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Them Doggone Refs!!

November 8, 2009

You know it's bad when Bernie Madoff feels sorry for a collection of folks.  Yes, it appears someone, or more correctly---a group of someones, is more loathed and despised by a faction of the country more than the bilker of millions.  Ask college football fans from Fayetteville to Nashville to Athens to Gainesville to now, Baton Rouge their opinion of SEC Referee's.  Just make sure you have your Kevlar on and a canister of pepper spray nearby.

Last night in Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium, Moe, Larry, Curly, Jethroj Bodine, Maxwell Smart, Paula Abdul and Jim Kramer wore the striped shirts, the whistles, the nifty white knickers, black adidas... everything associated with being an official.  LSU fans will tell you, the crew also had that intangible characteristic that makes an officiating crew an SEC Crew.  A rock-solid, easy to grip screwdriver.

With Alabama trying to salt away the game, leading 21-15 with nearly seven minutes to play, Tide quarterback Greg McElroy rolled right. He cocked his throwing arm. He fired a bullet toward Julio Jones near the Tigers sideline.  A funny thing happened to that piercing pigskin---LSU cornerback, Patrick Petrson interrupted it's scheduled flight, picking off the pass before hurtling into the awaiting arms of his joyous teammates. 

Wait. Just. One. Dog-nabbed minute. Here comes Jethro from ten yards downfield. Paula is sprinting over from upfield.  They collaborate.  Except they would use a simpler term, like... meet.  Quick discussion... and... "incomplete" is the signal.  Really? Looked to me, from my angle down the sideline just beyond the LSU end zone, that Peterson placed both feet inbounds and had control of the ball before going out of bounds. To the replay booth the call would go.  A photog buddy, Bobby-O of WGNO started pushing buttons on his camera.  Next thing we know, we are huddling around Bobby O's color LCD display we has stopped the video at the instant Peterson made the catch. Lo and behold, this simple assemblage of men---commonly referred to as "photogs"---was able to surmise that Peterson had posssession of the ball and both feet inbounds.  This was so clear to me that I started to make the trek to the other end of the field in anticipation of LSU's newfound possession.  Surely, this wouldn't take long, since we were able to deduce the outcome in a matter of seconds.  Unfortunately for the Tigers and their fans, it DIDN'T take long enough. The replay official, who obviously stayed someplace other than a Holiday Inn Express the night before, deduced his cronies down on the field were absolutely, positively correct.

And with that decision, LSU's shot at coming back to win was gone.  As Les Miles said afterward, the Tigers would still have had 69 yards to navigate in order to produce a go-ahead touchdown---but he and his team would have welcomed that chance. 

After the game, while editing the pieces we fed back to KTBS (thanks to our friends at WWL-TV), my shot of the play also clearly indicated Peterson made a catch, had both feet inbounds and regained possession while going out of bounds.  Peterson and defensive teammate Kelvin Sheppard echoed similar sentiments in the cramped interview room 30 minutes after the game... 'couldn't turn back time,' and 'what's done is done.'

Isn't it a shame, for several SEC teams this season, that Father Time would have made a better back judge than the gents trotted out each and every Saturday by the conference?

#27 for the Bronx Bombers

November 5, 2009

The Yankees win another World Series last night, winning game six against the Phillies.... first of all I think it's a shame when the World Series is clinched before game seven - I don't care who's playing. The Yankees hadn't won the title in what? 9 years? Something like that... and the Phillies won last year, I don't really care for either team (the Braves and the Rangers are sitting at home watching on the tv just like me) but I really got heated when A-Rod was being interviewed. Every single interview it was like, "Poor Alex, he's been through so much this year.... and he overcame it all to win the World Series." He took performance enhancing drugs! Not poor Alex! He choose to do it and it's cheating. Then he lied to our faces about it... and now, not even a year later he's still making millions and is blown up to be this baseball God and everyone is choosing to forget he's a cheater. If I hear poor A-Rod one more time I'm boycotting baseball. It's ridiculous - it sends all these kids the message that if you cheat, you'll get a slap on the wrist, but it will pay off inthe long run! Am I the only person that is bothered by this?

