Kansas Football Overdose

Expanded Coverage Works For Jayhawk Football Fans

So, the big story this week was Todd Reesing securing the QB spot right? Maybe, but the most shocking story was the posting of seven articles on KUsports.com this past Saturday. Add to that a couple of football blurbs by the mighty Phog Blog and you start to wonder what's going on. Over at Rock Chalk Talk there's an ongoing in-depth series on each unit. In addition, the most recent find is the KLWN.com interview archive*. Recent postings include a five-minute interview with Derek Fine and a 15-minute interview with Darrell Stuckey from last spring. All-in-all it's a pretty good time to be a KU football fan.

*I've placed their player on the Jayhawk Network page under the Portal section to the right for easy access. The player starts automatically and you can select the interview you want from the list. Pretty slick.

The Todd Reesing Show and Much, Much More

Quick Shots From Big Monday

Mark Mangino must have a special ceremony planned or something. He wouldn't officially say it, but he pretty much said it. Todd Reesing worked with the first team while Kerry Meier worked with the number two offense. Mangino is becoming quite a showman:

“I’ll put it to you like this: (Reesing) has been extremely productive,” Mangino said. “He has taken control of things. I don’t want to use any terms, but I would say that, probably, we’re pretty close to making a decision on the quarterback situation. It’s not far off.”
Source: Kansas City Star

The Cornerback Battle

True freshman Chris Harris appears to be a real contender for starting corner in the absence of Kendrick Harper. From Ryan Wood's notebook:

“At first I was trying to play to get in that top three to be in that nickel (defense),” Harris said. “When Kendrick went down, it was, ‘Oh no, I’ve got to play to start now.’”

This one really surprises me. With the experience last year, I really thought Anthony Webb would take this spot. Losing the job to Harper is one thing, but losing it to a true freshman is a little different.

Aqib Gets Love From San Antonio

Burnt Orange Nation tipped everyone off to this San Antonio Express-News Tim Griffin rundown on the Big 12. Griffin's comments on Aqib Talib: 

"Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib's nation-leading 28 passes defended last season might be one of the most incredible statistical numbers compiled in recent seasons. Talib led the nation with 22 passes broken up - four more than his closest challenger - and also added six interceptions. Talib's numbers are even more amazing considering he was suspended for the Jayhawks' first two games of the season and the Jayhawks didn't play in a bowl game. The top three contenders all had three or four more games than he did. Imagine what Talib might be able to accomplish this season if he can  maintain his eligibility."

Arkansas Wideout Considers Transfer to KU

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/aug/14/ryan_woods_ku_football_notebook/?football

Andrew Norman, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver from Springdale, Ark., is expected to choose between two schools in the next couple of days, according to the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas.

Robert Norman, Andrew’s father, did not return a phone call seeking comment. But he told the Morning News, “It’s either Kansas or Tulsa. There were some other schools that called, too, but it’s basically either Kansas or Tulsa. It should be determined no later than Wednesday.”

Kansas or Tulsa. Big 12 vs Conference USA. I never understand how this is a tough decision.

The 1941 Jayhawk

AKA -- The Football Jayhawk

It's one of the many annual topics on the message boards. Put the Jayhawk on the helmet and more specifically, the 1941 Jayhawk. Kansas football fans seem to prefer the '41 Jayhawk, because he's brings a certain anger and attititude that the current Jayhawk just can't match.

However, if you check out the Helmet Project (scroll down once you get to the Big 12 page), the Jayhawk does look a little strange on the helmet. So, lately I 've been wondering if it would be cool to use the '41 Hawk as a small helmet sticker for good plays ala Ohio State. Perhaps that wouldn't work with the famous Trajan lettering on the side. Possibly just a small '41 Hawk at the base of helmet on the back. Right now it reads "Jayhawks" there, but that might work. In fact, my favorite KU hat has a small '41 Hawk on the back and it looks pretty sharp.

Anyway, it's all part of the fun of speculating on the internet, but you can be sure the popularity of the "angry Jayhawk" will never die with KU football fans.

ESPN's 4-Minute Big 12 Preview

A better title might be "The Big 12 South Preview."

Mark Mangino Loves Bloggers

Hates Kurt Caywood

In a brilliant move to push the blog media ahead of the mainstream, Kansas head coach Mark Mangino closed a recent Topeka Jayhawk Club meeting to the boys with the press passes:

"Mangino spoke to the press before the 6 p.m. kickoff, but when he entered the banquet room, media were told — for the first time in my 20-plus professional years and, quite possibly, in history — they wouldn't be allowed inside."

The horror. Clearly Mangino is fighting for your local bloggers who thus far are still denied media passes. So, on this day, the "real media" was locked out while the blog and message board crew was able to get the exclusive scoop for $18 a head. The revolution is on.

Link to Kurt Caywood's Take (Summary: KSU are good folk; KU = Snob Hill)

Update on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 06:42AM by DJ Goodwin

Looks like all is well with Kurt and Mangino. Sounds like some sort of mix-up.

http://blogs.cjonline.com/index.php?entry=4339#extended

KU the Dregs?

