitzki's quest to overcome one of the biggest disappointments of his life
We've got a question for you.
Which NBA player spent the summer backpacking in Australia searching for the meaning of life?

Back home, he is now having severe issues with his mother over his haircut.

"She desperately wants to send me to the barber," the beloved son moaned. "I am almost 30 but my mother treats me as if I was 12. I guess mothers have to be like this."

To make matters worse, someone nicknamed the Shot Doctor is currently torturing our friend in a small gym.

It is located in the tiny city of Wuerzburg, Germany.

Please meet the 2007 NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki in his quest to overcome one of the biggest disappointments of his life — the first-round playoff exit against eighth-seeded Golden State.

"That was extremely disappointing, just as the Finals loss to Miami one year ago," Nowitzki revealed in an interview with German Sportbild magazine. "But that doesn't mean that everything we did in Dallas was bad."

Nowitzki would not be one of the best basketball players on the planet if he hadn't received some special tutoring from mentor Holger Geschwindner. And you could bet that the Shot Doctor would come up with a special holiday treatment.

"We toured five weeks through Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. With a rucksack. That was about the only place in the world where nobody would recognize me and I could move somewhat freely," Nowitzki stated. "At Ayers Rock a few tourists noticed me but the trip was just right to clean my mind."

Down under, the Dallas Mavericks star was looking for answers.

"I have been exploring the sense of life. I haven't entirely found it yet but I will keep looking," he said with a smile.

He won't have too much time to answer philosophical questions in the next weeks as he is shaping up for that will be a busy summer. Germany are among the favorites to win the European Championships in Spain, and Nowitzki will join his fellow countrymen for their preparations on August 14. The Dirkster has set the bar high — he is eager to win qualification for next year's Olympic Games.

"For every athlete there is no bigger thing than the Olympics. For me that's right behind the NBA title," he said.

And to be in top shape, Nowitzki is currently undergoing gruelling drills from long-time coach and mentor Geschwindner. "It's very exhausting."

Still, Dirk is enjoying the summer. "Yes (I do), even though I am so exhausted after the workouts that I can barely move. But I happily accept the full-service treat from my mother. My training clothes easily fill a washing machine. I'm glad she takes care of that. She is even ironing my shirts."


- Picks O'the day

Weekend record - 2-2
YTD - 111-93

No picks today

The view from the 50

- Got a chance to see the 1st half last night. Bailed at halftime.

Obervations:

- Texas Stadium is a toilet. It's not a dome, so there's no A/C. It's not completely open air, so there's no breeze. It's the closest thing we have in sports to a greenhouse/sauna.
- It's dirty as hell.
- Rowdy is the biggest beating in sports. So many things I could write about, but I think it's all been said before.
- Tony Romo is fun to watch on the sidelines. He's constantly laughing, talking, moving around from player to player, talking about X's and O's and also joking around. I'm not sure if anything fazes this guy. There can't be one player on that team doesn't like Romo.
- TO Owens is a monster.
- Demarcus Ware is an even bigger monster.
- Greg Ellis has sprinter's ankles.
- Brad Johnson is one goofy looking dude.
- And his arm absolutely sucks.
- Pam Oliver has gained a ton of weight, I'm not sure if she's always been this big, but on TV she looks skinnier than what I saw yesterday.
- I just can't believe how big NFL players are. College and NFL are night and day.
- Jason Garrett just looks the part. He looks like he has already developed an excellent bond between himself and his offensive players. They all seem to like him and are locked in on what he's telling them. Most notably, TO Owens. Outside of Romo, I was watching him the most.
- The food/beer situation sucks. Going to the AAC a lot, and Ranger games occasionally, I've gotten used to the convenience of those scenes. Everywhere takes credit cards, beer and food are together at the same kiosk, and you don't feel as if you're in Fair Park ordering a corn dog.
- Beer is cash only and you can't get it at the food places.
- I know all stadium food is overpriced, but Texas Stadium is overpriced and it sucks. At least the Ballpark and the AAC has semi-decent food options.
- All in all, I can't believe Jerry hasn't upgraded this place over the years for the fan. It's strange, as cutting edge as he is, he's so far behind in stadium/fan convenience it's not even funny. I'd rate the Cotton Bowl higher than this dump.



