Randy Moss | San Francisco 49ers (Photo credit: Football Schedule)

On February 13, 1977 Randy Gene Moss was born in rand West Virginia. His parents were Randy Pratt and Maxine Moss. He was born in a mining town where aspirations of getting out of there were very slim. People in this town usually grew up there and never left. So, like all the kids there, Moss found his place in the world.

His mother Maxine was a single mom. She worked as a nurse’s aide, which required long hours. Those long days while his mother worked, he thought of how to take the burden off her. He was expected to go to church three times a week. He was to keep his mouth shut and stay out of trouble. He spent a lot of time with his stepbrother Eric.

Eric Moss was a good student and athlete. He excelled at football and Moss was too young to play at the time. So with that, Moss was introduced to the game of football by carrying Eric’s equipment to practice. He would watch intently waiting for his day to come. He thought some more about a way out for his family.

When it was time for High School, Moss had to go to another town. Rand did not have a one so he attended nearby DuPont in Belle. There were racial tensions at the school where there were not too many blacks.

The tensions would ease a bit when Moss was on the football or baseball field, as well as the basketball court. He was a star in the making with blinding speed and the ability to grab a pass, not just catch it. Moss would dominate at DuPont ending his career with 109 catches for 2,435 yards and 44 touchdowns. In 1994 he was named Football Player of the Year and was later named to the USA All-High School football team.

His next step would be the University of Notre Dame where he was offered a scholarship to play. He was looking forward to helping the Irish get back to the glory days. It would never materialize because Moss got into a huge fight back at DuPont and get probation, a suspended jail term and the loss of his scholarship.

From there he went to Florida State where he would get another chance at a big time Division 1 school. Once again, that would not happen as Moss, in the midst of a 30-day jail sentence for another incident, tested positive for marijuana. Instead of a career with the Seminoles, he got 60 more days in jail. The legend of Randy Moss was becoming very noticed before he ever stepped on a college football filed.

He got his legal troubles behind him and went back home to West Virginia. He enrolled at Marshall University. There he would set all kinds of Division 1AA and 1A records. He would lead the Thundering Herd to an unbeaten season and two national titles. He could end his college career knowing that he proved to himself and the rest of the football world that he was the real thing. He waited for his next journey in life, the 1998 NFL draft.

Many projected him to be one of top picks that year. There was a need for a receiver by some teams and for Moss, most notably, the Dallas Cowboys. With the eighth pick the Cowboys selected LB Greg Ellis out of North Carolina. Moss waited some more as the top 10, then the top 20 came and went. He thought his character issues might not hurt his draft stock. Well, so much for that idea. With the 21st pick the Minnesota Vikings granted Moss his wish. He was an NFL wide receiver at long last. He would finally be able to take care of his mother and provide for his family.

In his rookie season he made the doubters regret not picking him. It was something he was determined to prove to himself, as well as the 20 teams that passed him by. He played all 16 games and set a rookie record with 17 touchdowns. He was also third in the league that year in receiving yards with 1,313. He was named a starter to the Pro Bowl and won Offensive Rookie of the Year. Randy Gene Moss had made it to the big time. He was a star in his first year and there was so much more to come.

The Vikings would go on to set a then NFL record for points in a season with 556. They would sport a 15-1 record and home filed advantage throughout the playoffs. Talk of a Super Bowl was running wild in the state of Minnesota. Memories of four failures were lost in the euphoria of playoff madness. They would wipe the Arizona Cardinals off the filed with a 41-21 win in the divisional round and host the Atlanta Falcons for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

The game got off to a good start as the Vikings took a 20-7 lead and seemed prepared to coast. Unfortunately, things did not work out and the Falcons came back and won 30-27. No trip to the Super Bowl, but more chances waited.

Over the next six years Moss would become one the best deep threats in the league. He would average 72 catches, 1196 yards and almost 13 touchdowns in his seven years in Minnesota. There would also be his moments off the field that would make headlines. There was the time he went off on one official and squirted another with water in a playoff game. He would tell how he would play when he wanted to because he was that good. That did not fly too well with fans and teammates. In the end, he was traded to the Oakland Raiders.

When you though about it more, he could fit into the Silver and Black system. They had tradition and Al Davis on their side. They were a team that made a habit of taking a misfit here and there. A season full of expectations turned into a nightmare. The team would finish 4-12 and Moss would have one his worst statistical years. He caught just 60 passes for 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns. Those were not numbers Moss was used to after eight years in the NFL. The next season would be even worse as Oakland went 2-14 and Moss had an even worse year. His affair with Oakland and Al Davis appeared to be coming to an end. He had become a liability with a price tag that was considered too high. He was accused of losing a step and not running his routes to the fullest., among other things.