Excellent Preview On Fanhouse

See if you can find any issues with this preview on Fanhouse. Typos are fairly common for bloggers posting at high speed; however, under no circumstances can you call my team "Kansas State."

"PROGNOSIS: Kansas State should open up 4-0, although they did lose to Toledo last year. Games against Baylor ..."

YouTube Sports Big 12 Preview

From Deadspin via DoubleExtraPoint or vice versa. However you like it. No further comment is needed.

An Edge At KU

Quotes Hammer on A Theme

By now all hardcore fans have perused the official KU website quotes from media day a few times. Still, reading through them again, I noticed a theme that many of the players seem to be tapped into. There's a lot of confidence there in the talent and a lot of talk about working as a team. Those are standard cliches for all players and coaches on media, and we've certainly heard it at KU before. However, there seems to be an edge, or intensity just below the surface that shows that these players really do believe they have the talent to contend for a championship. I've followed KU long enough to witness a lot of optimistic August sessions. Somehow, this one seems different. It's nothing specific and perhaps it's imagined, but this team seems to have a confidence level right now that goes beyond the talk. We'll see. No one ever won a game on media day, but something seems slightly different this year. Check out the following quotes and see if you agree:

"It's a confident group and we are in a position right now where we feel if we keep things rolling and stay at the tempo that we are right now, good things are going to happen."
--Mark Mangino

"Right now, we are a team that others have to prepare to play. We are a very good team, but good is the enemy of great. For us to be a great team, we have to consistently go in to each game with a goal and be on the same page. We cannot afford to have the links on our team who do not want to preform to the best of their ability and have excuses. When our team comes together and gels and works hard for the person next to you and not for yourself is when we will be a great team on the field."
--Darrell Stuckey

"One thing I have noticed is the enthusiasm of the team, just to get out and work together and try to be the best we can be. We had a bunch of guys step up in the winter in the spring, and they are great leaders right now.
--Kerry Meier

"We want to contend for championships, and our team doesn't settle for average. Nobody wants to settle for mediocrity on this team."
--Derek Fine

"We have the play makers, we just need to have the mind-set to put it all together."
--Derek Fine

"I like the team's confidence. We've got a lot of swagger. We believe that if we play team ball we can go out there and beat anybody. We have a lot of enthusiasm. We came out in practice with no pads and people were just banging and hitting each other like we were in full pads."
--James McClinton

"We have learned from things that have happened in the fourth quarter. Now I feel like our team is ready to learn from those experiences and take them to the field. A lot of the guys who have experienced those close losses and bad losses will be able to play through them and redeem themselves."
--Brandon McAnderson

"This camp will be very important for us because as long as we get everything down. We have the talent and skill. This could be the year where we put it all together."
--Mike Rivera

"Now that camp has started I have set all the national attention things on the side. It is time to grind and go to work. That stuff is for the off-season. I don't worry about that stuff now."
--Aqib Talib

Jake Sharp is the Winner

The 2007 KU Media Day Nuke LaLoosh Award

Cleary Jake Sharp has studied his sports films. I wonder if he had a straight face when he unleashed this gem on the new facility:

"We are all real excited and it is very exciting to be here right now. It is an exciting time at KU."

http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080707aaa.html

Kendrick Harper Out 4-6 Weeks

Ryan Wood of KUsports.com is reporting early info from media day that JUCO corner Kendrick Harper will miss 4-6 weeks. No injury was specified. I guess the message board reports were off this time. This should make for an interesting battle between Anthony Webb and Gary Green II.

Angus Quigley Hype

KU Football News Round Up

KUsports.com Likes AQ

"He caught a few passes out of the backfield and had a nice run near the end of the workout, streaking through a seam on the right side with noticeable acceleration."

Um ... I'm sold. A big back with "acceleration" that can catch. It's hard to not be excited about the potential weapons we have on offense. With both Quigley and Sharp catching out of the backfield, that's going to be quite a change-up for defenses. The key word is potential, but I'm starting to think one of the two QBs ought to connect the dots with this unit

Put Down the Joint

"...it’s not impossible the Big 12 Conference could merge with the Southeastern Conference some day. Kansas and Arkansas wouldn’t meet every year if they were in the same mega league, but they would have to play football from time to time."

I know it's a liberal town, but should weed be allowed in the newsroom?

It's Media Day

And I'm headed to Dubuque. Sometimes the real job just doesn't make sense.

Todd Reesing Has the Edge

At Least On the Gridiron Board

Though it's early, Todd Reesing has the edge with fans according to what has become the definitive first open practice thread on the Phog Board. Other highlights from the fans:

• The fade route during the Nick Q error era has left many KU fans with permanent emotional scars
• A couple of posters rank Tyler Lawrence ahead of both Reesing and Kerry Meier throwing the ball. Interesting because Reesing seems pretty strong with the ball.
• The speculation is that Kendrick Harper had a hand injury that could be fairly minor. It's a message board, but it's somewhat surprising how often these guys call it correct.
• The Mike Rivera deal is intriguing. I just want to see him on the field.
• Dezmon Briscoe sounds like a lock to get some PT this year. Wouldn't that be nice? Have a freshman wideout just come in and blow us away in year one.