http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/ WVU Football | WVU Fan Site Fri, 09 May 2008 11:42:44 -0500 http://backend.userland.com/rss/ Articles weBLog en http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/images/logo.gif http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/ 144 80 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=578 **You have entered the Mountaineer Locker Room** fight4urwhite2party: Damn, this new Grand Theft Auto is amazing. to_forgive_is_me: for real. ive been playing this nonstop 4 a week now puntazgetsl8d: you honkeys dont want any of tha kozman blastin his way from manhattan to long island scarface style fight4urwhite2party: I'm pretty sure Scarface was set in Miami. puntazgetsl8d: i'm pretty sure your face was set in my pants fight4urwhite2party: I don't even know what that means. to_forgive_is_me: i think my fav feature of the new game is being able to play online fight4urwhite2party: Yeah, but there's this one asshole that seems particularly hell-bent on killing all of us.**ONLINE HOST: In New Orleans...** tyler_turden: ALL THESE MOUNTAINEER BITCHES ARE GOING TO PAY!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! tyler_turden: /dies in the game tyler_turden: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT AGAIN!!!**ONLINE HOST: Back in Morgantown...** puntazgetsl8d: i dont even know why you boyz are playin this game. puntazgetsl8d: if theres 3 things tha kozman knows well, its blazin gats and pimpin hoes to_forgive_is_me: whats the third thing puntazgetsl8d: wut to_forgive_is_me: damn, son**dolla_dolla_bill has entered the chat** dolla_dolla_bill: Hey fellas, is there any particular reason there are a dozen police cars outside our practice facility? san_quinton: i thought yall thaid we was stealin cars tonight Thu, 08 May 2008 11:16:47 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=578 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=577 Editor's note- This is the first installment of an ongoing series of articles as we enshrine legendary WVU football and basketball players into the Couch Hall of Fame. Obviously, there's already a WVU Hall of Fame, but the Couch Hall of Fame is slightly less conventional, reserved for those athletes who have earned immortality- for whatever reason- on these pages during the time of the site's existence. Steve Slaton exploded onto the national scene on October 15th, 2005. In one of the most memorable games in Mountaineer history, Steve seemingly singlehandedly led the team back from a 24-7 4th quarter deficit to a thrilling 46-44 3OT victory over Louisville. Along the way he amassed 208 yards and a Big East record SIX touchdowns in his 2nd start ever. In my opinion, that game was an enormously important turning point for the WVU football program and a game that left the whole nation wondering “who is that fast kid?”Ok, so Pat and the O line helped some.Super Steve arrived on campus in 2005 out of Levittown, PA. He was not heavily recruited out of HS despite gaining 1836 yards and 26 TD's his senior year. He was offered a scholarship by UNC, Maryland, and Rutgers, originally choosing Maryland. Fortunately for the Mountaineers, Ralph Friedgen rescinded the scholarship offer in favor of running back Morgan Green, who has responded to that honor in a head-to-head match-up with Slaton by posting a stellar zero career yards in 3 carries and no TD's compared to Slaton's near 4,000 yards and 55 total TD's. (Savvy, Ralph.)Slaton started the 2005 campaign as the 4th string back behind highly-touted freshman Jason “Class is for sellouts” Gwaltney, junior incumbent Jason Colson, and sophomore Pernell Williams. SS saw his first action in the 2nd game of the season against powerhouse Wofford College. Already up 14-0, Slaton’s first action was actually a 14 yard reception, fittingly thrown by Pat White, who was also breaking in as a first-year QB. Slaton finished the game with 8 carries for 42 yards and the one catch, and zero indications of the spectacular career that was ahead of him. As such, he didn’t see the ball again in the next 2 games. But then when all other options weren't working, Slaton saw action against a very good Virginia Tech defense, tearing them up for 90 yards on just 11 carries. He was promoted to starter the next week against Rutgers, and his 174 yard effort solidified his status as a starter and future star of the Mountaineers. The next week was the memorable Louisville game that made Steve Slaton a household name around the country and a living god to Mountaineer fans, as The Fast One scored six TD's while running for 188 yards in a 3OT thriller at Mountaineer field. The Mountaineers finished up the regular season with 4 more wins with the dynamic duo of Slaton and White (now the team's starter) torching each team in turn. Pitt caught a particularly brutal beating as White and Slaton combined for 399 yards and 4 TD’s on the ground. Pitt Coach Dave Wannstedt, when asked what his team needed to do in the second half, responded that his team just needed to “run faster.”After Slaton led the Mountaineers to the Big East title with 924 yards and 14 TD's (despite appearing in only 8 games, with limited time in the first two), a date at the Sugar Bowl against the SEC champion Georgia bulldogs awaited. The Big East was viewed as an inferior conference and its future as a BCS Conference was actually thought to be in jeopardy at the time. All-American safety Greg Blue made the infamous mistake of disrespecting Slaton and White before the game:Quote:"They're freshmen," All-American safety Greg Blue said. "We've just got to introduce them to how we play in the SEC." -Associated PressHis comments did not have the desired effect. Not only did Slaton not play like a freshman, he broke the Sugar Bowl rushing record, compiling 204 yards and 3 TD’s while making the Georgia defense look glacially slow. His pair of 52-yard touchdowns were daggers in the hearts of bitter Georgia fans everywhere.Dagger #1Dagger #2Not only was Slaton the hero of arguably the biggest win in WVU football’s history, he was also the star of arguably the biggest win in Big East football history. That win in large part quieted the murmurs about the Big East losing its automatic BCS bid, and it became obvious that Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese owed Mr. Slaton a steak dinner for his efforts. It was about this time that a certain furniture related website began speculating how fast Slaton really was. He was named First Team Freshman All-American, Big East Rookie of the Year, 2nd team All Big East, and Nokia Sugar Bowl MVP. Not