Losing + A-Rod's Return = More Pressure on Yankee Manager

As a player on the New York Yankees, you’re constantly under more scrutiny and media pressure than if you belonged to any other team in any other sport.

If you’re a Yankees fan or just follow the team, you know the history of players who were very good with other clubs then join the Yankees and struggle. Many times, those same players leave the Yanks and become productive again for another team.

It’s understood to the media and Yankees fans that the pressures of playing in New York and for the most popular sports franchise in the world are often too much and can cause a player to crack and lose whatever it was that made him so good.

Now it appears this same phenomenon may be affecting manager Joe Girardi.

As if the New York Yankees needed more attention and media buzz centered on off-the-field activities, Alex Rodriguez is expected to return from his hip injury and play tonight in Baltimore.

No player in all of sports has received more negative attention and publicity than A-Rod. Although A-Rod brings all of the negative vibes onto himself, the fact is there is a big audience that craves stories about the tainted slugger.

As a result, the Yankees players and manager suffer from the excess media attention just for wearing the same uniform as the most controversial player in sports.

The additional media in the clubhouse, day after day, asking the same questions - not even related to the game - about a player making more than $25 million per-season, who’s accused of cheating on his wife with Madonna, using steroids, habitually lying, etc., puts a 10- ton weight on the rest of the team.

After replacing legendary manager Joe Torre, then failing to lead the Yankees into the playoffs for the first time in 14 years last season, then getting off to a terrible start this season; Girardi is already under an intense microscope.

But with the return of A-Rod and all of the extra media attention it brings, Girardi has a whole new set of headaches and distractions to manage. So far, he’s off to rough start.

During a press conference on Sunday, Girardi was asked about the impending release of the very unflattering and unauthorized biography on the Yankees third baseman, “A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez” by Selena Roberts.

Here’s an excerpt of how Girardi answered the question:

“I have some issues with it, that it’s interesting how the book date got moved up now…and I get tired of answering these questions. I don’t understand why someone would write a book like this anyway, and some people may not care to hear that but I don’t understand.”

Girardi also went on say, “I don’t necessarily know why it has to be put in a book, unless the person volunteers it….I worry about how it affects (A-Rod’s) kids.”

Taking a hostile position on this issue is a big mistake and is only going to draw more media attention and hype for the book.

Girardi was clearly upset during the press conference and I think that led him to make those statements which, by the way, were weak and thin and did not make for a good argument in denouncing the book.

Ironically the Yankee players, so far, have handled the extra questions and media attention very well, uniformly saying that they haven’t read the book so they can’t comment on it. That’s the best response and easiest way to deflect the media. I’m suspecting the players received some media training specifically regarding this issue.

Very smart.

So why didn’t Joe Girardi receive the same training or follow its guidelines?

Girardi ran into some issues with the media last season when he was caught “misleading” reporters about player injuries. Girardi felt he was just protecting his players while the media felt they were lied to.

Never lie to the media.

When pressed about the misinformation, Girardi acted angry and temperamental and came off looking very poorly. It was clearly a rookie mistake during his first year as Yankees manager.

But this time around the heat of the media focus will be stronger, if it isn’t already. Girardi’s got to drop the sensitive act and except the barrage of questioning and media interest in A-Rod and the book.

Girardi’s the manager and he has to project confidence and security or he’ll be eaten alive.

These next few weeks will very interesting for Joe Girardi. With his ballclub significantly underachieving and the circus called A-Rod returning tonight, the manager has to keep it together and sail the Yankee ship back on course.

A Look at the Evolution of Sports Blogs

The world of sports blogging has certainly exploded over the last few years.

Although the World Wide Web has been available to the general public since the mid 1990’s, the practice of blogging didn’t really become commonplace until the early to mid 2000’s.

Two of the top sports bloggers you may be familiar with are Bill Simmons, of ESPN.com’s Page 2 fame, and Will Leitch, co-creator of DeadSpin. Simmons and Leitch are among the most popular bloggers, in any blogging realm, not only because of the strength of their content but as a result of their pioneer status.

Both came on the scene back when most people did not know what a blog was, and they helped launch the “weblog” into the mainstream.

Another pioneer in the sport blogosphere, and an inspiration to this blogger, is someone who does not posses the notoriety of a Simmons or Leitch but was ahead of his time jus the same.

In the fall of 2002, Scott Riecke launched Wide Word of Sports.com, a sports blog forum for him and his friends to post thoughts and opinions surrounding the world of sports.

