In The Zone

The Saints, Packers, Auburn, and more

2011-01-12T03:46:00.000-08:00

What a weekend! It started early as Titan’s owner Bud Adams realized that Vince Young is not what is needed in Nashville. Now wrap your brain around the following scenario; most experts think that defensive players will dominate the early draft picks. The Titan’s select Cam Newton with the eight choice, then pick up Donovan McNabb as a free agent, and let Newton learn from the closest thing to a Steve McNair type there is in the league. McNabb would do well under Fisher’s type of leadership. He is not the egomaniac that Andy Reed and Shanahan are. Newton would learn from a good example both on and off the field. Get the job done and get McNabb.

Moving on to the NFL playoffs, what a great Saturday it was! The Seahawks defeat the Saints, and Peyton Poo’s Colts have their season ended by the Jets. Seattle came into the game with nothing to lose, and walked away with the win. Rex Ryan and the Jets once again proved that more often than not Manning will lose a game when the pressure is on. If you doubt me look it up, pressure games and Peyton more often than not losses. The Ravens take care of the Chiefs, but beware KC is a team on the rise and will be heard from for years to come. Then, Aaron Rodgers and the Pack take care of the Eagles and we can finally put an end to the non stop Vick lovefest. Doesn’t anyone remember how inconsistent he was in Atlanta? I said it when he was drafted, and will continue to say it, MICHAEL VICK is a great athlete but you will never see him lift a Lombardi Trophy as a quarterback. He is not consistent, and not a leader. The Falcons have now put three consecutive winning seasons in the books and it was with Matt Ryan as the signal caller, not Vick. It is time for the Falcons and Ryan to get the respect they deserve.

Now we move on to the divisional rounds, look for wins by the Pats, Steelers, Bears, and Falcons.

The BCS Championship once again goes to an SEC member. Auburn takes the crystal trophy after a game winning field goal as time runs out. The expected fireworks between two high powered offenses did not materialize, the game became and old fashioned hard nosed match up. I wonder if I am the only one that thought ESPN was heavily biased toward Oregon. Musburger and Herbstreet continually heaped praised on the garishly uniformed Ducks. Yes, I said garish which simply put means repulsive. Yellow socks? ESPN did have the good sense to bring Nick Saban and Urban Meyer to the big show. Only a coach from the SEC can lend intelligence to the conversation when there are Corso’s around. Granted, Oregon has good athletes, but remember one thing, they are playing Pac 10 football, not SEC. Les Miles has removed all doubt as to the dominance of the conference by again turning down a job at his alma mater Michigan.

Now we get to listen to the TCU fans wine and cry that they should be able to lay claim to a portion of the championship. Look at the top SEC teams and think to yourself could the Frogs best Auburn? No. Alabama? No. LSU? No. Mississippi State? No. LSU? No. Florida? Doubtful. South Carolina? Perhaps. They would not be able to even compete with the top four SEC teams. They do not have the speed or the size to handle a full sixty minutes of football. Oregon couldn’t!

Hall of Fame Day

2011-01-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today is always a special day in sports as we await the announcement of who will be inducted in Cooperstown this year. After years of being shunned Bert Blyleven should finally get what he truly deserves, enshrinement in sports most respected hall of fame. We are now at the time where those implicated in the steroid scandals start appearing on the ballot of the BBWA which is the body responsible for the selection to the most prestigious of all sports halls of fame. The Baseball Hall of Fame is the ultimate recognition of a professional athlete’s career. The NFL will induct those that had only a few good years, and will also allow in those of questionable character, such as Lawrence Taylor and Michael Irvin just to mention two. The list is long of possible Canton inductees that have failed to live their professional and personal lives as they should and the hall does not include those that have brought shame to the game.

The NFL for some reason does not take character in the equation for induction. Taylor and Irvin (among many Dallas Cowboys of the Jimmy Johnson era) have well documented arrest records before and during their NFL career. Can you say O.J. Simpson? When was the last time you heard a Cooperstown plaque holder have such issues? Steve Garvey is just one example of a baseball player that deserves enshrinement, but due to questionable personal conduct during and after his career has been denied entry into the hall. The most obvious absentees Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are easily the two most notorious that brought shame upon the game and do not deserve induction.

Those that argue for Pete say only his stats matter. He was indeed one of the greatest of all time, but he admitted he gambled while playing and managing. He knew it was wrong, but continued to do so. He failed to realize or just ignored what fate had dealt Jackson, and his arrogance cost him the sports ultimate prize. Many will say when Terrell Owens gets his name hall of fame ballot that his attitude will keep him out. For that I say HOGWASH! Owens does not have a string of drug arrests (Irvin and Taylor) nor does he conduct is personal life in a manner that would embarrass his family. Does he have attitude? Yes! Was he a show off? Yes! However, he was not a regular on COPS, or TMZ.

We are now starting to see the steroid users in baseball appear on the ballot for Cooperstown. None of them deserve entry into the hallowed halls. McGwire, Palmero, and Roger THE ROID HEAD all lied to Congress, and should go to prison. A Rod and Barry Bonds should never be considered for induction, they both admitted to using steroids. It is just that simple, you all brought shame to the national pastime and no matter your accomplishments, there is not a place for you in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Moving to the first weekend of the NFL playoffs, your winners will be: Packers over the Eagles, Saints over the Seahawks, Ravens put an arrow in the Chiefs, and the Jets will dispatch Peyton Poo to Thunder Farms for the winter.

Weekend rant

2011-01-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

The long holiday weekend is over, and so many things to comment on but so little space.

I realize I have harped on this to no end, but the outcome of the bowl games involving Tennessee and Georgia are proof that teams which do not possess a winning do not deserve a bowl game. Say what you will about a bad call, the bottom line is TENNESSEE LOST. I am in shock at the arrogance of the Georgia fans that believe the Liberty Bowl loss was a new low for the Dawgs. Let us examine these two facts. First, UCF is a MUCH LARGER school than UGA, with an enrollment of 45,000 students compared to Georgia’s paltry 33,000. Second, the Knights were ranked and the puppy dogs weren’t, a fact that the local Georgia beat writer failed to mention in his whining over the loss. The UCF athletic program is on the rise, the basketball team is ranked, and their baseball program is one of the best in the NCAA, so give them some respect, and quit crying! You lost to a better team and probably a better university. Not to be outdone in arrogance, Tennessee is selling tickets to a signing day party! Are you going to pay twenty five dollars for this? Good grief, give it a rest Vols!

Alabama, Mississippi State, and Florida, show why the SEC is the best conference hands down. The Tide and Bulldogs open two huge cans on Michigan State and Michigan; and Florida dispatches Penn State in Urban’s final game. It goes to show that top to bottom the SEC is the best in the nation, even if Tennessee and Georgia are playing, and will add their FIFTH BCS championship when Auburn takes care of Oregon. In the Rose Bowl, TCU beat Wisconsin, and the worldwide leader would have you believe it was the championship game. Have you wondered why TCU is going to the Big East? Simple, there is no way they can compete in the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 or Pac Ten, so they go to the home of U Conn. Television ratings for the game were very low, and the worldwide leader taking almost total control of the bowl games is the reason. Growing up I knew four certain things would happen on January 1, the day would start with the Sugar Bowl from old Tulane Stadium on ABC, then to the Cotton Bowl on CBS with the legendary Lindsey Nelson and Paul Hornung, followed by the Rose Bowl and then the Orange Bowl on NBC. Now if you don’t have cable or dish you will not see most of the games.

The NFL regular season is over, and much like college ball, there are losers getting rewarded. Seattle is going to the playoffs with a losing record, and the Giants and Bucs are sitting home with their 10-6 season marks, which is disgraceful. The national media continues to show the Falcons very little respect, preferring to kiss up to the Eagles, Packers, or Saints. Atlanta has the best record in the NFC and yet you would think they have no prayer in the playoffs. CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN all give out props to the Saints, the same Saints that lost yesterday! The Packers who barely survived against the Bears and the Eagles are all being spoken of as the favorites with the boys from Atlanta being afterthoughts. GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK! While we are at it, give all this Vick for MVP talk a rest. He has had a great season, but yet it does not compare to Tom Brady’s. Would the Eagles be where they are without Vick? Probably not; but he is not the MVP, Tom Brady is.

Is Brett “bigger diva than Cher” finally gone for good? Let’s hope so. A great quarterback that has become a joke, refuses to cooperate with the NFL investigation, his reputation is forever tarnished.

Have we seen the final game of Jeff Fisher in Nashville? A local writer seems to think Fisher should just walk away and let Bud and Vince continue their love affair. Does this guy not have a clue? This is just as ESPN’s Tom Jackson said a case where the players are in charge and not the coach. Much like Brett “The Diva” led to the demise of Brad Childress in Minnesota, VY is using his relationship with Adams to force Fisher out. This is wrong! Coaches are in charge, not the players and it is indeed sad that spoiled, unappreciative athletes have so much control. On the flipside though it was very refreshing to see the interview with Rams signal caller Sam Bradford and when asked what his first big purchase with the biggest contract in the league, he was humble when he talked about a ping pong table being the only big ticket item he has bought. Hey Vince, you should have one quarter of the class of Bradford. Heck Diva Favre should take a few seconds and watch so he can see what humility means.

Finally, my only resolution for the new years is this: TO BE MORE OPINIONATED THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN, and if you disagree with me, then tell me why, but remember you are coming to a gunfight unarmed.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

The past year has been unique to say the least. It will be good to move on to a new year, and hopefully a better 365 days ahead.

First and foremost, I need to thank all of those friends that have helped me in an otherwise pretty difficult year personally. You can’t comprehend how difficult it can be when your car dies, Nathan, Rusty, and Scott have been invaluable in providing much needed transportation, thanks guys, I do realize sometimes it was problematic to help, but you did and that is a sign of a true friend.

I have been doing some Christmas shopping and here are a few of my gifts for this year.

To Stump Martin: Induction into the Old-Timers Hall of Fame, it is time for you to receive local recognition. Contrary to what some members say.

To Nick Bonsanto: Continued climbing ratings, just don’t get so self important that you “high hat” folks.

To Russ Huesman and the Mocs: Reservations for Frisco, Texas in Jan 2012.

To BCBST: A knowledgeable representative with on air experience at TSSAA events.

To the TSSAA: A new person in charge that sees Cookeville for what it is, a joke!

To Scott Herpst: The opportunity to showcase your work on a national level.

To Bill Price and Signal Mountain: Five minutes in a locked room with Clay Bennett.

To Rick Nyman: Recognition that he is one of the best sports anchors WDEF has ever had.

To the Times Free Press: A supply of blue and gold ink so you can trash that orange and show the HOMETOWN team some love.

To Peyton Manning: A special bodyguard proficient in the Heimlich maneuver, because you still choke in most big games.

To Jeff Fisher: An owner that backs your decisions.

To the Atlanta Braves: A .500 season.

To Tennessee Vols fans: The realization that you team is becoming what Vanderbilt already is.

To Ringgold Rob Covington: A new quadrant, with winning teams.

To Waymon: Two new shopping carts for your can business.

TO EVERYONE: A healthy and safe Christmas and the best 2011 that you can possibly have.

A non sports blog

2010-12-15T15:18:00.000-08:00

Everyone has a Christmas memory, no matter how much a scrooge I have become over the years, I still remember so much about past holiday’s and realize no matter how hardened I become, those thoughts will both take the edge off the sharp edges, but yet as the years go by a sadness in a way that those are the past.

Children are waiting in anticipation for Santa to arrive, and my brother and I were same was growing up. Our parents sacrificed to make sure we had what we wanted, and I was the same way with my children. It was the satisfaction of knowing you made your children happy that removed any worries about what bill would be paid late that month. Did the kids appreciate it, honestly I don’t know. I hope they did.

As the kids have grown older, and live their own lives it seems to have diminished the holiday spirit. Perhaps it’s the jaded part of me that has seen this season become more about what the gift is, than the gift that was given to mankind in Bethlehem so many years ago. Retail stores now decorate for the season shortly after Labor Day! Thanksgiving has become an afterthought it seems as box store after box store, and malls bombard us with gift ideas.

My parents loved Christmas, and perhaps their not being with us any longer is what lends a certain amount of sadness during the holidays knowing my children never experienced with my parents what my brother and I had growing up. Our father passed in 1979, and Mom in 1983, needless to say my kids were not even around, but I wish they had been able meet two of the finest people the ever walked this planet. I have no doubt they would have been a huge influence on Amy and Chris. Would it have changed the way things have happened? I don’t know, but I believe that some pitfalls would have been avoided just from their quiet guidance.

Over the years, knowing that my kids are elsewhere on Christmas, people ask how I will spend the holiday, I will spend it remembering the greatest gift I ever received, my parents.

There is never a day that passes that I don’t think of them and wish they were still here, but no matter what I have the memories and although sad in a way, the memories are always the greatest Christmas gift I could ever receive.

Mocs football

2010-12-13T02:15:00.000-08:00

The season is now over, and the Mocs post another 6-5 campaign. Looking back, everyone should realize just how close Chattanooga is to becoming one of the top FCS programs in the county.

Attendance is up sharply, so much that the 2010 is the largest average attendance in Mocs’ history at close to 13,000 per game. Spirited crowds are becoming the norm, and 2011 looks to be just as exciting. Coach Huesman, along with the assistants breathed life into program that was near death.

For many years the gripe among the truly uniformed fans was that if you had more local players people would turn out, but you have to understand the game to understand that myth is just that; a myth. In the past granted many area players have chosen other schools, but for the majority of those it was more of a young athlete wanting to leave Chattanooga than playing for their local university. Yes, there are exceptions but for the most part the Mocs of the past two decades are just that: the past. The one overriding fact in the increased attendance is WINNING.

In the last five years we have seen more and more local products on the field. This year alone B.J. Coleman, Keon Williams, Joel Bradford, Chris Harr, Mike Hammons, and Gunnar Miller started all or part of the season. Sloan Allison had a tremendous year, and Thomas Green saw plenty of action on special teams. Harr, an all SoCon performer is drawing plenty of attention from the NFL; do not be shocked to see him along with Buster Skrine taken in the next draft.

In my many years of covering high school football it was rare to see a Chattanooga coach at a game. The last two seasons I have run into Assistant Coach Will Healy almost as much as when covering his days as the Boyd Buchanan QB. A player capable of playing at the FCS level is not overlooked. In the years to come, look for more and more local players to be on the roster.

The Mr. Football winner Jacob Huesman and McCallie’s Jared Coleman have already committed to the Mocs, and before you say it, this was not about one being the coach’s dad, and the other the brother of the quarterback. These athletes can play at the FBS level, and were being recruited by both ACC and SEC schools. This is an instance of why not be part of something special right here at home. How many more area athletes will follow the lead of Huesman and Coleman is yet to be seen, but with those two it’s a great start for the 2011 recruiting class. In fact, with the weekend additions of Synjen Herren of NW Whitfield, and Dustin Christian of Calhoun that gives Chattanooga four of the Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen. When was the last time one school received four of the twelve honorees? Not to mention two members of the state champion Alcoa team.

Appalachian State and Georgia Southern are taking the first steps in what could become a move up to the FBS. App most assuredly will climb the competition ladder, it remains to be seen if a school located in Statesboro would be capable of such an endeavor. One thing for sure, if one or both of them do step up with the big boys or even if the remain in the SoCon, the Mocs again have the respect of its peers that was lost for so long.

I am outta here……

Weekend rant

2010-12-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

The weekend is now in our memory, and a lot of things come to mind.

South Pittsburg wins the TSSAA Class A championship, and Signal Mountain claims the AA title in two blowout wins. Kudos to Vic Grider for another championship and a long overdue wait for a Bill Price coached team to get the gold football. South Pitt should be odds on favorite to repeat in 2011, but Signal will be moving up to AAAA, and a huge jump in the level of competition. Graduation will hit the Eagles hard, so they should enjoy this moment, as next season could be a rough one.

The television coverage of the BlueCross Bowls was unique’ as a variety of announcers were used. Randy Smith and Andy Kelly were good on the games they worked, but once again Mike Keith proved beyond any doubt he is the best in the business. For instance, during the Greeneville and Hendersonville game he and his Titans cohort Larry Stone called the game as if they had been with them during the entire season. The between game interviews and features were a little confusing, and so slanted toward the mid-state region that it was too obvious that one person, Murphy Fair had too much control over the content. The TSSAA would be well advised to get someone with extensive on air experience to take over. Once again, the title sponsor’s representative had nothing of substance to bring to the table. Just show your commercials, if you are going to send a representative to do on air segments, have someone with knowledge of the sport and not someone that looks like a deer caught in headlights when the red light is on. You can do better as a title sponsor, step up to the plate and swing for the fences.

I was fortunate enough to fill in as the public address announcer for the Chattanooga Lady Mocs game Saturday. Before the season, there was not much hope for a repeat championship for the most dominate sports program men or women’s in the SoCon. In the game against Georgia Southern the Lady Mocs hit sixteen three pointers which is a new single game conference record. Whitney Hood in the paint is a physical force that will be tough to stop as the season rolls along. Kayla Christopher, Tenisha Townsend, and Kylie Lambert can light it up from behind the arc, and play well defensively. Coach Wes Moore is doing a good job getting these players ready for the heart of the conference schedule, and this Saturday host Kentucky and that game will show just how far this team has come so far this season.

Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky are rewarded for being mediocre football teams by extending their season with a bowl game. None of the three had a winning record! Is it just me or does this just not make sense? Vols and Dawg fans are living in denial if they truly think these two teams should receive a pat on the back for finishing the season at .500. Dawg fans specifically have no clue what they are getting into when they arrive in Memphis to take on UCF. That little school in Orlando is not as little as you might think, and for the last decade they have been playing some good football, and it is time they get to face Georgia again, who only defeated the Knights by one in the first meeting.

It will be Auburn and Oregon for the MYTHICAL national championship. My question, is why the hell to do we have to wait over a month for the game to be played? UConn has four losses yet get an automatic qualification to the BCS, it is time to drop the Big East from the mix, and add another at large team. Michigan State deserves a slot, but instead is sent packing to the Capital One Bowl.

Are we witnessing the end of the Jeff Fisher era with the Oilers/Titans? The Titans have not scored an offensive touchdown in over three games and look hopelessly inept. The question is where would they be if they had never drafted Vince Young? The Falcons are the best team in the NFC hands down! Matt Ryan is performing like a seasoned veteran, and the defense is relentless. A showdown with the Saints is looming.

Tiger Woods goes winless for 2010, but his game is improving. The loss in sudden death to Graeme McDowell may have been a blessing in disguise and 2011 will be the return of the greatest player the game has ever seen.

Until next time…

A long time coming

2010-12-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

This weekend, most the state’s attention will be directed toward Cookeville and the TSSAA State Football Championships. Chattanooga has three representatives and all should bring home the gold. However, over in Hendersonville on Saturday night, a long overdue recognition will occur. Marvin “Stump” Martin will be inducted into the American Softball Association Hall of Fame. He is being recognized for ALL of his contributions to softball.

Howard basketball coach and former Mocs player, Walter “Moose” McGary, makes a point to talk how much “Stumpie” means to him. McGary played softball for Martin, and when informed that his former coach was going in the ASA Hall of Fame, he was near tears and made a point to say that he should have gone in years ago. Martin was the driving force behind the change in Georgia high school softball going from slowpitch to fastpitch. There were many, including coaches that thought it was a bad move, yet he perceive red and despite the protests the change was made. The impact made was unimaginable, as many young ladies were able to attend college on softball scholarships.

Most of the area knows he coached a select baseball team that included current Chattanooga quarterback, B.J. Coleman, however years earlier, another group of Mustangs, a group of young ladies in select softball that were nationally renown, went on to become the nucleus of the Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe program in its early years. In fact, his daughter Misty is among the short list of the best softball players this area has ever seen, and it’s a shame of all the retired numbers along the wall at LFO, Misty’s is not among them

Along with Roy Exum and its namesake Jim Frost, he helped spearhead the effort to build the nations’ best softball facility in Frost Stadium. Without that facility, would the Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball program have the success they have had the last two decades? If anyone thinks the Hall of Fame facility in Oklahoma City, the site of the NCAA Women’s World Series is a better facility needs to look again. Frost is a softball showplace and we have Martin to thank for playing a large part in making that happen. The stadium is a large reason for the revitalization of Warner Park which now has four other fields that rival any complex in the nation, and with the Summit makes this area a softball tournament destination once again.

Is there anyone else in the tri-state area that has done more for the young local athlete? After more than 25 years on the air (both radio and television), writing countless articles while the Chattanooga News Free Press then the Times Free Press, publishing an annual high school football magazine, not to mention coaching hundreds of young men and women it is time he received this honor.

Does he have critics, yes everyone does, heck I have a lot of critics, but when you look at what Marvin Martin has meant to softball and every other sport in the area, and he should be in other halls also. I hope the local sports halls of fame take notice of this and do the right thing and induct him into those also. He deserves it.

I am proud to call him a mentor, and more importantly a friend. Congratulations Stump!

Weekend rant

2010-11-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

The long Thanksgiving weekend brought a lot of football on all levels. It contained the expected results, some surprises, and yes, even a “real” (no helmets) fight.

The high school season is winding down, and as expected South Pittsburg, Signal Mountain, and Baylor will now move on to the Blue Cross Bowls this weekend in (gulp) Cookeville. The Pirates destroyed Cloudland; Bill Price’s Eagles scored another mercy rule win over Boyd Buchanan. The Bucs, who arguably is the areas most successful program over the last decade, were no match for the Eagles. Baylor, will face Ensworth (Tim and Faith’s special place) in the Division II finals.

Look for all three championships to come home to the Scenic City.

Boise State finally loses a game; Tennessee becomes bowl eligible, and Alabama CHOKES! Granted Auburn is probably a better team, but for the Tide to blow a 24-0 lead is one of the shockers of the season. The argument for Boise is over; they lost, so now all you Boise supporters SHUT UP. By the way, who are the three brain-dead coaches voting TCU number one in the USA Today poll? If projections are correct, TCU will face Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Then we can put to rest all this garbage that Boise and TCU can compete with anyone.

Am I the only person that believes a team with a non winning record should not be rewarded with a bowl game? The six win requirement was before the season was expanded to 12 games, and pathetic Tennessee and Georgia teams will get an extra game. Vols and Dawg fans I hate it, but your season should be over! No team and I mean no team that does not have a winning record should be rewarded with a bowl game even if it is the Music City Bowl.

Saint Peyton’s Colts again fall to a mediocre Chargers team, much like he did at Tennessee against the Gators, he could not beat Florida and can’t seem to beat San Diego.

The Titans are not very good, and I firmly believe we have not seen the last of the Adams/Fisher difference of opinion and as the season continues to decline it will give Bud the chance to cut Jeff loose. The fight between Finnegan and Johnson actually proved there are real tush hogs in the NFL, they fight without helmets. In no way do I condone this behavior, but at least both manned up.

Write this down, the Falcons will be in the Super Bowl. Matt Ryan, has removed all doubt that cutting all ties with Michael Vick was the smartest move Arthur Blank has made since his purchase he started Home Depot. Ryan is a winner, and led the team into field goal range with less than two minutes remaining after the Packers had tied the game. I said it was a waste of a draft pick by the Falcons, and I have been proven correct. The win over the Packers was the defining moment in Ryan’s maturation a leader and has placed him among the best in the conference. Our only hope is he never becomes the spoiled brat diva that Brett Farve has become.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, halftime entertainment the last several years has been outstanding. Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty, Springsteen, and last year The Who. This year however, the NFL has totally forgotten the demographics of the audience by selecting the horribly overrated Black Eyed Peas. Remember the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake fiasco? It will be miniscule compared to what will happen when the Peas, that is unless the NFL comes to their senses and at least has Fergie and her cohorts clean up the lyrics. By no means am I a prude, but there is a time and place, and the Super Bowl is not the place for singing about “lady lumps”.

For all you Neon Deion fans, he does not deserve enshrinement in Canton just yet; there are more deserving players on the Hall of Fame ballot this year. Martin, Curtis, and Faulk are locks, and no matter what you think of kickers Ray Guy belongs there also.

Until next time…

LOOK WHO IS BACK!

2010-11-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

First let me say “welcome back” to myself. Due to circumstances beyond my control I have been absent for a while, but I return more cynical than ever. I gave a lot of thought to what I would start with and it is the post which set Nick off a few weeks ago.

THREE MORE YEARS ?

The TSSAA has extended the contract with Cookeville for the Blue Cross Bowl football championship games. According to published reports, the guarantee to the sanctioning body is $250,000 this year and $253,000 in the final year 2012.

We are left with three more years in an aging facility in a small town, where the possibility of a large crowd is remote. The amenities of the stadium leave much to be desired, and what is actually in Putnam County that will occupy your time when not watching your team play?

