Domination: Soon

I don't know how many times I've said it. The biggest difference between the all-mighty SEC teams and the rest of the country is the depth of stud players on the defensive line. They just rotate in massive bodies that run 4.6 40's and can bench press a VW Beetle. Their rotation keeps them all fresh, and opposing offensive lines, RBs and QBs feel the pain.

Under Weis (Davie and Willingham too), we were never able to get more than maybe one difference maker on the D-line. Not since Holtz have we had intimidating big uglies at the point of attack. Zorich, Stams, Alm, Jones, Kowalkowski, Williams, Jurkovich and Dahl ALL WOULD GO ON TO BE DRAFTED AND PLAY IN THE NFL!

All that is changing under Brian Kelly. It is clear that he has seen what any die-hard ND fan has seen over the last 10 years. We need a superior D-line to compete at the highest level. So what has Kelly done in his first two full recruiting classes?

• Stephon Tuitt 6'5"/252/5*
• Chase Hounshell 6'5"/250/3*
• Aaron Lynch 6'6"/265/5*
• Ishaq Williams 6'5"/225/5*
• Anthony Rabasa 6'3"/215/3*
• Tony Springman 6'6"/260/3*
• Romeo Okwara 6'5"/225/3*
• Sheldon Day 6'2"/290/5*
• Jarron Jones 6'7"/308/5* COMMITTED TODAY!!!

The first five guys on that list (mmmmmm, 5 Guys) are freshman in uniform right now. The last three are commitments for next year. Jones is an absolute monster and the #2 D-line recruit in the nation. Not only that, he only started playing football seriously in the last 2 years. He was a big basketball guy before that. That means he will turn into an absolute brick house once he gets in a couple years of strength and conditioning.

Are all these guys going to pan out? Of course not. However, they all will contribute mightily to our team. With a dominating D-line, we are a whole new team. Can you imagine what Kelly will be able to do with his offense, and a D-line that absolutely stuffs the line of scrimmage? There are so many subtle, positive changes that Kelly has brought about in two short years. This is a big one, but they are all going to start adding up. Anyone who doesn't see the trend is either ignorant or blind. We're coming, and soon.

Cueto for Cy Young!

What's a guy gotta do? As the Reds fall out of contention, and we lament all the trades that never were, I would like to draw attention to one of the most amazing things about the 2011 Reds - Johnny Cueto!

Johnny Cueto has been having a quietly spectacular season. After starting the season on the DL, he made his first start on May 8. Since then, he has been the very definition of an ace. Cueto has allowed more than three earned runs in only one of his 20 starts and has a 2.02 ERA, currently the major league leader. He has good K numbers and few walks. He goes deep into games and is a leader in complete games. So why isn't he getting ANY recognition outside of Cincinnati?

Pop quiz: What do Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Kevin Brown have in common?

Answer: The only starting pitchers since 1990 who have had an ERA under 2.0!!!!!

If you guessed #1 ace pitchers, World Series Champions, Cy Young winners (except Brown), or future hall of famers (Clemens doesn't count) you would also be correct.

WHY ISN'T CUETO GETTING CY YOUNG CONSIDERATION???

Don't give me any crap about the Reds stinking. Felix Hernandez won it last year for the Mariners with WORSE stats than Cueto (except K's). The Mariners won 61 games - ALL SEASON. The Reds already have more than that. Okay, think he's not an elite pithcher? Halladay, Kershaw, Jurrjens, Lincecum - all have more wins on better teams, but not the same stats as Cueto. Yet they all are under consideration.

Look, I'm not saying he should win it. All I'm saying is that he should be high on the list of those under consideration - especially after Hernandez's win last year! I have read multiple articles, and he is NEVER EVEN MENTIONED!

I am hoping this is real development in Cueto, and this is the guy who starts Opening Day for us in 2012. I can't take another Volquez fool's gold situation. Could we have finally developed that true ace that we have lacked since Jose Rijo? I sure hope so.

"Somebody wake up Hicks!"

One of my favorite web sites, AICN, just posted a long and exhaustive interview with Michael Biehn. One word summary: AWESOMENESS!

Part I
Part II

Check it out for some great stories with an actor who never quite sold out to go mainstream like Private Hudson did. He talks about all his big movies, psycho directors, and even gives his bottom five movies he's done. Check it out to see if Navy Seals made the esteemed list!

Isle of Palms Countdown

I'm sure everyone is getting VERY excited about the big family trip next week. I wanted to share a little clip to get everyone pumped up and in the mood.


Check out Discovery Channel every night this week for more of the same!!! Is it just coincidence that Shark Week leads into our vacation? I think not!