FAU Sports

FAU's Bonner on Bonner

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:53:24 -0500

OK, I have already given photographic evidence that WR Chris Bonner heads into his senior season in pretty phenomenal shape.

As a reminder…
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I got a chance to talk with him following a 7-on-7 practice, and put together this short video.
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Kind of gets you excited for the season, doesn’t it?

Bonner looked good in spring and has obviously been working hard this summer.

With Bonner, Cortez Gent and Jason Harmon at TE, FAU has three weapons that will be tough to handle.

I really like this offense going against all those spread teams in the Belt.

Those defenses practice against that dink-and-dunk game, and rarely see the pro-style set FAU uses, with receivers actually running routes of more than 10 yards.

The receivers are all seniors, as is QB Rusty Smith. This should be their year, and so far they are practicing like it is.

TOUGH DAY

Jessica Carafiello, the FAU alum, shot 8-over in the opening round of the U.S. Women’s Open and is tied for 117th. She’ll need a huge day today to make the cut.

Keep an eye on Alexis Thompson, the 14-year-old phenom from Coral Springs. She started today even and just three shots back.

I watched her qualify for her first Open at age 12 in 2007, and then saw her do it again last year. She is playing in her third straight and as she grows up, her drives get longer and game improves.

She made the cut and finished in a tie for 21st at the Kraft Nabisco in April. She is going to be a factor on LPGA sooner than later.

VACATION

I will still be posting something every day, but in an hour or so, Connie The Wonder Woman and me will be climbing into the Camry and heading north for a two-week jaunt that will take us up to Lake Erie then east to the Atlantic.

I have stockpiled plenty of stuff, and since this is, unfortunately, a road trip and not my preferred disappearnce into a wilderness area, I will be connected via phone and computer.

Which reduces this to a semi-vacation, though I will be out of South Florida and into the hardwoods and hills of the northern climes.

To aid my effort, I will have some guest posters to help provide some variety.

Best part is I return just a day before the big BOT stadium meeting, and then training camp is a mere two weeks away.

So the Dreaded Summer Doldrums will be over. We will have made it through without any canoe adventure stuff.

Now, off to pack the cooler and give Connie the map since she will navigate because she knows I will never, ever, stop to ask for directions.

Later…

Bye, bye Frank Brogan

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:03:46 -0500

Dirty Phil passed along this e-mail he received from Little Big Man, FAU Prez Frank Brogan.

Pretty much cinches the deal, since Brogan wouldn't enter the competition without knowing who the winner would be, and it sure has the tone of a farewell letter.

Also shows how in with the bigs Dirty Phil is....

To alumni and friends of FAU:

It is with mixed feelings that I write to you today. As you may be aware, there has been some speculation during the past few weeks on whether I would consider serving as the chancellor for the State University System of Florida.

I have been approached by many influential people throughout the state regarding this opportunity, but only after much reflection and discussion with my family did I decide to pursue the opportunity and convey my intent to the individuals conducting the chancellor search.

I have spent my career working to improve our educational system — first as a teacher, later as a principal, superintendent and commissioner of education. As lieutenant governor, I also made education a top priority. And during my six years as president here, at my alma mater, I have strived to increase our academic standards, elevate our research standing and provide to our students the highest quality education possible. The state's public higher education system is also poised to grow in stature and give to all of the state's students the best opportunities available — that's why I made the decision to seek this new position. It is another way for me to continue my dedication to education should I be selected to serve.

The decision to pursue the chancellorship was not an easy one. I enjoy serving as FAU's president immensely, and not a day goes by that I don’t consider myself enormously blessed to work with such fine students, faculty, staff and alumni who have formed a strong relationship with this university and hold fond memories of their time here. It is my honor to be a part of the FAU family.

The chancellor's search process, including interviews, is expected to take place this coming week, and I will share the outcome of this process with you; however, my priority remains FAU and its continued success.

Thank you for your time and for your continued connection to FAU.