How about Brandon Spikes? The Florida player who was caught on film trying to poke a Georgia players eyes through his facemask? Unbelievable - kids ESPN has cameras EVERYWHERE... if you're going to do that make sure you're on the bottom of the pile and out of view! What's even more incredulous is Urban Meyer's punishment - 1/2 a game suspension?! Really? Florida is playing Vandy this Saturday, not Texas or Alabama - 1/2 a game, c'mon. Urban went back and changed it to a whole game when the rest of the world reacted the way I did! Unbelieveable - what is this world coming to?

I Cut Through The BCS Mess

November 1, 2009

Okay... time to get down to the nitty-gritty regarding the BCS.  Florida is the overwhelming number one team in the current BCS standings released today (Sunday, November 1st).  Texas is second, followed by Alabama, Iowa, Cincinnati, TCU, Boise State, Oregon and LSU to make up the top 9 teams.  BCS "experts" generally agree LSU and Oregon are the only two "one-loss" teams with a chance to advance far enough in the standings to play for all the marbles.

The Tim Fletcher Research Group (me) spent a little time this evening going over the Nice Nine.  Here are the things that stick out to me:

• Florida has it EASY the rest of the way
• Boise State and TCU have no business in the conversation based on their opponents' records and the strength of their remaining schedule
• Iowa and Oregon are the only teams to be featured among the top four in opponents records thus far and their upcoming opponents records. That's why the computer's love the Hawkeyes and the Ducks
• Iowa, Alabama and LSU have the most to gain over the final stretch based on the records of their upcoming opponents. 

Here are my "FINDINGS"... let me know what you think in the comments...

BCS        Team                     SS          Remaining

1.            Florida                  .579        .412

2.            Texas                    .538        .548

3.            Alabama              .492        .654

4.            Iowa                      .582        .630

5.            Cincinnati            .508        .594

6.            TCU                        .492        .469

7.            Boise State         .411        .476

8.            Oregon                 .569        .613

9.            LSU                        .493        .625

Toughest Schedule Thus Far:

1.            Iowa                      .582

2.            Florida                  .579

3.            Oregon                 .569

4.            Texas                    .538

5.            Cincinnati            .508

6.            LSU                        .493

T7.          Alabama              .492

T7.          TCU                        .492

9.            Boise State         .411

Toughest Remaining Schedule

1.            Alabama              .654

2.            Iowa                      .630

3.            LSU                        .625

4.            Oregon                 .613

5.            Cincinnati            .594

6.            Texas                    .548

7.            Boise State         .476       

8.            TCU                        .469

9.            Florida                  .412

Too Much, Too Soon For Saints?

October 28, 2009

Everywhere you look, it's Saints This, Saints That.  A 6-0 start will bring attention.  An undefeated season at this stage with a fourteen points per game point differential and the highest octane offense in the league leading the charge attracts a national spotlight. 

The last time the Saints were in this position, it had more to do with helping a city heal following the wrath of Hurricane Katrina more than the team's success.  The first season with Drew Brees running the show was a thrill ride for the hearty crew of Saints fans... but this go-round? Good grief.  It's almost impossible to find something out of order in Payton's Place.  Defense? Much improved, an asset as opposed to a liability. Special teams? Frank Beamer still is the king of Special Teams but the Saints are faring quite well in all aspects of the kicking game.  Offense? Child, please.  When Reggie Bush accepts and apparently, relishes, his status as a role player---then you have a well-oiled machine with no squeaky wheels.

So. Everything is just peachy, right? Yeah... it is. And that's worrisome.  There is such a thing of too much, too soon.  The attention.  The adulation.  The PRESSURE. Will it take its' toll on this team as it has so many others who have made it this far into a season without a blemish?  Time will tell---but even the most optimistic Saints fan completely expects something dire to happen soon. Such is the life.

Top Sport Topics

October 27, 2009

The "Rich Just Got Richer" is what Sports Illustrated's magazine reads this week - the picture is of LeBron James and Shaq -- man I can't wait for basketball season, (which lucky for me, starts right now!!!) If the Lakers (Kobe and Ron Artest) or the Cavs don't win the 2010 NBA Finals check hell for ice.

There are three men in custody in connection with the UCONN stabing, Saturday October 24th. One of them, John William Lomax III is charged with the murder of Jasper Howard. None of the three men were students at Connecticut.... which is weird because Jazz was stabbed on-campus.....

