99 Days . . .

. . . until the Irish take the field against San Diego St. Not too much happening in college football until camps open in August, so don't expect much from this blog. A few tidbits of note over the past few weeks:

• Coach Weis visited soldiers in Iraq, touring with other college football coaches. By all accounts it was a great experience for Weis and the military alike. The coaches coached and refereed a flag football game on Memorial Day, staying afterwards to sign autographs for hours. Interestingly enough, the coaches were asked to write messages on some bombs to be dropped in Afghanistan. Weis wrote, "You will lose. Go Irish!" on his bomb, sparking the creation of t-shirts everywhere. I still say 2008's "The Shirt" for Notre Dame football should say: "Notre Dame Football 2008 - No more F_cking Around"




• Notre Dame appeared at #19 in Phil Steele's preseason poll, being released over this past week and next week. No that's not a typo, and no this is not for basketball. Phil Steele is known for his analytic approach and is incredibly well respected in the college football community. No doubt he sees the Irish much weakened schedule as a big harbinger of the Irish return to relevancy. Personally I think he is a bit optimistic, but its nice to see an objective analyst make a call instead of me/message board dude/Lou Holtz making the claim. Also nice to see BYU at #17 in his pole. Not sure why I mentioned that . . .
  
  
• Army and Notre Dame will likely begin playing again in 2010 or later. Great news for traditionalists, although many younger Irish fans are tired of playing service academies. The games will be at Notre Dame Stadium for Irish home years, and in neutral sites like Philadelphia, Orlando, Chicago, etc. for Army host years (similar to the Navy series). Every schedule has to have some "softer" teams, so ours might as well be service academies, which I have enormous respect for (insert Navy joke here). As long as we keep the Michigan and USCs, as well as some new fresh rivalries on the schedule (i.e. Oklahoma home and away in 2012 and 2013), I will be fine. Would be great to add more SEC teams like Georgia or Alabama onto the schedule, but that looks doubtful as the push is fore more neutral site games that essentially are under Irish control. Big, "premier" programs would only play home and home most likely.
  
• One transfer out, two players return. Freshman linebacker Aaron Nagel will seek a transfer after being buried on the depth chart and potentially behind incoming freshman this fall. Wish him well, and thank him for opening a schollie for someone else. In great news, last year starting defensive tackle Pat Kuntz will be returning to campus, after leaving due to academic reasons in the spring. Sophomore Tight End Will Yeatman has also returned, after being suspending for a drinking incident on campus. Yeatman missed the spring, which included his participation on the Irish lacrosse team, on which he earned National Lacrosse Rookie of the Year in 2007. At 6 foot 6, 260 pounds, Yeatman is the perfect size for a tight end, and also can lay hat on the lacrosse field. Both will start or at the minimum play significant minutes for the Irish.
  
• Talent levels in 2008 are arguably back to a competitive level, although not in the senior or 5th year senior classes. The "star" system for high school recruits has been pretty steady since about 2001, and many are starting to see a direct correlation between NFL draft picks and successful college football programs and the star rankings out of high school. In short, 5 star players have statistically shown to have a much higher chance of being a top 2 round NFL draft pick than 3 star players, as these high school talent evaluators are getting pretty good at what they do. The hard issue is how do you compare a senior in college that was a former 5 star signee, with a true freshman 5 star? Obviously the former is more valuable, and that's what the Irish lack. The Irish 1st - 3rd year players represent 3 straight top 8 ranked classes in 2006 - 2008 (and the top RB in the nation Cierre Wood (pictured) on the way for 2009); however, the lack of talent in the 4th and 5th year classes will continue to hurt the Irish in 2008. Come 2009 though, the Irish will have no excuses for not winning 9 games a year.

Hopefully the team is getting into shape and the incoming freshman will work hard to be ready to contribute come September. Probably won't be too much blogging on the Irish until a few pre-season posts come August. Talk is cheap, and all the Irish can do to gain respect back is to show up in September. My official prediction for the season will be decided later, but I look for the Irish to be much more competitive and enjoyable to watch this year.

