SEC East Power Rankings

The East is, dare I say, a "more open competition" than the West. If the ball bounces the right way the top four teams could come away with playing in Atlanta on the first weekend in December.

6.  Vanderbilt- New head coach James Franklin has his work cut out if he wants Vanderbilt not to finish as the last team in the East, which they have not done since 2008. The Commodores have five SEC wins over the past three years. Their mobile QB Larry Smith is rather... sporadic, but has shown glimpses of being capable. The defense has All-SEC talent in CB Casey Hayward, who had six picks a year ago, and LB Chris Marve, the SEC's active leading tackler. The problem is the defense is always on the field because of an inept offense. Franklin has excited the fan base with some unexpected wins in the recruiting game during the offseason though.

Look for another tough year in Nashville for the 'Dores.

5.  Kentucky- "At least there's always Vandy!" This should be the motto of the realistic Wildcat fan. After losing their Mr. Everything, Randal Cobb, to the NFL, their leading rusher and starting QB, the question is how will Kentucky move the ball down the field? LB Danny Travathan, the SEC's leading tackler, is back to lead the Wildcat defense.

Kentucky snapped its school-record five consecutive bowl game streak last season, finished with a losing record, and lost everyone who was anyone on offense. Doesn't basketball start soon?

4. Tennessee- Though they played against teams with losing records, QB Tyler Bray was inserted into the starting role and the offense averaged 33.5 points per game the second half of the season. This season a new receiving corps will have pressure to help Bray. Defensively, coordinator Justin Wilcox will be in his second season and there should be improvement.
Road trips to Alabama and Arkansas and hosting South Carolina and LSU make improving their 6-7 record from a year ago tough, but the Vols will be a better team with a chance to reek some havoc.

3. Florida- Welcome back to the SEC Will Muschamp. Muschamp did well in hiring coordinators. Already a defensive mastermind, he lured Charlie Weis away from the NFL and back to the college game. Weis, who did not have what it takes to be the head coach at Notre Dame, will try and salvage senior QB John Brantley's career in a pro-style offense. The defense is, as is most of the team, is talented but young and inexperienced.
Expect improvement from last season to now, but watch growing pains with  a new coach. The Gators will not stay down long so the rest of the SEC East should enjoy this break.

2. Georgia- Biggest storyline for the 2011 season is how hot Mark Richt's seat is. The Bulldogs start the season with the toughest two first games of any team in the BCS Division with games against Boise State in Atlanta and hosting defending SEC East champion South Carolina. Offensively, Georgia welcomes back the most talented returning quarterback in Aaron Murray. Much will hinge on the running game where the two leading rushers have left the program and the pressure rests on freshman Isaiah Crowell, the number one running back in high school a year ago. This is the second season for the 3-4 defense and the Bulldogs have two legitimate nosegaurds, the position which makes the this defense effective. 

Don't be surprised if Georgia does drop its first two games and still comes away with ten wins.

1. South Carolina- The defending division champs have retained the pieces that led them to the SEC Championship game a year ago. The Gamecocks have freshman phenom RB Marcus Lattimore again, but this year expect to see more of him catching the ball out of the backfield. Getting him the ball will be QB Stephen Garcia (if he can stay away from the bottle). Garcia also has arguably the best receiver in the league in Alshon Jeffery. The defense has added to last years squad in the form of DE Jadaveon Clowney, who by all accounts will be on the field early.
Coach Steve Spurrier has not lost it like many thought he may have. The Ole Ball Coach just needed some playmakers which he has an abundance of now that will make the Gamecocks serious title contenders.

Miami Wishes It Was Not 'All About The U'

The above video is the introduction for ESPN's 30 for 30 series film named "The U," documenting the Hurricane teams of the 1980s that were known for their brash style on and off the field. Directo Billy Corben should have known to end the film with a "To be continued..."

If you were tired of the generic "Players Were Payed X Number of Dollars" or "Player X Was Given Cars, Tattoos" college football headlines of the past year, this story blows them away. Miami did it big, as they usually do, and topped everyone else.

Sure their story includes the usual pay for play, but it also includes jewelry, booze, VIP club access, paid prostitutes, an abortion, coaches across two sports, and an AD who was the NCAA Head of Infractions during the USC and Reggie Bush debacle.

Shapiro with former Hurricane Kellen Winslow Jr. Yesterday, Abercrombie and Fitch started paying "Jersey Shore" cast members to not wear their clothes. A&F is getting some real positive press here in the sleazy Shapiro. 

Nevin Shapiro told Charles Robinson of yahoosports.com he gave benefits to several current and former Hurricane football and basketball coaches (Watch out Alabama fans. Two coaches now coach the Crimson Tide) and players. Shapiro's interviews had to take place in jail because he is already locked up for running a $930 billion ponzi scheme.