The Redskins lost more than a "W" to the Eagles last nigth. Washington's argueably best player, TE Chris Cooley was injured last night. He'll be out at least four weeks with a broke bone in his ankle. Cooley has a pretty funny website with a pretty big following - latey he's been criticized for it --- the complainents were how could he possibly have time to focus on football and blog?! Well, now he has a lot of free time on his hands... and the Redskins will continue to lose games...

The Boston Celtics will have to play without Big Baby Davis for a few weeks... Davis had to undergo surgery on his thumb. He broke it during an altercation/fight with a childhood friend two days before the Celtics tip off... the fight occured in an SUV.. in motion. Wow, Wreckless driving these days have heavier fines then a personal foul when the lane is an expressway lane....

Sam Bradford Decision Coming Wednesday

October 20, 2009

On a day when we learn NSU starting quarterback, senior John Hundley is done for the year after having surgery on his fractured right thumb Monday night... AND Cincinnati Bearkat quarterback, John Pike practices ONE DAY after having a plate in his forearm "shifted back into position..." we also find out Sam Bradford will let the world know his intentions for next season on Wednesday.  Hmmmm... let's see... as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford wins the Heisman.  He was eligible for the NFL draft this past April but chose to return for a shot at a national championship and a second Heisman.  One major shoulder injury (and an aggrivation of said injury) later, Bradford will let us know if he's coming back for his senior season OR take his bruised and battered shoulder to the NFL next year. 

Call me realistic---but I believe Bradford will be cashing checks next Fall instead of worrying about how much his balance is on his Sooner Dining Hall card. Why risk it? He's already flirted with fire once and gotten toasted---avoid a total broiling by bolting, Sam.

Basketball Season is Underway

October 19, 2009

The third Saturday in October... that date doesn't mean much to the average person, but for a few thousand student athletes it's day one of a six-month season. As a former collegiate basketball player, I still have nightmares around this time of year. It's not that I didn't love playing ball, or the fact that pre-season (morning runs, 4-1s with the coach, heavy weights) was over, it was the start of 3-hour practices everyday (which last a month)! UGH! Do you have any idea how many miles you run in a three hour practice? Or how many basketball drills there actually are out there? Or how sore you are for the first few weeks - ice bathes are mandatory for the entire team after every practice for weeks! Or the fact that curfew checks ALSO begin... not too much fun when it's Halloween and you're supposed to be home by midnight...... Ha!

But the torture doesn't last long. After that first month.... the season begins and that's when the fun starts. Practices are chopped to about an hour and a half - an hour of your teams stuff and 30 minutes scouting the opponent....

But the harder you work NOW the longer you play in MARCH! Let the games begin!

Hogs Not Satisfied With SEC Wording

October 19, 2009

Four horrible calls in the Arkansas-Florida game were sent to the SEC Head of Officials for further review.  The league released an official statement today... much to Bobby Petrino's chagrin. The Head Hog truly feels his team deserved a better fate.

While I truly understand Petrino and the Razorbacks' anger... those were terrible calls by the same crew that botched a pair of calls in the LSU-Georgia game... if Arkansas doesn't stop wasting their time on what happened two days ago, that date this Saturday morning with old coach, Houston Nutt and Ole Miss will be a disaster.  The calls aren't going to be reversed. The score will remain the same.  The records of both Florida and Arkansas will not be changed. 

Still... for many, it's just more fuel for the fire of "dis-like-ability" of the Gators and their fans.

They Keep Raising The Bar

October 18, 2009

Just when the Saints seemingly can't raise their fans expectations any higher, they go out and absolutely destroy the previously unbeaten New York Giants, 48-27.  That top-ranked Giants defense? Uh... how about 500 yards in total offense by the Saints (until Brunell lost 7 yards)? How about Drew Brees throwing four touchdown passes? They look like world beaters---or at least, NFC South Beaters and serious Super Bowl Contenders.

What's Wrong With The Tigers?

