PT 42: A True American Hero

It is hard to imagine that Tuesday will mark the 5th anniversary of the tragic death of former Sun Devil Pat Tillman in Iraq.

April 22nd, 2004. Friendly fire killed Army Ranger Pat Tillman while he was on patrol in Afghanistan. I remember exactly what I was doing the moment I heard the news. Between classes of my freshman year of high school a teacher stopped me in the hallway and asked me if I was a Sun Devil fan. I looked at him awkwardly and said yes, wondering why. He then went on to tell me of the death of Tillman and instantly my heart broke.

When I tell people that Pat Tillman is my hero, they will jump on me that I chose him because he gave up an NFL career and was tragically killed in war. Pat Tillman was one of my role models before he even decided to serve our nation. The way Tillman went about his life, the way he lived, there was no better role model.

He was the last member of the late Bruce Snyder's 1994 recruiting class, but the undersized linebacker made an incredible impact on and off of the field at ASU. Not only did he take home Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 or play a key role in the magical undefeated season the year before, Tillman was a model student, graduating with a 3.8 GPA.

The ultimate underdog, he was taken with the 226th overall pick in the draft by the Cardinals. Some even thought at the time that it was just the home town team doing the local college a favor. But Pat Tillman was right at home in Sun Devil Stadium, in college and the NFL. Tillman started 10 games as a rookie after moving to safety and made 74 tackles in his rookie season. His 224 tackles in 2000 are still a Cardinals record.

Pat Tillman had a higher purpose in life than being a pro football player. He turned down 9 million dollars from the Super Bowl Champion St. Louis Rams to stay a Cardinal. He then turned down $3.67 million from the Cardinals to join the forces.

“Pat knew his purpose in life,” said Dave McGinnis, Tillman’s former coach with the Cardinals. “He proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling.”

The attacks of 9/11 really hit Tillman hard and his quote shortly after the attacks summed up the man that was.

“My great grandfather was at Pearl Harbor, and a lot of my family has ... gone and fought in wars, and I really haven’t done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that.”

Then he did. He gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country. People have always wanted to honor Tillman properly, but he would have had none of that. He was a smart man that had many beliefs and studied works of many different philosophers. Tillman would not have wanted to be the hero, he was just doing what he felt he had to do. Pat was a modest man, all of his shirts were wrinkled, his watch was fake, his hair long and the only thing bigger than his character was his heart.

On the 5 year anniversary let us remember the man that was Pat Tillman. The man the Pac 10's defensive player of the year award bears the name of, the man that every Sun Devil is reminded of before each game while walking through the Tillman Tunnell. Regardless of how he was killed and regardless of the investigation that is still ongoing, Tillman gave Sun Devils, Cardinals and American's a hero and a reason to take a step back and look at our lives and wonder what more we could do? On April 22nd, remember PT42 and his sacrifice...for our nation.

Please watch these videos, as these are a great tribute to Pat.

A true Sun Devil....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIb7zW_okto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSWh6fvsPYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBM2hiXRZA0&feature=related

Robinson Changed the World

Tonight I was tempted by many request to rant about the Brewers and their pathetic start to the 2009 season, but that must be put on hold...at least for a day, because Wednesday is Jackie Robinson Day throughout Major League Baseball.

One of the better things that Bud Selig has done in his tenure was to recognize the impact that Jackie Robinson had not only on baseball, not only on professional sports but on a country.

"We ask for nothing special. We ask only to be permitted to live as you live, and as our nation's Constitution provides."

That is what Robinson told a New Orleans newspaper when he was asked as to how he would like to be remembered. While he may not have lived long enough to see his dream come to complete fruition, Jackie Robinson is remembered for much more than that quote.

Another Robinson quote reads "A life is not important, except for the impact it has on other lives."

If that quote holds true, Robinson's life was quite important and that is why #42 will be worn by every player tomorrow, he has impacted them all. Ken Griffey Jr. approached Selig on the idea of letting him wear #42 on Robinson day and this season Selig is having each and every player don #42.