Well, you could drive over to Crossville to the Hank Williams Jr. museum or outlet mall. Chattanooga has the finest facility of its type and size in the country and is a tourist destination location. Instead, football championships are decided at the equivalent of Chamberlain Field in its final days. This is the same as playing the Super Bowl at the dump that has become Legion Field in Birmingham.

What is the actual title of the state championships? I do believe they are called the BLUE CROSS BOWLS. Where is the home of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee? The company headquarters is a 200 million dollar plus Camelot located in (drum roll please) CHATTANOOGA!

The Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee did a fantastic job in trying to secure the bid just a couple of years ago, and for whatever reason the TSSAA board chose Cookeville, and once again the scenic city was left at the altar. Spring Fling was ripped away years ago, and there is still a bitterness in town over the fact the latest bid was rejected.

BCBS sent a representative to Murfreesboro during the Fling and in internal video reports to employees; nothing was mentioned of the competition, only showing some intern giving out water to spectators. NONE of the competition was mentioned, even though Chattanooga was well represented during the event. The basketball championships are up for grabs soon, and it is rumored that a bid will be submitted by the CSEC. BCBST should ensure these games are awarded to our city, but my gut tells me they will not even pay attention to the bidding process.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee sponsors the state championships in most sports, yet their base of operations is left out in the cold when bids are submitted. How can this be possible? I am surely not the only person that wonders how Chattanooga, the home of Blue Cross, is continually left holding the bride’s bouquet. My friend Nick Bonsanto discussed it on his show yesterday and is as shocked as I am by BCBST’s lack of influence.

BCBST sponsors many events in Chattanooga, but why aren’t they involved in the process of selecting the site for TSSAA events. Be a good citizen of this city.

Is there not one person in the castle on Cameron Hill that would like to see these championships held in our city?

The amount of money that is used to sponsor the championships is not public knowledge; however, it would stand to reason that someone familiar with high school athletics is involved with the process. However, if the telecasts of the football and basketball championships are any indication, then there is not.

The BCBST spokesperson there has literally no knowledge of sports, you can shill for the company and still look as if you know something about Tennessee high school sports, this lady does not. The company also promotes a program called “Healthy Competition” which details the pitfalls of PED usage, and yet you never see any true promotion among coaches and players.

Imagine Volkswagen as the corporate sponsor of the FCS Championship; that the NCAA recently was awarded to a Dallas suburb after more than a decade at Finley Stadium, do you think they would have stood by while something important to the area’s economy left their base of operations? One of the first things VW did was put their stamp on the city’s soccer team. Could they not find a team in Union City or Dresden to put their money behind? The TSSAA Blue Cross Bowls found Cookeville.

BCBST sits by and does nothing, while their home city has been stripped of all TSSAA championship competition, or is shot down during the bidding process. Yes, they do great things by sponsoring the events, but, can it be wrong, to think they should look out for the home folks also?

Blue Cross step up to the plate and give Scott Smith and the committee what they need to secure bids, you have more than enough money to sweeten the pot

UPDATE:

On August 23rd I was ordered by HR to remove this blog or I would suffer consequences, which anyone who listened to The Nick Bonsanto Show in the aftermath of the posting knew what those consequences would be. I did remove the post, yet two days later I received an apology from a Vice President of the company.

Friday Night Lights 2010

2010-08-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

This Friday begins my sixteenth year of covering high school football in the area. To say the least it has been exciting to watch the change in the media coverage over the years, high school football is bigger than ever, and over the years we have seen more and more of the major colleges come to the tri state area and grab the best of best. The increased media coverage given to the sport is part of the reason for the upswing.

Chattanooga has watched as newspaper coverage of football takes almost total control of the Friday and Saturday papers. The Times Free Press is second to none nationally and Stephen Hargis has much to be proud of.

Murphy Fair published the first magazine on the subject more than a decade ago, now Stump Martin and Scott Herpst have taken it to the next level with the Friday Night Football magazine. FNF is the gold standard of high school football mags.

Local radio coverage started with just one scoreboard show on Friday, and no local broadcast of games. This season not only will ESPN 105.1 have the preview of the weeks action at 5 p.m. each Friday , prior to a game of the week, then the ESPN radio scoreboard show. There will also be other broadcast outlets doing scoreboard shows this fall. Stump on Sports in the AM will recap all the action on Saturday mornings at 9.

Television coverage of the sport was changed when Stump on Sports Late Night made its Chattanooga debut. Two hours of high school football coverage every Friday night arguably did more to increase the popularity of the sport than any other event. Multiple games were covered and broken down, then players and coaches interviewed. Since the SOS debut, the Tennessee Georgia All Star Classic was started, which is one the most anticipated events of the year, and local news outlets have expanded their coverage of prep football to the point where news and weather are secondary on Friday nights.

Not so many years ago, it was rare to see a young gridiron star sign a scholarship with a BCS type school. Now, if a season goes by without multiple commitments we ask is the talent level slipping. In days gone by, it was just Southeastern Conference schools doing any real recruiting in the region, but fast forward to 2010 and you find the Big 12, Pac 10, and other major football factories looking in the Scenic City for talent.

We have watched as two young men from Hixson made names for themselves at Nebraska then the NFL, something that was very rare in the years prior to Dan Duff’s arrival at Hixson. Gerald Riggs was rated the top high school player in the nation during his days at Red Bank. We now check the television listings to see if there is a chance of catching the young man from Ridgeland now at Oklahoma State or the other former Panther at Alabama. Heck we are even watching CANADIAN football to see that young man from Notre Dame. Rumor has it that the next NCAA Coaches Convention will take place at Ridgeland since so many have shown up the last few years.

Friday Night Lights in Chattanooga, are indeed something special.

Tebow vs. Bryant

2010-08-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

No matter what you may say or think of Tim Tebow, he has shown this weekend that he does deserve respect. While some rookies are demanding tons of money, or not living up to the traditions of professional football (can you say Dez Bryant), Tebow goes about his business in a manner that shows character does matter.

During the first few days of training camp, Bryant refused to uphold a Cowboy tradition of carrying a veteran players equipment. Hazing of rookies is a part of the NFL, and this jackwagon decides he is above that. Maybe the Dolphins were correct in passing on him. Fast forward to this weekend and Bronco players give Tebow a haircut even yours truly would be ashamed of.

Does Heisman Tim complain, whine, or cry about it? No, and that shows that his character. Tebow knows what is expected of rookies, whereas Bryant who already has a checkered history thinks he is too good to endure rookie hazing.

Then again Bryant has great examples. I watched the Hall of Fame induction last night, and the performance by Jerry Rice made me sick. He talked about HIMSELF incessantly, not to mention he has no public speaking skills whatsoever. Talking about his experiences on that garbage television show “Dancing With The Stars”, like he is the next Fred Astaire. Then to top it off he walks to the front of the stage after begging for one more cheer from the fans. Give me a break Jerry, if you did not have Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing you those passes you would be nothing.

Jerry Rice and Brett Favre, are their two bigger narcissists?

YABBA DABBA DOOO

2010-08-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

Bill Haslam makes his final push before primary day and tagging along is the Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl.

You would have to be living in a cave the last few years to know that the Haslam family has meant more to UT athletics than the BCS National Championship. The family has donated millions upon millions of dollars to the school. Buildings bear their name, and everyone knows it was the Haslam family that pushed for the ouster of Phil Fulmer.

Now in a scene reminiscent of “The Godfather”, Haslam is making an offer to Pearl that he can’t refuse. The Pilot family has given so much money to the “Big Orange” and now they have called in the marker.

Each and every year during the Academy Awards some uninformed actor takes the stage and throws their political beliefs around like a gossipy old woman. The media then decides that they become “experts” and trot them out to make some sort of point. We have seen it with Richard Gere, Sean Penn, George Clooney, etc.

Does their opinion really matter to the general public? One thing is a fact, they are NOT employees of any state, local, or federal government.

Now Bruce Pearl is traveling the state with Haslam, and regardless of which person you support, it is wrong for him to publicly endorse a candidate. He is quoted as saying, “I work at the University of Tennessee. I’m a citizen of the state of Tennessee. I care who’s going to be our next governor”.

Hey Bruce, SHUT UP!

Pearl inserting himself in the political campaign of Bill Haslam should be grounds for disciplinary action. It is not proper for any state employee to endorse a candidate and it is up to Mike Hamilton to take action.

Pearl is first and foremost a show off. He did that just a couple of years ago when he was ejected from a high school basketball game right here in Chattanooga. He received considerable attention by painting himself for a Lady Vols basketball game. I find it interesting that he never made public comment on the departure of Kiffin. It is because they are really just alike? Pearl is Fred Flintstone and Lane was his Barney Rubble.

No other coach in Knoxville, or any other state university has endorsed and actively campaigned for any person seeking elected office. Think about this, as much as everyone hated Lane Kiffin, he at least knew to keep his mouth shut on this one. Saint Pat has kept quiet also, but yet, Fred Flintstone can’t keep his mouth shut.

As a taxpayer, we paying a portion of Pearl’s multimillion dollar contract, and providing him with benefits, and it is not his place as a state employee to be out repaying favors. It is now time for the university to do something.

Mike Hamilton, you hired him, it is up to you to do something to stop him.

Lane Lane Go Away

2010-07-28T04:02:00.000-07:00

What a difference a few months can make. Mike Hamilton hires Lane Kiffin to replace the legendary Phil Fulmer as coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. The Orange Nation jumped for joy as the fair haired boy comes to Knoxville bringing with him his father the NFL defensive guru Monty, and former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron. Everyone was hopping on the “Lane Train”. One radio host even went as far

Kiffin talked of singing Rocky Top as the Vols would defeat the hated Gators in the fall. The sun was shining so bright that it was not possible to supply the faithful with enough orange shaded sunglasses.

The faithful rejoiced on signing day as raids were made on Florida commitments, and all the fans celebrated saying “all is fair in love and recruiting”. Lane and his comrades could do no wrong. Radio hosts were proclaiming Kiffin a master recruiter just because his “evil doer” Coach O was using his best Tony Soprano impression to secure a thug from the masters of the SEC East.

The moment Pete Carroll announced he was leaving for the NFL, fans were certain that Kiffin would not leave Orangeland. I tried to tell my friends that had Lane fever that if he were given the opportunity he would leave Knoxville faster than Al Gore looks for a “massage”.

USC makes it official and suddenly Knoxville looks like Los Angeles after winning the NBA championship. Fires are started and people in the streets raising all sorts of h**l. As soon as the plane is in the air, Orgeron starts contacting kids he and other coaches had been recruiting for Tennessee, and asking them to think about changing their minds and come to Trojanland. The same people that praised them upon their arrival in Obnoxville are now calling them some names that would make a member of the Hell’s Angels feel uncomfortable. Even those radio hosts that proclaimed Lane as the second coming were now referring to him as Satan.

We all know the rest of the story, and now USC alum and Tennessee Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher and the Titans are suing Kiffin and USC for not following proper channels in hiring Kennedy Pola.

Is this a publicity stunt on behalf of the Titans? Perhaps, or is it possibly a very important USC alum trying to tell Kiffin “shut your mouth and just do your job”? It remains to be seen, but other high profile former Trojans need to speak up! Marcus Allen, and other former players have been strangely silent during the mess that is now Trojan football. Thankfully, one (Fisher) has spoken. Pat Hayden, one of my all time favorite quarterbacks is now Loose Lips Lane’s boss, and it is time for Hayden to publicly dress down Kiffin, or the damage could be irreparable, and one of my all time favorite teams could become the laughing stock of college sports.

Weekend Rant

2010-07-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

High school football practice begins today in Tennessee. After watching some passing league action last week, it promises to be an interesting season. An informal poll among the coaches there did reveal one consensus opinion, Signal Mountain could very well finish unbeaten and claim a state championship in just their second year of varsity play.

Yesterday was the annual induction ceremonies for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Andre “The Hawk” Dawson is now in the hallowed sanctuary of baseball immortality, and I pause and think…What the heck?

Dawson played for some really bad teams, the Expos (now Nationals), and the Cubs. He did not get 500 home runs, nor did he get 3,000 hits. Then how in their right mind can voters put him in Cooperstown?

Unfortunately, as the likes of Palmero and the rest of the steroid brigade reach there five year waiting period, we can look for more borderline players to get such enshrinement.

The Braves drop two of three to the Marlins, should we be worried?

Once again, Juan Pablo Montoya is denied a victory at Indy. This time the failure to become the only man to win the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 falls directly on the shoulders of his crew chief Brian Pattie. Pattie called for a four tire change during a late race caution, and that sealed Juan’s fate. Two tires would have kept him in the lead and on to victory. Car owner Chip Ganassi should fire Pattie today.

The Tour de France is over, WHO CARES? Much like soccer this is a fringe sport that is being over-hyped and over-exposed.

Lane Kiffin steals an assistant coach from Jeff Fisher (a USC alum), and Fisher is not happy about it. Lane it is not smart to anger the alumni. Fisher could be your replacement.

UTC softball has lost two coaches in less than a week. Brad Irwin will be the new head coach at ETSU, and now pitching coach, Shaina Ervin is going to Georgia Tech. This is a testament to the program that has been built by Frank Reed. When your assistants move on to head coach or assistant at one of the top teams in American, it shows the respect that the rest of the country has for the job Reed has done.

Finally, I watched HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumble this weekend. Gumble’s rant on Lebron James was priceless. No journalist has scolded James in quite the way he did. Kudos Bryant!

Can NASCAR Be Saved?

2010-07-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

The NASCAR season is more than half complete, and it is yet another year of sagging television ratings, empty seats at the races, and an ever growing malaise among the fans.

The economy has affected the attendance, but also it is a direct effect of the boredom that has swept over the good ole boy’s favorite sport, and you can bet the Frances’, Heltons’, and the rest of the power brokers in the sport have noticed

First there are drivers with the personalities of clams. Even with four consecutive championships, Jimmy Johnson is not capable of generating any persona other than being Dagwood Bumstead. A quick ink blot test on a few other drivers;

Jeff Gordon – Trying to become more aggressive, but its not working. Too nice!

Tony Stewart – One week good guy, one week bad boy. Make up your mind Tony!

Kasey Kahne – The NASCAR nerd.

Kyle Busch – Needs to win more at the Sprint Cup level and be the jerk he really is.

Matt Kenseth – YAWNNNNNNNNNNN.

It goes on and on and on. The majority of drivers are dull and uninspiring.

The death of Dale Earnhardt did more than we realize to cause in the decline of the sport. His widow Teresa’s treatment of Dale Jr. played a tremendous part. Junior was winning races until Teresa decided she could actually run a garage. Fast forward and now what has he really accomplished since to move to Hendrix. Does his current boss even care? It appears not, as he is giving Dagwood Bumstead all his attention. Jeff, Mark, and Dale are left with the scraps.

NASCAR needs two things to happen in order for the excitement to return. First Dale Junior needs to leave Hendrix and drive for his own Junior Motorsports. Hendrix is not putting any real effort to making the 88 a winner. Junior is the most popular driver, and his aw shucks attitude plays well to the good ole boys. Junior wins and the sport thrives.

Now for the second item, Danica Patrick needs to leave the Indy series immediately and make the move to NASCAR and not the Nationwide Series. Danica needs to jump right into the Sprint Cup. She has the ability, but more importantly she has the personality and sex appeal to bring more attention to the sport. Say what you will, but she has the potential to be a game changer! Who would you rather look at, Matt Kenseth or DANICA? Call me sexist, but it is all about the money, and Patrick brings the money.

Weekend Rant

2010-07-20T03:35:00.000-07:00

Louis Oosthuizen wins the British Open by a huge margin, and to listen to the ESPN crew covering the event, we just found the new Tiger Woods. I thought Tom Watson was going to start crying over the performance displayed by Louie Louie. Granted, the kid did great, but none of the major players in the world were a factor, and golf as much as any sport can swing on momentum. When the guy wins again, I will proclaim him one of the best players in the world, but for now it was just one of those things. When I was growing up we made fun of the way golfers dress, but now it has gotten utterly crazy. Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson look like fools with their attire.

Please tell me that none of you folks reading this watched the World Cup.

The Yankees recognize “The Boss” and “The Voice” and the idiots at Fox elect not to show the Old Timers Day festivities where this took place. Fox should be ashamed! No matter what you thought of Steinbrenner, he forever changed pro sports, and although he and although the Yankees have exiled and fail to acknowledge Joe Torre, they are still the measuring stick for all professional sports teams.

The Braves are five games in front in the National League East and still most of the country is not aware of it. Brain McCann wins the MVP of the All Star Game, and you would think he came from nowhere, but he as been to the mid summer classic every year he as been in Atlanta, and is the best catcher in the National League, period. Much credit was given to “The Boss” and his television package that set the Yankees apart from everyone else, but let us all remember it was Ted Turner and the Atlanta Braves that began the cable revolution, Ted belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame every bit as much as George Steinbrenner.

Can ESPN force any more Miami Heat garbage on us? Look at the television ratings, and you will find that WWE garners bigger numbers than the NBA. The majority of sports fans could care less about professional hoops. Basketball begins and ends with the NCAA.

It only gets worse, numerous Notre Dame players arrested at a party over the weekend, and one of those taken into custody was the son of Joe Montana. Hey Joe! Get your children under control! There was never a hint of scandal during Montana’s career, and now his son acts like a fool.

Remember get your tickets now for Chattanooga and Appy State on Sept 4. The Mocs are going to win this game, and win it big, BOOK IT!

Character Does Matter !

2010-07-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Each day we see more and more examples of just how far out of control college and professional athletes have become. Just looking back the past few years, we see Pacman Jones, Michael Vick, Ben Rothlisberger, and so many more that for some reason conduct their lives in a way that brings shame upon their sports. Locally we have seen it with a young man that lost the chance to be in the NFL due to huge character issues from multiple arrests for marijuana.

I could not help but remember covering a high school football game many years ago, and listening to a player continually trash talk his opponent BEFORE THE GAME. This one night the officials heard enough prior to the game that just before kickoff, I overheard the referee tell the player “open your mouth one more time, and you will be out of here”. It worked that night but later on during the season, it was right back to normal for this young player.

Last week, we saw where several Tennessee football players were involved in a bar room fight, with two of them arrested. We all remember the incidents last year with both UT football and basketball players, and yet the kids never learn by example. The keep acting like idiots, but yet if they are on the field this fall we will be cheering them. As fans, why do we continue to condone thuggish behavior ?

What has happened to the younger athletes or for that matter the younger people of today? Is it the fact that during the 50’s and 60’s mom did not have to work, and was there for her children? Is the fact that most people under 30 were raised by the “spare the rod, spoil the child” philosophy that is rampant now.

I realize that I do sound like many of our parents when we were younger, but I do not think I am the only person that sees a striking difference between young people today, and those of just ten to fifteen years ago.

Would Joe Namath or Brett Farve for that matter have put themselves in the position that Big Ben thrust himself into by attempting to force himself on a young lady under the age of 21? Big Ben, had the same problem last year in Nevada, then turns around and does the same thing in Georgia.

Did Alex Karras or Paul Hornung return to their ways after being suspended from the NFL for one full season for their sins, easy answer NO! Apparently over a year in a federal prison did not teach Vick much, he is right back in the middle of criminal activity, and although it appears he was not involved directly, the fact that he was in that bar is enough for me to realize that the time in prison did absolutely nothing to make him think about the consequences of his actions.

Everyone knows I am not the biggest Peyton Manning fan, but would he have allowed himself to be in a fix like what took place last week at The Bar in Knoxville? Seven players gang up on one man and beat him within an inch of his life, there is only one simple punishment for all involved, kick them off the team permanently. The Bar should be placed off limits to all students! The special treatment afforded athletes by the owners then talking to the media about it may be deserve a special mention on the show “America’s Dumbest Criminals”.

Did Alex Rodriquez do a one hour ESPN special to announce he was going to the Yankees? Yes, he has been fodder for the tabloids in the past, but at least he is not getting in same garbage as Vick, Jones, and Vince Young.

The three big events last week in Knoxville, Athens, and then the Lebron James garbage proved beyond all doubt that the common ground today among the young is selfishness, and an in many attitude that if you cant get your way, fight.

Who do we blame for all these instances of jock misbehavior? Their parents? The schools? Yes, to those two, and also to the athletes themselves for having so little self respect. There was a day when people cared what their reputation was; it is obvious that is no longer the norm. Parents’ think their kid is the next superstar, when in reality they have no prayer of playing at any level beyond high school, or those that do move on have been so pampered and catered to, that there is no grasp on reality. Partial responsibility belongs to the schools, that claim to teach character, but in reality they do not. I know I am not the only one that wonders what the character education program is.

Values have changed, and respect is the word. How many times have you seen a young person say they were dissed? Now we see fights staged for You Tube, we have celebrities cursing judges, and some primadonna (James) who along with the world wide leader, decided that his decision was worthy of a television special. When in reality more people watched Sean Hannity on Fox News than did the James announcement.

The media is partially to blame in that they fan the flames of misbehavior. The examples are obvious, but perhaps the journalistic world should back off, and not spend so much time on the escapades, and just report them and move to the next story.

Texas retired Young’s number, Virginia Tech did the same for Vick, and those numbers should be un-retired! In fact, any team that has retired the number of any player such as the ones mentioned earlier, or any player that conducts themselves in a manner not in keeping with standards of good character should never have their number honored.

What will it take for these folks to understand, that character matters, and that by their behavior they make themselves look no better than a common criminal, or then again maybe that is what they are common criminals.

Top Ten Country Songs

2010-04-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Let’s take a break for sports for this blog, and look at music.　 A few weeks ago I gave my top ten baseball movies, so tonight let's switch to country music. Keep in mind, when I say "country" I do not mean this stuff that currently is played on the hot county station.　 We are not talking Keith Urban, Brooks and Dumb, Kenny (don’t call me bald short guy) Chesney.　 I am talking REAL country.　There aren't many artists that keep their country roots, Brad Paisley does, but to be honest that is about it.

A lot of thought and thanks to Rusty Parkhill for reminding me of a couple of the songs on this list. Seriously, artists like Timmy Poo McGraw wish they were able to record stuff as good as the following:

10 Sunday Morning Coming Down Johnny Cash 1970. The legend Kris Kristofferson wrote the sad song of a man alone. The story goes that he flew a helicopter to Cash's home to beg him to record it.

9 Ring of Fire Johnny Cash 1963. June Carter and Merle Kilgore wrote a song that Cash made
his own. The trumpets set this apart from anything before or after.

8 There Stands The Glass Webb Pierce 1953. Pierce's high lonesome voice kept this number
one for twelve weeks.

7 Mama Tried Merle Haggard 1968. Hagg penned one to convey the feelings he had while an
inmate at San Quentin.

6 I Fall To Pieces Patsy Cline 1961. Harlan Howard tells the story of running into a lost love.

5 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain Willie Nelson 1975. The song that ended that over orchestrated
"Nashville Sound". Thanks Willie.

4 Cold Cold Heart Hank Williams 1951. A tear maker that tells the story of unreturned love.

3 Your Cheating Heart Hank Williams 1953. This was released after his death, and still remains
his greatest work.

2 He Stopped Loving Her Today George Jones 1980. Many claim this is the greatest country
song. Its hard to beat a story of death finally bringing peace to a broken man.

However, to me that is just number two. If you turned on country radio in 1975, you will remember the best of the best. This one was written and performed by the late Gary Stewart.

She's Acting Single, I'm Drinking Doubles.

Hey Lebo !

2010-03-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

It wasn’t so many years ago when Henry Dickerson was no longer the basketball coach of the Chattanooga Mocs. Then, Chattanooga Athletic Director Steve Sloan was new to the job and was ready to make a splash with the hiring of a new coach. Up in Cookeville was a young coach with a decent enough record at that hoops powerhouse Tennessee Tech, and the fact he played his college ball for Dean Smith seemed to make him the first choice for the job.

Over the years our Mocs had become one of the more respected mid-major programs in the country. NCAA tournament wins and top 20 ranking under Murray Arnold, a Sweet Sixteen run during the Mack McCarthy days. Sports Illustrated named McKenzie Arena one of the hardest places to play, and it was only more proof that Chattanooga was a respected program.

Steve Sloan brings us Jeff Lebo fresh off a trip to the “Little Dance” the NIT. Everyone knew going in that it was a stepping stone, so two seasons later he leaves for that SEC power (laughing) Auburn. Now after not being able to do anything with the Tigers program, he is tapped to follow McCarthy at East Carolina. What did Lebo do for the Mocs? Did they once again dominate the SoCon? Were the Mocs in the NCAA or NIT under Lebo? The answer to the last two questions are a resounding no. However, what he did for the Mocs program was give us a coach that actually wanted to be here, John Shulman.

Shulman has done more to help bring the Mocs back to respectability than Lebo ever planned to do. SoCon championships and that trip to the NCAA last season that captured the nation’s attention as Jimmy Fallon adopted Chattanooga, and “The Don Juan of the SoCon”.

