Having said that, it amazes me that "star" players sit out this time of year. I don't like the words, "so and so is going to miss game ?, because of a strained or sprained _____." Are you kidding me? Without D. Rose, the Bulls needed Joakim Noah to step up. He sits out with a sprained ankle? Oh, and he doesn't like KG because he is "mean", see video below. I would argue he wanted none of KG in the playoffs.

Chris Bosh, strained abdominal? OK, I know it hurts, that is a tough injury to play through, but how bad do you want it? We will see, maybe he can "play through the pain."

Kevin Garnett - Hip Flexor
Paul Pierce - Sprained (Torn?) MCL
Ray Allen - Sprained Ankle (Noah?)
Avery Bradley - Dislocated Shoulder, over, and over
Rondo - Back, Wrist injuries
Mickael Pietrus - Still recovering from a concussion

I think my point is made. I think if you want something bad enough, you have to play through the pain. The constant whining about KG being "cheap" or the Celtics are too old, is getting old.

Step up, or step away, this league is for big boys.

Paul Maxwell

Let me start with Coaches(or Parents):
1 - There are many different ways to teach or coach, not just one way.
There are some things that I learned a long time ago, and some that I took in this weekend. This one, is one that I have had an open mind about for many years.
I coached on the collegiate level for ten years. I had players from different countries, that played in different styles. I have to say, not bragging, that I was a good coach for one reason - I NEVER made a player change things that would affect them mentally. There are many different ways to serve a tennis ball. There are many different ways to kick a football. I think you get my point, but you cannot get caught on in a one way street. Look, observe, and keep an open mind.

2 - Don't ask if you don't want to hear another opinion!
I am skipping the parenting portion of this because it could get ugly. I will focus on the coaching aspect.

When you are fortunate enough to coach at the collegiate level, you get to hire assistant coaches. My first question would always be - "If you feel strongly about something, whether it is practice or game time, are you going to express your feelings to me?"

Now, not many would start the interview process this way, but I wanted to make sure I was getting a leader and not a follower. Admittedly, most of the assistants I knew or played for me, but the point was, I don't know everything about the game, the person, or the opponent a person is playing. If you feel strongly enough about something, don't wait until after the game or practice - tell me now. There are ways to do this without being subordinate, so listen to those you surround yourself with.

3 - Stop OVER-COACHING!!
This is one that I really took note of after this weekend. Not so much from the coaching aspect, but from the parenting aspect. I am very hard on my kids and especially my son at times. I realized that I had to fail many times before I was able to get somewhere.

Don't get me wrong, in coaching I had rules just as my wife and I do as parents. The coaching rules I had dealt with team issues more than anything else.

The point I am trying to get across here is - let your kids play first, then coach. I have an example that I saw a couple of weeks ago. I am helping my son's baseball team, and we are low on pitchers. We were in a tournament and our ace had to leave for another activity. I got a couple of kids in the bullpen and had them throw the ball, one of which was my son.
"What do I need to do dad?"
"Throw it over the plate to my glove."
Boom, boom, boom, three in a row and his teammate did the same. I see these coaches that, your arm has to be like this, and your front foot has to finish here, and your release point is...; just throw the ball! I hate to break the news to you, but 9-10 year old kids that are playing player pitch baseball for the first time really don't need ten things going through their head while trying to pitch. If a kid is throwing a little sidearm, but is doing fairly well - SHUT UP!

I am coaching a team in a local basketball league, and I cannot wait until practice Thursday night. I have seven different kids and everyone of them shoots a different way. You know what, so does everyone on the Celtics. Let them fall in love with something, then learn as they go.

This is an original quote that I thought of:

"Mechanics and fundamentals can be taught over years and years. Confidence can be lost in an instant."

Paul Maxwell

If you haven't seen the classic slapstick comedy, "Idiocracy", do yourself a favor and rent it. It honestly makes more sense than the college RPI system, and you will laugh just as much. I didn't think that was possible.

Admittedly, I am a Tennessee fan, but I am an honest and realistic observer first. I think most people would say that about me. The fact that when I looked at the college RPI ratings this morning and coupled that with "Bracketology", makes me really understand that I can no longer listen to "computer guy" when it comes to sports. You know "computer guy", the guy that used to play Madden all night in college and then started to think up ways to actually be a part of sports. The guy who wore two wristbands, a headband, and knee high socks who would trip over the free throw line in a game of pick-up ball in his old high school gym when he went home for Christmas break. You get the point by now.

Let me give you a couple of scenarios from the RPI:

Team 1 - 18-10 (8-6 conf. rec.) RPI #22
3 road wins against teams with a combined record of 33-49. Seeded 4th in their conference tournament.

