Harrell's Heisman Snub a Travesty

Let me preface this piece by stating that I really could care less about the Heisman Trophy because the award does not go to the best player in college football each year; it goes to the best player on the best team. So I really much prefer to watch the games being played on the field rather than the political campaigning that occurs off it. But this particular year actually piqued my interest because of the crazy talent and sick numbers we saw every Saturday.

For Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell not to be invited to New York City on Saturday evening for the awards ceremony is an absolute crime and a joke. If you are going to invite last year's winner--and potential Archie Griffin two-timer--Tim Tebow, sophomore gunslinger Sam Bradford and cowboy Colt McCoy--all quarterbacks--it is an absolute no-brainer to invite the guy who made throwing the football look like taking a stroll on the beach. Forty-one touchdown passes and just seven interceptions and not even an invite? Wow. Travesties like this make me embarassed to say that I'm a college football fan. Harrell's touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree to beat then-No. 1 Texas in Lubbock may have been the signature play of the year in college football, yet once again the lords of college football find a way to mess up a great story.

Meanwhile, on the NFL beat, congratulations to Devin Hester for being the best pass-interference drawer ever. And to Bears fans who hate Rex Grossman: Kyle Orton now has thrown six picks in the last three ballgames.

Finally, I absolutely refuse to believe this Terrell Owens story. I mean, you cannot script this juicy of a controversy. First it was San Francisco, then it was Philly. T.O., baby, you were always my guy, but this has now become absolutely ridiculous and absurd. Upset with Tony Romo for supposedly scripting secret plays behind your back? If I had Jason Witten as my tight end, I'd throw to him more than you, too. Shut up and try to get your team back into the playoffs.

Alright I lied. One more finally: Manny Ramirez apparently is threatening retirement because of a lack of suitable free agent offers. Wow, just when we thought Manny Could Not Be As Manny as he was last season. Amazing.

Johnson Keeps Utes Undefeated Again

Just when you thought Utah was going to trip up and clear the way for another BCS buster to move up the rankings, Brian Johnson delivered again. Johnson drove the Utes 80 yards and tossed a touchdown to Freddie Brown with 48 seconds left as Utah defeated TCU last night in Salt Lake City.

TCU missed two field goal attempts in the final quarter of play, setting the stage for more heroics from Johnson, who led Utah back from an eight-point deficit in the last minute and a half against Oregon State on October 2nd. Utah is now 10-0 for just the second time in school history.

Would Jim Harbaugh really take the Oakland Raiders head coaching job and work for Al Davis? Both parties seem to have mutual admiration for each other, and Harbaugh began his coaching career with the Raiders.

Manny Ramirez reportedly has been offered a two-year, 50 million dollar contract by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Ramirez reportedly wants a four-year deal. I wonder how many teams are in the bidding and willing to pay him 25 mil per...

Jack Del Rio sending Mike Peterson home may have been the first in a series of moves that eventualy will get him fired. Just a hunch.

Trade Deadline Buzz

All things considering, I think the Atlanta Braves scored a coup in the Mark Teixeira deal. While GM Frank Wren probably never imagined having to deal Teix at the deadline in his first full season with the club, to be able to get Casey Kotchman--arguably the Angels' MVP thus far--was outstanding work. Righty Steve Marek is also supposed to pan out on the mound, but even if he doesn't the Braves secured a first baseman of the present and the future in the deal. Unless of course they deal Kotch next season at the deadline. All kidding aside, I think the Braves can quickly rebound in 2009 from this injury-riddled season.

Is it just Manny Being Manny again? The Red Sox will have to decide if they want to live with the volatile slugger for their postseason push and defense of the World Series title after the brash superstar ripped into the organization once again. Injured hamstring? Sore right knee? Bruised ego? Only Manny knows the truth, but can the Red Sox really live with this soap opera much longer? We already know they will be parting ways no matter what happens after the 2008 season? Why prolong the divorce if you can swing a deal for a Jason Bay? While not exactly in Manny's league, Bay can provide better D and a potent enough bat to balance ou the offense. The Sox won't win because of hitting anyway. If not Bay, Raul Ibanez would enjoy hitting in Fenway.

If you're Theo Epstein, when your best hitter is purposely dodging the likes of Felix Hernandez and some of the game's toughest pitchers, how much can you really count on him in the postseason anyway? Even if his threat to sit out the rest of the season is merely just a threat, do you really want to go to postseason war with Manny Being, well, Tiresome.