October 13, 2009

Three days later, I'm still confused on what I witnessed Saturday night in Death Valley.  Are the LSU Tigers just not that good? Is that even a consideration? It has to be at this point, doesn't it? Consider the following facts:

LSU is currently ranked 109th in Total Offense among the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)teams.  109th.  Now, that number would be low even if the Tigers faced a top-ranked defense, like Florida's #1 squad, each and every Saturday.  But that is far from reality.  Shall we inspect the numbers?

1. Washington (Defense Rank: 106)
2. Vanderbilt (22)
3. UL-Lafayette (92)
4. Miss. State (71)
5. Georgia (75)
6. Florida (1)

The best defense the Tigers have faced outside of Florida is Vanderbilt's twenty-second ranked crew.  LSU has faced four defenses ranked 71st or below---and have only the 109th best offense to show for it.

However---as sad as that sounds, the defense is barely above average midway through the season.  John Chavis' bayou bengals are ranked 40th in total defense---a number that has improved almost week to week.  Again, though---the Tigers aren't exactly facing the Dan Fouts led Chargers here.  Inside the numbers we go:

1. Washington (Offense Ranked: 74)
2. Vanderbilt (87)
3. UL-Lafayette (98)
4. Miss. State (44)
5. Georgia (97)
6. Florida (6)

To me, these are scary numbers.  No question that LSU is struggling---and that's before Gus Malzahn and Auburn get a crack at the Tigers defense; before Nick Saban's 'Bama defense clamps down on the LSU Offense; before Ole Miss possibly catches lightning in a bottle and Jevan Snead regains his form from 2008; and before Arkansas brings the Ryan Mallett experience to Tiger Stadium.

It's time to either improve, LSU, or post numbers not worthy of an SEC championship caliber team---or even a top 25 team to be honest.

Superdome - One of the Top Atmosphere's in the League

October 5, 2009

NOLA residents LOVE their Saints! So, fan support is a given week in and week out (Season ticket holders even made the trip downtown when Detroit came to play in Week 1).

Atmosphere was a big topic of conversation before the big Saints-Jets match up this week. Some stat nerd did some serious research on New York Rookie Quarterback Mark Sanchez and realized he had NEVER played a football game in a dome before. So Head Coach Sean Payton challenged the New Orleans fan base, asking everyone to come to the game, and be as loud as possible. The fans responded! Heck, it's loud when the Saints are 8-8, let alone on the verge of a 4-0 start.

It was evident the atmosphere effected the young buck under center. It was hard enough to call a play, let alone audible. I'll even chalk up his two turnovers to lack of concentration due to a deafening roar in the Superdome .... But I'm not so sure this tactic will even phase Veteran, Super Bowl QB Eli Manning in two weeks!

Props for the Punter?

October 5, 2009

New Orleans Veteran Safety Darren Sharper has been stellar in his first four games. He tied a club record in Week 2 when he returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown against the Eagles. Today, Sharper had 2 interceptions, setting a new record on his first pick when he returned it 99 yards for the score. So..... it was amusing to me when this STAR player gave a shout out to the club's Rookie Punter Thomas Morstead. Sharper commented on the length of Morstead's punts, along with his hang time and placement ability.

Nice. It's rare to find a team balanced in all three phases.... it's even more unusual to find teams acknowledging they're only as good as their weakest link. So today I salute you --- Mr. Rookie, Former SMU Punter, who NOW is not just a nameless leg thanks to a veteran Shout-out.... You're check's in the mail Mr. Sharper. And if you were one of those people talking smack when the Saints drafted a PUNTER in the 6th round, well you should be ashamed of yourself.

Who Dat?!

October 4, 2009

It's week four and the New Orleans Saints are Undefeated! Who Dat thought?! They haven't had a 4-0 start since 1993. The Saints handed Rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets their first loss of the season. (Although I have to give Sanchez some props. He had a pick-six and a fumble but he kept battling as if he had already forgotten his mistakes. Mental toughness is a gift -- as an athlete, a short memory is key. He also threw a tackle when his interception was being returned for six.)

Sean Payton said before the game that turn-overs would be a major factor. Heading into the game New Orleans lead the league, having forced 9 turn-overs on the season to the Jets 7. The Saints added four more today - three interceptions and a fumble recovery, which accounted for 14 points. You take those points away and you have a tied ball game 10-10.