One team thought he just might have something left in the tank. That team, to the surprise of some, was the New England Patriots. They sent a fourth-round pick to Oakland and Moss was a happy man again. He would go to a team that had Tom Brady at quarterback. A team built to win more Super Bowls with players to compliment him. All Moss had to do was straighten his act up and play Patriots ball. How hard could that be?

The season would become one of the more magical ones in recent memory. Moss, along with Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth helped Brady set and NFL record with 50 touchdown passes. Moss would be the recipient of 23 of those, which set an NFL record as well. He and the Pats entered the season finale 15-0 with dreams of a 19-0 season. That was shattered when the Giants beat them in the Super Bowl to cap an 18-1 season.

It really didn’t matter because the winner of Super Bowl that year was a forgone conclusion. The Patriots had manhandled just about every opponent. They would cruise through the playoffs and get their fourth ring in the Brady era. Once again, that dream was broken to pieces by the Giants in the Super Bowl. With the defeat, Moss would have the chance to sign elsewhere if he wanted to for next year.

Instead of bolting for more money, he decided that he liked playing in New England and signed a three-year $27M contract. He and Brady would lead this team back to the big game and this time they would win it all. That came to a screeching halt when Brady tore his ACL in the first quarter of the first game of the season. The Pats would go 11-5 with Matt Cassell at the helm, but were no real threat to win it all.

He played two more years in New England and the grumblings began. He was not doing the work and was taking plays off. He was dogging it once again and he was reportedly not feeling wanted anymore. It was looking like Moss would get a change of scenery.

That change came in the form of a familiar place, the Vikings again. He was welcomed back to Purple land by fans and the team. The experiment would wind up a flop. He lasted four games before he was into it with head coach Mike Tice. They ended up waiving him and he landed in Tennessee. That also ended at the end of the year when Moss was not used and was never a factor for the Titans. Now what would he do? All signs pointed to the end of his career, but Moss needed time to decide.

On August 1, 2011 Moss announced that he was retiring from the NFL. He would finish his career with 954 receptions, 14,858 yards and 153 touchdowns. All these stats were good enough to place him among the greats the game had ever seen. But he would take his reputation as a troubled hot dog with him. Either way, when you mentioned the name Moss, it would be right up there with the likes of Rice, Brown and Carter to name a few.

He had accomplished virtually everything he ever wanted in the NFL. He got his mother out of those long workdays and had provided for his own kids. He made lots of money and for those that doubted him, let the record books tell the story. Yes, he had his moments, stirred the pot more times than most, but on the football field he was a monster. Now he could go into retirement sunset wondering if he would ever get into Canton.

On August 2, 2011, Moss found himself wondering what the rest of his life would hold now. He was officially retired, looking ahead to the next chapter in his life. That chapter kicked off on his 35th birthday, February 13, 2012. He announced he was coming out of retirement because he felt he still had some football left in him. Less than 30 days later, he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He would celebrate his comeback early when he caught the 154th touchdown pass of his career. That put him ahead of Terrell Owens (154) for second all-time. Only the great Jerry Rice has more with 197.

The 2012 season was a season when Moss understood his position. He was no longer the number one guy. He was no longer that dangerous number two. There was no more defensive coordinators game planning just for him. He was a utility guy, a crafty veteran you threw to when needed. Yet, he understood. That, by itself, helped to put Moss where he is now. He is this close to finally getting that last big notch on his hall-of-fame career. Can he finally get that elusive Super Bowl ring?

Way back in the days, Moss was a little kid in Rand, W.V. His mother Maxine brought him up right. She always wanted the best for her kids and worked hard for it. Little Randy tried his best to tow the line and be a good kid. His time with his brother Eric became those moments where he began to notice the game of football. I wonder how much it burned as he accompanied his brother to practice. At some point he got his chance and made the most of it. But it did not come without his trials and tribulations.

He was a star baseball, basketball and football player. He was also a track star as he won the West Virginia state championship in 1992. He led Marshal to back-to-back titles in college. At the NFL level, he was and will always be, one of the greatest that ever played his position. But it wasn’t always that simple with Randy Gene Moss.

There was also plenty of trouble in his life, documented and I would guess, undocumented. In his days at DuPont High he once got into a fight trying to protect a friend. That got him kicked out of school. He would have to finish his schooling at Cabell Alternative School. Then there was the fight that got him kicked off the Notre Dame squad, the positive test that got him kicked off the Florida State team. There were his famous sayings like he played when he wanted to. That he could turn it on or off when he felt like it. There was the hot dog in him that irritated teammates and fans alike. Officials were not his friends as well. It has been a long and very eventful career for Moss. One that he, as well as we, can look back on and talk about for years to come.

