Post Game Video From Devendorf, Rautins, and Harris From Ryan Miller and syracuse.com

Just When You Thought You Were The Ultimate SU Fan, This Guy Says He Is

SU Ultimate Fan

Syracuse Orange Beat Seton Hall 100-76 And I Got Links To Prove It

Not able to see the game, I did participate in a fun chat with the Idiots and got to follow most of the game (I missed some, didn't I Rush?). And as usual, when I miss the game, instead of game analysis I choose to give you the links so you can get a better idea from those who did. Enjoy and Go Orange!

syracuse.com gives us an always reliable breakdown of the game and gives Andy his props:
http://www.syracuse.com/today/index.ssf/2008/12/rautins_leads_orange_to_xxxx_w.html

ESPN has the game stats for your Orange butt:
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=283650183

The Saltine Warriors say Andy has one thing in common with Pacman Jones, he knows how to make it rain:
http://thesaltinewarriors.blogspot.com/2008/12/andy-makes-it-rain.html

Yahoo/Rivals have the AP story from John Kekis:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=200812300553&prov=ap

And of course Brent Axe with his recap and quotes:
http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2008/12/suseton_hall_recap_1.html

WTVH 5 Reviews The Top Sports Stories in Central NY

A look back at CNY sports in 2008

You Want Old School? How About 1955 NBA Finals With Syracuse Nationals At Home?

Another Classic Video From WTVH 5's Ron Curtis Talking About The Orange Final Four In 1987

Otto and WTVH 5 Commercial From 1986....And I Feel Older Now For Remembering This

He's Back

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/eric_devendorf_completes_commu.html

It appears Eric Devendorf has completed what he needed to be able to be reinstated with the university and the team though they say he still must do 40 more hours after being back as well. He did practice with the team yesterday and could be in the lineup against Seton Hall on the 30Th. Let's just hope this is the last bit of bad news this team gets this season and Eric keeps his nose clean.

My New Holiday Song But Appropriate Any Game Day

Ripping off "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", this is my rendition titled "It's The Most Wonderful Time To Drink Beer" and what happens when I have too much time on my hands and want to write something.

It's The Most Wonderful Time To Drink Beer
By Orange Chuck

It's the most wonderful time to drink beer
My mother in law shouting, the kids are all pouting
And tip off to the Orange game draws near
It's the most wonderful time to drink beer
It's the best-bestest reason of all
With the basketball season long and Orange football is gone
Your buddies have a case and call
It's the best-bestest reason of all

They got Budweiser and Yiengling
Some pizza and hot wings
And Sean has a plasma high def TV
There'll be one pissed off wife
Guess I best hide the sharp knives
Or this might be the last Orange game I see

It's the most wonderful time to drink beer
There'll be some complaining
As the cases are draining
But more cold ones will soon be here
It's the most wonderful time to drink beer

It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time *hiccup*
It's the most wonderful time to drink beer

Christmas Dinner With Eric Devendorf

Below is a link to a story about Syracuse Orange basketball player Eric Devendorf serving out part of his community service working with Rescue Mission serving dinner to area residents who need a little assistance in this holiday season. I am one of those who is a sucker for a story about players giving back to the community (like Dwayne Wade purchasing a house for a family who had theirs burn down recently) but when it's community service, it kind of takes a little out of it even though it is a helping hand at the holidays that I am sure those at the Rescue Mission appreciated.

I don't know Eric or the truth about what happened on that night to force this situation but I hope he takes the time to realize how fortunate he is seeing people he helped and will avoid trouble the next time he is confronted with it. I hear often how a real man will stand up and not have his manhood question but the true sign of manhood is the maturity to know when to walk away from certain situations when the possible consequences are not worth the actions you are considering. I know many Orange fans will be happy to see Eric back in an Orange basketball jersey as soon as he finishes fulfilling his requirements but as much as I love the Orange, I only want him back if he has learned his lesson, makes better personal decisions in his life and is ready to stay out of trouble and avoid embarrassing himself and the program. I am not proclaiming the woman an angel as again, I am not 100% familiar with the situation and was not there that night but assault on a woman is something I have very little tolerance to accept and takes a lot more for me to move past (maybe it's because I have a daughter in college and the father in me would go off on a guy who did what he was accused of to my daughter). But Merry Christmas to all and I hope you all had a great holiday and I hope Mr. Devendorf is ready to move on past this but leaving that part of him behind that thought this was acceptable that night.


http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Volunteers-and-SUs-Devendorf-serve-up-meals/5A66Pf67a0qSXIgrrUEFlA.cspx#BBECDEEMBEDEDPLAYER

syracuse.com Interviews Mike Williams About Possible Return To Orange

Mike Williams is returning to Syracuse

The December 23rd Edition of Kenny's Two Pennies

Inside Lacrosse Asks, Who Is The Best College Lacrosse Player In 2009?

Found this video which has Coach Desko as one of the many coaches they ask and one of the top names mentioned often is Matt Abbott. Kenny Nims and Dan Hardy also getting some love. Go Orange, let's make it back to back championships.

Holiday Videos For You To Enjoy, Classics If You Will

The Big Orange Bloggin Chuck's One Stop Shop

I haven't done this in a while but figured now is as good of a time as any so here is another edition of my One Stop Shop where I will cover a few topics, some sports and maybe a few not so sporty events. Here we go:

-Congrats to Cleveland State for their win at the Dome Monday night. Some will blame it on a great shot with the seconds of the game running out but I tend to jump on the "play better and not be close enough that it matters" train anytime a situation like this pops up. This was only their first loss so let's not get too worried but I do hope the team is wide awake unless you would like to be the best team invited to the NIT tournament again. The schedule won't get any easier soon because after Canisius I believe is Memphis and soon, Big East play which judging by all the Big East teams atop the standings, is going to produce some great games.

-Speaking of Orange basketball, how about Coach Boeheim and the microphone which you can find Axe discussing here http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2008/12/jim_boeheim_vs_the_microphone.html. I thought this was after the Cleveland State game but as Axe corrected me, it was following the Long Beach State game on Saturday. I guess that's what happens when you don't watch the games and coverage, you miss out on stuff. Luckily though, between this and that final shot of the Cleveland State game, video clips are all over the internet.

-While on the subject of internet video clips, I thought I would officially announce my partnership with http://www.fandome.com/ which you can find the link on the website. If you go to the basketball section, they have direct links to this blog as articles are updated. It's a great source of videos that feature sports related topics and occasionally some very attractive women as well. I hope you will take the time to check them out if you have not done so yet.

-I heard Mike Waters on Rivals Radio the other morning on Sirius Satellite Radio and I swear, every time I hear him or see his work, I am so grateful of the spectacular work he does for those of us who bleed Orange. Thank you Mike and the staff at http://www.syracuse.com/ for providing us with the best resources available, especially those who live out of state but choose not to ever leave the Orange state of mind.

-While speaking on things to be grateful for, I have to mention something I felt recently on a holiday note. Is there anything more enjoyable this time of year then attending a holiday parade or celebration and seeing the enjoyment on the faces of little children. I was at a Christmas parade not long ago and stood next to this family with young children and it felt so great to see that type of spirit in someone this time of the year. The holiday stress disappears as you witness that innocent joy first hand until you get home of course and realize your Christmas list is far from finished, your checkbook is almost finished off and the Orange basketball team lose while it's plastered all over television and the internet. But it's so refreshing to think that when the stress of the holiday season gets to you and you feel like your backside can't be kicked any harder, that's when we need most to realize the true joys of the Christmas season and leave to a child to help you understand it clearer.

-Since I left the sports spectrum, I had another thought the other night and wondered if you ever had the same thing. Have you ever just out of the blue, thought about a movie you have not seen in years and you don't know why but it won't leave your head. It got me to thinking about my top 10 movies that fit that category and some of these movies I have not thought about or seen in more years then I care to admit is possible (though since I do have a daughter in college, I guess it is possible). Here is my list and let me know what you think or if you have a movie that is not on the list that is probably so obscure most don't remember it but you loved it when it came out:
10. Time Bandits
9. Clash Of The Titans (1981)
8. Meatballs
7. Seems Like Old Times (Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn where Chevy is framed for a bank robbery he was forced to do and Goldie is married to the DA trying to catch him and is also his ex wife)
6. Johnny Dangerously (which recently the Idiots reminded me of as well)
5. Flash Gordon (1980 with Sam Jones)
4. They Call Me Bruce (ethnic jokes are bad but I was imitating parts of it for weeks, especially when he threatens people, "with this foot, I could kick you...")
3. Song Of The South (A Disney classic that has never been officially released on DVD but offers a great soundtrack and was a cute movie as well).
2. The Pirate Movie (though this one may have more to do with my crush on Kristy McNichol back in the early 80's as well)
1. Under The Rainbow (Chevy Chase, Carrie Fisher about casting people to play the munchkins in the Wizard of Oz which featured many jokes that would not be very politically correct).

-Lastly, I want to speak on an issue that is indirectly related to Syracuse as I don't believe it was an issue here as much as it is being speculated elsewhere. A couple weeks ago, I wrote about my desire to see Turner Gill become the next Syracuse Orange football coach. I still think Coach Gill is highly qualified to be a head coach in a top program as far as what he has achieved at Buffalo, especially if you consider what he started with and where he is now, but I will give Coach Doug Marrone the chance to prove himself. I am left wondering why a coach who accomplished so much failed to land one of those top jobs that were open recently (though I see reports he did receive a raise at Buffalo which I think he earned defeating previously undefeated Ball State in the MAC conference championship game). If there is any truth that his ethnicity or being in a mixed marriage is cause for his not being hired that that is a disgrace to NCAA football and any program who would find this justifiable. I will say though that if this was the case, Coach Gill was the one who benefited by not being hired by people so ignorant and finding a job deserving of his talent.

Doug Marrone Press Conference Courtesy Of WSYR 9

My Marrone Links

I enjoyed the press conference, what I saw of it anyway between the breaking up it did and have to agree with Coach Mac, we as Orange fans need to go out and be supportive of this decision and give the guy a chance. I wish Coach Doug Marrone the best of luck and I plan to be fully supportive of his tenure. Anyway, here are some links to find out opinions on the decision.

TNIAAM breaks down the presser as only he can..... http://www.nunesmagician.com/2008/12/13/691276/doug-marrone-presser-break

ESPN's Brian Bennett seems to be impressed with Coach Marrone's first impression.....
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigeast/0-2-272/Passionate-Marrone-hopes-to-make-Syracuse-a-winner-again.html

These Three Idiots Of Orange Are sold on him here and include a link to the press conference.....
http://www.idiotsonsports.com/2008/12/you-had-me-at-hello-coach.html

AEM says the pressure is on.....
http://theorangesports.blogspot.com/2008/12/hes-here.html

The Syracuse Post Standard's Dave Rahme gives his review and assesses the whole situation with the great effort Dave always does (him and Donnie are the two best sources for Orange football I know).....
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/lets_give_doug_a_chance_to_ass.html

And for some current and former players reaction as well as others around the program, check out these links.....
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/reactions_from_chris_gedney_ti.html

http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/reactions_from_exteammates_mik.html

http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/reactions_from_current_su_play.html

http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/su_alum_rob_burnett_doug_marro.html

Finally, We Have Ourselves A Coach

Donnie Webb of syracuse.com, which is a source I trust and he is reporting that at 2pm today, Doug Marrone will be named the new head football coach of the Syracuse Orange. Some may let you know how they feel about the hire but I choose to wait and see how it works out before I make any judgement. Best of luck to Coach Marrone and let's hope this is the beginning of the Orange winning.
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/marrone_hired.html

Contest For Free Powerade

Everybody loves free stuff so let's have some fun with the Syracuse Orange football head coach carousel. Post a comment below and the person who posts the name that wins the head coaching job, I will mail them a certificate for a free 32 oz. Powerade. Please note, if there is a tie, I will award it to the person who posted it first. I know it's not much but hey, it's free and I will even pay the postage haha. So post the name below and good luck because right now there is a lot of speculation but still no name. And make sure you name it before it's announced because entry deadline is when more then one reliable source names the coach and it is confirmed (I just want to have some fun guessing), though it seems as though the NFL Network does not count since they have been proven to be unreliable about this issue. Good luck and Go Orange.

Want To Know Why Orange Fans Are Upset?

Check out this email I received today and it illustrates the point of why many of us Orange fans are frustrated with the current situation. Yes I know they are funny but too close to the truth that it hurts sometimes. By the way, this was not sent to me by a Hoya fan but someone from 'Cuse.


New NY Speeding Law
The NY State Police are cracking down on speeders heading into Syracuse.
For the first offense, they give you two Syracuse University Football tickets.
If you get stopped a second time, they make you use them.

Q. What do the Syracuse Orange and Billy Graham have in common?
A. They both can make 50,000 people stand up and yell "Jesus Christ!".

Q. How do you keep a Syracuse football player out of your yard?
A. Put up goal post.

Q. Where do you go in Syracuse in case of a tornado?
A. To the Carrier Dome--they never get a touchdown there!

Q. What do you call a Syracuse Orange man with a Big East championship ring?
A. A thief.

Q. What's the difference between the Syracuse Orange and a dollar bill?
A. You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.

Q. How many Syracuse Orange does it take to win an Big East Championship?
A. Nobody knows and we may never find out!

Q. What do the SU Orange and a possums have in common?
A. Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!

College Playoffs? Don't Talk To Me About College Football Playoffs!

Thats right, I stole a line from that famous Jim Mora quote you can see abused above to emphasize the point that I think discussion of college football playoff system is overrated. Every year I hear people fantasize about some cure all fantasy idea that having a playoff system will heal the bleeding that is college football. I am sorry but I like college football as it is today and don't think it needs any major changes. So please allow me a few minutes to explain why I love the BCS system and think a playoff is more hype then answers.

So how many teams should be eligible for this playoff system? Four? Eight? Sixteen? Heck, do like they do in basketball and try 65? For the record, even with their 65, teams with qualities wins who deserve a chance to make it, are in fact left out (which as a Syracuse Orange fan, I can attest to personally). And when you decide on a number, how will the chosen few be selected? Do you mandate conference championship games and advance the winners from those games or go by the current ranking system we have now? If you choose plan A, what happens when a team upsets a favorite in the big game and earns the bid with a record that 15 other teams end up with better records and are left out? If you go by the polls, isn't that just as subjective as we have now and could potentially leave someone out just as deserving? So what exactly is the "perfect" criteria that will make this playoff system to meet the levels of your expectations.

I personally enjoy the bowls games every year. It's a chance for teams from smaller conferences or good teams bogged down in top conferences to go out and prove they are good teams as well. It also allows the school to give the students experiences they will never forget while earning money that will go back into the university and the programs to help better themselves. It's also a chance for people like me who love to see football games even during the week and the holidays to experience teams I may not get the chance to see otherwise. I have loved the fact that for years, I can sit down during the holidays and watch them when dinner/presents are done (or sometimes even sneak them into the backdrop). And it doesn't matter to me if it's IUP, UNLV, or USC, I would watch just to see what happens because I enjoy college football.

One other aspect I like of the current system is that it makes every game of the season count. Everything a team does reflects their value and their ranking within the system and thus, more important. What may have been some rivalry game is now suddenly a chance for one of the teams to move higher in the rankings with a victory. It also makes sure that those teams fighting for their chance, play every game on their schedule with an unmatched intensity and are forced to win or lose out. For instance, Texas was ranked #1 when it lost to a #7 ranked Texas Tech team who in turn made it to #2 before being defeated by #5 Oklahoma. This may sound confusing but if you look at it from the ranking standpoint, Texas lost to a team ranked 6 slots below them, Oklahoma lost to a #1 and defeated a #2 so it seems logical that Oklahoma get the first chance at a shot to advance to the BCS championship game. This is proof that the quality of your wins in every game and the rankings make such matchups more meaningful throughout the whole season.

In conclusion, I support this BCS system despite the many critics which include our current President Elect. People tell me that I would change my tune if the Syracuse Orange where left out when they deserved a chance(as I mentioned above, been there and done that in basketball). Then again, right now I would be doing back flips if Syracuse was even mentioned in the Big East title picture, let alone nationally. But that aside, I argue that is not true and I would still emphatically believe the Orange should earn their way in just as other teams have to do. I keep hearing people who want the playoff system state that it should be decided on the field. I contend that it is decided on the field and every week you earn it. The top two teams are rewarded with the BCS Championship Game and will determine the new champion on the field because they earned it throughout the entire season and are the most deserving. That's my opinion, let me know what you think. I know it says above don't talk to me about it but some lines are so priceless, you have to keep them going and that Jim Mora line is one of them (and about half the lines from the Office including the famous "That's what she said" which I personally love to use when I get the chance).

Rivals.com Discuss Orange Basketball

In Rivals.com's Andrew Skwara latest mailbag segment, he discusses why he thinks 'Cuse is not as good as UCONN, Pitt or Louisville but has the potential to make the sweet sixteen round of the tournament, if not further.


http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=884500

WTVH Discusses Greg Robinson's Final Press Conference

Here is the WTVH 5 version of the final press conference of Greg Robinson's tenure as head football coach at Syracuse University. Love or hate the guy, if you don't at least respect him, you are missing out. I know I have not been a fan of the on field performance of his team but it's only because as an Orange fan, it's heartbreaking to see it being more predictable to pick against them then have enough pride in your team to root for them. You can go to www.syracuse.com or www.fandome.com for the 3 part full session but I chose to simply post WTVH version here because not only is it shorter but I like the way they presented it (that and they hooked me up with a special birthday wish to my grandmother the other day on short notice for their early morning show and I am forever grateful for that since living out of the Syracuse area, I have limited resources on these things). So enjoy and Go Orange and I will repeat again, I wish nothing but the best for Greg Robinson and his family.

Greg Robinson says goodbye to SU

Syracuse Beats Colgate And I Got The Links To Prove It

Since I was at work and did not see the game, here are some links to help break down the game.

The Idiots learn a not so valuable lesson:
http://www.idiotsonsports.com/2008/12/syracuse-v-colgate-what-i-learned.html

TNIIAM didn't have any fun tonight:
http://www.nunesmagician.com/2008/12/2/677316/man-that-wasn-t-even-fun

Axe breaks down the "Hairy" game:
http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2008/12/sucolgate_recap_1.html

Donna Ditota discusses the playing time of Mookie Jones:
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2008/12/syracuse_guard_mookie_jones_se.html

Mike Waters analyzes the blowout:
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2008/12/blowout_syracuse_trounces_colg.html

Fox Sports has the game stats right here for you:
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/gameTrax?gameId=200812010553