Team 2 - 19-12 (9-9 conf. rec.) RPI #54
Two conference wins vs teams that have a winning record. Seeded 6th in their conference tournament.

Team 3 - 17-13 (10-6 conf. rec.) RPI #81
Three conference road wins with a combined record of 49-41. Seeded 2nd in their conference tournament.

According to "Bracketology", Team 1 is in, Team 2 is one of the last 4 in, and Team 3 is not in.
Team 1 - Colorado State
Team 2 - Texas
Team 3 - Tennessee

I know what you are saying, "Tennessee lost to Austin Peay at home, lost to College of Charleston and Oakland on the road." These three teams have been very good over the past two years. Oh, and there is a certain player that has come in since then. Anyone heard of Jarnell Stokes? A freshman who almost out-rebounded Vandy's senior frontline by himself!

So, if "computer guy" wants me to believe that four teams seeded lower than Tennessee in the SEC tournament belong ahead of the Vols, go back to playing Madden. If "computer guy" wants me to believe that Colorado "Freakin" State is 59 points higher than Tennessee in some whacked out formula, put your long socks back on. Finally, if a team that is seeded 6th in their conference tournament, should be ahead of a team that is 2nd in their conference tournament - where the #1 seed is #1 in the country - then you make as much sense as Frito who got his law degree at Costco.

Paul Maxwell

"Money" tweets:
"Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."

Racial tension is something that has been around for a long time, and will sadly, probably never go away. The reality of this situation is that there is a double standard when it comes to racism in sports, and sports media. I will not re-type the tweet that the hypocrite himself, Jason Whitlock, wrote. You can look it up.

I guarantee you this, if something was said about an African-American in this way, Whitlock would be standing first in line to make a "Congressional" type statement. He would write an article calling for someone's job, and would demand that it be shown on every media outlet across the country.

I am one that doesn't get bent out of shape when it comes to stereotypes. That is why I wanted to write this. Neither of these two really offend me, but if you want to complain when it comes from another race, then shut your mouth when you are auditioning for "Last Comic Standing."

Why is "Money" not talking about the fact that unless two African-American women, from the depths of Compton, CA, are playing in a grand slam tournament; how many highlights do we see? How much coverage is given to them over other women?

Has Whitlock ever written an article over the fact that when Tiger Woods, who has African-American and Asian roots, is ten shots back in a tournament, why are fans forced to watch every shot? Why doesn't he write about the fact that he gets more face time in a tournament, than the winner? Oh, and Whitlock, knowing that Tiger has Asian heritage, you want to tweet something about him similar to Lin?

Again, I am not one that is easily offended, so that is why I felt compelled to write this. I would never cry racism over silly things, but if you would, then keep your mouth shut when it comes back around.

I guarantee you that ESPN would not have a one hour special for an African-American basketball player to announce what NBA team he is going to play for. Oh wait, nevermind.

Jeremy Lin is a feel-good, fantastic story. Whether he is white, black, red, purple, or blue, it is a great story. The same way Tiger Woods was a feel-good story when he dominated the field in his first Masters win. The same way it was a feel good story to watch Serena play sister Venus in a grand slam final.

If you are going to give it, take it. Otherwise, shut up the next time it comes around.

Carry on

Paul Maxwell

From Randy Shannon, to Kevin Steele, to Bill Parcells(joke); it seems like every possible name has been rumored to be the next defensive coordinator. We know that Sal Sunseri, linebackers coach at Bama, has been targeted and interviewed for the position. We also know that Buddy Green, the defensive coordinator for The United States Naval Academy, has also interviewed. It was also written that Michigan State DC, Pat Narduzzi, has been "targeted" for the position.

We could go on forever here, but before I get to the facts, if we are going to hire a LB's coach from Alabama, is it too much to look at our own Lance Thompson for the promotion? We have enough Alabama people on the staff Dave Hart, enough.

I want to examine three different defensive coordinators and the FACTS of what they did this year. Let's take Buddy Green from Navy, Pat Narduzzi from Sparty, and oh let's throw out Tommy Spangler from Louisiana Tech. Yes, I will admit from the beginning that while coaching at Presbyterian College, I knew Tommy Spangler, who was the head football coach, very well. However, I am going to point out facts, so this is not just an opinion on my part.

Total Defense - of the 120 FBS schools ranked
Sparty - 5th, gave up an average of 273 ypg, and gave up 30 TD's.
Navy - 85th, gave up an average of 414 ypg, and gave up 47 TD's.
La. Tech - 55th, gave up an average of 374 ypg, but only 33 TD's.

