Special 1TV: The end of the season

The Special One puts all of his chips on red for the Champions League Final.

There is no reason for Rutgers to be this bad at lacrosse

During the last couple of weeks, Only Time Will Tell officials have been spending a lot of time watching lacrosse and specifically college lacrosse.

During that time one thing has become clear, there are a lot of good players from New Jersey that are playing in other states.That got me to thinking, if there are so many good players coming out of the Garden State, then why is the Rutgers Lacrosse program a train wreck.

Just look around at lacrosse's traditional powers and you will see a Garden State flavor. Duke features three kids from Jersey. Virginia features four kids including Scott McWilliams, defender, from Mountain Lakes and Chris LaPierre, midfielder, from Medford. Johns Hopkins features five kids including standout midfielder Rob Guida from Chatham. Notre Dame features six kids from the Garden State. While Syracuse features five kids from New Jersey. The situation is almost as bad as the situation that Rutgers football was in about a decade ago and they have seemed to turn it around.

Now the school has the chance to turn everything around. On Monday Jim Stagnitta, who spent the past nine seasons coaching the Rutgers men’s lacrosse team, has announced his resignation. Stagnitta’s nine-year tenure was highlighted by consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2003 and ’04, but the program languished in recent years. The Scarlet Knights turned in losing seasons in six of the last seven years, including a 6-9 mark this spring. Stagnitta compiled a 58-82 record after taking over for Tom Hayes — the winningest coach in program history — in 2001-02.

With the search for a new coach on, this is the chance for Scarlet Knights to make a real impact on the lacrosse field again. The school has to go out and spend the money and hire someone that will help bring recruits to the State University of New Jersey. If they don't make a splash there is a chance that Rutgers lacrosse will continue to be irrelevant.

Prospects 'R Us

While most of the focus on Friday night in Lakewood was on Bryce Harper, there were a ton of other prospects on display at First Energy Field. From AJ Cole to Jesse Biddle to Aaron Altherr, they were all on display during the game. Here is a breaking down of them:

BlueClaws left hander Jesse Biddle started and went 6 innings allowing 4 earned runs. All of his earned runs came in the second inning after which he settle down. He has good stuff and was very impressed. Biddle is ranked as the 7th best prospects in the Phillies system. The highlight of his night was striking out Bryce Harper


Blueclaws outfielder Aaron Altherr was also impressive. Altherr, 10th ranked prospect in the Phillies system, went 1 for 5 with a run scored. While still raw, Altherr could potentially be a chip that can be traded.


For Nats fans, the night was not only about Harper but also AJ Cole. Cole, the fourth ranked prospect in the Nats system, was a fourth round pick in the 2010 draft that the Nationals paid a bonus of $2 million to. Cole went four innings striking out four and allowing 2 hits and an earned run. Cole showed why baseball people think so highly of him. Below Cole strikes out form Phillies first round Anthony Hewitt

My New Favorite Number: 19

Professional Tailgating: It's Bryce Harper Day

As a Nats fan, Friday was a big day, it gave me a chance to see the future of the franchise in Bryce Harper when the Hagerstown Sun visited Lakewood. While Harper was went 1-4, you could see what makes him the best prospect in baseball.

Even fans of Nascar ole number 3 even came out for the event.

 Harper's name was one of the first on the lineup card for the Sun

Lakewood players get ready for the game

 Harper takes his position in right field with people looking on.

Harper flies out in the top of the third inning

Harper in between innings

We will be posting more on the prospects involved in the game including AJ Cole, Jesse Biddle, Zach Collier, Anthony Hewitt, and Aaron Altherr.

Could Spurs still end up at the Olympic Stadium

With West Ham United squarely looking at the trap door to the Championship, could their move to the Olympic Stadium be on hold? It's a question that needs to be asked.

On 11 February 2011 the Olympic Park Legacy Committee selected West Ham United and Newham Council as the preferred bidder to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. The decision in favour of West Ham's bid was unanimous. However Leyton Orient have complained that the stadium is too close too their ground and would breach FA rules. They claim that West Ham's plans could force them into bankruptcy. On 3 March 2011 West Ham United's proposed move to the Olympic Stadium was approved by the British government.

