10 Most Hated

For those of you who are too serious and stuffy about the things I post on Facebook or in my blog and can't seem to allow sarcasm or hyperbole without some sort of judgemental comment about my judging or supposed negativity, stop reading now.

For the rest of you, I keep hearing plenty of hate from anti-OSU people here in Columbus or just about anywhere on the Internet even when the topic or thread has nothing to do with us. Obviously, it is because we are so freaking successful and our fans are pretty freaking obnoxious about it.

Of course we like to call it passion. You say tomato, we say tomato.

So in honor of all the sports hate that seems to be the trend these days, I give you my top ten list of most hated sports "stuff."


10. Glamour City Bias

From Colin Cowherd to just about any fan that doesn't live in the midwest, sports fans around the country adore the teams who play in sunny, warm cities or cities with big lights and plenty of superficial glam. The players are becoming more and more the same as they sign with these teams leaving smaller markets out to dry. Economics play a large role in this too. But in the name of my hate list, I will disregard that.

9. Notre Dame

Originally I couldn't stand Notre Dame because they were so good and I was tired of them. It was a hate rooted in envy. Then they started to suck. Now they have sucked for almost 20 years. In the middle of this span of suck, people still talked about them as though they were relevant when they weren't. Any other school playing like they did would not even register on ESPN's "other notable games" segments. But they continued to make headlines. So my hate was less out of jealousy and more out of fatigue and annoyance of the obvious bias.
They used to be higher on this list but have sunk near the bottom because I am starting to think I would like for them to be good again. They do have a rich tradition and they have done their time in suckdom. So now is a good time to return to true relevance and add to the lore of college football's history.

8. Mark May


Any fellow Buckeye fan knows exactly why he has made this list. He entered Buckeye Hater lore back in 2002 when he and Trev Alberts led the charge of over rated claims in the national media regarding the undefeated Buckeyes. Apparently, wins meant less than the style of play or point differential in wins. They repeatedly heralded Iowa as the better Big Ten team even though Iowa wasn't even the better Iowa team!! They lost to Iowa State early in the year.
But my Buckeyes showed him and every other doubter that year that the slow and outdated Big Ten team was the elite as they physically beat down the glitzy and overpaid U to win in the best football game I have ever and will ever watch.

7. The Mythical Torture in Chicago

Growing up a fan of Cleveland sports, nobody and I mean NOBODY has any right whatsoever to tell us about sports misery or pain. Yet, Chicago with the dominating 85 Bears, the glory years with the Bulls during the Jordan seasons and the recent titles from the Blackhawks and White Sox continue to act as though that Cubs streak trumps everything.

Two words: SHUT UP!

6. Detroit

The Tigers. The Pistons. The fact they exist in that state up north.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

I don't include the whole city because they share my state. Many are Buckeye fans. And I like the Reds. Always have. But the hillbilly Bungle fans, in particularly from south of the river in Kentucky and small towns that dot southern Ohio, are some of the most annoying and laughable fans I have ever come across. The thing is, they may be the only football fans whose pro team sucks more than mine. Well, the Lions may trump us both but I already listed Detroit.

4. Miami

As recently as 15 months ago this probably wouldn't even be on the list let alone appear in the top five ahead of in state rival Cincy. But one man managed to shoot this city and everything it represents up this high. He magnified the other little things I can't stand about Miami as well.

There are only two teams (both will soon register on this list) that I get more joy out of seeing lose. There is no way they can lose too badly or painfully. Watching the Mavs destroy their chances at a title last season was wonderful. Watching the NBA lockout continue is beautiful even if it is cutting my nose off despite my face with the Cavs suffering a lack of a season as well. Longer lockout, less of him.


The Marlins broke my heart in Game 7 of the World Series in 1997. The U is one of the most annoying programs on Earth. So freaking flashy and loud and obnoxious. Not to mention filled with thugs and low character individuals that make a glorified garage sale for tats seem like child's play. Fortunately, my Crimson Tide took them out in 1991 and, as mentioned in #8, my Buckeyes took them out in 2002. So I have had some pay back.

But in the end, they represent the hatred I listed in #10 with their South Beach attitude and party lifestyle.

I hate that superficial crap.

Of course I am in the minority and the people I need to feel the same as me in order for my teams to win, don't see eye to eye with me in this either. So once again, the envy factor kicks in even though I have no urge whatsoever to live that way myself and love my life in the midwest.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

I have a deep rooted disdain for this team. While many Top lists you read are prisoners of the moment and rank recent buzz worthy entries higher on the list than they really belong, I give longevity a good bit of weight. It takes a franchise changing reason (see #4 over #5) for a recently hated team to beat out teams I have hated for a long time.