Grizzlies' Draft History

The 2008 NBA Draft is Thursday, June 26th, roughly 4 weeks from now. Most all Grizzlies fans are disappointed in not getting Rose or Beasley; however, fans are slowly beginning to become more optimistic about our pick at #5.

Why the optimism? The unknown will always spark optimism from many. Other than the natural optimists (like me and Randy Quaid in Major League 2), a reason to be excited about our pick is the deep talent in the 2008 draft pool. Chad Ford of ESPN.com, his most recent Mock Draft, has us taking LSU's Anthony Randolph (whom I posted about before the draft lottery here). There have also been mock drafts projecting the Grizz take OJ Mayo. At the end of the day, the right pick is, at best, unclear. Lucky for us, the Grizzlies have a great history of selecting the right players in the draft . . . (thick sarcasm-filled silence). Lets take a look at recent drafting results of the Grizz: (please note, if you do not see spreadsheet table, go to VaticanSmoke.com. Email and RSS viewers might not get spreadsheet in view)



A few notes about the draft data:

• Of the players the Grizzlies drafted above, only the 3 most recent are still with the team. Even 2 of the 3 traded draft picks still have nothing currently represented on the team (Rudy Gay being the exception).






• The biggest story here are the names that the Grizzlies didn't draft. [Unless otherwise mentioned, I only reviewed the 10 picks after the Grizzlies' spot for draft success. These next 10 players were the only realistic/feasible alternatives for the Grizz. Some years, there were even more players in the later first or second rounds] David West instead of Marcus Banks? Amare Stoudemire instead of Drew Gooden? Tony Parker or Gilbert Arenas instead of Jamaal Tinsley? Shane Battier (yes, the beloved Shane) instead of Richard Jefferson? Tough misses. [Yes, Tinsley & Banks were traded - but look who we could have gotten]




• The most recent 3 picks are not "busts" yet. Hakim has made improvements in shooting and rebounding, while Mike Conley has shown promise in his 1 year. Lowry is the closest to a bust, but he is still quite young and capable of a backup point guard role. The term "bust" in regards to an NBA 1st Rounder, in my opinion, is a sliding scale depending on the draft spot. Top 10 draft pick needs to be a starter, spots 10 - 20 a starter or solid role player, and late 1st round just needs to be a role player and help the team. With only 2 rounds a year, there are not going to be many impact players drafted in a given year.






• 2003 was the year of "Lebron" , where the Grizzlies would lose their lottery pick via a trade agreement unless it was #1 overall. Cleveland won out the right to be in the playoffs the next 15 years by drafting Lebron, and Memphis getting the #2 pick meant nothing. Ironically, the Pistons selected Darko Milicic with that pick, and he is currently the Grizz's center. Now he is a bust, but for the Pistons and not (as much) the Grizz.




• The Marcus Banks and Kendrick Perkins deal to Boston for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones was complete garbage. Not only considering the players we could have drafted, but losing a solid big body center like Kendrick Perkins makes it twice as foolish. Perkins is exactly what the Grizz still need - a big, youthful body in the middle to anchor a defense [Ironically enough, Kendrick Perkins committed to John Calipari's Tigers out of high school, before entering the NBA draft. Just like Amare Stoudemire, another Tiger commit that jumped straight to the NBA] . Perkins aside, using those picks to select David West and Josh Howard would have put the Grizz solidly in the playoffs last year, easily.






• The best move the Grizz have ever made was trading Shane Battier for Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift. Kudos for a move that is going to pay great dividends, with Rudy Gay now an emerging star and the face of our franchise.

Yes, I know, everyone can play the "Hindsight is 20/20 vision" game. But there is no doubting continued 1st round drafting success leads to playoff and championship caliber teams (i.e. San Antonio). There is also little doubt that continued 1st round drafting mistakes will keep a team in the lottery (i.e. Knicks, Grizzlies). The Grizz have certainly been in the later.

With a new GM (Chris Wallace, my boy) in charge, lets hope our history of botching draft day is changed.