Now, Moss finds himself less than a week away from that ring. It could be his final crack and the last leg of his legacy. He does not have to prove anything to anyone anymore. He will leave this game once and for all and we will not question his place among the best. He gave us drama when being the drama queen was in. When he was pushed to the wall he pushed back. He never met a word he couldn’t say to your face. Now he plays in the biggest game of his life. He may not be a great factor in this one, but he is ready to make the play if he has to. He has done this since forever. He will line up when his number is called and play hard and smart. We have seen and heard the many faces of Randy Gene Moss for many years now. This coming Sunday the only face you will see will be his game face. That my readers is “ Straight cash homie”.

San Francisco 49ers’ running back Frank Gore signing a miniature football helmet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A week before this game, the Falcons found themselves up 20-0 on the Seattle Seahawks. The offense started fast as well as the defense. By now, we all know that lead barely held up. They would win the game 30-28 on a second chance field goal. All they had to now was beat rising star Colin Kapernick of San Francisco.

They would come in as the underdog against the Niners. Even though they made it this far, the ride was supposed to end at home. The consensus opinion said there was no way they could beat the Seahawks and then San Fran in consecutive weeks. As for the Falcons, they felt confident and ready to prove everybody wrong.

They started with a bang as Matt Ryan led them on a seven-play 80-yard drive for a 7-0 lead. Ryan hit Julio Jones on a beautiful 46-yard strike for the quick lead. On this day, Jones would show how he has improved with every game. He showed his speed and power, as well as his good hands.

By the end of the first quarter it was 10-0 and the Falcons were on the move again. On the first play of the second quarter Ryan found Jones again for 20 yards and a 17-0 lead. They worked all week on a plan to get out to the early big lead. They wanted to know if the Niners could play from behind. Up until now, the Falcons defense had held San Francisco to two three-and-outs. Kapernick could not find a groove and the ground game could not get off. This was about the time both those facets of the game took control for the Niners.

Part of the success of a quarterback is his running game. A back like Frank Gore keeps a defense honest. The Falcons had to make sure to contain him and then put some pressure on Kapernick. On their next possession the Niners gave the ball to Gore four straight times. He would get 20 yards and set up five straight completions by Kapernick. At the Atlanta 15, Kapernick handed the ball off to rookie LaMichael James and he ran right side into the end zone. It was 17-7 and the Niners had found a groove. It was now that the Falcons would have to drive the ball down the field and answer the San Francisco score.

Momentum is huge in the NFL especially in the playoffs. The Falcons had just worked their tails off to get it and now was not the time to give it back. That is what they tried to do as they went three-and-out on their next possession. Starting at their own nine, the Niners went to work. On second and 16 Kapernick hit TE Vernon Davis for 19 yards and a first down. After the defense held Gore to no gain, Kapernick ran past them for 23 yards. The Falcons defense was now giving up the big plays. Some felt it wouldn’t take long before the Niners capitalized on this softening defense. The hunch was right when Kapernick found Davis for 25 and then four yards. The last one was good for a touchdown and the lead was just 17-14. Momentum was now in favor of the 49ers and the crowd was much more quiet.

There was still time to make a stand. To drive the ball down the field and get back up 10 points going into halftime. They had 1:55 and 80 yards to go and did just that. Future Hall-of-Famer Tony Gonzalez caught a 10-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds left to make it 24-14. The Falcons would go into the locker room with the lead, but they could not be as confident as they were to start the game.

The second half is where you make adjustments and correct your mistakes. Atlanta would need to come out and stop the opening 49er drive and set the tone. Well, things did not work out that way as San Francisco drove 82 yards on seven plays to come within three at 24-21. The fans were really starting to feel it. One of those games where the offense starts on fire, take a big lead, only to have the defense give it back.

Now it was their turn to try and stop Gore and Kapernick and up to this point, they had failed. The teams traded possessions and time was becoming a factor. On one drive, Ryan was sacked and then picked off on consecutive plays. Another drive stalled and on top of that, the Niners were now driving the ball down the field. The defense stopped them from putting the ball in the end zone, but San Francisco set up for a field goal to tie it. As luck would have it, K David Akers missed the 38-yard try. A huge sigh of relief and the ball back in their hands. Another 49er drive was stymied when Michael Crabtree fumbled the ball at the Atlanta one. They took over with just over 13 minutes to play and a chance to take control of the game. They followed with another three-and-out and they were deep in their own territory. Punter Matt Bosher got a good kick off and it went for 48 yards. The problem was the coverage of Atlanta as they allowed Ted Ginn Jr. to return it 20 yards to the Atlanta 38. A short field with Gore and Kapernick did not make a good mix. Six plays later the inevitable happened when Gore went right end for a nine-yard score. The 49ers had taken heir first lead of the game and now the pressure was on the Falcons. The ensuing drive was a thing of football beauty. Ryan and his receivers moved the ball down inside the Niner 20. On third and fourth down Ryan went to White, but the pass was incomplete each time. The magic was over and the Falcons were staying home. On the last play Tony Gonzalez was open in the end zone, but Ryan was not given the time to find him.

