Comic-Con hangover

Due to the information outpouring during this year's SDCC, I've found that I do not have too much to say in a post. I have been messing around trying to come up with a New England Patriots GameDay Countdown clock (inspiration coming from Boston.com). After some searching, I found one at yourminis.com and have modded it into one that I can live with for right now. So, take a look below at the TTLF's clock and copy your hearts out.

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Who will benefit from Old Man Favre according to Chazer

Chazer over at his Life Happens blog was doing his best Mort impression as he was thinking aloud on which NFL team would benefit most by winning the Old Man Favre lottery (purely hypothetical as there was no talk of compensation discussed nor the possibility that he would do more harm than good to his new team).

As I read his quick breakdown, I noticed that his blindspot was showing yet again, which means that I had to call him out on it. To keep things in context, please read his post first then read my retort below:

It was interesting while reading your post that one specific team was not addressed on your list. The team that has burned through more QBs than most of the other teams mentioned. The team that not seen the Super Bowl since the beginning of the 90s. The team who not only signed and released a future NFL MVP but also released many other decent QBS only to see them stick around the league and actually start some games at the position.

That's right - it's your Washington Redskins. So, what's the reason for the omission? Is Campbell coming back from a season-ending injury with a whole new offense to learn that much better than bringing in Favre? Really, at this point, Washington needs a strong QB to help keep the heat off a new and very inexperienced HC. You may want to rethink that position, sir.

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Favre itching to return; Rodgers placed on postal watch

With Aaron Rodgers performing well in the offseason, Brett Favre has let it be known that he is on the verge of coming back to the playing field according the self-described Worldwide Leader. This is a classic narcissistic move by the future Hall of Famer and one that appears to further perpetuate an almost abusive relationship with the current starting QB of the Packers as he once again tries to prolong Rodgers' maturation into a viable starter in the NFL.

From the article, if Favre isn't received with open arms (and a starting spot on the team), he will probably force Green Bay to release him from the remaining two years of his contract and allow him to field offers from other teams. At this point, who wouldn't consider this annual retirement waffling by Favre an act of mental cruelty not only to Rodgers but to the faithful Cheeseheads themselves? Closure is needed by all involved but this interruption by Favre in an effort to soothe his "itch" will most certainly result in a rash decision by the Pack that could cost them a chance at the playoffs.

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Favre finally calls it quits

Brett Favre has finally let a Nation held hostage off the hook by announcing his retirement today. While the object of unadulterated fawning by the national media as a whole (Rick Morrissey and John Madden included), Favre did bring a certain aw shucks, dumbed-down slinger mentality to the position that traditionally the smartest athlete on the team usually played. And prior to his rejuvenation last year, his numbers were slipping greatly because of that mindset (see chart below).

But that didn't stop the media from practically make aural love to Number 4 every time he stepped on the field even when it was not deserved. And again, prior to finally getting a much needed ground game and taking advantage of a weak NFC Central, Favre's career numbers were headed south at a rapid almost Kurt Warner-like rate. For example here are his 2005 & 2006 regular season numbers:

He was throwing it over 38 times a game and only completing a shade over 58% of them. He threw more INTs than TDs and he averaged only 243 yards a game. Not terrible stats but definitely not Hall of Fame numbers by any stretch of the imagination (other than those who worship at the altar of Favre).

Look - he was a great QB for a long time (for NFL standards. He is the NFL Ironman, won a MVP and a Super Bowl and he did break Dan Marino's career TD and Yardage numbers in 2007. There is no argument that he is a first ballot HOF. But if you looked at the steady decline of his numbers, he probably should've retired 2004 when he first considered doing so.

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LA Times' Plaschke is the new Jay Mariotti

Bill Plaschke has just proven that he's cut from the same cloth that drapes the Chicago Sun-Times' Jay Mariotti with his latest column deftly titled, "Brady is just Johnny come lately". Why do I say this outrageous statement, you ask? Well, rather than pulling out quotes that may seem to be out-of-context, here's the entire word-by-word column with my comments whenever appropriate (in bold and parenthesis):

Bill Plaschke

Brady is just Johnny come lately

Patriots' leader is a three-time Super Bowl champion, but he seems more a quarterback for his time than for all time. In other words, he's no Unitas.

January 27 2008

The first thing you notice about Tom Brady is, well, nothing.