It was a strong sports site that, at the time, was original and offered some unique perspectives on sports.

Unfortunately Riecke had to shut down the site in the summer of 2005 (a conflict of interest arose and he begrudgingly cancelled the URL). But he’s back with a new Web site, taking another unique approach at e-communications.

A Letter a Week.com is not a sports specific site but an effort to explore various topics and sentiments through the old fashion method of simply writing a letter. Riecke writes the majority of the letters for the site but from time to time he’ll post letters from guest writers.

A fan of Ted Leshinski’s Sports Pub, Riecke invited me this week to contribute a letter to his site.

So please visit A Letter a Week.com (click here) to read my guest contribution, “Can Mike Tyson Save Boxing?”

“The Sports Reporters” Stands Out From the Cluttered Pack

Like any other entertainment-type genre, there is a flood of very weak and unnecessary sports talk shows on radio and television these days.

Sometimes I wonder if TV and radio execs think that all they have to do to create a sports talk show is sit two to four people at a table and have them yell at each other about sports for half an hour…very aggravating.

However, there are a few shows that are not only worth viewing but serve as an excellent source of sports insight by outstanding sports writers and analysts.

The Sports Reporters, aired Sundays at 9:30 am on ESPN, continues to be the best sports talk show around. The program consists of a host and three other sports writers or personalities who tackle current news and events surrounding the world of sports. The format is also tightly structured and well paced, so you never have panelists shouting and tossing out irrelevant and empty statements.

Although the host (currently John Saunders) remains the same, the three panelists on The Sports Reporters tend to change each week and generally represent different media markets. As a result, viewers get fresh and different perspectives each time.

There are some reporters who appear more frequently than others (New York’s Mike Lupica, Detroit’s Mitch Albom and Boston’s Bob Ryan), but you also get a steady mix of talent you otherwise wouldn’t have the privilege of watching.

This past Sunday’s show featured a reporter I don’t believe had appeared on The Sports Reporters before, ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. Nichols is primarily an investigative and features reporter, usually filing stories for SportsCenter, ESPNews and Outside the Lines.

Nichols has been a national reporter with ESPN for more than five years and is generally considered an accomplished and well respected journalist. So appearing on The Sports Reporters gave viewers an opportunity to watch Nichols in a forum that allowed her to inject opinions and knowledge and also go toe-to-toe with the top sports-media minds in the country.

Whenever there’s a fresh face on the panel I’m always very interested in how they’ll perform and come across on the show. Not everybody does well on The Sports Reporters. There’s been panelists who’ve struggled and really weren’t ready for a show of its magnitude.

But Nichols more than held her own on Sunday. I thought she was terrific and I hope she continues to make appearances on the program.

One particular topic discussed Sunday where Nichols rose above the other heavyweight panelists was regarding the situation with the New York Yankees and their ticket pricing crisis.

Offering a perspective on the situation I hadn’t heard or read before, Nichols put a lot of the responsibility on the fans' shoulders. Her point was that fans can not be complaining and raising hell about the outrageous prices at the new Yankee Stadium and then, at the same time, spend money buying tickets.

Excellent point.

The Sports Reporters does a great job choosing the right journalists and personalities to serve on the show’s panel. Many times when a big sporting event that’s not one of the “big three” rolls around, the show will feature an expert analyst of that particular sport.

So for a show airing around the time of Wimbledon, Bud Collins usually joins the program. For The Masters, the great Jim Nantz may make a special appearance.

Of course there are other sports talk shows that should be noted and given its due – Pardon the Interruption, Outside the Lines, Mike’d UP: Francesa on the Fan.

But no program has been as consistently good as The Sports Reporters.

The Jets Get it Right, Then Get it Wrong

So the New York Jets on Saturday pulled off a fantastic deal, in every way. In the boldest move in franchise history, the usually conservative and low-key Gang Green traded up for USC hot shot QB Mark Sanchez.

Granted, all trades and draft picks look great four months before the season opener. But for the Jets, this was a deal to not just improve the talent on the roster but a terrific public relations coup that greatly improves the team’s impact and relationship with the fans and community.

But less than 48 hours later, in the midst of all the great PR buzz and good feelings, Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum picks up the phone and calls superstar agent Drew Rosenhaus to inquire about the availability of his client, WR Plaxico Burress – UGH!

As we all know, Burress was recently released by the New York Giants following an incident in November when a handgun he was carrying in a Manhattan nightclub accidentally discharged and resulted in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the thigh.