too shabby for a guy that was cast aside by Ralph Friedgen and started the year 4th on the Mountaineers' depth chart. Slaton picked up where he left of in 2006 and that campaign is in the history books as one of the best individual seasons for any WVU athlete ever. He started off by tallying 203 yards against the Thundering Turd and racked up 105 yards and 2 TD’s the next game against Eastern Washington, which would seem unremarkable but for the fact that Slaton played TWO series in that game. Had he played the whole game it is entirely possible that he would have gained the yardage necessary to measure the distance to Venus and back.Slaton got his revenge against Maryland for rescinding their scholarship offer the next week and gave one of my favorite interviews ever, which was shown during halftime of that game. Here is the interview, then the highlights of him torching the hapless Terps.Prepare for your jaw to drop at 1:36.The Eer’s won 4 more before stumbling against Louisville. Slaton fumbled twice in that game and had to leave the game. Though the loss stung and Slaton's fumbles contributed to that loss, Mountaineer fans learned later that Slaton had been playing with 2 broken wrists during the game. THAT my friends, takes balls that clank. It takes even more guts to finish the season like that, which he did until a deep thigh bruise kept him mostly off the field in that year’s Gator Bowl. By the end of the year, Steve had amassed 1744 yards on the ground and 2104 all-purpose yards, both WVU all-time records. He also scored 16 touchdowns, 8th best in the nation, and was named a finalist for the Doak Walker award (best running back), consensus first team All-American, first team All Big East, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, and finished 4th in for the Heisman Trophy. And he was only a sophomore.Super Steve missed spring practice in 2007 after having surgery to repair his wrists, and showed up to fall practice looking like he'd added about 100 lbs of muscle to his upper body. He and White were often mentioned in preseason Heisman chatter and he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the 2nd time.Rated SI’s most popular cover of 2007. Seriously.Slaton started the season with four 100+ yard games including 137 yards and 3 scores in his annual Maryland embarrass-a-thon. Steve was gracious enough to allow highly-recruited freshman sensation Noel Devine (who had stated his desire to attend WVU was based upon the success he'd seen from the similarly diminutive Slaton) to handle the mop-up duty which turned into a 136 yard highlight reel for his heir apparent. 2 weeks later against South Florida, with Patrick White early out with an injury, Slaton was held to less than 100 yards for only the second time since he became the starter, 2 years earlier.After that game, the Mountaineers racked up 6 wins in a row, during which time Steve became the all-time WVU career leader in rushing touchdowns, passing the 42 notched by Avon Cobourne and Ira Rodgers. 3 weeks later he became the all-time leader in points scored by a non-kicker against Cincy. Despite breaking records, Steve was held to less than 100 yards rushing in 4 of the 6 games. It seemed that defenses were keying on him, allowing White to run amok. Also during this stretch, Steve and Patrick became just the 3rd duo in NCAA history to both notch consecutive 1000 yard rushing seasons. (20 Couch points to whoever can name the other 2 pairs in the comments section.)The next game is not recognized by WeMustIgniteThisCouch.com as having actually happened, so we'll skip that affair.In Slaton’s last game as a Mountaineer, the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, he sadly sustained a hamstring injury midway through the first quarter and had to leave the game after only 2 touches. It was not the ending any Mountaineer fan foresaw in one of the most productive and exciting careers in WVU history, but it in no way tarnishes the legacy of Steve Slaton. Slaton's legacy is putting WVU football on the map as a national powerhouse; the team that you don’t want to play because their speed isn't something you can account for. It’s tough to separate the legacies of Steve Slaton and Patrick White because they’ve been together their whole careers to this point. Besides the explosive runs that were his trademark, the thing that all Mountaineer fans loved about having Steve on the team was the obvious affection between himself and Patrick White. Mountaineer fans were proud to have two superstars that were not only terrors on the field, but best friends off the field. Two guys that you never had to worry about getting in trouble, guys that were respectful at all times, but also had fun. The dual faces of WVU’s program the past 3 years could not have been better representatives of the Mountaineer program, and therefore the entire school and state. Last week, Steve Slaton was drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans after deciding to forego his senior season, fulfilling his dream of playing in the NFL. While Mountaineer fans are all sad to see him leave, Slaton deserves every ounce of success that he has achieved. We here at The Couch (and Mountaineers everywhere) wish him nothing but the best of luck in the future. We are proud to name Steve Slaton the first inductee to the Couch Hall of Fame. Tue, 06 May 2008 10:13:57 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=577 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=576 Friday, Mountaineer basketball coach Bob Huggins signed an 11-year, $22 million plus contract extension that runs through the 2018-19 season. Huggins will make $1.6 million next season and make an additional $100,000 annually after that, according to this Charleston Daily Mail article from today.But considering the controversies surrounding the WVU Athletic Department and the WVU administration these days, it's not surprising that this is much larger than your typical "Coach X signs a contract extension" story.Among the juicy details concerning Huggins' new contract is the revelation that it contains a buyout clause of exactly 4 million dollars that can be seen as nothing other than a gigantic middle finger to Rich Rodriguez, who is currently in litigation with WVU over the issue of such a buyout clause for that exact amount. His claim is that other promises were made to reduce that amount before he signed the contract. The issue of the not-so-coincidental buyout provision with the not-exactly-a-miracle dollar amount was mentioned to Huggins and WVU President Mike Garrison at the press conference announcing the