Sure, if Robinson wouldn't have broke into the big leagues as its first African America, somebody else would have done it. But the fact of the matter is that he did it and did it at a time that was troubling for our nation. The game of baseball has a powerful impact on this country and when Robinson broke into the game in 1947, the US was recovering from World War II. Robinson fought off the hate crimes, the people talking behind his back, the death threats...he just wanted to play the game he loved and wanted all others to get the chance to do what they love, no matter what color their skin was. This country was still seven years away from the desegregation of schools when Jackie Robinson took the field for Brooklyn 62 years ago.

Robinson didn't just impact baseball. He paved the way for Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper and Nat Clifton to become the first African American's in the NBA. His impact stretches far past sports, his name is synonymous with social change in America.

Hank Aaron hit it right on the head when he said that Jackie Robinson was bigger than the hate. He was bigger than his teammates that tried to petition him off the team, bigger than the pitchers that threw at him, bigger than the runners that dug their spikes into his legs.

Robinson let players like Hammerin' Hank dream of playing professional baseball. He let young African American's have dreams for the first time ever. Now the spirit of Robinson lets everyone dream...regardless the feat, you can achieve what you believe in, because somehow Jackie did.

Tomorrow we celebrate the day that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier of a nation and changed its history forever. While #42 went hitless in his debut 62 years ago, he did score the winning run for the Dodgers and for a nation.

Yet Another Dissapointing End for the Bucks

When the lights go out at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday night, the sun will set on the 5th straight losing season for the Milwaukee Bucks. The team of nobodies stayed in the race for a bit, but a late losing streak sent them to the lotto again. The 52 wins and trip to the Eastern Conference Finals is a distant nine years ago and the immediate future isn't looking bright for the purple and green, or red and green, or whatever their colors are now.






Scott Skiles should consider himself lucky because he made it through the season. Not like he should have been fired for the terrible talent he had to work with after Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut both went down with season ending injuries, but that hasn't stopped Herb Kohl in the past...see Terry Porter.

Just to put it in perspective...the Bucks have had 9 coaches in the 20 years I have been alive, with only Mike Dunleavy and George Karl making it longer than three years. Since Karl was fired in 2003, Milwaukee is on their 4th coach and 3rd general manager. Each year the roster is completely turned over and continuity is a word not known at the BC. That is why the Bucks are the definition of below average, year in, year out.

John Hammond came from Detroit where he helped Joe Dumars build the Pistons and has big plans to do the same in Milwaukee, but we have to be paitient. Larry Harris and his team put this team in such a financial pit with the horrible contracts given to Dan Gadzuric, Bobby Simmons and Michael Redd that Hammond won't even be able to keep Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions this offseason. Two of the promising young building blocks that are on this team will walk this offseason and there is nothing the Bucks can do about it.

Losing Sessions isn't the end of the world, he is replaceable, especially through the draft. But Villanueva hurts...not just on the court. There is no better ambassador to the city or to the game than Charlie V. The tweetin' forward does countless community service and is a class act...just follow him on twitter at CV31 to see for yourself.

Its a sad reality and the Bucks are only going to get worse before they get better. That's right...even worse than the last few years. Winning their last few games has pushed the Bucks down the lottery chain and they are slated 10th. Don't be surprised if they move up, other than some guy named Kareem, they tend to win the lottery when there is not a superstar coming out. Kent Benson, Glenn Robinson, Andrew Bogut.

Point Guard

In order to keep Sessions, the Bucks will have to deal the $6.5 millon expiring contract of Luke Ridnour. Don't be surprised if Joe Alexander is wiggled as bait to try and get someone to bite on Luke. Personally, I like Ridnour and think he would make an excellent backup point guard on a good team. This is a position that the Bucks could look at in the draft. Eric Maynor, Ty Lawson and Johnny Flynn all likely will be available if the Bucks hold at 10. There are plenty of steals at PG in the second round..such as AJ Price, Toney Douglas, Darren Collison and Curtis Jerrells, that I'd be shocked if the Bucks don't take one. The key to successful teams is the center and point, with Bogut locked up..Milwaukee needs to find its floor general. They did just sign former Arizona Wildcat and Atlanta Hawk Salim Stoudamire to a contract for next season. If he can recover to old form after an injury, he can be a solid role player.