It has been my pleasure over the years to interview Shulman, and when doing PA for the Mocs, watch how he coaches the game. In a way he is old school, being that if you mess up, you are going to hear about it, but yet when the player comes to the bench you can see coach give the kid, a pat on the back. He knows when to jump and then when to say something to take the sting out.

Can Mocs basketball return to being the dominate program in the conference? That is hard to say, as this year’s March Madness proves beyond any doubt there is parity in college basketball, but we have a better chance with Shulman than we ever had with Lebo.

John Shulman expects his players to follow the rules, and if they don’t, they do not play. He molds young men both on and off the court. Sloan paid a small mint to get Lebo, but yet we got the better end of the deal when he left and the job was given to Shulman, even more so when Steve Sloan called it quits and was replaced by Rick Hart, who has done more to restore the athletic program than any AD I can remember.

Mocs athletics are in great shape, be a part of it!

Loyalty over money

2010-03-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Reigning American League MVP Joe Mauer did something unimaginable over the weekend he extended his contract to stay with the Twins. That’s right, he is staying with the Minnesota Twins!

Mauer, who could have played out the option year and gone for the big dollars that would have surely been offered by the Yankees, Dodgers, or Angels decided that he would remain in the frozen north until 2018.

It is not that often anymore that we see a player remain loyal to a team. Bonds, Halliday, Furcal, and many others have decided that the most money trumps the organization that made them what they are. I am not the biggest Chipper Jones fan, but he has at least remained a Brave, and will retire as one. Cal Ripken did the same. Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all beat feet out of town when the big bucks called.

Do you really think that A-Rod would stay with the Bronx Bombers if another team offered more money? You can bank the fact he would run quicker than Bandit Darville carried the Coors to Atlanta. Johnny Damon ran away from the Red Sox and his career has suffered. More often than not the big buck are just that money, and you quit playing as hard.

Don’t get me wrong I don’t begrudge the big money deals, but I value loyalty more, and to me at a certain point how much money do you need?

John Kruk said something a few years ago that rang true, “I am not an athlete, I am a ball player”. Joe Mauer said the same similar when he signed a new contract, he told us all he is a ball player for the Twins, not a mercenary for hire.

Thanks Joe !

Just the facts maam, just the facts

2010-03-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Detective Joe Friday uttered that phrase many times on Dragnet, and now more than ever they appear appropriate for what is quickly becoming a big time sports event ghost town, and yes that means Chattanooga.

Losing the NCAA FCS Championship Game is the just the latest piece of tumbleweed to come rolling down the streets of the Scenic City.

First there was the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. This city developed the tourney into what it is supposed to be today, the premier conference tournament in the nation. Yet, only a shade over 5,000 attended the title game between Tennessee and Kentucky in Atlanta this past weekend.

The SEC’s excuse for leaving Chattanooga was that it needed to get bigger and better, and that it has NOT done. Would an ordinary resident of the Atlanta area have attended the game? You can bet your last dollar they would not have, but yet casual fans would come to the games in Chattanooga. Granted McKenzie arena is not the glamour palace you might find in Nashville, or Atlanta, but seats filled in an older arena are better than empty ones at the Gwinnett Center.

The Southern Conference Basketball Tournaments are another story, they ask Chattanooga to give up the show this year and take it to Charlotte. The thousands of fans disguised as empty seats sure looked good on television. The conference obviously can’t see the forest for the trees. When you have some schools that have lower enrollment than some high schools in this area, how in the heck can you expect to have a packed arena?

It does not take a brain surgeon to figure out that thousands of empty seats being shown on television is very bad for the conference. However, year after year the SoCon tries to make itself what it is not, the only show in town for the city that hosts the tourney.

Coaches, like Bobby Gremmins whine like little babies when a conference member hosts the event, but more does that matter more than playing a championship game in an empty arena and having a national television audience see the thousands of empty seats?

I turned the television on Monday afternoon for the SoCon women’s finals. Not on any of the ESPN channels but on SportSouth, which is cable access compared to ESPN. The conference and the city of Charlotte should be truly ashamed as each camera shot showed nothing but empty seats. Is it any wonder that the attendance was not announced?

There were more people at a Georgia Northwestern Junior college game on a recent Friday of snow and bad weather than were at the SoCon women’s championship game yesterday.

Then I switch to ESPN2 and they are showing the Siena and Fairfield game in Albany, New York. The arena, approximately the same size as McKenzie is packed. Move to ESPN and they have Old Dominion and William and Mary playing in Richmond. Again, the facility is full.

Finally, the SoCon men begin play and if it were not for the Appy fans, the arena would be at the least 95 percent empty. This is the risk when you have several members of the conference that have fewer than 2,000 students. If Wofford had their entire student body present (1,500) it would has still left the arena more than 90% empty.

The tournament returns to Chattanooga next year, and yet bids are in process for the years following. They play games in a virtually empty arena and the conference is giving bid preference to those cities that have two venues. Can someone please tell me the logic in that request? The SoCon has definite issues. The SoCon is under the false impression they are one of the “big dogs” and they are not. Two arenas? Give me a break!

The cost to the universities to take their teams to the tournament is getting out of hand. In softball only the top four teams will be moving to the tournament this year. Perhaps the conference should eliminate the basketball tournament and have the two division winners face each other at the campus of the team with the best record with the winner to go on to the NCAA.

It was an honor to be the public address announcer at the final FCS Championship to ever be played at Finley Stadium. During the preparations it dawned on me and most everyone that it would be the last time Chattanooga would host the game. There was no other reason for Montana and Appy to be in the same bracket. The NCAA was ready to make a change, and lower attendance would justify it. A championship game between those two schools would have guaranteed the largest crowd ever, and the bad weather that day would have not had any bearing on attendance. The place would have been packed, but the NCAA just like the SEC and SoCon is thinking the event is bigger than the host, and in these three instances that is not the case.

The same NCAA mindset applies to when the women’s basketball regional was held here, a sure fire way to insure good attendance would have been to assign the Lady Vols to the Chattanooga site, but yet they are sent further away and we are left with Vandy and North Carolina.

Much of the city has tried to place the blame on the Sports and Events Committee, Scott Smith, and Merrill Eckstein. You can’t fault them.

The facts are, the NCAA, SEC, and Southern Conference have unrealistic goals, and no matter what was presented by Chattanooga they were going to make the change. Leaving the city feeling like a bride left at the altar.

High School basketball in Chattanooga

2010-03-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

It is time to take a look at the state of high school hoops in the area. There was a time not so long ago that this area was the epicenter of the sport in Tennessee. The days when Riverside ruled the roost, the torch was passed on to Brainerd and the Panthers dominated the state, but since those days the Scenic City has been without a championship from the large schools.

Granted Tennessee Temple had their moment in the sun under Dan Wadley, but back in the day the entire area would get excited. To take nothing away from the Crusaders, there was not that excitement in the city. It was very small school playing in the smallest classification, whereas had it been on of the larger schools a large part of the population would be cheering the on.

When was the last “big time” recruit found in town? C.J. Black, Malcom Mackey, Porter Roberts were it until this year. Granted there was a young man from East Ridge that signed with Tennessee, but that was a bust, and hopefully he has turned it around and will be a good player for Chattanooga. This year however, Michael Bradley signed early with UConn. Yes, UConn a national power, and it has been many years since a local player signed with school on that level, and sorry Tennessee fans, you aren’t on the same level as the Huskies, but you are on the way. Tyner’s Reggie Gilmore signed with North Carolina A & T. Throw in current Chattanooga Moc Jeff Smith, and Tyner is now the hoops factory in town.

There have been other players capable of playing basketball at the very least on a mid major level, but athletes such as Tim Benford, and Dominique McDuffie elected to play college football. This further adds to the perception that Chattanooga is now a football town. Can you prove me wrong? Don’t get me wrong, I love high school and college basketball, but the kids see where the opportunities are to play on the next level and in basketball, the chances are too slim unless you are a stud player.

On the girls side were it not for a handful of schools it would be non-existent at the state level. LFO, Gordon Lee, McMinn Central, and Walker Valley are the only schools producing upper echelon college talent. Softball has become the sport of choice for most young ladies in the area, a look at the rosters of not only Chattanooga, but Tenn Tech, Jax State, MTSU, ETSU, and on and on and will show how just like football for boys, this is a softball town.

Perception is reality, and in Chattanooga football and softball are on top of the heap.

Baseball is here !

2010-03-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

Players have reported for spring training, high schools and college seasons are underway, and all thoughts turn to spring. However, based on the winter we have head I am left wondering when the nice days will arrive. Time is a good time to think back and remember those great movies about America’s pastime.

I have thought a lot about this, and most who know me realize I am a movie fan, and I mean real movies, not that garbage like Avatar, Harry Potter and the Assorted Geeks, and the Lord of the Rings junk. Real movies such as , The Godfather, On The Waterfront, etc.

Baseball in the movies used to be traditional, nowadays if it weren’t for Kevin Costner, we would have only had one real baseball movie in the last decade. Costner’s name pops up more than once in my list of the ten best baseball movies.

In ascending order:

Number ten – For The Love of the Game. Costner as Billy Chappel an aging picture wanting one more last day in the sun, and along the way finally devotes himself to the woman he loves.

Number nine – 61 HBO film produced by Billy Crystal which follows Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in their quest to become the greatest single season slugger ever. The mental strain on Maris was incredible, and not really seen until this film.

Number eight – Major League. Hilarious farce as Jake Taylor, Veg Head, Dorn and the rest take the hapless Cleveland Indians to the post season.

Number seven – The Monty Stratton Story. Jimmy Stewart has the starring roles as the once powerful major league pitcher that loses a leg in a hunting accident.

Number six – Pride of St. Louis. Dan Dailey portrays the immortal Dizzy Dean, the hayseed flamethrower that goes on to become the greatest baseball announcer of all time.

Number five – Bang The Drum Slowly. Robert DeNiro is cast as a hillbilly catcher for the New York Mammoths. Ostracized for most of his career he becomes part of the team after being told he is dying.

Number four – The Rookie. Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris the high school coach who takes a shot and actually makes the major leagues.

Number three – Pride of the Yankees. Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig, enough said.

Number two – Field of Dreams. Costner again. We all know the premise, and if you don’t get tears when he asks his dad for a catch you aren’t human

Number one – Bull Durham. Costner, Tim Robbins, Robert Wuhl, Susan Sarandon, and a team of misfits in the minors. Roses in the front big guy, and remember breathe through your eyelids.

This is NOT 1980 !

2010-02-27T04:09:00.000-08:00

One of the lead stories on the television and radio news Monday morning was the Olympic Hockey win by the United States over Canada. My question is why is the media trying to install false patriotism? Folks this is not 1980, Canada is not our enemy, and the major factor is that this team is not a collection of college players, these are NHL players. The same players that are on a two week break from league play to pretend they care about their country. The pros do not care; Michael Jordan has never said a gold medal means more than an NBA championship trophy has he? Did a nation rise as one in the chant “USA USA” when the pro hoopsters brought home the gold? Quick answer, NO.

I listen to a journalist I truly respect talking about this game as the biggest win since 1980, and to be honest, that is hogwash. Much like the Dream Team in basketball, this hockey team is a collection of the best professionals America has to offer. The Dream Team was a knee jerk reaction to the U.S. loss to the Russians in the 70’s, and even then I thought it was a mistake. The Olympics are for not for the professional athlete, never have been, and never will be.

In 1980 the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan, and Americans were being held hostage in Iran. Patriotism was at an almost unfathomable low. A failed rescue attempt in Iran left our pride broken, and as then President Carter called it a malaise had taken control. We needed something to be proud of, and it was not a bunch of mercenaries from the NHL. A nation hung its’ hopes on a bunch of college kids, as it should be in the Olympics. Much like Jesse Owens’ performance in the Berlin games during the reign of Hitler, it was a non professional that slapped the bad guys in the face.

Herb Brooks brought together a collection of collegiate hockey players in hopes of just being respectable. In fact in a match up prior to the Lake Placid games, the Soviets destroyed the Americans. No person in their right mind gave the U.S. a chance. However, we all know the story.

For the media to make comparisons to this weekend’s victory is absurd. These were professionals playing, not wide eyed college kids driven by a coach that was obsessed with conditioning and perfection. None of the players went on to even a remotely successful NHL career. The men on the ice this weekend are paid millions to ply their skill on the ice.

Now do not take this the wrong way, I applaud the accomplishment however to draw comparison to 1980 is like putting ketchup on prime rib.

He Does NOT Owe Us !

2010-02-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

The most celebrated case of infidelity in all likelihood is Bill Clinton, there have been others too numerous to mention, Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, Elliot Spitzer, and the latest being John Edwards who fathered a child outside of his marriage, in fact, an affair that was taking place during his campaign for the presidency. However, these examples and many others have not been subject to the scrutiny of Tiger Woods.

Clinton, the leader of the free world, was given a pass. He was not harassed, his family not followed. Edwards, who was John Kerry’s choice for VP in 2004, and was a candidate in 2008, decided to stray on a wife who battles cancer. Are there cars following his wife and children?

Where were the cries for a statement from Clinton or for that matter Edwards? The same media that gave them a pass have harassed Tiger incessantly since the first concubine opened her mouth. What Woods’ did was WRONG, but does not justify the attention the scandalous media has given it. Do his affairs really bring justification to stalking his wife and children? Paparazzi have followed them non stop since day one. There is no lower life form today then those photographers and the media outlets that pay for the pictures, can you say TMZ, Entertainment Tonight, CBS, NBC, and ABC?

The greatest athlete in the world today has been humbled to say the least. Kobe Bryant recovered from his scandal, but can Tiger? Then again Bryant was not marketed as role model, he was just the typical NBA player these day, a thug. Woods has given millions to make life better for thousands of young people though his foundation. Where is the Kobe foundation? Bryant got a free pass compared to what Tiger has gone through.

Woods has been seen as a tough competitor, relentless in his pursuit of perfection, and the most feared person in sports today. We have now seen a broken man. Tiger has admitted that he is selfish, arrogant, and brought shame to his family and his sport. He has apologized, did Clinton or Edwards?

When he returns to the course the best thing that can occur is he wins the first time out. That will be a slap in the face of those that have condemned him. Perhaps then the TMZ’s and Larry King’s of the world will leave him and his family alone. Maybe a quick butt kicking will shut Ernie Els’ mouth. Phil Mickleson has shown class during this ordeal, too bad Els did not.

The only people that are truly owed an apology are his wife, children, and mother. If you think he owes you some explanation, you are wrong, he doesn’t. Can you so easily admit your shortcomings in front of millions of people?

Tiger said it right when he talked about being questioned for details on the affairs, or how the possible restoration of his marriage being a private matter. He addressed some rumors of PED use, and then Friday afternoon a sports radio host jokes about not knowing if those were steroids or ED drugs is his feeble attempt at humor, which would even be beneath Keith Olbermann. Woods is obviously going through a 12 step program. You should at least have some knowledge of such things before you go on the air and open your pie hole.

An admission to an addiction is not easy, to seek help is even more difficult, and Woods’ has done both. He did not owe us anything, but he showed what it takes to be a real man. That is good enough for me. I am still a fan.

I'M BACKKKKKKKKKK

2010-02-19T15:03:00.000-08:00

Let us take a few moments to look at some of the things that have happened while we have been waiting on the new site to be built. You know me, I will express my opinion on each one of these.

The greatest franchise in the history of sports, the New York Yankees, win another World Series. Please do not give me this garbage that the pennant was bought, they were the best team period, and it doesn’t matter how they built the team.

Hopes sprang eternal when Lane Kiffin was named the new Vols coach, yet when he decided to go home to USC, the fans turned on him quickly. They praised him for stealing recruits when he first arrived in Knoxville, then when he leaves all they do whine that he is cheating and trying to steal future Big Orange players. Stop whining!

Pigs flew and hell froze as the Saints win the Super Bowl. I am very happy for that. Peyton Manning once again proved that more often than not, when it is a big game, he will lose. Manning’s postseason record is now 8-8, he might be the greatest QB ever, but he is not in the same league with Bradshaw, Brady, Montana, etc.

Brett Favre, JUST GO AWAY!

Jimmie Johnson , perhaps the most boring human alive, wins his fourth consecutive Cup title. YAWNNNNNNN.

The world goes spinning out of control because Tiger Woods was unfaithful to his wife. Come on folks, what does it matter to us? Simply put Tiger is the best ever, and in the grand scheme of things what does it matter that he was cheating on his wife?

Tim Tebow’s college career comes to an end, and if you don’t agree he is the greatest college football player ever, then you are nuts.

The Chattanooga Mocs football program has turned the corner. Community support is at an all time high. Coach Huesman and his staff have taken charge and look for an even bigger season this fall.

Growing up Chattanooga was a basketball town. Riverside, Howard, Soddy Daisy helped propel this city to prominence. Move ahead a generation and now it’s crystal clear this is now a football town and that will never change.

Thanks to Brewer Media for taking over ESPN in Chattanooga. The local programming is second to none. It is a pleasure to be associated with them.

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday you will find my blog right here on chattanoogafreesport.com.

Don’t forget to watch Stump On Sports Late Night, every Friday at 11pm and Saturday at midnight, Comcast 96.

MOCS DANCE AGAIN…CREMMINS IDIOT OF THE WEEK

2009-03-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Bobby Cremmins SHUT THE HELL UP! You whined and moaned throughout the SoCon tournament about the location. As if that were not enough ammo, you went and disrespected the program which has brought as much recognition to the conference the last two decades, as you ever did for your conference at Georgia Tech. “Chattanooga is not what they used to be” was said during a radio interview, and with that comment the fire in the eyes of John Schulman’s team became the icy cold stare of a mafia hit man.

Chattanooga goes dancing for the tenth time, and if you count the NIT appearances I challenge my new IDIOT OF THE WEEK, Bobby Cremmins to match that at any school he has coached.

I had another IOW in mind, but in the interest of professionalism I decided to give the honor to the Just For Men spokesman.

Finally, let all Mocs fans thank Jeff Lebo for leaving and John Shulman becoming the coach. He is continuing the legacy of Shoemate, Arnold, and McCarthy far better than Lebo ever could. After all, Chattanooga is far more relavent in college basketball that Auburn ever will be.

Thanks John!

PRE SEASON SOFTBALL TOP TEN

2009-03-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

1 GPS
2 OOLTEWAH
3 SODDY DAISY
4 WALKER VALLEY
5 RHEA COUNTY
6 CHATT CHRISTIAN
7 MEIGS COUNTY
8 GRACE
9 BAYLOR
10 RED BANK

LIONS, PANTHERS, CRUSADERS, AND GOLDEN EAGLES BORO BOUND

2009-03-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

When the season began gone were Tim Benford and Dominique McDuffie, and gone with them were the hopes of returning to Murfreesboro. Wrong! In perhaps the best coaching job in recent memory, John Cherne has the Lions returning for a shot to bring home the gold basketball. Late in the season, Cherne lost his father, and while grieving he was able to motivate the young Lions to play at the level needed to make a post season run.

The turning point was late in the season when back to back wins over favored Ooltewah, propelled them into the district tournament with such momentum that they were tough to beat. A loss in the region championship to Walker Valley did not slow them down as they went to Murfreesboro early and defeated Oakland in Monday’s sectional game.

Nick Ross, Bradley Britt, and company have done the job and do no discount the Lions’ chances

Brainerd gets a chance to add another trophy to its crowded case, as Fred Sturdivant and company have improved all season and with the talent on the Panthers’ roster, along with the coaching of legendary Robert High, the odds are in the favor of the young men on Venus Lacy Boulevard.

Temple, with Jeremy Sexton and Grace, with Brandon Herman are making the annual trek up 24 to again attempt to capture that gold ball. Temple, strong all season and Grace rebounded from a mid season slump to grab spots in the state tourney. Would it surprise anyone to see them meet again this season?

Hats off to the Tyner guys and CSAS girls on great seasons that ended in the sectionals.

WEEKEND RECAP

2009-03-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

It was a sports filled weekend in the area. There are many local highlights, conference tournament action at McKenzie Arena (yes coaches are still whining like little babies), CSAS and NW Whitfield girl’s basketball seasons ends in state tournament losses, and Ringgold comes from behind to defeat Northwest Whitfield in baseball action. Tennessee baseball and softball begin this week, but two stories stand out above the rest.

The Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe Lady Warriors are headed to the Georgia Final Four after besting Dunwoody Saturday night. A potential rematch with top ranked Carrollton looms in the championship game. Who was the winner in the first meeting? LFO! I have said for three years now that this is the best girl’s basketball team in the area and they are proving beyond all doubt they are. Granted, Kayla Weaver will receive a lot of attention, but we can’t over-emphasize the importance of Jasmine Carey to this team. Averaging over twenty rebounds a game is an incredible stat, and look for her to dominate this weekend. Her value to the team can’t be measured. A state championship trophy is going to look really nice in the case at LFO.

The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team swept a weekend series with Furman and yes it was expected, but the return of Brooke Loudermilk to the circle as a starter was impressive. Brooke made her return in relief against Boston College and again in the Saturday doubleheader against Furman. Coach Frank Reed chose to start her in the series finale, and she did not disappoint. She only gave up only three hits and struck out five but it was the confidence that her return instilled in the ladies that has to make the rest of the conference think they are playing for second now. The appearance Thursday was important, but the outing in relief Saturday was more important in restoring inner confidence to the two time SoCon Pitcher of the Year. East Ridge’s Tiffany Baker had the hot bad Saturday. Freshman Jenni Martin’s two run triple was the Sunday’s winning hit. The former Ringgold standout continues to impress everyone with her ability at the plate. Della Harrison got her first career hit this Saturday and look for more at bats from her. Michelle Fuzzard pitched a gem Saturday. With the return of Loudermilk, it goes without saying the Lady Mocs are the favorites to win an eleventh conference championship.

SOCON COACHES STOP WHINING!!!!

2009-03-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

Many of the Southern Conference coaches are upset over Chattanooga hosting the 2009 tournament. They are making the point that it is an automatic home court advantage for the Mocs and Lady Mocs. What these coaches need to do is SHUT UP, and coach their teams.

Sure let’s return the tournament to Charleston, we can be proud of all the empty seats when the championship games are on ESPN. Seriously, how many Citadel, College of Charleston, or for that matter fans of any other conference team even show up for the tournament games? If it weren’t for Chattanooga and Davidson, the game could be played in a high school gym, and there would still be empty seats.

At least with the layout of McKenzie Arena, a crowd of three to four thousand will look good on television, as the camera angles will not show the upper level. This will definitely be an improvement over the huge crowds disguised as empty seats we have grown used to in Charleston.

Final note on the conference shindig, make sure and listen to Jim Reynolds on the broadcasts of the Mocs games. This year another local media outlet will broadcast the Mocs also, but you have a guarantee of hearing the game after the sun goes down if you lock your radio dial on 102.3. Can you hear me now ?????

LFO LADY WARRIORS

2009-03-04T18:12:00.000-08:00

Girl’s basketball has returned to the area. I have told each and every one that would listen for the last three years that the LFO Lady Warriors are the best basketball team in our viewing area. Of course, I would get the occasional shrug, eye roll, or who cares look.

I have been so incredibly fortunate the last three years to watch these young ladies improve and overcome adversity each and every year. They now have a region title and their first and second wins in the state tournament. Do you doubt me now?

Coach Wayne Weaver has built a girl’s program second to none in the Chattanooga area. He is one of the most underrated coaches around. It is sad that the decline in girl’s hoops in the Tennessee Valley; has caused many to look over those teams that are good, and can compete statewide. Weaver has built that program at LFO.

Ashley McKenzie, Jasmine Carey are two extremely good ball players who have stepped up when needed. Carey’s presence in the paint is a something that most teams in this region lack. The bench is strong and is capable of keeping a lead or extending it. The future is bright over on Battlefield Parkway. A program has been built and will be a place that young ladies want to go for the opportunity to compete at a high level.

The Lady Warrior’s have ducked no team. They played what is arguably the best team in Tennessee, McMinn Central, and took on NW Whitfield, and Gordon Lee. In the region tourney they beat the number one team in the state of Georgia, Carrolton. It amazes me that now that same team is back at the top spot while the team that defeated them is still fourth. I guess idiots are voting in the poll.

Much was made of Ashley Houts when she was at Dade, and now playing for Georgia. I will say this loud and clear: Kayla Weaver is as good as or better than Houts and although I know she is very excited about going to Kennesaw State, she deserved a better offer. To heck with the injuries she has suffered, which probably scared a lot of college coaches, the girl can play ball better than anyone has in years. I have talked to many respected basketball people, and we all are in complete agreement that Weaver can play at a very high mid major level at the very least, and could easily start for many SEC or ACC schools. She plays the game like a guy, bringing the ball up the court reminds one of Pete Maravich. In the game against Stephens County, her defensive skills were on display as she created turnovers and reeked havoc on the floor.

