At three billion dollars and 21 million-a-year per school, the new PAC-12 media deal is currently the richest in the NCAA. It's a huge boon for the conference's member teams, especially the small market schools, Washington State, Oregon State and Colorado. In one bold stroke they have national exposure like never before, and a much improved, healthier bottom line.
Of all the players to lose on the defense, middle linebacker is the worst. The MLB is the quarterback of the defense, responsible for calls and knowing where everyone is. Kiko Alonso's recent arrest and suspension leaves the Ducks with a pretty good best-three at linebacker, but they are one injury away from being very young, thin and inexperienced. The rapid progress of the defensive tackles during spring practice takes some of the pressure off the linebacker corps. They'll face fewer double teams, and fewer linemen getting to their legs, with Heimuli, Hart, Wade K and Ebert playing tough in the interior of the line.
All coaches are plagiarists, and Chip Kelly more brilliant than most. When he was offensive coordinator at New Hampshire it was a running joke on the staff that anything intriguing they saw an opponent do on film one week would be in the game plan the next. The recent innovations unveiled in spring practice, with the quarterback under center and LaMichael James in the deep "I" formation, gives defenses twice as much to prepare for, allows Oregon to change up the tempo and pace of games, and takes advantage of James' three outstanding gifts as a runner: acceleration, vision, and a knack for setting up blocks. FishDuck has the details, and the x's and o's, in his spring game "Fish Report."
As big a splash as the new media deal is, it will eventually run into the first sad law of finance: expenditures always rise to meet income. For one, transportation costs in the newly-configured league might triple over the ten-year life of the deal, between the dramatic rise in the cost of fuel and the addition of far-flung conference members Colorado and Utah. Athletic Directors will cringe, signing the checks to send the women's lacrosse and men's soccer team to Provo.
Maybe we haven't seen the last of Kiko Alonso. I for one am still hopeful that we'll see him back in a Ducks uniform.
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to wait for more details and see how Coach Kelly handles this, but I don't suspect that he will be swayed much by outside pressures. He'll act based on his knowledge of the player and the circumstances.
It's actually the easy route to take to just kick the guy off the team. And maybe that will be best for the team. I'm OK with that, if it's necessary. But, while Alonso must pay the consequences for his actions... there is a sad truth here that kids can't face: For many, alcohol is all fun & games. But, for far too many, alcohol destroys lives. This is true for athletes and non-athletes alike in colleges all across the country. It's a serious problem that largely gets swept under the rug. I hope that Alonso can get himself straightened out. If he has a real willingness to try to change, then maybe he can still play for the Ducks. Then again, most likely a lot of players on the team binge drink regularly... and maybe that's not the best environment for him.
I trust the coaches to do the right thing. And this is an opportunity for other players to step up into a leadership role also. Go Ducks!
--DaveV
Dave, that's a well thought out comment. From some of the reports on the incident it sounds as those there's also a possibility there may be a mental health issue involved in Alonso's incident. The police found him disoriented rather than intoxicated.
ReplyDeleteMost Duck fans have full confidence Kelly will investigate and act appropriately. We certainly wish Alonso gets help, regardless of what happens to his football career at Oregon.
Thanks for weighing in.
Dale
Yes. It looks like there was a little information leaked from the initial police report and alcohol wasn't initially mentioned. This has led to a lot of wild speculation on the blogoshpere.
ReplyDeleteThere's an old saying in medicine, "When you hear hoofbeats behind you... think horses, not zebras."
It could be a mental health issue or something else, but I'd be SHOCKED if it wasn't alcohol.
Time will tell. Thanks again Dale!
--DaveV