Some pictures (Click on each to get more zoomed in looks):











- Can he keep this up? The hard drinkin', hard smokin', hard gamblin', domestic violence king of the PGA is sitting in 2nd place after Day 1 of the PGA Championship. When will the implosion begin? Stay tuned........

Daly news: Stop presses! He's 2nd at PGA

01:08 AM CDT on Friday, August 10, 2007

TULSA – Tiger Woods flew in a week early to play a practice round. Phil Mickelson also made a scouting trip before arriving at Southern Hills. And others began playing practice rounds last weekend.

John Daly employed the less-is-more strategy. He prepared by not playing a practice round.

Concerned about the 100-degree temperatures, Daly found emergency shelter until his tee time Thursday.

"I've been playing slots over at Cherokee Casino," he said. "Did good the first day, didn't do too good the other day."

Somehow, Daly managed to squeeze some practice into his hectic schedule. May as well; they closed the course for him, so he threw his clubs onto the back of a cart. And it's a good thing, too.

"I got a lot of practicing in," Daly said. "I hit this big duck hook on the first hole, and I said, 'You know what, I'm taking the club too far inside.' The rest of the day, I started taking the club more outside, started getting my cut back."

Daly's minimalist approach worked. Using his yardage book as a map, he made it around Southern Hills in 67 strokes. And he didn't even get a cart.

By the time you read this, Daly may have missed the cut. But he entered the second round alone in second place at 3 under, two strokes behind England's Graeme Storm.

Daly may have surprised himself more than you. His up-and-down life has been mostly down this season. The last time he talked to reporters on the golf course, he was explaining the red claw marks on his face.

His fourth wife accused him of sexual assault. Daly denied that, adding that she came at him with a knife.

Playing on sponsors' exemptions after losing his card, Daly has only made the cut five times in 17 starts. He recently added an injured shoulder to his long list of problems.

Thursday, Daly was so dazed by his round that he couldn't recall where he made his birdies and bogeys. His news conference kicked off with a question about why he played so well.

"I have no idea," he said. "There was odds with all the caddies and players this week on who would fall first, me or my caddie. So we made 18 holes."

Then he was asked to go through his card, listing birdies and bogeys.

Long pause.

"I can't remember the holes," he said. "I think I hit driver on 4. Yeah, I hit driver – wait a minute. I can't remember, to tell you the truth. Only had three heat strokes out there."

Daly has built a career on hard-luck stories. His legion of fans has remained loyal since he burst on the scene at the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick. Making the field as the ninth alternate, he didn't play a practice round. But he won by overpowering the course with his grip-it-and-rip-it style.

About a two-hour drive from his Arkansas home, Daly had plenty of Razorback fans hooting and hollering for him Thursday.

While other players drank as much water as possible, Daly stuck to his tried-and-true method. He said he drank no water.

"I grew up around this area," he said. "I'm used to the little valleys where you don't get any air and there's a lot of humidity and it's hard to breathe. I light up a cigarette and drink some caffeine, and it actually works."

Daly's 67 will give him a boost of confidence. Will that be enough of a spark to keep him in contention on the weekend?

With Daly, you never know.

"I bent over to look at some putts, stuff I haven't done," he said. "I actually sat over the putts longer instead of three, four, five or six seconds. More like six or seven."





- Please don't do this.

Houston to Dallas? That's news to Cuban

Ex-Knicks guard wants to make comeback; are Mavs on his list?


01:11 AM CDT on Friday, August 10, 2007
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
ccarlton@dallasnews.com

Like most of the other teams in the NBA, the Mavericks would be interested in seeing if Allan Houston can still play.