Two Guard

The Bucks hopes at the playoffs took a severe blow when Michael Redd freakishly tore his ACL in late January. While Bucks fans don't think the team can win with Redd as its star...he isn't going anywhere. Nobody is going to take the 17 million he is owed coming off major surgery. If there is anyone to fight and claw back from a devestating injury, it is Redd. He is still the face of the franchise and he will be back to old form by opening night. After Redd, there is only one known. Charlie Bell will be back for his 5th season in Milwaukee. Bell has turned into a very solid bench player, that has been forced into too much in his time as a Buck. If Bell can slide into the backup guard role, he will go back to the 13.5 PPG scorer he was a few years back. This is a position where the Bucks need to find a cheap bench option, because Bell and Stoudamire will serve as top backup options.

Small Forward

If anyone is packing their bags this offseason it is Richard Jefferson. But I don't think it is happening. Jefferson had a great year for the Bucks, stepping up and becoming the number one option after the injuries. Jefferson has yet to turn 30 and barring a blockbuster deal to clear salary, RJ will be the man at the three in 2009-10. The backups? That is a different story. Joe Alexander hasn't proven capable to play at this level and will likely be dealt in the offseason. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute can play the three, but is too valuable to be wasted there. With Villanueva likely gone, this is another important addition area. With limited money...a second round pick like Dante Cunningham, Danny Green or Jerel McNeal could see playing time right away.

Power Forward

To me, this is where I spend my first round pick. CV is a goner and Prince Luc is better off coming off the bench at numerous positions. Joe Alexander is too soft and heavens forbid that Malik Allen is left as the starter. If the Bucks strike gold in the lottery, Blake Griffin would look awfully good here, as would Andrew Bogut after Hasheem Thabeet moves him to the four. I'd even settle for Jordan Hill, but that would require hitting it big in the lottery. More realistic options are Craig Brackins from Iowa St. and Georgetown's Greg Monroe. Al Farouq Aminu and maybe even DeJaun Blair could be considered as well. No position is more important in the offseason than this one and with no cash, the draft pick has to be spent here.

Center

Andrew Bogut's back problems may worry you, but I rest assured that a fracture is healable. He will be ready for the start of next season and there is no doubt that the Aussie has an incredible impact on the game, with his passing, shot blocking and defense. That is why he got the contract he did, because he is the heart and soul of the team. Francisco Elson will have to do as the primary backup and he played alright this season. Dan Gadzuric will be back yet again...for year five of that horrid six year deal. Once again he will get paid 6.7 million to grab two rebounds a game. With Bogut, Elson and Danny G, don't look for many additions here, just because they need to spend the limited amount they have elsewhere.

Bench
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is so vaulable to this team. He can play every position and needs to come off the bench. Charlie Bell and Salim Stoudamire will serve as backup guards, as well as a likely veteran or rookie. Keith Bogans is a free agent, but could probably be resigned cheap. Add Elson, Gadzuric and Allen and this unit probably is set. It is terrible, but its set.

The Bucks will be the same team they always are next season if Redd and Bogut are healthy. They will threaten for that 8th spot in the East, no more. Unless John Hammond decides to completly tear it up and start again, the Bucks will be the same old Bucks. If he can find takers for Redd and Jefferson and somehow keep Sessions and Charlie V...it will be a successful offseason. It will make them worse, but they need to start over to get going. Bucks fans gave their team a standing ovation after their final home game on Monday...unless things turn around fast, those fans won't be there.

BREAKING NEWS: Harden to Declare for Draft

We all knew it was coming...now it is official. James Harden is heading to the NBA.

Arizona Republic basketball beat writer Doug Haller is reporting that Harden will enter the NBA Draft, with an official announcement coming tomorrow. He also reports that the 19-year-old is working on hiring representation, ending his chance to come back to ASU.

You can't blame Harden for going to the draft, hard to pass up being a Top 5 selection, in a weak draft class. NBADraft.net currently has Harden going #4 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Russell Westbrook was the #4 selection in last year's draft and his first year contract was $3.5 million. Harden will receive a similar deal to Westbrook, which has the first two years guaranteed at $7.3 million and then up to $23 million dollars in team options.