How cool would it have been to see Kayla and Penland on the court together at UTC.

NASCAR HAS JUMPED THE SHARK

2009-03-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

In television the term “jumped the shark” is used to describe the beginning of the end of a television series. It goes back to “Happy Days” when Fonzie literally jumped over a shark. From that point on the show declined faster than a caution lap smoke by Dick Trickle.

Ninety minutes for a pre race show? That is insane programming. How much info do we need for go fast turn left?

In the quest for a diverse audience NASCAR has abandoned their roots. The days of Clem, Joe Bob and Peggy Sue have long since gone. The France family’s quest to put the sport in the mainstream and capture Biff and Buffy have eroded the fan base. You can blame empty seats on the economy, if you want, but empty seats have been commonplace for several years. The folks that made stock car racing were left in the shadows.

Empty seats, declining ratings, and the lack of characters have taken the dream of Big Bill France and turned into an impending nightmare.

Lady Mocs Softball

2009-02-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

The weekend is over and of course much of it was spent at Frost Stadium with the Lady Mocs in the Chattanooga Challenge.

Virginia Tech come to town ranked in the nation's top twenty-five. Along with Campbell, Maine, Tennessee Tech, and Troy.

Coach Frank Reed's team ended the weekend winning four and losing two. There are some missing elements in the squad this year. As of now, Brooke Loudermilk is still unable to pitch, and that is a HUGE loss. Kandace Irwin, Michelle Fuzzard and Katie Holloway will have to pick up the slack until or if Loudermilk returns this year. The loss of Upchurch in the outfield is tough, but Kelly is a good fill in and so very fast. The outfield of Flores, Stiles, and Kelly are as fast an outfield as I have ever seen. By hitting Kelly ninth and Stiles in leadoff the Mocs can kill you with speed on the bases.

Jenni Martin had five RBI's this weekend and for a freshman that is huge. Losing Blevins behind the plate and more importantly her twenty plus home runs will be a challenge, but one the ladies are up to.

Top twenty-five Virginia Tech came calling and the Lady Mocs took all three, including a run rule game Saturday. Hollie Thomas from Ooltewah, now at Tech, had a Sunday homer versus Chattanooga, and in speaking with her former coach Norma Nelson, it was a good weekend for her former star player.

The Lady Mocs now head west and face defending NCAA World Series champs Arizona State.

THE RANT

2009-02-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

The Super Bowl is over and the Steelers have now secured their sixth championship. It was an admirable effort by the Cardinals, but experience wins out as the Big Ben drives Pittsburg down the field to score with less than one minute left in the game. Ben should have been the MVP, but it was given to Holmes who has the humility of Kayne West. He is a jerk, and belongs with the Cowboys, not the true epitome of America ’s Team, the Pittsburg Steelers.

The NBC Coverage, was decent, but nowhere close to “must see tv”. Bob Costas has been taking himself far too seriously for many years, and his arrogance and he knows better than the public attitude too far. Why would you have losers like Matt Millen, and Mike Holmgren on your panel? Dan Patrick presiding over the Lombardi Trophy presentation is like having Max Howell of WDEF (cant hear radio in Soddy) emcee the Oscars. The sideline reporters added absolutely nothing to the game. Al and John were the only bright spots. They still are the best and there is NOBODY even close. It’s sad they are saddled with NBC.

High school hoops continue, and once again the LFO girls show they are the best team in our three county viewing area. The win over Gordon Lee was their second in three games with the girls from Chickamauga . Coach Weaver is underrated among coaches in the area, and his daughter Zayla is hands down the best player in the area.

Ridgeland is the best boy’s team in our area, and with Mike Bowman in the lineup, would give Walker Valley all they want. The Panthers are poised to make a deep run in the Georgia playoffs. In Chattanooga , Howard and Brainerd are still the class of the city.

Davidson came to town last week, and Curry is definitely one of the best players in the country, but it was a MOCS home game, yet some radio hosts could not shut up about Curry enough to even say one thing about our Mocs. You would think a LOCAL radio show on the station that so desperately wants to be all things UTC, would at least push the home team. Then again, nobody was listening to the Mississippi show anyhow.

Wednesday, Februrary 4 is National Signing Day. It will be interesting to see how many local players get to opportunity to play at the next level. I will look to see how Lane Kiffin’s first batch of recruits at Tennessee turns out. The Mocs are going to get some gems, and will surprise a lot of folks. The Chattanooga area has produced several good players in the last several years that have had very good college careers, and a couple of them are starters in the NFL. Where will the class of 2009 be in five or six years? It would be nice to have had Stump Martin on the air on signing day, but thankfully we will have Sport Talk on 102.3, as the new guy can’t seem to shut his mouth about Mississippi or LSU.

This week it has been difficult to crown the IDIOT OF THE WEEK. The overrated Olympic hero Michael Phelps is shown hittin the bong. Now for all the hero worshippers that said he was the hands down athlete of the year, should withdraw their support for this phony. Phelps is a fraud, he knew these photos were out in cyberspace but wanted to perpetuate the illusion that he was a true hero.

IN THE ZONE

2009-01-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

The Super Bowl is set, Arizona versus Pittsburgh for the Lombardi Trophy. I told you on the show Saturday night that Arizona would win, and you did not listen. Alas, I thought the Ravens would also win, but I was wrong.

Before you just hand the trophy to the Steelers, remember nobody expected the Giants to win last year. In what has become the league of parity that Pete Rozell wanted. Do not be surprised to see the Cardinals win the game. Much like last season when the Giants got on a roll, Arizona is on a roll.

I wonder if John Gruden is kicking himself for not considering the Tennessee job?
He should have known he was on shaky ground, but told everyone he was not interested in the Vols’ vacancy. For this, Gruden is the IDIOT OF THE WEEK. Then again, I think Tennessee made the right hire in Lane Kiffin and will do better than Gruden could have, but he is still an idiot for giving the Vols the cold shoulder.

Jerry Jones, PLEASE GO AWAY! It was good to see Troy Aikman throw Jessica Romo under the bus. It is about time that Troy Boy spoke up about just how inept his team is. Talk about the Greg Norman reflex, the CowBOYS are the ultimate chokers.

Jeff Fisher finally says what true Titans’ fans know, Kerry Collins is the quarterback. We all hoped Vince Young would be the next Steve McNair, but he isn’t. It is time to cut him loose, and let Collins take the team and get rid of the salary.

Have we ever seen a college athletic program as good as the one at the University of Florida? Multiple championships in football and basketball show other schools that you can do it right and win. If the Gators women’s sports could improve, it would but Florida even more in the lead. There is never the hint of a scandal in Gainesville, and you never hear bad publicity about arrests, failure to attend classes, etc. Florida is doing it the right way, and like them or not, you are just nuts if you do not respect them.

Hats off to B.J. Coleman for taking the Zone Man attitude. In a recent Chattanooga Times Free Press article by Stephen Hargis, Coleman explained some things that many of the Fulmer Kool Aid drinkers did not realize, and makes the “firing” of the Great Pumpkin even more justifiable. Coach Kiffin is instilling some much needed discipline and letting the guys know that character does count, not a coach giving out token punishment to multiple offenders.

Congrats to Ridgeland, Walker Valley, Howard, and Temple for their current rankings in the Georgia and Tennessee High School Boys Basketball polls. After watching Brainerd this past Friday look for the Panthers to start receiving votes very soon. The LFO, GPS, Baylor, and CSAS girls are listed in their polls, and it goes without saying that I will think LFO is the best girls team in our viewing area, HANDS DOWN.

Anyone who thinks Jeff Kent is a Hall of Famer is crazy. He was locker room poison, and although he hit some dingers, it was during the steroid era, and the rest of his numbers don’t add up. Putting mediocre players diminishes the significance of the hall, and Kent is mediocre at best. Speaking of the HOF, the pro football powers that decide who is in and who is not need to consider Ray Guy. Sure he was a punter, but he is the best ever and belongs in Canton.

Two recent events need comment. Last week in a Texas girls basketball game the final score was 100-0. The outcry following the game cost the winning coach their job. All we have to go on are news reports that the victors made no effort to hold back the scoring. Yes, it was absurd to run the score up, but if there is no tangible proof such as game film, to see if they were indeed trying to humiliate their opponent. If the team was indeed making no effort to contain the score, then it is shameful. However, it is the opposing team responsibility to make an effort also. Several years ago Tyner defeated Boyd 95-3. I was at the game, and Tyner tried to keep it respectable, but Boyd just could not stop the Rams. Sometimes things happen, to fire the coach is too extreme.

In Kentucky, a football coach now faces criminal charges after the heat related death of one of his players. This is political correctness run amok. What responsibility lies with the player and his not following the guidelines for hydration? For this coach to be labeled a criminal is as Bill Clinton saying he did not have sex with that woman. Unfortunately there is a deceased young man, but he shoulders as much blame as the coach. This is just the case of overprotective parents and the over zealous prosecutor.

Until next time……You have been IN THE ZONE !!!!

WEEKEND RANT

2009-01-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

The bowls are over, and now it is time to crown the champions. Taking a look at what happened and it is perhaps easy to argue that Utah should be, as they were the lone undefeated team in major college football. The Utes crushed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and that does make a compelling argument. However, Bama was not into this game and mailed it in, giving Utah a break. The Mountain West is not even comparable to the SEC, and had Alabama really been ready to play mentally, they would have repeated what LSU did to Georgia Tech.

Tim Tebow, who IS the greatest college football player of all time, carried the Gators to victory over Oklahoma. The only problem with Florida is, I have seen USC play. So the question is who is number one? It is Florida. They played a tougher schedule and for several weeks they were dismissed due to the loss to Ole Miss. The Rebels whipped Texas Tech, which weighs more to me than the Oregon State bowl win. Tebow has announced he will return for his senior year, so wrap up back to back for the Gators.

In the NFL Cardinals and Eagles match up to decide who goes to the Super Bowl. In the AFC it will be Steelers / Ravens. The Titans gave the game away with turnovers. The Chargers, Panthers, and Giants stunk up the field. Look for the Steelers and Cards to be on the way to Tampa.

The Atlanta Braves are officially FINISHED. Had there been hope of improvement I would have been all for the goodbye to John Smoltz. The problem being, the Braves STINK, and the odor is getting worse. What they have on the farm isn’t close to what Smoltz is capable of, but yet they make no effort to keep him. Since the day John Scherholtz relinquished his duties as GM, the team has been spiraling downward, and now there is no parachute to save them.

For all of those Dale Murphy shills, he DOES NOT belong in the Hall of Fame, so get over it. Speak of such neither does Jim Rice or Andre Dawson. Just because you are an MVP, it does not mean automatic entry into the most hallowed of all sports halls of fame. In baseball stats matter and theirs’ do not add up.

It is increasingly hilarious that for each time North Carolina won a basketball game, the talk would get louder about them going unbeaten this year. The last team to do that was the Bobby Knight coached Indiana Hoosiers, decades ago. There are too many games scheduled just for television now, for a team to go unbeaten. There are far too many games amongst top ten teams for one to run the table. For all the hype, its all of the networks that carry college hoops, they are the ones that create the hype thinking we will all buy in. This might be one of those unapproachable marks in sports. We will never see another college team go unbeaten.

Most of you know I am a professional wrestling fan, and that my son continues to work at shows around the tri-state area. Many of you automatically say FAKE when it come to the “sport”, and look down on the millions of fans that consistently make it one of the top rated shows on cable television, and among the most purchased pay per views. Yet most have no idea of how hard these athletes work to get to the “show”.

Until now the definitive movie about wrestling was “Beyond the Mat”. Now there is “The Wrestler”. Although fictional, it is a very accurate portrayal of what it is like to become a “superstar” in the business. Roddy Piper and Ric Flair have called it the closest thing to actually being part of the profession. In arguably the greatest acting performance of the last twenty years, Mickey Rourke gives us look at exactly what “sports entertainment” is all about. It does not matter if you like “rasslin” or not, you owe to yourself to see Rourke and his performance.

THE RANT

2009-01-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

Thus far the bowl season has been about as exciting as gum surgery. The biggest “upset” of course was Utah dispatching the vaunted Crimson Tide of Alabama. Talk about a team that did not care? The Tide stunk up the field. Until Nick Saban finds a quarterback that actually as some ability, Alabama will suffer being the second best team in the SEC, until Lane Kiffin revives the Tennessee program that was destroyed by Phil Fulmer.

I remember back not that many years ago when New Year’s Day meant good football. The first game of the day was the Cotton Bowl, then you moved to the Rose Bowl. After the sunset, you had to make a choice between the Sugar and Orange Bowls. That was it, no Outback, Gator, Capital One or Fiesta Bowls. Now you have so many bad games on the holiday that you can’t even watch one of them. Once upon a time, playing in a New Year’s Day bowl game really meant something, which you had a great season. Now it does not mean a thing. There are far too many games that reward average or below average teams.

Let there be no question about this, we saw the best college football team in all the land in the Rose Bowl. The people that say USC can’t compete in the SEC are IDIOTS ! There is only one defensive back in the Southeastern Conference that can keep up with the USC receiving corp. Eric Berry is the only player that is on their level. No matter what Texas, Florida, or Oklahoma do, USC is the best team in the county, PERIOD!

Speaking of quarterbacks, Peyton Manning gets the MVP but is sent packing by the Chargers. I TOLD YOU SO! Now, I give Peyton a hard time because he is not the “saint” that his fans think he is. He is one of the best signal callers in NFL history, but he is not Bradshaw, Montana, Elway. Once again, he proves he might be the best choke artist in football. He has only one big game win in his career and when the money is on the line, he just seems to fall short. The Colts have been eliminated in the first round four of the last seven years. Napoleon Dynamite, oh excuse me, Peyton Manning is NOT a money player most of the time, and all the Saint Peyton worshipers need to wake up, smell the coffee, and realize what is the truth. If the money is on the line, find someone that consistently wins big games. Manning the MVP? How when can he be valuable when he more often than not, fails to deliver big game victories?

The first round of the playoffs is over, and this weekend will have some great games. Look for Pittsburg to end the dream of the Chargers. The Carolina – Arizona match up will be ugly. The Panthers will open their claws and shred the Cardinals. Something tells me that the Giants are still the team to beat. Finally a defensive battle of the century as Baltimore come calling on the Titans. A Rob Baronas field goal will lead the Titans to the conference championship round.

Congrats to the Soddy Daisy Cheerleaders who captured another national championship.

A sad day for Finley Stadium when Frank Burke announced he would no longer run the facility. Frank took a run down boondoggle and turned it into the showplace it is now. Prior to Burke taking over the stadium was poorly managed and maintenance was non existent. The improvements made were astonishing. He opened the stadium to more people. It became the home of the Tennessee Georgia All Star Classic, Scenic City Youth Football, Stump on Sports Jamborees, band competitions, more and more high schools held games there, and it was a great place to be. I hope that the next management continues what Frank Burke started, or Chattanooga sports will suffer.

No question about the In The Zone Idiot of the Week. It goes to Mike Tirico of ESPN who has gone on a non stop crying fit because Saint Peyton did not get to touch the ball in overtime. Turrico you are a cry baby, the rules are the rules and if Manning were that good, why have the Colts been knocked out in the first round more times than a Mike Tyson sparring partner. HEY TIRICO SHUT UP. Once again Manning fails to deliver in a big game, just like he did at Tennessee. However, you want to be “fair” and give everyone a chance. Much like there is no crying in baseball, there are no mulligan’s in football.

Mike Tirico, you are the IDIOT OF THE WEEK.

HOW BOUT THEM CHOKEBOYS

2008-12-29T14:46:00.000-08:00

In perhaps the best professional football game of all time, Philadelphia HORSEWHIPPED the NFL’s chosen franchise Dallas out of the playoffs. The powers that be set this up for the Cowboys to win, by moving the start time in order for the Eagles to be demoralized after being eliminated from playoff contention. The league just knew that the Bears would beat Houston, and there was no way possible the Raiders would beat Tampa Bay. Let’s fix this for Dallas guys.

The Eagles took the field after learning Houston and Oakland won, and they proceeded to put Jessica Romo, Wade “THE REAL BUM” Phillips, and FACE LIFT Jerry in their place by whipping them like a government mule. The once proud Dallas franchise of Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, et.al is an embarrassment to the city. This is nothing more than a cheap trailer park version of the old soap opera featuring J.R. Ewing.

Romo has removed all doubt he is the biggest choke artist in sports since Greg (I gag at Augusta) Norman. What he did Sunday in waving the punt team off, would have gotten him benched if anyone but Phillips were coach. Remember Bill Parcells rules for being a QB? One of them is not becoming a celebrity quarterback, and that is what Jessica Romo is! Romo will NEVER win a big game for Dallas (and remember I am always right, remember Michael Vick?) Wade Phillips is the perfect example of a coach with no MARBLES. He is afraid of his players and will cowtow to their every whine.

Jerry Jones is an embarrassment to the league. People decry Al Davis, but what Jerry Jones is doing is insane and far worse than Davis. He is the owner, and he should remain just that the owner, NOT the GM. Pacman stunk up the field all season (when he was not in trouble) and the constant whining by Williams and T.O. is outrageous. Jerry could care less about winning a Super Bowl, he has proven it year after year. There is no bigger egomaniac in sports history.

The playoffs being Saturday and the Falcons travel to face the Cardinals. Matt Ryan and company will roll. The Colts and Bolts go at it, and the Chargers will do to Peyton Poo what Philly did to Dallas, you can BOOK IT. The Eagles left it all on the field Sunday, and the Vikes will move on. Miami’s dream season come to an end thanks to the Ravens.

BRETT FARVE PLEASE RETIRE! You and you alone are responsible for the Jets not making the playoffs. You are another egomaniac that needs to go away. Why can’t you be like the all time greats and retire with DIGNITY ? Unitas, Namath, Bradshaw all knew it was time to leave and they did. None of them went to a table and cried fake tears. You owe you teammates an apology, and you owe money to Coach Mangini. YOU ARE THE ONLY REASON HE WAS FIRED !

MR. FARVE you are the “In the Zone” IDIOT OF THE WEEK !!!!!!!!!!!!

WEEKEND RANT

2008-12-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

Several things to mention, but first and foremost what in the heck were Heisman voters thinking of? Tim Tebow is the best college football player period! The award is not based on stats, or who will have a better NFL career, its on who the best player is, and that is Tebow. He may very well go down as the greatest college QB of all time. For you Tennessee fanatics that includes Peyton Poo. Tebow has GUTS, which Manning never had. Tebow wins big games, Manning never did. Tebow can carry a team on his shoulders, Manning couldn’t. If you seriously think about it, you will agree that Tebow has been a better college player than Manning.

What in the heck was Auburn thinking? Turner Gill was mentored by one of the greatest coaches of all time Tom Osborne. He takes a septic tank of a program at Buffalo to a conference championship and a bowl game, yet Auburn hires a LOSER. Charles Barkley is correct in his statements. The War Eagles wings are now clipped permanently.

On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys were the best team in the NFL. It won’t last, T.O.. and Jessica Romo will mess it up. However, for one shining moment they were the best. The Titans looked horrible in their loss to Houston. Jeff Fisher blew the game, and admitted it. The Falcons control their destiny, and don’t be surprised to see them in the conference championship game.

Once again the Chattanooga Mocs, fight and claw with a top 25 team, and almost beat conference rival Davidson. When you look at what the Mocs have done this season, you can almost book spot in the SoCon tournament finals and a third meeting with Davidson. The Lady Mocs keep on keeping on, although there was a loss to Clemson.

Are the Tennessee Lady Vols the last of the dynasties? They have dropped out of the Top 10 for the first time in over ten years. The sport has become more and more equal, and those recruits that Tennessee took for granted now go to other schools. Is it time for Saint Pat to join the excommunicated Fulmer on the sidelines?

I watched Grace destroy Silverdale, and there is not a doubt that Patrick Shaunsee is the best player in town. The Charleston Southern signee is head and shoulders the best post player we have seen in a while. Tennessee redshirt Phillip Juric is nowhere close in ablilty and even further away in heart. Rumors abound that Juric is back home in Chattanooga and wanting to hook up with the Mocs.

The Best of Preps hoops tourney is this weekend and we will be there, and the field is impressive. Howard, Grace, Ooltewah, Ridgeland in boys action, and LFO is in the girls field. The first hoops rankings will be released after the tournament. Right now, Grace, Howard, and Ridgeland are neck and neck on the boy’s side. Cleveland, LFO, and NW Whitfield lead the way for the girls.

There is no contest for IDIOT OF THE WEEK. The Lady Mocs are hosting Alabama A&M, and this fool locks his keys in his car. Panic sets in but thank to the campus police, the keys are retrieved. Special thanks to the UTC Campus Police for unlocking MY truck. I, Red Zone Ron, am the IOW.

Next week an announcement that will sadden some, please others.

Also, the Athlete of the year.

WEEKEND RANT

2008-12-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

Another weekend has come and gone and it is time to impart my wisdom on the world.

Prep basketball is underway, and could this finally be the year Howard takes the helm as the best team in the area. Graduation hurt Coach Moose McGary’s squad, but a season opening win over arch rival Brainerd sure dispelled the myth that the Hustlin’ Tigers would struggle this year. Ridgeland has more talent on the floor than any team in the area, but will hoops be like football and take a while to get rolling. There is not a team in the North Georgia area that can compete. Tennessee Temple and CSAS are the class of the smaller schools. On the girls’ side, Brainerd and Tyner will again be the best of the Chattanooga area. In Georgia, can LFO be the team it was a couple of years ago, or will NW Whitfield again be the team to beat. How much will the loss of Kori Penland hurt Gordon Lee?

Speaking of Penland, her playing time with the Lady Mocs increases each game, and Saturday she had her first night scoring in double figures in the rout over Alabama A&M. As the season goes on, Kori will play more and more, and expect her to be an integral part of the Lady Mocs run to another conference title. You heard it hear first, when Pat Summitt finally decides to hand it up at UT, look for Wes Moore to replace her. There is no better coach in all of basketball than Moore, and Chattanooga doesn’t have a clue how lucky it is for having him stay for the last 10 years. Do yourself a favor and go watch the Lady Mocs.

Chattanooga AD Rick Hart is busy interviewing the candidates to take over the football program. After much thought, Randy Sanders should be the next coach. Granted he has no head coaching experience, but his name alone will provide the needed excitement to possibly get more folks in the stands at Finley. Sanders will know what talent is needed to bring the Mocs football program to life again.

The regular season is over and now it is time for the thirty three bowl games. That is far too many. There will be half empty stadiums at most of these games and that is due to one reason: The six win requirement! No team with a 6-6 record should be rewarded for mediocrity. In fact a seven win team should not be allowed to compete in them either. Not too long ago a New Year’s Day game meant you had a good, if not great, team. This year pitiful South Carolina and a so-so Clemson will be playing on the day that used to be reserved for the best of the best. Let’s cut the number of bowls and require you win at least more than you lose to participate.

The Tennessee Titans clinch the division, and look like a lock to have home field throughout the playoffs, provided they beat the Steelers, who once again proved Jessica Romo can’t finish what he starts. He throws a fatal interception and the Steelers win. Since becoming the starter Romo has thrown 10 touchdown passes in the month of December. However, he has thrown SEVENTEEN interceptions!
Not to mention that costly fumbled snap not so long ago that kept them from advancing in the playoffs. Romo is a good quarterback, but he is quickly becoming the Greg Norman of pro football, HE CHOKES!

It’s now time for that coveted IDIOT OF THE WEEK.

This is a mass IOW. The Heisman Trophy will be presented Saturday night. There are many people who think that a future NFL career should play into the selection process. I have heard far too many people say Tim Tebow will have no future in the NFL, and thus he really does not deserve the Heisman. If that is your philosophy then you can share this IDIOT OF THE WEEK, with all the others of similar thinking. Tim Tebow will make it in the NFL! Remember what I told you not so long ago that the Falcons wasted a draft pick on Michael Vick, and quess what? I WAS RIGHT. Don’t doubt Tebow.

The Heisman is given to the best COLLEGE player, not who has the best NFL potential. Tim Tebow deserves it again this season, but will probably be robbed of what is rightfully his. He is the best player in the country. There is no argument.

ROLE MODELS

2008-12-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

Over the past several years professional athletes have become regulars on “ America ’s Most Wanted”. Their conduct has been, or should have been embarrassing for themselves, their families, and their sports. Yet it has been my experience that no matter what their transgressions, they are still idolized by fans and younger athletes alike. Many fans could care less just how horrible a player can be off the field. There are three examples that immediately come to mind when thinking of thugs that are still idolized by fans.

The Washington Redskins hold a tribute to a murdered player. The music selection? Gangster rap extolling the use of the use of guns. Shame on the Redskins.

Michael Vick is the Hannibal Lecter of athletes. There were questions about his character even while at Virginia Tech. Yet, the Falcons draft him, and when all is said and done, he was (as I said on draft day) a wasted pick. The charges against Vick are made public and the outcry is loud that dog fighting is not that big a deal.