For now, if they rank among the leading suitors for the former New York Knicks shooting guard, it's news to Mavs owner Mark Cuban.

"Never say never, but we haven't talked to him," Cuban wrote in an e-mail response.

In an interview with ESPN, Houston said he is considering a comeback, much like former Indiana star Reggie Miller.

Houston, 36, averaged 17.3 points a game in 12 NBA seasons and made 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.

That production dwindled during a final injury-plagued season in 2004-05, when he averaged 11.8 points in only 20 games.

"It's something I'd like to do," Houston told ESPN when asked about a return. "It's just a matter of getting myself back in game shape and getting used to playing again."

ESPN, citing unnamed sources, indicated that the Mavericks and Cleveland lead the list of possible destinations.

The Mavericks already have a number of shooting guards on the roster with the signing of unrestricted free agent Eddie Jones earlier this week. Jones joined shooting guards Devean George, Jerry Stackhouse, Greg Buckner and Maurice Ager.






- Nebraska News/Notes


- Defensive line preview

Defensive End

BSDE Zach Potter 6-7 287 JR; He has the body and the ability, does he have the heart and desire? We should find out early on in ’07 as Potter is being all but handed Carriker’s old job. Is noticeably thicker than he was in ’06. Has some limited experience as a reserve the past 2 seasons. Potter was up to 297 lbs. as he was pressured into filling the AC prototype; he dropped to 280 lbs. an then built himself back up to 287 lbs. entering fall camp. Knows DCKC’s system, lots of reps in practice the past 2 yrs. Has been impressive in fall camp with his reads and reactionary skills. Wyatt seems to be taking a liking. Motor/drive has always been a question/concern. 70-80 snaps per game could be asking too much; more likely around 50-60 to keep him fresh.

BSDE Pierre Allen 6-5 266 rFR; Has been quiet in the spring and summer sessions. His poor showing has the coaches contemplating moving Ty Steinkuhler back to BDE on a full-time basis for depth purposes. Added 40+ lbs. in his RS yr. working with SCDK. Could see 20-30 snaps per game as a key BDE reserve.

BSDE Jared Crick 6-6 262 tFR; Has the prototype frame that the coaches have grown to like in their BDE prospects. Worked out all summer in Lincoln and has made a surprising transition. He is already stronger than ZP and has the temperament that he seems to be missing as well. A hungry youngster who will make Nebraskan’s proud over time. A Carriker clone? Good chance he’ll RS and try to bulk himself into a 286 lb. frame to compete for p/t in ’08 and beyond.

BSDE Tyrone Fahie 6-3 260 rFR; Enlisted in the NU FB program last winter after 6 yrs. With the U.S. Military (Seal Team One). Did 2 tours in Iraq. Brings maturity and leadership to the defense/scout team. Was impressive in the spring; turned heads in the red/white game. Should excel on the KO/P coverage units in ’07 and compete for a reserve role in ’08. There is some upside but I feel a lot of folks are expecting too much, too soon from this guy. I would personally like to see him as an ILB in a 34 front; he’d have some good value there.

OSDE/BSDE David Harvey 6-4 254 SO; Did you forget about him? He’s been listed as the #3 OSDE behind Turner and Sievers after moving over from TE originally. He RS in ’05 and didn’t see any action after moving to defense in ’06. Has also been pushing for the #3 BSDE in fall camp behind ZPotter and PAllen; could actually rise to #2 BSDE on the d/c. w/ an impressive fall camp. Has a better chance at BDE if they don't move Steinkuler back to the edge; BTurner and CSiever have the top 2 spots at OE all but locked up. He’s going to have to make an impression on ST’s before getting any serious looks from Coz/Wyatt.