Vince Young's AARP Membership

. . . is not valid quite yet. This story blew up over the last few days, as Vince Young was quoted as saying that he had "thought about retiring" after his 2006 season (his rookie year). Those quotes combined with this picture of Vince Young surfacing a few weeks back, and he's had a little bit more attention than he'd like for an offseason.

The Pope hesitates to post on topics that don't need commenting, as wasting readers time is not the Pope's favorite thing to do. To keep it short and sweet, here are the Pope's thoughts:

• Vince Young is 25 years old. In that party picture linked to above, he was drinking out of a bottle with his shirt off. Luckily the Pope is not running for reelection anytime soon, because my shirtless/bottle toting pictures are about a dime a dozen. Media and bloggers are happy to show the picture, but not to mention that the picture was taken in Austin, TX, as Vince Young is back at school this offseason finishing his degree. Signed to a deal worth around $55 Mill ($26M guaranteed), obviously he needs his degree right?


• Vince Young, just like any other kid that leaves the perfect world of college, was a bit shocked as he entered the real world in 2006. Being an NFL quarterback is much more mentally, physically, and emotionally difficult than most every job (and they are paid for it). I'm sure he was a little depressed when he had "thoughts of retiring", but I don't believe him. His doubt was unlike anyone else who is adjusting to the real world out of college.


• Vince Young still is and will be a good NFL quarterback. I think he can be great, but he definitely needs to improve. New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is ready to bring Vince back to his 2006 Pro Bowl form.
  

One interesting thing that Vince said recently was that he wanted to be a "Hall of Fame Quarterback", not a "Pocket Quarterback" or a "Pro Style Quarterback". Vince didn't run the ball much last year, and many pointed to NFL defenses adjusting to his style of play as the reason for 2007 not being as successful as 2006 was for Vince. In reality Norm Chow had Vince running his offense, without enough regard to Vince's unique talents. Great article here at the Sporting News about how Vince Young and the Titans could be much improved on offense even without having added a top WR.

In addition to Heimerdinger at the helm of the offense, the Titans have added veteran tight end Alge Crumpler, resigned former Titans WRs Justin Gage and Justin McCareins, and drafted a "speed back" in East Carolina's Chris Johnson, who by early indications is working out well. The plan is that Heimerdinger will be molding the offense around Vince, so hopefully we'll see some more of the Rose Bowl Vince in 2008. Heimerdinger was the O-coordinator for Steve McNair during his prime, and seems to have a good feel for mobile QBs.

Vince's performance in the 2006 Rose Bowl, shown here, is still one of the most impressive individual sporting performances I have ever seen in my life, always worth revisiting:

Matt Ryan Bank: Loans Available

Falcons' QB Matt Ryan signed an enormous deal yesterday, totaling $72M dollars over 6 years. $34.7M of that is guaranteed. You can read the story here. There are some unhappy veterans that such a young, unproven player can get that much money (i.e. Kevin Mawae). This deal certainly must be placed in the context of a team looking to restore confidence in their QB position, and move on from an embarrassing Michael Vick debacle. Most everyone would agree that this deal is absurd in size and guarantees, considering he is an unproven rookie not named Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.


How good is Matt Ryan? Ever since the Pope saw him play against Notre Dame this past fall, the Vatican's official position is that Ryan has some skills, but could not be anything more than an average NFL QB. However, lets not rely on the Pope's talent evaluation for anything besides clergymen. Lets compare Matt Ryan to another recent college QB and top draft pick - Brady Quinn.

Brady was lauded as the top QB in the 2007 class, while Matt was the top QB in the 2008 class of NFL draftees. Matt was drafted at #3, Brady slipped to #22. Matt was guaranteed $34.5M, while Brady's entire deal was worth between $20-$30M (incentives), with only $7M guaranteed. The difference in $$ and draft position between the two top QBs in their class is nothing less than staggering. So obviously Matt Ryan was considerably better statistically on the field in college? Lets take a look:



Errr . . . did I label the names wrong? This says that Brady had 39 more touchdowns than Matt, with basically the same INTs, and only 250 more pass attempts? Sure does look like the wrong QB got paid.

