Allen's Brown is Heading to Arizona

Well, after much consideration and hard work Allen quarterback Matt Brown has decided where he will play college ball.

Brown gave a verbal committment to the Arizona Wildcats Tuesday. Arizona had a leg up on his recruitment due to some family connections, a terrific visit to the Tucson campus only helped the Wildcats in their efforts to land the Allen QB.

With family connections, a great visit under his belt and a good feeling about the future of the Arizona program, Brown had plenty of reasons to head west. In fact, when he couldn't think of reasons not to, he decided it was time to make a final decision.

Though Brown had picked up offers from other programs such as Nebraska, Kansas State and Iowa State, he is not longer looking for any more. In fact, he is relieved that he can spend the spring and summer focused on his high school team and not on recruiting.

Brown hopes to land Allen back to back state championships in Texas's largest classification and then compete for early playing time at Arizona. With high expectations for himself, he is taking into consideration early enrollment possibilities.

Texas HS Games Halted......

The outbreak of the Swine Flu in Texas has prompted Texas officials to postpone all athletic competition until May 11th. The move suspends the baseball, softball season and eliminates the regional track championships.

The UIL officials ted on the recommendation of public health officials.

The state golf and tennis championships are scheduled to begin May 11. The state track meet, one of the largest high school track and field competitions in the country, remains scheduled for May 13-14. But it will require shuffling the schedule significantly.
All UIL academic competitions are postponed as well.

Former Ennis QB Graham Harrell to Work Out for Browns

After going undrafted, Texas Tech and former Ennis HS quarterback Graham Harrell has agreed to attend the Cleveland Browns' rookie minicamp this weekend.

Harrell threw an NCAA-record 134 touchdown passes. More impressive was his completion percentage—above 70 in two 5,000-yard seasons and he still holds some records in Texas HS football.

Cleveland already has Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and Brett Ratliff on their roster but still has some interest in Harrell...

I'm concerned about the QB's that come out of the Mike Leach system at Tech. Put up big numbers in college, but fall on their face in the NFL...It's a lot like the Pete Carroll system at USC.

Celina's Lavey heading to Stillwater....

After trips to TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, OSU, Oklahoma, Baylor, Michigan and Notre Dame Caleb Lavey of Celina seems to like orange..The Bobcat linebacker has given his verbal to play for the Oklahoma State Cowboys..

Lavey expected to graduate in December hopes to enroll in January 2010. Lavey heading into his senior season for Celina also has experience at the tight end position. Lavey is being recruited for his dominance on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker.

Check out more on this story and more at theoldcoach.com

Ok so the Draft didn't go just how I expected, but whats new...

My gosh this get's more difficult every year, the NFL Draft that is. Heading into the first round I was fairing rather well, picking nine out of the first 10 picks..

Ok I had a lot of time on my hands and actually researched the "Top 10'.

With two Dallas natives (Matthew Stafford and Jason Smith) being picked one and two was pretty neat. It has been the buzz around the Metroplex too and will be for some time. Speaking of Dallas, the Cowboys stunk it up some would say, no I'm not saying that yet have not really had the time to research the picks they came out with yet.

I do like that "The Boys" picked up a couple of East Texas player's, in Tatums, Stephen Hodge and Gilmers Manual johnson.

Hodge was a member of the Tatum Eagles state champion teams and Johnson was the last QB to bring the gold to Upsher County where he Quarterbacked the Buckeyes to their last State championship.

They have both since hung up their signal calling to become dominant ballplayers at differeent positions. Hodge out of TCU played Free Safety for Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs, while Johnson was a "Big Time" receiver for Heisman Trophy Quarterback Sam Bradford at OU.

So for that I'm happy..As for Jerry and "The Boys" and their other picks. I'll let you know.

Draft 2009, it has to be the biggest day for the NFL. I know the Super Bowl is big, but only two teams are able to participate..In the Draft it's all 32 teams and that makes it pretty exciting.

That's all for now, but check back for more updates throughout the week...

Short

Highland Park Standout. Matthew Stafford Works out Deal with Lions

Georgia quarterback and former Highland Park standout Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions reached an agreement late Friday and it is the best one to ever hit the NFL

Six-year, $78 million deal that includes an NFL-record $41.7 million guaranteed. That's right the No.1 pick has surpassed all former mumero unos.

The deal represents the largest amount of guaranteed money for any player, rookie or veteran in NFL history, exceeding the $41 million in guaranteed that DT Albert Haynesworth received from Washington at the beginning of free agency this offseason.

Stafford and Haynesworth are the only players to top the $40 million guaranteed threshold.

Bible Happy With Decision

Anyone that has ever had the privilege to sit and visit with Taylor Bible, defensive tackle for the Denton Guyer Wildcats, knows that he is probably one of the nicest young men you'll ever meet.