OSDE Barry Turner 6-3 270 JR; Up to 270 lbs. Added bulk to better hold up v. the run. The concern was that he had elite pass rushing moves as a true frosh, somewhat disappeared as a soph as teams neutralized his few moves (you can gameplan 1-trick ponies, he's worked hard to diversify). Has been working with Wyatt on technique (esp. hand placement to guard off OT's) and Kennedy on adding bulk/mass. Hopefully he’ll hold up as teams will test him by running right at him early on (in what has tradionally been his weak point). Ran a 4.55/40 at 250 lbs. Likely in the 20-265 lb. range when the season starts. Missed spring practice b/c of shoulder surgery. ’05 Frosh AA.

OSDE Clayton Sievers 6-4 247 JR; Will battle Turner for snaps at OE, Sievers figures to hold up better v. the run. Contributed as a TE in ’05 before moving to SAM and finally to OE in ’06. He has been invaluable in the goal-line defensive unit. A stellar ST player (punt / punt block / FG / PAT units). Little bro of former NU LBer Chad Sievers. OE or SAM as best/ultimate position? Should see 15-20 snaps as OE reserve (most in GL/ORZ sets). Continue to star on ST's.

OSDE William Yancy 6-4 227 tFR; Could play a similar role to what Turner did as a true frosh in ’05. Needs to add bulk to hold up v. the run. A situational pass rusher at best right now as a true frosh. Has had some problems early adapting to the speed of CFB. Still lacking in the physicality/strength/size dept.; though that will come with time after getting acclimated with SCDK. Adapting moves from Jevon Kearse and Dwight Freeney. A bit slender to be anything but a situational pass rusher at this point.

OSDE Andy Poulosky 6-2 255 SR; Listed behind Turner, Sievers and Harvey at OE. The walk-on from Ponca, NE is primarily a ST’s player. Not likely to see any action on defense this yr. save for on SR day. Adds value on scout team.

OSDE Thomas Rice 6-1 241 SR; The ’06 defensive scout team MVP. Played v. CU in ’06, his only game action to date. Should continue bringing it on the scout team; where he has been asset the past couple of yrs.

BSDE/DT Ben Martin 6-4 274 rFR; I thought that this kid would grow into an OG, I may have been dead wrong here. He has really worked hard in the gym and appears to be a sleeper candidate to join the DE rotation in ’07. He definitely looks the part. Listed as a backup for Ty at DT. Was blown off of the LOS in the red/white game this spring working at the 3-technique, needs some more time with SCDK before being ready. Could surprise some folks in '08.

DE Luke Lingenfelter 6-4 244 tFR; a walk-on from small town Plainview, NE. A cousin to recently graduated Husker Newton Lingenfelter. Could eventually be looking at a switch to the OL or possibly an undertaking as a LS. Body to grow into a interior OL; not sold on him ever contributing on anything but ST's at this point. Will RS in '07.

DE Tony Sullivan 6-3 243 SR; Has been a stellar scout team player but has yet to appear in a game. Has also practiced at DT in the spring. Don't look for any significant contributions on the field; most likely scout team fodder.



Defensive Tackle

NT Ndamukong Suh 6-4 305 SO; Strength, enough said. A thick lower body provides a solid base and driving force to create havoc in opposing backfields. Stellar run-stopper and pass rusher. Excellent center of gravity, balance. Can really collapse the pocket. NU’s 1st ever schollie player from OR played 2 games a true frosh then missed the rest of the yr. with a knee injury. Should provide the heart and soul of the DL and develop into the leader of this unit.

NT Brandon Johnson 6-3 316 SR; Has yet to live up to his “Beast” moniker. Appears to have been a “Beast” in the weight room this summer. Penciled in as the backup to Suh at NT. Played 6 games as a backup DT in ’06 ( and on XP and FG units). Can play both the Nose and 3tech. Provides decent depth if he is in shape and his heart is into making a move on the d/c. I like the talent but can BW maximize it? '07 is his chance.

