The $9 million man

I will never forget the first day of the first journalism class at the Missouri school of journalism. The first thing they tell all the hopeful, optimistic 18-year-olds is that the best starting salary these students with a dream can hope for is about $30,000.

I thought this entire speech had one motive: force those without the desire and dedication to perform journalism without financial incentive to quit. I pressed on, surviving weed out class after weed out class. I went from the insanely hard Convergence reporting class to the incredibly difficult broadcast 2 with only a week off in between.

Now just a month away from graduation, I wonder if I chose the right career path. Journalism requires so much work for so little money. It is stressful and demanding. Challenging, yet simple to those who excel at it.

This past weekend I watched a rerun of the world series of poker final table. Jonathan Duhamel, a professional poker from Canada became a 9 million dollar man with just over a weeks worth of actual work. Duhamel is just one year older than I am. He attended college with plans of earning a finance degree. He dropped out of school to focus on playing poker professionally. The decision obviously paid off.

I love playing cards, especially Texas Hold em. I have played cards since I was four with games including bridge, gin rummy, and poker. I now play Texas hold em as often as I can. I went to Vegas this summer and played in three tournaments, taking 5th place in two of them, cashing in one of them. The two tournaments I did not make money in, I was over a 90% favorite when I sent all my chips into the pot.

With just one cash in three tournaments, I made money. I have calculated that I generally earn money in one out of every three tournaments. I am the reigning champion at my fraternity house and believe that with a little luck and some good plays I could do what Duhamel did and become a millionaire.

I am torn. My family spent thousands of dollars to send me to school here to obtain a degree and get a job in the field of sports journalism. However, there is little money in this field and even fewer jobs. Looking at the job landscape there is vast array of unpaid internships, but no careers. Maybe when I leave school next month is the perfect time in my life to take the ultimate gamble and try make my living playing poker.

Pick the right people to criticize

In the wake of Missouri's disappointing loss to Texas Tech, I hear complaints and criticisms of head coach Gary Pinkel that lack validity and seem to be uttered out of frustration than logic. I have heard numerous friends say that Pinkel should be removed as head coach when nothing could be further from the truth.

Just two weeks ago Pinkel led the Tigers to their biggest home win ever. The win over Oklahoma was monumental. Athletic Director, Mike Alden, says that the victory over the Sooner will bring millions of dollars into the school and the program. Just two weeks ago the same fans that sang Pinkel's praises now doubt the man.

In Pinkel's ten years as head coach, the Tigers won their two Big 12 North championships. Something they had never done prior. Pinkel helped Mizzou beat Nebraska for the first time in about 30 years. The Tigers have six straight winning seasons and finished above .500 in 7 out of their last 8 seasons. They have been to bowl games in each of the past five seasons and that trend will continue this year. The Tigers ranked #1 in the A.P. poll for the first time ever in 2007. The most recent graduating class of gridiron Tigers stands in history as the winningest graduating class in Mizzou history, an accomplishment that could be eclipsed by this year's class.

Recruiting is another one of Pinkel's strengths. He brought in the school's first five star recruit, Blaine Gabbert. He bcontinues bring talented players who can play at the college level and beyond. Before Pinkel arrived at Mizzou, the school had sent 28 players to the NFL in about 50 years. In just 10 years, Pinkel has sent 17 Tigers to the pros. He continues to bring in talented players like Aldon Smith who is a legitimate first round prospect. Tigers have been drafted in the first round of the NFL draft and continue to excel in the pros.

Many criticize Pinkel's offensive scheme of running the spread offense on every play. While this may not be a productive red zone strategy, the Tiger offense has been among the most prolific in the entire NCAA for the past five years. the recent struggles stem play calling which falls on the Offensive Coordinator, Dave Yost, not Pinkel.

Tiger football has earned more attention from the national media, which benefits the school. College Gameday has featured the Tigers in four games in the last four years, including their first trip to Columbia for the Oklahoma game. The Tigers are a frequent topic on ESPN. They were just one win away from a birth in the National Championship in 2007. Following this incredible run enrollment increased at the Univeristy of Missouri making the school more money. Therefore, Pinkel is a good financial choice for the Tigers and the University itself.

Fire McMadman

It is tough to believe that just over a year ago the Denver Broncos took a 6-0 record into their bye week. The city of Denver was filled with optimism and glee. The faith in new Head Coach Josh McDaniels reached an all time high. Even his skeptics began believing that the youngster could be one of the best coaching finds ever.

However, in the past year Bronco maniacs have learned that this marvelous start fits the description of a fluke, rather than brilliant scheming by the 33- year-old rookie coach. Now just 58 weeks later, the Broncos take a 2-6 record into the bye. One of those losses include a 59-14 beating suffered at the hands of the hated rival Oakland Raiders. Since that 6-0 start the team's record stands at an appalling 4-14.

When McDaniels took the helm from legendary coach Mike Shannahan, the Broncos had a pro bowl Quarterback, and a pro bowl wide receiver. The had recently had some great draft classes including Elvis Dumervil, Peyton Hillis and Ryan Clady. Now less than 2 years into the McDaniels regime, The pro bowl quarterback, Jay Cutler, was traded. While his numbers may be fairly bad with the Bears, his numbers in Mike Shannahan's offense were excellent. The Pro Bowl wide Receiver, Brandon Marshall, was also dealt to the Dolphins. Marshall had 3 consecutive 100 catch, 1,000 yard seasons with the Broncos, but McDaniels could not manage Marshall's personality that functioned famously with Cutler and Shannahan. Hillis led the Broncos in rushing the season before McDaniels arrived. He fit the mold of the Shannahan running game that produces perennial 1,000 yard rushers. Now Hillis leads the Browns in rushing and has almost the same amount of yards rushing per game as the entire Broncos team. Dumervil is injured and will not play for the rest of the season. Nothing McDaniels can do about that one, but since McDaniels took the reigns the leading rusher, passer, and receiver are all helping teams with better records this season.

The running game that put up prolific numbers during the Shannahan era now ranks last in the league. McDaniels' offense resembles a college offense almost Gary Pinkel's shotgun spread, with as little running as possible. While his pass first offense has the Broncos ranking in the top 10 in yards per game. the team ranks 22nd in points per game. Yardage totals have little impact if a team can't score. The Broncos have had success stopping the run but still surrender about 28 points each game, ranking them 28th in team defense.

The Broncos low point totals and high opponent totals add up to failure. McDaniels does not have the ability to control a team and seems to be a child on a power trip. He is not the right man for the job and the Broncos need a change at coach because it is clear that the issues with the team stem more from scheme and player relations not the roster itself. Fire McMadman immediatly