new contract. And according to this Associated Press article, "When asked whether he had received any promise or assertion from the administration that was not written into his own contract, Huggins responded, 'Not that I know of.''Me either,' added Garrison."Huggs is toeing the University line quite well. (AP Photo)President Garrison draws news with just about anything he does lately, as additionally, the previously cited Charleston Daily Mail article notes that the contract negotiations between Huggins and WVU apparently occurred without the knowledge of WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong. That article states that "The WVU athletic staff had no knowledge of the 'lifetime' contract talks until WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong finally was informed about it 24 hours before the dog-and-pony show to announce it."Aside from the fact that it doesn't make much sense to have an athletic director that isn't involved in contract negotiations with head coaches of the athletic programs, such secrecy also tends to lend credibility to the Rodriguez argument that the WVU Athletic Department and administration are the prime example of one hand failing to communicate with the other hand.The announcement of Huggins' new contract was supposed to serve as a welcome respite from DegreeGate, the scandal involving Mylan, Inc. CEO (and daughter of Gov. Joe Manchin) Heather Bresch and the masters degree that there's no way in hell that she earned allegedly wasn't earned, fully detailed here.WVU President Mike Garrison was looking for all the good publicity he could get in the days before today's Faculty Senate no-confidence vote that could end his tenure as President. The newly signed basketball coach weighed in with his opinion on the situation when given the chance on Friday. “I’ve been confident in Ed Pastilong and Mike Garrison since the day I got here,” says Huggins. “They have been great to work for and I thank them for allowing me to continue to work for them.” (Source- previously cited AP article.)Generally, if the controversy surrounding you reminds me of Clay Davis from the HBO show "The Wire", that's probably not a good thing. From a pure fan's perspective, the Huggins signing is great news for the University and its basketball program for years to come. Obviously, WVU fans are less naive than they used to be when it comes to the stunning lack of binding commitment from long-term contracts, but to see Huggins' name on the dotted line for that amount of time further demonstrates his stated commitment to remain at WVU for quite some time.And considering the incredible success Huggins had in one season at WVU, that's good news for any WVU basketball fan.As long as this is just a basketball decision, it makes perfect sense.It's the background information that gives you the feeling that you need to wash clean your computer screen after reading it. Mon, 05 May 2008 14:02:40 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=576 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=575 Roger Clemens has been affectionately known as "the rocket" to all his adoring fans. Sure, the guy liked to throw 102 mph fastballs at the batter's ear, but he sure could throw hard! Little did the whippersnappers know that one day their idol would be swimming in controversies of steroid accusations, racially insensitive remarks, adultery, and whatever else hits the papers in the next few days. Until we learn of Roger hiding Osama Bin Laden in his garage, we can offer him the honor of being the latest addition of WMITC's Photoshoppin' Fridays. Enjoy. Fri, 02 May 2008 15:09:18 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=575 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=574 The noise begins to build in the corner of Mountaineer Field as a few fans catch a glimpse of the West Virginia University football players coming out of the locker room. Anticipating the team's entrance, the rest of the stadium begins to roar as they rise to their feet. A young linebacker from Northeast Ohio wearing #63 takes his first ever steps onto the field of play as a starter for the West Virginia Mountaineers. As the noise and excitement build, he's suddenly aware of every nerve in his body tingling. Numbness sets in, he can barely catch his breath, and his mind is a blank canvas in response to the atmosphere. The loud crack of hard plastic contact and the thud of bodies hitting the turf brings him back to reality. He stands over a downed ball carrier... the game was on.The player wearing the # 63 jersey was Tom Zakowski, a young farm-boy from Colebrook, OH, who also happens to be my dad. Zakowski was an All-Ohio High School fullback/linebacker at Grand Valley High School. With strength and stamina hardened by life on a farm, Zakowski was able to pile up 2,324 yards and 30 TDs as a fullback at Grand Valley, while also amassing 404 tackles in his high school career including 168 in a single season. He and his younger brother, Mike (who would himself later become a Mountaineer football player), fashioned weight sets from steel poles and concrete, lifting vigorously until neither could raise their arms. The reward? Heavy recruiting from Kent State, Miami (OH), Wisconsin, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, and West Virginia. Morgantown was like nothing he'd ever seen before as a kid from the flat farmland of Northeastern Ohio. He was amazed by the houses constructed on the side of a hill. High school coach Walter Vilk drove Zakowski and his parents to the campus down two lane roads that connected Colebrook OH to Morgantown. The visit to Morgantown included touring the campus and facilities, staying in the dorms, and meeting the coaching staff. It was there, in Head Coach Jim Carlen's office, the meaning of being a Mountaineer and hating Pitt was first mentioned. "Up over the back of his chair on the wall was an old piece of wooden goal post with the score of a Pitt – West Virginia game," Zakowski later recalled. Coach Carlen described the significance of the rivalry and how the Pitt game was a special game for West Virginia. Yes, this was the school for him.Donny Young shows off his tenacious, young talent in Zakowski.Summer rolled around and Zakowski finished American Legion baseball and headed to Morgantown to begin his Mountaineer career and the 1969 season. At that point in time, the Freshmen had their own team and were prohibited by the NCAA from playing varsity college football. Zakowski was mixed with "Player of the Year" award winners and High School All-Americans. "When I was in high school I was one