I think New Orleans sent a message to the rest of the league today. The Saints aren't just relying on the arm of Drew Brees anymore. In fact this was the second week in a row Brees didn't record a touchdown pass. New Orleans can throw the ball with the top teams in the league... and they have found a productive run game. When the offense is struggling, the defense has proved they'll rise to the challenge. The special teams unit looks good too, lead by Safety Chris Reis. That's a check in all three phases which is the key to usually success.

If you're a Saints fan, you may want to be on the safe side and clear your calendar for February. If you're one of those "one game at a time" fans, rest easy. With a bye-week, you have a whole week to relax and enjoy the big victory. But you better have you're game face back on before October 17th. The other New York team invaded the Superdome won't be sporting a rookie quarterback.....

Hogs Take Care Of Business

October 4, 2009

Texas A&M entered the inaugural Southwest Classic with the top-ranked offense (yardage produced per game), the sackiest defense in the NCAA and a goose-egg in the Loss column.  The Aggies head back to College Station with an offense that still produced over 450 yards, but over half of those yards came when the game had long been decided.  Mike Sherman's men tanked on defense, getting to Ryan Malllet only twice all night for a meager nine yards in losses.  And that goose egg is now cracked, courtesy of Arkansas' 47-19 distmantling of A&M.

After spotting the Aggies a 10-zip lead, the last seven coming on a Jerrod Johnson to Brandon Jackson 64 yard bomb and point after, Arkansas' offense went to work. On seven of their next ten possessions, the Razorbacks produced points.  Add in a Jerry Franklin 85 yard fumble return for a touchdown and the Hogs were scoring easier than Paris Hilton at a prison rodeo. The key to the Hogs offensive explosion was the play of the offensive line, which kept Mallett from bouncing off the rubber pellet base beneath the plastic grass of the Blue Stars home turf.  In addition, the larger Hogs also paved the way for a 163 yard rushing performance. 

Mallett enjoyed another stellar night under or five yards behind center, Seth Oxner (Monticello High School grad).  After starting the night oh-for-three with two sacks, the Texas High alum connected with Joe Adams for a 67 yard pickup on the Razorbacks fourth possession to get the drive started. It finished with an exclamation point, Broderick Green's 11 yard touchdown catch of a Mallett swing pass into the right flat. Mallett piled on from there---TD tosses to De'Anthony Curtis, Jarius Wright and Michael Smith plus a 62 yard touchdown gallop from Ronnie Wingo, Jr. was more than enough to subdue the Big XII and former Southwest Conference foe.

After a rough outing last week at Alabama, Mallett responded well to his next challenge. Arkansas head coach, Bobby Petrino noted after the game that his quarterback appeared ready to put the past behind him. "Well, the first thing he did was practice real well," Petrino saiad. "He had a great attitude all week long in practice. He’s a tremendous competitor, and it hurts when you lose a game and you feel like you don’t perform well. I was very proud of the way he reacted to that loss in practice all week long. That showed up tonight in the game."

Mallett, who finished with 271 yards through the air,said “It took a while to get settled in this game, but I have to give my hats off to the defense today. They played their butts off for us tonight and they are what kept us in the game.”

That same defense will be put to the test next week at home against unbeaten Auburn and their "wizardy" offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, who held the same post at Arkansas under Houston Nutt for one season two seasons ago.

LSU Continues to Squeak By

October 3, 2009

The Tigers did it again!!! 46 seconds left in the game and Charles Scott breaks free for a 33 yard touchdown to put LSU ahead. The Bayou Bengals held on for the Win against Georgia!

The tigers took home a "W" last Saturday with a goal line stand at the end of the game against Mississippi State. But a win's a win!

The tigers will host the #1 team in the nation --- the Florida Gators next Saturday at Death Valley. And the gators expect their star player, quarterback Tim Tebow to suit up. Florida, having had a bye-week this week... has had two weeks to prepare for Les Miles and Company.

Okay. I Get Why There Is Such A Fuss About This Stadium

October 3, 2009

We just finished walking around Cowboys Stadium.  Not bad.  I kid, I kid.  The place is absolutely a diamond in a world full of rubies.  You could eat off the floor but then, people would stare at you.  The place even has a fruit stand in the concourse behind each end zone! If the Sports-Wife is reading this, I had a plantain and an orange, NOT the Ultimage Nachos. 