A few more things to consider in these stats. Both players played very young, starting most of the games in their freshman and sophomore seasons. Brady had a much tougher time in those years, throwing 25 INTS to Ryan's 8. But the next two years tell a different story. Brady only threw 14 interceptions in his jr and sr year combined. Matt Ryan threw 19 his senior year alone. The difference on TDs and QB rating shown above is also staggering. (Stats were obtained from here, here, here, and here)

The Pope is biased to Brady Quinn, obviously. But so are the statistics. Why do so many people think that Matt Ryan is a better prospect than Brady Quinn (I'm looking at you Todd McGay err I mean McShay)? I think its because of the Notre Dame effect. Playing for Notre Dame got Brady too much attention, too quickly, and people simply became tired of Brady and his "golden boy" image. The 2006 season in particular was all the hype you could ever have, with Heisman and National Championship level attention. When he and the Irish fell in large defeats to Michigan, USC, and LSU, the haters cheered, blogged, and wrote very loudly. People forget the amazing records (he holds 28 Notre Dame ones) and statistics (above) and just remembered the fall from Mt. Hype.

Matt Ryan meanwhile had a much slower growth in hype, and never got the level of attention Brady had. In most cases, no one knew who he was until his senior season. He had a very good senior season and was introduced to America as the top QB in college and in the 2007 NFL draft. Without the ND on his jersey, and without all the hype that comes with being a pretty boy Notre Dame quarterback, Matt Ryan was able to withstand finishing his college career with a somewhat disappointing 3-3 record in his final six games. Quite simply, the lack of hype had not created unrealistic expecations or excess exposure for him to be victimized by. Add in a weak QB draft class, and you have a perfect situation for Matty.

People who disagree with me in this debate will always point to Notre Dame's schedule and how Brady played in big games, but they will never point to Notre Dame's (lack of) defense or Matt Ryan's statistics. I don't blame Matt for signing the contract or for capitalizing on timing. I just think Brady was better, will be better, and doesn't deserve some of the hate he gets. So if you start gushing over Matt Ryan, at least give Brady another look.

The Cardinals of the Vatican

Despite the pre-season prediction by the Pope that the Cardinals would be under .500, his Cardinals have risen above expectation as the season nears the 1/3 mark. Sitting at 28-21, 1 game out of 1st place in the NL Central behind the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals have overachieved in the eyes of many.

Heading into the season, the Cardinals gave the prognosticators very little reason for hope:

• Ace Chris Carpenter would be out until at least the All Star break.



• Former World Series MVP shortstop David Eckstein, as well as multi-year gold glove center fielder Jim Edmonds were not resigned.



• The starting outfield on paper consisted of Chris Duncan, a former pitcher (Ankiel), and two minor league players from 2007 (Schumaker and Ludwick).



• The starting middle infield was not set, with 3 guys who are 5 foot 9, 5 foot 8, and 6 foot 1, none of which ever doing much in the big leagues (Cesar Izturis, Aaron Miles, Adam Kennedy)



• The pitching staff was a completely scattered picture, top two projected pitchers being Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper, both unproven and in their 2nd years of being starting pitchers in the big leagues. The rest of the rotation was completely up in the air.

How could anyone predict that this team - combined with a resurgent Cubs, and a young but talented Brewers squad ready to break out - could challenge in the NL Central? Quite simply, no one could. Anything other than predicting 2008 to be a season of transition and rebuilding would have been ludicrous.

How have they done it? First the easy, objective stats (all as of May 22nd):

BATTING

• 1st in Batting Average in the NL with a .284 clip



• Two batters in top 6th in NL in batting average (Pujols 4th with .351 and Ludwick 6th with .336)



• 1st in NL in On Base Percentage with .371



• 3rd in the NL in OPS (on base plus slugging) with a .792; Cubs have .814, tops in league

Most all of the players are overachieving, and the smaller guys are getting on base. Former pitcher Rick Ankiel has had an uber-strong performance in his first full year batting (.289, 8, 29), as has Ryan Ludwick, all of the sudden the team's top power hitter (.336, 12, 35). Pujols has been doing his thing as well (.351, 11, 31). Hitting at those team clips will be difficult with so many young and inexperienced players. But hey, they've proved the Vatican wrong so far.