NT Shukree Barfield 6-4 314 JR; Should provide depth. Could also see some work at DT if the staff feels the need to move Ty back to BDE. Good strength and athleticism. From same hometown in NJ as former NU AA IB Mike Rozier. There was some speculation that he could get a peruse at BSDE if the coaches feel TS needs to stay at 3tech and ZP doesn't develop/impress there; though that seems unlikely with the unsettlement on the DL and how DCKC seems to like a 4-5 man rotation there.

NT Taylor Escamilla 6-1 276 tFR; a walk-on who will RS in ’07. Has a good frame to grow into a 2-down NT that can plug the gap and stop the run. From his prep career he may never develop into any sort of a pass rusher. Very raw from a technique standpoint.

3-tech DT/BSDE Ty Seinkuhler 6-3 287 JR; Will serve in a utility role, he may battle Dixon for dibs on the starting DT slot next to Suh and will spell Potter/Allen at BDE. Outstanding strength, good athleticism. Played DE as a frosh and DT as a soph. Has been a versatile key reserve for 2 seasons. Son of former NU AA OG Dean Steinkuhler. Brother Baker is a commit for the ’08 recruiting class.

3-tech DT Kevin Dixon 6-3 293 JR; A much heralded JUCO xfer who should vie for the starting DT gig. Has a nice body, svelte for a big man. His late arrival to campus may have retarded his development as far as where the coaching staff would have liked him to be at this point. How quickly he grasps the techniques taught by Buddy Wyatt as well as the playbook will go a long ways to determining just how good this defense is going to be in ’07. He did work out on his own and appears to be in good shape, so that is atleast a positive of some sort. Fast and explosive per Carl Nicks. Getting a lot of reps in fall camp as he works with both the 1’s and 2’s.

3-tech DT Seth Jensen 6-3 293 rFR; Another player beset by injuries. Did not participate in contact drill this spring after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. By all accounts he is finally 100% healthy, though we can probably expect another year or 2 working with SCDK and learning the defense. Don’t expect too much of an impact here in ’07; although the same was said of Q in ’05. A player that I think most have written off; has looked good w/ou the pads thus far in fall camp. He could really solidify the d/c on the DL if he were healthy and committed.

3-tech DT Terrence Moore 6-3 273 tFR; A sleeper for the latest recruiting haul who most likely will need a RS yr. From same HS as former NU star/NFL All-Pro Neil Smith. Will need to add 20+ lbs. of bulk before seeing the field for UNL. Has some nice feet and potential but is not ready physically for the rigors of D1 CFB. Give SCDK some time to work his magic, this is a player that Wyatt loves his upside. Time will tell here, again don’t expect anything from him in ’07 ~ learning the playbook will be more than enough.

3-tech DT Ben Franzluebbers 6-5 245 tFR; a walk-on from Dodge, NE who will RS in ’07 if he can stick with the program.



- Thursday's Camp Report

Practice report
Thursday was the first time for the Nebraska newcomers to practice in Memorial Stadium. A nice, hot day on the turf, too.

"Our trainers are on top of it," Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said of potential heat-related issues. "We're always on the alert."

As for the practice?

"As a team, we're getting better," Callahan said. "I saw a huge leap in our guys as a team, the way they came out and approached practice, the way they worked, finished and went through the periods."

Friday is NU's first day in full pads. Callahan said there may be some scrimmaging, depending on the injury report. "There is no urgency," he said.

Of notable injured players, receiver Todd Peterson has missed the last two days with a slight shoulder sprain. He should be able to return Friday.




- The NoTex Rant Top 25

#25 - Missouri
#24 - Hawaii
#23 - Oklahoma St.
#22 - Alabama



#21 - Texas Tech

Texas Tech has had its high points in the Mike Leach era, but it came up with its signature moment against Minnesota in last December's Insight Bowl. Early in the third quarter, Minnesota led, 38-7, and the Lubbock crew was wondering who thought it was a good idea to head west for the week between Christmas and New Year's anyway.
Then came the ridiculous eruption. Tech started scoring. And scoring. By the time kicker Alex Trlica nailed a 52-yard field-goal at the buzzer, the game was tied at 38. One overtime period later, the Raiders had a 44-41 win and the happiest of happy endings to the season.

