Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Who is your favorite sports radio personality in Utah?

I love to listen to sports talk radio and here in Utah we have three stations that are devoted to sports.  Each station approaches their shows in a unique way, and from a unique perspective.  Throughout the years, their have been several "defections" from one station to another, so it has created an interesting "rivalry".  

What I want to know is who your favorite is?  Why do you like them?  How did you find your favorite show?  Have you ever "switched" allegiances?  What makes an interesting show to you?

More after the jump........

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

TribUTE to the 18 seniors playing their last game on Friday.....

This group of seniors has been through a lot during their time at Utah.  They have seen a lot of highs, a few lows, and they led the way as Utah moved into the Pac-12 era.

Here is a memory of/tribute to each of them...........

James Aiono:  This is a kid who has worked his tail off to be where he is today.  Here is a great story on him from Gordon Monson.  Our program depends on people like James who work their tail off and stay ready for when they are called upon.

Shawn Asiata:  After watching this kid last year, I was so excited when he decided to come back for his senior year.  He is a throwback fullback and he is a big reason why John White is so successful.  I really think that Shawn is a better pro prospect than his older brother Matt. It has been fun to watch him bulldoze defenders like they are scrap metal.

Tony Bergstrom:  I will admit, the first time I really paid attention to Tony Bergstrom, I was mad at him.  He was letting Jerry Hughes past him all game long and we were getting killed.  But Tony has become a great leader and a great tackle at Utah.  I look forward to watching him on Sunday's.

Greg Bird:  I think that Greg Bird will have the highest ratio of memories to actual playing time of any Ute in recent history.  Greg was a special teams dynamo.  Blocking punts, making big tackles, lighting up fools on returns, Greg has done it all.

Conroy Black:  Conroy might be the best all-around athlete on the team this year.  He is a competitor and does not back away from anyone.  I'll always remember when he got that pass interference against AZ, only to turn around the next play and seal the win with an interception.

John Cullen:  Ute fans have been critical of Cullen this year, but no one can doubt his love of the game, or his passion for the Utes.  I can't tell you how many times I have seen Cullen be the one who is hustling downfield the most.  I think he is almost always the first to congratulate someone on a touchdown, and he gets the most excited when the Utes score.  Sure, he has made some penalties, but i'll take him on my team all day, every day.

Tevita Finau:  Tevita made a name for himself when he tossed the Oregon State quarterback around like a ragdoll this year.  He has been very versatile, seeing time at every position along the defensive line.  Every team needs a Tevita Finau.

Nai Fotu:  Nai is an animal.  That guy goes full bore after quarterbacks and it is a blast to watch.  Nai has worked hard to overcome his shortcomings and troubles.  I am happy for him.  I hope he can beat his demons and have a great life.  It has been a blast to watch him over these years.

Kenny Golladay:  I'll be honest, I had never heard this kid's name until I read that he was a senior in the press release.  Hey, he made the roster and can say he was part of a BCS team.

Matt Martinez:  Matt has seemingly been on the roster for 10 years.  He personifies to me what being a Ute is all about.  A walk on, he worked his tail off to become a two-year starter for one of the top programs in the country.  He battled injuries, but never let them get him down.  He goes 100% all the time.  I'll never forget his punt block against Montana State where he blocked it with his foot after being tossed by a blocker.

Dexter Ransom:  Dexter does the things that go unnoticed.  I have seen him take on more than a few linebackers in his time.  He has helped open things up out there for his teammates.  By all accounts, he has been a great teammate and example while he has been here.

Mychal Robinson:  A lot of you may not have heard his name, but I have heard his praises sung by the coaches.  This is a kid who has done whatever he can to help the team.  He has been a special teams standout for a couple years now.  Coaches can rest assured when he is out there.

Derrick Shelby:  One of the most underrated Utes in my mind.  As a 6'3", 245 pound redshirt freshman, Shelby came in and gave the team a big boost during the Sugar Bowl run when he started at defensive tackle. Undersized, but never under-hearted, Shelby battled guys much bigger and made the best out of a rough situation.  He has since moved back to the end position where he has put fear into the heart of more than one quarterback.

Ben Soliven: Yet again, had never heard his name until I read the press release.  Good for him for sticking it on a BCS roster.  Something he can always tell his kids and grandkids about.

Tauni Vakapuna:  A warrior if ever there was one.  Tauni brings the physicality every time he steps onto the field.  He has been a leader and a great example of how to work.  And you better not mess with one of his teammates, he has everyone's back.

Chaz Walker:  Another guy who personifies what Utah is all about.  Former walk-on has Pac-12 written all over him.  He has a nose for the ball and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.  Chaz has meant a lot to this team over the years.

