The reason you know about Connecticut football -- even if you only acknowledge that it exists -- is because of Randy Edsall.

He is a proven winner. His teams are disciplined. He elevated the Huskies from an FCS program to a BCS bowl. And yet …

Yawn?

Edsall is the antitheses of Mike Leach. He was a safe hire. The only baggage he brings to College Park is the suitcases he’ll pack. He will win at Maryland, recruit hard and re-energize the program. Fill seats? Sell suites? Not overnight. Maybe in time, as a consistent contender for the ACC title, but this is a fickle fan base to win over, and Edsall will have to make his splash first with championships -- not his name.

After all, Maryland just hired the Big East Coach of the Year to replace the ACC Coach of the Year. It packs as much punch as, say, a Maryland win over Rutgers. But with Edsall in College Park, the Terps will beat more than just the Rutgers of the world. They’ll contend with the best teams in the ACC and challenge for the Atlantic Division.

There is a ceiling at Maryland, and Edsall is good enough to reach it. He led the Huskies to a pair of Big East titles (2007, 2010) and postseason appearances in each of the last four seasons, including the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Connecticut won eight or more wins in each of the last four seasons.

Eight wins in a better conference got Friedgen fired this year.

Edsall is going to have to surpass that on a regular basis to make this hire prove to be more than a lateral move for Maryland. He’s going to have to beat Florida State, which is already two steps ahead in recruiting under Jimbo Fisher, to get the Terps to where Anderson expects them to be -- a consistent Top 25 program.

If Edsall is able to do that, the next program that hires him will really make a splash.

The reason you know about Connecticut football -- even if you only acknowledge that it exists -- is because of Randy Edsall.

He is a proven winner. His teams are disciplined. He elevated the Huskies from an FCS program to a BCS bowl. And yet …

Yawn?

Edsall is the antitheses of Mike Leach. He was a safe hire. The only baggage he brings to College Park is the suitcases he’ll pack. He will win at Maryland, recruit hard and re-energize the program. Fill seats? Sell suites? Not overnight. Maybe in time, as a consistent contender for the ACC title, but this is a fickle fan base to win over, and Edsall will have to make his splash first with championships -- not his name.

After all, Maryland just hired the Big East Coach of the Year to replace the ACC Coach of the Year. It packs as much punch as, say, a Maryland win over Rutgers. But with Edsall in College Park, the Terps will beat more than just the Rutgers of the world. They’ll contend with the best teams in the ACC and challenge for the Atlantic Division.

There is a ceiling at Maryland, and Edsall is good enough to reach it. He led the Huskies to a pair of Big East titles (2007, 2010) and postseason appearances in each of the last four seasons, including the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Connecticut won eight or more wins in each of the last four seasons.

Eight wins in a better conference got Friedgen fired this year.

Edsall is going to have to surpass that on a regular basis to make this hire prove to be more than a lateral move for Maryland. He’s going to have to beat Florida State, which is already two steps ahead in recruiting under Jimbo Fisher, to get the Terps to where Anderson expects them to be -- a consistent Top 25 program.

If Edsall is able to do that, the next program that hires him will really make a splash.