While taking our little self-escorted tour around this palace, we run into (and interview) Arkansas Razorbacks radio analyst, Keith Jackson (former Little Rock Parkview, Oklahoma Sooner, Philadelphia Eagle and Green Bay Packer); former head coach and athletic director, Frank Broyles; and one of Shreveport's favorite son's and former Razorback quarterback, Joe Ferguson.  Great stuff and we will share it with you tonight and in the coming days.  For those who are familiar with Ferguson's battle with cancer---he says everything is going great and his white blood cell count is up.  He looked great, especially compared to the last time we had a chance to chat with him.

The game is drawing near... and LSU just caught a break when the Georgia kicker missed his first field goal of the season.  Things are looking up for a pretty doggone good Saturday!

Hogs And Aggies Fans Fired Up For Rivalry Renewal

October 3, 2009

We just spent a few minutes with Aggies and Hogs fans tailgating outside Cowboys Stadium.  While the mood is festive and friendly, it's also noticeable that both sides welcome the renewal of this old SWC rivalry.  Is it just me, or do both camps kinda', sorta' want these two teams to be banging heads in the same conference? While it's hard to argue the Razorbacks made a poor choice when bolting to the SEC in 1991... I mean, serioulsy.  The SEC is the richest, deepest, most widely recognized conference in the NCAA.  But have the Hogs REALLY developed any strong rivlary in the SEC (and don't even suggest the Battle for the Boot)? 

So far, the Gig 'em's and Woo Pig's have been friendly---wonder if they will be passing beers and bar-b-que from one group to the other after the game?

Big Day For College Football. Well, Duh!

October 3, 2009

Excuse me while I break out a little Robert Frost-esque prose here, but... as the leaves begin their annual transition from birth to death from the seascape of New England to the foamy waters of the Pacific coastline, so too does college football metamorphosize from pretender to contender status. All around the country today---Athens, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Lexington, Kentucky; Los Angeles, California---teams will be stamped with legitimacy status in their pursuit of crystal trophies.

To me, the interesting facet of today's slate doesn't end there.  Which is why this post is coming to you on the road to Arlington, Texas.  The old Southwest Conference rivals, Arkansas and Texas A&M, get together today in the first of the soon-to-be-annual get togethers in Cowboys Stadium.  In addition to covering the game for the sake of providing our Arkansas viewers and Aggie fans a deeper look at their favorite teams, we are going to Jerry's playland to keep track of some of our area's finest former high school players.  Did you know Jonathan Stewart, a freshman linebacker for the Aggies out of Byrd High School, has started all three games this year for the Gig 'em's?  You probably realize Texas High alum, Ryan Mallett is off to a prodigious start in his initial campaign as the Hogs quarterback, but did you know former Arkansas High standout, Dennis Johnson is tearing it up for the Razorbacks as well? How about Stewart's  old SPAR league teammage, Ramon Broadway out of Evangel? Yeah, he'll start at cornerback for Arkansas.  It's those stories that we're pursuing today.  No title at stake for either team today.  But the seeds of playing college football, planted ten, twelve years ago for the former Ark-La-Tex standouts have blossomed.  We will be there to smell the roses. Not a bad idea for other walks of life, huh?

Tech Gears Up For REDnesday Showdown With Hawai'i

September 30, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 COULD be a Red-Letter day for Louisiana Tech football.  As the only football game on the college football docket tonight, with a nationwide cable audience given the opportunity to tune in (ESPN2), the Bulldogs best foot forward could get them moving toward WAC contender status. By asking all fans who make the trek to Joe Aillet Stadium to wear Red, the visual's will be eye-popping... Red clad fans, Tech's Red Jersey's, Green Plastic Grass, Hawai'i's deep green uni's.  It's what LCD TV's are made for!

In the big picture, anyone who has paid attention to college football over the past 10 years knows that an exciting offensive performance + high-scoring affair + gadgets, tricks and possible overtime=Boise State.  How do you think the Broncos burst onto the scene? It wasn't with a 13-9 slugfest.  The perennial WAC powerhouse has built themselves into a college fan's household name by offering high octane performances while delivering win after win after win.