Tyler Whittingham:  Another special teams star.  Tyler seems to know just where to be to make a big stop on returns.  As a coach's son, he has been great in the locker room, and on the field.  Guys with a work ethic like that are hard to come by.

JJ Williams:  I feel bad that JJ's career was cut short due to injuries.  He was a talented linebacker who always played his tail off and made some big plays in his Ute career.

These seniors had a strong work ethic.  They were outstanding leaders.  They learned from the guys who went before them, and they have passed on the tradition to those who are now coming up.  We will miss each of them and as a fanbase, we wish them great success in wherever life takes them.  This program would not be the same without these guys.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Hybrid player becoming a mainstay at Utah?

                This season, I have noticed something on defense for Utah that I have not noticed before.  And perhaps it has been going on for some time and I just never noticed it.  Utah, at least this year, seems to have more sets of just three down lineman. 
                This surprises me because in years past, our bread and butter has been the 4-3 base defense with nickel and a rare dime package here and there mixed in. 
                Looking at our roster, both now and in the coming years, it makes some sense to me.  But I still have to ask the question:  Are we seeing the rise of the hybrid player at Utah?
                The Hybrid defensive player:  Someone who is athletic enough to play linebacker, and big enough to play defensive end.  Whereas in the past we had guys who were strictly defensive lineman (Martail Burnett, Paul Kruger, Koa Misi (the last two, oddly enough, are linebackers in the NFL), etc.).  Now we are seeing more guys who can play both.  Trevor Reilly and Nai Fotu this year come to mind. 
                Additionally, Utah has a lot of these players in the pipeline.  Thretton Palamo might be used in this role next year.  Nate Fakahafua was born for this role.  You get a bunch of these guys on the field together, and even the most experienced quarterback will have trouble reading what they are going to do. 
Not of these guys are quite big enough to be a full-time defensive end.  But they can more than hold their own in stretches.  They are also athletic enough to cover a tight end, or to blitz the quarterback from a linebackers spot.  It gives Kyle Whittingham and Kilani Sitake a wide variety of options and combinations to throw at offenses. 
                When you have guys with that kind of versatility, you can mix and match your schemes.  Sometimes, you can bring in four down lineman and three linebackers.  The next play, you can switch to a 3-4.  The next play, you can start with four down lineman, then move one of them into a linebacker spot and have everyone else shift. 
                Obviously, I have simplified it, but it gives Utah an advantage that can confuse and disrupt the rhythm of the opponents offense. 
                Is this just an anomaly at Utah, or are we going to see this move toward hybrid players become a fixture at Utah? 
                                                                                                

Friday, November 4, 2011

Former Utes in the NFL-how are they perceived?

tah *A Big Thanks to everyone at Niners Nation, Cat Scratch Reader, Baltimore Beat Down, The Phinsider, Mile High Report, Bolts from the Blue, Gang Green Nation, Behind the Steel Curtain, and Battle Red Blog.  Your insights were invaluable.*

              I am one of “those guys”.  I don’t have a favorite NFL team.  Growing up in Utah, it’s hard to really get behind a team.

                I used to cheer for the Titans.  That is because I lived in Houston when they were the Oilers.  I miss the days of Air McNair, Eddie George, Frank Wycheck, the freak, etc.  Now they are so overrun with buffoons, that I renounced my fanship last year.

                Now, I just cheer for guys who played for the U., the University of Utah.

                I have gone around asking fans of NFL teams what they think of our guys.  Some of their responses surprised me.  Some of them were easy to guess.  All of them were thought provoking.  Here is what I found:

                Zane Beadles-OL, Denver:  Broncos fans are a little disappointed in Zane.  The general feeling is that he was drafted too high.  Most feel like he is the weak link in their offensive line and that he will eventually be a utility back up.  Here in Utah, we heard the comparisons to Jordan Gross, and that probably wasn’t fair in hindsight.  Hopefully, Zane can work hard and contribute more to the Broncos.  By the way, I loved it in 2008 and 2009 when 40% of our offensive line was named “Zane”.  “Zane” is a great name for an offensive lineman. 

                Jordan Gross-OL, Carolina:  Panther fans consider him a solid player.  They appreciate his steadiness and leadership.  Some call him a top ten LT, and that is hard to argue with.  Gross played during the Ron McBride era.  Combine that with being an offensive lineman and I am not sure he is as appreciated by Ute fans as he deserves to be, but perhaps I’m wrong.

                Chris Kemoeatu-OL, Pittsburgh:  This was one of the players that surprised me when I read the fan comments.  Many fans were frustrated with him and feel like he would be gone if the offensive line as a whole in Pittsburgh were healthier.  The consensus seemed to be that he is good to very good in the running game, but average to poor in pass protection.  He was also noted for his boneheaded play at times.  (Remember the ’03 UNLV game anyone?)  It seems that “Kemo” as they call him might be on his way out in Pittsburgh.

