July 14th Roll Out: I’m Back.. What’d I Miss?

(Courtesy 247 Sports)

I’ve returned after two and a half weeks away and a lot has gone on in my absence. In case you were also MIA during this time like me, I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some of the key happenings from the last couple of weeks.

But first let me give a shout out to American Airlines. I’m not sure if you’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with a company that boasts the same competency as a lemonade stand but, if not, woo-doggy! have you got an incredible experience in store for you. First of all, when dealing with AA, expect to be stranded in an air conditioned-less airplane for two hours only to hear that your flight home has been cancelled and that you’ll be herded to an air conditioned-less motel room where a bottle of water costs 5 euro a piece. Oh by the way, outside air temperatures are hovering around the mid 80’s with humidity north of 80%. Tack onto this the fact that you’re in Europe, where the inefficiencies here make you nostalgic for the DMV (it took me an hour to move up from fifth in line to actually check in at the motel) and you’ll start thinking long and hard about taking a leap off of the nearest tall building. So thank you American Airlines. From your caviar-sucking CEO down to the janitors, I hope all of you burn in a raging fire.

The silver lining out of this chaos is that I was able to catch up on some books that had been collecting dust on my shelf, particularly The GM that tells the story of former New York Giants General Manager Ernie Acorsi and Swing Your Sword, the autobiography of mad genius Mike Leach. Both were outstanding reads and the last one in particular took me just a few hours of sitting in a cheap Italian hotel to complete. Given my seventh grade reading level, that should tell you all you need to know about how difficult it was to put down.

Anyways, enough of that. Let’s get to the standard roll out that combs over the major headlines in the last few weeks.

On the recruiting front UC picked up commitments from Tyrell Gilbert and Luke Callahan

On paper Gilbert looks like the quintessential lead-blocking back in Eddie Gran’s offense. If Cincy’s new offensive coordinator installs a similar system he worked with at Florida State, Gilbert could be used in split-back formations where he could have the opportunity to get quite a few touches on offense. Potentially blocking for him could be offensive guard Luke Callahan. I’m honestly not quite sure the last time, if ever, Cincinnati brought in a kid from Olentangy Liberty in Powell, Ohio but UC’s staff was definitely able to find him. Callahan has solid size and boasts offers from around the MAC at this point.

Scott over at Bearcats Blog basically pisses on everyone pissing on the American Athletic Conference

Finally someone stood up against the unjustified bashing UC’s new conference has taken in recent weeks and Scott does an exceptional job hoisting the flag. Maybe it’s the fact that the AAC is brand new and everyone likes to pile on the new kid on the block. Maybe it’s the fact that every program under the sun aside from UC, UConn, and USF have bolted from whatever was left of the “Old” Big East. Regardless, the “New” Big East seems to continuously get a pass while the AAC, despite possessing strong basketball programs in Cincinnati, Connecticut, Memphis, and Temple are automatically written off. It makes absolutely zero sense and Scott does a nice job illustrating how unfair this mindset truly is.

Nippert Stadium’s new turf will have one key change; no more red in the numbers along the sidelines

Admittedly, I feel a little petty making a fuss over this. But, since we’re in the midst of the offseason, I don’t have blown coverages or power forwards shooting three’s to complain about so this will have to do. I really can’t fathom why UC is making a change to one of the aspects of Nippert Stadium that makes it so unique. Literally no other program in the country has the same font and color scheme as Carson Field’s. With the red eliminated, all that’s left is a boring black and white scheme. I’d love to know what caused UC to go this route.

A handful of Bearcats were named to award watch lists:

• Tony Miliano: Lou Groza Award
• Greg Blair: Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award
• Austen Bujnoch: Outland Trophy
• Eric Lefeld: Outland Trophy

Down the Drive takes a deep dive into Northwestern State’s offensive system

Leave it to Matt Opper to spend more than 5 minutes evaluating a team the Cincinnati Bearcats should steamroll next season, let alone study film on them. The disparity between UC and Northwestern State’s talent is the size of a canyon. Still, it will be interesting to see what tricks the Demons’ new OC Robby Brown has up his sleeves for the Bearcats.