OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - College Football (The All-American Football League)

batted balls · 10-27-2007, 09:19 AM

Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . .

Ole Max just finished perusing the 2007 All-American list. Whilst Ole Max can nod in agreement on many of the selections such as Nebraska's Mike Rozier and Dave Rimington along with Florida State's Snoop Minnis, the seasoned sports writer can only shake his head at the defensive side of the football.

Let Ole Max point out some sound stats for you. Penn State is the only unbeaten team in the land. Sure, perhaps the AAFL East is the weakest of the four divisions, yet Joe Paterno's Nittany Lion defense was dominant. Consider this one, football fanatics, Penn State only gave up more than a touchdown once this season. Let Ole Max repeat that, Penn State only gave up more than a touchdown once this season.

To dig deeper, the Nittany Lion defenders recorded one shutout. Ole Max is certain they could have accumulated more if JoePa hadn't insisted on playing third- and fourth-stringers late in games. Penn State yielded just 52 points in seven games as it was. They forced 18 fumbles, racked up 12 sacks and picked off two passes.

Why all these numbers, Max, you ask? Because the number that's glaring out at Ole Max this morning is that only one Penn State player on this year's All-American team--linebacker Jack Ham. One truly is the lonliest number!

Ole Max says, "You've got to be kidding me?" What about LaVar Arrington? He was an All-American linebacker last fall. Why didn't he make it this year? The Penn State defense was even better than a year ago! Did Arrington get worse? Or what about a D-lineman like Courtney Brown or Mike Reid? Didn't they perform exceptionally well? Hey, these guys weren't linemen for the county, Glen Campbell fans; they were lineman for Penn State, the top defense in the country!

Maybe the All-American voters got fooled by gaudy numbers. You have to watch the games with skilled eye. A football intelligence. Ole Max has enough Xs and Ox experience to keep one eye on the game's performers and the other on the sideline talent and still know who the best players in the nation are. Voters who look only at the stat sheet may see more tackles and sacks and interceptions for others, but do they realize just who dominates the game? Do they realize a coach like Paterno takes his stars out when the game has long been decided?

So, with no disrespect (Ole Max would never disrespect anyone) to All-Americans like Derrick Thomas of Alabama or Randy Gradishar of Ohio State or Lee Roy Selmon of Oklahoma, why weren't there more Penn State players on the defensive list?

Ole Max just doesn't get it!

This is Max Mercy, Jr. en route to the national semi-final bowl games . . .

10-27-2007, 09:19 AM	#162
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,323	All-American Numbers Don't Add Up--Max Mercy, Jr. Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . . Ole Max just finished perusing the 2007 All-American list. Whilst Ole Max can nod in agreement on many of the selections such as Nebraska's Mike Rozier and Dave Rimington along with Florida State's Snoop Minnis, the seasoned sports writer can only shake his head at the defensive side of the football. Let Ole Max point out some sound stats for you. Penn State is the only unbeaten team in the land. Sure, perhaps the AAFL East is the weakest of the four divisions, yet Joe Paterno's Nittany Lion defense was dominant. Consider this one, football fanatics, Penn State only gave up more than a touchdown once this season. Let Ole Max repeat that, Penn State only gave up more than a touchdown once this season. To dig deeper, the Nittany Lion defenders recorded one shutout. Ole Max is certain they could have accumulated more if JoePa hadn't insisted on playing third- and fourth-stringers late in games. Penn State yielded just 52 points in seven games as it was. They forced 18 fumbles, racked up 12 sacks and picked off two passes. Why all these numbers, Max, you ask? Because the number that's glaring out at Ole Max this morning is that only one Penn State player on this year's All-American team--linebacker Jack Ham. One truly is the lonliest number! Ole Max says, "You've got to be kidding me?" What about LaVar Arrington? He was an All-American linebacker last fall. Why didn't he make it this year? The Penn State defense was even better than a year ago! Did Arrington get worse? Or what about a D-lineman like Courtney Brown or Mike Reid? Didn't they perform exceptionally well? Hey, these guys weren't linemen for the county, Glen Campbell fans; they were lineman for Penn State, the top defense in the country! Maybe the All-American voters got fooled by gaudy numbers. You have to watch the games with skilled eye. A football intelligence. Ole Max has enough Xs and Ox experience to keep one eye on the game's performers and the other on the sideline talent and still know who the best players in the nation are. Voters who look only at the stat sheet may see more tackles and sacks and interceptions for others, but do they realize just who dominates the game? Do they realize a coach like Paterno takes his stars out when the game has long been decided? So, with no disrespect (Ole Max would never disrespect anyone) to All-Americans like Derrick Thomas of Alabama or Randy Gradishar of Ohio State or Lee Roy Selmon of Oklahoma, why weren't there more Penn State players on the defensive list? Ole Max just doesn't get it! This is Max Mercy, Jr. en route to the national semi-final bowl games . . . Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 10-27-2007 at 11:22 AM.