In an ironic twist of fate Miami will play the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are up to their heads in an NCAA investigation, in week two of the regular season. Names for this game between two troubled programs? The Pro(bation) Bowl, Tats vs. 'Tutes, or my favorite, The Inelegibowl.

No script could be this good.

Quarterback of the future for the New York Jets?

Before former Alabama and current New York Jets back-up quarterback Greg McElroy came in and chunked the pigskin nearly 40 times and tried to dodge defenders (unsuccessful) in the Jets first preseason game against the Houston Texans, Mark Sanchez took the field as he has 31 times before, as the starter.

There is no arguing Sanchez's postseason team success. He has played at the most important position and led the Jets to two straight AFC Championship games, but he is not the guy for job in the Big Apple.

Yes, he brings what it takes to survive in the media capital of the world. But take a closer look at just Sanchez. Without the stellar defense and running into a good situation on offense, he is a product of the system.

For his career he has 33 interceptions to his 29 touchdowns and a 54.4 completion percentage. With his receiving corps and running backs behind him? Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has completed 54.5 percent of his passes as a professional. Add in his 19 to 21 touchdown to interception ratio and you have an injury prone Mark Sanchez.

There are twelve quarterbacks, as long as the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer does not follow through on his retirement, starting this year in the NFL better than Sanchez. In no particular order: Peyton and Eli Manning, Brees, Brady, Ryan, Rivers, Rogers, Roethlisberger, Vick, Romo, and Schaub.

Sure. Mark Sanchez can win the Super Bowl, only because of the best defense in the NFL over the past two years behind him and the additions of some free agents this offseason. Sell your Sanchez stock.

All-Time Atlanta Braves Team: Pitchers

The Atlanta Braves are not known for their potent hitters, but pitching is one thing the Braves have never lacked. I did not include any current Braves, though current set-up man Johnny Venters and closer Craig Kimbrel look to be on their way to earning a spot on this roster.

Starters
Warren Spahn- One of three pitchers that have had their number retired by the Braves franchise. Spahn had eight 20-win seasons (363 total wins), a 3.09 lifetime ERA, and more than 2,583 career strikeouts. He won one Cy Young award, along with being selected to 17 All-Star teams. Spahn was a first ballot hall-of-famer and named to MLB's All-Century Team. He was the starting pitcher in what experts call the greatest game ever pitched, in which he pitched 15 scoreless innings, in one game!

Greg Maddux- The "Mad Dog" was known for his control of the ball, being able to paint corners and put the ball where he wanted it and where batters could not get to it. Maddux also has his number retired by the Braves, had a few less wins (355), but almost 1,000 more strikeout than Spahn (3,371). He was also the anchor to the pitching staff that lead Atlanta to their 14 straight division titles.

Kid Nichols- If you were around and saw this guy pitch, how are you still here? I know I am going old school with this pick, but I have not shown much love to the older Braves and this guy is more than deserving. No one wins like the Kid did. Nichols. He's the youngest pitcher to win 300 games. He had 10 consecutive 20-win season and seven 30-win seasons. His 361 are seventh all-time and he pitched the 11th most innings.

Tom Glavine- Glavine's 164 wins during the 1990s were only second behind Greg Maddux's 165. Glavine is a five-time 20-game winner and has two Cy Young awards. He is also one of six left-handed pitchers to win 300 games. The 10-time All-Star was the 1995 World Series MVP and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, which goes to the best hitter at their position. His No. 47 is retired, but the one thing wrong with Glavine? He was did play for the New York Mets for five years.

Phil Nierko- Every good staff needs a knuckleballer so here is mine, "Knucksie." The winningest knuckleball pitcher of all time is yet another starter who has his number retired for good reason. he went to 5 All-Star games and won 5 Gold Gloves. Nierko stuck with the Braves when it was tough to be a fan, much less a player and he gets extra points for doing so. His signature pitch led to 3,342 strikeout ending at bats and eventually led him to the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Middle Relievers
Mike Remlinger- Every bullpen needs a left handed guy to be able to come in and take care of tough left-handed pitchers. The southpaw was a one-time All-Star and as solid as they come out of the bullpen for the Braves. Though stats are tough to find to back up any middle reliever over another, Remlinger is someone that was consistent out-getter during his time with the Braves

Don McMahon- He was an important part during the Milwaukee Braves 1957 World Series championship team with a 1.57 ERA and 32 saves. He was 27 by the time he made it out of the minor leagues, but stayed in the majors for 18 years once he got to the big leagues. When he retired only three other players had pitched more innings than McMahon.

Chris Hammond- Again, it is hard to find stats that will blow you away when you are talking middle relievers. Heck, its sometimes hard to even remember any middle relievers. I did some research and it is a stretch to include him because of his one season with the Braves, but Hammond posted a 0.95 ERA, only the fourth pitcher in history to have a sub-1.00 ERA. He also pitched nearly 30 consecutive scoreless innings that same season.

Set-up: Mark Wohlers- Wohlers was the first player I saw take the radar gun over 100 MPH. He also was the closer in the Game 6 1-0 victory for the 1995 Braves World Series team. His success in Atlanta was not long lived but because of his importance to winning Atlanta's only championship Wohlers gets a spot on my squad.

Closer: John Smoltz- Known maybe more for his starting role in the Braves 1990s teams, he was a dominating closer. I want him on the team and if he is here I might could go to a 6-man rotation. Smoltzy won a Cy Young, Relief Pitcher of the Year, NLCS MVP, was elected to 8 All-Star games, and threw more than 3,000 strikeouts. Smoltz started as a starting pitcher, but after Tommy John surgery he was moved to the pen to help in rehab. His first year he set the record for most saves in a season (55). The following season he only had 45 saves but held a 1.12 ERA. He and Dennis Eckersley are the only two pitchers with a 20-win and 50-save seasons. Smoltz is the only pitcher ever with 200 wins and 150 saves.

All-Time Atlanta Braves Team: Position Players

The sports editor at The Gainesville Times is doing a "State of the Franchise" piece each week, which looks at the Atlanta Braves current roster and players in the minors and giving each position a grade. This got me thinking, as long as the Braves have been around, who are the greatest to wear the the red and blue? Here is my starting lineup. The pitching staff will be up within the next week.

Catcher- The Braves currently have what will be the best catcher in franchise history. Let us not forget Javy Lopez and Joe Torre were Braves catchers too, but when Brian McCann hangs up his cleats his numbers will match up against some of the best all time. The local Georgia kid just received his first starting spot in the All-Star game but has been 5 times previously, including a walk-off hit for the NL in 2010. Keep watching him. He is the biggest offensive threat on the Braves current roster and at this pace is a shoo-in hall of famer.

1st Base- Not a whole lot of history for the Braves at first base. The sentimental favorite may be Andres Galarraga, who won MLB Comeback Player of the Year after his successful return to baseball after cancer treatments. But before "The Big Cat" there was the "Crime Dog," Fred McGriff. McGriff was a staple on the Braves teams that won division title after division title. He ranks 26th all-time in HRs and has more than 1,500 RBIs.

2nd Base- His numbers may not be the strongest out of all the candidates for this team, but Mark Lemke was there time and time again during the string of division titles. Marcus Giles was the most powerful 2B in Braves history, but "The Lemmer" is a lifetime Brave and played in 4 World Series for the the Braves which means he was bring something in the clubhouse. He now works with the Braves Radio Network, which gives him extra points.

3rd Base- Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones will go down as the second greatest switch hitter, behind Mickey Mantle, when he retires. Another lifetime Brave, was the first overall pick in the 1993 draft and has not disappointed. The 1999 NL MVP and 7 time all-star has an above .300 lifetime batting average, 2,500 hits and 1,500 RBIs. The late Eddie Matthews was hard to pick against with almost 550 HRs and time spent as Braves manager.

Shortstop- Traditionally, SS is not a power hitting position and this lineup will be no different. Rafael Furcal played 6 years in Atlanta before going to the Dodgers. The 2000 rookie of the year was a contact hitter and one of my favorite players to watch when he played with the Braves. He also could change the game with his speed, averaging 31 stolen bases in Atlanta including two seasons of more than 40.

The choices get much harder when we get to the OF...
Outfield- No question here who is number one. Any all-time team for the Braves has to include one player under any circumstances. The Henry "Hank" Aaron. The all-time home run champ, I remember Barry Bonds and am not quite ready to see the title out of Atlanta. The 25-time all-star (yes, 25) has 3,700 hits and holds MLB records for RBIs, total bases, extra base hits, and 17 consecutive seasons with more than 150 hits. His statistics are truly amazing and he is one of the greatest to ever play. He still active in the Atlanta community and involved in the organization.

Outfield- The best player to not be in the hall of fame comes next, Dale Murphy. Murphy has his #3 retired by the Braves for his contributions, 398 HRs and 1,266 RBIs. The 7-time all-star won two NL MVPs, 5 Gold Gloves and 4 Silver Slugger Awards. It is hard to believe a player of his caliber is not in the HOF yet, but he did make it to my All-Time Atlanta Braves Team, as he should for anyone doing a similar list.

Outfield- I watched my last outfielder bat last night for the Yankees and I was sad to see how much he has fallen since he has left the Dirty South, but during his prime he was one of the greatest power hitters in the game, Andruw Jones. He was also the greatest defensive OF over a 11 year career and won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves while in Atlanta. Jones also homered in his first two at bats in the 1996 World Series. Becoming the youngest player ever to homer in the World Series. (I also have his rookie card so I want his legend status to be HUGE.)

I would take my Braves all-time team against any "all-time franchise" team, including the Yankees, in a 7 game series. If you think the lineup is a solid group wait until you see the pitching staff, which has always been the Braves bread and butter. I am working on that list and again, will have it up within the next week.