Burress allegedly did not have a New York State permit for the gun and, along with teammate Antonio Pierce, attempted to cover up the incident and not inform police. Burress, of course, was not successful in the cover up and the whole incident blew up into an ugly media storm – for both Burress and the Giants.

Prior to the accidental shooting, Burress had other numerous off the field incidents that angered Giants management and embarrassed the entire organization. Long story short, during his four-year career with the Giants (and also with his first NFL club, the Pittsburgh Steelers) Burress has been characterized by coaches, media and fans as a malcontent.

Although tremendously talented and one of the top-five receivers in the game, the Giants elected to cut ties with the troubled athlete even though they knew it would create a huge whole to their roster.

If Burress is healthy and does not have to face jail time (he has a June 15 scheduled court date to face gun charges), he’ll no doubt hook on with another team and get a second chance (really about an eighth chance, overall).

But why would the Jets, who’ve suffered decades of terrible draft choices, historical collapses, freakish injuries, coaching catastrophes and no Super Bowl appearances since 1969, want to get mixed up with this guy?

Granted, if Burress signed with the Jets, returned to greatness, and helped lead Gang Green to a championship, everyone would forget in a heartbeat about his checkered past.

But how likely is that? How likely is it that Burress, playing in New York again, will not cause any distractions, be a model citizen, and regain his all-pro form? Unlikely? Very unlikely?

Let’s look at four other pro athletes who’ve been tangled up in some recently negative publicity stories and examine how their careers have transpired as a result:

1. Adam “Pacman” Jones – A terrific NFL cornerback and return specialist, Pacman Jones was involved in a number of off the field criminal activities but most known for his involvement in a strip club shooting and subsequent cover up where an alleged member of his party opened fire and left a bouncer paralyzed. As a result, Jones was suspended for the entire 2007 season and became a symbol of “gangster-type” athletes that fans were getting tired off. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took a chance on the talented but trouble athlete and signed him for the 2008 season. The move backfired and caused tremendous embarrassment and PR strain for the Cowboys. While a member of the Cowboys Pacman Jones was involved, yet again, in an off the field incident when he was allegedly drunk and beat up his bodyguard who, by the way, was assigned by the Cowboys' owner to babysit Pacman and keep him out of trouble.

2. Barry Bond – Barry Bonds became the most prolific power hitter in baseball history, at the age of 42! Okay, we all know how he achieved this unprecedented success. But the bottom line for baseball teams is producing on the field and winning. So why, after Bond’s contract expired with the San Francisco Giants in 2007 and clearly interested in playing, did no team try to sign him? Bonds could still contribute with the bat and would have been able to help any offense. But all 30 MLB teams stayed clear of the tainted slugger. There’s a famous story that came out of the San Diego Padres front office where General Manager Kevin Towers was considering signing Bonds. But instead of running the idea by his scouts and other baseball people he held a meeting with the team’s marketing department to get their thoughts. It was unanimous that bringing Bonds to San Diego would be a nightmare for the team’s marketing and public relations efforts. So Towers passed.

3. John Rocker – I think we all remember the famous Jeff Pearlman – Sports Illustrated article about John Rocker released in early 2000. The story quoted the Atlanta Braves relief pitcher spewing a number of racist, homophobic, and other mean and stupid comments about just about everybody. At the time, Rocker was a terrific hard throwing left-handed reliever who was one of the best in baseball. But the controversy from the article brought so much attention and negative publicity to Rocker and Braves that he was ultimately traded to the Cleveland Indians. But Rocker was never the same pitcher. He bounced around with the Indians, Texas and Tampa before leaving MLB baseball and resurfacing in independent ball with the Long Island Ducks.

4. Latrell Sprewell – Latrell Sprewell did not follow the same path of the other referenced troubled athletes. In December 1997, the Golden State Warriors small forward attacked then-head coach P.J. Carlesimo TWICE during a practice and strangled him to the point where other players had to pull Sprewell off before he killed his coach. For the assault, Sprewell’s contract was voided by the Warriors and he was suspended by the NBA for a then-record 68 games. The New York Knicks stepped in and made perhaps their most controversial move in franchise history when they traded for Sprewell, taking a tremendous PR risk. However, the move paid off. Sprewell flourished with the Knicks and emerged as the team’s best player during his five-year stop in New York (which included a 1998 NBA Finals appearance). There were some hiccups and off the court incidents caused by Sprewell while with the Knicks, but overall the trade worked out very well for both parties.