                Paul Kruger-LB, Baltimore: I’ll be honest; I was confused when the Ravens drafted Kruger in the 2009 draft.  I thought he was way too small to be an end in a 3-4 scheme and not quite fast enough to be an outside linebacker.  I was curious as to why the Ravens would grab a player who seemed a natural for a 4-3 scheme.  Fans seemed to be excited for his potential.  He has come on as of late and seems to have found himself after two years of sparse playing time.  His coaches have raved about his increased abilities.  We always knew he was a hard worker and it seems to be paying off.

                Brice McCain-CB, Houston:  Not a lot of response on this one, and that is because Brice is still mostly a special teams guy.  He made a key interception earlier this year.  Brice is one of those guys who came to Utah and was converted to corner and did fairly well (that one play in 2007 never happened, you hear me?  It never happened………..)

                Koa Misi-LB, Miami:  There is some variance in how Dolphin fans feel about him.  The general feeling is that he is adequate, but not a play-maker yet.  The potential is perhaps there though.  This is only his second year, so he has some time.  And linebacker is a new position for him.  Hopefully, he can figure everything out. 

                Sione Pouha-DT, New York Jets: The hometown kid.  This is the guy who grew up in the shadows of Rice-Eccles Stadium and was a fan favorite during his time here.  Remember the Fiesta Bowl year when he bleached his hair? Good times!  Anyway, Jets fans seem to like him.  He is a run stopper and space eater in their 3-4 alignment.  Some would like him to be more of a factor in the pass-rushing game (ala his good friend Haloti Ngata), but he does his job well. 

                David Reed-WR, Baltimore: Reed has been a kickoff returner in his two seasons with the Ravens.  Many fans considered him to be borderline bust.  He is noted for an occasional nice return, but fans want to see him perform more consistently.  He has been a non-factor in the pass game.  It seems to me and a lot of fans that unless he can stay healthy, he will probably be waived at some point.  Hopefully he can get healthy.  That guy was a beast at Utah.  Just watch the Sugar Bowl or the ’08 BYU game….

                Alex Smith-QB, San Fran.:  Not surprisingly, there are two schools of thought on Smith.  There are some that just want him gone and for the team to move on.  There are others who feel like he always had it, but never had the right situation (I think most Ute fans would argue for this).  No one is really happy with him overall, and no one is ready to jump on his bandwagon quite yet.  But, everyone seems to be pleased with him this season.  It seems that a majority of those who responded are happy that he is having success this year, as he is a really good guy. 

                Sean Smith-CB, Miami:  Dolphin fans are feeling what Utah fans felt during his career here.  Sean is very talented.  But he just makes mistakes out there that just make you want to pull your hair out.  I remember a time in 2008 against TCU.  Had an interception right to him, and he dropped it.  Sean is a pretty good cover guy, but he isn’t the playmaker yet that he has the potential to be.  Still, a lot of teams would love a 6’3”, 214 pound corner who can stay with the big receivers in the game today.  A bit of trivia:  Sean weighed in at 236 pounds on the day of the sugar bowl.  A 236 pound corner?  That’s gotta be a record! 

                Steve Smith-WR, Carolina:  The most glowing praise I saw was heaped upon Smith.  It seems like if he were to run for the Mayor of Charlotte, he would win in a landslide.  Fans were labeling him as the greatest Panther ever.  I love watching Steve Smith.  Even as he gets older, he is still dominating guys who are much bigger.  I am hoping he breaks the record for yards in a season this year.  My only regret is that he played during the Ronnie Mac era.  Can you IMAGINE the numbers he would have put up in Urban’s two years?  Still, one of the all-time great Utes.  Fans also pointed out that it has been nice to see him mature over the years to the point where he is now a well-respected leader.

                Paul Soliai-DL, Miami:  The one word that can be used to sum up Dolphin fans feelings of this mammoth is disappointment.  Soliai cashed in big time this year, and while dominant at times, has not had the overall impact that he did in the past.  Fans feel like he is being paid too much for what little he actually contributes.  I used to love this guy at Utah.  “Thing 1 and Thing 2” with he and Talavou were a nasty combination out there.  

                RJ Stanford-CB, Carolina:  Easily the greatest Ute ever.  Most definitely the greatest Ute alumni in the NFL right now.  RJ is on pace for his first pro bowl this year…and well deserved!  Ok, I kid.  I am amazed (as are some Panther fans) that he has stuck on a roster.  Good for him; he is making more than me.
 