It is sad that James will always be remembered at ASU for his poor showing in the tournament, when the Devils never would have been near the dance without him. I don't know if there has been a player recently that has had the kind of impact that James Harden had in Tempe. He took a team that won 2 games in the Pac 10 the year before he came and led them to back to back 20 win seasons and was a few calls away from being Pac 10 Champions. James Harden is the best player to ever play basketball in Tempe and should forever be remembered as the kid that brought basketball back to Arizona St.

Personally, I will forever remember the time I got to watch and cover to James Harden here at ASU. It is not everyday you get to know a player of his caliber, that is a great person a well. His impact on ASU will not be felt until down the road, once the practice facility is up and Sendek begins to pull in top recruits.

And by the way...he went 5-0 against Arizona. Good luck James.

Baseball's Back...All is Right

After an incredibly tough weekend for me personally it was nice to turn on my TV at 5PM here in the Valley of the Sun and see a familiar site...baseball. Not played on a diamond in Arizona or Florida, but in Philadelphia, starting the 2009 season.

One of the many reason's baseball is better that football is because spring is here and summer is on its way, football means snow and cold. Baseball is my life and I mean that. It is amazing how such a simple game can have such a meaning in somebody's life, but it does to me. There is no other place that I am happier than at a baseball field, I could sit there for days without a care in the world.

Opening Day to a baseball fan is the greatest day on the calender. It means hope, your team is still in first place. For my Brewers, since being born on their opening day in 1989, it normally took two more days to be eliminated, but not last year as CC Sabathia and Ryan Braun re-lit the fire under Brew Crew Nation and took them to the playoffs. But now CC is in pinstripes and a kid named Yo has the pressure to fill his shoes. Now its Pittsburgh that will be eliminated two days in...

I don't think there is a time in a long time, in which our country needs its pasttime more than it does right now. With the struggling economy, job loss and the other issues facing our nation, the people need something to get behind. The boys of summer will bring just that.

It hurt me to hear that upper deck seats at new Yankee Stadium are going for over $300. You took money from the people to build the $1.5 billion dollar stadium...now let them enjoy it. Who is going to pay $300 to watch from the nosebleeds when they barely can make ends meet at home right now. Shame on you Yankees...

Thank god other places aren't like that. Baseball should be affordable for the blue collar worker in the great cities across this nation to take their family to and enjoy summer in the USA. It all got under way on Sunday night in Philly where a young kid named Jordan Schaefer and a grizzled old veteran Derek Lowe showed Atlanta fans why they should have hope.

So from Wrigleyville to the Bay, from Brew City to LA, New York to Cincinnati and elsewhere across the USA, this is the day we've waited for since October...it is finally here and let's play ball.

Greenberg Now the Favorite?

The Arizona Republic's Paola Boivin is in Detroit for the Final Four and she is reporting that the new favorite for the Wildcats' job is Virginia Tech Head Coach Seth Greenberg.

Not exactly the name that Wildcat fans wanted. Greenberg hasn't exactly done anything has a head coach. He has won one NCAA Tournament game in his career, that was in 2007 with Virginia Tech. He went 0-2 in the Big Dance as the Head Coach at Long Beach St., but is quite familiar with the NIT. He has made two straight trips to the Not Invited Tournament and five for his career.

Don't get me wrong, Seth Greenberg is one of the nicest people in college basketball and is a great interview and personality in the game, but not a winner and not even close to the league that even Tim Floyd is in.

I'll have more on Greenberg if this becomes official. Also reported by Boivin today is that Sean Miller and Lon Krueger are officially out of the running for the job. Poor Arizona...

Bears Finally Get a QB

Another team in the NFC North other than the Packers has a quarterback with talent?

This is a once in a generation deal one that could potentially go down as one of the biggest in NFL history. You would have a hard time trading for a marginal quarterback, let alone a guy with the credentials of Jay Cutler. Name a big name quarterback that has been traded? Montana, Favre, Green, McNair, Bledsoe? All past their prime. Certainly not 26 and ready make his mark.