Once again, the Falcons took their fans to the brink, only to let them down. Eleven catches, 182 yards and two touchdowns from Jones were not enough. Ryan had 396 yards and three touchdown passes and that wasn’t enough. What killed Atlanta was another fast start that ended in a slow finish for the defense. They gave up three drives of 80 yards or more. They allowed Gore, 90 yards rushing, and Kapernick to set the tone with the ground game. That opened things up for Crabtree, Davis and Moss, yes, Randy Moss. They left it in the hands of Ryan again and he came up 10 yards short.

This does not diminish good seasons by Ryan, Jones and White to name a few. But it is clear that head coach Mike Smith and his staff need to work on how to close a game. They have to learn to step on the pedal and not let up. Overall it was a great year for this team. Ryan was able to get that elusive playoff win, but Gonzalez may go out with no Super Bowl appearance. He hinted that this was probably his last game. If it was, look for his next big football move when he will be going to Canton.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at a road game against the Oakland Raiders. The Falcons won 24-0. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
January 14, 2013

Let’s go back to the 2011 season and take a look at a few things. The Falcons traded their first, second and fourth round picks, as well as they’re first and fourth round picks in the 2012 draft, for the sixth pick in the 2011 NFL draft. With that pick they took wide receiver Julio Jones out of Alabama. With the 158th pick of that draft, they selected running back Jacquizz Rogers from Oregon State. These two players, along with others, would play a pivotal role sooner than some may have thought.

In the third game of the 2011 season, they lost to Tampa Bay, putting their record at 1-2. By week 5, a loss to the Green Bay Packers would have the team at 2-3. A season filled with promise looked to be going down the drain quickly. It was at that point the team had to make a decision on how to proceed. What they did was win eight of their final eleven games to finish 10-6. It would be the first time in franchise history the team would go to the playoffs in consecutive years. They would enter the playoffs second in the NFC South. Good enough to earn a #5 seed.

They would score the game’s first points when a penalty against the Giants was enforced in the end zone. Just like that it was 2-0 Falcons. There would be no moving on, no win. The Giants would go on to score the final 24 points in a rout to advance to the NFC Championship game en route to the title.

Just like that, the season was over. All the work that was put in to get this team past the hump did not pay off. QB Matt Ryan now had a chimp growing into a monkey on his back. Could he ever win a playoff game? Well, there was always next year, no matter what that might bring.

Next year came along and the 2012 season kicked off for Atlanta. If you paid attention to the experts and the prognosticators, they were the team to beat in the NFC South, maybe even the NFC.

The season started in Kansas City and the game ended as 40-24 Falcons win. Ryan would have a great day going 23-31 for 299 yards, three touchdown passes and one rushing. The sixth pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Julio Jones, would get six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. A nice start to what would hopefully be a great year.

Week seven was a bye week and the team would be 6-0 for the first time in franchise history. By that time, the weapons at Ryan’s disposal were starting to show. Jones would have a few more big games. TE Tony Gonzalez, who will not age, had one game with 91 yards and another with 123. To add to that, WR Roddy White had some huge games himself. It was shaping up to be that great year they were hoping for. The only thing in their way would be a second half collapse.

Wins over the Eagles and Cowboys would have them at 8-0 going to New Orleans. The Saints were the team they were trying to unseat as division champs. Though that looked to be a lock, the Saints have always proved they can play with anybody. A win over New Orleans would definitely start the talk of an undefeated season. That win and the unbeaten season would have to wait though. The combination of QB Drew Brees and TE Jimmy Graham were too much. They still had a chance to win the game late, but Jabari Greer brilliantly broke up a Ryan pass intended for Roddy White, at the last second.

Now 8-1, the Falcons reeled off three more wins before going to play the Carolina Panthers. This was one of those games where your team knew they should win. This was a game where, so long as you took care of the fundamentals, you would come out the victor. What they ran into was the Cam Newton show. Newton would torch them throwing for 287 yards and two scores, to go along with 116 yards rushing and a score. That helped the Panthers build a 23-0 nothing lead that led to the big win. Carolina would cruise to a 30-20 win putting the Falcons at 11-2. It was very important at this point that the team understood they were playing for something. The home field advantage is huge in the NFL playoffs. They could not afford to lose that, plus momentum they would need going into the postseason. We all know that it’s not how you start the year; it’s how you finish it that matters.