Sincerely,
Frank T. Brogan, President
Florida Atlantic University

DIRTY PHIL FOR PREZ

Yes, might as well start the campaign right now. He bleeds FAU blue, with red trim. He followed the Owls all the way to Texas and go into their stadium the night before the game.
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He would get the stadium built in time for the 2010 season. It might look pretty strange, but it will exist.

And just think about the parties he and Kelly would hold in their presidential home...
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Might have to get some new t-shirts, though.

Later...

Party grows; Troy gets more luv; FAU fourth in Belt?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:37:11 -0500

It’s now a Jervonte Jackson/Frantz Joseph bash. (You need to have a Facebook account to see the invite).

Hopefully they aren’t jinxing themselves with the title of the Bash.

Yes, they are technically on the rosters, Jackson with the Eagles and Joseph with the Raiders, but that roster is now like 80 players, and will shrink down into the 50s by the end of training camp.

So them being on the final roster is no sure thing, especially since both were undrafted free agents. Though fans certainly hope they become the first ex-Owls to play in the NFL.

A benefit is like what happened with week when Frantz showed up at the practice fields. Players gravitated to him. Soon he had taken over the defense and ran a few plays.
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That is the one thing FAU is missing, that NFL player who comes back to campus and is tangible proof that if they can make it to that level playing for the Owls.
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TROY AT 55 IN NYT POLL

OK, a bit painful to read, since FAU gets mentioned quite a few times, and never favorably, but NYT The Quad blog has Troy at No. 55, best in the Belt.

Did note one big boo-boo. The writer says QB Jamie Hampton was replaced by Levi Brown because of too many turnovers.
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Nope. Hampton was replaced because he tore his ACL during the win over FAU. Brown came into the game and took it from there.

What helps me remember that is the Troy SID, in a nomination for Player of Week, basically said FAU’s Robert St. Clair purposely dove at Hampton’s knee.

At the time I don’t think they realized how good Brown was going to be.

FAU TO FINISH FOURTH?

And this prediction from a betting company has FAU finishing fourth in the Belt.

Sorry, I cannot jump on the Arkansas State or MTSU band wagons. Everyone seems to luv ASU this year, but I can’t see them finishing second.

FORMER OWL TEES OFF

Jessica Carafiello, who played four years for FAU, tees off in her first U.S. Open at 2:42 this afternoon. Coverage is one ESPN beginning at 2 p.m. today and Friday.

Carafiello is from Coral Springs and is now on the LPGA Future’s Tour. She is paired with Libby Smith and Ashleigh Albrecht.

The Open is being played at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.

Later…

FAU receivers catching on

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:49:24 -0500

SURE HANDS

The receivers want to erase memories of last season’s drops, and appear to be doing that from what I have seen of the 7-on-7.
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Xavier Stinson made this shoe-string catch
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And even linebackers got involved in some of the drills. Who is this?
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Is this the reason Ed Alexander is a DB and not a receiver?

KNOW YOUR OWLS

This could be a tough one…and I don't know the answer, though I have a pretty good idea who it might be.
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WR or TE.

OUT WITH THE OLD

For those that have never been behind The Oxley, this is the old ticket office. Basically a double-wide that was parked there for years and finally declared uninhabitable last year.

That is when the ticket office moved to the second floor, taking over space in the lobby.

The new ticket office is being built on the other side of The Oxley.

POWER BROKERS

An odd list put together by Orlando Sentinel, trying to rank most influential people the state’s college sports.

Howard is on it, though behind George O’Leary, but UCF is Orlando’s school.

Seems the presidents of universtity’s are the ones that decide where the money goes, so they would have the most influence.

Later…

Back to FAU football; Frantz Joseph hosting bash

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:44:33 -0500

Back to the gridiron.

Which was griddle-hot on Monday for the 7 on 7s.

NEWS UPDATE: Training camp opens Aug. 9.

And Frantz Joseph has invited everyone to a party Saturday (seem bottom of post for that info)

Mystery guest. Who is this former Owl with his pants hanging halfway down his arse?
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Hard to gauge much by watching 7 on 7. No pads, no hitting, so the offense has a big advantage.