He doesn't have a nick on his face because today's referees won't allow it. (More like his offensive line won't allow it. The refs call the same game for all QBs. But nice conspiracy theory, Bill.)

He doesn't have a growl to his voice because today's huddles don't require it. (And that's because you're in the huddle with them. Right, Bill?)

He doesn't have fire in his eyes because today's teams don't need it. (Obviously, Bill, you didn't see the Steelers/Pats game when Brady got in Anthony Smith's face about his earlier prediction. Then again, it's not your job to get those facts right. You just "observe".)

Tom Brady is fantastic, but he's formula. He's a champion, but he's a creation. And to anoint him as the best quarterback ever would be to forget that his position was invented, inspired and made famous by those who were neither. (I'd agree with saying he's not the best ever but to say that he's just a product of a "formula" is disingenuous to say the least.)

If Brady leads the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl win over the New York Giants next Sunday, everyone will celebrate his four world championships.

They will forget that Otto Graham won seven league championships.

Everyone will marvel at Brady's 15-2 postseason record.

They will forget that Bart Starr was 9-1 in the postseason with a record 104.8 passer rating.

Everyone will wax about how, in two Super Bowls, Brady led his team on late fourth-quarter game-winning field-goal drives.

They will forget that, in one of his four Super Bowl championships, Joe Montana drove his San Francisco team 92 yards for a last-second, game-winning touchdown. (I highly doubt people will forget Joe Montana. Well, maybe those two chumps that sit at his diner on the NFL Network would but that's it.)

Everyone will applaud Brady for his tough defender's mentality.

They will forget that Slingin' Sammy Baugh actually played defense, picking off 31 passes in his career, which is more than he threw in his last three seasons combined. (Not exactly sure where you pulled this one from but I see what you're saying. Baugh was a beast in his day. But no one else plays both sides so it's hard to belittle Brady's accomplishments because he's not only the QB but the CB as well.)

Everyone will predict that Brady's 92.9% completion rate in the playoffs against Jacksonville is a record that will never be broken.

They will forget that Johnny Unitas once threw touchdown passes in 47 consecutive games, a record that will truly never be broken. (I think that this comparison could be filed under "Apples & Oranges"; both equal records but are not similar in the least. Nice try, Bill.)

Yeah, everyone will forget Johnny Unitas. (Uh-oh, you can see where this is going - this has the sounds of an old man "Back in My Day" rants. Batten down the hatches.)

He invented the two-minute drill. He invented the rhythm passing game. He invented the quarterback as a leader, calling all of his plays, something today's quarterbacks haven't done for more than a decade.

He was the catalyst in the 1958 championship game between his Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants, an overtime victory by the Colts that changed pro football forever.

He was the first true quarterback of the modern era, setting the bar for toughness and accountability.

"You can look at all the numbers you want," said Dan Fouts, former San Diego Chargers great. "But to me, being a quarterback is all about a feeling."

Nobody illustrated that feeling better than Unitas. He was football's Babe Ruth, and Bart Starr was its Lou Gehrig, and Sammy Baugh was its Ty Cobb, and Joe Montana was its Joe DiMaggio.

Tom Brady is football's, well, um, Alex Rodriguez. (And there you go. Old Man Bill would like you to believe that Brady is just a cold gazing, soft voiced, unfeeling, product of a system that is only about putting up numbers that are easily attainable due to the refs. And I won't even go near that A-Rod comment; that's just trying to bait any Anti-Yankee sentiment. Wow, I wonder what Old Man Bill thinks of Peyton?)

Rodriguez is great, he's headed for the Hall of Fame, but he will retire as neither the greatest third baseman nor shortstop in history. (Maybe as the greatest hitter but he's right; not the greatest 3rd baseman or SS in history.)

Put him in the history books. But put him in context. Same goes for Brady. (You could say the same thing about every other example Old Man Bill uses in his argument against Brady - Montana was a product of the changes in passing rules from the 70s, etc. But I'll give you more credit than Old Man Bill does his readers.)

"I hear all these people talking about Tom Brady and I just sort of smirk," said John Unitas Jr., the late quarterback's son. "It's an entirely different game. I'm biased, but what my father did, you can't compare it to anything today." (True, it is an entirely different game but that doesn't make Brady's stats or accomplishments laughable by any means. I'm sure Johnny U would agree.)