of the biggest kids, when I was there I was one of the smallest kids…. There were guys that were a lot bigger than me, there were guys that were a lot faster than me," Zakowski remembered. The intimidation factor played a huge role, but Zakowski maintained the same intensity level from his days as an All-Ohio Star onto the field of play at West Virginia. Three games into his freshman season, Zakowski climbed the depth chart at FB and earned the start against Pitt, running for 142 yards on 21 carries with 2 TDs and a 2-point conversion catch in the winning effort. He finished the four game freshman season with 20 points and 254 yards rushing. The freshman season wrapped-up midway through the Varsity season and the freshmen became the second scout team to give the Varsity players looks in practice. Changes were underway at WVU the following season. Head Coach Jim Carlen took a position as the head coach of Texas Tech following the 10-1 1969 season, taking nearly his entire staff with him. One member of the staff stayed in Morgantown, though, as Carlen's offensive coordinator stuck around to become West Virginia's New Head Coach. His name was Bobby Bowden. Bowden gained notoriety by implanting his wishbone offense in the 1969 Peach Bowl win over South Carolina, and he maintained that offense for the duration of his time in Morgantown. This statue of Bowden stands in Tallahassee, but he was the head football coach at WVU for 6 seasons before that.Bowden moved Zakowski from fullback to tight end, and eventually to the other side of the ball as a linebacker before the 1970 season. Midway though that season, his dreams of playing with the varsity were put on the back-burner as he was redshirted. Zakowski was removed from the traveling squad and played only scout team defense. "It gave me time to sit back and focus on what was going on with the varsity… There was a hunger there and I wanted to be a part of it," Zakowski recalled. During that redshirt season, Zakowski developed a desire to play that would eventually drive him to become one of West Virginia University's top linebackers.All of the hard work and extra effort payed off during the summer football camp prior to the 1971 season with a golden opportunity. The coaching staff revealed to Zakowski that he'd be the starting strong-side linebacker in the 5-2 defense, also responsible for receiving the signals from the sideline and calling the plays on defense. Although overjoyed, Zakowski had no time to celebrate, as competition for a starting spot was fierce, and second-string was always ready to fill the role. He later recalled, "It was always in the back of my mind, if I got hurt or if I screwed up real bad, this guy could come in and he could play in my absence." He played hard and he played well, solidifying his role as a starter and earning him the John C. Russell Award, given to the 'Outstanding Defensive Player' as voted on by teammates. The coaching staff was thrilled by his defensive production, and he still had two more seasons of eligibility left. Even more remarkable was the confidence instilled in him by his teammates. "The members of the team voted me to be Captain for the whole year for the next season. It was really kind of uplifting and humbling, and pretty cool" recalls Zakowski. He rewarded their confidence with 11 tackles as well as an interception and forced fumble against Tulane. Against hated Pitt, he accounted for another 11 tackles and a pass break-up to halt a Panther drive late in the game. Zakowski took the ECAC weekly All-star title once and honorable mention once. Zakowski believed he played the game of his life against Penn State during that 1972 season. "Sometimes when you get in the zone, you can't see anybody else getting to the ball carrier and making the tackle but you." Defensive Coordinator Hayden Buckley breaks out the 'yo mama' jokes.Zakowski was again voted by his teammates to be the Team Captain for the 1973 season. Coach Bowden noted in The Dominion Post, July 22, 1973 that "Tom is Mr. Consistent and he improved even more this spring. We can win with Tom Zakowski." Zakowski earned such praise that season by amassing 101 unassisted tackles in a season- still good for 4th all time at WVU in that category.Bobby Bowden and his Mountaineer squad went 21-13 during Zakowski's 3 years as starter at West Virginia. Zakowski said of Bowden, "He was a mastermind as far as offense goes. He was in control of the team, he had really good pre-game speeches, and he had that southern draw that was interesting to listen to. It was fun to play for him." The journey was highlighted by wins against Boston College, Miami, Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Syracuse. And most importantly to the Mountaineer faithful, WVU beat Pitt 2 out of the three years of Zakowski's career (and 3 out of 4 for Zakowski if you count his season on the freshman squad.)How many of us would kill for a picture of ourselves destroying a QB from Pitt? Over the course of his career Zakowski faced incredible talent such as Lydell Mitchell, Franco Harris, Tony Dorsett, John Cappeletti, and Barty Smith. Zakowski stated, "Probably the one that was most impressive to me was John Cappeletti- he was virtually unstoppable." (Cappeletti won the 1973 Heisman Trophy as his Penn State team went undefeated.)He also was fortunate to share the field with Mountaineer greats during his tenure at WVU, from Danny Buggs to Steve Dunlap to Kerry Marbury to Jeff Merrow, Thor's dad. Eventually, Zakowski's playing career came to an end, but all the glory and achievements never bred an ounce of ego into one West Virginia's most modest players. According to the Sunday Gazette Mail (July 22 1973), "Tom's humble manner masks his fierce attitude on the playing field. He is justly proud of his teammate's praise, but is hesitant to talk about it." To this day, it's hard to imagine any single person with more pride invested in the Mountaineers and the State of West Virginia than Zakowski . He's a regular at Milan Puskar Stadium these days, one of the first on his feet when the Mountaineer defense pins the opponent with a 3rd and short and one of the last to leave the stadium win or lose. And like many other regular WVU fans, his eyes well up after hearing the first few notes of "Country Roads" by John Denver.It was one hell of ride for Zakowski as a player, but the unwavering thrill for his beloved Mountaineers still remains for him as a fan. And like every other fan of the old Gold and Blue, he's got his opinions about the team these days. "I can't wait for the season to start…. I'm excited and anxious