PITCHING

• 4th fewest Walks in the NL



• Only 14th out of 16 teams in NL in strikeouts (not good - but the 4th best fielding % in the NL has made up for this shortcoming)



• Given up the 5th fewest runs in the NL



• 3 Starting Pitchers in top 30 ERAs in NL (Wellemeyer, Wainwright, Looper)

All in all, the starting pitching has been solid, with no great performances, but more important minimal bad ones. Joel Pineiro has been the 5th starter this year, and his ERA has been 4.50, which is not awful considering he is the teams 5th pitcher. I dont have stats right in front of me, but the bullpen has done well, despite some missed saves from Jason Isringhausen. All in all, Dave Duncan has gotten all his starters to be competitive, and keep the game close.

(You can find all the ESPN.com team stats by clicking here. You can find all the player stats here. You can modify and sort easily by anything - very interesting for us stat nerds out there)

Looking through all the statistics, this team has succeeded largely due to two men: Head coach Tony Larussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. Larussa has created a team chemistry that produces a very professional, hard working team that comes to play every day, every at bat. That sounds cliche doesn't it? Other sports don't have 162 games like baseball does. The clubhouse atmosphere and values of the coach are his single biggest contribution to the team, unlike football, where strategy might be as important. Kudos to Larussa.

Dave Duncan's has created a top third staff in the NL out of a group of inexperienced kids and journeymen. Just think how this team would be if Mulder was ever healthy, and when Carpenter comes back? I don't know this man does it, but Chris's dad simply produces a staff that keeps the team competitive in nearly every game. Being a former big league catcher must have something to do with it.

The Pope looks forward to a meaningful summer of baseball, filled with significant match-ups with Central leader and chief rival, the Chicago Cubs. The Pope doesn't predict after the season's one third point, but hopefully my initial prediction of .500 will be wrong.

il papa's pontifications

This week's rant from the Vatican:

• NBA Lottery - Yes, the Pope is a Grizzlies fan. But still, the team with the worst record in the league has only one the 1st pick 2 times in the last 15 years. Thats a bit insane. This year, the team with the 9th worst record (and a 1.5% chance) won the top overall pick. I think the system should revert to how it was, just like baseball and football, where the worst record in the league gets the top pick. Or how about a modified lottery, where instead of all of the non-playoff teams being eligible, just the bottom 4 or bottom 6 are eligible? Preventing losses late in the year is overrated, as fans arent coming out to see a losing team anyway.




• Soccer Game Penalty Kicks - Can you imagine settling the Super Bowl with an extra point kick-off between the kickers? Or a basketball game decided on a free throw competition? Or maybe a baseball game being settled via a home run derby? Now imagine that game was not a normal game, but in fact the Super Bowl/NBA Finals/World Series. Thats what happens too often in Soccer, as the 2006 World Cup Final, as well as yesterday's UEFA Champion's League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea (both from the English Premier League), where both decided on penalty kicks. The Pope loves the beautiful game - but it just needs a bit of American ingenuity to it. For instance, in Hockey, regular season games first go to one overtime period, and then the game is settled via penalty shots. But for playoff games in the NHL, the game keeps going in overtime until a goal is scored. Yes, that could mean soccer forever, but its better to decide such a huge championship on the field of play as opposed to an individual skills competition.




• San Antonio Spurs - I hate them, but man they are good. Yes, they lost game 1 last night in LA, after controlling 75% of it. But we all know they are going to do well at home, and possibly even steal one in LA. This series goes 7 games. For the NBA's sake, including the TV ratings, the fans, and everything else, lets hope the Lakers win. Fans outside of San Antonio just dont like to watch the Spurs. I dont like them, I hope they lose. That doesn't mean I dont respect what they've done though. Lets just watch Kobe in his prime instead in the NBA Finals. Lakers vs Celtics anyone?




