D.J. Shoemate Transfers to UConn: Here Is What You Don’t KNow

// July 13th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized

USC has lost another one of their recruits since the NCAA violations caused a virtual firesale on the PAC-10 powerhouse’s prized recruiting stable.  I personally couldn’ t enjoy more what is happening to Lane Kiffin, but that is neither here nor there.  Fans of UConn football might be asking themselves how did Shoemate end up at UConn?

Not that I would dare ever insult, question, or demean the recruiting efforts of Coach Edsall and his staff.  To be totally honest, even two years later I’m still scared that I’ll be getting a phone call telling me to drive in from Boston for my 6am stadium run.  Anyway, Shoemate who was a Super Prep All American, he could have chosen any school in the country to go to especially one that didn’t already have a standout RB in Jordan Todaman.   So why UConn? Well friends, this is where your love of FWG comes in.

Shoemate is former high school teammate of current Husky back up quarterback Johnny McEntee.  Both played together at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif.  Johnny-Mac had been in contact with Shoemate since the NCAA sanctions, working the text messaging magic that only college students are capable of…that and..Facebook: The teens love the Facebook. J-Mac was able to act as a catalyst for showing his former teammate all that UConn has to offer, including that it can be a great home for those displaced from the Left Coast.

Shoemate may contribute at running back, but word out of Storrs is that he’ll be a contributor “wherever we can fit him.”  Apparently such a tremendous athlete, they’d like to fit him wherever there is a need (possibly even DB).  So, fans of UConn Football should you find yourself running into Johnny Mac on the mean streets of Storrs, or the famed parking lot of The Rent this fall, tell him thanks.  He’s managed to bring a great talent to the team and flip the proverbial “bird” to Lane Kiffin in the process.

Final Thoughts:
As many of you well know I’m living on Martha’s Vineyard.  Yesterday I had the pleasure of encountering a lovely Canadian woman maned “Luchia.”  When I asked Luchia where she was from, she said “Cape Breton, the island ..do you know where that is.”  Well, apparently it’s an island off the coast of Nova Scotia (Thanks Google!).  Of course at the time, sitting on that bench in Edgartown I had no idea, so I replied as such.  She let out an uncommon chuckle of disdain and hilarity for a woman of her age (75…I asked). “Well then, you’re DEFINITELY American, no sense of geography at all. My island is much more beautiful than this, we have mountains”    I was dumbfounded and insulted.  So I replied,  “how big is your island?”  To which she said, “Oh I don’t know, much bigger than this I suppose”
Well at that point, I’d had it.  So replied “Typical Canadian.  No sense of geography.  Martha’s Vineyard is 20 miles long by 10 miles wide…”

Well, Luchia pretty much vowed never to return to the U.S. ever again, and I’m pretty much okay with that.  If it takes one insulting lesson in geography to keep the Canadians away then I think I’ve done my part.

This Week’s Sign Of The Apocalypse: This Qualifies as “News” In Iowa

// April 21st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

This was the lead on BOTH of Iowa’s major news networks.  I’m not hating on Iowa, some of my  best friends are from there but that doesn’t change the fact that this is absurd.  Not to mention the commentary from my intern, “That’s probably the best looking group of women in Iowa”  Well played, Fred.  Well played.

Anyway, if you want to rag on someone from Iowa that isn’t an English Bulldog, be sure to check out Tyler Lorenzen (of the New Orleans Saints) on twitter: http://twitter.com/TylerLorenzen

13 Year Old Sues UConn; Clinches Lifetime of Nerd-hood

// March 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

STORRS, Conn. — Even at 13, Colin Carlson believes he’s running out of time.

Colin is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, seeking a bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology and another in environmental studies. But he’s been knocked off course by the university’s rejection of his request to take a class that includes summer field work in South Africa.  So he’s filed an age discrimination claim with the university and U.S. Department of Education, which is investigating.  “I’m losing time in my four-year plan for college,” he said. “They’re upsetting the framework of one of my majors.” [Huffington Post]

“Upsetting the framework of one of my majors”?!?  First, what 13 year old kid uses the word “framework”?  Second, “ONE” of his majors?  When I was 13 I was more concerned with Y2K and playing the “world is ending, let’s go make out -card” at Katheryn Wright’s house than I was with getting multiple college degrees.