to see what Pat White is going to do this year. Defense is still my favorite aspect of the game, though. I love to watch good defenses and I think West Virginia is going to have a good returning defense once they plug a few holes."Zakowski experienced a coaching change himself as a player, and believes the current changing of the guard will accomplish great things. Zakowski says of Coach Bill Stewart, "He was the right man at the right time. I don't know too many people that could pull those kids together and get them focused to play a team like Oklahoma and win [big]." Zakowski thought it was impressive to see that situation unfold and remarkable that the West Virginia athletic department recognized the feat and gave Stewart the opportunity to fill the role as head coach full-time.For a farm boy from Northeastern Ohio, West Virginia University became the source of many grand memories and will forever hold a place in his heart. He had the opportunity to play for Bobby Bowden, to play with top notch teammates whom he respected deeply, and to share the field with his younger brother Mike. He met his wife Patti while enjoying the social graces the campus has to offer, and though located now in Buckeye Country, he raised his kids to be Mountaineer fans just the same. Tom Zakowski's contributions on the field are forever engraved in Mountaineer history, and his pride and spirit as a player, fan, and proud father raising his kids in the tradition of the Blue and Gold exude all that is Mountaineer Pride to this day. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:31:33 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=574 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=573 Photopshoppin' Fridays is making a comeback boys and girls!For those unaware of what photoshoppin' means, I feel sorry for you my Internet failing friends. We post a picture, you perform any photo manipulation and edits as needed to make fellow couchers shoot Natty Light out their noses. When finished, just post the picture in the comments below. It's that simple. (If you need an image hosting site, try Imageshack or Photobucket.)This week: Everybody's favorite helmet headed Draft "expert," Mel Kiper Jr. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:58:38 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=573 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=572 **You have entered the NFL Draft Mountaineer Chat Room dingle_bells: Well, this is it. This is the day we've all been waiting for. stevie_wonder: I'm just glad I'm finally slow enough to participate in Wire discussions. This is like a dream come true to me. naudyahead: Well, we're already a few rounds in. Who do you think is going to be the first one of us to be drafted? wicksipedia: According to every projection I've seen, Owen schould be the first to go. letsgetschmitty: I AM HONORED THAT YOU THINK SO HIGHLY OF ME. letsgetschmitty: /belches black hole in universe manic_mundy: dude im so stoked for this draft. if_u_plant_it_it_magro: Say, what are you doing here, Ryan? I'd read that you returned to Michigan to get ready for the draft with Barwis. manic_mundy: i did, but its cool. this isnt the first time i ditched ann arbor, you know... haha bull_dykes: Yes, this is true. naudyahead: SHHHHHH!!! The next pick is coming up!**ONLINE HOST- Commisioner Goodell is announcing the pick.** johnny_b_goodell: WITH THE 22ND PICK IN THE THIRD ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT, THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS SELECT... OWEN SCHMITT, RUNNING BACK, WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY Jude: /shits pants manic_mundy: woah, congratulations, schmitty! naudyahead: Way to go, brother! letsgetschmitty: WOW. I DIDN'T KNOW I'D GET SO EMOTIONAL. letsgetschmitty: /sheds tear newyorkcity: /suffers 8.9-on-Richter-Scale-magnitude-earthquake**ONLINE HOST- A round has passed, and Commisioner Goodell is announcing the pick.** johnny_b_goodell: WITH THE 23RD PICK IN THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT, THE CLEVELAND BROWNS SELECT... STEVE SLATON, RUNNING BACK, WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY mike_brown: WOOO!!! SHIT YEAH!!! That was a totally great decision we made for you to go pro. You should get at least 50 bucks and a George Forman Grill in guaranteed money this way. stevie_wonder: Hey, this isn't quite what you promised it would be. mike_brown: Gee, you sound like my other client when you say it that way... HAHAHAHA**ONLINE HOST- The NFL draft is complete, and Schmitt, Slaton, Dingle, and Reynaud have been selected.** manic_mundy: Well, congratulations to all of you that got signed. I'm going to try to be an unsigned free agent acquisition. wicksipedia: Yeah, me too. if_u_plant_it_it_magro: ditto bull_dykes: Yup, same here. dingle_bells: Good luck to everybody. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other in the nfl at some point. puntazgetsl8d: AWW HELL NAH, I KNOW YALL AINT SAYIN THA KOZMAN AINT GET DRAFTED naudyahead: Scott? What are you doing here? I didn't even know you'd declared for the NFL draft. puntazgetsl8d: well i figured there cant be 31 OTHER coaches foolish enough to leave tha kozman kaboom unfired upon the masses gangsta style puntazgetsl8d: i guess... (sniff, sniff)... the dream is over... (sob, sob) naudyahead: Dude, are you crying? puntazgetsl8d: WHA... NO IM NOT CRYING. puntazgetsl8d: I THINK SOMEONE PUT ONIONS IN MY MY BLUNT Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:31:24 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=572 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=571 According to this AP article, Hall of Famer Jim Brown has offered his help and guidance to Adam "Pacman" Jones, who is currently awaiting word on his reinstatement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell despite recently being traded to the Dallas Cowboys.Future mentor for Pacman?Coincidentally (or not), Pacman will not be the first bad boy whose services have interested the human facial reconstructive canvas known as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Just recently, Jones brought in (conveniently named) Tank Williams to add some beef to the Cowboy defensive line despite the fact he had just finished a brief jail sentence and will have served an 8-game suspension all stemming from his multiple arrests for various charges including aggravated assault and illegal possessions of multiple firearms and assault rifles. We are all more than aware of Jones wooing of Terrell Eldorado Owens (yes, that is his middle name) after T.O.'s ugly divorce with the