So, what's next? What do you think? Another 4,500-5,000 passing yards from junior Graham Harrell, who had his erratic moments and was nearly benched at times during the year, but turned into the type of clutch performer the program can rely on to pull wins out of the fire. As always, there will be another collection of high-scoring games certain to fry computer hard drives and leave fans wondering whether a trip to the hot dog stand is going to cost them a couple touchdowns.

Figure on more of the same for the next several years, since Leach signed an extension keeping him on through the 2010 with a $2 million payday if he's around that long. Yes, Leach's name has surfaced for an assortment of jobs, both on the collegiate and professional levels, but he's happy and feeling comfortable with the foundation and history in place.

Of course, the biggest challenge facing Leach is lifting Tech from a team that wins eight or nine a year to a school capable of challenging for a Big 12 championship. Tech will always be exciting, and its crazy offensive output will sell tickets, but beating the better teams in the Big 12 — or anywhere else, for that matter — will be elusive until there's consistency on both sides of the ball. This year's team has the potential to be Leach's most even-keel yet, even with all the funnin' and gunnin.' This has always been one of the most fun teams to watch in college football, and now it could be one of the best in the Big 12.

What to look for on offense: As always, the offense will spread the field with five wideouts and try to exploit the biggest mismatch on the field, with more efficiency than over the last few years, even with all the top receivers gone. Harrell's development will mean a few 500-yard days, no matter who's catching the ball, a completion percentage in the high 60s and 40 or so touchdowns. Until the new targets get their feet wet, expect more from speedy running back Shannon Woods early on. He'll end up running for 1,000 yards.

What to look for on defense: It's better than it'll be made out to be, but it'll get run on at will. The Red Raiders usually will surrender more than 20 points a game to the big boys, but as long as the defense bends but doesn't break too often, the offense will take care of the rest. This year could be tough early with six starters gone, including all but two in the front seven. If teams can control the clock against the Raiders, they can keep Harrell and his flyboys off the field and mess with Tech's timing. Everyone knows this so they'll try to pound the ball. Tech will get creative early to do what it can to sell out to stop the run.

This team will be much better if... it can stop somebody from running the football. Tech allowed rivals to gain 3.8 yards per carry last year, a big reason why the team had a time-of-possession deficit of 4:36. Sure, the Raiders throw the ball, which leads to quick scoring drives and many clock stoppages, but Tech can't beat the better teams on its schedule if it lets them chew up the clock with long drives. Stopping the run could be a huge concern this year, given the revamped front seven.

The Schedule: If Iowa State and Colorado haven't improved by leaps and bounds, the Big 12 schedule is decent, with home dates against those 2006 North bottom-feeders (although Red Raider fans might still be smarting from last year's 30-6 loss in Boulder). However, the trip to Missouri, the lone game away from Lubbock for a month, will be tough. There can't be too much complaining about the South games, getting two of the big three (Texas A&M and Oklahoma) at home. For better or for worse, the road trip to Texas comes the week before playing the Sooners. The non-conference schedule is a typical Texas Tech waste of time, playing at SMU, UTEP, at Rice, and Northwestern State.

Best Offensive Player: Junior QB Graham Harrell. While he was inconsistent throughout last season, and flat-out awful at times, he showed a flair for the dramatic by pulling out wins against Texas A&M and Minnesota, creating a bit of Red Raider legend. After throwing for 4,555 yards and 38 touchdowns, he's going to have to be even better, given the slew of new receivers.

Best Defensive Player: Senior SS Joe Garcia. Part strong safety and part linebacker, the 217-pound junior is a big-time hitter who's decent at getting into the backfield and a rock against the run. While he's good at forcing the big play, he could stand to do a bit more when the ball is in the air. He'll team with Darcel McBath to form one of the league's best safety tandems.