Their relegation to the Championship could throw a huge wrench into their plans, gone will be the huge crowds that watch Premier League football and the large revenue that comes from both tickets sales and the Premier League TV deals worldwide. How is a club with such a decline in revenue, even if its for just a year, going to be able afford to make the needed changes to the Olympic Stadium. It's expected to cost about £95m to convert the venue from an 80,000 seat stadium to a 60,000-seat venue for football, athletics and cricket, according to the BBC. The Olympic Delivery Authority is to give £35m of that to West Ham, while most of the remaining funds have been provided by a £40m loan arranged by Newham Council.

Could West Ham issues, allow Spurs to call the Olympic Stadium home. Spurs have the money to pay for the changes that need to be made to the stadium in order to bring it up standards for Premier League football. Spurs have the supporters to fill the stadium.

I know nothing is set in stone, but if it all plays out like this, it could be very hard for The Hammers to hold on to their proposed new home.

This Banners sums it up

Move over Liverpool, the Reds are marching on to title 19.

Professional Tailgating: For what its Werth

As a Nats fan, I was not a big fan of them signing Werth and after seeing in the that jersey on Thursday night it still does not look right

Werth in his familiar spot at Citizens Bank Park, this time in different colors.

 John Mayberry Jr., Werth replacement.

Outside the stadium, this guy plays a tune celebrating the Phillies win

At least on Friday night, I will be able to celebrate the future of the franchise, when the OTWT group heads to Lakewood to watch Bryce Harper,  can not wait.

Is Brandon Coleman Rutgter's version of Jonathan Baldwin

During his time at Pitt, Frank Cignetti had a tall receiver names Jonathan Baldwin to use. Last year Cingnetti did his best to put Baldwin in the best positions that he could. Cignetti, now the offensive coordinator at Rutgers, may have found the next vversion of the Baldwin in red shirt freshman Brandon Coleman. During the Spring Game on Saturday, Coleman was the star of the showing catching five balls for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Teaming Coleman up with Sanu, Deering and Harrison could make the Rutgers receiving corps the best in the Big East. 

Chas Dodd throws a 28-yard td pass to Coleman

Professional Tailgating: Spring is Always Fun

Spring Games are fun for everyone but the players. So yesterday, the OTWT Tailgating Crew headed to Rutgers Scarlet and White Game and it was a ton of fun. The event gave fans a chance to see the new offense that is being installed.

Going to the Spring Game starts at an early age.

 The Believe Bowl, an alumni game, features teams lead by for former qbs Ryan Hart and Mike Teel

 A nice crowd took in the game, officials said it was approximately 21,000 people  

 The new offense looked good, more on that in the coming days.

Professional Tailgating: The Fifth Beatle

On Friday night the world was introduced to the fifth Beatle, Vance Worley. Worley made the start for the Phillies and dominated the Mets. Are are some of the sights from it.

It looked like a filming of the Kung Fu movie before the game started.

 Its a little early to be voting for the All Star Game

 Going ole school Nails

 These guy thought they were at a Flyers playoff game.

OTWT Draft Predictions

Everyone does it so why not OTWT, so here is our Top 10 NFL Mock Draft:

1. Carolina (2-14): Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

2. Denver (4-12):  Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

3. Buffalo (4-12): Von Miller, DE, Texas A&M

4. Cincinnati (4-12): AJ Green, WR, Georgia

5. Arizona (5-11): Patrick Peterson, DB, LSU

6. Cleveland (5-11): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

7. San Francisco (6-10): Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

8. Tennessee (6-10): Jake Locker, QB, Washington

9. Dallas (6-10): Tyron Smith, OL, USC

10. Washington (6-10): Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Can not wait

Every year the OTWT Tailgating crew takes in a soccer game of a EEuropean giant that is touring the United States. One year it was Barca, another year it was Real Madrid. Last year it was Manchester United vs the Philly Union. Now this year its Barca vs. my beloved Manchester United in Washington DC in late July. Can not wait, it has the potential to be a rematch of the Champions League Final.