They would lose just one more time, to Tampa Bay, but they had the number one seed they needed so bad. They would have a first round bye and wait for the winner of one of the wild-card games. They got the Seattle Seahawks up first. Seattle was the one team that nobody wanted to play at this point in the year. They were hot and getting better. Their rookie QB Russell Wilson came into his own about halfway through the season. He showed poise beyond his youth and almost led his team to the division title. The Falcons came out smoking and took a 20-0 lead on the strength of two Matt Ryan touchdown passes and two Matt Bryant field goals. Seattle had no answer and the Falcons defense was relentless. Wilson had trouble getting to the edge. He was not given time to set his feet, or scramble to a spot. The Seahawks running game was stuffed and there appeared to be no answer for them. By the end of the third quarter it was 27-7 and a Falcons trip to the NFC title game was all but assured.

The thing about that was the Seahawks had been here and done this before. Heck, they had just done it the week before going down 14-0 to the Redskins in a blink of an eye. In that game they scored the last 24 points for the win. So they were faced with a fourth quarter deficit not seen before in the history of the playoffs. Seattle’s response was one for the history books. Wilson would run for a touchdown and throw for another to make it 27-21. Now we had a game and it wasn’t over. Seattle got the ball back at their own 39 with three minutes to play. On a third and five at the Falcons 27, Wilson hit Marshawn Lynch for 24 yards down to the three. After a penalty on Atlanta, Lynch would score from two yards out to make it 28-27 Seattle. There was just 31 seconds left on the clock. Falcon’s players were standing or sitting holding or hanging their heads. They could not believe what had just happened to them. A game they had dominated just turned into a nightmare to forget. Yet, there was still those 31 seconds of play left. On first down Matt Ryan hit Harry Douglas for 22 yards to midfield. The Falcons called a timeout and set up for the next play. There were 13 seconds left and Ryan had time for one more play to get into field goal range. That play would be to Tony Gonzalez and the old vet would get to the Seattle 31 where they would call their last time out. It would be a 49-yard try to salvage a season that was thought to be lost just a half a minute before. Just before, or just as, Matt Bryant kicked it, Seattle called timeout. The ball was already in flight so the curious eye had to look. It went wide right, but the timeout just called would give Atlanta one last chance. After a Seattle timeout to freeze him, Bryant put the ball right down the middle and Atlanta was headed to the NFC Championship game. Oh and that Rogers guy they got in the draft the year before, he played hard. He played hard and strong and when it counted he busted a huge 45-yard run to end the first quarter. He would wind up with 10 carries for 64 yards and was a great compliment to Michael Turner. It was one of the greatest games one could ever hope to see and Atlanta was now just one win away from going back to the Super Bowl.

In order to get to New Orleans, the Falcons will have to beat the 49ers of San Francisco. In his five seasons Matt Ryan has built the label of a choker. He became the guy that couldn’t win the big one. With his late game heroics Saturday, he probably has taken care of both labels. He has finally won a playoff game and now finds himself on the brink of football immortality.

To lead his team to a win, he will need to manage the game and then control it. He cannot afford to be off or rush his passes. He will need the help of both Turner and Rogers out of the backfield. They cannot afford for the running game to not show up. Without that, the Falcons will have to rely solely on the arm of Ryan. He is good, but that good may be too much. Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and the rest of the receiving corps must play the game of their lives. Gonzalez could be the key against a staunch 49ers defense. The offensive line will have to hold against the Niners furious pass rush. They must allow Ryan time in the pocket to execute. The defense must find a way to contain Colin Kapernick and not allow him to beat you with his arm and feet. They must hold the edge so as not to allow room for him to maneuver like he does. When they bring the pass rush they must take every chance they have to knock him down. Kapernick is in a groove, but he is still young and learning. He must be rattled early and often. RB Frank Gore will have to be put in check because his style creates many opportunities for Kapernick. The key is the Falcons just have to play their style of ball for four quarters. They have proven all year long that when their offense is clicking, they cannot be stopped.

They have all the pieces in place and the feel of destiny around them. They have fallen short and waited till next year long enough. Mike Smith has taken this team to the brink of where they want to be. Tony Gonzalez just tasted postseason victory for the first time. Matt Bryant has been kicking since forever. These are guys that have earned a shot at being called champions. A franchise that has overcome their divorce from Michael Vick. A team that with two more wins will be able to call themselves World Champions.