If Tech puts on a dazzling display tonight, with the scoreboard nearly tilting in the process, high school recruits will take notice. "National TV. Lots of guys getting touches...hmm, might need to put these guys a little higher on the board."  Southern Miss, Tulane, Memphis, SMU would love to be in Tech's cleats tonight.  The regional pigskin brethren of the Bulldogs can only sit and watch, though.  If they see a few plays that elicit respones along the lines of: "Daaaang, Dawg.  Did you see that?"  There's a good chance the ESPN crew will make a point to keep Louisiana Tech's name circled on the calendar. In RED, of course.

Make Or Break For 'Boys, Huh?

September 28, 2009

With woeful Carolina entering Jerry's palace, now is the time for the Cowboys to put their cleated boots down and make a stand. Join the also-rans or keep the heat on the Giants in the NFC East.  Through two games, Dallas had not recorded a single sack or garnered one takeaway.  This isn't Christmas, fella's.  In football it is much better to RECEIVE turnovers than GIVE them away.  He's not Santa Claus, but Panthers quarterback, Jake Delhomme is as close to jolly St. Nick as you will find in the NFL.  In his previous 12 quarters of regular and post-season play before tonight, Delhomme had turned the ball over 12 times.  Merry September!!

Delhomme obliged tonight, throwing two picks, one taken back for the game-clinching score by Terence Newman midway through the fourth quarter in the 'Boys 21-7 win.  The Cajun Turnover threw one pick earlier in the game and the Panthers lost one fumble to ensure Jerry's Boys wouldn't find lumps of coal in their stockings this Monday night.

Tony Romo played so-so... no touchdowns---but more importantly, no picks.  Felix Jones (94 Yds.) and Tashard Choice (82 Yds., 1TD) filled in more than capably for the inactive Marion Barber.  And the defense brought out the big backs, picking up their first, second and third sacks of the '09 campaign.

All in all, a good-but-not-great night for Dallas. Which beats the alternative---a "Bah! Humbug! Sunday Night With The Giants."

Take Advantage of the Super Derby

September 16, 2009

I didn't realize what a big deal the Super Derby was until I attended the press conference today. First of all the purse is $750,000. That's A LOT of money. There are races all day long - the total purse value of all races Saturday is more than $1.2 million dollars. The Super Derby is the one you don't want to miss. It will be the 11th race and with the first race scheduled to start at noon, the Super Derby has an estimated post time of 5:15 p.m.

This is the 30th year of Louisiana's premiere race and there's a very talented line-up. The race is one mile and one eighth, a grade II for three year olds.

Louisiana Has A LOT of Connections in the NFL

September 13, 2009

I didn't realize just how many guys from Louisiana and/or our state schools that are living the dream, playing professional football in the NFL.... no easy feat by any means.

According to the Advocate there are 41 former LSU tigers currently playing in the pros, 8 from ULL, 4 from Tulane, 3 from ULM, 2 from Grambling, 2 from McNeese State, 2 from Nicholls State and 2 from Northwestern. That's 69 guys from Louisiana Schools! Wow. There's 29 other Louisiana Natives (that went to school out of state, but we still claim them) also in the NFL. For example - Arnaz Battle, a former Byrd Yellow Jacket and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, currently a San Francisco 49er.

It's wonderful, but sure makes for crazy Sunday/Mondays trying to keep up with all the action of our locals!!!!

Friday Football Fever Continues!!!!!

September 11, 2009

The KTBS Three Sports team will be in Texarkana tonight for the big Texas High - Arkansas High Rivalry!!! A 94 year tradition continues. Texas won last year, the two tied in '07.... who will win bragging rights for a year? We'll let you know tonight on Friday Football Fever, as well as over 15 other game highlights. The best coverage in the Ark-la-tex.

What If... Website Forecasts 2009 College Football Season

August 31, 2009

The folks at Whatifsports.com have run thousands of computer-generated versions of the 2009 college football season.  Pretty interesting stuff... especially if you're a Louisiana Tech fan trying to buy into the belief your guys can knock off Auburn next week. Check out the week 1 results.

Friday Football Fever Begins Tonight

August 28, 2009

It's Football Season! Friday Football Fever starts TONIGHT on KTBS and KPXJ... the best high school coverage in the area! You don't want to miss it!