In the parking lot at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, eyes turned toward the sky. A plane flew overhead towing a banner.
4 Years...0 ACC Titles...Lots of excuses...Fire Shannon
According to a witness, the banner inspired quite a few cheers -- and that was before Miami kicked off against South Florida. By the end of a 23-20 overtime loss in front of about 26,000 disillusioned fans, Miami officials had a decision to make.
They made it quickly. Shannon was fired Saturday night. As the banner pointed out, Shannon made no dent in the ACC during his tenure. In fact, his teams were a paltry 16-16 in ACC play.
"Our expectations are to compete for championships and return to the top of the college football world," Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in the statement that announced Shannon's dismissal.
Watching Miami warm up last week for its game against Virginia Tech, the volume of pure athleticism on the roster was shocking. I don't refer to recruiting rankings. This is about sheer talent. Put Miami's players in generic uniforms next to the players from Auburn, LSU or Oklahoma, and you wouldn't know who played for which team. Yet in Shannon's fourth season at the helm, the Hurricanes have yet to win even the ACC Coastal division.
It's a shame, because Shannon has done everything right but win. His players graduate. They behave. They represent the school perfectly everywhere except on the field. Saturday's loss to USF was a prime example. Most of the Bulls chose USF because Miami, Florida and Florida State didn't recruit them. There is no reason players Miami coaches deemed inferior to their own should be able to come to Dade County and beat the Hurricanes.
The bottom line is this: Shannon produced a seven-win season with an 11-win roster, and The U can do better.
A smart up-and-comer would walk across broken glass to get the Miami job. It won't pay as much as other marquee jobs, and while the Hurricanes have earmarked money to improve their facilities, they still don't have the palaces other major programs do. What they do have is a roster that can win the ACC next year and compete for national titles quickly. Even more important is a fertile recruiting ground loaded with exceptional athletes who aren't so young that they don't remember when national champions emerged from the smoke at the Orange Bowl.
Or maybe Miami doesn't have to limit itself only to rising stars.
Mike Leach is jobless in Key West, but Leach interviewed for the Miami job when Shannon got it. Plus, Leach's Air Raid offense is excellent for programs that don't have the talent to run a pro-style offense. Miami doesn't have that problem.
Which brings us to Miami alum Mark Richt. Richt, a pro-style guru, makes more at Georgia than Miami could ever hope to pay, but Miami could offer a fresh start for a coach who never has satisfied Bulldogs fans -- even with six double-digit win seasons in 10 years.
Mississippi State's Dan Mullen is another possibility. Mullen might also convince Bulldogs' defensive coordinator Manny Diaz -- the son of Miami's former mayor -- to come along to Coral Gables provided Diaz isn't Mullen's heir apparent at Mississippi State. Mullen may prefer having an SEC job, but Mississippi State will always chase Alabama, Auburn and LSU for players in the SEC west. Win at Miami, and the athletes will beat a path to your door.
Another name to consider is Louisville's Charlie Strong. Strong has only coached the Cardinals for a season, but he took them from 4-8 to a bowl eligible 6-6, and they were competitive in every game except a 20-3 loss to Pittsburgh. That may not sound impressive, but Strong inherited a depleted roster. Plus, his name has instant credibility in the Sunshine State because of his work as Florida's defensive coordinator. He also probably would bring defensive coordinator Vance Bedford -- a well-connected recruiter in South Florida -- and assistant Clint Hurtt, a Miami alum who served as the Hurricanes' recruiting coordinator from 2007-09.
Let's also not forget Tommy Tuberville, who served as an assistant on the Miami staffs of Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson. Tuberville may have missed his window, though. His Auburn staff got lazy on the recruiting trail and he was forced out the door. In one season at Texas Tech, Tuberville went 7-5 with an impressive win against Missouri and not-very-impressive losses to lowly-this-year Texas and Iowa State.
The name that also keeps popping up is Jon Gruden, but that sounds like a combination of agent chatter and wishful thinking. Still, some surprising names could pop up in this search because coaches are always intrigued by fertile recruiting areas. Well, they don't get much more fertile than the area surrounding Miami. If you began at the northern border of Palm Beach County and drew a line across the state, the area below the line produced 470 AQ-conference signees from 2004-09. Each school can sign just 25 players a year, and the area produced more than 18 signing classes worth of AQ-conference players in six years. Miami should have its pick of those players.
Shannon had ample opportunity to return Miami to prominence, but he didn't get the job done. It's time to give someone else a chance. If Miami officials choose wisely, the Hurricanes could return to national relevance in a hurry.

In the parking lot at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, eyes turned toward the sky. A plane flew overhead towing a banner.
4 Years...0 ACC Titles...Lots of excuses...Fire Shannon
According to a witness, the banner inspired quite a few cheers -- and that was before Miami kicked off against South Florida. By the end of a 23-20 overtime loss in front of about 26,000 disillusioned fans, Miami officials had a decision to make.
They made it quickly. Shannon was fired Saturday night. As the banner pointed out, Shannon made no dent in the ACC during his tenure. In fact, his teams were a paltry 16-16 in ACC play.
"Our expectations are to compete for championships and return to the top of the college football world," Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in the statement that announced Shannon's dismissal.
Watching Miami warm up last week for its game against Virginia Tech, the volume of pure athleticism on the roster was shocking. I don't refer to recruiting rankings. This is about sheer talent. Put Miami's players in generic uniforms next to the players from Auburn, LSU or Oklahoma, and you wouldn't know who played for which team. Yet in Shannon's fourth season at the helm, the Hurricanes have yet to win even the ACC Coastal division.
It's a shame, because Shannon has done everything right but win. His players graduate. They behave. They represent the school perfectly everywhere except on the field. Saturday's loss to USF was a prime example. Most of the Bulls chose USF because Miami, Florida and Florida State didn't recruit them. There is no reason players Miami coaches deemed inferior to their own should be able to come to Dade County and beat the Hurricanes.
The bottom line is this: Shannon produced a seven-win season with an 11-win roster, and The U can do better.
A smart up-and-comer would walk across broken glass to get the Miami job. It won't pay as much as other marquee jobs, and while the Hurricanes have earmarked money to improve their facilities, they still don't have the palaces other major programs do. What they do have is a roster that can win the ACC next year and compete for national titles quickly. Even more important is a fertile recruiting ground loaded with exceptional athletes who aren't so young that they don't remember when national champions emerged from the smoke at the Orange Bowl.
Or maybe Miami doesn't have to limit itself only to rising stars.
Mike Leach is jobless in Key West, but Leach interviewed for the Miami job when Shannon got it. Plus, Leach's Air Raid offense is excellent for programs that don't have the talent to run a pro-style offense. Miami doesn't have that problem.
Which brings us to Miami alum Mark Richt. Richt, a pro-style guru, makes more at Georgia than Miami could ever hope to pay, but Miami could offer a fresh start for a coach who never has satisfied Bulldogs fans -- even with six double-digit win seasons in 10 years.
Mississippi State's Dan Mullen is another possibility. Mullen might also convince Bulldogs' defensive coordinator Manny Diaz -- the son of Miami's former mayor -- to come along to Coral Gables provided Diaz isn't Mullen's heir apparent at Mississippi State. Mullen may prefer having an SEC job, but Mississippi State will always chase Alabama, Auburn and LSU for players in the SEC west. Win at Miami, and the athletes will beat a path to your door.
Another name to consider is Louisville's Charlie Strong. Strong has only coached the Cardinals for a season, but he took them from 4-8 to a bowl eligible 6-6, and they were competitive in every game except a 20-3 loss to Pittsburgh. That may not sound impressive, but Strong inherited a depleted roster. Plus, his name has instant credibility in the Sunshine State because of his work as Florida's defensive coordinator. He also probably would bring defensive coordinator Vance Bedford -- a well-connected recruiter in South Florida -- and assistant Clint Hurtt, a Miami alum who served as the Hurricanes' recruiting coordinator from 2007-09.
Let's also not forget Tommy Tuberville, who served as an assistant on the Miami staffs of Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson. Tuberville may have missed his window, though. His Auburn staff got lazy on the recruiting trail and he was forced out the door. In one season at Texas Tech, Tuberville went 7-5 with an impressive win against Missouri and not-very-impressive losses to lowly-this-year Texas and Iowa State.
The name that also keeps popping up is Jon Gruden, but that sounds like a combination of agent chatter and wishful thinking. Still, some surprising names could pop up in this search because coaches are always intrigued by fertile recruiting areas. Well, they don't get much more fertile than the area surrounding Miami. If you began at the northern border of Palm Beach County and drew a line across the state, the area below the line produced 470 AQ-conference signees from 2004-09. Each school can sign just 25 players a year, and the area produced more than 18 signing classes worth of AQ-conference players in six years. Miami should have its pick of those players.
Shannon had ample opportunity to return Miami to prominence, but he didn't get the job done. It's time to give someone else a chance. If Miami officials choose wisely, the Hurricanes could return to national relevance in a hurry.

