Important dates

I know, I have been away for awhile. Football season is coming, and that means the blog will be back in full force EVERY DAY (that's the goal).

Some important dates to remember. Big East media day is July 29. That is later than the past and gives the coaches and more importantly the players (captains) some more time off. It's a popular event. There is an outing for the media and coaches at Newport National, followed by a clam bake at the Eisenhower House later that day in Newport. It's the envy of all other media days.

Looks like the Huskies added a pair of recruits per scout and rivals. Tyler Bullock, a defensive end from PA and New Hampshire DB Chris Lopes. In football, I have no idea how these kids are and how they compare. We'll find out in 2 or 3 years. Basketball recruiting is so much more precise.

I have started to get my annals. Some are nonsense. Phil Steele maintains that this is the best team UConn has had, yet, he has the Huskies picked for seventh place. What? Either this is the best team UConn has had, or last season was a mirage. It can't be both.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach has the Huskies out of the bowl. I am not surprised. I was sitting next to Mark (nice guy) at the West Virginia game. I would have left them out too after that game.

What is happening is people can't remember how the games unfolded and they go and look at the stats. Huskies were out gained in Big East play, so naturally the Huskies got lucky.

The only luck they had was the injury bug. Games like Pittsburgh and Louisville and their penchant for getting early leads (Rutgers) skewered the yardage a bit. UConn had an awful lot of short fields if I can remember.

I'll start a mailbag if ya'll want it.

Email is jsilver@journalinquirer.com. That's easiest way to contact or just leave a comment, I'll try to answer them promptly. In the season it gets a lot more hectic.

Any suggestions? I have stayed away from non-uconn stuff with some notable exceptions. I may start branching out.

Yes, I watched the NBA and had my family (wife and little daughter) decked out in Beat LA shirts. Let's just say it went as I predicted. I know more about the NBA than half the pundits who covered it.

First bust in NBA Draft is going to be without a doubt Russell Westbrook. Steal of the draft is the Minnesota second round pick Nikola Pekovic. This guy dominates Europe, but because of the weak dollar his buyout is prohibitive. Second big steal? Celtics and Bill Walker --if healthy. Anyhow, enough NBA, when the Sonics move to Hartford we'll delve more into it.

Lorenzen named to Unitas list

Courtesy of UConn...

CONNECTICUT FOOTBALL’S TYLER LORENZEN NAMED TO JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD WATCH LIST

STORRS, Conn. (June 13, 2008) - University of Connecticut quarterback Tyler Lorenzen (Fremont, Iowa) was named on Friday as one of 26 players to consider for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented by Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation’s top senior collegiate quarterback, by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. The award takes into consideration his impressive collegiate career to this point, as well as his off-the-field values of good character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and strong leadership qualities.

Lorenzen arrived at UConn last year after a Junior College All-America-winning 2006 season at Palomar Junior College near San Diego and immediately solidified the quarterback position in Storrs. In his first year at UConn, he helped guide the Huskies to the BIG EAST Championship and a berth in the Meineke Car Care Bowl with a 9-4 record. Lorenzen completed 197 of his 347 passes in 2007 (57-percent) for 2,367 yards with 13 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His 122.98 efficiency rating was the highest by a UConn signal caller since Dan Orlovsky in 2004.

The 2007 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient was Matt Ryan of Boston College. The award made its debut in 1987 when it was claimed by Syracuse's Don McPherson. Current UConn head coach Randy Edsall coached the then-Orangemen's defensive backs that season.


The namesake of the award has a storied history which has earned him the recognition of being named the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL. An 18-year veteran of the NFL, Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-1954), passing for 3007 yds and 27 TDs. Unitas, who wore #19 as a professional, had his # 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the lone number retired by the Cardinals. Unitas began his 18 year pro career with the Baltimore Colts in 1958 and played there until joining the San Diego Chargers for his final season. He completed 2,830 of 5,186 passes for 40,239 yds and 290 TDs during his 18 year NFL career. Among his many records is one that may stand forever, throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

Unitas was recently selected as the top quarterback of all-time by the Pro Football Hall of Fame 36 member selection committee. In commemorating the NFL’s 25th, 50th and 75th anniversaries, he was also honored as the "Greatest Quarterback of All-Time." A Pro Bowl participant 10 times and a three-time MVP honoree, Unitas was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1979. In turn of the century listings, Unitas was featured among Sports Illustrated's top ten athletes, Time’s ten most influential athletes and in ESPN’s series on the 50 Greatest Athletes of the Century.

The 2008 winner will be presented with the award on December 5th at the Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility, in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.


At the Convention Center for boxing Friday night...

Tranghese to step down

Mike Tranghese is making it official, he will step down as Big East commish in 2009.

Boston Globe reported it today, conference call at 1:30 p.m. Should be interesting what happens with the Big East. Tranghese has been such a big part of it, but I wonder how long it can hold together at 16 teams and only 8 football teams.

Probably a good time to retire. All in all, Tranghese he did an excellent job keeping the conference together after the raid.