Dr. Bartner's Newest Issue: "All our linebackers are in the NFL!"

With all the hulabalo and this and that around new basketball coach Kevin O Neil, I have decided its time to write a new blog.

About the football team.

There really isn't anything more to say. The rest of the media has either praised, ridiculed or otherwise commented on O Neil, Atheltic Director Mike Garrett and the state of the entire program as a whole. Ultimately, no one can really say anything until the season comes around and we either win or we don't. There is a reason we keep score. It is so random, miscellaneous members of the media and sporting world don't decide the fate of young, hardworking college athletes. Or at least not in basketball. We'll leave that for football season.

So, about that football team.

I noticed Dr. Bartner had trouble holding the rally in Wrigley Plaza on Catalina Island for the traditional 4th of July set of performances. The nearly 70 year old band director makes it a point to keep the focus on the football team no matter what time of year it is. However when bragging about the usual stars, he hit a road block and the rally speech sounded a little something like this:

"And all our linebackers.....are in the NFL!"

The "Cush, Clay and Rey" departure was big enough to make the cover of Sports Illustrated, but its left just as big of a hole in list of marketable names. So here is my challange to Dr. Bartner and the rest of you (including myself). Name one person on the defense besides Taylor Mays. And no Josh Pinkard doesn't count. The old man has been on the team longer than the NCAA has been investigating Reggie Bush. Neither plans to wrap it up anytime soon either. I think you can name a few offensive players. You mostly likely know the entire quarterback corp by now and our small collection of tailbacks. You might even know a wide receiver or two. Admit it. The offense is a little flashier. You pay to see long balls caught with one hand in the endzone and every down backs power through the UCLA D-Line. But a cliche is a cliche for a reason:

Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games.

So Dr. Bartner, get to know the new studs of the 2009 roster or learn new ways to introduce Taylor Mays. Its only July. We have a few more rallies to do.