The players are working out in the morning, then it is off to classes or work, then however many as can make it come out for 7 on 7 at 3:30 in the afternoon.

Tavious Polo is primed for his junior year, and will take over the spot vacated by Corey Small.

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That is Polo flying high. Can you name the player next to Polo and the white dude who is preparing to catch the pass? (which he did).

TROY PROMOS

The Troy version of the student-run Owl TV is putting together some football season promotion videos that aren’t bad. Here is one featuring QB Levi Brown and a guy who looks like Frantz Joseph's twin.
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Promo says Troy is going for its fourth straight Belt title, which is true, though they shared the title with FAU in 2007 and with MTSU in 2006.

In 2006 they did to MTSU what FAU did to them in 2007 – beat them in the final game of the season to win the tie-breaker that sent them to the New Orleans Bowl.

MYSTERY GUEST REVEALED

Former FAU middle linebacker Frantz Joseph (left) was back in the house. (Bonus: Who is the LB talking with Joseph and hopefully getting pointers from the all-time leading Owls tackler?)
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The always-smiling Joseph is in the midst of a three-week break from the Oakland Raiders. He was working out on his own, but did step in for a couple plays during the 7 on 7.

He has dropped some weight and looks to be in fine form. More on Joseph to come.

And for those who want to wish Frantz good luck in person, he just posted this on his facebook page:

I WOULD 4 LIKE ALL MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, ASSOCIATES, TEAMATES (OLD AND NEW), PARTNERS ETC...TO JOIN ME THIS SAT JULY 11TH @ SCOOP BOCA FOR MY WELCOME TO THE NFL PARTY...LADIES IN FREE ALL NITE..THIS WILL BE A SOLDOUT EVENT...4 MORE INFO CALL OR TEXT (561) 889 5498...SEE YALL SATURDAY

Frantz has 1,147 friends, so it could be kind of crowded...

Later…

Former FAU golfer in U.S. Women's Open

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:39:16 -0500

OK, let’s shift off football for a quick moment.

A former FAU golfer and local resident will be competing in this week’s U.S. Women’s Open.

5px 0px;" />Jessica Carafiello, who is from Coral Springs, played at FAU beginning in 2001 (as she told me, “Same year that Schnellenberger and football started.”)

She had a four-year career and then turned pro. It hasn’t been easy, but she is playing on the Duramed Futures Tour (the LPGA equivalent of the PGA’s Nationwide Tour) and missed getting her LPGA Tour card by one stroke in December.

The U.S. Open will be her first major, and it begins Thursday in Bethlehem, Pa.

Her coach at FAU was JOAN JOYCE, and I talked with Joan about Jessica before Joan headed to France on a much-deserved vacation.

For those in the dark on Joyce, she is a remarkable woman and serves as the FAU softball and the women’s golf coach. Two jobs she is eminently suited for.

5px 0px;" /> I can’t come close to describing her stellar career in multiple sports, but here’s a couple facts: She was a dominant fast-pitch softball player, and threw a 116-MPH fastball.

She took up golf at the age of 35, and two years later was on the LPGA Tour, and she continued to play on the Tour for 18 years.

Joyce could get that good that fast in just about any sport she decided to take up.

Carafiello is one of two Owls on the Futures Tour, with Praewnapa Phol-Uayporn the other.

Good luck to Jessica.

Later….

More Know Your FAU Owls; recruit in gold medal game

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:43:07 -0500

OK, I trust everyone has all their fingers as there were no unfortunate fireworks accidents.

One more Know Your Owl for a July 5
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We know the defender is E-Mack (right). The question is, who is the receiver?

BLOWOUT EXPECTED

Today at 1 p.m. is the Gold Meal game of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship – Canada versus USA.

And why should you care?

5px 0px;" />Well, FAU signed a kid named Jamal Davis (right) out of Coral Springs Charter in February, and he is a receiver on the U.S. squad.

I hope Davis is getting something out of the practices, because the games have been, well, let’s just say USA opponents are getting some “advanced training.”