Key player to a successful season: Redshirt freshman WR Michael Crabtree. Someone has to catch all of Harrell's passes. Crabtree might be the most talented receiver recruit Leach and his staff have brought in, and has tremendous skills and an uncanny knack to get open ... at least in practice.

The season will be a success if... the Red Raiders win ten games. It's a tall order, considering how many holes they have to fill on both sides of the ball, and it might take a bowl win to do it, but double-digit wins would be an enormous leap in the Mike Leach era, considering the program hasn't won ten since 1976. The schedule is just easy enough to do it, allowing for losses against Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma.

Key game: Sept. 22 at Oklahoma State. Facing Texas and Oklahoma in the final two games of the year, Tech can be in a great position to control its own Big 12 destiny late in November, as long as it gets by the other above-average conference teams like Texas A&M, Missouri and Oklahoma State in the league opener. The Cowboys will have the offense to keep up in the shootout, but if the Red Raiders win, they'll likely be 6-0 going into the showdown with the Aggies.

2006 Fun Stats:

Second quarter scoring: Texas Tech 159; Opponents 125

Third quarter scoring: Texas Tech 80; Opponents 55

Penalties: Texas Tech 96 for 856 yards; Opponents 70 for 613 yards

Texas Tech Red Raiders
Team Information
Head coach: Mike Leach
8th year: 56-33
42nd year overall: 366-113-4
Returning Lettermen: 48
Lettermen Lost: 15

Ten Best Players
1. QB Graham Harrell, Jr.
2. SS Joe Garcia, Sr.
3. FS Darcel McBath, Jr.
4. CB Chris Parker, Sr.
5. RB Shannon Woods, Jr.
6. DE Jake Ratliff, Jr.
7. WR Michael Crabtree, RFr.
8. OG Louis Vasquez, Jr.
9. WR/PR Danny Amendola, Sr.
10. WR L.A. Reed, Jr.

2007 Schedule
Sept. 1 at SMU
Sept. 8 UTEP
Sept. 15 at Rice
Sept. 22 at Oklahoma State
Sept. 29 NW State
Oct. 6 Iowa State
Oct. 13 Texas A&M
Oct. 20 at Missouri
Oct. 27 Colorado
Nov. 3 at Baylor
Nov. 10 at Texas
Nov. 17 Oklahoma






- Pretty cool feature in USA Today about small towns with tons of cool options.

10 great small towns with huge backyards

By Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY
Get a glimpse of the simpler life — and get in shape at the same time. Small towns can offer big outdoor adventures in the waning days of summer. Sarah Tuff, co-author of the new 101 Best OutdoorTowns: Unspoiled Places to Visit, Live & Play (Countryman Press, $19.95), shares her picks with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.

Salida, Colo.

"This is the place for whitewater paddling action," Tuff says. "Downtown Salida even has two of its own 'playholes' in an all-natural, whitewater park on the Arkansas River. Plan a visit around the annual FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas River) Whitewater Festival. Landlubbers can find 15 Fourteeners (mountains more than 14,000 feet high) nearby. One of the sweetest ends to a Salida day? Slices of pizza at Amicas and slumber at the River Run Inn." 877-772-5432; salidachamber.org

Haines, Alaska

"Some 20 million acres of wilderness surround this unhurried town on the longest fjord in the U.S.," Tuff says. "One of the best ways to explore is by kayak: Put in at Bartlett Cove at Glacier Bay National Park. In the fall, you'll want to be at the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to see the congregation of thousands of bald eagles that feast on spawning salmon. Refuel on halibut fish and chips at the Bamboo Room in Haines." 907-766-2202; haineschamber.org

Livingston, Mont.