Everyone Knows Your Gone

Since the end of the regular season one topic has continued to dominate discussion among Eagles fan, what does the future hold for former starting QB Kevin Kolb. At this point, the smart money is on the former University of Houston Cougar being traded at someone point during this crazy off season.

The idea of Kolb being is not a secret to anyone including the staff at Babies R Us. During one of my weekly trips to the baby superstore, I noticed a bunch of Kolb jerseys were sitting on a "By 1 get 1 free" rack at the store, a sure sign that his career with the Birds is over.

Once Babies R Us starts reducing your merchandise you know that your time in a city is almost over.

Land of the Children

The old saying goes: "and a child shall lead them", well at North Carolina that has been the case on the both the basketball court and the lacrosse field. Both teams have been lead by a freshman that are well beyond their years. In basketball the team was carried in the second half of the season by Harrison Barnes (above), while on the lacrosse field the team has been lead by Nicky Galasso (below).

The pair both have a ton in common. Barnes came to North Carolina as the number one player in high school basketball, while Galasso showed up on campus as the best high school lacrosse player in the counry. The two have also fit in really well with their teams. Barnes, after a slow start, came on as the season went on as other members of the teams started to see the skill set that he had. The same is true with Galasso, as the year has gone on he has become a focal point of the offense with his goal scoring and playmaking skills.

While freshman are making an impact at a variety of sports across the board, its rare to see two that are this good, playing this well at the same school. North Carolina has truely become the Land of the Children

Rooney and Rutgers: A perfect match

Wayne Rooney sporting a Rutgers cap as he travels to the UEFA Champions League game against Chelsea. Rutgers and Rooney what a team.

Professional Tailgating: Its a great night for a football game

It was a great night for a football game, too bad it was a baseball game that was scheduled to be played. For my first baseball game of the year, I went to the Phillies and Mets game on Tuesday night and boy was it cold

Citizens Bank Park new fancy HD scoreboard

 Yes those clouds are cold and dark

 I had joked with a bunch of people about seeing Kyle Kendrick and guess what he was pitching, thanks to a terrible outing by Cole Hammels

 By the fifth inning, it was on to reading the media guide in order to pass the time

FA needs to have their heads looked at

So let me get this straight cursing at a camera is more of an offense against football then breaking a players leg with a terrible tackle. That is the message that the FA is sending with their decision to seek a two match band against Wayne Rooney for swearing at a camera after scoring the winning goal against West Ham on Saturday morning. Rooney has accepted a Football Association charge for using offensive language, but not the automatic two-match ban. He is set to miss the league game against Fulham and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. But Rooney has submitted a claim, which will be heard on Wednesday, that the suspension is "clearly excessive".

For years the FA has turned their back on various issues issues, so based on the FA charge Wayne Rooney's action are more of a crime against football then Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross's tackle that broke Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey's leg in Feb. 2010. During that incident Shawcross was given a straight red card and served his one match band.

I'm not saying what Rooney did was right, but lets take a look at everything before we call for a band and if that is worth a two game band, then Ryan Shawcross should have been given 10 games for his actions. All I'm saying is lets just be fair.

Prospect Questions for the Upcoming year

While the major league season is underway, minor league baseball is still a couple of days from starting. Here are some of the story lines from the Only Time Will Tell Scouting Department:

1. How fast will Bryce Harper go through the Nats season. Will he still be in Hagerstown when they visit Lakewood in May.
2. How will the Phillies and Red Sox systems bounce back after being raided in major deals over the last couple of years.
3. How will Cubs prospect Matt Szczur do in first full season of pro baseball
4. As a graduate of Toms River South, this is an important year for Todd Frazier. Will the Reds deal him or hold to him.
5. How long will it take before we the Royals army of top ranked prospects reaches the majors. According to some scouts the Royals have five of the top 50 prospects in baseball.
6. Is Andrew Brackman a closer or a starter in the Yankees system. The former center at NC State has always had a huge upside.

Butler Legend?

Wow they are throwing the term legend around for anyone any more. I was listening to Mad Dog Radio on Sirius Radio this morning and this came across the radio: Butler Legend Gordon Hayward. Hayward is no legend, Brad Stevens is the only legend at Butler. Just think what they would have called Hayward if his half court shot would have gone in last year