                Stevenson Sylvester-LB, Pittsburgh:  This is another player whose review surprised me.  I have heard that “Sly” has made some plays on special teams, but I had no idea that he was so well respected in Pittsburgh.  A majority of the fans feel that he can start someday, though it’s obvious that right now he hasn’t mastered the position (he has been playing inside for the Steelers, whereas he was a rover at Utah).  I have come to really respect the Pittsburgh franchise because of the way that they have built their team.  They like to keep it in the family and are great at developing players.  I am glad that Sly has found a place where he fits. 

                Eric Weddle-S, San Diego:  My inquiry into Weddle caused a spirited discussion about where Weddle fits as far as top safeties in the league.  Though a consensus was not reached, it is apparent that Weddle is appreciated by Charger fans.  No one seems upset about his contract.  He has really stepped his game up this year and is quickly becoming a force.  For those of us who saw him literally play every position (I am not kidding when I say that I once saw him put his hand down as a down lineman on defense once) at Utah, we knew he would be successful.  And he is just an all-around great guy.  Glad to see that he is having success.  As a side note, I know a zoob who still feels like Eric Weddle is an injury replacement.  I asked him once “so there is some guy, who you can’t name, who has been injured for three years, who will be someday come back and take Weddle’s job away? Right…….”  Zoobs.  You gotta love ‘em.  

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

KSL's "The Browser" a welcome addition to station lineup.

During the summer of 2010, it was announced that KSL would be severing ties with Sean Hannity.  His contract with them was due to expire and they were not going to pick up his show. 

I was very excited to hear about this.  I used to listen to Hannity a lot, but he grew cold on me.  I don't know, I guess that I just don't like people who blame all of life's problems on one thing and refuse to see anything else.  He blames Obama for every little inconvenience, and while I'm not an Obama fan by any means, it just gets old to hear the same thing day after day.

So I was excited to see what KSL would come up with to replace Sean.

In early October, the station rolled out "The Browser". 

The show is hosted by Jay McFarland and Amy Iverson.  I was hooked after the first segment of the first show.  The show talks about the latest news from around the internet, and it can literally be anything.  Jay and Amy always find the most interesting things and they treat the show like they are having a conversation in their living room. 

Contrast this with Hannity's yelling and temper tantrums and it is easy to see why KSL made the change. 

The Browser has now been going strong for over a year, and it just keeps getting better. 

From the latest technology, to the latest viral videos online, Jay and Amy are always talking about something that is interesting.  And they never dwell on one topic.  They cover it for a while, then they tell you where to go if you want to find more info, then they move on.  And when something is particularly interesting (a new app or a viral video), they will bring the creator onto the show to get their story. 

While they do not take calls (i dont think I have ever heard them take one anyway), they are all about audience participation.  If you text in, they are likely to read your text if it is good.  They really try to keep the listener entertained.

I applaud KSL for two good moves.  Number one, they dumped Hannity.  Two, they brought in a quality show to bolster their already solid lineup. 

National Unfriend Day


                National unfriend day is coming up again. 
                It’s that time when you go through your facebook list and delete those who you feel deserve to get the ax. 
                Everyone has their criteria for facebook friends.  I have a shared account with my wife, and it seems to work really well.  We purposely keep our friend list to people we actually know fairly well.  If someone “requests” to be our friend, and we don’t know them well, we just hit no thanks.  So honestly, we won’t have much to do on unfriend day. 
                The art of “unfriending” is interesting to me.  I love it when I look for someone because something that happened that reminded me of them and I want to see how they are doing.  I find that they have “unfriended” me.  For a second, you wonder what their problem is, then you get ticked off, and then you realize “this is just an online community, no need to get worked up over it!”
                We have been unfriended by at least one family member (that I am aware of), people who used to go to church with us, and others.  Heck, recently I had someone who I met while in Minnesota comment on something about my time there and then she unfriended us two days later.  
                I have done my share of unfriending.  When I had my own account, I would accept any friend request sent my way, even if it was from someone who I only marginally knew in high school or college.  I would have to periodically go through and clean out my list.  And then I would go right back to accepting everyone’s request. 
                In the last month, I have really changed how I approach facebook.  I realized that not everyone wants to hear my sports rants all the time.  So I don’t post them anymore.  If something big happens, I’ll comment, but I am not going to post about every game that interests me.  But it’s probably annoying to read about sports all the time. 
                Another option is to block people from your news feed.  This can be effective for people who like to troll, invite you to a million things, spam, push their political agenda, give you every detail of their lives, complain a lot, etc.  That way, you can check to see how they are doing, but your main page doesn’t have to be cluttered with their mess. 
                What are your thoughts on unfriending?  How do you go about it?  How many people do you plan on unfriending?  Tell us your stories!
Here are a couple of interesting links on the subject:  Time KSL