The only trades I can think of that included young quarterbacks that became starters were Matt Hasselback from Green Bay to Seattle, Aaron Brooks from Green Bay to New Orleans and Matt Schaub from Atlanta to Houston. The common theme in those deals were that those guys were backups becoming starters...not quarterbacks that have thrown for over 4,500 yards in a season and two seasons of 20 plus touchdowns.

Jay Cutler is a rare talent, you don't trade rare talent, but Denver had no choice. They faltered much, much earlier. Josh McDaniels...when Kyle Orton leads you to 5 wins in your first and only year as a head coach because you angered your franchise quarterback before playing a game. Sure, Cutler should have taken it like a man and moved on, but you should know the type of person that Cutler is, we've seen it before.

For the Bears this is a brilliant move. There were plenty of teams interested in Cutler and I honestly thought that nobody would be able to pull the trigger. Leave it to the place of quarterback hell to pull it off. They not only got Orton for themselves, but more importantly prevented Minnesota from acquiring him. The Bears are instant contenders now not only in the NFC North but in the NFC.

Now...they do have a lot riding on this. Two first round picks, plus a third is a lot to give up for a quarterback that can turn into a career cancer just as fast as he can blossom into a superstar. But for the Bears...they needed to take this chance. You don't win titles with Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman, Erik Kramer, Cade McNown...

The Bears finally have their franchise quarterback that they have tried time and time again to get, while the Broncos will have an open competition between Orton and Chris Simms? Woo!

There is no price too steep to pay for a franchise quarterback. Now the Bears aren't a championship team anymore. If they had Cutler back when the defense was the best in the league, they would have a Super Bowl title, but the defense isn't what it used to be. But now they have their franchise quarterback to build around. Chicago fans got excited about Orlando Pace...Orlando Pace is more washed up than Gary Sheffield.

Ironic for Cutler that he gets to play for Ron Turner. Turner was the coach at Illinois when Cutler thought he had a scholarship to play for the Illini, but claimed Turner pulled the scholarship late in the process.

Now it is time for Jay Cutler to grow up. Chicago fans aren't going to be too welcome to the Jay Cutler antics if he fails to produce results. It is certainly time to put up or shut up for Cutler.

Let's see how week three of the preseason goes when he enters Infesco Field...as a Bear.

Update: Floyd Turns Down Arizona

So there goes my blog last night....

Potentially this could be a good thing for both sides. Floyd fits better at USC and depending on who UA hires...could be better than Floyd. Not looking good for our friends to the South right now...

Names now swirling around Tucson are Sean Miller, Jeff Capel and Bruce Pearl. Maybe Miller, Pearl re-signed with Tennessee and Capel has already been rumored to say no.

Another rumor I'm hearing is former Bucks and Suns coach Terry Porter to Wazzu. Interesting..one Wisconsin guy could replace another in Pullman.

Stay tuned...I'm sure this is going to be fun.

Tim Floyd? That is the Best You Could Come Up With?

Wow. That is all I can say. The University of Arizona is officially more of a circus than a sitcom after word leaked out Wednesday that Tim Floyd will become the team's 15th head coach. While there is no official announcement from the schools, The Arizona Republic, The LA Times or anyone other than ESPN and KTAR...I believe it is true. ESPN has been wrong before, see Les Miles, but Miles also did lie to the Worldwide Leader.

Anyways....Tim Floyd. Interesting pick for a school that's fan base thinks they could have had any coach in America. That is why Rick Pitino and Mark Few both didn't want to come to Tucson. Earlier today it was Jeff Capel that "was in Tucson" ready to lock up a deal, but then Tim Floyd became the man.

Floyd coached at Idaho and New Orleans, but lets start his coaching career at Iowa St., where he really made a name for himself. His first Cyclones team went 23-11, the most wins in school history to date and advanced to the second round of the tournament, led by All-American Fred Hoiberg. They were ousted in the second round the next year, but made the Sweet 16 in his third season. That is where things get interesting in the Tim Floyd story.

After his third year in Ames, Floyd lands his first McDonald's All-American in Marcus Fizer. Lets just say things didn't go according to plan for the pair. Fizer averaged 15 and 7 but Iowa St. stumbled to 12-18. That miserable season only became more miserable when Floyd made the jump to the NBA...

To me, Floyd will always be the guy that succeed Phil Jackson and the Bulls' dynasty. He took over pretty much an expansion team, they had no talent. But the thing that caused Floyd to resign was the disarray his teams were always in. There was bad event after bad event and his teams kept getting worse and worse. The Bulls still haven't recovered from the wrath of Floyd, to this day.

Somehow he got another job in the NBA. The Hornets gave Floyd a job two years later and he went 41-41 that year....but lost Jamal Mashburn mid-year. The Hornets took the Heat to the brink of elminiation in the playoffs, but fell. Once again chemistry problems caused Floyd to lose his job, after just one year. Sense a pattern here?

Then came USC. The Trojans fired Henry Bibby and planned to replace him with former Marquette and Utah coach and a personal favorite of mine Rick Majerus. Majerus finally came to his senses and turned down USC, leading them to Floyd. Ever the pot stirrer, Floyd made headlines right away by offering Dwayne Polee Jr a scholarship before he ever played in a high school game. Polee is still a sophomore in high school and now probably feels betrayed by Floyd.

He took USC to the NCAA Tournament three times and to the Sweet 16 once. But the common theme with Floyd is he struggled in conference play. He has never one a conference, his best finish was 2nd in the Big 8 back in 1995. There were other finishes like a pair of 5th's, 6th and 11th.

People say Tim Floyd can recruit...but really he only could at USC. Who can't recruit to USC? Tucson is certainly no Los Angeles. O.J. Mayo, DeRozan and such probably would not have came to Arizona if Floyd was the coach there and not at USC. Sure he can recruit those players, but they are one and done. You can't win like that. That is why USC never won anything.

Floyd is a coach I can't stand. He constantly berates the refs, throws temper tantrums and has absolutley no standards in his programs. His teams play dirty, it rubs right from their coach. From Marcus Fizer to Daniell Hackett...grabbing and mugging opponents has been Floyd's style.

Now to Arizona...they got their option D or E. Obviously the Wildcat program isn't in the same stratopshere as Kentucky or the other top programs because Jeff Capel wouldn't leave Oklahoma, Rick Pitnio wouldn't leave Louisville or even Mark Few wouldn't leave Gonzaga to take your job. You play Russ Pennell, a well respected coach and gentleman, don't give him a shot to get the job after he works miracles with your team in one year and then hire a guy that probably would have gotten less votes for coach of the year in the same conference? Nice work Cats. This is going to blow up in your face. Floyd is a problem...the guy is psycho and only stays in places short enough so the NCAA can't find his cheating ways.

For USC, you should be angry, but it will be better in the long run. Floyd met with the team yesterday to tell them he was committed to bringing a title to USC and wasn't going to the NBA. Ok, first..who wanted you in the NBA? That 93-235 record is dazzling! The next day he is in Tucson ready to jump to a conference rival. The Trojans will suffer short term..DeRozan now is for sure gone, as is Hackett and Taj Gibson. If SC returned those players...add in Renardo Sidney and Solomon Hill..you could have been talking about a team that could make a serious run at a Final Four. But no...Floyd ruined it.

None of those players will suit up for USC next year. Hill and Sidney both haven't signed, so they are free to go wherever. Hill originally committed to UA and could follow his coach to Tucson. Sidney hasn't even qualified for college yet and will likely not get a high enough SAT score, he's probably headed the Brandon Jennings' route to the NBA.

What a week for coaching in the Pac 10. First, Tony Bennett leaves Wazzu for the ACC...then this. Now two openings in the Pac 10 and it could get interesting before all is said and done. I have a strange feeling that Jamie Dixon will end up leaving Pitt for USC...he is still a Cali guy at heart. Does that open the door for Herb Sendek to go home to Pitt? Wouldn't that be nuts...Arizona's bad hire ends up hurting ASU...stay tuned.

I'll leave you with this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsqdeLOWIpc