Dr Z

Todd McShay released his first mock. He has Bortles going #3 overall. I wonder how many folks know that Bortles beat Bridgewater in Louisville (#8 team in the country at the time) back in October?

Spark any neurons? Brown and Jenkins listed as Akron has interest.

Popular subject...all of a sudden. PS Walterfootball.com has Bortles going #4 overall. Browns might have to trade up to land him.

A lot of writers (including our own GT) are retweeting this article written by By Dan Shaughnessy in todays Boston Globe. Small excerpt: Trust me when I tell you this whole thing has changed. When I came into this business in the 1970s, it was OK for sports reporters to be skeptical and critical. It was not a crime against humanity if you suggested the Patriots or Red Sox might not win the championship, or perhaps might not be serving the best interests of their fans. It was OK to occasionally poke fun at Haywood Sullivan or Billy Sullivan. Naturally, the Internet is a good source of explanation for this new dynamic. The web gives fans an infinite forum. Fans have a place to read like-minded people. It’s like one giant sports-talk show with no hosts interrupting. It turns out that fans love reading other fans. And, naturally, they all love their teams. What a surprise. Now they expect everyone else to love a team. It’s the wild west of fanboys. It kind of reminded me of CK's recent "quality is in the eye of the reader" post.

Zips are a nine point favorite tonight

Zips Finding Their Way By George M. Thomas “It was a tough time at the beginning and adjusting to that,” Treadwell said. :But I feel like I’ve got it now and as teams continue to guard me different ways, I adjust. “I’m definitely feeling differently. I got in there and watched a lot of game film to find out how teams were going to check me and guard me and things like that.”

I'm trying to decide my favorite post: 1. "Don't even get me started on student attendance/school pride. The lack thereof has becoming sickening. aaWe even have ORU cheerleaders wearing OU & OSU gear after the game, walking out of the arena." 2. "Getting home games at a place like ORU, against good opponents is HARD." 3. "How quickly we've gone from really excited about this team to really wondering about them."

Here is an opinion on Bortles Bortles has a big, strong frame, which suggests he will be relatively durable. That strength coupled with his surprisingly quick feet helps him avoid sacks and make plays on the move. He does a terrific job of keeping his eyes down field and loses almost nothing throwing on the run to his right or left. I don’t think I’ve seen a right-handed quarterback throw better going to his left. The arm strength is there, and he can make NFL caliber throws. When his footwork is precise and he steps into his throws he can look elite. He’s shown flashes of making “window” throws and touch passes over defenders. Anyone remember Bortles first play against Akron? PS I still say playing the quality schedule we played this year is going to make the Zips a better team next year. A good example was Bortles, will we play a better pocket QB next year? PSS Exciting pick? Russell Wilson was a third round pick. That's exciting? The Seahawks were so excited when they picked him, they had just signed (3/$25) Matt Flynn.

So what is the plan then, stay with the current QBs and draft around them? Sign a free agent QB? Who? Trade for one? Who? Drafting a QB has worked for the Ravens, Giants, Packers, Steelers, Patriots, etc. Just because you are bad at a plan, doesn't make the plan bad. Winning now is an NFL philosophy, teams are so mediocre (some like the term parity here) in todays game, it's fairly easy to turn around a franchise in one year, this year's example is the Chiefs. I'm with you on the Panthers. NFC road to the SB will be BRUTAL. Reminds me of the 2005 AFC road to the SB, brutal, but once that team gets there, should be a fairly easy win.

Browns fans shouldn't worry about mock drafts because mocks are never correct. In the same link I provided, Peter King suggested the Browns trade the Indy first rounder for Kurt Cousins, because he is the type of drop back passer the Norv likes. Crazy like a fox. For those that like that kind of stuff, Brent Dustburger suggested googling, Bortles' girlfriend Lindsey Duke.

A ZN member had to remind me that this guy moved from the MAC (WMU) to Xavier. Apparently they have better barbers.

From Peter King's MMQB. I know one team that, as of now, thinks it’s no sure thing Teddy Bridgewater will be the top quarterback on its board (and this is a team that could take a quarterback in the first round). Moreover, this team believes Central Florida’s Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel could be the top quarterback on the board. That’s right. Blake Bortles. We don’t even know if Bortles, a redshirt junior, will return for his fifth season at UCF. He will reportedly make his decision after Central Florida’s Fiesta Bowl game against Baylor. Two guesses have the Browns drafting him at #7.

Their only hope? PS no line

This is the game I watched.

I'm guessing from the lack of comments most didn't watch. Kevin McFarland writes a review and gives the film an A minus. I would agree. Due to the lack of comments here, I actually went searching on a Columbus forum for comments. If you dig through 95 percent of the typical honk comments (most of them didn't watch either, GP1 Columbus paranoia theory), there are a few good observations. Don't worry, I took a hot shower after. If you missed, I would assume the film hits youtube in a couple of weeks like most of the 30 for 30 films. Urban Myers gets into the story. Clarett did the film because he like the way they told the story. Difference between the way he and LBJ handled early life.

Anybody watch? Very well done IMO. Must see for those of us from the Valley. I didn't know about Clarett's relationship with Hai Waknine (an Israeli mobster.) General information on Ray Isaac and Mickey Monus when JT was at YSU (for those not familiar with the case). I wish they would have covered in some detail how Clarett ended up going to Warren Harding. I know the story, but wanted to hear it from his mom, who was surprisingly good in the film.

From the fashion section of ZN, sounds like Tree has a new look for tomorrow's game.

Wish I was making this stuff up...Winter Weather Advisor for tomorrows game

Plain Dealer Screening By Doug Lesmerises, Northeast Ohio Media Group I asked Tressel before the screening if he thought the end result was a fair and accurate portrayal. He thought it was. He also said that didn't mean it was easy to watch.

What position do you see him playing at a D1 level?

I wonder if the NCAA would ever reduce some of his punishment?

Is James interested in the SEC? The former Columbus State head coach might be the perfect fit for the Vols. While many do not know too much about the stipulations of hiring Tressel, they can be very easily explained. Tressel has a five-year show-cause. The penalty, however, is virtually nonexistent after the first five weeks of his head coaching tenure. During that time period, Tressel can not participate in practice, meetings or games. He also must submit a progress report to the NCAA every six months. Tressel must also miss the team's bowl game in his first season. He can still do everything else essential to being a head coach, such as recruit and hire his own staff. Does Haslam know James? Hmmmm... James won’t be the answer for replacing Tim Beckman at Illinois

My late Toledo tailgate additions: Henry Weinhard's Redwood Flats Amber Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale Magic Hat Encore Little sumpin sumpin is already on the list (#110)...doh. I'm surprised more Magic Hat's didn't make the list. Not being an IPA fan, I don't recommend Encore. Redwood Flats Amber was a B- for me. Best of the bunch. Last minute cancellation made me available for the Toledo game, sorry for the weak list. All in all, very nice list. Great addition to the Lot 9 fun. We need to add something to the event next year. Not sure what, but we have time to think.

I wrote about it back in September...but really got no interest (other than JohnnyZip) Maybe now that the end of the year is near? I wonder what place Lynch comes in? I heard Herbstreit say something to the fact, "you have to write somebody down for number two, why not Lynch?" I think the guys on PTI echoed the same last week.

Found here