Start with the snap.

While Brady is famous for his "decision making," many of those decisions have actually been made for him by his offensive coordinators. (Same with any other QB in the league; although Peyton is largely the one that most "talking heads" point out.)

The Patriots' game plan is more homework than instinct, more science than scrabble. (Hmmm, I thought that all NFL teams study film. Imagine my surprise to hear that the Pats are the only ones who do the work. Wow, 18-0 does have a hollow ring to it.)

Unitas, meanwhile, was renowned for once telling offensive coordinator Don McCafferty to "Sit back and enjoy the game, I won't need any help."

"My father never had a microphone in his helmet," said Unitas Jr. "He would study film two hours every night in the basement, figuring out his own plays." (First, it's a speaker in the helmet and second, the technology wasn't available back in the 50s. But it's nice to hear that the Colts were paying some guy to do nothing while Johnny U was diagramming plays in his basement.)

Next, the pocket.

Brady has been blessed with rules that prohibit defenders from taking cheap shots at the quarterback. This, combined with a strong offensive line, has allowed him to stand in the backfield poring over possible receivers for what seems like hours.

Have you ever seen Brady with blood? Have you ever seen him wearing even so much as a grass stain? (No, that’s because he does have a pretty good O-line. But have you seen the number of QBs that have started this year for other teams, Old Man Bill? Highest ever. But don't concern yourself with the facts; it would render your "theory" moot.)

The ancient quarterbacks survived with no such rules, with defenders hitting them every play, smaller guys than today, but hits nonetheless. (Geez, Old Man Bill, you forgot that players had worse equipment back in the day and that there was no such thing as FieldTurf and that everyone played outside. Oops, and you forgot to say, you buncha whippersnappers.)

There is a reason that one of most famous quarterback photos is not of Tom Brady pumping his fist into the air, but of Y.A. Tittle kneeling with blood trickling down his head. (Really? I thought that it was Starr's sneak during the Ice Bowl or Joe Montana's fist pump or Brett Farve running around like a crazed loon. But Tittle's bloody noggin is a pretty good one too. Can I get it on a T-Shirt?)

"The beating those guys took was tremendous," Unitas Jr. said.

Finally, there is the pass.

Brady's receivers are protected by today's rules, to the extent that defensive backs cannot even accidentally graze them.

The ancients' receivers were routinely tackled. The mere act of putting the ball in the air was a gamble. (So was walking to school ten miles barefoot, wasn't it, Old Man Bill? I get the point; rules change. Did you know that back in the day, college basketball players were not allowed to dunk? Blame Lew, Old Man Bill!)

"My father played when there were mostly running offenses," Unitas Jr said. My father was the other way."

In 1959, Unitas' league-leading total of 32 touchdown passes was more than 50% higher than his closest competitor, Pittsburgh's Bobby Layne, who threw for 20.

Brady threw for a record 50 touchdowns this season, but he is playing in an era when career and season passing records are falling faster than Green Bay snow. (Yes, let's blame Brady for being born in the 1980s and playing in the 2000s where the NFL has changed the rules and it's not like it was back when Fonzie ruled Milwaukee.)

Brady is playing in an era when the following scenario would never happen: (Maybe or maybe not. But you know the old saying - never say never. But yet Old Man Bill is absolute in his stance.)

Playing in overtime for the league championship, having driven his team to his opponent's eight-yard line, a quarterback decides to pass.

That was Unitas, 50 years ago. His Colts were in position to kick a field goal to beat the Giants for the title. Yet he saw a hole in the defense and threw a seven-yard pass to Jim Mutscheller to set up Alan Ameche's one-yard touchdown run.

"My father controlled the game," said John Unitas Jr. "He stuck it all out there." (Nothing against Junior here, but he's not really a model of objectivity, is he? At least he said that at the beginning, unlike Old Man Bill here.)

It is a game that no longer exists, and he is the kind of quarterback who no longer exists.
Today, Tom Brady stands alone. In this history of professional football, he stands in line. (All that to say that Brady is not the best of all time; a subject he is willing to agree with Old Man Bill. But to go the whole A-Rod name-calling route and further bemoan the good old days while belittling Brady's accomplishments not only makes Old Man Bill seem misinformed but sad as well.)