No study abroad program will save this kid from being on the receiving end of ridicule and beatings until his mid 40’s.  And he can forget about ever relating to the normal course of the human experience, yeah he waived that luxury the minute he sued UConn and volunteered to let his mom “chaperone his studies”

This kid dies a (very smart) virgin.

Thanks to Alex for the tip.

[Huffington Post]

National Signing Day: The Last Day These Guys (recruits) Will Ever Be In The Drivers Seat…ever. ever ever.

// February 3rd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

I remember way back when I inked my then unpracticed, untested signature on the dotted line, thus evaporating the very notion of being “wanted” or “pursued”.  The weeks before I ended up signing with UConn were like a new relationship; Fresh, interesting and plenty of sexting (there really is nothing like new love.)  My official visit was full of lobster and steak, and (if you can believe it) Head Coach Randy Edsall serving me hot butter.  The day after signing, and the following 5 season were more like “the morning after”….little regret, a hot shower, and some soul searching.  I enjoyed every minute at UConn, but you can bet your sweet ass I was serving my own butter once I was on campus.  Delicious, delicious, self-served butter. Hmmmm.  Memories.

That being said, I’m going to defer to my friends over at Every Day Should Be Saturday, who came in with this quote:

Honda, purchased: Just a reminder: when this is all over, the same coaches buttering recruits up will be the ones running them until they vomit, screaming at them in the weight room, and later possibly making taunts involving their dead or incarcerated  relatives. To be fair, though, the “sold a Rolls Royce and given a Honda” metaphor mentioned here in the Post is a bit inaccurate since Maryland isn’t even a Honda. Hondas, unlike Maryland football, are reliable and steady, whereas the Terrapins under Friedgen have been Chryslers at best.

Or, maybe even gas-pedal-malfunctioning Toyotas.  How topical of me.

BIG MAT IS COMING BACK!

// January 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Great news for all UConn Football fans. Today UConn OL Mathieu Olivier decided to come back to school for his senior season.

WTIC Sports Radio and FWG

// January 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Yeah this is the first post of the day.  And, yes, it is noon.  I’m working non stop to launch a new NFL site, stopping only for handfulls of Tostino Pizza Rolls, which are by the way, like popping little lava-filled pizza dough in your mouth.  Exploding as you chomp in, what I can only describe as, as a highly sympolic, slightly metaphorical allegory for tempation and “good things come to those who wait.”  Anyway, here’s a radio interview from UConn’s Bowl Game to tide you over.

UConn Beats South Carolina, Redeems The Big East

// January 4th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

As many of you know I went down to Alabama for the PapaJohns.com bowl, I began tweeting my adventure, and then like a sick twist of fate to my blogging soul, my laptop and cell phone (excuse me, PDA, ehem, Smartphone) died.  And I was left for the rest of the trip, living like I was Amish.  Although it did allow me a few opportunities to better collect my thoughts.  So here they are.

1.  It is always good getting to go back and see your old teammates.  A slightly slimmer Rob Lunn was able to appreciate just how truly athletic and…well…huge our UConn offensive and defensive line is.  And, after watching the game, I have a feeling that Steve Spurrier was equally surprised.

2. Maybe instead of living my life based on stereotype and broad, sweeping generalizations, I should have checked Weather.com.  That way, instead of arriving in Alabama without even so much as a proper jacket, I would have been prepared for 30 degree weather, while I sat there shivering.  Although, I was kept warm by the dismantling of the Gamecocks.

3.  Leave no doubt.  Next years D-Line will be even better than this year.  Sure, UConn loses Lindsey Witten to the NFL, but Kendall Reyes at 2 sacks (shoulda been 3), and they’ll be moving Greg Lloyd to defensive end, which should have the same effect as when (now Jacksonville Jaguar) Julius Williams was moved from ‘backer to DE.

4.  Did anyone else think it was a little premature of Spurrier to go for it on 4th down that early in the game?  Make it and your Belichick, get stuffed, and you’re Norwood.