• Lack of Video Replay in Baseball - In the past 4 days, there have been two legitimate home runs that were called incorrectly on the field of play. Both were admitted to be poor calls by the umpires after the games. See video and read about them here and here. Neither affected the outcome of the game, but one of these days one will. Why not use the technology to review easily correctable situations like fair or foul on home runs? No strikes/balls being reviewed, just major plays like, at the minimum, home runs. It could be tested in spring training, and implemented once the kinks have been worked out. Yes Bud Selig, it would slow the game down a little. Rules could be made to make the replays quick, and most importantly, calls would be correct and umpires wont look like idiots. Put down the Miller Lite Bud, and just think about it.
  

Powerball: Everyone's a Winner

The NBA Lottery selection occured Tuesday night in Seacaucus, NJ. Unlike Baseball and Football, which have the team with the worst record in the league automatically get the first pick, the NBA does a lottery involving the non-playoff teams. Each team in theory has a chance at the #1 pick, but in reality, the bottom 5 or 6 teams in the league have a much higher % chance.

Tuesday night, the Chicago Bulls cashed in and won the 1st pick, despite only a 1.5% chance of winning the 1st overall pick. They finished with the 9th worst record in the league. That my friends, is bullsh*t. Horsesh*t. Opinions and sarcasm are the Pope's blog tools, so there is an opinion that you can put in your pipe and smoke it.

Moving on. After last year's lottery debacle, the Tigers last second championship loss last month, and this lottery result, the city of Memphis has had it tough. Beasley and Rose are gone, so lets focus on what we do now, with the Grizz sitting on the #5 pick in next month's NBA draft. After the top 2 guys, it is many's opinion that there are no perennial all-stars in the draft. However, most think the draft is deep with role players and solid starters, just not stars except for Beasley and Rose. Here are some options that the Grizz can consider at #5:

Draft Brook Lopez - The 7 Foot, 260 pound center from Stanford is a bit "stiff" in that he plays like a center and lacks the coordination of smaller forwards or guards. However, he is 19 years old, intelligent, and has shown a good ability to rebound and score. I think this guy would be a "cant bust" guy just because he could, at worst, give you quality minutes on the interior off the bench. I think there is some upside too, so this is not all chalk. Yes there are bad 7 footers out there, but I think he has shown some big time skills in a big time basketball conference.

Draft OJ Mayo - This is a much more high risk/high reward guy. He is big, can play decent perimeter defense, and can score. Character issues abound, as this prima donna has had huge expectations since he was in 7th grade. He played at USC just to get some west coast exposure, so what will he think about little ole Memphis? Could be a nice addition to the wing with Rudy Gay, but I think there is considerable risk here. No Mayo, please.


Trade the pick for two lower picks or next year - A solid move considering a few things. First, this draft is 2 players and then everyone else. Second, this is a deep draft after those two players, meaning that the guy you get at #5 could be like the one you could get at #15. Joe Alexander (West Virginia) is a guy that could slip down out of the top 10 and might be as good as anyone at #5. He is a leader, he can shoot, and he has a bit of "moxy" as they say, as shown by his play in the NCAAs. Trade down, get another pick in the 20s in this very deep draft.

Trade the pick for a player - Trade the pick for a player that can come in, start at forward or on the wing, and play defense. I cannot suggest any names out there, as that would require a much more in depth research of salary cap space, etc. This is less likely than other options. There has been some speculation (as noted by Grizzlies blog, 3 Shades of Blue) that we could package the pick with Mike Miller to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony. That would be awesome, but incredibly unlikely. To get a scorer of his caliber would certainly help the team, even though Rudy plays SF like Carmelo. We would adjust.

Draft someone else - The Pope likes Anthony Rudolph of this bunch. There is risk in drafting anyone this year, and certainly Rudolph or Kevin Love have risk just like the two guys profiled above. I had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Wallace (we're boys) recently. He said that oftentimes after the top players are gone, you have to draft more conservatively, because you must at least help your team with a player that has shown something, as opposed to a player heavy on potential. To me, that means he would draft a Brook Lopez or a Kevin Love over an Anthony Rudolph, who is largely raw potential at this point.