This post was also made on ArmchairGM.com

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Pats are guilty of spying, according to ESPN Talking Heads

The hardest working man in the NFL biz, Chris Mortensen, has gotten word from league sources that confirm the New England Patriots are guilty of stealing hand signals. And John Clayton says that the penalty will be severe, stating it might cost the Pats a 2nd Rounder and a 5th rounders in next year's draft. Clayton also brings up the fact that defensive signal callers might begin to wear the same equipment as QBs. He, then, concludes the column with a bizarre, almost dismissive thought:

What will be the longterm effect on Belichick and the Patriots? Although this is embarrassing, you can't take away what this franchise can do. They may have the best team in football. Robert Kraft is one of the league's best owners. The team has three Super Bowl rings and a great chance to get a fourth. Other great organizations have paid penalties for violating league rules. The Broncos lost a draft choice for violating the salary cap with John Elway. The Steelers once had to forfeit a third-round draft choice for working out in shoulder pads in the offseason. The Patriots may lose a draft choice or two. And whether or not the Patriots videotaped the Jets' defensive signals, Belichick won't be any less of a coach.

(Article also posted at armchairgm.com)

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Image of the Day for 09-09-07

AP Photo/Mel Evans

I almost took today off as it was a national holiday in the Schramm compound but since the Pats cruised to a 38-14 victory - I decided to gloat. Please to be reading the following commentary from around the Internets.

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli
Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy

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Image of the Day for 08-21-07

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indy got a repeat of the Bad Rexy performance last night but the outcome was not the same as the Bears held off the Colts 27-24. Grossman was truly gross as he fumbled three times, threw a pick and was sacked once. And that is why Grossman is not a member of the Hilarita Lil Devils.

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ESPN screwed the pooch with this HOF list

Normally, I love a good list. They're great fodder for discussion and debate. But when common sense is thrown out the window, a bad list can bring up the type of bile that is only reserved for the Yankees and your mother-in-law. Such is the latest "Hall Of Fame-Bound" one from the minds of Thomas Neumann and Scott Symmes of the World-Wide Leader. Here's their requirements for this list of 50 NFL players who have the likelihood of making it into Canton:

We rated players on a 20-point scale in five categories. Details are found in the ratings key on the right side of the page.

Before you post a snarky comment at the bottom of this page … understand that these are predictions. Very few active players would be locks for the Hall of Fame if they retired today. That leaves the door open to interpretation on who else will fill the field of 50 -- even a couple players who have yet to take a regular-season snap.

OK, now check our list -- and post that snarky comment.

Well, I'm going to give them the pleasure of reading my snarkitude on ESPN's website, I'll just post them right here. Even better, I'll provide all of the 50 players in increments of ten and provide my always clear but not concise comments. Let's start with #1-10:

1. Brett Favre

2. Tom Brady

3. Peyton Manning

4. Larry Allen

5. Ray Lewis

6. Richard Seymour

7. Jonathan Ogden

8. Marvin Harrison

9. LaDainian Tomlinson

10. Adam Vinatieri

Britt's comments: Nothing wrong with the choices here. But this first ten is kinda like spelling your name right on the top of a Scantron sheet for you SAT. You might get some points for it but challenging, it is not.

#11-20
11. Brian Urlacher

12. Orlando Pace

13. Michael Strahan

14. Junior Seau

15. Tony Gonzalez

16. Dwight Freeney

17. Champ Bailey

18. Derrick Brooks

19. Warren Sapp

20. Torry Holt

Britt's comments: Not much to complain about in the second ten right until number 19 hits you smack dab in the face. Sapp as a HOF in football not eating? I'm not seeing it. I know he won a defensive POY (Player of the Year) . But he's only got one ring and there's no reason to believe he'll get another one as a meaningful contributor. There are others much more deserving like a certain Taylor in Miami. If this was a fantasy football draft, making Sapp #19 would be a Mr. Fantastic-sized reach

#21-30

21. Shawne Merriman

22. John Lynch

23. Alan Faneca

24. Steve Hutchinson

25. Brian Dawkins

26. Walter Jones

27. Jason Taylor

28. Shaun Alexander

29. Julius Peppers

30. Antonio Gates

Britt's comments: The third ten starts the downward spiral for this list. It is almost criminal that the aforementioned multi-dimensional Taylor, the former total TDs in one season record holder and the premier end in the NFC are bunched together near the bottom of this list. Nothing against Faneca, Hutchinson and Jones but they should trade places the the first trio in my opinion.