5.  I was on the field after the game, and got to have a quick word with a Papa John’s official, who I think had something to do with media relations.  I asked him “do you think it would be cool if I asked Head Ball Coach for his autograph…” (I was insinuating that it might be a bad time, you know after the embarrassing loss and all) he replied, “You kidding? Go for it!  But, I’d hurry up and catch him, knowing him he’ll be on the golf course, grabbing a “quick-nine” before you can say Gamecock!”

6.  You want to talk about southern hospitality?  Go to Birmingham, Alabama.  I got off the plane and random strangers approached me saying “Welcome to Alabama, son”  Friendly? Sure.  But I had to ask, how did they know I wasn’t from around there? Was it my suitcase?  My superb dental work?  The world may never know.

7.  If you ever get a chance to go to Jim and Nicks BBQ, run…don’t walk….to the nearest location.  Order the Pit Master plate, and call me in a few days after your food-coma has subsided.  Holy crap that was good food.

8.  Coach Edsall was pretty emotional about the win in the locker-room.  I know Mike Enright (UConn media relations) was a little wary of me being in there, now that I am off the payroll and all, but I’ll leave what was said to stay in that stadium.  I will say this, talking with the guys and even players parents, I heard one particularly touching story, the quote isn’t verbatim, but it’s close enough:

“You know, Coach makes sure we know it all the time now.  We all know everyday that he loves us.   There is no question about that.  I’ll be walking through the facility, and instead of passing by, he’ll stop, look me in the eye and say “I love you, how’s your day.”  He’s genuinely interested in how I’m doing, and I know he cares not only about me as a player but as a person”

9.  I had a lot of people come up to me, my dad, and my grandfather and express your love for the blog.  I really appreciate it.  Even the guy who was waiting to fly standby, who got bumped by me, told me he loved it.  So dude, thank you.  And, if it is any consolation I ended up not only getting delayed into Boston by 4 hours, but on the ride home I was smushed into a window seat by a drunk Florida fan, who proceeded to use me like a pillow and reeked of beer, stale chinese food and mothballs.  I wish was lying, but even my girlfriend (the saint who picked me up at 3am) asked me if I’d been eating Mushu Pork.

10. Not that I am Nostradamus or anything, but when I did the interview on WTIC (if you have a copy/link email me) I told everyone that giving Todd Orlando that much time to prep for a team was unfair.  Well, I think I was more than right.  UConn’s defense was lights out all game.  Perhaps Tywon Martin put it best after it was all said and done:

“Those dudes (USC) tricked me”
“How So?”
“Dog, I thought they were gonna be unreal…we watched the tape, man.  They freakin’ tricked me”

11.  I am really proud of Husky nation, and to have ever been a part of that program.  Enjoying a game from the stands is a new, but great thrill for me.

When I’m Not Blogging, I’m….

// December 31st, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Uncategorized

…I’ll end on a high note, and let that video take you into the new year.  Tomorrow morning at 8am I’m off to Birmingham for the PapaJohns.com Bowl.  I’ll be checking in with interviews and mobile blogging.  The wonders of the internet age.

Congratulations To UConn DE Lindsey Witten

// December 31st, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized

A big congratulations are in order for Lindsey Witten, defensive end for UConn.  Not only is he a totally stand up guy, but he has also been invited to participate in the NFL Combine.  For those of you who don’t know, he was the best rush end in the Big East this year, and arguably the country.  But, beyond that, Witten is the kind of player who demonstrates a maturity beyond his years on and off the field.  Couldn’t be happier for this guy.

Wake Up! And Get Your Tickets To Birmingham

// December 7th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Uncategorized

I couldn’t be more excited for UConn taking on South Carolina in the 2009 Papa John’s Bowl.  There are a number of reasons behind this.

1)  Who is more deserving of a bowl game than UConn?

2) The Judge (my dad) called me this morning and told me to ‘pack my shit, we’re going to Dixie’  (well, not those exact words)

3.  Last season, while I was still enjoying my playing days, we played at Louisville’s Papa John’s Stadium and at half time the Papa John’s daughters were there.   The  “Papa John’s Twins” as I have come to call them.  As I noted back then, and I’ll repeat now, “Better ingredients, better offspring”  Much to the lament of my girlfriend, I think there is something in tomato sauce.  Come to the game, you’ll see.