The Steelers are everything I wish my football team would be but isn't. They are a tough, bad weather, well run organization that consistently wins and remains relevant.

Man I hate them.

The mere sight of those uniforms or that Hines Ward smile makes me want to puke.

2. Baltimore Ravens

They took my most beloved team. What more needs to be said? Then they go and win a Super Bowl while my team that we fought to have back has pretty much sucked ever since. They have stolen the rivalry with the Steelers because we suck too much to make it worthwhile to the Steelers. It is similar to the OSU v. Michigan rivalry.

Is Art Modell still alive? Because I don't like that guy. But I won't say anything too negative about a man in his position in life if he is.

Also, they are an in division rival like Pittsburgh and Cincy so the natural competitive hate exists there too. I don't respect this organization like I do the Steelers though. It is not a respectful hate. It is straight up hatred hate.

Drum roll please.......

Think you know?

1. The Whole State of Michigan

With Detroit already taken care of, let me focus on the university in Ann Arbor. I can't stand the maize and blue. I hate those helmets. I will never forget the heartbreak they put me through in the 90s while I was a student at THE Ohio State University ruining multiple title hopes and rubbing our face in it every time. Desmond Howard and his Heisman Pose. Charles Woodson. Tim Biakabutuka ( I don't even care if I spelled his name right because I can't stand him or that team) causing an argument between me and my dad.

This past decade of dominance over them is not enough. The epic victory in 2006 is not enough pay back. I never want to lose to this school.

Ever.

In addition, the stupid Fab 5 in hoops. Hate them too.

But we can't forget the other school in this horrid, hideous state over in East Lansing. They may not have a long list of reasons for me to hate them, but 1998 is all it takes. That was heartbreaking enough to almost make the list on its own merit as its own entry. That walk back to my apartment that evening was a LONG, painful experience. The rare season in the 90s that the other school didn't ruin our title hopes, MSU made sure to pick up the slack.

I'm shaking right now just thinking about it.

Honorable mention: Micheal Jordan, John Elway, USC, Boston and Colin Cowherd.

Happy OSU v. Michigan

I say this with 100% genuine sincerity: The Ohio State Buckeyes versus University of Michigan Wolverines Football Saturday is an observed holiday in my household. I will go to my grave recognizing this day.

So as Jim Tressel led our Buckeyes to his 8th win in 9 years as our head coach today, I learned many things about this day and my life in general. I would like to share them with you.

1. I cherish this day.

2. It makes the day so enjoyable when OSU wins and the weather is a balmy 50 degrees and sunny.

3. I have some really cool friends who come to my house despite the prospect that our Bucks may lose and I may make everyone uncomfortable.

4. My dude, Chad gets it.

5. I love my wife. I had some where around 10 friends and colleagues come to my house to share in the festivities and she was nothing but cordial and welcoming. Never once did she balk. There would be a mess. Our carpet would be walked upon. Plenty of boisterous ruckus would take place. And never did she complain. She took care of the baby and I got to socialize and watch football.

6. I wish I could have joined Rob's bonfire.

7. I got to experience the phenomenon that is The Baddness and it was well worth the price of admission. His friends are very cool and I hope to hang out with them again.

8. Oregon will most likely be our opponent in the Rose Bowl. Maybe now, we can gain some respect int he eyes of ESPN and the national media. But the defense BETTER show up and somehow, someway, Pryor needs to learn how to pass in the next month.

9. I don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan 'cuz I'm from OH-IO.

10. I really wish I could have had my oldest daughter with me today. I mean it when I say I consider this day a holiday. Just like Thanksgiving and Christmas and her birthday, I want to share this day with my girl. I want her decked out in her scarlet and gray cheering with me and getting frustrated with the bad plays. I want her to form memories of these games with her dad. While so much was good about today, there is still this missing piece in my heart. I would trade the times with my friends for the time with her in a hear beat. I have before and would have today. Of course, today I could have had both. But this is reality. Maybe next year.

11. I did get to share the day with my youngest. Most of the day she was with her mom. But she had her Buckeye gear on. She watched pregame with me and listened to the marching band. Most importantly, she was her to experience the experience. When she is up walking and talking, I anticipate her contribution to the future holidays to be significant.

12. I like my life the way it is. I witnessed numerous things tonight. But after it was all said and done, I was very happy I am living the life I am living. I am happy I have my family as it is, my house, a job, my friends, my personality, attitude, way of living, values and general lifestyle. I can't do what some can but I am happy with watching them. I don't do what some do and I am extremely pleased I don't.