Eagles that included his public displeasure with Donovan McNabb and team management. (Click here for a fun new story involving T.O and porno!) So the news of Pacman (potentially) donning the helmet with a star shouldn't come in as a shock considering the history of Jones with the aforementioned names which does not even include the more infamous stories of Michael "that crackpipe belonged to my friend!" Irvin or Nate Newton who was caught with almost 400 lbs. of marijuana on 2 combined occasions.A picture obtained from law enforcement of the vehicle driven by Nate Newton when transporting the marijuana.Jim Brown, who many argue as one of the best all-time NFL players, has regularly extended support to those troubled in the past. He currently operates Amer-I-Can which is an outreach program designed for kids caught up in gangs and crimes among other extracurricular activities that don't include tennis and clay pottery. Brown is also often viewed as the informal ambassador between troubled athletes and professional executives and suits. Some of Brown's projects haven't worked out as well as he might have initially hoped (See: Clarett, Maurice). Okay, so Jim Brown doesn't have a 100% success rate.It should be noted that Jim Brown has a colorful past including posing for the centerfold in Playgirl magazine, as well as acting in a variety of films and on TV. Some of his films include Riot (which is about the ugliest riot in prison history to cover a dangerous, desperate break for freedom), 100 Rifles (about an Indian who robs a bank in order to buy guns for his people being repressed by the NFL Government), as well as other gems which may or not be in Pacman's DVD collection including Black Gunn, Crack House, and Original Gangstas. Whether or not Pacman accepts Brown's support, if it would even make a difference in his intended path towards being a law abiding citizen and NFL employee, or if they make a sequel to Black Gunn remain to be seen. No word yet on if this man has offered his support to Pacman.Movie Source: IMDB Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:01:48 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=571 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=570 Highly-touted but disappointing former-WVU running back Jason Gwaltney is back in the news after his attorney made clear in this Charleston Gazette article that he's reportedly enrolled in classes at a community college in an attempt to regain his eligibility and earn a spot on the WVU football team as a walk-on.For his part, WVU Football Head Coach Bill Stewart is quoted in that article as saying that: "We'd welcome him back, sure. If he can get his eligibility back, after all he's put into it, everybody deserves a second chance. But understand, it's all about chemistry. And Jason or anybody else in our program will have to follow all of our guidelines as far as going to class and being accountable. If he does all of that, certainly we'd welcome him.''Rumors of Gwaltney's possible return swirled before the beginning of the season last year, when this Beckley Register Herald article reported that Gwaltney was enrolled in classes at WVU and attempting to earn a spot on the football team as a walk-on. (He was eventually dismissed from any role on the team by then-Coach Rodriguez.) This followed after a previous season in which rumors swirled that he might make his return as well. In response, this website published the following article entitled "Second Chances and Jason Gwaltney" that seems appropriate to re-publish in an updated format now.We gave him our hearts and got burned. He's got to earn his way back, now.Second Chances and Jason Gwaltney (4-23-08 update)Since the rites of Spring in West Virginia now include heavy rain, blossoming flowers, and rumors of a Jason Gwaltney comeback, I figured it was time that WMITC weigh in on the issue of his return.Before I begin my diatribe on the issue, I should make some things clear. I am all about second (and sometimes third) chances. I realize that a long time ago, Jason was an 18-year-old kid a long way from home, making a few decisions that he’s come to realize were mistakes. And I am perfectly and completely willing to accept him as a member of my beloved Mountaineers if he continues to have the proper attitude and approach, and takes the appropriate steps towards that reinstatement. And that means doing something he hasn't shown he's capable of yet- working for it. Perhaps the root of the problem all along, as I suggested in this article when news broke of his transfer, was that he was handed EVERYTHING when he got to WVU the first time. (I mean, how many true freshmen have their jerseys sold in the Book Exchange before ever playing a down?) Then, when adversity came in the form of an injury and a far-less-hyped teammate tearing up the damn field, he folded like a lawn chair.Understandable. I would imagine that there are plenty of us (myself included) that made some mistakes at that age that we’d like to take back. But by the same token, we also have to remember that this kid abandoned the team a full THREE seasons ago. Stopped going to practice. Stopped going to class. Stopped going to rehab. These aren’t indiscretions that are taken lightly in ANY locker room. (At least not the ones I’ve been in.) He got another chance last year before Coach Rodriguez decided that he wasn't taking THAT comeback attempt seriously, summarily dismissing him from the team. And no one was surprised in the slightest.So there are certain things that must be cleared up before Mr. Gwaltney even sets foot on a Mountaineer practice field again. And joining a team that has won two BCS Bowl games in 3 years should be considered the utmost of privileges. Coach Stewart has apparently decided that if Gwaltney goes through the appropriate process and demonstrates a willingness to be accountable, he's going to let him earn a spot back with the Mountaineer football team.But as a fan, here’s my list of things Jason Gwaltney must do before I am willing to lend my support to his return to WVU. 1) Continue to stay quiet. No one wants to hear what position you’re going to play, how many yards you’re going to get, how soon you’re going to be back (all of which he said a couple of seasons ago, apparently earning a rebuke from the coaching staff). All we want to hear is other people talking FOR you, and this doesn’t mean Scooter or your attorney. We want to hear Coach Stew say, “He’s doing all the right things and might be back soon.” And judging from the details from the article today, it seems like you're on the right track. The more