What you may not know is he is a beast on the football field and anyone that has lined up across from this dominate force knows that.

Bible, at 6-3, 290 pounds was very instrumental in leading the Wildcats to the 4A State Semi-Finals last season before falling to Longview. Bible fell victim to double and triple teams all season, but still managed tally up 88 tackles, 42 of those were for loses behind the scrimmage.

The University of Texas commit has no hesitation about giving the Horns his verbal commitment. "After visiting with all the coaches and Coach Brown, I feel this is where I belong. They respect me and I respect them", said Bible.

Heavily recruited from many teams in the Big 12 and offers from other schools that included Arizona, Kentucky, UCLA and Oregon, Bible chose Texas because it's close to home and because of the tradition.

Bible who visited Austin on Junior Day in February and wasted no time committing after the Horns made the offer. "After traveling down and visiting with everyone on campus, it just seems like they're all one big family". Bible added, "I was looking for consistency and Texas has it, not to mention the tradition is unbelievable".

It's true that when your team heads into the post season things open up and that is exactly what happened with Bible.

Not to say that he wasn't on the recruiting radar last season as there were just a couple of games that set him apart and moved him up the list.

Against Wichita Falls, Bible had a huge game recording 10 solo tackles and six of those were for losses behind the line of scrimmage.

Probably the biggest game of the season which really carried some meaning with it was when Guyer faced Wolfforth Frenship in their state semi-final win. Bible basically man handled the Frenship offensive line, including 2009 offensive lineman Mason Walters (signed with Texas).

In the contest, Bible recorded nine tackles including seven behind the line of scrimmage, a sack and three quarterback hurries. "He was totally dominating Walters and anyone else that wanted to try and block him in that game" said Guyer offensive coordinator Mitch Stovall.

Heading into his senior season, Bible feels that there are some things he needs to improve upon. "I feel that the one area that I really need to work on is my pass rush, most definitely my pass rush that has to be my weakest point".

With a strong first move and the penetration that Bible has on offensive lines, it's apparent that it will be hard for opposing offenses to establish an inside run game against the Wildcats.

Bible is confident that he can walk in and make an impact with Texas and Defensive Coordinator Derek Ramsey has the same feeling. "He (Taylor) is a hard worker and is always looking to improve his game. I really feel he could make an impact with Texas", said Ramsey.

Either way it's done and now Bible can focus on the off-season and getting ready for next year. "I'm just glad the recruiting process is over. Now I can focus on my school work. I actually have my life back", said Bible. "I have a big off – season planned and I am looking forward to my final season".

Youth Invasion at the Masters, but Tiger is still The Man

From Gary Player's farewell to an invasion of fearless teens, none of whom seems to realize that youth is rarely served at Augusta, the generational divide is as large as ever for this Masters.

Player, a three-time champion and winner of nine majors overall, announced Monday that his 52nd appearance at Augusta will be his last, the game having long since passed him by even though the 73-year-old South African never lost his passion for staying fit.

Yes Augusta is long and Player says he has to usea wood on nearly every hole.

Length is not a problem for 19-year-old Rory McIlroy. Or 18-year-old Danny Lee. Or 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa. They may be too young to order a beer in the clubhouse, but they're all eager to take on Augusta for the first time.

The kid from Northern Ireland made a name for himself with an opening-round 68 at the 2007 British Open. This year, he beat a strong field at Dubai for his first major win. Amazingly, he's already climbed to No. 17 in the world rankings.

Lee replaced Tiger Woods in the record books as the youngest U.S. Amateur champion, and he made more history in February when he won the Johnnie Walker Classic to become the youngest winner in European Tour history.

Then there's Ishikawa, who could pass for a rock star in Japan. He won his first Japan Golf Tour event as a 15-year-old amateur and won again last year after turning pro. This week, he's taking time away from high school to play in the Masters.

Anthony Kim, all of 23 and a star of America's Ryder Cup victory, chuckled when someone asked how all those youngsters made him feel.

Of course, everyone is chasing the man with four green jackets in his collection and plenty of room at home for a few more. Woods won his first at 21 — the youngest Masters champion ever — and he's coming off a win at Bay Hill that erased any doubts about the quality of his game after knee surgery.

Woods showed up at mid-afternoon Monday, getting in some work on the driving range and putting green while still in his sneakers. Then, after most of the patrons had headed home on an unseasonably cool day, the world's No. 1 player managed to sneak in six holes on the back nine before giving way to the grounds crew.

Still only 32, he's not prepared to give way to the kiddie corps anytime soon.

But they already have Woods in their sights.

In their sights is about all they will get too. Woods is the worlds #1 and will win yet another green jacket.

Check back for updates thoughout the weekend....