USA beat up France 78-0 in its first game, then took the foot off the accelerator a bit while trouncing Mexico 55-0 to get into today’s championship game.

I would expect Canada will put up a bit more of a fight, but should be another blowout.

The game is on Fox College Sports Atlantic; DirecTV Channel 617; and webcast at FoxCollegeSports.com.

Later…

FAU Owl all inked up and some 4th cheesecake

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:05:28 -0500

Happy 4th to all..

The day when it is great to combine two of my favorite things – alchohol and gunpowder.
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STUMPED

Where is CallowayGardens when you need him?

Nobody got yesterday’s Know Your Owls, so the DB covering Bonner remains a mystery.

Today is a two-parter. Who is this with all the ink on his back, and does anyone know what is written inside that scroll?
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And I guess a third since I have never gotten a tattoo. How long would it take to write out all those words on someone’s skin like that? And a fourth, How much would you estimate the cost to be? Do they charge by the letter, word, amount of ink, time involved?

ODD FAREWELL

Way off topic, but someone sent me this bizarre obituary. I like how this person told it like it is, or was.

And to make up for that first photo...

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Have a great, and safe, Fourth.

Me? I have a list from Connie The Wonder Woman that begins with buying a bunch of dirt at Home Depot. Yahoo…

Later…

Know Your FAU Owls, new building, and more

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:20:19 -0500

Hopefully most of you are starting a three-day holiday weekend. If not, here is some stuff to help get through the day.

NEW DUCKET OFFICE

There is some construction going on next to The Oxley.

Right now it is just a hole in the ground, but eventually what will rise from this place is a new ticket office.
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The Oxley is behind and to the left in this picture, and that is The Burrow in the background, with the practice baseball field to the right.
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The old office was a double-wide trailer parked next to The Oxley that was condemned last year, meaning the ticket office moved into The Oxley on the second floor.

Oh, and the construction project you are most interested in, the stadium, is supposed to come up at the July 22 BOT meeting.

3 part debate: Build big later, build small now, and if build small now, which side to build? The home side, with luxury boxes, etc, or the visitors side, with just seats?

KNOW YOUR OWLS

OK, the receiver we know is Chris Bonner. The question is, who is the DB covering him?
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BELT, C-USA MERGER?

Here is how the blogger up in Murfreesboro is battling the Dreaded Summer Doldrums – by envisioning a merger of C-USA and the Sun Belt.

That would at least put FAU, FIU and UCF in the same league.

I do think there will be some conference reshuffling in the years ahead, but I don’t envision something as grand as this.

I am thinking economics is going to drive some of it, since we may get out of this recession but I don’t see things being like they were when the bubble was expanding.

Regardless of what happens, I think more Florida schools should play each other more often.

FAU having one in-state game in football this season is not good. FAU should be playing a minimum of three – FIU, UCF or USF, and one of the big three – UF, FSU, Miami – each year.

That makes better economic sense for the university and is better for the fans on both sides of the sidelines.

Later…

Barry Switzer vs. Howard Schnellenberger, Round II

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:48:15 -0500

If there is a God, please make this happen: FAU versus Oklahoma in a bowl game.

Wouldn't that be something?

I am dreaming of that following yesterday, when I started getting e-mails ranting about Barry Switzer out of the blue.

Well, turns out my post on how Switzer was still dumping on Howard Schnellenberger 20 years after Switzer was forced out at Oklahoma was linked to on the ESPN Big 12 blog.

That sent Sooner Nation into a tizzy, as the Switzer apologists rallied behind their beloved former leader, forgetting all that happened leading up to his ouster.

Whatever.

Fan psychology is fascinating, The 20-year anniversary of the day Switzer is forced out in disgrace gets turned into a Switzer luv-fest, with all these warm and fuzzy memories of how all his wins and what could have been if only he had been allowed to remain as coach. Blah, blah, blah.

The better question might be what would have happened if Howard had stayed for at least three years, long enough to get the right players in to execute his offensive system?