you talk, the less we listen. Believe me.It would behoove Gwaltney to remain silent.2) Go to class. Get tutoring. Get those grades up. Get eligible. If an article in The Sporting News says this about you: “It was reported that Gwaltney left Nassau Community College due to academics,” and then we hear that you haven't received any credits at any college since that time (although the Gazette article says that you're working towards that goal), that doesn’t exactly endear you to the community of WVU fans. When people hear that, then hear that you’re planning on going back to WVU, it makes our school sound like it has ZERO academic requirements for its athletes.But that’s not the case. Maybe playing football again for WVU is your ticket to the NFL, but your trip through WVU requires grades. The last guy that didn’t buy into that notion just got arrested for the fifth time in a year, got dismissed from his NFL team (just like he did from the Mountaineers), and has an asshole award named after him on a website with a flaming couch.3) Work. Work your ass off. Come back to the campus in the best shape of your life. And when you get here, be the “Rudy” of the program. Make the coaches rave to the press that they’ve never seen an athlete of your talent work so hard. Anything less will be seen as just another symptom of your lack of commitment.Be a non-hobbit-sized Rudy of the program.4) Have the proper attitude. When you’re finally accepted back onto the team and someone asks you how it feels, you say “I don’t want anything given to me. I let the team and their fans down last year, and now I’m going to prove to them that they can depend on me.” Come in expecting to ride the bench for a little while. There’s guys that put their blood and sweat into this program over the last three years while you were at home pouting. They’ve earned the respect and trust of fans. You haven’t. You were given that respect, and you squandered it. Now you’ve got to earn it again. Simple as that.If you feel disrespected, deal with it. It’s how we felt three years ago, and again last year when you were allowed near the team and again failed to live up to your obligations. 5) Understand that you aren't the star.Pat White, Tito Gonzales, Noel Devine, Reed Williams, Quinton Andrews, Scooter Berry, Ryan Stanchek, Jarrett Brown, Pat McAffee, Greg Isdaner, Jake Figner, and Scott Koszlowski (just kidding) are the stars of this team. You are not. Keep that in mind if you get a chance to put on their uniform again. This goes back to attitude.This guy- star. You- walk-on. Understand it.6) Stay out of trouble.You're already on the shortest of short ropes. Sure, you didn't get in much trouble after pleading "no contest Monday in Monongalia County magistrate court to a minor charge related to [your] arrest in June of 2007 for speeding and underage drinking," but that's one arrest too many. Even a jaywalking ticket will be too lawless for you in the future. Straighten up and fly right, or don't come back.The bottom line is this: if you put in the work, have the appropriate degree of respect for the team, the institution, and the fans and truly EARN your way back to the playing field, we’ll accept you as one of our own again.Anything less, and you’re a headache, a black eye on the program, an embarrassment, and we don’t want you back. Period. If any of this seems unfair to you, remember that you only have yourself to blame.It seems like you've taken the right attitude to this point. Make sure it stays like that.Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Don’t feel entitled to anything. Don’t screw up this chance.You're getting the second (and third) chance that some of us only wish we'd had. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:57:02 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=570 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=569 It's 3:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and I've already been through the line of people waiting to meet and get an autograph from Owen Schmitt, one of the most beloved players in the history of West Virginia University Football. Meeting him the first time (as a paid customer) was pretty exciting, as he autographed my Sports Illustrated College Football Preview issue with himself, Steve Slaton, and Pat White on the cover, which was about 30 minutes away from being framed and mounted on my 4 month-old son's bedroom wall. He was even so kind as to take a picture with my son, who I hadn't told him was also named Owen, and no, that wasn't a coincidence. Little Owen and Big OwenBut of course, that line and that meeting was a commercial enterprise, with some company called Collectibles, Etc. running the show, sponsoring Schmitty's appearance, and charging $25 for each signature. After we got through the line in a surprisingly short amount of time (more on this later) with our signature and our money shot, my wife and I went to the food court and walked around the mall a while, killing time on a Saturday afternoon.So it's 3:30 p.m., we're about to leave the mall, and I suddenly notice that there's absolutely no one left in the line to meet Schmitty. (The signing was to take place from 2-4 p.m.) I'd said all week that I thought it was a pretty bad idea to hold this signing on the same day as the Spring Game (which I couldn't attend for various reasons), but I never imagined that not only would there not be the ruckus of Schmitt's previous appearances on this tour in Charleston and Beckley, but that the line would be completely empty with 30 minutes left to go.So suddenly it occurs to me that I'm wearing a We Must Ignite This Couch Shirt, and that I have an opportunity of a lifetime before me: Owen Schmitt, with nothing to do and time to kill. So after explaining that I was from www.wemustignitethiscouch.com, I asked for an interview.Most people would see this pic and think that it shows really bad scheduling to have this on the same day as the Spring Game. I saw opportunity.His handlers told me that they'd have to wait until after the signing period was over before they could ask him, as there were still a few stragglers here and there walking up with their various Schmitt/WVU items to be signed. "No problem," I said, still half expecting to get rejected as Schmitty raced for the door to get the hell out of Martinsburg.As time rolled on, Schmitt signed a ton of stuff (gloves, football cards, even shoulder pads and football pants) that was being handed to him by the people accompanying him to his appearance. (Apparently to eventually be sold somewhere, to someone.) Eventually, 4 p.m. rolled around and