Rush Defense
Sparty - 12th, 104 ypg and 11 rushing TD's
Navy - 92nd, 187 ypg and 32 rushing TD's
La. Tech - 25th, 122 ypg and 8 rushing TD's

Pass Defense
Sparty - 12th, 169 ypg and 16 TD's
Navy - 66th, 227 ypg and 10 TD's
La. Tech - 95th, 252 ypg and 20 TD's

OK, before I move on, let's take a look at this. Michigan State leads in every category, there is one category that matters - TD's allowed. Michigan State's defense allowed only three fewer TD's than Louisiana Tech's defense. Also, do you think the offenses in the WAC are a little more potent than the Big 10?

Now here are some more detailed stats that the average Joe may not take a look at:

Interceptions
Sparty - 15th in the FBS with 16(4 for TD's)
Navy - 70th in the FBS with 10(2 for TD's)
La. Tech - 3rd in the FBS with 20(5 for TD's)

Passes defended
Sparty - 40th with 61 passes defended
Navy - 105th with 37 passes defended
La. Tech - 8th with 76 passes defended

3rd Down Conversions
Sparty - 16th with only 34% allowed
Navy - 117th with 51% allowed
La. Tech - 10th with only 32% allowed

4th Down Conversions
Sparty - 45%
Navy - 58%
La. Tech - 47%

Red Zone Defense
Sparty - 38 attempts (22 TD's and 7 FG's allowed)
Navy - 51 attempts (41 TD's and 3 FG's allowed)
La. Tech - 29 attempts (19 TD's and 8 FG's allowed)

Total Turnovers created
Sparty - 24
Navy - 22
La. Tech - 30

I also think when you look at a total defense, you need to factor in offensive time of possession.
Offensive time of possession
Sparty - 28th with 31:15
Navy - 27th with 31:21
La. Tech - 101st with 28:21

That is three extra minutes per game that the La. Tech defense is on the field vs Sparty and Navy. Factor that in over a season, and you have a defense that has spent over two more quarters on the field than the opposing two teams.

Also, I took the schedule of the three teams and averaged up the strength of the opposing offenses faced. In other words, you have to take the stats based on who they played. Playing Houston is different than playing Minnesota.
Sparty - played offenses that had combined scoring average of 64th in the country.
Navy - played offenses that had combined scoring average of 57th in the country.
La. Tech - played offenses that had combined scoring average of 48th in the country.

Want more? La. Tech's defense held 10 of the 12 teams they faced to less points than they averaged per game. They also held 10 of the 12 teams to less yards than they averaged per game.

La. Tech finished the season with their first ever WAC championship and an 8-5 record. They had one bad loss to Hawaii, the other four losses were to bowl teams. In fact, they lost to Houston by 1, Southern Miss by 2, Mississippi State by 6, and to TCU in the bowl game, by 7.

OK, after this, you know who I feel should be the next defensive coordinator at UT. He has been the DC at La. Tech for five years, and I forgot to mention that when Derek Dooley hired him as DC, La. Tech was LAST IN EVERY DEFENSIVE STATISTICAL CATEGORY!

Tommy Spangler knows something about actually playing in the SEC as well. He won a National Championship with Georgia playing with the great Herschel Walker, under Coach Vince Dooley.

Who knew Justin Wilcox two years ago? Who was excited about him? I think he did a pretty darn good job under the circumstances. What would be the difference if Derek Dooley hired Tommy Spangler then instead of Justin Wilcox?

Tennessee would not be looking for a defensive coordinator now.

Paul Maxwell

I cannot believe I am actually admitting this, and it says something for the system. I turned off the BCS Title game at halftime, and did not record it. There, I said it. I felt bad until I found out that most of the rest of America did as well. This was the lowest rated BCS title game EVER.

YOU KNOW WHY? Let me count the ways:

1 - How in the world can someone who did not even win their own division, let alone conference, play for the title?
No doubt Alabama was the best team on Monday night. Do they deserve to be the one team to hold the crystal? That is for everyone to decide, but in my opinion, no way.

2. The regular season - Where Every Game Matters!! (Until it doesn't)
Don't tell me the regular season matters, when a team who loses at home and gets another chance - to play the same team! That is comical.

3 - The "Tebow Factor"
The day of the title game, what was 98% of the sports world talking about? The Tim Tebow pass on the first play of overtime. FACT. You don't schedule the title game AFTER NFL WILD-CARD WEEKEND.

Having said all this, I am not saying Alabama was not the best team in the country. In fact, I think in a four team playoff, I think Bama would have won, but I do think there would have been much more drama. In fact, I don't think LSU would have beaten Oklahoma State.

No matter to myself or most in the country, but when you love a sport and get this type of ending, how much longer will the country put up with it? If you look at ratings, not long.