English: Logo of the Vanderbilt Commodores Category:University logos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Football is a wonderful spectator sport. Maybe you are one of those fans that has had a favorite team for a long time. You just might be one of those fans that has suffered losing for years. Maybe it has been so many years, you just got used to the losing. Well, that has been the culture on West End ave. for many, many years. It got to the point that Vandy fans went to the games because, well, the game was being played.

In my 25 years of watching and following Vandy football, I came to understand why they felt that way. You heard one head coach after another tell the story of change. It would be different this time around. When I arrived in Tennessee, Watson Brown was the coach. He lasted 55 games and won a total of 10. Then came Gerry Dinardo spitting the same change stuff. It would be a different day and blah, blah and blah. He made it 44 games and won 19. Not too bad by Vandy standings but not good enough. He was followed by Rod Dowhower’s 4-18 record. Woody Widenhofer would coach 55 games too, only to win 15 of those. Each time the Vandy fans had to listen to this talk of change in the program. Change that never looked like it would ever come in this lifetime.

In 2002 the Commodores hired Bobby Johnson. He talked of change like the rest, but by that time losing was a way of life here. In 2008 change became a slight reality. For the first time in forever the Dores would become relevant. Fans would go to the games with anticipation they had not had in their whole lives. They would finish the year 6-6 and went on to play n the Music City Bowl. On that day they beat Boston College 7-6. Its was the school’s first bowl win since 1955 and the first winning season since 1982. The hope and glory would fade as the team would go 2-10 in Johnson’s final year. Robbie Caldwell took over for one year and went 2-10 as well. Now the Commodores had the task of hiring their seventh head football coach since 1986.

In 2011 the Dores hired Maryland head-coach-in-waiting, James Franklin. When he arrived in Nashville he took to running off at the mouth like the rest of them. Once again we had to hear about changing the culture. He talked about doing better on the recruiting trial. Like we down here had not heard that before. Well, in his first year he would go 6-6 and lead the team to the Liberty Bowl. They would be facing the Bearcats of Cincinnati. They would end up losing the game 31-24, but a heartbreaking loss might have just turned things around. Fans were looking forward to the 2012 season.

After starting the year 2-4, the Dores reeled off seven straight wins. It was the first time since 1948 since they accomplished that feat. They would end the season 8-4 and represent the SEC in the Music City Bowl. It was the first time in school history that school has gone to back-to-back bowl games.

On December 31st of 2012, the Commodores would play N.C. State. On this day the Dores would be up to the task. QB Jordan Rogers would go 16-25 for just 108 yards with two touchdowns and no picks. He would add a 15-yard rushing score late in the fourth quarter to make it 38-17 Vandy. Game MVP, the rock of Vandyland, Zac Stacy ran for 107 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown. The defense would absolutely shut down the State running game holding them to just 41 yards. They forced five turnovers that resulted in 17 points. When the game was over, Vanderbilt would sport a 9-4 record for 2012. It was the first time the school had a nine-win season since 1915. Ah, yeah folks, just short of a hundred years.

Franklin would later say that “We are not going anywhere”. He told anyone that would listen to get used to it. Get used to winning and maybe one day, a division championship. James Franklin has indeed changed the culture at Vandy. Fans go to games now with a swagger, with the bravado that they will win the game. One thing is for sure on West End, Franklin has become the black and gold version of E.F. Hutton. When coach speaks, everybody down here listens.

Texans (Photo credit: The Brit_2)

By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
November 5, 2012

Something bad happened at LP Field this weekend and it’s not getting any better. The Tennessee Titans hosted the mighty Bears defense that had them at 6-1 to this point. By the end of the first quarter it was 28-2 and it would get much worse. By this point the Bears “D” had completely shut down the Titans offense, plus, got an interception return for a touchdown by Brian Urlacher. The seventh return for a touchdown by a defense, two short of the record. The Titans would not get a touchdown until the third quarter, and by the end of the game, it was very obvious this ship is sinking fast.

It wasn’t just that the game itself was so ugly, as it was the embarrassing defense Tennessee claimed to be playing. They committed dumb mistakes that allowed the Bears to take a lead without getting any offense going. It began with a punt that Devon Hester returned to the Titans eight. That set up Matt Forte’s eight-yard score on the next play to make it 14-2. It was the stupid penalties on offense that they practice on all week. It was the first of two Chris Johnson fumbles that gave the Bears the shot to make it 28-2. The first half score would be Chicago 31 Tennessee 5. Yes folks, you saw that correctly.

The second half speech is supposed to fire you up and take you out on the field ready for battle. The third quarter started and it was no different than the first. Well, I take that back because the Titans would score a touchdown. By this time though, the Bears defense had put on a clinic on how to strip a team of the football. They were actually throwing a punch, carefully orchestrated, that would knock the ball out of the ball carriers hands. These Bears do not get turnovers by coincidence, they make them happen. The Titans would fumble six times and lose four of those.