his main handler asked him this fateful question: "Hey, do you have a couple of minutes to talk to this guy from the couch burning website?""Sure," the Mohawked Mountaineer replied.Now keep in mind that I'm completely and utterly unprepared for this interview. Not only do I have very few questions lined up, but I don't even have anything with which I can record our conversation. (It is at this point that outsiders should note that www.wemustignitethiscouch.com is, and has always been, a fan-oriented site, as opposed to a site of journalistic endeavor. We don't have press passes, we don't typically do official interviews, and for the most part, our opinions and analysis are colored by what we've gathered as fans of the team- from informal conversations with insiders close to the team as well to our own observations made while watching the games and devouring the surrounding coverage.) Aware of my lack of recording ability, I saddle up to Schmitty's table and introduce myself as the co-owner and head writer for a WVU fan site called We Must Ignite This Couch, to which Schmitt replies that he's heard of it. (Hell yeah, got one foot in the door already. This is going swimmingly.)It is at this point that I begin to ask him the sorts of questions that I, as a fan, am interested in, trying my damnedest not to allow this interview to devolve into the SNL sketch with Paul McCartney on the Chris Farley Show.You... you... you remember... when you had that 57-yard TD run in the Fiesta Bowl? That was awesome...So I start off by asking him what he thinks about the multitudes of fans that have been showing up all around the state to meet him at each of these events. (Keep in mind that the following quotes are paraphrased from my recollection of our conversation. He may not have uttered these EXACT words, but these were his thoughts.) "My favorite part about this whole thing going around the state has been the fact that I get to meet all these great Mountaineer fans. There's really a bunch of great people around the state."What is he hearing about his draft status? "Everyone keeps telling me all these different things. You never know what to believe. I'm just going to wait and see how it plays out."Is he one of those people that gives the standard line that he wants to play wherever he's drafted, or does he have a specific team he wants to play for? "I'll be happy going wherever I go, I'm just looking forward to getting into camp."What does he think about the Mountaineer team taking the field this year without him? "I think they're going to have a really, really good year. The offensive line is stacked with a bunch of studs all coming back and they should really be able to have a good season behind those guys."What does he think the difference will be with the team under Coach Stewart versus Coach Rodriguez? "I think it will be mostly the same, but I think they might be better this year because they'll be more rested between games."What's Coach Stewart really like behind the scenes? "He's a really nice, easy-going guy, but one thing people might not know about him is that when it's time to work, it's time to work. He's a great guy and easy to get along with, but he's all about hard work when it comes down to it."I mention the fact that I'm a big fan of his post-game speech from the Fiesta Bowl, and I ask him about that connection he feels with the state of West Virginia and the people here. "I really love this state. Obviously everything I've been able to accomplish has been because of WVU and West Virginia. I'll always feel a connection with this state and the fans of WVU."It's at this point that I realize that I have to ask him about the Coach Rod situation. Throughout the nasty proceedings between Rod and WVU, I've never heard what a player from last year (that is no longer on scholarship with the University, and therefore, able to completely speak his mind) has to say with regard to the situation.I try handle it gently.I say, "I know you probably get a million questions about this and you might not want to answer it, but what is your opinion with regard to the whole breakup between Coach Rod and WVU?"And believe it or not, it is this topic that gets Schmitt talking the most freely. "I thought it could've been handled a little better. No player is going to like the way it happened like that. But then, even Coach Rod wasn't happy about the way it happened. "But it was WVU's choice. If they wanted to keep him around they could've paid him the money he was asking for. And who knows what was said between the two as to whether the 4 million dollars would have to be paid or not when he left. But if he was supposed to pay it, then he should pay it."I understand why WVU fans are angry about Coach Rod leaving, but you also have to appreciate where he left the program. It's an elite program now, and he was a big part of that."But college football is different for players than it is for coaches. With the coaches, it really is a business and you see guys going all over the place every couple of years. I think WVU is in a really good spot now, though. They'll be good under Coach Stewart."Schmitt thinks we'll be just fine with this guy.At this point, I realize that I've run out of questions, and I've already taken up about 15 minutes of his time. Appreciating his graciousness in talking to me and not wanting to overstay my welcome, I thank him for his time, shake his hand, wish him good luck in all his future endeavors, and walk away.Afterwards, I torture myself with all of the questions I should have asked him. What was his favorite memory of his time at WVU? Does he do kegstands, and if so, what is his record time? Who is the opponent he most enjoyed destroying?I wonder if I should've told him that I so admired his perseverance and dedication in overcoming obstacles in his life that I decided to name my son after him. (My wife insists that our child is not named after him, but I insist that he is, and therefore he is 50% named after Owen Schmitt.) I eventually decide that telling him that would have probably creeped him out a bit, and it was probably a good decision to withhold that information.But I take stock of the day, and realize that not only did my son get to meet his (50%) namesake, but his old man got to meet his favorite Mountaineer football player ever, and damn if he wasn't a great guy to boot.And I know it was a good day.If only every athlete represented his fans' affections so well. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:28:32 -0500 http://www.wemustignitethiscouch.com/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=569