So citing history, is it wise for the Jets to publicly explore signing Burress – let alone actually doing it? In a league that has serious image problems regarding guns and violence, does expressing interest in the former Giant send a bad message to the Jets fans and community? The Jets could be portraying their organization as one that’s not concerned about its players’ character or respect for authority, implying that just as long as the athlete is talented and can help us win on the field we’ll take him.

Now let’s wait and see which GM is crazy enough to make that call to Michael Vick’s agent. I can’t wait to watch that PR story!

All Things Considered, You Must Visit the New Yankee Stadium

Click Here To View an Image Slide Show of the New Yankee Stadium

Whether or not you’re a Yankees fan, and setting aside your thoughts on ticket and concession prices, the new Yankee Stadium is an incredible venue and a sports and entertainment attraction one must experience personally.

I finally made the trip to the new Yankee Stadium, securing a pretty good seat on StubHub.com for last Wednesday’s (April 22) day game against Oakland. Including the handling and processing fees, I paid $40 for an electronic ticket I could easily print out at home.

Even before I could step foot inside the estimated $1.5 billion ballpark, I was already impressed with the Stadium’s customer service. Beginning at about a 100-yard radius from the entrance, I found dozens of Yankee staffers scattered throughout the area with signs welcoming fans and politely asking if anyone needs assistances or had any questions.

After a quick loop around the outside of the new Stadium (passing the old one and fighting back tears) I officially passed through the gates for the first time at 10:15 am and began my nine-hour odyssey.

Almost immediately I headed to Monument Park. The Yankees relocated this historic section of the old Stadium into the new ballpark and are now allowing all fans the opportunity to visit it for free before the game.

Jumping on the already long-forming line two and a half hours before game time, I had to wait about 30 minutes before I could get in.

The wait, actually, wasn’t too bad because the Yankee staffers did an excellent job managing the long line and updating you on the wait time.

A terrific feature right at the entrance to Monument Park is an opportunity to peer into the Yankees bullpen and see if there’s any action going on. When I arrived, I got to watch for a few seconds AJ Burnett’s side session for his next day’s start.

The Monument Park tour is not a guided one, so you’re free to roam around and visit the plaques and monuments you prefer. In my case I slowly walked and visited each monument and plaque, studying some more than others.

The entire experience and presentation of the plaques and monuments was first-class all the way. Roses and various flowers separated the historic treasures and very fine architecture surrounded the entire area.

After leaving Monument Park on my own schedule, without a time limit or insistence from staffers, I headed to the Yankees Museum - also free and open to all fans.


With close to 90 minutes before the first pitch, the line to the Museum wasn’t as long as Monument Park’s, but it was still a solid wait…maybe about 20 minutes.

But well worth it.

The Museum protocol was the same for Monument Park - when you enter, you are free to roam where you please without any pressure or time limit.

The large room was made up of various Yankee artifacts and rare memorabilia, really great stuff.

Numerous rare photos, autographed baseballs, World Series Trophies, statues, jerseys, Thurman Munson’s locker and a movie screen (really an enormous television) airing a Yankees highlight reel were all included in the fabulous Museum.

I reached my seat with about 45 minutes to game time. Other pre game entertainment options (like Monument Park and the Yankees Museum) is an airing of a “Yankeeography” on the enormous Diamond Vision perched above the bleachers in straightaway centerfield.

The episode playing, when I got to my seat, was the Sparky Lyle edition which referenced the great Graig Nettles line uttered back in 1977 when Lyle was replaced as closer by Goose Gossage. “(Lyle) went from Cy Young to sayonara.”

Classic.

Despite a slow drizzle throughout most of the late morning and into the afternoon, the game started on time.

The Yanks fell behind early courtesy of a three-run home run by Oakland Athletics catcher Kurt Suzuki. Apparently the homer appeared to be interfered with by some fans in the left field stands. Yankees manager Joe Girardi demanded the umpires review the play via instant replay – a new officiating avenue introduced by MLB last season (which I hate).

I couldn’t tell if the play was interfered with because the Stadium never replayed the action on the Diamond Vision. Perhaps the Yankees did not want to encourage unruly fan behavior so they elected not to re-show the play. But I was disappointed I couldn’t view a replay and try to determine the call myself. Especially since I was sitting and freezing in the cold drizzle for close to 15 minutes while the umps reviewed the play in private.

But the Bronx Bombers jumped back into the game a little later with back-to-back home runs from designed hitter Hideki Matsui and centerfielder Melky Cabrera.

Overall the game was anything but a pitchers duel. Yankee starter CC Sabathia allowed six earned runs and struck out only two in 6.2 innings while his counterpart, the A’s Brett Anderson, surrendered five earned runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work.

Another highlight for me during the game (on a personal level) was when I got to say hello to my friend and former Sports Museum of America colleague, Lynn Marschke.

A New York sports industry legend and one of the absolute best people you'll ever meet, Lynn now serves in the Premium Sales Division of the Business Development Unit for the Yankees. So if you’re looking for some higher-end seats in the new Stadium give Lynn a shout, he’ll take great care of you:

Lynn Marschke / (718) 838-6901 / LMarschke@Yankees.com

The game stretched 14 innings before the “The Melk Man” ended it with his second dinger of the day, a two-run walk-off shot into the right field stands to lift the Yanks over the A’s, 9-7.

I have to admit, aside from a $5 bag of peanuts, I didn’t try any of the food. So I can’t report on the cuisine or the prices.

I can report, however, that a cup of domestic draft beer is $10 (the same price, I think, it was at the old Stadium). Obviously that’s an exorbitant fee for a simple beer. But in the Yankees defense, the suds are served in a 24oz souvenir cup. So you’re really getting two beers with each serving. But 10 bucks is still too much for a domestic draft.

Here's my position with regards to the cost of tickets, concession, parking, etc. at the new Yankee Stadium…

I understand the new Stadium was designed and built to cater primarily to the corporate elite and other high rollers. That’s just a fact of life.

But I believe the organization should also offer more seats and some food and drink items with prices that are fair and reasonable for the regular guy. It’s a big mistake to alienate the “real fans”.

But again, all things considered, my first experience at the new Yankees Stadium was a home run (no, I don’t apologize for the pun).

I have to insist that regardless of your baseball allegiance, you have to make a journey to the greatest sports venue in the world…Yankee Stadium.

Let me leave you with one final thought (to borrow a line from John Sterling):

“The Yankees Win! The-Ah-Ah YANKEES WIN!!!”

(Melky gets mobbed at home plate after game-winning HR)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AN IMAGE SLIDESHOW OF THE NEW YANKEE STADIUM

Was I Wrong About "Boomer and Carton"?

The “Boomer and Carton in the Morning” radio show (aired weekday mornings on New York's sports radio 66 WFAN) was never a program I would have consider hard-hitting or with much substance.

Although I have to admit I’m not a loyal listener, only flipping on the show occasionally, the show’s style seemed more like a general entertainment-type program with an emphasis on sports. But certainly not a show to take seriously.

Craig Carton (pictured left) worked his way to the New York media market as a sports/shock jock radio personality. Before coming to WFAN in September, he had been involved in a few controversies as a result of some insensitive on-air remarks and other questionable acts. Although always a high-ratings grabber throughout his radio career, Carton most likely attracted his audiences through outlandish behavior and an adult-themed sense of humor (a la Howard Stern) - not for his sound knowledge or analysis of sports.

Boomer Esiason, of course, has been a popular New York-area and national sports media personality for quite some time. Attaching his much respected name to the all-sports station’s morning drive-time show gave it instant credibility and a much larger audience it otherwise wouldn’t have.

However, after listening to Carton and Boomer interview NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Friday morning my opinion of the radio show changed considerably. Expecting the usual soft-ball style questions regarding Saturday’s draft, the two radio hosts went after Goodell, professionally, with excellent questions about real and important issues affecting the NFL.

Carton turned into a real investigative journalist right in front of my ears, grilling Goodell about:

• Recent NFL layoffs

• The new NFLPA Executive Director and a possible upcoming labor dispute/work stoppage

• Why recently released NY Giants WR Plaxico Burress, who’s facing felony gun charges, was allowed to received a $1-million payment as part of his signing bonus

• The league’s position on Michael Vick returning to the NFL

Goodell is obviously always well prepared and media trained for the many thousands of interviews he’ll grant during his tenure as league commissioner. So when facing difficult but fair questions, like the ones from Boomer and Carton, Goodell naturally went into his safe corporate double talk where he doesn’t thoroughly answer the questions but kind of skates around them.

But Carton went right after him. When asked about the layoffs, Goodell spoke about how difficult it was to cut jobs and let people go. The commissioner defended the action by referencing the troubled economy. Carton went right back at Goodell, firmly questioning his answer with the fact that the NFL recently signed a four-year, $4 billion deal with DirecTV.

Goodell kept his composure and replied with another solid answer but his tone and mood clearly changed. Goodell, it seemed, went into PR lockdown mode and got real serious real fast.

I was really impressed with the interview and came away thinking that was an outstanding segment, not what I would have expected from “Boomer and Carton in the Morning.”

I’m not necessarily suggesting that the program is evolving. I’m just pointing out that Carton has a lot of guts and journalistic ability, a great combination to posses. Hopefully the show's audience will continue to experience those qualities.

The Best PR Machine in Sports - USC Football

As the 2009 NFL Draft approaches and potential picks are evaluated and analyzed around-the-clock in the sports media world, it has occurred to me that the University of Southern California has to be the greatest sports publicity machine ever.

USC junior quarterback Mark Sanchez has entered the draft, forgoing his senior season. Virtually all draft experts agree Sanchez will be selected within the first 10 picks and some believe he could go as high as four.

That is astonishing when you consider that Sanchez played only ONE season at USC. A highly recruited high school player, Sanchez was red-shirted as a freshman, battled injury and sat behind other QBs until getting his shot this past season – which he made the most of.

Sanchez threw for 34 touchdowns during the season, second most in school history (behind Matt Leinart’s 38 in 2003). He led USC to a 12-1 record and a No. 2 final ranking in the Coaches Poll (No. 3 in the AP Poll). In his final game, Sanchez was named MVP in the Trojan’s Rose Bowl victory over Penn State.

There’s no question Sanchez is a talented QB with an NFL-caliber arm. But with just one collegiate season under his belt he gets drafted in the top 10? What’s even more surprising, to me at least, is that it’s understood by everyone that he’s a top 10 pick and not one “expert” has questioned whether Sanchez is a risk.

Keep in mind many players, especially QBs, with three or four great collegiate seasons were drafted high and turned out to be major busts.

So why is Sanchez not a risk in the experts’ eyes? Three words: U-S-C.

The USC football program is not only a factory for future NFL players but a publicity magnet, second to none with launching its athletes to the top of the sports and celebrity media world.

Head Coach Pete Carroll and the sports information staff have built a public relations engine called the USC Trojans. Obviously being located in Southern California contributes to the Hollywood-like atmosphere around the program. But it’s more than that. When players sign with USC and achieve success on the field they become rock starts.

Remember all of the off-the-field hype QB Matt Leinart received during his time at USC (2003-05)? He was already regarded by the media (sports and entertainment) as a big-time celebrity. Same could be said about RB Reggie Bush. Bush broke off a dozen or so great runs as a freshman and was instantly catapulted to the national stage.

So now look at Sanchez. After his one very good season at USC (albeit surrounded by the top lineman, running backs and receivers in the country) he’s been featured in ESPN profiles, newspaper articles, Sports Illustrated and other sports publications.

Just like Leinart, Sanchez is the beneficiary of playing for college football’s version of Hollywood. The Trojans’ football program garners more national media attention and interest than any other program – by far.

If Mark Sanchez played just one season for Miami, Alabama or Oklahoma, and posted the same numbers he did at USC, not only wouldn’t he be a top 10 draft pick he’d probably stay in school and play a senior season - and maybe get drafted in the first round the following year.

No college football QB has probably meant more to his program than University of Florida’s Tim Tebow. In just his second collegiate season in 2007, Tebow broke the Southeastern Conference records for both rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns for a single season and became the first sophomore to win The Heisman Trophy. The following year Tebow led the Gators to a National Championship.

If Tebow left Florida as a junior and entered this year's NFL Draft, he most likely wouldn’t be picked in the first or second rounds. Even with his exceptional college QB resume, Tebow is staying in Gainesville for his senior season.

One more example about the PR power of USC football – QB Matt Cassel.

Cassel was drafted out of USC by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 draft without ever starting a college game at QB. While at USC, Cassel posted a career passing mark of 19-for-33 for 192 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.

The reputation of USC football is so exceptional that the legendary Bill Belichick made Cassel the only QB in NFL history to be drafted and start a pro game without ever starting a college game.

The funny thing is, after writing all of that, I’m praying my New York Jets make a deal to move up in the draft and grab Sanchez on Saturday.

So I guess I drink the USC Kool-Aid too.