Jay Cutler has been through his ups and downs during his brief NFL career. He has settled down in Chicago and put up some good numbers. This year he was reunited with Brandon Marshall, and the two of them have made nothing but sweet music together. Marshall would finish with nine catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Forte would get an easy 103 yards on just 12 carries, while adding two catches for 45 yards. Cutler was 19-26 for 229 yards and three touchdowns and three sacks. Not too bad for his first regular season home coming to Nashville where he attended Vanderbilt.

It is so bad that owner Bud Adams called out the entire organization on the rest of the season. He was quoted as saying this was the most embarrassed he had been in his 50 years as an owner. That in the next seven games the team must make tremendous gains, or all jobs are on the line. The radio stations were loaded with angry and sick fans. The talk has now begun about the job status of Mike Munchak and his staff. Rumors are abounding that some of the staff may be taking feelers on job openings around the league. It has been a long time since this franchise has been this low. Yes, they have gone through some rough times, but they always persevered. It is all or nothing now and if the coaching staff cannot find any answers, they will find themselves on the chopping block.

Colts 23 Miami 20

In a season full of rookies handling their business, not one has handled theirs like Andrew Luck. The Colts were supposed to be rebuilding this year. Well, so much for that piece of information. What Luck has done has him, in my opinion, as one of the candidates for MVP. I mean, why not give him the vote. He has single-handedly transformed the Colts from a three to four win team, to a playoff team if the season ended today. That, my readers, is nothing short of a miracle. On this day he would do even more than he has already done this year. He would finish 30-48 for an NFL rookie record 433 yards and two touchdowns. He would do this while directing a game-winning 69-yard, 13-play drive that would end with Adam Vinateri’s 43-yard field goal.

It wasn’t that he had already lived up to the hype; it was that he has surpassed it by so much. The kid is showing the poise of a veteran, while exceeding all expectations. He can run with the ball, improvise when needed, and if you ask me, he is the front-runner for rookie of the year. I know all the talk before the year began about him and RG3, but who is the man now? Luck has been the most impressive by far.

Head coach Chuck Pagano was able to attend the game and gave a speech to the team in the locker room when it was all over. He talked about overcoming one’s circumstances and being better than all of us thought they would be. He touched many players at that moment and one has to wonder, what will become of the Colts now that they know how to win?

Houston 21 Buffalo 9

In Texas, things really are bigger, even when they are not in Texas. That was the case Sunday when the Texans traveled to Buffalo to face the worst run defense in the league. What they did was get 111 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown from Arian Foster. They got Matt Schaub to throw for 268 yards on 19-27 passing, two touchdowns and no picks. Finally, Andre Johnson had his say with 118 yards on eight catches. Each and every week this team gets bigger in terms of playoff position. They have set themselves up for the AFC South title and a possible number one seed for the playoffs.

The first half was pretty slow and the score was just 7-6 at the half. No matter how many times the Bills moved the ball, the drive stalled. The Texans picked up their defense and did not make the mistakes they made in the first half. They allowed the Bills just three second half points while putting two of their own. A long drive that ended with a Garret Graham touchdown sealed the deal for Houston.

The Texans are now 7-1 and next week they travel to Soldier Field to face the 7-1 Bears. The second half of the season will bring out the best from the best. If the Texans want to make sure they are a lock of the postseason, they may want to start by taking care of the Bears in Chicago next week.

Detroit 31 Jacksonville 14

If you need a boost on offense, need to finally get it together and play your best game of the year, it might be good to play the Jags. The Lions got going early and never looked back in a rout of Jacksonville.

It may have helped that this was the day RB Mikel Leshoure sowed out. He would run the ball 16 times for 70 yards. An average day if you don’t count the three rushing touchdowns he had. He would score on runs of 7, 1 and 8 yards, all in the first half. It was a feat that not even the great Barry Sanders accomplished. His running mate Joique Bell added 73 yards of his own and Megatron, Calvin Johnson had seven catches for 129 yards. All in all, it was a solid game for the Lions when they really needed it. They are now at 4-4 and the Jags fall to 1-7 with the abyss still ahead.

There are not too many more answers for what is happening in Jacksonville. The team seems at times to give up way too early. Without MJD, they are a pathetic running team. They managed only 64 yards on the ground in this game. They had only 279 yards of offense and once again, never threatened. I guess the only thing this team can look forward to now, be the number one pick and maybe a move to Los Angeles.