"They weren't lying when they named this place Paradise Valley," Tuff says. "Livingston is an Eden along the Yellowstone River, just 52 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Galleries share space with bars, gear shops and breakfast spots in the historic downtown. Anglers have the Yellowstone or nearby Gallatin and Madison rivers, which teem with thousands of fish per mile. Some 2,000 miles of trails beckon backpackers and bikers to the Gallatin National Forest." 406-222-0850; livingston-chamber.com

Bethel, Maine

"You'd never guess that this picture-perfect town, complete with covered bridges and a village common, is host to one of the most unusual outdoor adventures in the country: the annual North American Wife Carrying Championships that take place at Sunday River Ski Resort every October. It is also home to a prime section of the Androscoggin River, dog sledding and skijoring from the nearby Telemark Inn," Tuff says. 800-442-5826; bethelmaine.com

Hood River, Ore.

Fresh fruit and produce from the Hood River Valley, as well as incredible local brews and regional wines, are as rewarding as the outdoor activities here, Tuff says. Bike trails surround town, and there's rafting and kayaking on the nearby Columbia River's swift tributaries. "Hood River's recreational resources blow away even people who are deathly afraid of kite-boarding and windsurfing. A multitude of instructors make it easier to learn than you think." 800-366-3530; hoodriver.org

Lake Placid, N.Y.

"Though famous for the Olympic Winter Games, this unspoiled town is actually a year-round outdoor haven," Tuff says. "You can't beat the setting on two jewel-like lakes, surrounded by the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Hike the summits of the Adirondacks or just paddle on Lake Placid, then sink into a suite at the Mirror Lake Inn and Spa. Go shopping on Main Street, then set out for the swimming hole and sparkling cascades of Rocky Falls." 800-447-5224; lakeplacid.com

Ely, Minn.

"For those who fantasize about paddling a canoe on pristine waters, surrounded by pine trees and listening to the cry of the loon from a lakeside tent, there's simply no better place to make that fantasy come true than Ely," Tuff says. "The town, at the edge of the 1.1-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area, teems with friendly outfitters who will provide every level of service, from a point in the right direction to a fully guided canoe trip complete with meals." Another highlight: seeing wolves at the International Wolf Center. 800-777-7281; ely.org

Davis, W. Va.

Leaf-peepers can get a jump-start on fall foliage viewing in this Appalachian town where, because of the high elevations, peak foliage season is usually late September. Two local microbreweries and regional vineyards will be represented at Oktoberfest in September, part of the Leaf Peepers Festival Sept. 29-30. Winter's not a bad time to visit, either. "Believe it or not, this town gets 150 inches of snow a year — more than some places in Vermont. That makes for surprisingly good skiing at Canaan Valley and Timberline ski resorts," Tuff says. 800-782-2775; canaanvalley.org

McCall, Idaho

This mountain town is on shimmering Payette Lake. "Summer visitors enjoy water-skiing and wakeboarding, plus rock-climbing routes, mountain-biking trails, fishing holes and the 2.3 million acres of the Payette National Forest," says Tuff. "Two major ski areas — Brundage Mountain Resort and the new Tamarack Resort — are just a few minutes from McCall. A highlight of every year is the Winter Carnival (January-February) for snow-sculpting, tubing races and snowshoe golf." 800-260-5130; mccallchamber.org

Boone, N.C.

"Boone has a built-in air conditioner for the summer months that turn the rest of the South sticky: the Blue Ridge Mountains, which keep temperatures at a lovely 75 degrees in August," Tuff says. "The town, 100 miles north of Asheville, stays hip, thanks to Appalachian State University. Get jazzed at Espresso News before heading into the Pisgah National Forest for hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. Rafters rollick along the Nolichucky and French Broad rivers." 800-852-9506; visitboone nc.com


- Picks O'the day

Yesterday - 2-1
YTD - 109-91

1) Texas -130 - I really like the way McCarthy is pitching lately.
2) Cleve -145 - Carmona is a stud, and Cleve is lights out at home (37-22)
3) Ariz -155 - Until they start tanking, I'm riding the wave of Arizona.
4) Bos/Balt under 8 - Dice K (2-1 with 1.77 ERA in his last 3) vs. Bedard (3-0 with 2.89 ERA in his last 3). Runs at a premium.