Keeping Up with the Joneses: Realists See the Glass as Half Empty Edition

Tom Luicci, Star Ledger-  Joe Martinek is still in the mix to replace Ray Rice  There are a few ways to look at this.  The optimists and Knight faithful would have you believe that for a lightly (if at all) recruited running back from the suburbs of Jersey, Martinek is pretty good.  Us realists see the glass as half empty; that Martinek is still poaching carries from Jourdan Brooks, Mason Robinson, and Kordell Young speaks volumes as to the caliber of tailback at RU.   

While I'm personally rooting for Martinek to wrest some carries away from the aforementioned three (he's a sentimental favorite of mine, being one of the best damned javelin throwers I've ever seen), his personal success does not necessarily portend success for RU.  

Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician- Brilliant tee-shirts!  Remember kids: its not pessimism if its a blatant truth!

Cincinnati Enquirer- On the heels of his (last ditch, desperate) lawsuit, Matt Mauk will be given yet ANOTHER appeal by the NCAA.  He will be given the chance to address the Reinstatement Committee in person

I wouldn't expect the NCAA to rule on Mauk's case for another 6-8 weeks.  The Committee has got to be pissed that Mauk would have the audacity to take their ruling(s) to court and I would expect retribution in the form of some lengthy delay and many postponements.  Mauk is about to get a first hand lesson in collusion when he is ruled eligible in time to practice for the bowl game!  

In unrelated news, Dustin Grutza has been named the starting QB.

Addicted to Quack- Another Pac-10 QB goes down!  Too damn bad that the conference's only healthy QB is Tavita Pritchard.

So far nothing specific on Costa's knee.  This could be a blessing in disguise for the Ducks.  I'm thoroughly convinced that uber-athlete frosh Chris Harper is the Duck's best QB.  While not as experienced as Costa and certainly not as polished a passer, Harper brings Dixon-esque speed to the table.  And if you'll be so kind as to recall, prior to the Arizona game, Dixon, en route to a sure-fire Heisman, had the Ducks on a crash course for the National Championship.