#31-40

31. Troy Polamalu

32. Randy Moss

33. Ed Reed

34. Reggie Bush

35. Ty Law

36. Terrell Owens

37. Edgerrin James

38. Carson Palmer

39. Vince Young

40. Calvin Johnson

Britt's comments: More head scratching here on the last ten before the end of this list. Reggie Bush, with his one NFC Championship under his belt, ahead of one of the best lock-down corners in the league, Ty Law? Calvin Johnson, who hasn't played one down only four places behind Owens and only 8 behind Moss? I realize that not all of the selections will have qualifications at this time but rookies should never be in the mix for this list. For example, if this list was made in 2000, Tom Brady wouldn't have been even close to the screen to be on radar (and for good reason) and they would've been hyping up the absolute dominance that LaVar Arrington would have created as he marched his way to Canton. Even if hindsight is 20/20, enshrining rookies just isn't a good idea.

#41-50

41. Matt Leinart

42. Rod Smith

43. Hines Ward

44. Chad Johnson

45. Lofa Tatupu

46. DeMarcus Ware

47. Larry Johnson

48. Steven Jackson

49. A.J. Hawk

50. Adrian Peterson

Britt's comments: And here continues the total discrediting of this list with the last 10. Leinart ahead of SB MVP and soon to be top Steeler career leader in catches and yard Ward? Including a second year player like Hawk and another rookie in Peterson just shows two things: 1) the list should have been shortened to 30; and 2) the salary cap has affect the career life of its players as more than a couple of these players have been victimized by back-loaded contracts and a bigger/cheaper talent pool that continues to grow every year. I would've rather seen a tight and sensible list of 30 players whose facts were more solid than this mess of upside and possible inductees.

And it doesn't end here, the players listed below are considered "On The Bubble":

Anquan Bolden
Drew Brees
Issac Bruce
Rodney Harrison
Willie McGinest
Donovan McNabb
Steve McNair
Tom Nalen
Simeon Rice
Steve Smith

Britt's comment: The questions here abound as to why these guys were not included. Leinhart is on the list while his top WR is not? Three-time SB winners Harrison (the hardest hitter in the NFL for most of his career) and McGinest are on the outside looking in? McNabb, the QB behind a five-year run atop the NFC East with three consecutive NFC Championships and one SB, not good enough? "Air" McNair, co-MVP and one SB game while changing perceptions of what a Black QB should be, sitting on the sideline? And burner Steve Smith won't be able to continue his current run of success because his upside is weak? And why is Mr. Consistent Zach Thomas nowhere to be found on this list? Stop me before I start frothing at the mouth.

And here's a list of players that were tabbed as being not HOR-worthy:

Eli Manning
Clinton Portis
Brady Quinn
Ben Roethlisberger
Tony Romo
JaMarcus Russell
Jeremy Shockey
Michael Vick
Mario Williams
Charles Woodson

Britt's comments: Most of these players I don't have a problem on this list. Although I find it funny that the two highest rated QBs from this past draft don't get the benefit of the doubt like the fellow Class of '06 draftees. And saying that Super Bowl winning QB Roethlisberger is already toast is way too premature, even with the bike wreck and terrible season he had last year.

I know that I spend way too much time overanalyzing a list of possible Hall of Famers compiled by some guys that aren't even covering the NFL for ESPN. But, as I stated above, I love a good list. And sometimes, I love a bad list even more.

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Image of the Day for 08-02-07

With one of his boys copping a plea on Monday, it looks like Mike Vick should've been in Adam Sandler's role for the remake of "The Longest Yard" to help him prepare for his next "team".