But we'll never know, and if he would have stayed, FAU probably wouldn't have gotten him as coach, and who knows where the program would be if he was not in charge.

Think FIU. Sends a chill down your spine, doesn't it?

FIU TOUGHEST NON-CON SKED?

While at ESPN, saw where FIU was tabbed as the team with the toughest non-con sked – Alabama, Rutgers, Toledo, Florida.

OK, Bama and Florida are tough, but Toledo of the mighty MAC, and Rutgers of the overrated Big East? I say FIU has a good shot in both those games.

This does show that the Belt is doing a better job of scheduling. Remember 2006 with the Owls played Clemson, South Carolina, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, or 2005 when it was Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Louisville?

Nice having UAB and Wyoming to go along with Nebraska and South Carolina.

ONE LESS BLOG

I noticed that the ESPN college football blogs is minus one – that would the one that included the WAC, MAC, Sun Belt, Mountain West, C-USA and independents, which meant it was all about Notre Dame with an occasional mention of the others.

Not sure how much traffic they expected when one poor blogger was covering five conferences and Notre Dame. Doomed to fail from the start.

ALL BETS ON

Interesting stuff from you folks on betting on the Owls.

We’ll get into that a little more as the season approaches.

I can see where having money on the outcome can compound the joy of winning and the hurt of losing. Feel for those who had money on FAU in that MTSU game.

Geez, it was bad enough to lose on a heart-ripped-out-of-chest Hail Mary, but to see potential winnings evaporate with it….

Later…

Betting on FAU: Who puts real money down?

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:38:24 -0500

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when a google alert steered me to another FAU season preview, but this one was from a betting web site.

5px 0px;" /> Decent information. Of course, if they are trying to entice you to bet hard-earned dollars, they better have their facts straight.

They also included a link to the preview of last year’s Troy versus FAU game. Troy was a 3.5 point favorite, with an over-under of 51 points.

Those that have not successfully erased the memory of that disaster from their minds will recall a 30-17 win by Troy. On national TV. With the ball-bouncing-off-helmet-of-FAU-player incident to spice things up. Oh, the horror.

They were right on that one, though, but they also had a link to the Motor City Bowl, where Central Michigan was a 6-point favorite in a game FAU won 24-21.

Which leads me to a couple questions.

Wondering if any of you bet, and specifically, bet on FAU.

Have you made any money? How does it change watching or being at a game if you have money riding on it?

I’ve covered enough FAU games to know that aside from Howard’s record in bowl games (6-0), and that the Owls will get blown out against BCS teams on the road, I think I would shy away from any bets on the birds. Especially in these uncertain economic times.

Any good stories of big paydays or major losses? Hey, it's July 1. Another month to kill before training camp...

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Later…

FAU needs to ponder life without Frank Brogan

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:04:35 -0500

OK, he hasn’t applied for the job yet, but FAU Prez Frank Brogan is the perfect candidate for the open position of chancellor of the state’s university system.

He knows politics and is now in his sixth year at FAU, so he knows how to run a large public university. Brogan has had a few missteps, but those pale into what he has been able to accomplish at FAU.

He has the resume for the job, and I would have to think it is his if he wants it.

This impacts FAU sports fans, because Brogan has been a big booster of athletics, particularly football. He understands what an on-campus stadium will mean to the university and has been pushing for it.
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Brogan giving Tavious Polo a hug after loss to South Florida in 2007.
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And celebrating win over Minnesota that same season. (Bob Markey with camera to left).

So, FAU Country must ponder what life without Prez Brogan will be like.

He has a great gig now, but he would be the Big Boss up in Tallahassee, and let’s remember his wife went to FSU and has family in that part of the state.

This could all come down by the end of July, as they will being interviews in the middle of the month.

If I were on the BOT, I would start looking for a replacement. It’s been a nice run, but methinks Brogan’s days at FAU are numbered.

