Thursday Take-Twos (Entropy Edition)

I’m all over the place today…
Terrelle Pryor should most definitely be considered for the Heisman Trophy. The Ohio State quarterback went from a spastic slinging sophomore to an upstanding upperclassman. Pryor has been instrumental in paving the way for the Buckeyes’ number one ranking this season. His ability to scramble in the pocket and composure behind center are pivotal to Ohio State’s success. If the junior signal caller beats Wisconsin in Badger nation this Saturday, he should be the front-running Heisman candidate. Granted, Ohio State’s schedule prior to this weekend hasn’t been the most demanding slate in college football. But the Buckeyes are still winning all their games. I don’t side with those who say Pryor still has plenty to prove. He is already establishing himself as one of the game’s best quarterbacks. Pryor ranks sixth in passer efficiency and his dangerous legs are enough to diminish any defense in the Big 10. Pryor has matured into a legitimate and flourishing football player. He will be tested at Camp Randall this Saturday, where is reputation as a 19 year old rookie began. Pryor stole the show in a three point OSU victory two years ago in Madison. Now number two is a high performing player ready to be challenged by the redemption-seeking Badgers.
Have you heard of Josh Luchs? Well, you should pick up a copy of the latest Sports Illustrated. In the article, Luchs contends he paid many professional players while they were college stars. Former sports agent, Luchs, represented over 60 professional players and was a dogged recruiter during his career. Now the Brooklyn native is confessing and admitting to paying thousands of players. Luchs is leaving the agent business after years of treating prospects to free meals, lavish gifts and showing them a good time. Luchs is coming clean in part to save his reputation. He doesn’t want his daughter to know her father as a cheater who broke NCAA rules. Santonio Holmes is named in the article, not for taking money from Luchs, but for accepting money from another agent. Holmes has denied the allegations he was compensated during college. Stories such as this get to me because it makes college football look bad. Holmes is a former Ohio State player. He’s been to the Superbowl with the Steelers, I don’t like seeing players I root for conveyed in this manner. It’s one thing for Holmes to be disrespected following a substance abuse violation (which he was earlier this year). But it’s another for players to be singled out (ie Reggie Bush) for a widespread problem. Whether or not the allegations are true, the university is not to blame. The NCAA has a duty to protect their student athletes. Players are responsible for their own actions, and coaches and team personnel need to be aware of the impact of sports agents. It’s becoming more and more apparent that the violations are problematic to the sport.
Yankee manager, Joe Girardi, celebrates a birthday today. Perhaps A.J. Burnett will give him a belated gift by actually being effective during the ALCS against the Texas Rangers. The series begins Friday night in Texas, with the home team coming off their first ever post-season series win. New York ace, C.C. Sabathia, opposes Texas’ C.J. Wilson in a battle of the initial first names. Girardi altered the rotation, going with Phil Hughes in game two. Andy Pettitte will throw game three in New York, which leaves the door open for him to pitch the deciding game seven, if necessary. Burnett threw a simulated game yesterday and hit two batters. Yankee fans have miniscule confidence in the former World Series hurler, but Girardi made the correct decision in tagging Burnett as the game four starter. If Burnett was left out of the rotation, the other starters would have to throw on short rest. In the post-season, that is a risk. Here’s hoping Burnett can pull himself together for a credible performance. Texas’ CY Young ace, Cliff Lee, will be a tough match for the Bomber offense. The Rangers are a hungry team right now, and they did sweep the Yankees in New York less than a month ago. I expect a competitive series but I like New York in five or six games.

Parting Points: “Have you ever loved somebody so much it makes you cry”- Brandy