HAPPY BDAY PEYTON MANNING & STEVE FISHER

Happy Birthday wishes in order today to 2 amazing men!  

March 24th has brought some dynamite guys!  Two right here!

Peyton Manning turns 38 today, 

while Aztecs HC Steve Fisher turn 69 years old and receives an early gift to the Sweet Sixteen, only the second time they have found themselves in this position.

As Fisher prepares for the Thursday match in Anaheim vs Wildcats with hopes of a sweet 8 spot, Peyton can entertain, as he does so often.
Too fun not to share,
Enjoy!
Peyton Manning United Way SNL Spoof

Vaughan and Burse connect while impress at NFLPA BOWL

Dustin Vaughan and Isaiah Burse made an impact at the StubHub Center playing for Dick Vermeil's National Team.  Both seniors with their prospective accolades, eleven wins and drawing the attention from all the recruiters while trying to get to the next phase of their careers.

Dustin Vaughan under center for NFLPA Bowl photo ©desireeastorga.com

West Texas A&M's (11-3), Dustin Vaughan caught the eye of NFL Scouts at the NFLPA BOWL all week during practice and Saturdays game along with NFLDraftScout.com as one of the five standouts.  The 6'5, 220 pound Corpus Christ native shines as he looks ahead to the NFL draft.  Things they liked, his frame, functional mobility in the pocket and big arm.

One small-school standout at #NFLPABowl was @wtathletics QB Dustin Vaughan. http://t.co/LMtxvpCm87 Good #NFL size, strong arm. #NFLDraft
— Ron Clements (@Ron_Clements) January 21, 2014

At Calallen High School an all-state academic selection, who contributed to the basketball program along with aiding on his baseball team to a class 4A State championship.Vaughan not only excels on the field but in the classroom, the two-time Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America selection and the Division II College Football Academic All-American of the Year in 2012-13.  The Biology major and pre-Med Vaughan earned the prestigious honor of being named to AFCA All-American Team in mid December while becoming the 10^th player in VT history.  The Harlon Hill Finalist has played 30 games with 25 starts and has 70 TD's with 19 INT's.   He has thrown for 8,124 yards making him the third-most in Buffs history.  He set the national D-II record for passing yards in a season with 5,401, breaking the mark of 5,207 set by Eric Czerniewski of Central Missouri in 2010.

Coming in as a DII sleeper with forecasted projections ranking Vaughan at 26th QB in the NFL Draft.  It’s not surprising that the bright talented QB has his team always at the forefront.

“Just the fact of putting so much work and effort into something such as football, that’s where a lot of guys receive their motivation, being able to work for something that you desire, not only individually but as a team,” Vaughan said. “I know there’s a lot of guys that, although they’re not going to be there receiving these accolades, they think in the back of their minds that they had a lot to do with it, which they absolutely did. This team has been amazing; it’s been an amazing 4½ years that I’ve had here.”

Isaiah Burse at NFLPA Bowl photo ©desireeastorga.com

Although only a handful of throws for Vaughan at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, one strong target also grabbing scouts attention was (11-2) Fresno State's, Isaiah Burse.  The Bulldog WR making an impression all season with QB Derek Carr and added 91 yards for the National teams win. Big heads up on Isaiah, his passion for the game and fearlessness on the field are not going unnoticed.

Utah State's head Coach Matt Wells raved prior to their match up.

"I don't look at depth," Wells said of the Bulldogs trio of wide outs, (Josh Harper, Davante Adams and Isaiah Burse) "but I do look at talent and they have three guys who can G-O.  Fresno State's wide receivers are like the globetrotters on grass."

Fresno's slot WR Isaiah Burse is a little baller too. Undersized but fearless over middle, quick pluck and some wiggle. Hungry too! #sleeper
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) January 16, 2014

The 6-0, 187 pound Modesto wide receiver and return man was selected as Honorable Mention All-Mountain Conference for 2013 and NFL draft projections land him 44 of 430 WR's.  His return skills definitely merit a higher rank lending an extra asset to land a job on special teams.  He chose Fresno State because of the program and the people (however he was also recruited by Arizona, Oregon and Kansas State).  The criminology correction major admires Mark Dobbins because he’s a standup guy and his brother who is always pushing him to do the right thing.

2013 receiving stats 99 for 1026 yards 6 TDs, along with 9 rushing attempts for 81 yards and 2 TD's.  At the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, 5 for 39 yards and 1 TD.

Keep an eye out for these two prospects as the NFL Draft nears.

Desiree Astorga

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder 

Time out with Desiree, the silver linings

An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.

The DesireeSHOW

 

INTERIM IN FOOTBALL, MEANS EXACTLY THAT

Let's just start with the definition: in·ter·im  (ntr-m)n.An interval of time between one event, process, or period and another.adj.Belonging to, serving during, or taking place during an intermediate interval of time; temporary: an interim agreement. See Synonyms at temporary.

Temporary, discontinuity, hiccup and  intermission some synonyms that may help you digest the true meaning.  An interval of time between one event, process, or period and another.

Don't be disilutioned that the interm, will become your head coach.

I have recently gone through this misconception, passion and emotion were contagious and resulted in Wins!  Hard not to when you can see the direct result, see players engaged and fighting for someone they love.  However, the end result was loosing one of the best recruiters and a "Interim" HC that had players playing passionately.  Brought in former players immediately for prep talks, amrcus Allen and Ray Lewis and even cookies back in the John McKay Center.

Remember its a business, and not just in the NFL, High School, College and the Pros.

No matter that Kubiak inherited  the 2-14 Texans, took them to playoffs had a stroke during a game, after the loss in Jacksonville, was fired, to be replaced by Wade Phillips who stepped in earlier after Coach was recouping. He also had 0-4 record.

Jack del Rio, stepped up and in for Coach Fox, 3-1 for the Broncos, meriting a game ball, Coach is back, so even though he also was persued by USC's Pat Haden for HC with the Trojans, he's back to D-cord.

USC's Pat Haden did the same, but to an interim who brought back USC football to the locker room, on the field and in the fans, after a loss to home town rival UCLA was abruptly replaced by WU Steve Sarkasian someone who had a PAC 12 record (24-21)  vs the "interim" Coach O's (6-1) record after taking the reins.

However, the Trojans (9-4) will be playing Saturday in the Las Vegas Bowl with yet one more (temporary) interim HC where they meet the (11-1) Fresno Bulldogs.  The last time these two met were at the Coliseum in 2005 with Pete Carrol at the helm.  The result 50-42 USC.

The dominos effect trickling as a direct result leaves Boise and Washington interims.

Many misconceived ideas arise, especially when the emotion and the W's come.  But remind yourself with what it actually means.

Desiree Astorga 
Photographer, Reporter, Producer, Host; TV/Radio 
Time out with Desiree, The Silver Linings
 An optimistic realist with intermittent football turrets all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. 
The DesireeSHOW    

JAMEIS WINSTON, THE 78TH HEISMAN WINNER HAS BIGGER DREAMS

The most prestigious award in college football goes to Jameis Winston whose eyes are set on much much more; The NFL, MLB and Florida State.

Filled with determination, confidence, humility and a sparkle in his eye, the 78th Heisman winner becomes the youngest to date, the second freshman, the 3rd seminole, a dual athlete and a desire to be better than Bo.

Jameis Winston joins Florida State's Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke on the Heisman List with 79.20% of the vote. The 19 year old dons the honor 23 days shy of his birthday. But don't think for a moment that he's putting down his glove, bat or his books. He has a vision and his heart is set on more .

"Education's always first thing," Winston said. "So when people keep asking, 'Jameis, are you leaving next year?' and all this stuff, I say, 'I need my education.' That's what it's really about."

The outfielder and relief pitcher already was drafted in 2012 in the 15th round to The Texas Rangers, but decided to stay in college. He continues to play both for FSU.

"I don't feel I can play football without baseball," Winston said. "I don't feel I can play baseball without football."

He is encouraged by FSU Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher stating he has no problem with his star quarterback's plan to play baseball. In fact, he thinks it might help create a diversion from all the hype that will follow him winning the Heisman.

With a select group of dual Athletes, specifically NFL/MLB connection he stands a good chance to join an exceptional list. Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders , John Elway, Dan Marino, Jack Del Rio, Ronnie Brown, Bill Parcell's and even more recent Jake Locker, Colin Kaepernick, Brandon Weedon, Matt Moore and Brandon Jones.

The 6' 4" Alabama native holds Bo Jackson, the 51st Heisman Winner, in the highest esteem. Ironically Winston and his 13-0 Seminoles will meet Jackson's alma mater, the Tigers (12-1) in the BCS Championship game on his 20th birthday, January 6th, 2013 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

"He's a way better athlete than I ever will be," Winston said. "But hopefully I can be to his standard one day. Hopefully I can be better than Bo."

No possible way not to mention, Seminole's two time super bowl champ Deion Sanders, who also chimed in on Twitter

DeionSanders ‏@DeionSanders14 Dec
Yes Jamies Winston wins the Heisman. #FlaState Truth

Deion who in 1989 hit a home run in the majors and scored a TD in the NFL in the same week. Sanders also drafted in high school chose Florida State and was drafted again by the Yankees in 1988. He is the only man to play in both the Super Bowl and the World Series.

"Football is my wife and baseball is my mistress." Sanders

And with the Auburn Tigers in the talks, I can't omit Ronnie Brown, the outfielder also Drafted out of high school to the Seattle Mariners, opted to pick school, the college experience and play football at Auburn, but told me "baseball was really my first sport."  Brown continues to play in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.

Congratulations Jameis!!
With a good head on his shoulders, strong team of mentors and drive, he is sure to make his dreams come to life. I, for one, am looking forward to watching that happen.


Desiree Astorga
Photographer, Reporter, Producer, Host; TV/Radio
Time out with Desiree, the silver linings
An optimistic realist with intermittent football turrets all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.
The DesireeSHOW