English: Logo of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
October 9, 2012

Vanderbilt 19 Missouri 15

This game was big for both teams. Missouri had one so many games at home in the Big 12. Now they were looking to make their mark with a home win in a new conference. They want to prove every week that they belong in the SEC with the big boys of college football. It has not been easy to this point for them as they tried to get their first conference win.

Vanderbilt feels like they are getting better every week. They feel that they are becoming a team to plan against in the conference. The way this year has started, it may be while yet for that kind of talk.

On Saturday, the two teams faced each other at Farout Field, home of the Tigers. After two Missouri field goals the Commodores scored on a safety when the ball was snapped out of the end zone. It was 6-2 just like that and Vandy went on the offensive. Before that, Tigers QB James Franklin, no relation to Vandy’s head coach, was lost to his team because of a sprained ankle.

After the teams traded punts, RB Zac Stacy scored from five yards out to make it 9-6 Vandy. It was part of an 11-play, 76-yard drive that fans and players want to see more of. On that drive, Stacy had a throwback pass to QB Jordan Rodgers for 24 yards, and Matthews had a big 18-yard run himself.

Another big boost for the Dores was their kicking game. Punter Richard Kent had punts of 59 and 54 yards and kicker Carey Spears had a 47-yard field goal, a 33-yard pooch punt that led to the safety and his 21yarder put the icing on the game cake.

All in all, it was a good win for a team trying to get out of the proverbial cellar. They showed some spark on defense and showed some patience on offense. They got into a good flow and that will be key when they host Florida next week.

(10) Florida 14 (4) LSU 6

All year long you have heard that the Tigers of LSU will be one of those teams that will be in the title hunt. They, along with the likes of Alabama were almost sure locks to get to the big game. Well, somebody forgot to tell the Florida Gators that on Saturday. Remembering the heartbreaking beating they took at the hands of the Tigers, these Gators woke up in the second half and flat out whipped LSU.

Running back Mike Gillislee carries the ball 34 times for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns. The offensive line was outstanding, pushing LSU defenders back off the line all day. Gillislee was able to make holes that were not already there.

The defense harassed LSU QB Zach Mettenberger all day and the Tigers ground game managed just 42 yards rushing. It was a display of football unlike the Florida football we have been used to seeing over the years. Head coach Will Muschamp has changed this team from a pass happy offense, to an old school type SEC grind it out team. They fought and fought harder than anyone could have imagined.

To top it off, LSU coach Les Miles said that his team was sick over their play. They ought to be real sick, as their chance for another national championship went right down the tube so early in the year. So as they say, wait till next year.

(6) South Carolina (5) Georgia

This was the battle for who would reign in the East. The Gamecocks came in ready to stake their claim, as were the Bulldogs. What transpired was a first class beat down by S.C.

They had several things they needed to do to secure this win. They had to shut down the backfield of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. They combined for only 76 yards rushing and embarrassed Bulldogs QB Aaron Murray. Murray would finish just 11-31 for 109 yards and an interception. They held the Georgia offense to just over 200 yards of total offense and for good measure; they held an offense scoring almost 50 points per game to one score.
Special teams had a spectacular 70-yard punt return for a touchdown from Ace Sanders. At first he bobbled the ball but got it back, broke several tackles and raced the punter to the pylon.

QB Conner Shaw continues to make great strides getting 162 yards passing, two touchdowns throwing and one running. This all done on just 6-10 passing that showed nice game management. RB Marcus Lattimore was his usual self getting 109 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

It was a huge win for the Gamecocks and one they needed badly against a top-five opponent. Next on the schedule are a travel game to LSU and then a trip to Florida. If they can pull off wins in those two games, they are just about a sure thing for a trip to the national title game.

Other Scores:

Arkansas 24 Auburn 7
Miss State 27 Kentucky 14
Texas A&M 30 Ole Miss 27

English: Logo of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Rafael Garcia

Sr. Contributing Writer

Southeast Region

September 16, 2012

Florida 37 Tennessee 20

Another matchup between these two rivals, another win for the Gators. It seems like no matter how the game starts, Florida finds a way to pull away from the Volunteers. This one was no exception, even though it started out looking like a barnburner.

After two wins to open the year, the real season began in earnest. It was a conference game that would prove which team was headed in the right direction. The teams traded punts, then the Gators got on the board first when they picked off Tyler Bray .The ball was placed at the UT 35 and it took three plays to make it 7-0 Florida. They would trade punts again and this time it was the Vols that needed only three plays to go 60 yards for the tie. It felt like UT vs. Florida again all across SEC country.

In the second quarter the Vols began a drive that would take 16 plays and cover 76 yards. It would end with a Bray touchdown pass to Mychal Rivera for a 14-7 lead. Florida would manage a field goal and go into the locker room down 14-10.

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