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It's all New England, all the time at the Worldwide Leader

With all the crap that was being dredged up like barbaric mongrel fights, gambling scandals, steroids use, and rampant doping, a day like today is what the sports world needed; at least in the New England region of that world. And thankfully, ESPN has covered it all for you. Here's the short list:

• Jeff Chadiha writes about how Adalius Thomas is the one, not Randy Moss, who will determine the fate of the Patriots' season since the defense lost the AFC Championship last year by giving up a 21-3 lead and Thomas plays a position where the Pats are becoming pretty long in the tooth. Wow, that's very insightful. I bet anyone who watched that same game in January (especially in the fourth quarter) would've never noticed that one. Sorry, you might think that this load of sarcasm is unwarranted but really, who couldn't see that the biggest free agent out there this past off-season would be a key ingredient. I'm sorry but I think that even with my limited writing abilities, I could've written that column.
• Right before the close of the trading deadline, the Red Sox pick up former stud closer now set-up guy Eric Gagne from the Rangers' fire sale for mere junk. This acquisition comes right on the heels of dumping Joel Pineiro to the Cards for the always used "Minor League Player To Be Named Later". Right now, the Yanks are wondering what it will be like to be home for the bulk of October.
• And who could forget the biggest trade in history (outside of video games) that involves only one player from one side and five players plus two draft picks from another? Yes, this may be the year that I plunk down the money for a KG jersey. And there is already speculation that a team with the hydra head of Pierce-Allen-Garnett and a bunch of 10-day contracts from the NBADL still might not be enough to win the Eastern Conference championship. Are they for real? If the Cavs could win it with basically just LeBron (finally taking over in most of the games that he plays), the Celtics should borrow an old line from their Yawkey Way brethren and say, "Why Not Us?" And I would agree since Detroit is one year older with an embattled coach, Miami is just old, the Wizards will never play D and Cleveland will suffer a sophomore slump this upcoming year. This lull of power in the Eastern Conference is primed for a Boston renaissance. Mark my words, people.

Sorry fans of in other regions of the nation and the world, today, the sun rises and sets on the six collective states that comprise New England. And as a former Maine townie, this comes from the heart - Go TEAMS!

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Free Download of All-Pro Soundtrack Mixcard MP3 by Z-Trip

The new soundtrack for the 2K sports non-NFL licensed video game, All-Star Football, is dropping today and to commemorate this release, 2K Sports has a free download of a Mix e-card (similar to a mixtape with over 30 minutes of highlights from the new CD). If you're interested in one of the premier turntable guys and some of the best rappers in the biz (Rakim, Chali 2NA, Lateef & Slug, Dilated Peoples), click here to get that download.

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Creator of the West Coast Offense passes away

Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh passed away earlier today from leukemia. During his tenure with the 49ers, his teams went 102-63-1 with 6 division titles and won 10 of 14 postseason games and 3 Super Bowls. His coaching tree stretches throughout not only the NFL but the college ranks too. But most notably, over two-thirds of the NFL coaches owe a debt of thanks to the man who made Montana and to a lesser degree, Rice, the legends that they are today.

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I cannot tell a lie..

It appears that the Patriots are coming to close to the "America's Team" moniker if this image from DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket ad is any indication:

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The Patriots have Randy Moss' Number

According to Mike Reiss of the Globe, Randy Moss will suit up this season with the number 81. This may be an allusion to turning his career around as his number from Oaktown was 18. Hmm, it's always good to have a reminder of how bad a football season could get by looking down to the number on your chest.

As far as I can tell, NEP jersey #81 is going to the top of the NFLShop.com sales charts since all of the rappers, wannabes gangstas and bottom-feeding homeslices of the world will be buying it up like Lindsay at last call; especially when Goodall blocks the sale of the number 7 from the ATL. Maybe this jersey will act as a some sort of twisted peace offering between the Bloods and Crips. Yeah, right. I'll predict that DeMarcus Russell's jersey will be the next "hot" Thug4Life clothing staple jersey. Congrats, rook. Wear that label with pride.

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Spartans squeak in at #55 in ESPN Top 119 Pigskin

Not exactly a banner assessment but sometimes the truth hurts. Here's the Worldwide Leader's review of Michigan State:

#55 - Michigan State
W/L: 61-58
Win %: .513
Titles: 0
Bowl Record: 2-2

Perennially the Big Ten's most underachieving program, MSU constantly shot itself in the foot in the John L. Smith era. Penalties and late-season collapses became MSU trademarks. There was a lot of talent but little productivity to show for it in the standings. The past 10 years, MSU was 19-37 against the rest of the Big Ten. On the positive side, the Spartans did rank No. 21 in the nation last season in attendance. That said, coach Mark Dantonio's discipline figures to be a welcome addition.

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