13. I am excited to see family and old friends this coming weekend for the holiday. I have plenty to be thankful for and I look forward to acknowledging it!

On this day when we beat Michigan....LIFE IS GOOD!

How Much More Wrong Could I Have Been?

I take back 99.999999% of what I wrote in an earlier post about the Ohio St. Buckeye's 2008 Football Season. The only part that had a splinter of truth was the part about whether the defense will be able to adjust to good offenses like they could NOT in the past two BCS title games. I stated that if they couldn't in the USC game they would be in trouble.

"if the same old defense comes out and lays and egg despite the abundance of talent and cannot seem to make the in-game adjustments that former coordinator Mark Dantonio would flourish with when he was here, the game will get out of hand and USC will pull away in the second half winning by 10 or more. This will determine the season." (Huey, www.hueyistheone.blogspot.com)

The season is already determined. It will be a failure.

I loved Jim Heacock as the defensive line coach but ever since he became the defensive coordinator we have been slaughtered by spread offenses. You would think he would have figured it out by now but he hasn't. This defense is supposedly loaded with talent and I believe it is. But it cannot seem to stop spread offeenses at all. Florida and LSU and Illinois killed us. It looked like the players were always in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is coaching. They will not let go of this zone style defense and it is killing us.

Ohio University, with all do respect (many friends and relatives attended that fine school and I have had many good times there over the years myself), is a middle of the road MAC team. They should not hang with a supposed National Title contender in their (OSU's) own house!!!! Granted, the Bobcat offense only had one scoring drive. The other touchdown came on a turnover by the Buckeye offense in their own endzone, but it was a backup QB!!! Of a middle of the pack MAC team!!!!! They kept converting third down after third down. If it wasn't for the 5 turnovers that were mistakes on OU's part more than good plays by OSU, the game would have been a blowout. If I have to watch another pathetic attempt at a tackle by our defenders I will personally walk to that stadium and light a fire under their meathead asses myself. Like Lou Holtz said, read the fine print on your scholarship son! (I really don't know what that meant but it sounded good when he said it) What is this defense going to do against the likes of USC or even the weak Big Ten schools? Or Troy?!

It will be ugly.

The offesne didn't look much better. The front line was dominated by smaller, less skilled players from OU. They were pushed around. THey had the game taken to them instead of taking it to the defense. Maurice Wells is just horrible. He runs TO tackles. God forbid he breaks one every now and then. When Boom Herron was starting to get on a roll he goes to the bench. Boeckman STILL holds onto the ball for too long, ala Charlie Frye. The WRs missed balls that hit them in the hands and the passion was nonexistent.

We will get shutout.

Even the kicker got in on the action. Pretorious missed a PAT for crying out loud! What the????????

Heacock is in my doghouse. He needs to go! maybe I have been wrong about Tressel. Maybe he isn't as good as I thought. Maybe the whole country is right. Maybe the Buckeyes ARE overrated and weak.

Whatever the case. We are in big trouble and we will get blown out next week. THe college football fans around the country are going to get what they have wanted for so long. The supposed almost dynasty of Ohio State football will come to an end. Opponents have found the solution to beat OSU. The spread offense. We will becaome the laughing stock of college football and a joke around the country. We won't be able to recruit. Michigan will be ready with their WVA spread offense that was pretty damn awesome these past years under Hot Rod Rodriquez and we will lose that game for a decade straight if not more.

GOOD NIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

A College Football Saturday

Here are a couple of things swirling in my head this Saturday as I watch as much football as I can:

**Go Michigan!**

Yes, I said it and meant it. Those of you who love the crazy Buckeye fan reputation I have earned may think "What the?!" But think about this. As a fellow Big Ten school a true Buckeye fan WANTS Michigan to win these nonconference games. It was really fun watching them lose to App St. last year. I wouldn't trade that for the world. The look on the young UM fan's faces was pricelss. Those smug, arrogant kids had nothing to say. But that is not something we want to happen every year. Losing to Utah today hurts us. It is another blow to the Big Ten's reputation. A Big Ten conference in which our Buckeyes are a member. We need Michigan and every other Big Ten team to sweep all of their nonconference games.