Paul Maxwell

Most people know what has taken place over the past two seasons, but this past week was the final straw for me. DeAnthony Arnett, from Saginaw, Michigan, who saw extensive playing time this year for the Vols, wanted to transfer back home closer to his father who has undergone two surgeries in the span of a few weeks. He still may need a third.

Derek Dooley, however, has denied Arnett's request to be released to play at Michigan or Michigan State. The Volunteers, citing school policy, have released Arnett to play at one of the MAC schools in Michigan - Central Michigan, Western Michigan or Eastern Michigan.

Supposedly, it is Tennessee policy not to release players to schools that the Volunteers compete against on the field or in recruiting. However, in the past 10 years, Tennessee has not scheduled any games against Big Ten teams, but in three of the past four years, the Volunteers have played a team from the MAC. Oh, and they play another next year in Akron.

This kid did nothing but give his best while he was here, while "other" players could care less and took plays off whenever they wanted to. I don't care who reads this or what you think about it, but I will just come out and say it - If Derek Dooley wants to restore class and "man up", quit worrying about good kids and get rid of the two players that are clearly damaging this program. Yes, I am talking about Tyler Bray and Da'Rick Rogers.

I guess if you have a good arm, you don't have to play hard for the seniors and send them out on a good note by giving your all against Kentucky. You can joke about not wanting to play in a "lower-tiered" bowl. I guess if you have good enough stats as a receiver, you can run your mouth to your position coach, not play hard every down, and do whatever you please.

This is not about wins and losses for me folks. I coached ten years of my life and cared for my players like they were my sons. This comes down to doing a responsible thing as a coach, a leader, but moreover, a man.

If Derek Dooley wants to start setting policies, and adopting principals - perhaps the first thing he should do is look in the mirror. Also, for those "sheep" fans out there that want to bury their heads in the sand with the Bray and Rodgers situation, keep digging that hole, because it isn't going anywhere but down.

Paul Maxwell

Friday
Wake +7- over Cowbell
Iowa +14 over Okie

Saturday
Northwestern +10 over A&M - BIG
Virginia +3 over Awbarn

Monday
Penn State +7 over Houston - BIG
Sparty/Dawgs under 50
Gators/Tatoos under 44
Wisky -5- over Ducks
Stanford +3- over Okie St. - BIG

Good Luck

Paul Maxwell

OK, got through the holiday movies if you need a laugh, but these are, in my humble opinion, five movies that are the best man-movies ever.

5 - "Public Enemies"
This was a tough one for me, because it came down to this and "The Departed". Here is what it came down to for me - I am sick of listening to Matt Damon and Alec Baldwin talking about politics. and Leo set himself back playing J. Edgar. Very, very awkward. JD playing JD, and Christian Bale were fantastic. I just wish Wahlberg would have been in this one and not the other.

4 - "Casino"
The top four could be thrown into a pot, shaken up, and pulled out of a hat. Even though Don Rickles is the best to ever live, I could not put this one ahead of the others.

3 - "The Godfather" trilogy
Gonna get bashed on this, sorry, great movies, but there are two other that I like better for MY generation. This is the father of all great movies and deserves it's due, but there is no Pesci.

2 - "Heat"
Surprised? Probably, but I have to tell you if Pesci even had a cameo in this movie, it would have been #1. The first movie where two of my favorite five actors of all time share the stage together. The Robert Deniro and Al Pacino diner scene will go down in history, as one of the greatest scenes ever. Both personalities show through, and the ensemble cast is fantastic.

1 - "Goodfellas"
In a word, Pesci. This is by far his greatest performance ever in a movie, and the fact that Deniro and Ray Liotta, take a back seat, makes it even better.

There are no losers here. Just be careful who you tell that they are a "funny guy."

Paul Maxwell

5 - "The Ref"
This movie goes all the way back to 1994 and stars Denis Leary. What is great about this movie to me is that at the time, Kevin Spacey is not as well known, and he and Judy Davis do a great job of making Leary miserable, which he loves to be. It gets a little sappy at the end, but still humorous to make the top 5.

4 - "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2"
I have to include both, because there is enough adult humor and undertones to make it worthwhile for the whole family. Plus, it has Joe Pesci? Any Pesci is good Pesci.

3 - "Scrooged"
Bill Murray is a comedic icon and it comes through more in this movie than most. Plus there are some legends that have some smaller roles in this one such as Robert Mitchum, Jamie Farr, and Bob Goulet. The real one, not the Will Ferrell one.

2 - "Bad Santa"
Second best Billy Bob movie outside of the re-make of "The Bad News Bears". Couple that with the fact that the late greats Bernie Mac and John Ritter are there, makes this a laugh fest for me. Childish humor? What's your point?

1 - "Christmas Vacation"
Does anything need to be said? A Griswold Family Christmas is NEVER to be out-done.