It’s time for the latest edition of the “Hurry Up No Huddle” as we check out some of the biggest stories, best content (and sometimes worst), videos and opinions. In HUNH style, let’s skip the formalities and get right out on the field…
The big news is that the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) found that Northwestern players are “employees” and can unionize [story link]. The NCAA strongly disagrees with the decision [story link] and Dabo Swinney, while in favor of a stipend, is against what he calls “professionalizing” college sports [story link]. Former South Carolina player Kelcy Quarles also spoke out about the issue [story link].
With this news, former Mizzou standout TJ Moe shared some insights on Twitter…
Tell me Nike wouldn’t love to sponsor a ton of college athletes and use them for profit? Of course they would. Both sides win
— T.J. Moe (@TJMoe28) March 26, 2014
Instead of stopping NCAA video games and not promoting jersey sales for individuals, why not cut a deal with the players for compensation?
— T.J. Moe (@TJMoe28) March 26, 2014
This story is far from over but it’s definitely getting interesting.
David Ubben, formerly of ESPN and currently of Fox Sports, takes a look at the growing trend of early enrollment [story link].
Barrett Sallee talks about how QB inexperience doesn’t mean a rebuilding year in the SEC in 2014 [story link]. To me, the QBs of the SEC will be one of the most interesting stories of the college football season. The SEC loses Johnny Manziel, AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Connor Shaw, Zach Mettenberger and James Franklin. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.
Errrban Meyer talks about the latest trends in offensive football [story link], the second-level zone read and whole lot more with CBS Sports.
Have you ever seen a QB that tipped the scales around 300 lbs? How bout Jeremy Liggins of Ole Miss….
Bill Barnwell and Shea Serrano talk about the best fictional QB of all time over at Grantland. They go through the best lines, best monologue, most underrated and a whole lot more. Who’s your guy? Jonathon Moxon? Willie Beamen? Matt Saracen? Shane Falco? Personally, I think Vince Howard got snubbed.
We all miss college football. Here’s a look inside spring practice at Tennessee…
A couple of cool non-football links I stumbled upon this week. Barry Ritholtz put together some maps on “How Hollywood Has Destroyed America” [story link]. The next is from Graph TV and it’s all about IMDb ratings [story link]. You can plug in your favorite TV show and take a look season by season or for the entire series. Take a look at how The Wire [link] continually built and got stronger throughout it’s seasons or how Dexter fell off the deep end [link].
Finally, it’s time for the Beer of the Week. The last two beers I’ve told you about have been local favorites of mine so it’s time to venture out of the Southeast. So why not head overseas? Head over to Scotland, or you could probably get one at your local quality beer store. Belhaven Scottish Ale [link]. It’s just solid.
Oh wait, you are still here? Let’s talk NCAA14. We all know EA Sports is not coming out with an edition of the beloved video game franchise this season but that doesn’t mean you have to go without the game. The guys in the forums over at Operation Sports put together some updated rosters for the upcoming season that you can download through the roster share in the game [link]. I downloaded the rosters but so far only got to play for about 30 minutes but I was impressed with their work with Georgia. They got the incoming freshmen, the position moves of JJ Green and Quayvon Hicks and really my only complaint was that back-up QB Faton Bauta didn’t make the roster. If you are jonesing for the new season, you may want to give it a download and see what you think.