In addition, they are our rival. It is so much better for the rivalry and in my opinion when both squads are dominating. Maybe I am from the old school. I like Michigan to win every game up to The Game. Then I want them to win their bowl game unless it's the National Championship. I draw the line there. I just can't handle that. But otherwise, Michigan needs to win. It means more. It adds more. It is just, plain better. This new generation of fans that take the bitterness for Michigan to the extreme is thinking backwards. I used to be that way too I guess, but with the App St game in our back pocket forever, I don't need to be. I dislike those Michigan fans. I hate those colors. I cringe at the memories of Charles Woodson, Desmond Howard and Tim Biakabutuka. I still hold alot of pain and hatred in my heart for the 90s. But revenge is best served when we beat them and it means something. It hurts them much more when their bid for an undefeated season goes down to us. It hurts even more when we are also undefeated. That is the true taste of sweet revenge. Even more than watching them lose to App St. or Utah.


**Beanie Wells**

So what's the deal? He was carted off the field. Then he walks back out onto the field. The X-rays were negative. He has done this before. Is he pulling a Loyacano? Does he have some toughness issues? Or is this serious? I'm just saying. There is a trend here. Regardless, he is a stud on the field and we need him there. But not against OU. I love Brandon Saine and I would love to see him play. So let's rest Wells against OU no matter what and hope he is ready to go against USC.


**GameDay**

I love going to games. I love the gameday atmosphere. Today was nothing like it is when the students are back and it is a conference game or a late season game, but the tradition, the memories in that place. I absolutely love it.


**Week One**

The Bucks looked good today. The defense was pretty much on lock down. At onoe point in the second half YSU only had 55 total yards of offense. The offense looked smooth and flowed well sans in the red zone. The kickers kicked well. A number of players got to play. The offense played a clean game with no turnovers and the defense forced a few. They scored 43 points and gave up zero. They controlled the clock and the game. Next up: OU Bobcats.


**Terrelle Pryor**

I was very pleased with Pryor's debut. He could have come out and looked overwhelmed. He could have come out and played mediocre. But he was very impressive. He showed he could drop back. He showed he could play from the shot gun. He showed a little option. He rushed. He passed. The passes looked accurate. He didn't seem flustered in the pocket. He demonstrated athleticism and poise. He was able to complete his first pass. He was able to score a touchdown. It was critical that he had some success in his first outing. He gained confidence and has plenty to look at in film to study and critique and get better. He will have to. Today's game has won me over.

It's That Time of Year Again

This blog began at the genesis of this year, 2008. I have used it repeatedly to share my opinion, reflections, frustrations and joys. But the timing has not allowed me to write about something I hold very dear to my heart. Something I have been able to only scratch the surface of thus far in my blog. This wonderful, fulfilling, action packed, emotionally pulsating, roller coaster of a ride with drama, physicality, strategy, glory, sorrow, pain and anticipation is the not baseball, not basketball, not hockey, not tennis, not golf but football. Sweet, sweet, football.

Many friends of mine know my intense passion for this game and my teams. Most share the same feelings with varying degrees of intensity. Our conversations routinely morph into topics of football no matter where we try to start. Most of the time we just get right to the point and debate our ideas of roster moves and needs and coaching strategies or assessments of the above. To paraphrase my brother who may not even remember saying this: "There are three things in this world I love. My wife, my daughter and SPORTS! (To the chant of charge!) Sports, sports, sports, sports...." Of course, those were my words in place of his but with the same passion and voracity. Today, football goes in the "sports" slot of that famous line. I love baseball and basketball. But football is just so much better. The late George Carlin loved to lay out the toughness of the sport compared to baseball, but that is one of many aspects that put football at the top of the list.

Let me get to my point: The offseason provided many headlines for my Browns that I could have written about. The draft is always fun to watch even with no picks for my team until the third round (thanks to a Day 2 trade). The Spring Game in Columbus is a scrimmage teaser for those of us feening for the sport we love. But with my beloved Cavs fighting for a playoff run, I was more interested in sharing those thoughts at those times. So now my football discussion can and will begin in earnest.

Today marks the opening of Browns training camp. Plenty of new faces dawn the practice fields in Berea. Phil Savage has gone out of his way to sign much needed help on the defensive side of the ball. Shaun Rogers (Lions) and Corey Williams (Packers) will help out on the line. This improvement should allow the defense as a whole to improve as a steady pass rush will create more and better opportunities for the linebackers and secondary to do their jobs better. Donte Stallworth was an important acquisition with the injury to Joe Jurevicius. Resigning Jamal Lewis was important as well. The offensive line was the best its been since Kosar was behind the line in 1986. Cribbs has the return game looking good and Dawson is solid.

I would like to see another RB signed to add some needed depth there. Lewis is injury prone and while our current guys are good in spot duty, I just don't feel they can carry the load for several games if Lewis goes down. The defensive backfield scares me the most. I hope Romeo can scheme his way through the passing offenses we face this year or McDonald ends up being a stud. I am not too confident in either.

Overall, the schedule is not kind to the Browns this season. They won't be sneaking up on anybody either. We may be better than last year and still finish with a worse record. But the division just may be weak this year as well which means a worse record may still get them in the playoffs as ironic as that may sound. With that said, the AFC North will probably be dominant and the Browns will go 5-11.

(Notice no Brett Favre in that post?)

The Buckeyes have just about everybody returning this year outside of Vernon Gohlstein. I still think they have one of the best coaches in college football. The Big Ten will still be weak. There is no reason they shouldn't make it through the season, except unexpected injuries, with more than one or two losses. The problem is, with the past two disappointments in the BCS National Championship to the SEC, they are considered overrated throughout the nation. They will need to go undefeated with convincing wins over USC, nagihcim and any other surprise team (see Illinois last year) AND hope there is only one other undefeated team to even get a shot for the third straight year.

Doesn't it demonstrate how powerful the Buckeye football program is by the fact that they have been in three National Championships in six years with several other BCS bowls in between? Wow. And the recruits keep coming.

Boeckman should be solid with a whole season behind him. Wells has proven he can rush the football. The receiving corps are solid. The defense is experienced and talented. Don't let the national media fool you either....they are fast. Their 40 times are just as quick as the speedy Pac 10 or SEC. As much as I love Tressel he needs a defensive coach who can scheme better for spread offenses. They need to convert on third downs in big games better. I almost wish he would go back to old school Tressel ball that everybody hated and slow the game down to a brutal turtle pace. But the defense needs to be dominant. The verdict is out on that. With the experience and talent, one would think they will be.

Carson Palmer has initiated the talk with his anti-Buckeye talk. The first punch has been thrown. I know more is to come. I love it. This game is going to be so hyped. It will make the OSU/Texas games look like week one, nonconference cupcake games (see UM v. App St.....uhhhhhhhh no, don't. Doesn't really fit my example. But its fun to be reminded of it isn't it?) I can't wait. I just hope our Buckeyes take the high road and keep their mouths shut only saying the company line, "USC is a great team. Coach Carroll is a great coach. Just look at all their trophies. I'm just glad we get a chance to play them and see how we match up. It will be a true test of where we are and where we need to be." Let the fans and alumni say all the trash.

So this is the first of many posts regarding my true love. Football. I pray my teams are exciting and relevant all the way to January. Otherwise, my wife is in for many depressing weeks ahead from me. Mondays are never fun in the Huey household after a loss. Even if one of the teams won. This year some of those Mondays will be Tuesdays. Needless to say I haven't had many good autumn Monday in years!

Terrelle Pryor

The Buckeyes got their recruit. Snatched him away from our bitter rival Wolverines. The QB sensation from PA who looks to be more of a Vince Young type than Troy Smith type, is coming in with a ton of hype. He also comes in with some baggage.

Now it is time to see if Jim Tressel can work his magic once again as he did with Troy Smith who also had some baggage when he entered the OSU program. He was a great example of what Tressel can do with a young man if he listens just as Maurice Clarett was the antithesis.

On paper Pryor looks to be bigger, faster and have a stronger arm than Columbus' favorite son, Troy Smith. We know OSU has an offense that will fit his game as long as he allows Tressel to work with him as a passer like Smith did. It would be worth it as he got Smith a Heisman trophy for playing in the pocket first, running second.

I am happy we got Mr. Pryor but I worry he won't be worth the hype. I remember a certain point guard from the same state of PA that was supposed to be awesome and take the reigns from Scoonie Penn. His name? Brandon Fuss-Cheatham. Who? Yeah, thought so. Or what about Lydell Ross? Super tailback from Florida (or was it California?) The list goes on. Troy wasn't so hyped. Eddie George...not so hyped. But these guys got it done.

I also worry about the history of Pryor and how the hype may have gone to his head at such a young age. He can be humbled REAL fast. Ask Lydell Ross, Jaja Riley, Fuss-Cheatham, and more.

Bottom line, regardless of his success or lackthereof, Michigan and "I wanna be" Rich Rodriquez did NOT get him. And in his style of offense, Pryor would have fit nicely. He could have been the next Pat White. But that won't happen now. So this may work out just fine in the end no matter what.

I had to make my opinion public because I am still kicking myself for not having any proof that I called the Kidd to Dallas trade as a bad one before it happened. I know we all wanted him in Cleveland, but giving up half the team wouldn't have been worth it in my mind. Ask Dallas how they feel about the trade now. Or wait a couple weeks when they don't make the playoffs. I still feel good about the trade Fery DID make. Joe Smith has been great and I am eager to see West grow with LeBron.