People were still wearing his jersey and cheering for him much like they did O.J. Simpson. What Vick did was a crime, and one of the cruelest and most heinous of crimes, dog fighting. Fans did not want him punished but thankfully the league got rid of him. It is sad that he will be given another chance, because in the real world he would be an outcast, much like a sexual predator.

We Tennessee Titans fans knew that Pacman Jones was a good football player, but yet he is a repulsive person. His numerous arrests led to his suspension by the NFL. The Titans do the right thing and cut ties with Jones, in steps Jerry “face lift” Jones, owner of the most infamous team of all time The White House Cowboys, and signs Pacman, and Dallas fans are excited. He is the player we need. Fans could have cared less that he is a criminal, he is a player, that is all that matters. Pacman is living proof of the old adage “a leopard can’t change its spots” as his second suspension has just been lifted.

Plaxico Burress is the latest and perhaps now kids (and adults) will see that there is a true role model just getting ready to go to the NFL.

Myron Rolle, one of the most sought after recruits in the nation while in high school, and now finishing up a stellar career at Florida State . He doesn’t dress like 50 Cent, or talk like Ice Tea. He reminds me of Courtney Braswell, a fine young man, although he does carry his man crushes a bit far. Rolle will be a first round draft pick, no doubt about it, but he has just joined a club more exclusive than the first rounders.

Rolle has been named as a Rhodes Scholar. Simply put he is one of the smartest brightest college students in the world. Yet, Sports Ilustrated names Michael Phelps as Sportsman of the Year. Go figure. Granted Phelps is an incredible athlete, but what Rolle has accomplished is far more impressive.

Myron Rolle is the role model that is needed in these times.

Note to other journalists, at least know what you are talking about. The Pittsburg Steelers defensive unit of the 70’s was the STEEL CURTAIN, not the Iron Curtain. If you are going to pose as an expert at least get the nicknames correct.

NA NA NA NA, NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOODBYE!

2008-12-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, although later than it should have been, the Phil Fulmer era is over at Tennessee . Over the years the program suffered as Fulmer became the reincarnation of Johnny Majors. Stubborn, unwilling to change, and vindictive, will be the adjectives best used to describe the past several years in Big Orange Country.

I have over the years made mention on more than a few occasions of his lack of recruiting the best of the Chattanooga area. Adarius Bowman, Greg Smith, Mike Bowman, Tony Brown, and the two most glaring snubs Josh and Daniel Bullocks. Not to mention great recruits like Patrick Turner, now at USC, and Ridgeland’s Mike Bowman who is now headed to Alabama .

Any Vols fan in the area should be angry about the way Fulmer treated B.J. Coleman. I will never back off the fact that his disdain for David Cutcliff was the reason for Coleman’s lack of playing time. On the reverse, his utter hero worship of Heath Shuler was the reason he kept going with Crompton. It is as plain as the nose on your face that Fulmer does not know how to recruit quarterbacks. Cutlcliff was responsible for Manning, Martin, and Coleman. Fulmer gave us Clausen and Crompton.

Lane Kiffin will bring new life to a dead program. Much of the success of USC is because of Kiffin. He was able to bring in Matt Linert and a young man from Tennessee that was snubbed by the Vols, Patrick Turner. His father has already agreed to be the defensive coordinator, and you can count on a great position coach and recruiter in Ed Orgeron coming with him.

It will take Kiffin a couple of years to weed out the Fulmer junk, but he will make everyone say “Phil who?” in a very short time.

While they are at it, FIRE BOB KESLING! He is a terrible announcer, and should have never been given the job. He was nothing more than a shill for Fulmer. Give the position to the man that deserved it in the first place Randy Smith. While we are cleaning out the litter box, might as well get rid of all of it.

One final note on the happenings in Knoxville , tell Peyton Manning to GO AWAY. Reports on ESPN during the game Saturday stated Manning had signed off on the Kiffin hire. GIVE ME A BREAK! What did Manning do for the Vols other than CHOKE in big games? Stop the madness in consulting with him on everything that is Tennessee football. Cut the apron strings, we do not care what Peyton Poo has to say! Cut all ties with the past! It is 2008, not 1968. It is time to move into the new century.

The Texas Longhorns got screwed! They beat Oklahoma and now must sit on the sidelines while the Sooners play for the conference title. THAT IS WRONG! Oklahoma had UTC on the schedule for crying out loud! Texas beat them head to head on a neutral field, and should be playing Missouri .

The SEC Championship is this Saturday and look for Florida to put up 50 on Alabama . Florida and unfortunately Oklahoma will play for the National Championship. GO GATORS! They will prove OU does not belong in the mix. It should be Florida and Texas .

That begs the question who is the imbecile that decided the Big 12 game should be the prime time game Saturday. The majority of the nation could care less about OU and Mizzou. The ratings will show that. The Bama and Florida match up for whatever reason is in the afternoon will draw much higher numbers and should be the night game.

Ooltewah’s season came to an end after the drubbing handed to them by Oakland . Owls’ fans need to remember the good old days, BECAUSE THEY ARE OVER. Ted Gatewood is tapped to be the first head coach at East Hamilton, and you can bet your last dollar bill that he will end up with a lot if not the majority of players from Ooltewah. Gatewood IS responsible for turning the little school at exit 11 from everybody’s’ homecoming game for decades into one of the better programs in the state. Time to crank up another chorus of NA NA NA NA, NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY GOODBYE! Ooltewah has now seen their better days.

The Titans spank the Lions, no surprise, but the ground game gained some confidence. The Falcons remain alive for not only a wild card spot but maybe the division by beating the Chargers. Matt Ryan is hands down ten time the quarterback Vick was.

MR. JAMES YOU LOST MY RESPECT

2008-12-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

The Cleveland Cavaliers played the New York Knicks Tuesday night. In the grand scheme of things it is just another NBA game. Keeping in mind that the NBA is almost as boring as watching soccer is one thing, but what has transpired the last few days has further proved that professional basketball means absolutely nothing.

First the season is entirely too long. To be playing the championship series in the middle of baseball season is insane. Second, the television ratings for the NBA are pathetic. Who watches the games? The answer to that question is: gambling addicts. Who needs more proof than the referee that is now in jail for attempting to throw games that he had placed bets on. Now arguably the greatest player in the league, Lebron James, is making a mockery of his career.

First James comes from prep school to the league, skipping college. The first thing David Stern should do is stop that garbage. While I am at it, he should stop the one and done that is currently the rage in college hoops. Over the last few months Lebron has talked about the possibility of playing in Europe , and after last night I hope he does because he is a disgrace to sports. The Knicks are just as culpable in the matter as they are dumping players left and right to free up salary cap room in order to make a play for James when he becomes a free agent in TWO YEARS!

Last night James led the Cavs to a victory over the Knicks. All the while he is kissing up to the New York fans and playing the game wearing his Nike “Big Apple” shoes. There should be an investigation now as to what is really going on here. There is a rat in the wood pile. Two years before he can become available, the Knicks and James are cozying up to each other like the deal is already made. Can you picture ARod with a Dodger tattoo on his arm while he is still playing for the Yankees in a year he is becoming a free agent? Bud Selig would at least get involved. Where is David Stern? Stern is hoping James does become a Knick because it would help bring NBA television ratings out of the toilet.

If I am the GM for the Cavs, I get rid of James NOW! When it gets down to it, James cares nothing about his team! How hard will he play to get them a championship when he is courting New York , and they are trying to seduce him.

I once respected James for his talent, now I have no respect for what has become the most selfish athlete of my lifetime.

IDIOT OF THE WEEK

2008-11-25T15:28:00.000-08:00

A local weekly “newspaper” had a searing put down of Chattanooga Athletics this past Thursday. Keep one thing in mind when or if you read the article, aside from the horrible spelling and grammar, it is written by someone that has no knowledge of sports whatsoever. The so called “sports” people at this publication do not attend the games, have no clue what is happening, or if the do attend, they sit there in some sort of daze with a camera in the press box. There is a difference in being objective, which I have been when critical of the team, but being stupid is another.

To bring up the days of Joe Morrison is idiotic. Times have changed so much in the thirty plus years since Jo Mo, and just like a true NON FAN, they only remember what is convenient. The vast majority of the problems are directly related to the past and the previous Athletic Directors who basically were just occupying an office. No efforts were made at keeping up with the other members of the conference or the other schools competing for the same talent. While the Appy States and Georgia Southern’s keep improving the Mocs prior to the current administration was allowed to stagnate and sink into mediocrity.

The writer brings up Finley, when that is not the main drawing card for a recruit; there are many other things more important to a young athlete. It is the total package, facilities, dorms, and not just the stadium. The on campus facilities for the football program are years behind the other schools in the conference. Finley Stadium, is becoming obsolete, the newer stadiums of comparable size are far better equipped. Rick Hart is busting his tail trying to bring the Chattanooga program into the 21st century. If the writer of the story wants to live in the past, go back to the 60’s stay stoned and stay there, but don’t talk about what you obviously know nothing about. This publication decides to fan the flames of Mocs indifference. I can’t recall the last time there was one positive reference to the program. Another writer for the paper, Moc Maniac Dewayne Gass, should be more than a little concerned about how this fish wrapper obviously has some sort of issue with UTC. A final thought on the matter, have the courage to use your real name. The sports writers at the Chattanooga Times Free Press use their real names. Is Gass the only member of the staff to use his name? I have the courage or in some instance the stupidity to use my real name on radio, television, and this blog, have the guts to use yours. The Enigma is my IDIOT OF THE WEEK

WEEKEND RANT

2008-11-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Steely Dan’s “Black Friday” was very appropriate this weekend. The area sent six teams into another round of playoff games. When the smoke cleared, and the market crashed, only two were left. Ooltewah and Marion were the only survivors. Now the semifinal match ups with Oakland facing Benny Monroe’s Owls, and Marion must travel to Alcoa. Ooltewah was probably hoping for a semi rematch with Smyrna (who ousted the Owls in the semis a couple of years ago), but now get Oakland . Ooltewah should punch their ticket for the first ever trip to Murfreesboro . Marion County has had a remarkable season, and unfortunately it will come to an end Friday at Alcoa.

Red Bank’s Tim Daniels has again shown he is one of the “class” coaches in all of high school athletics. If you listened to last Friday’s “The Drive” on ESPN Radio 1370, you heard Stump talk to Daniels regarding the decision to forfeit the 2008 season. The Lions could have very easily ignored the academic problem, and swept it under the rug, but they did not. Kudos to Coach Daniels.

Mercifully the season is now over for the Chattanooga Mocs. 1-11 is hard to swallow, but as I have said previously the talent to compete day in and day out in the Southern Conference is not there. Conference newcomer Samford thoroughly dominated the game from start to finish. Unfortunately Rodney Allison did not have the weapons to even be competitive, and it has cost him the job as coach. There is no finer builder of young men than Allison, but the lack of wins over the years will be remembered first and foremost, not the fine young men he guided.

A crowd of 7,008 witnessed the greatest screw job in McKenzie Arena history last Friday night when the officials GAVE the beloved Lady Vols a come from behind victory over our Lady Mocs. I have never heard a broadcaster as upset as Larry Ward. He spoke honestly and bluntly that the officials made it possible for the two time defending national champions to erase a late Lady Mocs lead It is sad that the two time defending champions could not induce a larger crowd. Even more disturbing is that the locals did not turn out to support the Lady Mocs. However, the crowd is evidence that the luster has finally worn off Saint Pat, and the Lady Vols. I wonder if the message was received that the Tennessee athletic programs are stale and boring. Four thousand empty seats in the area more than delivers that message to the powers that be in Knoxville . The ramifications of a horrible football program reach beyond Neyland, and touch every sport in Knoxville . However, Coach Wes Moore has had tremendous success in taking the young ladies of Chattanooga and making it the dominant program in the Southern Conference and they deserve better local support. We are lucky that he is still the coach, and we need to show the girls and Coach Moore that we support the team.

The men’s team is not off to the best start in the world but when you play three top twenty programs in your first five games, what can you expect. Much like the football team playing Oklahoma and Florida State , the hoopsters have faced Tennessee , Southern Cal, Memphis , and Missouri . The Mocs played their hearts out against Memphis but fell short. This week they finally get a break and face Tennessee Temple . Years ago this game was an intercity rivalry, but this year it will be a much needed win for the Mocs, and with the conference season looming will be a great boost for the guys.

The Titans finally lost, and did not look like the best team in the league. Brett Favre looked like the Favre of last year as he riddled the Tennessee defense. Next up the hapless Lions. The Falcons looked good against the Panthers. Ryan is definitely the Rookie of the Year, and don’t be surprised if Atlanta wins the division.

I have now heard it all. Sports reports with “Dancing with the Stars” updates. First, who can watch that junk, and second why is it on sports reports? That almost qualifies for the IDIOT OF THE WEEK.

Finally Phil Fulmer is again in the running for IOW, after doing all he good to make B.J. Coleman look bad. Coleman in his short time on the field against Vandy, looked better than either Crompton or Stephens had all season, but yet Fulmer rotates his quarterbacks, and then yanks Coleman after an interception. Thankfully we only have to put up with Bitter Old Phil one more Saturday.

This week’s IDIOT OF THE WEEK will be a very special blog. Look for it

WEEKEND RANT

2008-11-17T15:31:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, the Vols did not lose ! Even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and again, but they will revert to form this week and lose to the Commode Doors, oh excuse me Commodores. Once again, Fulmer proves that he truly is only concerned about himself and not the future when he named Crompton the starter, and Coleman as the backup. Phil, once again you are in the running for Idiot of the Week. Will Barney make it eight weeks in a row?

The Mocs finally came close to winning this weekend at The Citadel. However, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Samford comes calling this Sautrday in Rodney Allison’s final game as coach. Can they get a “W” for the coach? I doubt it, let us just set our sights to the future. Allison was given the gun, but could not get the bullets to load the weapon. Here is hoping the new coach, will get everything he needs. He must be able to recruit the athletes that will compete with the Appy’s, Elon, Wofford, etc. Something the Mocs have not had in a very long time.

I DO NOT CARE that Alabama won Saturday ! FLORIDA IS THE BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY ! The Gators will put up 60 on the Tide in the SEC Championship. For all the hype surrounding Georgia, they are just an average team, and LSU was the most overrated team in the conference coming into the season, they are proving week after week, that getting rid of the championship QB they had cost them.

Turning to the preps, Ooltewah took care of business Friday night and move on to face Farragut for the second time this year. This should pose no real threat to the Owls as they continue the march to the ‘Boro. Rhea could shock the world and beat Maryville, but I don’t think it will happen. Coach Fitzgerald has done a remarkable job this season, but the Rebels are just too deep. Boyd faces Marion in what should be a great game. Alcoa is right around the corner, and only Boyd can send the Tornados home early. South Pitt, just give them the gold football now.

Scenic City Football held their championships Saturday at Finley Stadium, and it was my pleasure to be the announcer for those games again this year. Bobby Dunn and the rest of the folks do a great job and have taken youth sports to a new level in Chattanooga .

Kentucky basketball is DEAD. When what some argue as the greatest of all programs (those Kentucky that have no clue that UCLA ever existed), lost last season to Gardner Webb, and this week lost to that Southern Conference cast off VMI. Are the Wildcats fans still happy they ran off Tubby? If you do, then you challenge for my idiot of the week if you think Smith leaving is what the program needed. At least UCLA can still challenge for the trophy, Kentucky can’t and won’t until there is a coaching change. Wildcats hoops mean nothing now. Florida and Tennessee have replaced the Cats as the measuring stick of the conference.

The Mocs and Vols tangled Saturday, and the game was not close. I still think the Pearl Boy’s are over hyped nationally The Mocs are making progress and will be the only SoCon team to challenge Davidson. The tough early schedule will be of great benefit, and allow time for Coach Shulman to find the right starting five.

Jessica Romo returns for the BOYS, but they still don’t impress me one bit. The most overrated team of the last twenty years can’t challenge for the Super Bowl. Make up all the excuses you want, but Dallas is just not that good! The Giants are the class of the NFC, and will roll to the Super Bowl. For all the critics and especially those at ESPN and NBC, the TITANS ARE THE BEST IN THE AFC. NOT the Peyton Poo Colts, NOT the Pats, NOT the Steelers, or all the rest. THE TENNESSEE TITANS are the cream of the crop, and only the Giants can challenge them for the title BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. Regardless of the so called experts until you lose, you are the best team.

NASCAR is over thankfully. Jimmie Johnson wins the Cup again. What else is new? He has the best team, best owner, and everything else to put him head and shoulders above everyone else. Yes Dale Jr. fans, your boy is watching his chances for a cup title fade away, do you think Rick Hendricks will give Dale more than Jimmie? Not just no, but HELL NO. Even Jeff Gordon is playing second fiddle to the 48 team.

The UFC is still nothing more that a WWE wannabe.

Donovan McNabb has removed all doubt that he might be the dumbest athlete in professional sports. “I did not know a game could end in a tie” McNabb said after the game with the Bengals. Professional athletes should know the rules of their sport, and McNabb is proof that chunky soup causes brain damage.

Learn the rules McNabb! You are the Red Zone Ron IDIOT OF THE WEEK.

I guess Fulmer is glad to see his IOW streak come to an end. He will return to his lofty perch next week.

THIS WEEK'S RANT

2008-11-10T15:21:00.000-08:00

Is there any reason that our area AAA teams can’t make it past the opening round of the TSSAA playoffs? Howard, McMinn, Polk and East Ridge all saw their seasons come to an end. Is our AAA football that much weaker than the rest of the state?

Soddy Daisy and Ooltewah tangle again this week only this time it is indeed WIN OR GO HOME. Soddy Daisy held a slim halftime lead in the previous meeting, only to lose big to the Owls. I have said frequently this season; and now more so after McMinn’s victory over Dobyns-Bennett, this is Ooltewah’s best shot at the gold football. A win over the Trojans will be the huge hurdle they must get over. The rest of the bracket should be smooth sailing, especially with home field advantage.

Tyner’s makes its annual early exit from the playoffs, leaving Marion County , and Boyd Buchanan as possible foes for Alcoa. Boyd has the best shot of facing Alcoa, and if everything can come together, any team that can defeat Red Bank is capable of beating Alcoa.

Ridgeland has finally shown us the team we all thought they could be. They whipped Carrollton , and captured the region title. Now, it is on to the playoffs for the Panthers, and I fully believe they can make it to Atlanta . Everything seems to be coming together at the right time. It took a while, but player for player, Ridgeland is the best team in the area. Now they have to keep winning to prove it.

Appy State is the best in 1AA. Armanti Edwards is the best player in the division, and should win the Payton Award. They handled the Mocs with ease moving the ball at will. The Mocs have shown we do not have the talent to compete on this level. There is a lot of talk that Randy Sanders really wants the job as head coach. Is he the answer to the Chattanooga problems, I don’t think so. Rick Hart and his committee will make the best decision for the program. Randy Sanders is NOT it.

It was indeed an honor to be a part of the halftime festivities honoring the 58 Mocs. That defeated the beloved Vols 14-6. It was great to see Tom Weathers, and Ronnie McClurg among those honorees, and even the former Vol QB Gene Etter who tasted defeat at the hands of the Mocs that day was there and made an honorary member of the team.

Phillip Fulmer, the big crybaby, has proven he has no intelligence left. Pull Stephens and replace him with Crompton? He has arguably the greatest high school QB in the history of Tennessee high school football, B.J. Coleman, on the sidelines and does not put him in. Crybaby always makes some excuse why he does not give him a chance. I still say this is some sort of unspoken vendetta because Coleman was a Cutcliffe recruit. Fulmer will not admit that his recruiting skills and knowledge have slipped so badly over the years, he refuses to acknowledge his former OC knew more about talent than he does. A lot of speculation that Butch Davis is the man they want. Give me a break. What did he really accomplish at Miami , and what good was he at the NFL level? North Carolina and Miami are NOT the SEC. He is NOT the coach that Tennessee needs. QUIT CRYING PHIL, YOU COST YOURSELF THE JOB BY NOT DOING YOUR JOB.

Before all you Alabama fans starting counting another national championships, take this for what it is worth. Florida is a better team than you, and will whip you and whip you badly in the SEC Championship. The Gators WILL put 50 on the board and you will go home unhappy. It could be worse however, you could be Tennessee Vols fans. Hell will freze over before the little orange see the SEC Championship game again.

Big basketball game in Knoxville Saturday night. The Mocs face Fred Flintstone and the Vols. Last season the Mocs had the Big Orange Almighty on the ropes, but let them get away. Look for the Mocs to once again take those overrated Vols to the last buzzer. Remember what happened the last time the Mocs visited Knoxville ? THEY WON !

Any Titans doubters left? Does anyone even remember who Michael Vick was? The Titans are the best TEAM in the league. The Falcons and Matt Ryan are the biggest surprise in the league and are staring at a playoff spot.

What ever happened to that team named the Cowboys? Seems they have ridden off into the sunset. Jessica Romo, what a wimp! Broken pinkies did not sideline tough signal callers like Bradshaw. HEY ROME GROW A SET!

ABC leaving the NASCAR race, and moving the conclusion to ESPN, shows that the network realizes the numbers for racing are not good, and are dropping fast. The luster has worn off racing, and it’s not as popular on television as pro wrestling. Empty seats at races are the norm and television ratings are in the tank.

While I am talking television, here are my rankings for NFL coverage. This is all inclusive, pre-game, game, post game.

1 Fox – THE BEST HANDS DOWN!
2 CBS – Jim Nantz and Phil Simms are much better than Madden and Michaels. The studio show could stand to lose the boring Marino.
3 ESPN – Turico is ok. But the endless pre-game on Sunday is getting old.
4 NBC – Any network with Olberman, and Costas deserve low ratings.

WEEKEND RANT

2008-11-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

In all my years watching Tennessee , I have never seen a team as inept, or as mentally challenged as this year’s Vols. At one time I was as big a Vols fan as anyone in the state, but in a well know story, I turned my back on the Big Orange. When you watch all the teams in the NCAA using the spread, and the only thing spread about Fulmer is the waistline. Explain to me why B..J. Coleman was not in the game against South Carolina . It goes to show just how incompetent Fulmer has become, and how much he is intimidated by Steve Spurrier.

Fulmer was the man solely responsible for the tearing down of the legendary Johnny Majors. For those of you that have selective memory, the knives in Majors back were firmly implanted while he was out of commission due to open heart surgery. Majors gave him the opportunity to become one of the most respected assistant coaches in the game. Fulmer could have been hired by any school or NFL team, but yet he chose to make mutiny against Johnny Majors. Finally, after all these years, Majors is speaking out and the bitterness and betrayal is easy to see. He should be angry. A young man with his ego controlling his actions, became Mr. Christian to Majors Captain Bligh.

A glance at the SEC standings show, that save the victory over Mississippi State , the Vols are the dregs of the conference. How much longer will fans be forced to suffer? They deserve better than Fulmer. Come to think of it they deserve better than Bob Kesling. Randy Smith should be the Voice of the Vols.

This is not about my hostility toward the program due to Fulmer’s blatant shunning of the Bullocks twins. It is about state pride, and how Fulmer is stripping that away each and every week. It is indeed sad when Vandy, MTSU, and Memphis are better teams. His eye for college level talent is blinded by his self serving overblown ego. A blind hog finds an acorn every now and then, and his was found in 1998, and it was not with Saint Peyton under center.

Tennessee has become what we all used to make fun of Alabama for, being a good ole boy institution. It is time to do exactly what the Tide did and go away from the “family”
and hire a coach that CAN get the job done. Jon Gruden is the perfect choice. Tennessee deservers a passionate coach, not a Bear Bryant wannabe.Elvis has left the building, now is the time for Barney Rubble (Fulmer) to join him.

Have Big Orange fans ever been happier to see basketball season begin?

The TSSAA playoffs begin Friday night, and it is a race to the Boro. Look for South Pitt and Grace to advance in A. Boyd, Tyner, and Marion in AA. Howard and McMinn will be the survivors in AAA. Rhea will be the only AAAA team to make it to round two. Ooltewah and Soddy Daisy will live to play again. In Divison II, McCallie’s season will come to an end this week.

There is no doubt that Florida is the best team in college football. The Gators destroyed the once top ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Alabama does not have a prayer in the championship game. It is safe to say Florida will do to Bama what Nebraska did several years ago in the Fiesta Bowl. Can you say 70 points?

Which teams from the area will play for state championships? Two will be, South Pitt and Ooltewah. In fact, look for both of them to bring back the gold football.

Might as well jump on the Cowboys, and I do emphasize the word BOYS. To listen to the fans, this year’s team was a lead pipe lock for the Super Bowl. Trying to tell them otherwise was like telling your kids that stove is hot. You have to find our for yourself it is. Dallas is a mediocre team with or without Jessica Romo. The Giants and the Titans are the best teams in the league. It is nice to see Saint Peyton struggle while his baby brother just keeps on winning.

