From the "Talks Too Much Studios" here we go.
In this Sept. 26, 2010 file photo, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greets Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) at an NFL game, in Denver. Manning is negotiating to join the Broncos, ESPN reported Monday, March 19, 2012. Citing anonymous sources, ESPN said that the four-time MVP has instructed agent Tom Condon to negotiate the details of a deal with Denver. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)Rocky Mountain High
And like that it's done. Peyton Manning is on his way to becoming a Denver Bronco. Does anyone else feel a little under-satisfied by the finish to this one-man show?
Not to begrudge Manning or his decision, but picking the Broncos seems somewhat boring, you know? We're sure Manning went through every scenario with every team - the man seems like he doesn't go get the morning paper without a plan and two extra audibles if needed. But if Manning the Titan would have led to a fist pump or Manning the 49er would have led to a head-scratching of how good San Fran could be, then Manning the Bronco leads to little more than a shoulder shrug.
Here's saying this decision wasn't about money, the ability to win right now, jobs for life or even a future in state government. In the end, here's saying that the Broncos were willing to give Manning complete control of the offense. (Plus the Broncos have enough cap space to make a run at Jeff Saturday and Dallas Clark.)
When Manning officially joins the Denver fold, the most interesting question becomes what becomes of Tim Tebow? Tebow is loved by the Broncos fans, and he could draw a desirable draft pick from Jacksonville or even Miami.
It's quite obvious that John Elway has landed his quarterback, and while the rest of the country may be shrugging their shoulders at Manning going to Denver, we'd be curious to know the reaction among the Broncos fans. Are they excited to add a sure-fire Hall of Famer? Are they sad that it appears Tebow is on his way out of town?
Know this, however, if Manning's stint in Denver is short-lived or unfulfilling, Broncos Nation will be doing more hand-wringing than shoulder shrugging with Tebow playing somewhere else.
Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin, center, watches from the bench along with Kenny Hall (20), Josh Richardson (1) and Trae Golden (11) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)Middle's high ground
The University of Tennessee's basketball team overachieved in Cuonzo "The Conz" Martin's first season by competing and playing hard-hosed basketball. The Vols were picked 11th in the SEC in the preseason and finished second in the league, moving onto the NCAA tournament bubble before a disappointing SEC tournament loss to Ole Miss dropped them to a No. 1 seed in the NIT.
The end of the season for The Conz and the Vols was equally disappointing. Sure, an NIT loss like the Vols' season-ending 71-64 defeat against MTSU on Monday will never be as disappointing as missing the NCAA tournament. But the cause of the dejection in Knoxville this morning for Conz and his troops was not the outcome as much as the process that led to the outcome.
MTSU topped Tennessee on Monday night by being the tougher team. Neither team was particularly sharp mind you, but the Raiders made the most of their chances.
The Blue Raiders outrebounded UT by 16, they got every loose ball, they took the ball to the basketball with authority, and when the game entered crunch time, MTSU was tougher mentally. It was impressive to watch Kermit Davis' team down the stretch stand tall on the road and finish the game on a 15-0 run. Davis and the Raiders were understandably stoked, as our ace columnist Mark Wiedmer tells us here (Wiedmer: MTSU keeps going as Tennessee Vols stall).
As shocking as it was for most of the Vols - and Downtown Patrick Brown details that here (Middle is end for UT) - this should not change the view of The Conz's first year in Knoxville. It was a success no matter how sour the ending. But we'll bet a week's salary that this will leave a bad taste in Conz's mouth for a while.
Xavier's Mark Lyons, left, and Justin Martin, right, celebrate after a third-round NCAA tournament college basketball game against Lehigh in Greensboro, N.C., Sunday, March 18, 2012. Xavier won 70-58. (AP Photo/Zach Gibson)The Sweet 16
The NCAA tournament takes on serious stakes this week. Sure the first round of the Big Dance is serious, but it's also about Cinderella and blowouts and spending too longing trying to find TruTV on your cable dial.
Now it's about basketball. This year there are three double-digit seeds still alive, so there still is the Cinderella feel. (Side note: How great has this week been on the campuses at Ohio, Xavier and N.C. State where the fans and players are enjoying the extra days of buzz and energy and excitement that comes with winning two NCAA tournament games? We need to ask Mack McCarthy how great that week was for he and his Mocs back in 1997. We're on it. Mack if you read this shoot us an e-mail consider it the rare reverse Friday mailbag question from the 5-at-10.)
Here's what we see this weekend, upset version:
- N.C. State is not done. Kansas got the stuffing scared out of it by a Purdue team that is not as athletic as the Wolfpack. (Heck, we should have picked them for being the Wolfpack. Be it "The Hangover" or "Teen Wolf" you can't go wrong with the Wolfpack.)
- Ohio is going to give UNC fits but the Heels have too much talent.
- Xavier is not done either, but it's hard to call these Musketeers a Cinderella. Xavier has a legit All-American point guard and was 9-0 before the awful brawl against Cincy derailed its season for a while. The bumpy 12-12 stretch to finish the season after the fight was filled with discord and discipline and led Xavier to get a No. 10 seed, but without the fight, XU probably finishes the regular season 29-4 rather than 21-12. That would have been good enough for at least a No. 4 seed.
Speaking of Xavier, don't forget our Kemba Walker Memorial Shootout. Pick any two players left in the NCAA men's tournament that you think will score the most points in the next two rounds of the Big Dance. They can be from the same team or different teams and remember this is total points so playing in more games would be a nice advantage.
Here's who's in so far (you can enter in the comments section or email us at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com):
StuckinKent - Harrison Barnes (North Carolina), Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas)
McPell - E. Johnson (Kansas), Brady Heslip (Baylor)
5-at-10 - Tu Holloway (Xavier), Draymond Green (Michigan State)
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) looks to throw a pass.This and that
- Georgia starts spring football practice today and our SEC ace David Paschall has a nice primer here (Georgia upbeat as spring practice starts). Paschall asks some interesting questions about what seems to be the SEC's most intriguing team. Georgia could be a one-loss contender for BCS glory or the Bulldogs could be an assortment of talented pieces that fails to live up to its potential (the offensive line concerns are legit). Is it football season yet?
- Interesting news from UTC football practice from Mocs ace John "Ned Ryerson" Frierson here (Chattanooga Mocs moving Keith Mayes). Keith Mayes was a stud at Red Bank - one of those kids that just looked better than everyone else on the field and made plays - and we can see him having an impact this fall. Is it football season yet?
- Proud of the TFP sports staff. Today's section was loaded. Did you see Georgia preps ace Lindsey Young's story on Gordon Lee getting a super-rare GHSA over-rule that gave the wrestling team a state title? Read it here (Gordon Lee High School wins appeal, state wrestling title). Or how about veteran preps ace Ward Gossett's interesting story on a Notre Dame kid using a wooden bat by choice? Read it here (Notre Dame High School's Sheldon Brogden stars with wood bat). Good sports section today - definitely worth your 50 cents.
- The Lady Vols survived and advanced, getting by DePaul on Monday night to reach the Sweet 16 of the women's Big Dance. Now the BID-ness starts and with it will come the Pat watch and the stakes will rise with every passing game. Heck, the stakes are rising with every passing possession at this point.
- Did you see the hubbub during the ceremony to retire Chris Mullin's jersey at the Golden State game last night? Less than pretty. Quick recap: The Warriors owner, who dealt fan fav Monta Ellis last week, grabs the mic and and starts the ceremony with a chorus of boos building. He waits them out, and introduces Mullin, who is given a standing O. Then Rick Barry tells the crowd to show some class, which draws another boo storm. Let's just say there was plenty of awkward to go around. Emotionally, it was a Raiders-type crown, minus the spiked-shoulder pads and face paint of course.
- Bobby Cremins retired again Monday. Seems like a lifetime ago that he was the toast of the ACC at Georgia Tech, you know?
Today's question(s)
Now that "Chasing Peyton" has ended, what's next?
How do you feel about Manning heading to Denver? How will he fare?
Where will Tebow be next season? Will he be a fullback?
How do the 49ers approach Alex Smith and the Titans talk to Matt Hasselbeck now that the flirtations with Manning delivered nothing?
Is it football season yet?
Discuss.