One interesting player popping up on draft boards is Italian Danilo Gallinari (compared to a Toni Kukoc). Do we really want another white European on our team? Im not a racist, as I dont care about the color or creed of anyone. I do question how smart it is to have multiple European "style" players, used to a different game than the NBA.

The Pope's recommendation of the above, in order:

1. Draft Brook Lopez
2. Trade down, draft someone like Alexander
3. Draft OJ Mayo
4. Trade the pick for a player
5. Draft someone else

Good luck Chris. We need you to work your magic on this one.

America's Top Model: Sports Edition

Now announcing the finalists in America's Next Top Sports Model, here is our host, Tyra Banks:

TYRA: Whats up yall? Ooooh yall loook so good tonight mama, ummmhmm yall look good

Contestants: (awkward silence)

TYRA: Alright good lookin studs, lets get started. You have all made the final round of America's Next Top Sports Model. Tonight, I will introduce you each, followed by a critique. After all have been introduced, we'll announce which of you is the winner. Uhhmmmm yall be lookin so good!!

Contestants: (silence) . . . Uhh, thanks Tyra (quietly all together)

TYRA: All right den. First up, Chris Kaman

TYRA: You have been a pleasure to watch girlfriend. The way you have pulled off the Arkansas-White Trash-Deliverance look has been magical. If Bass Pro Shops, John Deere, or anyone need some talent, I think you'll be right there. I dont think you have a chance to be anything but an average model though, no supastar in ya sister.

TYRA: Next up, Sam Cassell



TYRA: What can I say Sammy. Nobody can pull of the Mr. Ed / Alien Head like you can. I mean, baby, you so marketable with all these triple crown horse races goin on. You be goin on too darlin'! But like Kaman, I think you can be a solid model but just not a star.

TYRA: Whoooohoo wee. Many dis be so tough on a girrrl. Next up, former Atlanta Brave of the 90's, Otis Nixon



TYRA: Baby, nobody, and I mean nobody can do the skinny crackhead like you can. An amazing ability to look poor and old, all in a healthy and young package. I think you do have potential star ability, if used in the right way girrrrrlfriend. Ooooohhhwweeee you look so good. We'll see how things turn out in the end now.

TYRA: Seeing all yall workin so hard makes me wanna cry. Ok, i got it together. Next up on America's Top Sports Model, Gheorghe Muresan



TYRA: Honey, the first time I saw your face, I knew it was something special. Never mind your freakish height or complete lack of coordination, the focus was all on the face. Ohhhh girrrl and the way that nose takes up about a third of a face already shaped like the state of Illinois - you just cant find that anywhere. If you had the body to match the face, I'd put you at the top easy. But we'll just have to see if that pretty face got you a victory anyway.

TYRA: Next up, a rookie who is new to the game but aint new to being good lookin, Joakim Noah



TYRA: Oooohhh my goodness. I knows me some talent when I sees it. When I looks at you, the first thing I see is those teeth. Lookin good girrrlfriend! And your hair - the way it looks uncombed, kinda like Bozo the clown or sumthin - I knows you gots a good hair stylist. You tall, lean, and I think you could be a superstar. We'll have to see how you judge out in the end.

TYRA: And now our last athlete competing in America's Next Top Model, USA Softball pitcher Jenny Finch



TYRA: Now some people in the finals, I undastand. You girlfriend, I dont. Your tan looks fake (not to mention other things), whoever did your hair should be shot, and those slanty sideways eyes of yours have just got to go. And I havent even gotten to your dress yet. I think you maybe could do some runway work for TJ Max, but thats about it. Sista, I aint so sure what America sees in you.

TYRA: And now for the winner. America has voted . . . Gheorghe Muresan as the winner!!



TRYA: Wow, my goodness! A great pick, but defintely an upset. Unbelievable. Congratulations George!

George: TTank you verly mutch. Finally, I beautiful. I defeet weel champion!

TRYA: Lets see that dance Gheorghe! See yall next week on America's Next Next Top Sports Model