All Teams, Coaches, Players to through ups & downs in their careers. Some are lucky and begin with winning programs, others start playing/coaching on losing program. But, usually, at some point, everyone coach finds out how it feels to BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS!
…Clearly, the most publicized move to the OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS are the Colorado Buffaloes football team under loquacious Coach, Dion Sanders. Sanders arrived @Boulder, Colorado to take over a football program that was 1-11 last year. They had won more than 5 games only once in the last 20 years. His harsh meeting with the former players was 1 of a kind—no apologies, no condolences nothing but “leave town” (and now). His “personality” and a 3 game winning streak sent the fan base wild. Oregon crushed the Buffaloes followed by a Colorado loss to USC. But the excitement is back!! The Buffaloes sold out every home game for the rest of the year!! One would suspect that the Colorado NIL money-war-chest was bulging with fresh money that would be utilized to upgrade the roster. I’m wondering how long Sanders will remain @ Boulder, Colorado before some school with even more money “courts” Sanders to a new home. More specifically, which SEC team will “buck up” for Sanders?
…Landing on the OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS is the Mizzou Tigers Football team. It’s been a decade (2013) since the Tigers have posted a 5-0 record. Granted that MU has beaten just 1 quality team thus far but….they are 5-0. As one looks down the remaining ’23 schedule, NO game is a “gimme” but many appear to be “winnable” with a continues strong performance by the O-Line, few penalties, few turnovers & a healthy, “hot” QB.
…Hoping to move to “THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS” the Blues have made moves to strengthen their defense. The Def Coordinator was relieved of his duties during the off-season. I find it strange that the Blues “axed” the coach but bring back all the key players of the defense. From my eyes it’s an expensive, aging, and underperforming quartet. Is it likely that Faulk(31), Leddy(32), Krug(32) & Parayko(30) will be able to withstand the grueling schedule? Facing much younger, quicker offensive players night after night? Can this quartet hold up? I have my doubts! I think that they will ACTUALLY STAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS.
….Conferences have really got “caught up” in looking @ The OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS. In case you haven’t been able to stay up with the changes… here are some major ones—the SEC adds Texas & Oklahoma to their conference. Clearly, as these two “major brand” schools hop into the SEC fray, other conferences will change also. The Big 10 will now be the Big 14 as they add USC, UCLA, Oregon & Washington. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will add numbers by adding Stanford, Cal & SMU. The Big 12 has expanded as Colorado, Utah, Arizona & Arizona St join. The formerly Pac 12 is a thing of the past. Why is this happening? Come on…you know what it is… money! Money increases as TV/streaming contracts expand as conferences cover schools across the entire country!
…Quick side issue, FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, should there be an age limit for college athletes? It seems to me with a red-shirt year, playing as a grad student, an injury year viewed as free year, etc, players are playing past their 23rd or 24th birthday. 5 years has become common, and now some are playing into their 6th year of college. How is this equitable for the student who DOES complete his academic work in 4 years? That student suffers on the field because he’s “moved along” the academic side on time.
… But, FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, looking at the expanded conferences, there are some issues. While Football grabs all the attention & money, What about ALL the other sports traveling across the USA from one coast to the other coast? Sure Basketball will make some money but what about baseball & softball, tennis, golf, track & field, M & W soccer, swimming & diving, wrestling. Fans don’t flock..or in some cases—even trickle, to those sports. The cost of flying these athletes across the USA to play conference games will skyrocket. Look for those schools to go to their voters asking for more money to support these teams. If that fails, some non-revenue sports will likely be reduced or eradicated.
….Looking for the 1st time in a long, long time from THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, the Cardinals enter into the biggest off-season challenge in a long, long time. If they didn’t realize it previously, the BOO’s for John Mozeliak at a recent ceremony may have sent a strong signal to the ownership & management about the fan feelings. 2023 was completely unacceptable! For the last 2 months, it was like an extended spring training as 1 “prospect” after another was paraded out. In the area that the Cardinals suffered the most (pitching), there didn’t seem to be ANYONE who was making a strong case for himself for ’24. Sure, many of those newly arrived pitchers looked good for a game or 2. But, as opposing teams formed a “book” on them, usually their efficiency sagged. Cards MUST GET at least 2 proven, strong, very strong, starters for the rotation. A 3rd would be even better 😊 Will the Cards spend the money to procure this level of pitching?
…Only Walker & Wynn are untouchable from my eyes. Yes…I would part with Goldschmidt &/or Arenado if the package in return warranted it. It’s Goldy’s last year soooo….BTW….For all the fuss about O’Neill not “running out” the play, Arenado has “dogged” it while running (using the term loosely) FAR MORE than just 1 time (according to several of season ticket holders that I’ve talked with about this issue)!!! You probaby didn’t notice because our announcers shy away, as does the cameraman & producer, from showing or voicing any criticism of the Cards. While Arenado is spectacular on defense and is a strong solid batter, shouldn’t he be held to the same standards as O’Neill…or anyone else? The very least that a player can do is to run hard after EVERY batted ball. Once again, I point the finger towards our inexperienced, weak manager. There must be ONE set of rules for the entire team. Not different tiers depending upon your salary.
….Well…I’m moving on to THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACK right now (the finished side!). I really hope that you’ll send a thought on any part of this Buzz. I’ll use your initials if you indicate that’s what you want as a signature. Thanks for YOUR read! Bob
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