Will John Daly be on next season’s Celebrity Rehab?

NOTE….EARLIER TODAY, HOWEVER AFTER THIS WAS POSTED. FULMER RESIGNED. STEVE SPURRIER GETS THE ULTIMATE REVENGE ON HIS HOME STATE SCHOOL . THIS TIME THE TENNESSEE COACH WAS NOT SHOT IN THE BACK, FULMER SAW BULLET COMING. IT CAME FROM THE EVIL GENIUS. THANK YOU OLD BALL COACH !!!!!!

BACK AMONG THE LIVING

2008-10-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here are random thoughts on events of the last week or two.

The Mocs have told Rodney Allison that it is over. Coach Allison has done the best he can with what he has, and in the Southern Conference it takes more. The quality of recruits at UTC is well below par. In order to compete with Appy, Wofford, and Georgia Southern, we must target and recruit the athletes to get the job done.

Mike Hamilton at UT, should follow the lead of Rick Hart at UTC, and tell Phil (Barney) Rubbel his services are no longer needed. The formerly Big Orange are pathetic and have been for several years. The once feared Neyland Stadium is often peppered with empty seats, and it is the fault of The Great Pumpkin. Save yourself the embarrassment of being fired, RESIGN PHIL !!! RESIGN NOW !!!!

All doubt has been removed. The Cowboys are OVERRATED, and the Titans are the best team in the NFL. Cowpoke fans you can live with Jessica Romo, Wade (my daddy was a good coach) Phillips, Pacman, and all the rest on Gilligan’s (Jerry Jones) Island .

The high school regular season comes to and end this week. If you look back I said Soddy Daisy would not win a game, and I have never been so glad to be so wrong. This week the Trojans will beat Ooltewah. Grace is a good club, BUT there is no way they can beat South Pitt. Look for Boyd to defeat Tyner, and McMinn is just too strong for Howard.

Bud Selig, YOU ARE A DISGRACE to the game of baseball. To play the World Series in the conditions of Monday night was ridiculous. To quote that great American Red Foreman ‘DUMB ASS”!!!!!!

The NBA has started. WHO CARES! Is there anything worse?

The NHL has started. WHO CARES! Yes, there is something worse than the NBA !

Your assignment for today. Research and report on the following; capitalism vs. socialism. Keep in mind if you are under the age of 35 you might not have any clue about socialism. You did not have to live through the age of backyard bomb shelters.

Finally, I want to say goodbye to my uncle Reverend Jim Chandler. He took me to my first ever Red Bank game when they were playing the state semifinals many many years ago. There were many Lions games at the old field where he gave the invocation, and he did love the school. Uncle Jim, make sure to tell my mom and dad hello up there in heaven.

WEEKEND RANT

2008-10-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

What a weekend of high school football! Boyd comes up short against South Pitt, but all the Boyd naysayer’s can now shut up! Boyd is just as good as any team in the area. They have beaten Red Bank, and lost by one to South Pitt. Red Bank shocked everyone by beating Cleveland, and now is ready to claim their FIFTH consecutive region title. Tyner knocks Howard from the ranks of unbeaten, how will that loss affect the Hustlin Tigers as the game with McMinn looms near.

This week Farragut comes calling on Ooltewah. Mark it down, engrave it in stone, but the Owls will win. Soddy Daisy will defeat Oak Ridge, and then Farragut to set up a showdown for the championship with Ooltewah. E.K. Slaughter has already earned Coach of the Year honors HANDS DOWN.

The Vols continue to struggle, and the season is now lost for the Mocs. I do not agree with a local columnist however who said Rodney Allison should leave his post now. What would that accomplish? What a completely ludicrous idea. As far as the Vols, they will lose again this week. Mississippi State is a better team.

Tennessee is a rapidly declining program, and something must change or it will get worse. Recruiting has not been up to par for years, as Georgia and Alabama have in effect sealed their borders. Parity has arrived in college football, and with the last several NFL drafts not showing many Vols, why come to Tennessee when your odds of playing at the next level are slim to none? Tennessee is in the same position that Alabama was in after Gene Stallings called it quits. It took several years before the powers that be down there decided to scrap this “family thing”, and get a capable coach. The same can be said for the folks up in Knoxville. It is time to find someone that is not part of the Orange Mafia. Make Fulmer an offer he can’t refuse so he will leave, and the search for a modern day coach can take place.

In the NFL, how can the Cowboys not be listed as the most overrated team in the league. The offensive line is pathetic. Tony Romo scrambles because he HAS TO, not out of design. The line could not block ME.

The Falcons are making everyone say “Michael Who”? The birds are a decent team and in the rather mediocre NFC South, they could actually win the division.

The Lady Mocs Blue Gold Softball game was held Saturday, and once again Katie Blevins shows she could be the Babe Ruth of the Southern Conference. A towering homer off Katie Holloway, flew over the scoreboard and then cleared the outer fence of Frost Stadium. The loss of Pitcher of the Year Brooke Loudermilk, will stretch a good, but not overpowering pitching staff. However, the Lady Mocs should defend their tenth conference championship.

Scenic City Youth Football continues to give the little guys the chance to play at Finley Stadium. Thanks to Frank Burke for allowing the use when it does not conflict with Mocs games. Every effort is made to make this the experience of lifetime for these kids, complete with the horn that is used by the Mocs. Thanks to Bobby Dunn and Stump for allowing me to be a part of this.

WEEKEND RANT

2008-10-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Dodgers advance and the Cubbies go home early again. Joe Torre is the best manager in the game, and arguably the greatest of all time. Now the Steinbrenner family looks like idiots. The Yankees are home, and the Dodgers keep going. Smooth move Hank. They now face the Phillies and look for a seven game series with Dodgers coming out on top. In the AL, Tampa and Boston should survive and advance. Then the Rays will drop the Red Sox for a Rays / Dodger World Series.

Can there be any Big Orange fans left? The Vols were pathetic Saturday night. There will only be one more victory this season. However, look for Fulmer to make Clawson the scapegoat, and hold on to his job one more year. If I am Mike Hamilton, I pull Barney Rubble aside and tell him, don’t worry about next year, I want your resignation. Make the move now! Recruiting is going to suffer, and attendance is dropping, it is time for Fulmer to retire. Thank god the state of Tennessee has one good football team: VANDERBILT, the COMMODEDOORS no longer.

UTC needs an offensive line. Ninety-eight yards on the ground will not win games. If there are no blocks you can advance the ball. It is a little late now, but at least make some changes to see if it can improve the ground attack.

Friday night Boyd and South Pitt face off in a battle of the unbeatens. I said a couple of weeks ago that Boyd would beat Red Bank, this week Boyd will (repeat will) beat South Pitt.

Look for Farragut to drop a game and Soddy and Ooltewah to face off for the region championship in the season finale. Soddy could be the team that does knock off the Admirals.

The Tennessee Titans are the best team in the AFC. I don’t want to hear any Pats or Colts fan say otherwise. I said it earlier that the Titans have the best defensive unit in the NFL and week after week they prove it. I am officially jumping off the Vince Young bandwagon. Collins is doing the job. They should start looking at the college QB’s and find one that will fit into the Titan scheme of things and draft them.

The question of the week is: Thirty-nine years after they broke up, yes THIRTY-NINE YEARS, and The Beatles have still sold more records than anyone! Could it be that the garbage they call music today is exactly that GARBAGE?

CD Review

2008-10-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

Johnny Cash and Michael McDonald added to their legend by releasing material that was made popular by other artists. Cash’s collaborations with Rick Ruben propelled him to popularity he had never experienced. McDonald’s three recordings of Motown classics have established him as one of the most respected singers in music history. Now you can add Glen Campbell to the mix.

Campbell’s return to the Capitol label, “Meet Glen Campbell” is a return of the voice that was country music in the mid to late sixties. In the same way Cash took the song “Hurt” and made it HIS song. Campbell takes early triumphs and the recent years of tabloid fodder and personal demons and it pours out on this collection of songs from artists as varied at Tom Petty, Dave Groh, U2, and even Lou Reed.

“Angel Dreams” (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), should be the next big hit of country radio. Reminiscent of “Gentle On My Mind”, the question will be if radio treats Campbell like they did Cash for so many years. This song is the best country recording since the Brad Paisley’s “Whiskey Lullabye”. The guitar work reminds us all that Glen is among the greatest pickers to ever walk this planet, and many of today’s “guitar heroes” are not nearly as talented.

When listening to the Jackson Brown penned “These Days”, you can feel Campbell reaching out and telling us all that sure he has had demons, but he does not need to be reminded of them, take his talent enjoy it, let him put the past in the past. There is a certain ache in the song for anyone who has had past mistakes that people seem to always throw back at them.

When the lush intro to “Walls” (Tom Petty) opens, you can close your eyes and hear the same sound from the Campbell hit “Galveston”, and a smile comes to the face because a tried and true sound that defined an artist is still there, and is taken to a new audience by his rendition. The Foo Fighters “Times Like These” is another that brings back that signature sound.

“All I Want Is You” (U2), and Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) also stand out.

Listen to this offering from Glen Campbell and I promise you, there will be a smile on your face for days.

WEEKEND RANT

2008-09-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

Is Crompton the most inept QB in the country? Sure looks like it. Now there are published reports that he and Stephens will compete for the starting job this weekend. Well, I said it a couple of weeks ago, and I repeat it today, IT IS TIME FOR B.J. COLEMAN TO TRANSFER!!!!. The grandest of conspiracy theories, is that since he was a Cutcliffe recruit, Fulmer doesn’t want to use him now. Well Barney Rubble (Fulmer) you are proving more and more each week that the game has passed you by, and its time for more boos. Hey Barney can you here me? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!
IT’S THE CURSE OF THE BULLOCKS. Coach Rubble will not take a Prop 48, but he will take a drunk. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

In talks with Showstopper we have finally discovered the Mocs problem, other than Chris Harr, the O Line is awful. Make some changes, move people or do something, a good line will help the running game, and allow whoever is at QB more time to throw.

Ok, Cowboy fans, how does it feel to lose to a rather mediocre Redskin club? Jessica Romo gags in another important game. I understand most of Dallas fans think he is the second coming of Aikman, but HE ISN’T. He will break your heart time and time again. Meanwhile, the Titans remain undefeated and are the class of the AFC. Tony Brown was incredible against the Vikes, and Chris Johnson is well on his way to Rookie of the Year.

I told you here last week that Boyd would beat Red Bank, and what happened? The Bucs Win. I will still say this is the biggest win in Boyd history. They beat a traditional power in a much larger classification, and that trumps beating South Pitt, or winning a state championship. The Bucs sent shockwaves through the Ram Train, as they lost for the second week in a row.

Soddy Daisy wins the shootout that wasn’t with Hixson. The Trojans have a very legitimate shot at finishing second in the region, and hosting a playoff game. Ooltewah is just not living up to the expectations, much like Ridgeland. The Owls have yet to put it all together for a game, and time is running out with Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Soddy ahead.

On radio Friday night, I said Bama would CRUSH Georgia. RIGHT AGAIN !!!!!!

Thank goodness the pitiful Braves’ season is over. There is no hope on the horizon for any improvement. At one time the best franchise in the game is now among the worst.

Softball coming up on 10/11, as UTC has their Blue Gold game. Coach Reed’s team will again be the favorite for the SoCon title, and a return to the NCAA.

Paul Newman’s passing brings and end to a life that made a difference. He was not like the stars of today that can’t seem to understand what the real world is all about. They like to throw their personal beliefs out there thinking you might agree. Newman kept his private life private, and was the better man for it. His philanthropy was legendary, and he was a pretty good driver too. Cool Hand Luke is among my ten best films of all time, and it was Paul Newman that made the movie.

WEEKEND RANT

2008-09-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

Another weekend has come and gone, and here a just a few observations.

Just who is the worst team in the SEC? There was a time when you could count on Vandy and Mississippi State. Now the Commodores are in the Top 25, and we can still say the Bullpups are really bad. Now we can add the Razorbacks, and YES the beloved Tennessee Vols. Phil Fulmer is finished as a coach. His recruiting, save Berry and Coleman, has been rather pitiful. Saturday proved that the Little Orange does not have the athletes to match up with Florida, Georgia, or Bama. Make the change NOW, before the Vols are just a memory of days gone by.

The Mocs continue to struggle. Jax State was a good football team, but yet I still say they are not that much better. It is time to make a decision on a QB. I and a lot of people think since Gault and Pastore have not done the job, give Sloan Allison a chance, there is nothing to lose.

The high school season is nearing the half way point, and I would have to say that Ridgeland has been the biggest surprise. A team with so much talent, is stuggling to salvage a season. Now Lafayette has put themselves in the drivers seat for the playoffs. After watching Soddy Daisy struggle with Boyd in a scrimmage, I thought to myself the Trojans would not win a game. Thank goodness I was wrong, they have the playoffs in sight. No team in town is running the spread better than Hixson. This Friday, Boyd will beat Red Bank.

Boo Weekley is the best thing to happen to golf since Tiger hit the tour. His candor, and unbeatable sense of humor is what is needed to narrow the gap between the snobs and the slobs.

The omission of any reference to Joe Torre in the Yankee Stadium final game ceremony was obvious. Only Joe McCarthy has more championships, and yet they chose to ignore him. Shame on you Yankees !

In a couple of non sports items. It was good to see "Mad Men" win the Emmy for Best Television Drama. It goes to show that just because something is popular does not mean its good. CSI would have been a bomb if it were a movie. Mad Men would have won Oscars.

Finally, after seeing the news reports I will NEVER watch Saturday Night Live again. The skit involving Sarah Palin was over the line, and regardless of your political stance, it was tasteless and bordered on obscene.

THIS WEEKS GAMES

2008-09-18T06:41:00.002-07:00

Time for fearless predictions.

Rhea Co. at Brainerd
Central at Hixson
Cleveland at White Co.
Walker Valley at Red Bank
Copper Basin at Silverdale
Whitwell at Lookout Valley
Sequoyah at Notre Dame
Howard at Tellico Plains
Meigs Co. at East Ridge
Bradley at Soddy Daisy
Brentwood Academy at Baylor
William Blount at Ooltewah
Father Ryan at McCallie
Tyner at Marion Co.
Sequatchie Co. at Bledsoe Co.
David Brainerd at South Pittsburg
McMinn Co. at Farragut
Polk Co. at Grundy Co.

Georgia games

Southeast at Heritage
LaFayette at LFO
South Paulding at Ringgold

THE SEASON TRULY BEGINS

2008-09-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

This Saturday the Chattanooga Mocs will host Jax State in what is the “real” beginning of the season. It will be homecoming, and although the beloved (whatever) Vols are playing, it is time for the area to truly support our HOME team.

The losses to Oklahoma and Florida State were character builders. The win over NAIA member Cumberland was enough to show that although somewhat battered, the Mocs are still a good team, and for all the skeptics will have a better season than is expected.

When the season began, myself and may others thought that Jere Gault could not be supplanted at quarterback. However, Tony Pastore, has performed well. He was brought in when Gault was not performing, and this week Pastore gets the start against the Gamecocks.

The loss of Brian Fitzgerald was significant, and now that Errol Wynn is banged up, look for more screen passes to Brent Hayes. Blue Cooper is waiting to find out the extent of the injury he received in the Cumberland game, and might be lost for the season. The Mocs are, believe it or not, stacked at the receiver spot and although Cooper is a huge plus, the passing game can still get the results needed.

Defensively, Tony Swafford is finally living up to the potential we saw when he was at Hixson. Neil Brown is a beast. Let’s see how they match up with equal talent.

Remember this is our HOME team, and yet folks either put them down or just don’t care. Despite small crowds, the games are fun, the pregame festivities at the pavilion are great, and the atmosphere of the game itself is great.

When the football MOCS do begin winning, and they WILL, there will be many to jump on the bandwagon and that will be ok, just remember to ask yourself….”where have I been all this time?”

2008-09-16T15:15:00.001-07:00

The Chattanooga Mocs golfers won the Carpet Capital and have secured a spot in Mocs sports history. When the new rankings are released you can look for them to be ranked as the NUMBER ONE team in the country. Coach Juhne, you have done what no other coach has been able to do and that is securing the top spot for the Mocs among Division 1. I bet it lasts longer than Bruce Pearls #1.

Has Howard turned out the lights on East Ridge’s playoff hopes? After back to back region losses the Pioneers have sure seen the lights dimmed. It will take help for them to get in the championship hunt.

Chattanooga’s Mocs did not let Florida State do what Oklahoma did to them. Now the real season is here. Jax State comes calling Saturday, and once again we could see both Pastore and Gault at QB. Let's see a large crowd, this is your home team and they deserve your support.

The Vols handled UAB with relative ease, but they still don’t look that impressive. Keep in mind the same UCLA team that beat them on Labor Day, was SPANKED by BYU. Crompton is not a good QB, and Fulmer made his statement as to who the number two is when he sent in Stephens. If I am B.J. Coleman, its time to consider a transfer, its more obvious than ever Fulmer is and always will be guided by seniority, not talent when making his QB choices.

Mike Bowman commits to Bama. Once again a premier receiver in the area is not even on the Vols radar. Can you say Patrick Turner, or Adarius Bowman? Once again, the RC for this area Coach Caldwell has dropped the ball. Too many good players are still getting away, and no effort being made to change that.

The Houston Astros were forced to move a home series against the Cubs to Milwaukee due to the hurricane. Milwaukee???? On top of having to leave town while the storm was there, the Astros had to deal with losing any advantage they had because it was turned into a home series for the Cubs. MLB shame on you, Bud Selig you have some explaining to do. Plus firing Ned Yost! Selig you are an IDIOT.

The Falcons returned to form (loser), and the Titans proved they do have the best defensive unit in the NFL. Cowboy fans, say what you want, but the Titans defense is BETTER.

Congrats to my friend Patty Bryant for winning her class at the Women’s Bodybuilding Competition this past weekend in Knoxville. Look for an upcoming story on women bodybuilders in Chattanooga.

Remember HOLD THAT LINE is three hours this Friday, and call 643-ESPN and keep us up to date on your team.

Predictions

2008-09-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Wednesday is here, and its time for fearless prognostications on this weeks schedule.
My winner is in red.

Central at Bradley
McMinn Co. at Cleveland
Macon Co. at Hixson
Brantford, Canada at Red Bank
Soddy Daisy at Rhea Co.
Cocke Co. at Walker Valley
Towns Co. at Copper Basin
South Pittsburg at Lookout Valley
Notre Dame at Meigs Co.
East Ridge at Howard
Baylor at Greater Atlanta Christian
McMinn Central at Sequoyah
Tyner at Knox Fulton
Grace at Boyd-Buchanan
Marion Co. at Grundy Co.
Whitwell at Sequatchie Co.
Bledsoe Co. at Upperman
Tellico Plains at Polk Co.
Lancaster Christian at David Brainerd

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Charlotte Country Day at McCallie

And down in Georgia

Heritage at Gordon Lee
LaFayette at Murray County
North Paulding at LFO
Darlington at Ridgeland
Ringgold at Adairsville
Sonoraville at Southeast

WEEKEND RANT

2008-09-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

After watching Ooltewah, this could be the year they finally make it to Murfreesboro. Just a little more consistency by Brady Reed is all it will take.

Soddy Daisy goes to 2-0 after beating formerly Bad Billy Blount. “Marbles” Slaughter has restored the pride that was missing in the one time area powerhouse. They could very well be in contention for a playoff spot.

The Chattanooga Mocs QB Tony Pastore had an excellent game Saturday night against Cumberland. Blue Cooper and Clint Wood were the favorite targets of the air assault, and Joseph Thornton, Tony Swafford, and the rest of the defense stepped up. It’s on to Tallahassee to take on Florida State and folks this WILL NOT be a repeat of what happened in Oklahoma.

Congrats to Falcon fans, you now have a REAL signal caller, not some over-hyped criminal. Coach Smith might very well be the answer, the emotion of the team was fun to watch. For the first time in ages, it looked like they were having fun.
Just be very very grateful that Vick is gone and never to return.

The Titans, must wait and see the extent of the injury to Vince Young. Chris Johnson proved why he was their frist draft pick. I will argue this with anyone that the Tennessee Titans have the best defensive line in the NFL. When the season is done, they will be the top rated defense in the league.

Keith Olberman was bad with ESPN, he is even worse with MSNBC, he is a disgrace to journalism. No matter who you are voting for, his obvious anti-conservative bias is offensive, even worse his questioning the mental health of a candidate due to her religious beliefs. This coming from a primadonna crybaby who has frequently been seen hiding under his desk. Hopefully the network will reduce his role. Better yet, FIRE HIM. Olberman is not that good.

ABC wins the award for Dumba** of the Year. NASCAR was forced to delay the Richmond race. It was scheduled to be Saturday night on ABC. When its time to start Sunday, what was on ABC? The WNBA, and then followed by Indy Car racing. What idiots! Nobody and I mean NOBODY watches the WNBA, and very very few watch open wheel racing. You whine about losing the NASCAR contract, get it back then show the BORING WNBA instead.

Roone Arledge would be proud, NOT!

THIS WEEKS PICKS - HIGH SCHOOL

2008-09-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Now that the season is underway its time to start picking the games each and every week. If you disagree let me know. My pick will be in RED

Brainerd at Cleveland
Red Bank at Central
Hixson at Rhea Co.
White Co. at Walker Valley
Copper Basin at South Pittsburg
Lookout Valley at David Brainerd
Howard at Notre Dame
Grundy Co. at Tellico Plains
Meigs Co. at McMinn Central
Polk Co. at East Ridge
Oak Ridge at Bradley
MBA at Baylor
Soddy Daisy at William Blount
McCallie at Brentwood Academy
McMinn Co. at Ooltewah
Bledsoe Co. at Tyner
Boyd-Buchanan at Marion Co.
East Literature at Sequatchie Co.
Grace Academy at Silverdale

Georgia

Gordon Central at Heritage
LaFayette at Trion
Gordon Lee at LFO
Ridgeland at Calhoun
Ringgold at Murphy, NC

RIP Jerry Reed.."Snowman" is making the final trip..East bound and down! Say hi to the big guy.

RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM THE WEEKEND

2008-09-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

How does a Georgia Class AAA, barely escape with a win against a Class A school?
Ridgeland / Gordon Lee should have not been as close as it was. Ridgeland IS three touchdowns more talented. As I said many years ago when LFO was on their run, you have to beat someone to be the big dog. It’s time for Ridgeland to step up and show just how talented they are! They must beat Calhoun to be considered one of the elite in North Georgia.

Soddy Daisy’s win at Red Bank was one for the ages. E.K. Slaughter returns and the atmosphere was more electric than the night Tom Weathers came back with the Trojans. “Marbles” made some gutsy calls, and the second half defense of Steve Garland was dang near unbreakable. Way to go Trojans!

East Ridge’s Mike Martin was quoted saying he has the worst coached team in town. After their win at Central, the Pioneers are proving they are to reckoned with in the region and should they beat Polk County this week, could be in the running for that number two spot, and the showdown with Howard becomes the most important game in East Ridge in a long time.

Saturday Oklahoma proved they are one of the best teams in college football. However, as a Mocs fan, you can’t use that at a measuring stick for the rest of the season. Yes, they were whipped, but if you look the Sooners may have the best team money can buy, and now the Mocs have some of that money. I still say they will finish 6-6 on the season, and for all you anti-Mocs, watch what happens in a couple of weeks in Tallahassee.

UT fans Crompton is not the answer. It’s time that Fulmer stops this loyalty to his longest tenured QB, and play the best. Crompton looked terrible Monday, had no clue and that was compounded by the new OC Clawsen and his lack of experience in “big time” college football. If there is not a QB change made and made soon, it could be a long season for the Big Orange.

All doubt has now been removed the ACC is the worst BCS conference of them all!

How improved is Alabama? Their win over Clemson, could be the start of new run of SEC West domination by the Tide.

Talk about a team calling it quits. The Atlanta Braves threw in the towel a long time ago, but now they look as hapless and hopeless as the Braves of the 80’s, MAYBE WORSE.

Remember we need stringers for HOLD THAT LINE. Give me a call 423-902-1052 and get your ESPN Radio TShirt to wear to the games.

Until next time

HOLD THAT LINE REPORTERS NEEDED

2008-08-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, we need your help. Hold That Line, is recruiting reporters for each school in the area. Are you a high school student with a cell phone? A parent? A fan? Give me a call at 423-902-1052 and sign up to be one of our reporters.

Call us at the station at the end of each quarter and the end of the game and give us the score.

Each person that signs up will receive an ESPN Radio 1370 T shirt.

A REAL NO BRAINER - REGION 3-A

2008-08-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

There is no question that the defending State Champion South Pittsburg Pirates will rule over the region and should repeat in Murfreesboro. However, the other three playoff spots are up for grabs and this could lead to a very exciting region to watch in 2008.