According to multiple sources the Seattle Seahawks are interested in claiming recently (and surprisingly) released wide receiver Randy Moss.

Considering Pete Carroll's interest in vertical deep threats Vincent Jackson and Brandon Marshall and their willingness to surrender draft picks to acquire them, these reports are not outlandish and I would fully expect them to put in a claim for the future Hall of Famer. The source I have who told me that the Seahawks were interested in Brandon Marshall has also verified this.

Whether they acquire him or not all depends on if a team with a worse record, (or same record in which case tiebreakers come into effect), also decides to put a claim on him.

Despite a clobbering at the hands of the Oakland Raiders, the Seahawks have been one of the leagues surprise contenders and they currently sit atop the NFC West with a 4-3 record.

One of the main issues I saw for this offense against Oakland was an inability to break a big play and the receivers were getting absolutely stifled.

When Mike Williams was taken completely out of the equation against arguably the leagues top cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, their chain mover was neutralized, the offense stalled, and the Raiders simply loaded up against the running game and obliterated an overwhelmed offensive line.

Moss, inexplicably has been cast out onto the open market and gives Pete Carroll the final piece to the offense he has tirelessly attempted to recreate from his USC days.

-Quarterback turned Point Guard

- Big back, fast back combo.

- Big chain moving wide receiver.

The final definitive piece he has been searching for is a big bodied vertical deep threat, and Moss is the prototype for this.

I don't think Pete Carroll could have dreamed of landing Marshawn Lynch and Randy Moss throughout all of his wheeling and dealing. In other words, I don't think you would have seen Carroll pull off the trade for Lynch if he had gotten Brandon Marshall or Vincent Jackson.

Now he has a chance to cross another thing off of his checklist that he envisioned having to cough up draft assets for originally.

Nothing is official yet, but don't be surprised when the Seahawks put a claim in for the mercurial veteran.

I know a Moss jersey will be on my Christmas List.

According to multiple sources the Seattle Seahawks are interested in claiming recently (and surprisingly) released wide receiver Randy Moss.

Considering Pete Carroll's interest in vertical deep threats Vincent Jackson and Brandon Marshall and their willingness to surrender draft picks to acquire them, these reports are not outlandish and I would fully expect them to put in a claim for the future Hall of Famer. The source I have who told me that the Seahawks were interested in Brandon Marshall has also verified this.

Whether they acquire him or not all depends on if a team with a worse record, (or same record in which case tiebreakers come into effect), also decides to put a claim on him.

Despite a clobbering at the hands of the Oakland Raiders, the Seahawks have been one of the leagues surprise contenders and they currently sit atop the NFC West with a 4-3 record.

One of the main issues I saw for this offense against Oakland was an inability to break a big play and the receivers were getting absolutely stifled.

When Mike Williams was taken completely out of the equation against arguably the leagues top cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, their chain mover was neutralized, the offense stalled, and the Raiders simply loaded up against the running game and obliterated an overwhelmed offensive line.

Moss, inexplicably has been cast out onto the open market and gives Pete Carroll the final piece to the offense he has tirelessly attempted to recreate from his USC days.

-Quarterback turned Point Guard

- Big back, fast back combo.

- Big chain moving wide receiver.

The final definitive piece he has been searching for is a big bodied vertical deep threat, and Moss is the prototype for this.

I don't think Pete Carroll could have dreamed of landing Marshawn Lynch and Randy Moss throughout all of his wheeling and dealing. In other words, I don't think you would have seen Carroll pull off the trade for Lynch if he had gotten Brandon Marshall or Vincent Jackson.

Now he has a chance to cross another thing off of his checklist that he envisioned having to cough up draft assets for originally.

Nothing is official yet, but don't be surprised when the Seahawks put a claim in for the mercurial veteran.

I know a Moss jersey will be on my Christmas List.

Randy Moss was waived from the Minnesota Vikings and here is the press conference from yesterday.
Randy Moss, who just moved from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings has been waived from the team. Moss went on to do a live press conference and while he talks about the Vikings, he also talks about another important issue on his mind.
It seems like Randy Moss was recently fined $25,000 by the NFL for not talking to the media. What?! How can you fine a player for not talking to the media? I thought the whole $75k for tackling someone was a crock, but $25k for not talking to the press? That is complete nonsense. The NFL better get their crap together or players are going to take matters into their own hands.
Enjoy the clip of the Moss-Vikings press conference where he talks about the team and the NFL fining him $25k:

Randy Moss was waived from the Minnesota Vikings and here is the press conference from yesterday.
Randy Moss, who just moved from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings has been waived from the team. Moss went on to do a live press conference and while he talks about the Vikings, he also talks about another important issue on his mind.
It seems like Randy Moss was recently fined $25,000 by the NFL for not talking to the media. What?! How can you fine a player for not talking to the media? I thought the whole $75k for tackling someone was a crock, but $25k for not talking to the press? That is complete nonsense. The NFL better get their crap together or players are going to take matters into their own hands.
Enjoy the clip of the Moss-Vikings press conference where he talks about the team and the NFL fining him $25k:

Country music singer Randy Travis and and his wife/manager Elizabeth Travis are pulling the plug off their 19 years of marriage. On Friday, October 29, spokesperson Maureen O'Connor has confirmed to People that Randy and Elizabeth have ended their marriage and "the divorce was finalized as of this morning."

In a statement, it was revealed that "Elizabeth and Randy Travis have agreed to part ways. Elizabeth will remain Mr. Travis' personal manager. They do not intend to comment any further and ask for your respect for their privacy during this time."

The statement didn't give further detail about Randy and Elizabeth's separation other than "a state of incompatibility exists between the parties." According to Associated Press, a petition for dissolution of marriage was filed by Randy in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 28. In the papers, the "America Will Always Stand" crooner requests for an equal split of assets.

Randy Travis and Elizabeth Travis tied the knot in May 1991. They met in the mid-1970s when Randy won a talent contest at a nightclub owned by Elizabeth and her first husband in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under Elizabeth's guidance, Randy landed a record deal and put out his first album "Storms of Life" in 1985.

Country music singer Randy Travis and and his wife/manager Elizabeth Travis are pulling the plug off their 19 years of marriage. On Friday, October 29, spokesperson Maureen O'Connor has confirmed to People that Randy and Elizabeth have ended their marriage and "the divorce was finalized as of this morning."

In a statement, it was revealed that "Elizabeth and Randy Travis have agreed to part ways. Elizabeth will remain Mr. Travis' personal manager. They do not intend to comment any further and ask for your respect for their privacy during this time."

The statement didn't give further detail about Randy and Elizabeth's separation other than "a state of incompatibility exists between the parties." According to Associated Press, a petition for dissolution of marriage was filed by Randy in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 28. In the papers, the "America Will Always Stand" crooner requests for an equal split of assets.

Randy Travis and Elizabeth Travis tied the knot in May 1991. They met in the mid-1970s when Randy won a talent contest at a nightclub owned by Elizabeth and her first husband in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under Elizabeth's guidance, Randy landed a record deal and put out his first album "Storms of Life" in 1985.

First we didn't know who shouted "Baby Killer!" at Rep. Bart Stupak last night, during the health care debate. Joe Barton knew, but he wasn't talking. Then, we found out: It was Lubbock's own Rep. Randy Neugebauer, which, according to Jim anyway, sounded familiar.

Neugebauer. Neugebauer. Neugebauer. (Also: It's fun to say.)

Schutze just knew he'd heard that name before. And so off to the Nexis database he went -- clearly, he's got a column due and is procrastinating. And so, after the jump, you'll find what he likes to call Great Moments in History with Randy Neugebauer. One in a series of one. Collect 'em all.
Great Moments in History with Randy Neugebauer by Jim Schutze

November 21, 2008: Randy Neugebauer, Republican congressman from Lubbock, Texas, opposes bail-out for American auto industry: "I am not convinced that further government spending will address the issues of these struggling automotive companies or our economy."

February 19, 2009: Neugebauer opposes mortgage relief: "I remain concerned that the government could be rewarding borrowers and lenders who made poor investment decisions at the expense of families who made responsible decisions."

February 21, 2009: Neugebauer attacks Obama administration for proposing stimulus spending. "They never were selling the plan. They were selling fear."

April 15, 2009: Neugebauer compares President Obama to England's King George III: "We've got the government picking winners and losers in the economy. That's exactly what the king of England was doing, picking winners and losers based on who they were."

May 20, 2009: Neugebauer opposes Obama's proposed fuel efficiency standards: "I believe the administration cannot continue to tinker with the economy and enact standards that will place greater burden on hardworking Americans, stifle the economy and hinder an already struggling automotive industry."

June 26, 2009: Federal Election Commission rules that Neugebauer may pay himself for the use of his own private yacht, harbored in the Washington area, for parties to raise political donations for himself. "The congressman appreciates today's ruling from the FEC and will abide by the guidelines that have been put forth," says Chanda Allen, campaign spokeswoman.

June 30, 2009: Neugebauer is one of three Texas Congressional members to sponsor bill requiring presidential candidates to prove they were born in America -- the so-called Birther Bill. MSNBC Countdown host Keith Olbermann awards Neugebauer a "Worst Person in the World" award. "The people that elected you are obviously idiots," Olbermann says on his show.

August 17, 2009: Despite disavowals by members of his own party, Neugebar continues to support claim that President Obama wants to create "death panels" to kill old people. "This is yet another example of the terrible flaws in this legislation," Neugebauer says.

August 28, 2009: Neugebauer announces $250,000 fund-raising goal to knock off liberal incumbents. "All sorts of people have come up and asked me, 'What can we do to stop a lot of the things going on in our country?'"

September 6, 2009: Neugebauer supports parents who want schools to be prohibited from playing speech by President of United States on public address systems and television stations. "He also encourages parents to stay involved in their children's education," says Michelle Ozanus, spokeswoman.

September 17, 2009: Neugebauer introduces bill to ban any federal funds for ACORN, a liberal community organizing group. "The American taxpayers are tired of having their hard-earned tax dollars used to fund this questionable organization," he says.

October 4, 2009: Roll Call, newspaper covering Capitol Hill, names Neugebauer Congress's 46th richest member with a net worth of $5.91 million.

December 12, 2009: Neugebauer blasts proposal to lift national debt limit in order to keep government in operation. Holding his congressional electronic voting card in the air, he says, "We need to lower limit on this credit card."

December 17, 2009: Neugebauer assures newspaper in Lubbock that he supports continued funding of national "Pell" grants for students. "We must allocate our resources in the most efficient way possible."

January 28, 2010: Neugebauer attacks President for proposing a freeze on federal spending. "If the president and Democrat leaders in Congress are serious about reining in soaring deficits and debt, they should freeze spending at the level from two years ago."

February 21, 2010: Neugebauer criticizes efforts of Federal Aviation Administration to solve problem of electrical interference with landing system at Lubbock Airport during recent storms. He says FAA officials did solve problem, but, "They weren't doing a good job of communicating."

March 6, 2010: National Journal magazine says Neugebauer is tied with five other Republican representatives as most conservative based on House voting records.

March 16, 2010: Neugebauer's office informs local newspaper that Abilene will receive $175,000 in federal funds for flood control study, $300,000 for the biotechnology accelerator and $200,000 for the city bus facilities.

March 22, 2010: Neugebauer says he shouted "baby killer" during speech by anti-abortion Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak. "I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself."

First we didn't know who shouted "Baby Killer!" at Rep. Bart Stupak last night, during the health care debate. Joe Barton knew, but he wasn't talking. Then, we found out: It was Lubbock's own Rep. Randy Neugebauer, which, according to Jim anyway, sounded familiar.

Neugebauer. Neugebauer. Neugebauer. (Also: It's fun to say.)

Schutze just knew he'd heard that name before. And so off to the Nexis database he went -- clearly, he's got a column due and is procrastinating. And so, after the jump, you'll find what he likes to call Great Moments in History with Randy Neugebauer. One in a series of one. Collect 'em all.
Great Moments in History with Randy Neugebauer by Jim Schutze

November 21, 2008: Randy Neugebauer, Republican congressman from Lubbock, Texas, opposes bail-out for American auto industry: "I am not convinced that further government spending will address the issues of these struggling automotive companies or our economy."

February 19, 2009: Neugebauer opposes mortgage relief: "I remain concerned that the government could be rewarding borrowers and lenders who made poor investment decisions at the expense of families who made responsible decisions."

February 21, 2009: Neugebauer attacks Obama administration for proposing stimulus spending. "They never were selling the plan. They were selling fear."

April 15, 2009: Neugebauer compares President Obama to England's King George III: "We've got the government picking winners and losers in the economy. That's exactly what the king of England was doing, picking winners and losers based on who they were."

May 20, 2009: Neugebauer opposes Obama's proposed fuel efficiency standards: "I believe the administration cannot continue to tinker with the economy and enact standards that will place greater burden on hardworking Americans, stifle the economy and hinder an already struggling automotive industry."

June 26, 2009: Federal Election Commission rules that Neugebauer may pay himself for the use of his own private yacht, harbored in the Washington area, for parties to raise political donations for himself. "The congressman appreciates today's ruling from the FEC and will abide by the guidelines that have been put forth," says Chanda Allen, campaign spokeswoman.

June 30, 2009: Neugebauer is one of three Texas Congressional members to sponsor bill requiring presidential candidates to prove they were born in America -- the so-called Birther Bill. MSNBC Countdown host Keith Olbermann awards Neugebauer a "Worst Person in the World" award. "The people that elected you are obviously idiots," Olbermann says on his show.

August 17, 2009: Despite disavowals by members of his own party, Neugebar continues to support claim that President Obama wants to create "death panels" to kill old people. "This is yet another example of the terrible flaws in this legislation," Neugebauer says.

August 28, 2009: Neugebauer announces $250,000 fund-raising goal to knock off liberal incumbents. "All sorts of people have come up and asked me, 'What can we do to stop a lot of the things going on in our country?'"

September 6, 2009: Neugebauer supports parents who want schools to be prohibited from playing speech by President of United States on public address systems and television stations. "He also encourages parents to stay involved in their children's education," says Michelle Ozanus, spokeswoman.

September 17, 2009: Neugebauer introduces bill to ban any federal funds for ACORN, a liberal community organizing group. "The American taxpayers are tired of having their hard-earned tax dollars used to fund this questionable organization," he says.

October 4, 2009: Roll Call, newspaper covering Capitol Hill, names Neugebauer Congress's 46th richest member with a net worth of $5.91 million.

December 12, 2009: Neugebauer blasts proposal to lift national debt limit in order to keep government in operation. Holding his congressional electronic voting card in the air, he says, "We need to lower limit on this credit card."

December 17, 2009: Neugebauer assures newspaper in Lubbock that he supports continued funding of national "Pell" grants for students. "We must allocate our resources in the most efficient way possible."

January 28, 2010: Neugebauer attacks President for proposing a freeze on federal spending. "If the president and Democrat leaders in Congress are serious about reining in soaring deficits and debt, they should freeze spending at the level from two years ago."

February 21, 2010: Neugebauer criticizes efforts of Federal Aviation Administration to solve problem of electrical interference with landing system at Lubbock Airport during recent storms. He says FAA officials did solve problem, but, "They weren't doing a good job of communicating."

March 6, 2010: National Journal magazine says Neugebauer is tied with five other Republican representatives as most conservative based on House voting records.

March 16, 2010: Neugebauer's office informs local newspaper that Abilene will receive $175,000 in federal funds for flood control study, $300,000 for the biotechnology accelerator and $200,000 for the city bus facilities.

March 22, 2010: Neugebauer says he shouted "baby killer" during speech by anti-abortion Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak. "I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself."