Spring Football
Spring brings Re Birth for Cincinnati Football: Brian Bennett
While there were many issues on the field, players admit there was some resistance to the new coaching staff as well.
"I feel like a lot of people weren't 100 percent bought in, even myself," defensive tackle Derek Wolfe said. "Sometimes you question things, when you win 12 games one way and then you're asked to do things a completely different way."
Looking back it seems pretty obvious that there were a couple of big issues with leadership. 2009 the team leader was unquestionably Mardy Gilyard, in 2010 the team leader was no one in particular. That was a big issue last year, not as big as the lack of depth or turnovers, but comfortably in the top 5.
Spring Practice Observations: Brian Bennett
You can't tell much about the big guys without pads or hitting, so I focused mostly on the skill players. Jones has lauded junior-college transfer Kenbrell Thompkins, and I can see why. Thompkins moves well, is built thickly and made some terrific catches during the workout. Looks like he could become the Bearcats' No. target at wideout this season.
KT has the respect of everyone on the team and is a hugely impressive guy. But it is good to know that his physical gifts still show through.
Spring drills signal new beginning: Cincinnati.com
Maybe "C-Tough" would have been better for last year, because in almost every regard 2010 was very tough for the men wearing UC's C-paw.
The Bearcats experienced a severe fall from a No. 3 ranking in the final BCS standings, a Big East championship and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl in 2009 to a 4-8 record and no bowl game in 2010.
Good to see that Bill Koch has come out of hibernation. Can someone explain to me just how he keeps his job. As shit as he is I am baffled that he continues to find gainful employment.
Collaros moves on from 2010: Cincinnati.com
Collaros, a senior from Steubenville, Ohio, completed 225 of 283 passes for 2,902 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2010. But he was intercepted 14 times, which also led the Big East.
Many of his interceptions were born out of desperation when he tried to force the ball into coverage in an attempt to make a play while the Bearcats were trailing.
Alex Hoffman settles into leadership roles: Paul Dehner
"He's our vocal leader and leader by example," offensive line coach Don Mahoney said. "Just does everything right, from school, first and foremost, sets an example where freshman are looking up to him. He's just the model Bearcat. He really is, he does everything right. He's the voice."
A voice this team desperately needs.
Next to Hoffman and Randy Martinez, who earned 23 of 24 possible starts at their positions last season, there will be three new starters manning the offensive front Sept. 1 against Austin Peay.
I think that the losses on the offensive line are overstated. Missing Jason Kelce is by far the biggest blow, but the two other guys that are moving on are Sam Griffin and C.J. Cobb and into their respective places will step Sean Hooey and either Andre Cureton or Austin Bujnoch. Losing the experience of Griffin and Cobb sucks, but from a pure talent stand point the new guys are upgrades, and not just little upgrades. Sean Hooey started two games last year when Hoffman was hurt and was the best offensive lineman on the field by miles. One of the biggest personnel mistakes this staff made was keeping C.J. Cobb on the field. They should have kept Hooey at RT and moved Hoffman back to guard, which is where he will play in the NFL.
Other Bearcats News
UC needs to keep Mick Cronin: Bearcats Blog
Mick Cronin has his share of detractors. There are people who think he couldn't spell offense let alone coach it. There are people wary of his game plans and halftime adjustments. There are people who think he doesn't get the most out of his players. Those people were quieted this season for the most part. Except on the offense part, that we can all agree on is horrible. Mick Cronin has his share of defenders. He may not coach offense, but he can get enough of it to win games because of the defense.
Roger Thompson to represent Canada: GoBearcats.com
University of Cincinnati sophomore defender Roger Thompson (Brampton, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) has been named to the Canadian U-20 squad that will compete in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, the qualifier for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Canada isn't exactly a power in the world of soccer, checking in at a mighty 84 on the FIFA rankings. Still it is cool to see UC players taking part at that level.
Neimer named Volleyball Sportsman of the year: GoBearcats.com
Senior University of Cincinnati volleyball star Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) was named the College Sportswoman of the Year for volleyball, the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Women's Sports Association announced Thursday.
With the award, Niemer becomes one of six finalists for the overall College Sportswoman of the Year Award to be announced on April 17 at the 18th annual GCNKWSA Awards Ceremony.
Nationally Recognized
Micheal Irvin, dean of discipline: Dr. Saturday
Yeah, Irvin was always a fan of discipline.
68 things we loved about the NCAA tournament: The Dagger
Ohio State and Kansas playing flawlessly one night, establishing themselves as the tournaments prohibitive favorite and then laying an egg the next time they stepped out on the court. The beauty of one and done. (Chris Chase)
That was a favorite around here, but it had nothing to do with the one and done nature of the beast.
Reading This Will Make You Smarter
Human Complexity: Rick Bookstabler
"Sun Pin was in battle against the Wei general, P`ang Chuan. Sun Pin said: 'We have a reputation for cowardice, and our adversary despises us. Let us turn this to our advantage.' Accordingly, when the army had crossed the border into Wei territory, Sun Pin gave orders to show 100,000 fires on the first night, 50,000 on the next, and the night after only 20,000.
P`ang Chuan pursued them, saying to himself: 'I knew these men were cowards; their numbers have already fallen by more than half.' In his retreat, Sun Pin came to a narrow pass, which he calculated that his pursuers would reach after dark. Here he had inscribed on a tree: 'Under this tree shall P`ang Chuan die.'
When night fell, he placed archers in ambush, with orders to shoot where they saw a light. P`ang Chuan arrived and struck a light to read what was written on the tree. His body was immediately riddled by a volley of arrows, and his army thrown into confusion."
That short vignette goes a long way to describe why classical economics with it's assumption of a perfectly rational human being is falling quickly out of favor for behavioral economics.