1 - SOUTH PITTSBURG - David Jones, Terrell Robinson, and Malcom Jones lead an offense that mercy ruled most of their opponents in 2007. A senior heavy (14) teams wants nothing more than to add another ring, and have a new sign go up as you enter the city. Vic Grider has been able to to ad depth to his lines on both sides of the ball, and no player will be pulling double duty. The only possibility of not running the table will rest when they visit Tyner on Sept 26.

2 - GRACE - Josh Blake and 17 other returning starters hope to return the Golden Eagles to the post season. Coach Mowery has an experience team that's home playoff hopes should rest on an early season match up with Silverdale on September 5. Cody Cross, although small, is very explosive and can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Fugan Harper is a talented WR and will ad more speed on the outside. Never understimate a John Allen coached team.

3 - SILVERDALE - The Seahawks will return to the playoffs again this year, and should they defeat Grace on 9/5 you can move them up to the number two spot. Chris Goodine is an outstanding player, and along with Edgar Montgomery give them a potent receving corp.

4 - DAVID BRAINERD - Coach Settles' crew has a very good QB in Brooks Thedford. The main target will be Will Keebler a speedy receiver with good hands. The passing game is there, it will be up to the running game, and of course the defense to lift the Wildcats to the playoffs.

5 - WHITWELL - The Tigers will be the third of the Marion County high schools to make a playoff run. Coach Tim Taylor, and no folks Al Boreland is not an assitant, will depend on a very good line to possibly grab that fourth spot. An October 17 home game against David Brainerd could decide if they get an eleventh game or ten and out.

6 - LOOKOUT VALLEY - The loss of Chas Scruggs has led to Coach Webb's decision to go with the spread offense. A key will be if both QBs, Wynn, and Gordon can run the offense that is not seen in this region very often. There are no home games after September 16, and that will definately hurt the Jackets chances of seeing the playoffs.

7 - COPPER BASIN - The Cougars were winless in 07, and the prosects of improvement are slim. Defensively Copper Basin gave up 44 points per game, and in this explosive region, that will be tough to not repeat.

RECAP

REGION CHAMPION - SOUTH PITTSBURG
PLAYOFF BOUND - GRACE, SILVERDALE, DAVID BRAINERD
COULD GET IN IF SOMEONE SLIPS - WHITWELL
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR - LOOKOUT VALLEY, COPPER BASIN

BOYD TO WIN REGION

2008-08-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Before the mulitplier and the addition of Boyd Buchanan to the region, it was ruled by Tyner. Now that the Bucs are firmly established and in fact, a past region champion, the days of total domination by the Rams are over. This year's race to the top will once again, feature these two programs while the rest of the region fights it out for the third and fourth playoff spot.

1 - BOYD BUCHANAN - The Bucs of Grant Reynolds may very well have the best of what is a talented 2008 QB corps. Nic Hughes is poised, strong armed, and a good field general Fifteen returning starters bring a wealth of experience. Boyd hosts the Rams in week ten, and as in each of the last two years the winner gets the spoils, this year home field advantage will do the trick. Boyd's schedule is one of the toughest in the state, facing Grace, South Pitt, and Red Bank.

2 - TYNER - The Ram Train will rest its hopes on a potentially explosive offense. Michael Poarch and Travis Jones lead the way, as what is being billed as one of the best Tyner teams in years. The defense line returns, however losing a player such as graduated LB Wilson Jackson will place pressure on a very inexperienced group of linebackers to pick up the slack. Also a tough non region slate faces the Rams. Fulton, South Pitt, McCallie and Brainerd are on the slate.

3 - MARION COUNTY - The Warriors new Coach Boeck hopes to return Marion back to the glory years gone by. Turnover cost them dearly last year as their record fell to 9-13 for the last two seasons. RB Joe Muir is being counted on heavily in he switch to the I formation.

4 - BLEDSOE COUNTY - Coach Roberson's band of Warriors finished 4-7 last season, and lost in the first round of the playoffs. FB Chase Brown will carry the load in the newly installed wing T.

5 - SEQUATCHIE COUNTY - The Indians of Chad Barger will be hard pressed to improve on 2007's 1-9 mark. Eight consecutive losing seasons have been tough on the folks in Dunlap but unfortunately there is not much help, however a relatively soft non region slate will help improve the chances of at least a 5-5 season.

RECAP

REGION CHAMPION - BOYD BUCHANAN
PLAYOFF BOUND - TYNER, MARION COUNTY, BLEDSOE COUNTY
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR - SEQUATCHIE COUNTY

THE OLYMPICS HAVE LOST THEIR MEANING WITH MANY

2008-08-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

I might be in what Richard Nixon once called "The Silent Majority", that meaning the Olympics have lost the appeal for me they once had.

For the fast majority of my life, Olympics meant the US versus the Commies. Sure that sounds simplistic, but it captured a national pride that is sorely lacking in Beijing. The Olympics were the ultimate WWE expericence, the good guys against the bad guys.

Who can forget in years past when the entire county would be caught up in the medal count. How many gold, silver, and bronze were captured by the American, The Soviet Union, and The East Germans. We felt a collective national disappointment when our guy finished second to one of the "Red Menace".

There were boycotts both by the US and USSR. We refused to compete in Moscow for their human rights atrocities, and they decided that turnabout was fair play and did not show up in Los Angeles. In both instances national pride reigned supreme as we told the ruskies to stick it. You have to ask yourself, based on the the fact the communist Chinese are inhumane to their own citizens, was a boycott even considered this time?

Harken back to the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, and a moment that will live forever. The USSR had invaded Afghanistan, and our hockey team was not given a snowballs chance in hades. "DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES" was heard around the world as our motley crew turned back the Russians.

The entire free world felt compelled in 1972 to move on after the tragedy at Munich, and we watched as athletes reminded us that no matter how they try neither terrorists or anyone else will take away our need to move on and show the rest of the world that the good guys with the white hats do win.

Now as we are still fighting a war in Iraq, and the Russians are back to their old tricks of trying to force their way on a free Georgia, there is still the lack of national pride. Is it because we have become so politically correct that we are afraid to tell the bad guys to "shove it"?

Even in 1968 amid the John Carlos and Tommy Smith controversy, they still will tell you they competed for the United States of America. Today's athletes just do not seem to have the same pride in their country, and for that I am sad.

I watched the Mexico City, Munich, Montreal, and Los Angeles Olympics non stop. Atlanta I only watched on and off, as the games had been made so commerical that it was almost unbearable. Seoul, Barcelona, and now Beijing have not even been a blip on the radar. Television coverage of the Beijing games are designed to be PC, and not offend anyone that is not from the USA.

What ever happened to the pride that was shown by Jim Graig when the 1980 Hockey team won the gold medal. Craig draped in the flag skating all over the rink with a pride we haven't seen since.

Boy I miss those days.

CAN THE GHARGERS REPEAT? - REGION 3-3A

2008-08-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

Another very competitive region, that can produce a surprise or two each week.
Howard came into last season as the favorite, and were upended by McMinn Central. The region covers a large geographical area, much like 2-5A. From Chattanooga, to Benton, to Etowah. Combination of traditional public schools and the private (Notre Dame) playing in the public division.

One of most familiar faces is now in Georgia. Tim James left East Ridge to become the first Head Coach of the new Heritage High in Ringgold, Georgia. Mike Martin leaves Meigs and takes over a loaded Pioneer squad. Stan Eller, who guided Meigs to their glory days, returns after a long stint as the "go to" assistant coach.

The season appears to be a good one, and from week to week, standings will change.

1 - MCMINN CENTRAL - The Chargers probably surprised some folks last year by walking away with the title. A two point victory over Howard sealed the deal, and the Hustlin Tigers were left to settle for second. Meigs transfer Zach Rayl takes over at QB.
The real test could be when the Chargers visit South Market Street for the tussle with Howard.

2 - EAST RIDGE - Coach Tim James left for Georgia. Mike Martin moves down from Meigs County, and takes over a team loaded with talent, and wanting to get back in the playoffs. Gunner Miller is the toughest player in the area, on both sides of the ball, this big time prospect can look to have a one in a lifetime season. QB Adam Long, is set with a good crop of receivers. Defensively they hit and hit and hit.

3 - HOWARD - The loss of Tremaine Hudson will hurt the Hustlin’ Tigers more than many think. Coach Tarvin has the potential to have the best Howard team since the 60’s. However, the heavily sophomore and junior team’s lack of pressure filled situations could lead to a road trip for the first round of the playoffs.

4 - POLK COUNTY - Coach Derrick Davis is one of the best, though the team is young and will have a sophomore under center, you can count on preparation and spirit to put the Wildcats in the playoffs again.

5 - NOTRE DAME - The Fighting Irish will fight tooth and nail to return to the playoffs. The loss of Sam Eberle, who carried the team on his back both offensively and defensively in 07 will be a tough row to hoe for Coach Charlie Wiggins. Eight offensive starters do return and with a very good line, that should give the Irish a good shot at a return to the post season. The trip to Polk County in October will decide the fate for both teams.

6 - MEIGS COUNTY - The prodigal coach returns. Stan Eller is back in charge in Decatur, and you can imagine how happy the folks there are. However losing your QB to a region rival is going to make life tough on Eller.

7 - GRUNDY COUNTY - 2007 was the toughest year on Grundy County sports that will never be forgotten. Coach Pickett's death was such a blow to the program, and now it is up to new coach Jim Swafford to pick up the pieces. Four offensive starters and 3 on defense return, and the memory of the fallen coach, might just be what is used to finish out of the basement.

8 - SEQUOYAH - The Chiefs also have a new coach after suffering through a 2 win season in 2007. Returning 9 starters on both sides of the football does help them avoid the cellar.

9 - TELLICO PLAINS - The Bears unfortunately return to the bottom of the region again in 2008.
RECAP

REGION CHAMPION - MCMINN CENTRAL
PLAYOFF BOUND - EAST RIDGE, HOWARD, AND POLK COUNTY
WILL TAKE SOME HELP TO GET IN THE PLAYOFFS - NOTRE DAME
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR - MEIGS COUNTY, GRUNDY COUNTY, SEQUOYAH, TELLICO PLAINS

REGION 4-4A PREDICTIONS

2008-08-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

As the final year of the region that we know could very well be the the toughest in Tennessee approaches, we look back fondly on some of the memories of past battles.

Cleveland and Red Bank have usually ended up on top. One night in Evensville however gave the unhealded Hixson Widcats a crown also. Rhea County has been near the top all this time, and for a few years so were the Central Purple Pounders. Brainerd gave Maryville one of the toughest battles the Rebels have seen in years just two seasons ago. It has indeed has been a fun region to watch.

So for one final time, here are the predictions for Region 4-4A

1 - CLEVELAND - This is the year Coach Wilson's squad has been waiting on. The final go around for RB Monte Scotten and QB Tucker Tipton. Sixteen starters return and that experience will help lead the Blue Raiders to the top of the region. However, if there is one slip, then the team at number two could claim their fifth championship.

2 - RED BANK - Coach Daniels has so many weapons he must replace. Gone are Benford, McDuffie, Ledbetter, Sims, and the Chambers twins. Andy Christopher takes over at QB and has a much stronger arm and look for the Lions to throw the ball deep. Miguel Sanchez returns for his final season and achors a defense that will be tested deep without the departed Benford and McDuffie.

3 - RHEA COUNTY - Coach Fitzgerald has pehaps the largest line in the state. Vols commitment Kevin Revis, and Josh Walker are very imposing and also very very good. Perhaps the best punter in the state Josh Davis returns, and by the way he is the returning QB. The biggest question will be offensively and if the Golden Eagles can move the ball, the defense can contain the opponents.

4 - HIXSON - Yes, the Wildcats return to the playoffs. Coach White has twenty-six seniors returning and the second year of life after Windham will suprise many, but not me. QB Zack McCarter will operate the new spread offense, and with Randy Boyd at WR, the key will be can an undersized line buy enough time for the throw. Defensively LB Todd Worley is a big-time prospect in my opinion.

5 - BRAINERD - Coach Jones is in the same boat as Coach Daniels at Red Bank. There are many weapons to replace. Finding the right player to take over for departed Orlandus Harris and Orlandis Jackson and John Birch will be a chore. The Panthers do return one of the biggest threats out of the backfield in Darius Chalk. Defense will be the question mark as to the possibility of a third straight trip to the playoffs.

6 - CENTRAL - Coach Barger has a very small senior class in his second season at perhaps the most storied school in Chattanooga football history. Times have been lean the last few years, however QB Patrick White is both a passing threat and he can also scoot when he carries the ball. Youth will be gaining experience and the Purple Pounder are a year away from playoff contention.

7 - WALKER VALLEY - Ted Lockerby's team will be improved, but they have struggled since joining the region. Is there enough athletic talent to go around in Bradley County?
Turner Touchstone is one of the better players in this region both offensively and defensively. After transferring from Cleveland QB Houston Spencer will take charge and the results will have to be seen.

8 - WHITE COUNTY - Unfortunately White County's struggles continue. Coach Kerr's team has one only 5 games in the last two seasons combined. Last year's 1-9 mark still sits rather hard on the Warriors squad. That nightmare of a season was definately a learning experience for the 8 offensive and 9 defensive starters that return for 2008. Look for better than a repeat of last season's one vicory.

RECAP
REGION CHAMPION - CLEVELAND
PLAYOFF BOUND - RED BANK, RHEA COUNTY, HIXSON
WILL TAKE SOME HELP TO GET IN THE PLAYOFFS - BRAINERD
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR - CENTRAL, WALKER VALLEY, WHITE COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL - TIME FOR PREDICTIONS

2008-08-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

The season starts in just 18 days, and another season will be off and running. This could be one of the most exciting years Chattanooga has seen in many years. There are many outstanding players and coaches that will make each and ever Friday night special.

2008 will be the final season in the currently Region/Classification alignment we have gotten so used to, 2009 will have more state champions and of course more money.

So, for one final time, lets get the predictions started. This blog will be my take on the largest classification in Tennessee 5A, and more specifically, Region 2-5A.

1 - OAK RIDGE - The measuring stick for this region is still Oak Ridge. The Wildcats were 8-3 last season but knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. There are rumors of discontent at Nukeville, but they are still the team to beat. Returning five starters on both offense and defense they are set to return to the top of the region.

2 - OOLTEWAH - One slip by the Wildcats in AtomTown, and the Owls will swoop down and take that crown. Ooltewah also returns five starters on both sides of the ball. Replacing Brian Marshall is key to the Owls success, with a tradition of strong running backs, it is crucial to keeping up with Oak Ridge. The season's hopes rest on the back to back road trips to Oak Ridge and Farragut.

3 - FARRAGUT - The Admirals will find Andre Sterling difficult or close to impossible to replace. In fact, the defending region champs are only returning three offensive starters and two on defense. However, Coach Courtney has more than capable replacements. Farragut hosts Ooltewah this year, so don't be surprised if the Admirals are not fighting for a region title come week ten.

4 - MCMINN COUNTY - The Cherokees are ready to enter the playoffs in 2008. Six starters return on each side of the ball, and the bitter pill of barely missing the playoffs still rest with the young men in Athens. Replace QB Devon Johnson will be tough, but Coach Cagle has a more than capable replacement in Cy Ables.

5 - WILLIAM BLOUNT - The Govs are replacing a coach, and lost 25 players due to graduation from last year's 9-3 team. Many are saying that this will be a down year on the other side of Maryville, but keep one thing in mind. Blount County is growing faster than an itch on poison oak, and Maryville can't get all the good players. If the offensive line which was totally desimated from graduation can be replaced and make holes for Darren Garner they could make the playoffs.

6 - BRADLEY CENTRAL - Former Bear hero and now Head Coach Damon Floyd will take a hungry bunch of Bears into the battles of 2008. Led by big time prospect Deonte Lindsey will lead the way. Five starters returing on offense and seven on defense will bring experience to the forefront and with a few breaks going their way, Bradley could have their best season in years.

7 - HERITAGE - The Mountaineers avoid the cellar again this year. Heritage has had it very tough the last few years, and being the furthest of the four Blount County schools away from Maryville in an area not as densely populated area as the rest of the county has made things tough on the guys. The offense will go just as far as Mike Cermack will take them, and that should be enough to win at least a couple of region games.

8 - SODDY DAISY - New Head Coach E.K. Slaughter has returned excitement to what just a few short years ago was the the "bad boy" of Hamilton County. The offense rests squarely on the shoulders of QB Scott Parrott and RB P.J. Hubbard. The Trojans will have to put of a lot of points to remain in games.

RECAP

REGION CHAMPION - OAK RIDGE

PLAYOFF BOUND - OOLTEWAH, FARRAGUT, MCMINN

WILL TAKE SOME HELP TO GET IN THE PLAYOFFS - WILLIAM BLOUNT

WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR - BRADLEY CENTRAL, HERITAGE, SODDY DAISY

RIVALRY GAMES, IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER

2008-07-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

As the season approaches, there will be certain games that dial up the intensity, just a couple of notches. In the past there was City and Central, East Ridge and Brainerd, just to name a couple. The games that you want to know who won, even if you have no stake in the outcome. This area is blessed with some of the greatest rivalries of all time, and I have been blessed in being able to see at least one of every game on this list.

There were some good ones started such as Boyd / East Ridge that are no longer being played. Boyd / Tyner will be one of the best, given a few more years. Soddy Daisy and Hixson play for the lighthouse, but the intensity of Hixson and Red Bank just isn't the same.

Number 10

Gordon Lee / Trion - There might be respect involved, but most of the time it is just pure dislike for each other. Whether it be in Chickamauga or Trion, the place will be jam packed, and lots of barbs tossed back and forth. This is a game everyone should see at least once. Especially for the old letterman in their jackets.

Number 9

Cleveland / Bradley – The rivalry was stopped for a long time, and sure Bradley has struggled in recent years, and Walker Valley has been added to the high schools in the county, but there is still such a atmosphere at this game, that you get caught up in it.

Number 8

Red Bank / Hixson – Twenty five years ago, this was the biggest rivalry in Hamilton County. Crowds of over ten thousand were common, but as the Lions dominated the rivalry for so many years, Hixson started to feel like Tennessee during that long Alabama winning streak. Who can forget the fog shrouded overtime game just a few years ago, that helped to put this game back in the best rivalry category.

Number 7

Central / Ooltewah – The battle for water rights is a neighborhood scuffle second to none. The schools are close enough to each other that kids could attend either school, which only fuels the intensity of the game. Blake Foster's night for the Owls a few years back is still a sore spot with the Pounder Nation.

Number 6

LFO / Ringgold – Even though there is a new high school in Catoosa County, NOTHING will stop this from being the battle of the year in North Georgia. Throw records out the window, they just don’t like losing to each other, and have to live with it for a year.

Number 5

Tyner / Brainerd – Each and every year some of the best athletes in Chattanooga are showcased in this game. Nothing can help getting over a loss in this game, you talk to fans of each school and they always bring up last year’s game, even though it does not affect either schools post season position.

Number 4

Brainerd / Howard – This kickoff to the season at Finley Stadium is as good as it gets. One of the most intense rivalries on the field, and amongst the bands from each school. Everyone should attend at least one battle between the Panthers and Hustlin Tigers.

Number 3

Soddy Daisy / Red Bank – In the past this game meant a region championship, but no longer. This game still holds the attendance record for high school games at Finley Stadium. This one is for bragging rights north of the river. The intensity was really ratcheted up the night Coach Weathers ran afoul of the Soddy-Daisy PD. This year former Red Bank assistant E.K. Slaughter sees the rivalry from the Soddy sideline.

Number 2

Baylor / McCallie – Saturday afternoons are like a college game when these two get together. The sprit groups from both make this an atmosphere that everyone should witness.

BEST RIVALRY IS:

South Pittsburg / Marion County - South Pitt and “Jasper”, this is what high school football is all about. This is the oldest rivalry in the state, and nothing tops it for trash talk, etc. The railbirds at So Pitt’s Beene Stadium, are the most intimidating fans in the area. Driving through downtown Jasper when the game is played there is a once in a lifetime experience, that is rivaled by no one.

Chime in people, let me know what ya think.

Random Rants

2008-07-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

Once again its that time of year when when the ESPY's are handed out. I still don't understand the concept, but what the heck, it makes the network money and gives a huge ego boost to some athletes whos' egos are as out of control as Kayne West.

Some of the nominations are a little puzzling. Take for instance the female athelete, and this is a sure fire bet that the network will force an undeserved winner upon us. Danica is NOT repeat NOT deserving of even a nomation, but as a guy that has been known to spend a few dollars at a poker table, you can just about count on her winning.

The fix is in, and we all know it. It is the goal of the Indy Car series to have her on the same level as NASCAR drivers. They will go to no ends to accomplish this, and having her win the award will be part of the plan. Any race fan realizes her win in Japan was against a small and hugely diluted field of drivers. Many have said that Dale Jr winning at Daytona a few months after his father died was a fix. Give me a break, if anything was fixed it was Danica's win at Japan.

Candace Parker IS the best female athelete, and sad to say she will not win due to someone thinking that Danica actually can drive a race car.

The male athelete is a no brainer, if you don't think that Tiger Woods is the best then you don't have a clue. His performance in the U.S. Open was as awe inspiring as any athelete has ever had. I have listened to much banter about Tiger's place in sports. Tiger Woods is the most dominating athlete we have ever seen. He dominates his sport more than any other athlete in any other sport. Peyton, Brady, Jordan et al, are great, but they do not strike fear in the other players the way Woods does. The only two comparisons are Ali and Lance Armstrong. When Tiger takes the course, you see the fear in the other golfers, knowing deep in their hearts, they just lost any chance of winning. Manning, Brady, and yes not even Jordan have or had that kind of effect.

If you somehow still don't think Tiger Woods is the most dominant athlete of this or any other generation, then you might need to get a CAT scan.

On to other subjects, the hapless Atlanta Braves. For those of us around long enough to remember how bad the Braves used to be, we are now getting deja vu all over again, as we are watching the once mighty fall into obsurity. They are a bad team with no pitching save Tim Hudson. Francour has been sent to AA, so the idea of him becoming the face of the franchise need to get that out of their minds. Bobby Cox is doing the best he can with what he has. The AARP members Smoltz and Glavine both need to just retire and it might just be time for Cox to call it quits too.

Brett Favre please shut up or at least shut up your family. As is typical of many pro athletes today, Favre is reconsidering his retirement. Back in day, when retirement meant retirement. Kofax, Drysdale, Gibson and so many others never talked about a comeback, but ever since Jordan retirement has a new definition. Favre, do your fans a favor and stay retired.

High school football is right around the corner, and before the season starts look for my blog on Chattanooga's best high school coaches of all time. There will be some suprises.

Till next time, I AM OUTTA HERE!

PASSING OF A TRUE ICON

2008-06-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

For a lot of you, you can't remember the days before cable televison. The days when you had the NBC Game of the Week with Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Resse, followed by Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. CBS did the NFL as it really was, with Ray Scott and Jack Whitaker, then there was ABC, which did not carry the major sports, but it gave us both an institution and the last of the true sports journalists Jim McKay.

The Wide World of Sports was what we waited on all week. The cliff divers from Mexico, or the barrel jumpers from Canada. They were the first to show us Augusta and all it's glory during The Masters. Gearheads should remember the first Grand National races were shown on Wide World of Sports. WWOS made us all excited to watch track and field, or even figure skating. Jim McKay was able to do that, because he cared about the sport, and nothing else.

McKay was the voice and face of ABC sports, it is that simple. It was McKay that made us all excited to watch the Olympics. It is indeed sad to see that interest in the games are not what it was during the ABC days. Who can forget his face in Munich after the terrorist tragedy, when he simply stated "they are all gone". A television moment that will forever be in our memory.

Sports reporting was much simpler then. We did not have hatchet men like Jim Gray, who embarassed himself when he tried to get under the skin of Pete Rose. Or Jeremy Schapp, who is nothing like his father, the late Dick Schapp. Schapp is lucky that Bobby Knight left the interview, Jeremy shamed his good name with the way he treated Coach Knight, but he is the modern journalist out to destroy for the sake of a story. The men that you heard on your television had a passion for the sport, not making themself the center of the story.

The saturation of sports on television is good for the fans in most respects. However, what we are missing now is a true journalist, and not just a talking head. One that can paint a picture, so even if we are away from the television, we can sense what is happenning. The closest thing we have to McKay now is Jim Nantz, who sees the larger picture, and is not just after a sensational albeit untrue story. The sports journalists of today are the ones that convicted the Duke Lacross team from day one, and when the story was proven false, did nothing to show remorse.

Long before we had to endure the inane ramblings and silly nicknames handed out by Chris Berman, or the guys who really know nothing of sports such as Keith Olberman and Craig Kilborn, or the worst of the worst, Kenny Maine.

Jim McKay is gone, and sports will never be the same.

YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL!!!!!!

2008-05-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

Some years ago in a commercial Charles Barkely uttered the words "I am not a role model". Its obvious that the professional athletes today took that to heart, and decided to live their lives acording to the Gospel of Barkley.

When I was growing up Mantle, Aaron, Banks, etc were heroes, even though they were human, the lived their lives in a way that did not reflect badly on their sport or themselves or embarrass their families. Heck, even when Joe Namath got involved in a rather seedy nightclub in New York called Batchelor's Three, once it was revealed that the others involved had organized crime connections, a repentant and sobbing Joe Namath admitted he made a mistake.

Today, parents have named their children after Roger Clemens, Mike Tyson, Mark McQuire, and so many other athletes that have done more to damage their reputation than any of the Black Sox, or even Pete Rose could do. I can deal with the steroid allegations against Clemens, but now comes the revelations of an inappropiate relationship with a then 15 year old Mindy McCreedy. Clemens denies, but the convicted criminal McCreedy does not. As many of you know, for many years I worked in collections, and I pride myself on being a resonably good judge of if someone is less that forthright, and in this instance, I have to say Roger you need to tell the truth, first about your real dealings with McNamee, and now with McCreedy.

Clemens basically makes a statement to the newpaper saying he is sorry for his personal mistakes. ROGER BE A MAN, STEP UP TO A MICROPHONE AND APOLOGIZE! You have not one tenth the character of Joe Namath. At least Joe Willie, and Mickey Mantle admitted their problems with alcohol, and that fueled their bad decisions. What is your excuse? Oh I know, being arrogant.

Marvin Harrison is now the subject of much speculation and yet another player, Cedric Benson is arrested. Another Falcon is arrested over the weekend. A punter at UT has more alcohol related issues than any patient ever seen at the Betty Ford Clinic, and yet it takes what seems like an eternity for him to receive any punishment from Fulmer.

We don't have to rehash the Michael Vick incident, but as I said on the show right after the draft, it was a wasted pick. there were questions coming out of college about Vick's character, and guess what, the Falcons are now no better than they were in 1966 when the franchise began. In the last few years its obvious that characted has not mattered in professional sports. For that matter, has it really mattered in high school or college sports? Instances we all can recite chapter and verse, show that if you win, character does not matter.

WOULD LOMBARDI HAVE TOLERATED PAC MAN? Would he have put of with the crap LSU's Coach Miles had to endure before finally ridding himself of the cancer of Perrilloux.
I thought the Cowboy's had finally gotten the days of the White House behind them, but to get Pacman Jones? Jerry what are you doing?

Athletes, no matter what you think, YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL. There are young boys and girls that look up to you, and try to immulate you. YOU ARE OBLIGATED to act in way to not bring shame to the children that have been named after you. Owners, administration, and coaches, yes you are there to win games, but you also have an obligation to not look the other way, when you have a player acting with less than honorable character.

For every Pacman, there are Pat Tillman's, LT's, Pooh Dunn's, John Smoltz's, Tom Glavine's, and an example locally, Daniel and Josh Bullocks, and B.J. Coleman. They all have made a point to live there lives in a way that will not bring anything but respect and honor to them, their teams, and their families.

One final note, congratulations to the UTC softball team on capturing yet another conference championship. It was indeed an honor to be their public address announcer this season, and thanks to Scott Herpst for covering those games that I was unable to work. We gave a lot to look forward to the next few years from the Lady Mocs.

mocsvoice@peoplepc.com

COCA-COLA SOFTBALL TOP TEN

2008-05-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

1 GPS 26-4 (1)
2 Ooltewah 35-3 (2)
3 Walker Valley 22-7 (6)
4 Rhea County 21-7 (3)
5 Soddy Daisy 20-10 (5)
6 Hixson 13-4 (4)
7 Grace 20-4 (7)
8 Meigs County 24-7 (8)
9 Chatt. Christian 15-11 (9)
10 Baylor 12-10 (10)

COCA-COLA SOFTBALL TOP 10 (MIDWEEK RATINGS)

2008-04-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

It is time for the midweek Top Ten. I have caught some flack over the drop of Ooltewah from the top spot, comments such as "they are ranked in the top 25 in the nation you are an idiot", but as I said you MUST win your own tournament to remain number one. GSP stepped up took the Lady Owl championship, and deserve the top spot.

Two huge games have been played this week, first GPS and Soddy Daisy on Wednesday, and GPS and Hixson earlier today. The Bruisers defeated the Trojans 4-0 behind the pitching of Megan Wagner, and once again Jackie Baird’s bat led the way for GPS. Interesting note, that since the return of Amy Campbell GPS is unbeaten. Tonight GPS defeated Hixson 9-0, Jackie Baird was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI's. Again, Megan Wagner tosses a shutout. Hixson needed to rebound from the loss earlier this week to Baylor, and GPS is as HHH says "that dang good". The season is winding down, and district tournaments are just around the corner.

Can Ooltewah finally remove the stranglehold that Soddy Daisy has had on championships? Who will emerge from the battles between Rhea County and Walker Valley? Can Meigs County right the ship after the loss to Boyd? Will Grace dominate Class A?

One thing is certain, GPS is the best team in town.

TOP TEN (LAST RANKING)

1 GPS (1)
2 OOLTEWAH (3)
3 HIXSON (2)
4 RHEA COUNTY (5)
5 SODDY DAISY (4)
6 WALKER VALLEY (6)
7 GRACE (8)
8 MEIGS COUNTY (7)
9 BAYLOR (NR)
10 WHITWELL (10)

Softball Top Ten

2008-04-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

The weekend led to some major changes in the Top Ten. Ooltewah fresh off a victory over Soddy Daisy (their first in EIGHT years), hosted their annual tournament this past weekend. When the dust settled, the team that started the season in the top spot has returned, thanks to a very impressive win over Father Ryan which had ousted the host Owls. In order to remain in the role of leader, you have to win the tournament you host, and the Owls did not accomplish that.

Hixson still stands with only one loss, however a game with GPS, that could have vaulted the Wildcats to the top spot was cancelled due to inclement weather. Coach Tate has done an outstanding job, and continues to hold on to number two.

Soddy Daisy fell to Ooltewah, and then after a good first day in the weekend tournament hosted by the Owls, stumbled on day two. The Trojans remain at number four, and are still a force to be reckoned with in the post season. Never count out a Clifford Kirk coached club.

Rhea County, Walker Valley, and Meigs County continue to win. Very quietly Grace is putting together an outstanding season, and could contend in Class A. Central returns to the top ten, reaching the silver division finals at Ooltewah. They return after making an appearance in the silver division finals in the Ooltewah tournament. Baylor drops to number ten replacing Whitwell. The Red Raiders are still capable and although barely over the .500 mark, can still beat the majority of the teams in the area.

SOFTBALL TOP 10

1 GPS
2 HIXSON
3 OOLTEWAH
4 SODDY DAISY
5 RHEA COUNTY
6 WALKER VALLEY
7 MEIGS COUNTY
8 GRACE
9 CENTRAL
10 WHITWELL

Midweek Softball Top Ten

2008-04-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

There have been some changes since the Coca-Cola Softball Top 10 was announced on Saturday night’s show. Ooltewah, which had dropped from the top spot went to Knoxville, and wiped out the competition in a weekend tournament, and returns to the top spot, and looks like they could still be there come Saturday night.

The Owls are now 24-2 on the season, and the loss to Soddy Daisy is forgotten. Coach Norma Nelson’s squad is the best in town right now that was proven by the big weekend in Ktown.

Hixson remains a strong number two and could this be the year that a non Clifford Kirk Wildcat team brings home the gold from Spring Fling?

GPS moves up to number 3. When the season started everyone though this would be the best in town, and they still could be. Injuries took their toll on the Bruisers, but they have bounced back and are still the team to beat in Division II..

Rhea topped Walker Valley in a district showdown yesterday, but they are still two of the better teams in the area.

Meigs has cooled off after an extremely hot start, but the competition in the district is weak this year.

Here is the mid-week Top Ten.

1 Ooltewah
2 Hixson
3 GPS
4 Soddy Daisy
5 Rhea County
6 Walker Valley
7 Meigs County
8 Grace
9 Baylor
10 Whitwell

Softball Top Ten

2008-04-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

A little late this week..but this is your Softball Top Ten. The season is in full swing now and over the next two weeks you will receive an updated rating twice a week.

! Ooltewah
2 GPS
3 Hixson
4 Soddy Daisy
5 Rhea County
6 Central
7 Baylor
8 Meigs County
9 Walker Valley
10 Bradley Central

WHO IS THE BEST COLLEGE HOOPSTER ?

2008-03-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

March Madness is right around the corner, and of course ESPN is counting down their top college players of all time. Its time now for the real listing of the top five, and before I get started here are the guidelines. There is only one.

If the player left school early he is DISQUALIFIED. You are going to college to learn and not as a minor league stop on the way to the NBA. To coin a phrase, that being said, here is the real list.

5 – Oscar Robertson - University of CIncinatti

Until the arrival of the number one on this list, he was the measuring stick for college basketball. Take your Wilts, Russells, Mikans, etc. and they do not match the impact that Big O had on intercollegiate hoops.

4 – David Thompson - North Carolina State

He was “showtime” before Magic, and Jordan before Jordan . Watch the highlights and you will see things that neither of those or even Dr. J could do. He was the catalyst for the true arrival of NC State. They didn't call him "skywalker" for nothing.

3 – Bill Walton - UCLA

No player in history dominated a championship game more that Walton did when the Bruins faced Memphis State . He was 21 of 22 with 44 points in the game. Bill refined the post position, and with all due respect to Shaq, he could not hold Walton’s jock strap.

2 – Lew Alcindor aka Kareem Abdul Jabbar - UCLA

This IS the best center to ever play the game. He was Alcindor at UCLA, and dominated the position like none before or after. His days with the Bruins are remarkable, and it was in the turbulent 60's but despite all the distractions of Los Angeles, he remained focused. He IS the greatest player in NBA history, when his Airness unretires and breaks the career points mark set by Jabbar then he can lay claim, but until then Michael Jordan fans SHUT UP. Jabbar is the BEST.

1 – Pete Maravich - LSU

“Pistol Pete” has the only unbreakable record in sports. The most points in college basketball 3, 667. Being that the NCAA is a now “minor league” for the NBA nobody will ever break that mark. If you never saw Maravich play for LSU, I feel sorry for ya. He did things that had never been seen before. His normal jumper would be an NBA three pointer now. His ball handling and passing have no peer. Amazing that he was able to do this with a defective heart which led to his premature death. Pete has no equal.

Old School is officically over

2008-02-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

Last week Bobby Knight called it a career, and for those of us that still believe discipline and dedication drives success, it is the end of an era. He was forced out by a pathetic excuse of an AD at Indiana, he landed at Texas Tech and took a school that did not even know what a basketball was and turned it into a winner. He finally got to leave the game on his terms and with satisfaction in knowing he has more victories than any coach in history.

It is with a sad touch of poetic justice that now the University of Indiana is facing NCAA sanctions, for a coach doing things the wrong way. Never once in Knight’s career did the powers that be in Kansas City even have a sniff of things not being on the up and up. He was forced to leave because he was on the wrong side of political correctness and a false perception that he was an embarrassment to the school. Now which is the bigger shame, a temper which Knight has, or CHEATING like we know they are doing now.

A graduation rate that is only rivaled by Saint Pat in Knoxville, a parent knew that if their son went to play for Knight, not only would he become a man, but he would also get his degree. Players did go to class, did not get caught with drugs, did not get DUI charges, or so many other problems that now plague many other programs. Phil Fulmer should be half the coach that Bobby Knight has been. You would not see the garbage going on with the football team if he were.

Bobby is old school, and no matter how you slice it, his type of hard nosed approach is what is needed today, a coach that will not tolerate bad behavior, that will make sure you are in class, and not out embarrassing the school. He would not take players that were not dedicated to their studies. If your desire was to only play a year or two and turn pro, then you did not belong with Bobby Knight. Isaiah Thomas notwithstanding, his players have turned out to be men of great moral character with no hint of scandal.

His players look upon him with the same reverence that was once only reserved for Bear Bryant. Saint Pat’s past and present athletes do not speak of her in terms that former Army, Indiana, and Texas Tech players use for Knight. The ultimate tribute to the coach could be in the way Coach K has led the Duke program. Knight was his mentor, and the similarities are easy to see. The outward appearance is different but the nuts and bolts of how to run a basketball program are the same, and Coach K was taught by the best.

I said it twenty years ago and I will say it today with the same fervor. If my son were a talented high school hoops star I would want him to play for Bobby Knight. I would know that my son would be a better man for the experience and guidance of a true teacher of the game, and a teacher of life.

College sports will never be the same. Thank you General.

Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio?

2008-02-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

Today I listened with anticipation to the Congressional hearings with Roger Clemens. Most of the talking heads have said that Roger buried himself today with his testimony. I think they are saying that because they want to see another icon crumbled. The greatest pitcher perhaps of all time reduced to a regular Joe Schmo. The so-called "sports journalists" are now in heaven.

I long for the old days, when what the athlete did off the field was not printed in newspapers, or talked about on television. We keep saying athletes are role models, but yet the fifth estate longs to knock them down.

The Yankees of Mick, Whitey, Billy all loved to drink. In later years Mick talked about being hungover, but yet it was not need for a congressional investigation. It was not plastered all over the news about their exploits. Sure, we all knew Joe Namath was a ladies man, but yet, you never heard alot of details in the news. Back then, I think reporters did not take pleasure in tearing down a hero. Today, there are some that take pleasure in bringing down a celebrity of any kind.

Jim Bouton wrote of the exploits of the Bronx Zoo, but yet none of them had to endure the scrutiny that Clemons did today.

I remember all I have read about Lou Gehrig, and one thing stands out he always wanted his private life private, but in today's world, he would have been fair game for any reporter with an axe to grind.

Its common knowledge that Bear Bryant loved a drink or two, but was it plastered on tv, if he had a little too much to drink one night? I could care less, and the men that played for him feel the same way.

Steve Barthowski was Atlanta's answer to Joe Namath, but did you see his escapades all over the news? NO ! Was it really news that Chipper Jones fathered a child with a Hooter's girl? NO!

Politics are the same in a way, were all of JFK's affairs news for the tabloids? It was kept quiet, and in a naive sort of way, it should have been. Did it really matter in the grand scheme of things? It was an unspoken code among sports writers, that if it really did not matter, we dont print it. Oh I wish those days were back.

Kids arent allowed to have heroes any longer. It seems that the job of of many in sports journalism is to bring them down.

Jocks took pills to cure a hangover, or cope with a late night of partying. Football players took shots to kill the pain of injury. How can anyone forget the night that Willis Reed took cortizone injections in both knees so he could play in the NBA finals. If Reed did that now, he would be dragged in front of congress.

I shake my head and think of the old line in a Simon and Garfunkle song; "where have you gone Joe Dimaggio", but then again if he were around now, he would be dragged in front of congress about his excessive caffiene use.

UTC Inks 22 On National Signing Day

2008-02-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

National Signing Day in Chattanooga started off with severeweather and ended in bright sunshine.

Two hundred plus Chattanooga football faithful gathered at the Fox and Hound restaurant to celebrate the newest additions to Rodney Allison 's Mocs.

"We addressed just about every need we had" said Allison .

The Mocs signed 22 players, five coming from junior colleges in California , two from juco's in Mississippi , two from Georgia Military College andthe remainder from high schools throughout the south.

"I will do everything I can to make this program successful in 2008, but with this recruiting class we also planned for success down the road" addedAllison .

Two of the signees included quarterbacks Jare Gault , a 6-3 220-pound signal caller from East Mississippi Junior College and Mike McDonald , a 6-1 210-pounder from Glendale (CA) Community College.

Allison said "we wanted to make sure we were set at the quarterback position and that they could throw, especially from the spread formation."

Academically the class is solid with an average GPA of 3.2 and average SAT over 1,000.

Five of the players signed are already on campus and attending classes,and will take part in spring practice.

Chattanooga area players signing grants, included offensive linemenAdam Miller and Dustin Tate from Northwest Whitfield High in Tunnel Hill , Ga.

The 2008 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Kicker of the Year, MikeHammons of Polk County High in Benton , Tn. will be a needed addition tothe kicking game.

Defensive Coordinator David Bibee said he's happy with the defensive players the Mocs signed.

" Chris Blanson ( Laney Community College in California ) is an outstandingdefensive back" said Bibee. "We addressed our needs by adding depth defensively. When I'm looking at a player the first thing you want to see is if they are athletic and physical and that's what we found in the defensive players.

Running backs Coach Aaron Harris was excited about the addtion of J. J. Jackson from Walton High School in Marietta, GA.

"He improves our running game by having someone that get around the corner" Harris said.

The Mocs finished 2-9 last season, but fans saw the improvement. Chattanooga defeated Georgia Southern on the road and played Arkansas tough as they held Darrin McFadden to one of his lowest statistical games of the season.

For more info and bios on each player go to www.tennfb.com

FLIPPER STANDS ALONE

2008-02-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

The Pats lost, and with the defeat went their chance at immortality. Now the 1973 Dolphins stand alone as the greatest single season team in history.

You can say what you will, but the fact they were a perfect 17-0 eliminates any argument that another team has had a better season. The Pats lost the chance, and Don Shula’s team still remains on top.

Say what you will about the 1985 Bears, or any other team for that matter. The fact remains that the Dolphins FINISHED the job and won the Super Bowl. That is all that matters, and no one has to wonder if will ever happen again. I say NO NO NO !!!!

What it does say to me, is that no matter how you slice it, the Pats pulled off the greatest choke job in the history of sports. You scored the what should have been the winning TD, but you defense crumbled until the pressure. Greg Norman at the Masters was s pretty good gag job, but this years Super Bowl will not be topped. The Pats crumbled like a house of cards and could not win the one that mattered most.

Champagne flowed in Florida when pretty boy Tom Brady was sacked again to seal the fate of the over-rated Pats. When a team can use a back up QB and still run the table like the Dolphins did, that shows just how great that team was, and how their undefeated season will NEVER repeat NEVER be duplicated. The Pats went 18-1, but guess what they got their tails handed to them by a BETTER team. The Dolphins remain alone on the top of the heap, and will never be knocked off.

Now everyone else say along with me:

THE FISH ARE THE KINGS OF THE WORLD !

NOTHING BETTER TO DO

2008-02-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

Much is being made of the “Spygate” episode, in fact Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is calling for a Senate investigation of the matter. First the steroid problem in baseball, then the WWE, and now the Pats stealing signs. Congress could you please work on the real problems in the country, and stay out of sports.

Should there be a retroactive investigation of Mickey Mantle’s abuse of alcohol, or Hank Aarons smoking in the dugout during his playing career? An inquiry of all the things that Jim Bouton exposed in his book "Ball Four". How about NASCAR? Only a fraction of the cheating is caught. Where is the investigation by Congress? What is the big deal with the Pats, they got caught and punished, and that should end the discussion, now the Senate wants to get involved, and I can’t figure out why.

I don’t think that any laws were violated, so why all the noise for a Senate investigation?
They (the Senate) should be questioning why gas prices are so high yet the oil company profits are their largest in history. Investigate, the drug companies, and health insurance companies, not whether the Pats filmed opponents practice sessions in order to steal their signals.

Sign stealing in all sports has been going on since the beginning, It is done in baseball whenever possible, and been done for years in football, but just because the Pats went high-tech with their approach does not justify a government investigation.

Come on gentleman, find something important to do.

WHAT ARE WE WAITIN FER?????

2008-01-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

There is a scene in Rocky II, where YO Adriane is lying in her hospital bed while the bewildered Rocky contemplates not fighting Apollo in the rematch, suddenly the new mother tells Rocky, “Win” and the grumpy old manager Mickey yells “What are we waitin fer!”. Same can be said in the replacement of a football coach.

Soddy Daisy recently filled the vacant Head Coach position with E.K. Slaughter. Great hire, for a young man who has paid his dues, and deserves the chance to lead a program back to the top of the region. Tom Weathers leaves and no time is wasted in finding a replacement.

Tim James leaves to become the first coach at the new Heritage High School in Catoosa County. It is now the end of January and a replacement has not been hired, when the obvious is right under their collective noses. He led Ridgeland to a Region 7AAAA co-championship and four consecutive trips to the Georgia playoffs. To use a bad cliché, his blood runs orange. The man is Jimmy Starling.

Why is it taking so long to do the obvious, and more importantly the right thing? Jimmy should have been offered the job immediately. There is a team of good young men that need to know who their next leader will be, and they would all tell you they want Starling to be the next coach. So why the delay?

A man that poured his heart and soul into the Panther program and was unceremoniously told his services were no longer required went back home to East Ridge, and now waits, wanting a job at a place that is so close to his heart. He should not even have to ask to be considered, it should be a no-brainer he is the only logical choice.

Jimmy Starling has given his life to East Ridge High School, isn’t it time the same love and loyalty is returned? Stop stalling and give Jimmy Starling the job!

What are they waitin fer !!!!!

Patriot Fans...GIVE IT A REST

2008-01-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

The Super Bowl is two weeks away, and New England is one victory from the greatest season in NFL history. However, this begs the question, do the Patriots belong in the elite franchises or programs in sports history? Are their accomplishments comparable to those of the Yankees, Celtics, or Canadians who are considered the greatest of all professional sports franchises? Is there an NFL team that does belong among the best in sports history?

The closest the NFL has would have to be the Green Bay Packers, or the Chicago Bears. Sure there were no Super Bowls back in the Day, but would not these two actually be the only ones to be considered? Sure you might want to include the Cowboys, but they have only been around half as long as the other two, and in my mind they would be the only other one to be considered.

The Dolphins, Steelers, and 49ers do not have the consistent tradition of winning. More often than not these three have had more losing seasons than winning. The Steelers were the Tampa Bay Bucs from the inception of the league until the arrival of Chuck Noll. Had Bill Walsh not found his heart in San Francisco , they would still be the laughing stock of the league. Don Shula had the perfect season, but since that time the Dolphins have been mediocre at best.

That leaves the Cowboys, under Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, they won Super Bowls. Established in 1960 they became winners very quickly, but also gained a reputation of choke artists in the big game for many, many years, before winning their first championship. They have had their chances to return to the glory days, but have not quite made it yet.

Where does this leave the Pats? For those of you that don’t remember they were part of the AFL, the equivalent to the USFL for a few years. They did make a Super Bowl appearance and were TROUNCED by DA BEARS. Do four Super Bowls in seven years put them among the elite in history?

Has hades frozen over yet?

Do donkeys fly?

The answer is a resounding NO, not just NO but heck NO!

When they the history of championships such as the Yankees or Celtics, and decades long tradition of winning, call me, then I might consider it.

The Best Sports Movies Ever

2008-01-21T16:35:00.000-08:00

Today I saw where TBS is airing the remake of "The Longest Yard" this weekend. I could not help be laugh, as I never had or never will have the desire to see a classic dark comedy (perhaps Burt Reynolds finest performance) turned into an Adam Sandler yuck fest. Sandler should be clotheslined for general principle. It did give me pause to wonder what are the ten best sports movies I have ever seen, and wow it was a taunting task, but when all is said and done, here are the ten best.
10. North Dallas Forty 1974 - This film starring Nick Nolte and Mack Davis is a not even a veiled attempt to portray life with the belvoed Dallas Cowboys in their glory days of Tom Landry. Nothing is left to the imagination, and if doesn't make you think that Spygate is small potatoes, then I must be crazy.
9. The Longest Yard 1974 - Burt Reynolds best performance and a great supporting cast in a dark comedy about prison life, and how a football game made them feel like men again. Adam Sandler GO AWAY !!
8. Cinderella Man 2005 - Ron Howards epic of Jim Braddock and his rise from welfare recepient to Heavyweight Champion of the world.
7. Hoosiers 1986 - Gene Hackman and the story of little Hickory High School and their march to the Indiana State Basketball champtionship.
6. Slap Shot 1977 - Paul Newman and the Hanson Brothers ENOUGH SAID !
5. Caddyshack 1980 - The best movie about golf ever, just ask Tiger.
4. Raging Bull 1980 - Robert DiNiro as Jake LaMotta. This is widely regarded as the most accurate boxing film ever made.
3. Pride of the Yankees 1942 - Unless you have seen this movie you cant call yourself a baseball fan. Gary Cooper's portrayal of Lou Gehrig is still moving, I consider myself lucky for having seen it.
2. Bull Durham 1988 - This is life in the minor league. Kevin Costner give what is probably the best performance of his career. Remember roses to the front big guy.
and the best of the best is:
Rocky 1976 - This is the greatest underdog of them all, who regains his pride and dignity to become a hero to all. Not to mention it was the Oscar winner as Best Picture.
Well, thats the list. Tell me where I am wrong. I might agree, then again I might not.