Later…

Know Your FAU Owls III

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:28:52 -0500

Round III of Know Your FAU Owls…

These three should be easy…
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And while coaches can’t coach during summer workouts, they can wander out onto the porch of their offices and take in the view…
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Later…

Know Your FAU Owl II; Troy fans defend oversigning

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:12:05 -0500

OK, round two of Know Your FAU Owl.

Who is this dude who does a nice job of finding the ball, adjusting, and hauling it in…(and CallawayOwl, sit this one out, please. You come in when people get stumped.)
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TROY FANS DEFEND ‘LARRY THE OVERSIGNER’

My friends over at the Owls Nest have noted that some Troy fans have been calling me derogatory terms for focusing in on coach Troy Blakeney’s love for the sleazy tactic of oversigning.

5px 0px;" /> Yes, oversigning is legal, but it is rarely used, and when Houston Nutt signed 37 at Ole Miss in Feb., then bragged “I could have signed 80,” the SEC quickly stepped in said, “No You Can’t,” and imposed the “Houston Nutt Rule,” capping recruiting classes to 28 (the most that can enroll each year is 25).

I think it’s time the Sun Belt adopt the “Larry Blakeney Rule,” since Blakeney is considered the King of Oversigning, where a class of 37 is the norm.

Speaking of which, here is the latest news out of Troy. This is the kind of stuff you face when you sign so many kids you KNOW aren’t academically qualified. (This from Drew Champlin’s blog. I give Drew credit for keeping up with all this crap):

Some guys aren’t enrolled yet. JUCO transfers Eugene Kinlaw (DT), Jonathan Massaquoi (DE) and Nate Newland (OL) are completing course work to be eligible for the fall. High school RB Greg Pratt is doing the same and DB Bradley Wallace is waiting on a test score.

The signees who didn’t qualify are DT Vinson Bass, WR Dominique Bonman, DE Daymond Brinson, DB Tony Gray, ATH Dezman Ivory, DT Anthony Payne and OL Jeremy Simmons. The plan is for them to go to JUCO if they’ve done enough to qualify for that (i.e. graduate, pass exit exams, etc)

So, Troy signed like 37 players in Feb, knowing a lot wouldn’t qualify, and turns out at least six didn't qualify, with others pending so the list could grow.

Now they get shipped to JC, IF they qualify to get in. Then, if they survive the rigors of JC, in two years they can come back to the mothership and maybe get in a couple years of football.

You go, Troy.

Later…

'Know Your FAU Owls' quiz and more

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:17:19 -0500

OK, a little game of Know Your Owls

Some shots from the 7-on-7 practice that went on this week behind The Oxley.

The first one is an easy one.
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Big Bonus Points: Who is the DB behind the guy with the ball?

And while there was a lot of catching going on, the D did have its moments. Can you identy these two happy d-backs who are returning an INT?
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FIRST BERNIE, NOW VINNIE

Seems like Vinnie Testerverde, who was recruited along with Bernie Kosar to UM by The Voice, is having a better time of things at this stage of his life than Bernie.
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The stuff with Howard Schnellenberger is kind of low, but it is interesting and worth getting down to. At FAU, Howard is clearly looking nationwide and not just east of the Mississippi when seeking out a QB to run the system he has had since God forged it onto the rock just after he finished with the 10 Commandments. Or at least it seems that long.

SIDNEY GREEN SURFACING?

Any Chicago Bulls fans out there?

Well, some bad news. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls are >considering hiring Sidney Green as an assistant coach.

It’s down at the bottom of the story, just one line, but Bulls fans should be concerned.

Sidney Green is a name that makes many Owls fans cringe. Yes, he did take the Owls to their first and only appearance in the NCAA Tournament, after they won their first and only conference title back in 2002.

But that was a fluke, and his only winning season, and he squandered the momentum it should have generated by negotiating for a higher salary instead of recruiting.

Those other five years of his reign were lamentable, and he was forced out with a 54-121 record and reputation as a absentee-coach, leaving most of the work to his assistants.

HEADLINES WE LIKE

Only in Florida could someone get arrested for sexually harassing a mermaid.

And got to love seagulls that can change the outcome of a ball game.

Later…